Hello everyone! How are you doing? I hope you are all doing fine.

Chapter 141 is here. It was a bit tough to deal with both writing it and double shifts at work (yes, it has become a theme lately), but I hope it came out good enough for you to enjoy it.

Thanks again for being here, following/ favoring/ reading the story. You are all awesome!

See you next week in chapter 142. Until then, be well and have fun!

"The Mad King has awakened?" Blake's voice filled the small office as she walked to bring Yang some water. "What is that supposed to mean; has an Elder been awakened without even us notice?" she asked.

Yang, Ruby, Jaune and Sun were hastily seated in chairs brought from nearby classrooms. Blake's office was a rather small one and the amount of report piles, notepads and hanged maps made it even tinier.

The single window was wide open to let the gentle night breeze provide at least a small comfort to the suffocating atmosphere. A heavy desk, a lamp and three old drawers completed the austere office furniture.

The cat girl held a cold drink in her hands, finally having stepped out of the uptight white shirt and black tie with long dark trousers and brand new heels she wore when working as the deputy SHU commander.

"Beats me" Yang, her left arm wrapped in a furiously, almost painfully strapped, set of bindings, emptied another bottle of water to quench her thirst. She felt she had walked on burning sands for an entire day.

"Problem is; it's the first time this thing has acted this way" the blonde added. "I felt as if something choked me from the inside- and I couldn't even think of stopping it. Cherry's lessons helped me, but not enough."

"That comet was a sign; no matter how you think of it" Ruby exclaimed. "I agree; there is no way those two things aren't connected" Jaune added to the reaper's statement. Blake nodded in complete agreement.

"Sun, put the others on the monitors if you please." "Oon it!" the boy winked at her and jumped up to hook a few cables to a couple monitors embedded on the wall above Blake's chair- the only pieces of modern technology aside from the faunus' personal computer to exist in here.

Everyone moved their seats next to each other to face the monitors. In a few minutes, after the obligatory static had calmed down and images could be viewed in the rustic equipment, four familiar faces appeared.

On one monitor were Ren and Nora, wearing their pajamas. They were seated on a comfy bed that looked like it belonged to a classy hotel, full of neatly-packed towels and well-pressed bed sheets.

On the other one were Lumia and Erik. They wore heavy raincoats that, despite the time of the year, were dripping in rain. There was some sort of noise coming from the back of their screen, akin to passing traffic.

"Hello guys!" Nora waved her hand in enthusiasm. Ren sighed in a well-natured manner and everyone instinctively laughed at her cheerfulness that didn't stop even before her unprecedented health condition.

"Good evening, everyone; Madam" Lumia bowed respectfully to Blake, making Yang bite her lips to control her laughter. The cat girl dismissed the ex-maiden's more-than-necessary seriousness and stood up.

"Hello to you as well; sorry to call you in such short notice, guys" Blake tried to walk in the thin line between friendly and professional. It suits her a lot Yang smiled seeing her partner try to act her new title.

"How's the situation in Lakkard?" the black-haired beauty asked. "Quite stable" Ren replied before his wife could start analyzing "Chief Bright is a very helpful and capable man and his patrols have indicated a relative silence in the area around Cornfield; except the usual Grimm activity."

"That's good to-" "How about you two?" Ruby cut her off. Nora pressed her face to the camera "still no aura to go by. I even got shocked by an electrical cable earlier this week! It's crazy!" she loudly exclaimed.

Everyone in the room exchanged stares. Unlike Ruby and Lumia who had performed a complete recovery, Ren and Nora were still left with no aura- a first in Remnant History. It's as if they have been cursed…

The doctor's words echoed in Yang's mind. She reflexively stared out to the left, where her palm was going to be consumed by the return of the hateful eye any given moment. She shivered and snugged next to Ruby.

A shiver permeated both of them, as the memories of that cursed night not so long ago stirred their instincts and they hastily broke away in an attempt to hide their shame. Blake noticed- and decided to ignore it.

"Any news on the Grand Mother?" she pressed on to Nora. The girl's head shook, her braids waving heavily around "we don't dare visit the area, but nothing seems to be stirring around the corn fields. The most exciting thing that happened was that huuuge meteor!" she shouted.

"So, it was visible in Lakkard too. Makes sense" Jaune murmured next to Ruby. The reaper turned her gaze at Lumia's monitor in complete sync with Blake's, who addressed her fellow black-haired huntress.

"Situation at Nanko has considerably improved" Lumia replied. "The air, according to locals, has significantly improved as if the oppressive and miasmatic quality gradually got lessened during these past six months."

