Chapter 5: Betrayal

I woke up abruptly. There was a brief moment of panic as I realized where I was, and then I relaxed. I was still on Red's back, but we were sinking quickly. "Wha-?" I mumbled. "What are you doing, Red?"

The dragon snorted as her wings beat. It was dark, but when I looked around I could still see a few pinpricks of light. Red was landing in the middle of a village. "Seriously? You couldn't wait until you got back? It can't be more than a day or two left," I sighed. "You gluttonous beast."

Red's answering growl was probably roughly, 'I want to eat and that means you're going to feed me'. Stacia, why did you see fit to grace me with such a creature? I could have had something like Amayori, who never disobeyed Alice ever. Sigh. I guess we were taking a break.

Though... That meant I could indulge a little bit, didn't it? After all, nobody really expected me back at any sort of time, and it wasn't like they knew where I was stopping...

I licked my lips and a smile spread across my face as I put the helmet on. "Oh, alright, have it your way." Already, my heart was starting to pound again. This was going to be fun!

When Red finally landed, we were greeted by a small group of men carrying lanterns in their hands. The thin and open shirts they were wearing matched what I'd seen as standard pajamas in the deserts of Southacroith. "Integrity Knight!" one braver than the rest said. "May I ask the reason for your arrival?"

"Supplies," I said flatly. "Do you have any amount of food you could spare? My dragon needs something small." Red's eyes narrowed at me, but I ignored the dragon. She got fed more than enough at the Central Cathedral.

"Certainly... Certainly! Anything to help you," the brave man said. "Ah - I'm the mayor of this village, so you don't need to worry about my authority to offer such things."

I hadn't, in the slightest.

"Will fruits be enough?" one of the other men asked. "I have some surplus..."

"That will be fine, thank you."

The mayor cleared his throat. "In the meantime... It will take some time to gather enough food for your mount, and so would you care to rest at my house? Any hospitality we could show you," he said, "is what we can offer."

I smiled under my helmet. "That would be wonderful, thank you," I said. "It has been a long flight, and stretching my legs sounds like just the thing."

The men laughed at the simple joke, and the mayor gestured to a few of the men to start gathering the food for Red. "When they bring it, eat," I commanded the dragon. Red sighed and settled in place to wait. "Now, your house...?"

"Certainly!" The mayor jumped at the chance. "This way, Sir Integrity Knight."

The house he led me to was large, made out of a sand-colored stone with interesting carvings decorating the side. It looked very nice, not that I particularly cared all that much. What was more interesting was the way it was markedly nicer than every other house nearby; the fencing that marked the territory belonging to this household stretched out to encompass a lot of land. The inside was just as opulent as the outside, if not more so with the rich silks lining the wall as hanging tapestries and the occasional carpet. There were even a few decorative pieces of pottery sitting on tables.

With everything put together like that, it painted a very interesting picture that I was more than happy to see. Now, all I needed to do was get on the mayor's good side - which wasn't going to be difficult at all. "It's a lovely house," I said.

"Thank you very much! We are the most well-off family in town," he said.

"I can see that. You must all work very hard. Ah... How did you get so much land?" I chuckled. "Your fenced area is massive."

The mayor laughed. "There's a story behind that, actually! You see, back when I'd just inherited my position as mayor from my father, a very powerful storm came through town. Naturally, whenever a sandstorm hits us, it blows down a large chunk of the fences between my property and our neighbors, who had been equal in size as my own family." He shook his head. "All I needed to do was have a group of hard-working young men out in the storm, setting up fences as they were knocked down, and the territory I owned expanded at a large rate."

I made a quiet noise. "They were out in the storm? Wasn't that dangerous?"

"Only a small amount," the mayor said. "Their Life dropped a small amount, but nobody was in any real danger. It was nothing the sisters at our church couldn't heal, after all! Hahaha!"

"Ah, I see." Behind my helmet, I smiled. Yes, this would be perfect. "And... There is one more thing you could assist me with, if you're willing."

His eyes lit up. "Certainly! I would be honored to do so!"

"Wonderful. Let's go see if your men have scrounged up enough fruit for my dragon, and then you can help me."

When we returned, I saw Red happily guzzling down fruit after fruit from the ones piled up in front of her. I swiped one and stashed it in a saddlebag for later, and then mounted up on Red's back. The mayor of the town - I just realized, I never got his name, did I? - scrambled up behind me. His fumbling was a little awkward, and I held back a snicker of laughter at his squirming while he got comfortable.

"Alright Red, you know the drill. Let's go." I snapped the reins and Red launched herself into the air, the heavy downbeats of her wings stirring up wind that blew things everywhere. Once she gained enough height, she started circling the village. "So, Mr. Mayor, do you happen to know where the closest other villages are, in every direction?"

"Oh, um, yes, of course, Integrity Knight." The mayor gathered himself, though he couldn't stop glancing down at the ground from time to time, and let out a shaky breath. "Yes, there is a town about two days' ride north - er, well, on your dragon it would take less time, naturally, but two days on a horse. And then one four days away to the south, and... A-And one to the east!"

"Be calm," I told him. "Red wouldn't drop you."

He took a deep breath, and then sighed. "I'm very sorry, Integrity Knight."

"Don't be, it's understandable." Red flapped her wings and started flying to the west. "Only Integrity Knights know the secrets of taming and riding dragons, after all." Though really those 'secrets' were held by the Highest Order Administrator and not us personally.

The mayor nodded and stared at Red's scales. "Yes, I see... It makes sense. I can't quite say I'm used t-to being this high up..." I simply nodded and sat in silence as Red flew.

It took about an hour of flying before the man started to shift. "Ah, forgive me Integrity Knight, but..."

"Did you know?" I asked. He was interrupted in the middle of his sentence, but he was searching for his words anyway. I didn't feel bad about it. "That Integrity Knights aren't totally bound by the Taboo Index. We have special dispensation while carrying out our duties. As, of course, our duties take us into the Dark Territory from time to time."

"Certainly, but -"

"And one of those rules lessened in our duties," I said, "is the restriction against willingly lowering a human's Life." I smiled under my helmet. "In fact, we've been given leave to lower a human's Life by up to seventy percent if we deem it necessary."

