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Information-Dark Souls and Bloodborne belong to Fromsoftware, and RWBY belongs to Rooster Teeth.

Chapter 26: The Drums of War

Scythe had to admit, it was good to be back. He did have one thing to do before the proceedings began. The army had to be awakened. He told team RWBY to stand by his throne, for he had to awaken his army. They would listen to the call of their king.

The most logical place for Scythe to assume that army was resting were the catacombs. He remembered them well. They were crawling with skeletons, all set on protecting the dead from anyone, even the other dead. In time, they slowly wiped themselves out. If he had to guess, his army was resting somewhere in those accursed tombs.

In the heyday of Lothric, they had moved the entrance of the tomb. The chamber he had defeated the Abyss Watchers in became their final resting place, and a back door of sorts into the country. The catacombs were no longer patrolled by anyone. The Hollows had abandoned the crypt long ago.

A short way down from the main entrance a room had been carved out and expanded. The circular room held the sarcophagi of his army. Each resting in peace. But they weren't dead. He could feel the undead souls inside each casket. Each amalgamation was simply resting. Not killed, just asleep.

Scythe stared at the room, puzzled. He had no clue what to do. He walked to the center of the crypt and just kept looking at each casket. The entombed were there, they were alive, but how to wake them? He stopped in the center of the room. Deep in thought, Scythe looked up. On the ceiling were a series of rather ornate pictures carved into the ancient stone. They depicted the army at its zenith, the greatest battles they fought, even the ones that they lost.

"Amazing…" Scythe breathed out.

"Indeed, some humans were still on your side."

Scythe whirled around. Standing at the entrance was Reaper Grim, and Ruby.

"Lord Reaper." Scythe greeted, nodding his head in respect. "May I ask why you and your last warrior have joined me?"

"I figured you would appreciate the help in waking them. After all, I did put them to sleep…and I have a request."

"Fair enough, how can you help?" Scythe asked.

"Simple, they are attracted to the flame, are they not? Set up a bonfire, and she will awaken them. A true test of her power." Reaper answered. "This is a request from all of the keepers. We ask to use Lothric as a sanctuary. The timeline is weak, only people of this timeline can strengthen it."

"I must speak with my people about this." Scythe answered.

"Understood." Reaper replied before vanishing into a black portal.

Scythe nodded and opened his satchel. He withdrew some of the undead bone shards and bone ash. He set up a small pile in the center of the floor. Withdrawing Bonfire from its sheath, he stabbed it into the pile of ash. With a snap of his fingers and a burst of pyromancy, the sword and ash lit up. Tongues of flame slowly climbed up the blade. A single tongue surrounded Scythe's hand.

The moment the bonfire was lit, Scythe felt the souls of his fallen soldiers reaching out toward the flame. Ruby walked toward the bonfire. Amazement evident on her face. She reached out to touch the flame. Scythe was pleased to note the look of pleasant content on her face as her hand was in the fire. Her eyes flashed a brighter silver before being tinged with the same black as the sockets in Reaper's skull.

The bonfire grew in strength and the souls started to leave the caskets. Each one was floating toward Ruby and Scythe. Ruby was muttering something, but Scythe had no idea what it was. Probably commanding the warriors to awaken. The heat from the flame was changing. In a small matter of seconds, whatever Ruby was doing, caused the flame to glow the same vibrant red as her cloak. The souls of his warriors were circling the fire. Scythe knew what to do next.

"I am Scythe Hollow, your Lord of Hollows. Rise and continue in your duties. Awaken and fight for the world you once lived in. Hear my command and heed its words. I COMMAND YOU TO RISE!" Scythe yelled as he put as much authority into his voice as he could. His power over the Hollows further expanded his authority.

The souls listened. In a matter of seconds, they flew back toward the caskets that contained their bodies. The lid on the casket closest to the door was slowly lifted. The Hollow inside rose out of the casket slowly and rather dramatically. When the Hollow exited the coffin, it turned and bowed to Scythe. Other caskets had been opened and Hollows were bowing toward Scythe Hollow.

One of the Hollows approached. Scythe recognized her as his old General, Yuria, the first of his subjects. She bowed to him, before drawing her sword. She leveled it at Ruby's neck. Ruby raised her hands in surrender and stepped back. Other Hollows were drawing swords and pointing them at the only human in the crypt. Scythe had enough.

"Stand down." Scythe ordered forcing the Hollows to obey with the authority in his voice.

Yuria appeared to glare at Ruby, but slowly lowered her sword. The other Hollows slowly followed suit.

"My lord, why have you brought a human here?" Yuria asked, venom dripping in her voice when she said human.

The reaction was to be expected. They would remember that it was a human that had caused the downfall of the kingdom in the past.

"I will explain in the throne room. The rest of Lothric are gathering. I would rather it only be explained once. However, she is under my personal protection. Any attack on her shall be considered an attack on me and will treated as treasonous." Scythe declared before leading Ruby and the army out of the crypts and towards the throne room.


The air was positively buzzing. He had returned, and everyone had to hear about it. The Lord of Hollows was back. He had come to reclaim the throne. Only one question remained. Why was he with four humans? Also, where has he been? Technically two, but the kingdom had to know that the king had returned. Their isolation was ending.

