A/N: And with a new day, a new chapter came along with it.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
The sun had started to set by the time John returned to the town, and in doing so received a hero's welcome from the citizens. Many coming up and praising him for liberating the workers and dealing with the White Fang. Amber had been there as well, happy to see him back after such a long time.
The clean up from the Grimm attack was already underway, but it would take time, especially since the deceased needed to be buried and the family and friends needed the time to mourn their losses. John had offered to help as well, using his strength to move debris and help citizens who were trapped in their homes from the damage that had been caused.
Amber had continued to help the injured until everyone was in good shape before offering her aid in the clean up as well, the Fall Maiden using a bit of her power to put out a few fires that were still burning.
It would be long after the sun had gone down and the broken moon shined in the sky before things were stable enough for the day. Mick had approached the heroes and offered them lodging on the second floor of the tavern they had met in before, the man himself owning the establishment, so that they could rest.
Both of them had been thankful fo the generosity and took him up on the offer, each taking a room across from the other as they turned in for the night.
Presently, John was in the shower of his room. After having been in his armor for the last few days, there had been a great deal of dried sweat and grime built up on his skin, even more so since he hadn't worn anything underneath the entire time thus far.
Removing the Praetor suit had been a little more challenging than he anticipated, needing VEGA's help to get the components off the proper way as he stripped down. Though he was sure it would get easier over time given that he didn't need to wear it every second of the day.
However, he felt strangely vulnerable without it, like a part of himself was missing when he finished removing the armor.
He shook off the feeling and focused on getting clean, the warm water relaxing his tense muscles and making him feel calmer than he ever thought possible. The array of events that had taken place since he had 'woken up' in the UAC facility was enough to make a normal person's head spin, but he had just taken it in stride as best he could given the circumstances.
But at the moment he was having a hard time grasping how the towspeople were treating him. When he had first awoke into his new existence, he came to quickly understand that the word 'hero' didn't quite fit his description. From the files he had read, and the scriptures in Hell he listened to, they all spoke of the Doom Slayer as a rampaging entity who's sole purpose was to destroy Hell's legion.
And after seeing and doing the things that he had, it was a pretty good identifyer to what he was now. Even though he was still himself, he was also the legendary harbinger of the demons' destruction. Hearing people calling him a hero was more than a bit foreign to him.
Although, it did feel good. Especially with the children of the town coming up to him with awe in their eyes, treating him like a knight who slayed dragons in storybooks. They also looked upon Amber as a powerful sorceress, which had her smiling and blushing from all of the praises. But she seemed to be more used to it compared to John.
Finishing up, the Doom Slayer switched off the shower and stepped out into the small bathroom outside. Grabbing a towel and drying off quickly before wrapping it around his waist and looking at his reflection in the mirror above the sink.
He still looked the same as he did after he got out of the sarcophagus, bald save for his dark eyebrows, but there was also a hint of five o'clock shadow growing on his face. Glowing eyes trailed down from his face to his body, pale skin tightly stretched over hard muscles marred with large black and purple bruises in various spots.
The Praetor suit may have been indestructable, but he was not. Every time he got kicked by a hoof or slammed into a wall the armor may have took the brunt of it, but he ended up taking a fair share of the impact as well. John was just happy that he healed faster than he used to.
Glancing to the far side of the sink, he found a set of clothes that Mick had been able to procure for him. It had been a bit difficult finding that fit given his size, though he was willing to make due with it for the time being.
"Better than nothing." he said to himself while grabbing the simple white shirt and jeans from the counter.
X
Across the hall in the other room, Amber had just finished freshening up herself. Stepping out of her own bathroom dressed in a long t-shirt that reached her knees and a pair of shorts while drying her shoulder-length hair with a towel.
Sitting on her bed, she breathed out a relaxed sigh as she laid back and stared at the ceiling. She'd been glad that they had been able to help the town as much as they had, first with the Grimm, then again with the White Fang who had been the cause of it all.
The Fall Maiden had heard all about the White Fang growing up, how the faunus-extremists had started off their campaign for equal rights in Remnant with protests and trying to get laws and rights passed by the kingdoms so that they were no longer treated as second class citizens. But no matter how hard they tried, it never seemed to be enough.
