Fangs of the Exiles
Rated M
Rwby
Summary:
Life is not about what happens to you, but what you make of it... At least that's what everyone says. Two faunus will answer whose way is right, carrying the will of a titanic kingdom while the other, the spirit of one who shouldn't exist. Forgotten, their paths will cross, for better or worse.
A/N:
Chapter 10: When it Falls-1
Professor Ozpin sat in his office, uneasy, as the second day of the tournament began. He was generally the most upbeat of the school's residents, but today was nothing short of a headache for the elder. Following his meeting with Qrow and Ironwood, the older headmaster attempted to comprehend everything that had been presented to him. While planning for the next candidate to arrive, he pondered the huntsman's knowledge about an intruder on university grounds and their relation to the assault on the Fall Maiden, Amber with sad reflections.
When considering the robust crop of huntresses-in-training, he had various possibilities to select from. Nevertheless, there was just one individual in his view who was the perfect match to take on such a huge duty; a young woman whom he saw as the most appropriate from the moment he met her. Qrow Branwen sipped his mug of coffee, undoubtedly Irish'd up.
"Have you chosen your guardian yet?"
He answered, "Maidens choose themselves..." "I simply believe I have found the ideal candidate." I've had a hunch she'd be the one since the first time I met her. She is strong, clever, and kind, but most importantly, she is ready."
As he considered his options, he heard the elevator swooshing open, revealing the applicant.
Long, fiery red hair.
Green eyes, full of innocence.
A smile that conveyed both compassion and apprehension.
Time to put on a convincing smile, Oz...
"Miss Nikos! It's a pleasure to have you here."
"Thank you for having me, Professor." she bowed respectfully.
"Please, have a seat. There is much I wish to share with you."
She cooperated with the request, not fully grasping what was ahead of her; the shift in the very thing she referred to as destiny.
[Amity Colliseum]
The evening's final matches were finishing up, and those in attendance were almost salivating for the following set. It was an unusual match-up featuring a team they were all too familiar with. Professor Port cleared his throat again once the arena had been emptied.
"And now, the moment you've all been waiting for... The one-on-one finals!"
As if the crowds couldn't become any more agitated, their thunderous cheers proved that they could. The remaining members of Teams RWBY, JNPR, SSSN, and ASRE sat together to support their respective representatives. The most notable finalists were Yang Xiao-Long, Sun Wukong, Pyrrha Nikos, and Aganju Umbrae, as well as Mercury Black and Penny Polendina.
Aganju noted from the corner of his eye that his friend was unsure of herself. He wanted nothing more than to figure out what was disturbing her, but that would have to wait until the rules were delivered.
"Bardy, why don't you explain the rules?"
Oobleck flashed a challenging look but, obliged nonetheless.
"Instead of a bracket system, each contest will be randomly determined immediately before the match takes place!"
"Excellent! This means that there will be no preparation time for our remaining participants!" Port added with the gusto that had become synonymous with him. "Now, let's see who our first match-up will be."
As the faces of the participants spun on the virtual roulette, all eyes swiftly shifted to the enormous displays around them. The crowd suddenly grew silent as they anticipated the results of the first match. The displays abruptly went dark as the seconds passed, revealing just the first combatant to be named.
The second image quickly came into focus after that, "Athena Bellona from Atlas versus... Aganju Umbrae of Beacon!"
While everyone else was cheering for the match, Aganju felt his blood start to boil. When he saw the young woman, he narrowed his eyes, which she instantly detected. What went unseen was a young woman with raven hair walking away from the shouting fans.
"Would all other combatants please leave the stage?"
Soon after, the others followed, some encouraging their companion, including a worried Pyrrha who forced a grin before walking away. He didn't have time to hurry after her to cheer her up, so he returned his eyes to the girl across from him. She had eyes like rose quartz that glittered with an arrogance that transcends even the most casual of narcissists, which he detested...
But why would you belittle a complete stranger?
Simple. She was familiar with Aganju.