The mayor shivered. Hmm, it was cold up here, wasn't it? "Forgive me for questioning you, Sir Integrity Knight, but why are you telling me such a thing?"

"That's a good question, isn't it?" I chuckled and stood up on Red's back. She knew the signal and spread her wings out, gliding through the air effortlessly so that I wasn't rocked. "I guess I'll tell you, since it won't matter." I leaned forward. "The moment someone learns that fact, their fate is sealed."

"Wha -"

He didn't manage to finish the exclamation on his lips before my dagger raked down his face, cutting a crimson line across his right eye. The man shrieked in pain as he staggered to his feet, and my dagger flashed out again three times. The severed limbs - both arms and one leg - tumbled from Red's back. I'd have to clean up the scales later; the stench of blood was thick in the air, and I'm sure some got all over me and her.

"Don't worry," I said as he stared at me, too surprised and stunned by pain to speak. "Your Life value is still above thirty percent. Now... farewell."

One shove was all it took for him to lose his balance and fall away from Red. I watched with a smile on my face as he plummeted to the ground, but after a few seconds I couldn't see his figure in the gloom of night. Red flapped her wings and started flying north towards the Central Cathedral as I took my seat again.

"Kya hah hah! Red, did you see that?!" I giggled. "I was like, 'Shove!' and then he just fell! The look on his face was so amazing! Kya hah hah hah!"

Yes! That's the feeling I was looking for! When I had life and death in my hands, and then I forced the scales to bend one way or another! It felt so good! Naturally, that wasn't the first time I'd done something like that. It was a semi-frequent occurrence, when I got the urge to kill a human. I'd just snoop around a village until I found someone that pissed me off for abusing their authority, and then just take them up high and kick them off. I just loved watching their faces as they fell!

"Ahh..." I settled down to enjoy the rest of the flight home.

Sadly, the rush of almost-killing yet another villager noble too full of their own status died away way before I made it back to the Central Cathedral. I was reduced to idly calling up Sacred Arts to play around with in the air just for something to keep me occupied, since I wasn't able to fall asleep the entire rest of the way. When Red landed on the 30th Floor, I couldn't have been more grateful; I jumped down from her back and left the rest to the attendants.

I yawned as I walked up the stairs to the 95th Floor; obviously, since I hadn't slept for a few days, I was feeling very, very sleepy. My eyelids felt like they were made of steel weights for how hard it was to keep them open. Fortunately, I didn't have to wait too long for Chudelkin to bounce his way out of the Senator's quarters. "Well well well," he said, folding his arms as he stared up at me. "You're back already, Integrity Knight?"

"The Pontifex's enemies have been eliminated," I said. I swayed on my feet a little bit. The riot of colors in his outfit hurt my tired eyes and made it hard to focus on the butterball. "The giants that massed together and approached the southern border of the human empire have all been eliminated."

"Hmm, yes, yes, I see, I see! Very good. You may go now," Chudelkin said. "I'll inform the Pontifex myself. Go and... do whatever it is you Integrity Knights do."

I didn't even bother protesting against his shitty personality. I'd grown used to the awful garbage clown. Besides, if I protested, that would stop me from getting to sleep sooner. Tch, I'd love to just break his neck and be done with it, but Chudelkin was the Prime Senator. Second in rank only to Administrator herself.

Another yawn escaped me as I walked back to my bed. By this point I was basically asleep, and everything I was doing I did on autopilot. After I closed the door behind me, I blinked. I had to chant a Sacred Art to get in and out of my room, and while I remembered locking it when I left several days ago I couldn't remember whether I'd chanted the Sacred Art to unlock it just then.

I had to have done that, right? I probably did. It wasn't like there was any reason to break into my room or anything like that anyway. It was small and cramped, and I only used it to sleep in. Which was the most important thing for me to do right then.

The bed felt so, so comfortable compared to Red's scales...

...

*Knock knock knock*

The pounding on my door was what finally stirred me from my sleep. I rolled out of bed and yawned before sliding it open. "What," I said flatly.

Alice stood on the other side of the door, and lowered her hand from where she'd raised it to keep knocking. "Ah... You were asleep. I apologize, Rythin," she said, not sounding apologetic at all. "But there are intruders in the Central Cathedral. They were taken prisoner several days ago, but escaped from their cells. Eldrie attempted to subdue them, but they used a strange Art that left him unconscious."

"Thanks for the warning."

"They are agents of the Dark Territory, making an attempt on the life of the Pontifex," Alice told me. "We are to kill them on sight."

I waved at her. "Got it, got it. Now unless you want to watch me get changed, let me close the door."

The golden-haired knight's lips pursed together but she didn't reply. Instead, she turned on her heel and walked away.

Intruders, huh? And we're supposed to kill them? Sounds like fun. I yawned and called up a set of thermal and cryogenic elements to create cold water, then splashed my face until I felt like I was finally awake. After that, I set off for the highest floor I could be in - the 96th Floor. My reasons for that choice were obvious. First and foremost, I didn't really care about what happened along the way to the other Integrity Knights. My only priority was ensuring that Administrator wasn't hurt. If anything, I wanted the other Integrity Knights to get killed by the Dark Territory invaders. That would serve them right for how they treated me.

In any event, the other Integrity Knights would either defeat the intruders, in which case I didn't have to do anything, or they'd lose to the intruders, in which case the intruders would be severely weakened and I'd be able to slaughter them easily. No matter how I looked at it, it was a win-win!

With a happy smile, I climbed the stairs to the 96th Floor. All I had to do now? Wait.

...

My light doze was interrupted when a cackling, "Hooo hoo hoo haa haa hahah hoo!" echoed up to me. I watched Chudelkin bounce up the steps, carrying an unconscious body in his hands. Blue shirt, blonde hair... There was an empty sheath on the body. Though... that tunic looked familiar. I felt like I'd seen the style somewhere before...

"Prime Senator," I said. "Is that one of the intruders?"

"Yes it is," he snapped. "Now do your job already! There's still more! Protect the Pontifex, you lousy... arrgh!" Without pausing, he stormed past me. It was pretty funny to watch him carry the body of what I'd figured to be a boy judging by the pants, when the boy was so much bigger than the rotund little shrimp.

