Chapter 6- Assasin on the loose

Somewere in the Grimmland

It took Tyrian a few months to return to his mistress' side, currently the scorpion faunus was walking in the direction of her castle, Grimm everywhere around him were growling or hissing aggressively in his direction.

But Tyrian did not care he had failed her! Because of an Atlesian dog and his stupidly overpowered gun, even though he had survived the shot even if barely the impact still managed to break two of his ribs even with his aura active, something he found out after an hour of running away from his mission.

He had to take some time to heal before going back after all being a researched criminal means you can't use common transport even less when you need to get to the Grimmland a place literally covered in them where the most ancient and powerful ones call home.

With a feral hiss of his own in the direction of an overeager Beowulf Tyrian opened the castle's doors, the first thing he saw made him groan in annoyance for Arthur Watt the last addition to their mistress crew was their, a scroll in hand.

At hearing the door open Watts simply raised an eyebrow amusedly. "You're late Tyrian, Salem has been furious about your lack of...information."

Gritting his teeth Tyrian walked past the scientist for once he was not in the mood to mess with the good doctor the voice of the man stopped him. "You know, not seeing the girl with you means you failed...maybe our Mistress made a mistake with you."

A cry of rage was the only warning Watts got before being slammed to the ground his scroll flying out of his hand.

With a crazed look of rage Tyrian started hitting Watts repeatedly, he had a lot of repressed anger and frustration. "DON'T YOU DARE SAY THAT! I EARNED MY PLACE AT MY GODDESS SIDE!"

Watts tried to block the hit, sadly he was more a scientist than a fighter compared to Tyrian thankfully his aura protected him from most damage but not the pain.

The more Tyrian hit him the sloppier he was getting thanks to his mad laughter, Watts could even see tears streaming down the man's face. "I HAD HER! I DID NOT FAIL! IT WAS ATLAS'S FAULT NOT MINE!"

Thinking quickly Watts dodged a sloppy hit and with a grunt of effort managed to remove the man from him, standing quickly he re-did his tie which had come undone during the 'fight' before sending him a death glare. "Our Mistress wanted to see you once you came back, you better go Callows."

It was the last thing the doctor said before picking up his scroll and leaving the room leaving the mess that is Tyrian Callows on the ground moaning in anguish his body shaking uncontrollably.

His self-pity was stopped by a sickenly sweet female voice came from behind him. "Well, it seems that my lost lamb found his way back to me."

The voice made him freeze in panic before quickly going on his knee his mouth nearly kissing the ground in front of his mistress, Salem, and to his great annoyance Cinder, the kid next to her sending a smug look in his direction.

Salem slowly started to walk around him, the click of her heel resonating through the castle. "Tell me Tyrian, what happened? It took you months to come back." The sound of heels stopped in front of him but he did not dare to look up. "Did you perhaps...fail me?"

This time Tyrian whimpered in fear at the icy tone of Salem's voice, it was then that he found the courage to speak up. "M-Mistress! It's not my fault I swear! It-It was Atlas! They had a new weapon I was not expecting it! Please give me another chance Mistress!"

His plea was cut short when an invisible hand gripped him by the neck and slowly brought him at eye level with her, he could see the unamused look on her deathly pale face, but what made him tremble in fear was the anger he could see in the pool of black and red that she call eyes.

And then she smiled, a smile he only saw her give to those she considered less than ants, if he could kill himself right now he would have but his mistress had blocked his arms and tail with magic. "I do not care Tyrian, what I care about is results and I fail to see you with the silver eyes girl..."

Before he could utter a word a hand was placed on his head, nothing happened for a second before a scream of pain started filling the castle hall, Tyrian felt like a million needles were piercing his skull and all the trashing he did could not save him from them.

Salem however was looking through his mind for the memory she was interested in and when she found it a twisted smile appeared on her face, a smile that made Cinder take a step back from her. "Ho my...this changed everything Tyrian it seems you brought me more than I wanted to."

Discarding the unconscious man like a used toy before slowly turning around and walking away the shirt of the man had rolled up revealing a mark of Tzeench on his abdomen, Cinder glanced at it curiously, she was about to follow her but her 'mother' voice stopped her in her tracks. "Cinder, be a dear and take Tyrian to his room I have...private matter to attend to."

Not wanting to anger her Cinder simply bowed and picked up the unconscious man with disgust splattered on her face. "Of course mo- mistress."

Salem did not look back and kept walking until she reached her private chamber once inside a smile way too big to have the right to appear on a human face was etched onto her features.

And then she started to chuckle, the chuckle quickly dissolved into mad laughter which turned into a gut-wrenching bellow of hysteria, all the while she was tearing her clothes off of her body.

Once completely nude and without stopping her laughter Salem's body started to turn and twist the first thing changing being her shadow cast but the chandelier in her room, the shadow started to elongate, the neck becoming longer with a head ending in a crooked beak atop an avian head.

Two gigantic wings spurted out of her back, and her torso started to become longer with feathers covering her expanding breast and the rest of her body.

Her legs started to bend and creak at odd angles before finally settling for what seemed to be avian legs covered like the rest of the creature's body in feathers black and red in color.

The laughter never stopped during the transformation, the sound only covered by the one of bone and flesh reshaping itself, once the transformation was over a white robe adorned with jewelry appeared on the Lord of Change's body covering her feminine parts.

A thick necklace of gold and ever-changing gems appeared around her neck, same for golden bracelets around her wrists and ankles, finally, a gigantic staff appeared in the hand of the 33 feet monster the air around the thing seemed to distort and wail in ungodly patterns.

