Pyrrha felt her body burn with fatigue over the nights, even as she tried to sleep, however true sleep seemed to evade her at every turn. The dreams hadn't stopped; on the contrary they'd only gotten move vivid.
With each and every ounce of rest she managed to rake out she was always treated to another vision, always from Ruby's perspective. They varied of course, with some painful and full of fear, and sometimes others with warmth and pleasure. She felt her gut clench at the latter, a sense of disgust pulsing across her at the very thought. Pyrrha was naturally uncomfortable to be having such dreams, with the frightful bouts of violence or lust being the ones to make her feel true revulsion.
Dreaming about a friends death or sex life isn't normal! Pyrrha didn't know why she had to tell herself that. She guessed that in some way scorning herself would make the rogue stories of her mind disappear. Much to her dismay they did not, and Pyrrha was left to continue loathing sleep each night.
As they continued along the path Pyrrha felt a familiar itch along her shoulders again, and through sheer willpower alone resisted the urge to scratch. The girl was very thankful to Ruby for allowing her to take one of her outfits when her own was ruined, but it came at the cost of a few grievances. For one Pyrrha felt weird wearing her friends clothes, and even though Ruby gave it to her Pyrrha couldn't seem to let go of the embarrassment of looking like an angsty teen.
I can't believe I just made that comparison, what has my life become? It didn't help matters that the sleeves were just a tad too short for her arms which left them irritating her wrists. Ripping them off entirely had helped in that regard, but the ragged edges scratched slightly at her under-arms. The skirt had been too thick and long for her, and so Pyrrha did away with it, however her aim hadn't been to perfect with her mind preoccupied, and instead of go through the humiliation of asking Ruby for another dress she wore the much too revealing attire, even if the embarrassment of a slight breeze was a constant threat.
Pyrrha kept all this hidden though, instead letting her mind wander off in it's own directions. They'd been traveling for a couple days, and in that time Pyrrha took the opportunity to go through with training Jaune. Her leader while kind and caring wasn't exactly all that skilled with his swordplay. It was a miracle at all he survived initiation, especially considering his transcripts were all fraudulent. Still though, his willingness to put himself at risk just for the chance to potentially save others - which she fully understood was infinitely stupid - was somewhat endearing to her.
Just like back at Beacon he was an exceptionally fast learner, which begged the question as to why he didn't just go through the regular programs to become a hunter. There were plenty of schools throughout Remnant in all the kingdoms that took on students of all ages and skillsets. Pyrrha had brushed it aside though and focused on getting the boy up to stuff.
His overall technique needed some major polishing up, but she was happy to see that he'd taken her previous lessons from Beacon to heart. No longer had his stance been poorly defined and improperly balanced, and even if it was only the beginning she felt a strong satisfaction in his drive to improve.
"This looks like a good spot." Qrow spoke tearing the girl from her musings as she heard Yang protest.
"Come on, we've still got daylight. We can go a bit further."
"We could, and then we'll be stuck camping in the more exposed parts of the wilderness." He countered as Yang slouched.
"Does it really matter where we camp?" The agitated woman let out as Qrow sighed, his head turning as he pointed.
"See that cliff over there?"
"Yeah?"
"With the wind blowing east and the humid air I'd say we're about to get some light rain. Do you want to risk being soaked or fumbling with wet gear afterwards or do you want to take advantage of the small opportunity right over there?" Qrow asked as Yang snarked.
"The wind could easily change and make the wall useless if it blows from the other side. Besides we have our tarps, rain won't be much of an issue anyway."
"Ah ah ah, the tarp will cut off our vision a small bit. It's never good to cut away parts of your sight, especially when dealing with Grimm." Qrow spoke as Yang sighed. Ruby placed a hand on her sister's shoulder.
"We can cover more ground tomorrow. The kingdom isn't going anywhere."
"Fine." Yang grumbled in defeat as they changed direction.
