[ In Mount Goblin Territory - Mount Zohrun! ]

Kainan:
"Behold our next place of observation: the Mountain Goblin Territory!"

Kirito:
"That volcano sure is imposing... Isn't living bear it, uh, dangerous?"

Kainan:
"Certainly. It does smoke-erupt periodically, so there's limited space to live. But metals are abundant, and some crops grow well in the volcanic ash!"

Kirito:
"Huh, okay. So there's compelling reasons to live in the area, danger or no. Hm? Kainan, what's with that tower? Isn't it built into the lava?"

Kainan:
"I can't say myself, honestly. All I know is that it's been there since long ago. It is utterly unaffected by the lava, and it makes... noises. The goblins avoid it."

Kirito:
"Noises? What do you mean?"

Deku:
("Probably it'll be best if we can just move on...")
.
.
.
.
.

[ Then a little bit later... ]

Deku:
"Okay... now what to do..." Deku was thinking of something to do, but someone had shouted his name.

Yuuki:
"Heyyy! Deku~Kun!"

Deku:
"Hey Yuuki."

Yuuki:
"I got a great idea for helping you out!"

Deku:
"With the others? Like what?"

Yuuki:
"While we wait, you can tell us how things went down at the Axiom Church!"

Deku:
"...Oh."

("Craaaappp! I hope she doesn't wanna hear the part about Quinella's lust... I REALLY don't want Yuuki to know about that!")

Yuuki:
"What's wrong? You don't want to tell us what happened there?"

Deku:
"It's not that. I don't mind telling you guys."

Yuuki:
"Great!" Yuuki grabs Deku's hand.

"C'mon! The others are waiting for us!"

Deku:
"Okay..."

[ With Kirito - ]

Kirito:
"Oh boy. Gotta do some shopping, huh? Gotta go and get the stuff Kainan ordered." Then Kirito spotted Dorothy. "Heeey! Dorothy!"

Dorothy:
"Oh, Kirito. Will we be on our way, then?"

Kirito:
"No, Kainan asked me to do a little shopping for him. Want to come along?"

Dorothy:
"Oh, yes, in that case of course I will assist you."

[ A few minutes later... ]

Dorothy:
"Um, hey, Kirito."

Kirito:
"Yeah, what's up?"

Dorothy:
"Um, I... really couldn't help but think about "Throne Slayer."

Kirito:
"About Deku?"

Dorothy:
"Oh, I apologize, I mean "Deku." He's your friend, isn't he?"

Kirito:
"Yes. He's my friend. Why you ask?"

Dorothy:
"I just... couldn't help but think of him. Did he do something wrong to you and your friends?"

Kirito:
"...Well. Yes, he did - But let's just say that... he has his reasons. His life was slowly falling apart. Since the day the pontifex appeared in his life... She gave Deku the "Curse Mark," it was a mark that gave him power but it was slowly and surely eating his personality. And his doppelgänger - Deku Black, he killed his only family members and some other innocent people with his own hands, a day after his 18th birthday."

Dorothy:
"...!" Dorothy's eyes widened. "Then what happened next? Did Deku take down his own doppelgänger?"

Kirito:
"No. He wasn't even close to winning. Deku was at his worst condition and ended up almost killed by his doppelgänger."

Dorothy:
"That's truly awful. How'd he do after that?"

Kirito:
"Well, a few days ago... after he recovered from his injuries, he somehow changed. He was getting more worse - He was letting his anger out on us, then one day, he challenged me to a duel - More like a "fight-to-the-death" situation. He almost killed me but the fight ended with Bercouli interfering. Then after that, he abandoned us. Then we all went after him to take him back... but as we all caught up to him at the Axiom Church, he was different from the "Deku" we knew. We gave it everything we had to stop him - We even finally had the chance to see and understand of his true feelings. After that... he went for the kill, he took down Alice, Eugeo, Asuna and me... he didn't take down Yuuki. So, we failed. Then ever since, we had to let him go... so we can focus on the war. Until hours ago, he was there. I never thought he was out here with us the whole time."

Dorothy:
"..." Dorothy was thinking of something. "So, now what? With Deku? Are... you two still really friends? After everything he has done?"

Kirito:
"Well, I really want to how he was able to survive... and I... do want to talk to him again... so I can know that he's the same or he changed."

Dorothy:
"Oh, okay."

Kirito:
"What makes you think about him? You wanted to know him too?"

