Surprise! Not expecting this, were you, eh? Well, long story short, I'm trying a new uploading schedule in which I do two chapters for a story before moving on to the next! So, you'll all be getting another chapter from me! And oh man, are things getting spicy, eh? Well, I've got plenty to show, and I think you'll all like what I have planned later on!
After all, we're only in part two and the beginning of the Battle for Argus!
Just like before, comments first. (To be honest, I kind of wish there were more reviews for me to read…)
With that out of the way, let's get this second part on the road! As with all my other stories, I do not own RWBY at all. Its content now belongs to VIZ Media, and not me. Only the OCs in this story are my creations.
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Zack POV
"There! We arrived!" My thoughts ran as if I was on several cans of Red Bull at once while I held onto my girlfriend's waist as every one of us galloped on our horses closer to the walls of Argus. Even more, I'm starting to pick up alarms coming from the city itself. About time they see that signal and react!
(Author here, I do NOT recommend having several cans of Red Bull in short periods of time as someone with ADHD! You'll regret it as I have!)
"Now how long before that military base finally gets their butts off and starts helping?" I found myself wondering in my mind before a roar from behind snapped me out.
Then, without a second later, that was followed by a rather painfully loud buzzing from the side to see one of my bodyguards wielding a chain axe all revved up before slamming it against one of the nearby Grimm that got too close to us. And yup! Just as brutal as I can imagine a chainsaw axe will be!
You know, if he hits something fleshy with that thing, there will be blood everywhere!
Perhaps I should count myself lucky he seems more entertained at turning his weapons against the Grimm than everyone else. But as if not helping my fucking case with my anxiety, he was chuckling the whole time while his weapon was literally chewing through a Boarbatusk's armoured faceplate like paper!
"Nerium, is he always like this?"
I softly ask while Nerium 'helpfully' addresses my concern. And the answer I got totally didn't help me at all. "Yes, Zack. That is Kharn. One of the Royal Guards under me who enjoys the hunt, as one would say. His skills with his custom-made chain axe made him an intimidating opponent for anyone who challenged him in the Rite of Ascension."
"And someone who really enjoys a good fight, Blessed One. A bit too much, if I have to admit." Another bodyguard of mine, not too far from me, who had gauntlets with blades on them that reminded me too much of the Predators from the Alien movies, muttered in what was clear exhaustion about that guy in particular.
Firstly, what the fuck?
What are the chances I meet someone who wields a weapon straight out of Warhammer 40k and has the name of Kharn? I… Well… as long as he keeps his axe on our enemies, then I guess it's okay? I mean, that thing is basically a bloody Dane axe! But it's mechanized and acts like a chainsaw!
And then another one who has basically Wrist blades on his arms, which… is surprisingly appropriate with how the Royal Guards dress up a bit like wolves with the whole esoteric armour with their own additions to their clothing of their liking.
Like that guy who has teal feathers on his cloak who spoke next. "I mean, he has the title of Kharn the Grimm Slayer!" Another of my bodyguards explains behind me. "He will willingly charge at anything if it means he gets to have fun slaughtering them!"
"And I love it!" Kharn so helpfully agrees while laughing out before his chain axe finds its mark on a Lancer Drone zipping a bit too close for our personal space. And like before, his axe begins chewing through the entire abdomen in one swing.
Christ, that's a dangerous weapon…
I… might need to keep an eye on him while he's still guarding me…
"Well, I suppose it is bound that every group would always have at least one chaotic person. Though, at times, I won't deny it keeps things interesting." I heard Weiss murmuring out before I could see the walls of Argus peering over us, and I think we'll arrive in a minute or two. "Are you ready to do this?" My girlfriend then asks me.
"Are we seriously doing this, Oz?" I softly ask the old wizard in my soul whether this plan of ours might work.
"There's only one way to find out. But I'm confident you are up to it. If you need help, I'll be with you." Ozma explains calmly, though I did sense a bit of nervousness within him thanks to our connection. Guess even he has doubts if we can hold off so many Grimm.
"Yeah. I guess we are…" I mutter out. This could go incredibly badly. But I don't think we've got a choice. Taking a breath in, I yell out to everyone. "Everyone! As soon as we reach the walls, get off your horses and establish a perimeter around us while I prepare something that will hopefully stem the tide after us!" And the response I got was instant.
"Understood!"
Soon, in what felt like hours even though it was at most half a minute, we arrived near the walls, and I could hear much of what was going on inside while one of the Atlesians guards on the walls screamed at us. "What the hell?! What have you brought upon us getting here?!" Uh… Understandable… It's not every day a group of people arrive with a fuckton of Grimm on their asses with a big one leading them…
"Sorry! But there are too many for us to handle, and they nearly ambushed us on the way here!" I yell back while I get off my horse, as does everyone else. In fact, during all this, I can hear engines in the background. Those must be those gunships I saw in the show! What were their names again?
Mantas, were they?
"Now quit standing there and call for help, or we're all going to die!" I yelled back before turning to everyone drawing their weapons while one of my bodyguards took the reins of every horse we rode on. Poor guys, they're panting their lungs out…. "Go weapons free and start shooting if you can!" I yell before rushing forwards and summon Oathkeeper into my left hand in staff mode.
This plan of mine might work, but several of my bodyguards don't have a range alternative and are more melee-oriented… That would mean the most viable option right now is to create a choke point to let them start swinging… But I don't know how long I can keep the barrier up.
Screw it! It is either that or let us get swarmed to hell!
Receiving a nod from my bodyguards, those who have range options immediately begin open firing upon the Grimm coming for us as even Nerium nods her head before pointing her laser cannon with a single hand holding it at the oncoming Grimm. Then it changed into a multi-barrel minigun, just as I remembered when she used that damn gun on me.
And less than a second later, a hose of bullets spews out of it and onto the Grimm hordes coming for us. As for me, I ran ahead of everyone before throwing my free hand out and imagining a barrier in my head. But as I thought through it, the tattoo markings on my right arm began glowing with life, and I felt it.
Magic. So much magical power I must channel and wield to my will. But it works beyond expectation! A purple barrier began to form in front of my hand and began to encompass not only everyone with me, but I can see it extending high above Argus itself! Even more, far ahead of me a funnel was created, and Grimm began slamming into my barrier!
"I've created a chokepoint for our enemies! You know what to do!" I yell before hearing Kharn chuckling out in sheer amusement.
"You heard him, let the killing begin!" And just like that, the rest of my bodyguards, with him leading the group, charged into the fray towards the Grimm now funnelled entrance while forming up. But I had to bring my attention elsewhere because what scares me more right now is that some of the Grimm are instead attacking my barrier directly, and I'm starting to feel some strain keeping it up.
"Focus, Zack. If you stop concentrating, that barrier breaks apart." I hear Ozma telling me in my thoughts before Weiss rushes to my side behind me and gasps at something on my face. What is wrong with me right now?
Wait, I need to focus on keeping this barrier up…
"Your eyes… They're glowing purple. Just like the maidens would…" Huh… that's new… Is this a sign that happens when I use the Sister's magic within me? Something that I would have to ponder or even ask them another time because, damn! They're hitting harder!
"Is that so?" I gritted out. Feeling the pressure of countless Grimm attacking my barrier while most try to flood through the opening I left them, only to be swiftly cut down by my bodyguards basically spawn camping them. Even more than that, the Wendigo Grimm refrained from acting and just stared at me outside the barrier with Hazel watching me quietly while Tyrian was laughing about something.
I don't like this.
"I'll leave whatever you want to do up to you. Just keep them off and away from me. If not, this barrier falls, and we would be overrun." I ended up growling before I heard countless footsteps before the ringing sound of gunfire echoed off the walls.
Good, looks like we've got additional fire support coming down from those guards watching the walls. Even more, I could catch glimpses of mantas flying overhead of all of us, but they were few and maintained some distance high above the barrier I created while giving air support.
