Hey everyone, Slade here.
Welcome once again to [Our Bond]! On this episode, we have the "final" battle at the 100th floor and the first arc finale.
Just to clarify a bit before we start, Incarnation in this story still tries to follow what it is supposed to be in canon. However, when Kirito refers to "Incarnation," he is in reality referring to a power he "created" through the use of it. This is similar how Gabriel and PoH used Incarnation to achieve those ridiculous feats at the end of the WoU Arc, though Kirito's ability is far tamer than what those two did.
More explanations will be given in further chapters; the same applies to the "anomaly."
Without further ado… enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Sword Art Online nor the characters; heavens forbid that destiny.
Chapter 4: [Till Death Do Us Part]
100th Floor, the Administrator's quarters. Central Cathedral.
23:10 hrs.
Kirito.
The creature, despite its size and odd shape, ran at us in greater speed than what I expected. Alice faced it first, releasing her sword and transforming it into flowers. She shot the Perfect Weapon Control Art straight into the Golem, but, to my horror, that thing pushed through it as if it was a calm breeze, not stunned or even slowed in the slightest.
Before the Golem struck, I grabbed Eugeo and tossed us to the side. Edith, after noticing that the attack failed, did the same with Alice. The enormous arm-blade of the Sword Golem collided with the ground in a side swept that was directed to where Alice was.
Standing as quickly as my now recovered legs could, I raised Night Sky above my head, encasing the edge of my weapon with my dark Incarnation, and delivered a powerful attack directed towards one of the exposed legs of the Sword Golem.
It did not even scratch it.
"Fuck!" I cursed, feeling how some of the energy of the impact went through my entire back, causing a bolt of pain that almost made me fall. "What the hell is this made of?! Obsidian?!"
The Sword Golem gave me a short glance, as if his attention was picked for just a second right there. As the monstrous creation was distracted by me, Edith used the opportunity to jump as high as the creature was tall. With a mighty roar, she slammed her katana straight into the thing's head with more force than the one I used.
Surprisingly, her attack did manage to make the Sword Golem stumble back, but its head remained completely intact. The monster, clearly disgusted that someone dared to hit him in such a fashion, regained its balance with its multiple legs and, in an amazing display of dexterity for a thing that size and shape, the Golem attempted to strike Edith while she was falling to the floor.
"Discharge!" I heard both Eugeo and Alice scream almost at the same time, sending a pair of Sacred Arts directly to the Golem's arm. Both collided in an explosion of ice, managing to barely slow its movements so the blade could not harm Edith.
The girl landed safely, but she had to duck to the right before the monster gave another slash that almost beheaded her.
I collected more Incarnation in my blade while I ran towards the Golem. I jumped from one of its legs straight into the thing's waist, landing a blow that actually cause the monster bent to one side. Still, the metal it was made off remained unfazed.
Once more, it watched me for a split second, as if it was pondering what to do with me. My other three companions chose that movement to attack as one, the three giving powerful hits to the monster's exposed back.
The Sword Golem made a sound that might only be described as an annoyed sigh, turning with unnerving speed and sending a pair of slashes to the closest of them, Eugeo.
My partner, expecting the retaliation, shouted with all his might:
"Enhance Armament!"
Ice erupted from its blade, flying towards the torso and head of the Sword Golem. The impact of the Perfect Weapon Control Art reverbed through the entire hundredth floor, the monster paralyzed for an entire second.
"Our turn, Alice!" I said to the blonde knight, aiming Night Sky to the Golem. "Perfect Weapon Control Art, now!"
"Understood!" Alice replied, summoning her flowers again.
"Enhance Armament!" we roared simultaneously. Dark-purplish power mixed with golden fire in a single attack. Our combined efforts blasted the monster in a great explosion that blinded the entire room.
The light wasn't even gone before I barely noticed Edith running straight to the Sword Golem, her blade emitting an ominous glow before she screamed:
"Everyone, out of the way!" to my amazement, the light produced by the previous explosion seemed to be swallowed by Edith's weapon, causing the well-lit room to fall under complete darkness.
She slashed the thing in a swift motion, her inertia sending her across the entire floor.
"Die, foul monster!" she sheathed her katana and, without any advice, the darkness in the room collapsed into the Sword Golem in a second explosion.
I watched in awe the absolute destruction that a single Perfect Weapon Control caused: the floor beneath the monster trembled causing the entire construct to fall. A cloud of dust and debris engulfed the creature, making us lose sight of it.
That should teach it to not mess with us. I thought with a small smile on my lips. However, it just happened that I had to give a glance to Administrator. She was still floating around, smirking with unnerving satisfaction.
Wait… why is she so confident?! Don't tell me that…
"Edith! Get out of the way!" I barked, sprinting towards the girl. "It is not defeated yet!"
The tenth Integrity Knight gave me a confused look before stumbling forward, almost unconscious.
Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!
I pushed myself to my limits, closing the distance the fastest I could. From my peripherical vision, I watched the cloud of dust moving apart, something that only meant that the Golem was already on its move towards Edith.
"Not fucking yet!" I boosted my legs with Incarnation, something that was already draining me. I sprinted in a burst of speed, jumping in the very last second to catch Edith. The Sword Golem reemerged from the debris; its arm already raised to deliver another blow. With my remaining strength, I held Edith's armor tightly before jumping once more out of the way.
Both of us were sent several meters away from the reach of the Sword Golem, Night Sky falling out of my grasp mid-flight. While I was airborne, I watched how the monster simply stood there… watching us fly. It didn't even finish its strike, stopping its arm halfway.
It is the third time it only stares at me… the third time.
My train of thought was interrupted by my rough landing on the floor, Edith beside me. Luckily, the impact wasn't enough to take us out of combat, but it sure was not pleasant.
"You still kicking?" I grunted, standing once more. The girl beside me made an affirmative grunt, struggling to stand. I quickly lend her a hand, helping her to get on her feet.
"Yeah…" she muttered, clearly exhausted. "Did we…?"
Her question died mid-sentence when she spotted the Sword Golem. The monstrosity this time did receive damage… but those were some scratches here and there and a blunt mark on the spot Edith landed her hit. To my horror, the scratches were beginning to fade away.
It can self-repair?! WHAT THE HECK?!
"H-how… how is t-that thing not d-dead?!"
I frowned, gritting my teeth. I am running out of energy; just a couple bursts of Incarnation left before I am out… Dammit! We already hit it with our best attacks, and they did jack shit to it!
No, calm down, Kirito! Think! You can't defeat that creature using force, so there must be another way around it…
Yes, there was something… the Sword Golem was only activated after Administrator introduced that purple crystal on it. Perhaps it was some sort of power source?
Then targeting it must be our most save bet. However, I spared a glance at the floating silver-haired woman, knowing her, she had enough intelligence to program the damn thing to prioritize its core. Given how tough and agile the bastard is, I doubt we can pierce the damn thing. And besides, we have to close the distance in the first place… and Edith is out of combat.
I growled deeply. No, that's not good enough. A weak spot is useless unless it can be exploited. There must be something that might allow us to freeze it in place like Eugeo's…
Wait a second. Freeze it in its place…
"Even with our Perfect Weapon Control Arts that thing can still fight and recover itself…" I was awakened from my musings when Alice's voice reached my ears. Apparently, she and Eugeo rallied with us while I was spacing out. "Edith, you are…"
"I am afraid I tired myself out after that last strike…" lamented the girl. "I don't think I would be able to keep it up."
"What are we going to do?!" Eugeo wondered aloud, until he, apparently remembered something. "I know! We can call Cardinal for aid and…"
"Stay right here," I interrupted with a frown, taking a step forward. "All of you."
Eugeo's hand reached my left arm, holding me in place.
"Are you insane, Kirito?! You can't take that thing all by yourself!"
