Mountain Glenn was not the hellscape it had been before. In the face of the… incident regarding Team RWBY, the utmost effort had been placed into transforming the area. With the previous barricades ruined beyond repair, the people had put everything they had into replacing them with far greater fortifications. Though the city upon the surface remained beyond their reach, the new additions meant that the tunnels were at least secured. Without any major force to attract and empower them, the Grimm wouldn't be breaching any time soon. Were it not for recent events, perhaps there might even have come a day where resettlement would be considered.
Regardless, the grimace on Salem's face could not be suppressed. While the dim lighting and dust-filled air could be tolerated to an extent, the same couldn't be said for the constant waterdrops falling upon her. When her abode literally situated in an endless expanse of pure darkness was more comfortable, it spoke volumes of the state of Mountain Glenn. Despite the public's work, it would be a long time until the subterranean settlement was back to its original state. Still, it served well for Salem's intentions. Her complaints could be swallowed for a short period.
After all, to lose face in front of present company would cause far more trouble than it was worth.
"I did not take you as one for human disguises." A voice halfway between elegance and arrogance remarked, Salem sparing little more than a glance over her shoulder. While she may have respected Arthur Watts for his intelligence, that didn't mean his nature didn't grate on her nerves. Salem's corrupted form may have appreciated the condescending sadism he reveled in, but now she could only scowl in his presence. "Is there a particular reason why you have called us here, rather than the… usual location?"
"I was getting so close to finding the Spring Maiden too! I'll have to start all over again with how much the bitch moves!" Tyrian 'jokingly' lamented as his tail stabbed at the air absently. His true emotions regarding the situation mattered not. So long as he was in the presence of his master, Tyrian wouldn't complain. A psychotic serial killer he may have been, but an idiot? Far from it. "Eh, nothing I can't recover from though. And when I do, hehe…!"
"Do not fret Tyrian. Times have changed and so must I. There have been a few… alterations to my plans."
The slight twitch of Salem's hand didn't go unnoticed. For one so skilled in tracking and killing, lacking the appropriate observation skills would've seen Tyrian killed long before he was chanced upon by Salem. Even so, it meant woefully little when the lightning had already pierced his abdomen. Without time to blink before the deed was done, Tyrian could only stare in blank confusion before the light began to leave his eyes.
Those gathered were no strangers to dead bodies. Whether it was that of close allies or complete unknowns, death had made itself a common presence around them. To witness one of their own be offed so easily however was a completely different story, especially when it was one of the most competent fighters in Salem's cabal. It was as if Aura did not exist, so rapidly had Tyrian lost his life. His wounds cauterised the moment that they formed, there hadn't even been time for a drop of blood to fall. One couldn't imagine a more ruthlessly efficient kill.
"Unfortunately, I cannot see a world where you are a part of them." Salem continued, another flick of her wrist sending Tyrian's body flying back at incredible speed. There was already enough dirt and grime in Mountain Glenn; the least Salem could do was clean up her mess. A brief flash of flame and any evidence would soon be erased from the world. "Allow me to state this upfront. It's only because you all are still of use that you have yet to meet the same fate. If I do not hear the responses I desire today, that very well may change. Am I understood?"
If they hadn't been faced with a being far beyond their power, perhaps some of them might've scoffed. The threat was neither new nor different. From the moment they entered into Salem's employ, her strength and willingness to use it had hung over their heads like a guillotine. Even Cinder, treated as a key figure by Salem, had not been foolish enough to consider herself irreplaceable. The fact that she now wore a human's visage changed nothing.
"We've followed you to this point. I see no reason for that to have changed." Hazel was the first to answer, standing from the ruin he had been leaning against. Though small, Salem's smile was no less relieved. Out of the entire cabal, Hazel was one of the most rational and composed, so long as Ozpin wasn't involved. If he had refused at this point, then the entire endeavour might as well have been thrown in the bin.
"We too stand beside you, my Lady." Soon followed Cinder. The same sentiment from the pair behind her would've been appreciated, but fearful silence was just as useful. They may have been minor players on the grand stage of life, but finding replacements would be an unnecessary annoyance. The time to train substitutes simply wasn't available, even if potential recruits were a dime-a-dozen.
