Minor Revision Marker 9/10/24

Nope, don't own the source materials, just doing the world a favor by mixing them.

Okay! first of all, the poll results are effectively in. With an overwhelming majority of 24% (approximately 41 votes) Harem/Polyamory stands as the dominant shipping scheme for this fic. Despite my misgivings, I'll do what I can to enact this (I've been considering a mainly nakama-ish take, both because they ARE all very young and connected to each other and because I'm horrible at more solid ships) and in the meantime, the quest i have for all of you is "what Heretic God do you think Kirito should be Kirito's first real life opponent?"

Horrry Sheeeeeets! Over 500 Favorites? I never imagined you guys would like this that much, or that one of mine could develop such a following! Sorry it's taken so long to update it. My inspiration for this fic has been practically nonexistent for some time now, so I can only manage to sit and magic up some text at rare times it manages to pop up.

Okay, I hope I got the personalities right. Never had any experience with Kaoru mind you, but I hope it turned out okay. If you feel there's anything that could be changed, do review so I can take a look at it okay?

Of all the things Yuri Mariya was expecting on a crisp morning in the beginning of December, it wasn't a call from Mr. Amakasu of the History Compilation Committee. Even less expected was his request for her attendance at a meeting regarding the rumors about the eighth Campione. Sure there'd been a number of rumors regarding the mysterious figure, and Godou had been noticeably... well "itchy"was hardly the best word for it, even if it was the first to come to mind. Ever since Lancelot's defeat and Black Prince Alec's return to England, he'd been a tiny bit off, like something was distracting him. When asked, he'd responded that it was nothing, just a slight headache... until one day in November when he'd suddenly jerked up violently in class, head snapping around towards the window with a look on his face they'd only seen when he battled heretic gods. Unfortunately, the motion drew a warning from the teacher and he very narrowly missed a detention when he barely suppressed the expression as he turned to answer the waspish query his teacher demanded as to what was so interesting outside.

When asked at lunch what provoked that reaction, Godou had then replied that- for the briefest instant- he'd sensed a divine authority activate within Tokyo and that, combined with everything that had happened in the last couple months, had led him to overreacting. This naturally led to them calling the Mister Amakasu to confirm the presence of a heretic god within the city, but he'd replied that he could assure them that there was indeed no heretic god in the city and that there had not been one since Lancelot fell.

That had been only a couple of days ago, and now the HCC was calling her in for a meeting of some kind? They hadn't done that since she became accepted as a part of Godou's... well the word "harem" came to mind. It could just be a coincidence, or perhaps they'd found something? Regardless, that was something to find out at the meeting itself. She'd already called called Ena and and Hikari and confirmed that they'd been called, which made sense considering they were important members of the committee as well. For a moment, she wondered why Godou Liliana, and Erica weren't called, but Godou had said he wanted to spend a few days in the start of December with his sister, and the latter two had no real affiliations with the History Compilation Committee beyond their position in Godou's domain of influence- wow it felt funny to think of her precious king so much as having a "sphere of influence" they way he acted. She sighed shaking her head as she finished sweeping the last vestiges of the fall leaves from the path of the shrine. Why did she have to fall for such a lecherous king? Granted he was a man, and a slayer of gods, but was it impossible for him to restrain his lewd impulses? On the other hand, if he did, would she have even met him? Erica Blandelli had been with him when he slew Verenthraga after all, and if he was more restrained, would he not have simply stayed with her instead of allowing Yuri herself to join them?

Something worth considering. Perhaps she was missing a part of the picture?

Ah well, if nothing else, this curious meeting the committee called would be interesting. Suddenly called meetings always were, since they almost always came with emergencies.

That afternoon, Yuri Mariya stood with her fellow Hime-Miko around a large traditional Japanese table in the HCC's branch headquarters in Tokyo, a room doubtlessly selected as a concession to she and her fellows' comfort, but still a generous one.

Typically, the organization would be holding a meeting in a more modern conference room or simply use a traditional estate provided by one of the four families or even a shrine, but for some reason they'd chosen here instead. It was an unusual hybrid of the two really, as even with the table set in a dojo standing over a rooftop garden on the peak of a skyscraper, it was impossible to miss the feeling of harsh, merciless concrete and circuitry between oneself and the earth or the muted sounds of the city far below, filled to the brim with modern buildings stretching to the horizon. It was disconcerting to one who tended a shrine; who swept it's steps and cobblestone path with a twig broom and felt the earth around them as if it was a living thing every day. Even so, the place was definitely secure and safe for a discussion of this nature, though frankly anyone not associated with the magical side of the world probably wouldn't really get anything out of it.

Between the feel of the building and the fact that all three of the Hime-Miko present were sharing space with their effective superior, an aggravating jokester of a hime-miko by the name of Kaoru Sayanomiya. Normally, they'd have just avoided the red-haired menace, but the necessity of waiting for Touma and anyone else who may be set to arrive a few minutes ago (it was unlike that man to make them wait too) and her position as heir of one of the four houses that serve as the foundation of the HCC, the Sayanomiya Clan, gave them little choice.

The fact that she'd chosen to crossdress for the meeting (something she typically only did in social functions or when meeting new people) wasn't helping either, though it did evoke a few questions. Curse that woman's prankster gene, it must have been far to enjoyable for her to see their annoyance when she shook off their questions and only give them vague answers about why she was crossdressing at a formal (albeit rather suddenly called) meeting.

Trapped in a room with a playful Kaoru Sayanomiya. Maybe hell was a place on earth after all.

Yuri was probably being unfair to the heiress, but it was hard to feel so when she was so massively superior to them all. Not only was the crimson-maned hime-miko a near-witch with her polymath level spiritual abilities and second only to Ena in raw power (power she didn't make a contract with a lesser god to attain at that), she was heir to the Sayanomiya clan, the family amongst the four core clans that founded the HCC back in the Meiji Era and the chief of the HCC's Tokyo branch. That's a lot of power and prestige in the hands of someone willing to crossdress to confuse people she hasn't even met yet, especially spiritual power. Sure, Yuri herself possessed more skill in Spirit Vision* and Ena's divine possession ability definitely had more raw power, but Kaoru was inarguably superior as a "jack of all trades" in any given situation.

Thank heavens she hadn't set her sights on Godou. Yuri honestly worried that if she did, Godou's weakness towards women would end with her being replaced in his circle by the heiress. Even now, she worried that the heiress would corrupt her dear little sister into a prankster like herself. There she was now, explaining to Hikari why she was dressed like a guy. In a week Hikari would likely be plotting malicious schemes and pranks on everything in sight... save Godou. Even she knew better than to prank a Campione, though with her crush it probably wouldn't even enter her mind.

