Centoria

The top of the Central Cathedral is descending...the seeds containing memories of the Pontifex (which explains the emptiness of the seed found in the south), and the final stage is set. A hundred floors and beasts aplenty stand between me, the ACTF, and the pair of Hersyrian and Quinella. A fight Kirito began...I will end in his place.

I sit in front of Kirito, the poor sap sitting in his chair like an idiot. I wish I could take a picture and show this to others one day when this becomes a funny moment in our lives… "Hey, Kazuto, Asuna told me of the future you wanted to have. What was it? Studying the development of VR in America? That sounds so cool. It's funny how you've fully embraced something that almost killed us once, but I guess you're not the only one. I've done the same, just a different avenue. Asuna would have gone with you too, but I'm not sure I appreciate you not inviting me along. It's my homeland, after all…"

His lack of responses annoys me, feels like I'm talking to myself, although this does make me feel more sane. Sighing, I sit back in my chair and stare up in my tent. "You know, I've thought about it...and I am going to stick with the moment. Momiji and I decided to stay as friends, and I like it that way. As for Rika… I think I'm doing her a favor by not getting back with her. In the end, I hurt her, and I know myself, I'll do it again. If I'm going to upset her, I rather she yell at me for wrecking my gear or breaking a sword in her shop. It is...not the choice I really prefer, but it is the best one for everyone. Besides, I think I'm done with pink-haired women telling me what to do…"

"Jaymes," Medina enters my tent without much warning, but its not like I mind she does. "Oh...you're with him. Anyway, are you ready to enter the Central Cathedral?"

"Admittedly no, not yet."

"I am not as well. Everyone seems to be struggling a bit. Thanks to beast and Dark Knight attacks in quick succession, supplies are running low."

"So we need to get some before we invade the cathedral."

Medina nods. "About that… May I ask a favor?"

I stand up, knowing where this is going. Not really caring what the objective is, it is better than sitting around do nothing. "Granted, let's go...uhh are the girls still out there?"

Medina nods and smirks as she exits. "They were giggling about something too? It must be entertaining."

Of course they did, even though they won't understand it. "Ugh."


"Looks like we got everything we need," I say as I meet Medina outside the academy grounds with a single jet-black horse in tow. "Only had one to spare, so you don't mind if we ride together?"

"It's fine. Now we can go."

"Orthinanos!" We turn and see three kids our age in Academy uniform. These must be former classmates of Medina's and nobility, which I know means no good is coming up. "It's been ages! Do you remember me?"

"Of course."

The snobby boy looks up and down at me, scoffing. "The man beside you looks familiar, but… Sorry, I never remember commoners."

I sigh. "Do I look like a… Whatever."

"So what is it you want with me?"

"How cold! I'm just saying hello because I saw a schoolmate in town. I'd like to catch up I hear you left the Academy to hunt magical beasts."

"Yes, to help the ACTF and gain military prowess."

"Military prowess? Hahahahaha! You've got to be kidding! Who'd ever acknowledge you just for killing a beast? You're a defect! If you've forgotten that, allow us to remind you."

"I think that's about enough," the boy beside him says.

"Excuse me? Do you mean to defend this defect?"

"I didn;t say that. But we should at least respect that she's dealt with many beasts."

"So what i she's killed a few beasts? She was only doing it for the fame."

"Even so, thanks to her help, we're able to live safely here in the capital." So there are nobles with common sense. I think I'm going to be sick.

"He's right," the girl with them speaks.

"You too?"

"And Orthinanos is strong, too, isn't she?"

"Yeah, she did well in the promotion exam. I've seen her fight too. Heard that she even fought the strongest swordsman in the ACTF to a draw. She's strong."

"That's what I heard. My uncle really praised her."

The snob is in total shock. "Y-You're uncle? Sir Altimious praised that defect?"

"Why does that sound familiar," I whisper to Medina.

"The 'Cat Baron,' remember?" Oh, yes, I remember he asked Medina and I to find his cat Marlou, and when we did find Marlou, I had to help Medina by… Anyway, I remember that moment.

"If SIr Altimious speaks so highly of her, shouldn't we believe him?"

"Grr… Dammit! Forget it, let's go!" As the trio departs, I turn to Medina, who looks just as bewildered to a milder degree than the boy who was insulting her.

"Well?"

"To be honest… I'm not sure what just happened. A noble...defended me? Why?"

I shrug as I get up on the horse and help her up. "Maybe they see what I've seen in you since we first met. Your efforts have made an impression on their view of your family."

As she holds on to me as we begin moving, Medina laughs in relief. "I never thought this day would truly come."

"Told you it would happen eventually."

"This is the first time I've actually seen real results. Things are actually changing! It may be preposterous to say tis after I betrayed you, but… I'm so happy."

"Eh, not so preposterous. Be happy about your success."

"I guess so. It seems I hadn't fully approved of my own course of action thus far."

"Clearing your family name?"

