Alicization: Steel and Lycoris

Exalted Falchion

“Cut all you like. At the end of that bloody road you’ll find the key...or not.”

Sheyta sighs. “Like it’s so easy.”

“You’ll just have to find out for yourself whether or not it’s easy, won’t you?” The Pontifex appears in the dark void, the only presence of light.

“Lady Pontifex?”

“It’s good to see you. You’ve been sleeping for quite some time. How is being awake?”

“I’m not used to it yet...but it’s not necessarily unpleasant. But I’d like to ask you something. When you gave the Black Lily Sword to me, why did you leave me with those words? I’ve been thinking about it ever since, even while I cut down my enemy.”

“How would you like to think?”

“To...think?”

“You keep expecting something. That you’ll be able to lift your murderous curse.”

“Perhaps so.”

“I speak the truth. Is that what you’d like to believe?” Administrator chuckles. “You’re a fool. I am the Pontifex, Administrator. Would I speak so kindly?”

“I don’t know. You were beautiful, cruel, and at times, strangely kind. Whatever your goal, only you and one other accepted my murderous impulses.”

“Then...interpret as you like. After all, I’m only the Administrator in your memory. I can only speak of your memories and your desires.”

“Then why are you still talking to me? Hurry, I need to go back already.”

Administrator chuckles again. “Say… I have a fun idea, Sheyta. Why is it that you’re giving it your best shot this time? To see if there really is anything at the end of that long and bloody road, you see..."

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Jaymes

“And that’s pretty much what happened between me and Lady Pontifex.” I listen to Sheyta recount her conversation with Administrator as I try to come to terms that, once again, my boldness almost got me killed. And after having a second person point a rapier dangerously close to my face… Yeah, I now confirm why Asuna scares me. I’m just glad Eydis, Alice, and the other Integrity Knights managed to bring Sheyta back to her senses before I became a skewer.

“Well, that’s...nice to know, heh heh.”

Sheyta looks to me apologetically. “I’m sorry for almost hurting you, Jaymes.”

“No biggie. It’s just been a long, death-defying day. Alice, you can take care of the Core, right?” I walk away and stare at the path leading back. Oh, I would die for a comfy bed right now… Actually I take that back, I wouldn’t die for anything right now. But I do want a comfortable bed. And maybe a--

“AAAAH!”

Screams from the outer parts of the ravine… I gasp as I recognize the voice. “Medina! But who…” Gritting my teeth, I turn to the others just as Alice destroys the Clamp Core. “We have to go back!” They nod and follow after me as my anger begins to boil over. Hersyrian...you have pissed me off for the last time...

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Medina

“Your resilience is impressive. Alas, all the others perished so easily.” Medina kneels on the ground, stunned by the bloodshed Herysrian easily laid on the wayfarers. All of them, dead, and she couldn’t do a thing to protect them as their leader.