SAO: Strawberry Bunny

Nyx's voice echoed in the throne room, calm and almost sing-song, as though he were speaking to guests at a lavish banquet rather than two prisoners. "You've caused quite the stir on this floor, haven't you? Clearing labyrinths, fighting dragons, and even collecting mysterious gemstones." He rested his chin on one hand, his fingers tapping idly against his cheek. "Most fascinating indeed."

Strawberry's fists clenched, her chains rattling slightly. "I don't care how fascinating you think we are. What do you want, Nyx?" Her tone was sharp and defiant, though her eyes darted toward Muffin, who had now nestled happily in the folds of Nyx's robes. The little bunny gave a contented chirp, entirely unaware of the growing tension.

Quinella shot her a subtle look of warning, whispering, "Careful. Don't provoke him."

Nyx's mismatched eyes flicked to Quinella, and he smiled like a predator spotting something particularly entertaining. "Ah, the silver-haired one. Always so composed, yet quick to action. And you…" He tilted his head toward Strawberry. "The masked troublemaker who dances between the shadows. But I digress."

He straightened, his voice dropping an octave. "I am no tyrant—at least, not to those who understand their place. You have upset the delicate balance of my floor. And that, my dear girls, cannot go unanswered."

Quinella scowled, violet eyes narrowing. "Balance? You mean the balance where you enslave and twist Faune into abominations? Or are we talking about the part where you terrorize the forest for your own sick games?"

Nyx's smile never faltered. "Perspective is such a fascinating thing. What you call abominations, I call evolution. As for the forest… well, it is mine to use as I see fit."

Strawberry grit her teeth, her gaze locking onto Nyx's smug expression. "You kidnapped us for this? To lecture us about your twisted version of balance?"

Nyx chuckled, the sound soft and cold. "No. I kidnapped you because you possess something that interests me. Or rather, some things."

At this, he gestured lazily with his hand. A soft hum echoed through the chamber as a glowing projection materialized in the air between them. Floating above Nyx's palm were vivid images of the three gemstones: the topaz, amethyst, and sapphire they had collected during the Dragon Hunter's questline. Each one pulsed with a faint light, sparks occasionally flaring as though the stones themselves resisted being captured even in projection form.

Strawberry's heart dropped. He knows about the gemstones.

"How do you know about those?" Quinella demanded, her voice tight.

Nyx gave her a pitying look. "Oh, my dear, there's little that happens on my floor that escapes my notice. Especially when it involves dragons… and old magics."

The mention of "old magics" made Strawberry glance toward Quinella, her mind racing. The dragons. Nukal had hinted that these stones were more than they seemed, but just how much did Nyx know?

Nyx stood, his tall, elegant frame descending the steps of his throne with an unsettling grace. The royal knights flanked either side, their gleaming armor echoing faintly in the cavernous space. As he approached, Muffin hopped down from his lap and scurried over to Strawberry. The little bunny nuzzled against her leg, chirping innocently.

Strawberry crouched slightly, her chains rattling as she whispered, "You okay, buddy? Traitor…" Despite her muttered complaint, her relief was palpable.

Nyx ignored the exchange entirely, his attention fixed on the two captives. "These gemstones are not mere trinkets. They are pieces of something far older—far more powerful—than any of you can imagine." His eyes flickered, the golden one glimmering dangerously. "And I intend to claim that power."

Quinella tensed, her voice quiet but resolute. "You'll have to kill us first."

Nyx raised an eyebrow, a cruel smirk tugging at his lips. "A tempting thought, but unnecessary." He turned his back to them, his robes billowing faintly as he spoke. "I do not require you to cooperate willingly. Whether you bring me the other pieces yourselves… or whether I take them from you as corpses makes little difference to me."

Strawberry felt a cold knot form in her stomach. She glanced at Quinella, who gave her a slight nod—a silent confirmation. They needed to get out of here.

Muffin, seemingly oblivious to the tension, began pawing at Strawberry's chains. His little nose twitched, and his horn gave off a faint, almost imperceptible glow. Strawberry blinked, her mind catching onto something. Muffin?

Nyx continued speaking, his tone casual, almost conversational. "You will remain my guests for the time being. I suggest you reflect on your position here in Faerie. It would be… unfortunate if you chose to resist."

