Author's note:

This fanfic is dedicated to the small crowd who believe a romance between Kirito and Alice was not only possible but also a pairing that could be touching beyond words. Suffice to say, I found Alicization the best arc of the entire SAO. It was a little disappointing for me to see that they have only tapped a tiny bit of the potential of Kirito and Alice's chemistry; therefore, I decided to satisfy that need by writing a story of my own.

This fanfic begins at the very end of the first episode of War of Underworld, everything before that point is set here absolutely the same as the original story (Anime, since I did not read the LN) Here you will see the small but significant emotional details that I craved for (primarily that of Alice's and Kirito's) At the same time, I will be adding some small pieces of "how I think it should have gone" here or there. Also, since this is NOT a complete novelization of SAO War of Underworld anime, I will be skipping some of the scenes as the focus here is Alice and Kirito; scenes directly concerning them will, of course, be covered here, those that are centered around characters with significant emotional values will also be shown (e.g. Asuna) other scenes, such as those that concerned Gabriel Miller and PoH's backstories will largely be omitted. When we approach the second half of the story, things will be more different than the original, but the logic behind most things should be as close as possible.

In this fanfic, "double quotation marks" are used for conversations, while italic words indicate the character's thoughts. Also, since I am not a native English speaker and that this is my first attempt at writing a fanfic, this story might suffer greatly from typos or grammatical issues, please be kind when pointing them out for me, thanks!

And yes, this is a Kirito X Alice pairing.

Disclaimer: I do not own Sword Art Online, and as for the cover image, I thought it looked perfect for this story, but I am afraid I cannot contact the artist to ask for permission because I fail to find said artist on the internet, if there are any complaints, I would immediately take it down.

Chapter One: Prelude

4 P.M. 21st of the Tenth Month, Year 380 H.E.C. Alice and Kirito's cabin, outskirts of Rulid Village

Closing the door behind them, Alice let out a sigh. "We're home, Kirito."

The experiences earlier had again reinforced Alice's less than happy view on the Rulid Village. While she may be a criminal, someone who had crossed over the End Mountains and violated the Taboo Index, what had Kirito ever done to deserve their disrespect? As far as she was aware, Kirito had helped them cut down the Gigas Cedar, achieved their centuries-long wish. He deserved their gratitude more than anything or anyone.

To think that they dared steal from him, mock him as he had sacrificed everything for them. Alice just could not mask her anger.

In any case, they were finally alone.

Alice gently stroked his unkempt hair. "It's nice here, isn't it? Away from all those troubles, away from all those people…"

It was almost depressing how she switched from one shelter to another. Before she had fled the capital, she and Kirito were confined to those vast cathedral walls for fear of lingering hostilities. After all, even some of her fellow knights had wished to execute him. And now, having settled in Rulid, her supposed birthplace, she still hid behind these wooden walls.

Alice frowned as she realized she had grown cynical. Why must she keep seeing the worst in those people? Surely, that must be how criminals are supposed to be treated. And even if that was not the case, what had she got to complain? After all, she had Selka.

As she first arrived, she had known nothing of the village, nor did the village her, apart from the alleged crime her younger self had committed. They had not celebrated the return of a lost prodigy daughter. No, they eyed her with suspicion and doubt, avoided her as she passed through the village. Not even the Village Elder, her father, was willing to accept them. But that sweet, joyous child was different. When she turned to the local church for help, she encountered neither indifference nor rejection. The Selka she met there was every bit as generous and noble as Kirito had suggested. Even though she could see the young girl's heart torn to pieces when she mentioned Eugeo's fate, and of course Kirito's condition, Selka still managed to recover. In fact, Selka had openly declared her alacrity to have Kirito treated in the church. If the senior sister would not do so, she was prepared to take care of him herself.

Unfortunately, Selka's readiness did not reflect Kirito's, for he failed to provide any response. Try as they might, Selka and the other nuns could elicit no reaction from him, least of all successfully feeding the disabled young man. Sure, he would let out guttural moans every now and then, but he resolutely refused anything else. Only after Alice's pleadings would Kirito allow any food down his throat. The sisters' hopelessness in him was plain to see; but that knowledge did give Alice a tiny bit of pleasure, knowing she was the only stimulus enough to move him.

"Oh, Kirito!" Alice slightly yelped as she realized she had been standing at the entrance for too long. "Sorry! It must be getting hot in here for you."

The young maiden hurriedly pushed the wheelchair to a sofa before removing some of his winter outfits. As Alice reached for the swords, Kirito did not resist. Unlike even just an hour ago, she did not have to ask. All she did was giving him a gentle smile and he was willing to let loose his grip.

Alice was somewhat surprised, but gleefully took the swords as she hanged them on the wall. Taking a closer look of the hybrid shades his onyx and her golden sword created, Alice felt a sudden shudder.

