"You two are sights for sore eyes."
"Good to see you too Co'Balt," Kad said stepping over the final ridge of the barricade. Holding out his left hand to help Alicia up the last stretch, pushing his own bulk up with Ignis like a walking stick in his right hand.
The applause the giant heard just moments ago was nothing compared to his reception. Students howled and cheered. Clapping and raising their weapons to the sky. The giant stood silhouetted by the clouds of smoke in the red afternoon sunlight.
"You just missed the others," The one shirtless ax wielder told him. Dipping his wide silver hat respectfully.
"I know," Kad told him, "We were almost in shouting distance but they were all in a hurry."
"Can't blame them," Co'Balt replied for his comrade, "The Grimm aren't going to wait any longer."
Of that he had no doubt. Kad easily stepped down the long sloping ramp of rubble. Many of his fellow students began to fall in step around him and Alicia. All their eyes wide as they took in his tattered jacket, plus the bloody cuts and purple bruises the Grimm had given him.
Professor Goodwitch met the young Hunters when they reached the base of the steps to the stadium they had all fought so hard for. Standing still a ways up so she was at least eye level with the giant. Students from inside the stadium gathered at the doors. Others made their way over in groups from the long quiet frontlines. Leaving them under the watchful eye of the Atlesian soldiers and armed civilians.
His eyes fell on this meeting as well.
"Professor," Kad said, planting the tip of his sword between his boots and leaning on the black leather hilt and fanged guard.
Goodwitch nodded to him, "Marvelously done Kad."
Kad gazed over the students. Some of them were looking at the Professor with irritation that he could only describe as the first steps of borderline hostility.
"Is something wrong?" He asked.
"No," Goodwitch said firmly, "Now that you're finally back and we have Professor Ozpin we can start evacuating."
Sun Wukong pushed through the crowd behind the blond haired teacher
"That!" He shouted pointing with his bo-staff, "That's what's wrong!"
Voices of agreement drowned out the lower sounds of surprise and discussion. Kad blinked in confusion.
"We're leaving?" He asked,
"Yes," Goodwtich replied. Shouts erupted from the students. Kad shut his eyes and bowed his head slightly, picking out half words from the roars of denial.
"No!"
"We can't go!"
"Fight!"
But the giant's voice cut through the chaos. Stilling the storm of words even though it seemed he merely whispered.
"How long?"
The Professor blinked down, "What?"
"How long?" Kad repeated himself.
"Several hours still," She said. "We will need to…"
He cut her off, "And how long after that?"
"Mister Amaranth…" Goodwitch said with a growing scowl.
"How long do you think we can run?"
Silence was his only answer. Kad started to step forward. Slowly one foot at a time while he spoke. Beginning to loom over the teacher who backed away from the giant. He turned around to face the majority of youths gathered behind him. Raising his voice to reach them all.
"How long can we run from the Grimm?"
Heads shifted. Some looked to their teammates and friends, others down to their boots and shoes. Kad looked down on the Professor.
"When they follow us from Vale what do we do?" He asked. The giant slowly looked around. Kad raised his muscled arms willing them to speak.
"How long do we keep running?!" He shouted.
"No more!"
"Enough!"
He held his empty left fist up against his broad chest. Nodding in the direction of those cries, and turned back to Goodwitch.
"Enough Professor. Enough cowering down. Enough pointless sacrifices for a status quo no one wants anymore. It's time we make a stand. Here."
He planted Ignis down in the ground point first, carving through the stone steps. Their teacher pushed up her glasses.
"You can't win," She said, "We need to leave while we still can. Fighting will only bring more Grimm."
"Fighting and losing will only bring more Grimm," Kad said. Voices of agreement floated through the air. The giant smiled, "I have no intention of losing this battle."
"How? You have no idea what may happen. How many will die."
