"Beach trip!" Nora and Ruby shouted as they hurriedly began packing their things. "What's going on out here?" Yang asked as she stuck her head out the tent flap. "The two numbskulls misunderstand where we're going next." Weiss said as she practised making small conjurings in the palm of her hand while reading some text. Yang nodded and moved to exit the tent when Blake came right behind her, "What's-"
"Beach trip!" Ruby and Nora shouted in her face, sending the cat faunus screeching as she fell flat on her rear.
She watched from the ground as they scurried around, most likely waking the whole forest in the process. Blake and Yang looked to Catalaya with a question on their lips when she spoke,"The next peice of the armor, the torso to exact," she said as she brushed her hair,"is located in Tomarange. A tropical realm of sorts, popular for its black sand beaches and luscious jungles filled with exotic animals." Blake raised a brow as she started changing clothes, "You make it sound like a vacation."
Cat nodded, "That's because those two didn't let me finish speaking, its also home to dangerous gangs and a large criminal organization. Which happens to run the entire country behind the scenes through bloodshed and bribery." Yang and Blake's eyebrows rose in both shock and amusement as Ruby and Nora stopped in their tracks in sadness, "That sucks." They both claimed before continuing to pack up at a much slower, solemn pace. "Sorry." Cat says as she watches them work.
"They'll be fine." Weiss said patting Catalaya's shoulder as she passed by. Cat blushed a bit at the touch before shaking her head and rallying the rest of the group. Earlier that morning Trezzhan left for home, he missed his children too much, leaving the group to do as they please. Once everyone was ready Cat led the group through the forest, giving them small practices for whatever latent magic they'd unlocked yesterday. Yang, Nora, and Yatsu were using their enhanced strength to clear any trees in the way. Coco, Blake, and Jaune were practising expanding their awareness by spreading their senses and drawing them back in.
Pyrrha and Velvet were making small conjuring in their palms. Ruby, with her new supernatural speed was doing the scouting for the group. Catalaya had Weiss walking beside her, practicing to speak in numerous languages of magic and spell casting. "Kleíste ta mátia. Deíte me tin kardiá. Apokleíste ti logikí, ankaliáste to apístefto." Catalaya said to Weiss without looking up from her journal. They'd been doing this for a while now, she'd speak and Weiss would translate, it was how she was taught the languages of the realms.
"Close your eyes. Look with your heart. Abdicate logic, embrace the unbelievable." Weiss said without hesitation as Cat nodded at her skill. "Dengan kejahatan datang baik. Baiklah ada yang jahat. Sama seperti di dalam malaikat ada iblis. Hal yang sama bisa dikatakan untuk setan yang paling mengerikan." Catalaya spoke as she stopped, watching with interest as Weiss scrunched her face in confusion before speaking hesitantly, "With evil comes good. In good there is evil. Just as within the angels there is a demon.The same could be said for the most frightful of demons. Right?" When Catalaya nodded Weiss jumped for joy a bit before blushing and stopping.
"Alright, ladies, gentleman," Cat smirked, "and Jaune."
"Hey!" He shouted from the back of the group.
Weiss smacked her shoulder in chastisment before she pulled out thumb sized gem and crushed it between her fingertips, shaking the remains into the air, conjuring a new portal, although this time it was green. "Oh god! Please, no!" Coco shouted as Velvet pushed her into the portal without hesitation. "After you." Yang said to Blake who rolled her eyes and pushed Yang in before her.
The rest of the group filing in. Weiss and Cat remained behind, Cat was making sure no one was following and Weiss was stewing in her emotions. "I'm going to guess you want to talk to me in private?" Cat questioned her. Weiss only nodded. "How about once we get settled in Tomarange?" Another nod. Catalaya smiled, easing the other girl's fear before she walked right into the portal.
A knife flew past Cat's face, just barely missing her skin. She caught it in her two forefinger before throwing it back to its owner. When she received a pained grunt and a thump she was satisfied until she saw what she was up against. Two creatures just strong enough to give her a challenge.
