A/N: Hello folks, I'm back once again with another chapter to this story! Man, we are getting much closer to the end of this story. With this story nearing its end, it means my other stories will continue as planned but under a schedule much like this one. Things have been keeping me busy and I have a lot of work to do in the meantime so let us get started on the chapter of this story.
NOTE: IF YOU HAVE NOT READ REMNANT OF DESIRES, READ IT BEFORE YOU START READING THIS STORY.
Third Person View
'Thought'"
Greeed/Yummies
Having to return to the building the organization Lil' Miss Malachite stayed in, she knew the time frame was enough to gain information after having to pay the woman on her previous visit. Information of the whereabouts involving Team RWBY, JNPR, and more importantly that cursed OOO.
"Do you have my information?" Cinder requested.
"Of course I do, darling. Lil' Miss always delivers. Although, I can't promise you'll be pleased."
Cinder glared at her with irritation at the words.
"Word is they were seen boarding the Argus Limited a few weeks back. While that isn't exactly far from here, Argus is rarely a destination for folks. Chances are they'll be going straight to–"
"Atlas." Cinder interrupted. She took her chance and walked away while Lil' Miss smiled at the Maiden's intuitiveness.
"You know, you turned out to be quite the interesting customer... Cinder." Cinder stopped dead in her tracks upon hearing her name. She turned around to face Lil' Miss again. "It's not often that a single client brings me double the business." She tapped her cigar onto the ashtray.
A creak was heard from the walkway above, forcing Cinder to look up to see who it was.
"Wait..." her eyes narrowed.
A pair of high heels were the first thing to notice, and then the Corrupted Maiden saw a familiar young woman in white and dark brown, staring down at Cinder from her position.
"Neo?" Cinder recognized.
"Maybe put away the good glasses."
Neo jumped down and landed a strike on Cinder, only for her form to suddenly shatter. Neo then reappears from another direction and knocks Cinder back.
"What are you doing?!" Cinder demanded the woman.
Neo proceeded forward and continued to land blows that push Cinder back. Cinder pushed off of Lil' Miss' table and began to fight back, using hand-to-hand to counter Neo's strikes. She then kicked Neo up and the two fight on the bar counter. Neo knocked some bowls into Cinder before the latter threw the umbrella wielder off the counter. Neo landed gracefully back on the ground. The two continue trading blows until Cinder is launched towards the ceiling, she pushed off of it and Neo barely dodged the flaming fist that shattered the table below her. Cinder jumps up to the balcony railing and looked down on Neo.
"That's enough, ladies!" Lil Miss shouted, her bodyguards drawing their weapons at the two combatants. "I love dinner and a show, but it's time to take it outside."
Taking the gangster's advice, Cinder is pushed through the window and onto the empty street with Neo following her. Cinder landed back on her feet while Neo's form shattered again.
"Hmph, nice trick." The ebony-haired woman stood straight up to look around for Neo. "You've gotten stronger... So have I."
Cinder conjured a fireball that she launched behind her. Neo blocked the blast with her umbrella. Her clothes are slightly torn and tattered and she wore the hat that once belonged to the now gone Roman Torchwick. She stepped forward and angrily glared at Cinder.
"I don't have time for your misplaced blame, girl. I didn't kill your boss. If you want revenge, take it up with 'Little Red'."
Neo charged forward. Cinder conjured a pair of swords that she used to block Neo's attacks.
"You're not the only one with a grudge against someone you hate!" One of Neo's attacks hits Cinder in the face, causing her to activate her Maiden powers, blowing Neo back a few feet. "With OOO, he is to be dealt with for what he did to me!" The student she hated to the very depths of her soul after that incident.
The Neapolitan colored girl growled mutely before she suddenly grinned.
"What is with that grin?"
"Because you are not the only one who wishes for revenge." Whirling her head back, Cinder saw a man with slicked back green hair. However, when he raised two fingers, cell medals danced around his body to reveal the familiar Insect Greeed. It was Uva. "I brought her here for the same thing. To find out where they are heading to."
Cinder's anger grew, not wanting to underestimate the Insect Greeed knowing he and the others can only meet real defeat when their Core Medals are destroyed. Her magic was incapable of doing so.
"I know OOO is responsible for your anger, much like the 'little red' Neo mentioned who she wants dead." Uva moved around, the Maiden noticing a few people in green and black on the rooftops. Uva had followers by his side. "Responsible for your fear, your hatred towards him for what he did to you, and your face."
His wrist-blades flick the lock of her hair aside, revealing the state of her scarred left eye. Ruining her flawless beauty was the large gash that runs from the upper left center of her forehead, over her left eye and down to her cheek. The damaged eye was now pale with lack of any color, displaying the blindness to it. The weapon, Medagaburyu, was responsible for leaving behind the horrible mark.
Cinder slapped away the blades in irritation. "What do you want from me?" She seethed.
"We seek the same thing. Neo wants the little red dead. But you and I want OOO gone." His mandibles click together. "I say we work together to get rid of the rats."
"Why should I trust you?" Cinder said, her tone giving demand towards the Insect Greeed. Especially when having all nine Core Medals makes them unstoppable.
