Chapter 53 – The Betrayers


Kassius


Kassius wasted no time, and he immediately fired Vulcan Nox at Kannix, but the Silver Eyed Traitor raised his cybernetic arm, blocking the incoming bullets fired from his bracer. The bullets bounced off the titanium, sparks flying as they made contact. Kannix suddenly fired his cannon back at Kassius, only for him to roll underneath the explosive projectiles. Penny flew overhead and launched Floating Array towards him. The blades slashed across the ground, tossing sparks towards him.

Kannix shielded his eyes, then ignited his flamethrower, blasting the flames towards Penny, and then catching Lash Equinox in his hand as Kassius attacked. Penny flew high above him to avoid the range of his flamethrower, and then the traitor kicked Kassius in the chest, pushing him backwards. He spun around and fired three shells towards Sun, only narrowly missing him as Sun slid across the ground. Oscar darted towards Kannix, slowing time and sprinting directly at him, and slicing his sword across Kannix's chest.

The sudden impact blew Kannix backwards, then Sun smashed Ruyi Jingu Bang up against his throat, pinning him to the wall with gritted teeth and anger in his blue eyes. Kannix just laughed at him, grinning maniacally, before firing another explosive shell at the floor behind Sun. The shockwave knocked him forward, allowing Kannix to smash his forehead into Sun's face. The sudden impact stunned Sun, then Kannix transformed his Cybernetic Hand into the Hook, locking it onto Sun's shoulder and throwing him into the wall he was just pinned against with significant force.

Sun grunted, the wall cracked from his body weight being thrown into it so hard. His vision became blurry, concussed from that hard blow to his head. Kannix extended his blade, coated in Shadow Dust and he drove it towards Sun's spine, only for Penny to fly towards Kannix and kick him in the face, blowing Kannix backwards. As he tumbled across the floor, he drove his hook into the bonnet of one of the destroyed Acolytes of Lien trucks, tearing it off with ease and throwing it towards Penny.

She dropped to her knees and leant all the way back, the sheet of scorched steel missing her face by mere inches. Kannix rolled his metal shoulder forcefully as he stomped towards her. "C'mon, you puppet, show me what you've got." Kannix challenged, Penny scowled back at him and gritted her teeth.

"As you wish!" Penny replied, holding all her swords in front of her, rotating them on the spot, spinning them faster and faster, forming a glowing ball of green energy which was forming into her iconic laser beam attack. Kannix was about to roll aside, only for Sun to suddenly slam his hands together, his aura glowing and forming his Via Suns. They all grappled onto the Cyborg, holding him in place despite how much he was struggling.

He roared with fury as he tried to tear himself free from their spectral grasp, then Penny's charge up completed and she fired. The colossal glowing green beam of energy careened into Kannix, burning his flesh as he screamed, and causing the metal of his armoured cybernetics to glow bright orange. But amidst his pain and the smell of burning flesh, they could hear him laughing, and once Penny let out what was left of that energy and Sun dropped, releasing his Via Suns…

… Kannix was still standing.

Smoke rising from his regenerating flesh, his hair growing back and his eyes returning as he grinned, steam trailing from the glowing steel. "Throw… everything you have at me. I'll keep coming… and coming… you will never stop me." Kannix snarled, grinning as his face was fully reconstructed, thanks to his Semblance… his curse.

He launched towards Penny, grabbing her by the face and smashing her through the weakened wall that Sun was smashed into, tumbling inside of the building. Oscar darted after the two of them. Kannix sprinted, dragging Penny's face across the floor, then throwing her through the window. It shattered, and she tumbled outside, but she instantly launched a sword straight through his leg, dropping him to one knee. Then she injected Fire Dust into her artificial veins, giving her the power of fire. Her eyes turned red, and she gritted her teeth as flames coursed across her body.

She punched both her fists into the ground and fire erupted from beneath them, raining embers all around them. The fire spread through the area, but Kannix pulled the sword from his leg and threw it back at her. Oscar suddenly darted past him, firing his dual revolvers at him. The bullets deflected off his extended blade as he deflected them, before firing a cannon shot at him. Oscar then threw a time bubble towards the projectile, then rewound its flight path, sending it flying back towards Kannix.

The explosion knocked him backwards, and he dragged his hook blade into the floor, before pumping his cannon arm, ejecting empty dust cartridges. Ahead of him, Penny called Floating Array back to her, spinning all the swords above her like a halo, then launching them all towards him. Kannix rolled aside, batting one of the sword aside as it flew towards him. He extended his blade once again, deflecting the swords one by one as they slashed at him, and blocking green projectiles as one sword transformed into a small cannon.

