The Shadow of Fire

Chapter 42: Dagonus

A/N: Hey all, I'm back to write! Feeling better, so that's good. :)

Note that this chapter was inspired by the Old Republic Trailer, which I loved very much and must have watched it about 15 times. Regardless, be prepared, if you have seen it, to be greeted with this chapter being like it due to the fact that Dagonus reminds me of a Sith Lord. :3

1:43 PM

The Maelstrom flew silently towards its destination: Fort Scatter.

The fort was previously a large military base outside the walls of Vale, a holding place for terrorists and a way for the Kingdom to anticipate Grimm activity. But thanks to future technologies and more Hunters sent in the area, the base was condemned, abandoned, full of ripe Valerian technologies and weapons.

A perfect place for White Fang to gather.

The Maelstrom flew above the clouds of the forests that dotted the earth below, the engines humming silently as Orion had finished his programming of the craft, allowing more stealth at loss of speed.

Luckily, the ship only needed to reach the fort in the morning, giving the occupants plenty of time to rest...

Vale City Center

2:00 PM

Citizens of Vale walked along the sidewalks of their great City, going about their daily tasks. Many were shopping, others just out for a stroll around the block before a late lunch.

The sky above rippled, akin to a rock tossed across a lake. The clouds grew distant as the ocean blue sky began to clear up, the most beautiful it had been all week.

A lone figure suddenly sprang to existence in the middle of the road, causing a truck driver to swerve out of the way and into a parked car, smoke rising from the hood of the truck.

The figure wore all dark armor, the chest piece adorning a large red rose on the front and a golden yellow burning flower on the back, wearing ebony gauntlets and shin armor, large metallic boots as well. The chest pieces shoulder areas came to a point in the air above the shoulders, pointing horizontally in two triangle shapes. The man was radiating a dark aura, holding a massive black metal scythe in hand. The figure walked forward down the road, slicing cars coming at him in half as he refused to move from the oncoming lane, marching his way towards Beacon...

Headmaster Ozpin hummed as he looked at a few papers on his desk, the clock gears inside the table ticking along.

Ozpin suddenly froze, quickly rising up with his cane in hand as he looked out his offices window, paling as he looked at Vale in the distance.

"It had to be in my life time..." Ozpin sighed as he tapped his intercom button on the bottom of his desk.

"Glynda. Assume the Delta Omega Protocol. Get everyone in position."

"Everyone sir?" Glynda asked.

"Everyone." Ozpin said with a sigh, removing his finger before looking back at the city.

"Orion... Don't let my... don't let our sacrifice go in vain." Ozpin said as he took a long sip of coffee, grabbing his cane once more, and made his way down the elevator.

Glynda quickly executed the order, telling all Hunters and Huntresses to gather in the main entrance of the school, students both on the ground floor and on the balcony above, all with their respective weapons at the ready.

Delta Omega was one of the few defense plans that Headmaster Ozpin himself, along with his fellow Headmasters across the world, were able to engineer to deter possible attacks on their kingdoms or schools. Delta Omega was the most well tended plan, involving both a retreat as well as an offensive and defensive movement of Hunters. This plan was only for the most extreme of enemies, hence the readiness of the students so quickly. That, and the fact that Master Hunters weren't usually involved in many battles personally. If they were joining the battle, it was important. The wounded and recovering would be boarded upon several airships and await word to take off once the danger was eminent, in order to get as many people on-board as possible. Those who remain would hold off for as long as they could, and send word once they had defeated the enemy.

Glynda didn't know what the situation was, but if Ozpin ordered the Delta Omega Protocol, she had no time to waste.

Ozpin himself gathered his personal friends- Port, Oobleck, Ulysess, and Warren. Each taking their respective positions along the battle line in the main hall.

Now, they waited...

Dagonus walked calmly towards the grand doors of Beacon, his blood lust and drive towards total domination driving him past his mental and physical barriers. He had simply lost the will to care about life or death, added with Xalveris and his mind control, and you have a bad mixture for a God of Death.

He wanted a seat of power, and he would make his here. And if his new master desired him to attack the city anyways, that was fine too.

Dagonus pressed the center of his golden watch on his right gauntlet, a pulsing blue light glowing at him as he removed his finger and adjusted his black suit and armor above it, fixing the blood red tie. His black cloak he wore flowed elegantly behind him, the wind growing ever so calm.

The calm before the storm.

As he passed through Beacons main doors, he knew "his dream" was going exactly as it was planned.

In the central hallway stood Headmaster Ozpin, Goodwitch, and Port, a few of the main members of the Master Hunters. Shadows ran across the second floor balcony, Hunters and Huntresses waiting for the order to attack.

All according to plan.

As he came within several feet of Ozpin, Dagonus spoke no words, glaring at the individuals with misty eyes. His Aura was rising ever so slowly, building up for the main event.

Ozpin tapped his cane on the floor twice, several Hunters running out of nearby rooms to the sound, surrounding Dagonus with various weapons drawn.

