Ruby sat still, staring out the window and watching the people pass on by.
It had already been a six days since Shade had told her to wait for them to come up with a plan. At the time she had decided to make the best of it, organizing and cleaning to pass the time.
Now however she was starting to lose her patience. When he said he was going out to scout each day she'd assumed he would bring back at least some useful information. Instead he'd always come back with nothing, telling her that they needed more time because the guard changed, or that they were on alert for some reason.
However after each excuse given she slowly started to grow a sort of resentment. While Shade was away playing spy all day Ruby had been stuck at base, wasting away the hours.
It was driving her mad, the place had absolutely nothing interesting to occupy her time. The best she could do was to watch the city folk outside, hoping that something exciting happened.
Technically there was no need to rush, so long as the mission got complete she could afford to wait till she was old; it didn't mean she wanted to though!
But what more could she do? She was already inside the city, and this was too big a mission to risk because of boredom alone.
Ruby stood, walking over to one of the pantries.
At least we've got a good supply of food stocked. That had been one of the first things her temporary partner had done.
Due to them wanting to keep the risk of exposing her to the guards low, Shade had went out to collect some rations. He done this each day, and over the course of the week so far he had managed to fill several shelves. They wouldn't go hungry anytime soon that was for sure.
Opening it up she gazed along the shelves. Most of it had been bread, biscuits, and other baked goods. Over time they would begin to spoil, so there was no need to save too much.
There was something that caught her interest though; there, sitting on the shelf was a small ceramic jar. She reached up for it, taking it down an opening it up. Inside there was a sort of powder.
She remembered yesterday when Shade had brought the jar to base.
"What's in there?" She had asked as he placed it on a table.
"This? It's one of my more popular items. Traders brought it from the east a few months ago." He had told her, opening the Jar to show a sort of powder as he explained further.
"They told me that you were supposed to pour some of it in boiled water. It's a type of flavoring, makes it all bitter; but they'd also suggested mixing in butter and cream as well. They called it 'tea' I believe."
In a way the small jar had managed to dig up some of the few good memories that she had, still somehow alive; just buried deep inside herself.
Ruby walked over to the fireplace, placing a small kettle she'd filled earlier and putting it down on the metal rack suspended above. She got to work starting the fire, stepping back to take a seat in a nearby chair.
Blake would have loved to try this.
The quiet girl had once told her that she had grown up on tea, back when she was with her parents. She remembered Blake talking with Yang on how many different types she had tried before. She remembered Laughing as Yang tried to get into it, only to end up forgetting any sugar; practically choking as the bitterness caught her off guard.
The tea in this era was mostly similar to it's future counterpart, with the only real difference being how it was prepared and traded. Most tea you could get back in Vale had come in small bags that you'd soak. However the tea here was a finely ground powder that you'd just pour in.
The whistling of the kettle knocked her from her thoughts. She stood, making her way over to fetch it.
At least I have you to keep me occupied little kettle.
.
.
NO!
Adam rushed forward, blade primed and ready to strike.
What the dust is that! When Vermillion asked if he trusted him he expected it to just be something interesting; like an expert knowledge of history or something, not... this!?
He drew Wilt, intent on severing the tendril and freeing his ally. Imagine his surprise when he was met with a solid clink, his blade failing to even make a dent.
He heard another clink from his side, turning to see that Roman's little killer had also tried the same tactic, and got the same results.
Adam felt a pressure against his blade, a massive wave of force seemingly radiating from the binds around Vermillion knocking both Neo and himself away. His boots skidding against the cavern floor as he charged forth again, and again.
Each attempt met with the same effect, getting knocked back as the tendrils continued to wrap around him.
Both Adam and Neo watched as Vermillion was pulled close to the obelisk, the monument seeming to glow slightly stronger as his body came into contact. It lasted only a few seconds before the tendrils stopped.
They looked to vanish into smoke, the same type that Grimm would release upon death. His body dropped to the ground; Neo and Adam rushing forth to assess the damage.
Adam rolled him over, looking over the various holes that now littered his body; blood flowing freely in a river of black.
Shit!
Adam didn't know what to do, there was too much blood and he didn't know if he could treat it. He didn't even know if it could be treated anyway, he was practically holding a shredded corpse at this point.
Carefully Adam lowered Vermillion to the ground, taking a moment of silence for his fallen companion.
Looking over the face he was met with a look of complete calm, as if he was having a pleasant dream.
Was it painless? I can only hope so.
Adam was about to stand, only to stop as he saw Neo place her hand on one of the many wounds.