I sighed after Chudelkin passed into the hall to the Senator's quarters. I really wanted to just keep sleeping, but if one of the intruders had been apprehended already, then that meant I needed to put in work. If there were more, then that meant... Kya hah hah! That meant Alice had been killed! How wonderful. It couldn't have happened to a more irritating princess!

My hearing picked something up coming from the floor below me, and I smiled to myself. "Showtime," I said.

I picked myself up and slowly descended the steps. My steps were even and smooth, perfectly spaced apart. After all, I needed to be intimidating here. As my boots clicked down each step, more and more of the 95th Floor revealed itself. At the very edge of the floor were two figures, one on top of the other. The one on the ground had dark hair, disheveled as the boy laid on his stomach and panted for breath. And the one on top of him, resplendent in her golden armor that matched her golden hair, was...

"Kirito," breathed Alice as she looked down at the boy.

Ah. Oh, this was going to be a treat.

For being on the ship, the breakfast was surprisingly decent. The cafeteria was on the top level of the ship, so Rinko, Asuna, and I had taken a seat next to the window; there was plenty of sunlight pouring through the huge glass panes, and I stretched out in luxury at the warmth. "Mmmm," I practically purred. "Feels good~."

"I swear, you're practically half cat," Asuna said.

I cracked one eye open and glanced at her, then grinned and brought a hand up in a pawing motion. "Nya~. Explains why we're eating fish, at least."

Our breakfast was some fresh-grilled fish, a small salad, and some little bread pastries. Nick had called them... crescents? That didn't seem quite right, since he'd pronounced it weirdly like he'd been clearing his throat at the time. Plus some green tea for Asuna, of course. I'd chosen to go with the orange juice just like Rinko.

Asuna shook her head and poked at her fish with a fork before she set it down and looked out the window. "Maybe..."

I folded my arms and rested my chin on them. Huh, she hadn't scolded me for having bad table manners? But that was such an Asuna thing to do, she couldn't possibly have missed the chance? When I looked at her again, she was staring at the ocean but didn't seem to be looking at it. Maybe she was thinking about Kazuto and Nick again.

Across from us, Rinko set her knife down on the table with a tiny clink. There was still some butter on it from where she'd been spreading it on her crescent. "Hey, Asuna," she began.

"Hm?"

"How's your fish?" Rinko asked. "I bet they caught it right off the side of the Turtle."

"...Yeah, maybe they did," Asuna said with a small laugh. "Or, maybe they brought it..."

Asuna and Rinko turned to look out the window, and I sat up properly to see what my friend was talking about. Sure enough, there was a dark shadow in the water, just on the edge of the horizon. "Hmm..." Rinko said. "I doubt it. It doesn't look like a fishing boat - way too many antennae."

"So, it's a battleship, then?" I asked.

"No. It's Japanese." The voice from behind caught our attention and we all turned to see a man in a suit standing by our table. Hey, I recognized him! He was that suit that met us at our helicopter and took us inside! I didn't remember his name though. Whoops. "We don't have battleships in service anymore." Then he brought his hand up in a polite salute. "Miss Yuuki, Miss Izawa, Doctor Koujiro. Morning."

"Good morning," Asuna and I chorused.

"Good morning, Mr. Nakanishi," Rinko said. Oh, right, Nakanishi, that was his name. If I had my little notebook, I'd love to write it down so I didn't forget again. "If that's not a warship, is it SDF?"

Nakanishi smiled. "M-SDF. And, 'escort ship' is the official designation. The one out there is the 'DD-119 Asahi'. She's a 5-ton general purpose vessel."

Ooh, it looked like we'd got him started on something he liked talking about. It's always neat when someone starts talking about things they love, since they can just go for hours. Kinda reminded me of the way that Kazuto could just go for hours about his grinding or Nick and his martial arts.

Asuna, Rinko, and I all shared a quiet giggle as Nakanishi continued, "She's one of two escort ships in service. Her sister ship is the Shiranui. They are the second-"

"Hey, um, it looks like it's moving away now," Asuna said.

I peered at the ship. It... looked like a ship. "How can ya tell?" I asked her.

Nakanishi raised his hand to his eyes to protect them from the sunlight as he stared at the ship, and his smile disappeared. "Pardon me," he said, suddenly all business. I watched as he stepped away from the table and pulled out a phone from his pocket. "Lieutenant Colonel Kikuoka? I just saw the Asahi changing course to the west. Wasn't she supposed to stay with us until 1200, the day after tomorrow?"

I frowned. That doesn't seem like it was something that was planned. Asuna and I exchanged a worried glance.

"...Yes sir, right away." Nakanishi hung up his phone and looked over his shoulder at us. "Excuse me, ladies. Something's come up." Without another word he bowed slightly and walked away with purpose.

"Hmm. It must be something important," Rinko said.

Asuna nodded. "Yeah..."

I looked out the window again to see if there was any change to the ship. It looked perfectly normal, but things were acting a little strangely. I wonder...

Asuna let out a sigh and turned back to her meal. While she poked at one of the cherry tomatoes that came with the salad, I started cutting up my fish. Whatever was going on, I wanted to face it on a full stomach. There was something strange going on with this Turtle, and I didn't know what.

The sound of my bootsteps echoed loudly in the silence of midnight. I couldn't help but enjoy the dramatic sound - because as soon as I reached the bottom of the steps, the black-haired boy had pushed himself to his feet and stared at me. "Crap, another one..." he muttered.

I smiled beneath my helmet. This was absolutely perfect. His brow was soaked in sweat, and I could see the subtle shakes of his arms and legs. Plus, for some unknown reason, Alice's right eye was covered in a black cloth and a golden chain was wrapped around her waist. I had no idea why Alice was standing next to the invader and not trying to kill him already, but that was fine.

It gave me an excuse to kill her, after all.

"Well, well, well," I hissed. "Look who it is. Hello, Alice." I liked how my voice echoed in the helmet. It made things seem so much more menacing, just like how my I'd deliberately spaced my steps out to be more ominous as I descended from the shadows of the upper floor. "Or would you prefer Lady Alice? Eldrie always wanted me to call you that. Or perhaps something better would suit you. Maybe traitor."

