Howdy howdy everyone! How's it hanging?
So Alicization War of Underworld in English dub has aired last night and concluded quite a profound, maybe even controversial, arc of the series. Even so, Alicization is still an arc I hold highly compared to the other arcs. There is so much to it that makes it amazing to follow with its story and characters, not to mention the world of Underworld is so unique, even in SAO.
But now, let's return to Alfheim to see what Kirito will now face after winding up in a strange new world.
Disclaimer: Reki Kawahara is the owner/author of SAO. I own no content from his work.
Now then,
LINK START!
Chapter 20:
The World of Fairies
Startled by the sudden question, Kirito didn't reply right away. How did this Sylph know his name? He had only just gotten here, and Alfheim was separated from Underworld. No one should know who he was.
Again, the Sylph asked, "Kirito, is that really you?"
Perplexed, Kirito answered, "Yeah, my name's Kirito. I'm surprised someone from here knows who I am." But he was further surprised when the Sylph dropped her sword and embraced him. Kirito looked down at her and saw she had tears in her eyes.
"You're alive," she cried. "I'm so happy you're alive." Kirito was unable to reply, still not catching on to what the heck was happening.
As the Sylph hugged him, Yui shot out of his pocket and chastised, "Let him go. Mommy and I are the only ones allowed to hug Daddy."
At her presence, the Sylph backed away and exclaimed, "A pixie? Wait, Daddy?!"
Kirito clasped his hands in front of Yui carefully and pulled her towards him, urging, "It's nothing. Don't worry about it." Then he asked, "You mind explaining how you know who I am? I feel kind of weird learning you know who I am."
The Sylph seemed to collect herself, and responded, "Oh right. I guess you wouldn't recognize me looking like this." But then she grumbled, "But I would have thought my older brother would recognize my voice at least. That never changed coming here."
"Brother?" Kirito questioned. Then he thought about it and realized some things began to click. At least the part about her voice.
Seeing him being slow on the uptake, the Sylph urged, "C'mon Kirito, it's me. Your little sister. You know… Suguha."
At that, it finally clicked, and Kirito gasped, "Wait, Sugu? That's you?!"
The Sylph Suguha scratched her cheek in an embarrassed manner, replying, "That's me. Or, the old me anyway."
"Okay, what are you talking about? What the heck happened to you?" he asked fervently.
"I'll tell you all about it, so take it easy," she urged him. She set down on a patch of grass, and Kirito did likewise as she began to relay her story.
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"I became a Sylph about a year ago. Ever since you and Eugeo left to become Swordsmen, I wanted to get stronger so I could follow you. I practiced using the sword in secret, only telling Selka what I was doing. Sometimes I went back to that cave in the End Mountains to train and patrol for anymore denizens of the Dark Territory that were slipping in like before. About two years I did this. Then, I ran across a scouting party trying to break in and come after the village. I challenged them to battle, fighting with all I had. But then, one of them got a good hit on me. I felt my Life slipping away, but I didn't want Selka or the villagers to have to face those monsters. I continued fighting, and killed them all. But as I tried returning to the village, I only got to the woods before I collapsed. I was ready to die at that moment, but I wanted to live so I could see you and Eugeo again.
"As I lay there, waiting for Stacia to take me home, someone else appeared above me. She said her name was Sakuya, and she led a race of fairies called the Sylph. She had been alerted of my bravery, coming to find me. I never found out how she knew what I did, but I didn't question it. She offered me the chance to live. I would be reincarnated as a Sylph like her, and live in Alfheim. She said some humans, ones who did great deeds of bravery or esteem, could be offered reincarnation. Most choose to forget their lives as humans if they do this, but I asked to keep my memories of my home and family. Sakuya told me that, even if I did, I could never go back to my village. I insisted on holding on to my memories, even if I could never come home. And then, she remade me into the Sylph I am now. Even gave me a new name: Leafa."