"The dead are best left to rest." His tone was commanding, holding a solid edge as he delivered the veiled threat.
Neo looked up at him, rolling her eyes as she pointed to one of the wounds; silently asking him to look. Adam thought about it for a moment, ultimately deciding to go along with it if it meant she would leave the fallen man alone.
He ducked, looking closer at the wound that the woman pointed to. Smoke was emanating from it, remnants of the tendrils that occupied the space. Adam didn't see what Neo was talking about, until something caught his sight.
The smoke, it's not going away... it's coming from the wounds!
Looking even closer Adam was able to see that the rips in the flesh itself was slowly closing in. Adam's eyes widened as he saw the blood flowing. Just a second ago the life fluids were pooling on the floor, but now... now it seemed as though it was being pulled back!
It was like watching a scroll video or a movie and hitting the rewind feature. His blood was reversing it's course. He placed his finger in the blood and watched as it dripped off, landing on the corpse. It looked to be pulled away, and ever so slowly directed itself towards the wound it had come from.
Adam steeled himself, deciding to check something. He leaned his head forward, listening around the hole through the heart. Nothing, there was no heart beat.
Yet Adam felt the chest move up and down, as if it were breathing. Lifting himself back up he was able to see the gentle breaths that escaped Vermillion's lips, coming out in short puffs of white mist as the chill of the air hung around them.
Adam was left disturbed. How could Vermillion be alive? What were those things that tore at him? What is that obelisk? So many different questions, and not a single answer.
Adam saw Neo looking at him and motioning to Vermillion.
"Do you know what happened?" He asked, hoping that the girl may have had some idea on what was going on.
She shook her head, revealing she was just as clueless as him. Adam let out a sigh as he thought about what to do next. Vermillion was alive, that much was made clear by the breathing and the body healing itself.
How, how are you still alive?
Adam leaned down, scooping the man up and draping him across his shoulders as he gave Neo a nod. The girl caught his meaning and followed him as they walked through the caverns.
"I don't know what the dust is going on, but Vermillion looks to be alive somehow. If he wakes up we'll ask him what the fuck just happened. Until then I need you to keep an eye out for any Grimm, I can't fight like this." Adam explained as Neo gave a nod, steeling herself forward.
They continued along the cave, intent on discovering what other secrets it had to hide.
.
.
I was surrounded by shadows once again, just like before.
How strange it was; so empty and lifeless, yet it felt comforting at the same time. I should have at least been wary of the dark that surrounded me, but it was just so... calm.
I looked down at my hands, seeing that they were still there. The rest of my body was also visible, taking it as a good sign I decided to take a few steps ahead. Hopefully whatever this place wanted to show me would be revealed soon.
Almost as if by command, my wish was granted as I was able to make out some sounds around me. Stopping for a moment I focused on the noise as the world seemed to sprout color, just as before.
Everything slowly faded into view; the long velvet carpet, various paintings lining the walls, and a row of windows decorating the side of the hall and letting in the light. And once again I was able to recognize my surroundings.
This is the main hall... of the east wing I believe.
I walked over to one of the windows, looking out at the land below. Neatly trimmed grass, as well as a couple alpha Beowolves standing guard; yes, this was indeed the east wing.
I was in the castle, meaning that the court room would be south of where I was standing. I'd need to follow the hallway, as well as take a few turns before eventually arriving at the thrones.
The king and queen would usually hold court from early morning to the middle of the evening, giving audience to those who sought it. Each with their own personal guards by their sides.
I took a moment to take in the view, before deciding to move along. However, before I was able to take more than a couple steps I was greeted with more noise. Giggling if my hearing was correct.
I turned to face the sound; it seemed to be coming from down the hall. I walked along, taking in the feeling and comfort that this place brought me. It was a memory sure, but it still brought a sense of peace to be reminded of home after all the chaos I'd witnessed so far.
After a couple more steps I was able to see a door that lay open, the giggles as well as laughter entering the halls. Stepping inside I was immediately greeted with the source of the sounds.
I'd recognized this room too, and from the looks of it the little owners were having fun. I was able to see all four of them, conjuring up small balls of snow and pelting them at a target; said target being held in the hands of a certain familiar someone.
It was so off-putting, the feeling I got as I watched the young man stand there covered in bits of snow, and holding a wooden shield with a red target painted on it. He was standing on a cloth that was stretched across the floor, using it to keep the floor dry as he took another hit.
The day they learned I was willing to be their practice dummy.
Looking on I was able to see that my younger self was starting to regret his decision of playing 'bad guy' for them. I felt a small smile slip over my face as the princesses decided to pelt me all at once; snow flying across the room as I took the assault.