He dodged the incoming projectiles, firing his own back at it, knocking the hovering turret out of the air. He charged his cannon up and fired at her, exploding against Penny's chest and blowing her backwards. Oscar suddenly drove Traveller's Atrocity straight through Kannix's chest, then immediately withdrew the bloodied blade out and spun around, slashing him across his eyes.

Kannix bellowed with agony, grabbing at his eyes as blood poured down his face, his semblance healed him fast, but in that moment of blindness, Oscar jumped and split his sword into their dual dagger forms, and stabbed him in the chest, smashing him against the floor. He stabbed him relentlessly, covering his arms in Kannix's blood, until Kannix suddenly unleashed a beam of silvery light from his eyes, burning against Oscar's aura. The beam pushed Oscar up into the air, and as Oscar came plummeting back down, Kannix spun around and kicked him in the spine, knocking the Last Traveller away from him.

Kassius and Sun sprinted through the building, both firing their weapons at the Mercenary. Kannix walked backwards and tore a door from another vehicle, using it like a knight would wield a shield, blocking the incoming bullets. Sun jumped into the air and smashed one of his Gunchucks down at him, but Kannix blocked the incoming blow, then threw the door at Kassius. As Sun spun his Gunchucks, Kannix dodged the incoming swings, then caught the chains, pulling Sun towards him and punched him in the face with the barrel of his cannon.

Sun dropped to the floor but Kassius came sprinting towards him, sliding past his leg and slashing Lash Equinox across the back of his leg. Kannix barked as he fell to his knee, blood spraying from his leg. Then Kassius jumped into the air and drove his sword through his back, pinning him in place. Sun rolled backwards and smashed Ruyi Bang up Kannix's jaw, knocking spit and teeth from his mouth. Kannix stood back up and pulled Lash Equinox out through his chest, slashing Sun across his chest, then firing a shot from his cannon at Sun, knocking him away, then turning to block Kassius with his own sword.

They locked blades, glaring directly into each other's eyes. "You have no idea how much I've wanted to watch you die." He snarled.

"I don't plan on dying yet." Kassius replied, firing Ember Celica and riding the recoil as he got away from him. Sun suddenly returned, smacking Lash Equinox from Kannix's metal grasp, sending it bouncing towards Kassius, who skidded across the floor and scooped it into his hand, combining the two swords and transforming the pair into their Twinblade form. Kannix blasted flames from his cannon to get Sun back, then slashed his burning blade at Kassius, who swiftly slashed the twinblade at him. The two blades scraped across the metal that comprised his arms, rolling away as Kannix fired.

The Silver Eyed Traitor turned as Sun jumped towards him with his Bo-Staff held above his head, but he caught Sun by his leg and threw him against the ground, firing at his head but missing as Oscar launched himself into him, tackling him across the ground. Oscar drove his sword into Kannix's shoulder, dragging him through slowed time, then throwing him ahead, and tossing a time bubble at him, pausing him in their time stream.

Kassius, Sun and Oscar all started firing their weapons at Kannix, stacking all the bullets in the paused moment, and then, the bubble burst, creating an enormous explosion which sent Kannix flying backwards, through the wall behind him and tumbling out of view. They all turned to Penny, who groaned as she slowly got back up, her hand pressed against her head.

"Hey, you still with us?" Kassius asked her, seeing the flames extinguish off her skin now that the fire dust had worn off.

"Ow…" she grumbled, shaking her head.

"Any sign of him?" Sun asked. Oscar shot ahead to where Kannix fell, looking around for him in the lower sections of Arcturus Base, seeing him only for a brief second, limping away to heal.

"He's still kicking, looks like he's heading towards the Embered Grove." Oscar said.

"Then so should we." Kassius said, helping Penny stand up. "Can you still fight?" He asked her.

"Yeah." she assured, cracking her neck and rolling her shoulder. Kassius smiled and nodded his head at her.

"Atta girl. C'mon… the others need our help." Kassius said as they all followed where Kannix fell.


Ruby


The Hound, on the other hand, was not backing down yet, sprinting on all fours towards Ruby and grabbing onto her. It snapped its drooling jaws repeatedly at her face, growling like a savage beast as it tried to tear her to pieces. Its razor-sharp claws dug into her aura as it held onto her.

