Grimm screams filled the air, but they were music to Ruby's ears. Glynda and herself had remained stationed at the large base camp set up for the purge. The professional Huntress stood beside Ruby riding crop at the ready. While Ruby sat on a low wide plush stool. Her pregnant belly was pronounced as she sat in her favoured meditative position. Her eyes were closed as the bonds to her mates, the partners of her vessel soul were wide open. She could see through Oz's eyes or Qrow's at a whim. In return they had unfettered access to her Semblance.
Qrow blazed out of her Semblance slicing a pack of Beringel to pieces. They didn't stand a chance against his might, Ozpin was ahead of him. Picking the largest and strongest targets to cull while Qrow cleaned up the rest, this patterned allowed them to maintain a rapid pace. The bleach white bones fell to the ground and they blasted forward racing through the dense forest. Qrow leapt up into the trees racing from branch to branch, exploding into rose petals to weave around trees. They came upon team CRDL struggling with a group of manticore Grimm. Ozpin came to a skidding halt and stretched out a hand behind him.
Qrow grabbed him by the wrist and Ozpin swung him forward with inhuman strength. Qrow flew through the air firing Harbingers gun once to orientate himself as he drove the large scythe through one manticore neck, only to fire off of it and blast into rose petals to materialize to cleave another and another apart. As he jumped off the last manticore Ozpin appeared beside him and they clasped hands before vanishing to a rapid wave of red and green rose petals. Flying away faster then the eye could track.
Cardin stood still in shock as the Grimm dissolved around him, the whole event had taken less than five seconds. "What the HEL was that?!"
Above the forest line five military Mistral aircraft monitored and supported the Huntsmen with long range cannons. In smaller ships around them were reporters. A purge like this hadn't happened in over a decade. Every Huntsmen in the Kingdom had been called in as well as every student in Haven. For kilometers around Mistral Grimm were dying. It was a very big deal almost as much as the Vytal festival had been and every news station in Haven was scrambling to get the best shots of Huntsmen and Huntress kicking ass!
Yang, Weiss and Blake had found themselves keeping more to the back lines, partly wanting to keep closer to Ruby in case she needed them and partly because they were only three. Yang punched into a huge Boarbatuck only for its backend to be incinerated. Her team panted as Bartholomew and Peter ran into the clearing. Yang instantly blushed at the sight of the green haired professor. "Have any of you three seen Ozpin and Qrow?"
Peter asked as Bart looked Yang up and down then promptly copied her blush.
Weiss pointed northward. "Lydia says they are on reaping havoc on the front line. Ruby's lending them her Semblance so good luck catching them. Also Lydia's in the west of Schwarzer Weld keeping track of everyone and keeping the forest from killing anyone."
"How do you know any of this? None of you have a Scroll out." Bart asked.
"Lydia's Semblance is telepathy. It's got a constant tie to the three of us, Ruby, Qrow and Ozpin. Plus she's 'hooked' herself into Schwarzer Weld so she can tell just about everything that's going down in whole of Anima right now." Weiss explained, there was a pause as some emotion fettered over her face before adding. "Would you two like a tie? It will help you keep up with Ozpin and Qrow, or at least keep you going in the right direction. She is kinda busy right now."
Both teachers nodded, there had been a lot of information there and it hadn't all sunk in yet. Weiss walked up and put a hand on reach of their temples and after a moment both heard. "Good afternoon gentlemen." In their heads. "Ozpin and Qrow are two kilometers north north east of your current position. If you wish to catch them you will have to make haste. They have found a group of Goliaths and Ozpin seems to be venting. So now will likely be your best chance."
"Goliaths!?" Bart had already turned on his heel and started running. Everyone else was right on his heels.
The siren that screamed through the air when the war ships caught up with Ozpin and Qrow announced to the whole forest Goliaths were being engaged. Ozpin and Qrow were dancing around the legs of one, cutting and slashing till it's tendons gave way. It fell to the ground with a scream that would have made unprotected ears bleed. Ozpin and Qrow leapt out of the way and the elder raced to the front of the monster as it swung it's huge head trying to hit him with it's massive tucks. He jumped up and landed light on it then cupped his fists together and smashed it down onto the tusk. It shattered at the point of impact. The Goliath raised it's head and Ozpin activated his Semblance, he grabbed the piece of tusk and blasted off with all of his strength ramming it up through the soft underside of the Goliath's jaw and up into it's brain.
Black steam curled around them both as Ozpin let time resume. He and Qrow jumped back and landed in the tree line. The corpse would take a long time to fade. However they had no time as two more Goliath's charged them thundering through the body of their fallen pack mate and shattering the trees in their wake.
Ozpin and Qrow came together again within Ruby's Semblance and flew up above the carnage. The warships rained massive cannon balls down on the Goliaths but they were unphased. WBY, Peter and Bart burst through the treeline. The Goliaths spun on them and roared.
Hands went to ears instantly and Ozpin let himself fall out of Ruby's Semblance. He brought his hands together again and stuck the Goliath over the back of the neck. There was a crunching sound but it threw him off and charged the other group. "Clip it's ankles! If it can't run!" Ozpin rolled to his feet and ran after it.
Qrow spend down materializing to bury Harbinger in one of it's legs. Weiss upon her speed glyphs raced around it and with a flick of her fingers unleashed a large ice glyph under it and sent massive shards up into it's belly. Bart and Peter dashed in from either side cutting into either side only for shards of black bone to erupt from the Grimm. Blake threw her weapon wrapping it's ribbon around Peter's middle yanking him out of the way. While Yang tossed herself at Bart in the very last second a shard slicing through her hair while Qrow took the brunt of the blast, his Aura flaring as a shard shattered into thousands of pieces. Ozpin blasted forward and caught Qrow just in time for the other Goliath to thunder towards them. Ozpin dissolve them both into rose petals flowing smoothly around the monster.
Meanwhile Ruby's eyes snapped open. "They need help." She was off her stool the second later and blasting away with her Semblance.
"Ruby!" Glynda reached out after her and huffed as she was already long gone. With a flick of her crop she summoned a motorbike from where they were stored and raced after Ruby upon it.
By the time Ruby came upon the battle field team ABRN and her father had joined in. Bullets flying with the occasional scream of terror as more Grimm flew in from the rest of the forest. Watching her father pound into Grimm was a sight she didn't see everyday but she only had eyes for Qrow. She raced to him as he tried to catch his breath alone. Ozpin already working at keeping the Grimm away from him. "I saw what happened are you okay?"
