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Hey guys, This is Firebird's child. Welcome to the first chapter of Rising shadow, My RWBY x Overlord crossover. So, before we start a bit of a heads-up English is not my native language and I have dyslexia, so I probably have some mistakes, but I hope its readable and above all enjoyable. Punctuation is definitely my weak point but hey nothing ventured nothing gained. As for content warnings. The following story contains violence cursing and sexually teamed situations as well as mind alternation and is rated M as a result.
Update note: So I accidentally uploaded an unedited version last week here is an updated version, sorry about that.
Rising shadow
Chapter 1 drifting petals
The first thing Ruby noticed was that she was laying on a hard, smooth surface.
She took this as a sign that she survived the fall into the abyss. Her other senses were coming back as well. She could smell the ocean, hear the rustling of leaves and the crashing of waves close by.
"Ruby rose, it is a pleasure to meet you."
Her silver eyes shot open, she knew that voice. She had never met the owner in person, but Ruby doubted that she would ever forget him.
She sat up straight and saw a figure floating before her. His skin had a brilliant golden glow and his head was adorned with antlers.
The brother of light gave her a look that felt like a gentle smile, one she attempted to return, part of her wanted to yell at the god for leaving humanity to Salem's whims.
However, she decided against it. After all, the young huntress had seen up close what happened to those that earned the brother's ire. On the other hand, she would guess that having an immortal silver-eyed warrior might be pretty helpful against Salem.
Ruby still decided that she would not risk it all the same, for all she knew the deity was more in a turn to ashes or hit with lightning mood. Rather than a,"you are going to walk around until you learned your lesson while I take a nap," one. Better be safe. Once again, the deity smiled.
"I do not blame you for your anger, child, you suffered much from the mistakes of others. Including my own. Which is why I speak to you."
The Stoic face of the being did not show any emotion, but she could feel his sadness. Like his light dimmed a bit. The world seemingly got colder.
"I made a mistake by choosing Ozma, or rather by choosing him By myself."
Ruby stood up, her head tilted slightly. Sure, Ozpin had made mistakes. And team RWBY had probably earned a spot as one of the youngest victims of those mistakes. The painful memory of that night at beacon tower flooded her mind. The hopeless feeling she had gotten, when she had realized what exactly had happened after her mother had faced Salem. It turned her blood to ice. Still, to call it a mistake to choose him?
"Why was that a mistake? Ozpin has done things that turned out bad sure. But it was all for the good of Remnant."
The god sighed, was it possible for a god to look older?
"My brother and I are flawed, we are only complete together. The best things we did were together. Remnant became our treasured world only after we came together to balance it out. But in my hubris, I once again made a choice on my own. I trusted the hero, Ozma to do what needed to be done. Thinking that if Salem saw that."
Ruby's eyes widened. She saw the pieces fit and why it didn't work.
" You must know the importance of life and death. Only then, may you find rest…. You thought. That if she saw her lover suffer like she did, that she would learn, didn't you? But you thought that Ozma would keep your warning in mind, That he would not go after her."
The god nodded, the surrounding air still dim like a setting sun.
"I am the creator of life and yet, I underestimated the double-edged sword called love. Even if I had only just seen what it had done to Salem."
The chill had evaporated as the God's sadness made way for frustration. As a result, the air started to ripple from the heat he was generating.
"If only I had listened to my brother if I had come together with him. We might have found a way, but it's far too late for maybes. Just after you fell, he came to me, ready to discuss a better way."
The bright being pointed towards a cave entrance rising from the forest. It was like all sound was silenced, even the god's light dimmed as she looked into its abysmal darkness.
"Deep in that cave awaits my brother's dark champion. You are the last chance for light to triumph. If it falls again, Darkness will have its way."
Ruby looked down the dark corridor. A chill ran down her spine, as she felt a power she could not understand call out to her, it was beckoning her. She felt herself longing to answer like everything would be okay if she only let it wrap around her. The shine of the Lord of light was suddenly harsh to her eyes, making her skin sting like a sunburn. Ruby wanted to crawl away and hide in the cool shadow.
"As you notice, my brother's chosen seeks more than your death Ruby, he seeks your fall."
ruby took a nervous step back. "I... If I fail I oh no."
From the darkness, something stirred. A shadowy purple form with curved horns walked out of the cave.
"Yes miss Rose should you and your friends fall, you will belong to the darkness. Destined to stand at my champion's side. If you succeed, he shall stand at yours. A fair wager, I say."
