Chapter 31: A Family Affair
Yay, Salem's Dies Irae has come.
She felt nothing but pain, suffering and agony at this moment, barely aware of how she had gotten back to her throne room, aware of the circling power within her, the sight of the small life that had been snuffed from her womb, the little hint of that spark that she should have recognized from before, the anger and pain continuing to mount as her senses stretched out to find the Grimm already gathering around the citadel that she had built within these desolate lands, to show the world that there was a queen for them to worship, a goddess to behold.
Her mind went to the last time that she had sex. He must have been responsible, he would have been responsible, he would have been the one that-
Her power cracked the very foundations, as she called out for the Grimm, for the creatures that shared a similar thirst to destroy and corrupt, to convey that message out to them, as her anger snapped and turned into wrath, her body clad within a dress.
'Ashton Arc…'
The name burned like venom in her mind, as she continued to walk, Hazel Rainart's voice calling out to her as she ascended the stairs that led to nowhere, a Grimm already rising to carry her aloft. She would take what she should and destroy everything that reminded her of the pain of losing a child.
'Yes, I suppose it would be reasonable…'
Leviathan-level Grimm around the world responded, as she set their destination, the upper hemisphere in motion, ancient creatures of the Grimm stirring from the depths as she moved, her sanity and her anger both in a terrible state, as she saw red.
'Nobody hurts my family and remains alive… I must go, and… and they wouldn't survive. Nobody will survive.'
The frothing rage within her body was unrestrained, raging and burning like a heated knife in her guts.
It was time to deliver pain and agony unto this world, to remind them that their god-queen still remained amongst them and was ready to bring the world to its knees…
'Doctor Watts must be informed.'
Rationality and her anger worked well together, sometimes. It was not the burden of intellect that she missed, she knew. A rational part of her mind told her that it would not be the time to unveil her cards, but the anger within her mind shrouded it all.
Blood would be shed for what she had lost.
She was aloft on the beast after thirty minutes, a leviathan's wings carrying her, as her call to the forces under her dominion rang out. Bold, burning whispers of pain and destruction wrung themselves through her mind, her eyes turning to the direction where the pain had been originating from.
Her little baby, dead. It was dead and she felt anger and hate. Everything must be erased, in order to stop the hatred within her heart from consuming her even further.
Her Scroll started to beep with an incoming call, a distraction from the pain that she felt as tears came to her eyes, a moment of weakness, of fear and something more, a pale hand reaching for it and then opening it, the air rustling through her hair, which had come undone, not done up in the bun in the slightest.
Frozen air seemed to buffet her face, as the Grimm moved with her, her emotions drawing them, raw potent anger searing and burning like a live flame. She answered the call, Hazel's features as placid as before.
"You have left, my lady?"
A queen did not speak to those lesser than her without reserve, lest they think her to be but a mere mortal, but her eyes teared up, bloody tears leaking from her eyes.
"I have lost the child within my womb, Mister Rainart. It would be prudent for you to head towards Vale. I will be making a personal appearance… at the place where it happened. Contact Doctor Watts for me. Argus will meet the ire of a queen."
The man's head nodded, as he accepted her orders as he should.
"As you wish. My condolences."
She did not need condolences, she needed vengeance!
Anger raged within her like a mad beast, snarling and bristling, as she wanted to destroy that place where she had let another man lay with her to advance her goals!
Ashton Arc would rue the day he met her…
"Alright, you see this sucker? This is what we killed today. Well, the 'who' we killed today, right Fifi?"
The twins were definitely not happy with this, Cyanide noticed idly, as she saw Jade flinch away from the unseeing eyes of Melanie or Miltiades Malachite, the expression on her face silent, if she hadn't been gagged and restrained. It was dirty business, but it would send a message to the twins that they should shut the fuck up.
'When has it ever been to this level of conflict, Bear?'
It wasn't a heavy burden to her. She knew how to separate Violet Arc from Cyanide Moor, the woman who had been trained to kill and murder with a flick of that mental switch towards something that would be considered monstrous, her calmness unnerving the girls.
'Do we really care what we do to our family?'
She sat down in front of Verde, her eyes looking straight into the twin, her own head held up. One of the Malachite twins definitely hadn't had a very pleasant look on her face, the ragged wound on the neck showing clearly that it'd been chopped off with great force.
"She was screaming, you know? This is what happens to people who do drugs and all kinds of stuff, Verde. This is what happens when you piss off a mass murderer and her apprentice."
She was not under any illusion that Grandmother was anything but a mass-murderer, if the trophy room was any indication. The training that she had undergone had been a harsh, forging tool in order to burn the words of the woman into her mind – She was Cyanide and she obeyed the orders of her mistress.
A muffled scream, as she put the Twin's head in front of her own twin. Intimidation worked well when dealing with addicts, her grandmother had said. It worked well until they needed their fix.
"Oh, she was a pussy. They tried to kill me, y'know? Now, don't be a weakling, Verde. Keep it together, okay? Not making a mess. I don't want to mop up your vomit."
Cyanide cleared her throat to get Beryl's attention. Beryl was mistaking them again. Perhaps they should give them a tattoo to distinguish them.
"That's Jade, not Verde. Jade's usually the one who doesn't-"
Beryl seemed to not give a damn about that, shaking her head. Jade looked really sick right now, as Beryl's gloves seemed to show those nice blades that looked really sharp.