"Indeed, I am of the same mind," Arthur muttered, dusting off his coat. "I must say though, I wonder what has occurred to make you question our loyalty. Forgive me when I say, Lady Salem, Tyrian appeared to show no sign of betrayal, nor was he failing in his duties. Might I ask what warranted his death?"
"There is a saying I recall that claimed 'you can't understand the human spirit without dirtying your own.' Thanks to present events, the taint which clouded my eyes has disappeared at last." Hearing such vague words, it was natural for confusion to spread through Salem's audience as she finally turned to face them. "While your mistaking my being for a disguise is amusing, Doctor, it is incorrect. In attempting the defy the tyranny of gods, I ended up no better than them. Now, however, my mind has been restored at the cost of empowering a greater evil. Once more, I can tell that a man who lives only for killing others has no place in this world. If I did not believe your minds could be swayed, then you would've joined Tyrian. That is not to say my opinions can't be changed."
A pressure beyond all others upon their backs meant there were no answers, those gathered left breathless as they were brought to their knees. It was an unnecessary measure, to be sure, yet one that comforted Salem all the same. Words were one thing, but she had seen what these people were capable of. Maybe the same couldn't be said for Cinder, but Arthur would most certainly take advantage of Salem if he mistook her actions for weakness. As for Hazel, her repaired relationship with Ozpin would drive the man to treachery in seconds. With these reminders of her strength, their obedience – however forced – would be assured.
"Now then, down to business. Cinder, contact your little friends and have them resituated to Atlas. I don't care what excuses you must conjure, but the city must not be allowed to fall." Cinder might've silently nodded, but Arthur wasn't so conspicuous with his own opinion. A little more pressure upon his back and those sentiments were rapidly silenced. "You should consider yourself fortunate that I am not ordering you to do so, Doctor. Instead, you will be working on restoring Vale's defences. Thanks to the power surge that occurred, they are all in need of restoration. I trust you understand the need for subtlety without my prompt. Hazel, you'll be assisting Cinder in Atlas once you ensure the White Fang are lending their aid to the current battle. I'd rather not call them idiots, but the opportunity to cull the human populace could drive them to complacency."
"Their grudge may be strong, but their will to survive prevails. It shall be done." Hazel spoke, forcing himself into a more appropriate bowing position. Despite the situation, Salem allowed a small smile of approval to show. The strength required to do that was no small amount. "My Lady, is there a need to mobilise us all? Is this not a standard siege suppression?"
"Did I not say it before? My transformation came at a cost. A great evil has awakened, one that will wreak even worse havoc upon the masses than I ever could. His strength bolsters the Grimm as we speak, and it will only become worse with time." Salem answered, her eyes turning upward as a tremor passed through the ceiling. For the battle to reach them spoke of how well the defence above was faring. "If I once thought of you as ants, then you are less than dust in his eyes. I wished to rule this realm, but he desires every realm in existence. If you value your lives, and I'm certain that you do, no effort will be spared in ensuring his downfall. Otherwise, there may not be a universe - let alone a world - for your ashes to fall in. now move."
There was no hesitation, their figures gone in a flash as soon as Salem released the pressure upon them. Usually, there would be quite a bit more banter passed between them, taunts and praises flying in equal measure. Given the current circumstances, its exclusion was rather understandable. The continuing sounds of chaos coming from the surface meant that the Grimm had already pierced the makeshift defences Ozpin had ordered. Without the aid of the city's fortifications, there was only so much human forces could achieve. If they didn't act swiftly, the battle could easily turn against the huntsmen.
"Well then, I suppose there is no reason to remain in his place," Salem muttered to herself, gazing upon a lightning covered hand. Far too long had passed since the last time she actively fought. Nothing would be more embarrassing than causing a scene, only to learn that her strength had diminished through laxity. "The battlefield awaits. If you want something done correctly, do it yourself."
