Arachne analyzed the broken weapons and sighed.
"Definitely Luna's job..."
"Can you fix it?" Asked Yang.
"It will take about a week" she replied. "Luna used a resonance effect to break those, but that was amplified by her armor, which is made using ancient technology".
Ruby was curious.
"Ancient technology? As in, lost through the ages?"
"Close" replied Arachne upon putting the weapons in a table. "Chimaera still has the knowledge on how to build arms like hers, but most of them don't understand how it even works. They are filled with misteries and hidden functions".
"It can't be that convenient" muttered Yang.
"And they aren't" replied the shop girl. "Vlad told me about the risks of using those weapons. There is a strain involved. For an example, his spear can inflict wounds through aura, but one of the prices for wielding it is that his own body will heal slower. Regardless, while I can get your weapons fixed..."
"It will still take one entire week for that" muttered Ruby.
'One entire week without Crescent Rose' she thought.
Luna stretched herself in bed.
"I guess we have one week before Bathory comes over and wrecks everything".
Tracy looked at her.
"Luna, one week isn't enough time..."
"It is for Bathory" she replied. "That's what Vlad disliked about her; she butts in too fast and too perfectly. I can already deduce what will happen: his brother will return as fast as he can to Chimaera. Using that oportunity, Bathory will come here as there will be another heir for the throne in there. She will probably pick a small elite team and once she comes, the queen will spread to the people about how she sent her daughter here in an effort to calm them down. Then, well, Bathory will cause a big mess here".
Tracy was worried.
"Well, it can't be that bad, can it?"
"It can" said Newton. "You didn't meet them in person, but the things Bathory can do are fearsome. There is a reason she is second in line for the throne instead of Orlok. It's because she is way too eficient. If Bathory wants something, she will get it. Before all of that, she is that woman's daughter just like Vlad".
Tracy sighed.
"How is the queen like?" As much as Tracy wanted, she never could meet Vlad's mother in person. "I mean, the way you speak..."
Luna laughed.
"She is a good person. Has the heart at the right place, but I think she takes things a bit too far. Orlok, Bathory and Vlad were all taugh their mindsets by her. The thing is, Orlok never had any interests in ruling, Vlad never liked to order people around and Bathory, well, learned way too well".
"What is that about Orlok?" Asked Tracy again.
"Oh, him?" Luna stared at the roof. "He prefers to fight over leading. I hardly ever saw him. Well, there was a time when I tried to escape the guards with Vlad to go to the swamp and we met him".
"And?" Tracy was curious. "What happened?"
"He just stared at us and said: 'ridiculous. Didn't any of you realize the windows were unguarded?' And then he walked away. True story".
Newton laughed.
"Vlad said Orlok is the type that doesn't care about anything. That's why he isn't a problem. The thing is: Bathory will come. And when she does, things will get rough".
"Well, things are getting rough" said Mary laughing.
Ruby sighed.
"What now?"
"Seems like authorities are sending those robots from Ironwood to calm down the people. Totally didn't expect the riot to go that insane".
The girl sat down in a chair while laughing. Yang couldn't believe it.
"Are you serious? How can a death move that many people? It's almost as if there's something else inciting them".
'Or someone' thought Mary. 'Congrats, Chad. You did it again. How the heck could you go so far?'
Cardin heard all of the story from Jaune.
By the end of it, he opened a can and starred to drink.
"Want some?"
"Does this..."
"No, no alcohol. Knew you would complain or something" he threw a can on Jaune. "Geez, I was trying to stop you people from causing this type of trouble."
"Sorry".
"Don't apologize, dumbass" he sighed. "No one could have known it would come to this" he started to scratch his chin. "And now authorities will come after you and check your background. Wonderful, more stuff for me to deal with".
Jaune looked at Cardin in the eyes.
"Then... you are helping me?"
"No" replied Cardin. "I'm paying you back. I owed you one after that thing on Forever Fall and, by the end of this, the score is settled. Your problems will be yours and you will deal with them. Alone".
Jaune averted his gaze.
"Even so... why?"
"To settle-"
"I know! Not that" he looked at Cardin in the eyes again. "Why did you go so far during the night. Why did you try to help us?"
Cardin sighed.
"Dunno".
"You don't know?"
"Felt like it. Doesn't matter. Do YOU need a reason to help people?" Cardin drank some more. "Yesterday, I didn't. Went there, did my stuff, end of the story. Who cares? Didn't matter anyway. Impaler Vampire is dead and now Chimaera will come over to us".
Jaune clenched his teeth and averted his eyes. Cardin sighed again.
"Wanna a tip?"
"What tip?"
"Go to sleep. Do that. We both were awake during the night".
"Bu-"
"But what? WHAT? There is no crap left to do. It's not like we can stop the riot and it's not like the big shots will act today. Go to sleep, rest up and care about that later".