"That is a set of good news I am happy to hear" the faunus admitted. "What about Grimmwater and the seamen disease?" Yang blurted. The brown-haired boy next to Lumia raised his arm before speaking.

"I talked to Mr. Greene today; he claims to have partially recovered and stopped seeing as many nightmares as he previously had. He even got a part-time job as a carpenter in a shipyard" Erik continued.

Ruby smiled at the news, her mind reminiscing of the weathered, tired and tormented retired huntsman she had met in that run-down house. "Every sailor I talked to reported an improvement in mental state, too."

"And of Grimmwater itself?" "It's still cloaked in a shroud of dark fog, too dangerous to approach. It seems relatively calmer than what you described of it, though" Lumia took the mantle again.

"That's great to hear" Blake smiled. "I also talked to Ilya earlier. Atlas forest is calm, as if hibernating. Alex and Albus have also reported that Yugure looks like it has been freed from its curse; all is well so far."

Yang wasn't convinced, of course. But Blake had to stretch out all the positive parts. With so many casualties hovering above their heads, putting a positive start line was essential to their morale as a group.

"I guess it's time to dampen the mood then."

Everyone's eyes turned to Weiss, still wrapped in her lab coat, standing on the open door. She greeted them and slightly panted as she walked in, carrying an oversized file full of important-looking papers.

"I am sorry for being late; I had to discuss the new findings with both my lab colleagues and Dr. Oobleck before I caught up with you" Yang didn't care. Ogling at her woman was one thing she still enjoyed a lot.

"I have nothing important to ask, so please go on. You sound you have a lot of things to tell us" Blake stood next to Weiss. The pale girl gave her a firm nod and took a deep breath "Oobleck broke Red's code."

Everyone tensed and stared at Weiss. Yang's worry vanished and a look of genuine curiosity- and maybe a few bits of hope- surfaced on her still exhausted face. "You have all of our attention, Weiss" Blake urged her.

"I will skip the things we are already aware of, such as the Elders' origin, their powers and immense magical capabilities. The specimen we found in Azure's lab confirmed more or less all our hypothesis about these."

"Are you going to destroy it soon? I seriously get the chills every time I step into the TRI" Nora asked. Yang sighed. She had asked Weiss way too many times about this already and had received the same answer.

"As soon as we stabilize our weapon tests, I will dispose of it myself." Yang didn't like it. She knew it had to be done, but still hated it. Weiss was digging deep into this thing- for her sake, even more. She gulped.

"I am not asking you to like this; I am asking you to accept it" Blake said, her gaze stopping at Yang for a brief moment. Lilac eyes nodded. Weiss chugged some water and continued "Red had dug really deep into this."

Her words hung like an invisible, ominous threat in the air. Tension and anxiety formed on her face. For a moment, Yang thought to reach out to her, but she contained her urges. Weiss knew- hopefully- better.

"The Elder Cult, as Red decided to call it, is ancient. It spread across all continents in the past, forming small communities of worshippers who revered them in secret as Gods or Kings of their enclosed societies."

Deadly silence followed her words, as her friends tried to piece all the images together. The idea of twisted, deranged colonies living at the outskirts of civilization, worshipping their monstrous Gods before alien idols and corrupted practices… who could tell there were no remaining descendants of those communities, hiding behind modern cities?

"Each society had its own ways of showing their devotion. Common and most widespread practices included nightly prayers, carvings of quality materials, hunting festivals, pilgrimages… blood sacrifices…."

"Fuck them" Yang cut Weiss off "…orgies" Ruby and Jaune opened their eyes in shock "cannibalism…" Blake clicked her tongue in disgust "and a whole set of physical and mental alteration processes" she concluded.

"Those things…" Sun trailed off in a rare serious tone "really happened? They were a part of culture in Remnant?" Weiss lowered her shoulders.

"They were deemed a necessity to earn the Elder's favor. The three types of body alteration were especially significant to show one's full and unwavering devotion- as well as the favor the Elder showed them."

"Three types?" Yang asked. She knew Weiss had brought that concept up on purpose. It was relevant to her state- and she hated to go about it in a reserved manner. "Does it have to do with what parts you offer?"

The ex-heiress acknowledged Lumia's question with a tip of her glasses "the lowest tier of acceptance is full assimilation of body and mind. You literally are of no use, so the Elder turns you into a humanoid Grimm."

"That's what Red did to the people of Grimmwater!" Ruby blurted. "It was a way for the society to…" Weiss stumbled a little "…to create a large number of warriors from the weak ones to fight against invaders."

