AN: Why does everyone call Guilty Thorn, the sword Caynz got stabbed with, a spear? I checked the light novel version, and they describe it as a 'short black spear' but don't actually show it anywhere. In the anime it's clearly a sword. When I was watching the episodes of this arc, that always drove me nuts. What's it supposed to be, a spear or a sword? Make up your freaking minds please. It's not like the people animating it haven't changed things before, but if you're going to change it, why did you continue to have the characters call it a spear! It's minor and stupid to get worked up over, I know, but it bothers me, ok?

Review Responses:

KyoudaiDoushi: It wouldn't just get old fast, if someone acted like that it'd be complete bullshit from the get go. I mean, just imagine you just helped someone out without them asking, genuinely helped them, not just did something you thought was helpful but actually fucked them over or something, and then they just, I don't know, slapped you or something. I don't know about you, but it'd be like, "What the fuck?! What is wrong with you?! You can go fuck yourself if that's how you're gonna act! Especially when I'm helping you!" (but maybe that's just my own incredibly low tolerance for bullshit) Like you said, in anime, it's a comical thing, but if it happened in real life, it wouldn't be funny at all. Though if you think about it, a lot of things in anime, or even just shows in general don't make sense. Take Asuna explaining Sleep-PKs for instance, in the show she explains how it works to Kirito when she's thanking him, but it's really only for the viewers benefit. If something has been common knowledge for six months, you're not going to explain it in depth like Asuna does unless someone asks you about it. If that conversation happened in real life Asuna probably would've said something more along the lines of, 'even if I was inside the town's safe zone, with the discovery of Sleep-PKing I still wasn't safe, so thank you'. But like how the show explains it for the viewers benefit, I kept her dialog the same to refresh people's memories as to what Sleep-PKing was just in case anyone forgot. For the sake of realism, I almost had Hanna think, 'Why are you explaining something we all know about', but it would've broken up the flow no matter where I placed it.

orion0905: Oh, heeeeellll no. Hanna ain't sharin' with nobody. She'd slap a hoe. And Kirito wouldn't fucking share well either, too put it lightly. That said, Kirito's not insecure about their relationship, so he's not prone to jealousy. Not that Marzanna is. With Sachi they weren't together yet, but with all the girls after its more increasing frustration of 'Not another one! Get the fuck off my man you twat!'. That said, Marzanna's perfectly fine with Kirito being friends with such girls, like Sachi, Asuna, and Lizbeth, she'll even befriend them herself. As long as they understand that Kirito is her man, she's cool. Anyway, Asuna will end up their friend, but she isn't a love interest for either of them in my fic. Though I'll admit I've read some three way love fics, even some harem ones, and genuinely enjoyed them, this isn't one of those. Hanna|Marzanna and Kirito|Kazuto are entirely monogamous.

13stars: It's even a genuine omake this time instead of me just fixing my blunder! Anyway, glad you enjoyed it. Here's another chapter for you to savor. Later dude.

Shade Sparda: This quick enough for ya? Obviously, I am the most consistent author in the world. It only took me more than five and a half months to write the last chapter, and then five days to write this chapter from start to finish.

May 19th, 2024- 561 days since SAO launch:

Heading out of the building, Hanna and Kirito find Asuna waiting for them. After sharing a quick glance Kirito steps forward and calls out to the murmuring crowd, "May I have your attention for a moment?" He waits a couple seconds for the talk to die down before continuing, "Did anyone see the whole thing? If you did, please speak up."

The crowd began to mutter amongst themselves. After a moment, a timid looking young woman begins moving towards them, immediately silencing the crowd. Asuna gives her a sympathetic look, and speaks gently, "I'm sorry. I know you've just had a frightening experience, but I'm from the KOB and I'd like to get to the bottom of this to ensure players are still safe inside towns." The woman nods slowly and Asuna continues, "What's your name?"

Understandably the woman sounds terrified when she answers, "My name is Yoruko…"

Kirito is quick to ask the next question, "Were you the one who screamed?"

Yoruko nods slowly again, "Y-Yes. I just came here to eat dinner with the man who was killed." Yoruko lowers her head as tears well up, "His name is Caynz. We used to be in the same guild. But we got separated in the plaza. I looked around, and I saw him hanging from the church balcony…"

That's as far as she's able to get before she begins crying, holding her hands over her mouth to muffle her sobs. Hanna frowns, thinking over everything as Asuna quickly moves forward to comfort Yoruko, but continues gently questioning her, "Did you see anyone else?"

Yoruko doesn't uncover her mouth, which makes it a bit difficult to understand what she's saying, but she answers nonetheless, "It was just for a second, but I thought I saw someone behind Caynz."

Asuna and Kirito share a glance, and Asuna gently pulls Yoruko's hands away from her mouth as she asks the obvious follow-up question to that statement, "Did that person look familiar?"

Yoruko only thinks about it for two or three seconds before shaking her head, "No…"

Kirito sounds hesitant as he asks his next question, "I hate to ask this… But do you know why anyone would've wanted to kill Caynz?"

At that question, Yoruko's eyes widen briefly before she firmly squeezes them closed and silently shakes her head.

They stop at the door to Yoruko's inn and she opens it, but hesitates before turning to them, "Thank you for walking me here."

Asuna shakes her head, "Don't worry about it. We can talk more tomorrow."

Yoruko seems hesitant but agrees before heading inside. Once the door is closed, Kirito turns to Asuna, "So, now what?"

Asuna turns and begins walking as she speaks, "Let's review what we know. If we learn where that sword came from, it might lead us to the perpetrator."

Kirito nods, "Then we'll need someone with an appraisal skill. You don't… have one, obviously."

Asuna glances at him with a raised eyebrow, "Of course not. Nor do you." She pauses and stares at Kirito's back with a frown, "Also, must you address me so curtly?"

Kirito turns to her, stuttering a bit, "U-Um… Well, maybe… 'Miss', then?" Asuna scowls, and Kirito continues to try and appease her, "Or, 'Vice Commander-sama'?" Asuna just continues to silently stare and Kirito becomes even more unsure, "'Lightning Flash-sama'?"

Asuna sighs, then looks away, "Just call me Asuna."

Hanna stares at Asuna incredulously, wondering why she'd bothered to bring it up if she was just going to tell Kirito to call her what he'd been calling her for as long as they've known each other.

Kirito just nods, "R-Roger. Anyway, do you have any friends with an appraisal skill?'

Asuna hums in thought, "A weapons merchant friend has it…. But this is their busiest time, so it may take a while."

Kirito nods, "I see. Then let's ask an item merchant I know."

Hanna lets out a hum of her own, "That might give us lead, especially if it's player made, but we should ask Yoruko about who Caynz was friends with tomorrow, given that it was likely one of them who killed him."

Kirito and Asuna turn to her with surprised expressions, and Asuna frowns, "Why do you say that? There's no evidence that points to that conclusion."

Hanna frowns, "Everything we know points to that, if you just think about it." Asuna seems to become confused, so she begins explaining, "So, there are basically two scenarios here. A: It was just a duel that killed Caynz, and the killer had their own reason for hanging him. Or B: Someone has figured out some sort of glitch involving hanging and stabbing someone that allows them to kill in towns. For either option there's the second question of whether Caynz was an intended target or simply a victim of opportunity. That about right?"

They both nod so she continues, "We can pretty much eliminate the possibility that Caynz was simply an opportune victim for a random PKer, if we think it through. In the first scenario, Caynz dies via duel. First of all, what was Caynz doing in the room? He'd just gotten separated from Yoruko. The only reason would be if he was trying to use the balcony to spot Yoruko, but why not just message her?"

"Let's ignore that for now and move onto the room and the noose. I don't know if either of you noticed, but that noose definitely wasn't tied off in a hurry like you'd expect if the killer had put it around Caynz' neck, pushed him off the balcony, and then quickly secured the other end. It was far too neatly and carefully tied off, which means it had to have been tied off in advance. Even if it was, there's no reason to go around carrying a noose in your inventory, even if you're a PKer, because you can't choke someone to death in SAO. So why go through the trouble of making the noose and tying it off in advance?"

"Also, other than the balcony, that room has zero functionality in the church. It's not even one of the rooms players can rent, otherwise we'd have seen a bed or something in there, and the only thing in there was the large table the noose was tied to. Why would a PKer be hanging around there with a noose? I mean, I might be able to understand if they were just trying to hide and Caynz just found them, but if that's the case, why make the noose in the first place?"

"Why use the noose when it would just draw unwanted attention. It's not like the PKer could've used it as a diversion to escape, given that the church only had the one door and the balcony as possible exits. But considering how close together the door and balcony are, the risk of being seen leaving either is ridiculously high."

"Lastly, why would Caynz accept the duel, and how come we didn't see the victory notification? Generally, if someone found a PKer hiding in town, they wouldn't accept a duel from said PKer, and even if they did, when your dueling someone you can't go too far from them or it counts as forfeiting, and the victory notification is large enough that we definitely would've seen it. A front liner might try to apprehend a PKer, so maybe it was a similar reason for why Caynz accepted, but given everything else, this possible version of events isn't likely."

Kirito and Asuna are both frowning now, but Hanna continues, "Ok so that's probably not what happened. Next option, Caynz was an opportune victim, and the cause of death is some sort of glitch involving stabbing and hanging someone. Again we have the problem of why Caynz was there to begin with, but we already went over that. In this scenario, it kinda makes sense for the PKer to be lingering around with a pre-made noose, but why there?"

"Marten is currently one of, if not the most popular locations for tourism and dining. And that plaza may not be the center of town or anything, but it's very close to some of the best restaurants currently available in Aincrad. Furthermore, this is the 57th floor, and the front liners are on the 59th floor, that's far too close for most PKers comfort, especially combined with Marten's popularity. There are far better places to use this possibly new town PKing method, but the PKer chooses here? They're almost asking to be caught. So, this probably isn't what happened either."

Hanna gives them a few moments to process all of that. After thinking it over Kirito nods slowly, "Meaning we can rule out that Caynz was just a random kill, like you said. Which means Caynz was intended to be the person's target. And he most likely knew the killer and was friendly with them. After all, they knew where he'd be, and most people don't go around telling people they don't get along with what they plan on doing. It also gives us a possible reason as so why Caynz was up there. It's possible he spotted his killer, which he knew, and decided to go speak with them, simultaneously getting a vantage point to find Yoruko with."

Hanna nods, "Exactly. There are problems with this too though. Again if it was a duel, why bother with the noose? Even if it was to send a message, it also raises the risk of being caught. And again, why accept the duel? The most likely scenario is that his killer verbally requested the duel, but Caynz was the one to actually send the request, allowing his killer to pick the mode, in this case to the death. But Caynz already had plans, why would he accept even a seemingly friendly duel? Why now while he's in Marten though? Yes, they knew where he'd be while here, but it would be a lot easier to get away with if they waited til he was somewhere where they're far less likely to be caught."

Hanna narrows her eyes, "So that leaves us with the last scenario, and it's the most likely. Caynz knew his killer, and was friendly with them, hence how they'd know where he'd be, and how they got him into that specific room with the pre-setup noose. They take him by surprise with the unknown town PK method, stabbing him and pushing him off the balcony. Then probably use the balcony themselves to leave before anyone notices Caynz. Again, why they'd risk doing this in Marten instead of waiting til he was somewhere they had a better chance of getting away, I don't know, but it's the most likely scenario."

Asuna frowns, "If this is what happened though, isn't Yoruko our biggest suspect?"

Kirito quickly denies that possibility, "No. If she was, why would she scream? Maybe she wanted someone to notice, but if that's the case, why linger and why voluntarily become a witness? Plus, even if we can't rely on what she said as being true, given that that particular room in the church is basically useless, it still holds true that Caynz was likely friends with his killer. If this is the case, then we can assume she was at least telling the truth about being friends with him. If she was going to kill him, it would've been safer for her to ask him to met her somewhere else instead of Marten. No, it's unlikely she's our killer."

Asuna tilts her head then nods slowly, "Alright. Well, at least this gives us more to work on. We'll ask Yoruko about Caynz' friends tomorrow. For now, let's go get the sword appraised."

As they approached Agil's shop, the door opens and another player leaves looking disappointed. Knowing Agil, it was likely at how little the man had paid for something the player had been selling. Kirito comments on it as they enter, though Asuna hesitates outside, "Seems you're just as greedy as ever."

Agil turns to them, "Buy cheap and sell cheap. You should know that's my motto by now."

Kirito doesn't miss a beat, "I don't know about that second part."

She rolls her eyes as they fist bump. They do this almost every time. Agil grins at him lightly, "Don't go slandering my good name." Then he turns to her, "Honestly Hanna, I'd expected you to teach him some manners by now."

Asuna finally follows them in. Her presence clearly surprises Agil and he quickly grabs Kirito, dragging him close and turning away for what was probably meant to be a private conversation, but really isn't since Agil seems too shocked to speak quiet enough, "W-What happened, Kirito? What are you and Hanna doing hanging around Asuna? I thought you two don't get along with her?"

Agil continues to question Kirito, and Asuna looks utterly unsure of how to take it. Hanna just sighs and saves her mate from Agil's uncomfortable looking choke hold, "We're here to get a weapon appraised. It was used in a rather… strange murder inside a safe zone less than two hours ago."

Agil quickly composes himself and becomes serious, "Come to the back, we can get more comfortable there while you explain."

A bit later finds them sitting around a small table, which has nothing on it except the sword that Caynz had been stabbed with. Agil frowns at Kirito, "So, to sum it up, someone died inside a safe zone, and it likely wasn't a duel?"

Kirito shakes his head, "No one saw a Winner message."

Asuna quickly adds to that, "If he was walking with Yoruko right before, then it couldn't have been a sleep-PK either."

Kirito nods, "And as we explained, it's highly unlikely it was a duel, whether Caynz knew his killer or not. Hence, why we brought the sword. Though our suspect list is Caynz' friends, we can't get that until tomorrow. This is our only other lead at the moment."

Agil picks it up with a frown, then clicks on the item and selects the appraisal option on the small menu that pops up. It takes a moment, then Agil slowly tells them, "It's a player-made weapon."

That shocks all of them, but Kirito was the one to verbalize it, "Seriously?"

Asuna quickly asks the important question, "Who made it?"

Agil narrows his eyes at the appraisal menu, "Grimlock. Never heard of them… Not any top-ranked blacksmith, I can tell you that. And there's nothing particularly unusual about the weapon."

Asuna frowns, "Even so, it's a clue."

Kirito nods in agreement, then turns his attention back to Agil, "What's the sword's name?"

Agil looks back at the screen, "Let's see… It says it's called «Guilty Thorn». And technically, it's listed as a short spear, though I could understand thinking otherwise. Other than the handle being slightly larger than that of most two handed swords, it doesn't look much like a spear."

Agil offers the weapon back, and Kirito takes it, "Guilty Thorn…" He studies it for a moment, then lowly murmurs, "Okay…"

Just as he starts to adjust his grip, Hanna snatches it out of his hand, "Oh no you don't. You are not stabbing yourself with that to see if it'll hurt you."

Kirito frowns at her, "It's not like I was going to stab myself in the chest or anything. I was just going to stab my hand."

Hanna shakes her head, "And just what were you hoping to accomplish? It wasn't the weapon that allowed a non-duel safe zone murder. It was likely a glitch or an exploit of some sort."

Kirito sighs, "What if it's the weapon itself that's glitched?"

Hanna rolls her eyes, "Then the killer wouldn't have bothered with the noose. Especially since doing so would force them to leave the weapon behind. If you're the type of person that is willing to plan and go through with a murder, you're going to find a glitched weapon that allows you to kill in town valuable, and you aren't going to let go of it easily."

She rolls her eyes at him, then hands the weapon back to Agil, "Could you hold onto this?"

He looks a bit started by the turn of events, "Eh? Uh, yeah, sure."

May 20th, 2024- 562 days since SAO launch:

They'd met up with Yoruko in the same restaurant Asuna had nearly bought them dinner at the previous day. However, whereas it had been almost full the day before, it was completely empty today. It wasn't actually open yet, but as a NPC establishment, you could still enter. All you could get though was tea and water.

Yoruko had been silently staring at the table for almost ten minutes before Asuna finally breaks the silence, "Yoruko, have you ever heard of a player named Grimlock?"

The question startles Yoruko and she stares at Asuna with wide eyes for a moment before lowering her gaze back to the table, "Yes. He was a member of the guild that Caynz and I were once in."

Kirito shares a glance with Asuna, "When we had the spear stuck in Caynz' chest appraised, we found out that it was made by Grimlock." Yoruko's eyes widen again, and she quickly covers her mouth to stifle her gasp. After a beat of silence, Kirito continues, "Can you think of any reason why that would be?"

Yoruko slowly lowers her hands, then nods, "Yes, I can. I'm sorry I wasn't able to tell you yesterday. I wanted to forget. It's something I don't really want to remember. However, I'll tell you. What destroyed our guild… Our guild's name was Golden Apple. Six months ago, a rare monster we defeated dropped a powerful ring that raised agility by 20. We were divided on whether to use it for the guild, or sell it and split the earnings. In the end, we put it to a vote. The vote went 5-3 in favor of selling it. Our leader, Griselda, was going to stay overnight at a large town on the front lines to give it to a broker. However, she never came back. Later, we learned that she'd died. I still don't know why."

Kirito narrows his eyes in thought, "No one would leave a safe zone with that kind of rare item. So, a sleep-PK?"

Asuna turns her attention to him, "Six months ago would have been just before the method really spread."

Kirito brings his loosely closed hand up, lightly resting the side of his forefinger against his chin, "But it's hard to believe it's a coincidence. Whoever attacked her must have known about the ring. In other words…"

Yoruko looks away, "One of the other seven members of Golden Apple…"

Kirito lowers his hand, "The most suspicious ones would be those who opposed selling it."

Asuna turns to him, "You mean they attacked Griselda to get the ring before it was sold?"

Kirito nods, "Probably. Who's Grimlock?"

Yoruko turns back to him, "He was Griselda's husband. Just within the game, naturally. Griselda was a powerful swordsman. Pretty. And smart. Grimlock was a kind man who was always smiling. They made a great couple, and they got along well. If he was the one responsible for yesterday's murder, he must be after the three who opposed selling the ring." Hanna frowns as she glances away. There's something wrong, it was niggling in the back of her head, but before she can think too much about it Yoruko continues, "Two of the three were myself and Caynz."

That shocks them. If that was true, Yoruko and the other player were in danger. Kirito quickly asks her, "Then who's the other?"

Yoruko frowns, "A tank named Schmidt. I've heard he's on the front lines now, with the Divine Dragon Alliance."

Kirito frowns, "Schmidt? I've heard that name…"

Asuna composes herself, "He leads the Divine Dragon Alliance's defense forces. He's a big lance-user."

Kirito suddenly gains a look of recognition, but before he can say anything, Yoruko cuts in, "You know Schmidt?"

Kirito returns his gaze from Asuna to Yoruko, "I've only seen him a few times for boss raids."

Yoruko barely lets him finish, "Could you let me talk to him? He probably hasn't heard about what happened." Her gaze moves back to the table, "And what happened to Caynz could happen to him…"

Asuna nods, "We'll find Schmidt. I know someone in the Divine Dragon Alliance. If we go to their HQ, perhaps we can talk to him."

Kirito turns to Asuna, "Then first, we should get Yoruko to an inn." He turns back to Yoruko, "Yoruko, don't leave the inn until we return."

Yoruko nods, "All right."

Hanna glances away, "We also need to find Grimlock. All the evidence points to him. It fits with what we were talking about yesterday as well."

That seems to startle Yoruko, "Eh? What are you talking about?"

Hanna tilts her head, "We were talking about who could've done it based on what happened and what you told us. We came to the conclusion it had to have been someone Caynz knew and trusted. We were going to ask you for a list of Caynz friends, but with the weapon and Grimlock's history with Caynz, it seems to me that he's our killer."

Yoruko nods slowly, "I... see."

