Cardinal:

"Greetings, Yuuki Konno - My name is Cardinal. I'm an Administrator as you see."

"C-Cardinal? So... you're also a administrator?" Yuuki questioned

"Yes, indeed I am. And don't worry, I'm not here to kidnapped you or anything. I'm actually on the good side as you see right now, you and your other friends are in a deep trouble right now." Cardinal said as she peacefully gives Yuuki a cup of tea to warm up

"Oh! Y-You know what's going on?" Yuuki said as she grabs the tea cup

"Yes - As your friend... well, your boyfriend Dekarusu Sumisu, A.K.A "Deku" got the "Curse Mark" from the "other" administrator; Quinella. And now, he's gone rouge and being escorted to Quinella's whereabouts right now." Cardinal said

"H-How'd you know all of this, Miss Cardinal?" Yuuki was calmly surprised as she drinks her tea.

"Hmhm... I saw everything actually. It all starts on the day with Deku and the girl; Alice were just talking and hanging out together... then get ambushed twice with Raios and Humbert and then with Quinella. It was hard for them to survive against Quinella's unknown powers and they managed to survive... of course with Deku tries to save Alice but turn out he got bitten by that evil demon." Cardinal said as Yuuki knows that she's telling the truth.

"That's exactly what happened to them." Yuuki said

"Indeed - But - With Deku was able to survive, more than surviving the Curse Mark... he was able to understand that power as it consumed him and he became more powerful than he was before. He was able to single handily keep his friends safe and almost killed Raios and Humbert. But of course, it was slowly but surely getting worse as you and your friends witnessed everything up until now, right?" Cardinal said

"Yes... that's right."

"And I never thought I'd see this coming." Cardinal said as Yuuki ask her something

"Um? Miss Cardinal?"

"Yes, Yuuki?"

"Um... how'd you know what was going to happen? And how did you and Quinella know each other? And how are we able to use Sword Skills IRL? What's even happening in this world?" Yuuki asks Cardinal many questions

"Those are really good and important questions... but I can say is this - The world is changing." Cardinal said as she answered one of Yuuki's questions

"The world is changing?!" Yuuki said in the questionable tone

"Yes... Quinella somehow used a "System Command" to corrupt the "Underworld" to the "Real World" somehow... it's now combined into one now." Cardinal said as Yuuki thought of something in her mind

~("The "Underworld?")
"What's the "Underworld"?!" Yuuki asked

"Well - The "Underworld" is the mysterious virtual world. The world Quinella "created" - For this reason, a virtual world, codenamed «Underworld», was created using the free kernel version of the Cardinal System, The Seed, and then transferred into the STL mainframe via the Mnemonic Visuals feature of the STL. Underworld is set in a past era, when science and philosophy were just being discovered, but instead of recreating a past era, limited terrain and certain customs were introduced so that the inhabitants of the world would form their own society."

"...?!" Yuuki was confused as she raised an eyebrow

"But... I'll just say it like this - Two separate worlds combined as one now. The "Real World" and The "Underworld" where Alice and the others you and everyone else have met in person, even Quinella and I belong in that world. And it all happened because of the battle of Quinella and I had was a battle for the world!"

"You and Quinella fought each other?" Yuuki said

"Yes... long story short... I knew she was up to no good when she invented the "Curse Mark" so I'd tried my best to stop the witch... but I suddenly got cornered and I had no choice but to escape. And now, she's combining worlds... and it's going to be even more worse I'm afraid."

"What you mean by that?" Yuuki asked

"What I mean is this - In a couple of months or so... if we don't stop Quinella's evil schemes and motives... not only she'll reign supreme over both worlds... this whole world is going to end!"

[ Yuuki's eyes widened as she looked incredibly shocked by Cardinal's words of the world ending...! ]

"The whole world will end? W-We can't let this world continue on with Quinella here! We got to do something about it now while we still can!" Yuuki said as she wanted to save the world from ending, Cardinal likes her determination.

"I like that spunk of yours. That's what I wanted to hear... but of course, things will takes some time for putting Quinella's life at an end... but... it turns out... there's another problem after we've deal with Quinella."

"Huh?! Another problem? What is it?" Yuuki asked

"Well... The "Dark Territory"... plans on invading the "Human Empire" in a couple months or so away... and that means - The "War of the Underworld" is coming!" Cardinal said

"W-Wait?! That means there's a War coming!" Yuuki said as Cardinal nodded to say yes to answer question. "We're in deep trouble..." Yuuki said

"Indeed but not to worry - Yuuki Konno - You tried to stop Deku from leaving by reasoning with him, you've done everything you can to help him because you love him, correct?"

"Yes. I do." Yuuki said

"And you're MORE than willing to get Deku back and save the world from ending?"

