Disclaimer: Reki Kawahara is the author/creator of SAO. All rights go to him.
Chapter 24:
Flight of the Maiden
By the time night had fallen, the four travelers had finally arrived at Arun. The city was blinding to see at night, with all the lights lit super bright at the very base of the tree. Even so, it was an impressive sight to see. Even in Centoria, Kirito had never seen so much light in one place. He figured such luminescence would rival that of the stars.
"Here we are," Leafa said to the group. "Arun. The city at the base of the World Tree. It's supposed to be the first city ever built by our people back in Alfheim's early days."
"It certainly is extravagant looking," Alice commented. "It's making my eyes hurt just looking at it."
Resting a hand on her hip, Sinon proposed, "Let's go find an inn to stay at for the night. We can look into getting to the top tomorrow."
"Know any cheap places?" Kirito requested. "Alice and I don't exactly have your guys' money, and I don't want to burden you finding rooms for all four of us."
"Us girls will be sharing a room," Leafa admonished. "Still, we probably should find someplace cheap and easy in case we need to stay here for more than one day." Then they began walking into the city.
As they did, Yui came onto Kirito's shoulder and gazed at the top of the World Tree. "Mommy…" she muttered wistfully.
Kirito assured her, "We'll find her Yui. Believe me, we are going to get her back." The little pixie nodded, but still looked up as if trying to spot the fabled kingdom that lay at the top. Kirito didn't press her, deciding to follow along with the others as they headed for the city.
At the top of the tree, Asuna made it to a door leading into the interior. When it opened, she did not expect to see what she saw. After making sure no one was around, she scanned the white walls that looked more stone than bark, and far too pristine. Her bare feet felt the cold, hard ground she was on. Whatever this place was, it was not natural by any regards. But Asuna needed to find a way out of here.
Going down the corridors as best as she could, she looked for anything that could help lead her out and get her closer to Kirito. But every corridor looked the same. Not to mention she had to be careful in case Oberon had anyone who would rat her out to their king. Yet not only were the corridors and hallways too crisp, there was no one present anywhere.
"Where is everyone?" Asuna silently mused. "Oberon can't be ruling Alfheim all by himself." Thinking further on the matter, she considered, "Maybe he could. Or he doesn't need other people because of the power he wields here." But that still left the question of why he took her away from Underworld. For now, she needed to find a way out. Though one thing did need to be rectified. Going down another corridor, she saw a door in the wall that clearly was set apart. Inside, she found her old uniform and her Divine Object, Lambent Light.
"Found you," she silently proclaimed. She entered the room to change and came out a few minutes later dressed in her KoB attire with Lambent Light attached to her side. She kept the clothes Oberon had her wear before just in case, but she was looking forward to discarding them at the earliest opportunity. If she ever could get out of here first.
Noticing she was losing her bearings, Asuna tried finding a way outside again to figure out where she was exactly in the tree. Only she was further lost thanks to the passages all looking the same and having nothing distinctive to lead her on to where she could be. To ensure she wouldn't go down the same paths she did before, Asuna used her rapier to create a little groove in the wall by the door that she could use to determine her path.
After several minutes of blindingly going down paths that seemed never-ending, she found a way to the outside. Looking around at the dark sky as best she could, she spotted the bird cage that served as her prison. She looked down, nearly losing her nerve at seeing the sheer height she was at. But she steeled herself as she went back inside to find her way out.
Just as she entered, she pressed herself against the wall to hide when she heard voices coming her way. She thought it was Oberon again, but neither of the speakers had his slimy voice. She strained to hear what they were talking about, curious about what Oberon had been up to here.
"Have you received any new results from the King yet?" one of them asked their companion.
Said companion responded, "Nothing yet. I think this alliance he has with that witch is starting to crumble. Now that he has his little pet, there's no point in maintaining contact with her."
"I heard otherwise," the first countered. "I have heard that there are two interlopers Quinella requested be captured or killed as soon as possible. I still do not follow how children can warrant such a response."
"Remember, one of them is an Integrity Knight," the second reminded the first.
But the first pointed out, "Not like the others. She wasn't reconditioned to be a loyal Integrity Knight. That makes her all the more dangerous. And if I recall, that witch had a particular interest in her too because of her innate mastery of the Sacred Arts. Something on par with the goddesses themselves."
"That's bullcrap," the second argued. "No human has had that potential in all of history. The witch is the only one with such power."
"Why do you think she wants that girl in the first place?" the first posed.
