The Knights of Grimm - Act 5 - The Oncoming Shadow Chapter 37: Gjallarhorn's Howl, a rwby fanfic

Chapter 36 – Gjallarhorn's Howl

Cinder

The fireplace crackled softly, and the sound of delighted sighs came from behind it as Cinder and Hazel both enjoyed the wine they had found in the cellar.

They both stared at the flames, enjoying the warmth it gave them despite the cold outside. "I wish Salem were here." Cinder said, immediately surprising Hazel. To hear that coming from her.

He stared at her in confusion, his brow furrowed. "Imagine the look on her face if she learned that the two of us are about to die defending a castle of Silver Eyed Warriors." She clarified, making Hazel chuckled, looking back at the flames with a smile.

"That would be something to see…" He agreed, and Cinder looked around, resting her arm against the side of the chair.

"To think that once we were hunting these people, though… and never once did we know they had an entire castle filled with them. Salem would have been so overjoyed if she ever found this place… all her enemies under one roof." Cinder stated. "I wonder what Merc would've made of all this…"

"If I learned anything from the boy? He would have enjoyed the challenge." Hazel chuckled.

"Yeah… sounds like him." She agreed, looking at her own reflection in the red wine. With both her amber eyes open, her hair so different and filled with more life than she ever expected to have?

It was a big surprise sometimes, remembering how she was all those years ago.

"And us… we've really come a long way from those old days. I was just some… stupid fool, drunk with a power that I never earned. Wanting to gouge a little girl's eye out for what she did to mine." She said, stroking the eye that the skin was faintly scarred around, but had miraculously healed.

"And I was just a big moron hellbent on revenge… unable to see that Ozpin gave her opportunities… and that it was you… through Salem's will… who took my little girl from me." Hazel explained, Cinder looked at him and she closed her eyes with grief. She would never really forgive herself for what she did to Amber, to his daughter, and how he was able to bring himself to forgive her?

She would never truly understand that.

"Salem fed us all lies, manipulated us to believe everything she said was fact." Hazel stated, looking at Cinder. He raised his glass to her. "To the long road we've trekked…"

Cinder clinked hers against his. "… and to where the path leads us."

They both continued to enjoy their drinks together when they heard footsteps coming in from behind them. They turned to see Emerald entering the room alongside Mazen Ursus. Cinder stood upright immediately with a smile. "Hey, Em." She squeaked, making Hazel smirk at how sweet they were.

Especially considering how Cinder treated her a long time ago.

Hazel stood up and walked to the bottles of wine they had fished out. "Care for a drink with us?" Hazel asked the two of them, and Emerald smiled as she stood close to Cinder.

"I would never say no to such an offer." Mazen chuckled, approaching Hazel.

"Uh… are you guys sure that's a smart idea? We only have a few hours until…"

"It's vintage." Cinder stated, and Emerald raised a brow.

"Alright fine."

Cinder chuckled at how quickly that was able to convince Emerald, a thief to the core, through and through. Cinder grabbed some chairs and pulled them over to the fire for them to join them. Emerald sat next to Cinder and Mazen beside Hazel as they drank. But pretty quickly, they found more arrivals.

Glynda, Ortega and Hyde.

"Well, what do we have here?" Glynda asked, immediately spotting the fireplace with Ortega.

"Care for a drink?" Hazel asked.

"No, not for me, thanks. Came here for this." Ortega chuckled, warming himself by the fire. "The Drift of Wandering Star is as ready as she'll ever be, wanted to check on my forces down here before the fighting starts. But now that that's all done… I have three choices. Either be terrified of staring out the observation deck for the next few hours, freeze my ass off outside… or be nice and warm in here." Ortega explained, making Hazel and Mazen chuckle.

"Well, we can't argue with that." Cinder chuckled.

"And you, Glynda?" Hazel asked.

"Oh, go on then." Glynda chuckled and filled her a glass as well.

Then Cinder turned to see Hyde walking in. "Hyde? Surprised to see you walking around?"

"Kassius needed some alone time, so I fought I'd have a little explore." Hyde shrugged, and Cinder kicked a chair out for him to sit on, and he joined her.

Yang

Yang lifted the last crate of ammunition to the turrets that had been set up along the walls, hopefully giving the soldiers more than enough to work with. Beside her was Junior, who was also using his strength to help as best as he could.

As she wiped the sweat from her brow, she could tell just by looking at him that the deaths of the Malachites were still weighing heavily on him. "Hey…" Yang said as she rested her shoulder against the wall. "… I heard about what happened in Atlas. I'm so sorry about what happened to them, Junior." Yang said.

Junior looked at her, and he chuckled. "It's funny hearing that come from you, considering how we first met." He said, sorting the last few shells out, before taking his Missile Launcher and cleaning it, tweaking each piece in it to make sure that it was working properly.

"Gods… that was a long time ago, huh?" Yang agreed.

"Seems fate decided we weren't done with each other just yet." Junior said, then Yang furrowed her brow.

"You still haven't mentioned anything about what I said." She stated, raising an eyebrow. He looked at her and he sighed.

"I cared about those two. Knew them for a long time… and to… see them die… like that?" he paused, closing his eyes painfully. "I just hope you never have to know that kind of pain, kid." Junior said.

"I hope not… I just don't want you to think you're alone." Yang stated. He nodded his head and smiled.

"How about this?" He said, standing up and looking down at her. "When this is over? I'll set the club in Vale up again, make it better… and honour them. And when I do, you better be there. First strawberry sunrise is on me." Junior said, smirking. He raised his fist to her, and she nodded.

"Sounds like a deal, big man." Yang replied, giving him a fist bump.

Yang walked away from Junior, making her way towards the castle, when she saw Penny sat on a bench outside with Blake, Sun, Weiss, Neo and the Architect. "Hey guys? You seen Kas anywhere?" She inquired.