Alice gritted her teeth. "This isn't -"

"Oh, you don't need to worry about defending yourself." I smirked and shook my head. "The simple fact that you're standing next to an invader from the Dark Territory and not severing his head from his body means that you've betrayed the Highest Order Administrator. And that means, you're a traitor. Which means I can kill you too! Kya hah hah!"

"You're insane!" Alice shouted. "Turning on your fellow Integrity Knight like that! I promise you, I have a reason for my actions, if you will listen!"

"Kya hah hah!" I cackled, and then abruptly cut off the laughter. "Just like that?" I asked in a perfectly casual tone of voice. "No. Of course not. After all... I've wanted to do this for a long time!"

Another cackle burst from me as I launched myself forward, dagger blade scything towards her unprotected neck. Alice gasped and reached for her sword, but I was faster! I've always been faster, Alice! Kya hah hah! KYA HAH HAH HAH -

*Clang!*

"...Hah?" My arm shook as my blade halted without touching her skin. I still tried desperately to force the dagger forward; I just couldn't comprehend what had happened. My dagger had stopped? No. Had been stopped. The black blade that had put itself between me and my target shook, but the boy held it firmly despite his clear exhaustion. "How unexpected! What a hero you are, protecting someone who's probably going to kill you anyway! Hehehahahah!"

The boy grunted as I shoved him forward, but a single step backwards was all he took. My eye twitched. This shitty boy! He dares to stand in front of me, and stop me? I'm an Integrity Knight! Administrator called me from heaven to serve her, and this shitty wooden sword was able to stop me?! "I'm not going to let you touch Alice!" he growled. "She cares about this world, even if you don't!"

"Of course I don't care!" I wasn't getting anywhere with trying to match our strengths. When I pulled back my dagger without any warning, though, the boy shifted his weight forward when he suddenly won the struggle. That was all the opening I needed to lash out with my leg. I spun and slammed my boot into his side. He was wearing a heavy coat, but I still felt something inside give from the force of my blow, and he went tumbling like a rag doll. "But I'll deal with you later, dark spawn. Just sit there and wait your turn."

Kuh... The only surprise there was that a human's sword could match my Divine Object. I was still stronger than he was when it came to brute force. Hopefully shattering those ribs would be enough to keep him down until Alice's Life ticked down to zero. With a smirk, I turned back to Alice - and then flinched.

No. I didn't flinch. I wouldn't flinch from Alice. "Kirito," Alice commanded, "stay down."

"Kiri...to...?" I repeated the name. It felt... strange on my lips. It felt almost like I'd heard and said it before. But that was impossible. I'd never known anyone named Kirito before, and certainly not someone from the Dark Territory. I would have killed them, after all. Administrator's orders. "Tch. Worry about your lover later, Alice, because I'm the one that's going to kill you!"

She'd had time to draw her Fragrant Olive Sword, which was bad. I gritted my teeth and charged forward, sliding under her initial slash. The wind from the blow nearly shook me but I turned it into a spin instead to give my dagger more force. I needed the power to clash with her longsword, and with a shout I struck. Instead of aiming for the neck again, this time the point of my dagger was aimed at her right underarm, a weak point in the armor.

Alice's eyes widened and she twisted out of the way, but I grinned and slipped to my left. Kya hah hah! She thought I wouldn't notice, but her first slash was really really off! That eyepatch of hers wasn't just for show! Weakened like this... I could totally kill her!

"I'm going to enjoy this," I purred as I stalked to the left. Alice backed up to keep me in her vision, holding her sword in front of her. Circling her was too easy, though! "Always so proud. So, so perfect. The Princess of the Integrity Knights. I'm going to enjoy killing you, because that'll be payback! For all the times you mocked me, for all the times you laughed and sneered at me behind my back!"

"I never... You're insane," Alice declared.

Her eye shifted past me, and in that instant I darted forward and closed the gap. It took her a heartbeat to react and that was all the time in the world I needed. Once I was inside her guard, I slashed with my dagger and aimed to blind her other eye. I just needed to -

"Discharge!"

I whipped around and my eyes widened. The boy had staggered to his feet and raised a hand; I'd been so focused on taunting Alice that I'd missed him using a Sacred Art. The thermal elements were slow-moving projectiles, so I snapped my hand up. "System call generate cryogenic element form element bird shape counter thermal element discharge!" The rapid patter of the Sacred Art fell off of my tongue and several blue bird-shaped elements were in the air moments later.

It was just enough of a distraction that Alice was able to slip away from my attack and ruin my perfect chance to finally finally FINALLY pay Alice back. Damn iiiiit! The golden girl took a few steps back and braced herself before lunging towards me. Her speed was still super incredible despite only having one eye and I snarled at her. I dodged out of the way and tried to slash at her, but I only caught the edge of her cloak.

"Alice!" Kirito shouted.

The girl brought her sword up in a flourish that forced me to disengage rather than risk the clash. Her eye wouldn't make her weaker, even if she was surprisingly weak thanks to whatever those two had been doing before I attacked. I darted in and let my dagger lick at her defenses, but even a quick combo didn't manage to break through her guard. I growled again, this time out loud, and backed away from Alice. "System call," I snarled. "Generate luminous element, burst!"

The explosion of light was painful to my eyes even though I'd closed them. It had to have been even worse for Alice - "I knew you were going to try that!" Alice shouted, and my eyes opened in shock. She'd covered her face with her cloak. "System call! Generate aerial element!"

Her wind blades slashed towards me, but I took a deep breath and moved. It almost felt like my body blurred when I moved, and dancing between the wind was as simple as walking forward towards Alice while my lips moved. "No way..." Kirito croaked. "System call -"

"Too slow!" I was ready this time, and when he raised his hand I was already leaping towards him. "Don't get me twice, you don't!"

"I'm your opponent!" Alice had already put herself between us, and her sword slashed out. But I smirked beneath my helmet and whipped my hand forward. I'd transformed my right gauntlet into a red chain, stealing her idea, and the heavy metal ball at the end smashed into her chest. She cried out in pain and fell back but I didn't lose the beat, lunging forward with my dagger ready to slice.