"You lost to OOO. I know that you desire to end him when you get stronger. Yet due to that cursed Anti-Thesis he holds, it creates a problem for us both. I have seen what he did to you with it." He sneered. "And unlike you, I can sense the Core energy wherever it is near. From there, where do you think it would lead me to?"
The Fall Maiden bit her lip in confliction and irritation. The Greeed can sense their own Core Medals wherever they are. That being said, it would lead him straight to his target(s). She had no way to know where exactly they would end up within Atlas and with OOO, it was a problem for her.
Having no choice, Cinder said, "... Fine. But I won't trust any words that speak out of that mouth of yours."
Uva snorted. "Fine by me. As long as we get what we want. Neo, we're going."
Neo obeyed as they began to leave. Cinder gave a quick glance on the rooftops, seeing the people in green and black moving steadily across the rooftops once the Insect Greeed began his leave. Uva truly gained loyalties over the years.
Neo stood by Uva, glancing at the now disguised Greeed. It really has been a year. She desired to kill the red hooded girl for taking away the one person she cared about. At least with Uva, she will be able to do that; she is getting stronger with the lessons. She owed him for saving her life. And over the year, more descendants of the Multi-King's followers and worshippers begin to confront Uva.
It makes Neo wonder, could there be more followers of the Lost Kingdom? If so, would they be aware of that new OOO?
Remnants of Desires: After the Fall
Chapter 21: Snowstorm, Farm, Apathy
It's been nearly two days since we traveled across the snow and already some of us are freezing in the cold weather. While we camped within the ice-made shelters due to my Semblance throughout our travel, it didn't change the fact of the oncoming storm. I've seen snow storms back home but this… this was insane. There was also tension amongst the group due to the harsh conditions. I adjusted the collar of my coat, shoving my hands into my pockets to keep myself warm. I glanced at the others, some were silent.
Things still weren't easy ever since Jinn told us the story of Salem and Ozpin or Ozma. Was I still upset? Damn right I was but I held it back. Most of our party assumed it was a losing fight… but I wasn't giving up on it. My eyes drift to my hand. I took a deep breath and shuddered a bit from the cold weather. Looking at Ankh, his eyes just stare at the snowy plains. How can he even resist the damn cold?
I was then reminded of his flames. Lucky bastard.
"You are lucky you know that?" I said to him with irritation.
"What?"
"You have fire while the rest of us are friggin freezing!"
He shot me a questionable glare. "If you want me to warm you guys up, think again. I won't waste my energy for this."
"Jerk."
"Moron."
"Birdbrain." We glared at each other before Ankh walked further ahead in irritation. Guess things haven't been the same since our big argument after learning the story of Salem and Ozpin.
"Still arguing with Ankh? More than usual?" I turned around to see Blake.
"He's still upset about Ozpin hiding the truth from us. He wanted to kill him but that means he'd have to kill Oscar too.." I muttered. "Can you blame that bird? Hell, even Qrow, is more pissed off than the rest of us. Not only because of the secret history of humanity but how this planet hid secrets. First, you guys learned the forgotten history of the Multi-King from Ankh and then this?"
"I can see why. We're practically fighting a hopeless fight all this time." Blake replied bitterly. "This might be less of a surprise for you knowing where you're actually from." I knew what she meant. I only knew about the history of Remnant from books and wasn't born and lived here until I arrived a year ago.
"Good point…" I sighed. "But… I don't care what Ankh thinks. I, on the other hand, am not giving up on this. It may be impossible to some of us, but me? I know there is a chance regardless of what the rest say."
"Hopefully the others will have the same thought as you and Ruby do." She murmured. "While your purple form can destroy a Greeed's Core Medals for good, will it work against Salem? She is immortal from what Jinn told us."
I pondered. I know my Cores destroy anything made from desires. Could… it actually be possible? Immortality is seen as a desire but also a curse to live forever. She desired Ozma in the past, but I wasn't sure.
"I don't know...but you have a point," I admitted. "From what he once said, the Cores were meant to destroy anything made of desires of any form. Maybe it can, maybe not. We just have to find out if that day ever approaches..." I chewed my lip, reminded of my ongoing fight. I was still unsure of how it would go. Uva and Kazari are still out there and doing who knows what over the year. I shuddered at such possibilities.
Even with the Grimm Greeed going after my life specifically. Salem would definitely try to fight it and put the hybrid Greeed under her control due to its capabilities. I'm sure she was aware given she created Grimm and the Greeed faced large numbers of Grimm in the past.
Raising my head, I could see the snowflakes continue to pour. I was sure it was going to get worse by the hour.
"Great... the storm's getting worse…" I grimaced.
"Any ideas of the nearest place?" Ruby asked.
"I see a farm." We looked at Ankh who was ahead of us.
"How the hell can you see that well in this weather?" Qrow questioned.
"I'm the Bird Greeed, jackass. What do you think?"
"Alright, no need to show off." The older scythe-wielder said in annoyance. "We can rest there till the storm goes away."
"Might as well," Weiss shivered.
