Heya guys. Sorry for not posting much recently. Between marriage, work, and a million other things, it's been getting tough sitting down and writing. I had been stumped at a part on this chapter especially. But we are back. Hopefully with more.
Though, more stuff at work is coming up, so postings are gonna be even more sporadic as I gotta focus on those soon. But this will continue despite that. Writer's honor.
Anyways, let's get back to Underworld!
Disclaimer: Reki Kawahara is the creator and author of SAO, thus owns all the intellectual property apart from Bandai Namco.
Now then,
LINK START!
Chapter 41:
What Fate Denies
That night, Alice found herself in a dark forest. In some places looked like marshes with moss floating on the surface. It was a place she was unfamiliar with. But based on its appearance, it had to be Eastvariath, the province known for its marshland. What was she doing here anyway?
She went for her sword, but found the Osmanthus Blade wasn't at her side. She wasn't even wearing her golden armor. Instead, it was the dress like the one she used to wear as a child: light blue with an apron on the front. She didn't understand why she looked like this. Deciding she needed answers, she marched forward.
"This has to be a dream," she tried to reason. "But then, why am I here? I've never been to the Eastern province. I've only heard about it from Uncle. There's no way I could have seen what this place looked like in a tome." But then she thought maybe she did see it, back when she and Asuna were being groomed by Quinella to become proper Integrity Knights. It was possible.
As she walked by, one marsh began to bubble. Alice faced the disturbance and spread her hand out, ready to conjure elements to protect herself if it was an attack. Then, from out of the froth, came the shadow of a massive beast. What it was, she couldn't identify. It was cloaked in shadow, only showing glowing golden eyes. Whatever it was, it was clearly too powerful to fend off by herself. Its gaze quickly settled on her, yet she did not cower in fear. She would not hide from this beast, no matter how mighty it must be.
"Fate must be rectified," the beast spoke in a voice that sounded ancient and mighty. It was far different from her foes before.
"Do you intend to kill me?" Alice asked it, bracing for an attack.
Looking down at her, the beast answered, "It is not you who shall fall. Your fate carries forward. But there is one near to you whose fate must be corrected."
Her first thought was that it was talking about Selka. She conjured fire elements, morphing them into arrows. "If you do anything to my sister, I will rend you from this world. You will not take her!"
Letting out a breath as if to sigh, the creature corrected, "You truly did not heed my warning before."
That gave Alice pause. Warning? She never was warned of an attack on someone by this beast. She didn't even know what it was.
From the marsh rose a figure. The muck rolled off them, and Alice's breath caught in her throat. Bound in iron chains, bare to her, was her betrothed. Eugeo floated before the beast as if asleep, unaware of the danger he was in.
"The course shall be remade," the beast declared, as chains wrapped tighter around more of Eugeo's body. Alice could have sworn she heard some crushing so hard to snap his bones.
"Stop!" Alice pleaded, hand still outstretched.
"Fate has decided," the beast told her sternly. More chains appeared and began to cover more of Eugeo's body until only iron links were seen.
"Let him go!" she begged, letting loose her attack. But the arrows snuffed out of existence before they even reached the beast.
Regarding her, it repeated in a cold voice, "Fate. Has. Decided." And the chains tightened until blood splashed out.
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Alice awoke with a start, throwing the covers off herself. She took a few deep breaths as she tried to make sense of her dream. But the end was seared into her brain, making her get up and hurry out of her room to Eugeo's. She opened the door, finding his flaxen hair peeking out from under the covers. Hesitantly, Alice stepped inside and pulled the covers back a bit. He was still there, breathing softly as he slept. His breath warm, his face gentle. Alice collapsed to her knees as her fears were whisked away.
As she knelt next to him, she silently asked, "Why? What is wrong with me to see him be slain like this?" She didn't understand it. Until this trip, she never had such dreams. Why was she seeing them? Perhaps Cardinal could share what she knew about it. But it would have to wait until morning.
Alice found strength to rise to her feet. But as she turned to leave, her worries held her in place. She looked back at Eugeo, thinking about those scenes she saw of him dying. Split in half by Quinella, then crushed by that beast. She looked down at her ring, the one Eugeo gave to pledge their lives to each other. It was not allowed in the Church Laws for an unmarried couple to sleep together, but perhaps it would allow an exception for those promised such union.
As carefully as she could, she slipped into bed next to Eugeo. She took his hand in hers, looking at him sleeping so peacefully. Silently, she swore, "Eugeo, from now on, I will protect you." And she allowed her weariness to take her as the moon shone on the pair.
The next morning, something immediately felt off. Alice awoke to hear the morning bells go off. But these were sounding for the 9 o'clock bells. She must have slept in. But when she looked across from herself, she saw that Eugeo had not moved. This struck her as odd, since Eugeo was normally an early riser due to his duty before. It was even a point of contention between him and Kirito, since the latter liked to sleep in. This was strange.
