Heya everyone!

So, little announcement, updates for this story will be more irregular for a little bit. Partly due to work, and partly due to other stuff. But don't worry. I plan to finish this story. Believe me, I already have the story mapped out. I just need to get it all written up.

Make sure to read, review, and enjoy.

Disclaimer: Reki Kawahara is the owner/author of SAO and its content. I own nothing aside from this idea.

Now then,

LINK START!

Chapter 33:

Her Grace

"I am Eugeo Synthesis Thirty-Two," the newest Integrity Knight greeted the trio. Even after bracing herself for the inevitable confrontation, Alice was unable to stop her heart from halting in her chest. Her childhood friend, her betrothed, the love of her life, stood opposed as Administrator's unwavering puppet. Her fears ever since Aincrad came back in full force, and Alice felt like everything in her world was coming undone.

Stepping forward, Alice said in a soft voice, "Eugeo…"

Giving a small smile, he addressed, "I must thank you for returning something of mine."

Confused, Kirito asked, "What's that?"

"My weapon," Eugeo answered. Before Alice could do anything, he reached out his hand. And somehow, the Blue Rose Sword wrenched itself from her side and into his hand.

Stunned, Alice exclaimed, "Incarnate Arms?! How?"

"Incarnate what?" Kirito asked urgently.

This time, Asuna explained, "Commander Bercouli demonstrated it once to Alice and me during our training. It's not an art or Perfect Weapon Control, just the ability to move objects through will alone."

Alice remembered that, and it terrified her that Eugeo could utilize Incarnate Arms so soon. Bercouli said it took him decades before he was able to use Incarnate Arms at his level. Did this mean Eugeo had the ability to use it from the start? Kirito had claimed Eugeo was a more skilled swordsman than he. Perhaps this was just another innate ability Eugeo had. It deepened the guilt Alice had from learning how inadequate Eugeo felt around her and the others. She should have done more to encourage him otherwise.

Drawing his sword, the Integrity Knight inquired, "Did you not come here to fight? My Lady said that was what we will do."

Hearing him refer to the Pontifex like that stung at Alice. But she responded, "I wish to ask something of you first, Eugeo." Taking a breath, Alice kept her tone level and asked, "Do you remember who I am?" A moment passed among them as she waited for Eugeo's answer. She hoped that, somewhere deep inside, her Eugeo was fighting to break the grip of this one. She was banking their chance on the possibility that, like Asuna, the boy they grew up with and journeyed through Aincrad with was still in there.

To her dismay, he answered, "I do not. I do not know you, any of you, and I do not want to know." That hit Alice hard, hearing how he did not want to know about them. "All I care about is what she will give to me. My Lady will give me what I want. I must do what she has told me. And she has asked me to fight you."

Alice dipped her head, letting her hair cover her eyes. When she looked back up, hot tears filled her eyes. Drawing the Osmanthus Blade, she declared, "Then I, Alice Zuberg of Rulid Village, challenge Eugeo Synthesis Thirty-Two to single combat."

"Very well. I accept," he returned. He held his sword at his side, confident in his poise. Alice swung her sword to her side before taking it in both hands and holding it out front. Kirito and Asuna watched from the side, keeping themselves from getting involved.

Alice looked to her left hand, seeing the ring in the hope it would bolster her resolve to save him. The last vestiges of her Eugeo were in that ring. She would not lose to this imposter.

She heard the ringing from Eugeo's sword as well as the glow from the sword skill. She prepared her own, the Sonic Leap, and lunged forward to meet his attack. The two blades met and grinded against each other as the skills worked to overpower the other. They soon lost their glow, and the two pulled back as they went for another ploy. Eugeo went for a strike to her shoulder, but Alice easily deflected the blow before retaliating with a swipe to his ribs. Eugeo blocked this and returned with a thrust. Alice parried his sword away before creating distance. He pursued her, and she raised her blade to meet his swing.

Even as she fought him, deflecting blows and returning with her own, Alice could feel a semblance of the boy she knew as a child. His strikes, movements, even his technique was all his. It was like with Asuna, whose skills with her rapier didn't change between her Integrity Knight self and real self. If she could somehow find her Eugeo, she might be able to end this fight without sacrificing Life from either of them.

As she locked a swipe at her feet, Alice pleaded, "Eugeo, you have to remember. Remember who I am, remember where you came from. You aren't some denizen of heaven, you are a swordsman from Rulid Village."

