A/N: Holy damn, it's been way too long! No lengthy apologies, just gonna deliver the goods.

Enjoy!

January 8th, 2023

[There is a myriad of nuance between individuals, groups, and kingdoms]

[A differing opinion, answers to questions intricate as webs]

[Despite this, however, all are beholden to a sparse set of oaths]

[By your will, you have betrayed the most basic of all, mortality]

[For this, there is no return.]

[No longer will indifference be offered, you who so willingly discarded life]

[Your presence shall haunt the young in their sleep, curse the labored dirt with plague, and compel the strong to correct]

[In your heresy, woe is. In your treachery, savagery will be. In return, war is yours]

[Do as you will, Grave Knight. You live, again.]

[Reputation: -999]

It was beyond dim where I rested, most fish wouldn't swim this far down. Most, being the nice ones. I couldn't tell if I was tonight's meal, it was all so blindingly dark. The groan of lake tides and rising bubbles drowned out all but my thoughts. All I had to suggest company was a following of half a dozen devilish fiends, whose arrow-like shapes resembled Barracuda.

It didn't hurt. I was okay, physically speaking.

It felt so irrelevant, all of it. While I could barely make out sunlight beneath these waves, I couldn't move much. Even as finned creatures straight out of my own nightmares gathered, I laid frozen. If anything, I sort of wished their teeth pierced bone. I was ready, it could all go away...and it would only improve the ongoing situation.

Every decision I've ever made ran through my mind, like a broken record. Something was direly wrong, miscalculated prior to action. I was a king, I had so much at my disposal, but it all fell apart with some misstep. This I could mark off as complicated, however, something I could look back and admit inexperience.

I raised hands, but was unable to see them. Being undead, oxygen was no longer necessary. A positive I'd wager, nobody could find me down here. It all started with a snap decision, a lingering question in my head, and a single spotlight. The lake grumbled deeply around me, its tune slow and consistent. Wish I could be so steady, so level-headed.

I killed them.

Every one of them, by my choice, by my command. I tried putting it off, turning off what thought process I had. But I saw her in my mind, pulling together what anyone would piece together at rates faster than I possessed.

Goodbye, that's what she said.

Truth's rarely comforting, but it's fair. What I've done couldn't be seen as anything but monstrous, an action no one could forgive. Using Rika's name in vain, I sacrificed them. I should've thought about them, Rika. They were your friends, but it wasn't important to me.

It was so stupid to level such importance on something so illogical, driven solely by emotion. I barely knew her for three months, yet I arrived at such a zealous, extreme position. In the name of infatuation, I spilled life. Not just any life, human life. If only I could cry, not just thrash without pain or response.

A brush of tidal current dragged me along with minimal effort, not a fight left in my gut. I did this to myself, over something lasting three months. What was actually true? Was it all just my feelings on the matter, rather than objective reality? Were you participating in this fantasy of mine out of pity, knowing full well how pathetic I was?

I couldn't hold a kingdom together for more than what, a month. Mockery and ridicule were my reception, yet I thought I could improve. I couldn't stand up for someone else, not without me thinking of what I felt I owned. At least down here I couldn't cause trouble, not until logic firmly held control. I missed senses though, this water should've been freezing. It was like walking out of a dentist's office, with pain killers flowing through every inch.

It left me fidgeting in this land without day, trying to get some sort of response. Trouble was, I could barely see. I already missed having functioning testicles, seriously. If there was any reason for me to pursue going back, it'd be for this.

I waved my hand against water, more intrigued by what'd occur than anything else. current swirled around, my only assurance of this coming from functioning hearing. Whatever magic kept this frame together past death let me keep this, as well as sight and smell. Touch, however, was gone. Top it off with a fairly negative and uninformative message, and I was clueless. I had to stay here, until I was firmly rooted in logic.

It was one thing to forgive someone for committing a deed barely affecting them. It was this sword's opposing truth, however, that dragged me below. Rika would never forgive me for this, and she was central to so many of my plans. To look back and dare suggest any of it was logical, I would've been insane. If only I could feel cold, warm, pain, bliss, something.

