Chapter Six:

Save. Our. Alice - Integrity Knight Down

Location: Central Cathedral; Capital City Centoria Human Empire

The Following Morning:

The governing council had reconvened in their chamber minus Kirito and Alice who were at the moment missing. No one on the council was able to find them for one reason or another which although felt strange to the group set it aside as they got down to the matter at hand;
Something is wrong; Desulburt... Ishkahn... Scheta surely one of them should've reported in by now. Eydis stated to her comrades on the council who were all in agreement with her concern. Desulburt and Scheta were two of their best Knight's so the fact neither have been heard from in days was not a good sign. Fanatio then took her turn to stand before the group; "We should launch an expedition to find them immediately they may be in trouble." The group all nodded in agreement on this motion minus one.

"Sir Renly you don't agree?" Ryone asked with concern in her voice. "No I don't disagree it's just any party that's sent needs to include Kirito and Alice after all this could very well be a trap; There are still factions in the dark territory that aren't signatories to the peace treaty thus they're still technically at war with us."

The Group once again understanding their comrades concern agreed to the motion as Kirito and Alice entered the chamber. "Well there they are." Fanatio scowled wondering what could've possibly been more important than her Knight's well- being. "Good Morning; Love birds, did you have fun?" Eydis teased with a cheeky expression plastered on her face. "Oh stop that Eydis you know Kirito only has eyes for Asuna." Ryone chimed all the while Kirito and Alice just stood there expressionless with a thousand yard stare; confusing everyone. You sick or something Tiese asked with concern. As Kirito and Alice snapped out of their trance like state neither of them able to place what happened over the last few hours unaware of what they had done thanks to Ryoken's program.

Eventually the pair caught up with where they're comrades were and immediately signed on to the plan as the group exited the chamber to head out into the dark territory unaware of what fresh hell they were about to walk in to.

Dark Territory Rebel Territory:

"Back to Oblivion with you." Desulburt exclaimed as fire swirled around him firing volley after volley of arrows at what appeared to be mechanical beings their armor glistening in the glow of the flames as they emerged unscathed it was then that the knight commander got a good look at his foes they were indeed Mechanical beings in the real world they would be known as killer robots they had humanoid characteristics until you got to their heads a real worlder would equate them to a flying saucer but here no one would get the reference nor would they care as thousands came marching through Desulburts wall of fire in straight columns. A well disciplined army indeed Desulburt thought as he continued to fire quickly exhausting his ammunition. Unaware that many moons ago two warriors tried the same tactic against these same machines in a remote mountain base only to be overwhelmed by their numbers and the same energy blasts being hurled at Desulburt but there was nowhere to go no escape this was the knights last stand.

All the while at the other end of the clearing he could see explosions and black and red beans of light firing skyward. That was where Ishkahn and his wife integrity knight Scheta were taking on an army of what appeared to be giant crabs and Mechanical spiders backed up by infantry from the flatland and mountain goblins as well as the dark mage guild the three Dark Territory guilds in rebellion. This new force they were facing was more than the trio could handle though. backed up by the reconstituted Vecta and his new army; the three were at real risk of being overrun. Despite being able to hold them back for days there strength and supplies were running out while their enemies supplies were limitless and their troops constantly being cycled and refreshed; It was a nightmare. Eventually it proved too much as the trio fell to their knees in defeat expected to be slaughtered right then and there but the rebel commanders had other ideas as their artificial comrades stood down and returned to there Master with no words or commands spoken. The goblins and mages tied down the trio confiscated their weapons and threw them on to a transport wagon. While the infantry began the grusem task of burying their fallen comrades.

Meanwhile with the Expedition in the skies above:

The distinct silhouette of Three dragons and two star-ships cut across the dark black territory skies like knifes. Aboard the two escort Star-ships were integrity pilots Ronye and Tiese while the rest flew upon the backs of their dragons the old fashioned way in order to survey more ground; Kirito and Alice aboard the lead dragon flanked by Fanatio on their left and Eydis and Renly sharing the mount on their Right. It was tough but the group was able to scan hundreds of miles with no success so Kirito told the group that their best bet most likely would be to head to Ishkahn's citadel the capital of the new Dark Territory. The group then banked right and flew there at breakneck speed upon arrival after a brief landing and disembarking. The group gazed upon the old palace of the Dark God it was like staring at a medieval castle in modern real world but to the Dark Territory inhabitants it was the absolute peak of luxury it was here Ishkahn set up his new government to lead the Dark Territory into a new era.

The group quickly rushed into the fortress hoping to find their friends; except they didn't find Ishkahn, Scheta or, even Desulburt alas the only soul left; inside was Ishkahn's close aid a fellow member of Ishkahn's clan "Mylee."

