Chapter 28 – Returning to Dragonspire Keep
Vir Nominis Umbra
The False God stared across his domain of death and suffering, listening to the fresh voices that screamed in agony and terror across the cosmos of this broken universe. He closed his eyes as he listened to it, feeling his strength growing from their torment.
But there was no smile anymore, no satisfaction.
His hands closed into fists, and when his eyes opened, they glowed an angry red, continuing to stare out at the destroyed lands. But his attention was turned when he heard the caws and chirps of Crows and Ravens behind him. He turned to face the Lord of the Wood, who was kneeling and bowed its head to him. He was not alone. The Hound and Kannix were here as well, whilst the Knights of Grimm stuck together, away from those who were more loyal to Vir Nominis Umbra.
"So… what's our next move?" Kannix asked him.
Vir Nominis Umbra chuckled. "I admire your enthusiasm, Kannix, but for now, I need you to take a quieter approach." Vir Nominis Umbra spoke. Kannix nodded his head.
"How do you mean?" He inquired.
"In time… first of all." He began, looking at the Lord of the Wood and the Hound. The beast which trapped Raven in tar also bowed its head to him. "Lord of the Wood… my Loyal Hound… I have located the survivors of Argus." Vir Nominis Umbra explained.
"People survived. What happened there?" Kannix asked.
"Indeed, it seems Ozpin continues to have more cards at the ready that I did not anticipate. He had his loyal friend – Glynda Goodwitch – help the people leave the city before he destroyed it and killed the Krastax." Vir Nominis Umbra explained. "My ravens have informed me they are headed towards Dragonspire Keep, the same place Ruby Rose and her little family of warriors are going… and where… I sensed something unexpected." He explained to them.
"You still haven't told us what you sensed…" Kannix commented.
"Simply because I do not truly understand what happened there… I am very curious, though." Vir Nominis Umbra stated as he held his hands together. The False God looked upon the Lord of the Wood. "The two of you shall ambush them with a legion of Grimm, eliminate as many of them as you can. I imagine that they are within range of the Silver Eyed Warriors inside the castle, and once you attack, they will send reinforcements. Weaken their forces as much as you can… the battle ahead will be hard against so many Silver Eyed Warriors." He explained.
Kannix stood there and showed no regrets about fighting against the very people who had trained him. The good nature of his eyes faded away a very long time ago.
"As for you, Kannix. I want you ready. You will go with the Knights of Grimm, and I want you to wait until you find an opening and infiltrate the fortress. Sabotage it from within during the battle and give us an opening." He commanded.
Kannix smirked. "I know that castle well, even now… I'll give you more than an opening." He assured, making Vir Nominis Umbra chuckle.
"Good." He replied.
The Lord of the Wood stood tall and transformed into a flock of Ravens and Crows with Diamond Beaks. The Hound snarled and sprouted draconic wings from its back, and within the howl the scream of Raven Branwen could faintly be heard. Kannix furrowed his brow as he looked around the plateau where they held their meetings.
"Wait, where're the Whisperer and the Onyx Phantom?" Kannix inquired.
"I have already commanded them to pursue Ozpin. He is using the Argus Limited to reach Mistral, by my guess he is most likely attempting to find transportation to reach the Embered Grove like the others. They are going to… intercept the train." Vir Nominis Umbra answered, chuckling with glowing red eyes. He suddenly extended a pair of blades from thin air, gripping them in his hands.
Ready to return to the battle once more.
Ruby
After many hours passed, the night was drawing closer and closer…
But finally the Drift of Wandering Star broke through the clouds towards the Mistraalian Mountaintops. The setting sun painted an orange glow across the landscape. The huge Dreadnaught descended towards the flats of snow nearby the Fortress, folding its massive landing gear out and sitting upon the snow. The powerful thrusters blew snow across the surrounding area, melting some of the snow beneath its thrusters.
Ruby walked down the hangar door first, with her team following. Yang still had a bandage on her head, but thanks to the nurses aboard the ship, she was doing much better than she was moments ago. Everyone who survived Atlas followed her as she walked down the ramp, feeling the icy cold air brush against her cheek.
