Romance of the Three Kingdoms
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Ours is a cycle of hatred.
Alliances forged and broken.
We have paid the price for sharing this world.
And we have forgotten what makes us strong.
.
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On the northern edge of Vale's continent, a fleet of Atlas airships made their aerial trek southward. Mountain peaks dotted the land and the snowy treetops of forests coated the grounds below.
Ever since their departure, the Atlesian Fleet faced little difficulty in their journey. Unlike the natural barriers or ones created by Grimm, such as the Dracul Isles, Vale possessed no such protection. Only this string of mountains.
Positioned at the rear, was the flagship. A newly engineered dreadnought that made the one used by Ironwood look like a dinghy. Armed with rows of cannons on each side, multilayered reinforced plating, and a triple Dust Reactor engine—the aircraft was a literal fortress in the sky. Due to its great mass, it was even connected to several other ships by steel wires, which helped support it during travel.
On its bridge, the general in charge sipped his nice hot coco.
"Still no sign of Vale forces?" he asked with a bored tone.
"No, sir," his grizzly executive officer replied.
"Hmph. How pathetic. Does the army of Vale even intend to put up a fight at all? Hearing the public drone on and on about the talented Huntsmen and warriors this Kingdom has to offer, but here I see not a sight of them. I guess it really was all talk after all. Wouldn't you say?"
"Uh… Yes, sir."
The general in question wore a pristine, military white suit. The medals and decorations attached, shined with an almost blinding polish. He carried himself with high esteem, as he frequently whipped his luscious white hair back out of his face. His name was Vanille Schnee.
"Have our scouts check again!" he commanded.
"Sir, they just recently returned from their fifth rotation. May I suggest letting our pilots rest?"
"Are you questioning my orders?"
"…No, sir."
"Make sure they check behind every cloud and every potential landing zone. And if they still find nothing, tell them to expand their search to include Vale's shipyard. I want a live report on their base conditions."
"Sir?!" The executive officer caught himself and transitioned to a more docile tone. "Sir, I would highly advise against sending our pilots into known hostile airspace."
"We can stand to lose a few men. We've suffered zero losses after all. Make sure they provide as much intel on the enemy before they go down."
"Please, sir. May I suggest a more conservative—"
"Enough of your suggestions, XO! Give the order, or I'll replace you with someone who will!"
"…Yes, sir," he saluted.
The man opened comms to their scouting division and began relaying orders. From the responses he got, he knew the pilots were bordering mutiny. Luckily, he used an earpiece so the general wouldn't overhear.
In a low voice, the officer spoke.
"Have you finished refueling?"
"No! Of course, we haven't!" the other line answered. "We just got back!"
"Pilot, your orders are to mobilize as soon as possible."
"Are you listening to me?! I said we just got back! We have to refuel!"
"Your orders are clear. You are to mobilize this instant. Do you read me?"
"Yeah, I read you! But like I said, if we don't finish refueling, we won't even make it to the target location before… we have to turn back…"
"Do you understand? You are to sortie immediately."
"…Yes, XO. I understand perfectly clear. Copy orders."
There was a moment of radio silence.
"Thank you, sir," a voice of relief came over the comms.
The executive officer would no doubt receive some flak for what he had just done. Even copping to the reason he was following exact orders would not be enough. But he felt better knowing he would not send soldiers needlessly to their deaths.
He watched several smaller aircrafts fly ahead of the fleet. He tracked their path until they disappeared into the distance. Without the scouts, any layman could tell there wasn't a Vale aircraft for miles. Their radar systems also showed nothing.
The officer couldn't figure what the Kingdom of Vale was thinking. Their intel indicated that, in terms of the aerial arms race, Vale council made almost no effort to improve their own. At the rate the war was proceeding, Atlas and Mistral would overwhelm the Kingdom with its relatively uncontested air force.
Was the Kingdom of Vale so inept?
The Officer's instincts told him no.
Then, what is happening?
This doesn't smell right. We should set a new course immediately.
…
…
*BEEP BEEP BEEP!*
Alarms blared and red indicators flashed on multiple monitors.