"What are you doing here?" Qrow asked his voice tight with pain. "You are supposed to just be providing back up." He was holding his side.
"Yeah and you just got a sucker punched, let me see." Ruby pushed his hand away and pulled his shirt open. The purple bruising on his left lower ribs made her feel sick. She very tentatively touched it and he hissed. "I think they are cracked, Aura took the brunt of it but Oz had no time to give me more."
Ruby set her hand above the bruise and carefully focused her own Aura on it. She could hear the sigh of relief from her lover and knew that it helped. "You should get out of here, you're slower no matter what your Semblance allows." Qrow drew her away as his side finished mending on it's own. "You're of more value and use right now feeding Aura along the bonds."
"I'll hide in a tree, I am sure I can snipe out some of the Grimm. Try not to get hit like that again please." She jumped up into a tree and found a good steady branch and pulled out Crescent Rose in sniper form.
"Like I wanted to get hit in the first place." Qrow grumbled. "I heard that." Came Ruby's voice in his head and he rolled his eyes.
He blasted off racing for the second Goliath, the teams still hadn't managed to down the third yet. He jumped at it and could see where Oz's punch had shattered a vertebra and brought Harbinger down right on it.
The massive scythe cut through bone and sinew, he cut it's neck clean in half then kicked with all his might sending the head crashing to the ground with a wet crunching sound. He looked over and found that Glynda had arrived she sent shard of rock at the last Goliath's legs but they shattered uselessly.
The Goliath roared stunning everyone briefly. It's eyes turned upon Ruby and it charged. Her eyes widened in terror and she reached for her Semblance….
The ground below the Goliath exploded, roots much too large to be natural speared themselves into it's flesh. Expanding and twisting they raced through it's body and it screamed again in pain as the wood forced it's body apart in a series of rips and tears. The roots held it suspended in the air for a moment before as fast as they had come they vanished.
Ruby set a hand on her chest her heart beating like a frantic rabbits. "Thank you Lydia. But couldn't you have done that sooner?" Even though she spoke the words aloud she was surprised when there was no response. "Lydia?"
Silence.
"Guys, Lydia is not responding. I'm going to go check on her."
"Qrow and I can not leave. Be VERY careful." Ozpin sent to her as he ripped the entrails out of a Beowolf.
"You heard the man." Qrow was using her Semblance to bounce between enemies again.
"You give your Aura a chance to recharge." Ruby scolded him as she hopped out of the tree and set off running.
With the help of her Aura she made good time, though she was carefully not to strain herself. She had maybe a month and a half before running was out of the question. Ruby slowed to a walk as she came upon the border of the Schwarzer Weld. It was very uninviting feeling as thick fog curled ominously and she hugged herself as she walked. Ruby fished a compass out of her pocket.
She didn't notice the fog curl around her ankles, the way before her thinner and on either side thicker. As it guided her through the forest, she saw no visions as with Lydia present within the forest it knew of her delicate state. She found the centre easily being guided in such a way the grey gnarled tree stunned her but the fog remained to hide what was under foot. Lydia lay at the roots leaning against the trunk, seemingly out cold.
"Lydia!" Ruby raced over and touched her shoulders and gently pulled her up. Lydia blinked a few times and raised a hand to rub at her eyes. "What happened? Are you okay?"
Lydia had to squint for a second to make everything click in her brain. "Ruby? Why aren't you at the base camp. It's too dangerous for you to be out and about."
"I went to help Qrow and then you stopped being in our heads and everyone is worried." Ruby helped her up putting an arm around her middle and lifting. "We should get you back to camp."
"Ah, yes thank you." Lydia pressed a hand to her head as they slowly walked out of the forest again the fog shifting to direct them.
"So what happened?" Ruby asked.
"I had to… enforce my will on the forest and give of Aura to make it rip that Goliath that was charging you apart. Such things take a lot out of me." Lydia stood a little straighter she didn't want Ruby holding her up.
"That's cool and terrifying." The silver eyed warrior said.
The old woman laughed softly. "Thank you."
By the time they reached the camp it was well towards dusk, but the airships still hadn't returned so somewhere there was still fighting. Ruby led Lydia there party's sitting area, it had a picnic blanket, wide pillows and a low square table. She helped Lydia down onto a pillow and dashed off to find hot chocolate.
Within a few minutes the first sounds of aircraft started to be heard and when Ruby got back Huntsmen and Huntress were trickling back in. Most very sweaty and tired. She was just about to give Lydia her hot chocolate when a fuzzy head of grey hair clobbered her and held her tight.
Lydia pet the owner of the grey hair's back and coed. "I'm fine, just over exerted myself. Ooof!" Oz picked her up and pulled her to him so he could hug her better.
A few students had stopped to watch as Glynda, Port and Peach came over. Glynda was the one to ask. "Lydia what are you doing here?"
"The roots killing the last Goliath was me." She explained resting her cheek on Oz's head. "I might have passed out after which and this one got very worried about me." Oz just shifted a little in a tiny rock and nuzzled her neck.
Peter couldn't help himself, he pulled out his Scroll and took a picture. "I am saving this for a bad day." He chuckled, Ozpin trying to make himself smaller to cuddle Lydia better made for a very amusing image.
"Who are you? His mother?" Peach asked, she couldn't believe what she was seeing. Oz silent aside from the occasional very soft purr as the tension slowly started to ease out of his body.
Lydia only smiled and turned her attention back to Oz. "Come my little becan valen, you smell, go get cleaned up and then we'll have dinner."
Ozpin slowly extracted himself, Lydia did not like how downcast his eyes were. Even with her Aura exhausted she could see how her actions had frightened him. "Hey." She cupped his cheeks. "I'm fine really, I was very well protected in my forest." She pet his temples. "I am not going anywhere."
Oz shut his eyes and nuzzled her palm. Lydia leaned up and kissed his forehead. "Go on, you hate being sweaty, get cleaned up and changed. I promise I will be here when you get back."
Everyone but Ruby and Qrow who appeared having finally caught up to Oz was left stunned as Oz got up and did what he was told. Ruby and Qrow followed him without a word. Glynda's jaw was on the floor, she couldn't get Oz to do as he was told if she asked for a month ahead of time. Lydia didn't even have to try, not one whisper of back talk or grumbling avoidance. The order was given and it was simply obeyed.
