Heir to the Seas
Hyperion, Neptune, Pluto and Juno have arrived to Poseidon Island by walking through the path of the ocean that was separated by Hyperion, Saturn's younger brother. Who his children have no knowledge about since they were born. "Back here again. I'd never imagine we come back here. Not since the day I have attended Sanctum field trip." Sighed Neptune. Hyperion turned to him in impression. Then reverts the seas to normal with the snap of his fingers. "The temple has been flooded for years since the Great War. And in order to restore the tides in order was to place the moon stones in the center. The sea people were written as extinct when the stones are stolen for a century after." Neptune explains.
"You have good memory for a young man like you. But there is something that is amiss than you think." Chuckled Hyperion. "Did you know to where our semblances come from?" He asks. And Neptune shook his head. There are a lot of questions about the curse. "No, not one bit. Ever since I went to Haven, my former headmaster told me that anyone who is a sea person gets hunted down. They say that they were a real danger since the Great War, the Grimm who're active in the water could sense their auras so easily. But the reasons our semblances came to existence, our ancestors were given the task to protect the seas from the lands. Precious creatures, no matter if predator or prey. Being killed at the hands of oil, agricultural activities, and poaching. Any precious thing from the seas being used as leverage of fortune without a care." Explained Neptune.
"No one else is wrong when they say you're very intel. But what you're missing is that our ancestors have survived through Milos Vasilias, throughout the Great War, 6 out of the 9,000 soldiers in Poseidon Island have survived and escape with their lives. And so, Milos was one of those survivors after his older brother Cascade have been executed for the crime he was framed for. And for that, Milos have started a family with an outsider after the island was briefly flooded. And then our blood continues to live through his veins, that is how we are here." They continue to trail to the Ocean Temple. They went through the maze of the temple. Hyperion, having been visiting the temple unlocking secrets of the past, knows the perimeter inside for a long period of time. In the end of the maze, there was nothing but vines covering the walls. There was a pedestal that contains a symbol of a trident, the same symbol Neptune always carries for gear wear. It also has a small diamond shaped keyhole.
Juno first stepped forward to the pedestal. And when she stops, she takes off a necklace that her father gave in her birthday. It was actually the key to the secret stairway into the bottom temples. Hyperion explains that the Ocean Temple contains more of the temples that were named after the depths of the ocean floors. As they walked forward, the first temple they passed was the Twilight Temple, there were glowing corals around the walls. Which lights the electric colors of blue on their hair.
The second temple is the Midnight Zone, it was always filled with vines with glowing, with the plankton sticking on the walls, like the stars. Although it was too dark to see, there where glass to touch if it's too hard to tell where to go. The next temple is the abyss zone. Icicles are always maintained for the extended years of time. It represents the ice that Ceres has for her semblance. In the corner of the half passageway, there was Ceres creating the ice crystallization. And when she turns to her family members, Neptune is horrified to see her under the control of the curse. But he maintained his emotions to not cry, or to shriek. Ceres then proceeds to follow her brothers and sister. "How is your father, Ceres?" Asked her uncle.
"His fever is burning low, he's making process of his aura. As soon as he wakes up in the trance, the better the rituals will begin." Replied, Ceres, emotionlessly. The last, but not least is the End Zone, the deepest of all temples. There are about 67 lime stone doorsteps in total, for where the Sea People used to live before the end of the Great War. This is all connected to him, and his family. "Follow me, your father won't be far." Said Hyperion. There are people coming out of their supposed homes with their eyes glowing as well. And Neptune and Hyperion seemed to be unaffected by the curse. "Who're these people?" Asked Neptune.
"These people are the last descendants of the Sea People, in other words, our brothers and sisters. For we, the Vasiliases are also the last descendants of the Sea People. They're here to join us for the Ceremony of our victory." Explained Hyperion. "For many years, we are oppressed by the land people, the outsiders who do not live in the island. Long ago, our ancestor, Cascade Vasilias, was a general in the army of the island, they have remained neutral against all the kingdoms of Remnant."
"Earlier, you said that the Schnees are our enemies. Why is that?" Neptune asked. That surname annoyed Hyperion, slightly. Although the history might repeat itself for what he was bout to tell him next. And it's something Neptune isn't going to like. "There's another story you haven't heard yet. Long after Cascade was washed to Atlas for a mission to steal the supplies for the defense of the island, should the other kingdoms declare war on our people. But then, he made an encounter that would soon made an end of his life. There he met the 2nd princess of Atlas. Her name is Avalora Schnee, from the Atlesian royal family, she is the ancestor of the Schnee Family. Like our family, the Schnees are from a rare bloodline of glyphs. Avalora somehow manipulated Cascade to gain his trust, and takes the advantage to steal the moon stones. As a result, Cascade was wrongly blamed for the thievery of the moon stones. In the end, he was executed. And when I saw Weiss Schnee, I knew at that moment, that her bloodline must be eliminated. Starting with Mistral, as we begin the flooding process. So that we will be the top of the world." Hyperion said, cunningly.