Now Ruby had seen Salem. The silver-eyed warrior had faced some of the most feared Grim that walked the face of Remnant. But this creature was more terrifying than any of them, whether they were his original creations or what Salem had made after he left. His dark aura of power made some primitive part of herself scream. She wanted to run for the hills, to crawl away in a hole to wait out the storm. Ruby took a deep breath.
"I... If your champion wins, will there even be hope for Remnant?"
the Dark god came to stand next to his brother. Suddenly, the air became pleasant, not too hot, not too cold. The singing of birds in the distance mixed with the evening chorus of chirping crickets. The eerie voice of the dark god took an almost gentle tone.
"No matter the beauty of summer, it shall pass into fall. No matter the joys a day held, it shall have its night. Ozma's light has shone for too long. Its champions have grown corrupt and blind, soon night must fall. If it does not, scorched ruins shall be all that's left."
the golden Brother nodded. "Even Evil needs to have its victories, and it is getting closer to that point."
The Brothers held out their hands. Tow small figures came into existence and started to fight as they spoke in unison.
"Every hero dies. All Villains fall. The question now, miss Rose, is which one shall you be? The answer lies in the labyrinth. Now go. May the stars guide you, in whatever path lies in front of you."
Ruby nodded, understanding what they meant. Balance. Remnant had gone too long without it. Either she would make it through this Labyrinth. Takedown Salem and restore the light to order. And if she didn't. Night would finally fall for a world that needed the rest.
"Uhhhh Has, either of you seen Crescent Rose?"
Both of the brothers snapped their fingers, and The huntress's fateful weapon returned to her hands. The familiar weight of her weapon calmed her slightly. With one final look at the brothers, she walked towards the cave. As she descended into the darkness, the brother of light turned to his sibling. Asking him with a hint of curiosity in his voice,
"Tell me, I know you are not without a reason for this little game. Why did you seek to put these youngsters through this trial?"
The face of the dark brother was blank, yet his voice held a tone of mirth as he answered.
"I simply wish to see. If your so-called love can blossom in my darkness."
The insides of the Labyrinth seemed to ripple as she went further. The chill wind seemed to whisper. Eventually, the whisper became a voice she was familiar with.
"Ruby, help me!"
her eyes widened, as she sprinted to the next cavern. Only to be met by the pale body of Penny laying on the cold ground. A pool of blood grew beneath her. Out of the shadows came a masculine, deep voice.
"Such a pitiful sight, Don't you agree?"
Ruby fell next to her friend's corpse. Penny's blood stained her hands and clothing. The unknown voice kept whispering into her ears.
"Born from a man with nothing but a wish for a child. The only way the world would give him one was if he turned her into a weapon."
Ruby held her friend close. She didn't want to listen to the voice, but she couldn't tune it out. Maybe it was the flashes of memories, forcing themselves to the front of her mind. Perhaps it was the eerie echo of his voice in the Darkness. Perhaps it was the cruel Irony of Penny's blood smelling like iron as it mixed with the earthly musk of the cave.
"The first time she made a friend, she was destroyed. When you reunited, she was framed, forced into a role meant for another. Her friends split, her home falling apart around her. Her one wish was to live, and you gave it to her. Only for some power-hungry monster to force her to sacrifice it less than an hour later. Nothing to show for her deeds, except a hero's death and a grave that will never be filled."
The shadowy figure waited before he continued, letting his words hang in the air the silence was deafening. "Then again, that seems a common thing with the people dear to you."
Ruby wiped away her tears and put Penny down. Glaring at the red eyes in the dark. Gripping crescent rose so hard that her knuckles turned white.
"What do you care? Aren't you the Bad guy?"
she yelled. The figure seemed to melt back into the shadows. The sound of an opening door made her lookup. A group of little brown impish creatures raced to Penny's body and lifted it up.
"Don't you dare touch her!"
She leaped into the fight, the creatures did not mind. In fact, some armed with small swords screamed in glee. Their weapons clashed with hers as their friends made off with Penny's body. They were far stronger than she had thought. They managed to block her first few strikes. Forcing her to petal, rush behind them cutting them in half.
She followed close behind, only to run into a lavish hallway made of black and gray stone. Torches hung from the wall. Green banners hung at the sides of the hallway, that seemed to be more like a balcony to a lower adjacent room. She clasped her weapon tightly. Realized that the labyrinth would be pulling a fair few tricks against her. The sound of small feet and a giggle pulled her attention to the far end of the hall. She saw a small hooded figure hide behind a pillar.