"No, but I bumped into Hyde… said Kassius needed some time alone." The Architect answered.

Her heart quickly filled with concern, and she nodded. "Thanks…" she said, walking towards the castle. She made her way inside and up the stairs, passing by all the people spending the last few hours before midnight preparing. Either having fun, prepping weapons… or just being at peace.

But she needed him… she needed to be with Kassius tonight.

It may be her last chance.

She approached the door to their room, and she opened it, seeing him sat on the end of the bed. He was staring at an old picture of his team, but when she entered, his eyes immediately were snatched away from it. "Hey… you okay?" She asked him. "I heard you kicked Hyde out."

"Heh… wouldn't call it that. He was the one who left. Think he could tell I needed some time to think…" Kassius sighed, folding the picture up and setting it down on the table with his metal hand. She walked over to him and sat on the bed beside him.

"You ready?" She asked.

"Ready? How can we ever be ready for something like this? I mean… Vale was one thing… Atlas was another… but this? Umbra is throwing everything he has at us… our odds… I don't even wanna think about how against us they are." Kassius explained Yang wanted to come up with some light-hearted joke… but nothing came to mind.

That stung too.

Her lilac eyes stared longingly into his amber ones, standing by the dancing flames of the fireplace beside them that shimmered a gentle orange glow. He held her hand in his human one, and his cybernetic in hers, wanting her to feel safe and accepted in his arms. But truly… it was the other way around. Everyone thought she would have needed him… but in truth, he is the one that needs her help.

He always has…

"Yang…I…" He stammered in her arms, looking down at her palm in his soldier's rough hands. Her skin had been scarred too from this long gruelling war they had faced together, fighting tooth and nail… but somehow, she still felt so soft and delicate in his hands. He could barely even find his words, like all his knowledge over his life had fallen into a deep pit when faced with this moment with her. "Ever since my team were killed… ever since Vetra was taken from me… I have known my end was coming for many years. I steeled myself in war. Before I found you, I actually sought an end… and then you came barrelling back into my life." He chuckled nervously, going red with nervousness and tears welled up in his eyes.

Yang reached up to his face and gently caressed his cheek with her hand, hoping to calm him. "Kas…" she softly whispered to him; he closed his eyes from the touch of her hand.

"You… you've helped me achieve more than I ever thought I could. You helped me move on, buried my team, freed both me and Hyde from each other. I found and saved my sister from her own mistakes. I got closure with Ilia… and we righted many wrongs." Kassius explained to her, their heads close together as they spoke, feeling the warmth of each other's breath.

He lowered his head down slowly, closing his eyes with what seemed to be… shame. "After all that… I'm afraid." He admitted to her, but she shook her head with tears forming in her own eyes. Seeing Kassius this way always upset her because no matter what, he had always been the one to find some kind of stupid joke to lighten the mood like Sun or Nora would.

"Kassius, baby…" she softly whispered to him, but he turned away from her and walked towards the table by the brown sofa that looked at the fireplace and the Holo-Vision above it. He pressed both hands against it and stared down at the polished wood beneath him, tensing up at the very thought that rattled around in his mind.

"All my life… I wanted to do right by those who fought with me. My team, our friends… you… the girl I love with all my heart, the woman I would die for without a second thought. And in the hour of darkness… the only thing I feel… is fear." He stammered as Yang approached him, sliding her hand across his arm to hold his hand, resting her head on his shoulder. "I'm terrified… that I will fail you like I failed Vetra. I won't… I can't!" He growled in anger, focused on himself, but she turned him round and held him, looking right into his eyes.

"Kassius…" she whispered to him as she caressed his cheek with her hand. "I'm scared too… Umbra is done playing games now. There is a chance we could fail… but I'm not thinking about that." She told him, taking his hand and placing it to her belly. "All I want… is you… with me… tonight."

"Yang…" He stammered, always been nervous around her in this kind of situation.

"Fifty-Fifty, Kas… we always said we wanted to try. I don't care about the odds anymore; I don't care about Umbra." She told him as she moved closer to him, her arm around him and the other hand holding his cheek, and he put his arm around her too, pulling her close. "All I want… is you, Kassius." She gave in, pulling herself in and kissing him right on the lips, never letting go.

(Sex scene starts here)

Kassius kissed her in return, long and affectionate as he pushed his hand through her blonde hair. Their kiss felt like it lasted for hours, and they never wanted to stop. Yang broke from him, looking at his shirt and undoing the buttons around the blue fabric.

She undid them quickly, pulling his shirt apart and kissing him again, hands pressing to his scared chest, pulling the shirt from his muscular body and throwing it onto the floor. Her beloved unzipped her jacket around her body and slid it from her curved frame as she held onto him, wrapping his arms around the orange crop top she wore, caressing the curves of her body.

She reached to her scarf around her neck and pulled it off and dropped it down on the floor, kicking her boots off and so does he. He lifted her up as he kissed her lovingly on the neck and her velvety lips. He and she both fell onto the sofa as they embraced each other. She looked up at him as she smiled, reaching down to his belt and undoing it, loosening his trousers he wore. And as she does that, he slid his hands underneath her orange top, squeezing her large breasts, pushing the shirt from her body. She smiled and sighed with excitement as she felt his hands massage her.

He threw her shirt over the couch as he kissed her over and over, still massaging her breasts contained inside her yellow bra. His hands moved up to her cheeks, caressing them as he kissed her, again and again. She was so addictive for him, he could not stop, and neither could she. She kept working on his trousers before she undid them.

His trousers fell onto the floor. As he knelt back, he kissed her bare stomach under her bra, and she sighed with joy as he worked his way down towards her waist. He undid her belt, ripping it free and loosening her trousers. He pulled them swiftly and Yang laughed as the action nearly yanked her from the sofa as well. He dropped it onto the warm stone ground by the fireplace. He stroked her legs, kissing her calf and reaching under her curved back, kissing her neck.