I guess this is a side effect of shielding the whole of Argus minus the base…
But then I hear the gates behind us opening? Who's coming out? Reinforcements?
"Zack! Weiss! They're here!" That's Ruby's voice! And I'm sure the others are with her! Speaking of which, just hearing her again after three days of separation boosted my confidence that we can win this fight! Her silver eyes will be just what we need to wipe the floor with them, but I hope she still did her training on how to utilize her eyes well under Calavera while they were here.
"Weiss, tell them what's happening. I must not lose focus." I mutter before getting a nod from her as she splits away while also picking up Yang's comment on the situation.
"And here with one hell of a party you got here! But what the hell is going on!? What is that thing?!"
Imagine how I feel about all of this, Yang…
You only had a drop of it.
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Jaune POV
This... This is insane…
Was this what the two of them had been busy with while they were separated from the rest of us? Who are those people fighting with them? What happened to Zack? He's different. Not just his looks, but what's going on here? Did he somehow gain another tail and an entirely new outfit? Hang on, what's that shiny staff he has in his hand? What's with the utterly insane number of Grimm here? Where did this barrier come from?
Did he create that with his magic somehow?
And what's that monster watching over everyone with Hazel and Tyrian on its shoulders?!
Are Salem's agents already here?
Crap!
This is bad!
"Weiss!" I heard Ruby cry out to her partner as we all ran towards her while that woman, we saw earlier with the large scissors weapon ran past everyone and joined the fight immediately with the rest of her…
Comrades? I think?
I mean, their outfits do look similar…
"Thank goodness all of you are alright! I know you all have many questions right now, but there's no time now! Zack's holding them back with his magic, and we need everything possible to stop them!" My friend and… my failed attempt to woo her back in Beacon, explain frantically.
But instead, Ruby ignores her and instead hugs her rather tightly. "We were all worried sick about you when you suddenly jumped out after Zack! What were you thinking?!" She yells rather loudly, but I get it.
"Ruby! As much as I missed everyone and wish to address that, we have bigger issues right now!" Weiss counters before I join in and point out that… thing with Crocea Mors. But before I could say something, that thing suddenly let out a roar that really hurt my ears before it started slamming its fists onto the barrier, I suspect Zack created to slow them down.
"Ow… My ears…" I turn to see Blake rubbing her cat ears with Yang attending to her partner. That roar was too loud for everyone before Nora joined in.
"That's a big goat thing… Too big for my liking."
Oh no… The Bloody Hidesman's attacking now…" Weiss's face somehow turned even whiter, to a point I never thought was possible with her pale white skin. Bloody Hidesman?! That thing from the storybooks?!
It's true, like the other tales, and actually here?!
"That thing's working with Hazel and Tyrian! They're going to try to capture Zack!"
Weiss continues, but I noticed something despite the horrible timing to think about this. Was that a hint of worry that goes beyond just friends at the end? Did something happen between the two of them while we were apart? Sure, they seem quite fond of each other, and everyone already knew of Ruby and Weiss crushing on the same guy before we left Mistral.
No. I think this will explain itself much later. Now we've got a bigger problem! That Grimm's causing cracks on the barrier, and fast!
"What?! Hasn't that guy learned enough already from our last ass-kicking?" I heard Yang blurting out, almost annoyed by the events while cracking her knuckles, and I can't blame her. This is getting annoying.
"And Tyrian, was it? That's the Scorpion Faunus that almost got Uncle Qrow killed? And both of them want our friend to take them to Salem? I won't let them! By the way, good job, Ruby, for cutting that guy's tail off."
"Yeah… and he got a prosthetic replacement for that…" Ruby's voice lost all the life it had as she pulled Crescent Rose out from her back. "Then let's go-?" An audible bang rang from behind everyone, and headshots took out one of the oncoming Creeps slipping through the gaps.
"Katharine?" Mr Branwen says as we turn to see Celeste's caretaker with her business suit, though adjusted to allow for more body movement. In addition to her semi-rifle smoking after firing a shot. "Here to join the fun, eh? Though you and your princess would avoid this fight." I couldn't help but pick up amusement in his voice.
"Perhaps." She answers truthfully. "But my mistress intends to join the fight soon. And if that… thing makes it into Argus. The city is lost." Huh, makes sense… But before we could continue talking, we all heard Zack's strained yelling among the gunfire and thumping on the barrier.
"Hate to call you guys out on it, but we're in the middle of a fight for our lives over here! And that Wendigo Grimm's going to give me a damn headache and cause another breach soon! SO, GET OVER HERE AND HELP NOW! YOU CAN YELL AT ME LATER!"
"Right! Let's go, guys!" And thus, we're off with Ruby leading the group.
We'll need a recap on what happened after this. Well, assuming we make it out of this.
But I'm sure we will.
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Rushing towards the front lines with Ruby leading the charge, Blake decides to ask her friend about something that has been on her mind for some time now. "Hate to ask this now, Weiss, but how did you end up with thousands of Grimm and one from the books after you and Zack?" But as expected from the ex-heiress, she huffs at the situation.
"That Grimm planned an ambush that we unknowingly walked into. I don't know how, but Salem's followers managed to convince that thing to work together to capture him. And I will not let that happen!"
"I always thought that the Bloody Hidesman was just a fairy tale. To see it all real unnerves me." Ren utters next with Storm Flower already in his hands. "Is it true that it is intelligent? Just as the books say of it?"
"Far more so than I care to admit!" Weiss huffs while more cracks continue to form punch after punch on Zack's barrier holding the Grimm tide back. But even the fox Faunus is starting to audibly groan from the strain. "That thing is likely centuries old and intelligent enough to talk and bear a grudge against him for taking its arm off. Ozma even lost one of his lives against it!"
Only to immediately get baffled looks from her friends while they still ran to the front lines.
"Ozma? Who's that?" Nora butts in while understandably confused.
And as for Weiss, she silently curses herself for her slip-up. Of course, they won't understand since only she knows Headmaster Ozpin's true name since the old wizard told her the whole truth of his past days back after they survived the fall.
Honestly, he would probably forgive her for this blunder of hers with how frantic everything has become. But before Weiss could come up with an answer for this predicament, she found herself in, a thunderous crack echoed in the ears of everyone.
A breach has been made, with the Wendigo Grimm ripping its arm out of the newly made hole while Zack audibly grunts in pain. "Okay! That last punch really fucking stings!" The fox Faunus cursed out before the Wendigo grabs the hole and rips it bigger for its lesser kin to fly in.
Griffins, Lancers, Nevermores and even their tiny kin began flooding through the crack like a broken dam. Even worse, both Hazel and Tyrian finally made the move as they jumped upon the closest Grimm and had them take them way deeper. "We got a breach! Protect the Blessed One! His focus must not be taken away!"
One of Zack's bodyguards warns, and a swift action was made with Nerium and everyone near Zack turning their guns onto the tide of Grimm flyers pouring like a flood.
"Damn, thought Kiddo could hold that thing until we can get into position." Qrow muttered and even softly cursed to himself before he and everyone else moved in, while Jaune noticed something that no one else seemed to comment on.
"Again, with the Blessed One comment. Are they referring to Zack? Is he the Blessed One they keep calling? It seems to be the case here." He could only wonder in his thoughts before speaking up. "Guys! We need to split up into twos, maybe threes! We need some to help deal with the Grimm getting in and others to stop Hazel and Tyrian!"
"Yeah, good idea- wait! Ruby!" Yang snaps her head to see Ruby speeding through the battlefield straight for Zack- No! Straight for that woman near him! In fact, Nerium must have noticed that coming because the Sword of the Khan immediately drew her sword to parry a strike of Crescent Rose in its war scythe mode aimed straight for her head!