"What is happening?!" Vanille shouted.
"I don't know, sir. Radar systems show multiple objects inbound."
"Where are they, XO?! I see no airships!"
"They aren't airships, sir. They're too small… We can't avoid collision—!"
At that moment, several giant axes embedded themselves in the flagship and a few of the other commanding vessels nearby.
"What, what is happening?!" Vanille panicked. "How is this possible?!"
Suddenly, from the cover of the forest below, countless projectiles rose like fireworks. The roar of guns and the flight of weapons filled the air. It was a massive ambush.
"XO?! Initiate immediate retreat!"
The executive officer only continued to assess the situation as more axes were chucked in their direction.
"XO! ORDER IMMEDIATE RETREAT!"
Still, he did not listen. His eyes were glued to the monitors, which despite being aimed at by so many hostiles, registered nothing of their attackers.
"TRAFALGAR!" Vanille roared.
The bridge shook with another great hit, this time, causing some debris to fly on the bridge.
" .GAR!"
The officer knew if they retreated now, they would only receive unfathomable losses. The fleet was deep in enemy territory. Their flagship was specifically what the opposition was targeting. Attempting to flee would be a futile effort. There was no doubt in his mind they were going to lose their flagship, which was overly-sized and slow to begin with.
The best course of action would be to hold their ground before inevitably abandoning ship. Contrary to the disastrous start, there was still a chance to put up a worthwhile fight. Their forces ahead were already turning around. Engaging was better than the alternative.
Ultimately, if they were going to be sunk, it was better to do it in battle than any useless attempt in escaping.
"My apologies, general. It appears I've lost hearing in my left ear from the last attack," Trafalgar lied, while pretending to turn a deaf ear.
"WHAT?!" Vanille screamed.
"Therefore, I cannot receive further orders, and shall carry on with my duty to the best of my ability."
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE—"
"Artillery solutions! Calculate trajectory of those axes and return fire on the source! Commanding vessels, release tethers and disperse! Carriers, deploy Atlesian Knights and Paladins!"
The executive officer used the touchscreen on his console to direct routes and distributions. A second later, the rest of the Fleet coordinated to his commands, like a delicate choreography.
The dreadnought turned ninety degrees and unleashed a literal wall of ordinance in the direction the axes catapulted from.
…
"—Oh, crap!"
An abnormally large man in flannel pattern armor smiled awkwardly at the incoming wave of artillery. The pair of great axes in his hands crossed in front of him, as he braced for impact. Just as the ordinance landed, he felt an abrupt change in his constitution.
Hellfire rained the mountainside. Enough to warp the landscape around them.
But when the smoke cleared, the axe-wielder was still standing none too worse for wear. The reason due to the shining figure, who stood as his shield.
Jaune's Semblance luminated himself and his ally in divine light. It protected them, and healed any injuries they accrued.
"Are you okay, Jack?!" he checked.
"HAHAHA! Thanks, sonny! You really saved my hide! HAHAHA!" the bearded man guffawed loud enough to almost cause an avalanche.
"Is this really the time to be laughing?!"
"Of course! I feel invincible with you here! Keep doing what you're doing until we hit phase two! BWAHAHAHAHA!"
The man's laugh grew heartier, as he hurled more axes through the air. They cleaved into the smaller airships and cut deep into the larger ones. They crashed through a wave of robots and a few Paladin mechs, like they were cheap toys.
Meanwhile, deep in the forest, where the second ambushing party hid, Lie Ren discontinued his Semblance.
Upon doing so, he collapsed with exhaustion. Nora stopped firing her grenade-launcher, dropping to his side. Ruby also ceased her sniper fire for the moment to join them.
"—How is he?" Taiyang asked, as he rushed over.
"He's fine… breathing," Ruby answered. "We need to take him to Jaune."
"Him and Jack should be here soon for phase two. It's a miracle he held out as long as he did."
Ruby and Taiyang eyed the device next to Ren. Previously, it looked like a wand or scepter blooming in place, but after its deactivation, it reverted into its flower bud form.