"This place looks abandoned…" I observed the area. For a mere farm, it seems to be an estate of sorts in rural terms.
"Could be, but stay cautious," Qrow advised, closing the gate.
The place was eerily silent aside from the harsh winds of the coming storm. We have passed by destroyed places, even unfinished and empty towns. But this? The place looked intact as we stepped further towards the house.
It was eerie. Just stepping foot into this place was giving me wrong vibes.
Glancing at Ankh, he didn't spare a glance, his red eyes criticizing the area. We approached the porch as Qrow knocked on the door, hoping for anyone to answer. Eerily, no one did.
"Is there anyone here?" I asked.
"Maybe everyone left in a hurry?" Weiss asked, rubbing her arms from the cold.
Checking the door, Qrow noticed it was locked until he was shoved aside by Ankh who kicked the door open.
"Ankh, what the hell!?" I exclaimed.
"Either you dimwits get in to find warmth or be out here and end up as popsicles." Ankh glared and entered the house.
"Let's go." Qrow sighed and followed him inside. I frowned at Ankh, my hands clenched for a moment before relaxing.
Ankh really needs to stop being a prick.
Entering the place, it was dark but bright enough to see. There was a fireplace along with a small bookshelf and study room.
"We could light up that fireplace to keep us warm during the storm."
"Good idea." Ruby agreed, checking her pockets for any Dust until I presented her one I have. "Thanks."
"Don't mention it." I nodded before I volunteered to look around the place. It really felt ominously empty. Looking at the walls, I noticed a picture of a family. "Those must be the owners…" I noticed. Staring at it, I reminisced about the old days. I know I moved on after the Yummy and dream incident. Yet why does this place unsettle me with memories...
I felt a hand on my shoulder, forcing me to look back with my grip on the sword.
"Ruby…" I sighed and relaxed slightly but I still felt concerned and wary about the place we are in. "Please don't do that."
"S-Sorry. Uncle Qrow wanted me to check on you. We didn't hear from you for almost 15 minutes."
I grasp my head, breathing out for a moment. 15 minutes? It felt like it was less time than that.
"Sorry about that Ruby," I sighed. "Guess this place is just getting to me and with that big argument between me and Ankh.."
"Blake told me what has been bothering you," Ruby replied. "Are you going to be okay?"
I sighed heavily. "I'm… not sure. But right now, I'm just focused on getting to Atlas as soon as possible."
I know Blake and now Ruby are getting concerned, but as far as I know, the escort of the Relic seemed more important than the fact of the grudges Poseidon and Adam have towards me. Adding to that is Salem seeing me as a dangerous threat due to the two relics that belonged to the former Multi-King: O-Driver and O-Calibur.
"Of course…" Ruby nodded.
Traversing more in the house, my nose twitched in repulsion at the sudden smell.
"What's that smell?" Ruby blanched in disgust.
"AAAAAHHH!"
We heard a scream and we both ran upstairs to see what happened. When we got up there, we saw Weiss with a horrified look on her face. The others soon followed suit.
"Weiss, what's wrong?" I asked. She didn't say anything, and just pointed to the door, shaking. The said door possibly being the master bedroom.
I pray I was wrong on this. "Ruby, stay here with Weiss for a moment." I said to her, trying to ease my being from the possible findings.
Slowly and hesitantly, I grab the doorknob and push the door open. The creaking of the wood made it ominous but nothing compared to what I saw that horrified me. On the bed were two people but they were dead, the smell of decay still lingering in the cold air.
I nearly moved back, covering my mouth upon seeing the two bodies on the bed. I nearly felt my stomach churn and old memories flash in my mind.
"Enrique? Are you ok? What's wrong?" The silver-eyed girl asked but she saw what I was looking at. She gasped in shock.
"I-I'm fine. Just need a minute…" I immediately left the hall for a moment before I was against the wall, my hand dragging across my face and a need to breathe. I know I moved on from my family's deaths but the old memory that scarred me of my mom's corpse still lingers.
While those corpses from earlier seem to have died for way longer, it still brought me nightmares. This is… horrible…
If this is really an estate… there is a possibility of more bodies.
"Dear god…" I grimaced, closing my eyes and suppressing the images down the depths of my mind. I really need air to breathe from all of this.
Despite the cold air of the storm, I used my Semblance to shield myself. I overheard from Qrow the whole estate held nothing but dead bodies. Every single house had no one but those who died in their beds. I was horrified and morbid at the fact that we are here, full of the dead.
Just what happened here that led to the deaths of those people? It's unnatural. All of this was just unsettling for me. The place was giving bad vibes and it wasn't just from the corpses. It felt like there was something more about this place. The feeling that makes me want to get out of here as soon as possible. Far away from here.
"Enrique…?"
I lifted my head, seeing Blake. "Oh hey, Blake…" I look at the ongoing storm. "I thought you and Yang would be looking around that shed?"
Her mood turned sad and held her arm. Something must have happened between the two.
"I guess she's still trying to trust you after...well…" I tried to find the right words. I expand the ice shield to allow her to sit down next to me, keeping the cold air away from us.
"I… I thought she still trusts me after everything…" Her head was lowered in sadness.
