RWBY is own by Monty Oum
Chapter 24
"God, if you are up there, kill me now please."
Those were the words of a certain 15 year old noble who had his eyes closed while mentally counting to 10.
"Stop exaggerating."
The noble turned his head to see a semi spiky blonde wearing a black suit.
"Easy for you to say, you are not wearing this!"
The blonde simply sighed, "That is because you are the future leader of the imperial knights Yuri," said Flynn as he smiled, "Besides it isn't so bad."
The blonde complimented as he looked at his brother in arms, who was currently wearing a set of elegant clothes with combinations of red and black with the little addition of golden line, this what was known among them as the uniforms that the honor knight used (AN: Yuri Lowell`s true knight title).
"Yes it is comfortable for battle but not for this kind of suffering." Said the noble as he looked around of the guess of a certain event that was taking place in the month of December, the time of winter.
Flynn sighed, "Look it like this, I heard that Zelos had picked the clothes of all the members of the Aurion Artes School for this event."
The longhaired noble smirked, "At least I won't be the only one getting unwanted attention."
"Keep thinking that,"
Yuri's eye twitched at the sound of a familiar and annoying voice. Both nobles of Mistral turned around to see a familiar red head wearing a green combination of clothes.
"Do you even have shame?"
Zelos Wilder gave Yuri a death stare, "you really have no right to say that wearing that."
The red head looked at Flynn who greeted him while the blonde did the same and looked at the pair behind him, "Well you two look relatively normal."
A certain spiky brown hair sighed, "You only said that because you haven't seen Drake yet… Colette says thank you." Said Lloyd Irving as the mute girl next to him waved her hand.
"Where is he anyway? Don't tell me he got ahead of me in planning his escape."
Lloyd chuckled knowing that was a very high possibility.
"Knowing him," started Lloyd, "Trying to avoid any kind of social interaction."
"Good luck with that. Everyone here are a lot of sharks only looking to keep social standards… like that annoying red head coming over there."
"Bite me." Said long red haired that was wearing a white suit while being accompanied by a blonde that was wearing a vest with white shirt under it, black pants and shoes of the same color, but the must noticeable thing was the sword hanging on his waist.
"Now you can say our little circle is complete." Said Flynn as he moved to greet Guy, "Nope, we are still missing one blonde." Replied Guy as he saw Lloyd eyes watering.
"Is he o-"
"Wait for it." Said Zelos as he felt a headache coming.
"Almost all of my children are here!" exclaimed Lloyd; of course that by children, he meant the weapons he had forged to all the currently present, except for Colette.
"Wow wow calm down." Said Yuri as he noticed that Lloyd had taken Abyssion from his hand along with Flynn's and Guy's.
"No no no," said Luke as he saw the brown haired noble coming to him next, "You know what happens whenever you take my weapon." Said Luke as the two blondes tried to stop Lloyd while many guesses were looking at them weirdly.
"Wonder if Drake knew this was going to happen and that's why he bailed." Exclaimed Guy as he managed to recover his weapon.
"Wouldn't really be surprised, it must take a lot to bear with someone so socially awkward."
Yuri growled as he turned his head, "And there went our friendly reunion. Huberta."
The blue haired noble growled at the name, "Stop calling me that Lowell, you look more like a girl with that hair and whatever the hell you are wearing."
"That is the uniform of honor of the knights retard," said Luke as he gave an step forward, who was followed by Zelos, "And I don't want to hear that coming from someone using a skirt."
The noble of Vacuo narrowed his eyes, "This is the official military uniform of the Oswald family."
Lloyd smirked, "Good to know all of the previous leaders were woman… oh right there is one using them right now."
"Why you little-"
Lloyd raised his arm in defense, "Relax Hubert, I was kidding. None of us really wants to fight right now. Although this would make this event more interesting" said the noble of Vale as he gained a smack courtesy of the blonde girl next to him while another person got close to them.
"It is good to see you still have that fighting spirit." Said a boy wearing all white just like Luke; the only difference was the eye patch that was covering his left eye.
"Asbel, might want to keep an eye on your little brother… no pun intended." Said Zelos as he took notice of the eye patch, something he did not have the last time they saw him.
"Did something happen?" asked Lloyd with a concerned voice as he looked at Asbel who simply waved his hand, "Nothing of that sorts, I am having some problems with this eyes. Nothing to worry about." Said the other noble of Vale as looked around, "By the way, shouldn't you also be keeping both eyes in someone else. After all, I am not the only one with a problematic brother."
Hubert looked away embarrassed.
"I know right!" exclaimed Lloyd as he gave a step forward, "What is it with younger siblings that makes them so stubborn?"
"Not to mention so arrogant as well."
Lloyd chuckled, "I wouldn't say arrogant, more like a serious authority problem."
Asbel did the same, "And not to mention so much antisocialism." Said Asbel, making Hubert step forward.
"Enough!" shouted the young noble as he noticed the little outburst he just did.
