A/N Here we are Volume two and things are already on the move...
Akame had failed, she had no idea what happened or where she was, right now all she knew was that she had to escape, but she was out of her element here, a ship of unknown design, with an unknown number of solders of unknown strength, for now she could either gamble or play it safe, her instincts told her to play it safe and wait... but for what?
(o)
Yang sat alone in a dark cell with a single door on the opposite side of the room, her sister was gone, Blake and Weiss were gone, Akame was gone, she was alone for now and her wrists were shackled to the wall like she was some kind of animal.
"HEY!? ASSHOLES!?" Yang shouted loudly it reverberated around the cell "ANSWER ME!?" she shouted after a few minutes of silence, the response remained the same as she slumped against the wall and slid down to a sitting position and mumbled to herself "Assholes."
(o)
Weiss woke up in a warm room filled with fancy white furniture, across from her sat her sister looking very disappointed and holding a rag over her nose
"Weiss, I've always supported you, you know that. So tell me why would you fight for that... murderer?" Winter asked clearly hurt by her sisters actions, Weiss didn't speak she just sat quietly staring through her sister "If you're wondering-" Winter drew the rag from her nose revealing it to be soaked in large amounts of blood "-this, is a gift from your 'leader', honestly I don't know what Ozpin was thinking leaving a little monst-" Winter began but was cut off by Weiss
"Don't talk badly about her, shes my family." Weiss said her voice holding an unknown strength in it, it surprised Winter but she stood firm
"Their not your family Weiss, I am. Imagine how I feel about this, I thought I was going to help my little sister from a monster and here I find that you've been brainwashed." Winter broke all her pained emotions finally revealing themselves
"She has been completely honest with me, she care-" Weiss began calm as ever but was cut off by Winter
"NO! NO SHE DOESNT!" Winter shouted fury in her eyes before it quickly vanished into pity "She is lying to you, its her job, shes nothing but a killer and a monster."
"How would you even know what shes done, or what she went through?" Weiss asked calmly gaining more control of the situation
"General Esdeath." Winter answered but stopped her explanation when she saw the complete horror appear on her face "Weiss? whats wrong?"
"How... shes dead, Akame told us..." Weiss stopped herself from saying any more quickly remembering that Winter was listening to every word she said
"See, she lied about Esdeaths' death, how do you even know if shes told you the truth?" Winter asked grinning and taking the petty victory. Weiss didn't respond, she returned to sitting quietly and began to formulate a plan to escape
(o)
Blake was chained up to a wall listening closely to the guards outside her cell, to a human they were soundproof but to her it was just really muffled
"So Fern, what do you think 'bout the prisoners?" one asked causing the other to scoff
"Which one? Their all good lookin' I don't know which one I'd pick though." the other responded causing the first to laugh
"That's not what I meant, what I meant was, whats with General Esdeath? She's never take prisoners before, so why now?"
"I dunno, maybe she wants to fuck 'em." the other offered causing the other to growl
"I can never hold a serious conversation with you, can I?" he asked in a hopeless voice
"Fine, fine. All I know is that; Spezialist Schnee knows the white one, and the General has the red one." he answered in a just as deflated voice, Blake continued to listen for anything useful for her escape, but the information on Esdeath caused her fear, but she was hoping it was just a coincidence.