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Kirito listened intently with Yui on his shoulder. While intrigued by what had happened to her, a pang of guilt settled when he learned his sister, now Leafa, was like this after he left. His head dipped so his bangs covered his eyes, causing Yui to look up at him with concern. This prompted Leafa to look over and see how he felt about it all.
"It's alright," she tried to assure him. "I'm still alive. And I have an amazing life here. It's really easy to grow accustomed to this place."
"I should have been there for you," Kirito muttered. "I shouldn't have left you like that. But then I… I…"
Placing her hands over his, Leafa told him, "Hey, if you hadn't left like you did, you would still be just as bitter and resentful to the villagers as ever. It doesn't matter Kirito. Besides, I'm here now. And maybe I can help you." Then she asked, "So why are you here anyway? I thought you and Eugeo went to Centoria to find Asuna and Alice."
"We did, but some things happened," he informed her. He relayed all that had happened since he last saw Leafa, including how he had come here looking for Asuna after she was taken by Oberon. Not to mention that he was separated from Alice and needed to find her soon.
Leafa mulled over everything she was told, then explained, "You're going to run into trouble finding Oberon. He's the Fairy King, the ruler of Alfheim. And he lives atop the World Tree, in the center of Alfheim. To get to him, you need to pass his trial at the base. Every race has attempted it in the hope that their race would be reborn as an Alf, heavenly fairies from his realm. But no one has in the long history of the world."
"So he's up at the top of that big tree?" Kirito questioned.
"Yeah. And the trial is nothing to sneeze at," Leafa reiterated. She then looked around, saying, "If you're going to be in Alfheim, you need to be able to fly. If I'm right about where we are, there should be something here that can help us." She went over near the brook, seeing what she needed to find. "Kirito, come here," she called. Kirito and Yui went over to see her crouched over what looked like a tree root. What was notable about this root was that it looked like the bark from the World Tree.
"This is a root of Yggdrasil, the World Tree," Leafa told him. "It has special properties, or so Sakuya told me. If we're lucky, it can turn you into a fairy."
"Or?" Kirito questioned.
To which Leafa nervously mentioned, "Or it could cause you to die from too much mana."
"Well that's great," the boy grumbled. But they had no choice. If he wanted to find Alice and navigate this world more effectively, he had to take this chance. He reached out towards the root, about to grasp it.
But then Yui advised, "Wait Daddy. The root might help, but it will fill your body with too much mana if you aren't careful. I'll try to manage the mana entering your body. That way, you should be able to conjure wings of your own."
"Is this really a good idea?" Leafa questioned.
To which Kirito told her, "Yui's special in more ways than one. And I am willing to trust my daughter on this." Leafa let that slide, if only so they could get a move on. Kirito then grasped the root while Yui rested on his hand.
Immediately, energy coursed through his body, filling him with an unbelievable sense of power. It felt like his blood was on fire, burning his insides. Yui seemed to be concentrating hard on managing the mana entering his body, but he figured it was straining her greatly to be doing something like that.
After a couple minutes, Yui cried out, "Now! Let go Daddy!" He did, feeling a wave of exhaustion settle over him. Yui panted and lay on the grass from the effort she made protecting her father. Leafa scooped her up and held her close, thanking her for the help.
Kirito rose and looked behind him to see black wings on his back, in the same style as the one Leafa and the Salamanders were but appearing slightly different. Though, surprisingly, he didn't really feel them on his back at all. It was like they weren't even there.
"So these are my wings now?" Kirito asked.
Helping Yui into his pocket, Leafa urged, "I'll have to teach you to fly pretty quick. Salamanders will come to retrieve the Remain Lights of those guys you took down. And we shouldn't be here when they get back." She then put her hand on Kirito's back and instructed, "Imagine you have bones and muscles on this spot of your back, stretching out into wings. Then try to envision those wings moving to fly."
