Remnant of Void & Flame
Volume I – Chapter XI
She noticed it long before she reached the fourth floor — some sort of gas-like substance that seemed to be slowly spreading throughout the area. It was barely visible, but she could see the faint reddish-black cloud seeping in from the stairs leading to the fifth floor. The air also had a strange, acrid smell to it — almost odorless, if she were to be honest — something she was certain she wouldn't be able to detect if not for her Herrscher's senses, and she was sure that it was something she had never smelled before.
"Stop..." She spoke with a sense of urgency, her voice echoing through the empty halls like a warning siren.
The group of students and staff immediately skidded to a halt the moment she addressed them, most of them turning to look at her, their eyes wide and hopeful as they waited. Honestly, she would have much preferred if they hadn't followed her in the first place — not only were they a potential liability, but their presence also made it that much harder for her to focus and adequately assess the situation... though she would not begrudge them for wanting to help; after all, she supposes it was in their nature as huntsmen and huntsmen-in-training to come to the aid of those in need...
'Or maybe they all just have a tendency to stick their noses where they don't belong.' A statement suddenly echoed from within the confines of her mind, spoken in such a peculiar tone that it allowed her to quickly identify the owner of the voice.
'That's kinda rude, Senti-chan...'
'It's not Senti! How many times do I have to tell you!? It's the Great Herrscher of Sentience!'
'Now, now...' Kiana sent another mental thought in response to the Herrscher, her lips curling into a faint smile as she turned her attention back to the group of people standing before her. 'But yes... I guess that could also be the case.'
'Pssh... '
She could feel the corners of her lips twitching in amusement as she thought of the daring and foolhardy behavior that seemed to be a common trait shared among huntsmen and huntresses of Remnant, both young and old. Then again, it's not like she herself would've done any different... Despite having gained the considerable wisdom that came with both age and experience, she could not help but feel that their audacity was something that she too had been guilty of at some point; although she'd like to think she'd matured a great deal since her days as a B-rank Valkyrie.
Ah, the reckless spirit of youth, how she missed it...
Regardless, she understands that if things were to go south — and there was a very high chance of that happening — then she could not afford for any of them to get caught up in the middle of it. Kiana knew firsthand the dangers that lurked in the dark corners of Remnant, and she had no desire to drag them into a situation where their lives may be at risk; in truth, she was much more comfortable with being alone and handling things on her own. After all, being a Herrscher meant that she possessed a certain level of power and skill that most people could not even hope to match, and that she could tackle any obstacle or challenge with relative ease; however, the same could not be said for the people around her.
"Is something wrong, ma'am?" One of the academy's staff members asked, her voice tinged with concern.
And then there's that word again...
Kiana's lips twisted into a faint scowl, her brows furrowing in mild annoyance as she heard herself being addressed in such ways. It was an amicable gesture, and one that she was sure was meant to show respect; but it felt oddly out of place, especially when she was only fourteen years old — not counting the time she spent on the moon, of course. No, she refuses to count the eternity she spent on the moon towards her age, for that period of time was not something she could simply sum up in numbers.
In the end, other than talking with her fellow Herrschers, Kiana had spent millennia in a state of solitude and isolation — an eternity without any other form of human contact or interaction — and yet, she had not aged a single day in all that time; her body still appeared as it did the moment she had first stepped on the moon, her features still looking as if they had been frozen in time.
Well, most of them, at least...
Certain parts of her body had undoubtedly grown and changed over time, enough that they would rival even her own sister's — something which she honestly found to be both delightful and somewhat embarrassing at the same time.
Right, anyway...
"I don't know if you're able to sense it or not, but there's some sort of gas in the air." Kiana scanned the area, her eyes darting back and forth as she tried to locate the source of the unknown substance. "I can't quite place what it is, but we need to be cautious. Just hold still for a moment..."
Her body glowed with a soft light as she utilized the authority of the wind, releasing a gentle but powerful gust of air that quickly covered the area around them. Unfortunately, without being able to identify its properties or what the substance might do, she had no choice but to proceed with caution. Kiana raised her hands, allowing the wind to swirl around her body as she concentrated on the task at hand — the air itself glimmered and sparkled before settling around her allies like a protective cocoon. It was nothing more than a parlor trick — an ability that even she could perform without having to resort to a full Herrscher manifestation — but it should be more than enough to keep them safe from whatever was in the air.
"We should all be fine now." Kiana breathed a sigh of relief, her eyes closing in mild exhaustion as she felt the strain of using the foreign authority start to take its toll on her body. Despite inheriting the Core of Wind and all the powers and abilities it granted, Kiana was still far from mastering it — something that frustrated her to no end. "Let's get going then... we've still got some way to go before we reach our destination."
Her feet pounded against the ground as she launched herself into a sprint, though she restrained herself from going all out and kept her pace steady — fast enough to get them where they needed to go quickly, yet slow enough so that the others could keep up with her without having to strain themselves too much. As the group continued on their way, Kiana couldn't help but make a mental note to prioritize mastering all of her Herrscher powers once all these debacles are over; for now, however, she would have to be content with what she currently had.
The gas became much thicker the closer they got to their destination. She could hear the sounds of fighting — an endless cacophony of screams and clanging metal echoing throughout the hall. It seemed as if everyone had gone mad, fighting each other in some sort of mindless craze. Some of them, in the grip of an unseen force, brandished their own weapons like a man possessed, though most of them apparently didn't even bother to unfold their equipment, choosing to wield them like a solid block of mass instead. Others chose to wreak havoc with whatever they could get their hands on — shards of glass, pipes, and other pieces of furniture that would have otherwise been considered unsuitable to be used as a proper weapon.
Moreover, it appears that none of the Faunus seems to be a member of the Blood Fang, though she has to admit that looks can be deceiving. After all, it is a well-known fact that a member of the Blood Fang or the White Fang only had to remove and hide their mask in order to blend in with the civilians around them — a trick that the terrorists had used time and time again to great effect. That's what made them so dangerous to the common populace, as any Faunus people passed on the street could very well be a member of one of these two groups, just waiting for an opportunity to strike.
"Think its possible that some of the terrorists are mixed in with this crowd?" One of the academy's staff members asked, his voice filled with tension as he surveyed the chaotic scene before them.
"No," Kiana replied after a brief pause. "From what I have seen so far, every member of the Blood Fang that we have encountered wears a pair of red and white wristbands on their person." She gestured in the direction of the crazed mob, then added. "No one seems to be wearing anything resembling a wristband here."
And while that in itself is a good thing, the fact that none of these people seems to be a member of the Blood Fang presented them with another slew of problems, one of which being the danger of causing unnecessary injuries. After all, it is impossible to guarantee that they won't end up harming someone in the crossfire if they are to fight their way through the crowd.
