AN: This became much longer than I planned, but that's okay. There's a lot going on in this chapter.
Clashing Flames: Mòrag and Brighid vs Yang and Dragunov
The ball had been in full swing for a while now. People chatting, dancing, or taking in the refreshments.
Although, the dancefloor had almost completely stopped now. Everyone laughing heartily at the madness going on there. The madness in question being…
"Stop it! Put Tora down! Tora not consent!"
It was Tora being picked up and being danced by Penny who looked extremely happy for some reason. That is, if Penny pressing Tora against her hard cloth and fake-skin covered torso with one strong arm, and the other strong arm manhandling Tora's right wing can be considered dancing. The spinning did not help poor Tora who looked like he was about to empty the contents of his tummy.
All the while everyone was laughing at the poor Nopon inventor's misery. "Penny loves friend Tora so much right now!" Penny declared happily as she pressed her cheek against the top of Tora's head. Hard.
"Tora feeling roly-poly," Tora whimpered.
Before Penny could ask what roly-poly meant, the target of her inquiry was yanked from her arms. And somehow didn't get broken in the process. The one to save poor Tora from overly affectionate Penny's grasp was Poppi in her QT mode, which granted her a height advantage against Penny that her α form couldn't.
"Masterpon, are you okay?" Poppi asked her creator in concern while bringing poor Tora to her face level.
The poor Nopon in question was swaying in the grip with his eyes spinning around. "Poppi…make room stop doing roly-poly." Tora said, sounding very delirious.
At that moment Jaune came alongside Joana who already deployed her helmet to perform a medical scan as soon as they reached the three.
"Poppi, your master needs to be lied down on a surface and kept completely still," Joana said before pointing to some chairs on the side, "I would strongly suggest you place him on one of those chairs until his head stops spinning."
Poppi quickly shifted Tora under one arm before giving the mechanical knightess a salute, "Roger roger!" And then she was off, carrying Tora off.
Jaune looked a little worried about the Nopon inventor before turning to Penny who looked like a child that wondered if they did something bad. "So…what was that about?" Jaune asked with an apprehensive look while pointing a thumb at Poppi who reached the chairs and almost slammed Tora on the chair upon his back. Which prompted Joana to stomp towards the atrocity that was Poppi's limited understanding of nursing.
"Umm…Friend Tora said he had a few ideas on how to upgrade me," Penny replied in embarrassment, her cheeks would probably be flushed too if her body was capable of that.
"And that was what made you swing Tora around like that?" Jaune asked before glancing to Tora who was laying down while a scowling Joana swatted Poppi's hand away from her masterpon.
The knightess also said something that Jaune thought might have been, "That is not how you treat a patient!" Which was followed by something that Jaune couldn't tell if they were words, but they made Poppi look sad.
But Penny's next words caught Jaune's attention before he could go and scold his Blade. "I was just so…happy," Penny said while looking at the floor.
"Well…I guess I'm glad about that, but you need to remember, not everyone is as sturdy as you," Jaune says that despite having already witnessed that the Nopon Driver can easily handle himself in a fight.
The said Driver's eyes were being forced open by Joana who kept shining a small light on the said eyes from a hidden slot in her helmet. After which the knightess said something to Poppi that made the artificial Blade in maid outfit smile. Then Joana undeployed her helmet before kneeling right behind Tora's head and started stroking his head gently while saying something in a voice too low for Jaune or Penny to hear. But a small crowd had gathered around the light Blade. Some of them looked surprised while others were smiling widely at whatever Jaune's zealous Blade was saying. Once finished, Tora's midsection was expanding and deflating in a steady rhythm. With her task done, Joana picked up Tora gently before giving the sleeping Nopon to Poppi. Soon Tora was being held in Poppi's arms like a plush toy…or a baby. After that, Joana said something to Poppi who nodded and ran off.
"I said, slowly and gently, Poppi!" Joana called out like a drill-sergeant that caught a recruit slacking. Which immediately made Poppi slow down to a slow walk. Once Poppi had left the ballroom, Joana returned to her Driver's side.
"So…how is he?" Jaune asked his Blade awkwardly.
"…Sir Tora will have fully recovered, once he awakens, milord," Joana said simply.
"How did you get him to sleep?" Jaune asked with a curious look.
"By stroking his head gently and singing a lullaby, naturally," Joana replied easily.
"Wait, you can sing?" Jaune asked with a surprised look, "Why didn't you ever tell me? Wait, why can you sing?"
"I can, milord," Joana began answering, "Because you never made the inquiry and I felt it was not relevant information. As for why I can sing, that is a part of a precautionary sub-routine for a case where a small child has been lost on a battlefield. These sub-routines allow me to earn a child's trust so that I may escort them to a safe location."
"That's…incredible," Jaune said in astonishment, especially when Joana was smiling at the last part. Just when Jaune thinks he has learned everything about his Blade, she keeps surprising him. "You could make a great nanny," Jaune said, before clamping his hands over his mouth, thinking he had offended his Blade.
Instead, Joana smiled widely, "Why thank you, milord. Your words bring me great honor." And earned a slack jaw from her Driver at taking that as a very high praise.
"Ow! Hey! Stop that!" Was a new shouting that was heard from some ways away. Turning to the source, Jaune let out a sigh.
"Okay, what did she do this time?" the Arc Driver asked in exasperation at the sight of Otohime dragging Nora. By the ear.
"Milord, I fear that we may not want to know," Joana replied with an apprehensive look before looking to the direction the two came from and saw Mòrag shaking her head next to a bewildered looking Niall. Ren, who was also there, looked like he wanted to crawl under a rock. Whatever Nora did must have been very embarrassing. As for Electra, she was hiding behind Ren for some reason.
Penny then observed as Otohime reached a corner and practically tossed Nora there. The artificial Driver wasn't sure what was going on, but it looked like Nora was now sitting down cross-legged and sulking in the corner with Otohime staring her down with her arms crossed. All the while the other party goers looked on in a mix of amusement and apprehension. Although it seemed that the ones near the emperor were scowling at what Jaune and Joana would assume to be at Nora.
Speaking of the crime scene that Nora was dragged out of, Ren finally got the nerves to speak up.
"I apologize for Nora's behavior your majesty," Ren apologized with a highly embarrassed look, "She…doesn't know how to act around those of noble birth."
"It's…quite alright," Niall replied, still bewildered at Nora flat out calling him cute boy emperor right into his face.
"I hope I don't sound rude," said Grand Marshal Robart, "But is your…friend quite right in the head?"
"…To tell you the truth, sir, I sometimes wonder that myself," Ren admitted. As much as he was used to Nora's lunacy and even come to love her, he still wished she would know when to behave more often.
