Disclaimer: I do not own Sword Art Online. I write this for your enjoyment only. On a note, this is a canon-based AU with differences from the original. Please refer to the footnotes at the end. It also contains mild spoilers for the Alicization arc so I suggest you not read if you haven't finished watching past episode 24 of the anime or read past volume 14 of the LNs.

Part of Me

"You're doing good, Kirito, keep going!" Alice encouraged gently while keeping her arms firmly hooked around Kirito's as he attempted to walk after forcing himself, with great effort, to stand up from his wheelchair.

To ensure his privacy, Alice and Selka had taken Kirito to the closed off clearing of the Gigas Cedar around dusk when the Rulid villagers have retired to their homes for the evening. It was also to ensure that he would feel more comfortable without the awkwardness of random strangers watching (and judging) him.

Kirito stopped for a brief moment to catch his breath as a bead of sweat formed on his forehead. Remembering that he was in Alice's presence, Kirito resisted the urge to wipe his brow with his sleeve. Which would have been difficult anyway with his arms hooked around hers so that he wouldn't fall to the ground.

Fortunately, Selka saved Kirito the trouble when she noticed his sweaty brow and approached him before taking a handkerchief from her habit and wiped it for him.

"Here, let me get that for you" she said kindly.

Kirito breathed a sigh of relief before managing a smile in gratitude. "Thank you, Selka", he said.

"You're welcome", she replied while trying her best not to embarrass Kirito by letting her eyes wander to his feet that seemed to be dragging behind him as he slowly and painstakingly placed one in front of the other to form a steady pace.

After being attacked by Zink the last time he came to the forest to practice walking alone, Kirito had promised Alice not to leave the house unaccompanied by either Selka or herself again. And as much as he hated being supervised everywhere he went like a child, Kirito had to agree now that he could no longer protect himself like he did when he was still able-bodied.

Fortunately, the young man had managed to make some progress, the first being able to at least stand on his own, albeit with a great deal of effort. But Kirito also knew that he still had a long way to go before he could walk normally again, even with the help of the Zuberg sisters. In addition to depending on Alice for his basic everyday needs, Kirito was now literally using her as a crutch and felt ill at ease with it.

Sensing her charge's discomfort, Alice tried her best to reassure him that she was perfectly fine with being his crutch by giving his arms a gentle squeeze.

"It's all right, Kirito. Take as much time as you need."

Panting, the young man closed his eyes and nodded before trying to take another step. Mustering as much strength as he could into his frail legs, Kirito managed to take two more steps before tripping over his own feet and stumbled in Alice's arms. It was only her firm hold that kept him from collapsing to the ground. *1*

Selka bit her lip and had to resist the urge to cringe at watching Kirito struggle to do something that normal people took for granted, something that he himself took for granted before falling into his current physical state.

Looking at him now, anyone who didn't know Kirito would find it hard to believe that he was the same swordsman who defeated the strongest among the Integrity Knights as well as the late Pontifex herself, the same swordsman who was once capable of practically dancing circles around all but his most powerful and formidable opponents. Although she tried not to show it to avoid discouraging Kirito, Selka secretly worried about him and his chances for recovery.

And unknown to the young nun, there was another witness who was of the same mind as herself.

Though he knew he could not be seen or heard by the trio in the Gigas Cedar's clearing, Eugeo peaked out from behind a tree where he had hidden himself out of instinct as if he still had a flesh and blood body that could be detected. Unknown to his friends, the blond youth had been following them all morning until they came to this clearing to see if Kirito could still make use of his legs yet.

And contrary to what Kirito himself had believed, Eugeo found nothing amusing or laughable about his situation. In fact, he was just as worried as the Zuberg sisters and could not help but wonder if Kirito would recover and be capable of fighting when he was called upon to do battle again.

And it wasn't a matter of "if", but "when".

Not wanting Kirito to despair over his current lack of mobility, Eugeo closed his eyes and projected his best words of encouragement into the older boy's mind. *2*

"Don't give up, Kirito! You can do it! Keep trying!"

Kirito gasped, indicating that he had indeed heard them even though he did not see his caretaker's lips move.

"Did you say something, Alice?" he asked in bewilderment.

"No, I didn't. Why, did you hear something?"

"I thought I heard someone telling me to 'keep trying'. But I don't see anyone else here besides you and Selka."