To counter the obvious air military Atlas and Mistral developed for the war, Vale had chosen to devote their resources to anti-air. One of the keys to the counter stratagem was this device, known as a Semblance Amplifier, or its codename: Godmother.
By using it, they were able to increase the effect radius of Ren's Semblance to include a whole ambushing battalion. Though it put considerable amounts of stress on the recipient, they could not argue with the results it produced.
As a number of androids enclosed their position, the warriors of Vale snapped to action. Ruby and Taiyang paired to meet an approaching squadron. The father-daughter combo made scraps out of the androids within seconds. Any Atlesian Knights left behind, they left to Nora, who mauled them with ease. While protecting Ren, they ensured Godmother's technology did not fall into enemy hands.
When a new batch of reinforcements came to replace the droids they decimated, Jaune and Jack appeared from behind. Sword and axe sliced through the robots' ranks with a single swing, and the two rejoined their comrades.
Jaune went to restoring Ren's stamina and Aura on contact.
"Fight's going well," Jack observed. "Our soldiers are turning these Atlas asshats on their heads!"
"Only 'cause we got the jump on them," Taiyang replied. "Next part's where things get iffy."
"Bah! Nothing to worry about!"
"Yeah, well. Not everyone's the size of a tank, Jack."
"No, but we do have the best talents in Remnant." He shielded his eyes and looked up at the airships. "Feels like we're the ones who got the easier fight."
Taiyang didn't tell any of them, but he and Straw specifically chose younger soldiers for this operation. Rather than people, they would fight androids for the majority. It took some of the moral burden off, and at the same time, inaugurated them to the experience of war. Something he developed after a certain breakfast discussion with Yang.
"Phase Two, then?" Jack asked.
"Phase Two."
"HAHAHA!"
The two turned to a nervously shifting girl.
"Ready, kiddo?"
"Y-yeah. I think," Ruby replied uncertainly.
"Don't worry. You've got this," Taiyang encouraged.
"Okay."
Ruby took deep breaths. She thought back to the lessons she received from Glynda Goodwitch up until a few days ago.
Those with silver eyes have always possessed an uncanny connection with the Never Realm. The reason for this has been lost to time, and the population of such special individuals has dwindled with its passage.
However, the line remains unbroken, and their power—your power, will always be needed.
Magic wielded by a pure and honest soul.
And, much like with anything, it begins with a single wish.
And it is up to you—
To give that wish form.
…
Ruby pictured a grand ornate gate in her mind. Intricate sculptures of people and landscapes carved into its threshold. They told stories of hunters and prey, struggles of people and Grimm—The tale of Four Maidens; the tragic story of a guilty immortal; a Witch who'd fallen from grace. Among so many others.
Vines slithered from the open doorway and twined around its crest. They grew around Ruby's form. Thorns sprouted and roses budded.
In an instant, the girl was surrounded by the sleeping woods of briar and bramble.
On the outside, Taiyang watched as rose petals drifted from Ruby's cloak. His daughter's eyes wide open, glinting with a silver sheen he was all too familiar with. And for the first time in a long while, he remembered the most awe-inspiring memories of Summer Rose, one of his closest loved ones now gone.
He choked a little, but fought down the urge to lose himself to the past.
"I wish you could see her, Summ," he whispered with a low somberness.
The blades in Ruby's scythe trailed with a ghostly moonlight. Her weapon swayed side to side, slicing near the ground, almost like a ritual of reaping crops. A melody hummed from the gust it created. It gradually turned sharp, like a violin's sonata. Countless red roses and thorned vines spread from Ruby's cape.
With an explosive growth, the spiked tendrils shot forth and twisted into the sky. Their limbs latched on to Atlas airships, ensnaring them in its grasp. Thrusters from the flying vessels ignited, like a bird trying to escape a trap. But in the end, it was futile.
The vines of thorn and rose brought the pride of the Atlesian Air Fleet low. Pulled close within ground level, they resembled beasts bound and subdued. As if put under some form of mystic spell,
They were welcomed into the sweet embrace of the Sleeping Forest.
