Chapter 101 – Turning the Tide


Qrow


Qrow launched toward the Knight of Death with Sun behind him, and they both roared with fury. Death swiftly blocked and parried Harbinger's blade as it swung downwards towards him, he then ducked down and dodged one of the Alchemist's Potions that she threw towards him, as it shattered against the ground behind the massive armoured Knight it erupted into flames, reacting with the oxygen in the air. Sun rushed forward and repeatedly fired his Gunchucks upon Death, but he then took an armoured boot straight to the face, until Penny flew above the Knight and blasted a powerful beam of green energy down at him.

Death raised his sword up with one hand and held the beam back, refracting it across the ground, burning a deep wound into the ground, before he jumped up towards Penny and punched her in the face. She yelped in pain, then he grabbed her by the throat and smashed her down against the ground with force. The sand and ash erupted around them both, then he lifted her off the floor and threw her towards Sun Wukong. The impact knocked the two of them down to the ground and Death stood tall, his cape of black smoke and burning embers blew in the slight breeze.

Death turned his gaze when he heard the sound of the Three Witches sprinting towards him. The Enchantress' tattoos glowed bright and she formed multiple magical glyphs that disguised them to look invisible. The three of them attacked at once, whilst the Undertaker walked around the rock behind him. Death was slashed across the face by the Sorceress' Conjured Swords, forged from lightning. The blade left a deep gash across the Isomacium plated helmet; however he was still Death – and therefore was the hardest to bring down.

Without the light shining on him it was going to be much harder to bring him down, however – that did not mean it was impossible to defeat him.

The Enchantress jumped up in the air and she launched one of her blades constructed from glass and magic down towards the Knight of Death, and it exploded right in front of his face. The Knight stumbled backwards and then the Alchemist launched a potion towards him, and when it exploded it coated his armour with ice, freezing large crystals across the plates of armour. Death snarled with anger as he staggered backwards, then he channelled dark energy into the blade of Ferrum Arctus, before suddenly swinging around and firing a beam of black and red lightning towards the two Witches, and the Sorceress rolled out of the way and slammed her hand down into the ground.

Death stared down at the soil as hands forged from rock and magma started to grapple onto his legs to try and hold him still. The Undertaker went to behead the Knight with his huge Shovel, until Death caught it in one hand and then yanked the Undertaker forward, slamming his head directly into the Unnaturally Created Organism. Death then spun Ferrum Arctus through his fingers, channelling the dark energy through his body and into the sword, before driving it down into the ground with all his might.

The action created a powerful explosion of energy that shattered the Sorceress' Summoned Limbs, leaving nothing behind but rock and crystal. The Witches' eyes widened as Death suddenly launched Ferrum Arctus towards them, it spun horizontally as it flew forwards, cutting across their aura protected bodies and knocking them down to the ground. The Undertaker roared as it punched Death in the face and then slashed its Shovel up his chest, sparks flew but then Death grabbed it by the throat and threw it straight through a boulder.

"Witchcraft… such a disgusting violation." Death snarled as he opened his palm and the sword returned to him.

The Enchantress scoffed at his insult. "Seriously? You're gonna judge us? Compared with whom you serve?" She questioned.

It seemed even Death could not argue with her logic, since he shrugged and nodded his head in agreement. "I see your point." He agreed, before suddenly going to drive the sword through her heart, until Junior suddenly fired a missile from his Bazooka, the explosion toppled Death to the ground and the smoke trailed from his body as he stood back up. He stared ahead as the Malachite Twins sprinted through the smoke with Junior behind them.

Militia thrusted forward and yelled, slashing both her Red Claws across Death's face, staggering him, only for Death to then thrust forward with Ferrum Arctus, stabbing at her with the huge sword, but she moved like water and slid underneath him, cutting his heel. Melanie then landed atop his sword and ran across it before kicking him in the face. Death staggered and turned just as Melanie went to drive the blade built into her heel through his eye.

Death punched at her, locking the pronged plates of metal onto her throat and pinning her against the ground. Death held her down with his boot and with one hand he blocked Militia's incoming attacks with her claws. She jumped and flipped over him, but that was when Death kicked her sister in the side so hard that she flew straight into Militia. The Knight of Grimm spun around fired his sword towards Junior, who rolled aside and fired one more missile, before transforming the Missile Launcher into the huge Baton. But Death caught the missile in his hand and launched it towards the huge man.

Junior slid downwards, narrowly missing the projectile before slamming the huge bat into the side of Death's head. It created a nearly deafening bang from the impact, causing him to stagger. Junior swung upwards but that time Death caught it and kicked Junior in the chest. Militia jumped up at Death once again, but he smashed Junior's weapon into her gut, pinning her down against the floor. His heavy boot crushed her throat slowly and she desperately reached out, until suddenly golden Via Suns grabbed onto Death's arms, pulling him backwards.