"DEVOUR! END! HUNGER!" The Hound barked, Ruby winced as she held the creature back, then she focused and glared at it, her eye beginning to glow bright white, only for the Hound to suddenly smash its hand against that side of her face, blocking her eye and slamming it shut. Ruby screamed, and the Hound went for her throat, only for Yang to suddenly grab the beast by its mouth and pull it away from her little sister.

The Hound spun around and roared with fury, only for Yang to smash her cybernetic fist into the side of its face. The impact sent ripples through its tar formed body, and the bony armour cracked in multiple places. The Hound recoiled away from the punch, but Yang didn't stop there, throwing punch after punch at the creature, landing a hit from right to left on its head, then in the gut and then up its chin. That last consecutive hit threw the Hound up in the air, then Yang smashed both fists into its chest, firing Ember Celica at the same time. Empty shotgun shell cartridges ejected from her cannons, and the beast bounced across the floor.

"Ruby!" Yang gasped, helping Ruby back onto her face, rubbing her face where the Hound had given her a black eye. "Are you okay?" She asked.

"I'll live." Ruby assured, wiping the saliva off her face. They both turned to see the Hound getting back up, snapping its limbs back in place, growling with anger as it stared them down. Blake and Weiss both sprinted towards it but it raised its arm, the black tar rippled more and more aggressively before it suddenly extended its arm and swiped them aside, then it reached its elongated arm towards one of the destroyed cars, and it raised it up as Yang blasted towards it.

The Hound used the vehicle like a shield, absorbing Yang's hard punch, shattering the armour plating and windows. Yang fired a rocket into the care and rolled backwards as it exploded. The flames burned across the Hound's body, but that did not slow it down in the slightest. It jumped through the fireball and slashed its claws at Yang, scraping the claws across the ground as it attacked her. Yang ducked from the second swing, then bounced to the left to avoid the next.

Suddenly, the Hound sprouted a huge Deathstalker tail from its abdomen and spun around, smashing Yang across the square. Yang crashed against another abandoned truck as the Hound stared at her, growling. It suddenly launched towards her, using one flap of its wings to propel the creature forward, its scorpion tail aimed at Yang.

Her eyes widened, only for Blake to launch herself from Weiss' glyph, and cutting straight through the tail, severing it completely. The Hound roared in agony, digging its bipedal legs into the ground. It glared at her, but Yang smirked, jumping onto its back and punching it in the back of the head. She planted a remote detonated charge in that specific spot, then jumped away. The explosion splattered the tar everywhere, even causing the head of the beast to dangle over the side of its shoulder, coughing up black blood.

Raven's head poked through as she cried out for help, only for the creature to rebuild itself. Blake sprinted and slid underneath its legs, cutting through the tendons in its heel before leaving an explosive shadow in her place. The Hound turned, and the explosion blew its chest open. Weiss did not hesitate. She launched herself towards Raven with Myrtenaster pointed at her heart, until the Hound suddenly turned around, and sprouted longer spines from its back.

Weiss gasped, being saved by mere inches thanks to Blake's quick thinking, throwing Gambol Shroud around Weiss' waist and yanking her away. The Hound sprinted ahead of them, then jumped, using its wings to glide further away before slamming its fist into the road to stop itself. Then it blasted fire from its jaws into the ground, and those flames focused into a beam of plasma, and it fired it directly at Ruby first, then swung its head towards the rest of her team. Ruby dashed away and launched towards Weiss, Blake and Yang, grabbing them and moving them out of the beam's path.

Only narrowly missing it melted through the buildings behind them instantly, causing them to collapse and ignite with flames. The Hound roared as it swung its head back, firing the beam into the sky, expanding the plasma back into fire, raining the flames down all around them. The Hound growled as lava drooled between its sharp teeth, pacing back and forth on its four elongated limbs, staring at them.

Ruby tumbled across the floor as she released her team, panting, but she held onto Crescent Rose with one hand, resting the large scythe across her shoulder. The Hound's wings spread wide, and it jumped high in the air, swooping towards them with more fire blasting down from above. The fire spread and burnt everything it touched, but Weiss drove Myrtenaster into the ground and formed a protective barrier of ice around her and her friends. The flames melted it quickly, but it saved them. As soon as the shield collapsed into water and vapour, Ruby launched herself up towards the Hound.

She drove Crescent Rose straight through the creature's chest, hearing Raven cry out in its roar of pain. She twisted the curved blade in an attempt to cut it in half, but the tar turned into armour in the path she was trying to slice through, stopping her dead in her tracks. So instead, she spun around and threw the Hound towards the ground with substantial force. The beast shattered the road, and once it came to, Weiss was the first to greet it.

