The Raid in Poseidon Island
Weiss awakens to find herself in a bedroom she is not familiar with. Her eyes fluttered from taking time to arose from the pillow her head was resting on. She thought it was all a dream at first. As much as she wants to believe. But then she made progress to recall what actually happened.
Neptune being possessed by his ancestor. The meeting at the Temple of Ren about Neptune's curse. Winter and Jupiter's altercation, and her conversation with Ren before that. And then the last thing, Jupiter firing a bullet meant for Hyperion. But it was missed as it headed for Cascade on Neptune's body.
And then, she took the shot for him. Not willing to let him die. Passing out in a process. Weiss was sure that she died from that shot, considering the painful shot she has taken from Jupiter by accident.
Weiss then removes the bed sheet covering her to see the wound already wrapped in bandages. The blood was dried for now. Oh that's right, that shot Jupiter made was meant for Hyperion. But instead I took it for Neptune for when he missed. I'm sure he didn't mean to do that. Hopefully, Winter knows that too.
Then Weiss realizes, it was Cascade who have sparred her and brought her here in the Ocean Temple. "Neptune! I have to save him or he's done for!" She then rushed to the door, only to find that it was locked. Jiggling the knob multiple times cause there is no keyhole to use a hair pin to pick locks.
"Really?" She sighs. She then uses her glyph to broke both knobs from each side. Luckily her aura has healed from the wound. It was successful, the doorknob has fallen loosely. The door creaked opened. Weiss then looks around from each side if the aisle. There were still a few people around in the left aisle. Weiss narrowed the door to not let anyone see her. When the coast went quiet, that is the moment she come out of the room. She then rushes out of the home Cascade used to live and hid from the mind-controlled beings of the Sea's temple. The very part of the ocean nobody saw before.
Come to think of it, this was said to have an underground base. It looks like the manuscripts are correct. Neptune, I'll help you break this curse and save you and everyone else here. Or die trying.
While the group manages to find the location of Poseidon Island, there was nothing but water and waves. They all stared dumbfounded that nothing was there. Sun scratches his head in frustration. "Argh! What is this?!" He said.
"I don't know, the island is exactly where it's supposed to be. But now it disappeared." Ruby said. Jupiter steps forward to tell them something he knew better than anyone else could tell. "That's because as part of the curse, the island has sunken into the bottom of the ocean. We might as well have to swim here. But who knows how long we could hold our breathes." Said Jupiter.
"Well, we have friends who could help with our situation." Mai pointed to the right side of the ship. There is another ship what is blue-schemed colored. A ship similar to the Ren Clan's. The sail has a symbol of a dolphin. "I would like to introduced you to the Mizu Clan. Great allies of ours aside from my husband's clan. They too are the descendants of the sea warriors. We put a protection barrier to prevent them from getting into a trance." A man in Mai's age have greeted her with a bow. And his son, both have light brown hair, blue and white traditional tang suits. A plank allows them to walk onto the Rens' battleship. "This is Kaito Mizu and his son, Kishi."
"It's a pleasure to see you again, old friends, Lady Mai and Lord Choi. And to you too, Lady Mi, my son and I will lend you any assistance as requested." They bowed back.
"It's a pleasure to see you as well. We have a favor to ask of you. You see, the Ocean Temple has already sunken in the ocean. Our allies here could use some help getting there. If you please. As a thanks to your daughter and nephew for saving my son from the Sustrai Tribe." Requested Mai. Kaito then nods as a yes. and then turned to his son and nods as well. Kishi then instructs the group to jump into the water as a way to give his semblance all. They all dove down underwater, until Kishi joins them to create an air bubble for them to land on the sunken island's ground. This way they could breathe.
They walked into the Ocean Temple. The huntsmen looks around in amazement at the ocean's beauty. Including the temple. "Wow, so this is what the oceans' like." Wowed Sage. "It's quiet, but amazing."
"Focus guys. We have to save Weiss and Neptune before anything happens to them. Then we get the moon stones to lift the curse." Said Blake.
"Easy come, easy go. Save the others, then place the moon stones to their rightful place. Simple." Chirped Sun.
"Didn't you hear Ruby when this place is absolutely, one-hundred percent, guarded by the people inside the temple?" Frowned Scarlet. "In case you have forgotten. Cascade, or whatever his name was, is probably the top commander of this place." He then looks down at his shoes after feeling the squish of movements. "Great, if there's two things I hate, is sand and water in my shoes."
"Seriously, what is it with you about your shoes?" Said Sun.
"Can we worried about that later?" Jaune said. They then entered the temple, the fountains are still active as always even after the fall of the Poseidon Island in the Great War. The temple was formed beneath the barrier meant for air. The moment they walked through it, the air bubble popped on its own. Kishi leads them to the maze, he knew about the temple more than anyone else should. They are also aware that they need to be on their guard for any enemies to arrive. Especially the Vasilias family. Even if it is against their own wills, they still have powerful semblances.