"Greetings representatives of the Human Empire." The young woman formally greeted her guests although Kirito quickly asked her to spare the formalities before explaining to her that, they were searching for their comrades or at the very least members of Ishkahn's governing council. This shocked the representative who quickly realized they must not know what has happened as a look of horror creeped upon her face worrying Kirito and the others.

"Everyone fled the capital when they heard..." Mylee stated shaking nervously; "Heard what?" Kirito asked suspense filling the air...

"Dark God Vecta has been resurrected and he has taken over the rebellion movement." Kirito and everyone else's jaws about hit the floor at this news. No one could believe it...

"That must've been the anomaly we detected the other day!" Renly exclaimed with Eydis nodding in agreement.
"Surely Ishkahn and Scheta didn't run away; they had to have gone looking for him." Tiese added. "It'd explain why we haven't heard from them in days... But even still he couldn't have possibly consolidated things this quickly. Ryone naively proclaimed.

"This is dark god Vecta we are talking about his power is immense and he should never be under... Underestimated..." Alice stuttered causing the group to turn to the Priestess of light only to see that she was extremely pail and hardly able to stand something that took everyone off guard but no one more than Kirito as Alice fainted right there. However Kirito was quick to catch her in his arms before she hit the ground. Everyone was so focused on the mission no one not even Kirito noticed Alice growing weaker as they traveled but now here they were in a war zone and one of their strongest fighters is in no condition to fight.

"Oh dear I'll summon the medics." Mylee assured the group as Kirito nodded while held Alice to keep her from hitting the ground.

A Few Hours Later Inside the Hospital Wing of the Dark Territory Capital Building:

"Ugh... My.. My... Head" the blonde knight groaned as she held the right side of her head the sharp pain being excruciating. Alice was unsure what exactly had happened the last thing she remembered was feeling light headed and passing out. It was at that moment she realized she was on a nice soft bed a candle glowing on the table next to her. It was also at that moment she remembered where she was and why she was here but was surprised as she tried to get up something or rather someone holding her back. She looked over and saw an orderly sitting in the chair next to her bed. The distinct white and red cross on her apron signifying she was indeed medical personnel.

"Oh good you are awake; Lady Alice. My name is Mary and I've been tasked with taking care of you after you passed out." Alice was a bit embarrassed she was a strong and independent person and didn't need anyone to take care of her that was until Mary spoke again.

"Lady Alice we ran some tests while you were unconscious and we found out why you passed out like that." Alice was shocked a bit by this revelation as her attention was now completely focused on the black haired nurse tasked with looking out for her. Unsure of just what she was getting at; "Lady Alice... You... You're pregnant!" Mary announced as Alice's eyes glossed over as her mouth went slightly agape while her right hand almost instinctively settled on her stomach.

"There was no way that could be... The only one I would've been alone with would be ... Come to think of it there were a few hours neither of us could place." Alice thought to herself her mind running a thousand miles an hour as a slight blush crept upon her face.

"Congratulations Lady Alice; I don't mean to be rude but who's the lucky man?" Mary asked her as Alice looked at her still with a bright pink face; the man wearing all black bring him here please without alerting him or the others of what's going on I want to tell them myself. Alice pleaded to her orderly who nodded in understanding as she went to fetch Kirito.

Meanwhile with "Vecta":

"Well... Well... What do we have here" the dark god sarcastically uttered as he quite honestly couldn't care less.

These are the three resistors my lord a goblin commander hissed still angry at the slaughter of his men hoping that Vecta would do something to punish Scheta, Ishkahn and, Desulburt who were hog-tied at his feet.

"Dark God Vecta... But you're supposed to be dead..." Ishkahn muttered in disbelief and horror as he looked up at the former ruler of the Dark Territory.

"You pathetic fool... I'm not Vecta" he revealed as everyone even the citizens mouths hung open in shock. "I'm just using this ID to manifest myself in this new realm my true identity is X.A.N.A!

You... You... Charlton... You'll pay for this the goblins called out as they started a charge at the Multiagent as he raised his hand and struck the horde down without a single visible attack being launched that was until the ground shook and erupted with columns of blue flames shooting skywards the loud screams of his victims getting fainter, and fainter before disappearing all together. Scaring the whole room into terrified silence.

"Thus is the fate of all who oppose me" X.A.N.A. calmly and coldly stated before turning to the knights at his feet. My plan is to escape to the real world and take it over in my image; However to do that I need a vessel and not one of you foots that bill how unfortunate for you. Before lifting his hand and pointing at the trio as they shuddered in fear that none of them could quite explain.

"Now you all die!" X.A.N.A declared before burning them alive and then into smouldering piles of ash but not before their screams of sorrow carried through the night as the Multi-agent laughed maniacally.

"SOON I SHALL BE FREE TO GET MY REVENGE ON THAT DISGUSTING REAL WORLD."

To Be Continued: