Chapter 51
"Man...Salem really went full out on this one." Qrow says as he, Ozpin, and Ana looked at Vale from the Bullhead flying ahead.
Or really, maybe it should be what was once Vale. Seeing as the entire damn city couldn't even be called a city anymore. Just a massive ruin where from what the small group can tell, a small fraction was left untouched. Only twenty-one percent of the city was okay, the rest was fallen buildings, fires, flipped cars, and dead bodies with still some enemies and monsters all over. The very sun shining on the wrecked city.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say there were only three city capitals left in the world as of this moment.
Qrow has seen a lot of crap...but this takes the cake.
"Who is she?" Qrow turned and saw Ana, who wasn't looking at him, but what was left of Vale. "Who is Salem? Angra Mainyu, the demons, and a few signatures I recognized, they're all involved with something. With this woman being one of them. So I ask, who is she?"
Qrow looked at Ozpin, to see what he had to say. Instead, all he got was a sad face, who overlooked the death dealt in this era. Honestly, Qrow can't blame him. To see so many people die, from Grimm and those reported colorful monsters and wacked-job machines, would make anybody feel miserable. It was then Ozpin spoke, looking at Ana.
"Angra Mainyu and that demon you speak of...I've never seen such monsters, and that man utilized abilities that shouldn't be possible of this era…" Ozpin's hand gripped his cane. "And you also utilized power, magical power, that shouldn't belong in this world. If anything, I ask you the same question."
Who was she?
Who were the others?
And how were they connected to what Ana knew.
Both sides had questions with no answers, only conjectures. Now wasn't the time though to keep secrets, let aside have them be unanswered. Because if this is what happened to one city in just one night, then it made people like Qrow and even Ozpin scared of what was next. How would the other Kingdoms fare. Because as of now, these mysteries were ready to consume them, tighten them on their necks. If they couldn't figure out what was going on, then it'd be their own inability to see in the dark that kills them. Not the enemy.
Something that Ana herself seemed to recognize as she finally tore her gaze from Vale and at the ancient warrior Ozma.
"Very well." She spoke as she pulled down her hood, revealing her hair and a band on her head. "It would be unwise to keep secrets. Both of us." Ozpin narrowed his eyes, understanding her meaning. "Gather those close to you, those who can come. I believe both sides have things to reveal of what has happened this night."
No more secrets. No more hiding away knowledge. They either share what they know, or they all die.
Where for some, it could be sooner than they'd think.
"Well this was no war." Ironwood finally sat down on some broken slab, with Sigurd right next to him. Both Grimm and strange creatures are now gone, where only a destroyed road with crumbled buildings being their only witness to the battle they just had.
"Indeed." Sigurd sighed as he held his blade which was now broken from the hilt. While he had reinforced it with magic, even a reinforced blade can handle so much before collapsing onto itself. While he still had strength left to spare, he'd rather actually not fight at the moment. Being far too tired for that, mentally. "I have faced many foes from before, but never for so long with the Masters and being so weak to boot."
"That was you being weak?" Ironwood asked, baffled.
"Lets just say that I'm unused to facing monsters and those Grimm." Sigurd then grabs his mask which was broken. "Especially in such high numbers."
"You can say that again." Ironwood never saw this many Grimm before. Not just them too, but also those strange creatures. If anything, this attack was unprecedented. He knew Salem and whatever cohorts she had were planning something, but this felt too much. I mean, he knew she was the master of Grimm, but since when did that add wands, ghosts, and whatever colorful monster that he just saw.
"So General," Sigurd then looked at him, then at his new limb. "When exactly did you get that? Because it seems awfully familiar." Because Sigurd wasn't blind. He knew that was Cursed Arms limb, yet here it is now.
"You tell me." Ironwood just moved the orange thing, no longer hearing the voice. "All I know is that it latched onto me and now I'm stuck with it. Tore apart me prosthetic just to launch onto my stump." The creepier time of it. "But instead of worrying about me, how about you." Like that edge of the sword protruding out of his left shoulder blade. "I've seen some strange semblances, but not whatever caused you to grow a weapon."
"Ah, that." Sigurd looked over his shoulder to see the weapon. "Yes, I suppose it is rather odd, and painful."
"Then how are you even talking?" Ironwood asked with worry.
"No fear General. While it does hurt, I'm a man of the field, and thus I've had my fair share of getting injured a lot." Why, once he nearly lost his left leg from an enemy attack. Thanks to his beloved wife though, the limb managed to be saved. Still though, Emiya (Alter) was a deadly foe and skilled adversary. To think, even if he never faced Sigurd head on, he was able to put him and the General off guard.
It wasn't easy dodging and attacking the beasts while avoiding shots coming from him. Only leaving when a silver light was seen and later the shots stopped. It made Sigurd wonder why he left though, and for what reason did he even have in attacking them.
'I understand Archer's Alter is more deranged than the actual one, having tossed all morals and what not.' Sigurd then overlooked the battleground, and saw some bodies that had ceased moving ages ago. 'Yet even then, despite everything, he's a being that protects humanity. So for what reason did he even kill some of these people, let aside us who were attempting to defend humanity?'
It worried him in that regard. As Sigurd was aware that in his pursuit of protecting humanity, Emiya (Alter) sacrificed anything to do so. Including people if it requires so. But this isn't earth, this is a new world. One where there was no Alaya telling him to murder as far as he's aware. So for what reason is he doing this for? Ultimately, the answer to that is likely something he won't like. Besides, there was ore pressing matters at hand.
"So, what now General?" Mainly, what's to be done after this battle.
"I...don't know." Ironwood admits softly, as he looked at the rising sun. It's rays showing the rubble that was once Vale. "I've seen many battles before, against the Grimm, the White Fang, even other people. But never have I seen a battle on this scale."
"I apologize General, but I'm hoping you won't just ignore this let aside do nothing. The world will need guidance, now more than ever." It was times like this, someone had to help the people who were left. For without guidance, then the world just may as well collapse.
"I know." Ironwood sternly said. "It's just...hah." He then gripped his forehead, feeling as if the entire world was placed on his shoulder. "I'm not sure how much the rest of the world saw, but panic is going to happen. Especially since seeing as one of the Kingdoms may as well have fallen."
"No denying that." Sighing, Sigurd could only see the destruction around them. "In battle, an army always goes with the intention of winning. Losing brings down morale, not just to the army, but to the country they come from. This loss will indeed bring the panic as you say."
"Not to mention the Grimm. Damn it!" Ironwood's new hand slammed the ground, making it crack. "All the Kingdoms will have to fortify themselves, with a lot of Vale citizens needing new homes. But that'll take effort. And I'm just...just...I'll move on."
"...General." Sigurd then looked at ironwood, with eyes of not a warrior, but of a human. "There is nothing wrong with admitting your worries. Your fears."
"I'm not scared."
"You can say that all you like, but it won't hide what's inside you." Sigurd sternly told Ironwood. "I won't force you, but know this, those feelings will come out one way or another." Where it then comes a matter of whether it will allow the person to move on, or change into someone else. Someone who allowed those untold feelings to affect them to controlling them.
Sigurd once kept those feelings bottled up, and only when he met his wife did he allow himself to not just be a soldier...but a human. Had he never met her, it was likely Sigurd would have ended up acting more like a machine than any actual person. Then, who'd know what would happen to him after that. At best, he'd just live an unfulfilling life, devoid of knowing what love truly was.
"Sigurd!" Speaking of which.
"My love!" It was there in the air he then saw his wife flying down towards him, but he didn't see her sisters. Not that he'd think for a moment they were hurt let aside killed. No, they would crawl from the depths of hell before they allowed themselves to be separated from their sister. Likely they were elsewhere, with his wife visiting him. Standing up, he opened his arms wide and Brynhild hugged him tight.
A hint of jealousy rose up in Ironwood.
"Are you okay, my dear?" Sigurd asked his wife, noticing a bit of blood on her.
"I'm alright." She then wiped it to show it wasn't her blood. "If anything, you should be more worried about yourself. Just look at you." All those wounds, the blood, cuts and bruises. Quickly the Lancer began healing him with her Runes. He fought so hard, and deserved better than this. "Oh." Brynhild then turned to Ironwood. "I apologize General, allow me to heal you too." Before Ironwood could protest, he suddenly felt a warmth in his body and all fatigue and wounds vanishing away.
'Magic?' Alright, he definitely needed to talk to Ozpin after this. Because this day felt like it was getting stranger and stranger. But worse, they needed to talk about this attack, and what had to be done. Because if this continues on, then...he wasn't sure if they could stop this from happening to the other kingdoms. 'It wasn't just Grimm either.' Ironwood looked at the claw marks on the nearby street, knowing those weren't from a Grimm.
Monsters of all sorts just appeared from nowhere. Colorful ones in different shapes and sizes. Some that looked like Grimm, others in the form of creepy machines, and others were just...off. Like those ghosts which came in the forms of skeletons and little girls. Some demonic boars that looked more cruel and vile than regular Boarbatusks. Heck, it was amazing he and Sigurd were even alive.
'Yet just how many people have died?' Undoubtedly a lot. James was certain this was going to be the largest PM disaster of all time. At this point, it was taking quite a bit to not freak out at the collateral damage and casualties that had amounted to in the span of one night.
Bzzzz! Bzzzz!
Ironwood then bent down and felt his pocket vibrate. A bit amazed his scroll even survived, James quickly unlocked it and saw a message. It was from Ozpin, with a few words that just screamed important.
Bring those you trust. It's time.
To Beacon it was. As for the whole 'It's time' thing, he could already guess it was about Salem, and the likely chance of telling her to others. He always did want to explain this to Winter, alongside his Ace-Ops. They were his most trusted allies he knew back in Atlas. But aside from Winter, the rest were back home. Unless he could think of anybody else he knew of.
"-and three." He then saw Brynhild rip out the sticking blade without hesitation, with Sigurd showing no reaction to what should have been incredible pain. Nor did he pay attention to the amount of blood that spilled out with more than a cup-full hitting Brynhild's face and some of her clothing.
'Yet she doesn't even seem to mind.' What an odd woman. Brave, courageous, strong, but odd. Very odd. Both displaying abilities well beyond what a semblance can do. Sigurd especially as he killed far more of the creatures than he did, showing prowess he didn't think was possible. Having clearly been holding back quite a bit.
"...You two." Ironwood then called out to the lovers, with Brynhild healing her lover up already. "Come with me. There's something important I need to tell you two. You may want to know it."
"Should I get the others?" Sigurd referred to those like the Valkyries, Sieg, Sigurd, and Astolfo.
"..." Ironwood then remembered the pink feminine-like man.
Flashback.
"Oooooh.' Astolfo looked at the fancy controls on one of the ships. Being amazed with stars in his eyes. Ironwood and many others were shocked to hear he was male. The female nurse was especially surprised along with the women when they brought him to the changing rooms and he took off his underpants.
Winter kicked him right there.
Regardless, now Astolfo was onboard and just staring with his fingers inches away. "So this is what modern day stuff is like. Even Chaldea didn't have any flying ships."
There was that name again. Chaldea.
Ironwood only invited those strangers because he was seeing a pattern. Connected to something he just didn't know. Unfortunately, this cost him dearly as curiosity got the better of the young man who then pushed a button.
"Oh my God we're going to die!"
"Father!"
"Tell my girlfriend I love her!"
Which turned off the ship and caused it to plummet. Why someone designed an 'Off' button made Ironwood consider firing the person later. Thankfully, they turned the engines back on before they hit the ground. Though that didn't stop people from throwing up due to the fall or peeing their pants.
Flashback End
"...Let's just keep this between us for now." Ironwood tells the two as he begins walking with Sigurd and Brynhild close behind.
"Ah, dear." Sigurd then says. "What happened to your sisters?"
"Yes, them." Brynhild smiled. "They said they were going to help some people on a ship."
"Ohhhhh-hohoho!" Blackbeard laughed as he counted all the Lien now in his bag of loot. It paid to be a hero, since he charged these suckers for saving their lives. "I need me a bottle of rum!" Not to mention some heroine figures. This is a new world, so when he gets back to earth, they'll be ultra-rare irreplaceable figurines.
"Is he always like that?" Winter asked Emiya who regretfully nodded.
"Yes. Always." Why did he get stuck with him again? Now he remembered. Stupid bad luck. "Regardless, we have more pressing concerns." Like finding those who were left in this forsaken city.
"I hope we find some people." Winter then looked on the deck, where Atlas soldiers and a few Huntsmen were taking care of the civilians they gathered. With the students quickly awakening some auras, and while illegal, Winter let it slide as some of those people actually needed it. While it wasn't all of them, many had mangled limbs, burns, and injuries that needed to be taken care of now. While aura won't help entirely, especially since some were too weak, it will create a small stop-gap measure at best until they get actual help.
Not that it stopped Winter from feeling sorrow and other unsavory emotions when she saw some crying over their dead family or friend. 'No. Don't do that.' Winter berated herself. 'There are still Grimm here. Don't attract them.'
While her thoughts were meaningful, they wouldn't help seeing as the Grimm were attracted to any negative emotion. So even if Winter did succeed in blocking hers, there was still a ship full of uneasy, frightened, and dying people onboard the ship that caused many Grimm to come in the droves.
While the efforts of Atlas and the Vale Huntsmen have done their best in killing off the vast majority of the Grimm and other monsters, there were still many left like these ones. Instantly those who could fight like Emiya and Winter got ready to attack.
"Graaaa!" Only to feel confused when the Grimm stopped, and looked back. Looking behind them, Winter then saw a massive multi-headed snake Grimm with a Beowolf on top of it. Judging by the cracked armor and lack of hostility, Winter realized it must have been an Elder Grimm. A very smart one seeing as it was not only stopping the Grimm for attacking, but actually retreating.
"Archer." Winter looked at the man who insisted to be called that who nodded. From nowhere using what Winter thought was a semblance, Archer materialized a bow and arrow, the arrow rippling in a blue light which he then expertly shot dead on. The arrow quickly went towards the Grimm in the chance of killing it instantly.
The Beowolf only growled and from below the massive merged King Taijutu open its jaw and grabbed something, then brought it in the path of the arrow. It was none other than a Demonic Boar, which was now being used as an effective meat shield as it took the brunt of the attack and blew up into meaty chunks before dissipating into golden light.