"Should we consider her a threat to the emperor?" Robart said in a tone too serious for Ren's liking.
"Oh no!" Ren said, looking calm on the outside while internally fearing for Nora, "I can assure you that Nora is harmless." To anything that wasn't a Grimm or covered in pancakes at least.
The Grand Marshal looked unconvinced, but then took a look at the corner where Otohime had dragged the girl to. Seeing that the girl was now pouting, but wasn't moving from the corner. "I suppose I will take your word for it," Robart finally said, before taking a more pleasant look, "So, that Blade is Otohime, the one that the Urayans call the Imperial Mother, yes?"
Ren had a worried look at hearing that, "Yes, sir. Why do you ask?"
"Would you consider joining the Ardainian military?" Robart laid out, earning a small look from Mòrag.
"Grand Marshal," Niall butted in before Ren could speak again, "I understand that having the Imperial Mother among our ranks would be beneficial, but do you believe that the Urayans would take kindly to it?"
"I suppose they would not, your majesty," Robart relented, seeing the logic behind Niall's words. Despite being the highest authority in the military, he wasn't too keen on starting a war. Because war meant casualties, no matter how well it went. And casualties meant telling families of their sons, husbands, uncles and/or siblings dying in battle. While that is the unavoidable nature of war, the Grand Marshal at the very least wishes to minimize those casualties as best as he possibly can. And having the Urayan equivalent of the Jewel of Mor Ardain may very well be good enough cause for war. Despite their superior numbers in both troops and number of Drivers, the Kingdom of Uraya is by no means an easy opponent.
Niall looked satisfied at the Grand Marshal understanding the ramifications. "Now, your friend's behavior was…strange, but I will not hold it against her." Niall said with a kind smile.
"You have my thanks, your majesty," Ren spoke with a bow.
Then the Grand Marshal turned to Mòrag. "Lady Mòrag, it is my understanding that the young lady with blonde hair was the Driver of Dragunov, the Blade once hailed as the most powerful fire Blade in Alrest," Robart said.
"That is correct, Grand Marshal," Mòrag replied.
"Do you think these claims are true, based on your time with him?" Robart then asked.
"I'm afraid I haven't seen him enough in action to draw a proper conclusion," Mòrag said, seeing as she never did spar with Yang. And Brighid never had the chance to even suggest it with everything else going on. "Would you like a demonstration?" The Special Inquisitor then suggested, "I must admit that I am…curious about Dragunov's power."
"What's this about Dragunov?"
Everyone turned to the source of the question to see Nia giving them a curious look, with Brighid by her side.
Mòrag decided to ignore the Gormotti Driver for now and turn to Brighid instead, "Brighid, how would you feel about sparring with Dragunov?"
The blue haired woman looked mildly surprised at the question, "Lady Mòrag?"
"I have been wondering about Dragunov's power," Mòrag explained, "After all, he was once hailed as a fire Blade more powerful than even you."
That made Brighid scowl, "With all due respect, I acknowledge his strength, but I will not accept him as the most powerful fire Blade."
Mòrag resisted a smile at managing to get her Blade in the mood. But the question still was, would Dragunov and Yang be up to it?
Speaking of the mighty fire Blade, after driving his Driver off, he decided to try the small cocktail pieces. He honestly couldn't understand why anyone would eat something this bland. No spice at all. Then he decided to have a taste of the champagne, just to see what it was about booze that makes Qrow go to it. Again, he didn't like the taste, except this time it was just…bad.
"Why does high class food have to be so bland," Dragunov grumbled at the lack of taste on anything. Oh well, problems of having a fireproof stomach, which comes with fireproof tastebuds.
"Dragunov." Came the demanding voice of Brighid from behind him.
The fire Blade gave the annoyed looking blue haired Blade a questioning look, "Yes, Brighid?"
"Where is your Driver?" Brighid asked with her arms crossed.
"Don't know, why?" Dragunov replied with a shrug.
"Well find her then," Brighid said getting more annoyed.
"…You didn't answer my question," Dragunov said almost sternly, "Why do you want to find my Driver?"
"So that Lady Mòrag can have a spar with her," Brighid said, keeping the worst of her currently worsening temper in check.
"Why?" Dragunov asked with a quirked eyebrow.
Brighid then calmed down as she had a devious idea, "It's alright, you don't have to do it. I wouldn't want to go up against the most powerful fire Blade either."
"Yeah, keep telling yourself that," Dragunov said with a smirk, not falling for the bait.
"I suppose your stone is as fragile as glass," Brighid then said with a small smile.
Dragunov's smirk fell. "I'm sorry, what did you just say to me?" That question was accompanied by an accusing finger pointing at Brighid.
"I think you heard me," Brighid said with a small smile. The few tips in her diaries about getting under Dragunov's skin helped after all, "But you can always find your Driver and prove me wrong."
"Oh, I will," Dragunov growled out before going to where Brighid assumed was where ever Yang might be at this moment.
"Yaaaaaang, I'm gonna look stupid," Ruby whined to her sister while hiding behind Roze. Covering herself with his cape for good measure.
"Oh, come on, Ruby, how many times do you think we get to dance in a ballroom made for nobles?" Yang asked, still trying to convince Ruby to have a dance with Roze.
"Yang, if Ruby doesn't want to then she doesn't have to," Roze said in defense of his Driver. As much as he would like to have another dance with Ruby, the Rose Driver looked way too uncomfortable with the idea.
"Oh, fine," Yang gave up before smiling pleasantly, "How has your night been going otherwise, little sis?"
"Umm…fine…I guess," Ruby muttered, still not coming out of her hiding place.
"Umm…Ruby," Pyra spoke up, "People are staring."
Sure enough, when Ruby looked around, she saw several people staring. Some snickering, others looking like they were staring at a mentally disabled and some shook their heads a little.
Which was enough to make Ruby come out of her not so good hiding place. Roze looked amused at his Driver's antics before he turned to Yang and noticed Dragunov stomping to them with few people that were in the way quickly making room for the mighty fire Blade.
"What's with that look Rozeeeeeh!" Yang's question turned to a shriek when Dragunov suddenly picked her up and hoisted her over his shoulder. "Hey! What's the big idea, Drag?!" Yang demanded from her Blade's back as she was being carried to who knows where. All the while Ruby, Rex, Pyra and Oscar looked to the scene with looks of utter confusion. "Dragunov! This isn't funny! Put me down, or I'll drop a bucket of ice water on you in the morning!" Yang all but demanded as she pounded at the stone of her Blade's back.
"Did Dragunov just kidnap Yang?" Ruby asked with a baffled look.
"That's what it looks like," Rex said as Azurda was also looking at this spectacle. Then the salvager turned to flabbergasted Pyra, "Umm, Pyra could Mythra tell us what's going on?"
