"Cut all you like. At the end of that bloody road you'll find the key...or not."
Sheyta sighs. "Like it's so easy."
"You'll just have to find out for yourself whether or not it's easy, won't you?" The Pontifex appears in the dark void, the only presence of light.
"Lady Pontifex?"
"It's good to see you. You've been sleeping for quite some time. How is being awake?"
"I'm not used to it yet...but it's not necessarily unpleasant. But I'd like to ask you something. When you gave the Black Lily Sword to me, why did you leave me with those words? I've been thinking about it ever since, even while I cut down my enemy."
"How would you like to think?"
"To...think?"
"You keep expecting something. That you'll be able to lift your murderous curse."
"Perhaps so."
"I speak the truth. Is that what you'd like to believe?" Administrator chuckles. "You're a fool. I am the Pontifex, Administrator. Would I speak so kindly?"
"I don't know. You were beautiful, cruel, and at times, strangely kind. Whatever your goal, only you and one other accepted my murderous impulses."
"Then...interpret as you like. After all, I'm only the Administrator in your memory. I can only speak of your memories and your desires."
"Then why are you still talking to me? Hurry, I need to go back already."
Administrator chuckles again. "Say… I have a fun idea, Sheyta. Why is it that you're giving it your best shot this time? To see if there really is anything at the end of that long and bloody road, you see..."
Jaymes
"And that's pretty much what happened between me and Lady Pontifex." I listen to Sheyta recount her conversation with Administrator as I try to come to terms that, once again, my boldness almost got me killed. And after having a second person point a rapier dangerously close to my face… Yeah, I now confirm why Asuna scares me. I'm just glad Eydis, Alice, and the other Integrity Knights managed to bring Sheyta back to her senses before I became a skewer.
"Well, that's...nice to know, heh heh."
Sheyta looks to me apologetically. "I'm sorry for almost hurting you, Jaymes."
"No biggie. It's just been a long, death-defying day. Alice, you can take care of the Core, right?" I walk away and stare at the path leading back. Oh, I would die for a comfy bed right now… Actually I take that back, I wouldn't die for anything right now. But I do want a comfortable bed. And maybe a--
"AAAAH!"
Screams from the outer parts of the ravine… I gasp as I recognize the voice. "Medina! But who…" Gritting my teeth, I turn to the others just as Alice destroys the Clamp Core. "We have to go back!" They nod and follow after me as my anger begins to boil over. Hersyrian...you have pissed me off for the last time...
Medina
"Your resilience is impressive. Alas, all the others perished so easily." Medina kneels on the ground, stunned by the bloodshed Herysrian easily laid on the wayfarers. All of them, dead, and she couldn't do a thing to protect them as their leader.
"My...savior." No, one lives...and it's Selina, who picks up a sword to defend Medina.
"Selina! Stay away! Get out of here!"
Hersyrian turns around and strolls over to Selina. "Keeping you alive was the right decision." He raises his staff and impales the girl in her abdomen. Medina watches helplessly as the girl, her friend, the only wayfarer she named drops down and Hersyrian shakes her blood off his staff.
"HERSYRIANNN!"
"To see the savior's face as her last hope fades! My thanks for this feast of sorrow. Foolish woman. Trying to get in my way with your merry band of rubbish wayfarers. And what was all that impertinent prattle about 'realizing my real purpose'? I was afraid I'd vomit! You're just like the fifth-generation head in every way… Hahaha! My masterpiece! And thus, the curtain falls on the savior's betrayal. I will put an end to your disgusting bloodline and bid you farewell. For guiding these wayfarers here, you have my deepest gratitude. I no longer have a use for you, Lady Medina. Only one piece remains for the revival of Lady Pontifex."
"Why? You said...the human realm would be saved once Lady Pontifex was revived."
"And you believed my every word. But let us drop this farce, shall we, my savior? Nay, you are a false savior, never once giving a thought to saving the world. You betrayed your friends in order to restore honor to your family name… And speaking of that, should I reveal the truth to you now? It'd be far more fun to tell you before you die." Hersyrian kneels down and leans into Medina's ear. "Medina Orthinanos, the defect. Everything you have doon has been for naught."
"You...lied to me?"
"In order to take full advantage of your power to resurrect Her Excellence. For you are the last head of Orthinanos, I wanted to play like old times."
"What do you mean? Who ARE you?"
Hersyrian ignore the question. "Breaking those cheap bonds along with the fake puppets you thought were friends… The one who told them to sacrifice civilians was none other than yours truly. It was all to bury you under the weight of your own sin."
"No… It can't be!"
