Chapter 31
Blake severed the head from a tall candle holder with Gambol Shroud before picking up the metal pole left behind and wedging it between the handles of the double doors they had entered from. The second she did the doors buckled as something tried to push it open. It would buy them some time but it wouldn't hold forever. Besides her Yang braced herself up against the door to add to its reinforcements.
Winter had picked up her sabre as she stood up to her feet, eyes matching that of her father's who glared back at her. Her left side under her arm was bleeding from the cut she received from Myrtenaster. "Useless... Useless! Both of you!" yelled her father as he brought his right hand from behind his back, an antique silver pistol in hand, its sights aimed upon the two he had wasted but a few years raising. With a resounding shot the barrel flashed.
The bullet was too fast for Winter to perceive but it wasn't her it had been directed towards however. Her eyes adjusted only in time to see Weiss. She thought her to be defenceless... But an umbrella was open in front of her as the bullet was deflected. Weiss looked up to the woman she had only seen twice. Neo. Blake and Yang turned as they heard the bullet and saw the scene, though Blake noticed something the others did not. The expression Neo wore on her face, it was one she had seen before back when Taiyang had almost attacked Yang by mistake.
The small woman looked furious for some reason as she closed her umbrella, ripping the blade out from its sheath as she ran into a sprint towards the man who pulled the trigger. The man took a step back as he aimed his pistol proper, firing off a shot towards the small woman who charged for him. The first bullet hit her, or so he thought as she shattered and re-appeared not a few steps to the left of where she was, still charging. He fired another shot and got the same response, a third and a fourth. She was closing the gap too quickly as the man looked concerned.
Windows upon either side of him shattered as two figures from each came to his defence, Atlesian soldiers that were specialized for the defence of the Schnee Dust Company, as noted by the emblem of the family upon their shoulders. All four brought out a small device and upon extending their right arms outwards the stun batons were formed fully. "We only need one, dispose of the rest!" yelled the head of the Schnee family in anger.
Neo prepared to engage in combat with the four soldiers before something passed her, something swift. Before she knew it Winter had entered into melee, her blade colliding against one of the soldiers who brought up his baton in defence, forcing him back away from the others. One moved to assist while the other two remained in defending her father. Noting that a soldier was charging towards Winter's flank Neo intercepted, her blade catching her foe's weapon arm as he stumbled aside. He turned to swing his baton towards the small woman who shattered and re-appeared upon his right flank, stabbing deeply into his waist with her piercing blade. He let out a cry before falling to the ground, clutching his wound in pain.
Winter gave a final slash to her own adversary as she cut him down. There was no more mercy within these halls as she turned to assist Neo who had engaged with the two remaining soldiers. Each one making consecutive strikes with their batons as she parried with her umbrella sheath, alternating between using it to block and opening it up to both confuse and protect herself. She side-stepped a jab with ease as Winter rushed into the opening she made, her sabre was not aimed for the two soldiers however. She made to pass between them as her blade came towards her father's throat. Just inches away it halted, she was so close.
The two soldiers were keeping her back, blocking her way. After the shock of almost having his throat slit her father took a step back and aimed his pistol towards Winter's head. Her eyes widened with rage before she felt herself being pulled back. Someone had grabbed her. Though the oddest part was... she could still see herself, she was as still as a statue but she was still there. Not a second later and the pistol fired into her image as it shattered. The soldiers and her father now looked to her in confusion, Neo finally letting go of her after having utilized her semblance.
There was nothing Winter wanted more than to continue her assault but she had to weigh her chances as more reinforcements climbed in through the windows, several more. Behind her the door was splintering, Blake and Yang having trouble keeping it shut while Weiss seemed to sit without a purpose, still shocked and appalled at what she did as her eyes stared distantly into nothing. She looked to Neo who was all but ready to resume the attack. "Neo, retreat" she ordered, the small girl glanced at her and gave a sure nod, her expression having settled back into a blank one now as her rage dissipated. As they retreated Neo remained running behind Winter, using her umbrella to deflect any shot that was fired upon them as the soldiers gave pursuit. Winter grabbed for Myrtenaster upon the floor and hastily gave it over to Weiss as she pulled her to her feet, "Weiss, help me with this one" she asked as she turned to face the small army chasing after them.