"…You're kidding, right? Some super powerful threat is making a mess of Atlas and you just expect me to waltz over there? We're talking Ironwood and his fancy robots; I'll be caught before I take a single step!" Neo frowned around her spoon as Roman's complaints filled her ears yet again. Thanks to walls thinner than paper, there was no escaping the sound produced by the other. Then again, it was a miracle they had a roof over their heads in the first place, thanks to the increased security buzzing around the place. "Look, we aren't huntsmen. Let the qualified people do the hard work. This wasn't part of our… Are you serious? Tch, fine. Don't expect me to become some kind of hero though. You know full well that ain't our style."
Poking her head around the door, Neo watched as a weary sigh deflated Roman's body, the scroll in his hand one step away from being crushed. Annoyance at their 'employer' wasn't unfamiliar, but rarely did it ever reach the level that Roman displayed. A bag thrown in her direction though meant Neo didn't need to ask any questions.
"Pack up and get ready to move out. Looks like the boss-lady's making a move to Atlas. Why the hell she's bringing us along, I don't know." The man stated, his cane resting against a battered sofa soon held within an irritated grip. Apart from a few sets of clothes, there wasn't much else for Roman to pack. The thief lifestyle might've made some huge claims, but that meant nothing when you had to cough up any profit to someone else. "Tried to press as much as I could out of her, but she seemed to barely have a clue in the first place. All I know is that we're suddenly working with something even worse than the crazy chick. Maybe it has something to do with that freak we saw after the mess with the CCT tower."
Neo's hand hesitated at those words, the sickly voice that had taunted her echoing through her head. In but a brief sentence, all of the effort Neo spent trying to forget about that… thing had been wasted. How on earth it knew anything about her remained a mystery, let alone enough to make such probing remarks with confidence. There shouldn't have been a soul alive to speak about her past – Neo had personally made sure of that. That the freak was also potentially linked to something even more powerful than Cinder's boss was just the cherry on the cake.
Of course, her unique situation meant her dismay could only be expressed through a shiver and a foulness to Neo's eyes, the clothes she held packed with just a little too much force. In truth, the girl was torn between forcibly silencing the freak and trying her best to never cross paths with it again. If it had been anyone else, then Neo would've considered the battle already won. Someone who was able to find out about her past was a completely different beast though. If the freak had been able to find out that much, how much more did he learn about Neo? For all she knew, the freak already knew all of her abilities and weaknesses. For once in her life, she was at an absolute disadvantage, with nothing she could do to change it.
The only saving grace was that the Freak felt no shame in making enemy after enemy. With all of the huntsmen Ozpin was undoubtedly going to throw at it, Neo might not have to lift a finger to have her secrets buried. The issue there, then, was whether they'd be alive to celebrate it. After all, Cinder had no hesitations about throwing the thieving duo into whatever situation she pleased. If Cinder's orders meant going against something even crazier than what few rumours they'd heard about her boss, Roman and she would be out of their league. Neo held confidence in her abilities, but only idiots considered themselves immortal without reason.
"Least we don't have to stay in this garbage dump any longer," Roman muttered with a hiss of annoyance as the ground trembled once more. Whether he was talking about their current housing or Vale itself, Neo was wont to agree. If the Grimm kept going at it as they were, how much of the city would be left untouched was out for debate. Having hidden behind the city's defences for so long, the huntsmen were shamefully unprepared for dealing with large amounts of Grimm. If it weren't for how their employer was placing them in the same scenario, Neo would've laughed. "As if Atlas is any better, freezing hellhole. Still, the boss-lady never said how we should get there. If we just so happen to hit a few delays along the way, what can we do? Plus, we need to acquire transport in the first place and that's just so difficult nowadays, isn't it?"
Even if it didn't completely remove the fret from Neo's face, Roman's suggestion was a welcome distraction. Thanks to the distance between Vale and Atlas, there were plenty of places they could make a few pitstops at. Nothing said they couldn't have a little fun along the journey. If they played their cards right, the duo could even wreak havoc twice; they didn't have to take to the skies immediately. Neo could already envision the confusion and terror on the poor saps' faces as she commandeered their train, ready to repeat the process when they needed a bullhead.