(o)
Ruby sat across from Esdeath in a small dark room the only source of light being a small lamp between them, Esdeath had a glass of wine in hand and was smiling creepily at the girl across from her, her eyes glowing with some form of predatory intrigue
"Tell me, what has Akame told you about me? I know for a fact that you know me, the way you act makes it very obvious." Esdeath asked then took a sip of her wine watching the girl closely
"She-" Ruby's voice came weakly she quickly coughed and spoke again in a very careful tone "She told us, that... you're..." Ruby was choosing her words as carefully as possible and thus speaking very slowly, Esdeath didn't mind it though, she just waited patiently "She said that you're... a... monster... I cant think of any other way to say it, she said you're a monster, you're a murderer, you're bloodthirsty and you nearly killed my uncle." Ruby spoke quickly letting her anger guide her words but realized her mistake just as she said it and the air grew frozen
"So, you're related to that traitor, I now see how closely you resemble him..." Esdeath spoke in a dangerous tone, but it quickly vanished into a warmth that confused Ruby "It's good that you are not like him though, I see loyalty in your eyes, unlike his. Now then, did she tell you how closely I got him to death? I'd really like to know." She asked as she rose and walked around the table getting herself much closer to Ruby and taking genuine interest in what the girl was going to say
"She said that after your second battle with him." Ruby answered fear controlling her more so than anything else
"Yes, I wanted him to suffer for killing another of my subordinates, so I stabbed him here, and here. Such a shame... I let my bloodlust get the better of me." Esdeath reminisced pointing out where two stab wounds would be on Ruby who shuttered in fear "There's no need to worry, should you impress me such a fate shall not befall you. Come with me." Esdeath spoke and gestured for Ruby to follow her, which she did
(o)
Walking down hall after hall solders constantly dropped what they were doing to salute Esdeath as she guided Ruby to a room with a very strong looking door on it, Esdeath typed something onto the keypad and the door opened revealing a very large room mainly unfurnished but filled with tons of different trophies from different creatures of Grimm and what Ruby could only assume flag's from bandit tribes
"Wow, this place is nice." Ruby commented entering the room and looking around seeing many different Grimm trophies around the room "What is that from?" She asked looking at what looked like a broken bone mask
"That's was from an assassin from the White Fang, they didn't like the way I was dealing with their associates, so they though to kill me, but they didn't have the strength to follow through." Esdeath explained still watching Ruby closely as she walked around the room looking at every little trophy she had and answering any questions Ruby asked about them, watching as Ruby's smile grew and grew until Esdeath had her answer
(o)
"Weiss. You cant just sit quietly forever, so stop pouting and talk to me, it the only way I can help you." Winter coxed trying to get Weiss to speak to her, Weiss sat quietly not even acknowledging her sister "Weiss, if you don't speak to me I'm going to have to turn you over to General Esdeath. She has given me one day to get any information out of you willingly, but after that you go to her and its out of my hands. Please, I want to see my sister after tomorrow." Winter bluffed trying to break Weiss's silence, she failed in that as well, causing her to nearly shout in rage
(o)
Yang punched the door again, causing no damage to it but it was better than just waiting around for someone to come for her, and it was taking her mind off of the issue that she was currently imprisoned, with each strike she could feel her semblance growing stronger and stronger, soon enough she would be able to bust down the door and find everyone and escape, that was the only thing keeping her from despair
(o)
Esdeath guided Ruby quickly towards an unknown location, something in the general had changed, now she was smiling and almost skipping along her attitude having completely changed from that of a calm calculating general to that of a schoolgirl, Ruby couldn't understand what was going on anymore all she knew was one second she was asking about Esdeaths' hunt in the swamps of Mistral the next she was being dragged down a hallway by said woman
"Not to be rude but where are we going?" Ruby asked fearing whats to come, Esdeath stopped moving and pushed Ruby against a wall and spoke sadly "Tatsumi, do you recognize that name?" Esdeath asked, Ruby nodded, Akame had written much about him and how much he meant to her and Qrow "She might have left out that he was my lover, the only in my life who gained my affection. But after we died, I learned that regardless of what I did I would never have his heart, so I moved on to find another who's heart I could have." Esdeath explained to the younger of the two, who still had a confused look on her face "You; you have fulfilled all my requirements perfectly." Esdeath said as bluntly as possible "This emotion; love, which I've become obsessed with I wish to share with you, Tatsumi was my first, but I want you to truly be mine."