Ren and Nora beat the other three to the bathing tent. It was a very long wide tent with low stone basins of water to be poured into from a collected system of hot water tanks. There were only stools and the floor was covered in long rubber mats elevated in such a way to drain the water out of the camp and into the forest.
They picked out one of the many low basins and filled it with water. Sponge baths were something neither of their favorites but it beat being sweaty.
Cardin and his team were on the opposite side middle lane looked over and saw half of a very red and well masculine bite mark on Ren's shoulder. A quick look on Nora showed she had one that was clearly the same set of teeth in the same spot… as well as several more scandalous spots. "What happened to you two?"
Nora glanced over to him. "Nothing that concerns you."
"Looks like a dude, you like cock now Lie?" Cardinal smirked he only had a towel around his waist. "It's not really surprising you've always been more feminine."
Lie true to form only smiled. "I think it takes a real confidence in oneself to be brave enough to allow for the exploration of the higher pleasure of anal sex. If anything it's those without that confidence that have issues with their masculinity."
"You little shit!" Cardin took a step forward.
"When's the last time you got laid, Cardin? It seems to me you've got a lot of pent-up energy that hasn't managed to find an outlet on the battlefield." Nora smiled sweetly with a tilt of her head.
Cardin was ready to blow a gasket but then tent flap opened and Nora shouted as she waved. "Hey Oz!"
Ozpin, Ruby and Qrow walked over. "Saved us a spot I see." Ozpin dipped his head to Lie and Nora in turn. "Thank you." He looked over to Cardin who suddenly decided that he just had to wash his hair again.
Ruby sat on the edge of the empty basin as Qrow stripped. Ozpin on the other hand was looking at how full the tent was, a hand raised to his shoulder and dug in. Ruby frowned and didn't need the bonds to guess what was going. "Come on Oz I'll do your back."
The words startled Ozpin into motion, even it if it was a slow deliberate motion. Qrow had already stripped and set his clothes on a side table with Harbinger. Ozpin surrendered his weapons as well and his coat and shirt were put on top. He kept his back facing the wall of the tent where no one would see it easily. He and Qrow wrapped towels around their waists while Ruby drew water into the basin.
Lie and Nora stayed on one side while Qrow took over the basin beside him. Ozpin sat on the stool looking down silently at his hands. He could feel the stares, maybe it was hardish to glimpsed his back but his chest and arms had become a scarred work of art as well. The water was just warm enough to be comfortable as Ruby scrubbed his back down.
Cardin glanced at the five of them and caught sight of another red crescent on Qrow's shoulder the same red mark, the same spot. Understanding made his eyes widen, everyone knew about Weiss but it seemed that Lie and Nora… holy shit he couldn't wait to add this to the forums. How many left of teams RWBY and JNPR was there then then? Jaune, Blake and Yang for all they knew Pyrrha warmed his bed too. It would explain how she got so good if she got private lessons.
Nora and Lie finished up caught Cardin staring. They glared and wrung their cloths and stood in front of Oz washing opposite arms as Ruby did his hair. Qrow caught on very quickly and finished his own bath and got dressed again. He put himself directly between Oz and Cardin. "Got something to say tiny?"
There quick panic to finish cleaning and team CNRL bailed. Ozpin nodded his thanks, the constant touch of someone did help keep the panic at bay. They all got dressed again and left to find their personal tent. At team RWBY and JNR request they had all be put together in a large canopy tent tall enough for even Oz to stand in. After a quick change to clean clothes they returned to find Lydia where they left her sipping her hot chocolate. "That was quick."
Ozpin shrugged and sat down beside her. "Sponge baths, no reason to linger."
Lydia could tell by the pursing of lips that, he wasn't telling the whole truth. "Shall we go get food?"
"Na we'll go you two get some rest you should have seen Oz today." Nora pulled Lie and Qrow towards the mess tent. Ruby followed, she got what Nora was trying to do.
Campfires dotted the campsite, their own was as far away from Oz as it could be. He had his hands in his lap as he hunched inward. "You scared me today." He uttered staring at the ground.
Lydia stroked his arm. "I'm sorry. I overestimated myself."
"Please, please don't ever do that to me again." Ozpin curled inward his hands pressed tight together.
"I w-." Suddenly she had her arms full of Oz, he curled into her like a big cat. Lydia felt the first shuddering shake go through him and wrapped her arms around him.
"I saw you . . . This bond with Ruby, I could see through her, seeing you like that. It terrified me." Ozpin whispered against her neck. "I can't lose you too."
Lydia knew many truths, one was that Oz would outlive her. That she only had a few decades left and he had eternity. That one day he would lose her, but that he would have Qrow and Ruby-.
Ozpin left her stiffen and pull away a little bit. "Are you okay?"
She had to blink a few times to get her thoughts to all come together. "I was just thinking that I am old. That I will die on you one day, soon really just of old age. But as you know I have read Qrow's mind and… well he…"
"You are thinking about not aging. Like Qrow." Ozpin said, his heart already swelling with love at the idea. He always did try not to think about her age, the lines around her eyes. "I would be happy to teach you the technique."
Lydia's soul warmed at the childlike glee that inflected into Oz's tone. He carried on. "You could be like us, stronger healthier. Forever."
"It's a tempting thought but it was only a thought Oz." She reached up and stroked the side of his face. "I am a public figure people would notice if I stopped aging. I also have Skogr to return too."
"But-you have us now. Me, Qrow, Ruby and the baby. You're going to be a.. a.." Ozpin struggled to find the right word. "I need you, I don't have… I don't remember having a family. I don't remember…" He grimaced words that wanted to come but he was confused that they even came to him.
"Grandmother, to your child." Lydia said softly. "It's by far the easiest term to use. And the word you are looking for is mother, you don't remember having one. Having a family like that. Mother, father, sisters and brothers, it's all lost to you."
"Why is this so confusing?" Oz bowed his head to her.
"The unfortunate circumstances of our meeting. As I have said before, I will be what you need of me, what I feel I keep to myself though." Lydia pulled him gently in so their foreheads rested against each other. "I understand my becan valen, I will think on it. But right now. No. I am content with my life."
Ozpin pulled away. "I don't understand." He shook his head and stood up. "The dead can always wait, it is the now that is temporary."
