Hello everyone! I'm back with a new chapter! Chapter 4! I hope everyone will enjoy this chapter and without further ado, let's start!

Normal POV

In Miyaji High, Kai went back to rest beside Aichi while Kirito and the others continued to discuss a few things.

" We need to head back to our world first to solve a few problems by ourselves. There might be clues there too. That might be why we came here."

" While we do that, we'll be counting on you guys to protect Aichi-kun."

" We'll do our best! Aichi's our friend after all!"

" Yui. Stay with them and if needed, give Kai and Aichi their avatar programs."

" Yes, Papa!"

Kirito turned to the others and nodded as they logged out. Naoki and the others just waited for Aichi and Kai to wake up after that.

" Sitting around here won't help much. Let's train and make sure we can protect Sendou from the Reversed fighters."

" Yeah!"

Yui just watched their training while Aichi suddenly started to wake up. Yui flew to him after that as Aichi started to get used to his surroundings.

" Are you alright?" Yui ask

" Yes..."

" Do you want to rest more? You still look a little tired."

" No, I'm fine now... Thank you for your concern, Yui-chan..."

" Papa did leave your care to us, so no problem."

" Yeah... The others are really training hard..."

" Yes. They want to protect you with their best abilities after all."

" I'm really grateful and at the same time, happy that they're safe..."

" Yeah."

" Is Kai-kun alright?"

" He's just resting again. He did complain about a huge headache when he arrived."

" I see..."

Aichi patted Kai's head gently as Kai opened his eyes at the touch.

" You're awake..."

" Aichi..."

Kai got up as well as he saw the others cardfighting.

" Everyone's training... How are you feeling?"

" I'm fine. What about you?"

" I'm also fine... I just feel a little weak..."

" I'm sorry. It's my fault."

" No, it's fine... I'm just glad you came back..."

" Yeah. Maybe you should rest more. You don't sound so well."

" I'm really fine... It's just that my energy's drained so much from what happened... Don't worry... I'll be fine..."

" Alright then."

" If you're really that concerned... Yui-chan..."

" Yes?"

" Activate the program... That way, my body can rest a little while longer..."

" But it's like using an Amusphere... Your brain functions will still be active."

" If my body can continue to not waste energy on talking like this, then it's fine... Just activate it..."

" Alright then."

She took out the orb as Aichi turned into his ALO form.

" That feels better."

" You're really alright now?"

" Yeah."

" Now that I think about it, I've never tried that program before, right?"

" I have yours here right now."

" Can I use it for a little while?"

" Sure!"

She activated Kai's program as well as Kai looked at his outfit.

" Black, huh..."

" But he did add a little red to it so it's not a big problem, right?"

" Papa was really troubled for your avatar, Kai-san. He didn't know whether a Spriggan or Salamander would suit your character better, so he just went with a Spriggan."

" What are Spriggans good at?"

" Uh... Illusions and Treasure Hunting."

" That's all, huh... Then Salamander is..."

" Fire based attacks."

" I'd rather have that."

" Don't complain, Kai-kun. Kirito-san worked hard on the avatar so don't be picky right now."

" I know, I know... Could you teach every spells you know?"

" Me too. I only learned the basic healing spell after all."

" Roger! And don't worry, Kai-san. You can learn fire based Sword Skills from the new patch that was introduced."

" Alright then."

The others finished their fights as they finally spotted Aichi and Kai.

" Woah! Now that I look at it up close, you two look so cool!"

" I still need to get used to this light feeling though..."

" I wasn't really that used to it at first but it worked out after awhile."

" Both of your avatars are Power and Speed based. It's almost the same as Mama and Papa's avatar."

" Almost the same, huh..."

" And because Undine and Spriggan are one of the lightest races in ALO, they can do a Wall Run."

" W-Wall Run? You mean running on walls?"

" Yes but it won't last long. Just a few meters before you fall, however it proves to be effective when you battle."

" I see..."

" That's so cool!" Naoki exclaimed

" First, I'll teach Kai-san a basic spell that Spriggans specializes in."

She turned off the lights as she taught Kai the words and the room lit up a little.

