Authors Note:
I know it wasn't next Friday, or the one after, but here it is. This, was hard to write. I definitely need to learn how to write team fights better.
Also, Spoiler for V9, Ep7: 7 was a decent episode, but, they could've done the breakdown better. 8…8 was…wild to say the least.
Review:
Magnet-Man5: Thanks, I'm glad you like the story. And I'm glad it is better than The Dark Swordsman. It was my first story I ever wrote, but as time passed, I found myself disappointed with its first half. I aim to go big, or go home with this story.
RonaldM: Which character I find the most Dramatic? Depends on what you mean by 'Dramatic'. In a good way, Jaune. In a bad way, Blake.
TheBlackKnight: Thanks for the review, sorry I missed the release schedule.
I'm glad you like the introductions of different types of Grimm. The one thing I disliked the most about the show was how cookie cutter the Grimm were. Mostly just Beowolves, and with no real threat. One of the the things I set out to accomplish with this story was to make the Grimm actually scary.
Honestly, I think Volume 9 with either end up being the last due to cancellation, or there'll be one more season afterwards. I hope we get three or four more, but it's unlikely. I just hope the RWBY FanFiction community lives on way after the series concludes.
If you don't want to be spoiled, don't translate the Grimm.
"I don't own any of the series I write FF of. I only own my OC's and my unique aspects added to the story. I don't own any music or songs possibly mentioned, they are just recommendations. All credit of Rwby goes to RoosterTeeth."
Slight Changes: Siegfried's last name Rothard has been changed to Walsung, and the term Rottheld has been changed to Volsung. A spoiler for earlier chapters, but by now a connection is obvious. I also changed the name of Siegfried's home town from Grauberg to Einsam. Oh, and I changed all the chapter names into German to match the Volume's title.
These are the only retcons or real revisions I plan on ever indulging myself on, only because 1: I had these ideas previously, but ultimately chose not to use them until I had a change of heart, and 2: We are not that far into the story (despite the insane word size). If I'm going to revise anything, might as well do it now instead of chapter 50.
Chapter 12: Rauch und Wind.
"It's a Cockatrice!"
[ Play 'Chapter V~In The Sky (Part 2)' -Drakengard OST]
Siegfried immediately turned the dial on Balmung to dark orange as Duncan, Fergus and Boudicca readied themselves with their weapons drawn. Suddenly, the Grimm opened its huge mouth and let loose a stream of acid towards them. The Young Knight stepped forward and revved Balmung, then stabbed it in the ground, a wall of rock rose up from the bloody mud to shield the four of them as the green acid came their way.
It poured onto the wall, making a hissing sound as it slowly burned through the stone. The Cockatrice then let out another scream, many covered their ears in agony from it. Some guards on the wall pushed through the stinging in their ears, and charged the monster. Quickly, it looked their way, its four red eyes then flashed like a red light.
Three of the men froze in their tracks, their faces scrunched up, stuck in woe and horror as a black aura engulfed them, two others instantly fell over dead. Before anyone could do anything, it opened its mouth. A stream of red fire came forth, and the three paralyzed men were turned to ash.
The Cockatrice reared back its head and screamed its anger and rage into the skies, before flapping its large wings and taking flight. Siegfried and Duncan moved out from behind the wall, the former turning the dial on his sword to yellow, the latter raised his war hammer. The Young Knight ran forward and swung his sword, while the Old Huntsman smashed the wall he made, and batted the stones towards the Grimm.
It flew straight up into the air, dodging the streaks of lightning and the stones that flew towards it. Then, it turned around, and began to dive towards one of the cannons. As it fired, the Cockatrice barrel rolled out of the projectiles way, as it flashed its eyes. Siegfried and Duncan ran towards that area, with the two Highlanders behind them, but it was pointless. Spewing forth a stream of fire as it began to move upwards, the cannon, its crew and the men standing guard to protect it, all were incinerated. And when the flames made contact with the dust, the entire position exploded.
The explosion decimated the shack by it, and the blast flung them back, and debris everywhere. The Huntsmen and the Highlanders skirted back on their feet, their hands in front of their faces. "Verdammt!" Siegfried cursed in Mantlean as he noticed the flames spreading towards the Longhouse. Sprinting forth again, he turned the dial on his sword to blue, and swung his blade at the flames.
Waves of water extinguished the fire, as they heard another screech. Turning their attention back to the sky, they saw the Cockatrice circling above them, firing off another stream of fire at the second cannon's position. Then once again, the town was shaken by a boom.
