Not much to say for this A/N. Just the disclaimer.
Reki Kawahara is the owner/creator of Sword Art Online and its content. All rights to him.
LINK START!
Chapter 18:
The World's Truth
The battle against the Skull Reaper seemed unending for the Assault Team. No one knew how long the battle had been going on for, nor did anyone bother to wonder. This fight to the death they all partook in was all that mattered to them as they did their best to whittle down its Life every chance they got.
But the Skull Reaper did not make this easy for them, as it changed its attacks periodically, sometimes taking the life of another swordsman or wounding another. The platform was splattered with blood, and even those like Kirito and Asuna on the front line of the fight were spattered with it on parts of their clothes and faces.
The Integrity Knights were probably the most instrumental in the fight. Sheyta's Black Lily Blade was the most effective at carving into the monster's skeleton and creating grooves for others to strike at. Renly, despite being clearly afraid of the monster, was able to slip past its defenses to hit critical points with his daggers. And Bercouli had to use his sword's power on more than one occasion, often saving a life that might have been claimed had he not left cuts in places where they would be needed.
Towards the end of the fight, the Skull Reaper collapsed from all the attacks, but still struggled to resist the fate that awaited it. Heathcliff, seeing this, ordered for an all-out attack by everyone, using everything they had. Sacred Arts, sword skills, anything that could take down this monstrosity faster. On and on and on they hacked, slashed, stabbed, and struck at any part of its body they could reach. Until at long last, the Skull Reaper gave one last dying screech before its body turned gray and it blew away as nothing but ash.
Everyone just about collapsed and panted from the experience, many sporting some rather nasty wounds that had only been hastily healed by those experienced in Sacred Arts. Kirito and Asuna were apart from everyone, leaning against each other as they were sweating and bleeding from the ordeal. Eugeo, having exhausted himself with Sacred Arts, was panting heavily and holding his chest from all the spells he used. Alice had her sword in the ground to hold her up, her armor marred by blood and sweat trickling down her brow.
A swordsman went around the field, and told everyone, "That was 14 we lost in the fight." That number seemed to unnerve everyone immensely.
"14?" Klein questioned. Then whined, "How the hell are we supposed to clear the last 25 floors if we lose that many in one battle."
"This is impossible," Agil voiced his concern. "We're never going to see our homes again. Our families."
Everyone seemed to be accepting this finality they were faced with. 300 years had people been striving to clear this castle, and only 75 floors had been cleared in all that time. And the further up they went, the more dangerous the monsters got. Was it even worth achieving the goal of clearing all 100 at this rate?
While still recovering, Kirito looked over to the only man still standing proud. Heathcliff stood over Bercouli, who was sitting with his sword up against his shoulder. The two commanders seemed to be talking about something. What it was, Kirito didn't pay attention to. It was more about how pristine his armor still was even after all that fighting, and he had been at the forefront of the fight fending off the Skull Reaper's attacks. Then something popped into his head from earlier about their conversation.
"Forged from the Gigas Cedar, I reckon. Beyond even my wildest imaginations."
Then there was the fight itself. While he never caught on too much, Heathcliff seemed to know how the Skull Reaper would act and moved accordingly to block when he could. Almost as if he knew how it behaved. And in the fight with Bercouli, he had put so much into his swing that he should have had a more severe wound from Bercouli's surprise attack. Yet somehow, he got away from most of it despite committing himself to the attack.
As Eugeo came over to check on him and Asuna, Kirito muttered, "Eugeo, something's not right about Heathcliff. Remember his duel with Bercouli?" Eugeo was about to question his friend on why it mattered, when he looked over and saw how Heathcliff was still going strong. The gears in the flaxen-haired boy's mind turned as he came to the same realization. Kirito gave him back the Blue Rose Sword and rose to his feet, catching Asuna's attention.
The two approached the KoB commander, and Eugeo spoke up, "It certainly feels like the battle with Ugachi, doesn't it Commander?"
