Chapter 4
Awaken
"I'm just saying, motion sickness is a more common problem than people let on." the blonde boy said, an embarrassed look plastered on his face.
Ruby laughed a little, "Jaune, you don't have to justify anything. So you got motion sick, big deal. I'm sure everyone will forget about it sooner or later." Ruby told her companion. The odd pair walked aimlessly through the academy campus, taking in the sights.
"You're probably right. It's just..." Jaune paused, trying to find the right words, scratching the back of his head while doing so, "Not a good first impression, you know?"
"Yeah, I can understand that." Ruby replied, the two going silent as they search for something else to talk about. "So... I got this thing." Ruby said, after a moment, thinking that she could show off her weapon. Ruby unfolded Crescent Rose out to its full length and leaned it against her shoulder.
"Whoa!" Jaune cried out in surprise, "Is that a giant scythe? Aren't those tough to wield?"
"Yeah," Ruby answered, "my uncle taught me how to fight with it. Not only that, it is also a high caliber, high impact sniper rifle." She added, sounding very proud.
"Neat, but a sniper rifle?" Jaune asked, eyeing the weapon, "Why not a regular rifle, automatic or otherwise? I imagine they would be better for someone who would be in close combat a lot." He said, adding his thoughts.
"Yeah, well, the recoil helps my momentum, not to mention it helps me to zip around baddies." Ruby explained, "Beside, I'm not one to care about fire rates, and loading clips would be more of a hassle. What about you? What do you use?" She asked her companion.
"Oh, ah..." Jaune said, sounding nervous, "I got this sword." He said, pulling out the said arming sword. It gleamed in the sunlight, showing it polish and shine, a sign of great care.
"Ooh" Ruby simply said, as she analyzed the blade.
"I also got this shield, which I use as a sheath as well." Jaune continued, grabbing the white and gold colored holster, which expanded in his hands to a heater shield. "Not really all that impressive."
"Well, I like it. It's a classic." Ruby smiled, "Besides, you don't have to worry about where to get ammo, which moving part is busted, lengthy repairs, and all that kind of stuff. All you have to do is keep it sharpened, and you're back in the fray."
"Huh, didn't really think of it that way." The blonde boy admitted, "Sounds manageable." He said as he collapsed and return the shield sheath to its place on his belt.
"Yeah," his black and red companion said, "and I'm a dork when it comes to weapons. I admit I may have gone overboard when I designed Crescent Rose here."
"Wait, you built that?" Jaune asked, surprised.
"Well yeah, all students craft their own weapons, right?" Ruby said, wondering about her companion's question.
"Yeah, but when I hear that, I think of the kits and manuals. I've never heard of a scythe kit or manual. You built yours from the ground up?" Jaune explained and asked, awe in his voice.
"Oh, well yeah." Ruby said, unsure how to take the praise, "I had a lot of free time to plan it out, and built it. I had four other prototypes before this one." she said, remembering how the first one wouldn't collapse properly, or how the third's gun was always jamming, along with other problems that plagued all four, until she got it right with the fifth, now her Crescent Rose. "What about you? Did you forge your sword?" Once again, Jaune looked embarrassed.
"Ah, no. It's a hand-me-down." he said, twirling the sword in his hand, "My ancestor used it in the war."
"Sounds like a family heirloom to me." Ruby said, before a thought occurred to her, "How is this still useable? It should have rusted and gone dull and brittle by now, or at least worn down to nothing." she added, looking at the blade with some scrutiny.
"It's Dust alloyed steel, it helps keeps its durability." Jaune stated.
"There's Dust infused with this?!" Ruby almost yelled, surprised that Jaune forgot to mention that detail.
"Uh... Yeah?" Jaune steadily said.
"Wow, your ancestor must have been someone important to get something like this." Ruby said, awe clearly in her voice, as she looked at the blade with a new light.
