Mav: Your silence is very unnerving guys. I hope you didn't expect me to say something cool.
Sinon slowly walked forward kneeling down in front of the young man. She caressed his face with her hands tears beginning to form in her eyes.
Sinon: Mav....I.....
Mav: Your sorry?
Sinon gazed at Mav who weakly smiled placing a hand over one of Sinon's.
Mav: You don't have to be sorry for anything.
Sinon: But, I should've done something! This shouldn't have happened!
Mav: What happened, happened Sinon. You being here is good enough for me.
Kirito knelt down beside Mav as Sinon stood up and backed away letting the others in.
Kirito: Good to have you back, Y/N.
Mav: Thanks. But if I'm being honest, I really need that food.
Tiese: I-I'll go and get some!
Tiese dashed out the door
Mav: Was everyone supposed to have a welcome back speech?
Ronie: Mav!
Ronie couldn't hold herself back hugging the young man as tight as she could. Kirito backed up to give her some space.
Ronie: I'm so glad you're back!
Mav: That's....great but....ease...up.....or....I'm gonna...be asleep again....
Ronie quickly loosened her grip and stood back up.
Ronie: S-sorry!
Mav: Heh, look at you, got some battle scars. Your mentor is very proud of you.
Ronie: Thank you!
Asuna smiled as she knelt down and gently hugged Mav. Before giving him a stern look.
Asuna: Don't ever make me worried for you like that again.
Mav chuckled a small smirk on his face.
Mav: I'll try not to, sis.
Kirito: Hah, I'll believe that when I see it.
The three laughed together as the initial shock of Mav being awake died down. Kirito and Asuna decided to spend some time alone and catch up with Kirito bringing Asuna up to speed on the situation. Mav sat there eating some food with Ronie alongside him.
Ronie: Did you see what happened?
Mav: I could a little but honestly, I had faith you'd be able to handle it. Even if that Integrity Knight saved the day, you held your ground and that's worth praise.
Ronie: But, if he wasn't there, I would've failed to protect you.
Mav: That may be true.....But, you gotta learn to make the most of the small victories. You didn't freeze up and you did the best you could with limited training. The next goal should be how are you gonna improve and make sure you can defeat enemies on your own? Small steps Ronie.
Ronie: Thank you Mav.....can I sit closer to you?
Mav: Sure, I don't mind.
Ronie scooted closer to Mav knees in her chest as the two sat in silence. Ronie moved closer until she was up against the young man. She glanced at Mav who noticed and weakly smiled as he wrapped an arm around her after he finished eating. A big smile grew on Ronie's face along with a bright red tint. Y/N then heard the sound of fighting outside.
Y/N: The hell?
........
Sinon was currently inspecting her bow when a golden blast of light shot towards her. Sinon quickly dodged seeing another strike coming from her flank as she deflected the attack with her bow and kicked the assailant back. Before she could counterattack a golden clad armored person went for an attack causing Sinon to clash with her.
Alice: Who are you?!
Eugeo: Get away from Mav!
Sinon:?!
Sinon broke the clash performing a sweep kick on Alice knocking her off balance and onto the ground as Eugeo closed the distance preventing her from firing any arrows.
Sinon: Damn it! Why can't my friends ever play games with guns?!
Alice got back up and went for the flanking attack but her blade was quickly deflected as she was blasted back with magic. Alice regained her poise, her boots skidding across the ground seeing another unfamiliar face.
Sinon: Thanks Asuna!
Asuna: You bet!
Kirito: What the hell is.....*sigh* Should've figured this would happen.....
As the four charged towards each other a voice stopped them.
Mav: What the hell is this?!
The four all looked towards Mav who was being supported by Ronie.
Eugeo: Mav?
Mav: Yes it is I. Now can you stop causing a racket?! Gonna turn me into a sour old man.
Alice: Mav!
Eugeo and Alice bolted towards Mav. Ronie, already doing this to Mav earlier, quickly backed out of the way as Mav was soon crushed from the embrace of his two friends.