"But if we don't draw a line," Kad pointed to his feet. "Right here, right now…"
"Mister Amaranth… We can't win…"
He chopped his left hand down on his other palm, "It's all about mindset. Wars always are. We fight, we win. Don't let the Grimm feed on our weaknesses. Here… We turn the tide."
Kad stood tall as he spoke. Towering over everyone around him. Goodwitch didn't say a word. She could feel their attitude, the positive energy.
And that scared her.
"Well…" Goodwitch began, "If you, must insist."
"Yes. We do," Kad said, sweeping his right arm down to all the young Hunters.
Insanity,
Goodwitch couldn't believe her eyes or ears. This was insanity. More than that it may as well have been suicide. And what was even worse, she knew she couldn't stop them. Students quickly parted when Goodwitch turned and headed for the doors. On her way to the infirmary to talk with Ozpin and Qrow and hopefully find a way to stop this madness.
Thousands of eyes looked up to Kad.
"You should all get what rest you can," He called out, "…Not long now."
"Well Raven… What's the plan?"
Yang's tone was heavy with near sarcasm as she leaned against the grey walls. She could almost believe that nothing had happened today if she focused only on the inside of the stadium. The other dark haired Huntress glared at her.
"I think you know the answer," Raven said, crossing her arms and staring right back at the blond. Her red sword gripped reverse in her right hand.
"Nothing…" Yang answered wearily.
Blake was once again flicking her amber eyes back and forth between the two of them. Another hundred thoughts on her mind.
"That's not an option. We should go to Ozpin." She suggested.
Raven turned, "And tell him what?"
She pointed her left hand out, to the stadium doors behind Blake. Taking up a mocking tone of voice.
"Sorry to trouble you sir. But the guy whose hand everyone is currently eating out of is secretly a member of this shadow cult that no one knows about, but they're responsible for everything that has happened today. Really trust us."
Those words drew His attention.
Yang spoke, "Or are you just scared?"
Raven rubbed her left shoulder, "You should be."
Blake looked over, "If you're worried about your heritage."
"Don't jump to any conclusions," Raven hissed, "I've never had that problem. And you're getting off topic. But this,"
She stepped closer to the cat Faunus, holding up one clenched fist, "This moment. If this is their endgame you'd be a damn fool not to be afraid."
Raven turned back to Yang. Starring a moment before sighing out, "But… Since we can't do nothing, there is only one thing to do."
"What is that?" Yang asked.
"Play along."
Kad had warned them all to be ready at a moment's notice. Which was why he had quickly organized a few teams to bring what food and water they could out to all the trainees on the steps. Instead of having everyone jam back into the stadium and just cause too much trouble.
Partners laughed and joked. Friends shared stories, of their deeds this day or of ones long past on and off the battlefield. The mood was light, some sang songs bumping fists together. Impromptu circles formed with dozens and dozens from each and every kingdom, gender and race all standing defiant against the darkness.
The giant thought back to not so long ago when he thought the dance had been a waste of time.
"How a little perspective changes things…" Kad thought, smiling to himself.
Coco led the giant and a few others inside. Headed right for the converted conference room to find out what team CFVY had come up with. Penny and her father were still studying the doctor's scroll as they had been. Winter Schnee had her head on her palms blankly looking at the city model seated with her back to the double glass doors. Quietly lamenting her uselessness in this situation.
Their heads moved up when the others returned, drawn especially to the giant among them. He nodded once before shrugging out from his shredded jacket which he threw down on the table next to Winter.
Kad crouched close beside Coco at the head of the table. His muscles pressed against the thin black fabric of his short sleeved undershirt as she began pointing out key locations on their little diagram. Assisted by Velvet who had done most of the technical work wiring their traps.
Ruby and Weiss watched from the sidelines by the doorway. The red caped girl smiled, when two familiar black gloved hands landed on her shoulders. She crossed her arms and leaned back covering her sister's hands with her own.
"Hey you…" Yang said forcing a smile onto her face, and giving a nod to her final teammate in white. Ruby just smiled.