But after feeling the cold of the Atlesian Tundra?
It was not as much of a shock to the system anymore.
As she walked down the ramp, her eye widened and a smile formed on her face when she saw Kragen Nox stood there, already waiting for them. He held Ebony Duchess tight in one hand, his cloak blowing in the gentle breeze as he looked at them. That old man's smile immediately gave her a sense of relief to simply see an old friend again. Ruby sprinted to him and wrapped a tight hug around him, nearly knocking him off his feet. Kragen laughed, holding her tight as well.
"Good to see you're still breathing, Miss Rose." He said to her.
"Gods… you too, old man." She joked, making him chuckle once again.
"Try not to squeeze the life out of him just yet." Yenna spoke up, getting Ruby to turn and see the Spring Maiden also standing nearby, leant against the wall with her arms crossed. Her long black hair flowing in the wind. Cinder, Coco and Pyrrha all approached their fellow Maiden and gave her a warm hug.
Kragen turned and looked at Qrow who was approaching and he immediately accepted his hand and pulled him in to a powerful hug, patting his back. Ruby looked around and then heard the mechanical footfalls of yet another friend. She smiled when she saw the Architect walk through the arch, snow resting on his metallic shoulders, and his expressive brow plates flicked upwards when he saw her.
"Why hello again, Ruby. It feels like it has been so long." He said to her as she approached him.
"Yeah… doesn't feel like it's only been four days." Ruby said, stammering at that realisation. Kragen, Yenna and the Architect looked at them all and they could see it clear as day. The wear and tear of war… and the sign of a devastating defeat clearly was upon them. As they all stood there, some of the younger Silver Eyed Warriors appeared, looking at them all and the massive, damaged Dreadnaught.
"What happened?" Kragen asked.
"Atlas… it's gone." Ruby answered, looking at him. Kragen's eyes widened as the words left her lips. "Umbra has the Relic of Destruction and destroyed the city… it's all underwater now."
"And Vale is destroyed. I don't know how many people made it out… if anybody did." Qrow added.
It was horrible news, but not surprising to the three of them. For the students, on the other hand? That was something else… knowing that the most powerful Kingdom on Remnant was now gone, and Vale was also gone? It was not the news they were expecting, and they all walked away in fear of what was inevitably headed for the castle.
"What about Jacques Schnee?" Yenna asked.
"He's dead… I killed him…" Weiss answered. Yenna closed her eyes in grief and she walked over to her and wrapped her arms around her.
"I'm sorry, Weiss."
"Don't be… I hated him… I've always hated him and… I gave him so many chances to go. To just… cooperate… but he could never let his dynasty go down without a fight. And he tried to kill me… he left me no choice." Weiss explained, her hand shaking.
"I know…" Yenna softly agreed.
Silence filled the air for a few moments, but Kragen turned to Ruby and gently pressed his hand on her shoulder. "Well… I guess it's high time you had some good news then, isn't it?" He asked her.
She looked at him with surprise, and then they looked at the Architect, and Kassius walked down the ramp to Ruby's side, looking at the Architect. "Is it done? Have you finished cracking his encryption?" Kassius asked, hoping his father's work could finally be what they needed to end this nightmare once and for all.
The Architect chuckled lightly. "Oh… yes I have. Come… you're all gonna want to see what Merlot had waiting for us to learn ." He said.
The Architect lead the way and they all followed him, Kragen and Yenna.
They walked through the archway the Mechanical Man walked through, passing by Silver Eyed Students who were still training together in the courtyard. "You've been busy." Ortega stated as he looked at the massive defences in place, huge turrets and even archaic trebuchets and catapults.
"When Arkhonex fell, I lead those who followed me to search for as many weapons as we could. We found plenty of old weapons and machines to defend the fortress. This will buy us more time against the Oncoming Shadow." He explained as they walked around the courtyard.
Nora ran up one of the steps and looked out across the plains of snow, seeing the three barricades they had made and the many trenches dug out with spikes laid out across them. And she could barely make them out from over here, but the Shield Pylons bought from Argus were here too, already set up and ready to activate. "Whoa… very busy." She added.