"That's more like it!" startled out of her thoughts as an arm wrapped around her shoulders, Neo offered no resistance as Roman poked her face. It wasn't as if she couldn't break out whenever she wanted after all. Might as well indulge Roman from time to time. "We're going to need all the pep we can get if we're gonna make it through this slog. Those monsters are gonna be breathing down our back the whole time, and the Grimm will be making a mess too."
There was no point in restraining her rolling eyes. Humour as tepid as that had become a common fixture in their lives, especially when their employer gave them jobs beyond their paygrade. Considering that the alternative was wallowing in the knowledge that they were no less disposable than rubbish, the pair would take what they could get.
How the hell had it reached this point?
"Is it just me, or are these things way crazier than usual?" Ruby cried out as an Ursa's claw tore at her skirt. If it weren't for swift hands driving Crescent Rose through the offending appendage, the girl might've revealed far more than she would've preferred. Any relief she would've felt was quickly replaced by exasperation when several Boarbatusks began charging in her direction, only a pair ended by Ruby's gunfire. "They're super tough all of a sudden!"
"Displaced as well. I don't think I've seen this many Grimm variations in one area." Weiss muttered, her heels dug into the ground being all that prevented her from flying into a wall. As it was, the Sabyr's strike had managed to push her all the way to Ruby's position, a wave of ice crystals fired in retaliation. Before Weiss could see the fruits of her labour, however, she was already stabbing at the Boarbatusks aiming for her partner. "Sabyrs are meant to be found on Solitas, Nuckelavees are meant to be on Anima. There shouldn't be any reason for there to be specimens so close to Vale. Then there's the weird colouration to them, almost as if they're tainted or something…"
"Hey, less theory, more practical!" Yang's voice yelled out, yet there was no sight of the brawler. It wasn't until Weiss caught Ruby gawping at the sky that the girl's brain finally made the connection. Turning her eyes upward, Weiss couldn't help the small tut that passed her lips. "Blake, a little help?"
"Got it." it wasn't as if Blake was just going to stand idle as Yang wrestled with a Nevermore in the sky. A few seconds were all she required before Gambol Shroud was soaring through the air, Yang pulling the Nevermore's neck back just in time for a ribbon to strangle it. While Blake's strength might not have been enough under normal circumstances, the vicious beating Yang gave to the Grimm meant one tug had it falling like a rock. A series of shotgun shells to the back of its head meant there was no way the Nevermore would survive the impact. "You don't have to do that every time we fight a Nevermore."
"But it's fun! Can't you let it fly just this once?"
Blake's response had to be held back, an incoming Deathstalker meaning both girls would have their hands full. Fortunately, their time at Beacon had served its purpose. Blake's agility meant reaching the Grimm's stinger was a simple task, Yang's frontal assault keeping the Deathstalker amply distracted. Whereas a whole team would've originally been required, the two alone made for afar match. Even so, that didn't mean the rest of their team was just willing to sit on the sidelines. What use was remaining split when you could kill two birds with one stone?
"Yang, out of the way!" Startled by her sister's cry, Yang's body moved through instincts alone. Flipping away from the Deathstalker, the girl's pride grew as she watched a Boarbatusk smash into the Grimm's head courtesy of Ruby. Enraged, the Deathstalker's claws pierced the Boarbatusk without hesitation, leaving it completely clueless towards the blonde flying towards its tail. Weakened by Blake's repeated assault, an unholy screech echoed out as a single punch from Yang ripped its stinger clean off. Once that threat was removed, Yang was free to grab the stinger and slam it into the Deathstalker's head, Yang's mighty battle cry followed by silence. "Nice!"
"No time to celebrate. There's more." Blake's words were followed by even more horrific noises, Team RWBY gazing out upon an uncertain battlefield. One didn't need to travel far before the sounds of the injured and dying could be heard, all manner of Grimm tearing into huntsmen with reckless abandon. Their forces already thinned when several Grimm managed to breach the disabled defences, the enemy had become an unrelenting tide in no time at all. "There's no way this is natural, it's insane."
