Weiss POV
I brought Myrtenaster toward me, steadying my breathing under the watchful gaze of my sister. I'd hoped that Winter would give up on my training, but of course she wouldn't. She'd actually doubled it, insisting that I learn how to do it, how to perfect it. She'd been more on edge lately, hiding behind her office doors late into the night and early morning. She was starting to look more worn. I worried, but any attempt to voice my concerns would be met with dismissal. She was our leader, the Boss, and she took that seriously.
"Again," she repeated for what seemed the millionth time.
"Don't you have some report to file," I muttered but did as I was told.
There had definitely been some progress. I could summon miniatures of Grimm I'd slain, but making them bigger or summoning them like that to begin with had proven a wasted effort. Ruby often told me I was overthinking things, and I could concede that to maybe be the case. I was just too aware of the disappointment waiting for me during these sessions, and from Winter.
"Can we take a break?"
"Weiss, you have to get this. I'm not always going to be there to protect you."
I felt like I was failing her, like she was wasting her time, like she felt I was wasting her time. I could feel the tension coiling in my shoulders, throughout my body as I tried again. "I know."
She took a deep breath, stepping forward and placing her hand on top of my head. It was a rare show of affection, one I soaked up. "We'll do this again tomorrow." She sounded so tired.
I felt my stance go slack as she left and I started to follow her out of the training area. Yang and Blake could be spotted sitting in the shade of a tree, talking. The blonde's jacket hung around her partner's shoulders, her arm free from its sling thanks to Jaune and Ren. She'd even been sparring as of late.
I paused, looking down at my weapon, at the silver steel I held in my hand. With one more heavy sigh I walked back to my spot and returned to my stance. Myrtenaster pointed once again toward the sky as I prepared myself for the next attempt.
Here went nothing.
Yang's POV
I smiled as I brought our intertwined hands to my lips. Blake returned the gesture, nuzzling against my shoulder as we turned down the alley. Talking her into going to the safer parts of town for some ice cream had taken some work. We'd been sparring, her arm having healed rather well. Ren had warned her not to overdo herself but it hadn't put a damper on her knife skills.
She'd been passing on missions, and I stayed behind with her. She was uneasy, more paranoid than I'd ever seen her, reaching out for me when any sense of panic came. Most nights she'd been able to sleep fine, but other nights she woke up shaking and sweaty. The date had been my suggestion to help. It seemed to be working.
Until she stopped, and her ears flicked back, twitching, listening. Then she turned, and I followed suit. It seemed we had a couple of stalker.
Mercury Black stood at the end of the alley where we'd come from. I tightened my grip on her hand and cursed under my breath as I pulled her away from them toward the other end when another one landed in front of us. Emerald Sustrai. I should've known. One never traveled without the other.
"Yang Xiao Long," Mercury began. "You've got quite a lot of nerve to be traveling in the city with such a bounty on your head. Though I was wondering when I would get the chance to kill you."
I scoffed. "Did your master send out to play?"
He chucked and shook his head. "Nope, this one we came up with all on our own."
"If you want to live another day, you'll leave us alone," Blake replied, letting go of my hand so that she could reach for her weapon.
"That's rich coming from Adam Taurus's bitch," the green haired woman answered. "Heard he's still offering a large sum of money for your head too. Not that it matters to me. I'll do it just for the fun of it."
"You should go," I warned them both. "This is your last chance."
"You know, that's funny," Mercury began as he walked closer. "You make it seem like you stand a chance."
Without warning, Emerald drew her weapon and the sickle launched at us, the chain rattling passed as we dodged. Blake and I were separated even further once Emerald managed to wrap her chain around my partner and pull her away. I made a move to follow but Mercury suddenly appeared next to me and landed a kick to my side. My head knocked into the wall. Well, that was going to bruise even with aura.
My jaw worked as I watched the grey haired young man put his arms up, an infuriating smirk on his face. He had to be out of his mind to try me like this.
I put my fists up, gauntlets already extended as I leaned back to dodge his next strike. The next one landed on my arm, and I could feel it reverberating through my bones. The rumors about his father replacing his legs with metal ones had to be true. There was no other way I was feeling this much of an impact through my aura.
Marcus Black had obviously taught his son well as he was able to match each of my punches with a kick, however; I didn't have time for this. Blake was a skilled fighter, no doubt about it, but there were rumors that one of Cinder Fall's lackeys had some sort of delusion semblance. If it was Emerald, and with Blake not having recovered from her paranoia... I had to finish this quickly.
On Mercury's next attack I let my guard fall, allowing him to land a kick straight to my ribs. I hit the ground, shaking myself, only half pretending to be exhausted. There were going to be some serious bruises later. Like his father, Mercury had one weakness: his ego. Case in point, he laughed as he stood over me.
"I have to say I'm disappointed," he began. "I expected so much more from the Omen's daughter."