She pushed her hands through his short brown hair, feeling herself getting turned on as he started. Yang softly moaned as she kissed him. Her arm arced round his scarred back and through his windswept brown hair. She hooked her long legs around his waist as she held onto him, their kisses breaking and joining again and again. Only breaking to catch a breath, and every kiss became more heated.

She rolled onto him. The action also consequentially caused them both to fall from the sofa and onto the floor by the fireplace. They both grunted and giggled. Her hair fell over one side of her head as she looked down at him, caressing his scarred cheek. "Are you okay?" She laughed, and Kassius chuckled.

"I can take it." He assured with a smile, kissing her again and she softly exhaled into his mouth as she accepted him. His hands stroked round her back, trying to find her bra strap. But Yang already had that covered.

Yang arched herself up, and she held his hands to the centre of her black and yellow bra, undoing the button that connected them. His hands lowered, and no matter how many times he saw her bare… she always amazed him with her beauty. The bra fell, revealing her breasts to him with a smile. She held his hands again, and she placed them upon her breasts. He squeezed and massaged them, bringing her delight. She then took her hands and moved them down to his pants, but he stopped her with his hand.

She looked into his eyes with surprise. "Are you sure?" He asked her, since if they do this and survive the coming conflict… then there was an exceptionally good chance she may be pregnant. She smiled lovingly, gazing into his eyes.

"Certain… I want you…" she assured with a smile, and he released her hand gently and she reached underneath them and pulled them from his manhood. He did the same for her, except differently – he leant up and he pulled her pants from her round hips. She laughed as he threw them aside, then she pushed him down against the floor. She sat atop him, slowly holding his erect cock, and she gasped as she felt him push inside her.

She rocked her hips back and forth atop his waist, bringing the sense of ecstasy to both of them as she moved. Kassius caressed her body with his hands as she rocked, both hands wrapped around her waist and fondling her stunning body. Yang panted as she made love to her boyfriend, pressing her hands to his chest, her fingers slid across the scars on his body, and Kassius pulled his body to hers, kissing her chest and her breasts, Yang stroked his hair as he kissed her. She arched her back as he kissed her, rocking constantly on his waist, feeling his hands stroking her breasts and stomach. Sweat beaded on their skin already as they enjoyed each other.

She took her hands and thrusted them against Kassius' shoulders, pushing him back to the floor as she continued to dominate him. Her blonde hair and incredible breasts bounced with every fast movement she made. Both of them moaned with excitement from the energy that they both felt building within their bodies.

As she rocked on his erection, she moved her hands down to where his manhood was pushing deep inside her. She squeezed her eyes shut as she held him there. Kassius playfully squeezed her buttocks, turning her on even more. His hands slid around her, massaging her breasts and body. The fire glistened on her body as she made love to him. Kassius reached up, and he stroked her sternum, and down between her globes, releasing an audible moan from Yang.

Her blonde hair glowed brighter as her euphoria just continued to build. She loved every second of him, and he adored her beauty. She continued to hold on to his erection. She could just feel there, deep within her, stroking him over and over. Kassius played with her breasts and wrapped his arms around her sweating back and chest. Firelight glistened off her naked beauty.

She bit onto her lip, looking down at him as she smiled, and he rose to kiss her, but she descended and found his lips. Her hair fell over part of his face, but neither were bothered by it. They both descended to the ground, and Yang kept rocking her womanhood that his rigid member was within, warm and wet inside. Kassius pushed his hands through her hair, and stroked up her back, caressing some of her scars she also collected over the years, feeling every muscle. He reached and squeezed her ass and stroked her bent legs by his naked thighs.

Yang looked into his eyes and she smiled playfully, kissing him again, then kissing his neck. Kassius closed his amber eyes as he felt her caress his pecks, kissing them and working her way down his abs. He sighed as she tucked her head between his legs and his amber eyes widened as she kissed and tasted his manhood. He stroked her hair, and she held onto his leg, and groaned with ecstasy, every motion of her mouth over his member making him more and more excited.

He felt a jolt as she stroked up his torso with her other hand, and he sat forward, stroking the back of her neck and head as she bobbed up and down faster and faster. He panted more and more and leant back across the ground. He felt her lips kiss his leg and move back up the abs, his pecks, and she smiled, looping one arm under the back of his neck and kissing his neck more and more, he held onto her tight as she tucked his member back inside her womanhood, rocking back and forth. She came back and kissed him on the lips again, arms around him and warm breasts pressing against his chest, and he stroked his leg against her side.

They broke their long kiss, panting into one another's mouths before she sat back up again. She rode his cock again and again, getting more heated as it went on. Her shoulders squeezed together as she moaned loud, eyes closed as she massaged him again and again. Kassius could not hold back any longer. He pushed his body up to meet her. She reached around his neck and pulled him close, passionately making out.

They both sighed and moaned, meeting as their mouths remained locked together, and she pulled him up, her legs wrapped around his waist as he sat up, his arms around her and caressing the tattoo of the Sunny Little Dragon across her back.

She gasped with enjoyment as he pulled her close, thrusting his manhood into her and she yelped, hugging him as he entered her, deeper and deeper. She kissed his neck and his shoulder, her hands moved across the many scars on his back.

She gasped and sighed in his ear. The heat from their bodies mixed with the flames in the fireplace next to them, the light glimmered off their sweating bodies. She looked him in the eyes as she bounced atop his erected manhood, pulling him to her lips as she kissed him. She then held his head and lifted her head over his. He kissed and licked her neck whilst she wrapped her arms around him, stroking the back of his head. She smiled and moaned; her legs tightly round him. He kissed her again and again, every time it was like some kind of injection of ecstasy into her.

