SAO: Strawberry Bunny

Many of you mentioned that the pictures I suggested seemed too masculine for a female character, so I've been working on creating new ones with a touch more femininity.

Either that or keep the same cover as is? Quite frankly, I like the current cover already. Just let me know in the comments.

After leaving Kaelin's forge, Strawberry made her way through the bustling streets of Urbus, her mind already racing with strategies for the upcoming adventure. The scythe rested comfortably on her back, its weight barely noticeable despite its size. The streets were busier now, with players and NPCs going about their daily business—merchants selling their wares, blacksmiths working at their forges, and adventurers gearing up for their own quests.

But Strawberry wasn't focused on the hustle and bustle of the city. Her mind was set on her next destination: the central plaza, where she was supposed to meet Quinella, the mysterious and elegant woman who had become her ally.

As she neared the plaza, she spotted Quinella standing by the large fountain that dominated the square, her silver hair catching the light of the mid-morning sun. She was dressed in her usual flowing attire, the fabric of her cloak swaying gently in the breeze. Her expression, as always, was calm and collected, her violet eyes scanning the crowds with a quiet intensity.

Strawberry approached with a nod of greeting, Muffin still perched on her shoulder. The little horned bunny chirped softly, his bright eyes fixed on Quinella as if he recognized her from their previous encounters.

"You're early," Quinella said with a small smile as Strawberry came to a stop beside her.

"Figured it'd be best to get a head start," Strawberry replied, her hand resting on the scythe's handle. "I've got everything I need now."

Quinella's gaze flicked to the scythe strapped to Strawberry's back, her violet eyes widening slightly as she took in the weapon's new form. "That's… different," she remarked, her tone tinged with curiosity. "Kaelin outdid herself, I see."

Strawberry nodded, her fingers brushing over the smooth, obsidian-black handle. "It's definitely more than what I was expecting. It's been a while since I played using a scythe."

Quinella's eyes gleamed with understanding. "That would explain it. I was trying to figure out what weapon you specialize in that would cause you to move so gracefully." She chuckled a little, "The scythe would make sense, though. Scythe-wielding is like a ballet; the way the wielder moves their feet feels like they are dancing. It's beautiful."

Hearing the beautiful silver-haired girl's words, Strawberry couldn't hide her blush. 

As they turned to leave the plaza, Muffin stirred from his resting place beneath Strawberry's hood, his little nose twitching as he sniffed the air. The bunny poked his head out, blinking sleepily as he adjusted to the sunlight. He let out a soft chirp, clearly curious about what was happening.

Quinella's eyes immediately softened, her usually composed expression brightening as her gaze landed on Muffin. Her violet eyes sparkled with delight, and she took a small step closer, her lips curving into a rare, genuine smile.

"Well, hello there, little one," she murmured, her voice softer than Strawberry had ever heard it. "Did you have a pleasant nap?"

Muffin, in response, yawned and stretched his back, earning a chuckle from Strawberry and Quinella. 

Strawberry and Quinella had been traversing the rough mountain paths for hours, their footsteps crunching over loose stones and jagged terrain. The journey to the coordinates where the next dragon's nest should be was grueling, and they had ventured far beyond where any NPC dared to travel. As the jagged peaks of the 2nd Floor's mountains loomed overhead, the path became increasingly treacherous, the wind biting at their skin, the air thin and cold.

Despite the harshness of the environment, the two adventurers pressed forward with purpose, their minds fixed on the mission ahead. Strawberry could feel the weight of the Radiant Scythe of the Rose Moon on her back, a comforting presence, as if the weapon itself was ready for the battle that lay ahead. Muffin, nestled comfortably in her hood, had been uncharacteristically quiet during the climb, occasionally shifting or sniffing the air but otherwise staying hidden from the biting wind.

Quinella led the way, her violet eyes sharp as she scanned the rocky landscape. "According to the map, we're getting close," she said, her voice steady despite the grueling pace. "The dragon's nest should be somewhere just up ahead."

Strawberry nodded, her gaze shifting toward the rocky cliffside. "Let's keep moving. We're in the heart of goblin territory now. If Gaindogrig has sent any scouts, we'll need to be ready."

The further they ventured into the mountains, the more desolate the terrain became. Vegetation was sparse, and the jagged rocks and cliffs seemed to loom over them like ominous sentinels. Occasionally, they would pass strange, worn symbols carved into the stone—old markings from long-forgotten civilizations that once inhabited this floor of Aincrad.

Suddenly, Muffin stirred in Strawberry's hood, his nose twitching as he perked up. Before she could ask him what was wrong, the little horned bunny leaped out of her hood, landing lightly on the ground and sniffing the air.

"What is it, Muffin?" Strawberry asked, crouching down beside him.

Muffin let out a soft chirp, his little nose pointing toward a section of the cliff face. At first glance, it looked like just another part of the rock wall, but as Strawberry looked closer, she noticed something odd—a narrow crack running along the stone, barely noticeable in the dim light of the setting sun.