"You can add easy to pick on in that list." Said Yuri as everyone started to laugh while Hubert simply looked away more embarrassed that before.
"Anyway, I wanted to thank you once again for this." Said the noble of Vale as he looked at the sword on a side of his waist Excalibur, "You really were a lifesaver that day, dad would have kill me if he found out I missed the original key."
Excalibur was… is the blade that has been pass generation to generation in the Lhant house. It was said that the current head always gave the sword to the first born of the next generation.
The thing about the sword, it was that the sheath could only be removed by a pendant like key, one that was very ancient an complex, one that the current first born missed a little after it was given to him.
That was where Lloyd entered. The rumor about him being a prodigy blacksmith was already known around that time. So in a desperate attempt to avoid the divine wrath of his father, Asbel sought his help.
"It wasn't a problem really, compared to forge 8 sets of weapons with an especial perk, that was kind of easy." Said Lloyd as he waved his hand while Hubert blinked a few times.
"8? You forged another one?" asked Hubert raising his voice a little with a tip of anger in his voice.
"Well yes, a pair of gauntlets to friend of ours." Said Lloyd as he looked at Yuri, "How is Jude by the way?" asked the Aurion as not noticing the angry expression that was forming on Hubert's face.
"He is fine, he is ahead of the current curriculum by two years, he should be graduating in a about a year now." Said the longhaired noble while Asbel tried to think in that name.
"Jude… I don't think there is a noble called that."
Lloyd smirked, "Do you really think I am such an asshole by only forging weapons for nobles?"
Asbel laughed nervously, "No I guess not."
"He isn't a noble?" said the blue haired noble as he looked at Lloyd.
"You refused to make me a weapon yet you give one to a simple commoner." Said Hubert in a low voice not wanting to gain more attention than the one he already had.
"Not this again," said Asbel as he looked at his relative, "He already told you he doesn't forge guns."
The blue haired noble ignored him, "What's next? A weapon for a Faunus?"
"… He is a Faunus," said Lloyd as Yuri gave an step forward, "Any problem with that?"
"Problem? Problem!?"
The blue head also gave an step forwards, "He just gave a weapon, one that I am pretty sure has nothing ordinary, to an animal. What if he decides to join the white fang? Or what if he already is a member of it!?"
Yuri scowled, "He isn't a member of that group, he has been under the wing of my family for years so suggest you to shut up before I decide to cut your tongue."
Hubert snorted as he saw Yuri slightly moving Abyssion, "Another pick up?" asked Hubert raising his voice, something people noticed.
"First the orphan girl that cannot even talk," said Hubert pointing at Colette who put a hurt expression while Zelos and Lloyd stepped forward with blank stares on their faces while Asbel tried to calm his brother, "And then this babysitter who also managed to get his hands in one of your weapons."
"That weapon was already owned by him," said Luke who stood next to the other Nobles the moment he mentioned Guy, who unlike Colette also gave a step forward, "Lloyd simply repaired it." Said Guy gaining a look from Lloyd.
"Simply?"
"Not now dude." Said Guy as Hubert continued.
"And lets not forget about the street rat you call a bro-" said Hubert as Lloyd's eyes widened, as well as everyone else. The reason? Not what Hubert was saying, but rather the person that was standing behind him, one that turned around the blue haired noble and quickly took his arm and twisted it slightly behind him carefully, making it look like the newcomer was only grabbing the arm of Hubert so he didn't get more unwanted attention. After all, this whole event was only about faking and appearances in the newcomer's opinion.
"I suggest you that if you are gonna talk trash about someone, better do it in front of that person's face so that person can answer back. Seriously picking on a mute girl Hubert." Said Drake Aurion with an smile on his face, making it look like if they were talking friendly, which was not the case since Drake was twisting his arm.
Everyone around them wanted to intervene, but some didn't know how to without doing a commotion. While other questioned something else completely, like why Drake's face had a red mark in form of a hand planted on his face.
"I just made an scene not 5 minute ago for calling someone an arrogant bitch. And guess what? I am in the right mood to do another scene, unless you apologize now." Said the blonde as he put more strength in his grip.
That was until both felt an incredible amount of pain coming from their shoulders. But turned their heads to meet the face of a certain blonde girls who was giving them a kind smile that in their opinion wasn't kind at all.
"Colette?" asked Drake nervously as he and Hubert felt more pressure in the grip, causing him and the other noble to try their best not to scream while the blonde let the blue head go.
"Well that takes care of one problem." Said Lloyd remembering one of his created ways of living rules: never anger mute girls, especially if she has super strength.
"In a matter of speaking," muttered Asbel as he got closer to his brother, "Lets go before you humiliate yourself even more." Said his brother as he took him from Colette's grip, only for Hubert to become angry the moment he was able to breath again.
"Why you little rat!?"
Hubert extended his hand to grab Colette by the throat.
"Enough!" said Asbel keeping the low profile as he got in his way by standing in front Colette while this one was touching her slightly, "The first thing dad says about not making an scene and here yo-!"