Ruby was blushing profusely at the confession the woman had made, once again being dragged to her along to an unknown location again "I'm sure... you're... nice? But-" Ruby began but was cut off by Esdeaths' lips slamming into hers
"We can sort out the details later, but for now lets get better acquainted." Esdeath brushed off and dragged the dumbstruck girl along side her
(o)
Ruby was sitting frozen in fear as Esdeath hugged her closely, her heart racing faster then she could ever remember it moving, they were currently in Esdeaths' room, surrounded by weapons and trophies, a slight hue of blue light glowing around the room
"There's no need for you to fear me." Esdeath cooed as she slowly pet Ruby's hair "So long as you're mine, I'll be yours, and no harm shall ever end you." Esdeath happily said which scared Ruby even more
"I'm worried about my team and Akame." Ruby said after a few moments of fearful silence, Esdeath sighed
"How about this, I'll send for your team and we'll all have lunch together, will that satisfy you?" Esdeath asked moving so she could see Ruby's face
"What about Akame?" Ruby asked causing the air to grow colder, she knew she chose the wrong words
"She will remain imprisoned until I see fit to release or execute her. Ask again and her fate will be sealed." Esdeath warned coldly standing and pulling Ruby up with her
"Okay." Ruby quietly said as they exited the room
(o)
Winter watched as Weiss sat as still as a statue, Winter growled watching her sister block her out completely
"Weiss you cant do this! Say something!" Winter shouted finally losing it, she grabbed Weiss by her coat and pulled her up into a standing position, Weiss ignored here still "Godsdammit say something!" Winter shouted as loudly as she could
"Something." Weiss said calmly causing Winter to scoff and throw her back down onto her seat
"Do you think this is a game Weiss!? because its not! You attacked me! ME! YOUR OWN DAMN SISTER AND A MEMBER OF THE ATLAS MILITARY, Sie könnten alle eingesperrt oder getötet werden. VON ALLEN MENSCHEN IM ATLAS-MILITÄR. IHR TEAM MUSSTE MICH UND DAS ALLGEMEINE AUSWÄHLEN." Winter shouted her voice changing from Vydalian to Atlesian as she shouted, but Weiss understood it all.
"I know its not a game, that's why I'm not talking. What do you even know of Esdeath?" Weiss asked finally speaking after hours of silence
"Shes the youngest general in the atlas military, earning her rank by out witting and overpowering her foes, she turned a force of seven hundred solders in a backwater post into a force strong enough to route two converging hordes of Grimm both twice the size of the one you all faced, shes an absolute genius on and off the battlefield, a Brilliant strategist, shes made her career as an officer, she'll Recklessly charged into enemy lines, she's a harsh leader because she has to, being the leader of the strongest army in Atlas, and shes been an officer in all ground divisions types from Infanterie to Panzer, shes a logistics wizard, one of the fastest planners I've ever met, her mere presence turns her army into a aggressive assault force, a master of all our offensive doctrines, shes charismatic, shes adaptable, an expert when it comes to cold weather fighting, and so much more, shes a highly decorated officer and well respected by all her solders, those who stand out she recognizes, and those who fail due to laziness she punishes personally, I wouldn't want to serve any other general." Winter proudly said holding her head high
"Glad to hear I still have your loyalty." Esdeaths voice came from the doorway causing Winter to quickly spin around and salute her
"General!" Winter said proudly holding the salute
"Gather Weiss, Blake, and Yang, we're having lunch." Esdeath ordered then exited the room, Winter relaxed after the door shut
"I can really feel the care." Weiss commented coldly causing Winter to sigh
"Don't worry, you'll see when you go to eat, most of the time she eats with the lower ranks, but sometimes she'll grace the higher ranks with a feast, so it all depends on where you're eating." Winter explained and gestured for Weiss to follow her as they went to gather the others
(o)
Blake sat in silence waiting to see if the guards would give any useful information
"So... football?"
"No."
"Baseball?"
"No."
"Can I have a hint?"
"I play video games."
"Video games?"
"Yes?"
"Cool, what kind of games do you play?"
"No."
"That's... that's not... that's not an answer!"