I recognized this memory as well. I was a man of seventeen winter's at the time, and having only had my Grimm form for around a year. I'd been tasked with watching over the princesses as the king and queen held court.
Feisty little tots they were, always seeming to be full of energy. When I had first gotten the task I'd assumed they would be a little afraid of me (being a stranger and all), but oh had I been wrong.
The moment I'd first met them they'd crowded around me, observing and occasionally poking at my legs as if I were a relic of some sort. I'd quickly come to learn just how much trouble the little girls could get into, as well as coming to the realization that I'd just been tasked as the royal babysitter.
'How much trouble can they be?' I'd thought at the time, they were only children so they couldn't be that bad. I was wrong, oh how I was wrong; I should have known not to underestimate the children of the divines.
Four excitable little girls with magic at their finger tips, it practically screamed disaster. One day might simply be growing flowers from the walls, another might be freezing the fountain, and let's not forget the time they blew wind threw the halls and tilted all the paintings; I still got shivers at that, considering I was the one who had to fix them all.
Aside from the horrors of re-adjusting four hundred and seven paintings around the castle, there was also their various little games; that suspiciously involved me, one of which was looking to have come to an end.
"Okay sir knight, we're done for now." One of the little girl's said, my other self letting out a sigh as he lowered his shield.
"Thank you, I'm sure that's enough practice for today." He said, stepping off the cloth and picking it up.
"Hmm, I guess. So what are we doing now?" Another had asked, taking on a thinking pose as her sisters did the same.
My other let out a slight chuckle as he went to wiping away the excess bits of water around the room, looking amused with their antics.
"And what's got you four scheming so hard?" A voice came from his side, the owner walking through me and into the room.
"Mother!" The four rushed to the woman, stopping right in front of her as she raised a hand to her cheek.
"My my, so much attention. You four wouldn't happen to have been playing any tricks now have you?" The queen asked, receiving some very animated head shakes from the girls.
"No mother, we were just practicing ice magic with sir knight." The shortest one told as the others nodded.
The queen held an amused look and glancing over at the shield before turning her gaze to my other. He was currently drying his hands with the now wet cloth as he gave a bow.
"Your majesty." He spoke as he raised his head again, with the queen giving a nod of her own before addressing him.
"They've been practicing hard I imagine. How was their aim?"
"It varies." He answered with a small smirk, the girls sending tiny pouts his way.
"Well, that sounds like an improvement to me. However any more practice will have to wait, there's something they need to see." The queen answered, the princesses giving curious and excited looks.
"What is it?" One of them asked as the others leaned in.
The queen smiled, walking back to the door as she called back.
"It's a surprise from your father and I, so come along now. You too Vermillion; as their temporary guardian they'll probably bring you along with them much more often."
I watched as the group walked down the hallway. I cast one last look to the room as everything faded, leaving nothing but the dark again. Several second went by as I awaited the next vision.
Slowly but surely a new scene faded in, although in a different manner than before. Instead the shadowy fog had dispersed, leaving nothing but a penetrating black to fill my vision. Any sense of spatial awareness seemed to leave me as well, I had no idea where I was.
Suddenly a bright light filled my vision, and the room was made clear. The light had died down, allowing me to see before me the queen and her children (as well as myself) standing behind her.
Having opened the door she waltzed into the room, taking a graceful step to the side and allowing the little ones to rush in with eyes of wonder.
I looked around, taking in my surroundings as the children came forth. The area looked to be a garden of sorts, filled with a collection of colorful plant life. That had already caught my attention, but what separated this from just any other garden was what lay within.
Tiny houses, small and colorful were dispersed through the garden. I watched as one of the girls walked up to the tiny shelter, leaning in as she got a closer look. She backed away instantly, almost tripping as she stared.
There, having flown out of the tiny building, was a small wisp of smoke. No it wasn't smoke now that I looked at it.
I remember these.
"Woah." The princess let out, a look of curiosity and wonder at the tiny creature before her.
The others seemed to have met their own little friends as well. Looking around I saw many of them, flying to and from the tiny buildings. Occasionally they would stop and land on the flowers and leaves, looking to gaze at everyone.
"What... are these?" My other had asked, one of the tiny things having taken to flying around him.
The queen let loose a smile as she held out her hand, allowing one of them to take it's place on her.
"One of my own... personal creations. Girls, welcome to the 'Fairy Garden'."
The children seemed enamored as they crowded around their mother once more, a small fairy flying around each of them. The queen gave a chuckle as she saw the joy on their faces.
