With each step, his curiosity only grew.
Besides The Shattered Moon, the land itself seemed to be not "corrupted" in any way at all, unlike Middle-Earth, in which traces of Morgoth's power were still present within its water and soil. Although Sauron found this method impressive, since it made Middle-Earth dependent on Dark Lord well-being and ensured that Valar's can't do anything more than imprison him, in the end, it proved to be his undoing, since to achieve such feat, Morgoth needed to spread his power over the entire Arda, which greatly weakened him in the long run, allowing heroes of the Elves and Humans to directly harm him many times. Clever move, but ultimately, a mistake. And Sauron didn't make the same mistake as his former master, focusing his power instead of spreading it. And thanks to that, he nearly won. Nearly...
With his fists clenched, he walked past the bushes, annoyed that this forest had seemingly no end. He walked for a long time already, and felt like he was walking in circles. What's worse, the forest reminded him too much of the Mirkwood, before he settled for a time in Dol Guldur, except this time, evil already crept around him.
Those white-skulled wolves he met in cave kept stalking him, but with their black skin already burnt, marked by his wrath, they weren't willing to try their luck again. From a brief meeting with them he felt that those wolves were not ordinary animals - these beasts were driven by near mindless hatred, aimed not particularly at him, but against humanity as a whole. Even though he was only looking like a human, it was enough for them to attack. In Sauron's mind, those white-skulled wolves were twisted versions of normal animals, made only to hunt and kill without question or hesitation.
Morgoth would love them. – He thought, as he gave the small pack mocking smile, wolves shown their teeth in response.
Just when Sauron wondered how he could use them to further his goals, he heard terrified screams of the woman echoeing through the forest, drawing him out of this thoughts. He heard someone screaming above him, and when he looked up, there was a human teenager flying through the air, wiggling his arms and legs.
- For the Fire Imperishable... - Sauron only muttered in confusion as the boy flew away. Black wolfs looked at each other, equally confused.
On the one hand, his hopes of humanity existence were confirmed, but on the other, what a young man is doing in this forest, let alone flying? After a second of thinking, he decided to follow the path of human's flight. He highly doubted that any man could survive that, but maybe, just maybe, there was a chance that he will live long enough for the questioning.
He walked through the forest, looking at every tree in search of a human. It was impressive flight for sure, but thinking how tall those trees were, there was quite a chance that the blond boy got impaled on a thick branch or crashed against a sturdy bark. Suddenly, he heard a rumbling behind him, getting closer and closer very fast.
Without a second thought, he shrouded himself in darkness and hide under the large oak's shadow, while the stalking pack of wolves decided to finally bail out and run away. And soon enough, the source of rumbling arrived.
Past him run a tall, red haired teenage girl, wearing brown corset, some sort of Red skirt and armor made of brass, but only partially, since brass only covered her arms and legs. She wore her red hair in waist-length ponytail, and held in her right hand some kind of short spear, while in her left she had a small shield.
Sauron questioned warrior's appearance - Why she is wearing armor on the least important part of the body? Why nothing covers her head? What is a point of wearing impractical armor? So foolish. And, most importantly, ineffective.
Behind her, smashing trees and tearing the ground, run Giant Black Scorpion with White-skull head, just like those wolves from earlier, which quickly caught Sauron's attention.
Are those beasts related? I will have to look into this. - He thought himself just when the Scorpion launched its stinger forward, but human dodged it and stinger instead tore down the oak under which Sauron was hidden, revealing him for a moment before he could engulf himself back in shadows. However, Girl was too focused on running for her life to notice pair of burning eyes in the shadows, while Scorpion was too focused on its own attempts on taking girl's life to sense Sauron's presence. When they were far enough, Sauron left his broken hideout and looked after them.
He needed answers, and he had a feeling that following this girl will give him what he needs to know.
Soon, Large Black Direwolf with lava-like eyes ran after them, maintaining a safe distance. And he didn't need to run for long, for the path of destruction led him to some kind of small glade. He hide behind the large tree and peaked into it, and he nearly started to laugh.
