The Aima's legacy: Part 2
I'm back ladies and gentlemen. I am so sorry for the extremely long wait school, family and life itself seemed determined to distract me from writing. But I'm back and as penitence for the wait please enjoy this extra long chapter
As Drake stepped into the ruins he noticed the walls were covered in crude pictures and strange text he couldn't read. Looking at the walls with stars in his eyes the green haired doctor said, "Beautiful isn't it?"
As the doctor continued to swoon and take notes Drake also began to analyze the ruins. The insides are in a much better condition then the outside, with the mountain protecting it from the elements, the pictures look like they haven't been touched since the day they were carved and the walls have very few cracks, but the most intriguing thing was in the far end of the room was another passage with what appeared to be a plaque made of gold with the strange text engraved into it.
"Doctor Oobleck what does that plaque say it seems rather important, it might tell us what's down that passage." Said the masked Hunter, zooming over to the plaque Oobleck began to read, " Be warned all who travel down this path, if your flesh is weak and your spirit frail you shall be broken by the power of the Aima royal family, and your remains will decay here forever as punishment for failing." Finished the doctor,
"Interesting it seems these ruins were created to protect something valuable enough that the royal family deemed it necessary to keep safe. Come Drake in the name of history we shall go down the passage and discover what the Aima wanted to guard or die trying." Said the green haired doctor as he heroically pointed down the passage.
"Very well doctor Oobleck you first, age before beauty as they say." Said the masked Hunter gesturing towards the passage. "That's the spirit Drake I knew you wouldn't back down from venturing into the unknown, follow me." Said the green haired doctor as he began walking down the path. "I'm sure I have more experience in traveling into the unknown doctor." Thought the masked Hunter as he followed the doctor.
About two minutes down the path Drake and Oobleck found the first of the ruins victims. Both Hunters were looking down at a large hole in the floor that had spikes and several remains at the bottom, the remains consisted of human skeletons, tattered clothing and several ancient weapons.
"Interesting." Said the green haired Hunter as he reached into his jackets pocket and pulled out his thermos. With one flick of his wrist the thermos enlarged in both width and size and a handle sprouted from the bottom, with its transformation complete the thermos now had the form of a human length torch with flames coming out the top of thermos.
"What is this world? Even a damn thermos is a weapon, what's next will a lunch box turn into a rocket launcher or perhaps a spatula will transform into a katana." Thought the masked Hunter at the insanity of the doctor's weapon.
Before he could process anymore Oobleck jumped down into the pit and right before he was impaled on the spikes he jammed his thermos into the pits walls stomping himself. Hanging off his thermos like a monkey on a branch Oobleck attempted to pick up one of the human skulls with his feet, only for it to instantly turn into dust upon contact.
"That confirms my suspicious, these poor gentleman perished here centuries ago rather than recently." Said the green haired doctor, Oobleck then preceded to kick the pits walls with so much force it propelled him out of the pit. "Doctor as much as I appreciated that display of your skills what was the purpose of that?" Asked the confused masked Hunter,
"Well you see Drake I had to deduce when those poor souls died as to determine if we were potentially the second or hundred group of explorers to transverse these ruins and by the condition of those remains it's most likely dozens of others have come and perished here. As sad as that may be it means that several other traps have already been sprung making this adventure easier for us." Finished the green haired doctor. Seeing as how the doctor was right Drake leap over the pit and began walking down the path with Oobleck.
Ooblecks prediction that several others had activated the ruins traps was quickly confirmed, as they traveled further into the ruins they saw numerous activated traps. In one room it appeared that the exits to the room where ounce sealed by some form of contraption and poisons scorpions were released threw tiny openings from the ceilings, it was easy to deduce this from the tiny holes on the rooms ceiling, the tiny corpses of hundreds of scorpions and the human remains of the traps victims.
Another room had a tiled floor with several lion's heads plastered all over the room even the ceiling, there are four different symbols on each tile, a sword, club, bow and shield. Stepping on the wrong tile seemed to cause dozens of dart to fire from the lions heads killing whoever choose wrong and judging from the dozens of remains in this room this trap had fooled many.