Pyra was about to speak before frowning, "Mythra said that she doesn't want to know."
Of course, it wasn't just them that saw this. Other people also witnessed what was happening. How could they not? A large mostly stone covered Blade carrying a struggling blonde on his shoulder was pretty hard to miss. Naturally that earned varying reactions from patrons, as well as...
"What the heck does he think he's doing?" Was Blake's question, complete with an incredulous look.
"Isn't she your friend?" Trevel asked from Weiss about the sight.
"I have never met those dunces in my life." Weiss said with a pleasant smile while screaming bloody murder on the inside.
Not too far away, Aizen felt like killing someone, while Dahlia was wondering what are those two doing this time.
The members of team JNR and Penny along with their Blades were staring at the scenario with uncomprehending looks. Although out of all of them, Otohime had a strong urge to tear her own beautiful hair out. Considering she just dealt with Nora and now whatever Dragunov and Yang were playing at was happening, it was a miracle she didn't actually do that.
"…Do I even want to know," Nia muttered as she watched Dragunov finally reaching Mòrag before depositing her Driver right in front of him.
When Yang was put down, she was just about ready to tear Dragunov a new one before he grabbed her shoulders and turned her around, making her look like she was about to yell at an exasperated looking Mòrag.
"I'm sorry about this," Mòrag said with a weary sigh. No doubt regretting this, "But Brighid and I would like to have a spar with you and Dragunov."
Yang's previous anger turned to bafflement, before switching her gaze between Mòrag and Dragunov several times. "…Was that why you grabbed me like a sack of potatoes?" Yang finally asked Dragunov with an annoyed look.
"Yeah." Was the simple reply.
"Couldn't you have just told me, instead of manhandling me like that?" Yang then asked with a highly annoyed look. That comment earned her a snort from the draconic Blade. "What's so funny?" Yang's ire rose at her Blade's reaction.
"You say that as if you're made of glass," Dragunov replied, now earning a dead-pan look.
"Well haa haa," Yang said before getting a devious idea, "Anyway, I'm not gonna spar."
Now that comment caused Dragunov to stare at his Driver like she grew another head. "Ok, who are you and what have you done to Yang?" It seemed like the dragon was unable to comprehend his Driver not being interested in a spar.
"Oh, I don't know…maybe I just don't dance to your tune," Yang said with a grin.
Dragunov grumbled at that comment before letting out a sigh, "Fine, Yang would you like to have a sparring match against Brighid and Mòrag with me?" He was stubborn, but Dragunov figured that going with this would get this done faster.
"Hmm…nope," Yang said, popping the "p" with a very evil grin.
"Yang," Dragunov said in a more menacing tone. But all that did was make Yang's grin wider.
As this argument happened, Zeke and Pandoria had reached the center of the commotion. "Okay, what game are those two playing?" The Tantalese Driver asked with a weirded out look as Yang was apparently giving hints about what she wanted. The blonde bombshell clearly enjoying her Blade's annoyance.
"Dragunov is trying to convince Yang to have a spar against Brighid and I," Mòrag said, wondering if this was a bad idea after all.
"Okay, and Yang doesn't want to?" Zeke asked as Yang said something about what Dragunov said earlier. Whatever it was it made the stone scaled dragon's palm impact his face before dragging it down the said face.
"Okay, fine! I'm sorry I implied you to be a pedophile!" Dragunov let out in annoyance.
"Wait what?!" Was the universal reaction among everyone else within earshot.
"Did I just hear that right?" Zeke asked not sure if he should be weirded out or laugh his head off.
"If you heard that Dragunov called Yang a pedophile, then yes you did," Pandoria said, wondering how that happened. Or if she even wanted to know.
"Hmm…I guess I can forgive you," Yang said with a contemplative look.
"Yang if you're trying to blackmail you-know-what out of me, I would rather jump into a bottomless lake." Dragunov said in a very firm tone.
As this argument continued, Brighid shook her head to rid herself of the questions about how Dragunov insinuated Yang to have a…preference for children, and instead turned to her Driver, "Lady Mòrag, may I suggest an incentive for Yang?"
This snapped Mòrag out of her protective sister instinct that surfaced at the mention of pedophiles. "What did you have in mind?" It was amazing how calm and professional the Special Inquisitor was despite the madness that was happening around her. The Blade of Azure Flames stepped next to her Driver to whisper her proposal. Whatever it was, it earned a surprised look from Mòrag. "Are you sure?" Mòrag asked.
"Yes, I don't do anything with it, so it will not be too significant of a loss," Brighid said with a smile.
Mòrag nodded in understanding before turning to Yang, "Yang, how about a small wager?"
At that, both Yang and Dragunov turned their attention to Mòrag. "What did you have in mind?" the blonde brawler asked with a grin.
Mòrag waved her hand for Yang to come closer, which the blonde did with a curious look. Then the Special Inquisitor whispered the wager into Yang's ear. It made Yang look a little shocked before giving the Ardainian a baffled look. "You're serious?" Yang said with an uncomprehending look.
"I am. And so is Brighid," Mòrag replied while motioning to her Blade.
"What're you talking about?" Dragunov asked, but he was promptly ignored.
"Okay, but what if you win?" Yang asked with a highly suspicious look. This sounded too good to be true.
"How about…Dragunov show us how he makes gems?" Mòrag asked.
"What?!" Dragunov let out, cracks instantly glowing red with anger, "Over my dead body!"
"Then you will have no spar," Mòrag said simply.
However, Yang wasn't having it now that such great stakes were up. Honestly it was a win-win for her, but she was pretty sure Dragunov would be more motivated if he knew the price. "Drag lean down a little," Yang said earning a questioning look from her Blade, "I can't reach your ear otherwise."
The draconic Blade bent down enough for Yang to whisper what they would get if they won. It made Dragunov look surprised before a very conflicted look came on his face. Whatever it was it seemed to be worth at least contemplating on whether or not to accept. "Urgh…Fine. But Yang, we better win or I will never forgive you," Dragunov said sounding a little too serious for everyone's liking.
"You do know I never throw a match, right," Yang said with a reassuring look. Judging by the calm look on Dragunov, it did the job. With that, Yang, Dragunov, Mòrag and Brighid began moving to the training grounds.
On the training grounds, Yang was doing a few stretches alongside Dragunov. Mòrag was adjusting her white gloves with a determined look. The arena on the training ground was a slightly elevated area where anyone watching from out of the bounds would be relatively safe. Up above on two of the walls were walkways you can use to get a view from above.
And it was up there where the more important members of their audience were at. The whole gang that was at the party, including Tora who had recovered with a good nap. The emperor himself and of course, several of the guests who were curious to see the legendary Fire Storm of Torna in action.
