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RWBY belongs to Rooster Teeth.
Chapter 20: The Daughter of War
Before I continue, I just want to tell you something. Just because you die, does not necessarily mean you stop feeling. I don't have a nervous system, neither do most of the dead. However, we can all still feel things, like pain. That being said, in order to feel pain, you would have to physically damage the body you inhabit. Incredibly difficult when you are little more than an intangible soul. Much easier when you are, I don't know, a skeleton.
All this to say, IT REALLY FREAKING HURTS when you crack your skull by slamming it into a really nice oak desk.
I took a moment to gather myself.
"Bianca, is War with the girls right now?" I asked.
"And Conquest." my wife answered.
"Great. Can you ask Famine to take them for a bit? I need to have words with my sister." I replied.
Bianca nodded and left my office. I leaned back in my chair and rubbed my forehead. Another interesting thing about me, I can still feel headaches. Natural ones caused by things like stress or fatigue. Not just pain from cracking my skull. And the nightmare that those last few days had become was really building a massive migraine.
But that's not important. Though, I did feel that there was a small hole in the forehead of my skull. A hole right where I slammed it into the desk. Looking in a mirror confirmed that I did indeed have a hole in my head. A small one, but still noticeable. Especially considering the cracks the spiderwebbed away from it.
Now, seeing as I am a dead body, there would be no healing. Now's as good a time as any to tell you how I repair my body. After all, even though I am the Horseman of Death, my body can still sustain damage. First, it's much more accurate to say I inhabit a dead body, rather than am a dead body. It's rather confusing and none of my siblings share the same trait.
Essentially, I am not a skeleton, but the power that resides within. My power is my equivalent to a soul, but unlike you mortals, that is all I am. You are two parts, the tangible soul and the intangible body…
No, sorry the intangible soul and tangible body. My bad. I am just the equivalent of the soul. No body that is my own. Don't ask, I can already hear the question of how I have a body. It's not that much of a secret, but I… repurpose the bodies of the dead. My power burns away the flesh until nothing is left but bone. Though, in time my power will burn away the bones as well. Usually, with no damage done to the bodies I inhabit, I can last around ten years or so in one body. Best analogy? I'm like a ghost haunting a dead body… Not the exact truth but close enough for you to understand, I think. I can take the body of a living soul. But I don't, at least for most cases.
Now, a small hole and some cracks in my skull don't constitute a need for me to get a new body, yet. So, I paid the damage little mind.
Once I had calmed enough to think rationally, I exited my home. I whistled for Mordred and we rode to the Arena.
When I arrived, Ruby and her team were nowhere in sight. A relief that Famine actually had taken them. Conquest and War, however, were having a very heated argument in the Arena. I arrived in time to see Conquest blasted into one of the walls.
You know how they say discretion is the better part of valor? Yeah, I think it was situations like this that inspired the saying. War looked like she was on a warpath, ready to cleave her opponent in two. Conquest didn't look much better. I decided that the best thing I could do was lean on a rail and watch the chaos unfold.
War had decided to utilize her claymore, Mano a Mano against our brother. Conquest was defending himself with his own sword and pistol. Though, speaking from experience, there is no effective defense against War on a warpath wielding a claymore. Something Conquest knew as well. So, his defense was much more hit and run… or dodge and run. He'd take pot shots with his pistol when he could, but War was largely unaffected by the bullets. Unfortunate for Conquest.
Conquest rolled away from War's overhead strike, but was caught by her follow up kick. He shook it off in time to feel several daggers slamming into his chest. He growled and backed up. His aim rang true as he fired at War. Again, though, the bullets did little more than piss off my already enraged sister. War threw her claymore at Conquest with the force of a thousand cannons. It flew much faster than it really had any right to. Much faster than Conquest could react to.
The blade slammed through his chest. Conquest grunted in pain as he was nailed to the wall behind him by a giant claymore. War summoned her second main weapon, War Cry. An impressive glaive she made herself. She thundered towards our downed brother. Conquest was struggling to remove the claymore from his chest. He was having little success. War raised her glaive to end Conquest.