"Damn it!" Duncan cursed, "It's destroying our defenses!"
Siegfried turned to the two Highlanders, "Go get Rurik and his men off the wall!" He ordered them, "We're going to get that Monster's attention!" They both nodded and ran off, leaving the two Hunters together. "I've never faced a fully matured Cockatrice before," Siegfried said quickly with concern to Duncan, "All I know is we need to take out its wings and eyes."
"Yeah, and avoid its breath and gaze. It packs far greater of a punch than the juveniles." His Mentor said, as they began to move, both of them ran swiftly over the courtyard. Then the Cockatrice let out another scream as it flew up, and then dove towards the Longhouse below. Siegfried slashed upwards, sending a wave of water, and interrupting its stream.
The Grimm then looked down at them with fury as it flew over, heading for the wall as men rushed down the stairs. With its talons and the pincers on its tail, it grabbed two of them and flew up high into the sky as they screamed. It threw the one in its talons up as it flew, and caught him with its maw. Shaking its head back and forth, it then swallowed the man whole.
It threw the one in its pincers next, and instead of eating its prey, the Cockatrice spewed flames onto him. It let the burning man fall to the ground, flailing and shrieking as it turned in the sky. Furthermore, it flapped its massive wings, preparing itself for another dive.
"It's times like this I regret not having some type of gun." Siegfried shook his head as he turned the dial to lightning dust yet again, "But I guess this is more heroic!" Shouting as he swung waves and arcs of electricity at the Grimm. The Grimm rolled out of the way of the blasts, and began to flash its eyes.
But it was interrupted by a crate being batted into its face by Duncan. The crate knocked the creature right off course, it crashed straight into the western wall, causing it to crack and crumble a bit. "Now's our chance!" Duncan shouted, they moved in as it rose up from the rubble.
It shrieked as the two Hunters came charging at it, but they didn't let the pain in their ears stop them, they ran straight at the Cockatrice with their weapons raised and leapt at the Grimm. It moved fast, while turning it swung its tail at them, knocking Siegfried and Duncan back. They both rolled onto their feet, and moved once more.
Once again, Siegfried and Duncan attacked the Monster with full force. His Mentor slammed Vulcan into its side, knocking it back as he moved in to try and gut it with his sword. The Cockatrice then spewed acid, making him leap back away from it at the last second.
It flapped its wings and flew up into the air, then came down towards him with its talons. The Young Knight jumped out of the way as it impacted the ground where he just stood. But its tail came at him with its pincers, and grabbed him as he landed. Then it threw him at Duncan, the two Knights collided, and were sent flying into the stone wall. Their auras sparked as it cracked from the velocity of their impact, instantly they both hurried to get up as the Cockatrice set its gaze upon them.
As it got ready to flash its eyes, a silver spear came rushing towards its face, making it rear back to dodge it. Duncan and Siegfried turned to see Boudicca, Fergus, Rurik and many of his Men charging towards the creature. The Cockatrice let out an ear-piercing screech, flapping its huge black wings, it flew up like an angry rooster. It spit out acid yet again, the stream hitting several of the warriors without aura.
They stopped in their tracks and fell as it burned through their clothes and armor, melting their flesh and bones away into a pile of bloody green goop. This did not deter the other Guards, and the two Highlanders and Rurik led the charge. Boudicca dashed passed it, as Fergus leaped into the air with his claymore. The Cockatrice dodged him midair, it then swooped down into the guards back ranks. Two men were crushed, several were sent flying back. It flapped its wings, and kicked out its talons, goring another man, and smashing the shield of another. It moved fast on its two scaly legs, and circled around the man in seconds. He tried to turn to block, only for its pincers on its tail to impale his torso.
The Grimm flung his body at the rank of guards getting ready with their muskets, knocking a few of them down, and breaking their ranks. Then it flashed its eyes, and they all either fell over dead, or were paralyzed in fear and anguish. Their lives on a timer. Quickly, it flew up as more Guards charged it. Only for them to meet devouring crimson flames.
"Rurik, get your men out of here!" Duncan shouted as they ran to the Hill Clansman, "Anyone without an aura is extremely vulnerable to that monster."
The Blonde nodded, and shouted, "Fall back to the longhouse!" Many of his Men heard his orders and turned, some didn't and kept attacking, others didn't care. The Cockatrice flashed its eyes again, Siegfried saw as half of the guards near it either fell over dead like a rag doll, or they were paralyzed by a black aura that caused their once fearless faces to be absolutely terrified.