"Reduce them to cinders, Lady Mòrag!" And of course, several off-duty soldiers.
"Nothing is hotter than the blue flames!"
And various other cheers directed at the two.
"Mòrag seems to be pretty popular," Weiss couldn't help commenting on the Special Inquisitor having a fan club.
"She is the Special Inquisitor and the strongest Driver in the empire," Grand Marshal Robart commented with a small smile, "It would be strange if no one respected that."
"Do your best Mòrag!" Rex decided to cheer the Special Inquisitor.
"Kick her butt, sis!" Ruby cheered her sister.
"Break their legs!" Nora, who was allowed to leave her corner, cheered too. But Otohime was watching her like a hawk.
Both Drivers heard the cheers and responded differently, Yang waved to her friends and family while Mòrag gave her companions and fans an acknowledging nod.
"Are you ready, Drivers?" Robart, who was acting as a referee, called out while raising his hand.
In response, Yang took a fighting stance with Dragunov's Talons equipped, while Mòrag prepared the Whipswords.
"Begin!" And then Robart lowered it as the signal.
(Play Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Ost: Driver Vs)
Then the match started with Brighid sending in a large blue flame to circle behind Yang and Dragunov.
Dragunov saw this and decided not to be outdone and sent his own flames to intercept Brighid's. The two flames clashed before stopping, creating an arena made of blue flames and regular flames.
"Not bad," Brighid let out with a small smile. Of course, a fire mastery of this level was expected of the supposedly strongest fire Blade in Alrest.
"This much is nothing," Dragunov said with a grin just as Yang bumped her fists together and dashed at Mòrag who was waiting for her calmly.
Yang instantly went for a punch into Mòrag's face who almost casually leaned to the side for the fist to sail past it before giving Yang a few quick slices at her torso. Then the Special Inquisitor took some distance before turning the other sword into its bladed whip form and lashed out. This time, Yang brought one Talon to block it.
"Okay, not bad," Yang muttered before dashing in again.
"Azure II: Hellfire!" Mòrag used her Art, sending a gout of blue flame at Yang who moved to the side to avoid it, while Dragunov put up a barrier to block it once Yang was out of the way.
As the two fiery Drivers clashed, the audience was looking on.
"…Mòrag and Brighid are really good," Jaune commented, still remembering how he and Joana got their asses handed to them by Brighid alone.
"Well she is the strongest Driver of the empire," Zeke said with a small smile.
Qrow didn't comment, but he had to admit that Yang had improved. The veteran huntsman couldn't help wondering if Yang had been allowed to use Dragunov's power back in Haven, the fight against Hazel would've probably been one sided. Still he also had to admit that Mòrag clearly knew what she was doing, evidenced by how she was either practically dancing around Yang's attacks or deflecting them. And when it wasn't the Special Inquisitor herself, it was Brighid using that barrier.
Back in the fight, Yang was getting a little frustrated. This was like fighting that ice cream girl all over again. Except Mòrag had to put in more effort into avoiding her fists. But then Yang took some distance as something was bothering her.
"Dragunov, is it just me or is she hitting harder than before," Yang asked her Blade since she was pretty sure Mòrag was hitting harder than at the beginning of this fight.
"It's not just you, I saw it too," Dragunov commented as he could feel Mòrag shaving more of Yang's Aura the longer this fight went on. And then he remembered something that was mentioned in Thauron's journal. "Yang, it's because she's avoiding your attacks!" Dragunov exclaimed.
"What?!" Yang cried out.
"The more attacks they avoid, the harder they can hit," Dragunov said with a growl, "It's similar to your semblance."
"…She can grow stronger by NOT taking hits? That's unfair," Yang said in annoyance.
"Brighid!" The two's conversation was cut off when Mòrag threw her Whipswords to her Blade.
"As you wish, Lady Mòrag," Brighid said with a small sadistic looking smile, "Will-o´-the-Wisp!" And then she sent large blue flames at Yang.
Yang's eyes widened significantly in horror before she started running to avoid the attack. Unfortunately for her, "The heck?! They're following me!" Just like Yang shouted out, the flames indeed turned and were following her like homing missiles.
Dragunov growled out as he ran behind his Driver before putting up a barrier while still running. But the blue flames would not stop at something so simple. "Of course that didn't work." The sad thing is, Dragunov knew that wouldn't work but he had to try. "This is gonna suck." The draconic Blade complained before positioning himself right in front of Yang who stopped to see what her Blade was planning.
"Dragunov, what are you doing?!" Yang cried out as the mighty fire Blade braced for the incoming blue flames.
"I'll take the hit," Dragunov said, "Once the attack is over you-Yang!" That last part was shouted because Yang suddenly vaulted over her Blade to take the hit herself. The only thing Dragunov could do in the split second before his Driver would be hit was to activate Damage Armor.
And then Yang was blasted into the fleshy part of Dragunov's chest by the blue flames. The combination of Damage Armor and her Aura blocking the worst of the attack. Unfortunately, judging by the flickering around her, Yang's Aura couldn't take anymore hits.
"Yang!" Came from the audience. Ruby and Blake being the loudest.
Mòrag too stopped with a surprised look at Yang taking a hit for her Blade. The only remotely possible explanation for Yang's stunt was that she didn't want to see Dragunov getting hurt. Even though Blades recover from any injury.
"Yang, what the heck was that?!" Dragunov demanded from his Driver that stood up with some difficulty.
"I'm not letting you take hits for me," Yang said with a stubborn glare, "And I will not hide behind you."
Dragunov sputtered at that before practically roaring at Yang's face, "I can recover from that, and you can't! What the actual **** made you think that you can-" Dragunov's rant was interrupted by a slap across his face. It didn't hurt him, but the shock of Yang actually doing that gave him a pause. Yang doesn't normally slap, she punches.
The said blonde had a highly offended look, "Drag, my semblance makes me stronger from taking hits. Not because I take strength from it, but because it's better me than my loved ones."
Dragunov was about to yell again before his brain caught up to the last part, "What?" And he couldn't believe it.
"I let you take hits that were meant for me back at Beacon, but I can't hide behind you in battle forever," Yang then said with a determined look, "I'm not made of glass."
At that last comment, Dragunov looked astonished before a smile broke across his face. "Fine, but unless you have a plan then I don't think you can go on much longer," Dragunov said, still smiling.
"Don't worry, I do," Yang said with a small grin, "You just be ready. I trust you'll know what to do."
With those words, Yang and Dragunov were covered by a golden glow. And with it, the dragon heads resting against Dragunov's shoulders opened their golden eyes of fiery wrath.
"It seems, Yang is still willing to go," Mòrag commented at the sight of the max affinity, which included Dragunov's cracks glowing like molten gold.