If I kept the mind in unquestionable authority, none of this would've happened. Heart led me to attack a cult leader, almost getting myself killed. Heart led me to pursue being "in charge", incompetent performance my only reply. What was I thinking with my last speech, regarding population and focus?

Nobody listened, this was the truth. They knew how pretentious I was acting and scoffed at all claims and direction. They knew better, better than me.

"Garr!"

"Tell them!"

"Please!"

Logic was abandoned for feelings, their voices calling out to me in this water logged plain. Until logic returned, no place would suit me better than imprisonment beneath the waves. The waves I condemned them to. My eyelids closed as unforgivable guilt took hold, ready to break down everything I've come to understand. I had to return to square one if I had any hope of finding reason in all of this.

Minutes would pass, wiping away what preconceptions lurked in me. This place wanted everyone including myself dead. From my last conversation with Kayaba, roughly 450,000 of us remain. Tai's in charge of our only city, my hands clenching at the mere thought of it. Shutting myself down, I ran through facts over.

"Hello?"

My non-beating heart bounced a little, a voice reaching me with profound clarity. Glancing right and left, however, nothing broke out from these bleak depths. I shivered, eyes darting.

"Why are you down here?"

I shot up to my feet, water rushing past in an effort to survey what lurked beyond sight. It sounded female, coming from one direction. All I found, however, were the remains of fish and eroded stone.

"Oh, you don't know yet."

Whatever it was, I had to step away. Facing what way this voice rippled from, I back pedaled with a rigid, nervous pace.

"Are you hurt?"

I refused to speak, moving faster as it kept getting audibly closer.

"I can help you, wait a minute."

It kept chasing me. I turned away to reach a full run, but stopped as light broke through, my progress bringing me closer to shore than I cared to be. Ripples from surface currents brought sight to a green pasture, the tips of a distant tree line waving in the wind. While sight was granted, no figure could be made out from the abyss.

"Are you trapped?"

I stood still, hoping it would tire, get bored, find something more entertaining. Haru told me of these things, those which lurked beyond our realm of sight, but nothing of spirits this empathetic.

"What bothers you?"

Keeping still, its questions persisted.

"You should say something, I know you're playing."

"Right," I said, "cause that's a good choice."

"Versus what?" it asked, "it looks like you came here to die."

I shivered, shaking my head as I moved a little further down.

"My name's Kismel, what's yours?"

"Not telling."

"I know you can't see me. But believe me when I say you are very important to me."

"Marvelous. Tell me when possession's on the table, it'll be my treat."

"Interesting," it said with mild amusement in its tone, "first suicidal, now the tough guy. Is this how you treat friends?"

"No," I said with a growl, "I treat my friends with respect. I give them as much help as I can, I back them up, I learn everything I can about them! I...I surrendered possessions for them! I..."

The shaking had grown uncontrollable, the faces flashing in my head as every deed fell dead past my lips.

"I...killed them..."

"Is this why you joined us?"

"Not even close!"

"So it was just collateral?"

"N-" I said with a pained pause.

"No? What was it for? Nobody takes part in this lightly."

I said nothing, a tension growing in my limbs as this unseen thing toyed with me. Where could I hit the rewind switch, return to when it was quiet? At least I could piece some things back together. Clenching hands, I couldn't help but feel quite frustrated.

"Money?"

A warmth grew in my arms, drawing my attention away from the inquisitive entity. My limbs, they had swollen to a ghastly purple.

"Pride?"

This heat though, I loved it. I flexed harder and harder, intensifying this sensation to further its spread. It was like a campfire, roaring in me, begging to grow.

"Fear of dying?"

I couldn't contain it, I had to let it go, it excited me so much. I threw my arms down like hammers, water clapping around me as it groaned like a giant. A great shake froze me, this thrust creating a tidal motion strong enough to throw me several feet, resulting in nearly breaching the shoreline. In a startled burst I drove my feet downward, dragging against clay and stone, a gash drawn across before an inevitable stop.

"I hope you know what you just did."

I shook my head, flexing arms again in pursuit of warmth.

"Then I'll say this, aim is essential."

I followed as recommended, this well of guilt drained in this pursuit of heat.

"So it was fear. Understandable, but I have my doubts. What's your name?"

I didn't care for its questions, was too busy drawing more energy. Clenching my stomach area, this hidden fire bloomed inside.