"It'll take time. I can tell she's still having nightmares after dealing with him." I frowned at the memory. "She doesn't want something like that to happen again, I bet. Same goes with me."
"Right...about your family…"
"I moved on from what happened but this," I gestured to the place we are in. "I'm feeling unsettled… the last time I saw a dead body very close… wasn't just from the Breach… but the accident 6 years ago."
"Your mom…" she remembered.
"I'm not sure about being here at all, Blake…" I stated. "It doesn't feel right to me…"
"I know...but we have no other choice," Blake said to me. "I hope the storm passes soon."
"Same here…" I muttered, my eyes drifting to my hands for a moment then remembering what I tried to say to her back on the train. I have to tell her before anything happens to either of us.
"... Say, Blake, remember what I wanted to ask you something on the train?"
"Oh right, I remember. What did you want to tell me?"
I mentally reminded myself from everything I had to tell her. I can't turn back from it.
"Blake… I know this setting is not really the best choice..." I reached into my pocket, building up more courage. "But every day since our relationship a year ago, I savored every moment we had together. Each day to remember, and you being the one I fell in love with. The one who helped me feel alive. That's why I want to take the next step for us before something happens..." I closed my eyes and took a very deep breath and brought up the small box and opened it. Blake gasped, seeing the ring in it. "Blake...will you marry me?"
Her face blushed heavily. "M-M-Marriage?"
"It doesn't have to be now...maybe when everything is over…" I glance away for a moment. "We... can have it in Menagerie."
"D-Did you tell my parents about this…?"
"Several days before we left on the Argus Express." I replied. "They gave me their blessing… that and your dad, kinda–okay, really warned me what happens if I screw up." I shuddered at the words Ghira said to me.
To admit, Ghira scares the crap out of me whenever he says such words to me.
"T-This...I-I don't know what to say…" She admitted. "I-I never expected to hear this question from you…"
"You don't have to answer it now…I-I mean with everything going on a-and…" I was stammering like a total idiot! The answer I got from her was her hands grasping my own.
"It's alright." She assured me. "I… wanted to hear that from you."
"R-Really?" She slowly nodded. "T-Then...that means-?"
"Yes."
I feel happy hearing her answer. Gently holding her hand, I carefully place the ring on her finger. "Do you like it?"
"It's beautiful." Blake answered with a smile. "Did you buy this from Menagerie?"
"Yeah… I… I wanted to find the right time…" I scratched my head. "Talk about bad timing, right?" I somewhat joked.
"Quite the timing to propose in the middle of a snowstorm, and at a place like this no less." She replied with a joke of her own.
I scratched my cheek nervously before a chill ran down my spine. My eyes look at the ongoing storm, seeing only snow.
"Enrique?"
I stare at the area for a moment before looking at Blake. "Sorry… just… a sudden feeling that makes me wary of this place…"
"Again?"
"I'm not being paranoid. It is just this place, it doesn't feel right." I replied.
I don't know if it was the place or just me. It was haunting, and it left me wondering what was going on. Was it just me or was it something about the estate?
My eyes drift to the storm, noticing it was starting to get worse. "We should get inside." I made the ice shield around us both vanish. Blake nodded before the both of us entered the house.
Upon entering, I stopped for a moment, remembering the people who died here. It really didn't feel right. I figured to ask Qrow for some help but the guy was drinking away his problems after the tension with Ozpin. Or Ozma rather.
Ankh wouldn't give a damn since he was being helpless. On second thought, him being more of an asshole was the right word to describe him as of right now.
Let's hope this place can give us a breather and allow us all to finally move onward. The tension was fierce and everyone was on edge from this whole thing. I just hope we don't need to separate again from this, I don't want to see another repeat again from us all being divided.
I curled my fingers before I decided to be the one to do the right thing. To leave these poor souls in those conditions, no one deserves it.
I walked up the steps and took deep breaths when my hand shook slightly. My fingers dug into my palms tightly before I conjured sheets of ice and made it slide below the bodies. Once under them, I flicked my wrist to send the ice to each of them. I focused on my Semblance again and made each one go down the stairs and outside. I felt the looks from a few who saw me but didn't say anything.
The cold chill slammed against my skin and I clenched my jaw to the cold touch. It wasn't easy for me but I had to explore the estate and continuously used my Semblance until all the makeshift ice coffins were lined up.
My gaze dimmed and created a shovel out of ice before digging rectangular holes. It took longer than I imagined but it was enough before allowing my Semblance to delicately set the ice coffins into the graves. With a swipe of my arm, the snow covered them.
To complete the final touch, I made some ice meld two metal bars together as a cross and planted it onto the cold ground.
For a moment, that one moment, my mind fooled me as it felt like the snow was acting as rain and the ground was the cemetery I visited for my late family. I gritted my teeth and shoved down the memories. I don't want to remember those bitter memories.
"Enrique? You okay?" A voice asked, placing her hand on my shoulder.
I quickly turned to look and saw Blake, her other hand over her to try and block the blazing snow.
"I'm fine." I eased myself. "It… It just didn't feel right to leave them like that."