Asbel suddenly stopped as he suddenly fell on his knees while putting pressure on his eye patch.
"I thought you said it wasn't anything serious?" asked Lloyd alarmed as he kneeled next to him while Colette also got close to try and heal him, only for him to suddenly fall back, as if he had seeing a ghost.
"Brother?" asked Hubert with a voice of suspicion before going to help Asbel to stand.
"I… I am sorry… we have to go." Said Asbel as Hubert helped him.
"It is ok… get better soon." Said Lloyd awkwardly not having any idea of what just happened, the last thing he saw of the other noble of Vale was looking at them, no, looking at Colette with a face he could not recognize.
"Umm guys,"
All of the nobles turned their heads to see Drake now being held by the ear by non other than Colette, "A little help here."
Colette simply looked at Lloyd the moment she saw him getting closer, "… she says this is your punishment for calling someone a bitch." Said Lloyd as Colette put more strength on the grip, making the noble bit his tongue accidentally.
Everyone laughed at the sight, to bad that would be the last time all of them laughed like that.
"She is really not going to breakfast, is she?" asked the black of team RWBY as she saw that her opposite color was not coming.
"Seriously thought," said Yang as she ate her food, "What could be so important that she had to stay up al night?"
"Well…" said Ruby as she titled her head, "As far as I know… I think she is building a bomb?"
Silence…
She knew because Weiss had actually woke her up to ask if she knew something about detonating bombs by remote control
"Did you just say a bomb?" asked Blake as she thought she would never hear those words and Weiss Schnee in that sentence.
"That is what Yuri asked her to build?"
The three girls looked to their side to see Zelos sitting with them, making the first time he had done that willingly.
"Yuri?" asked Blake already knowing of the last time he, Zelos and Drake worked with explosive dust.
"Don't ask me, neither he nor Drake told me what they have planned."
Yang looked curiously at him as he started to eat, "what are you talking about?"
Zelos instantly stopped eating knowing full well had screwed up, "As I said… I have no idea."
"Hey bud, is Drake ready for his fight?"
Zelos mentally face palmed as Coco Adel sat in front of them with a tray of food, "How the hell do you know that?"
Coco blinked behind her sunglasses; "The combat room I was going to practice early was going through maintenance, and went I asked Goodwitch who was there taking care of things, she said Drake and was going to fight one of those dudes from yesterday."
'Damn it Goodwitch.'
Zelos growled as Ruby blinked a couple of times, "Does that mean… that those two are still is trying to take Drake away?"
Zelos simply nodded.
"Why the hell would he agree to that anyway, they don't have any kind of power over him… do they?"
"No they don't Ruby, but some dumbass decided to propose that another fight was the best way to fix everything."
"That still doesn't explain what was that about 'Envoy of the Dark Abyss'" said Blake being more curious of the why of the whole situation, or rather the other part of it.
"As all of us said yesterday, that doesn't concern you. The only thing you need to know is that Yuri, of all people! Convinced Drake to fight his way out of it because he figured out Asbel trick."
Blake narrowed her eyes in curiosity.
"Which I don't know,"
Blake eyes twitched, to her it was like waiting on a cliffhanger in one of her books.
"Then Weiss…"
Zelos looked at Ruby, "I don't know, after Flynn made sure Drake was fine. Yuri and Drake went to a training room while I waited in another by Drake's petition. I don't know what exactly happened there, but I don't remember seeing Drake so furious ever since… Lloyd's death."
Yang frowned, but still, "What were you doing last night then?"
Zelos took a bite from his food as he answered, "Shooting lightings at him."
"Huh?"
Everyone looked at him, until Coco remembered something, "For his lightning resistance training."
"How do you… oh right." Said Zelos as he recalled what Drake had told them yesterday, while the girls looked in confusion as they remember Flynn explaining something similar to them. But Coco wasn't there so, how did she know?
"So all night you and Drake?"
"Nope. I struck him with lighting while he just… sat there, thinking deeply in something." Said Zelos as he finished eating.
"Can't tell at least what was that about?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." Zelos sighed, "The only thing I wish right now is to end this day without Drake going in a rampage again… I mean would like him to crack some kind of emotion to blackmail but not that one."
"Wow, some friend." Said Yang as all of them sweat dropped, all but Coco who had a smirk on her face.
"You don't say," said the fashionista as she took her new scroll out, "A friend of mine recorded this, I thought it sounded cool when he threatened Cardin, but it also sounds kinda,"
"Corny." Said Zelos with a smirk as he thought he finally had a good blackmail material, while the girls questioned what kind of friendship those two had.
Drake opened his eyes slowly as he immediately felt pain in his chest.
He started to recall everything that happened after their talk with the general, his planning with Yuri and to his surprise Weiss, and his constant interaction with lighting arts and how he got back to his room last night.
"Damn pink heads."
"Normal people sleep in their rooms, in a bed."
Drake's eyes slowly opened at the sound of a beautiful voice while he also heard cracks of electricity coming out of his body.