"We don't have much time, so I'll keep it brief." Her voice was low and steady, her tone fairly audible above the noise of the fighting. "Split up into teams of two. Non-lethal takedowns only — no reckless behavior, no unnecessary risks. We'll meet back near the stairway leading to the fifth floor as soon as possible. If any of you get into any trouble, shout out for help, and I'll come running. Is that clear?"
The group nodded in agreement, each of them readying themselves for the mission ahead. She watched as they all split up into their respective teams, each pair already formulating their own plans of action as she continued to observe the chaos around them.
"Alright, let's go!"
Kiana watched as her allies began to disperse, each team taking a different route to their destination. She herself stepped forward into the fray, not even the least intimidated by the hordes of mindless adversaries that littered the area around her. It was clear that they had no strategic advantage whatsoever against her, for the only thing they had on their side was their sheer numbers. Fortunately for Kiana, they were too busy fighting one another to pay any attention to her. With a shake of her head, she gracefully weaved her way out of the crazed throng, incapacitating every assailant with a swiftness and precision that could only come from years of combat experience before making her way to the stairway.
Pyrrha's team was among the first to arrive, their lack of injuries a testament to their skill. The rest of the group followed soon after, each member looking slightly worse for wear but still standing. Kiana surveyed them all with a critical eye before taking stock of the situation.
"Is everyone okay?" She asked, her voice soft yet authoritative. "Did anyone run out of aura?"
The group shook their heads in unison, confirming that they were all in good condition.
"Good..." Kiana nodded in approval before continuing, her gaze turning to their surroundings. "Now I need several of you to stay behind. We don't know how an extended exposure to the gas is going to affect these people. From what we have seen, it could be anything from a temporary case of madness to permanent psychological damage." She gestured to the unconscious bodies around them; the tone in her voice brooked no argument. "We can't afford to take that risk. Some of us are going to have to stay behind and evacuate these people while the others go ahead..."
"I'll stay..." One of the staff members volunteered without hesitation, her voice resolute and determined. "These people are my own students and colleagues, not to mention that my aura is already running low... though it shouldn't put me in danger even if any of these people woke up. The rest of you should go ahead and find out what's causing this mess."
"We're staying as well." Another pair of students stepped forward — a young man and woman who, judging by their attire, are students of the academy. "We can evacuate them faster that way. Besides, me and my partner are starting to think that we are in way over our heads. Sorry, but we, ah... we'd rather not take any more unnecessary risks."
"That is fine... I thank you for your help so far." Kiana nodded at the volunteers in appreciation, taking in their appearance and noting the vague hint of worry on their faces. "And there's no need to worry. By my estimation, the... barrier of wind around your body is going to last for several more hours, so there will be no problem on that front. That being said, you should still try to be careful and stay alert. If you encounter any resistance, try not to engage unless it is absolutely necessary. Good luck..." She stepped back, her gaze shifting from the volunteers to the rest of the group before gesturing to the stairs behind her. "Let's not waste any more time."
She glanced back one final time at the volunteers, offering them what she hoped to be a reassuring smile, before taking the lead up the stairs...
Unfortunately, the situation on the fifth floor doesn't seem much better. In fact, it appears to be much worse... She could feel the presence of the same crazed mob everywhere — only this time in a slightly greater number — armed with a variety of weapons ranging from mundane swords and spears to mechanized firearms and explosives. There was no rhyme nor reason to their movements — just blindly attacking anything and everything in their path. A thick, reddish-black fog had settled over the area, obscuring much of their vision and making it difficult for the rest of her group to navigate the area as efficiently. With visibility significantly reduced, it was impossible to tell what dangers lurked beyond the darkness, and she knew that splitting up would only make them more vulnerable.
A glance at their surroundings also revealed that several exits had been frozen shut and sealed with a layer of hoarfrost — likely a byproduct of ice dust usage. She melted them down with barely an effort, allowing the gas-like substance to dissipate while she fought her way through the group of mindless combatants, her blade cutting through the air with fierce intensity as she blocked, parried, and evaded their attack. While their decision to stick together prevented them from dealing with all the people affected by the gas, it did allow them to reach their objective at a much faster pace.
Nevertheless, they eventually find their way to the entrance of the auditorium, where the air is filled with a cacophony of screams and clangs of metal. She can barely make out the silhouettes of several individuals fighting against each other all across the room with her enhanced vision, their weapons glinting in the dim light as they clash against one another. From what little she could see, the room is in shambles — broken furniture strewn about, the walls are riddled with bullet holes, and bloodstains layer the floors like a thick red blanket. In the center of the room stands a large wooden podium, where several individuals — presumably members of the Blood Fang — are currently engaged in a heated combat, each one wearing some kind of gas mask unlike their usual Grimm-based counterpart.
"Lower your voices," she gestured for the others to remain quiet, her eyes never leaving the scene in front of her. "There's a group of Blood Fang up ahead. Most of their members are engaged in combat with the crowd, though from what I see, they seem to be winning quite handily."
A longer observation revealed that one of them seemed to be standing by a crate, holding an object that was slowly disintegrating as he continued to clench his fist around it. No... it wasn't some random object but some kind of dust crystal, she realized, though its color isn't one that she can recognize. Kiana settled her gaze on the crystal, watching as it expelled a strange, reddish-black gas before evaporating into the air. It really wasn't hard for her to deduce that this was most likely the source of the madness that had taken hold of the academy.
"You... can see them?" One of the students in the group asked, her voice barely audible as she continued to peer into the darkness. "That's... incredible! Even I can't make out more than a few blurs with all this fog blocking our sight, especially considering the fact that I'm the Faunus here... N-not that I'm saying that you guys have poor eyesight or something!"
.
.
.
"You are... a Faunus?" Kiana's surprise was evident in her voice, and she searched the girl for any signs of being one.
A few of the students also seemed to be startled and attempted to edge away, with several of them gripping their weapons tighter as they sent distrustful glares towards the girl. Some of the teachers are no different; their faces a mix of surprise, skepticism, and suspicion; their eyebrows furrowed in thought as they tried to decide whether the young girl before them poses any danger to themselves or the other students. Disdain hung heavily in the background like a veil of oppression; the stale air in the room seemed to hum with judgement and prejudice, weighing down on each and every one of them as if it were a thick blanket.
"You don't know?" The young girl appeared to be puzzled by the question, before using her index finger to proudly point at her pale yellow eyes, unaware of the scrutiny that she was receiving. "Here! I'm an eagle Faunus! Our vision is much, much better than that of a human, you see? Even among the Faunus, ours still ranks as one of the best!"
"I... see?" Kiana tilted her head slightly to the side, her eyes still locked onto the figure of the girl. "Sorry, its just that your trait is quite... concealable, in a way."
"Ah, yes! I got it from my dad, you know, just like how he also got his from his father!" The girl seemed to be proud of her heritage, yet the reaction of her peers made the girl shrink away, if only slightly; her face turned into one of worry as she noticed their uneasy expressions. "It's... it's not going to be a problem, is it?"