Death snarled and looked back; his glowing red eye stared at Sun who had his hands slammed together. He gritted his teeth with hatred as he held Death back from hurting anyone else. Death strained as Sun's Holograms held him down, but then he clenched his hands into fists and suddenly yanked himself free from one of them, and then grabbed the other that held his other arm and he crushed its skull in one hand. Death's Nevermore Wings suddenly sprouted from his back and he flew towards him, with Ferrum Arctus pointed directly at him.

But Sun refused to move, and a smirk formed on his face.

Damn it, it's a trick!

Death realised too late, and Penny shot directly into his side, and they both slammed down into the ground, but the massive black wings of his Nevermore Form opened out and slowed them both down. Penny glared up at him and she blasted a powerful beam of green energy towards him. Death arched his arm and blocked it with his sword, reflecting the beam across the battlefield, slicing a wrecked Jet clean in two, but Penny spun gracefully through the air, before launching Floating Array down towards him, Death punched some of them aside but three others drove themselves in between the plates of armour, locking inside.

Death growled with anger as he felt his body become her plaything, and she yanked him up into the air, and then kicked him multiple times, blasting powerful green bolts of energy into his body, before channelling Fire Dust into her hands, and her eyes shot open. She blasted the columns of fire into his chest, pushing him through the sand and ash as he landed. He gritted his teeth with fury as Penny held him back, starting to heat up the plates of Isomacium to the point of glowing orange.

That was when Penny gasped and heard the screeching howl of Death forming the same Bow that took Ruby's eye. She swiftly dropped down to the ground as Death fired it up towards her, narrowly missing her. Death them fired fatal feathers towards her, and Penny retracted her swords and spun them, using them like a shield, shredding the feathers apart before they could even get close to hitting her. The Feathers were reduced to smoke behind her, and she stared directly at him, only for him to suddenly fly up in the air and dive down at her once again.

Penny slid backwards just in time as he drove Ferrum Arctus directly into the soil, before spinning the sword around and slashing at her, over and over, pirouetting and driving it down towards her shoulder. She held all her swords together to block the massive sword from digging down into her neck. Death pushed with great force, forcing her down to her knees, that was when her thrusters activated, and she started to push herself back up, staring him directly in his burning red eyes.

Death suddenly swung his head into hers, stunning Penny and then he grabbed her by the hair and smashed her face first repeatedly, she yelped with pain and agony with every single strike. "You may be human now… but you are still nothing!" Death yelled. "Nothing… and alone."

"Not… alone." She grinned, Death turned and Qrow suddenly launched forward and slammed the Scythe of Harbinger into Death's throat and smashed him down into the ground. Qrow yelled with rage as he dragged Death through the ground, submerged rocks and shrapnel shredded his armour and then Qrow lifted him upwards and smashed his head down into one of the burning wrecks.

"Missed me, asshole?" Qrow yelled with anger at the Knight that killed Summer Rose all those years ago.

"Like a dog who misses his bone!" Death yelled back, suddenly reached back and grabbing Qrow by the hair and slamming him down into the ground. Death then drove Ferrum Arctus down into the ground where Qrow laid, but he managed to roll aside just in time. Qrow fired the shotgun built into Harbinger, nailing him in the eye, and Death roared with pain as it cracked the skull trapped inside his helmet.

Flames ruptured from inside of the helmet, and Death jumped forward and punched Qrow by the throat and swung Ferrum Arctus around, and the blade slashed across Qrow's throat. If not for his aura, that would have taken his head off, but the impact dealt a serious blow in terms to his aura. Qrow gritted his teeth and thrusted forward, stabbing Harbinger into the plates, before slashing downwards, but Death slammed Ferrum Actus upwards, creating a loud metallic bang from the impact, golden sparks danced around them. Death kicked Qrow in the chest, knocking him backwards, but then Death jumped up in the air and threw Ferrum Arctus downwards, charged with Black and Red lightning.

But Qrow jumped and flipped backwards from the powerful pulse of energy that narrowly hit Qrow, and as he lanced he recoiled back from Death as he hacked and slashed repeatedly at Qrow. He waited for the right moment and then transformed Harbinger into its Scythe form and connected it onto Death's hand, and then ran forwards and rolled across Death's back, twisting the Scythe and cutting his massive armoured hand clean off.

Death roared with pain as his hand broke apart, leaving only one more, at least only one that was armoured. Black smoke poured from his stump and he suddenly started to form a new hand, however unlike the other it was not armoured, and therefore was not as dangerous, simply a Grimm-Like Hand with sharp claws, far smaller than the other one. He held Ferrum Arctus in the new hand, and he threw the sword forward, and it spun like a sawblade towards Qrow, slashing his aura over and over before Qrow rolled backwards and fired his Shotgun into his face again.