He looked around to see the surrounding of the training room he was currently in.
Zelos had left a couple minutes after their session, which let him some time to meditate a little, with no luck at all. What he did managed to do was falling sleep on the ground, even with the annoying sound of the cracking electricity coming from his body.
"And beautiful girls should be taking their beauty sleep by now. Ci"
The blonde stood up to see Cinder walking to him, "Not really feel like sleeping and… Ci?"
Drake sighed, "Since we got distracted during our introduction, I decided to call you by the little part I was able to hear. You don't like it?"
The woman smirked, "I do actually, it makes feel a little adorable if I have to say so myself."
Drake smirked behind his scarf, "Because you aren't what a person with common sense would call adorable." Said Drake as he felt his exhaustion and anger slightly fading, as she didn't lose her smirk.
"And what would you see me as then?"
Drake narrowed his eyes, "Attractive, smart," said the blonde as his voice took another tone, "Dangerous, etc etc."
She laughed, "And why would you think so bad of me? Better question yet, why keep talking to me?"
Cinder didn't lose her coolness in a single moment. She was feeling a little entertained as she tried to figure him out, not expecting at all what he was about to say.
"Calm."
The blonde took a deep breath as he saw her smirk broke, "I cannot explain it. But all my worries and troubles disappears as I relax every time I talk with you, even when I know you are… as Zelos would bluntly put it, a very bad girl."
Cinder chuckled, "It is good you call yourself a messed up person when we talking earlier."
She walked to him slowly, "Because I wouldn't find a sense to what you are saying at all." She said as her hand gently touched his check, or rather what his scarf wasn't covering.
"But I don't like it either. For the same reason you mentioned."
She raised an eyebrow, "Because you can't understand it?"
The blonde nodded as he gently pushed her hand away, "I cannot stand what I cannot understand. This feeling of calmness being one of them. You are smart, you should be able to understand."
She frowned, but in reality she was having quite the joy in this, "Because humans cannot stand what they don't understand."
"Exactly, that is why society is the way it is today."
She began to walk around him as her hand touched her shoulder, "You saying for the Faunus?"
Drake narrowed his eyes, "Yes. If people understood the pains Faunus suffer, then perhaps the White Fang wouldn't be the way it is. And if the white fang wasn't like it is, then humans wouldn't hate then."
"You are not the first person to come with that conclusion, but the better question is. Who is at fault, the Faunus or the humans?"
He didn't need to think hard in the answer, "Humans."
She smirked, "And what would you, a noble, do about this?" asked the femme fatale as she stood behind him with her head over his shoulder and a hand on the other side his face slightly moving his scarf as electricity ran through her fingers.
"I don't know. I wish it were as simple as saying 'accept the Faunus' or something among those lines. But I know there are people, humans, that would never learn." Said the blonde as he entered n trance the moment her hand did contact with his skin.
"I… would deal with them, permanently."
The noble blinked rapidly the moment those words came out of his mouth, "Sorry… I"
"Don't be," said Cinder as he started to pass her hand through his hair over and over, "Saying one can change things without a little force is a cute dream, but only that, a dream. If you really want to change anything, you need to do it by force. And if someone gets in your way well… you are smart, aren't you?" said the beauty of amber eyes as she moved her hand to his chin so the blonde could look at her.
"But…"
She put her finger on his lip to shot him up as her eyes started to glow, "Don't think, submit to those very thought you shared with me."
At that his eyes started to glow as well while she closed the distance between their faces, until she frowned as she heard someone coming.
She let him go and separated from him while the blonde looked at the door that was opening as he covered his mouth and nose with his scarf.
"Regal?" said Drake as he saw a high noble and artes master entering the training room.
"I didn't expect to found you here, I just thought it was weird to find a training room busy at this hour." Said the elegant man as he walked to him, "Especially since I am sure you are preparing for the challenge that awaits you tomorrow."
Drake frowned, "You know?"
"Yes, I am not sure what has gotten into you by accepting that challenge. But I suppose I will find out tomorrow." Said the noble of Atlas as he looked at Cinder, "Although I also did not expect you to find you with such a lovely lady."
"She is an acquaintance of mine." Said Drake, causing Cinder to mentally smirk seeing that gaining his trust would not be so easy.
"Now now, there is no reason to be harsh here."
The blonde sighed, "What do you need Regal?" asked the noble of Vale wanting to go straight to the point, something he regretted the moment he saw the usually smiling man giving him a scowl.
"I would like to ask you what exactly happened the day you met Presea?"
Cinder watched with amusement as she saw Drake's give a nervous glint, "I already told you what happened sir."
"No, your call only specified that you found her, not in what terms. I came here for the meeting you, James and the other had scheduled. But I decided to visit the General first to see Presea's condition for the first time, only to find that you tried to kill her."
"I might… have forgotten that little tip."
