Hey everyone! So I am officially done with high school! Woohoo! Updates probably will be slower now sadly but I will try to update when I can.
The soft hissing continued melodiously in his ears and he sat content listening to them as their non-worded hisses still held their commands: stay where you are. One stay within his eyesight to make sure he doesn't break from the trance.
Roman Torchwick stood on the other side off the cell where the tranced prince resided, with his sister unconscious in the cell beside him. He shuddered. "Never would have thought that this is how you could grab them." He glanced to the person beside him. "How did you manage to get them down there anyways?"
"Those two girls – Weiss and Ruby I believe were their names. It was easy to lead the younger girl into the woods and the heiress followed to 'keep her out of trouble'. Well, they're out of trouble alright; back safe in Beacon."
"You know Ozpin will let them search for them? Maybe even join them?"
"That's what I'm hoping for." Ember eyes gleamed. "Keep them under. Salem will be here soon. She wants them back in her control. The snakes will only keep the both under for so long." She turned and turned to walk away before pausing. "Oh, and make sure the venom doesn't spread too much. Just can't having them escape until she's done."
Torchwick watched the other leave before turning back to the twins and shuddered once more. His eyes stared into distant ones before he snapped his fingers and then snakes changed, not long after the prince's eyes closing as the snakes quieted slightly but continued their whispers. 'Almost feel bad for these two.'
The sound of a door opening caught his attention and soon backed away from the cells at the newcomer's presence.
"So, the Nagaronis have been able to keep them under?" he nodded. "How long?"
"It's been about twelve hours since I retrieved them from the ruins." He answered, not saying anything else.
Salem hummed to herself. "Thankfully, the daemons will listen to me just like my Grimm. Probably from my father's genes." Her eyes glanced between the twins. "Very useful right now though." She paused as a groan came from the princess as she stirred and Salem's brows furrowed, watching.
Helena looked around hesitantly at her surroundings, before her eyes locked on Salem and she tensed, body screaming in alarm to run. A sharp nod came from the women before her through the bars of the cell; confusion swept her face before hissing occurred in her ears. The melodic soft hisses filled her hearing, urging her to relax as she found it harder and harder to concentrate. 'What am I doing here? Why am I so tense?' She let her body relax into a sitting position as the cell door opened and Salem knelt beside her. She began to move away but the soft hisses told her to stay still, that everything was okay; that she wasn't going to hurt her.
Salem smiled at her as another nod occurred. Two snakes appeared in her vision and swayed side to side very slightly, the soft hissing continuing and Helena followed their movements as they slowly made her turn her head to the side, exposing the right side of her neck. Salem's smile widened as she put her hand calmly on the girl's neck and traced it until she found the vein she was looking for. She pulled out a dagger with her other hand and gently cut alongside it, her blood dripping out slightly as Salem quickly cut her palms and held it over the cut on Helena's neck, letting the blood drip onto it. A moan came from the princess at the first drop's impact before going quiet once more, dazed eyes staring into hypnotic ones. She pulled her hand away from Helena's neck as it began to heal itself. She watched silently at the black in her veins as it began to spread and visibly disappear. She turned her head to the snakes. "That's enough, my dears, it's time to send her to sleep." She didn't wait to make sure that it would happen as she left the room, waving her hand for Torchwick to follow. "I'll get young Noctis later, if I have too. Considering how much they care for one another, he might just do what I want willingly." A snap of her fingers occurred and the snakes that were in Noct's cell slithered out and followed the woman.
Ardyn growled in anger before punching the stone wall of the underground tomb's hallways. His hand rested there momentarily before repeatedly punching again, this time with more force. He knew that Luna and Iris were watching him silently as he wasn't making an effort to hide his anger. The sound of a cane filled his ears as he stood there panting.
"So, I'm assuming you know."
Ardyn turned to him. "What happened, Ozpin?"
The Headmaster paused, pushing up his glasses. "We don't exactly know. The twins disappeared in the depths of Costlemark. We're trying to figure out why and how."
Ardyn laughed hollowly. "Oh, I can give you answers to the second part: Salem's lackeys."
"Wait, what?" Iris broke in, concerned. "Helena and Noct are missing?"
"Noct's teammates and Team RWBY are prepping to go search for them as we speak – even though we told them not too." The last part of his sentence held annoyance.