Yang leaned back, her hands still wrapped around him as he kissed her arm, then worked his way down her neck to her breasts. He enjoyed her, every area of her, sucking on her tits as she pulled him closer, crying out as she felt him play with her. He reached down to her leg and pulled her closer, as his pelvis circled around her depths over and over. If there was an area of joy, he was finding it.

"Yang! Oh gods… y-you're… you're damn perfect!" He laughed as he kissed her breasts again, working his tongue up her sternum.

"You… damn smooth – oh! – smooth talker!" She moaned.

She looked at him once again, and kissed him hard, her hands held his face there. She then did the same for him, kissing down his neck and his chest. Working all the way down. He sighed as he felt her there. But she moved back up and smothered herself with him again. She sighed and moaned in his arms, and then she rested her head atop his. Her hand moved through his hair as he did the same with hers. She and he met eyes again, and they both laughed, smiling as they continued to embrace each other.

Kassius hooked his metal arm around her curvaceous body and he rolled on top of her this time, and she smiled, her lips finding his as he pressed one hand against the cool floor. She kissed him right back, panting as she felt him work his way down from her mouth and down her neck. He kissed her over and over, squeezing her large breasts and stroking her in many places, kissing her stomach. Then he got his head between her legs and she gasped, her eyes closed with a frenzy, feeling his mouth finding her.

She caressed his head and panted, feeling the power of enjoyment building and building within her, like it reverberated through her. She then felt it get so strong that she reached out across the floor. His hands held onto her legs as he kissed her down there. "Oh… K-Kas!" She cried out with joy. But he did not stop. He refused to cease bringing her this bursting pleasure, tasting her relentlessly. Her legs hooked around him and he held her there, stroking her repeatedly, sliding his hands across her firm legs. She dug her nails into the floor as he thrusted his mouth into her womanhood. "Don't! Don't stop! Ha-Ha!" She laughed with joy; his hands massaged her body as he orally pleased her.

He could have finished her there, as he licked her between her legs, but then she could not take it. "Come here!" She cried out, holding his head and pulling him to return to her. Then he rose and pulled her across the floor, entering her once more and both of them cried out with excitement at that feeling, and he kissed her again. He sat up and he held her legs, pushing his member back into her again and again. As she reached down to him, she arched her back against the stone. She then sat up and held his erection, and she looked up into his eyes, kissing him again and again, softly biting down onto his lip.

She grabbed him, and she turned the tables.

She rolled on top of him again, her long soft locks of blonde hair fell down and cuddled against his face and shoulder. He held her head with his hand, messing her golden locks up with every fast movement she made. His other hand held her back as she sat over his member, pulling him back deeper into her. He stroked up her back as she rode him hard. Both of them moaned loud in their room as they made each other theirs.

Yang descended back down to her lover, and she kissed his mouth again and again, then his neck and his chest. She licked him in many places, but she continued to rock her hips over him. She thrusted back and forth but stayed down on him, kissing him so fast they needed to gasp for air, moaning into each other's mouths, then she reared up and reached down to his erect cock, holding it and pulling him inside of her wet womanhood, rocking onto him even further, sweat grew and grew from their pores. It was hard for them to find a good grip on their bodies, so much sweat from the excitement they felt. Kassius touched her womanhood, pleasuring her there as well as his erection that pleasured her, making it even better for her.

She grabbed his arms, and she held them against the floor, holding him there as she dominated him harder than before. Her large breasts clapped against her wet chest, and her hair danced around her head. Kassius felt her grip on his forearms loosen, and he took the chance to massage her body again. She pressed her hands back against his pecks as she cried out loudly, screaming with joy at this point. He ran his hands across her legs and her pelvis, reaching up to her tits again, squeezing and stroking them before he stroked her damp neck. She rocked hard on him, but the energy that formed from it quickly became too much and she fell back to kissing him again, pushing her hands through his brown hair.

He held onto her and rolled back onto her again, kissing her, and he moved deeper and deeper into her depths. She cried out with joy, hooking her legs around him and holding on. The wild nature of their love just increased. She felt his arm hook under her back, and his mouth kissed and licked her sternum and she gasped, feeling him lift her off the floor for a second as he thrusted. She was having to hide her loud moans – nearly screams – by kissing him or biting her lip.

Kassius held her leg as he repeatedly pushed into her, kissing her neck as she had her arms around him. Her legs were quivering from the exhausted excitement that she felt. She gasped and panted into his ear; her arm looped around his neck. He sat up, still thrusting further in her, kissing her breasts and down to her stomach. Yang stroked his brown hair relentlessly. He held her legs around him, admiring her bouncing breasts and body. She held on tight before he came back down, one arm still under her curved back, and the metal hand pressed against the stone floor, scraping across it.

Yang then flipped herself over and she felt Kassius stroke her belly and around her globes that pressed against the nice cold floor. His other hand stroked and fingered into her womanhood as she moaned and cried out with joy. He stroked up her neck as he thrusted his manhood into her, her excitement built and built as his hand tucked into her golden womanhood. She looked back at him as he stroked and squeezed her, kissing him passionately as she moaned into his mouth. Kassius' hand then moved around her breasts and belly as she stroked her, and he kissed down her neck and around her sides, covering every perfect inch of her.

He worked his way back up to her, and she turned herself back to him and he pushed back inside of her. Her legs tightly wrapped around him as she rocked herself over him, kissing down his pecks and then she held his erection she felt still inside of her. Kassius then fell with her back against the floor, relentlessly thrusting into her. Her metal hand reached out across the floor as well, grabbing onto some of them as she hollered with excitement.

"Kassius! I'm so close! I'm so fucking c-close! I – Oh! OH!" she cried out.

"I'm gonna go!" Kassius told her.

And yet even declaring this, they both wanted to stay in the moment, the buildup before the climax. Kassius held her tight, gripping her leg and sliding it down to grip her ass. Yang's arm was still around his neck, kissing his mouth repeatedly, before she pressed her head against his chest as he continued. She kissed him and licked him, and she looked into his eyes as they kissed.