Drake and Oobleck had decided the trap was to risky to take the chance it had run out of dartsand began trying to figure out how to get through the trap safely. Eventually Drake decided they should try the shield tile as it was the only one that wasn't a weapon. Luckily he was right, carefully walking along the shield tiles Drake and Oobleck safely made it through.
This continued for what felt like hours, trap upon trap filled with the corpses of past explorers, carefully navigating across traps that were still possibly active, as time passed Drake couldn't help but wonder one thing.
"Doctor can I ask you for your opinion on something." Politely asked the masked Hunter, "Of course Drake, what do you want my opinion on." Asked the green haired Doctor, "What in the seven hells are these traps guarding? We've seen dozens of traps with each deadlier than the last, what was so precious to the Aima that they put up this much security for?" Said the masked Hunter thoroughly annoyed and curious with this ordeal.
"I've been wondering that as well Drake, the remains of the royal treasury were discovered miles away from this location, the Aima also cremated all their dead believing it was a grave sin to allow the bodies of their people to be eaten by worms and maggots so this isn't an elaborate tomb, and as skilled as they were they used rather primitive weapons so this isn't a weapons vault. All we can do is keep going further until we reach the end." Said the green haired doctor.
Deciding complaining would just make this journey harder Drake decided to stay quiet and try not to die. Finally they entered the main chamber. The room was huge easily as big as Beacons cafeteria. At the far end of the room was an altar with a ceramic box at its center, and overlooking the box is a giant bronze statue.
It's roughly twelve feet tall wearing a Greek styled armor complete with sandals and helmet. In its left hand it wields a bronze shield and its right hand is holding a bronze halberd. They were two distinct features that caught Drakes attention. The first thing is the statue is incredibly detailed. It has the face of a muscular man with scared features, there's a scare over his left eye that seemed to be cause by a sword slash. Dozens of scratches over its armor and weapons as if the arms had seen dozens of battles and there are several dents it its helmet. The second thing was there are several small blotches of brown on it as if a little kid had thrown mud at it.
"Looks like we finally made it doctor, time to see what the hell's in that box." Said the masked Hunter, "Don't be reckless Drake I wouldn't be surprised if there was one last trap in this room." Said the green haired doctor as he tightly held his weaponized thermos. "Of course doctor." Said Drake following his teacher's example and tightly held his great sword with both his hands.
They both began slowly approaching the box, reaming cautious in the likelihood a trap would activate. Surprisingly they made it all the way to altar without some much as a poison dart flying from the wall.
"That's quite surprising, I suppose the Aima thought whoever got to this chamber didn't need to be tested anymore." Said the green haired doctor, "I suppose so doctor." Said Drake as he reached to open the lid of the box. The second Drake touched the box he heard a loud creak and doctor Oobleck yelling "Look out!" Oobleck grabbed Drake by the back of his attire and flung him backward.
Landing on his back Drake ignored the pain, "Doctor what the hell was that for!?" Yelled the masked Hunter demanding to know why he was just tossed like a rag doll. Looking at the altar Drake saw the statue had lowered its halberd in an attempted to cut him in half. "I must have triggered some kind of mechanism." Thought the masked Hunter, "Thank you doctor sorry for yelling." Said the masked Hunter slightly embarrassed at his actions."
"Don't worry Drake I'm sure I would have fallen for that trap if I was alone, the most important thing is-." The world may never know what doctor Oobleck was about to say as the statue with almost surreal speed slammed its shield into his chest sending him flying across the room and causing him to crash right next to Drake.
"What in the world?" Said the green haired doctor getting up from the attack. The statue jumped of its pedestal landing a few feet from the duo, it lifted its halberd preparing to attack.
"Move!" Said the masked Hunter as he and Oobleck rolled out of the way of the attack. Drake attempted to thrust his great sword into the statues side, but the statue parried the attack with its halberd and bashed him in the chest with his shield sending Drake crashing to the floor. Oobleck tried firing a fireball at the statue, but it didn't even faze the bronze monster and Oobleck was forced to avoid another swing of the bronze halberd. Regrouping with the green haired doctor at the far end of the room Drake began to speak,
"Doctor what is this thing and how do we stop it?" Questioned the masked Hunter as the bronze statue began leisurely walking towards them. "I don't have the slightest clue Drake, the Aima's technology weren't nearly advanced enough to create a animatronic this strong and it's not a parasitic Grim or the statues eyes would be glowing red." Said the green haired doctor in a panic voice.
