Several hours later and the plan was ready to be set in motion, now all she needed was to sound convincing. It would be much more difficult now as she had told them she would be days to return, however the men and her wanted to get the children out of harms way as quickly as possible.
As such she had proceeded to explain the idea to the others, receiving looks of wary and doubt, however what choice did they have? It was either this or wait about three days to put another plan in motion, wasting time and leaving the children to the danger of other buyers potentially showing up.
No, they had to do this now, they would not risk even the chance of their foe escaping.
Gem had tightened her grip on the rope in her hands, giving a good yank to the makeshift leash. She heard a grumble from beneath the cloth wrapped around Onyx's mouth, acting as a gag while he seemed to stumble forward. The others were in place, waiting for them to set the plan into motion.
It would be a long shot, not to mention messy. These guys would probably have aura, so killing them off quickly would be out of the question. They would have to rely on this little play of theirs to work out, take advantage of a forced opportunity. Time to put her words to the test.
She pulled her false captive along the path, back to the slavers' camp. She could see them as they rustled about, having spotted her already. Once again she saw the slave master make his way out to her. He stopped just at the outer edge of the camp, just as before.
"Interesting, I had thought you well on your way for the lord you speak for. Yet you stand before me here, with a pet in tow. May I inquire as to what you seek." He spoke, the same savvy tone as before.
"It was rather humorous. I was making back the way I'd walked, when I was set upon by this feisty little puppy here." Gem spoke, kicking her captive to the dirt as he let out a growl.
"Yes it would seem so. And you brought it here for a reason, correct?" The slave master responded.
"That I did, nothing major just a small show. A way to show why it is that I may travel alone without danger." She spoke as a look of curiosity covered his face.
"Oh my, so I assume you wish for all of us to see this correct?" He spoke as she gave a nod.
"Well I have been known as quite the attention seeker. Would you fetch the others for me please?" Gem asked.
"Very well, I'll be just a moment." The man said as he made his way back to the camp.
So far the plan seemed to be going well, she could see the slavers scurrying about. Her allies had lay just at the edge of the trees, awaiting the signal to begin the attack. A few of them came walking out, about four as they stopped before her. Still, she would need all of them if her plan was to work. Get them all out so they could take them down without giving the group time to make away with the children.
She heard a slight screech of metal as she stepped back, just away from the coming blade. In that instant she gripped at the exposed flesh of his arm, feeling no resistance as her nails drew blood.
Not all of them have aura, perfect. With that pleasant surprise she slammed her knee into the back of it, to which the joint gave way as it was forced to bend opposite of it's intended direction. It made a sickening crunch as it broke, the owner letting out a scream as he dropped the weapon. She caught the blade, swiping it across the bonds of her captive ally and setting him free once more.
Dropping the weapon she avoided another incoming strike from the other slaver. In response she sent a solid kick to the side of his head, knocking him into yet another who tried to make his way to her and putting them both on the dirt. She watched as Onyx stabbed his newly acquired sword through both bandits as they lay tangled in each other, putting an end to both their lives.
Dust! This wasn't supposed to happen! Clearly the plan was shot before they could even start. It was a shame too, she had this whole act of having a control semblance ready and everything. Whatever, It didn't matter now as they had more pressing matters to deal with.
She saw an arrow fly from above, taking down another slaver as he'd tried to reach them. Gem assumed that the others made their way to the fight, having seen the plan fall apart almost immediately.
She snapped herself forward again. With the plan out the window they would need to wing it, priority one was getting that key. Obviously they'd somehow seen through her act, She needed to be quick.
Gem made a dash forward, moving about as she avoided attacks from all around her. She had one goal and that was to get to the kids. Her enemies didn't make it easy however, several attempting to halt her progress as they tried to surround her, key word being tried. The struck all at once so she'd give them credit for that, none of that 'one at a time' garbage here.
Alas they didn't seem to look were they were striking, she herself taking advantage of the one who tried to stab. She slid forward past his outstretched blade, grabbing hold and throwing him forward right into the coming assault of the others. She took forward amongst the confusion to deliver yet another kick to the poor guy, the force pushing the weapons stuck in him deeper, putting him out of his misery.
Two more made for her, having freed their weapons from the carcass of their fallen ally. Both made to strike her midsection, only for her to dash between the two. She saw as they carried their strikes around hoping to catch her, only to realize too late their mistake. Both had turned to catch her in between the two them, only to end up slicing through each other in the limited space.
She continued forward with no regard for the state her attackers were in, hoping to catch the slave master before he could flee. Time as it seems was not on her side as she could hear the clapping of hooves. She caught the tail end of the cart as it had just left out the side of the camp.
