Hyperion
Mistral
Lydia just turned just got home with the medicine for the fever. It was too much for her to endure the exhaustion since the medications are only available in Argus. It would've been better if Ceres can care for her father, had she not been assigned to transfer to Vale. After all, she is a medic in the family. She tried calling the doctors operating on Saturn multiple times if any results have changed, but the answers are the same. He was healthy, even in the state of the fever. Which to her, is unusual. Slightly angered at this, she has thoughts about suing them for medical neglect and fraud. But she didn't have the time for it, as she was hoping that Saturn would get better eventually. But to her suspicion, when she reached for the carpet she always leaves under for the front door. She saw that the key is gone.
How strange. Just when she got back, the key is nowhere to be found, and to her suspicion, the door was opened. In her thoughts, Juno and Pluto must've come home after taking too long to wait for a flight from Vacuo when finished with a huntsmen mission. And forgot to closed the door for when they came inside the house. "Juno and Pluto might be home by now. I hope Saturn's okay. His fever is burning up." Lydia said to herself. "Wait until Neptune gets here." She then pushed the opened door forward and was about to have unwelcomed company. "Sweetheart! Is everything okay?! I saw the door opened..." Lydia was caught off guard when she froze for an ambush. The last thing she hears is a splash, and then she passed out.
"AHH!"
Neptune and Weiss arrived to his parents' house for a surprise visit coming from his twin older siblings. That's when Weiss just realized he has two more siblings, she is eager to meet them. But at the same time, she also feels nervous. "Are you sure bout this, Neptune? I just don't know if they'll like me because...you know..." She says, nervously. He acknowledged the fact that she isn't sure of how they react if they see her because she is a Schnee. But he wouldn't care for who she is, as long as he sees her on the inside. And if his siblings couldn't accept her, then let them, cause to him, her happiness means more to him than anyone could think.
"Hey, don't think about it right now, Snow Angel. It won't matter what they think. For now, let's just keep cool." Neptune winked.
"Aw you." She giggled. A smile on her expression has her cheeks flustered. Now that Neptune is cleared of all charges thanks to Jupiter, he is free to roam around Mistral, which explains why no one questioned him or Drey. Whom he almost forgot about after the tidal wave in an abandoned town of Mantle. But he also got a text, telling him about the testimony against both Carlos Vega and Rick Argo. Both of them are also sentenced to life in prison and are scheduled to be transferred to the Vacuo Prison. But unfortunately, the authorities did say that they will give them an update for 2 weeks, but when it was time, none have came. Which is strange.
"Any update from your sister yet?" Asked Neptune. Weiss checked her scroll for a missed call or a text message. But there was none, wondering if she was being too hard on her over the experiment her father have subjected her into. "No, not yet. I think I was being too hard on her. I know we have our differences, but she's still my sister." But she still worried for her, but cannot see her today. But then Weiss have unknowingly bumped onto Neptune's back as if something have stopped him from entering his house. "Neptune?" She inquires. He was staring at the door that was opened. Then there were heel prints, a sign that his mother has arrived from an errand.
But something was wrong, normally Lydia would always leave the door locked when she either went out for work, and when she went back home. Never in her life she would leave the door unlocked. But there was someone inside the house, and they has to check it out. The door creaked opened as Neptune pushed the doorknob. Peeking between it. They pulled out their weapons, aware that their enemies could be inside, waiting to strike them. They burst in to check the perimeter. They turn to each of the sides of the house to remain vigilant.
It was too quiet. There was no sound. "Hello?! Mom?! Dad?! Are any of you there?!" No answer for his calls. There has to be a break-in. Or worse, a kidnapping. Weiss then gasped for when she sees someone lying on the floor. It was Lydia, knocked out and wet. "Neptune, come quick!" She called. Helping Lydia in a sitting position. "Oh my god, Mom!" Neptune rushes over and checks for any injuries. She took the time to progress before facing her son. Then looks at him in surprise, caressing his cheek. "Sweetie, is that you?" She stammered. And Neptune nods. Then she sobbed for something she have never experienced before. The pair tried to comfort her to give her the time needed for her what happened in the house.
