Hey everyone, I'm so glad you all could make it to the beginning of the end for this story. It's been one heck of crazy ride for the last year and it's amazing to see all of you still showing up in the charts to check out this chapter. I don't really of much else to say here so sit back and enjoy the show.
"Think whoever is in charge is atop Signal's tower?" Yang asked, as the fighting at the gates had pushed even further into the school.
"A nice highpoint to observe the chaos happening around and nothing to obstruct them from the sky above," Dunstan said.
"So we go in then just keep running. Signal's tower is houses the schools four dueling arenas so we can expect some resistance on the way up. As long as we keep moving forward we might make it to the top before one of these group wins and pincers us between themselves and whoever is guarding the tower." Ruby unfurled her scythe making sure it was loaded and ready.
"Shouldn't be too hard. We just have a few several dozen people standing between us and that tower." Yang stretched her arms hearing her shoulders pop from the release.
A cultist charged the distracted group with sword in hand only for three gunshots to ring out and the black robed individual to fall over dead. Yang and Weiss turned around seeing the others with their weapons raised and smoke spilling from the barrels. Their eyes were sharp and focused on the task at hand for a brief moment before returning to their usual state.
"That was a waste of a bullet," Dunstan remarked.
"Make that three," Ruby added feeling embarrassed over her wasting a shot on something any of them could have beat with a wooden stick.
"No more waiting around then." Blake unsheathed her sword and held Gambol Shroud in each hand as her newly acquired katana stayed strapped to her side.
"Agreed," The three said in unison leaving behind a stunned Weiss and Yang.
Ruby ran forward towards the tower that had a small war going on around it currently. Leaping into the air she had the blade to her weapon spate before giving it a twirl. Whipping up a storm of blood her landing gathered everyone's attention. The reaper was a terrifying sight in the center of the battlefield surrounded by several bodies. Gathering up some courage a few people began to cautiously step forward. When nothing happened they rushed towards the rather short killer. Stabbing their weapons forward they cut through a gust of petals. Looking around in fear one of the soldiers began to scream as he toppled over falling to the ground. One by one a gust would brush past and claim another victim. The survivors began to furiously swing their weapons at the air in an attempt to hit the Reaper. None of them were managing to follow the trail of red that Ruby left behind in all the chaos that was happening.
A knight in full armor entered the blood stained field with a great sword being held up with two hands. HIs eyes hidden behind the helm he wore and the mask the could be seen beneath. A gale began to whip around him as petals filled his vision. Brining the weapon back he swung it with all his might as a thunderous crack of steel clashing against steel was heard. The red hooded girl being thrown back into everyone's view. Bring the sword back up the knight swung it behind himself clashing with a cane like sword.
"Quite the perceptive one, aren't you?" Dunstan leaped back as he thrusted his cane forward, letting the whip launch itself outwards like a spear.
The attack was blocked, but it did keep the knight stood in one spot long enough for Ruby to propel herself at the man. Her scythe would have cut through the knights left shoulder had he not had any aura. Landing a few feet away she got ready for another attack when a glyph launched the knight across the field and through several combatants leaving a dust cloud in his wake.
"How dare you run off without us," Weiss huffed at her partner's antics. "I expect this from Yang and maybe Blake, but you should know better by now."
"Sorry Weiss. I just got a little worked up after everything." Ruby spun her scythe catching two cultists in the neck and knocking a stray knight aside.
"Just be careful. We're this close to our goal and I won't have you coming up short on this mission."
"You know this isn't a sanctioned job?"
"Ruby, we're going to fight someone who is trying to summon a forgotten god at your old school before unleashing who knows what upon the world. Forgive me for not using correct terminology during the coming apocalypse."
"That's okay Weiss. I forget the meaning of words sometimes too," Ruby said with a cheerful smile.
"Why do I even bother sometimes?" Weiss groaned to herself.
"Because she's as cute as a puppy," Yang suggested appearing next to Weiss who screamed at the blonde's sudden appearance. "I mean who can say no to that face."
Weiss looked back over to her partner who turned around to cut down another cultist and saw the blood that now coated her face. "If by puppy you mean vicious tiger, then yes, she is adorable."
"Come on Weiss, it's like watching a puppy tear into a Beowulf. Only there's blood and instead of a Beowulf it's a person."
Weiss was about to retort when Blake and Dunstan could be seen a bit further cutting through the lines towards the tower. "Come on."
