RWBY: The New King of Darkness
Salem betrayed the Old King long ago for power. But before he was banished from her side, he swore vengeance that someone will take his place and cast her from the world of the living. But to do so, he would need a successor, someone willing to embrace the Darkness and forever forsake the Light. But who would be so willing to embrace the Darkness and for what reason would he do so?
A/N For all those wondering why I decided to change the premise for this story…well, it was because recently I had felt less inclined to write RWBY stories ever since Season 5. I felt that the show was no longer what it was and felt less motivated to write. Focusing more on MY Hero Academia.
But then Season 6 episode 3 came out and gave us more information about Salem and the Gods and I felt revigorated to write RWBY again. But that didn't mean I was going to abandon all the hard work I put into these stories. No far from it.
I'm still thinking so, yeah. Any suggestions would help.
Chapter VI: Temple of Raging Fire
Raven locks fell off the side of the bed as the former wife and mother of Yang and Taiyang Xiao Long rested within the sheets. A bloody bandage wrapped around the stump that was once her left arm as she breathed in painfilled breaths. Tai stood over her from as he applied a soothing rag to her forehead, her brother standing behind him while curious eyes watched from the doorway.
The assembled masses of the remains of teams RWBY and JNPR looked curiously at the woman that landed in the middle of the dining table. The obvious question was who she was and why did she look like a raven-haired version of Yang?
But the time for questions was nought as the woman had passed out from blood loss and would not be answering any time soon. Tai sighed as he replaced the rag before leaving to stand by his brother-in-law as he looked at his sister.
"How's she doing?" he asked as he shook his head.
"Not good, Qrow. She lost a lot of blood and probably used up the last of her aura just to get here. Because of that, she's developed a fever that won't go down. It will affect her recovery and I'm doing my best to combat it, but there's only so much I can do without taking her to a hospital."
"You know exactly why we can't take her to a hospital. She's not exactly welcome there anymore when she returned to her old life and I doubt they will want to treat her." Qrow advised as Tai nodded.
"I know but…she's still my wife and your sister. There has to be something more we can do?"
"Uh…hey." A small voice asked as both men turned to the assembled masses. Except for Ruby who looked concerned, while Yang continued to glare at the wall away from them. "Can someone please explain what's going on here? Who is that woman?" Pyrrha asked as both men had difficulty finding the right words.
"That…is my mum," Yang spoke as she refused to look at them.
"Your mother?" Ren asked as she nodded while Ruby looked sad.
"Yep, she abandoned me, her husband and her brother years ago." Her voice laced with venom as she gripped her stump.
"Yang it's not that simple." Tai tried to argue but the girl just waved him off.
"It's that simple dad. She left us, she abandoned us! As far as I can care, she can leave once she's all better. We were fine without her for ten years, so she can disappear for another ten." She huffed before walking away from the slightly stunned group.
Ruby turned to her father, "I'll go talk to her…" he nodded as she left to follow her sister.
Qrow sighed as he rubbed a hand over his face. It was just like his sister to come out of nowhere and stir everything up, been that way since they were kids. This time, however, was different. She was broken, beaten…he had never seen her like that before.
For the entire time Tai, Summer and he knew here she was near unstoppable and a powerful warrior. She was without a doubt the strongest member of their old team. For her to be like this she must have met someone…terrible.
Deep within the forest of Anima
Just beyond the board of the Temple, Jaune Arc – the New King of Darkness – was in a deep conversation with the being that was now fused to him. A being that had once served Salem as the former 'King of Darkness' but cast out when he failed her years ago…
"I'm telling you the temple is beyond these woods. Just past the big rock that looks like a foot."
"We passed that rock two times and we keep coming back to this spot. Are you sure you know where we're going?"
"Of course, I know. I once scouted these lands centuries ago during my exile. This was one such place where the Old Magics once resided. Trust me, it's here."
"Trust the parasitic Grimm that bonded to me in order to destroy his backstabber of a Queen so that he could become the new King? Sure, why not?"
"That's the spirit! Now get moving!"
Jaune sighed as he continued to walk towards the ruins. Passing once against the rock that looked like a foot. His travels bringing him further into the dense woods of the forest of Anima as he searched for a weapon that could be used against the Queen of the Grimm. Salem.