Yang mentally kept track of her other sister. Hidden from Kad's sight behind the blond and Blake. But APRC's leader was too focused on the scroll in his hands, and Velvet leaning in close telling him which buttons and switches did things outside.
The old doctor stood up when Velvet stepped back. Clearing his throat and quietly coughing into one fist. All eyes turned to him.
"Pardon me young ones," Geppetto started, "But I need you to listen."
"What is it?" Kad asked.
"Well, Madame Goodwitch dismissed my assistance. But I can get the CCT back up and running."
Velvet spoke, "That's a little out of our focus right now Doc."
"Knowledge can help." Penny said, supporting her father. A few people nodded in agreement.
Kad scratched his chin. "It would be nice," He said, "A little more intel. If we can talk to other Kingdoms we might be able to get some reinforcements."
"But how are we going to get to Beacon?" The rabbit Faunus asked in counter.
"Airships…" Geppetto tried to say, "Madame Goodwitch said there were airships still…"
One voice cut him off immediately. And Yang's heart nearly leapt out of her chest when Raven stepped around her.
"The Grimm will pull anything out of the sky before you even clear the city," Raven said. Taking the empty place beside Blake, to the right of Yang and Ruby.
The dark haired half Faunus looked straight into Kad's orange eyes. She spoke again, Yang could sense the subtle challenge in her voice.
"Beacon's a long ways away…"
Kad looked Raven dead in the face. And he didn't even bat an eye.
The giant looked back to the Doctor, "How long would it take you to reboot the system?"
"I'll need to…"
Kad didn't need details, "How long?"
Geppetto thought for a moment. "Half an hour. The hardest part will be the leg work swapping out corrupted data cores. But all CCTs have backups on site."
Quiet voices floated around the room. Weiss thought for a moment and spoke, "But still, I agree," She nodded to Raven, "Can we even make it to Beacon?"
Kad looked at the mini city, deep in thought, "We'll need an opening."
He reached forward, pointing to the routes the Grimm would come from and sweeping his broad palm back towards their positions.
"When the Grimm attack. We'll draw them in. Keep all their focus on us."
He glanced over to Team RWBY and Raven, "Volunteers? Guard the Doctor and check the status of the school?"
Ruby nodded, "You can count on us."
"Ozpin this is insanity."
Glynda tried to whisper, it wouldn't do any of the injured any good to hear the teachers right now. The Headmaster had managed to pull himself up to a sitting position with his back to the concrete wall. Qrow crouched on his right side, and Glynda on his left.
"We can't let them do this," She said again, "It's impossible."
Ozpin managed to chuckle, "I think you might be underestimating our student's Glynda."
"Really?" Qrow asked, "What was it you said about, you hope they never have to fight a war?"
"You misunderstood me Qrow," Ozpin said, "No one ever wants a war. If they're smart. And if somehow I could turn back time..."
But before the Headmaster could explain, he fell into another violent coughing fit. Bringing his left hand up to try and contain himself. His two friends leaned closer. Qrow almost called for the medic, but Ozpin settled down and looked over to him.
"Alas… No, we can't leave quite yet. And we will need our students now more than ever."
"You're kidding me," Qrow growled.
"Why?" Glynda asked, "We can rebuild. The Grimm will be satisfied with Vale. What is worth dying for here?"
"They can't be students forever," Ozpin said, "We teachers all know that fact."
"Sir…" Glynda was getting frustrated by the vagueness.
"I need to get to Beacon."
"Why?" Qrow asked this time. The scythe master and Goodwitch sharing a confused look out of the corners of their eyes.
Ozpin sighed, "Those people I had you hunting Qrow… I just can't shake this feeling. I sense their hand in this."
The Headmaster looked around and lowered his voice even further, "And there is something at Beacon I know they want."
Qrow leaned closer, whispering to, "What is it?"