With it finished the multi-voice laughter finally stopped and bright blue eyes shone in the near-complete darkness of the room, the silence room was disrupted by a deep feminine voice who seemed to talk in a million voices. "So it seems Anathema finally made his move on my world..."

Salem's talon's hand extended in front of her and a ball of light appeared in it, with an infusion of magic cloud started to shift in it revealing Ardal in his armor working the forge with Ruby Rose watching him like a hawk if her head bobbing was anything to go by he seems to be teaching her his craft.

But this was of little importance for the LoC who simply licked her jagged beak. "Things are going just as planned... as the Master said hehehe it is too bad that my brother shuns away his duty..."

The cloud shifted again showing the outside of Ozpin's tower where the headmaster was currently having a meeting with Lieutenant Ironwood, the future Headmaster of Atlas Academy, with a crooked smile Salem stared at him. "You will regret your hubris, dear brother...humans are meant to be controlled not helped."

With an annoyed click of her beak, Salem made the orb disappear, thinking of her brother always enraged her, but she was sure her Master had planned for that.

But then an idea popped into the twisted head of the LoC and with a flicker of his staff a swirling blue portal appeared in front of her.

At first, nothing happened but then a blue mass of ever-changing flesh popped out of the portal, the thing was small in comparison to the behemoth standing in front of it.

The thing squirmed a little, but then a single bright blue eye popped open looking around it quickly before stopping at the view of Salem, the thing quickly started to babble excitedly in the Tzeechian demon's tongue something that irritated her quite a bit.

With a hit on the head of the Blue Horror Salem made it shut up. "Silence fool, I did not open a tear in the Imaterium to hear your mad babbling."

The horror looked at the ground with sadness while one of his arms distended and changed into a tentacle something that made Salem sigh. "This is why I hate working with inferior daemons, you are all incapable of controlling our Lord's gifts. But no matter I have a task for you."

The questioning gargle it produced made Salem smile. "But first you need a...redesign"

And without wasting more time magic started flowing into the horror who started to giggle in delight at the change happening to it's body.

The shape it started to resemble was more and more the one of a 'human' with feminine features, the arms were normal although covered with feathers and wing-like appendages in the same blue it used to be, said arms ended with normal-looking hands.

The head changes into one of a fairly attractive woman in her early twenties with long neon blue hair.

Its torso became slimmer with enough muscle to appear attractive with a nice pair of breasts to top it all off, for now, it resembles a body that every male will be attracted to.

Finally, the transformation ended with normal-sized hips and long slender legs covered in feathers.

Once done the light receded from the new bird Faunus who gave itself a curious look while twirling on itself, a quick smack on the top of the head made her stop and whimper. "Stop this fool...you can marvel at your new body later for now here is your mission."

An accurate-sized statue of Ardal appeared in from of it making it coo in wonder, with an instinctive flap of her new wings it started to circle the Astartes statue curiously.

"His name is Vo'Shan Ardal a Salamender sent by Anathema." At the mention of the name, it started to hiss aggressively in the direction of the Space Marine. "Silence! Your mission is simple...befriend him and once his trust in you is assured...kill him and bring me back his head and the girl accompanying him alive."

The horror went back to the ground and nodded its head with a smile on its face. "Good, I will give you all the knowledge you need for your mission...Aqua Crystal."

A pair of clothes appeared for the LoC new follower it was simple underwear with a sleeveless blue hoodie and cargo pants, while the now-named Aqua was dressing herself Salem implemented the knowledge in her head making her moan and shake in pleasure after all what better reward is it than receiving knowledge for a servant of the Deceiver?

Now dressed and with all the knowledge of this world in her head and out of breath Aqua stared at her mistress lovingly. "What now mistress? Do I leave for the Anathema pawn location?"

"As much as I would like you to no, I still need to do one more thing, but first tell me your real name pet."

With a heavy bow, Aqua complied. "It is Vortokestri Alkoti'ta-rerai mistress."

"Good now hold still I need to implement a soul in you." At the curious look on Aqua's face, the LoC clicked her beak in annoyance. "For your aura and Semblance idiot."

At the look of recognition she got from her, she started her work, with a smile she looked for a soul suitable for her and with a chuckle she started grabbing her prize. "I do not need a useless pawn, farewell Tyrian you were useful while you lasted but your part in the Great Game ends now."

And with a mighty pull of her magic, she ripped the soul out of Tyrian's body, a blood-curling scream shook the castle before changing into wet gurgles, which were followed by a more feminine shriek of terror.

Undeterred by it she erased everything that made Tyrian Callow from it, now with a blank soul she started to carefully inject it into Aqua's new body.

Her concentration was broken by the moan of delights of the Horror turn faunus. "If you do not stop that now I will send you back to the Immaterium, tsss you sound worse than a Slaneeshi whore."

With trembling legs, Aqua whined at her mistress' comment but stayed silent allowing Salem to finish implementing the soul and unlocking her aura. "Good, now you just need a Semblance-"

She was abruptly cut by the woman in front of her collapsing to the floor in delight, and with a deadpan expression Salem looked at her. "You make it so much more complicated than it is minion...no matter go to the arena now and fight Grimm until your Semblance unlocks...and wipe that expression off your face whore!"

With a gigantic smile of satisfaction and wobbly legs, Aqua left the room like a drunken sailor. "If it was not part of the Plan I would have already killed him myself...no matter I have a little worm to see now."