Alice slinked out of the covers without disturbing him. She did not want him to wake up and find her blatantly disregarding the law. She straightened out her nightgown as much as possible, and combed a couple strands of hair behind her ears.
Once she was sure she looked presentable, she shook his shoulder and urged, "Eugeo, Solus has risen. We must return now." When she stopped moving him, the touch felt off. Not only had he not even moaned or muttered from her trying to rouse him, but he had done nothing more than those soft breaths. And he felt cold to the touch. Ice cold. The visions of his deaths before came racing back, but Alice tried to deny it. Those were just dreams. She felt his forehead. It was also as cold as ice. Her fear began to mount, even as she kept telling herself it was alright and that Eugeo may have just caught something. But it was when she opened his Stacia window that her blood went cold.
Displayed before her was not his usual Object Authority or Life values. But rather, a single line of text with some kind of line that was slowly building from left to right. It read:
Subject Termination in Progress
26%
Termination? Alice questioned. She had never seen such a word before. Not even in the Sacred Tongue. But based on the context, it meant something bad was happening to Eugeo.
Panic and fear gripped Alice tightly. Her thoughts raced faster than lightning, her mouth hung open as she took haggard breaths. She didn't know what was going on. But she began to come to a dreaded conclusion.
Just before her mania consumed her, she heard the door open and someone touched her shoulder. Alice's head shot to see who reached her, finding Selka's worried look before her. Seeing her face, Alice's mind slowly came back from the brink. Her breathing evened out, even if she still took deep breaths like she battled for a hundred years nonstop. As she looked into Alice's eyes, Selka seemed to understand that something was very wrong. She went to Eugeo's side and saw the Stacia window her sister left open. Alice couldn't be sure, but she thought she heard her sister cast a high-level Sacred Art to restore vitality to him while sacrificing her own. It was only for a brief moment before the art ended.
"This can't be," Selka finally spoke, her voice small.
And then, in a shaky voice, Alice revealed, "Eugeo… Is dying." The minute those words left her lips, Alice felt her heart break. All the memories of her time with Eugeo flashed before her eyes, but there was no joy or life in them. All she felt seeing these memories was emptiness. And that emptiness began to consume her.
Out of nowhere, there was a commotion outside. Selka went to the window, letting out a gasp at what she saw. "An Integrity Knight?" she wondered. Alice snapped out of her trance, but there was a definite change to her demeanor. She looked outside and saw green hair and silver armor. Renly, she identified. But what was he doing here?
The sisters watched as Renly spoke with Chief Gasfut, before he moved to bar the entrance to the church. Then they heard footsteps coming to their room. Looking over, they saw two girls enter the room. Tiese and Ronie gave their salutes when they saw Alice, even though she was in her nightgown.
"Lady Alice!" Tiese greeted her. "We were sent by Lady Cardinal to investigate a disturbance."
Voice hardened, Alice told them, "Look for yourselves. Something is happening to Eugeo."
The two girls then looked at the Stacia Window, both letting out small gasps.
Ronie went to try and heal Eugeo, but Selka told her, "We can't restore his Life. I already tried using a high-level Sacred Art. Something is blocking our efforts."
With that knowledge, Tiese pulled out what looked like a hand mirror. She then chanted, "System Call. Open Connection 032 and 011. Trigger." Suddenly, the mirror no longer reflected Tiese's face, but instead showed the face of Cardinal.
"Good, it looks like the connection is secure," Cardinal commented once she was shown. "Do you receive me?"
"Yes Lady Cardinal," Tiese replied. "We made it to Rulid Village. We found Lady Alice and Eugeo. But, something is happening to Eugeo."
"Show me," Cardinal instructed. Alice did not understand how the two could be talking without Cardinal being in the room. What was with that strange device? But as Cardinal was shown the scene before them, she mused, "We may not have a lot of time. But there might be a way to halt this."
Seizing on her words, Alice squeezed next to Tiese and demanded, "You know a way to stop this?!"
"Good to see you Alice," Cardinal returned, sounding annoyed at her sudden intrusion. "To answer your question, yes. Records from Central Cathedral state of different Divine Beasts scattered about the Human Empire. One of these Divine Beasts is one called the Judge of Fates."
"Judge of Fates?" Tiese asked.
To which Cardinal elaborated, "You see, unlike what many believe, humans have a predetermined fate in how they will end. More or less. These fates are events that cannot be overwritten, and are overseen by this Divine Beast. The Judge was tasked by the goddesses to ensure a sort of regulation over events in Underworld in their absence."
This didn't sit well with Alice anymore than everything else about the goddesses. First the vessels for the Dark Territory invasion, now a Divine Beasts that dictated how people would die? Did they even care about their creations?
