Hello everyone, back in track we are! Hope you are all doing fine.
Chapter 101 is here, starting the 4th out of the 5 arcs of the series! I hope, as always, that you will enjoy it.
Thank you so much once more for following/ favoring/ reading the story. I hope I can keep it interesting until the end.
See you all next week in chapter 102. Until then, be well and have fun!
21st March, 86
Darkness spread everywhere. It covered the houses, engulfed the parks and spread over the streets like a carpet of pure shadow. Silence and a sense of looming dread accompanied its terrible, misty substance.
Miasmatic vapors rose from the pitch-black cloud, forming a massive eldritch green pillar that reached up to the sky. It then shifted its colors to a dark, misty purple and spread out like an umbrella, returning back to the earth in order to repeat the twisted circle anew.
Blake and Yang, currently bandaged and seated at Chief Bright's office in Lakkard Police Department, exchanged a gaze of worry and shock as they kept watching the news reports from Vale in Chief's television.
"As you can see" Lisa Lavender's voice came from the monitor "North West New Vale City is covered in a barrier made of shadows that completely blocks any passage. Means of communication have also been totally unsuccessful in penetrating the dark veil, raising even more questions."
The camera hovered over the places where the shadow border stopped and focused on a simple image; a house, partially consumed by the dark mist so that only a small part of it was currently visible.
The camera instantly switched to another image. Soldiers of New Vale and SHU members sporting uniforms and weapons oversaw the construction of barricades at the towering shadow dome's perimeter.
"The response of both the army and the SHU has been nothing short of immediate; General Nile and Commander Goodwitch have assured the population all necessary measures towards a solution are currently being taken, despite them both refusing to further elaborate on that."
The camera finally fell on a totally different image; one that made the two girls watching the news freeze in sadness and horror as if someone had punched their guts with an iron fist.
Riverside was in ruins. Another, less reinforced, perimeter surrounded the completely flattened, almost pulverized remains of what once had been Vale's greatest clinic. But even from far away, the bloodstains and signs of combat were clearly visible as day to the huntresses.
"Meanwhile people continue to speculate whether there is a relation between the incident and the unprecedented massacre in Riverside Clinic that claimed the lives of 73 people. No relations to Grimm activity have been officially admitted, but Glynda Goodwitch and the New Vale Council have announced a large-scale investigation of the populace…"
"It's our fault" Ruby's voice, harrowed and full of sorrow sounded from the open door as the red girl and Weiss stepped inside the office. "73 people… and Dust knows how many more were inside the dome…"
"Ruby let's not get ahead of ourselves" Weiss got seated next to Yang. "We don't know anything about the dome yet." "That doesn't change the fact that we led Avyssos to the hospital, like a bunch of amateurs."
The reply was firm and bitter, even more when coming from Ruby. "I know, Rubes" lilac stared firmly at the girl's saddened silver. "And we are going to take responsibility for that, it's natural" Blake added.
"But at the same time we are taking responsibility only for the things we are responsible for; don't try and tell anything like 'it's our fault' to Glynda, the council or any of our friends who are fighting out there. It's disrespectful to them who lay their lives on the line for us and for Vale."
Three sets of eyes stared at the faunus who raised a brow in suspicion "what's the matter?" she asked. "It's nothing" Yang replied "how did it go?" and then asked Weiss to change the subject.
"How did you expect it to?" Ruby replied instead of the white-haired girl "hearing that your loved ones are never coming back from the lips of strangers is never easy- for anyone" she hugged her legs, trembling.
Yang got up and hugged the messy brown hair, murmuring gently at her sister. "Chief Bright is calling Martina's parents- at least we saved one person in all that turbulence" Weiss told Blake, making her nod.
"And we got our hands in lots of information" she pointed at the items they had salvaged from Azure's lab and the sacrificial chamber "but I am not sure we have the time to examine them properly, I am afraid."
"Definitely not" Ruby, slightly muffled by Yang's hug, replied "we have to return to Vale, regroup with everyone and decide on a new course of action as soon as possible- with or without the council's approval."
"Ruby" Blake cleared her throat "I agree with you, but let's at least try to make them accept us. We have nothing to gain from fighting them-"
"I slept for two weeks next to A GRIMM, Blake!" Ruby's outburst made all three girls flinch "do you think I give a damn about what the council currently wants to do?" she took a couple deep breaths "I think you should be the one to talk to them- or Weiss if you don't want to do it."