"Oh. Hello again." Nerium raises an eye under her mask while holding her attack away with a single hand. "It has been a while, and I admire your convictions to attack me. But this is a terrible time to take out your grievances of the past." She points out.
'You stay quiet!" Ruby snapped furiously before standing between Zack and Nerium. "What are you doing here? And why are you so close to my friend?!" Her eyes were murderous as she got into her stance, and it was clear that she was about to lash out again if it wasn't for Zack frustratingly yelling at her to stop.
"Ruby! Nerium's with me! Stand down! I get why you're pissed about her being with me for all the shit she did, but right now of all times?! Are you kidding me?! Focus, Ruby! We can talk about this situation AFTER we survive this!"
"But-"
"No buts!" His eyes soften as Zack glances softly at her. "Just for now, put away your grudges. We've got a fight to win. Then if you wish to kick her ass, then go ahead."
"I welcome the challenge to see how she has grown from our last encounter." Nerium quipped while Ruby slowly brought Crescent Rose down. But it was clear to everyone that she really hated the idea of working with someone who put her friend through something utterly horrifying by taking control of his body with her semblance.
Then, with what sounds like a mixture of grumblings and reluctance, she mutters. "Mnmnh… I don't like this." Ruby says while Zack sighs and brings his eyes back forward to focus.
"Trust me, Weiss and I aren't exactly pleased as well that she's going to be with us to keep my dumb ass alive. But she's stuck with us. I'll explain the details of what happened after we were separated."
"Zack! Ruby!"
Team _WBY plus Qrow's voices echo as they make their way over, with Weiss immediately scolding her team leader for her rash but understandable actions. "Ruby, you dolt! What were you thinking trying to start a fight in the middle of one?!"
"Is this the chick that used her Semblance on foxy boy?" Yang couldn't help but ask while her partner nodded her head since she was there. All the while, Weiss continues to rant at her team leader while Ruby looks sheepish for letting her emotions get the better of her.
Also, Zack looks very annoyed that his friends are chatting instead of, you know. Fighting. Though he chose to say nothing and focus on keeping the barrier up despite a breach being made.
"Yes… But now she's… protecting him? What is going on anymore?" Blake mutters while shaking her head before slashing a nearby tiny Nevermore with Gambol Shroud that tried to attack them.
"You tell me!"
Yang soon says other things back while firing Ember Celica at any nearby Grimm while occasionally giving the tiny Nevermores a haymaker that sends them rocketing away. "This whole thing has gone from zero to, I don't know, two hundred? Zack's got a whole sweet-ass outfit upgrade and an additional tail, and then we got this damn deer-ass Grimm monster trying to get him with Salem's goons. And seriously. What's with these tiny Nevermores? Aren't they supposed to be huge?"
"My guess is that they're coming from that Wendigo Grimm over there." Qrow suspects, and true enough, it began coughing up more tiny Nevermores out of its throat and into the breach, to the utter horror of those who had never seen it do that before.
"Weaponized barf. Gross…" Nora understandably gagged, and even Jaune looked a bit queasy from the sight.
But that was interrupted when Tyrian's laughter echoed the battlefield as he jumped out of his Nevermore ride and right on top of Zack as if going for a plunge attack. Only for Nerium to use her chain Semblance to grab the scorpion out of the air and slam him onto the ground.
"Not on my watch." The Sword of the Khan mutters as she cracks her neck without the use of her arms and looks at everyone nearby. "Leave that madman to me; protect your friend and ensure he lives."
Those were her words before she dashed in and did an overhead swing with her laser cannon down upon Tyrian to crush him. But the scorpion Faunus was quick to dodge out of the way while laughing despite the fact he was kissing the tundra ground earlier. Then Zack yells out to warn her.
"Nerium! That guy's Semblance allows him to disrupt aura! If you see his limbs and eyes glowing, avoid getting hit unless you wish for that part to be exposed! Also keep an eye out for his stinger tail and try not to get stung!"
"Understood." She acknowledges Zack's warning before taking her mask and dropping it, which exposes her blood-red eyes. "So, this is one of the agents of the Grimm Witch sent to capture the heir? Nothing but a mad dog to be put down." Nerium snarls as she points her cannon at her target and fires.
But Tyrian continues to cackle like a child while evasively avoiding any hits while closing in rapidly with his gauntlet ready. "You laugh like a beast in heat, scorpion. Enjoy the slaughter to dance with monsters. I can see you as clear as day. Behind the mask of madness you wear, you are truly nothing more than a broken dog on a witch's leash."
Nerium utters in contempt before changing her stance and sending a stab with her sword towards the scorpion Faunus only for him to bring up one of his claw blades and parry them before throwing a kick that sends the Sword of the Khan skiing back.
"Ooooh, a knight with sharp words and sharper toys! How delicious! You think yourself righteous because you play at guarding your precious 'Blessed One'? Hah! I smell the hypocrisy dripping off you, sweeter than blood. Tell me, girl, do you protect him because of your so-called duty like the rest of your hunters? Or do it because you are drawn to him?"
"I swore to protect him as one of the last of his kind, and that's what I will do against mongrels who stand against him." She snaps before pointing her sword at him. "Now, are you going to fight? Or talk?"
"Oh~ Mongrel, eh?" Tyrian chuckles menacingly, though he sounds insulted by that word. "And last of his kind, you say? Then perhaps his lovely tails would make quite the trophy once my mistress is done with him…"
It appears that the scorpion Faunus's words must have ticked his opponent off because Nerium soon yells out with simmering fury, "You will not desecrate him while I and everyone still stand! Now fight!" Thus, the two charge and begin their duel, all the while the battle around them rages on with Team RWBY fighting the swarms of Grimm attracted to the Relic of Knowledge on Zack's belt and the commands of the Wendigo to focus on him to shut the barrier down.
But that wasn't all that was happening. Team JNR, alongside Qrow and Katharine, are holding off the Grimm flooding in through the breach created by the big Grimm. Unfortunately, Hazel decides to officially join the fight and lands not too far from where Team RWBY and Zack were.
All the while the Royal Guards were focused on stemming the tide from the main funnel opening, from which tens of Grimm poured in every second. Atlesians support also rained from the walls and above, thinning the hordes, though not enough to decisively turn the battle in everyone's favour.
"Oh no you don't!" Ruby says as she fires her sniper at Hazel, who tanks it with his arms while electric Dust crystals are jammed into his shoulders.
"Come on, big guy! Ready for round two?" Yang says as she and Blake stand between him and their fox Faunus friend, who, worriedly, is looking increasingly fatigued by the second. Even more, Weiss also took the opportunity to summon an Arma Gigas before stabbing another Grimm that got too close to her boyfriend.
"This fight won't go like the last time. Give us the boy, and everyone will be spared." Hazel affirms while glancing at the Wendigo Grimm still holding the breach it made open with its claws. "Or fight on. Once the Bloody Hidesman Grimm gets through the barrier, it will be over."
"And let you take him after we just reunited? Fat chance, asshole!" Yang spat, as did Blake, who countered.
"We fought you off once. And we can do it again."
But their bravado only gets an annoyed scoff from the man who glares at them. "Fine then. We'll do it your way." Hazel turns his head towards the Wendigo Grimm and nods his head. Then, as if it couldn't be even more horrifying from such a monster, its maw filled to the brim with fangs tightens into a grotesque grin before beginning to pull the breach wider.
Even worse for everyone nearby, Zack audibly groaned in pain before collapsing onto his left knee, but his hand is still out in front to keep the barrier running despite the headache intensifying. For now, at least.
"Damn thing's putting more pressure on me!" The fox Faunus hisses.
"Zack!" Ruby cries out worriedly with panic before it hardens with protective fury as she zips straight for Hazel with Crescent Rose drawn before the rest of Team RWBY moves in to join their team leader in the fight.
United once again.