In the Glade there were ruins of some ancient temple, and there stood pedestals, most empty, but on some still stood large chess pieces, both black and white. And inside the said temple were four humans: One wearing mix of black and white, with black ribbon on top of her head. Beside her, stood tall girl with long, blond hair, wearing, yet again, revealing outfit in hostile territory, not even partially armored.
He was not even disappointed anymore.
Near them stood another pair of humans, one woman with short, orange hair, wearing collared black sleeveless vest, under it some sort of white shirt, short pink skirt and pair of pink fingerless gloves, smiling playfully towards another human, a man with black hair, wearing dark green, long-sleeved tailcoat, and light-tan trousers.
These are... Human children. In the middle of the forest. Wearing no protection whatsoever. In a hostile territory?
Are they having a Death wish?
He noticed the girl from earlier running towards the group, scorpion still chasing closely behind.
- Did she just run all the way here with a Death Stalker? - Sauron heard one of the humans speaking, and turned his attention to the pair standing in the temple.
Death Stalker? - Sauron noted the name human gave this beast. - Fitting.
But when the blonde girl suddenly burst into flames, Sauron's eyes widened in shock.
Those humans possess magic!?
- I can't take this anymore! - She yelled, her eyes blazing Red. - Can we just chill out for two seconds before something crazy happens again?!
Whole group stared for two seconds at her, even this "Death Stalker" stopped his chase and looked at her in confusion, much to Sauron's amusement.
It seems this one possess the gift of speech.
- Yang? - Sauron heard the whisper from the short, black-haired girl wearing matching black, long-sleeved blouse, black short skirt with red lining and red cape, who just arrived to the scene. Before Sauron could delve on that matter, he followed girl's finger like the rest of the group and looked at the clear sky.
There, he saw a large, enormous even, Black Raven with claws large enough to cleave human in half. And, between the claws...
- How could you leave me!? - Girl in white dress yelled down to the group.
- I said "jump"! - Girl in black yelled back.
- She's going to fall. - girl wearing black and white stated.
- She'll be fine. – Girl with red cloak reassured them.
- She's falling. – Human in green commented.
Sauron followed the fall of the white-haired girl with great interest, wondering what magic will be used to save the girl. Or will she crash into the earth and die?
Turned out, neither happened, as the boy from earlier jumped into the air and caught her. Impressive, he first survived his "flight", and then somehow saved the girl and stopped her fall...
- Just... dropping in? - Sauron heard and shortly after, both fell to the ground with loud thud.
...Or not as impressive.
- My hero. - Sauron clearly heard a mocking tone, not showing the boy any sign of gratitude. Acts of heroism are not welcomed in this world? Or maybe they have a history together? He sadly lacked necessary informations to assume anything.
- My back… - Human said in response, and Sauron wondered how both of them could survive that. He blinked, and this time looked at them with more careful look. And his suspicions were proved correct: Each of them had some sort of glowing shield around their bodies, each with unique color. And this "barrier" on both girl in white and the boy flickered, probably as the result of the fall.
If this barrier protects them from harm, then they are excused for not wearing any armor. Now, what the extent of this "barriers"? How much time and effort takes to break one? Is this a permanent protection, or can it be turned off?
It's fascinating. And frightening.
Scorpion smack the red-hair with its claw, sending her flying towards the group in the temple and she fell before their feet.
- Great, gang's is all here, now we can die together! – Human called Yang said, sarcastic even in a face of certain doom.
- Not If I can help it! - Girl in black charged at the Scorpion with immeasurable speed, screaming some sort of battle cry, and before anyone could react, she struck creatures head with her scythe. Sauron observed how the scythe bounced from the thick bone, dealing no damage at all. Then, now more annoyed than angry, giant scorpion knocked the assailant back.
- Bad move. – Sauron remarked as he watched the young girl land on the grass few meters away from the Deathstalker, yet despite the power of the strike, her barrier remained.
- D-Do-Don't worry! Totally fine! – She said while slowly getting back up, only to quickly turn to the approaching monster, shot it in the skull and started to run back to the group, scorpion chasing after her, while Sauron watched with great interest.
What fascinated Him the most was her weapon - it seemed that the Red Scythe fired some sort of explosive bolts while retaining melee capabilities. Not to mention it packed itself into more portable box. Those humans are certainly far more advanced than Numenorians.