"Combining modern techniques with old-fashioned. The trenches and the cut down trees will slow the Grimm down, whilst the first wall will hold them off for as long as they can before they reach the castle gates." Kragen explained.
His military strategy was sound. It made Ortega smile to see the different strategic ideas being combined here. Kragen was many things, but a fool was not one of them and he knew how to prepare for a battle. As they walked, Mazen and Blake approached some White Fang soldiers.
"You made it? How many others?" Blake asked.
"All of us, we set out before it all began. Three thousand soldiers all at your command, High Leader Belladonna." The White Fang soldier answered, but they continued to follow Kragen inside of the Castle. The doors opened, and he walked with the Architect through the halls, where Team R.W.B.Y experienced something bizarre.
Cheering.
"TEAM R.W.B.Y IS HERE!" A man cheered, and whistles were blown when they saw all the people jumping with joy and hope. Ruby froze in disbelief at seeing that kind of greeting.
"Ah yes… you four are something like celebrities here." Kragen chuckled.
"W-Why?" Ruby asked.
"Why? With everything you've all done? The odds you have overcome and saving the world twice before? Let's just say these people had no hope until they realised you would be here. All of you." Kragen explained, even Team J.N.P.R heard the love being cheered in their direction.
"They've been working extremely hard every single day. Preparing food for everyone, getting the medical barracks stocked up. Even providing entertainment in the wintry nights." Yenna said as she gestured to the stage and microphone in the vast room.
Ruby didn't even know how to react to so much praise, but it made her blush and smile before she followed Kragen and the Architect further. The cheering continued as they walked through the Main Hall together, and approached the doors heading upstairs. They moved up the spiralling staircase and eventually found the War Room.
Sun looked around the large room. "What about the Witches? Are they here?" Sun asked.
"No, we haven't seen them since we returned here. In truth, we could use their help. Any magical help would be of great use. Especially the magic they are capable of using." Kragen stated.
"I'm sure they're on their way. They enjoyed feeling of use again and promised they'd help us when all this would start." Hazel explained.
"Well, let's pray they come to our aid soon…" Yenna stated, but the Architect walked around her and silenced the concerns with hope. He plugged in the computer in the corner into the Holotable and brought up the files.
Kassius' amber eyes widened when he saw how much was stored in that tiny data chip. Multiple files filled with text came up on the hologram, far too much for them all to read at once. "Holy… what is all this?"
"His findings, alongside the research done by Sylens Emerais before him. Everything about the Embered Grove but most importantly – the Fountain of Creation." The Architect explained. "As we already know, this place only reveals itself when the Shivering Dominion begins. Mind you, both Merlot and Sylens never figured out why this happens." The Architect explained.
"Well, I guess the why doesn't really matter. Just whether we can get to it right now does." Mazen chuckled.
"Exactly my thoughts." The Architect agreed. "The data in here says that there is a door located right here… an area in the Embered Grove that shouldn't exist. When we were here? It was just a massive rock… but now there will be a strange door there."
He brought up a map of the land, which made both Jaune and Pyrrha blush at some particularly fond memories of the Grove.
The red dot flashed on that part of the map, and just as the Architect said, they all remembered there being no door in that region. Ortega pressed his hands against the table and nodded his head. "My wife… Barnes… Alvarez… finding this place lead to all of them dying. I hope it lives up to everything she believed it would be." Ortega said, and Penny smiled.
"I hope so too."
"This door? Take it the thing won't be a simple… push the thing open and waltz right in?" Kassius asked.
"I'm afraid not. However, it seems Merlot even had his own theories based on what Sylens' described. Here – the door has four handprints, all of which are different shapes with a small needle inside, perhaps a DNA identifier or something like that? Perhaps it can be opened by four specific individuals?" The Architect read out.
All eyes fell upon Ruby, Oscar, Jaune and Pyrrha.
"Umbra, the Higher Demons… all of them have had a strange obsession with you four. You think maybe this is why?" Qrow asked.