That was when I stepped in. With nary a thought, Thine End was in my hand and blocking War Cry from proceeding further.
"That's enough." I commanded.
He will never admit this, but Conquest totally breathed a sigh of relief at my intervention.
"I WILL END HIM!" War roared.
War tried to attack Conquest again. If I had eyes, I would have rolled them. I deflected her glaive with my scythe. War stumbled slightly, as I spun behind her and pulled her into a chokehold, the shaft of Thine End pressing into her windpipe.
"I said that's enough." I repeated.
War dropped her glaive and tried to pry the scythe away from her neck. I just held it tighter. Eventually, she tapped my hand, twice. I nodded and released her from the chokehold.
"Now," I began. "Let's speak like the rational horsemen we are and not try to kill each other."
War growled and ripped her claymore from Conquest's chest.
"That's gonna leave another mark." Conquest grunted as he stood up.
"So, mind telling me what caused you two to start trying to kill each other?" I asked.
"I wasn't trying to kill her." Conquest denied.
"I was." War muttered.
"Really, Conquest? You could have fooled me. That was no friendly spar I saw." I stated.
"I had a solution for dealing with the problem. War didn't like it." Conquest answered curtly.
"Which problem?" I asked.
"Like you don't know." Conquest snarked. "The mortals that were portaled here."
"What was your solution?" I asked.
"He suggested we kill them." War butted in. "I vehemently disagreed with that."
"I saw." I deadpanned.
"Speaking of, where are they?" War asked, looking towards one of the entrances to the Arena.
"With Famine." I replied.
"Great, now our existence will be known by all." Conquest groused.
"Shut it." I snapped. "We will deal with them in a minute. I actually wanted to talk with War about a different problem."
"Oh, what did she do this time?" Conquest asked.
"Yes, bro, what did I do?" War sarcastically asked, as she rolled her eyes.
"If my assumptions are correct, and judging by that fight, they are, War has a kid." I replied.
There was a moment of silence as my claim registered in their minds.
"Come again?" Conquest asked.
"I believe that War had a kid." I repeated, looking at my sister.
I noticed that all of her anger from earlier was gone. Instead, it was replaced with nervousness. Sweat glistened on her forehead.
"No, no, that's impossible. If War had a child, then we'd all know it." Conquest spoke up in War's defense.
"Is it though? Allow me to present my proof." I said, before realizing I had left behind the files. "In a minute. War do you mind if I portal out of here, then back in?"
"Go ahead." War said.
I did just that. I portaled back to my office, grabbed the relevant soul files, and portaled back.
"Now, a few weeks ago, Ozark showed me this rather interesting anomaly in the Library of Souls." I said showing them both files on Raven Branwen.
"And this shows… what?" War asked.
"That someone found a way to mimic Raven Branwen on her spiritual level." I replied. "Though, the second file has strange anomalies that are difficult to explain. Now, this file was found earlier today. And it has the same strange anomalies as the second Raven Branwen file."
I handed them my file.
"You have a soul now?" Conquest asked.
"No. I believe the reason this exists is because I have a daughter of my own. I can't say for certain if that's the case but it's the only thing I can think of." I answered.
"And why do you think that?" War asked.
"Because the file shows me unlocking my aura the day Keira was conceived." I answered. "Now, assuming I'm right, then this was created nine months before War's daughter, Yang Branwen, formerly Xiao Long was born, right War?"
I looked at War expectantly.
"Why do you accuse me? I could have been Fami- and that sounds ridiculous saying it out loud." War replied.
"What, you do have a kid!?" Conquest asked.
"Yeah." War admitted with a sigh.
"Why didn't you tell us?" I asked.
"I feared you would be angry." War replied.
I placed my hands on her shoulders. She looked up at me, a slight tremor of fear in her eyes. I sighed and drew her into a hug.
