SAO: Strawberry Bunny

Meanwhile, deep within the shadowed elegance of his throne room, Nyx, King of the Fae, sat languidly upon his ornate throne of twisted silver and dark vines. His elbow rested lazily on the armrest, and his chin was propped up in his palm, a faint smirk curling at the corner of his lips. The glow of bioluminescent flowers lined the room with a faint blue light, giving the entire chamber a dreamlike—yet foreboding—aura.

Before him, the battered and demoralized Royal Knights knelt in a tight row, heads bowed in silent shame as their king regarded them. Nyx's piercing mismatched eyes—one glowing like a sapphire star and the other dark as the void—flicked over his knights with cool disinterest.

The soft tapping of his fingers echoed through the throne room like a ticking clock, the only sound save for the labored breaths of the knights.

"So…" Nyx finally broke the silence, his smooth voice oozing with sardonic amusement. "Where are they?"

His tone was deceptively light, as though he were casually inquiring about the weather. But everyone in the room knew better. There was no mistaking the undertone of danger in his words.

One of the knights dared to lift his head, his voice trembling as he spoke. "Your Majesty… we tracked them as you commanded. They made their way toward the Dark Thicket."

Nyx's eyes sharpened, the idle tapping of his fingers ceasing in an instant. "The Dark Thicket?" His voice carried an edge now—soft but deadly, like silk concealing a dagger.

"Yes, my lord," the knight continued hurriedly. "We pursued them to the labyrinth, but… they disappeared within its depths. The labyrinth's magic—it works against even us."

Nyx's smirk faltered ever so slightly. For the first time, an irritation rippled across his otherwise unbothered visage. "Oh, how quaint," he drawled, sitting up straighter. "Escaping into the one place even my magic is reluctant to touch. Clever little mortals…"

He rose to his feet with the grace of a dancer, his dark cloak flowing behind him like living shadow. The knights flinched as Nyx strode down the dais, his boots making no sound as he approached.

The Royal Knights visibly tensed, expecting retribution. But Nyx walked past them without so much as a glance. Instead, he paused at the tall, arched windows overlooking the expanse of Faerie. His hands rested behind his back, and his voice rang out coldly.

"You disappoint me," he said softly, though the words carried through the room like thunder. "They were two girls—one wielding a rabbit and the other playing with lightning. Children in the eyes of the Fae. And yet they slipped through your fingers." He turned his head slightly, a cruel smile touching his lips. "You'll find no excuse that will satisfy me."

The knights flinched as the shadows in the room pulsed slightly in response to Nyx's growing frustration.

"But…" Nyx continued, his tone softening, "failure can be forgiven if corrected." He turned to face them fully now, his mismatched eyes gleaming with malice. "You say they've entered the Dark Thicket? How fortunate. Blightwood will either break them—or destroy them entirely."

He raised one slender finger, and the shadows in the room began to coil and writhe at his command. "Send my elite knights to the labyrinth's edge. I want them waiting for those two when they crawl back out. If they do crawl back out." He chuckled, the sound chilling.

"And this time," he said, his voice dropping an octave, "do not fail me."

The Royal Knights bowed low, murmuring frantic pledges of obedience. As they scrambled to their feet and hurried from the throne room, Nyx turned back toward the window, his smile returning as he looked out over his dominion.

"Run all you like, little mortals," he whispered to himself, his voice as cold as the night. "You'll only tire yourselves before I catch you."

A soft rustle drew his attention downward. Perched on the arm of his throne, the ever-curious Muffin had left behind a faint, snowy-white tuft of fur. Nyx plucked it between his fingers, inspecting it with faint amusement.

"Perhaps I'll keep the rabbit after all," he mused, tossing the tuft into the wind where it dissolved into shadow. "Every king deserves a jester."

With a low laugh, Nyx returned to his throne, lounging with smug satisfaction as the faint whispers of the labyrinth's ancient magic echoed in his ears.

Far beyond his castle, in the Dark Thicket, he knew the real game had already begun.

====

Strawberry, Muffin, and Quinella emerged from the staircase leading to the fourth floor, their breaths visible in the frigid air almost immediately. The icy chill wrapped around them like an unwelcome embrace, biting through their layers and drawing startled exclamations from both girls.

"It's Cooooooold!" Strawberry and Quinella yelled in unison, their voices echoing through the silent, snow-laden forest.

Muffin let out a high-pitched chirp from within Strawberry's hood, where he had wisely burrowed into the warm fabric. Strawberry adjusted her hood instinctively, trying to shield both herself and her tiny companion from the freezing temperatures.

"I knew it was going to be snowy, but this is ridiculous," Quinella muttered, pulling her winter cloak tighter around her shoulders. Her new boots crunched against the snow as she adjusted the scarf wrapped snugly around her neck.