As they mused, Asuna sifted through what she heard. Quinella had been after Alice beyond just the Taboo Index violation. She had been taken for a reason different from what Yui said she was taken for. It had been pretty apparent Alice had an affinity for the Sacred Arts since they were young, but to such a degree was news to her. Beyond that, knowing Oberon was willing to kill her and Kirito meant they posed a very sizable threat to something. Based on what she knew, they could potentially undermine everything Oberon and Quinella had done to seize power for these past three centuries. And if that were the case, they needed to reunite now more than ever.
But then the second voice said, "It doesn't matter now. If this girl is a threat to the King, we'll just eliminate her too." They began moving away, so Asuna couldn't hear them anymore. But she was okay with that.
One way or another, she had to get to Kirito and Alice. Once she was in the clear, she made her way forward once more.
Back in Arun, Alice was with Amayori on a rock outcropping in the outskirts of the city. She looked up at the stars as she stewed in her thoughts, listening to the quiet snores of her dragon companion. So much had happened since she had been taken, and much of it still hard to manage. But there was only one person she was thinking of most.
Alice removed her left gauntlet to find the ring Eugeo gave her still there. Wearing it under her armor was uncomfortable, not to mention troublesome getting her gauntlet on and off most times. But she didn't want to remove it, ever. The pain just reminded her of her reasons to fight. Looking at the ring, she remembered when Eugeo proposed to her, their life together in the log cabin with Kirito and Asuna, the battles they had been in together. And she remembered their last moment together, before he was taken from her.
Clenching her fist, Alice murmured, "No. I won't cry. I will not shed anymore tears." But her flaring emotions made it hard for her to not feel the pain of loss from Eugeo's absence.
Coming up to her, Sinon inquired, "Fancy ring. It belong to someone?" Alice was a bit startled from her speaking, but settled down thanks to the intrusion.
Setting her gauntlet to the side, Alice held up the ring and replied, "It was given to me by my betrothed. His name is Eugeo."
"Eugeo…" Sinon muttered, holding her chin in thought. "Hold on. Leafa said that name before. During the duel with Eugene. She asked if Kirito's sword was Eugeo's."
"It is," Alice answered. "It's called the Blue Rose Sword. It is Eugeo's sword from some caves in our home village. We found it as children when we explored, looking for ice. At the time, no one could lift it. When I was reunited with my friends, I discovered the sword had chosen Eugeo all those years ago. I could not think of a man more worthy to wield a blade even our village's founder could not claim."
"What do you mean by 'reunited'? What's the deal with that?" the archer questioned.
Looking up at the sky, Alice explained, "About nine years ago, Asuna and I violated the Taboo Index. In which it states no one is to enter the Dark Territory. Kirito and Eugeo assured us our crime was minor, as we only touched the ground of it. But an Integrity Knight came regardless, sentencing us in our very village. He took us to Centoria, where the Pontifex gave us new Callings. But really, they were just a means to bolster our natural strengths. I realized that some time ago. She tried to turn us into her puppets, but something interfered with her efforts. Before too long, she grew tired of the failure, and threatened us by claiming she would seize Kirito and Eugeo to make us submit. Asuna surrendered, pleading that I would be spared. Eventually, two boys broke the Taboo Index by killing a fellow student and harming another."
"Kirito and Eugeo…" Sinon guessed.
Alice nodded, before continuing, "An Integrity Knight under my command arrested them, but I took it upon myself to exact the sentence deemed for them. When I learned who they were, I spared them. Instead taking them to the floating castle Aincrad so we might reunite with our fourth companion. Nearly a month ago, Eugeo proposed to me. But later, the Pontifex tried to seize control of me with a Sacred Art she embedded into my mind. My beloved took the art in my stead, allowing me to retain my thoughts and self at the expense of his own."
Sinon gazed at her as she finished, before asking, "So why come to Alfheim if your fiancée is in Underworld? Let Kirito handle things here so you can go rescue him."
"Unfortunately, Eugeo is among the other Integrity Knights," Alice answered, "who no doubt have been told I am a traitor to the order. Thus, to lay siege to the Central Cathedral as I am now would be suicide. That is why I help Kirito save Asuna. The greater our numbers, the better our chances of saving him."
Alice figured she sounded like some maiden hung up on her beloved. But it was the truth of her conviction. Even if she must be branded for something so minor, she would willingly take it.
It brought back the memory she held of when she considered Eugeo differently.