Dorothy:
"Uh... I... really don't know why myself. It just looks like... he's been through a lot and he's trying to redeem himself."

Kirito:
"...Guess so."

Dorothy:
"Oh, and one more thing. Um, why did Yuuki slapped him?"

Kirito:
"Ohhhhh... I DEFINITELY don't know why myself. I was definitely shocked to witness that moment. I never thought she would slap anyone like that... but I believe she had a good reason for that, probably to help him out with something, I don't know."

Dorothy:
"...I understand."

Kirito:
"Well, if you want to know Deku, you can just talk to him. Well, it's been a while since then... so, I guess it's ok."

Dorothy:
"Ok."

[ Then with Deku and Yuuki, meeting up with the others ]

Yuuki:
"Hey guys! I'm back with Deku~Kun!" Yuuki said as she dragged Deku. "And Deku's going to tell us about his story at the church. Isn't that right, Deku~Kun."

Deku:
"...Ah, Y-Yeah." Deku looks away from the others, then Aiko spoke

Aiko:
"What's wrong, Deku~San? You're okay?"

Deku:
"Yeah. I'm fine." He said as he and Yuuki take a seat. "Um... well. Who's interested to hear my story?"

Aiko:
"Well, me of course." Aiko smiled

Akuma:
"Me too!"

Alice:
"I'm also curious as well. I'm so looking forward to hearing this."

Asuna:
"I'm curious about this too."

Eugeo:
"Same here."

Silica:
"I want in on this one!"

Klein:
"I want to hear about your survival story. I bet is really good!" Then Agil nodded as well.

Sarai:
"Yay! Story time! Story time!"

Leafa:
"I bet you come up with something really interesting to defeat the evil administrator!"

Sinon:
"This really making me feel so curious about the whole thing 5 months ago. I'm definitely listening to this story."

Lizbeth:
"Well, what are you waiting for? Let it rip!"

Deku:
*Sigh*
"Well, okay then. I don't mind answering questions if you all want to." The others agreed. Deku takes a deep breath. Then Yuuki interlocked his hand. "Well... of course 5 months ago. I was being escorted to the 100th floor of the Axiom Church. Then I was in the room with Quinella. Then at moment she woke up... that's when it started for me."

Alice:
"How did it start, Deku? At that moment with the Administrator?"

Deku:
~("Oh crap! I CANNOT tell them about her being so lustful that night! I need to skip that question - I'll use the girl as a cover-up!")

~"Um... well... I would say it but... there's a innocent girl here. So..."

Sarai:
"Hm?"

Lisbeth:
"Oh right! That's understandable. I guess we'll have to skip that question... for now."

Asuna:
"Well, how about this one. What training did you go through within 5 months, Deku~Kun?"

Deku:
"Well - I was training in my own blade. Thanks to the that... wretched clown - Chief Elder Chudelkin... I was able to understand my own blade better than before. I was able to become one with it. I was finally able to see it through and I was able to come up with a good name for it."

Yuuki:
"Ohh! What's the name?!"

Asuna:
"Is it named after something very important to you?"

Deku:
"Mmm... I wish I could named something that's important to me... but no. The name of my main blade is "Shizuka no Tenshi (静かの天使) - Silent Angel."

Alice:
"Silent Angel?"

Yuuki:
"So amazing!"

Klein:
"Wow! That's one REALLY cool name for it!"

Agil:
"Silent Angel?" I dig the name. It really fits the sword."

Leafa:
"I love it! Sounds so cool!"

Sinon:
"I'll admit, I love the name. It sounds so strong."

Deku:
"Hehehe. Well... it took me a little bit longer to come up with the name... because... I was fighting the most difficult battle in my life... not Deku Black, Chudelkin, Quinella and many other powerful people - I have to fight myself."

Alice:
"Yourself?"

Deku:
"I... I couldn't stop thinking about my own mistakes that I made in the past. I tried to do better but I still not learned anything better. So... I finally forgive myself and learn to just live with my mistakes. Starting over again from scratch. So... after that, I was able to do much more, with my blade, learning Sacred and Dark Arts. I was able to finally progress through. Then... I was able to fully activate my "Enhance Armament" and "Release Recollection." My weapon has limitless power and life."

Asuna:
"Wow. Seems like you been through a lot, Deku~Kun."

Deku:
"Yeah. It wasn't easy but it was worth it. Then after that, you guys know about the "Ryuūjin"/"Dragon Blade?"

