A.N. Chapter 10, woot woot! I'm surprised we made it this far. anyways, Stat Chart:
Reviewers:
undertaker87 (During volume 3 they're age is 20. So during volumes 4-5 they're 21-22. Haven't really focused too much on age so thanks for bringing it up. I did some research and found that Vernal is potentially 17-18. So we'll go with 18. Also it was predetermined for a Raven X Tenebris.)
SkeenTheDream (Yes)
Views:
918+ (Close to 1,000)
I want to bring up the name Shad Y. Man...great job RT you beautiful people.
Tenebris looks at the four people that stood before him.
"Shad, why aren't these people bleeding on the ground." Tenebris asks.
Shad opens his mouth then closes it.
"What do you want?" Tenebris says to the strangers.
"We'd like to speak with Raven Branwen." The red dressed woman asks.
"Just speak?"
"For now, yes." She responds, her eyes flaring to life with a maiden's aura.
Tenebris nods and gestures for them to follow. On the way he sees Vernal and gives her a nod. She returns it and rushes to Raven. He also sees Ziya gnawing on a piece of bone giving him a seductive look, but stops after seeing the company. Tenebris arrived in front of Raven's tent and stopped.
"Wait here." He says, planting his spear into the dirt with a hard thud.
After a minute Raven left the tent wearing her Grimm Mask.
"I don't recall inviting so many guests into our home. Either I'm losing my memory or you've all lost your spines!" Raven says.
"Don't be too upset with them Raven. Your men simply recognize the power of a Maiden when they see it. Which is why we'd like to have a word with you."
"Leave us. Pack your things, then break down camp. We're moving."
Tenebris motions his fingers towards a few bandits, then a few others. they understood the message. Weapons ready while packing. Ziya grabbed a rifle and leaned against a wall, ready to fire on command.
"A little late to run and hide. You've been on our master's list for some time, so you must understand that we cannot allow you to slip away." the man says.
"I know all about your master," Raven says, stepping towards them so she's next to Tenebris, "But I don't believe we've met."
"We're the guys you're supposed to be afraid of." Mercury says.
"Yeah right. I can kill a runt like you in half a minute." Tenebris says.
"Oh yeah? Wanna try?"
"Quiet." The red woman says.
"Please keep your subordinates on a leash." Tenebris remarks.
She nods and introduces herself.
"I'm Cinder Fall. This is my associate, Arthur Watts, and my disciples Emerald and Mercury."
"Two children you've tricked into following you, a disgraced Atlesian Scientist, and a Fall Maiden with a surname so appropriate she probably picked it herself. Something tells me you've got more than a slight case of egomania. Is that about right?"
Tenebris let out a single chuckle as he smirked under his mask.
Watts clears his throat before saying, "Technically I was also doctor, but I must say the rest was spot on."
"Aren't you perceptive." Cinder remarks.
"It's what's kept me alive."
"I'm afraid the only reason you're still alive is because you have something our master wants. Of course, if I'm wrong."
Tenebris raises his spear and holds it in both hands as an orb of fire appears in Cinder's hand. Raven rests a hand on his shoulder, and he places the spear back on the ground.
"Protective isn't he." Cinder comments.
"Vernal." Raven calls, ignoring Cinder's remark.
Vernal exits the tent, making her presence known. She then walks up to the left side of Raven.
"So, this is the long lost Spring Maiden. Prove it." Cinder says.
Raven nods to Vernal.
The Pseudo-Spring Maiden closes her eyes and raises her hands, and the sky goes grey. A strong gust of wind causes Emerald, Mercury, and Watts to shield themselves. Cinder looks on with delight. Vernal lowers her arms and the weather returns to normal.
"Vernal has done well under my guidance." Raven states, resting a hand on the girl's shoulder, "I'd take that into consideration before you try anything. Not to mention my right hand here is quite the seasoned fighter."
"Raven, I won't underestimate you so please don't insult my intelligence," Cinder says, "There is a slim chance that you, your lieutenant, and your Maiden could escape here today, but if you know our master as well as you claim to then you know you could never truly escape her. But we come bearing an Olive Branch."
"The Maidens are merely a means to an end," Watts says, stepping forwards. Before he could get too close to Raven Tenebris raised his spear one handedly, "Salem's true desires are the relics locked within the huntsmen academies. Come with us. Allow Vernal here to unlock the Relic of Knowledge and all previous acts of defiance against Salem will be forgiven. It's the best deal either of you are going to get."
"If I wanted to I could have killed you at the front gate. So take my mercy and a fucking step back." Tenebris says, glaring at Watts through his mask.
"Your lieutenant seems rather sharp tongued." Watts says, returning to his allies. This causes Tenebris return his spear to it's standing position.
"He's always like that. Getting back on track, you talk as if walking straight into Haven will be easy."
"That's because it will be. Headmaster Lionheart is loyal to Salem now. All we need is the key to the vault." Cinder says.
Raven and Tenebris share a glance.
"You're not the only one to turn your back on Oz, Raven." Cinder continues.
"I'm not helping Salem. I'm not helping Oz. I don't want a part of any of this." Raven says, grabbing the hilt of her sword. Tenebris raised his spear and held it with both hands again.
"That ship sailed when you chose to harbor a Maiden, but if you come with us to Haven. We'll leave you, your tribe, and your little secret to live out the rest of your days squabbling in the wilderness. We just, need, The Relic."
"I need time to think this over." Raven says.
"You don't have time. In two days haven Academy will be destroyed by the White Fang. You're going to choose now." Watts says.
"Just give me the word." Tenebris whispers.
"Back me into a corner huh?"
"So, are you with us, or against us?" Cinder asks.