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Celeste POV
Of all the days things could have gone beyond what I predicted, it has to be this day. Even more surprising was the timing of it all, because I was supposed to do one last performance here in Argus tomorrow before making my preparations to leave for Atlas, but this happened while the heroes were here.
I guess this is bound to happen, knowing how this world flows with trouble following their every step, but am I prepared for this fight? Sparring with my caretaker for years is one thing, but the battle is another. Am I, an heiress to a rising star trading company, willing to take the role of a huntress?
Just had Weiss take her path to forge her own fate?
On the plus side, many of the civilians have already evacuated, and Atlas military here is in full deployment. Well, most of it, from what I can see with this unknown barrier. Special Operative Cordovin hasn't shown herself with her Colossus, which she happily prances around in canon and causes more panic than warranted.
Probably because of this barrier appearing out of nowhere!
I have just left my hotel in my Huntress outfit with Sarastro in hand. But really, where did this thing come from?! Things have gone out of control, and I know that the fighting has already begun at the walls from all the gunfire I'm hearing in addition to the Mantas flying in the air.
What's utterly concerning is the presence of Grimm flying in the skies…
No matter, I'm close to the walls, and hopefully I can grasp what is even happening out there! "Madam, stop! It's too dangerous out here!" I heard someone calling on my right to see one of the Atlesians guards rushing over to me before screeching to a halt upon having a better look at me.
"No, wait… You are Celeste Schmitt, right?" He spoke again while I paused and nodded at him. "Why is someone of your status doing this here? Are you aware of what's going on?" He continued asking before I gave a reply.
"Yes, I am. Argus is under attack, and I'm on the way to help." I answered calmly despite the tension of my surroundings.
"If you are, I hope you are ready. We got thousands of Grimm on our doorstep and a big one!" Big one? "Worst of all, that unknown barrier over the city is preventing Specialist Caroline Cordovin from helping in the defence!" The guard continues his explanation to me.
That's… concerning… This barrier is preventing the Colossus from being deployed? I suppose it's a good thing with how arrogant she is.
"Most of the Huntsmen who are in the city are outside the walls while we provide fire support! But there are also some strangers too, belonging to an unknown organization. I don't know where they came from or who they belong to, but they're good. Really good at cutting Grimm down by themselves."
Oh. That's new. "I see… Please open the gates just enough for me to cross through. I must help them out." I ask next before he nods hesitantly at my outfit and Sarastro in its flute form before running off.
Not only that, but I hope Katharine is doing alright out there.
Her semblance alone would help team RWBY, JNR, and Qrow out there. But strangers? That's new… I have a feeling that my old friend is partly responsible for this. Perhaps it is because I suspect he may be Ozma's host? Or perhaps things have deviated so much it is the only conclusion I can make.
Speaking of suspicions, I believe many of these changes seem to revolve around Zack's replacement of Oscar, it seems…
Which by itself is something I dread to imagine being the truth. Then there's my talk with most of the main cast before we were so rudely interrupted by this crisis. I'm missing a lot of information here, and I can't help but wonder. Is… my friend's predicament similar to mine?
I must speak with him privately on this matter.
As I ponder, the gates of Argus start to open slowly, and I run and slide under them to the outside, and what did I just walk into? Uh… Why am I seeing Tyrian fighting one of those people? Why is Hazel also here fighting Team RWBY? JNR, Qrow and my caretaker were fighting Grimm. What is that thing prying open the barrier?!
And is that Zack there?!
Why does he look so… different? He has three tails and ears, for God's sake, and they're so fluffy!
Fluffier than what I remember they were!
Wait. I can answer those questions later.
It is time I make my presence known. Slowly bringing Sarastro to my lips, I began to play a melody while also activating my Semblance, which I call Phantasia. As I slowly walk forward and continuously play my melody despite the chaos before me, a purple-translucent clone of me with a version of Sarastro in its rapier form in hand appears on my side.
Then another and another. Until I have four of them walking to my left and right before I command them to charge into the fray upon the signal of one of my melodies. To those who witnessed my Semblance in action, each clone showed up from nowhere and stabbed a Grimm in the head with precision before zipping off and doing it again.
As expected, my sudden presence drew eyes upon me while I calmly continued playing Sarastro. "There you are, mistress. I was worried you were delayed by some unforeseen events." I glance my eyes towards my caretaker, who had just decapitated a Lancer with Galatea mid-air.
"A slight delay, but I hope I am not too late?" I ask next before Katharine shakes her head before changing Galatea into its rifle mode and firing it upon more Grimm.
"I would say you are on time, mistress."
"Okay, I don't know whether to clap, scream, or ask if she gives gymnastics lessons. Because that was some Cirque du Slay-leil right there!"
Nora is filled with awe as she laughs uncontrollably after observing one of my Semblance clones perform a complete backflip to evade the vicious attack of a Beringel. The clone then thrusts a blade directly into the Grimm's mouth and then extracts it to slash a miniature Nevermore that has gotten too close for comfort.
"Heh! Looks like Celeste's private training we saw was not for show!" Mr. Branwen joins in while blocking a Beowolf's attack before stabbing it through the gut and flinging its body towards another Creep rushing up to him. All while I couldn't help but internally smile while continuing to play my melody.
"Wait, did you just say Celeste?!" Zack balks so loud that his neck snaps towards me with bafflement written all over him. After years, we finally meet again, and I finally get to see your face once more. You've grown. And I don't mean simply by how long it's been since we were neighbours in our youth, but…
I see now. So, he is the one responsible for creating it, and by extension, stopping Atlas from sending its biggest asset purely on accident. "What happened to you?" I mutter softly while my old childhood friend snaps back to ensure this barrier he creates doesn't fall.
"I could ask you the same thing." Zack mutters before ducking under a small Nevermore, which flew straight for his face. "What are you doing here? Actually, you know what? We can talk about this later." Ah… some things never change. Though he is seemingly more confident, unlike his meek and jittery self when we were younger.
I suspect his time with the main cast had helped him as he had helped them.
Well, I'm sure he would be in for a surprise at what my family and I have been busy with. I think he'll appreciate the effort of equal workers' rights in Atlas. Well… as much as we can influence, I made a great effort to ensure all our employees are treated well. Unlike the Schnee company, but I bear no ill will to Weiss, of course.
"Now, as much as I hate ordering an old childhood friend after seeing them for the first time in a long while, I'm sure you have many questions for me. But I need you to help the others and keep me defended. If I lose focus, that barrier of mine goes down, and we're in for a bad time."
Ah… I see…
But this seems more like magic. I mean, his right arm has some sort of tattoos, and they're glowing bright purple. It reminds me of Ozma's barrier ability, in fact. Did he happen to take inspiration?
Yet as with everything, the chore of this battle continues.
"Behind you!" I heard a voice calling out for me, which I'm sure is Blake's. Instantly, I glance behind me with my lips barely off Sarastro before a blade spring out of it, and I send a slash towards the ever-growing shadows behind me and send an aura slash out. Which happens to hit a swarm of small Nevermores and eviscerate a good portion of them coming.
Though many flew past me, Weiss's Arma Gigas finished the rest before they could get to Zack. Come to think about it, I think I just saw the Relic of Knowledge on his belt! "Thanks for the warning." I said with a bow before looking at where my caretaker was.
Well then, I think it's time I put all my training to the test.
Thus, with Sarastro drawn and ready, I sprung into combat, joining the others while leaving them to care for my friend.
==================================================================
Like an endless game of tug-of-war, the tides of war seem to continuously sway from side to side in the other's favour, yet Wendigo Grimm made no attempt to join personally and is apparently more comfortable widening the second beach. All of this was beginning to take a toll on its creator.
Even more concerning to Team RWBY, JNPR, Qrow and Zack, Specialist Cordovin hasn't made her presence known since they all were made aware of her through word of mouth or the memory crystal he left with the others. "Where the hell is that woman? I dislike her, but the Colossus will be really nice to have right now!" Zack could only growl to himself.