"Mom, what happened? Where's Dad?" Asked Neptune, Weiss checked the living room and there was something else. A blanket left on the floor next to the loveseat, she heard from Neptune that his mother informed him that his father have been having a fever. So they came to visit to see how is he doing? But he disappeared as well. "I checked the living room, he's not here." Said Weiss. Lydia continues crying, Neptune helps her up to give her something to drink to calm her down. Weiss remains in the living room to help close the doors, in case another thing is coming. "Here, Mrs. Vasilias. you might need to dry up." She handed her the towel to dry up the soaked spots in her clothing. "Please, just call me Lydia. And...thank you." Lydia remembers her promise to Willow, which she cannot tell what it is just yet. Looking at her, she does have the resemblance to her mother.
She did told her that Weiss is more than welcomed if she stops by. "Can you tell us what happened? Who did this to you?" Weiss asked. Lydia shivered from the cold feeling of water that she was attacked with. Neptune came back to her with some hot tea poured in a mug. And hands it to her. "It was just awful." Lydia whimpered. "When I came back from the pharmacy store in Argus, I was about to give you father some medicine. Then I noticed the door was opened. It was a bad feeling, because I always left the door unlocked. Then I thought Pluto forgot to lock the door again, as always. When I entered the house, there was someone waiting for me to knock me out. It was water sprayed on me. The last thing I saw, is a man. I thought he looked familiar. He resembles your father, but much younger. The next thing I knew, your father...he is gone. Gone! He took him." She sobbed. Neptune jolted at those words, hearing that his father has disappeared. Weiss rubs her back to not let the memory affected her too much. "Mom, why don't you go upstairs and rest? I think you've been through enough for one day." Neptune told his mother. Without hesitation, Lydia went to her bedroom to get some rest, wanting her husband's kidnapping to be like it was all just a bad dream. Even if this is real.
He then turned to Weiss. "I need you to stay with my mom until I get back. Gotta find Dad." He told her. But Weiss shook her head, she knew it would be risky for Neptune to go on his own without getting himself harmed. So she grabbed his wrist to stop him from exiting the house. "No, I am going with you." Weiss said to him. But then, Neptune feels a headache, it was all of a sudden. As his eyes blinked in light blue before changing back to normal. He then began to rub his forehead. "Are you okay?" Weiss asked, gently placing her knuckle against his forehead. It was burning up. "You're burning up." Neptune then slowly pushes her hand down before he keeps going.
"I'll be fine. I just need to go. Watch over Mom for me." But Weiss isn't going to let him go. And she pulls him back again. "No way! I am not letting you get hurt this time. Let me go with you." She huffed, but Neptune snatches his hand back and keeps walking to the exit. "Are you even listening?! I'm not going to let you die! What if this is the enemy's plan to capture you?! We'll find your dad in another way! Just please don't." Weiss pleaded and looks at him straight, Neptune knows she cannot refrain from fighting since she cared for him very much. That is when there was no other option. He then holds her shoulders. And Weiss blushes, like some kind of comfort to her. Her heart beats from the stare in his ocean colored eyes. He then pulled her into a hug. "I'm sorry, you're right." He lets one arm go while still close to her. Clutching to his fist to strike Weiss into the abdomen. "Ugh!" She grunted. And then limps down, unconscious.
Neptune lifts her up and carries her to the same loveseat his father have been resting. She is then lying peacefully on the couch. He then covers her with a blanket to keep her from coming after him. "Sorry, it's better not to risk your life for me. I've already done enough damage to you." A tear then rolls from her right eye, and Neptune wipes it off for her, before exiting the house to search for his father. "Forgive me, Weiss. For I'm about to do something real stupid." He noted, but he was stopped by his mother. "Son, wait!" She panted.
"Mom, I know you're worried. But you cannot stop me. I'm bringing back Dad if it means killing me." Neptune told her. But Lydia then compose as she knows that, and had something else in mind. With her fist clutched on chest. And nods. "I know, but there is something I would want to give you first." Lydia then handed him a small pouch of medical supplies he might needed. "Don't worry, I'll look after her. Just please come back alive with your father. I don't want anything happened to you, just like what happened to your brother." She begged calmly. And Neptune walks in silence, taking a yes for an answer. Lydia then stares with worry as her son have keep moving forward to the trail that leads to the bottom of the mountains.