"Normally, everything is set for what one will face in terms of their end," Cardinal continued speaking. "However, as I already made plain, you four are an exception Alice. You have defied these fates numerous times during your travels and confrontations. Judging by how it now is affecting Eugeo, he was fated to have perished recently. The question is when?"
Catching on, Alice spoke, "Our battle with Quinella." Catching everyone's attention, including Selka's, she explained, "On our way home, I had a dream that terrified me. In it, during the battle with Quinella, Eugeo underwent the transformation art you used on his own. I was incapacitated, unable to stop him. He dealt with the Sword Golem and dealt a grave blow to the Pontifex, but he was slain in the process. Then just last night, I was in a marshland in the east, and encountered a powerful monster that stated fate had to be corrected before crushing Eugeo in chains."
While the girls gasped at these revelations, Cardinal mused aloud, "I see. Well, this gives us an idea. The Judge of Fates is stated to be in Eastvariath, so we now have a location. Based on Eugeo's progression, you'll need to really push your dragons to make it in time to confront the creature. If you can, you'll need to defeat it to halt this progression. If we don't stop it, not only will Eugeo for sure perish, but it may start going after the rest of you. Even Kirito and Asuna."
Alice didn't doubt that. There had been multiple times in Aincrad that they could have died at one point or another. But that end was on their terms, not some monster living in seclusion.
Without another word, Alice went back to her room to collect her things. She donned her armor and set her sword at her side. Before she left, she pulled up her cloak to hide her identity from the villagers. She then went out to meet with Renly.
He was a little flustered keeping the villagers from finding out why he was here, but her presence helped draw attention away from him. Alice gave them no notice as she walked past and headed for the hill. The timid Integrity Knight then followed her example and went for his dragon. But Alice left the village proper to get to Amayori, who no doubt would be waiting where she was told to wait.
Sure enough, Amayori was dozing under the shade of some trees. But when Alice approached, she lifted her head and cooed as her partner approached. Alice lowered her hood, then rested a hand on her dragon's head to quell her anxiety. She then put away her cloak in one of the pouches before pulling herself up on the saddle.
Before she could take off, she heard Selka's voice call out, "Sister, wait!" Her sister came racing over, nearly tripping over herself as she ran.
"Selka, stay here and look after Eugeo," Alice instructed sternly.
"Ronie is already looking after him for me," she returned. "I'm coming with you to help."
Giving her a hard look, Alice told her, "It is too dangerous. Leave this to us."
Selka hesitated at being told what to do. Then she asked, "Why are you pushing me away sister? Did I offend you?"
"This mission is for us Integrity Knights," Alice replied. "You need to remain."
"Why?!" Selka challenged. "Because I'm not as good at the Sacred Arts as you?"
"It is not about your proficiency," Alice returned.
"Then I should be able to go with you," Selka reasoned strongly.
"You are not ready for this," Alice returned.
"I am ready," her younger sister declared.
"You are not needed," the Integrity Knight stated, her voice growing more passionate.
"Why won't you let me come with you?" Selka questioned.
Finally, Alice shouted in rage, "DO AS I SAY!" The minute those words left in that way, Alice not only saw how much she hurt Selka, but she was horrified she said that. Selka took a couple steps back, horror etched on her face.
Wanting to amend, Alice tried saying, "Wait, Selka, let me explain."
But Selka replied, "What happened to you? You're not my sister." And she ran off into the woods. Alice knew they didn't have time, but she wasn't going to let this hang over her. Why did she not want Selka to tag along? Perhaps it was for a selfish reason. But she needed to make things right before she left again.
A short time after, Alice spotted Selka crying near Asuna's flower grove. She was braced against a tree trunk, sniffling with her shoulders hunched. The sight of her sad broke Alice's heart. She never meant for it to become like this. She hadn't seen Selka in so long. What kind of sister was she to be the cause of sorrow? She felt she needed to make amends.
She slowly approached, but Selka burst out, "Go away! Leave me alone."
Alice didn't adhere to her wishes. Not if she was to make things right.
Standing behind her, Alice told her sister, "Selka, I want to apologize. That was not right of me to say." Selka said nothing, so she continued, "I admit, my reasoning is selfish. I didn't want you to come because I feared what would happen to you. I am about to lose Eugeo. I don't want to lose you. I couldn't bear losing my little sister."
Still not looking at her, Selka spoke, "Why don't you trust me to help?"
Looking away, Alice admitted, "Because I felt I needed to do this on my own. That I need to do this to help Eugeo. I didn't think there were others who would do what I am about to do to save him. And I was wrong. Very wrong." Kneeling behind her sister, she confessed, "Eugeo has been struggling with doubt. Doubt about his place among us, as well as his own self-worth. I have been trying to find ways to assure him he is enough for us. But I struggle to find a way to tell him or show him. It is almost as if Eugeo has accepted that he isn't enough."