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X
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Glynda reminisced about the first time she saw Summer Rose's promise. She remembered so much of her "junior", while training Ruby. And she would be lying if there wasn't an old tinge of jealousy in it.
Back in school, Glynda wasn't aware, but Professor Ozpin and the Headmaster of then were grooming her to be the next potential candidate for a Maiden's inheritance. An inheritance that would eventually be granted to Summer instead.
She remembered the peculiar training sessions and replicated them with Ruby. Private teachings that sounded more philosophical than practical. Lectures of another plane than the one they currently resided. And in time, she learned to harness her own form of Magic.
It paled in comparison to certain individuals, and though they were never employed to their fullest potential by being complimented with a Maiden's inheritance, Glynda became an outstanding Huntress and warrior in her own right.
And the world knew to be wary of the "Witch" of Vale.
On the eastern beaches of Vale's continent, Glynda thrust her riding crop in the direction of the approaching Mistral ships. Storm clouds brewed, swirled and thundered. Icicles rained down and cut into the hulls at her whim. She conjured thick mists to obscure the pilots' visions.
The battle in the eastern theater had waged for half a day now.
It started with an adequate ambush. Glynda's spells provided Mistral with a particularly hellish welcome. Hurricanes and turbulence severe enough to give the flying behemoths pause. The Grimm Kotengu escorting the Armada, were battered around in the deathly winds.
Though, the forces of Mistral would not be dissuaded so easily.
Their numbers were too many for a lone spellcaster to deal with. As some of the Kingdom's forces began making landfall, they were more than enthused to engage the warriors of Vale. Their morale remained overwhelming, despite lackluster beginnings.
Glynda could only guess what imbued these soldiers with such zeal.
To clear the way for the rest of the ships to land, squadrons of Mistral's Huntsmen and Huntresses fought their way towards her. If they could take down the Headmaster of Beacon, or simply break her concentration enough, they knew victory would tip in their favor. An action that was entirely predicted and accounted for.
Along with concentrating most of their troops around their key pillar, a final defense line rostering Vale's finest, stood in Glynda's protection.
From General Straw's long sleeves, a number of gold lances and muskets flourished. He swung his extended limbs in the manner of a crazed dancer. Enemies were slashed, shot, and skewered in visceral fashion. Standing with him, were two of the most reliable comrades any could wish for.
One, a youthful-looking child with dual daggers that could change into snub-nose revolvers with a flick of his wrist. His attire was a flexible dark-green, sleeveless hoodie. A miscreant's grin cut across his lips and a prankster's twinkle in his eye. This was the Headmaster of Signal Academy, Pan Darling.
Beside him, was an older looking gentleman, armed with a long foil and a gnarled hook for a hand as big as his torso. He donned a pirate's attire with a great feather in his hat. A needle-like mustache traced above his mouth. His prosthetic hook shot out and sunk itself into many foes. A number of melee weapons were caught in its claw, and snapped in the same motion. This was the Vice Headmaster of Signal Academy, Hook Teach.
Despite the significant differences between the two, the Headmaster and Vice Headmaster were actually the same age. Both grew as archrivals throughout their childhood years, school, and eventually, their careers as Huntsmen and educators. Pan, ever being the slightly more accomplished and talented one.
Together with Straw, the three defenders fended off any and all attackers with dramatic finish.
"Is this really it?!" Headmaster Pan sniffed. "This might be the first time I fall asleep on a battlefield!"
"Don't get cocky, Pan!" Hook growled. "If you have the energy to flap your mouth, save it for making sure the ranks hold!"
"Hook is quite right," Straw joined. "Mistral's key players have yet to make an appearance. We would do well to keep it that way. In the meantime, stave the attacks of the pawns. Ever the chance a lowly foot soldier could bring down our queen."
"I know that! I was only trying to lighten the mood!" the youth exclaimed. "But there's a reason I never liked chess. It's been six hours and not enough action!"
"Tick tock, tick tock!" Hook mocked. "The more time we burn, the better. Now, stick to your guns, fool!"
"You know, I am technically your boss. You should be referring to me as 'Headmaster'."
