"I think.. we can rest here.." Kirito muttered.. sitting down in the hall with Eugeo next to him..

Sinon was already sitting down against the wall opposite to them, looking utterly fatigued from her injuries, holding Mikoto in her arms.

"She feels so peaceful.." Sinon murmured. "She was muttering in her sleep at first.. but.. Now she's so quiet."

Kirito nodded. "Well.. it looks like only me and Eugeo are capable of fighting at the moment.."

"Sh-shut up Kirito.. I'm not a rag doll.." muttered a familiar voice.

"M-MIKOTO!" Sinon hugged the barely conscious Mikoto with amazement. "Y-you're awake!! Oh thank God!!"

"I.. have to say.." Mikoto muttered. "I feel like crap.. but.. it's good to see you too Nee-chan.."

Kirito grinned and laughed with relief. "For.. a moment there, I was getting really worried."

"If only you knew where I went just now." Mikoto said with a chuckle. "Hey Eugeo.. er.. are you crying?"

"N-No!!" Eugeo stammered, quickly wiping tears away from his face. "I'm sweating from my eyes!"

"That's called crying."

"I know!" Eugeo sobbed. "I was worried kay!?"

"Sinon.. S-Sinon.." Mikoto said. "H-hey.. you're crushing me.."

"I'm sorry.. but I'm not going let go for a million more years!!" Sinon exclaimed, hugging Mikoto even tighter.

Mikoto looked around over Sinon's shoulder as she continued to hug her. "Where's.. Arita-san?"

"Ari... who?" said Kirito.

"He came back with me.."

"Mikoto.." said Kirito. "We're the only ones here. You just woke up."

"Was it all a dream?" Mikoto muttered. "A wild dream?"

"Mikoto.." Kirito drew the Master Sword and set it's hilt in her hand. "I think this is yours.."

Mikoto smiled at Kirito and clutched the hilt tightly. "So.. tell me.. what the heck happened while I was asleep?"

"We got arrested." Sinon said. "We were lured into a trap by that Viros Thevos.. they planned it all.. attacked your Valets.. lured us to the Dark Territory... fooled us into breaking the Taboo Index.. and now.. we're going to the only place we've got left to go.. up the Cathedral.."

"The Integrity Knights." said Kirito. "They were all a lie.. all of them are under the control of the high priestess Quinella... They wanted you for something, so she made a deal with those Viros to help send you to the future somehow.. but they were only able to send your Fluctlight.."

"So it wasn't a dream!!" Mikoto said. But, Haru and Kuroyukihime should have come back with her then.. where were they!? Or.. or perhaps something HAD gone wrong..

Mikoto held up a hand.. and tried to gather her strength. "Sy-sytem.. Call.."

Immediately Mikoto felt her strength sap. No.. she wasn't strong enough to create a location window right now..

"Your Life is still low." said Eugeo, taking a vial of liquid from his pocket. "We haven't had a chance to heal since we were imprisoned. Here.. drink this.."

Mikoto took the vial and drank from it.. "Sinon.. you're not armed."

"They locked my weapons, my bow, the guns.. all in a different room.." said Sinon. "I don't know where they are.."

"There's.. one more thing they don't have.." Mikoto whispered tracing her finger in the air. "System Call.. open Artificial Storage.."

There was a glowing light.. and Majora's Sniper appeared in Mikoto's hands.. she gave it to Sinon. "I made it for you.. .it's yours.. "

Sinon took the weapon.. and aimed through it's scope experimentally. "Weight feels nice and light.. and yet it feels extremely stable too.. nice.."

"I found a map of the floors in one of the previous rooms. "Said Eugeo. "Looks like we're really close to the Great Library Room.. and.. it doesn't look like anybody can get through to it for some reason.. the door's right there.. but.."

"But what?" said Mikoto.

"But we're not quite sure if it's safe to enter.." said Kirito. "I mean.. there's a reason Integrity Knights don't go in there.. do we really want to find out?"

"I do." said Mikoto standing up and walking right to the door.