Turning to the boys and smiling, Heathcliff returned, "Quite so. Being honest, when you boys went to rescue your friends, I was afraid for your lives." It was only then that he seemed to realize he made a mistake.
"That's quite a memory you got there Heathcliff," Kirito pointed out. Then accused, "Or should I call you Akihiko Kayaba." The room went silent at this declaration, no one sure which way it would go.
Thus, Kirito elaborated, "I had always been kind of curious what the kind of person could be that would be called the ruler of Aincrad. Was he someone sadistic, calculating, maybe even demonic? But when I heard from Bercouli that Kayaba was the ruler of this place, I started wondering why you would come to some remote village in Norlangarth territory."
"It seemed strange that you would appear to us, two boys wanting to defy the Axiom Church because of two girls taken by the Integrity Knights," Eugeo picked up. "Not to mention you taught us to wield swords in a style that no one has ever learned. Funny how it is named after this very castle."
Smirking, Heathcliff remarked, "I suppose that is quite ironic. Though unintended."
"I doubt it," Kirito refuted. Then explained, "You seemed to always appear before us when you needed to tell us something. Like when we first got here. You told us how this castle operated and how we would be free. Not to mention you knew the Pontifex had screwed with Asuna's mind, even hinting at what we needed to restore her memory."
"And how does that make me this 'Ruler of Aincrad' everyone knows?" Heathcliff questioned.
To which Kirito held up the Night Sky Blade and told him, "You knew this was forged from the branch of the Gigas Cedar. Only a few people knew about that. One of which being the person who instructed us to take it to the blacksmith Lisbeth, somehow knowing our compassion would let us protect a thief with a dragon."
"And then there's the duel," Eugeo went further. "In that last moment, you moved out of the way of Bercouli's hidden attack. But Kirito and I both trained at the Swordcraft Academy, and learned about using such strikes. You can't break out of them once you commit, yet you seemed to have deviated your attack to get merely a scratch on the cheek. If you stop to think about it, it's rather obvious something was amiss."
"Yes, that was rather unfortunate of me to do," the Commander acknowledged. Then he told them, "But you might also be interested to know that I saw you two at your Elite Disciple's graduation, with someone beside me who I knew needed that spark to recall her past. And I sent that very person after you when you went to seek out the Queen Hive's lair."
Resting his shield in front of him, he announced, "Yes, I am Akihiko Kayaba, the ruler of Aincrad." This news sent a ripple among those gathered. The Knights of the Blood Oath commander, the person they had fought with for who knew how long, was actually the ruler of Aincrad?!
Unnerved and in shock, Asuna asked, "Commander? Why?"
"Why did I do all of this?" Kayaba elaborated on the question. "Why did I create a visage for myself and fight among my prisoners? It's rather simple. Aincrad was never meant to be a prison. Rather, it was meant to be a world free of the oppression that has become the Axiom Church." Looking among the four from Rulid, he pointed out, "You four should already be aware of this corruption, being told its history from Cardinal's agent."
"You know about Yui?!" Alice demanded.
To which he answered, "I was one of the two that rescued her from Quinella, the person you and your companions know as the Pontifex. My goal with Aincrad was to create a home for people the church saw as dangerous or rebellious, and train them so they might be this world's saviors from the Dark Territory in its eventual invasion.
"But Quinella corrupted that too, sending individuals like those in the Laughing Coffin guild we dealt with. She and her partner have warped the very world, weakening it and making it impossible for the Human Empire to possess an effective defense against the monsters at our doorstep. Our world is in danger of total annihilation. I desire to avert such a fate, by any means necessary."
"Then why take an interest in us?" Eugeo shouted at him.
"Because, out of all the souls born in Underworld, you four are distinct," Kayaba told him. "Unlike everyone born from the dawn of the Human Empire to now, you four are set apart in your minds and souls. Quinella noticed this the minute you were born, all on the very same day. I knew I had to safeguard you however I could. But then, Quinella snatched up two of you, and I was powerless to stop her. It is my second greatest regret."