Death roared with agony and rage, before suddenly blasting forward with his wings and grabbing Qrow by the throat. His terrifying helmet split into quarters, the plates of metal floated in the grasp of the black smoke, revealing the burning skull inside. He roared devilishly at Qrow, and the cocky Huntsman scoffed. "Damn, did I hit a nerve there?" He challenged. Death's helmet slammed back together, and then he slammed his fist up Qrow's jaw, the impact threw him up into the air and crashing back down into the ground.

"HEY!" Sun yelled. "ASSHOLE!"

Death stared at Sun and he pointed Ferrum Arctus at the Wukong Huntsman. Death sprinted at Sun and the brave Monkey Faunus charged at him as well. Sun spun Ruyi Jingu Bang through his fingers, and he jumped over Death, firing the Gunchucks down at him. Death deflected the shells with his sword, but when Sun landed, he relentlessly fired shell after shell as he spun the deadly Gunchucks over and over again. Death backed up and he spun his sword, skilfully blocking and deflecting most of Sun's shots that he fired, then Sun thrusted forward, connecting them back into their Bo-Staff Form.

He jumped and struck Death across the jaw, ducking down and narrowly dodging Ferrum Arctus from hitting his face, cutting through the air that was polluted with smoke. Sun then dropped down and rolled underneath Death, just as the Knight drove his huge sword down into the ground. He jumped up and swung the Staff into one of Death's other weak points – his back. Death grunted with anger, and his voice sounded like it was beginning to crackle.

Which meant his Physical Form was growing weaker, they could beat him they just had to keep this level of combat up. "You have taken so much from me. You took Vacuo from me! You took Scarlet from me! And then you took my best friend… you took Neptune from me." Sun growled with anger, circling him. Death pointed his huge sword at Sun as he circled him.

"Your friend's time had come; nothing can stop the end… nothing." Death snarled, but Sun spun his Gunchucks around, aiming two of them at him with hatred in his eyes. Death glanced around, noticing that he was getting outnumbered, and he knew that he was growing weaker.

The Witches and the Undertaker, Junior and the Malachites, Qrow and Penny surrounded him. "Sure… we're all gonna die eventually."

"Speak for yourself." The Enchantress joked since they were immortal.

"But if you think that fact will stop us from fighting for everyone else? So that the next generation can carry on for us? Then you've got another thing coming, asshole. We're Huntsmen and Huntresses… I guess fighting near impossible odds is kinda our motto at this point." Sun stated, Death stood his ground.

Refusing to retreat.

He tightened his grip on Ferrum Arctus. He said nothing just staring them down, and Sun tightened his grip on Ruyi Jingu Bang.

They had to destroy him…

… for Neptune.


Kragen


The Grimm were still pouring out, but the skies were thinning out, Kragen looked up as the Drift of Wandering Star soared across the sky, firing all the cannons at the huge towering Spires, smashing them apart. The Howls of the Grimm surrounded them, and he noticed that there were no more Spires bursting from underground anymore, meaning that Salem's forces must be dwindling.

"We're turning the tide! Keep up the pressure!" Kragen roared, looking ahead as a Beowulf sprinted towards him. The beast roared, jumping towards him with its claws and jaws opened wide. He suddenly struck Ebony Duchess up the beast's jaw, killing it instantly. The creature erupted into a cloud of smoke around him as he stood there. Yenna flew above him, firing bolts of lightning from her hands as the Grimm that were still in the sky. A Shrieker shot forward, screeching as it spun through the air, but it erupted before it could even get close enough to Yenna, since she blasted it apart with one bolt of lightning.

She twirled through the air and dove downwards, slamming both her hands down into the ground with great force. The roots tunnelled through the soil and suddenly erupted, wrapping themselves around the Grimm, squeezing them to death from he pressure of their grasp. Yenna then clenched her hands into fists and her eyes continued to burn with violet flames, and she launched multiple icicles from thin air towards multiple Creeps that burst from the ground behind her, killing them all with multiple strikes.

The Architect sprinted towards the Grimm, firing his Rifle repeatedly, nailing multiple Thralls in the head before he dropped down to the ground and rolled through the ashes, rising up and swinging his fist through the face of a Wrath, shattering its body apart. A second Wraith erupted from thin air behind him, roaring as it swung its sword and lantern at him, but he blocked the Sword with his blade which extended from his transforming rifle, and then rolled out of the path of the Lantern.

The Wraith lunged forward with a roar as it went to strike a second time, only for him to fire the rifle and send a powerful bolt clean through its head. The Wraith unleashed a haunting howl as it crumbled into ashes. The mechanical man stood back up and he rolled his neck, chuckling with joy at how awesome he knew he was. He turned and the emotive mechanical flaps lifted like eyebrows as he saw Mazen and Kaa both battling against the Grimm together. Kaa rolled across his back and kicked one of them in the face, launching her knife into the Beowulf's throat, pinning it to the wall, alongside spinning around and slitting the throat of the next.