"Save the dagger, Eugeo. I am sure that if Cardinal shows up, Administrator will only drop us more than just this Golem," I shook my head. "She hasn't been involved on the fight since she believes we are no match to that thing… but I have a plan."
"Have you lost your mind?!" this time as Alice's turn, her voice full of rage. "The most logical thing we can do is ask for backup and…"
"SHUT UP AND LISTEN, DAMMIT!" I barked in frustration, making them flinch. "I have a plan. If it works, then we can stop worrying about the Golem and we could focus entirely on Administrator. If it doesn't… well, we would be dead anyway."
"But…!"
I snarled, impatience already taking the best of me. The Sword Golem was close to recover and I was just losing time in convincing these knuckleheads that I had a plan that didn't involve suicide.
Finally, I sighed.
"I am sorry, Eugeo" I released my arm free of Eugeo's grasp by giving him a kick into his belly. He was sent crashing unto the other two girls, taking them off-balance, giving me the chance to run straight into the Sword Golem.
I ignored their cries and insults (most of these being Alice's), facing the monster made out of metal with a fierce and terrified roar.
I have no way of proving if I am right… I bit my lip, hard enough to almost draw blood. But what the fuck should I do? Let this fucker exhaust us until we can't stand, so we can be sitting ducks against Administrator?
Fuck it! This is the only thing I can do to save our asses! I must try!
"Kirito!" I slightly heard Eugeo's last cry, something that made me hesitate for a second.
I must try! I growled in my own mind, forcing those doubts away. I can't fail again! I can't!
The Sword Golem ran at me, having recovered from Edith's blow. In response, I called Night Sky using Incarnation, the dropped blade flying straight into my hands.
The creature drew closer, tremors shaking the whole 100th floor due to its massive weight. I tightened my grip on my sword, though no relief from the weapon's presence came.
Instead, I watched in consternation when that thing raised one of its arms, ready to cut me in half.
Now or never… I almost sighed in acceptance. At least this time there is always the 'outside,' huh?
No… that's not enough. I steeled myself, my Incarnation flaring into existence. It wasn't enough back then. There you had one run, nothing else. Believing there will be a second is a fool's errand.
Just when the creature was about to strike me, I stopped dead in my tacks, standing firmly with Night Sky at a defensive stance.
I know that better than anyone else…
The arm-blade fell at rocking speeds.
After all, I failed mine.
"BRING IT ON, MOTHERFUCKER!" I screeched in defiance, staring at the descending blade with impotence.
The blow struck.
My entire body went stiff, as if a thousand volts of electricity went through me. I closed my eyes in anticipation, crushing Night Sky's hilt with my grip.
I opened one eye…
There it was. The dreadful Sword Golem, a monster with utmost power, was frozen in its place, its arm deeply stuck in the floor right beside me.
When my eyes drifted to my hand that was wielding my sword, I watched in satisfaction how within my dark-purplish Incarnation I could also notice a little bit of a silver-white glow.
I let out a shaky breath, my aura threatening to dispel. However, I collected my wits before such a thing could happen. My feet felt as jelly, a combination of tiredness and fear.
I turned towards my partners, who were stunned in their places. They gave me incredulous looks, as if I was the greatest madman in the entire Underworld by a great margin of difference, and I would have to agree completely.
"WHAT?!" Administrator's wail could be heard from where I was. "How?! How is that even possible?!"
"Okay then, big guy… you won't harm me if I have my Incarnation on…" I walked slowly, as if I just encountered a lion in the middle of a jungle. "Then… if you don't mind… I will get a little bit closer…"
"What are you doing, Irregular Unit?!"
"Don't mind me, or her, just focus on this Incarnation."
"Sword Golem. KILL HIM!"
"You won't harm the owner of this Incarnation… right?"
I was right in front of the Golem, who somehow managed to bent down with its physique. I climbed it, using its "legs" as a support.
"Wait… no!"
"Just a little bit more…"
"No! No! No! Get away from him, Sword Golem!"
I was now facing the purple crystal Administrator set on the monster. The moment I laid eyes on it, I felt a strange feeling, as if a large number of voices called me from within.
"Get away from him!"
"Just…" my fingers touched the crystal, the sensation I felt before increasing tenfold. "A little bit…" my hand grabbed it, and my entire body shivered, the voices within the crystal overwhelming me for a second. "MORE…!" I pulled out.
I fell backwards, lading in the ground… again. The crystal was with me, away from the Sword Golem. The construct made out of weapons twitched, and I believed for a second that it would fall on me and crush me to death. Luckily, such a thing never happened; it only remained motionless where it was, the purple light in its eyes vanishing.
"Y-YOU… YOU FILTHY, M-MISERABLE PEASANT!" Administrator shrieked in frustration from the other side of the room. "YOU… PITIFUL AND LOWLY OUTSIDER!" In her rage, she raised her arm and pointed it at me. "SYSTEM… SYSTEM…! *Tsk* DAMN YOU!" her fingers curled into a tight fist, her whole body shaking in wrath.
I couldn't help but smirk at her laughable tantrum. This time I truly got under her skin. Although far away from me, I could practically see her nails digging on her palms in frustration. So much for the 'goddess of Underworld'…
But I couldn't relish on my small victory on her… not when her tantrum came to an eerie stop. My heart stopped for a split second; my instincts screaming danger.
Although not one that was directed at me.
She can still harm them. I realized with horror. At my frantic instruction, I stood on my feet as fast as my battered body could.
"EUGEO! ALICE!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, pointing at Administrator's direction. "BLOCK!"
My warning came just in the nick of time. Alice was the first one to react, unleashing her torrent of flowers as an impromptu shield.
They were lucky she did so.
Administrator's Sacred Art, a massive spear made out of lightning, collided with the Perfect Weapon Control with a thunderous explosion. The power behind such attack was ridiculous, surpassing what would rationally be its maximum output given the Sacred Power at hand.
Incarnation… she's using it too!
"To me! All of you!" I shouted; my voice lost under the cacophony of the collision between those powerful forces. Immediately I gave up all hope of being heard, opting to sprint and catch them.
Or that was my plan.
The moment I took a step forwards, my legs lost all strength for a moment. I stumbled, barely catching myself and staying on foot. Not now dammit! This isn't the time for the drawback to catch me up!
I swore beneath my breath, trying to ignore the exhaustion, and forcing my body to move itself. My legs were wobbly, but I could at least keep a decent pace.
Not enough! I growled, pushing myself forwards. Administrator can cast another Sacred Art, and none of them is as "talented" with Incarnation to match her! "EUGEO! ALICE! EDITH! RUN!"
This time, be it by sheer luck or Eugeo's sharpness, my brother-in-arms pulled Edith's weight while running at my direction. Alice began to move too, albeit slowly in order to keep the flower shield up.
Not enough! Not enough! Faster! Faster dammit!
Administrator's spear finally dispelled itself, giving Alice room to catch up with Eugeo and aid him with Edith. The silver-haired woman took notice of this, chanting a new Sacred Art; this time, it was a dozen of car-sized shards of ice.
I watched in distress as the number of icicles grew. We were still separated for another couple of meters, enough distance for her to attack without the anomaly interference.
They won't make it… I realized, growling in pain. My legs were killing me, protesting every step I took forward. If I used Incarnation to boost my body or ignore pain, I would have ended up unconscious in the floor. They won't make it!
"FASTER! HURRY!" I urged them, completely powerless.
"DISCHARGE!"
The icicles descended. Once again, it was Alice who split from the group to face the incoming attack with Osmanthus. Her flowers flared once again, blocking the multiple projectiles with some struggle.
For a moment, my heart was filled with hope. Eugeo and Edith were less than five meters away, and Alice was holding a little bit farther away. Just a bit more! C'mon, c'mon!
But, as always, things never really went my way.