"Yeah. Somewhere in my mind, I never truly believed it was possible. That's why I was drawn in by Hersyrian's promise of power. But you all refused to give up on me, and showed me that destiny can be changed. And it changed the moment I met Kirito on the northern path between Rulid and Zakkaria, and the day you accepted me in the ACTF. I'm sorry it took so long for me to recognize how much you cared and trusted me. I'll depend on you more from now on, Jaymes."

I turn to her and smile. "Yeah, sure. Just don't overdo it, and allow me to depend on you too."

"Mhm. Let's head to Cliffia Town in Wesdarath first. The wayfarers helped out there."


Minelda Rocks, Wesdarath

After meeting with the wayfarers in Cliffia, Medina and I journeyed to the fort Medina held as her base of operations not long ago. But there's no real reason to be here, now that I think about it. "Hey, Medina, why are we here?"

She gulps. "Because… I want to start anew from here."

"Huh?"

"Besides the one moment we both lost ourselves, you've always looked out for me, never leaving me behind. Alice, Eydis, and the ACTF have treated me as a friend. So I want to swear to you here, in this place where I rejected you… I'll never turn my back on you again. I want to continue walking this path with you...forever, if I can."

I lean against the arch at the fort's gate, shaking my head. "You brought me all the way out here just to say that?"

"I… I'm sorry. That was selfish of me. I just thought this was the appropriate place to tell you how I feel… What's so funny?"

"You are. You're the most...confusing girl I've ever met. One moment, you're cold, the next you're opening up, then another you're ready to kill me."

"Well...isn't that how it is when you spend some time together?"

"I've only been here over a month, yet...you're right. Still, it's surprising to see you like this. You thought you'd hate me in the beginning, but look at you now. Telling me how you want to be with me forever."

She blushes. "Well...I...um… Why are you so mean! I'm trying to change, okay? And if I recall, you also tried killing me, so I think you should make the same pledge."

I hold my hand up. "I solemnly swear that I, Jaymes, will never turn my back again on Medina Orthinanos for as long as we live, and I will continue to walk this path with her...forever, if she doesn't throw me off a cliff first. Happy now?"

Medina shakes her hed but not her smile. "I hate you so...so… Achoo!

I laugh at Medina's cute sneeze and hand her my cape. "Here. The horse is dry in the stables while we're standing in the rain. Let's get out of it."


Hours later

"The rain isn't stopping," I say with a sigh as we look out the door that is the entrance between the outside world and the throne room. We're kept ourselves entertained by a mock duel and a few games and stories, most of the latter stuff about me and her ancestor's adventures or happy moments in our childhoods, yet the rain is still present. At this rate, we may have to spend the night here. Good thing we made sure the horse had plenty of hay to eat and we have food ourselves from Cliffia.

"Perhaps it's a punishment for my betrayal."

"Don't say stuff like that. You were doing what you thought you had to, and we're both guilty of betraying each other if anything."

She sighs. "I was trying so hard so achieve greatness in battle to clear my family name. But after meeting all of you, I realized what was truly important. I want you all to trust me. And I want to fight by your side. I know it won't be easy. That's why I wanted to make that promise here, and earn your trust bit by bit. Hopefully you'll trust me as you do Eydis."

"Eydis, huh?"

"I know you won't be able to trust me like that right away. But I'm going to--"

"Medina," I interrupt, "I already do. Sure, I do trust Eydis and it may seem she's my right hand woman, but that's just how I am. I usually put more faith in the person I meet and connect with first. But I trust all of you the same, for different reasons."

"Different reasons?"

"Mhm. Remember the reason I didn't duel you back then? You knew Kirito, and by academic standards, you were one of the best in your class at the academy like him. I trusted your swordsmanship on that. But your name, or more exactly, when I remembered the name is why I initially trusted you. And through all of this, you've gained more of it. I didn't take your betrayal well, not that I've ever taken betrayal well, but part of me trusted you then as well. And the others, they trust you too. Even Alice, even if it didn't seem like it, she did."

Medina sighs and kicks my leg softly. "You're such a fool… How frustrating."

"Yeah, I know."

"So you agree? We can start anew from here?"

"Sure. And don't forget, I trust you, Medina."

She nods. "Thank you, Jaymes. Well then… I've done what I came to do." She faces the window, gasping as moonlight breaks through the clouds. "The moon."

"Oh, finally! The rain stopped."

"Yes, but it's late. We should get some rest, but I'm not tired yet… Are you cold?"

I am a little, but I have been warming myself with heat magic. "Yeah, a bit."

She frowns and holds open my cape. "Come, get warm, and look at the moon with me. It's pretty." I don't know if she'll take no for an answer, so I skidaddle over and wrap up in my cape with her. If the close contact bothers her, she doesn't say anything about it, instead pointing to the moon. "You know of the four gods, right? Terraria, Solus, Vecta, and Stacia? Well, there's also a fifth goddess, Lunaria, and she's Solus' opposite, the goddess of the moon. She's the reason we dream at night."

"Really?"

"Mhm. She's not as praised as the other three...but I think I owe her one now that my dream is close to fruition." Dreams, huh? I wonder if the Goddess of the Moon can work on for me. Saving Kirito would be the obvious one, but if I'm going to be selfish…

No, not even Lunaria can make the impossible happen.