The God of Death gave no response as a distant engine could be heard, a Bulkhead by the sounds of the engine. The warriors around the room grew tense as the sound grew louder, a shadow casting over the windows.

Without any warning, a massive Bulkhead slammed into the front doors of Beacon, destroying carpet, walls, and stone pillars as its wings were torn off, spinning as it slid across the floor, the back facing the Hunters. The burning craft came to a stop right behind Dagonus, who gave no response or movement as the craft settled.

"For three thousand years I have waited, growing stronger as the days and years passed by; while you and your people of this planet rested and lived with no fear but the Grimm in your palace of power. Believing that you and your people were safe and well protected..."

As Dagonus spoke, a blood red spear of pure energy sparked to life in his right hand, slamming its tip into the ground.

"All of you were trusted to lead and protect your people from the evils of this planet... But you were arrogant with your ideals and beliefs. Each of you sought to hold this world with peace and tranquility... But their is no peace, for war is the only answer to tame this world."

The Bulkheads back door hissed open, lowering itself to the floor. Within it was total darkness, nothing to be seen. Just as the metal door touched the floor, easily 50 people of pure darkness, save for white masks with a red, broken moon and blood red cloaks, emerged from the craft, forming ranks behind the God. Swords and spears, bows and shields in hand.

"You assumed that no one could challenge you and conquer your forces. And now..."

Dagonus locked eyes with Ozpin, Xalveris completely controlling the God.

"I have returned."

The army of demons behind Dagonus let out a battle cry, charging forward in lines, weapons at the ready.

The Hunters above on the balcony jumped down, landing in random assortments before running forward into combat.

As the students and Hunters collided with the masked soldiers on Dagonus's side, the sparks of blades connecting together lit up the room every few moments, the sounds of metal meeting metal echoing like a song on loop. Bodies of both Dagonus's forces and Hunters fell every so often, which only distracted the Hunters as they battled. Dagonus's troops didn't seem to care about their lives. But the Hunters did.

Arrows from the top balcony soared downward at the charging lines of masked men, cutting several down as the men kept pressing forward, the Master Hunters and Ozpin now running forward to battle.

Warren ran before the group, doing a triple front flip in the air before slamming his right heel into one of the men's heads, killing the demon instantly, taking down two more in a furry of punches and rapid roundhouse kicks to the chest and head, sending one flying at Port as he bolted forward to battle.

Port sliced the flying masked man in two, the mans body flying off in pieces as the teacher spun his Blunderbuss in hand, cutting down a masked man before spinning the weapon again, firing several shots at the advancing demons, laughing the whole time happily, for this reminded him of his glory days. Port ducked as a demon lunged at him with a pair of black wooden spears, slicing off the demons left arm before firing a shot at its waist, the demon exploding from the dust-infused cannonball-like bullet.

Ulysses growled before activating his twin watches, the two machine gun-rocket launcher gauntlets spawning on his hands, mowing down advancing troops before pointing the rocket cannon at the craft, firing at it. The craft blew to pieces, killing several men in the process before he charged in to hand to hand combat.

Glynda simply tossed several men aside with her riding crop magic, lifting up tables and fallen weapons to throw as spears at the enemy, taking one or two down at a time as she continued her barrage.

A sharp hiss and a shift in the ground shook the school as another Bulkhead rammed into the right wall, landing against the left wall as more troops poured out from the back of the airship, racing at the Hunters.

Oobleck raced about, smacking men with his weapon like a flaming baseball bat, often sending them through the nearby windows and into the yard outside, darting around at impossible speeds, dodging every attack.

One of the older Hunters broke through the enemy lines, slicing down a few demons with his sword of ice before running at Dagonus, who spun his red spear in hand lazily to his side, thrusting his left hand at the Hunter, sending him spiraling backwards into the wall, throwing his spear like a javelin at the Hunter. The spear killed the man instantly, pinning him deep into the wall, his soul exiting his body.

Dagonus cackled a sound akin to Xalveris's own vile laughter, his black scythe appearing from mist in his right hand, advancing as he sliced down several Hunters in one swoop, carefully stepping over their bodies.

The masked demons broke past the first line of Hunters, cutting down most of the human and Faunus as their numbers began dropping, crimson blood coaxing the floors around the battlefield.

Ozpin smacked a demon charging at him with his cane across the face, breaking the demons mask and jaw at once, killing the monster instantly as he walked forward towards Dagonus, tossing his coffee mug to the ground, shattering it to pieces.

Dagonus spun his scythe as he deflected a burst of an automatic machine gun, the metal of his scythe sending the bullets towards other Hunters, killing several as the God advanced towards Ozpin, smacking aside his own men to reach the Headmaster.

At last, the duo stood face to face, both seemingly frozen in time, silently staring at the other.

"You will not survive, Headmaster. My plan is set, and you shall fall." Dagonus growled, slicing his scythe forward at an angle at Ozpin, who deflected it with his cane before punching the God in the chest, twirling the cane in hand before gripping it like a sword in both hands, the butt of the device glowing black as a small dagger like blade extended from the cane, Ozpin taking a few deep breaths.