"That's all it takes?" Kirito questioned. But Leafa gave him a hard look, and he tried doing what she told him. Pretty soon, his wings rustled as they struggled to move.
"Good, just a little more," she encouraged. His wings fanned out behind him, before flapping down hard and making him rocket into the air. Leafa came up on her own wings to see him flying in circles, out of control.
"How do I make it stop?" Kirito cried out. But rather than help, Leafa watched on and laughed seeing her brother make a fool of himself.
After some instruction, Kirito finally got enough of a grasp to get basic flying down and following behind Leafa. The feeling he got from it was unlike anything he knew before. And unlike riding on Amayori, it was liberating and exhilarating. He wouldn't admit that to Alice, but it felt so wonderful to him as he soared into the night sky.
Leafa stayed nearby to help him should something occur while they flew. But he seemed to be adapting to the change rather well, even if he looked strange doing it. But she couldn't deny it felt wonderful to finally be with her brother after all this time, not to mention being on more equal footing with him compared to her time at Rulid. When she glanced over, her eyes fell on the Blue Rose Sword.
"Hey Kirito, that other sword you have," she mentioned. "Isn't that Eugeo's?"
To which he replied, "Yeah, but Eugeo left without it. I'm holding onto it until we get him back in Centoria. And don't say 'if', Alice and I aren't giving up on him."
"I wasn't going to say if you could rescue him," Leafa said in her defense. "But I don't know how you are going to save him when he gave himself over to Quinella."
His face hard, Kirito told her, "Asuna did the same thing for us. We got her back in our time in Aincrad. That means Quinella's power isn't perfect, and there are ways to break whatever hold she has on Eugeo. No question about it."
"Well, if Asuna remembered you after whatever ritual she went though, I'll bet Eugeo will especially remember you guys," Leafa figured.
The two flew a great distance before they saw something ahead. It was a strange-looking town with a tall tower surrounded by four smaller ones connected by what Kirito guessed were bridges. Several smaller buildings dotted the ground beneath it. And in the moonlight, it seemed to glow an ethereal green.
"That's Sylvain, Sylph territory," Leafa informed. "This has been my home since I came to Alfheim."
"It looks a little like Centoria," Kirito commented.
Leafa giggled, and replied, "Not even. This place is kilors above anything Centoria has."
"I'll be the judge of that," Kirito challenged.
But as they neared the city, Leafa asked, "Kirito, you do know how to land, right?" That question made the matter dawn on him.
"No, not really," he admitted, beginning to panic. But they were too close to one of the towers to adjust their heading.
"Too late now," Leafa said with a sheepish smile. "You're on your own."
"Wait no! Leafa!" he called, but to no avail. Leafa had already descended while he crashed straight into the tower before falling to the ground in a heap.
Grimacing from the fall, he grumbled, "That was so not cool."
"Stop complaining," Leafa responded, "I can heal you." The next second, she uttered some strange words in a language Kirito was unfamiliar with.
Su firra heiru ausutoru, burotto subaru bani
When she did, glyphs seemed to revolve around her, with select ones glowing and appearing in front of her when they were said. When she finished, a light surrounded Kirito and he felt his injuries being mended instantly. It felt different compared to Sacred Arts or the Healing Crystals.
Getting up from his position earlier, Kirito used a Stacia Window to check his status, and saw his Life go up a bit from the spell. This amazed him, since Alice tried using Sacred Arts and failed to summon anything.
"How did you—" he began to ask.
"Spells in Alfheim are different from Sacred Arts back home," Leafa told him. "It's got its own language and everything. That spell is essentially a basic healing spell. Only Undines have the affinity for the more advanced ones." She then helped Kirito to his feet, and the two looked around to see other Sylphs eying Kirito warily.
"Let's go find someplace to lay low for a while," Kirito suggested. Not giving an argument, Leafa led him away before anyone got too curious.
Finding a pub, Leafa and Kirito settled at one of the tables. No one batted an eye to the two, which Kirito was grateful for. Yui had recovered from earlier and was now resting on Kirito's shoulder.