Pulling away, he replied, "I don't remember. I won't remember!" He rushed at her once more, using a Vertical Arc skill. Alice weaved around the skill before trying to strike at his armor while he suffered the aftereffects of the skill. To her surprise, he stopped her blow, even after doing the carry through for the attack. But after fighting Eiji, she figured he had some kind of enhancement from Administrator that negated suffering from the sword skill's brief pause.

Exchanging strikes, Alice tried again, "This isn't you Eugeo. You aren't a slave or a puppet. You have the choice to be who you are."

"No. I am her sword," he returned. "I will fight for My Lady. I will fight for her."

"Why?" Alice demanded, barely being glanced by his strike. "What does she give you for this loyalty?"

Swinging harder at her, Eugeo returned hotly, "Everything. Everything I could want. She makes it so I am not alone. That I never have to suffer. That I am never without love."

Triggered by his regard on the matter of love, Alice shouted, "You utter idiot!" Her next strike pushed Eugeo back. She charged over and rained blow after blow on him, furious at his words. "Are you so blind as to neglect what you already have?" she shouted. "Have you been so caught up in your own woes that you do not see what those who truly care about you do for you? I will not stand for it!"

Eugeo broke through her assault, forcing her to backpedal a bit. She brought her sword up just in time to block an overhead strike. His words wounded her deeply, the guilt she carried resurfacing and driving her rage forward. These thoughts, these ideals, they were wrong. In so many ways they were wrong to possess. She wanted to bash the truth in him as she put more force into her sword strikes.

He was unaffected by her fury. His face was as cold as the ice his sword commanded. His expression, unmoving, even when he exerted effort in fighting her. He was lifeless, a being only doing what he was told to do.

He knocked her sword aside, causing her to face away and catch her breath. She saw the glint of her ring once more, but something else happened when she looked at it. A thought entered her mind, as if providing a way for her to save her beloved. She would have considered it ludicrous, but she wasn't getting anywhere like this.

Preparing to strike her again, Eugeo inquired, "Will you submit to my Lady's rule?"

With every ounce of strength she could muster, Alice swung her sword towards his raised hands. The gauntlets would take the blow well, being like the ones she had before converting them in her climb with Kirito. Upon impact, the force caused Eugeo to loosen his grip, and Alice quickly followed with another strike that knocked it out of his hands for good. Before he could use his Incarnate Arms ability to recall his sword, she tackled him after discarding her own sword, running with him until he collided with the wall on the far side. And without hesitation, she plunged her lips onto his.

Please Eugeo, she begged in her mind, opening herself to him like he did that day for her. Remember. Remember your friends who fought for you. Remember the journey we've had. Remember the one who truly loves you, that you pledged your love to.

Doing her best to deepen the kiss, Alice's mind traveled back to moments that she had in the most special times of her life.

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The first memory was back in Rulid. She was in a grove with Kirito and Asuna, working on Eugeo's present in her lap. The other two were also doing some work beside her. But among the three of them, Alice was focused and fervent in her work. So much so that she didn't hear anyone until Kirito shook her.

"Alice," he called. Once he got her attention, he pointed out, "It's going to get late soon. We should go back."

"We should be able to finish this before the day. We're just about done," Asuna added.

But Alice replied, "Just a little longer. Let's stay for just a bit more."

"Alice…" Asuna began to say.

But then they heard Eugeo coming from behind, asking, "Guys? What are you doing out here?"

Rising quickly to her feet and trying to hide the present behind her back, Alice replied, "Nothing serious Eugeo. We just need to do something, and we'll meet you by the bridge."

Eugeo looked disheartened, his entire body sagging. Before he did anything else, Asuna chided, "Alice, that's not fair to Eugeo. I think we have to be honest."

"But Asuna, we worked so hard. And it's only a couple days away," Alice griped.

This time, Kirito told her, "Alice, it's okay. We're just about finished anyway." He then put their present together before handing it to her. Then he and Asuna pushed Alice towards Eugeo, putting them within arm's reach of each other. Deciding not to hide it any longer, Alice presented the gift they made to Eugeo.

It was a small wooden sword that had been hand-carved by her and the others, with a sheath to go along with it. And one extra touch was a small charm Asuna made that dangled from the hilt.

As Eugeo marveled at seeing his present, Alice told him, "We were hoping to make it a surprise for your birthday. It's a little early but, happy birthday Eugeo."