As the Aura Clad warriors moved, several of the Guards with muskets fell over dead, the effect claiming them as well. The Cockatrice roared in satisfaction as it then spewed fire on the frozen men in front of it, they burned alive while frozen by its power.
Siegfried, Duncan, Boudicca, Fergus and Rurik all charged the Grimm, weapons in hand. The Old Huntsman shouted, "Aim for its eyes, legs, tail and wings!"
Coming upon it, he swung his hammer at its legs. It fluttered back, kicking its talons towards him, scratching against his aura. Fergus lashed out with his claymore, cutting its side. But it retaliated by striking him with its pincers, sending him hurtling back with incredible force. Boudicca sliced at its wing with her spear, but only grazed it. It reciprocated with a kick of its talons. She dodged and then twirled around with her spear, aiming for its head.
The Cockatrice dodged the strike easily, but countered by butting her with its head to send her sprawling back. Siegfried then charged it face to face with his sword in hand. As he reached the beast, he drove the tip of his sword forward, aiming to pierce its blackened heart. But just as it felt the blade touch it, the Grimm twisted out of the way, and smacked its tail into his back. He grunted in pain as the blow sent him rolling across the courtyard, its strength immense.
The creature let out another shriek as it tried to pull away, but Rurik threw his shield at it as he shouted, "For Fridarheim!" The shield struck it hard, causing it to wobble. Its body shook, however, it was in rage. It then shot its head down at him, its sharp beak opened wide as he attempted to roll out of its way. But he was too slow; it clamped around him, and picked him up in a nearly aura shattering bite.
"Rurik!" Siegfried cried as he got to his feet. But before he could run over there, the Grimm had already taken to the air with its captive. Siegfried watched helplessly as it flew away, carrying him with it.
He then turned to look at the others, they were all staring after the Cockatrice. "We have to stop it!" The Young Knight shouted, "We can't let it take him!"
Boudicca then started running as fast as her legs would take her, passing him in nearly a blur, she leapt into the air and threw her spear at the Grimm. It struck true, piercing the back of the Cockatrice. But it did not kill it, instead it made it scream and release the Captain from its demonic maw. As he fell to the ground below, the Grimm flailed before it fell into the wall.
[ Stop 'Chapter V~In The Sky (Part 2)' -Drakengard OST]
Rurik hit the ground with the sound of glass shattering, his white aura breaking from the impact. Groaning as he pushed himself up from the ground into a sitting position, blood dripping from his nose and mouth. "F-Faen…" He muttered in the tongue of the Drekalanders while in pain.
A few moments later, the other warriors made it to him. Fergus was the first, the giant man knelt down beside the Captain and asked, "You alright Goth?"
"My-My aur-aura is bro-ken, and I-I think my leg might be as well…" Rurik explained, his hand clasping his leg.
"Fergus, take him inside." The Princess commanded coldly, watching the Cockatrice use the pincers on its tail to pull out her spear, "He's no longer fit for the battlefield." Her bodyguard nodded and put his sword onto his back as he grabbed the wounded man.
"I can st-still fight!" The bloodied Captain objected, the black haired Man still hefted him up into his burly arms regardless.
"You're as able to fight right now as a blind man is able to see." Fergus said, turning and rushing away with the protesting Hill Clansman towards the longhouse.
[ Play 'Chapter XII~On The Ground' -Drakengard OST]
As they left, the Cockatrice finally pulled out the spear in its back with a grim moan. Throwing the spear into the courtyard, it looked down at Boudicca with a hateful glare with red eyes gleamed menacingly like hellfire, hissing like a provoked snake. She glared back with cold blue eyes of indifference. It took flight, flying up into the sky with shrieks of absolute rage. Its pride insulted.
With a roar, the cockatrice dove towards them once more, opening its mouth wide, releasing a jet of flame from its throat. It was aimed directly towards Boudicca, who jumped aside to avoid the attack along with the two Knights. She ran for her spear as it turned around overhead, its malice and hatred completely focused on her and her alone.
She raised her spear and pointed it directly at the creature, as it flew downwards in front of her. Then she slashed it upwards as it landed, slicing up along its chest, while its maw came forward to try and bite her. She rolled out of the way as its jaws snapped shut, and countered by stabbing it its left leg. It shrieked angrily as it fluttered its wings to fly upward, but this time it didn't manage to escape.
