I could hear the explosion from here. It had only happened for an instant before everything went wild.
The others beside me had began to act, pointing their weapons forward as small explosive sounds had filled the air. I was able to clearly see what was happening now.
Small bursts of flame expelling rapidly from the weapons in their hands, rather loudly too. I could see what Adam meant by cover fire, although I was left confused. How would this flame be able to help us? The rapid bursts were small and short, aside from being loud I failed to see how this could realistically do anything in a fight.
I'd assumed they would fire bolts of some kind, yet nothing escaped the ends.
I heard a call from before me, looking forward I was able to see that Adam had charged forward. I quickly followed after as I didn't have time to ask useless questions at the moment, we had a fight to attend to.
In an instant I'd driven my blade into the back of an unsuspecting foe, ultimately blocked by aura but still doing a chunk of damage anyhow. I could feel the exhilaration run through me as he let out a cry. I never gave him the chance to react as I struck him again. This time I'd delivered a hefty slash across across the face as he turned, followed by several quicker ones.
I felt several hits to my side as I knocked my opponent away, turning to try and face my attacker. Only to be met with nothing but air, as well as the vision of Adam cutting down one of the four that rushed to face him.
The strikes hit again, this time across my chest. I looked about wildly in an attempt to find my foe, only to be hit in the side. I turned back again to see my opponent from a moment ago was on his feet once again, another by his side this time.
He made for me as I avoided the strike, moving about to the side as his ally had tried her hand at hitting me. I was knocked forward however as a massive blow had slammed across my back. I tumbled and rolled into a crouched position as I saw another enemy join the two.
This one had been much larger, sporting a massive axe. The other two charged for me again as the axe user did something I'd never expected to see.
As I avoided the first two I was able to see the axe seemingly contort in on itself, shifting about as the handle seemingly broke off twice. The poles of metal shifted next to one another as I dodged a swing from above. The first of my attackers having tried to maul at me. I saw as the blade appeared to move about as well, both moving along as the metal that connected the two axe heads seemed to change. Although I was unable to see what happened there as I had taken hold of the second attacker and flung her towards the first.
I took a glance back, having just cleared my vision for a moment. I was rewarded with a massive dose of pain across my body, catching me off guard as it finally hit me. The now altered weapon had formed similar to the smaller ones that the other Fang with us had. The same ones that had only brief flashes of fire.
The same ones from back at camp! I had assumed that they were similar to crossbows, firing a sort of arrow. I'd never got to see them as after I had got back with Magenta they had moved on to melee training.
I felt almost stupid with not realizing something was wrong when nothing but noise was expelled. I was getting two comfortable and had let my guard down. This wasn't like back home, it would appear that this kingdom had weapons of their own kind. Weapons that had felt odd, how was it that news of them had not spread?
With a quick roll to the side I had avoided an attempted blow from one of the other two, both still determined to be my killer.
Damn it! Aura's getting low already! This whole time as I've been dealing with the first two, I'd been taking the occasional strike from what I had assumed my invisible attacker. Perhaps they'd not been invisible at all.
I wanted to focus better but the questions kept hitting me. Like the scroll these weapons were unheard of, yet they were deadly effective. The best we had were crossbows and bows for mobile strikes, yet their crossbows didn't even use bolts, how? Why was it that traders never brought these with the other weapons the peddled.
I was low now, having taken so much damage and wasting time dodging I was almost out of aura. This had been just like the first battle, worn down, only to be finished off at the end by a strike out of sight.
Not this time. I was just about out of aura anyway, may as well do something with it.
I sent a wave of magic up my left arm, intent on putting as much power into my spell as I could, leaving just a tad of aura left over. It wouldn't kill, but it would burn like all dust.
I made a leap backwards, towards the inside as far as I could. I felt the spell burn as I landed, sending it forward to the one that had taken such a large chunk of my aura from me. I felt as the flames exploded around my target, coating him in a layer of fire as it ate at his aura. The other two were momentarily distracted by the scream of my target, a moment that I decided to use.
Wanted to save this for later, but I'm out of options.
.
.
Adam was enjoying himself, he wouldn't lie.