As Nyx turned to leave, Strawberry felt a sudden snap of energy against her wrists. The faint glow of Muffin's horn intensified for a split second, and the Fae chains loosened slightly—just enough for her to feel hope stir in her chest.

Good bunny.

Quinella noticed the shift too, her eyes darting to Muffin before focusing on Strawberry. Her voice was calm, controlled, but her words carried urgency. "We'll see about that, your majesty."

Nyx turned his head slightly, as if intrigued by her defiance, but said nothing. He raised a hand, and the royal knights began to usher the girls back toward their holding chamber.

As they walked, Strawberry leaned toward Quinella and whispered, "Muffin's up to something. If we play this right, we might have a chance."

Quinella smirked faintly, though her eyes remained sharp. "Then let's make sure we don't waste it."

Once they were thrown back into their holding cell, the door slammed shut with a resounding thud. The faint hum of magic sealed it in place, leaving the two girls alone with Muffin.

Strawberry immediately dropped to her knees, ruffling Muffin's fur. "You sneaky little genius. Did you just unlock my chains?"

Muffin chirped happily, his ears twitching as if to say You're welcome. His horn glimmered faintly again, and the remaining energy on Strawberry's chains dissipated entirely. Quinella watched in awe as Strawberry shook her wrists free.

"I take back every time I thought him a freeloading troublemaker," Quinella muttered, holding out her wrists expectantly. "Do me next."

Strawberry grinned, her confidence returning. "On it." She gently guided Muffin to Quinella's chains, and within seconds, the glowing bindings crumbled away.

Free at last, the two girls shared a look. Strawberry's grin turned sharp and determined. "Time to ruin Nyx's day."

Quinella's violet eyes sparkled with an almost dangerous light. "Let's make him regret ever underestimating us."

Strawberry scooped Muffin up, the bunny chirping with excitement as the three of them prepared to escape the depths of Nyx's castle. The Fae King might have been powerful, but he had just made one very critical mistake.

He pissed off a pink haired girl. Everyone knows to never anger one them.

Strawberry's sharp, focused expression softened just slightly as she looked down at Muffin, the little furball secure in her arms and radiating triumphant smugness. "Good work, partner," she whispered with a grin. Her scythe-shaped eyes glinted with mischievous intent.

Quinella stretched her newly freed arms, rolling her wrists as she spoke in a sarcastic drawl. "Oh, fantastic. We're free from the chains, but last I checked, we're still stuck in a castle full of Fae knights. Got any bright ideas on what happens next, fearless leader?"

Strawberry smirked, the mask on her face giving her a sharp edge as she glanced toward the glowing exit of the cell. "Simple. We find our weapons, and we leave. Preferably after making a mess."

Quinella raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "And where are we leaving to, exactly? You want to sit down for afternoon tea in Aruyt while Nyx hunts us down?"

Strawberry shook her head. "Nope. We're going straight to the third floor labyrinth."

Quinella blinked, stunned. "The labyrinth? You mean the next boss fight? You want to escape into the most dangerous place on this floor?!"

"Think about it," Strawberry replied, her voice low but deliberate. "The labyrinth's crawling with mobs and traps. Nyx might control this floor, but not the labyrinth itself. He'd have to pull his knights back or risk losing them. It's the one place he'll hesitate to follow us. And if we get to the boss room…" She grinned darkly. "Well, nobody's going to want to mess with us in there."

Quinella sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You are absolutely insane."

"You're still following me, though."

"I blame the bunny," Quinella muttered, nodding toward Muffin, who chirped happily, ears twitching as if he agreed with Strawberry's wild plan.

The corridors of Nyx's castle were bathed in an eerie twilight glow, the faint shimmer of fae magic reflecting off the marble floors and intricate columns. The occasional whisper or distant footstep echoed faintly, making the air feel even heavier.

Strawberry peeked around a corner, her keen eyes scanning the long hallway. She held Muffin close, her voice barely above a whisper. "We need to find the armory. No way I'm fighting fae guards barehanded."

Quinella nodded. "Agreed. I feel naked without my Blade of Storms."