Although, less intelligent.
- Ruby! - Yang run towards the girl, the rest of the group quickly following behind. As both girls run towards each another, Black Bird started to chase after the younger one, and soon it sent wave of sharp feathers at her, missing her body, but pinning the red cape.
Two things worth to note - this flying monster can shoot its feathers, which is a remarkable hunting ability, and that the too long cape might be your downfall. Although he loved seeing humans being punished for their hubris, he wished that the girl called "Ruby" somehow survive. – Her Ea seems strong, burning with potential, it would be a waste losing her now.
- Ruby, Get out of there! – Yang run towards her, rest of the group falling behind.
- I'm trying! – Ruby replied while trying to free herself, but it was no use. She turned to face a her death in form of the Giant Arachnid, which rose it's stinger high.
- Ruby! – Yang reached to her in vain as the scorpion rose its tail. Sauron's eyes shined in anticipation, as the human closed her own, preparing for the killing blow…
'
...With closed eyes, Ruby awaited the stinger, trying to prepare for the attack that would most likely shatter her aura, and in the worst case, split her in two.
But luckily for her, it never came.
- You are so childish. - Ruby opened her eyes only to see Weiss standing before her, Death Stalker's tail and head frozen in the ice wall.
- Weiss? – Ruby opened one eye first, first looking at her savior, then at the golden stinger mere inches from her head.
- And dim-witted, and hyperactive, and don't even get me started on your fighting style. – Weiss continued her rant, while simultaneously removing her weapon from the ice. - And I suppose I can be a bit... difficult... but if we're going to do this, we're going to have to do this together. So if you quit trying to show off, I'll be... nicer.
- I... - Ruby wanted to say, but then she felt something strange. This wird feeling when someone is watching you. She tilted her head to the left, and saw glimpse of a large wolf with burning eyes, staring directly at her. Her Silver Eyes sparked for a moment, and when she blinked, It was gone. - Huh?
Before Weiss could say anything more or Ruby could voice her concern, Yang finally caught up to them.
- You all right sis? It didn't hurt you, did it? - Yang quickly checked for any wounds, much to Ruby's embarrassment
- I'm fine! - she quickly answered. - It didn't even touch me, thanks to Weiss.
Yang quickly glanced at the girl in white.
- Thanks.
- You are welcome.
- Friendship. – Girl with orange hair whispered to her loud enough for the trio to hear her.
- NO! - Yang and Weiss said at the same.
- Yes! - Ruby joined, and was taken aback by the different response from the other two.
- Is it seriously a good moment to talk about it? – Blake pointed out, and large crack in the ice wall quickly supported her words.
- Enough chitty-chat, let's go away before it breaks away. - Yang said.
- And what about that thing? - Jaune pointed at the flying Monster.
- Look, there's no sense in dilly-dallying. Our objective is right in front of us. - Weiss said, looking at the ruins of the temple and the rest of the group also turned to the relics.
- She is right, We just need to grab the relics and made to the cliff. - Ruby stated, and nodded to Weiss. - We might be able to outrun them.
- Run and live? That's the idea I can get behind. - Jaune said and the whole group run back to the temple, but Ruby suddenly stopped and turned again to the place where she saw the Wolf, but animal was not there anymore. She then quickly run back to the temple, thinking that she might saw things due to near death experience.
'
Sauron peeked out of his cover, now even deeper in his thoughts. From what he heard, someone sent those children to obtain some sort of "relics", which in reality were just painted chess pieces. When he added two to two, he realized that this must be some sort of initiation, maybe a trial to become soldiers of some kind. A warrior caste perhaps? With their powers, no wonder why someone wants to turn them into weapons of war.
And the one doing this is probably near, watching them. And, what Sauron could deduce already, he or she has more people like this kids at their disposal. Maybe even a legion of gifted humans.
Mere thought of hundreds of sorcerers made him sick.
Clearly a threat he will need to deal with.
He watched as each picked a chess piece, some took exact copy of the same figure - white rook, white knight and so on. While they chose the pieces, Sauron's gaze followed behind the tiny brunette, one called "Ruby".