It took only a few minutes to make it to the cliff wall where they quickly set up camp. Ren had taken it upon himself to prepare a meal for them all, and surprisingly enough Nora had went to help out. Apparently the two were experienced in catching local wildlife and scavenging. All of them had at least some skill in the trade considering that their job would eventually have them spending large swamps of time in the wild, but the amount of gain the two returned with drew a whistle from Qrow.
"Not bad." He complimented as Nora smiled broadly. "So the meal's on you tonight?"
"Yep. Renny's the best with what he does. Isn't that right Renny?" Nora turned to her companion who silently rolled his eyes, yet the brief hint of a smirk quickly leaving the corners of his lips told Pyrrha that he wasn't all that upset with the girl's antics.
"I'll do my best." He answered humbly as he made for the fire and set to work on the night's lunch. Pyrrha watched as her friends rested around the camp, taking with each other and generally having a relaxing time, something she herself wasn't quite able to partake in.
Pyrrha quietly slipped away from the others with the intent to have a moment to herself; a moment to sit down and think. The dense trees and shrubbery gave ample cover to allow her some sense of privacy. She let out a sigh and sat against a nearby rock, taking comfort in the sounds of nature as they lulled against her weary mind. Of course she couldn't fully relax, not when she had something to address.
The pale girl raised her hand, looking at the dark stains of black that webbed up her arm as she focused. Despite all the nightmares and painful memories; despite all the changes and uncertainty; Pyrrha found herself with a sense of longing. Her fingers curled into a fist as she tightened her grip, all the while her head ached. Everything was so strange, so different, that she often found the very thought of it overwhelming.
This overwhelming air had been with her since she'd first awoken, and despite the aid of her friends which she was immensely thankful for the ex-champion couldn't help but let the uncertainty flood out from time to time. It was never violent or a major snap at her mentality, but Pyrrha often found that she needed a second to herself, to both acknowledge and try to accept the changes of everything. These moments were usually quiet and reserved.
The flames said otherwise.
Pyrrha watched with curiosity. She bore no fear or worry towards the tiny black fires that licked across the black trails of her arm. Just like back at Patch in Ruby and Yang's family home it felt as though the flames weren't even there. The girl didn't know why the fire made an appearance now of all times as all the other stops they made along the trip had been silent for her. The burning shadows were easy enough to disperse; a simple thought could have them gone in less than a second. Her eyes quickly flew to the knight-less blade at her side, wondering if it had something to do with the fire. Vermillion's sword however remained still as the fire burned, paying no mind to her curious gaze as she set her eyes back to the physical darkness.
Just what are you? She thought to herself as the fire silently looked to draw in the light.
"Pyrrha! Are you there?!" The yells drew her curiosity, and after willing the fire away and positioning the blade back at her side she quickly stood and made her way back to the others. She arrived in under a minute, not having gone far to begin with, to the sight of the others huddled around in a circle.
"Good, you're back." Jaune spoke as she walked over and took a seat at his side. The boy handed her a bowl. "Here, lunch is ready."
"Careful, it's still hot." Yang spoke as she tried to take a spoonful, only to slightly recoil at the burning of her tongue. Ruby looked to quietly giggle from the side as she saw Qrow roll his eyes. The heat didn't appear to stop Nora who chugged down the stew as if it were the last thing on Remnant. Pyrrha felt a sense of warmth and calm at the sight of her friend's little show. Even with everything going on they still found ways to amuse and bring out smiles for each other. Wearing a smile of her own she carefully took to the meal, the heat just as dull to her as the black fire.
Maybe it's time to rest a bit.
.
.
Ruby's steps were soundless, and with each and every creak of the boards she prepared herself for conflict. Yet the under side of the deck was just as barren and void of life as the top. However despite the lack of opponents Ruby couldn't shake the feeling she was being watched. Her spine tingled with every step as if a knife was driven into every nerve along her back.
Come on, where are you? Her senses felt dulled, which only added onto the near panic she experienced as she slipped along. The ship was eerily quiet, and even with all the candles gone out she still found it easy to see. There was no light, and yet the halls and crevices of Star-Bringer were seemingly caked in a dull midnight hue. The shadows looked like they'd come to life at any moment, and she swore there was a ringing somewhere.