He torn his blade from his opponent as he moved on to the next, avoiding an attack from the side as he swiped rapidly. These goons hadn't been all too challenging so far. He gave a final slash upwards as his enemy's aura broke, slashing back down and slicing open his foe.
Another had tried their hands at taking a few shots at him, to which he flicked away with Wilt. He never got all of them as the constant fire had provided at least some shots to break past his focus. Of course that didn't matter much as he had his semblance charged and ready.
Sheathing his blade he let his power wash over him as he subtlety positioned himself, waiting for just the right moment. It wasn't a long wait granted the fact that they appeared to really like charging at him.
Fools. He felt the world seemingly silence itself as he honed in on his targets.
Gripping Blush at his side he drew Wilt with blinding speed. The angle had been calculated, a somewhat horizontal slash tilting ever so slightly upwards. A deadly wave of crimson lashed forwards, cleaving though six of the one rushing his way.
Moonslice was incredibly deadly, at full power it was able to cut through almost the entirety of a huntsman's aura. A death sentence to any that stood in his way and a fitting tool for a revolutionary such as himself.
Humans had never listened to their cries for peace before, they had never even taken the time to try. They'd only started to care when the Faunus began to defend themselves. Only when they fought back had the humans tried to argue peace, to claim them the monsters, hypocrites!
And so they would don the masks of monsters, if they'd not be heard quietly then they'd just get louder. They would come to regret the suffering they'd brought on the Faunus, one life at a time.
Adam brought his sword up, blocking another attempted slash from another of the filth. He flicked the weapon from the goon's hands as he gave a solid, brutal slash across his chest. The man's aura flickered as Wilt was forced through his throat, twisted, and torn in a spray of blood.
Adam examined the shine of the gore washed over his blade. He let a small, darker type of joy fill his mind. He jumped high above a coming strike, another trying to kill him once again. Landing behind Adam turned with a swing, the crimson edge flowing through as his opponent was cut in half. The upper body unceremoniously falling to the floor, followed by the legs tumbling over.
"That the best you can do?" He taunted as several more rushed to him.
"Shut it ani-" One of them tried to counter, only to find Adam's knee in their gut.
He was quick to kick the crumpled woman back, delivering a sweeping kick to another coming at his side and knocking them off their feet. Adam hopped to the side, avoiding a strike from the seemingly endless horde. He swiped about, blocking and deflecting several incoming dust shots, the force helping to build up another charge of his semblance.
"I thought you'd learn not to do that!" His call deepened into a feral growl as he let loose another wave of death.
His attack hadn't been as calculated this time, more of a general shot rather than a specified kill move. Regardless it still found itself sweeping through a few of them, again ending several lives.
And still they come. Fine, I'll grant you the end that you seek. Adam took his stance once more.
However his focus was broken as a deafening scream was let loose. He turned to the source as several others appeared to stumble.
There, nearing the entrance of the building he was able to see the one who was letting out the pained cries. He was large, covered in fire, and screaming really really loudly. It was as if all of his being was in agony, well... he was covered in fire, Adam didn't quite know what he was expecting with that.
He was able to see several other around the burning man, yet none of them were focused on helping their friend. No, their gazes were set forwards. Steadfast as a look of pure terror lay on full display from them.
Adam twisted his head as he took to the source of their fear. He felt his grin stretch across his face, his excitement growing as he gazed at the logo of the fang on the thing's shoulder. He could understand why it was that Sienna had taken an interest in this particular man.
My my Sienna, just what have you been keeping from me all this time
.
.
It was just him and Lapis now, Magenta having decided she would be the one to remain on guard. Their next target, the basement.
Things had gotten loud, they'd been able to hear the guards in the room before rush out into the halls. It was only after the hallways were silent that they dared to head out. The coast had been clear, allowing them to continue with the mission.
"Just down this hall." Lapis gave as they kept walking.
The top floor was the most straight forward as the rooms had been connected to the halls barring the security room. Allowing them to easily navigate to the stairwell down to the first floor.
As they arrived at the stairs they could hear the sounds of battle echoing from below.
"Looks like they're having a good time." Gold commented as Lapis started down.
"We've got our orders, come on."