Siegfried and Duncan took full advantage of its misguided distraction as they charged from behind. They each swung their weapons at the Grimm, Duncan's Vulcan hit its mark, and knocked the Cockatrice out of the air. While Siegfried's Balmung aimed to sever its right wing from its torso, it only ruffled some feathers as it moved its wing out of the way.
In retaliation, it swung its tail back and forth, striking both Knights back. As they both skirted across the ground, it came around fast towards Siegfried with its jaws, aiming to shatter his aura with one bite. He jumped back, clenching Balmung, the Young Knight charged again, raising it in the air, the Grimm tried to move its head and neck back out of range as Balmung sliced across its bone plated snout.
It hissed as it reared back its head, its once spotless bone plated face now cracked and scratched. Siegfried pressed his advantage, and swung at it again rightwards, aiming for its neck. The Grimm flapped its wings, flew up a bit, making him miss, and kicked out its talons at him. As his aura sparked, he was thrown back, rolling through the mud into a crouched position.
It flapped its wings and turned around to face the Princess while she prepared her own attack. She leapt up towards the Cockatrice with her silver spear, aiming to pierce its black heart. But it swiped at her with its powerful tail, knocking her away and sending her tumbling through the air.
Siegfried got to his feet as she rolled through the mud, the Grimm emitted pure hatred as it gazed upon her, its eyes began to glow once again as she pushed herself up. Her aura was weak, he could tell she didn't have much left from how her body moved compared to a person with any decent amount. If its eyes flashed…she would-
"No!" The Young Knight shouted as he dashed almost as fast as lightning, Boudicca didn't have time to process anything when he suddenly pushed her out of the way. The Cockatrice's eyes flashed a crimson light, and Siegfried was engulfed in a black aura. His body clamped up as he felt a searing pain shoot throughout it, he could feel his aura slowly drain as he heard voices.
[ Stop 'Chapter XII~On The Ground' -Drakengard OST]
[ Play 'Chapter IX~In The Sky (Part 1)' -Drakengard OST]
'Failure…' They hissed, 'Weak…Stupid…' He gritted his teeth in excruciation while trying to resist it. It felt like his body was being stuck by a hundred pins and needles, like the circulation of a limb had been cut off. Though with every word they spoke, they seemed to get harsher and sharper. 'You couldn't save anyone!'
"Sh-Shut up!" He commanded as he moved his body, trying to focus on the world around him, "I won't let this hex consume me!"
Boudicca grabbed Siegfried's shoulder, making both of them jump, his body was shaking, she clenched her hand in pain as he faced her. "G-Get back, I-I've been cursed!" The world was dull and getting dark around him, like a murky haze. She gave him a concerned look, her eyes flickering over to a battle, presumably between Duncan and the Grimm.
"You need to fall back, you're not going to be able to fight inflicted with that." She told him, her face began to distort slightly, the Cockatrice's power beginning to warp his reality.
"The-The only w-way to break this is to kill that Grimm." He explained, turning to face the Monster, while it pressed its attack against his Mentor. "I-I refuse to give up!"
"Wait!" She called out to him, but it was too late, he had already started running towards it. His perception of the world began to warp, as the courtyard became Einsam. The Cockatrice warped, its appearance shifting to look like the Dragon.
The Voices of his parents spoke to him while he raised his sword, 'You failed us son, you left us to die, you didn't even try to save us…' He saw the faint images of their decayed countenances, 'You're a failure, Son, a Failure.'
"SHUT UP!!" He shouted in fury as he swung Balmung, it phased through the Dragon, cutting nothing as its tail slammed into his back. He flew forward, face-first into the mud.
Another mocking voice spoke as he pushed himself up, 'What kind of would-be Reichsritter are you?' His Uncle asked with a tone of disgust, 'I gave my life saving countless people, and you, You just doom everyone around you.'
"Shut up, you're not real!" He looked around, the burning town of Einsam all around him. Duncan and Boudicca fought the Cockatrice not far in front of him, but everything was so murky. His aura burned like he had been doused in liquid dust, and set alight.
'It's such a relief I let those Valean hicks have custody of you, I have too much work to deal with you…' The voice of someone he despised whispered in his ears, 'After all, I wouldn't want to end up like them…'
"Fick dich! Du Atlesianisches Stück Scheiße!" Siegfried raged, he grabbed Balmung, "Warum halt nicht alle die Klappe?!" Getting up, he charged again at the Cockatrice, aiming to strike its wing.