thus far she hadn't gotten anything useful, she just knew that one hated talking to the other, but both of their attitudes quickly changed at the sound of two sets of heels hitting the floor
"Ma'am!" they said in unison
"I'm here for Blake, the general wishes to see her and her friends." an unfamiliar voice came
"Of course ma'am." one said and the door opened "I'll get her now." the solder entered the cell and began to undo the chains on her wrist and ankles
"So, Spezialist Schnee what do you like to do in your spare time?" the guard outside asked, causing the one in the cell to groan
"He's been trying to get everyone in his squad and above to tell him what they do in their spare time so he can get them presents, honestly he's the nicest corrupt person I know, don't tell anyone I told you that though okay." the solder whispered to Blake as he undid her the last chain and helped her stand guiding her out of the cell
"Shes been sitting down for a while so her legs are a bit weak." he explained as they exited into the corridor, Blake's eyes immediately locked onto Weiss who moved and embraced her
"I gotcha Blake." Weiss said quietly as she took over the carrying position as they followed Winter towards Yang's cell, leaving the guards to their 'conversation'
(o)
Yang slammed her fist into the door again, slowly she was building up power behind her semblance her plan was to distract everyone on the ship with herself so the others could arm themselves, now that plan would have worked if the door didn't fly open as she went to strike it again causing her to fall face first into the floor
"Owww... whats the big idea- Hey Weiss, hey Blake- I was slamming into that door for almost twenty minutes now you're here, gods your room service is terrible." Yang snarked after she got up and hugged both Weiss and Blake relieved to see them safe
"I suppose there's no reason to release you from your restraints, come lets get you all to the general." Winter said turning back around and walking away
"Wait, what about Akame?" Blake asked causing Weiss to nod in agreement
"The general left her out specifically, so she will not be joining you unless I am told otherwise, now lets move." Winter said sternly causing them all to share looks, if they had their weapons they could take on Winter but unarmed it was a gamble "And if you are debating attacking me, you should know your leader is with the General, It wouldn't do to cause a scene." Winter warned walking away from them, they all quickly followed
(o)
Ruby sat in the seat closest to Esdeath who was happily glancing at her and writing in a notebook
"Tell me Ruby how old are you?" Esdeath asked after a few moments of silence
"I'm fifteen, I'll be turning sixteen October thirty-first." Ruby answered trying to get her courage back but it seemed like Esdeath was capable of draining it with ease "Esdeath, can I ask you something?" Ruby requested carefully
"Of course, if we are to be lovers you must know me." Esdeath confirmed turning all of her attention onto Ruby
"What's your semblance?" Ruby asked bluntly feeling she had to ask soon or she wouldn't ask at all
"That's simple, I can rejuvenate my stamina and that of my allies, if I ever get tired I can just activate my semblance and its like starting over with better odds of winning." Esdeath answered "Its quiet nice. Downside is it takes up huge amounts of Aura" Ruby suddenly felt completely hopeless, there was no way to beat this woman, she destroyed Akame with ease and even if they wear her down she could just rejuvenate her stamina and they would have to start over with worse odds
"Now, now, no need to get so down, yes its impossible to kill me by any normal means, but Murasame exists for now. So if Akame were to escape unnoticed, retrieve the blade, successfully sneak up to me and land two hits within milliseconds of each other then my defeat is possible, but that is impossible, considering her current location." Esdeath happily said watching as the small glimmer of hope faded from Ruby's eyes "So I suppose you are right to look that way, escape is impossible, I wont lose another one I love to Akame and Qrows' delusions." just as Esdeath finished speaking the door to the dinning hall opened and Winter entered
"General, I've retrieved them." Winter said saluting Esdeath
"Good, you may return to your duties." Esdeath replied as the rest of team RWBY moved to sit near their leader as Winter left the door shutting behind them
"Welcome, this meeting has been set up by me to; blah, blah, blah, and all that bureaucratic nonsense, now then lets discuss your futures." Esdeath said dropping all formalities as they sat
"Cool, cool. Can we leave now?" Yang asked clearly angry by the whole situation
"I don't recall giving you permission to speak yet, but if you wish to leave there's an airlock over there, the drop will kill you and save me the trouble." Esdeath replied calmly causing Yang to hold her tongue "No?" Esdeath asked recognizing how easily Yang could be taunted, Esdeath then smiled at her causing Yang untold levels of anger
"Why are we here? You seemed pretty content on letting us all wonder if the others were fine until then. What changed?" Weiss asked resting her hands on the table
"Right, what to do with you all? As I'm sure you all know, having attacked me and Winter you've place yourselves on the criminal side of things thus earning yourselves bounties, the grand total for your bail is almost four million Lien each." Esdeath explained watching each of them carefully as they sat quietly "Now, that's only your bail, add on the full pardon charges and that'll put you up to... around 320 million total, or 64 million each. Double that for Blake due to her heritage." Esdeath explained her smile widening as they all shared shocked looks "And that's if I play fair. If I wanted to I could make each of your bails over 1.5 billion."
Weiss was the first to speak "I highly doubt Reichsmarschall Ironwood, would allow such a thing, General."
Esdeath laughed at that statement before speaking "Ha! All humans are weak and corrupt, while I don't have the freedom I once had to battle to my hearts content, James still lets me do what I will as long as it has no long reaching effects on Atlas itself, he even let me promote Akame to Oberst because I wanted to keep an eye on her, and that plan did pay off in the end. I can understand Najenda a bit better now though, the thrill of watching a plan come together is almost as great as killing a strong opponent."