Athena put a hand on her curvy hips and said, "Well, it looks like the pup's all grown up and playing with the big kids now. Even better, you went and formed a team and finally made some friends!"
He kept quiet, opting to concentrate on controlling his feelings as the area around them started to rise. The spotlights started to focus on the two as the center stage started to lower, indicating the potential for a ring out.
Don't cry on me like you did before. You probably don't want everyone in Remnant to see that, do we?"
He growled, "Bite me."
The speakers sounded once more before she could respond.
"3..."
With a wicked grin, Athena aimed her Naginata spear toward the fox.
"...2..."
With his sights fixed on his adversary, Aganju divided Cerberus into its dual sword form.
"...1!"
Each of them inhaled profoundly and nearly let it out at the same time.
"FIGHT!"
Aganju took the initiative as the two charged in a split second. The strong staff section of her weapon deflected his attack as he leaped up and slammed down with his blades. He attempted several more slashes after that, but Athena's outstanding protection stopped each one of them. The Atlas pupil was kept on her toes by Aganju's use of thrusts and even a few kicks to vary his approach. This did little to discourage him.
He smiled maliciously.
"Oh, you haven't seen anything yet. I'm not the same weak little fox you met at Sanctum."
"Really?" she mocked, steadying her naginata. "Then prove it."
"Gladly..."
After a brief break, the two picked up where they left off with no clear winner. As they both traded vicious punches, it became clear that this chess match was exactly what the audience wanted to watch. If one did gain an edge, the other promptly seized it to restore the situation to its pre-advantageous state. Intense attacks were deflected by strong defenses as the fight heated up.
Many eyes followed the action with varied emotions as the roars of the crowd in attendance grew louder. A woman sat down next to her, briefly catching the dark-haired girl's attention before locking onto her with crimson eyes and a sneer.
"What do you think, Emerald?"
"I don't get why you'd care about him, but..."
"But?" the woman asked with intrigue.
"I'll do it..."
Amber's eyes approvedly regarded the darker girl.
"Whenever you're ready."
As the Atlesian started to dominate Aganju, Emerald inhaled deeply and kept her gaze on him. While the competition seemed fierce, all that was going on was a heated rivalry between the two as they competed to advance in the tournament. But Aganju was knocked down by a perfectly executed sweep kick. By sliding backward upon impact, he narrowly escaped a thrusting strike.
"Nothing today, weakling? She cooed in jest. I assumed you wanted to, ugh!"
She abruptly cut off in mid-sentence, and Aganju was about to respond with a rejoinder when he instead turned to face the young woman, uncertainty pouring over his features. He didn't give the combatant's board a second look as time was running out, observing that Athena retained the smallest edge in the aura bar while they were still neck and neck.
He didn't know what was going on, but he couldn't miss an opportunity to win this close battle.
A tiny aura line between the rings on the tips of each of his swords' blades connected the handles. He had been holding off on employing this move until the final round, against whomever he was matched with. However, this was a good time to use it.
He stepped back and unleashed a volley of red-rose-colored arrows made of the dust kept inside Cerberus around the dumbfounded girl.
Soon, little explosions on the ground began to surround her figure, providing him the ideal cover to attack. Aganju merged the blades back into their dual-ended glaive shape and charged in, feeling secure in his victory. As the haze started to clear, the shadowy form of Athena trying to wave off the cloud could be seen, giving him the advantage of traveling at blinding speeds.
"This is it..." he said before soaring high into the air.
Athena didn't notice him as he appeared through the smog, which he didn't know. No. She perceived an abomination, a Grimm creature, rather than the faunus. Instead of noticing her old classmate approaching her, saw a ravenous predator approaching her to turn her into its next meal. She didn't see it that way, but she understood that if she wanted to survive, she would have to eliminate the monster.
She held onto her naginata with a tight hold as her heart raced, striking with a graceful yet powerful swing. The entire arena was silenced by a piercing wail that echoed across the space. As the commotion died down, everyone in the arena remained silent as a chill filled the atmosphere. Whatever they witnessed on the displays startled and repulsed them.
