Chapter 72

Liam

Minutes later

Shaken by what occured, everyone, except for Chrome, gathered in the dining room to discuss what to do next. Most of the group was off in their own thoughts as Liam tried to keep everyone focused on the task at hand: stop Ironwood and his plan to destroy Mantle.

But even he was having a hard time focusing on that.

Seeing his efforts were useless, Liam sat down, rubbing his forehead.

"Okay, that's it!" Emerald got to her feet, slamming her hands on the table and getting everyone to look at her. "Look, I get you guys have been getting your asses kicked, some of that my fault, but you're at war. You're gonna take hits. But no matter how hard the hit, you have to get back up. If you stay down, you lose. And you guys have a shit load to lose."

Emerald looks away, trying to figure out what to say.

"Look, I'm just going to be super pissed if you all finally decided to give up the moment I switch sides."

Everyone stared at Emerald.

"She's right." Ruby got to her feet. "We can mourn later. Right now, we gotta figure out how to stop Ironwood."

"Yeah, about that." Liam said, getting their attention. "Ironwood asked for Penny specifically. Now that... she's no longer here... what the fuck are we supposed to do?"

The door suddenly opened as Chrome leaned against the frame.

"If you want my input, I have an idea."

Everyone glared at him.

With a sigh, Ruby rubbed her forehead.

"Let's hear it."

Mist

Having seen her brother get executed by Ironwood, Mist stood in complete shock. As she was deep in her own thoughts, Shadow slowly made his way through the remains of Salem's creature.

"Ain't shit left." Shadow said. "C'mon. We're wasting our time searching through this pile of garbage."

"He shot him." Mist said softly. "Ironwood shot Marek..."

Shadow ran a hand through his hair.

"Hazel's gone. Emerald betrayed us. Our whole plan has been fuckin' nuked. It's not lookin' good, Mist."

Noticing Mist was staring off at nothing, Shadow snapped his fingers in front of her face, getting her attention.

"You okay?"

Mist slowly shook her head.

"Ironwood just killed my brother."

"Wasn't it you who gave him over to Ironwood's attack dogs?" Shadow asked.

"I wanted him out of the way, not killed." Mist said, glancing at Shadow. "I never wanted this!"

"You only have yourself to blame." Shadow told her, before continuing to look through the ash. Mist turned to Shadow, her fists clenched. "No big loss. Marek was just a waste of effort, if you ask me."

"You never wanted Marek to come back alive." Mist growled. "You always wanted him dead. You hated my brother."

"Yeah, well, it wasn't me who got him killed, was it?" Hearing this, Mist reached for her weapon. "C'mon, we still got a job to do."

"To scorch the planet, you mean?" Mist asked.

"To rule the planet." Shadow replied, turning to Mist.

"That's not what that kid said." Mist growled. "He said Salem is looking to destroy Remnant."

"He was lying." Shadow spat.

"Was he?"

"Are you questioning our mother?" Shadow stepped towards Mist. "Are you beginning to have doubts, little sister?"

Mist pointed a finger at Marek as she stormed towards him.

"You are not my brother!" Mist growled. "And Salem sure as shit isn't my mother!"

Shadow narrowed his eyes.

"I should have helped Marek. Instead, I got him killed, and-"

"That's right," Shadow interrupted. "YOU got him killed. You have no one to blame but yourself."

Mist aimed her weapon and shot Shadow in his shoulder. Stumbling on his feet, Shadow kept his balance, blood running down his arm as he glared at Mist.

"Seems you made a decision." Shadow said as he brandished his weapon. It was a new weapon he crafted. A sword with a trigger on the grip. Mist didn't know what it was used for.

Engaging their auras, Shadow's wound healed in a moment.

Lunging at Mist, the two began fighting.

Leaning back to avoid a slash, Mist swung her halberd at Shadow's side. However, he blocked the attack as he pulled the trigger, a gunshot ringing out as the blade moved incredibly fast. Upon contact with Mist's weapon, the force of his strike knocked Mist's halberd clean out of her grasp.

"You're dumb if you think you can beat me, little sister." Shadow growled. "I'll give you one chance to apologize, and we can forget all about this." Shadow paused to twirl his sword, pointing the tip at Mist. "Or you can explain to mother why you betrayed us and suffer her wrath. After all, you got one of her sons killed. How do you think she'll react?"

Mist grit her teeth, glancing back at her halberd.

Frowning, Mist turned back to Shadow, bowing her head slightly.

"I'm sorry..." She said softly.

Shadow smirked as he sheathed his blade.

"Good."

Shadow turned and began walking away.

"...for not doing this sooner!"

As Shadow turned to face Mist, her image blurred before fading entirely.

Instantly, Shadow drew his sword once more.

"Using Emerald's semblance won't help you, Mist!" Shadow shouted. "I know you're every trick!"

Mist silently snuck up behind Shadow, ready to strike with her halberd.

"I know you too well." Shadow said, preparing to strike.

Mist cautiously approached from behind Shadow.

Suddenly, Shadow spun around, slashing his sword at Mist's head as he pulled the trigger. That one attack was enough to drain what little aura Mist had after her brawl with Marek and the explosion.

Falling to the ground, Shadow smirked as Mist's semblance faded.

"Told ya." He said with a grin. "You can't beat me."

Moving onto her back, Shadow took a quick step towards Mist as he brought his foot back. Kicking her in the side of the head, Mist's body slammed into the ground. However, that attack seemed to have shaken something loose in her mind.

A dozen memories flashed through Mist's head as she lay dazed on the ground. Those memories showed of a time before she knew Salem. A time before the two were trained with weapons. A time Mist and Marek both lived happily. Until Salem destroyed everything and took Mist and Marek as her own.

Remembering these forgotten moments, Mist's eyes widened as she slowly moved onto her back once more, groaning in pain. Noticing her halberd lay behind her, Mist reached back for it while Shadow paced back and forth in front of her.

"Honestly, Mist. How could you have even thought to take me on and walk away, huh?" Shadow taunted. "I mean, who do you think you are?"

Without hesitation, Mist grabbed her halberd and aimed the barrel at Shadow.

"Mist Stark."

Pulling the trigger, Shadow was knocked off his feet from the force, having not expected to be shot.

Quickly, Mist got to her feet and, using her Grimm wings, took off into the sky, leaving Shadow, Salem and everything else behind.

Glaring as he watched her go, Shadow turned around and began walking away.

End of chapter 72