Since Kirito would respond only to her, if she missed but a single day or night with him, would he simply shut himself away forever?

And if that's the case, should I fall in battle, wouldn't that also be the end for Kirito?

Alice shook her head in anxiety. She then quickly turned her back against the swords and walked towards the young man.

These swords…it was with these swords that we've defeated Her Holiness. But honestly, what did it really matter…To save the people who treat us like criminals and use us as tools? Or to fight the battles out there that take away our lives and more? Kirito, I can only pray that you do not see the farce I do now, the Church is corrupt, matched perhaps only by the greed of the people. And these swords…what good are they? What good are they if all they do is to hurt you…? No…I don't want to pick up a sword again. I'll never fight again.

"Kirito…we don't have to go out there anymore. Let's just stay here forever."

Alice's mood improved significantly after having spent some quiet hours undisturbed by the outside world. After she had changed their attire for the evening, Alice went on to prepare supper.

She had once despised this kind of tasks. Not only because she was poorly equipped to deal with them, but also because her first attempts had been utterly disastrous. In fairness, as an Integrity Knight, she could not have learnt the skills. But now, things looked more brightly.

After months of excruciating experiments and efforts, Alice had not only succeeded in making herself something of a master chef but also turning the gruesome errand into a delightful experience.

In the earlier days, Alice would surely curse while she spent but a single second in the kitchen, or be confined by the apron, but now, she hummed casually as she turned vegetables into slices, and minced some of the meat Selka had procured for her.

One might think that making a stew would be easy, but it took quite some time to really grasp the right amount and type of ingredient. In any case, Alice could state rather proudly now she had finally figured out the keys to Kirito's favorite meal. Yes, it was a sort of stew made up of meat and vegetable. Only when she cooked this would Kirito seemed even remotely eager for food, though Alice could not tell whether it was also because he had not many other choices, given his conditions. If him rejecting the same stew but with a slightly different recipe was any indicator though, then he must have at least enjoyed it a bit.

"Well, well…" Alice giggled as she saw the steam rising from the pot. "Come, let's eat now, shan't we?"

The rest of her job was fairly simple, and dare she say, pleasant. After placing Kirito next to the table, Alice quickly began his much-needed meal. First, a little water to ease his digestion, then, spoonful of the stew, but not before asking him of his appetite and blowing on the hot liquid.

"Take your time eating, alright?"

As usual, Alice was spending most of the time feeding him while she could only do so much for herself; greedily stuffing food when Kirito was still munching his; a little undignified, granted, but certainly a more peaceful way of living than wielding her sword all the time.

Unfortunately, peace, unenforced, often ends quickly, and that was precisely Alice's case. Before she could finish up, Amayori's resonant roar alarmed her.

Danger?

Swiftly running out of the house, Alice turned her sight to a large, approaching object.

No, it was not really danger. It was another great dragon very much like her own, landing effortlessly as she stood still.

Amayori's elder brother, Takiguri. Which means…

Exactly as she had feared, an armored knight dismounted heavily.

"I'm impressed you found this place." stated Alice calmly. "What do you want, Eldrie Synthesis Thirty One?"

The man bowed with the greatest respect. "It's been quite a while, Lady Alice, my mentor."

With the most formal and simple language she could find, Alice gave Eldrie the instruction to let the elder dragon a respite with Amayori before reluctantly inviting him into the house.

"So, how did you find this place?" the vexed knight inquired. "I'm sure the Order can't afford to send dragons all over just to track me down."

"I followed the bond between our souls," Eldrie said with a chuckle, sipping the tea Alice had offered in the process, "or so I'd like to say. Unfortunately, it was a complete coincidence."

The unamused look on Alice's face was a clear sign for him to be succinct.

"Recently, there have been rumors of Orc and Goblin activities in the north. And on the Commander's orders, we've collapsed caves to the north, south and west, but I've come to make sure they don't try to dig it out again."

"Were you able to determine what the forces of darkness are doing?"

"I spent the entire day patrolling the perimeters of the caves, but I didn't spot a single Orc or Goblin. The interior was filled with rocks all the way to the ceiling." He shrugged unconcernedly.

But did he check the tunnels inside though? According to the story Kirito's told me, there should be hidden channels inside that circumvent the caves…

Before Alice could interject, Eldrie continued.

"Afterwards, as I mounted to return to the capital, Takiguri started acting strangely. When I let loose his reins, this is where we ended up landing."

And here the conversation dropped, Alice was still quiet, apparently unmoved by the news. Eldrie clenched his fists and broke the silence.

"Now that we've been reunited, it is my obligation to say this to you: Lady Alice, please return to the knights!"

He then stood up and slammed his fists on the table as he went on. "We need your sword more than an army of thousands!"