Regal gave an step forward, "Listen me out for a second, I didn't know it was her I swear. And even so, she was following the order to subdue me. I had to defend myself." Said Drake feeling nervous as he slightly moved his hand back to grab his katana, only to remember he had leave it laying on the ground next to a wall that was in the other side of the room.
"Is it true?"
Drake nodded slowly as he saw Regal sigh, which made the blonde sigh as well. That was until he saw the eyes of the man lock on him.
*CRACK*
Drake didn't see it, but Cinder did. The usual calm a stoic woman looked amazed as the man's knee made contact with chest in an really great speed while the nobles were still away from each other, but even more by the fact that it sounded like if a few ribs were broken with ease.
"Yo…You bas-"
"Now now, it is already pass midnight and you have a great fight tomorrow. Lets go before Zelos returns shall we?" said the man while Drake tried to say 'Bullshit'
"Lets go then, Have a good night young lady." Said Regal as he took Drake's katana before heading out while Cinder thought on something.
She just knew that whatever those two were talking about had to be related with a certain bartender.
"Finally awake I see."
The blonde turned his head to the side to see Yuri, Flynn, Luke and to his surprise, Weiss.
"Regal did a great number in your ribs, I already healed them but you should be still feeling a bit amount of pain." Said Flynn as Drake sat on his bed and looked at Weiss to notice some heavy bags under her eyes.
"Sorry to put you through this," said the blonde casually while the heiress just sighed, "Don't be. A part of me is doing this for myself."
The heiress sighed as she narrowed her eyes, "My only doubt is, what will you do if Yuri's theory becomes true?" asked Weiss rather nervous as the eyes of the blonde only narrowed, "I truly don't know."
Flynn sighed, "The only thing I would wish to know is," the blonde looks at Yuri, "What exactly did you pick up from your fight?"
The Noble of Mistral simply smirked, "You will have to wait and see."
Flynn narrowed his eyes as Drake stood up slowly from his bed, "Where is Guy anyway?"
"Picking up Rita in the airport, he sh-" said Luke as he stopped mid sentence by the look Drake and Weiss were giving him.
"What?"
"You send the guy with fear of woman to pick one?" asked Weiss, making Yuri wave his hand, "Relax, Rita knows of his condition, plus Repede is with him so there shouldn't be any kind of problem… I hope."
"Anyway…" said Weiss as she looked Drake once again, "Do you already have a plan for this, because I am sure you are going to need more than just explosives to prove your theory."
Drake smirked as he walked pass her to open his closet all his belonging, including his scarf and to her and everyone else surprise, a big lockbox.
It was only natural to have one since he no longer could use his semblance to keep things there.
"Paranoid much?" asked Luke amused as Drake opened the safe to shut his mouth, "Maybe not." Replied Luke as he saw the contents of the safe, money, books, what it looked like passports, a little black box and above everything else, Lloyd's katana.
"Yang!" exclaimed Luke in surprise since he and Guy still didn't know what was happening since they still haven't been fully briefed.
"Yang?" asked Weiss puzzled as she looked at the white blade Drake took from the safe, "Your brother named it Yang?"
Drake growled, "In my defense I wanted to name both blade Light and Dark." Stated the blonde while the heiress thought about a certain brawler, as did Drake.
"Hey,"
Their thoughts were interrupted by Yuri's cold voice, both turned around in their direction to see all three nobles looking at him with narrowed eyes.
"What are you planning to do with that?" asked Flynn with a serious voice while Drake only looked at him.
"Don't make stupid questions Flynn," said the blonde as he walked to where his own weapon was to take it out of the sheath, making both start resonating, "If my plan does work and Yuri's theory is proven, then this will be my trump card."
"Are you-!"
Flynn's words were cut short by Yuri, who put his hand over his shoulder.
"What was your time limit when you where in Mountain Glenn?"
"Hey hey!" shouted Luke as he looked at Drake who started to get annoyed, "You used both blades alone?!"
Drake ignored Luke's question as he looked at Yuri, "Five minutes top. My body will start to show secondary effects after that." Replied the blonde while Weiss remembering the state Drake was when they saw him on the train.
"I see… if you are not able to-"
"I will," said the blonde instantly stopping Yuri as Drake took the black sheath to put Yang in to stop the resonating as cracks of black electricity came out of his body, "I won't be. He literally won't see what hit him."
Weiss Schnee was familiar with most of the weapons Lloyd had forged; she already knew each carried a different abilities. But right now she was worried about this one. Especially since now that she think about it, neither she nor anyone of her team has yet to see what that weapon can do.
She thought it was because no one was pushing him to the point of using it. But thank to what Luke said now she knew there was another reason, there was a key to it missing.
'What can exactly do both swords together?' thought Weiss as he saw doubt in Yuri's eyes.
"I seriously don't see a reason to laugh," said Blake as the members of her team and Zelos were already inside the arena in the stands.
"It actually is one of the few actual reactions we have seen of him, I think it is kinds nice he is defending Yuri." This time it was Ruby who said that as Yang simply agreed.
"When you grow up with someone like him, this kind of reactions is priceless." Explained Zelos while Coco just shook her head.
