RWBY is property of Roosterteeth, I only own my characters.
Chapter 52
Vortex looked around the altar chamber for the source of the voice that had greeted him. Nothing else stood in the room aside from the crystal and its shrine.
"Show yourself." The Lord demanded aloud into the empty room.
"I cannot reveal what can already be seen." the voice replied. It seemed to echo from every direction in the chamber. Vortex set his eyes on the altar.
"So, you are the crystal?"
"That is the form I now possess, yes."
"How do I harness your power? How do I wish for the destruction of my enemies?"
"...What you wish to do is simple...All that is needed to activate the temple is to provide the necessary power source for the altar." the voice explained. Vortex nodded and set the case of Void Dust on the ground, opening it with a click. Inside where the multitudes of crystal shards the Order had gathered, aligned neatly. The Lord took two of the items in his hands and walked to the altar. Several dozen receptacles were arranged around the altar in a circle, with the single large crystal in the center. He gently placed a shard of Void Dust into one of the slots, causing the small hole to shine with golden light. He tightened his grip on the other shard in his hand as the temple shook violently.
"How close are they?" Vortex asked.
"The ones you view as foes have reached the entrance of the temple. Their flying construct rains down fire upon your forces."
"Then I must move quickly."
Alex placed his rifle in a charging Fenrir's mouth and blew its head to pieces. He and the others had led the charge into the temple while the soldiers of Vale and Atlas held the area outside. Arthur, Emerald, Anika, and Mac had stayed to guard the entrance into the structure. A problem struck the soldier as they worked their way further in, following a trail of open doors and mowing down waves of Shades. Their group was only twelve members in total, four of which were students. From personal experience, he knew a fight against Vortex in an enclosed space was a bad idea, but it wasn't like they had much choice. At least they had a decent chance with Charles with them. Alex had told the Bloodline of Fear to hang back to preserve his energy.
"Alex..." He turned his head to find Ruby at his side. She cut down a Fenrir that was trying to flank them with a swift swing of Crescent Rose. "We can win, right?"
"We can." He answered, firing a burst into a Banshee as it emerged from behind a pillar.
"...Without losing anyone?" He mechanically continued to pick off Shades that wandered into his field of fire, and remained silent for several seconds.
"...I can't guarantee anything, Ruby, but I will do anything in my power to make sure all of us go home."
"They draw closer." the voice said calmly.
"You're being strangely cooperative for a being that knows what I intend to wish for."
"The troubles of the mortal world are no longer of concern to me."
"But they were at one point?"
"Yes. However, it was when I still had a people to lead and protect." Vortex stopped as the voice uttered those words. He knew who the voice was.
"...You're the king from the legends...but, how?"
"When I was still flesh and bone, I sought to protect my people from the Grimm. I built this temple from Dust and stone, and designed it to harness the power of the colorless crystals to grant the deepest desire of the one who used it. However, beyond the Void Dust, the altar also requires energy from a living person."
"And you were that person?" the Lord asked, slowly continuing to place the Dust crystals in the proper slots.
"Yes. However, my wish was not as your legends make it out to be. As the Grimm swept over our land, the people of my kingdom fled to this very spot to protect me while I fulfilled the ritual. By the time the altar had gathered enough energy, none of my people were left for me to save. The Grimm dragged their bodies into the forest to feed while I was sealed within this chamber. In my anguish, my heart cried to prevent any other from failing as I had. The crystal heard me, and thus I became its voice, so that any who followed me could understand the power contained here and how to use it."
"That's..." Vortex trailed off and placed another Void Dust crystal within a receptacle. "...saddening to hear. I'm sorry."
"Your words betray your true nature, Lem Cadellin. Your core is not the monster the world believes your whole to be."
"If only I shared your optimistic view..." Vortex heard the muffled sounds of gunfire from the other side of the chamber doors. "They're here...but not a moment too soon." He dropped the final shard of Dust into the last empty, unlit slot.
Alex and others formed up behind the door. The four students were in position to push the double doors open. Weiss and Ruby on one, and Yang and Blake on the other. Alex quickly checked his weapon's magazine to make sure it was full. Dimitri racked his own weapon's firing pin as he loaded a fresh belt into the machine gun. Ryland loaded a round into his prosthetic arm's railgun and powered up the magnetic coil within.
"Are you all ready for this?" Alex asked the faithful allies beside him.
"Of course." Luna replied from beside him before giving him a quick peck on the cheek. "For good luck."