With no other choice, she took after it on foot.
.
.
"Dust that was such a pain!" Sienna let out as she took a breather
I could only agree as I stood there, equally as tired as she was. We had just finished taking out another large Grimm, a death stalker this time.
"Is this a common occurrence?" I asked as she shook her head in a tired nod, still catching her breath.
"Yes... desert's killer like that." She told, still breathing heavily.
I took a moment to survey the place. We had entered a more open area than before, the cliffs surrounding us. The area was enclosed, making this spot look like a sort of bowl with the shape of the cliffs acting as jagged walls. We had been forced to take this path as it was the quickest way to KiaŹ»i o Nalo, I still had trouble saying that name.
"let's...let's rest for... for a moment." I told as I fell back on the sand.
It was starting to get closer to sunset, the area having started to cool along with it. The air was still rather warm however, compounded with the Grimm and remaining heat, both making this much more tiring.
"Good idea." Sienna said as she dropped as well.
As we lay there resting for the moment I had taken to my thoughts once more. So far things were going good... well as good as they could be with the constant Grimm attacks. Still it was going rather smoothly all things considered, and that was bothering me. So far we hadn't had anything that we couldn't handle, yet I felt as if something was wrong the whole time. Even now as I lay here, catching my breath with Sienna, I still can't stop this odd feeling from creeping up my spine.
Wait... That odd feeling, it was getting stronger.
I took a moment to stand as Sienna did the same. I shushed her before she got the chance to speak, it felt as though the feeling was getting slightly stronger and stronger, bit by bit. Sienna seemed to think so too as her ears began to twist about, as if she heard something but couldn't find where it was coming from. The feeling only got stronger as my feet began to shift... no, it wasn't that... it was the sand that was shifting.
"MOVE!" I screamed.
It was clear now as the ground started to shake, Sienna and I just barely leaping away as a massive Grimm burst from the sand below. The thing was huge, easily standing taller than any of the buildings back at town. It let out a deafening screech as it lunged for me.
I'd flung myself to the side just as it was about to reach me. The thing hit the sand and began tunneling it's way back down below.
"THE DUST WAS THAT!" Sienna yelled out as I could feel the sands shift again.
"No clue, I take it this is a first for you to?" I called, focusing on the feeling below.
"Really? I wonder what gave you that idea!?" She called back, her voice coated in sarcasm.
We had no time to continue our banter as the thing made itself known once more with Sienna's eyes widening as she looked past me, a clear indicator that the Grimm was behind me. Before I could move I felt something hit me in the back, It was wet... and it BURNED!
My aura was flaring up greatly as it dealt with the strain of the fluid. I flung myself about, trying to shake off the foul liquid only to make another leap to the side as I avoided another coming strike. I landed wrong and found myself tumbling about the sand for a moment before I righted myself, the sand taking the last of the fluid off me. My aura at this point was halfway gone. Whatever that stuff was I would need to avoid it next time.
"Any ideas?" I called to Sienna.
"How the fuck would I know?!" She returned.
I was clueless, not only on what this thing was but also on how to kill it. I watched as the Grimm made itself known again, this time behind Sienna. It appeared to be swimming along the sand this time as it made it's way to her.
I reached out my hand to her, a quick look of determination as she caught onto the meaning and flung out Cerberus towards me. I caught hold of it's end as my aura breifly flashed again. I yanked it, tearing Sienna from her spot as the Grimm passed by. Pulling her into a spin, I let go causing her to fly directly to the back end of the thing.
She caught hold of it as it turned back towards me. During it's approach I took notice that it didn't seem to know when I threw Sienna at it. From the looks of it I couldn't see any eyes on it at all, yet as the Grimm came for me I saw it shifting it's body about. The creature knew that Sienna was on it, yet it never saw me throw her.
It's blind! So that was it, the thing could feel but it couldn't see. I could take advantage of this.
"Sienna it's blind!" I called to her, dodging the worm as it finally got to me.
"So have any idea how to kill it yet?!" She called to me, jumping off as the thing began to burrow once more.
"Just one! Hope you're not afraid of heights!" I called, reaching out once more.
Sienna flung her whip at me once again as I caught it. This time I began to spin around several times, building up speed only to throw her high up into the air. As she was launched I sheathed my blade and began channeling magic through both of my arms. Black smoke flown about as the veins along them glowed.
