Chieria Town, Eastavarieth

Medina and I spent the better part of the day in the east allowing her to catch up to wayfarers and listening to another change of heart from a noble that insulted her in the past. Now that we're done, I thought we'd be heading out of town, but Medina has other plans. "There's a wayfarer helping out at a cream puff shop nearby. I'd like to go see how she's doing."

Ah, yes, there was one here when we passed through the town just a few days ago. We didn't get a chance to check it out, but now would be a wasted opportunity to not do so. "Now that I think of it, I can smell something delicious right now."

"Unlike last time, we're not in a hurry. You can buy one if you like." As she says that, a huge group of people begin to move about in one direction. To me, it doesn't seem like anything special is going on, which is why Medina's gasp surprises me. "It looks like they're planning to line up at the shop! Run, Jaymes! The shop only makes a few dozen cream puffs a day!"

"We can't get ahead of all those people...well, not by normal means, but I'm not going to bulldoze a crowd like that! Besides, you're only here to check on a wayfarer, you don't really need to--"

She grabs my collar and shakes me. "What are you talking about? Since when do you give up so easily?"

"Why are you getting so worked up about this?" Does she...want a cream puff as well? Why didn't she say so? Sighing, I look around for a potential shortcut, but there's not one on the ground…ah. It's been a while since I've done a rooftop run. "I got it. A perfect shortcut, where no one will get in our way. We're taking the rooftops!"

"T-T-The rooftops? Ahhh!" I grab on to Medina and launch ourselves up to the nearest rooftop. I let her go and begin running, hearing her follow after. "Wh-What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Huh?"

"There's at least twenty cen gaps between houses! You can't just jump across them!"

I stop at the first gap and mentally judge the distance. "Hmm, no, it is not that far."

Medina looks at me like I said the most preposterous thing in the world. "Twenty cen is 'not that far'? It's the length of a sheet of sheepskin parchment!"

I don't even know what that is like. "What, are you scared? Because if you are…"

Medina frowns at my teasing. "I-I'm not scared! H-Here I go!" Medina walks back to gain some momentum and leaps across the gap. She lands on her knees on the adjacent roof, breathing heavily while I simply use the Aerial Element to move across.

"Nice jump. Are you okay?"

She gets up and brushes herself off. "Of course I'm okay! Keep moving!"


"Okay, there are only 18 people in line already! I think we can just make it! Jump down!"

"You go ahead and line up first."

"It's not that high. You won't lose much Life even if you fall."

Medina stomps her foot. "Just go! Line up! I'll catch up with you later!"

I don't think she will. Her legs are shaking like jelly, she's passively angry… "So you are..."

"No! I'm not the least bit scared! Whatever! I don't care… Hurry up or the cream puffs will sell out! Go ahead! I'll be fine..."

"Riiiiight… Hang on." I lift her up bridal style (with much protesting) and slowly descend in the air. I land on the ground with a gruff, and try to hold my laughter at the shaking, close-eyed girl in my arms. "Medina, we did it."

She opens her eyes and looks around to see I'm not jesting with her before she looks up at me. "Dammit… Why did you really carry me down like this?"

"What, you didn't trust me? Thought I'd drop you?"

"Of course not! I can't even imagine...well I knew you truly wouldn't do such a thing." She blushes a moment after tightly holding on to me and getting into my face. "Urgh… Anyway, let's line up." I set her down on her feet and watch his walk away, stomping her feet and balling her fists. I laugh to myself for a bit before jogging and catching up to the Orthinanos girl.


I stare at the single cream puff we were able to purchase. "Shame we only got one after all that."

"We could have gotten two if SOMEONE had just gone on ahead."

I roll my eyes. "You know what, I should have, and enjoyed two to myself, because you'd still be on the roof."

"Hmph."

"Anyway, let's split it." Before I can split the puff in half, Medina takes a third of the puff, leaving me with the rest. "You're okay with the smaller piece?"

She nods. "Yes. Don't get the wrong idea. I just don't like eating too much sweet food."

Either she's lying with that excuse, or she's the complete opposite of many girls I know, namely Eydis, Momiji, and Rika. And as I learned from my ex-girlfriend and her teasing exploits, the best way to root out how someone feels about certain things is to purposely hype it up. So I break off what should be the remains of Medina's half and take a small bite of mine. "Mhm! That's good! Wow, these are definitely worth waiting for!"