Infusing Dust to anything bigger and heavier than bullets is a difficult process. To own such weapons and armor is rare, as they incredibly expensive and hard to come by. Ruby didn't think she'd see one up close.
"Yeah, I guess he was." Jaune simply said.
"So why did you help me out?" Ruby asked, still curious as to why her companion isn't afraid of her. During their entire talk, Ruby subtly looked for any sign of fear from the blonde boy next to her, but couldn't find any. While that bratty girl Weiss didn't seem to fear her, Ruby theorized it was because anger was on her mind first and foremost. Jaune, however, has been nothing but kind and polite. What is it that makes him immune to Ruby's terror?
"Eh, why not?" Jaune shrugged, glad that the conversation shifted away from his family history, "My mother said that strangers are friends you haven't met yet. Besides, I had a feeling about you."
Ruby blushed when he said that, "Whoa there, I'm not interested in a relationship!" she said, jumping to conclusions.
Jaune also blushed when he realized what he implied, and also jumped the gun, "Oh no, I'm not into you! Not that you aren't pretty or cute or anything." He stumbled, his mouth running faster than his brain, "What I mean is that when I saw you, I felt something click, you know? I mean, I just felt something when I saw you." Jaune stop his triad, and took a deep breath, "I am not making this better, am I?" He said, looking straight ahead.
"Nope." Ruby said also looking straight, "You in favor for forgetting this part of our conversation?"
"Yep." Jaune said, then looked around, "Hey, do you know where we are?" Ruby also looked around, and saw absolutely nothing recognizable. Were they that engrossed in their talk?
"Ah... No." The girl in red and black admitted.
And so the awkward duo was lost on the campus ground.
/
After several minutes of wandering, heeding signs, and asking directions from an older, sultry woman, Ruby and Jaune have found the theater where the Welcoming Presentation is being held. It was a miracle they arrived a few moments before the event.
"Ruby! Ruby, over here!" A voice yelled over the commotion and noise of the other first year students. Ruby looked to her blonde sister waving the red cloaked girl over. Ruby frowned, her eyes narrowing slightly, but composed herself, and put on a smile as she turned to address Jaune.
"I'm going to go meet up with my sister. Talk to you later Jaune." she said, leaving from the blonde boy's side
Jaune watched Ruby depart, offering a simple wave goodbye. Despite everything, he thought to himself, today is a good day.
"Hey Ruby, I see that you made a friend." Yang said, though she felt a cold sweat as her younger sister glared at her.
"So, you done hanging out with your friends? How was it?" Ruby asked, her voice sounding sweet, ignoring Yang's comment.
"It was nice, catching up with friends, how they've been doing." Yang answered, "Listen Ruby, I'm sorry for just up and leaving you."
"I'm sure." Ruby replied coolly, turning away and facing the stage, arms crossed.
"I really am sorry, Ruby." Yang said, getting in her sister's field of vision again, "Did something happen?"
"As a matter of fact, yes." Ruby started, "After you ditched me, I had an argument with this bratty and unpleasant gir-" she said, before she was interrupted by a shrill voice that sounded close.
"You!" It yelled out. It was a voice Ruby recognized, and groaned.
"Awesome." Ruby sighed, she really didn't want to deal with this. The red hooded girl turned to see the stuck-up princess from earlier, Weiss, if Ruby remembers correctly, had apparently been standing nearby, and heard her.
"I heard you insulting me. You're the one fell onto my baggage, and cause a mess that could have been disastrous!" the pale girl said.
"I said I was sorry, and it was an accident, so lay off!" Ruby retorted.
"Um..." Yang said, interjecting the two before things could get more heated, the two girls turned to her, "It sounds like you two got off on the wrong foot." the blonde girl said, doing her best to diffuse the situation, "Why don't the both of you start over, and try to be friends?" However, Yang's suggestion was met with glares.
