A/N: Had to rewrite this entire thing. First version really was bad. Hopefully this ones better.
Chapter 11
The King and the General
"Two things about this, stay quiet, and let me do the talking."
Red eyes, veiled in annoyance and confidence ran over every one of them, and for a moment Ruby felt pride swell in her chest. This was the Huntsman she had always dreamed of seeing. The Huntsman that she aspired to be. Well, him and her mother of course.
"This way Mr. Branwen." A solider, young and curt, motioned with his rifle for her Uncle to follow.
Qrow stood tall, arms crossed as he nodded once at the group and then waved them after him. A hesitant Jaune stood on her right, Yang behind her not peeping a single word, while Weiss stood on her opposite side with a thin frown. She gave them all a smile and followed her Uncle.
Atlas Soldiers flanked them on every side as they crossed the top floor of the Argus Hospital. Some stood at rapt attention watching their every move, others rushed around to help what nurses and doctors needed the extra hands, all the while a few handed out blankets, food, and clothing to the less fortunate with the aid of whatever volunteers they could muster.
All in all, it was a shit show.
Not that Ruby would ever say that out loud, but it was.
A show that cracked her heart and had her wishing beyond all hope that this had never happened. But it had. And they had failed to stop it.
She had failed. She had been useless.
Her fingers curled.
"What do you think the generals like?" Jaune asked in a low whisper, leaning ever so slightly towards her even as his eyes roamed over the hospital halls and the soldiers around them.
She shrugged as her fingers relaxed, "I don't know, but Uncle Qrow and Ozpin trust him, plus he's a general and the headmaster of Atlas Academy. We need his help."
"And his army," Weiss added from behind them, "if those servants show up again, we'll need every piece of firepower we can get."
Ruby nodded and Jaune replied in her stead, "can't say I won't agree there. Just feels weird you know? We should be at our second year in Beacon, but we're fighting a war. Just feels like we're way out of our depth here." He sighed.
Ruby gave him a smile and gave his shoulder a playful punch, "we'll figure it out. Team RNJR right?"
"Right." he agreed with a sad smile.
Weiss rolled her eyes, while Yang suddenly popped in, "RNJR huh? Lacks the pizazz of team RWBY. Doesn't have a real, yang to it. Am I right?"
"Why did I miss you again?" Weiss hissed and Yang let out a cackle.
"Oh come on Weiss! You know you missed me. I'm just yanging your tail! Eh?"
The Heiress closed her eyes and refused to respond while Ruby chuckled and Jaune simply shook his head with a tired grin.
"Yang, stop," Ruby said giggled.
"Et tu Ruby?"
Two soldiers suddenly rushed by, forcing Ruby to step to the side, while Yang huffed as one brushed against her. The air grew thick with the smell of Iron and Ruby's heart dropped.
They turned a corner and her smile cracked. There were so many people. Bodies. Blood. Sobs.
She grit her teeth as an older woman wailed next to a young mans body. A son? She wasn't sure. But the womans cries only grew even as they got further away.
Her fingers clenched the hem of her skirt.
"Those assholes." It was Yang who spoke, her voice lower than before. The joy dead and gone as reality once more set in. "Im going to end that damn bastard myself."
Silver eyes looked to the blond, "what?"
"Yang," it was Weiss that replied, "you got thourghouly beaten by Ruby's Servant. What makes you think you'll even stand a chance against that man?"
The Blonde grunted, and Jaune added, "she won't. But she'll need to get in line either way."
Ruby spared a glance to her fellow leader, his eyes hard and his fingers caressing his swords handle.
She grit her teeth at the thought of Jaune fighting the King of Heroes. There was no chance he would survive. None of them would against something like that.
"I do feel bad for the soldiers though," Weiss's added with a hint of concern lacing her words as a few Soldiers rushed by carrying several body bags.
"Well," Yang's eyes flickered to Jaune, "if they listened to Jaune and his team when they had gotten here, then maybe, Atlas would have responded sooner. Maybe we wouldn't have had to fight freaking servants in the middle of a city, and maybe that golden asshole wouldn't have blown half of Argus to hell."