Then a new leadership assumed control, and the once peaceful acts turned into fear inducing attacks on humans and other faunus who sided with them and remained with the beliefs the old Fang had started.
Amber could only shake her head in distain, she had friends who are faunus and understood their struggle, but what the organization was doing would not get them what they wanted. If anything, it made the rest of the world look upon the faunus with even more hate over the years...it was foolishness and madness and she couldn't understand why they would continue doing what they did.
Crossing her arms over her stomach, the Fall Maiden started thinking about her traveling companion. A part of her wonder what became of the White Fang he had dealt with after freeing the miners, even after seeing the blood splattered on his armor. But after seeing how he dealt with the Grimm, she figured it was better not to dwell on it too much.
She thought back to when he told her what he had been through, and all of the horrors and bloodshed he had endured to get where he was now. Such things would have broken even the strongest of warriors, even with her powers as a Maiden she didn't think she'd be able to handle such monsters.
Yet John barreled through them, using his strength, wits and an impressive arsenal of weaponry any of the Kingdoms' military would be envious of. He didn't even have his aura unlocked while doing so!
Despite all of that, however, Amber couldn't help but feel a stir of concern deep in her soul. Even though John was strong and a powerful warrior, he was still a human being under it all. A human being who had went through a lot for the sake of survival of not only himself, but all of humanity. The amount of sacrifice he was willing to make was staggering, and it still shined through with how he saved her and the town.
Sighing, she sat up again, her thoughts keeping her from getting any sleep despite the late hour. Standing up, she headed to the door of her room and stepped out into the hallway, intending on grabbing something to drink since their host gave them access to the taverns kitchen if they needed it. Coming to a complete stop when she looked at the door across from her, the one that led ito John's room.
Amber stood motionless for a while, many questions still plaguing her throughts about the Doom Slayer that wouldn't cease. Part of her wanted answers to them, while another was still hesitant, not wanting to press issues that her companion would rather leave well enough alone.
'He's been so upfront and honest with me already when he never had to in the first place...' she thought, biting her lip and debating whether or not to check and see if he wanted to talk for a bit.
A minute ticked by before she came to a decision, stepping closer to the door and knocking on the surface gently. "John? Are you awake?" she asked, giving another knock on the door and blinked when it opened with a soft creak.
Curiosity overriding her other thoughts, Amber poked her head in and looked around. It was a similar set up to her own room, spartan with only a bed, sidetable and a desk the far corner. The door to the bathroom was closed, the light on and the sound of water running telling her that the Doom Slayer was currently in the shower.
Deciding to head back to her own room and wait for him to come out, the Fall Maiden paused when her light-brown eyes caught something out of the corner of her vision.
The Praetor suit laid in various pieces at the foot of the bed, the helmet sitting on the end and facing the door. The light shining from a nearby lamp reflecting off the surface of the visor, which also showed her reflection looking back at her.
Her curiosity getting the besk of her again, Amber stepped into the room and approached the bed getting a better look at the helm of the powerful armor John wore. It looked far more advanced than anything Atlas had made for their military, in the last few decades and most likely wouldn't for a long time to come.
Reaching out and running her fingers over the dense metal, she picked up the helmet and was a little surprised by how heavy it felt in her hands, silently wondering if the head piece was this heavy how much was the rest of it? And how was John able to move so fast and easy while inside of it.
Looking the armor component over, the Fall Maiden traced a finger delicately over the symbol marked just above the left side of the visor. The markings foreign to her, but at the same time looked strangely...familiar.
Something, deep within her very soul, recognized the symbol, but she herself couldn't exactly grasp how it were possible since she had never seen it before. It was very confusing.
"Is there something I can help you with, Ms. Autumn?"
Amber yelped and dropped the helmet back onto the bed when the strange voice suddenly emitted from it. "W-What? Who?" she stuttered while backing away a step.
"I apologise for surprising you, that was not my intention." the helmet spoke again, making the young woman's eyes widen even more. "I am VEGA, former Artificial Intelligence of the UAC facility on Mars. Now aiding Johnathan Irons from within the Praetor suit's systems."