"How does she know about Najenda?" Yang asked having no one to speak with about her current captor
"How could I have forgotten. I am General Esdeath of the Atlas military 4th militärisches Protektorat. But to be completely honest we all know its an army." Esdeath answer happily watching Yangs' jaw drop "Occupation is something I usually left to my Beasts but I don't have them here, yet anyways."
"Okay... but how are you alive? From what Akame told us Qrow killed you." Yang asked trying to make sense of the ghost in front of her
Esdeath spoke again afterwards beginning her tale "After I died, I woke up in a place where all worlds converged, but I was weak there. Not that I had much trouble but I felt a constant weakness..."
(\_/)
Esdeath took step after step following her instincts leading her towards the one she loved, the yanking of her soul causing her to slow her pace for some reason she felt a crushing weight on her body one which forced her to walk slowly which slowly became a problem...
(\_/)
She lost track of how long she'd been walking, days, weeks, years? At this point she was prepared to kill anything like an animal as she dragged her heavy feet, until she found a house in the middle of the woods, it was large and had two stories but what made it stand out to her was the sign on the front that read 'Night Raid' she knew if Tatsumi was anywhere it was here, moving as quickly as she could she stumbled forward a bit and leaned on the side of the building almost all her strength gone as she slammed her fist into the door cracking it than collapsed to the ground falling asleep as the crack repaired itself
(\_/)
Slowly opening her eyes she was greeted by three people one she recognized the other two only from posters
"Well, look who finally woke up." the man said glaring at her "I'm Bulat, but I'm sure you knew that, that's Sheele and that's Chelsea."
"Where's Tatsumi?" Esdeath asked weakly trying to sit herself up but found it too difficult
"He's making dinner right now with Lubbock, but that's not important what is important is why you are here, you have no reason to come after us anymore so why are you here?"
"I just want to be with the one I love." Esdeath answered feeling new strength rise as she said that
"Well too bad, he doesn't love you." Chelsea said coldly swapping the lollipop to the other side of her mouth and glaring at her "Besides, do you really think we'd let someone like you stay here, this place is for Night Raid and those we like, last I checked you're at the very bottom of alllll our lists'." her words made Esdeath begin to think, maybe shes right, she was probably the scariest person Tatsumi ever met and she dragged him away from everyone he knew, but she loved him what else was she suppose to do? Let him go and get himself killed... yet that happened regardless of her wishes.
"I get it, you want to be with someone you love. But you aren't going to find them here, Liver stayed for a little while but he moved on when Tatsumi got here and told us about you." Bulat comforted pulling Esdeath to her feet
"What am I suppose to do without him?" Esdeath asked, once in her life she felt completely lost of purpose but she found it very easy to trust the man in front of her and found that he was the one who had the answers she wanted
"Move on, find another to love, if not here then somewhere else. I've been here a while and did some exploring, there's a land northeast of here filled with strange monsters, but from what people going there have said there's suppose to be some kind of... 'thing' there to give you something of a chance, I can't say anything else or you can't access it, oh and be careful of your words 'round here too, you never know what people can and cannot know." Bulat explained pulling her to her feet and guided her out front and pointed out the direction he mentioned
"You aren't lying to me, I can tell." Esdeath commented looking him dead in the eyes "I'll leave for now, but when I return I'll have learn more of love, oh and if any of my subordinates make their way here can you tell them to build a house across from yours, I feel like we should keep an eye on you all." Esdeath finished sarcastically
"Yeah I'll tell 'em, only if you promise to stop kidnapping Tatsumi." Bulat snarked back both of them shared a quick laugh then Esdeath spoke again
"No need to worry, I'm too hungry to even think about fighting."
"Its because of your karma, you've been remembered as a monster so your soul is weak here, if you want to be freed of that you just need to build up a better reputation around here, Lubbock, Tatsumi and I all help the nearby villages with food and lumber. While Chelsea and Sheele help with maintaining the towns economy and infrastructure... well mainly Chelsea but Sheele has gotten better at it." Bulat explained as he walked Esdeath a bit of the way towards her new purpose
"Thank you, Bulat." Esdeath thanked as they left each other, Esdeath walking to her new purpose, Bulat returning to his family.