"So it would seem," Brighid agreed with a frown. Something about Dragunov's current state made her…uneasy.
(Song Change: Counterattack)
"Heat Blast!" Yang called out as she unloaded a huge blast of golden fire at Mórag.
"Brighid." Mòrag called out calmly as she pointed one Whipsword at the incoming blast. And soon she felt Brighid giving everything she had.
The projectile came in contact with the tip of the sword and was dispersed around harmlessly. But as soon as the flames were gone, Yang was right in front of the Special Inquisitor with her semblance activated. Mòrag reacted to the sight by lashing with the other sword.
"Fever Rush!" But Yang was faster as a series of golden flame enhanced punches hit the Special Inquisitor.
Brighid's eyes opened in horror at the hits her Driver took, right before a kick in the chest sent Mòrag away. "Lady Mòrag!" Brighid called out in concern as the Ardainian members of the audience gasped at the Special Inquisitor receiving such heavy hits.
But to everyone's relief, Mòrag got back up although with some difficulty. "I'm alright Brighid," Mòrag said with a weak smile as she winced at the pain in her chest. Something that made the blue haired Blade look more concerned. "Don't worry, you were able to block the worst of it." Mòrag said with a smile as she stepped forward again.
Brighid smiled at herself having enough presence of mind to activate Damage Armor right before the first hit.
"You okay there, Mòrag?" Yang asked with a note of concern, after all the Special Inquisitor just took an Art that was enhanced by both Dragunov's Rising Heat and her semblance. Not to mention Dragunov also activated Burning Spirit to allow Yang's Aura to recover. That's not even counting the Aux Core that allowed Yang to recover by using her Driver Arts. The only reason she isn't trying to spam them is because she heard the story of what happened when Ren started spamming.
"Dragunov isn't the only one who can use Damage Armor," Mòrag replied before lashing with the whip of her sword.
"But…you don't have Aura and you took my hits head on," Yang said in concern as she brought an arm to block it, the memory of the damage Nora gave Voluq returning to her mind.
"Voluq's affinity link was severed," Mòrag explained as she paused her attack momentarily.
"What does that have to do with anything?" Yang asked in confusion.
In the audience Ruby asked the same question to which Zeke gave a confused look. "Blade's share some of their durability with their Drivers, didn't you know that?" the Tantales Driver had a questioning look.
"They do?" Blake asked with a confused look.
"Yeah, that's why Drivers can normally take hits that would kill a normal person," Pandoria added in, "Didn't you ever notice?"
"No... we always had our Auras and they were unaffected by affinity link," Weiss explained before realizing something, "Guys... have any of us ever taken a hit when our Aura was down?"
With that, the Remnans started thinking, trying to remember a time they took a hit without their Aura.
"Well…" Nora drawled out, "I did bounce against cobblestones back in Kuroyuri, and it didn't hurt as much as I thought it would."
"Did you have Electra's weapon?" Nia asked with her arms crossed.
"Yes." Electra replied before Nora could, "And I still had affinity link on her."
"There you have it, then." Zeke said with a smile, before looking a little more serious, "But how much sturdier you become depends on the Blade you have. Some Blades can take more hits than others."
"And despite Brighid being what many call 'Evasion Tank', she still has greater durability than most other Blades," Pandoria added in.
"But…why doesn't it affect our Auras," Jaune then asked, looking a little confused.
"Who knows," Zeke shrugged, "I still find your wacky soul barrier weird."
"Hey!" every single person who had Aura took offense to that. Although Talos merely clenched his hands into fists.
As this conversation happened, Yang and Mòrag were fighting once again after Yang received a similar explanation. Unfortunately, this time it seemed that Yang wouldn't get anymore hits as easily as the previous one. That's not to say she didn't get any hits, but to Yang it felt like Mòrag was getting better with every hit she got in. As in, seemed less in pain. Something that confused Yang.
But that wouldn't stop her as she saw an opening and used Rising Dragon. There was no way Mòrag could avoid this.
Except Mòrag did avoid it and gave several powerful slashes as a counter, before kicking Yang away. It should be noted that during this, Brighid took a couple chances to throw small blue flames at Yang, but was countered by Dragunov's stone dragon heads spitting golden flames.
"Th-they're even." A soldier in the audience said in awe at Dragunov's golden flames matching Brighid's blue flames in power.
In the arena, Brighid frowned a little as she heard that. No one can match the heat of Blue Flames.
"Drag, wanna finish this with a Yang?" Yang asked with a grin.
"What did you have in mind?" Dragunov asked with a grin.
"Well…Since you're at max power, let's show Brighid who's flames are the hottest," Yang said with a grin that matched Dragunov's.
"Oh, yes," The stone covered fire Blade was way too excited for a normal person's comfort.
But not Yang who was now ready to show off her mighty Blade, "Hey, Mòrag. You better put in everything you got, because now we're really bringing the heat!" With those words, Yang threw the talons to Dragunov.
Mòrag and Brighid both looked surprised to hear that, but neither of them wanted to lose. And it was that desire that allowed the two to reach maximum affinity.
"Brighid!" Mòrag called out as she tossed one Whipsword to her Blade.
The Jewel instantly caught it before moving shoulder to shoulder with her Driver. "None may challenge the Blue Flame." Brighid declared as the two lifted their respective Whipsword as Dragunov's dragon heads took a deep breath.
"Exhaust Nova!" And then Dragunov unleashed the torrent of white flames at Mòrag and Brighid.
"Azure III: Soul Fire!" The Ardainian Blade and Driver called out in unison as they sent a countless blue flames against the approaching tidal wave of white fire.
The two level 4 Special Arts clashed, the blue flames created an opening where Mòrag and Brighid were standing from which the rest of the white flames couldn't reach them. But it seemed that Dragunov would not give in.
(Song End)
Yang was grinning almost maniacally as her eyes were slowly bleeding from lilac to red. She couldn't wait to see all their enemies being reduced to ashes.
*Crack*
That was the sound that caused Yang to look to Dragunov. There was a new crack on the stone covering his fore arm where golden flames were spilling out of.
*Crack* *Crack*
Then one was on his back and right leg, also leaking flames. Yang took a look at Dragunov's face to ask what was going on. And her previous excitement was gone along with the red that wanted to taint her eyes, replaced by slight fear at the rage on Dragunov's face at not being able to overpower Mòrag and Brighid.
"I am Dragunov!" Dragunov declared as several new cracks appeared all over the stone that covered his body. "I am power incarnate!" More cracks appeared at this declaration.
Now Yang was really getting worried. What if Dragunov was about to explode? And that was a thought too scary for Yang to not want to stop him, "Dragunov, stop! Your body is cracking!" But it seemed like he couldn't hear her. "Dragunov!" Yang practically screamed into her Blade's ear, but he just kept on and on about being strongest.