Taking a moment to get over her shock from the sudden introduction, Amber remembered the story John had told her, and how he had said that he saved the facility's AI from being completely destroyed when he overloaded its core so that he could be sent back to Hell to seal its portal. Taking a calming breath and stepped toward the bed again, turning the helmet so that she could look at the visor.
"It's...uh...nice to meet you, VEGA." she said, even though she still sounded off about the whole situation.
"You're heartrate and blood pressure has spiked to an incredibly high level, do you require medical attention?" asked the AI, picking up the Fall Maiden's vitals thanks to the Praetor suits sensors.
Amber blinked again and shook her head, "Um, no, no I'm alright. Just a bit surprised, that's all." she answered while calming herself down. "John told me about you, but he never said anything about you being inside his armor."
"John thought it best to keep my existence a secret, though I believe that he was planning on telling you in the near future." replied VEGA. "Given you're last few conversations, he seems to trust you on a strong level given you're the first individual encountered in this world that was not hostile."
"What exactly do you do?" asked the Fall Maiden, taking a seat on the bed beside the helmet. "John said that you ran the whole facility that had been attacked by the demons."
"Indeed. My primary function was to operate and ensure all cyber-based functions of the UAC Mars base ran at optimal efficiency. I was also incharge of communications, security and hazmat measures, and energy output throughout the facility." answered the AI. "When Doctor Hayden ordered me to help John in overloading my systems as a means to send him back to the demonic realm, I aided him in whatever capacity that he required. However, I did not anticipate for him to backup my most vital files and processors before setting my core to meltdown."
"In essence, he saved my existence. So in exchange, I am fully prepared to aid him in whatever he requires in the forseeable future."
To say that she was more than a little surprised at the answer she got would have been putting it lightly. Amber never thought that she would actually meet a computer program that sounded so...human. "That's very...noble of you to do for him." she managed to say.
VEGA was silent for a few stray moments before his voice emitted from the helmet again, "Forgive me if my inquiry is too invasive, but I have been detecting an energy source within you that is very different compared to the other inhabitants we have encountered. The Codex files that I have been compiling refer to the biological energy of Remnant's people as 'Aura', something that the Grimm do not seem to possess compared to humans and faunus."
"However, the Praetor suit's advanced sensors have picked up an even larger source of energy coexisting with your aura. Coupled with the video files collected from your battle against the three attackers that ambushed you with the power you unleashed, it is easy to discern that it is all connected."
The Fall Maiden was struck silent, mouth hanging open as shock once again flooded her system. Without even knowing it, the AI had been able to discover her hidden abilities as though someone were observing the weather.
"It's...a well kept secret, VEGA. Something I'm not ready to talk about just yet. I'm sorry."
"...I understand. I will not inquire any further without your permission." said the AI, making Amber breathe in relief.
As much as she wanted to tell John, and by extension VEGA, about her powers as the Fall Maiden, she wanted to wait a bit longer before revealing everything. Though, given everything he has told her, John deserved as much honesty from her.
Before either she or the AI could say anymore, the bathroom door opened grabbing Amber's attention...
Her face turning several shades darker when John stepped out of the warm mist in nothing but a pair of jeans and a towel around his shoulder he was using to dry his head. Eyes scanning over the rugged features of his face before trailing down to his upper-half which revealed very toned muscles sculpted into his frame.
Despite his overall height, and bulk, he couldn't have been more than a year or two older than she was. Yet it looked as though he spent every waking hour on conditioning himself physically. Her earlier thought about how he was able to wear such heavy armor was answered and thrown out the window at the same time.
Amber was so enraptured in her staring that the sound of a throat clearing made her jump a little. Snapping her attention back to John's face and locking with his glowing-red eyes, an eyerbrow cocked as he regarded the now very embarrised Maiden sitting on his bed.
"Did you need something, Amber?" he asked casually, doing his best to keep the smirk off his face knowing full well that she had been checking him out.
"I...I...uh, was just..." she struggled in trying to answer him.
A chuckle managed to escape the Doom Slayer as he brought out the t-shirt he had and slipped it on. The fabric tight across his chest, but managed to fit somewhat. "Try syllables and sentences, I hear that you can't have a conversation without them." he said good naturedly.
The Fall Maiden blinked and finally managed to snap back to herself, "S-Sorry if I was intruding, I was just coming to see if you had a moment to talk when VEGA and I struck up a conversation." she said motioning to his helmet.
