SAO: Strawberry Bunny

The journey back from the depths of the lake was quiet, each step heavy with the lingering weight of what had transpired. The wind rustled through the towering trees of the Forest of Wavering Mist, carrying with it a strange calm, as though the forest itself was exhaling relief at Qeozze's defeat.

Nukal's spirit waited for them where they had last seen her, her ethereal form a calming presence amidst the uncertainty. Her shimmering blue eyes fell on the trio as they approached, with Mirvel—her surviving hatchling—clinging tightly to Strawberry's arm.

"You have returned," Nukal said, her voice resonant but soft, like a lullaby. "And I see the battle weighed heavy on you."

Strawberry nodded, removing her mask to look the dragon's spirit in the eye. "It's done. Qeozze… he's no longer suffering."

There was a pause, the kind of silence that seemed to press down on everything around them. Nukal closed her eyes, and for the first time, her mighty form seemed smaller, subdued. "It pains me to hear of my cousin's end," she said quietly, "but I thank you for relieving him of his torment."

Mirvel stepped forward, her sapphire-like scales shimmering faintly in the dappled sunlight. "Mama…" she whispered softly, her voice young and fragile, as though it had not been used much. "They were very brave."

Nukal smiled faintly at her daughter. "Yes, they were." Then she turned her attention back to Strawberry and Quinella. "As promised, the last of our treasures belongs to you. Mirvel."

Mirvel approached the two adventurers, her small claws gently holding a shining sapphire gemstone. It glowed faintly, its crystalline structure refracting the light around it with an otherworldly beauty. Strawberry and Quinella exchanged a look of mild surprise, though by now, they both had begun to expect it.

Strawberry held out her hand, and Mirvel placed the gemstone into her palm. The moment the three gemstones—the Topaz, Amethyst, and now the Sapphire—were brought close together, sparks leapt between them like tiny arcs of lightning. They pulsed, glowing brighter than before, their light resonating as if something greater was stirring within them.

Quinella's violet eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "It's like… they're connected. The closer they get, the stronger they seem to become."

Nukal watched this with intrigue, her translucent form flickering slightly. "I did not know of these gemstones… nor did I know that others like myself gifted them to you. It seems there is far more to this than I understood. My brethren… my cousins of many colors… perhaps they know more of this secret."

The ethereal dragon's form began to fade, her magic returning to the world around them. "I will seek them out. The mystery of these gemstones must be unraveled, for I fear they hold power greater than we yet realize."

Before she vanished entirely, she turned her soft gaze on Strawberry and Quinella once more. "Take Mirvel to the Faune. She will be safe among them. And remember… you are always welcome among dragonkind."

With that, Nukal's spirit dissipated into a soft breeze, carrying the faint sound of her voice on the air. Mirvel, small and trembling, pressed close to Strawberry's side.

System Notification:

Quest Update

Reward: [Sapphire Gemstone] obtained.

The gemstones resonate with one another, growing stronger. What could this mean?

Mirvel's Blessing: Your weapons have been imbued with a dragon's blessing.

Mirvel stepped back after Nukal's departure and looked up at Strawberry and Quinella with gratitude in her luminous eyes. "Thank you… for helping Qeozze," she murmured, her voice small but sincere. "Even if he could not be saved, you protected the forest… and me."

She lifted her head slightly and took a deep breath. Before Strawberry or Quinella could react, Mirvel's breath shimmered with a faint blue light as it washed over them. Both of their weapons glowed briefly—Strawberry's Radiant Scythe of the Rose Moon now humming faintly with a watery aura, and Quinella's Blade of Storms crackling with a sharper intensity.

"I hope this helps you in your battles to come," Mirvel said softly, though her voice turned somber. "The Fae… they must be stopped. I do not wish to see more dragons or Faune suffer."

Quinella rested a gentle hand on the hatchling's back, offering her a rare, kind smile. "We'll do what we can."

With that, they guided Mirvel to the nearby Faune settlement. As they entered Flora once more, the Faune villagers regarded them with curiosity and suspicion, but as soon as they saw the tiny sapphire-scaled dragon cradled in Strawberry's arms, their expressions softened.