Ruby spared a glance with Jaune, her fellow leaders face marred by a frown, but it was Weiss who chose to respond to her sister.
"I doubt its that simple," Weiss gave a steady huff, closing her eyes for a brief moment even as the group continued on through the halls of the injured, "you really expect a professional military like Atlas to just listen to a bunch of random kids saying they need to speak to whoever's in charge?"
"We're hunters-"
"In training," the Heiress narrowed her eyes and waved a hand, "sure we can say its their fault, but at the end of the day, no one knew what was going to happen here. We barely even know whats happening as it is. Not like mister dark and gloomy came with an instruction manual."
Yang rolled her eyes with a frown, but her shoulders sagged.
"Though," Weiss added, her tone softer even as she continued to stare forward with the utmost determination on her face, "I doubt General Ironwood will take this slight against Atlas lightly. It's a declaration of war almost, one that rivals the fall of Beacon if I'm honest."
"That bad?" Jaune asked, his eyes flickering nervously to a side where a doctor was openly operating on a mans leg.
Ruby grabbed his arm and pulled him gently on-wards with them, though his hesitation went unnoticed by her teammates as Weiss continue speaking.
"Yes. Beacon was at least a school meant to train Huntsman. A literal military facility in the fight against Salem. This, was against civilians. Hundreds of them who had no way of fighting back."
"You make it seem like Salems a good guy, Ice Queen," Yang huffed, her smile false and fragile even as she tried to throw a sprinkle of levity into her words.
Weiss shook her head, "not exactly. Just… less prone to attack those who aren't a threat. That… man," The words had Ruby frowning. "He was a monster if what everyone says is true."
She remembered him.
The Golden Hero.
'The King of Hero's.' Assassin's voice broke into her head gently, and she glanced up at the ceiling.
Where are you?
'Scouting the area. The other servants of your friends are watching over you, seeing as you and those buffoons are allies for the moment.'
They're my friends.
'They're a liability. Though, I will say the blond fool has more grit that I thought. He did protect you afterall.'
He had. Against both Neo, and Cinder without hesitation.
Her lips tugged upwards.
'None the less, you will have to kill them to end this war. Its inevitable.'
Her eyes widened for a fraction of s second.
Kill, Jaune and Sun?
'Tsk, Of course. You didn't think this would have a happy end did you?'
She ground her teeth together.
I won't hurt them.
'Then you will die.'
She didn't reply, forcibly tuning out her Servant and returning back to the conversation around her.
"-have to say, I'm not sure if he'll believe us." The Heiress's eyes found hers and she blinked.
"You what?" She asked sheepishly. And Weiss rolled her eyes before replying, "I'm not sure if the General will believe us. Or at least, if he'll help us."
"These people attacked innocent civilians, hell, Cinder freaking brought down Beacon!" Yang growled, "why the hell wouldn't he help us?"
To her surprise however it was Jaune who spoke up next, "because we're not his people."
Yang blinked in surprise and Weiss nodded in agreement, "Jaune's right. He's a general of Atlas first and foremost. He'll have to protect his citizens first, and help us second. Even if the Servants are a huge threat."
"Then what about Salem?" Ruby asked then, unable to ignore the fact that while the Servants were powerful, Salem was Immortal. She doubted even their servants would be unable to undo a Gods curse. "She's literally immortal, and we're already going to tell him about the Servant thing. Would it be too much?"
Weiss grimaced and said nothing while Yang huffed again.
Once more it was Jaune who spoke up, "I think we tell him. Its not like its going to-"
"Quiet," Qrow voice's interrupted them but brokered no argument, and she turned her attention to the pair of doors that now stood in front of them. Four soldiers stood guard, two on either side, and one approached them.
"Hunstman?"
"Yeah, tell the Ice Queen its Ozpin's bird. She'll known exactly who I am."
"Ice Queen?" Wiess's voiced was little more than whisper behind them, but Ruby felt she knew exactly who her uncle was talking about.
She took a step forward, looking to her uncle. "Uncle Qrow-"
But her words went unfinished as the doors suddenly pushed open and an older replica of Weiss stood before them.
Winter Schnee.
