Hey guys, welcome back. Time to add another character to the mix.
Chapter Three: Nil
Ruby's POV
After visiting uncle Qrow, I head back to the inn. Weiss is waiting for me and she isn't the most patient person I have ever met. Understatement of the century. Just when I thought Yang had safely secured that title… A pang of loneliness shoots through me, hoping that my sister will turn up soon. This is the longest we have been apart ever and it's been much harder than I had anticipated. I knew it would difficult being apart from my family, but not this much. We can't even call each other. It's safe to say that we left on… awkward terms. If I know Yang, she won't want to sit still for longer than she has to.
Yang isn't the only thing I have to think about right now. My mind whirs with troubling information as I walk, wondering how we can defeat such powerful enemies. We failed once before, only managing to stop them temporarily … and at great cost. Now, I'm in even more danger and so are the people around me. Don't get me wrong, I'm not about to give up, far from it. Still, hope is in short supply right now. Uncle Qrow never fails to provide bad news. Then again, it's better to know what we're facing than going in blind. That would be a recipe for disaster.
At times like this, when my resolve is shaken, I wonder what Pyrrha would have said. Probably something inspiring. She might not be the best with words, her social skills lacking, but somehow she knew just what to say to encourage everyone. Jaune probably knew that better than anyone. It just wasn't fair. Pyrrha didn't deserve… A lump forms in my throat and I swallow hard, holding back the tears threatening to fall. Taking a deep, calming breath I press forward. Now is not the time for tears.
As I enter the room, Weiss looks over at me curiously. "You took your sweet time. So, what did Qrow have to say for himself?" She might not admit it, but I think she is just as worried about him as the rest of us. There is a heart beneath the icy exterior.
"Nothing good." I flop down beside her on the bed and begin to relay the information I have been told, watching Weiss' expression become more and more troubled. Nightmare Eyes, a power that can utilize the Grimm to the user's own ends… Just how much more complicated can this already complex situation get? Hopefully, this will be the last surprise we encounter, but I highly doubt it. Our journey so far has been nothing but surprises, not all good ones either.
"That… sounds bad," Weiss finally announces after processing the information. It isn't until now that I realize just how much she has matured, in both her appearance and behavior. Like me, I guess.
"You're telling me," I sigh deeply, running my fingers tiredly through my hair. Thinking about the things uncle Qrow told me, not just from today, makes our task seem nearly impossible.
Weiss must have noticed my concern, because I feel her hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry. I won't let them get you," she reassures, her expression surprisingly tender and comforting. During our time together, I've noticed a shift from icy contempt to something much warmer from her, especially since reuniting. It's definitely not my imagination. That much I know for certain.
"Oh, my knight in shining armor," I add with an amused smirk. "Come save me, the damsel in distress, who clearly cannot defend herself with her massive sniper scythe and kickass fighting skills."
Weiss nudges my shoulder, looking a little flustered at the comparison despite doing her best to hide that fact. "Cut it out, you weirdo."
Chuckling, I turn to her with an appreciative smile. "Thank you, Weiss. Really. It means a lot to know you have my back. Now more than ever."
She shrugs, trying hard to stifle the very obvious grin threatening to break out on her face, one that betrays her normally apathetic demeanor. "I would be a pretty bad teammate if I let you get taken. That's all."
"Uh-huh." I suspect it's more than that, not that I anticipate Weiss admitting it. As much as she has changed, not everything does.
"What's that supposed to mean?" she asks, her light blue eyes narrowing suspiciously.
Deciding to risk it, I reply honestly. "Even now you're acting like it's such a chore to be around me, but I know otherwise. Your act doesn't fool me."
The directness of my statement makes her falter, incomplete sentences sputtering from her lips. "I… you… urgh." She huffs, turning away from me.
"Wow, the great Weiss Schnee lost for words. Never thought I'd see the day. Can I get a commemorative photo?" I ask cheekily, reveling in the chaos.
For a few seconds, it appears as if she might retort back with an equally teasing comment. Instead, she looks me straight in the eyes, shaking her head resignedly. "You are impossible…"
I grin at her, just enjoying being able to mess around like this again with a highly valued friend. "You'd better believe it."
Weiss' expression softens considerably, "I guess I wouldn't have you any other way." I don't reply straight away, my jaw dropping a fraction at this confession. Weiss seems just as flustered as me, eyes widening in surprise at her own words. "I… you… just..." After a few seconds, she sighs deeply before clearing her throat. "Well, I think I've said enough about… that…"
When I can speak again, I break out into a huge grin. "Oh, I don't know about that. I think I could get used to hearing how much you don't want me to change."
Composing herself, Weiss switches back to her default indifference. "I'm sure you could, but it's not going to happen."
"We'll see, won't we?"
For the first time ever, I think Weiss is genuinely speechless and, dare I say it, embarrassed. No witty comebacks or snide remarks, just… vulnerability. I'm not used to seeing this kind of expression from her. Maybe I could, though.
Salem's Grimm-human has longed for the day when it could be released. Its Grimm side has been itching to cause havoc and chaos ever since merging, screaming for it so loudly that all other thoughts were overpowered. Now, that day is here. Finally…
It stretches out its hands, nails claw like and unkempt. First things first, sort out its appearance. It needs to look as human as possible, otherwise its options will be vastly limited. As it makes its way towards the bathroom to get cleaned up, it ponders something. It hasn't been given a name and can't remember what it used to be called, so it decides to name itself. Nil. A title befitting such an empty void as itself.