"Oz-." Lydia reached out but he was gone turning on his heel and storming away into their tent. She sighed, he could be such a child at times. What a curse to have, eternal life but to be trapped in such a cycle slowly destroys the mind and takes away the memory. He latched onto her so strongly and only now after all these years was starting to see what he truly wanted… needed from her. It was only the thought of losing her that was really getting him to think.
The rest of their party returned with trays of food. "Where'd Oz go?" Ruby asked as she sat down putting her tray on the table.
"He's off having a sulk. I wouldn't worry too much, he's just angry with me." Lydia sipped her hot chocolate as Qrow gave her a tray of food.
"Angry with you?" Nora's eyes were wide she could barely believe Oz could even get angry with Lydia.
The elder woman smiled and sipped her hot chocolate. "Believe it or not he can become cross with me. It is a minor matter between the two of us I would not worry."
Ruby poked at her food. "Well I picked up extra for him and so did Qrow, he'll have to come out at some point."
"I'm sure he will, if only following the smell of food. I think we've gotten him used to eating again so after all the frankly enormous amounts of energy he has burned today he will be getting very hungry soon." Lydia began on her food.
Weiss rolled her eyes. "Oz sulking, part of me really isn't surprised."
"He's just as prone to sulking as the rest of us. Just be happy he doesn't snarl anymore when he's angry I'll take sulking over snarling." Ruby said starting in on her food, she was also very hungry.
"Here here!" Yang raised her tankard of beer.
Talk stopped while everyone worked on demolishing the turkey and beef dinner. It was simple fair could be made in large amounts easily.
"Did you three notice Cardin and his little gang eyeing us up?" Lie asked and reached up to rub at his shoulder. He kept the bite mark as a souvenir of a good time.
"Yeah what was that about you think?" Qrow asked around a mouth of mashed potatoes.
Blake pursed her lips and pulled her Scroll out from her pocket. She opened the student forums and only had to scan it briefly before she sighed and tossed it to Qrow. "It sure didn't take them long."
Qrow scrolled through glaring at it, he paused very suddenly. "How did those bastards get that?!"
Lydia reached over and took the Scroll. It was a picture of Oz's exposed back, she frowned deeply. She tapped a long nail against the wooden table for a moment before making the choice. She pulled her own Scroll out of her pocket and dialed. "Gretchen, I have a picture I need pulled and find the source. The IP is probably attached and have it purged." She quickly texted out the url. "Thank you Gretchen." She hung up and put her Scroll away.
"Are you sure that was a good idea?" Jaune asked, it was a little scary that she had that kind of power.
"It is private information and until he shares it no one should be viewing it." She refreshed the page on Blakes Scroll and was happy when the picture was gone. "Much better. Gretchen will have scrubbed the original as well, I'm sure people won't forget it but it will be easier for Oz if a copy isn't floating around."
"It's creepy you can do that." Jaune said wondering just what else she could do.
Lydia held up her Scroll. "As soon as you connect to the CCT nothing on these is ever private. Don't delude yourself into thinking it is. Anyone who knows what to look for and how to look can find it."
Ozpin stormed out of the tent and plopped himself down beside Ruby. She pushed her tray over without a word having ate till she was stuffed. He dug into it with single minded determination.
Qrow forked his leftovers into Oz's tray and gathered up the other empties. "Well we should get ready to turn in. Tomorrow's gonna be just as busy as today."
Ruby yawned. "Sounds like a good idea. Do you have a place to sleep Lydia?" She got up slowly and Oz paused in eating to help her.
"Yes I brought a tent of my own. Goodnight everyone, sleep well." She headed off picking her way through the maze of tents.
Ozpin watched her go and Ruby could practically feel the nervous whine he contained. "She'll be fine Oz, this camp would be really hard to hit." Ruby kissed his head and headed off into their tent.
The large space had two pallets, low beds raised only a few centimeters off the ground with air mats on top and well heavy warm bedding. She picked the longer one of the two and got undressed changing into a pair of loose shorts before snuggling down under the wool duvet. Everyone else slowly followed her team minus Weiss on the other bed while Ozpin, Qrow and Weiss all found spots to curl up around her.
The camp was quiet as the Huntsmen who had worked through the day rested. A couple of men patrolled the perimeter of their makeshift camp, weapons in hand. The dozen or so firepits spread round lending to the light and warmth of these men. Unfortunately those fires were dimming due to the sudden rainfall, it left the camp with a eerie low mist and the ground soggy. Light from the moon was bloated out by the thick dark clouds that appeared from seemingly nowhere.
One huntsman stopped his patrol when the fire closest to him sputtered and went out. The night became just that much darker and his weapon hand lifted slightly. He glanced around the camp, eyes fettering out the source to his unease. Without the glow from the fire his eyes adjusted to the growing darkness and as he turned to look behind him into the shadowy forest they were caught by a different but familiar red glow.
Oz bolted up from his resting place, a scream in his throat as the sound of cries filled the air around them. "Everyone up!" He grabbed his weapons and bandolier belt and tossed it across his chest not bothering to belt it. He ran out of the tent flap just as a lean Grimm about his size jumped at him spinning through the air. It was human shaped with long sharp claws. Protective plating covered it's head in a crown of bone as well as all it's vitals through it's chest as well as bone lines along all of it's limbs.
Claws scrapped against Oz's sword as he fell back. "What is a Mula doing here?" The Grimm's attacks were almost as fast as he could move, he blocked again and again forced back into the tent.
Harbinger sliced straight through it's neck from the side. Qrow had already been lurking in the eve of the door. Ozpin let out a breath of relief. "What are Mula doing here? They aren't local."
Qrow looked at the slowly dissolving corpse for a second. "I'm more worried about how many more there are." Everyone else was up and with their weapons.
"Agreed. Everyone stick together, till we know what other Grimm there are we are dealing with, don't go anywhere alone!" Ozpin lead the way back out of the tent and Mula had already formed a circle around it. Two lines with massive bat like Grimm behind them.
Qrow and Ozpin formed up instantly. "No good Oz, if there are this many Mula that means a-."
"I'm trying not to think about it, I am more wondering why the alarm wasn't sounded. Falling back to Mistral right now is looking awful tempting." Ozpin lowered himself and spoke softly. "Don't waste ammunition on them. Stay formed up they'll try to separate us."