The two crept through the halls like shadows, Muffin perched on Strawberry's shoulder, his little nose twitching as though sniffing out danger—or perhaps treasure. The trio dodged patrols by slipping into alcoves and weaving through side passages. Strawberry's years of assassin-like instincts were coming in handy, and Quinella followed her lead with surprising grace.

Eventually, they came to a grand pair of double doors etched with swirling designs of branches and stars. Strawberry pressed her ear to the door and listened. The faint clink of metal confirmed her suspicion.

"The armory," she whispered.

Quinella smirked. "About time. Let's get our stuff and turn this place upside down."

Carefully pushing open the heavy doors, they slipped inside. The room was immense, lined with racks of gleaming weapons—swords, spears, daggers, and bows, all crafted with a mix of natural elegance and dangerous precision. Fae weapons, infused with their magic, glimmered faintly in the dim light.

"Fancy," Quinella muttered, scanning the room.

Strawberry spotted her scythe, the Radiant Scythe of the Rose Moon, propped on a stand at the far end of the armory. It glowed faintly in recognition as she approached, and the moment her hand gripped the hilt, a pulse of energy shot through her, familiar and reassuring.

"Missed me?" she whispered to the weapon, feeling its power hum in her grip.

Quinella retrieved her Blade of Storms, its violet energy crackling faintly along the edge as she lifted it. "Now we're talking."

Muffin let out a pleased chirp, hopping onto Strawberry's shoulder as though declaring mission complete.

Armed and ready, the two girls crouched by the door, mentally preparing themselves for what came next.

Strawberry glanced at Quinella. "We'll have to fight our way out. Quiet's not an option anymore."

Quinella flashed a wry smile. "Good. I'm better at loud."

Strawberry couldn't help but grin. "I'll distract as many as I can. You cover me."

Quinella raised her sword, the Blade of Storms glowing faintly. "Ready when you are."

With a shared nod, Strawberry kicked open the doors, and the alarm sounded immediately—a shrill, echoing cry that spread through the castle like wildfire. Fae knights appeared almost instantly, their glowing weapons drawn as they charged into the armory.

"Now!" Strawberry shouted, spinning her scythe in a deadly arc. The first knight to approach was cut down before he could swing, her blade moving so fast it was little more than a blur. Quinella followed suit, her sword crackling as she sliced through the air, arcs of purple lightning striking nearby enemies.

The escape was a blur of chaos. Strawberry's wires shot forward, tangling up guards and sending them crashing into walls, while her scythe carved a path through the ranks. Quinella moved like lightning, her blade crackling with energy as it danced through her enemies, the air shimmering with every strike.

"Move! Don't slow down!" Strawberry shouted as more knights flooded the halls.

Quinella ducked under a swing, her violet eyes blazing. "I'm not slowing down—you're the one talking too much!"

Muffin, still perched on Strawberry's shoulder, let out an encouraging squeak as the trio fought their way toward the castle gates.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the massive gates came into view. Two colossal guards blocked the way, their enchanted spears crackling with dark energy.

Quinella smirked. "Big guys, huh?"

Strawberry spun her scythe, a wicked grin on her face. "I've got left. You've got right."

"Deal."

The two girls surged forward, their weapons glowing. Quinella's Blade of Storms struck first, releasing a surge of violet lightning that crackled across her opponent's armor. Strawberry followed suit, her scythe cleaving through the air with deadly precision. Together, they overwhelmed the guards in a flurry of strikes.

The gates groaned open, and Strawberry, Quinella, and Muffin burst into the cool night air of the third floor.

Breathing heavily, the trio didn't stop to look back. The sound of pursuit was close behind, but the shadow of the labyrinth loomed in the distance—a dark maze that promised equal parts danger and refuge.

Quinella glanced at Strawberry, her voice laced with disbelief and exhilaration. "We actually did it."

Strawberry smirked, her mask glinting in the moonlight. "Told you. Never underestimate a pissed off pink-haired girl. I have plans to make that pointy eared bastard pay the next time I come to this floor."

As they ran toward the labyrinth, the echoes of Nyx's furious voice carried faintly on the wind, a promise that this escape wouldn't go unanswered.

But for now, they had a head start—and they were going to make it count.