"Come on, in here!" Qrow yelled, dragging unconscious Raven into the cave, carrying her red-Dust katana in one hand. Weiss followed, extinguishing the blade and collapsing her helmet. The sandstorm picked up once more, sending the particles and hitting the back of her head with stinging sensation.
"Let's lay her down," the trader suggested, looking over her scuffed suit: black liquid on it was dry and somewhat sticky by this point, with sand grains sticking to it. The older Huntsman stabbed his sword in the ground, threw off his grey 'n red helmet and carefully laid his sister on the dusty rock.
Qrow grunted and started removing Raven's plates of armor. A streak of blood running down her forehead. Weiss joined to help, her right arm feeling numb.
"That was rather stupid of us, I'll admit," Qrow rubbed his neck, finally unclasping the breast plate. Out of three of them, the man looked the most unharmed relatively speaking, his armor was scratched and his hair was all over the place. "These freaking things specialize in close-quarter combat. No one in their right mind would charge at them with melee weapon."
"I wouldn't disagree, although my case is somewhat special," Weiss tapped the hilt on her belt, grabbing the breast plate. Moving all the armor aside, they started inspecting the injuries.
"Well, she'll have one nasty headache, that's for damn sure," younger Branwen commented, wiping away the blood from Raven's forehead with sash that she wrapped her hair with.
"Concussion?"
"Nah, her reflexes and movement seemed all right before she collapsed," Qrow shrugged. "Probably just took a good hit, she's lucky her mask absorbed most of the impact."
Said item was resting somewhere in the desert, smashed into pieces. Weiss activated her helmet and scanned for any internal injuries.
"She has a small crack at the top of the forehead," She informed. "Very small, around two millimeters in width and about a centimeter in length."
"Nothing severe in the short term, then. But let that thing rest unchecked and she might get an infection right into her noggin'," Qrow finished cleaning the cut and took a flask out of his breast pocket underneath the armor, earning a weary jerk of the head from Weiss.
"Sorry, no medkit," Qrow poured some alcohol onto the wound and Raven began stirring, her face scrunching before one eye cracked open.
"… That stings like a bitch."
"She's complaining, she must be fine," the younger twin smirked.
The Branwen woman hissed, struggling not to rub the throbbing wound and slowly sat up. Qrow helped her lean against the wall while Weiss moved back to watch the distant cave entrance.
"How long was I out?"
"Around ten minutes," Qrow smacked her shoulder. Raven winced.
"What about the monolith?"
"Done and gone," Qrow looked to the side. "I hope."
"… You didn't check?"
"Well my downed dumb sister and a swarm of unholly monsters kind of forced us to retreat but I'm fairly certain it got got. Here's hoping they're blind in this sandstorm outside."
"Let's hope so," Raven turned to Weiss and noticed her limp arm. "Kid? What's up with your arm?"
"From what I can tell?" Weiss glanced at the immobile appendage. "It appears to be a sprained tendon in my shoulder. At least that's what the scan looks like. It's not accurate enough."
"Can you call in your ship?"
The trader's visor looked out into the wall of whirling sand, "No, the signal is not getting through."
"Any bright ideas?" Qrow dusted off his weapon and helmet, handing Raven her katana back. His sister shrugged.
"Getting through that storm is probably our best course of action."
"Say what now."
"She may be right," Weiss agreed, tapping her visor. "You and I can somewhat see through the sand, so I might be able to pinpoint the Defiant's approximate position and we can move towards it."
"One small hiccup," Qrow poked Raven. "She won't be able to shield her eyes. Headpiece's gone, 'member?"
Weiss grunted in acknowledgement and sat down on the ground, thinking. Raven looked crossly at her brother.
"I'm not helpless, Qrow. I'm sure we can get there without me slowing you down."
"That's assuming we stay close enough to rub shoulders."
"We could also go at night? The storm will go away by then, probably."
While the siblings sifted through their options, Weiss started reminiscing the path that led them to now.
Two hours ago:
"Got something," Weiss lightly tapped the console. They were currently hovering over the planet of Sanus, the home planet of Vale Station. "Chatter indicates there were sightings of black figures in the desert. Nomads did not approach but they informed nearby settlements. The words were dismissed as a mirage."