"Hello? Are you okay?"
the small figure put a finger to her mouth. Pointing to the room below the corridor. It was a circular throne room. A group of the imp-like creatures stood on one end of it, with a Harp and a drum, which were comically big compared to their players. The many carvings on the ground depicted armored figures leading the impish beings into battle. Some sort of strange mechanism occupied the center of the room, it looked like it could open. But Ruby could not imagine what it was used for. A large armored figure sat on a throne shaped like two serpents. Behind the throne was a small Lava flow, which probably defeated the need for any heating of the room. Bowing before the throne were 3 teens, two boys, and one Girl. Next to the man in armor, stood a red-haired woman. Wearing a similar outfit as Ruby wore while traveling to Minstrel. A small, gray-skinned version of the imp-like creatures she had fought before. The armored figure spoke.
"My children, I have called you here because a great opportunity has come on our path. A god from another world has called on us, as Overlords. To be the Darkness that is needed when Light falls corrupt. One of you shall be his chosen. "
The 3 figures stayed on their knees, but Ruby saw the physical reactions of the 3 changes. The boy who was the biggest tensed. His muscles flexed slightly like he was readying himself for a fight. He was tall even if he kneeled. Ruby guessed him to be at least 6,3 feet, his muscular build reminded her of hazel. Though he seemed just a bit leaner, the boy probably made sure his muscles would not hinder his mobility in a fight. He had curly black hair. The boy next to him was a far skinnier person, whose muscles seemed to be more there to look good than to fight. Unlike the first one, who was clearly built and dressed like a warrior, this brother was dressed in a fancy toga. Unlike his brother's fair complexion, he had more tanned skin, like he spent a lot of time in the sun. The only girl had pointy ears, blood-red hair, and pale skin. She was toned, clearly, she would be able to keep most common street thugs away. But her body language did not fit that of a front-line fighter. Maybe she was some sort of long-range fighter. The girl looked at her biggest brother with a sideways glance. She knew that look very well. How many times had she looked at Yang like that? That look that begged a sibling for help to comfort. As if he felt it, the warrior brother looked at her. His red eyes, almost glowing, gave his sister a reassuring nob. A silent promise all siblings know as an unspoken It's going to be okay. Then their father spoke again.
"Lance, I have chosen you to take this journey, Now rise as Overlord. Prepare to leave come the first light of the next week."
The warrior stood up and placed his fist on his chest.
"Thank you, Father."
his voice was the same as the one that came from the champion. A Giggle, next to her, reminded Ruby, that she was not alone. She turned to her strange companion. How did the kid get down here? And how was she familiar somehow.
"Hey, Are you okay? Where are your mom and dad? Did you fall off the bridge's tow?"
the girl just smiled. Her eyes were still hidden from view by her black hood.
"Mommy and daddy are close."
she then dashed away towards a door on the other side of the corridor. Ruby followed, her quest nearly forgotten by the appearance of the child. As she burst through the doors. She was immediately hit by a chilling cold. In front of her was a sleepy town, covered in snow. A tall pine tree peeked out from above the rooftops. The many wooden houses were decked out with festive lights. As she looked higher, she saw a sight that took her breath away. Something she had always dreamed of but thought she would never see. Above the small rural town, she had had somehow found herself in, was a bright full moon. Shining her silver rays down on the glittering snow. The sneering voices of children called her back to reality. A small, seemingly blue-skinned boy with glowing yellow eyes, wrapped in leather and fur, flinched as he was hit by a snowball. This could have been seen as a playful joke if it hadn't been for the words that followed.
"It's the witch-boy, get him!"
the sight was saddening, she had felt the sting of bullying back in the day. That haunting pain of loneliness, hurting to a point that going out of the door, was something that filled her with a stomach-churning dread.
"They never liked him."
The black hooded girl had returned to her side. She pointed at a red-haired, blue-eyed girl, peeking from behind a wall to the bullied boy.
"She does, though. She was lonely as well. He liked her"
the town seemed to move around them. They now stood on the wall of the town. Ruby gasped in shock. As she saw how the boy was thrown from the wall. The little redhead that had peaked from behind the wall, screamed in horror.
"They were the only friends they knew. She waited for what felt like forever, then he came back."
smoke and screams rose from the village. Ruby found herself in a village square, that lay ruined. The impish creatures ran around chasing people. Stalls were smashed to splinters and above her. In front of what she assumed to be the town hall, she saw the armored figure from back in the throne room embracing the red-headed woman.
"Was it love? Maybe. Maybe not. But neither of them really knew love. So, they just tried."
another door opened behind them, the black hooded girl motioned to ruby to follow. Ruby looked around. The town seemed to be fading back into a cave. The door, however, remained. She took this as a sign. The Labyrinth would not allow her to move forward. Any other way than through this door. As she stepped through, she found herself once more in the throne room. But it seemed less furbished, the throne was smaller there were no banners. And she could see some imps doing work, that looked like renovating. She guessed that this was probably a scene early in the Overlord's rule. The overlord and the red-headed woman stood in the middle of the room. Once again, the little girl spoke.