Tension rose. Another image suddenly appeared in front of everyone's mind. A red moon hovered in the heavens, dying the night in its sinister color. Humans were kneeling in front of an unnamable Grimm grotto.

A howl permeated the sky, chilling the blood in everyone's veins as the head of the village raised his cup. Filthy and polluted, thick tar filled the wooden chalice, dripping down his chin as he consumed the vile liquid.

One after another, the villagers followed his example. The moon pulsed and a choir of screams burst in the cursed sky. Blood dripped, screams erupted and cries of agony twisted into gurgling screeches of hunger.

Death descended on the devoted ones, devouring their flesh and soul as their God wickedly consumed their humanity. They rose from their place, howling to signify the end of the unholy ritual- and of their lives.

"Does anyone else feel a shiver or is it just me?" Sun asked. Gulps, sighs and audible coughs were the only answers he got. "I shiver to think of a place- or an era- where this was a practice to be used" Blake answered.

"…" Yang didn't comment. Her heartbeat was pulsing like a maniac's. A sense of impending doom filled her soul. An ancient, unseen fear was being poured into her entire being. She strongly clutched her left wrist.

"Yan-" she raised her metal index to stop Ruby from saying anything. "I am ok, Rubes. Worry about vomit Boy." Jaune reached out to give her a kind pat at her back. She was surprised and barely stifled a gasp.

"No need to act tough with us" he whispered. "Don't get cocky sister thief" she jabbed back at him "if you can worry about anything, worry about yourself." "The next one is partial Grimmification- like Cinder."

Weiss' voice cut them off again. "It was intended for warriors who had affinity for magic and extreme mental resistance. A way to fortify one's abilities without diminishing their mental capacity" she added.

"That's what Salem did" Lumia commented. "Judging from Red's data, Salem improved it to unbelievable concepts. Cinder was a powerful and willing subject, so she had the chance to try different things with her."

Ruby's eyes darkened. "What about the last procedure?" Yang asked. A pair of mismatched cyan eyes fixed on her. Yang saw the emotions that were deeply hidden inside. Sadness, anger, fears… love. God, so much love was pouring out of those enticing orbs! If only she could stop thin-

"Unholy marks" the cold, flat voice washed all of Yang's emotions away. "Tattoos carved on the skin by an Elder's sheer willpower. They take all sorts of forms, but usually are…" she gulped again "black and green."

She made a quick gesture with her fingers "they seem like carvings or primordial forms; like thin reflections of claws, arms or other shapes like triangles, meanders, leaves, branches… or circular orbs" she said.

Yang bit the inside of her cheek. Weiss continued "they bestow upon the subject immense powers. Magic skills, enhanced senses and unnatural toughness are some of them. Just remember Cherry's skills.

Of course, she is a special case" the pale huntress added. "She has been groomed and raised to be powerful and, for reasons I can't understand, has completely accepted her state- her powers speak for themselves."

At the powerful cultist's mention, Yang nodded. "So, that's what both I and Vomit Boy have?" Weiss nodded "not both of you." Lilac opened wide in confusion before her fiancée continued with her explanations.

"In Jaune's case, they are completely inactive. I think they are simply a remnant of what Avyssos tried to do with him. Not that we won't keep an eye on them of course" she underlined. "Yours, on the other hand…"

"I talked it with Blake for a while yesterday and Eidolon agreed on our conclusion. You have been marked by Grand Mother as a Chosen one; that is…" she took a larger breath "a walking vessel of its powers."

Her heart skipped a beat. She had been expecting it, if she wanted to be completely honest. She just had also been expecting to be proved wrong. "How do we remove this thing?" she weakly whispered.

"We don't." The words came out of her lover's mouth and hurt both of them. "The same thing happened to Red's wife and Cinder's mother, Charlotte." Weiss stared away "and he failed to stop it- to save her."

All eyes fell on Yang. The blonde was trying her best to not show the overflow of emotions assaulting her. Weiss stared at her in such fierce intensity, as if she wanted to wither the eye with her mighty gaze.

"Screw this" Ruby jumped and hugged her sister tight. Sudden warmth overcame the blonde- how much she had missed her sister's hug! She was sure her blood would feel even better-

"NO!" startling everyone, Yang slammed her left wrist on the floor. The bulging eye was there, gleaming in a sinister red like an angry sun. Her flesh throbbed in mighty pain. Her skin got charred as if grabbing coals.