Yuuki:
"Yes. That's Deku Black's weapon. What about it?"

Deku:
"Well, Quinella also rewarded me with the same quality, design, power, life and everything else just like Black's Dragon Blade. Mines the "Kuroi Ryu no Yaiba (Black Dragon's Blade)" Deku revealed his own Dragon Blade. "The only difference is that his Dragon Blade is "Light," and mines "Dark," were like a "Yin-Yang" combination."

Yuuki:
"A "Yin-Yang?" Ohhh! I get it! Deku~Kun - You and Deku Black; Black, he's evil but as he wields a "Light" Blade. Black is somehow inherited "Yang" means "Sun", "Quickening", and "Warm/Hot!"

"And you, you wield a "Dark" Blade. You inherited "Yin" means "Moon," "Letting Go," and "Cool/Cold!"

"Basically, he is you but with you two are the same but different. With you two wielding Dragon Blades, both of you together are like the "Balancing of Being and Doing!" The two "Opposing Forces being balanced by the right way to be in order for achieving harmony!" Everyone was truly dumbfounded by Yuuki's knowledge of Yin-Yang.

Deku:
(😶)
"Wow... just wow. I'm completely speechless from that... You're truly a wise woman, Yuuki." Then Yuuki blushed

Yuuki:
"Huh-?! Hehehe!" Yuuki laughed nervously. "I wouldn't say that... Hehehe. It just makes sense to me, that's all.

Alice:
"I never thought of that myself. Truly marvelous, Yuuki."

Asuna:
"Smart thinking. It makes sense."

Aiko:
(😊)
"That's my little sister. So knowledgeable."

Deku:
"Yeah. I'll say."

Lisbeth:
"Sorry to be rude, but can we get back to the story."

Deku:
"Oh! My bad. Okay. Then after I receive my "Black Dragon's Blade," I was also trained by Black.

Akuma:
"Your own double train you?"

Deku:
"Yeah. I'm surprised myself but... while he was training me... we became as one now. Since we both have the same Mark. We both have a connection - I was able to be like Black - a "Perfect War Machine." My body was able to understand the Mark and I was TRULY able to level up. Then another month in the half later... I was able to experience Black's experience... I've never experienced something so "abnormal" before. Then ten days before the war, I was ready to take Quinella down."

Asuna:
"So how did it went down?"

Deku:
"Black and I had an agreement - A ceasefire to take Quinella and Chudelkin down! So, we both made our move... so I approached Quinella and decided to get straight to the point of killing her. Then Black did the same thing for Chudelkin but he got away... but it was actually going according to plan."

Klein:
"Did you take them both down in one blow?"

Agil:
"Ain't no way, it'll take more than that to finish the job."

Deku:
"Hmph. I wish but no. I managed to take down Chudelkin in one move. Slash him up to pieces. Then Quinella used her "Release Recollection" to create a lifeless monster. But Black was able to take it down with the "Light Dragons' Power in one go."

Klein:
"Well, that's one answer my question." Klein smiled

Deku:
"Then... it was Quinella left. Black let me handle her alone. I admit... I was under pressure to think that I can do it myself but I did it anyway. If there was no way for me to prove, I just follow through."

Alice:
"..." Alice remembers of his catchphrase. Then she smiled.

Deku:
"So... we fought. It was like hell. She was tough. And she was tough enough to scrape off my face... ended up with a huge scar on my face. I got to carried away by pushing her to the corner and it cost me this scar."

Asuna:
(😔)
"That explains the scar. It looks very painful to see that on your face."

Deku:
"It's fine. I don't care about having scars or any injuries as long as I can see them. The ones you can't really see that stings."

Lisbeth:
(😏)
"Oh! So you're a smooth talker now, huh?"

Leafa:
"I like that one. That was smooth."

Sinon:
"My honest opinion of that is a solid 10/10."

Deku:
"Well, not being to be a smooth talker... but thanks, I guess. But anyway... as the fight goes on... I was really driving her to the corner... I was going to deliver a big damage - But instead... I slashed her arms... she slashed my left arm." Then Deku revealed his left arm gone.

Yuuki:
"That's why you didn't..."

Deku:
"If I had my left arm I would hug you with both arms, so it's fine. I'm glad that I am right-handed anyway."

Alice:
"But... how can you fight by losing a limb?!"