Then Dragunov's eyes began to glow as more flames escaped from new cracks in his body. "Feel the Fury of the-Aurgh!" Dragunov was cut off by a punch from Yang's fist which was enhanced with a good concussive blast from Ember Celica.
"Stop it already!" Yang cried out again, and this time she seemed to get through to him.
"What?" Dragunov asked in confusion as the dragon heads finally stopped firing. And with the stream of white flames ending, Mòrag's and Brighid's Soul Fire was able to sail towards Yang. Dragunov saw this and threw his Driver away before taking the flames himself. And since he didn't hand the talons back, the affinity link was severed.
Yang let out an undignified "Uumpf", as she landed several ways away from the epicenter of the attack.
"Dragunov!" Yang cried out in slight fear, a fear which subsided when the blue flames stopped almost as soon as they covered her Blade. Mòrag and Brighid had stopped their attack.
"What just happened?" Mòrag asked, because last they knew, they were struggling against Dragunov's Exhaust Nova, and then it suddenly stopped.
"Dragunov!" Ruby cried out, "Are you okay?!"
"I'm fine," Dragunov said loudly with a sigh, not looking worse for wear. But when Yang got to his side, she saw small burns on the fleshy part of his upper arm that soon faded to the normal reddish tan color. "What happened?" Dragunov asked earning a surprised look from Ruby and Yang.
"You…don't remember?" Yang asked now getting more concerned as the rest of the gang was moving from the walkway to the arena to reach the fiery Blade-Driver duo.
The draconic Blade looked thoughtful, "Well…I was unleashing Exhaust Nova on Mòrag and Brighid when all of a sudden…Bam! I felt something hitting my face. Then I threw you away from getting hit by blue flames."
"What about those things you were shouting?" Yang then asked when the rest of the gang reached them.
"What things?" Dragunov asked with a questioning look.
As Dragunov was getting interrogated by his Driver, Mòrag had put the Whipswords away with an apprehensive look directed at Dragunov.
"Lady Mòrag…did you feel it?" Brighid asked, looking a little rattled.
"You felt it too, Brighid?" Mòrag asked, turning to her Blade fully.
"It was something like back when we first fought Pyra, I think," Brighid replied.
"Yes," Mòrag said with a deep frown," His flames were indeed hot, even rivaling yours once they became golden. But when he unleashed his level four... I felt that there was something else. Something sleeping deep inside him."
"Do you think it might be something like Mythra?" Brighid asked in concern.
"Perhaps…or perhaps it was something else," Mòrag muttered as the rest of the Alrest crew reached her. Her eyes fell on Mythra who looked towards Dragunov with a deep frown.
"Mòrag, are you okay?" Rex asked with a concerned look.
"I'm quite alright, Rex," Mòrag commented with a smile, finding the salvager's concern just a little adorable.
"Seriously, who would have thought that Dragunov was that strong," Nia commented on Dragunov almost overpowering Mòrag and Brighid. Because from the audience, it was clear that Dragunov's white flames were pushing the blue flames back. If Yang hadn't punched Dragunov's face, the white flames might have washed over the Special Inquisitor.
Zeke also looked thoughtful about something. Probably something to do with Dragunov. Everyone probably had questions about what happened.
Meanwhile, in a large circular room, Jin was staring at a large block of ice that contained a red-haired woman in combat gear. Of course, she was dead. For a long time now.
"…I wonder if things would have gone differently if we were not separated," Jin said aloud, referring to the time they got lost from each other on their way to Torna's Core where Malos would have waited. And when they reached the top without Thauron, it turned out that he and Dragunov had beaten them to Malos.
And that was when Malos started bragging about erasing Thauron and by extension Dragunov. It was a shock to everyone. Especially to Lora to whom Thauron finally had the guts to confess his feelings to earlier. Lora was unable to give him the answer at the time, but Thauron was okay with it he just didn't want to have regrets in case one of them didn't make it. But because of Malos, she never had the chance to give her answer.
Jin's hands clenched into fists as he remembered what happened after Torna was destroyed. If Thauron and Dragunov had been there, perhaps… No. It was useless to think that now.
"Something wrong, Jin?" Asked Malos, who had just arrived, with a small smirk.
"No." Jin replied simply.
Malos dropped the smirk before asking his next question in a more serious tone, "You still thinking about Dragunov?"
"…Perhaps," Jin replied as he turned towards Malos, "But don't worry, as I said, any ties I had with him died with Thauron."
"Are you sure about that?" Malos asked with a sympathetic look, "This isn't like with Brighid and Aegaeon. You thought Dragunov was gone for good and now he suddenly reappears. It's alright if you need someone else to deal with him."
Jin frowned a little, "And who would that be? If what you said is true, then I am the only one who can stand against his true power."
"Assuming that his current Driver has unlocked it," Malos countered, "And even if it was…well let's just say that you should be glad you never reached him before I destroyed Thauron."
"And why is that?" Jin asked with a quirked eyebrow. Not that Malos could tell because of the mask.
"That's-" Malos was about to say when an alarm was sounded.
"Intruder Alert! Intruder Alert!" Was the automated recording that followed the alarm sounding off.
"What?!" Malos shouted out, "We are 5000 Titan peds deep right now, who could have gotten in here?!"
"It doesn't matter," Jin said as he began moving, "They were dead the moment they got into this ship."
Inside the mess hall, Mikhail got up from having a snack, "Okay, who the heck got in here?" The blonde man was both impressed at the intruders getting in and pitying them for getting in. "Well, I guess we'll find out how they got in," Mikhail said as he prepared to move out. Except when he opened the door he saw something he wasn't expecting.
It was a dark skinned girl with mint green hair and red eyes. The girl instantly pulled a pair of kamas on him. "If you surrender, I won't have to kill you," the girl said with a determined look.
"Well…it's a shame," Mikhail said with an apologetic look, "I was about to say the same to you."
In another part of the ship, Patroka was running the hallways, looking for the intruders. Then as she was about to turn a corner, she had a gut instinct to move away, just in time to avoid a large man coming from the said corner in an attempt to punch her. But thanks to her instincts, Patroka moved some ways back so that the punch wasn't even close to hitting her.
"I don't want to kill you," the large man with a brown hair, same colored beard, tan skin and large green coat said in a remorseful tone.
Patroka scowled at the man, "Firstly, you should have thought that before getting on this ship. And secondly, you make it sound as if you can actually beat me."
The man looked at Patroka with a pitying look, "Very well."
At the command bridge of the ship, Akhos had some new guests.
"Now the entire ship knows you're here," Akhos said as he adjusted his glasses.