'What?' Thought as she thought only Grimm dissolved into light, not these strange monsters. Such thinking had to wait though as the Grimm then used this chance to escape quickly with the lead Beowolf howling for the Grimm to escape. They did their part here, no point in anymore conflict. The Grimm then left and while many shot down some of the retreating Grimm, at the end of the day the more dangerous ones left without problem.
"Damn." Winter muttered as she recalled her summoned Grimm. "Looks like the big ones got away."
"Reminds me of Demonic Beasts." Emiya also cursed, recalling how sometimes he faced Demonic Beasts where the older ones were more dangerous and intelligent. These Grimm weren't so different from them. A bit more creepier and boney looking, but they were this world's equivalent of Demonic Beasts. The biggest difference however was that while such creatures were more or less gone from earth, this world had so many, he could now see why there were only four safe havens.
'And with Chaldeas enemies here, that doesn't make it any better.' The Counter Guardian thought angrily as he saw a few Huntsmen on the streets stepping on wands while throwing the magical books in a fire. Just what was going on here that caused these foes to appear? He didn't like it, not one bit.
Dematerializing his bow, Emiya then walked to Winter. "So we take these people to the hospital now. Where is it?"
"Down a few streets." Winter told him. "We can get them the help they need. Hopefully the hospital is still running, but I can't imagine we'll be the first ones there begging for help." Emiya grunted, understanding what she meant. If the hospital was untouched throughout this deacle, it would still be receiving loads of injured people who went there for help. By the time they got there, they'd just be bringing more hurt people the hospital couldn't handle.
"I don't suppose your ships have a med bay?" He looked up to see what few ships were left.
"We do." Winter confirmed. "I've already contacted them, and they'll be landing shortly. I just wish it was enough."
"It's the thought that counts." Even if it couldn't save everyone, at least they were trying. That was better than doing nothing. Not to mention in some way, he liked this. Just like Chaldea, he could actually help people and not kill them because of some cold equation. As such, Emiya paid attention constantly so nobody else would die by the abominations of this and his own world.
It was then Emiya felt the presence of a Servant and looked up. "And I do believe we're about to get some help." Some Valkyrie help. That would be certainly useful, as they could fly the more injured patients away. Winter herself was simply astounded by how these women could fly when she saw them. "I see you three came. Nice for you to join us."
"Our sister went to help that man." Hildr said with some spite at the 'man' part. "We decided to see we could aid your little group."
"And not see that man's face." Thrúd admits the actual reason.
"Thrúd!" Hildr scolds the blonde who just shrugs. The three then argue a bit with Winter watching them. Recalling that they did seem to dislike Sigurd, not that she blamed them. He was certainly a cheater which these girls confirmed.
Bzzz. Bzzz.
Winter then felt her scroll buzz, and she quickly picked it up. It was from General ironwood, and it was a message that said: "Meet at Beacon Academy. There's something I need to tell you."
Winter sent a small reply of 'Okay' and put the scroll back. "Archer." She called out to the Huntsmen she thought he was. "I need to be elsewhere. Can you and…" She then saw Blackbeard looking at a cute figurine, and checking under the skirt. "...can you safely watch over these people."
"Yes I can." No need to bother with the degenerate.
"Excellent. Thank you very much." Winter then summoned a Manticore and got on it, and flew off towards Beacon. She could only ponder what the General wanted. Whatever it was, it must be important.
"You. Good. Adam." Asterios asked Adam, who just smiled.
"Of course I am." He then leaned down on a broken vehicle. "I have to admit though, this was certainly...a battle." A very dangerous battle, one that cost them many. The good thing was they got faunus and humans-reluctantly-to safety.
Adam has been in many battles. Thinking he's seen them all.
He was wrong.
This was no battle at all. Instead, it was a fight for literal survival. The Grimm were one thing, but he and his men knew how to face them. It was those other creatures that complicated things. Not to mention those beings Asterios called Shadow Servants that crushed even the few stolen Paladins they had left. So much for Atlas tech supremacy. It took him and Asterios combined to take down just one.
During that time, he saw many faunus die. It was clear now, that Cinder was no friend, and he was a fool to even work alongside her at that time. Even if he had left her, he still aided her before that and brought her supplies and technology for her to use. So while he didn't know how big her involvement here was, she was still involved. 'And if I ever see her again, I'll kill her.'
Adam then felt a hand being placed on his shoulder. It was Asterios, who gave him a concerned look. Having seen his darkened expression. Sighing, Adam calmed down a bit. Not wanting his anger to take hold of him. "Thanks. I needed that."
"It. Okay." Asterios looked at the many bodies of the White Fang. "Me. Understand. Your. Anger." Yes. even if Asterios didn't show it, he too was angry and upset. Of how he was too weak to save these faunus. Misguided they were in their violent attacks, but the Servant knew they were just wanting a change. Now they won't even be able to see that change. "We will...Avenge. Them."
There was no guarantee in those words, but Adam felt assured all the same. "Of course they will. I won't let their deaths be in vain." He couldn't let their end be the end of what he's trying to accomplish. To create a world of freedom for the faunus. To end the discrimination they faced against those who stood against them. To earn their right against this world of bloody evolution.
Once he thought violence was the key. For if words weren't enough to get the humans attention, then action with violence would have to do. That's what he believed in. But then came Cinder, then this. He thought violence would help, but after this massacre and the constant force of them trying to survive, it was clear to Adam that violence should only be used as a last resort. To think, at long last he understood what Ghira meant. While he still believed action was needed, just maybe, words were as important as fighting.
'And I wonder, if this is what Blake meant?' Adam thought as he then began walking with Asterios by his side. Her face entering his mind, as he recalled when she left that day. The day he hated yet regretted at the same time. When she disappeared from his life, and he didn't know what to think of it, or who to blame.
With the question whether he'll see her again.
"...I will." Not now of course, as he had more pressing concerns. Not soon either, as he had to go back to Sienna. Tell her of the horror he has seen, and the devastation that happened to Vale. Not to mention his...role in it. But one day, he will meet Blake again. And when he does, he'll need to ask her a question. One that he has been saving for a long time, and will ask when they reunite.
For now though, he had other business to attend to. Helping the civilians and guiding them to safety. Then getting what was left of the White Fang and leaving what's left of Vale. To tell Sienna what he saw, and what they needed to do to prepare. Because Adam could tell that this was just the beginning. Either they learned from this, or they'll only fall when the next one hits. The next attack.
Adam saw things he couldn't believe. Monsters that were equal or worse than the Grimm. Not to mention when the world briefly turned silver, and a massive dragon fighting against a dragon-like Grimm. Heck, he even thought he saw a bunch of ships 'sailing' on the streets where some tentacle-like creature was attacking them. At this point, Remnant was officially changing.
"Hey." One of the faunus then called out. "What's that?"
Asterios and he then looked where the faunus was pointing at, with others doing the same. The clouds themselves had parted, and in the sky were two glowing lights of dark purple and golden yellow. Shining brightly upon the rising sun. How very strange.
"Time to go men." Adam then told the Fang members who began moving out with a 'Yes sir!'. While that light was strange, Adam and the rest had important things to do. Getting these civilians to safety then leaving , he doubted it was important.
"...: Though as they left, Asterios who walked with them, kept an eye on the light. Feeling it was very familiar to him for some reason. Like he's seen it before. Just what was it?
"So pretty." Jack said as she was sitting down in a chair, taking a sip of milk from her expensive glass cup. Tugging a bit on her newly acquired pants that Neo recently got her after the...incident. Watching the glowing lights of purple and gold floating around.