However with each and every step she felt her chest tighten as worry clawed at her mind. Ruby found herself filling with dread as the minutes passed along her agonizingly slow clearing of the various rooms along the lower deck; each time met with nothing but shadows along the walls. All life on the ship appeared to have vanished, which had her worried for one small life in particular.
Ruby neared their shared bedroom, and a sinking pit welled in her gut as if to devour any hope she still had. She feared of opening the door and finding nothing, she feared of being left totally alone with no way of finding her charge, and yet as she drew up the courage to push forth and swing open the entrance. Ruby was hit with a wave of frigid bitter air.
Ice covered the walls and snow filled every crevice and crack. Yet her eyes were drawn to the center of the wintery field as the snowstorm raged around her and she collapsed to her knees. Her hand reached out as if fighting to grasp some sense of control, yet it made no difference as her fingers refused to function.
His eyes, half-lidded, bore not an ounce of life. The skin of his face was a pasty pale white, and even as she fought her own body to place an ear against his chest there was nothing but a stiff silence. It devoured her as her mind seemed to lose all function. Ruby pulled the child close as she held his lifeless body. Her hands trembled desperately as she hugged him, as if she could will the spark of life back into him, all the while her heart collapsed in on itself.
"It's toying with you, do not fall for it's ruse." The voice cut through the storm around her and Ruby looked up to see the visage of a woman. She wore dark furs, yet her hood was pulled back and Ruby could see the aged face as it sent a stern look. "Even now as the seal weakens it tries to take control. You must not allow it any headway."
Ruby should have been worried, but she lost the ability to feel the moment she found Pebble's corpse. The woman paced over and sat next to her. With outstretched hands The woman sent a soft look to Ruby as she placed them on the boy. The boy slowly faded away, and Ruby was left staring at her own two hands as they remained stiffly frozen in place.
"It's lies are vile, and it steals at your memories to fuel it's games."
"Who are you." Ruby questioned, her voice ragged and broken. She wanted to strangle, to maim and to kill, yet she couldn't hold onto that broken fleeting rage she felt moments ago. The woman before her gave off a calming air, and there was something comforting about her.
"My name is not important, however my memories are. It seeks vengeance for my deed, a vengeance I once wore with burning pride. However age and time have dulled that old flame and now it's too late for me to right my wrongs." The woman told as Ruby narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
Out of curiosity, or perhaps mistrust, she reached for the woman. Ruby's hands passed through the body and she was graced with a small rush of shock as the familiar feeling of aura tingled across her skin. It had been similar to when Jaune would often use his semblance to transfer his own aura to her, yet this time it felt much more potent.
Much more pure.
"What are you?" Ruby asked silently, realizing that the lady before her was anything other than normal. The woman gave a soft graceful smile.
"Dreams have always been curious things haven't they? Surely you've had ones where you'd spoken with a lost relative or recently deceased friend." Ruby nodded as the woman continued. "These moments are no trick of the mind as most seem to believe. Dreams have always acted as a gateway, allowing the dead to converse with the living." Ruby was silent for a moment as she looked over the woman, and after a few quiet minutes she posed a question.
"Are you one of the dead?"
"Indeed I am." The woman nodded as she took Ruby's hands in her own. "I passed away generations ago, mostly forgotten to time."
"So that means I'm dreaming?" Ruby guessed as the woman sent a nod, a serious look crossing her features as she spoke.
"Yes, however it is not that simple. I've come to you in particular because I can feel the power within you. The beast clouds all others, yet your dreams acted as a beacon. Through your sheer power alone I was able to weather the storm and arrive here before you. I don't know how or why, but your soul has much more... shall we say 'potency' than many others." The woman explained as Ruby looked down to her hands.
"Then... he isn't dead."
"No, the child yet lives." A weight was lifted from Ruby's heart. "But not for long." And just like that it fell back into place again. "He ventures to fell the one responsible for your slumber, and for the deaths of the many children she derives her twisted art from. Yet he knows not of the influence."
