THE STORM
The moonlight pierced through the clouds down to the Kingdom of Vale. It was a silent night, as the streets were sparse with people. The street lights reflected off the windows and the rippled surface of the fountain water. It was on this street that Ruby Rose looked down to, the Huntress aspirant spotted on the roofs of the academy. Despite the light that glimmered through the region, all she could see was the darkness. The discussion she just had from Ozpin's office at the forefront of her mind.
The eerie darkness of the night never escaped her memory. She could clearly remember the pitch black curtain draped over the sky, and the twisted, warped shapes that the stars made against the blackness.
She was chosen, chosen for what exactly?
"What would you have done, Naruto?" She whispered to the skies, thinking of her long lost friend - memories of their encounter back in Patch sending her into nostalgia.
You know… Naruto spoke from the top of the cliffs, looking towards the sunset in the distance. Ruby was seen right next to him. "I feel we have been chosen for something great Ruby."
"Great? How?"
"I don't know." Naruto laughed a bit. "I just feel, like our paths were meant to cross or something like that. I feel we were meant to meet. You get that? I don't know."
Ruby just chuckled, unsure of what to say. "I don't know, maybe."
"There are things in this world." Naruto said looking to her. "Things that would make you question all you know, but… it's up to you to make that choice. I want you to know that."
"What are you talking about?"
"Heh, probably just rambling as usual." Naruto laughed sheepishly, earning a smile from Ruby. "I just feel there's something about you Ruby, something special, something… powerful, and there is always a purpose, for people with great power."
Ruby just stared at him musing on his words.
She never paid it much thought, but was this what he meant?
The ability she had shown in the cave, and the fact that she could resonate in a way with the Grimm. What exactly was she going to do?
"What am I meant to do?" she wondered, looking lost.
…What I am going to tell you is something the world knows nothing about. Only… select circles. They were a group of warriors, originated before the rise of the Kingdoms, right around the time of the Grimm's emergence. They were able to strike down the Grimm by just looking at them. Based on what you did, it's not a myth. They were known as the Silver – Eyed warriors…
Were you part of this, mom? Ruby thought.
"I knew I'd find you here."
The familiar voice snapped Ruby back to the present. She turned back to see Yang walking towards her with a smile.
"Hey there sis." Yang said, looking to Ruby, as she made her way down to sit beside her.
"Hey."
"That was a lot to take in, I'm guessing."
"I always wanted to defeat the Grimm." Ruby began. "I mean, that's what Hunters and Huntresses do right? They are heroes… right? It was all so simple." She looked to Yang, hopefully searching for an answer to a question she hadn't asked. "I… I don't know what to feel I…" She swallowed a bit, her constant vibrant expression being replaced by a vulnerable one before her sister. "I don't like this responsibility, Yang."
Yang looked to her sister and smiled. "Then don't shoulder it."
Ruby blinked, looking to Yang. "Wha…?"
"To hell with whatever Dad, or Uncle Qrow, or what Ozpin says. It's your life."
"But it's-"
"You didn't have a choice over that, and if you didn't then, I think you have every right to do now." Yang leaned to her sister. "You can be whatever you want, Ruby, and they have no right to tell you what you should do. I want you to know that."
Ruby just stared forward with widened eyes.
"Do you remember that day you went wandering into the forest, without telling me or dad?" Yang smiled, reminiscing over a fond memory.
Ruby smiled. "Yeah."
"We searched for you for three days, even you had gotten lost. We were so scared. I was so…" Yang shook her head. "Sure we found you, but at that moment we didn't see you crying or looking like you needed any help. Dad said your eyes were filled with wonder, and he knew he wasn't going to be able to stop you from going out into the world, on your own adventure. But he made me promise."
"Before we left home," Yang continued. "Dad made sure that I would watch over you all the time, and sure I have messed up in some cases, I still want to protect you, no matter what, because you are my little sister."
Ruby looked down trying to hide her embarrassed expression. "But my eyes."
"Sure, they are quite awesome to have. You yourself saw the effect of what happened in the cave."
"That's why I can't run from it. You may be right Yang. I don't need to shoulder it all, I don't owe them anything. But… I just can't ignore it Yang."
Yang looked concerned. "Why do you say that?"