An enormous explosion suddenly tore Alice's barrier. Administrator had launched a giant Umbra attack that scattered the Perfect Weapon Control just enough to let some icicles pass through.
One of them landed on Alice's shoulder.
"Agh!" she screamed in surprise and pain, the shard of ice tackling her unto the floor. Her injury must have been serious; she let go of Osmanthus due to the impact's force.
""ALICE!"" Eugeo and Edith screamed simultaneously. My brother in arms, in an act of desperation, released the ash-haired woman from his grasp and tried to reach his childhood friend before it was too late.
"END OF THE LINE, BASTARDS!" the High Pontifex laughed maniacally, preparing another Light Element attack, and pointing it at the downed Integrity Knight. "DISCHARGE!"
"NO!" I wailed, watching the spear descend unto Alice. This time, the Sacred Art split into several bolts of light, making impossible for Eugeo to successfully rescue the blonde Knight without being caught under the rain of light.
This can't be it! My breathing became elaborate as I ran past Edith. My legs were recovering, but not fast enough for me to catch up. We were so close! We almost made it! This… this can't be it again! Not again! Why it has to always end like this!
No… no…
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
"Eugeo!" I roared, ready to dump all caution and sprint the last distance using Incarnation, even if the eventual drawback left me out of combat.
I must try something… ANYTHING! I grit my teeth. I won't let this happen again. Not again!
The bolts were getting close, fast. If I wanted to save them, this was the only chance I had to push myself beyond recovery. At the time, it never crossed my mind that the Sacred Art would hit me anyway since Administrator had already casted it. If I got on the way, I would be torn to pieces.
But even if I was fully aware, I would have cared not.
As I was about to burst into a dark-purple blur, an unexpected feminine voice reached my mind from apparently nowhere. It wasn't the one I heard from before, but the voice was too familiar for me to forget.
'Run! I will protect you!'
Charlotte?!
It was indeed her, the tiny spider that once helped me heal the flowers I planted back in my trainee days. I almost forgot that she must have hitched a ride on us after leaving Cardinal's library.
Charlotte came into view above Eugeo. To my surprise, the "tiny spider" grew as twice the size of as a horse. The arachnid faced the incoming volley of bolts fearlessly, using her body as a meat-shield to protect my two partners.
As I watched the poor thing being torn, I pressed my pace. She was far too gone, and I wasn't going to waste her sacrifice.
Finally, after what felt like a marathon, I was finally in front of the wounded Alice and the worried Eugeo. At the same time, the rain of light ceased…
"Eugeo!" I panted, standing between them and Administrator. "How's Alice?"
"I'm… I'm fine…" she stuttered. "The ice broke part of my armor, but I can still move my arm and fingers…" a pained grunt left her lips. "If there's still some Sacred Power left, I can be back into the battle."
"On it!" Eugeo said, chanting a healing Art under his breath. "There's still some power left. I can heal it!"
I let out a relieved breath, but my relief did nothing to hide my sadness. Although it was just a spider I barely knew, Charlotte got in the way of such attack without hesitation. I tried to find her with my eyes, but I was unable to even find a corpse. I let out a bitter grunt, feeling honestly bad for her ultimate end.
"Kirito…" Eugeo whispered, his eyes focused on Charlotte's last known location.
"She's gone," I said firmly. "Although a spider, she was better than those asshats of the nobles." My face soured as my eyes met the angered face of Administrator. "Just make sure to have her in your mind before stabbing Administrator, Eugeo. She deserves as much."
Hearing a little shuffling behind me, I noticed that Edith caught up with us.
"That was… something." The tenth Integrity Knight sighed in exhaustion, sitting on the floor to catch her breath. "I may admit, boy, you have quite the pair to run straight into the Golem like that. Although, how did you know the Sword Golem wouldn't attack you?"
"I didn't know for sure. It was… a gamble."
"Are you insane?!" Alice protested, Eugeo almost done with the healing. "What if you lost your gamble?"
I huffed, not fancying her with a response.
"Regardless of his reasoning, he at least managed to defeat the Golem," Edith sighed. "But what was that spider that came out of nowhere?"
"A… friend," Eugeo, having finished with his Sacred Art, lowered his gaze. "Do you think that Cardinal…?"
"We will cross that bridge once we are done here," I said before returning my attention to Administrator. Said woman had her eyes obscured by some bangs of her silver hair, yet the barely restrained rage was almost palpable.
"You bastards…" from the other side of the hundredth floor, Administrator mumbled weakly as she slowly descended. "My greatest creation, my Sword Golem… my own power, my Sacred Ats… they should have annihilated you all!"
I gave her a cold gaze, making sure that my eyes carried as much scorn as possible. Without missing another beat, I growled to my companions: "Edith, rest right where you are and don't move. Eugeo, Alice… if you are ready, let's get her."
Without any further instruction I walked at Administrator with Night Sky at the ready. A pair of footsteps and the sound of two swords being drawn came right behind me. I was exhausted, far more than what I intentionally gave, but I still found some energy within my cold rage. And I knew that Alice and Eugeo were just as tired as me, even if they did not have to cope with the stress produced by the drawback of my Incarnation.
If we were to defeat Administrator, it had to be done in this last assault.
"You, broken puppets…" said woman snarled, her entire body shaking. "You, disgusting meddlers!" her attempts to sound menacing were nothing but pitiful, it was clear that she was at the verge of losing her mind. "You desire to kill me? To destroy my plans? To thwart my crusade for an unchanging world? FINE! Come at me then!"
With those words, I was slightly taken aback when, in a flash of dark lightning, a silver rapier was summoned in her hand. Now, with a physical weapon on her own, she was able to charge.
Administrator dashed towards us, not even minding that I was at the front of the small group. I faced her, brandishing Night Sky defensively. If my supposition was correct, I could engage her in combat only if there was no killing intent behind my actions. Administrator tried to slip around me, clearly aiming towards Eugeo or Alice. I reacted in a blink, blocking her path with my sword and body. To my surprise, in an amazing display of dexterity and speed, she maneuvered away from me, threatening to pierce Eugeo.
He parried the strike with Blue Rose, retaliating with a slant of his own. Administrator ducked underneath the attack, making a three hundred sixty degree turn while doing so. She then attempted a thrust at his exposed side, but she was pushed back quickly by Alice, who managed to move in time to prevent the hit from connecting. Then, with a swift motion, Alice sent a slash against Administrator, the momentum of the latter making impossible to block.
Yet, to my astonishment, I saw Osmanthus bouncing harmlessly against a golden shield that flared to life the moment the blade was a breath away from Administrator. Alice was as surprised as I, or even more, her footing failing due to the unexpected collision. "W-what?!"
She has a shield?! I thought in panic. When did she got a shield? She had none when I tried to kill her with my Incarnate Blade!
I quickly ran forward, stopping a new thrust that was some centimeters close to tear Alice's good eye. Without missing a beat, I did a roundhouse kick straight into my foe's belly. I grinned when I felt my foot collide with her skin, sending her backwards and taking the air out of her lungs.
Then, raising Night Sky above my head with both arms, I made a downwards strike to her rapier. Once more my attack was successful, her rapier thrown away from her reach. Immediately after, I swung my blade on its flat side, almost like a bat, to at least put her off balance. Administrator had no opportunity to dodge, being bashed away a couple of steps.
I was about to follow up on my attack when, to my surprise, Administrator shot a gust of wind to my direction, gaining some space. Luckily for me, I was able to not be send flying by the whirlwind, even if I stumbled backwards a meter or two.
Yet, Administrator's breathing room didn't last. As I was pushed backwards, Eugeo switched positions with me from another direction. The High Pontifex was forced to dodge one Vorpal Strike, the skill barely missing its mark. Eugeo wasn't discouraged though; instead, he harassed Administrator without relenting.