Ruby was the first to break the glare, "Fine." Ruby sighed, turning back to Weiss, and held out her hand, "Hello Weiss, I'm Ruby." she said, her tone flat and forced, "Would you like to be friends?"
Weiss just stood there, not responding to Ruby's words or out stretched hand. "You said you wanted to make the earlier incident up to me. Was that true?" The snow white girl asked, after a moment of silence.
Ruby then remember the statement, and how odd it was for her. This girl is a brat and a jerk, but still, before Jaune, she was the first person to not respond to Ruby in fear. Instead, it was anger, which didn't sound better on reflection. The red and black girl was really regretting that statement, as she felt it will bite her in the butt now.
"Yeah, I was serious." Ruby lazily said. Weiss turned around and walked away from the two siblings.
"Then don't speak to me." Weiss said as she left. Ruby let out another sigh, and Yang a whistle.
"First day, and already making friends and enemies." Yang commented. Before Ruby could retort, Professor Ozpin, appeared on the stage, and approached the microphone, clearing his throat, causing everyone's attention to go to him.
"I'll try to keep this brief." the silver haired man announced as he adjusted his glasses. "You are all here to gain knowledge and hone your craft, and gather new skills, which you all plan to use to dedicate your lives to protect this nation and it citizens." Ozpin then smiled.
"However, you are not to expect this academy and all you experience to be easy. You will face all sorts of trials and challenges. You will be expected to face them, and, in your own way, resolve them, whether it be to charge them head on, or to approach with caution and subtlety. Knowledge is not all you gain here. Our future will be in your hands, for better or for worse." He said finishing his speech, and stepped off, his cane making soft thunks every other step. Ruby noted that his voice sounded some years older. Odd, considering Professor Ozpin is the youngest Headmaster of Beacon.
Glynda Goodwitch, who had been standing nearby, came up to the microphone with her own announcement, "You will gather at the Barn, tomorrow is your initiation. Be ready." the instructor said professionally, hands clasp behind her back, stance ramrod straight, though there was an ominous edge to her last sentence, "You are dismissed."
The crowd of first years started to disperse and walk out of the building. They had an hour before dinner was served, which meant they could explore the campus. It was more active than when Ruby and Jaune got lost. Older students walking to and fro, going to destinations unknown, while some others stood around, and approached any new students that looked lost. Perhaps they were to serve as guides, Ruby thought.
Ruby didn't do much in that hour, exploring what she didn't see of the campus, and barely talking to Yang. The dinner bell sounded, and they headed off to the Dining Hall. The food was nothing to write about. It wasn't bad like Ruby had heard, nor was it the best food she tasted.
Afterwards, the new students headed to the Barn, and changed to their sleepwear within its locker rooms, spreading out on the hard floor on mats and sleeping bags. Ruby was laid on her back, looking up at the ceiling. The others had given her a large space to herself, leaving her and Yang to themselves.
Yang flopped onto her mat, and looked like she was going to say something, but decided against it. The blonde turn her back to her sister and called out a good night, with Ruby replying the same. Before Ruby could close her eyes and dream, she spotted a faint glow way off in the corner of this large building. She spotted the girl she meet earlier when Ruby was first arguing with Weiss. She sat by herself, back against the wall and a book in her hands. A candle was nearby, providing a dim light source.
"I think I'm going to try to make a new friend." Ruby said to Yang, as she stood up and started walking to the yellow eyed girl, not waiting for any response from her sister.
Blake was enjoying her book, words painting pictures within her mind, describing the events unfolding. She felt like she could really relax for now. However, fear was welling within her. She felt it ever since the speech this afternoon, and it just persisted. Blake also saw that the other Faunus students, few there are, she bitterly noted, were also on edge. What is it that is making her afraid? Blake doesn't want to be afraid anymore.
"Hi." a voice said, it sounded close, and with Blake's mind occupied and distracted, it sounded like a cannon shot to her.