Drake was thinking hard whatever this thing is it's skilled. It had effortlessly paired his attack and it was durable enough to ignore doctor Ooblecks fireball as if it was nothing, only two of Drakes weapons could possibly hurt the thing and one of them may kill Oobleck in the process, there is only one option.
"Doctor I have a plan I need you to distract that monster for a few seconds." Said the masked Hunter as he began to run to the other side of the chamber to distance him-self from the statue. "Wait, what?" Asked the confused green haired Hunter, but before he could say another word the statue swing at him with its halberd forcing Oobleck to dodge the assault.
Safe for the moment Drake grabbed the hilt of his sword with his left hand and placed it horizontally in front of his face and slid his right hand along the length of the blade. "Ludwig lend me your guiding moonlight so I may win this fight and may you and all my brethren pray for my sanity." Drake chanted.
The sword was engulfed in a beautiful emerald flash, when it died down the true form of the Moonlight Great sword showed. A beautifully crafted five foot blade the oozed a glorious emerald light.
This blade lead Drake to hundreds of victories and if it wasn't for the blade Drake would still be trapped in Yharnam. But now was not the time to reflect on past victories now was the time for action.
Drake charged the statue who was still engaging Oobleck. A sense of power began flowing through Drakes body and into the great sword as it glowed brighter and brighter. "Doctor Oobleck move quickly!" Warned the masked Hunter as he rapidly approached his foe. Not needing to be warned a second time Oobleck leaped out of the way as Drake fired a wave of moonlight at the statue. The statue tried to block the attack with its shield, but it was in vain the moment the wave collided with the ancient shield it was instantly destroyed with the wave slamming into the statue cutting of its left arm and sending it crashing into the floor.
"Well done Drake!" Yelled the green haired doctor as he began resting on the floor tired. "Thank you doctor you rest while I-." Drake couldn't finish his sentence as he looked in shock as the bronze statue began to get up.
"It's still able to move? Even after taking a direct hit from Holy Moonlight, how did such a primitive people make such a fierce machine?" Thought the masked Hunter as the statue got onto its feet. Then the weirdest thing that happened all day happened, the statue opened its mouth and began to speak.
"Warriors well done no one has ever presented as much as a challenge as you to have and for that you have my respect." Drake didn't speak he was to busy trying to figure out a way to destroy the statue, Oobleck did not share his mentality. The doctor's eyes were the size of bowling balls and if his mouth hung any lower it would touch the floor.
"This-this is incredible uh Mr. Statue can you please elaborate on how the Anima made you sentient?" Begged the doctor with the expression of a five-year-old child looking at the newest action figure.
"I suppose since there is the possibility this will be my last battle I will share my tale, if you hold no obligations wielder of that mysterious blade." Asked the statue gesturing towards Drake. No dropping his guard and taking a defensive stance Drake said " Very well tell us."
The statue eyes seem to look far away from the world as he began remising Drake imagined if he had the ability to the statue would be forming a brooding face.
"Once centuries ago I was Apollo Aima prince of the Aima kingdom. One hot summer day three strange men wearing black cloaks sneak past our defenses and fought threw the royal guards and straight into my father chambers while he was training me in sword play. The oldest of the three a feeble looking pale man was carrying a box the very box in this chamber. Pointing his skeletal figure at my father the old man said "You and your people will guard this forever."
My father laughed at the old man and demanded to know what fool would dare command him. The old man simply said "Your new master now stop wasting time we must begin preparations if the box is to properly protected." This enraged my father, he charged the old man sword in hand and right before the sword could slice the bastards head off one of his companions blocked the attack with a dagger he had hide in his cloak.
My father quickly responded and backed away from the warrior and attempted a low swipe at the feet of the old man's lackey. The lackey responded by jumping over my father sword and attempted to stab my father in the chest, my father was able to block the attack but it was already over.