"It's possible… it'd explain why the Hound is constantly trying to kill us, or capture us." Oscar stated.
"To stop us from opening the door and finding out what's in there." Ruby agreed, nodding her head.
"Well, just remember, all of this is still completely theoretical. Just the information that these people found… all we know for certain? Is that this is where we need to go once the Relics are fully contained in their respective Canes." The Architect explained.
"Well… for what is just a plan made on theories… it's the best plan we have. How long until the Relics are fully contained?" Qrow asked.
"By our calculations, we will need at least another twenty-four hours. So if I were all of you, I'd rest, heal and get ready. The Oncoming Shadow could attack at any moment. So do whatever you need to do to get your heads in the game." Kragen explained to them all.
Nora yawned and rubbed her tired eyes.
"Yeah… we could all use a rest…" Ren agreed.
Though whether any of them would get any rest was another matter.
Ruby walked onto the Balcony and looked out across the beautiful mountains, with Oscar beside her. He gently bumped her shoulder. "Hey… you okay?" He asked her.
"Yeah… just thinking." She sighed.
Oscar chuckled nervously, then looked at her. "I have an idea… a little something to lift our spirits tomorrow." He said.
"Oh?" Ruby asked. "Do tell."
"Oh, not yet. Gotta surprise you with it." Oscar chuckled, winking at her.
"Oh, gods… now I'm scared." Ruby sighed, shaking her head.
"Don't worry, you'll love it." Oscar chuckled as he walked away, making Ruby blush and shake her head, exhaling through her nose.
Despite how bad things were…
She could never stop being in awe of that view.
Blake
The High Leader of the White Fang followed Mazen through Dragonspire Keep, with the sun now set behind the horizon. She walked up the steps and beheld the three thousand White Fang soldiers that were all here and ready.
Sending them earlier was a wise move. I doubt any reinforcements could have made the travel with the Oncoming Shadow out there.
Despite doing a couple of speeches in the past to her people, every single time she was standing in front of so many people, her heart always started pounding. But she closed her amber eyes and exhaled, opening them. "I know what you're all probably thinking… you've heard the rumours… and I'm sorry to confirm that what you have heard is true. Atlas and Vale have fallen." She announced to them all.
She could see the reactions in the crowd, the shock and disbelief that the most advanced Kingdom of their generation was completely wiped out. "Vir Nominis Umbra has the Relic of Destruction… and millions lost their lives. And yet despite that, we now have taken one more step towards victory." Blake stated.
"How? It doesn't feel like it." A soldier in the crowd asked.
"We know where and how to reach the Fountain of Creation. And evidence confirms that there is something in this location that is of great importance against Vir Nominis Umbra. And once the Relics are fully contained, we will bring them to the Embered Grove. Even if Vir Nominis Umbra gets all but one Relic, he will still be defeated, for he and no Grimm can enter the Magical Field which protects the Grove." Blake explained to them all, walking back and forth on the platform she was standing on.
"Can't he break through it with the Relic of Destruction?" Another soldier wisely asked.
"In truth, we don't know, but the power that comes from this place is unlike anything we have ever seen. At the very least, it should buy us more time to figure out what his weakness is so we can end this." Blake spoke.
"Remember – we kill Vir Nominis Umbra? We kill the Oncoming Shadow. Every single Grimm will fall with him." Mazen added.
"Correct." Blake paused, closing her eyes and sighing. "Believe me… I have been asking myself the same questions I know you've all been asking. Even if we win, what's left? The Kingdoms will be destroyed and the Grimm are slaughtering all life to starve us out… what if we just win to die a slower death?" She listed, and she could tell from their expressions that they were more than familiar with such questions.
She held her hands behind her back as she spoke. "Remember Menagerie? Our home that was taken from us by the Horridus Morbus plague? I know you all remember it… and you all remember how we made it such a beautiful home." Blake said. The soldiers bowed their head in grief as they remembered their home. "The Faunus were shunned by Humanity, cast away onto a dangerous island with nothing. But together we built something… something to cherish. And we can all do the same thing again when we win. Humanity and Faunus alike… we can build a better world, learning from the mistakes of our past." Blake explained.