I flung one of my arms forward, towards the sand just beyond were Sienna had stood only moments ago. A crimson burst of pure distructive magic launching itself towards the sand, causing a miniature explosion of fire on that spot. The Grimm burst forth upwards, most likely believing Sienna to have just landed and wanting to catch her. This thing was smart, planning to get them on the landing. However Sienna wasn't there, and as such the Grimm kept moving upwards until it burst from the sand entirely.
I watched as Sienna had begun to fall, directly in line with the Grimm. At that moment I threw my other arm out with another burst of magic, this time directed at the side of the Grimm's head, depleting the rest of my aura as it was used to power the spells.
The burst of magic knocked the gaping mouth of the Grimm away as Sienna went to work. She swiped the length of Cerberus onto the creature, wrapping around the head of the seemingly giant worm as she fell. Sienna looked to give a pull, the whip ripping along the sides of the beast and moving it slightly off it's intended course of landing as she was falling.
Sienna hit the ground hard, her aura tanking most of the damage and breaking, leaving her unharmed although defenseless. The Grimm was less lucky, having been unable to adjust itself and control it's fall. It's trajectory from the initial jump having led to it slamming itself crooked against the jagged cliffs, the rocks tearing and jumbling the creature. The force of it's crash causing chunks of the cliff to topple onto the creature, crushing it under their weight.
Sienna and I both waited ready for the creature to burst back towards us, only to let loose a breath of relief as smoke began to seep out from between the rocks.
"Uhhhh... n-now... now I'm even... even more tired... than before." She let out, falling once more to the gentle sand below.
.
.
She had to catch up, they couldn't be allowed to get away. So far the horses had yet to speed up, the rough terrain keeping them from being able to let loose. Gaining on them she was able to see that the slave master was the only one driving the cart.
Using this moment she made a burst forward, flowing about the terrain only to appear before the slave master atop one of his horses. The slave master's eyes widened for a moment as she brandished her weapon, swinging it down and cutting the reins and straps of the horses from the cart. The cart began to lose balance as she leapt from the now loose and fleeing animal, with it tumbling and throwing the rider from it as it crashed.
Gem raced around the back, intent to check on the kids. She could see the cage on it's side in the now toppled cart, the children looked to be fine for the most part, having only minor cuts and bruises from the looks of it. With their safety confirmed she went back around the cart to see the slave master making to stand once more. She watched as he pulled two daggers from inside of his coat, griping her weapon tighter as she glared at him.
"So what gave it away?" She asked as she took her stance, watching as he let out a taunting laugh.
"Really? Look woman, I've been doing this for a long time. I could practically smell the animal's scent on you the moment you first arrived. We were just getting ready to leave when you showed back up again. Had I been younger you may have fooled me, however you don't get as good as I do without picking up a few tricks here and there." He spoke, giving his daggers a twirl.
With that he was on her. He'd made a swipe at her neck as she moved to block, only for it to be a feint as he ducked along into a low sweep kick instead. The attack had missed as she suspected more from the moment he started, he had to know his dagger wouldn't do much to her aura with his level of experience, which he so graciously boasted about moments ago. Her weapon held to her side found it's end slammed into the dirt as she hoisted herself up into the air.
About an arms length above him she swiped her weapon. Still on his knees he blocked the strike with his forearm, only to be met with a sort of explosion both damaging his aura and sending her back a good distance. Gem saw the slight look of confusion before his focus set in place again as he stood.
They went at each other again, this time he made more quick strikes as he tried to take advantage of her larger weapon. He most likely thought it difficult to manuver for her, however she had been using this weapon since she was a child. She was keeping pace with him, proving that neither of them were pushovers. However they were both low on aura at this point, and as much as she hated to admit it, she was out of practice. Gem never expected to get into any major battle during her mission and as such was not as skilled as she could be.
With one last strike both of them had broken each other aura, both getting ready for the final lunge. Only for an arrow to burst from the slave master's neck, just under his chin. He got no more that a cough before he fell forward, struggling to breath. She watched as Onyx walked forward with his sword sheathed. He reached down, taking hold of the back of the arrow and ripping it out. She saw the man let out his final ragged breaths, a last cough of blood before going still.
Gem dropped to her knees, finally able to rest for a moment.
"Where are the children?" Onyx asked as she pointed to the cart.
"Back there, the key's in his coat." With that Onyx reached down, sifting around the cloth.
He stood back up having gotten what he needed before making his way to the cart, he looked to be covered in blood, although how much of it was his she couldn't say. She could see the others arriving as well, Axe man carrying one of the sword users by his side. They all looked to be alive, wounded but alive. The same probably couldn't be said for the slaver camp.
