Hey guys and welcome to chapter eleven! Just wanna take the time to thank everyone for all their support for this story! Enjoy! :)
Aedan once again found himself surrounded in a dark fog. Glowing red eyes materialized and Aedan turned to face it.
"We meet once again young half-breed." Aedan recognized that voice and growled.
"Zariah. What the hell are you doing in my head?!" He could feel the dark dragon's grin and narrowed his eyes.
"I can jump in the head of any Grimm, half or otherwise. I quite enjoy watching you make such futile attempts to stop the inevitable. Watching the darkness grow stronger as it devours your soul."
"I'll stop it." The whole environment shook as Zariah's laughter boomed like thunder.
"You are definitely an interesting sort. My return is at hand. Two of the five crystals have been gathered and the age of mortals will end. Our time is growing even closer and everyone you care about will either die or be reduced to husks and serve me."
"I'll die before I let that happen."
"Oh? Is that a bet?"
"You're damn right it is. I'll beat this and beat the shit out of you while keeping my friends alive."
"Such blind ambition...very well then. Seeing you lose and slaughter your friends will be entertaining." The eyes then disappeared and the dark fog started fading away.
Aedan slowly opened his eyes and found himself in his dorm room. As soon as he tried to sit up, a wave of dizziness hit him and he groaned as he held his head. He looked down and saw that his chest, shoulders, and arms were covered in bandages. He growled and ripped them to shreds. A familiar scent entered his nose and he saw Blake sleeping in a chair next to his bed. Aedan's eyes softened once he saw her and looked away sadly. He needed to get rid of these feelings he had for her now that he found out what was happening to him. He couldn't afford to have friends anymore, let alone a girl he was romantically interested in. He resisted the urge to whimper at that thought and held his head in his hands. Even if Blake returned his feelings it wouldn't be fair for her to have a boyfriend she'll be forced to kill in who knows how long. His aura was almost fully regenerated and he immediately wondered if Yang was okay. The taste of her blood left an imprint on his tongue and he unconsciously licked his fangs. He felt ashamed that more than just a part of him enjoyed that. More than half actually and it scared him.
'I need to leave now.' Aedan thought frantically and sensing his distress, Blake woke up. She yawned and stretched.
"Glad to see you're awake." Blake said and watched in surprise as Aedan jumped out of bed. He hurried over to his closet and Blake stood up. "What's wrong?"
"I have to leave Beacon. Those Red Shield Knights will be hunting me and Vale will be the first place they search." Aedan grabbed a large bag and started packing.
"At least rest a little more first. Your aura-" Blake stopped once she remembered what Alistair said.
(Flashback)
After the two giant moths landed at Beacon, Blake and Ruby helped Aedan walk into the dorms. They put him on his bed and watched him breathe heavily.
"What's wrong with him?" Ruby asked while bandaging him with Blake and Weiss helping her. Zwei was laying on the bed next to Aedan.
"Besides him being badly injured?" Weiss said sarcastically.
"His aura can't regenerate on its own. He has to absorb it from others." Alistair said and he held Aedan's hand. The half beowolf started absorbing his aura and after a ten minutes, Alistair was out of breath and let go. Aedan's semblance activated and his wounds started healing. Alistair sat down and Yang walked over to him.
"Are you okay?" Yang asked.
"Yes. I just need to rest for a little while." Alistair said and Yang nodded. "Afterwards, Aedan and I will pack up and leave."
"What?!" The girls shouted at the same time and Zwei whined.
"I'm afraid so girls. The Red Shield Knights will search for both him and me. We'll be leaving as soon as Aedan recovers." Blake looked at the sleeping demon wolf. It was time for him to leave Beacon, leave team RWBY...leave her.
(End Flashback)
Blake watched as Aedan rushed around packing several things. She heard his heart racing and his erratic breathing. Panic wafted off him in ocean waves and Blake's amber eyes were filled with worry. Seeing him broken back at the prison and seeing him like this now burned away all the negative feelings she felt or thought she felt.
"Aedan, we need to talk." Blake said and Aedan paused.
"So, you still wanna talk to me? After everything you've seen?" Aedan asked without any emotion.
"Why wouldn't I?"
"You know what I am and what I've done. I'm surprised you're still here." Blake sighed and approached him.
"Why?"
"That would be any sane person's decision."
"Then maybe you don't know me very well." Aedan raised an eyebrow as he glanced at her. Then he looked away and continued packing until Blake stopped him.
"What're you doing? It's too dangerous for me to be here."
''I know, but just stay for a little bit. I need to tell you something." Aedan looked at her curiously. They just stared at each other for a few seconds and he sighed softly.
"Alright." Aedan sat on his bed and Blake sat next to him.
"Do you remember what I told you about the White Fang?"
"Yeah, why?"
"I was once a member." Aedan looked at her shocked.