"I cannot."

"Lady Alice! Do you not understand the gravity of our situation?"

I do understand…

"If this keeps up, the Empire could fall!"

I know…

"Even Lord Bercouli made the same predictions!"

Of course he did…

"Lady Alice, please! The people need you!"

The people…if you mean those petty crowds out there…

"My mentor, please reconsider! The sword Her Holiness had given you is meant precisely for this! You have to wield it!"

I'm more than prepared to cast my sword aside and let it turn into rusts. In Stacia's name, so long as our tranquil life here remains undisturbed, nothing really matters to me anymore.

"I just cannot." Alice finally said.

"Why not?!" Eldrie yelled. Then, his glance went past her and saw the motionless Kirito near the fireplace. "Is it because of that man? The one who broke out of the Cathedral Prison and raised his treacherous blade against so many knights, senators and not to mention the Pontifex herself?

"Is he still leading your heart astray?" he growled. "If so, then I shall eliminate the source of your confusion right here, this very instant!"

"Enough!"

Eldrie's aggression finally cringed when Alice snapped.

"He, too, fought out of his sense of personal justice." She added calmly. "Otherwise, how could we, the mighty Integrity Knights, even the Lord Commander himself, have all been defeated one after another? You fought him as well, so surely you have felt the weight of his sword."

"If that's true, then why won't this man take up his sword in battle now?" Eldrie retorted. "Why would he allow himself to be reduced to this pathetic state and shackle you to these hinterlands? If it is true that he murdered Her Holiness for the sake of the people, then isn't it his duty to go to the Eastern Gate this very moment?"

Silence then engulfed them for a second. Eldrie stared at her fiercely while she had avoided any eye contact.

"Forgive me, Eldrie." Alice sighed. "I simply cannot go with you. It has nothing to do with Kirito's condition. I can no longer wield my sword. That's all there is to it."

Eldrie considered her words for an instance, and furrowed his eyebrows as if multiple outcomes were flashing across his mind, but decided against any more debate.

"Is that so?" replied the Integrity Knight. "Then I won't press you further."

With that, Eldrie bowed swiftly and headed for the exit.

"I bid you farewell, my mentor. I, Eldrie, shall never forget your teachings as long as I live." Eldrie uttered as he glanced back to the room one last time, saddened and annoyed by the fact that his trip had been futile.

"Take care. I pray that you will be safe." Alice answered.

As the thunderous flapping of Takiguri's wings faded into the night sky and the roars of Amayori halted, Alice let out a sigh. On one hand, thankful that Eldrie had been able to control his temper, and on the other hand, relieved that she was finally alone, alone with Kirito once more, that is.

"Kirito…"

I should at least let him have some rest now. Alice pondered. When Eldrie first arrived, Alice had been forced to keep Kirito in her sight by placing him next to the fireplace.

She walked over to him slowly and tiredly, mustering a smile on her face as she knelt down and took his hands into hers.

"I'm sorry. You must be tired." said Alice, "Let's go to bed now."

Whatever joy she had had while taking care of Kirito's dinner had certainly vanished without a trace, in fact, Alice felt a chill up her spine as she imagined her apprentice insisting on her return to the Order, or worse, eliminating "the one that had led her heart astray" But she wanted no more argument and certainly no more thoughts of the Integrity Knights, and so, she kept wordless while taking care of the dishes before pushing his wheelchair towards their bedroom.

Alice carried Kirito to their bed before lying down herself. As she covered them both with a blanket, her eyes drifted to his face. The black-haired man was silent, as he had been so for a very long time now. His vulnerable shape was entirely in Alice's care; he could neither speak nor move on his own. She had been fearful of anything that might cause him harm, and now, a daily routine of hers was to inspect him intensely whenever they retire to bed.

Noticing strands of his hair out of place, Alice moved to comb it with her hand. The restored handsome features earned a small smile from her, but Alice sighed upon putting more thoughts into his current circumstances. Eldrie was not entirely wrong, and she had lied earlier. How could her staying here be unrelated to Kirito? It had everything to do with Kirito. But she just could not leave him, nor take him onto the battlefield. After all, her priority now was Kirito. Who else could take care of him while she was gone? And bringing him to the frontline would no doubt be the last thing that could keep him safe. The life they had here was not perfect, but at least it would not deal them any more harm. Still, how it pained her to know that Kirito, once the mighty swordsman who defeated knight after knight, and prevailed over even the Pontifex herself, was now reduced to such a state. And yes, Eldrie was right about one more matter. The threat of the Dark Territory loomed closer than ever, but there was no sign of a resistance powerful enough to counter the invasion. Maybe her mentor, the Lord Commander was organizing a new army for the coming war, and from her knowledge of him, it sure would be a formidable force, but if memories served her, the dark forces outnumbered them no less than ten-to-one. How in the name of Stacia could they withstand such an invasion?