Blake was leading the attack and making quick work of anyone who stood in their way. Ducking under swords and axes to deliver a swift strike from her own weapon. Even if she wasn't killing them outright the damage done would more than suffice for the others to follow behind. Rushing through the entrance they could see three open archways. One on either side leading up to the arena's attends and one dead ahead that opened up to the dueling floor. The entire team took to the stands as they rushed for the stairway leading to the next floor when a shadow was cast over the arena entrance from the outside.
"All of you go on ahead. I'll make sure they can't follow us." Weiss turned on the spot and jumped into the arena, rushing back towards the entrance. Leaping forward she slammed her rapier into the ground causing a wall of ice to form around the doors.
As she turned around to rush back to her team the ice began to crack. Looking back Weiss saw her blockade explode into shards of crystals. A man with a black cloak and metallic mask covering his face stepped into the room. In his left hand rested a gun and in his right was a sword with an elongated handle. Blood dripped from the clothing he wore and she couldn't see the eyes that were hidden behind blackened glass in the mask's sockets. The outfit underneath the armor seemed standardized and wrapped around the body completely sealing him off from the outside environment. The sight made her think about her own suit and how primitive it seemed in comparison.
"Weiss!" Ruby yelled back to her partner, who continued to observe the man.
"I'll take care of this. You have to reach the top of the tower." Weiss drew her rapier keeping it pointed at her opponent.
"We can't just let you fight alone," Yang argued, raising her arms in preparation of aiding her teammate.
"We don't know how much longer we have. Now hurry up and get out of here." Weiss held her position between the man and her team.
Yang put her hand on Ruby's shoulder and gave a light tug. When Ruby looked at her sister she could see worry beginning to fill her. The very thought of leaving a teammate behind so the others could advance wasn't unheard of, but whenever they had done it they were confident that they would come out on top. These people were complete unknowns who had fought through the same town they had and crossed a battlefield to reach the same tower they were attempting to ascend. Every sign pointed to someone who was on par or better than them when they were at 100%. With their occasional short rest, they had recovered up to 70% of their aura at best.
"You better not go and die on us Weiss. I still have to give you your winnings on that bet of ours," Yang shouted.
"As your leader I'm ordering you to kick his butt then regroup with us." Ruby felt her heart ache at the thought of any other possible outcome.
"Weiss, your one of the best chances we have at gaining actual equality, but before that you're my friend." Blake knew that peace and equality would take several years to come about, but with Weiss' help they make it happen at some point within their lifetime.
"That's quite the heroic sacrifice your making." The man gripped the handle of his sword with two hands as it suddenly extended out far enough to be considered a polearm. "Once Weiss Schnee has been executed for her crimes I'll be sure to send the rest of you after her shortly."
Team RBY fought the urge to go help their teammate and turned back around to continue running through the doorway towards the stairs. With her team gone Weiss felt her muscles tense in anticipation of the fight. She rushed forward trying to end the fight before it could start only for her blow to be deflected by the spear. She was about to fly past him when he slammed the staff into her back knocking Weiss off-balance. Summoning a glyph, she launched herself back towards her opponent. Several glyphs formed a circle around the man. Passing over the first glyph Weiss vanished from view and a strike landed across the killer's back. Turning around he could see Weiss flash across the corner of his eyes.
"Do you really think the same trick," he stabbed the spear behind himself to catch the Heiress, "will work twice."
The blade stabbed through the air with no resistance felt when it should have cut into Weiss. Turning his head, he could see Weiss with her hair rushing forward from the sudden stop an inch away from the spear's tip and a glyph beneath her. Pulling the spear back quickly he thrusted it forward just as Weiss leapt back. With a press of a switch the handle collapsed into itself returning it to a one handed sword.
"Why are you even attacking us? Shouldn't you be trying to kill those cultists outside?" Weiss gathered some distance between herself and the masked fellow.
"You think we came here for some whack job cult. We came here because you took something you shouldn't have. Can't have someone with so many connections running around with such sensitive information." He tapped his belt causing Weiss to unconsciously check hers and feel a scroll clipped to it.
"All this happened because you want a damned scroll!"
"Between you and me it wasn't even my call to make. Typically, people as prominent as a Schnee would only be detained then brought in to the fold. Money and power in Atlas would be a very valuable thing to us, but someone up top wants you gone along with your team."
Weiss held up her weapon in proper dueling fashion. "Does my killer have a name?"