"Doesn't matter to me, Fifi. If they're morons that use drugs, they're going to be taught a lesson in how to be a good little sister to me. And you will be a good sister, won't you?"
A scared nod, as Bear once more grinned, flashing teeth. Cyanide rolled her eyes. She'd have to speak up.
"You know, I had to sell my body to keep all of us afloat. Little Fifi, a hooker. A prostitute. A paid slut for Lien."
It wasn't something she was proud of, but the twins would learn from it. Knowing where to prod and to shove a big helping of guilt in their mind was part of the training as well. One could be as lethal as a butterfly coated in arsenic and just flit away.
Beryl didn't really react as Cyanide thought she should, anger showing on her face, as Jade's lap suddenly had a chopped off head in it. The girl screamed through the gag, Cyanide mentally sighing at the expression that Verde made.
"Those clothes? Mine, I earned them getting a dick in me. I've been raped… Eh… Six times? Girls of the street are 'easy', you know?"
Beryl looked a little sick, but that was nothing compared to what Verde's expression told, disgust and something more, as Cyanide's fingers flicked out and touched her sister's cheek.
"All for you lot. Just so you could have a home to live in, clothes to wear and to make sure that you had spending cash to enjoy life."
She was ramming in that spike of pain, without caring how her sisters reacted, aware of the dawning horror in the eyes of her sister. It was a small exaggeration, but Violet Arc was beautiful.
"And you know… That guy that mom's been sleeping with? He fucked me too as a client and he paid well. Oh, I bet that if he knew he'd had mother and daughter, he'd probably fuck me more, because I've got the better looks… no offence, Beryl. You're a bit plain sometimes. Boyish charm isn't good against sexy me."
Beryl shrugged, as she seemed to take no offense, Cyanide continuing with her verbal barrage. It was not the heaviest push towards shoving the twins into that mess, but…
"I've been taught how to pound someone's face in, how to beat guys who could shatter my spine with a single crushing blow, girlies… And you know what? They wanted to kill me because I wouldn't go and become a pro enforcer. If not for the dude who snapped me up and is currently dangling Saphron over the cooking pot-"
Cyanide looked sharply at her sister, as she remembered the golden-eyed man who had given her that sensation of danger during that one very brief meeting, her lips thinning.
"We should do something about him. How about we team up for his assassination, Bear? I've got a poison that works great on Faunus. I don't really like killing more children to get the empathy out of me."
It was something that grandmother had always instilled in her, that Faunus weren't human and thus, wouldn't even be missed. The twins gave her a look that showed fear, but they definitely were gagged well enough to keep their mouths shut.
She personally didn't like killing children or the weak and feeble. The strong challenges that had been put up for her to complete hadn't been something that she took pride in. If the world was a stage, she would be the greatest actor, but there was no use in killing those who merely bore a trait. Killing children and the feeble brought no joy.
"They're scared. You know, I actually started to enjoy it a little. You feeling the same urge?"
Cyanide Arc wouldn't be able to deny it. Violet Arc would have to grudgingly admit it. Cyanide Moor felt nothing.
"Killing people is a means to an end. If it's family…"
Jade's eyes rolled back and Verde made a muffled moaning sound as she seemed to struggle, her eyes frightful at the head that was still set on the table. Cyanide sighed, knowing that this would be an annoyance that would need to be cleaned up.
"He cuts them up and eats them, if they're tough enough. Eat their strength, or some other weird-ass custom. I like to see blood fly, but- Do you think Verde will taste good with some soy sauce?"
Verde seemed to be unable to take it, and Beryl just snickered, shaking her head. Verde was struggling a little, before a little tap of Beryl's hand on her forehead knocked her out, the twin's head snapping back, Beryl checking to see whether any permanent damage was done or not, barely having moderated the force.
"Are we doing anything about them? Like… I don't want them dead, they're still family, but they need a good scaring straight."
That was a good question. Cyanide Arc would not like to miss her sisters. Violet Arc loved her sisters. Cyanide Moor did what grandmother demanded. They could be unified in their answer.
"We should make sure that they won't even dare to look at drugs, Bear. I suppose it's time that I get some of the hallucinogens out of storage. The best way to show someone their problem is to give them a really bad trip."
Beryl looked curious for a moment, raising an eyebrow in question, as Violet motioned for Beryl to come with her, the twins left in their room, the door shut. Mom wasn't up yet, undoubtedly still sleeping off the wine and her lover's affections.
Disgust came from the small part that was Cyanide Moor, Cyanide Arc and Violet Arc, clearly mixing into a general sense of displeasure. The man had invaded their home, had made their mother cheat… or something like that.
Beryl oohed at the snake that Cyanide was supposed to take care of, as Violet Arc smiled quietly as she pulled it from its terrarium, the hissing and the flashing of serpent's fangs as it gave its greeting bite to her, the venom already burning through her system, her aura keeping it at bay easily.
"This is a sweetheart, she's capable of making a man's heart stop within a single minute with her bite. Very lethal."
Beryl wouldn't have the subtlety needed to get something like this done, not without proper training. Beryl was more of an agile fighter that struck hard and fast and then danced out of the way, whilst Violet was more of an assassin who slipped out and made them gargle their own blood.
"Looks eh… a bit like my mentor's tail, really. Real asshole, you know? Had me fight a whole lot of goombah's to get me used to killing blows."
Cyanide Moor would have merely nodded and not given information. Violet Arc pushed the small representation of the assassin back to the hind-brain.