Taking the sword, he asked, "You all made this for me?"

"We wanted to get you something for you to own," Kirito informed. "That way you don't have to use your brother's practice sword anymore. It should last longer too."

"To be honest, it was all Alice's idea," Asuna directed, causing the mentioned girl to stiffen up and her cheeks to go pink. "She worked on that sword all this time between Sacred Arts lessons. There's an engraving on the blade if you look."

Eugeo drew the sword to find the engraving. Sure enough, there was a message on there:

To protect the ones you care for most.

His lip quivered as tears pooled in his eyes. Alice became worried upon seeing Eugeo react this way. Did she get him the wrong gift? Did he not like the message? Was it her presenting it that bothered him?

But instead, his face brightened into a smile despite the tears. While crying, he said to his friends, "Thank you. Thank you all. This is the best gift I've ever gotten." Looking to the girl responsible, he added, "Thank you Alice."

Hands behind her back and head looking away as she tried to hide her rosy cheeks, Alice returned, "You're welcome Eugeo."

The second memory to follow happened maybe a month before Deusolbert took her and Asuna. Alice was on the church steps, reciting the incantations for the Sacred Arts. But one could tell that wasn't where she was pouring her effort. Her voice sounded monotone, almost like it was simply rattling off words without any real thought to them. Her face downcast, one hand moving in the air to practice while the other gripped her skirt. She had been at this all day and hadn't moved even to grab a meal. Asuna had to go to the boys on her own to get them their food.

It was by the afternoon that she was found. She was still mindlessly reciting the Sacred Arts commands, unaware of the world around her. She hadn't even heard the bell for the evening. But when she heard a particular voice, her trance was broken.

"Alice, were you here this whole time?" Eugeo asked as he stood before her.

Looking up, the girl replied, "Oh Eugeo. What are you doing here?"

Looking a bit annoyed at her lack of observation, he answered, "It's past the fifth bell of the evening. I'm going home for the day. But I didn't see you when Asuna brought lunch for Kirito and me. Why didn't you show up?"

Now being aware of the time, her downcast look seemed to fall even more. "It's that late already?" she asked. Then muttered, "I really am just a nuisance."

Eugeo seemed worried when he heard that, and urgently asked, "What are you saying? Alice, what happened? Why would you think that?"

She looked to the side as she replied, "It's nothing to worry about."

"Of course it's something to worry about," he urged strongly. "You just said you were a nuisance. I know your father wouldn't say something like that, and we wouldn't either. So who told you that? Was it Zink? Or maybe Selka said it without meaning to? What about Suguha for before with Kirito? Or—"

"Stop it!" Alice shouted, emotion building up with each question Eugeo asked before it finally tipped over. Her words took him aback, making her even more depressed at seeing what she had done to him. Looking at the ground, she told him, "I'm sorry Eugeo. I didn't mean to get upset."

Taking a seat next to her, he requested, "Tell me what's wrong."

So she revealed, "Sister Azalia thinks I am wasting my talents. That even if I learn the Sacred Arts so readily, I am foregoing training to be with all of you. That teaching me is more trouble than it's worth. That I…" She trailed off just then.

And Eugeo picked up, "She said you were a nuisance." Alice nodded, then the boy boldly claimed, "But that can't be true. If you were really a nuisance, you would not be as good as you are in Sacred Arts and the church's laws. You are the best in the whole village when it comes to these things. I think it's unfair of Sister Azalia to think you are just a burden. You aren't to us. At least, I don't think you are."

As Eugeo looked away from either embarrassment or something else, Alice looked to him. His words comforted her right now. Despite what she had been told and what had occurred earlier, just Eugeo assuring him felt uplifting. She was grateful for it, especially since he wasn't so outspoken among the four of them. Not to mention being hard on people in the church like Sister Azalia.

Looking up to the Gigas Cedar, she whispered, "Thank you Eugeo. I am grateful you are my dearest friend."

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The memories ended there, returning Alice to the present. She parted from Eugeo, breathless from what she had done in kissing him. Fear filled her heart after the action she took, worried she might have pushed him further into Administrator's grasp rather than pulled him away. The art she had tried to use on her was powerful, and she doubted memories alone would rescue him. As she looked into his eyes, eyes filled with shock and surprise, her dread made her feel weighed down.