The mention of that woman made my hands clench into fists. I was nothing like that monster. That wasn't the point right now, though. Right now, I had to get to Blake. I didn't have to wait long for my opportunity as he swung his leg down, only for me to grab it and use it to throw him into the wall. He hit hard enough that his breath left him in a whoosh and he landed on the ground with a thud.
Before he could recover I grabbed him by the throat and smashed his head into the wall. There was a crack and blood as I turned his head so he was looking at me. He made a sound as he faced my crimson glare. "I'm not like the Omen. I'm so much worse."
He made a sound like a scoff, but didn't have the chance for anything else as I twisted his neck with a sick pop. Just like that, he fell to the ground, dead to the world. I huffed, rubbing slightly at my ribs before a scream echoed through the alley.
Blake!
Blake's POV
I should have known better. I had known better, but Yang had smiled and promised me safety and I had wanted her to keep smiling. I had started to believe her as we walked around the streets in the more lowkey portion of the city. This was apparently the area of the city that she came around often.
For that short stint of time, I was able to forget about the nightmares and just enjoy the warmth Yang always emitted.
I'd started to have fun, when we were suddenly cornered and split up.
"If all you know how to do is run this fight will be over quicker than I thought," Emerald called from behind me.
I had no choice but to skid to a stop when I came to a dead end. Gambol Shroud was already in my hand by the time I turned around. Scarlet eyes gleamed as her mouth twisted upward wickedly. I lunged forward only to be met with a wave of bullets which I shadow dodged out of the way, letting my double take the hit as I took a swing at the former thief. She ducked just in time and jabbed the butt of one of her sickles into my stomach.
"Still a little sore is it?" she taunted when I grunted upon impact. "Adam told us all about his little spitfire."
I growled and charged again only to miss and be rewarded with a kick to the back. Wait... how did she..? I was thrown off balance and onto the ground, only just managing to keep hold of my weapon has I was kicked in my midsection and the air was knocked out of me. Her heeled foot came down on my hand and I was forced to drop Gambol, while her other foot crashed into the side of my head.
Frustration built up inside me, and the world swirled out of focus momentarily. Emerald was suddenly not around from what I could tell.
When I regained some focus, the alleyway was gone, replaced with one of the White Fang safehouses. My blood froze in my veins. I pushed myself up onto my knees just as something clasped around my neck. I looked down, hyperventilating when it was revealed to be chains.
"Welcome back, my love."
I might as well have died. I'd rather have died than hear that voice again. No. No. This couldn't be happening. It wasn't real. Couldn't be. Adam. No. I wasn't prepared. I wasn't ready. No.
Blush's muzzle pressed against my forehead. A promise of death as soon as he pulled the trigger.
"Just in time to die, Blake."
My breath stuttered in my chest as pressure was added by the gun when it suddenly hit me. A gun. But Adam never... He hardly used Blush for execution...
One ear twitched back, the click of the gun coming from...behind me. I moved just as the muzzle flash lit up the area, the bullet going right through one of my clones. I panted. Waited. Listened. I readied myself with a hand on the knife hidden at my ankle. The skid of heels on cobblestone was the clue and the knife was in the air before I had time to truly process it.
The surrounding area seemed to dissolve around me until I was back in the alley. Emerald stood before me, eyes wide as she held her hand to her neck where the knife still protruded. Blood soaked her as she collapsed to her knees and then the ground.
My outstretched hand shook as it fell back to my side and then I fell as well. Both hands clenched into fists. I needed to move. The thought had just entered my head when arms helped me sit up and hold me to their chest.
"Hey, it's ok. I've got you," Yang soothes. "It's over. The vision's gone."
I shake my head, ears pinned back. It was so real. Too real.
"Shhh," she continues, kissing my temple.
I flinch and I feel her pull away slightly. "Blake, look, it's just me. Come on."
I open my eyes, looking up to be met with familiar lavender pools. I hug her as I let out a choked sob.
"Yeah... there you go. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere." She lifts me up in her arms and kisses my temple again before she starts walking, most likely toward headquarters, home. "It's you and me, partner. I've got you."
She repeats those words in the same soothing tone like a mantra. It's what I hear as allow myself to drift off.
Nora POV
What had initially been described as an in and out mission turned into a real problem real quick. Seemed to be a running gag as of late. We'd received a tip about the Empress transferring more child soldiers to the front lines where the rebellion had made their latest move. It wasn't going to be that heavily guarded, given the prisoners, so Ren and I had been sent to run interference. Hence the sudden surprise when the back of the truck had opened to reveal Neo, Roman, and a big guy.
We weren't doing so hot and had already called for backup that we needed to get here soon.
"Who invited you to the party?" I asked as I took a swing at the fancy redhead.
"Oh, I don't think you want to find out," he answered, aiming his cane at me before firing several electric darts of dust.