Strawberry glanced at her, her teeth chattering slightly despite her attempt to appear unfazed. "Why do I get the feeling this floor is going to be nothing but frostbite and regrets?"

Quinella smirked, a teasing glint in her violet eyes. "Well, at least we'll be well-dressed while suffering."

They both took a moment to appreciate the thick, stylish winter gear they had picked up during Quinella's infamous shopping spree. Strawberry's outfit was practical yet striking—a black-and-fuchsia jacket with fur-lined edges that matched her overall color scheme, paired with insulated pants and sturdy boots. Quinella, on the other hand, looked like she had stepped out of a winter fashion catalog, her silvery-blue coat glinting like frost under the faint sunlight.

The landscape around them was breathtaking despite the bitter cold. Towering evergreen trees rose to incredible heights, their branches heavy with snow. Smaller cedars and countless other pines filled the gaps, creating a dense, pristine woodland. Rolling hills stretched as far as the eye could see, dotted with frozen lakes and icy rivers that glittered under the faint daylight. Occasionally, the sound of cracking ice echoed in the distance, a reminder of the treacherous terrain beneath the beauty.

"Let's find an inn before we freeze to death," Quinella suggested, already scanning the horizon for signs of civilization.

Strawberry nodded, clutching her scythe tightly. "Preferably one with a blazing fireplace and some hot food. I'm not fighting anything in this cold unless it's for survival."

The two trudged forward, their boots crunching against the powdery snow. The air was heavy with silence, broken only by the occasional gust of wind that sent a flurry of snow cascading from the trees above. Despite the cold, the world around them had a serene beauty that was hard to ignore.

After what felt like an eternity of trudging through the cold, the girls finally spotted a small village nestled in a clearing. Smoke rose from the chimneys of quaint wooden houses, and the faint glow of lanterns cast a warm, inviting light against the snowy backdrop. The village, known as Snowfrost, was a collection of tightly packed homes, each one radiating the warmth of life within.

As they approached, the comforting sounds of laughter and conversation reached their ears, a stark contrast to the eerie silence of the forest. The villagers were a hardy-looking bunch, clad in thick furs and heavy boots. Some carried stacks of firewood, while others busied themselves mending tools or tending to sled dogs.

"Now this," Quinella said, her breath puffing in the cold air, "is exactly what we need."

Strawberry couldn't help but agree. Her fingers were numb even inside her gloves, and the thought of a warm fire and a hot meal was the only thing keeping her moving.

The inn was easy to spot, its sign swinging gently in the wind. The Hearthstead, it was called, and true to its name, the interior was a haven of warmth and comfort. A large fireplace roared in the center of the common room, its flames casting a golden glow over the wooden beams and rustic furniture. The smell of stew and fresh-baked bread filled the air, making Strawberry's stomach growl audibly.

They approached the innkeeper, a stout woman with rosy cheeks and a cheerful demeanor. "Welcome to Snowfrost! You two look like you could use some warming up. Rooms are upstairs, and there's stew on the fire."

Quinella handled the arrangements with her usual elegance, securing a room for the night and ordering two bowls of stew. Strawberry found a table near the fire, letting Muffin hop out of her hood to stretch his tiny legs.

The little rabbit immediately drew the attention of the other patrons, who cooed and chuckled as Muffin twitched his nose and explored the warm room. One child even offered him a piece of bread, which Muffin eagerly accepted.

Quinella returned with the steaming bowls of stew, setting them down on the table with a satisfied sigh. "Here's to surviving the fourth floor," she said, raising her spoon in mock toast.

Strawberry chuckled, clinking her spoon against Quinella's. "Here's to finding the boss room before we turn into popsicles."

As they ate, the lively chatter of the inn's other patrons began to drift into their conversation. Strawberry couldn't help but eavesdrop on snippets of conversation from the nearby tables.

"...strange howling last night. Sounded like it came from the deep woods…"

"Snowmaw's just a story to scare the kids. There's no way it's real."

"I heard someone spotted tracks near the frozen lake. Big ones."

Strawberry exchanged a glance with Quinella, who arched an eyebrow. "Sounds like this floor has its own share of legends."

"Great," Strawberry muttered, her tone dry. "Because what we need right now is a giant, man-eating beast to make things even more fun."

Quinella smirked, leaning back in her chair. "At least we'll have a good story to tell if we survive."

Muffin, having finished his piece of bread, hopped onto the table and nudged Strawberry's bowl, clearly looking for more. She obliged with a small chunk of carrot from her stew, shaking her head in amusement.

As the fire crackled and the snow continued to fall outside, the trio found themselves settling into the rhythm of Snowfrost. For the first time since entering the fourth floor, they felt a glimmer of warmth—not just from the fire, but from the sense of camaraderie and determination that bound them together.

Tomorrow, the journey would continue, but for tonight, they allowed themselves this brief moment of peace.