"I'd be the biggest hypocrite in this universe if I got mad at you for having a kid." I told her. "I am upset that you didn't tell me I'm an uncle!"
War chuckled.
"How are you not upset by this?" Conquest asked.
"I have a kid. Two actually." I replied cheekily.
Conquest just scowled.
"So… would you be mad if I told you I was having another?" War asked.
"You're pregnant?" Conquest asked.
"Yeah." War replied.
"Really now?" I questioned.
I looked at War. Deciding to use my own soul sight, there was indeed a tiny little soul developing in War's womb.
"No, that doesn't make me upset. Does the father know?" I asked.
"No." War replied. "Neither does Yang."
"Who is the father?" Conquest asked.
"Uh… A huntsman named Qrow Branwen." War replied.
"That is weird on so many levels." I replied.
"How?" Conquest asked.
"She is having a child with the brother of the woman she pretended to be." I replied. "The brother I presume you are married to now as a woman named Minerva?"
"Yeah. I, uh, I kinda fell for him when I attended Beacon. But it would have been weird because, you know…" War trailed off.
"Actually, speaking of, how did you manage to attend four years of Beacon without any of us knowing?" Conquest asked.
"I just… did? No one ever asked." War said.
"I thought it was suspicious that I didn't have to replace any of the gates for four years." I muttered.
"That's all you care about? Not the fact that our loudmouth, anything-but-subtle sister attended an academy in the mortal world for years? You only care about the gates?" Conquest asked.
"Actually, you might be able to learn a thing or two about subtlety from her." I replied with a smirk. "Ozpin, Beacon's headmaster, didn't know that Raven Branwen was War. Though, I am curious as to how you found out that War was dead."
"I literally stumbled across her body." War replied. "I was bored, I didn't have much to do. It was a time of peace and very little conflict. I needed action!"
"Still pretty messed up." I replied.
"Since when do you care what's messed up or not?" Conquest replied. "Need I remind you that your wife is several millennia younger than you? OR that your biological daughter is some strange hybrid of mortal soul and horseman?"
"I know that all perfectly well, Conquest." I replied. "One more question, War, does your daughter know?"
"No." War replied.
"We do need to deal with that." Conquest replied.
"And we aren't going to kill them." War replied.
"We'll figure something out. For now, War, you and I are going to the Wasteland. Famine is playing host to the four girls, three of which are most assuredly very confused right now." I said.
"I'm coming too." Conquest said. "I really don't want to miss this."
"Fine, let's go." I said, before turning and heading to the exit of the Arena.
We mounted our respective horses and rode off. We portaled into the Wasteland. Famine's tower was easily seen above the trees. We rode towards it.
"So, Death." War spoke up.
"Yes?" I called back.
"I was wondering if there was anything you could do for my husband?" War asked.
"Like what?" I asked.
"Maybe not take his soul?" War asked.
I sighed as we reached the Tower. "I'll see what I can do. But I will have to take his soul at some point."
"I know. Worth a shot." War replied.
"War, he has to die. All mortals do." I said. "However, there might be something we can about his afterlife."
"Thanks brother." War replied.
We entered Famine's home. We could hear conversation coming from above us. Following the sound of the voices, we found Famine and the girls seated around a table.
"So, you are both Famine and Pestilence?" Weiss asked.
"Yes." Famine replied.
"Strange, I always thought that it was only War, Famine, Conquest, and Death." Blake said.
"You and I clearly haven't seen the same entertainment. A lot of what I watched portrayed the horsemen as being War, Famine, Pestilence, and Death." Yang interjected.
"Why am I always the one they leave out?" Conquest asked.
"I don't know." Famine answered him.
The girls turned to look at us as we entered the room. I sat down in an empty space next to Famine. War stood awkwardly behind me, while Conquest just surveyed the room.
"So, I take it you've filled them in on us?" I asked my sister.
"As much as I felt was necessary." Famine answered.
"So… you're Death, right?" Blake asked.