"Yeah. It is." Abigail sighed while taking her own drink. "It looks really nice, those lights. Makes me wonder what the Masters would think of it?"
"Uh-hu." Nursery Rhyme smiled. "I bet they'd think it's really pretty."
"Mm." Little Hassan nodded.
"..." Neo just also smiled as she stared at the ever distant light.
"...How are all of you so damn calm!?" Roman however, was not as enamored by some glowing dots as he was just questioning how everybody around him seemed to be acting crazy. Hello! They just survived the biggest attack that has ever occurred in Remnant! Yet they were drinking like it was a normal day!
Did none of them see the fact that they were inside a wrecked club with an open roof!?
"Man, those kids of yours sure are something." Junior says as he wipes a glass and then sets it on a counter.
Crack.
Which then promptly falls apart thus ruining it the glass. Sighing, Junior just looked around his once business of operations. All that was left was a few walls, broken chairs and tables, with only him, the Malachite Twins, a few of his men, and now Roman and his kids here where everybody else had run away or died. With all of them sitting down like nothing has happened. Boy were things messed up.
"They're not my kids." Roman seethed at his criminal ally who just chuckled.
"Sure they aren't." He then gave a knowing smirk. "Papa Roman."
Click.
"I will blow your head up." Roman threatened as his cane was aimed at Juniors head. He's serious. He really is!
Junior just chuckled more and went to get himself some ber. Since his club is ruined, no need to save the drinks for guests. Pouring himself and even Roman one and passing it to him. While the master criminal still glared at him, he took the drink and chugged it down. The two criminals then looking at the strange light the girls were watching, with even the Malachite Twins joining the children. "So," Junior spoke up. "What's next?"
"Next? What's that supposed to mean?" Roman looked at his informant.
"I mean what will you do now. I mean, look at this place." Junior spread his arms out, showing his club and then the city. "Practically everything is gone. All that's left is just buildings with no real price to them. Heck, and even if the Huntsmen and Atlas military dealt with them, there are still Grimm and other monsters wandering around."
"..." That was indeed true. While Roman could tell some parts of the city were left, it was only some. He knew Grimm attacks were bad, but this one took the cake. If anything, staying here would be stupid, unprofitable, and increase his chances of death. Plus it was pretty unsafe for the kids in general.
Screw the fact they were somehow stronger than him, kids shouldn't be stuck in a death zone like this. If anything, it was high time for Roman Torchwick to get out of Vale and go somewhere else. Obviously not Atlas, since they had the toughest security around and while they still had it, crime there wasn't as high compared to the rest of the Kingdoms. Except for Mantle, but Roman wasn't keen on living in the slums. Thus leaving either Mistral or Vacuo.
'And no way am I living in some desert.' While Mistral had more crime anywhere else in the world, Roman figured he could eventually rise in the ranks. Heck, give him a few long years, and he could be a player there. Sure it'll be a huge pain, but the journey would be so worth it.
"As for me," Junior then spoke, I think the girls and I will go to Mistral. "It'll be a pain meeting her again, heck, I know the girls won't like it, but I'd rather be in crime-ridden Mistral than ruined old Vale."
"You can say that again." Roman muttered as he then got a cigar and placed it on his mouth. "I think I'll join you. No place staying here, especially when the guards and Huntsmen start getting organized and dealing with both Grimm and us criminals." After all, no doubt the defenders of this city don't wanna deal with the crime element. So it wouldn't surprise Roman if they simply killed them if only so they didn't bother with throwing them in jails then claiming the Grimm got them. A tactic he sadly would approve of.
"Got it." junior said as he then turned to leave and go into one of the last rooms standing here. "I'll get my stuff ready. The girls are also good to go."
"Sure. I'll be ready in a sec." Junior then left, leaving Roman behind, who then grabbed his cigar and took it out. From his mouth came smoke while he somberly looked at the city. He knew Cinder was nuts, super nuts. Clearly though he underestimated just how much damage she was trying to do, and now this whole city paid for it. 'Granted, I doubt she was entirely involved with those colorful Grimm, but still, I wonder if she accomplished her goal.'
Judging by how Vale looked, he was certain it was a yes. I mean, no way she didn't get what she wanted if Vale looked like it just got hit by a bomb. A bunch of boney colorful bombs. While Roman didn't mind casual destruction and casualties, even he had standards and this was certainly crossing the line. For a moment, it made him wonder if maybe he should...change careers?
'Uh. Now I'm going crazy.' Rolling his eyes, Roman put the cigar back in his mouth and then looked at the kids and Neo. "Alright kids! Hurry up and pack your things. We're going on a road trip!"
"A road trip! Yay!" Abigail cheered with Jack and Nursery Rhyme close behind, raising their little hands in the air. Even Neo looked excited as she had stars-thanks to her illusions-in her eyes with little imagery fireworks going around her with Little Hassan showing a surprised smile. The girls then go to get their stuff quickly to start leaving for another Kingdom.
Roman watched them leave, then turned to Junior. "So, you got a ride or something?"
"Yep. During the chaos, a few of my boys stole one from Atlas." He then chucked a thumb at a pile of crates and weapons. "Also that. One of the few good things they do." Instead of getting beaten up by blonde chicks.
"Well isn't that nice." Roman could already see the potential in that. Oh yeah, Mistral won't know what hit them. "Although...have you thought of going to other places? Like Argus?"
"I did think that." Junior admitted, as it would be a way to avoid that woman in Mistral. Not wanting to be near her since it was always so damn uncomfortable. "But I heard word that communications have been cut off. And while I don't know why, and while I could be wrong, there's a chance that place can be...you know." His head gestured to the ruined docks nearby.
"Yeah. Good point." Roman nods. No need to take the risk. Roman then looked at Vale one last time, then walked away to get his own stuff prepared. The past was the past, and nothing would change that. While he knew a part of him will forever feel guilty and regret for this day, he had to move on. That was the only way someone like him could survive. Cheat. Steal. And survive.
So with that Roman began moving. As he did so, he then had a thought. 'Actually, now that I think about it. Where are Cursed Arms and Serenity?'
"Man. That hurt quite a bit." Sieg moaned as Siegfried began doing his best to heal him. Which was really just patting him on the back since he knew no form of actual healing magecraft.
"I believe you did well." Siegfried smiled. "Even if it wasn't a real dragon, you stepped up and managed to defeat it."
"My wing got ripped off, and it got my eye." Sieg pointed out, while still feeling the aches of those wounds he had been given. Sure they healed when he reverted back to this form, but he could feel the phantom pain. "Plus you're the one that did the finishing blow."
"Only because you got me in a good position." Siegfried countered back. "If anything, you did well and helped prevent more of those Grimm from being born."
"Yeah." Jeanne D' Arc Alter Santa (Lily) agreed with her new uncle. "You did awesome out there. It was so cool seeing you fight against a Wyvern like that."
"All we fought were the baby ones." Saber (Lily) moaned, having wanted a better fight than those little lizards. The Grimm weren't much better, and neither were those Demonic Beasts. 'Although I swear that golden boar yelled out something.' Saber Class Servant then thought when she recalled using her Noble Phantasm to cause a building to collapse ona bunch of demonic boars, where she swore she saw a mechanical golden one that felt like it said something about revenge before getting crushed.