"Oz what are these?" Blake asked. "And what's got Qrow trembling in his shorts?" She was flaking Yang and both of which had trapped Ruby behind them. Nora, Ren and Weiss doing the same on the others side. The rain stabbed down at them but they followed Ozpin's lead and did not attack.
"Tell them Oz, I don't get why they are just staring at us." Qrow kept Harbinger in sword form.
"Large groups of Mula are generally led by a Revenant." Ozpin glared at the solid line of Grimm, what was going on?
"A what?!" Weiss asked.
"We are so dead." Nora was almost panicking ready to run.
Even as she said it the sound of hooves thundered through the air and the line of Grimm split and Grimm almost as large as a centaur charged through the lines. They had the torso of a skinned man and long bone blades past the elbows for hands.
The Huntsmen scattered on reflex, which was their mistake. The Mula surged forward while the bat Grimm supported them blasting balls of fire to further separate the group. Jaune barely got his shield up in time to keep his head on his shoulders, only for pain to lance through him. His Aura had done nothing, white Grimm claws were buried in his stomach. As he fell to the ground the Mula ripped his shield from his arm and armed itself with it.
"JAUNE!" Nora screamed and raced at the Grimm.
Yellow light made it's attacking arm glow as it easily parried the big hammer and clawed out over her chest. Pink flared and died and was added to the yellow. Nora's eyes widened as she saw the killing blow come for her and could do nothing… Only for a scythe to cut the Mula's head off as a hand pulled her back. Nora couldn't help but cling to Qrow for a moment, her hammer felt strangely heavy. "Oz we've already got one out!"
Ozpin was busy fighting two Mula, it was almost impossible to keep them from touching him. He had to use his Semblance to keep away as he cut for any black part. He saw Yang and Blake out the corner of his eye back to back while massive Grimm bats flew out of the canopy, dive bombing them. This was really bad, even with the large group of Huntsmen the Grimm were slowly outnumbering them. He was torn between trying to sound the retreat and keeping his family safe. He heard Blake scream to his right as she was brought down by the bat. Teeth and claws ripped into her Aura before Yang was able to tear it apart and the latter won out. "We need to fall back, head for the trees!"
Ruby couldn't just stand by. "You guys go on ahead, I'm going to go find Lydia!"
"Ruby NO!" Oz cried as she used her Semblance to burst out between the Grimm. She circled above the camp and could see that the Huntsmen were routed. The alarm tower ignored, she flew straight for it bursting through a window, shattering the glass around her. She materialized just long enough to hit the big red button labeled 'retreat to Mistral', the siren pierced the air and she blasted out of the tower just in time for three of the huge bat Grimm to smash it's foundations and for it to crash to the ground.
She could just see through the rain a group of Mula Grimm that were standing still perfectly. She flew straight for them and found Lydia in a nightgown glaring at the Grimm with very intense focus. Ruby whipped out Crescent Rose and quickly killed them, with Lydia holding their minds they were defenceless. "We need to get out of here, I hit the alarm and Oz wants everyone to head for the forest."
"He's thinking of Schwarzer Weld, it's a good idea let's go." Lydia grabbed her hand and they ran through the burning tents and pelting rain, it got in their eyes and made the going harder. A tent collapsed beside them showering them with sparks, part of a beam fell on Lydia and Ruby grabbed it with both hands.
A huntsmen she didn't know raced over to help her, they heaved together and Lydia scrambled out from under it, fine as her Aura had taken the hit. "Thank-." Ruby started to say only for a huge blade to drive through the chest of the Huntsmen. Her eyes widened and blood spattered over her bare skin. Her body froze, the blood was warm as the Huntsman's eyes went blank and his body topped to the ground. A Grimm she had never seen before stood above them and she screamed in terror as it raised it's bladed arm again. Silver light burst from Ruby's eyes, flaring through the camp.
Man and Grimm alike shielded themselves as the light sought out every dark corner and crevice, bathing the forest in silver. However upon reopening their eyes the Grimm were not turned to stone but merely frozen. Lydia didn't waste another second as she grabbed Ruby and pulled her to her feet. "Run!"
They ran and within ten seconds all the Grimm were moving again and they could hear that infernal beat of hooves behind them. Ruby pulled Lydia towards her and they blasted off in a whirlwind of red and cobalt blue petals, merged together in her Semblance.
The camp was in shambles around them as Ren cut a way back out through their tent. Ozpin, Weiss and Qrow had their work cut out for them as they trained to maintain the front line while Ren made an escape route. Almost half of their party was already bleeding and fighting back was out of the question. He tore one last piece of canvas apart and yelled. "I'm done!"
"We need to split up. Qrow take them and go! I will go find Ruby!" Ozpin reached for magic, he could see some unknown face in his mind burning but he lashed out with a wall of icen shards kill all the Grimm around them.
Qrow pursed his lips for the tiniest of seconds before nodding. "Right." He grabbed Jaune from Nora tossing him in a fireman's carry over his shoulder. "Stay close and BEHIND ME!" He raced through the remnants of their beds, switching his weapon to scythe mode. Those able stayed close flaked him, killing anything that wasn't completely dead by the time he went through it. He was moderately surprised when Ozpin sent him directions in the form of memories. Why Oz wanted him to go there in particular he didn't know but he wasn't going to ask questions now.
As they hit the tree line other huntsmen had decided to do the same thing. They ran alongside strangers, only for the occasional scream to sound then that horrible silence. A look behind them showed that Mula were entering the forest as well. Qrow had a sickening feeling that this was going to turning into a game of cat and mouse. "Ren think you can hide all of us? We can't fight like this, they'll overwhelm us."
"Yes, but everyone will need to ALWAYS be touching each other." Ren grabbed his arm. Yang and Nora grabbed Ren's free am. While Weiss took Yang's hand, they felt Ren's Semblance over take them and Qrow made them all run again.
"Where are we going?" Yang asked, the random screams were making her skin crawl.
"Oz has got a bit of forest he wants us to go too." Qrow said sternly. "Stay quiet, Grimm might not be able to track us but they can still hear and see us."
"Ruby where are you?" Ruby and Lydia materialized deep into the forest when Oz's voice sounded her in head. She looked around and sent Oz the images. "I don't know! Wherever here is!"
"We are about a ten minute walk from the edge of my forest. I will take her into it, get everyone going towards the centre. At least then we will be able to learn where the Grimm are." Lydia was the one to respond, already keyed into Ruby's mind and thus the further bonds.
