Unintentionally, the Hunter Taskforce ended up staying much longer than intended. The castle providing many comforts they've not had in a good while. From the fresh cooked food to hit baths, it made it hard to leave. That and Selene's compulsion spell over the other members, Cat was doing her best not to attack the goddess and force her to remove the compulsion. The constant reminder that the goddess held some power over their actions, irritating her to new lengths. Weiss was able to keep her from doing anything rash by making sure that she was with her at all times and that Jakal didn't get any ideas. Which wasn't exactly hard when the resident magician on the goddess's council seemed to take a liking to her and the other woman in the taskforce, causing the shared overprotective instinct Catalaya and Jakal had to kick in.
They both came to the thinly veiled training sessions he used as a blatant way to show off and flirt with them, even with her in the same room, within strangling distance. There was a bit of tension between her and Penny however, the entire castle noticed. When asked Cat only claimed they'd had a bit of a disagreement, as did Penny. Ruby was spending more timeexploringwith the bundle of happy that was Penny than previously thought, something Yang wasn't happy with. The boys did enjoy joining in on the sparring matches between the guards in the castle, finding new ways to attack and defend during their mission. Making friends in unexpected places, as Fox called it at the times they found him playing chess with some of the newer recruits.
It had been exactly two and a half weeks when shit hit the fan, hard.
1:22 am December 12, Monday
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Catalaya jolted up out of bed, dragging Weiss with her, who had previously been sleeping on her chest peacefully. "Answer it. Then come back to bed." She said groggily, falling and turning over in their bed. Catalaya yawned and looked out the window, the moon was up barely dipping. Growling she stomped across the large room, as the knocks peristed even louder. She yanked open the mahogany door,"Someone had better be fucking dying!" She shouted, Jakal influencing her voice and regretting it slightly as it was none other than Selene standing before her. "We all will, if you don't help me."
The amount of fear in her eyes and the jittery stance was enough to snuff out her tired anger. "I'll get them up." She ran back into the room, throwing on a pair of black denim pants and a hooded shirt, throwing some clothes at a slumbering Weiss. "Get up, Snowflake. You grab your team, I'll get the others." Bright azure eyes stared at her,"Why?" Cat just said,"Emergency." Before running out to gather her friends. Passing a distraught Selene on her way out.
After no more than two minutes of barging in rooms, and the quickest wardrobe changes the world has ever seen, the Hunters gathered in the War Council room of the Palace. They all stood around a circular table, a large map, marked with multicolred pins and icon pieces obviously representing something. Accompanying the group was the head of the castle gaurd, the General of the Luna army, the Fleet Admiral for the Luna territory's scarce navy, even the General of the Air force which surprised most of the group. Who knew Vampires could fly planes. At the head of the table was none other than the goddess Selene, she wore a formal outfit of all black, an exquisite women's suit.
A forboding looking on her face, accompanied with a frightful look in her eyes when Penny came running into the room. She swiped a piece of stray hair behind her ear before sidling up next to an axious Ruby. She nodded at the council,"I apologize for my lateness, your Highness. Gentelmen."
The room nodded at her, her mother did so nervously before speaking in a language Yang identified as Catalan,"No haureu d'estar aquí, cariño." She said to Penny who only smiled,"Està bé, mare. Vull ajudar." Selene gave a forced smiled that Catalaya only noticed before turning back.
"Ladies, gentlemen, while I am glad we have all gathered here, I wish it was under better circumstances." Selene took a deep breath,"The Werewolves have declared war on us." It was like a funeral at this moment, the room was so silent everyone could hear Jaune's expected gulp. Everyone's attention then fell onto Catalaya when she began growling loud enough to echo through both the entire room and down into the dark empty hallways.
The Army General took a good step backwards at the sound, as did the faunus in the room. Their fight or flight instincts telling them to run for the hills. Weiss could feel the warring prescence of Jakal in her mind, they were fighting each other for control, the result of the fight was her flashing red eyes and her growling.
She carefully placed a hand on her shoulder, speaking through the link, "Calm yourselves. You're scaring me."The two never quieted so quick, Jakal took control over one of her eyes, Catalaya the other, they were saddened at the feightened expression on their mate's face. Both whimpering and pushing their anger away. They spoke together through the link, "We're sorry, love."Regret in their eyes, making Weiss frown for a moment before gripping her unnaturally warm hands with a loving expression.