"She started me on kids. Faunus that she abducted with candy laced with a paralytic. It was to get the weakness out of me before I would be able to start working."
Beryl made a sympathetic sound, as Violet gently put the snake back into the terrarium, laying a dead mouse for it to feed on, the serpent not needing all that much nourishment, luckily. The spiders were also easier to manage with the proper regimen. It was all in order to ensure that she had fresh venoms to work with in case work called.
"So… What do we do? You're the sneaky-sneak girl, I'm just the bodyguard… or well, I guess I am. The bastard wasn't very clear on what I should be doing."
Violet Arc would never have suggested anything to harm someone, before she had been given the education on how to act and work with the skills that she'd obtained. Her fitness regimen was still active, she kept herself well-trained in order to perform her best, and she was a killer now…
"How about we take him out, together? Grandmother is not an easy target, she's too wily for that."
The man who trained Violet was known as the Mad Scorpion to the underworld, a man whose agile stance was as terrifying as it was. Anonymity was something that she could work with, as long as the man did not know about her as Grandmother's apprentice.
"Grandma's dead, Fifi… unless you mean the lady who's taken you under her wing, like the sarcastic mad bastard who trained me."
A nod. Grandmother was Grandmother and she was just little Cyanide, one of the ones that succeeded. She was Cyanide Moor, she was an instrument of death and killing.
"Hello? Bear to Vi, come in, Vi? Anyone there?"
She snapped awake, and something seemed to be bleeding, a rush of something shooting through her body, energy suddenly snapping to the forefront of her mind.
'What was I thinking about?'
She shook her head, rubbing the wound that'd been nicked into her upper arm, the Aura healing kicking in, her eyes turning to her older sister.
"Ah, yes. The woman who trained me, Abs- Grandmother."
The word forced itself to be used, as she remembered how Grandmother had plucked her from the dirt, turned her into something better. She was Cyanide, she wouldn't even blink if she were told to kill her own blood sister. She was like iron, and-
Another stabbing pain, and Violet Arc frowned at her sister.
"You zone out and look like you just lost something precious. Is that a Semblance thing she used on you or is it just for you to get yourself back together?"
Violet shuddered, shaking her head. Her whole vision went black for a moment, as she tried to think. There wasn't the easy slipping back into the mould, letting Cyanide Moor take over and be the cool and effective assassin, there wasn't some escape, as she hurt like she'd just finished six rounds of vodka with a high alcohol content.
'I'm Violet, my name is Violet Arc, I'm hot, single and I am talking to my sister, who is worried.'
"It hurts. She said that it was to make my mind determined, to not make it be distracted by stuff…"
She'd served the old woman tea, whilst getting lectures. She'd killed children without even a flinch. She remembered having to give a final twist whilst the body jerked, and-
'No, I am not weak! I am strong, I've survived, I'm the only one who has survived!'
She was Violet Arc, and her name was Cyanide when she struck. She was the poison that would seep into people, and she was an Arc. She had a little brother who was a goofball with bad luck with the girls, a set of sisters that were a bunch of miscreants that spent her money, and one big sister who got trained by another psycho with a fetish for eating people.
'I can be strong. I can be stronger than she is.'
Another snap, a whisper of Grandmother's voice in her mind, and her aura flared.
"I'm… I'm good. Don't worry. She used her Semblance on me."
She wasn't her grandmother. She was a woman who had snapped her up after drugging her, who had played with her mind, all for an apprentice. Anger welled up in her, a fit of deep and vicious anger, as she remembered Saphron, who had spoken about a Mrs Moor before, if she could recall that right.
'Was Saphron about to become Cyanide as well?'
It would be reasonable. Saphron was the 'happily married wife' to someone who worked for the governmental maintenance, if she'd have to believe the introduction of Terra, and it would not draw much attention. An old spinster that had fought in the Faunus Revolution, and a lesbian woman… who would dare suspect a woman of such proclivities to become a butcher, a murderer of many?
'That won't happen…'
She clenched her fist, looking at the spiders that she had within separate boxes, see-through, of course, taking a deep breath.
Cyanide was her name in the business, and Violet was her name to the family, so she would have to graduate with high honours…
'I was due to report back, right? Well… A bit of a detour. If I bring you the head of the 'apprentice' of the Mad Scorpion, well, that'll just have to be different, won't it?'
"We're putting your mentor on ice, Bear. Saphron's in danger and we're going to un-fuck this situation."
Her sister accepted that as a mission, obviously. First the maniac with a flesh-eating fetish and then the one who'd poisoned her mind and made her into this woman who no longer would be called Absinthe Moor's student.
A cold flame burned within her, as she felt the need in her rise to call her Grandmother and inform her of the plot, the burning warmth that came from within, as affection warred with anger.
'Fuck... Fuck it, I'm going to tell Bear about the game-plan. If she's up for killing Grandmother...'
"Beryl? C'mere for a bit."
Beryl didn't look like she was going to like it. There would be no secrets between her and her sister, Violet decided. She was a whore, a killer, a murderer and an assassin, but she'd be honest with her big sister.
If mom could cheat...
Well, they'd just have to protect their sisters more, right?
"Let's make sure that these two girls get what they deserve, alright?"
Violet had a few ideas on how to ensure compliance.
Manipulation had been one of the tricks of the trade that had been taught to her, after all.