With that they made their way down. There were a couple cameras as they arrived at the first floor, although they were a non issue now. Gold however decided to give a little wave to one as they made their way across another hall, certain it would piss Magenta off just a little bit.
"How far till we get there?" Gold asked.
"Still got two more rooms, another hallway, and then one last room before we get to the door down." Lapis answered as he opened a door to their side.
"Is this the maze part yet?"
The room had been stocked with what looked to be conveyor belts, leading into some other machines.
"No, that starts when we get to the basement." Lapis gave as they crossed by an empty box.
"Starts? Why do I feel tired already." Gold whined as they left out another door.
The concrete looked cracked as they made their way across yet another barren area. Broken wood, planks, and shards of glass spread about like a blanket.
"If this tires you then brace yourself. I meant it when I said maze." Lapis spoke as they walked out into the hallway.
"Empty again." Gold went off.
"The others must be making more of a racket than we thought."
"Wouldn't they still leave at least somebody behind to watch the rooms?" Gold asked as Lapis shook his head.
"Not if there's a big enough problem, one that needs as many on the job as possible." Lapis returned as they neared their destination.
"So this is it?" Gold let out as they peered down the staircase.
"Looks like."
The spiraling stairs were narrow, forcing them to head down in a line. Gold took rear as they traveled downwards. It wasn't very deep, only taking about a minute to reach the bottom. Even off the stairs the room was still narrow.
"Cramped much?" Gold huffed, irritated at being stuck behind.
With the walls being so close together it would make fighting near impossible. There was no room to move about, all it would take was being caught off guard, then it would boil down to whoever got shots off first.
"Who even designed this? How the dust are you supposed to move around?"
"That's the point, you can't. Makes escaping more of a hassle." Lapis spoke as they stepped out into an intersection.
"It makes a hassle coming in too!"
The walls were all metal, looking to be bolted onto the ceiling and floor. Gold tapped his fist against the metal, an echo ricocheted all around them. Glancing around he could see past Lapis, down the hall where he was able to make out another intersection. Along the walls there were openings to paths they could take.
"Oh no..." Gold said, dreading what would come to be the next part of the mission.
"Follow me." Lapis ordered as they started along.
Twenty minutes... it took twenty minutes of this and that. One hallway to the next, plain grey walls the whole way. Not a single thing to tell where they were along the path or how far they still had to go. Constant twisting and turning before the two of them had finally arrived into a much more open area.
"Fucking finally!" Gold cried out, spreading his arms and dropping to his knees.
"It wasn't that bad." Lapis let out as Gold turned to him, a hateful glare piercing forwards.
"Thirty six, we made thirty six right turns. I'm almost certain we started going backwards at one point!" Gold answered plainly.
Lapis waved him off as he took a look around. Boxes of what they could only assume was dust had been packed tightly against the walls. The room wasn't exactly tall, only being a little higher than that of the maze. It had been much wider though, almost as wide as the whole first floor, although most of that space had been taken up by the crates.
"Why is it so big?" Gold called, hearing his echo once again.
"The basement seems to be around twice the size of the buildings floors, in both length and width." Lapis spoke as he walked along.
"Just what was this place for?" Gold mumbled as he trailed behind.
"I'd assume it's a factory of some sort. Most likely from when Vale was still trying to extend it's influence and land." Lapis told as they came upon a set of double doors.
"And it's been changed into this." Gold stated as they stopped momentarily and readied themselves for what was on the other side.
"The maze keeps the captured stuck, the dust piled up keeps them from trying to fight. One wrong move and the place goes up in ashes, the threat of death keeps them in line. If it does go up in flames than all evidence of what was going on is erased, and the organization running the operation here and elsewhere gets to remain hidden." Lapis explained as he took hold of one handle.
"Nobody knows, and the truth is turned into rumor. All the while everything continues on how it always has, and the kingdoms are none the wiser." Gold spoke as he took the other door.
They each gave a nod as they torn the doors open and rushed in, taking in the room and ready for a fight. Only to be met with nothing but the frightened faces all throughout the cages. Dozens of people staring at them in fear, covered in dirt and scars as the two let go of their tension.
"No..." Gold was stunned.