"Wait, I know you."

This drew pause, my sight frozen forward.

"Kidding, though you must've been pretty wealthy. Grave Knights are not born from paupers."

"What do you want?" I asked, "I was hoping you'd leave."

"I came to see whether our goals align. I will leave if or when such occurs."

"Doubt that. I'm just trying to get my head straight."

"What drove you here then?"

"Emotions," I said spitefully, "always. Would get rid of them too."

"Seems a bit vague, but that's fine. I became like this to get back at someone. They're not here, but they're close."

"Who?"

"A necromancer, goes by the name Acherres."

An awkward silence swept over me, looking away as I concentrated on building up heat. My body swelled like a balloon, my lack of ability to flex indicative of it.

"Sounds familiar," I said, "go kill him then."

"I lack physical form." it said with a sudden irritation, "do you think I'd be here if I could?"

"It'd make me feel better."

"Why do you say that? Being immortal's incredible."

"I made a mistake, okay? I...let the heart take the wheel."

"What?"

"I let my heart take the wheel."

"How'd your heart steal a carriage wheel?"

I paused, thinking for a second it must've been an idiot. Then I had to remind myself, cars didn't exist here. Mm, history class was very adamant that the fall of Rome came at the hands of Ford pickups.

"...I got too emotional over someone."

"You're too vague."

"I wanted to protect her."

"Aw," it said with a cooing, "and you think she'd leave? What's love without sacrifice?"

God, this wasn't the kind of discussion I needed.

"They were her friends. I was put to a decision, I made a call. There is no sympathy."

"And you think she'll leave you for that? For something you had no choice in?"

"Not think, will."

"Where is she?"

"She's trapped with Acherres. I'm still going."

"Ah, so it's a big rescue mission for you...knowing she'll never forgive. We can make this work, believe it or not."

"How so?"

"I see you're liking one of your new powers. Bad news, it's anything but subtle."

"How so?"

"Considering you did just unleash a tidal wave, almost certainly flooding the local dock."

I froze again, realizing that what I had done.

"I did?"

"The energies of Non flow better as undead. You'll have to get used to this."

To think I almost buried a part of Rovia in a burst of thoughtlessness, with powers I scant knew. I was scared, bewildered, yet curious. Such strength could bring me the goals I sought, but at a cost I had to decipher.

"You should go easy on the heavy casting," it said, "I can see your arms. Tore the meat off your own limbs with that one."

For all intents and purposes, I was fine. This being said, Kismel seemed awfully keen on my condition. Too keen.

"I'm not the first you've met, am I?" I asked.

"Hardly. Though the most depressed, I will say. Was expecting a laughing king, or a scheming knight."

Lowering my head, I sighed before shaking.

"That won't remain. What're you proposing?"

"I know arts that could prove useful to you, knowledge and experience."

The first of her two promises gripped me. What was she aware of that I wasn't, what could I learn?

"Help me," she said, "I've wandered those forests all my life, and some of my second."

"I really miss feeling things," I said, "how'll I keep myself from exerting myself for warmth?"

Something changed in my local environment, an invisible source of heat. I inched towards it, hoping to relax my limbs enough to not cause further harm.

"You," she said, "will destroy our common enemy. Do this, and I promise you she will return."

"That's not something you can promise me," I said abruptly. "She could never forgive me."

"And how do you know that?"

"Because I couldn't forgive me. I have to be practical, grounded."

"Then what can I promise?"

"Total, unconditional destruction of Acherres' forces. Power to do what I need. Whatever you know, share it. I need tools."

"Forceful," it said with mild amusement, "but absolutely do-able. Believe me, you will go far with an attitude like that. But I need a name, so I may address you."

I needed info, someone who knew this forest in order for me to reach Acherres. This enemy had done everything to ruin what I cared about. There would be no discussion, no redemption, only fury. The spice of hate flowed so warm in my dead guts, it brought me...youth.

While my feelings were worthless, her life wasn't. Even if Rika and I were doomed to be strangers passing each other by, she's still a human being...trapped by malicious intellect. War, the ultimate contest of one's soul was my solution. If I were alive, the heat of my prejudice would melt iron...raining upon their dry shells like liquid fire.