"I will track you, be there soon!"
Ruby shivered the rain had soaked her to the bone and ground was ice cold under her toes. "I can't believe this is happening."
Lydia took her hand again and they started walking through the mist, they could barely see more than a meter or two in front of them. "I wish I had the forethought to grab a torch." As they picked their way along the rain was mostly hindered by the trees but the wind made them all the colder. Ruby covered her bare chest with her arms. "I wish I had grabbed something more to wear, I'm gonna get hypothermia at this rate."
"It'll be okay, lets keep going, the centre isn't too far from here." Lydia guided them through the misty woods, every so often her normally graceful walk stumbled over loose rock. Clearly she was shaken up by the attack and Ruby couldn't blame her. They had worked so hard all day to purge the area of Grimm, just where had these guys come from?!
The weirdness of the woods surprisingly didn't creep her out so much, in fact it was oddly calming and Ruby slowly lowered her guard. If she wasn't feeling anxious or upset then the Grimm would have a harder time tracking them.
Unknowingly something large and bloodthirsty followed them in the canopy above. Its movements were silent, careful to not disturb a single leaf as it stalked its prey. Spinal legs skittered from branch to branch until the two females stopped for a rest.
Ruby saw Lydia was having trouble and stopped them. "We should keep moving."
"Are you okay?" Ruby asked while the older woman caught her breath.
"Yes. I am just not use to all this." She waved. "And I suppose I am rethinking something I spoke with Oz about earlier."
Beady blood eyes feasted on its prey as it slowly stirred from its perch above them, silently lowering itself from the canopy. Sticky white silk kept from swinging in the wind as it zeroed in of the back of the red headed female. The golden glow of the Relic ensnared the Grimm as it hung just above her head. Its hungering mouth gaped wide open, razor sharp fangs coated in saliva mixed in the mist save for one fat drop that fell and landed, right on Ruby's head.
Both woman's gaze snapped up and Ruby screamed as the spider lunged. There was a crack boom in the distance and then Oz was there. His sword driven through the head of the Grimm. Lydia and Ruby scrambled to get out of the way as it crashed to the forest floor. It's long limbs thudding around them. Ozpin yanked his sword out and scooped up both women while leaping into the air as the spider's legs snapped inward and bone spikes brust from it's guts. The black of the Grimm faded quickly but the skeleton was left showing just how even if you killed it, it would probably still get you.
Ozpin set them down and wiped the saliva from Ruby's hair. "Are you both alright?" He asked quickly.
"Yes thank you." Lydia had a hand on her heart, she wasn't sure if she could take much more of this.
"Cold, but okay." Ruby hugged herself.
"Good but we need to keep moving the Grimm will be hunting us." Ozpin lifted a hand and created a small orb of red light. "Come on." He grabbed Ruby's hand and led the way.
"Are you sure a light is wise?" Lydia asked. "The Grimm will see it."
"Doesn't matter, they aren't tracking our scent or emotions. They are tracking the Relics my sword, Ruby's tattoo. They will come for us and hopefully thin out at the camp." Ozpin said quickly.
"What?! Why haven't you said something before?" Ruby asked she almost stopped in her tracks but Oz pulled her along.
"That was why I wanted you to stay at Haven. Heck it's why Qrow picked a hostel so high up in Mistral. I've managed the Grimm drawn by one Relic on my own for over a year but it seems I underestimated the allure of two." They broke into the clearing and the rest of their family was waiting for them. "But now is not the time for this conversation."
"Oz Ruby!" The relief was palpable in Qrow's voice he ran to them and embraced them both tight. "Thank the gods you're okay."
"We are shaken but good." Lydia said and walked to her grey gnarled tree. Jaune lay against it's trunk bleeding out. She knelt beside him and pulled his hand away from the wound. "Ohh dear." She reached up and plucked a twig no longer then her thumb from a dead branch and pushed it into one of the holes in Jaunes guts.
"What are you doing?!" Nora moved to stop her but Ren grabbed her.
Lydia set her hand over the twig and Jaune groaned in pain. From within thin microscopic branches bloomed out from the twig and traveled through the wound. After a moment it sealed his bowels and pulled the holes together like some strange sort of internal stitches.
The pain dwindled as Jaune touched over the wood holding his insides together. "That is soo… wrong."
"But it will hold your insides together and dull the pain. It will let you fight and we need all the help we can a get." Lydia stood and repeated the process with Blakes wounds. The wood was more obvious as it had to mimic muscle for her. Lydia gathered the blood from both and smeared it along the roots of the tree.
Everyone jumped as it groaned and grew. Red light flowed over it branches and out, blooming over it in delicate weaves of energy. It filled the clearing in a warm red glow. Lydia sat down in the crook of it's trunk and roots to rest her head against the now warm bark.
"Wow." Weiss's eyes went wide. "It's beautiful."
"Creepy but nice." Ren confirmed.
"Well Lydia? Where are the Grimm." Ozpin asked turning his attention away from the tree and towards the forest.
"A Revenant leads the Mula towards us. The camp is being reclaimed, you were right thinking most of the Grimm would come after us. Reinforcements from Mistral are flying in, they will be at the camp soon." Lydia said her eyes closed.
"Alright. Blake, Jaune can you two fight?" Ozpin asked.
Blake tested her shoulder. "I think so, it doesn't hurt."
"Yeah, but I lost my shield." Jaune slowly got up, but was surprised by the lack of pain and how normal his guts felt.
"Alright. Blake Yang you take our right flank; Nora Ren you're on the left, Jaune Weiss take the other side of the tree. Qrow you STAY by Ruby and Lydia, no matter what happens. They are our ace. Ruby stay out of the fighting please, you are too slow. Aura and Semblance don't matter here, Mula are a test of weapon skill. Crescent Rose Is To Slow. Focus on giving us Aura and Semblance, Qrow and I can make use of it." Ozpin said and Ruby opened her mouth to protest. "Don't even try it Ruby, you know we love you. Let us protect you."
Ruby shut her mouth with a snap and sat down beside Lydia and focused on the bonds letting Aura flow easily through them. Then they heard it, the click of bone on bone.