Raven leaned over in her co-pilot chair to look at the broadcast, "Well, that's just about what I expected. Legends of Grimm still live on today even if people actively are trying to ignore or forget and suppress the memories."
"Should we head there and take a look?" Qrow pushed off the wall. "I'm getting sick of waiting."
"We've been searching for just over three days," Raven scoffed. "Grow up and learn some patience. What are you, ten?"
"Funny, coming from you."
"Guys," Weiss sighed. "I know it's tiresome and frankly I also feel exhausted just flying aimlessly and it is partly my fault. I'm sorry I can't be more effective."
Raven shot her a look, "It's true we usually get our information from Oz and he usually vets it before handing it to us. Still, we're not some teenagers, we can handle a little boredom. Boredom is good, means we're not fighting for our lives."
"Speak for yourself, sis."
"Anyway," Weiss mentally facepalmed. "I think Qrow is right. We go in and check everything out."
The Defiant glided down to the lower atmosphere and started descending. Weiss gauged the coordinates as much as she could from scraps of scattered interviews and news clips before entering the desert area, the one locals referred to as "The Golden Sands" region. Weiss could see why. Even with raised shields against the bright light, the sunlight that reflected off the sands still left a stinging sensation in her eyes. The console that showed local time of 4:00PM, flashed red and Weiss saw small icon on the screen.
"Oh, just what we need," Weiss grumbled. "There will be a sandstorm in an hour."
"Greeaat..." Qrow slapped his forehead.
"Then we need to do this quickly, in and out," Raven said and left to the cargo hold to retrieve their armor.
"Damn this heat," Qrow rubbed his neck as the sun shone its light right at their backs. "Even with the coolant systems it's like a boiling pot in here."
"Have to agree," Raven muttered, moving as calmly as possible not to let blood pump faster through her body. Weiss hummed and led the twins deeper into the dunes of glowing sand, leaving the Defiant far behind for safety's sake. Who knew what kind of monsters would there be and what abilities they had?
The Branwens were dressed in something akin to Weiss's A.U.R.A. suit but much bulkier given the metal plates on top. Qrow's helmet was also relatively bigger, with face-shield having three slits with visual feedback systems, painted in dark-grey with vertical red lines. Raven wore a metal mask with one big slit of the same purpose, colored even darker with red highlights running from the back of the head over the top and to the forehead, most of her massive black mane was still out and flowing in the gentle wind. Qrow's weapon of choice was a rather massive straight blade and automatic shotgun, both strapped to his back. Raven, on the other hand, had only a katana with Dust-clad edge clipped to her waist. Weiss had her signature hilt and big caliber handgun.
Checking her HUD, Weiss nodded further to the west, "Reports say it was somewhere in that direction."
They kept walking and hurling insults at the sun and heat. At some point Raven even elbowed her brother for going just a bit far with his complaining. Weiss did not expect Qrow to be such a kid at heart, especially when it came to boredom. Their first meeting left her with an impression that, yes the man was somewhat childish but he seemed like he was thrown around by life quite a few times. Raven's image did not change much in her mind, still somewhat aloof but would eviscerate you with words. Whatever topics concerning the Xiao-Long-Rose household has basically disappeared the moment they left the station for which Weiss was grateful. Getting into something with those girls while there's a looming threat of a scale this massive was out of the question, not to mention the age difference.
"Pfft! Who cares? Winter and I are banging, and our age difference is much bigger than yours," Qrow waved the argument off, pouring a bit of whiskey into his coffee she made him at the requiest. "Everyone deserves to be happy every once in a while."
"That sounds awfully pitying..."
She had to snort a little at the memory. Being around the twins, especially Qrow felt… freeing in a way. While they both knew when to keep their mouths shut, they had what one can would call "untied tongues." They would often openly (and sometimes crassly) express their opinions on whatever topics they saw on the news or a movie, or a show and would never be affronted when Weiss, especially after a restless night would snap or scold them. After all, while they were on her ship, she was in charge.
"Grimm signature detected," the now updated AI of the suit informed. "Approximate distance: 300 meters. Exercise caution."
Weiss snapped at attention and motioned to the pair behind her to keep quiet. Qrow and Raven shut up and the sister came up to Weiss, crouch-walking.
"What is it?"