She thrusted her sword towards it but it raised its forearm to block it, stabbing straight through it. Weiss quickly pulled Myrtenaster free, then she flipped backwards and landed on a glyph which angled her towards the creature. She shot down towards it, cutting across its chest and then relentlessly stabbing it five times in the chest, poking holes in it like a Fencer would. She spun around on the spot and pointed her sword and her other finger, forming a gravity glyph beneath it.

Everything started floating, including the beast, allowing Blake to jump above it and wrap Gambol Shroud around its body, swing it over her head and send it crashing down towards the ground. Dazed from the constant blunt trauma, the Hound struggled to get back on its feet, only for Yang to suddenly attack, punching it in the face once again. As it fell on its hands, she fired and punched Ember Celica into its side, filling it with lead, then she jumped and flipped through the air, smashing her fist down against the top of its head.

Its skull crashed against the floor, black blood oozing across the floor, then Ruby shot towards it, aiming for its head. The Hound suddenly came to and formed armoured plates across its arms and crossed them over, catching her curved blade. It suddenly sprouted a third arm, which grabbed Ember Celica, turning and slashing it at Yang, then at Ruby. She flipped backwards, then pulled her knife from her boot as the beast held her precious scythe in that spare arm.

It lunged for her, slamming the scythe down at Ruby's feet, only for her to jump and cut clean through its wrist. The Hound howled in agony, then it released Crescent Rose, allowing Ruby to grab it and swing straight through the new arm, severing it in a single swing. Black blood spewed from the stump as it bellowed from the immense pain. And then, Ruby smirked at it, and her eye glowed bright white and she fired a beam of silver light at the creature.

Fear was suddenly all the Hound knew, and it jumped away, the beam burning across its back, turning the tar to stone. But it still retreated, sprinting away towards the Embered Grove, just like Kannix just did. The light faded from her eye and she panted, resting against Crescent Rose for a few moments. As it escaped, the stone crumbled and faded away from the creature…

… but like any Grimm… it feared that power more than anything else.

Weiss, Blake, and Yang scrambled to Ruby's side. "Are you okay?" Weiss asked, checking for any injuries.

"Aura's still in the amber… I'm good…" Ruby assured, everyone else checked their scrolls, and thankfully the same could be said for all of them.

"It's headed for the Embered Grove…" Blake stated.

"Licking its wounds by Umbra's side… we're gonna have to fight them all at once if we're gonna stand a chance of getting in there. Just like Umbra wants… no picking them off one by one. Even they're realising that." Ruby sighed, shaking her head.

"I'm sick of having to play his game by his rules." Yang sighed, clenching her fist.

"We get into the Embered Grove? Then we will finally be able to play by our own rules… hopefully." Ruby said. "C'mon, the others are gonna need our help if we're gonna get into that place."

"Right behind you." Weiss agreed.

Team R.W.B.Y all ran in the same direction they saw the Hound retreating to, the exact same place where J.N.P.R, the Architect, Neo and Cinder were battling against the Knights of Grimm.

And where Vir Nominis Umbra was waiting…


Jaune


He raised his shield as fast as he could, stopping Death's fist from smashing into his face. The impact created a deafening metallic bang. Death glared over his shield at Jaune, then suddenly brought Ferrum Arctus down towards his head, only for Jaune to roll out of the way, then thrusting with Crocea Mors towards Death.

The Knight suddenly formed his Nevermore Wing, and caught Jaune's sword, staring at him between the feathers that pinched onto the blade. Death suddenly swung his wing backwards, pulling Crocea Mors from Jaune's hand and sending it hurtling through the air, until Pyrrha caught it with her Polarity, throwing it directly into the side of Death's head. The blade stabbed through his head and caused Death to stumble towards Jaune, then the Arc Knight jumped and caught the hilt, tearing it free as Death roared.

Jaune smiled, nodding at Pyrrha, who rushed towards Death with him. She threw Akoúo at him, bouncing it off his chest as he glared at her, suddenly blasting a beam of black and red energy at her. She dropped and slid across the floor, then froze, his right leg in place so he could not move. She jumped and landed on top of Jaune's shield, and he blasted her high in the air with the gravity pulse upgrade. She soared overhead and called a bolt of lightning down onto Death, creating a tremendous explosion. Death growled, electricity coursing across his Isomacium Armour as he tore his leg free from the cracked ice.