She could only let out a soft smile as she watched the children rush from the cart, eager to be reunited with their family. She stood once more, watching as Onyx walked back out carrying the same little girl she met from before. The child hugging closer to her father as he neared her.
"Hey hey shhhhh, it's ok... she won't hurt you. She helped me save you." He whispered the girl, sending a look of pity her way.
The girl as well as all of the children were afraid of her, that was fine. All that mattered was that they were safe.
"Let's get everybody back home." Gem said, receiving a nod from the others.
The children were quiet the whole way back, still shaken up from the experience. Being held captive for any amount of time would do that to you, at least it had only been a day or so. She trudged along silently as Onyx led the way back, carrying his daughter the entire time. They would be more wary of humans from now on, she could only hope that she had proven herself to them and earned their trust.
Some time later they had arrived at the small settlement. A large wall of logs acting as a guard to the safe space. She could see an opening at the front, a couple men acting as guards looking over it. One of the guards looked to call into the village as they made their approach.
Onyx led them into the village, small tent like homes and some wooden structures scattered about. It would be quick to pack up and move about should they need to. They stopped before a larger tent as an elderly looking man came hobbling out.
"Onyx, my boy is that you?" The man asked as he walked forward, squinting as he looked at him.
"Yes father, I've returned with the children. The ones who stole them from us are no more." Onyx stated as the old man held a look of glee.
"This is wonderous news, wonderous indeed!" The old man spoke.
Gem could see a woman rush forward, the one who was with Onyx before, his wife. All the families seemed to have a moment as the were back together, that was until the elder noticed her.
"And who is this young lady?" The man had asked
"This is the woman who helped us save the children, they would be lost without her help." Onyx had spoke up.
She watched as the others mumbled about themselves, as this was going on the elder had walked up to her. She removed her hood as they stood face to face.
"And to whom do I owe the pleasure of thanking for helping my son with saving the children." The man asked her, his soft eyes seeming to set her at ease.
She could see the resemblance now. Same facial structure as Onyx yet there was one small difference, this man's eyes were the same shade of silver as her own.
"Your son knows me by my nickname Gem, but it's my real name that you're after is it not?" She spoke as the old man nodded.
"Quite, it would be impolite of me to not properly thank you." He spoke as she weighed her options.
At this point she had hoped to gain their trust, hoping to get their help later on if she needed it. Yet when she learned of what happened she felt an old desire of hers flow back to life. A desire to be a hero, a desire to save people. She had believed it lost to the years, after all she's seen, she thought this one childish dream dead and gone.
Yet she was, having found herself accidently pulled into the fray once more for something so small, and yet so large. She would give her name, not because she needed to, but as a show of trust. A show that she trusts them.
"Then allow me to properly introduce myself. My name is Ruby Rose, a pleasure to meet you." She told as she watched the old man's smile grow.
"Well then, my name is Agate Quartz. I thank you for what you've done for us." The man spoke, giving her a slight bow to which she returned.
"It was no trouble really." She said as the man Shook his head.
"Nonsense, what you done was amazing. Most would not concern themselves with matters not of their own, especially humans. Yet you gave your aid anyway." Mr. Quartz told as the others began to look to her.
They had known she was human and yet they thanked her, despite all that had occurred at the hands of humans they still looked to her with thanks. It felt weird honestly.
"If there is anything we can do, anything at all do not hesitate to ask." He spoke.
Really she had just helped on a whim, she just didn't want trouble as she passed through to Aether. However now that she thought of it there may be something.
Ruby held out her had as she shut her eyes, letting the flow of dark move throughout her. She had intended to set about her moves on the different areas of the board, however this may just be a chance to add one of her pieces to the game. It would come into play much like the others, but in a different form than what she first intended.
She felt the shadows engulf her arm for but a moment, to which they left her. She opened her eyes to the awe of the others, as within her outstretched hand lay a beautiful ornate ring.
"Look after this ring, for generations to come. There will be a time that it's purpose will be made clear, until then hold it with your family." She spoke as she placed the ring in his hands.
The ring held the same dark draw to it as the other pieces she had spread about so far. Vermillion would come across them, all of them. He would find himself drawn to them, although not knowing why. At that moment Ruby felt a shift, new memories making space in her mind alongside the ones she already held. However this offered no comfort, only dread as she gazed upon it. There was only one memory that had shown itself, one memory that was new.
All beyond this new memory was blank, a side effect of her ability to still be able to alter time past this new historical change. To alter alongside this new change she had created. A new change that would occur no matter what. She could only hope that more would reveal itself when she placed the other pieces. Surely this new instant would pass, there was more to be done.