The village elder approached, his long rabbit-like ears twitching as he studied Mirvel. "You've brought her here for safety, yes? We will raise her as one of our own, with kindness and care. You have my word."

Strawberry handed Mirvel over with reluctance, the small dragon nuzzling against her hand one last time. "Stay safe, alright?" she murmured.

"Goodbye," Mirvel whispered, her soft blue eyes shimmering with unshed tears as she was carried away into the village.

That evening, with the weight of their quest temporarily lifted, Strawberry, Quinella, and Muffin found themselves back at the hidden hot springs. The warm, mineral-rich water felt even more soothing than before, washing away the exhaustion of the past days.

"Three gemstones now," Quinella mused aloud, leaning back against the edge of the pool. "This DHA questline is turning out to be far bigger than we thought."

Strawberry let out a contented sigh, leaning back with her arms spread out along the edge of the spring. "At least we're still in one piece."

Muffin, perched on a small rock at the water's edge, chirped happily as he splashed in the shallows, his fluffy fur slightly damp.

Quinella watched him for a moment before turning her gaze to Strawberry. "You know, for all the trouble we've been through, this hasn't been so bad. You're not the worst company."

Strawberry raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly. "Thanks… I think?"

Quinella chuckled, her violet eyes glinting. "So obliviously cute, I swear," she murmured under her breath.

As the steam rose around them, the forest outside alive with the gentle sounds of nature, the trio allowed themselves to enjoy the moment of peace. For now, the dangers of Aincrad could wait.

But deep in the back of their minds, they both knew this was only a brief reprieve. The mysteries of the gemstones and the shadow of the Fae still lingered, waiting to pull them into the next chapter of their adventure.

For now, though, they let the warmth of the springs and the quiet companionship of the night wash over them, grateful for the small victories they'd earned.

----

The night was still, save for the soft rustle of leaves outside the window of Strawberry and Quinella's rooms at the inn. Moonlight filtered through the wooden lattice, casting faint silver streaks over the quiet interior. The day's exhaustion had lulled both adventurers into a deep, well-earned sleep.

But something was amiss.

The faint sound of footsteps—silent but perceptible—echoed in the hallways outside. Shadows moved with unnatural grace through the inn, blending seamlessly with the moonlight. Their cloaks shimmered faintly, as though woven from the very fabric of twilight. Royal Fae Knights, their faces hidden beneath helms of polished silver, crept into the rooms of Strawberry and Quinella, their blades drawn but held silently at their sides.

Strawberry stirred as the faintest disturbance in the air brushed against her senses—an instinct honed from hours of battling for survival. Her assassin-like awareness triggered immediately.

Her eyes snapped open.

Through her mask of shadows and the veil of sleep, she saw a flicker—a figure moving toward her bed with a knife glinting in the moonlight.

Assassins.

She reacted on pure instinct.

Whoosh.

With a sharp twist, she rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the blade aimed at her neck. The royal Fae knight hissed, startled at her speed. Strawberry shot up to her feet, her scythe appearing in her hands with a flash of violet light.

"Well, well," she said darkly, her voice a low whisper as she circled the intruder. "You guys really need to work on your timing."

Before the knight could respond, wires shot from her wrists, snaring one of his arms and pulling him forward. "Nice try," Strawberry quipped, twisting to kick him hard in the chest, sending him stumbling back against the wall.

Her scythe followed immediately, the blade flashing toward him, but her strike was intercepted by another Fae knight leaping into the room. They were faster—stronger—than any mob they had fought before. Two more knights appeared behind them, emerging from the shadows like wraiths.

Strawberry gritted her teeth. They're too strong. What the hell?

===

Quinella wasn't as lucky.

The royal knights were waiting for her to stir. The moment her violet eyes fluttered open, one knight had already pinned her wrists, while another forced a hand over her mouth. Her muffled protests turned into a growl as she struggled furiously, her Blade of Storms pulsing faintly from across the room, out of reach.