Medina nods. "Yes, it's delicious. And my friend looked happy working there."

"Yeah, and especially happy to see you. But if we were just there to meet the wayfarer, why did we need the cream puff?"

"Well… I thought it was polite to buy something when you visit someone at a shop."

Fair point, I do buy things from Shino's job at a shop whenever I go to visit her. "Yeah, well… I didn't know you were afraid of heights."

Medina folds her arms. "Scared of heights? Perish the thought! I just...didn't care for heights much."

"Uh huh. You know, I hear the view is great from the 95th floor of the cathedral. We should check it out. Might be romantic and all."

"Urgh...Just shut up and eat your cream puff!" I do just that, taking another bite of what's in my hand. As I wipe my face, I look over to Medina...and she's asleep?

"Medina?"

She wakes up with a startled look. "Huh… No, I was not just asleep! I was just...letting my mind wander a bit. Perhaps because I achieved all my goals in the eastern empire." Maybe she has, she met all the wayfarers, but there could be more to these 'goals' she speaks of. Meanwhile, I let my eyes wander to the evening sky, thinking of my own goals. Besides the ACTF, I haven't accomplished much. Kirito is still in his condition, and I'm no closer to helping him. Alice is needed now and later defending the empires, so taking her to the World End's Altar deep in the Dark Territory is a no-no. I wonder how things are with the outside world. How much time has passed, how much have they figured out about Kirito...if Asuna is coming. I feel like I failed her in some way, but if I can keep Kirito safe for a while longer…

I hear Medina yawn as she takes the second part of the cream puff. "Okay. After we eat, let's start riding again to the north. Got it?"

This is quite the adventure. "Sure. As long as a certain someone's not too sleepy."


Sivilla Mountains, Eastavarieth

Eventually it got late, and we both agreed we shouldn't push ourselves too far. Of course, Medina took the time to dig into me about overdoing things...but it doesn't bother me too much. Eventually, we get a fire going and sit around it. Medina decides we should entertain ourselves with a quiz as we split a piece of meat.

"...Spotted."

She smirks victoriously. "Incorrect. The cat living behind the Jumping Deer is a calico. I win this meat."

I frown and look away. "This quiz definitely puts me at a disadvantage. Stupid cats."

"You're the one who said I should ask the questions. And we saw that cat a lot when we went to the Jumping Deer."

I sigh. "Whatever. I wasn't too hungry anyway."

"Hey," Medina says softly, gaining my attention. "This really isn't like you… Hee hee."

"What's so funny? You can't just say that and start laughing!"

"Nothing, just feeling nostalgic. I camped like this the first time I met Kirito and Eugeo. They pretty much coerced me into it. I was...different two years ago. Kirito probably thought I hated him, when in reality I thought he was weird, nosy, and overly familiar. Eugeo I found to be...an annoying follower."

"Hmm, I feel like I am the only one with a different first impression of Kirito. He was helpful but reserved, but that was the way the world we were in worked for that small amount of time. Before we were trapped...but you were a little awful at the beginning too with me."

Medina chuckles. "Well, I don't feel that way now. You'll have to forgive my past self. Besides...back then, I had put a wall up when I was around other people. The only reason I opened up to you was because I recognized who you were, but even then… Thanks to you, Kirito, Alice, Eydis, and the others, that wall's crumbled. I'm no longer afraid of interacting with others. Especially men, after that fiance I had. But...I guess...not all men are cruel. You're probably the kindest one I know, so...thank you."

I nod. "You're welcome." I look up to the night sky, and suddenly I remember that it is summertime in the real world and here in the Underworld. Soon, back home, it will be the summer festival. Pointing a finger up, I fire a small streak of fire in the air and watch it burst like a firework a few feet above us. I do it two more times, switching up the arts.

"What are you doing?"

