Silica and the group were at the cafe, waiting for the news to kick out the epic battle. The others had passed out while Silica made no mention of her status last night.

"Good morning everyone. This is Sarah and today we're going to start off with the epic battle in SNO that almost everyone was hoping for the details on. All yours, Hilbena."

"Thanks Sarah. The battle was marked to have happened exactly at midnight and traveled the entire hour with what people are believing as the two famous players of a mighty war as the participants."

The screen showed the battle at the start. The field looked amazing and the two players, despite the dark, looked like they were set for anything.

"These duo, at the second of midnight, literally went from a calm stare to a full out battle in seconds. It was the end that held questions."

The screen slightly shifted to a minute before 1. The duo were clashed until the female player appeared in the air and used something, ending the battle at the hour change. Kirito blinked as the reporter continued.

"While no one has figured out what this powerful player used, many have reasoned signature moves or a godlike spell. Others question if it's in the game. But the finale stands true; Sila, leader of one of the most powerful groups in SNO, is the winner. Back to you Sarah."

As Sarah took the stage again, the group glanced at each other.

"We know who's killing. But what the..." Silica pulled out her phone.

"You can view the full battle if needed." She showed them something. "There's a user in the game that records the battles and posts them. They said that due to many people not wanting to go back after SAO, that they should still be able to enjoy other people's battles." Kirito hummed gently.

"Let's go. Let's see if we can clash with this guy again."

~~~

The group went in and Silica's eyes met the boy's from yesterday. She gulped silently before walking over. He tensed but couldn't get far as Silica grabbed his arm. She scoffed at his escape attempt.

"NIce try, kid."

"Darn you."

"You're not so sly as he is, eh?"

"Neither are you."

"In the next two seconds I'm going to slay you."

"Is that a challenge?"

"Do you want to die?"

"Depends. What do you have that she doesn't?"

"Sly little weasel."

"Testing me, eh?"

"That a challenge?"

"I tear you down before sunset."

"Game on, wimp."

"Scaredy cat."

The duo separated as the others were coming over. She watched as he ran over to a group and sent a glare at her.

"Is that your boyfriend or rival?" Silica's eyes raced into Asuna's as the question hit the air.

"Rival. I don't have a date like you, Asuna." The taller girl sighed as Kirito frowned.

"Tense rivalry."

"I've threatened him so many times it's not even funny. And I still get the same result."

"So when's the battle?" Silica looked at Sinon.

"Not sure. But that'll come in due time..."

~~~

Silica stretched as she paced her room. The others were going for lunch while she was waiting for the little jerk to be ready. She wouldn't respond to the others after this. Her phone buzzed with the details. With some quick taps on the phone and computer, she slipped onto the bed and pulled on the headgear.

~~~

Sila opened her eyes and she looked around. Her spawn was hidden, which was good. She jumped on top of a building and scanned the area. At this time, the others would be back on. Thankfully she had messaged them saying she was busy.

"Sila!" She turned to see her group. This was a particular group that had bonded before the killings. Only two would be notable if they didn't look slightly different and they adjusted their names.

"You're here. Good. We have some work to do before Flenusa appears again."

~~~

Sila and Arogoa were walking through when Kirito and the others were spotted. Arogoa gulped nervously.

"Look what the wind pushed in..." Sila followed her gaze and sighed.

"We got this. Let's just pray we're not pulled into a conversation."

"Caught..." Arogoa said as Kirito spotted them. It was Sila's turn to gulp nervously as the group went over.

"You're Sila, right?"

"Yes. Why are you asking?" Her eyes scanned over the group as if she was marking them down. She didn't, but she didn't want to seem like she knew them already.

"You seem familiar..." Kirito looked at Arogoa. "And you are?"

"Arogoa. One of Sila's teammates. Why?"

"You both seem familiar..." Sila and Arogoa met eyes.

"May we have your names? You guys seem new here." Sila asked, throwing him off his train of thought. Familiar or not, that question got him.

"Kirito. This is Asuna, Sinon, Klein, Lisbeth, and Leafa. Where's the rest of your group?"

"Dealing with some things." Arogoa slipped in.

"Sila!" She turned to see their biggest member, Agilent, waving to them. "We're done!"

"Thanks Agilent! We'll be over there in a moment!" He nodded as he walked away. Sila smiled at Kirito. "That's our cue. Nice meeting you guys. Maybe if you're lucky you'll meet the others. C'mon Arogoa." The duo raced off and easily caught up with Agilent, who was hiding with the others. They all hid as the others passed them.

"They seem so familiar! Why is that?"

"I don't know. We'll probably figure it out soon."

Sila slipped out and went to the square where Flenusa was waiting. Most of the square was cleared out at the sight of the dangerous player. A gentle growl pulled his attention.

"Sila! What a surprise!"

"Hardly. That head's mine. Bring it on!"

A group of lights hit her back and several blades appeared. He scoffed as two dark lights hit his hands and two special weapons appeared. An axe and a knife. A smile slipped on Sila's face as a crowd appeared against the buildings. Kirito and the others stood next to her group. So much for hiding from them. But they would soon see what she was made of. She raced at Flenusa at the same time he did at her and they clashed. As they battled, a dazzling show of lights and darkness filled the air. It was way better at night in her opinion and Flenusa sorta agreed if they weren't trying to chop each other's heads off. They were almost in sync as they clashed, darkness duet vs light army. They never missed a beat. Silica eyed her health bar. Great, he had gotten his infamous drainer on her. Not this time, buddy.

She put the two swords she had out into their respective sheaths and pulled out a particular knife.

(This is supposed to be a sword, but I needed a knife and this picture is perfect.)

She gracefully jumped over Flenusa's ax strike and allowed the knife to finish it.

"RAQUEL'S LAST BREATH!"

The brilliant light struck him and threw him to the side. Flenusa laughed, causing Sila to hiss.

"Not bad once again Sila. But my reign continues once more."

"Bloody demon..." She hissed as he vanished. She sheathed her knife and her weapons vanished. "I'll have your head yet." She bowed to the crowd and went over to her group as the crowd went on their ways.

"Perfect as always, Sila." Arogoa said with a grin.

"So he still stands, eh?" Agilent scoffed.

"I'll have his head soon. He can't keep it forever." She frowned. "That buthathaka has a lot of words after his mess. And I will make him respond to all of them. C'mon. We have work to do." The others nodded as they followed her. She felt Kirito's eyes on her, but unlike those who might turn, she kept walking and let her confidence show. Her eyes hit the sky instantly.

"Die Nacht ist unser Schicksal und unsere Flügel werden sich im Licht öffnen."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Translations!

Die Nacht ist unser Schicksal und unsere Flügel werden sich im Licht öffnen = The night is our destiny and our wings will open at the light. (German)

Buthathaka = weakling (Xhosa)

Enjoy!