"We all lost our names long ago. Eiter Blut was the designation given to me after my training was completed. Apparently whoever gives out the names has a sense of humor." He let off a soft chuckle. "No offence, but I do have a job to complete. I'm sure you understand."
"Of course, we all have places to be and people to see." The revolving chamber in her rapier spun until it stopped on the red canister loaded in her weapon. A red glow started at the base of her blade and grew until it enveloped its entirety.
Eiter launched himself at Weiss trying to stop whatever she was planning. The first stab with his spear was about to meet the rapier when it was stopped by an impassible barrier of red mist. Using the wall, he pushed off of it before charging back in. Blow after blow tried to pierce the barrier. The barrage of attacks started to make some headway as cracks began forming around the center. Giving it one last blow the shield shattered revealing Weiss holding onto an invertebrate.
A mass of tentacles exploded out in front of Weiss to grab her opponent. Pressing the attack, she took advantage of the temporary distraction. As the tentacles were cut apart Weiss appeared next to Eiter and delivered a series of slashes to his side as another glyph took shape in her hand. Putting her right hand forward a tentacle spewed out of the glyph and hit Eiter. Standing his ground, he raised the spear as the metal tip turned perpendicular to the staff forming a warpick. Bring the weapon down atop Weiss' arm as she failed to see the attack through her own.
Her aura draining to protect the limb from being shattered. Weiss' arm was thrown to her side from the force of the impact. Weiss looked up just as the pick slammed into her side took the full impact of the pick swing.
"You think that because you can use a few of our tools you can beat me. You may have access to them, but you're far from mastering what the heaven's have given us. Integrating them into your own semblance is only the beginning. Only by letting it into your soul can you harness it's might." Eiter slammed hit pick into the ground unleashing a torrent of electricity.
A line of lighting began to fall towards Weiss forcing her to roll out of the way of each bolt. Lightning began to dance around the pick as Eiter swung it around hurling lighting at Weiss. The addition of a long ranged attack further limited her options in the duel taking away one of the larger strengths she held over her opponent. The series of attack keeping her from closing in without taking some lightning to the face. Dodging each attack was getting Weiss nowhere and was only serving to tire herself out. Weiss knew her aura reserves were low after taking so many attacks and using her glyphs so openly. Reaching into her pouch she grabbed her last hope at survival.
Weiss stood still trying to focus as Eiter sent another wave of lightning at her. A tentacle rose before Weiss taking the strike and drawing it into the abyss it was summoned from. With a temporary barrier in place she clasped a slug that glowed like the night sky. Six mandibles curled upward towards the sky as if to catch the stars that it's body was likened to. The sound of lightning striking became more erratic as the tentacles began to blacken from the energy being directed through them. The glyph at Weiss' feet began to blacken as a bolt of lightning shot through her protector, narrowly missing her. The tentacle faded into a pale mist revealing Weiss holding the slug up high as a small orb grew in its hold.
"Where did you steal that from?" Eiter yelled, seeing one of the lost artifacts yet recovered by his superiors. "Return that item to me and we might convince them that your worth bringing in alive."
"I've seen what happens to people who join you."
"The Vale branch's purpose was to create failures to gauge the testing boundaries for others. Join us and you can take the first steps towards the human perfection your family has sought for generations."
The orb in the slug's grasp began to quickly expand swallowing the upper half the invertebrate. "I'd rather die."
Weiss' glyph turned the same shade as the slug as her upper arms were engulfed by the orb that resembled a starry sky. Not flinching Weiss poured even more aura into the orb forcing it to explode outwards causing it to take the rest of her. As it began to reach across the arena Eiter fired bolt after bolt at the encroaching sphere to no effect with the attacks being swallowed by the darkness.
"You want to kill me along with yourself? You're a coward, Schnee." When Eiter could back away no further he swung his pick at the growing sphere only to have his weapon easily pass through it. Having his arms swallowed by the darkness he noticed a distinct lack of pain. Taking a step forward he entered the star covered sphere and saw Weiss still standing in the center of the arena taking in harsh breaths as she tried to maintain the field surrounding them.
"Did you think you could hide in here?" He asked, observing the interior of the dome.
Weiss continued to focus on the task as the stars filling the pseudo sky continued to increase in number. Knowing she was at her limit she waved her hand downwards causing the arena to be illuminated in a blinding light as arcane projectiles began to rain inwards from the dome. As death began to spill in from all directions Eiter ran towards the only spot he knew would be safe from the barrage. Running across the floor he raced the projectiles as a panicked expression began to form across Weiss' face upon her realization. The projectiles had no reasoning or thought gifted to them besides seeking out her opponent. Anything they touched including herself would suffer the damage they dealt. In preparing the attack she made sure to leave a small portion of the wall behind her devoid of stars as to not hit herself.