It'd be one hell of a bad trip, a little bit of an amnesiac venom in their bloodstreams and one heck of a wakeup in the late evening with a headache and little knowledge of how they got into bed.
'We're getting you to therapy with Rouge, girls. Bear and I will make sure that we kill that mad bastard when we've got the opportunity...'
They couldn't just poison the head and let the guy rot away, after all. That would be too easy, that would be too suspect. The Blackout was known for venoms and poisons, after all, so the man would be on his guard. Much better to slip him something when he was off his guard.
'You don't kill a man overtly, you act sneaky and make him feel the pain whilst his guts are rotting away... Or so Absinthe said.'
She was Violet 'Cyanide' Arc, and she was a lethal poison.
Saphron lazed on the couch, taking the time to look at the schedule for the next few days. There was no sign of mama sending a message, her worry not great as the woman must be busy. Adelheid was busy working on something, her face twitching into a humoured smile as she made some additions to the document.
Selecting the call button, she placed it, connecting to Mama's Scroll. She could see the connection bar turning yellow, and the woman responded, her features twisted in anger.
'She doesn't look good.'
Pale skin and red eyes, veins showing clearly on the skin, like marks of some kind of wasting sickness, anger within those eyes, as hair fluttered behind her on the breeze, the sight of something in the distance moving, as there was the sound of wind howling.
"Saphron, my dear."
Saphron could see the look on Mama's face turn sorrowful.
"My condolences for you, as...The little life that has grown within me has... regrettably not survived. I had wished- to feel like-"
The control that the woman exerted over her facial features was something spectacular, as Saphron felt something cold hit the bottom of her stomach, laying there within that cold pit as she realized what that meant, what those words meant.
A little life, a... a baby.
'Dad raped you and you got pregnant... By the Gods... Oh my Gods.'
Her hand covered her mouth, her face showing horror, as the woman's eyes started to glisten, tears sliding over her cheeks, the anger within the features not restrained or held back. Saphron felt nausea go through her as she felt bile rise.
"Everything will be alright, little princess. I'll be... I'll be in Vale after I tie up affairs."
Saphron's mouth opened and only a whining sound came, as Mama's expression turned darker.
"Don't worry, sweetheart. Has Miss Blau been proper with you?"
The comment drew more concern, as the sharpness of Mama's features looked like she wanted to spit flame and fire. Saphron glanced at Adelheid, the shock inside her still bouncing around, her eyes looking away, trying to find the proper way of saying that she'd been...
'We're alright, but are YOU alright?'
She couldn't just make a fuss, because Mama was someone who valued her appearance.
"We're okay, we're- Are you fine? If you need anything, I'm- I'm willing to talk, if-"
A chilling laugh, as the woman made a sound, Adelheid looking up.
"Oh, trust me... There is nothing in this world that will stop me, my dear. Nobody, not even the Gods themselves, can stop me."
Adelheid was getting up, and Saphron turned the Scroll away, so she wouldn't see her boss in such a vulnerable position, Adelheid making a concerned sound.
"I'm here if you need to talk. I- Does Jaune know?"
Adelheid looked very concerned now, definitely paying attention to her.
"Of course not, my child. Do not worry. The guilty will get what is coming for them."
The call disconnected, the 'out of range' icon flicking, as Adelheid sat down, her hand running through her blonde hair nervously.
"So... What wasn't Jaune supposed to know?"
Saphron looked away, shame going through her.
"Miss Umbra... She just lost her baby."
Adelheid's face made different expressions, surprise and then sadness. Her eyes looked down, as she rubbed over her stomach, a natural question.
"Dad... he knocked her up and she didn't even know. I'm- Gods."
Adelheid hugged her tightly, whispering something comforting in her ear, trying to calm her down. Saphron was hyperventilating now, the horror of what had just happened sinking in. Dad had made someone else get pregnant whilst he was still out and about. Fear shot through her, wondering whether it was just a common occurrence, Adelheid's gentle touches and calming words louder now with every moment that she spent within her friend's presence.
It had been coercion, earlier in their relationship, Adelheid saved by a quick-thinking action that had sent the two into bed with each other, but now, there was that feeling of comfort.
'I'd rather have you as my best friend than some snake in the grass like Terra.'
Sweet words that were hollow, kindness that wasn't genuine, and Adelheid was just trying to do her best.
Saphron could understand that, on some level.
"Do you want... do you want to have sex? Do you... If you want, of course."
Adelheid's words were quiet, an admission that she would be willing to forego her natural tendency for penis-love for the Sapphic embrace of a friend, a faux-sister of sorts, and Saphron's lips quirked into a small smile.
"Trying to go gay, Adelheid?"
Adelheid tried to smile.
"Only if you go straight one time, big sis."
Saphron sighed quietly.
"Just hold me for a bit, Addie. Big sis is sad. I want to return dad to the Dad Store and get a refund."
Adelheid nodded.
"Yeah, he's a real asshole. Such a shame to see such a great girl like you born from a bastard son of a- sorry, that isn't k-"
She kissed her best friend on the lips, silencing her. She pulled away, Adelheid flushing a little.
"Let's go to bed. I need a cuddle, and we can talk about getting you some Arc later. I feel like shit, Adel."
She did.
Things were fucking shitty, but at least she still had one friend that she could count on.
'I'm going to make you into a girl that Jaune can stand beside, Adel. You like men, I don't really like men... Let's get you that big bad brother dick you've been wanting.'