Ardyn shook his head slightly, believing of what Noct's friends doing to be true, as wave of pain erupted through him and he staggered slightly. He clutched his chest as his breathing became harsh as it disappeared as soon as it came. Amber eyes hardened as he ran to the elevator, incoherent mumbling echoing in his head.
'What has she done to you, my dear Helena?'
'Astrals, please, kill me now.' The pain. The never-ending pain. 'Please, end it.' She was trapped in a state of unconsciousness; yet she could still feel the pain. It was all she could feel.
"You know how to end it."
'I think I'd rather die.'
"We both know that is not an option."
Another wave came through, increasing the pain and she wanted to cry. 'Astrals, make it stop please.'
"Your prayers are falling on deaf ears."
The thing that annoyed her at that comment was that she knew it was right; just like she knew it could end the pain, but she didn't want to not like that.
"It will only get worse if you keep resisting. Soon, you won't be able to fight it anymore: you will give in."
The pain increased again. Never so badly had she wanted to kill herself just to stop the pain, even if it would only have been temporarily but she couldn't get her body to respond. She laid there for who knows how long – it could have only been a few minutes but the pain was so bad it felt like hours – until another voice entered her head.
"Helena. I know my siblings and I are the last people you want to hear from, but hold out a little longer. Your friends are on the way. Whatever you do, please, do not give into the pain. If you give in, you'll only put the ones you love through pain also."
Images flashed through her mind and she grimaced. 'But it hurts, Gentiana.' she thought back miserably. 'It hurts so bad.'
"Are you willing to hurt the ones you love as well?"
She didn't answer the goddess as she gave in; the pain ceasing immediately.
'I'm sorry.'
Noct awoke to seeing a shuddering Helena in a cell beside him. "Helena! Helena!" the new name rolled off his tongue so easily now as the boy moved over to the bars, gripping them tightly. "Sis!"
He tried to phase through the cell bars to her only for the bars to glow and he reared backwards, effects of Stasis placed on him.
"Dammit!" he cursed,
A moan escaped from the girl's lips and Noct's vision shot to her to see her face scrunched in pain, sweat beading down her face. "Make it stop… please stop." She muttered,
Noct put his hands against the bars once more, not caring about the fatigue as he leaned against them; never taking his eyes off the limp princess. He didn't even notice when another presence had entered the room.
"Ah, so he's awake." Noct's eyes side-glanced quickly to see Roman Torchwick entering with a twirl of his cane. "And sane finally."
"What do you want?" Noct spat and Torchwick put a hand to his chest.
"What makes you think I want anything, Your Highness? What, can't I just come to talk?" Noct only turned his head to glare at him before turning his attention back to his twin as another set of mumblings occurred.
Torchwick sighed after he followed the boy's gaze. "Honestly, I feel bad for both of you. Frankly, I'm doing what I need too to survive, but I do feel sorry."
"If you 'want to survive', why are you here?" Noct spat, eyes narrowed dangerously.
A sharp gasp came from the cell beside him, and Torchwick turned to her before glancing back to him. "You're a smart boy; you can figure it out, but now, I would worry about her." He turned and began walking out of the room. "Better hope you can help her."
Noct watched as he turned skeptically. "You didn't come down here just to antagonize me." His tone was accusatory.
Torchwick turned back to him, face void of emotion. "Maybe I just wanted to see why everyone thinks you two are so special. I just see an arrogant brat." He spat the last sentence at Noct.
Noct only returned the glare as a voice called from outside. "Hey, boss! Got a surprise for you!"
Torchwick turned and spoke toward the wall, Noctis now recognizing that they were in a train car. "Is it a good surprise or a bad surprise, Larry? Because I have had a day."
"Um," the voice replied hesitant. "It's a little girl?"
Torchwick's eyes widened and raced to the wall, opening a door slightly and looked out it. "That would be bad." Torchwick jumped down out of the train car as the sounds of struggling occurred and Noct froze momentarily as a yelp was heard shortly after he jumped down, slamming the door closed behind him. "Oh, you were right, Larry. This was good; I really needed this. Now," his tone had changed from amusement to serious. "how'd you find this place, Red?"
