Hello beautiful people! I finished this chapter early so I thought I would go ahead and publish it a little earlier than planned.

Real quick I would just like to say thank you to everyone who read, favorites, followed, and reviewed the last part. Y'all are all amazing and I hope you enjoy this update. Sorry it's a lot shorter, but I hope it's just as good as the last part.

Same warnings as last part, please be careful.

Disclaimer: You think if I owned RWBY there would be anybody able to question whether Renora was cannon or not. No, I didn't think so.

*Sorry for the re-post my pretties, but Bomberguy789 pointed out some errors to me, so I tried to change as many as I could, thank you very much for the help Bomberguy!*

Ren saw the flash of Emerald's weapons before he could move. He heard the sound of one firing and screwed his eyes closed.

In that split second he thought of Nora, he wanted her face to be the last thing he saw. Her smile that could brighten any room, her crystal clear eyes that were all too easy to read, the way she laughed with her whole body. He really hoped she would be okay without him.

"Ren!"

His eyes flew open as he saw a flash of pink and the face he had just thought up now staring back at him, her eyes wide and mouth slightly open. His eyes traveled down her body in horror as he saw her blood soaked shirt.

"Oh, that's not good." Nora mumbled as her legs started to give out.

"Nora!" Ren caught her as Ruby moved in taking on Emerald. "No, no, no, no." Ren muttered over and over as he slowly set Nora on the ground, his mind a mess of fear and confusion. Did, did Nora just get shot.

He quickly started peeling her now soaked shirt off of her trying to find the wound, he also tried really hard not to think about how this was not the way he had imagined undressing his best friend for the first time. He couldn't hold back the sigh of relief when he found the wound on her hip, away from any major organs, he laughed a little in relief.

"It's just a flesh wound." He looked up at her face, smiling down at her, "You scared me to death." his smile faltered when he saw her horrified gaze a little bit above where he had been looking. He almost cried when he saw what she was looking at.

A couple inches above the place where she had been shot. Two gaping wounds, that looked like a giant snake bite.

Ren's mind screamed in panic as soon as he connected what had happened. "Nora, w-what?" his voice was shaking, he knew he should be engaging his symbolism, but for the life of him he couldn't remember how to.

"Shit, one of those suckers must have got me." She muttered, her eyebrows scrunched together and she squinted like she was concentrating, a look that would usually make Ren's heart flutter, but now just added to his growing panic.

"Shit, oh shit, Nora" He grabbed the rest of her shirt, quickly taking it off so he could see her wound better. Shit, it was bleeding pretty profusely, Nora had probably already lost a lot of blood, not to mention the poison. Ren quickly grabbed the ruined piece of cloth that used to be a shirt and pressed down with all his might to just try and stop the bleeding. He prayed to whatever God would listen to just let Nora last till Jaune could get to them.

He heard a soft giggle come from below him, he looked down at Nora in confusion, her eyes seemed far away as she gazed at his face.

"You know, any other time I would be thrilled about you ripping my shirt off." She giggled.

He was shocked for a second, was that really what she was thinking about right now? Though he had been thinking something similar at first, but really?

"Now is not the time." He tried to keep his voice strict, but even he heard the crack in it. He felt something warm and wet roll down his cheek.

Ren looked around unable to find Jaune and mentally cussing out the blonde when he felt a soft touch. He looked down at Nora brushing away the tears on his cheek. She was smiling, her smile, the smile that could light up even the worst of his days. His heart did a flop like always, her eyes were so warm and filled with an emotion he had never dared to name.

"It's gonna be okay, Renny, I promise." Her voice was so calm, how could she be so calm? Couldn't she see the blood?

"N-Nora?"

"Do you not believe me Renny?"

"N-no, it's n-not th-that." damn the hot moisture making it difficult for him to see her face.

Suddenly he felt his hands being pushed away and an arm wrapping around his neck.

He didn't even know what was happening when a pair of soft lips met his own. She tasted like syrup and the cherry chapstick she wore. His arms automatically wrapped around her waist to support her and pull her closer to himself. He felt his own salty tears mingle with her sweet taste as he breathed her name into her lips. Eventually he pulled away looking down at this perfect girl whose blood he was currently soaked in.

"I was supposed to protect you." His voice breathless as he clung to her. Her beautiful blue eyes just looked back at his, they continued to grow further away.

"I know Ren, and you did." She gently brushed his cheek, he could feel her hand shaking . "Lie Ren, I love you, more than anything"

"Even more than my pancakes?" He tried to laugh, but it came out more as a strangled scream.

Nora just stared back at him with a smile. She used the last of her strength as she sat up, gently placing a chaste kiss on his nose, "Boop."

It came out as little more than a breath as she went limp in his arms.