"Hey!" Kirito said. "Mikoto wai-"

"WHAM!!" Mikoto kicked the door of the library open. "HELOOOO!!! We're here to read your books or something!"

Sinon sighed. "Just like Imouto-chan."

For a moment.. there was no response.. then, a small voice came out. "Of course you may read whatever you like.. but I do ask you refrain from kicking the doors too much."

Mikoto looked down to see Cardinal standing there, adjusting her glasses and smiling serenely. "Hello. I've been expecting you Ms. Misaka.. Though I see Mr. Crow might have accidentally overshot his destination a bit.. but rest assured he is okay."

Mikoto staggered back in a bit of shock. "Eh... and.. who are you?"

"I am called Cardinal." said Cardinal. "Please.. you look weary and battle worn.. do come in and clean yourselves up and heal your injuries.."

At the name "Cardinal", Kirito narrowed his eyes suspiciously. Cardinal noticed Kirito's suspicious glance and smiled. "Oh now, now.. Kirito-kun.. I would like to talk to you a little.. while your friends are washing up.. the bath's out in back.."

After some tentatively placed trust.. and the fact that Cardinal looked relatively harmless... Sinon, Eugeo, and Mikoto went to wash up as Kirito and Cardinal began to take a walk through the library.

"So.." said Kirito. "You're the Cardinal System that runs Underworld.. aren't you?"

Cardinal smiled and knocked her staff against the floor. "Very good Kirito-kun. Very very good indeed! You've hit the head right on the nail. I am indeed Cardinal.. but.. I'm afraid I do not control the system as I should.."

"The Viros." said Kirito. "It's them isn't it.."

"No actually." said Cardinal. "Though those strange creatures do rather give me a bit of curiosity and grief.. I'm speaking of Quinella.. when she found the Administrator Sacred Art.. I knew it would be trouble.. hundreds of years ago.. I appeared and battled her.. warning her that everyone died when their time came.. but.. she managed to injure me.. and force me back.. and as a result I found myself hiding here in this Great Library.."

Cardinal put out hand and took a book from the shelf. "Kirito-kun. You and Misaka are part of greater fates then either of you can surmise. Had you two never met on Sword Art Online.. perhaps you both would've been saved from this burden.. but.. it has found you nonetheless."

"Found us?" said Kirito. "How can just playing SAO and meeting each other have given us this great fate you're speaking of.. and what exactly is this great fate?"

"It's not something I know much on.. forgive me." said Cardinal. "After all.. I'm just a system AI designed to maintain the Underworld.. The war between Magic, Science, and extraterrestrial beings are far beyond my capability to completely understand... you could say that I'm only passing down a message from the Queen herself.. not of Underworld of course.. the other Queen.. from beyond the Earth.."

Cardinal patted Kirito on the shoulder. "Protect her Kirito-kun. Misaka-chan musn't know of our conversation's topic.. there are some truths that are better left unknown.."

"You're speaking of the Viros's attempts to use her in some ancient weapon." said Kirito. "aren't you?"

"Partially yes.." said Cardinal darkly. "But.. there are much worse things then that.. "

Kirito looked at Cardinal worriedly. "What worse things?"

Cardinal shook her head sadly. "I don't want to worry you too.. but.. there is the current issue I still want to address.. Quinella... she has ruled over this world for too long.. taking others.. and controlling them with her tyranny.. Kirito.."

Cardinal pointed at Kirito. "Please.. I want you to help me defeat Quinella.. I believe that you have the capability to be the absolute hero of this story Sir Kirito-kun.. "

Kirito stared at Cardinal for minute and nodded. "I can't say I fully trust you.. the Cardinal Systems in other games sometimes liked to mess with me a bunch.."

"Understandable." Cardinal said irritably. "I am quite annoyed by my sister's tendency to pay too much attention to the normal programming rather then striving to go above and beyond."

"Hey.." Mikoto walked over from behind a bookshelf, looking clean and refreshed. "I've been looking over Eugeo's map.. and it makes absolutely no sense.. we're supposed to be in the tower cathedral in the center of Zattaria... and yet the way these rooms are constructed.. well.. it makes no sense at all."