She smiled, and as she spoke the words, she could see the morale grow, and more smiles spread through the saddened and fearful expressions.
One by one.
"Isn't that alone something worth fighting for?"
Cheers erupted from some of her soldiers, and even the soldiers who lost their faith after hearing the news of Atlas and Vale felt the hope be reborn anew in their hearts. Hope was contagious, and it was exactly what her people needed.
Relief flowed through her body like a great wave when she heard their cheers, and she stepped away from them as the soldiers departed and got some well-earned rest. Or whatever else they needed to do to get through the night.
"Good speech." Mazen chuckled.
"Thanks." Blake answered with a sweet smile.
"Did you write a speech?" He asked her.
"Uh… no." She giggled. "I always found speaking from the heart was best. Plus, when you're in a team with Ruby Rose and Yang Xiao Long for so many years, you learn how to make things up as you go along."
Mazen chuckled at that. "I wish I had that skill. When I was High Leader, I spent hours writing a speech down." He looked at her, then slowed down. "So how does it feel?"
"What do you mean?" Blake asked.
"Being the High Leader? Like your Father… how does it feel?" He asked out of curiosity.
"How did it feel for you?" She inquired.
"Well, I was obsessed with the power… twisting Adam to turn against you… and realising my mistakes… I guess my time as a High Leader was extremely complicated. From power to regrets." He chuckled.
"And then to redemption." Blake added.
"I don't know if I have earned that one just yet." Mazen sighed.
"You did the right thing when it mattered… and if it weren't for you helping us, we may have never defeated the Acolytes of Lien and Salem in Arkhonex." She explained. "So… as High Leader – I'd say you're redeemed."
Mazen chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, when you put it that way, how can I disagree?"
As he walked away, she planted her hands on her hips. "You can't." She said with a cheeky smile. Before he left, he pressed his hand on the wall.
"You know, your father would be proud to see you now." He said, making her smile. He continued on, going to get some rest like the others. Blake touched her ponytail of black hair, which hung down her shoulder, before hearing the sound of someone training nearby.
Blake walked towards the sound of someone swinging their weapon against what sounded like training dummies, and she found the courtyard. Part of her had a feeling it was who was round the corner… it was Sun.
He spun Ruyi Jingu Bang and smashed it across the face off the Dummy and then thrusted into the chest, before jumping into the air, spinning through the air and roundhouse kicking it across the head, throwing it across the floor. The training dummy bounced and slid across the floor before grinding to a halt. He panted as he stared at the dummy on the floor, then dropped Ruyi Jingu Bang onto the ground, collapsing onto his knees. Blake walked over to him and crouched behind him.
"Sun?" she asked, gently squeezing his shoulder. He jolted and turned, sighing with relief when he saw her. "Are you okay?"
"I… I'm sorry I didn't see you there…" He stammered. She noticed his hands were quivering. She walked around him and sat on the floor in front of him.
"You were quiet the entire flight over here. I barely even saw you… were you training through the entire thing?" She asked.
Sun sighed, burying his head in his hands. "Yeah… I'm sorry… I just…"
"Sun… stop apologising, you don't have anything to apologise to me for. Just… talk to me." She said, holding his hand in hers. His breath was trembling and then he looked at her, eyes welling with tears. "Sun…"
"I screwed up… I screwed up bad…" He finally answered.
"What are you talking about?" She asked him.
"After Atlas fell I… I snapped. Oscar knew something was wrong, and I just exploded at him and I said things… terrible things to them all. To Kassius specifically…" Sun explained, and Blake nodded her head.
That explains why Kassius seemed so quiet too…
"What did you say to him?" She asked.
"I said he was like me… a failure of a leader." He answered, shaking his head. "… so stupid…"
"That's just not true."
"I know he wasn't… I was… I dragged them into this. What happened to his team was an acci-"
"I'm not talking about Kassius… I'm talking about you." She said, prodding his chest with her finger.
"W-What?"