"That is strange", Alice admitted before turning to her younger sister. "Did you say anything, Selka?"

"No, I didn't. Are you sure you're not just hearing things, Kirito?"

Kirito sighed and shook his head. "Maybe… maybe I am. I don't know. Still, for some strange reason, I find it comforting."

"Well, you have been under a lot of stress lately, Kirito", Alice said. "If you're not up for walking now, we can try again tomorrow."

Remembering the words of his unseen supporter, the raven-haired youth shook his head fiercely.

"No, I want to keep trying for a bit longer. If that's ok with you, Alice", he insisted.

"Of course," she said before turning to her sister. "Is that all right with you, Selka? Or do you have something else you need to do?"

"No, it's all right, I don't mind. Today is my day of rest anyway. I can stay for as long as both of you need me."

"I'm glad to hear that, Selka", Alice said in relief before turning to Kirito again. "Shall we keep going then?"

"Yes, please."

"All right, then. Now just follow my lead…"

Eugeo smiled, satisfied that his simple words had succeeded in giving hope to his struggling friend so that he would keep trying to walk for a bit longer. Now that his work was done for the time being, the blond turned and vanished into the air.

SSSSSS

The Land of Eternal Night…

Is what Eugeo came to think of the spiritual realm where he was sent after departing his mortal body, the plane where his Alice patiently awaited his return every time he left for the human plane to watch over Kirito. *3*

As Eugeo walked over the blue roses that covered the ground while taking note of the starry night sky above him, he saw the figure of a young blonde maiden clad in a white gown, standing in the distance with her back turned to him and watching the beautiful silvery lake that was also a part of this divine realm.

"So, you've returned, Eugeo…how is Kirito and everyone?" she asked out of the blue without turning around.

"They are all well for the time being" he answered. "What about you?"

Alice turned to Eugeo and smiled. "I am always well" she answered. "I'm just more concerned about you. You always look like you're worried about your friend."

Eugeo sighed. "How can I not worry about Kirito knowing the state he's in? It's only my bond to the Blue Rose sword that enables me to keep watch over him without restrictions. And I feel like I'll be doing more than just that in the future."

"So, you've made your decision? Are you sure it's what you want?"

Although Alice did not elaborate further, Eugeo knew exactly what she meant. He had already gambled once with his life and lost. And now he was taking an even greater risk by allowing himself to be bound to his sword for a second time, that of his very soul. For despite being a powerful Sacred Weapon and Divine Object, the Blue Rose sword was not indestructible. And should it be destroyed despite Kirito's best efforts to guard it, Eugeo himself would cease to exist.

But it was a risk he had to take and they both knew it. Because Eugeo could not, in good conscience, condemn an entire world and its people to annihilation for the sake of his own happiness.

Even if that world and its people had not always been good to him during his lifetime.

"It's not a matter of what I want anymore, Alice. It's what I must do" Eugeo said simply as he took her hands in his own. "Our world is in danger and Kirito alone cannot save it."

"True…" Alice agreed. "However, you should be past caring about such things by now."

"I know, Alice. I know that I have no reason to care what happens to the world anymore. But I still have loved ones who live in it. And if Kirito had the courage and conviction to fight for the sake of a world that isn't even his own, then what excuse do I have?"

Alice pulled her hands back from Eugeo's before gently cupping his face in them.

"Eugeo…" she whispered. "You do not have to explain or justify your decision to me. I know. And I understand. Despite what it has put you through, you still love this world and wish to protect it."

"It's something I learned from Kirito. And you, Alice. How can I not act when I know there are still those in need of my protection?"

"Of course. You must do what you know in your heart is right, Eugeo…"

"Yes… and I will."

"Good. You and Kirito are both righteous and honorable men. It's why Alice loved you both so much."

Eugeo was started at hearing his love speak of herself in the third person and her response finally prompted him to ask the question that had been on his mind for quite some time.

"Are you really Alice?"

Now that she was certain Eugeo was ready to know, the blonde maiden answered.

"I am the embodiment of Alice Zuberg's memories given form. A part of her, if you will. The part that you remember before she became an Integrity Knight." *4*

"I see…"

"You don't seem surprised, Eugeo."

The blond shook his head. "No…it's something I've been suspecting for a while now. But it does not matter. I know what I must do, that I am still needed. And I cannot let Kirito or Alice bear the burden alone. Especially if it's still within my power to help them."