Suddenly another voice mocked him in his ears, 'Such a hero…who have you saved?' Isolde laughed at him, 'All you do is bring death wherever you go. Your cursed.'
"Schweigt, ihr bösen Schatten!" Attacking again, he ran the Grimm through, only to run into the stone wall. Falling back into the mud, his body trembled in pain. It hurt so badly, every part of him screamed in pain as he clenched his fists while he was forced to endure its torment.
A chorus of voices spoke at once, 'Give up, Siegfried, just die…' He gripped his head, 'Just die, Just Die, JUST Die, STIRB EINFACH!!!!' They roared, his aura seemingly burning away, 'Stirb, Siegfried, Stirb,' The Voices chanted in Mantlean, 'Stirb, Siegfried, Stirb, Stirb, Siegfried, Stirb, Stirb, Siegfried, Stirb-'
[ Stop 'Chapter IX~In The Sky (Part 1)' -Drakengard OST]
[ Play 'Chapter IX~In The Sky (Part 2)' -Drakengard OST]
"GENUG!" A blue explosion broke free of the black chains shackled around it, the suffocating aura around his was blown away by the bright flames of his soul. He took deep, clean breaths as the world around him cleared, the Hex dispelled. Looking down at his hand and body, he saw the blue flames surrounding him. Bright and warm, the cold pain was gone. He had summoned his semblance…
Siegfried was befuddled, a Hex wasn't something a semblance can just…remove. Or…could it? He just shook his head. There was no use worrying about this now, looking forward, he saw Duncan and the Princess battling the Grimm. He closed his eyes real quick, took a quick note of how much Aura remained. He could feel his Aura was slowly recovering, which meant that he still has some left, but not much. The curse and the use of his semblance put him around 41%.
Enough that he could probably defeat that Grimm before it breaks. Standing up, Siegfried rushed to join them. The Cockatrice was too focused on defending itself from Boudicca and Duncan's onslaught, it couldn't possibly have to worry about the prey it hexed. It pushed the Old Huntsman back with its tail, as it fluttered away from the Princesses spear.
It shrieked when Siegfried slashed its thigh as he leapt passed it. Landing on his knee, foot and hand, he quickly spun up to face the monster. Its four demonic eyes widen at the sight of him curse-free, it hissed in rage. The first time in all of its long life, a mortal survived its deadly gaze. Once again, its pride was insulted.
The Cockatrice moved forward with a wrathful frenzy, Siegfried smirked, and said "Kommen." As it swooped down upon him, the Young Knight readied himself. At the last moment, he moved forward out of its talons way. When it landed, he shifted Balmung behind the Grimm, and swung down upon its tail.
The Azure sword sliced through it, right under its pincers, declawing its deadly tool. It turned around in an instant as he twirled, and as its maw opened to spew either fire or acid, he swung up at its face. Balmung struck true, and cut diagonally rightwards across its bone plated face, and through both of its right eyes.
It roared with enough force to knock everyone back, so sharp to ring everyone's ears. Looking up towards his foe as its left eyes glowed again. It spread its wings, and it began to flap them furiously, creating huge gusts of wind. The Young Knight, his Mentor and the Princess were all blown back.
Siegfried rolled through the mud, and slammed into a pile of slain Clansmen. He arose, caked in both gunk and gore, as the rain started to pour heavily. Then, he was met with a torrent of flames coming his way. Immediately, he rolled out of the way as its fire breath washed over the corpses behind him. Getting up into a sprint, he bolted away as its fire chased him.
Its stream washed over the wall and corpses he ran by, leaving only black burns, and red flames in its wake. He revved his sword, and lashed out towards the beast. Arcs of lightning shot out at the Grimm, making it cease its breath, and flap out of the way.
Swinging again at it, he managed to hit it with an arc of lightning. It convulsed in the air as it was electrocuted, its mouth agape as the sparks crackled through its body. It fell to the ground in a roar of pain, Siegfried charged forward with his sword. Aiming to strike the beast down with one final blow. Just as his blade approached, the Cockatrice flashed its two remaining eyes at him.
Once more, the dreaded pain spread throughout his body. 'GiVe Up, SiEgFrIeD!' The voices thundered in his mind, his teeth clenched as his body shook. The Grimm wasted no time in seizing its advantage, its jaws opened wide, and its head came forth.