"I don't understand." Ruby told as the woman held her hands close, and a small light appeared. The light twisted in the snow as it drew, and soon a picture was formed of a creature bearing several distorted limbs.
"It's seal has weakened over the years, just as I had designed it to. It sensed the young woman's curiosity for the cruel and vile aspects of nature, and through a perverse sense of guile it has manipulated her into obstructing the only ones capable of renewing the bonds that tie it. Like the other eternals it is immortal. It may be temporarily felled, but in time over the course of several centuries this evil Grimm will always return. It leaches energy from those who slumber, and with enough time all will die by it's endless hunger."
"What is it?" Ruby asked as the woman faced her with a dark look.
"It's true name is spoken through murals and languages spanning centuries back, however translated to the common tongue it is known as the Dream-Spinner."
.
.
"How could you... how could you approve of this?" Kali asked through broken words as Sienna found it increasingly difficult to face her. "How is there any justice in that. How does any of that help?"
"It made them afraid. They began to respect us." Sienna gave weakly.
"And when that fear fuels their hatred, what then? Did you have any idea for if ir when they decided to start another war? We won the last one because they didn't take us seriously." Kali's pained face fell to one of silent rage. "They won't make the same mistake again. Did you once ever consider that?"
Sienna had nothing to say. Kali, as usual, was right. A few years ago she may have brushed such concerns off due to her pride, but having been leading the Fang for a few years Sienna knew they were holding out just by the skin of their teeth. They remained intact due to the kingdoms not paying much mind to them. They weren't being taken seriously, and it was that particularly insulting act which allowed them to still remain as an organization.
Kali walked over to them, ignoring the gaze of Sienna outright in favor of reaching out for Blake. She held her daughter close as the scars and welts made her visibly flinch. Kali's hateful tone faded with her words, replaced with one of tired concern.
"What happened to her?"
"The Fang."
"But not under your command I assume?"
"No."
Kali stood and made her way over to the table. Gently she placed the girl next to her father and covered her with the blanket. Sienna knew Kali would take care of Blake just fine, but she also knew that if nothing was done for Ghira he wouldn't last much longer. With a sigh she decided to try and inform Kali, unsure if the woman would even listen.
"There is a way to deal with the poison, but I'll need your help." Sienna said as Kali scoffed, still facing Blake with her back turned.
"And what could I do? You know I won't join in this... this madness of yours."
"That's not what I'm asking." Sienna told as Kali slowly turned to her; a small hint of anger still present across her tired appearance. "I need directions. I had a small supply of Blood Blossoms stored away before the Fang turned on me. They know what it's for, and they know I'll want it. What they don't know however is that I'd developed an anti-venom in the case our poison was used against us. Knowing them the word of it would get out and make our poison useless when our enemies eventually strung up a cure. Thing is I'll need the plant to make it."
"And how should I know of where they'd store it? It's your poison after all." Kali spat back as Sienna lowered her voice in an attempt to portray her honesty and Quell the woman's anger.
"You always managed to get some of our troops to spill little secrets every now and then. I want to know if they've built any other bases around here. I know the one I rescued Blake from was new, but I haven't been able to hide and spy on them." Sienna told as Kali looked away. "Please."
"Remember the place I showed you?" Kali hinted as Sienna evened her breathing.
"The cave that overlooked the beach?"
"Yes. I've gone there over the past few days to try and calm my nerves. They've got something set up there, a sort of camp or something, but it consists of only a few wooden walls stuck in the sand."
"A temporary camp." Sienna finished as Kali nodded.
"If they're moving anything then that's probably where it's held until they can finish a better holding." Kali's face showed it's fatigue, and her rage looked to have faded altogether. "We're having a talk after all is said and done, but for now I'll settle for my husband's life." Sienna nodded as she made for the door with Ilia following closely behind.
"I promise I'll return." Sienna's eyes though unseen by all burned with a fiery passion. "We'll save him."
.
.