"In my world, there's several events where we shoot explosions in the sky for brilliant displays. The weather and the sky reminded me of that, so…" As I continue to shoot, I think about the first fireworks festival I went to, both in SAO and in the real world. The first time I went was with Koharu, when we returned to the Ancient Japan aesthetic of the tenth floor of AIncrad. I didn't want to go, believing it to just be another fireworks show, but when after she recruited the other guys and girls we knew (except Kirito, who wasn't around much after him and Asuna split, but I secretly met him there), I had no choice but to attend. I've seen the event in video games and anime, so I had an idea of what was going on...but I never really thought a yukata was cute until I saw it on Koharu and the girls. I remember a guy in the Divine Dragon Alliance, Shivata, being speechless when he saw his girlfriend and my friend Liten in hers. I recall joking to Sanya that she has now fully embraced the Japanese culture before she tried to punch me for just being as foreign to it as she is. It was a fun night, and I resolved to do it next year with Koharu if it made her happy.

Next year happened, but I almost didn't go due to Koharu's death. Lisbeth, however, forced me to come down to the tenth by temporarily 'going missing', but I found her with Asuna and Kirito there. Last year, we all went together for the first time in real life, and it was as fun as the two times in AIncrad, especially with Lisbeth as my girlfriend. We haven't discussed going to this year's event yet, but… "Ow!"

"What has your mind so entrapped you aren't listening to a word I say?" Pain shoots from my right shoulder, causing me to pay attention to the girl who punched me. She folds her arms across her chest, unintentionally holding up her already ample breasts. However, her icy-fire glare is enough to draw my attention. "What was the last thing you heard me say, Jaymes?"

"Hmm, you asked me why I was shooting Sacred Arts in the air, so I told you about how we do the same in my world, though on a much grander scale. Next thing I know, you punched me...Oh, that's when I tuned out."

The girl sighs and turns away from me. "You annoy me so much."

I smile and face the sky again. "You remind me of a girl back in my world. Both of you are temperamental, although I think you lean heavier on the temper side of things. Must be why I'm oddly comfortable being around you despite how you treat me."

"...You deserve it at times."

"That I do… Medina, allow me to make you the same promise I once made to her." I let my fingers glow with various Sacred Arts and shoot them in the air. "No matter what happens in the upcoming days, weeks, or months, I'll do everything in my power to stay by your side. Even if you decide to hate me, I made an oath to you when we first met, and even long before then to your ancestor. I will honor that oath to you, no matter what. Allow me to...do what I couldn't do twice before."

Upon my mental command, the streaks of Sacred Arts burst, illuminating the air around me and Medina. She holds her curiosity as the lights fade, then she leans and turns to me, half a smile on her face. "Fine. Stop being bothersome and keep going."


In Norlangarth, we returned to the village in the Lockiss Rocks, where Medina assisted the sentries in some training to their gratitude. The Orthinanos name has really changed fortunes in such a short amount of time. We then returned to Rulid, as Medina had a personal errand she didn't want me around for. In the meantime, I took some time to walk around the village and even ran into Selka. I told her about Alice, and somehow found a way to tell her the truth about Kirito and Eugeo, apologizing for my prior deception. She forgave me, and I promised she will see Kirito when my duties with the ACTF are completed soon enough.

Zakkaria is our final destination, and we split up again. Waiting on Medina was much harder to do here with no one to see, but eventually we met up again and she so generously bought us food for once. I need Eydis to get on this as well, she owes me a lot of shia.

We journey out into the fields south of Zakkaria and eat our meal on a blanket. Having a picnic without Asuna's grand cooking feels weird, nevermind that it is just me and Medina. I don't complain one bit, but I believe Medina is trying to fatten me up as she excitedly sets more and more food in front of me.

"Medina, are you trying to kill me? What's up?"

She shakes her head. "Ever since we came back from the Eastern Gate, I've noticed you barely eaten. When we went to the south, you gave me most of the food, and you barely ate last night and today. I know you aren't a glutton, but even you put hunger before anything else if you can."

"Just like I did when we met the Cat Boss."

"Baron."

"Whatever. But have I really been eating less?"

"Mhm. That's why…" So this entire time, while I've been worried about her, she's been worried about me? I didn't even notice it. "I just thought it was strange. Even though you almost never worry, I thought you might be feeling pressured."