Whereas Mazen was nowhere near as graceful in combat as she was, and he was like a force of nature. He roared, driving his Chainsword down the shoulder of an Ursa, cutting it in two in a perfectly diagonal strike, killing it instantly. It erupted into smoke, fading away before his eyes, before he caught a Beowulf by the throat and crushed it instantly. Kragen spun his Staff through his fingers before blasting his Silver Eyes into the rest of the Grimm that charged forward, including a Deathstalker which just erupted from the ground, only to be vaporised immediately.

"Good work, their numbers are decreasing. We can finish this thing." The Architect assured, until they heard agonized screams from their White Fang Troopers. They all turned as Kannix sprinted towards them, firing his cannon clean through the skull of one of them. They all fired their bullets, but he drove his Hook Blade down into the throat of one soldier and yanked him forward, using him like a meat shield whilst still charging forward. He shoved the corpse aside and then extended the blade from his Cannon Arm, and he slashed through the throat of a soldier, blood sprayed violently from his neck as he collapsed to the ground, hands tightly around his throat.

Another soldier swung his sword at Kannix, but he drove his hook into the soldier's larynx and rolled across his shoulders with the blade still lodged into his throat, twisting it and ripping it out. Blood shot out, hissing like a pressure hose, and then he fired his cannon through the sternum of the next soldier before finishing the last one off in the platoon with a powerful blast of his Silver Eyes, freezing the poor soldier to stone. He then shot through the body towards Kragen with a furious howl.

Kannix was always specialised in Shock and Awe attacks.

Kragen's eyes widened as Kannix jumped towards him and fired three shots down towards him. He blocked two of them but the third exploded into his chest, throwing the old Silver Eyed Master backwards and through a wrecked truck. The truck broke apart from impact, and then Kannix spun around and smashed his elbow across the Architect's face. Mazen and Kaa stared at him and charged forward.

Mazen held his hand out and Kaa jumped onto him, and he then threw her forward with all his might. Kannix stared at the skilled Serpentine Faunus as she flew forwards and slammed both her feet into his chest. She landed down and quickly chose one of her Dust Knives, throwing it towards him. Kannix ducked down, but it exploded above him. It shattered his aura, but it was already regenerating, he tumbled and fired his cannon over and over again at Kaa as she sprinted for cover. But his Cannon Fire shattered the rock she hid behind in seconds. Mazen rushed forward and he swung his Chainsword up his arm so hard it broke his stance, stopping him from aiming at Kaa.

He spun his Chainsword around and went to run it through Kannix, but the skilled Silver Eyed Warrior shot the ground underneath Mazen, stumbling his footing and then he kicked the High Leader of the White Fang in the chest. He staggered backwards and then Kannix fired his cannon over and over again at him, but Mazen smirked behind his mask and crossed his arms over. His aura hardened into Crystal, thanks to his semblance, swallowing the damage caused by those highly explosive shells, before he broke free and grabbed Kannix by the collar and smashed him into the ground over and over again, before throwing him like a toy.

Kannix crashed down into the ground and stared ahead with a maniacal grin, and then ran towards Mazen again. Mazen growled and he slammed his huge Chainsword down towards him, but Kannix grinded the teeth of the Chainsword against his extended blade and aimed the cannon at his gut. He fired and it broke Mazen's position, knocking him backwards, giving Kannix the chance he needed to deal some damage. He punched him in the gut over and over again with his metal fist, before slashing his Hook Blade across Mazen's face, and then locking it onto his throat. He rolled across his back and used his weight to throw Mazen forward. The huge Bear Faunus crashed into the ground, staring back at Kannix.

"You're a little shit, aren't you?" Mazen scoffed, glancing to a large rock next to him, luckily his mask concealed his eye movement.

"The old man once said as much." Kannix laughed, Mazen glanced at Kragen who was getting back up.

"You trained this little fucker?" Mazen questioned.

"A long time ago… seems he never did remember all my lessons." Kragen scoffed, Kannix narrowed his eyes.

"I wonder… which ones would those be?" Mazen asked, they both looked up at the sky.

"Watch your surroundings…" Kragen answered, Kannix' Silver Eyes widened when he realised, and he looked up. Yenna suddenly shot down towards him, and lightning crackled around him, and the stormy explosion launched him backwards. Kannix drove his Hook down into the ground as he stared at her. Kaa spun her Knives through her fingers as she stood beside Mazen who grabbed that rock.

"Okay yeah… I don't like this dude." Kaa said, cracking her neck.