"I…" Ruby looked conflicted. "The Grimm are…" She trailed off as memories of when she first met Naruto, at the forefront of her mind.
"What is it Ruby?"
"There was a Grimm, close to our home."
Yang blinked. "What?"
"I killed it though."
"Wait, a Grimm was close to our home?"
"It was harmless."
Yang looked suspicious. "What are you talking about?"
"I want you to listen to me Yang."
"Listen?" Yang looked confused. "Did this have anything to do with what happened back at the cave, when you talked about… saving them?"
"I…" Ruby looked confused. "I-"
"They killed mom, Ruby." Yang said, her emotions visible in her eyes. Ruby seemed taken aback at the tone in her voice. "I know that you might think that things are a bit blurry right now but that's what happened. I didn't want to bring it up earlier because of Weiss and Blake but…"
As Yang trailed off, Ruby looked down to the streets, her sister's words echoing through her mind. Flashes of when the Grimm struck her rippled through her mind. She actually felt like she was going to die.
"And it almost killed you."
Ruby's expression was completely that of confliction.
"I was so scared for you Ruby. I…" Yang's lower lips quivered as the memories provoked an unpleasant feeling in her. "They are monsters," She said with conviction, "and you know that deeply, Ruby. You saw what they were going to do to us. If not for you we-"
Yang halted, regaining her composure. She exhaled deeply, getting her emotions in check.
"You know I'm right."
Ruby looked to Yang noting the concern and love in her eyes. At that moment, she couldn't doubt Yang. All she said was the truth. Her mom was killed by the Grimm, and the Grimm could've killed her and her team had she not intervened in time.
Yang was even prepared to die, to get her to safety. Memories from the cave serving as a core reminder.
"Oh no…" Weiss muttered and looked right behind the Grimm noting these large number of red eyes that walked towards them ominously. "We'll have to fight them. We wouldn't be able to reach the exit in time."
"Look up." Blake said, Weiss and Yang's eyes widening. "Yes, stalactites, and hell lot of them. One wrong move and they'll come raining down."
"What the hell do we do?" Weiss spoke, going to a stance.
"I will hold them off." Yang said. "Weiss, you and Blake will take Ruby to the top."
Weiss looked in shock. "W…What? No I-"
"Weiss!" Yang looked to Weiss with a pleading look. "Please… Please just go. Get her out."
Ruby was slightly aware of what was happening around her, and even when she awoke, she was stunned at the dedication and love Yang showed that day. She knew Yang loved her, but that moment solidified whatever bond was between them.
Yang was prepared to die to protect her, and Ruby was never going to forget that. The Grimm were intent on taking them away from her, people she saw as her family; people she loved.
And she was willing to protect them, Ruby affirmed, and for a moment, Naruto was gone from her memories.
"Thank you." Ruby said, her eyes filled with gratitude.
Yang smiled and placed her palm on Ruby's head. "I'll do anything for you. I hope you know that."
Ruby blushed in embarrassment. "Yeah… Yeah I do."
The skies seemed a bit brighter now, and she wasn't so alone now.
…
Glynda was seen in Ozpin's office noting the Headmaster tossing a small metal ball upwards and catching it. "Do you think it was a good idea, telling her that?"
"It may be too much for her to handle at the moment, but we have no choice Glynda." Ozpin caught it one final time and looked to her. "Hopefully it works out for the best."
"What are we going to do about our visitors from the other continent?"
"We don't have much of a choice. We help them find this Uzumaki fellow and we eliminate him. Despite the fact that I feel Danzo isn't telling us everything, I wouldn't care much for that right now."
"The son of Minato Namikaze." Glynda shook her head. "He's going to be formidable, especially if he is a Top tier Grimm."
"Don't lose hope yet Glynda." Ozpin smirked. "We have our cards."
…
Winter Schnee looked to Ironwood walking back and forth across the room, not even touching the food the hotel had provided.
"You need to relax General. We need to think on this with a clear head." She spoke calmly, while taking a sip from her tea. She was sitting on a chair, her legs crossed before the tea table.
"I knew this was a mistake Winter. But the gall of Danzo, trying to control a Class VI Grimm."
"The idea is solid if actually given thought."
"I know." He turned to her. "That's what pisses me off. All our research has been on how we could defeat them finally, we never even thought on using them against themselves. But he's messed up, messed up real bad. If he would have shared his plan with us maybe we could have cooperated and would have been more successful with it."