The second after my father blocked the attack the old man maneuvered behind and shoved his entire hand through my father's chest killing him instantly. All I could do was stand there, my anger completely consumed by fear. The old man slowly walked towards me and said in a tone that would make demons cower in fear,
"I've killed your king the strongest amongst you with ease. You now have two options young prince, live and serve me or I kill you and make your people obey me through force, the choice is yours." What could I have possibly done I was out matched, outnumbered and all my guards had been slayed. I surrendered and began following the old mans every order.
He order me and my people to abandon our kingdom and move into the forest. We slaved for years building this dungeon, my people either died of exhaustion, hunger, disease or the black beasts devouring them. When it was finally complete the old man and his minions brought me into this very chamber. Then the old man said the last thing he ever said to me,
"Young prince thank you, you and your people's sacrifice will not be in vain if you wait patiently for a man stronger than you, I promise you that." With that the old man's hand started to glow an ominous shade of green and he rammed it into my chest and began pulling. I felt agony as I had never known before it felt as if the old man was ripping out every bone in my body and I wished he did then I would have died. When he finally ripped his hand out of my chest, right before I lost conscious I saw a small grey orb in his hand that looked as if it was made out of my aura.
When I woke up I didn't see the old man or his minions, I couldn't move and I couldn't feel anything the old man had trapped my soul in this accursed statue. As time moved on I discovered I could only move and speak when an intruder entered this room. I've killed dozens of thieves, scholars and fools who wondered into this room waiting patiently for the day the old man's promise would come true. And finally after all these long years a worthy opponent has arrived." The statue finished in a voice that resonated sorrow.
Drake was grinding his teeth in rage, the grip on his sword so hard his hands began bleeding a little. "Why? Why?! Why are you still serving that bastard he's gone, he's been dead for centuries. So tell me why after everything he did to you, your kingdom your father why are you still here guarding that stupid box?! Screamed the enraged Hunter, he couldn't take it Apollo had been through so much yet he still served that cruel bastard he couldn't understand why.
"Because it can't all be for nothing! Perhaps he was just lying to me so I would be a good watchdog; perhaps I'm nothing more than a pathetic prince who let his home and people be destroyed. But if I can make all the suffering and pain mean something than I will gladly fight until the end in this hellhole! With that finally roar Apollo's body began to glow gray.
"Even though he doesn't have an organic body he's still able to use aura?" Said the shocked green haired doctor.
"Death or victory!" With that battle cry Apollo charged Drake attempting to smash him with his halberd. Drake rolled out of the way behind Apollo and attempted to slash his back. The moment the blade collided with Apollo it was instantly deflected, unable to recover in time Drake was swatted by Apollo sending the masked Hunter onto the floor.
Oobleck jumped high into the air and attempted a downward smash into Apollo's head while he was distracted. But just like with Drake's sword the thermos was deflected, luckily Oobleck was able to recover quickly and landed on his feet. Shifting his attention to the green haired doctor Apollo attempted a series of slashes, Oobleck was cornered now it seemed his weapon had no effect on the empowered former price and he was forced to stay on the defensive dogging the assault, but he knew it wouldn't last forever all it would take was a lucky shot or a small mistake for the former prince to slash him into pieces all he could do was buy time and hope Drake could come up with a plan.
Drake was slowly getting off the floor, the blow seemed to crack a few of his ribs and his vision was hazy. Standing up and regaining his bearing Drake saw Oobleck fighting Apollo, Drake had to be careful Apollo was far more powerful with his aura activated and most likely only Holy moonlight would now hurt him.
Once again Drake began charging his great sword and at the peak of its power he released a wave of Holy moonlight. The former prince had anticipated this, in one fluid motion Apollo swept the floor forcing Oobleck to retreat and spun around and his halberd collided with the wave of moonlight causing it to shattered into emerald shards. "I wont fall for the same trick twice warrior!" Yelled the bronze warrior as he charged Drake. Apollo attempted a leaping smash that Drake avoided by rolling to the right. Apollo had learned Drake is an agile fighter that relied on avoiding attacks and exploiting enemy openings. The moment Drake recovered from the roll Apollo delivered a swift kick straight into Drakes guts, the force making him slide across the room with Drake vomiting a revolting mixture of stomach acid and blood.