"That's not a bad idea." Dimitri nodded, giving Firo a kiss and patting Blake's head reassuringly.
"Hey, I'm all for that." Yang shrugged, grabbing Ryland and forcing their lips together. The young soldier gasped for breath as he was released from the blonde's crushing grasp. "There. Now you've got no excuse for not knowing how I feel."
"...Gah...Love you too, Yang...but please don't injure me before we fight." Despite where they stood, Alex couldn't help but chuckle. They were perhaps mere feet away from dying, but here they were, exchanging words like any other day. He smiled to himself and looked over the other eleven people around him. His friends. His family.
"Alright," He raised his rifle at the doorway. "Let's end this...and let's go home."
Alex burst through the doors as they opened, spotting the armored form of Vortex immediately. He and the others filled the air with a hail of bullets that rushed towards the Lord...only to clatter harmlessly to the ground as they encountered some sort of invisible resistance. Charles flared his ability and rushed forward with his blade drawn, impacting and bouncing off the same spectral wall. Vortex turned to face them, his helmet off and his face stoic.
"You are too late, Greene, Charles. I have won." He turned to face the altar in the center of the room. "I wish for my enemies to perish! For all who oppose me to die!" Alex flinched and let his rifle hang limp as bright light filled the room. Luna grasped his hand. Ruby let Crescent Rose droop in her grip. All they'd done, and they'd been too late?
Suddenly, the light lowered in intensity. The crystal hanging above the altar emitted the warm golden glow. Alex looked himself over, checked on Luna and Ruby, then everyone else. Everybody was still here. Why were they still alive?
"What? Why are they still here!? I asked you to kill them!" Vortex whirled on the altar.
"Because that is not your wish."
"I explicitly stated that I wanted them to die!" He yelled at the crystal.
"Your mind may speak one desire...but that is your most logical desire...not your greatest. One's greatest desire is one of emotion...not of mind."
"Then you cannot grant me what I seek? If my wish is ruled by emotion, then it is impossible!" Vortex threw his helmet to the ground, cracking the glass visor.
"It is possible for the temple to grant it...but-" Vortex's head shot up and he cut off the echoing voice.
"If that is true, then do it!"
"The presence of others in this room will interfere with the ritual...some of their desires will be granted as long as they stand within the chamber, though not to as full an extent as yours...but only you will pay the toll for all of them...the energy required may prove to be too much for your body to handle..." The crystal's voice explained.
"I don't care! Take as much energy as you need!" Vortex's voice was filled with...desperation... and longing...Alex had never heard the Lord's voice like this. Charles sheathed his blade.
"Mr. Blackwill?" Winter cried, "Why did you put your weapon away?"
"If his wish is what I think it is...there's no need to fight anymore..." the Bloodline replied sadly.
"What do you mea-" Weiss started to ask, as bright light filled the room. She and the others shielded their eyes."
"-n?" Weiss finished. She looked around. Somehow, she had wound up on the ground. She was in a blinding white void. Winter and Charles both lay short distances away, picking themselves up off the barely discernible floor. "Where are we?"
"Weiss Schnee. Winter Schnee. Charles Blackwill." the crystal's voice seemed to emit and bounce from all around them, "Let me start by assuring you your friends are safe. I have brought you into a small, but separate plane, to explain the details of the wishes granted to you."
"You can bend reality?" Charles asked as he helped Winter to her feet.
"Yes. It is why granting Lem Cadellin's wish is not outside my reach. Boundaries mean nothing to the temple. Even I acknowledge its potential for misuse."
"I see."
"Time may flow more slowly on this plane, but I should not waste any more time than I need to. Weiss Schnee, your wish is the most simple...you wish for your teammates' success in whatever they pursue...Know that while powerful, this temple's power is imperfect...your friends will not succeed at everything they try, but the odds will now be slightly tilted towards their favor."
"I...really? T-...thank you..."
"It is not I you should be thanking. Now, Winter Schnee, you wish for the safety of those you consider family. You have improved the chances of success for both your sister and of Charles Blackwill."
"Winter..." Charles turned to her. She gave him a small smile.
"As far as I'm concerned...you've been more of a parent to Weiss and myself than our actual father ever was."
"Winter..." the Bloodline felt tears form at the corners of his eyes, "...Thank you..." The older Schnee sister hugged him tightly. Weiss joined in on the embrace after a few moments as well.