"Why am I not surprised to find you in the middle of all this?" Winters words turned sour as they instantly pricked at Qrow, who in turned only sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"Yeah yeah, I get it you hate me whatever-"
"Winter!"
Ruby felt herself rush sideways, losing her balance to where she let out an 'eek' as Weiss shoved past her and stepped towards her sister. The younger Schnee's face was twisted in both confusion and joy as she very obviously held herself back from running and embracing her elder sister despite the smile that grew on Winter's face.
But the smile was suddenly wiped away and drawn into one of utter confusion, "Weiss? What are you doing here?"
Blue eyes turned back to her Uncle, then to Weiss, to Yang, to Jaune, then finally herself. The older Schnee's frown returned before she looked back towards Qrow and crossed her arms, "care to explain to me why you have a bunch of children in a literal war zone, Qrow?"
"Can it, Winter," Qrow snapped, and Ruby winced at the bite in his words. Even Winter seemed confused by the hostility and visibly flinched before composing herself once more as Qrow continued speaking, "where's James?"
"In Atlas."
Ruby's shoulder sagged.
"Why? One of his territory's-"
"Because," Winter hissed her words at her uncle, though Ruby noticed the exhaustion in voice. The bags under her eyes didn't help the womans case. "The General is having to stand guard over Atlas. It was a miracle he was allowed to send a ship here with the closed borders, Qrow. Besides I'm here to ensure nothing else happens and the city is secure. You know I report directly to him, so you have the next best thing."
Qrow eyes narrowed, but he relented with a sigh.
"Fine, whatever. Either way, we need to talk to him. Beacon business." He nodded over his shoulder at Ruby and the others, and she felt herself stiffen as Winters piercing gaze settled upon them.
The woman nodded once at them, "I'll get a line to him."
She turned from them and Qrow suddenly lunged forward. Ruby balked as her Uncle grabbed the womans arm, and the soldiers instantly raised their weapons at him in response.
Winter however, simply glowered at her Uncle, but the man didn't back down.
"In person. Can't risk a hackable line."
The Specialist pulled herself from the older mans grip, flexing her fingers once before calmly repositioning her hand behind her and returning her full attention to Qrow. The soldiers lowered their weapons as she replied, "our equipment is state of the art. Paranoia doesn't suit you well."
"Tell that to Beacon," it was Yang who replied, earning a sigh from her Uncle and a narrowed gaze from the Specialist.
Winter held the blonds gaze, and Ruby felt a twitch in her hand as Weiss sent her a worried glance. Fortunately the stand off didn't last as Winter relented with an exasperated sigh, kneading her forehead as she spoke, "yes. Beacon was a disaster. Trust me when I say Atlas has taken steps to ensure that never happens again. I can promise a secure line to the General, but I cannot promise to meet him in person. The council would have our heads if they knew we were bringing in citizens from other kingdoms while our borders are closed."
Qrow once more opened his mouth to reply, but Ruby stepped forward and gently grabbed his arm.
Gray eyes peered down at her, and she gave him a small smile to which the man huffed and rolled his eyes before stepping back.
She turned her eyes to Winter, who simply stared at her impassively.
"A secure line is great. We just need to tell the General whats going on."
The woman raised an eyebrow.
"In private." Ruby added.
Winter Schnee nodded, then turned to address the soldiers on either side of her, "no one enters without my permission."
"Yes sir!" The soldiers saluted.
Satisfied, Winter nodded to Ruby and made her way back into the office behind her. They followed, the soldiers closing the doors behind them, and Ruby noted how the office wasn't anything extravagant. It was a simple thing in fact, with a desk, few chairs, TV, and an old computer. Whomever's office it was, was either dead, or hopefully busy elsewhere in Argus.
The Specialist held up a finger and pulled out her scroll. She pressed a few commands and held the device up. Light sprang up and the screen projected itself into the air. It rang twice before the face of the general appeared.
The first thing Ruby noticed was how… cold his face was. Cold, and exhausted. Almost terrifying with bags under his eyes, a full, barely kept beard, and piercing eyes.
"Winter." The Generals face cracked for a moment and confusion crossed his features as he took in the other occupants in the room, "and Qrow?"