"You think you can take me this easily?!" she spat when they loosened their grip for a second. She wrenched an arm free and struck one knight in the helm with her elbow, sending him staggering.

Grabbing her weapon from the table with sheer force of will, Quinella slashed at them, her blade crackling with violet lightning. The pulse of energy lit up the room, and for a moment, she thought she might have the upper hand.

But then more knights entered—silent, precise, overwhelming her with sheer numbers.

Within moments, both Strawberry and Quinella were dragged down, forced to their knees as their weapons were wrenched from their hands. Strawberry managed to snare one knight's ankle with her wires, tripping him in the process, but it didn't matter.

There were too many.

One of the knights struck her in the back of the head with the hilt of his blade. Strawberry saw stars before darkness swallowed her whole.

===

When Strawberry opened her eyes again, everything was a blur. Her head pounded, and her limbs felt heavy. She blinked several times before realizing she was lying on a cold, stone floor, faint torchlight flickering on the cavernous ceiling above her.

She jolted upright instantly, her mind snapping into survival mode. Where's Muffin? Panic shot through her like lightning as she frantically checked her surroundings.

"Quinella?" she called hoarsely.

"I'm here." Quinella's voice came from nearby. The silver-haired girl was sitting with her back against the wall, her wrists shackled by glowing Fae chains. Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "They knocked us out. Cowards."

Strawberry tried to stand but groaned when she realized the same chains were binding her wrists. Her scythe and wires were gone.

"Where's Muffin?" she muttered again, louder this time.

Before Quinella could respond, the massive double doors of the chamber groaned open, flooding the room with golden light. Two Royal Fae Knights stepped in, their imposing figures framed in the doorway.

"Come with us," one of them said in a voice that reverberated like a cold breeze.

Neither Strawberry nor Quinella had much choice. The knights grabbed them roughly, hauling them to their feet and dragging them forward. Their chains clinked softly as they walked through dark corridors lined with veins of glowing Fae magic. The walls shimmered faintly, twisting like something alive.

The throne room was both stunning and unsettling. Vast and elegant, it seemed carved entirely from dark, luminescent wood, glowing faintly with deep blues and purples. Vines dripped from the towering ceiling, their tips glowing with Nightingbloom flowers that shed a soft light over the room.

At the center of it all sat Nyx, the Fae King.

His presence was mesmerizing—almost unnaturally beautiful. Tall and slender, with sharp features that seemed too perfect to be real. His mismatched eyes, one a bright golden hue and the other an endless black, pierced through them with an amused intensity. He wore dark silken robes that shimmered faintly, almost as though shadows clung to them.

But Strawberry wasn't looking at him.

Her eyes were glued to the tiny, white-furred creature lounging contentedly in the king's lap.

Muffin.

The little horned bunny was happily munching on a strawberry that Nyx held delicately between his fingers. His ears twitched in bliss as he nibbled, completely unbothered by the fact that his owner had been kidnapped.

"Muffin!" Strawberry blurted out, her voice breaking in disbelief.

Muffin chirped cheerfully, lifting his head and wiggling his ears at her, as if to say, Oh hey, you're here!

Nyx smirked, his voice smooth as silk. "Ah, you awakened earlier than expected. Your little companion here has been delightful company. He has excellent taste in fruit."

Strawberry's jaw clenched as she shot a glare at the smug Fae king. "Give me back my bunny."

Nyx chuckled, stroking Muffin's fur as if the little creature were royalty itself. "Oh, but he's quite content where he is." He tilted his head, his mismatched eyes glinting with wicked amusement. "You, on the other hand, are far more interesting than I expected, Strawberry."

Quinella, standing beside her, muttered under her breath. "I swear, if that bunny joins his side…"

"He won't." Strawberry growled, eyes fixed on the king. "What do you want with us?"

Nyx leaned back in his throne, clearly relishing their frustration. "All in good time." He snapped his fingers, and the knights dragged them closer to the throne, stopping just short of the steps leading up to his seat. Muffin, oblivious to the tension, chirped happily and finished his strawberry.

Strawberry's eye twitched. Traitor.

Nyx's smile widened. "Now then… let's discuss why you are here."