Chapter 4: Deus Vult
Walking towards the shack in the dark shades of the night, Yang opens the shack's door and gesturing her sisters to come over. So complying, Yang flipped the light switch of the shack to reveal of what's inside.
The two souls saw a bright red wagon that could either fit one of them inside. Tanya quickly knows that this meant to pull them and not having any practical defense against the creatures of Grimm.
"Are you serious Yang?" Tanya looks at her blonde half-sister with great pessimism and Yang smirk with great confidence that she's going to find her mother amongst the woods…which is highly improbable.
"Yup I am serious sis, how about you two sit inside?" Panicking, Tanya tries to convince Ruby one more time before the three can unintentionally kill themselves in the dead neck of the woods.
Ruby, are you sure you really want to go because I have no confidence in Yang's journey and I know she wouldn't last this long. Trying to make Ruby reconsider of not to embark their pointless journey with little girls who have no way to defend themselves. Ruby just shrugs her off and wanting to take the daring way than Tanya's rational mind.
Come on Tanya, it's going to be fun on our journey! Besides, big sis can handle this…right? What's the worse could happen?
In the dark wilderness where everything lies barren and the trees withered away. There was no sign of life within the deadly grey woods, making Tanya glare at the hotheaded blonde who's obsessed over her missing mother. Hours went by and Tanya is starting to lose patience on her older sister's antics.
When Tanya read one of the books that revolve around with Grimm. The Grimm tend to hang out more in barren areas of Remnant or ghost towns as a perfect ambush for unsuspected passersby; making Tanya even more nervous as ever. Urging Ruby to fall back and think thoroughly of what they're doing out here.
Ruby! This is a bad idea. Your sister is trying to get herself killed in Grimm freaking territory. As these monsters hang out in dead areas of Vale!
Tanya, Yang needs this. Sure, this looks really bad. But she yearns for her mother and wants answers from her of why.
You mean Yang's mom? Come on Ruby, this is not a good way to investigate on where her mother is. Remember our research on Grimm? The creatures love to hide in dead areas and are attracted to negative emotions. In which Yang's emotion is called obsession! A big attracter! Meat for the big bad Beowolves!
Come on, this is a fun journey for the three of us!
Is that we're in a freaking wagon without any way to defend ourselves from Grimm attacks and Yang looks like she's about to pass out from the exhaustion? That sounds really fun isn't Ruby. When Tanya made that sarcastic reply, the two souls are in a red wagon and Yang is pulling the said wagon. But their eldest sister looked overwork and her legs are covered in cuts or bruises. Showing Ruby of what Tanya means of their situation.
Good point. I think we need to consult Yang on this. As both souls finally can agree on something, Ruby looks back at Yang and gently spoke to her.
"Yang, Tanya is getting extremely worried about you. You look tired. Maybe you need some rest for now?" When Ruby tries to persuade Yang to stop, she isn't stopping and Yang just gave out a blank expression.
She's not going to give up Ruby. She has her mind set in stone and we need to force her to think! Even if it means we have to physically hurt her.
Hurt her? She's our sis! I know this is really bad. But hurting her wouldn't solve the problem!
Do you have any bright ideas before we become lunch to the Grimm when they finally show up? When Ruby starting to think about what they should do. A light bulb flickered in her head.
"Hey Yang, do you want to trade places? I'll pull you and you can rest in the cart?" Yang stopped her tracks when she was nearing an abandoned house, surprising both Yang and Tanya; especially for Tanya as she was in an uproar of that idea.
Doing the labor work? Are you freaking insane! We're just five years old Ruby! For crying out loud, our body cannot handle that type of endurance!
But it's the only way we can stop her from pushing herself way too far. Besides, she looks exhausted. When she falls asleep, we'll head back to dad's place without her knowing it.
That…that doesn't sound like a bad idea; fine, I'll follow this plan of yours and hope you know what you're doing. Agreeing with Ruby's idea seeing Tanya having no other options since they're deep in Grimm territory, Ruby step out from the wagon and approached Yang in absolute determination to help her big sister before she breaks down to her knees.
"Yang, I know you really want to find your mother. But you're pushing yourself way too much. Let me take care of you and we will find your mom. Okay, sis?" Saying no words to Ruby and speechless of what she said. Yang harshly fell to the ground and lies unconscious from the heavy fatigue that the blonde girl went through.
Well then. That was pretty easy. Let's hurry up before any Grimm can show up-
Before Tanya can finish her mental sentence to Ruby, a loud howl echo across the wilderness and the source of it came from the abandoned house where Yang was approaching the building. Terror overwhelmed the two souls and knowing they're downright screwed from joining in Yang's pointless adventures.
Let's grab Yang and run for it.