"Heya Jimmy."
"General Ironwood."
Qrow was the first to greet the general, and while Winter was second, the glare she sent the older man was a poisonous thing.
General Ironwood however ignored the slight of decorum, and brought his hands up into view as his eyes narrowed at Ruby and the others. "If my assumption is correct, you're probably going to tell me how it is you were involved in what the Councils calling the decimation of Argus?"
Qrow sighed, "thats part of it. That and about Oz."
The General's eyes widened by a fraction. "Is he there?"
"Yeah, downstairs, but there's been complications." Qrow ran a hand through his hair, then his eyes turned to Ruby, "want to tell him kid?"
For a moment, her heart quickened and the ever present fear of stage fright almost consumed her as all eyes turned to her. But she met the Generals gaze and stepped up, clearing her throat once before speaking.
"General Ironwood. My names Ruby Rose. I'm from Beacon."
The Generals eyes turned warm for a moment and a soft, if sad smile, graced is lips. "Good to meet you Ms. Rose. For what it's worth, you have my sincerest apologies for what happened at Beacon."
Ruby smiled at the apology, hallow as it may be, "thank you, but we're not really here to talk about Beacon."
With a nod the man agreed, "as I assumed. So tell me, how did a handful of students end up I the middle of a warzone?"
Her lips grew dry and Ruby spared a glance at her friends. Yang was staring at the General with an almost bored expression, while Wiess looked poised and regal as ever.
Jaune's lips tugged upward and a gave her a gentle nod.
She let loose a breath.
"About five days ago this man appeared..."
Neo grit her teeth as cold water rushed down her chest. Roman would have never thrown water at her, let alone cold water. But Cinder was no Roman. She was ruthless, cold, calculating.
"You couldn't even finish that boy! He was weak! It should have been child's play for you Neo! Yet you toyed with him, and that damn brat! Argh! Curse that whore! I'm going to tear her and her boyfriend limb from limb the next time I get hold of them!"
And she was a sore loser.
Neo, as much as she too wanted to skin the girl known as Ruby Rose alive, was far better at keeping her disappointment in check. She frowned at the Fall Maiden, who once more strut about her inn room with fire literally pouring from her eyes, her hands pulling at her hair, and furious tears streaming down her cheeks.
She gently wiped what water she could from her chest, and ground her teeth together. Starting a fight with Cinder in the inn would likely end with the Inn burned down.
The last thing they needed was their resident King getting pissed his bed was gone.
"Damn that brat and her stupid eyes!" Cinder kicked the lone chair in the room clear across the room where it shattered into a million pieces.
Multicolored eyes rolled and spared a glance for the other occupant in the room.
The Witch known as Caster was sitting on the second bed with a frown stitched onto her face. Apparently the woman was as annoyed as Neo from their leaders rants. Of course, neither spoke their mind and simply relented to listen to the childish babble.
Cinder turned to the fire pit in their room, a metal thing framed by thick, hardy oak wood, like the rest of the room. She threw a hand forward and the firewood burst to life with roaring flames.
"Why didn't you finish off that brat sooner!" The Womans wild eyes, or eye since the other was gone, spun to face Neo.
Neo simply raised an eyebrow at the woman, despite having to look up at her from her place against the wall.
Cinder scoffed, "are you telling me that child was too much for you?"
She rolled her eyes once, then pursed her lips and pointed at Cinder.
"ME?"
She nodded.
The woman spun away, "I was undone by nothing more than luck! Next time that girl will not be as lucky. She can't hide behind her friends forever."
If she were honest with herself, Neo found the tantrum mildly entertaining. As it was, she was sure she could've ended little Red's life far sooner than Cinder, plus she didn't have the unique disadvantage of being part Grim. She eyed the dark arm at Cinders side warily, hiding a smirk that would surely earned Cinder's ire. The woman was too proud to admit defeat, and according to her, it was only luck that had saved Red.
Granted, she too knew Red had only survived Beacon because of a lucky Grim save, one that left her alone in this cruel world.
But their plan had been horrible.
Just jump in with their new allies, these so called servants, and attack.
What could go wrong?
Everything of course.