"There," Quinella said, following Strawberry's gaze. "That's got to be it."

Without hesitation, Strawberry slipped through the narrow opening, her body pressing against the rough stone as she squeezed through the hidden entrance. The tunnel beyond was dark and cramped, the air damp and heavy with the scent of earth. Quinella followed closely behind, her form sliding through the tight space as they descended deeper into the mountainside.

The tunnel wound downward, twisting and turning as it led them further into the mountain. The deeper they went, the more the atmosphere changed. The walls of the tunnel, once rough and natural, gradually became smoother, as though they had been carved by some great force long ago. The temperature dropped, and a faint hum of magic filled the air, causing the hairs on the back of Strawberry's neck to stand on end.

After what felt like an eternity, the tunnel finally opened up into a massive, domed cavern. The cave was enormous, easily large enough to house the dragon they had been searching for. The walls were smooth, almost unnaturally so, as if they had been shaped by magic rather than nature. The ceiling stretched high above them, disappearing into the shadows, and the floor was covered in a thin layer of mist that seemed to swirl around their feet.

In the center of the cave, multiple eggs sat in a neat cluster, their surfaces shimmering faintly in the dim light. The eggs were large, nearly as tall as Strawberry herself, and their shells were a deep, amethyst color that glowed with a faint internal light. They pulsed gently, as though some great energy was contained within them.

But there was no sign of the dragon.

Strawberry's brow furrowed as she scanned the cavern, her hand instinctively reaching for the handle of her scythe. The absence of the dragon made the cave feel eerily quiet, despite the hum of magic in the air. Muffin chirped nervously, hopping in circles around her feet, clearly sensing that something was amiss.

"Where is it?" Strawberry murmured, her eyes scanning the misty cave. "There should be a dragon here."

Quinella stepped forward, her violet eyes narrowing as she examined the eggs. "These are fresh," she said softly, running her hand along one of the eggs' smooth surfaces. "The dragon can't be far."

Suddenly, the faintest sound of metal sliding against leather reached Strawberry's ears. Her heart skipped a beat, and before she could react, she felt the cold, unmistakable press of a blade against her back.

"Don't move," a woman's voice hissed from behind her. It was low, cold, and filled with the weight of someone who was not to be trifled with. "Tell me why you're here, or I'll cut you down where you stand."

Strawberry stiffened, her grip tightening on the handle of her scythe, but she didn't move. Quinella turned slowly, her expression calm and measured as her eyes locked onto the figure behind Strawberry.

"We're not here to harm the dragon," Quinella said evenly, her voice carrying an air of authority. "We're here to help."

There was a pause, the blade pressing more firmly against Strawberry's back as if to test her resolve. Then, slowly, the pressure eased, and the weapon was lowered.

"You have two minutes to explain yourselves," the woman said, her voice still cautious but no longer threatening.

Strawberry turned around carefully to face the woman who had so easily gotten the drop on her. She was tall and lithe, with dark hair that fell in waves around her shoulders. Her eyes were sharp, filled with suspicion, and her armor was well-worn, suggesting a life lived on the edge. In her hand, she held a gleaming sword, the blade still partially drawn.

"I'm Gianna," she said after a moment, her gaze shifting between Strawberry and Quinella. "And if you're lying to me, it will be the last thing you do."

"We're not lying," Strawberry said, lifting her hands slightly to show she meant no harm. "We're adventurers, like you. We were sent here because we heard rumors about Gaindogrig and his goblins."

"Gaindogrig…" Gianna's expression darkened at the mention of the name. "So, you know about him. Then you must understand why I'm so cautious."

Quinella stepped forward. "We've heard that Gaindogrig has been gathering power since the fall of the last floor boss. He's intimidated local goblins into serving him, and we've come to stop him before he can attack the nearby villages."

Gianna lowered her sword fully now, though the tension in her body didn't ease. "It's more than just goblins. Gaindogrig has grown too confident, and his influence is spreading. He's already captured one of Ormi's hatchlings." She gestured toward the eggs. "These are Ormi's remaining children. If anything happens to them…"

Her voice trailed off, but the warning in her tone was clear.

"Ormi?" Strawberry asked, her interest piqued. "The dragon?"

Gianna nodded. "Yes, Ormi. She's been living here in secret for a long time. Most believe her to be nothing more than a myth, but she's very real. And though she's large and powerful, combat isn't her strength. She can't protect her eggs or her hatchling from Gaindogrig, and that's where I come in. I've been guarding her nest."

Quinella and Strawberry exchanged a glance. They had come here expecting to fight a dragon, but now they were being pulled into a much larger conflict than they had realized.

"Can we meet Ormi?" Quinella asked. "We want to help, but we need to understand the full picture."

Gianna studied them for a long moment before nodding. "Follow me."