As Eugeo kept her distracted, I turned at the blonde Integrity Knight beside me. "Alice, give us covering fire with Sacred Arts! Whatever that shield is, for some reason only Osmanthus seems to trigger it!"
I returned to the fray, hearing from the rear Alice's voice chanting a Sacred Art.
While I closed the distance, I saw Administrator's rapier moving by its own at the corner of my eye. I quickly realized what was happening, noticing that the blade was now aiming at Eugeo's back. I sprinted faster, even if my legs were incredibly tired after the whole battle against the Sword Golem.
"Watch out!" I cried, getting Eugeo out of the way. As we staggered back, I saw Administrator's rapier fly above my head, it returning to its master.
She pointed the edge at us, but I quickly moved to face her directly. She narrowed her eyes and gritted her teeth when I got her attention, trying to ignore me and instead focusing on Eugeo.
Not this time, bitch!
I cut her way, bashing Night Sky's pommel on her cheek. The blow wasn't that hard, mostly because I wanted to prevent the anomaly from triggering. Nonetheless, the strike did its purpose and made her lose balance.
She stumbled for a split second, unsure how to proceed now that I was protecting Eugeo. Unfortunately for her, she had to react quickly when Alice unleashed several Thermal Arrows. With a motion of her arm, Administrator created a new shield that blocked all the projectiles.
However, that small distraction was enough. While she wasn't looking, Eugeo shot towards her, raising Blue Rose above his shoulder. Administrator widened her eyes when she finally noticed her mistake, her right arm moved to parry the blow…
She was too slow. Eugeo's first slash threw her arm violently to the side, leaving her vulnerable for his second attack.
My eyes lit up. This is it! This is the last strike! Administrator had no time to use a Sacred Art and she was caught off guard! There was no way she could escape from us!
I was about to give a victory cry before… before everything just…
Vanished.
Everything around me blurred to the point that nothing could be discernable in the background. Although normally such unexpected phenomenon would have me panicking, my mind was apparently affected too. All my thoughts felt… distant, even slippery. Ideas and emotions flowed through me without any being retained. It was almost as if my mind was drifting on a massive void.
Thinking was hard, if not impossible. Everything came and went easily, time included.
Just as how it came, it was suddenly gone. Everything decelerated around me so abruptly that it almost felt as if reality just chose to crash down on me…
And with it, came absolute pain.
My body felt like burning, especially my arms and legs. I wailed in distress, my voice drowning the unnatural sounds of bone and flesh that were heard as I twitched in agony. Yet, somehow, I could still stand… though not on my own apparently. I felt no strength coming from my limbs, almost as if they had gone limp entirely. And yet, I was standing without having any chance to move willingly at all.
But, despite the unfathomable torture, my mind was clear enough to watch a terrible scene before me: Instead of facing a wounded Administrator, I was face to face with none other than Eugeo… bleeding.
He was right in front of me, a cut in his arm where he wielded Blue Rose. Said sword was now at the floor, away from his reach. My friend was as surprised as I was, giving me an incredulous stare while he held his injured limb.
Alice and Edith were staring at me too, the former with her mouth wide open and the latter with obvious confusion and rage.
"Kirito…?" my friend said in a whisper, taking a step back. "W-what are you doing…?!"
"I…" a dripping sound caught my attention. It was Night Sky… dripping some blood from its edge. I almost choked, having a hard time to even mutter a word.
In the end, I could only answer in a weak voice:
"I d-don't know…"
She couldn't believe her eyes.
She was defeated, bested by some insufferable kids. She would be ashamed if not for the fact that the blond swordsman closed the distance with his sword made out of ice. She knew about the problem the swords of this boy and the Irregular Unit would cause after watching the latter's memories, but she dismissed it quickly. At the time she thought she could gain control of the black swordsman.
But no, she was defenseless now. She had no more tricks, no more advantages… all thanks to that miserable outsider!
He had to came to Underworld, her world, and ruin everything! He contacted with the Lyceris brat, defeated her little puppets, turned two of those against her, Chudelkin was dead, and her Sword Golem was useless without the Memory Crystal. His presence made her impossible to defeat properly those kids and his little schemes played out even when she tried her best to thwart them.
She was ashamed, she was angry, she was frustrated…
She was afraid.
And yet, against all odds, she was still breathing. Save from harm.
The responsible? The very same person she now hated a hundred times more than Cardinal.
The Irregular Unit stood in front of her, protectively. He moved beyond any mortal's capabilities, using Incarnation to enhance his body above any possible stat or logic. His dark aura flared with power, but she could notice some silver flames among the dark-purplish ones. While under the effects of his Incarnation, he parried his own ally's blow with such force that she heard his arm breaking loudly.
As for the blue-clad swordsman, the ice sword he wielded was thrown away by the sheer force of the parry. Moreover, the Irregular Unit slashed terribly his friend's arm by complete accident.
She watched in awe and confusion, her fluctlight trying its best to process what just happened.
"Kirito…? W-what are you doing…?!"
"I… I d-don't know…"
A second of silence.
Then, Administrator laughed.
She laughed hysterically and as loud as her throat could afford. She laughed, on and on, as she never did in her long life. Not even the Irregular Unit's own laugh could be compared to the one she gave.
Each and all single brief gasps of air were painful, yet so euphorically addicting in its own way.
Her laughing cut the silence, but no one seemed able to do anything else but be still and listen to her voice. No one interrupted her, no one attacked her, no one insulted her or even changed their expression.
She had the spotlight, and all she did was laugh.
However, the need of air was still present on her, and her laugh died when her virtual lungs run short of supply. She covered her face with her left hand, hiding her mouth and eyes with her palm and one of her eyes with the fingers.
The eye that was still visible was focused on the Irregular Unit's back. Said silver orb was shining with unnatural pleasure and joy.
"Aw, this is just too perfect to be real~!" she giggled, laying a hand on the Unit's shoulder, and pressing her body into his back. She felt his muscles tense at the touch, but he did not attempt to move her out of the way. "This anomaly between us is useful after all!"
"Get off me…" the boy grunted, his teeth clenching so tightly that she could actually hear it loud and clear.
"Oh, why I should do such a thing, boy~?" she chuckled, caressing his cheek. He did not move, but his entire body shook. "When you clearly are the solution to all the problems you caused me."
"Before dead than serving a bitch!" he snapped but kept on place.
"But you will serve me, won't you?" she giggled once more, caressing his exposed neck with her cold but soft hand. "You can't harm me, can you?" he shuddered, the grip in his sword tightening even when his arm was severely injured. "And you won't let others harm me… isn't it?"
Her statement forced him to freeze, as all the others present did.
"Good," she mumbled at his ear. Raising her hand and aiming it at Synthesis Ten, who was still in her place. "Those injuries… you can't move anymore, can you? Then be a good boy, stay still. SYSTEM CALL!"
The other rebels reacted at her words, exchanging looks when they realized what was happening. They were too far away from the girl, and she was too exhausted to even defend herself.
They were defenseless. They were in the palm of her hand.
She was going to murder them. She was going kill them all!
But in her excitement, she forgot that the boy she just mocked was anything but normal. His Incarnation, an irregularity on its own, should have been proof by itself.
As such, Administrator wasn't ready when a bloodied hand reached and captured her arm with a vice grip. Despite his injuries and the hell of pain he must have gone through, the Irregular Unit managed to held Administrator on place.
Then, without any hint of hesitation on his voice, he shrieked: "STAB ME WITH THE DAGGER, EUGEO!"
Eugeo always had a great amount of respect and faith on Kirito, his best friend. Since Kirito came to Rulid, he was the main pillar of support and hope the young man ever had. He encouraged Eugeo to cut down the Gigas Cedar, he gave him company through their trip towards Zakkaria and Centoria, he taught him all he needed to know about the "Aincrad Style," he heard his story of Alice and how she was taken away and he promised to help him to find his friend.
