Notes: I do plead for your forgiveness that this work was delayed so long. I hit a bit of a snag and got flooded with other stuff so I had to put it on old but it's still coming. Don't forget to leave your guesses as to who the killer might be and who you think will die next. I will be editing in the credits for this chapter soon.
Nora's Silver Hammer
Entrance Room 9:43PM Day 1 POV Nora Valkyrie
It's all ok I told myself. This is all just a bad dream I keep repeating in my head. There's no way he could be gone, not Ren. No he could never leave me all alone like this! Yeah, that's right he wouldn't leave me like this! He is just sleeping, yeah he is just sleeping. "It's time to wake up sleepy buns!" I shout while I try to shake him awake. After a moment of silence I try again this time more violently. "Come on don't you want to make us some of your amazing pancakes?!" There was still no response, of course there wouldn't be. I'm not a foolish child who doesn't know how death works. Ren and I have seen more then our fair share of it to know that much but. It doesn't mean the hurt goes away and it doesn't mean this pain and this emptiness are any less real.
I doubt even if I had a thousand life times it wouldn't be enough to accept this as reality. So I did the only thing I could think to do, I let out my sorrow. "AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" I screamed until my longs became horse and I cried until my body became dry. I wanted to keep going but all that I could manage were broken sobs. By this time my companions had come rushing out to no doubt investigate my screams. I glance behind me too see my own team or what remains of it now. Pyrrha has her hands over her mouth and looks horrified. Jaune looks almost confused, like he doesn't understand what is going on yet he is still trying to comfort us. That is so Jaune.
I looked to my left towards the kitchen door and notice that Weiss, Ruby, and Winter's butler who's name escapes me at the moment were heading our way. Before I could manage another thought Ruby had rapped her arms around my shoulders and is pulling me into a hug and began caressing me like I was an injured animal. A moment later I looked up to see Weiss staring up at Ren's body with an unreadable expression. She then glanced up at the over looking second floor and began to speak. "Yang, lower him down! And do it genteelly!" She commanded causing Yang who was on the second floor to move to the apposing side of the railing and begin to untie the strap that was suspending Ren. After taking the load off the railing Yang quickly called Blake over to help her lower him down. Once he was on the ground Weiss and what's his name made quick went to confirm what we all already knew. Ren was dead.
"No pulse, no signs of further injury, and no signs of a struggle." Weiss stated in a flat tone. "This doesn't make since." She stated in a more serious tone.
"What do you mean Miss Schnee?" The butler asked Weiss.
"Lie Ren may have been in training but he was still a huntsman. And he always seemed to have a since for danger, making him very difficult to sneak up on but. Everything we see her suggest that he didn't even get the chance to fight back. So tell me who could've possibly done this?"
The butler looked like he was lost in thought for a moment before responding. "Well I suppose if what you are saying is the true it would have to have been somebody close to him. Some one he wouldn't expect to attack him."
Weiss nodded in agreement before she began to glance around the room at our friends. It was clear she was searching for signs of guilt. After a moment they came back to rest on me. "Nora, where were you when Ren was attacked?"
The question was loaded with accusation and it caused me to unintentionally flinch. "I was in your team's guest room gathering your weapons." I responded.
"Is that right? And why was Ren alone Nora? Did I not tell you specially that we all needed to stick together?!" Weiss shouted as she stumped ever closer to me. Why was she even so angry with me? It's not like it was her best friend that just died. Besides didn't Ren and her just have a huge disagreement? Surely she would be slightly relieved to see him gone... Unless… No it couldn't be… but Ren was so sure so perhaps it really is true. Yes that's right, how'd I forget something so important. Weiss is trying to push the blame onto me. Yeah, she's trying to cover her tracks, or perhaps her teammate's. For all I know they are all in on this! Then I glanced over at the black strap that had held Ren up. I knew that black strap quite well, how couldn't I have noticed until now? It was the one that had been attached to Blake's weapon Gamble Shroud. "Well what do you have to say Nora!?" Are you going to answer me!?" Weiss shouted at me.
"Shut up!" I snapped at her as a stud up to meet her gaze.