It was worrisome when a perverted supreme devil king who kept a harem of powerful women was a good influence on your sister.

Whatever further thoughts Yuri might have had from that point on however were interrupted by the sliding rice-paper door opening, admitting Mr. Amakasu "The Ninja" Touma and- more interestingly- a young Japanese teen with black hair and obsidian eyes to match.

"Ah hello everyone, my apologies for keeping you waiting, but I felt it necessary to explain to our honored guest some of the history of the Committee. If you will all take your seats, we can begin with the introductions directly."

As requested, everyone took their seats around the table in seiza position, and Amakasu nodded respectfully.

"Thank you for coming on such short notice. I'll perform the introductions. As you all know, my name is Amakasu Touma, and these lovely ladies here are Yuri Mariya, Ena Seishuiin, Hikari Mariya, and Kaoru Sayanomiya. All of them Hime-Miko under the purview of the Historical Compilation Society. Miss Sayanomiya and Miss Seshuiin are both heirs their respective clans as well."

Kirito's eyes widened slightly at the revelation that Kaoru was in fact a girl, as she looked nothing like it. Kaoru just pouted, though there was a hint of a smile in her expression at Kirito's face when he realized what Mr. Touma had said.

"Ladies, allow me the foremost honor of officially introducing for the first time in history his majesty Kazuto Kirigaya, the Eighth Campione."

You couldn't cut the silence pervading the room following this statement with an electric saw. Yuri herself was so shocked she honestly couldn't form words for a moment, while Ena and Kaoru eyed the subject of the declaration with a mix of both interest and speculation. Of course it fell to Hikari to break the silence, which she did with much enthusiasm, practically exploding with questions as she undoubtedly forgot the first lesson her sister had pounded into her. Do not aggravate a Campione, especially an unknown. Nations have burned for less.

"The Eighth Campione's Japanese?! When did you ascend? What heretic did you kill? How old are you? You don't look any older than Godou-sama. Do you have any prior magical awareness? Are you a hen-"

"Hikari." Yuri hissed, both mortified and terrified at her little sister's gall.

Kazuto was pale, though it couldn't be said if it was from the younger sibling's inquisitional onslaught or something else, and took a shaky breath before he held up a hand. "Hang on a second, before I answer any of those questions, would it be to much to ask for some explanations of my own? I came here to get my questions answered, not suffer the spanish inquisition."

Amakasu cleared his throat, almost sweating for a moment from the fear that the younger Mariya might have offended the young devil king, before replying.

"Yes, my apologies for that. As you can see the youngest Mariya sibling is still only a hime-miko in training, and possesses a fascination with Campione like yourself, as she has already been saved by one. Do forgive her impetuosity your majesty. I hope she has not offended or harmed you in any way?"

Kirito paused for a moment, then sighed, his face cracking a sad smile. "No, no it's not that at all. It's just that for a moment, she looked like my daughter."

"Your... daughter?" Ena asked.

Yuri barely kept from rolling her eyes. Once again, the Miko of the Sword's curiosity overwhelmed her sense of propriety, as it was was known to do far to often. You'd think with her position, she'd pay more attempt to social graces... but no, thinking about it, being the most powerful Hime-Miko in japan had to have it's privileges, and she would have done the same herself had she that power. As for the eighth campione having a daughter... that was interesting. He seemed so young, and to draw a parallel between Hikari and his supposed daughter... how was that possible?

Realizing her mind was roaming, Yuri dragged her attention back to the scene in time to catch the black-clad teen shake himself, and nod. "Yeah..." he replied, staring down into his hands, fingers curling slightly. "Yui Kirigaya."

Unbeknownst to him, Hikari looked to Yuri with an expression asking why the eighth campione was so sad, what happened to his daughter? Yuri's answering hand on her shoulder and the sad shake of her head, however, made it all to clear. Hikari shuddered, stifling a gasp at the realization. At the same time Ena grit her teeth, fighting an her impulse to disregard etiquette and do something incredibly foolish, like reach over and hold the extremely dangerous god-slaying supreme devil king's hand, and instead settled for sharing the look between Kaoru and Amakasu, begging them to do something before she did. Thankfully, they caught the message and Amakasu ended the awkward moment.

"Ahem, yes" The man known amongst his colleagues as 'the ninja' coughed, "I do believe it is time we answered your questions your highness."

"Kazuto."

"I'm sorry your majesty?"

"Please, call me Kazuto or at least Mr. Kirigaya, at least until you've explained why you feel the need to call me that in the first place."

Yuri sighed. The others though, paused to regard him thoughtfully. Amakasu smiled.

"Certainly young master Kazuto, would there be anything else before we get started?"

Kazuto's corresponding sigh managed to draw a stifled giggle from Hikari, but he ignored it, replying: "Well, yes. I know you're government and all and that this whole meeting to explain what's going on since I woke up from SAO is probably just your job, but I know from a number of SAO survivors that there were government investigators asking questions about what happened in the game. I don't know if you're related to that group, but even if it's only a chance to avoid favoritism, I'd like to offer my own account of the events of the incident as well as answer what questions you might have. Would that be acceptable?"

There was a long pause as those present reconciled the disparity between the boy's request and the expected behavior of any member of that exclusive club known as the supreme devil kings. A beat, two beats, three beats, and an exasperated sigh escaped Amakasu of all people.

"Of course, I should have seen it coming." he muttered "Trust the eighth campione to be as unexpected as the seventh. It must have something to do with the water in this country. Every single campione from this land simply refuses to act as you expect them to."

"I'm sorry...?"

Noticing Kazuto's confusion, Amakasu waved his hand in dismissal and sat back, chuckling blithely. "There's no need to apologize at all Mister Kirigaya, I'm simply enjoying the unusual situation we find ourselves in. Never apologize for being yourself. You need never accept shame for that."

"Okay...?"

"Now then! I believe we've delayed this moment of revelations long enough wouldn't you say?"

"Yeah, better to get this over with before Sugu starts worrying. I told her I was going out, but that I'd be home before dinner." Here he paused, "She'll worry if I take too long."