"It's a test." The Beowulves that attempted to assault the quartet from behind barely lived long enough to let out a yelp. Torn apart by flame and bullets, there was barely enough time to blink before a number of the foul creatures were slain. Ruined beyond corpses, Yang could only awkwardly cover Ruby's eyes until the Grimm fully dissolved. Eviscerated as they were, it wasn't exactly a lengthy process. "Ganondorf is toying with us. Probing our defences to see how much strength is required using Grimm bearing his taint. Why would he care about preserving the natural order? The Grimm are his tools, tools in which he seeks to slaughter us all."
"Zelda?" Ruby couldn't help but mutter. With clothes coated in dust and brandishing a weapon usually reserved for mounted use, the woman standing before her couldn't be a further cry from the gentle princess she knew. The fire in her eyes spoke of a warrior, not a pacifist. "Ganondorf… I'm guessing that has something to do with the weird cloud-monster that came out of Mountain Glenn."
"Correct. There's no point in hiding the truth any longer. Should we return victorious, then you will learn our full story." Zelda muttered, hefting the copy of Gianduja as a wave of black began to gather around them. "You have fought alongside us more than any other. If anyone deserves to know the threat we're facing, then the honour belongs to your team. Before that, however, our objective is clear."
"Guessing that's where I come in, right?" the woman stood beside Zelda said, a cheerful grin unbefitting sat proudly on her face. If Zelda looked like a maiden of war, then she wouldn't have appeared out of place sitting in a café. Hardly the best of attitudes when surrounded by deadly creatures. "Been a while since I got to let loose. No need to hold back, yeah?"
"Indeed, Amber. To battle!"
Team RWBY weren't ones to consider themselves weak. While numerous conflicts had shown that they were far from invincible, their track record was relatively admirable. Compared to some of their peers, the girls were leaps and bounds beyond what could be expected of them after so short a period.
So why was it that as soon as Amber took to the battlefield, their skills so rapidly paled in comparison? Her form shrouded in vicious flame, it was as if a goddess had taken to the field. Fireballs were flung about without a care in the world, incinerating any Grimm unfortunate enough to come across their paths. Those who managed to avoid immediate immolation were torn apart by martial arts imbued with incredible power, clumsy movements somehow bearing immense strength. It didn't take long before the huntsmen once fighting for their lives were left dumbfounded, watching as their opponents were dispatched with enviable efficiency.
"Ha, Looks like I'm even better than before!" Amber cheered as she slid beneath an Ursa's swipe. Unable to react in time, Amber ripped off the Grimm's spines – perfect weapons with which to stab the Ursa straight through the head. "Come at me!"
The sheer number of Grimm however was nothing to be laughed at. Despite Amber's greatest efforts, a single person could only achieve so much. In releasing her fury so earnestly at the beginning, the obvious consequences soon began to make themselves known. While Amber's attacks were still culling the horde, the slight tremble to her hands brought a silent curse to her lips.
"Are you kidding me right now?" Amber muttered as she threw yet another spire of flame into the surrounding Grimm, more effort required than she would've liked. "Hey, you said your names were Nayru and Farore, right? What happened to me being able to use your powers?"
"Do you not recall our becoming one? Your body is not used to wielding our divine power, maiden or not. It's natural for you to become fatigued more easily." Nayru's voice piped up in Amber's mind, the girl yelping as her body involuntarily threw itself to the side. its claws striking thin air, the offending Griffon could only snarl in confusion before Zelda's gunfire mowed it down. "Besides, our domains are water and wind, while you appear insistent on attacking through fire. That means you're having to utilise more power than if you were utilising our specialty elements."
"Given time, your body will be able to acclimatise. We had not planned for you to be thrown into combat so rapidly." Farore added. "As it is, your best bet is to retreat to the back lines and allow yourself to recover. Once your energy has returned, then restricting yourself to our elements will help make the transition a bit less drastic."
"What, already?" Amber couldn't help but bite back. To go from being able to battle hordes with a flick of her wrist to being so easily tired out was too harsh a difference for the girl to accept. Sure, the number of Grimm she had eliminated was certainly nothing to be scoffed at, but Amber's previous stamina would be barely strained. If it weren't for Farore forcibly taking over Amber's body to fire a blade of wind to shred the incoming Lancers, then the girl was more than willing to make her complaints heard.