"Tick tock, tick tock!"
"Always a sour puss."
The top Professors of Signal Academy once again delved into the fray, leaving Straw to contemplate the situation.
The general stared into the distant clouds, where the Mistral Armada's backline waited patiently. He could almost picture his adversaries, watching the battle develop from a distance—staring at him from across the chessboard.
…
From the bridge of Mistral's flagship, General Saru and Raven observed the battle's status on a holographic map. With the mists blocking their physical vision and cameras, they had to rely on intel relayed from engaging forces.
"What are your thoughts, general?" Raven posed.
"Odd," the monkey Faunus replied, stroking his chin hairs. "Very odd."
"What is?"
"Their tactic is too simple. If we stay back and keep our main units in reserve, we can conserve our energy and numbers for the next critical fight."
"So, where lies the problem?"
"…They must be aware of this, too. Still, no attempt has been made to change the status quo. They only stand to lose more, as this battle extends. There is meaning behind their inaction."
As it stood, the armies of Vale and Mistral were squared evenly. Though an additional battalion made up Vale's center formation to give protection to Glynda. Going by the actual battle, it could be said they were on equal footing. But Mistral only committed its vanguard forces so far. They were actually conserving a significant amount of their forces, which would be instrumental for the rest of the campaign as a whole.
"Something is amiss," Saru continued to contemplate. "They are stalling? If so, for what? Reinforcements? No. Our spies have informed us any forces elsewhere are ambushing Atlas in the north."
"Could the intel be wrong?" Raven suggested.
"Possible, but unlikely. Too many of our spies from all ranks and departments report the same information with no discrepancy. Any reinforcement force of significant size would be easily discovered. A stratagem privy only to a few? That is more likely."
"If there was a scheme hatched between their highest-level leaders, our spies could have missed it."
"Indeed," the hairy man scratched his chin more vigorously with agitation.
…
He suddenly stopped.
"Provide live feeds from several of our frontline soldiers!" Saru ordered.
On the big screen, six camera feeds taken from the scrolls of their vanguard units appeared. They showed images of their troops combatting the enemy in close proximity. Haphazard blades clashing, guns firing. Rather than cohesive tactics, the warriors of Vale focused on the strength of the individual. As a result, many of them fought enemies two or three at a time. This also stemmed from a bad habit of fighting only Grimm and not actual people.
Though the camera feed was a bit jarring to watch, it was apparent that Vale's army was tiring. Fatigue showed in the sweat on their faces. Their Auras fluctuated on the verge of dispelling. But somehow, one way or another, every time Mistral forces pushed, Vale pushed back. It also didn't help that their troops were herded close, making maneuvering difficult.
There, Saru caught on to something.
One of their squadrons made a desperate attempt to carve a path into the enemy, and was brutally shut down. Normally, such a thing wouldn't garner notice. Allowing a break in an army line was fatal after all. But the manner in which it happened tripped the general's notice. Including the fact that it was Hook, who did it. One of their best fighters dedicated himself solely to seeing their defenses held.
Saru made his career from lowly shoe shiner to top general of Mistral's Armada. It was a journey that afforded him a deeper perspective than most. To understand the whole picture, he knew he needed to see the canvas, but also its subtlest brushstrokes. War was no different. "A loss of a nail, a horseshoe, a messenger, and then a battle". The grandest victories were made of infinitesimally minor tasks completed as prerequisite.
And Saru caught on to one of those prerequisites from the camera feed. A clue into what Vale needed to do in order to emerge victorious.
"They're clogging our movements!" he shouted. "If they wanted to draw out time, they could easily perform a measured retreat or kiting maneuver. But they're holding their ground like their lives depend on it. More than anything, they do not want the rest of our forces to cross into land."
"Your orders, general?" Raven inquired.
"Landfall is now our highest priority! I don't know what they're planning, but I do know pushing our position will act completely contrary to it… D-Does that make sense?"
"…Sounds valid to me," the Commander shrugged. "I'll make sure to clear the weather, while I'm at it."
Raven cut open a portal, and strode through.