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It was the summer following their imprisonment in the Axiom Church. She had been studying and practicing matters of the Sacred Arts and the sword as diligently as she could. Asuna was much the same, but the blonde girl noticed how her focus was never on her efforts to improve herself. Even when it was just the two of them in their room, Alice noticed how Asuna seemed more reserved and demure. She barely spoke when she was around anyone, even around Alice.
Of course, Alice was much the same. With everyone being so intimidating compared to the people in Rulid, she was usually so withdrawn and mainly spoke out of obedience to the priests and nuns. Though the only time she broke out of it was after Bercouli gave her and Asuna snacks and she called him Uncle rather impulsively. But other than that, she devoted most time to studying. But less because she was told to, and more due to the promise that if she studied as well as she did she could go home. Above all else, Alice wanted to go home.
The second week of summer that year, Alice was just about to fall asleep when she heard Asuna praying at her bedside.
"Dear goddesses, hear me now," Asuna prayed. "Please forgive my sin against the church by my actions here, so I might return to my home. I pray for my transgressions to be forgiven swiftly. I pray this not for myself, but for Kirito. And maybe Eugeo. But mostly Kirito. Let me be absolved so I might go to them."
Raising herself from under her sheets, Alice inquired, "Asuna, what are you doing making a prayer like that?"
Moaning in slight anguish, Asuna replied, "You wouldn't understand Alice. Unlike you, I don't care about going home to my family. They wouldn't take me back anyway after I stained the Yuuki honor by violating the Taboo Index like I did."
In disbelief at what she was hearing, Alice asked, "Then why do you want to go home?"
Looking at her friend, the chestnut-haired girl replied, "Because I want to be with Kirito. When I grow up, I want to be united with him. I want to be blessed in my union by the goddesses. I want to live with Kirito."
"But why?" Alice debated. "You aren't even old enough to be in love with anyone. And even if you did love Kirito, you are still a noble. Disowned or not, your status means you can't marry him when you grow up."
"Then I'll just do it anyway," Asuna replied, unafraid. "Even if it goes against the law, I'd do it. Kirito is more important to me than anything else."
Alice couldn't believe what her friend was saying. The fact that she was so brazen like this did not sit well with her in the slightest.
That was when Asuna surprised her by claiming, "I bet it'll be the same thing with you and Eugeo."
Flustered by such a statement, Alice refuted, "I—I don't believe you are correct. We are just f-friends. Yes, just friends. I certainly don't see him as anything other than that." She was glad it was night, because she knew Asuna would call her out if she saw how rosy her cheeks were, which they no doubt were due to the heat in them.
Luckily, Asuna simply said, "Well, I want to go to Kirito. I pray the goddesses grant my wish." With that, the chestnut-haired girl turned in for the night. Her friend, on the other hand, remained awake.
Asuna's claim stirred up some thoughts Alice tried not to play with. Her relationship with Eugeo had always been out of friendship and nothing more. Plus, she didn't want to think about someone being her future husband with where she was at. Who would want to marry a criminal like her anyway? She had even heard about a noble family being disgraced, and the current daughter being ostracized by all the nobles and even the church. But as she contemplated on it, she did think there were moments where her actions were not strictly just as a friend.
Even though she would love to continue to deny Asuna's belief she loved Eugeo, there was still the lingering worry she had for the flaxen-haired boy slaving away at the Demon Tree. She got out of bed and got on her knees, hands clasped as she bowed her head in prayer.
'Dear goddesses, please grant my wish,' she prayed fervently. 'That no matter what, you look after a boy in my village that I care about. His name is Eugeo, and he is a Carver. He is not a smart boy, or bold. But he is kind, compassionate, loyal, and brave. So if I might ask this of you, please watch over Eugeo.' With that prayer given, Alice got back into bed and fell right asleep.
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Thinking back on the memory, Alice wondered about how she might have developed such feelings for Eugeo at the time. She knew Asuna became infatuated with Kirito because of how he treated her, but Alice had never been one to be smitten by most boys. Perhaps it was more a realization that spurred her to develop stronger feelings for Eugeo. Maybe even the threat Quinella held over her was just as powerful because she started to realize how much she cared about the boy from her village.
It was in her thoughts Sinon brought up, "Well, when you save him, I'll bet that boy will be one thrilled dope."
Looking back to her ring, Alice murmured, "Perhaps so Sinon. Perhaps so." The two watched the stars a little longer before going back to turn in for the night.
