Been a few months, what's up with y'all? I've returned. Oh, and little side note, I may or may not change names for the dialogue depending on the character. So y'all know Kuroyukihime and/or Black Lotus. It'll change at some point when the characters are close enough in my opinion. Anyway, not much else to say lmao, sorry for edging you all. (Finals can suck one, seriously, like fr fr)

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the SAO/AW characters nor the franchise itself.

It's been around a few weeks since he'd conquered Ama no Iwato with his group of his friends. Currently, Umbra Itsuka or Ruby Raven and his companion and grace, Amaterasu? Well, more like she was watching from within. They found themselves in the heat of battle with The World End. It's what they'd been calling her, said she took after Graphite Edge by quite a bit, and even wondered if she would win.

"Ngghh.. Dang, you're super sharp for some reason! I can't let my guard up for a single damn second!" (Umbra)

He found himself dodging a hand, or was it really? It seemed like this person's body was mostly made up on blades, even on the hands and feet themselves.

"As it should be! You shouldn't have looked down on me anyway! Now it's coming right back for you!"

This was a normal duel in Brain Burst. His opponent? A person that went by Black Lotus.

"Yeah Lotus, it really is! I can see it, and you're aware of my specialty! I'm perfectly aware of YOURS too! This is the REAL heat and tension we're supposed to feel!" (Umbra)

"You're right about that! Do you know why I challenged you, Raven?!" (Black Lotus)

"Nope! Honestly, I never really question it much with challengers! I just fight to learn more and more every single time! To break the limits.. To break- My shell!" (Umbra)

As he said that, he whipped around her blades for legs and kicked her away.

"Breaking a shell?! I can get behind that! You may have found just the right person!" (Black Lotus)

"Geez, don't get me too fired up now! Haha!" (Umbra)

"Hah! I'll try not to impose! But I did this for a different reason too!" (Black Lotus)

"Oh yeah?! What's that!?" (Umbra)

He'd be proudly smiling if their faces were visible right now.

She hit the raven with a knee and jumped back before pointing at him with her weird sword hand and answering:

"You have what I'm looking for." (Black Lotus)

"Me?! Heh! I'm really taken away from that, Lotus!" (Umbra)

"You haven't heard that before?" (Black Lotus)

They were trading attacks and covering from each other as they were talking, pretty normal for little squabbles like this.

"Well nah! Usually it's always something like- You only leech off others! Or maybe, I just take away what others earned! Get it all the time and it's music to my ears at this point!" (Umbra)

"I hear that a lot! I thought you'd be a more cold and brash person! This just makes me jump at the chance to even get this!" (Black Lotus)

"Please! I may not care about the population's opinion, but I'm no demon you know!" (Umbra)

Lotus laughed at that.

"But what? What do you want from me of all people? You seem pretty decked out in a fight, plus whatever that weird sword ability is... Did you unlock the 3rd- Neutral Field by chance and want to know a little about it from a dude who goes around it a lot?" (Umbra)

"No no no! I know about that obviously! I mean.. what's beyond it all." (Black Lotus)

"Aren't you with White Cosmos or whatever her name is? Isn't she all sciency-sciency galaxy brain? What's my deal over her's?" (Umbra)

"I am. You're right. But, Raven? In this world, there's one thing I want currently. I want the end. I want to plunge towards the end of this world for my answers." (Black Lotus)

"I won't say anything to that, because I'd be lying either way. This only gets me thinking about that White Cosmos that you hang around though... What side of Brain Burst is she going after? Has she found anything that I already haven't?" (Umbra)

It was strange though. Cosmos, brought up more of the beginning. Raven, brought down more of the end. Their motives weren't clashing per say, but in one way or another, Lotus felt as if they'd meet once again. Cosmos and Raven. Be it friendly, or in some other manner. If Cosmos was going west, Raven would go east. That's how the end and beginning worked, right?

"You think that too?" (Black Lotus)

"Huh? What do you mean?" (Umbra)

"You, have that black on you too. You're like me. We both hold that same thorn that pricks away at us and anyone who dares to pull the vine." (Black Lotus)

"That is my shadow, my sad and unpleasant one, Lotus. Only a handful truly. Just a handful of allies that is. If I were to deny it, I'd be denying my entire existence on here. In the end, we're all driven by a motivation here." (Umbra)

"These blades, are of the same nature. I agree with it, no matter how it seems." (Black Lotus)

"I get it now, Lotus. Or at least I might. Is it really that, you.. feel that way about Cosmos? No, not really about the person I guess... Is it the motivation? Or do they say motives more..?" (Umbra)

They stopped attacking each other for a bit and Lotus could be seen looking down.

"Yeah? No? You know, I wouldn't blame you if you said either one, to keep it real with you.. I've talked and fought with her a few times. Not that I don't like her, nor do I think there's something up in particular but, there's still that suspense and thrill. Like what if, the fire blows the other way?" (Umbra)

Lotus, perfectly understood. Cosmos herself said something along those lines to her, but for a way different reason- Wait, no no no!