"I believe we found them. Over there, straight ahead," the trader pointed forward, behind three rows of huge dunes, remembering the deal. "You two take charge now."
Raven nodded and jerked her head to Qrow, asking to fall in step with her with Weiss following behind them, all unstrapping their weapons from their holsters. Slowly making their way to the destination, the three noticed a lone black shape scurrying across the dunes. The twins froze in place and Qrow held out his hand to Weiss, stopping her as well. A Death Stalker, the twins called them, got highlighted on Weiss's visor. Moderately-sized scorpion-like Grimm was quickly scuttling and periodically stopping to scan the area, its bone-white tail's stinger glistening in the sun.
"What is it doing?" Weiss tilted her head.
"Hunting," Qrow whispered. "Don't move. They hunt by sensing vibrations."
Weiss's limbs locked up as she glanced at the twins in mute panic.
"We might be able to track it back to the nest or hopefully, the monolith," Raven proposed in hushed tone, carefully stepping forward as Death Stalker started moving away. Qrow shrugged and followed the suite with Weiss numbly tailing them. The tracking kept going until the Grimm beast made a sharp turn and moved to the left, descending the dune. The three did not dare to quicken their pace as not to tip the creature off. More crouch-walking was done before the group climbed up another sandy hill only to freeze once more.
"Holy shit..." Qrow nearly slid down the sands, seeing the sights before them. Large number of Death Stalkers of various sizes swarmed around a familiar shape of black monolith way down in between the dunes.
"You can say that again..." Raven's fingers tightened around the katana's handle. "We've never encountered so many at once."
Weiss's body nearly went into fight-or-flight mode, flashes of WindPath base sped in her mind. Facing one or two creatures was much less to handle than a horde. Winter's words came to mind.
"Fear and anxiety are great materials to process into something productive. Depending on the task, of course."
Qrow noticed her silent freak-out and gently shoved her to the ground, making her lie prone.
"Hey, you've done your part, leave the rest to us."
"Are you seriously going to fight all these things on your own...?" Weiss stared incredulously.
"Well, not up close and personal at first," Qrow reached into his waist pouches and taking out several grenades. Raven did the same. "First we give them presents."
"You're going to throw-?"
The two started chucking the bundles of grenades, one after another until their hands were empty and the three dropped down to the ground. Shrieks and hisses rose in pitch, indicating the Grimm noticed grenades landing among them.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
Weiss rose her head, "Did it not wo-"
Series of booming explosions drowned out her voice. Sand flew everywhere and she thought she saw bits and pieces of Grimm flying past them. Roaring screeches followed the passing shockwave that kicked up the dust in the air. While the trader was trying to get her bearings, the Branwen twins sprung up and vaulted over the edge of the dune. Qrow immediately started blasting the disoriented monsters while Raven covered his back by redirecting stinger strikes from Death Stalkers that have already recovered. Climbing over the sandy edge, Weiss watched the woman parry, strike at the eyes and slice through the Grimm while Qrow kept eviscerating his opponents with buckshot, whipping out his sword and bisecting the would-be attacker behind him.
"I need a lot more training..."
Two more Grimm emerged from the wobbling and rippling surface of the monolith. Raven and Qrow shared a glance and quickly finished off the stragglers, preparing for the fight ahead. These Death Stalkers were bigger and their carapaces were ridden with blood-red veins, meaning they were older, as Weiss was told. Having dealt with smaller Grimm, the twins focused back to their new friends.
"Slingshot?" Qrow proposed.
"… Slingshot," Raven sighed and let her brother grab her by the arms, clutching her katana in reverse grip. The monsters charged and Qrow started spinning, lifting his sister off the ground.
"And here…! We…!" Qrow with each spin grinned wider and wider. "Go!"
The woman got launched towards the first Death Stalker and tried to spin in the air, adding momentum to her weapon, glancing the carapace and slicing through it. Raven let herself a smirk. That was premature. One of the beast's eyes rolled to glance at her before she was thrown off as the Grimm started thrashing around. Qrow engaged the second monster, sprinting and circling around it, unloading the shotgun shells into its legs with swiping its tail and failing to hit him. Weiss decided enough was enough and sprinted down, sliding towards the fight. Igniting her Dust blade, she took out her handgun and started shooting at Death Stalker that was currently trying to pierce Raven who was rolling on the ground, evading. The scorpion that Qrow engaged has noticed the trader and shifted its focus, swinging its pincer as Weiss drew close enough to slash at it. Weiss's body jolted and she took a quick step backwards and slicing the pincer that missed her, off.