Honestly, that was his mistake. While there was still a bit of a sting, I could feel the electricity absorbing into my muscles. This hotshot wouldn't even know what hit him. Magnhild charged with a slight crackle before I swung it full force... only to have his comrade come between us and take the hit, the sound of shattering glass accompanying the hit. They had disappeared by the time the glass cleared.
Ren's yelp made me turn to see the big bear of a man lifting him up by his collar.
"Leave my man alone!" I ran and jumped up with my hammer raised above my head, slamming it down into his back and distracting him enough to make sure he dropped my partner. "Where the heck is everyone?" I called to Ren.
"They are on their way," he panted, dodging the strong man's grasp.
I made a small sound of annoyance before being brought back to the fight at hand. Roman had rejoined the fight, and I deftly dodged his attacks when this feeling of unease came over me. Something wasn't right... What was he..?
I moved too late.
By the time I heard the sound of breaking marble I'd turned and given Roman the perfect opportunity to smack me in the skull with his cane. It hurt more than I'd thought it would. I shook my head to clear it just as I found myself lying on my back on the ground.
Wait... I'm... on the ground... and why does my body hurt..? My brain rattled around in my head, I tried to focus, only to feel tears build in my eyes. The marble pillar... that was... It was on top of me. The lower half of my body crushed.
The pain came all at once, so fast that I thought I'd pass out from the overload. I screamed. That much I knew. The pain. It was horrible. I was...dying? I was actually dying..?
...Ren...
Ren POV
It's something I'd hoped I'd never have to hear in my life. It sends my entire being into a state of terror that I've never felt before. The scream that has ripped its way through the air has become that only sound I can hear on this battlefield. I don't even consider the consequences as I turn my back on Neo and Roman, knowing Ruby, Weiss, and Winter are already converging on the duo. Hazel made to block my path but he quickly finds one of Stormflower's blades shoved violently into his neck. He doesn't matter. Only one thing matters right now.
The person that scream belonged to.
I find Nora under a large stone pillar, the lower half of her body crushed with no way of getting it off of her. I still see the faint glow of electricity underneath her skin but its fading fast and even so, she can't do anything in her current state to push it off. The damage is undeniable. The outcome is unavoidable.
"Ren..."
I ignore her calling my name, sliding my hands underneath the slab of rock and trying to push it away or pull it up. Nothing's working. Maybe if Yang is with the backup. Maybe Winter could summon something. She's too far away. I could run and get her. That would leave Nora unguarded. What if I-
"Ren..."
I swallow, finally looking down at the woman I cherish more than anything. Her light blue eyes still shine even with her face caked with dirt and blood. Her blood.
"Shh," I push out, taking her hand. "Backup is on its way. They'll be here any minute."
"Shh," I soothed as I took her hand. "Winter is here and she already called for backup, they'll be here any minute now."
She actually smiles at me. It's light, airy, probably due to the blood loss and trauma. "I think I'm dying..."
"No, you're not."
Her eyes soften, losing a little focus. "You'd know..." A sharp inhale. "You're our...healer guy after all..."
I feel the sting of tears building behind my eyes. "That's right, and if I say you're not going to die, you're not going to die."
Her other hand, the one I wasn't clutching for dear life, had been wrapped around her hammer. Now she pulled it away so that it reached up toward me. One single finger pressed against my nose. "Boop."
It hurts. Everything hurts. "I love you, too."
Her eyes droop and her hand sags. "Always have..."
It's the truth we've known since we were kids. It was a truth we never hid around our friends. We were family. She was my family, my whole world. "Always will," I say back.
Her breath is stuttering.
The backup won't make it in time.
I-
Sudden pain erupts through my body, and I'm confused until I make out the arrow sticking out of my chest... Then there's another... And another. I can't breathe. Blood spews from my mouth and I collapse, trying to breathe and hold onto Nora's hand at the same time. I can't. So I lay there, having no choice but to watch as Nora takes her last breath.
Then...I take mine.
Weiss POV
I growled in frustration as another wave of Imperial soldiers rushed at us. Our backup had arrived only moments ago, Yang, Blake, Pyrrha, and Jaune charging in and helping thin some of these pests out. Minutes ago we'd heard Nora's scream above all the other sounds of battle and I'd caught a glimpse of Ren speeding toward the sound almost blindly.
Winter and I had shared a look, already having a pretty idea of what he'd find.
Then, another scream sent shockwaves through my body. It was bone-chilling. It was Ruby's.
I'd spun on my heel, finding Ruby holding the side of her face, blood oozing between her fingers as she staggered back and away from the parasol wielding nuisance. This woman was seriously starting to get on my nerves.
I twirl Myrtenaster before stabbing the ground, creating a surge of icicles that impale the soldiers around me. I work my way to my partner's side until Roman Torchwick steps in my way. I don't have time for his mindless banter. I look passed him to see Yang already at her sister's side while Winter provides cover for the duo.