Happy enough with the name, Nil enters the bathroom and begins cleaning up. First, a shower. It steps inside, shrugging off the tattered clothes and letting the warm water hit its scar marked skin. There are shifting patches of black dotted against the paleness, few and far between for now. When the Grimm's influence increases, these areas grow and spread rapidly. Canines elongate and fingernails turn to sharp claws. Keeping it under control is a difficult task, one many have failed at. Nil often wonders just how many have succumbed during Salem's experiments. Whether Nil itself volunteered for the process or was forced. Who it used to be. She never answers. Not that it matters much anymore. The past is irrelevant.
Once clean, Nil grabs a pair of scissors and begins to hack at the mess of dark, long hair cascading from its shoulders. Now styled into a more manageable short style, it approaches the mirror by the sink and exposes its teeth. The canines are longer than normal for a human, much sharper too. After giving them a good clean and trimming back fingernails, Nil gets dressed. Salem provided new clothes, comfortable and battle ready. They are dark in color, armor plating fitting over the top. White and red, like Grimm, a mask covering the obvious void-like nightmare eyes - just in case anyone did know about the power, which was a distinct possibility. Salem had told Nil that Ozpin may have known, just another reason to get rid of him. Or attempt to at least.
Ozpin's true fate, however, is not Nil's main concern. Its task is more urgent than dealing with a supposedly dead man. The focus of its attention is much more immediate. A huntress with a power strong enough to combat Nil's. Ruby Rose. Not even an adult and barely a half-trained huntress, she has managed to royally mess up Salem's carefully laid out plans. Theoretically, it should have been impossible. There has been a slight complication not compensated for… Silver Eyes – a rare and dangerous power capable of totally obliterating Grimm – as events at Beacon had shown.
So far, Ruby has evaded capture. Again, something that should never have happened… and yet it had. Time and time again, the young girl has been underestimated. A mistake Nil will not make. Salem grows increasingly frustrated with failure and will not entertain it for much longer. Additionally, the Grimm side of Nil can sense the danger of Ruby's ability, demanding blood. So long as she remains alive, there is always a significant threat of defeat. Alone, she might not be much of a problem. She has yet to master her ability as far as Salem can tell. While diminished, her allies still exist and have the will to fight. All the more reason to destroy every single shred of hope. A sense of agreement radiates from the Grimm presence, followed swiftly by a desire for death and destruction.
Done speculating, Nil grabs the weapon Salem had provided, a zweihander/rifle combo. The sword feels oddly familiar, yet at the same time different. Sheathing it, Nil strides out towards the building's exit. Dark eyes glow slightly as it leaves, the haunting howling of nearby Grimm echoing around the otherwise silent forest.
Time to see how quickly hope gave way to despair.
Yang's POV – A Few Days Later
My bike screeches to a halt at a refill station, the fuel meter running low. The journey from Vale to Mistral is a long one, divided by water. I have nearly reached that point, ready to cross over into uncharted territory. There is still a way to go, but at least it feels like I'm making progress. Better than lying in bed all day, feeling sorry for myself at any rate. I've done that for long enough. There are more important things to be doing with my time, like helping Ruby. She has a heavy burden on her shoulders and needs all the hep she can get. Also… I need to apologize for being so cold to her before she left. Hopefully, she can forgive me.
Sighing, I finish up re-fueling and rev up the engine, listening to it roar before continuing on my way.
Blake's POV
My search for the White Fang has led me to Mistral. After Beacon, it seems the next target is Haven Academy, from what I can piece together at least. Admittedly, it's not been easy… especially without the rest of team RWBY. I wince at the thought of my old teammates, guilt flooding me. At the time, I had been so convinced that leaving was the 'right' choice, or at least the easiest one. Now, I'm so sure. Unfortunately, it's too late to regret. They must hate me now and I wouldn't blame them. Especially Yang…
With a sigh, I push those thoughts aside and focus on the task at hand… the White Fang threat. If they are left to their own devices, who knows what will happen. They are a dangerous force to be reckoned with. I should know. Since I used to be a part of the group, it feels like my responsibility to clean up this particular mess. As much as I despise Adam Taurus, I have to admit that he is an effective and ruthless leader, able to make people believe almost anything. For a while, I had been under his spell… but not any longer. His vision of victory is not peaceful coexistence. Far from it. Beacon proved that… My fists clench at the thought of Beacon, tears stinging at my eyes.
Now is not the time to think about the past.
Swallowing hard, I stifle the guilt and stride purposefully forward, not really paying attention to my surroundings. This is my first time in Mistral, but I can hardly enjoy sight-seeing. Not under the circumstances. Everyone is on edge, that much is painfully clear as I walk down the streets, watching them eye each other up with suspicion. I don't blame them in the slightest. After all the rumors spreading around like wildfire, how could they feel safe? One problem, Grimm are drawn towards negative emotions - suspicion, fear, despair and hatred to name but a few. Cities such as Mistral have become magnets for Grimm activity, hordes moving ever closer to the center. As bravely as guards, hunters and huntresses fight to defend the city, it's only a matter of time before the Grimm inevitably break through. Something has to change, and soon.
That's why I'm here, trying to make a small difference. Even if it only buys us all a little more time, that's something. Better than what we have now. I suspect that others are also working towards a similar goal, maybe with a more coherent plan. Maybe we're all just clutching at straws. Either way, I can't afford to sit around and do nothing. None of us can. What we need now is decisive action. Words won't help us, not anymore. Grimm can't be reasoned with, and neither can our enemy from the looks of it. A peaceful solution is not possible. Maybe it never was.
So, we'll leave it there for now I think. Have a great day and see you next time.