(o)
"Than I walked until I was here, born twenty years ago with all my memories and experience, and a caring mother and father. Both of which are still alive and care for me even though I told them what I told you all. Then again I didn't know that I in the same location as Qrow or Akame, I thought I'd never see either of them again, but I'm happy to know that such challenges will still arise." Esdeath finished placing her hand on Ruby's
"So that's the afterlife?" Ruby mumbled to herself not moving her hand from Esdeaths
"Don't worry Ruby." Esdeath said rapping her arm around Ruby's neck and pulled her closer resting their foreheads together "So long as I'm alive you don't need to worry about dying."
"I'm not a big fan of you touching my sister like that." Yang growled clenching her fist feeling a powerful surge of energy beat through her momentarily
"Ah yes, you two are related, its rather nice to know that my love has more to care about then me, an added challenge, but I know that in the end, she'll choose me." Esdeath spoke tightening her grip on Ruby who for all her strength was having a very hard time breathing
"Can we please return to business?" Weiss asked carefully hiding her emotions from Esdeath, but she could tell Weiss feared for her leaders safety
"Right, right, so here's my proposal; you all serve as my agents, and after eight years of service I'll release you. Obviously though Ruby is exempt from this, she will be staying with me for far far longer, you three on the other hand are not, so you have to work like everyone else." Esdeath proposed folding her hands on the table looking at each of them Esdeath then added "Its a deal in your favor, eight years working as a specialist is equal to half of half, of one of your bails at most. You'll also get all the benefits as solders in my army as well as my protection and name, both of which are better than any weapon you could possible design or use."
"Do you mind if we discuss this in private?" Weiss asked after looking at everyone
"There's not much to discuss, its yes or no. but if it makes you feel better, sure." Esdeath replied then got up and exited the room, just as she shut the door all vents and the door she exited through were covered in a thick layer of ice
looking at each of them Weiss realized that they really had no choice but to agree "Dammit, where is Akame? We really need her right now."
"I don't know, but do you think we can scale the outside of the ship? She left that door unfrozen." Yang suggested and pointed at it true to her word it was fine
"If we fall we'll die its too risky, we should just obey for now." Ruby said clearly scared of Esdeaths power, given how shaky her voice was, seemingly delusional Ruby continued "If we listen she might let Akame go and then we just have to work for her for a few more years then we're free, right?"
"I don't think she plans on letting you go Ruby, what do we do if she keeps you? And from what Akame said about her if we serve her for eight years we're serving her for life. I don't want that, how are we gonna get out of this?" Yang spoke again clearly thinking only of Ruby's safety
"We're backed into a corner, we need to make a way out." Weiss added placing her head in her hands
"If we..." Blake began but let the line of though die, none of them knew what to do with their current situation they had few choices
"I have an idea." Ruby said quietly her voice holding very little conviction but drew all attention to her "If we want to get the best possible outcome, Akame needs to be freed. So we should do everything to assure that, right?" Ruby asked changing everyone's views on their situation. She was right, Akame was their only shot at getting rid of Esdeath right now and their only bet "Alright, then let me do the talking. With you all here I think I can keep my confidence." Yang placed her hand on her shoulder
"We're all counting on you Ruby." Yang comforted causing Ruby to smile at her sister
(o)
After another few minutes of talking an coordination of their plan the ice finally shattered and Esdeath reentered the room with a slim box in her hands and took her seat setting the box next to her and looked at them expectantly, causing WBY to look to Ruby who nodded confidently
"We don't have many options to choose from, so we went with the one that we know to be the safest." Ruby said causing Esdeaths smile to widen "But, we do have a couple conditions-" Ruby began but was cut off by Esdeath
"You do know that this is surrender, not negotiations. You don't get to have 'conditions'." Esdeath spoke watching Ruby for any weakness seeing many but chose not to act yet
"Conditional surrender?" Ruby offered not understanding its meaning causing Esdeath to laugh and Weiss to facepalm
"Sure, we'll go with that, you make your condition and I'll counter it with one of my own, fair?" Esdeath offered smiling happily at Ruby turning her full attention to her
"We'll serve you for eight years, but you release Akame now." Ruby said turning her attention completely to Esdeath who was unreadable
"I'll release Akame if your sentence is increased to indefinitely." Esdeath countered, Ruby's eyebrow scrunched and she looked to Weiss
"Are you kid- it means unlimited or unspecified amount of time, get a dictionary. By the gods." Weiss answered completely frustrated by her leaders antics
"Ah... okay, well, I cant really... live forever so I don't really know how that'll work." Ruby joked everyone sat quietly "Okay... not the time for jokes... got it." Esdeath raised an eyebrow as she watched Ruby nod a few times "Okay, return Murasame to her as well."