"I guess you're gonna have to get in line, honey." The Architect said as he cracked his knuckles. Kannix stood tall and he charge dup his cannon, smirking as he stared them down. But they knew that he was definitely worth caution… any man who grins when this outnumbered and outgunned is definitely worth fearing, since that meant they were not afraid to keep on fighting.

And none fought harder than Kannix Volantis.


Sun


Death swung Ferrum Arctus hard and fast, stopping Harbinger that slammed directly into it, red eyes glaring back at each other. The shockwave pushed them both backwards, then Death spun his sword through his fingers and rested it across his shoulders, using his fingers like the crosshairs on a gun, aiming directly at Qrow and blasting a powerful bolt of lightning towards him. Qrow transformed Harbinger into its Scythe Form, blocking the bolt from hitting him. He sprinted forward with the Malachites and he let one of them jump onto his Scythe and he threw her forward.

Militia flew towards Death and she slashed crossways at him, creating an x cut into his visor. Death staggered back with anger and he then drove the sword down into the ground and caught Militia by her foot just as she was about to go past him, and he slammed her down into the ground. He grabbed onto the hilt of his sword and went to drive it down into her back, but Melanie dropped down from above and she hooked her bladed heel onto his hand and cartwheeled, breaking his balance, he turned and saw Sun sprint forward, firing both the Gunchucks into his face. Death staggered backwards and yelled with anger, only for Sun to repeatedly spin them through his fingers, blowing holes into the plates of Isomacium Armour, and then Death punched at him, knocking the boy backwards.

Junior caught Sun and helped him back up, and he fired two missiles from his Missile Launcher towards Death. He glared at them as they flew towards him, Death cut one of them clean in two with his sword, whilst merely stepping aside to dodge the other one, narrowly missing his shoulder. Death sprinted forward and he jumped up in the air, and then launched multiple Fatal Feathers down towards them, Qrow slashed Harbinger in its Scythe Form clean through one of the feathers, letting it part around him, staring up at the Knight.

Penny flew up with him and tackled him down to the ground, but Death kicked her off and rolled backwards. They all attacked him at once, but Death was still skilled enough to hold them back. Death threw Ferrum Arctus and the sword spun around him, knocking Qrow backwards and just as it returned to his hand he deflected Penny's beam from hitting him, redirecting it across the battlefield, carving through the ruined pillars of the place that they were fighting inside of. Sun sprinted as well and jumped over Death, firing Ruyi Bang and Jingu Bang over and over again, but the shells did extraordinarily little to death. He then refracted the beam Penny created as he turned the blade with one hand, sending it right back at Penny.

She gasped, her large green eyes widened, and it knocked her out of the air. She crashed down into the ground and gasped as Death suddenly jumped towards her with Ferrum Arctus held above his head to drive through her head. Suddenly the Undertaker slammed the flat face of the Shovel into the Knight's face, knocking him backwards, but Death stopped the shovel with the blade of his sword, grabbing it with his other hand and smashing it across Sun's face as he rushed him to try and hit him in the back, before throwing it into the Undertaker's chest. However, since it was not technically alive, the damage did extraordinarily little to the Sentinel. The Undertaker ripped the Shovel from its chest and slammed its fist down into the ground, it created a powerful shockwave which knocked Death backwards.

As Death got back up, he looked down as he saw ice form, he turned and saw the Sorceress holding her hands out, tattoos glowing with her blue eyes, then the Alchemist jumped over him and threw multiple bottles of highly volatile potions down towards him. They exploded upon contact, alongside electricity coursing through the metal in his body. Death snarled with anger as they held him down and then the Enchantress rushed forward and stabbed him in the back over and over again with her daggers.

Death suddenly erupted into black smoke with a deafening roar, and he flew up into the air in the form of a Nevermore, but not to escape. He banked around the battlefield and flew directly towards them with a terrible screech. He launched Fatal Feathers from his wings as they smashed the pillars apart that surrounded them, and then he spun through the air, throwing Fatal Feathers everywhere. The Sorceress gasped, suddenly getting hit by one of the Fatal Feathers, throwing her through one of the stone walls, shattering it around her body.

"Sister!" The Alchemist yelled as she sprinted to her side.

The Nevermore erupted into smoke and through it, Death slammed down towards them, sliding across the ground and catching Junior by the throat and pummelling him down into the ground with great force, dragging him against the pavement that shattered against his face. Death lifted Junior off the ground and slingshot him through one of the old pillars, breaking it apart, he then turned as Penny elegantly moved her arms, sending her swords towards him.

She jabbed his armour in places and noticed the cracks with white light starting to bleed through his armoured body. Death was close to being beaten, they just had to keep laying on the heat to bring the bastard down. Death sprinted towards her and he launched Ferrum Arctus at her, blasting lightning forward and he then caught it as it returned to his hand, spinning it through his fingers and slamming the blade down into the ground. The pulse of energy knocked Penny out of the air, and she groaned in pain, but Qrow suddenly shot forward from his Corvid Form.