"She was curious about how I came to be where I am now." said VEGA. "I was happy to answer her questions."
John nodded, " I was intending on intoducing the two of you at some point. But I guess it isn't much use now."
Amber smiled, "He seems like the conversational type, though I never thought a computer program could seem so...normal."
"I believe the proper term you were looking for is 'human'." said the AI. "There aren't many artificial intelligences in existence where I was originally created. My makers built me with the intention of being as human as those I would be operating around, as a way to make them feel comfortable around my constant presence."
"So, what did you want to talk about?" asked John, switching gears and returning his attention to his companion.
Taking a moment to collect her earlier thoughts, Amber looked back at him and spoke with honesty. "I was curious about a few things, things that have been on my mind since our last conversation before we arrived here."
The Doom Slayer nodded, they had been in the middle of a discussion when they discovered the ambushed SDC truck, and then the village under attack. "Okay." he said, picking up his helmet and setting it on the bedside table before taking the spot it vacated beside her, "Ask away."
"Why do you fight the way you do?" the Fall Maiden asked, eyes searching his face as he looked back at her. His gaze shifting toward the far wall after she spoke her question and seemed to stare past it.
"Because it is the only way I know." he said deeply. "The demons were pure rage, brutal, so while I was within their realm I became worse than that. It was the only way to survive Hell, to become as savage and merciless as your enemies were."
The words Rip and Tear echoed in his thoughts, his fists clenching when they did until he took a deep breath and calmed himself. "People refer to me as some kind of hero, the demons saw me as some kind of monster they even they themselves feared. Most of the time, I can't help but agree with the latter."
"Why?" asked Amber, drawing his focuse back her way and seeing the confusion and concern in her eyes. "Why do you see yourself as a monster? Ever since you arrived on Remnant you've helped people in need, myself included."
"You've never seen me completely let loose. When I do, then you'll see why even Hell itself fears what I'm capable of. " said John with such a calm tone that it surprised the Maiden. "I've torn things apart with my bare hands, shattered bones like they were dried twigs and spilled enough blood to drown more of my enemies in it. They were unforgiving and showed no mercy...so I show them the same curtousy."
He saw the stunned look on his companions face and continued, "Even here, in this new world, I still fight as I did before. The Grimm are nothing more than demons with a new look and deserve no less a fate than what they intend to do to the innocent. As for people like the White Fang, I made it as quick and painless as possible, though some prove to be as heartless as the Grimm which blurs the lines."
John stood up and stepped in the middle of the room, his back to Amber with his arms at his sides in a relaxed position. "You ask why I see myself as a monster, it's because that's what I am. There are many kinds of monsters in the world, like people. For me, I'm the kind of monster that slaughters the bigger monsters that no one else can. That is my purpose, one that I've come to accept."
Feeling a soft hand on his arm, the Doom Slayer turned and looked down to see Amber looking up at him. The height difference between them a full foot.
"I don't believe that." she said softly, her hand moving down and holding his larger one. "You are right in saying that not all monsters are evil. But I still don't think you deserve such a title. You're methods are extreme, some may even call them savage, but from what you've told me, and from what I've seen, you've never once brought harm to someone who was undeserving of it."
Her other hand came up and was placed in the center of his chest, right above where she could feel his heart beating against her palm. Frowning a bit when she noticed he dark bruises that dotted his torso. "What I see, is a man who endured something that no one else could ever fathom. Who, despite being trapped in a world of darkness surrounded by death and chaos, not only survived, but found a way to thrive. All while keeping a strong piece of morality that still marked him as a human being."
The small smile that spread on her face made something stir in John's chest. It felt strange...but nice at the same time.
"You're not a monster by any stretch of the word. I can sense a powerful soul with in you, and a good heart beneath the fury and rage you unleash on the real monsters." Amber coninuted, removing her hand from his chest with a blush dusting ger features but keeping eye contact. "A monster wouldn't go out of his way to save others simply because it was the right thing to do, yet you do so without hesitation. That is what makes you a hero."
The feeling in his chest grew a bit more with each word spoken to him, and for the first time since being reborn, John felt calm and at peace. The way Amber spoke, and the way she looked at him, made the Doom Slayer feel human again...normal even.