The tense silence that followed was almost suffocating, and Kiana could feel the atmosphere in the hallway becoming increasingly strained. She knew that if she didn't do something soon, the situation would only worsen.
"No, it won't be." The voice surprisingly came from the two-time champion, who had remained quiet up until that point. "Don't be mistaken, the Blood Fang... what they did here is wrong and despicable, and I cannot condone their actions. Still, I don't think it would be fair to judge someone solely based on their heritage and the actions of their ilks; it is the same kind of prejudice that led to this whole terrorizing act in the first place." Pyrrha stepped forward and placed a hand on the Faunus girl's shoulder, her eyes filled with understanding and compassion. "And while I admit that I am a bit surprised to learn that you are a Faunus, I've known you long enough to know that you'll never be a part of the Blood Fang."
"R-really?" The girl looked surprised at first, before a relieved smile slowly spread across her face as she looked at the young champion, her voice tinged with both disbelief and hope. "You... you don't mind?"
Well, Kiana had to admit that the redhead is certainly quite mature for her age. She had expected the young champion to be a bit more wary of the Faunus due to the recent events, and yet...
"Miss Nikos is correct in that regard," Kiana nodded her head a moment later in support of the redhead's opinion, smiling reassuringly at the young Faunus before continuing in a more comforting tone. "It might have been a problem had you been a part of the Blood Fang, but your actions thus far have already proven otherwise..."
She looked around the room, her gaze steady and measured as she met the gazes of each person in turn, as if daring them to refute her words. It was clear that a few among the group had some reservations about her words, only held back by virtue of their respect for her reputation. In the end, not a single person raised their voice in objection — not even the teachers, some of whom had previously been so skeptical of the girl's presence.
"Oh, thank you so much! You won't believe how lo-"
The young girl — for one reason or another — was so overwhelmed with joy that she started babbling about how glad she was at the outcome, her voice filled with relief and happiness. Kiana, on the other hand, couldn't help but tune her out midway, her mind more curious about the reason why this young girl would willingly admit to being a Faunus so readily. It seemed like such an unnecessary risk, considering the prominent stigma against their kind; after all, she could've been able to live without being discriminated against had she only pretended to be human... For all intents and purposes, she could easily blend in and pass off as one, and there would be little to no way for anyone else to distinguish the difference.
"-uld be so wonderful! How about you? I mean, you seem to have better vision than me, so maybe, just maybe, you know..."
The girl's words finally caught Kiana's attention, her gaze meeting the questioning look of the Faunus as she realized that the girl had been addressing her. She could feel everyone in her immediate vicinity staring at her, their gazes filled with curiosity and anticipation, along with a small amount of trepidation; it was almost as if they were holding their breaths, waiting for her answer.
"Hmm? Ah, no, I am not a Faunus if that is what you're wondering about." Kiana smirked, though it was barely visible due to the darkness. "As for the reason how... well, let's just say that I have my ways..."
Most, if not everyone in the hallway seemed to release a collective sigh of relief, as if a great weight had been lifted off their shoulders. They appeared to be much more at ease now, though a few still kept an observant eye on her person. Kiana, for her part, simply finds it odd that everyone just took her words at face value, though what she said is indeed true in this case.
"Really? Then what about your eyes? They look so different! And it's glowing! I've never seen anything like it before!"
Kiana understands what the girl is hinting at. Even she had heard the whispers circulating around the network before, and it was a rather unpopular opinion to hold; an argument that claims that she is a Faunus, due to her unique eye shape and the fact that it appears to be glowing on certain occasions. Of course, there was also another theory suggesting that she may be a bastard child of the Schnee family patriarch, or if it was possible that he had been married to some Faunus in the past before his union with Willow Schnee. It was a wild speculation, since the Schnee Patriarch's original hair color was never white to begin with, and while all of them are wrong, she can understand why people would think as such; after all, both her eyes and her hair have the same color as those of a Schnee...
"Oh? Would you like to know?" Kiana asked, her voice filled with a hint of mystery and intrigue. "It is nothing particularly special, really... Personally, I knew of several others who possess similar eyes, only in different hues." She paused for a moment before continuing in a more distant tone. "Yes, I suppose you can call it a trait shared by those with powers similar to mine. Anything more than that, though..."
Kiana didn't even realize that her voice had started to fade away, her eyes slowly lowering to the ground as the distant memories of her long-lost friends resurfaced in her mind. She can almost feel their presence around her, their laughter and stories filling the air with a warmth that seems to have been lost in time. She can still recall with perfect clarity their faces, so vibrant and full of life, and the way they would look at her with an unspoken understanding, as if they knew what she was thinking without her having to say a word. She remembers their habits, their quirks, and even the way they talked; it was almost as if they had never left — as if she had never left them — even though it had been so long ago.
She sighed softly, a small smile appearing on her lips despite the sadness that filled her heart. It had been far too long since she told them her parting words, and yet it still felt like yesterday despite the countless millennia that had passed since then. Even though they were not here anymore, she still clung to those precious memories, cherishing them like a priceless relic from the past. She wished for the chance to go back, if only for a moment, to experience the joy of being surrounded by them once again, to bask in the comfort of their company, and to be able to talk with them one last time.
Alas, it was but a wishful thought; an impossible dream that could never be fulfilled... or at least that's what she had thought... Now? Now, so long as she could fulfill her end of the deal, then it will-
'Let people from the past stay in the past...'
Her thoughts were abruptly cut off as she froze up, the words of a certain clown coming back to her mind like a cold, hard slap to her face. His voice echoed in her ears, his statement ringing in her head like an incessant credo that she couldn't shake off, no matter how hard she tried. Kiana could feel her teeth grinding against each other as she felt the gnawing pain that that remark had caused deep within her heart. She closed her eyes, trying to quell the anger that was slowly boiling up inside of her. It wasn't fair for him to say something like that. He, of all people, had no right to say those words — not after all that he had done.
.
.
.
Then again, if she were to look back, perhaps he too understood the ache that lingered in her heart, or the longing for something that could never be...
"Haha..." She let out a hollow laugh, shaking her head as she opened her eyes again. It matters little. She had made her decision, and she was going to do everything she could in order to make it happen.
Still, to think that there would be a day where she would end up sympathizing with that fool...
"-re you okay, ma'am?"
Kiana blinked a few times, realizing that she had been lost in thought for far longer than she had anticipated. With a slight nod, she turned to face the young Faunus and forced a smile onto her face, one perfectly crafted to hide the sorrow that was still lurking beneath the surface.
"Yes, I am fine... I suppose I got a bit too caught up in my own thoughts." Kiana chuckled lightly, her hollow laughter barely audible as the sound of battle continued to rage in the background. "Though for your information, I don't think having better eyes had anything to do with being able to see through all this… fog? Nevertheless, I think we have gotten a bit off track here..."
