Railgun Online, Book 6: Alicization Invading

Broken

The small village of Rulid. In the Underworld, it was a quiet place, where sheep herders dwelled, and people rarely ever got into arguments with each other. It was a place that was perfect for those who preferred the quiet life, away from hustling and bustling and big headed nobles..

Outside in the sheep field.. sometimes somebody could see Tame Scaledera.. a giant molten six legged one eyed monster, resting out in the fields.. perhaps sometimes munching on some soil.. when not pulling the carriage that was now the main village transport for trading with other villages.

And if somebody looked up on the grassy hill where the Gigas Cedar tree used to sit.. they could see, not a tree cutter, but two girls.. one tall and blonde, with an eye patch and a simple village dress.. helping a girl with chestnut brown hair, pink shorts and a pink shirt.. practice walking on the wooden prosthetic she had in place of one of her knees.

"There we go." said Alice, stroking Mikoto's shoulders and supporting her as she walked up the hill awkwardly. "See? You're getting it."

"..." Mikoto nodded. She rarely said anything these days.. instead.. she spent much of her time looking forlorn and fragile beyond measure.. like a single gust of wind could knock her over and kill her.

Mikoto suddenly stumbled.. and Alice caught her. "Whoah there.. don't fall.. guess it's still exhausting isn't it?"

"Yes.." MIkoto said quietly.

Alice supported Mikoto gently again, guiding her over to the wooden wheel chair nearby. When Mikoto was seated in the chair, Alice began guiding the chair back to the village.

Mikoto's prosthetic wasn't well made..as it had been a rush job. Just walking on it was exhausting and a little painful. So while she was getting used to it, she was confined to a wheelchair.

As Alice pushed Mikoto back to the village.. she passed by a few village sheep herders who smiled and waved.

"Hey Alice! Kirito's still helping us herd a few more, then we'll be finished for the day."

"Right, thank you for telling me." said Alice.

As Alice neared the small cottage near the edge of town.. the door of the barn next to the house opened, and Sinon came out.. carrying a chicken in her arms.

Sinon had reverted her hair and eyes to her IRL appearance over the months, feeling that 'Shino' was more appropriate then 'Sinon' during the days of quiet rejuvenation everyone needed.

"We've got some new chicks that just hatched." said Sinon. "I think some of them might be hens, so we'll have some new egg layers.."

"That's wonderful." said Alice.

"How did your walk go Imouto-chan?" asked Sinon.

"It.. went.." Mikoto murmured.

It was common for Mikoto not to say much nowadays. Eugeo's death had been the worst on her by far. Kirito admitted that he might have fallen into the same state, had it not been for the fact that he felt Mikoto needed him.

Alice and Sinon both knew that Mikoto blamed herself.. and it didn't help that Mikoto's injury prevented her from even wielding her swords..

River Spirit and the Master Sword spend most of their time now collecting dust leaning against the fireplace, sometimes taken out for maintenance by Kirito.

Swordsmanship had been a great part of Mikoto's life ever since SAO.. and being allowed to wield and hold the hilt of a sword in her hand..

But the doctor had been clear.. until Mikoto either got a new, better prosthetic, or got used to the one she had on now, she was to not swing even a carving knife.. for fear her awkwardness would cause her to hurt herself.