But we don't have the strength to pick her up Ruby. We need to abandon her here.
Oh no, we are not leaving our sister to the wolves! If we can't pick up Yang, we will have to stand and fight for her!
You're crazy! We're just five years old. How can we fight Beowolves without a proper weapon Ruby? We need to retreat and think this through! As the two souls argue rather they should fight or flight. Ruby quickly picks up a stone rock from the ground and looks back at the pack of Beowolves; with their glowing red eyes penetrating through their souls.
Nice idea Ruby. Use your stone to fight off these abominations. How could we possibly survive from this?
Quiet Tanya, we got this! We just need a little bit of faith here.
Oh, don't you dare mention about freaking faith to me Ruby! Being X, I know you're doing this! So show up!
Again, who is Being X that you keep mentioning-
When Ruby was about to ask of who's Being X is. Time around them begins to slow down and the Beowolves who are about to leap in mid-air, pause in a mere second. Then a godly voice called out to the two souls.
"Yes, indeed Ms. Rose. Faith will bring good fortune to those who believe." When the two souls heard the all commanding voice, Ruby simply gasps in surprise and Tanya just snarled at the deity before her.
"Tanya. Before you are my young brother's unholy creations, the Grimm; the personification of hatred towards humanity as a whole." Tanya head enough of the God's bullshit and wanting to get to the point straight ahead.
"Enough Being X. Tell me why are you doing this and you have a freaking brother now?!" Tanya glared at the sky and Ruby just stood there paralyze that they're both talking to a literal god.
"My brother, egoistic just like you and destructive; I came just in time to bestow upon you two with powerful magic. To prevent his creations from killing you both…but there's a catch Tanya. Both of you need to agree on what your intended target is and pray simultaneously to my name!" When Tanya heard Being X's conditions in order to perform their magic, she nastily snarls at the sky and her eyes twisted in anger at what she heard.
"Both of us need to pray towards you? You are a sick, twisted prick you know that right?!" As Tanya want to strangle to the godly being before her, Ruby interrupted Tanya's train of thought and thank the god before her who assist on their dire situation. Suddenly, Ruby's soul is much stronger and giving a bigger push than Tanya's own soul as she easily took control of her own body.
"Thank you, Mr. Being X! How can we use this magic, sir?" Tanya angrily growled about why Ruby is being so nice towards the god; the very god that made Tanya's life a living hell for petty prayers and not believing in him. Seeing that Ruby easily took control of her, she's getting suspicious of Being X's game here.
Ruby! Why the hell you're talking to Being X! He will ruin our lives because of him! Ruby blink on what Tanya said to her and confusingly question Tanya of why she's so angry at this deity before them.
Why are you so angry towards him? Is he helping us out to save Yang and fighting off these Beowolves? I don't know why you're holding such a huge grudge towards the so-called Being X. Let just do this and save our sister! Tanya sighed on Ruby's naivety and decides to swallow her pride on accepting Being X's gift, so both of them wouldn't die here. Looking back at Being X. Tanya spoke up.
"Fine then, tell us on what should we do and we will do it!" Still pissed off that Being X is still meddling in Tanya's affairs, the powerful voice spoke out on what they should do.
"Both of you need to focus and pour your hearts into your chosen tools or weapons. Pray your hearts into it and shower light upon your enemies. Speak of my name fully as you will rain devastating punishment of fire or speak shortly as small specks of embers will destroy your foes. Bring glory to the light!" Hearing the instructions from the god of light, sudden wisdom overwhelms Tanya's and Ruby's minds, knowing how to perform the prayers and its devastating magic.
"Oh lord in heaven." Gripping the rock tightly, Tanya and Ruby slowly merge their souls together, feeling a powerful connection between the two become stronger. Their eyes melded of their colors into white gold; silver and gold fuse into one.
"Banish these creatures of darkness from the world of the living of who are the creatures of the dark brother's creation." The rock they're holding is starting to glow brightly and white runes begin to carve onto the stone surface. The immense magic begins to swell into the rock and Tanya know she's holding a live grenade in her hands.
"To bring glory onto the light and showering our foes with fire, bring forth the salvation of man on this world." Ruby's red bangs begin to glow bright white. Their eyes become pure white and Ruby desire to save her sister becomes stronger.
Nearing to their final incantation; time begin to resume, beowolves leaped into the air, and a huge surge of magic engulfs the duo souls. The two souls shouted out their final incantation and letting out a mighty roar; which a nearby crow startled by the sudden shout.
"DEUS VULT!" Throwing the enchanted rock like a speeding bullet, the glowing stone pierces into one of the Beowolves' stomach. In a split second, the pack was then engulfed in white light and a loud boom echoed across the wilderness, smiting the creatures of darkness into tiny pieces by the black smoke from the explosion.