If anyone else was also right, it might have been the Administrator. Wasn't one of the reasons she had despised the common people exactly something she had witnessed this afternoon? Their ugliness, their selfishness…

Otherwise, should she rejoin the Order after the danger was shown so clearly? But that was risky. Should she then ignore the hostility Kirito and she faced daily just to trade for that tranquil life? Even if she did that, one of these days, if the war at the Eastern Gate was lost, her precious quietness in Rulid would be over too. What to do then? She really did not know. With these unpleasant worries stubbornly refusing to leave her mind, she opted to embrace Kirito.

"Tell me, Kirito." Alice whispered, "What should I do?"

The blonde knight tightened their hug while drops of tears rolled down her cheek.

"What should I…"

Troubled as she might be, it did not take long until Alice started to doze off. The soft and rhythmic snoring of her only companion had succeeded in soothing her. Six months ago, when she and Kirito first settled here, she had decided to share a bed because she had hoped her own warmth would help calm him and perhaps even help him recover. Soon though, Alice realized, it was her who had needed their intimacy. Every night, she found herself clinging to Kirito to calm and ward off all the anxiety that had welled up inside her. But before she could finally get the rest she so desperately craved, she was interrupted by a sudden agonizing moan.

"Ah…" Kirito cried as his entire body trembled.

"Kirito?" Alice sat up and watched in horror as the unresponsive Kirito continued his struggles.

Before she could inquire any further, he lifted his remaining hand with a tremble, clearly attempting to reach something.

"What's wrong, Kirito?" Alice asked again, hoping to at least understand what was causing him pain so great that he broke his comatose state. No sooner had Alice asked, she heard Amayori roaring from outside the house. She hurried to the window, and there she found an unbelievable picture in view.

The blackness of the night, which was supposed to be at its zenith, was nowhere to be seen, instead, a great inferno afar lit the entire sky red. Alice ran out the house for a clearer observation. Reaching the end of the path that led to their house, she concluded, "There's no mistake, the Rulid Village is burning, but why?"

A wild fire, perhaps?

But the screams and clashes of metal swords echoing through the forest disagreed.

"A raid by the Dark Territory?"

Despite all her reservations about the village, there was one thing there, one person at the very least, that meant the world to her. And she was now in danger.

"Selka!" Alice shouted almost involuntarily.

Selka…

Before Alice could recover from the shock, a large thud in the cabin alarmed her. Rushing back, she was only in time to witness Kirito, while devoid of a conscious mind, crawling with great agony towards his swords. The moment Alice had opened the door, his fragile frame collapsed, evidently having exhausted the very last of the strength he still possessed. His body moved sluggishly, he no longer possessed the spark he once had in his eyes, all which lay before Alice now, was an empty shell, powerless and listless.

Tears flooded her eyes.

"Kirito…" Alice whispered as her emotions ran rampant.

Without wasting an instant, Alice hasted to lift Kirito up from the cold wooden floor. However, when her arms secured him, his icy and obsidian eyes flickered and let out moans of suffering as he sensed the increased distance from his objectives. Before Kirito could put up further resistance, Alice sat him down on one of the chairs and held his shaky hands dearly and firmly.

"Kirito…" Alice implored, "Kirito…please…please listen to me."

It was not an easy process, Kirito was not responding, nor was he capable. Alice was on the verge of hopelessness before finally seeing his breath becoming less chaotic and painful. Relieved that his torment was easing, Alice continued, "It's all right. I'll go. I don't know if I have the strength anymore, but I'll go. After I've rescued the villagers, I'll come right back."

Her beseeching worked; Kirito gradually ceased his movements as his breathing calmed and his body steadied, the young man at last returned to the comatose state he had been in for months. Thankful that he would not harm himself anymore, Alice equipped herself with the bright metallic armor and swung her Osmanthus Sword twice in the air before sheathing it and covering herself with a large grey cloak. As she reached the doorknob, she turned back to the room to check on Kirito one last time.

"Trust me Kirito, the moment I have fended off the raid, I shall return." Alice declared reassuringly.

To her shock, there was one response from Kirito, if that could be counted as such. A single drop of tear fell from his left eye.

Suddenly, she felt something deep in her heart, as if an extinguished flame rekindling again. The dormant faith which she had once sworn blindly to the Axiom Church was coming back alive. But the shade was different. It was once a cold, blue blaze that burnt without thought, but now, it's a golden, forging fire that she ignited with a new belief.

"This is no time for me to be emotional!" remarked Alice painfully; she then exhaled and marched towards her loyal dragon.

When Amayori flapped her wings to lift them towards the skies, Alice allowed herself one split second to close her eyes and pray.