The tip of my dagger cut into her cheek and I snickered at the blood that beaded on the tip of my knife. Without hesitating I spun and lashed out again at Alice the second she tried to open her mouth to chant a Sacred Art. I wasn't going to let her get me twice with that Enhance Armament of hers! I ducked low under her retaliatory slash, and -

My foot refused to move and I reflexively down, where a small layer of ice had frozen one boot to the ground. That boy! I'd forgotten about him! "Haaah!" Alice shouted, and her sword crashed down towards my head in a heavy attack that would heavily reduce my Life if it didn't outright kill me.

As the blade descended, some part of me seemed to remember this feeling, the feeling of facing death in the face - and I reacted on instinct. My body twisted in a move that I'd never tried practicing before but felt like I'd used it a million times before; my knife rose into the air when I tossed it, and my hands grabbed Alice's descending arm. A single twist and she flew over my shoulder effortlessly. I snatched my Starry Night Dagger from the air and chanted a quick Sacred Art to melt the ice sealing my movement.

I had no idea how I did that, but it didn't stop me from approaching Alice from where she'd risen to one knee. With a shout she slashed at me, and I tilted my head to the side. The small movement was enough that her Fragrant Olive Sword slashed through my helmet but missed the killing blow that Alice had been aiming for.

*Crack.*

I snarled and ripped the helmet from my head. The crack in it had made it pointless. "You missed, Alice. Not so perfect, are you!?"

"Why are you fighting!" Alice shouted at me. "Our duty is to protect the people and their peace! Not fight each other!"

Who gives a damn about the empire and its people! I just want to kill you! "FANCY WORDS FOR A TRAITOR!"

"Rythin!" Alice shouted. "I have made up my mind! And if that means I have to kill you to properly protect the Human Empire, then so be it!"

"No way... It can't be..."

I twisted and glanced over my shoulder. The boy from the Dark Empire was staring at me in shock, like he couldn't believe what was going on. When he caught sight of me, his face grew even paler than before. His hand lowered to his side and he took a single step forward. "Is that..."

"If you're not going to fight, then I'll kill you first!" I crossed the distance between us in two leaping steps and sneered when he flinched back. Coward! It'll be easy to drive my dagger through your heart! I thrust forward, and Kirito -

"...What...?" I couldn't help but let the word slip out. I'd stopped. This time, it wasn't like Alice had blocked me, or this boy had managed to raise his black blade. I had just halted my attack, right as my dagger touched the spot over his chest. I couldn't explain why I'd pulled the fatal blow. Just... His name, I guess. It'd flashed through my mind right before I struck, and it'd just stopped me in my tracks.

I shook my head and gritted my teeth. No! I wasn't going to let some shitty boy from the Dark Territory stop me! I had to kill him, and then destroy Alice! Then Administrator would praise me! She would care about me! She would need me!

"Enough."

The flurry of olive petals that surrounded me was like a slap in the face. "No!" I shouted. "I can't lose! I haven't KILLED you yet!" The razor-sharp petals swirled in the air and then slammed into my chest. Damn you...

I flew backwards from the impact, but that didn't stop me. As I slid on the smooth stone, I was still preparing to attack! All I'd need to do was lunge to my feet and slice Alice's throat with my dagger, and then I could take out the boy! I finally stopped and as the flower petals swirled around Alice I twisted my body to get to my feet, and -

"Ghk..." I tilted my head back. It was the safest way to get my neck away from the wicked tip of Alice's golden blade. "Shit."

"Do you have any last words, Rythin?" Alice asked me. Her single eye was cold and hard.

"I hope you suffer when the Pontifex gets to you," I hissed. "Traitors like you -"

"Stop it! Both of you!"

Alice looked up from where she'd been glaring at me. My breath caught in my throat as the tip of her sword pressed down, but in the end she pulled back slightly. "I understand you believe that the Integrity Knights are necessary to defend against the Dark Territory, Kirito," she said. What? Dark Territory? Wasn't he from the Dark Territory? What was going on?! "But Rythin is... He won't be helpful in that endeavor."

"Won't be helpful? Fuck you, Alice," I snarled. The point pressed a little closer to my neck as if to say, 'See?' Arrogant golden girl.

"Please..." Kirito practically begged her. "Please, Alice. I... I know him."

"What?!" Alice and I exploded at the same time. She gave me a shocked expression, and I gritted my teeth rather than repeat something she was saying again. "That isn't possible - wait... You're saying that, like me..."

Kirito nodded. "Yes. Somehow, Administrator stole parts of his memories. Rythin is... he was like a brother to me."

"...Hang on." My voice growled out of my throat. "Back that the fuck up." Kirito flinched when I pushed myself up. Alice gasped and tightened her grip on her sword, but I shoved it out of the way. A line of crimson blood opened up on my palm and I ignored it. "Repeat that."

"You're... like a brother?"

"DON'T FUCK WITH ME!" I exploded. "Not that. The part about Administrator. TELL ME!"

Kirito winced, one hand pressing at his side. Oh, right. Where I'd kicked him. Heh. I still felt pretty good about that, not gonna lie. "I don't know what exactly it entails," he said slowly, "but the Integrity Knights are created by an elaborate Sacred Art that Administrator uses to create loyal bodyguards. They're supposed to protect her from C- from enemies." He tapped his forehead. "I think she plants some sort of crystal in here. I saw it come out of Eldrie earlier, before..."

He trailed off and looked almost apologetic. Like I care what happened to that obnoxious weakling! I hope he died! "Really? You expect me to believe that?" I snarled.

"It's true."

I glared at Alice as she spoke up. "Explain."

She pressed the palm of her hand to her blindfold. "When Kirito explained these things to me, I denied them at first. But he kept talking, and explained my past. I came from a village in the northern territory, called Rulid. I have a sister. Her name is Selka." She stood firmly, the wind tugging at her cloak and making it wind around her body dramatically. "The Pontifex is using us, Rythin. Abusing us, and stealing our lives. Why do you still fight for her?"

"I... I..." I shook my head. I didn't care about the people! I didn't care about the territory. I just wanted to kill her, and if that meant that I had to fight anyone, even the Administrator, then I'd -

I'd serve her loyally

- then I'd serve her loyally and defeat her... defeat, her...

My eyes widened. That wasn't me. I never thought like that. I didn't serve ANYONE loyally, no matter who they were. Backstabbing and betrayal were the only things I could expect, and so they were the only things I gave -

except for Administrator, who I served

- except for Administrator, who - NO! That's not ME! That's...