"Oh, uh... Sorry if I startled you." The voice stammered and apologized, Blake looked up, a hand to her heart to try and steady it. "I just wanted to say hi and to thank you for the aid earlier today." It was the girl that the Schnee witch was yelling at when everyone was first getting here.
"I'm Ruby." The pajama clad girl said, holding out a hand, a smile on her face, though it made Blake more nervous.
"Blake." the catgirl said, hoping that her voice was even as she shook the other girl's hand. It was very cold to the touch, sending shivers through her spine.
"So, um... What'cha reading?" Ruby asking, doing her best to start a conversation.
"It's uh..." Blake stuttered, her mind doing its best to remember the book summery, "It's about a man with two souls, both fighting for control." she said, giving a laconic description.
"Huh." Ruby muttered, cocking her head to the side.
"What?" Blake inquired, wondering about the red and black haired girl's response.
"Nothing, it's just that I may have heard of this book before." Ruby said, then followed up with a wave of the hand, "Anyway, I like to read myself. I can tell that you just want to enjoy your book, so I'll just go back to my sleeping bag." she said as she walked away from the black clad girl. "Goodnight."
Blake waved in return, as well as let out a breath. She was the one who she was afraid of earlier. That made no sense though, Ruby look so nonthreatening and seemed pleasant. So why did Blake feel like a trapped animal the entire conversation? Blake doesn't want to be scared anymore.
Ruby laid back down on her bag and sighed. Yang was still awake and was looking at her younger sibling.
"So, how'd it go?" the blonde asked, curious.
"I think I might have scared off another potential friend." Ruby admitted forlornly, her eyes looking up at the dark ceiling. She felt a hand on her shoulder moments later.
"Don't worry, I'm sure things will work out." Ruby heard Yang, before Yang withdrew her hand and closed her eyes, drifting to sleep.
"I hope so." Ruby said, more to herself, as she shut her eyes, and dreamed.
/
Ruby walked through the wind swept snow, the sword in her hand being dragged beside her. Her brown cloak did little keep the cold at bay, but Ruby didn't care.
She spotted a building, a lodge with firelight streaming from its windows. She made her made towards it in her steady pace. There was no need to rush.
Ruby opened the door, causing it to creak loudly, the lodge's patrons turned their gazes at her, but she paid them no mind. She continued forward, sitting down at an empty table. The patrons thought of her as no threat, and continued with their talks and drinks. Ruby slammed her sword into the floor, the tip easily embedding itself into the wood boards. Her action caught a few eyes again, but Ruby just felt a shaking in her arm. Her arm continued to shake, even when she tried to steady it with her other hand. Her trembling hand released the sword, causing it to clatter on the ground. She then heard laughter, horrible, taunting laughter. Ruby fell to her knees, and upended the table, catching all the patrons' attention once more.
This mortal was resisting her again. He will have to be punished, he will truly know pain. The mortal screamed to the sky as he felt his soul being tormented.
While this was happening, fire sprites erupted from the burning wood and coals, spreading embers and flames. Abominations of flesh crawled from a hole in the ground, clawing and mauling at anything. The fire sprites then jumped into the central hearth, sacrificing themselves to summon the horrible undead.
Skeletons spawned within the fire, jumping out and attacking the patrons. Ghastly balls of light floated overhead, weaving into the humans, punching holes straight through their bodies. Bats flew from the hole that once held the abominations, swarming those who tried to run. It was a massacre, all that blood, destruction, and terror.
Ruby felt like laughing. Oh, how glorious all this was!
However, she still had to deal with the mortal soul. Once he submitted again, the beast scattered, abominations crawling back down their holes, bats flying through the open windows, and the skeletons throwing themselves into the pillar of fire. All was silent for a moment, until a small clattering was heard at the edge of the burning lodge. Ruby simply picked herself up, and started walking, unfazed by the inferno happening around her.
Once out of the burning lodge, Ruby continued her journey east. The lone surviving man followed behind her. A pathetic mortal, named Marius.