Leaning forward "Alice" gave Eugeo a gentle embrace. "I knew you'd say that, my love. And you have my full support. But wherever your journey takes you, know that you will always have a place here with me when you return."

"I know… and thank you, Alice. For understanding" Eugeo whispered, returning her embrace.

"You're welcome, Eugeo. Now go and carry my love with you always."

Eugeo smiled before giving his Alice a tender kiss. "I will. Good bye for now."

"Good bye, my love. Until we meet again…"

Eugeo nodded before turning and closed his eyes to envision himself back on the human plane.

SSSSSS

"How are you feeling now, Kirito?" Alice inquired as she handed a cup of hot tea to Kirito before taking a seat on the sofa across from his wheelchair. "Are your legs sore?"

"A little" he confessed before accepting the tea from his caretaker. "But I guess it's to be expected since I've barely used them in months."

"It's all right" Alice assured. "There is no need to rush, Kirito. It's not like you're going anywhere."

Upon hearing that, Kirito raised a brow and Alice immediately realized her poor choice of words.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that!" she apologized, blushing furiously.

Instead of getting angry, the boy laughed softly. "I know. I'm not upset or anything. It is the truth, after all."

"Still, I should have been more careful with how I word things, as you've said before. As an Integrity Knight, I've always tended to be direct; it was necessary to avoid any misunderstanding on the battlefield."

"Oh, I know that all too well. Clear communication can often mean the difference between life and death in battle whether its fighting alongside a single ally or relaying orders to an entire army."

"I see. I'm guessing your experience is mostly with the former?"

Kirito hesitated for a moment before answering. Technically, he had worked with multiple allies simultaneously in the past. But in this world, his teamwork was limited mostly to Eugeo before they were reunited with Alice.

But Kirito thought it best not to mention his other friends from the real world. As far as Alice knew, he was born and raised in Rulid alongside herself and Eugeo. She also knew that he and Eugeo fought exclusively alongside each other during their travels until they were brought to the Central Cathedral as prisoners.

"Yes", he answered. "Eugeo and I became so close that we didn't always need verbal communication to understand each other."

"Interesting…" Alice admitted, finding it impressive that Kirito and Eugeo had known each other's habits so well that it even carried onto the battlefield.

"Yeah… I don't mean to brag, but back at the Centoria Swordcraft Academy, our classmates and teachers often called us 'the dynamic duo' because we could perform our sword forms in perfect sync with each other as well as performing them both left and right-handed", Kirito said proudly while waving an arm in the air like he was wielding his trusted weapon once again, causing Alice to clap a hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh. For a brief moment, Alice thought she saw Kirito's eyes brighten once more when he spoke fondly of his late friend and didn't want to ruin it for him. *5*

Especially since she was curious to know what kind of life the boys had led after they left Rulid nearly three years ago in search of her.

"That's quite impressive", Alice admitted. "The only other pair I've ever seen who can do weapon forms in perfect sync would be the prodigy twins, Linel and Fizel. But I suppose that shouldn't be a surprise since twins do share an exceptionally strong bond in mind and body. But you and Eugeo are not even related, are you?"

Kirito shook his head. "No. Not by blood, that is. But we may as well have been blood brothers. Some people have even mistaken us for twins."

"I can see why. You two look almost identical with the exception of your hair and eye colors; it's hard to believe you're not related. I'm sure both you and Eugeo must have had a lot of admirers."

"I won't lie in that we've piqued the interest of many" Kirito admitted before frowning slightly as a thought came to him. "Unfortunately, not everyone was a fan."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that Eugeo and I weren't looked favorably upon by everyone despite our talents. Our high-born classmates looked down their noses at us, at Eugeo for being a humble-born woodcutter, and me for being a foreigner without a memory."

"Like those noblemen you killed for trying to assault your pages, right?"

"Actually, it was me alone who killed Raios Antinous" Kirito confessed. "Even if it was unintentional. Eugeo chopped off Humbert's arm but the guy survived. Though I have no idea of what became of him after he ran away from us."

Now it was Alice's turn to frown. "Because I arrested and took the both of you away soon after", she finished quietly.

"Don't feel bad about it, Alice", Kirito insisted. "It was pure chance that you were the one who came for us and neither Eugeo nor I would have wanted it to be anyone else."