This kind of story made Neptune want to throw up. Never in his life that a family member of his would do something crazy. Yes, a Schnee in the Great War might've did wrong, and Cascade made a mistake in his life. But when he hears about wanting to kill Weiss and her family, that would mean the entire world and its population will drown with the flood. A sickening ritual will not only bring disaster and chaos, but also reduce their bodies into water if the ritual succeeds. He now regrets not walking away from Hyperion and turning away from Weiss when he was back in Argus. He now knows that his nightmares are coming back, this time it was for real life, not a vision he will have to live with. Hyperion led Neptune to the 18th doorway in the 2nd floor of the stairway, and inside is his father resting on a stoned bed. Burning in the fever. "Dad." Neptune murmured while walking over to his father. Placing his knuckle on the forehead to feel the heat.
"He'll be okay, as soon as the fever runs out on its own, he'll be joining us in the ceremony as well. I'll give you two some time alone before we proceed. Heir to the seas." Hyperion said, seriously. While Neptune ignored him and holds his father's hand. He could see how sick he was. When he opens his eyes, his eyes are blinking light blue, just like the rest of the people in the island. Neptune will be next in line to be part of the ritual. Now he knows that his nightmares will come true if he doesn't find a way to stop Hyperion's plans of world destruction. That was no fever at all, it was the first stage of the curse, which explains why Neptune is feeling the same. Why his head hurts, why he faints every time for the lack of hydration. When his eyes blink light again, Neptune rubs them to keep them in his control.
If I don't stop this soon, not only my family will die. But everyone else outside of the island too.
Argus Pier
Weiss somehow passed out after being pushed away from Neptune when he went away with his uncle and siblings. She waited for him to come to his senses, but also has second thoughts about bringing him back. Hyperion said something about her being the enemy. And what her ancestors have done to set them apart. Her mind is whether or not for what Neptune said to her was true. Was that really him saying it? Or was it just Hyperion's words feeding him to his brain? Even so, she still thinks that his own self is still around, somewhere she could reach. She then hears voices she already blocked from waking her up.
"...queen..." There it is again. And she curled up into a ball. "Go away." She muttered. Swatting a hand that tries to shake her awake. "Come on, this is no time for a nap." Said the mysterious figure. Weiss then feels something cold and wet. Causing her to jolt awake. "Ah!" Coughing off the water that was split from a grey bucket. "Hey! What's the big deal you dunce! Can't you see I'm in the middle of..." Weiss then turns to a male monkey-tailed faunus with a black unzipped shirt with two red vertical stripes on the bottom of his shoulders. The second figure is a young man with blonde hair and blue eyes, A white and gold trimmed armor from the chest to the shoulders. And a sword and a shield he was always equipped with. And the third figure was a girl, two years younger then the rest of the huntsmen, silver eyes, long black hair with red highlights, and a black dress with boots, along with a red cape and hood.
"Wakey, wakey, eggs in bakey, Ice Queen." Teased the faunus, with a grin on his face.
"Ruby, Jaune, Sun?" Weiss inquired. They all nodded. Ruby reaches her hand to her teammate, and helps her up. They turned around to see more huntsmen and huntresses, a young woman with raven hair and cat ears, Blake Belladonna. A man, also with raven hair with a magenta streak on the side of his hair. Magenta eyes. He has an archery bow with arrows hung around his upper body, Lie Ren. And there is another young woman with Raven hair and purple eyes, wearing the same clothing as Ren. Somewhat, they're related. The rest are three other young men with them, one with green hair, the other with crimson hair over the right eye, and the third with dark red hair. Sage Ayana, Scarlet David, and Nolan Porfirio. And the last but not least, Drey Brandwood. Who happens to run into the huntsmen to see what was happening.
"You guys..." Muttered Weiss.
"What happened here? You looked like you have seen a ghost." Asked Sage. Crossing his arms for questioning.
"What are you guys doing here?" Asked Weiss.
"We saw the news and went back to Argus to see what's going on. When we tried to call Neptune, he didn't answered. Then the next thing we saw, there are people walking into the water, and they never came back. And they led us straight here, and that's how we found you." Explained Jaune.
"Now we get to the real question, where's Neptune?" Questioned Sun. That is when Weiss felt her heartbeat stopped when she hears that name. Her eyes went wide. She then remembers what Neptune went through for the curse to be broken. Her hands shake in fear. "Nep...Neptune..." Those are the only words she could say before her legs shook when she moves. Before she could explain what happened, she passes out, once again before Sun and Ruby caught her before she hits the sand. But Weiss manages to wake up quickly before she completely fell unconscious. She blinked opened before she took a deep breathe.