"Hey," the Former King's head formed from his shoulder as he looked to the teen.
"Hmm?"
"There's something I've been meaning to ask you. How did you get your powers in the first place? From what I gathered Grimm aren't supposed to have the kind of powers you have. What made you so different from your brothers?" he asked as the King sighed.
"Well…ever since I was born, I was…different…from the rest of my kind. I was considered a 'freak' by Grimm standards. I was always more curious with mankind then simply wanting to devour it. In time I grew stronger and become a powerful Grimm. Then the Gods abandoned this world and I assumed that would be the end of it. That was until your kind managed to return after being destroyed by my father centuries ago."
"Wait, what, destroyed? What do you mean?"
"A long story, basically your kind is but a remnant of what it once was. Back when Magic was a gift to all, not remnants of a forgotten time. Yeah, you all were my fathers and uncles first joint creation, until you became greedy and tried to claim immortality from them under the influence of my former Queen and were punished for it. You can thank Salem for that when she pissed off the Gods and they wiped you clean from the earth. Dad even broke the moon when he was done." They looked up to the fragmented moon as Jaune stared in fear.
"W-Wait are you telling me mankind was…destroyed before? And the Gods just…wiped us out? Wait the Gods are real!?" the head nodded and grinned.
"Yep, technically this is mankind's round 2. Now you are but fragments of what was once a powerful race – the 'perfect creation'. Where instead of being able to cast powerful spells and raise glorious towers…you cower behind walls of stone and summon only a fracture of your capabilities…Funny, what the grief and arrogance of one person can do to an entire planet." Jaune was stunned as he absorbed this information.
"T-That's a lot to take in."
"Yeah, The Relic of Knowledge is a lot better at explaining this stuff than I ever was."
"What?"
"Nothing. Anyway back to my origin. After humanity bit the dust I continued to grow and wander this earth. Eating, killing and shitting out what came next. Humanity eventually managed to come back, and my kind feasted on yours. It was a rather boring century after that, but then one day I came across this man who was defending his village. A Huntsman that had a unique ability to control the blood of his fallen friend and foe and use it as a weapon." His eyes almost seemed to glaze in fondness as he drifted into memory.
"The battle we had that day stayed with me for almost a century now. I still remember how he cut down multiple numbers of my brethren. Protected his people and even managed to injure me in my original form. When he fell to my claws, I strangely felt saddened by his death…almost as if I respected him. He was the only one that had ever managed to wound me in combat…" he looked at his pale skin as he lowered his head.
"So instead of eating his corpse I took it back with me to the birthing grounds of my kind and…experimented on him." Jaune looked disgusted as the King flexed his hands.
"I studied his corpse, learned what made it tick and then harvested it for myself. I used this knowledge to forge from his remains a body. One of a human form. When I merged my essence with his corpse, I discovered new…abilities. His Semblance for commanding dead blood become mine, my speed and intellect grew, my strength became unbound and I became the strongest of my brethren. I earned myself the title of King of the Grimm and even eyes of Salem and helped her wage a war against Mankind." His eyes then turned dark as he thought about Salem.
"But I never realised she was just using me to get the Relics by using my forces against Ozpin's like a distraction. Then she betrayed me and sealed the powers I cultivated for myself. All so she could get revenge on the ones that cursed her…" He growled but shook his head.
"She took everything from me…and I will make her pay, even if I have to kill her a thousand times over until she learns to stay dead."
"What do you mean by that?" Jaune asked as the King shook his head.
"Nothing to worry about. When we get these relics, not even Salem will be able to stop us." Jaune stared at the former king before sighing.
"Fine…by the way, it's getting a bit annoying not calling you anything. And I don't think I should be calling you King since you're…dead and all, and I'm supposed to be the new one?" the King chuckled as he pondered.
"Good point…then how about calling me by the name of the man that managed to wound me. Even now I still remember his name, call me..." he turned and grinned as his eyes flashed with red and malice.
"…Vlad Tepes Dracul…"
Temple of Raging Fire
The beasts of Grimm growled as they circled the Ancient Ruins that stood before them. For many years they have never been able to get close to the temple that radiated with rage that you'd think they would be able to feast off it. But that was, in fact, the opposite.
If they got too close the amount of rage energy would overload them and they'd explode.