Mav: Ow....I just heard my spine crack....
Eugeo: Oh sorry!
Alice: Apologies.
The two let go as Mav coughed before rubbing his chest.
Mav: Now listen, those two are dear friends of mine. So no attacking okay?
Alice: Hmph, very well.
Eugeo: They're friends?
Eugeo looked back towards seeing Asuna who had a gentle smile while Sinon had a annoyed expression.
Eugeo: I'm very sorry!
Alice: Don't apologize so quickly!
Asuna: Ah, it's okay! You were just looking out for your friend!
Sinon: Uh-huh.
Bercouli: Oh! Looks like the little brat is up!
Bercouli walked up from behind everyone as Mav smirked.
Mav: Didn't think you'd still be alive geezer.
Bercouli: Haha! Good to know you still haven't lost your personality!
Mav: I guess it's a good as time as any. Sinon, Asuna.
The two girls looked towards Mav.
Mav: I'm sure you both didn't log in to inquire about my health. What's the situation outside?
Sinon: We do have more info on that.
Alice: Outside?
Eugeo: It's where Mav is really from.
Alice: Huh?
Bercouli: Sounds like good info to be shared over some tea and alcohol wouldn't you all say?
Mav: Don't know bout these children but I could use a drink.
.......
Camp was set up as everyone got settled in for the meeting. Mav came as well now using a cane to help him walk.
Asuna: Guess we should start now. Sinon, Mav, Kirito, and I, we've all come from the outside world.
Sinon: This doesn't mean outside. It means outside of this place you call the "Underworld."
Asuna: Right now, two forces in the real world are fighting for control of the Underworld. Sinon and I come from Rath. One of those forces.
Kirito: Mav and I are also affiliated with Rath as well.
Liena: So are you here to rule over us or something?
Sinon: Nothing of the sort. We're trying to protect this world. You see the enemy have one goal. The extraction of the one or two individuals. Then they'll wipe this world clean.
Bercouli: Huh, never gave much thought to other worlds but, can't say I'm surprised. Well who does this opposing force want?
Asuna looked towards Eugeo and Alice.
Eugeo: Us?
Liena: Hm, I wonder if that's what all that Priest and Priestess of light stuff was about.
Sinon: What do you mean?
Kirito: The Dark Territory's leader, Vecta. He wants them. You think maybe that opposing force could be using Vecta?
Mav: Highly likely. If Rath is as smart as I hope. They probably can't hack into the system. Otherwise, they probably would've already taken Eugeo and Alice. So if you can't do it from the outside, you'll have to go inside.
Kirito: What's the plan then?
Sinon: The plan is simple. We need to extract Eugeo and Alice into the real world. When we do, the opposing force will have no further reason to stay in the Underworld and withdraw.
Alice: That preposterous! Run away from the battle to this "real world" and abandon everyone?! I'm an Integrity Knight! Protecting the Human Empire is my sworn duty!
Asuna: Then that's all the more reason to go along with this. They only need one of you. If they get even one of you, then you can kiss this world goodbye.
Renly: But wait, why do these people want Lady Alice and Sir Eugeo?
Mav: They broke the code.
Kirito: Code?
Mav: There's a protocol or something that prevents people from doing actions that defied the Axiom Church law. Alice and Eugeo both have broken that protocol. I'm pretty sure if you were to think about it, you'd feel pain in your right eye. The pain was immense but would subside if you relinquish the thought.
Eugeo: But if you continued, the pain would increase until your eye exploded.
Mav: That reminds me, Alice, Eugeo, do you guys remember the code numbers?
Alice: Code numbers?
Eugeo:.....Oh! There was three numbers that appeared in my eye. It was uh....eight....
Alice:...seven...one. The code was 871!
Mav: Hm....
Mav looked over to Asuna, Sinon, and Kirito.
Mav: Give us a minute please.
The four huddled closer as they all began discussing.
Sinon: Rath's goal is to create a human-like AI. Why would someone implement a system like that? Wouldn't that hinder progress?