He was more than sure that when she briefly looked at him, her eyes responded to his glare, like they were about to emit their own light. She was clearly a threat too, since those eyes may prove dangerous, but he still don't know what they exactly were. Maybe he can use them? So many possibilities.
As the group run off with their objectives, he waited with chasing after them, allowing the scorpion to first break free from the ice wall and start its pursue. He would love to not put himself between the giant angry monster and bunch of kids for no reason. And when the Death Stalker continued his chase with renewed vigor, crashing the trees along the way, black wolf started to run behind it. But all the sudden, Sauron stopped and darted his gaze to the side, looking at the nearby tree for some time, tilting his head sideways out of curiosity. He stood like that for a moment, until he started to run again, and left the temple behind.
'
- They run into the Nevermore AND the Deathstalker. – Glynda Goodwitch noted, looking at her scroll.
- We can't do anything about it. – Headmaster Ozpin replied, seemingly unconcerned, staring at the vast Emerald Forest and holding his mug full of coffee.
- They are facing elder Grimm - Glynda responded, her scroll first displaying a large Nevermore, and then the Deathstalker. - This is unusual situation, maybe we should intervene.
- I understand your worry, but all of them are promising candidates to become a Huntsmen. I am sure they will be fine.
- Of course. – Glynda said, watching how Jaune Arc nearly tripped on the root, only for Nikos to catch him just in time. – All of them are…
She swiped the scroll to look at different camera, watched how the Deathstalker released itself from the ice and run after the group. She only hoped they made enough distance from it, so they can somehow deal first with the Nevermore, then with the Deathstalker, not believing they can defeat both monsters simultaneously. Just when she wanted to swap the camera back to the group, a large black wolf appeared on the screen, chasing after the Grimm.
This surprised her, because it was as large as an Alpha Beowolf, but unlike alpha, beast was covered entirely in the black fur, no white bone anywhere, and, more importantly, it was alone. She wasn't as specialized in Grimm subtypes as Port, but she knew enough in this subject to know that something about it is wrong. It's to big to be a mere wolf but it's clearly not any grimm she ever encountered.
Then, to her surprise, the Direwolf stopped, and looked directly at the camera.
Glynda's green eyes looked directly into the red, lava-like eyes of the beast, feeling that it somehow, somewhat knew she is looking at it. It tilted it's head sideways, never breaking the contact with the camera, and she felt that the beast is curious? Amused? Suspicious? She didn't know why, but air around her become colder, darker…
- How in the world… - She muttered before the Wolf started to run again. She took a deep breath, realizing that she held it the entire time.
- Is something wrong? – Ozpin asked when he finally noticed her pale face, but Glynda didn't answer, only gave him a terrified look.
'
Way of destruction the scorpion made gave him a clear path through this accursed forest, and from the sounds of battle ahead he assumed that he is near his destination. After he finally reached the end of the treelane, and his objective – the cliffs – were finally in sight. They said that someone will wait for them there, so he just needs to get up there before the children, and follow the transport.
This should not be a challenge.
He looked at the circling Black Bird, starting another strafing attack at the group, only for some sort of lightning to hit its head, which forced its retreat. Sauron quickly noticed the source of lightnings – the orange hair from earlier, using strange weapon to fire more strang projectiles at the flying monster. Just when the Deathstalker was about to impale her, girl in black and boy in green slashed their weapons against its shell, distracting it for a moment, long enough for the woman, who now he knew as "Weiss", to land beside her, grab the ginger, and using yet another form of magic, jumped away from danger.
He didn't knew lot about them, but he already liked their abilities – they had some power he didn't understood. Yet. What are those weapons firing exactly? Some sort of explosive? Maybe unknown material? From where they got their magic?
He will certainly study that, after he leave this accursed forest.
- Go, Go! – The red head turned her weapon and fired few shots at the incoming monster, but shots bounced from its thick white armor. Enraged scorpion tried to swipe the fleeing humans, but missed entirely, and the whole group run as fast as they could to the stone bridge, on which Death Stalker was too heavy to stand. And while they were getting away from the Scorpion, maybe for a moment, they thought they are safe.