Argus Pier
Neptune is waiting for another ferry to arrive to head to Poseidon Island. He has a theory that his father might be in that very island, where his family semblances have originated since the Great War. He continues reading the pages in the journal of Cascade. If his father was ill, then how was he out of bed? He knew all too well that he is courageous at heart, but also very stubborn when it comes to fighting Grimm. Although it was too dark at night, but the ferry isn't going to close until 12AM. The ferry might be late for some reason. He already bought a ticket to the island at 10PM, but it was a no-show.
February 15th
It has been almost two months since I met Avalora. But like us the Sea People, we are outsiders with no connection to the four kingdoms. Therefore we remain neutral for the time being. But to this day, that meeting came with the price. I have no regrets meeting an outsider. Years ago, my brother, Milos are assigned as warriors to protect the moon stones. It was very harsh, but that is how we see the world as a harsh place. Our parents said to us, that we would have to endure the reality of the war. Never trust anyone outside of the island. While I was 15, and my brother was 13 at the time the maidens handed us the moon stones of Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall to balance the world's oceans.
I know what you're thinking, wasn't it too harsh for us to train in those ages? Actually, it's our way for survival since the kingdoms of Remnant have started the Great War. Our ancestors have been guarding the island for centuries to come. Both land and sea become separate worlds. We always thought of them as nothing more than pollutants, every one of our people was either captured, killed, or manipulated because how rare our semblances are. Which could be true. Any who, the moon stones are sealed in the maze of the Ocean Temple. If the stones are in the wrong hands, then the possibilities of the world being flooded, including our island. Not only that, but the curse of our semblances.
To our descendants, heed our warning. The stones must remain in the temple, otherwise the world of Remnant will be swallowed in water, and then our bodies will be reduced to water, if nothing was done. I, Cascade Vasilias, have trusted an outsider, and cannot deny the fact that I have made a foolish decision to make matters worse. This is my last note before I parted ways from the world. Avalora and I have decided to start anew when our plans didn't go as planned. My people and I were deemed dangerous to the rest of the world, all the kingdoms agreed to take our lives after my brother have to defended me from an admiral in Mistral. But at the cost of our freedom. I have discussed with her about going somewhere where no one will find us. Where there's both land and sea.
We knew no one will approve of our association, maybe it's for the best. I knew Milos will be upset about this also. I regretted for betraying him. But the way I was raised, this isn't who I wanted to be. Being the future queen isn't what Avalora wants either. We both have our struggles. When I was preparing to leave the island without being noticed, when I arrived in the piers of Anima, I was waiting for Avalora to meet me there. Only to see in my own eyes, that she has taken the moon stones. And then she attacked me. I couldn't believed all of this. She told me to forgive her, as she raise her sword on me. I didn't have a choice but to fight her to take back the stones.
I don't know why she was doing this, but this is punishment for being blind. However, to me shock, she has thrown away the stones into the ocean. They're all gone to who knows where to. She was forced to kill me. I knew that in her heart, she was threatened with something she didn't want to do. There wasn't anyway to save her from herself. For the final straw, I have killed her. I couldn't look at her in the eye as she pleaded for me to forgive her. I couldn't understand why, but the damage was already finished. So I went back to the island and there I was informed to be sentenced to death for the neglect of my duties as the moon stones are already gone. I was so angry at Avalora for putting me through such pain, such heartache.
Milos also started to hate me after hearing for my association with an outsider. If there's anything I wanted to say to him is that I am sorry for the pain I have caused him. If I haven't met Avalora, this all could've been prevented. The day of the execution has finally came. Even though Avalora did wrong, I still loved her with all my heart. Her face is all I could see during my imprisonment. I'm not going to ask for forgiveness, all I want now, is to be with her, but her last words will pierce me forever, that it was for her kingdom, not for me. And that I am nothing more than an outsider cooped up in an island. This is goodbye, to my comrades, to my brother, and to Avalora. And for that, the curse will proceed in about 100 years.
Neptune finished reading the page as the boat still wouldn't come. He then lifts his head from the book, and groans in frustrations to hear that there was a delay for the ferry to arrive. "What was taking so long? It's 9PM in the night. Had to be closed in midnight. Guess I'll have to call for a flight." Neptune puts away his journal in his bag and makes his leave for a flight to Poseidon Island. But before he could stepped off the dock, there was someone else leaning against the support beams of wood. And Neptune became startled when he spoke. He was under the shadow to not show his face just yet. As his head is still lowered under the spotlight of the lamppost.