For a second Weiss stared blankly upon her sister before purpose was given to her once more, hesitantly she nodded as she turned to face the soldiers alongside her sibling. Neo passed between them as they both raised their weapons, thrusting them into the ground. Before them erupted a large wall of glistening ice, it almost reached the ceiling and completely cut them off from the rest of the room. The soldiers beat upon the solid wall with their batons but seemed to do little damage. For the time being they would be safe from that direction, the door however was another matter.
Winter turned, looking to Neo. "I want you by my sister at all times" she ordered, like a soldier herself Neo nodded as she moved to stand besides Weiss with a determined look. Winter then moved her attention to Blake and Yang, barely holding the door down. "Yang, break it down. Everything you have" she spoke.
Yang grinned at her as she took a step back, Blake moved aside as she watched her partner bring back her left fist in preparation. "Knock knock!" she yelled as she crashed Ember into the door with great force. The door practically exploded, wood splintering against the soldiers on the other side as they all fell to the floor from the impact. The blonde stepped aside as a path of ice crawled against the floor suddenly, trapping the soldiers beneath it as a result of Winter.
"I will lead, Neo and Weiss, behind me. Yang and Blake, stay on our rear!" yelled Winter as she led on into a run across the ice pathway she had created. Neo followed behind with Weiss, practically pulling her along with her while Yang and Blake chased after. Yang glanced below herself as she moved over the soldiers, they would surely die if left in the ice. Some of the hands and other body parts had been caught outside of the path and twitched in an attempt to escape.
After they crossed and made their way into the grand foyer the ice shattered behind them, if only to spare the dozens of lives that would have been lost. The soldiers were disorientated from the lack of oxygen and unable to stand or even move in their current state. Winter could see the exit before them, the old butler Klein stood in front of it and looked to her as she approached. "Forgive me, Miss Schnee" his old voice croaked as he started to pull the door open.
Winter's eyes widened as she could hear the tell-tale sounds of an Atlesian Paladin, stomping its way towards the door. "Farewell Klein" she spoke, knowing the butler was simply doing as he was ordered. The old man seemed to subtly gesture a white glove towards one of the side doors on his left. To this Winter nodded and led her group to that very door, opening it to reveal an empty hall. She knew the mansion well and understood its layout. There were various exits they could take and one of them was very near already. As she ran through the door Blake turned to shut it, being the last one through. Before she did however she saw the Paladin turn its attention towards where they had fled, a large group of military soldiers following after it.
As they ran down the hall the door they had left behind was utterly destroyed as a mechanical fist blasted through it. It retracted as the Paladin sought another route towards its prey for it was too large to enter the hallway. In its place however multiple soldiers gave pursuit as they started to flood through the opening like a wave. The group came upon an intersection as they turned left, ahead of them another intersection with a large metallic door between the diverting paths, it was an exit they could use as besides the door like many of the others was a keypad with a small screen. These doors were newer additions to the mansion and served as additional security, especially for the area beneath the mansion.
Winter rushed up to the keypad as she hammered in a five digit code. The metallic door gave a clunk before it started sliding up at a slow pace. As soon as a large enough gap was created Winter turned to Neo and Weiss, gesturing for them to go through. Neo nodded to Winter as she pulled Weiss through the exit. As soon as they made it through the door abruptly slammed shut. With a shocked expression Winter looked to the keypad and hammered in the code again, a flashing red exclamation mark appeared on the screen. She turned to Yang, "Yang, break it down!" she yelled in a hurry. The blonde turned and nodded as she brought her fist up, sending it right for the door. She made contact as the vibrations rushed through her arm at the sudden halt. She stumbled back from the door, having only made a dent and scorch mark. "Damn it!" yelled Winter as she looked both left and right. To her right were more intercepting soldiers, the left way however was clear.