Minotuars and Werebeasts.
Judging by the common insignia on their uniforms, they must've been working together. What really agitated her however was what that symbol represented.Living Death.The name of their organization, a true meaning as the ones before her had most definitely died once before and were revived. They were bound by duty to whoever brought them back to life.Based on the scars, the one who did so must be incredibly strong to revive someone who suffered so much damage to the body.
Catalaya calmy rested her hand on the hilt ofBalanced Insanityglaring at the group of undead fighters. "State your business, gentlemen." The largest one, a light brown furred miniature stepped up, "You are to die." Cat's brows scrunched up,That accent is 14th century Doilents. Which means this might be a bit easier.
She glanced at rhe portal behind her,I only have 7 minutes based on the dim glow.She turned back to the group. "Then, such fine warriors as yourselves should have no trouble killing me now."
She unsheathedBalanced Insanity, "Or a you just cannon fodder like the rest?" At the insult all who stood before her fell into a burst of rage, mostly the tan Minotaur who lead the fierce charge.
Catalaya closed her eyes, slowly breathed in and opened them again to see a world tainted by black shadows. The wolf was lending her strength, such generosity only seen before a fight.A glorious one at that.Her wolf thought before they charged into the fray. To an outside veiwer, the fight was no more than a flurry of sparks, created by the clashing of their weapons. A scene that only took mere seconds to the human eye, when in truth, for Catalaya, the fight lasted exactly 17 seconds. Just before the last of her opponents dropped to the ground, but still alive.
The tan Minotaur fell to the ground, watching with fear as his fallen brother's bodies burned intently with black flames, dispelling the reviving spell on their bodies, really killing them this time. "By the Genire code of your people, since you've been defeated, you must answer any questions I ask of you. Is this understood?" He nodded at the woman standing over him. "Why were you sent?"
He grimaced as she held the tip of the blade to his neck as a motivator. "You're interfering with their plans. The plans for the Rise." Catalaya's eyed widen a miniscule fraction before she asked the final question, keeping in mind how long till the portal closes. "They'll kill me if I tell you!" He shouted as Cat sighed and kicked him in the chin. "Should you really be so worried about them and not me?"
The beast's entire body shook with fear as he said only, "The Council of Nine." Cat felt a chill run up her spine, "Have they sent anyone else and where?" The bull man breathed in deeply, "Tomarange." He looked up at her, "Now let me go, I must hide from them. I have to-"
The minotaur's head rolled along the ground leaving a small bloody trail. The rest of the body fell back with a thud, black flames coming from the body. Catalaya took the man's pack and insignia, ignoring the blood it was bathed in before diving into the closing portal. Hoping with all her might that they hadn't arrived yet.
Tomarange Beach
When Cat landed in the black sand, she wished to bless every god she knew the name of in thanks. The group appeared to have just landed themselves. Yang and Blake were digging Ruby out a pile of the sand, Jaune held Pyrrha's hair back as she vomited and Ren and Nora were helping to patch some small cuts on team CFVY. Weiss came and tapped her from behind, "Hey, what took you so long?"
Cat narrowed her eyes, "I'll tell you, everyone, once we settle." Weiss hesitated at the dark tone in her voice, subconsiously making sure her wolf wasn't to close to the surface. Before walking away, pleased that it was resting and concerned at the blood she could smell on her clothing.
A few hours later, Catalaya had shown them to a beach front hotel, with a lovely view to the mountains. Cat purchased the entire top two floors, and make specific that the already lacking security was scarce around there, and remained watchful of the lower floors. She was quiet most of the time, just watching as the rest set up their things and checked their weapons just in case. The group looked expectantly at their supernatural leader before she sighed and spoke.
"Do you all remember how initially you were tasked with preventing the Rise? Just before the need to find the Armor of Duskshadow arised?" They all nodded. "Well, I haven't given you all the information that you need." She sighed again, "When you brought me to Ozpin we discussed more than just the legends of the armor, we spoke of what the rise really is in regards to this world. The Rise is basically zero day, the end of your Remnant." Coco interjected "We know this already." She said, "You said it yourself."