"Is that how you view me? Someone who doesn't worry? Hmm… I'll admit, I do worry a lot. I just learned to put on a brave face and all. It's something I had to learn to make others feel better. I'm surprised you took notice."

She points at me. "I can tell just by looking at you… That's not to say I'm looking at you all the time. Don't get the wrong idea. But if you had the chance, I bet you'd go off alone and fight by yourself, taking on too much. So that's why, on this journey… I had three real goals."

"Really?"

"Mhm. But if I told you, you wouldn't have come. You'd say it is unnecessary. So I came up with the excuse of visiting the wayfarers."

Looks like I've been duped. "Okay, Medina, what were your three goals?"

"You really didn't notice? I thought you weren't as dense as Kirito. Think about it."

Hmm...the most obvious one to me was two days ago in Wesdarath, when she wanted us to begin things anew. "You wanted to show your gratitude and start things over between us, correct?"

She nods. "That was my first goal. Next."

"Eastavarieth… You mentioned a goal there while we were eating the cream puffs. But why?"

"When we were there last time, you mentioned not having much time to go try one yourself. So…"

"You remembered that? Is that why you were willing to come on the roofs with me and so adamant I go get in line?"

She sneers at me. "What other reason would I have? But just so you know, it'll never happen again. I just thought eating something you liked might help you relax. You seem so nervous about the upcoming battle, or something."

"I'm not overly nervous, it's just...other things, that's all. Anyway, the third goal was here in Norlangarth… You really wanted me to visit Selka in Rulid… Oh."

She nods. "Telling her about Eugeo and Kirito, even though it wasn't the full truth, and unburdening yourself was a goal there. She took it well, didn't she?"

"Yeah, she could tell I was lying back then, but just didn't press it… But Kirito is my burden to bear, thought it does feel a little lighter. Thanks, Medina."

She folds her arms and scoffs. "But you didn't notice a thing until all my goals were finished, dumbass."

"Hey, I just thought this was about you, not me. Of course I didn't notice it...but you really did this for me."

"Because you seemed to be approaching this battle as though it was your own. I wanted you to realize how many people would care if something happened to you. Not just in my world, but also in yours. You're always fighting by yourself, even on the inside. But you're not alone. There are many people who want to help you. Ronie and Tiese trained harder and got stronger to be able to help you. Sortiliena took up her blade to fight an Integrity Knight so you wouldn't fight alone. Alice and Eydis are risking their minds at the hands of the Pontifex to aid you. And I… I'm putting everything on the line to fight by your side. I owe someone that. You may be our leader, and the strongest of us all, but true strength is not possessed by one person, but by many."

I guess she really saw through me. While I know one day this world will come to an end, for now I want to protect it as long as I can. I want to protect them as best I can, and if it was up to me, I would face Hersyrian and Quinella alone. But Asuna and I held back Kirito from making that mistake twice, and I know there's no chance I can fight all the way up alone.

"You told me before you lost someone important to you. You said she was special to you in that world, and you were her partner for a long time. Did you love her?"

"...Yes, I did. It was on that day she promised me to protect others as best I can. Over the years, I tried not to do things like Kirito would by fighting alone, but honestly...his way is probably more effective than mine, being the protector rather than letting others protect themselves. If I had done so, Koharu would not have died at all...but she would have hated me if we did things that way. So would the others."

"I figured you were thinking that way. However, you need to stop. There's nothing to be afraid of. You won't lose anything or anyone."

"How are you so sure of that?"

"Worrying about it won't help anything, You never know what will happen in the future. And it was you who taught me that we can change our own fate. Don't chicken out now. You don't need to worry about me. I owe you far too much already. And I can't die before I've repaid all that to you. I'll start right now." She stands up and picks up our blades. She struggles a bit with mine, but manages to plant them both in the ground, making an 'X'. "Falchion and Mirage. These two blades were forged for members of the Orthinanos family, one for the head, another for a valued friend. As such, we are the two Blades of Orthinanos, and we will defend the realm from whatever we come across together. Jaymes, if no one else, you can depend on me...as your partner. So, Jaymes, let's fight by side until the end."

She sounds just like Koharu…and in some regards, it aalso sounds like the others as a whole. Smiling, I stand up and approach the two swords. "Then let's fight together until the very end, Medina, and save the world."