Having reached the blazing village, Amayori circled around to allow her master better inspection. Alice looked down with great caution as she witnessed hordes of Goblins tearing across the once tranquil Rulid Village, pillaging and plundering to their hearts' content.

"Advance! Advance!" screamed one of the goblins as screechings sounded all around him.

The green-colored pack eventually made it to the last defense visible at the far south corner where a makeshift barrier was blocking the inundation. While the invaders were halted temporarily, the few defenders armed with nothing more than second-rate swords barely held their own. Most of them were panic-stricken and apparently ready to desert at any given chance. Worse still, taking refuge behind them were the other civilians, only that they had but their farming tools as defense measures. Some prayed, some quarreled and some screamed with horror.

Visibly upset, Alice still maintained her composure and considered logically the options at hand.

"There aren't any enemies to the south. Why do they not flee?" Alice questioned as she noticed a clear route of retreat.

Having decided to evacuate the village anyway, Alice softly patted her ride and ordered. "Amayori, wait here until I summon you!"

With that, Alice leapt away from her mount and swiftly glided towards the gathered crowd.

Meanwhile, Village Elder Zuberg, arguably the most righteous and responsible man in the village tried his best to contain an increasingly bleak situation.

"Anything that gets over the barricade, we kill!" Zuberg instructed as he attempted to rally what forces he could. Before he could continue with his instruction, Chief Man-at-Arms Zink interrupted nervously, "Do you understand? Don't let even a single one gets this far into the village!"

No sooner had Zink finished his rant, a cloaked figure crashed into the ground, creating a sound so powerful it gained the attention of all that was present.

After the dusts had cleared the air, a figure came into sight – Alice turned around and faced an astonished crowd. Stepping forward, she shared a brief moment of eye-contact with the Village Elder, only to have him look away in a shameful manner.

Steeling herself once more, Alice firmly announced, "We can't possibly defend against them here. Please, have everyone take the south road to evacuate."

Just as she was about to lead the way, an incensed Zink once again showed his keenness of interrupting.

"Don't be ridiculous!" yelled the reddened and clearly obese man. "Run off and abandon my mansion – er, abandon the village?"

"If you leave now, you can yet escape the goblins' clutches. Which do you hold dearer? Your possessions, or your life?"

Clearly he had much to say about the woman's subtle accusation, Zink however, could not find a proper response, and diverted his glance with a twisted face for the time being.

To Alice's surprise, the Village Elder took that opportunity and announced aloud. "Form a circle in the plaza and tighten up our defenses. Those are Chief Man-at-Arms Zink's orders. In a situation like this, even I, the Village Elder, must follow them." Zuberg went on in a solemn tone. "That is imperial law."

Alice groaned in bitterness. Of course they would still hold on to the Pontifex's decrees for dear life. After all, they did not know. They knew not that the surrogate of the gods had been vanquished. Bercouli had strictly forbidden any information regarding the Pontifex's demise and the knights' creation from being known. In any case, they could not allow panic to spread. What to do then? Surely she could not just ignore Bercouli's orders. Before she could make up her mind though, a clear voice spoke up and captured the villagers' attention once again.

"Let's do as Sister says," The boldness of Selka's voice shocked her father and Alice alike.

"Father," Selka continued as she stepped forward. "Father, have you ever once known Alice to be wrong?

"No, even I can tell." Selka carried on with an even louder voice. "If we don't do something…we'll all be killed!"

While the rest of the villagers contemplated her words, another wave of rant exploded from the Chief Man-at-Arms' direction.

"You want us to flee?" the displeased Zink shoved aside the Village Elder to scream at the young girl. "Know your place, child! The village must be protected!"

His impetuous reactions, however, seemed to have been a wrong move as he soon felt Alice's ire directed at him. Slightly shivering, he quickly tried to deflect any blame on himself by yelling once again:

"I see…I get it!" screamed Zink at the top of his lungs as he pointed towards the young maiden:

"You are the one who led those monsters from the land of darkness to the village, aren't you, Alice? Years ago, when you crossed the End Mountains, you were tainted by the power of darkness! You are a witch! This girl is a fearsome witch!"

Selka stared at the scene with horror and the rest of the villagers with shock, but Alice merely sighed and declared with a tone of finality, "By my authority as a knight, I hereby revoke Chief Man-at-Arms Zink's command. I order the villagers gathered in this plaza to evacuate to the forest south of here, with those who are armed in the lead."

"K-knight? What are you talking about?" Zink responded while staring at Alice incredulously. "There is no such Calling in this village! Just because you can somewhat handle a sword you dare call yourself a knight?" He had not recognized Alice's out-of-place quiet demeanor, or that he hadn't given it any thought and continued. "What would happen if the knights in the capital were to hear of this, huh?"