" Night Vision Magic?"

" Yes. Because of Link Joker, outside is so dark that you need lights to keep the place bright but in a situation without lights, you can use this magic."

" I see. Although, can we learn flying first? It'll be much more easier for me to use magic in the air too."

" Got it! Come outside."

Aichi's wings appeared as he flew out of the window first as Kai jumped down from the window.

" That was dangerous, Kai-kun!"

" Come on, it's only going to lower my HP, nothing else."

" Yes but that was really reckless. Don't do that again."

" Alright. So, Yui... How do you fly?"

Aichi and Yui explained the steps as Kai managed to flap his wings a little. He breathed out again while trying again when he suddenly shot up into the sky after a strong flap.

" K-Kai-kun!"

Aichi flew up to the clouds as he looked around.

" It feels like Deja Vu..."

" What's Deja Vu?"

" Well, Yui-chan... It's that feeling where you felt a certain event has happened before is happening again... But that's not the right time... Kai-kun?!"

" Kai-san!"

They finally found Kai as they started to teach Kai on controlling his wings as he sighed in relief.

" Finally..."

" Then let's fly around the school for a few rounds."

" Are you trying to race me?"

" If you want to think that... It's just training after all."

" You're on."

Both started to fly around the school while accelerating slowly as both looked at each other after Kai caught up after a few rounds.

" Let's head back to the clubroom to rest after this round!"

" Sure!"

They were arriving back at the clubroom when Aichi remembered something.

" Um, Kai-kun... Do you know how to land?"

" ... I don't."

" Uh... Oh no... It's too late... Good luck."

Aichi stopped his wings to slowly land as Kai crashed into the clubroom wall. He fell flat on his back after that as Aichi ran to him.

" K-Kai-kun!"

" That was cruel, Aichi..."

" I'm sorry... I'll heal you up, okay?"

Aichi put out his hand as he healed Kai and he slowly got up.

" Talk about a crash landing." Naoki said

" Shut up. Next time, teach me how to land first before making me fly so quickly."

" I'm sorry..."

" Yui, we can proceed with other spells now."

" Leave it to me!"

But before they could proceed to any more spells, Leon sensed the wind and looked out the window.

" Oh no..."

" Leon?"

" There's a Reverse Army coming in."

" What?!"

" They must be after Sendou."

" Not on our watch! Come on! Let's give them a piece of our minds!"

" Yeah!"

" I'll go too!"

" No, Aichi! If you go, they'll likely come after you after blocking the others! You've got to hide!"

" But..."

" Kai, we'll leave Aichi to you! We'll go to delay the Reversed fighters! Just in case they make it past us, make sure you hide Aichi!"

" Yeah!"

The others ran outside as Kai held onto Aichi's arm.

" Everyone!"

" No, Aichi! Come on! We need to find a place to hide you in!"

" But..."

Kai pulled Aichi to a cupboard as he opened it and let Aichi settle inside.

" I'll let you out after the situation is settled, alright? Just be good and stay quiet inside. Yui, I'll leave him to you."

" Yes! Leave it to me!"

Kai nodded as he closed the cupboard doors. Aichi peeked out a little through the crack on the door.

" Kai-kun..."

Kai logged out of his program as he kept the orb into his pocket. As he had anticipated, Reversed fighters came running into the room as he took out his deck.

" Come at me! I'm not letting you guys touch Aichi!"

And the numerous fights began as Aichi and Yui continued watching from the cupboard.

" Kai-kun..."

Suddenly, his head started to hurt as he winced.

" Aichi-san?!"

" My head... Suddenly..."

He turned back to normal as he held his head while holding in screams.

" Remember your past. Remember why you came here. Remember your promise and that memento." A voice said

" What...?! What am I supposed to remember...?!" Aichi thought

Somebody shook him as he snapped opened his eyes to see Kai with worry in his eyes.

" Kai... kun...?"

" What's wrong?! Is your head hurting?!"

" The Reversed fighters..."

" I dealt with them already. Other than that, are you really okay?"

" Yeah..."

Aichi held Kai's hand as he laid on his chest.

" I'm just tired... Let me... rest a little..."

