Another day, another chapter. I know what you're thinking, how come this chapter is up earlier than usual. Well, the reason for that is because when I wrote last chapter, I forgot I was going to be on holiday from 25th till 2nd. So I decided to post this chapter a day earlier so I didn't leave everyone confused. Review response time first though. Gamelover41592; that's one way of saying it. Guest; glad I surprised you. OutlastTheDark; let's see here...dead...hard to kill unless you have fire...attack in hordes...yeah I see what you mean. No Nevermore's were harmed in the making of RWBY...at least that's what they told me. Now, on with the show!
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Chapter 21- Aftermath
Yang groaned loudly as her bout of unconsciousness began to waver ever so slightly. Her vision was blurred as her eyes began to widen, only for them to clamp shut again when a bright light entered her field of vision. Slowly, she peeled her eyes open, once again being blinded by the light. Eventually, her eyes adjusted properly to the sudden change and she began to take in her surroundings.
She was in her dorm room, back at Beacon, the curtains open wide as sun light filled the room. Her head ached as she attempted to rise, her hand quickly going to massage her brow. As she gazed around, she soon realised that she wasn't alone. Sat on the bed opposite her was Weiss, who's head was stuck in one of her work books.
"Weiss?" Yang murmured, wincing slightly as she continued to nurse her forehead.
"Finally, you're awake." Weiss replied, her face never leaving her book. A few seconds later, Weiss snapped the book shut with a loud crack before turning to face Yang. "So, how are you feeling?"
"All things considered..." Yang muttered back, wincing once again at the intense migraine she appeared to be suffering from. "...not that bad."
"Really?" Weiss hummed, earning a small nod from Yang in return. "Then why does it look like your head is about to explode?"
"I don't know what you're talking about..." Yang groaned, though it was clear the Heiress didn't believe her.
"You can drop the tough girl act Yang, it's clear you're in some pain." Weiss stated, quickly standing up and entering the on suite bathroom in the dorm, the sound of a tap being switched on following quickly afterwards. Less then a minute later, Weiss came out with a small glass of water in her hand, which she offered to Yang.
"Really?" Yang asked, raising an eyebrow incredulously at the Heiress.
"Trust me, you'll feel better." Weiss retorted, still holding out the glass to Yang.
Sighing loudly, Yang took the glass from Weiss' hand and quickly downed the refreshing liquid. It was cool to the touch, not surprising all things considered. Almost immediately it seemed her migraine edged away ever so slowly, allowing her to think clearly.
"Hey, where's Ruby and Blake?" Yang asked, quickly looking for any sign of her sister and partner.
"They're being questioned by the Police, nothing too serious." Weiss replied, quickly taking the empty glass from Yang's hand. "They're still trying to figure out what actually happened at Lion's Head Keep."
"You mean all those dead guys?" Yang asked, to which Weiss nodded her head in response. "What actually happened?"
"Still not sure. Eventually those 'Hollow Men' just started to overwhelm the Keep and we were forced to evacuate." Weiss replied, shaking her head slowly. "All that work just for naught..."
"Seriously? We all almost got killed by a horde of zombies and you're worried about lost work?" Yang mockingly asked, raising an eyebrow at the Heiress.
"I spent a lot of time doing all that research, of course I'm going to be salty about losing it all." Weiss hissed back, to which Yang chuckled in response. "Any way, what happened to you? When we found you it looked like you lost a fight with three Ursa Major's."
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." Yang muttered back, shuffling slightly as she wrapped her arms around her form.
"Let me guess? Giant metal bird guy beat the snot out of you too?" Weiss asked, to which Yang turned rapidly towards the Heiress with a shocked look on your face. "Yeah, turns out you were right about the metal dogs, and one of them brought that bird headed freak with them."
"Wait, you fought one of those...things?" Yang asked, to which Weiss nodded her head.
"Not only fought, but we killed it as well." Weiss added, causing Yang's jaw to drop rapidly.