The black-haired girl's first reaction was to protest, but she held back. She thought of all the horrifying images of Sun getting hurt or hurting her- and tried to imagine how she would feel if she were in her leader's shoes at the moment "ok; just don't expect much" she shyly replied.
"Thanks; and sorry for shouting" the silver-eyed girl meekly apologized to her friends. "Don't sweat it, Rubes" Yang rubbed her back "you are having a really shitty time right now- we all get it."
"And for the record, I agree with Blake" Weiss said. "This is beyond any single issue we have faced. Salem was powerful and quite possibly a lot more that the Eldergrimm, but we don't have the allies we once did."
"I know that, just-" "If you know that, then start acting like it! You slept next to a Grimm? WE BROUGHT THAT GRIMM INSIDE VALE! All four of us, you dolt! So, cut me the self-hatred, Ruby Rose; it doesn't suit you."
"Weiss…" Ruby's expression softened. Blake smiled and Yang whistled, fairly impressed by her fiancée. "I understand you have important and vital matters to discuss, but I would appreciate to not raise your voice."
The comment came from Chief Bright who had just entered the office. "I am really sorry, Sir. I got carried away" Weiss, visibly embarrassed, stood up and burst in a wave of apologies before the others joined her.
"As long as you get it, its fine" the chief stared at the monitor and the series of barricades that were being prepared against Dust-knew-what lurked behind the dome.
"About ¾ of Lakkard's huntsmen were recalled in New Vale" he said. "It seems that Headmaster Goodwitch and General Nile have a very good idea of what is going on with this dome" he stared at the huntresses.
"We are not telling, I am sorry" Blake replied firmly, after earning a nod of approval from Ruby. "It is not our place to discuss such matters, no matter what Chief" she smiled awkwardly to try and ease his tension.
"I expected as much" he replied, shaking his head. "Lakkard would love to thank you all for bringing the victims' tokens back to their families and delivering Miss Waite safe to her parents; you truly are heroes."
"Thank you" Yang was the one to reply this time "but we don't feel like being praised, especially now of all times" she ruffled Ruby's head once more. "We truly feel honored, however" Blake respectfully added.
"Could you-" Ruby had risen from her chair and wiped her face to try and seem at least half decent "could you please arrange a bullhead for us to return to Vale, Chief? I know I am asking much but it's important."
"Already? Shouldn't you rest at least for a couple days? You are in a bad shape, even if you are the Legendary-" "Please!" she clutched her chest and narrowed her eyes, to stifle the pain she felt in her heart.
"Our friends are in the military hospital, but since we are not in official channels, they are not allowing us to call them!" she whimpered. "I want to see them, as soon as possible; I beg you, if you can, do something!"
"Ruby…" "Rubes…" Blake didn't add to the other girls' whispers. She only stood by to allow Yang stand beside her sister. Chief Bright stared at the fierce, full of sadness yet still determined eyes of the reaper.
And then, he smiled in understanding "I have to admit; it's good to see that Ruby Rose the Living Legend of Vale is still a young girl at heart. It makes me think we are raising our next generation well" he chuckled.
One after the other, the four girls felt the tension leave their shoulders and they cracked a sincere smile at the Chief. The man pressed a button at his intercom "bring Hans and his family in" he commanded, earning a confused look from the girls before the office door opened once more.
-o—
A few hours later
It wasn't unusual for Blake to have trouble sleeping. Not taking into full account her days after Sun's hospitalization, she always had a tendency to sleep lightly when Ruby, Weiss or Yang weren't standing guard.
This was the reason that even after half a dozen unsuccessful attempts to close her eyes, she decided to give up. She rubbed her beautiful and sharp-looking yellow orbs, before taking a good look around her.
She was sitting in a small plane's passenger seat. A few seats away from her Ruby and Weiss were snoozing, heads tilted to support each other's in a very cute and photo-worthy pose. She broke into a small smile.
"Can't sleep?" Yang's voice interrupted her from the seat behind. Blake twisted her sore body and raised her head above the headrest, locking her eyes on the seated blonde, resting with one leg on top of the other.
"Too many shadows and too many horned monsters to properly rest" she replied "what about you?" Lilac orbs, visibly exhausted, blinked a couple times "I don't mind the dreams, but my hand itches like hell."