"Thank you." the two words were simple, but carried a lot of weight. Something the young woman before him could sense with how she smiled back at him.
"You've helped me when I was in the most need, perhaps this is my way of returning the favor to you." she offered which caused John to smile back at her. The Fall Maiden's expression fell slightly and a look of thought appeared in its place. Thinking about everything before going back to her companion who tilted his headin confusion. "There is something you need to know, something I have been hesitant to tell you since we first met."
The confusion on John's face grew, but he remained silent allowing her to continue. "I'm not sure how much you may or may not believe in old myths and fairy tales, but on Remnant there are many. A select few standing out that had been around for a long time, one of them in particular has been told many times over to each generation, the story of the Four Maidens."
Amber took a moment to collect herself, sitting back on the bed with her companion joining her. "Long ago, there lived a calus old man, who refused to leave his home. One day, he is visited by four traveling sisters;"
"The first understands his reclusive nature, and urges him to use his time and solitude to reflect and meditate. The second brings him fruits and flowers, tending to his crops and reviving his gardens. The third warms the man's heart, convincing him to come outside and embrace the world around him. And the last sister, begs him to look at all he has and be thankful."
"In return for their kindness, the old man grants the sisters incredible powers, so that they could continue to help people all over the world. They accept, and vowed to share their gifts with the people of Remnant until the end of days. Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. The Four Maidens."
Listening to the story, John could sense that there was much more to it than a simple fairytale that was told to children. After learning the legends behind his own status, he knew to look beneath the so called 'myths' and see the truth in them.
"These Maidens...do they exist?" he asked slowly, calculating.
Amber nodded, "They have for thousands of years. What was believed to be a simple story, is in fact truth."
"How?" the Doom Slayer wondered, trying to understand how four mystical beings could keep living for so long. "Are they immortal?"
"Not in so many words." his companion replied. "You see, when a Maiden dies her power is released and goes in search of a new host. A special magic that ensures that the seasons are never lost and no one person can hold that power forever. No two seasons are alike, just like the changing of the world around us, and each new Maiden carries the legacy of those that came before them."
John was now very interested, sentient power that sought a new host each time the previous one past? Even after everything he had witnessed it seemed too good to be truth. But he could still sense more to all of this. Why was Amber telling him...unless...
"Amber," he said, drawing her full attention to him, "You're one of them...aren't you?" his question sounding more like a statement when it was spoken.
Amber smiled very softly before holding out her hand, her body glowing a light-gold color before a tiny flame appeared and danced above her open palm. "I am the current Fall Maiden. The power chosing me when I was young, and has been mine to bare ever since."
All of the pieces suddenly fell into place, and it all made perfect sense to John in that moment. "Those people that attacked you. They knew about your power, didn't they?"
The Fall Maiden sighed and closed her eyes, "I'm not sure. The identities of the Maidens is a powerfully kept secret. Only a very select few know of us, to my knowledge. The fact that anyone else knew my status is a very hard concept to grasp."
Thinking things over a bit more, the Doom Slayer remembered back to when he saved Amber, and how the trio that ambushed her did everything in their power to bring her down. The leader was in the process of doing something before he stepped in, something that was obviously meant to harm Amber in some way.
"Why would they attack you at all?" he asked finally. "Were they trying to capture you because of who you are?"
Amber bit her lip, "That would be one way to put it...but I'm afraid that it was for a more horrible purpose." her voice quivered in unrestrained fear, not wanting to accept the possibility of what could have happened to her had John not saved her in time. "You see, there was more to the Maiden's power in terms of host selection. I didn't learn this for several years after I inherited the power of the Fall Maiden."
"After a Maiden dies, it is rumored that the last person in their thoughts is first in line to gain the power. I'm afraid my attackers may have known this, and was attempting to..."
"Take the power from you by force." John finished for her, the full weight hitting him and making him realize that when he saved her from that ambush he had inadvertenly stopped something even worse from coming to pass.
And on top of it all, he had saved one of the four most powerful beings in this world completely by chance...or was it?