He was quite odd for sure, and his ethics weren't the best, but he was a straightforward guy that never meant harm to anyone unless they wanted trouble.
There was also the problem that he sometimes was too reckless for his own good, but he always seemed to have a plan designed to sort things out the best way possible. That did not mean that Eugeo liked most of his plans, such as the one he just used against the Sword Golem (if "running like a madman" could be even labeled as a plan).
This time however, the look in his eyes and the tone of his voice told Eugeo all he needed to know.
"STAB ME WITH THE DAGGER, EUGEO!"
His eyes lacked any doubt, any fear. He was deathly determined. This one was one of his crazy plans, one of his ridiculous ideas that popped out of nowhere that somehow always made him achieve his goals.
Eugeo did not hesitated this time, all doubts washed away by the determination in his best friend's eyes.
He yanked his free hand into the collar that held Cardinal's dagger, breaking the string that held it in a wild movement. Then, he grabbed the weapon by its hilt and, with a mental apology to Kirito, he stabbed him on the belly.
The blow made the black-clad swordsman stumble back with Administrator, but Kirito's hand did not release her. All the while, Eugeo stared at his friend's eyes, expecting some sort of response from him.
"KILL HER…" was his last words before Kirito froze in its place, Night Sky released of his grip.
Eugeo did not need any further instruction. He roared in anger, catching Kirito's blade midair before aiming it at their foe.
At the same time, a sky-blue glow surrounded the swordsman.
"ADMINISTRATOR!"
The library. Central Cathedral.
23:51 hrs.
Inside a room isolated from the rest of the Central Cathedral was a young girl, or at least what appeared to be one, pacing back and forth while biting her lower lip with such force that every now and then she drew some blood. She was short and had the complexion of a ten-year-old, although she easily was one of the oldest humans within the Human Empire. Her hair was brown and wavy with eyes of the same color, the latter hidden behind a pair of round glasses. She wore velvet robes and an inflated hat, the latter looking similar to a graduation hat back in Kirito's world. Lastly, she wielded a staff slightly taller than herself on her right hand.
This was Cardinal, the girl who sent Kirito and Eugeo on a mission to defeat the High Pontifex. However, she was also the Secondary Directive of the Cardinal System and Administrator's equal in System Authority.
Charlotte's link has vanished… thought the small girl in apprehension as she walked in circles around the library. What could this possibly mean? Did she die? Did the Administrator use an Art that cut the connection?
She didn't know and uncertainty was killing her. Where the kids ok? Did they succeed? Did they not? Why haven't they used the second dagger yet?
For a moment, Cardinal thought about taking a peek on what was going on, even if it meant risking her to be discovered by Quinella, but her nerves were getting the best out of her.
Just when she was about to open a new backdoor, a tug in her fluctlight caught her attention. This was a connection between her and someone else with the dagger. Cardinal stirred from her place, quickly focusing on who exactly this person was. She thought for a second that it could be Administrator or Alice, since she knew those dumb teenagers could pick any of those despite the obvious need to prioritize Quinella.
Regardless of who was pierced by the dagger, Cardinal knew exactly what she had to do.
The identity of the unit was irrelevant. Cardinal had to prioritize the temporal shutdown of this fluctlight. This was done in just a single second.
I expected more resistance, the short girl frowned. There was a chance that Kirito and Eugeo succeeded in striking Quinella while asleep, but even then, this was too easy; suspiciously so.
Cardinal was about to investigate the fluctlight she managed to capture when something unexpected happened.
The small girl cried in pain, holding the sides of her head when a sharp migraine sent her fluctlight into overdrive. She fell onto her knees, her hat and staff falling to the ground.
She tried to recover from the pulse of pain, but to no avail. Even worse, the connection between her and the fluctlight was severed… the problem was that it was caused by a third presence… a third presence that, to her confusion, came from within the captive fluctlight.
A presence with which she was too familiar.
T-that was… Quinella?!
100th Floor, the Administrator's quarters. Central Cathedral.
23:52 hrs.
Kirito.
Pain.
There was nothing but that miserable sensation.
My body stung. My arms, my legs, my torso… even my own mind.
There was nothing else but torment.
Yet, at the same time, I was forced to remain conscious. Whereas anyone else would have fainted at best, or died from pain at worse, I was forced to choose neither. I had to witness from beginning to end my torture. Capable of speaking and thinking with unnatural clarity… but prisoner of my anguish.
Never again I desire to go through such suffering.
No, no, no, nononono. This shouldn't be happening! I screamed in my own mind. The… anomaly… it dispelled Cardinal's Sacred Art!
But, above all, I had to watch my best friend howl and spasm in the floor, a new cut on his side. A cut I made.
"E-Eugeo!" I screeched in fear despite the constricting agony.
I underestimated the anomaly severely, and now Eugeo was suffering because of it. I naïvely thought that the dagger was enough to stop whatever madness that light brought upon me and Administrator. Now, it was clear that nothing short of death would stop whatever this anomaly was.
And, undoubtedly, Administrator was going to take advantage of it.
I must… gah…! I must move! I must… I screamed in my mind. Shit… the pain… the fucking pain! No! Get yourself together Kirito, dammit! … Fuck, it hurts… No! Eugeo! Focus! Eugeo! You have to… defend… fucking dammit!
Shit… how can I even… guh… move?! I… I can't… no… I must! Move!
From the corner of my eye, I caught some movement, a silver blur.
The pain…
"No!" I howled. In panic, my Incarnation was summoned. Despite my broken bones, my ripped muscles, my agony… I somehow pushed myself ahead. "Get… fucking… away!"
I managed to catch Administrator as she ran. I collided with her, sending us to the floor.
Pain…
I screamed in my place, unable to move a millimeter. Despite it, I couldn't release the grip on my sword.
"Damn you, Irregular Unit!" I heard her complain beside me, trying to stand once more. "Stop resisting the inevitable!"
Before I could reply, my blood froze when, once more, I was knocked out by the anomaly. This time, when I returned to consciousness, I felt my legs cracking and bending, but somehow, I remained on my feet.
The pain…
"Kirito…" I widened my eyes in horror. Alice was in front of me, sporting a terrible injury in her chest made by Night Sky that somehow torn her armor apart. In one of her hands was Blue Rose…
Oh god! I nearly gag both due horror and pain, my entire body breaking apart. I can't… argh! Make it… stop!
Administrator recovered once more, rapier in hand, moving straight at us.
The pain was too great, overwhelming. My bones were broken and crushed. My mind was tearing itself apart, my sanity was at the verge of collapse, and I was scared beyond words.
This is my fault! I lamented in my mind, feeling as every part of my body was close to crumble away. I should have not underestimated the anomaly…
["We were born on the same year…"]
I should have thought a better plan!
["… and we will be together…"]
I SHOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING!
["… to our last."]
I failed them! I…
["Let go of her!"]
No… not again…
["She's innocent! Let her go!"]
Not again…
["Eugeo! Do something!"]
Not again. Not again. Not again.
["I am sorry… goodbye… Eugeo… Kirito…"]
I won't let her go away from us again!
"ALICE!" I cried in a mixture of agony and despair, triggering my Incarnation.
I ignored the pain and the unnerving sounds that my body did, using my last burst of determination to move and catch Administrator's hand, the one that wielded her rapier.
"Get… away… from… them!" I grunted, pools of blood coming out of my mouth, but I kept the pressure on her wrist.
She glared at me with surprise, pushing against me.
"How can you still move?"
I didn't know either. I only wanted to stop this madness once and for all.
She tried to shake me off, but my Incarnation kept me on place.
"I… won't..." more blood came out, almost causing me to suffocate, "… let… you…" I coughed, moving her arm upwards, "… harm any of them!"