Roman had always been a slippery little snake but as I attack all he does is dodge and block. He's not fighting. He's not even really trying to press me for any kind of advantage. It doesn't hit me what's happening until I catch him briefly glance away from me.
"Weiss!"
It happens slowly. It's cliche but that's what it feels like. I slowly turn to see my sister approaching. I frown. Then I see what she must have. Cinder stares down at me from the exposed second floor of one of the collapsed buildings, arrow knocked back and aimed directly at me. I realize what's about to happen a second before she lets it fly free.
Winter pushes me back and I fall...watching as the silver arrow that had been meant for me catches her in the back.
My sister actually stands there, pain etched onto her face as she falls forward. She hits the ground with a thud. The air in my lungs leaves me in one fell swoop. I'm moving before I can even register, closer to my older sister. Blood is pulling in the middle of her back, staining her white coat red. It...That's not right. That's the wrong color. Winter...
It takes a moment for the sound to come back, for me to realize I'm screaming and that there's this new bizarre silence. It takes a moment longer for me to realize there's this bright bluish white glow bathing us. I look behind me.
Standing where Torchwick had been just minutes ago was a ghostly, giant knight, sword held firmly in his gauntlet. I look back at Winter but she hasn't moved, the only proof that she's alive being that she's breathing still. I know this knight. The summon is mine.
All my pain at this realization turns to white hot anger. I hover over my sister protectively and glare at the archer. No communication needed for the knight stalks toward her. I let him go forward, gripping Winter's hand.
It's my fault. It's all my fault.
Ruby's POV
Half my vision goes dark. My mouth tastes like iron and most of what I can register is searing pain. Damn it. It had taken just a moment of distraction for Neo to get a hit in. If I had been more focused I could have at least taken out Roman. This was the second time she'd managed to injure me so badly. That semblance of hers was something else entirely.
I felt someone kneel next to me and it only takes them saying my name for my grip on Crescent Rose to loosen a little. It's Yang. She's got me, she was going to get me out of there. I couldn't fight against the wave of relief that filtered throughout my body. She pulled my hand away from my eye and I heard her suck in a sharp breath before she ties something over my head, covering the injury as best she could until we get back to HQ.
Carefully, I opened my left, non-injured eye and give the blonde a smile.
"You okay, sis?" she asked, concern hiding behind her own smile.
I nodded. "I've been worse." She helped me to my feet. "We need to finish this then get out."
She opened her mouth to speak when she's cut off by a cry. We turn and watch as a giant white knight came forward and swung its blade down on a figure on the second floor, knocking down part of the building. Yang shouted Winter's name before we both realized she was passed out and bleeding on the ground, Weiss sitting next to her. I gritted my teeth before I spotted Cinder running away, hand clutching her arm.
My grip tightened on Crescent Rose and I made a dash toward the dark haired woman, despite my injury and despite Yang calling after me. I let my scythe drag against the ground before jumping up with incredible force to land in front of the Empress's favorite lackey. It's disorienting at that speed and I stumbled ever so slightly before I righted myself. I was a little lightheaded, but I couldn't let that stop me.
She stopped in her tracks, fire-lit eyes narrowed upon seeing me. This woman had been the cause of so much destruction and death. Orders from Salem or not, she'd done it. I raised my scythe as she tried to dodge out of the but I was too fast. It only took a second. I launched forward, Crescent Rose trailing behind me and snagging on her neck.
I felt as it sliced through skin and bone and muscle. It did make my stomach twist, though I could've chalked that up to the blood still draining from my injury. I look over my shoulder, only to see her on the ground, very much dead from what I've done. The anger that I'd felt upon seeing this woman face to face faded and I looked out across what's left of the battlefield to meet Roman's gaze. He looked from me to what was left of Cinder, most likely his employer, before he slowly backed away, taking Neo with him.
They disappeared easily with that shattered glass trick.
Yang caught up to me just as I felt like I was about to collapse, holding me steady before I had to submit to being carried as we retreated back to our home.
I blacked out.
So... been awhile. Sigh. Yeah. We've been super busy here lately. On my end between job hunting and just not having any motivation writing has been very slow. Speedy has work and she's busy so we've both just been putting this off. I'm sorry to any fans of this story that get impatient or thought we'd abandoned it again. Believe me, we're coming up on the end of this story real quick and we want to finish it just as bad as you want to see the end.
I want to thank all of you who've hung around this long through all the crazy hiatuses. I know it couldn't have been much fun on your part.
I also realize that this is a very depressing (and somewhat bloody) chapter to come back to but it wouldn't be an Akame ga Kill AU if lots of people didn't die.
Please read and review and I hope ya'll have a fantastic day.
We out! Peace!