Catalaya nodded, "Yes, but I never told you what it meant for me." She looked around, "Why would a murderous, supernatural beast such as myself even be trying to help save your world? Is a question you should've asked." The group glanced at each other from the sides. "Because for me, for every other being like myself, it means enslavement by the hands of the Council of Nine. And for the ones under their control, unstoppable power." Ruby spoke timidly, "The Council of Nine?"
Cat growled "There is nine major realms, all connected by the Annex. In each one rests a being so powerful not even your armies would graze its flesh. After numerous wars, they all came together under a treaty for peace. They were dubbed the Council of Nine, for the number of members. They craved only destruction and power. The power held in the Annex, the power that lies dormant in Remnant." She stood and walked to the window sill.
"With it they could control everything and anything. My species would became nothing more the slaves, just as we were in olden times. Realms far and wide would be crushed under their feet. It is why I'm not the only one scouring the realms looking to protect magical items. There a 8 more warriors such as myself, doing what they can to find something to protect their realm. I represent the Dark Lands, my home and birthplace, it is my sworn duty to my people to keep them safe. Better cared for than under the hands of my dictator father."
She looked to the group behind her, "I am the Guardian. Sworn protector of the Winter Knight, a being who has kept the Rise from occurring for eons. That was until 25 years ago. When the previous Gaurdian and Winter Knight perished in a clear act of murder. Through the use of Vampire magic as well as Demon magic."
"Why those magics?" Weiss asked, "What made them so specific?" Cat nodded at the question,"Because they were part of a spell that transfers power to who the seem the vessel. Their powers were supposed to go to two of the Council's most trustworthy generals. Instead, the magic was given to you and me. Just as it was destined to be given, but not for a hundred more years when they were supposed to pass them on. It has made us targets now that we both control the powers. The spell they used however killed the castors so they most likely won't being trying it again, in truth they may try to trick either one of us into working with them or killing us. Killing us seems like a more likely choice." She could hear Weiss sigh from her spot in the room. "What does this have to do why you were late through the portal?"
Cat spun on her,"Are you just going to ignore the fact that you will most certaintly be killed by these people?! That there is very little chance any of us will survive?!" Weiss simply shrugged,"We were going to get these powers either way. Meaning we still would've had to face them sooner of later." Yang interjected from the side,"The good thing about this is that instead of it being just two women against everything, you guys have us."
The rest of the Hunters nodded, "We'll fight with you." Cat stared at the definitely insane group of mortals before her before smiling. "In answer to your question, Weiss." She tossed the bag she got from the minotaur on the table. "This is from one of the group of killers they sent. I encountered them just before entering the portal." The group didn't shy away from the blood on the satchel and only dug through and analysed what was inside.
All they found was a few journals, some clothing and a box of metal orbs of similar shape to an old tea strainer. Cat decided to take them, believing they may be of some use later. In frustration, Yang picked up the bag and threw it at the wall, a small hidden pocket most likely the result of an enchantment showed itself. "You're a genuis Yang!" Cat said as she dug through the pocket leaving Yang to smile nervously and shrug. Cat pulled out a peace of paper folded 4 times over.
She smiled eerily as she read it. "I know where the torso is." She stood up, "Tonight we rest, tomorrow we retrieve it." The group shrugged before leaving for their own rooms, leaving Weiss and Cat by themselves, "You wanted to talk to me?" Catalaya said to Weiss. Weiss blushed deeply, in truth she'd been so worried about Cat she had forgotten about it. Blake's voice nagged herin the back of her head asshe remembered why she even suggested it.
Encampment The Previous Morning
Weiss and Blake were washing some of their clothing in a nearby river not to far from the camp. "Blake?" The cat faunus' ears turned to the voice, "Yes, Weiss?" Blake had noticed how nervous her friend looked and turned to her,"What's wrong?"