"There was a reason only he could do it."
"Oh screw the council." Ironwood scoffed. "They wouldn't know a brilliant idea if it was staring at them right in the face."
"That's not really my point."
"What is then?"
"We'd be creating a weapon out of a human being. A Grimm to our understanding sure, but to them, all they'd see is a boy, a confused boy."
"Considering the threat we face, that is the least of my worries."
"Sit down and eat something General, your food is getting cold. You can't think clearly on an empty stomach."
Ironwood just sighed and walked to the table, overlooking the covered dish.
As he sat down Winter continued. "If Danzo's information is to be believed there aren't that much Class VI Grimm left."
"But they are still a threat."
"Yes, and we are at a disadvantage." Winter put her cup down. "We do not know when they will strike or where. We don't have a proper gauge of their abilities, and we do not even know where they are right now. The question is what do we do now?"
"Fortify our forces." Ironwood said. "The other Headmasters except Danzo have headed back to their Kingdoms. We need to boost up our training. Our scouts need to work harder than ever. Things are moving unexpectedly fast but, that's all we can do for now. Hopefully this doesn't escalate into a full blown war."
Winter said nothing, her mind in a complete whirlwind of thoughts as Ironwood sighed.
"A storm is coming, Winter." Ironwood pointed out. "We have to be prepared for that."
…
Weiss was seen walking with Winter along the streets.
"For how long will you be here?" Weiss asked. She didn't want to seem too enthusiastic, despite the fact that she was.
"We'll be gone by tomorrow." Winter said.
"Oh. That's too soon." Weiss said, a little disappointed, but she was used to it by now.
"We were just here for the meeting." Winter said turning towards her. "I decided to use the time to check up on you. Now that you have a clue as to what is happening, I'm sure you see the need for me to head back."
Weiss blinked. "Y…You knew?"
"Glynda told me. I didn't tell dad of course. Pretty sure he'd overreact."
"Why didn't you?"
"Because I don't need that headache right now. So, how are you? Heard you held up pretty well against a whole pack."
Weiss chuckled sheepishly. "Well considering I nearly lost my shit when the leader started to speak I'd say I did well."
"Yeah we were pretty surprised when we were informed of that." Winter looked in thought. "We knew they existed in the Continent of Fire but over here, that was quite a discovery."
"So they are a lot of them, the talking Grimm?"
"Yes." Winter nodded. "Over there they are as much as the Grimm in the other continents. That place is quite dangerous."
"Wouldn't like to go there."
"Well it's isolated mostly. Access is limited, for a good reason."
Weiss looked on in wonder. "So the rumors are true."
Winter shook her head in the negative. "There are things you might not want the answer to. Anyways," A rare smile emerged from her face, "I'm happy you are safe."
Weiss beamed a bit and nodded her head. "Thanks."
"How's Ruby?" Winter asked. "Heard she saved you guys."
"Yeah." Weiss gave a forlorn look to the academy building in the distance. "She's a bit down, but she'll pull through." Weiss let out a forced smile. "She's too annoying to be brought down by that."
"You are bothered about something."
Weiss looked stunned. "It's noth-"
"Come on, it's obvious. What is it?"
Weiss held her words and looked down.
Winter observed the slight hesitation Weiss had and used her hand to tilt Weiss' face upwards. "What is it, Weiss?"
Weiss looked to Winter's eyes hoping to note some concern, but Winter's expression was always the same. Most of the time, it bothered Weiss. Sure she knew that as a Schnee they were trained to be composed at all times, and it helped a lot as Winter was a crucial member of the Atlesian army, but this meant she couldn't get a read on her expression, if she was empathetic to her plight, or apathetic.
Regardless of that, she chose to think positively on it. At least, she asked right?
"I feel…" Weiss bit her lower lip, looking away. "I feel so weak next to her." Winter's expression didn't change, letting her speak her mind. "You weren't there. They were so much, and sure I was focused on getting her out of there, I wanted to head back to save Yang, but I couldn't. It was going to pointless. I wasn't strong enough, but Ruby did it. She wiped them all out like it was nothing. Just a glance." Weiss clenched her fist. "With just a glance."