"Charles Blackwill. Your wish is both the simplest and most difficult to grant. You wish to tell your children how proud of them you are...I am sorry to say I cannot fulfill this request immediately...only set the events in motion...and even I cannot say for sure where they will yet land."
"I figured as much when you told Lem that our desires wouldn't be as complete as his."
"I am sorry."
"Don't be. I'm sure Jerloh and Alyia know what I would say, even if I didn't get to say it in person. Besides...I've got family here to take care of now too."
Ryland rubbed the back of his head. He, Yang, and Carbon were stuck in a white void, and now the voice that had been coming out of the crystal was telling them what wishes they had been granted as collateral for whatever Vortex had wished for.
"Ryland Felstrand."
"Yeah?"
"You wish for your parents to survive the war in your home. The temple has set these events in motion...but there is no guarantee."
"You're kind of a crappy wish granting thing, then aren't you?"
"Bending the fabric of space and time is not as easy as you assume." the voice replied with a hint of indignation.
"Are you trying to piss off the reality bending temple?!" Carbon inquired.
"...Mayb- ow!" Ryland yelped as Yang punched him in the arm.
"Please don't piss off the voice." She requested.
"Fine."
"Yang Xiao Long. You wish to someday meet your birth mother. This is simple for me to accomplish, and the events have been set in motion. As before, however, I can make no guarantees. Nothing is set in stone."
"...Thanks...I guess..."
"My apologies for being unable to do more...but influencing the livings' actions is an imprecise art."
"No...I mean...I'm not being ungrateful...I'm just...disappointed..."
"Your feeling is understandable. Now...Daeg Carbon-"
"Your first name's 'Daeg'?" Ryland cocked his head.
"Kid, I swear to Remnant, if you don't shut up-"
"Enough! Daeg Carbon, you have wished for the longevity of your family. I cannot ensure the prevention of accidents or disease, but they will live long natural spans."
"Thank you."
"Can you let us out of here now?" Ryland quipped.
"Gladly."
"Albi, you okay?" Firo felt herself shook lightly and she opened her eyes. She'd closed them when the altar chamber had filled with light. Dimitri was on his knees next to her, a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Yes...I'm fine...where's Blake? And the others?" Firo pushed herself into a sitting position, then had the Russian help her to her feet.
"I can't speak for everyone else, but I'm right here." Blake's voice came from behind the rabbit Faunus. "I'm not sure where-"
"Blake Belladonna. Dimitri Averin. Albiona Firo. You have been brought to a separate plane to have your wishes granted."
"What? Can you-" Dimitri started.
"I would rather not explain the nuances of this place again."
"You got through dealing with Ryland just now, didn't you?" Blake inquired.
"Your assumption is correct."
"Ah. Well, I can understand your frustration, then." Dimitri nodded. "Go ahead."
"Your wishes were...interesting. They overlapped in a way I never thought possible. You each wished for the other two to meet ones who have already passed. While influencing the living is difficult...the dead are not so hard...I will leave you all alone. You may leave whenever you are ready." The voice faded, and a set of double doors appeared a good distance away from the trio.
"...Blake? Blake, is that you?" the student turned toward the voice. She'd never though she'd hear it again.
"Dad..." Blake already felt the tears of joy overwhelming her. In front of her stood her father, looking the same as the day he had died. As she rushed towards him and wrapped her arms around his chest, she took notice of the two other figures behind her father. A man with a pair of white rabbit ears atop his head, and a woman with short brown hair and a slight build.
"Albiona." The male rabbit Faunus greeted, "It's good to see you all grown up."
"Father?" Firo took hesitant steps towards the man, thinking it was almost too good to be true. As she overcame her hesitation and greeted her father in similar fashion to how Blake had greeted her own parent, Dimitri locked eyes with the thin woman.
"Hello, Matushka."
"Dimitri!" The woman walked over to the man and grasped his face in her hands. "You grew up so strong! And handsome! Ah, but perhaps you should shave the beard..." The woman started fawning over her son.
"Matushka, not right now." Dimitri pleaded, "I have two people I want you to meet."
"Getting too old to be looked after by your 'Mama', hmm? Introduce me to the ladies in your company, then." Blake and Firo led their respective parents over so that the six of them stood in a vaguely circular pattern.
"Ah, Mrs. Averin, is it?" Firo's father greeted, "Would it be alright if Mr. Belladonna and I speak to your son?"
"Of course." She nodded. "But if you are mean to him, I will-"
"Matushka, please..." Dimitri requested weakly.