"I suppose we should take some of the blame for your current situation. Have you not noticed anything strange?" At Farore's prompt, Amber could only give a confused noise. "While the energy itself may be unstable, your control is not. Yet you can feel it, can't you? When you use your abilities, they come out far stronger than you intended."
"You mean that's not just you being super powerful or something?"
"Well, partially. The larger factor, however, is that we're pumping more power into your strikes. Otherwise, you wouldn't be able to deal with the Grimm as swiftly as you are now." the goddess answered, her control over Amber meaning the girl was helpless as her body began running backwards. "They are more powerful than the creatures you know; the attacks you intended would only be half as effective. Nayru and I believed it better to eliminate the Grimm quicker, lest we expose you to greater opportunity for harm."
"Can't you guys tell me this beforehand? Thought these things looked kind of weird." Amber muttered, trying her best to swallow her irritation. There were more suitable times to express her annoyance than when they were on the battlefield. "Well then, how long until I top my energy up again? I'm not the kind of person to just sit around."
"Without acting? Ten minutes at best." Nayru spoke up, no small hint of intrigue entering her tone. "Fortunately, I don't believe any further intervention will be required. Your little display paired with the Princess seems to have spurred those who lost hope into standing once more."
No sooner had the goddess said so than what seemed like a glowing handbag took off a Beowulf's head, Zelda nearly throwing herself to the ground thanks to the momentum. Under normal circumstances, such a clumsy fighting style would no doubt lead to the death of the huntsmen. With Team RWBY to protect her however, the Princess had no reason to fear. Thus, those strong or fast enough to pierce the students' protective formation were quite literally crushed beneath the might of Zelda.
Given time to recover, the other huntsmen too found themselves faring better. Groups initially hastily thrown together had the opportunity to reconvene and strategize, meaning survival attempts became coordinated attacks. Though the Grimm were still empowered by whatever foul blessing Ganongorf had bestowed, what had once been a once sided assault had now stepped closer to a stalemate. It was almost a sight for sore eyes, were it not for the fact that the number of Grimm approaching vale was still unnervingly large.
"Stand strong! We need only fight until Vale can restore their defences!" Zelda called out, slamming a Sabyr to the ground. the Grimm may not have been too harmed by the first strike, but the same could not be said for the second or third. In all honesty, the fourth time Zelda slammed her copy of Gianduja into the Sabyr was somewhat unnecessary. For one who wasn't ever expected to raise a weapon though, making the beast's death absolute was of vital importance.
"Any idea how long that's going to take?" Yang asked, her fist halfway through a Boarbatusk's stomach. One pump of her arm and the hideous squeals were soon silenced. "It's gotta be something serious if we could hear the explosion in Beacon. Problems like that don't get sorted in a couple of minutes."
The Princess' hesitation spoke volumes. With the scale of the power surge Amber's revival had caused, it was to be expected that the recovery period would be intense. To say that, however, would be to ruin the morale Zelda and Amber had built up. With the people's enthusiasm having only just returned, speaking recklessly could bring it down in a flash. Even so, Team RWBY was not blind; the hope that built on their faces quickly died down.
"Do not fret. Before the others departed for Atlas, arrangements were made to ensure a constant flow of support and supplies. So long as we keep up an adequate defence, we should be able to prevent any further injuries." Zelda eventually stated, gazing upon the incoming Grimm. It may not have been much of a reassurance, but it was a reassurance, nonetheless.
Her copy of Gianduja may not have required typical ammunition, but everyone else was armed with conventional weaponry. A person could only carry so many bullets on their body. If nothing else, then the fact that there were supplies meant that the huntsmen could fight without reservation. When one extra bullet could mean the difference between life and death, who knew how many lives could be saved compared to when supplies were limited?
"Wait, departed for Atlas? What happened in Atlas?" unlike the rest of her team, Zelda's statement brought nothing but more worry to Weiss' face. Stumbling in her surprise, it was only Gambol Shroud wrapping around a Lancer's neck that prevented the Schnee heiress from being impaled. "The Grimm can't have gotten to it, that would mean that Mantle's-!"
