Episode 3

original air date: 4.17.02

Folklore

In the city with the rivers running through it, the young girl with the wings is again on a boat with the same Scarlet Knight that was defeated by Tsukasa.  He apologizes to her for worrying her, and says he is embarrassed as a system moderator for having such a thing happen. She reminds him that the Scarlet Knight's true purpose is not that of system moderators.  He goes on saying that's what he thought they were, under the name of the Scarlet Knights, despite the hatred most players have toward them.  She says, "Ginkan!  We are players as well.  We are merely playing these roles. Do not forget that."  Ginkan goes on to say "Then Subaru-sama, is the true role of the Knights as Kurim stated..." only to be cut off by Subaru saying she does not care what he thinks.  Ginkan asks if that is why he had to leave the Knights- to which Subaru says no, and that she must meet someone and they will continue this conversation at another time.

The sorceress and the warrior are back in the common area.  She asks him if she is really to believe his story. He tells her she doesn't have to- but that what he just told her is really what happened to him yesterday.  She asks how that is possible when the system does not allow that, he replies saying that Tsukasa has somehow risen above the system and that it troubles him.  The sorceress says to him, "Bear, what do you think of that rumor?"  Bear asks which one, and she goes on about a certain item that is rumored to exist.  Bear stats that it's just that- a rumor.  She agrees, but says what if Tsukasa has such an item that allows him to alter "The World."  She suggests that maybe Bear should meet Tsukasa IRL (in real life), he agrees, thinking that would be a good idea.  The sorceress suggests an offline gathering, but Bear says that if he really can't log out- he wonders what that person is doing IRL.  The sorceress says if he really exists in the real world, suggesting maybe Tsukasa is not really a player. Bear says maybe they should, but how? She does not know how either.

In a snow-covered field Sora sits high atop a building as Subaru walks closer, Sora jumps down to meet her.  He is surprised she showed up.  Subaru wastes no time, and asks him point blank what he wanted to discuss with her.  Sora gets right to the point and says "Key of the Twilight." Subaru says that does not exit and starts to leave.  Sora follows and ask her to wait, and to at least listen to what he has to say, 'till finally he draws his weapon on her and makes her stop.

Mimiru is sitting alone in the place where she first met up with Tsukasa, as Bear walks in behind her asking if she has had any luck reaching Tsukasa. She tells Bear that she has messaged him several times, but with no replies.  He asks her if she knows where Tsukasa is accessing from, she doesn't and has never talked to Tsukasa about it.  Bear tells her he probably wouldn't tell her anyway.  Mimiru tired of the whole thing says she's going to stop- and is tired of being pulled around by a guy like that.  As she gets up to leave she says, "Dammit, I wonder what he is doing?  He should at least contact me.  That idiot!"

Tsukasa, back in the surreal place with the little girl, reaches out to touch the girl's face.  When he does the scene changes to a black and white scene in the real world of a young child feeding a sick kitten with an eyedropper.  An adult comes along and takes the sick kitten away, and the child is left alone in the street with a carton of milk and the eyedropper.  The scene returns to Tsukasa still at the bedside of the little girl.  The voice speaks to Tsukasa and says, "It's okay."  "Shade her in your color."  Tsukasa says he doesn't understand.  The voice, replies "Do what you want." I will protect you.  Don't fear anything, do as you wish." As Tsukasa stands there confused his guardian appears.

Mimiru, alone, now in a desert region is fighting a giant lizard monster.  She thinks to herself, "I have to become stronger... Much much stronger!"

Back in the city Subaru appears at a warp gate, followed by Sora. Ginkan is there, and Subaru tells him it's ok- and that Sora will be a guest of the Knights for a short time due to certain circumstances.  Subaru dismisses Sora and tells him she has matters of the Knights to attend to.  Ginkan asks for an explanation.  Now alone with Ginkan, Subaru asks if he recalls what she told him about Oruka the other day, he says yes.  Subaru says, "Something is about to happen, in this gaming world, in The World." She goes on to say that if Sora is part of that something, the Key of the Twilight... but Ginkan interrupts asking if she believed him.  She tells him she is against the existence of it, and does not believe in the Key of the Twilight.  But getting back to Ginkan's question, she says she is unsure, but wants to keep Sora around just in case.  She tells Ginkan that Sora told her that Tsukasa might be at the center of everything. 

Tsukasa is in an open field "training" his guardian and saying, "We can go anywhere together now."