Whatever it was in there was too much for even the Grimm.
So instead they waited just outside the perimeter and subtly feast on the rage. They had watched many humans attempt to enter the temple as well, only to suddenly be thrown into a mad state and kill each other, then themselves out of guilt.
It would seem that there would be no one that could enter the strange ruins.
They stirred as they sensed the presence of a powerful figure as he walked through their pack. His blood red armour and black cloak billowing slightly in the breeze as they growled at the hooded man. His red eyes glared and sent a shock of fear into them as they growled and circled the man.
But did nothing as he continued to the ruins.
Vlad manifested beside him as he looked to all his brothers. "It's a shame that I must face my brethren like this. To be once a great and powerful King…now seen as a lowly worm by my own kind...its infuriating."
"They're not getting close, are you sure we'll be fine?" he asked as Vlad shrugged his shoulders.
"It's a fifty-fifty chance. But with your soul, my powers and plenty of luck we should be fine…maybe?" Jaune sighed as he walked towards the temple doors.
Around him were the scattered remains of broken swords, skeletal figures and flags of once-great tribes and nobles. He carefully walked around their forms hoping not to disrupt their peace. But as he drew closer to the temple, he could practically feel the amount of rage and anger that was emanating from it.
It almost drove him mad.
"Stay focused," Vlad whispered into his ear. "Do not give in to baser instincts, keep your eyes focused on the goal."
Jaune nodded as he fought back against the bloodlust and continued onward. The large doors of the temple covered in rubble as he shifted his form to shadow and slinked his way inside. The temple was dimly lit inside with blood-red crystals as they glowed ominously in the hall. But all around him were skeletal beings that were clutching their heads in pain as their forms looked almost burnt from a powerful blaze.
"What happened to them?"
"These were once the followers of the dark teachings. They tried to harness the power of rage and fire but were consumed by it and suffered the consequences." He manifested as his form phased through their corpses.
"It looked like a battle was waged between the follower of Light and the disciples of Darkness…obviously, no one truly won. But I have a feeling the Light managed to accomplish whatever mission they were tasked with and seal the power we need…though clearly not enough."
Jaune looked around as evidence of a large battle was present long ago. The walls were scorched, and blood stained the floors. but also signs of self-mutilation were evident as ever poor soul looked like they had tried to rip themselves apart as they were spread amongst the hall in a chaotic manner.
'This power…can I really be able to wield it?' he thought to himself as he moved amongst the graves.
He continued to walk down the hall as he passed more and more the burnt skeletons. Each one bore more painful images as some seemed to be even reduced to ash like statues, that crumbled when he touched them. He felt saddened as he continued to walk amongst the graves of the fallen. Until finally they were met with a large door with a symbol of a burning claw etched upon the surface.
"If I was a betting man, I would assume this is where they are." Vlad guessed as Jaune nodded and pushed the doors open with all his strength.
The ancient hinges snapped and broke as the large doors fell to the floor with a mighty crash and kicked up dust and ash into the air. He coughed as the dust circled around him and he peered into the room.
His eyes widened at the hundreds of burnt and broken bodies as they were scattered amongst the room. Each one twisted in some gruesome fashion or another as it looked as if they had all been driven mad with rage and killed anyone that got in their way. But his gaze was soon cast at the far back of the room where a pillar of light stood, which contained a pair of blood-red gauntlets that looked almost like they were fashioned from the essence of fire itself.
"There they are…the Gauntlets of Chaotic Rage…"
"It was said that these gauntlets were harvested from the bones of a ferocious demon, tempered in the very flames of hell itself and cooled in the blood of a thousand men. The flames that these gauntlets could produce can incinerate a man to ashes and draws upon the hatred and anger inside men's heart and fuel their everlasting flames. They also increase the user's power by feeding on the rage and hatred from their opponent. But those without a strong will would be consumed by the flames and…well you've seen the results."
"Then how were they sealed away?"
"It was said that a warrior of light learned to fight the previous user without hatred or rage in his heart. This managed to overcome the Gauntlets power and defeated him. But even he knew that if he were to wield the Gauntlets it would corrupt him as well, no matter how much he suppressed his hatred. Thus, he chose to seal them away long ago…but even now it still radiates with hatred and rage, so much that it corrupted this court and led to their ruin." Jaune looked to the barrier as his fingers brushed against the wall of light.