The four from Rulid were shell-shocked. Kirito and Eugeo knew Kayaba held them in such high esteem since he met them that day, but they were never quite sure to what degree. But the four of them were this pivotal? They could scarcely believe it.
Getting to his feet, Bercouli announced, "Well then Kayaba, it's time to face your sentence. As Commander of the Integrity Knights, I, Bercouli Synthesis One, sentence you to death for your attempt at insurrection against the church."
"Uncle, wait!" Alice called.
But then Kayaba called out, "System Call. Paralyze Room, Void ID Kirito." Instantly, everyone felt their limbs seize up as they were suddenly paralyzed. Those standing or hunched fell to the ground. All except one boy, who kept his gaze firmly on the man in red.
"I am sorry Bercouli, but I cannot let the Integrity Knights enact their primary function," he spoke to the Knight commander. "And I must ensure the castle goes on." Looking around, he continued, "I had intended to reveal myself near the top of the castle, before retreating to my Ruby Palace. But alas, I must leave you all to press on. Perhaps in another 60 years, I will meet the first to reach the top."
Then he turned to Kirito and offered, "However, I have this to offer. Kirito, as one of the two I trained in the Aincrad style, and as the founder of the Dual Wield style, I will grant you this duel. If you defeat me, I will dispel the barrier around Aincrad and free everyone inside to grant them the option of returning to Underworld and their homes. If they so choose."
Kirito thought about it for a moment, before replying, "Okay. I accept your challenge."
"However, this duel will be different from all the ones you are used to," Kayaba pointed out. "This will not be a short-stop or single strike duel. This duel is unrestricted. You may do whatever you must to ensure victory, including taking the other person's life."
"No Kirito! Don't do it," Asuna cried out.
"Kirito, refuse," Alice ordered. "We'll find some other way to get home."
But instead, he said, "I accept your terms." As his friends exclaimed in disbelief, he glanced back and told them, "This is our only chance. You all have suffered enough.
"Alice, you had to bear the burden of pretending to be like the other Integrity Knights just so you could wait for Eugeo and I, not being able to go home and assure Selka you were alive and thinking of her.
"Eugeo, you and I set out to find Alice and Asuna and bring them home. We have the chance to bring them back to Rulid. You need to fulfill your promise to Selka.
"And Asuna, you sacrificed yourself for all of us. Now it's my turn to put myself on the line for you."
"No Kirito, please!" Asuna cried out. "I don't care about all that. I didn't sacrifice myself so you would do this. I don't care about going home. I don't want to lose you again. Please Kirito." But he only gave her a soft smile in reply. He bent down and took the Blue Rose Sword with Eugeo's permission.
Before he went to face Kayaba, Kirito acknowledged, "Agil, thank you for everything. I know you seemed like every greedy merchant there is, but I know you were pooling funds for others. You gave them equipment, food, whatever they needed on the side. And you especially helped out those who lost loved ones in this place. When I win, I hope you can do the same back in Centoria.
"Klein, thanks for sticking with us on those first few floors. I think I know a noble who could benefit from Fuurinkazan, protecting people regardless of social status."
"Don't you dare!" Klein protested. "Don't you dare give me your damn last speeches. I won't accept it. I'm not gonna accept it until I've drunk you under the table. You gotta live. You gotta survive. I ain't letting you die on me, God dammit!" Kirito gave a small salute in reply.
Then he looked over to Bercouli and said, "Bercouli, thanks for watching out for us. I want to see you back in Centoria, so I can show you the village you founded and the people in it."
The man smiled back and replied, "Aw, what the hell. You make it out of this alive, I'm going to be its permanent guardian. Pontifex be damned."
"I look forward to that," Kirito returned. Then he strode over to a clear space to face the man that held all their lives in the accursed place that was Aincrad.