The Grimm hissed, now having sustained considerable damage and zeroed in on Weiss completely. The trader started veaving and dodging the stinger onslaught. Qrow was faring much better, having blown off the limbs of his foe and switched to his sword, hearing the shotgun dry-fire. Weiss kept backstepping until Qrow managed to close the distance and slice off two of the creature's back legs. Shrieking, the Stalker whipped around and hit Qrow's sword, knocking it away.
"Oh shit," Qrow's eyes traced the weapon swish through the air and started sprinting in the opposite direction. "Shit-shit-shit-shit-SHIIIT!"
The Death Stalker chased him and Weiss seized the opportunity, running down the dune after the monster and sliding down on the sands, pointing her blade upward. The tip of the weapon connected with the softer tissue of the scorpion's underbelly and crackling, hissing sound came forth as the beast's body sustained the heavy wound spanning from the lower base of its hind and down to its chest area. Black liquid splattered on the girl's visor, effectively blinding her. Weiss's eyes widened as she felt invisible force pressing down on her, which was probably the monster's tail or claw aiming to crush her.
"Weiss, move!" Raven managed to untangle herself from her opponent and charged the monster threatening to squash the trader, blocking the damaged tail with both arms resting on her blade.
"Oof!" Raven's feet sunk slightly into the sand under the weight. Weiss, still blind, started crawling backwards up the dune.
Qrow finally retrieved his sword and cut off the second Death Stalker that his sister fought, cutting it at the joints. The Stalker didn't have the time to react and lash out in pain as Qrow's blade drove into its head right between the two primary eyes. The monster went limp and the man switched to his previous engagement only to see his sister get her feet swept up and receive a hit on the head, pieces of her mask flying everywhere.
"God damn it!" Qrow snarled, charging and driving his blade into the side of the beast. "You're dead you piece of shit!"
The shriek finally shook Weiss out of the stupor of seeing Raven lay motionless, half of her mask barely covering her face. Forcing herself to stand up up, Weiss hobbled to the woman and started dragging her off to the side as Qrow kept hacking and slashing at the Grimm until it was nothing more than limbless piece of flesh on the ground, wailing and struggling to keep upright. In one swift motion, the Huntsman savagely stabbed the Grimm into what would be equivalent of its neck, silencing it.
Weiss grunted and set Raven against the sandy wall. Qrow took few moments to catch his breath as the skies darkened above them. The monolith, the shape was quickly blending in with dim lighting. The wind current picked up and started kicking up the sand, hitting them and leaving scratches on their armor.
"I think it's time to get this over with..." Weiss exhaled. Qrow nodded. That moment of victory was short-lived as the sands burst around them and several more Stalkers emerged from the ground. Weiss grabbed Raven and started lifting her up the hill.
"Oh come on!" Qrow grabbed the remaining grenades and in a desperate motion threw them all right next to the new pack and the monolith. Series of explosions once more deafened them as Qrow sprinted and took Raven from Weiss's hands and threw her over his shoulders, Raven's remaining mask slipped off her head, hitting the sands.
"There!" Qrow pointed at the distant shapes of what seemed to be rock formation as their visibility was reducing by the second. "Better position than here!"
The man quickened his pace with the trader on his heel.
"So, what do we think?"
Weiss snapped back to the twins, "Um, could we go over our options again?"
"Cross the desert in the storm, get eaten by the nasties or wait it out and get eaten in broad daylight," Qrow rolled his eyes.
"I'll pick the first option," Raven spoke up. "If the storm keeps going on like this, the ability of these things to sense vibrations will be greatly reduced."
Weiss thought for a moment and nodded, "Agreed."
Qrow looked between the two women and shrugged, "… Yeah, okay."
AAAAAAY we back in this bitch once more! Honestly I was banging my head against the wall writing this, getting back my chops on this particular story.
This is the second part of the overall tale of Among the Cold Stars and we'll see how to go from here. Please leave a review and comment to your heart's content.