Eh. Must be her imagination.
"I see...hu." Sieg didn't show it, but he felt happiness for the praise. While he didn't entirely think too high of himself, he did have some pride in taking on that massive Grimm. "Still though," He then looked at the two shining glows from a distance. "I wonder what's going to happen next."
"Indeed." Siegfried crossed his arms, his green symbol on his chest glowing. "I have no doubt this city's fall will send ripples across the world, considering how its one of four massive super cities here." It was a shock when he and the others learned that this world was actually on the brink of collapse in some forms. I mean, four massive cities and just barley a few other safe places while the world was full of these Grimm.
It would certainly explain why humans here were tougher than earth humans. They had no choice but to either fight, or die to the Grimm. With the latter happening too often, and now of course with this attack. He could definitely see this world having low morale.
'Hey." Jeanne (Lily) then called out, more to herself than the others. "Where are the Hassans?" Blinking, the other three began looking around and saw that the Hassans were indeed gone. Drat! They must have used Presence Concealment.
"Aw." Saber (Lily) pouted. "I was thinking we could celebrate together."
"Maybe next time." Siegfried chuckled at the girl's optimism. "For now, we should go and see who we can help. And maybe find Sigurd." He was undoubtedly somewhere in this city.
"Ah. Right." Saber (Lily) smiled. "We need to find dad."
"It won't be a party without him." Jeanne (Lily) agreed. "And also Astolfo and the Valkyries. Speaking of which, where are they?"
"Probably somewhere important." Sieg then stood up and did a small stretch. "We'll probably meet up with them again, but for now, we should deal with any leftover monsters and Grimm."
"Then we celebrate?" Jeanne (Lily) asked with hopeful eyes.
"Then we celebrate." Sieg affirmed.
"Yeah!"
"Ah man." Sun moaned as he looked at Beacon. "That's gonna cost a lot to fix." Just as one of the towers fell down. Something about a demon throwing a fireball at it. Didn't help that a bunch of Grimm also attacked the school either.
"Ya think." Neptune was near him, the rest of their team away to get patched up. "I knew this fight would be rough, but not that rough." Especially when that monster came. Hell, he was no ordinary faunus. With that bloody spear and menacing smile, he practically tore through anything aimed at him. Only Sanzang and Nezha stood a chance, and they weren't able to beat him properly. Only push him back.
Sun then sighed, as he thought of those two brave women. "I hope they're all right."
"Dude, you make it sound like they're dead." Neptune shakes his head. "They'll be fine bro. Ya that bastard did some...serious injuries on them. Yet knowing them, they'll be okay." That monster fought those two ferociously in a combination of fluid strikes with a wild reaction. Had anybody other than those two fought him, they would have died.
Sun in a way, was glad those two were able to get that freak to retreat. Even found it awesome when Nezha ripped that bastard's tail. That admiration then turned to horror though when, before he ran, clawed at Sanzang's side while then twisting Nezha's leg in a direction so hard, he was certain the limb couldn't be saved. Now, those two were in beds in a recently landing ship from Atlas with other injured people. Apparently Beacon was too full already.
"It just feels….I don't know...It sucks I couldn't help them out with that creep." He killed Grimm, yeah. But that was all he did. Meanwhile, those two took on that faunus and fought to the point where Sun felt bad that he couldn't even help them out. If anything, all he could do was watch as they got bloodied up and hurt while he was here without a scratch.
Pah. Some apprentice and rival he is.
Sun then felt Neptune pat him on the shoulder, and gave hima supporting look. "Dude...I get it. You feel bad you couldn't do anything, and there's nothing wrong with it. So maybe...maybe the best thing to do, is be there for them when they wake up. Or, something like that."
"...Hehe. Sure." Sun grinned as he then grabbed Neptunes hand and shaked it. "I guess….that's the best I can do. For now anyway." Then maybe, just maybe, he can train enough to be as strong as them. For now though, he had to do something else. "Wanna get them cookies?"
"Sure. And lets get some snacks for ourselves." Neptune gets up with Sun doing the same. "Heck, get some for Blake and Weiss too. We could all use a little treat."
"That's for sure." Sun chuckled. The two then going to get their food. Though as they went on, Sun then noticed two glowing lights at the distance. A golden light and a dark purple. They felt...familiar. Very familiar. But...he's probably just imagining things. I mean, no way those two would be here. That was just silly.
...Right?
"Uh...mom...I'm...hungry…" Silver eyes slowly opened up, with a killer headache coming. Quickly the young Ruby Rose closed her eyes, and waited a bit for the headache to go away. It didn't, but it did lessen enough for her to start feeling better just a bit. It was then she opened her eyes and she was greeted with the sight of a room. The room of a hospital.
'What...what happened.' Ruby's eyes roamed the room for just a bit, wandering. They then widened as her eyes laid on three people.
Yang. Jaune. And Ren.
Ruby was at first about to call out to them, to wake them up as they were all asleep on the chairs, but then stopped. Her eyes widened as she saw it. What she didn't realize before.
Yang, her right arm was...gone.
Jaune and Ren, they looked hurt. Though those physical injuries were overshadowed by their eyes which were all dried tears that one would only see when a person cried a lot. Noting that neither Pyrrha or Nora were in the room.
'Is that why they're crying? Because they're hurt?' Must have been a big injury to cause both boys to cry. Guilt then assaulted her as she felt bad the two girls got hurt. Wait a second, how did they get hurt?
"Nh." Her memory, it was...tough. Tough to actually remember. What happened exactly? Her mind then attempted to recall, to remember what occurred. Then like a light bulb it came to her in a rush. Her memories.
None of which were good.
The arena where so many people were cheering. The finale between Pyrrha and Penny who thankfully mde people convinced her leg was just a prosthetic. Then...then…
Mercury was stabbed by Pyrrha and killed, with Penny who tried to stop her being torn to shreds by Polarity by accident.
People panicking, with the voice of Cinder then speaking and taunting the people.
The Grimm soon attacked, all of them coming everywhere from the outside and into the city.
Atlas ships firing everywhere with some falling onto the ground.
Strange creatures of all sorts joined the Grimm, leveling Vale even further.
Then Ruby found Cinder and an alive Mercury alongside Emerald who wished to kill her. Fighting them and slowly losing while something massive was coming out from a dark light.
Her sister and JNPR came to help her out, with them slowly winning. Or at the least pushing them back.
Then...Then…
Cinder using some strange power to slice Yang's arm off…
Jaune and Ren hit by a massive tentacle and into the wall…
Then finally a hideous star-fish like creature attacked Nora and...and...and…
With Pyrrha who was shot by Cinder where she then touched her….
Tears began falling from Ruby's eyes. A few of the small details eluded her, but now she knew what happened overall. Why was Yang missing a limb? Why what was left of JNPR had been crying? Now she knew the answers to them.
"Ruby…" Ruby then turned, and saw a now awake Yang, with Jaune and Ren slowly getting up. Her sister at first staring, then realizing her little sister is crying. Her expression became solemn as she got up and quickly hugged her sister.
"Y-Yang!" Ruby croaked.
"Just let it all out." Yang told her. "I'm here for you. Just let it all out."
Let it out she did.