Mimiru is in the main area hunched over looking at a kuchiguso, before long he sticks out an enormous tongue and licks her.  As she falls over, she sees Bear standing over her. He asks what was up, that she e-mailed him needing some help.  She tells him that she heard back from Tsukasa, and that he would like to meet her again.  Mimiru is concerned that is she does meet him things could go wrong like the last time.  Mimiru asks if Bear will go in her place.  Bear wonders if he is good enough to meet him in her place.  She tells him he can't be her replacement, but that he was with her when Tsukasa's guardian attacked.  After they both recall that moment, Bear asks, "Where do I have to go?"

Bear appears at a church on a floating rock surrounded by mists.  There is a low roar (one similar to Tsukasa's guardian) Bear opens the door and find Tsukasa there.  Bear says he is Mimiru's official substitute.  Tsukasa asks if why she's not there, and Bear tells him she doesn't want to get in a fight with him.  Tsukasa asks, "She doesn't like me?"  Bear answers with a no, and that she may think the same of Tsukasa.  Tsukasa says there is no problem now. Bear thinks he means that he can log out now, but Tsukasa tells him no.  He says, "see" and summons his guardian. Bear is confused and asks him what he means be "see."  Tsukasa explains that his guardian is tame now, and will not attack them. Bear is surprised that is the reason he contacted Mimiru in the first place. Tsukasa is happy with the fact, but Bear is still confused and tells him that doesn't accomplish anything, only to have Tsukasa warp away.  As Bear leaves the church Mimiru meet him at the entrance and tells him she was worried so came. Bear tells her he failed and that they may need to speak with the Scarlet Knights.

The sorceress is alone in the same grassy plain with the well that Tsukasa was in the first episode.  Sora seems to appear out of nowhere behind her. Sora says, "So we meet again?"  She tells him not to be friendly with her. Sora is a bit confused for he thinks she has called him to meet her there. She tells him she was also contacted to meet at this location, and thought it was he.  Just as this happens Subaru and Ginkan walk up to them.  Ginkan takes an offensive stance, as they hear Mimiru call out to them from afar.  The sorceress, Sora, Subaru and Ginkan join Mimiru and Bear.  Bear wants to get information on a player - and thinks Subaru being a moderator has access to such information.  She tells them she cannot- that personal information is top secret and that the administrator would not give out such information, even if she asked.  Bear asks then if she could find out where Tsukasa is accessing.  Ginkan interrupts saying if they could do that, he would have already.  The sorceress asks if Ginkan was the warrior defeated by Tsukasa, Ginkan tells her that is was not him, but rather a monster that Ginkan had never seen before.  Mimiru speaks up and says that what he's done is horrible, but that maybe he's a victim in all of this.  Ginkan tells her she is wrong- but Bear says he agrees with Mimiru.  Bear tells them of what happened the other day, and a flashback ensues. It's the same scene from the last episode- right before Tsukasa's guardian attacks bear.  But right before the sharp end of the guardian hit Bear, he is thrown back, and the guardian is stopped. Standing at the point is Maho, who stops the attack, and moves toward the guardian and disappears, followed by the guardian - end flashback.  Subaru is surprised and says "Cat?"  Bear tells them he didn't know who it was either, but that he knew it wasn't Tsukasa. Ginkan tells them he is aware of the cat, and that is how this all started, they were investigating the cat character.  He goes on to say that Tsukasa is the only one with information on it.   Subaru says she will see about the information on Tsukasa. Bear tells her to hurry, even though it is an unreasonable favor, for there may be a second or third victim if they don't' act soon.  Subaru tells them worse case scenario they can probably restrict his access.  Bear tells Subaru to check the logs- for she can do that at least.  Subaru agrees.  Bear tells her, "See it with your own eyes" and to contact them if she finds out anything, and then give her his member address.  Sora stands up and wants Bear's address too, as well as Mimiru's.  Sora pleads, but Mimiru says no.  The sorceress asks if a lot of information comes to the Scarlet Knights. Subaru tells her not as much as she may think. The sorceress goes on to ask if they have any information about a hidden item... Subaru tells her no, that there have not been any recent quests for any hidden items. The sorceress says, "Playing dumb?   Not that. I'm talking about it.  What was it called?"  Sora chimes in with, "Key of the Twilight."   Subaru gets a disgruntled look on her face, and the sorceress says, "So that's what it's called.  The Key of the Twilight.  It has to have some meaning."