Weiss then explains the whole story to the group. It shocks them all. Lie, who most of his friends would refer to him with his surname, comes to the conclusion that one of his men from his aunt's clan have been gone missing. Which is the surprise to the group that he has relatives left, as he was thought to be an orphan. They also walked into the deep water. Sun then sighs in despair, thinking it was his fault for not checking on his best friend, and now he is in danger.
"What?! You're saying his brother is alive, and he didn't tell us?! And now he's missing?!" Sun shouts in shock while grasping his head. He knows Neptune's brother, and he also thought he was cool for being the big brother material to him and Neptune.
"I didn't know he had a brother." Ruby stated in surprise.
"About that, we have to destroy our scrolls, so that my sister cannot track us down." Weiss finishes.
"I cannot believe he would go on his own without thinking straight. We could've been there." Sighed Scarlet.
"Wait a minute, if you say his family is in a trance because of some relative of his. Then why wasn't he affected?" Asked Jaune, scratching his head in confusion.
"Not yet he wasn't. Truth to be told, the curse of the Vasiliases has begun." Explained the raven-haired young woman. "And he was the chosen vessel to the ritual of the flood." The vague wind blow in their hair, like it was some kind of mystery.
"Okay, where'd that wind come from." Asked Jaune.
"Wait, who are you?" Asked Weiss.
"My name is Mi Ren. I am Lie's cousin. And the fourth in line to the Ren Clan. It's a pleasure to meet my cousin's friends." Perked the youngest Ren.
"So you know about this, Mi?" Asked Ren.
"Of course, cousin Lie. All of you, follow me, I won't tell you the details of the strange event here. But my mother will explain everything. We must get to Mountain Ren immediately." But before they get to the place, Blake calls out for what she is seeing. Scarlet was right upfront to check. When they got closer, it was a blue-haired man lying unconscious. His jacket's tattered and torn with holes. And his black goggles have broken lenses. Sun and Weiss immediately recognized him. It was Jupiter. "Jupiter?" Sun said. Covered in scratches and bruises. Something tell them that he got out from a fight, he must be targeted for the curse. Then two men in the Ren Clan uniform have came behind them. They are dubbed the Lotus Warriors, protectors of the Ren Family.
"Mistress Mi, Master Lie, what are your orders? Give us the word and we'll do it." Said one of the Lotus Warriors.
"You two will bring this man to the clan, he needs medical attention." Ordered Ren.
"Yes, at your service, Master Lie." The men then carried Jupiter, from the arms, to the legs. The group proceeds to follow, but Weiss looks back at the seas in despair. She hopes that Neptune didn't get killed at the hands of his mind-controlled relatives. Ruby puts a hand on her shoulder and smiles to her for assurance that he'll be okay. But it wasn't the case, as she has her anxieties have flown in her mind. Wondering what was happening in Poseidon Island.
Neptune, please stay alive. If you die, I'll never forgive myself. Thought Weiss, clutching her hand as her heart beats. For what you said to me? Is that true, that we were meant to be enemies?
Ocean Temple
Neptune is traveling around the temple's perimeter. In hopes to find the way to prevent his whole family and the descendants of the Sea People from their bodies being turned into water. Jumping from one floor to another. While remaining on cover form the eyes of the people keeping an eye on things that wasn't right. When his eyes glow, he'll have to rub his eyes to stay awake for a bit longer before the end of his humanity. But the question is, if his bloodline were referred to as the Sea People, and was out-casted after the Great War, was he even human at all?
I'll need to find the main plot point for the moon stones to restore the tides, if nothing go as planned. Then I'll have to warn Sun about this. He thought.
His uncle, Hyperion, have said something about his general. His lineage has some connection to the individual. He knew he has to hurry, or anyone else will find him missing from his father's room. In the secret cave, there was a water pit below the edge. Neptune's heart beats in partial fear. There is still some parts he hasn't gotten over just yet. But then he remembers the lessons Weiss have taught him.
So Neptune took a deep breathe to take a moment to relax from the phobia that have overcome him. Stretching his arms, but not too long to stall himself. He took a step back and runs from the edge in front and dives into the water. Holding his breathe for as long as he can. With his goggles over his eyes. The sounds were muffled by the water in his ears. Then he moves his arms back and forth. Kicking while diving into the light that might lead him to the answers. He then reaches the surface of the underwater passage.
Guess these lessons paid off. Thanks, Weiss.