"Your father and I were thinking of how to celebrate our wedding anniversary this year when we got an idea. We thought about how much you mean to us, and realized how little time we get to spend with you." The queen told as the children listened closely.
"However as rulers of the kingdom we have duties to attend to, wither we like it or not. So we came up with a solution."
The queen looked to the fairy in her hands, lowering down and whispering to the creature. It's eyes seemed to glow a brighter red for a moment and die down a second later. Immediately the fairies around the girls gave off that same eye glow, before flying up near the ears of the children.
Their eyes widened as they looked back to the queen.
"Mother it spoke! It talked to me!" They all said at the same time, the queen giving a small giggle as she nodded to them.
"Yes, yes they did. I made them as a way for us to talk to each other when we're far apart so you always know we're listening, even when we can't see each other." She explained as the princesses looked to their small companions, leaning in and whispering.
The queen gave off a gentle smile as the children went about sending words back and forth, giggling at each message. I looked over to the tiny fairy that was circling me.
The thing was small and lanky, three long bone claws on it's hands. It had a pair of small red wings, looking similar to thin stretched flesh; being held by bone, in an almost bat-like manner. It had no mask, just a smooth face in the shape of a human with a pair of beady red eyes.
Overall it looked like a tiny black wisp as it flew around me. I watched as it flew to my younger selves ear, whispering something as he looked to the children who had started giggling to themselves as they glanced his way.
My other gave a simple smile, leaning down and whispering to the fairy before looking back at the children. The words were received and the fun continued for them, my other looking over to the queen.
"I believe I may end up being dragged here like you said." He commented as the queen smiled.
"You may, but look at how happy they are. Surely it's not to much trouble right?"
"No, not at all." He answered as he continued to watch the fairies fly around, only to look to the queen once more with a worried gaze.
"What if thieves or unsavory folk try to misuse these fairies of yours?" He asked as the queen shook her head.
"They won't; the fairies will only speak to the children, you, my husband, and I. They are made to flee from anyone else. Rest assured that they will bring no harm to any of us." The queen finished, having put my younger self at ease.
The fairies flew about as the world faded from my vision, replaced by the shadowy darkness.
I felt the ground below me shift as the hands from the first time had took hold of me. The same feeling from before crawling along my spine. And so the voice made itself known, both everywhere and nowhere at the same time.
So wonderful isn't it? The fairies who carry the words of others.
The hands gripped tighter, twisting my flesh as they clawed at me.
Their eyes glowing so brightly as they listened for the whispers of the children.
The hands melted, and the familiar burning raked across my skin.
I wonder, will you hear the words of the Grimm. The beautiful tunes of passion and rage?
My world went dark, through a lullaby of fire.
.
.
Neo was curious, very curious.
She thought the mission would be simple, just head on in and get the dust (maybe kill a few goons along the way). However that little plan had backfired, leaving her stranded with Adam and his buddy.
She'd been pissed back when they first fell, and she'd be dishing out her own brand of punishment when they got out. But for now she was stuck acting as a bodyguard; nothing new there. At least the kid had been interesting, my oh my had he been full of surprises.
First that set of body armor he'd managed to cough up out of nowhere, and now this? Neo had never seen or met anyone with the ability to survive having their body torn apart in such ferocity, and it looked like Adam didn't either.
And then there was that stone, it had been glowing so ominously. Yet the kid hadn't shown the slightest bit of concern, like he knew exactly what it was. He'd even been so bold as to ask for trust in his next course of action, reading out the ruins without so much as a flinch and then being impaled in a slew of tentacles.
Speaking of... what the heck were those things anyway? She'd only seen things like that in those Mistral comics that creeps used to get themselves off; But no, apparently things like that exist. Then again... those books held a few torture methods she'd discovered upon passing bouts of boredom, back when Roman and her needed to lay low, so it wasn't a total loss.
Neo started to wonder if any other suggestive creatures like that were real. However she cut those thoughts short as she needed to focus, got to keep Grimm boy alive after all.
She kept her eyes ahead of her, watching over the various shadows and cracks along the walls just incase some stray Grimm tried their luck. The dampness of the air making her clothes just a tad more uncomfortable than she would have liked.
Who would have thought that choosing to become a thief would have her escorting a terrorist and some weirdo through a cave. Whatever, Adam was probably just as uncomfortable as her. Considering she wasn't the one carrying the kid, she had no real reason to complain.
Well at least she'd be getting something out of this; Roman wanted info on the kid, and by dust he would get it. That skank Cinder would have to be satisfied with what they'd learned.