With a tap of her staff on the ground Salem reverted to her 'human' form completely dressed just in time for Cinder to burst into the room crying. "Mommy! T-Tyrian he-he! He became a monster!"

Salem had to repress a chuckle while holding the girl against her. "Really now? Why don't we go and see that."

With a weak nod of her head, Cinder took her into Tyrian's room which was for lack of a better terms, a mess. The bed and the rest of the furniture were broken, holes were present in the walls but what was important was the trashing monster in the middle of the room.

The thing that used to be Tyrian Callow was not a mockery of the once deadly faunus in his place stood an amalgamation of blue flesh and muscle, three gigantic arms covered in opening and closing mouths filled with jagged teeth that were letting out moans of pain who vaguely sounded like Tyrian.

The head was split in two with a long tongue sticking out of it, the rest of the 'face' was covered in teeth and eyes that were focused on Salem, at seeing that she smirked. "Ho my, it seems like your body reacted quite strongly my dear..."

Without fear, she approached the new Spawn of Tzeench who moaned in pain as she approached the eyes never leaving her, with a hand she slowly caressed his arm. "Such wonderful changes, you are perfect now..."

Cinder was watching all of this unfurled with wide fearful eyes. "M-Mommy? W-What happened to him?"

Salem remembering her 'daughter' looked up at her and smiled. "This honey? Ho nothing much, just the price to pay if you ever fail me..."

With a shudder of fear, Cinder bowed her head. "O-Of, course Mother...It-It won't happen promise..."

"Of course Cinder, after all, I believe in your ability, ho and please, be a dear and go to the Arena, you will find a Parrot faunus there named Aqua Crystal, she is an old associate of mine, show her her room once she is done training." Not wanting to anger her mother Cinder bolted out of the room, the laughter of Salem following her all along.

At the Arena

Cinder finally stopped running while panting in exhaustion, she had never run away from Salem, sure her mother was scary but it was the first she actually felt unfiltered terror while looking at her.

But right now it did not matter she had a bird faunus to find, but she could not see her anywhere in the arena however she could see the Grimm inside getting hit by something sharp, even the Grimm seemed confused at what was happening.

When she blinked there were still five Grimm 'alive' but when her eyes opened they were all dead with no sign of the invisible assailant.

It was at that moment that an undulated dagger appeared on her neck and a sing-song voice way too joyful to be sane was heard behind her. "Hooo~ what does the mistress send me~? More plaything? The dark ones are boring~~"

Cinder trembling in fear started speaking with a small voice. "N-no my mother- hum S-Salem asked me to take you to your room M-miss Crystal."

Slowly the dagger was removed from her neck allowing her to turn around, in front of her was what could be described as a beautiful young woman who was twirling two means-looking daggers in her hands.

Once she finally stopped she stared at her with a smile way too big to be normal. "Soooo~ are we moving? I have to tell Mistress that I unlocked my Semblance! She is going to be so happy with me~!" Her eyes became dreamy and a blissful shudder that even Cinder could see went through her body.

The action made Cinder blush and evert her eyes. "T-This way then..." When she looked back at the woman the dagger had completely disappeared. "S-So what is your Semblance M-miss Crystal?"

A coy smile appeared on her face followed by a low chuckle. "Wouldn't you like to know little one~?"

And so they went, her mission would start on the thirty-first of October, the date of Ruby Rose's birthday as her mistress commanded in a few weeks.

Ruby anniversary date

At the Xiao-Long Rose house a little girl was vibrating in excitement, today was a big day for her! She is now a six year old in her words she is now 'a big girl'.

She was currently in her room preparing for the day of activity with her dad, now two sisters with the addition of Trivia who after a rocky start opened up to them revealing under her shy appearance a pretty dangerous trickster who loved to play pranks on them except to Ardal the other members of their family.

It was gonna be the best birthday ever! Her dad had left an hour ago to go get the cake and her Uncle Qrow and girlfriend Winter Schnee at the airdock, Ruby liked Winter but even she could see the tension between the couple, said tension was starting to make her uncle drink stuff that made him talk funny.

But it did not matter! Today was a happy day and when she heard the voice of her Uncle Qrow her excitation reached critical mass making her shoot like a rocket with the use of her Semblance out of her room and down the stairs right into Winter who was not ready for a child size rocket to hit her sending the both of them to the ground.

"Uncle Qrow! Winter! ImsohappytoseeyoutodayisgonnabesocoolImabiggrilnow!" Her rambling kept going while Winter shook the dizziness out of her head, seeing the vibrating girl sitting on her she sighed and looked at Qrow who was smirking at her misfortune, a look she did not like if the glare she sent his way was anything to go by.

Seeing that Qrow quickly picked up Ruby with a smile a hand over her mouth. "Hey Rubes, long time no see how's life treating you?"

Once he was sure she was calm he helped Winter to her feet with an apologetic smile on his face, a smile she did not return instead she huffed at him and turned her head the other way making his shoulders sagged.

Ruby completely oblivious to the tension between the two jumped out of his arms and grabbed their hands before dragging them to the living room. "Good! Me and Yang have joined Grampa in his prayer! Ho, and I have a new adopted sister! Her name is Trivia Vanille, she is mute but don't let her hear that she is devioussss~!"

Ruby was going to cross the door leading to the living room while nearly running from excitation, but her stride was stopped by an invisible wall that resonated with a meaty -smack!- of the little girl's face.