Weiss flinched slightly in response to my sudden aggression but tried to straighten herself immediately. "I… I beg your pardon!? This is a serious matter Nora and if we don't start getting some straight answers soon we're going to have to assume the worst and have you…" Losing interest in what she had to say I cut Weiss off with my fist in her big stupid mouth. Gasps echoed off the walls around me as she fell to the floor grasping her swollen cheek. A moment later and she glared up at me. Her blue eyes glimmered with fiery rage so hot that it felt as though it could burn right through me. "What, do you think your doing Nora!?" I looked down to meet her hateful gaze and though I couldn't be sure what kind of expression I was wearing but it must have been unsettling since Weiss's expression instantly went from fury to horrified. "Wha… What are you doing Nora?" She asked meekly.
I didn't know how to respond to Weiss's question since for a moment I was unsure myself. Without even realizing it, I had drawn Rupy's Crescent Rose from its holster which I had strapped to my back to carry and had unfolded it into its scythe form. It felt really odd to wield some one else's weapon like this but since Jaune and Pyrrha had our weapons it would have to do. Then I glanced past Weiss at her raven haired teammate Blake. Her expression was hard to read, it was nether an expression of anger or sorrow. It felt almost robotic, like she had seen this sight many times before. How could I have ever trusted somebody like her? I won't let her get away with what see did! And if her teammates are in on this I will make them all pay! This was the last real thought that went through my mind before I pushed past Weiss and ran towards Blake.
Realizing what was happening the black haired cat faunus sprung backward just in time to avoid getting sliced in half. "Nora what, I didn't…" Blake began before needing to dunk under a second swipe of the Rose. I had no interest in listening to her excuses so I raised the Scythe above my head causing Blake's eyes to go wide and I slammed the scythe down on top of her. Blake's aura flashed as she evaded to the side and broke into a sprint while leaving a shadow copy of herself to take the blow.
I roared in frustration while yanking the blade of the weapon out of the wooden floor and turned to give chase but. I was grabbed from behind and put into a strangle hold by Yang Xiao Long. "What the hell are you doing Nora!?" Have you completely lost it!? If you don't stop right now I'm going to…" Before she finished I jabbed my elbow into her ribcage causing her to lean forward and I pulled her over me and slammed her onto the floor. Then my eye's quickly started darting around the room searching form my target. By this point she had already made it to the other side of the room close to the guess rooms. So I ran after her. "Wait damn it!" Yang shouted as she struggled back to her feet.
Before I could reach Blake, Weiss leapt out in front of me with her weapon now in her hand. "Not another step Nora!" She threatened. I leapt up off the ground to bring the blade of the Rose down on top of her. Weiss eyes went wide as she lifted her hands up to create a glyph between herself and the curved blade. The blade of the Scythe bounced off the glyph but the force of the blow caused Weiss to stagger and drop down onto one knee and the wooden floor below to become cracked. Weiss's interference only made my anger grow that much hotter as I repeated my previous attack. Again and again I slammed the blade back down on top of her stronger and fast each time. It didn't take long for Weiss's glyph to weaken, I was sure the next strike would finish it. "Nora! Stop this madness!" Weiss pleaded but I ignored her. I could vaguely here the other's screaming similar things and rushing towards us but it was too late to turn back now. I would avenge Ren no matter what it took!
I lifted the blade high above my head for one final but when I tried to bring the blade back down it snagged in mid air. No matter how hard I pulled I could budge it. "What the hell!" I roared in confusion before I spied Pyrrha out of the corner of my eye. Her semblance of course! Why is she getting in the way!? Doesn't she care about what they did to Ren!? How could she!? Then I felt the blade be ripped from my grasp by its swift dark haired owner. I spun around to see Ruby turning the weapon on me. Before I could react she used it to sweep my legs and drop me to the floor. Then I tried to get back to my feet but Jaune and Yang quickly jumped me from both sides and pinned me to the ground. "Jaune let go of me you traitor!" I shouted as I struggled to break free.
"You're not thinking clear! This is for your own good Nora!" He retorted.