"Well you could just ask me to let her stab me. I'm not a fool." Esdeath coldly said causing everyone to shrink away from her, until her attitude returned to normal and she spoke again "I'll release her but if she wants Murasame back she has until the end of next week, if she fails to retrieve it by then, I'll destroy it."
"Are you going to tell her that?" Ruby asked after a few moments of silence
"If you wear a collar." Esdeath smiled and replied with a slight blush and an excited tone
"Umm... I don't know how to feel about that." Ruby said awkwardly and tugged at her shirt collar
"I'm not a big fan of that kind of kink either." Yang added glaring at Esdeath who raised an eyebrow and spoke as though they were making stupid accusations
"I don't get off to it, I just want people to know who she belongs to from now on." Esdeath waved off causing no comfort and only solidifying their thoughts on the subject
"Okay... I agree to these terms." Ruby agreed after a few moments of refection
"As do I." Esdeath said chuckling a bit as she clicked a collar around Ruby neck causing everyone to blink in surprise
"Where-" Blake began but was cut off by Esdeath who spoke as she ran her fingers through Ruby's hair like she was a dog
"Unimportant. Now your mission; attend Beacon as normal, but send me profiles on all students, teachers, and transfer students, I'll give you a specific list of students and teachers, once that's complete I'll give you more orders." Esdeath ordered standing and looking over her new solders and smiled happily "Blake Belladonna, Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, and Yang Xiao-Long, I cant wait to watch you all become my most powerful subordinates." Her smile widened and grew more and more sadistic with each word, she then moved and opened the box and placed it in the middle of the table, within it held eight Insignia all of which looked the same except for one set which was braided silver unlike the others, Esdeath grabbed those ones and turned to Ruby and attached them to her shoulders
"Welcome to my army, Major Rose." Esdeath congratulated and turned to the others and spoke "You all report to Ruby as normal, she'll be in charge of administration and planing for your division from now on, she reports directly to me like the other Majors. Winter will supervise her for now, until shes accustomed to her new role. Understood?"
"Yes." They all answered feeling her overpowering stare as she attached their insignia as well
"Good, after Ruby has grown into her new role your division will grow from six members until it becomes a proper division, after that your missions will truly begin." Esdeath explained to them as they exited the room Weiss, Blake, and Yang were all guided to their new barracks by Winter and Ruby was dragged away by Esdeath towards her room.
(o)
"Esdeath... I know you want to keep an eye on her but you cant torturer her, it goes against all laws in place after the first world war, so your request will be denied. I've covered for you against Ozpin, I wont cover for you again. No more civilian promotions is that understood." James said sternly glaring at the woman who sat calmly
"While that does put a slight damper on my mood I wont let it get to me. I have achieved my goal." Esdeath calmly replied folding her hands on the table in front of her
James sighed and spoke slowly clearly frustrated by her "I understand how you feel, but I invited you into this order for a reason, you have the strength needed to fight against Salem and her forces, please don't prove me wrong."
"I don't intend to Reichsmarschall, the idea of someone leading such a large collection of powerful creatures is intresting. I do hope she will make a move soon though." Esdeath attempted to reassure, it failed. After a few moments of silence James spoke again his tone becoming a dangerous one
"I don't trust you. But I have no choice, just because you hold enough sway with the council to null my votes does not mean you are in charge of this military, you follow orders and you protect the people of Remnant, its the best we can do right now. Is that understood?"
"Yes sir." Esdeath answered calmly and the video feed ended "That idiot." Esdeath growled letting killing intent to flow off of her in a steady stream
"General?" Winters voice came causing the killing intent to shrink into a underlying sensation
"What is it Winter?" Esdeath asked glaring over her shoulder at her
"You have a call, from your mother." Winter answered holding out a scroll to her
"Thank you." Esdeath thanked as she took the scroll and answered it holding it up to her ear
A/N Couldn't do it. I wrote this two days after finishing chapter 12 of the previous volume. This was once a hobby, it is now an obsession, I cant stop. I also want peoples opinion on how this chapter feels, does it feel too all over the place or was it difficult to follow? Things like that.