"A shame," said a lanky man in a gray suit and bushy moustache, "Unfortunately your friends are already dead."
Akhos laughed at that, "If you're going to lie, then at least make up something believable."
"Very well, Tyrian," The man then motioned for Tyrian who's scorpion tail was yet to be replaced, but considering its only one unarmed man they were up against, there was nothing to be afraid of, "Please try not to get his blood on this equipment, I would like to study it later."
"I'll try," Tyrian said with a mad grin before deploying his wrist blades and dashing at his newest prey.
With Malos again, he allowed Jin to go ahead, because they ran into a gray-haired cocky boy. "Kid, I don't know what madness made you come here, but if you stand down, I'll make it quick and painless," Malos said with his arms crossed and a small smirk.
The gray-haired teen smirked, "Whatever, I know for a fact that you Alrestians are weaker than us without your fancy Blades. So, this will be easy." This comment caused Malos to quirk an eyebrow at the wording. But then the teen looked more serious, "Besides, I'm already walking on thin ice with the boss lady, so I can't fail here."
Malos shook his head before replying with a condescending smirk, "Well then I'll make sure you will never face her wrath."
At Jakolo's Inn, the gang was now preparing for the bed. Of course, after the fight, there were a few people who wanted Yang's autograph for putting Mòrag in such dire straits.
Others were wondering what kind of crazy psycho Dragunov was for sounding like he wanted to destroy all.
But that wasn't what had everyone worried. What had everyone worried was the fact that Dragunov himself didn't remember saying anything after unleashing Exhaust Nova.
When Aizen tried to interrogate him on the sudden shift, Dragunov snapped at him. And by "snap", he smacked him into a wall and shouted that it didn't happen. After that, everyone decided to let it go. But Ozpin gave everyone a small warning, apparently Dragunov's response was a forced one.
Which is why Yang was skimming through Thauron's journal, trying to find clues to what just happened.
"Come on…there has to be something," Yang grumbled as she skimmed through the pages. Some of them about him sparring with the others, some interesting sounding events and sometimes Thauron gushing about Lora. The guy really had it hard for the woman, though it was still hard to believe that Lora was 27-years old at the time that picture was taken. It would be funny if Yang wasn't busy trying to find if whatever was wrong with Dragunov was a recurring thing or not. Then she found a page she hadn't had time to read yet. And that's where she began to read.
"Dear Journal, I'm starting to think something is wrong with Dragunov." Was the first sentence that Yang red, now this was promising. "Earlier in the day, we accepted a request from Morumo. Apparently some Gogols had been disrupting trade routes and it was bad for business. Not just for Morumo, but all land imports too. Of course, those oversized furballs were no match for us. But during the fight, when Dragunov and I managed to reach full power he started shouting that it wasn't enough. He kept yelling about needing to burn more. This time even I couldn't calm him down. It took Haze restraining him to the best of her ability and Aegaeon to use his water to soak him enough to make him weak. Thankfully we were able to calm him down from whatever bout of rage he had."
Yang looked increasingly worried as she read about Dragunov needing to be restrained and soaked to calm him down. The blonde now considered herself lucky that she was able to calm him down with a simple punch in the face.
"What worries me the most was that when we later asked Dragunov about what made him so angry, he didn't remember getting angry."
"Again?" Yang muttered in more worry of Dragunov not remembering being on the verge of rampage.
"Not to mention all those new cracks that appeared around his body when he was raging. I thought he was going to explode or something. But once he was calm, the cracks were restored. Actually, now that I think about it, he has been getting increasingly violent and easier to anger. Maybe those were signs of whatever was happening to him… I just…I just hope he won't be destroyed. I mean, he's an asshole, but he's my-"
At the last part, the next word seemed to be scribbled over almost frantically. Yang found it in herself to chuckle as Thauron probably realized how that sounded. Assuming the word was what Yang thought it was.
Still now that Yang knew that this has happened before, she allowed herself to slump back into her bed where she was sitting on.
"I take it whatever you found wasn't good," said Blake who had been quietly watching Yang trying to find a clue from the journal.
"Yeah…This has happened before," Yang commented, "And like me, Thauron was afraid Dragunov might explode.
"Maybe," Blake commented with a down-cast look, "But why doesn't he remember?"
"I don't know, Thauron was asking the same thing," Yang said now feeling worried. On one hand, if she stopped wielding Dragunov's Talons maybe this won't happen again. On the other hand, Yang enjoyed combat alongside her Blade, as much as she refuses to speak of it.
"Yang…why did you take that hit?" Blake then asked.
"I told you before, I didn't want him taking hits for me," Yang said with a grumble.
"Yes, but…that was a Special Art and Dragunov is tough," Blake argued back.
"I'm not made of glass," Yang said with a mild glare.
"But you're not invincible, Yang," said Ruby who came in from having brushed her teeth.
"Ruby?" Yang said with a surprised look, "Were you listening in?"
"It was an accident, but Yang we know you're tough, and I'm sure Dragunov knows it too, but you can still be hurt," Ruby pointed out, "None of us want to see you getting hurt if we can avoid it."
"Ruby, we're going to fight who knows what monsters this world has, and possibly this Malos guy," Yang then said before glaring at the journal a little, "From the way Thauron described him, he seemed to be loving the destruction he caused." Then Yang shook her head, "My point is, we may not be able to avoid injuries."
This made Ruby look a little down, but she then gave her sister a stern glare, "Yang…promise me that you won't take hits like that if there is another way."
"Ruby, I-" "Please, I'm asking this as your sister," Ruby then said, she felt really scared of Yang taking Brighid's Level 2 head on. And while Russel was able to take a level 3, Special Arts grow stronger just like they have. And Brighid is the strongest Blade in Mor Ardain, it wouldn't be surprising if her level 2 equaled Roze's level 3 from back then.
"Well, I admit, I'm glad I didn't take level 4 head on," Yang then said with a smile, "And I promise Ruby, I won't take unnecessary risks."
Ruby smiled at Yang's words, before having a small grin, "Speaking of level 4, what do you think Dahlia's would be?"
The change of topic seemed welcome to Yang and Blake as they both looked thoughtful.
"Well, probably something to do with ice, since she's an ice Blade," Blake began.
"How about, Super Ice Queen's Wintery Wrath," Yang joked.
Ruby also laughed a little, "Uuh! How about some kind of combo move with Weiss, Super Schnee Blast!"
Yang and Ruby laughed harder while Blake rolled her eyes in amusement. But then her amusement fell. "Uhh…Ruby." Blake said with an apprehensive look.
"How about…uhhh Icicle Typhoon!" Ruby then suggested with a wide grin as she pictured a typhoon made of icicles shredding an army of grin.
"Ruby," Yang said, looking on the verge of laughing fit.
