"Ugh...this is...so tiring." Theo said as he, Kirito and Alice worked in tandem to climb up with the others hanging off them. "We were on the 80th, dropped to the 38th and now we're climbing to the 95th."

"Yeah...it's pretty annoying." Subaru said. "Wait, don't you have a dragon, Alice? Can't you call it to pick us up?"

"Mine is not allowed past the 30th floor. No one is, not even un- the great commander's. Not even the birds attempt to try it. It is all due to the art that the Pontifex casted." Alice said.

"Damn. That means Fly may be useless here." Seiya said.

"Well can't we just bust through the walls?" Ethox asked.

"No...the cathedral walls are ever living and as you saw are quickly regenerating." Alice said.

"So guess we'll just stick with climbing." Theo said.

Back on the outside…

"Gotta admit...these army bases have some good fish." Sanji said.

"You said it. It tastes so good after all those long treks we did getting here." Teba said.

"And that's quite a large ship they have outside the base too." Simon said.

"Oh yeah. Is it a battleship?" Zan asked.

"No, it's Japanese. We don't have battleships." Hyperion said. "It's an escort ship. The DDII9 Asui. She's a five ton general purpose vessel. She's one of two ships in service."

"Wow...it looks so small from here." Wendy said.

"Small?" Hyperion said. "Moving away? That's odd. It's supposed to stay close to us until the day after tomorrow. I better bring this up to Kikuoka." he said as he departed.

"For security reasons we're not allowed to connect to the Wi-Fi either." X said.

"Well it is a top secret project. Don't wanna risk potential leakers." Emo said.

"True." Mari said.

"Although...why do I get this feeling that something is about to go down?" Mirror Match pondered as he looked out to sea.

Back with the climbing group…

"Okay...let's...rest here for a moment." Theo said sitting on his blade.

"So...how far did we go?" Subaru asked.

"Well...if I had to guess...we're probably passed the 85th floor." Kirito said.

"That's good. Only 10 floors away. But it's getting dark. It'll be too dangerous to climb." Naofumi said looking up. "Statues? This high up? Although, it looks like they're sitting on a ledge."

"That's good. We can rest there and continue on in the morning." Ethox said. "Gotta say...that is one butt ugly statue." he said before it became flesh. "Not a statue!" he said as it took off into the air.

"It's from the Dark Territory!" Alice said as the monster flew at them.

"Air Strike Shield!" Naofumi said, striking it with a sudden shield.

"Aquarius Mode!" Theo said, gaining his water pistols. "Hang on. I'm gonna try something crazy!" he said pointing his pistols downward.

"Right." they said hanging onto him.

"Aquarius Pistols: Aqua Jet!" Theo said, firing them both as they were propelled by the water before landing on the ledge. "There, we've got a decent fighting chance now."

"There is no doubt...but why are they here?" Alice asked. "Familiars from the Dark Territory who were conjured up with soil by corrupt sorcerers and given life. Such disgusting things. We call them minions."

"But this is the holiest place in the land. Why are they here?" Ethox asked.

"That's what I'd like to know as well." Alice said. "They should not be here. Befouling the symbol of all there is good. It's unreal."

"Yeah...unless your precious Administrator wanted them here." Kirito said. "Not sure why though."

"There's going to be a lot of hard truths to learn on this climb, Alice. But let me just say this...by the time we're back inside, I swear you'll be fighting by our side." Theo smiled.

Back inside…

"They...are both gone? No...they are right. They must be alive. I'm sure of it." Eugeo said as they stopped before a door. "The 90th floor."

"One of those knights are inside." Zoro said.

"Okay...let's do it then!" Flamberge said, kicking the door open. "Who's ready to…" she said before realizing it was one large hot spring.

"Huh… This looks nice." Eri said.

"And someone seems to be enjoying it." Miriam said.

"Yeah...us." Tsubaki said.

"No...pretty sure she means him." Erza said, looking to a man with scars on his body. The others quickly reached for their weapons.

"Easy kids. I gotta stretch first before we start. I just got back from patrolling the borderlands. Riding that dragon nonstop sure does a number on the body." he said.

"We can imagine." Tsubaki said.

"May we ask for your name?" Miriam asked.

The man simply dressed in his robes as he held a hand out when his sword flew right to him. "There. Now we can begin. But let me just say something first. You didn't, you know, kill Vice Commander Fanatio, did you?" he said.

"No, Ayase healed her before we left." David said.

"That's good. Since you spared her life. I'll return the favor and spare yours." he said.

"How disrespectful." Eugeo said. "Those other knights matter too!"

"Oh, you're taking that road. Eldrie is Alice's apprentice. The four whirling blades are Fanatio's. And her, she's mine." he said. "I'm invested with her. If you killed her, I'd be obliged to avenge her. That's all there is to it. Though, I guess little Alice does look up to me as her mentor. She's not the same as she was six years ago. Anyway, seeing as she's as strong as me, you likely snuck past her. However, you won't get so lucky with me. Weird...I thought there were more. Ah...I get it. They're keeping Alice busy."

"Well… It kind of depends on how you look at it. We got seperated." Tatsuya said.

