"We must have been in this game for hours," Rukia mentioned as Chad and her walked along the murky paths of the sinister forest from Hell. "I wonder how the others are doing," she added as she glanced up at the taller werewolf – Chad.

"I bet they're doing fine," Chad insisted as his eyes were locked on the half-destroyed path in front of them. "Besides, it's the weekend. We have a long time to consistently play on here. Once we have defeated the boss floor, I'm sure some of us would have to go."

The demon, Rukia, looked up at the sky. It was covered in stars which shone majestically along with the moon which beautifully reflected its light to the mentioned stars. Though what was confusing about the moon was that it wasn't a pallid white like usual. It was more of a crimson colour. Like a blood moon. "I guess you're right. It would take a lot more than a few virtual monsters to take Ichigo down. Though I do kind of feel sorry for Orihime seen as though she's with the guy."

Chad grunted in question as why she would say that. Everyone knows that Orihime had a thing for Ichigo. So why would they need to feel sorry for the orange-haired female? That answer couldn't exactly be explained, but Rukia herself knew what she was talking about. Probably because the boy is naive. Very naive. Sometimes helpless when it comes to situations like these – especially awkward ones.

Finally, they had managed to reach the centre of the floor. The large cave-like structure in front of them – a dungeon no less – stood bravely as it towered over the duo. It was massive! A wave of tension flew over the small group of a werewolf and demon. Though as it flew over them, it passed instantly. They felt excited, though at the same time it was quite creepy and a little bit intimidating. It felt real to them. Despite the fact that it's not, it felt all too real.

The raven-haired, female demon looked around. "I don't think monsters like us today, we're not getting attacked as much as the others parties we see."

She leaned against the cold, sturdy wall of the dungeon an noticed that a party of three was heading this way – and fast. They looked exhausted, not to mention horrified! The aforementioned group of three were in the distance. The greenery seemed to be looming over them as they sprinted for their lives. Bu what didn't shock Chad and Rukia was the fact that the were darting towards them at an incredible speed. The taller one going faster than the other two who were screaming for him to wait for them. What did shock them was the fact that a large beast, looked more like a dragon, was following them! Its tail swished from side-to-side, his dagger-like teeth and claws were all but friendly. The beast was terrifying! Its blood red eyes pierced the souls of the innocent as it roared at their cowardice.

Despite its appearance, the monstrous creature was only a level nine monster. Nothing too scary, though they were still only on the first floor. It could have been a sub-boss. One of those who hide in peak of the weaker dungeons.

"Hey, Uryu! Slow down a bit, if we're dying so are you!" Rin yelled in an aggravated tone.

"I'm not running," Uryu stated loudly, almost shouting as he continued to sprint.

"Oh, it sure looks like it to me!"

"Stop it, you two! Look over there, there's some people!" Yukio mentioned as sweat rolled down their foreheads from running too much. Their stamina levels were getting low and fast. Why did they have to try a level eight dungeon?! Uryu Ishida was only a level five. The other two were level sixes. They passed through the first stage as if it was a summer breeze; the second stage was slightly harder. However, when it came to the boss stage, they must have been so lucky that the said side-dungeon didn't have a barrier that prevented them from leaving.

They looked over in the distance, then behind them. The dragon was on their tail and the beastly monster was catching up to them rapidly. In the distance, the two people looked at them bewilderedly. Even though their expression changed once they saw their chaser. The duo shook their heads rapidly; their hands moving that speed too. Rukia and Chad were the two in the distance, though it was hard for Uryu to notice that. They were gesturing him to not get any closer as they didn't want to die but a few feet away from them and they stopped. The dragon stopping too.

They skidded to a halt, standing side-by-side next to Rukia and Chad. The two looked devastated. Uryu's, Rin's and Yukio's health were almost at none – Rukia's and Chad's were at full. The dragon's at just above half – sort of an advantage for them.

They just had to save them now...

The destructive dragon in front of them growled, trying to strike fear into the hearts of the players who opposed them. It grinned at its new food. Fresh meat stood directly opposite of the beast. It psychotic smile was barely noticeable due to the fact that it had its mouth open ajar from the teeth which propped it up.

"Uryu?" Rukia wondered aloud as she glanced at the new additions to the group. Or at least she hoped they were allies. From what they did – nearly getting them all killed – it seemed as if they were against them. Even though they only needed help. She could tell from the bar above their heads that they could die if they have another hit or two from it.

"Rukia? Chad?" He wondered in amazement. He finally met his friends. Uryu looked at her, then back to the dragon so as not to let his guard down, with his crimson eyes that held determination. "I'm glad I found you guys. This is a one in a life time question I'm going to ask. But... can you help us?"

"Sure," Chad said as the two scattered. Rukia around the left of the dragon, Chad around the right. "Just use this time to heal yourself and go look for Ichigo and the others."

Rin, Yukio and Uryu nodded at what the bulky werewolf said. They quickly swiped the air around them, bringing up the menu as they made their way down to their inventory. Scanning it for healing potions. The trio made sure they had stocked up on loads. This way they weren't going to die quicker. Although, it the duo weren't there to save them, they would have died. That would have been petrifying.

"Return to Hell from whence you came; Incinerate level two!" Rukia yelled as she held out her palms, a small burst of fire flicked from her palms, setting the dragon on fire for a brief moment. It grunted in pain as the flame spell did barely any damage. Turning its attention to the female demon. The raven-haired girl stepped back, her eyes flying off in every direction as she looked for a weaker place. Its scales were red as they shone from the reflection of the red, blood moon. They looked as if they were on fire.