" Alright. Sleep tight, Aichi. Have a nice rest."

" Yeah..."

Aichi closed his eyes as he soon drifted off to sleep. Kai released Aichi's hand as he wrapped both his arms around him and adjusted so that Aichi would be more comfortable. He sat down while leaning on the wall as he settled Aichi on his lap.

" The others are still fighting outside?"

" Yes, it seems so."

" I see. When will Kirito and the others be back?"

" In about two hours or so."

" I see. Yui."

" Yes?"

" I'll tell you the address of my apartment. Search my bedside drawer for something that looks like a crystal pendant."

" A crystal pendant?"

" I have to know... Whether it's the same pendant we saw in Aichi's past or not... If it is, I need to know the relation of it with Aichi, so please."

" Yes, please leave it to me. I'll be back as soon as possible."

" Please."

Kai told his address as Yui flew off to find what he was looking for.

Meanwhile, Reversed Takuto was watching what was happening as he clicked his tongue.

" Those useless Reversed fighters... Can't even do a simple task."

He checked on what he was doing as he typed in a few more data. Void appeared behind him in a more solid human form.

" Void-sama."

" Your last chance is over. I see that those incompetent humans can't even complete the simple task of capturing the Prince."

" Yes, even though it's such a perfect chance when his powers haven't come back yet. I reckon you want to proceed with taking this into your own hands?"

" Yeah. I don't require backup. Toshiki Kai alone can't stop me from what I desire. This time, I won't fail."

Void disappeared after that.

At Miyaji High, the Reversed fighters that gathered at the school gate were still being defeated one by one by Misaki and the others as they panted.

" Damn it! How much longer before they give up?!"

" I don't know! But we can't let them keep going in! We need to protect Aichi with all we've got!"

" Yeah! No way am I going to let them touch Aichi!"

" Then let's continue our fight!"

" Yeah!"

At the clubroom, Kai was still taking care of Aichi while caressing his cheek gently as he frowned in worry.

" I sure hope his constant sleeping is doing good to him... I'd be worried if it isn't..." Kai thought

Suddenly, he sensed a dark presence as he looked up and scanned the whole clubroom.

" Who's there?!"

Black mist suddenly scooped Aichi out of his arms as he gasped.

" Aichi!"

Kai stood up as Void materialised and took Aichi from the black mist into his arms. He wrapped one arm around Aichi's shoulder to support him while the other shot out black mist to stop Kai's approach.

" Who are you?! Give Aichi back!"

" You've sensed my presence before, Toshiki Kai. Don't tell me you've forgotten."

" No, it can't be... You're... Void?!"

" Correct. I'm really thankful you've been taking care of Aichi this whole time. But now, it's time for you to be relieved of that role. I'm going to be his caretaker from now on."

" As if I'll let you!"

" What can you do? You're powerless. There's nothing you can do to defeat my power."

" I'm warning you, Void. Give Aichi back."

" What if I don't? Now that you already had your own fun, it's my turn to have fun with Aichi."

He laid his hand on Aichi's cheek and trailed his fingers from Aichi's cheek to his lips as Aichi's face scrunched in discomfort.

" Don't you dare!"

" I dare more than you ever will, Toshiki Kai. I am not human after all. My thoughts are all evil and of course, if I'm going to be a ruler, I should have a cute little queen by my side."

" Aichi won't succumb to you and your desires!"

" It doesn't matter. I can just lock him up in a cage and he'll be both my queen and my little playtoy. Of course, he has no say in anything. No freedom, just my eternal love. If he wants out, all he has to do is accept to become mine."

" I won't let that happen!"

Kai took out the orb as he turned into his New ALO avatar.

" Interesting. A power from that other world?"

" I will protect Aichi, no matter what!"

Aichi groaned as he woke up. Once he opened his eyes, he gasped the moment he saw Void as he tried to escape his arms, only to be wrapped tightly in his grip.

" Let me go!"

" Oh? You seem to recognise me the moment you laid your eyes on me."

" Aichi!"

Shadow minions formed to stop Kai's advance as he unsheathed his sword to fight.

" Kai-kun!"