At this, Selka finally looked back, seeing her sister looking downcast. Alice didn't hide how much this struggle was hurting her. If she couldn't share something like this with her sister, how could she hope to reconnect? Selka also cared about Eugeo. If it could be how they connect, Alice was willing to let down her walls around her.
Wiping the tears from her eyes, Selka admitted, "It's not just now. Even when he was still a Carver here in the village, I could see how Eugeo looked down on himself. Even with Kirito. I think part of why he does that was because of that day when the Integrity Knight took you and Asuna away. I don't think Eugeo has ever forgiven himself for not saving you that day."
It made sense to Alice. Though they both fought tooth and nail to save them, they had both been powerless to oppose Deusolbert that time. Add to that everything after, between Zakkaria, the Academy, and Aincrad, and Eugeo had to have not been able to restore his self-esteem in all that time. So even when he offered to use the forbidden Sacred Art to become a sword with her, he must have been preparing himself for the end.
Even so, Alice didn't like it. But she couldn't get Eugeo to think differently while he was on death's door. She wanted to be given to him as his wife, to live their lives and raise a family along with Kirito and Asuna. That couldn't happen if Eugeo was stuck in this mindset. And worse if he died now. And now, she wasn't alone. Aside from Kirito and Asuna, there was someone else who understood what was happening with him and wanted to change it.
Alice bent down to her sister's level and spoke, "Selka, could you forgive your older sister for not seeing how you felt?"
To which Selka replied, "Only if you can forgive me for not considering how you felt about me."
With that, the two sisters embraced. Now Alice had even more to protect, but also more people to lend their power to her cause. And with Selka, she knew that was possible.
A few hours into the day found two dragons flying to the eastern lands of the Human Empire to find the Divine Beast causing this affliction on Eugeo. Alice had Selka in front of her as they flew, having been able to convince Chief Gasfut they would need her knowledge and mastery of Sacred Arts on their mission since Ronie would remain to delay Eugeo's demise as much as possible. Tiese was riding in front of Renly on his dragon, though it wasn't hard to note how he had stiffened in her presence. Alice found it very odd, since he was mostly a bit of a coward of an Integrity Knight. But this time, while accompanying them, he seemed more nervous than terrified.
She gave it no mind as Amayori roared with them approaching the swamp they were led to. According to Cardinal, this was where the Divine Beast would be located. Renly touched down first and quickly got off to help Tiese down. Alice followed his example, helping her sister descend after getting down. That just left them with finding this Divine Beast. Wherever it was, it had to be close by.
"Miss Alice, would you take the lead?" Renly requested.
Alice did not deign his words with a reply, but proceeded anyway. As she did, she told Selka and Tiese, "Stay between us." Both girls acknowledged her instructions and walked between the two Integrity Knights. They proceeded slowly, having the dragons remain to avoid drawing attention or danger. It was for the best, given they didn't know what kind of enemy they were about to face. From the tales she recalled, there were different Divine Beasts for different roles given by the goddesses. The dragon from the North End Mountains was one such creature, though its role was usurped when it was slain.
Thinking about it now, Alice pondered what that could mean for it to have been killed like that. Perhaps it was under Quinella's command someone killed it, despite it was meant to safeguard the north and her home from the Dark Territory encroaching through those tunnels. Then again, the Pontifex seemed like one who desired absolute control over everything. And Divine Beasts would not heed her authority. If so, this beast they were about to find might also be nothing more than a pile of bones.
That was Alice's hope. But she was too well aware how much her hopes were dashed because of the world.
When they came by a bog, there was a bubbling sound that escalated as they passed. Alice stood protectively before her sister, hand on her sword, while Tiese drew her blade and held it ready. Renly, despite his experience, stood stock still. The frothing of the water intensified, until something erupted out of the muck.
The creature had a mane of light brown over the snout of a hound with two long fangs, a body lithe like a cat's but muscly, a tail that seemed to glint at the end as if a spearhead was attached to it, and claws curled like talons. This, Alice presumed, was the Divine Beast of this land. So Quinella hadn't been able to slay it. Or perhaps, she couldn't.
"Who enters my domain?" the creature spoke, its voice ancient and deep.
Deciding to answer, Alice called, "I am Alice Zuberg of Rulid Village. I come before you, great Divine Beast, with a request."
Looking at the golden knight, the beast replied, "What sort of request would bring one such as you to venture into my domain?"
"Release the tether you hold over Eugeo's life," she requested. "I am pledged to him under the goddesses. Return his Life to him so we might see our union come to be." A tense moment followed her words, her companions looking on in worry.
Until, the Divine Beast let out a sigh as if feeling remorseful. "What you ask I cannot abide by. For the boy's fate has been ordained," it told them.
"By whom has this fate been ordained?" Selka asked.