She remembered the moments when she'd been at her lowest, when Mama had reached out to her and given her the care that she had needed, the fear of being touched by a man who had been her 'loving' father...
Who had fucked the shit out of her older sister Rouge and called her by mom's name when he was drunk. When he had been drunk, he'd raped the woman who had been someone who had just wanted to help her and her family.
"Don't cry, Saphron. It's going to be okay, I'm here for you too. Just... let's go to bed, okay?"
She was crying like a little girl again, and she knew that Beryl would be out looking for someone to hurt if she ever saw it. Bear had always been the one with the volatile temper, after all.
Adelheid pushed her into bed and crawled in with her, keeping her comfortable.
Life sucked.
Jaune watched as Yang did a flurry of punches, turning around to face him, her expression looking a little brighter than before. Already, the extra effort in the training that she was giving him was starting to show up, his muscles feeling a little lighter in their motions as he turned around and flexed, the growth of his biceps very marginal, but that would all make it better. He was feeling better than before, Weiss having been warm and sweet the last few days after he'd had a small chat with her and Yang.
"Ruby is enjoying her day. So... eh, did things go well with that bearded man?"
Yang looked like she had lost something, her eyes downcast, his hand placed on top of hers, to calm her and to make her feel like she was not alone. She had repented with her actions, and she would likely never strike against him. The evidence was stacked against her, he was an innocent in the matters that had occurred and he certainly was going to make use of whatever she could offer.
She was a beauty, after all.
He was friends with two very beautiful women.
"I- Y- Weiss, I-"
Yang stammered, her flustered state allowing her to unveil the murder that she had committed. Once you had to speak the truth, it was not a good thing to cling to a lie. His hand reached out and he gently took her hand.
"Yang has had... She had a scare. Things will be better now, right? Yang?"
She looked at him as if he'd just offered to forgive her of everything that she had done, her eyes looking down after a moment, her cheeks tingeing pink.
"He- I..."
Weiss grabbed his other hand, pouting at him with that adorable pout that made her eyes look fiercer and fiery.
"Good. You weren't acting very nicely, so I was- I don't want you to hurt him! He's my- my friend. He's-"
She looked at him and he smiled, leaning to kiss her gently on the lips. A happy little sigh and Weiss smiled like the pretty girl she was, leaning against him, her arm wrapping around him, a look given to Yang which wasn't very friendly.
"Special to me. H-hurt him, a-and I will hurt you."
Yang didn't respond, her expression sullen and withdrawn, not having that natural confidence that would bring out the smile on her face like it did when Ruby was present, or when someone was making a joke and she laughed. He had watched her.
"Weiss, don't be unkind. She's learned her lesson, and I believe that she'll be a good friend. We didn't get along very well at the start either, right?"
Weiss turned pink, not looking at him.
"N-no. I- I'm so glad that I met you. Before I met you, my life was... it was empty, I just- I just did what I had to do, and- and then you came in, calling my father a pimp and me a hooker and-"
Yang made a surprised sound, as Weiss gave her a sharp look.
"Most of my attire before I attended Beacon was of the... less modest couture, Xiao Long. Nothing that you would fit in with your humongous bust."
A weak smile on Yang's lips, as she looked at her teammate and her younger sister's partner with a hint of something.
"You might grow? These puppies started growing when I was sixteen, I mean... We're both the same age, so perhaps you'll get some of these mommy milkers too?"
Weiss looked a little pinched, as she firmed her expression, her eyes going to him, then to Yang, who tried her best to smile, but seemed not to be able to fully express happiness yet.
"I cannot get pregnant whilst I am still a student, Yang. Afterwards... I've... I've got my eye on someone I'd like to marry."
Her eyes looked to him, Yang's cheeks tinting a little pink.
"That'd be nice... I'd like to be the cool mom. I'd protect- I'd protect my little babies and never leave them."
"So, that's how you do that. We need to get you some weights, Jauney-boy... I don't know what's gotten into Blake, but she's been giving Weiss a look like you'd want to see given to something dirty. Whatever is up with my partner, she's just all moody and gloomy. Maybe it's just unease around the Schnee Dust Company's heir?"
He didn't know, not really having much familiarity with the other girl, but trusting that it would be fine. Surely there wouldn't be some kind of reason why Weiss, the happiest girl that made him smile so much, would be disliked? Perhaps just something.
"I don't know? Now, am I doing it properly?"
His hands were adjusted, Yang's body brushing against him. The sports top that she wore was clinging to her prominent bust, the smell of sweat in the air, as well as the hint of sunflowers and something sweet like shampoo, as he realized that she was getting him into the proper position.
Upper body strength wasn't quite Pyrrha's forte, her Semblance something that required weapon-wielding, so it was more or less a boxer's training that he required, as Ren's martial arts worked with palm strikes and diverting the power to other places. Nora was pure-strength, all-weapon.
"Just... Yeah, throw a punch. Why doesn't ginger sparky go and train with you, Jaune?"
Nora and Ren had their own routine, which he didn't want to interfere with, and Yang let him throw a punch, humming quietly to herself, the gym remarkably empty today, probably due to the change in schedule that had been announced earlier, the fresh smell of cleaning agent in the air from the earlier cleaning of the gym by the cleaning staff, Yang sounding curious.
"Weapon users. They rely on their weapons, and I'm not exactly..."