"I am starting to regret giving you that video."
"When is this going to start?"
"In a few minutes." Said Zelos as he blinked several times before he gave a deadpan as he recognized the new voice.
"Why are you here Sun?" asked Zelos as he slightly moved his head to see Sun Wukong and Neptune Vasilias.
"To see the fight, what else?"
Zelos face palmed, "Who told you dumbass?"
Sun flipped him off as he pointed to where Ruby was. Said girl looked at him with confusion and a little fear as she remembered her little outburst.
"…Why?" asked the red head trying to stay calm.
"To… encourage Drake?"
Zelos looked at the nervous girl and sighed, "Drake wanted this to be as discreet as possible Ruby. I would love you would just tell me before doing something like that."
Ruby nodded as she gave a nervous laugh, "I promise I will do that,"
Zelos eye twitched for some reason as he heard Nora's shouts from afar.
"The next time." Said Ruby as she quickly looked away while JNPR took their seats.
"Really nice of you to keep the fight private Zelos."
The red head scowled, "Bite me Yu-"
The words of the red head died down the moment he turned around to see his friends plus Weiss, all of them with a serious face while Weiss's was more of an uncomfortable one.
"What?" asked the red head as Weiss as next to her team while Sun looked at Luke having a feeling he had seen him before, but could not remember where.
"Why the long face princess? Need you beauty sleep?" asked Yang joking as the humor in her soon faded as she noticed how the heiress was eyeing the group nobles.
"Just so you know, I am blaming you for this." Said Luke as he rested his head with his hand while looking at Yuri who scowled.
"I agree," said Flynn with crossed arms, "If you had taken seriously your fight yesterday, this wouldn't be happening."
Yuri scowled deeper, "I fought seriously."
"You weren't using your sheath, that is enough reason to say you were not."
The longhaired noble narrowed his eyes, "I hate Asbel as much as any of us. But not enough to kill him Luke."
'Could it be?' thought Blake as she saw Yuri's lock on his blade as the faint image of Adam appeared in her head.
"You wouldn't be talking about battōjutsu, wouldn't you?"
Yuri narrowed his eyes as his eyes were locked on his blade, "Yes… you could say that just like Excalibur is the inherence of the Lhant family. Our personal battōjutsu is ours."
The cat Faunus narrowed her eyes knowing full well how deadly that kind of style could be. But still, "Did you kill someone using it?"
"Blake!" shouted Ruby not liking were this was going, but Blake ignored her as she waited for an answer.
"Almost…" said Yuri as a ghost smirk appeared on his face, "For someone who tries not to depend on instinct, Drake really has a good one."
The eyes of everyone widened, at least of those who didn't know. But it was Yang the one that was lost in thought as she remembered the wound in the neck Drake had in the train.
"And even with that style you fail."
All of the present nobles scowled at the sound of that voice of an annoying voice.
"Took you long enough Huberta." Said Zelos not turning around as Hubert sat once again in the last row.
"You would have done us all a favor, if you had kill him."
"So would have your mother if she had let you fall when you were a baby more than just one." Said Luke while Sun looked at Hubert from the corner of his eye.
"Sun?" asked Neptune getting his attention, "You know him?"
The Faunus nodded, "He is one of the main faces that opposes Faunus in general back in Vacuo. A nasty fallow with a really manipulative way of speaking."
Blake eyed Sun and then to Luke who was doing the same. She actually felt sorry for the red head seeing that he had to deal with Hubert since they were from the same kingdom.
"It is starting." Stated Weiss as she saw the pictures of both combatants appear, making Yuri tighten the grip the sheath of his blade, something Zelos noticed.
"Ok, what is it with you?" asked Zelos no longer standing the ominous aura he was feeling.
"Look and see for yourself."
Zelos raised an eyebrow, as he looked at the arena, only to narrow his eyes, "I am with Luke in this. I am blaming you."
Many wondered what was Zelos talking about as Yuri sighed, "So I am right now."
"I hope this time the fight isn't being broadcasted." Said General Ironwood as he enters a room with Glynda and Ozpin while Regal Bryant followed him.
"Glynda had the best of intentions last time. She thought it could encourage some of the student to catch up to the levels of those two are."
"Not to mention I did not know any of the story behind Mister Aurion and Mister Lhant."
"What it is done is done." said regal as stood next to Ozpin to see the fight.
"Duke Bryant,"
The longhaired Noble turned his head to see Goodwitch standing next to him, "I wonder if could ask you something."
The man smiled, "Of course. But please call me Regal."
The woman simply nodded, "Then Duke Bryant,"
'As stern as always Glynda.' Thought James as he walked to the window to see the arena.
"I wanted to ask you if you believed the rumors surrounding the Lhant family."
Regal's face lost the smile the moment she said those words, "The ones involving the Bloody Winter?"
"Glynda…" said Ozpin who stopped as he saw James raising his hand telling him it was ok while she nodded.