Catalaya nodded, taking a deep breath and looking into the room,"Sorry." The Army General stepped back up,"What was that reaction, girl?" He wore an angry face. Catalaya cocked a brow at him, he was speaking and looking at her with disgust, as though he hadn't just been scared for his life no more than a minute ago. "Yes, Catalaya." Selene said from the head of the round table,"Why did you react as such? Do you have some bad blood with Werewolves?" Cat was barely unnerved at the stares of the room. Before she would have cut the eyes out of their heads, at the suggestion from Jakal. But with Weiss holding her hand in her own, she was temoted to temper the urge to murder them and spoke as calm as she could."That depends, which group is it that has declared war?"
Selene looked at her for a moment, she was afraid to say anything after that reaction but it was important so she said it, "The northernmost group. They call themselves the Sacred Sun clan." Catalaya blinked once, then once again, and then once more. Her right eyelid twitching, a good sign that something was wrong. She slammed her fist onto the table, cracking the polished wood, "Are you being serious right now?" Selene nodded in fear. They all watched as she seemed to snarl at nothing, before turning to Weiss who gave her a strange look, and then turning back to the table with barely controlled anger,"Then yes, I may have some bad blood."
"Can you explain? Why do you have such bad blood, as you say?" Penny asked in a small voice, she was a bit afraid of setting off the powerful fighter. Catalaya sighed and leaned back into her chair, "No more than a forty-seven years ago, I ran into a scouting group for the Sacred Sun, during my earlier travels. We didn't fight, in fact I saved their lives from three Draugr. They gave me some food in return and I went on my ways, to the nearest village, the village of Gama Thalore. I ended up staying there for almost six years, employed under their council as the protector. I left the place safe against everything from bandits to Chimera."
She ran her hand down her face, obviously troubled, troubled enough that Weiss couldn't use the link to speak with her. Only Jakal who said to herShe worries you will feel bad.Weiss scrunched a browAbout what?Jakal stopped for a momentThat her heart once belonged to another.It took but a second to realize what she meant by that phrase, that Catalaya and Jakal had loved before, yet was bothered that they believed she would be so upset by it, she stopped her train of thought and listened intently.
"Reports of Werewolf raiding parties attacking towns got to us, the village had to be protected. Most of the men and women helped me build barriers and traps and such, preparation from the incoming threat. But it wasn't enough, the group came over the hillside, under the cover of night. They came bearing torches, bows, spears, and claws. It was too much, they got into the village and began a rampage." Weiss placed a hand on her shaking knee, looking at her with a reassuring smile.
Catalaya looked up at her in confusion before smiling in thanks. "I killed who I could, injured some I couldn't. I ran into the village, the gaurd were dead, no match against werewolf strength and speed. So many people died in a blink of an eye, I was frantic, the only person in the village I truly cared for wasn't were I thought she would be, so I scoured the village, falling into a slow rage. When I found her, I hesitated. The Elven woman, Rania Kelkalyn, the one I had fallen for was held by her throat by a large werewolf. He had golden fur, lines with bleeding cuts, I could smell sulfur telling me the wounds were inflicted by silver. She smirked at him when he growled in her face, causing him to throw her into a wall, she screamed in pain and I dove in." She breathed in deeply.
Weiss was still holding her hand,"I fought him for a while, barely able to match his own strength with my own. He caught me when Rania groaned in pain again, catching me off gaurd, distracted. He stomped on my chest, shattering my ribcage. He would've killed me if not for Rania, she grabbed my silver sword and stabbed him in the side, causing him to scream in pain. He retaliated, grabbing her and dragging his claws down her stomach and thigh. Tossing her away like a ragdoll before running off."
Weiss stood up and wrapped her arms around her lover who had started crying, "She died in my arms. I learned later that that golden wolf was the alpha of the Sacred Sun, since then I made a promise to kill that bastard for what he did. For what he did to Rania." Catalaya was shaking, shuddering at the old memory. Inside Jakal did her best to comfort her counterpart, to no avail.
Weiss simply held her shoulders and wiped the beginnings of tears from her eyes speaking through the link,It's okay my love. I can never hate you for your past, for what kind of person would I be if I'd did so?She gave Catalaya a comforting smile and a kiss on her forehead. The shifter smiled back leaning her forehead on Weiss's as a sign of understanding before turning back to the group gathered, the generals and Selene giving her apologetic and compassionate looks.
"Well, then you should be adapt at facing their fighting styles. Yes?" The goddess said, effectively changing the subject. Cat shrugged,"Not exactly. Its been too long, the best I can say is send scouts or silver." The Vampires took a small step back except for Penny who spoke up,"Does it have to be blessed? We've not fought werewolves before."
