RWBY: Team CRML
Chapter 34
Marek
Drawing his weapon as the Nuckelavee came closer, the others all stood by, shocked by the massive Grimm. Taking a running start, Marek launched himself at the Grimm, only to get knocked back by its arm.
Bouncing off the ground, Marek landed on his feet, placing a hand on the ground to stop from sliding. As Marek went to attack again, the others snapped out of it. Ruby and Jaune found a safe spot to put down Qrow while Ren, Nora and Marek rushed the creature.
Before they could even get close, Marek and Ren were both knocked back as Nora used her hammer to dodge its arms. Landing, Ruby and Jaune returned to join the fight.
Switching his spear to its rifle form, Marek jumped back and fired off a few shots. Getting the Nuckelavee's attention, it reached out with both arms and grabbed hold of Marek's weapon.
Struggling to break free, the Grimm spun around, throwing Marek into a nearby building. Hitting his back, Marek fell to the ground as Jaune, Ren, Nora and Ruby ran around the beast in a circle.
After a few seconds, Jaune sheathed his sword to use the upgraded version of his weapon. Striking the beast's back leg, the Nuckelavee extended its arms as it spun countless times, knocking everyone away.
Taking this time, the Nuckelavee had the spikes on its back extend as it opened its mouth wide enough to tear the restraints. Letting out an ear piercing screech, Ruby and Jaune covered their ears while Ren turned back and ran up a tree. Shooting the Grimm from a treebranch, the Nuckelavee extended an arm towards Ren, catching him and pinning him to a building.
As it went to finish him off, Nora jumped in the way, having her hammer get pinned instead.
Seeing the Grimm was distracted, Marek rushed over and slid under it, dragging his spear across its underbelly. Irritated by this, the Nuckelavee slammed Nora into the ground twice, breaking her aura completely.
Seeing this, Ren shot at the arm that was pinning him, getting himself free. Rushing in, Ren deflected one of its arms before getting knocked back by the other. Quickly recovering, Ren charged it again.
"Ren, knock it off!" Jaune shouted.
Before Ren could even get close, the Grimm grabbed his leg, slamming him into the ground, causing Ren to lose his grip on his weapons, before tossing him aside, his aura flickering.
Seeing the Grimm about to charge, Marek threw his spear into the side of its head. Turning to him, the Grimm rushed Marek. As it got near, Marek leapt to the side before jumping up to grab his spear. Ripping it free, the Grimm screeched in pain before grabbing Marek and slamming him into the ground.
His aura flickered as the Grimm raised him into the air and slammed down two more times, breaking his aura. The only thing that got it to let go was Ruby firing shots at it. Dropping him to focus on Ruby, Marek slowly pushed himself up.
Holding his side as Marek stumbled a bit, he picked up his weapon. Seeing Ruby and the others talking, Marek looked down to see a bit of blood seeping from his side.
Ruby and the others formed a plan to kill it.
Running towards a nearby building, Ruby shot a couple rounds at the Nuckelavee to get its attention. As it tried to pin Ruby, she moved out of the way before stabbing her scythe through its arm, pinning it.
Jaune got its attention next, acting as a decoy so Ren could hold down its other arm. "Now!" Jaune quickly rushed over and stabbed his sword through its arm.
Leaving the horse, Nora fell from atop a building, slamming her hammer into its head and killing it. As for the rider, Ren pulled out a blade he got from his father.
Walking over to it, Ren proceeded to cut off both of its arms before decapitating it. Turning to dust, Marek let himself fall to the ground.
Seeing this, Ruby rushed over to check on him. "Marek!"
"I'm fine." Marek pulled his hand away to show a very small amount of blood on his palm. "This is nothing. You should probably check on your uncle, though."
Looking back to the Grimm, the dust went high into the air. After a few seconds, two Mantle ships flew over the village and began to descend. Landing a few feet away, Marek smiled, knowing he and his friends were safe.
As two Mantle officers rushed over to him, Marek's eyes closed as he fell to the ground from exhaustion.
Liam
Sparring with Vernal again, Liam was doing much, much better. Holding his sword in the reverse grip, Vernal rushed him. Going in for a quick slash, Liam parried her attack, slashing his blade across her chest and forcing her to back up.
Aiming her weapons at him, Vernal fired off a few rounds, only for each one to get deflected by Liam's sword. Taking a step back while smirking, Vernal couldn't help but chuckle. "Getting cocky, huh?"
"I think I've earned it." Liam replied before taking his stance.
Vernal rushed him, quickly slashing both of her weapons at him and putting Liam on the defensive. He blocked most attacks with ease but a few did manage to get through, hitting his chest and arm.
Going to block the final strike, Vernal knocked Liam's sword from his grasp. Without hesitating, Liam immediately countered her. He attacked with three fast kicks. One to her leg, hip and side before spinning around for a fourth kick to the center of her chest, knocking Vernal onto her back.
Using his semblance, he had one of his decoys rush for his weapon while having two others stand beside him. Vernal, figuring the one going for his sword was the 'real' him, tried to attack only for the decoy to vanish.
Confused, Vernal turned back just as Liam threw a punch, hitting her cheek and sending her to the ground once more, her aura flickering.
Smiling to himself, he walked over and extended his arm. "Good fight."
Vernal accepted the help up. "Good fight."
Raven, who had been watching the sparring match, approached her nephew. "I'm impressed, Liam." Raven told him. "You've come far."
Picking up his sword, he sheathed it on his back. "If it wasn't for you two, I think I would've given up a while back." Liam told them. "Thank you."
Raven smiled. "We have something for you. A gift."
"A gift?" Liam repeated.
Raven looked to Vernal and nodded. Vernal, knowing what she meant, walked back to camp. After about a minute, she returned with a rather large box in her hands. "This wasn't easy to get." Raven said. "But you deserve it."
Holding the box out, Liam removed the lid to see a robotic arm inside. It was painted black with red accents, similar to his hair.
Seeing it, Liam was at a loss for words. "I..."
"Go ahead." Raven urged him. "Try it on."
Pulling his cloak to the side to show his missing arm, Vernal helped him attach the robotic arm. "How's it feel?" Raven asked.
Liam slowly raised the robotic arm. "Surprisingly natural..." Liam replied. "How did you get this?"
"It's probably best you don't know." Raven replied.
"I...don't know how to thank you." Liam said.
"This is us saying thank you." Vernal told him. "It's also good that you learned to fight without it. Who knows when the time comes when you have to fight without it."
Looking over the arm, Liam made a quick motion, the barel of a gun popping out from the forearm. Having it retreat back into his arm, Liam turned to his aunt. "This..." not being able to find the words, he instead hugged Raven.
Returning the embrace, the two pulled away. "Let's head back."
Marek
Waking up in an unfamiliar room, he looked around a bit before sitting up. Rubbing his head, he saw his weapon resting against the wall. Getting up to retrieve it, Marek placed his spear on his back.
Heading for the door, Marek opened it and found himself standing in a hallway. Looking both ways, Marek turned left and began walking down the hall, his guard up.
Suddenly, one of the doors opened as Ruby stepped into the hall. Almost running into Marek, she said a quick apology before stepping back.
"Ruby? Where are we?" Marek asked her.
"We made it to Mistral."
End of chapter 34