The impact made her fall on her butt the pain was already gone thanks to her Aura but instead of the opened door she was met with it being closed, said door opened revealing Trivia's head who sent a smug smile in her direction her scroll already opened with a text on it saying: 'Got you :)'.

With a pout of cute anger, Ruby stood up. "It's not funny Trivia!" her only answer was another message saying. 'Catch me then birthday girl :p'.

Something that made Ruby smile completely forgetting the two adults behind them and giving chase to her adopted sister. "Come back here!"

Thus leaving the couple to stare at the door not knowing what happened the silence was finally broken by Winter. "This is an...interesting family that you have Qrow."

With a chuckle that for once Winter reciprocated he smiled at her. "I know love, and I would not give it away for anything, even if the prankster is a new addition."

Rolling her eyes Winter lifted her arm in his direction. "Shall we? You big dunce."

Qrow accepted her arm with a smile in her direction, a smile that she for once gave back. "Sure."

The two entered the living room, the inside of it was covered in decorations for Ruby's birthday with the cake proudly sitting on the table making them know that their distraction helped Tai sneak into the house with it.

Qrow smiled until a shriek of surprise from a voice easily recognizable as Yang came from the kitchen. "Gramps! You made too many cookies! Ruby is gonna go crazy!"

Winter raised an eyebrow and looked at Qrow. "Grandfather? I thought they did not have one."

At that Qrow gave a nervous chuckle. "Promise not to panic love? His appearance is a bit...unusual."

Winter only gave him a confident smirk. "Qrow, I can handle everything you know? I just became an Atlas Specialist I'm one of the best."

With her bravado she confidently dragged her boyfriend towards the kitchen and opened the door, she was expecting a lot of things, but a giant size Grimm in the form of a man with an undersize apron saying 'Kiss the cook' with at least ten bowls filled to the brim with chocolate chips cookies was not what she was expecting leaving her speechless and slack jaws.

Her shock was however broken by Qrow who whispered in her ear. "Told you..."

What made it even worse was the big smile he had on his face when the seven-year-old Yang was scolding him. "Young Dragon, do not worry I will not show everything to your sister, those are for later on."

"Still Gramps! You could have made less!" She crossed her arms in front of her sending a glare in his direction the necklace around her neck was easy to spot.

"Perhaps, but first why don't you go and greet your Uncle and his Lover?" At hearing that both turned their gaze in their direction, Ardal one made her shudder he really looked like a Grimm.

Yang however had a big smile on her face and rushed them taking them both in a bear hug. "Uncle Qrow! Winter!"

Her action made the two males in the room laugh with Qrow smiling at her niece. "Hey, Firecracker how's it going?"

"Good! But Ardy made too many cookies!" She sent an angry glare at said man her iris turning red for a second. "But it's fine now! Quick help me hide them all before she gets here!"

Not waiting for an answer she dragged the couple towards the kitchen counter and with the help of a chuckling Ardal they managed to hide every single cookie except one bowl that was brought to the living room.

In said room, Trivia and Ruby were 'discussing' in a pretty energic way with one sending a look filled with mischief in the direction of Yang a look Ruby quickly followed up making said victim to their look, gulped.

"H-Heu Rubes hum, we got you some cookies? Soooo peace?" Ruby followed the bowl with her gaze until it reached the table before turning towards Trivia giving her an apologetic smile.

"Sorry Trivia, my loyalty has been bought over by chocolate goodness!" This made the chromatic girl pout at her with her scroll already up saying: 'Traitor :'('.

Not waiting for more Ruby jumped towards the table but was stopped by her father. "Hey girl, already attacking the cookie populace in my house?"

"Dad! I must feed! Let me go!" Ruby was squirming in his arms with a smile on her face, something that made everyone laugh except Winter who had a small smile of amusement on her face.

"Well, you can wait after the candles Rubes ho, and the gifts too." The mentions of gifts from her Uncle made her gasp in delight her squirming stopping completely.

"Then quick I want my gifts!" This time it was Ardal who came forth and started to ignite the candles on the cake with a lighter.

Once done Tai placed both of his daughters near the cake and took his scroll out but before he could start singing Ruby turned towards Trivia who was watching from the sideline. "You coming Trivia? Hihi"

This seemed to surprise her, but her surprise quickly turned into a big smile as she joined the two sisters on the chairs to the right of Ruby.

The view of the three girls made the adults smile, yes, even Winter and without losing more time they started singing 'Happy Birthday' to the joy of Ruby while taking pictures of them.

Once the music was over with the help of her sisters she blew out the candles, everyone clapped at it making her smile even bigger, the day was already perfect but now it was time for the gifts!

From her dad she received a toolkit for when she got bigger, the gift made her hug him tightly. "Thanks, Daddy I love it!"

Next after her Dad was Yang who was holding the new game that just came out for their Atlasboy, Grimm: Resurgence. A game she really wanted since she saw it. "Yay! Thanks, Yang!"

Trivia gift was more humble, it was a simple outfit that she had apparently made herself. (Imagine Ruby's outfit in Volume One but child size.)

This made her give a big smile at Trivia, she then snatched the outfit and dashed out of the room to quickly change, when she got back she received an approving nod from Ardal and her Dad, A whistle from her Uncle, a small nod of approval from Winter and a big smile from Yang, only Trivia was waiting nervously for her opinion.

An opinion she received in the form of a big crushing hug of happiness. "It's beautiful Trivia thanks! It's my favorite gift so far!" Hearing that made the little mute smile in relief before returning the hug.