As Tanya and Ruby took deep breathes from the mentally taxing prayer, including the rush of adrenaline coursing through their veins. The duo calms down and observes what they did here.
The house that stood before them was shattered into tiny pieces like toothpicks and fire quickly spread across the dead woods, hearing the cries of Beowolves within the woods fleeing from the massive fire that was sparked by a small, little girl.
"That…was…awesome!" Ruby shouted in amazement of the magical power they just performed. Tanya took control of her body and facepalmed herself from Ruby's oblivious nature; that they perform the most dangerous incantation they unleashed on a small pack of beowolves. With that, their eyes return back to normal and the magic residue within their souls slowly begins to fade away. With their white magical aura begin to dissipate.
"Just don't get too excited Ruby. We need to get out of here and pick up Yang before more-well, never mind, she's awake." Turning her head around, they saw Yang staring in absolute shock and awe of what she just witness. A small girl killed a bunch of beowolves with a small exploding rock; the absurdity is just all too real for Yang to comprehend.
"How the heck did you guys do that?!" When Ruby was about to blatantly tell the truth to her that a god had intervened in their crisis, Tanya quickly interrupted and omitted some parts that would make some sense to the blonde headed girl.
"We fuse our souls together and interesting results happened in our dire situation. It felt like it's a second nature for us." When Tanya finished explaining to Yang in mere two sentences, they heard footsteps approaching them and a swig of alcohol gulping down.
"Well, …that was an interesting sight to see. So, you kids sneak away from Tai and wanting to search for someone. Good thing I found you two. If not, you kiddies might become Grimm food. But it looks like I don't have to intervene, thanks to little rosy here and a girl name Tanya stuck inside of her." Turning their heads, they saw a drunken looking person who's gulping down on his canteen. When he finished drinking his poison, he opens his red eyes and glancing back at Ruby.
"Uncle Qrow!" Ruby immediately took control of her body and run up to the drunken huntsman with glee. Grabbing onto his right arm and lifting her body up to see his face.
"Easy there kiddo, you don't want to agitate your sister inside of you. Let's just go home and be done with today." When he said that, Tanya knows her dad inform their uncle that she exists and possibly asking Qrow to secretly babysit them if they ever left the house.
Tai is quite clever. Tanya spoke in a rare appreciation for her father's protective nature. But at last, they're going back home from the pointless adventure that Yang made for them.
Yeah! Our dad is the coolest and our uncle is awesome! Thinking about it; I rarely hear you praise one of our relatives, isn't it Tanya?
Oh, shut it!
"That's what I can say Ozpin; my niece has another soul in her and the two unleashed hell on the Grimm with a flashy performance."
Within a tall tower that stood proudly over a school; a grey-haired man was talking to his Scroll and the rays of the dawn sky showering over him. This man who's drinking his morning coffee is named Ozpin, the headmaster of Beacon Academy.
For Ozpin…he has a hutch of Ruby's condition.
"Hmmph…Ruby Rose and Tanya. An interesting case indeed Qrow, I hope the news didn't spread about their special ability or condition. It might attract Atlas-well I spoke too soon." Interrupted by a message on his tablet before he can finish his discussion with Qrow, the headmaster stood up from his chair and look down on his tablet. More specifically, the caller is from General Ironwood himself. The headmaster sighed; it was a big gamble on letting the Atlas General join in within their circle, but Ozpin needed allies if he wants to win a war against the forces of Grimm. Ironwood has good intentions, but he's outright stubborn on certain situations.
"It appears the reports from the psychiatrist that Tai hired were already posted in the medical database and news begins to spread wild when doctors saw their medical records. Wish me luck Qrow, I think Ironwood wants me to talk about it." Ending the call with Qrow, he picks up his tablet and tapped on the screen. Soon after, General Ironwood appeared on his tablet and made a stern expression.
"Ozpin, we need to talk about Ruby Rose and her rare condition; the Council, unfortunately, took their eyes on her and they're demanding us to research on her aura. Personally, I would hide this classified information from you since the council deems it as black ops. But I trust you the most, so make haste Ozpin. I'm heading out to Vale, signing out." With that, the message ended and the screen turned black. Hearing this, he needed to intervene fast before things get ugly between the four kingdoms.
Ozpin needed more coffee in this stressful situation and thinking of a plan for a compromise that both parties can be satisfied with.
That's that. By the way, the magic that was gifted from Being X isn't their semblance. It is the magical ability that Tanya uses from her previous reincarnation. But now, she needs Ruby to willingly cast spells with her in order to perform their magic. If both souls disagree, the magic they've been granted would not work. A counterbalance that Being X came up with to do Tanya's bloodthirsty attitude.