Red just had to have her own new super powered allies. She just had to have a life saving semblance against a woman that was particularly weak against her. And the dumb blond kid just had to have enough aura for four people. More than Neo had ever anticipated.
She had chipped away at it, but unlike the blond bimbo she had thrashed months ago, this one had been smart enough to play completely defensive.
Her fingers tightened into fists.
It had been annoying.
"Master,"
The Witch's soft voice broke her thoughts and Neo looked to the woman as Cinder stopped her pacing.
"What?" The Maiden hissed.
The frown on the Witch's lips deepened, though Neo doubted Cinder cared for it.
"Master," the woman repeated, " I believe it wise that we rethink our course of action."
That was news. News that had Neo raising an eyebrow in response.
"Why? We know we can beat those children even if they have their own servants. Its foolish to think they can stand against us."
The Servant's frown deepened beneath her hood, that much Neo could tell even as she replied, "we were aptly held back. Only the King of Hero's was unburdened by the enemy."
Cinder spun around, flames blazing into her hands and eyes as she snarled at the Servant, "it was luck! That brat will die by my hand!"
Caster nodded and said nothing more.
With a scoff Cinder turned away, waving one hand as she spoke, "the plans stays the same. The brats will go to Atlas. They won't risk the Relic falling into Salem's hands. We follow, and wait for the time to strike. A time, where we can get what we all want."
Amber eyes flickered to Neo, and she nodded in response.
As long as she got to see Red's cold eyes staring at the sky, a blade through her heart, Neo didn't care what they did.
So long as Roman was avenged.
"Neo," Cinders words broke the delicious thoughts of death, "find out if his majesty is ready. We need to start moving if we wish to get to Atlas while their ranks are broken. Their ships will not stay with Argus forever."
She nodded and with a lazy bow, one that reeked of sarcasm, she left the room behind.
The Inn itself was an old thing. Homey in a sense, with its wooden walls, fur rugs, and warm lightning, though she knew that the feeling was only to draw customers back. It was no home. Nothing would be.
She bobbed her head side to side, hopping on her feet as she made her way downstairs to where she knew the small bar was.
"Tell me, woman, what is this fine drink called?"
The pompous voice had Neo's muscles tensing. Despite the fact the man who called himself the King was their ally, she new it was tentative at best. The fact he had overwhelmed her, Cinder, and Caster so easily before was a humbling experience.
Terrifying if she was honest with herself.
Still, it didn't deter her from her mission so she slipped off the final step from the stairs and made her way through the tiny lobby, and into the bar on the other side.
Swords.
Not as many as she expected, but none the less there were three sticking out from the wall behind the counter. They had struck only enough to dig in a few inches, and Neo spared a curious glance the to blond King lounging in a booth. A woman, no older than Neo herself, was tending to him.
The girl was shaking, and the look of fear on her face, had Neo wondering just what the man had done. Though the swords did paint a dark picture.
The King cleared his throat, crimson eyes slowly flickering to the woman as a small smile graced his lips.
"A fine drink. A delicacy even for this… back water world."
He raised his hand.
Nero grit her teeth and placed as comforting hand on the hilt of her sword as she prepared for the woman to turn into a pin cushion.
Yet, the golden portal appeared and instead three gold coins fell into the mans hand. Gently he handed them to the woman, who's eyes were nearly bugging out of her head at the sight.
"I…" The woman started, licking her lips, "I don't know what to say… I just…"
Gilgamesh chuckled as he leaned back in the both, one arm on over the back and the other brining the drink to his lips. He took a sip, let out a satisfied sigh then spoke, "good work should always be repaid. Take it and go, fix this wretched establishment to something more fitting for a King and this splendid drink. I would like to return when my business is finished and taste another of these treats you prepared."
The woman nodded, giving a sheepish smile, before bolting for the counter and through the doors behind it.
It grew silent as only the sound of the King drinking filled the lonely bar. The man was obviously content at the moment, and Neo tilted her head as she studied him.
He was arrogant. Annoying. Stuck up even.
Yet he was… fair? Fair enough at least to reward the worker with actual gold, which was likely more than enough to fix up the bar from what damage his few swords had done to the counter and the drinks behind it.