"No-Nora!" Ren felt the agony rip through him as he pulled her closer to himself. He could make out the faintest of breathing as he picked her up. He needed to find Jaune. "Just stay with me, please stay with me Nora." He looked around as fast as he could, before finally seeing Jaune and starting towards him as fast as he could, Nora's head laying on his shoulder. "You need to stay with me Nora, it's not fair if you die, because I love you too and you need to hear that. If you die before I can tell you, I will never forgive you."

Ren did his best avoiding every enemy in his way as he hurried towards Jaune. Once Jaune saw Ren he quickly struck a final blow to a Grimm and ran towards him.

"What happened?" Jaune shouted as he reached them.

"She was bitten by a King Taijitu. She's lost a lot of blood. You have to help her." Ren rushed as he shifted Nora so Jaune could have easier access. He watch Jaune intently as Jaune rested his hands on Nora's side and closed his eyes. After a second Jaune's forehead creased in confusion before being replaced with a look of horror as he stared at Ren.

"Oh Oum, Ren, I'm so sorry."

"What? Why are you sorry? Jaune help her!" Ren's face was full of confusion. As Jaune looked at him with pity.

"Ren, I can't find her aura. I'm so sorry." Ren stared at Jaune in horror. He could no longer feel Nora's breath against his neck.

He stood there for a moment, just holding her body to him, as close as he could, burying his face in her hair. That's when the sobs started raking through his body, as he hugged her body to him, the grief consumed him completely as his legs gave out from under him.

Jaune watched his friend in horror as Ren let out a whimper, holding the small girl in his arms like she was the most precious thing in the world. The battle around them seemed to have paused as Jaune watched the others looking on at the boy who was crumpled around Nora's limp body. Jaune tried to reach out to comfort Ren only for the long haired boy to pull away as Jaune's hand touched his shoulder. That's when Jaune saw Ren's eyes.

Jaune unconsciously stepped back. Jaune remembered the look Ren had in Kouyuri, the one that had terrified everyone but Nora. Compared to now, the look from Kouyuri felt like nothing.

Jaune watched Ren stand slowly, still cradling Nora's lifeless body, his long hair draping over both their faces. No one moved as Ren gingerly sat Nora against the wall next to Magnhild, even the Grimm remained unmoving as if they sensed the loss of the fallen Valkyrie. Ren bent over, leaving a lingering kiss on her forehead before leaning back.

"Jaune." Ren's voice was raspy.

"Yes?" Jaune slowly started to approach the two of them.

"Protect her for me for a few minutes." Ren moved to pick up Magnhild.

"Ren?" Jaune asked with concern.

"I said protect her Jaune!" Ren's eyes were full of fire and lightning, his face livid with grief, agony, and livid anger mixed together. It was all Jaune could do to nod cautiously as Ren turned towards the remaining Grimm and Emerald who had pressed herself against the wall behind her.

Ren understood now why Nora loved Magnihild so much. There was something nice about having the heavy weapon in his hands like this. He remembered all those times Nora had tried to teach him how to wield her oversized hammer and how he had nearly unable to sing the large weapon. She had always promised that he would be able to eventually, with enough training. For some reason, right now it felt perfect in his hands as he took a swing at the first Grimm.

There was so much satisfaction in the way it's head gave way. Ren couldn't but smile, he understood why Nora liked this so much now. He continued on landing solid hits of the Grimm as he twirled avoiding their attacks in a little dance. A dark laugh escaping his lips. Eventually the Grimm remained little more than dust and smoke as he approached Emerald.

Emerald's eyes were wild as she tried to escaped the crazed man only to receive a whack to the stomach by the hammer. She was sent sprawling back in front of Ren. Looking up into his eyes she screamed.

"Salem! Salem please get me out!" She banged against the wall as he stalked closer to his pray.

A small part of his brain told him that it had been a Grimm, not Emerald that had caused the wound that was responsible for Nora's death. But Emerald had hurt her, and to Ren, that was all that mattered anymore as he hoisted Magnihild above his head and Emerald turned to face him.

The others had froze in shock as they watched Ren's manic rampage. But Qrow and Yang quickly leaped to block Ruby from seeing as Ren brought down the hammer. Jaune himself even looked away, closing his eyes as Emeralds screams ended with the sound of a splat.

No one said a word as Ren walked back over to Nora's body, setting down the now bloody Magnhild as he sat down and brushed a strand of hair from her face.

Weiss looked like she wanted to puke, Blake wasn't looking too much better. Yang still stood in front of Ruby as if trying her best to protect her, even Jaune shuffled backwards at the sight of his friend's blood splattered face, even Ozpin looked unsettled by the whole thing. Only Qrow was brave enough to take a step towards him.

"We need to keep going so we can find Salem."

Ren just nodded, but he seemed unwilling to move from his spot in front of Nora. A second later they heard it a rumbling coming from the grand doors they had entered through.