"Hey Kid, focus!" perhaps it wasn't the most graceful of movements, but Zelda pushing Weiss down meant that Amber's gust only struck the other Lancers swarming around them. "Kind of dealing with something more important right now!"
"Indeed. With Link and the… others making their way to Atlas, whatever plagues the city will soon be corrected." Zelda quickly concurred. Probably best not to mention the staff members by name, if Weiss knew that they were forced to send them, the poor girl would probably have a heart attack. However estranged she felt about her family, Weiss home was still Atlas. knowing that they were in danger was bound to cause a reaction. "Mantle is the city below Atlas, correct? As far as I'm aware, it is unharmed. it's better to focus on the battle at hand than one you cannot assist in."
They were hardly the words Weiss wanted to hear, but it wasn't as if there was any other option. To abandon her position now would not only endanger her teammates, but potentially the entire city. Vale needed every huntsman they could get their hands on; losing one was a price they couldn't afford, no matter the reason.
Such was why Weiss remained silent as Myrtenaster's chamber began to spin, each slash of the rapier drawing a line of flame to burn all who dared approach. Paired with Crescent Rose firing bolt after bolt, few Grimm dared approach. Those that did found themselves victims of Blake and Yang's teamwork, a deadly duet of brutish strikes and agile attacks. Faced with that, Zelda and Amber were free to turn their attention to the others fighting for their lives. With bullets, wind and water flying freely, it almost appeared as if the tainted Grimm were being pushed back.
Almost, unfortunately, being the significant term.
Typically, there were very few things that could force a Grimm to give pause. Either their intelligence reached a stage where they recognised the threat humanity posed, or they were dead. Considering the age of the surrounding Grimm, the former was highly unlikely. As for the latter, well, the masses were still going strong. Therefore, when every Grimm abruptly froze, it was natural for confusion to sprout among the humans. Of course, that didn't stop those more pragmatic few from culling those nearest, at least until the strangest of sights occurred.
If there was one image more terrifying than a horde of Grimm, it was a horde of Grimm suddenly pulsating as they oozed foul darkness. A noise that could only be described as mass torture rang out as the dark substance spread across their bodies. Even the bravest amongst the huntsmen found themselves backing away, lest they too fall prey to whatever curse appeared to be ravaging their opponents.
And then they swarmed.
"They're all targeting… everyone, protect Zelda!" Blake yelled, the Faunus already running with the rest of her team in tow.
With so many Grimm rushing in their direction, it didn't take a genius to figure out where they were aiming. The major issue was that bearing Gianduja's weight meant Zelda was practically a sitting duck. One that could unleash a storm of bullets, sure, but a sitting duck regardless. Abandoning the weapon was certainly an option, but one that left the Princess unarmed against an entire enraged menagerie's worth of Grimm - not exactly the most welcoming of scenarios.
"I could feel it. Ganondorf's influence, directly moulding those creatures as he desires. An ability that should be the remit of nought but us goddesses…" Nayru breathed, her sister left speechless.
"Great, nice to know. Now how do we stop it?" Amber couldn't help but snap back, a frozen hurricane raging around her form.
Wreathed in divine power, the girl let out a reckless cry as she charged towards the Grimm, a vicious eruption of power as the two forces collided. Even then, the Grimm didn't fall easily, unnaturally resilient hides allowing them to weather Amber's abilities for far longer than appreciated. Loathe as she was to admit it, the mutated Grimm were probably being harmed more by their own trampling the fallen than they were by Amber's efforts.
"Oh no you don't!" Yang growled, Ember Celica pushed to its limits as she stood before Zelda. With even Amber's strength struggling against whatever Ganondorf had done to the Grimm though, the blonde brawler stood little chance. Her shots were landing, but that meant nothing when those hit continued with barely a stumble. It didn't take long before there was only one choice. "Alright then, looks like we're going to have to go with plan B!"
Zelda didn't have a chance to react before Yang's arms were around her, throwing her to a nearby team of huntsmen. Tumbling to her feet, the last thing Zelda saw was Yang's frown before she was swallowed by the masses.
Super hero time! See you next time!