Kassius looked down at her. And he saw… Yang could not hold out much longer. She held his member tight, and he was about to go as well, feeling himself exploding. Then her hands wrapped around him and she rolled back on top of him, kissing him passionately, moaning into his mouth. She gasped as she felt his hands squeeze and massage her breasts, and he kissed at them as she rocked back and forth on his cock. She held the back of his head and pulled him close, feeling his mouth kiss her tits and her globes. She reached her hands back down to his manhood as she sat upright, arching her back with joy. Kassius gasped as he sat upright, one arm around her back as he kissed her huge breasts, kissing down her stomach and finding her womanhood with his mouth again. She stroked his hair, and then she pushed him down against the ground.

She held him down there and dominated him harder and harder. She bounced harder and harder and harder, screaming with immense ecstasy as she felt his throbbing cock go. His eyes widened as he felt himself release. "I'm! Oh! Yang! I'm going!" He cried out with joy, and Yang laughed, feeling him climax inside of her.

"Yes! Gods yes! Ah yes! Kas!" She let out one final laughing moan of joy as she continued to rock back and forth, feeling the joy pulse through her entire body. Kassius let out a loud moan as he erupted inside of her, pushing his member up further with his hips. Her hands held his cock inside of her. Both of them moaned softly as the pleasure seemed to go nowhere. She thrusted every now and then, gasping, before she dropped back down to him. Their lips found each other again, and she rubbed herself up against him, his arms wrapped around her, and she kissed her as she laid atop him.

She stayed there, caressing his hair and he did the same for her, and then… she slid off him, and they both sighed with joy, wrapped up in each other's arms.

(Sex scene ends here)

He kept her in his arms, and they both rolled to the side, looking into each other's eyes with immense love. She held his hand and kissed him. "That… that was the best one yet…" She giggled with a smile, and Kassius chuckled with a puff in his breath.

"I fucking love you, Yang Xiao Long… I didn't know who was gonna go first." He laughed as he caressed her cheek. The other moved around her firm curves.

"You beat me to it… gods… that was incredible… the best one yet…" She sighed, still feeling jolts of aching goodness throughout her body. He looked into her lilac eyes as he kissed her.

"Do you think it worked?" He asked her, and she smiled, taking his hand and placing it on her belly.

"I hope…" she whispered lovingly.

"Yeah…" He agreed.

After the warmth of their fun faded and the cold of the stone stung against their skin, they both climbed into the warmth of their bed together, snuggling close. Yang laid atop him, her head against his chest with a comforted smile, hand tightly clutched in his.

They never wanted to leave this room.

But as the two laid together, they both just held onto each other, not wanting to let go, as their eyes drifted towards the darkness outside, seeing the still burning campfire.

They knew time was running out.

"… we're gonna make it… right?" Kassius asked her, gently stroking her hair. She trembled but held his hand, resting her head on his chest.

"… I hope…" she repeated.

Jaune

Jaune walked into the room. He knew that Nora and Ren would be waiting for the call in, and Nora was leaning against the wall, looking out the window. All she could see was her own reflection, and sometimes a few falling snowflakes reflecting the lamplight coming from their room.

Ren was sitting on a chair as well, his hands held together, trembling. Every second that passed by was agonising, just knowing that the hardest battle they have ever fought was only a few hours away now.

That time was running out.

Pyrrha was beside Jaune, and they walked towards the bed in the middle of the room. She sat down and Jaune closed the door, closing his eyes. Ren lifted his head, looking at Jaune. "So… how are things out there?" He asked, clearly just trying to break this tense silence he had been sitting in.

Jaune pressed his head against the door, exhaling shakily, wiping a tear away from his eye before turning to him. "Well… we've prepared what we can. The Shield Pylons are ready to be activated… and our forces are just getting in position. The Huntsmen and Huntresses here… and the Silver Eyed Warriors… we're just preparing ourselves." Jaune explained, and Ren nodded his head. Jaune walked over to the bed and sat on the end, hanging his head as he tried to focus.

He looked at his own reflection, and he touched the scars on his face that Salem gave him. He chuckled. "Remember our first day at Beacon?" He asked them, looking at Pyrrha and Ren. Nora was still just quietly looking at the campfire in the distance.

"I remember seeing you looking lost in the Amphitheatre." Pyrrha chuckled, sliding up next to him.

"Yeah… to think back then… that was the scariest day of my life. Seems like a joke compared to all this." He said, shaking his head. He then smacked his hands against his legs and stood up. "Screw it… we've all had some crazy things happen to us on our journey to this point. What's all of your craziest moments?" Jaune asked.

Pyrrha shrugged. "I mean… I died. Then was trapped in the Charred Forest with Umbra and then was possessed by an evil demon who tried to kill you." She described, poking his chest, making him chuckle.

"Okay… you always win with that card." Jaune chuckled.

"What about you? Being trapped in the Charred Forest with Umbra to save me from the Onyx Phantom was pretty crazy." Pyrrha suggested.

"Honestly? I think getting my face slashed by Salem is up there. Not many people can say they got bitch slapped by the Queen of the Grimm." Jaune said, which made Nora chuckle slightly.

"That's true, especially when you put it like that." Pyrrha giggled, Ren smiled, laughing as well.

"What about you, Ren?" Jaune asked him.

"Craziest moment? Gods… been a few over the years…" He admitted. "I think the Volcanic Chain Isles were pretty insane. Especially fighting in them when they started exploding."

"That was damn loud." Jaune stated with a chuckle, shaking his head. "My ears were ringing for ages after that fight from how deafening that explosion was."

"Hard to pick one… taking down Salem was a big win, too." Ren said.

Nora still stared out the window, then she turned, looking at Ren with a smile. "Still the day you found me." She said to him, her eyes filled with adoration. Jaune and Pyrrha both smiled, happy to hear that voice again. Ren stood up and he caressed her cheek. She closed her eyes and pressed her head close to his hand.