"Shit!" Qrow shouted as Jaune leaped into action, grabbing a metal rod that he found on the floor and shoving it through the door handle with Yang's help.

"They aren't going to stop trying to stop us, are they?" Ruby's voice sounded weary as she watched the doors.

"So what are we going to do?" Weiss asked, already readying her weapon.

"That isn't going to stop them for long." Qrow nodded at the makeshift barricade.

"But we need to get to Salem! We need to stop her!" Blake argued.

"Yes, but I'm scared there is only so much we can do when there are greater immediate dangers to our lives, Ms Belladonna." Ozpin, leaned on his staff observing their situation.

"Just go. Find her." Everyone was startled by the soft voice. They looked down at Ren who was still was crutched next to Nora.

"What was that Mr Ren?" Ozpin gave him a quizzical look.

Ren lifted a bag full of extra grenades for Magnihild as he lifted his eyes to look at them. "If I place these at the right places, all it will take is one shot, and this whole room will come down."

"That's a great idea!" Ruby shouted, excitement on her face, and a ray of hope appearing on a few others.

"But wouldn't someone have to stay here to set it off?" Weiss' eyebrows furrowed in concern.

"Yes." everyone's face fell at Ren's word.

"Absolutely not!" Jaune yelled, stepping forward closer to Ren, "No way in Hell Ren, we already lost Pyrrha, and we just lost, just, too many, we have lost too many. I'm not letting you die too." Jaune clutched the handle of his sword as tears started to appear at the edges of his eyes.

"Someone has to do this, it might be the only way you all can get to Salem and defeat her once and for all."

"Yeah, but…"

"But, this is your best chance." Ren looked up at Jaune, his eyes shiney from tears. "This isn't like when you lost Pyrrha, Jaune. I don't know who I am without her."

Qrow placed a hand on Jaune's shoulder before the boy could say anything. "Would Nora want you to do this?" the gruff voice asked.

"No, she would probably knock my ass out and drag me out of here," he let out a forced laugh, "but I guess she'll just have to lecture me about that in a little while." He looked back up at everyone. "This is still the best chance we have."

"Very well, if you are certain Mr Ren, we have best hurry." Ozpin speaking before anyone else could speak up.

"I am."

"Very well then."

It only took a few minutes with everyone's help before all the grenades were in place. Everyone stood at the door leading out of the chamber they had been in, Nora's body had been moved to the spot where Ren would wait.

In the end, no one really knew how to say goodbye. Ruby gave Ren a big hug, but Jaune could barely look at his last remaining teammate. Qrow gently squeezed the long haired boy's shoulder before leading the other's out, promising to barricade the other side as well. As they left the other door started to bulge as something tried to break through.

Ren slowly sat down positioning Nora in his lap as he held Magnhild in one hand and used the other to hold her steady.

"You know, I think it was that night my village burned that my fate was sealed." Ren spoke calmly, as his thumb gently rubbed circles into Nora's back, just like he used to whenever she worked herself up too much or came to him after a nightmare, even though a part of him knew she could no longer feel it. "I made a vow that I wouldn't abandon you like I did in that alleyway, because in that moment you were all I had." He placed his chin on top of her head. "You know, I'm proud of you, right?" He paused, but of course there was no answer. "I know I never told you, but the first few years we knew each other I remember how you were such a scared little girl trying to survive, but you have become so confident and optimistic, and such a great fighter and friend, and Nora, I'm just so proud I had you in my life."

The banging was growing louder.

"You know, it is really unfair you got to tell me you loved me, but I didn't get to say it back. I think I first released how much I loved you after our fight with the Nuckleave, but I think I was in love with you long before that. I just wish you knew that, but I guess that means I'll just have to tell you that everyday from now on. I know you are probably going to be pissed off at me for this, and I can't blame you, if it were me, I would want you to live a long happy life, even if I wasn't there. I'm sorry Nora, I'm so sorry I couldn't do that for you, but I can't even imagine a tomorrow without waking up to you."

Ren heard the door start to splinter.

"Do you remember when you told me one of the only memories you have of your family. You said y'all had a funeral for your grandfather by sending him away on a ship that you lit on fire. I'm sorry, but I think this is the closest I'm going to be able to get for you."

The door splintered open as the hordes of Hell charged through. Ren waited till the last minute, when as many as possible had entered before aiming Stormflower at the first grenade.

"Boop."

The room was consumed by a loud bang and a flash of light and fire.

Further into the dark castle the rest felt the ground shake beneath them. They paused for a minute in a shared moment of silent grief for the souls of the partners that death itself couldn't even separate.

Thank you all for reading! I hope you all enjoy this upcoming volume!

If you are looking for more angsty Renora fanfics, I have another one called "The Lotus and the Hammer" that I started a couple years back and am going to be reviving and finishing in the upcoming weeks, so if you are interested, please go check it out!

Love you all!