We wrestled for a while, one pushing the other in an attempt to gain an advantage. Every time one second went by, I could feel a bone of mine breaking, or a muscle being torn apart. The Incarnation might dull the pain… but this time it was too much. My entire body was burning, as if scorched by the flames of hell itself.
I remained on my feet.
"You can't kill me!" she said with confidence, trying to move away. "Release me!"
She made a move to use her opposite hand, but I released Night Sky and used my now free hand to restrain hers.
"NOT… EVEN… IN A MILLION… YEARS…"
I kept the pressure. My consciousness slipping.
"This is useless, Irregular Unit!" she hissed. "Even if you keep this a little bit longer, you will die, and nothing will change! Winning is impossible!"
"Let's test… my luck… once more…" I smirked; though I could swear a river of blood was running free from my mouth. "Just… one… last… time…"
Administrator could barely belief her eyes and ears, watching this display of insanity and despair with morbid fascination. A simple boy, an outsider, a mere mortal within her world was now standing defiantly against her despite the useless effort it was.
She watched the amount of blood he was losing; she heard each and every single bone broken, and each muscle torn apart. But most of all, she saw his stubborn resolution.
She snickered.
"I have said it before, outsider, but I pity you," with a maniacal laugh, she pushed him back, his battered body still holding its ground. "Your determination? Your resolution? Ha! Only fake hopes and self-indulged lies they are!
"Despite your efforts, your speeches, your mockery, and your 'bravery'… you chose to give up your search for a way back home for them? Broken puppets? Useless commoners?" she wanted to laugh even harder, but the actual effort the boy was causing her did not let her. "Are you willing to die for those three when everyone in your place would have surrendered way before?" she gave the Irregular Unit a sweet smile, almost motherlike. "As much as I hate to admit it, you are quite smart and cunning. You could be of use to me! If you surrender, and dispose of those two failures of knights, I will grant you a second chance. Think about it! You are smarter than this!"
She expected that her last offer to cause some sort of reaction… but she received no response.
"Just get your filthy hands off me already!" Administrator growled in anger, fighting against his iron grasp. "You piece of…" just when she was going to unleash a new assault of insults and curses against him, she caught a tiny glance to his eyes, one that made her realize a shocking and unnerving fact.
The eyes that once carried great hate and determination were dull and devoid of any emotion, completely empty. Their golden gleam that came whenever he used his Incarnation was fading, slowly but steadily.
Despite everything, he was still breathing.
He… he is unconscious!
She tried once more to free herself from him, but, even then, the Irregular Unit did not let go. Administrator shrugged mentally; it was futile for her to keep fighting against him at this point.
It doesn't matter anymore, she mused with a sigh. Sooner or later, he will let go of me. A truly shame. With his rather unique use of Incarnation, he could have been the best piece at my disposal, besides my Sword Golem that is. If things went down my way from the beginning, none of this would have happened. However, this was the destiny he chose, so be it. I don't need anyone beside myself to uphold the order in the Human Empire.
Around her she could hear some hassle made by the companions of the Irregular Unit. Some cries, and some curses here and there, but nothing she cared about. Administrator would deal with them in time, there was no need to rush. Those three were out of combat and, even if the Irregular Unit was at the brink of death, she was confident that the anomaly would still force him to defend her.
She smiled widely, feeling a weight being lifted from her now that the only threat to her world, besides Lyceris, was finally dealt with.
Administrator parted her lips, ready to say her last words to the boy that tore her plans and projects in a single night:
Goodbye, Kirito.
"System Call!"
Administrator perked up when she heard the beginning of a Sacred Art, trying to identify whose voice that was.
"Transfer human unit durability…"
One of those insufferable kids must have been recovering from the wounds the Irregular Unit inflected on them!
"…self to right!"
She was going to end them all before they got to their feet.
The moment she tried to give a short glance towards the other three nuisances, she noticed that her entire body froze in its place. She was confused, believing for a second this was something made by the Irregular Unit.
Her eyes, still fixed on him, paid greater attention on him just to figure out what he did to her.
When she finally came to terms to what was going on, her entire mind came to a sudden stop.
The voice that she couldn't identify before, the one who gave its own durability to another person… was none other than hers.
Administrator, the goddess of Underworld, was sharing her durability with… him?!
No, I can't be helping him! He's an outsider, a parasite, a monster! This is an illusion! A trick!
For her, the great and powerful Administrator, sharing her durability was a laughable idea. Why would she? She was the only being that could carry on the Main Process efficiently. There was no priority above her survival but the upholding of the system.
If she wasn't so deeply attached to the Cardinal System, her fluctlight collapse would have been inevitable, her soul self-destroying after witnessing such deep contradiction of her beliefs. Nonetheless, what did not kill her, did manage to paralyze her on the spot. Her mind recovered slowly, barely coming to terms to what was going on. If this went on for a couple of minutes longer, she would be free of the fluctlight collapse, and now that the Irregular Unit was no longer able to act on his own will, his partners would be easy to dispatch.
However, her opportunity didn't arrive. As she was finally recovering control over her mind and body, she could barely hear in the background the chanting of another Sacred Art. Unable to defend herself or to properly recognize the threat, Administrator couldn't do anything to prevent fainting shortly after the voice died down.
100th Floor, the Administrator's quarters. Central Cathedral.
25th day of the 5th month ~ 01:05 hrs.
Kirito.
Comfortable…
Was the first thing that came to my mind. Underneath me was some sort of mattress that felt unbelievably good. It was soft, but firm enough to not swallow me whole.
One of my eyelids opened groggily, giving a first glance into my surroundings. The illumination was poor, but it was enough to distinguish the purple curtains that surrounded me.
Wait a minute, purple curtains? And this soft feeling… why does it feel familiar? Almost like… Administrator's…
I shot my eyes open when the memories finally came back. Everything, from the illusion to the final battle returned. Due to my sudden panic, I immediately bolted upwards, earning a worse headache as a reward.
"Argh! Fuck!" I cursed, bringing my left arm to my forehead. "Ow… that… felt… terrible…"
Not only the head was killing me. My whole body felt incredibly sore. Though there was no real pain, each of my joints felt like rusted gears forced to work without proper maintenance beforehand.
"Kirito?" to my surprise, at my left I found Eugeo's worried face staring straight at me from the other side of the curtains. "Y-you are awake!"
"Uh," before I could reply properly, my friend lunged at me with a bear crushing hug. This, of course, did wonders to my sore body… "Ow! Ow! Ow!"
"Thank the goddesses you are awake! You were… I saw… your body was…" his voice almost failed him, something that would have moved me if not for the worrying lack of air in my lungs.
"Eugeo, I… am happy I didn't… died back there… B-but… I will die now… if you don't release me!"
"Oh, right!" he gasped, finally giving me some space to breathe. "Sorry, I was just…"
"Forget about me!" I cut him off, coughing a bit. "What about you? Are you alright? I can't remember correctly after I… well…"
My friend, to my surprise, gave me an understanding smile before waving dismissingly. "Don't worry about that Kirito. The wound looked worse than what it truly was. Besides, Cardinal already healed me completely, so you have nothing to worry about."
I furrowed my brows, recalling the way he was contorting in pain. That wasn't a fucking scratch, Eugeo. However, knowing how useless it would be calling out his lie, I did not try to get an honest answer.
"Still, I am sorry Eugeo…"
"Don't be, Kirito," my friend laid his hand on my shoulder reassuringly. "I know you weren't in control. Whatever happened to you, I don't blame you."
Still too kind for his own good, I sighed in my heart, something that contrasted with my smile. "Thank you, my friend. But, what about Alice? Is she alright too?" I asked him worriedly. Alice was terribly hurt by my hand while I was under the anomaly.
"She's fine. Her armor took most of your attack…" he gave a side-look. "Still… Edith quite freaked out…"
"I see," I mumbled, remembering the death glare she gave me when we met. "What are my chances of escaping her wrath?" I chuckled slightly, trying to lighten up the mood.