Eugeo raised his hand, and Alice realized he was calling his sword using Incarnate Arms one more time. She clenched her eyes shut as she braced for the cold metal to pierce her flesh. Her foolishness would ruin everything. All because she wanted to save her beloved from the grip of her enemy.

But instead of the cold embrace of death, a different sensation came upon her. Something soft and warm, a little wet maybe. Right on her lips. She opened her eyes a squint to find Eugeo was kissing her. His hand then went to the back of her head, caressing her as he hugged her close. Alice flung her arms around him once she realized what was going on, deepening the kiss as she desperately clung to what she hoped was happening. Eugeo reciprocated, tightening his hold so they were pressed against each other despite the armor. A soft moan escaped from her throat as she latched onto him.

Oh goddesses, she prayed. Let this not be a dream.

When the two parted at last, breathless from making out, she heard Eugeo say in a soft, tender voice, "Alice, thank you." Those words filled Alice's entire being. Assured the man she had fought was gone, she rested against his breastplate. Even if she was against metal, she was elated. At last, she had him back. Now she knew how Kirito and Asuna felt back in Alfheim. And she couldn't have asked for more.

As she heard her friends come over, she heard Kirito ask, "Eugeo, do you...?"

Looking up to them, he answered, "It's okay. I'm back now. I'm back for good." He stroked Alice's head as the two knelt beside them and embraced them. Once again, the four from Rulid were reunited.

Releasing the hug, Asuna inquired, "But how? The art turned you into an Integrity Knight. How did you break free?"

"Quinella mentioned it a few times," Eugeo explained. "She said my synthesis was being rejected. Even with the art she implanted in Alice making me subservient, there was something inside me that made it impossible to turn me into a proper Integrity Knight. She had to use some loopholes in my mind to convert me. I suppose you might call them gaps of memory or something like that."

"But wouldn't that have meant seeing Alice should have snapped you out of it?" Kirito posed.

Shaking his head, Eugeo told him, "Just simply seeing her wasn't enough. Talking to her wouldn't do it either. It was my ties to her that helped. My memories, the strongest memories between the two of us, that was what thwarted the Pontifex. But I needed them to be triggered. The only way to do that is if someone shared them with me."

The two realized what he meant by that, now understanding Alice's actions towards the end of the duel. It was her doing what Eugeo did before. Or at least, something similar.

Gathering herself, Alice rose to her feet alongside her friends. She and Eugeo collected their swords before they all stood near the platform that would take them to the top floor, where Administrator resided.

"It's time to end this nightmare once and for all," she declared softly.

"Before we finish this, I have something to say," Eugeo mentioned. His face appearing troubled, he said softly, "I'm sorry." Before the group could assure him he had nothing to apologize to him for, he uttered, "Release Recollection."

Suddenly, with the sword point in the ground, a cold wave shot out from the blade. The room quickly began to freeze over, ice developing near the staircase and on the platform leading up. Ice was even beginning to form around the three, immobilizing them before they had a chance to realize what was going on. Alice herself was already frozen up to her waist, her arms locked to her side by the rapidly forming ice.

Horrified by what was happening, Alice asked breathlessly, "Eugeo, why?"

He left the sword point down where he enacted the Memory Release art and went to her. He found the string holding Cardinal's dagger and took it from her.

"She's too powerful for us to confront head-on," he explained mournfully. "I've witnessed the power of her arts while I was being synthesized. She's not like Oberon. But when we were connected, I saw the memory of that little girl giving you these daggers. I know what I must do to save Underworld. But I can't risk losing any of you."

"Eugeo, no!" Kirito called out. "We can stop her together. If you go up there, she'll kill you before you get the chance to use that. Don't keep us out. Damn it Eugeo, let us help you!"

He smiled sadly at them, replying, "Thank you Kirito. But she won't let me get close if I'm not alone. At least this way, you'll live to see the next sunrise."

"Eugeo!" Asuna cried out. But she was quickly silenced as the ice froze her completely. Kirito followed shortly after, letting out a curse before it was stopped by ice.

The only one not frozen over completely yet was Alice, whose head was the only thing untouched. She was crying as she begged, "Please, I can't lose you again. Don't do this to me Eugeo. We promised. We made that oath. You swore you would take me back home. That we would live together. Even if we weren't accepted by our families, we would make a place for ourselves and live there. I can't lose you again. We'll find another way to stop her. But I won't let you sacrifice yourself. Don't do this."