Taking a sip from her drink, Leafa asked, "You said you wanted to find Oberon so you could rescue Asuna, right?"
"That's right," he answered. "Oberon took her once Kayaba dropped the barrier around Aincrad. And I need to get to her as soon as possible."
"You do realize you are deciding to go up against the king of the fairies, right?" Leafa brought up. "No one in their right mind would tell you where he is."
"Even if they knew Oberon had a human here he brought himself?" Kirito challenged. Leafa urged him to calm down, and Yui contributed as well. Simmering down, he said, "Sorry. But while we were in Aincrad, we underwent the union ceremony. While we are blessed by the goddesses, I'm scared. If Oberon has the kind of power he claims, he could get rid of that pact and make her his wife. And who knows what he'll do to her. I have to get to him before it's too late."
As Leafa listened, she noticed how Kirito was so different from back in Rulid. Back then, she always saw this fierce determination in him that seemed unstoppable. Like he was willing to go through whatever trials lay before him if it meant getting his friends back. Now, he seemed broken. There was no longer this infallible conviction he once had. The fear he spoke of was evident in his words and his behavior. He was no longer sure of himself. Seeing him like this, Leafa couldn't begin to think of abandoning him or turning him away. Especially since she would want to save Asuna too.
Thus, she began to explain, "Alright, you better listen up. Oberon lives atop the World Tree, like I said earlier. There is supposed to be this big city at the top where these fairies called Alfs live with him. Since Alfheim's beginning, there has been this one major test Oberon left for us fairies so we could ascend and become Alfs. Whichever race completes it will be reborn as Alfs.
"But sort of like how you described Aincrad, it's not been done. We've been around just as long as the Human Empire, and no one has even come close to reaching Oberon's castle. Some races even teamed up to beat it and failed. It's that challenging. But you should know about Oberon himself.
"Living atop the World Tree, he has practically unlimited mana at his disposal, and he can use all the spells we know of and more. He's never been seen by anyone alive today because he always stays up in that tree. But it's said he is supposed to protect us from threats in our world. At least, so we believe."
"I'm sensing a 'but' coming," Kirito commented.
"You're not wrong there," Leafa replied. "One time, some fairies tried to fly up to the top of the tree from the outside. They tried different tactics, even stacking on top of each other and launching off one another. But either due to limitations or some spell, the outside has a barrier that keeps fairies from flying up. So far, no one has made any new attempts to get to the top."
Kirito mulled over the info briefly, before suggesting, "What if a human was the one to clear the test and get to the top? Maybe we have something faeries don't have. Maybe a weapon like a Divine Object, or knowledge of Sacred Arts."
"I doubt it," the girl retorted. "Not to be offensive, but humans in our view are kind of basic and restricted. You guys just don't have what we do." Kirito scowled at this, then she went on, "But, maybe a human doing the trial is the ticket. It'd make sense if there is a human already up there."
"I'm not sure that's the reason," Yui piped up, drawing their attention. "Based on the lore you shared combined with what I know, I have a feeling Oberon fabricated this tale to make the fairies focus on themselves. All these failures and problems have created tension among the races, making it more like a competition. And with how those Salamanders behaved, I'd say Oberon is pitting everyone against each other."
"Why would he do that?" Leafa questioned. "He created us, so what would be the point?"
"The same reason Quinella leads the Axiom Church and took Alice and Asuna," Kirito answered, putting the pieces together. "From what we were told, both were obsessed with power. Quinella even goes so far as to abduct children to keep herself at the highest power imaginable. I bet Oberon is afraid the fairies will combine their strength and come knocking on his door. He might have created this world, but I don't think he's as powerful as he makes himself out to be. And when I met him, he was in no way compassionate to other people. He seemed too absorbed in his own delights."
"But he protects the realm and everything," Leafa protested.