Blake aimed Gambol Shroud high as she fired off a shot against the chain of one of the many chandeliers of the halls. She did this for both the way they came and the hall on the right as the heavy metallic objects crashed down, somewhat obstructing the path for a moment or so and buying them just a little more time as the three continued on their rush to escape the mansion. "Where now!?" yelled Yang as she chased after Winter.
"The safest exit would be beneath the mansion, it is a shipping facility with plenty of large exits" responded the woman as she turned another corner. Ahead of them now was a set of steps that led down.
"Doesn't sound like we have any other choice!" replied Blake from behind the two as they reached the steps, swiftly beginning to descend. The further down they got the more practical their surroundings became. No more fancy chandeliers, no more paintings. Just sheer empty and plain white walls and floors. They emerged into a wider hall with various boxes and work tools. Ahead of them the open frame of another metallic door.
"Good, they have not sealed this area yet!" yelled Winter as she rushed through the opening, turning to the keypad on the other side as Yang and Blake made their way to her. With a few presses the door slammed shut. The area they were in now was wide and open, conveyor belts on one side, boxes on another. But for the most part it was a clearing. To their left was another open door. Looking ahead and above they could see a type of catwalk, only it was surrounded with glass and seemed to lead to the outside. "Up there, that is where we make for" spoke Winter as she gestured for the two to follow as they made their way to the left doorway.
Something in Winter's heart sank however as she neared the door. Blake and Yang were right behind her, she could hear this. But... something wasn't right...
Winter slid to a halt as she came to the door, Yang and Blake passed her by as she unsheathed her sabre. It came into contact with a red blade as she pushed with all her might, sending the attacker stumbling back some distance. Yang turned at the sound of the metallic clash, Winter had her back turned to her but someone was in front of the woman. She could barely recognize the outline.
"Keep moving..." spoke Winter's voice softly as her hand moved to the keypad behind her.
"W- Winter wait!" yelled Yang as she reached for her, the metallic door slamming shut in her face.
Red flashing alarms began to appear all around them, Yang slammed her fist against the door again to no effect as Blake grabbed her shoulder. "You heard her, she knows what she's doing. She always does" she spoke.
Yang was sure the figure she saw was familiar. She swore that she knew who it was. "The catwalk... We can still help her, we just need to get up there and break through the glass!" yelled Yang as she turned into a sprint.
"Y- Yang, you're not thinking straight!" called Blake as she chased after her.
Winter's eyes narrowed as her blade was held out in front of her. "So this is what he meant when he mentioned a contract..." she spoke as slowly she began to circle her opponent. "To think that some Huntresses can fall so low as to become petty mercenaries..." she continued, her sabre never leaving the target as its point remained stuck. "And as silent as ever..." she added.
Her foe circled her in return, the two pacing as their eyes locked. The absurdly lengthy red blade dragging across the floor behind the woman, the red eyes beneath her mask ever intimidating.
"Just so we are clear... I will not restrain myself. Wherever you are his sister or not" stated Winter as she came to a halt. The woman opposite her, Raven Branwen, also halted as her red blade slowly sheathed itself, the dust container revolving before locking into place. The contract Winter's father had sent out could only be one to the less honourable hunters and huntresses of the world, the ones that walked away from their path to protect others. With the amount of wealth her father wielded it was only natural that he would attract some of the best.
Winter took a single step back as a dozen glyphs appeared behind her, and then another dozen. Her glare turned to fury as each one fired forth a missile of blue ice, an attack that was simply overwhelming as they all homed in on their target. Raven took her own step back and lowered her stance as she unsheathed her blade, fire trailing it as the dust within the container activated. A swath of flame engulfed the missiles as they vanished into nothing.
A shining blade pierced the flames left behind as Winter charged. The red katana swiped up and parried the blow before retracting and delivering a counter strike. Winter was able to parry the slash but slid back from the force. As she came to a halt she paused before straightening her posture and aiming her blade once more at Raven. This was a woman that simply outmatched her.