The pain in his head is getting increasingly intolerable, and it was only thanks to his aura numbing the pain and his willpower that the barrier stands. On the plus side, his bodyguards, from what he could see, including Kharn, who was having the time of his life, were depleting the hordes quickly by themselves.
In fact, the Grimm slayer was laughing with absolute joy as he tore through the Grimm with his chain axe and even with his fists to the point his limbs are starting to glow red due to the killings he's racking up. To the Royal Guards of Sanctuary, it is all they need to know that Kharn's Semblance, Momentum, is active.
With it, Kharn can keep going for a long time with his senses becoming much more precious and powerful. As well as reducing fatigue within his body as long as he keeps the kill streak going. At the cost of making the entire experience euphoric for him.
But even among the chaos, Neo suddenly appears through her signature glass-shattering sound behind Hazel and stabs one of the Dust Crystals embedded into his shoulders. Which also causes it to blow up and drain a huge chunk of his aura while she vanishes again before Hazel could retaliate at her.
As fast as she disappeared, Neo soon reappears back by Team RWBY's side with a smile on her lips while resting casually on Hush. "Neo! Where were you? You suddenly disappeared, and you didn't even tell us where you were going!" Ruby couldn't help but greet her despite the situation not being exactly suitable.
And because she was mute, Neo simply shakes her and sticks her thumb back at Argus as if saying that she was helping everyone from behind the scenes. Though since explaining through sign language would take too long given the current situation, she casually took her scroll.
And on it, indicates that it was she who was the one who let Qrow know about the situation outside. And the one helping the civilians get to shelter. Which so happens to include Jaune sister and her wife and son.
(Author here: Seriously, I still don't know how the Terra-Cotta Arc family even has a child since they're both women. And that is bothering me to no end, you know?!)
"Neopolitan. I was wondering where you will show up." Hazel growls while clutching his arm while she rolls her eyes as if saying, why wouldn't she show up now? "So, I see the events of Haven didn't sway you away from them. What did they promise you?" He asks while his fists tighten.
However, this brief second of peace didn't last forever because shortly after, Neo used her illusions to turn into Cinder before bringing her thumb up onto her throat before dragging it across. A message to all that she's not here because she's a goody-two-shoes now.
She's only with the heroes for personal revenge against Cinder. That is all.
Then, she disappears as if to say she's just here to say hi to all before reappearing far away close to Team JNR plus Qrow to slice the wing off a Nevermore.
Moving on from that quick pause, the battle between Team RWBY and Hazel would have resumed if it weren't for Tyrian skipping past everyone with Nerium chasing after him with her sword and minigun in hand. Admittedly, it did take everyone off guard to hear her screaming out with fury and her red ponytail now visible for all to see.
If it wasn't clear how mad she was, Nerium was screeching bloody murder at Tyrian running away. "I'm not done with you yet! Get back here!" While bringing her semblance to bear. But the scorpion Faunus proved elusive enough to avoid getting grabbed by them.
"Oh hohoho!~ Angry are we?" He cackles maniacally at how he managed to get her so worked up. "Then perhaps I should skin him alive instead for his lovely pelt! It would look so perfect on my waist!"
Even if that chatter went past like the wind, Blake visibly balks at what she heard coming out of Tyrian's mouth. Sure, the gang did fill her in on what happened, which also includes Team RNJR's journey to Mistral; she never expected to hear such a dehumanizing remark before. Especially from another Faunus.
"What the?" She could only mutter out with her cat ears erratically twitching while Weiss growls protectively with her knuckles turning whiter than they ever could. Even Ruby looks utterly furious for her own reason she doesn't even understand.
"I swear I'll make what Ruby did to him look like child's play when I get the chance." The ex-heiress mutters.
"That's assuming that lady doesn't wring his throat out first…" Yang deadpans with her fists still up, and even Hazel hesitates upon hearing Tyrian's bypass taunting. "She's pissed."
…
"Are you guys seriously just standing there?!"
Zack's bewildered response rang out like a bell while they turned to see their friend (and target) watching them in the distance with a look that screamed, 'Are you guys for real?'
"You guys were literally fighting each other a second ago! And you all stopped because that crazy-ass scorpion went past us with my bodyguard after his ass!?"
The fox Faunus continues ranting while Team RWBY glances at one another. Yeah… they really should try to beat Hazel back instead of… whatever they were doing. Without even looking at her target, Yang brings up her gauntlets and fires at Hazel, and just like that, the fight resumes.
And while all that was going on, Celeste, Katharine, Team JNR, Qrow and Neo were throwing everything they could to stem the tide. Even Celeste's caretaker was forced to use her Semblance, Bitterfrost, to its absolute limit and literally freeze any Grimm near her solid with temperatures plunging far below the negatives. Even flyers were having ice rapidly form on their bodies, which made them crash back onto the ground.
Unfortunately, since Bitterfrost affects everything near Katharine, Team JNR, Qrow, Neo and even Celeste had to stay back, courtesy of the heiress letting everyone near her know to keep their distance or risk becoming blocks of ice themselves.
"While I'll be damned…" Qrow couldn't help but voice his surprise at how dangerous Bitterfrost was and how Katharine alone is freezing everything in place. In fact, everything is covered in a thick layer of ice, and Celeste's caretaker is straight up skiing while slicing heads off everything frozen with Galatea. "Princess. I don't know how her Semblance works. But doesn't this drain her aura severely?"
He raises a good point right as Celeste glances at him. "Well, yes, Mr Branwen. Katharine rarely pushes Bitterfrost to its limit for… obvious reasons, as you all can see." She extends her hand out at the frozen hellscape left in her wake. "But years of training make her aura usage efficient."
"Hate to ask, but does this Semblance have any weaknesses?" Jaune asks next before pondering silently. "We've seen her use it before with such precision back above Argus Express, from what the others say, and also freeze only Neo in place. All the while everyone else is unaffected. But I can't help but wonder if she is lying about its true strength, or is Katharine just really good at controlling her Semblance?"
"Yeah… As a sign of trust between us as allies, Katharine's Semblance requires extreme focus to maintain this area of control. Any distractions would cause her Semblance to lose control and affect more than it should or even freeze herself. This is also the reason why I warned about keeping clear of her earlier. She cannot give her all if she's worried about my safety or anyone else's safety." Celeste calmly explains.
"I see. That makes some sense." Ren nods his head before bringing his attention to the Wendigo Grimm, which still had not partaken in the fight and appears more content in widening the breach. "However, this fight isn't over yet. The Bloody Hidesman hasn't joined the fight." He brings up
"Yeah… The damn thing must be waiting until we're all exhausted before joining the party. Hell, if the stories of it still carry truths of it, then I don't see our chances of knocking that thing down by ourselves." Qrow mutters next before a thought hits Nora.
"Okay, hear me out, guys! Why don't we just skip the waiting game and let Ruby nuke Bambi's evil grandpa with those shiny eyes of hers? Worked on the dragon, right? Bet it'll work on that thing too!"
"That could work. But Ruby's busy currently with Hazel, and-" Jaune nods his head, but a rumble shakes the ground that alarms just about everyone. And a beat later, another rumble shook the earth before everyone pinpointed the source of the rumbling, and far in the distance, a MASSIVE mech could be seen emerging out of the mountain at the Atlesian base.
"Oh… oh no…" Panic can be heard through Celeste's lips. Yes, while the Colossus will be an important asset and help against the tide of Grimm banging on everyone's door, there's a SEVERE problem! Zack's barrier covers the entire Argus except for the Atlesian Military Base offshore!
And if Specialist Cordovin is just as she was…
"Oh shit." She mutters on before Caroline's voice echoes for everyone to hear among the rumblings.