She knew this change was not as it seemed, yet it did not bode well.
.
.
It was almost getting dark at the moment as Sienna and I were traveling forth. The giant worm Grimm had been the most difficult part of the journey so far. We had yet to even come close to anything that meets that level of danger, not that I was complaining. We'd been tired from the previous fight so it was a sort of relief for us.
"So you think we should make camp?" I asked to Sienna
"Not yet, we're almost there. We can make camp when we get there, the ruins could provide shelter for the night." She answered as we continued on.
We had come across another pack of Beowolves a while after the big fight, however they were nothing compared to that. We took them out easily and had continued on. Looking at it now I began to notice our teamwork had gotten a bit better, we were taking advantage of the openings provided by one another. It put me in a better mood knowing I had gotten better, I was still a little sour from my loss when I had first arrived. With our walk being so peaceful I decided to try and talk with Sienna.
"So you were there as a child before? What was it like?"
"Not much I remember. We had moved in along with many others, my family hoping to be able to find work in some mines that were planned to be built in the cliffs. These ones would be much safer than the ones from the other kingdoms. Menagerie was made up entirely of Faunus so they wouldn't scrap out on safe work conditions like the other kingdoms. Of course that didn't work out so well as the Grimm had us on an almost constant defensive." She told as we were making our way through a seem in the cliffs.
The walls of rock were tight, we were forced to move through in a sort of line, there wasn't enough space to walk side by side. After some time trotting along the makeshift road we had managed to make it through.
"And there it is" Sienna pointed in the distance.
Sure enough once I got beside her I was able to see what she was pointing at. Off some ways down the cliffside we were on I was able to just make out the ruins that she spoke of, off in the distance at the edge of the cliffside. It sat just before the open dunes of the desert. We made our way down a broken stone path, probably having been built when the place was still active. The years seemed to have broke and torn at the staircase, most likely having lost it's luster.
I had followed along as we walked towards the dead discarded village. When we got closer I could make out the walls that guarded the place. Stone as golden as the sand we walked on, although it seemed cracked and broken in some places it still held firm. I could make out some of the rooftops from the inside as they pointed above the walls. It looked rather rectangular in shape, none of the slanted roofs that I had experience before. It reminded me of the castles from back home, standing proud and defiant along the grassy plains.
As we neared the entrance I could see the makings of a once great gate. The metal however was old and bent, likely withered away after years of abandonment. Still it looked strong none the less. The gate however was up, allowing us entry to the seemingly lost fortress of sand.
That was an apt name for it, as on the inside I was able to see just how much of a fortress it once was. Everything seemed to be made of stone, yellowed and strong as it held it's shape.
Of course this was probably long ago, the current state of this place was that of ruins. Broken walls everywhere with some buildings missing their roofs, or even the building itself, leaving only the broken foundation as proof of it's existence.
We had made our way in, past all of the quiet streets and forgotten stone. The sands had buried most of what small trinkets remained from the initial escape. The scholars would have a field day if they were here.
"There it is." Sienna spoke as I looked forth.
Just as she said, in the center of what looked to be the town square. Sat the imposing form of the stone structure we had traveled to see. Walking up to it I was able to take in it's form. It stood there just taller than me, four sides as it seemed to thin near the top, followed by a single point on the end.
Honestly I expected it to be larger, but what do I know about ancient architectural structures, regardless I took a closer look at it. True enough there were markings on the side of the thing, on the side pointing to the entrance of the ruins.
"Well, what does it say?" Sienna asked as she looked from the obelisk back to me as I began to read out loud.
"Left alone, time will experience itself from a single solitary perspective. The present."
At that moment everything suddenly went dark, I couldn't move, I couldn't see, all I could do was hear the muffled cries of Sienna, followed by the roars of Grimm. There was no pain, no nothing, just a soft warmth as I felt something hold me close.
Slumber had taken me.
Author's note
...
Another off schedule post, may as well get used to it now. I've tried to set up some more fight scenes, get some practice writing them in.
Honestly I'm pumping through this with more motivation than before, we're nearing the end of what I've dubbed the Menagerie arc. Getting excited to set up what comes next.
Oh, and props to the anonymous reviewer that guessed Ruby was our little time hopper before this chapter. I'd planned to reveal it here at the end of the slaver battle since I first had the idea. Looking back now it seems rather obvious, oh well.
As for the second part of his theory... sorry, you missed the ball on that one. Without spoiling anything look at it like this, I've not yet stated the 'what, when, why, or how' as to anything yet. Give it some time, it'll be revealed as the story goes on.
Anyway, hope you enjoyed.