All the while Sauron was jumping from cover to cover, trying to remain undetected, using the blasts and roars of the monsters to hide his presence. He stalked around the stone walls, trying to get to the bridge unnoticed while humans fought both monsters, peeking sometimes to see where is everyone, just in time to watch how the Giant raven rammed into the bridge, shattering it into pieces and separating humans into two uneven groups.
- Damn useless thing! – He cursed, staring at the Nevermore with anger. – I wanted to use this bridge too!
Sauron didn't know that at the time, but creatures of the Grimm are naturally drawn to human darkest emotions – anger, hatred, sadness, grief. They react just like the shark to the blood in the water, and just like more blood sends sharks into even greater frenzy, more anger sends Grimm into rampage. But emotions showcased by maia's are far more than any human could possibly experience, which means their anger is way more than human one – if human anger is like campfire, the maia's one is like an entire forest in flames. And both beasts instantly felt that.
To Sauron's surprise, giant raven twitched, its eyes widened in rage, and left even more terrifying shriek, powerful enough to shake the entire structure then circled back at the humans, bloodlust taking away whatever remained from its reasoning, leaving only desire to not merely kill humans, but tear them to shreds, massacre them, utterly destroy…
Scorpion wasn't any better – first wary to get on the stone bridge, not wanting to fell into the abyss, now under duress of sudden outburst of anger, it started to slowly make its way to the group remaining on this side of the ruined structure, hissing and attacking with its tail and claws.
He wasn't sure why those beasts suddenly became more bloodthirsty, but thanks to that, he got a perfect distraction, for humans attention will be entirely focused on two mad monsters, while Sauron will traverse the canyon. He thought how to get to the cliffs without a bridge, and after considering his options, he chose the most simple one. Luckily for him, Morgoth returned that form too. To some degree.
Large bat fell deep into the canyon, wanting to disappear in the clouds, reach the other side of the cliff, climb it unnoticed and wait when the humans are finally done for.
'
- We gotta get over there! They need help! – Jaune pointed with his sword at the three remaining people fighting against enraged Deathstalker.
- Let's do this! – His newfound companion prepared her weapon, but the blond boy looked into the abyss with uncertain face.
- Yeah, I can't make that jump. – He stated, and realized too late that the girl beside him started to smile diabolically. Before he could utter a word, she pushed him back, and turned her weapon into a hammer.
- Oh, wait! – He wanted to stop her, but before he could do anything, she jumped from the bridge, smashed it with her hammer and sent him flaying above the bottomless pit.
- No, No, NO! – He yelled as they flew, while the girl fired from her hammer, and flew right behind him with a gleeful smile.
Deathstalker tried to snap one of the humans in half, but the fired shot drew the beasts attention, and it rose its head just in time to receive a powerful hammer blow, cracking its skull upon the impact. In great pain, monster struck with its tail, but the girl fired another round directly into its exposed hide, sending her backwards, which by accident knocked away the girl in black from the bridge.
Enraged, bloodlusted and now in even greater pain, Scorpion started to violently smash the bridge with its claws, trying to tear the entire structure down.
Meanwhile, the girl with black ribbon opened her eyes, and saw the Nevermore performing another attack, this time trying to catch Ruby with its talons, but the girl disappeared in cloud of rose petals, and after the creature missed, it tried to fly lower, into the clouds to avoid the incoming fire.
But it didn't notice another attacker, and the girl in black swung herself at the head of the monster, starting to mercilessly slash its beak, head, then its body, dealing no lasting damage, but making it screech in pain and forcing it to change directions, now flying upward, trying to shake her off.
Girl jumped from the beast and landed beside Yang, while the Giant Raven flew higher and higher.
- It's tougher than it looks. – She commented, reloading her weapon.
- Then let's hit it with everything we got! – Yang replied, preparing her gauntlets, Ruby aimed her Scythe and air around Weiss started to shine with multiple colors.
Nevermore stopped to fly sky-high just under the large cloud, and its red eyes looked back at the temple, four humans clearly visible.
Did they hurt it much? No. Did they cause any pain? A lot. And monster wanted nothing more than to tear them to shreds.
With another shriek, it folded its wings and started to fall at the structure, rapidly gaining speed like a falling bomb, and from the ruined temple four girls fired intense barrage of projectiles, however nothing was able to pierce the bird's feathers.