/
Ruby's eyes jolted open, and she took a deep breath. Never had she had those dreams two nights in a row, and never with as much clarity as this one. This one wasn't a dream however, it was a nightmare. People getting slaughtered while it felt like the world was burning around her, and the worse part was that Ruby felt joy and happiness from it all. She could never wish such a thing on anyone. What was going on?
There was a sudden blast of noise that startled Ruby, as well as many other people.
"Ruby?" Yang yawned, "What time is it?" She asked still half asleep, her hair an absolute mess.
The young girl looked out of a large window, "It's early, sun isn't even out yet."
"Why are we getting up so early?" Yang groaned as she flopped back onto her mat.
"Attention." The intercom blared, much too loud for this morning, "All new students are to prepare for initiation. You have two hours. Breakfast will be served in 30 minutes." The voice called out.
"There's your answer." Ruby said, as she got up and began her preparations. Yang only groaned in response.
/
After cleaning up, teeth brushed, and breakfast, Ruby, Yang, and several others were gathering their weapons and items from the lockers they were assigned yesterday.
"So, did you hear the rumor about being assigned to teams?" Yang asked, most of her attention on adjusting her gauntlets.
"We've only been here a day, and I don't have the greatest of social circles. So no, I haven't heard any rumors." Ruby bluntly said, "And teams?! You know that's just going to be a disaster." She continued, holstering Crescent Rose on her back. Ruby spotted Jaune talking to Weiss and a bright redheaded girl who looked familiar.
"Come on Ruby, have some confidence. You'll find a team." Yang said, trying to cheer up her sister.
"Yang," Ruby started, looking directly at the older girl, "you know how I am. How can I be a part of a team if everyone is afraid of me? Nobody will want me to be a part of them. Even you don't want me on your team." Ruby said, looking disheartened when she said that.
"That's... Uh..." Yang stumbled, unable to look her sister in the eye, her hands playing with her golden yellow hair, "That's not true."
Ruby only scoffed as she started to walk away, "You're such a horrible liar." Yang didn't make an attempt to stop her.
"All first year students report to Beacon Cliffs for Initiation. I say again, all first year student report to Beacon Cliff immediately." The intercom announced for the second time that morning. With a destination in mind, Ruby continued walking. When she met with a troubled Jaune, she knew that she should try to help out.
"You alright there, Jaune?" Ruby asked her recently made friend.
"My dad and Gramps said that what women look for is confidence. Where did I go wrong?" Jaune replied, a hand clenching into a tight fist, Ruby noticed.
So he was flirting. Ruby briefly wondered what that's like. "Come on ladykiller, we have to be somewhere quick." she said, trying to take his mind off his current troubles, like how Ruby wants to.
/
This isn't going well. After arriving at the cliffs, and being told to stand on metal platforms, Goodwitch explained that they are going to be paired with teams today, which caused no small amount of discomfort for Ruby. Then Professor Ozpin further explained that the first person they make eye contact with will be their partner for the next four years. After finding a partner, they are to hunt down some ruins and retrieve a relic. Finally, the new students were told to quickly prepare a landing strategy, then sent them flying one by one.
When Ruby was launched, she spent a few seconds soaring through the air. 'Is this what flying is like?' she thought, before reality set in and she began to fall to the forest. Ruby quickly withdrew her weapon and fired a few shots to slow her speed. She then extended it to its full form and hooked it on a tree branch, causing her to spin around it. The large branch was soon severed from its tree once Ruby safely descended to the forest floor.
She started walking in some direction, her mind thinking of who she can partner up with. Jaune seemed like the perfect choice, though there was something odd about him. Blake could be, though she was scared of Ruby, more so than most people. Yang was a last resort, especially considering this morning's spat.
Ruby broke through some foliage, when she heard a soft gasp of surprise. Ruby's silver eyes set upon sky blue ones, and Ruby said only one thing.