Next was Qrow and Winter's gift, said gift was a trip for her and her entire family to one of Atlas's research facilities in Armemant, this made the girl's eyes sparkle in excitement before hugging them both tightly. "Thank you Uncle Qrow! Thank you, Winter!"

The couple looked at one another a small smile on both their face before returning the hug. "Don't worry Rubes, it's our pleasure."

"Quite, like your Uncle said think nothing of it I had some favor to cash in with some friends." Winter gave her a knowing smile that made Ruby giggle.

Lastly, it was Ardal gift, Ruby let go of her Uncle and stared at him expectantly something that made the Astartes smile. "Why don't you all follow me outside?"

Everyone glanced at one another, no one knew what was Ardal gift for Ruby he had been quite discreet about it.

Ardal took them to the shed at the back of the house where he stood waiting for them with a smile on his face.

Ruby on her part was vibrating in excitement same as her sisters who were whispering and typing excitedly respectively while the rest of the family was curious.

Once everyone was there Ardal looked at Ruby. "It took me some time to get the measurements correctly but thankfully one of my battle brothers in my company is a Tech Marine who gracefully gave me schematics for some of our technologies."

If the look of pure excitement could go higher it would have, thankfully both sisters were holding onto her just as excited as her.

"So not wanting to make you wait more young ones I present to you the Invader!" Without waiting more he opened the sliding door before adding. "Ruby size of course."

Inside was what looked like an armored quad-like vehicle with three small-sized space marine helmets each colored for one girl, red for Ruby, Yellow for Yang, and Pink/Marron for Trivia. (If you are wondering what it looks like, look up Quad Invader Warhammer 40k it's the Ultramarine one I used here).

Everyone was stunned for a moment before three blurs rushed inside the shed two of them laughing in joy while the third one was trying to contain her tears of joy, it was the best 'gift' she ever received even if it wasn't her technically.

While the three girls were fawning around the vehicle Tai approached him slowly. "Ardal? When did you get time to make that?"

Ardal gave him a satisfied smile. "During Ruby's nap at the smithy, I had known since my third week here her birthday date, like I said it took me some time but I finished it in time with the help of the forgemaster."

Qrow approached him with Winter in tow still shocked at what this giant of a man made. "What is it anyway Ard? It looks a bit too armored for a normal quad."

"Indeed! It is not called an Invader for anything, the real one can reach speed of a maximum of 150 kilometers (124 miles), normally there are two bolters or multi-melta attached to the front of it for the driver to shoot, while the Astartes on the back of it operating either a heavy bolter or a Gatling gun." He shot a smug look at the shocked expression that he received for his explanation.

"Do not worry Taiyang I modeled this one to not go over thirty kilometers (18 miles) I also used all the litany to appease the machine spirit in it, nothing should happen to them and I added extra security for the ones standing in the back." Tai finally was brought out of his shock when Ruby ran towards him the helmet on her head.

"Look, Dad! I'm a Space Marine! I'm like Ardy now!" Her sisters join her happily with their own helmet adorning their heads, the three quickly dissolve into giggles or what passes as one for a mute before starting to play together.

With a sigh of resignation, Tai smiled at the girl's antic with Ardal, Winter however took her scroll out and took a discret picture of the Invader, something that Qrow saw but he said nothing a simple frown just appeared on his face.

The girls played together for a while until it was time to try the vehicle itself but before they could even start the vehicle the Grimm alarm of the house started blaring, something that made everyone jump in surprise apart from Ardal who simply raised an eyebrow.

Tai looked around worriedly. "Girls! Come here!" He turned towards Ardal while the kids ran towards them. "Ardal what's going on? You are the one who installed them."

"Indeed I did Taiyang, there is no mistake then, we are about to be under assault by the daemons." Ardal voice steeled itself a determined look etched unto his face.

In the distance, they could hear the sounds of Beowulf howling getting closer, turning around he looked at them. "Get inside and grab whatever you can! I will slow them down!"

Just then a Beowulf jumped out of the forest maw outstrech in Ardal direction with a scream of fright Ruby pointed at it. "Watch out!"

Thankfully for her, Astartes reaction time was on par with some of the most fearsome fighters of the Eldars, with a quick side-step Ardal dodged the strike and grabbed the Beowulf mid-air by the head crushing it with sheer strength alone like wet paper. "Get the children inside!"

Quickly nodding Tai led the children inside while Ardal took a stance towards the forest, a stance that was quickly followed by Qrow and Winter the last one using her Glyph to spawn Beowulf of her own something that surprised Ardal.

But before he could comment about it the ground started to shake from the sheer mass of Grimm coming their way, in no time a see of red eyes started to appear in the forest, and dozens of Beowulf and Uras rushed the clearing stepping on one another to reach the humans.

Winter's Beowulf roared in challenge to their black counterpart and rushed forth dispatching some of the numbers of the rabid horde.

They were followed by Ardal who punched the head of a Ursa clean off of his body a cry of zeal escaping his lips. "For The Emperor!"

The Grimm quickly swarmed the three combatants Winter and Qrow were skilled but the sheer mass of Grimm was starting to overwhelm them thankfully Qrow never left home without Harbinger so at least one of them was armed, Ardal on his side was giving as hard as he was receiving.

For every scratch he got a Grimm died, for every dodge, he performed a head was sent flying but for every Grimm, he killed two more replaced them and ever so slowly the small injury started to pill up, a Beowulf got a lucky shot at his ankle making him grunt in pain but still he pressed on, he had peoples to protect.