Fifty meters before it smashed into the structure an perfectly aimed explosive shot landed right under its right wing, spreading it a little, just enough to send the giant raven into uncontrollable spin.
Spinning bird ultimately hit the structure, but not the place when it initially wanted to, just below the four girls. As it fell with debris, they jumped from one falling stone to another, using various tactics to get on the other side bridge, the one just under the cliff.
Sauron flew under the structure, between the stone columns of buildings once upon a time probably serving as human quarters. As he flew forward, he heard the commotion above him, looked there, just in time to see falling debris.
He started to maneuver, trying desperately to avoid getting hit by the falling rocks. Right, left, up down, and one mad dash to avoid the falling giant bird.
When he finally got away from the danger, he stuck himself to the wall and took few deep breaths.
- That was inconvenient – he said, then heard the beast shrieking and flying back into the fray. He followed the bloodthirsty monster with his gaze, greatly displeased – They are just children. They might have magic and strange weapons, but they are still young, this should be easy for this Black Raven to kill them.
Either this bird is a walking embarrassment of its kind, or those children are powerful. And slowly Sauron started to lean towards the latter.
He sticked to the wall, again enshrouded himself in shadow, and started to climb the rocky surface with incredible speed, wanting to reach the top as fast as possible.
'
- None of this is working. – said Weiss, watching how the Nevermore is again circling around, trying to align for another attack run on Yang, who fired at it with her gauntlets.
Ruby fired few shots at the monster, but then gave it a more distinctive look. Her uncle said numerous times how to face Grimms – If they have bone armor, she won't be able to pierce it with her scythe, and she needs to crack it at range. But if they lack it, her Scythe should have no problem with slicing its skin.
If only she could pin the Nevermore in place just for a moment…
She watched how Blake whipped from another section with her weapon, then at Yang who stood on the pillar and continued her barrage at the Nevermore, keeping it distracted. Ruby then turned to the cliff.
- I have a plan! Cover me! – She said to Weiss and run to Blake.
In the different part of the ruins Deathstalker continued to smash against the stony structure, and Jaune quickly noticed how the remains of the bridge starts to shake. Knowing that if they stay on it, they will fall all four shared the look.
- We gotta move! – He said and everyone rushed at the Deathstalker. It immediately responded with its claws, first attack was deflected by Redhead, and the second attempt was thwarted by Jaune, who blocked it with his shield. Both dodged the incoming stinger, but before Scorpion could retract it, Boy in green get on it and started to fire at the base of it, throwing the monster into a violent tantrum, swinging its tail in the attempt to shake him away, while also trying to cover its head from the incoming grenades.
Seeing the small gap in the Deatstalker defense, Redhead threw her javelin directly into one of its eye, making it screech in enormous pain, but at least it was able to finally shake the human from its tail, throwing him into the wall.
- Ren! – Girl with the hammer yelled after seeing her friend collapse, she fired few more shots into the Deathstalker, which with one claw protected its fractured skull, while the other claw tried to grab and pull out the javelin from its eye. Jaune noticed how its armor is cracked after their blows, and how the stinger is limply hanging from its tail.
- Pyrrha!
- Done. – Pyrrha hurled her shield at the stinger, slicing it off and making it fall directly at the Deathstalker head, the stinger stuck deep in its skull, but not enough to kill it.
- Nora, nail it! – Jaune said after Pyrrha caught back her shield
- Heads up! – Pyrrha made a platform for Nora with her shield, then Nora fired her weapon to send herself even higher. When she reached top of her flight, she started to fall at the Deathstalker, firing her weapon few more times to gain even more momentum. With joyful smile she slammed into the stinger with force strong enough to completely shatter the monsters bones, head, entire body and bridge under it, sending Pyrrha and Jaune flying above the monster. Mid-air Pyrrha managed to caught her javelin when the Deathstalker's corpse started to turn into ash. She landed on her two feet, Nora on her bottom and Jaune on his back. Seconds after their landing, Nora started to laugh.
- I want one more time! – She exclaimed with a gleeful smile.
- That's… enough for today Nora. – Ren stumbled to the group, still feeling dizzy after slamming into the wall. – Maybe… Another time. – He collapsed to the ground unconscious.