Looking at her, the beast told them, "The goddesses." His words made Alice's heart freeze. The goddesses dictated Eugeo was to die? Why? "In the creation of this land, I was designed with the role to determine the fates of every living creature. Humans, animals, even those of the Dark Territory. I look over these and see to it their fates are fulfilled, be they glorious or tragic. It is in the keeping of the divine order.
"However, one has evaded what fate had in store for him. This cannot be allowed to carry on. As it is my role to maintain the fates of others, it is also my role to correct fates."
"You're saying you are killing Eugeo for some fate you have decided?!" Tiese exclaimed harshly, making Renly back away in fear.
Letting out a roar, the Divine Beast responded, "I do not decide these fates, little human. It is by the goddess's decree. The boy is meant to perish and return to his creators. It is the will of the world."
At those words, something snapped inside Alice. "The will of the world?" she questioned, her teeth grinding in anger. As she drew her sword, she shouted, "Was it the will of the world my friends and I are never to have any peace? Is it the will of the world to be torn apart by selfish bastards like Sugou and Quinella? Is it the will of the world to deny us our sacred promise?!"
"Sister…" Selka muttered, seeing her sister in such fury.
Sword at her side, Alice yelled, "I will not condone it! If it is the world's will to take my beloved, then I refuse to adhere to its ruling."
"You would defy the very goddesses that favor you?" the beast questioned sternly.
After a moment to think, Alice replied, "Yes. If it means we might see our vows fulfilled."
With a growl, the beast leaped over the four and landed on the ground behind them. "It is not your fate to die here. So I will demonstrate the futility of your resistance."
"To arms!" Alice proclaimed. Tiese joined her side while Selka stood behind them, ready to cast at a moment's notice. Noticing the absence of someone, Alice looked to Renly and ordered, "Draw your blades Renly! We fight together."
Renly reached for his Double Winged Blades, weapons she recalled were gifted to him by the Pontifex. But his hands were shaking violently. His eyes were wide with great fear. He was of no help to them now.
So she ordered, "Fall back and send a message to Cardinal! Have her send Lady Fanatio to aid us. We will hold this monster off until then."
The Divine Beast roared, declaring, "I am the Judge of Fates! You humans will know your place in this world's order."
Alice batted no more words, instead charging at the beast. It brought its claw up to meet her, slashing across. Despite her armor, Alice managed to duck under the swipe, losing only a couple strands of her hair. Despite this, she brought her sword up to slash, but was parried by the massively long fangs. This didn't deter her as she struck across the bottom of the muzzle, nicking it a little. The beast then swatted her away with its paw, knocking her on her back. It then used its tail to try and spear her, but Tiese dived in and swung her sword to knock away the spears.
Uttering thanks, Alice got up as it tried to pounce. But a well-timed ice arrow art forced its face into the mud. Alice couldn't help but smile at Selka's mastery. She hadn't even heard her utter the commands. But congratulations had to wait, so she hurried forward and went for a Sonic Leap. Her sword connected with its claw, and the two forces contested their strength. But Alice was slowly losing, as the glow around her sword waned. But Tiese came in clutch, using Sharp Nail to get at its leg to weaken it, allowing Alice's blow to glance near its eye.
The two girls retreated as Selka's arts healed any wounds they sustained. But as they were healed, they noticed that the beast's wounds sealed up. They were stunned by this.
"Could that be Sacred Arts?" Tiese wondered aloud.
"It isn't," Selka told them. "The goddesses gifted Divine Beasts with immortality to guard this world."
That must be what inspired Quinella and Kayaba to prolong their lives," Alice deduced.
"Now you see how this battle is futile," the Divine Beast stated. "No matter what you throw at me, I will undo all of it. As is fated for my kind."
But Alice knew not all the Divine Beasts were so lucky. The dragon near her home was killed, likely under Quinella's orders. There was a chance to at least subdue this one. They just had to keep fighting.
"Tiese, follow my lead," Alice instructed as she surged forward. Said trainee was slow to follow, but went nonetheless. As they ran, the Integrity Knight directed, "Open it up with a single-strike skill. I'll follow up and try to deepen the wound."
"Understood, Lady Alice," Tiese replied.
The younger girl overtook her leader, prepping a Horizontal. The Divine Beast roared, leaping into the air to pounce. She was able to get her attack off, making it divert to the side. With its underbelly exposed, Alice went for a Vertical Square, landing four blows. Undeterred, the beast righted itself and was about to spear Alice again with its tail when ice and metal elements manifested around her to shield her from the strike, thus enabling her to try for a Vertical Arc. She jumped back after to create some distance, but the wounds were slowly healing. But since they were deeper, these were taking longer.
"Let's go again!" Alice barked. She and Tiese rushed forward, ready for another attempt.
"It won't work!" the Divine Beast warned. Then, from out of nowhere, a powerful force pushed them back. It hadn't done anything, yet a strong force shoved them back as if with a Sacred Art. What other powers did this beast have?