"Kirito-kun." said Cardinal. "Misaka-chan. If you would like.. I think it is time to discuss a strategy for defeating Quinella.."

Mikoto leaned in to Kirito's ear. "Hey.. don't tell me that's.. er.. you know.."

"She is." said Kirito. "Only it seems Quinella's upstaged her authority over this world you might say. Go on Cardinal.. what is it we need to do?"

"Well.. I see that you've all learned how to use the Armament Full Control Art.. correct? I can tell from the Master Sword's depleted life that's slowly regenerating.. you've already succeeded with learning how to use it to some extent." said Cardinal.

"My master taught me." said Mikoto. "And I passed my knowledge onto Kirito a bit.."

"And yet.. he has yet to use it with his own sword yet." said Cardinal. "I believe it is time you learned quickly Sir Kirito-kun.. "

"That's it?" said Mikoto incredulously. "That's your strategy? Learn Armament Full Control.. and good luck?"

"It's not a very complicated thing." said Cardinal. "The Integrity Knights all stand guard.. defeat them.. reach the top of the tower, then kill Quinella.. simple.. yet absolutely difficult.. The Armament Full Control Art is perhaps the only thing powerful enough to wound her.."

"Cardinal." said Mikoto. "You've still got a lot of control over the system don't you?"

"Why yes." said Cardinal.

"Do you know if two friends of mine.. are.. er.. in one piece?"

Cardinal smiled. "Mr. Crow and Ms. Lotus are fine.. just a little lost.. don't worry.. I'm sure they will find their way.. and Misaka.. do be careful won't you.. it would be a stunning loss if we were to lose you of all people.."

"Oookay?" said Mikoto as she gave Kirito a confused glance and a shrug. "Hey Kirito.. do you have River Spirit?"

"Eugeo has it." said Kirito.

As Mikoto went off to find Eugeo, Kirito turned back to Cardinal. "If she's in danger.. if there's something you're not telling me here.. then please.. tell me so I can protect her!"

"You've spent much of your time since you've met her trying to protect her.." said Cardinal. "Even in the childhood which you can't remember.. of course.. there must be a maiden.. and a protector.. but must the protector always continue to protect?"

"What are you going on about?" Kirito said.

"You will learn it.." said Cardinal. "In the future you will learn.. but for now.. I believe I have a lost Crow to guide.. go on Kirito.. I have food for you set up near the exit to the Library.. and good luck.."

After a hearty meal that was prepared by Cardinal, the group left the Library, feeling slightly more prepared.. but only slightly so..

"So.. she wants us to take down Quinella." said Sinon serenely, examining her gun. "I'm not sure about this guys.. I mean if Cardinal couldn't take down Quinella, what hope is there for us?"

"What exactly is she?" asked Eugeo. "She didn't seem like an ordinary little girl back there."

"You don't need to think much about it.." said Mikoto. "All we really need to know now.. is we need to defeat Quinella.. she's the one who created the Integrity Knights.. which means she's the one who controls Ali-Alice.. "

Mikoto stopped in her tracks..

The young Mikoto and her brother Kirito sat atop the hill next to the giant Gigas Cedar.. Eugeo yawned and threw a stone over the hill to pass the time.. as they did so.. Alice ran up the hill, carrying a bento and scolding Kirito and Eugeo for slacking off on a work day before giving Mikoto the first bento.. smiling.

Mikoto staggered to her knees, panting hard. She was stunned to find a tear trickling down her cheek. "Alice.. I couldn't save you.."

"Mikoto!?" Kirito , Eugeo and Sinon stopped giving Mikoto worried looks.

Kirito held out a hand to Mikoto and patted her shoulder. "Are you okay?"

"I don't know." said Mikoto. "Kirito.. remember back in SAO.. how I had amnesia? Do you think.. that we might have that?"

Kirito gave Mikoto a serious look.. "You remembered something?"