Asuna sighs, "Well, let's get in touch with Schmidt first. We have an idea of where he should be after all. We can find Grimlock after."

After leaving Yoruko at the inn, they set off to find Schmidt. Asuna opens her window and begins messaging someone absently telling them, "Like I said, Schmidt's the leader of the DDA's defence forces, so he might be busy. We may be waiting for a while before he has a chance to talk to us."

Kirito sighs, "I know. I'm really hoping it's not the case though. You dragged us out so early we didn't get a chance to eat breakfast. Hey Hanna, what do you say we go get something really quick while Asuna talks to that friend of hers?"

Hanna hums vaguely in agreement as Asuna jerks in outraged shock, then a moment later she begins angrily berating Kirito, but he quickly waves Asuna off then touches her shoulder, pulling her from her thoughts, "Is something wrong?"

Hanna is briefly confused, then realizes she hadn't really been paying attention, "I- Yeah. Everything's fine. It's just… Something Yoruko said is bothering me, but I don't actually know what it is. There's just a…. an annoying niggling that I'm missing something…."

Kirito frowns, "And you don't have any idea what it is?"

Hanna tilts her head, "Well, the feeling started when she was describing Griselda and Grimlock, but before she told us she and Caynz had been opposed to selling the ring…. So, it was probably something she said then….. I just don't know what it is, but it feels important."

Kirito is silent for a minute, thinking it over, then shakes his head, "Sorry, I can't think of anything either."

Hanna sighs, "It's fine…" Then she shakes her head before smiling at him, "Anyway! I'm starving! Let's go get breakfast!" Patting Asuna on the shoulder as she passes her, she adds, "We'll leave getting in touch with Schmidt in your capable hands Asuna!"

Asuna vaguely nods in agreement, clearly thinking about what she'd said, then jerks in realization, "Wait, what? No! You guys aren't leaving me to wait to talk to Schmidt for hours on my own!"

Hanna rolls her eyes, "Relax Princess, we won't be gone that long. Although, given how early you dragged us out of bed, I doubt you've eaten either, you could just join us and then message your friend."

Asuna huffs, "These aren't real bodies, it's fine if we go a while without eating. We can just eat later."

Hanna shrugs, "Suit yourself, Princess. We may not need to eat often, but you still feel hungry, and eating makes it go away. So we are getting something."

Asuna growls, then quickly catches up with them, "Don't misunderstand, I'm only going with to make sure you don't take too long."

Hanna grins, "If you say so Princess."

Asuna scowls, "And stop calling me that!"

Hanna shakes her head, "You're the one who made a fit about how Kirito referred to you last night, then immediately got huffy and told him to call you what he'd been calling you this whole time, Princess."

Asuna scowls and Kirito chuckles, "I suggest you just give up and get used to it. With Hanna, once she starts calling you by a nickname, you can't get rid of it. If it bothers you that much, just take comfort in the fact you'll likely be like most of the people we know and just get one. I keep getting new ones added to the list. Not that I really mind, but if it helps you take that into consideration…"

Hanna turns to him with a smile, "That's because unlike everyone else, yours are more pet names than nicknames, love."

Kirito flushes a bit, "Really? I actually hadn't realized… I mean, don't get me wrong, I noticed that they were usually said fondly, but…"

Hanna shakes her head at him, "Sometimes you miss the most obvious things, love."

Schmidt rapidly bounces his foot anxiously for a few minutes, then turns his gaze to Yoruko, "Is it true that Caynz was killed with Grimlock's weapon?"

Yoruko nods slowly, "It is."

Schmidt's eyes go wide in shock and he'd shoots to his feet, "Why would Caynz be killed after all this time?! He… Did he steal the ring? Was he the one who killed Griselda?" He sits down heavily and smashes his fist against his leg, "Does Grimlock plan to kill the three of us who opposed selling the ring? Is he after you and me too?!"

Yoruko slowly lifts her head, "It could be another member, and Grimlock just made them the spear. Or perhaps it's Griselda's revenge… Only a ghost could kill someone inside a safe zone." This sudden proclamation shocks all of them, especially Schmidt. Yoruko ignores them though, slowly standing up, staring vaguely in Schmidt's direction with wide unseeing eyes, "I stayed awake all night, thinking…." Abruptly she bends over as though pained, shouting hysterically, "In the end, all of us were the ones who killed her!" She grabs her head, pressing her palms to her eyes, "When that ring dropped, we shouldn't have ever voted…" She yanks her hands from her face and stares at Schmidt, "We should've just done what she wanted!" Backing up to the window slowly, she sits on the ledge, "Grimlock was the only one who said we should simply let Griselda decide. So he has the right to take revenge for Griselda on the rest of us."

Schmidt is shaking terribly, "You're kidding me. You've gotta be kidding me… After all this time, six whole months… Why now?" He suddenly shoots to his feet, and Yoruko stands as well, "You're okay with this, Yoruko? You're okay with being killed like this?"

Kirito quickly grabs his arm, but before he can say anything, Yoruko gasps and her eyes go wide. Then she turns to brace herself against the windowsill, revealing the throwing knife stuck in her back in the process.

A moment later she begins to tip over the edge of the window, and Hanna rushes forward, Kirito slightly behind her. Even pushing her agility, she barely catches Yoruko, who mutters, "Griselda… I.. I'm…"

The last part was too low for Hanna to make out, but from how it sounds its likely an apology, and a second later Yoruko disappeared, polygons drifting through the air, the knife clattering to the ground. They both stare in shock for a moment, before Kirito lifts his head and begins searching the roofs. A moment later he calls out, "Asuna, keep an eye on him."

Then jumps out the window to the roof across the street. Ignoring Asuna's shout to stop, Hanna follows after him without hesitation. Kirito runs after the person on a nearby roof, but Hanna quickly takes advantage of her higher agility stat to jump over to the same roof as the perpetrator.

The person turns to look at Kirito, then reaches into their cloak, and Kirito grabs his sword, but instead of a weapon the person pulls out a Teleport Crystal. Kirito curses and quickly pulls three throwing picks and immediately launches them at the player. However they're blocked by the system because they're in a safe zone. Hanna pushes her agility to it's limit, quickly gaining on the player, just as she catches up though, the church bells start ringing the hour and the player teleports away.

As Kirito opens the door to the room they rented for Yoruko, they hear someone draw their weapon. Upon pushing the door open, they find it was Asuna, who has closed the window and curtains and turned on the lights.

Seeing it was just them, she begins berating Kirito again, "Idiot! What were you thinking?" A moment later, she sighs and sheathes her sword, "Well? What happened?"

Fully entering, they close the door, then Kirito shakes his head, "It was no use. They teleported away." Kirito turns his gaze to the floor, clutching his shaking fist, "The system protects the inns. I was certain she'd be safe here." He smashes his fist against the wall angrily, "Damn it!"

Suddenly Schmidt, who was stooped over holding his head and trembling, speaks up, "That robe was Griselda's. It was Griselda's ghost… She's come for revenge on us all!" He chuckles hysterically, "Why couldn't a ghost PK in town?"

He descends into hysterical and slightly unhinged laughter. Hanna doesn't buy the ghost story for a second. Not because she doesn't believe in ghosts, but because she's a witch and knows how they work. There were multiple holes in the idea that it was Griselda's ghost, but the biggest was the fact that unless they manage to drive someone to suicide, ghosts can't kill people.

She's pulled from her thoughts by Kirito's low murmuring, "That was no ghost. The two safe area murders have to work using some logic that involves the system. They just have to."

Hanna feels a bit of worry at that. She knows Kirito is a skeptic of anything remotely considered supernatural to mundanes, but steely denial goes a bit farther than simple skepticism. Being her mate, she'd have to find some way to break everything about magic, demons, and angels to him when they got out of here. While there was a certain logic governing magic, it was far more fluid than the laws of nature Kirito was used to. Sometimes it went directly against the rules of the world Kirito was familiar with, other times it followed them, and sometimes it pretty much ignored those rules and continuously contradicted itself. It wasn't understood very well, in comparison to how well the mundanes understood their part of things. She was beginning to think Kirito wouldn't take these revelations all too well.

An hour later the three of them sit on a bench, all of them rather down. Not only was Yoruko dead, but Schmidt had basically told them to fuck off then left. The silence between them had lasted for an almost the entire hour, but was finally broken by Asuna, "Was that black robed figure really the ghost of Griselda? Seeing those two deaths happen in front of me makes me wonder if it could be true."

Kirito doesn't even glance at her, "No, that's impossible. A ghost wouldn't need a Teleport Crystal." He lifts his head suddenly, his tone changing from denial to thoughtful, "A Teleport Crystal…"

Asuna turns to him, "What is it?"

Kirito returns his gaze to the ground, "No, it's nothing."

Briefly silence falls over them again, only disrupted by Asuna manipulating her menu, then suddenly she holds out something small and wrapped up to each of them, "Here."

Kirito seems unsure, "You're giving them to us?"

Asuna frowns slightly, "What else would I be doing? You think I'm showing them off or something?"

They share a glance then take the things Asuna is holding out, Kirito stutters out, "U-Uh, then thanks."

When Kirito opens his up, they quickly realize that they were sandwiches, and Asuna looks away, "Their durability is nearly at zero, so you two should eat them quickly before they disappear."

Kirito glances at her, "Y-Yeah."

Then he immediately digs into the food and a moment later mutters from in between the bites while staring at his sandwich, "This is really good." He takes another bite before continuing, "When did you get this?"

Asuna swallows her own mouthful before responding, "Didn't I say its durability was about to run out? I got these ready this morning."

Hanna stares at the sandwich, "You had these in your inventory all day?" Asuna nods, causing her to frown in confusion, "Then, if you were going to give them to us anyway, why didn't you just give them to us this morning? You know, when you were complaining about us taking the time to get breakfast."

Asuna flushes, refusing to look at them, "... I forgot about them…"

Kirito absently asks her, "Where did you get these from anyway?"

Asuna pauses just before she's about to take a bite, lowering her sandwich and muttering, "It wasn't for sale." Kirito turns to her in confusion, and she continues, "It isn't from a store. You know, I can cook too."

Kirito's silent for a moment then awkwardly looks away, "W-Well, you could've put this up for auction and made yourself a lot of money."

He laughs nervously, then Asuna stomps her foot for some reason, startling Kirito and causing him to drop his sandwich which shatters. Then for a moment just stares in shock, before Asuna quickly informs him, "I don't have any more, got it?"

Kirito drops to his hands and knees. Staring at the ground where his sandwich was moments before. Hanna opens her menu and begins navigating it leisurely, "I guess it's a good thing I didn't know Asuna was bringing food and bought something extra to eat while we were getting food earlier, isn't it?"

She's rather startled when Kirito harshly shushes her and quickly turns her attention back to him. She immediately begins to wonder what's going through his head when she sees the intense thoughtful look on his face, but after a moment she turns back to her menu. He'd explain whatever it was he was thinking about when he'd figured it out.

She pauses as she's going through their inventory when her eyes land on the revival item. That nagging feeling that she was missing something obvious is back. Realization hits her like a Devil Triggered punch. It slips out in a breathy whisper without Hanna even thinking about it, "It wasn't about the ring…"

Simultaneously, Kirito proclaims to them, "Caynz and Yoruko aren't dead."

They both immediately whip their gazes to the other, giving each other intense looks as they both demand answers from the other, "What?"

Kirito shakes his head quickly, "I'll explain later, but this is more important."

She beckons him over with one hand, and points at the revival item after he scrambles over, simply stating, "Griselda was married."

Kirito immediately gains a look of comprehension, "How did we not think of it before?"

Hanna shakes her head, "I told you earlier that something was bothering me about Yoruko's story. I should've realized it earlier, but I didn't. Not until I saw this."

Kirito falls silent for a moment, then yanks his head up with a wide eyed look of worry, "Then they might be in danger. We need to go, now!"

Kirito runs off, and Hanna immediately follows quickly putting the sandwich in her inventory before closing it.

A moment later Asuna catches up to them looking utterly lost and more than a bit frustrated with the fact, "Who? What's Griselda being married have to do with anything? What did you mean Caynz and Yoruko aren't dead? I saw them die myself! We all did! I'd really appreciate it if you guys would say something straight instead of just vague sentences only you two will understand the full meaning of!"

As they run Kirito takes a deep breath and begins explaining rapidly, "Like I said, Yoruko and Caynz aren't dead. We never actually saw them die. We just thought we did. But we really saw something else entirely. There never was a weapon or any kind of logic that would allow killing within the safe zones!"

Asuna frowns, "But-"

Kirito cuts her off, "Inside a safe zone, player HP won't just drop. But an object's durability will. Like with that sandwich. Back then, Caynz' armor was pierced by that spear. The spear was draining the armor's durability, not Caynz' HP."

Asuna's eyes widen in understanding, "T-Then, what fell apart was…."

Kirito nods, "Yes, just his armor. And at the exact moment it did, Caynz teleported away. The effect was incredibly similar to that of someone's death. But it's still different."

Asuna lets out a shuddering breath, "Then Yoruko…"

Kirito explains immediately, "The dagger was already in her the whole time she spoke with us."

Asuna sounds incredulous, "The entire time?"

Kirito nods, "Remember… During her entire stay, she never turned her back to us. And as she talked, she kept an eye on her equipment's durability. When you're inside a safe zone, if equipment starts taking damage, additional 'health' bars will appear for them. They don't appear outside of safe zones, because if you had those along with your party members HP showing, it would clutter up your HUD. So she watched the bar drain, then at the right moment, she acted as though a dagger, thrown from outside, had stabbed her."

Asuna stares into the distance in thought, "Which means the person in the black robe…"

Kirito glances back at her, "I'd lay good odds that it wasn't Grimlock. It was Caynz. Those two must have realized that they could use this method to fake their own deaths."

Asuna nods slowly, "And their goal was to draw out the one responsible for murdering Griselda. They acted out their own deaths to create an illusionary avenger."

Kirito nods back, "They must have already been somewhat suspicious of Schmidt." Finally reaching the teleport plaza, Kirito turns to Asuna, "You still have Yoruko on your friends list don't you? We need to know where we're going."

Asuna quickly opens and navigates her window, "She's in the field, on floor 19. At the «Hill of the Cross», just outside «Ralburg»."

They quickly teleport, then Asuna prompts Kirito to continue, "Ok, I get all that, but what's Griselda being married have to do with anything?"

Kirito frowns heavily, "Because when you're married in Aincrad, you share your item storage with your spouse. If you were going to plan to murder someone for an item in their inventory, you would've realized it was pointless if they're married. Because when a married person dies in SAO, their items remain with their spouse. Which means the ring would've ended up in Grimlocks inventory. In other words, the ring was just a distraction, and the only one who knew about the ring and might have benefited from Griselda's death was Grimlock."

"Grimlock was also the one who forged Guilty Thorn at the very least, probably even the daggers given their similar design in case they got appraised too, for them and likely knew the whole plan. Further, Yoruko said that Griselda never returned and that they'd learned later that she'd died, which means they likely didn't learn it from Grimlock, even though he would've gotten a notification that his spouse had died. Lastly, if he did have Griselda killed, he might have simply gone along with Caynz and Yoruko's plan just to tie up the last few loose ends. Those ends being the two who won't let the incident go, and the one who probably knows something he shouldn't. Which is why they're probably in danger. I might be wrong, but I'd rather be safe than sorry."

Asuna nods firmly in agreement.

Hanna and Kirito approach the hill, both grateful to realize that Yoruko, Schmidt, and Caynz are all still alive. However, one of the PKers was raising his weapon to strike Schmidt, so Kirito quickly throws a pick at his hand.

As they slow from their run, Kirito sighs in relief, "Looks like we made it just in time. So, what will you do? I have backup on the way. Do you want to fight thirty front liners?"

The PKer who seems to be in charge scoffed, so Kirito and Hanna draw their weapons. For a few moments there was a tense standoff, then the leader snaps his fingers and the other two sheath their weapons, "Let's go."

As the three walk off Hanna and Kirito make sure to keep their weapons trained on them. Only once they were gone did they put their own weapons away and turn back to Yoruko and the others. Kirito sighs, "I'm glad I was able to see you again, Yoruko."

She turns her gaze to the ground, "I planned to apologize, once everything was over. But I can't expect you to believe me."

Kirito smiles lightly at her, but before he can say anything Schmidt cuts in, "Kirito… Thank you for saving me, but how did you know that those three would attack here?"

"I didn't. I just thought it was a possibility." Then he turns to the other two, "Hey, Caynz, Yoruko. You asked Grimlock to make those weapons, didn't you?"

They share a glance. Then Yoruko nods, "At first, he didn't seem willing. He said he wanted to let Griselda rest in peace…"

Caynz finishes the explanation, "But when we begged him, he finally forged them for us."

Kirito sighs again, "I'm sorry, but the reason he opposed your plan wasn't for Griselda's sake. He thought something flashy, like a PK in a safe zone, would attract sufficient attention for someone to take notice… We only realized it a bit ago ourselves, but we have reason to believe it was Grimlock who killed Griselda."

The three gape silently at him for a minute, then Schmidt finally speaks up, "Grimlock… He sent that note? And he killed Griselda?"

Kirito turns to him, "No, he probably didn't do it personally. He likely left the actual murder to a PKer specializing in such things."

Yoruko sounds incredulous, "No… If he were the murderer, then why would he have helped us?"

Kirito shakes his head, "You explained the whole plan to him, didn't you? This was his chance to bury the entire thing forever. He waited for you, Schmidt, and Caynz to gather, so he could kill you all at once."

Schmidt turns and looks at the ground in thought, "So that's why… That's why that murder guild was here."

Kirito nods, "Most likely he knew them from when he hired them to kill Griselda."

Yoruko finally seems to believe them, "That's horrible…"

Asuna suddenly speaks up from off to the side, "I found him."

Turning, they all see Asuna following Grimlock with her sword pressed against his back. Kirito nods at her, "We can ask him for the details."

Grimlock casually greets his former guild mates, "It's been a long time, everyone."

Yoruko stares at him in disbelief, "Grimlock… Did you… Did you really…." She finally realizes it really was the truth, and tears gather in her eyes as she shouts at him, "Why, Grimlock? Did you need the money from the ring so badly that you had to kill Griselda, your own wife?"

Grimlock scoffs, "Money? Did you say money?" He chuckles briefly, then frowns at them, "It wasn't for the money. I had… I had to kill her… While she was still my wife. She was my wife in the real world, too." That startles them, but he ignores their reactions, barreling on now that he'd gotten started, "The ideal wife, the perfect wife… Pretty, submissive… We'd never had a single fight. But when we were both trapped in this world, she changed. Only one of us was overcome with fear from being trapped in a death game… Me. She looked so much happier, so much more alive than she had in the real world. I had to accept it… That the Yuuko I loved was gone. Thus… Thus, I decided to forever seal her within my memories here, in this world, where murder is legal… And who could blame me?"

They stare at him in shock. Kirito breaks the silence, "You killed your wife for that?"

Grimlock stares him down, "That's more than reason enough. Someday, you'll understand. Once you've found love and are about to lose it."

Kirito shakes his head at him, "No. You're the one who doesn't understand. You didn't love Griselda. You only thought of her as something you owned. If you'd loved her, you'd never have been able to fathom hurting her."

Grimlock glares at him, "What do you know of love? You're just a kid."

Kirito begins to move towards him, but Hanna quickly grabs his hand. Kirito turns to her, then moves his gaze to their hands, shifting his own to grip hers and run his thumb over her wedding ring. The combined movement and Kirito's diverted attention draws the others gazes to their hands, and Grimlock makes a choked sound when he sees her ring.

Kirito takes a deep breath then turns back to Grimlock, "I know a hell of a lot more about love than you. I doubt you'll ever understand Grimlock, but if someday you finally realize what it means to truly love someone, I hope you look back and really understand what you did to Griselda. The woman that you may not have loved, but certainly loved you. The woman you betrayed."

Hanna nods, "For now though, you'll just have to face Caynz, Schmidt, Yoruko, and prison. After all, Yoruko and Caynz went through all this trouble just to get justice for Griselda. It's only right that they get to see it through to the end."