"Foolish children!" it called out in anger. "Do you not know that fate must be maintained? If all were to break loose, the entire world would be in jeopardy. And yet you fight for the sake of one child, who has already given up his lease on life?"
Angered herself, Alice cried, "Shut up! Don't speak about Eugeo that way."
"I only speak truth," it informed her, that anger still bubbling underneath. "The boy has given up. His value has been lost. Now his fate can be rectified, for he has surrendered to it. What is happening now is because he has decided it is time."
"Eugeo… wants to die?" Tiese spoke, horrified.
Enraged, Alice cried out, "Liar!" And she went forward. But as she prepared a Horizontal, the beast countered before she could react, spearing her hips and upper-right chest area with its spears, cleaving through her armor and causing her to cough out blood.
"Sister!" Selka cried out.
Alice staggered as the tails were withdrawn, but she stood tall. With a roar, she changed to a Vorpal Strike. But the Divine Beast caught her sword in its fangs and flung both it and her right at the shore of the marsh. The blow drew sounds of cracking, and Alice knew something inside her was broken. But she refused to stand down. Using her sword to prop herself, she got to her feet before crying out and rushing.
"You cannot hope to undo this," the creature warned as she came at it. "It is inevitable."
"I've heard enough!" Alice shouted. But as she tried for another Horizontal, the creature managed to rake its claws across her body, tearing her armor and creating devastating gashes across her chest. With these new wounds, Alice collapsed to her knees, her sword the only thing keeping her from collapsing.
"Sister, come back!" Selka pleaded. "You'll die if you don't."
Grunting in pain, Alice looked at the Divine Beast. "What are you waiting for?" she asked it harshly.
"Ignorant creature. It is not your fate to die here, or now," it addressed. "The goddesses have a role for you to play a part in. One to prevent this world's destruction."
Coughing up more blood, she demanded, "Let Eugeo live. He's too important to lose."
Growling as it gazed down at her, it regarded, "He has played his part. While altered, his part is finished. It is time he went back to his creators. The goddesses will give him a sanctified place in the heavens."
"I don't give a damn about that!" Alice yelled. "I won't lose Eugeo."
Suddenly, Tiese charged in and declared, "Nor will I!" The Divine Beast blocked her strike, but she grappled with it as she told it, "I won't lose my mentor. I will fight with everything I have to save him. To save him and Lady Alice!"
"Enough of this prattle!" the Divine Beast roared, shoving her back with its claw. Passing over Alice, it went for Tiese as she reclaimed her sword and held it before her. Selka was working to heal Alice, but the Sacred Arts she was using would take too long. She wouldn't be able to get to her.
The Divine Beast raised its paw, ready to pound on Tiese as she lay there, sword held up in vain resistance. It brought its paw down, forcing the girls to watch slowly as Tiese's own fate fell upon her.
"Leave them alone!" came a surprise voice as a pair of daggers flew through the air and cut up the Divine Beast, forcing it back and missing Tiese by cens. The twin blades returned to their holder, as Renly came over to Tiese and helped her up. As the Divine Beast went after them, Renly threw his blades once more, causing them to boomerang and strike the beast in the eyes.
"Miss Tiese, are you unhurt?" he asked after catching his blades between his fingers.
A little stunned, Tiese replied, "I am well. Just a bit rattled."
Renly seemed to sag with relief, but his reprieve was brief as the beast charged at them again. Once she recovered enough, Alice called for fire arrows that she shot at the Divine Beast, aiming for its eyes. She succeeded, causing it to veer off and land on the other side of the pair.
With more of her strength gathered, Alice got back on her feet. Selka didn't say anything, instead she looked as resolute as her sister.
"System Call," she chanted, beginning a series of commands under her breath.
Meanwhile, Alice walked toward the Divine Beast with her sword out to the side. Tiese was about to rejoin, but Renly held out an arm as he held his Double Winged Blades in his hand.
The beast looked up at the two as they walked forward, letting out a roar to deter them. But Alice would not back down, not anymore. Eugeo's life was at risk. No matter what fate this beast decreed, she would not see it fulfilled.
Together, she and Renly called, "System Call."
Then Alice barked, "Enhance Armament!"
While Renly declared, "Release Recollection!"
The green-haired Integrity Knight released his blades, which then glowed as they began to join in the center, becoming a four-point spinning blade that soared at the beast. Before it could try to bat away the blades, Alice's flowers circled it and blocked its view. This allowed the flying blades to dig into its shoulder before zooming around and digging deeper, cutting to the bone. The Divine Beast howled in pain as its limb was nearly cut off.
Alice took advantage of this, just as her sister fired both Thermal and Aerial elements at it to blind it further. Reforming her sword, she leaped up and brought her sword down on the wound Renly made, making contact with the bone.