With her departure, Saru could only scan the maps with worry. He wondered if he made the right choice, then shook his head.
He knew his battle forecast was correct and would stand by it.
Now, the rest was up to Raven, Adam, and Blake.
.
X
.
At the core of Vale's army, a dense teardrop of smoke descended.
The black mist seemed to land almost elegantly to the ground before dispersing its billowing fog to the surrounding warriors. Like it had a life of its own, the haze absorbed itself into the skin and lungs of others. And in the host body, the soldiers saw a pair of hauntingly yellow eyes.
As a natural response, they activated their respective Semblances to counter the unknown being.
But strangely, nothing happened. The warriors of Vale were left flabbergasted by the sudden impotence of their abilities.
"—Must be bad luck," Blake's voice echoed from the ether. "Push forward!"
The Mistral forces rallied under her order and pressed the line.
Meanwhile, as Hook and Pan were getting ready to assist, two figures drew their attention. A pair of blades descended from a portal. Their swords, poised like guillotines falling on an unmoving Glynda Goodwitch.
Orange sparks flew as Straw and Pan made it in time to meet their blows.
"Raven," Glynda uttered a terse tone.
"Glynda, and Straw as well. Old greetings and etcetera," Raven smirked.
"It seems fate's sleight dictates we meet once more," Straw mused, as he held Raven's katana in a pair of lances.
"Do you know what they're talking about? I don't know what they're talking about," Pan asked Adam, whose sword he caught between his daggers.
"You're the Headmaster of Signal? A child?"
"Up pup pup! The proper term is: Man-child."
"—'Child' is very much accurate," Hook joined in, while firing his hook at Adam.
The swordsman broke off and dodged the prosthetic. Following him, the Vice Headmaster brandished his foil trying to create further space between the attacker and Glynda.
"Hey! That was my fight!" Pan complained.
"Leave these two to Straw and I! You're better served helping the army. Without us to reinforce, it will be up to your Semblance to support them!"
"Again, I'd like to register my disapproval with your lack of respect for my title, also my boredom with being given—"
"GO, HEADMASTER!"
"Alright, alright. 'Tick tock'! I know!"
Pan went to reinforce Vale's faltering lines, activating his Semblance along the way.
His strides seemed to grow lighter and lighter with every step. A golden trail of sparks rose in his wake, like fireflies. The allies he passed felt their weariness ease. Their arms and legs no longer as heavy as they once were. And a resurgence in their morale accompanied their newfound agility.
Upon meeting the enemy, the edges of Pan's lips pulled into a mischievous grin. Acting opposite to the glowing lights floating around Vale's army, dark dots fell onto the Mistral forces like black snow. And with it, they felt a new burden on their bodies. It soon took tantamount effort to simply move or even lift their weapons.
The Semblance of Signal's Headmaster was Gravity. Depending on what degree applied, he could make others float, or even fly. But it was proportionate to the amount of Aura used. For now, it was enough to adjust the weights of his allies and enemies accordingly.
Between Pan's manipulation of Gravity and Blake's manipulation of "Luck", the battle turned into something of a duel between supports, with their soldiers as mediums.
Meanwhile, Raven faced off against Straw.
Every shot and stab from one of the general's multipronged limbs was met with a burst of blinding slashes from the commander's sword. The battle was at an even standstill, but from the way Raven pushed the pace, it was apparent the samurai possessed a confident certainty in her victory. Perhaps, falling back on matches during their schooldays. On the other hand, Straw was starting to make due with just parrying and blocking.
"Your skills have gotten rusty," Raven remarked. "Playing aristocrat's dulled your battle sense, Straw."
"So, it would seem," he smiled, sweating profusely. "Fortunately, even someone as foolish as I, am plainly aware of his shortcomings—as well as the overwhelming rationale to rely on the strength of others."
Straw caged his multi-pronged arms around Raven's katana, and held it there.
The swordsman's intuition warned her of danger. She immediately ejected the blade from its hilt, and leapt back.