The door of the house burst open revealing Taiyang with his gauntlet on, Ardal's chainsword in his hand, quickly spotting the giant in difficulty Tai ran in his direction. "Ardal! Catch!"

Ardal spared a single glance behind him, at the view of his fateful weapon a feral smile appeared on his face, with a single punch a Beowulf's jaw was sent flying giving him enough time to raise a hand to grab his weapon.

Not losing a second he turned on the weapon the roar it produced gave pause to some of the smarter Grimm but it did not deter them nonetheless.

Now armed Ardal quickly turned into a maelstrom of death, his weapon cutting more fiercely than the Grimm was giving him, and with the now help of Taiyang the Grimm horde slowly started to thin, it even seemed like they were going win.

It wasn't until the ground started shaking even more than before that a Deathstalker as big as the house burst through the trees crushing some of his brethren at the same time, raising his glowing stinger high the beast screeched in anger his gaze locked onto the unarmored Astartes.

Ardal still in the middle of the melee knew he had no choice but to brace for the now-charging Deathstalker, but before the beast could reach him a screech of pain came from it one of his ten eyes bursting in a shower of blood.

This gave enough time to Ardal to shoulder bash a Beowulf and take some distance from the giant trashing Grimm, his pincer easily crushing trees and Grimm alike like they were not nothing.

Then in quick succession, three more eyes on the beast bursted in a bloody shower, now free of Grimm Ardal charged towards it. "Into the fires of battle! Unto the anvil of war"! With his mighty war cry, Ardal grabbed onto one of his trashing pincers with pain coursing through him due to his foot injury, but he still climbed the beast too occupied to notice him.

On the ground, the Grimm horde had finally stopped and the three exhausted humans were staring with wide eyes at a blood-covered Astartes seemingly not gushing blood apart from the one already on him.

Ardal was holding onto a behemoth of a Deathstalker like it was a mountain, a new shriek of pain escaped the beast when the unseen attacker at lightning speed finished blinding it.

Ardal finally atop the massive pincer looked down towards the Deathstalker's armored face, his gaze focused on an intricate knife embedded in his head, said knife had a circle around it with a quickly written text in Grimm blood saying: 'Hit here!'.

Not wanting to turn such a gift Ardal was about to jump when the Deathstalker suddenly jerked his pincer nearly making him fall but Ardal pressed on.

However, the beast finally realized something was on him, the only thing that saved Ardal at that moment was his reflexes which allowed him to stop the massive stinger with both hands and chainsword above his head.

He could not hear it but everyone on the ground gasped in fright at seeing it happen, the girls inside the house were looking through the windows at first it was in awe but quickly turned into panic at the view of their beloved Grandfather/father figure in such a position.

Ruby seeing that reacted instinctively and kneeled in front of the windows with her pendant in her hands praying-no begging The Emperor to save Ardal with tears streaming down her cheeks.

Yang seeing her sister's action quickly joined her, even Trivia ended up joining them she had only heard what was happening in Ardal's room about those prayers, she was an atheist but at this moment it did not matter she wanted her Dad to be safe.

And so they prayed, begged, and pleaded for his safety, Ardal was struggling more and more the stinger inching towards his torso.

Ruby prayed even harder after taking a glance at what was happening, sobs rocking her body. "Please, Emperor! Save him! Save him! We beg of You!"

Her sisters did not say anything but they were thinking the same, they could feel the warmth emanating from Ruby, Yang could easily tell it was way hotter than usual, it was then that this burning sensation manifested around her englobbing her in a white light.

Her hair started to float violently around her but the three did not move even though the rest of the room was rapidly floating around them, around Ruby. "Please ho Emperor save your Angel! Allow us to save him! We need him! Please!" Ruby was becoming more and more desperate but she did not dare break her concentration.

With her closed eyes what she could not see was the light engulfing her was also starting to do the same to Ardal.

Ardal knew he was losing, the beast was using his pincer and stinger to press him but he had to hold on, he still had too much to do! He will not die here!

With his mind filled with determination a warmth started to fill his heart that quickly spread through his entire body soothing his wounds and muscles giving him strength he did not knew he possessed.

Ever so slowly he started to stand up pushing away the deadly stinger. "THE EMPEROR PROTECT BEAST! AS LONG AS MY FAITH IN HIM IS INTACT YOUR KIND WILL NEVER DEFEAT ME!" With a war cry that shook the ground Ardal completely stood up and pushed the stinger, what he did not realize was that he pushed so hard that the stinger of the Deathstalker was completely torn off his tail making it screech in pain.

A scream that went unheard by the Astartes glowing in a bright white light, now free of the beast stinger Ardal jumped in the direction of the knife chainsword roaring in defiance to the beast it was about to defeat.

The strike did not simply push the knife into the beast's brain, it completely obliterated it creating a crater in the ground even the giant body was lifted for a second before crashing down with a resonating -BOUM- leaving behind a cloud of black smoke and dirt.

The clearing became instantly completely silent everyone was holding their breath their gaze fixed toward where Ardal should be.

A minute passed until a giant beacon of light started to slowly move through the cloud revealing Ardal. The man slowly walked towards them, the light still surrounding him, they could see that somehow all of his injuries were healed and the blood that was once covering him was gone, however, he was shirtless, the cloth must have been destroyed during the fight something that made Winter slightly blush.

Apart from that he seemed completely unarmed and the adult trio looked at him in awe with slack jaws. Slowly the light started to dim until it was gone completely leaving only a shirtless man instead of a more divine one.