"Garr."

"Brutish," it said, "shall we begin? I have much to teach you."

Sun Dancer

Lisbeth

Light sparked from its lightbulb eyes, [Carr-ion] number two hundred revived to a new finish. It disgusting, some horrible combination of flesh and metal walking with fake, air pump lungs. Acherres wanted them to have these bone-drill things, somehow possessing an armor piercing stat. I let my hammer down for a moment, staring at moisture ridden cave floors.

These blue runes were blinking like eyes, but mostly the light blue. Darker runes were present, though these remained static. Clearly one was for spying on potential guests, this mage was paranoid to a fault. Good thing Aid was gonna be on his way, though I promised myself I'd choke Kirito for running off like he did.

Acherres' footsteps echoed, raising my gaze back to these disgusting machines. His list of creations weren't all strictly offensive, interestingly enough. Some of them had area of effect utility, though the menu only described them as 'ports' to an aetheric network. Their elven heads were to be hollowed out, something the game thankfully did for me. Would've gotten so sick if I had to do it.

Bacteria-green tanks glowed atop cross-bow mechanisms, some twisted variant of those [Auto-Bolts] I got to tinker with. Experience gain was especially high for [Carr-ions] listed for multiple bolts, if only people weren't actually risking their lives here. Otherwise, I would've farmed this for weeks. A creak of wood got me spinning, the wizard himself calmly approaching.

The air was stuffy, cold around him as he closely examined his newest machines. A light scowl was visible, shit.

"Is there a mistake?" I asked.

"There is an issue," he said, "but it isn't relevant to you. Your work's been acceptable, though I won't know how effective they will be."

This was strange to me, considering how specific his list was. I would've expected a more dispersed set of units if experimenting was the primary issue. Still I smiled, bowing slightly.

"May I ask?"

Acherres turned to me, his scowl turning to contemplation, eyes lighting up as they stared away.

"Perhaps, but I should ask you first. Since you managed to complete everything listed, is there anything you'd like?"

My head lowered, this question twisting me around. I could get communications out, let someone know what was happening. I could also get out of this place, since these machines answered to me and not him...but how likely would that end well? Kirito was very clear, Acherres controlled all of Floor three. If my machines were this important, he wouldn't be that stupid.

"I think I'll go for some fresh air?"

Acherres lowered an eyelid, puzzled by my request.

"Outside? Just for a few minutes?"

"Ah," he nodded, though his face wrinkled slightly. "It's dangerous up there, you understand?"

"I won't be far," I said coaxingly, "I'm sorry, I just feel a bit congested in here. Could you spare a guard?"

His expression remained displeased, until I mentioned security. Returning to a neutral, stiff posture and expression, he waved me off.

"As you wish, do not dawdle."

I was quick to reach this dungeon's entrance, I couldn't believe waste what I was given. My mind scrambled over possible routes as toes tapped against stone, Acherres readying his best meathead to watch over me. If it was undead, Aid told me I could kill it with a strike to its spine. Maces were naturally suitable for this, it wouldn't take long. I shivered as I imagined my escape, yearning for fresh air.

I've used up most of the mage's stores, metal that is. I didn't see much outside of what I was given, but I knew those machines would be worthless if I escaped. This thought process left me though, when at last Acherres' chosen approached. Heavy, yet deliberate and strong. I've heard this one's stride, but was never given a glimpse of them myself. A door swung open with a loud crack, a pale green hand lowering as it emerged, and all too late I knew who I saw.

His figure was muscular, though taller than Aiden. Tangles of disused mass left me turning away from a smell I was sure would suffocate. My eyes watered upon taking a glimpse, sickened by what familiarity had been twisted by dark powers. He stepped towards me, bone crackling as his very size seemed to fluctuate at will.

"Lisbeth...so good to see you...again."

I turned away, shivering with what crept out of memory.

"Wha-What'd they do to you?" I asked.

"They?" he asked, "why don't you ask Tai what they did!"

His voice was startlingly accurate, his temper unchanged...even in un-death.

"Aigen," I said with a frightened frown, "I'm sure he didn't mean for this-"

"Shut up!" Aigen shouted, his voice warping. "you know nothing. You got to enjoy the life under the king's protection. You had it nice and safe, yet here you are. Don't think you can speak for me."