"Oh! Ah, sorry if I asked too many questions..." The girl apologized, her eyes widening in embarrassment as she realized that she had been the one to start this whole conversation. "I, um... I apologize if I have made you feel uncomfortable in any way."
"Please, it's quite alright... you were simply curious, and curiosity is a good thing. Well, sometimes..." Kiana gave her a reassuring smile and shook her head. "Regardless, I think it is time that we focus on the task at hand. We need to secure the auditorium and get rid of this gas somehow, and I think it would be best if I was the first to go in. All of you should stay here for the moment and hold your positions until there is enough visibility for you to enter without any trouble." Kiana gestured towards the auditorium, her body tense as she prepared for what was to come. "Once you're in, I want you to focus on the students and staff affected by the mist while I handle the Blood Fang. Again, non-lethal takedowns only. We must act quickly and decisively if we are to succeed. Any questions?"
The group exchanged glances with each other before shaking their heads in unison. No one seemed to have any issues with her suggestion, and they all appeared to be eager to get started.
"None? Good... then I'll be counting on you all." With that, Kiana gave them a firm nod before turning on her heels and began making her way into the Auditorium.
The tour earlier this day had already taken her along with the Heiress to this particular facility, so she knew exactly where to go in order to remain undetected. Kiana moved silently through the mist, staying close to the walls as she made her way closer and closer to the stage. Every now and then, she would come across a student or staff member of the academy and quickly incapacitate them with a well-placed strike before moving on; taking up position a certain distance away from the stage, where she wouldn't be detected by the Blood Fang. From where she was located, it was easy for Kiana to observe the crystal held by the member of the terrorist organization — its eerie glow making it seem almost out of place amongst its surroundings.
Still, it was an odd sight...
As far as she's aware, dust, no matter what form they are in, wasn't supposed to work like that. Unless the Faunus had somehow managed to find a new way to utilize dust crystal, then there is only one explanation left...
A semblance... and judging by what she had witnessed so far, a very powerful one if used correctly...
She acted quickly, her mind already formulating a plan to neutralize the threat even as she launched herself towards the enemy, taking advantage of the mist in order to conceal her position. To their credit, however, the Blood Fang were well trained and responded just as quickly, having somehow managed to locate her exact position despite having their view obstructed by the mist. She knew that Faunus possessed a better sense, though she did not expect them to be this good.
The Honkai energy that surged through her veins amplified her reflexes, blurring the boundaries between reality and imagination as the world around her seemed to move in slow motion. Her senses sharpened, her vision zoomed in on her targets, and her body moved without a thought. She felt the power of the energy burst from her as she leapt high into the air, gravity briefly forgotten. The impact of her landing was enough to cause a thunderous shockwave that burst forth like a gust of wind, carrying with it a wave of intense heat that knocked the Blood Fang off balance. Flames roared around her body, flickering and dancing in the air like a luminous aurora before they merged together; a single burning mass that seemed to draw in the air itself before spiraling upwards, forming a pillar of destruction that literally vaporized a large part of the ceiling above in all but an instant. The terrorists were caught off guard, scrambling to regain their footing as Kiana advanced with a flurry of steel and fire.
Her gaze fell upon the figure standing in the middle of their formation, the faint light radiating from the crystal revealing a pair of eyes filled with fierce determination. His grip on the spear tightened as he lunged forward, thrusting the weapon in her direction with all his strength. She deftly parried the polearm with her left hand, her nimble fingers quickly reaching for the shaft before she wrenched the offending weapon out of her opponent's grasp. Taking a step back, she turned the weapon around before using the blunt end of the spear to strike at the side of his head with a single, powerful blow that shattered his aura and left him disoriented in the process. With an elegant flourish, she spun the blade in her right hand, delivering a series of slashes that were too fast for the eye to follow — each one leaving a shallow cut or a gash on her opponent's skin and armor, the latter of which was now nothing more than tattered strips of metal.
Several members of the Blood Fang rushed to his aid, but their efforts proved to be in vain. The man barely had time to shield himself before she landed a powerful kick in his chest. She could feel his bones crack; the force of the blow sent him crashing into the wall. With a swift, effortless gesture, she proceeded to twirl the spear in a complex pattern, deflecting a flurry of projectiles and bathing the surrounding area in a brilliant shower of sparks. All the while, Kiana never stopped using her authority over the wind to manipulate the air around her, creating a soft and gentle gust of wind that swept outward in all directions, carrying with it the black mist that had filled the chamber and dispersing it through the ceiling.
Unfortunately, her lack of finesse when it came to using said authority meant that she wouldn't be able to unleash a more powerful move without risking the safety of those around her, though as luck would have it, her current mastery over the element was still more than sufficient for the task at hand as she could sense that her allies had already begun to move into the chamber and engage their respective adversaries.
Meanwhile, a moment of observation allowed her to see that five out of the nine Faunus that now surrounded her seemed to possess much greater combat experience compared to the rest. They coordinated their movements with an almost unnatural level of efficiency, switching between offense and defense without exchanging even a single word. It was almost as if they could read one another's minds; the patterns of their movement almost seemed to be coordinated by some kind of unseen force. A team of former Huntsmen, perhaps? Regardless, the fact that they have managed to keep her pinned down, if only for a brief moment, is a testament to their skill.
Kiana eyed the halberd-wielding Faunus, noting how his movements were slightly slower and less precise than the others, a fact that she quickly took advantage of. She maneuvered around him using her superior agility, dodging and parrying his strikes with a series of swift yet decisive movements. Her blade sang through the air as it clashed against his weapon, each one landing with enough force to cause her opponent to flinch. Her motions were fluid, and her timing was perfect. Soon enough, the Faunus found himself completely overwhelmed and on the brink of defeat, though she was forced to abandon her finishing strike when one of the other Faunus attempted to flank her. She quickly dodged the incoming strike and swept the assailant's leg using her stolen spear before delivering a powerful kick straight to his face, eliciting an audible crack as the mask he had been wearing broke and fell to the ground in pieces.
The Faunus gasped in pain, his face contorting into a grimace of agony. Blood began to trickle from the corner of his mouth, and his eyes were filled with a mixture of shock and fear. He slowly stumbled back, desperately trying to regain his footing, though the effort proved to be in vain as he soon found himself on his knees, clutching at the remains of his broken mask and breathing heavily. The other Faunus, however, seemed to be unbothered by the sight of their comrade's misfortune as they continued to press forward, intent on taking Kiana down at all costs.
Her whole body blazed with a fiery glow, releasing waves of pulsating heat that scorched the floor beneath her feet. Long, snaking tendrils of flame reached out from the intense heat, lashing out with a ferocity akin to a wild animal. It snatched up several of the Faunus and hurled them away with enough force to cause the walls to quake; everything happened so quickly that they couldn't even react before she threw the polearm back at the Faunus that she had disarmed earlier with a single flick of her wrist. The spear tore through the man's flesh like a hot knife through butter before lodging itself into the wall, trapping the Faunus in place and effectively taking him out of the fight.
