Railgun Online, Book 6: Alicization Invading

The Black Dragon Empress.

Mikoto sat next to the unconscious Yuniko, as the giant suit of armor sat at the opposite end of the bed, silent and unmoving.

"What was she doing?" Mikoto whispered. "Yuniko?"

"I cannot exactly speculate." said Nox, slinking out from under Mikoto's chair and jumping silently onto her lap. "But it appears she has unlocked the final power of the Symbiosis between viros and human."

"And that is?" said Mikoto.

"Not sure.. I can't remember how exactly it went." said Nox. "But I do remember it had something to do with bonding with a program with near intelligence to yourself.. namely a program that emulated an animal, beast, or creature of some sort.. and I am guessing she bonded with this armor.. it has been quite loyal for the short time we've been here.."

There was a soft knock on the door, and Asuna entered, holding a tray with food and tea. "Hungry?"

"Yeah.." said Mikoto softly.

"So.. that's the person Chrysheight found and plugged into the Underworld shortly before Yuuki." said Asuna, sitting next to Mikoto. "So young?!"

"Don't be fooled.. she's a major hothead." said Mikoto.

"Yeah, so Kirito's told me." said Asuna. "It's only been a couple of weeks.. but.. I'm guessing for you, you haven't seen me for.."

"Two years." said Mikoto. "Uh-huh.. two whole years Asuna.. I've missed you so much.."

Mikoto hugged Asuna.

"Aww jeez.." said Asuna as she wiped a tear from her eye. "Keep this up and I'm actually going to cry."

"You remind me of her.." said Nox.

"Who?" said Mikoto. "Who do I remind you of?"

"You remind me of the Black Dragon Empress of Dark Mind realm.." said Nox. "You see, years ago.. the Viros used to go to the Dark Mind quite often.. and before the emperor took over the realm.. it was ruled by a kind empress.. she was a demon who was quite charismatic.. something about you reminds me of her?"

"Well that's.. strange." said Mikoto. "So you've met her?"

"No." said Nox. "It was thousands of years before my time.. I believe Seyat and I researched it in the royal archives. He was our royal historian and researcher after all, before my mother was dethroned."

"This.. Dark Mind stuff.. is still a little confusing to me.." said Asuna.

"Well.. I don't believe we'll have time to explain it.." said Nox. "The war.. it's coming.. and I think it's best that you prepare.. they'll need you in the front lines."

"You've got it." said Mikoto. "Come on Asuna. Looks like we won't have time to eat after all.."

As Asuna and Mikoto left the room, Nox narrowed her cat-like eyes, as Tempo appeared on the floor next to her.. slugging forward.

"You lied to her." said Tempo.

"It's best that this is kept secret for now, until I know what to do with the information." said Nox. "But.. when she unveiled her demon form within the Dark Mind.. I knew.. and I think Akame knew as well.. it's her.."

"She will find out eventually, she has returned to the Dark Mind.." said Tempo. "She will remember.."

Nox sighed. She remembered all too well..

__________________________

100,000 years ago..

Nox remembered it like it was yesterday, her first visit as a child to the Dark Mind realm.. a dimension where the sun never shone, and darkness lurked in a terrible, yet wondrous beauty.