Eugeo kept his sad smile, but he rested his hand on her cheek, using his thumb to wipe the tears from her eyes. "I won't die," he assured. "As long as you live on, I will always come back. I only hope you'll forgive me someday." As his hand drew away, Alice was about to call out to him when the ice froze over her head.

With his friends now ice statues, Eugeo retrieved his Blue Rose Sword and pocketed the dagger in his uniform. Stepping on the platform, he allowed himself to be lifted into the top room. But he could not help one last look at his friends, believing this might be the last time he got to see them.

Once he ascended to the top floor, Eugeo began to shed his armor. Like shaking off shackles, the weight on both his body and mind seemed to lift after discarding his Integrity Knight armor. But even after shedding the precious steel, another weight set itself upon him.

He had turned his blade on his friends, attempted to strike them down, attempted to rob the Life from the one he had pledged himself to. Such actions were inexcusable. It was a betrayal that ran deeper than any sword he could wield. He had succumbed to Administrator's will, to her wishes, her command. Ever since taking that art from Alice before she lost herself, he had submitted himself to serving her. The look of agony on Alice's face after he returned to his old self, and even during their battle, drove the knife that was his shame deeper into his heart.

He had to atone for it with his life.

As he went further into the room, he spotted the large, circular bed that had its drapes drawn around it, obscuring anyone inside it. He could make out the figure of Administrator, even hear her muttering a Sacred Art. Not an attack art, but perhaps a utilitarian one. She was unguarded, vulnerable. She probably wouldn't expect him to turn on her, believing he was still under her control. Holding the little girl's dagger, he resolved to end this.

At least he did until a squat figure came into view off to the side. He couldn't believe he nearly missed him. The Prime Senator, the one who helped convert Asuna and nearly took Alice before he and Kirito made it to Centoria. Seeing him made the boy want to skewer the creep. But he had to keep up the act. He had to submit, at least for a little while longer.

"Well well, what a surprise," Chudelkin commented. "I expected you would only allow me a few minutes of precious time. But you survived and returned Number Thirty-Two. Perhaps Her Eminence was wiser than I to allow you to deal with the traitors and heretic. Bravo."

Eugeo hated being called by a number. It was like they didn't consider him a person at all. But he took it all and responded, "I have sealed the traitors and heretic in ice. They are downstairs for you to deal with as you see fit."

His report seemed to have not been received well, as Chudelkin said with a growl, "You… froze them? But you didn't deal with them. Did you?"

He had to hold his tongue in responding to that question. There were multiple reasons why he didn't do what the Prime Senator wanted him to do. First was his sword's Perfect Weapon Control. He only used the first level, which just trapped whoever his opponents were in ice. He hoped, after leaving the room, the ice would melt enough to allow their faces out so they wouldn't lose a lot of Life. The other part was that he couldn't kill them after being returned. But that was one fact he didn't need Chudelkin to know.

"My Lady has only instructed me to stop the assailants," Eugeo answered in the end. "And that is what I have done."

"You useless cretin!" Chudelkin scorned. "You are to fulfill Her Eminence's wishes to the letter. It is only by her grace that you have been allowed this prestige. And you shall address me as Lord Prime Senator. Lord! Neglect that again, and I'll—"

"Enough Chudelkin," The Pontifex spoke from within her draped bed. "He has done what I have instructed. I do not tolerate your treatment of the boy. Tread carefully with your words, or I might ride you as a steed of my own instead of you on him. Now go and attend to them. Prepare them for the ritual."

"But, Your Eminence—" Chudelkin tried to say.

But Quinella reiterated, "Get them prepared for the ritual, Prime Senator. I do not like to repeat myself."

Blubbering over his words, he returned, "Y-Yes, Your Grace. Of course. I will get right on it." And striding a little too giddily for someone who had been chastised, he went down the platform to where his friends were. He just hoped they would be able to resist.

Once he was gone, Quinella called, "Eugeo, come here please." He obliged, mostly to keep up the act. He gripped the dagger at his side as he approached, waiting for his moment to strike. But he couldn't tip her off what he was going to do. Thus, he needed to regress to how he used to be in Rulid: subdued and expressionless.

Kneeling at the bedside, he spoke, "I have completed the task you gave me, my lady."