"Very well then, I suppose the best way to explain is to jump right in. Your highness- and yes I do have to use the appellation- Magic is real, as are gods. there are various practitioners of magic and types of magic, including hime-miko spirit gifts, sorcerery, alchemy, Daoist Arts, etc. All of them are powerful, as are their wielders, but at the top of the mountain that is magical power, there lie only two practitioners: Heretic Gods, or gods that have forsaken their legend and come to earth in a physical form, wield their magics in the form of divine authorities, power over reality that cannot be superseded by any other magic. Mortals wielding magic are indeed capable of defying reality, but to them it is not a fundamental aspect of their abilities. Mortals must use various methods, be it supplication of a god or intermarrying with supernatural entities or the unravelling the secrets of the universe and manipulating the foundations of reality with tools. Heretic Gods, meanwhile, simply can. To them, it is as natural as breathing. It is their right, while to mortals it is only a privilege granted to those who have earned it by one means or another. Heretic Gods are so powerful that they are immune to mortal magic, and can only be slain by a power of equal authority, leaving mortal means practically useless. To face a heretic god is to die.

Naturally, it is impossible for us mortals to grasp this power, as our bodies are simply incapable of withstanding the force and die in the attempt. Yet in spite of this, the possibility remains. There are some mortals, vanishingly rare though they may be, insane enough to face a heretic god. More important than that though, there exist among that number a handful of mortals that succeed.

They are godslayers, devils, supreme and unrivaled kings, for they have slain a god and in the process been reborn with the power to wield the authorities of the gods they have slain. Immune to mortal magic, with bones unbreakable and a body of divine craft, there is literally nothing of mortal form that can stand against them. Born from the ritual of Pandora, the witch who opened the box, they are Campione; destined ever to face heretic gods as their natural foe."

"And you have just recently joined their ranks, Kazuto Kirigaya." Kaoru said, seamlessly joining the conversation. "You are the Eighth Campione."

Kirito's face was impassive, but it was plain that he was unsure how to take this supposed revelation. He looked from Amakasu to the Sayanomiya heiress, back to Amakasu, at each of the hime-miko sitting around the table, then back to Amakasu again. After a long moment, he took a deep breath. "I assume the number is of some significance?"

"Yes,"He replied, folding his hands "Campione often become known by one or more titles over the course of their lifetimes based on their exploits and abilities, but first and foremost they are known by their age as a campione. As you are the currently the youngest living Godslayer of Eight alive, you are the Eighth Campione."

"If I may Mr. Touma?" Yuri said, turning to request permission to add her own words to the explanation.

"Eh? Ah yes Miss Mariya, feel free to add to the conversation."

Yuri nodded and turned to Kazuto. "The initial numeric title of the campione has some history behind it. The numeric title indicates the current placement of a given campione amongst his peers in terms of age, so if a campione of a higher number died the lower numbers would move up. This also serves as a semi-accurate system of gauging overall power, as older campione will have often fought more heretic gods and thus possess more authorities, nevermind the fact that we have proven via observation that a campione's body becomes able to draw more power from stolen authority the longer it is in their possession.

For the past few hundred years, Godslayers have been so few in number that there were at most six in the entire world. Before that, Campione often died in combat with Heretic Gods. Earlier this year, that changed with the birth of Godou Kusanagi, the seventh campione, in the slaying the Zoroastrian God of Victory, Verenthraga, in Sicily."

"Tell me about him, please." Kazuto asked earnestly, desperate to gain information on someone like him, if for no reason than so he didn't feel so isolated. He'd already accepted the fact that he was not normal anymore. After that moment in the dojo when he broke Suguha's shinai, he knew something was different, that he was different. He'd felt the unnatural- or supernatural as the case may be- power in that moment. He didn't know what he was, but he knew that he was something. He'd felt it, just as he'd felt Amakasu and the priestesses in the room before him knew what he was, and were telling the truth. It resonated with him, somehow. Like the echoes of a song he'd heard before but couldn't make out.

That's how he knew to accept Yuri's words as she continued.

"He is, like you, a Japanese citizen and possesses a similar age. However, he is different from other campione in that he behaves nothing like one would expect a campione to. He is not arrogant or demanding, as is their right. Nor is he particularly hungry for power or callous, as many tend to be. That is to what Amakasu-san referred before when he spoke of Japan producing strange campione. I myself am one of his-" here, she blushed faintly and hesitated for a moment, as if trying to find the right words "well, the best description would be that I am an aid to him in his endeavors, as is Ena, but we are more than that. In addition to whatever rolls he chooses for us, we serve as links to the Historical Compilation Committee. This means that even as we are in service to him, so is he connected to us in a way that leaves us and our organization in his good graces. Also, this arrangement effectively buys his protection, something all to valuable in the magical world, as only campione are capable of preventing the calamities of a heretic god's rampage or another campione setting their sights on us. This leads to Campione becoming the effective ruler of a given territory, with campione only rarely daring to enter another's. Most campione, being what can best be described as divine alpha predators, are solitary and usually do not mix well, which leads to conflict."

"So they just... sent you to serve him?" he asked, looking slightly appalled.

"Oh no your highness, while most campione would have no qualms with such practices- and I speak from bitter personal experience regarding such things- Godou-sama is a great man, though he has his flaws as much as anyone else. Some would say that to be a campione, you must inherently be... well, different from a normal human, since no mere human would dare try to kill a god. Rather, Godou would not have anyone serve him who desired otherwise. He is... terribly humble, for a campione."

"Sounds like a nice guy. You're lucky."

Yuri managed a faint smile. "Thank you your majesty. He has his flaws, but even they do not change how remarkable he is. You see, Godou-sama knew nothing of the magical world three days before he slew Verenthraga."

"He slew a god with no knowledge of magic at all?"

"As far as I know, yes; granted I wasn't there so I cannot speak as a witness, but Erica- another ally of Godou's from the Magical Association known as the Coppper-Black Cross- could. She may embellish the story though, if only to protect Godou-sama by painting him to another campione as stronger than he is. As for his lack of magical knowledge... Did your majesty know of magic when he became a Campione?"

"If you mean real magic like the kind you do, then no. The extent of my magical knowledge at the time would be consist of what was in fiction and videogames I've been exposed too, unless you count SAO's Sword Skills."

"Sword Skills?"

"The primary medium of attack in the Sword Art Online Game." Amakasu supplied helpfully, enjoying the relaxed conversation between a newborn campione and another campione's 'aid' with a smile on his lips. "Considering they're part of the game, I think we can rule those out."

"Right. You were saying Miss Mariya?"

"Yes your majesty. Like Godou-sama, you became a campione for slaying a heretic god with no apparent prior knowledge of magic. The difference between the two of you, however, lies in that while Godou slew Verenthraga in the real world, you slew whatever heretic you faced while inside the Virtual Reality Massively Multiplayer Online Game, 'Sword Art Online'.