Men, women, children and elderly. Faunus of all types cramped about the cages, wearing nothing but chains and the muck that coated them.
"No guards here either." Lapis stated as he put his weapon away.
"What do we do?" Gold asked as he looked about.
"We stay on guard and wait." Lapis told as he took back to the door.
"Is there any way to get them out?"
"Unless you plan on setting off a bomb." Lapis stated as Gold looked back over the captives.
Several of them were staring, pleading looks as Gold could only hold himself back. Lapis was right, as much as he hated it. They had no way of getting rid of the binds that they wore. They would have to wait for the fighting up top to finish.
"H-hello."
Both turned back as they heard the whisper of a voice break the silence. Glancing at the small child that looked up at them. Gold took a step forward, only stopping as the child recoiled.
"Sit tight, we'll help you. I promise." Gold spoke gently as he took guard back to the entrance.
The slaver's better hope they die to Adam's blade, because if any show themselves down here, They'll learn what it truly feels like to burn.
.
.
They were staring at me now, and I wasn't wasting time.
I launched myself forward, intent on using their shock to my advantage as I took one of them by surprise. I felt the impact as I lodged my fist into the side of their head. The force knocking them off their feet and spinning as they flew out the entrance.
This seemed to knock their senses back in place as they were on the attack once more. One of them made a swing for me, their arm flying past as I avoided it and grabbed hold of the extended limb.
I lifted it up, pulling the goon off of the ground as I delivered a solid punch to the stomach. I heard them cough as they struggled to gain back the breath I had forced out of them. I gave another couple hits, as well as a strike to the face before the aura broke.
At that point I brought them back down, feeling them buckle as I forced my knee into the back of the arm. It bent backwards as a crunch let out, alongside their scream of pain.
Gripping them by the throat I flung them towards another two that thought they could rush me. They were knocked off their feet as I felt a hit across my back. A clink sounded out as the weapon recoiled off of the bone plating.
I turned back to face the one who thought they could catch me from behind. Instantly I drew Pale Bloom, intent on breaking their aura with a solid swing. Instead I was greeted with a spray of blood as they stumbled back, staring in disbelief at the deep and fatal looking gash across their chest shortly before dropping to the ground. Their aura must have been broken earlier in the fight.
The blood seemed to stain as it dripped down and between the plating. I ignored it as I turned back to the fighting, stepping to the side as a corpse flew past. Adam landed beside me, blade held up and carrying a look of amusement.
"You put on quite the show, this the special skills I've been told about?" He asked as I avoided another incoming attack.
"Maybe." I gave as I slammed a knee into the goons gut, breaking their aura as Adam drove his blade through their back.
"Quite the semblance I assume. Just for show, or is it something more?" He spoke as he swept another off their feet with a low kick, striking upwards at another coming attack.
"I hit harder." I answered as I crushed the downed slaver's neck with my boot, Blocking a high kick.
"I guess the threatening look is only a benefit." He stated as he looked to block at the air, only for something to break and flash across his sword.
"It helps, too afraid to react properly." I grunted as I gave a heavy kick forward, knocking them back and into one another.
"Back up, I've got another charge ready. I'll end this!" Adam called as I did what he ordered.
I didn't know what he meant by 'charge', but it sounded like something I didn't want to be hit by. Leaping back I watched as Adam sheathed his blade to the side, taking a stance before ripping his blade across the air.
His hair seemed to glow along with his weapon as a massive wave of deep crimson flew forward. It cleaved through all before it, leaving our foes in literal pieces across the floor.
Adam looked to release the tension in his body, sheathing his blade as he turned back to me. A mess of Scarlet coated the floor below the dead as he walked my way, carrying a look of satisfaction.
I felt the smoke flow over my body once again as I let go of my armor, turning to mist and leaving me as I was before.
"You cut quite the threatening figure back there." Adam spoke as I took a more relaxed stance myself.
"I wanted to save it for later but they were overwhelming me." I told as he gave a slight chuckle.
"Not much experience?"
"Not with people no." I answered as he gave a nod.
"I take it you find the Grimm easier to deal with, like most others." He gave.
"Grimm are predictable. They don't think, don't counter or plan, they just attack. They're only dangerous in large numbers. People are different, they can react and predict. They plan, and that makes them dangerous." I explained as he motioned for me to follow.