Alice sighed. "Still, now that I think about it, I wish our meeting could have been under different circumstances. And to be honest, I regret that I never got the chance to apologize to Eugeo for striking him; it's something I feel really bad about now…" she said quietly as her eyes started to wander and looked down at her own cup of tea to avoid his gaze.

Kirito secretly couldn't help thinking how cute Alice looked when she did that and laughed softly at her confession.

"It's all right, Alice. Knowing Eugeo, I'm sure he would have understood and forgiven you. Even when we were children, he could never stay angry with you for long. And neither could I."

"Oh, really?" she asked in amusement as a small smile curved her lips.

"Really. But I suppose the reason for that was because every time you did annoy us, we'd always forget about it when you bribed us with delicious food."

"Oh? I can actually cook as a child? I find that a bit hard to believe considering that I struggle with it now."

"Well, it's not surprising that you would if you've been living as an Integrity Knight for the past six to seven years, Alice. After all, knights have no need to know how to cook", Kirito said good-naturedly while neglecting to mention that it was actually Alice's mother who made all the food she brought to him and Eugeo for lunch every day and that Alice herself had only assisted her.

"True", Alice agreed. "But now that I've returned to civilian life, I figure I should learn how to cook again. And the more you tell me about my past, the more I want to remember it for myself as well as all the people from my childhood that I once held dear, including Eugeo. But no matter how hard I try, I cannot."

"It's all right, Alice. I believe that your memory will return someday so don't try to force yourself; there's no need to rush."

"I know, but…"

"Yes?"

Looking into Kirito's eyes, Alice blushed and made a rather intimate confession of her own. It was only fair since he had been so open and honest with her.

"I've never told anyone this, not even uncle, but…"

"But?"

"The truth is that even when I was in the service of the Pontifex, I've always felt as though a part of me was missing. Sometimes I wondered if the other knights felt the same but I couldn't bring myself to ask any of them. Because questioning our pasts, our duties, and the Pontifex herself, was something Integrity Knights simply didn't do."

"Oh, I don't doubt it" Kirito assured. "We both know that the synthesis ritual doesn't result in a completely clean slate when it comes to wiping any of the knights' memories, including yours. And of course, Eugeo's as well. It didn't matter whether any of you underwent the ritual willingly or had it forced upon you."

"Do you think the Pontifex herself ever realized that?"

"She might have. But as long as you were obedient and didn't question her, Quinella's goal was achieved all the same."

"True. However, now that I think about it, I believe that the late Pontifex was aware of the possibility that the Integrity Knights' loyalty to her could falter due to their doubts so she constantly searched for ways to perfect the synthesis ritual until it could completely wipe away our memories."

"My thoughts exactly, Alice", Kirito agreed. "And if she had enough time, I'm sure Quinella would have succeeded too. We should be thankful that we were able to put an end to her rule before that can happen."

"We? You were the one who took down Quinella, Kirito. Even if it was with Eugeo's help."

Kirito shook his head and lowered his tea cup. "No, it wasn't just me and Eugeo. If it weren't for you, I would've never regained my resolve to fight after I saw what Quinella did to him."

Alice frowned. "I only wished I could have been more useful", she said sadly. "I couldn't bring myself to speak to Eugeo when we were all reunited again. Because I simply didn't know what to say to him after everything that had happened."

Kirito smiled. Although he did not say so, he was happy that his caretaker was starting to open up to him a bit more.

"You didn't have to say anything, Alice", he insisted. "As long as you were safe, alive, and well, that was all Eugeo cared about and could have asked for."

"Even after what I put him through? What I put both of you through?"

"Yes… he loved you that much. In fact, if it weren't for his desire to see you again, I'm sure Eugeo would have never left Rulid with me and simply accepted his fate as a woodcutter."

"But at least he would be alive…", Alice said sadly as she wiped a tear that was forming at the corner of her eyes with a finger. "If it weren't for me…"

Before Alice could say another word, Kirito reached over and placed a finger on her lips.

"Hush, none of that now, Alice. I knew Eugeo better than anyone. And I can say for certain that no matter what happened, he had no regrets as long as he saw you again and knew you were safe."

Alice gently grasped Kirito by the wrist before pressing his hand against her cheek. "Yes… I suppose he didn't. Still, I wish there was something I could have done for Eugeo in return since he came such a long way to find and save me."