On and on Asuna searched for a way to escape her predicament. And on and on the passages went, seemingly never-ending. She wasn't about to lose hope because of this, but she was finding it difficult to press on with what she had encountered. These corridors felt like a maze. Even with her marking her path, she still seemed to be going in circles.
After what felt like hours of searching, Asuna stopped and pressed herself against a wall to rest. She could feel herself succumbing to fatigue, since she hadn't had anything to eat during her stay. No surprise to her, seeing as how Oberon thought she would be stuck in that pod until she was changed into this Titania figure. She used a Stacia Window to check her condition, seeing her Life was still at its maximum. But her condition was revealed to be weakening due to the lack of nutrients. If she didn't find something to eat soon, she might start losing Life before Kirito saved her.
Changing priorities, Asuna tried looking for anything edible. If that meant going outside, maybe even to the bird cage, she would have to. She used one of her marked paths to lead her outside, before looking around the branches for anything that could be used as food. But while this was a tree, nothing here looked like fruit or anything edible. On the branch she came out to, she looked up to another branch where the pod and the bird cage were. She really did not want to go back to her prison, especially after having escaped its confines and having the chance to be liberated. But if there was even a remote chance something there could satiate her, she had no choice but to return.
But just as she was going back in, the door opened to reveal a grotesque sight. Impeding her way were two purple slug creatures with orange orbs on stalks, and several tentacles sticking out of their bodies. Upon seeing her, they seemed stunned.
Until one of them cried out, "It's the prisoner! Prisoner escape!" Using her agility, Asuna leaped over them and into the corridor. Sadly, those weren't the only guards she came across, as more started to crawl her way after receiving the alert. Several shot tentacles out to capture her, but she cut them away using Lambent Light. Those she cut gave a nasty screech that sounded like nails on a chalkboard. But Asuna had to push through, especially with her freedom on the line. Some got lucky and wrapped around an arm or a leg, but they were quickly severed by her. At this point, getting back to the bird cage was her only option. The safest place to be was where the enemy wanted you sometimes. But she wasn't keen on returning to that pod, especially if she risked letting it capture and take over her.
The last passage had several slug monsters barring her way. Knowing full well she couldn't get past them, she resigned to having to employ one trick she had left. Something Alice taught her once she had been restored.
Lifting her sword to eye level, she muttered, "System Call."
"Wait, what did she say?" one of the slugs questioned.
"Forget what she said," another chided, "just capture her."
But they were unable to when she finished, "Enhance Armament!" Circles appeared around her blade as its latent power was unlocked. This rapier, forged from a star that fell to Underworld, glowed brightly with streaks trailing behind it. With a great cry, Asuna lunged. Her Divine Object carried her through the slug wall, though she was careful not to kill any of them. Though several foolish individuals tried to stop her while her Perfect Weapon Control was active and ended up losing tentacles and earning burns in the process. Thankfully, the art carried her to the end, and she immediately sheathed her rapier to restore its power. She then dashed away while the slugs were occupied with themselves.
As dawn began to come, Oberon stormed through the complex to the branch with the bird cage. His subjects had said the prisoner escaped, which he was frustratingly annoyed at due to the audacity of the claim. Asuna was unable to leave that pod of hers. He had crafted it using his vast knowledge of this world and the tree on which his kingdom reigned. She could never leave until her transformation was complete. But his subjects insisted she had escaped, some even showing injuries that were minor in their case. Their bodies could regrow such tentacles. It was of little consequence to him what happened.
He made it to the bird cage, manipulating it to open the door. He saw nothing out of place with a cursory glance. The furniture was unchanged, the pod still hung where it was, and nothing was out of place. He then looked inside the pod to see what confirmed his belief. His Titania, sleeping away as the magic worked to change her into a fairy queen. She was unmarred, as she should be, and completely submissive. Taking a moment to please himself, he stroked the pod around her legs, yearning to touch her once the transformation was complete.
But he was interrupted when one of his subjects came and asked, "Sir, do you believe us now?"
Glancing down at them, Oberon replied, "Why yes, I do believe you are all idiots and liars." Giving a menacing look, he shouted, "Because the prisoner is still where she should be!"
Seeing the prisoner in the pod, the subject protested, "But we saw her outside it. She attacked us. She even used Perfect Weapon Control."