From the examination of the nerve gear, we believe it was Akihiko Kayaba, the game's creator and the one responsible for the SAO incident, that was the heretic god, but we cannot discern his reasons or his exact divinity. Witness statements from players present for the final battle confirm that it was indeed Kayaba, but beyond that many are giving conflicting reports or simply breaking down when questioned. A common thread remains in you being the one to slay the god, however, and that brings us here."

"Forgive me, this is a bit hard to take in." Kirito replied. "If I hadn't noticed the strange goings on around me recently, I'd probably be laughing. That said... How does that work anyway? Is it possible to become a Campione if you don't die killing a heretic god?"

"Eheh... You kind of did?" Hikari squeeked out.

That stopped conversation like a bird hitting a window. Hikari shrunk into herself a bit at the silence, and the others watched Kirito cautiously, trying to figure out how he would take it. The young campione was silent for a moment, then the pieces came together, and he nodded, looking for all the world like he wanted to smack himself in the face at his inability to see the blatantly obvious. "Of course, that would make sense. Kayaba and I died impaled on each other's arms, and even if that did kill him, the nerve gear would have cooked my brain into meatloaf."

Amakasu wisely ignored the unappetizing mental picture that painted, though the rest (even Kaoru) couldn't help but grimace.

"Yes, that seems to indeed be what happened too." Amakasu said apologetically "The hospital's computer recorded your lifesigns flat lining the instant the rest of the players woke up, and with all the chaos from seeing to the patients, they were still hooked up to you five hours later when you awoke in your new body. There can be no doubt your highness, you are the Eighth."

"That certainly leaves that question out of the way. So I'm a campione, what does that mean exactly?"

"Physically, you were dead and reborn in a new body created by Pandora to be able to handle your newly claimed authorities. Physically, you will age at an extremely slow pace, and your body is in peak physical condition, devoid of any scars or flaws acquired from birth. Your skin is effectively impermeable to mortal magic, and your bones, if they can be broken at all, will endevour to snap back into place as easily as that american toy, what was it?"

"K'nex!"

"Ah thank you Hikari. I always forget it's name. Still, it is one of the best analogs for it."

"So... I'm effectively a superhuman now?"

"To an extent. Your strength is amplified by this new body, but not nearly enough to play superman. The greatest benefit you gain from it is the ability to channel the divine authorities you acquire from heretic gods, like the one you slew in SAO. Typically, this requires an aria or incantation to activate, but a campione possesses an innate knowledge of the authorities they possess, and the arias for them."

At Kazuto's thoughtful expression, Ena perked up. "Ohhhh! you've used an authority since you woke up! what was it like? Can you show us?"

"No no, nothing like that. I don't know of any arias or authorities, but something strange did happen yesterday."

"Oh? Do tell." Kaoru said.

"Well, I was sparring with my cousin Sugu. We were in my grandfather's dojo, and during the spar our shinai clashed in a particular way. There was this flash of light, and when it vanished, I'd somehow broken Sugu's shinai in half, like it'd been cut with an ax."

"Interesting, and you didn't say an aria, or anything of the kind?"

"Nothing. There was just the swing, the light, the crack of wood splintering, and then the broken shinai."

"I see. And nothing comes to mind with regards to seeing this before?"

"N- well, thinking about it, it felt a lot like an extra skill from SAO, {Arms Blast}. The technique isn't truly a skill you'd find on a list alongside swordskills per say, just an outside system skill that anyone could do if they understood how, but if you used a sword skill and struck right it allowed you to cleanly break your enemies weapon with a single blow. Not sure if that helps."

"From a standpoint of finding out what authorities you possess, no it doesn't. Do you remember what Kayaba called himself? What god he claimed to be?"

Kirito's face tightened. "Yeah, all to well. He called himself Morpheus."

"The Greek god of Dreams?" Ena cut in curiously.

"That's right. He certainly looked the part."

Amakasu looked thoughtful. "Hmmm... perhaps..."

"Perhaps what?"

"Well you see Miss Mariya here is a hime miko gifted with incredibly powerful Spirit Vision, an ability derived from her ancestors intermarrying with a campione like yourself or another essence of divinity, and that allows her to draw upon the memories of the netherworld, letting her see things otherwise undetectable, or prophesy. Perhaps she can discern your authorities?"

"I'm not sure... a part of me doesn't even want this. I don't want to have to deal with gods and devil kings and politics and magic, I just want to see Asuna again."

"Asuna...?" Yuri repeated softly, "your lover?"

"My wife." he replied softly, earning the surprised looks of the rest of the group. "We got married in Aincrad. I promised her I'd get her home safe, and I guess one thing led to another and we got married."

"It sounds romantic, a brave knight swearing an oath to bring his fair maiden safely home from a land of monsters..."

Kirito snorted, trying to stifle a laugh. "If she heard you call her a fair maiden, she'd probably swat you with her rapier."

"Ah, a warrior then, like yourself?"

"Yeah, I met her on the first floor boss raid. We fought really well together, and she had a gift for it in spite of SAO being her first online game. After the first floor, I fought alone for a long while, and when we saw each other again, she'd become the second in command of the knights of the blood oath, the strongest player organization in the game. Now and again we ended up getting involved in adventures together, and I suppose you could say we fell in love to the clamor of swords and shields. We saved each others' lives countless times, and eventually after I was nearly murdered by a traitor and Asuna saved me, I realized that there was no other option. We swore to get back to the real world, and sealed it with rings."

Unbeknownst to him, several of Godou's harem cast glances between each other, drawing a mental picture of Asuna as some kind of Japanese Erica. Ena smirked thinking 'I can't wait to tell this story to Liliana, this is right up her alley.' "You had a happy ending then? Just looking to find her here in the real world now?"

"No, I found her weeks ago." He replied, hair obscuring his eyes as he clenched his fists against his knees. "In the battle with Kayaba, she intercepted an attack that, had it hit me, would have undoubtedly been a fatal blow." A gasp escaped several of the group, and Amakasu grimaced. Seeing their faces, Kazuto held up a hand placatingly.

"No no... She's not dead, but she is among one of the 300 players who haven't awakened from the SAO incident. Even with medical assistance, there's only so much atrophy a body can take before it just... gives up. Seeing Asuna lie in that hospital bed, pale and thin... I can't let that stand. I swore to her I'd get her back to the real world, and if a god couldn't stop me, then nothing will. it's only a matter of time. And when I find the one who did this..." he snarled, then relaxed, leaving the statement unfinished.