"But, you've been out here for almost an hour…." She said with slight worry in her voice. "Are you sure, you're fine?"
"I…" I felt my jaw lock. My mind felt conflicted to either lie or ignore it. "I'm not sure how I feel right now Blake. Upset? Sad?"
"Come on then… Let's get inside and warm up." Blake said, pulling me with her as she was just more worried about me at the moment than our situation.
"Alright…" I murmured and followed her back inside.
Night was brewing as most of us were asleep on the floor. I on the other hand was leaning against the wall as I sat; Blake resting her head on my shoulder as she slept. My eyes couldn't close at all, only to look at the floor in unease. Ankh was the last to fall asleep but Maria was still awake.
I glanced at Qrow who was leaning on the chair, sleeping as his head was craned down slightly. However my gaze shifts to a wine bottle on the leg of the chair.
Guess some of us took the information seriously into mind. Ankh and Qrow really do hate Ozpin–Ozma, er whatever.
Shaking my head, I sighed.
"Something troubling you?" Maria asked.
"The only thing in mind is the storm and this place." I murmured, not wanting to wake up the others. "Sometimes I wonder if it's just all in my head or something else."
"As to being the ancient OOO?" Now that got my attention. I quickly looked at her, her 'eyes' not moving away from the book in her hand.
"How did you–"
"I may be old but I do know a few things in life." She replied. "I saw the sword you wanted to use against that 'Relic'. It belonged to the late mad king."
"Uh yeah...I found it back at Menagerie." I grip the King's Relic. "It saved my life but… it felt like I was tested."
I could remember the voice of the former king. The questions and temptations to rule over all with power.
"Having it does have its trials." Maria flipped a page. "Yet you are more different than him from the stories I was told as a child and what Jinn explained. The king was ruthless, selfish and greedy. And your… friend Ankh. One of his former generals."
"So you know…"
"I see no selfishness in you when it comes to power. You use that power to protect. Not to rule. Ruling and protecting are two different things."
"I… don't follow."
"Ruling: you control, you thwart others to be mighty. Selfish. As to a protector: you fight for others. You use what you have for others to help them. Selflessness."
"I see."
"And what I see in your eyes, it speaks more. Something that stays in you."
I grasp my chest, remembering what was within my Aura. My Cores. I know it isn't within my body, it was still a part of me knowing I purified it from its darkness and corruption. Becoming a part of my Semblance. "The Purple Cores…" I murmured. "I… rarely use them due to the risks…"
I know I controlled it but if I use too much of that power, it can repeat the Greeedification. Something that still frightens me to this day.
"I can see you suffered from that power of yours by someone." She must be referring to Gara. "And whoever's after you must be up to something evil."
I grimaced. "I…" What was I supposed to say? That I have a few, okay, numerous individuals out to kill me? That Grimm Greeed seeking to kill me to be complete, born from Gara's negativity and desires? Uva and Kazari seeking to take back their respective Core Medals to regain their full power? Adam who hated me ever since I cut off his arm and horn? Or even Salem knowing I hold an ancient item that nearly changed the world? All of that was too much…
Too much on my mind, my own life already at risk and in danger. I rest my head against the wall. "Sometimes I wonder if being a protector is more complicated than it seems…" I admitted.
"It's never easy. There will always be a villain that is gonna try to claim power to perform their own objectives." Maria explained. "This Salem is also the same. Someone who wants power for her ambitions." She finally looks at me, adjusting her prosthetic eyes. "Being a protector always comes with a price for your actions."
"In other words… no matter the good or bad things are… there's always a consequence to coming back?" I responded.
"Yes. Either someone allied to her or anyone else with the same ambitions will try to derail peace." She replied. "Not everyone shares the same vision like you."
My eyes shift at her words before my sights land on the keychain that was clipped to my belt. All actions have consequences.
"And if you do win against them, there is only the problem of you becoming the same as those villains themselves from your power."
My entire body froze. To end up like them or the Multi-King.
"If you are the only one left with power to change the world...the others will definitely fear you or try to take it from you. It is inevitable."
Now I began to feel unsettled. What if she was right? What would happen to me if I did end up as the last one? The power of OOO was seen as a dangerous topic. Ozpin warned me after seeing the sword, then the words of the former Multi-King…
Will I be consumed by power once I stopped Salem and the other Greeed? This was starting to scare me. I looked at my hands; I can't let myself fall. I already have what I needed. I won't let that happen. Not after everything I have endured.
"Think very hard about it, young man. You will need it to make your decisions in the future." The older woman advised. "To be a protector or a ruler, it all rests on your hands."
Looking at the ceiling then at Blake next to me, I lowered my head and closed my eyes. Allowing myself to finally drift into sleep for the night.
Morning rose for all of us, my eyes opening and yawning. I rub my eyes tiredly, grimacing at the trouble of sleeping. Guess the talk Maria and I had last night gave me a difficult time to get a good sleep. Taking stock of the morning and the storm no longer present, I felt relieved to know today was the chance to leave this place. Glancing at my now fiancée, she was still asleep. I carefully nudged my shoulder against her. "Blake, wake up."