My breaths started coming faster and Kirito stepped forward. "Rythin?" he asked. "Are you okay? Your eye -"

I snapped my head up to look at him. When had I bowed my head? "Don't touch me!" I snarled. "Administrator... she put something in my head!" The boy's eyes widened. "They're not my thoughts, but I can still hear them whispering to me. Telling me 'Serve the Pontifex' and 'Protect her from all harm', and who GIVES a shit!"

"Rythin Synthesis Thirty-One, calm yourself!" Alice snapped.

"Don't tell me to calm down, GET THIS FUCKING VOICE, OUT OF MY HEAD!" I shouted. M-Maybe this was all a huge joke. Ha ha, very funny, I'm not being controlled by anyone at all, and Administrator will reward me for not falling for it! Hah. Ha hah. I can't even lie to myself about it, can I? The voice in my head is influencing me, and it was planted there by Administrator so she could -

so she could ensure I would protect her

- so she could fucking control me.

Well. Game's over now, Administrator. I'm coming for you. And no whispers in my ear are going to stop me from putting my dagger through your heart.

I let out a slow breath and straightened up. Alice and Kirito stiffened, but I just turned and walked for the stairs. "Where are you going?" Alice asked.

A low laugh rumbled out of me. "To kill that Highest Order Bitch," I said.

...

I didn't hesitate. I didn't even stop to heal the cut on my hand as I climbed the stairs to the 96th Floor. The entrance to the Senator's quarters didn't slow me down, nor did the sight of the pure white room with the chalk-white faces imprisoned in the walls. They didn't matter. The voice in my head whispered that I should be fighting the intruders to protect the Pontifex, but it only made me cackle. All I had to do... Hahaha! All I had to do was just figure out what made the voice mad and then do that!

"Gyaaah! No no nonononono! I can't belieeeeeve it!"

The whining, petulant voice floated out from beyond the Senator's room, and I smiled in predatory glee. There we are... Chudelkin. You're who I was looking for. You have some answers that I desperately, desperately need. His sniveling only grew louder as I stalked down the hall on quiet feet, and before too much longer I walked into what had to be the ugliest room I'd ever seen.

Everywhere I looked, colors competed to see which one was the most offensive when combined with its neighbors. Nothing went in a straight line, and it made my brain hurt trying to comprehend how exactly a cabinet would be useful when it was slanted at three different angles at once. Tch. This room was absolutely disgusting. It looked like a clown had thrown up in here and then taken design inspiration from the resulting splatter. Even after my brain managed to comprehend the riot of color, it broke again when I saw the awful polka-dots and the massive bed taking up most of the center of the room.

Plus the stuffed animals. All the stuffed animals.

I shook my head. Focus. I had to focus. I knew what to listen for now, and wouldn't be fooled by the voice again, but it was still worrying. How long had it been whispering in my ear? Ever since I encountered the boy from the Dark... No. Since I encountered Kirito? Or maybe, and the thought of this made my throat dry, it had been affecting me even before that. Maybe all the way back at the beginning when I'd been called to serve the Highest Order Bitch?

"My Lady! You mustn't! Ooooh, you can't do that! It's so scandalous!"

Whatever. There's a shrieking and flailing clown right in front of me, and I'm sure the Prime Senator can answer a few questions for me.

"Chudelkin." My voice ground through his comical cries as he stared at a crystal ball in his hands. He tossed it in the air with an incredibly loud shriek, and whatever he was watching faded away. Before he could react, I grabbed the clown by the collar and hoisted him into the air. My smirk widened with predatory glee at the way his legs kicked in the air. "Hello, Prime Senator. I have some questions, and I think you're the perfect clown to answer them."

"Number Thirty-One! What are you doing in here?" His eyes narrowed. "You know you're forbidden from passing the main door of the 96th -"

"Quiet," I said almost serenely. "Now, I'm in here because there's something strange happening. When I confronted the intruder, he said that he knew me, somehow. My name, my face..." I tilted my head. "He said something I really wanted to know the truth about. Is it true that Integrity Knights are created by the Administrator upstairs? That she takes residents of the Human Empire and forces them to be her slaves?"

Chudelkin looked up at me in surprise - and then his face twisted into an incredibly disgusting smirk. It made a shiver run down my spine, and my left hand drifted down. "Keeeeeheeheehee! So, you finally figured it out, huh? You shitty Knights are just puppets! Dolls that do what I order you to do! I still remember the day we sealed your memories!" He licked his lips. "Crying and pleading, 'Don't take my memories! They're all I have left!'"

"Hm."

"I still love thinking about it! When I can't sleep at night, I think about your tear-stained face and then I roll around laughing until the sun comes up!" His leer seemed... a little bit uncomfortable. "You were brought here from the western town, and what a pathetic sight you were! Chained up and crying, sniveling for your mother -"

He stopped and looked down, his expression going slack. I glanced down at where my dagger was digging into his heart. "You talk too much," I said peacefully. I didn't know precisely what was happening, but he was trying to buy time for some reason. Besides... Unlike when Kirito called my name, none of what he'd been talking about struck any chords of familiarity. He was lying through his teeth about where I'd come from and what had happened once I was brought to the Central Cathedral. I didn't need to listen any further.

Suddenly, the slack imp's mouth stretched back into a sneer. The fat clown expanded even more than before, swelling up beyond his original rotund form to a comically large balloon. I didn't laugh though, because this was definitely some sort of Sacred Art - and the Prime Senator was next in power behind the Pontifex. His body nearly filled the room, stretching his god-awful outfit to the breaking point -

- Then he exploded. Pink smoke filled the room and I gasped before covering my mouth and nose with my cloak. "System call," I snarled. This stuff had to be poisonous...

"Hooooo hoo hoo hah hah hah hee hoo!" Chudelkin cackled, his head and collar floating on the smoke. The obnoxious laughing continued even as he disappeared in the smog. "Iiiiidiot!" I growled under my breath at the clown's taunt. "Idiot!"