"Uh….uuuu...it can't….end like this….urrr…" Haagenti barely survived. Empathize on barely. That black hole did a massive number on the Demon God Pillar. Didn't help Caenis did a number on it before it was sucked into the void, where he used what little power remaining to get out and land far away from Vale. Where Haagenti needed to recover.
'It will take...time...but time is what I have in spades.' The Demon God Pillar thought. Ugh. To think it would lose to Servants, weakened Servants to boot. How gratifying. It seemed it made a mistake when facing them. Mainly, allowing them to live for too long. It should have just killed them instead of talking. Sure it wouldn't be as satisfying as seeing Medea (Lily)'s mortified face as her allies died, but it still would have been perfect.
'And I will get my revenge.' The Demon God Pillar thought with rage. Squirming with it's pathetic body which had been reduced to a small thick fraction of its original size. Having only three big eyes and being the size of a bus, with blood spilled all over the grass. Once it has its bearings, it can contact whatever was left of Gaia's forces here and maybe the more sentient monsters to use as its army.
Yes. Not even the Argonauts would survive that. It was certain of it. Just needed, maybe, a few days to regain its magical power. Maybe less since it could feel mana in this world, and while not too much it was certainly more than what earth had. It could passively drain it to restore some of its functions. Then it could start from there, and get back on its metaphorical feet.
"My." Haagenti then heard a female voice. One laced with amusement. "It seems my Servant was right about you. While less powerful, your magic is still rather strong. Not on my level at the moment, but given time, you would indeed surpass me. Why, with the exception of the Gods, you would indeed be the most powerful threat in this world."
Haagenti turned its eyes to the direction of the voice. Where there it then saw a woman. Or perhaps a mockery of one. Pale death-like skin, utterly white. Dark visible veins, red eyes, and numerous Grimm behind her. She was no ordinary person at all. Using some of his magic, Haagenti sent a small beam to just kill her off, thinking she would die.
"Ah-uh." The woman smiles as she then creates some form of a barrier and blocks the attack to Haagentis surprise. How did she-? "I wouldn't bother right now." The woman smiled at it. "As I said before, at full strength your power would surpass my own magic reserves. Now however, I'm stronger than you."
"And what do you-uh, hope to accomplish abomination." Haagenti sarcastically asked while ignoring the pain it felt. "The way I see it, you can do nothing to me."
"Oh. I wouldn't say that." It was then two more individuals came with a third being a Beowolf. It's eye widening, as it recognized the Beowolf as the one it spoke to. The manjey hound must have told her its location!
As for the other two, it recognized the first as the planet's weakest Servant. Not even a threat at all. The second one is...no. "Impossible."
Blonde hair. Red eyes. Red markings on the top half of the body. It is none other than the King of Heroes. The first Hero. A divine being. The one who ruled Babyonia and ended the Age of Gods. A person considered the most powerful Heroic Spirit in the entity of the Throne of Heroes.
'And utterly foolhardy.' Haagenti thought. 'Gilgamesh is many things, but even he wouldn't work with some abomination that poses as a human.'
So then why wasn't the King of Heroes dealing with her?
"Don't bother thinking bro." Angra Mainyu then grinned. "Golden boy here is working for us willingly. Hehehe. Kinda." Angra then elbowed the Servant in the gut in a playful manner. The big surprise though is that the hero didn't even react much at all, making the situation very strange.
"What did...you do?" Haagenti asked.
"Let's just say thanks to my knowledge, an old relic of a forgotten age, and of course Avenger here, the King of Heroes is under my control." The woman touched the King of Heroes cheek ever so casually. "Well," She then touched something on the hero's neck. A necklace which held a squirming beetle-like Grimm that moved aggressively as if it didn't like being there. "His body anyway. His ego was a bit...much. So I had to get rid of that."
"Wasn't easy either." Avenger laughed. "Totally worth it of course. Heck, and thanks to that idiot Ishtar, she gave us the perfect opportunity to initiate the plan to get Goldy here and his body under our control."
This is...unprecedented. Haagenti could hardly hazard a guess on what was even going on. Only that through some clearly heretical method, this woman and her Servant managed to put the King of Heroes under their literal control. A feat that should be impossible since Gilgamesh possessed a powerful ego. How could they have even-wait a second!
'They said they controlled not the mind, but the body.' Using an analysis spell, Haagenti instantly used it on Gilgamesh. There he observed to see just what it is they did to him. To see if they placed some controlling spell, perhaps using a phantasmal controlling beast, or even affected his Spirit Origin. Yes. That must be it. The Spirit Origin.
Soon Haagenti used the spell to see within the King of Heroes Spirit Origin, his Saint Graph. "No. This can't be." Seeing something that it never expected. Becoming both impressed yet terrified at the same time. "You-"
Those were the Demon God pillars last words before all the Grimm attacked with the Beowolf Grimm it made the deal with leading the charge. All of them assaulting it to weaken it further, so that the woman can use that method on it. Unable to even fight back much and could only stare in horror as its eyes were plucked off and squashed, its healing factor unable to do anything to help. Cousin Haagenti to do only one thing.
"Ahaahhhhhhhaaa!" Scream.
"You are a dangerous being." The woman smiled as the Demon God Pillar was being torn to shreds. "I have no doubt at full power, even if you can't kill me, you would have been capable of defeating me over and over." Blood and otherworldly flesh was spilled all over the grass. Avenger smiling with 'Gilgamesh' staring with empty eyes. "However, you underestimate the people of this world. Look down on us like we're below you. When in reality, just like the Gods, you can be swayed and tricked by the words of man."
"You tell it Master." Avenger grinned as his tattoos glowed. "These bastards thought just because they were stronger than humans and Servants, gave them the right to kick us around while they incinerate humanity."
"I see." The woman then turned away from the Demon God Pillar as it was being reduced to a pile of meat. Not enough to kill it of course, just weaken it so she can turn it into a resource. A magical resource. "Servant." She then said not to Avenger, but to the one once called Gilgamesh. "Once the Grimm finish dealing with that wretched pile of flesh, put it in your Gate of Babylon for transport."
Had this been the true Gilgamesh, he would have killed Salem a hundred times over for such insolence. Commanding the king to do such work, let aside him. In another timeline and alternate dimension, he would have done just that. Where in other worlds he either killed her permanently or perhaps trapped her in a jar as ashes while leaving her broken.
That was there though, and this is here and now.
"..." Without any resistance, the Servant did as he was told while the Beetle Grimm squirmed. All while the woman smiled at her newest toy.
"You were right Avenger, it is fun ordering a king." She giggled.
"What can I say Master." Angra walked near her with his smirk ever gloating. "You know how to sway the hearts of men."
"Men." The woman then looked out at the distance. Noticing the ruined wreckage of Vale while seeing the two glowing dots where she sensed immeasurable magic. Her own senses also told her of a familiar magic, of her greatest foe. It seems Cinder failed in that task, and somehow that old fool regained his own power.
"So you have new allies, Ozma." The woman smiled. "You turn to those who can ignite hope like your small honest soul. To inspire mankind and unite them together, bring them a step closer. Attributing mankind's greatest power." The woman sees the smoke and fire. "But in the end, all of your time and effort has been for nothing. Your Guardians falling, the hidden Servants of Chaldea unable to stop this destruction for all their power." From behind the woman came new figures. Those who were never under Haagentis control, and now deciding to join her instead.
The golden mechanical boar Twrch Trywth, and while no longer wielding divine power, is still a threat to a certain younger 'king'.