"Does he? From what?" Kirito challenged. "Alfheim is in a separate world outside Underworld. Unlike us, you guys don't have the threat of the Dark Territory hanging over your heads. What kinds of threats is there that Oberon has to fend off?"
Leafa tried to find an argument to counter, but nothing came to mind. She had never been told what threats Oberon dealt with. Mostly, matters had been isolated to war with the other races. Beyond the monsters and minions, what was out there that Oberon himself dealt with to watch over them?
As Leafa leaned back in defeat, Kirito went on, "Oberon isn't a king. A real king wouldn't create this kind of world where the people fight amongst themselves. Even the four empires in the Human Empire don't have skirmishes between each other since we have the Dark Territory to worry about. But you guys have been fighting among yourselves for what? What reason does any of you have to fight? For a test no one can do? If you ask me, I think Oberon doesn't give a damn about any of you."
Sighing, Leafa responded, "Okay, let's say you're right about Oberon. He's still the most powerful fairy here. How do you plan to beat him? You don't know any spells, and there's no way he'll let you get close enough to use your swords."
"It's a good thing I didn't come alone then," he reminded her. "If I can find Alice, the two of us should have a better chance at taking Oberon down. She might have fallen into the same woods I was in."
"I don't know about that," Leafa brought up. "I wasn't alone out there when those Salamanders attacked. I had a group of four other Sylphs, including one of our leaders under Sakuya, called Sigurd. He had us split up in the fight, so I went with this boy I've been with named Recon. Unlike me, Recon was born a fairy. Same with Sigurd. Though none of them know I'm reincarnated from a human life."
"I'm guessing they might have Alice?" Kirito quizzed.
"I would imagine Sigurd has her in custody," she affirmed. "We'll need to find where he's holding her and find some way to free her." They agreed to the plan, letting the conversation die away.
Finishing her drink and paying the tab, Leafa told him, "You can use one of the rooms above to rest for the night. I'll meet you tomorrow at 8. And don't sleep in."
"Where are you going?" the boy asked.
To which Leafa replied, "I'm going home. But I also want to check on a few things before I turn in. I'll see you tomorrow." And without another word, she left. A little miffed, Kirito went to rent out the room using the money Leafa left behind. While the fairy attendant was put off by him being human, she nonetheless directed him to a room.
Once there, Kirito removed his coat, swords, gloves and boots and settled himself into bed. As he did, Yui flew to his side and landed on the pillow.
"I hope we can rescue Mommy and Auntie Alice soon," she said earnestly.
"Me too Yui," Kirito returned. "I'm not letting that creep take her away. Not again."
"I just hope Uncle will be alright while we go find Mommy," Yui brought up. "I'm worried whatever Quinella does to him might be irreversible. Those kinds of situations do arise at times."
"I doubt it," he denied at once. "Even if he's remade into someone else, Eugeo is still the same guy from Rulid. I know he won't give in that easily."
Thinking about it a moment, Yui then replied, "That's true. Mommy had been remade for a little over a year, and you still brought her back to her old self. Uncle should be no different." Before Kirito nodded off, she requested, "Daddy, can I sleep with you for the night? I'm scared."
Propping his head up, Kirito asked, "Scared? Of what?"
"Of disappearing again," she told him. "Or having you and Mommy and Uncle and Auntie fading too. I'm scared you'll all go away. I don't… I…" As she began to tear up, Kirito gently scooped her up and held her close to his face.
"I'm not going anywhere Yui," he assured her. "You're mine and Asuna's daughter. Even if someone sent you, you still have your own life. You wanted to be with us, and we're going to do all we can to ensure that comes true." His words comforted the pixie, causing her to rub against his cheek affectionately. Before too long, the two nodded off and fell asleep.
Leafa made it to her quarters not too long after she left. Resting on her bed, she stewed over everything she had learned or discussed with Kirito. Chief among them was what had happened following Kirito and Eugeo's departure.