"What's with the hurry? You look like you have something interesting in your pockets. Including the journal of Cascade Vasilias." Neptune gasped softly, as he heard what he knows about the journal and the moon stones. And yet, he didn't know the fella who happened to be eavesdropping in the pier. "Our general will be more than pleased to have those items back."
"I don't understand. How did you know about the journal, and the stones?" Asked Neptune. He wasn't talking as he remained in a calm manner. The he feels a headache again. His eyes gleamed again in a flash of light blue. He rubbed his head in pain. The fever hasn't lessened since he arrived at the pier. He tired to pick in his medical supplies for some meds, but it was empty. It was unlikely for items to disappear. "What the-?" Neptune was in shock to see the bag empty. "Ahem." The man coughed and showed him the meds that was supposed to belonged to his mother. "Just who...are you?"
"Is that anyway to greet your uncle? Oh, that's right. I have been dead for a long time." The man smirked. He then walks forward into the light, showing his face. Wearing a grey t-shirt, and a belt strapped from the shoulder to the waist. He too has dark blue eyes and light blue hair. The rare physical traits of the Vasilias Family. But he is someone Neptune hasn't seen before. But somewhere in his memory, is was too faint. He could tell is in one of the photographs he cannot seem to put a finger on it. "But, since this is our first meeting face to face. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Hyperion. And I have come for you and our entire family."
"Wait, what?" Neptune's brows furrowed. The two more people came from behind him as he walked backwards and bumps into them. They are a boy and a girl in the same height, taller than Neptune. With similar traits as him. "Juno? Pluto? Where have you guys been? Moms' been worried sick." But they weren't listening, then he sees their eyes glowing light blue, just like him. Something tells him this is part of the curse. "Juno, Pluto, do me a favor and take your dear little brother to the island." He snapped his fingers. Juno then sways her hand to summon a bubble of water to the pier. And blasts it straight to Neptune. Weiss who happens to have woken up from passing out. Went looking for Neptune, for he was about to take risk, again. She then hears splashing from the road as there was stairs leading to the beach. Weiss then runs down the stairs to see what was happening.
"Neptune?!" She called. Weiss is then stopped by the stream of water by Pluto. But he misses as it hits the walls of the stairs instead. Weiss avoided by using her glyph. He then blasts more water at her, unsuccessfully. "Who are you?!" She demands. But neither of the Vasilias twins are answering and mindlessly continuing to attack. Neptune hears a commotion from behind and saw her fighting Pluto.
"Stop this, Pluto! Do you realized what you were doing?!" Neptune yelled while dodging Juno's semblance. Until he was knocked to the ground. The stones then fell from his pocket. Juno then picks them up from the dock. "Hey, give them back, that's not yours!" Yelled Neptune.
"Isn't it obvious, it's time for our kind to take back what's rightfully ours for the taking. Finish what our ancestors have failed to finish." Implied Hyperion. Pluto then jumps into the water to avoid Weiss' upcoming attacks. "Where did he go?" Weiss asked herself, before Pluto appeared behind her in a bubble of water and he pushes it to her. Weiss proceeds to block it with her glyph. As it dissipates, Pluto then barrel his own spear and charges at her.
Meanwhile, Neptune keeps avoiding Juno's spraying of water. Blocking her water whip before it gives him the cut in the center of his face. As Juno trips passed her younger brother, her blade accidently gives him a cut on the left cheek. Similar to their elder brother's scar. They then spun to face each other again. "Juno, wake up!" Shouted Neptune. With the water dust crystal in her weapon, Juno can create a whip out of it. It is also mixed with electricity dust. As they all say that both elements don't mix. But it was proven dangerous otherwise. Juno keeps hitting the spots of the docks where Neptune has rolled to to keep dodging. Creating holes on the docks.
Weiss then uses her glyphs with fire dust at Pluto. But it didn't have any affect when Pluto uses water to turn it into vapor. It then turns into fog. Hyperion glances at Weiss to see her glyphs. And it rang a bell of what kind of bloodline she comes from. The day her ancestor have stolen the moon stones from the Ocean Temple. That glyph. I recognized it anywhere. She has got to be a Schnee. Her ancestors will pay for the sin they have committed. I cannot believe one of Saturn's children have align himself, with a Schnee. Thought Hyperion in disgust. Pluto then clashes with his khopesh against Weiss' Myrtenaster. Setting them both apart. Weiss then sees the glowing light of his eyes. "Neptune! Look at their eyes! Something's wrong!" Called Weiss.