The shapeshifting monster known as Grendel, who simply wants to devour what he can find. With him being a shapeshifting yokai called Nue being just as malicious.
Not to mention the older version of a certain Lancer who would enjoy finding the brat and killing her with the gender-bent mad scientist in his daughter's body wanting to create the human life-form. Them and of course her own Servants. The woman smiled as she relished the destruction of Vale.
"Mankind is as strong as you believe. United alongside these newcomers, I have no doubt they'll be a force that's unstoppable. But divide them and if they face foes equal to their threat, and they will fall." The woman then began walking away with her new allies. The Grimm, her Servants with one dragging two of the Hassans with her, the puppet of Gilgamesh, and the utterly powerless Haagenti being dragged off with them.
"So send your Guardians. Your Huntsmen and Huntresses. Even those Servants." The woman moved forward, back to her home. With her being potentially her greatest force yet in this era, as her mind then went back to Ozpin one last time for the moment. "I will have them fall one by one, and when I send them to their demise only one thing will await you." The woman knows as the Queen of Grimm, Salem, gave a sinister gaze as her eyes glew red in anticipation of what was to come. "And when it happens, I can't wait for you to burn."
And so we have that ending in a big way. Vale is quite literally destroyed, with more people dead. So yeah, you can say there are now officially three kingdoms unless Vale can rebuild enough to actually count as the fourth again. You saw all the RWBY characters that are relevant and the Servants in Vale more or less fail. Blood has been spilled all over, the Servants now facing old enemies that can actually kick their butts. Heck, I also did the canical Pyrrha death off screen along with Nora as a bonus, with Yang still losing her arm.
In most Fate/RWBY stories the Servants usually come and I noted in most cases, usually win against Cinder and curb-stomp any enemies they face. So, I decided to bring their enemies here, and as you noted, made some Servants divided against each other. As some will have their own goals here in this new world. Be it becoming a hero, or as many would call them, a villain.
Now I can finally move on to the next part, the next Act. Because Act 3 is officially done. We'll focus back on Jason and his lot alongside other characters as Remnant enters a new era of looming danger all around. Heck, sure Cinder didn't get the Maiden powers and lost, with the Servants of evil forced to retreat, but other than that, they still have the advantage of their new allies. From Victor Frankenstein to the adult Lancer of Ana and others.
And before anybody complains about Gilgamesh, let me tell you one thing. He isn't under mind control. If I phrased it right, you'll see hints that it isn't his mind being controlled-as he's way too tough for that-but something else is going on. You'll see what happened to him in the side-story.
RWBY: Fate Disaster Anthology.
That's the story I'll be working on. It'll focus on other Servants in Remnant and maybe small scenes of those you met and RWBY characters which will feature a bit of the past, the present, and even the future. They'll be short chapters of course, but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless. Granted, this means I will have to out pause on this story for a while. At least until I can finish my outline of what happens next in the main story. Thus why you'll be enjoying the side story until then.
That'll be all, until next time.
Earth.
A world that held the greatest of legends and myths. Home of many humans where hidden before them, is a special power. Magecraft.
The power to change destiny, to seek the power of the Root. To bring back the dwindling magic by using the Holy Grail War. This was the Moonlit world hidden from humanity, and with it, came power many did not even know about.
Where here in this world, a certain organization has actually saved the world numerous times already. First from the ruler of the Demon God Pillars. Then from a foreign being who used the brightest of earth magus to do its work. In-between other possible evils rose from monsters to Gods who wished to rewrite the world. To create their own image.
Two humans, with the aid of their allies called Servants, stopped those threats.
They weren't anything special at all if one is being honest. Before they joined up to save the world, they were ordinary people. Barely a magus, and could be frightened by simple things in life. Having no knowledge of the Moonlit world and living like any ordinary human. It was only when a chance of fate happened did they come to the organization called Chaldea, did they become more than ordinary. Becoming the unspoken heroes that this world will never know.
Heroes that saved this world from the Singularities, the Lostbelts, and facing so much evil. Then forced to watch their Servant friends be dismissed as the ungrateful selfish people of the Association then came to have a 'talk' with them. The only difference being unlike before, these were just regular magus and not bastards who were going to destroy Chaldea then create another world-ending threat like the Lostbelts.
It was tough, but the two humans alongside them the Demi-Servant and those who were left stood strong. Where instead of being persecuted, they turned the tables on them and made them back off. Having help from the eccentric genius, the strange detective, the returned Director and others who struck back at the Association, who had planned on 'harvesting' the two Masters. They then won, and just like that the third Chaldea was made. Thus the days felt like they were returning to normal.
"At this moment, the United States has begun counter-attacking these unknown creatures. Other countries speaking to each other and forming an alliance, with the UN ready to make a move." To bad such days once more vanished, as the third threat came. One that nobody saw.
"Well this is just depressing." Kadoc moaned as he was on a sofa, with his Servant Anastasia with him. "The world is saved, and bam, another threat by these...these...what are they?"
"No idea." The Rider-Class Servant Da Vinci said as she was on her tablet researching. "These things, they're like Demonic Beasts but have a different...er…'biology', if it can be called that." The small Servant then slammed a fist on the table. "Uh! Nothing about them makes any sense at all! It's like they're some form of conception that has taken physical form. But I can't study them since they just vanish away!"
"Then maybe we should focus on something else instead." The once Cryptor now turned Assassin Servant Akuta says as she watches feeds from China being attacked by these monsters. "Like where they came from, and if maybe some bogus magus made them. Because these things aren't normal."
"Right you are Akuta." Holmes puffs some smoke as he looks at the feeds. "Their anatomy can be looked into later. Right now we should be more worried where they came from and why they appeared. Although, I already have a few theories. Not to mention why they're attacking."
"Then why don't you tell us already." Meuniere said as he was busy writing a report. "Because I swear, if some magus did this, I'm throttling his throat." Sylvia and other workers were in agreement with that.
"Very well then." Holmes relents. "I suppose I can at least tell you what I believe is happening right now. Mainly, that these creatures seem to be focused on one thing."
"And that is?" Kadoc looked at him, wanting an answer. Though it wasn't Holmes that replied, but instead Da Vinci who figured it out.
"Places with pollution, or with massive human population." She replied. "These things, they're attacking areas where humanity has done harm to the environment, or having taken too much resources."
"Talk about mother nature's wrath." Akuta jokes.
"Actually...you might not be wrong about that." Holmes said getting those in the rooms help them out, the Ruler decided to elaborate further. "I can't help but notice that while these creatures are killing anything they see, they seem to be avoiding animals at the moment, and are careful with the plants in general."
"He's right." Peperoncino in his glory grabbed a tablet with information. "These creatures are only aiming for humans. Their concentrated attacks are focused on culling the human population, even destroying buildings when they can. But otherwise, they leave everything else alone."
"What about Fuyuki then?" Speaking up is Goredolf who was rather nervous, as he looked at these unnatural Demonic Beasts. Watching as they tore through buildings to get the humans inside from the news cast. Having also gotten word that the Mage Association was also under attack and lost quite a bit of Magus. "There isn't that much in the population, and it isn't that dirty?"
"True." Holmes admits. "But I did some research, and I discovered that apparently while we've been fighting for our rights against the Association for a year, the 6th Grail War happened there."