"Before we get started, I have a personal request," he prompted. "I don't plan on dying today. I have an oath to uphold with my friends. But if the worst should come to pass, I want your word that you will do whatever it takes to keep Asuna, Alice, and Eugeo alive after I'm gone."
"Kirito!" Asuna cried once more. "No please!"
But her cries didn't go through, as Kayaba replied, "Very well. Should the worst come to pass, I will do what I must to ensure their survival. Even giving Asuna a part of your very being to bear and cherish. Don't think your little union ceremony escaped my notice." With that squared away, the two readied their swords.
Asuna pleaded for Kirito to stop, but a hand rested on hers to stop her. She turned to see Alice next to her, a sad smile on her face. The two shared a wordless exchange before looking up to watch the duel begin.
Kirito made the first move, charging forward and unleashing a flurry of attacks at Kayaba. The KoB commander blocked each strike effortlessly, moving his shield with little effort. The Commander made to stab at him, but Kirito moved his Night Sky Blade to bat it out of the way before lunging with the Blue Rose Sword. Kayaba maneuvered his shield to have the boy pass him by. Kirito quickly turned around and crossed his swords to block an overhead strike Kayaba made, locking the blades.
"Unrefined, but potent," Kayaba commented. "A fine form you have for something you invented Kirito."
Said boy didn't reply, merely pushing with his blades to try and knock Kayaba off-balance. He then swung across from his left, earning a glancing blow on Kayaba's armor. He then spun and continued with his right sword, knocking the knight's shield out of the way. Carrying the momentum, he did another lunge with his left sword, only to be parried and have his momentum throw his arm upward. Kirito retreated after that, keeping his swords up to meet Kayaba's next move.
"You nobles certainly have fancy moves," Kirito remarked. "I don't think I've seen anyone wield a sword and shield like that."
"Consider it a long-lost art from a time before yours," Kayaba returned. The two met once again, trading blows with shield and swords. Metal clanged and sparked as it met, each side giving it their all.
Despite his unrefined style, Kayaba was unable to get past his defenses. The boy used both swords independently, allowing one to compensate for the other should something happen. Whether it be for attacking or defending, each sword did something different from the other.
Perhaps he is not as unrefined as I first thought, Kayaba noted mentally. Even when he could get an attack in, Kirito reacted quick enough to get out of the way. It became clear to the Commander that, unless he forced Kirito to unleash a sword skill, he would not gain any advantage over him. Even then, it was clear Kirito was more level-headed. Perhaps due to Alice or Eugeo always keeping him on his toes.
Despite that, some of his attacks were showing that his rational side was slipping. Kirito just started wailing with his swords, barely dodging any counterattacks Kayaba sent his way. A stab that cut across the underside of his arm, a slash at the thigh, cutting some strands of hair. Even so, Kirito struck back. His swords managed a couple blows at Kayab's waist and near the collarbone, but the man was unfazed.
The battle went on for a good while, with neither side landing any new blows apart from the ones Kirito got in. Until, at last, one of them slipped up. Kayaba made to ram Kirito with his shield and throw him off, but the boy ducked under. To his horror, Kirito crouched under his swing. And when he looked to the Night Sky Blade, he saw balls of light gather into it that caused it to grow. And even Kirito's eyes looked different. They were yellow rather than black, a sign Kayaba was terrified to see but also elated to witness.
He has it, he contemplated, the power to defy wills. My hope is fulfilled, Lyserith. He closed his eyes as he awaited the end that would come as Kirito cried out before rising to finish the duel.
But rather than an end, all Kayaba felt was cold steel under his chin. He dared not move as he felt the two swords crossed under him, but wondered when Kirito would finish him off. He opened his eyes to see the boy panting in front of him, his eyes back to normal, holding both swords up against his skin.
Confused, Kayaba asked, "Why do you not finish me?"