Another yelp of pain occurred when Torchwick was met with silence and Noct's body shook with rage; hands turning white around the bars, ignoring the effects of Stasis. Buzzing rang in his ears as his vision became red from rage. A hand clasped itself over his and his vision immediately cleared to meet worried blue eyes. His anger disappeared as he returned his gaze, the other's eyes brightening at him calming.
"How'd we get here? Last I remember I was in Costlemark." Her face scrunched in confusion at Noct's pale face. "What?" Then she heard the yelps and her head shot around toward it as a gunshot occurred and her eyes narrowed. "Torchwick." She spat the name with such disdain. She shot up and looked around at the cell she was entrapped in.
"The bars put you in Stasis if you touch them. I don't know how they do, but they do." Noct informed her as she clenched her fists, smirk appearing soon after.
"Good thing I don't have to touch them with some of my abilities." She crossed her arms across her chest before flinging them harshly outwards as a golden arc flew from them and crashed into the door. It flew open, flying halfway off its hinges and wobbled back and forth. Satisfaction was on her face as Noct commented.
"You need to do that more often." Her face faltered and she rolled her eyes as she walked out of the cell and turned to Noct's. She pulled her right fist up, faced to the sky, as she told him as she opened her hand, flames spurting forth.
"You might want to move back." A second later, a melted lock fell off the door and she swung it outwards. The sound of rapid gunfire and screams echoed the surroundings. The twins looked at each other in confusion as the squeal of an intercom occurred, both covering their ears.
"Get to your places! We are leaving now!" Torchwick's voice echoed.
They had no time to react as the train car jerked forward harshly, sending them both flying backwards; slamming them harshly into the walls of their cells once more.
She didn't realize she had been unconscious until her body screamed in pain as the roar of the moving train filled her ears. "N-Noct?" she called weakly as she forced herself up on her elbows. She blinked as she looked up and she felt fear encroaching her at the lack of her brother's response… and her sight.
"Noct?!" she raised her voice, panic in it as well.
A groan occurred beside her. "I'm here."
"Are you okay?" she asked immediately.
"Yeah," he answered after a pause. "just a little disoriented. You?"
She bit her lip. "I'm… I'm not sure." She gulped nervously. "Is it dark in here?"
Movement filled her ears as a hand gripped her chin and turned her head; a hitched breath coming from Noct in front of her. "Astrals, your eyes, Lena." A shaky breath came from him. "They're black."
She stopped breathing for a moment. "W-What?" her voice was quiet.
The sounds of running footsteps came from the roof above them and the twins looked upwards, Helena cocking her head to the side. He stood up as he grabbed her right hand lightly as he helped her up. "You up to see what's going on if I lead? Your eyes should heal soon."
"Yeah…" she trailed, trying to sound confident as she knew that she would have been healed by now. Something else is messing with her. She tightened her grip around his hand. "Just don't let go."
A light squeeze was returned. "I won't."
The two jumped at sound of metal screeching behind them and Noct quickly led them to the side of the car, him forcing open the door and looked out it; never letting go of his twin's hand. His brow scrunched as he watched the train cars behind them rhythmically detach themselves and he turned his head around to look at the front of the train before snapping back around.
"Shit. Sis, we gotta move now."
Her face twisted into confusion. "Where?"
A pause occurred as he looked at the surroundings. "Up. We gotta get to the roof."
She hesitated. "Noct, you sure that's a good idea? I mean, I can't see right now?"
He turned back to her, about to reply before the two jumped as an explosion filled the two's ears.
"What was that?" Helena shrieked as Noct was already checking for the noise.
"Holy shit." He yelled shocked. "The train car blew up!"
"It what now?!" Her grip tightened around him as her head whipped towards the rear of the car. "Noct… I think they're all filled with bombs." Her voice was quiet, hard for the prince to hear over the roaring noise of the train.
Noct grabbed the ladder next to the door with his free hand as he prepared to climb. "I'm currently on a ladder to the roof. I'm going to make sure holding it but then I'm going to have to let go so we can climb, ok? I won't be far though; I'll be right up top waiting for you."
Hesitation was clear on her face but frowned as another explosion was heard, this time closer, and nodded as Noct placed her hand on the bar and began climbing up after him. The wind thrashed her hair around as she reclaimed her bearings, hands pulling her up as support.
"You okay?" Noct asked and she nodded before frowning. "What?"