- Ren! Don't die on me! – Nora run to check on him, and maybe shake him a little bit, while Jaune kept laying on his back, adrenaline now pouring away.
He is, somehow, still alive. He faced two giant Grimm in one day and survived. In comparison to that, school seemed like a piece of cake.
Suddenly, he noticed a hand.
- Are you okay? – Pyrrha asked, reaching to him, and after a moment of hesitation, he took it so she could help him rise back on his feet.
- You were amazing. – She said with a smile while he threw dirt from his trousers.
- You were good too. – He replied, not getting a single clue, then another angry shriek draw their attention back at the flying Nevermore.
The beast flew around the second group under constant fire from Yang, its focus entirely on that pesky human. After one lucky shot exploded on its head, it finally snapped and flew directly at the annoying Blonde girl, its beak wide open to swallow her whole.
And she actually jumped into the open maw.
Suddenly the bird found itself unable to close its beak, the woman forcing it to keep it wide open, and started to fire directly into its innards. Explosive shots tore the beast from the inside, It tried to shake its head and threw away unwanted meal, simultaneously attempting to close its beak, but nothing seemed to work.
Yang looked back, quickly measured the distance between the Nevermore and the cliffs, fired few more shots into the gaping maw, then jumped, landing safely on the bridge while the dazed Nevermore couldn't control it's flight and remained on the collision course.
Meanwhile Sauron climbed up the cliff, his excitement grew with each meter passed, for after this cliff, he will reach the civilization, and there, he will…
Suddenly, he felt the incoming danger and turned around to find the source of it, just in time to see the incoming monster.
- You got to be… - He said before the Nevermore smashed into the stone wall, crushing it with its body. Then, it fell on the ruined structure underneath, and shortly after, large black bat fell as well.
- You pathetic… - Sauron looked at the monster with hatred, but falling stones silenced his curses and covered him in thick layer of stone.
Nevermore rose back on its two legs, screeched from both anger and the grievous pain. It tried to fly into the air again, but all the sudden, it's tail was frozen in place by Weiss, who then backflipped and swiftly run back to the group. While the Nevermore tried to free itself, trashing it's body around, Yang and Blake finished a makeshift sling, and Ruby quickly jumped on the center of it, bending the flexible material right into Weiss's Black Glyph.
- Of course you would come up with this idea. - Weiss remarked.
- Think you can make a shot? - Ruby asked in turn, fully focused.
- Can I! - She smirked in response.
After a hearing that, shadow of doubt appeared in Ruby's mind.
- Can't?
- Of course I can! - Weiss answered, annoyed that this kid didn't get an obvious irony.
Sauron rose from the pile of rubble, his body set on fires of Rage.
- First, I will burn you to ash. - He proclaimed. - Then... - He stopped after seeing four girls preparing some kind of the special attack against the pinned monster.
- Wait... - He muttered, not believing his eyes for the first time in eons. Are they truly going for the killing blow? Their attacks proved ineffective before, what makes them think this will…
The Black glyph holding Ruby in place turned red, and shot the Scythe-wielder with earth-shattering force, sending her flying directly at the trap beast. Sauron watched in silent amusement as she slammed into the beast, pinned it to the wall, her scythe placed on creatures neck. Then, path of white glyphs appeared, probably thanks to "Weiss", and, yet again, girl surprised him even more when she pulled the Raven higher and higher, screaming on top of her lungs and firing her weapon. And she reached the top…
She severed the creatures head.
Sauron blinked few times, still processing what he just saw. They won. He looked at the three girls still in ruins , all cheering at this victory.
They won. Despite all odds.
He focused himself and looked for the rest of the humans and yes, they won too.
They fought two large abominations, and won.
It was surreal. It was like an band of goblins killed and old and wise eagle. Without loses.
And they are still children.
He looked up the cliff, and noticed "Ruby", standing on top in slightly heroic pose, waving to people down in the ruins.
If now they are able to perform such feats, what they will become in the future? Mighty warriors? Leaders? Rulers?
Heroes?
Sauron chuckled. Now, it was more clear than ever.
He already found this world's fellowship.
'
- …And you actually made that jump!
- I could die! You should have warn me!