Weiss' thoughts rushed back to the present as Eiter was about to run past her with his pick poised to smash into her side. Raising her arms up she felt her aura holding back the spike as best it could before she was thrown backwards. What little aura she had left sustain her barrier was shattered from the rough landing. Tumbling across the floor she came to a stop just as the dome shattered around them revealing the dueling arena.
Weiss barely had the energy to stand and was using all her strength just to not tip over. Even after everything she was managing to stay up by falling onto one knee. Looking up she could see Eiter with the pistol in his hand walking towards her. Her head was still rattling from the last blow and her entire body ached. With no aura left she couldn't even try to help ease the pain. As Eiter approached he kicked her rapier even further out of her reach leaving nothing to chance. Try as she might Weiss couldn't think of a way out of her inevitable death. She was stirred from her thoughts when a shadow was cast over her. Eiter had the gun aimed at her head a food 2 feet away from her to prevent any attempt to rearm.
"Do you have any final words you wish for me to tell your teammates?" He asked in the same polite tone one would give to a fellow worker or friend.
"Blake and Dunstan would understand, but I doubt an apology would suffice for Ruby or Yang. Just tell them, I wish I had more time to be with them." Tears began to form in the corner of her eyes from the realization that she'd be leaving her team, no, her family behind.
"Then goodbye, Weiss Schnee." The gunshot echoed through the arena as smoke spilled out of the barrel.
Looking at his latest victim Eiter saw a distinct lack of blood coating the floor where the execution had taken place. Looking further up he saw Weiss Schnee visibly unharmed from a bullet to the head. Pulling the trigger again the bullet left the gun and came to a halt an inch away from her head. The sudden stop pulverizing the bullet into dust. Firing one last shot an ethereal hand floated out of Weiss and blocked the shot with its palm. Leaping backwards out of fear of a possible retaliation Eiter raised pick.
The arm reached further out with more of the body becoming visible as it got further from Weiss. The ghostly image of a man with a stylized metal helmet atop his head that lacked any slits for his eyes. The most terrifying part about the entire outfit was the crow feathers that made up the cape he wore. The image grew more solid until it appeared as real as the floor they stood on.
"So this is the Schnee's fabled summoning. Now I wonder how you pulled that off with so little aura." Dashing forward Eiter engaged the phantom.
The Katana that the Crow wielded couldn't match the raw strength the pick provided, but it was quick enough to chip away at Eiter between attacks. The match was clearly not in Eiter's favor with him fighting a fresh opponent who was beginning to come out ahead in their exchange of blows. Each swing of the pick would sweep across everything in front of him and the Crow would simply vault over the weapon. The Crow would then press the assault at such close rang that retaliation was nearly impossible. Avoiding the summons attacks was forcing him further and further back from Weiss. Retreating with each move was becoming the only assured way of avoiding the katana strikes. Transforming his pick back into a spear he dashed forward at the Crow. Brining his spear down into the ground right before the target threw him over the Hunter who tried striking him midair only to have the blade cut across the polearm.
Getting past the Crow Eiter decided to finish off the one who summoned the inhuman monster he was fighting. With no aura to fuel it his opponent would simply fade from existence. Weiss' summon was running after him in an attempt to protect her, but it would never catch him in time. Pulling his spear close and keeping it on level with his target he charged Weiss in a mad dash. Weiss felt her mind go blank as her vision faded to black with Eiter's approach. Hitting Weiss in the gut with everything he had they managed to slid 10 feet after the spear hit her. Coming to a stop he tried to pull the spear back only to find Weiss gripping the pole with her hands. Weiss looked up at him forcing Eiter to leap backwards in fear of what could keep the girl going.
Weiss picked herself back up standing firmly on two legs while swinging her arms freely. After a quick shake of her legs she gave a faint smile clearly enjoying herself. "Aura is such an interesting subject, isn't it? One's own soul acting as a source of fuel to generate a barrier and drive the body."
Weiss twirled the spear in her hand for a moment getting a feel for the weapon. Pulling her arm back she hurled the weapon at blinding speeds back at its owner. Eiter slammed his two hands together barely managing to grab the blade and keep it from impaling his body.