He looked ahead through the smoke to see Ren and Nora charging towards him alongside Jaune and Pyrrha attacking at the same time. Nora jumped with Magnhild held above her head, screaming with fury, only for Death to catch the Hammer by its head, throwing Nora aside and deflecting Crocea Mors with Ferrum Arctus. Sparks danced between their blades as they met, only for Death to kick Jaune in the chest, then slashing across Ren's chest with his sword. He immediately turned to stamp on Milo in spear form when Pyrrha when to stab him in the back.

He spun Ferrum Arctus through his fingers and his burning red eyes glowed even brighter, and black flames covered Ferrum Arctus, about to use the very same attack which killed Neptune. He thrusted towards her chest, but thankfully Pyrrha was quick on her feet and rolled out of the path of the sword which would have instantly killed her if he landed that hit. Death's black wings suddenly spread out wide and he flew up into the air, and launched arcs of blood red flames towards Team J.N.P.R below, spinning through the air with every single arc he fired at them. Nora rolled out of the way, and everyone ran to keep ahead of Death's aim. Then he dove towards them, spinning around as he slid across the ground, slashing his sword in a circle.

The blade cut across Jaune's chest plate, pushing him backwards. Then Death drove his sword into the ground, creating a fiery explosion which threw him up into the air, and then he formed his Obsidian Bow with a haunting screech. He fired the arrow down towards Pyrrha, who used her shield to take the arrow, but the impact still knocked her backwards. Death spun through the air above them, drove his sword into the floor, shattering the tarmac with black and red flames.

He stood up and stared ahead as Ren and Nora both charged at him. Ren fired Stormflower repeatedly at the Archangel, the glowing green bullets merely deflecting off his thick Isomacium Armour. Ren jumped overhead, firing down at Death, who just blocked all the bullets from hitting him, then turning to Nora as she smashed Magnhild against his chest. The impact pushed Death back a few feet, then she fired three grenades towards him, all exploding in bright pink fireballs.

Ren landed behind Death, firing his Grappling Hook at Death's leg, tripping him up, but Death drove Ferrum Arctus downwards, looking forward to see Nora sprinting towards him. "TAKE. THIS!" she yelled, slamming Magnhild up his chin, sending Death flying up into the air, then Ren yanked him down with all his might. Death crashed into the ground, growling as he rolled across the floor, avoiding Nora as she slammed Magnhild into the floor where his head just was.

Death suddenly pulled Ferrum Arctus back towards his hand with his telekinesis, slashing across Nora's chest, then launching the blade forward, telekinetically slashing it across the air at Ren and Nora, cutting their aura apart, then jumping high in the air, calling his sword back into his grasp and coming crashing down like a meteor. The fiery explosion knocked the pair away. Then he turned, catching Pyrrha by the throat as she flew towards him, pummelling her into the floor with all his might.

Jaune jumped towards Death, activating his semblance and channelling the power of his Ancestors into his body and blade. It engulfed Crocea Mors with blue flames, with the spiritual silhouettes of Vyrryk and his ancestors hovering around him. Jaune slammed his sword across Death's chest, leaving a deep open gash in the black armour, black smoke and embers trailing from the wound as Death backed away.

Ahead of them, Fear continued to battle against Cinder, Neo and the Architect. He slashed Formido Falcem relentlessly at the Fall Maiden, spinning the scythe across his shoulders, then firing his crossbow at her. Cinder slid across the floor, leaning backwards as the bolt only narrowly missed her face. She got back up and formed a pair of Obsidian Swords, throwing one of them into Fear's shoulder. He grunted and scowled at her, his eyes glowing bright gold, and then she detonated the sword, lighting his rotten flesh on fire. She jumped through the flames and rammed the blade of her sword through his ribs, cutting through the rotten cuts inside.

Fear growled as she pushed him back, then his head twitched unnaturally, and that same unnatural grin formed across his face. From the wound, his hallucinogenic gas emerged, forcing Cinder to retreat. Fear grabbed at his ribs as he groaned from the agony, then he howled, echoing the screams of those he has traumatised with his power of fear itself, blasting the gas all around him. Neo and Cinder stayed back, but the Architect was a machine and that gas meant nothing to him.

He sprinted into the fog and slashed his electrified sword across Fear's chest, then kicked him away. He transformed the sword into rifle form, firing constantly at Fear, who just took each projectile like it was nothing, before darting from side to side, and grabbing the Architect by his armoured collar. He smashed the Architect's face against the floor, the shards of tarmac scraping the pain away and damaging one of his glowing blue optics. He sprinted ahead with the heavy mechanical man and tossed him through a fuel tank, causing it to erupt in an enormous fiery explosion.