Neptune notices the same at Juno's eyes. "Oh man, she is right." He said to himself. Before he swats the whip with his Tri-hard. "Give it up, Neptune. You have a destiny to serve to rise the tides all over Remnant. For you are the catalyst." Retorted Hyperion. But Neptune didn't hear him too busy fighting Juno. "Tell me, Juno?! Where's Dad?!" But she didn't answer, yet again. As Neptune caught an end of the whip in the middle of his guandao. They are now caught in the tug pulling each other back and forth. Neptune then.
Weiss manages to finish Pluto off when he comes across another swirl of water by swinging his blade, and twirls it between him fingers. Then lashes out at her. But she took the advantage by forming the water into ice and traces it to the younger twin Vasilias. Pluto failed to notice this and was too late to dodge it. As the stream connected to him was crystalized within the frozen formation. She then makes one powerful cross slash with her rapier, and breaks the ice, weakening Pluto. Luckily, he was only unconscious for a moment.
Neptune is left corner between his sister and Hyperion. Juno then glanced at Pluto, already defeated by Weiss. Her eyes daggered at her, and then she went after her to not let her interfere with Hyperion's purpose. But Neptune stood in front of her and bounces his Tri-hard at her. "Let them go, Hyperion! There's nothing you can do now!" Warned Neptune. But Hyperion still chuckled. "Oh, Neptune. What has your father been teaching you this whole time? Let alone having such blind infatuation with that Schnee. Don't you even realized who're you dealing with? That young-woman is the enemy. Her lineage has wrought our bloodline for centuries. Of all the people in the lands, they're nothing but animals, and pollutants. But us, the Vasiliases, we can change everything that was in ruins." Looking back of how Jupiter gave Winter the dirty look, he could tell they have some bad history in their younger days. The way how he describes Weiss.
He then looks back at her. She has the fearful expression, hearing that her family line might've done something wrong to that family. She doesn't know that there was a story to it. Neptune knows that just because of one of her ancestor's crimes, does not make her one. But then he remembers how everyone would criticized her for being an heiress of a company that was tainted by her father. Her name, her blood. Born with guilt and coldness. "Don't listen to him, Neptune! What if he tries to do something to you?!" Protested Weiss. She then points her sword at Hyperion's throat to convince him to surrender. "What did I tell you? The Schnees are nothing but a threat to us all. What you're seeing now is a girl threatening me."
"Come away with us, and we can fix everything the Great War has wrecked. We will rid the pollutants who would try and stop us. You have the very vessel that could save our lineage." Said Hyperion in a manipulative tone of voice. Neptune is having second thoughts about what he said about the sole purpose. What could've been done to prevent the curse from happening. He then looks at his siblings, all under the control of the very curse. He closes his eyes with his arms crossed. Then opens them again and realized, this could be the key to the answers of his ancestors' curse. He then pushes the rapier down from where Hyperion is standing. Then looks at him directly in the eyes. And sighs. "Alright, I'll come with you. Just take me to my dad and I'll serve whatever proposition you have." Bowed Neptune.
Hyperion then chuckled with delight. Weiss gasped in shock to hear that he accepted a position so cruel. He then uses his semblance to push the water in between to create a path for them on their way. Juno and Pluto walked forward first, and then Hyperion gestures Neptune to follow. Neptune knew if that's where his father and elder brother are, then that's where he's going. That is what he meant to not let Weiss follow, knowing she would be desperate to keep him safe. Weiss frantically grabs his wrist to not let him out of her sight. "No, Neptune. You're not going through this aren't you? Think of how your mom would feel if you walk into that path." Pleaded Weiss. But Neptune swats her hand away, and then knocks her away with the stream of water, catching her off guard. "They're right, you mean nothing to me. Your purpose was to wipe us out. You're a liar, and a scum. That's all you'll ever be." Said Neptune with a cold-hearted tone.
He never meant to hurt her, but it was his way to keep her out of danger. Much to the pleasure of Hyperion who led his niece and nephews to Poseidon Island between the lines of the oceans. Leaving Weiss heartbroken, at the words he said to her, like she was nothing to him.