"Could never leave someone as cute as you." Ren said, kissing her lovingly. Nora pressed her head against his, then hopped down from the windowsill, and she walked over to the bed and laid on it, with Ren wrapping his arms around her, holding her close. Jaune and Pyrrha also laid there with them, Jaune behind Ren and Pyrrha behind Nora, their arms around the two and affectionately holding hands, looking at each other.

"No matter what happens… we're together."

"To the end."

Maria

Maria walked past the soldiers and trucks that were getting into position. The warmth of the Heating Machines brought from Argus were doing their best to keep the castle warm for everyone, but even they were struggling with the dropping temperatures.

Civilians were heading for the town, getting ready for evacuation once the battle reaches its tipping point in the small town built inside of the walls nearest the mountains. "It's strange seeing this place in operation like this." Maria said as she saw so much military inside these once peaceful walls.

"The way I've heard people talking about this place… they always knew this day would be coming." Carmine stated.

"You're correct." The voice of Kragen surprised them, with Yenna beside him. "Hello, Maria. I'm happy you're here."

"I didn't think I'd ever be involved in the conflict Ozpin was training us for again… but… I couldn't just sit by as the world burns around me." Maria explained, shrugging her shoulders. Yenna smiled, nodding her head.

"That's a bottom line I can respect." Yenna stated, and they walked with the Leaders of Dragonspire Keep.

"Ms Escalados. I heard you were a prisoner in Queen's Cove. Caused some problems in Vacuo before Horridus Morbus destroyed the Kingdom?" Kragen asked.

"Oh… yeah… I made some mistakes, me and my friend Bertilak." Carmine explained.

"As have we all, the important thing is that you are here today. Fighting for the people, fighting as a Huntress once again." Kragen said as he looked at her with a kind smile on his face. He held out his hand to her, and her eyes widened. "It's an honour to have you with us… and… I'm sorry for your friend. Bertilak… he gave his life to save you all?"

"That's right." Carmine answered, clasping onto Kragen's hand.

"Sounds like he died a hero. We will make sure his sacrifice will never be forgotten in the world that will be made after this is over." Yenna stated.

"You sound so certain." Carmine nervously chuckled.

"We survived Arkhonex… whilst I don't know if we will survive this battle… Remnant is a resilient world filled with resilient people. If the Fall of Arkhonex did not end the story of Remnant, then neither will the Shivering Dominion. Our story is not over yet." Yenna said with a confident smile, and Carmine nodded her head with a reflected smile.

Maria looked around as they walked, seeing many people sat in the square. The key person she could see was Weiss Schnee. She stood out like a sore thumb. It made her smile, seeing so many people working together from so many walks of life.

But she noticed there were two people she could not see. "What about Ruby Rose and Oscar Pine?" She inquired.

"I was just speaking to them. They came to me and said they would watch from up there, the top of the main tower. Ruby said she feels that since she is the leader of this operation, that it is on her to blow the Gjallarhorn." Kragen explained.

"The Gjallarhorn?" Carmine asked.

"So that's what that big horn on the tower is for?" Maria asked.

"Correct. One of the oldest relics in this entire castle is that horn. Blown for when the Castle has been attacked. But since it has been so long since we suffered an assault… it's purpose seems to have been prepared for tonight." Kragen explained. "When the Gjallarhorn sounds… everyone will hear its howl. And the battle begins."

"Hope Ruby has a good pair of lungs on her, then." Maria chuckled, looking up at the tower, just able to spot her sat on the edge of the wall, looking out at the campfire in the distance. Maria followed Kragen, and she reached over to him and stopped him. He turned and looked back at his old student. "I just… wanted to say thank you. For helping me all those years ago, unlocking my Silver Eyes and teaching me how to use them." Maria said.

Kragen smiled and set Ebony Duchess down on the floor, before giving her a warm hug. Her eyes widened at the embrace of kindness, but she melted into his hug and returned it. Carmine smiled, holding onto her forearm as she stood nearby.

"I'm proud of you, Maria Calavera. You have come a long way…" They both stepped back from each other, and Kragen smiled, kicking Ebony Duchess into his hand. "So show them what you can do." He said with a smile, turning and walking away with Yenna. Maria smirked, nodding her head, and her eyes glimmered silver.

Cinder

The Redeemed all sat around the fireplace together, with their glasses of wine together. The warmth of the flames was quite the calming sensation amidst the sub-zero temperatures outside.

As they sat and pondered everything they've been through, Hazel furrowed his brow as he realised, looking around at everyone. "You know… I just realised something… bar Glynda, everyone in here as opposed Ruby Rose… at one time or another." He said.

Hazel, Cinder and Emerald all once served Salem.

Ortega was the leader of the Acolytes of Lien, paid by Jacques Schnee to fight them.

Mazen was the White Fang Lieutenant for Adam Taurus.

And Hyde was a monster once, who had tried to kill them in the past at least once.

"And look at all of us now. Sat together, drinking wine, and prepared to battle here at Dragonspire Keep, the Safe Haven for all Silver Eyed Warriors…" Hazel stated, chuckling, shaking his head.

"At least we'll die with honour." Mazen stated, exhaling. They were all quiet, but Hazel smiled.

"I think we might live." Hazel said, which made Ortega chuckle at the notion. Glynda smiled at hearing the confidence. It was something that everyone needed to hear. "I do…" He reaffirmed. "I mean… how many battles have we survived between us?" Hazel asked them, turning to Ortega. "Lieutenant Mazen Ursus, surviving the Train Crash in Beacon, the attack on Menagerie on both occasions, and the Battle at Evernight." Hazel listed.

"With a lot of luck as well." Mazen agreed with a chuckle, thinking back to the Train Crash.