Winter looked to Weiss, and unknown to the younger sister, the edges of her lips twitched up a bit. She had never seen her sister so determined. It seemed it was a good thing Ruby was in her life.
"Admitting your limitations is very important in growing stronger. It means you know your weaknesses and you are prepared to work on that. You have potential Weiss, and how strong you get is based on how you focus on building up your strength."
Weiss looked up to her sister. "Do you think so?"
"I think you have the answer to that."
Weiss clenched her fist and looked to the academy, thinking about Ruby. You aren't going to have the chance to save me again Ruby.
"Now come on." Winter said, certain that she had snapped Weiss out of her funk. "It's getting late."
…
Since he left one of the lookout towers on the mainland, Cimarron felt an immense sense of relief. Their boat drifted along the center of the river, slow and deep enough they could relax and let the waves carry them. He sat in the back, dipping his fingertips in the cold water to distract him from his boredom. For how many months had he been on patrol? He could hardly remember.
Ever since he had been in charge of a small contingent of Hunters, he always looked forward to get out of the tower. He preferred going through the forests, been on the lookout for the Grimm, an expedition that came up short most of the time.
The few moments when he came across the creatures made him cherish the job. Now that they were done with their shift, it was time to head back though. Although this time they were to head to a different tower from the one they were previously on, close to the lakes. Which was a good thing because his eyes were tired of seeing the same thing over and over again.
The oars dipped in and out of the water, the sound rhythmic, relaxing. Trees lined either side of them, growing tall with their roots crawling down into the river, which the moon and stars reflected off.
"How far?" asked Velt, who had refused to give his last name upon enlisting. Cimarron always figured he was a former bandit, of thief, but whatever the crime, he was willing to let it be forgotten so long as he was faithful to the cause. Everyone deserved a second chance. Well that was what Ozpin said.
"You mean until we're there, or until you stop rowing?" Cimarron asked.
"Either's good."
"We should be arriving at the lookout tower soon. Keep your eyes peeled for a wooden dock. This lookout tower should have one, from what I gathered from the Commander. Put your oars down Velt."
The man did, and he stretched his back while letting out a pleased grunt.
"Getting shallow," said one of the men with the poles up front. "Might as well pull off or else we could hit something."
"I'd rather sleep with a roof above my head thank you." Cimarron said. "Keep your eyes open and your light directed west, the forest to the east doesn't seem safe. And hand me one of them."
Several others decided to join the search, their shifting rocking the boat enough that Cimarron lost the grip of his lantern. It fell to his left, hit the boat, and then rolled off the side.
"Damn," he grumbled, peering off the side. As his eyes lifted, he saw red glowing eyes meet his own, then vanish.
A Grimm to be sure. The creature's eyes had disappeared which meant it was trying to go undetected. And he intended to keep it that way.
"Borin," he called out, keeping his voice calm.
"Yes sir?" asked Borin. He was a young man, but he was quite strong, and more importantly, he had a keen mind.
Cimarron made his way along the boat until he was side by side with Borin. "Look east," he said in a low tone. "Keep it quiet, and don't make it obvious."
"What am I looking for?" asked Borin, in a soft voice. He put his hands on his back and acted as if he was stretching. The boat continued drifting, many of the men still shining lanterns and searching for the dock while they approached the lookout tower to the west.
"If they're there, you'll know."
Borin bit his lip. His hands ran through his brown hair, and then it fell to his side, where his sword could have been. It was not. All their gear was stowed in three chest placed equidistant from each other along the center of the boat.
"Eyes watching us," Borin said.
"How many?"
Cimarron leaned his chin in his hand and stared east as if he was bored. Red eyes peered at him, and they had a hungry look that sent shivers up his spine.
"At least six pairs. Maybe more. Fucking Grimm."
One of the men near them heard and glanced back, worry crossing his face.
"Grimm, sir?
"Shut the fuck up, right now," said Cimarron. "That's an order."
The man nodded, pressing his lips together.
"What do we do?" asked Borin.
"If there are that many, they aren't here to watch. Can't armor ourselves, otherwise every person tossed overboard will drown. Pass swords around, low and out of sight. And we need to do it fast. I see the eyes no more," whispered Cimarron. "Have they left?"
"No," said Borin, kneeling beside the closest chest and removing the latch. They went into the water. They must be swimming."