There were too many questions bouncing around in his head, and it wasn't the time to think about answering them as he focused on the here and now. John saw Amber still looking downward, her fingers playing with the quilt on his bed absently as she seemed lost in her own thoughts. The distress in her features and the tension in her shoulders telling him she was looking back on the event in question as well.
"Hay," he said, carefully putting a hand on her shoulder and bringing her attention back to him, her soft-brown orbs locking with his bright-red ones. "Nothing will happen to you from here on out. Not while I'm still around." he said seriously.
The Fall Maiden was a little surprised at his declaration, but closed her eyes and bowed her head again. "That's something I can't force you to keep. There is no telling how many others know about me, I can't ask you to be my shield."
"You aren't asking." John said making her look up again. "I promised to help look after you, and when I make a promise, I keep it. No matter the odds. And if anyone tries to harm you again, well, then they'll know the true meaning of the phrase 'Fight Like Hell'."
Amber couldn't help but crack a smile, knowing that he woudn't be swayed no matter what she tried and decided it was better to leave it alone. Her next action occuring without her knowledge as she leaned forward and rested her head against the Doom Slayer's chest. Briefly surprised by her own boldness, she quickly tried to lean back when his arms came up and wrapped around her smaller frame.
Entraping her in a powerful, yet gentle, embrace that filled her with a sense of safety she had never felt before. Almost as if no matter what was happening around her, nothing could touch her as long as she was right here.
It was then sleep started to creep up on her. The warm feeling she was getting coupled with the long day and emotional conversation wearing her down until her eyes were barely being kept open.
"John," she said with a small yawn breaking in. "Thank you." with that, her eyes slid closed and she fell into a peaceful slumber.
Feeling her breathing even out, John knew right away that she had fallen asleep. Turning to his side, he carefully laid her down on his bed and covered her with the quilt, making sure that she was comfortable before standing up.
What she had told him was a lot to take in at one time. But if he was anything it was adaptable to a changing situation.
Granted, Amber was still the same girl he met when she woke up in that cave. But now he knew that there was a lot more to her than he first realized. And is now aware that his urge to protect her took on a more serious level.
If people were after her powers as the Fall Maiden, and coming after her for them, then he needed to be sure that nothing else happened to her. And if anyone so much as tried, then the last thing they would see would be his armored hands tearing them to pieces.
"VEGA." he said quietly, picking up his helmet and putting it with the rest of his armor, "Have everything that Amber told us logged into a special file in the codex and secure it tight. Firewalls, malware viruses, the works, this information does not leave either of us or the Praetor suit."
"Acknowleged." chimed the AI. "File saved and secured."
Nodding, John sat down infront of the door to the room, knees bent with his arms resting on them as he leaned his head back against the surface. Eyes slipping closed as he felt the first signs of sleep creep up in him.
In no time, he was out as well.
X
In her dark realm, Salem stared up at the shattered moon above her. Deep in thought over the drastic turn of events that have taken place.
She had expected her deciple to take the power of the Fall Maiden, get the faunus organization under her banner and prepare to unleash her children upon the world. But now, with the accursed Hell Walker now roaming the planet, her Grimm would be slaughtered if crossing his path.
Things now needed a much more delicate touch, the slightest mistake could be disasterous to her plans and that was something she could not allow to happen. There was only one window of opprotunity for everything to work out the way she needed it to.
A thought occurred to Salem, one that could benefit her in this endeavor. But it was also a risky one, given that it could backfire in a monumentous way if something were to go wrong.
The mother of Grimm closed her eyes and decided to wait. Let things play out before resorting to that decision. Because if she were to make it, there would be no turning back. And the conciquences would be something that not even she and her children would be able to avoid.
X
"Tempered by the fires of Hell, his iron will remained steadfast through the passage that preys upon the weak. For he alone was he Hell Walker, the Unchained Predator, who sought retribution in all quarters, dark and light, fire and ice, in the beginning and the end, and he hunted the slaves of Doom with barbarous cruelty; for he passed through the divide as non but demon had before."
The flash of bright light started to fade, John's vision returning and finding himself hovering in the air. When the energy finally faded, he dropped to ground, looking up and seeing that he was standing upon a stone cliff that looked out to the part of the UAC facility where the Argent tower was situated...