Her eyebrows scrunched together as she strained at the noises that came from the cars ahead of them, but only replied with. "Noct, I need to get to the car in front of us. I have to make sure first." Arms wrapped around her chest as she felt the familiar sensation of warping before feeling the ground once again. Her eyes widened as she heard a loud grunt come from within followed by a thump and the scarping of metal heard not long after. She tensed at recognizing the familiar rhythm of the scraping and sharply turned her head in where she thought her brother was. "The emergency hatch on the roof – where is it?"
Noct pulled her along to the hatch, not too far in front of them and opened it. She wasted no time in breaking her grip from him and jumping in; startling the twin.
"Lena!" Noct called from above, and she waved her hand upwards; creating a shield between the two to block the hatch.
"There is more fighting occurring in the cars ahead; see if you can help. I know I hear a chainsaw." She yelled and didn't even waited for a reply as the scraping stopped and she tilted her head in that direction. "Hello, Neo. I do wish I could see you right now, but frankly-" she paused turning in the direction the scraping stopped; guessing the person was still there. "as you can why I can't. And considering you're here, I'm assuming Torchwick is too."
Her reply was a kick in the chest; sending her stumbling backwards. "I do hate that you don't talk; makes this very hard for someone who can't see."
When she had her sight, she knew how to dodge the woman's attacks as she went more for the nerves, but currently without it made it near impossible and shortly found herself being sent to the floor; all muscles not responding temporarily. She laid there as she heard the sound of the women's umbrella opening; signaling her departure as she fought for movement of her body once more.
A groan came across the other side of the car and shuffling occurred before abruptly stopping. "Lena?" Running footsteps were heard and she felt a presence beside her as she struggled to stand up. "She got you too, huh?"
"Heard you fighting from above on the roof; sorry didn't get here sooner, Yang. Kinda facing my own obstacle right now." She turned to face where she thought the girl was.
A sharp breath. "What happened?"
"Still trying to figure out." She jerked her head as the sound of struggling came from the cars ahead. "And will have to later; right now, sounds like someone needs help." She frowned. "Go, I'll only slow you down. And don't even try to argue; if I can make Noct resign, you have no chance." She heard the brawler stand up and her footsteps soon echo on the roof above.
Ozpin stood in front of a medical bed in the hallways underneath the school and sighed as he glanced as Ardyn approached his side.
"Anything?"
A nod. "Whatever Salem has done this time isn't just control – it's literally twisting her mind. I'm trying to help her but it's like an advanced version of the Scourge." A sigh occurred. "It's best we keep her in that cell for now and keep watch over her; who knows what she could do now – more importantly… to herself."
Flash. Gentiana stood before her in the tomb with her eyes closed. "I warned you of the consequences."
Helena whirled on the Messenger. "Shut up! Shut up! Why do you think I'm here?! What else would I be here for?! Ever since I've gotten my sight back, it's like everything I've known has changed."
Gentiana took a step forward. "How one makes of the world is how one has been influenced by it. Your influences are being changed, Helena, whether you know it or not."
She turned to the Messenger and looked at her with watery eyes. "Why me? Why do she want me so much to put me through all this hell?"
Gentiana walked to in front of her and opened her eyes. "You will know in time." The princess looked at her in confusion but the Messenger only responded by making two fingers quickly touch her mouth and then onto Helena's; encasing the princess in ice. "You all will." Her eyes held sympathy as she finished and disappeared.
Flash. Flames were everywhere as Noct forced himself to his knees as his palms pressed against the ground as well; him panting heavily as his body was bruised and cuts were on his face and arms as his clothes were torn. His heed looked forward and he said with heavy breaths as he forced himself to stand. "I'm not going to fight you. I won't. You'll just have to kill me." He lost his balance and fell once more to his knees as he grasped his side in pain as another figured walked toward him; black cape and hood covering the person. Noctis only looked up once more at the golden pupils and the black surrounding them as the person unsheathed the katana that rested on their left hip. Tears trailed down his cheeks as he whispered. "You really are gone, aren't you?"
The person reached up with their free hand and pulled down the hood, the black hair shining from the flames. Neither said a word as Helena drove Medusa through Noct's chest and she watched as his eyes went lifeless and his body fell to ground.
She leaned against her locked arms on the floor as she gasped for breath. Just as she reclaimed her bearings, the train smashed into something and the rear of the car launched upwards off the tracks, sending her sprawling into the walls multiple times as it turned. The last thing she remembered before she lost conscious was someone picking her up to carry her.
