Sword Art Online AUB is a alternate universe that takes place years before the Project Alicization Anime, shortly before Alice is taken to be a Integrity Knight. It follows the story of the Knight Arteo Synthesis Nine and his various interactions wi...
"Arteo Synthesis Nine..." That was my name. It had been since I was summoned from the Divine Realm. It had been since the Pontifex brought me into the Axiom Church to protect the Human Realm. And yet...
I felt empty.
It's been six years since I was brought to this world to protect it. I had gone on many missions, often barely escaping with my life in the dark territory. One day after I came back from a mission, Lady Pontifex called me into her chambers.
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"Lady Pontifex, Arteo Synthesis Nine reporting." I said firmly. Administrator smiled at me, motioning her hand for me to come closer. I walked over to her bed, kneeling in front, "May I ask the reason you called me here m'lady?" Administrator laughed quietly under her breath, "You're here," She lifted my head with her hand, meeting my eyes, "For your Divine Object".
My eyes widened, speechless. Administrator put her hand on my right cheek, looking at my teal blue eye, "My my what a beautiful eye. It's a shame you lost the other in the Dark Territory. Your eyes allowed so much spatial resources to flow into your body. Very unique." Administrator pulled her hand back, "Show me the item you brought back from your mission." I nodded, reaching in a pouch on my side, pulling out a small flower with little blue feathers. It glowed teal just like my eye, and little blue flames puffed out of the petals.
I handed it to Administrator, who examined it. "System Call, Generate Thermal Element, Ball Shape." Three red orbs appeared in her other hand, each floating to a flower head, igniting them in a blue flame. I stared in awe at the flame, "This flower has the unique trait of absorbing Sacred Power, much like your eye. Because of this the flame generated is hotter than normal, thus giving it a blue hue." Administrator held out hand, the flower floating up. The flower began to glow bright blue, slowly changing shape into a sword with a hilt shaped like the edge of a flame. The sword returned to normal, now revealing a dark gray blade with blue edges and a black hilt.
Administrator sheathed the sword in a scabbard, looking at it, "This sword represents your connection to spatial resources, for it too can create magnificent power when used properly." She handed it to me, "I would only trust it to you, as it is perfect for you." I clutched the blade in my hands, hooking it to my side. I stood, bowing to the Pontifex, "Thank you M'lady."
Just then Prime Senator Chudelkin bounced into the chamber, stopping in front of me, "Number Nine! I need you to come with me at once." Chudelkin looked at the Pontifex, his face contorting into a unpleasant look. He looked back at me, "A new Integrity Knight is to be summoned. Number Two and One requested you to be there." I nodded, following him out of the Pontifex's chamber. The prime senator looked back at my side, "You have a Divine Object now." I put my hand on the sword, "Indeed. The Pontifex just made it for me." Chudelkin scoffed, walking forward faster.
Chudelkin lead me to a chamber where two Integrity Knights waited for me. One wore light purple armor, a helmet concealing her face. The other was a older looking man with bluish gray hair and stood two mels tall. He wore a blue robe and had a large dark gray blade on his back. "Ah Arteo, glad you could join us." Fanatio said, refusing to take off her helmet. I nodded, "Am I too late?" I asked. Bercouli chuckled, "Perfect timing Arteo. Right Chudelkin?" The prime senator scoffed, " I don't care man! Just make sure they're put on duty as soon as possible!" He waddled off, his stupid demeanor not matching his immense power.
I stood next to Bercouli, feeling nervous. After all this knight was supposed to be my student. My master, Lukas Synthesis Eight, was not only my master but my best friend. I too wanted to make this new knight to feel like I could be a friend to them. Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up at Bercouli, who was smirking at me, "Arteo, don't worry. You'll do fine as a mentor. And if anything you can ask Fanatio for assistance." Fanatio nodded, "Indeed. You've proven yourself a very capable knight. I'm sure you'll do great." I smiled, "Thank you." Suddenly the door to the lift opened, a light blinding me before I saw the new integrity knight.
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She was absolutely breathtaking. Her silver hair was tied back with a black ribbon, bouncing as she walked towards us. Her two red eyes sparkled like rubies in the light. Her silvery white armor shined in the light, and her shoulders were exposed underneath. She had a smile on her face, waving at us, "Hello. I'm Eydis. Eydis Synthesis Ten!" I was frozen, my face warm, unable to take my eyes off of her.
"It's nice to meet you Eydis. My name is Bercouli Synthesis One, and this is Fanatio Synthesis Two." Bercouli said. Fanatio waved to Eydis. Bercouli nudged me, bringing me back to reality, "R-Right! Hello Eydis, I'm Arteo. Arteo Synthesis Nine. These two are our Commander and Vice Commander, so treat them with respect." Eydis nodded, "Okay! And you? You're one number above me. What does that mean?"
"She's so beautiful! And her personality is so cheery!" I thought.
"I'll be acting as your master. To help you as a Integrity Knight." I replied.
Eydis took my hands in hers, "Then let's be friends Arteo!" she said cheerfully. I smiled nervously, "Yeah of course. Now why don't I show you around the cathedral?" Eydis smiled, "Sure!" She began walking out of the room, but I couldn't help but watch her as she walked away. "You going to be able to handle yourself with her Arteo?" Bercouli said slyly. I took a deep breath, biting my lip to bring myself back to reality, "I'll be fine. I can handle myself with her." I waved goodbye to the commander and vice commander, running after Eydis. I caught up with her, looking at her as she looked around at the cathedral. "So Eydis, what would you like to see first?" Eydis looked at me, "Are there any gardens around here?" I thought for a second, "Well there is the rose garden at the bottom of the cathedral." Eydis grabbed my hand, "Then let's go!" "W-wait Eydis!" Eydis pulled me down the hall, the two of us running.
A few hours later I found myself in the priest's cafeteria. While Integrity Knights require no food to survive, I couldn't help myself from having a bite to eat now and then. Eydis was deciding if she wanted to eat, looking at the food out today. "Yo Arteo." a voice called. I looked up from the table, seeing my master, Lukas Synthesis Eight, waving at me. He walked to my table, sitting across from me, "I heard we have a new addition to our ranks. Where is the newbie?" I smiled, my face turning slightly red thinking about Eydis, but remembered the Taboo Index's rule about interpersonal relationships between Integrity Knights. As I finally cleared my mind I felt something grab my arm, "Hi Arteo. I think I'll just try something from your plate." Eydis sat next to me, holding my arm, looking at my plate. She reached over and grabbed the bread from my plate with some butter, biting into it. "E-Eydis!" I exclaimed, seeing Lukas looking at me smugly. "Ah! Eydis this is my master, Lukas Synthesis Eight." Eydis waved to him with the bread in her mouth, chewing. "It's nice to meet you Eydis. I'm sure you and Arteo will have fun together." Eydis nodded in agreement, "Yep! He's already shown me so much around the cathedral. We even took a stroll around the rose garden! It's so beautiful." I smiled at her, charmed by her airhead personality. Lukas noticed, "I'm sure Arteo agrees that it's beautiful." I realized what he said, trying to retaliate but slamming my knee against the table. Lukas and Eydis laughed, and soon I joined too.
It was at that moment I realized something. Ever since I had been summoned to the Human Realm I had been known as Arteo Synthesis Nine. I never bothered with asking people to think of me in any other way. But she was different. Eydis never saw me as Arteo Synthesis Nine.