"You're the last person I expected to run with them." Blake gave a weak smile.
"I was a member for most of my life." Blake continued telling her story and Aedan listened intently. "So here I am. A criminal hiding in plain view with the help of my bow."
"What you told me at the temple makes sense now." Aedan slowly reached up and gently tugged on her bow. It untied and silently fell on his bed. Blake watched as he glided his index finger along the jet black fur of one of her cat ears. "But you know, compared to my crimes, you're most likely a lightweight."
''You don't sound all too surprised."
"I was. But someone like me has no right to judge anyone else." Then Aedan ran the same finger through her hair. Blake smiled and leaned in so it would touch the side of her face. "The things that I said to you before. I really do mean it. You ran away from the White Fang for a better life. And like I said then, there's nothing wrong with that."
''Thanks." Aedan gave her a small smile and stood up to finish packing. Blake put her bow back on and stood up. She heard him zip his bag closed. "Aedan wait."
''I can't wait anymore Blake. The longer I stay here, the more danger I'll put you and everyone else in." Aedan said as he turned his back to her to grab his pendant. "You girls can have the cake."
"Aedan just stop for a second." Blake said as she walked over to him.
"I have to leave right now, I-" Aedan was abruptly cut off as he turned around only to find Blake gripping his shirt tightly and her lips pressed against his. All thoughts he had immediately flew out the window and he even forgot how to breathe for a few seconds. His tail stood up straight and bristled in shock. It felt like lightning bolts were shooting throughout his body. Then he relaxed and returned the kiss. He wrapped his arms around her waist and back, bringing their bodies together. Blake let go of his shirt and moved her hand up to rest on his broad shoulders. Aedan felt his Grimm blood start to cool down and it was reduced to a simmer. He ran his tongue along her lips and she granted him permission. The kiss deepened as they explored the other's mouth. The taste of Blake was so tantalizing that Aedan could feel an addiction to her forming and his tail wagged. Everything that came before this moment didn't matter to them, only the person they were with right now. They both started running out of air and finally broke the kiss. A thin trail of saliva connected them for a couple seconds until it broke apart. "...Wow."
"I'm guessing that was your first kiss?" Blake asked amused. Aedan searched his brain for a coherent sentence to say.
"Like you've kissed plenty of guys before." Blake flicked his nose at his sarcasm and he snorted. Then someone knocked on his door. "Damn, now I don't feel like moving anymore."
"Just get the door." They broke their hold on each other and Aedan opened the door. Ruby, Weiss, Yang, Zwei, and Alistair walked in.
"So you're finally awake." Weiss said and Aedan smiled as Ruby raced over to hug him. He returned the hug and looked at Yang.
''Sorry about biting you Yang." Yang put him in a headlock and Zwei barked happily.
"You're lucky a strand of my hair didn't come out." Yang said and Aedan chucked nervously. "I forgive you."
"Aedan do you have your things packed?" Alistair asked and Aedan glanced at Blake before responding.
"Actually dad, I don't wanna leave." Blake smiled at that.
"I think I already know why." Alistair said with a smirk after he caught Aedan's glance. He tossed him his chains and the hybrid put it on. Then his smirk disappeared. "And though I understand, the Red Shield Knights will go through great lengths to hunt you down and kill you. Who knows what they'll do at Beacon if you're sheltered here.
"When will you two come back?" Ruby asked as she broke the hug and Yang let Aedan go.
"I'm afraid that's uncertain." Blake walked over.
"Then I'm going with you." Blake said.
"Are you serious?!" Weiss shouted and Blake looked at her.
"I am." Weiss was silent as she saw the seriousness and determination in her eyes. Yang smirked and Alistair chuckled.
"If Ozpin allows it then all of you might have to join us." Alistair said.
"Really?" Yang asked.
"There's..a possibility that the priest that held Aedan prisoner and the guards have given Samuel descriptions of the four of you. So, he might be coming after you as well." The girls looked at each other. "You'll be traveling with Aedan and myself across Remnant."
"Cool!" Ruby shouted. "Let's go to Ozpin."
"I see." Ozpin said and he sipped his coffee.
"Kira also warned me that someone is gathering the shadow crystals to resurrect Zariah." Alistair said and Aedan was shocked. Zariah told him the same thing but he thought it was a lie. Now that it was confirmed true, the bet he made with the Drake definitely started now. Ozpin narrowed his eyes. "With your permission, I would like to take team RWBY with me to put a stop to this."
"What?!" Glynda shouted and Alistair continued.
"I have a lead. Kira's butterflies found another location in the northwest with a large concentration of Grimm. They're surrounding an underground tomb." Ozpin and Glynda were silent.
"I trust they'll be under your supervision Alistair."
"Of course." Glynda sighed. She looked at Ozpin and he nodded.