I mean no way though, Raven was being awfully understanding and bold... Strange... Did he not care? What if his paranoia came true? What if she'd actually been in this for a different reason? He knew near to nothing, yet it almost seemed like she was being baited all the while anyway... It was terrifying. She felt fear from that, like she was being melted alive. Like, the sun was radiating it's rays all on her. Was he actually more than JUST a "wonder" of the Accelerated World? That burning sensation, was drawing her in. Slowly, but surely. Just. Like. Her. Parent.

White Cosmos whenever Raven had met her felt the exact same thing. It was.. twisted though. Like, instead of just drawing her in, it did way more... Lotus would listen to her go on about that feeling when Raven had first battled even her. White Cosmos, unlike Black Lotus did not look up to Raven or want to learn from him- No.

It was a yearning. A blatant, deep, pulsating, steamy, and well-cut yearning for Raven once again. White Cosmos, wanted Raven to notice her. Turn the gaze that could raze hundreds of people over? On her again. Look at her. Share that feeling once more. Focus on her... Melt her shell. But you know what that did?

It made Lotus worried, but also curious. Super curious. Why? What was it? But it also gave her an incentive as well. She had to think about it, if her own parent White Cosmos was so.. obsessed and taken away by Raven, then that person would've had something like a step closer to her answers, right? So, she set out to find Ruby Raven and challenge him to experience it for herself. In the Accelerated World, a feeling like that didn't come too easily towards someone rather than something.

"Did I cut a string with that little round of questions?" (Umbra)

"As much as it'll pain me to admit it, you did. It even induces a small tinge of fear in me actually. But how..? I'm sure you hold nothing like that... And even if you did, you wouldn't feel threatened by someone like me with that type of power... So why..?" (Black Lotus)

"Look, a lot of others say that too and I'm more than happy to put it out there again. I'm just some washed up player having fun and exploring the game to it's fullest with his band of friends and a sibling. That's really it, and plus.. even if I did happen to have that type of power? Knowing myself, I wouldn't use it in the way you'd think." (Umbra)

"Lies! I can't believe that! Because... Because-" (Black Lotus)

"Because I could answer your own internal questions better than you ever could? Was that among your next lines?" (Umbra)

Lotus was pushed into a mental corner by that. He was right! But what- How- No... Who is he really..? Who is Ruby Raven? Why? Why is he the sole person out of everyone she'd been around that could read her like a table of contents page?

No, it wasn't right! THIS! WAS! NOT! RIGHT!

Lotus now thought Raven had to be eliminated. At any cost. She had to win this battle. She had to disprove his claims and at this very moment!

But little did she know?

"Lotus, let's face it. You don't want to win over me. You look up to me. You aspire to be me, because I cast an unshakable shadow over this world in your eyes. Because I'm the one who took her attention off the rest. It's adorable really. Me, the joker who juggles between the flames and your lives in this ever-expanding world. The Accelerated World. Who could imagine something like that, right?" (Umbra)

"No. No... No no nooooooo! I won't listen to anymore of this! You can't say something like that because-" (Black Lotus)

"Because I could never be you and I'll never grasp you. We're so different, right? We are nowhere near similar." (Umbra)

He was quoting something he thought she'd have said if she went on like before.

"What if I said you were wrong? What then? Or rather.. what if I threw in a bit of reasoning to completely destroy that affliction you're under?" (Umbra)

Umbra would walk behind her and stand there, while still going on.

"I mean, whoever said that was a rule, right? What was it you asked earlier? Something about me having this black color on me too? And I said I'd be denying my existence if I answered that a certain way. Which is true, but what does that imply for you? The one who asked it?" (Umbra)

"Tch...!" (Black Lotus)

She'd try swiping her blade hands backwards to shut him up and finish him off.

"Wait until my little speech is done, will you?" (Umbra)

He retaliated by jumping and dive kicking into her, dragging her along the ground a good bit. She felt that one.

"Now as I was saying- Wouldn't you be doing the exact same thing right now? The exact same thing as making your own existence void in this world? Let me tell you something. Yeah, I'm a normal player, and I'm no secret god, developer, or some super AI. I'm none of those. Am I wrong for saying that because I sympathize with another person on here like me? No, I'm not. My claim still stands either way. But who or whatever says that about how you perceive yourself? What's stopping you from thinking you're something more on the inside, but also accepting the reality that's on the outside? Nothing. Nothing at all. That's the border I'm standing on, Lotus. You know, through my ranting? I think I just realized something." (Umbra)

He'd pick her duel avatar up and throw it into a seemingly abandoned car, at least, that's what could assume from the map's theme. The sky had even darkened after that little bit. Comedic? Ironic?