At that very instant, Alice tore away her cloak to reveal the shining golden armor underneath.

"My name is Alice!"

The ground shook as her magnificent sword sunk into it; the sapphire cape of hers blew as if synchronized with the merciless wind. Alice carried on, "I am the overseer of the capital Centoria, an Integrity Knight of the Axiom Church.

"Third in command! Alice Synthesis Thirty!"

Having introduced herself properly the first time, Alice radiated a sense of undeniable authority that bended the knees of even the conceited Chief Man-at-Arms.

"I-Integrity Knight?"

Paying the egomaniac no more mind, Alice then sheathed her sword effortlessly, just in time for Selka to utter, "Sister, you're…"

"I'm sorry I've kept it from you all this time." whispered Alice with a hint of guilt while lightly caressing the Knight Order's symbol on her armor, "This is the true punishment I was given, and my true duty."

"No, I always believed." Selka exclaimed with tears rolling down. "I knew there was no way you could be a criminal."

No sooner had Selka professed her faith, a slight thud left of her drew Alice's attention. "I shall follow your command," Village Elder Zuberg humbly stated as he knelt in submission. "Lady Integrity Knight."

Her father's change of mind brought a smile to Alice's face, but other than standing up and announcing an evacuation, Zuberg failed to give any other responses. "Those of you who are armed, take the lead and guide the villagers to the south gate! Once you have left the village, evacuate to the forest south of the clearing!"

Long been ready to flee the scene, the villagers hurriedly followed the order and mobilized to pick up the wounded and the elderly. While the crowd was doing about its business, Alice once again shared a moment of silence with her long-separated father.

Alice began, "Father, please take care of the villagers…protect Selka and Mother."

"Lady Knight, you take care as well." Zuberg in turn stared straight at Alice with sincerity, signaling his youngest daughter to speak afterwards.

"Sister, return to us, okay?" Selka expressed with grave concern as she stepped towards Alice.

Alice then smiled again, showing her appreciation. And with a small sigh she called out to her dragon:

"Amayori!"

The frail barricade made only out of wood and common bricks soon broke down subsequent to a concerted effort by the invaders. Witnessing the armada marching towards their erstwhile safe zone and no hope in resisting, Guard Captain Jink then decided to order a withdrawal.

And as his men began to clear the area, a single bright light hovering above the village captured his attention.

"Burn them away!" ordered Alice. In an instant, that bright dot extended into a colossal sword of light. The skies were cut through and it struck where the invaders were still marching. In mere seconds, hundreds of goblins disintegrated into ashes. The might of the dragon rendered entire sections of the village into smoldering conflagrations. The blazes and explosions stunned the evacuating villagers no less than the invaders.

"N-no way." Exclaimed Zink as he struggled to carry his luggage, clearly still adamant on saving his riches. The same surprised sentiment overwhelmed the whole village as Selka quietly asked herself, "Is that Sister's…?"

While the silvery dragon finished her assault with a victorious boost up to the skies, Guard Captain Jink remained dumbfounded as he froze and questioned out loud, "A dragon?"

His amazement proved to be a mistake though, as several surviving goblins surrounded him during his absentmindedness.

Hearing the violent growls as they neared in to deliver the killing blow; Jink closed his eyes instinctively to brace for the worst.

Fortunately for him however, an ear-piecing clang was what he heard instead of his own flesh being hacked to pieces. Jink looked up disbelievingly as he witnessed Alice, while fire reflected off her shining armor, stopped the goblin's blade with a single hand.

"W-what are you doing here?" Jink shouted.

"There's no time to explain." Replied Alice coolly, "Evacuate with the others. Now!"

Jink fled the moment he heard that command, fully relieved he had survived the attack unscathed.

"You weak woman," screeched the enraged goblin, "I'll kill and devour you!"

His words, however proud, would prove also to be his last as Alice crushed his sword with her bare hands before striking him down alongside his two murderous comrades in one sudden horizontal slash. The nauseating goblin blood was still dripping down her divine sword while another horde marched forward with blood lust clear in their eyes.

Without even facing them, Alice pledged quietly. "From now on, I'm going to be the one who decides what to fight for. I will protect my sister and parents." Her gauntleted hand was placed over the eyepatch, a wound Kirito had tended to before. It was with that wound that she had realized her real fight, and now that fight had come. "And for the people of the Human Empire that Kirito and Eugeo had tried to preserve, I'll fight." Removing it with ease, Alice finally turned to confront the bulk of the dark forces. While she ignored all their vile screeching, she placed one last kiss on Kirito's gift before letting it fly free away.