"Burst!" I snapped. A blast of wind exploded from around me, blowing the smoke away and clearing the air around me. I still coughed from the remnants of the foul-tasting Sacred Art. When I could see the whole room, my eyes narrowed. One of the green and yellow - and purple and blue, my mind noted with absent distaste - was pushed to the side to reveal a secret passage. Stairs went up, and I growled. "Bastard... Get back heeere!"

I raced up the steps, two at a time. Going up meant I was going to catch Chudelkin, but. It also meant I was going towards Administrator. I needed to have some words with her as well.

"System call! Generate lumi..."

My eyes narrowed. Was the clown going to try to attack me as soon as I reached the top of staircase? I hesitated at the top and focused, but... There wasn't any more chanting, and the strange sense that I had that could help me determine people hiding didn't really register in my awareness. Strange... I wonder if the clown hid himself somehow?

I lunged forward in a roll, despite my heavy metal armor. I propped myself up on one knee and scanned the room, but there was nothing. No clown, no attack from hiding, nothing at all. My eyes narrowed. He'd definitely been chanting something, but did that mean I was already victim to his Sacred Art? ...No, I don't think so. I can't sense any malice in the air at all.

And, since I had no idea what that thought meant even while it passed through my mind, I looked around at the room I'd found myself in. Aside from a few designs on the wall, there weren't any new exits. The stairs heading up... I glanced up at the ceiling and smirked. I see. There was a hole at the top, and that hole most likely lead to the 100th Floor of the Central Cathedral. In other words, I just had to get up there and then all of my questions would finally have answers. Or I'd kill Administrator. One of the two.

There was a raised platform right below the circular hole in the ceiling, and I hadn't lasted this long as an Integrity Knight without being able to figure out simple addition like that. Plus, the elevator was familiar enough to me at this point. I stepped onto the circular platform, and then paused for a second. Right, yes, I forgot. I would have to actually do this myself instead of having the elevator raise and lower at a command. "Frustrating. System call." Where was that elevator girl when I needed her, anyway?

The aerial element lifted me up into the air, and the disc hovered smoothly as it rose. I exhaled slowly while I passed through the circular tunnel, and then blinked when the light from the top reached my eyes. It was incredibly bright, but I suppose that was to be expected; this was, after all, Administrator's sanctum. The room was large and circular, with beautiful murals painted on the ceiling that glimmered like stars in sections. It was as if she'd taken the night sky and turned the stars into her own personal decorations, almost.

I stepped off of the circular panel when it rose to be flush with the floor, and I stepped forward. The floor of the chamber was largely bare, except for the massive bed in the center. I'd heard rumors that Administrator spent most of her time asleep. If her bed was the one that I was looking at, I couldn't blame her; it had a luxurious-looking carpet all around the base, and the bed itself had a rich crimson blanket draped over it that fell to the floor. The curtain around the bed was just as crimson as the blanket, but almost translucent. I could definitely see a shadow. Which meant that Administrator was here.

"ADMINISTRATOR!" I howled. "GET OUT HERE!"

I panted. My throat felt raw from the force of my shout, and the shadow moving inside the bed curtain stopped moving. "My, you interrupted me at the worst possible moment." Even now, the voice was beautiful and terrifying, and it sent shivers down my spine. I gritted my teeth and ignored my feelings. They were manufactured by her, after all. "Just a few minutes more and my latest Integrity Knight would be complete."

The curtains were swept aside a moment later. Administrator emerged from the bed, setting her feet gently on the carpet. I also ignored the fact that she was naked. It meant nothing to me. On the bed there was a boy, slumped over and motionless. From where I was standing, I couldn't tell if he was alive or dead, but given Administrator's words he was probably unconscious.

"Who gives a rat fuck about that," I said. "You did something to me. When you created me as your Integrity Knight, you stole my memories and hid them away so that I'd serve you."

"And what if I did?" She sat down on - on midair, and my eyes widened at the effortless display of power. The Sacred Art needed to do such a thing was... "Tell me, who told you my dirty little secret? Was it that brat from the library? Or perhaps you regained your memories all on your own?"

Despite her easy tone, her eyes were flat and emotionless. There was something dark pulsing in her face, sour and resentful. "Brat in the... No, enough of your words," I snarled. "You lied to me. Controlled me!"

"Dear, dear Rythin," she cooed. "You poor child. Was my promise not enough for you? Serve me loyally, and in return I would give you my heart. You would be loved no matter what, and I would be your family."

"...Family?" I repeated softly, tasting the words. For an instant, a pair of whiskers under brown curls flashed across my mind and I gritted my teeth. I pressed at my temple to dull the pounding headache. "Loved, no matter what?"

"Yes, that's right." Administrator gazed down at me. "Eternal love, and eternal companionship. I would never betray you. But you've gone right ahead and done the very same to me. Truly, my heart weeps. But I shall give you one more chance. Take your weapon up and kill the intruders. Prevent them from reaching this sanctum for... oh, ten minutes. Do that, and I will forgive your transgressions and shower you with my love."

I nodded once. "My weapon. Yes." I pulled out the dagger she'd created for me and stared at the metal blade. "It's truly a piece of wonderful craftsmanship. You did an excellent job forging it." Administrator crossed her legs slowly and her eyes watched me. I could tell there was something in her rhythm that was confused at my actions.

The moment the beat I could hear shifted I launched myself forward. "It'll be PERFECT for killing you!" I roared. The dagger swept back and then slammed straight into her heart, and I smirked -

Administrator smiled, not moving a millimeter.

- only for my mocking grin to disappear when a circle appeared between her and myself. The purple sigil shuddered and shook but held firm, and I screamed with rage as my blade halted just over her heart. A Sacred Art protected her from my blow! "Damn you, die!" I screamed louder. Air swirled around the chamber as the Sacred Art took effect, the symbols on its surface shifting and changing, and I brought my other hand forward to increase the pressure. For a glorious second, the dagger shifted closer, but the force of her barrier pushed back at me even fiercer than before and the tip of my blade was forced back step by step. "NO NO NO NO NO!"

The Sacred Art practically exploded outwards. The rich curtain around her bed was shredded from the force of the winds that blasted me away, and I tumbled in an awkward roll. Despite the pain thrumming through my body - the repelling blast must have taken a chunk from my Life - I'd kept my fist clenched around my dagger. Losing your weapon was a cardinal sin for an assassin, after all.