"Sage, Scarlet and Neptune knew the risks when they joined us back in Mistral. They had every opportunity to back out and we never would have blamed them." Blake explained.
"Blake… we didn't know what was gonna happen back then. It was just the Acolytes of Lien chasing Weiss and the Knights of Grimm were only a myth then… how could they have ever known about what we'd drag them into?" Sun stammered.
"Yeah, you're right. We didn't know. How could we have known about Vir Nominis Umbra, the Higher Demons and the Oncoming Shadow? But that's my point… we didn't know, so what happened to them was never your fault." She shuffled closer to him. "You didn't kill Sage. That was Lionheart. You didn't kill Scarlet. That was Death… and it wasn't you who killed Neptune. That was Death as well." Blake explained to him.
"You don't get it… I was their leader. I should have protected them." He said.
"How could you have? Really, tell me how?" She asked him.
"I…"
"Did you know that Lionheart was a traitor?" She asked.
"No…"
"Did you know Death was gonna drop down behind Scarlet like that?"
"No… but…"
"Did you know Death was in the smoke when he killed Neptune?"
"Blake…"
"None of their deaths are on you. And the second they became Huntsmen, they knew the risks, they knew that every day could be their last… especially after the Fall of Beacon." Blake explained. "And I know it's harder for you to accept as their leader… but believe me when I tell you that you were never to blame."
Sun fell silent, and he lowered his head, but she raised her hand to his cheek, affectionately caressing him with her thumb then pressed her forehead against his. "I… also told them we should give up…"
Blake looked at him. "I know it was stupid. I just…"
"You just watched an entire Kingdom get wiped out… not long after escaping another Kingdom which just fell to a force unlike anything we've seen before." Blake described, perfectly summing up how he felt. "I know… because I've felt the same way. I think we all have."
"You have?"
"You kidding? After seeing Vale get attacked like that… I really started wondering if all this suffering is worth it. But… then I remembered that we're so close… so close to finding the answer to how we can kill that son of a bitch." Blake explained. "So we can't give up… not until Vir Nominis Umbra is dead… once and for all."
He sighed.
"You're damn good at pep talks, y'know?" Sun chuckled.
"Gee… wonder where I get that from?" She winked, making him smile again. She pulled him close and gave him a loving kiss, pressing her head against his. "Come on… let's get something to eat. Heard the cooks make some nice ramen." Blake said, still holding his hand.
Sun rubbed the tears from his eyes and stood up, kicking Ruyi Jingu Bang into his hand, collapsing it down and connecting it to his belt.
"Sounds good to me."
Nora
Blood…
She saw blood everywhere… and flames crackled across the obliterated castle of Dragonspire Keep. Nora looked around with terror, her clothes drenched in blood and surrounded by so many people. Ripped apart by Grimm, burned alive and crushed beneath the rubble. Blood curdling shrieks burst from the flames and men and women crawled out from the castle, completely aflame, seeing Ren was among them.
"REN!" she screamed until she felt the mark on her chest burn greatly. It nearly dropped her to one knee, and she gasped for air. Turning around to see the Lord of the Wood stood atop the rubble as flames rose high into the sky. It tilted the Elk Skull as it stared directly at her, and then she heard the chilling laugh of the Whisperer.
"How do you like them, Nora Valkyrie?" The Whisperer asked. She turned and saw the Higher Demon in the form of her Mother staring at her. She turned and saw the bodies of Ruby, Oscar, Pyrrha and Jaune impaled on massive roots, blood pouring from their eyes, nose, ears and mouth.
"No…" she cried.
"Would you like to join them?" He asked, when suddenly roots erupted beneath her feet and coiled around her ankles.
"NO!" She screeched as the Lord of the Wood dragged her across the floor, scraping her body across the rubble before raising her cut body into the air, roots holding out her arms, before the Lord of the Wood who stared her directly in her cyan eyes. The Whisperer laughed sinisterly as she cried out, trying to break free from its control.
"Your destiny was decided a long time ago, child… now… it is time for you to join us, Nora Valkyrie." The Whisperer snarled.