Cheering was heard when the last few Grimm were killed after Glynda had sealed the large hole the train had made into the city to release all the Grimm and as the authorities hauled Torchwick away. Noct, on the other hand, looked around among the crowd finally asking Team RWBY and his friends (who had arrived on an airship with some of the older teams at Beacon). "Have you guys seen Helena?"
Yang straightened slightly. "Last I saw her she was still in one of the cars after she tried to help me. She demanded that I left her there and go help you guys." Noct paled at her answer. "But Noct her eyes-"
"Over here!" a voice interrupted and Noct sharply turned and took off running at the limp form of his sister, beaten and bruised, being carried.
"Mercury!" Ruby yelled the name of the savior as Noct took Helena from his arms, repositioning her.
"Found her inside the train when was checking for survivors. Got to her just in time; another few minutes and the rocks would have crushed her." Mercury explained to them as Noct looked from her limp form to him.
"Thank you." He said, voice breaking with watery eyes. "Thank you." The boy nodded and walked away.
Quiet mumbling came from the girl in his arms and he looked to the others. "We need to get her back to Beacon."
"Then allow me to personally escort you." Ironwood said as he approached. "Best we get her back as fast as possible."
Noct wasted no time in following the General to his ship and never took his eyes off his sister as the ship was in motion. His eyes flickered with worry every time she would shift in his arms as another set of mumbles occurred with it. The sound of a cane filled his ears and he looked up to find Ozpin approaching; he didn't even notice that they had landed. Another round of mumbles came from her as the Headmaster approached, this time loud enough for him to understand and he frowned as it was in the language of the Astrals.
"I won't do it. I won't. You can't make me… just get out of my head." A harsh shift and a scrunch of pain. "Tomb. Put me in Tomb."
Noct frowned but spoke to Ozpin as he stood up from the bench he hand been sitting on, repositioning her once more. "She wants to be placed in the Tomb."
Ozpin's face darkened. "Something's amiss. Let me take her please. I need you and your friends – Team RWBY and JNPR as well if you wish – to return to where Costlemark was for any kind of clue as to what could have happened when you two disappeared. That is something we will have to discuss more later as well."
After a moment of hesitation, Noctis nodded and Ozpin motioned with his head and Ironwood came in quietly and took the unconscious girl from his arms. Noct sprinted off soon after and into the school to find the others, leaving the two men watching his leaving form.
"You think it's her again, don't you, Ozpin?" Ironwood said as the two walked into the school and a sigh came from the Headmaster of Beacon.
"She's the only one who makes sense anymore." Silence occurred during the elevator trip down into the hallways and the two wasted no time in putting her in the Tomb. As Ironwood began to retract his arms from her form, both arms shot out grabbing his wrists and ice began forming on his arms.
"The hell?!" the General yelled as he pulled back, fighting against the girl's seemingly iron grip. Two hands grabbed onto her wrists and yanked them off and the girl shot up to her feet, preparing to flee. Ironwood only stared at her black-voided eyes as two fingers touched her mouth and her body turned to solid ice.
Ironwood glanced at the one who caused it to see a sorrow-eyed Gentiana facing the frozen body of Helena. Then the woman turned to face him with a short nod. "General." Not waiting for a response, the Messenger strolled passed the General out of the Tomb and he just followed.
"Why'd you do that?"
"Because she summoned me requesting me to do it." The Messenger answered before turning her attention slightly to Ozpin. "When you see him, send Ardyn down here. I must speak with him." Having said that, she disappeared.
"Great. More problems and no solutions." Ironwood grumbled and Ozpin shortly nodded in agreement before setting off to find Ardyn, who he knew was somewhere here in the maze-like hallways and its hidden rooms.
The Headmaster wasn't too surprised to find the former Accursed in the ancient texts they kept down here and away from the public. Ardyn looked up from the document he was looking at to see Ozpin's grim face and rolled the scroll up, placing back up on the shelf where it had resided before turning completely to the Headmaster.
"What happened?"
"It's best for you to see for yourself, and someone wants to talk to you." The Headmaster turned and walked off, not waiting for a reply from the other; who followed with concern lacing his features more with each step. Ozpin stopped in front of the Tomb's entrance before turning to Ardyn saying, "This is where I'll take my leave." And the Headmaster headed to the elevator.