"Very well then Alistair. I trust you'll bring them back in one piece." Alistair nodded.
"You have my word."
"Then you have my permission. Good luck." Ozpin said and watched as Alistair and team RWBY left the office.
"Are you sure about this?" Glynda asked.
"I am. I trust Alistair." Ozpin said and sipped his coffee again.
Alistair and team RWBY boarded an airship and it took off.
"We'll meet up with Kira when we get there." Alistair said.
"This is exciting! Right Weiss?" Ruby asked hopping in her seat and Zwei wagged his tail.
"It's definitely a big step up from other missions first years usually get." Weiss said.
"I'm pumped up!" Yang shouted. Aedan smirked then looked at Blake. After that kiss that happened in his room, he didn't know where they stood now. He was completely clueless about this and dating in general. Anxiety started rising as Aedan continued thinking about it. What if he messed up horribly? Would Blake still like him if she saw him kill again? Warmth entered his hand and he looked to see Blake holding it.
"Something wrong? Your heart's beating a mile a minute." Blake said and Aedan blushed.
"Y-Yeah, I'm fine." Aedan said and dark thoughts entered his head.
"If you really want that female feline then take her. Make her yours." The voice whispered and his eyes briefly glowed for a second.
'Leave me alone!' Aedan cried out in his head.
"Aedan calm down. Your other features are showing." Blake said. Aedan looked down to see his black claws showing and his skin turning grey. He took a few deep breaths and his beowolf features receded.
"Sorry. I just don't know what to do anymore." Blake was about to ask until the airship started landing.
"Alright everyone we're here." Alistair said and they left the airship. Team RWBY looked down and saw a large crater in the ground with wooden stairs leading to a metal door. The airship took off and they saw many Grimm corpses.
"I guess Kira's here?" Weiss asked and Aedan nodded.
"She is. Her scent leads to the door and it's fresh so she got here about two minutes before we did." Aedan said. They walked down the stairs and Aedan pushed the door open. Once the door closed, they were immediately surrounded by darkness and Alistair used a spell to light his staff. A white ball of light levitated at the top of his staff and they were now gently bathed in an eerie white light as well as the room they were in.
"How did you do that?" Ruby asked in awe and Alistair smiled.
"Where I'm from, we don't use Dust. We use magic instead." Alistair said. "It wasn't until I visited one of the kingdoms that I learned how to use Dust."
"Where are you from?" Yang asked and Alistair smirked.
"A village far from here." The girls sweatdropped.
"Wow that was so specific." Blake said sarcastically and Aedan snickered.
"This is strange. I don't see Kira anywhere." Alistair said and Aedan narrowed his eyes. "She would've at least sent a butterfly to greet us at the door."
"Thanks for making us paranoid dad." Aedan said sarcastically. They stopped when they came across a large stone door with intricate carvings on it; creating a design none of them were familiar with.
"Wow." Ruby said as the light on Alistair's staff revealed the door.
''What is this?" Weiss asked and Zwei sniffed at it.
"I don't know. I've never seen this before." Alistair said.
"Is it a drawing or another language?" Blake asked.
"Looks like a drawing to me." Aedan said as he ran his fingers over it.
"Let me guess, we need a magic key, password or something to open it." Yang said and Aedan shrugged. He braced his hands against the door and growled as he pushed. The door groaned in protest but Aedan managed to push it open. "Okay, maybe not."
"What kind of tomb is this?" Weiss asked as they walked into a large room with several coffins on the left and right sides. There was also a large coffin in the back. Aedan stared at that particular coffin and his heart started to accelerate. The dark whispers reached it grotesque fingers in his head and his eyes started glowing. Blake noticed it and held his hand.
"Is it here?" Blake asked and Aedan nodded as he softly squeezed her hand.
"It is. I can feel its power and hear the whispers in my head." Aedan said and his chains started glowing. Alistair walked to the large coffin and tried to push it open but it wouldn't budge.
"Look out." Yang said nudging him aside. Alistair moved back and Yang managed to push the coffin open.
"Well I'll be damned." Alistair said and Yang smirked. "You just gave an old man a reality check."
"Don't be so sad." Yang said patting Alistair on the back and the old mage chuckled. Zwei's ears twitched and he growled. Aedan's tail bristled and his claws and fangs grew. Blake placed a hand on Gambol Shroud.
"What's going on?" Ruby asked.
''Someone's here. A hostile presence.'' Aedan said and the shadows in the room started converging to the center. A black cloaked figure materialized from the shadows with glowing red eyes.
"What the hell?!" Weiss shouted.
"That's...new." Yang said.
"Enemies of our Order will be taken by the shadows." The figure said and unsheathed a glowing purple katana.
"You've got to be shitting me." Aedan snarled.
Cliffhangers!XD That's chapter eleven for ya. Read and Review!