"If there is anything Eugeo would want from you in return that I can think of, it would be to remember him. But he wouldn't want you to force yourself any more than I do. Just let the memories return to you as they will, Alice."

"Yes… I suppose you're right; there is no need to rush. I'm sorry for keeping you up with my meaningless chatter. Would you like me to help you to bed now, Kirito?"

"No, it's all right. I'm not sleepy yet. If you'd like, I can tell you more about my journey with Eugeo after we left Rulid and came to Centoria."

Alice's eyes brightened at the offer. Like Kirito, she was not yet tired enough to sleep and preferred to stay up a bit longer to listen to whatever tales the young man before her had to tell.

"Yes, I would like that very much, Kirito."

Now that he had his caretaker's approval, Kirito set his teacup on the table and leaned slightly back on his wheelchair. He couldn't help noticing the irony of how he used to listen to Eugeo talk about Alice for hours on end during the two years they traveled the land and studied in Centoria together and now he was telling Alice stories about Eugeo in the hopes that she would be able to remember him someday.

"Well, let me think. Where shall I start? Oh, yes, how about the day Eugeo and I left Rulid after he finally succeeded in cutting down the Giga's Cedar?"

Alice chuckled and leaned back from her own seat on the sofa.

"Yes, that would be a good place to start."

"Right. Here goes nothing!"

From the enthusiastic manner in which Kirito spoke, Alice was certain that he must have some very interesting tales to tell.

And there were few things that Alice Zuberg loved more than a good story.

Especially those that were true.

SSSSSS

"How are you feeling today, Kirito? Will you be up to try walking again?" Selka asked the young man in question as she placed a plate topped with fresh-baked bread, eggs, and smoked ham before him on the table.

"I feel better" Kirito answered as he made a gesture for Selka to sit down while they waited for Alice to join them for breakfast. Knowing that she was an inferior cook, Alice left the cooking to her younger sister while she focused mostly on cutting meat, fruit, and vegetables. Right now, the elder Zuberg was squeezing some oranges in the kitchen for fresh orange juice.

After taking a brief glance over her shoulder to Alice, whose back was turned to them as she stood in the kitchen slowly filling a glass pitcher with orange juice, Selka lowered her voice and finally asked Kirito the question that had been on her mind all morning.

"Um, Kirito? Would you mind if I asked you something personal? You don't have to answer if you don't want but it would mean a lot to me if you did."

Kirito was startled at Selka's sudden question that was also accompanied by an expression of concern on her face and made him wonder what could possibly be bothering the younger girl.

"Yes, what is it?", he asked curiously.

"Shh… not so loud. I prefer my sister not hear this…"

"All right", he replied in a quieter voice. "Is there something on your mind, Selka?"

"Well, yes…" she began. "Is it true that you've been trying to jog Alice's memories of her past?"

"It is. Why? You yourself said you wanted Alice to remember her life in Rulid before she was taken away to Centoria all those years ago."

"I do… but what concerns me is that you've been focusing on trying to get her to remember Eugeo more than anything. While we were making breakfast this morning, Alice has been asking me what I remember of her past friendship with him since she still has difficulty recalling herself."

"Is that a problem?" Kirito asked, his brow furrowing in concern at Selka's inquiry. "What are you getting at?"

"Kirito, I know you want Alice to remember Eugeo since it was for her sake that he left the village and became a swordsman in the first place. But would it do any good for her to remember him now that he's gone? I mean, if Alice were to remember Eugeo and what he once meant to her, it would surely break her heart. Look what it's done to you…"

Kirito found his breath hitching in his throat when he realized that Selka did have a point. Eugeo himself had said upon his death that he wanted nothing more than for Alice to be happy. And if it had been Asuna in her place, Kirito would have also preferred that she forget about him and be happy, rather than remember and grieve all her life for their lost love.

"I see… I'm sorry, I never thought of that to be honest", he confessed. "I just didn't want Alice to forget Eugeo considering that he gave his life for her. And for me as well."

Selka smiled and reached for Kirito's hand from her seat across the table and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Don't apologize, Kirito. I know you mean well. And I'm not saying that Alice should forget Eugeo either. I only ask that you use caution when you speak of him to her. My sister has already been through so much…"

"Yes, you're right. I completely understand and I don't want to make Alice suffer any more than she already has. I'll be careful from now on."