"So how are we to get past this barrier?" his fingers lightly stung from the wall.
"We use your semblance to destroy it."
"What?"
"Ever since you took my power, I've noticed subtle changes to your semblance. Must have something to do with the Semblance I took from Vlad – Which he called Blood Control – and your own semblance-"
"Wait, you know what my semblance is?" his curiosity peeked as he had been trying for months to unlock his semblance to no avail.
"As a fragment of the former King I am integrated into your physiology, and your soul. I can tell you more things about your own body then you will ever know in your lifetime. Quite an interesting Semblance I must say. The ability to augment and amplify aura is a unique ability." Vlad commented as Jaune processed what he heard.
"But how does that help get through the barrier?"
"As I said, since you took on my power your physiology and your soul have gone through changes. Some small and some more obvious than others. What the combination of my Grimm Physiology for never-ending consumption, Vlad's Blood control, the Dark Aura you now possess, and your Aura Amplification have created a unique secondary ability to your semblance. It has granted you the ability to absorb and consume aura and energy itself."
He grinned as he pointed to the boy's hand as the new king focused and felt his semblance activate. His hand coated in a form of white light before it turned into pitch black and red aura.
"But how come I have access to it now? I've been trying for months to get it to work," he asked as Vlad shrugged his shoulders.
"Must be because of my presence within you, must have unlocked your semblance when we fused – shit I don't know – but does it really matter? You've got your semblance and we need those gauntlets so let us get this over with." Jaune wanted to question him more but he relented.
He stayed here too long, and he needed to get those gauntlets. But as he moved his cloak brushed against one such corpse as fire sprouted from its eyes and mouth, while its body began to rise as its bones resembled cracked and burnt timber wood with small embers flickering from its corpse. A similar reaction chained with the others as the skeletons slowly began to stand scream a bloodthirsty rage.
"What the hell!?" the skeletons pounced upon him as he just managed to avoid their grasp and jump high into the air. "How the hell are these things still alive!?"
"It is the relic that is doing this. Its flames are never-ending and always burning, death will not even be able to quench it." Vlad explained as he gazed upon the screaming hoard.
"These men devoted themselves to the flames of Rage and died burning in their own Hatred. But the fires of rage are never truly burnt out, they merely simmer to a small ember. All it takes is a spark to reignite their rage. These poor souls are stuck in such a state, never to be released from the rage they feel." Jaune clicked his tongue as he summoned his blade.
"Well let's test that!" his sword whistling through the air as he sliced the skeletons on half.
Fire-spewing from their bodies as they screamed in pain, while he swung around and decapitated four others. But they continued to attack him, despite their falling parts and broken bones as they still tried to attack the new King of Darkness.
Jaune summoned his gun as he shot them in the head while also swinging his sword and crushing his opponents. But no matter what he did, their bodies still tried to move, even as they were broken to pieces, they still clawed and raged towards him.
He summoned the bloody whip in his left hand as he swept and carved his space around the skeletal beings.
One of them managed to latch on and bite hits teeth into his skin as the flaming fangs seared into his flesh. "Son of a bitch!" he roared as he grabbed the skeleton, flipped it onto the ground then stomped its skull to pieces before he shot at another that attempted to grab him.
He roared in anger as he smashed his fist through the ribcage of another, before swinging him around and smashing the flaming skeletons together. His sword was drawn as it hacked away at the burning hoard until there was nothing left but broken pieces of bone and teeth.
He breathed heavily as his wounds slowly healed and burnt skin was replaced with pale undamaged flesh.
"Okay, …that's the last of them…"
Suddenly, the Skeletal pieces began to glow before they shot up into the air and pulled together into a large ball of flaming flesh and bone. The bony construct landed on the ground as it now resembled a large golem-like creature made of flaming bone and flesh.
"…I blame myself for this."
The Golem roared as it swung its flaming arm at the King, who managed to avoid the hit by turning into a shadow and slinking past its gaze and into the shadows. "How the hell did they manage to fuse like that?"
"It must be the temple defences. This place still brims with the old magic and they were known for having guardians to protect their most valuable treasure. This one must have been left by the Followers of Light to keep adventures or fools away from the gauntlets."
"Good to know."