"All that was left were these few, last finishing touches. To make you fight your criminal 'friends' and kill them with your own hands. I didn't think the Lord of Knights would go so far as to attempt the same himself, but if it helped to eventually bring you down… All because I longed to see your face twist in agony upon learning the truth! Know that, even if Lady Pontifex is revived, there is nothing your friends, the invader, and his criminal friend can do to save the human realm. Rather I will save the realm by using hundreds of humans to make Sword Golems. You should be honored to assist me."
"What? But I saw Lady Pontifex on the top floor! She spoke to me!"
"'Oh, chosen savior, please help me...in order to save the human realm.'" It was Hersyrian the entire time? The Pontifex...never spoke at all. "Changing one's voice is but a trifle. You are really quite gullible. If you had killed your firnds, I would have told you the truth as a reward. I thought I would enjoy seeing the despair in your face, but what a failure that was. However, while you still command these puppets, there is one thing I must do. Killing each wayfarer would be a pain. I shall simply crush their leader instead. And there is no swordsman in black to come save you now." Medina bows her head, accepting her situation. She betrayed everything Kirito and Eugeo has done for her, her belief in Jaymes, Alice, Eydis, and the others of the ACTF. This is her penance, and her death is how she'll atone.
CLANG!
"You...insolent brat! You know you cannot harm! Why resist!" Medina opens her eyes to see a red cape flutter in front of her, a hand holding a golden-hilted sword with seven jewels inserted. He came...Jaymes came back to her. For her.
"That's easy. I'm not going to let someone like you hurt her!"
"You both disgust me… The false savior and the damned invader. Discharge!" Hersyrian throws his hand out and fires dark energy darts at Medina, only for Jaymes to deflect them. He winces a bit and stumbles, so maybe some hit him, yet he continues to stand in front of Medina.
"Are you okay, Medina?"
Medina as she looks up to Jaymes' turned head. "Yes, I'm…" She pauses mid-sentence as she glances at his face. His eyes...they're burning red again. And now that she sees it, everything about him feels completely different.
Herysrian chuckles as he prepares to attack. "If you want to play so badly, I will oblige. Though you must know how it will end!"
"Release Recollection! HAAAA!" Jaymes' golden sword cuts into the barrier by Hersyrian's head, and to his surprise, the enhanced blade easily shatters the Incarnate Shield and Jaymes almost fulfills his promise to make Hersyrian's head roll off his body.
Retreating, Hersyrian tries to comprehend what just happened. "It can't be… He broke through the Incarnate Shield!"
Jaymes holds the still glowing blade, somehow lasting long than when he used it on Kayode and bearing a totally different appearance. The winged hilt is gone in place of a slimmer one, and the sword itself appears to be slightly longer than usual. "Since we're sharing, let me tell you about my Perfect Weapon Control. It does not just give me the power of the elements in one in one powerful attack, like I used it before. It is based on a holy blade that cuts through all evil regardless of how strong one is. And as its sole master, I can cut through anything and delete it. Herysrian, your Incarnate Shield was destined to be broken by the full power of Exalted Falchion! And now...you will pay for the pain and suffering you've caused Medina!"
"Heh, heh, how amusing… However, this has gone on long enough." As Hersyrian retreats, Jaymes' blade loses its form and he drops on his knees.
"Jaymes!" Medina leaps over to him, holding him up. His eyes return to their normal brown color, but he looks exhausted beyond any physical limitation.
"I'm glad… I made it in time."
"But why? Why did you defend me? Even though I betrayed you!"
Jaymes shrugs. "Like I said, if I let someone I care for die, I'd tarnish the memory of someone important to me...and I've done good so far. I blame myself for Kirito already...and other things back in my world… so I'm pretty sure I couldn't handle losing you. Besides, you're too pretty to die."
Medina blushes, yet it makes her smile all the same. "I can't stand you."
"Yeah? I don't think I like myself this way either. Plus I don't think I can literally stand either… But can I ask two favors?"
"What is it?"
"One, please return with us. I'm sure you know things we don't, and I meant what I said the other day, I welcome you back."
Medina nods. "If you would allow me to do so."
"And the other...tell Eydis not to yell right now...when the others catch up... Just...let me...rest…" Jaymes collapses on Medina's shoulder, unconscious. Medina at first feels awkward, but seeing the swordsman at peace despite his exhaustion… She cannot help but smile. She looks ahead, seeing the rest of the team approach the death-filled playform, but despite it all, Medina holds her smile through her tears.
"Thank you, Jaymes."
Later
With Jaymes unconscious, everyone headed to Medina's fort, In the meantime, Alice, Eydis, Medina and the girls gave the wayfarers a proper burial just outside the Western Ravine. A single monument was made for all of them, and there, mourning silently, Medina made a single vow.
"I'm so sorry. It's my fault you all died. This wouldn't have happened if I'd trusted my friends and used my power properly. I won't ask for your forgiveness. Nothing I can do will atone for this sin, and I will carry it until the day I die. I will do everything in my power to save the realm and prevent further death. So please...watch over me from your resting place above."