"I will not fall to you, not without a fight." Ozpin retorted as he sliced back at Dagonus, cutting the Gods chest armor with the small black blade, spinning the cane once more as Dagonus deflected Ozpins second strike at him, spinning in a circle to cut Ozpin in half.

Ozpin jumped up, standing on the blade of the scythe before doing a rapid front flip, cracking Dagonus in the jaw with his foot, sending the God stumbling back as droplets of golden blood ran off of his lip, the God feeling it before growling at the Headmaster.

"You don't know what is about to come, dear Headmaster..." Dagonus growled back as Ozpin stood a ways away, having jumped off the scythes blade. Dagonus spun the scythe around, sending an arc of pure darkness at Ozpin, who barely rolled from its path, the arc cutting down a few Hunters as a result. "The world is about to change forever. And I, Dagonus, son of Yveltal, will rightfully rule as its King!"

The God of Death let out a roar as he ran across the room towards Ozpin, letting out a fury of slices at Ozpin, who narrowly dodged them all, spinning as he knocked the scythe aside and to the floor, cutting at the Gods chest plate again.

Dagonus flicked his wrist, a simple steel broadsword, about 4 feet in length, appeared in his hand. The God spun and sliced at Ozpin at a clean cut arc from the top left, Ozpin ducking away as he kicked forward at Dagonus, who scooted back to dodge it before engaging Ozpin in a long stalemate. Every time and place Dagonus or Ozpin struck, the other would deflect the attack with their respected weapon. The duo clashed rapidly in showers of sparks, standing right by the entrance to the school, both struggling to gain the advantage.

"Once I finish this school and its worthless warriors, I am taking my place as rightful ruler, and once your little friends arrive, like your students here, I will kill them all, and their families, one by one, right before your eyes just before I end your pitiful life." Dagonus threatened, knowing Ozpin all too well.

Ozpin snapped.

With a shout of pure anger and outrage, Ozpin foolishly ran at Dagonus to thrust forward, ready to impale the man who had killed so many of his students and threatened so many more.

Dagonus grinned evilly as he simply spun around, slashing quickly at Ozpins hip, cutting open the mans left side of his waist. Ozpin gasped as he fell to his knees, Dagonus spinning his sword in his hands before stabbing it forward, impaling it deep into Ozpins back, the blade exiting the Headmasters chest, blood oozing from the wound.

"A new world order is rising, old friend, and there is nothing you can do about it." Dagonus whispered in Ozpins ear before he began walking off towards the doors to Beacon, forcing them open more with his Godly powers.

In the distance, over Vale, were now several giant purple and black portals above the city, massive airships exiting them slowly. The ships were all black, save for the rose design upon the belly of each craft. The ships looked like giant clones of Beacons own airships, however updated and more powerful. Their numbers began multiplying as more and more portals spawned in, allowing more ships entry into the airspace of Vale.

The few ships that held the wounded Hunters prior to the battle had started to flee the school towards a nearby Vale military command base. However, the new airships caught them completely off guard. Giant dark fireballs of what seemed to be plasma or something akin to it struck the first Beacon airship upon its midsection, splitting the ship in two as several ships began bombarding the two falling sections of the craft. The remaining few craft were shot down rapidly, having their command bridge targeted and destroyed in a giant orange fireball, sending the airships down into the water around Vale, landing with a splash as they began taking water, and sinking.

Aboard one of the airships, one larger than any of the others, stood a fearsome looking man in the bridge of the ship, standing up while looking at the carnage before him. He wore a simple full black suit that seemed to be made of pure ice, his pure light blue eyes shined an uneasy warmth, his frozen dress shoes tapping the floor to the tune of explosions from the plasma bombardment.

"Leave no ship standing. Then focus on key target in Vales perimeter. I want the Valerian 5th navy fleet destroyed in the hour." The man, Sir Xenon, General of Dagonus's forces, said with a robotic and emotionless tone, his frozen icy blue hair blowing around slightly by the nearby air conditioner.

The Hunters behind the beaten Headmaster went from easily 120 to 38, being overwhelmed by the demon army, for many students were on missions currently, leaving Beacon very low on Hunters. Soon it was just 24 left with the Master Hunters: Oobleck, Glynda, Warren, Port, and Ulysess. Once the group was surrounded, and saw the Headmaster near the front, they all, one by one, began dropping their weapons.

A few other teams were ushered in from the court yard, including Team JNPR, Jaune limping as his left leg was bleeding, Pyrrha helping him walk as Nora held a knocked out Ren in her arms. Team CRDL was also in attendance, the team wounded and bloody, Cardin barely able to stand as the two teams and a few other teams were forced into the circle with the Master Hunters, the demon army holding them there, while other demons searched the school for other students and professors.

"Sleep tight." Dagonus said as he looked back at the bleeding out Ozpin, who gave a few weak blinks with tearful eyes as he slumped over onto the floor of his school.

Beacon had now fallen, and Vale was now ripe for the taking.