Blood was pouring down Aganju's face from what appeared to be under his eyes as he dropped his weapon and grabbed his face with both hands. He avoided another cut, this one aiming at his chest, despite the crimson liquid gushing forth like a fountain. On the other side, Athena now had a feral gaze in her eyes and a black aura coating her body.
"What are you doing?!" he tried to yell through his hands. "Athena! Cut it out!"
"Why. Won't. You. Die?!" she shrieked while continuing the relentless assault.
The crowd looked on with horror at such a malicious attack, yet, they couldn't tear their eyes away.
It was obvious that there was more to this contest than simply picking a winner. That was bloodlust. She persisted in fighting, wanting nothing more than to put an end to the horrible nightmare that had descended upon her. Emerald had to admit that she was rather enjoying the sight unfolding before her, something her partner noticed with a sinister grin.
"This is going too far," Scylla stared wide-eyed.
"Yer telling me," Roxanne cringed at the scene before her.
Many of their friends agreed though Pyrrha held her tongue. With terror dancing behind her eyes, she did her best to follow the action. How could the officials let this continue? This wasn't a fight! It was barbarism...
Little did she know, others were thinking the same thing as they watched the ordeal.
She could see that something was seriously wrong as the blood marks on the stage became larger, but what could she do? She had no choice but to watch the agonizing performance go on.
Aganju appeared to have no option but to use his ace at this point, with the threat of losing his life. Every brain cell pleaded at him not to, but as he finally dropped his hands, revealing the cut, which was not too deep but had crossed horizontally along the bridge of his nose, instincts seemed to call a little louder.
After suffering a few more lacerations, the regrettable truth finally dawned on her.
"Die!"
He watched as the savage girl charged at him, poised to impale him as he gritted his teeth. Her eyes were ferocious and devoid of logic and reasoning. There weren't many options...
"ENOUGH!"
He revealed a powerful secret ability that shook the entire arena like a ton of bricks. They could feel the sudden surge of energy emanating from the faunus even though the barrier was keeping everyone safe. At such overwhelming power, even his colleagues were taken aback.
Ironwood appeared the most shocked of all those present as he saw one of his students being pushed back by the overwhelming force. As they watched Aganju's presentation from his office, Ozpin, and Goodwitch each voiced amazement at what they had seen. However, a pair of amber eyes began to look in intrigue. The vulpine unleashed what many would mistakenly think was his resemblance, but only Pyrrha remained unmoved by the spectacle.
Athena was thrown to her knees by the explosion and fell on her hands.
When she raised her head, she noticed that he was surrounded by an aura of searing amber. The most noticeable change on his face, however, was a more subtle one: dark, glowing crimson eyes surrounded by scleras as black as an infinite abyss. Athena would then realize that she was no longer seeing the twisted being that had been haunting her.
She had returned to the arena, which was silent as a tomb.
Mentally numb and exhausted, Athena dropped her weapon and lowered her head in shame.
"I... I yield..."
Despite how faint they were, the two words resonated throughout the stadium. Suddenly, the match was over as her image on the screen went dark.
"With his opponent surrendering, Aganju Umbrae is your winner!"
Though there were also some whispers, the room gradually started to fill with the sounds of clapping and shouts. It was an intense battle, but it was also perplexing. Even Aganju was baffled by what had just happened as the surge of power began to abate. How did a highly competitive match turn into a fight for his life?
He'd find himself surrounded by a medical team who quickly clasped towels over his face to stop the torrent of blood oozing out of his face. He hissed as he was led off toward the tunnels but stopped next to a now visibly shaken Roka. When she looked up, gone were the eyes of a demon, replaced by the calm emerald orbs that she recognized from her former classmate and victim.
Ironwood couldn't believe his eyes and neither could his subordinates. Winter had decided to stick around a little longer for her sister's semi-final performance. However, Elm and Sango were the most shocked, particularly the latter of the pair. His head had begun throbbing once Aganju displayed that overflow of power. Was it his semblance?