Pebble, although quivering slightly with each step, managed to hold back his lunch as he walked along. With each passing step of the way he'd witnessed countless disgusting pieces of 'artwork'. The boy assumed each had their own symbolic meaning of some sort, but he wasn't too keen on trying to find them.
Breath, just breath. All you need to do is find her and...
That was it really, he didn't quite know how he was going to finish the last part of the plan. Glimmer told him that they needed to stop Venus so that her semblance no longer had power, and the only reliable way to do that was to kill her. Pebble was no murderer; thief yes, but not an outright killer. As such he had no experience in actively trying to end other peoples lives, and as he looked around him he felt the bile rise once more.
Venus clearly had no issues with executing those she set her eyes on, perhaps he could get some advice from her? The thought was pushed aside as Pebble steadied himself and passed into a corridor, his eyes trailing up as he stepped forth. The whole area looked like a massive spiral with stairs that stretched up and down.
Walking forwards Pebble stopped and his sight peered over the edge of the railing. He couldn't quite see the bottom as everything began to blur at a certain distance. Looking up produced the same results, and as such he assumed he must have been somewhere near the middle floor.
Up, or down? One way would lead to his target, and the other a massive waste of time. If I were a creep where would I go?
He had no idea how to kill, no plan on how to find her, and yet his worry compelled him to act as the fear of wasted time could spell the deaths of Ruby and the others. Pebble's eyes were drawn once again to the dark paintings that trailed the walls of the spire, and his sharp senses picked up on something curious.
The paintings that trailed up the stairs caught his eye as their bloody color was still fresh. Small droplets of the crimson fluid trailed down the canvas of bone and flesh, and as much as the smell made his head light he knew his best chance at finding their artist would be to follow them.
Pebble set off up the stairwell, his mind racing as the fear strengthened his resolve. The trip must have taken him at least an hour to make it all the way to the top, at least that was what it felt like to the terror filled boy. He spotted several doors along the way, as well as several solid floors to which he crossed in his stride. Pebble didn't take time to check them as the paintings grew fresher with each floor he climbed, all the way up to the final floor who's door held crimson prints along the handle.
The scent of death was suffocating before the room, and he was sure it would be even worse beyond. Finding a small shred of courage still lingering within himself Pebble pushed ahead and stepped inside. The air made his eyes sting and he felt as though he'd pass out in moments, however the light laughter kept him standing as his eyes locked with those of the one responsible for everything.
"I have to admit you've got guts, then again I had no doubt you'd make it here." The woman's hands were coated with the viscera of her latest work which stood violently in her grip. The spear looked to be constructed primarily of bones, broken and carved into the twisted visage it bore. It was wrapped in a coil of flesh, still dripping with life fluids. Several markings looked to be burned along the stitched strip of bloody leather.
Pebble took a moment to stop at the sight, shutting his eyes for a second as he breathed. It was only when all the gore and horror that filled his sight was hidden did he finally notice. The odd sense of aura; that power he'd been following before his rescue at the hands of Glimmer; it was surrounding him in full force. The boy dared to open his eyes again, and for once he focused purely on the power once more.
To say it was wrong would be an understatement. Pebble felt as it weaved and flowed around him, wrapping around the twisted art and seeming to grow in intensity. His eyes flew up to the putrid spear, and he noticed that all the aura which flowed around it was amplified and mixed with the woman's own.
All that aura, all that power, it isn't hers!
He felt it now, the various little differences that flooded around her in a flame of raw soul. They were all different, yet mixed in a web of confusion and pain that he could feel along his very skin. Aura itself was the essence of the soul, and like the soul it had a unique feel for each and every person, however many shared similarities. A woman's and a man's souls while unique held a certain quality which allowed them to be distinguished between one another, and the same was true for age and race. All the souls Pebble felt shared a single defining trait.
They were all children.
"He told me you would come, that you'd find me no matter what." The woman whipped one hand across her pristine ivory armor; it's clumps of decay and defiled blood smearing gently for but a second only to slip off to splatter on the crystal tiles below. "He was right though, I like what I see."
