Chapter 84

Liam

3 months later

Liam was in the desert, a beowolf before him. Rushing it, Liam swiftly slashed it's arm in a spinning motion, ending by planting his free hand on the side of it's head.

"Obey me, now!" He shouted as his corrupt silver eye began to shine.

The beowolf whimpered as it lowered it's head, the darkness from Liam's eyes entering the Grimm's and turning them from red to black. Once they had, Liam pushed the creature away with clear disdain.

"How are you holding up?" Weiss asked, approaching from behind.

Suddenly, Liam spun around, grabbing Weiss by her throat as Grimm-like goo began to coat her starting at her neck. His face was as pale as Salem's. Black veins ran along his body like spider webs. His silver eye was a void of emptiness and his other eye's sclera was a permanent black. Grimm goo began to ooze from Liam's eyes. He smiled, showing his teeth stained in the same fluid. His face was emotionless, his eyes void of any emotion, and his smile was empty. His head suddenly cocked violently to the side, the goo beginning to spread across himself until it was the Hound holding onto Weiss' neck.

As the goo coated Weiss' face, Liam sprung upright, covered in sweat.

He was inside the Redwood residence, beside Weiss in bed. Once he realized where he was and that he was safe, Liam calmed himself.

Letting out a breath, Liam laid back down beside Weiss and drifted off once again.

Chrome

"Your majesty! We have brought you a magnificent gift, befitting of the royal birthday!"

Chrome and the members of RWBY had traveled to the Red Palace to meet with the King. However, upon arrival, they found the Red King had been replaced by an all too short Red Prince.

"This really a good idea?" Yang asked.

"The King helped Alyx in the book."

"We aren't Alyx." Chrome stated coldly.

The first soldier presented the gift wrapped in a cloth. "It is very rare! The weapon of the greatest warrior to ever live!"

"Acquired by us and only us with no help at all."

"But we're the ones who gave it to you-- Hey!" Yang was shoved back by another soldier.

"No help at all."

The Red Prince jumped off the guard and eagerly unwraps his gift, revealing Penny's sword. Ruby had obtained it during the commotion at the bidding.

The prince's expression turns to disappointment.

"Uh green…? Why. Is. It. GREEN?!" He shouted like a selfish brat. The Prince angrily kicks the sword over a red hedge nearby. Ruby gasped and tries to go after it, but is stopped by a guard.

"How could you…?"

"Forgive us, your majesty! We didn't know it was green!" The soldiers began to beg for forgiveness.

"Please, please forgive us!"

The soldiers continue to beg pathetically as the prince walks away from them.

"Take them away…"

A couple of guards grab the begging soldiers and drag them away.

"Your Majesty, please!"

"They gave it to us!"

Their cries are heard on deaf ears, and they are dragged behind a red hedge.

Both Toy Soldiers begged again as a pair of axes are raised, before swiftly swinging down, and silence follows. Team RWBY looks on with horrified expressions. As Chrome stands indifferently, his arms crossed as he waited impatiently.

"No, wait! Maybe we can help cheer you up!" Ruby said.

The little brat scratched his chin in thought.

"Hm. Beheading people does cheer me up… But, go on…"

"We heard you like to play games…" Ruby smiled.

The Prince turns around, likewise smiling.

Marek

"Salem hasn't tried anything." Qrow said as he peered over his folded hands. "It's been half a year with complete silence from Salem and her forces."

Everyone was gathered in the kitchen, going over what to do next.

"Hm." Ozpin was at the head of the table, also in thought. "She could be building her forces. Now that the world knows of her presence, she may be gathering an army large enough to combat whatever we throw at her."

"Then we do the same." Liam spoke up.

"How?" Weiss asked. "We've been trying to recruit people for 6 months. Pretty much nothing."

"I wasn't talking about people." Liam said.

Everyone looked to him in silence.

"Then who?" Nora asked.

"The Grimm." Liam answered.

He was met with silence and stares.

"What do you mean?" Ozpin asked.

"My eye." Liam answered. "When Salem… did what she did, my Silver eye now commands the Grimm. Some of them, at least."

"Command the Grimm?" Ren repeated.

"Yeah." Liam nodded. "Before, I was living in a village. I protected that village by commanding Grimm groups with my eye."

"Interesting." Ozpin said as he leaned forward.

"I wanted to head out, see if I couldn't find any generous volunteers. But, if you're right about your new ability, we might not need our own army."

"We could use Salem's army against her!" Marek stepped forward.

"Correct, Mr. Stark." Ozpin stepped up. "We should have a team go out to clear some Grimm with the goal to test Liam's new abilities."

"I'll go with." Weiss said as she got to her feet.

"No." Ozpin said firmly. "You're too far along to be placed in battle. Maiden powers or no, you'll be staying here with Maya, myself, Qrow and Marek."

"Me?"

"Yes." Ozpin nodded. "If Salem is to attack, you being here could provide a distraction from Weiss."

"It's sound logic." Marek agreed. "Alright."

"Though, what's taking her so long?" Emerald asked. "Each day passing now makes me more and more on edge."

"With Hazel, Mist and you all gone, Salem could be recruiting." Ozpin suggested.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Liam asked as he got to his feet.

A few hours later

Having geared up with Emerald, Mist, Ren and Nora, the five of them headed out into the desert, each wearing protective gear from the sand.

"Are you sure that parasite isn't turning you into a Hound?" Nora asked in her usual upbeat and blunt self. "I mean, I just don't want to have to fight a friend, y'know."

Liam raised an eyebrow.

"It's been sixth months and I'm still mostly myself." Liam answered honestly. "It seems only my appearance has been altered. So, yeah, I'm not sure you'll have to wor-"

Mist suddenly landed in front of Liam and Nora.

"Grimm, dead ahead." She reported.

Liam's arm twitched at the sight of Mist, a shiver running up his back as Beacon flashed through his mind. Rubbing his forehead, Liam dismissed the memory.

"Thanks." Liam said begrudgingly. He didn't believe for a second she was genuine with her sudden switch, only being nice out of necessity.

Heading to the spot, Liam found what Mist reported.

"Perfect."

Swapping to his avian form, Liam took off just at the nevermore did. Flying after it, Liam got in it's line of sight. Charging Liam, he changed back just as the nevermore drew close. Twisting his body, Liam stabbed Blake's weapon into its side.

Holding the ribbon, Liam held on as the nevermore tried its best to shake him off. Getting a good grip, Liam began climbing up it.

Once he was on its back, Liam used a shot from both his weapons to spring forward.

Wrapping the ribbon around the nevermore's throat, Liam placed his hand on the creature's head.

"Obey!"

Liam's eye shined, the darkness from his eye leaking down his cheek. One the dark light receded, Liam wiped his cheek and found the dark goo.

Quickly wiping it off his face, Liam had the nevermore land, hopping off the beast and greeting the others.

"See you tamed it." Ren commented.

"Are we suuuuure it's friendly?" Nora asked, cautiously tapping the beast with her hammer.

"Should be." Liam assured her.

"Well then," Emerald said upbeatly. "We have an army to build."

End of chapter 84