Whatever it was, it would have to wait; One look at his current leader and it was certain that Ironwood was more concerned with the history between the pair.
That's right, Athena and Aganju had a distasteful history during their time at the combat school, and it seemed that the past finally came back to bite the former bully. While she was escorted off to the medical unit as well while Emerald watched bewildered. In her mind, the girl should've snapped from the illusion she cast on her but, once the vulpine used what she believed to be his semblance, she couldn't maintain her focus and lost her control over the Atlesian's mind.
"Cinder..." she whispered hesitantly. "What was that?"
For a brief moment, Cinder's eyes were fixed on the faunus, never straying from him until he vanished inside the tunnel. She felt a resonance with him due to some aspects of him; something familiar. Perhaps, it was such a display of power? She could sense it, and it reminded her of a previous sensation of mania.
"Cinder?"
It couldn't be...
[Beacon- JNPR's Dorm]
As the matches continued, Pyrrha decided that she'd had enough fighting for a bit, especially considering she had her match to participate in later. While the others were focused on the match between Yang & Mercury, she sat in her room, conflicted. Two major things possessed her mind, forcing her into a miniature state of depression.
Aganju was the first; he had only been in the hospital for a half-hour, but it seemed like an eternity. As details from his match began to play out in her thoughts, it would be an understatement to say that she had grown devoted to the boy. Her spine became paralyzed by his agonizing wail. His attack-related injuries, which caused blood to spill onto the stage made her stomach ache. She became downhearted as a result of all of those things.
Then there was her conversation with Professor Ozpin and his request.
She wanted to disappear completely at the thought of having a maiden's power and perhaps the girl, Amber's consciousness inside of her. All of that strength; strength that might have saved the world? She was unable to argue against how fantastic it sounded. She felt more helpless than ever before, but any would-be huntress would rush at the chance to win such an honor.
Was all of it worth the price?
Since leaving the subterranean bunker under Beacon Academy, she had been asking herself that question. Ozpin. Glynda. Qrow. General Ironwood. These four were part of a clandestine organization working to thwart some evil far more powerful than the Grimm. In particular, this bigger evil that was waiting for them, she had trouble comprehending. Additionally, she was offered a "choice" to consider.
"Hey..." she nearly jumped upon hearing the sound of her teammate and leader, Jaune Arc.
"Oh... Hello Jaune..."
He was trailed closely by Ren and Nora who all had soft smiles on their faces, though the air of tension was also evident. They each surrounded their friend, showering her with love and encouragement in hopes of cheering her up. It helped a little with Nora suddenly changing clothes in an attempt to get Pyrrha to work out her nerves. Ren offered her a green smoothie he made only to have Nora try it and nearly vomit from the taste.
She couldn't help but giggle, grateful for the distractions; temporary as they may be.
However, Jaune noticed her true feelings, sitting next to the warrior.
"You're worried about him, aren't you?"
"Is it that obvious?" she averted her gaze.
"Either that or your mind is caught up on your upcoming match!" Nora poked her.
"Nora...?"
"Sorry, Ren."
Pyrrha simply bent her head in agreement. "I am a bit... concerned about his condition."
"Then, why don't you just go see him?" Nora chimed in, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.
"What?"
"Professor Oobleck gave an update, stating that he was alright and that he'd be cleared to keep fighting in the tournament. I think he'd just been..."
In a flash, Pyrrha got up and rushed out of the room, leaving behind a small dust cloud and her friends. Interestingly, Jaune and Ren looked over to find Nora holding her hand out with a raised eyebrow and a knowing grin.
"I told you! Now, pay up..."
The boys rolled their eyes, each digging in their pockets to give the hammer-wielding girl 20 liens each. She thanked them with her childlike tone and booped Ren on the nose before leaving the room, bouncing and humming to herself.
[Beacon- Cafeteria Grounds]
Those eyes of yours are... special.