Everyone was silent for a long moment at that, but eventually Ena nodded. "Such is the fate of those who dare incur the wrath of a devil king."

"Eh?"

"Oh your highness, you would not be the first campione to exact severe judgement on one who has wronged you, even in the modern age alone."

"You mean there are tales of stuff like this happening before?"

"There's a reason modern magus associations are very careful to avoid angering campione, to the point of offering them concubines and aiding them whenever possible. Atlantis is an example."

"Oh."

"Yeah. Anyway, as much as I want to hear the full tale of your life inside SAO, I believe Yuri needs to do her eye thing."

Yuri rolled her eyes, a long suffering sigh escaping her lips. "Ennnaaaaaa..."

"Oh come on Yuri, we both know you love it when I call it that."

"I did when we were kids! Not now and in front of a Campione that isn't even Godou!"

"Ladies, please." Amakasu cut in, ignoring Hikari's snickering and Kaoru's facepalm. "His highness has appointments to keep, and we have much to cover before this meeting is over."

"Sorry Amakasu-san."

"Yuri, if you would?"

"Yes Amakasu-San."

Yuri turned solemnly to Kazuto, swallowing. "May I begin your highness?"

"Guuuuhh... go ahead."

Yuri nodded, and stared hard at the raven-haired newborn devil king, as if focusing on him tightly enough would let her gaze punch right through his mortal coil and into the realm of the spirit.

For a long moment, nothing happened. Kirito waited patiently, watching Yuri's eyes carefully... and was indeed rewarded when he beheld them changing color from her normal brown hue to a shimmering, unnatural green that was almost eerie. So this was spirit vision? So strange...

Just then, Yuri gasped, bringing her hand to her lips as she actually retreated a bit. As quickly as it had come, the magical hue of her eyes vanished and she sagged slightly, mercifully caught by Ena and her little sister.

"Amazing..." the dazed Hime-Miko gasped. "An authority- no, three authorities folded into one... like Verenthraga's incarnations, but yet so different. To think that a god of something so insubstantial as dreams could possess such potential..."

"Onee-chan?" Hikari asked, concern etched in her young features.

"Ah, forgive me. I lost myself for a moment." She said, holding a palm to her forehead. "I'm alright now, really."

Regarding her slowly, Ena stood back and let the recovered Hime-Miko regain some semblance of dignity. Yuri responded with a silent but grateful nod, and turned to Kazuto directly.

"Your Highness, the authority you gained from Morpheus appeared to me in the effigy of a curling triskelion of shifting golden light, with each arm possessing an aspect, much like the Seventh Campione's 'Ten Incarnations' Authority possesses ten different aspects that can be used. The authority's element was... nebulous, at best. I cannot say if it be Earth, Steel, Fire, or something else entirely, though I admittedly suspect the latter. I can grasp a vague hint at the capabilities of the authority's aspects, but beyond that it eludes my sight. Strange... it was like staring at a mirage in a desert. Every time I focused, the image became more indistinct. Even then..." she added, her voice quieting substantially "they felt so vast, so flexible in comparison to most of the authorities I've seen. Powerful, yet not born of destruction, merely capable of it."

"Strange indeed." Amakasu murmured, meshing his fingers in a way that brought to Kazuto far to many images of Gendo Ikari. Figures he'd end up paying for watching Neon Genesis Evangelion back a few months before the SAO incident. "Perhaps it is the nature of his authority? Morpheus was a god of dreams, and dreams have ever proven difficult to interpret. Might that extend to any authorities gained by his killer?"

"Perhaps..." she accepted, only for Kazuto to shrug.

"It's not that important really. I'm glad you got as much as you did. If you have any suggestions for me about how to understand them more myself though, I'd appreciate it."

"Normally a campione is reborn with an innate knowledge of their authorities. It's unusual that you do not."

"It's not like I can't feel them at all." Kazuto said softly. "I can, if I try. I've been able to do that much since the incident in the dojo. I can even hear the words of the... aria did you call it? I can hear the words of the arias like whispers in my head, and I know somehow that if I recited them I'd know everything I needed, but those whispers are just that: whispers. I can only make out fragments of a given one at a time, and that's if I focus on a specific voice."

"I'm hardly qualified to given advice to a Campione regarding their powers," Kaoru spoke up, "but I'd say your best option is to meditate, and experiment regarding these voices yourself until you can fully awaken the power you've claimed. In the meantime, we can at least delay the various magic organizations from becoming to pushy, and the presence of the Seventh Campione may distract heretic gods away from you, which will give you time to secure yourself against threats."

"I thought Campione didn't share territories?" Kazuto asked after a thoughtful pause.

"Normally that's true," Yuri replied, "but we could hardly be so uncouth or foolish as to ask a Japanese citizen to leave the country for such. It is concerning that you both make your homes in the same city, however. Other than that, we have the problem that as the Seventh Campione has already claimed Japan as his territory in deed if not word, he would be within his right to evict you himself."

At the Eighth Campione's rather off put expression, Ena giggled and waved her hand to put him at ease. "Oh don't worry, Godou-sama* would never do such a thing to a fellow countryman. If anything, he may view you as an older brother."

"That's a relief. Hmm... from your prior statement, I assume all Campione claim a territory of some kind? Could you explain?"

"Certainly." Amakasu replied, nodding to Hikari who rushed over to a wall, one of the sliding doors of the dojo in fact, and flung it open. The scruffy man smiled and rose, sweeping his arm in a grand gesture out over the sprawling expanse of Tokyo.

"Campione are often known for laying down for themselves a territory, or region over which they possess dominion. This area is effectively under their protection from divine threats and the predations of other campione, and the magical organizations of that region typically either relocate or pledge themselves to that campione's service in exchange for their aid. A campione's dominion isn't necessarily legally or publicly acknowledged, or in fact even known by those not connected in some way to magic, but it remains sovereign in the world of magic. Often, Campione will decide their territory in part based on the offerings of the magical associations that approach them."

"Which is why they fall over themselves to give them whatever they want, be it money or land or people to work for them."

"Exactly. Now, Campione territories vary in size and are sometimes nebulous, especially as no mortal magician can deter them if they chose to go somewhere. It matters less than you'd think in the long term because most campione- save our own Godou Kusanagi and perhaps John Pluto Smith of America and Aisha of the Middle East- will leap to hunt down any heretic god they discover for the sake of acquiring more authorities, the sport of a battle they can feel to be with an equal, or any other number of reasons."

"I see. I can assume, then, that I will eventually have to select a territory of my own?"