"How?" Yang asked, quickly shuffling up into a better position.
"We just kinda stabbed it in the chest." Weiss muttered back, looking at Yang as if it was simple. "You seem shocked at such a feat."
"Well every time I killed one it just put itself back together!" Yang retorted, earning a roll of the eyes from Weiss in response. "Say, when you found me, how bad did I look? From a medical standpoint?"
"Well from a medical standpoint..." Weiss murmured, pausing as she tapped her chin in thought. "just looked as though you were roughed up a bit. Nothing major."
"Wait, but you said it looked like I lost a fight with three Ursa Major." Yang retorted, to which Weiss simply shrugged her shoulders.
Yang narrowed her eyes as she thought back to the fight with whatever that thing was. She had been beaten up pretty badly, maybe even have some internal bleeding if she was spitting out blood. And with her Aura damaged the way it was, no way could it fully heal her that quickly. Then a thought crossed her mind, of the last person she saw before losing consciousness, and a certain rejuvenating liquid they had on their person…
"Was I alone when you found me?" Yang asked, turning to face Weiss again.
"Yeah, you were alone. Why?" Weiss murmured, tilting her head slightly when Yang didn't respond.
"Is the guy you found me with outside the Keep here? I need to speak with him about something." Yang asked, quickly pulling the sheets off her form before she proceeded to clamber down her bed and onto ground level.
"Sorry, no. We haven't seen him since that day." Weiss responded, quickly noticing the downcast look in the Brawler's eyes. "Either he got out on his own or he..."
"I doubt it, he was pretty resourceful." Yang murmured when she realised Weiss wasn't going to finish the statement. Still, a part of her cursed herself for not telling him what Theresa had said to her back at the Keep. Maybe things could have gone differently if she had gone first. Maybe-
"Look, when Blake and Ruby get back, why don't we go out for the day?" Weiss suddenly suggested, interrupting Yang's train of thought. "We could go out into the town? I hear that the preparations for the Tournament will soon be under way."
"Already? Isn't it a bit early though?" Yang murmured back, rubbing the back of her head slowly. The Vytal Festival wasn't scheduled to start for at least another few months. A bit strange to be preparing this early.
"For the original date yes, but apparently the Council decided to push it forward for whatever reason at the request of some Private firm." Weiss explained, propping a hand on her hip as she leaned to the side slightly.
"What firm was that?" Yang asked, tilting her head slightly. Not many Private Companies out their that can change the minds of the Council so quickly.
"I think it was something like 'Monarch Defence Comity' or something." Weiss responded with the wave of her hand. "I think they're a Private Security Force or something, got a lot of influence in the Military world though."
Yang narrowed her eyes slightly at the name. She swore she had heard of it before somewhere, but couldn't quite place it. She quickly shook her head as she rid the thoughts out of her mind. No doubt she'd just read the name somewhere before.
"By the way, you still haven't responded to my suggestion." Weiss stated, crossing her arms as she looked at the Brawler expectantly.
"Huh..." Yang murmured, before the realisation hit her again. "Oh, yeah! I can do something later."
"Great, I'll tell the others when they get back." Weiss stated, turning around to leave the room. Before she opened the door however, she quickly spun around to look at Yang. "By the way, you might want to change out of that."
Yang stared blankly at the Heiress before looking down. Safe to say, her clothing was in complete tatters. Ripped at multiple points and stained in mud and blood, some of which wasn't hers. No doubt her hair was a mess too, which only further complicated matters.
"Yeah, I think you're right..." Yang stated, attempting to brush away some of the mud stains to no avail.
"I'm always right Yang, you should know that by now." Weiss simply replied, before opening the door and stepping out into the hallway.
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"Ozpin, the latest report from one of the witnesses has come in." Glynda Goodwitch stated, quickly handing the silver haired Professor a fresh file.