"So...who's gonna avenge you?" Sir Saiyan asked.

"No one, kid. I never had any master." the man said.

"Then...he's the commander of all these knights." Ichiro said.

"So… You're the one that Cardinal mentioned." David said. "You're Bercouli."

"Not sure who that is but yeah...I'm Bercouli Synthesis One." he said.

"Incredible." Miriam said.

"Now...en garde!" Bercouli said swinging his blade, unleashing a powerful slash.

"Crimson Storm, away!" Miriam called, launching a wave of red energy from Grand Izayoi. "I musn't let my guard down..huh?" she said as a cut appeared on her as she flew into the bath.

"The heck? I didn't even see the cut?" Mark said.

"Wait a second… I could feel it. It was like his blade cut through time itself." David said.

"Wow...you got it in one guess. In short, I cut right into the future." Bercouli said. "All my attacks are based around a single strike through time. See, my sword was originally part of a divine object called a clock. It used to hang on the cathedral's wall. It had a weird name. The Pontifex called it System Clock, or something like that. Now its got a new name...the Time Splitting Sword."

"I thought I felt something off. Your strength precedes you." Miriam said.

"If he can really cut through time, we won't be able to get close to him." Erza said.

"Actually, there may be a way. But it's risky." David said. "Actually, looking back on it now, I don't know if it will work."

"It's okay, Dave. Anything can help at this point." Tatsuya said.

"Well, I was going to suggest using my Zone Speed, but… If his sword really can pierce through time, I don't know if it will work." David said.

'Let me guess, you guys are thinking about trying something long range now, aren't ya? Everyone who sees that move usually does. Fanatio and Alice had those same thoughts. They considered it to be a contest of sorts. But still here I am, still their commander." Bercouli said as the group moved cautiously around him. "Well...come and get it, kids. This time, I won't be going easy on you."

"Well, whatever works will work, I guess." David said.

"I think I'm gonna try something." Tatsuya said.

"Go for it, Tatsuya." David said.

"Hey, here I come!" Tatsuya said, charging in.

"Don't say I didn't warn ya!" Bercouli said, bringing his sword down as Tatsuya intercepted it with his own blade before letting it go and grabbing onto Bercouli as the two fell into the bath as another sword fell from the sky as Tatsuya grabbed it. "Eugeo, now!"

"Release Recollection!" Eugeo said, freezing the two of them in the bath.

"Ah...ha. Never seen a swordsman toss his blade before." Bercouli said.

"Battlefields have lots of opportunities. Anything can be a trap." Tatsuya said.

"Best of what you got huh? Nice." Bercouli said as he started to try and break out.

"Hold on. This is going to be an endurance test. Who has more life I wonder before Eugeo's blade sucks us both dry. Since I'm younger, I gotta have more." Tatsuya said. "You're a great warrior but...you gotta remember who you are."

"What are you talking about?" Bercouli said.

"In my village, there are stories about your heroism." Eugeo said. "You have to have seen this sword before."

"I have...right. Years ago. It was in the nest of a white dragon. I saw it sitting there after I killed it." Bercouli said.

"You killed it? A dragon that protected the human realm? Don't you remember anything about your past? In Ruid, everyone knows about you as a hero. But the Pontifex took that from you by sealing your memories." Eugeo said.

"Memories...sealed away? That…makes no sense. But...the stuff about being summoned from the heavens...I had my doubts...for awhile now." Bercouli said. "Now I know...you aren't assassins from the Dark Territory."

"Huh?" Eugeo said.

"Ah! We need to go! Room!" Law said creating a room.

"Wait! Tatsuya is still…" David said.

"I'll try and get him with us. But something bad is about to go on in this place." Law said as he saw the doors opened. "Shambles!" he said as they warped out of the room leaving only Bercouli and Eugeo behind.

"Whew… That was crazy…" David said.

"I had no choice." Law said opening back the doors of the room to show the room was one massive freezer with Bercouli being petrified.

"Damn… Seems like he didn't have the endurance after all." Tatsuya said.

"That was still a pretty insane stunt you did back there, Tatsuya." Kasumi said.

"I know...but you gotta take risks sometimes." Tatsuya said.

"Wait." Mark realized. "Where's Eugeo?"

"Looks like whoever killed Bercouli took him." Law said.

"Hey...don't go...killing me off." Bercouli said barely.

"What the? He's still alive after being in there for so long? That's endurance." Cheetah said.

"The kid's attack...wasn't what did this." Bercouli said. "It was the Prime Senator. He waltzed right in just after you vanished."

"Prime Senator? Oh, that does not sound good." Leopardmon said.

"He's an ugly little pig. Someone who is like the Pontifex's right hand. He put me on a deep freeze and took the kid." Bercouli said.

"Where are they?" a voice called out as they saw Theo and his group standing in the doorway.

"Uncle!" Alice said.

"Ah...Alice...so glad you're okay." Bercouli said before noticing her right eye was missing. "So you broke free of its hold. That's good."

"What are you guys doing here?" Flamberge asked.