Large footsteps caught his attention as the Golem roared and slammed its fist into the shadows, just as he sprung out and sailed over the large golem and landed on the floor behind him. But the Golem turned and released a stream of crimson fire from several skulls in its face as the flames scorched the ground and walls of the ancient temple.
Jaune summoned his shield as the flames battered against the Dark Aura infused metal as he held fast against the creature. When the flames finally died out, his eyes flashed red as he turned to the large imposing Golem.
"Okay, I've had enough of this guy…"
Dark and red aura surrounded his form as many blood-red eyes appeared within the mass of aura. His muscles bulged as he dashed at inhuman speeds. His fist coated with his Dark Aura as he smashed the hind legs of the large beast.
Crocea Dark forming in his hand as the blade glowed with red malice and he struck the beast with a powerful wave of energy. The right arm of the Golem falling into bone and flesh as it 'roared' in anguish. The beast slammed its face towards the man, who only merely held up his shield and blocked the attack. The temple floor cracking from the strain as the New King growled and sent a pulse of aura through his shield and disintegrated the other arm.
The beast stumbled back on one leg as it roared in anger…only to stop as Jaune aimed his gun that radiated with dark energy and pulled the trigger.
"…Bang…"
His shot completely ripping through the centre of the construct as it blew apart like confetti. Bits and piece of bone and flesh splatted the ground as the Golem fell into utter ruin. Jaune smirked a little as the gun disappeared back into his form.
"Well, that was…something…now, let's see about this barrier," Vlad said as they both turned to the large barrier.
His fingers brushed against the barrier as it shimmers at his touch. "Uh…how do I?" Vlad shook his head.
"We Grimm have a never-ending need to consume everything, a hunger we can never sate no matter how hard we try. But that is how we were made, to consume life in all its forms. It is why we consume everything. You are tied to that never-ending hunger and it has altered your soul. Just image feeling that hunger but channelling it into your powers to consume the barrier."
Jaune looked to the barrier as both his hands radiated with dark and red energy.
"Be warned though, those Gauntlets are very…temperamental…you must gain control of them, or you'll end up like them."
He gestured to the bones as he nodded and slammed his hands into the column of light as sparks of black and white fought against each other. A loud crackling noise filled the air as the King of Darkness forced his way through the barrier of light. With one powerful yell, the barrier was broken as it shattered like glass.
The moment it fell the gauntlets exploded in a rage of fire, the room basked in a sea of crimson red and fire as Jaune held his arms up in defence.
"Take them! Now!" Vlad yelled in his ear as Jaune grunted and forced his way through the pressure.
He grabbed hold of them as they glowed with a red light and swarmed around his wrists before clamping shut. Smoke drifting off his arms as he grunted and gasped in pain.
"Argh! God damn it! This hurts like hell!" Jaune yelled as his flesh was being burnt by the gauntlets. He fell to his knees as the flames seared his arms and flooded his senses in pain. It was like burning lumps of metal were seared in his flesh as he felt the thousands of years of anger and rage inside the Gauntlets.
"Don't waver, Jaune! You need to take control of this power! Don't let it consume you!" Vlad yelled in his mind as he grunted.
He felt the anger and the rage that poured into him as he feared he would be consumed by it all. Be left like all the others that had ever worn the gauntlets and become nothing, but a blind monster drunk on rage and anguish killing all that stood in his path...
But then a memory of his friends drifted in his mind as they smiled.
It was then that he remembered why he had done all of this. Why he had sacrificed his humanity to the King of Darkness, why he had sold his soul in exchange for unimaginable power. Why he had no doubt damned himself to an eternity of pain and loneliness…
So that his friends could live.
He instantly felt his resolve be renewed as he forced himself back onto his feet as he glared at the gauntlets on his arms as they screamed in rage.
"Listen up!" he growled through gritted teeth. "You are mine now! I need your power and I'm not going to take no for an answer!" he forced his will onto the weapons as his power and power of Darkness coursed through his veins.
"I am the New King of Darkness and you will obey me!" the Gauntlets started to die down but still fought back as Jaune's eyes glared at them.
"Obey me!" he commanded as a large shockwave of power and darkness pulsed out of him as the walls and stones of the temple shook in its wake.
The temple became silent as the burning light slowly faded and Jaune stood before the world.