" Now, now. Look over here. Very soon, I'll make you forget about him and focus on only me. That's right. I'll make those eyes of yours be mine and only mine. It'll lay on me and only me."

" No!"

Aichi struggled as Void grabbed his chin and leaned in to kiss him. Aichi continued to struggle as Kai slashed the minions away as they regenerated back again.

" Damn it! Aichi!"

Void broke the kiss as Aichi managed to free one of his arms from Void's grip and he reached out for Kai.

" Kai-kun! Kai-kun!"

" No, Aichi. You don't need him. I'll take good care of you from now on."

Void held Aichi's outstretched hand as he gripped it and Aichi's clothes started to change.

" Become my queen of darkness, Aichi. And the two of us will rule the entire universe."

" Aichi!"

Long fingerless gloves appeared first as Aichi's eyes widened.

" No..."

Slowly, black mist travelled around his whole body and slowly changed his clothes.

" No..."

" Aichi!"

" Kai-san!"

They turned to see Yui flying over with a crystal pendant in her hands as it started to glow.

" N-NO!"

The pendant shone brightly as they shielded their eyes while Aichi's clothes stopped changing and the minions disappeared. Void released Aichi by accident as Kai ran over to catch him. Aichi gripped Kai's clothes while his clothes turned back to normal as he shook and cried.

" Kai-kun... Kai-kun..."

" It's alright now. I'm here. Don't be afraid."

The glow slowly faded as Void clicked his tongue.

" Mark my words! I'll be back!"

He disappeared after that as the glow completely faded and Yui set the pendant down carefully on the table.

" Aichi, it's alright now. He's gone."

" I'm scared...! I'm scared...!"

" It's alright. I'm here. Don't worry."

After a few more minutes of comforting, Aichi finally stopped crying as Kai wiped off his tears while turning back to normal.

" It's fine. Void's gone."

Aichi's gripped tightened a little as Kai took notice of the pendant.

" Yui, could you give that to me?"

" Sure."

Yui picked up the pendant and flew to give it to Kai as he thanked Yui before handing it to Aichi. Aichi's grip loosened a little as he carefully took the pendant. The pendant emitted a gentle glow as Aichi relaxed and fell asleep on Kai's chest again.

" He fell asleep again."

" It's fine. It's better this way."

The door slid opened as Misaki and the others came back in.

" Kai, how's Aichi?"

" Void came but this pendant warded him away and protected Aichi before Void could do anything to him."

" I see."

" Where did you get that pendant?"

" Well... Remember I said it looked familiar when we looked at Aichi's past memories? When I thought about it, I remembered my parents giving it to me. They said something weird like, the pendant was with me when I was born or something. So I asked Yui to find and give it to me."

" Is that so?"

" Aichi's safe now, so it's fine. He's just a little scared but he'll be fine once he wakes up."

" Hope so..."

The others headed off to rest a little after the endless fights as Kirito and the others came back after two hours.

" Papa! Mama!"

" Yui, what happened here?"

" A battlefield... The Reversed Army came and they've been fighting them off. Not only that, Void came back and tried to capture Aichi-san."

" Where is he?!"

" Over there. Kai-san didn't want to let him go so he stayed like that to rest."

" I see..."

" Oh, he's waking up."

Aichi started to open his eyes as he scanned the room a little before laying his eyes on Kirito and the others. Asuna carefully approached him as she squatted down next to him.

" Are you alright?"

Aichi moved away a little as the pendant in his hands glowed purple.

" That pendant is..."

Kai groaned as he opened his eyes and looked at Aichi immediately.

" Something wrong, Aichi?"

" Kai, that pendant Aichi has in his hands..."

" I found it at my place. It seems that the memento my parents left for me, was something related to what's happening with Aichi."

" Aichi-kun, why was that pendant glowing?"

Aichi just flinched as the pendant glowed purple again. Kai rubbed Aichi's shoulder to let him relax as the glow stopped.

" Sorry, I think he's still a bit traumatised by what happened with Void."

" It's not gonna be easy to make him talk again, is it?" Kirito ask

" I think so."

Aichi stared at them as the pendant glowed yellow.

