"Oh... Er... Hadn't thought of that, Jet... Thanks," Nero said, trying his best not to make his friend uncomfortable. The other boy was so simple that, when it wasn't frustrating, it was rather charming. However, he dropped the subject of sleep easily as the three sought after their friends. Nero had been a bit on-edge to introduce Jet to Alice and Jacob because, as just as they were, they were certainly intelligent and skilled. Jet was... not so much. Ironically, after he and Jacob had argued over Nero's soloist techniques, Nero had found Rose and The Masked Man to be his new partners. It did not last long, and eventually he found Jet... The other boy wasn't quite skilled at the game, but his company was appreciated. After everybody was introduced, Nero broke away to talk to Jacob while Yuna let go of his hand and brushed hotly, her eyes widening as she stared down.

"Alice, that's... th-that's... No, it's not..." She shook her head as she heard the crowd beginning to part and make a fuss over... something. As Yuna turned her head, she spotted fiery red hair and that mask. Her eyes narrowed slightly at the amount of fanfare involved, but she had forgotten about Alice for the briefest of moments and the girl was already gone. "Alice, no!" She cried out, taking a step forward hopelessly.

"Well, let me know how it goes, keep me posted, because I definitely want to be there if we get into the room before Ro-" His voice was cut off by Yuna's shout and the change in the party's mood. Speak of the devil... "What the hell is she doing here?" He asked as he saw Alice's blonde hair fly behind her in her mad dash for the other woman. Nero half-expected Jacob to spring into action and stop her, but Alice was quick. The scene that appeared before them was gruesome and difficult to watch. Nero sighed as Alice was beaten down over and over again; he would have gone after Rose, but he knew she would wreak much the same havoc on his reputation. Nero was fast, and he had strength, but Rose was almost god-like. It was terrifying, because she could only have so many levels over him, but she would still cut him down in only a few hits if they were to actually fight.

As the group ran to Alice, Yuna was the first by her side, kneeling down low and trying to get a response out of her. It was such a shell-shocking experience, and though Yuna had never been a part of one, she knew that even in safe zones it was horrific to be repeatedly beaten down with the blow-back effect. Nero, on the other hand, strode over calmly and crossed his arms, staring after Rose and her masked companion. His mutterings were audible, though mostly meant for himself, "It seems like that was all she came to do... Make an appearance, and a loud one, just to draw Alice's attention and show off her strength... But why? She has no reason to do that other than to humiliate her... She does nothing but solo, despite how many people are absolutely fawning after her..." He looked to Jacob, "I don't like this. I think we need to hurry up and take this floor; I know it's not been open for too long, but at this rate, she has so many last-hit bonus items that she's unstoppable..." His voice lowered in agitation, "Not to mention the amount of cash she rakes in for selling any old ones that she doesn't use..."

The crowd had formed a circle around the small group, still a bit baffled by what they had just witnessed, but Nero's eyes merely scanned their little audience and his voice was almost a snarl as he spoke, "What are you all looking at?" He still remained standing, refusing to stoop down; Alice was strong and she had acted without thinking yet again. If she was going to get up, he wasn't going to help. She was being childish in these tantrums... Sure, Rose didn't handle anything in the best way due to her violent tendencies, but Alice had hated her since that day on the Fourth Floor. Yet she had no idea, absolutely no idea, the situation that Nero had been in when she acted. At least it was a decision - Alice had sat and watched rather than try to help that same day.

"People are staring, come on guys... Let's go take a breather and find out what to do next," He suggested flatly, wanting to get eyes off of them quickly. He had heard his name muttered in the crowd and was relieved when they were finally getting ready to go.

-----

They were really going to do it. They had organized the largest possible raid party of forty-nine and mapped out the final portion of the dungeon before arriving at the fabled Boss door. There was no doubt that this Floor, being the quarter marker, was going to be special... But in all reality, very few of the people there had even experienced any boss fight and none had done so recently. Nero, Jet, and Jacob were at the front of the team, all poised for a battle as Alice put a hand to the door. Were they prepared? It was too late to turn back now. The door opened menacingly and the entire crowd pushed forward, spreading out. The tension in the air was palpable as moments ticked by. Finally, the room began to light up with the torches around the walls as a massive beast rose from the stairs where it had been seated.

"Who's there?" Came a voice which boomed throughout the chamber, pulling a massive weapon from its side.

Another voice rang out, "What's it matter? Let's kill them."

Nero looked around, where was that voice coming from..? Then the giant revealed itself, stepping into the light... It had two god damned heads and it drew a blade from its other hip. Nero looked to Jet, a small smirk on his face. There was going to be a lot of switching today. there was a battle cry as several of the shield users took their place at point. It was going to be a hard battle, and Nero knew he was going to enjoy it. He hadn't felt so excited in his entire life.