"Not here," Ozpin said. "Not now, but we need to get it out of the Kingdom. We can't let them or the Grimm have it."
He saw the pained look on Glynda's face, and held out his hand. She took it and listened to the old man.
"I know this is painful. But we have a duty which outweighs a great many things," He gripped her hand tighter, reassuring his faithful assistant, "Glynda, just one more time. We need your strength."
He looked back over to Qrow. "The students will need your guidance now more than ever."
Qrow tilted his head down and sighed. "Alright… You got it boss."
Ozpin looked over to Goodwitch, "Glynda?"
"Very well sir."
"And then we should have the opening."
The giant looked up around the room, "Any questions?"
Co'Balt spoke, "That's a risky plan Kad."
"Do you have a better one?"
The Faunus merely grumbled and crossed his arms. Kad pointed back to the table.
"We don't want to have them just keep bouncing off our lines. We need to crush them." He curled his fist closed then looked up around the room, and everyone who had piled in meeting faces and still waiting for a response.
One voice broke the silence. And Kad recognized it instantly.
"It's a good strategy…"
It was Cinder, nodding her approval. Dressed in her disguise of a brown vest and grey wraps leaning against the door frame behind all the girls of team RWBY. Mercury and Emerald were nowhere to be seen.
Kad smiled a little bit at the praise. Cinder's sudden appearance got a few surprised looks. Raven's face may as well have been carved from marble as she examined the other dark haired woman.
Cinder looked to Kad, "When do we start?"
Kad stood, and pointed back to the door, "Let's go."
Everyone filled out, some split off outside others took to the side corridors. As Kad reached for his nearly ruined jacket Winter laid a hand over his.
"I'll take a look at this," She said, offering to repair the damage, "If you'd like?"
Kad nodded in thanks and let go of the garment, then stepped along beside his mentor.
They were practically alone, standing together just in front of the multiple front doors. Trainees were rushing off to organize their comrades or tend to other things which were of no concern to Kad.
Cinder looked left up to him, "Things have not gone as planned I admit… But you've done well."
Pride struck the giant by surprise. Praise from Cinder was a rare thing. But it was especially welcome in this moment of moments,
"Thank you," He said, looking out to the growing little celebration on the stairs.
He spoke quietly, "The Grimm were never supposed to get into Vale,"
"I am aware," Cinder replied coldly. "And you are handling them."
"For now," Kad answered "The sooner you get what Ozpin's been hiding the better... What's the next step?".
"Well as usual you're three moves ahead of me," Cinder said with a sly smile.
"Beacon?"
She nodded, "Yes. Soon now. We'll take what is ours."
"And then you'll come back."
Cinder blinked slightly confused.
"And then you'll come back," The giant repeated himself, "We've got a battle to win here."
"One step at a time Kad."
He was growing more and more concerned. The tone of the woman. The blind trust of His son.
Yang observed the giant and this new girl as she sat with her team and Raven on the steps of the stadium. Surrounded by her friends, team SSSN, Nora, Ren. Farther away she saw Co'Balt, Alicia, plus team CRDL and some Vacuo girls all laughing and talking together. Some young Hunters wandered around, spreading the battle plan out to their comrades. Professor Goodwitch and her uncle Qrow appear around the corner inside and approached them to discuss the coming battle.
Yang turned away. The sun had just passed below the horizon, all the daylight would soon be gone. And another type of darkness would swallow the city. She sighed, meshing her fingers together and staring at her boots. She was so tired she didn't even register that Ruby was trying to talk to her.
"Yang?"
Her sister sat down next to her. The blond finally looked up.
"Yeah Ruby?" She asked,
Ruby's head tilted in confusion, "Something wrong?"
Yang didn't say anything, she merely reached over and laid her right arm across her sister's shoulder, pulling her close. Ruby leaned into her.
Sun glanced over at Ren and Nora.