"You can always tell what the Grimm are thinking, yet people are nearly unpredictable." He spoke as he lead me back outside to the others.
I continued along to stand with them, watching as Adam stood before us. He took to his scroll, messing about with it as Magenta's voice came through once more.
"Sir?"
"How many are left in the building?" He asked as she went silent for a moment.
"None as far as I can see. We've got'em all!" She spoke as the others let out a cheer.
Adam held up his hand, silencing them as he looked over us.
"Magenta, keep an eye on the halls in case of stragglers." He told as he turned to us again.
"Right." And she was gone.
"Listen up, There may still be some in there. Be on your guard." They gave salutes as we made to follow, only for Adam to stop me.
"We're already good with our numbers. Instead I want you to go let bomber team know the mission is complete and wait out here. We'll come out with the captives and I need you and the others ready with the medical supplies." He stated as I gave a nod of acceptance.
Watching as they entered the building I found myself walking around the back. I knew where they were as we had split off from them before the initial attack. In the distance I could see where they had been set up, as well as some of the ash from the explosion.
As I approached I could see them gathered around. I watched as one caught sight of me during my approach. He turned to the others, motioning towards me as I came before them.
"Vermillion right?" He asked as I nodded.
"Adam says to come around front and bring the medical supplies, they're getting the captives out." I answered as they looked to grab their things.
They followed me around front as we waited for the others to arrive. A few of them began talking with each other, passing the time as we waited. It wasn't too long before we could see some of the others from inside the building.
"Hey, over here!" The woman beside me called out.
I watched as several of them came forward, only for even more to begin pouring out of the place.
Just how many were held here? I thought to myself as I was able to see Magenta and the rest come out.
"Vermillion, you're alive! Never doubted you for a second buddy!" Gold stated, draping his hand over my back once more.
"He was with Adam, I'm sure he was never in any real danger." Lapis gave as Magenta just rolled her eyes at the antics.
"I'd say, I'm just glad he never did any of that stuff during our spar. Scary looking semblance you've got." She spoke as Gold gave a confused look.
"What do you mean?" He questioned.
"Uh hello, cameras, I could see everything." She told with a flat look.
"Oh, right." Gold gave an embarrassed look.
"Whatever, we're heading out to Vale once all's settled away. So get your ass moving." Magenta told as she took Gold by the ear and dragged him off.
I still didn't know what they meant by cameras or 'seeing', but I let it go. The captives were free, slavers were dead, and Adam had taken interest in me.
Things were looking up.
.
.
"It's all here." He stated as she gave a moment of silence.
"And the bugs?"
"Crushed."
"Well done Adam, with the trash taken care of we'll be able to store most of our dust there until the next phaze of the plan." She gave as Adam looked over the boxes, his face taking on a more serious look.
"Just what are you planning Cinder?" He asked as he began making his way back.
The way in had been confusing so they left markings along the walls to form a sort of trail. This was for temporary use at the moment, they'd leave it after all was said and done.
"Nothing you need to worry about for now, just wait for my orders. You'll get what you want soon enough, trust me on that." She finished as the call disconnected.
Adam let out a slight huff as he put away his scroll.
Cinder had been the real winner here. They may have freed the Faunus but it was she who got the spoils. She came to them before, promising a plan that would force the kingdoms to take them seriously. Denying her once proved useless, as such he had taken to helping her the second time.
Now he'd no other choice but to see what she meant.
.
.
That's not something you see everyday.
Qrow had found himself somewhat surprised, the White Fang had actually done something that could be argued as good. Granted they killed everyone they attacked, they had still freed what looked to be captive Faunus.
He flew from the branch he was overlooking, out towards Vale. As much as he would have liked to see what happened next he still had someplace to be.
His destination was Beacon, the very school where his nieces were held up. The same one he had once been a student to. If they were anything like Tai and the others, he was sure they were knees deep into some sort of trouble.
As amusing as it was to think of the potential mischief his nieces were up to, he had to focus.
After a some time flying Qrow was able to see Beacon in the distance. Touching down on the pavement and out of sight he began his trek to Ozpin's office, passing by some students along the way.