From out of the fog strode a Grimm in long elegant steps. It was nine feet tall, a parted skirt of both legs was crafted of human bone with black ooze holding it all together. It's arms were longer than a human's but not hugely. Growing back from it's temple was a multi-layered veil of small bones. It's eyes were human shaped and glowed red; it's mouth was closed and smooth with no lips. Lastly in one hand was a long simple scythe, straight shaft with a plain curved blade. In it's free hand was Jaune's shield.
The Mula were already spreading around the clearing, though everyone noticed there were thankfully fewer of them.
Everyone quickly broke away to their positions as Ozpin stepped forward moved into his fighting stance. He had a feeling this wasn't going to be easily for any of them.
The Revenant smiled a slow pull of skin that looked just wrong. It raised scythe slowly at Ozpin and tilted it's head to one side like a tired wolf. Then it moved.
The clash of steel on bone, the ring of it. Would echo in many nightmares to come. Ozpin had to bring both hands to deflect the sweeping strike. The Revenant backed up in a light step as Ozpin did the same in the opposite direction. The Mula launched into attack and everyone was quickly too busy to watch Ozpin and Revenant.
Qrow however did as he was told and did not engage, so he could watch the two. The Grimm was as fast as Ozpin and better with a scythe then Qrow was. He never dreamed that a Grimm could be elegant but here it was. It would dodge upon light human feet, swings it's blade upon it's back but the long shaft and let it drag along the ground to swipe up across Ozpin's middle. The scythe flowed in it's bony hands, slash after perfect slash.
Ozpin kept on the defensive as they ended up dancing through the clearing. He could feel the bones and wetter things he didn't wish to think about under his bare feet. The scythe swung up again catching the leaf litter sending bits of old sacrifices up into the air. He dodge with a roll lashing out horizontally with a hand with a sharp slice of Aura.
It cut into the Revenant's leg and it screamed it's jaw unhinging in pain. It slammed it's scythe down and wave a ice erupted from the ground several meters long. Ozpin rolled to the side to get out of the way, before blasting forward.
Jaune's shield blocked the attack, Oz just managed to retreat in time to avoid the scythe. The tall Grimm pushed the offensive, faster now ice flying from the edge of it's blade. It cleaved a Mula in two without noticing as Ozpin fell back by Blake and Yang. He desperately wished he had worn his armour as that scythe came again. Oz reversed the grip of his sword and blocked bracing his forearm with his free hand. The impact still jarred his bones, he felt the surge of magic and then had a face full of ice. He stumbled back and quickly side stepped only to get hit across the face with the shield. He was sent careening through the leaf litter, bits of bone flying up around him.
The Revenant lept high into the air and brought it's weapon down the prone Ozpin. He blocked the blade but the wave of ice that spread out from it sliced into his Aura. The monster raised the shield up and brought it down on Oz's head. He rolled at very last instant ice cutting into him. He grabbed the shield with both hands and kicked the Grimm's hip ripping the shield away.
It spun around and slicing in a wide arm. Ozpin used Jaune's shield to block the blow but it staggered him back. He drove to the ground again, taking the chance to properly put the shield on his arm and grab his sword again.
A scream drew his attention, Nora was holding her left arm as blood dripped around her fingers falling to the dark ground. Ozpin was blindside by the blade and sent flying through the air to smash into a tree. His Aura took the brunt of the hit and he was quick to recover getting the shield up just in time to block another strike that aimed to cleave nose to navel.
Qrow couldn't stay still anymore, a Mula took a bite out of Yang. He charged forward slicing it apart before it had a chance to let her go. He grabbed her and fell back to the heart tree and set Yang against roots, blood poured from her shoulder. Blake ripped a part of her nightgown off and pressed it against the wound but it was slow to stop the blood from dribbling onto the tree.
Weiss and Jaune were thrown wide of the Mula they had been fighting. Jaune's Aura was already dead as he lacked the skill to avoid the touch of the Mula. He hit his head against a tree and fell limp to the ground, Weiss screamed in pain when a shard of ice went through her ankle. Her eyes widened in terror as the Revenant lifted it's scythe again. She froze as the blade came down.
CLASH.
Weiss lifted her eyes to see Oz kneeling above her, with Jaune's shield protecting them both. "Go." Ozpin grunted and shoved the shield up but the Grimm did not even stagger. Wiping it's scythe around to cut under the guard of the shield and into Oz's Aura. Weiss couldn't believe her eyes when the green snapped into view for a moment then faded altogether. "Run Weiss!" Ozpin lept to the side as blood poured down his side.
Fear and adrenaline overruled pain and Weiss got up and ran into Qrow's arms as he came for her. He set her down and ripped a piece of her dress to bind her ankle.
Ozpin ran back trying to put some distance between him and the Revenant. He couldn't remember the last time he had fought one, but this wasn't going well. He covered his wound with his free hand but blood poured from between his fingers and soaked his pant leg. The Revenant raised it's scythe before it, admiring the red upon the blade. It drew it's black fingers upon the edge, his blood gathering upon them. It's lipless mouth opened and a long tensile tongue licked the blood of if's fingers.
Oz glared. "Now you are just mocking me." He let his side go and summoned up magic he tossed a ball of fire at the Grimm.
It sliced it in two ice pouring from it's weapon. The Revenant took slow measured step forward, it brought, it's free hand to it's scythe. It's fingers curled into shaft of the weapon and pulled.
Ozpin's heart dropped into his guts as the Grimm pulled a half scythe from it's main weapon. The blade of this one glowed icen blue, it held both weapons low and started towards Oz again.
Oz's chest laboured as he fought to keep going through the blood loss. He had no time to think as it leapt into the air black flames exploding out from around it overtaking the clearing. Ozpin summoned a solid golden shield only for it to shatter when both scythe blades were driven into it. The horrendous sound of breaking glass echoed and Oz leapt forward the tips of the scythe edges sliced into his lower back but he drove it's sword between the protective blades of the Grimm's belly.
The Revenant didn't even flinch as it drove it's smaller scythe further into Oz's back and used it to rip Oz away from it sending him flying tumbling into the ground. He came to a stop on his front and pushed himself up only for him to vomit blood.
Qrow dropped the red shield of Aura that he had projected over their family when that Grimm unleashed that first black wave of flames. He saw that the Grimm was slowly approaching Oz, completely unphased by the sword in it's guts. He grabbed Harbinger and threw it at Oz. "Oz catch!"