To which Kirito answered, "Because you are not our enemy." Removing his swords, he explained, "Yui told us about all the crap the Pontifex and her partner put you through. And you even admitted to helping the four of us after we were split up. If you're someone who never cared about people, you wouldn't be doing such things. You're different from them in a lot of ways. Besides, you didn't take Alice and Asuna. The Pontifex did. And she needs to pay for her crimes. Who better to do that than the ruler of Aincrad, right?" Sheathing his Night Sky Blade, Kirito held out a hand to the KoB commander.
Although stunned at first by his reasoning, Kayaba put away his sword and took the hand offered. "I never knew how you would grow in all this time Kirito," he said, chuckling a bit. "You certainly have a way about you." In his head, he uttered the command to dispel the barrier around Aincrad, freeing everyone inside.
But just then, something caused Kirito to slam into the ground hard. And everyone in the room felt like their bodies weighed tons. Kayaba saw this, and his jaw became firm as he looked up to see two figures begin to appear.
The first he knew was the one casting such a spell. A man with blonde hair framing his head with a crown resting around his forehead. He wore dark green robes with a lighter green cape and sandals on his feet. But what was most notable about him was the green, translucent wings on his back in the shape of a butterfly's.
The second he dreaded, as it was a woman with lilac hair so long it would pool on the ground if she were upon it, wearing a periwinkle dress that seemed more like a nightgown. Around her head was some sort of headdress along with a choker above her dress, and she was barefoot.
As they settled amongst the swordsmen and women still paralyzed, the man in green drawled, "Ugh! Ever the failure, to allow some low life to make you kneel Kayaba."
His expression firm, Kayaba responded, "It is rare to see you step down from your realms, Nobuyuki. Quinella."
Glaring at the knight, the one called Nobuyuki shouted, "I am Oberon, you piece of—"
"Be still Oberon," Quinella urged with a calmness that hid a threat underneath. "We are not here to debate amongst each other." Sizing up the ruler of Aincrad, Quinella then addressed, "Kayaba, I had hoped we would not meet again after our last exchange."
"Then what do I owe the pleasure of your appearance here today?" Kayaba questioned.
To which she told him, "What else? We are here to collect what is ours. Now that your little safeguard is gone, we can retrieve what you have hoarded from us all these years." She uttered some words under her breath, and something came over Bercouli, Sheyta, and Renly. Alice and Eugeo noticed how their eyes glazed over and they stood up almost mechanically. They then walked over and stood behind Quinella as if awaiting her orders.
Looking them over, she muttered, "Poor dears. I suppose Chudelkin will have to recondition them again after being in this place for so long."
"You should be careful with the kind of tampering you conduct on your Integrity Knights, Quinella," Kayaba warned. "Too much manipulation and they will break free. Bercouli especially, since you've had him for 300 years."
Quinella laughed at this claim, replying, "You underestimate me far too often Kayaba. If it weren't for your lofty desire to free everyone, I would find that almost endearing."
Gruffly, Kayaba said, "We chose our paths long ago, my dear."
Not liking to be ignored, the one called Oberon screamed, "Enough of this! Do not forget I am here to claim what's mine too." Quinella said nothing, merely waving her hand to allow him to do as he wanted.
Kirito looked over as best as he could, seeing the man approaching Asuna. He saw how his face appeared predatory and lustful, and was reminded of how Raios and Humbert looked the night he and Eugeo attacked them. He then fought whatever was holding him down, using the Blue Rose Sword to lift himself up as best as he could.
"Ooh my dear, sweet Asuna," Oberon spoke, sounding like he was admiring some piece of art, "how I've longed for this day. When you were taken by the dear traitor, I was afraid that would be the end of you. But now, you are all mine."
Scowling hard, Asuna growled, "What do you mean?"