" They have elf ears because they're in their ALO forms, remember?"

" Kai, you can actually understand?"

" Now that you said it... Weird. No one can hear what he's saying?"

" All we see is the pendant glowing."

" Could it be... Aichi's talking to you in your heart?"

" My heart?"

Kai looked at Aichi as Aichi looked up at him. He managed a small smile as the pendant glowed pink.

" I knew it... That pendant's colour is symbolizing his current emotion. Naturally, if he'd felt traumatised like you said, it's normal that he clung onto you for safety. He recognises you as someone who would protect him no matter what. However, when he saw us, he felt uneasy and afraid again. So the pendant glowed purple to show fear and naturally, your heart reacted and you acted based on the colour. Then, when he got curious, his pendant glowed yellow and you could hear his thoughts. Basically, you're his translator."

" Is that it, Aichi?"

Aichi blinked as the pendant glowed orange.

" So I'm right. Why don't you talk? Right now, you sound as if you don't remember much. Is something wrong?"

" Wait, in his past memories that we saw... He had also lost his voice due to being traumatised by Void. It might be the same this time too. Because he got traumatised by Void again, he chose to not converse anymore because he's afraid and that he needs you by his side no matter what."

" But what about that past memory? I'm sure there's also someone he's done this to."

" We need the real Takuto to tell us. Only he can relay Aichi's past memories for us to see."

" You're right."

Aichi blinked again as his Psyqualia activated and they were drawn into a black space.

" This is..."

" Aichi, did you do this?"

Aichi looked over to the mirror as they turned as well to see it glowing.

" He must've called Takuto out!"

" But then..."

Aichi closed his eyes as Kai checked on him.

" He's asleep again..."

" Seriously...?"

" Look!"

They turned to see a light as they were shown a different image. This time, they were able to see the past Aichi and it was in a throne room as a guard kneeled down before him.

" Your Highness. The Prince from the Dragon Empire is here to see you."

The past Aichi seemed to blink in confusion as the guard stepped out and another prince stepped in and the others gasped.

" That's... Kai?!"

" What are you doing there?!"

" I don't know!"

The past Kai bowed before quickly lifting up his head.

" Greetings. I am Prince Toshiki from the Dragon Empire. Pleased to meet your acquaintance, Your Highness."

The past Aichi stood up as he walked over to the past Kai to return the bow.

" So it is true. You have lost your voice. I've been assigned to take care of you from now on, Your Highness. I hope we can get along."

The past Aichi shook his head as he seemed to not want the past Kai to trouble himself.

" It's fine. You're the Prince of Cray while I'm just a mere prince of a Nation. It is still our duty to serve you as you are the major ruler of our planet. Please ease on your troubles. I have reliable servants to take care of my Nation, so don't worry."

The past Aichi gave out a silent sigh as he nodded. The scene changed as it now show the past Aichi and Kai walking in the flower garden.

" How do you like the garden, Your Highness?"

The past Aichi nodded happily as the past Kai carefully plucked off a flower and placed it on the past Aichi's hair. The past Aichi blinked as he turned to the past Kai and the past Kai blushed and turned his head away once he realised what he did.

" I'm sorry... I don't know what I was thinking. P-Pretend this never happened."

He turned to walk away when the past Aichi grabbed the back of his coat while looking down as the pendant glowed slightly pink.

" To... shi... ki..."

" He talked!"

" Your Highness, did you just..."

The past Aichi blushed as he ran back to his room and left the past Kai at the garden. The scene changed again as they now see the past Kai in the Messiah Temple.

" I never really understood why you assigned me to the castle but now..."

" Prince Toshiki, there are many reasons for things that happen. You are the same as him after all. You both lost your parents but you were stronger to endure the pain but because of that strength, you lost a very important emotion. Prince Aichi, on the other hand, didn't endure the pain but kept his emotions. He was just traumatised and lost his voice to the pain. Both of you needed healing and that's why I asked you to be his caretaker. And I never regretted it one bit. You've finally regained your lost emotion so pour it out to him."

" But I..."

" In love, there are no barriers. If you really have that feeling to him, just let him know. Keeping it in is not healthy either."