Cat shook her head, "No, which gives you an advantage. It'll only effect you if its blessed, werewolves are affected by all silver, pure silver blessed or not." The Vampires nodded as the Army General spoke up, "That's all you have?" He scoffed, "This can't be all that you have, your highness. If it is we surely will fall." He gave Catalaya and Weiss a disgusted look, smirking at Weiss's angry look,"Why you-"
Selene slammed her hand on the table palms down,"Enough!" Everyone stopped their movements.
"General Corsac, do you really doubt their ability?" He looked at her,"Do you really think we should put our lives in the hands if these children? They've not lived as long as we have." Selene nodded,"They may be young but they are our only hope." She turned back to the room, "I understand that you may want to leave. Do so, and I will harbor you no ill will, and grant you safe passage."
The Hunters looked at each other before staring at Catalaya, she in turn looked to the goddess and spoke with a smile, "You really think us to run from a fight? As you've said we're young, we love a good fight." Selene nodded and smiled, "Well then let's get back to work shall we?" The rest of the room agreed, General Corsac did so reluctantly.
December 12, Monday 11:58 am
Jaune groaned and placed his head on the table, he was beyond tired at this point. The group had been working non-stop for hours now, planning for this battle. Making preparations, taking precautions, and going over the worst case scenarios. Which only succeeded and making him more depressed than necessary. A steaming mug was placed in front of him, causing him to look up, Penny had placed a coffee in front of him and a small plate beside it, a donut. He smiled and nodded in thanks as she did the same for the others in the room.
When she got to Selene however all that she got was a cup of steaming red liquid and a turkey sandwhich. Blood, obviously, but Jaune didn't want to think about that while he was eating. Penny walked around the table giving everyone a goid drink and some food. She was going to sit down when there was a rumble coming from the ground. It hot progressively louder and stronger, shaking the room and its occupants, sans Catalaya who continued to drink her coffee. "What the hell is that!?" Yang shouted in both pain and confusion, seeing as Blake had dug her claws into her leg out of fear. Selene gave a small smile, "It looks like they came early." She said gathering the rooms attention.
"The werewolves will try to break through the barrier I have up. It will not last forever, so lets protect the people yes?" Everyone nodded, Cat simply glanced at Weiss who took over. "Alright, JNPR, we need barricades and as much pure silver you can find. Use Pyrrha's polarity if need be, there should be a desgnated route they'll be forced to follow."
Jaune nodded, downing his coffee and running out the door, his team in tow. The goddess watched with interest as Catalaya let her liver take control of the group. "CFVY your in charge of evacuation. Take a quick and dependable position around the civilians, keep moving. Stay on comma and let everyone know when you've started moving and have found a defendable location." Coco nodded, flipping her shades on and jogging out the door.
Weiss looked at her team leader and shrugged,"Ruby? We have two options. Defend the castle or be the onea on the front lines for now? You're still team leader." Ruby smiled, "What do you think, girls?" Weiss shrugged, to her it didn't matter as long as she got to help someone. Blake said nothing, she'd go wherever Yang did. Yang decided,"I've kind of always wanted to stop a seige."
Ruby nodded,"Then let's defend the castle with all our might. Banzai!" Hands together, the others shouted "Banzai!" Before running off. Selene spoke after they left, "Catalaya, I'd like it if you came with me to the Alpha. Seeing as we both have something to hash out with him."
Cat gave a dark smile, her aura pulsing with malicious intent. Penny looked up nervously, her mother hadn't wanted her to even know about the battle coming, didn't want her anywhere near a fight. But it seems from the look in her eyes that she realized she wouldn't be able to stop her otherwise. "Go on Penny, defend your home."
Penny smiled at her brightly, "Thank you, mother." On the way out Selene told her child, "Make sure that Ruby girl you're so fond of keeps her hands to herself. If she lets you get hurt I will slaughter her." Penny sighed,"Yes mother." She got halfway to the door when Catalaya stopped her, growling a bit. "Take care of my mate and her friends. Understood?" Penny smiled and nodded with determination, "Yes, ma'am."
The two powerful women watched as Penny left the room, ready to help defend her home with the help of her new friends. Catalaya looked at the goddess, in front of her it wasn't just a defensive mother, it was a queen-one who will do anything and everything was in her power to protect the one she loves, the only family she has. They glanced at each other, a common goal, the only thing they've shared ever since the shifter had arrived in her kingdom.
Selene left the room ready to battle, readying herself to protect her daughter to protect her people. Catalaya herself, wasn't doing this for the people of the Luna Kingdom, no, she was doing this for Rania, she would not bind herself to the queen by loyalty, she doesn't care about the civilians. At this point, but so much rage in her heart anger cloud in her mind she couldn't care less how many of them died. Just as long as she was able to kill him, the alpha of the Sacred Sun. Jakal agreed wholeheartedly with this, of course.