Neo stopped as her ears honed in on a sound, off in the distance. That sound... she recognized it, it was the sounds of rushing water.
She picked up the pace, her casual stroll turning to a brisk walk as she made for the source. The increased footsteps behind her confirming that Adam was keeping pace with her, that was good as she would have hated having to slow down.
Both Adam and Neo started to notice that the cavern was getting ever so slightly brighter as they ventured further, making it easier to see. The sounds of water were clear now, almost as if they were at a cliff overlooking the ocean.
They came to a large opening, gazing on at the scene within.
Various lights had been mounted to the roof of the cavern, lighting up the docks that stood before them. Differing tech lining the walkways, as well as some small huts laying around.
Everything looked so advanced, almost in a sort of atlesian style with how clean and white everything looked. It all looked brand new, which immediately had them on guard.
However what caught their attention the most was the massive ship that sat in the middle of the water, swaying gently as it looked to be rolling in from deeper inside.
"Well we've found a way out." Adam's words caught Neo off guard, that seemed to be happening a lot recently.
A way out, sure the water meant that the cave did have an exit, but that would require hopping aboard the ship. Was he suggesting that they steal the ship? Because if he was... then she was all for it!
Finally, something she was skilled at. Make no mistake, she was a damn good killer don't get her wrong, but it wasn't her profession. This however, was something she prided herself in. Usually working as the get away driver with Roman had led her to learning how to drive almost anything, a ship like this was nothing that her skills couldn't handle.
She made to rush forward, only to feel Adam's hand grip hers.
"Shh, look." He whispered, pointing over to the docks.
Neo focused, just starting to make out what had Adam so cautious. She was able to see movement, and upon closer inspection she was able to make out that they were drones. They looked to be loading crates on the ship... underground... in a cavern, what the dust?
She could take them, she knew she could, but she was more curious now than anything. Why were they loading up a ship underground? More importantly what were that loading on it?
Great, just what she needed, more problems to deal with. Normally she'd take out all the opposition, but with Adam and the kid here that was the last thing she wanted. She needed to keep the kid safe, meaning that she needed to find another way to tackle the problem.
Neo took her time, activating her semblance to create an illusion of her being a drone. She wasn't able to tell just what they looked like, so she went with a generic Atlesian Knight hoping that the color scheme would keep their focus off of her.
She knew she was taking a risk as she crossed over to get a better look around; she had no idea if they had aura sensing capabilities or just physical recognition.
Her semblance worked by expending her aura to create the general shape of her illusion, allowing it to appear on physical scans. More of her aura then surrounds her and acts as a sort of camo, allowing her to blend in with the environment and making her appear invisible as her aura would shift and change to match her surroundings from all angles.
However it required a good bit of focus, any and all damage proving to be enough to shatter her focus, and by extent her illusion as she would feel a surge of pressure when it took damage.
Aura sensing would be a problem as her illusions would practically light up like a siren on the radars, drawing all their attention to her and her illusions.
Neo continued on anyway, carefully looking around the docks. She made her way over to the larger metal crates that a crane seemed to be moving onboard; one of which just so happened to be empty. The doors on that particular crate weren't quite closed, showing that the inside was empty.
She noticed that the crates being moved had a sticker on the sides, sporting a bold white symbol she didn't recognize. Deciding on a plan Neo spent the next few minutes walking back to the other two.
Dropping her illusion she waved Adam to follow, placing them under a new one this time and calmly leading the way.
She'd led Adam over to the crate, carefully guiding him around the other drones that worked away at what they were doing; they had physical scanners, which was a stroke of luck for her. Having gotten a better look at them she'd tailored their disguise to match, allowing the them to pass on by without having to keep a distance.
She led Adam to the crate, motioning him in as she walked over to one of the others. Using her semblance one last time Neo placed a small illusion on the side, giving it the same symbol as the others.
Entering the thing herself she waited with Adam, both of them feeling the crate being moved a minute later.
"Not bad." Adam spoke as he placed Vermillion down, Neo giving a small smirk and waving the compliment off.
She saw Adam kneel down, looking over the body that had seemed to be fully healed now.
They'd have their answers when the kid awoke, one way or another.
Author's note
...
Another chapter down, and things are still moving along.
We got to see more of Neo this time (an obvious benefit), as well as what she and Adam think about V. Poor V's gonna need to deal with them when he wakes up too.
Also a look at another of V's memories, this time including some of his early exploits of being a guardian for a bit.
And a tiny moment with older Ruby, she's still important I swear!
Anyway, see you next time.