Selka quietly released the breath she had be holding in relief that Kirito was not offended by her suggestion.

"Thank you, Kirito. That's all I ask…"

Kirito was about to say "You're welcome", when he and Selka suddenly heard the object of their concern speak up from behind them as she left the kitchen and approached the breakfast table with a pitcher of freshly squeezed orange juice.

"Hey, what are you two talking about?" Alice asked curiously before pouring each of them a glass of the sweet nectar.

"Oh, nothing much!" Kirito answered, trying to make the lie sound as smooth and truthful as possible, lying being something he wasn't exactly used to and disliked greatly. But Kirito knew he had to for Alice's sake. "I was just telling Selka how lovely it is today and that I would like to try walking again."

Alice smiled, delighted that her charge had no intention of giving up trying to regain the use of his legs, despite how much he was struggling to take even a few steps the day before.

"I'm happy to hear that, Kirito" she said before turning to her younger sister. "Would you be all right with accompanying us again, Selka?"

"Yes, I would love to. But since I have to return to my duties as well as Sacred Arts lessons, I'm afraid I won't be able to join you until later this afternoon. Will you two be all right without me until then?"

"Don't worry, I'm sure we can manage just fine for a few hours", Kirito assured. "I feel safe with Alice around."

Kirito didn't know why, but he meant it with all his heart. Especially now that he had come to accept that there was no shame in accepting the help of others to do things his current physical state did not allow him to do alone. But only when it was truly necessary. For the young man did not wish to be more of a burden to anyone than he had to be.

"All right…", Selka replied as she finished her last bite and stood up. "I must get back to the church now. You know Sister Azariya would never let me hear the end of it if I'm late."

"Haha… well you better get going then, Selka" Alice said with a wink. "Don't worry, I'll take good care of Kirito until you're free to join us."

Selka nodded as she stood up and gave Kirito and Alice a polite bow.

"I know you will, Alice. Good luck to the both of you."

"And you as well, little sister. Bye for now."

"Bye."

SSSSSS

"All right, are you ready, Kirito?" Alice asked gently as she stepped in front of his wheelchair when they arrived at the Gigas Cedar's clearing to pick up where they had left off the day before.

Kirito nodded before holding out his arms to Alice. "Yes", he answered.

Taking the young man's arms in her own once again, Alice waited until they were hooked securely around hers before giving them a gentle tug to let Kirito know that she was ready to start when he was.

Closing his eyes, Kirito took a deep breath and slowly forced himself to stand once more. To his slight disappointment, it was not much easier than it was the day before or the first time he attempted it, but he was determined to succeed all the same.

"It's all right, Kirito", Alice said gently. "Don't push yourself too hard. Take as much time as you need, I'm here for you."

"Thank you, Alice. I appreciate it. Just give me a moment…", Kirito replied as he tried to find his balance. As strange as it seemed, he still felt a bit shy about looking his caretaker in the face when they were this close. Since the day he was born, Kirito had been fiercely independent in nearly all aspects of his life. And now, it was almost the complete opposite and he hated it.

Alice seemed to have read his thoughts for she gave Kirito's arms a reassuring squeeze as if telling him that it was all right and that he had no reason to feel ashamed for his physical limitations or for the fact that he was dependent on her for even his most basic needs.

Taking the hint, Kirito managed a small smile before slowly placing one foot in front of the other. As if on que, Alice took a step back and paused until she was sure he was ready to move again.

They continued like this for a few more steps until Kirito lost his footing, stumbled, and nearly fell over backwards when he suddenly felt someone catching and holding him up until he regained his balance.

Kirito gasped at his rescuer's strong and firm hold. Knowing that it could not have been Alice since he had been grabbed from behind, Kirito turned his head and looked over his shoulder, thinking that Selka had arrived and caught him before he fell.

But when he finally managed to get a good look behind him, Kirito found that there was no one in sight.

"What happened?" he asked.

Alice found herself puzzled at his sudden question. "What do you mean? I thought that you had managed to regain your footing though I was still prepared to catch you if you hadn't."

The boy sighed and shook his head. "I'm not sure if I imagined it, but I felt like someone had caught me from behind before I actually fell."

"But there's no one here except us. Selka will not be able to join us for a few more hours."