After he said that, Quinella appeared from within the drapes. Smiling sweetly at him, she said gingerly, "Wonderful Eugeo. You have performed splendidly. Now please rise." He did as she instructed, looking at someone that had enraptured himself and Kirito, more than likely. He had to hold onto the memories of Alice to avoid losing his mind around her.

Looking him over, she suddenly had a very contemplative look on her face. Eugeo began to worry he had been found out already. Was his face not like how it was when he was an Integrity Knight? He was close enough to use the dagger, but he wasn't sure if he would catch her off-guard using it.

As he worried over what he would do, she finally addressed, "You are deeply troubled Eugeo. I should have considered the effect those children would have on you."

"Trouble, my lady?" he asked, keeping his submissive attitude on the forefront.

Stroking his face, Quinella cooed, "Sweet Eugeo, you are distressed. But you need not worry. I know just what will help relieve you." Taking him lightly by the chin, she guided him with her towards the bed. They went a bit of a ways in before she caressed him, letting him lay on top of her. Eugeo could feel his mind struggling to remain his own against her honeyed words. This moment, this action, it was causing him to succumb to her again. He clung desperately to the memory of Alice, grasping it like a lifeline.

Quinella seemed oblivious to this internal struggle, but she positioned herself so he rested on top of her. She whispered sweet nothings in his ear and gently kissed his cheek and his chin. Electricity coursed down his body at the sensation he was experiencing. He was beginning to forget his mission. What his friends would want him to do. Slowly, he started to feel his mind return to the slurry that it was when he was under Quinella's spell before.

"Relax Eugeo," she whispered so close to his ear, "let everything go. There is nothing for you to worry about. We'll be together like this forever. This will be what we do for all our days. I will give myself fully to you, and you can give yourself fully to me." Stroking his jawline softly, she added, "I will make sure nothing troubles you again. You will have my love for all time while you are here." She began to move so she could kiss him on the lips. And the boy did nothing to resist.

Until a certain memory appeared in his head.

"Alice… Will you marry me?"

That day in Aincrad, when he pledged his life to his childhood friend, snapped Eugeo out of his stupor. Before the Pontifex had any time to react, he swiftly drew the dagger from his uniform and plunged it into her side with a roar.

Sadly, the blade never made contact with her skin. A barrier appeared where he tried to stab her, even as Quinella looked shocked at his sudden outburst. Eugeo tried his hardest to shove the dagger through the barrier into the woman that lay before him, putting both hands behind it to shove it through. Yet despite all his struggling, the barrier did not falter.

Eventually, Eugeo was blasted back, off the bed and onto the floor. He groaned as he recovered from the blowback. He looked up after shaking his head to see Quinella come out of the drapes and stand a bit away from him. Her expression was of disappointment, but there seemed to be more behind it.

"That was quite something," she spoke, an edge present in her voice. "I had been curious about what the little spawn of Kayaba had crafted to bring about my downfall. But the silly brat should have known I would be prepared for such low-born tactics. Oberon and I were both cautious individuals, so we both used special arts that prevented anything of a metallic element from harming us. A sword, a pin, not even a metal shaving can touch us." She then seemed contemplative, muttering, "And yet, he is dead. What did those children use to slay the man?"

Eugeo was curious about that too. Learning Quinella was protected by an art that blocked metallic objects was disheartening, as it meant Alice's dagger was useless. But the fact that Oberon himself had such protection as well made it confusing. Until he realized who might have killed him. And the weapon used was not metal, because it was crafted from a powerful tree. One that took 300 years for his home to cut down.

"It matters little now," Quinella spoke again. "It is of no consequence. But dear Eugeo, I do not fathom why you would behave as you did. I had promised to give you everything you could desire. You would want for nothing in my care. The love I give to you would have filled your life fully. All you had to do was be loyal to me. But I am merciful, and will forgive you of your earlier transgression. Just use your sword to destroy that little matchstick. That's all it takes. And I will shower you in love once more."

It was only now, breaking out of her spell, that Eugeo saw the truth behind her words. "How can you give me love when you don't possess any of it yourself?" he questioned in a low voice. Getting to his feet, he declared, "You know nothing about what love really is. It's not something you trade like money or goods. It's not something you can barter with. Love, real love, is unconditional. It makes you happy, it hurts, it makes you accept the good times and the bad. Love is there for you regardless of the things you've done.

"I know this because I have someone I love," Eugeo declared. "And you will never understand that."