Raven sheathed her blade as the revolver turned again. As soon as Winter saw her move to place the weapon back into its scabbard she slammed her sabre into the ground as eruptions of ice made their way towards her target. Raven unleashed her blade into a downwards strike as lightning began to slam down in succession along the path of ice, once more utilizing dust and utterly destroying the ice as the bolts made their way towards Winter who used a glyph to swiftly avoid the attack. She used a second to launch herself into the air as her weapon split into two. With a short blade now in hand she came crashing down towards Raven who sheathed her blade once more.
The third time she unsheathed her weapon a powerful gust of wind knocked Winter off balance as she missed her target, her blade piercing the ground in front of her instead as a boot came colliding into her face. The kick sent her sliding onto her back and she held the cut on her side she received from Weiss in pain, finally feeling its effects as she fought. When she opened her eyes she could see Raven descending towards her with blade at the ready. She rolled to the side as the red blade stabbed deeply into the floor next to her.
Finally on her feet again she charged into a flurry of stabs with both weapons. Raven parried and dodged many and returned her own attacks, to which Winter responded similarly. But once more her wound got the better of her as she struggled to put her might into blocking an attack, it disarmed her longer sabre as she stumbled. Prioritizing on this moment Raven brought her blade back in deadly preparation.
Above in the catwalk Yang and Blake had finally appeared, they could see the two. More importantly, Yang could see her. Her eyes widened as the red blade lunged forward.
With a gasp Winter's eyes widened. The drops of blood dripped onto the floor and they echoed in her ears. She could hear something else, a muffled voice. It was yelling her name. She struggled to breathe as she felt her legs grow weaker, as they started to shake.
What happened?
Raven pulled the sword from Winter's chest. She began to fall forward towards Raven who reached out her hand, placing it upon Winter's shoulder to casually push her aside instead. She fell upon the floor, her hand clutching at the bleeding wound in her chest. Above in the catwalk she could see Yang and Blake, their eyes staring back at her. Yang was yelling, her eyes were red and her hair was burning. Her fist repeatedly smashing into the glass that proved far more durable than she first expected. Each smash was a loud thud in her ears, growing more intense with each one.
The woman that had stabbed her was walking away towards the door Yang and Blake had escaped to. She couldn't let them down. She couldn't give up. Her left hand clutched around the smaller dagger in her grasp as with all the might she had left she pushed herself up into a sitting position. She brought the dagger back and hurled it forwards. Raven reached for the keypad as the silver blade pierced the device, rendering it useless.
Slowly she saw Raven turn to her, a pause of consideration before she began a brisk pace in her direction, blade dragging against the floor ominously. The beating on the window grew louder but it would not break. The screams grew more intense as Raven started running for her, the red blade came slashing in her direction in brutal fashion.
Yang paused in horror as she heard a thud after the slash, her hand began to tremble as she took a step back. Blake likewise was stood in disbelief at what had just occurred. Raven below looked up to the two before slowly turning to face them, the blood still dripping from her crimson sword. Yang clenched her fist until her knuckles were white. What right did this woman who abandoned her have to take away those she cared about? What reason should she still be allowed to live after what she had done? She let out a cry of fury as her hair burst into even brighter flames. Blake looked to her as she snapped out of her daze, her own expression turning into an angered one as she readied Gambol Shroud. Together they would do this. Together they would enact vengeance.
With a blast of Celica upon her ankle, Yang propelled herself towards the window as Ember collided into it. The window finally gave in as it shattered, Blake quickly following her partner from the new opening as they lunged down towards Raven. The woman had already raised her blade and with one would-be fatal strike...
A large red and black shape appeared before them, unable to alter their descent they were headed straight for it. When they passed through the strange portal a rush of cold air flew over them as they crashed into wet snow harshly, the rain slamming down upon them as another burst of lightning erupted from the sky. A boom of thunder bellowing after.
They had failed.