"Thank you, Kirito." She whispered gently, "I'll be fine now. I'm sure I'll hesitate from time to time, but I'll move forward. For you, for what I seek…"

The moment Alice had finished, she raised her sword against the monstrosities and warned solemnly. "I am Knight Alice of the Human Empire, as long as I stand here, you'll never find the blood and carnage you desire!"

As ultimatum she demanded one last time. "Return through the caves to your homeland!"

Her orders were ignored, or contemptuously dismissed. The goblins had no intentions of stopping. In fact, Alice's warning may have acted as a catalyst for the horde's accelerated pace.

Seeing no sign of retreat in their columns, Alice raised her sword to the air and roared:

"Enhanced Armament!"

The glowing sword of hers splintered into tens of thousands of incandescent, star-shaped flowers. The illuminous bouquet then ascended towards the heavens like a tornado, reaching all the way to the moon.

The goblins and orcs leading the charge shouted their slurs and were ready to cut Alice down; the orc commander in particular, seemed confident that his victory was assured as he swung his gigantic axe in the air. However, as the invaders assumed triumph, the seas of lethal petals had reached them.

Like a torrential deluge, the countless divine blades poured down with a buzzing noise, and made quick works of the bandits. Before the expression of "W-what?" could even be finished, the Orc leader and his squadrons had already been sliced to pieces.

"Storm and churn, my flowers!" yelled Alice with even greater fervor than before.

And so, the blinding waves of light engulfed yet another gang of orcs. Finally detecting a catastrophe, the raiders hurriedly covered themselves with shields or even the corpses of their comrades, but as reincarnations of divine power, the might of those flowers could be countered by neither swords nor armors, even those whose physique towered over Alice had been reduced to lifeless flesh.

Hundreds after hundreds, the invaders fell as the tidal wave washed through them; with the greater portion of invasion force macerated, the stunning yet deadly flowers returned to their master, and with a clean metallic clang, forming once again the physical form of the Osmanthus Sword.

The orc leader, whose face was still beet red from excitement, knelt dead; how abhorrent it was that a face so lively could belong to a deceased beast. But Alice paid it no mind, stepping forward and over the bodies, Alice sheathed her sword and declared with finality:

"This is the wall separating the Human Empire and the land of Darkness. Even if you unseal the caves, as long as we knights exist, we will never allow you to corrupt this land!

"Make your choice!" threatened Alice as the goblins had already begun fleeing from her wrath. "Either advance and fall into a sea of blood, or retreat and escape to the land of darkness!"

With that final warning, the armada of darkness deserted their once purported victory and fled across the End Mountains, lest the powerful knight should change her mind.

Meanwhile at the southern end of the village, seeing the disgraceful flight, the villagers exulted and hailed their savior repeatedly. Alice let out a sigh of relief, pleased that more causality had been avoided. Before the thankful villagers could approach her sister, Selka reached her first and gave her a heartfelt hug.

"Thank you…Sister…I really… really am glad you're here!" exclaimed the slightly sobbing Selka.

Alice returned the embrace warmly. "It's alright, I am glad I could protect us too. It is my duty as well as my honor."

Alice then patted Selka on her head lightly and added, "Knowing you are safe is a reward greater than any I could possibly imagine."

Selka looked up and smiled. "I'm sure the villagers will now know for sure you are no criminal but a hero to everyone!"

Everyone… Alice considered, Father, Selka, all other villagers; even Zink should be safe now and…

Alice's eyes opened wide, as if she recalled a great negligence.

"Selka, I'm sorry, but I must go." Alice said urgently. "I will leave the rest to you and Father, please take care!"

With that, the mighty Integrity Knight leapt onto her dragon once more and disappeared into the outskirts of the village.

As Amayori carried her back to the log cabin, Alice trembled imagining what could have transpired during her absence.

I am certain not a single goblin had remained in the village, but am I sure when they dispersed, they all returned to the Dark Territory? Alice questioned mentally. Besides, what did happen while I was quarrelling with the Chief Man-at-Arms? It's not impossible that one or two orcs could have taken advantage of that time and slipped past the forests. And if they had done so, by now they definitely would have reached…

The unpleasant imaginations wreaked havocs upon Alice's mind.

Sensing her master's distress, Amayori quietly grumbled, as if hoping to reassure her. Alice nervously caressed the loyal dragon, thanking her for her concern, but the dark thoughts in her mind persisted.

When they had finally arrived, it was clear the house was undisturbed. But Alice was not taking any chances. Before Amayori had even landed, she leapt out of her saddle in haste and dashed as fast as she could back into the cabin.

The moment Alice pushed open the door, all that greeted her was silence, to which Alice was profoundly grateful; nothing in the living room was out of place, the furniture was in the same order, the windows remained as they were and most importantly – Kirito. Kirito was still sitting in the same position as she had left him some hours ago.