But Death caught Qrow by the throat and threw him, but as Qrow bounced across the ground he threw Harbinger ahead. The blade stabbed down into the ground and he landed upon it, the sword dragged through the soil and he stood atop it, smirking at Death with his red cape blowing in the wind. Death's wings opened and he threw himself forward, and so did Qrow who ran forward. They both slammed their swords together, sparks flying, but Qrow jumped up and dodged Death's attempt to sweep his legs. He then slammed the sword down the side of Death's face, breaking the Isomacium Plates apart, revealing on the other half the burning skull that roared at him.

Qrow smirked at him, firing his shotgun at the Knight, only for Death to block the incoming shell. Death sprinted at him and threw the sword towards Qrow, narrowly missing him. But Death punched Qrow in the face and then smashed him against the wall. Dark smoke surrounded his body as he roared monstrously, punching Qrow in the torso so fast that he was moving like he was being fast-forwarded on a television. But Qrow then ducked down, just missing Death's fist that smashed the wall apart behind his head, and then he rolled out of the way and shot Death in the back once more.

More cracks started to form across his body, Death yelled with anger, his voice becoming more and more unstable.

"Y-YOUR FA-ATES ARE ALR-EA-DY DECI-I-IDED!" Death roared as he held his hand out, the sword flew right back, the hilt colliding into the back of Qrow's head. As he stumbled, Death suddenly swung the sword up his chest, throwing him up in the air, and then Death caught him by the back of his head and threw him into the floor. Qrow groaned, laying on the ground, and Death held the sword above his heart.

Until Via Suns started to surround him, and he looked back to see Sun staring at him with gritted teeth. "This is for Neptune you son of a bitch!" Sun yelled with anger, and they all jumped onto Death as Sun sprinted towards him, suddenly drawing Trishula – Neptune's Gun – and he sprinted towards him and transformed it into its Trident Form as the Via Suns held him down, using every bit of Aura he had left. Sun's hair glowed gold and so did his eyes, unlocking a part of his Semblance he never knew he could do.

He could summon his Via Suns without using his hands, but this drained his aura even faster without good focus. The Via Suns all held Death down and he yelled with anger as he tried to break free.

But Sun yelled, launching Trishula down towards Death's spin and the three blades stabbed straight into his back. A crack burst from him and he roared with agony as a singularity formed within him. Sun grabbed the Trident and yanked it from his back as he started to collapse into himself. His arm snapped and crumbled into itself and his chest started to bend and snap inwards, and he stared at Sun, reaching out for him.

"YOU! CANNOT! STOP! THE SHIVERING DOMINION!" Death howled as his voice echoed all around them before the Singularity consumed him and vanished with a thunderous bang. Sun sighed and his aura broke, causing him to collapse, falling into Penny's arms.

"It's okay! I've got you…" She assured with a smile, and Sun sighed, his nose was bleeding from having to use his Aura up like that, but he was okay. Qrow crouched down next to Sun and he smiled, gently holding his shoulder. They looked back and saw Junior back up with the Malachite Twins, alongside the Undertaker and the Witches.

"He didn't kill any of us…" Qrow said with a smile, he looked down at Sun and smiled. "You did it, Sun."

"He's one tough bastard… never gets old seeing him go down though." Sun admitted with a smile.

"I dunno about you, pal… but I can totally just… feel Neptune grinning away right now. Knowing you did it." Qrow assured, and Sun smiled, nodding his head in agreement.

"I hope so… at least he managed to get the bastard back." Sun said with a smile as he held Trishula on his lap.

"He'd be proud of you." Penny assured, kindly smiling.

"Thanks…" Sun groaned and held his head in pain.

"Okay… you've had enough fighting I think. Junior, Malachites. Get Sun to the Safe Zone… Witches? You still able to fight?" Qrow asked them, the Sorceress cracked her knuckles.

"Always." She answered with a smirk.

"That's what I like to here. C'mon, Ruby's gonna need our help." Qrow said, completely unaware that Summer was down there as well. Junior picked up Sun and lifted him up.

"Qrow… Penny…" Sun softly said, they looked back at him. "Kick their asses." Sun said, and Qrow nodded his head.

"Oh… you can be sure of that, Sun." Qrow assured.

Qrow, Penny, the Undertaker and the Witches walked away from the battlefield where they defeated the last of the Knights of Grimm.

That only left Salem and the Higher Demons.


Nora


The ground exploded beneath the Lord of the Wood as Nora flipped backwards after firing multiple grenades at it, she then transformed Magnhild back into its Hammer Form and smashed the ground with immense force, shattering the rocky surface that knocked him backwards. Nora stared back at the Higher Demon as he stood there.