Not wanting his caretaker to think he was going crazy or hallucinating, Kirito nodded and said "You're right, Alice. Let's continue, please."

"Of course. Like I said earlier, there's no need to rush."

"I understand."

Taking another deep breath as well as a moment to rest, Kirito resumed what now felt like a herculean task. *6* Trying his best to ignore the beads of sweat forming on his forehead, he tried taking another step while holding onto Alice.

And another.

And another.

After taking a few more steps, Kirito felt his knees buckle but resisted the urge to let his legs give way beneath him.

"Don't give up, Kirito! I know you can do it!"

The boy gasped when he heard that familiar voice again within his mind.

"Who's there?", Kirito demanded.

Alice was puzzled at her charge's sudden outburst and her brow furrowed in concern.

"Kirito? What's wrong?"

"I thought I heard someone…" he insisted. "In fact, I could have sworn I did! Didn't you?"

Alice shook her head. "Kirito, there's no one out here but us", she replied slowly. "Are you sure you're not just imagining this? Like I've said before, you have been under a lot of stress, after all."

Kirito sighed. "Maybe you're right, Alice. Even so, I want to keep trying for just a little longer…"

Seeing the sweat that was now dripping down Kirito's temples accompanied by ragged breathing with the strain he was placing on his body, Alice started to worry and was about to insist that they stop and continue tomorrow. But after seeing the determined look on the young man's face, she decided to give in and indulge him just a little longer.

"Alright, Kirito. Just a few more steps and we're going to call it a day", Alice replied with a finality in her tone that told him he was done when she decided he was done.

Grateful that his caretaker was going to grant him this small indulgence despite seeing him struggle, Kirito nodded in obedience and took another step…

SSSSSS

"How are you feeling now, Kirito?" Alice asked gently as she slowly rotated his right leg in a bicycle motion while he laid on the sofa in his pajamas. Selka had already gone home for the night after helping Kirito to bathe and offered to help Alice work on his legs to relieve the soreness and aches he had accumulated from his walking exercises earlier that day. But knowing that her sister had to be up early the next morning for her church duties as well as Sacred Arts lessons, Alice insisted that she could take care of Kirito by herself for the rest of the evening.

"I'm a bit sore but fine. In fact, I welcome it because it means I'm starting to regain more feeling and strength in my legs. And that gives me hope."

Alice sighed quietly in relief, grateful that her charge was starting to think more positively, which would surely increase his chances of recovery. She remembered hearing Bercouli often saying that thoughts and feelings could have great impact on one's physical body as well as their mental well-being.

And Alice currently worried more for Kirito's mental well-being far more than his physical one. Compared to his heart and spirit, the young man's body was the least of their worries.

"I'm glad to hear that. We'll keep trying every day until you can walk on your own. Once you can, we'll see about getting you back into sword-fighting as well- with a wooden sword to start with."

Kirito's rising excitement almost died when his caretaker empathized the "wooden sword" part. For while Alice allowed him to take his and Eugeo's swords everywhere, including to bed, he was slightly disappointed that she did not yet trust him enough to lift the spell that kept them securely locked in their sheaths.

Sensing Kirito's thoughts, Alice gave his calf a gentle, but reassuring squeeze. "It's not that I don't trust you, Kirito. It's just that I don't want to see you accidently hurt yourself if you're not strong enough to wield a real sword correctly. Just give it a bit of time. Once you can handle a wooden sword with ease, I will move you onto a real one, yours to be exact."

Relieved and feeling hopeful at Alice's promise, he returned her smile. Normally, Kirito hated being treated like a child. But for some reason, he found it sweet and endearing when it was Alice doing it.

"Ok… whatever you say, Alice. I trust you."

"Good. I'm glad to hear that."

SSSSSS

Later that night after Alice had left him and retired to her own room, Kirito stayed up for a bit longer as he gazed up at the ceiling while lying in bed. Even though his legs were still a bit sore, Kirito felt much better with Alice's tender care. Just a few months ago, he never imagined that a woman who was honed to do little else but battle in the name of the Pontifex, could be so gentle and nurturing as she had been with him.

And though he could not quite walk completely on his own yet, the young man had felt more hopeful of the possibility now than he had in months. Kirito even felt hopeful that he would someday be able to wield a sword again. However, what he would do once he was back to normal was another matter. Even if it were possible, Kirito couldn't simply go home now that he knew that the Human Empire could be invaded by armies from the Dark Territory in the near future. There were times he wished that he never came to know of it and successfully brought Eugeo and Alice back to the real world with him.