Sacred Sun Communications Camp 3 Miles Northwest of Luna Castle
"Well, Second. How is it going?" An old gruff voice said. The brown haired werewolf, his second, spoke lifting his head from a paper. "Our troups have arrived at the surrounding villages. Looting and killing to their hearts content. There does seem to be a bit of trouble however at the gates as well as at the city center." The Alpha growled low,"What trouble?" The second whimpered,"A group seems to be defending, evacuating, the human civilians, another four have built barricades of silver, making it difficult to get through." The Alpha stepped forward off of his impromptu throne,"And?"
"A group of five woman defends the castle gates, one of them is the Queen's daughter." The Alpha stood still for a quick second, "That vampiric bitch has a child?" The second nodded, "Yes, she was a Turned one, she also seems to use strange magic." A large red furred wolf ran into the tent, bowing in the prescence of his Alpha. "Alpha Torrin, I have grave news." Torrin looked at the wolf with anger,"Out with it then!" He whimpered,"The Queen of Vampires is journeying here. Killing your soldiers as she travels." Torrin chuckled a bit,"She must wish for her death." He turned back and the messenger has not yet left,"Anything else, boy?"
The scout shook slightly, "She travels with a companion. A Phantom Beast, one of royal blood from what I've gathered." Torrin snapped his chalice in half as the scout continued on,"The Beast's name is Catalaya. Otherwise known as Black Flame of the Onyx Beasts Clan, child of Cheiftain Morroa." The Alpha drew in a breath,Can it really be her?He thought to himself, his old scars hurting at the mention of her name. He turned back to the room, "Make sure they get a proper greeting."
With a wave of his hand the two wolves left, shifting on the way out. He sat back down on the stone chair, contemplating his next move. It has been too many years since he has heard her name, from the stories he's heard, she has most definitely grown stronger. His mouth salivated at the thought of facing her again, finally putting the child where she belongs; six feet under.
Outside Sacred Sun Communications Camp
Another werewolf died at the hands o of the Mother of Vampires. She wielded no sword, she prefers to kill with her hands, to feel their dying pulse. Beside her, Catalaya decapitated two more in her path, saying nothing of the spray of blood that graces her armor. "How much farther?" She asked as she tossed the head of one wolf into the gut of another, blowing it backwards. "Patience, Catalaya." Selene said as she calmly walked forward,"Judging by the amount of wolves coming over the hill, we're right outside the camp." Catalaya smiled, the goddess had ordered her to come along as a bodyguard really. She would keep the wolves from her as they traveled the terrain, from there they'd go with her plan. As per agreement, of Selene's plan failed, Catalaya and Jakal could go nuts.
She allowed Jakal closer to the front of her mind, letting her use a wave of flames to take down the wall of wolves standing the perimeter. "Let's just see how your damn plan works, alright." She said, letting Jakal rest for now. Selene sighed, the beast was so angsty, even more so once they entered the camp. A bellowing voice called out to the wolves trying to surround them, "Stand down! Let them through!" There was compulsion in the voice, Alphas compulsion, causing Catalaya to stand on end, her target was close. She walked a bit faster slowing down when Selene placed a calming hand on her shoulder. She shook her hand off, nodding in thanks either way. They watched warily as the crowd parted before them, a few snarled at Catalaya she smiled grimly at them, her eyes sparking.
They arrived in the largest tent, werewolves still in human form, wearing bronze armor stared at them, swords and spears ready. Torrin, glanced at the two women befire him, both incredibly powerful, incredibly dangerous adversaries. He'd have to be careful if he wants to survive this encounter. "Your highness, Goddess Selene. Mother of Vampires and Queen of the Luna Kingdom, welcome." He bent to kiss her knuckles but Catalaya stepped up. He chuckled,"Who might you be? Another were?" She snatled at him, Selene answering for her,"Don't play your games with us. You know who she is, just as she knows who you are."
Torrin froze before schooling his face. "Is that so? Then why have you come, Goddess, to kill me?" Selene shook her head,"To negotiate. Give up the attack on my kingdom and you'll live." The alpha werewolf looked at her confused,"And suppose I don't, will you kill me?" He chuckled out. The goddess shrugged,"Of course not. She will." She motioned to Catalaya who was more than ready to do so. "Is that a threat?" The gaurds came closer, circling the outsiders.