"And you're Blake Belladonna." I replied, ignoring the flashes of Ultimate Fate. "Now, I want to know how you four came to be in the home of my sister."
"Do you want the long-detailed story, or the short one that gets right to the point?" Ruby asked.
The other three looked at her like she was crazy. Their looks of shock turned to me when I chuckled.
"Long story short, my dear." I replied.
"The crazy guy you wanted to acquire something from portaled us here when we interrupted a different one of his acquisitions." Ruby replied.
"I knew ordering something from him would be a mistake at some point." War muttered to herself.
"Is that how he came to know of The Arena?" Conquest asked.
"Yes." War growled.
"He doesn't make it a habit of showing up in people's homes, does he?" Weiss asked.
"Depends. If James is asked to acquire something from your home, he will show up. Unless specifically asked, though, he won't deliver to your home." I answered.
"Why did you let him deliver to the Arena?" Conquest asked.
"It was a weapon he said he could get. He got it, but I didn't have a way to pay him back. So, I promised him collateral in exchange." War replied.
"What did you promise?" Yang asked.
The girls looked at her like they were looking at Ruby earlier.
"What? I'm curious." Yang replied.
"I promised him his weapons. The sniper rifle, the shotgun and pistol he uses all originally belonged to me. He named them The First, Second, and Third Acquisitions, respectively. They were the first things he acquired that he kept for his own collection." War answered.
"So that's how you came to own War Cry." Conquest muttered, an interested look on his face.
"Yes." War said.
"We are getting off topic." Famine interjected. "We have a problem, Death, do you have a solution?"
"What's the problem?" Weiss asked.
"You are." Conquest answered.
"Me?" Weiss responded.
"No, you all are." Conquest pointed at all of them.
"Not all of them, brother." I replied. "My daughter and my niece are exempt."
"Daughter?" Weiss and Yang asked.
"Reaperling makes so much more sense now." Blake muttered.
"Niece?" Famine and Ruby asked while Conquest rolled his eyes.
"Yes." I replied. "War?"
I gestured to my sister. She sighed and stepped forward.
"You have a daughter?" Famine asked.
Ruby looked at the other girls on the team trying to puzzle it out. Her eyes widened when she looked at her half-sister. Looking at them now, there was a definite family resemblance.
"Yep. About twenty or so years ago, I was bored so I decided to spend some time in the mortal world." War explained. "I found a woman who had recently died, and… assumed her identity."
"Yes, apparently it would seem that the illusion techniques I taught you also mimic souls." I spoke up. "Rather obvious now."
"Who did you replace?" Yang asked.
"The woman you think was your biological mother." War replied.
War activated the illusion she once used. In a moment, standing before us was the form of Raven Branwen.
"Wait, you replaced my mother?" Yang asked, anger starting to take hold.
"No, she is your mother." I interrupted. "Raven Branwen died two months before she started Beacon."
"Wait… how did Headmaster Ozpin not know?" Ruby asked.
"Your aunt is more subtle than any of us believed." I answered.
Yang looked at War. A kindly smile sat on my sister's face.
"Why?" Yang asked. "Why were you never there?"
"For most of it, I couldn't be." War answered. "My relationship with your father was little more than a drunken one-night stand."
"That sounds like the sister I know." Conquest said.
"Honestly, Yang honey, I didn't know what to do. I was…" War trailed off.
"She was afraid of the repercussions of having a child with a mortal." I finished.
"What would have happened? Will it still happen?" Yang asked.
"Nothing's going to happen to you. Nothing would have happened to you. Believe it or not, I'm more upset that she didn't tell me she had you than anything else." I snarked.
"I was afraid of what he might do though." War continued. "He had a kid of his own, but the soul of his wife was already in his care. Your father wasn't."
"Then you need to take into account that we all have our duties to maintain the balance of the universe. As I told you, my sister maintains the balance of war and peace." Famine spoke up.
"Wait, you said most of the time." Yang interrupted.