The two had attended the Imperial Swordcraft Academy, but violated the Taboo Index to save their pages. Then they found Alice when she was about to execute them, and the three escaped to Aincrad. Then they found Asuna and got her to remember who she was. Only to have her and Eugeo taken by Oberon and Quinella respectively. It was a lot to take in.
And that wasn't even considering the other details mentioned in the retelling. Like how Kirito and Asuna are bound by the goddesses, and that the pixie Kirito had was their daughter they adopted back in Aincrad. That coming to light was a bit of a blow for Leafa emotionally. She would have never acknowledged it back in Rulid, passing it off as just her crushing on Eugeo since the two were always together most days. And perhaps she did develop a slight crush on Eugeo, but not beyond that since Selka had one too. And now that she was a fairy, everything came bubbling back up once she ran into her brother again. As such, she wasn't too sure what her feelings were about her brother anymore.
But that was interrupted when two Midnight Mirror spells appeared in her room. In one was a girl with a dark green coat with slats on the outside of her legs and a single sleeve on her left arm, black bottoms, and white boots and black fingerless gloves. She had sky-blue hair with two bits tied on either side of her face, and similar blue eyes. A more notable feature with this girl were the large cat ears and tail of the same color as her hair.
The second mirror had a boy with light green hair in a sort of bob cut, wearing a beige, hooded jacket top over a dark green shirt, and baggy, dark green pants accompanied by brown boots. His face was more rounded, and he had darker green eyes.
Rising to greet them, Leafa acknowledged, "Hey there Sinon, Recon. What's with the sudden call?"
"We had been hearing some things among the other fairy folk," the one called Sinon started. "Not to mention you and I still need to meet to discuss our next step with the meeting between the Sylphs and Cait Sith. But let's start with what your sidekick over here has to say."
"Hey, I'm not Leafa's sidekick," the boy Recon argued. "In fact, I'm probably Leafa's closest friend among the Sylphs."
"Not with how you behave around her," Sinon pointed out.
Before it could get out of hand, Leafa interjected, "Just tell me what you two need to tell me. I'm about to go to turn in for the night."
Focusing back, Recon reported, "Sigurd told me something after he revived me from my Remain Light. We caught a human out in the woods after driving away those Salamanders."
Her interest piqued, Sinon inquired, "A human? Really? What the hell are they doing in Alfheim?" This worried Leafa, especially since she knew which human it was.
"It gets even better," Recon added. "This human wears armor like that order of knights in their empire. The ones called Integrity Knights. That's a big deal."
"What kind of armor is it, and where is the Knight?" Leafa asked.
"Well, gold armor for starters," Recon reported. "And she had a dragon tailing her. Sigurd said she called it off when it tried attacking him."
"No surprise there," Sinon noted. Then asked, "But still, what's a human doing here? Doesn't matter who they are, they have no reason to come to Alfheim."
"Who cares? This is big news," Recon said in earnest. "Lady Sakuya will want to interrogate this one. We might be able to keep it around."
"Humans aren't pets Recon," Leafa admonished, giving him a harsh glare. "They are like us. If anything, Sigurd might call to execute her."
A little startled by her way of address, Recon returned, "Isn't that a good thing though? Humans are dangerous. It's why we are separate from them."
Thinking hard about it, Leafa requested, "Recon, I'll see you tomorrow at the central tower. I want to talk with Sinon alone right now."
"Huh?!" Recon responded, aghast. "But Leafa—" He was interrupted by her motioning him to stop, before complying and cutting off his Moonlight Mirror.
Facing the Cait Sith, Leafa told her, "This isn't as big as Recon makes it out to be. That human is here to retrieve another."
"There's another human here?" Sinon questioned. "How do you know this?"
Biting her lip, Leafa contemplated how to answer for a bit. Seeing that she couldn't hide too much, she revealed, "I met my brother out in the woods. He came with his friend he went to find years ago. He says Oberon took someone from Underworld and brought them here to marry them."