Raven removed the hand from the blade and takes off her mask.
"Agreements like this are built on trust, and forgive me for saying but I don't trust a single one of you. You're going to need to give me more."
"You are in a really poor position to negotiate."
"Shut up old man. Let the women talk." Tenebris says in a scolding tone.
Raven glances at Tenebris for a moment.
"I want my brother dead."
"Qrow?" Cinder asks.
"That's right. He knows I have Spring, and if I help you get you relic, he's going to become a problem. I have enough problems to deal with. Qrow doesn't trust me, but he does trust Oz's other lieutenants. If Leo is really loyal to you, then you can order him to invite Qrow right into an ambush. He arrives at Haven, we take him down, you get your relic, and we all leave happy."
"Now this is a proposition I can get behind." Cinder says, starting to walk forwards until Watts stops her.
"Alright ladies let's pause for a moment, we have one objective. Retrieving the relic of knowledge. Now Qrow Branwen may be on our list of individuals that we would very much like dead, but he's not going to go down without a fight, and he's not going to fight quietly. Our advantage here is just as you said, walk straight into Haven, no resistance, and no one the wiser."
Tenebris had enough of this prattling and walked up to Watts.
"For someone so old, and supposedly wise, you're quite idiotic. Do you think we'd not have a plan?"
"Well what is it then?" Watts asks, glaring at Tenebris.
"As you said, the White Fang is going to attack. While that chaos is going on we kill Qrow. We hit simultaneously and we hit hard. No one will know what happened, and no one will survive."
"It'll be over in a heartbeat with all of us against him." Raven inputs.
"It isn't just him," Emerald inputs, "He has the students, and Ruby."
"He certainly does." Cinder says.
Watts goes on about a bloody mess, then Cinder brings up the plan Tenebris made.
"As soon as the White Fang has won, they'll demolish Haven Academy. Any evidence we may have left behind will be lost along with the school."
"Then Salem leaves my people alone. For good." Raven inputs.
"You have yourself a deal." Cinder says, moving her hand forwards for a handshake to seal the deal.
"Wait." Watts says, grabbing Cinder's forearm.
"Don't think I don't see what you're after. If this falls to pieces over your grudge with a child I will not be taking the blame."
Cinder then burns Watt's hand, causing him to reel back.
"Fly back home and tinker with your machines, and tell Salem she'll get what she wants. And more." Cinder remarks, moving forwards.
Tenebris observes the Fall Maiden approach with minimal interest. Cinder once again raises her hand forwards. Raven grabs Cinder's hand, sealing their agreement.
"Maybe after this is over I'll trick you into following me instead." Cinder says to Tenebris.
"Don't count on it. My loyalty is absolute."
"This one's a keeper, Raven."
After that development Tenebris had personally seen to the visitors leave. Afterwards he returned to Raven, who was siting on her bed, resting her head on a hand.
"So, we're going to attack Qrow. Do you want me to give you some space?" Tenebris asks, sitting next to his lover.
"No, Vernal will be here in a moment. I sent her on a scouting mission."
Tenebris nods and lets out a tired sigh.
After a minute Vernal entered the tent.
"I followed them as you asked." Vernal says.
"Did they spot you?"
"Of course not. They have a ship two clicks west of here. Looks like they're staying there for the night."
"Thank you Vernal. Anything else?"
"Do you...actually believe they'll let us go after they have the relic?"
"Of course not. They'll never leave us alone. Once our purpose has come and gone we'll be discarded. Salem only uses people until they are no longer useful. If we want to have any chance of defending ourselves against her then we need this relic."
Raven stands up and continues, "If Qrow and those brats want to follow Ozpin then let them. When the chaos reaches it's peak we'll grab the relic, and make our escape."
"And the fact that your daughter will be a part of all that?" Vernal asks.
"Doesn't matter. I warned her. She made her choice."
Raven walks to the back exit.
"This path won't be easy for us either, but we must do what's right for the tribe."
"I know. I'll do whatever it takes." Vernal responds.
"Good."
Raven steps through the flap. Vernal and Tenebris follow and see a raven disappear through a portal.
"With Raven away, we'll need to prepare for the fight." Tenebris says.
Vernal pulled him into the tent with a blush on her face.
"With Raven temporarily gone, I was hoping we could..." Vernal starts, looking away.
Tenebris lifts her face up by the chin and plants a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Are you sure Vernal? I'm not gonna force you to do anything, and you know that."
"Shut up and kiss me."
As the two fall onto Raven's bed Ziya bursts into the tent.
"Hey Raven...oh, hey you two." Ziya remarks, a teasing look on her face.
"Fuck sake Ziya!" Tenebris exclaims, his shirt missing.
"I want to join in!"
Ziya jumps onto the two and starts to squish Vernal and constrict Tenebris.
"I can't breath!" Vernal squeaks out from under Ziya.
"Ziya!" Tenebris exclaims, getting a face full of cleavage.
After untangling themselves they were finally able to get comfortable a combination of light moans and swears could be heard from the tent. Vernal and Ziya lay on both sides of Tenebris. That night they got as much rest as they could. For a battle was coming. One that could shape their future.
[Omake]
Ziya: *Opens tent flap and sees Vernal and Tenebris under covers*
Vernal: "It's not what it looks like."
Ziya: "...Can I join?"
Raven: *Enters tent to see Vernal, Ziya, and Tenebris under covers*
Vernal: "It's not what it looks like."
Ziya: "It's definitely what it looks like."
Raven: "...Can I join?"
A.N. Alrighty that's it for now. My brain is tired so see ya next chapter
Reviews would be appreciated
Anyways stay awesome guys and gals of the world, and I'll see you next chapter