But Kirito also knew that such thinking was also quite selfish. As dear as his childhood friends were to him, he couldn't just take Eugeo and Alice home while leaving the rest of the Underworld's people to their fate.

"Nothing ever turns out as we plan, doesn't it, Eugeo?" Kirito asked softly, as if the younger boy was right there, lying next to him like when when they shared a pile of hay back at the old barn in Zakkaria where they had worked for a brief time.

Though he missed his dear friend terribly, a part of him also envied Eugeo for being spared from seeing the war that they both knew was to come.

What would you do if you were here? Kirito pondered while resting a hand on the Blue Rose sword at his left side. Knowing his friend, he figured that Eugeo would insist on staying in the Underworld and protect its people instead of escaping to save himself. And Alice would also likely do the same.

Not surprisingly, Kirito was greeted by silence and after a few more moments, finally closed his eyes and fell asleep.

No sooner did the raven-haired youth entered the world of dreams, a draft entered his room from the slightly opened window and his guardian angel was by his side once again.

Although he had heard every one of Kirito's words as well as his thoughts, Eugeo resisted the urge to answer him. Especially since he knew he already startled Kirito enough over the last two days, not only by speaking into his mind, but also by catching him when he stumbled and nearly fell while attempting to walk.

Looking the older boy over, Eugeo was relieved to see that Kirito had put on some weight even though he was still thinner than he was before falling into his vegetable state. Like Alice and Selka, Eugeo had hopes for his friend's recovery and was determined to do everything he could to protect and guide him.

Coming closer, Eugeo finally sat down at Kirito's bedside and reached for his hand, gently grasping and stroking it while taking care not to wake him. As Eugeo expected, Kirito's hand was slightly bony, indicating that he was still quite underweight, and couldn't help but worry if Kirito would be able to pick up a sword and fight when he was finally called upon to do so.

He has to… So many people's lives will depend on it… Eugeo thought before realizing how selfish his thinking was for once again overlooking the fact that his best friend, despite his extraordinary abilities, was still a human being who was just as vulnerable like any other.

I'm sorry, Kirito.. how can I keep forgetting that you're only human after everything you've been through, everything I've put you through? Eugeo silently apologized sadly while letting his eyes roam the older boy's frail figure. Even now, the expression on Kirito's face as he slept was still not entirely peaceful, as if his feelings of guilt and regret haunted him even in sleep.

Looking at Kirito now made Eugeo wonder how he could have ever allowed himself to be fooled into thinking that his best friend had betrayed him by trying to steal the girl he loved; only before his death did Eugeo realize that no one had tried harder to bring him and Alice together than Kirito himself.

And if only he had listened to his friend and not let his hatred for the late Pontifex get the better of him, they could have defeated her together without either of them having to die and leaving the other to suffer in the aftermath. They might have even found a way to restore Alice's childhood memories without sacrificing her memories and identity as an Integrity Knight. It wasn't impossible considering that Eugeo and Kirito had been successful at nearly everything they attempted together in the past.

How I wish I can go back and change things. But since its not possible, I will do everything in my power to protect you, he vowed.

And for as long as it takes.

As long as it takes…

Footnotes:

1. As an anime-only viewer, I was quite impressed with how Alice was able to lift and carry Kirito almost as easily as if he were made of feathers so I figured that she can easily act as a physical crutch for him if needed as well.

2. In some cultures, it is believed that the dead can hear the thoughts and words of their loved ones among the living and even communicate with them in their minds.

3. There is actually no name for the heavenly realm that Eugeo is often depicted in fan and official art when he died. But since it always looks like its nighttime, I called it "The Land of Eternal Night" for my AU.

4. For my fic, the girl who appeared to Eugeo when he died was the embodiment of Alice's memories given form and that the girl who remained with Kirito was the real Alice.

5. In the first two openings of the Alicization anime as well as the mobile game Alicization Blading, Kirito and Eugeo are seen swinging their swords in perfect sync so I assume that they are able to do this regularly and easily due to their constant training together.

6. The term, "herculean", means something that requires great strength or effort. In Kirito's case, it is standing and walking due to his current physical state.