"Pull back your lanterns," Cimarron ordered to his men, to which they heeded. Borin started sending swords down the boat, arming the east side first. "Take what we are giving you, and don't act up about it. We got eyes watching us, and who knows how intelligent they are, and how much they can understand. Velt, Pear, you keep watching for a dock, any dock. Everyone else, scan the river. There are Grimm here."
"We need to alert the other Lookout towers." Borin whispered to Cimarron. "This amount is too much. We may not live through this night."
"We can only do that when we get there." Cimarron said, gesturing to the tower a slight distance away from them as he drew his own sword and laid it across his lap, comforted by its weight.
If the Grimm assaulted their boat, there were advantages for either side. The Grimm would have surprise, and they'd close the distance without their arrows or defensive formations. They'd by slowed by the water, though, and vulnerable trying to climb into the boat. Assuming they tried to climb them anyway. They were strong, and if they were many, they might be able to overturn their vessel. If that happened, they were as good as dead.
The night had gone unnaturally silent. Even the men of the boat were silent, no longer might calling out what they thought was a deer, stone, or dock. No, they were watching, waiting, cold steel in their hands. Fighting the Grimm without armor, they faced a horrible challenge. Those claws would shred their skin like cloth. Those teeth could rip their limbs from their bodies.
Cimarron had fought the Grimm plenty in his years as a hunter, but never like this, never ambushed upon the water. And why were they there? The implications were just as frightening as their current situation. To have so many near the main capital, watching, patrolling, even…
From the far bank came a loud growl, and with that, the water on either side of the boat erupted with claws and teeth.
The Grimm lashed out, clawing at the wooden sides and hoisting their bodies upward. They were blacker than night, just flashed of red and eager claws. The assault was proving to be even more vicious and rapid than Cimarron had anticipated.
He stood in the middle of the boat, standing on a chest to give himself the best vantage. He shined his light upon all.
The Grimm were climbing into the boat on all sides. The water frothed with their struggles. His men were fighting bravely for now.
"Starboard!" he yelled, just as a Grimm climbed aboard on the starboard side. Two of his men met the Grimm.
Cimarron turned his attention to the stern of the vessel where there were no defenders… yet he saw a claw grasping the gunwale.
Cimarron charged. This was no time for standing by and giving orders, right now they needed every sword for defense. He swung his blade just as the Grimm climbed in. It was a lucky blow, opening the throat of the beast.
In an explosion of water, another wolf man was on the boat, only a meter to Cimarron's left flank. Borin charged in from the side and pierced the Grimm with his sword. Cimarron quickly moved going for a swift decapitation and before it could disintegrate fully, he shoved the headless Grimm over the side of the boat, causing it to fall upon another Grimm trying to climb in.
Cimarron using his aura sensed a Grimm was climbing in from the stern of the boat, near the rudder, and another was climbing nearby on the side and he moved.
He shone the lantern in the eyes of the two Grimm as they climbed in. They squinted in the light, snarling. Cimarron flung his lantern at the one climbing the stern. The metal struck it in the face, the liquid and fire spreading across its snout. It howled and leaped off the boat back into the river. Cimarron whirled his body and struck the other Grimm with his sword, the blade sinking in. Noting the Grimm about to claw him in the side, he quickly used his semblance, coating his sword with fire which spread all over the Grimm causing it to elicit a pained howl.
Cimarron retreated back a step and hacked again, separating his head from his shoulders. Whirling, Daniel took in the battle before him. The boat rocked unsteadily beneath his feet, both sides buffeted by the many bodies either climbing aboard or falling away. He couldn't count the Grimm, they were both too many and too hidden. His men were dying. Blood soaked the floor of the boat, mixing with puddles of water. They fought bravely, though, and he felt his heart swell with pride. So far none had panicked, and they stabbed and bled in the darkness like true warriors.
"Beat them back!" he cried, joining Borin's side. The two slashed at another wolf trying to grabe the side, slicing off three claws before it slipped away. With a scream, one of his men went tumbling off the boat, his weak thrust missing, his arm grabbed and pulled. Where he fell became a dark thrashing of water, and then he disappeared. Two more men died, a Grimm making it into the boat and slashing wildly before soldiers dove upon it, accepting its claws to pierce their blades through its heart. The screams of pain echoed across the river.