- Where is fun in that? – Nora replied with a cheeky smile, while helping him climb up the cliff.
- It was so AWESOME! – Ruby shouted, still reliving defeat of the Nevermore, and with proud smile, Yang rubbed her sister's hair.
- It was Rubes!
- I'm glad you all survived. - They heard Glynda Goodwitch's calm voice when she approached them. - And taking unusual circumstances into the account, the extraordinary time it took you to get the relics is acceptable.
- We are the last? - Ren asked in disbelief.
- But certainly the best! - Nora cheered him up, while Professor fixed her glasses.
- There is a ceremony awaiting you in the Academy, so get to the ship. You may get some rest once we get there.
- Professor Goodwitch, about the team formation... - Weiss run to Professor, who looked at the Schnee with indifferent look. - Could It be possible that I and Pyrrha will be in the same team?
- That's for the Headmaster to decide. - The Professor pointed at the open transport. - Patience, Miss Schnee.
- Don't worry Weiss, we will make a great team! - Ruby said with a cheerful smile, but Weiss rose her nose, turned away from her partner and walked towards the airship. Before Ruby could ask what's wrong, Yang wrapped her around her shoulder.
- Don't worry about the Ice Queen, we just need to break some ice first. - She said, patted her sister's shoulder, then walked past her sister and towards the airship, Blake walked slightly behind, and when she past Ruby, looked at her and gave her a nod.
- Umm, guys? - Jaune asked Ren and Nora. - If you want, there are still free places in my team. Maybe you would like too...
- I think... – Ren thought about out loud, only for Nora to decide in an instant.
- Of course! - Nora hugged Jaune tight, and he yelped when he felt all of his bones being crushed. - We will have so much fun!
- Nora please, don't crush another spine. - Ren left a heavy sigh of defeat while Juane desperately struggled for air.
- Maybe just a little...
- Nora No! - Ren said when Jaune's face turned purple, and she finally released him. Before Blond Boy fell half-conscious, Pyrrha took a hold of him and helped him get to the airship, where he sat on the nearest set and finally passed out, and couldn't notice that Pyrrha sat right beside him. Weiss tried to sit next Pyrrha, but Nora was way faster and took seat for both her and Ren. Weiss clenched her fists, then looked back at Yang, who patted the seat on her right, while Blake sat on her left.
- Your "throne", Ice Queen. – She teased with a wide grin.
- Don't call me that. – Weiss said, yet sat on it with defeated expression.
Ruby stood alone at the edge of the cliff, her red cape floated thanks to the wind, sun illuminated her face, and despite aching muscles, she never felt more alive. Although the black clouds slightly spoiled the image, nothing could ruin this moment for her.
For today, first part of her Dream was fulfilled. Now, to the next one.
But, to her dismay, her eyes sparked as she watched the clouds, forcing her to rapidly blink.
- Ruby! - Yang called from the airship, snapping her back from this trance.
- Coming! - She run to the airship, and after she got there ramp closed behind, the airship lifted itself into the air, and flew back, towards the Academy. As the ship became smaller and smaller dot on the horizon, dark cloud opened its Eye and followed it from afar.
This humans are so fascinating, they somehow invented flying without wings, portable weaponry, use strange, unknown source of magic...
- What else do you have in this world stored for me Melkor? - Sauron wondered out loud, flying through the air like an omen of the storm.
He would never admit it, but he was relieved. Sure, those humans may prove troublesome bunch, perhaps even unpredictable from time to time. However, he has all the time in the world to bring them to his side, manipulate them to do his bidding, or simply crush them if necessary. But one thing was certain - he should not underestimate them. He will take each and every single member of this "Fellowship" seriously.
After all, You can't fool maia with the same trick twice.
'
Authors corner
Of course, I do not own RWBY or LoTR.
Fun fact - This site says that on this story (at the moment when I upload this chapter) I have 19 favs etc.
Yet it also says this story has 0 views
What kind of trickery is this?
Jokes aside, I have a plan for this story, and to adress a certain concern:
No, it won't be "Jaune power fantasy", don't worry about that. In fact, I have plans for each character, some more clear, others are still on the drawing board, but my plans reach far into the future.
See you next time, when I decide to post another chapter.