"Damn it." Ruby cursed, Weiss narrowing her eyes and turned the other way. She would have started walking had Ruby not grabbed her jacket by its high collar, and dragged the girl in white.
"Like or not princess, we're partners now." Ruby said, though she wasn't happy about it either.
"Let me go!" Weiss protested, not liking that she was being dragged like an unwanted toy. "I can walk by myself!" Ruby let go causing Weiss stumble and almost fall.
Before Weiss could get out a word, Ruby intervened, "I'm going to scout ahead." With a flash, Ruby was gone from Weiss' sight. Weiss started walking in the direction where her new christened partner ran off to.
'It's not fair,' Weiss thought to herself, 'how did it end up like this?' Stuck with a creepy and infuriating girl. Weiss believed she would have taken Jaune over this girl.
Weiss stopped when she heard growling, and turned around to see bright red eyes peering through the shadows. She slowly brought her rapier to bear, as several Beowolves. They surrounded her, but stayed their feet waiting for their prey to make the first move. Weiss got into a stance and slowed her breathing. Before she could attack, a red blur came out of the forest and started slashing, Beowolves dropping wherever Ruby struck.
Weiss watched it will stunned awe, Ruby was striking hard and fast, cleaving Grimm in two. Soon though the Beowolves all ran to the fast moving girl soon surrounding her, ignoring Weiss and running to the red hooded girl. Before Weiss could come to her aid, Ruby raised her arm, orange light pulsating from it, and slammed it down, fire erupting from the impact and spreading around her, pushing the Beowolves away. Weiss impaled one that was sent her way.
"You idiot! You set the forest on fire!" Weiss yelled, as the rest of the Beowolves continued to charge at Ruby with reckless abandon.
"Now is not the time!" Ruby yelled back, her scythe slashing at any Grimm. Weiss huffed, as she summoned a wind glyph under her and her partner's feet. The glyph sent the two flying far from the Grimm and fire, Beowolves howling at their lost prey.
"What is the matter with you?!" Weiss chastised after the two landed, "You don't just charge in! I had the situation under control! You said that we were partners, and yet you're the one who doesn't act like it." she said as the pale girl started walking in some direction.
Ruby only clenched her hands in anger. This was the thank you for saving her, she thought. However, Ruby did admit that maybe she could have worked with Weiss, but she isn't going to tell her that. The red cloaked girl followed after her partner.
/
Yang having metup and partnered with the girl Ruby talk to last night, Blake, after the two dealt with a pair of Ursas. The duo walk through the woods, looking for the lost ruins.
"So Yang," Blake started speaking, if only to pass the time, "I notice that you and Ruby are together most of the time. You her friend?"
Yang chuckled a little, if someone gave her a lien every time someone asked that, "She's actually my sister. Half-sister if you want to be specific."
Blake look somewhat surprised at that answer, but regained her composure, "Then do you know what makes her so..." the black and white clad girl struggled to find the right word, but Yang beat her the punch.
"Terrifying?" the blonde said bluntly, "I don't know, nobody really does actually. Ruby doesn't know nor like it either. She is usually alone because of it. Everyone is so afraid of her."
"Are you?" Blake asked.
"Hey, I think I see something up ahead." Yang quickly said, running ahead of her partner. They exited the forest and found a large area of flat plains. A ruined circular building sat out in the open, several columns within its open confines. Upon the columns sat several shining gemstones. They were perfect, so immaculately cut, and absolutely flawless. Blake and Yang gazed upon the gems, some of them missing from their pedestals.
"Either we have some unwanted treasure hunters among us, or some of the others got her first." Yang said, mirth in her voice. She then spotted something that her eyes couldn't believe. It was a skull, a human skull that was bleach white in color and had an odd navy blue stone in the center of its forehead. "Why would they leave this for us to find?" she said grabbing the skull and looking closely at it. It felt very firm and solid. Was this really a human skull?