He entered the building as he made his way to the reception desk. The woman working there looked up at him.
"Can I help you?"
"Let the headmaster know his friend's on the way up." He told as he made way for the elevator.
"Sir! You need to wait for confirmation!" She called out as he waved a hand and stepped in anyway.
"He knows I'm coming it's fine."
With that the doors shut as he punched in the button for the office. A small jingle played through the ride up as he waited. The doors opened as he was able to step out into the room, Headmaster Ozpin sitting at his desk with his mug in hand.
"You know we have rules for a reason." Ozpin stated as Qrow walked in.
"And you know I hate waiting." He responded, taking a seat in the chair and relaxing.
"Yes, I am well aware. Anyway, what have you got for me?"
"Word from most taverns is that a woman and two others have been seen traveling around. Not stopping to rest or anything, just moving about." Qrow stated as he unscrewed his flask.
"You believe they may be the ones, our attackers?" Ozpin stated as Qrow took a swig.
"Not sure yet, I'll need to dig more into it." He answered as Ozpin took a moment to think, letting out a sigh.
"Keep me up to date on that." He said as Qrow gave a grunt of acknowledgement.
"I've also came across something interesting on my way back. The White Fang managed to kill a bunch of slavers, and free the captive Faunus they held." Qrow told as Ozpin took a sip of his drink.
"That's good, better than them constantly robbing shops. They'll probably let the Faunus off in the city"
"Yea, but that's not all. I saw someone... funny looking." He spoke as Ozpin took a look of interest.
That appeared to catch his interest as he raised an eyebrow.
"Funny looking? What do you mean by that?" Ozpin asked as Qrow took a darker look.
"You know how the White Fang wear masks to look like the Grimm. Well this one didn't, he didn't need to." Qrow gave as Ozpin leaned closer.
"What are you saying Qrow?"
"I'm saying that this guy already had the spitting image of a Grimm. All pale and sick looking, but the biggest thing was the eyes. They looked just like the Grimm's."
"Are you sure it's not just a more wild Faunus trait?" Ozpin asked as Qrow shook his head.
"Faunus have one, maybe two traits in more rare cases. This guy was different. Dark eyes, pale skin, pulsing veins, heck he may even have claws for all I know. Point is, he's like no Faunus I've ever seen."
Ozpin leaned back, looking to take a moment to think. Qrow watched as he stood from his seat and walked towards the window.
"I was going to leave the White Fang alone for the time being, at least for the festival. It would appear that has changed." He said as Qrow walked up behind him.
"What are you thinking Oz? You know something?" He asked as Ozpin looked over to him.
"Maybe. Qrow, I want you to keep an eye on this person, get a picture if you can."
"Oz?" Qrow asked again, a slight worry in his voice.
"Remember when I first granted you the ability to shift? Let's just say that Salem has something similar, and it would seem she is putting this ability to use." Ozpin hinted as Qrow looked surprised, he brushed it off as he took on a harder look.
"What does this mean?" Qrow asked hesitantly.
Ozpin took to looking out the window once more, looking over all of Beacon.
"Salem's followers are going to get a lot more dangerous."
Author's note
...
Here we are, back once again with another chapter. If I'm being honest here this chapter was a lot more difficult to write, still not the best with action. Especially counting the fact I had to get V to react to something he's never seen before, guns. I think I did well anyway.
We've also got a cover now thanks to the suggestion from a reviewer. I can't draw, period, so I decided to get creative with a free photo editor and some gaming screenshots.
Is the cover good? No, probably not. Is it passable? Yes, and that's all that really matters. Couldn't quite get V's look down, the pauldron is supposed to be a rose and the belts vines. But whatever, it works well enough.
You can imagine V looking however you want, that's why I kept the description of him basic.
As for the guest reviewer... I can't understand what they mean. I'm pretty sure I've had V question everything at least once, so I don't know what I'm missing. He's just been rolling with the punches and keeping his thoughts to himself. Tip, if a character doesn't mention something it doesn't mean they've forgotten about it, it's just not their top priority.
Anyway, get excited. We's heading to Vale, and V's in for a rude awakening.
See you next time