She stretched her left palm out revealing dozens of nail marks on her wrist "I made them, so don't worry. This thing is killing me!" she used her metal fingers to scratch it, leaving a moan of pleasure as she did.
"It doesn't look hurt" Blake leaned backwards and grabbed Yang's left arm, taking a few moments to examine it properly, before she allowed her partner to continue scratching "maybe it's an allergy or something."
"Beats me" the girl groaned. "Have you told Weiss?" "I will; after we get back and see everyone is fine and breathing. Last thing she needs is getting worried over something trivial" Yang firmly replied at her friend.
"If it is trivial, mind you" the cat girl warned her before jumping down to sit next to her "let me remind you how many trivial things turned out to be disastrous so far in this story, Yang. Please, don't add one more."
Slightly taken aback, the tall woman gazed at her partner for a second. "Thanks; I will keep that in mind" she finally replied, giving her a soft smile "but the same goes for you and your lack of sleep, kitten."
"First Ruby and now you" she sighed "I am no stranger to insomnia. I can deal with it like last time, Yang." "That time you were recovering from mental trauma, not trying to fight off elder monsters, Blakey."
"You do make a good argument" the faunus conceded. "I will try to be more careful then- if you promise to check this out as soon as possible" she pointed at the blonde's itchy arm. "Deal; I will have it examined-"
The sound of the cockpit door open "excuse me!" and a booming voice sounded inside the cabin, stopped Yang's answer and woke Ruby and Weiss up as a woman in a brown pilot suit stepped in.
She had short blonde hair and a strong jaw. Her eyes were the color of honey and her slightly chubby figure took little away from the positive energy she radiated. Simone Waite- Martina's mother- smiled at them.
"We are approaching Vale, so I came to wake you up!" she explained, earning a couple nods and two sleepy affirmations. "Thank you so much for bringing us here, Ms. Waite" Blake politely addressed the woman.
"Nonsense!" she slapped Blake's back, making the cat girl stifle a gasp of pain. "You are the reason my baby girl is resting safe in the hospital. This is nothing for us, so skip the formalities!" she winked at Weiss and Ruby "Marta is shy as hell, but she is really grateful for the autographs."
Ruby flushed a light shade of pink and scratched her neck, as Weiss got up and smiled at the woman "we only did what we should. Martina is a great girl and we are happy to have helped her survive, Ms. Waite."
The woman grinned and slapped Weiss' shoulder, sending a painful spike of agony through her body "it's good to know she has such great role models. And that goes for all of you; thank you, from the deepest part of my heart that you saved my daughter, team RWBY."
Her smile was contagious, as all four girls found themselves smile back at the co-pilot. "Thank you" Ruby whispered "it really means a lot" she gripped Thorn's hilt, her thoughts travelling to Melia Pale for a second.
"Sorry to interrupt" Mr. Hansel Waite, owner and head pilot of Lakkard's Environmental Research Institute single-plane fleet, shouted from the intercom "but you have to check this spectacle on our right!"
Without further ado, Simone ran to the cockpit and team RWBY to the windows. They blinked for a moment to clear their eyesight- and then gasped audibly, their expressions indicating various states of shock.
The dome seemed even more imposing in real life. It had cut off a huge part of the northwest commercial district and parts of Forever Fall Forest. Darkness swirled and pulsed, blocking them from seeing inside.
Despite the bright sun showering New Vale and the calm, still waters of Vale Bay, the atmosphere was heavy and oppressive, intensifying as the plane flew closer to the city. But even this wasn't the worst part.
Because, unlike in the TV, for reasons they couldn't explain, all four girls of team RWBY could see one single thing inside the miasmatic cloud; a tall, pulsing pillar of green eldritch energy rising up to the dome's peak.
"Ah…" Ruby took one step back, clutching her neck as if struggling to breathe. "Rubes! Are you ok?" Yang rushed to help her, but the reaper shook her head to show she was fine, despite still holding her throat.
"It's Nyctos" silver eyes narrowed, staring at her friends. "My wound" she lowered her blouse to reveal a large pinkish-white bite mark "is hurting like hell- as if resonating to the pillar" she ominously concluded.
Before they could reply, Mr. Waite's voice sounded once more from the speakers "I am sorry, but this thing is blocking currents and vision- we will have to make an emergency landing outside the-"
"Use Ozpin Academy's airport" Ruby cut the man off "if anyone tries to stop us, let Weiss talk to them. She knows the codes." The man laughed in a booming voice "all right; fasten your seatbelts, ladies of RWBY!"