"Your prayers has reached them," Alice says. "Of that I can assure you."
Medina stands up and turns to the other girls. "Thank you, Alice. All of you."
Eydis nods. "I know you would like to spend more time with them, but we should get going."
"Yeah."
Jaymes, the next day…
"Ugh…" I feel as if a mountain just fell on me. My body aches, yet besides that I feel well-rested. I try to remember what happened to get me in this position, and it reminds me that I fought four times in probably one hour's time. Vallenthor, Medina, Sheyta, and Hersyrian...but the last one makes me feel even more tired. Did I do something?
"Oh, you're finally back with us." Medina enters and closes the door, then takes a seat in a chair by my bed.
"How long was I out?"
"Twelve or so hours. Even with Alice's healing, that thing you did really did a number. Your eyes, they turned blood red, and its not the first time either. The sentry, me here a few days ago...but this was the first time you fought like that."
Red eyes? I have no recollection of such a thing, but why would I know my eye color anyway. I look at Medina, seeing her clothes still caked with blood. Some of it is of my doing. "You watched over me this entire time?"
"I only came here after giving the wayfarers a proper burial. Renly and the wayfarers who weren't with me at the ravine brought you here to my fort… What are you doing?"
I scoot over in the best as best I can. "You're exhausted, and don't try to lie. Lay down, over the cover if it suits you." Medina silently moves out the chair and crawls into the bed over the covers. "Thanks for watching over me."
"I've done nothing that warrants being thanked. I'm the one who tried to attack you after letting Hersyrian get in my head."
"And I'm the one who tried to attack you because I thought you were far too gone. I also didn't tell you the truth about the Pontifex, but can I slide that on to Alice since she was there?"
"...Can you tell me the truth? What happened to Eugeo and Kirito after they left the Academy?"
"Yes. From the events I collected from Cardinal, Kirito and Eugeo were arrested for breaking the Taboo Index. Alice came and took them to the Central Cathedral, which ironically worked out to their favor. Their goal was finding Alice the entire time, but they had to escape to find her. So they escaped the prisons, battling Eldrie in the process, then gained assistance from Cardinal. Then they scaled the tower, fighting Deusolberth, getting tricked by Linel and Fizel, fighting Fanatio and Alice. After Alice and Kirito got stuck outside the Central Cathedral, Kirito revealed the truth to her, freeing her from Administrator's control. At this time, Eugeo would have battled Bercouli, but was captured by...some...unimportant sack of shit and was taken to the Pontifex. Alice and Kirito returned to the interior of the Cathedral, but Eydis just arrived and mistook Alice's unconsciousness as a fault of Kirito's. Eventually, the two explained things to Eydis and scaled the remaining five floors to the top, battling a temporary Eugeo Synthesis Thirty-Two."
"What? Really?"
"Mhm. And then...I'm assuming Hersyrian showed you the battle with the Pontifex? Did he speak of the Sword Golems?"
"He did. The latter, he told me before he tried to kill me. So that's everything? All true?"
I nod. "That's the truth. Saw it all with my own eyes from Cardinal. Gotta say, the Pontifex got a smoking… Anyway, I should have told you when you joined the ACTF, definitely when I told Sortiliena and the pages. After telling them and seeing how they handled it, I should have known you could have done so as well. For that, I'm truly sorry.."
"At the time, I probably wouldn't have taken the news well at all. You made the right decision. Let me apologize to you for raising my sword against you in service of the Pontifex."
"We both probably shouldn't have done that, heh. But I'll admit, that was the best duel I had in my life. Sucks I couldn't go all out, I miss not having a shield… Nevertheless, I'm happy you're with us again."
"I refused to trust you, and believed you didn't trust me. I lost sight of what truly mattered and made an utter fool of myself, and still you welcomed me back into your fold?"
I shrug. "I understand not trusting others or being trusted. I've made a fool of myself many times, especially during this time. But it was the girl, Selina, who reminded me of who I am. Nothing I've done in the last four years was to hurt others, but to protect others. I've taken lives, but I've never done it because I could take a life, but because it meant someone else was alive and well. So hell yeah I can take you back. I made a promise to help you, remember?"
Medina smiles. "I'm glad to see you're just as heroically irritating as ever. It means the world to me."
I clear my throat and turn away, hiding the heat on my face. "Y-Y-Yeah, sure."
"This time, I'll use my powers correctly, thought I know I can never truly atone. I can't stand by as Hersyrian continues to imperil the human realm. So I will fight. It's the only thing I CAN do. And Jaymes, promise me that when we finally get Hersyrian, it is my blade that deals the final blow."
I nod and hold my hand up. "Long as I get to watch him sputter blood." Medina nods and takes my head, and as far as I remember, that's the last thing we said before exhaustion takes over both of us.