There's a purpose for your abilities...
You must take fate into your own hands, Aganju.
As Aganju sat in front of the cafeteria building, the headmaster's words continued to echo in his mind.
His face was kissed by the brisk air as he watched the many hues of leaves drop from the trees they had once clung to so tenaciously. He had been released following his match only to run into Professor Ozpin, who said a few words to him before leaving. He seemed to have no choice but to sit down and let things happen because of his confused state of mind.
In an effort to put the recent events behind him, his eyes were closed and his ears twitched through the holes in his hood as he inhaled the fresh scent of the new season. It was true that it provided some relief, but he would undoubtedly require more than a gentle breeze to ease his despair.
What's so special about my eyes?
"I wondered where you were hiding..." he opened his eyes to find his best friend approaching, relief washing over her features. "Mind if I keep you company?"
Aganju patted the vacant space next to him without so much as a glance.
The two just remained there and watched as a few more leaves fell to the ground as Pyrrha quietly sat down. They were unable to tell each other was affected by the sight until an orange petal floated close by. It served as a constant reminder to Pyrrha of the difficult choice she would eventually face. For Aganju, who could barely restrain himself from wanting to growl at the taunting spawn of nature, it was more of an omen.
Finally, the air of repose became too much to bear for the Amazon to bear.
"I..."
"Do you believe in fate?"
She was perplexed and intrigued as she turned to look at her hooded friend.
"Excuse me?"
"Do you think that a higher power already controls one's life and that there is nothing you can do to change it? Is every life in this world subject to the whims of some pre-written script as entertainment for some bored deity?"
Aganju's features were hidden as Pyrrha turned to him in heartbreak. As she considered his query, her frown only deepened. She frequently thought about how she would take charge of her life and act per her moral convictions. But what about fate? What did her future hold? A conclusion to a series of occasions planned against the person's will by the higher power?
"I would reject the notion of an inescapable fate." Though she hadn't noticed because her attention was fixed on a neighboring tree, it was now Aganju's time to confront Pyrrha. "Are we predisposed to events like trees, which go through the same cycle with each new season? Do events in our lives follow a predetermined course? No, because we have something that the oceans, skies, and trees do not."
"...and what would that be?"
She finally looked at him with a ghost of a smile.
"Choice."
"Pyrrha..."
"If our lives were predetermined, you and I might not have crossed paths! The other's existence was kept a secret from us, but we still ran into each other. I was supposed to take the route that would either take me to Atlas or Haven, but instead, I am here and I am representing Beacon Academy. If fate had the final say, I never would have found such beautiful friends and allies, let alone someone as precious as you."
The fact that Aganju managed to blush despite having a bandage covering his face only served to widen Pyrrha's smile. He returned the gesture and moved closer to her until their shoulders touched. Then, for once in peace, she lowered her head onto his shoulder and shut her eyes, sighing contently when his head rested on hers.
"You have a way with words..."
"I appreciate the compliment," she giggled.
Unbeknownst to the two, two pairs of their friends, a cotton candy-wielding Scylla and Esu along with a Nora and a popcorn-eating Ren, were coming around the corner. The girls quickly shoved them away, probably to inform the others of this new development. If either had been alert to this, they would've displayed their displeasure, but it didn't matter. The tranquil moment was more than enough to keep them preoccupied.
"So, if you don't believe in fate, what do you believe in?"
Pyrrha took in the question, allowing it to mull around in her soul before resting against his shoulder again.
"There is a quote about this that I've always asked..."
"Do you believe in destiny? That even the powers of time can be altered for a single purpose? That the luckiest man who walks on this earth is the one who finds… true love?"
"You know it...?" she gasped softly.
Aganju let his long, black hair fall freely while removing his hood. Now that Pyrrha could see his bandaged wound more clearly, she silently shivered when she noticed a faint pinkish tint running above his nose. He gave her a confused look as he turned to face her.
"I guess you rubbed off on me."