"... thanks".
"For what?"
Jaune smiled at Cardin.
"For helping me".
"I feel a huge urge to punch you in the face right now, Jaunny-boy" he replied. "Out of my sight".
"I need a weapon" said Ruby to Arachne.
"What?" The girl looked around. "Ruby, I assure you I can fix this. Ok, some pieces of the scythe were disintegrated, but I have all the parts. It's actually cheaper this way too and-"
"No, not that!" She replied. "I... feel that there is something big happening. Before my Crescent Rose is repaired I may need to fight. And even if it is... well, she is right" she pointed at Mary.
"Of course I am. Not all games of the first generation are that great".
"Not that!" Replied Ruby. "I lost to the Silver-Clad Werewolf..."
Arachne sighed.
"Ruby, she was literally a child soldier a few years ago. Just because-"
"Not, it's not that, Arachne. Something big is happening. I mean, the way Khufu described the events during the night, Tepes' murder was planned beforehand. Why would anyone do that?"
"Well..."
"I dunno... but things are happening and enemies will appear. It's just like Mary said; without Crescent Rose, there isn't much I can do in a fight. I'm not dealing with monsters here, I'm dealing with people".
"I see~" said Mary cheerfully. "So you'll try to do stuff Mercenary way? Ya know, you're kinda right. A secondary weapons may be good, but..."
Arachne sighed.
"Well... fine. I will help you. You are right, and it's better to be safe than sorry. Last time I neglected the evidence around me, the results were bad".
"Last time?" Asked Yang.
"I didn't realize my fellow orphans were being sold to slavery. I knew this girl that I considered a sister once, and she always complained about something that was wrong back there. And now, she is lost".
Arachne pointed at the front door of her store - or rather, above it.
A potrait was there, one of a girl with red hair and black eyes with red pupils. With freckles on her face and a pure smile.
Ruby felt pain in her chest.
"I feel sorry for your sister..."
"Some bonds transcend blood" replied Arachne. "None of us believed in her and it was too late. I will believe in you, Ruby and help you this time".
Yang was curious.
"What was that girl's name?"
"Leaves".
Mary grinned upon looking at the portrait. 'That was rather unexpected. To think Leafy would have come from here out of all places'.
The girl looked at the sisters and Arachne.
'Well, they aren't exactly wrong in preparing themselves. Clever thinking, girls. It's really best for you two to get ready. They don't care for us, why would they care for nameless people? You are all pieces in this chess board. No different from me, my team or even Chad. We are all just expendable pieces fighting fate~'
"Chad" the Girl of Red Hair called.
"What?"
"Why did you use one of my curse cards?"
"..." Chad didn't reply.
The girl seemed worried.
"Chad, please. It's bad enough as it is. You know, Chad. I owe you all my life".
"Don't worry" Chad turned around and stared at her in the eyes. "Everything will be alright after this. And you know we don't like when you talk like that, Leafy".
Yes...
Shoulder-length red hair.
Black eyes with red pupils.
Freckles
The only difference was a black spades-like mark under her right eye.
She was the Girl of Red Hair, Leaves Ellis.
"Everything is still going according to the plan" replied Chad. "If I guess right, we have about a week. Take care until then, and use this small amount of time to relax. Once it's over, this will only get harder and harder".
With concern, the girl asked:
"They are pressuring you more and more, aren't they? Why can't they-"
"It does not matter. With the riot we incited, I gave them results. We have a bit of time. Savor it".
Leaves clenched her teeth. Chad noticed her concern and sighed:
"Stop thinking about pointless stuff. It's bad enough that I have to predict and analyze all the enemy pieces. Don't make me do this to allies as well".
"... fine".
Chad side-glanced when Leaves as and sighed again.
"I honestly thought Mary would be the most problematic. Well, doesn't matter. The chess board is already set. One week is time enough''.
Heretic Notes:
This chapter wasn't supposed to delve into CLMT so soon, but the lack of content (and words) made me put them to speed up a few things. Likewise, the background of the Girl of Red Hair was explored.
What? You guys thought I would keep mentioning Arachne over and over in arc 1 and 2 if she didn't have anything to do with the future?
I left pieces, clues and stuff. I preferred this time to put the backstory aspect first and introduce more of Leaves later.
This way, you guys can at least deduce a bit more without me spoiling the fun.
C - ?
L - Leaves Ellis - ?
M - Mary Rees Metal - The Three Bears
T - ?
Status screen updated!
Next chapter will be more of a breather one before returning to the actual plot. Which will be when the status screen will be updated again. I think by the end of this arc, all those [?] will be gone.
See you guys later, people! I'm gonna get owned in Undertale now!
Heretic, out!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
*Le Heretic Lord opens the game*
Status screen thingy:
[You feel like you are gonna have a bad time]
"Here we go!"