Hello again peps! I am here to drop a new chapter as I am still working on the story. Anyway, stay safe in these dark times my friends. I also hope you enjoy the chapter or at least distracts you from bad stuff. Gota a go, bye bye.
A Shattered Life
Chapter 55: Stand Against the Darkness
Geo turned to Oscar, the young man tried his best to hide his fear from him but it was of no use, his expression revealed everything. Though it wasn't Geo's pale appearance that frightened him but his glowing purple eye as if it was burning with a rage that couldn't be satisfied. "I-I understand what you mean, I would do the same for my family." He said with a nervous tone. "I know that you hate Ozpin but I am not him. I am here to help stop the Dark God from destroying everything. Believe me when I tell you I am not your enemy."
"Help?! Oh, I know how you 'help'!" Geo's anger grew, he grabbed Oscar by his throat and raised him into the air. He fought back but the boy's grip was too strong and tight, he couldn't do anything to release himself. "This is what you do best isn't it you old bastard?!" You twist people's minds with your poisoned words so they will do what you tell them to do!" Geo shouted as he applied more pressure. "Stop hiding and show yourself! Otherwise, I will force you out!"
"That's enough!" Yelled Ruby. "Let him go now!" Geo glanced at the red girl and then tossed Oscar to the snow. The poor boy coughed violently, the pain from his throat was quite sharp so each cough hurt him quite a bit. Ruby turned to her friend and helped him back to his feet. "It's not Oscar's fault he has to share his body with Ozpin. I know you hate him but he has nothing to do with what happened."
"I-Its alright." Said the young man. "Hate me all you like but I will still fight because you are not the only one who will lose everything if Remnant burns."
Geo looked at him. "As long you are here my daughter is in danger if not all of us. All Ozpin does is tell lies and half-truths he cannot be trusted." Nothing the boy said convinced the young King. "You might have control now but maybe when we least expect the old bastard will take control and stab us in the back, most likely me."
"I share your sentiment kid, I really do." Qrow shared his distrust. "But, Ruby is still right we can't blame him for what Oz did, the same way we can't blame you for what your mother did to the Kingdoms or villages and the countless people she butchered..." He then took a sip from his canteen. "Ahh, we shouldn't judge others for the sins of their parents or someone that shares Ozpin's mindset, until now neither of you have given me a reason to distrust you though I just met you, Geo..." Another small sip. "But you did save her so I am willing to trust you for now."
"Wise words." Said Hydrox.
The rest stared at him. "What?"
"A-Are you drunk?" Asked Ruby.
Qrow smirked. "Not yet but I plan to after this battle. Also, what is that supposed to mean?"
"Oh nothing, you just don't have a tendency to say smart things."
"Yeah, most of the time it's gibberish that we can't understand." Yang added.
"That hurts girls."
Oscar and Geo looked at each other. "Of everything I heard about you I know you are an honorable warrior and that when you give them your word you always keep it no matter what. So I give you my word, I won't allow Ozpin to take control and hurt your family! I promise!" He extended his hand toward the young King in front of him, his eyes revealed incredible determination.
"Actions speak louder than words." He pushed Oscar's hand away, leaving him confused as he didn't know what else to say. "But what he said is true, even if I don't want to agree with it." His fist tightened. "I accept your promise and if you fail to keep it I will kill you myself, as for my trust you will have to earn it."
"I understand, I won't let you down." Replied Oscar feeling more confident.
It seems the tension between the two teens has subsided for now at least but the incoming threat keeps approaching at an alarming speed.
"That's good and all but we have more pressing matters." Said Weiss with her usual tone. "Can we please focus on the Grimm? They are almost here and we still don't have a plan on how we are going to deal with them." She pointed out. "Also, charging at them blindly is out of the question as it won't do us any good as they will overwhelm us with their numbers in a matter of seconds. What we need is a good tactical plan, though I don't know how we will manage to kill all of the Grimm so we can escape without leaving anyone behind."
"Well, you are half right but we don't need to kill all of them. We just need to keep them busy for Ruby to concentrate and use her silver eyes on them." Geo continued. "As for their numbers, we will use the train's guns to rob them of their advantage. Separating them into smaller groups will allow us to kill them without much trouble, but we won't be to hold them for long as stronger Grimm won't be affected by the train's weapons, so our hopes are all on you, Ruby."
"Hmm, it's better than nothing I suppose." Said Weiss. "But what if Griffons and Manticores show up?
"Then we will deal with them as well." Qrow readied his weapon.
"It's not like we have many options so let's do it." Blake agreed. "We are counting on you, Ruby."
The intense feeling of pressure was making the red girl nervous again. "Uuhhhm, I only managed to use my power two times and I don't even know how I did it. T-This is a bit too much for me, I-I don't know if I can do it."
Geo placed his hand on her shoulder. "Don't doubt yourself, we all have seen what you are capable of. We have gotten this far because of you and your unwavering determination." He smiled. "You defeated Salem on the Galeon, you saved the people of Vale from the dragon and you never gave up on me." Ruby's eyes shone like diamonds as she stared at him with burning cheeks. "You have far more power than you realize if anyone can save this broken world is you, my Queen." With that said he and the others moved towards the incoming Grimm horde.