"... Before that incident, Asbel's father, Aston, and I had a very good friendship. But all that changed after that night. I remember he and his family had to leave because Asbel wasn't feeling ok."
"You were there?"
This time was Ozpin who asked, "Both of us were."
Glynda looked at Ironwood while Ozpin's suspicion about Drake's relationship with Ironwood was explained.
"His behavior changed after that, as it did our friendship. But it is because that friendship that I knew he had knowledge of the attack of the White Fang that night."
"What about the sudden moves he has since that day. He had done a lot of risky, yet legal business and choices, to achieve being one of the most influential family, enough to be elected for the next seat in the council of Vale."
Regal looked at Ozpin, "That actually started to happen four years before that event. But he started to be less and less cautious of who took notice of it. He practically wanted to be seen after that."
"And I suppose there wasn't a way to prove anything?" asked Glynda, causing Regal to shake his head.
"As Ozpin said, all he has done is legal. And there is nothing to prove how he knew what would happen that night." Said Regal as Glynda's scroll sounded.
"They are ready." Stated Glynda as she set the pictures of both combatants as an ominous feeling invaded Regal.
"Uh-oh." Stated the Noble as he saw Drake coming out from one of the sides with Yin resting over his right shoulder while Yang was in the sheath that was behind his waist.
"He must be really angry if he wants to use the Never Ending Cycle."
James words earned a look of surprise from Regal, "How…"
"I know talent when I see it. That is why asked Lloyd if he would like to come to my academy when he reached the age he needed to, an in exchange he would help develop weapons for the military… of course with having in mind his no-gun policy." Said James with an scowl while Glynda threw a puzzled look, "You could say Yin and Yang were part of his interview."
"What exactly is so dangerous about those blades?"
Both looked at her.
LINEBREAK
"I thought you said Lloyd would never forge something terrible." Said Ruby deducing that second blade was the cause of their behavior.
"And he didn't." started Zelos with anger in his tone, something that surprised some since they had yet to see him in that state, "Those weapons in the same battlefield are the perfect tag weapons. But if Drake decides to use both on his own, it is nothing more than a very dangerous double edge weapon." Said Zelos as he looked at Flynn.
"You are suppose to be also a healer. How could you let this happen?"
Flynn scowled, "You know better than anyone how he gets when he wants to prove something. Besides, 5 minutes should be more than enough to end this."
Zelos growled knowing Drake omitted part of the information of what happened to him when he was under mountain Glenn, "Did he also told you he would not be able to drop the blades nor stop the change of energy after the 4th minute?"
Flynn's eyes widened.
"Is that the reason he was pale and blood was coming out from his mouth, nose and ears?" asked Yang worried as Zelos nodded knowing full well it was thanks to her that Drake was ok, as well as her team.
"Lets just hope the plan he has in mind works." Said Flynn as both combatants took stance while certain group of three sat in another part of the stands.
"Do you hate me that much to harm yourself in the process?"
The blonde didn't answer; all he did was look Asbel with death eyes as he took his stance.
"So be it." Replied Asbel as he moved the sheath of Excalibur slightly.
"BEGIN!"
Drake used Sonic Thrust the moment those words were announced.
Asbel saw through the attack and gave an step forward to do a Beast with the intention of making Drake lost his balance. But stopped instantly as his widened, he quickly did a back-step to quickly avoid a lost of rapid thrusts.
'He canceled the Sonic Thrust and did a Sword Rain while using the boost of speed of the previous arte.' Thought Asbel as he moved his head slightly to avoid another thrust and quickly use his thump to unsheathe Excalibur with enough force so the pommel would hit Drake in the elbow, making him stop the arte as Asbel grabbed his sword to quickly execute a horizontal slash.
The blonde quickly kneeled to avoid the attack and quickly do an spin kick that Asbel jumped the moment Drake kneeled while the sword of the dark red haired noble released sparks of green electricity.
'Lighting Strike'
Asbel quickly inclined his body to do a spin in the air and then slam the sword in front of the blonde so a green lighting struck him where he was, leaving a cloud of smoke in place.
The noble sheathed his sword and ran to the cloud of smoke knowing full well a direct Lighting Strike would partially stun him at least. He planned on doing a Dragon Charge phase through the smoke and leave several after strikes.
But what he planned was replaced by panic as he jumped back to avoid a red glowing hand (Raging Blast).
"How in the dust are you not stunned?" asked Asbel as he closed his eyes so his eyes wouldn't be affected in any way.
"I was hit by 72 Lighting and 28 Thunder Blades. Of course being able to stand an arte of that level without an after effect would be nothing." Said Drake in a monotone voice while almost everyone looked at Zelos.
"Hey! He was the one that asked me to!"
"So… what will you do now? Lord Lhant." Said Drake as he rested Yin over his shoulder while Asbel narrowed his eyes.
"I guess it is going to be that way… huh" said Drake once again as he waved Yin and held it in front of him backwards, making Asbel raise his eyebrow in confusion. Something that then turns in panic.