"Where's the rest of you?" He asked, referring to their absent leader and teammate. Ren spoke, his usual stoic face and calm tone masking his real thoughts.
"Busy…" He said simply.
"Oh?" Sun asked, hoping for a little clarification.
Ren's face went paler then normal and he refused to answer, so like always Nora filled in, "Pyrrha seemed a little friendlier with Jaune when we got back…"
Everyone went silent looking at the ginger girl.
"Friendlier?" Sun repeated.
"Let's just say I think she's dragged him off into a closet somewhere."
A few lights clicked on in heads. But still looked to Ren who always played Nora's voice of reason, just for confirmation. And he refused to make eye contact with any of them. Scarlet turned his head back and forth between his teammates, judging their expressions.
"Wait? What?"
Sage shifted over and whispered something in his ear. Scarlet's one visible eye shot open.
"… Oh."
Yang looked to Nora, and then back to the boys.
A smile crossed her face.
And she just couldn't contain herself.
She laughed.
The bright sound of her voice the only thing around them as others stopped their conversations and sought where the manic sound was coming from.
And Yang just kept on laughing, trying to hold back tears and calm herself.
"Way to go vomit boy," She managed to hiccup, "Way to freaking go…"
Neptune shifted nervously, "Uhh, should someone go get them?"
"Don't you dare ruin this!" Yang told him, before throwing back her head again.
Her laugh was infectious, smiles and grins slowly sprouted on the little group of faces.
All except for one.
Raven gently nudged her arm. "Calm down," she whispered, cautiously peering back over her shoulder.
Yang just smiled some more,
"Lighten up you," She said throwing her free left arm around Raven then whispering in her ear, "Play along remember?"
Qrow and Glynda had left again to report to Ozpin after getting an update and offering their assistance. Cinder had left to go and secure the aircraft they would be taking to Beacon.
Kad watched Jaune and Pyrrha meander outside to their team. Jaune slightly red faced with Pyrrha hanging on his right arm, absent mindedly adjusting her armor. Both receiving a variety of looks from their friends.
Kad stood looking back to the north. Watching the dying light fade away. Running his hand along the edges of Ignis, counting all the nicks and dings the red blade had accumulated over the day. Going through his plan one last time, and when he looked down again, hundreds looked back at him.
Waiting for his word.
The merry mood had turned into heavy silence,
He heard the howls again.
Soldiers shook their comrades and brought them up to the barricades.
The giant slowly panned his titian eyes over his brothers and sisters before he drew a final breath.
"Well… Here we are again," he said with a smile, "On the edge of a new age…"
"So remember this through the night my brothers, and sisters. Battles are fought by those with the courage to believe..." He beat his empty fist on chiseled breast,
"And they are won by those that find their hearts," Kad pointed his sword out to where their enemy gathered, "Hearts that know there are no Daemons that cannot be overcome! No hell that cannot be conquered!"
Weapons rose up with their owners own shouts.
"Yeah!"
"Let's kill em' all!"
Countless wordless cries that for a moment drowned out the approaching Grimm. Backed by a growing beat of weapons hammered on the ground and hammered into hands.
"Keep your heads held high! Let the Grimm, let the world know your hearts will never be cowed again. Fearless till the end! Everyone! Positions… We're in for one wild night."
:/OPEN_VOX_PACKET(9246375.7546)/:
:Dest…s/ (::::) Expedition Fleet(s)
\\-Ex; Officium Legio Master, [authentication D4D2J0L1]
-\ His Majesty's XIth Legion Astartes\-
} Heed and Stand too Brothers! } Mark this historic day!:
- All Legion detachments, companies, and supporting auxilia are to conclude compliance operations and make best speed for the Nosian staging system. -
/OUR GENEFATHER IS RETURNED!/
+(10th echelon.. Reroute, (Sector[[52-619-). -Report to Lord Valdor.
:Honor the Emperor. Honor the Legion.
:End data..burst/