The flag of rebellion had been raised, Schicksal Headquarters has been placed under a siege. A man within had also discovered the fact of a rebellion and chosen to escape with a trusty protege of his with data-mined information about something far greater... Luca's attempt to escape the violence with Ezekiel only leading them into the heat of it, into the path of a great threat...

On the night of Christmas, 2023, Kirito prepares to head to bed and prepare for the coming day. Until he gets a meeting with a mysterious force that talks of the Past, his self as a Beater. The Present, which is himself at the moment. And the Future, his self as the Black Swordsman. As well as his reflection going forward as the story presented itself.