To his surprise, there are tombstones with his surname on it. All of the tombstones belonged to his ancestors. Including his grandfather, Uranus. He appeared out of nowhere, along with his ancestors, if alive or just ghosts. Then the left eye flashes in light. It shows a flashback in the forest of Anima, where Cascade Vasilias was having a standoff with the woman with white hair, silver armor, and an white loincloth. A white diamond in her upper armor part. Both of them are staring at them dead in the eyes.
"Avalora, is this true? Did you steal the moon stones from my island?" Asked Cascade. Avalora cannot look at him in the eye as her eyes squinted, then she showed him the pouch carrying the moon stones, stolen from the temple. Cascade gasped in disbelief that his beloved would commit the crime that would end the world.
"This is for my kingdom, not for you. You have to understand, I am doing for what's best for Remnant. Forgive me, Cascade!" They drew their weapons and clash with each other in a flash of another light. Sending Neptune back into the present for when he covered his eyes. His ancestors have appeared before him. Staring at him directly, then Uranus approached him until he stops 20 meters away from Neptune.
"We are the last descendants of Milos Vasilias, whose goal is to prevent the reincarnation of Cascade Vasilias. In addition to the curse. Our bloodline has been out-casted at the hands of Cascade. Once he reincarnates in the body of the chosen descendant, he'll rise against those who lacks water semblances. His soul, along with a stolen body, will survive while those with rare water bloodlines will dissolve into water. So we ask for your favor to stop Hyperion, before the ritual is complete. We're counting on you, Heir to the Seas." They all clutched their fists to their chests in respect. Then the spirits of the Vasiliases stood back for Milos to walk by them. To have the last words to Neptune before disappearing.
"You are..." Neptune paused.
"You must stop what my older brother have already started. He must not flood Remnant." Begged Milos, then all the ghosts vanished in thin air. There is another light in the hole. From where the boulder is opening in response to Neptune's footsteps. There is another pedestal in the narrow walkway. In a circular surfaced floor where the falls are on each side of the area. There are the four colored holed for the four seasons. Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. This is his chance to set the curse straight. Before anything bad could happened. Unfortunately for Neptune, there are guards watching from the ceiling.
He then spun in alert, spinning his guandao for defense. Before he could place the moon stones. Which he took back from Juno, secretly. But the truth is, the stones are fake, made out of mold. He knows that Hyperion will get his hands on the stones to prevent the curse form being lifted. 7 of the guards have surrounded him to bring him back to Hyperion. But he used his energy to keep away from them.
One guard in sea clad armor have came up behind him and swung his fists, but Neptune ducked under and elbowed his chest to knock him away. Then another went forward, and Neptune pushes him away with the Tri-hard. Bounces another once behind him, yet again. Spinning his weapon to smack the guards forward. Until he is stopped when he is electrocuted by Juno's whiplash. Causing him to grunt in agony, and his aura to deplete. He fell to the floor, and his head hit sideways to see Hyperion walking towards him in disappointed.
"You dare to defy your family? You're just like Jupiter, he's even more persistent when I selected him to be the vessel. But this time, you won't be the next to escape. Juno, being him to the chamber, the ceremony must begun." Ordered Hyperion. "If I were to be honest to your father, is that how much I wanted to say sorry to your mother. For not loving her, the way Saturn does. But I will miss her when she drowns, after all, she raised such strong vessels. Won't you agree?"
Even if Neptune is unconscious, he could still hear those horrific words he said about his mother. How blind and insane could he be. His goggles were left on the floor, and Hyperion steps on them. Breaking the lenses. Those goggles were a precious gift from his parents. And he took that away from him, just like he's going to take away his free will. Hyperion will stop at nothing to serve Cascade Vasilias to rid the Kingdoms of Remnant, as the causes of the world to raise such negative emotions. Now Neptune regrets to have leave Weiss behind. Just like in his dreams, she and everyone else will die because of the ritual that will begin.
The next moment, Neptune wakes up. Only to find himself restrained to a circulated rock. His wrists being bounded to the surface with cement that scratches after he struggles to break. From what he could tell, he is in the pit full of brick walls surrounding him. Looking up, there were people cheering, and Hyperion was standing above him, smiling maliciously like it was something to be proud of. Neptune never thought he would go this far to make sacrifices to make him the vessel.
"Brothers and sisters, we all gathered here to finally, never again will we set foot on the kingdoms of Remnant! Never again will we face any more creatures of Grimm! Never again, will we see another pollutant when we flow the tides! And our chosen one will make sure our victory, is secured! As our general!" He gestured at Neptune who is bellow the crowd. The crowd cheered, even against their own wills. Chanting Cascade's name. Then the water leaks form the walls, making Neptune panicking to pull his arms from the restraints. His doom is coming for him to take his soul, and then another will claim his body to reincarnate.
This is it. I guess there's no other way around. Goodbye, Weiss. I am sorry for what I said to you. And to everyone else, I am sorry.