...or, more or less, where it once stood. The entire sector of the Mars facility was now nothing more than smoldering ruins. Pillars of fire and smoke stretching into the dark-red sky.
Where the Argent Tower once stood, a pillar of red energy fired into the sky where a massive, swirling portal loomed above.
Pierce, in her madness, had literally unleashed Hell on Mars.
"The Argent Tower is destroyed, the portal can no longer be closed from this side." Hayden's voice said through the comm link while John looked up at the Hell portal. "The Hell energy that flows from a location in their world we call, The Well. But...you've returned. The only flesh and blood to walk between dimensions. Heh, so there may be a way."
"I'm all for ideas here, doc." said the Doom Slayer as he turned and started making his way to the closest sector of the UAC base.
"VEGA is trying to access Olivia's files, if you can get to the nearest terminal, we will provide you with informtation. That's all for now." replied Hayden before the connection cut out.
He still didn't trust the cyborg-doctor, and knew deep down that the man would betray him at the first open chance he had. But for now John had to go along with things as they were, there was a bigger threat at the moment that needed to end before it was too late.
The longer that portal stayed open, the more of Hell's legion would pour through, and it would only be a matter of time before they tried to find a way to Earth.
X
John opened his eyes slowly, his dream slipping to the farthest reaches of his mind while he awoke. The sun was shining through the window, birds could be heard singing in the trees outside with the new morning light.
Standing up, he rotated his shoulders and twisted from side to side. Feeling and hearing the satisfying pops and cracks from his joints after having been sleeping in a sitting position on the floor all night. Glancing toward the bed, he saw that Amber was still asleep, a soft smile on her face as she curled into the pillow and blankets.
Smiling at the sleeping Maiden, John decided to let her rest a while longer. They would be heading out again today, and she would need it for when they set off.
After biting back a yawn, the Doom Slayer turned toward the door...hand pausing above the knob when his sharp ears picked up the sound of movement on the other side. All ideas of what he was going to do going straight out the window as he slipped into combat mode; eyes sharpening and adrenaline already pumping.
Ones first thought would be that it was someone who worked at the tavern coming to check up on them, but the sounds he was hearing spoke otherwise.
The movements were too slow, deliberately slow like whoever was there was trying to be quite and was successful for the most part. Then there was the slight smell in the air, a combination of alcohol, metal and gunpowder that didn't belong.
This wasn't someone who worked at the establishment, this was someone who was armed...and standing right outside the door.
Snapping his right arm back, John's energy pistol appeared in his hand while his legs tensed.
In the next moment, he had gone through the door, grabbing the man that had been there by the throat and slamming him through the door that led into Amber's room. Forcing the individual to the ground with the Doom Slayer on top, pistol barrel pressed under their chin, fingers of his other hand digging into the flesh of his neck as he held them down.
His assumption had been spot on, the man he had pinned wasn't dressed like the townspeople. It looked like some kind of combat attire that was designed for maneuverablility, but it was the massive sword strapped across his lower back that told him all he needed.
"Who the fuck are you?!" John demanded, his tone sharp as a blade and just above a whisper.
The man's duller-red eyes blinked up at the Doom Slayer's glowing ones, slowly raising his hands in a sign of surrender. "Easy. I'm not an enemy." he said very calmly despite the life or death scenario he was now in.
"That remains to be seen," John snapped back, digging his weapon more into the man's lower jaw. "I'd start talking, because my finger is very itchy right now."
"Alright, alright! Chill out." the man said gritting his teeth in discomfort. "The name's Qrow, and I came to talk to you and Amber."
The Doom Slayer's eyes narrowed into slits, grip tightening around 'Qrow's' neck, "How do you know Amber?"
"Through a mutual friend who wants to help." replied Qrow, "You gotta trust me here, like I said, I'm not your enemy."
"Qrow?" both men looked toward the door and found Amber standing there with a stunned expression on her face, all the loud noise having woken her up a moment ago. "What are you doing here?"
A/N: Mostly dialogue, but the discussion between John and Amber from a couple chapters ago is finally resolved. And the two of them had a quiet moment together that was also needed, though the actual pairing is still a ways off for the time being.
Qrow has made contact with them, but nearly had his head torn off in the process. One can hope that the rest of their conversation won't be as confrontational. Till next time folks!