"Do you not know?" he responded. Then informed, "My dear, you are to be my lovely bride." Asuna, Alice, Eugeo, and Kirito all gasped at this, as the man continued, "Quinella was supposed to recondition you not just to be an Integrity Knight, but also to be my ever-faithful wife. The lovely Titania." His expression darkening as he looked over to the knight in red, he spat, "Until this one interfered, undoing much of the process and causing you to be reverted back to what you once were. It makes my blood boil just thinking of it!" He calmed down, and said, "But no matter. Whether as a doll or the true beauty that is you, I have my bride."
Angered, Asuna proclaimed, "You have no claim to me. You never did. I am bound by the goddesses to someone far superior to you."
At this, Oberon let out a great laugh, saying, "You are bound by the goddesses? Silly girl. I am a god. In fact, I transcend all gods. You are mine, always."
"Stay away from her, you bastard!" Kirito cried out, struggling to stay on his feet as he made to stomp towards them. But then Oberon held his hand out to the boy, and the gravity around Kirito made him fall back down. But looking at the boy, Oberon seemed to realize something.
"So that's who you pledged yourself to," he mentioned. Walking over to the boy, he claimed, "Well, such bonds are broken by death. So all I need to do is kill him." Asuna's blood ran cold at this, and she struggled against the gravity to try and get up so she could get to Kirito.
But then Kayaba intervened, standing before Kirito, and stated, "Kirito is the victor of our duel. As such, he shall keep his life. Beyond that, he is under my protection. You are not to touch him, lest you desire to duel me." Oberon seemed to backpedal at this.
After he did, he replied, "I have no desire to fight you Kayaba. I doubt I'd survive the exchange. Very well. There are other ways to break a bond and make her my own."
"Your short-sightedness is astounding," Kayaba pointed out. "You cannot break such a bond, no matter what tricks you pull. It is the most sacred of all things in this world. I am afraid you will not succeed in the endeavor."
"We shall see, Kayaba," Oberon replied. He went over and uttered some strange words that then caused Asuna to be lifted beside him. Kirito called out to her, but was silenced by another wave from the gravity Oberon had him under.
Stepping forward, Quinella then addressed, "Despite my partner's notions, I find you to be quite admirable. Kirito, you have done profoundly well in everything you have done. I have watched you all this time, seeing you grow and strive for power. I would like to make you an offer." She strode over to him and knelt down, raising his face by the chin. "Become my Integrity Knight, and I will give you everything you could ever want. You will be the strongest in the world, and I will shower you with love every day for all time. You will not have any need for the world that has dragged you down so often. You will ascend with me. What do you say?"
The way she spoke to him was enticing. Kirito felt like he hung on every word she said. It felt like she had him, that she owned him. He wanted to please her, to give her what she wanted. Being made an Integrity Knight sounded wonderful. He couldn't dream of anything better.
Don't listen to her! Guard your heart.
She's lying Daddy! Don't fall for it.
Those voices snapped Kirito back to his senses. He looked back up at Quinella, but it wasn't with some idolization like earlier. He began to see her in a different light, one hidden behind a veil of sweet words and honeyed promises. This rooted him in his own head, allowing him to resist the temptation.
"Shove your offer right up your ass," Kirito retorted, catching Quinella off guard by his vulgarity. "You want to show me love? You don't even know the first thing about it. You've twisted its meaning over the centuries. I've known what love is ever since I was young. Because I've loved people close to me, who loved me in kind. I won't be your puppet. The next time I see you, I'm going to kill you and free Underworld from your tyranny."
With a frown, Quinella relented, "Not unexpected, but unfortunate all the same. I suppose you shall have to live without love for a time before I offer you such salvation again." She then walked over to Alice, and instructed, "It's time to go, Number 30."
"I'm not going anywhere with you," Alice refuted. "I am not your slave."
"Oh, but you are, little Alice," Quinella told her. "While you never underwent the Synthesis Ritual like your friend did, I still used a Sacred Art to ensure you were under my control at times. I let you roam free as I promised, but I made sure I knew what you were up to and where you went. Such a naughty little girl, sneaking out of the church like you did."