"NO!" a surge of power filled the room. Weiss, body flaring up in primal fury, walked forward. Leaving all pretenses away, she straight grabbed the palm- and pressed her nails deep inside the sinister Elder markings.

"Hold her!" Ruby and Jaune grabbed Yang from behind, doing their best to hold the brawler steady. Yang didn't resist at all; she just focused on holding her wrist as tight as possible, even breaking it if she had to.

"The path of light shines in the night." Weiss directly shot at the eye with her magic. A sudden shock, like being hit by a lightning current, surged through Yang's spine. Agony filled her body and she screamed out loud.

Then, Blake gave a quick slash at the vibrating Grimm eye with Eidolon. The cut was shallow, but managed to draw enough blood for the green lines to burn away and quickly hide deep inside her partner's fair skin.

Blood sprayed on the floor, but the convulsions stopped. Yang slammed down on her back, heavily panting. Weiss jumped and hugged her "how do you feel?" She licked her lips, taking the time to feel the thick blood run down her wound "like shit" she smiled and caressed Weiss' cheeks.

-o—

The cavern's light reflected Yang's form on the wall. Silence surrounded the blonde, helping her focus more on the heavy beating of her heart. A deep green light, emanating from nowhere, dyed the stone-dark walls.

She tried to lick her lips. Something scarred her skin; her own teeth. She raised a dark arm with razor-sharp white claws to caress her face. The sensation of touching something utterly alien horrified her- like always.

"How dangerous is that place?" she had asked Cherry the first time the cultist had agreed to help her. "It's a prison of the mind that breaches a state of absolute inner focus; right into Grand Mother's domain."

"Ok, very dangerous; got it" she had replied. "You are afraid" the shrine maiden had noticed. With her monstrous arms still trembling, she tried to ease her anxiety- and brace for what she knew would come next.

"Of course I am afraid! I am turning into a monster! I-I see dead people in mirrors!" the forms appeared through the cavernous walls, making her heart freeze in fear. She held a breath and a heavy snort came out.

Empty white eyes stared at her, irises molten and withered in the waste of cold mud. Eaten, mangled and torn to shreds, the moving dead rose from the solid rock around her. She closed her eyes- she still saw them.

Huntsmen, doctors, nurses… Sweet dust! The dead moved towards the helpless girl- monster- in the middle. Their bodies cast no shadow on the dark stone. And how could they? They were unable to affect the real world- the domain of the living- at all. Only Yang could see them.

She breathed heavily. Her gasps came out as heavy roars. The dead all stood around her, observing her, laying her naked before their lifeless white eyes. Their torn lips dripped blood, but the ground was still dry.

"Common folk cut themselves off from the world of the dead eons ago. As their mind weakened, they couldn't bear witness to the horrors that waited at the other side of the wall" Cherry had explained her.

"Grand Mother's gift allows you to take a peek inside the world of the dead; grasp the marvels of undying and accept the futility of separating life from death. It's your pilgrimage, Yang" she still didn't believe it.

Correction; she didn't want to believe it. She had dismissed the concept as the ramblings of a mad woman. The pointless drivel of a girl that was too busy chasing ideals that didn't exist and projected them on her.

But the dead were there. They stood next to her, staring at her twisted form with their empty, emotionless gazes. They were walking after her, reflecting their forms on every shiny mirror, every cleaned glass panel.

She pressed her face harder inside her palms. Pointless. The faces were still there. She felt their stares getting clouded. Their jaws were slowly and steadily rotting. Their bodies, their limbs… they started to wither.

A pale white light burst from around her. She smiled. It was warm… it was really warm. The dead were silent. A shiver ran down her spine as the white light eroded them into ash. It was as if their existence didn't matter to them at all. They accepted their fate- in deathly, eerie silence.

Immediately after that, Blake's cut came through and crumbled the dark cave. The walls fell and the dead were lost in the light, replaced by the forms of her friends sitting by her side in Blake's crowded office.

Her hand was bleeding from the previous cut her partner had given her. A set of mismatched cyan eyes was fixed on her, serious yet worried. A red-caped girl was standing nearby- a hair's length from touching her.

"Yang…" Weiss' voice grabbed her attention at once. "You spaced out, sweetie. Are you ok?" Lilac eyes stared at the bulging tattoo, marred a vivid red color from Blake's attack. It resembled the comet quite a lot.

"Huh…" she smiled. Laughter wanted to rise from her bowels. A surge of nausea filled her skull. It was strange. She felt lightheaded and a bit fuzzy. "No…" she admitted "I am not" and then broke down laughing.