He wasn't someone who could easily push himself against the strain of weapons, as he was weak, the flame inside his chest bolder, brighter now than it had been before. After he'd had sex, it had lit up like a bonfire, the intimate contact making the freezing sensation of the black ocean slowly recede, the flame lighting up even more than before.
"Ah, gotcha... Hey, Jaune? Think we could go and get up to the roof for a bit? I need to tell you something."
It was likely something related to their little secret, something that she couldn't talk about openly. He went through the motions, his fist snapping out at the air, trying to hit that invisible foe, finding no resistance, his eyes watching carefully for anyone to spend too much time looking at the two of them.
They were on the roof nearly an hour later, Yang's jacket over her shoulder, her eyes looking seriously at him, and the expression on her face was something that he hadn't seen before.
"Thanks. I'm... I'm grateful for what you did. For- for trying to pull me out of a bad spot."
She was being vague, of course, but she did not look so haughty, as he wrapped an arm around her, looking out over the vastness of the Academy, his eyes watching several of the upperclassmen making their way across the green lawn, his fingers squeezing down on her shoulder.
"You're my friend, Yang. I'd do my best to make sure that none of my friends are going to be in trouble."
She leaned against him, hugging him. It was a warmth that flooded his body, more warmth than Weiss had given him, as he felt her hold him for a while.
"Good. I- I know that things are- Weiss was vocal, you know? I'm not-"
She seemed to be conflicted and uncertain about how to bring him the news of whatever she wished to say, her face showing clearly conflicted emotions.
"She told me to stay away from you. She likes you so much, I'm-"
Yang looked at him, smiling at him.
"Now don't go getting thoughts about claiming Yang Xiao Long for your harem, Jaune."
He didn't. She could pass for one of his sisters if she wore blue contacts, and even with her purplish-lilac eyes, she would be able to pass at first inspection, without even a touch of makeup used.
"Why should I? You're my friend."
Yang turned away, sighing deeply and pulling herself free.
"You're not bad-looking. A little weak, girly-looking and not so strong. I mean, you'd probably get flattened by dad if you ever met the man, he's protective of the two of us. I'm- Ruby's new friend, Sasha, she's said that she'd like to go shopping with us in a week's time, and- and Ruby has been talking with her a lot."
That was a good thing, he knew. Sasha Gray had been someone who had been around the block a few times, and the overt way that she had said that it had been a real pleasure working together with him, after he'd handed her the antidote to the poison mixed through a drink. The woman had accepted it, smiling at him and nudging Ruby, whispering something in Ruby's ear that had the poor girl going bright red, hiding in her cloak.
"I'll- I can see why Weiss would like you so much. You really do care, don't you?"
He couldn't deny that. Jaune Arc would be a hero, no matter what the world thought of his actions. To kill, murder and to frame, to show the world that the sky was orange and the earth was blue, that was the art of someone who would be a prince to the people of this world, with Salem as his...
'Down, thoughts... I don't think I should see her like that.'
The thought of being with the woman as a man was to a woman was something that shouldn't be, but he knew that she was caring and loving. Her gift he cherished, as he had made... he had sex with Weiss and there were utterances of the L-word from the both of them.
"I will protect you, if you need me to. That's what a Huntsman does."
Yang smiled, punching his shoulder. A cracking sound, and pain shot through him, as Yang turned pale.
"Oh gods, I hit you too hard! Sorry, I'll be more careful, is everything okay?"
He flexed the power within his body, mending the cracked shoulder that had occurred because Yang had hit him in a moment when his guard had been down.
"Just a little bit. Try to be a little more careful, Yang."
She nodded, rubbing over his shoulder, very gently.
"I'll try to be more careful, too. I'm not used to treating people gently. Even Ruby can take a pat, but- but you're different. I'm sorry."
He smiled at her and nodded. Apologies from her were good enough for him.
"It's fine. You're my friend, Yang."
Saphron's eyes adjusted to the lighting in the room, her fingers brushing through her hair, nearly a week since she had been at that meeting with Adelheid and Rouge, since… since she had heard of the baby that Mama had lost. The warmth of the bed was hard to deny, as Adelheid snuggled up against her, her care and concern something that Saphron had needed.
"Oh yeah, I love the way you cuddle, hunky man. I'll be good for you."
A look towards Adelheid, who had taken one of her arms and not let go of it. She sighed to herself, aware of the small mercies. Saphron didn't mind having sex with Adelheid. Adelheid… kind of did. They'd fooled around a little to banish the empty, hollow feeling inside of her, but it hadn't been enough.
"It's not a dick!"
Her little brother needed to go and give Adelheid a stiff hard dicking, if it were up to her. Adelheid might hem and haw about 'personal confidence' and 'client-manager stuff', but the young woman wanted her brother to give her a hard dick. There was no more alcohol in the house, for a good reason.
'It's going to be hard, Addie…'
"Adelheid?"
Sleepy blue eyes looked at her, drool having collected on the pillow, as Adelheid seemed to be joining the land of the waking once more, her eyes focusing sharply on her, as Saphron smiled.
"Wrong blonde. Damn."
Adelheid had a problem, but she functioned. Rouge had definitely shown the sharp end of her tongue, verbally decimating her friend, but Adelheid admitted things at least rather than to keep pretending like nothing was wrong, hiding behind the façade of a housewife who was just trying to raise her children whilst her husband was away on Huntsman work.