"There's just so much to do now." Weiss walked forwards as the Crow finished fading from existence. "Now for something more familiar."
Weiss held out her hand forming a glyph in the palm. The tip of a rapier began to raise out of the rune, constructed from the ether. As the base of the blade was brought into existence a barrel could be seen grafted to the blade that then ran into the handle's guard. The hammer for the gun sat just behind the half circle that's design would hopefully prevent any loss of fingers in a duel. The rapier almost appeared to be an attachment to the gun like a bayonet to a riffle only much longer.
Appearing in front of Eiter with blinding speed she unleased a series of jabs with the rapier. Eiter barely ducking out of the way as the last few stabs managed to connect. Trying to get some space he swung the pick at Weiss who took one step back letting it sail past her. Having gained an apparent second wind Weiss continued her assault with incredible speed.
Every thrust of his spear was parried by the rapier making it miss its intended target by large margins. Weiss not even bothering to move her body out of the way of each attack now. Standing his ground Eiter pulled his spear back for one final attack aimed for Weiss' throat. As the spear was pushed forward Weiss raised her rapier and fired the gun built into the weapon. The impact of the bullet took him off his feet before he fell back down to his knees. Pain began to emanate from his chest and the red stain that began to from the wound was a clear indication of the damage it caused.
"Any last words assassin?" Weiss asked in a mocking tone.
"You may have bested me, but you'll never survive the night. We brought over 200 crusaders to purge this island with you still on it. Even with those cultists still fighting against us we'll sweep through here like a fire then move onto Vale. You cannot stop the righteous."
"Only 200," Weiss laughed, "the Executioners had to bring their entire order to siege our castle and you have the audacity to bring 200."
"What can one little girl and her team hope to do against us."
"You think we are merely one. What gave you the thought that we would be so little?" Four glyphs appeared Weiss and began to slowly rotate.
"Summon what you will Schnee, it will make no difference. An entire company was brought out to take care of Vale and they will take this island." Three more glyphs appeared around each of the others before continuing the pattern with each one that followed. Glyph after glyph appeared on the ground around them. Each one causing three more to form.
"We stood against the church when it came to lay claim to everything as its own holy rite. The corrupt leaders of the church who held salvation for a price and poisoned those who refused to abide by their rules. They labeled us traitors and monsters to be hunted down and executed. They gave us a name to denote us as corrupt unholy beings and we took it as a symbol for others to fear in the night. We are that which hunts in the cover of night, the true bloodline of succession that the church thought to crush." The glyphs that filled the arena turned red as it began to spin rapidly. Several hundred men and woman rose from the glyphs wearing either knight's armor or some royal regalia. They pulled out a variety of weapons with most holding a rapier, but a few had a katana at their waist.
"No person should be capable of this. Even the Schnee bloodline has its limits."
"It is family based then, that's useful. She never said much about a family, but if they possess the same ability it's clear why she'd be tightlipped. Trying to protect people who are so undeserving of her aid. I wonder if she was scarred we'd leave her or rather take her family for ours. Such a heart in this one to take us all in. Not the smartest though, making a deal with the dead is never wise."
"What are you?" The man choked out with fear beginning to take hold at the sight of the army forming before him.
"I thought it was plain to see what we are. We are Vilebloods," She plunged the rapier into Eiter's chest forcing him to expel his last breath in shock, "and we will not have you harming our body."
Sono chi no sadame WeissssssssssssssssssssssssssssssSchnee. In case you couldn't tell I'm still a huge fan of Jojo and am currently enjoying Part 4 to it's fullest. Seriously go watch Jojo if your a fan of action and think the concept of adventures spanning through multiple generations is interesting.
I pulled a lot of inspiration for this chapter and a few of the upcoming ones from RWBY V2. I did plan most this out after V2 finished up so it just kind of spilled over into my work. That's probably one of the most apparent themes you'll catch. In case you didn't know I have a beef with character deaths being unfulfilling and unjustified. I.E. let's do it for shock value to make the audience feel something. This has always been something I've had a problem with since Game of Thrones and a few other series started to overly rely on the whole 'anyone can die' thing to shake things up whenever it got boring. As such I got into fates worse than death or more specifically 'Fun things to sacrifice for your loved ones that don't include death and actually set up for a whole new season of drama'. It's mostly what people would consider 'bad ends' & 'a fate worse than death' since it leads to new possibilities instead of just cutting a story thread.