Blake shrugged at her partner's question. The two then heard a noise, and an Ursa came out of the trees, roaring. The two girls readied their weapons, but the Grimm collapse, revealing the pink and white clad girl on its back.
"Aw, it's broken." she whined.
"Nora." another voice said behind the orange haired girl. A green robed boy with a pink streak in his black hair appeared from behind the downed Ursa, "Please don't do that again."
Yang and Blake both looked on, stumped by the sight before them.
Nora then ran over to where they were and grabbed the amethyst, looking at its bright violet color with wide eyes. Her partner quickly joined her, "Hey Ren, look at this!" she said, presenting the gem to her exhausted friend.
"Did she-" she started before she was interrupted by some yelling. From further down the treeline came Jaune and the redhead, a Deathstalker trailing right behind them.
"Did-" she started before being interrupted by a caw. On the opposite side came Ruby and Weiss. Both of them running from a large Nevermore that flew overhead.
"How did we get into this situation?!" Weiss yelled.
"I don't know!" Ruby retorted, "Wasn't my fault! Just keep it distracted until I get us the relic!" Ruby said, before using her Semblance to speed off towards the ruins.
"What?! Oh, you are so dead!" Weiss yelled as she dodged giant feathers that were being flung her way.
"Hey Yang, hey Blake." Ruby greeted, stopping right before them.
"Ruby, why do you have a Nevermore chasing after you?" Yang asked, trying to make sense of what is going on.
"No idea, guess we might have disturbed a nest or something." The red and black clad girl replied plainly.
"Stop socializing and get the relic!" Weiss yell as she keep running.
Ruby just ran up and grabbed the first one she saw, a skull similar to what Yang and Blake have. The redhead Jaune was with also came up, grabbing the second amethyst, "Hello." She greeted.
"Hi," Ruby replied, "I'm Ruby. You friends with Jaune?"
"I'm Pyrrha, and we're partners. Not sure where we stand as friends."
"Huh." Ruby said, "Don't suppose you have a rifle?"
"That I do." Pyrrha said, pulling out her sword that transformed to a red and yellow rifle. Ruby herself pulled out her weapon and expanded it to its rifle form.
"Up for some bird hunting?" She said, cocking her sniper rifle. Pyrrha smile as she took aim, Ruby doing the same. The two fired their Ash infused rounds at the flying Grimm.
The round seemed to do little, but it succeed in driving the Nevermore away. Weiss keep running, only glancing up to see the giant raven flying away, then looked to see that some ways away, Jaune and the Deathstalker were heading straight for her. Weiss could see that the giant scorpion was rearing back its tail, getting ready to strike.
With a quick spin of her weapon's chambers, Weiss readied her sword. Jaune and Weiss intersected, when the Deathstalker attacked. Weiss embedded her sword into the ground, large pillars of ice erupting from the spot, trapping the stinger, the Deathstalker's momentum causing it to crash right into it, leaving it in a daze.
"Thanks for the save, Snow Angel." Jaune complemented.
"Don't call me that." Weiss coldly said, as she jogged over to the ruins. "Took your sweet time." Weiss said, her eyes narrowing at Ruby.
"I got the relic. So, we just have to get to the get back to the cliff." Ruby said with a shrug as she inspected the skull. "No problem."
"Pyrrha, you got the relic?" The blonde boy asked his partner as he joined the the group.
"Right here." The redhead replied, showing him the purple gem.
"Great. We have a problem." He announced to everyone, getting their attention. "The Nevermore's circling around, and I'm not sure how long that ice will hold the Deathstalker." Jaune said, and as he explained the situation, the scorpion recovered, tried to pull its stinger free, slamming his pincers against the ice. A howl was heard from the forest, "Then there's also that." Jaune finished.
"We all have our relics? Then we should head for the cliffs." Ruby said, "No sense in sticking around." Everyone seemed to agree with that. "Let's get going then." She said as she start leading the group.