"Thank you Glynda, anything new?" Ozpin asked, taking the file from his associate and placing it on the small pile that was beginning to form.
"Mostly just the same, the dead rising up and killing anyone who got in their way." Glynda responded, sighing softly as she gazed out the window at the main courtyard of the Academy. "Though this one had something different."
"And what would that be?" Ozpin asked, stopping to take a sip from his coffee.
"Well, these one claim that they were attacked by a large metal dog and bird." Glynda responded, to which Ozpin nearly chocked on his coffee.
"Forgive me," Ozpin spluttered, clearing his throat loudly as he stared at Glynda. "but did you say that they were-"
"Attacked by a large metal dog and bird?" Glynda interrupted, looking at Ozpin with a raised eyebrow. "Yes, yes I did."
"Kids these days..." Ozpin sighed, shaking his head slowly. "What exactly did they say they looked like?"
"Read the report yourself," Glynda responded, nodding to the file next to Ozpin. "It describes it far better then I can."
Ozpin nodded slightly as he reached for the file, quickly opening it and reading it quickly in his head. He skimmed through most of the report, which spoke in great detail of the so called 'Hollow Men'. When his eyes finally found the information he was looking for, he slowed down. Two metal constructs, one with the head of a bird, the other with the head of a dog. They wielded two headed weapons with ease and the report even suggested that the witnesses were being toyed with to an extent. When he reached the end of the account, he placed the report back on the table and turned to face Glynda again.
"Like I said, kids these days." Ozpin shrugged, removing his glasses as he cleaned them before placing them back on the bridge of his nose. "I say they watch too many films."
"Always the traditionalist when it comes to entertainment..." Glynda sighed, shaking her head slowly. "I'd best get back to work, the families of those who didn't make it need to be informed."
"As you were then." Ozpin stated, nodding towards Glynda affirmatively.
Glynda nodded in response, quickly stepping through the sliding doors and into the Lift which quickly descended to the floors below. As soon as she was gone, Ozpin let out a sigh as he shook his head. Things were getting worse, that was for sure. The first sign was the appearance of this so called 'Sparrow', who hadn't been seen since the attack. Then there was the presence he felt when he toughed the shadowy residue, the presence of something evil. And now both these 'Hollow Men' overrunning one of the oldest fortifications in all of Remnant and the appearance of the metal constructs.
It was clear he needed answers.
He quickly brought up the holographic panel in his desk and activated it, immediately dialling for someone who could have answers. They had contacted him after he had met 'Sparrow', and had warned him of what could potentially happen if he was not brought to them. Of course he had ignored their pleas, but now it seemed only they knew what was happening. Seconds later, the one he was seeking answered.
"Greetings Ozpin," Theresa stated, her face hidden by the ever present hood she wore. "how may I help you?"
"It seems your warnings have some precedence after all." Ozpin replied, quickly getting to the point. "Something is happening here, and it seems you know what it is."
"Indeed I do." Theresa calmly replied, nodding her head. "I assume you wish to discuss this turn of events?"
"Yes, meet me in my Office at 2 o'clock sharp." Ozpin requested, to which the Blind Seer simply nodded their head in response before the screen went static.
Ozpin sighed as he leaned back in his chair again, rubbing his eyes slowly. He turned quickly at the sound of an airships engines roaring as the transport flew past the Academy, the emblem of the Monarch Defence Comity painted on its side. Ozpin grunted slightly in disinterest as he turned back to his desk.
He had wholeheartedly disagreed with pushing the Vytal Festival forward, but his pleas had fallen on deaf ears. The Monarch Defence Comity had the Council wrapped around their finger from before the meeting had even begun, and they multiple other businesses that sponsored the Festival had followed willingly like the sheep they were. Whoever Theresa was talking about, was certainly preparing for something. All that mattered was that they be ready for when they struck.