"I.. don't quite understand it.." Mikoto said. "I-I'm fine Eugeo.. "

Eugeo had attempted to hand Mikoto a Life Potion. He nodded, but continued to look worried before pocketing the potion.

"You know he has a thing for you right?" said Kirito.

Mikoto blushed. "I haven't ever found a way to let him down easy.."

"Sad thing is.. I think you two would've made a good couple." said Kirito with a teasing wink.

"Oh stop it!" Mikoto muttered punching Kirito in the shoulder.

"Hey.." said Sinon. "There's a big door here.. According to Eugeo's map.. we'll find another courtyard here.. you guys ready for this.?"

"As we'll ever be." said Kirito, drawing his nameless black sword.

Eugeo drew the Blue Rose Sword while Mikoto drew both the Master Sword and River Spirit.. Sinon held her gun at ready and aimed Majora's Sniper at the door.

Kirito grabbed the handle of the door, and pushed it open.. before them stood a large stone courtyard.. and in the center of it.. stood a golden Olive Tree..

"So.. you made it.." Alice walked out from behind the tree.. looking regal and serene as ever. "Criminals.."

"A-Alice.." Eugeo began to sweat. "What have you done with Yuniko and Yuuki?"

"Oh.. they escaped us.. heavily injured.. but the Knights we sent after them shouldn't have too much trouble." said Alice. "In the meantime.. I felt it prudent to wait for you.. I see the subject Lord Thevos requires is awake.."

"Heck yeah I'm awake.." Mikoto said, stepping forward. "Now Alice-.."

As soon as she said the name.. Mikoto staggered.. her before her eyes.. she saw the happy little girl with blonde hair temporarily replace the stern regal face of Alice..

Mikoto shook herself.. and the vision disappeared.

"Something wrong criminal?" said Alice.

"Alice Schuberg.." Mikoto murmured. "I knew you once..."

"Regardless of your crazed false feelings of having met me.. I severely doubt I would refrain from cutting you had I had those memories myself." said Alice.

Eugeo, Kirito, and Mikoto began to circle Alice.

"Sinon.." Kirito said carefully. "Lower your gun.. we're not here to kill her.. we need to restrain her.."

"Aye aye.." said Sinon lowering her weapon as Kirito requested.

Mikoto looked into Alice's regal eyes. With every moment she looked at Alice.. she began to remember things.. and what she began to remember most of all.. was the face of a girl who used to bring bentos to her brother every day.. as more and more.. her repressed memories from her experiments with Rath began to trickle back..

"Guys.. stay back." said Mikoto. She sheathed River Spirit, and held the Master Sword alone in her right hand. "I'll take her one on one.."

"M-Mikoto-chan!" said Eugeo. "Are you crazy? She's an Integrity Knight! She managed to match Yuuki-san in a fight! And none of us were ever able to beat her!"

Mikoto gave Kirito a meaningful look. And instantaneously, Kirito understood.

"Be careful.." Kirito said cautiously. "When you need us to jump in.."

"Right.." said Mikoto, stepping forward.

"You actually mean to face me alone with one blade?" said Alice. "Either your hubris is extremely large.. or you're just stupid.. which is both pretty much the same thing."

"Actually, my mentor once told me there was much to learn from crossing blades with another. The blade is like a book of the person.. all you need to do is learn to read it.." Mikoto said.

"Really now.." said Alice. "Well.. I don't need to read you.. Mikoto Misaka.. student of the Sword Master Academy.. wielder of the only Divine Instrument capable of Sacred Sword Arts beyond that of 4 hit combos.. ID number 43908.. Amount of Life 965.. displays strange abilities involving Electrokinises that she used to develop the Railgun Style of sword fighting.. 6th seat in the 12 Elite Noble Swordsmen of the Academy. A pity really.. I was the 1st seat."

"Well.. I don't plan on using Railgun Style." Mikoto said. "I want to get to know you.. not kill you."

"Mercy hmm..? Fool..." The tree glowed with bright light as Alice touched it.. and it became Alice's golden sword in her hand.

"This is the Fragrant Olive Sword.." said Alice. "And she is your executioner.. criminal.."