At that Caynz and Schmidt get up, grabbing Grimlock by the arms and leading him away. Yoruko follows behind them for a couple feet, then turns and gives a small grateful bow before hurrying to catch back up.

For a moment, the three of them just watch them leave, then Asuna speaks up, "Hey Kirito…. If you discovered Hanna had a side you didn't know, what would you think?"

Kirito turns to Asuna, slightly shocked, then looks away in thought, "That I was lucky." He glances at Hanna, then flushes slightly and quickly returns his gaze to his feet, "I mean I already know her, and I love every aspect that makes her who she is. So, if I discovered a new side of her, it would be like getting to fall in love all over again, wouldn't it?"

Asuna turns away, vaguely looking like she was regretting asking, "Alright…." Then she closes her eyes and firmly states, "More importantly, I'm hungry. I didn't get to finish my meal earlier."

Kirito nods, "Yeah."

Asuna stretches her arms, "I've been away from the front lines for two days… I'll have to go back to work tomorrow."

Kirito nods, "Yeah. We were close to clearing the 59th floor as well."

Kirito glances back at the grave that the Golden Apple had designated as Griselda's as Asuna begins to walk off, but quickly grabs her arm to stop her. They both turn to him in confusion, and Hanna tilts her head at him, "What is it Kirito?"

He just vaguely gestures towards the grave, so they both turn fully to look at what he was staring at. Standing just behind the grave was a woman, wearing the same cloak that Caynz had when he 'killed' Yoruko. The very cloak Schmidt had identified as Griselda's. The woman smiles at them gratefully for a moment, then quietly mouthed, 'Thank you for protecting them' before fading away.

Kirito and Asuna are both gaping in shock, but Hanna ignores them for now, letting them process what they've seen. She smiles at where Griselda's ghost had been, "Your welcome, Griselda."

Asuna shakes her head with a smile, "Well, anyway. Let's go back to town. I still kinda owe you two a meal after all."

Hanna nods, and the two begin walking back. Kirito quickly catches up, still looking shaken, "... You two are taking that rather well…"

Asuna smiles lightly, "The world is a vast, beautiful, and surprising place. Both the real world and Aincrad."

Hanna shrugs when they turn to her, "My family… I suppose you could say we have three major sources of income. My grandpa sells model weapons, firearms, blades, occasionally even replicas."

Technically it was true, but that was mostly just the cover story for their shop so no one questioned it if someone in the family left their actual weapons lying around. It wasn't often that people who didn't already know what they actually did wandered in, but it happened sometimes. The custom replica part got started when someone asked if they took requests. He'd been a bit bored and decided he'd give it a try, then realized he enjoyed it and made it something of a hobby.

Hanna refocuses on the conversation, "My pseudo aunts on the other hand, run a private investigation agency. They're very… particular about the jobs they accept, so they don't really do stuff like just finding someone's missing pet, or anything like that." Technically, they were looking into reports of demonic activity, but hey, that counted as investigating! Then she tilts her head, "Finally, my dad, cousin, and uncle are… Well I suppose the best description would be mercenaries." At Kirito and Asuna's alarmed looks she raises her hands in a placating manner and quickly explains, "They don't kill anyone or anything! More often than not, it's protecting people, but not like bodyguards. I know that probably doesn't make much sense, but it's really the best way I can describe it."

Best she could do without telling them about the demons anyway. That was an explanation that definitely wouldn't happen. At least not in Aincrad, where she can't prove it. She shakes her head, "The point is, my family has enough renown in certain circles that both the investigation and mercenary businesses take my family all over the world, and while I never actually helped, I often tagged along." A blatant lie, but given how dangerous Asuna and Kirito probably thought her family's job was, they probably wouldn't take it well if she told them otherwise. That's not even touching the fact that their actual job was a hundred times worse, "Anyway, I've seen a lot of weird stuff. So a ghost isn't that strange."

Admittedly most of the stuff she'd seen was rather normal for a magical, but again, that was a topic that she wasn't going to touch on anytime soon.

May 26th, 2024- 568 days since SAO launch:

Mike and Hermione are studying in the Room of Requirement. Ever since they had started the dueling club with Professor Flitwick, they hadn't been able to get any privacy in the library, so they'd taken to coming here. Hermione was perfectly fine with it when she realized that the room could bring her any books from the library, even those in the restricted section. Mike was just glad for the security it gave them against being overheard by Umbridge and her Inquisitorial Squad. That and the fact it gave him guaranteed time alone with Hermione. She may not return his feelings and he respects that, but she was still his friend, and he still enjoys it being just the two of them sometimes.

Abruptly, he's pulled from his potions essay by Hedwig teleporting in and offering him a note. A moment later he smiles as he finishes reading the note from Uncle Vergil, causing Hermione to question him, "What is it?"

Mike hands the note to her, "When I visited Marzanna with my family yesterday, I mention that I wished I could do something to try and convince people that Voldemort really is back. Aunt Kat suggested that if the newspapers here wouldn't print the truth, that I should try some international newspapers. Uncle Vergil and Aunt Lady said they'd look into it. We were fairly certain someone would agree. The rest of the world may have tried to stay out of that last war as much as possible, but it still spilled over into other countries. My mother told me it was terrible even when he was just thought to be a Dark Lord, with the added fact that Voldemort did something to try and make himself immortal… Well, it suddenly makes the problem quite relevant on a worldwide scale."

Hermione nods and quickly reads the note, "Three of them agreed? That's great! Especially since I know all of these, they've all got great reputations!" Then she pauses, a calculating gleam entering her eye, "Do you think they'd be opposed to us using a reporter not employed by them?"

That startles Mike a bit, "Huh? Uh, I don't know. Why?"

Hermione returns her gaze to him, "Because, you finally coming forward on the matter and reputable sources printing it is one thing, but the wizards and witches here are familiar with Rita Skeeter, it'll catch more attention if she writes the article."

Mike tilts his head, "Maybe… But how would you get her to agree to such a thing?"

Hermione smiles viciously, "I know you haven't been reading the Prophet since Rita started writing about you last year during the paper, if you had, you'd have noticed that she hasn't written anything about you since just after Voldemort returned. See, I figured out how she kept finding out things she shouldn't have been able to know, and how she kept getting interviews from the Slytherins. You see, Rita Skeeter is an unregistered beetle Animagus. I told her that she wasn't allowed to write for a year, or I'd expose her. I'm hoping unemployment might teach her a lesson, but I seriously doubt it. She can't even just get a license, because she's used her Animagus form to break into private meetings in the Ministry as well. The Aurors couldn't do anything when they thought it was just leaks telling her, they'd figure out the truth very quickly if she tried to register, and she'd get arrested. I could make her a deal, if she interviews you and tells the absolute truth, I'll let her go back to writing once I've got her article."