A stream of violet, gleaming crags stabbed the spot she retreated from. Looking over Straw's shoulder, Raven could see Glynda casting multiple spells at once. The conclusion of their battle would not come as easily as she thought.
At the other end of the battlefield, Hook and Adam carried on with their duel.
The bull Faunus met frustration after frustration with Signal's Vice Headmaster. Whenever the swordsman tried to close the gap between them, Hook would repeatedly stab his foil at the most inconvenient placements. And when he managed to deflect the blade, his opponent's hook never failed to jab him away with a short blow. Standing at a distance and gauging his enemy was out of the question as well. Whenever Adam tried to make room, Hook would fire his prosthetic and whip it around with expert handling.
Without the requirements to activate his Semblance, or the opportunity to initiate a straight encounter, Adam was quickly finding himself out of his depth.
The Huntsman he faced was indeed a veteran. Even without knowing his abilities, the Vice Headmaster discerned exactly how to counter them.
Give in, Adam.
Salem's words echoed the back of his mind.
Let emotion drive you.
Your ire be your blade.
From the small breathing room Adam was able to gain, he drew a special shard of Bane Salem had given. It possessed a rooted, dark-red hue, oddly shaped like a wilted rose petal.
He popped the crystal into his mouth and crushed it between his teeth.
Become the Beast.
Strong.
Proud.
…And Feared.
Adam's crimson hair furrowed and grew down the length of his back. His muscles bulged and black veins traced his skin. The young man's feral instincts honed to a fine point. Only red painting his vision.
Enraged, he saw the point on Hook's body he thirst to strike. Effects of the Bane shortened the build-up of his Semblance to practically nothing.
He lunged and drew his sword from its scabbard. Hook had no time to react. Adam's blade sunk into his abdomen, up to the hilt.
"HOOK!" Pan yelled and dashed his way towards him.
Glynda, Straw, and Raven also took notice.
"—Adam…" Raven threw him a narrow glare.
Best to make use of him while he's like that.
She broke away from her Straw and slashed a wave of dark matter at Adam. The bull Faunus took his right hand off his sword and smacked the attack away barehanded. Blind rage made him aim at Raven next.
In the same breadth Adam closed the distance, an earthshattering clash between two katanas sent sand and wind flying everywhere. Unable to differentiate friend from foe, or form a coherent thought, the bull Faunus immersed himself in a state of pure feralness.
"I'm not your enemy, pup. But I'll gladly give you one," Raven scoffed, as a vicious kick sent the berserker towards Straw and Glynda.
In the condition they were in, with Straw's stamina sapped and Glynda still half-concentrated on her Magic, there was scarce they could do against Adam's enhanced Semblance.
When the young man landed on his feet, his mouth frothed with the foam of a rabid beast. His abilities activated once more, this time, targeting everyone around him—Glynda being the closest.
His calf muscles burst as they kicked the ground, towards the spellcaster. The katana in his hand singing through the beach sand.
But before Adam could connect, a hook latched onto his sword's hilt. It drew the blow meant for Glynda to the Vice Headmaster's body.
"PAN!" Hook shouted, blood spurting from his speech. "TAKE THE OTHERS AND RETREAT! TICK TOCK! TIME'S UP!"
"No, I won't leave you!" Pan argued back.
"Time to grow up, idiot. The Kingdom will still need you by the time this war's over. I'll see my part to the end… Hehehe…!"
Adam tried to pull his blade from Hook's rib cage, but the Huntsman only held him tighter in place.
"Oh no. You'll be staying here with me, lad… Tick Tock."
…
"—I'm sorry, Hook. It was never supposed to end this way," Straw lamented.
"Your conscience is clean. Leave the rest to me."
"—Hook. I won't say goodbye. But I will say thank you."
"Aye. You're welcome, Glynda. We both know what it's like to have irresponsible Headmasters to look after, don't we?"
"Yes. Yes, we do," Glynda nodded.
"—Hook."
"I told you, time to grow up, Pan. Truth be told, I prefer things end this way. A captain should go down with his ship."
"Hook, I…! I can't—" Pan stuttered.
"Live with pride, Headmaster. And make sure to look after the students. That's all I'll say."