Aigen stepped out, his height grown to seven feet in stature. This was some kind of nightmare, this couldn't be happening. This wasn't like some NPC I could dismiss with sweet words, this was one of my friends. I was so shocked, I had forgotten what I was even planning. What had Acherres done to him?

"Come out," Aigen said, "unlike you, I can wait forever!"

His laughter warped, as if some vocal cords only partly functioned. Stepping out into these silent woods, I couldn't help but wish for a sign of any life. Any flowers, squirrels, birds, anything. Anything to remind me of the warmth of every day beauty. To be tossed so hard was too much, I wanted to cry out for help. Where was Asuna? Leafa? Anybody?

We walked some distance, with myself leading as far from Aigen as he'd allow. His height would change, his legs growing as tall as some trees, and thick as concrete bridge supports.

"It's a shame I can't duel you," he said, "but Acherres told me you're something special. Hm, where have I heard that before?"

I stopped with an abrupt glance down. A flood of messages had reached me, mostly from Asuna...but one from Kirito.

[From Asuna: Lis, where are you?

[From Asuna: Lis, you must listen to me. Taiyama saw everything, don't listen to Kirito! Please talk to me]

[From Asuna: Don't go back to Floor 2, PoH's out of control. He tried to kill me, the ALF are with him too. Meet me in Floor four!]

[From Kirito: Bet you wouldn't believe what Garr did]

The messages piled up, my legs weakened as what transpired reached my mind. My face turned cold as knees fell on piles of leaves, hands planting as my head bowed in defeat. Aiden, he killed them. Why? I had this under control, why didn't he believe in me?

That's when I was reminded, Asuna told me. Kirito was leaving out details, I had to know.

"What's wrong, bubblegum?" Aigen asked, "suddenly you're so down."

[To Garr: Hun? Please talk? What happened?]

[ERROR]

Was everything collapsing? Aiden's status wasn't showing, though no signs indicated he blocked me. Had he gone through the process? I was so confused, I had nowhere to go. Rising to my feet, only one word remained. Escape.

"It's about you," I said turning, "I can't believe any of it. Why are you like this? Is there anything I could do? You need help and I don't know ho-"

Aigen snapped forward with lightning speed, faster than I could possibly believe. Rotten fingers wrapped around, my feet lifted off with a harsh tug. I squirmed wildly, crying and begging him to let me down.

"You talk a'lot." Aigen said, "I want Tai. Or Asuna, whichever of them you can scrounge up."

"Not," I choked, "gonna do that."

"That's fine, I will find them anyway. This was an answer." he stopped, "actually, maybe I should find your king first, set things right."

Nobody was gonna hurt him, not when I stood a chance. Glaring as I struggled, I flicked my arm back.

"What did you say?" I asked.

"You heard me. Your king, I'm going to eat him."

I wish I said something smart, but the dread was too much. Summoning my [Iron Mace], I crashed it against Aigen's rotting arm, outright severing it with a hard crunch. He barely recoiled, but a loss of grip was enough for me to shatter his other arm, my back meeting soft forest ground before I turned to flee.

"Iron...good to know."

I wasn't sure where to go, I just ran. Dirt splashed with every jump I've made, legs pressing as Aigen lumbered with unnatural speed. Legs longer than trees slammed past me, forcing me to deviate, diving between trees to prevent his advance. That's when I put my back to one, memory flooding back.

This was just like Aiden and I's fight against those tall spider things, and I had rope! Sprinting and leaping between spaces, I used whatever stamina I had to break away, searching for whatever boulder lingered.

Aigen's footsteps quieted, buying me time to hide, hand cupped over my mouth. Softening my breath, I sharpened my sights around me. What was I thinking, I had trees as thick as buses around me.

A noxious birth erupted in a moment of peace, the ground collapsing as decrepit hands reached out. My jaw clenched as I held back a scream, swinging whatever lurched from moist depths. Their hands shattered, splintering from my fearful swipes, heads popping with desperate hammering strikes.

"Not...happening!" I growled, crushing what chanced at me.