It took a few minutes before a slow clap sound could be heard behind him, a sound that made him turn around chainsword raised above his head, behind him stood a woman Faunus with blue hair who was holding two daggers identical to the one he saw in the Deathstalker's head.

She was smirking at him observing his broad torso covered with text and depiction of great deeds that were directly engraved into his chest and the port-hole where his holy armor connected with him. "Pretty impressive big guy~! Ho sorry name's Aqua Crystal pleasure to meet you!" she sent a flirtous wink in his direction that did not even phase him.

Looking at the rather attractive woman with suspicion he slowly approached her. "What are you doing here mu- Faunus? This is private property."

The now-named Aqua raised an eyebrow at him her arms crossing under her breast. "That's how you thank your savior? Geez big guy talk about giving the cold shoulder to a gal." While saying that she was sending him a smug look.

Ardal simply gave her a deadpan look before bowing slightly. "If what you say is true then we thank you, Miss Crystal. Were you the one who blinded the beast?"

She gave him a mock salute and a smirk. "Sure was! Aqua Crystal archeologue extraordinaire at your service!"

At that, it was Ardal turn to raise an eyebrow. "Archeologist?"

"Yep! I traveled through Remnant looking for dead civilization yada yada you know what I mean, and I happened to be on Patch when the ground started to shake! Color me surprised when the biggest Deathstalker I've ever seen came barreling towards your house!" She raised her arms excitedly to emphasize her point.

"By what really surprised me was this hunk of a man fighting barehanded said Deathstalker and literally tearing it's stinger off his tail!"

She slowly licked her lips while looking at him before coming closer and whispering. "I'd love to see what else those arms could do if you see what I mean~?"

Her only answer was another deadpan look from Ardal. "I'm afraid I do not, now if you excuse me I have to get change." Not letting her say more he simply turned around towards the confused trio. "Let us go back inside friends the childrens must be worried sick."

They quickly followed him with Qrow taking a quick picture of the Headless deathstalker who was already evaporating leaving behind a pouting Aqua who quickly rushed behind them with a whine. "Wait for meeeee!"

Tai, bless his kindness being the last one through the door allowed her to catch up sending her a grateful smile. "Thanks for your help, Ardal might not show it but he is thankful he's just really protective of the girls..."

Aqua smirked at him and waved her left hand dismissively. "Bha it was nothing, happy to help!"

"You want to stay for the night? We got enough room for a lot of people here and well you did help us save my daughter's birthday." Tai gave her a sheepish smile that got him a nod in return.

"Sure! Thanks for offering it's mighty generous of you sir!" Tai looked at her, she was way too excited for her own good.

Inside the house the kid's trio were clinging to Ardal who had put on a new shirt to Aqua's great chagrin she only managed to catch the end of what Ruby said. "-so glad you are okay Ardy...!"

Ardal had picked up the three kids in his arms in a bear hug. "Do not worry for me children, after all, I am an Astartes a simple beast could not vanquish me."

Yang sent him an angry glare her eyes turning red. "Don't say that! He-he nearly squished you! If Ruby hadn't done her weird prayer magic thingy you would be gone!"

Trivia had tears in her eyes but her quick nod of agreement confirmed her story, thus making Ardal look at Ruby with surprise. "Really little Saint? Our Lord answered your call?"

With a small blush, Ruby nodded. "Y-Yhea! I did not wanted to lose you Ardy...so I prayed really-really hard and He did something! I-I think at least..."

A small chuckle escaped the Astartes mouth. "You should not devalorize yourself in such a way young Rose, your own gift permits such miracles."

Ruby gave him a timid smile and was about to say something when Aqua came into view, at the view of the woman Ruby's gaze was transfixed by her.

"Never saw a parrot faunus squirt?" Aqua smirked at her with her arms crossed. "Don't worry I know how awesome I am."

Blinking Ruby squirmed out of Ardal grasped and approached her an action that made Aqua use all of her self-control to not attack this walking Anathema beacon the light coming from her nearly blinding her.

"N-No there's weird blue light around you miss, it's really pretty but weird..." A trickle of sweat rolled down her neck and with a quick glance at the Space Marine, she saw him eying her suspiciously.

Thinking quickly she took a smug pose. "Not bad kid not many can see my Semblance physically! I call it 'Muddled mind'.

Tai raised an eyebrow while looking at her. "Muddled mind?"

With a quick nod of her head, she winked at him. "Yep! Watch!"

She disappeared suddenly, leaving the group confused. Qrow broke the silence, asking "What were we doing?"

With a shrug, Tai looked at him. "I dunno but we just defeated one of the biggest Deathstalkers I've ever seen! So, we celebrate?"

He received a nod from everyone except Ruby who was looking at them weirdly. "Hum, Daddy? Miss Aqua was showing us her Semblance." At that, Ruby pointed at an 'empty' space next to Ardal.

Yang approached her with a smirk and said, "Do you need water, Rubes? I'll be thirsty too after this fight. Come on, I'm sure there's still some apple juice in the fridge."

"W-What? No! She's right there!" She looked at Aqua, who sent a wink her way before clinging to Ardal's arm and reappearing.

"Tada! Pretty neat huh?" Aqua's sudden appearance startled everyone except Ruby and Ardal, who calmly pulled away from her grasp even if he too was surprised.

"Miss Crystal, please refrain from touching me in that manner. There are children present, and it would be best if you avoid such behavior altogether in the future." Aqua pouted at him as she observed his increasingly suspicious stare.

Yang appeared in front of her in a burst of speed, capable of making Ruby jealous. "That was so cool! I completely forgot about you, but when you reappeared, I remembered everything!"