...Assassin...?

Administrator giggled at my pitiful form, even as the remaining shreds of her bedcurtain shattered. Their Life must have been totally erased. "Stab at me all you wish," she said, "I am impervious to it." She ran a finger along her chest, where not a single mark remained. "No metal object can damage my skin."

That Sacred Art... No metal object? "In that case," I growled, "I'll use something else!" My blade sank back into my sheath as I launched myself forward. My metal gauntlets hit the ground a few steps later and I brought my fists up.

I bet you never thought of this, bitch!

My punch rained down towards Administrator. She seemed almost surprised as my fist shot towards her head - and she just barely managed to dodge out of the way with a jerk of her head. Instead of crashing into her jaw, I hit nothing but air. She floated almost lazily to the side, away from the bed, but I didn't give her a second to breathe.

Before her feet graced the floor again, I was already there. The only thing I could rely on anymore was my own body, and that meant I only had my hands! I struck again with a chop towards her neck, but Administrator ducked again. I snarled and stabbed forward with my other hand. Again, I missed as Administrator swayed to the side. I was getting closer, though! This time, my attack struck her hair.

A few strands floated down and I smirked. Administrator's eyes were blank as she looked, and then her face twisted in a scowl. "You dare lay your hands on me, you little fool?! How dare you!"

"Stand still for a second, and I'll show you exactly how I dare!"

Administrator's face was ugly as she waved her hand. A chill shimmered in the air and I leapt back just in time before a wall of ice erupted from the ground. If I'd been caught by that, I would have been frozen solid! Of course, it also blocked her line of sight to me... "You ungrateful little brat," Administrator said. "But despite your best attempts, I'm not infuriated with you. Come back to me, Rythin. Let me fix up your Piety Module, and all those angry little thoughts will disappear again."

No. I won't let her unbalance me. Her words won't affect me any more! Instead of replying, I shot around the wall of ice and lunged towards the source of the voice. Administrator simply waved her hand again; this time, a shield formed from ice stood in my path. Instead of going around it, I drew back my fist and punched forward.

The ice shield shattered from the blow, the leftover shards disappearing as their temporary Life ran out, and I kept running for her. This was my choice! If I wanted to destroy Administrator and get my hands around her neck, this was a necessary sacrifice. I could see the path, laid out in red in front of me! The ice had tore at my hands and scratched them, but that didn't matter. I just clenched my fist harder and kept moving. "That won't stop me, Administrator!"

Administrator fell back again and another wave of her hand summoned shield after shield. I gritted my teeth and kept swinging, smashing through the ice she summoned to block the way between me and her. The ice shredded my skin and by the time the last shield was gone, my hands and forearms were littered with cuts; blood steadily dripped from the open wounds and dripped onto the floor.

But I still brought my hands up and swung at Administrator anyway. What good was tanking the damage if I didn't capitalize on it!?

With a smug smile, Administrator swayed back out of the punch. "Got you! GOT YOU!" I howled triumphantly. I flicked my wrist backwards and flung the contents of my clenched fist directly in Administrator's eyes. She cried out in surprise and pain as the blood that had pooled in my hand splattered across her face, dying it crimson red. "You'll never see me again! Say goodbye to your life, Administrator!"

Administrator quickly summoned a water element that passed across her face. The still-wet blood was quickly washed away, and she opened her eyes as she flung the dirty orb of water to the side. "A futile attempt at best-"

I cackled. In that brief hesitation, I'd already jumped in the air and brought my leg up. My heel - my bare heel, as I'd left my boots behind the wall of ice - was poised to crash down on Administrator, and she was totally unprepared for the attack. My leg swung down, directly onto her extended arm. The sick crack was sweet, sweet music to my ears!

"Don't look so proud of yourself." Administrator's arm, bent at an angle no arm should ever turn, suddenly twisted and spun all on its own. The snapping of her bones back into place followed shortly and she opened and closed her hand. "Have you any other tricks, or are you quite finished, little boy?"

"Khhhhh... You biiiiitch!" I howled, and struck again. Administrator ducked backwards, and this time she raised a hand. My eyes widened and I threw myself backwards -

- just in time, as flame arrows launched themselves from the air at me. These Sacred Arts were so hot as to make the air ripple around them; even Alice had never been able to produce flames like these. I dodged backwards and to the side and each time I just managed to barely dodge the arrows, they slammed into the ground and exploded. Craters and pillars of smoke rose from the last few near misses. Sweat had already broken out on my forehead from the sheer heat of the elements, and sooner or later one of those arrows would get close enough that the explosion would-

*Boom!*

"Gah!" The shockwave of the explosion was enough to send me sliding backwards; even though I'd dodged the actual impact, I was still blown away. My body struck something and I toppled backwards, barely catching myself. My hands sank slightly and I realized I'd been maneuvered to the center of the room. That last blast had knocked me onto the bed. "Crap..."

"Say goodnight, Rythin," Administrator taunted me. She raised her hand, and a bright light gathered above her. "I promise this Sacred Art won't deplete your Life entirely. Though you may not survive with all your limbs intact... No matter. I can always repair that. Or maybe I'll simply remove the memories of your arm from your mind?"

Crap! I needed to stop her!

A lot happening this chapter, huh? Well, that's what happens when Rythin is more than willing to ignore exposition and stop screwing around.

First off, yet another totally-not-actually-a-murder-because-that-would-be-against-the-Taboo-Index. Not the second, either. I like to think of it as Rythin's internal problems becoming someone else's external problems, temporarily. Oh well. I'm sure they deserved it. (Remember! Pre-character development, Rythin is in fact an unstable asshole.)

And then it's happened. He finally met Kirito. As you might be able to tell, Rythin going off immediately to talk to Administrator has caused some... interesting ripples to occur. I figured that since he didn't climb down a flight of steps to talk to Bercouli, he would arrive before Administrator had finished the Synthesis Ritual with Eugeo - in canon, it was wrapping up as Alice and Kirito entered Chudelkin's room, so this would definitely be faster.

There's also the fight, that too. I'm trying to explore a little bit with more things happening during a given fight, so we'll see how this one comes out. Hopefully everyone likes it.

Many thanks to everyone that favorited, followed, or reviewed.