"Don't insult me with your tales of fancy," Oberon admonished. "Now, return to your post and continue to monitor our world for that brat. I want his blood poured in front of my dear Titania to hasten the transformation." He then departed with the cowering slug, closing the door behind him. Though he was bothered by the claim of Perfect Weapon Control. Less so about it being possible she used it, but more about the training and knowledge Quinella imparted on all Integrity Knights. He would need to discuss the matter with her.
A few minutes after they had left, Asuna clambered out of the pod, gasping for air and hacking up fluids. Once she had recovered, she went to check the bed for something. Moving the mattress a bit, she found her uniform and rapier safely stashed inside. While she might not have found an escape from this place, she had at least reclaimed what was hers. When the time came to leave, she would have nothing more to do in this wretched place. Until then, she had to wait for Kirito and Alice to come to her.
The next morning, the four friends awoke to bright skies and new optimism. Kirito especially was feeling uplifted with what was to come. Now that they were in Arun and at the base of the World Tree, they were that much closer to finding and rescuing Asuna. He even noted how much of a better mood Sinon had, who was the coldest out of them all.
Giving a big stretch, Leafa spoke, "Well, it's time to investigate. We need to find the entrance to the trial that leads to the top of the World Tree."
"And once we do that, we will be able to rescue Asuna and end this nightmare," Alice concluded. Kirito nodded, looking forward to reuniting with his betrothed again.
The four went into the city, seeing fairies from all the different races gathered here. He saw Salamanders talking with ones Leafa identified were Gnomes, Cait Sith talking to Undines, he even saw a Sylph and Spriggan couple together. He and Alice were quite surprised by the blend of people here compared to someplace like Sylvain. Not to mention the atmosphere felt nearly identical to Centoria. With its bustling streets and packed buildings. If it wasn't for the sloping roads leading to the tree, it could have even been an exact replica.
"I'm amazed so many fairy races are here and not at each other's throats," Alice said, observing some of the behaviors of those around them.
"That's because Arun, being the first city, is home to all the fairy races," Sinon explained. "It was where fairy-kind branched out from before going to establish homes specifically for themselves. But here, any race can come and mingle without hostilities."
"It certainly is better than seeing armies of them fighting each other to the death," Kirito mentioned. But he remained focused on their goal, leading everyone towards the tree.
Suddenly, as they passed under an arch, Yui popped out of Kirito's pocket rather suddenly. Disturbed by this, Kirito inquired, "Yui, what is it? Something wrong?"
"Mommy…" Yui answered. Kirito and Alice looked to each other before looking back at Yui.
"Yui, what is it? Did you sense Asuna?" the golden Knight inquired.
"Yes, just now," the pixie informed. "I have been using a Sacred Art passively to detect her, and there's no mistaking it. At the top of the World Tree, I sense Mommy's up there. She's at the very top." Spurred on by that knowledge, Kirito summoned his wings and launched into the air, generating harsh winds with his departure.
"Kirito!" Leafa called as he left.
Rushing back to the city entrance, Alice called, "Go after him. I'll catch up." And the two obeyed, flying after Kirito who took off faster than either of them could compete with.
While they flew, Sinon cried out, "Kirito, stop! You'll crash into the—" But before she finished, Kirito collided with something in midair, stopping him way before he could reach the tree itself. "…barrier," the archer finished.
Enraged, Kirito started to bash on the barrier, attempting to break through. His friends called for him to calm down, but there was no time for that. Asuna was so close. He couldn't stop now. He couldn't be stopped. He had to bust through. He had to get to her. He promised.
As he wailed on the barrier, Kirito cried out, "Asuna! Asuna, I'm here. Asuna!"
"Mommy!" Yui pitched in, placing her hands on the barrier. "Mommy, it's us. We're here Mommy." The two carried on, even with their friends urging them to stop.
Up in the tree, Asuna was formulating her next plan to escape. If she couldn't get out via the internal passages of the tree, she figured she could instead climb the exterior. The only catch was she was so high up that a fall would spell the end for her. She could try to interrogate one of those slugs, but they probably never traveled alone. She had so few options and so little resources to work with. She really began to worry about getting out of Alfheim before Oberon had his way.
In her thoughts, she heard, "Mommy!" She knew immediately it was Yui calling to her, but from where she couldn't tell. She hastily looked around her prison, trying to discern where Yui was calling from.
Then she heard her again; "Mommy!"
Going over to look down over the edge, Asuna called back, "Yui, I'm here. I'm up here." Then, for whatever reason, she felt the presence of the one she had been waiting for. So she cried out, "Kirito!"