"From the land of the living," chanted Drake as Asbel quickly rushed to attack the blonde.
"Are you out of your mind!?" shouted Asbel as Drake found easy to parry all his strikes with his weapon backwards, "An arte of that level can be dangerous in such a closed area like this one."
"What is he talking about?" asked Coco, who got an strange feeling of déjà vu for some reason while Drake tried to reach Asbel with his free hand, only to have no luck at all.
"It is the only high caliber magic arte he knows." Said Yuri as he wondered what exactly was going through Drake's mind while Coco remembered the massive lighting that saved then in the forest, which during Luke started to release sparks of electricity for some reason, something that had been happening since the start of the fight.
"Hmm… Flynn."
"Yes?" asked the noble as Drake threw Yin in the air to quickly grab it with his left hand and do a small thrust that Asbel avoided.
"You might want to prepare yourself to put a lot of your barriers… like big enough to surround the whole arena kind of barrier…"
Flynn's thoughts of the fight were interrupted for a second, "Drake wouldn't do it. Just like Asbel said, it is dangerous to do in this kind of space… not to mention there is also people here so… he wouldn't… he wouldn't right?"
The blonde looked at the red head with a confused look while Luke gave him a death stare while some wondered why Drake was trying to get a hold of Asbel.
"Just be ready." Said Luke as Drake's blade clashed with Excalibur.
"Getting out of ideas?" asked the dark red haired noble as he started to overpower Drake.
"No. More like not being to focus in two different things."
Asbel narrowed his eyes, "You freedom is in play and yet you are thinking in something different?" growled Asbel in rage seeing that perhaps Drake was not taking this seriously, something he believed even more as he parried the blade to instantly put his then sheath to make 6 spherical black orbs with white outlines appeared behind Asbel (Phantom Pulse). The orbs flew behind Drake and hit directly on the back, this made him stumble to where Asbel was, who was ready to release his sword once again to hit Drake with the pommel.
"Thank you."
Asbel eyes widened as he quickly took his right hand off the hilt of Excalibur to avoid the edge of Yin.
"I needed a way to stop you from drawing your blade,"
Asbel panicked, 'he wasn't going for my hand, he was going for Excalibur!' thought Asbel as he saw that edge of Yin was right over his sword's pommel.
"That eye of yours shouldn't be looking there."
Asbel froze the moment those words came out. It made the fear he had during his fight with Yuri. So much was his fear that he didn't register the moment Drake's free hand grabbed him by the throat.
"I can't… move." Said Asbel as his throat started to feel numb by the electricity that was coming from Drake's hand.
'Being hit by all those lighting artes didn't just helped his lighting resistance'. Thought Asbel as he the possibility of Drake gaining a big upper hand if he used a Raging Blast. Too bad the blonde had something else in plan.
"My time is up."
The moment Drake's words came out of his mouth, Asbel eyes panicked deeper as he looked up to see not one but several glyphs of color purple appeared above them, one bigger than the former.
'More like not being to focus in two different things.'
Drake's words sounded in his head, "Are you out of your mind!?"
A mental incantation was one of the hardest things to do for an arte user, especially for one that didn't specialize in them, and even more if it was a high caliber arte. Asbel realized Drake must have been casting it since the very start of the fight. Now Asbel realized he was fighting seriously from the beginning, Drake was simply dragging him into a trap.
"You seriously don't need to worry about the mess this is going to cause. After all there is a woman here that is only good to fix what it has been destroyed."
Many persons in the stands wondered if Drake was just being brave or have a death wish. But what everyone was sure of was that Goodwitch was fuming in anger.
Of course, all of that came to pass the moment a massive lighting destroyed the ceiling and made contact with the spot Drake and Asbel were standing.
Artes used in this chapter:
Sonic Thrust: When using this arte, the user thrusts the weapon at the target, pushing it slightly backward. It is difficult to use this arte during a combo because it might force the enemy away, breaking the combo and giving the enemy a chance to retaliate
Raging Blast: the user reaches forward at the target and gathers explosive energy in their palm, causing any nearby enemies to be blasted away and knocked to the ground. Although this attack does not have a wide blast radius, it is useful to clear away small groups of enemies. It shall never be used in both hands while being close to each other, otherwise it will also affect the user.
Lighting Strike: the user slams his sword on the ground, making a lighting strike the position in front of it.
Phantom pulse: six black spheres with white outlines that were fly behind the target to strike.
Dragon Charge: the user charges and phases through the opponent while leaving various after strikes to the target.
Indignation: the caster calls a massive bolt of lightning that creates a large dome of energy around its impact point, dealing Lightning-elemental damage. It is the highest-level and most powerful spell of its element that can be learned.
Sword Rain: When this arte is activated, the user stabs the target with many rapid thrusts.
Thunder Blade: A giant blade made of thunder that stabs the ground creating an explosion of electricity, the sword can also be used as a normal sword if the user has a lot of experience with the arte.
Lighting: the spell involves shooting lightning diagonally toward the target