Once more, silence reigned, but actions spoke volumes about what was being said without words. As their hands brushed against one another, they both felt a familiar feeling of energy being shared fill their forms, giving them newfound strength and empathy. As they drew nearer, their faces began to flush. They shut their eyes, millimeters apart, ready for what was to come.
"Would Pyrrha Nikos please report to Amity Arena for the next match?"
It seems that fate was not amused by their conversation and made the decision to force its will to end their relationship. Despite there being such little room between the two, it sadly left a sizable gap. They slowly stood up, neither of them happy about the chance lost as they made their way to the stadium. The troublesome circumstances that endangered their futures overwhelmed them once more, but they at least got a chance to experience the comfort of the moment, fleeting though it may have been.
The dry leaf that had been standing alone behind them was suddenly joined by another one, which had fallen on top of it. The fragile petals of the first leaf broke on the inside half, but they managed to stay whole when the pieces came together, indicating possibility.
On the outskirts of Vale, several hordes of Grimm began to overrun the military forces, and even the huntsmen and huntresses who arrived to assist were becoming inefficient at this point. For every few they took down, there appeared to be twice as many that would replace the fallen. If this continued, the spike in the monsters would become nearly impossible to stop.
Little did they know, that things were about to get much worse.
[Amity Coliseum]
The conflict between Pyrrha and Penny was a masterful demonstration of quality vs. quantity, as, despite Penny's abundance of weapons, Pyrrha was still able to hold her own. However, she was finding it difficult to deal with the multiple sharpened blades as she once again found herself on the defensive as Penny calmly guided her down.
"Go Pyrrha!" Nora exclaimed
Aganju tried his best to encourage her from the sidelines, paying close attention to the way both girls changed their stances and attacks. But that excitement would soon give way to worry as Pyrrha was unable to get past Penny's defenses no matter how she approached or from what angle she approached. He could sense that something wasn't right.
Although Pyrrha wasn't using her weapons at the time, she could see them starting to bend in her mind. Was she experiencing hallucinations? She had no idea that Emerald Sustrai had once again done this.
The conflict intensified as both girls raised their game. Pyrrha and Penny appeared to be on an equal footing whether they were on the ground or in the air, despite the earlier mental static in the former. Penny resorted to using her lasers after being knocked to the ground to gain some much-needed separation from her adversary. It stopped Pyrrha from attacking, but she continued to dodge the blasts with caution.
"Come on, Pyrrha! You got this!" the faunus yelled with vigor.
Pyrrha appeared to feel that the momentum was shifting in her favor as she dove, twisted, flipped, and slid, and sure enough, she was right. She stepped forward with a well-timed block, turned on her heel, and jumped up to kick her opponent, who was usually upbeat, hard. She was ready to complete the task at hand and proceed to the next round with a smile.
However, that desire would be put on hold as Penny charged, lurching her swords once more at her. But this time, she aimed at Pyrrha's weapons rather than at the person. Every time she attacked, either her spear or shield would be knocked away, only for the girl to call upon her semblance, Polarity, to summon them back. With this tactic, her smile vanished and was replaced by a worried look.
Then it happened...
What transpired in the subsequent seconds was obscure to Pyrrha. Even though everything was a haze, the outcomes that were in front of her could not be changed. Horror washed over her face as she dropped her weapons.
The only sound that filled the arena from that point onward was a high-pitched whine of the speakers, followed by a sultry voice, one filled with arrogance and triumph.
This is not a tragedy. This was not an accident. This is what happens when you hand over your trust your safety, and your children to men who claim to be our guardians but are in reality nothing more than men. Our academies' headmasters wield more power than most armies, and one was audacious enough to control both.
Amidst the chaos of the school attack, Sango witnessed the destruction and devastation around him with horror. The demonic creatures were attacking from all sides, and the terrified screams only fueled their aggression. Inhabitants of every kingdom were fleeing for safety, leaving behind ruined stalls and shattered lives. However, it was reassuring to know that Elm had remained in Vale to assist.