The Lord of the Wood walked towards her and suddenly extended its arm towards her, a huge hand attached to the long root lunged forward, but Nora blasted out of the way just in time. The huge Leshen then shot forward and grabbed her by the chest and smashed her against the ground repeatedly before throwing her towards Glynda. She crashed into her, but the Professor helped get her back up, whilst both Kassius and Ren rushed the Higher Demon. Kassius launched Lash Equinox in its Spear Form and it pierced clean through its ribs, causing the Leshen to stagger backwards. Kassius jumped up and held onto the Spear and started to punch the Lord of the Wood in the face over and over again.

"GO TO HELL! GO TO HELL! GO TO HELL! PRETTY PLEASE GO TO FUCKING HELL YOU UGLY OVERGROWN TREE PERSON!" Kassius yelled, until the Lord of the Wood suddenly extended spines from his wooden body that threw Kassius off him. He landed down on the ground and held out his hands. "C'mon, dude! That's just cheating."

Kassius' amber eyes widened with shock as his spear suddenly landed right in front of his crotch.

"That… was close…" Hyde chuckled.

"You think he likes me?" Kassius asked him, suddenly the Lord of the Wood grabbed him by the head and lifted him off the floor.

"I think it may be the contrary, brother." Hyde admitted.

"Well why don't we have you two met up again, huh?" Kassius asked.

"Be a damn pleasure." Hyde laughed, Kassius ripped him from his aura and Hyde tackled The Lord of the Wood to the ground, they both tumbled, and Hyde launched the Leshen ahead. It slammed its sharp hands down into the ground and stared at Hyde's burning apparition. "Heh… you know, I don't really have much memory of you guys… but from the ones I do have? You are WAY uglier in person." Hyde chuckled, the Lord of the Wood stood tall and its Rooted Arm extended fast and went to impale him, but the impact threw him backwards, straight past Kassius.

"Ouch… okay… I guess he has a grudge." Kassius said, shrugging his shoulders. Hyde erupted from the ground and sprinted towards the Lord of the Wood, spinning his cane through his fingers.

"Alright, asshole – we'll do it your way, you grumpy fuck." Hyde growled, he charged forward and jumped up in the air and slammed his cane down into the ground with immense force. The fiery explosion pushed him backwards and the Lord of the Wood thrusted towards Hyde and slashed his claws at him over and over again.

Nora looked at Ruby who tumbled across the floor after being launched by the Whisperer. "Ruby! I have an idea… I can take down the Lord of the Wood in one hit… if Neptune were here it would be easier but… I think I can still use our strategy." Nora said, then Ruby nodded her head, because she knew exactly what she meant.

She thought back to Oniyuri, when Tyrian ambushed them, and she accidentally shot Nora with that electrical bullet. They could do the same thing again, and with all that power, Nora could bring the Lord of the Wood down with one hit whilst everyone else keeps him preoccupied.

Hyde swung his Cane upwards, smashing the curved handle up the jaw of the Lord of the Wood, fragments of bone flew off from its jaw and the Leshen staggered backwards. It then slashed its claws hard and fast as it fought against them, cutting across Hyde's body as he backed up. Kassius split his spear in two, transforming Lash Equinox back into their sword forms and he rushed the Lord of the Wood with Ren.

Nora's Boyfriend jumped up and fired both Stormflower Pistols towards the Lord of the Wood, it held its Barky Forearm up to block his bullets whilst the other hand dug down into the soil and ripped a huge boulder from beneath them and launched it towards him, only for it to suddenly stop. Glynda held it and smirked at the Lord of the Wood, sending it straight back at him. It exploded against its chest, staggering the Leshen backwards, and giving Kassius the chance to deal some damage of his own.

He slid underneath the Lord of the Wood and sliced through the Leshen's leg, it roared and fell to one knee with a roar, smashing its fist down into the ground. Kassius jumped up onto the Lord of the Wood's back, and drove the two swords down into its shoulders, sawing away at them to try and take off its arms. The Lord of the Wood growled with anger, and Kassius gasped, because he saw the Crows and Ravens forming in the sky, cawing at once, and then they all blasted down and knocked him off the Lord of the Wood's back. He tumbled across the ground, then the Lord of the Wood sprinted towards him, and grabbed him by the throat and lifted him off the ground, smashing him over and over again into the ground, before throwing him up in the air and kicking him in the chest Kassius crashed into the ground and groaned, his Amber Aura crackled, he was drifting ever closer into the red.