"That is for you to decide, but I can promise you that regardless of if you do or not, you will eventually be beset with magical associations vying for your favour, or possibly sending assassins to test the truth of your divinity, have you not proven it sufficiently when they learn of you. For now, the HCC is doing everything they can to censor the knowledge of your existence to save you these problems, as we felt that until you had sufficiently recovered from your trials in Morpheus's domain and were ready to enter the hidden world of magic, you deserved at least respite for your heroism in saving so many lives."

"So, it's because I'm a campione that you're doing this?"

"We wouldn't have to do it if you weren't a devil king, but no. Allay your fears of any ulterior motives from those of us in this room your highness. While I cannot speak for the whole of the History Compilation Committee, I would have done this much for you at least your being a fellow countryman and a hero, albeit one so appallingly unsung."

Kazuto relaxed slightly, a faint smile reaching his lips. That was good. He wasn't ready to be a magical celebrity yet... not now, and maybe not ever. As fun as it might be, he hated the thought of people supplicating themselves before him. He was still in highschool blast it!

"That's good. To be honest, I don't think I could deal with something like that yet. Not until I've settled with everything left over from SAO."

"Perhaps we can help?"

"Eh?"

Kazuto and the others owlishly turned to the younger Mariya sibling, who smiled cheerily. "We can help you get your Shiro-Hime!* The HCC has a lot of power and connections in the government, and that could help us find out who or what is behind it all! Then you come in with your sword and slice him up real good for stealing your Okusan!"

"Hikari!" Yuri cried again, more in shock than horror at the thought of the raven-haired teen in front of them taking a sword to someone. He was a campione after all, and in a secret part of her, she would have expected Godou to do about the same thing such a fate befall her, not that he hadn't already driven off Volban from taking her once already.

Kazuto smiled, and patted the excitable, brilliant little hime-miko to be affectionately. "I'd like that Hikari. You find the guy, and I'll go chop him up real good for you okay? You can be the great detective to solve the case of the sleeping princess, and I can be the hero that saves the day."

Hikari's grin could hardly get bigger. "I'll get right on it!"

Yuri's frown in that moment could vaguely be likened to that of Auguste Rodin's classical renaissance piece, 'thinker.' "I'm not so sure..."

"It's okay Yuri, I'll stick with her." Ena volunteered happily. "Godou's been wanting to spend some time with his sister, so this will give me something to do besides train. You don't have to worry about her getting hurt while I'm around."

Yuri paused. As much as she wanted to say otherwise, that was true. Ena was the most powerful Hime-Miko in Tokyo- possibly the world- with her divine possession ability. Thanks a ritual a few months back, she could even summon a perfect replica of the Grasscutter Sword, Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi in all it's glory as a lesser god. Nothing short of a campione or a heretic could even phase her, and she'd sooner die than let Hikari get hurt.

It was hard to argue with that, even if it would have been much more reassuring if said volunteer had acted less like an uppity teenage girl when she said it.

What was she saying? Ena was an uppity teenage girl. Even in facing battles against gods and alongside godslayers, she was an uppity teenage girl!

...

Still not the best line of thought there.

"I will do what I can to supervise miss Mariya as well." Amakasu put in. "It is the least we can do for someone who saved over six thousand lives."

"I..." Kazuto began, but realizing that voicing his feelings regarding what he considered his failure, even if to the greater world it was unarguably a great act of heriosm, wouldn't change a thing stopped and simply sighed. "Well, thanks."

"You're welcome your highness!" Ena chirped. "Ask us for anything! Well-" she paused, looking thoughtful, "almost anything. After all, Yuri and I are Godou-sama's. Hikari wanted to be as well, but she's far to young."

"W-What are you saying!? To say it like that...!"

"Miss Mariya, please calm down." Kaoru said softly. "Ena, please remember your etiquette in the presence of a campione."

"Ah, forgive us your highness." Yuri added with a mournful sigh, a chastened expression on her features. "Godou-sama is a great campione, indeed this is true, but he possesses a flaw most horrible. He is a heinous womanizer. Ena and I are both maidens who have pledged everything we are to him, and besides us he has ensorcelled two knights of the Italian magical organizations, Erica Blandelli the Red Devil of the Copper Black Cross, and Liliana Kranjcar of the Bronze-Black Cross," 'and Hikari' she thought with some concern "amongst a number of other women with his charms. Lucretia Zola, the Witch of Sardina, has also claimed to be a mistress of his, though for now it seems mostly a declaration of intent."

"It is not an entirely new thing, mind you." Kaoru stated flatly. "Male Campione in the past have been believed to be similar, taking either numerous lovers or even a great many wives, to the point of having vast harems of nubile maidens beyond his own ability to utilize, and some female campione may have done the reverse, history is hazy on that point. Even those Campione that did not claim multiple lovers at once typically remarried or took another lover many times over their Olympian lifespan, for an eternity alone was something... dangerously unbalancing to them.

I would not be surprised if the magical organizations of those times supplied lovers to their masters simply to keep them from degrading into more terrible foes than the heretic gods they fought. Heretic gods are at least semi-predictably to their legends and egos, as well as their goals. A rampaging campione driven mad by grief or loneliness, especially one of great age with many authorities, would destroy everything in their path. An apocalypse given flesh."

"No. All those things are understandable, considering the situation and culture of those times." Yuri said, looking forlorn. "What makes Godou-sama such a terrible person is that he seems to never be content o-or willing to take responsibility. Already he has a wife and three mistresses, all of them both incredibly b-beautiful-" here, Yuri blushed like a tomato "and prodigies in the magical realm who have proclaimed their love, yet he continues to draw other women in with his charms as if our oaths mean nothing or our love is so shallow..." she trailed off, turning away from their assembly. Kaoru's visage was emotionless, though the rest all had their faces marred by frowns.

Kazuto was silent for a long moment. "That's so terrible..." he whispered, "To love and not see your love returned... you've felt this burden for some time now haven't you Yuri-san?"

"Y-yeah..." Yuri choked out, refusing to cry. She'd already committed a grievance

Silence, then Kazuto spoke again. "Does he ever seem... oblivious? Like in spite of everything you've done to declare your love to him, it simply doesn't register in his head?"

"Y-yes. How did you...?"

"And when he charms other women... does he seek them out and seduce them, or do they kind of... fall into his lap? Like the devil's luck or fate has it out for him?"

"Hmm... That is how he met Erica." Ena supplied with a contemplative murmur. "Are you looking for a pattern?"

"Of sorts."was the noncommittal reply.