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Dreadnought, Unknown Location
The Overseer smiled sadistically as he strode through the corridors of the massive Cruiser, which had for the time being settled down off the coast and out of sight. They had successfully convinced the Council to push the date of the Vytal Festival forward, allowing it to coincide with their plans better. Of course the old fool Ozpin had done everything he could into dissuading the Council, but their silver tongue was more then enough to convince them otherwise. Ozpin would have to dealt with personally if he became a greater nuisance.
He had worked for so long to see his vision realised, and he wasn't going to let some old braggart get in his way. He thought back to many years ago, when the great Jack of Blades came to him, just a beggar on the streets, giving him promises of power. He had accepted immediately, and the promise was fulfilled. He was quick to gather followers and support, and their conquest started there.
As with all rises to power, there were problems. One of the major ones being the 'new' White Fang. They had cared little for the group when they were nothing more but peaceful protesters, but they soon became a menace when they began attacking his forces unprovoked. Justice was delivered swiftly to say the least. Then there was but less then a month ago, when a strange young woman came to him, giving him false promises of power. He had swiftly refused, to which the woman promised she would be back. They had heard nothing from her since, though Jack had warned him not to cross her...not yet anyway. Rumour had it that this strange woman had brought the White Fang in Vale to heel, meaning it wouldn't be long until she came for them. But she would find more then she bargained for.
He paused his train of thought as he came across Jack's Throne Room, only to find it empty. He looked around for any sign of his master, yet found none. Then, he heard what sounded like music coming from the far side of the room. He approached the noise, which got louder the closer he came, until he found himself in a small Library, books stacked high till they touched the ceiling. On a small desk was a gramophone, evidently the source of the classical music. Next to the desk was an armchair, its back turned away from the Overseer. Though he couldn't see him fully, he could see Jack's gauntleted arm hovering over the floor, a golden wine glass encrusted with rubies on its rim.
"Do you know what one of the downsides of not having a body is?" Jack asked, not even bothering to face the Overseer as he spoke to him. "I can no longer drink wine."
Before the Overseer could enquire further, Jack tipped the wine glass over, spilling the contents onto the floor.
"Admittedly it does come with some benefits..." Jack defended, to which he quickly crushed the golden goblet until it was smaller then a golf ball, which he proceeded to drop onto the floor with a loud clatter. "But I do miss the sweet taste of a nice chianti..."
"My Lord, I have excellent news to report." the Overseer responded, to which Jack leaned out of his chair to face the Overseer. "We have successfully pushed the Vytal Festival forward. Now it can coincide with our plans perfectly."
"That is good news..." Jack whispered quietly, turning away for a second before standing and facing the Overseer again. "What of the Hero?"
"We have seen no sight of him, anywhere." the Overseer responded, his hands clasped behind his back. "But we will keep him away from the Seer, our forces are spread all across this City."
"I will take good news wherever I can get it these days..." Jack quietly replied, sighing loudly as he approached a large book that rested on a book stand, quietly flicking through the pages. "And I believe I will be ready sooner then I thought..."
"My Lord?" the Overseer questioned, approaching Jack of Blades quickly.
In response, Jack quickly unsheathed a simple looking knife and planted it in one of the pages of the book, stopping the turning of the pages. The Overseer looked at the page the knife was plunged into, and quickly made out a drawing of four young girls holding hands in a circle. All of the girls in question despite looking the same, were all coloured to mirror the four seasons of Remnant; Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall, with the knife piercing the head of the Fall child.
"Tell me, Overseer." Jack began, pausing as he turned to face the cultist leader. "What do you know of the Four Maidens?"
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Yes, Ozpin is aware of Theresa and yes, Jack is aware of the Four Maidens. Deal with it. Next chapter will be out on the 9th, maybe a week before depending on when I get back from Holiday, but I wouldn't count on it. Liked it? Feel free to review and constructive criticism is welcomed. Any questions? Leave in your reviews or PM me and I'll get back to you.
Raging Archon out.