"Black, a color on both of us. It's from envy. We envy and idolize the strong. No, maybe it's envy towards someone even closer and weaker than that. That'd be my case. But how about you? You're probably thinking you're far off from whatever I just said, aren't you? Again, what if I said you were wrong? And that your black comes from and envy of something rather than someone? It's easy enough to find out that much when you delve into the true Brain Burst. Even someone like me, a mere level 5 who can't even find the passion to put an effort in and just snatches the fruits of other's labors away instead, can see that much." (Umbra)

Lotus was naturally silent. How could she not be? She.. is getting torn apart by him of all people. Ruby Raven! Not someone close to her, not White Cosmos... It was him. Him alone. It was the opposite of her parent in this very instance. She was feeling fear. She didn't want to hear anymore, yet somewhere deep down? She sort of felt it was.. something she needed to hear. She didn't know what to do anymore, there was too much conflict, too much coming from him especially...

"Hey, Lotus. It hurts, doesn't it? It hurts hearing these words from me, right? Or actually, you don't have to answer that. I can tell it does from your silence. That's good, it only means I hit you with the truth and nothing less. That means I've reached my goal. You're broken, Black Lotus. This is over." (Umbra)

Wait wait wait, no! It couldn't end like this! She had to prove him wrong! She definitely could! Just... Just-

"It.. isn't... I can still-" (Black Lotus)

Her voice slipped away from her. She was defeated, in every sort of way possible here. It really was over... She couldn't believe it. Actually, she was so torn by Raven's words that the pain of getting finished off, seemed like it was never there in the first place.

Raven's hand went straight through and made a donut out of Lotus. The end, of The World's End. Now that one was a little more ironic, wasn't it? I may have even laughed at my own horrible sense of humor there for a second... I'm sad, aren't I? You don't have to tell me, I know.

Anyway, the match ended, and Umbra found himself in his semi-accelerated state as usual. By this point, he could hear someone waking up even though he wasn't direct linked with anyone.

A woman yawned and Umbra's face lit up. Like he was happy.

"You sure took to the joys of skewering her dignity heavier than usual, Raven."

She said that in a mockingly tone to get Umbra engaged.

"Oh, good morning, Amaterasu! Do you think I went too far?" (Umbra)

Umbra threw a rope back to get the convo started obviously. He didn't feel any sort of way about it. To him, it was mostly the same. Their bond was surprisingly going pretty well for only going on for a few weeks in the real world.

"We wouldn't be in awe or any type of shock if you found yourself being pursued in the coming times again." (Amaterasu)

"Ah, here we go... It's always when I match up with people like that! At least I'll have you, Graph, and the rest there to back me up when I need!" (Umbra)

"Try not to get too complacent and nonchalant. Neither of us can afford that in this era, Raven. Heed that advice well. There may end up such a time where we are driven into that same corner in the future." (Amaterasu)

"Right, this world could turn ice cold in the blink of an eye. I should stop underestimating them all. Especially with these new legions on the rise. You know, having you watch my back like this isn't so bad, even if we are weirdly linked and what not." (Umbra)

Amaterasu gave out a small laugh to that. If she were being honest, watching over Umbra and his friends plus a sibling was pretty amusing for the goddess and it supported her desire to understand them.

"Coexistence, in such a form as this. It's quite warming for us." (Amaterasu)

"I see. Then I promise to try and keep it that way for you, Amaterasu! And eventually, I'll show you even the lowest level too!" (Umbra)

The "lowest" level referring to the real world that Umbra Itsuka is in, not Ruby Raven.

"The place where your shell is gone too. We look forward to seeing you unveiled as such. One could say, this is excitement." (Amaterasu)

Umbra laughed now and he stood there thinking about what's to come next. Little did he know? He and our fiery, heartful, and graceful goddess plus their little group of ragtag friends were in for a treat. As for what it is to us? Well, that's something for next chapter which shouldn't take NEARLY as long!

Yo there, welcome to the end of this chapter. So, this is the lead into a little double plotted arc. As you may have took note of last chapter, they'd mentioned the other saints and what not. Then as you may have saw THIS chapter? Umbra mentioned legions! Yep, legions! See where I'm going with this? If not, basically- For the next few chapters AW S1 will have, the goal for the group are the other saints obviously. But... Things take a turn for the worse more or less when the "kings" of the other upcoming and rising legions start hearing of their movements in the Unlimited Neutral Field. Remember- Umbra, Yuuji, Lux, Yuusaki, and hell, maybe even Amaterasu are pretty fucking famous between the populace on BB at the moment. Even though none of them are kings or part of any major titles, they're still up in the circulation of the game you know?

Side note, the White legion might be chasing them down the most.

And another thing. Again, my fault. Finals whooped all of our little asses. My fault. I'd actually been mostly done with this and the SAO S1 chapter 1 rewrite for quite a bit, but never had time to polish up on them. I'd even started on other chapters too, so I didn't just fully say "Well, fuck this!" Lmao, y'all get it. Uhhh- Chapter 1 rewrite (SAO) comes after chapter 5 for AW S1. And chapter 4, like I said, won't be that long. Give me a little to edit, and it should likely be up in the next few days from when I uploaded this. And I keep getting requests to do holiday chapters..? Look, I might. I just might. Because so MANY people are asking dawg. I might fold, lol.

See you next chapter. (y'all know the drill, just hit me up about typos or even a suggestion)