Launching to my feet, I quickly drew rope and ran around as many trees as I could, twisting as many of them together as possible. Flipping my map up with quick peeks too, I found my exit. It was a few miles west, but I had to lure Aigen out first. Making noise wasn't difficult, especially with heavy armor.

A winding and clacking of metal did its part, Aigen's thundering steps drawing near. Problem was, it also invited more undead. They clawed out of the ground like roaches, drawing weapons long ruined from age and moisture. Shambling like zombies, I readied with a steady back step.

My two closest attacked at once, forcing me back behind more trees. One crept around, forcing his partner to move opposing, ripe advantage. Rushing him while alone, I swung hard and far forward, his unprotected head put between a tree and iron headed mace.

God, I was loving Aiden's gift.

Exploding like a melon, however, reminded me just how different these undead were. It whipped back at me, its headless state not bothering it at all. Backing away again, two monster became four, then six. I wasn't a fighter, this wasn't gonna work for me head on.

By then, however, it was too late. Aigen had arrived, moving at alarming speed on legs as long as those of [Drifters].

"You really think you'll fight all of them?" he asked mockingly, "do you know where you stand?"

Earth shook as he spoke, dozens rising, with twice more reinforcing behind them. With these numbers, I had to move quickly, or be overrun. I rushed around the already standing undead, swooping low for what rope remained with shivering hands and raised.

Aigen smirked at me, standing without a single effort made to avoid.

"Seriously? Rope? Okay."

Raising a finger, he snapped. All of a sudden, my stomach was surging with illness, forcing me to cover my mouth.

[Curse - De-appetizer inflicted!]

"It's good to feel strong once in a while," Aigen said as I held back awful surges, "but reality just...sucks."

At the rate Aigen's minions were rising, plus what sickness he gave me, I was going to lose this fight. I turned heels, aiming west before sprinting as hard as I could. Trampling over surfacing bodies and heads, I shoved aside mostly risen dead with fearful jolts, clamoring for even a morsel of sunlight.

My heart raced so fast, I was heaving every few meters, coughing before forcing myself forward. Laughing behind me, Aigen stormed behind me, quick to catch up, but slow to reach. He knew how painful my mace was, so he swiped for my legs instead.

Swept off my feet, my head would've met a rock were it not for the helmet I wore. I wouldn't even pause for a breath, thrusting myself forward with struggling breath and cold fingers. Every few feet was covered by a steadily incarnated corpse, just how many of these did Acherres have?

"You done?" Aigen asked, "."

I crashed against trees, cursing and throwing myself forward as Aigen's curse robbed me further and further of strength. My legs tightened, tiring as energy drained, the light of a forest's edge leaving me thrashing for a freedom so close. Zumfut's forest seemed to hiss, the sheer quantity of undead drowning out wind.

At last, warmth. Bright green grass swayed under my boots as I looked back, only to turn pale. Nothing was stopping them from walking out with me! Some reached down with rotten fingers, but they pulled away from iron. Nonetheless, I was left limping away, gasping as what stamina I had trickled away.

Tight grips were felt, cold hands pulling me back to the forest's dark interior. I had grown so weak, I could barely swing my weapon, my hope drowning as it was tugged. Tearing up with rage, all I could do was try to rip away, but Aigen's curse proved beyond anything ever encountered.

The last winks of a bright sun kissed my face, my cries quieting as I flailed with crippling lethargy. The faces of my friends flashed like camera shots, their expressions wrought with disappointment, shame in their eyes. I wasn't prepared for this, I was just some blacksmith...looking to enjoy her next economic game.

"Acherres knew you'd want fresh air," Aigen said with a chuckle, "but after this? He will have to fix you first."

"Fuck you."

It was all I could say, one last act of defiance as my energy faded. As I was dragged, another set of hands grabbed me by the waist, resulting in a shiver as one rifled through a pocket. Something slipped in, cold, wet, and worm-like. Screaming out with tired lungs, I writhed as it stuck in the pocket, unable to free myself from whatever parasite they had just given me.

"Asuna..." I said weakly, returning to the dusty burrow from whence I came.

A/N: Been a long time coming, guys. No, this isn't the conclusion. I hope the quality isn't as horrible as I suspect, thank you for your patience!

See you in the next post (the conclusion to this story awaits!)