Alice nearly collapsed from the anxiety, but definitely felt a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

As she calmed her breathings, a large shadow crept up and loomed near the door, one that startled even Alice. She drew her sword once more and prepared to cut down whatever came near, but then she saw the culprit: it was Amayori. Alice let out a slight chuckle as she saw her beloved dragon twisting her lengthy neck, attempting to see inside with great curiosity. Alice trekked to the dragon, and softly patted after having reached her.

"Thank you, Amayori. I couldn't have done any of these without you." Alice said affectionately.

Her silvery dragon purred softly as if approving her words, then slowly turned back to the shelter she had built herself after Alice had bided her goodnight.

The opened door lingered until Alice was sure Amayori had retired properly, she then once again found herself walking towards Kirito thoroughly exhausted.

While Kirito had remained motionless, it was apparent he was no longer in the startled state as before. Alice smiled a little then knelt before him. "See? Everything's fine, how about we really take a rest now?"

Kirito uttered no response, but Alice had long been accustomed to his muteness, and took it as an approving sign.

After having laid Kirito on their bed, Alice let out a worn-out exhalation and stripped herself of the tainted armor. She began with her pauldron, which fell heavily as she undid the straps. Continuing downward, the cuirass was too let loose but the giant piece was placed carefully on the floor as Alice realized she may disturb Kirito's slumber. The tassets on her skirt followed, piece by piece, the golden armors that covered her flanks were detached before the greaves and the sabatons were also removed. Before donning her usual blueish nightgown, Alice found herself surrounded by an aureate discord.

It has been a long time since I've seen battle, hasn't it…? The last time I was ever in combat must have been that clash with Her Holiness… I…

An image was reflected on the enormous cuirass on the ground as Alice mused. Then her eyes widened, realizing there was something she had to say.

She strolled over to the resting young man and held his hand before continuing.

"All this time, I'd thought it futile to do anything more…I'd given up and wished only to live here with you. But you didn't, even in this state did you still try to protect the village, defend the people who have wronged you…But I…I'm sorry Kirito. You were the one left injured, yet I was the one to be immobile. In my moment of hesitation you nearly hurt yourself…And for all my pride and honor, I had neglected my duties, neglected the one thing you had taught me. I promise you now Kirito, I'll resume my duty and keep on fighting for as long as I remember you."

Satisfied by her own confession, the exhilaration of the battle soon diminished, and weariness found her again. After speedily washing herself off the ashes of battle, Alice collapsed on the bed and closed her eyes for some moments.

Turning towards Kirito, she said quietly as she embraced the young man. "Kirito…I… have decided something… We shall go to the Eastern Gate, where an attack by the Dark Territory is most likely to take place. I'm sure Uncle and the rest of the knights are already there, preparing for the inevitable." Alice paused a while to find the right words before continuing. "When you…started the rebellion against Her Holiness, you knew this day would come. Only just now did you show your resolve. Now, please, stay with me all the way as I carry on the fight. I'll need you, Kirito…just as I needed you when we were climbing the Central Cathedral."

The light shift he made was all the confirmation she needed; Alice directed a grateful smile at Kirito and tightened their hug. And within minutes, the two knights fell into a deep sleep.

09:30 A.M. 31st of the Tenth Month, Year 380 H.E.C.

While the Rulid Village returned to its usual cheerfulness as reconstruction began rapidly, at the outskirts of the town a great dragon prepared itself before an expected flight and next to her stood Alice and Selka, conversing one last time before the knight took her leave.

"I think deep down, Father wanted to come and see you off." Selka said at last.

"I know." Replied Alice, "Someday, when I've fulfilled all my duties, I'll come back as Alice Zuberg and nothing more. I think that's when I'll be able to say… 'Father, I'm home.'"

"I see," Selka responded with her iconic smile, "what's going to happen to Kirito though?"

Herself unsure of the answer, Alice paused before saying, "I…cannot guarantee what will or will not happen to Kirito. But Selka, I swear, as long as I live, I shall protect him with all my strength, and whatever it is that may be required of me to help mend his mind, I shall do so without hesitation."

"I know," replied Selka as she stepped forward and gave her sister a tight hug, "I know you will…"

Thereafter, Alice summoned her dragon for flight and bided her sister goodbye as Selka ran as much as she could to keep up with the airborne creature.

"I swear I'll return to this village one day." Alice vowed as she proceeded to the Eastern Gate "Even if I fall on the battlefield, my heart definitely will."

Author's notes

Anyway, that was the first chapter, hope you guys enjoyed it. Before you go, there's something I'd like to try out to get the experience more immersive - a playlist. Basically, a list of the anime OST that I thought fit best for the chapter, so here goes:

Unlasting

"Her Soul"
"I'm waiting for you"
"A sword of bravery in her heart"