When they reached the end of the maze, they were in disbelief that it was just it, just a panel for the key. "That's it? What a bummer." Sighed Blake. Kishi then steps forward to the panel. "Hold it, I have an inheritance my father gave me should any cases like this happened." It was the similar key that Juno has from her father. He pierced it into the keyhole and it opens the stairway passage. "So there are actually parts of the temple we haven't seen before. I have been here once, but didn't see this coming." Said Mi.
"Exactly, Lady Mi. There is a reason for why this temple has a bit of security." Said Kishi.
"Be on your guard, who knows when there will be an element of surprise." Said Ruby.
"No signal here, this place must be very protective against cell services." Said Lie while looking at their scrolls for cell services. But no bars are lit.
"Maybe it would be a good idea if we can split up and search for the two of them." Suggested Blake.
"It would be faster is we can find them both in a separate way." Said Sun. They all nodded. Everyone else is either with a partner, or going solo. Blake went with Sun. Lie takes Mi and Kishi with him. Ruby and Jaune went off. Nolan with Scarlet, and then Sage goes on his own. Leaving Winter and Jupiter to split to search for their siblings. Kishi's eyes blinked light blue, just like the other sea warriors. The Ren cousins saw the flash behind them. And turned to Kishi. "Are you okay?" Asked Lie.
"Forgive me, my friends. But I don't have much time. The barrier art that Lady Mai placed on me and my clan isn't going to last long. We must hurry to lift the curse." Urged Kishi. And they nodded.
Weiss meanwhile searches for the moon stones that Cascade have taken form her while she was unconscious in the temple. While avoiding getting caught. There was the treasure chamber, but for when she reaches the chamber, there was him. A familiar face, the same height that was taller than her. She hid behind the statue of Milos to observe for what he is doing. Standing in the middle of the chamber of the execution room, Neptune, or rather Cascade, is opening the ceiling as the full moon shows with a lever. "Finally, the night has finally come. Tonight's the night we will overtake the lands." He said to himself. "Now, everyone must gather for the real ceremony to begin. To collect their auras." He then feels the depression in his heart. As if there were two sides of him he has to take sides with.
One where it tells him to not let the curse overtake him. The second one told him to proceed the grand ritual. He then began to talk to himself, as if he was talking about his choices in life. What he wants to do in a young age. But is he really talking to himself? Or was he talking to someone inside his mind?
"What do you mean I have to let this go? Do you have any idea what I've been going through? No, you don't. I am going to give them the taste of their own medicine. No Grimm will ever come across us again. Yes I will be alone for the moment when everyone else is gone. Sorry, but your family will have to disappear in a long time. At least this way, you will rest in peace, once I flood Remnant, and have Avalora by my side once again. I'm sorry it has to be this way, but they all led me no choice. Just be glad that your body and aura will have something to accomplish. After all, it is very useful, in Hyperion's opinion." Said Cascade. "Just be glad she'll join you in the afterlife as well when your soul diminishes. Cause her body will become the very vessel for Avalora." Weiss gasped and has thoughts that he was referring to her. Hyperion springs from the water on the corner of the chamber that has a circular floor while the water surrounds it with a narrow path still in the front lines.
"What is it this time?" Questioned Cascade.
"The vessel of your choosing has escaped." Hyperion replied. Much to Cascade's charging. "What?! You're supposed to keep an eye on her. And now I cannot be reunited with her." But he calmed down and thought of another idea. "Never mind that. Send a search party to find her. And make sure the entrance is secured." Ordered Cascade. And Hyperion left with a nod in response. Weiss then slowly spun without looking, making sure he wasn't looking back. But then accidently broke the arm of the hollowed statue. Causing Cascade to hear and turned around to see Weiss. "So that's where you're hiding. I remembered catching a glimpse of you in the royal courtyard without the king catching us, Avalora." Said Cascade.
But Weiss stared at him directly. Putting her hand on her Myrtenaster. "My name isn't Avalora. It's Weiss. Do not mistake me for somebody else. I saved your life for Neptune's sake, not yours. And you better stop this right now and give me the moon stones at once." She demanded. But he shook his head, refusing to give up the stones that will lifted the curse. "I can't. This is my chance to rid the pollutants and the Grimm around us. Think about it, this way, we won't have to deal with the pain and tragedies that the Great War has started."
"No, I won't let you. Neptune, if you're in here. You have to wake up." Pleaded Weiss. But there was no response. Winter just showed up at the chamber's entrance but was stopped when Cascade forms a cyclone. "Weiss!" She called. Weiss turned to see her and then spun back. As Jupiter showed up, he made it in the spit the two are before the cyclone blocks him. "Made it. Not a moment too soon." He then turned to his possessed younger brother, seeing the eyes of the ghost have pained him to witness this. "What has he done to you, bro?" He said to himself. He then walks over to him and looks at his brother's eyes straight. Then he punches him by the cheek. In hopes to wake him up from this possession. Weiss covers her mouth in horror. Winter is also in shock seeing this, and wishes that she could do anything to have her sister to not see this. But with the cyclone in the way, she doesn't stand a chance.
"Neptune! Wake up! You need to wake up now!" Yelled Jupiter.