Mama hadn't lied to her, nor had she been willing to hide the truth behind lies. She'd tried to contact Mama, but there had been no signal from her Scroll, probably because it was turned off. Tyrian had not been any help either. He had been sounding more annoyed than before, something off about his behaviour too.
"Hey, you can just say that you want Jaune, y'know?"
Teasing her best friend came natural, as Adelheid smiled tiredly at her, her fingers running through her hair, combing through her strands and arranging them.
"I'm not going to fuck him, Saph. He's…"
Saphron's eyes softened, as she leaned closer, placing her mouth close to Adelheid's ear.
"A good-looking hunk who just wants to help his big sis, if she feels lonely."
Adelheid's nipples were hardening, as her tongue slid over her lips. Saphron's own nipples hardened without intending to, as she could just see the honest eyes look at her, as she'd guide him down to the bedroom and let Adelheid feel what a good young man he was. He'd understand.
"Saph, I'm… Hmm…"
A soft groan, as Saphron pressed the assault. Rouge had been sick in the head, hurt by dad, but Adelheid was fresh, unspoiled save for that hint of desire within her to fuck.
"Wouldn't it just be perfect if you were just to push him down to the bed and show him what a good man gets from his sexy, sweet and seductive publisher, hmm? That cute little business outfit, that skirt that shows off those legs and that fine ass of yours."
She wasn't one for dirty talk, but Adelheid's breath sped up, her eyes closing.
"Oh, fuck… fuck, Saph, stop ittt-"
Adelheid was a good woman, someone that Saphron trusted. Her best friend, someone who had done no wrong.
"Doesn't that look like a good idea, Adelheid? Miss Blau, showing her appreciation to my little brother?"
Adelheid's fingers were already in motion, her eyes sharply shut, as she breathed in and out, Saphron knowing the problem, but not stopping her words, wanting to have her as a part of her family, of her life. If Saphron had to pick, there were few other guys that she'd trust with Adelheid.
"That huntsman stamina, grabbing his little sexy publisher and throwing her on the bed, tearing her outfit off, grabbing these little babies and making you moan, Addie? Doesn't that feel good, hmm? That's it."
Adelheid had a problem, but Saphron knew that a push had to be given. Her fingers delved into her own sex, watching Adelheid masturbate to the fantasy that she'd crafted with her words, the two of them still in the bed together.
Saphron remembered that night, hearing Adelheid yelp and scream, excited and exhilarated from the touches that her brother had given to his publisher.
"Fuck, fuck, Saphron, I'm…"
A dark feeling inside her welled up, as she grabbed Adelheid's hands and then pulled them away, kissing her on the lips, crawling on top of her, her hands pinning Adelheid's arms above her head.
"Our little Adelheid Blau… He gets the front, and I get the back. A little Arc sandwich for our little slutty sister."
Adelheid shuddered, before she bit her lip and looked resolute.
"You're a tease, Saph. But damn if that isn't a hot thought. I'll… Ugh, I'll try to do better. Your brother shouldn't be my-"
Adelheid didn't finish her sentence, as Saphron kissed her best friend again.
'He's a great boy, a great man. Much better than daddy ever could be, Mama adores him, and you'll adore him too.'
Warmth flooded her lower body, as she looked down at Adelheid and kissed her again.
"You're my best friend, Adel. I feel safe with you."
Adelheid's hands tried to push her off, but Saphron definitely wasn't going to let her get away, looking into her friend's blue eyes.
"If… If you want to date Jaune, it's okay."
A sledgehammer worked as well, as Adelheid's eyes closed and she took a deep breath.
"I'm supposed to be making him into the next-best-thing since sliced bread, not… We're supposed to not date him."
Saphron let go of her, getting up and checking her Scroll.
"Then keep it a secret. If I won't tell and Rouge won't tell, nobody's going to have to know. He's a boy, he'll be doing anything to make big sis Saph and Addie happy."
The look on Adelheid's face held amusement.
"He is, right? You've seen the promotional movie that we shot a few days ago, right?'
Saphron nodded. The video editing had been done by a professional, with Adelheid being excited about the results. Saphron clicked on the news tab, finding the headlines scrolling by.
Argus wiped off the map.
Grimm attack Argus, no survivors.
Argus devastated, zero survivors.
Adelheid didn't know that yet, and Saphron felt something dark sink into the pit of her stomach, as she looked at the news.
"Adelheid? Check the news…"
Her friend went for her Scroll, the blood draining from her face as she looked at the news. The crying started, as a whimper and a shudder followed, as Saphron wrapped her arms around her friend's shoulders, just hugging her.
'Oh shit… This is really bad news. Her home was in Argus.'
"Mom… Oh Gods, mom. Dad was home too, for just a moment, so he doesn't know. He doesn't know, oh… oh shit. Mommy…"
Tears leaked from Adelheid's eyes into Saphron's nightgown, her arms holding on, as Adelheid clung to them.
'Preliminary reports from the last message that was received report a gargantuan Leviathan Grimm presence.'
12 hours earlier
Her wrath burned like a flaming tornado of hate and pain, reminded of the face that her child had, as the leviathans lumbered forward, the cloud of dark miasma around her current mount bristling with energy. A mask of bone covered her features in order to shroud her appearance, in case someone had the balls to record her, as the warning sirens sounded.
An order, and the Grimm lumbered forwards, without caring or concern for the human lives. A spectacle of blood and sacrifice, the pain that she had suffered for losing her child, the baby that had been inside her. It must have been Ashton Arc's baby, brought on by a moment of laxity. It couldn't have been Jaune's… could it?