Ozpin shoved himself up just enough to catch the weapon by the hilt and clicked the lever. Harbinger unfolded to all it's glory and the Grimm stopped to stare. Ozpin drove the head of the weapon into the ground and pushed himself up. He took a deep breath and stood through the pain. Blood pouring down his front and side. With another breath he lifted Harbinger and swung it around to brace the shaft around his back the blade towards the ground. He let out his breath and leveled his gaze upon the Grimm.
It smiled.
The clash was thunderous, Harbinger greater weight taking more force then Oz's sword could. The two ancients dancing around each other through one chain of strikes Ozpin lept up twisted over the scythes and struck the Grimm in the head with Jaune's shield, to land behind it and swing Harbinger back but the Revenant had already soared up into the air in an explosion of black flames that slammed into him smashing him against the heart tree. His blood smeared against the bark as he slid down it only just catching himself with Harbinger. The fire burned cold, the need to survive overruling any fear. He charged and the Grimm sent a wave of ice at him.
Ozpin side stepped, as frost bite nipped at his flesh. The Revenant swung it's two scythes out in elegant sweeps black flames opposed ice while the second kept to the ground the other flew up high and coated Oz's side. He screamed in pain as his left burned, he stumbled as he landed where as Jaune's shield had melted slightly, the straps burned away. He caught it as it fell and threw it with all his might at the Grimm's head.
It bounced off the crown of bones and fell to the ground. The Revenant paused to look at the metal, then bent over and did a strange hacking sound. Ozpin couldn't find it in him to care that it was laughing at him. He rushed at it and it moved to meet him.
Metal clashed against bone, but not often enough. Oz barely felt the cold blade slice his stomach open he dodge back only for a another wave of black flames to hit him. He tumbled through the ground at coming to a stop at his family's feet. Qrow reached out to him but Ozpin holding his stomach stopped him from moving with just a hand. Again he planted Harbinger into the ground pushed himself to his feet. He spared a moment to look back at them, the terror on their faces. Lydia though, had her eyes closed and her head pressed against the trunk of her tree. Oz smiled, pained and bloody then turned back to the Revenant. It approached slowly as Oz lowered Harbinger into ready position again.
Ozpin took one slow step and then another, bones, blood and body parts against his bare feet. "You won't have them." He staggered to one side. The Revenant raised it's ice blade and Oz had to use all his strength to stop it. He knew using further magic in this fight would be pointless. That this Grimm was stronger then him in every way. He didn't even think he had the strength to try and crush it telekinetically. He barely felt Harbinger twist in his grip before it was ripped from his hands. The butt of a scythe head was slammed across his face and he felt his cheek break. He stumbled back his arms flaying and saw the two scythes come down.
"OZ!" Ruby screamed, silver light burst from her eyes filling the clearing for a brief second. When it faded the Grimm stood unphased, it's scythes buried into Oz's chest as he jerked. Ozpin slid slowly off the blades his blood painting them and the Revenant placed a foot on his chest and punted him away.
The immortal rolled to his family's feet, what was left of his blood quickly soaking the ground. Oz lifted his head to see the blurring image of the Revenant approaching. He lifted a blood covered hand and grabbed a root of the heart tree. "Please, let this be enough."
It was. It started slowly at first, roots sneaking up from the ground to wrap around at the Revenants feet. The Grimm barely even noticed as it savored the moment ready to reap the family. The roots snapped tightly, growing thicker and stronger, the ground writhed like a tormented sea around them. With each step more roots grabbed at the Grimm, coming in from farther and farther away. It started to cut and slice at the roots as they crawled up it's body, forcing it stop just out of reach of the group. As it was about to summon fire a vine like root shot from the ground and pulled the Grimm to one side. It defiantly held onto it's scythe as the roots dug into it's black flesh and cracked open it's bones. It raised it's ice scythe to cut it's arm free but the roots had already traveled up that arm and they pulled it back down into range for another vine root.
The Revenant was held immobile as brown roots over took it, crawling slowly up it's body. It thrashed and screamed, only able to move it's torso. It's eyes locked onto them as it threw it's head back it's mouth unhinging. A black hand erupted from within, a wraith ripped itself out of the body and screamed like a banshee. There was no white upon it, it was almost translucent as it flew straight up into the air and vanished. The body it left behind went limp.
"Oz! Oz wake up!" Ruby shoved past everyone else grabbed Oz's shoulder and rolled him onto his back. He was cold and grey. "Oz no please!"
Roots started to creep down Oz's hand, more brust from the ground and dug into his wounds. "No get off!" Ruby pulled at them but they were far stronger then her. A hand on her shoulder pulled her away. Lydia knelt beside her. "Leave them, he's not dead yet. I'm not going to let him shuffle off this mortal coil that easily. The tree will sustain him till help arrives."
Qrow crawled over and put his hands on Oz's chest, letting his Aura flow into his lover. "I've never felt so useless in my life." Rain trickled down into the now quiet clearing. It reflected through the red energy branches like falling stars.
"You would have only gotten in the way. Oz was spilling blood in offering to my tree, it was always his final play. Revenants are old Grimm, they can even predate Ozpin in all his many lives. I feel we just met one such Grimm." Lydia sat beside Ruby trying to warm the girl. "Thankfully this place is old as well."
"Is it dead?" Blake asked as she shivered.
"No, it won't return to this body but it will find another and shape it into a form that pleases it again. I have heard of a few others like this one. I think I will call it Revenant Friede and add it to my books. Maybe even Sister Friede, I will have to study my other Revenants again." Lydia cuddled up to Ruby, the roots had covered all of Oz's wounds now. Filling holes where they needed filling, mimicking bone and sinew.
Qrow's Aura ran out and he was forced to sit on the soggy ground with a soft cry. Oz remained unconscious but there was colour in his cheeks again and the bleeding had stopped.
Huntsmen charged into the clearing, Taiyang and Glynda first among them. "Oh thank the Gods you all alri-." Tai skidded to a halt at the sight of Ozpin and got a good look at the Revenant. "What is that? Is Oz?" He gulped.
"We are all alive with various levels of injured." Lydia said pulling Ruby up her as she stood. "But we are all cold and in need of medical attention. "Qrow will you please help me cut Oz free."
Qrow got up and walked to the Revenant, he grabbed the hilt of Oz's sword with both hands and ripped it out. It came with a creak and squelch of wood unwilling to let it go. "Sure. Let's get out of here."