"Why!" He called out before he could stop himself. The question was senseless in the face of such a monstrous woman, and yet she sent a curious look as she stepped forward.
"Why?" Venus raised a brow and gently cupped her cheek. The spear clinked as she struck the ground and bits of scarlet salted the floor. She let out a sigh as she sat back in the throne behind her, legs crossed as her eyes narrowed. "Tell me child: do you ever wonder why we seek revenge?"
Pebble was silent, confused as to what such a question had to do with anything. Venus saw this, and with a swift movement she tore her chest plate away; along with the fabric beneath. The boy felt heat spread across his face and a warm tightness in his gut as her hand groped and fiddled the breast now free of it's shield.
"You've only just begun to cross into the age where displays like this make you feel things haven't you?" Her words dripped with surety and arrogance as her fingers teased at the small pale bud aimed his way. "That drive you cannot quite understand, that feeling that fills you during displays which once held no effect. That, my child, is instinct: the natural push to survive and prosper. It makes itself most obviously known through lust... but it's also shown through hate."
Pebble, while heavily disturbed, held his tongue as she released her hand and took hold of a small bottle at her side.
"Watching as a sibling falls to illness, learning of a passing..." Venus looked him in the eye as the glass shattered in her grip. "Facing a murderer, the murderer of a loved one. During these moments we have a strong well of hatred, a desire to kill, all for the sake of revenge. Is it not accurate then to deem this instinctual as well?"
The woman stood, her tongue trailing alone the wine that now covered her gauntlet with no regard for the guts once covering said gauntlet. Her eyes locked with his again and she smirked.
"But what of those we've no connection to? When we see innocents hurt we have that same swell. Are we just pre-driven to act through violence? Are murder and lust part of our design? Are we as people innately 'evil', or is 'evil' a term derived to keep us from devolving into the beasts we claim to be above?" She laughed as her hands trailed along the bone of her spear.
"Is that why? You killed everyone because of instinct?" Pebble shot, and Venus gave him a gentle look.
"My dear this is only one of the more creative way's I went about my research. Murder; torture; rape; I've done it all." She looked to sigh as her eyes returned to the spear. "And yet I've no closer to my goal. I dream of the day I discover something that destroys my commitment, something so vile as to turn any sense of hatred and rage away forever. However I can still hate. The sight of people who insult or hold themselves above all else still fill me with anger, and as such I have yet to reach that limit." Venus's eyes swayed towards him as her lips curled upwards. "That is, until you came."
Pebble didn't know what she meant, but the look she gave him made his senses go haywire.
"He said I would find my answers, instructed me to create these catalysts for the souls to remain trapped by his growing influence. The souls of children are much more vivid then those of regular adults; filled with so much more life, life that they unfortunately never got to use." She waved to the horrid art strewn about. "And he was right. The range of my semblance has grown exponentially, and with enough time I'll be able to envelope all the lands in an endless sleep. He promised me then, and only then, would I have my answers." Venus laughed, and her voice echoed along the walls. "The king, the queen, they claim to be gods, but their power is miniscule in his presence."
Her laughter died down and she wore only a relaxed and content look about her.
"But that's enough of that. You're here to kill me isn't that correct?" Her spear pointed towards him. "Let's see how long you last."
Author's note
...
Well that escalated quickly. Yeah things are picking up, and oh boy, it's getting unnerving. I wanted it to be just the right amount of uncomfortable and a little crazy, but no overly silly. Did I succeed? That's up for you to decide.
Disregarding the gore and brazen amount of murder for a moment we've also gotten a few moments with Pyrrha as she tries to understand her new state of being, along with her new state of mind. She ain't exactly doing well, almost devolving into an angsty teenager. Understandable with all that's happened, and I'm excited to develop her in the future.
Sienna's on a mission now, and with Menagerie as the battlefield how long before the big secret of the Fang being terrorists is spilled?
All this and more to come soon, but for right now I hope this entertained you.
Tell me what you think. What you loved or hated; either one works really.
See you next time.