At this point, the rest of Blood Fang had finally gathered their wits and began to attack her. Unfortunately, Kiana was too fast and too powerful for even the strongest among them. Only two Faunus in the crowd seemed to pose an actual threat to her. One man had some sort of phasing ability that allowed him to render any object he touched — including his weapon — intangible, while the other had the power to reflect her own attacks back at her. She has no doubt that there is some sort of limitation to their usage, as she has yet to see either of them use their abilities to their full potential — though she will readily admit that both of these semblances could be deadly if she wasn't careful; already she felt a trickle of blood running down her arm from where the male Faunus had managed to land a lucky blow. Thankfully, the Core of Death had no problem healing the wound, but it did serve as a stark reminder that despite her strength and skill, there are still dangers in this world that could potentially harm or even kill her. Then again, killing her requires one to first neutralize all the Herrscher's Cores she housed within herself, a feat that is almost impossible to achieve.
Regardless, Kiana evaded their attacks with ease, her sub-space lances flickering in and out of existence as she used them to deflect bullets and blades alike with an almost supernatural precision. She moved like a force of nature — an unstoppable tide of destruction that could not be contained — dodging and weaving her way through the enemies before unleashing her attack with lethal accuracy, taking out one opponent after another in a series of lightning-fast strikes. By the time the battle was over, the ground was littered with the bodies of the defeated Faunus, each one bearing the marks of her blade. The air was filled with the stench of blood and charred flesh, and the reddish-black mist had almost completely dissipated, allowing her to finally get a good look at her surroundings.
She could see that her allies had fared much better than she anticipated, with only a few pairs struggling against their adversaries. Some had certainly been injured in the course of the battle, though none of them seemed to be seriously hurt. A quick mental command sent a few sub-space lances to aid those struggling against their adversaries, each of them shimmering in the darkness as they cut through the air and struck their targets with pinpoint accuracy. Of course, she had not forgotten to deprive the lances of the power of the void before launching them, ensuring that none of them would be permanently wounded or killed in the process.
Once she had confirmed that none of her allies were in danger and that most of the enemies had been dealt with, Kiana turned her attention to the crate that had been left behind by the Faunus. As she gets closer, she can see that its content started to shake and shudder violently; the crystals began to lose their luminescence and shape, rapidly melting into an obsidian pool that evaporated with startling speed. Kiana couldn't help but click her tongue in frustration as she watched the crystals vanish before her eyes. She had been hoping to collect a few of them for further investigation, though that appeared to be impossible at this point.
"Is there anything else that we can do for you, ma'am?"
A gruff voice interrupts Kiana's thoughts, causing her to look up and see a staff member walking towards her with his partner in tow. Both appear to have had sufficient experience in their lives as a Huntsmen, as they didn't show any reaction other than a small wince when they finally got a good look at the numerous bodies that lay unconscious around her.
"No, thank you," she smiled politely in response, shaking her head as she reached her hand into a space-time anomaly that suddenly appeared by her side. "I think I have everything I need..."
Ignoring the surprise from the pair, she pulled out a scroll from the void portal, tapping the screen a few times to activate the camera before using the device to record a short video of the scene before her. She took in every detail — from the strange way in which the crystals melted to the small amount of reddish-black mist that had been released in the rapid evaporation of the leftover liquid — before filing it away in the archives for later study.
"... this is?" The man took a step closer, his partner following suit as they stopped beside her and peered into the crate.
"Honestly? I'm not sure," Kiana shrugged and paused for a moment, watching as the last drop of the liquid evaporated into thin air, leaving nothing but a faint scent of sulfur in its wake. "Though I do know that whatever this was, it was the source of the mist that had been spreading throughout the academy. Whether it's something more than that, however, I'm not certain..." She tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear before gesturing to the unconscious bodies around her with a solemn expression on her face. "But I'm sure we'll get more answers once they wake up, although..."
Kiana trailed off, her eyes narrowing in thought as she looked around the area with a slightly puzzled expression. Considering the Blood Fang's action thus far, she had honestly thought that the group would choose a much more strategic location in order to unleash the unknown crystal's properties to their fullest potential. The fact that they had chosen such a place seemed to suggest that they were either incredibly stupid or that they had something else up their sleeves. Regardless, she knew that she would have to keep an eye out for any further developments if she were to figure out their true intentions.
"... ma'am?"
"No, it's nothing," Kiana shook her head gently, her lips curving up into a faint smile as she looked back at the pair. "Thank you for your assistance, but I think we're done here."
Just as she was about to end the recording, Kiana felt an odd sensation wash over her. It was as if someone — or something — was watching her. She quickly sent a glance around her and scanned her surroundings for any sign of danger, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Still, she could sense that something was there, hidden in the shadows.
"Is there-" The woman among the pair was about to ask before Kiana held up a hand, gesturing for them to keep quiet as she continued to scan the area for any sign of danger.
She kept her senses attuned to her environment, her instincts warning her of an imminent threat while she took a small step forward and readied herself for whatever was coming next. A faint light began to radiate from her body, her blade of conviction glowing a brilliant orange as sparks of energy flew off in every direction. Dozens upon dozens of sub-space lances slowly started to materialize in the air, their tips gleaming with a brilliant hue that shone brightly like a field of stars against the night sky. In that instant, she could see the air near the windows shimmer as if something were distorting the very fabric of reality itself.
Finding that no one appeared to be standing near the location of the anomaly, she quickly launched a barrage of sub-space lances in the direction of the distortion before immediately drawing her blade, swinging it around in an arc and releasing a devastating wave of fire that sent a shockwave that could be felt throughout the entire academy. The force of the blast caused the windows to shatter, sending shards of glass and debris flying in all directions while a fiery inferno rose up in its wake — a roaring blaze that seemed to climb higher and higher with each passing second, its flames licking at the walls of the chamber as they spread their destruction. The prying sensation disappeared soon after, and Kiana was left standing in the eerie stillness that followed, her allies looking around in stunned silence as they surveyed the devastation that she had wrought.
"Wh-what the fuck?" One of the students finally managed to stammer out, his face turning a shade paler as he quickly bit his lip. "S-sorry, I mean... I did not mean to... I just thought..." His apologies died in his throat as everyone turned and continued to stare at him. "I just... I uh-"
She tuned out the rest of his rambling, her feet already carrying her towards the area where the anomaly had been located. The unending heat of the firestorm lapped at her form — a raging inferno that should have incinerated the skin off her flesh and charred the very bones in her body. Kiana walked through it all like it was nothing. With a snap of her finger, the conflagration that had engulfed a large portion of the chamber was instantly extinguished, leaving behind only a few smoldering embers and a layer of smoke that hung in the air. Her eyes narrowed as she focused on the area where the distortion had been, her gaze finally coming to rest upon the small, shriveled remains of what appeared to be a Grimm; its body was twisted and mangled beyond recognition — the few pieces of ivory plating that remained on its body were charred and blackened from the heat of the flames.