The boat suddenly lurched eastward, accompanied by a deep thunk. Again came a lurch.
"They're guiding us to the east side of the bank!" someone shouted.
They needed the power that poling against the bottom of the river would provide.
"The poles!" Cimarron roared. "Grab the poles!"
They had four poles to push and guide the boat. The first two they plunged into the water snapped as the Grimm grabbed hold of them and bit with their strong teeth.
"Stab the water!" Borin cried out, rushing to the east side and thrusting downward with his sword, where several Grimm had gathered, no longer trying to climb and instead swimming with their heads low and their bodies pushing.
"If we hit the ground on that forest we're dead!" Cimarron said, grabbing another of the poles. "We need to get to the tower on the other side, now push like your fucking lives depend on it!"
The men roared out, pushing with all their might. The wood groaned in his hand, he heard the yelps of the Grimm at their side, but at last the pressure relaxed. Once more the boat angled not to the wedge but instead to the opposite side.
"To the other side!" Velt shouted.
"That's the aim boy, now put your back into it!" roared Cimarron.
The last of the Grimm along the eastern side fell back, the last two poles touching bottom and pushing. Several other soldiers grabbed oars ad they rowed toward safety. There was no dock, no landing. They rammed their boat along the rocky shore and then rushed onto dry land with shaky legs.
Exhausted and shivering, Cimarron looked out the river. He saw pairs of eyes watching him from the far side, and they were increasing. This was an attack on the capital. And they had to inform them in time.
"We need to head to the tower now!"
Immediately, hordes upon hordes descended into the water as the men ran towards the Lookout Tower.
"They're coming!"
"Keep on going!" Cimarron roared out through his teeth. He knew they weren't all going to make it in on piece. But he had to make it, he had to inform the other lookout towers closer to the capital.
He chose not to look back, hearing screams and sounds of the Grimm approaching them. Spotting the door at the base of the tower, he barged through, and roared out to Borin who was able to keep up with him.
"Make sure you close the door once they are all in. Barricade it!"
"Yes sir!"
Cimarron ran up the stairs towards the communication room at the highest floor of the tower. He removed the headphones and began to contact the capital.
"Hello! This is Tower 231 can you hear me?! We are under attack! I repeat we are under attack!"
The sound of static which filled his ears caused him to curse out in anger.
"Fuck!" He looked around and saw a black box to which he nodded frantically. "Okay… Okay this would work."
He quickly removed a flare gun and looked to the bulllets right in the box, they were green yellow and red.
Quickly inserting three red bullets in the gun he heard a roar from the skies and looked through the windows in shock to note a Dragon Grimm flying towards the tower. Knowing what was going to happen, he quickly fired multiple shots of the red flare to the skies as the Dragon crashed head first through the concrete building, destroying the top floor.
In another lookout tower in the distance, another hunter was seen looking to the distance with his binoculars in only for his eyes to widen at the red flare.
"Invasion?"
Quickly switching to night vision his eyes widened as he saw the signatures of the Grimm emerging like a wave from the east. "Sound the alarm!" He yelled out from the top of his lungs, alerting the other Hunters in the tower. "Incoming attack!"
He quickly moved to the communication equipment as the sound of alarm blared through the tower, a bright red light illuminating it in the darkness. The hunter on lookout quickly reached for the main headquarters. "Incoming attack! I repeat incoming attack! A horde of Grimm have been spotted-"
Another Dragon Grimm bashed head first through the tower, breaching through it and continuing on its raid towards the academy.
In the distance Naruto was seen on one of the Dragon Grimm, observing the events from above.
"Now they know we are coming." He muttered. "Hope you are ready Ruby, because I…" Naruto looked to the Academy which glowed red in alert, coincidentally gaining the same hue as his eyes.
Ruby looked in surprise to the distance, noting the flare from the distance. Yang looked on with narrowed eyes wondering what was happening.
"…am coming for you."
…
OKAY WOW! So I am done with my exams. And I'm heading towards my final semester in Pharmacy. Exciting right?!
So next chapter is going to be like an all-out war. I would be focused primarily on Naruto and maybe address Cinder and Tyrian's mission but majority of the battle next chapter would be focused on him.
And of course the reunion after so long. What will happen between Naruto and Ruby?
Next Chapter's going to be a blast!
What did you think of this longer chapter? Review!