He looked down as the Gauntlets on his arms as they glowed with a burning light. They had taken on an almost organic shape around his arms as they stretched to his elbows with clawed fingers and almost leather-like skin. But to the touch, they were as hard as steel and glowing like they were fresh from the forge. He almost grinned as he felt the power coursing through him.
"Congratulations, King…" Vlad grinned as he stared at the Gauntlets. "You have conquered the Gauntlets of Chaotic Rage…" Jaune stared at the gauntlets as he flexed his fingers and gripped his fists.
"But," he spoke as he manifested beside the boy.
"We still need to master them fully before we leave. It's not as easy as just finding these gauntlets and putting them on. We need to spend at least a full week here before we attempt to go after the next Relic in Solitas."
"That should give us enough time to learn all we can from this place and gain a better grasp of your new power." Jaune looked down at his new powers as he nodded.
"Fine…" he gripped his fist as he turned to glare at the spectre. "But while we're here, you are going to tell me everything about Salem and explain what truly happened to the first of mankind..." he ordered as the former King stared but grinned at the boy.
"Very well, as you wish…my King"
Patch Island – two days later
Red eyes slowly opened, and Raven stared up at an all too familiar ceiling. A brief memory of a blond-haired man passed over her mind before she brushed it away and buried it in her mind. She groaned in pain trying to raise herself from the bed but stumbled as she fell back down. Her eyes turned down to her left arm before they stared in shock and horror at the stump that was her arm.
A moment of confusion past over her before the memories of what happened surged back into her mind.
The battle, the death and the blood-red eyes of the man that killed her clan came rushing back she gripped her sheets in anger. "Well, look who is up." She turned to the doorway as Qrow leaned on the doorframe.
"You know I would say this is a bit ironic, seeing as Yang lost her right arm and you lose your left and she doesn't even want to see you. But I'm more tactful than that." She glared as she managed to get herself back up with great effort, as Qrow sighed and walked over to her. "Easy, you're still pretty banged up and-"
"I'm fine, Qrow," she growled as he backed up. "I don't need your help."
"I know you. But clearly, that's not the case when you practically begged Tai for help. I've never seen you like that before, sis. Not in all the years, I've known you. It looks like whatever is that attacked you really did a number on you." She glared at her sheets as he sat on the chair next to her bed.
"Raven…what the hell happened?" she sighed as she lowered her head.
"They're gone…." He stared as she shook her head. "They're all dead…the whole Tribe…our family…is gone." He narrowed his eyes as he shook his head.
"They were your family, not mine. I left them a long time ago…but I'm sorry for your loss…" she scoffed as she shook her head.
"I don't expect pity from you. Just your usual snarky attitude." He shook his head as he sighed.
"Raven…what the hell happened them? Who killed them?" she almost seemed to shudder as the memories of his blood-red eyes stared into her as a bead of sweat began to form on her brow.
"It…it was a monster…a true monster…" she looked to him as she stared into his eyes. "Just like the one you told me about." His blood froze like ice as he glared at the woman. A loud clatter broke their attention as they both turned to the doorway, as a bowl of water was dropped onto the floor.
"Jaune!" they both turned to see Pyrrha as she stood at the doorway. She then marched over as she grabbed the woman by her shoulders. "Did you see Jaune! Is he alive!? Where is he!?" she asked but was stopped as Qrow pushed her back before turning his attention back to his sister.
"Raven…tell us everything…"
And Scene. Well, it took a while, but here is Chapter VI of The New King of Darkness. So, I decided to keep the plot as it is and just work around what I learned in RWBY. In my AU there is a Grimm King, but he was more if a Grimm that managed to 'evolve' itself into an intelligent being and gained unnatural powers that no Grimm has ever possessed. He would have been her ally against Ozma but was cast out when he failed her. But now seeks to claim her throne from her.
Honestly, I was about to give up when TFS brought out Hellsing Abridged episode 9 and I just felt, revigorated to write it again. Plus, I just got Red Dead Redemption 2 and my attention is stuck on it. And rewriting everything was going to make me pull my hair out.
Also, I had writer's block on RWBY for a while.
But I will persevere and keep writing this story, also check out Paths of the Arc a new chapter was posted and its great. Stay tuned next time for…
Chapter VII: On the Kings Trail