"And you believe him?" Sinon asked. The question wasn't accusatory, but more inquisitive. Her ears even twitched upon hearing this human Leafa met was her own brother.
Leafa nodded, saying, "He may be a lot of things, but Kirito isn't a liar. Not when it matters." Looking at her friend pleadingly, she said, "I know you don't like humans Sinon, and I know how you feel about me having been human before. But you have to believe me, they don't mean any harm. I have to—" But Sinon stopped her with a raised hand.
"You're only partially right there Leafa," she told her. "I do hate humans. But only the snobs and pigs who think some fancy title makes them the boss of anyone. And you told me you lived in a backwater village far away from such people. Since he's your brother, he must be the same." Leafa nodded. So Sinon went on, "Honestly, I'm not convinced what Recon thinks is right. We kill this human just for being here, we sell ourselves as nothing but savages. If all they want is to rescue someone Oberon took, just let them get their friend and go home."
"It's not going to be that easy," Leafa brought up. "He said Oberon took her to make her his bride." That made Sinon stiffen, her tail going rigid.
She then muttered bitterly, "What the hell? Oberon tells us humans are a nuisance, yet he goes off and takes one for himself. I've had my issues with the guy, but this is a new low." She took a breath to calm herself, then said, "We need to meet in person. If you can, bring your brother and his friend with you. We'll find a place in neutral territory to meet and do what we must."
"I'll be considered a renegade if I do this," Leafa mentioned.
"Who cares about that? Leafa, this is more important," Sinon argued. "Look, you and I are both humans reincarnated into fairies. Already, that makes us outsiders. And you've seen it out there. People like us, we're considered less than everyone else here. They think that because we were human once, we could be dangerous to other fairies. So who cares if they cast you out when you save your brother and his friend? Honestly, it's your decision what you do about this."
"Sinon…" Leafa muttered.
"Let's meet somewhere between our territories," Sinon suggested, calming down. "You get those two humans, we meet up, and maybe we can figure out how to help them get to Oberon."
Not catching on to something, Leafa asked, "Hold up, why help? You've never been one to stick your neck out for anyone."
"Among other fairies, that's true," Sinon reasoned. "But in all honesty, I could do with something to change this world. Fighting fairies for a living gets a little monotonous after a while. Besides, fighting an Integrity Knight could be good fun. I'd love to see how they handle an archer like myself." Getting serious, she added, "And besides, we've been partners for a while. Five moons, by my last count. You stuck by me even when I made it clear I didn't want you. I still have that debt to repay."
Taking her reasons for the time being, Leafa offered, "I can meet you at the Legrue Corridor. It's on the way to Arun from Sylph and Cait Sith territory."
"That'll work," Sinon replied. "Just make sure to get there as soon as you can tomorrow. I can only wait around for so long."
"I'll try to be there," Leafa assured. The two called it for the night and cast away the Moonlight Mirror. With that done, Leafa undid her hair and slipped into bed. Whatever came next, she needed to get Alice out of her predicament.
That night, in a bird cage on one of the branches of the World Tree, someone with chestnut hair began to stir. Asuna's vision was blurry, and her mind foggy, as she came around. Her settings looked foreign to her, not to mention something about herself felt off. Rising up off whatever she was laying on, Asuna held her head as she tried to recall how she got there.
The memories quickly came rushing back. She remembered being taken from Rulid, the ritual that made her into a puppet, Aincrad, Kirito and Eugeo coming after her with Alice, the ceremony, Yui, and the final battle. Then she remembered being taken by Oberon. After that, it was all a large blank.
Looking down at herself, she saw she was not in her Knights of the Blood Oath uniform anymore. She was wearing some kind of top that exposed her midriff, tied off by a red ribbon. She wore a large, double-layered skirt that opened in front. On top of all that, she was barefoot. She looked to a mirror on her right to see her face being the same as it always was, save for a cloth tied into Asuna's hair in her braid crown.