Weiss swallowed,"I need to tell you something. You can't tell anybody, got it?" Blake nodded. "IthinkI'minlovewithCatalaya." She said in a rush of words most would only expect from Ruby. "Really?" Blake asked. Weiss nodded from behind her hands. Blake sighed, she figured Weiss was just as in love with the wolf as she was in love with Weiss.
They just needed a small push.
"Are you going to tell her?" At Weiss's as many shaking of her head Blake rethought the approach, "How about talking to her later, and maybe, maybe you'll be able to tell her how you feel." Weiss almost shrunk in on herself, "What if she doesn't feel the same?" Blake simply shrugged, "You'll never know if you don't try. Plus, would you be happy not speaking to her about it and still trying to be friends? You know you'll be even more hurt then." Blake tapped hee shoulder and took her bundle of clothws to lay over the fire, leaving Weiss to make her choice.
Tomarange Hotel
Weiss took a deep breath, "Cat I want to say something, confess something to you. Please don't hate me." Catalaya swallowed hard, she really hoped Weiss wasnt going to say what she thought she would. "Catalaya, I'm in love with you." The paler woman closed her eyes as Cat simply stared. Her own emotions running rampant inside her head, she could feel her wolf sigh mentally, bolstering her own courage she slowly stepped forward, and cupped Weiss's cheek.
The shorter girl flinched a bit at the contact, her eyes still closed in fear. Those same closed eyes burst open when soft lips met her own in a slow kiss. Weiss moved into the kiss, wrapping her arms around the taller woman's neck. Cat pulled her close, leaning down slightly to feel every inch of her.
The pulled away slowly, breathing a bit heavy and eyes slightly glazed in overwhelming emotion. "I could never hate, Weiss. You're my White Snow." Weiss blushed, "And you're my Black Flame. My Catalaya." Catalaya blushed and pulled Weiss to the bed. They snuggled and made out most of the night, their hands enjoined, never leaving the other. They fell asleep with smiles on their faces. Weiss lay on Catalaya's chest, hands bunched in her raggedy tunic. As Cat slept with her nose in the ivory locks, arms wrapped around the smaller woman's body, enjoying the feeling of her cold skin on her on own.
2:30 am
Boom!
The entire hotel was aflame, the roof was collapsing, and smoke poured into the mortals lungs. Cat awoke with a shout, she was laying on the floor with a spear in her chest, twisting around she found Weiss lay unmoving on the floor. Blood flowing from a large gash in her abdomen. A figure in all black stood over her, weapon primed. Before they could hurt the ice mage, their life was over in a flash, Cat had launched herself at the man.
Curved, elongated claws tearing into the flesh as she used her powerful wolf jaws to rip out the throat of her victim. She picked up Weiss's bloddy body, with tears in her eyes she ran through the halls, ducking and dodging until she crashed through an already deteriorated wall. Skidding to a stop, "Cat?! Weiss!?" Ruby was screaming as she battled her own attackers. She used her superspeed to avoid the strikes, building up enough force to punch through their armor.
Yang came and punched in a skull of an attacker before running and making sure her friends were unharmed. She came to a halt when she saw Catalaya sitting over Weiss's body, performing some kind of emergency surgery. Her shirt was covered in blood,Weiss's blood.Catalaya was visibly crying, muttering, "Please, no. I just got you. Don't go!" At her shout a searing heat wave washed over the group, when they opened their eyes they watched a magnificent sight.
Cat's black aura was pulsing brightly, she was performing a massive aura transfer on Weiss. It was working, just barely, as Weiss's skin gained a little more color just as the color drained substaintially from Cat's own skin. Yang's teammate's eyes fluttered open and she swore she heard Weiss say, "No more tears. I'm still here, wolfie." Before she lost consciousness. Cat smiled and coughed up blood before collapsing next to Weiss's side.
Yaang watched numbly as Velvet and Pyrrha rushed to save her two friends. The smoke was getting to her lungs, the head trauma made her dizzy as she fell to her knees, begging not to lose anymore people. She heard Blake and Ruby call her name just as the darkness took her vision.