Eugeo laughed nervously, but he did not answer my question.
"So, what happened while I was out?"
"Well, uhm…" he scratched his head, turning his head towards something that wasn't on my line of sight. His unusual tone made me frown deeply, he clearly wasn't sure if he should tell me or not. "While you were fighting against Administrator, Cardinal arrived. She happened to appear close to me, so I was able to warn her about… your… you know… that thing."
"…"
"So, instead of trying to kill her, she used some Sacred Arts to knock her out," he sighed, frowning deeply. "I suppose that, since it wasn't a direct threat, you did not interfere."
I diverted my gaze. Although gone, the phantom feelings of the stinging pain were still vivid on my mind.
"So… is there anything else you need to tell me? You seemed hesitant for a second about answering my question."
"Uh, right…" Eugeo, if possible, was even more nervous. "You… haven't noticed?"
"Notice what?" I frowned, clearly unamused.
"Just… turn to your right."
"What do you- HOLY FUCK?!" I did as instruct, only to meet the unnerving sight of none other than ADMINISTRATOR herself sleeping beside me. However, what caught more my attention was the fact that my right hand was firmly held by hers. "E-Eugeo! W-what is she d-doing here?!"
He scratched his cheek, clearly uncomfortable.
"Well… we tried to carry you to the bed after you passed out," he clicked his tongue, "but she kept holding your hand even if we tried our dearest to free you,
"I understand that, but why was she holding my hand in the first place?"
"Because…" he darted his gaze away. "She was the one who healed you, Kirito."
His answer took me by surprise, making me gape at him and to Administrator. Did… did this woman truly saved me? Out of all people?
"After you passed out, Administrator chanted a Sacred Art to transfer her durability to you," he went on with his explanation, his eyebrows furrowing even further. "It seems that not only you were forced to defend her, but she also needed to protect you as well."
The anomaly… I thought, while watching her hand still holding mine, even under deep slumber induced by Cardinal.
I gently tried to move away from her and, to my surprise and Eugeo's, she actually let me go, her iron grasp becoming a gentle caress. I raised my hand, staring at it for a good while, unsure of what to think about the situation. This was, by far, the most eventful and disastrous day on my life, and every time I recovered from unconsciousness everything just became more and more bizarre.
"Eugeo, where's Cardinal?" was my next question, even if I kept staring at my hand.
"Well, she summoned something she called 'Con-sou-le'," he struggled with the foreign word. "Alice and Edith are with her; I was left to watch over you and Administrator."
"A 「Console」?" I repeated, scratching my chin. Is she planning the deletion of the system? Well, that most likely is the case. "I must talk to her, it is important."
"Are you sure? You were hurt badly, and there is the…"
"I can't wait for this Eugeo…" I interrupted him with a reassuring expression. "Administrator is knocked out cold, and I can still walk. Trust me, I have been through worse," even though, that last part was the greatest lie I said in my entire life.
"If you say so, Kirito," my friend smiled, albeit wryly. "I will keep watch, just be careful."
"Got it…" breathing slowly, I pulled myself out of the bed. Behind me, I noticed that Administrator's hand suddenly reacted, trying to reach mine by what I hoped was pure reflex. I frowned, giving a look to my friend. "Keep your eyes on her Eugeo; even while unconscious I feel uneasy around her."
"O-of course!" he nodded.
Without any further talk, I got on my feet (even if such a thing was terribly exhausting) and I walked towards the center of the hundredth floor. As Eugeo said, Cardinal, Alice and Edith were right there, the former two watching what I could only guess was the terminal and the latter happened to see me standing up.
"Alright, that's close enough," Edith called at me when I was a few meters away from her. Her voice also warned the other two girls about my presence. "Are you free from it?"
My lips formed a thin and unexpressive line. From the corner of my eye, I saw Eugeo watching nervously. "I am under control," I answered truthfully, even lifting my hands in the air.
Edith quirked an eyebrow, not entirely convinced. To my surprise, someone else came into my defense.
"Lady Edith, it's all right," Alice nudged her senior's shoulder.
"He hurt you," was her only reply.
"I know that better than anyone, Lady Edith, but he protected me too. He wasn't acting freely; it was that anomaly he warned us about."
"He's dangerous," she scowled in my way. "He could lose control and murder us all if we are not careful."
"Edith!"
I watched their exchange unimpressed. Was I bothered? A bit. But, above all, I was tired.
"You are right, Edith," I spoke up, lowering my hands. "I am not trustworthy, not until this anomaly is dealt with. However, I still have unfinished business with Cardinal," I nodded at the short girl, who was sizing me up and down in contemplation. "Once I am done, do whatever you want with me. Though, I would appreciate if you dumped my ass in a place with a soft mattress. Is that good enough?"
Edith fell silent, apparently debating with herself. Finally, she growled before shooting me a dangerous look.
"I will keep my eyes on you all the time, got it?"
"Crystal," she and I exchanged one last glance before I was allowed to get closer. "You and I have something pending, Cardinal."
The short girl nodded at me, tapping the ground with her staff.
"Indeed. You fulfilled your mission Kirito, albeit with some high and lows, but it was a success nonetheless; even if I expected this to be less… complicated," she pointed at the bed Administrator and Eugeo currently were.
"I agree," crossing my arms, I moved to look at the console. "What about our deal?"
"I am afraid it has gotten more complex than what I foresaw, Kirito," she was about to continue her sentence until she noticed both Alice and Edith staring at us with curiosity. Cardinal furrowed her eyebrows slightly. "Alice, Edith, would you mind helping Eugeo watch over Administrator? Now that Kirito is awake, there is no way to predict how the anomaly would react. It will be safer if another two knights are watching over her."
Both Alice and Edith glared at the short girl with distrustful eyes, something with which I could relate. Still, they took the hint and chose to abide without any further protest.
It didn't go unnoticed to me that Edith kept watching us closely.
"So, you were saying?" I crossed my arms, getting closer to the console.
"There has been a… drawback on the plan," I almost scoffed, but refrained to do so."I tried to use the console, but for some unknown reason I am unable to properly interact with the System as Qui- I mean, Administrator did before."
"So, you can't 'wipe the server'," I stated, hoping that the terminology would be enough to confuse Edith and Alice (since I was positive that they were more focused on us than on Administrator). "Administrator must have tampered with it when I was captured. She mentioned she knew about our deal, so it's my guess she disabled the functions just in case."
"I doubt it," she made a gesture with her hand towards the screen. "Administrator caught you while unconscious, meaning that she was confident you would fall under her charms easily. She might be paranoid, but her ego and arrogance are greater."
I made a great effort to keep my face impassive, hoping that neither Edith nor Cardinal picked up my reaction to this news. Without Cardinal's plan, the Final Load Test would undoubtedly come to an effect, dooming the entire Human Empire to be destroyed by RATH until they achieved their goals or until there is nothing left.
"Then we have no other option but use that plan B of yours, right?" I said after some seconds of silence. Cardinal nodded. Then the dagger I spent at floor 50 wasn't an entire waste after all.
"However, that's not the most important thing I discovered," Cardinal went on, pulsing a button within the console. Then, a message popped up on the screen. "Someone from the outside seem to have been tampering with the system, accelerating the time of Underworld slightly."
"RATH?" I narrowed my eyes. "Did you found anything that might tell you why?"
"Nothing. They have been interacting with the system continuously the last hours, and rather harshly… but I can't guess the reasons behind their actions."
I sighed, staring at the console for a whole minute. Then, making up my mind, I turned to Cardinal:
"Can you contact with them?" The short girl looked at me queerly, clearly not fan of my petition, However, I added quickly. "I know they will hear me out. If I am lucky, I might be able to make them turn off the Final Load Test."