It was a strange combination. But one she was almost relieved to see.
Cinder wasn't fair, and the other Servant was too quiet.
At least this man had an honest personality.
She spared a glance to the exit, wondering if Cinder would walk through the door and ruin the mans mood. Seconds ticked by, and fate was on her side as the walking time bomb failed to appear. She let out slow sigh, and strut forward towards the man.
Crimson eyes immediately locked onto her, and his smile dipped just fraction as he spoke up, "what do you want girl?"
She stopped a few feet from his table, leaning on one leg as she crossed her arms and nodded towards the exit.
His face soured, then he closed his eyes and waved her off, "this drink will be finished before we depart. Tell your master to find us food while she waits. I grow interested in this lands delicacies after trying this drink, and wish to see what other gems it has to offer."
She was tempted to roll her eyes, but fearing it would offend him, simply sighed instead and tapped her foot impatiently.
Apparently it was the wrong thing to do, as his eyes shot open and he narrowed them.
"Do not try my patience girl. Your silence may be a charming act, but I grow tired of others not understanding their place under the King."
She bit her cheek to stave off the ever present desire to roll her eyes. Instead she opted to shrug and nodded again at the exit.
A single golden portal appeared behind the man and he faced her.
"Speak child. Your charade of silence grows tiring."
She scowled at the man before jabbing her thumb at her throat.
His eyes widened a fraction before nodding once, "a mute then. It does not abstain you or your master however from your lack of decorum."
Neo sighed and shook her head.
The man raised an eyebrow but motioned for her to continue.
She pointed upward, looked at him, then crossed her arms. Cinder was not her master. An ally sure. But nothing more than that. Once Red was dead she would gladly put her blade through that womans heart as well.
"Ah," the king nodded in understanding, "a lover then?"
Neos face twisted in disgust, and she violently shook her head.
The man chuckled, "yes, no amount of beauty can disguise that abomination of an arm."
She nodded in agreement.
"Then tell me," he took a sip of his drink, "why is it you listen to her? She is not if but a brute. One I unfortunately require to regain what is mine, but a brute all the same."
She pursed her lips and looked to the side. Her fingers slowly reached up and pulled the hat on her head off. She pulled it to her chest.
"A loss then, though if it was her fault, I assume you would have already tried to silence her," he nodded and his eyes relaxed, and a small, interested smile replaced his frown, "so you seek revenge like her. I assume the Master she failed to kill?"
Neo glanced to him and gave a nearly imperceptible nod.
He hummed in understanding and motioned to the seat across from him as two golden portals appeared and deposited what looked like a quill and a roll of paper on the table.
"Tell me your tale then girl. Entertainment would suit this drink."
She raised an eyebrow at the quill, then glanced back at the exit. With a shrug she made her way, and sat at the table. Taking the quill in hand she wrote a single name.
Roman.
She lifted the paper up and showed the man.
He nodded, "a man then. A lover, or family?"
She crinkled her nose and tapped her chin with the edge of the quill. When the word finally came to mind she wrote below the name.
Everything.
The King of Hero's frowned, "then why did you allow your prey to escape?"
She blinked in confusion, her head tilting as if to ask what he meant.
The man let out a slow sigh.
"If you wished for vengeance, then why did you let it get away? Seeing as how your companion is weak against that Child, why would she not let you have your revenge when you are clearly more up for the challenge than she?"
She frowned and wrote once more.
Pride.
The man scoffed, "pride. She's lacks true pride, what she has is a fake. A simple mask to conceal her fear. She fears she cannot accomplish her goal, so she seeks others to do the goals she deems both beneath and beyond her. To place blame elsewhere than herself, because she knows she is weak. True pride would be admitting her own weakness and seeking glory despite it, yet she plays games and insults her allies like a newborn." His eyes roamed down to her chest, though they lacked the lecherous gaze other man and women gave her.
She grit her teeth as the dampness in her shirt made itself present with a chill.
"So you understand," she nodded at his words then he continued, "good. I will say, your determination despite your affliction is admirable. Not many would go against a servant for nothing more than revenge. Let alone willing attack innocents.