The Lord of the Wood suddenly grabbed her by the face with its razor-sharp claws, and she screeched in immense agony as the roots dug into her face from its fingertips. Her screams grew in pitch as another spike burst from the ground and impaled her, forming a bloom of bloody flowers from her corpse.
Nora screamed in terror, suddenly waking up from the nightmare, grabbing at her body to feel the wounds she just experienced, then feeling the burning sensation of the Lord's Mark on her chest.
Ren gasped, waking up to her screams. He immediately put his arms around her and looked at her, seeing the tears streaming from her eyes as she whimpered hysterically. "Nora? NORA?" Ren yelled, trying to get through to her. She was hyperventilating and melted into his arms as she sobbed. Jaune and Pyrrha both woke up on the floor together, whilst Nora and Ren had the bed in the room they were given.
"W-What happened?" The still groggy Pyrrha Nikos slurred.
"I don't know… Nora? Are you okay?" Ren asked, gently holding her head as he looked at her.
"I… I saw… I saw you all die…" she sobbed, pressing her head against his shoulder. Jaune stood up with Pyrrha and they both sat on the bed, being there for Nora. "The Lord of the Wood… the Whisperer…" She winced and grabbed her chest again, and through her shirt Ren could see the golden glow of the mark, searing into her flesh more and more. Pyrrha swiftly pulled Milo across the room and into her hand with her polarity, transforming it into Rifle Mode and aiming out the window.
But there was no sign of a Diamond Beaked Crow or Raven out there, meaning the Lord of the Wood could not be watching them.
"It was just a nightmare, okay? They're messing with you." Ren promised.
"No… it felt so real… it felt… like it was a vision or something…" Nora stammered. Jaune shuffled closer.
"What did you see?" he asked.
"The Keep… it was destroyed… I think the Oncoming Shadow found us, and… everyone was dead but me. The Lord of the Wood impaled the two of you, Ruby and Oscar… and they did the same to me… and the Whisperer was laughing… like it had it all figured out." Nora scoffed.
"By the Gods that sick fuck…" Jaune snarled.
"The spikes… they looked…"
Then it hit her, her teary eyes widened with realisation.
"What? Looked like what?"
"They looked exactly like the Leshen Totem I touched when I was a kid…" It immediately sent shivers up their spine.
"So… the totem you touched…" Ren stammered.
"It must have been what happened to the last person it cursed… it's what's gonna happen to me…" Nora said.
"Whoa… whoa, Nora, hold on. That's not happening to you. We're gonna fix this. We'll get Hyde to do what he did for Cardin and destroy the fragment that's inside of you." Jaune assured.
"We don't know that… we don't know if Hyde will be able to do it. Or if I'll die if he fails or if it's even possible to remove that way." Nora replied.
Jaune knew deep down that she was absolutely right to fear that completely probable outcome, but he refused to accept it.
"And… I've never felt the mark act like this… it's almost like he's coming for me with intent… preparing me for it…" Nora sounded like she was going to burst into tears again, burying her head in her hands. "I don't wanna die…"
Ren wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her head. "You won't… We won't let them hurt you… I promise." Ren said.
"Don't… make a promise you can't keep." Nora sniffled.
Silence filled the room. What could they possibly say? She was right. How could they possibly know whether or not they could save her from this curse?
How do you reassure someone of something when you don't know how it ends yourself?
The silence was shattered when they heard someone sprinting past their room and opening a door suddenly. They could hear the voice of Kragen loudly speaking to someone, but the other voice was faint. Jaune and Pyrrha got up and hurried to the door, opening it to see Kragen in the War Room down the hall from them.
Nora wiped the tears from her eyes and got up. "Nora…" Ren reached out for her but she didn't say a word, just wanted anything other than that dream to think about.
Ren followed, and the four of them walked to Kragen.
"Do you copy? I need you to give me a repeat!" Kragen spoke into the communication systems.
"… do you copy? It's Glynda Goodwitch! We're under attack!" Glynda's voice surprised them, and their eyes widened.
"What is your position?" Kragen asked.