Ena looked to Yuri, who stiffly nodded her affirmation to continue. As risky and potentially unwise as it might be for another campione to be told such personal things, things she has not told even her own campione, she'd seen much in that brief glimpse of spirit vision, and

"Well...many of us fell in love with him in battles with heretic gods or campione, but knew each other beforehand. Erica and Liliana received their swords together, Liliana was present with Yuri when Volban attempted to summon a heretic god to fight using the power of hime mikos and witches, and I myself am a childhood friend of Yuri's. He saved Yuri from the Campoine Sasha Dejlani Volban at considerable personal risk to himself, as he did Hikari from her possession by Sun Wukong and Ena from her possession by the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi. Erica he saved in a similar, less personal matter as he was the one who slew Verenthraga and thus drove off Melquart, and Liliana fought alongside him battling Perseus. I would not be surprised if he saved her from that particular heretic god's ability to ensorcell women."

"I see..." Kazuto whispers, mumbling something unintelligible to the ears of the others present before pulling a grin and shaking his head. "I would not worry Mariya-san. If I'm right, you will receive your happy ending eventually."

"How can you say that with such certainty just from that...?"

Kazuto smirked. "Far to much time immersed in popular culture. The internet does that."

"Eh?" came the stereo response from the two premier hime-miko.

He looked from one to the other, a mildly appalled expression forming on his face. "You don't know what the internet is...?"

"We have heard of it vaguely, even used it at school, but..." Yuri said, unable to meet his disbelieving gaze.

Hikari brightened slightly, pipping up with: "Ah! My friends were telling me about that! The world wide web right? An interconnected data network used to digitally carry messages and store and retrieve information from across the planet? SAO used it."

The other hime-miko regarded Hikari with a ponderous eye, but Kazuto seemed, if anything, relieved and nodded. "That's right, the internet is a digital network used for all those things, though it has as many uses in the areas of entertainment as it does in it's original function these days, probably more. You can never tell with the internet, it's just too big to be fully catalogued. Sure you could, but it would take a lot of time and a lot of people, unless you cheated and used a program of some kind. Even if you did though, there would just be to much to go over to really review it all. There are hundreds of thousands of games on the internet, of which Virtual Reality Massively Multiplayer Online Games, or VRMMOs, are only the newest and smallest. On the internet you can watch movies, discuss in realtime with people on the far side of the planet, read anything from statistics to up to the minute news to public opinions... the list goes on almost endlessly. Some people use the internet as a virtual gallery to display their artwork even."

"Sugoi*...!"

"To think such a recently developed technology could be so immensely useful and flexible..."

"Um, sorry, but how is the computer "recently developed?" It could be said to have existed since the days of the abacus, or at least since Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine of from the mid to late nineteen hundreds. The electrical computer proper appeared more than half a century ago, and the internet in proper around 1995. That's not really 'recent'..."

"Magical associations think in longer terms your highness. To you recent might be within a year or two, but to use the word typically covers anything within several decades to a full century. To us, the internet is still rather new, though not as much as cellular phones. Many simply don't find the time to use it as much of magic's mysteries lies more in the past; in books and relics and ruins of the old days, rather than behind a computer screen. Yuri herself only got a cellphone earlier this year, after the seventh campione impressed upon her the value of wireless communication capability."

"I see..."

"U-wah!* Hikari wants to learn the ways of the internet too! It sounds fun!"

"Hikari." Yuri groaned, exasperated by her excitable younger sister's enthusiasm.

"Actually, Miss Hikari may have a good idea there, even if her thoughts on it's potential applications are a bit... sparse." Amakasu said, casting an amused glance her way that left the brunette with a rosy powder to her cheeks.

"Eh?"

"While it's true Magical associations possess considerable power" Amakasu continued, disregarding Yuri's confused expression "The fact that magic is so deeply tied to the past, and often that information can only be extracted from ancient tomes, ruins, and the like- as well as the fact that tradition is foundational to all those affiliated with magic- leaves us rather reluctant to embrace modern technology like cell phones and computers. Any of the more public members of the magical world use them, but only modestly. I think that it would be good for at least one of our hime miko to fully embrace the technology and see what benefits it might to her duties... provided it does not prevent her from keeping her traditions."

"Well, the best option would probably be to enroll in one of those college courses teaching computer ed."

"That might not be the best idea." Kaoru supplied with a thoughtful 'hmmm.' "Hikari is below the suitable age for such classes."

"Then maybe a private tutor?"

"That would likely be a more viable option, though it begs the question of who would be acceptable for all parties involved to teach an apprentice hime-miko?"

"Ano,* ah..." Ena began with a curious expression on her face. "Would it be alright for his highness to teach her?"

"Eh?!"

"hmm... she does have a point. If Heretics start using the internet and VRMMOs as a medium to effect the physical world like Morpheus, we will need to learn how to handle that environment to manage damage control and to aid campione in dealing with them. Eventually, magi will certainly discover it's usefulness for illicit dealings as well. This is something that should not be forestalled, and as only one individual can claim connections to the magical world to match their knowledge of the internet, who better to do the deed than a campione...? Even so," he sighed, grimacing. "It would be foolish to ask anything of a campione, even one so newborn as you your highness."

"It's not that I'm averse to the idea" Kazuto began "it's just that... what with everything being so strange right now and my promise to Asuna..." It was Kaoru who spoke up next, maintaining a level, respectful tone.

"Perhaps we could offer an exchange? A business arrangement of sorts? We have already pledged our resources to helping you awaken your sleeping love, but as this is more of a legal precedent, would you consider taking this duty as a commission following the situation's resolution?"

"What, like as a job?"

"Yes, something along the lines of a civilian consultant, contractor, or private tutor. You would be paid well for your time, and if you find the situation satisfactory you could take further jobs from the HCC or other branches of the government."

"Something for later, I would think." Amakasu says. "As you said your highness said, Asuna-sama's* well being comes first."

"Later then."

"Certainly. I'll have the HCC look into things on the completion of the meeting."

"Very well then." Kazuto said. "I believe our arrangement was that once you answered my questions, I'd answer yours."

Amakasu nodded.

"Well, I suppose you already know my history from before the incident, so guess the story begins on that day. I'd been selected as a beta tester for the prototype VRMMO game, Sword Art Online. I logged in..."

After many questions and as compressed a reiteration of the events inside Aincrad during the SAO incident, the meeting came to a close and Kazuto rose, bowing respectfully. Farewells and a "Hey Kazuto-san, when you get a hang on your authorities let's spar some time!" from Ena, followed before Amakasu walked Kazuto back to the lobby, and let the boy out to head home.