"Is that... is that what I think it is?" One of the adults that had followed her asked in a hushed voice, his eyes widening as he stepped closer to get a better look.
"Oh?" She raised her eyebrows with interest, her gaze never leaving the remains of the Grimm even as its body began to fade away. "You know what it is?"
"It's a Seer, or at least I believe it is..." The man spoke slowly, his voice filled with a hint of doubt as he continued to stare at the evaporating remains. "No, it's definitely a Seer... I've encountered a few of them before, and they have this, uh, unique appearance that makes them easy to recognize."
"But that can't be..." The woman beside him interjected, her face contorting in disbelief as she glanced around the scorched chamber. "Are you sure? I mean, how can there be a Grimm inside the academy?"
Kiana remained silent, her expression unreadable as she processed all the information she had available. The woman was correct in this instance; there shouldn't be a Grimm in a place like this — not one of this variety, at least. She knew that an academy would sometimes ask its instructors to bring in a captured Grimm for demonstration and learning purposes, a task that is both dangerous and difficult to achieve. At the same time, she also knew that the man wasn't wrong in his assumption, as she too had recognized the Grimm before her. A Seer, one of the rarest, if not the rarest, variants of Grimm according to most of the records she had seen. Not much was known about them, as specimens retrieved by researchers always had their crystals broken; their powers still remain a mystery even decades after their first discovery.
Her attention was drawn away from her musings as she spotted a torn piece of a thick white cloth that was stuck on the frame of a broken window; most of the fabric seems to have been destroyed by the fire, yet a small part of it still remained in a relatively good condition. She slowly walked towards it and carefully picked it up, her fingers tracing the silver emblem that was pinned to its surface — a cracked and slightly bent piece of metal, its intricate details barely visible beneath the heavy layer of soot. Kiana tilted her head, her brows furrowing as she closely examined the emblem. It was clear that the object had been through numerous repairs over the year, and if her observation was correct, the image depicted on the ivory surface seemed to bear a striking resemblance to that of a rose — several strokes outlining its petals carefully carved into the metal. Nevertheless, there's no denying that someone had clearly taken great care in keeping the object intact; the significance it must have held for its owner was undeniable.
A memento of some sort, perhaps?
Unfortunately, whatever questions Kiana may have had will have to wait, as whoever owned this trinket appears to have fled the scene. A weary sigh escaped her lips as she lifted the weathered cloth in her hand and carefully placed it inside a pocket dimension that appeared by her side. She had a suspicion as to what had happened, but it was a conclusion she didn't particularly like; the implications of what it all meant will most likely drive the people of Remnant into a state of chaos and uncertainty. Thankfully, the smoke that had filled a large portion of the chamber was thick enough to prevent anyone from getting a clear view of what she had actually discovered...
And as luck would have it, the two adults that had been following her were still busy arguing with each other in regards to the Grimm...
A small smile tugged at her lips as she took a step away from the windows and shifted her gaze towards the horizon, noting the sight of several Atlesian military gunships flying in the distant sky. While the need for their help was no longer as urgent as it had been, at least with their arrival, she wouldn't have to worry about the captives any longer. All that's left is for her to make sure that the Schnee's Patriarch is safe, and then she will be able to move on and deal with more pressing matters. That, along with taking care of the numerous individuals who were still fighting in the hallway outside of the auditorium...
Well, no one ever said that things were going to be easy…
The air in the chamber was heavy with expectation, every breath seeming to linger as if it were reluctant to leave. She sat upon her crystal throne, her eyes piercing and unreadable as they surveyed the people gathered before her. The light of the flickering candles cast long shadows that seemed to stretch out across the floor like a web of darkness; dozens of glittering crystals hanging from the walls and ceilings diffused a soft light throughout the room, adding to its surreal atmosphere. Each movement and sound was muffled, as if someone had pressed mute on life; everyone in the room dared not even whisper, lest they disturb the eerie stillness that suffocated the chamber.
"It appears that our dear 'Scarlet' managed to survive..."
The queen slowly swept her gaze over each person, her face a mask of emotionless indifference, as though she were looking at figures of clay instead of living, breathing individuals. Soft, crimson light can be seen radiating from her eyes, giving them a haunting and almost ominous look as she finally settled her sight on the crystal ball that rested in the middle of the table. A sly smirk spread across her lips as a distorted image of a certain legendary figure began to ripple through the glassy surface, its features shifting and changing before finally shattering into countless pieces, leaving nothing but an empty void in its place. The light of the candles dimmed and sputtered out, plunging the chamber into darkness as if a shadow had been cast over the entire room. An oppressive silence filled the air, pressing down on everyone like an invisible weight that seemed to grow with each passing second.
"Arthur..." Her voice cut through the darkness like a blade, her tone icy and imperious.
The sound of his name snapped the man out of his trance, and she could see from the corner of her eyes how he stiffened and then quickly stood to attention, his face pale and his hands shaking slightly.
"Y-yes, ma'am? I-I mean, my Queen?" The scientist's voice sounded strained, as if he had rehearsed this moment in his head a thousand times. He cleared his throat nervously before continuing, his voice quivering slightly as he spoke. "Is there something you need from me?"
"You have something to report..." It was a statement rather than a question, one spoken with a voice that reverberated through the chamber like a billowing thunderstorm — every word she spoke was an order that had to be obeyed without question or hesitation.
"Y-yes, my Queen... I-I understand your concern ab-"
"I am not concerned..."
"O-of course, your highness! I-I apologize... it was not my intention to be disrespectful!" The scientist gulped, his face turning a shade paler as he tried to find the right words. "What I meant to say is that, after much research and investigation, I believe I may have found someone who I assume to be the Radiant Blaze."
"Oh?" Her tone was cold and unforgiving, yet somehow it still managed to convey the hint of curiosity hidden beneath its surface. "Go on..."
"R-right away, your grace!" The man fumbled at his pocket and pulled out a sleek, rectangular device; his fingers flew over the keypad before he pointed it towards the wall on the other side of the room. A holographic screen shimmered into existence, revealing an image of a woman with wavy white hair that cascaded down her back — a river of snow that glistened under the soft light of the evening sun. Her eyes are so blue that they almost seem to sparkle like sapphires, their vivid hue contrasting sharply against the complexion of her skin. "From what I've managed to gather, she goes by the name of Kiana Kaslana. Age unknown, but the results from the analysis suggest that she is likely in her teens."
The man paused for a moment, his eyes darting from person to person as if he were waiting for a reaction... and if she were to be honest, it really wasn't that hard for her to tell that all of her subordinates seemed to be surprised by the information he presented and would most likely have tried to express their incredulity had she not been here, though they appeared to have been smart enough to retain their silence... for now. She, on the other hand, kept her expression neutral, with only the slightest furrowing of her brow betraying her surprise.