"The Mistraalian Mountains, we're trapped in a clearing roughly six miles west of Dragonspire Keep! The Oncoming Shadow are attacking us. There're very few survivors of Argus left! We need help!" Glynda called out. "Shit, LOOK OUT!"
The feed went dead after they heard an explosion, then silence. Kragen looked at Team J.N.P.R, and without hesitation.
"Where's the nearest Airship?" Jaune asked.
"Follow me." Kragen answered.
They sprinted with him down the hallway, and as they ran, they saw Team C.F.V.Y in their room, barely awake. "What's with all the running?" Velvet slurred.
"Glynda and the people of Argus are… ugh you know what, never mind, just go back to sleep. We got this!" Jaune assured, as he caught up with them.
"What?" Fox groaned.
"Glynda? I did my homework, right?" Velvet groaned, clearly not really hearing what they said, being half asleep.
Team J.N.P.R followed Kragen all the way to the Hangar, turning to one of the pilots. "Hey! I need you to get these four to these coordinates! There are people who need their help there. They're under attack by Grimm." Kragen explained.
"Roger!" The pilot sprinted to the cockpit without question and clambered inside. The team all got in and the Bullhead blasted into the air.
"We're getting them here! Count on it!" Jaune promised.
Kragen nodded and ran back to the War Room, whilst the Airship left the Hangar in the mountains, headed directly to where Glynda and the others were.
Glynda
Moments earlier…
Glynda walked across the icy cold clearing with the massive Colossus nearby, and all their vehicles carrying as many people as they could, still armed to the teeth. As they walked further, Glynda suddenly stopped and held her hand up.
"Hold up! Everyone hold up." Cordovin commanded, also raising her massive mechanical hand. All the vehicles in the convoy stopped, and Glynda looked around, listening to the air. They all could not hear a thing, but Glynda was trained to sense things out of the ordinary. And she could sense when she was being watched. She drew her crop as she looked around.
"Glynda? What's happening?" Cordovin asked.
"We're being watched." She answered, suddenly looking up when she heard the caws of Diamond Beaked Crows and Ravens.
She stared at the top of one of the Mountain Peaks to see the Lord of the Wood stood atop it, staring down at them all. Its eyes glowed bright red, and suddenly blood red rifts opened, revealing portals to the Charred Forest.
Grimm leapt through and roared viciously, and the civilians started screaming in terror.
Glynda gritted her teeth in anger.
"So close…" she snarled, but then she scowled. "Fine, then… if this is how it's gotta be." She said, staring up at the Ancient Leshen. She immediately turned to one of the soldiers, who had a portable radio. "Try to contact Dragonspire Keep! We need reinforcements. We'll hold them off as long as we can."
The Lord of the Wood stared at them, then twitched its finger, and that was all the Grimm needed to attack. The horde sprinted towards them all, roaring with fury, and the gunfire erupted all around them.
They just needed to buy time until Team J.N.P.R arrived…
Author Note - Oh boy, these kids really can't catch a break XD
Sorry this chapter took so long to update, literally could not find the time the past few weeks. Stranger Things came back, Kenobi started, another show started, I was sucked into Sekiro and Elden Ring, really busy at work and Hay Fever is back and fucks me up pretty much every day XD. Finally managed to get back on it today, so here we are XD
I've missed Dragonspire Keep, always has been one of my favourite settings with the Silver Eyed Warriors and stuff. And of course having Kragen, Yenna and the Architect back is always great. And now they know where to find the Fountain of Creation and maybe even an idea of how to get inside, if that theory is correct.
Blake and Mazen's moment was nice alongside the White Fang speech, but one of my favourites was Blake and Sun. Having her have that pep talk with him was great, especially considering Sun was the one who did the same for her back in Volume 4.
And boy was Nora's nightmare frightening, and now we know what the Lord of the Wood's Totems are. Pretty disturbing huh? XD And the fact he is in fact leading the attacking Grimm where Glynda is... and JNPR are heading there? This is gonna be fun.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please review, follow and favourite!
Stay tuned for the next chapter!
- Matt