The Knight could only watch as his body was nearly frozen stiff, his fast approaching death coming to devour him. But then, a new voice shouted, "Oh no you don't!" Its left wing was severed in one clear stroke of the Highlander's claymore as he came from behind, its black feathers fluttered, and its black blood spewed and splattered upon the ground as it let out a shriek of agony and pure rage.
The Cockatrice shifted its attention away from him as it flapped its last wing, and leapt away from the warriors. The two Highlanders, and his Mentor, charged the Grimm as it landed. Fergus swung his claymore with a war cry, "Come on you bastard, take this!"
It deflected the attack with its right talons, and kicked him with its left. It dodged as Duncan swung Vulcan down overhead, his hammer only smashing into the mud as it countered with a bite. Its maw clamped down around him, sparking his aura as the Grimm then threw him with its mouth. He rolled through the mud, before stopping and coming to a stand. The Grimm, however, found the Princess's silver spear stabbing through its right thigh from behind.
The young knight breathed heavily, his hand gripped his helmet, 'You're no Hero, you're no Hero, du bist kein Held, DU BIST KEIN HELD!' The Voices thundered in his skull, the throbbing pain like a death drum. The black aura was suffocating, it was like standing in a burning house. Every breath he drew burned his lungs, he felt as if his whole body was being consumed alive. His Aura was slowly but surely being drained away…
Siegfried shook his head defiantly, and raised his arm in front of his chest as he took a stance, a determined look in his eyes, "I-I-I…No, I a-am," He stuttered as his aura was slowly being devoured by the curse, he reached deep into himself, and found the spark, "EIN HELD!" He summoned the azure fire once more, and banished the afflicting curse at the cost of some aura.
Standing tall, proud, and ready to fight once more, he looked at the monster. It writhed with fury; it screeched at him, and the other aura clad warriors. The Grimm hissed as it stepped back away from the four warriors approaching it.
The Cockatrice was being backed into a corner, missing one wing, two eyes, covered in quite a few bleeding cuts. Yet, despite its current predicament, its glare never faltered, nor did it seem willing to give up. The four of them made their move, and attacked all at once.
Duncan and Fergus rushed in, the Old Huntsman slammed his war hammer into its side, activating Vulcan's combustion dust, and nearly blowing a hole into its right side. Fergus' claymore slashed the side of its neck as he lunged forward, but missed his true mark as it flapped its one wing to jump away. It kicked both of them back, before flying up and using the wall behind it to spring over them.
As it landed in the mud, it turned to find Boudicca coming at it with her silver spear. She leaped over the Grimm, landing with precision, before thrusting her spear through its back. As she did, it let out a loud snarl, and she had to leap back as its tail swung at her.
The Princess then darted back towards the Cockatrice, aiming to stab it with her spear right through its chest. But, as if sensing its defeat, it suddenly gave a mighty roar and charged straight at her. Flapping its one wing, it jumped and twirled, slamming its tail right into her before she could dodge. It smacked Boudicca back, making her fly and slam against the stone wall. Her low aura shattering like a thrown glass.
As she collapsed to the ground, it was met with a barrage of attacks from Siegfried, who had come running from his position further away. The Huntsman brought Balmung down upon the beast, striking at it over and over again. It did its best to dodge and weave through his attacks, but some struck true. But for every hit he made, it retaliated with a strike of its own.
Duncan came to help him, while Fergus rushed to the downed Princess. His Mentor leapt up with his war hammer, and slammed it down right next to the Grimm, sending mud and rocks flying into it. It had enough.
The cockatrice flapped out of the mud, as black blood trickled down its face from where Siegfried had sliced two of its four eyes. It glared at the four humans, with pure, unadulterated hatred. It then let out another deafening roar, before charging at the two Knights.
It swiped its claws as it jumped, trying to shred them both. Its talons sliced into both of them, causing them both to grunt in pain as their auras sparked. The Cockatrice then spun around, it reared onto its hind legs, and swung its tail into them. As they were knocked back, it continued its momentum, and turned again. It flashed its two left eyes, and Duncan was hexed by the black aura that effected him not long ago.
Siegfried looked on in horror as his Mentor trembled in pain, the black aura around him. "Sh-Shit, you are not my wife. You're not my boys, your just illusions of this hex." He said to the voices sowing doubt in his head as his aura was drained, his voice wispy, like he was speaking into a fan.
