.hack//SIGN

After the attack, Tsukasa suddenly logs in and screaming at the same time at Morganna's domain. He learns he cannot die in this place and begins to doubt his own existence. Tsukasa finds Subaru and she reassures him of his situation.

BT asks Crim to meet outside the game and is rejected. She vents her anger on Subaru. Later, she joins some characters who want her help only to find out they have tricked her. She is saved by Tsukasa and the meaning of her name is revealed.

Silver Knight foils every attempt Subaru makes to meet Tsukasa and his friends, believing that someone important like her should have nothing to do with an illegal character like Tsukasa. When Subaru becomes aware of this, and realizes how far they have deviated from their original purpose, she decides to disband the Crimson Knights.

Subaru wanders The World, recalling her first steps in the game and how she and Crim founded the Crimson Knights. Unprotected, she is attacked by another character, and Tsukasa finds her badly beaten. They bond even closer and we see a glimpse of the real life Subaru.

Tsukasa takes Subaru to Aura's domain but when they get there Aura is missing. Meanwhile, the others follow Bear's suggestion to finalize the search for the Key of the Twilight. Subaru meets Mimiru and tells her about Aura but thinks she shouldn't have left Tsukasa alone there. Morganna attacks Tsukasa and he is left lifeless on the bed.

Tsukasa is left catatonic by Morganna and Macha begins to feel sorry for him. Unbeatable, distorted monsters begin to appear in The World and the others decide to seek Helba's help to talk again with the AI Harald.

Bear, Mimiru, and Subaru travel to another fragment of the AI Harald, encounter another unbeatable monster, but are saved by Balmung. From Harald, they learn about Aura and her connection with Tsukasa.

All the characters but Tsukasa meet to pass through Helba's gate. Tsukasa is scared to go, but Crim tells him of Subaru's condition in real life. The gate appears and they enter, except for Subaru who is determined to wait for Tsukasa.

Tsukasa arrives and the party reaches Net Slum, Helba's domain. Helba reveals Morganna's plan, and Tsukasa reveals to Subaru that he is a girl in real life. The party realize they must defend Subaru from Morganna, since Morganna wants Tsukasa to be in despair. Tsukasa decides that he wants to meet Subaru in real life.

The party retreats to the Cathedral to guard Subaru and Tsukasa. Morganna sends Sora and four guardians after them. During the battle, Tsukasa finds courage. Macha disobeys Morganna, and sacrifices herself to save Tsukasa and Subaru. Enraged, Morganna transports Tsukasa, Subaru, and Mimiru to an unknown area.