"... a teenager." Salem said quietly, allowing the silence to stretch until it became almost unbearable; her head tilted slightly to the side and her eyebrows raised in mild interest. "You're telling me that the person responsible for not only defeating an Ancient Grimm, but also for saving an entire city from the brink of destruction... is nothing more than a mere teenager?" She slowly uncrossed her legs and leaned forward in her chair, her gaze never leaving the image of the woman on the screen. "That seems... rather impossible, don't you think? Are you even certain that this information is reliable?"
"I do, your highness," Arthur swallowed hard, his face paling even further as he stood there, almost frozen in place. "I-I have run multiple tests and cross-checked the data with several other sources. All of them corroborate with the information that I have provided; I can assure you that this is valid, although..."
"... Although?"
"Well, it's just that... I-I, ah, I have reasons to believe that the information may have been tampered with..." The man seems to have sensed her displeasure and hurried to continue, his words spilling out of his mouth in a rush. "I-I mean, there are evidences suggesting that someone may have been manipulating the data from within the system, b-but it is done in a way that would make it hard for me to decide whether the information I found is genuine or not."
.
.
.
The scientist shifted nervously in his spot the moment she turned to look at him, clearly uncomfortable with the intensity of her gaze. She could see his eyes darting around the room, desperately seeking some sort of refuge from her scrutinizing stare, yet all he could find were the faces of his peers, their expressions a mix of curiosity and apprehension as they waited for her to make a decision.
"I see... I suppose it will have to do." Salem finally spoke after what felt like an eternity, her voice low and steady as she leaned back in her chair. "It certainly is not ideal, but it would still be better than nothing. Very well, then… you may continue."
"B-by your will, your grace..." The man paused for a moment, his hands clasped behind his back as he took a deep breath before continuing. "As I was saying, this... Kiana, seems to have spent most of her childhood living in the wilderness of Solitas with her parents, Siegfried Kaslana and Cecilia Schariac. U-unfortunately, n-not much is known about the two, but they do appear to have been working as a pair of unlicensed huntsmen, often traveling from one place to another and offering their protection to those who needed it. It is said that her mother passed away not long after she was born due to some unlisted reason, while her father is reported to have gone missing during one of his missions." The image on the screen then shifted, showing different pictures of what looked to be the Radiant Blaze engaging in various activities around each of the four kingdoms. "According to my investigations, the girl has been spotted traveling around the four kingdoms over the past few years, though apparently, there is a distinct lack of information regarding what she has been doing in each of those places. Fortunately for us, there is a abun-"
Salem merely nodded along in acknowledgment, her eyes scanning over the various images projected onto the wall. A moment of observation allowed her to see that most of them seemed to have been taken in the Kingdom of Vale, and she could almost feel her heart constrict as she looked at each picture.
Ozma...
She felt a sharp pang of longing coursing through her veins, yet it was quickly replaced by a wave of hatred and resentment. Her lips curled into a scowl, her knuckles starting to bleed as she clenched her fist in an attempt to quell the emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. Had he somehow been involved in all of this? Was it possible that he had been hiding someone as powerful as this 'Kiana' right under her noses all this time? How is it that she only just found out about the girl's existence now? The thought was maddening, yet Salem could not bring herself to discard the possibility. After all, she had experienced firsthand what her dear husband was capable of achieving when he actually set his mind on something; the sheer amount of control and influence he wielded over others was something that she had always both respected and despised at the same time.
"-ever, they do share similarities in their appearance. Granted, most of the intel seems debatable if not outright suspicious, but I still believe that this is our best chance at finding out whether or not this person is indeed the one we're looking for."
"... you are right to be cautious." She turned her gaze and regarded him silently for a few moments before speaking once more. "Regardless, the fact that you brought this to my attention means that you must find the information to be of some significance, did you not?"
"A-ah... you see, your grace. I..." She could see the struggle in his eyes, his expression a mix of apprehension and uncertainty as he struggled to find the proper words with which to answer her.
"... well?"
"Y-yes, my Queen. I-I believe as much..."
She rose from her chair and stepped closer to the scientist, her gaze never leaving his face as she studied him for a long moment. He shrank back in terror, his breathing becoming more labored and rapid as the seconds passed by. She could feel the tension in the air, and it was palpable — Salem knew that he was afraid of her, and that knowledge only served to bring a cruel smile to her lips.
"So be it then," she finally said after what felt like an eternity, her voice low and menacing. "You are free to pursue your own interests... for now. In the meantime, I'll have Hazel follow up on your lead. Keep in mind, however, that should you fail to provide me with the answers I seek, then your fate will be much worse than anything you could've imagined. Do you understand?"
"Y-yes, your Majesty! I understand!" The scientist gulped audibly, his eyes widening in fear as he nodded vigorously. "I-I, I won't... I won't disappoint you, I swear it!"
"See that you don't..." She said firmly, taking a step back and gesturing for him to leave. "You are dismissed."
"B-by your leave!" The man managed to stammer out, quickly getting up before scurrying away; his movements were hurried, his feet almost tripping over themselves as he stumbled out of the room.
Salem smirked at the sight before turning away from him, her expression becoming unreadable once more. She could practically feel the fear radiating off of him and the rest of her subordinates as she walked to the nearest windows — and that was exactly what she wanted. After all, fear was a powerful motivator, and she was more than willing to use it to her advantage.
She peered out into the horizon, her gaze traveling over the pools of black, tar-like substance that seemed to stretch on forever. Salem watched in cold satisfaction as the liquid roiled and churned like a living, breathing creature before finally giving birth to a new monstrosity, one that seems to have been made out of the very shadow itself. A thick cloak of darkness swayed around its body like a cloud of smoke, its form barely visible against the ground on which it crawled upon. Two glowing embers shone from behind its bird-like skull; a sickly green orb clutched tightly within one of its talons. It was a grotesque yet strangely beautiful creature, and she couldn't help but admire it; after all, it had been one of her creations, her newest breed of Grimm — a weapon capable of toppling the kingdoms and bringing about her salvation. All it takes is a few more years... a few more years, and she would finally be able to break away from her eternal prison and find the peace that she so desperately sought.
But for now? Now she will have to be patient — to wait, and plan in secret — just like she has been doing all this time. Her gaze shifted away from the creature and back towards the dark sky, her expression becoming calm and thoughtful as she contemplated her next move. There is no reason for her to jeopardize the plan by rushing them, not when she's so close to achieving her goal. Yes, patience is the key, especially with the latest addition to the board...