"Five more minutes...so tired..."
"Come on, we need to get moving now that the storm has passed." I reminded her quietly. "We gotta wake up the others."
She moaned in despair before she tiredly opened her amber eyes.
"If we were a bit warmer, I'd enjoy this moment…" She smiled softly, as she pecked my cheek.
I chuckled softly before the both of us began to wake the others up. When I went to wake up Ankh, I saw him slouched against the wall, his Greeed arm and human arm over his knees.
"Ankh." I shook him. "Ankh, wake u-" I lurched back to the harsh swing which startled everyone awake due to the impact.
I held my nose, feeling it bleed and watched the blonde kaijin slowly turn to look at me but his crimson eyes held bags under which displayed lack of sleep. He didn't sleep? He had his eyes closed last night I recall. "Ankh, what the hell?!" I shouted.
"Not. In. The mood." He seethed
"So your first instinct is to hit him? What gives?!" Yang shouted tiredly, as it seemed she too noticed the outcome.
He slowly stood up and popped his back before he grunted. "I told you brats earlier. Once my body is back, I am done with this."
"Plan to run away again? Figures." Yang glared, as it seemed she was more angry that Ankh tried to attack Enrique.
Ankh pointed at the blonde hauntingly. "It's called survival of the fittest, blondie. Something this world doesn't understand."
"More like being a coward because you learned the truth like us."
"You're not the one created into this world with nothing but the life you were granted. Not one who was used for a king's ambition after he discovered what this world hid. Being made to mimic such lost art." He glowered. "You guys had something when you were born. Me? Nothing. We were blank slates." He looked at the rest of us. "If that is all, get that damn truck bed together so we can get the hell out." He marched out the house but never chose to close the door, letting the cold air in.
"Ugh! What is his deal?" Yang growled, smashing her fist into the wall next to her, to vent out the frustration.
"He's right you know." Qrow murmured tiredly. "We're not like him nor were we in his time to understand the things he saw for a purpose. Can't blame him…"
Guess Qrow was still upset and agreed with Ankh.
"Let's just go get ready." I sighed. "I know Ankh isn't in the mood for anything but he made his choice…"
"E-Enrique? You are letting him leave?!" Ruby asked.
"We're not the ones bossing him around. It's his choice, not mine. He told me the day we met he was only helping me to get his real body. He never said what he would do after. What he said yesterday and right now, is the choice he made." I rubbed away the last of my blood from my nose. I stared at the specks of it on my fingers before enclosing it and wiped it away.
"Fine… but if he does that again, I'm knocking him to the moon." Yang sighed out with an annoyed huff.
"Says the girl who had a similar experience being flung sky high."
Yang choked at the memory, immediately recalling the lunch brawl.
We exited the house before Ruby and Qrow began to push the flatbed trailer onto Bumblebee. I watched before my mind felt a jolt and abruptly looked around. My Cores… they felt like… there was something similar around.
What was that just now? I shook my head and briefly noticed the eyes in some of my friends. They looked dim but not Ruby's. Probably from the sleep.
"You guys got the bike ready?" Ruby asked her sister.
The buxom blonde gestured to the motorcycle before Qrow said, "Well it's done now. So let's hook this thing and-" the moment he rested his foot on the side of the trailer, the tire on the other side blew flat.
"Come on!" Yang grunted out with annoyance. "Great, now this is going to be a pain to fix."
"It's just a flat tire. I'm sure there's a spare." Ruby pointed out.
Yang scratched her head irritably. "It's not just that, it's everything. Storms, crashes, monsters…" She sighed heavily. "I'm so tired…"
"Yeah. But that's what we signed up for."
Oscar on the other hand thought otherwise. "We signed up to try and save the world… not delay the inevitable."
The heiress rubbed her arm. She too understood how they felt. "Last night I… I couldn't stop thinking - why are we even going to Atlas?"
Ruby looked at her partner. "Weiss, we have to."
I felt the sudden jolt in my mind again and my hand twitched to my weapon on my hip. Again, my Cores reacted. I held my head and wondered what that was. It felt off.
"Do we though? Enrique was somewhat right. What if we just destroy it or drop it somewhere that they'd never think to look?" Yang added on. "We can just dump it down this well and move on."
Ruby detached the Relic of Knowledge from her belt and looked at us. She slowly walked over to the well while I held my head again to the jolt. It wasn't a Yummy that was around. Something is doing this.
"Ruby wait!" I called out.
My voice stopped her before she shook her head for a moment. However Ruby looked frightened by something in which it caused her to accidentally drop the relic. "No! No! No! I didn't mean to!"
"Ruby it's okay." Weiss started.
"No! No, there's something down there! I saw it, it was looking at me!"
Yang placed a hand on her sister's shoulder. "Hey it's okay. You're just tired. It's probably nothing. Now let's go."
"Go? Do you guys hear yourselves?!" I exclaimed. "Ruby dropped the Relic!" Now I was starting to wonder why the others are like this. This wasn't them.
"It's no longer our problem. We can simply just walk away." Yang said, once again as it seemed she just looked tired and weakened.