The eight ran to a cliff that stood before more stone ruins, and a dark pit below. Half of them tried to deal with the Deathstalker, but have little effect, while the other half defended themselves from the Nevermore, to the same result. They needed a plan, and Ruby quickly thought of one.
"I have an idea." she announced to Weiss, Yang, and Blake.
While they prepared, Jaune, Pyrrha, Nora, and Ren keep striking at the Deathstalker, with little to show for it. Pyrrha managed to spear one of its eyes, while Ren fired at its tail. The Grimm manage to shake the green clad boy off its tail, slamming him to a wall. Its stinger was hanging by a thin threat of flesh, causing Jaune to get an idea.
"Pyrrha!" He called out as he pointed at the tail with his sword.
"On it!" She replied, getting the idea. With great strength the redhead tossed her shield, her aim precise, easily severing the stinger and causing it to fall upon the Grimm. Jaune turned his back to the Deathstalker, shield brought to bear.
"Nora, nail it." He said, causing the cheerful girl to grin. With a quick jump, she stood on top of the white and gold shield, and with a pull of the trigger from her hammer, Nora was sent flying high into the sky. Soon, gravity took hold, and she was falling, faster with aid from her weapon. With a mighty slam from the hammer, Nora drove the stinger straight through the Deathstalker, the bridge beneath them crumbling away.
Jaune and Pyrrha ran off, bypassing the dying Grimm, Nora blasting her way to safety. Jaune quickly went to help Ren up, Nora and Pyrrha joining them soon after. The four soon heard howls, scores of red eyes peering from the tree line.
"This is bad." Jaune simply stated.
Meanwhile, Yang was firing slugs from high atop a tower at the Nevermore. One of them grabbing its attention, and flew straight at the blonde girl. When it was close enough, Yang jumped onto its face, slamming her fist into its four eyes, blinding it, while she did her best to steer the beast into the cliff face. Before it slammed into it, she jump from it and hurried to her next position.
The Nevermore roared at the girls, and flapped its wings to take to the skies once again. However, it's tail was encased in ice, trapping it in place. With aid from her Dust, Weiss quickly returned to where the other girls were, Blake and Yang done with their task of creating a sling from Blake's ribbon. Ruby jump into it, while Weiss caught her with a wind glyph.
"Can you make the shot?" Ruby asked her partner.
"Can't I?" Weiss replied arrogantly. Ruby just rolled her eyes.
"Just don't miss."
Weiss huffed when she sent Ruby soaring towards the flying monster, her scythe hooking around the Nevermore's neck. With some help from her weapon, Semblance and Weiss' glyphs, Ruby ran up the face of the cliff, dragging the Grimm along with her. Ruby suddenly felt so many emotions burst within her. She gripped her weapon even tighter, teeth clenching hard, and her body pushing harder and faster. Anger, sadness, passion, and fear swarming her mind. A being was awakening.
When Ruby reached the top, her momentum and blade severed the Nevermore's head. It landed nearby while the body tumbled below. She looked down and saw that many Beowolves and Ursas were charging from the forest toward the other four, but that didn't matter to Ruby at the moment.
Ruby felt as if her entire body was being torn apart. Her mind a raging storm of emotions. She felt something welling up within her, so Ruby released it.
Yang, Weiss, and Blake heard the howls and ran to help their comrades. However, they stopped in their tracks when they suddenly felt a great and mighty terror coming from behind them. All seven turned and looked with fear and awe at Ruby. She was roaring, fire spewing forth from her mouth and sent high into the sky. Red lightning coursing throughout her body that was visible from way down below. All present felt a chill go through their beings.
Ruby's roar also had an effect on the Grimm, halting their charge, and causing them to back down and cower. They all soon ran back into the Emerald Forest, tails between their legs.
Within Ruby's soul, a Great Evil has awakened.
'This world will be mine!' Diablo declared.