Jaune winced slightly when he got a glimpse of the furious expression I must have been wearing on my face. And for a moment I felt like I might be able to break free of his grasp until I felt the sharp pointed edge of a rapier get pressed against my throat. I looked up to see Weiss glaring down at me. "Go on and do it! It's why you called all us here isn't it Weiss!? Your all working together aren't you!?"
"Hold your tong Nora! Or so help me I will remove it!" She threatened.
Jaune glanced up at Weiss slightly shocked by threatening behavior. "You see that Jaune, they aren't our real friends! Their all a bunch of crazy murderers! They took Ren from us!"
"Don't listen to her Jaune. She is emotionally unstable. Not that I don't understand how she feels. Losing somebody you have held dear for so long is pain we both know well but. It isn't an excuse for such violent and destructive behavior!" Weiss shouted before leaning down to look me in the eyes. "Let me make one thing very clear, we aren't your enemy but. If you threaten me or my teammates again," She paused a moment to stab the edge of her blade into the floor next to my head causing Jaune and Pyrrha to gasp. "I will end you." She stated coldly before standing up and turning away and walking towards Blake who was behind Pyrrha.
Pyrrha and Blake came up to meet her and I could vaguely hear what they were saying. Blake seemed to be thanking them for standing up for her and Pyrrha was speaking too softly to make out but she seemed distraught. I was still firmly pinned against the ground but my anger hadn't subsided. I had to say something before they undoubtedly killed me. "Blake, Weiss, I don't know which one of you did this but. I will never forgive you! If you don't want to reveal yourself then I will just have to make you!"
"You still haven't given up?" Weiss asked as she spun around to face me.
"Nora, that's enough! You're only making this worse so please stop! Ren wouldn't want this!" Jaune pleaded.
I refocused my glare on Jaune and began berating him. "How would you know what it is Ren would want!? You didn't know him like I did Jaune! And thanks to them you'll never get the chance! And now you won't lift a single finger to avenge him! And you call yourself his friend!? You're nothing but a traitor!" Jaune became physically shaken after listening to my words so much so I could feel his grip loosening. Then I spotted something at Jaune's side. A shinny silver grenade launcher. He had my weapon!
"Don't listen to her Jaune!" Yang shouted.
Sensing a chance I push off the ground with all the strength I have forcing us all to our feet. Cot off guard by my sudden resistance it was an easy task pull free of Jaune's grip and delivered a strong kick to the traitor's groin instantly putting on his knees. Yang sprang into action trying to get control over me once again but I reached out and pulled my weapon from Jaune's belt and struck her on the side of the head with the handle before throwing her on top of Jaune. By this time Blake, Weiss, and Pyrrha were rushing into action so I knew I would only have one shot. "Sorry Pyrrha!" I shouted as I flipped open the ammo case allowing me to fire all the grenades at once but. The moment I pulled the trigger my weapon jerked upward towards the ceiling before discharging. All the grenades shot up into the air in the shape of a heart and detonated on ceiling causing it to crack and collapse. I took one finally glance at Pyrrha who had her arm raised up and her aura flaring. I watched as her expression became one of horror as I buried by the collapsing roof.
Entrance Room 10:15PM Day 1 POV Weiss Schnee
It took us ten minutes to dig out Nora's body. Jaune and Pyrrha still held out some hope that we might still be able to save her but it was dashed the moment we seen her mangled form. Thinking about it I couldn't help but fide it kind of funny how cruel life can be some times. Until a few months ago Ren and Nora only ever had each other. Back then if one of them had died I doubt the other could have gone on but now. Now they both had a reason to live, even if the other was gone and yet. They both still died on the same day. And now all of our spirits are crushed. There was a question in the back of our minds that just kept on growing louder and louder. And that question was. Who's next?
As I brooded over this dark question I felt a hand grasp my shoulder. I had to fight the urge to jump out of my skin due to the sudden contact. I turned around to see my teammate Blake wearing a concerned expression. "What is it Blake?" I asked her.
"Umm I was wondering…" She began while glancing around the room like she was looking for something.
"Yes, go on." I told her.
Her expression intensified as she stopped looking around the room and focused on me. "Weiss, have you seen Maxwell?"
Credit to Knight7572 Congrats you totally called it. Nora is 100% dead and you are 100% right.