The Lord of the Wood transformed its hands into a pair of axes, and it jumped and slammed them both down into the ground, slashing them repeatedly at the Huntsmen and Huntresses. Glynda backed up and blocked his blades with her crop, but it did extraordinarily little against him. The Leshen suddenly swung upwards, cutting up her chest, slamming Glynda down against the ground. Glynda gritted her teeth, and with the Disciplinarian she threw a huge chunk of rock towards the Lord of the Wood. It smashed directly into his face, staggering him back and he them extended his arm with a strong root, only for Ren to suddenly cut the root clean in two with Stormflower's Blade.

Hyde suddenly jumped up behind the Lord of the Wood and hooked the cane around its thick wooden throat and yanked it backwards as the Root retracted back where it was. The Lord of the Wood snarled and stomped the ground hard before spikes of wood suddenly erupted from the ground around them. He grabbed Hyde and lifted him off the ground and smashed him down against the ground. He then impaled him through the ribs, but Hyde just laughed. "You a dumbass or something? I'm like you!" Hyde laughed, and he pulled himself free from the spike, and then smashed his Cane across the Lord of the Wood's face, throwing the huge Leshen backwards.

"I may hate being like you… but I am…" Hyde stated. "But unlike you I'm not blind… and I would much rather risk my existence for these good people. What can you say for yourself, huh?" Hyde challenged, the Lord of the Wood rose up and stared him in the eyes. "Oof… is that offensive? Since you can't speak? You big ugly mute?" Hyde challenged, the Lord of the Wood shot forward and punched Hyde in the face, before grabbing him by the arms and legs, using him as cover from the rock that Glynda just launched towards him.

Ren sprinted up one of the broken ridged formed from their fight, firing Stormflower at him, before jumping down and sending both feet into the side of the Leshen's head. It stumbled and immediately stabbed the ground where he was stood. Ren leapt up and slashed repeatedly across his chest, before driving them both into the eyes of the Leshen. The Lord of the Wood bellowed with rage, grabbing Ren by the head and tightening his grip to crush his skull. Ren strained, but fired both pistols up into the wrist until the hand fell from the stump.

Ren pulled the hand stuck to his head off and kicked it aside, but suddenly roots started to wrap around his body and held him against the floor. The Lord of the Wood's hand sharpened, ready to kill him.

"REN!" Nora screamed, looking back at Ruby who was trying to get the Electrical Dust Bullet into the chamber. The Lord of the Wood was about to drive the claws directly into Ren's chest, when suddenly…

… a powerful green beam of light collided into the Lord of the Wood's chest. He staggered backwards as Penny flew towards him, relentlessly burning him with her laser. Qrow and the Witches advanced together, and he fired Harbinger over and over at the Higher Demon, pushing it away from Ren with Penny still burning the monster. The Bark that covered his body began to ignite and the Lord of the Wood threw its arms back and bellowed at them.

But the Witches blasted him over and over again with powerful destructive magic, shredding his body.

It was now or never.

"RUBY!" Nora called out, and Ruby loaded Crescent Rose and smirked – nodding her head. She held the Scythe out and Nora jumped onto it, Ruby spun around and with all her might she launched Nora towards the Lord of the Wood. She then slammed the Scythe down against the ground and aimed at Nora, firing the electrical round.

It hit her and the electricity coursed through Nora's muscles, she gritted her teeth and held Magnhild tight, aiming directly for the Lord of the Wood's head. Her eyes glowed bright blue as it crackled across her body.

Nora yelled with fury and the Lord of the Wood turned just in time for Nora to smash Magnhild directly into the Lord of the Wood's face, so hard that the Stag Skull shattered into a thousand pieces. Nora tumbled down to the ground on the other side, and the Lord of the Wood staggered backwards, before it started to twitch, and the bark creaked and groaned. The Lord of the Wood's body collapsed to its knees… and then crumbled into dust.

Sent back to the Charred Forest where it came from.

One down…

… two Higher Demons to go.


Author Note - They are turning the tide!

That's Death and the Lord of the Wood out of the battle, now it is just the Whisperer, Onyx Phantom and Kannix... and of course Salem. I loved having Sun take down Death with Neptune's Trident, felt that would be pretty fitting considering that bastard did kill the poor guy. Death is still one of my favourite characters to write in combat, and I don't really know why. I think I just love his style of fighting with Ferrum Arctus, out of all of them his style is kind of the simplest. Yet he is easily the deadliest.

The Lord of the Wood is always fun for me to write, I love writing monsters that can manipulate plantlife, makes for really scary combat, plus his design is so cool I love it XD. I loved having Nora take it down the way she did, obviously it is not dead, just defeated, but still satisfying as hell to have Nora do that at long last. Especially when you consider the history she has with that bastard.

And Kannix is back in the fight, question is will they kill him or will he run? He's outnumbered as hell right now but as it said - don't understimate him, the bastard is dangerous as hell.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please review, follow and favourite!

Stay tuned for the next chapter - United We Stand

- Matt