Flames of fury built up in the beast's mouth, spinning around in its jaws before it let out a burst of flames! Quickly, Chad who was on the other side, jumped up in the air, landing on the deadly head of the brutal beast, its eyes glaring up at him. It felt like it was chipping away at his soul. Brushing off the feeling, Chad raised his claws in the air, fur rippling in the wind as his claws reflected red. Crimson red. His hand descended into the skull, tearing out the flesh of the beast as blood trickled down the monster's head. It yelled in agony as it flailed its body around in an attempt to take down one of them with it.

The dastardly creature's HP was decreasing at an alarming rate from the critical hit. Chad's claws soaked in blood as he jumped off the dragon of which fell to the floor. Dead. They all examined the monster. Uryu, Rin and Yukio gazed wide-eyed. He flicked the liquid off of his claws, the substance landing on the floor, staining the ground beneath them. The beast disappeared at its pixels scattered, rising to the sky before it vanished into the sinister night. However, they also noticed a smaller amount of particles quite far in the distance floating upwards before it vanished into nothingness.

"Hey, guys!" A voice yelled out from the shadows. Two figures gradually came closer as they ran. "Did we miss anything?" The figures came into sight, and a few of the larger group's members noticed who he was. A werewolf, claws like daggers, teeth like knives. The other member of the smaller group was a female vampire. Two teeth – thin, yet strong – stuck out. Stretching to just above the chin. Both of the figures had orange hair, one longer than the other. Both of them looked relieved as they had finally found their friends after a long period of searching for them. Ichigo and Orihime wiped the sweat from their foreheads as they came to a halt, standing opposite the group of which consisted of Rin, Yukio, Uryu, Rukio and Chad.

Chad looked around at the other members. They seemed to have gotten over what just happened. Their health were at full and their stamina had slightly regenerated. He shook his head and grunted in a way of saying 'no' and turned to face the dungeon before saying, "we should go."

"Right," the group said simultaneously as they walked into the depths of the abyss-like dungeon.

"So, are you Ichigo?" Rin asked the orange-haired werewolf. His hands were behind his head, supporting it as he walked freely and carelessly.

Ichigo turned his attention to the boy who asked, a demon. He had wings which sprouted from his back, his tail randomly flicking back and forth, side to side. His blue eyes were locked onto Ichigo's hazel-brown colour. There were determination in both pairs of eyes along with a spark of fire. Fire which fuelled them. Fire which enabled them to do whatever they like, whenever. It was stubbornness as well as hope. "Yeah, I am. Who are you?" He turned his face back to the path they were walking down.

"I'm Rin, Rin Okumura."

"Well, Rin, nice to meet you. Who's the other one?"

"Oh Yukio? That's my little brother. We're twins."

"Twins?" Ichigo asked, looking over to the brown-haired male, then back to Rin. He held a perplexed expression on his face as he cocked his head slightly. "You don't exactly look like twins."

Rin laughed slightly. "I know, we get that a lot."

"But wait, how can you be older if you're his twin."

"I was born first."

"Right," Ichigo dead-panned as he mentally slapped himself.

"Who's the girl?"

"That's Orihime," Ichigo smiled. "I'd never let her get hurt."

"Know her outside the game?"

"Yeah, we're great friends. We go to the same high school."

"Do you two-?"

"No, we don't!" Ichigo said rapidly, a blush creeping up on his face. Earning a mischievous grin from the demon-boy.

"Level seven, nice one Asuna," Kirito said as he sheathed his sword. "How are you holding up, Suguha?" He asked, turning to face his adoptive sister who was currently fighting off a flaming, red Imp. Its tail was pointy and slightly small as it held a dagger in one hand. The Imp had a cheeky smile upon its face as it continuously laughed at the woman who struggled to fight it off. It wasn't her fault she was only level five.

"I'm doing... fine!" She reassured, pushing away the creature with her battleaxe. "You're the one taking all of my kills. I can't level up when you're rushing through this all!" She aimed to attack the red creature but it dodged just before she could hit it. Who knew something so small could be so annoying? Usually they're cuter. But not this one. Suguha had never known anything so annoying! This game was really getting to her. It was fun – though it did get quite annoying at times.

"Ha!" She yelled as she speedily raced around the Imp, slicing it as she sent it flying! The tiny creature's particles disappearing as it scattered off into the night. Looking up, she also noticed more particles coming from the direction they were headed off to. It was a much larger portion compared to the one she sent upwards. Suguha was annoyed at this. She could barely defeat a simple Imp, and somewhere else people are defeating much harder creatures.

Suddenly, from nowhere, a party of five vampires appear! They surrounded the group, closing in on them as Kirito managed to see their levels. All of the enemy vampires seemed to be level six. This wasn't exactly going to be easy due to the fact that they're in a PvP zone. Not to mention they're outnumbered, five to three. However, there was one vampire in particular that he noticed. He looked different – and his level was eight...

"What are you doing?" Kirito asked cautiously as he ripped his sword out from behind him. The onyx blade shone from the crimson reflection of the moon.

"We've seen you fight; we've come to take all your possessions! So hand it over before we kill you!" The higher levelled enemy stated as he came closer.

The group stood their ground, Asuna with her claw-enhancing gauntlets at the ready. Suguha with her sword out with one of her hands, a fireball at the ready in her other hand. Their eyes were set and focussed on winning. They weren't about to let their adversaries have their way and win. They'd rather die before they had what they wanted.

"Oh really?"Kirito challenged. "Try it!"