"Ah, fine. I will speak to your two friends while you speak to their fathers." She waved and walked towards Blake and Firo. Dimitri turned to the two Faunus men.
"I apologize. My mother can be a bit...overprotective."
"I think all parents are." Blake's father nodded agreeably. "Which is why I'd like to thank you for watching after my daughter. Blake's got a good head on her shoulders, but she always tried to do things alone when I was around. From what she said, it sounds like you taught her the value of having friends to watch her back. Thank you."
"Much the same from me." Firo's dad acknowledged. "Albiona's never been as happy as she is now. Thank you for being her friend. And more...though, if you hurt my baby-girl..." he cracked his knuckles. "...not even death will keep me from teaching you a lesson." Despite the fact the rabbit Faunus was a head shorter than him, and half as broad, Dimitri could feel the potential killing intent housed in the smaller man.
"I plan on watching after them both for as long as I am able." The Russian replied.
"Sounds good to me." Firo's father replied. "Now, go make sure you all make it out in one piece."
"Alex Greene. Luna Azure. Ruby Rose." the voice greeted. "I have come to inform you of the desires that have been fulfilled."
"I'm guessing you've done this several times already?" The Major asked the empty air.
"You are correct. Please refrain from delaying me."
"Ryland?"
"Yes. Moving on. Luna Azure, you wish for the strength to help the others around you. Your request is simple, for you already possess most of the strength you believe you lack. The temple has granted you the potential for what you wish, but you must pursue the power on your own."
"I- Thank you." Luna said, surprised.
"Alex Greene and Ruby Rose. You have unfinished business with those who have passed on. I have brought them here. I will leave you with a way out when you are ready."
Ruby looked into the void, catching sight of the figure she had hoped to see.
"Mom!" the student ran to hug her mother, Summer Rose.
"Ruby!" It struck Alex how similar the two were. Right down to facial features, Ruby appeared to be a red clone of her mother. The two spoke animatedly to each other.
"Hey, didn't Mum always tell you it's rude to stare?" Alex felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to the male voice.
"Mikey..."
"In the flesh!...Spirit?...Ectoplasm?...I dunno...but, yeah, it's me."
"...Damn it..." Alex placed his hands on his younger brother's shoulders. "...I actually hoped it wouldn't work..."
"Al? What do you-" Mikey stopped as he saw the tears start to flow down his sibling's face.
"...T-there was always this part of me that hoped...you had survived...but if you're here...I'm sorry, Mike. I failed you. It was my job to protect you-"
"Hey, don't give me any of that crap. It's not your fault. You have any idea how lucky I am to have a hero for a brother?" Alex shook his head. "Look at it this way, your little brother wants you to go kick ass in his name, not spend time moping around that you can't be everywhere at once."
"...Thanks, Mikey."
"What are brothers for, right? Oh and before I forget...hey, you! Blue hair!" Mikey shouted to Luna.
"O-oh! Yes?" She stammered in response.
"You take good care of my idiot brother for me, alright?"
"R-right!"
"Great." Mikey smiled and turned back to his brother, "What're you doing standing there, moron? Go kick those bastards to the curb for me."
Alex saw the void fade as he, Ruby, and Luna stepped through the doorway the voice had left for them. They waved to the two figures as the distance between them grew. The three felt their feet touch solid ground. Alex did a quick headcount, finding all eleven of his friends present and accounted for.
"...It is done..." the voice said. Alex's eyes drifted over to Vortex, who was leaned against the altar. Even from a distance, the soldier could see the strain the ritual had put on the Bloodline's body. What caught his eyes however, was the small girl wrapped in the man's arms. She stirred, her eyes cracking open to look at the Lord holding her.
"...Daddy...?"
A/N: Gah, this chapter. My trouble with this one was immense. A LOT of stuff had to be covered, and that made writing a bit difficult. Not 100% satisfied with it now, but I think it turned out alright.
Reviews, Follows, and Favorites are always appreciated! Let me know what you think with one of those if you want. Also, got a question for me? Go ahead and leave one in a review, or if you don't want to share the question, send me a PM. As long as its not overly personal, I'll answer it.
REVIEW REPLIES:
Corey: I've been dusting off my drawing skills recently, if I make something passable, I'll be sure to let everyone know. Don't worry, the EDC will still be hanging around to cause trouble in future stories.
Waterlord369: Glad to hear you like where I've gone so far!
Dimas15: Jerloh and the others won't be showing up in Legends Scatter outside the recording. In a sequel, however...