Ardyn sighed irritated as a chill went up his spine and turned to face Gentiana. "I must say I'm partly surprised that you're the one that wanted to talk to me."
Gentiana's unemotional face remained as she spoke. "You still have the connection, do you not?"
Ardyn stiffened. "Why do you want to know? So you can take it away from me?"
Gentiana raised her head slightly. "Use the connection to get to her. She is faltering."
Ardyn scowled. "What do you mean by that?"
Gentiana continued as if she didn't hear his question. "She summoned me and I froze her at her request, but it will not last. Use the cell not far from here and put her in it. You will see soon enough as to why." She disappeared once more; leaving a very irritated Ardyn.
Silently and containing his anger, the former Accursed walked into the Tomb and looked sadly at the frozen girl before him. His brow furrowed slightly as he slowly placing a hand on her shoulder, stiffening at the constant switching of emotions. He tilted his head slightly as he tried to pinpoint some of the emotions: confusion, worry, rage… and something that he knew all too well – twisted insanity. Ardyn retreated his arm quickly before moving her to the cell Gentiana suggested as her voice entered his head. "Tread with caution. Her last set of abilities have surfaced. It is only a matter of time until she figures out how to use them."
'Well… shit.' He placed her down in the middle of the cell before walking out and closing it; turning on the dampeners created for her abilities and put the passcode in the alert system to turn it on. Without another word, the man turned and walked away from the cell as the girl inside's fingers moved slightly.
Prompto sighed as he reloaded his gun as he silently walked away from Costlemark Tower as Noctis and the others searched the area.
"And where do you think you're going?" Prompto paused before turning to Weiss, who hand her hand on her hip.
"Just going to check over here." He replied as calmly as he could, trying to keep his emotions off his features. Weiss only nodded.
"Right… so that's why you're trying to sneak away from the others?" She questioned with a raised eyebrow before her features softened, letting her arm fall to her side. "I'm not trying to stop you, Prom. I just don't want you traveling alone around here when it's clear there's problems lurking around here."
Prompto's lips twitched upwards before Weiss yelped and gripped her right forearm, her white sleeve cut and turning blood red as the blonde's eyes followed to the cause – an arrow lodged in the tree. Instincts kicking in, Prompto sharply turned around gun aimed as another stood opposite from him in the small clearing.
The other person hid underneath a dark navy-blue hood with its cape covering their body as they spoke, voice distorted and their arms raised holding a bow with an arrow knocked. "Put the gun down."
Prompto shook his head slightly, stepping in front of Weiss. "No can do; not with someone holding a weapon at me."
Prompto glanced to Weiss as the heiress backed up slightly and the bow wielder turned the weapon at her. "Move again and I'll shoot."
Prompto tightened his grip on his gun, flipping his sight up as he cocked it. "Same goes for you."
The face under the hood turned back to him. "Fire and you'll regret it."
Prompto frowned. "Why? Afraid for others to come running?" He smirked as he watched their grip tighten around the bow. "You are." He raised his gun toward the air. "You fire and I'll shoot."
"Guess we're at an impasse, because the same thing for me as well."
Prompto's frown deepened. "Look, I don't know what your problem is, but I'm here trying to help my best friend."
"Funny, because I am too." The slight humor was heard despite the distortion.
"Prompto…" Weiss muttered quietly behind him, the turning of the Dust with her sword being heard.
"Don't." he muttered back.
The click of a gun broke the small clearing as the hooded figure stiffened and Prompto visibly relaxed as Noctis stood behind the attacker with a gun to their head.
"Drop your weapon." His tone was quiet, yet menacing was the same.
"Noct!" Prompto smiled at his friend and the bow was dropped, but not from the order but from shock.
"Noct?" their voice cracked in surprise. "Noctis?" They turned to the prince and he held his finger on the trigger as they turned away and back to the blonde, walking slowly toward him. "Which means… Prompto? Is that you?" Prompto and Noct both held their guns at the person, despite faltering slightly in confusion, as the figure lifted their hands to the hood and pulled it down.
Prompto dropped in gun in shock as Noct numbly dismissed his gun. They both looked like they had seen a ghost as Prompto took a step forward as he whispered, unable to make his voice go any louder.
"Kara?"