Tossing her hair with her hand, Quinella let out a sigh and replied, "A pity. And I was beginning to feel like you were perfect for me. A far cry from Chudelkin, but far more pleasurable. I would have loved to make you mine if only you didn't have those pesky memories in the way."

Eugeo could care less about what she wanted. He set his hand on the Blue Rose Sword, drawing it and holding it before him. He may not be able to harm Quinella, but that didn't mean he couldn't try.

He allowed the sword to glow light blue for the Sonic Leap before making his charge at her. She seemed unperturbed by his attempt, not even trying to dodge. His blade met with the barrier she had told him about. Even so, he exerted all energy he could into busting through. He let out a wordless cry as he drove his sword into the barrier. And, even to Quinella's surprise, it was sinking through the barrier. It might have resisted before, but it wasn't stopping his sword entirely.

Realizing his strike was going to get through, Quinella darted to the side. This caused Eugeo's sword to carry through and make a gash in the ground by the bed. As he looked up, it appeared to be dispelled like a construct. He barely had time to register before he heard her cast elements at him. They were green, telling him they were Aerial Elements. He brought his sword up to guard and was pushed back into one of the pillars. They hadn't been formed into blades, which was fortunate for him. What wasn't so fortunate was that the follow up attack would do some damage to his Life. He had to rise and fight back, dig his dagger into her body and finish things.

But before either of them could resume the bout, they heard a scream come from where the platform leading to the lower floor was. And scrambling up, appearing as if someone was tugging on him from below, was Prime Senator Chudelkin. Eugeo figured he didn't wait for the platform to fully reach the bottom before scrambling up. He eventually tumbled over, racing away with only one shoe. Not only that, but his blue and red clothing looked torn up a bit.

"Your Holiness, save me!" he squealed, bowing at Quinella's feet.

Looking exasperated by the intrusion, she inquired, "Why must I endure your constant childish antics?"

"Eminence, forgive me," Chudelkin begged. "I went to fulfill your wishes with the heretics, only to find them being freed by Number Thirty. I fought them all with great sacrifice, but they were terrible and foul." It was then he noticed Eugeo off to the side. "N-N-Number Thirty-Two, avert your gaze!" he barked. "How dare you gaze upon Her Holiness's glorious visage. And put away your sword. Infidel!" Before he could go any further, Quinella shoved his face into the ground with her foot.

It was at that moment they heard the platform coming up from the hole leading down. A hand came up and grabbed the ledge to pull themselves up onto the top floor, holding the Prime Senator's missing shoe. The one in possession slowly appeared as they clambered up before the platform, with two other individuals following right after.

Kirito had one of his usual smirks plastered on his face, holding Chudelkin's shoe like it was a trophy for something.

Asuna looked pleased herself, especially watching the plump man scramble away in fear like he did.

And Alice, she looked determined as always. But when her eyes met his, all Eugeo felt was shame. Out of the three, he had betrayed her the most. He couldn't bear to look at his companions, but he couldn't look at her most of all after what he did.

Despite their appearance, Eugeo noted Quinella didn't look bothered in the slightest. On the contrary, she was smiling like some evil scheme had finally come to fruition. It didn't sit well with him that she was expressing such a jovial attitude at possibly being ganged up on by the four of them.

But his attention soon shifted when he spotted Alice fast approaching him. He clenched his eyes as she came over to him, afraid of what she might do. If history was anything to go by, she could chew out anyone if they got on her bad side. Though mostly Kirito would be the one she did this with. He braced himself for the verbal lashing that was to come, maybe a slap or a punch for good measure.

What he didn't expect was the sudden feeling of someone hugging him rather tightly. It caused him to look down and see Alice collapsed against him, burying her face into his chest. Eugeo wrapped his arms around her, doing what he could to comfort her in this moment.

While holding Alice close, he looked up to Quinella and declared, "This is real love Administrator. It is given freely, always accepting despite our faults. It does not need one or the other to be a certain way. We accept each other as we are. But more than that, we do what we can for the other without a thought for ourselves. Alice has fought through two worlds to find me, even if I was her enemy. She sacrificed more than she could ever have imagined. That's the love I fight for. And why I will stand against you even now."

Kirito and Asuna joined them following this declaration. Here they stood, four friends sworn together, against the tyrannical ruler who had ruined their world and their way of life.

The battle to liberate Underworld was soon underway.