"What are you implying?" Alice questioned.
Giggling, Quinella revealed, "I was worried that little brat would expose what I did when you were on the first floor. She had every reason to be afraid of me, seeing as how I tried to make her what I couldn't do with the spawn of Kayaba. Then again, she was broken at the time."
Quickly understanding her implications, Alice said in shock, "It was you. Yui sensed you were in me that day."
"That's right. And I'm so happy she's been dealt with," Quinella replied, rather joyfully. "Now I just need to take you home and remake you into my own loyal Integrity Knight."
Gritting her teeth, Alice challenged, "I will die before I let you take hold of me."
Holding out her hand, Quinella muttered, "Oh, but I already do." Without warning, Alice felt something like a spike dig into her mind. She gripped the sides of her head as she fought whatever was in her head, her eyes flashing between purple and blue. As she fought, her memories were becoming faint. Realizing what was going on, she desperately fought to retain all her memories. But she was slowly forgetting everything: Selka, her home, her time at the church, rescuing Kirito and Eugeo, reuniting with Asuna. These memories began to fade bit by bit.
No, don't! she begged. Don't take them away. Please! But her pleas went unanswered as more of her life was being erased. She began to forget her time under the Gigas Cedar with her friends, the moments she had with her family, spending days with Asuna. One memory persisted, but even recalling that was a struggle. The day she, Kirito, and Asuna had given Eugeo his birthday gift. She fought for that with all her might, but it was a losing battle.
Watching the face of Eugeo become faint, Alice cried, Eugeo, don't leave me. Don't leave.
As she opened her eyes a squint, she saw someone pull her to her knees. Then, without her really noticing, she felt something warm press against her lips. All her struggles died away as she savored a kiss that was comforting and loving. She went deep in, wanting to embrace all of it.
If I am to lose myself, she thought, let me please be granted this one thing.
She let out a soft moan as her arms wrapped around whoever was in front of her, allowing her to pull them in closer. A primal urge seemed to take root in her, removing her inhibitions. She desperately dove into the person she kissed, tasting every part of them. A part of herself admonished her for such an unsightly display, while another part urged her to go deeper.
But then, the other person broke off. As they did, Alice realized her memories were all there. She remembered the water fight they had at one of the bridges around the village, the birthday party she had where her friends took her on one of their playful 'adventures'. She even remembered everything following her capture. It was all there. She opened her eyes to see that she had been making out with Eugeo. Her face flushed red for a moment until she noticed something. His eyes were glazed over just like Bercouli's, and he had a blank look about him. With horror, she understood what had happened, and that Eugeo had just taken whatever Quinella had placed in her into himself.
The boy rose to his feet and walked in line next to Renly behind Quinella. "Hmm, well that was enticing to watch," she muttered. "I suppose he'll do then." Alice was speechless, tears streaming down her face as the reality hit her.
"I've had enough of this," Oberon spoke suddenly. "Quinella, we have businesses to attend."
"Quite so, Oberon," Quinella replied. And soon she, Oberon, Asuna, and the Integrity Knights plus Eugeo began to rise into the air. Kirito called out to Asuna and cursed Oberon and Quinella, unable to do much else otherwise.
But Asuna pulled something from around her neck, and cried out, "Kirito!" She then chucked something at him, which he managed to catch. He opened his palm to see Yui's Heart now in his hands. "Look after her," the Vice Commander told him.
Looking up, Kirito called back, "I will. And I'll find you again. And I'll save you and Eugeo. I promise."
With a sad smile, Asuna returned, "I know you will. I'll be waiting." Before long, the seven figures disappeared as they rose into the air. The gravity effect disappeared after they vanished, and everyone got to their feet as they tried to figure out what the next step was. Alice remained where she was, as if frozen in place with tears coming down her face. Kirito looked up at where his friends disappeared, and cried out,
"ASUNA!"