"Geo..." Her grip on Cresent Rose tightened. "You always know what to say." She whispered to herself. "I won't let you down!" Ruby's determination grew.
Within moments the train's guns were ready and when the creatures of darkness were in range the artillery battery's opened fire. When the shells hit the ground multiple explosions erupted, dismembering and killing many of the monsters across the battlefield. Though the Grimm had numbers on their side the artillery batteries were doing everything they could to cut down as many enemies they could. But Manticores flew past the ground forces and made their way towards Ruby and her friends.
In the middle of the smoke and death, the surviving Grimm on the ground was approaching fast as well. Geo unsheathed his blade, Stormcaller Malice, the rest followed suit as they prepared for the impending battle. "We have to hold the line no matter what! It's just not our lives at stake here but of hundreds of families if we fail then everyone will die and all the sacrifices we have made will be in vain!" Geo raised his sword. "Many believe that fighting against the Grimm is meaningless as we can't win this war. That those who died fighting them are forgotten and their lives were meaningless in the end! THEY WERE NOT! Their lives have meaning because we the living refuse to forget them! Fight in the name of all who have fallen against the darkness!" He shouted, then he and the others charged with a fire burning in their hearts.
"Let's do this!" Nora slammed her hammer which sent her flying towards the Grimm, then when she was about to land in the middle of the enemy she slammed her hammer with great force. The strong impact shattered the Beowolfs near her and the rest were thrown against the rocks. "Come at me!" She lifted her weapon again and when one Beowolf came at her she brought it down and completely destroyed the creature's head.
Another showed up from the side but Ren quickly gained the Beowolf's attention by firing a few shots at the head, then with a spin he pierced the monster's neck with one of his handguns blade after he used the other handgun to pierce the other side, and with another spin, he decapitated the Beowolf. "Don't leave yourself open like that."
Nora winked. "I knew you had my back."
Ren sighed, and then without any warning, a Manticore landed right between them. The end of the beast's was a sting and it went straight towards Nora but she jumped out of the way just in time. Ren opened fire but the creature didn't pay attention to him as the bullets did no damage whatsoever. "Nora, move!" He shouted.
The stinge came again at her but this time young huntress swung her hammer and shattered the Manticore's sting, several parts of the sting went to his eyes blinding it. Ren saw the opportunity and with a quick jump he slashed the beast's throat before it could react and within seconds it fell and disintegrated into nothingness.
But more Grimm quickly appeared and both of them were surrounded. Seeing what was happening Hydrox and Geo went towards them. The young King slide underneath a Manticore and slashed the stomach followed by slashing the monster's front legs making it fall to the snow, then he pierced the head with his sword. With another move, he yelled. "Caster slash!" a large wave of purple Aura was release and it cut several Beowolfs into pieces.
Hydrox jumped and with a powerful kick to the Manticore's throat it shattered leaving the beast wheezing for air, then with a single slash he removed the creature's head. "My King something feels wrong here."
"What do you mean?"
"These Grimm seem well organized and their numbers are far too great just to be a coincidence." Said the old warrior. "This feels like Vale all over again. But what are they after?"
"Unfortunately we don't have the time to think about that right now." Replied Geo as he dismembered another Grimm. "Holding the line until Ruby is ready is our top priority."
"I wouldn't be quick to dismiss what that traitor said!" Said an unknown voice.
"What?!" Suddenly, two black hands with bone-like armor erupted from the snow below and grabbed his legs, but the boy was quick to act and severed both hands before they did something. "The hell was that?!" He jumped backward.
From the snow, a large Grimm beast emerged. Its body was fully protected with bone-like armor, only small parts around the shoulders and arms revealed some black fur. His head resembled the skull of a lion and two big horns. "I am glad we get to meet again my student." Said the creature with a scowl on his face. "You took what was mine and now I am here to take it back!"
"A Grimm that talks!?" Nora was surprised.
"How is that possible!?" Asked Ren.
"Student?" Geo was confused for a moment but then everything made sense. "...It's you isn't Solomon?"
"Indeed bastard child! I have returned to take my vengeance and what is mine by right!" Yelled Solomon. "The Kingdom of Gwain belongs to me and so does your precious Queen. Which, I have to say she looks more beautiful than ever."
"Chose your words carefully 'Captain'!" Warned Geo.
"Hahaha!" Laughed Solomon. "Still short temper as ever I see. Well, I also heard that she gave you a daughter. Uhh, I bet she was a good fuck wasn't she? After this is done I should taste her myself wouldn't you say?" He licked his lips. "I was the one that taught you how to fight, I showed you how terrible this world really is! I showed you that with power the strong rule the weak and with that knowledge you used it to take your life back with your hands!"
The ground below Geo's feet cracked as his Dark Aura began to rise. "And now I will take yours!"
"Yes! This is! Master versus Student!" He was excited. "Show me what you learned brat!"