"Oh, oh! How about-" Ruby's next suggestion was cut off by the sound of a tapping foot behind her. "…Weiss is behind me, isn't she?" Ruby said as she felt a chill crawling up her spine.
"Don't let that stop you," Weiss said with a sickeningly sweet voice behind Ruby, "Go on, what was your next suggestion?"
Ruby slowly turned to face their resident ice queen who had an equally sweet smile that matched her previous tone. Ruby giggled nervously, "Uhh…you know we were just wondering what Dahlia's level 4 would be."
"I got that much, Ruby," Weiss said, still maintaining her overly sweet smile. It was actually creeping Ruby out a little. "But if you're a good girl then we can pretend this never happened," Weiss said before strutting past Ruby.
The red reaper let out a sigh of relief at Weiss dropping the issue. Until she felt a sharp pain in her butt, which made her jump to the ceiling with a shriek.
"Really, Weiss?" Blake asked with an amused look at the Schnee girl who had stung Ruby's butt with Myrtenaster.
"What? I deserved to do that after what you dolts put me through," Weiss said with a frosty look as Ruby came down from the ceiling and was nursing the sting in her butt.
"What're you talking about?" Yang asked, totally confused, earning a scowl from Weiss.
"Ruby hiding like a child behind Roze, Yang distracting a guard on duty, Penny dancing Tora violently which created a scene, Nora getting too close to the freaking EMPEROR!" Weiss shrieked the last part so loudly that it was a miracle that none of the glass objects in the room shattered. "What did I say before we went to the ball? I said one thing." Weiss held up one finger for emphasis, "Don't. Embarrasss. Remnant."
"Come on, it wasn't that bad," Yang said, before finding herself staring at the tip of Myrtenaster which was inches away from her nose.
"And don't think I didn't see you getting carried while screaming like a lunatic," Weiss said in great annoyance.
"Hey! That was on Drag. I didn't ask him to pick me up," Yang complained.
"It doesn't matter," Weiss then said before moving to her bed and flopped down with a defeated sigh, "Now the nobles of Mor Ardain will think that Remnant is inhabited by uncultured savages."
"Weiss, they will only think that about some of us," Blake said in an attempt to reassure their white haired team mate.
"Blake…I appreciate your words, but I just…can't believe that right now." It seemed that Weiss was in no mood to be cheered up.
Back in the Torna ship, Watts was being escorted somewhere in the hallways. But there was a small problem with the one escorting him. Namely, it wasn't Tyrian.
"No sudden movements." Said Akhos who had a blue bladed scythe against Watts' throat, while also dragging unconscious, disarmed and tied up Tyrian.
"I must ask you, how were you able to defeat Tyrian?" Watts asked despite the looming threat.
"Did you think that a mere human could defeat me?" Akhos shot back with a condescending smirk. "Although, I have never seen a human with a tail before."
"I'm sorry but the way you say that gives me the impression of you not being a human," Watts said with a curious look. He would have turned his head if he wasn't being threatened right now.
"…Are you honestly telling me that you didn't know who we are?" Judging by the tone, Watts was guessing that his captor was not expecting that answer.
"I'm afraid I don't, are you perhaps famous or something?" Watts said, trying to fish more information.
"You can ask our boss because we are here now," Akhos said as they were reaching the end of the hallway they were walking.
Once entering the room, Watts was met with a surprising sight, the two motionless forms of Emerald and Mercury. Then three men turned to see them, one with a short blonde hair and a purple outfit, one with a short black hair and an air of smugness about him and finally a silver haired man wearing a mask.
"You too Akhos?" the black-haired man said with a small grin.
"Guess you guys found the other intruders," Akhos said as he took the scythe away from Watts' throat before roughly poking the man forward with the tip of the scythe's blunt side. Then Akhos deposited Tyrian unceremoniously near Emerald and Mercury.
"So, does this make everyone?" the blonde one asked from Watts nicely.
"I fear you won't get an answer from me that easily," Watts said with an internal smirk. If Hazel was still out there, then perhaps he could turn this all around.
"Please tell me this is all the intruders." A woman's voice said from the way Watts was just escorted to.
Daring to turn around, the Atlesian scientist felt fear grip his chest at the sight of a black-haired woman dragging a thoroughly beaten and bloody Hazel by the man's leg. What was worse, that Watts noted, the large human's arms to be oddly limp.
"Patroka, is there a reason you let him live?" the silver haired man asked.
"Well I thought we might want to know how this guy got here in the first place," the woman, apparently named Patroka, replied.
"Funny, seems we all had the exact same thought," The black-haired man said before turning to Watts, "Speaking of which, how did you get on this ship?"
"This is a ship?" Watts asked. He did have his suspicions, but now they were confirmed.
This caused the five people to have varying looks at the inquiry.
"Do you expect us to believe you didn't know that you were intruding a ship?" the blonde one said first.
Watts was about to answer when the sound of slow clapping was heard from further in the room where there was a large block of ice.
The five members of Torna turned to the direction of the sound to see an ashen skinned woman with black and red eyes.
"It seems that I will either need to find better servants, or you people are far more capable than I thought," Salem said with a small smile, "But you see, this ship currently suits my needs for a base, so I must take it from you. So, you can either allow us to drop you somewhere, work for me, or die he-!" The woman didn't get to finish as she felt a stabbing pain in her chest, right where her heart was. She looked to her chest to see a sword having pierced through, then she lifted her gaze to see the silver haired man having stabbed her. She couldn't even tell he moved.
The man then kicked the offending corpse away from his sword before sheathing it on his back. "I take it she was your boss," The silver haired man said as he turned to face surprised looking Watts. "Now, tell us how you got here, or you will face her fate."
Watts was too shocked at this man's inhuman speed to talk, but then all of a sudden, a red glowing circle appeared beneath the silver haired man. Grimm arms started bursting out of it to grab the silver haired one, but they grasped air.
There was a small gust and the silver haired one was with the rest of the occupants of this ship.
"What? How are you still alive?!" Patroka shouted at the ashen skinned woman who had gotten back up, no worse for wear. "I will tear you- urgh!" Patroka suddenly clutched her side in pain.
"Patroka, are you alright?" The blonde one asked in concern.
"Yes, that big guy just dealt some damage before I took him out," Patroka said through gritted teeth.
"I am sorry to disappoint you," everyone's attention was once again to the ashen skinned woman, "But if I could die that easily I wouldn't be standing here today."
"Is that so?" the black-haired man said with a small smirk.
Watts found himself smiling. It wouldn't be long until Salem disposed of these people and then they can take over this ship.
AN: And there we go, Dragunov was about to explode, Yang found out it has happened before, and Torna is now facing the Grimm Witch herself.