"Admiral Darren Ortega, fabled Hero of Atlas, with a perfect shot on Whitley Schnee." Hazel said.

"Aaaaand fabled loser of the Battle of the Volcanic Chain Isles." He reminded, standing up from his chair and going to refill his wine.

"Hear! Hear!" Hyde said, raising his hand with a laugh coming from everyone.

"I mean, we'd be here all night listing the crap we've survived." Cinder said, looking at Emerald.

"Precisely my point." Hazel said as he pointed at her. "We are stubborn critters, but what's important… is that now we have something to fight for. Something honourable, something to be proud of. No matter how all of this ends… I am proud of that fact alone, that I made it to where I am today." Hazel said, leaning back into his chair.

Cinder smiled, nodding her head and drinking some of her wine. "There's… only one regret I have…"

"About Pyrrha?" Hazel assumed.

"No… she and Jaune have forgiven me for what happened back then. I just… wish I could have become an official Huntress before… all of this." Cinder stated with a sigh.

"You never became a Huntress?" Mazen asked. She shook her head.

"I couldn't enter the Academy because of my weak semblance. I was so angry back then. But… I just hoped that with how far I've come… that maybe I'd have a shot at it." Cinder said.

"Who says that you can't?" Glynda asked, raising her brow.

"The Kingdoms are gone… no official channels… nothing to make it real." Cinder stated, then Glynda shrugged her shoulders, standing up.

"You think we always used scrolls back in the day to make someone an official Huntress?" She asked Cinder. "And you don't need the entire school to make someone an Official Huntress… all you need is the Headmaster… or the Vice Headmistress… to do it. With plenty of witnesses." Glynda explained, looking at everyone in the room right now. She smiled and walked towards the open space behind their circle of chairs and pulled out the Disciplinarian. "I'll prove it."

Cinder's eyes widened. "Come, Cinder… kneel." Glynda commanded, looking at her.

Cinder just scoffed, not believing it. "Do you want to be a Huntress or not?" Glynda asked, getting Cinder's attention. The Fall Maiden saw the serious look on Glynda's face. She was not messing with her.

This was real.

Her heart started thumping, then her eyes turned to Emerald, who just smiled and jerked her head towards Glynda. Cinder exhaled shakily, then stood up, walking over to Glynda. Everyone stood up from their chairs to watch this moment, with Hyde leant against the wall with a smile, watching his sister having the moment she always wanted.

Kassius may not be here, but at least part of him was here to watch this grand moment. Cinder stood before Glynda, and she knelt down, bowing her head to the Vice Headmistress of Beacon Academy. She raised her crop and rested it over one of her shoulders. "Repeat after me." Glynda said.

"I do solemnly swear."

"To use this strength in defence of those who cannot defend themselves."

"No matter the Grimm, Human or Faunus…"

"I am a Huntress… and will be the shield who guards the realm of the kind."

As these words were spoken, Glynda moved her crop over Cinder's head and onto her other shoulder, then over her head, before lowering the weapon. "Rise, Cinder Fall – Huntress of Beacon Academy."

Cinder stood tall, with tears streaming from her eyes, and smiling. Emerald immediately started clapping with a bright smile on her face. Everyone started applauding her, and Ortega raised his glass.

"To Cinder Fall! Huntress and Fall Maiden! A Hero!" Ortega cheered.

Cinder fought the tears as best as she could, but it was one of the best days of her life.

Her childhood dream… was finally a reality.

She looked at Glynda with a beaming smile, and Glynda smiled back. Cinder couldn't help herself, and gave her a warm hug, which Glynda kindly returned.

Weiss

Down in the town, Weiss was sitting by the stage that some people had been dancing on together, just dancing the night away before the Oncoming Shadow arrival.

But now things were quiet, with just people whispering. But she was not alone, as Sun, Blake, Neo, Penny and the Architect were all sat with her. And recently, Ozpin and Qrow joined them in their discussion, and Weiss was giggling with everyone else as the two older men told their stories.

"Okay… let's see if you can guess who this person was." Ozpin said, leaning back in his chair and holding his scroll up, reading the file on there.

The C.C.T may be gone, but he clearly kept some files for his favourite students downloaded on his scroll.

"While otherwise a remarkable student… someone… continues to be plagued by fits of anger, uncontrollable cursing, and repeated assault of Academy faculty." Ozpin read out, closing the scroll to see if anyone can guess it, and all eyes fell on Qrow, making him smirk cheekily.

"That's gotta be Branwen over here." Sun chuckled.

"Nope. Waaaaay scarier." Qrow answered.

"That… was Glynda's file." Ozpin revealed.

"Holy shit, really?" Sun laughed. Neo raised a brow with surprise.

"Oh yeah, Glynda had a mean streak a mile long back in the day. Never imagined her graduating, let alone becoming the Vice Headmistress of Beacon." Qrow laughed, shaking his head.

"I mean… I can totally see it." Blake said with a slight laugh.

"Yeah, I mean back when we were students I rarely ever heard her not yelling at us." Weiss laughed.

"She really softened up over the years, huh?" The Architect chuckled, tapping his metal finger against the table.

"She was always lovely to me." Penny sweetly said.

"Everyone is lovely to you, Penny. If someone was mean to you, I'd be having some stern words with them." Weiss assured with a smile, making Penny beam back.

As they sat there together, Qrow looked around and saw lots of people were looking more and more afraid, knowing the Gjallarhorn would be blown soon. The fear was in the air, and Weiss could sense it. "How much time do we have?" Blake asked, and Ozpin opened his scroll again.

His answer gave them all chills.

"Thirty minutes…" He answered. Neo let out a shaky exhale, picking up Hush and staring at the weapon, remembering Roman with a smile.

Weiss' eyes turned back to the stage, seeing that there was a nice guitar still sitting there. "I have an idea…" she said, standing up from her chair and walking over to it, pulling a stool out and sitting on it. She also adjusted the microphone to her lips as she sat down with the guitar on her lap.

