We ran track during the cold and came down with the cold. Some things may be a bit off.
Pardon our grammar.
Chapter 7:
"Do you want to pick one?" Blake asked her high maintenance partner, Weiss Schnee.
"I am fine with any piece we decide upon. Though I do wonder how the pieces determine our team placement." They wandered around the rows of pedestals before settling on a white rook. "This will do."
"Alright, let's head back then… Do you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
On cue, the forest shook violently; countless of trees falling sideways. From the forest, six people ran out, followed by a giant Deathstalker. There was a strange sight to see, for there was a girl wildly riding an Ursa and whooping with joy in the midst of the chase. She deviated from the rest of the group, clinging tightly to the Ursa as it flailed and cantered into the ground.
"It's broken, it's broken." She sang, bouncing off the Ursa and running back to the group chased by the Deathstalker. "Time to help Renny!"
A blond boy, whom Blake and Weiss recognized as Jaune, leaped to the side and strum his guitar sharply. Vibrating soundwaves swept through the entire field, crashing against the Deathstalker's hard carapace, forcing it back. It reeled its tail and upper body in the air and shrieked loudly, enraged that it's been hindered by this particular human once again.
It's tail stinger jabbed towards Jaune, but before it could even reach him; an orange barrier materialized out of thin air, absorbing the attack. The stinger cracked through the barrier and the Deathstalker roared in pain as the barrier turned into shards and embedded itself into its tail.
"I got its attention!" Jaune jumped back, avoiding the flailing tail.
Ruby unfurled Crescent Rose to its fullest form and took aim at the Deathstalker. "So cool! I got its eyes! Yang! Go for the legs!" Her sister grunted, slamming her gauntlets, Ember Celica, together and blasted off towards the Deathstalker while Ruby sniped out one of its eyes.
"I'll focus on its arm!" Pyrrha shouted, raising her rifle.
"And I'll smash that thing to pieces!"
"Nora! Wait!"
"We should help." Blake joined in on the fight.
Weiss followed suit, "Of course."
The Deathstalker roared, and slammed all of its limbs onto the ground, upending the earth in a large radius. Jaune staggered back from the eruption, covering his eyes from the dusty dirt that coated the air. Everyone backed away from the dirt-covered air, feeling the ground beneath them trembled as the Deathstalker fled back into the forest.
Coughing and sneezing the dirt that entered their noses and mouth, the cadets steadily regain their balance and flatly looked at each other.
"That was… Anti-climactic." Yang said slowly. She gently brushed her hair, getting rid of any dirt and sand on her luxurious mane. "Ugh, I am taking a very long and hot shower after this. The finest hair shampoo, conditioner, and care products better be offered after this."
"I don't think they do, Yang…" Ruby muttered.
"What was that?"
"Nothing!"
Meanwhile, Ren was frantically searching for his partner. "Nora? Nora!" He spotted her zipping around the temple, sorting through the pedestal for her desired chess piece. "Nora, please…"
Nora ignored his calls and balanced herself on a pedestal along with a white knight piece. "I'm queen of the castle, I'm queen of the castle!" She sang, twirling on one foot.
"Nora!"
She quickly dropped down and ran to his side, giggling. "Coming Ren!"
"… Okay." Blake said.
"My sentiments exactly."
Nevertheless, everyone was emboldened by how they handled the giant Deathstalker. They managed to make it flee! Isn't that a story to tell?
"Hey, it's the relics thing. Chess pieces, I guess." Jaune walked up the ruined temple, followed by Pyrrha. "Which one do you want?" He asked her.
"Hmmm…" Pyrrha swayed around two chess pieces, "I was thinking of this white rook."
"Cool." He played a small 'Item Acquired' tune, making her giggle.
Ruby and Yang were next, picking up a white knight piece. It seemed that everyone has obtained a relic and a partner. Time to go back, and none was gladder to do so than Yang and Weiss. The former wanting to wash her hair, while the latter also had the same goals. Weiss was sick and tired of nature itself. Her combat dress was coated in dirt and she was eager to take a long shower after this.
"Well, that was easy." Yang stretched her arms, "I was hoping it would be a little more –"
Jaune winced, "Ooh… You jinxed it." He stared out at the forest, watching the farthest tree shake violently as a large horde of Grimm came rushing towards their direction. "I think the Deathstalker brought reinforcement. Mostly Beowolves and creepers. Some Ursai as well."
Everyone turned and stared at Yang.
"S-sorry." Yang awkwardly chuckled.
Nora suddenly got up in Jaune's face. "Say, how do you know what types of Grimm are over there?"
"Nora. Please. Stay by my side." Ren ordered her, which she happily complied with.
"My semblance. One of the many things it can do." He gave her a plausible explanation.
"That's quite useful," Pyrrha said, earning some nods from the others.
Weiss seemed to have more questions about that but refrain from asking for the time being. There were more important matters to attend, like trying to survive. As the howling sound of the Grimm grew nearer, everyone was on guard, bracing themselves for the onslaught.
"We should fall back and try to reach the cliffs before the Grimm reaches us," Blake said.
"That sounds like a good plan" Weiss nodded, not wanting to engage in an unnecessary fight. They already got the relic, there's no need to stick around.
Their tactical retreat would have gone off without a hitch if it weren't for a giant Nevermore swooping down from the sky with an animalistic screech. It sliced through the forest behind them and held its position, blocking their escape.
"Or maybe not…"
They were trapped. The Creatures of Grimm had them surrounded from all sides with two large and powerful Grimm leading the horde. The odds were stacked against them, but with a little bit of teamwork, persistence, and music… They should be able to make it out alive.
For Jaune, the small fries could be easily dispatched with a small series of musical notes. As for the bigger ones… He has never fought Grimm as old as the Nevermore or Deathstalker. They were going to be more resilient to his attack compared to the rest of the Grimm.
He tuned his guitar for the fight and strolled forward from the group. He could feel their eyes on him, wondering what on Remnant he was doing.
Jaune smoothly turned around and strummed a few grace notes with a smile. "Shall we dance?"
Pardon our grammar.
Let's dance.