Sarai:
"Um? Excuse me, Mister Throne Slayer?" Deku looks at Sarai. "You lost your arm for good?"

Deku:
"Well, yes. But it's fine, I can still do things with one arm anyway. And you can call me "Deku," instead of "Throne Slayer," okay sweetie." Deku smiled at Sarai, which she has little hint of her cheeks pink.

Sarai:
"O-Okay, Mister Deku. And my name is Sarai. Nice to meet you."

Deku:
"You too, Sarai. Okay, then after that... that's when it all ends. I charged forward and I decided to end it all with a single blow. Quinella screech her lungs out and used her hair to attack me. I managed to keep going and I struck the final blow. I used everything I had to make sure it's powerful enough to keep her from regenerating. Then she somehow disappeared into particles and transformed into a flower bud. So with the remaining strength I had left, I burned her and Chudelkin away so not a single one of them could escape or do anything else."

Everyone:
"......"

Deku:
"So... I was able to take down Quinella and Chudelkin... and I finally got my revenge... but... I still feel nothing about it but I needed it to start over."

Leafa:
"You have finally achieve your one goal. Then you decide to comeback to us."

Deku:
"Yes... but, after the battle..."

Yuuki:
"After the battle?!"

Deku:
"Then PoH and his comrade: Gabriel Miller approached me and wanted to take me away as I have the Curse Mark."

Sinon:
"Gabriel Miller?!"

Deku:
"Well... he goes by the name - "Subtillizer." Then Sinon's eyes widened.

Sinon:
("Subtillizer?!")

Deku:
"Something wrong, Sinon?"

Sinon:
"Uh, no. It's nothing. Keep going."

Deku:
"...So, it turns out that he wanted to take down Quinella and absorb her... and me and Deku Black's Marks... he wanted to take over or destroy this world. And he... wanted to take Alice as well." Then Alice spoke

Alice:
"Huh?! He wants me?! What for?!"

Deku:
"He said that - "A.L.I.C.E" is a "Medium Radiant." I don't know why he would call you that but... I know that he wants to take you and want to taste your soul. And everyone's souls... or something like that."

Eugeo:
"...Alice."

Deku:
"Then as I was still worn out from fighting, Black came up and buy me some time to escape... and he... thrown me off the church..."

Yuuki:
"He did WHAT?!"

Asuna/Aiko/Alice/Akuma/Lisbeth/Leafa/Silica/Klien/Agil:
"Thrown you off the church!!"
"Thrown you off the church!!"

Deku:
(😅)
"I know... he's INSANE! But I was able to survive the fall... thank god. Thank you god."

Sarai:
"So, what happened next?!"

Deku:
"I was able to hide and tried to recover. But Black stayed behind and handled those two alone. Ever since then... I haven't heard of him since. I was able to meet these two people... and they were very nice and helpful to me and treat my wounds. Then on May 3rd, that's when I decided to come back and help you guys... but I guess I got beat to the punch... so I was trying to hide my identity and my presence."

Yuuki:
"No wonder why I couldn't beat this feeling of being followed. It was you the whole time!"

Lisbeth:
"No wonder why we couldn't spot you from stalking us, weirdo."

Deku:
(💢 - 😶/😑)
"I wasn't stalking... LISBETH! I wasn't ready to approach you guys okay! It wasn't easy for me to see you guys after everything, y'know. So cut me some slack, alright."

Lisbeth:
"Hehehe! I guess."

Deku:
"So. The thing is... I did A LOT of thinking about my own actions to the past and now... I want to atone for every misdeeds I committed. I want to start over again because I realized that my own ideals were selfish and I hurt my friends - My actual family that I made along the way from the beginning. I never enjoyed saying and doing those cruel, heart breaking things to you all but I did it because I can't stand it anymore... so I have to take the dark route in order to start over... as I wasn't strong enough and either mature enough to accept reality."

Everyone:
"..."

Deku:
"So... I don't expect you all to forgive me but... I just want to start over with a good clean slate by helping you all in this war together!"
.
.
.
.
.
- To be continued -

(A/N: I wanted to finish this chapter for a good friend of mine - Azuresoul10 I know that I'm 45 minutes away from reaching 12:00 but this is your birthday gift. I wish I should've finished this chapter a little bit more but the next chapter is coming soon... a bit more later. Happy Birthday bro! I hope you enjoy your gift! Wishing you good wishes for being a good person and friend! Stay cool, Azure!🫡😎🎉)