The Architect tumbled out the other side of the fireball, flames trailing from his body, groaning as his lights flickered. Fear smirked as he stared at the flames, turning to see Neo rushing towards him. He slashed the huge Scythe diagonally at her, only for her to jump backwards, opening Hush's umbrella, then firing a shell from its barrel at him. The explosion erupted across his shoulder, but Fear suddenly sprouted his decayed bat wing from his back, and swung it towards Neo.

Only for her to shatter like glass the second the wing touched her, and suddenly Hush stabbed him multiple times in the back. He growled, then dug his claw-like fingers into the tarmac, tossing it into her face, stunning Neo for a second, then he stamped on her chest, pinning her to the floor. He did not hesitate when he went for a deadly blow on her neck, but Cinder suddenly launched an obsidian spear straight through his back, then she detonated, blowing him open, even causing his torso to hang to one side, guts spewing brown blood everywhere and filling the air with a horrific stench.

But Fear just laughed as he pushed his torso back on top of his waist, the flesh reconnecting and bones latching together. Cinder narrowed her eyes, knowing that they needed to deal a lot more damage to him, just like all the Knights needed it. She formed her Bow and fired three arrows towards him, only for him to fly into the air, transforming into the enormous Undead Bat, circling the sky, and flying by the roaring Flames of Destruction that entrapped them. Fear descended, passing by the buildings before he screeched at her, sending multiple sonic waves in her direction.

They were so loud and powerful that they caused all the windows to burst and even kicking dust towards Cinder, who shielded her ears in pain, as did Neo. Fear flew overhead, vanishing into the smoke. But once the ringing in their ears subsided, Cinder listened carefully, hearing the sound of the Bat's sonic chirps, getting faster and faster, and louder and louder. Suddenly the Bat erupted through the building behind her, sending chunks of Arkhoni rubble crashing around her.

Cinder loosed an explosive arrow at Fear, blowing his wing apart and sending him crashing down over her head. His huge Bat body tore through the landscape, shrinking back down into his Knight body as he tumbled, smashing into an abandoned Acolytes of Lien lorry. Fear growled as he stood back up, spinning Formido Falcem through his fingers, charging towards them, then he was shot in the side of the head by a damaged Architect.

He was atop the building that the explosion threw him into, using his skill at marksmanship to his advantage. Fear did not notice that his jaw was hanging from its hinge thanks to that skilful shot from the Architect, having to reattach it, before focusing on Cinder and Neo. They both rushed forward, and Cinder took off into the air, launching a bolt of lightning towards Fear.

He darted to the side, effortlessly dodging it, then he jumped towards Cinder, slashing his scythe multiple times across her aura, before kicking her out of the air. He landed, and she bounced across the floor, immediately spinning around and slinging a fireball at him as soon as she was back on her feet. The fireball exploded against his feet, launching burning shards of tarmac across his face, then Neo cut across the back of his legs, and then skewered her blade through his mouth. He growled as he grabbed the pointed blade, trying to snap it, until she yanked Hush free, and fired her explosive projectile into his spine.

He tumbled forward, directly towards Cinder, who formed a huge Obsidian Hammer and smashed it across his face. The impact sent him tumbling, then he transformed into his Undead Bat form, retreating to the Knight of Death.

Cinder, Neo and the Architect joined J.N.P.R, staring at the two Knights who were now fighting together.

And then Kannix and the Hound arrived, all four of them now fighting as a single unit. "Craaaap." Jaune groaned.

"Sorry we took so long!" Kassius called out as he, Oscar, Penny and Sun caught up to them.

"Same!" Ruby also called out with Weiss, Blake, and Yang. Everyone was linked back together, staring down their four powerful enemies.

But as they felt hope to take the four of them down…

… dread filled their hearts when they looked beyond them.


Vir Nominis Umbra


His eyes glowed a faint red, watching as they all got closer, his hands slowly clenching into fists. He looked back slowly at the Embered Grove, knowing what was in there. He sighed, then stared at them all once again.

"If you are truly the ones to finally destroy me… prove it." Vir Nominis Umbra said, walking across the ruins, crushing a skull beneath his boot.

As he walked, he suddenly formed a pair of black blades from thin air, his shadow forming into the False God.


Author Note - Here we go, the big scary one is coming into the fight now

WHICH IS SAYING SOMETHING CONSIDERING DEATH IS POWERFUL AS HELL XD

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Please review, follow and favourite!

Stay tuned for the next chapter - Clash For The Truth - Pt. 1

- Matt