Glaring at the women so foolish as to threaten their leader. "No. It's a promise." One gaurd lunged forward, spear ready to pierce the Vampire Queen's heart when the staff shattered, the steel tip being flipped around and slammed into his own chest. All happening in under 5 seconds as the Phantom Beast once again stood before her friend's murderer. Torrin was stunned, the last time he'd fought her, she couldn't even run at that speed, not even half of it.You've really improved haven't you?She simply stared at him, murder in her eyes as the goddess placed a hand on her shoulder using a calming spell as her body visibly relaxed.
"What do you say we come up with some compromises? I'm sure you wouldn't want anymore soldiers to die at her hands." Torrin's eyes twitched, this woman dare threaten his clan, threaten him?! "Who do you think you are, vampire!? I'm ruler of the Sacred Sun! I bow to no wench!" He looked to the gathering soldiers, "Kill them all!" Every wolf attacked in synchronized anger, egged on by the compulsion. Selene sighed and tapped the earpiece, "Go nuts, Miss Valkerie." There was cheerfully, psychotic giggle on the other side, followed by a loud, reverberating boom. Behind her a giant pink mushroom cloud rose up behind her ominously.
Everyone stopped to looked at it and the group of werewolves running back towards the camp, tails between their legs, whimpering and bleeding. "W-what was that?" Torrin asked in confusion, turning to the impressed goddess and smiling shifter. "That, that is just the beginning." There was a loud scream and over a hundred werewolves, in human form, bearing armor came flying over the gates of Luna, a black glow around them.
They landed in a heap of writhing bodies, whining in intense pain. A reckless wolf ran towards the goddess, his head being quickly blown off by a unsettlingly precise sniper shot. A blast of ice and flames tore down the camps defenses, as a mass of shadows trapped them in. Lotus petals fell from the sky as the wolves protecting him were each killed with a quick double tap, then came a brilliant white light blinding him. When himself and the soldiers were able to see again he took a good two steps back. Before him were thirteen people, people he'd never seen before. Each one more strange than the last.
"These are the Hunters." Penny said in a calm voice, she bore grey armor on her body, numerous swords floated above her body, aimed at the remaining wolves. "The most fierce army you will ever know." Torrin growled at the young woman, jumping back when a sniper shot impacted the ground in front of his foot, there was a sonic boom and beside the Queen's daughter.
Glaring and bleeding from her head a bit, was a woman in a red cloak, her eyes the purest silver. She pointed a steel pistol at him, anger on her face, "I won't miss from this range." The silver eyed woman smiled at Penny before turning to the Phantom Beast who was staring back at the Alpha. "Well, Torrin, what do you say? Surrender?" Torrin gave a throaty laugh befire shouting in a mangled voice, "Fuck you!" His body changed quickly, bones snapping and reshaping themselves. He stood on his hind legs, now a 6 foot tall golden wolf.
He braced himself, not noticing the calm looks on the Hunters faces, jumping at the vampire queen. A sword knocked him off course, he collided with a wall, head first. Turning back and growling at the orange haired woman who stood protectively in front of her adoptive mother. He snapped at her, lunging forward once more. He was within mauling reach when he was hit by a black blur, glancing upwards an even larger wolf stood before him. The beast had retractable claws, five inch fangs protruding from its top gums. What frightened him most were the red eyes, with sparking white pupils.
His wolves just watched in fear, no one had been able to ever land a hit on him before. He tilted his head to the skies and howled, each and everyine of his wolves remaining understood the message,Kill them all.They leapt into the fray, fighting against the goddess and her Hunters. Subconsiously, everyone avoided the stare down between the Alpha and the Nightmare Creature. They circled each other for a moment, Torrin growling and snapping at her. Whereas she remained silent, not even as her padded paws stepped on the broken glass on the ground they stood on.
"You'll never beat me. I've had centuries of experience." He said as he pounced, his claws grazing her flesh, he skidded to a stop. "You're still weak. A lone wolf. You can never defeat me alone." He growled out when she headbutted him backwards, as her wounds healed. Jakal looked at him intently,I know that. I'm not an idiot, you know.She sat down on her haunches, smiling wide as blood dripped from her wounds.
Torrin tilted his head, listening to the silence behind him told the story. His wolves were dead and he was surrounded by the strange warriors.I may not have your experience, but I have something you don't. Loyal friends, ones who have become a sort of foster family.Jakal turned backwards to smile at Weiss.I've learned that family, sticks together. That family will never let you face the dark alone.
With that she snapped his neck and sighed loudly before changing back. Weiss came up to her, wrapping her arms around her and rubbing her back. The rest of the Hunters doing the same, even Penny who dragged her mother forward placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Penny?!" She shouted when she saw the blood on her daughters face, "What the hell happened!?" She grabbed her face as Ruby chuckled and Penny sighed, pouting. "Mom!" The rest of her new friends laughing at her expense.