"Goodbye Kazuto-sama." He said, smiling. "You have my number if you have anything you need, and be sure we'll contact you if anything of note occurs."

"Okay. See you later Amakasu-san*"

The sun had indeed come to rest almost on the horizon as it was wont to do earlier in winter months, and a soft chill gripped the air though it was only late afternoon. Kazuto flipped up the cuff of his jacket, and headed home.

Upstairs in that quaint meeting room, the assembled Hime-Miko of the Historical Compilation Committee sat in silence, pondering the grand tale they'd been told.

"It's amazing isn't it? His story." Ena muttered.

"Quite the astounding tale." Kaoru agreed, looking pensive.

"That a Heretic God would actually seek to create a Campione with his death; to think that Morpheus would go to such lengths..."

"But that just makes Kirigaya-san that much more impressive right?" Hikari pipped up, looking at Yuri. "He didn't just slay a heretic god as a mortal, he slew a heretic god with his own authority, inside his own divine space, after impressing that god well enough to fight him on an equal level!"

"True, no mortal has ever become a campione in this manner before." Kaoru replied "That the manner in which he did may have effected his authorities is... mildly disconcerting, but not totally unsurprising. I worry more of the future of Japan, with two Campione sharing it as their home."

"Maybe" Ena agreed "but I think that they might work well together. Neither wants to claim official dominion over Japan, and Kazuto-sama seems rather benign, for a campione."

"That may be," Kaoru said "but from what I've seen and heard, Kusnanagi-sama is the same until he finds himself fighting a heretic god. Who is to say that Kirigaya-sama is not the same? Calm and ordinary, unless pushed. At least we know what Kusanagi-sama's triggers are. Kirigaya-sama remains a mystery."

"Not entirely." Yuri countered with a soft voice. "Kirigaya-sama has already revealed one: Threats to those he cares about. He fought a heretic god to save the lives of thousands including his friends and his love from the threat of an impending death inside Aincrad. I shudder to think what would happen if someone actually hurt one of his loved ones."

"In that case, we'd best do what we can to help him wake up his wife. Hikari will be spending time with him in the future, and that should give us insight on him as well as keep him in our good graces. Kusanagi-sama will need to be informed of this development, and I leave that to you." Kaoru said, standing in a single smooth motion and striding for the door. Opening it, she paused and twisted to cast a long glance at Yuri and Ena. "Also, while you are now answerable only to Godou and beyond my ability to reprimand, I must remind you with the utmost severity that as surprising as it may be, it is an unseemly breach of decorum to allow yourselves to so lose your composure in a meeting, let alone discuss such personal matters and your feelings regarding another campione in the presence of Kirigaya-sama. See that it does not happen again."

Then she was gone. Ena and Yuri sighed and slumped, knowing all to well how foolish their words had been in that moment, and remained silent. Hikari took one look between them and grinned, not caring about decorum in the peace of the dojo-like room. "So! I was thinking that Kirigaya-sama needs a title. Any ideas?"

Glossary

Shiro-Hime: Literally "white princess."

Sugoi: Literally "amazing" after translating the sounds produced by the Japanese pronunciation of the word into english.

U-wah: A meaningless exclamation.

Ano: Another meaningless exclamation, this one vaguely analogous to the english "ah" or "um."

-sama: a Japanese Honorific used to denote a great amount of respect to someone of a much higher social rank than the user, be it a host to a guest, a store owner to a customer, an employee to a boss, or even a mortal to a god.

-san: The most common Japanese honorific, -san indicates a status of equality regardless of age and is used as a sign of respect.

Divine Authority Briefing

Kirito

[Perchance to Dream]

[Perchance to Dream: Dreamwalker]

-See Chapter 2 for a complete reiteration of the authority-

Status:

Having now discovered the Aria for Dreamwalker, Kirito has gained the ability to, with the use of the aria, view the dreams of a person sleeping within eyesight as if they are playing on a TV screen in front of him.

Kirito's body has now adapted enough to completely astralize his body with the use of the aria and enter the dreams of nearby a sleeping individual. He may use this authority freely, with the caveat that any damage taken while in astral form is mirrored when he returns to physical form. At this time, Kirito's Astral Form possesses greatly reduced magical resistance to his body.

[Perchance to Dream: World Seed]

-See Chapter 2 for a complete reiteration of the Authority-

Status:

Having now discovered the Aria for World Seed, Kirito is capable of using World Seed to a much greater effect. With the use of the Aria, Kirito is now capable of limitedly shaping and imbuing his divine authority and other magics into digital code, and the ability to visualize a divine authority he sees in a digital form, as if it were a unique skill in an MMO broken down into it's code before his eyes.

Passively, Kirito's instinctive comprehension of digital coding, and a subconscious capacity with such coding as regards to writing, hacking, and otherwise working with it has been improved to the point that he could potentially create a crude grimoire or write/invent a spell using the format of digital code.

[Perchance to Dream: Waking Dream]

-See Chapter 2 for a complete Reiteration of the authority-

Status:
Having now discovered the Aria for Waking Dream, Kirito is capable of using the authority consciously and at a much more efficient AMS rate. His Anima Pool has also grown slightly, and his Anima Regen has increased exponentially.

Anima Pool: 22,5000
Partial Manifestation Anima per second for five specific skills/attributes: 20 (40)
Default AMS: 50 (110)
Reality Marble AMS: 120 (250)
Anima regenerated per second: 7.8125 (8 hours to full pool recovery)

Author's Notes:

Man this one feels like it took longer than the others. Is it just me? I did get distracted with timelining a bunch of other potential fics (if you ask nicely, maybe I'll link you to them!) but even so...

As a minor note, I want to apologize to anyone being confused or bothered by my random use of Japanese words. It's a foible of mine to write in such a manner, and I can't really help it. Sorry about that. I think a part of it is that I can't imagine them not speaking Japanese at least a bit, and another is that I like to add a little practical information into my stories. There! Now you know what the glossary is for!

Sorry everyone! I wanted to get into ALO already, but this chapter just kept running on and on and on. I'll probably tie up things like introducing Sugou, the picture, suguha noticing her bro's acting funny, and jumping into ALO itself; maybe some of the initial scenes past that as well in the next chapter.

Well, I'd say Kazuto got those answers he wanted and more besides! Sorry this filler is so much dialogue, but it felt necessary both to flesh out the world a bit and the characters as well, while working in some potential plot points for later. I hope you enjoyed it!