The throne room, while large, was packed. The hollows who were still awake were flocking to the castle. Scythe was supposed to have settled into his seat of power…but he was strangely absent. Standing next to the throne were three humans. Each had a specific color associated with them. There were mutterings from the others about the humans, but most of them were excited to have their benevolent leader back.

The doors at the back of the throne room opened rapidly. Three Hollows opened each one, and the Lord of Hollows walked in. He was flanked by General Yuria and another human. In total that made four humans present in the kingdom of Lothric. As he passed, Hollows would bow before their king. A very select few even bowed to the human girl.

This appeared to confuse the General, but she said nothing. They could feel the power radiating off the girl. As she passed, it reminded them of their king and death. It was strange to say the least.

Scythe eventually made it to his throne. He gave a single command that rippled with the authority they were so used to hearing in his voice.

"Rise, my subjects. You need not bow to me." Scythe waved his hand over the Hollows.

As one, the entire assembly rose.

"My Hollows, after nearly six thousand years, I have returned. Unfortunately, I come at a very grave time. Some time, not too long ago, a darkness of liquid evil flooded the entire planet. It was pushed back, but it has returned. Now, the being known as Icosa Hedron, threatens all of existence as we know it. I know you will protest, I know you won't like it, but I ask that as a kingdom we rise again and come to the aid of the humans. It has also been requested by an old friend that we open Lothric to the refugees from the kingdoms that Icosa attacks."

At the end of his small explanation an uproar could be heard amongst the Hollows. Various shouts of "Why should we help them?" and "They are the reason we were almost wiped out!" could be heard. There were even a few people calling for the execution of the humans standing next to the throne. There were a small group of Hollows arguing for the safety of the humans. One voice stood out amongst the others.

"SILENCE!" the amplified voice called, the crackle of fire could be heard.

The Hollows and humans looked to the source of the voice. An aged hollow walked forward. The robes the he wore appeared to be tattered, but it was deliberate. There appeared to be a set of old bandages covering the top of his head. His burning hand was removed from his face. Scythe instantly recognized his old friend and teacher Cornyx, the pyromancer. Scythe gave a nod of respect to Cornyx who walked forward and continued speaking.

"Why do argue and fight like twelve-year-old children. The actions of one man should not be the condemnation for an entire race. Besides, Scythe's betrayal was several millennia ago." He yelled to the crowd. "Not once in our proud history have we denied help to those who truly needed it. Believe me, I like the humans who betrayed us no more than you. However, I ask you to honestly answer this, what has the people of this time done to deserve the wrath of the Abyss?"

There were a few mutterings among the people. Eventually, they broke off into smaller groups to discuss what they heard. Cornyx nodded in satisfaction and approached the throne.

"Lord Hollow." Cornyx greeted while bowing before Scythe.

"My friend, how many times must I tell you. There is no need for you to be so formal with me, nor should you call me lord. We are friends." Scythe grasped Cornyx by the hand. "By the way I must introduce you to some students of my own. Cornyx, this is Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, Yang Xiao Long, and Ruby Rose." He pointed at each of the girls as he introduced them. "Girls, this is Cornyx of the Great Swamp, the Hollow who first taught me pyromancy."

"Are you blind?" Ruby asked.

"No dear, these bandages merely cover the sockets where my eyes were when I was human. Easy way to hide the fact that you are Hollow." Cornyx answered.

"They appear to have reached a decision, my lord." Yuria said.

Scythe looked at the crowd. One Hollow stepped forward.

"Sir, we have agreed to help the humans. This world is theirs first, we shall help protect it." He stated.

"Excellent." Scythe responded with a smile. "Yuria, send out four scouts. One to each of the kingdoms, Have the scouts sent to the kingdoms of Atlas, Mistral, and Vacuo inform the present leaders in the kingdoms of Lothric. If the kingdom has been destroyed, bring the survivors to our kingdom. Have them enter through the tomb of the Abyss Watchers. I want the scout sent to Vale to keep watch on the city, report on anything that Icosa does. We are not be seen by the enemy. Speak to the girls about the locations of the kingdoms, they should know."

"My Lord." Yuria bowed.

"Hollows of Lothric. Remnant needs our help. We go to war! For those who can't die!" Scythe bellowed the war cry.

"FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T DIE!" the Hollows responded with equal fervor. War had come to Remnant, and the Hollows would be ready.


The sweet, sweet taste of destruction was Icosa's favorite feeling. The anticipation for an oncoming victory was always the worst part of any battle though. Surprisingly, Atlas was actually ready for battle with the Hedronians. Icosa was ready as well.

Time to begin. Dark Fiends, bring down that wall.

Twenty of the giants lumbered toward the walls that surrounded the kingdom. The soldiers in the city began firing. Their ammunition had no effect on the giants of darkness.

And so, Atlas shall fall. With him, the sky will come crashing down on the planet and signify the end of days. We have entered war.

Icosa started walking toward the city. A sinister smile gracing his skeletal face.

The dark shall win, it already has.

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