'They will all pay! They'll all pay with their lives!'
A massive automaton rose from the island, as the communications grid went offline, Doctor Watts having come through at the right moment. Argus was isolated, and the radar and communications tower was shut off with a virus assault that mimicked a power failure in the majority of the subroutines, whatever that was.
Thirty-seven Leviathans had heeded the call that she had given, and they would be enough to wipe this town from the face of Remnant. The people with their puny little houses would only be able to watch, as the drill-weapon of the automaton was readied, and Salem's eyes could see the charging power of the cannon that had been set up within the other arm.
One of the Leviathans collapsed after the beam hit it, the explosion making a gust of heated air shoot past her, her hair ruffled by the explosion, though her skin was barely grazed, her expression darkening as she returned fire.
A beam of magic shot out and tore the arm from the automaton's side, cutting through the metal effortlessly. It was not something that would remain intact so easily, as the Leviathans focused on the immediate threat, the automaton's operator screaming something about 'the Glory of Atlas!' as the drill tore itself through the body of one of her Grimm.
It mattered not, it mattered not in the slightest, as blood had been spilled of royalty and she would enact the vengeance for her baby! Her child laid dead whilst these people frolicked, whilst her body had been defiled by another man, who was not the one she cherished!
The fear from the people of Argus drew the Grimm, as their titan fell, the waves created from the falling colossus buffeting the harbour, the watercraft that laid there, like marauding vessels during the ages of her own existence, still untouched. There was that hint of spice in the air, that faint urgency and hesitation, as the Leviathans waited for her order.
"Do it."
They moved. Her will enforced their movement, and they slowly lumbered towards the defenceless civilian city, several Argus air crafts buzzing around like flies, as the swarms of lesser Grimm attacked, the sharp tang of blood in the air like a billowing cloud of death.
She was death, and her child would be avenged.
She descended down to the ground level, once one of the targets had been ascertained, the Seer Grimm floating above the ground, whilst the brave Specialists that were stationed here were still fighting, her feet carrying her past the bodies of those who had been slain where they stood. Several of the buildings were still standing, the blood that soaked these streets like an encore, a payment of the tithe for harming royalty.
"Kill them all."
All mortals would fall before the immortal one, who held their puppet strings in her hands. Her eyes glinted with that hint of intrigue, her eyes watching carefully for signs of their faltering, for the marks when their bodies would fail and death would come.
They deserved it.
"Halt."
The Specialist's weapon clicked, as the Grimm froze, her will pushing down on them, as the magic held them restrained. They did not discern between humans or Faunus, but they obeyed her. Her blood was magical and there was the darkness of the Pool of Grimm in her.
A gesture with her right hand, and one of the Ursa behind the Specialist moved, the woman slammed to the ground and kept pinned, for Salem to stride up to her, the Specialist uniform scuffed, dark hair bloodied with the marks of combat. The woman was trying to rise, anger and frustration on her features, as Salem reached out a hand to touch a cheek.
"What a pleasant day to meet with you again, Terra Cotta."
Specialist Terra Cotta could only groan as the Ursa pressed her down, as Salem's smile turned fiercer, the anger inside her slowly cooling down into the raw hate that she could muster.
"I'm afraid yours will be quite uncomfortable… My daughter will just love to meet with you, my dear. You never should have dared to mess with royal affairs."
She was leaning towards letting a few barnyard animals have their way with the low-born trash. A fitting punishment, for a peasant who had dared to hurt her daughter! But perhaps, that would be best left to Saphron.
The poor dear had such a creative side to her.
Plebeian masses required entertainment, and Terra Cotta had seriously hurt her dear little angel...
'No, I don't think you'll suffer that badly... yet. There are ways to keep you properly restrained, my dear...'
It would make for a nice present when she was back in Vale with her dearest son and daughter.
*drum roll*
Weiss is jealous. Poor Adelheid though. She's going to need comfort.
KNOWLEDGE WARS SPECIAL REPORTER GREG STONES ON THE VOYAGE
"Hey, you."
The Camera Crew of Knowledge Wars follows Greg Stones as he walks through the mess hall of Vale University, pushing away students with burly manly hands, driving himself to the spot where a reedy-looking fellow who looked like he couldn't even finish one whole steak sat, looking impressed and intimidated by the large man.
"You dumped my big sister. I don't agree."
A bottle with KNOWLEDGE WARS on the side was set in front of the guy, who looked at it.
"Take this. It'll help you."
The camera zooms in on SUPER FAUNUS VITALITY as Greg Stones gives the young man a look of stoic, manly vigour.
"Don't let a girl down if she's not exactly to your liking. Take those once a day and grow some hair on your chest for your next relationship, just don't do a stupid thing like crushing her heart."
The man's stoic face became a major meme called 'Greg Stones is done with your bullshit'. The camera follows Greg as he's walking right out, a massive bear costume mascot pushed aside, as the man trudged out to a car that was waiting for him, a hound Faunus holding open the door.
"Dog, we're going bounty-hunting! We're bringing in scum today, and we're going to make it look amazing!"
The Adventures of Greg Stones and Donovan 'Dog' the Bounty Hunter had just started.
Yep, Cyanide updated this. Took him a while, it's going to be the fallout in the next chapter. Salem is not very happy at this moment.
Leave a review if you'd like!