"Damn it all!" Yelled Drake at the pain, the blow crushed his stomach forcing Drake to use all his will to remain conscious and every once of his strength to keep his hold on his sword.
"How disappointing, it looks like you aren't the one I was waiting for." Said Apollo who was now looming over Drake. He raised his halberd above the helpless Drake and prepared to deliver the final blow. Right before the final blow could be struck Oobleck jumped onto Apollo's back and wrapped his thermos around his neck.
"If you think I'm going to stand there and let you murder my student then your sadly mistaken." Said the green haired doctor as he heaved against Apollo's throat, stumbling backwards from the force Apollo quickly dropped his halberd and attempted to grab Oobleck and fling him of his back.
"I have to take this chance or it's all over." Thought the agonizing Hunter as he painfully got up coughing blood in the process. Standing Drake prepared his final attack as one last time the Moonlight Great sword began to glow.
Roaring in frustration Apollo finally grabbed Oobleck and flung him to the side, "Lets end this!" Roared the former prince as he attempted to crush Drake with his fist before he could launch his attack.
Drake lunged his blade forward and released a liner Holy Moonlight wave that ripped through Apollo shattering his hand and impaling him right through his chest, the forcing sending the bronze titan crashing to the floor.
As his life flashed before his eyes the former prince said only one thing, "It wasn't all for nothing….." And with that the last Aima was dead.
Drake looked over his fallen foe and with a mixture of pity and sadness and said a small prayer, " May you enjoy an eternal peaceful dream Apollo you've earned it." To conclude the prayer Drake gave a small bow and passed out on the floor.
When Drake regained consciousness he was sitting down on the floor leaning against the wall , he felt like he had been ran over by a boulder then trampled by horses.
"Good to see you're awake Drake how do you feel?" Said the concerned green haired doctor, "I'm in to much pain to be dead so I can at least say I'm alive." Groaned the beat to hell Hunter,
" But that's not important what about the box did you examine it yet?" Questioned the beat to hell Hunter,
"No, I've been waiting for you to wake up I would be a downright dastard to discover what on earth Apollo was guarding without you, after all if it wasn't for you and your semblance we would be dead." Finished the green haired Hunter,
"So he thinks the Moonlight Great swords power is my semblance, better remember that it makes a good cover for me." Thought the beat to hell Hunter as he got up.
Walking over to the altar both Oobleck and Drake just spent a moment staring at the box, "The content of this box was deemed so important an entire civilization was sacrificed to protect it, it's time the world found out what's inside." Said the green haired Hunter as he slid of the box's cover, sending it crashing to the floor.
"What in God's name is this?" Said the completely bewildered green haired Hunter.
Inside the box is a dusty human skull with a big crack in the forehead. Drake couldn't take it anymore, "THIS IS IT? APOLLO, HIS FATHER, THE ENTIRE AIMA CIVILIZATION THEY GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THIS WORTHLESS TRASH!"
Drake grabbed the skull with the intent of slamming it into the floor shattering it into hundreds of pieces. He would never follow through with that plan as the moment he touched the skull a vision played in his mind.
Drake was now in a chamber so dark he could only see the frail old cloaked figure right in front of him Drake noticed he has a dagger in his left hand.
"Warrior if you are seeing this message that means you have successfully killed Apollo and for that I will commend you. But the reason you are seeing this is I come baring a warning, by the time you see this message the black moon will soon return and attempt to finish what it began millennium ago you must prepare or the world will be consumed and humanity will be erased."
And with that last word the cloaked figure lunged at Drake sending his dagger through his skull ending the vision.
Drake opened his eyes and found himself back in the ruins he was still clutching the old skull in his hand. "Drake- Drake what happened what's wrong?" Asked the concerned doctor,
"Nothing doctor I just remembered a bad dream."
Quick announcement my good friends. Starting next chapter we go back on track with RWBY's story line. Don't worry Drake will deal with new crazy adventures soon enough. Now like always comment and review if you feel like it and I hope you have a nice day
Sincerely Lazerhat9001