"Yeah. I've been there for the last few years." War replied. "Though, you probably know me by a different name. Minerva."
War snapped the next illusion she was using into place. And now I realized why Minerva looked so familiar. The illusion was little more than a different body shape and eye color.
"Not the best disguise, sister." Conquest stated.
"Good enough." War replied.
The girls were silent. Yang let loose a deep breath.
"You ok, Yang?" Ruby asked.
"I… don't know." Yang replied.
"It is a lot to take in." Weiss said.
"Does she get anything cool for being your daughter, Aunt War?" Ruby asked.
"A natural capability with most weapons. An innate understanding of warfare." War replied nonchalantly. "Not much actually."
"That's still besides the original point." Famine interjected. "She can deal with shocking familial revelations later. How are we going to deal with this?"
"We could-" Conquest began.
"YOU WILL NOT KILL MY DAUGHTER!" War roared.
"Ok… option two, we could put them under contract." Conquest suggested.
"Contract?" Ruby asked.
"Death's Soul Contracts." Conquest said.
"I don't use contracts anymore." I replied.
"Not much anymore. I do believe you used one not too long ago with-" Conquest began.
"Don't." I warned him.
"It isn't the worst idea." Famine replied.
"Fine." I sighed. "Give me a minute."
I portaled back to my office, found two soul contracts, and portaled back.
"I'm giving you two options. Sign these, or we erase the memories of today." I said.
I handed the contracts to Blake and Weiss.
"Why not one for Yang and Ruby?" Weiss asked.
"Ruby is exempt because she already knows the consequences of breaking my rules, and she is my daughter. Yang because she is War's daughter." I answered. "That being said, they will be put under more scrutiny than you two."
"What does the contract say?" Yang asked.
"It can easily be boiled down to a few points. First: you will not discuss our existence with anyone who doesn't already know. As of right now, the only two people you know who know of us, are Ozpin and The Acquirer. Second: You will not try to return to any of our realms without us. Finally: should you break these rules, your souls are mine." I answered. "In return for signing these, you get the knowledge that the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse do indeed exist, your memories will remain yours, and you can continue about your daily lives in peace."
"That doesn't seem so bad." Yang replied.
"Maybe, but it will be very uncomfortable should you actually try to break the stipulations of my contract." I responded.
"How so?" Blake asked.
"Well, considering that is a soul contract, your very soul will work to uphold your end. Should be persistent in ignoring the not so gentle nudges it gives you, well… I think you'll figure it out." Conquest answered.
"There doesn't seem to be any fine print. So, we sign this and walk away, no questions asked?" Weiss asked.
"Mostly." I replied. "I'll open a portal for you back to your dorm at Beacon. You can sign with this."
I held out a pen. A pen formed from the same power as Thine End. Blake looked at it warily before accepting the pen and signing her name. Weiss followed a moment later. With a snap of my fingers, the contracts were sealed and the pen vanished. I opened a portal back to Beacon. The girls walked through and the portal closed.
"What now?" War asked.
"Depends on what you want to do." I replied. "I'd suggest waiting for Yang to come to terms with her parentage before anything else. Honestly, I'd be more worried about my family. But you do what you want. I am going to sleep this week off, then return to my hunt for Grimshaw. Don't forget to tell the others that you've got another on the way."
"Can I tell Qrow?" War asked.
"If he signs a contract." I replied as I left the Tower.
"You're pregnant?" Famine asked as I left.
I just chuckled as I left.
ERROR-DATA_CORRUPTION-BEGIN_FILE_RECOVERY…/…
Data Log DoD-020
Thus, ends what would be Volume 1 of RWBY. Simultaneously, this is the last upload for 2021. Next week is Christmas and I probably won't upload on New Year's either. It's been a wild ride this year. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and I will see you next year.
Thank you to all who read this, your feedback and views are much appreciated. Feel free to leave ideas and recommendations for the future.
Goodbye viewer; Fare thee well.
End Log S.T.K.