Mike hums in thought, "That could work…. I'll have Uncle Vergil ask."

Hermione nods then pulls a clean piece of parchment towards her, "Well, I'll get in touch with Rita, just in case."

Mike narrows his eyes as a thought occurs to him, and he reaches into his bag for his own parchment, "Actually…. I'd rather you hold off on that… I have an idea, but I'll have to ask my family first. It's a long shot, but it may convince Rita I'm telling the truth. Much as I dislike her, Rita is a rather good writer, but if she doesn't believe me, it'll definitely show in the quality and tone the article. If I can convince her though… It'll help quite a bit in convincing people that I'm telling the truth. Even if my family is fine with my idea, we should wait until we hear back from the newspapers before contacting Rita. Plus, our chosen profession has given my family a few connections, I want to see if they can pull some strings."

Hermione nods, "Alright then."

Mike quickly writes back to Vergil, then hands it to Hedwig, "Please take this back to Uncle Vergil." Hedwig nips at his fingers, but accepts the note, and Mike sighs, "Yeah, I know. I'm not Marzanna, you're her familiar." Hedwig hoots in satisfaction, then teleports away. Seeing Hermione's raised eyebrow, Mike explains, "She doesn't really mind delivering letters for the rest of us, but she's very particular about making sure we understand that she's Marzanna's familiar, not the household owl."

Hermione gives him a bemused look, "You know, the more I learn about your family, the stranger they seem. Now I learn that apparently even your familiars are strange."

Mike smiles warmly, "I honestly wouldn't have it any other way."

June 1st, 2024- 574 days since SAO launch:

Mike and Hermione share a glance before entering the private room at the Three Broomsticks. Inside are three people. There was Rita of course. Mike doesn't know the man, and the last was Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement in the British Ministry of Magic. As busy as Madame Bones was, she owed his mother a few favors, so had agreed to show up and hear him out.

Mike sits down calmly, "I won't beat around the bush, I asked you here because of the major problem of Voldemort."

Rita snorts, "That much was obvious. The only thing I'm confused about is why you asked such a random group of people to come listen to your insane ramblings."

Mike levels her with a look, "Actually, my job today is not to 'ramble' as you put it. It's to convince you all of the truth. Which is why there's a Memory Verifier here. I had you bring one of your choosing so no one tries to say they were paid off."

Memory verifying wasn't a huge field of work, like potions or charms, but there was definitely a demand for it. Mostly it was private matters, and most Ministries don't bother employing their own Verifiers seeing as they usually used Veritaserum. That said, to ensure that such people are qualified when they do, a person pursuing that particular career has to take some rather grueling tests established by the International Confederation of Wizards to get a license. His family had looked into Cyril, but only to be sure he had his license and that he wasn't a Voldemort supporter.

The unknown man puts a box on the table, "That would be me. Cyril Meakin." He opens the box and removes a pensive. Other than when they do government work, Memory Verifiers always used their own pensives so they could guarantee it hasn't been tampered with. After quickly checking over his pensive, Cyril nods, "I'm ready whenever you all are."

Madam Bones gestures for them to wait, "I'd like some explanation first, Mr Sparda."

Mike nods, "I know you don't believe me about Voldemort, and those of you who don't think I'm crazy, but that's exactly why you're here. Voldemort is alive, and he's far more dangerous than you all realize. I can prove it with just three memories. I'll answer any questions you may have as best I can, but I'd rather prove it to you first so you'll start taking me seriously instead of looking at me like I'm insane."

Madam Bones stares at him for a moment then sighs, "Very well. But you will give me some answers afterwards."

Mike nods, "Of course Madame Bones."

With that, Mike deposits the memory of his encounters with Voldemort in his first, second, and fourth year. Showing them Voldemort's wraith-like form, his horcrux diary, and his resurrection. The others share glances, then dip their fingers into the pensive, their eyes going glassy as they're pulled into the memory. Mike shares a glance with Hermione, hoping this all worked out.

A while later the others stir. They all look incredibly shaken, and it takes them a few moments to gather themselves. Rita quickly turns to Cyril, "That wasn't- It couldn't- Please tell me-"

Cyril shakes his head slowly, "I'm afraid, Ms Skeeter, that those memories were terrifyingly real." He puts his elbows on the table, roughly gripping his hair, "Oh Merlin, what are we supposed to do."

Mike rests a calming hand on Cyril's, "That's what I called you all here for. You've done your job Mr Meakin. You can just take your pay and leave if you'd like." He turns his gaze to Amelia next, "As for you Madame Bones, I know your hands are technically tied at the moment, but you're the Head of the DMLE. You may not be able to go to wartime protocols, but you can review their training and alter or up it pretty much entirely as you see fit. A lot of people will die if the Aurors aren't ready when Voldemort finally stops hiding."

Anemia nods, an intense look of thought on her face. Rita swallows thickly, "You want me to write about it, don't you? You realize I'd be painting a huge target on my back! I was there for the last war. I was mostly left alone, and it was still a fucking nightmare!"

Mike stares her down, "My family has been extensively researching what Voldemort did to himself to find answers. It's some of the darkest, foulest magic I've ever heard of, and was incredibly difficult to find, but we now know. What you saw in the second memory is called a Horcrux. It's black magic that rips the soul in half, storing that half in an object of the caster's choosing. As long as a Horcrux is intact, the caster is immortal."

"The fact that Voldemort didn't die after I destroyed the diary means he made more than one. Do you understand what I'm telling you Rita? The nightmare of the last war will never end unless we do something, but as long as Fudge, and therefore the UK as a whole, has its head in the sand, he's just gaining power. The longer people refuse to acknowledge the truth the higher the death count will be when he comes out into the open. I know damn well you're probably gonna do a runner."

He pushes some parchment he'd pulled out while they were watching his memories towards her, "The least you can do is help me try to save lives before you do. The people here know you Ms Skeeter. While I and others you've written about may know you tend to twist your articles, the general populace doesn't know that. So just this once, be completely truthful and help me. If you want to run after that, that's your prerogative. The only thing I would like you to change is knowledge of what exactly Voldemort did to himself. Writing that he must have used some sort of magic is one thing, but if you let on that we know exactly what magic he used, he may move his Horcruxes."

Rita stares at the parchment and quill for a bit, then picks up the quill and begins writing frantically, "Damn it all! You really know how to guilt people, you know that? I'll write your article, but finding someone to publish it is your problem."

Mike pulls a rolled up parchment out, "Actually, I've already gotten that worked out. The newspapers here may not be willing, but with the Horcruxes, Voldemort isn't just our problem, if he wins he'll move on to the rest of the world. Which is how my family managed to convince some international newspapers to feature the article."

Rita stares at him for a minute, then sarcastically spits, "I'm really moving up in the world."