"Stop this, what are you doing?!" Weiss shrieked.
"Your name is Neptune Vasilias, you're my brother! A huntsman! A member of Team SSSN! Remember who you are!" Jupiter yelled at him to remind him of who he once was. His eyes were shut, briefly. But then opened up to have his eyes still glowing. There is still no response from his other side. Only leaving him a bruise. The once awkward but beloved brother Jupiter always has and disappeared on while he faked his own death. "There is no use. Neptune's soul is still asleep in a matter of minutes. The only thing you're hurting is his body. Neither one of us will feel any pain."
"What?" Jupiter eye-widened. Then he stepped back when Cascade stared at him, like he had something in mind to hurt him, mentally. "With this body, I was able to look into the memories of one's vessel. This one, you claimed to be your brother. I saw his memories. One where you have thrown him into the water cause you think he was too weak because he is afraid of the water. And as a result, you took matters into your own hands to unlock his semblance. He had been shaken from every sight of water. And for that, you were to blame for him to lament his cowardice. Admit it, Jupiter. You were at fault for putting him in this state. And for disappearing on your whole family, all for the sake of ridding the one entity who cause the four kingdoms to divide." Cascade walks around in paces, rounding Jupiter, who stood still in silence. Frozen by the guilt he had to endure. Winter couldn't believe she hears this. To throw one's sibling in the pits of fear.
Jupiter has his mind set, wanting to take matters into his own hands. What he put his brother through, puts Neptune enough pain. He remembers when Neptune was four-years-old, he did see the fear and anguish in his eyes when he dangled him from the pier. Jupiter was too late to make up for the mistakes he made. It could've killed his brother, the closest one to him. He cared for him when he was just a baby. And cared for him when his parents were out for their jobs. His love for his brother is what kept him going during his journeys with Team ZRVT. But because his enemies are hunting them, he left his brothers and sisters, all alone, without the elder brother to consult with. And he regretted every night he think about it.
Jupiter knelt down and dropped his spear in front of Cascade. "Then I have a favor to ask of you. Take me, as a vessel. Let them all go. Let Neptune go, take me instead. My body is strong enough to proceed with this curse." Cascade shoots daggers at him with his own eyes. Ans wasn't sure for whether or not he should trust him ton take Jupiter as a vessel. "Are you serious? You're not going to resist?" He asked.
"I won't run. I'll do whatever you ask. Just release him, that's all I want from you. So that I could tell my little bro, that what happened was all my fault, and that I'm sorry. I'm the one who made him afraid of the water, I'm the reason he hates his semblance so much. I now realized that I am the reason he's hurt." He then hunched down to the floor with his hands pressed on it.
"Are you insane, Vasilias?! Think of what you're doing! If you let Cascade take over your body, there's no stopping him! And there will be zero chances of waking you up!" Winter yelled. But Jupiter have his mind cleared that he won't let Cascade have his way with his brother's body. Sacrifices have to be made in order to save one's life. But in Cascade's mind, his fear is that once he takes over Jupiter's body, there will be chances his will is far stronger than his. And that he might fight back, to put his soul into place. And he refuses. "How about...no?" He answered. "I answered to nobody. Your aura will be mine, along with the rest of our brothers and sisters. You remind me so much of Milos. The one brother who tried to take away my desires. And I won't let that happened again." Cascade them sways his hands to spray harsh water at Jupiter. Sending him to the same spot as Winter behind the cyclone. Slamming into her. "Jupiter!" Called Weiss. She then turned to Cascade/Neptune.
"How could you do that?! That's your brother you've been hurting! Neptune, this has to stop!"
"Do not refer to me by that name. I could ask you the same thing when you left your sister in the outskirts. Since you left Atlas." Weiss then gasped into this realization. She did left her whole family in the land of ice. "But we can forget everything that caused us pain and regret. I have regrets of betraying my little brother, and my people. But I never feel ashamed of meeting my beloved." He then extends his hand to her for an offer. "Join me, and I'll give you the power you'll want. I will place another aura in your body, and we'll be the last ones standing during this flood." He offered. Weiss isn't sure if Neptune is truly gone. But the way he speaks of being the only one with her standing. But she steps back, sobbing silently, covering her face. Cascade came to the realization that those words hurt her. And walks over to her to comfort her by touching her cheek. Like he did with Avalora. But made his mistake by calling her by a name she was never called for. "Avalora..." Cascade called gently before his hand could make. contact to her face.
But Weiss then pulls out her Myrtenaster and points it at him. Making him jump, looking at her angered expression. His eyes fell on the blade targeting him. "Stop calling me by that name! I am not her! And I never will be! And I won't stop until you give me back Neptune!" She said furiously. "Even if it means you'll kill me! He is not your puppet, and those people have nothing to do with this! I'll never give up on him no matter what!"
"You know, for a minute there, you sounded like Avalora. The way she sounded at that tone of voice. The same tone that broke my heart. If I can't have her, then no one will! As for Neptune, I'll make sure he never wakes up! So get ready, Weiss Schnee!" Cascade pulls out the Tri-hard and spun it around in his stance.