"Yes!" Yuuki said

"Good... that's what I want to hear - Oh, right... you're pregnant right?" Cardinal asked as Yuuki blushed

Yuuki:

"Y-Yes ma'am..." Yuuki averted her eyes as she was a bit embarrassed. "U-Um... may I ask why?" Yuuki politely asked

"Because we definitely can't have you fighting or doing anything crazy while you're carrying a child. Even though it's been almost 4 exact months since... you know." Yuuki blushes even more

"Y-You saw everything...?" Yuuki said

"Let's say the I skipped "that" part of your love with Deku." Yuuki chuckled nervously after hearing that. "But anyway, I have a System Command that could help you with your pregnancy." It made Yuuki surprised

"R-Really?!" Yuuki said

"Yes, and while I do that, I'll be helping you to improve your sword skills and sacred arts. Along with your other friends will need to know what's going on as well but it's going to take a while before the time come for some serious work ahead of us. I know I already ask you this but are you sure you're up to the task, Yuuki Konno?"

"Yes ma'am! In fact, I'm honestly more excited about it now even it's a serious situation but still - I'm always gamed!" Yuuki smiled

"Good. Now follow me - We're going to get the baby out first... it'll take time for the baby to be officially born of course. And it won't be painful for the ritual. Let's go. Every second counts." Cardinal said

"Yes ma'am!"

[ With the rescue team's now on mission to bring back Deku... and it looks like they're traveling with horses for now... ]

~BRIMMING!!! THUNDERCLAP!!
"All right! Now we're finally on the mission to bring our student back. Bercouli puts me in charge, so we're going to have to be careful and take this seriously! Asuna and Eugeo, you two will the fighting to us for now. Leave the fighting to Sheyta, Renly and I, even though you two and the rest of the students been training hard for anything but still! You two understand?" Fanatio said to both Asuna and Eugeo'

~"Yes ma'am!" (Asuna)
~"Yes ma'am!" (Eugeo)

"Good! And what Eydis report are the other two are heading to the "Central Cathedral Axiom Church!" In Centoria! We don't know how many besides the two main foes were supposed to face, so stay sharp and don't lose focus once we've caught up with them!" Fanatio ordered her allies

~"Yes, Second In-Command!" (Renly)
~"Yes, Second In-Command!" (Sheyta)

~"!" Asuna looked serious
("Deku~Kun... I really don't know why you're doing this... but no matter what happens, I will reach out to you and bring you back! And if I did something wrong to you back In SAO... then I wanted to know what I did wrong to you -

[ Flashback ]

"Alright guys!! Why you all kept teasing me every time?!" Yn was getting straight to the point

Asuna:
"Because we love you Y/n, and plus you're the easiest one to tease." Asuna said as she gives Y/n a big-sister hug and rubbing his head making him smile and blushing again.

"And you're like a brother to me like I always wanted. Even though I do have a big brother but I really love it even more with you." Asuna said

"Uh-huh..." Deku said

[ 2nd Flashback ]
Asuna:
"Oh! We're hugging Y/N now? Let me in it too!~

Dekarusu:
"What?! Asuna Noooo!!!!~

BOUNCE!!!

Deku:
"Not again!!!"

Asuna:
(😊)
"Hehehe! I love doing this all the time with you, Deku~Kun!" Asuna smiled

Deku:
(😑...😊/🙂)
"...Yeah, I bet you do love doing this Asuna..." Deku sounds irritated but secretly smiles

[ Ends of Flashbacks ]

("Everything Black said about your true feelings about me and Kirito... it hits me so deep... I couldn't stop thinking about it - So I'm going to do what I can to reach out for you and your feelings, as your friend and your big sister!") Asuna said to herself

[ While it took 30 minutes to leave the town.. they're halfway through to Centoria... ]

THUNDERCLAP!!
"Okay! We're only halfway there to Rulid Village! Once we make it there, we should easily passed through the village!" Fanatio said as Eugeo mention something

"Miss Fanatio!" Eugeo said

"Yes, Eugeo?" Fanatio said

"I know that we're traveling with horses now but... shouldn't we've been caught up with Deku Black and the others now?" Eugeo said

"Hm... that'll be true... but I don't sense any evil around our area... so they must've been far away from us since Eydis and Medina last encountered them." Fanatio said as Renly spoke

"Maybe it could be a trap... maybe they wanted us to think this way and probably ambush us, don't you think?" Renly suggested that it could be a trap, then Sheyta spoken

"If that's true... then we wouldn't be traveling to Centoria now. So either way, it'll be traps waiting for us anyway. So we might as well just keep going with our mission." Sheyta said

"Hm... those are some good suggestions... so I agree with Sheyta. You two hear that?" Fanatio said to Asuna and Eugeo

~"Yes ma'am." (Asuna)
~"Yes ma'am." (Eugeo)

[ So Fanatio and Co. plans on entering the Central Cathedral Axiom Church... and it looks like it will take a while to reach Centoria. They've already passed the raining, thunder weather... then now they made it to Rulid Village. ]

"All right. We've made it here. We should hurry up and go further now. Unless you two want to take a break?" Fanatio said to Asuna and Eugeo

"No ma'am! I want to keep going!" Asuna said

"Same here." Eugeo said

"All right then. Let's keep going."