Between these monsters and the White Fang invading, the more help, the better.
The panther couldn't afford to be alarmed by the appearance of these terrifying creatures from hell. He slashed away at the Beowulf and Ursa Majors that dared to challenge him, showing off his unmatched ability to attack and repel the beasts. He saw no difference between them. They assert that every soul harbors a horror that seizes their heart and causes dread or rage. The creatures of Grimm were not given such a privilege; regardless of their appearance, they were all the same to him.
No.
Grimm masks.
It was at that moment that he noticed the soldiers battling alongside the evil creatures. The panther could not deny what he was seeing, guns and spears held by humans with animal-like characteristics. This might not be who he thought they were after all. He wished to be mistaken with all of his heart, but it did little to divert his attention from the truth that befell him. The dual blades, gleaming with the brilliant blue of Atlas, mixed with the rotting black ash of the beasts he'd fought.
Each one sported the covering that represented the faction he once sought to join. some were marked with sanguine designs while others were blankly white. Either way, the truth of his past had surely returned to haunt him. Still, he persisted in his fight. Everything had fallen apart after the finals and it'd only gone downhill ever since.
The death of Penny.
Discovering she was an android.
Pyrrha's trauma.
Those three things alone were enough to drive a person to need therapy, but there was something that triggered Sango, something that would incite, not fear, not a bargaining plea, but rage. It sounded like Blake's voice in the distance. Either way, he wasn't going to wait around to find out.
He quickly dispatched another Ursa Major before sprinting for the structure. Along the way, he encountered additional Grimm, but he gave them little regard as he aggressively attacked the beast. He disregarded the agony despite his legs hurting and his lungs burning. In his haste to help whoever was in danger, he gave not even the vibration of his scroll a second consideration.
[Beacon-Near the CCT Tower]
As the damage began to pile up, Cinder, Emerald, and Mercury watched it all unfold. The destruction before them was even worse than even they anticipated and yet, not all of them had the same reaction to it. Mercury watched with satisfaction upon the success of their plot. Emerald had almost a sympathetic look on her face while Cinder watched with elation.
"Isn't it beautiful?" she cooed.
"It's almost sad..." Emerald frowned sorrowfully.
"It's horrendous," Cindered added. "Unless you're referring to that Faunus you've had your eyes on." Emerald tensed up after hearing that. She was about to give a frantic rebuttal only to find Cinder's attention now on Mercury who was recording the entire scene in front of them.
"I..."
"Focus on the Atlesian Knights."
"Oh, I'm getting all of it," he remarked with a sly grin.
"Good. Continue the broadcast until the end." Cinder instructed just before the ground around them began to shift and quake, causing him to stumble. "And do NOT miss what's coming next."
The tremors continued, with only a few knowing exactly what caused it. Glynda Goodwitch who was battling alongside Qrow Branwen knew as she looked on into the distance. Many of the students who were tackling their designated posts and even some of the Grimm ceased their actions as a nearby mountain began to shake and crumble. No move was made until the top of the mountain face finally gave way to an even bigger danger.
A wyvern...
It flapped its menacing wings, but what truly made it worse than the others, was its ability to drop large 'eggs' that upon colliding on the surface, would spawn more Grimm as it made its way to Beacon to join in the battle.
"Oh no..." Glynda's voice was no louder than a whisper, but her point was made nonetheless.
Below, the students weren't deterred.
They appeared to be more determined than ever before as the newest batch of Grimm charged forward. Even Pyrrha seemed to be invigorated by the influx of confidence from her friends and allies, that is until she saw him standing there. Professor Ozpin stood up and gave her that look, a gaze that spelled out that it was time for her decision.
Slowly she lowered her weapons and began to walk toward the headmaster, drawing the attention of the others, including Aganju.
"Pyrrha?" he called out lowly, but she continued, ignoring his voice.
"Where's she going?" Nora raised an eyebrow.
"I don't know," The fox replied, eyeing the man down before giving chase. "But, I'm going to find out!"