…
"All forces retreat," Straw communicated over the radio.
Pan activated his Semblance to assist the evacuation. Enemies and allies flew past the figure of Hook still grasping Adam's sword in his body.
"That power isn't natural," Hook said to the snarling young man. "I can see it. Time is ticking for you too, I suppose. Heh!"
His tired eyes turned to see Raven and Blake approach.
"HRAHRAHRAHRA! Enjoy the fireworks, brats! Tick tock! Tick tock! TICK TOCK!" he sneered, before using his Semblance to issue one final command—before the last bit of light faded from his eyes.
Just then, a great looming shadow grew beneath the sea. Its silhouette only visible now, due to the retreat of Glynda's mist. The time it took to maneuver it below, without notice, spanned the length of the entire battle.
The enormous, pirate vessel emerged from the waters, carrying with it Hook's last will. Its cannons fired relentlessly on its ascension, before detonating among the Galleons of Mistral's Armada.
They fell like sunken comets into the sea.
.
X
.
In the northern theater, Vale forces were in full withdraw from the ruins of multiple crashed Atlas ships. There were still many more in the skies, trying to target them with their battery, but the battle was considered a victory. The invasion force was significantly hindered and their flagship was sunk, which was all they could ask for.
As the group retreated to safety, Taiyang received a call on his scroll.
Glynda informed him how the eastern beach front ended. Though not as successful as his side, they did succeed in dealing a heavy blow to the Mistral Armada as well.
An awkward pause came at the end of the report, followed by what he could only guess was a wince.
"Glynda?"
"…We lost Hook," she answered, unable to keep the sorrow from her voice.
"…"
"He died with his ship, and covering our retreat."
"…Oh."
The call ended and Taiyang chose that time to reflect on his time at Signal Academy. The Vice Headmaster was as tough on his faculty as he was on his students. Experiencing both sides, he knew how much the man named Hook cared for others and looked after them.
Taiyang spoke a silent prayer, and went to tell the rest of his group the news of their victory and Hook's passing.
Later that night, many would raise glasses or pay some form of respects,
To the Great Captain Hook.
.
X
.
Glynda ended the call with a dejectedness. She wallowed in her tent, taking the time to sort her thoughts—for the war would continue the next day.
But tonight.
Tonight, she would mourn.
At least, that's what she thought.
"—Glynda."
Straw's voice and silhouette came outside her tent.
"…What is it?"
"I know my interruption could not be untimelier, but I have something I believe must be brought to your attention."
"Does it concern pursuing Mistral forces?"
"No."
"Is it an emergency, Straw? Because to be honest, I'd rather not deal with anything more after today."
"I am of the same mind," he agreed patiently, "which is why I would not bother you otherwise."
"…Come in."
The man entered at her permission and wordlessly handed her his scroll.
"What's this?"
After reading the article's title and viewing the images below, Glynda's eyes went wide with disbelief.
Likewise, Taiyang and Team RNJR couldn't believe what they were reading either. And in the distant Kingdoms, amongst their various armies; Blake, Weiss, Raven, Qrow, and any others connected to a certain group of misfits and Beacon Academy—had their breaths stolen away by the same breaking news.
.
X
.
(A few hours ago)
.
"You and I have a lot to talk about," Yang said, with fire brimming in her tone. Her visible wrath directed at the certain individual across from her.
"Yes… I'm quite aware," Cinder Fall replied casually.
The Spring and Fall Maidens locked glares atop the ruins of Beacon Tower.
"Although I do believe we have more pressing matters to attend to," Cinder gave a side-glance to the Grimm dragon awakening next to them.
"…After," Yang muttered.
"After."
As they both turned to face a common enemy, their Auras materialized as solid images from their visage. Burning ash and maple leaves shed from Cinder's figure, while fiery feathers rose from Yang. The rest of their group followed the two's lead.
When the deed was done, a few of Vale's citizens would capture images of Team ENMY and Cinder. The five standing atop the Grimm dragon Bisterne's degrading corpse.
Title above the media read:
"Beacon Academy Liberated."