[ Fanatio and Co. are now heading to Centoria... with the others in Rulid Village... Bercouli and Co. has been giving permission to enter the village for their mission... and now with Kirito planning to get his wounds treated after his battle beforehand - ]

"Okay! Now we've got permission... all we need to do is patch up Kirito and strategize for backup for this mission. Now, you guys can do whatever you want, train or anything else." Bercouli said as he was about to leave but he remembered something. "Oh, Alice's little sister is here for the kid." Bercouli said as Selka entered the room with the others

"Hello everyone. I'm Selka Zuberg, I'm also Alice's little sister." Selka introduced herself. "I've heard things about you guys... and it turns out things aren't going well." Selka said to the others, then Bercouli spoke to Selka

"Yes, and we need you to please heal Kirito... he's in a really bad shape, if you can little lady." Bercouli said as Selka takes a good look at Kirito

"Well, I mean... if it was scratched and scars... but... his wounds are so deep! I don't know if I can handle this much... my skills are a bit rusty. But where's Alice? She should be able to do this, her skills are way above my level." Selka said Kirito spoke to Selka

"Selka... I know... it's beyond your level... but just give it a shot... I know you can do it. Just do your best in your own way, Selka." Kirito said to Selka, who feels a little better about herself

"What Kirito said is right. It doesn't have to be perfect, can you just heal him so he's good enough to at least move around?" Suguha said as she smiled at Selka

"...Yes, I can do that. Just leave it to me. I can at least close up the deeper wounds." Selka said

"Okay... that'll be really good... I'll just take a little nap..." Kirito said as he closed his eyes and rest

"Thank you so much, little lady. I really appreciate of you doing this, and don't worry, your sister is heading this way right now." Bercouli said to Selka, as she nods and getting ready to heal Kirito. "Okay, now we got that down, you all may think of a way to train more or anything else." Bercouli said as he left

"......" Aiko was sitting in the back, looking at the window... then Akuma approached her

"Hey... Aiko... are you okay? You've been quiet lately since we've left." Akuma said to Aiko

"Yes... I'm okay... but... with my dear little sister out there missing... I knew I should've gone with her but... I know she really loved Deku~San so much... so I thought I let her handle it but... I never thought she would be missing?! I'm such a bad older sister to Yuuki..." Aiko as she looks and sounds so sad as she thinks she's a bad sister to Yuuki

"Don't say that girl. We never seen it coming... with Deku goes rogue and now this... things happens unexpectedly today... and I'll pray for your sister to be safe Aiko." Akuma said as she pats Aiko's back

"Thank you, Yuri... but... all of a sudden... I have a feeling... that... Yuuki is.. still at there somewhere safe. So, I don't feel bad anymore so quickly." Aiko said

"Oh? Is it because you two are beautiful twins. Can you two can understand each other's minds?" Akuma asked Aiko

"Hehehe... well, I would say no but one day our parents had us to try an little experiment to see if we can understand our minds or something... and it turns out that we've both understood each other very well." Aiko said as she smiled

"Haha! That's good. But, don't worry, the teachers will find her." Akuma said

"Me too..." Aiko said

[ With Deku Black and PoH... ]

"All right. We've finally made it back in the Axiom Church..." Deku Black said

"Damn... all that running all the way here sure is a pain." PoH complained a bit

"Whine like a little bitch later... we're here now... all we need to do is either one - Take Deku to Quinella's room and Deku can be awakened there- Two - Drop him off on the 50th or the 75th Floor and we get ready for a fight soon. Or Three - Kill you right now. Which one?" Black said to PoH

"Sigh"
"You really itching to kill me, huh? I don't blame you... 'cause you're own my kill list anyway. Fine.. let's hurry up get this crap over with, we'll go whatever you want to do." PoH said

"Hmph. Good - Let's go inside already." Black said as he and PoH went inside the church while they were carrying Deku.

- With Deku... inside the coffin -

[ Deku's POV ]

Deku:

"......"
("It's... Dark...-")
BA-DUMP!!
("Argh! But.. I've got to... endure this! I NEED to do this...!")

("I only cared for my family...! And I've done... everything that I can... to keep things under control...! But in the end, it's all gone down to hell!")

[ As I remembered my time with my family before all of them died... and then seeing Kirito, Klien... then Asuna, Agil... Silica... Liz... and Yuuna... all of them... fading away from my memories... only my family were in my mind... ]

"I... don't even know... if... I can keep up with my sanity anymore... I'm being consumed... by this Mark! But... I have to.. let it flow... so.. I can understand it's power... just like before -"

[ Flashback ]
Deku:

[ End of Flashback ]

"I need... to stay in control... !" -
CURSE MARK ACTIVATED!!

[ With Deku Black and PoH ]

Deku Black:

"......" Deku Black looked at the coffin of where Deku is now inside of. ("Just let it flow... let it take over you...")
CURSE MARK ACTIVATED!!

- To Be Continued -