Sword Art Online:Cradle of the Moon Chapter 1

Status: Incomplete

Prologue

In a corridor lined with white pillars, loud echoes of human and animal footsteps can be heard.

A girl clad in grey light-armor with a sword hanging at her waist is running in front, her slightly-long black hair wildly flying. Following her, a young dragon covered with light yellow fur swings its long tail. Even though the dragon is so young that it hasn't grown horns yet, the dragon is already taller than the girl.

The girl's name is Ronier Arabel. The young dragon's name is "Tsukigake".

As though they are in a fairytale, the pair emerges to a beautiful and radiant scene. These two cannot imagine at all that they will be part of the <<Integrity Knights>>...which will become the largest fighting force in the Underworld, in just a few short years.

In fact, at that point, girls who used sword arts in this Human World were protesting, as the Dark World had already claimed a hundred people.

In that formidable <<War of the East Gate>>, and subsequently, the <<Rebellion of the Four Empires>>....That girl was always at the frontlines. For the first time in history, through her great feats of valor in combat, she was appointed to be an Apprentice "Integrity Knight".

That said --

Even though the girl's gradually refined sword skills had blossomed on the battlefield, at this point her ability was transient because she had no chance of using it anymore.

For Underworld finally got the peace that came after three hundred years of disorder.

The people of the human world, the humans of the Dark World, goblins, orcs, ogres, and giants: these six tribes signed a permanent, united peace treaty. Four noble imperial families with high-ranking privileges who had oppressed the common people were also abolished. Just after the collapse made by the <<War of the East Gate>>, trading wagons came in and out constantly; in Centoria, the central city, tourists from the Dark World could be seen everywhere.

Once, fear and a lack of understanding separated the two worlds, but exposure to the sun melted the remaining frost without a trace.

The girl and young dragon ran past the pillars, which blocked the sun, Sorusu, to form slanted stripes of glorious light. Around her waist swung a sword which had only drawn blood twice.

• Katsu katsu...* *Pata pata...* Two sets of footsteps sounded, and soon faded away.

Out of nowhere, a big butterfly appeared, returning to enjoy the silence; it happily danced in the corridor.

Chapter 1

"Ronier~! Over here! Over here!"

A voice called. It was only when Ronier gazed beyond the crowd that she saw a fiery redhead shaking and hopping, standing on her tiptoes.

Together, they went through the crowd, keeping their heads down and saying 'excuse me, excuse me'. People such as clerks and cooks packed closely together, while mages working at the Cathedral made space. For appearing to intrude, faces turned towards them. "Fu-n...fu-n..." Behind Ronier, a snort sounded the minute that Tsukigake noticed. Frightened, the crowd cleared the road. At that sight, the owner bowed even more.

After managing to get as far as the front row, Ronier took a rest and breathed deeply.

"Mo~! You're so slow! It's about to begin!"

Her redheaded best friend puffed out her circular cheeks in front of her. Quickly bowing her head, she made one last apology.

"I'm sorry, I was confused in picking out my clothing..."

"'Confused'...you just ended up looking exactly the same as usual!"

The name of the girl that made the disgusted face was Tiez Stolinen. Like Ronier, she was also an Integrity Knight Apprentice. Her hair, like her eyes, were the colour of autumn leaves, and eyes that shined with a circular gleam; her disciplined body was dressed in a cute woolen tunic and skirt. A beautiful red leather scabbard was around her waist for now; it appeared that even her clothing and accessories matched.