And it is one hell of a speech…
(Author here, this speech was a bitch to write…)
"People of Argus. Soldiers of Atlas. And all those fighting outside these walls, whether you are Huntsmen, civilians, or strangers of unknown origin, hear me. This is Specialist Caroline Cordovin of the Atlesian Military. The Colossus is deployed, and with it, Atlas' answer to the terror that plagues our world!"
"You have endured chaos for minutes while I have watched. I have studied. I did not rush blindly into battle, as hot-headed children so often do, seeking to claim glory. I weighed the threats, confirmed the positions, and assessed the unknowns. It is true, I held back, but not out of cowardice. I did so out of discipline. For without full understanding, to unleash this machine would risk Argus itself. Now the time for waiting is over! For too long I let Argus stand at the edge, and Atlas will not allow it to fall!"
Cordovin's words became sharper and still as she continued on with her yapping.
"I see the tide of Grimm crashing against these walls, yet they do not pour through as they might have. No, I have concluded that something, or someone, has created a barrier. It cages the city beneath a dome, herding the beasts into a single funnel at the gates. A clever tactic, yes." She dismissively acknowledges. "It buys you time. It turns chaos into a grinder where blades and bullets can cut them down in droves. I will admit, it is quite effective."
"And yet, this effectiveness of this same barrier now shackles me. Look there, above the breach, the great horned beast, the unknown Grimm that pries the walls apart! I see it holding the wound open for its flyers to swarm through! I see the air black with wings, and Argus is slowly choking. And still this barrier! This strange wall of force keeps me from marching the Colossus to the front, where its cannons would tear that monster to shreds! Atlas' strongest arm is barred from the field by your interference!"
"So let this be clear to whoever maintains this obstruction. You will lower it. Now. You will not dictate terms to Atlas. You will not presume authority over me. This is my battlefield, my city's defence, and I will not tolerate obstruction when lives are at stake! Should you defy this command, you will answer for insubordination. And I remind you, insubordination in the presence of Atlas' highest weapon is not a light matter."
"With the Colossus unleashed, the tide will turn! I will crush the monster and its lesser kin that gnaw at your gates. I will blast the skies clean of vermin! I will break the back of this horde and drive it into the dust where it belongs! That is the promise of Atlas' might, the promise I have upheld for decades! While others stumble and quarrel, I will bring order. While others waste strength, I will deliver victory. Atlas does not bend. Atlas does not falter. And under my command, Atlas does not fail! And this city will not FALL!"
"So I say it again. Lower the barrier now and let me bring the Colossus forward! Or stand guilty of obstructing the salvation of Argus, and I will force it open myself!"
==================================================================
Qrow POV
Well… fuck us, I guess. Or is it my damn Semblance acting up again and making that woman decide to get off her ass to do something? Damn Atlesians. There are literally thousands of those monsters waiting to have a snack out of us, and she insists that the barrier kiddo made must go down so she could 'save' everyone?
Fuck that!
If Zack does that, we're going to get swarmed to hell to come, and he'll be kidnapped by Salem's goons! At this rate, Pipsqueak and her eyes are our only option if everyone's to make it out and deal with everything before that woman could screw things up even further.
Just as Hammers said. (Basically Nora)
And don't get me started on that Wendigo just chilling on the side-lines like it's a damn movie! If what Mini Ice Queen says is correct, Grimm's smart enough to launch an ambush and powerful enough to exert commands on its lesser kin to follow and not attack Hazel and that scorpion fuck who stung me.
Seriously, how did both of them stumble across such a beast? How did that even happen? Did they accidentally walk into its house or something? "The rest of you, stay here and stop any more of them from slipping back, Katharine. I'll go get Pipsqueak." I say before running off and turning into a crow to get to her quickly!
I don't know how long it will be before that woman loses her patience and blasts the damn barrier, but I refuse to take any chances! We need to get rid of the horde on our asses, or we are screwed!
Even so, I can't help but think of who those fellas are. Because they're definitely fighting like Huntsman with their own weaponry and speciality. But at the same time, there's some pretence of order and hierarchy among them. Hell, they dressed in almost the same clothing and armour, with exceptions of minor adjustments for personal preference.
At least, that's what I can see with my bird eyes.
Also, pretty sure that the one with the big-ass scissors as a weapon mentions the Blessed One…
Could that be Kiddo she's referring to? Sounds about right with the new dress-up he had and some sort of weapon that is for sure not Oathkeeper we all remember. If that didn't say how much he's changed, then the third tail sticking out of his ass certainly will.
Ugh…
Zack really knows how to start a damn party, huh? Now, time to get-
"Qrow, look out!" I instantly swerved to the side before a human-sized rock flew past me! Damn, that was too close for comfort! Thanks for the heads-up, Ren! Taking a quick glance, I can see that the Bloody Hidesman tried to squish me with a boulder! It must have known what I was going to-
"Rock!" I heard Hammers yelling out again before I saw another aim for me through the breach, and I easily dodged it, but looking at where it was going, I would have cursed if I weren't in my crow form! Because that damn thing wasn't aiming for me!
It was aiming for Kiddo the whole damn time through me!
And none of us can stop it because the first one took out Mini Ice Queen's summon while we're processing what the hell happened!
"Zack, look out!" I heard that princess girl yelling out next while I tried to get close to hopefully intercept that rock, but I'm too late! That first rock flattened his protection and spooked him, while the second's already right on top of him!
And then, we heard it. The rock smashed right on top of him and threw him flying while yelping, and just for that second, I swear everyone stopped fighting. Even more, the barrier Kiddo had set up began flickering like a damn broken light bulb!
Ah, hell… So much for keeping it afloat.
By the time I was by his side, he had already crashed back onto the ground.
As if that wasn't all, everyone who knew him cries out to him while I change back and hold him in my arms. Shit… That blow must have knocked him out! "Zack!" I heard Pipsqueak and Mini Ice Queen rushing over to my side. I rested my fingers on his neck. His pulse is still heavy. Hell, if I know when he'll wake up because I know for sure his aura took the brunt of it.
"Our charge has fallen, and the barrier falls with him! Everyone, retreat and pull back lest we are overrun!" One of those guys holding a bloody chainsaw axe yelled out as they began pulling back to my position. "Pull back!" Another one yells while I hear that the specialist is far too happy to hear that the barrier keeping our asses intact is fading.
"Finally! At last, reason prevails. The obstruction has fallen, the shroud has lifted, and now Atlas may march unbound! Whoever it was that held this dome, you have served your purpose, but you must understand that no wall can replace Atlas' steel, no trick of Aura can outlast the might of the Colossus!" Soon everyone can feel the earth rumbling again.
That damn women on her way now before she continues rambling about how Atlas is the best. "With the chains broken, Atlas' strongest arm will strike! The Colossus shall advance, its cannons will thunder, and this horde will be broken as surely as stone crumbles beneath iron! You have delayed it for long enough, but now victory is at hand!"
Oh, fuck off with that!
"Mr. Branwen! Is he alright?" Mini Ice Queen was soon by my side with Ruby, and her hands were trembling like hell. Okay, something definitely happened between the two of them while they were away. I have never seen her lose her cool this badly. "Please. I can't be dead, is he?"
"Kiddo's alive. But unconscious." I could only say before Ruby quickly took him off mine and into her arms. Damn, she looks absolutely heartbroken and about to break into tears any second now and is mumbling something I couldn't pick up. "But we've got to pull back to the walls, and those fellas are right. We're exposed out here."
"Damn my bad luck for this…" I found myself cursing softly while I could see everyone else pulling back to our position. But soon I see that red-haired woman apparently responsible for the whole Semblance controlling the body thing on Kiddo right in front of us.
And she's pissed.
"Do I even want to know what happened?"
"He got sniped by a rock." I deadpan while looking up at her. "He's not dead, if you were wondering. Just unconscious from that impact." And for a moment I see relief in her eyes before she turns and stares at the horde now about to come for us now that the barrier is fading.
