After the brutal 25th Floor Boss Raid, Asuna has left Kirito's side to join the Knights of Blood. With his partner gone, Kirito resigns himself to returning to the life of a solo player-until a familiar face from the lower floors unexpectedly reenters his life. The strangely-human NPC Kizmel, despite her quest being over, has returned to his side... Kirito/Kizmel.
Tired of spending a life studying to reach an empty future, Asuna enters Sword Art Online, a world of swords and airships, to gain some measure of freedom. When she is trapped, she throws herself into building a new life for herself, as far from what her parents intended as she can. Meeting a dark swordsman sets her on a new course, in Aincrad's skies...
Liminality: a state of "between", when one is no longer what they used to be, but not yet something new. After the events of the Seventh Floor, Kirito is even more adrift than ever, no longer a normal player, alone in his new status. Royal Guard Kizmel travels with the players, but not one of them. Asuna acts to hold it all together. Warning: Major Progressive 8 spoilers!
In the deepest night, there is the Dark Hour. It began ten years ago; now, the players have assembled according to the Arcana, and with the arrival of Port Island's prodigal son, it will soon end. They have been given one year... Novelization of Persona 3