Aqua gave her a nod before taking a victorious pose. "Yep! Even work on Grimm pretty neat for ruin exploration no?"

What she did not mention was that her Semblance doesn't work with cameras or non-organic materials. If someone took a picture of her while she was using her Semblance, she would still appear in the photo and the people 'seeing her at that moment will remember about her instantly. She found out about those limitations with the help of Watts.

Tai took this moment to approach and clap his hands together. "Well now that everyone is here and that the Grimm are dealt with why don't we start eating the cake? You can test the quad later girls."

His statements made them grumble but the idea of cake (and for Ruby cookies) quickly dashed away their grumpiness.

Thus the birthday party started anew with a +1 a plus one that was eyeing the Astartes while holding back a snarl, having to flirt with him to gain his favors made her sick but it was Mistress' order, thinking about her a dreamy smile appeared on her face.

A smile that a certain crowman spotted that made him smirk before approaching her. "Got the hot for the giant super-soldier?"

His appearance made her jump a bit. "W-What? N-No and even if he doesn't care anyway."

The look Qrow gave her made her groan internally. 'Nice one Aqua now he really thinks you like him...'

Raising his hands in defense at the unamused glare Aqua was sending his way he quickly tried to defend himself. "Hey it's cool don't worry but I think he is a tad too old for you."

"Mhe doesn't matter one day he'll be mine." With a shrug, Aqua left the man behind before going to mingle with the rest of the family. 'Might as well appear like I like him...'

The party lasted the entire day, naturally Ruby found all of the hidden cookies which prompted in a chase through the house to catch the sugar-high girl.

But apart from this incident nothing of note happened, Aqua seemed to even have been accepted by the family apart from Ardal who eyed her from time to time however the girl trio where excited about her.

Ruby found the blue energy around her really pretty and weird, Aqua was glad she did not know about the Warp or her kind or this could have been bad.

Yang was really excited about her Semblance and combat ability when she told her she was the one who blinded the Deathstalker literal stars appeared in her eyes.

Trivia was the less enthusiastic about her but the amount of mischief that her Semblance could produce interested the girl a great deal, prank ideas were already forming in her head.

But right now it did not matter Trivia was currently in Ardal's arms who was taking her to her room, while Yang and Ruby were waiting for Ardal to come back and pray before sleep.

Aqua had sneaked into said room and was eyeing the alter and the two little girls preparing the incense and candles with hate, if her mistress had not used her real name to bind her soul to her body she would have already attacked them in a frenzied rage but she simply gritted her teeth and waited.

Ardal finally joined them and what he did made her eyes widen, he was currently putting on his armor, eyeing the helmet warily she did not dare to test if this thing could see her before sneaking out of the room, she was glad that Ruby was to focus on the prayer to have noticed her.

After the prayer, Ardal had tucked the girls in bed but for his part, he went outside, bolter in hands, and started patrolling, even though the rest of his charge's family were sleeping he had to do his duty and protect them.

Stopping under the ray of the broken moonlight, Ardal sighed and looked at it. "Ho Emperor give me strength I have nearly failed you this day..."

Ardal stayed there for a few minutes unaware of the glowing blue eyes observing him from a window inside the house, said figure licked her overly distended lips before chuckling.

"Mistress will be pleased...Infiltration complete."

Annnd done!

This one took me a bit more time to write, it's the first time I dabbled into characters like Aqua. :)

I hope you like my take on Salem and Ozpin things are gonna become more interesting as time goes on!

I don't have much more to say today so onto the reviews!

-Cool story I hope he kicks Salems though I would prefer it to be the false asshole dragon of lights ass please have him pity Ozpin aka Ozma both he and Ms suicide have had a hard enough life and I do feel bad for the majority of RWBY villains I only hate the aftermentioned God of light and daddy asshole aka Jacques Schnee. Well, I'm sad to say that I don't think there is much redemption for Salem. :p Ozpin is up in the air, his LoC revelation will be much later on I have time to think of how Ardal and his crew will react to him so hey keep your hopes up for him.

-The smol beans are growing in numbers. Soon there will be an army of small children to fight with Ardy. Huh is that Summer's grandma or something? Did Summer do a little sneaky sneak and pretend to be from Remnant or something? Who knows? Not me! Yes, their numbers shall grow! No more seriously Neo was the last one in the group. :) I really liked her as a character and I wished so many times that she would turn her back on Cinder during the show yet she didn't. :'( Well for Summer we will have to see later. :p

-So... in the future, a custodes will join in... isn't that A LITTLE TOO MUCH? The administratum doesn't write every battle they have as a success before they can even start for nothing.

I've once read a scuola single squad of custodes slaughtering an entire chaos warband, 6 custodes against thousands over thousands of cultists! Or that time another squad killed millions of tyranids with some of them only dying because the amount of bodies surrounding them limited their movements.

If a single Astartes is changing the entire world of RWBY, a custodes is dominating it with very little difficulty, the only ones capable of having a chance with chaos on the planet depending on what they have, and how many they have, even if there are a few lords of skulls. I agree in some way, I am still thinking of a way to implement him smoothly into the story, A Custodes is badassery incarnate true but like most, he is just one man. I also read a story with Saint Celestine that added a Custodes at one point of the story it was true that he kicked everyone's ass he was still limited since he was trying to protect humans, this might be how I'm gonna do it I still have to see about that though.

Well, that's all for me! As always keep reviewing I read them all even the negative ones!

Krieg out.