"Seriously?" Akuta was mildly surprised by that. "A Grail War happened?"
"Yes. And apparently there was a massive curse in this 'Corrupt Grail' somehow and caused destruction to the environment." If he read it right, which he did, this corruption happened after the fifth Holy grail war, meaning something must have happened during fifth war and was being released soon after during the sixth. According to reports, a strange sludge came out from the sky and 'burned' the local forestry making it impossible to grow plants there. Even worse, despite local strangers stopping this war, the Association still planned on making another war happen.
"If I were to hazard my opinion," Da Vinci looked at the city of Fuyuki, under siege. "These creatures all seem to be focusing on the mountain where the Greater Grail is. So perhaps they were sent there to ensure the 7th Holy Grail War won't ever happen."
"So something is controlling them." Kadoc mutters out loud. "It's just not the usual magus, but some, er, I suppose an environmentalist." I mean, it seems whoever was doing this was making sure the environment was kept safe.
"That might be the closest thing to this situation." Holmes shrugs. "Whatever the case, these creatures are certainly dangerous. While we have faced tougher, most humans haven't, and by no means should we underestimate them either."
"Thich bone armor that stops most bullets. Capable of finding people pretty easily. Not to mention some of the reports state these creatures have unnatural abilities while being numerous." Da Vinci sighed as she looked at the information gathered in live combat. "Honestly, even trained magus would have a hard time facing these things. The military in countries like Japan and America aren't doing any better."
"And now it's up to us to figure out where they come from." Kadoc sighs while Anastasia rubs his shoulder. "Actually, can't other people figure this out instead of us?"
"I imagine they are, but using their own methods." Holmes tells the former Cryptor. "Besides, we may as well join in on the investigation. Otherwise there's no telling how far these creatures will go in culling humanity."
"Fou! Fou!" It was then the doors opened up and out came one little creature and three people. Mash, Ritsuka, and Guadako. The three that have been part of the main heroes who have saved humanity time and again. Where now, it seems they would have to do so again.
"Hey rookies." Kadoc lightly says while giving them a wave. "I see you've all come for the show."
"Hi, nice to see you all...I suppose." Akuta looks away with a slight blush on her cheeks. Still unused to speaking to her friends properly.
"A pleasure to see you sweeties." Peperoncino winked. The three smiled at the team, as they all went inside for their talk.
"Yeah, it is." Ritsuka smiles as he sits down. Guadako sat near him, while the siblings' girlfriend Mash sat in between them both while blushing. Still a bit embarrassed that her dream of dating both her senpais is happening.
"So, what's the news?" Guadako asks while looking at the live feeds of the world being literally under attack. Or at the least, just focused areas.
"The news is that we got word from the UN to do our part in fixing this mess." Da Vinci playfully says as she taps on her tablet. "They want to know if these things are perhaps from a minor Singularity, since that has happened before. Where damage to the world causes anomalies that can be taken advantage of by others to create these sub-worlds."
"And you believe it?" Mash asked, wondering if these creatures did come from a Singularity.
'No." Da Vinci instantly says to the arrivals surprise. "For the most part, while many of these creatures represent the mythology of some of our own Demonic Beasts, they're completely alien to us on many different levels. Heck, scans reveal they don't exist on certain spectrums and are more like a physical embodiment of something else."
"Which leads Da Vinci and I to conclude that these beings, while reminiscent of our own worlds mythology, are in fact being of 'another world'." Holmes said getting everyone in the room to look surprised.
"Wait a second." The current Director Goredolf then spoke up. "Do you mean like, actual alien world? Or perhaps these things come from something like a Lostbelt."
"Nope." Da Vinci rebutted back. "Not a Lostbelt, Singularity, or anything else for the matter. These things are literally from another world." Da Vinci then smirked as her tablet glowed. "And I found a way to find their home world."
"Wow!"
"Really?"
"Incredible!"
Those were the words of praise being spread around by the people in the room. As once more Da Vinci proved her worth who smugly took in the praise with a satisfying smile. She always did love the compliment.
"Ahehehe." She laughed. "Yes. I, the great Da Vinci, did it. And while it'll take time to get a proper lock on their home world, and remodeling the Coffins to send us there, I did what other people couldn't. Hahahaha!" Everyone then sweat dropped at the over-exaggerated laugh. Maybe they should stop with the praise, lest she get a bigger ego.
"So then, how long until we can find their home?" Ritsuka asked.
"Uncertain." Holmes told them. "To be clear, this is another world. Not a different time nor a Lostbelt. What we're about to do is invoke the Second Magic to even try and get to this separate world. No, not the Second Magic which can only travel through parallel worlds, but something else entirely."
That's right. The Second Magic owned by a certain old man only allowed him to travel through parallel worlds. Not separate dimensions where these creatures supposedly came from. Meaning what Chaldea was about to do, was surpass the Second Magic, and create a method to travel to an entirely separate world. To better describe it, it would be best to imagine their current world as a tree, and they were one of the branches of that tree.
While the Second Magic allows one to travel to all the separate branches, these creatures in this regard came from a completely separate tree. Meaning they had to hop from their branch to this other tree. It won't be easy, and to many it sounded impossible. When has that stopped Chaldea though?
"Another world, huh." Guadako grinned. "I can't wait to see what comes next. I wonder how Olga will react to this?"
"Probably get upset that Chaldea is getting in another dangerous mission without rest." Ritsuka smirked.
"Oh great." Goredolf moaned. "Here we go again."
"You can say that twice." Kadoc chuckles with the former Cryptors doing the same. Mash herself also giggled as it seems once more Chaldea was about to go on another adventure. This time, to another world. It seems there wasn't a dull moment here in Chaldea. She could only imagine what the next world held. Though considering what these creatures were doing, Mash could tell that the next world was one where undoubtedly horrifying monsters lived in. Where if there were any people there, she could bet they were cruel, evil, and horrifying.
"Mm. Mmm. Mm." Jason chewed on a pancake, wearing casual clothing created by Medea (Lily). Sitting in his lane is Asclepius and Hercules, where in front of him is Atalanta. The first reading a book, the second scarfing down pancakes, and the third wanting more apple cider as she raised her hand to get a waitress's attention.
"Woah!" Of course coming in hot was Medea (Lily) who was on rollerblades and accidentally lost grip on a plate of pancakes she was going to give to the Discouri Twins and Caenis who just entered the broken down shop. The pancakes now heading toward Jason who dropped his drink as the food then hit him with a splat.
"Uh." The leader moaned while Medea (Lily) apologize, with Atalanta chuckling and Asclepius just skootched a bit away to not get the food on him. Sighing, Jason just resumed to eat the food on his plate to gain the energy needed for the next step of his plan. Medea (Lily) cleaning him up while she was at it.
Jason then looked out the broken window and looked at the beautiful morning sky.
What? Even the heroes needed rest.
So Jason and his gang were eating food in this ruined restaurant, and just doing nothing in general.
VVVVVVvvvvvvvvvv!
Then suddenly form the sky erupted two great lights, one purple, and one golden, now shining greater than even the sun, that enveloped the entire city. Where two voices were then heard, with everyone who was alive looking up.
"People of Remnant. The time has come!"
"For we Goddesses have returned!"
As those who stared up were in awe with many suddenly kneeling from this revelation, all Jason could do was throw his fork away and just mutter one thing. "Can't ever get a break here."