And before anyone asks… yes, I did mean it this time.
Cardinal pondered for a while my words.
"I doubt we could even come to an 'agreement' with those outsiders…"
"We lose nothing with trying," I smiled darkly, "also… I must give a certain man a piece of my mind."
Cardinal raised an eyebrow but said nothing about my change of demeanor. Instead, she focused on the console, all the while I was waiting patiently to finally give this man the longest rant he'll hear in his life.
"It's done…" she turned to face me, stepping aside from the console.
"Thank you," I nodded in recognition, taking a deep breath… "You might want to cover your ears."
Without waiting another second, I stood in front of the screen, and, without further advice, I roared with all the might of my lungs.
"KIKUOOOOOOOOKA!" My voice reverbed through the entirety of floor 100, startling Cardinal to the point she actually jumped in her place. "I KNOW YOU ARE FUCKING THERE, YOU BASTARD! YOU BETTER HAVE A IMPECCABLE EXCUSE, FOR ALL THE BULLSHIT I WENT THROUGH THESE LAST TWO YEARS, OR ELSE I WILL HAVE YOUR HEAD ON A FUCKING PIKE!"
The line was silent for an entire second, before it was picked up by no other than the Kikuoka himself.
"Whoa! Kirito-kun?! Is that you?" he asked nervously through the call.
"Oh, so you still have the balls to talk to me in that condescending tone," I growled, gripping the console with both hands. "Listen Kikuoka, we have a LOT to talk about and there is no way I…"
My rant was interrupted by some background sounds that saturated Kikuoka's microphone. Perhaps I won't be an expert, but after a long life of gaming I could identify those distorted sounds anywhere.
"Are those gunshots?" I shrieked in confusion. What the fuck was going on in RATH?
"I know you are angry Kirito, and you have all the right to be," he replied back, his tone way more serious. "But we have no time to argue." More gunshots were heard in the background. "Listen! Project Alicization is under attack!"
His response actually forced me to freeze on my place.
"What?"
"A group of mercenaries invaded Ocean Turtle. We were unable to defend the facility and were forced to retreat. They will have complete control over the system once they arrive to the Main Control Room…" he said nervously, more shots in coming from the call. "They are trying to cut the power, so make sure to listen my instructions carefully…"
"So, you need my help?" I suppressed a snort, my anger threatening to return. "How do you expect me do that while trapped in this damn world?!"
"You can save the entirety of the Project Alicization," was his grave response. "There is a fluctlight of great interest for us and, perhaps, for the assailants. It is imperative for you to find and retrieve it before them. The fluctlight belongs to a girl named Alice, a young blonde woman of your age who broke the Taboo Index."
This last part left me paralyzed on my place, as the same thing happened to Cardinal. I took a glance to my back, noticing that Edith had a confused expression plastered on her face. Alice, in the other hand, seemed oblivious to this.
"… I won't ask why you want her, Kikuoka, nor I am agreeing immediately to this 'job'… but let me be clear on this…" my face was now centimeters away from the console. "THIS. WILL. BE. MY. LAST. JOB. After this, you and your people vanish from my life and those I care for, understood?"
"Okay, I got it! You are still mad, but I give you my word. Now, to hand her to us, you must arrive to the World End Altar…"
"Sir!" A second voice interfered through the coms channel, this one of a really nervous man. "The assailants are pushing this post forward! I don't know how long we would be able to…" more gunshots, this time followed by an agonizing grunt. "Agh! Dammit!"
"Kyku-san!" A third one commented. "We must hurry to leave! We don't know how long it would take them to finally cut the power! The small blackout from before was dangerous enough, but if a worst one happens…"
"Shit," Kikuoka slammed his fist against something, perhaps a metallic table. "Okay, I will hold the Main Control Room as long as I can. Higa-kun, you take the rest to the Sub Control Room with Koujiro-san and Suguha-kun…"
…
Suguha…
My blood froze, my eyes widened, my hands shook, and my entire breathing came to a halt. I stood motionless for what felt an eternity…
Sugu…
My teeth gritted, my fist clenched, a pulsating vein was visible on my forehead…
My Sugu…!
My eyes blazed in gold, my fingernails dig on my skin, the pressure on my teeth threatened to break them.
Sister!
"KIIIIKUOOOOKAAAAAA!" My anger peaked to a level I never thought possible before, my throat almost torn by the sheer power in my voice. "WE HAD A DEAL! WE HAD A FUCKING DEAL, YOU MOTHERFUCKER! IF THOSE IDIOTS DON'T KILL YOU NOW, I WILL ONCE I WAKE UP! YOU HEAR ME?!
My entire face was boiling in rage. What was this supposed to mean? I said that bastard to keep them out of this! Even if they were obstinate or persistent about this, I made him swore to keep them away! And now… Sugu… she was in the middle of a fucking shootout?
I do not care that Kikuoka is an agent of the government. I will have him PAY for this.
"Kirito, what is going on?" Cardinal asked beside me with worried expression, trying to shake me out of my anger.
It wasn't enough.
"Listen, Kirito, I am sorry. I can explain you later, but..."
"You better pray that the poison in my system kills me or leaves me as a vegetable, Kikuoka!" I growled. "Because I won't let you get out off the hook this time! I will…"
Before I could go on, the second voice in the other side of the line shouted.
"Sir! They have almost got the current, it's going to…!"
The call was ended abruptly, but, before I could react to it, my ears caught an unnerving sound coming from above me, one that heard horribly familiar. Then, a blinding light fell and surrounded me.
My eyes widened in fear and terror, realizing what was going on…
The thing that caused the anomaly… the thing that sent me into this crazy spiral of events returned once more for vengeance… to finish its deed.
My last thought was a simple one, one that was directed towards the one person whose name I heard in the call.
Sugu…
I am so sorry…
I should have done a better job protecting you…
And that's a wrap! At least for today that is.
Happy holidays everybody! Though I wasn't planning on finishing this late in the month, it all worked up perfectly for a Christmas upload. Huh, what a coincidence…
Sadly, the story is barely beginning so a Christmas special won't make any sense at all… nor I had time to figure out something for one. Perhaps one for next year will be in order, but that's something for future me to determine.
Enough of my nonsensical ramblings… the first arc has officially concluded! I had fun writing it all, though laying out the rules for the anomaly was a pain in the ass (but I think I got it somewhat right), so expect to learn exactly what's going on with both our protagonists in future chapters.
As for the chapter itself, there isn't much that I want to point out. Most of it was just a long battle at the 100th floor. Perhaps the only noteworthy thing is the new property of the anomaly that forces them to "save each other from death" rather than just "prevent them from killing each other." However, I must clarify from the get-go that this new trait doesn't turn both Kirito and Quinella into OP characters. They are more dangerous, sure, but this power has its limits.
As for what comes next… well, remember when I mentioned that this story would borrow some ideas, characters and events from the gameverse? Well, I wasn't only talking about Edith.
But now, on with the reviews!
DaManWOFear: Ah, another Edith enjoyer! Glad to see you like my take on her, and I hope to meet up your expectations!
Inphernalmenace: Yeah, quite cliché indeed. Once again, sorry for the lack of explanations about the anomaly in the previous chapter (and this one's too). Even before posting the previous chapter, I tried to figure out how to include further explanations within, but given the context of the chapter… yeah, all my attempts ended up nowhere. I promise, it won't be too long before I clarify exactly what's going on with both Kirito's "Incarnation" and the anomaly.
cungus: Hum, now that you mention it… wouldn't the correct option be "eat-shit grin"? Hmm… yes, I think I will roll with that from now on…
Anyway… what are your thoughts about this new chapter? Loved it? Hated it? Regardless of your thoughts, thank you once again for taking some of your precious time to read this story.
On a final note… no, Kirito isn't a sis-con, nor he will be a double-wheeler.
See you next chapter!