Even more, I hear that damn scorpion cackling at our misfortune, and even that Wendigo is also laughing slowly at how things have gone to shit for us. Even our midget ally seems more peeved than anything else about this situation.
"Thank the Sisters he is alright. But I hope you have something to stem the tide before that fool in that machine gets here. It will be greatly appreciated." She shakes her head before looking back at me. "She has no idea what she's up against." I see Weiss looking up at her before staring at Zack's unconscious body in Ruby's arms.
Sisters? They know the Sisters of Twilight? Okay… I feel a headache coming at this rate. We seriously need a proper discussion on what happened since we were cut apart.
"Zack!"
I hear the others running over to us and calling out. But my focus is on my niece. "Ruby, I'm never one for ordering you around, but your eyes could be helpful right now." I said before noticing that woman was raising an interested eye on her.
You better not have ideas for her, or there will be a reckoning.
But instead of saying anything, she turned to the others dressed relatively like her. "Royal Guards! While our charge is alive but unconscious, the battle still continues! Yet, take heart, for this is not the end for us or everyone in the city! For our people, once forgotten, shall shine ever brighter against the darkness! And while we draw breath, we will FIGHT!" She yells as if to rally the others, which worked well enough before looking at Ruby.
"Whatever plans involve you, young one, let us play our role in its success. Lead the charge." One hell of a speech over there. Still, I can see how that made the gears in Pipsqueak's head turn before gently placing Kiddo on the floor with her eyes closed and standing up.
Then her eyes open again, and they're glowing. Yup, she is pissed now. "Ruby, I hope you're not going to do something dumb right now." I heard Firecracker calling out in the background, but Ruby did not speak or even address Firecracker. She just walked towards where the Grimm were flooding in, with the glowing in her eyes intensifying.
"Am I seeing this correctly, Mistress?" Right, Princess and her bodyguard are there. Hopefully when this is over, they can keep their mouths shut about it. Ah… Who am I kidding? They're most likely joining us at this rate.
"You are not, Katharine. Another tale proven reality from myths and legends." I ended up fading out the noise of everything and focusing on the two before Katharine spoke again while sounding baffled as shit.
"What have we stumbled into? First was your childhood friend, then the Bloody Hidesman. Now this? The Silver Eye Warriors, as the tale goes? I doubt we can go back to normalcy after this." Heh. Welcome to our world, lady.
Then, bringing my attention back to my niece, holding on to her scythe tightly before she mutters loud enough for everyone to hear.
"I've had enough… I've had enough of this!" she cries out, her voice ringing above the chaos of battle. "Beacon fell. Pyrrha's gone. Penny's gone. We've lost too many already. Every time we fight, someone we care about gets hurt or taken away, and I… I can't keep losing people!"
Shit, man. I've never heard her this mad before. This must have come as a surprise because I swear, I see everyone pausing and a few gulping.
"Not him. We just reunited, and I won't lose him again!" My niece continues before she brings her free hand up to her chest. I think she's holding that necklace Kiddo gave to her as a birthday gift.
"You want him? You want to take someone else from me?!" She roars, her voice trembling between what is for sure anguish and defiance. "Then you'll have to go through me! I won't let another friend die. I won't let anything happen to Zack or any of my friends!" Ruby's basically pouring her feelings into this while yelling.
"I'm done standing by! I'm done losing! You will not take anyone else from me! ESPECIALLY HIM!"
And then everything became white.
==================================================================
For a moment. Silent descent upon Argus except for the confused squawking of Cordovin as to where that flash of light came from. Nevertheless, Ruby's silver eyes had completely wiped the place clean of Grimm as soon as it had passed. Well, almost all of them. Right at the back, a stone statue of the Wendigo Grimm still remains.
As do Hazel and Tyrian. The former of whom is now doubting the success of their plans and is already planning an escape, while the latter is utterly furious that his fun was stopped in its tracks. With the majority of the Grimm utterly disintegrated, there's no point in staying here. For they are outnumbered by a ridiculously large margin; it is borderline suicidal unless they wish to be captured.
But while it seemed that victory was in the hands of the defenders, with Ruby panting for breath from letting it all out and the cheers of victory coming from the walls, the truth is…
This fight is far from over.
Not by a long shot.
Out of everyone, Celeste was one of the few whose mind was not in a good mood. Instead, her eyes were squarely upon the Bloody Hidesman reduced to stone. She knows how certain Grimms appear to be resistant to the effects of the Silver Eyes, just like that Leviathan Grimm in canon. If the Bloody Hidesman is the same, then this will not kill it.
But as if proven right, black smoke suddenly began pouring out of its limbs.
At first it was minimal and barely noticeable. Then it continues to pour out of it at a frightening pace with cracks rapidly forming all over the petrified Wendigo Grimm. All the joys of victory instantly come to a halt before it breaks free from its stone prison and roars with fury!
It was so loud, in fact, that it forced everyone to cover their ears in pain again.
"Foul magic! This is not the end!" Its roar was so loud that more Grimm could be seen attracted to its position, as if calling for more support! "You! You will die before you cast more of that again! I will see to that!" It howls furiously while pointing its claws straight at Ruby while its maws twist into a hideous snarl.
All the while the majority's faces paled from the sight. "You've got to be shitting me…" Yang mutters in utter disbelief, her hands tensing up. "It took Ruby's attack to the face and is completely unharmed?!"
"Not unharmed… I think we just made it mad." Jaune gulps, while understandably terrified at how things fell on everyone's head. "Really mad…" Meanwhile, above the walls, every single Atlesian guard on the walls immediately opened fire upon the Wendigo Grimm, which was now breaking into speed towards the walls of Argus!
And specifically, towards Ruby!
However, those rounds seem to either bounce off it or get lodged into its thick hide and do nothing, which only exacerbates the panic felt by everyone. Even more so, it has an arm over its face as if shielding its weak spot, like its eyes, while charging! "Crapbaskets! Now what?!" Nora chimes in while shaking Ren vigorously while he remains silent and even activates his semblance so he can think.
"Sister Nerium. Your orders?" One of the Royal Guards asks tensely while the Sword of the Khan herself remains silent.
"Prepare to hold the line and delay any hostile for as much time as you can until that damn woman with her machine arrives!" Those were her final words before she dashed forward with her chains gathering on her arms. Then, with a wide swing of her arms, Nerium sent her Semblance at the Bloody Hidesman and bound its limbs, which ground its movement to a screeching halt.
"You heard her, people! Move! Engage the beast and let the test our might!" Kharn orders his fellow Royal Guards as they take the initiative while the Wendigo Grimm howls at its bindings and begins resisting them, much to Nerium's frustration that her Semblance wasn't as effective as it was before because it knows her tricks and is furious.
So furious, in fact, that it resorts to grabbing the chains it could get its hands on and crushing them whole! It also did not help that Hazel and Tyrian had regained the initiative and engaged the Royal Guards, trying to hold them and the Bloody Hidesman back from the others at the gates of Argus.
While all that was happening, Blake could only bring up the others. "So, what now? We're waiting until Cordovin gets here, and maybe stop it?" Her ears clearly signal that the cat Faunus is nervous about the situation. "Weiss? Perhaps you can give some ideas?"
"The only option I can think of is some sort of magical enhancement or serious firepower that could slow or injure it."
Weiss mutters before everyone not fighting looks at her while she rests her fist over her mouth and gazes over at her unconscious boyfriend worryingly. "Because that's how Zack managed to cut its arm off, using magic to enhance his attack. And with it, managed to force it to retreat while we were separated. It is still possible to damage it, but the Bloody Hidesman's hide is unbelievably thick for a Grimm."
"Wonderful. Just our damn luck." Qrow couldn't help but roll his eyes at the situation while Ruby gulped as she walked close.