"What am I doing here?" she asked no one in particular. She urgently looked to her left hand, and was relieved to see her ring was still there.
Just then, she heard metal sliding behind her. The door to the cage opened, and in came the person who stole her away from her friends. The way he eyed her drew her fury, looking at her like she was some kind of prize.
"Ah, you're awake at last," Oberon said when he noticed her up and about. "This will make the transition easier."
Staring daggers at the man, Asuna retorted, "You won't have your way with me Oberon. I am bound under the goddesses to one person only."
"For now," Oberon retorted, surprising her. "After all, I am a god myself in this world. And as a god, I have the power to overwrite the goddesses blessing. No need to thank me."
"You're no god," Asuna muttered. Oberon eyed her when she said this, scrutinizing what she told him. "I know who you really are. Your real name is Sugou Nobuyuki. You're a human who took power to match Quinella and Kayaba." Giving him a hard gaze, she stated, "You're no god. Only a man pretending to be a god." This little revelation took Oberon by surprise, much to Asuna's delight.
Until he seized her by the arm, hoisted her close to him, and growled, "Who told you these lies? Who said it?" When she didn't reply, he shook her and demanded, "Answer me!"
"An old acquaintance of yours," she told him, calm and firm.
Then Oberon smiled, saying slowly, "No. Kayaba wouldn't have had the time to tell you. It was someone else, wasn't it? Someone who claims to know such foolish notions."
"The only fool is you, Sugou," Asuna retorted. "You'll never be a god. You just don't have the power to be one. You're just a man, like all of us." For that, Asuna was smacked hard with the back of Oberon's hand. But Asuna took the blow, not even rattled. She had hit a nerve, giving her power over him.
Stomping away from her, Oberon raised his hand. In response, a vine bearing some kind of fluid-filled pod grew into the cage. "I'll show you the kind of god I am," he said in a low, dangerous voice. "I have the power to remake anyone as I wish. It is how I made the fairies. Insects really. But they are mine to rule." Turning to face her, a deranged look on his face, he continued, "But now, I will have my masterpiece. A beautiful bride to call my own. My dear Titania."
Angrily, Asuna spat, "My name is Asuna Yuuki!"
"Not for much longer," he responded. Seizing her wrist, he dragged Asuna over to the pod. She tried to fight him, but his grip was like iron. No matter how much she clawed and pried, he would not let go. Just then, vines grabbed her by her ankles and wrist, and quickly pulled her through the pod walls. As she turned around to face the outside, Oberon informed, "This pod is far more kind compared to the ritual dear Quinella subjected you to. You will feel yourself falling into a dream, the dream of your life you once had as Asuna. Only now, the reality will be that you are my darling bride. My Titania."
Asuna tried hitting the walls to escape, but he told her, "Don't bother trying to break out. You won't be free until you are reborn. It shouldn't take more than a week for you to be converted fully. And then…" Stroking the pod near her hip area, he added lustfully, "Then you will be all mine. I wonder if I'll let you see the broken face of that boy you promised. Kirito, was it? Perhaps I'll capture him and bring him here, so you can see me pour his blood at my feet. Oh, the horror you will show me when I do. How enticing." With that, Oberon left, closing the bird cage behind him.
Asuna was terrified by his words. She hoped Kirito was safe, wherever he was. Though knowing him and his promise, he was probably figuring out a way into Alfheim with Kayaba's help. Not to mention having Alice by his side. She just hoped he would be safe. Her heart couldn't bear to lose him. Not now.
Clasping her hands in front of her, she prayed, Goddesses, please, protect Kirito. Protect my beloved. She then tried pushing against the walls once more. This time, her hand phased through, and the momentum caused her to fall out and land on the ground. She coughed briefly, shivering with the liquid sticking to her skin.
Curling into herself, Asuna muttered, "Kirito…"