[ Stop 'Chapter IX~In The Sky (Part 2)' -Drakengard OST]
Immediately, he got to his feet, the Young Knight knew he had to end this. Rurik and Boudicca had broken auras, Fergus was too focused on carrying her to safety, and his Mentor was afflicted with the Cockatrice's Hex, and he doubted he could break free like he was able to. It all came down to him.
[ Play 'Raise Thy Sword' -Soulcalibur II OST]
Taking a moment, he closed his eyes tightly. "Ich fürchte nichts, denn der Herr ist mit mir!" He shouted, his aura erupting like the flash of lightning, blue flames summoned once more to burn evil. The Grimm hissed at him, its body trembled both from its injuries and wrath. They both faced each other for a moment. His eyes narrowing in defiance, he readied Balmung, shifting it to its one-handed form.
In an instant, both moved, it breathed fire as he dashed forward. Weaving out of the flame's way, he slashed the side of the Cockatrice as he ran past. Siegfried turned, and delivered a powerful blow with his sword, severing its tail. Black Blood began to spurt everywhere as it screeched with anger.
The Grimm flapped its one wing, and in a jump, turned and slashed its talons at him. Blue aura sparked as he was thrown back, but in a flip, landed on his feet in a skirt through the mud. He then heard a loud crackle and pop as the sound of thunder echoed above his head. It rained down upon the beast, water washing the black ichor off its wounded body. For him, it washed away the gore and mud.
The Knight then turned the dial on Balmung to light blue, before revving his blade, and summoning ice. A light blue wave shot across the battlefield as he swung, freezing everything that it touched. As soon as it hit the Cockatrice's feet, from all the rain, it flash froze them. Then, he swung his blade again, creating a massive ice pillar from the ground beside it that stabbed into its right side.
The Cockatrice let out an ear-piercing shriek, as it tried desperately to pull its feet out, or shake off the ice. All the while, an ice spike pierced its side. Siegfried took his chance, and sprinted forward. As it broke free from the ice, it lunged forward with its maw. Swinging his sword, he slashed it across the right side of its face, before leaping on top the back of its neck.
Grabbing one of the five horns around the back of its head, he began to slash and pummel its face with Balmung. The azure blade cutting into flesh, it's pommel cracking the bone plate of its face. The Grimm shook its head back and forth, trying to throw him off. Siegfried held on tight, and dug his heels into the back of its serpentine neck.
He took Balmung, and reached around below its head, and slit its throat. A large gash formed on it as blood poured down, splattering across the ground and walls and mixing with the dark ichor. The Cockatrice then threw him off, as it lurched its head forward in pain.
Landing on his feet, he turned to face the beast. It gurgled as it roared, death was approaching it, but it refused to yield. It rushed him on its hind legs, and came at him with its mouth wide open, ready to crush him and break his aura with one bite. Sidestepping to its left, its two eyes watched as Siegfried smashed his elbow into its face.
Black Blood poured from its shattered snout as it lurched back in pain, it's demonic body bleeding to death. He moved in a twirl, gripping Balmung with both hands. Siegfried stood firm as time seemed to stand still, his sword poised ready to drive into its heart. Taking one final steadying breath, he prepared himself for what came next, preparing to destroy this vile beast. Azure flame coated his blade.
With a yell, Siegfried plunged Blazing Balmung deep into its chest. It screeched in agony as a thick black, viscous liquid splattered onto his face and helmet, leaving a sticky trail behind it. The cockatrice reeled back in anguish, and let loose an endless string of screams and screeches as the azure fire consumed its body like flame to a candle. It's black flesh and white bones melted like wax.
His sword sank deeply into its chest, but not enough to his liking. So he twisted his sword's handle, and shifted his great blade into its great sword form. It pierced through its back, splashing dark blood behind it. Then, he ripped the blade free, cutting through its torso with one swing. The cockatrice's scream slowly morphed into something quieter, weaker, and soon quietened completely as it fell over, writhing in the mud and rocks around it as its body started to mist and evaporate, finally dead.
[ Stop 'Raise Thy Sword' -Soulcalibur II OST]
Siegfried stabbed Balmung into the ground and leaned against it, he breathed heavily as the rain poured down upon him. His heart raced, his breathing was heavy, and he felt exhausted. He knew his aura was low. "Danke Gott," He prayed in Mantlean, "Danke für diesen Sieg."