"He knew no love before but the minions' adoration. She Kelda knew no love before him, and so she would follow him to the fires of hell. Whether he would dominate or slaughter, she would be his."
the room rippled, Kelda was replaced with a tall tanned skinned brunet. With curves that made ruby blush.
" He took more, overlords always seek more. Fair Juno had known love. And had some to give him, her dark savior. But above all. He meant money power and safety. All the things she wanted, her body and company, were just a price she would pay for her life in luxury."
another ripple, another woman. A tall pail pointed eared redhead in a dark queen-like dress. She smiled wickedly at the Overlord.
"Dark Fay, the fallen queen of the elves. The dark magic of the overlord reversed her. Where she once sought to rule justly, she now wished to dominate. Where she once smiled softly, as she saw her magic create the sanctuaries of light. She now laughed as he burned them to the ground."
tree, small figures came into view. Younger versions of the three kneeling teens, the overlord's children.
"Their parents tried. But if you have never been loved. How do you show it to your children?"
she saw the oldest child wrestle with wild animals. His mother smiled proudly. Ruby could see it in her eyes, that unmistakable love of a mother. But the words drifting on the wind that blew through the caves showed just how far it had been twisted. Words of encouragement for his bloodshed, praise for his brutality. Cries of pride as she called him his father's hair, the true son of the overlord. it reminded her of the Shnee siblings. They weren't born into a family, they were bred for a purpose. But unlike the Shnee's there was some warmth. Commands and expectations hidden in words of comfort and care, compassion and love seeping into orders and lessons. She could see him in the corner, the grown-up form of the overlord's eldest. His red eyes focused on her. Their burning gaze made her feel jumpy. Which is how she knew that he was not just a trick of the labyrinth. He approached her.
"Can you teach me? Do you know how to love someone? Will it be in the light or in the dark?"
Ruby blushed against her better judgment. She did feel sorry for the admittedly handsome guy in front of her. But not enough to let herself fall into the darkness without a fight. She shivered ad the thought of joining the side that had taken so much from all of them.
"Hey, uhm, Lance, was it? Would it be so hard for you to join us?"
Lance looked ad her, a sad smile on his face. "Would the darkness be so hard to jump into for you?"
Ruby didn't need much more than a second before she replied. "My family, my friends, and all those that have given everything to get me this far. I can't turn my back on them just like that. Not without a fight."
again the sad smile and the fiery eyes seemed understanding. "If I let go of the dark of the evil of my family, what do you think will happen? I will be cast out. My mother would feel like she had given birth to a traitor. My sister will be abandoned, her one friend unable to return to her. My servants will kill me."
Ruby lowered her weapon. The tension in the room was thick enough that they could cut it with their weapons, as both realized that nothing but a total victory would make the other fall. She knew that both had the same look on their face, tired, sad, and wary.
"Do you also wonder why It appears that the fate of the world is always shoved in the hands of the young?"
Ruby couldn't help it. Maybe it was because her opponent, while obviously dangerous. Was not out for her blood for once. Maybe it was the lack of sleep? She was pretty sure she hadn't really slept since Salem showed up in Atlas. Or maybe all the horrors of the past year had finally taken their toll and the man in front of her was just as crazy. Both let out a deep laugh not nervous not happy, just stress that needed an out. Lance regained himself first and said, a hint of laughter still in his voice as he did so.
"I think it's safe to say that we have gotten as far as we can with talking. Do you agree?"
Ruby coughed, taking her ready stance.
"Have to agree. Let's do this."
The overlord's form seemed to ripple, suddenly appearing in dark, spiky armor. Only his glowing red eyes were visible from the shadows of his helmet. The clawed gauntlet on his right hand had a luminous gem in it, in his left was a wicked-looking blade. That was judging from the size meant to be used with two hands, but Lance seemed to be just fine wielding it in only one.
"Now then hero, show me just how strong your light is!"
Ruby went into the fight. The nervousness slowly faded. This was what she knew, this was a battle just her and who she had to beat. Adrenalin banished the cave's chill. However, as Ruby would soon find out. That she had placed the keys to her heart, and soon to her, fall in the hands of the Young overlord.
I hope you enjoyed this, I hope it wasn't too short if you have any feedback I Would love to hear or just let me know what you enjoyed about it. Stay safe, keep love in your heart, and may your creativity burn like the Phoenix.
-Firebird's child.
