Yang convulsed in rage. She went to leap from the tree, but Penny's voice resonated inside her head.
"Yang, wait!"
"There's no time left to wait, Penny! We need to go now!" Yang moved to jump again, but found herself unable. Penny had sunk her daggers into the tree and wound them tightly. With one sharp pull, the trunk splintered uselessly around the blades.
"Yang, don't be a fool! You are already down an arm against this guy!"
"I can't do nothing!"
"I'm not saying do nothing! I'm saying don't rush in there like you always do! If you do then we all die, Blake included! We need a plan!"
"Alright then what do you have?! Because the way I see it, the fact that there are at least thirty White Fang down there along with Adam isn't going to change any time soon. But I'm not waiting around for some miracle, I'm going down there and taking them all."
"Well I do have a plan," Penny said hesitantly. She certainly had one, but she didn't like it.
Blake walked dutifully behind Adam, her chain dragging in the dirt ahead of her. At first she had protested the chain, but Adam met any resistance with a closed fist. Blake had quickly learned to accept any part of Adam's "retraining" silently. It hurt less that way. Any hope she had of escape was waning quickly. She was alone and Adam would punish her if he caught her trying anything. She had no plan, and no way out.
"Blake darling, stop draggin your f-" Adam was interrupted as a green light cut through the camp. Blake watched as the light tore through the pods Adam seemed so protective of. She managed to create a clone before a massive explosion emanated from the machine, sending shrapnel and White Fang through the camp. Her semblance began to crack as three chunks of metal imbedded themselves in it. Adam had not been so fortunate, a single fist sized piece had buried itself in his thigh. The wound didn't seem to be too painful though, as he still clung unflinchingly to her chain. It proved a futile effort on his part though, as Gambol Shroud landed with the force of a small meteor, severing the chain completely. Blake stared briefly in shock before instinctively grasping the hilt.
"Ah ah ah. Blake, what did I say about weapons?" Adam stood above her, grinning as Blake went to shield her face. "You know there will be a punishment. Later though, first we have to deal with her," Adam said motioning into the smoke at an approaching figure.
"Blake! What are you doing? Fight!" Yang screamed as she ran towards them.
"If you fight her Blake, it can go back to how it was. You'll stand back at my side, I'll know you're in your right mind. There won't be any more training." All Blake could think of was the impending pain, Adam's rage if she defied him. But it was Yang. She couldn't live with herself. Blake's hands shook as she stood, her eyes darting between Adam and Yang. What could she do? Adam saw the hesitation in her eyes and went to remind her of her position, but his hand met only a cold imitation. Blake ran into the distance, dragging the broken remains of her chain behind her.
"That was a mistake, my love," Adam muttered as he threw a dagger at her fleeing figure. Instead of her back, the blade met another in mid air.
"You aren't laying a hand on her, Adam," Yang spat, Penny's blade returning to its housing.
"You really are persistent girl," Adam said pleasantly, " You know I'm just going to go find her after I kill you. What a shame, my pet was so close to being house trained again. I'll have to start from scratch because of you," With that Adam launched himself at Yang. Even though she was prepared, Yang still barely managed to dodge the first strike. Adam rapidly adjusted, throwing a backward strike as he passed. This time it was only Penny that stopped Adam's thrust, the blade sparking harmlessly against her. Adam hadn't anticipated the reaction time, leaving his face wide open for Yang. She capitalized, sending him tumbling nearly ten meters away. He rose too quickly for Yang's liking though. Even with a shot to the face and three inches of steel in his leg, Adam seemed remarkably unphased.
"I have to say, you have improved significantly from the last time we met," Adam drawled, "not that that says a whole lot. However at the very least you're worth fighting seriously, no more games." Adam's blade began to glow a bright crimson, "know that you brought this on yourself." Adam refreshed his assault, moving almost faster than Yang could follow. Penny sent her daggers at him, but he merely batted them away as he charged forward. He swung for Yang's legs, marking a shallow slice on her thigh as she leapt to avoid him. Yang could only protect her center as a barrage of strikes whittled away at her aura and body. Penny managed to pull them from the fray for a moment and give them some breathing room.
"He's fast." Penny stated simply.
"Top notch battle evaluation as always, Penny," Yang muttered, " charge the cannon."
"Are you sure? Taking that much aura in this fight doesn't seem advisable."
"Just do it! Take everything I have," Yang smirked, "I have a plan." Adam seemed content to wait Yang out, he was stood calmly across from her as Penny's blades began to rotate. Yang felt light-headed and her vision blurred as Penny drained every spare bit of aura she had left. This next shot would be her last, she had to make it count. She saw a brief flicker from the far side of camp as Penny confirmed a complete charge. Yang smiled. It was all or nothing. She rushed Adam as he almost leisurely raised his sword to meet her. Penny was mere inches from the blade when Yang muttered one word, "Fire." The cannon managed to stop Yang's fist completely as it met Adam's blade. The two hovered, mere inches apart, as Adam's blade began to glow with far more intensity. In mere moments it began to glow so bright that it was painful to look at. Yang and Adam both held firm as the light raged. With the last vestiges of the aura beam however, both heard a distinctive snap. Yang's fist began to move again, passing effortlessly through the blade. As his blade splintered, Adam fell as Yang landed a semblance charged blow that sent him reeling. As he flew through the air, both watched as his aura collapsed in on itself. With her aura drained, Yang's semblance had grown powerful enough to collapse Adam's defences with a single blow. When Adam came to a rest, he slowly began to rise to his feet.
"Get over here!" Yang yelled, sending Penny's daggers straight for his back. The daggers were hair's breadth from their mark when Adam turned and snatched them from the air. With one violent jerk, he tore them free from their lodging. His limbs began to glow with the same light as his sword. Before Yang could defend herself, Adam was upon her. With one hand he lifted her by the neck while the other held Penny securely behind Yang's back.
"That was foolish girl, though I must admit quite impressive," Adam paused to tighten his grip on her throat, "If you had been just a little stronger you may have killed me. As it stands, you were just strong enough to ensure my victory." Yang sputtered, trying desperately to breathe. "Any last words? Anything you want me to pass along to Blake when I find her?" Adam loosened his grip ever so slightly.
"Yeah," Yang wheezed. "Whoever said anything about me killing you?" As she finished speaking, Gambol Shroud sprouted from Adam's chest. In shock, Adam released Yang from his vice-like grip. Yang coughed and sputtered on the floor as Adam turned his head to see a trembling Blake behind him. He half-heartedly lifted his hand towards her, only earning him fresh pain as she twisted her blade.
"Blake.." Adam began hack blood, "my love." At the sound of his words, Blake ceased trembling completely. She brought her face to Adam's.
"I'm not yours, and I never will be," Blake applied her boot to his lower back and pried him from her blade. He landed with a soft thud in the dirt, his blood pooling beneath him. Yang rose to her feet and looked at Blake. They said nothing. Yang wrapped her arms around Blake as Gambol Shroud joined Adam in the dust. Blake returned the embrace as her body shook with sobs of relief.