Before she did anymore, the beast called, "Stop! Desist!"
"Why?" Alice demanded, digging her sword deeper into the muscle and making the beast howl in pain. "Why should I end your suffering when you continue to prolong my own?"
"Favored one, this path will only lead to despair," it tried to warn. "You must not give in to hate."
Face scrunched in anger, Alice shouted, "Hate?! No, there is no amount of hate I could hold for a pretentious mongrel like you. No, I despise beings like you who lord over their power. And especially those who decide what should be for me and my friends.
"You say you serve the will of the goddesses? Does that mean the vow I made in Aincrad, the one Uncle watched over, that the goddesses denounce it like a piece of refuse."
At that, the Divine Beast spoke in surprise, "The goddesses do not disregard the vows made under their watchful eye. The boy's fate is set."
"He is my betrothed!" Alice shouted. A tense moment passed as she held her sword in its shoulder. She then elaborated, "I was sworn to him under the goddesses while imprisoned in Aincrad. My uncle was a witness, and even ordained our union to come to pass one day." Looking the beast in the eye, she finished, "Does your fate unravel what we promised each other?"
The Divine Beast did not respond at first, merely wheezing as it suffered immense pain from Alice's position on its body. Its eyes then glowed, forcing Alice to brace for a Sacred Art attacking her. But nothing came. Instead, the beast seemed to look back at her with an almost sorrowful expression.
"Dear child, I have not seen such a thing in all my centuries watching over the fates of those in the world," he told her. "It seems you speak truth. Your vow has altered the boy's fate in the end. What had meant to be cannot come to pass. Especially to one favored by the goddesses. Yes, you, the boy, and the other two. The goddesses have looked after you."
Alice wanted to rend apart its shoulder for suggesting the goddesses favored them. She hated hearing such words from this beast after it attempted to take her intended. She would not forsake the goddesses, but she would look down on those who used them as an excuse to commit such deeds as this one did.
"Forgive me, for I did not see," it requested in a sorrowful tone. "While your fates had been separate, you had indeed woven them together. I have no excuse for my blindness."
Before Alice could answer, Selka spoke up and said, "We accept your repentance, great Divine Beast. And ask that you return the Life stolen from Eugeo so he and my sister might one day see their union fulfilled."
"It has already been done," the Divine Beast informed. "The boy has recovered and should wake when you return to your village. Release me, and my debt is paid."
Still driven by fury, Alice was reluctant to do such a deed. But one look at her allies, and she knew this was necessary. Her emotions had driven her before, but this time she allowed ones that sought destruction to wield her sword. She could not condone such actions from her friends, less so from herself. Thus, she removed her sword, flicking it to the side to cast off the blood of the beast before returning it to its sheathe. As she stepped down, the Divine Beast slowly rose to its feet, favoring its uninjured side.
"Child favored by the goddesses, take heed," it warned her. "There are still more trials you and your companions will endure. There will be other losses you must suffer along the way. But the goddesses have not forsaken your oath. Keep to it, and you will see it fulfilled. That is all I shall reveal of your fate." And with that, it went towards the marsh it rose from and sank beneath its depths to watch over the world once more.
Coming up to her, Tiese inquired, "Lady Alice, shall we go back?"
"In a moment," Alice told her. "We need to recover a bit before we return. And I must quell the storm in my heart before going to see Eugeo."
The younger girl seemed to understand. She told the Integrity Knight, "When Sir Eugeo came to save Ronie and myself at the Academy, he injured Disciple Zizek in much the manner you did with the Divine Beast. I think I knew before, but Eugeo cannot stand injustice. No matter the laws or commands of others, he will act upon people who commit such atrocities. I feel you two share that thought with how you fought that Divine Beast."
Alice admitted, "I saw as much in Aincrad. A rat who took on the guise of a knight nearly killed Kirito until we intervened. But I saw that fury in Eugeo at the man. I know I am in good hands with him, but I must not fall into the same rage. If I am to be his wife someday, I must temper my own emotions. Or else we both will scour everything."
Approaching the two, Selka told her sister, "You won't let that happen. What you did here was not without reason. The Divine Beast realized its error, but you knew the truth sister. I know with that belief you both will be fine. And you have Asuna and Kirito to help you. Never forget that."
Alice wondered how she could forget that extra detail. Asuna was always the most level-headed of them all aside from her at times, even if she could get emotional. And Kirito, despite his passion, did have nuggets of wisdom at the best of times. With the four of them together, they could balance each other out.
Just then, Renly called, "Everyone, we better return to the dragons and prepare to return to the village to ensure we succeeded."
Alice looked at the Integrity Knight that had come with them. And there was a small glint in his eye that hadn't been there in all the time she knew him. He came into his own just now in those last moments. Just like Eugeo had. Looking at her beloved's former page, she wondered if what motivated her and her friends helped motivate Renly to act in his own way. Not to mention to unleash Perfect Weapon Control like he had with his Double Winged Blades. Either way, Renly was much different in such a short span of time. Perhaps, before long, he would grow to be an accomplished Integrity Knight before too long.
