THE TRUTH ABOUT ALFHEIM

Kirito and Leafa must log out due to scheduled maintenance. Asuna, on the other hand, has escaped her birdcage prison and is making her way through the branch pathways. She is drawn to the experiment room where she finds holograms of human brains experiencing negative emotions. She recalls Sugou's plan to manipulate the human soul and vows to make him pay.

Asuna spots a System console, but before she could transport out, two slug-like avatars capture her. Under Sugou's orders, she is sent back to her cage and a new password is enforced. Asuna, however, did manage to get an admin card from the system console prior to her capture.

Meanwhile, in the real world, Kazuto takes Suguha to the hospital where Asuna sleeps. Suguha can see just how much Asuna means to Kazuto. When the two meet up again in Alfheim, an emotional Leafa is consoled by Kirito. (Remember...Leafa still has no idea that Kirito is actually Kazuto.)

A little while later, Leafa, Kirito and Yui arrive at the base of the World Tree. Suddenly, Yui cries out that "Mommy is right above them!" Without thinking, Kirito flys up with lightning speed in an effort to get to the top of the World Tree!