She frowned and shook her head.
He raised an eyebrow, "you do not agree with your allies methods?"
Monochrome eyes stared at the quill, before hastily scribbling a response.
It was stupid. They mean nothing. Killing them only places a target on us.
He nodded, "wise words, though take care to who you insult girl."
The warning was clear and she gulped before writing again.
Not you. The plan.
"It was, though I will say I was curious to see if she could pull it off. She of course failed me as expected, though you and that Witch completed your jobs admirably. Her failure is hers alone." He took a sip then replied after a content sigh, "though failing to live through a battle proves ones weakness. The fact those children survived and were able to fend even yourself off, is enough to show they were worthy of an honorable fight. The rabble who died were likely too weak to survive without others. They were expendable if they did not provide worth to their city."
What if they did provide worth? Neo pointed at the words and raised an eyebrow.
He nodded, "an apt question. I passed judgment on the city because it was apart of a plan. I did not do it for simple pleasure, nor for their lack of faith in the King, though even all of that is within my right as King." The man narrowed his eyes though it lacked the animosity from before, "tell me girl, and speak freely, do you condemn the execution of the rabble?"
She didn't move, her eyes locked onto his.
Did she?
Maybe... She had no care for the random Civilians of the world, but that was because they never did anything for or against her and Roman. The only ones she had disdain for were Huntsmen. The so called Hero's of the world. Those people liked to ruin the fun, but then again… the fun had stopped over a year ago when Cinder strong armed them into helping her.
Help or die.
An easy choice when they saw how strong she had been.
But the plan to simply slaughter the people of Argus to draw out Red and her friends? To force them into a fight and catch them unawares?
She felt a lump in her throat, and tapped her fingers against the table. She moved to begin writing but the King cleared his throat and drew her attention back to him.
"Do not answer with haste. Those who do not think before they speak are no more than the beast in the fields."
She nodded and the drumming of her fingers returned.
Cinder had ordered it. It was the plan. Just like Beacon had been.
Did she condemn it?
She grit her teeth.
Did she?
A/N
Not too much action, more so setting up the next chapters and future events. There's some subtle foreshadowing here with whats going to happen later in the story.
To address a few Reviews:
Guest: Yeah i was slightly confused by the Ozpins Lies thing in the show. But since its already happened here I still have to use it.
SentinalSlice: New world new rules. Thats all I say as there is explanation eventually.
Don Orbit: That would be super fun! I'm not sure if a scene liek that will happen yet, but we are ona lower point right now with roe calm thigsn progressing than anything. The first battle is said and done and the second will happen soon, though its going to be a lot long and bigger than the first. Thats all I can say.
We also get a POV from Neo and no Servants this time. Don't worry, next time we'll get more Emiya and Saber. Still at least its 5000+ words. Sorry it took so long. Been writing my book a lot. About 1,000 words out from finishing it and starting the self publishing process! I'll talk about it later.
Also, we get to see Gilgamesh here be a bit of a… teacher almost. If anything, Gilgamesh is wise, though arrogant. He also shows his obvious disdain for Cinder. This Gilgamesh is a mixture of Fate Zero and UBW works Gil. Hes arrogant as hell, but still wise and almost... understanding in a way. He hasn't however, had time to stew on his hatred for humanity like he did in UBW. That should be obvious.
Personally, I really think Gil would see Neo, someone who has an affliction yet sticks to her goals no matter what, as a person worthy of speaking too. Not an equal obviously, but interesting. She's not Cinder who rants, raves and balmes others. Shes just there, and is willing to do anything for her goal. At least, so she thinks, and Gil challenges that belief because he can see her frustration. She was literally soaked from Cinder throwing crap at her.
Also I hop Yang didn't seem too OOC. For her being so... nitpicky, Im thinking of it like Vol, 8 Yang. It has to do with that fact she already didn't trust Ozpin, the plan, or anything. Now servants are thrown into the mix, and she has to see them annihilate a city. It shakes her and makes her doubt, like she does in Vol 8. It just happens earlier since more has happened that in this point of canon.
Anyway, hope you enjoyed. Take care and God bless.
-Metal4k