But that was a thought for another time. The girls joined him as they ventured back to their dragons. Alice had much to reflect on. And chief among those was reviving Eugeo's will to live.
It was past sundown by the time they spotted the lights of the village below. Donning her cloak and setting Amayori down outside the village perimeter, Alice joined the others as they went to the chapel to check on Eugeo. Renly remained in the square to speak with Chief Gasfut, allowing the girls to continue unhindered. They made it to his room and saw Eugeo was sitting up, talking with Ronie about something. When they heard the others entering, Ronie offered a salute to Alice before she and Tiese stepped aside to talk.
Alice then went to her beloved's side, sitting on the bed and looking at him with a tender smile. "How do you feel?" she asked.
To which Eugeo answered, "Like I slept for a month. I don't know how Kirito can sleep in so much. He did it so many times while we were Primary Trainees."
"That doesn't surprise me, but I am more concerned about you," Alice redirected. Looking at him more seriously, she asked, "What is troubling you Eugeo?"
"What do you mean? I'm alright," he told her, unabashed.
"I can see that. But—" Before Alice could continue, Selka came over and had a face that made even the elder sister tense.
"Sister, can you and the Primary Trainees give Eugeo and I a moment alone?" she requested, her tone hard as iron. Alice didn't voice opposition, figuring this was something she needed to address with Eugeo after all this time he had been away. She got up and left the room, escorting Ronie and Tiese out with her. Once they left, Selka closed the door behind them.
"What could Sister Selka want to discuss with Disciple Eugeo?" Ronie asked worriedly.
"Maybe something about his and Lady Alice's betrothal?" Tiese suggested.
"Ronie, Tiese, just call me Alice," said Integrity Knight told them. "You don't need to be so for—" The girls suddenly heard a slap from inside the room, followed by an outburst from Selka. Not of pain, but outrage.
That's when Alice understood. Selka was just as hurt as she was to learn Eugeo had been so quick to give up on his life. Probably more, since she knew Eugeo more than her when he stayed in Rulid for so long. Plus, from how Kirito and Eugeo had told her about Selka before they left, she still looked to her as an example to follow. As if Alice was a model for her as a sister of the church. Thus, holding her sister to such esteem would mean Eugeo was not being afforded much amnesty if he did anything that might inflict harm on her. Including emotional harm.
"Let us go and prepare for our return to Aincrad," Alice suggested. But even as she directed them away, that hurt from being told how Eugeo felt lingered. What could she do to bolster Eugeo's resolve to live?
They gave Eugeo a week to recover his strength. In that time, Alice did her best to keep her identity hidden from her father and the other villagers. Whenever they engaged with her, Ronie and Tiese intervened on her behalf and did their best to shoo them away. It drew much gossip, but Alice was fine with it. After being cast aside as she was, there wasn't much attachment to the village. Aside from her family, that was. She helped with minor tasks when called on, such as collecting water or patrolling the perimeter, but mostly kept to the others and Selka.
Once he was healed, they decided to depart from the hill where the Gigas Cedar used to stand. Renly was helping fasten their belongings onto the dragons with Tiese helping him. He still acted strange around her, but seemed to focus on his work to avoid making a fool of himself.
Alice and Eugeo were by the stump of the great tree, having Selka see them off. It made Alice sad they had to say goodbye again. But she reminded herself that once Quinella was slain, they would be finished and could return home. She would see her sister soon enough, she thought.
"I wish you both the best," Selka told them. "And I will continue my training and work to be accepted by the Axiom Church." Before either of them could voice a rebuttal, she added, "Once it has reformed properly after the Pontifex's tyranny is dealt with."
"Then we best be quick in dealing with Quinella so we might witness your acceptance," Alice responded with a smile.
"I look forward to seeing it, Selka," Eugeo mentioned. "You'll be a wonderful member of the church. And a powerful ally as well." He then bowed before going to get ready for departure.
Before Alice could join him, Selka prompted, "Sister, do your best to help him. If his will has weakened after all this time, you'll need to help bolster it so he can continue to live. If what the Divine Beast stated can be believed."
"I know Selka," Alice returned. "I will try. If need be, I'll consult with Lady Cardinal or Kayaba about it too."
Selka nodded at that. Then she went and hugged her sister, who returned without a moment's hesitation. When they separated, Alice rejoined the others and boarded Amayori. With Eugeo behind her, she directed her dragon to the skies as Renly did the same with his, accompanied by Ronie and Tiese like before. Before they got too far, Alice looked back to see her sister waving back.
I'll come back soon Selka, she thought to herself. And then, I'll be a proper sister to you and help you in your pursuits.