"We just reached the 95th floor, then we decided to catch up by tracking Eugeo's sword...but looks like his sword is the only thing here." Theo said. "So...where is he?"

"More than likely...the 100th floor." Bercouli said.

"Got it." Ethox said.

"Great, back to more climbing." Subaru said.

"Yeah but this time it's stairs and not the wall." Theo said.

"Trust me, you'll love the exercise." Revali said.

"Oh, jab at the fact I'm a shut in, very funny." Subaru said sarcastically.

"Not just that. Your legs will get a good workout." David said.

"Well, onward and upward." Ace said.

They soon got started walking up the stairs.

"So...Alice's eye...what happened?" Belladonna asked.

"Well...we told her the truth. About the church, Administrator, the ten Isekai...all of it. She was prepared to reject the church when her eye started doing that thing. Like how Eugeo was. Her eye glowed red and then exploded." Naofumi said.

"Aha, so those red eyes are a way for the Administrator to keep her prized knights in check." Cheetah said.

"Somehow I don't think that's it. Alice said she saw writing in her eye. Code: 871." Theo said.

"Code 871? What's that about?" Tsubaki asked.

"In layman's terms, it must be an inhibitor code." Ayase said. "Administrator can't create those, but someone outside in Rath could."

"But...this would go against their goal wouldn't it? Why would they do that?" Ethox said.

"Unless there's possibly a traitor in Rath." Selena said.

"A traitor? Hmm… Well, Hyperion did say that he wanted to create AIs for war, albeit non-lethally." Leopardmon said. "There may be a chance that someone among their staff is not who they say they are. But only those on the outside can figure that out."

"Yes, all we can do is hope on them." Roy said. "But knowing them, I know they'll figure it out."

"So...the guy who attacked was called a prime senator. Are there others?" Law asked.

"Yes however we Integrity Knights have never seen a senator." Alice said as they reached the 96th floor. Inside, they heard muttering of sorts.

"Sacred arts…" Kirito said as they proceeded inside. They looked in shock to see featureless figures inside capsules as they continued to mutter sacred arts.

"These are the eyes and ears of the church?" Theo said.

"Yeah...I bet they used to be normal people too, before the Pontifex went and stripped them of everything that made them human." Kirito said.

"This is just too cruel." Miriam said.

"What the hell kind of test lab did we just walk in on?" Tatsuya asked.

"No one should be forced to do something like this." Ichiro said.

"To use humanity in this way…" Sir Saiyan said.

They soon heard screaming further down the hall to see a small ugly man in jester like clothing looking at a strange sphere.

"And who is that?" Theo said.

"Prime Senator Chudelkin." Alice said.

"No no no! It's not fair!" he said leaning back before seeing Alice's face. "Huh?" he said before she grabbed him. "What is the meaning of this, number 30?"

"My name is Alice." Alice said.

"I...I see. Huh? Number 30...I mean Alice, why aren't they dead yet? They are sinners, traitors, pawns of the Dark Territory." Chudelkin said.

"They are traitors but they have nothing to do with the Dark Territory." Alice said. "You and the Pontifex, you stole our memories, made us your pawns."

"Yes...that's correct. I still remember the day we brought you in." Chudelkin said. "How you cried about not wanting to have your memories taken. Thinking back to it now...I couldn't think of anything more hilarious."

"How repulsive…" Eri said.

"Agreed, what you've done to Alice and those people is unforgivable. I will not let them be subjected to the same pain I had!" Miriam said.

"Oh...a sad life. Oh boo hoo." Chudelkin said before laughing.

"That may not matter much to someone as vile and revolting as you, but tarnishing a person's free will is something that will not stand!" Eri said.

"Oh...then this will be something to make you more mad. The synthesis ritual we use is usually taken freely. But for Alice...we forced it on her. I wanted to make her a statue and enjoy that expression forever." Chudelkin said.

"I've heard enough." Alice said before piercing her sword through his body. "Just die."

Chudelkin only smiled as his body exploded into a gas. "The Synthesis Ritual isn't all I'm good at! Hahaha!" he laughed as he floated off.

"I'm gonna kill him!" Eri said as they chased after him.

"Where is he leading us?" Theo asked.

"The 99th floor it seems." Alice said.

"This has to be a trap." Connie said. "Just like Gengis Khan's forces. Attack with a small group, then lead the opposing army into an ambush point with overwhelming forces."

"Trap or no trap, that punk clown is gonna get what's coming to him." DJ said.

"There's someone coming." Asta said as they saw a figure coming in from the floor above. To their shock, it was Eugeo dressed in knight-like armor.

"No...this can't be. It's only been an hour since you fought uncle. It's too soon for the ritual to be done." Alice said.

"Alice, wait… I can feel it around him. He doesn't seem to be completely under the Administrator's control." Sachiko said.

"So...we can still free him." Cobalt said.

"Just leave that to me." Kirito said.

"Alright. I know it's pointless to say this, but… Don't die on us." Cheetah said.

"Really? Please. I've risked my life 3 times already in death games. Besides, I taught Eugeo how to wield a sword so...it's time for another lesson." Kirito said.

Act 2: Alicization Rising

END