-o—
Shadow Border, Vale SHU Temporary Camp
Sun Wukong stood by the road, backpack thrown at his shoulder, with a rare serious expression on his face and his scroll at hand.
He checked Blake's message, the one telling him they had arrived in Vale half an hour ago, and then put his device back in his pocket. They should be soon here, unless they ran at some problem; which wouldn't be unexpected, since it is them we are talking about he thought.
Not the type to sit by and patiently wait, he turned around and let his gaze fall on the massive dome that stood only a couple kilometers away from his current position, dwarfing every man-made object in the area.
A large camp had been set by the SHU with the military's help, hosting at the moment about a hundred soldiers and three dozen huntsmen. A significant number of red tents could be spotted inside the wire fences.
At the entrance, just a few meters far from him, he could see two of his students standing, probably on guard duty. He enthusiastically waved at them and they returned the gesture, in a more professional manner.
Behind the camp, he could see a vast area totally devoid of human life and heavily barricaded with large wooden blockades. This was the so called Shadow Border, the peripheral zone between mortals and the mysterious invading sphere of pulsing dark miasma invading their lives.
"Sun!" a familiar voice echoed from behind. He opened his eyes, took his cheerful demeanor once more and turned around to smile at the silver-eyed girl he knew was standing just behind him at the moment.
"Hey Ruby" he cheerfully pat the brunette's shoulder. "You look like you came back from hell, girl" he chuckled. "You all do" he added as he saw the other members of RWBY walk closer to him.
"From the looks of it, we may as well have arrived at it" Weiss scowled. Yang bumped her fists at him- less powerfully than usual, he noted. He then turned his gaze at Blake and his features softened even more.
"How come Ruby is the first one to greet me, instead of my fiancée?" a large, sunny grin appeared on his face. Blake scowled, mimicking Weiss, but her slightly pinkish cheeks betrayed how happy she was to see him.
"She is just worried about her boyfriend, nothing more." If possible, the boy wanted to kiss and hug her right now and tell her how much he loved when she played serious in front of others, even her teammates.
But he also knew they were in the middle of a crisis and Blake valued professionalism even more than Ruby when shit hit the fan. "Of course she is" he cupped Blake's cheeks and gave her a quick peck in her lips.
"A-anyway!" Blake sidetracked "are you doing fine?" she whispered the question, as if hoping that nobody would be able to hear her. She failed in a spectacular manner.
"Besides Glynda working me and Nep to the bone with all these patrols and check-ups, I am fine!" he pumped his chest. "Lavender mentioned that too- what is it about?" Weiss interjected, visibly curious.
"Well" Sun took a moment to check that nobody was listening to them before he answered "Velvet and Lumia came to the conclusion that the Spawns can't exactly reproduce aura, only mimic semblances. Nep and I are using that to check if any of them are still hiding in Vale somehow."
"That's reassuring" Weiss nodded. "Guys I am really sorry!" Ruby stood forward "I know all these are really important, but can I see Jaune first and then discuss the matter at hand?" she anxiously requested.
"Sure" the girls nodded, smiling and Sun agreed. "Everyone else is with him right now. But since you still are considered civilians, they will only let you in if I escort you. Give me a moment to take out my ID" he said.
He put in a comical way his right arm in the backpack, searching for his ID card, making Blake roll her eyes in an exasperated manner. "Oh, that reminds me- this was delivered today in the SHU for you, Yang!"
"Huh?" the girl expressed her confusion as a large parcel came out of her fellow blonde's bag. She took it- it was soft, like wool, and wrapped a bit too much, just like Ruby used to prepare her last-minute gifts.
Nothing was written on it, save for delivery address; Ozpin Academy, for Yang Xiao Long. Hasty and slightly out of place she thought as she opened it carefully, as if to not damage whatever might had been in-
Her lilac orbs opened wide in shock, making her friends stare at her in a mix of confusion and worry. "What is it, Yang?" "Are you ok, sweetie?" she heard Ruby and Weiss ask her.
Instead of replying, she took out the contents; a brown leather jacket, clean and neatly folded. She hung it in her arm for everyone to see, making the dozens cuts and tears it had plainly visible, as well as the large amount of stab wounds and old burn marks.
"It's my jacket; the one I wore in Cornfield."