Regardless, rather than spending her time contemplating over matters she has so little knowledge of, it would be much better if she were to focus her attention on the many Ancient Grimm that roam the wilderness of Remnant. Her lips started to curl into a sneer as she thought about these nuisances — these beings of darkness who had been around since the dawn of man, a reminder of a forgotten era; their strength and ferocity surpassed even the strongest of her creations. While they both share the same hatred and disdain for mankind, their presence is starting to hinder her plans and impede her progress. She had been content to leave them well enough alone before, but now they have grown so powerful that even with all her strength, she cannot be certain that she could defeat them without suffering considerable losses on her part. They had become a threat, one capable of harnessing the lost art of magic; not only that, they alao managed to resist her own influence over their actions, even going as far as to subvert the control over the legions of Grimm she had under her command.
The only advantage she has against these beasts is her immortality, and yet, like some sort of twisted joke, that very same immortality is also one of her greatest weaknesses; for every time she dies, no matter how briefly, she will lose a fair bit of her power and must spend quite some time in order to recover it. In other words, if she were to face an Ancient Grimm in battle, then she would risk putting her entire plan in jeopardy, and that is something she cannot allow to happen... not to mention how much of a problem it would be if she were to be defeated in the vicinity of one. Being the same creature born out of the darkness, they both share the same origin of power; that which came from the brother gods themselves... specifically, the God of Darkness. And as far as she knows, every Ancient Grimm has grown smart enough to understand that they have the abilities to absorb that power, which means that should she ever be defeated, then whichever beast is responsible for her downfall would gain a considerable boost to their strength. It was also one of the reasons why the Ancient Grimm are always in a state of conflict with one another, barring a few...
In that respect, the existence of the Radiant Blaze has been… somewhat of a boon for Salem, as the girl — though unaware — has been helping her by getting rid of the Ancients like the nuisances they are. She had even managed to sneak into the Kingdom of Vale and absorb a not-so-small amount of power the last time the legend had defeated one; enough to give her a slight edge against the beasts should she ever decide to engage with one in a battle. Now if only she could get the girl to take care of the rest... perhaps she should consider leaking the positions of the other Ancients to the so-called legend? It would certainly save her a lot of time and effort, not to mention that she would be able to get rid of those troublesome creatures without ever putting herself in danger. Yes... the idea certainly has merit. All that's left is for her to figure out how to get the information out to the girl without arousing so much as a single suspicion.
Now, if only things were that easy...
Finding no immediate solution, Salem heaved a sigh and turned her attention back to the horizon, the light coming from the array of crystals scattered across the room growing a bit brighter and allowing her to catch a glimpse of her own reflection upon the glassy surface of the windows. How odd... it wouldn't be wrong to say that Salem felt almost detached when she looked upon her own form, as if it were a mere illusion that could vanish at any moment. The black veins that mar her skin, the sickly pale white hair that framed her face, and the diamond-shaped marking on her forehead that seemed to glimmer with an eerie glow under the faint light of the room. Everything is just so... different. Her eyes lingered on her own reflection for a moment before she let out a low chuckle; memories of a simpler time flooded her mind as she contemplated how far she had come since then. Still, who would have thought? To think that it was the naive girl from so many years ago, the one who dreamed of a world where all creatures could live in peace and harmony — the one who wished for a prince charming to come and save her — would be the very same person who now seeks to bring about the end of all things...
How laughably ironic...
The thought brought out a harsh laugh from her lips, and her reflection seemed to mock her as she stared into it — almost as if it were telling her that she should've seen this coming all along. Shaking her head in slight amusement, Salem shifted her gaze from the window and towards two of her subordinates who still sat patiently in the room, their expressions a stark contrast between one another; Tyrian seemed to be giddy with anticipation, his eyes glimmering as if he were a child who was about to receive the most grandiose gift imaginable, while Cinder appeared almost nervous and uncomfortable, her body language suggesting that she was unsure of what to expect.
"... Tyrian."
"Yes, my most sagacious mistress!" The scorpion Faunus spoke with a voice that seemed to tremble with excitement, jumping up from his seat and kneeling before her with a deep bow. "How may this humble servant be of assistance to you?"
"You are to depart for Anima and meet up with Scarlet." Her voice echoed through the room, her expression a mask of neutrality as she looked upon the Faunus. "There is something I desire from the city of Kuchinashi — an artifact that I believe only you can recover for me. I trust..." Tyrian's excitement only seemed to grow at her words, his tail twitching back and forth as he lifted his face to gaze upon her visage. "… that you will not fail me in this task. You are free to take Cinder with you so long as you deem her assistance necessary. Find this item and bring it back to me, regardless of the cost..."
The day of her salvation is drawing ever closer, and no one, not even the gods themselves, are going to take that away from her…
Author's Note: Here's the 3rd out of the four chapters. I'll probably go and fix the grammar on a few of the earlier chapters before finishing up chapter 12. Still stuck at 9.6k words. Still, does Senti and Watts seems a bit… out of character to you? I'm wasn't really sure how to portray them in this kind of situation, so I'd love to hear any feedback you have on that. Also, I think I'll try to focus on world building after Volume I is over, probably in the form of several interludes before starting Volume II. Anyway, enjoy~
Disclaimer: Honkai Impact 3rd belongs to miHoYo; RWBY belongs to Rooster Teeth.
AureLor: Yeah, you're right, it was a mistake to continue watching the show. Oh, there are moments where they did something brilliant, but then they decided to follow it up with something that is utterly ridiculous. To say that it was frustrating would be an understatement. Oh well… it's not like I have much of a choice. Gotta watch the show, if only to understand where the story is going and how it ends. Eh, whatever. Anyway, thank you for your kind words! I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far~!
Arturia LeFay: Huh? I thought I mentioned somewhere that this Kiana is the APHO one. Wait… I did mention that, right? And based from the battlesuit details, she did end up possessing every single authority there is… or was I mistaken? Thanks for reading btw~!
Being sleep deprived certainly did something to my brain. Here's one of the deleted scenes for you…
-twisted into a faint scowl, her brows furrowing in mild annoyance as she heard herself being addressed in such ways. It was an amicable gesture, and one that she was sure was meant to show respect; but it felt oddly out of place, especially when she was only fourteen years old — not counting the time she spent on the moon, of course. No, she refuses to count the eternity she spent on the moon towards her age, for that period of time was not something she could simply sum up in numbers.
'Six hundred eighty-six thousand, seven hundred twenty-two,' came the unexpected response.
'... I'm sorry?' She asked, her tone incredulous.
'You are six hundred eighty-six thousand, seven hundred twenty-two years old at this point. I counted. You are even older than the old timer now.' The red-eyed Herrscher clarified without hesitation.
'...'
'What?'
'... you are joking, right?' She asked, hoping that the Herrscher was just playing a prank on her.
'... hmm.'
'Well!?' She pressed further, her mind growing more impatient. 'Is that a yes or no!?'
'No comment,' came the cryptic response, and Kiana could feel her frustration mounting.
'I'm being serious here, Senti-chan!' She exclaimed. 'That's a joke, right!?'
'...'
'... Senti-chan!?' She called out, hoping to get a response, but there was still no answer. 'Senti-chaaannn!?'