Mav: It did. My objective was to get the people to break from that system.
Kirito: If that's the case then the answer is clear as day.
Asuna: There's a mole in Rath. One that's on our side of the bulkhead!
Kirito: How are we gonna contact Kikuoka? My line only connected to the main room. And there's no consoles nearby.
Sinon: Guess well just have to figure something out.
Mav: Look at us deducting! Great huddle team.
The four turned back towards the group.
Sinon: It's clear to us that this code was implanted by the enemy.
Bercouli: That so? Is there any way to break this code without exploding our right eye?
Asuna: I doubt that it can be done from the inside of the Underworld.
Bercouli: I see.....I'm assuming you real worlders don't posses such seal?
Asuna: No.
Bercouli: So what value does little Alice and Eugeo have if they're practically the same as you guys other than the seal?
Sinon: We have tech that you don't have. I'd explain it but we'd be here all night. Regardless, Alice and Eugeo are important to that tech these people need them for it.
Eugeo: This world doesn't sound that promising.
Mav: It's not. But it's home.
Alice: I see....then I shall go with you but we must defeat the enemy first.
Mav: You can't be serious. Did you not hear anything from this meeting?
Alice: I understand what you're saying Mav but, I will not abandon my home.
Mav: Eugeo, you with her?
Eugeo stayed silent looking at the floor before looking up towards Mav.
Eugeo: I'm with Alice Mav. This is our home. We're defending it from these attackers. Then, we'll make peace with the Dark Territory!
Mav: That doesn't even make-...whatever, let's just waste more time then.
Mav groaned in annoyance before slowly getting up leaving.
Kirito: Mav.
Asuna: Let him have some time alone. He's been surrounded by people the whole day.
Mav walked back to his tent and sat down on his bed. Before holding up the gem on the necklace that he was wearing. It was a shiny bright blue crystal in the shape of a teardrop.
Mav: Was I always wearing this?
The flap to Mav's tent opened as Mav looked over seeing Liena standing there.
Mav: Liena, good to see you again.
Liena didn't reply as she tightly embraced the young man.
Liena: You don't know how glad I was to see you on your feet.
Liena leaned back so she could see his face her arms holding his shoulders.
Liena: I wish I could've helped you after what happened with those two classmates. When I heard you were sent off to the tower, I was devastated. I felt so....powerless. Then I heard you lived but you haven't woken up.
Mav: Where are you going with this?
Liena: I'm sorry Mav. I should've done more...
Mav: What could you have done? Don't blame yourself over things that were not your fault. Trust me, My group of friends do it too much. All that matters is that you're here and are fighting to protect your home.
Liena smiled hearing Mav's words.
Mav: Thanks for coming to see me Liena. I'm glad to see my mentor become someone great.
Liena: Mav....you can't just go saying things like that.
Mav: Can't help it. I say what I think.
Liena: Then close your eyes and let me do what I'm thinking right now.
Mav: Uh, okay.
Mav closed his eyes as he felt Liena's hands gently on his face. He felt her move closer until the sensation of lips upon his were felt. He pushed into the kiss as Liena quickly parted the kiss lightly panting staring into Mav's eyes before going for round two. She leaned onto Mav pushing him onto his cot.
Sinon: What's going on here?
Liena shot up seeing Sinon standing there.
Liena: Can I help you?
Sinon: Oh no, just wondering what you were doing in Mav's tent.
Liena: I'm free to come in here as I please!
Sinon: Since when?
Mav: Oh boy.....
Ronie: Hey! No fighting around my mentor! He needs rest with me!
Mav: When did Ronie get here?
The three girls began bickering as Kirito, Asuna, Alice, and Eugeo were walking past the tent hearing the heated argument.
Asuna: Oh dear.....
Kirito: Can't say I didn't want this to happen.
Alice: You play a dangerous game, Mav.
Eugeo: Ehehe, always the popular guy, Mav.
Mav sighed dejected before laying back down on his cot and turning his back to the girls and covering his ears.
Mav: I wanna sleep.....