"We are not leaving without the lamp!" Ruby yelled.
Qrow groaned and stood up. "Just get the damn lamp! Oscar, fix the stupid tire!" He hopped off and walked back inside.
"And where are you going?" Maria questioned.
"Where do you think?" He shook the flask and entered the household.
The elderly woman looked down and grumbled, "Idiot."
Jumping down into the well, the darkness was known, the eerie sounds of dripping water and its echoes didn't help with the atmosphere. My body felt tense to be in here. I know we have to pick up the Relic Ruby mistakenly dropped but my hands were shaking slightly. I don't like this feeling as it tells me to get out of here as soon as possible. I felt my Aura, no, my three Core Medals reacting to whatever is here.
"Let's get that Relic…" I muttered as Ruby walked ahead.
I look around, unsettled by this.
"Enrique, are you alright?" Blake said.
"I… I don't like this… I–" I was cut off when Ruby screamed. Quickly, we ran but saw her running from something before Yang stopped her.
"Ruby, what's wrong?!" The scythe weidler pointed and we saw thin human-shaped figures, their claws with elongated nails and their bodies emitting wisps of black smoke. The ominous part was their appearance was similar to human skeletons with black flesh underneath the bone. Their movements were like something I have seen from zombies in a movie.
These were Grimm.
"RUN!" I shouted. We begin to run as I use some Ice Dust, allowing the ice to push back the Grimm.
"This way!" We saw Maria to our surprise waving her cane at us.
"Miss Maria?! What are you doing here?!"
"I will explain later but we must flee!" She barked.
Not asking twice, we all ran down the tunnel but upon running deeper inside to an underground room, we saw a larger group of them. We quickly made haste in the other direction but suddenly we heard their screams - screams that caused us to collapse on all fours.
I gritted my teeth and my mind felt it the moment they screamed.
It was those Grimm!
With a growl, I used Medajalibur as the edges were coated in ice before throwing an arc of frozen air. A few of the humanoid Grimm were sliced in half but for a second, my vision was violet.
What the hell was that?
"Come on! Get a move on!" Maria proclaimed to the others.
The monsters screeched again, causing us to fall again. My chest heaved before my anger boiled again and used my other blade to release another arc of ice.
My eyes flashed between colors and my mind was burning. I moved back to follow the others while trying to push the Grimm back. Damn it, they just weren't stopping!
Changing my weapon into gun mode, I fired a few rounds across the walls. With it, I was about to swipe my arm until they released their scream, causing me to stop and fall. I wanted to stand but again, my ears kept hearing the damn howls.
The ominous screeches they kept releasing stunned us. They were causing our bodies to feel heavier, almost feeling tired. I struggled to move more.
What the hell's going on?!
I saw Blake by me in the same state I was.
I use the O-Calibur and Upgraded Medajalibur as support, my arms shaking. My breathing was becoming heavy. I look ahead, seeing the others struggling. My eyes weakly drift behind me, seeing them near me and Blake and I tried to reach out for her.
I have to move… I had to save her…
"Come… on…" I tried but the sense of dread was slowly pulling me. One of the Grimm got near Blake and I tried my hardest to reach out for her, Blake doing the same. I… I was scared. I'm scared of this. My body feels like it wants to give in. I...
I don't want to give in!
My arms wobbled, the blades clattering and my sight seeing Ruby looked at me with a panicked look. Me and Blake both tried to reach out to her but my entire body couldn't do anything; nothing but give in to it.
I feel… tired.
"NOOOOO!"
A flash of light brightens the corridor, the Grimm disorientated from it.
I could feel my body regain energy, regaining my bearings. "Wha–what…?" I noticed I was lifted up by Ruby, she did the same for Blake. It was similar to what Ruby did a year ago… That light.
"Come on!"
Now we know how those Grimm made our bodies feel tired. It was because of those screeches. Weiss attempts to push open our only way out but she couldn't.
"It won't open!" Weiss shouted.
"I'll open it!" Yang volunteered.
Climbing the stairs, she was about to use her arm but was stopped as the humanoid Grimm unleashed their screech again, forcing us to the ground.
I tried to muffle my ears to stop the screeches, but it was null and we all could feel the effects. I feel tired once more but I don't want to succumb to it. It was agonizing to resist the effects.
I saw Maria crawl to Ruby and looked at her. "Ruby… what color are your eyes?"
"They're… silver…"
The answer made the old woman gasp in excitement. "You have friends? Family?" This only confused Ruby, "H-Huh…?"
I saw the Grimm getting closer in which I tried to reach for the buckle but it was difficult to move. Maris managed to lay Ruby's head down and cover her ears.
What was she doing?
"Don't think about them. Think about the people who love you. Focus on the thought of them, the way they make you feel. Focus!"
Ruby didn't know why but did as was told and closed her eyes.
I struggled to move and slowly managed to stand. My arms felt heavy but I forced one limb to dig into the dirt and pull Medagaburyu. With the Antithesis weapon in hand, I forced it to become bazooka mode by shoving it across the ground to enclose the T-rex head. Their roars caused me to fall on one knee.
"Life… is beautiful. It is precious." I heard Maria say to Ruby.