She cleared her throat and held the microphone close. "Hello everyone?" She spoke, getting everyone's attention. "It's been a long time since I've done this… but… I think I still got it. I was gonna sing something like… Mirror, Mirror… or This Life is Mine… but… honestly? I just wanna sing a little song that my mom used to sing to me to help me sleep when I was little." Weiss said to everyone.

Blake smiled as she looked at Weiss on the stage.

She exhaled shakily, then her beautiful voice sang.

"Never mind the darkness,
Never mind the storm,
Never mind the blood-red moon."

Everyone listened, and it was like they were all listening to an angel as she hit all the notes perfectly with her gentle voice. Blake felt Sun's hand gently squeeze hers, and she looked him in the eyes with an adoring smile.

"The night will be over soon,
The night will be over soon."

Team J.N.P.R remained together in their room, waiting for the Gjallarhorn to sound, and the Redeemed all stand tall, clinking their glasses together, ready to battle together once more in the name of what is right.

"Brush away the sorrow,
Brush away the tears,
Sing away your heavy heart."

Maria connected her Scythes together, spinning the double-ended weapon through her fingers, and she held her mask in her free hand, with Carmine beside her. Junior stood with the forces, alongside Kaa as they stared into the darkness, and the huge Colossi emerged behind them, with Cordovin marching with the remaining forces of Argus roaring down towards the Wall they would hold together.

"The night will be over soon,
The night will be over soon."

Kassius and Yang laid in bed together, staring into the darkness, just wanting to be together before the blood will flow. Down below, Team C.F.V.Y head for the front lines, but before they go through, Coco and Velvet stop and a share a long and passionate kiss with each other, not wanting to let go of each other before they joined the rest of the military.

"For every night goes quiet,
And every moon grows blue,
Beyond the dark, comes something new."

Kragen walked across the walls with Yenna beside him, Ebony Duchess in his grasp, with their combined army all waiting to fight down below. He stared off into the darkness, knowing he was out there somewhere. He scowled and spun his staff through his fingers. Whilst Vir Nominis Umbra stared back at Dragonspire Keep, his eyes glowing red as he waits for the Gjallarhorn to sound as well.

"The sun will be rising soon,
The sun will be rising soon,
The sun will be rising soon."

Her voice trailed off as the song ended, exhaling as she opened her eyes, and heard the beautiful sound of applause and cheering.

Maybe that's all they needed.

That one last push.

Ruby

Atop the tower, Ruby and Oscar stood together beside the massive Gjallarhorn. Oscar looked at it and he had only one thing to say.

"That's one big trumpet." He said.

Ruby giggled.

"It's not a trumpet. Thing's probably older than Arkhonex was, according to Kragen." Ruby said, and Oscar shrugged, just tapping the metal hull of the enormous curved horn. It was definitely looked after, judging by the polished bronze all over it. He walked over to Ruby and he smiled at her.

"Was just thinking… what colour should I wear?" He asked her, she raised a brow.

"Huh?" she replied.

"My suit, when we get married. Thinking I should go with green, whaddya think?" He asked, making her smile adoringly at him, and she held his collar.

"You're super cute, you know that?" She asked.

"I mean, you can keep saying it. I'm not gonna stop you." He said, before giving her a loving kiss.

"Alright, you can wear green. So long as I get to wear red." Ruby said, twirling and smiling.

"Wouldn't have it any other way." Oscar assured, and she giggled, walking over to him again.

But their moment of happiness could never last.

They both turned back to the campfire in the distance and heard their scrolls beeping when the clock landed at midnight.

And the second that happened…

… the light of the flame vanished.

Time was up.

Ruby exhaled shakily, and turned to the Gjallarhorn, approaching the end and crouching before it. "This is it…"

She took a deep inhale and pressed her lips to the cold bronze, and blew as hard as she could. The Gjallarhorn transferred her breath into a deafening howl, roaring so loud that the entire kingdom could hear it, making the snow vibrate. Everyone raised their heads when the horn howled, and they stood tall, ready for the battle that was coming for them.

As Gjallarhorn roared, Vir Nominis Umbra stood with his boot on the crushed campfire, staring at Dragonspire Keep in the distance. He couldn't help but smile at how nobody tried to flee.

Their bravery would never be forgotten, no matter who wins.

"The Final Stand for the Armies of Remnant. So be it." Vir Nominis Umbra said, with the Knights of Grimm, the Higher Demons and the Hound with him. He walked to the edge of the cliff and slowly raised his arms, feeling the rumbling of the millions of Grimm charging towards Dragonspire Keep.

The Battle of Dragonspire Keep has begun.

Author Note - This is it. The Battle of Dragonspire Keep. The final stand for the Armies of Remnant.

I've been so excited for this act, with the massive battle. Like no joke I've had this massive bloody battle planned for so long now, at least since half way through Act 2, to be honest. Basically from the moment I added Dragonspire Keep, I always knew this would be leading to this battle.

I loved the stuff with the Redeemed Antagonists in this chapter all just chatting, and Glynda making her a Huntress. I may not have had much love for Season 8 of Game of Thrones, but the Long Night and the build up did have moments I adored. Definitely had a lot of inspiration in this chapter from that.

I'm sure readers who love Yang X Kassius were fed well in this one XD. Had that love scene planned for a while too. Nice to have some sweet moments like that. Of course if sex scenes aren't your thing then no problem, I hope you were able to skip it easily :)

Loved showing everyone getting ready, and Weiss singing that song was a favourite too. Loved that song in Telltale's Walking Dead. And yes, couldn't resist naming that horn Gjallarhorn, after the Norse Horn that signals Ragnarok. Felt fitting considering what they're up against.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Please review, follow and favourite!

Stay tuned for the next chapter - The Battle of Dragonspire Keep

- Matt