" Alright..."

Suddenly, there were rumbles as the past Kai ran back to the castle to see black mist attacking it.

" Void!"

" The Prince!"

The past Kai ran towards a room as he slammed open the door.

" Your Highness!"

He gasped when he saw Void taking hold of the past Aichi in the grip of black mist as he unsheathed his sword to attack Void while releasing the past Aichi from the black mist.

" If it isn't Prince Toshiki from the Dragon Empire... I did heard that you came here to take care of the Prince but I didn't think it was true. Tell you what, I'll spare this entire planet if you hand him over. His parents gave me a hard time but I'll compromise just this once if you cooperate."

" No! I won't let you have him!"

" That's too bad then. Looks like you'll have to go."

Suddenly, a large sword went through the past Kai's chest as he spilled out blood from his mouth.

" Wha...?"

" You could've lived if you'd cooperated but it's too bad. You can join your own parents now."

The sword was removed as the past Kai collapsed while the past Aichi tried to shake him awake.

" Now, Prince Aichi. If you don't want anymore casualties, you must come with me or I'll continue to kill all of the people in this castle."

The past Aichi gripped the pendant as he removed it and wore it around the past Kai's neck. Touching the pendant, it glowed a bright light as the past Kai's wound started to heal.

" What?!"

Once the wound completely healed, the past Kai opened his eyes again as the past Aichi smiled.

" Impossible!"

" He revived him!" Kirito exclaimed

The past Kai slowly got up as he looked over to the past Aichi.

" Your Highness... Did you...?"

The past Kai caught the past Aichi just as he was collapsing as the past Aichi opened his eyes weakly while smiling again.

" Your Highness?!"

" Life... Resonating... Within..."

" Your Highness, what did you do?!"

" It's... my... turn... To... Protect... Toshiki..."

A faint glow started to surround the past Aichi as he slowly started to disappear.

" Your Highness..."

" I'll... be... inside... here... protecting... Toshiki..."

The past Aichi pointed to the past Kai's chest.

" ... Forever..."

" Your Highne-! Aichi!"

The past Aichi completely disappeared as Void and the past Kai just froze for a few moments. Black mist started to surround them as Void clenched his fist.

" Prince Toshiki... This is all your fault! I had my chance to get that Prince but you... You ruined it all!"

The pendant glowed just as the black mist was about to attack again. The blinding light caused Void to retreat as the past Kai continued to freeze in his spot. He slowly opened his hand as he saw the flower from when he'd placed on the past Aichi, an aster flower...

" AICHI!"

The scene changed again as it now showed the past Kai in the Messiah Temple.

" Please, Harmonics Messiah!"

" I'm sorry. A soul cannot be returned if both it and its body disappears. He exchanged his life for yours. It's foolish, yes, but it shows that he carried the same emotion as you, with that flower as his last reminder."

" A soul reincarnates, doesn't it? I want to go where his soul is going! I'm going to follow him and protect him no matter what!"

" But if you really do wish to reincarnate with him, your current memories will disappear."

" I don't care! I just want to be with him again! I still haven't say my answer! I'm going to see him again and say it! Please!"

" ... Alright. Leave Cray to me for now. Once you go through this portal, you will get what you desire and should you or him remember one day, the time to make decisions will draw near."

" I understand."

The portal opened as Kai placed the flower on a podium. He stood in front of the portal as he looked at the pendant Aichi wore on him.

" Wait for me... I'm going to be you soon, Aichi..."

He stepped into the portal after that as the dark space was gone and they were back in the clubroom.

" So then..."

" Both Aichi and Kai are..."

" Don't look at me like that. I don't understand anything either."

" But the pendant was with you when you were born, there's no doubt about that."

" I know but... It's just confusing. I need to think about it a little... Tell the others once they wake up. I think I need to rest again."

" Yeah, just take a short break. We'll handle the rest from here."

" Yeah..."

Kirito and the others went out to check on the school as Kai slowly drifted back to sleep while gripped onto Aichi.

And that's the end of this chapter! Thank you for reading! I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and I'll see everyone in this chapter!