I grunted and poured my Aura into the weapon. The roars made me lose balance, my eyes wavering but my Cores were reacting against it.
"And… it must be protected."
I aimed but then, a flash of light startled me from my focus. It came from Ruby as I shielded my eyes.
The light was unleashed towards the Grimm. To my amazement, I witnessed them disintegrate until we saw no more of them. This astonished me. How did Maria know what to tell Ruby…?
Yang looked at the door to push open but suddenly we saw it shake and pried open with considerable force. There, we were greeted with Ankh and his active Greeed arm.
"Good, you're all here! Time to leave quickly."
"Ankh, how did you find–"
"This cellar door was locked for a reason. Maria and I had our suspicions. Go!" He waved us into the house as he unleashed a fireball into the Grimm that were starting to climb the stairs. He growled in irritation and fired another. He then noticed the bottles in the shelves, an idea made in his mind.
"Oi! Get those bottles spread around!" Ankh demanded.
"No need to tell me!" Weiss begins to throw them around, the contents spilling much to Qrow's ire.
"Hey, what are you doing..?!" The Huntsman slurred.
"We're leaving!" Maria shouted. "Get up you idiot!"
Not wasting any time, Ruby helped Qrow stand and dragged him before Ankh had to kick a Grimm back into the tunnel. Blake looked back in shock but I grabbed her hand and we both ran out of the house.
With the bottles broken and the contents spread, he threw fire before we all ran out of the house.
With the engine running, Yang started her bike as the rest of us hurriedly hopped onto the tractor bed. It pulled us all before Ankh gave one last look at the house. We watch his Greeed arm burn violently and launch a large fireball towards the building. The flames consumed the interior of the estate, but Ankh breathed out exhaustion and nearly fell until I prevented it. He used up Cell Medals from his arm to make sure the place burns. His arm dug into the bag, hungrily absorbing the last of the Cell Medals he carried.
Blake held my arm tightly, shaking like a leaf. And I couldn't blame her. We were both nearly killed by those monsters, Blake must've been the most scared since she was closest to them. I used my free arm to rub her back to ease her fear away. I was this close to losing her again. The very thought of it shook me to my core.
"What were those things?" I asked.
"They are the Apathy." replied Maria.
"Apathy?"
"Creatures of Grimm. They're not ferocious or strong, but still very deadly."
"She's right. They are Grimm that unleash their howls, draining a person's will to go on." Ankh stated. "Grimm like this I have seen in the past…"
"Wait, you've seen them before?" Weiss asked.
"We Greeed never felt their effects but the human victims did." He slouched in the corner of the tractor bed. "I have seen humans simply give up, embracing death as their final act."
"So then the people in the estate…"
"They gave up." He stated bluntly. "Death via sleep was the only answer for them the moment the howls were released."
"Then why…" I shuddered at the experience. I really did feel like I wanted to stop yet there was a part of me that didn't want to.
His red eyes glance at me before looking at the rest of us. "The book Maria read. It mentioned the owner sealing some in the empty waterway. That is until the rest of the pack showed up, using the tunnels to travel. Since the deaths of the original occupants, they went dormant until more victims would show up. That being us. The effects were slowly taking hold." He lifted his Greeed arm, his talons curling slightly. "In comparison, they are eerily similar to the Purple Core Medals. Draining the desires out of you. To move, to eat, to breathe… to live."
Grimm that could drain the desire to live straight out of you. How could such a thing exist?
"Ankh speaks the right words." Maria nodded.
"Ms. Calavera… how come you know so much about the Grimm?" Ruby asked. "And in the tunnels, for my eyes to do that? How?"
"Oh that's easy. I had silver eyes." The old woman answered.
To be continued…
CURRENT MEDALS:
Blazing: Taka (x2), Kujaku (x1), Condor (x1)
Scorching: Lion (x1), Tora (x2), Cheetah (x1)
Strongest: Kuwagata (x1), Kamakiri (x1), Batta (x1)
Legendary: Kobura (x1), Kame (x1), Wani (x1)
Water: Shachi (x1), Tako (x1), Unagi (x1)
Gravity: Sai (x3), Gorilla (x1), Zou (x2)
Invincible: Ptera (x1), Tricera (x1), Tyranno (x1)
Ultimate King: Super Taka (x1), Super Tora (x1), Super Batta (x1)
(NEXT TIME)
"So you were the Grimm Reaper?" Qrow realized in disbelief.
This… was what the Yummy was protecting. One of the King's Relics. This must be the one Ankh once mentioned.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived in Argus." Yang announced.
Next Time: Grimm Reaper, Gauntlet, Argus
A/N: Our protagonist's relationship with Blake has taken a step further, the two now bonded. Not to mention, the development for our characters. As to our protagonist, his Cores are similar to the Apathy as it reacted due to the similar ability of being anti-thesis of desires. However it looks like things will take an interesting turn as we are nearing the end. What will happen to our characters? You just have to find out next time, especially from the sneak preview of the next chapter involving a major point for our Rider. Until then, see you all next week! Don't forget to leave a review, favorite and follow this story!