Looking around, he saw Duncan slowly approach him, the Highlanders not far behind. The three of them neared him as they walked closer towards the fallen cockatrice. The only one out of all four of them fresh enough for a big fight was Fergus, Boudicca had a broken aura, and Duncan looked winded from the Hex the Grimm casted on him. However, he was glad to see they were all alive.
"Is there any Mannfólk left alive in there?!" A familiar voice shouted, a dark realization dawn on all of them. "Did that stupid beast accomplish its task?"
Siegfried looked to Duncan, who was at a loss at what to do. A dark expression formed on his face, one of acceptance for a doomed fate. Boudicca rubbed her temples as her Bodyguard snarled. "Hello?! If I don't get a response soon Mannfólk, I'll come see myself."
Siegfried shifted Balmung into its shorter form, and put it in his makeshift holster for it. He lifted his visor as he began to walk to the stairs, his Mentor and the Highlanders followed him out of worry and curiosity.
He strode up the stairs on the wall, and walked straight to the battlements, until he looked over it. The Atterganger still sat atop of its skeletal steed, its two bodyguards still flanked it, though one only carried the black banner, the white one had been discarded, "Ah, it's you!" It said with a mocking chuckle, "You were the one to defeat that Beast? How noble!" It tilted its head as to look behind him, "Where's the other warriors? Did they happen to fall-" It stopped when Duncan, Fergus and Boudicca appeared beside him, and laughed. "Well, well, looks like that Bróðir really was stupid? It failed its main objective. I shouldn't have entrusted it with such a vital-"
"What happened to our thirty minutes?" Siegfried interrupted the Grimm, his tone cold and uncaring, "You said we had thirty minutes to make a decision, but a bunch of Goblins attacked from below at around ten to fifteen minutes in."
Skoth laughed, his skeletal hand came to his face as he began to laugh maniacally, "You really think my kind takes such meaning in pointless promises?" It asked rhetorically in a mocking tone, "Foolish Mannleg, we never had any intention to let you take your precious time, and formulate some way to escape or defy our grasp." It explained, "We've delt with your kind enough times to know who are the cowards who will submit, and do anything for survival, and the defiant, who will refuse to betray their kin, and fight til the end."
It shook its skeletal head in disappointment, "We already knew about the tunnels before we attacked this shithole, our scouts found them a week ago. We heard from our forces about the Mannfólk who went down to see if it was clear for your herds to be shepherded through." It then wagged its finger, as if to lecture a child, "And we can hear you know, the cheers after that pitiful Captain decided to fight. Not to mention, we can sense your vile emotions of hope, and of defiance itself."
It smiled wickedly as it placed one skeletal hand under it chin, the other one pointing at him as it grinned with a sadistic smile. "Such a shame isn't it?" It giggled, "I can sense the doubt in your heart, you're disappointed that this is where your ambition ends, thy flame snuffed out." It then spread its arms wide, "Your only hope for a final stand has been dashed, now you all are outclassed and outnumbered in every way! DESPAIR AT YOUR DOOM!"
Duncan shook his head, his eyes closed in defeat. The two Highlanders looked at each other, they gave each other a knowing, somber look. Siegfried, however, remained stoic as he reached into his satchel. Pulling out blue elixir to the curiosity of the Grimm, and the people around him, he bit the cork and popped it off. Spitting it out of his mouth, he began to chug the potion, chugging it down in an instant, the aura around him began to glow as Duncan looked on in distress.
When the decanter was empty, he threw it at Skoth, who caught it with a look of interest. "What is it you're doing, Mannleg?" It asked, Siegfried ignored it as he closed the visor on his helmet, and turned around. The Tuathans and his Mentor were puzzled as he strode over to the edge of the wall, facing the courtyard. Then, he whistled. Grane came running as he then leapt down onto the stallion. Grabbing the reigns, he kicked his steed into action as they rode fast, and turned up the stairs.
[ Play 'In the name of the Father' -Soulcalibur OST]
"Sieg, wait!" Duncan called out to no avail, for Siegfried rode up to the battlements, and Grane leapt off the wall, towards the Grimm below. All the while, he drew Balmung, turned the dial to yellow, and slashed a wave out with all the lightning dust that was left. Arcing across the entire formation of Grimm, vaporizing some. Skoth and the Horsemen beside turned and galloped away. They would know the wrath of The Knight with the Azure Sword.
Authors Note:
Thank. God. That was a harder mini boss fight to write than imagined.
Next Update: Next Friday, or the one after that, if not that, some Friday. I will always release chapters on either Friday or Saturday.
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