"Guys? Maybe I can try and freeze it again with my eyes, so I don't know. Perhaps the second hit would stop it?" She suggests, while earning unsure looks from her friends and allies. Even Neo who was there, is more interested in the Royal Guards distracting the Bloody Hidesman.
Even if some are getting hit and sent flying by its attacks. It did not help that fatigue was starting to sink its grasp on them. Except Kharn.
The dude's too high to stop.
"I wouldn't recommend that." Celeste walks in with Katharine behind her. "You saw how that thing is furious at you for petrifying it. If you were to do it again, you might cause it to ignore everything and charge straight for you. And by extension, you could accidentally put the walls and us into its wrath. Frankly, that's too much of a risk since it could decide to crush you in one hit."
"Agreed." Celeste's caretaker nods her head. "While I lack the necessary information on what happened. That attack of yours severely hampered it but at the cost of enraging it. And doing it again might weaken it further at the cost of putting a literal target on you, Miss Rose."
"Well, now what then? We can't just sit on our asses while those stranger guys risk their lives for us and get punted around. Nor do I want to rely on that jerk lady, Covr-whatever, to take all the credit!" Nora suggests only soft laughter near the walls to catch their attention before it becomes feral growling.
And it happens to come from Zack pushing himself slowly back up.
"Zack!"
The gang called him only to pause when they could feel that something was wrong with their friend/acquaintance. Firstly, the tattoos on his right arm are flickering every less than a second and slowly turning blood-red. Then there is the fact energy was crackling around his tails, as did his claws and fangs, which were visibly lengthening for all to see.
Out of everyone who was stunned and confused by what was happening, only Weiss knew the truth.
He's going to go berserk again! Just as both AWOR and Ishmael warned that if pushed too far, he might lose control! And one she had seen happening back in Sanctuary!
"Everyone! Get back now!" Her face was paler than ever before, with terror crawling up her spine, which understandably stunned everyone with how emotive she was. Weiss promised herself that she would do her best to not let her secret boyfriend lose control of himself. But now?
Barely even a few days in, and he's gone crazy again! "He's not himself right now!"
"Huh? What do you mean by that? What's happening to him?" Yang blurts while Katharine protectively pushes Celeste behind her through instinct. Even Neo instantly pulls out Hush and points it at him, which makes Ren near her gently push it down. As for Zack, those energies began to condense and grant him the remaining six tails, in addition to the three he already has.
"Weiss? What's happening?"
Jaune nervously asks next, only for their fox Faunus friend to interrupt the conversation with his voice. "So, thinking of letting that woman have all the glory for everything we've done, huh? Honestly, I'm annoyed you plan to have that happen." His voice seemingly echoed with itself to the point it sounded like multiple voices spoke as one.
Then upon pushing himself back onto his feet, Zack's eyes opened up, and they scared them even further that everyone instinctively took several steps back. With the worst being Blake, since her Faunus instincts were screaming at her that something powerful beyond anything she knew was before her.
His eyes…
They were blood-red.
Even his golden irises were suffocated by the red energies that seemed to have engulfed his body. "Kitsune Faunus…" Weiss mutters out with terror at the memory of how destructive he was in his rampage. "I repeat, he is not himself right now. Keep your distance. And back away slowly…"
Yet, despite all that, Ruby chose to call him out despite Qrow's efforts to keep her back. "Zack?" Her voice was barely a whisper, but still loud enough to make Zack's ear tilt towards her. However, his eyes seemed distracted by the fighting in the background. "Are you… there?" Her wavering voice betrays the confusion and dread in her mind as to what happened to him to cause that.
Even so, the tension was so heavy that it was beyond oppressive for everyone. But, unexpectedly to all, the feral look he had slowly faded a bit as he turned his head and acknowledged her.
"I'm here, Ruby. I'm in control. For the moment, at least." Their friend said while rubbing his temple with one hand and checking out his claws and tattoos glowing blood red with the other. In only seconds after having a look, he grimaces at himself. "Damn… so this was how I looked when I went insane, huh? I must have looked like a monster to everyone."
He sighs softly as he glances behind him to see all nine of his tails, but that was enough for Ruby to use her Semblance to zip close to her friend and hug him. "Zack! You're still here, are you? You're not going to go crazy like what Weiss said?" She couldn't help but blurt out while burying her face in his chest.
And surprisingly enough, Zack had all nine of his tails shift slowly and wrap around her gently in an assuring cocoon of fluff. "Yes, I am Ruby. I'm still here…" His throat slowly rumbles while holding her close.
"How… How are you in control?" Weiss asks, her voice wavering in utter disbelief, and it was only discipline and her own dignity that prevented her from rushing forward and glomping onto her secret boyfriend as Ruby did. Though she did feel a pang of jealousy seeing her partner get wrapped up by all that fluff.
That must have felt really good being wrapped up by nine warm fluffy tails…
"I have no idea, to be honest. But I intend to use this power even if my mind's cloudy. My own thoughts: I can hear voices in my mind urging me to let it all loose and tear something up. Besides, I swore I would do that Wendigo the next time I saw it." Despite the redness of Zack's eyes, they still carry the softness everyone knew him for.
"So… Want to tell us when you got this superpower mode, kid?" Qrow asks next before getting a sigh as a response.
"Ugh… I'll just say that plenty of things happened while we were separated. Which includes this too."
"Plenty is an understatement." Ren points it out, which gets a reluctant acknowledgement out of the Kitsune Faunus.
"Yup. Alright, time to get off me. We've got a battle to win first." Gently, Ruby eventually breaks away.
Though unknown to everyone but the little rose herself, she felt disappointed pulling away from him. In fact, she really wants to stay by his side with how comforting it was for her to be in his arms and tails. Zack nearly died in Haven, then he and Weiss got separated on the way to Argus. All of it was taxing for her for days straight, so like hell she'll let him out of her sight again!
"What's super Zacky going to do now? Are you going to blast that thing to space or give it the super laser treatment?" Nora, being Nora, asked, which made Celeste snort a bit despite the seriousness of the situation.
"Please don't call me that." He shakes his head with a soft smile before hardening. "But to be frank, I was thinking a simple decapitation or clawing will be a suitable end for it." Zack explains as he takes a step back and throws his left arm out. And soon, Oathkeeper materializes into his hand.
The glorious purple that was part of it now became blood red as his eyes. Despite the change, everyone seeing it for the first time was surprised by it suddenly appearing in his hand. But in view of such beauty, they all become awestruck by it.
Except Weiss. Who had seen what it was originally supposed to look.
Even the Kitsune Faunus seem surprised that it changed. "How did-Oh, right. It's bound to my soul, kind of thing… Guess it would be affected by this." He mutters while Blake mutters.
"Where did you get that from? What happened to Oathkeeper?"
"This is Oathkeeper. The original one I had, uh… I broke it. And it has been reforged into this with some help I found." Zack sheepishly admits. "Well then, as much as I love to keep talking here, allow me the chance to settle a score for an old friend. While you're at it, you guys go and deal with Hazel and Tyrian and the rest of the Grimm coming. If I can kill that Wendigo, the attack on Argus will cease."
"Ohh… Magic sword!" Nora couldn't help herself. After all, this new Oathkeeper is different with this mystical feeling that reminded everyone too much of the Relic of Knowledge, speaking of which is still on his belt.
Even Ruby, ever the weapons nerd, couldn't help but marvel at its beauty, even if it is tainted by Zack's berserk stage. Whatever the case, that just makes her wish to see it in its pure form even more. After all, the sword is literally magic, from what she can guess, and Zack summoned it out of nowhere!
How cool is that?!
"Well then, let the hunt begin." He couldn't stop the grin from growing, which so happened to expose his fangs, and then quickly he was gone as if he wasn't there to begin with.
The battle for Argus has gone on for longer than welcomed. It is time for it to come to an end.