Chapter Twenty-Two
I need your help. I don't know if you can hear my thoughts. I hope you can. I don't know how you work. I'm sorry that I never bothered to find out. I know I should have spent some nights figuring out what it is you can and can't do.
Please put my mistakes and neglect aside for the time being. I need your help. Juliette is going to murder my wife. Adalind will die!
If you have the ability... the power... please... make your way to me. Show me... show them... what it is you can do. Please. I'm begging. Do you have feelings one way or another? Do you care what happens to me and my wife? My son?
They need you. I need you. Please. Make this happen. Come to me.
Adalind lay on the ground, covered in shadows so dense that Juliette couldn't see her, but she could most certainly hear her: the heavy breathing, the dead leaves and foliage stirring as Adalind desperately tried to drag herself along the ground with one good arm in an attempt to stay out of Juliette's grasp.
Please.
Juliette closed her eyes and took a deep breath in through her nose. She felt amazing, near euphoric. When she imagined this moment, she thought she would have to act quickly: Kill Adalind and then rush to escape the Portland area. But this? Nick was bound up, and there was no one around. She could truly take her time.
She opened her eyes and smiled, as much as her fully Woged corpse-like face could twist itself into a smile. Glancing around, however, she realized that regardless of her advanced power and strength, she still couldn't see well in the dark. For a moment, she thought about taking her cell phone to light the path in front of her. However, she didn't want to ruin her opportunity by drawing attention to herself. Then an idea occurred to her:
She stopped following the audible gasps coming from the ground and instead drew out both of her hands, reaching into the ground with her mind to pull out every pebble, rock, and stone she could find. Hundreds of them lifted out from the dirt and mud, swirling around her body. She may not be able to affect Adalind with her powers directly, but hitting her with hundreds of stones with the equivalent power of a shotgun blast? That wouldn't only be feasible, it would feel magnificent to unleash that kind of power and damage onto the woman who'd ruined her life.
If you can hear me. I need you.
When she was confident she'd gotten all the gravel she could from the ground around her, she stopped the swirling of the stones and willed them to float between her and Adalind. Knowing that her plan could be fatal, she felt it worth the small risk that it would shorten Adalind's ordeal. Though, just to be safe, she released her mental hold on a few of the larger stones in her collection, allowing them to fall back to the ground. Then she turned her head, listening for the sound of Adalind's breathing. She knew that many of the stones would miss their mark, but enough would hit her target to satisfy her desire to cause as much pain as possible.
As she listened, however, a new sound entered the area. Before Juliette could make out what the sound of boots sprinting toward her was, a body collided with her. Teeth clamped onto her neck as she fell to the ground, making it difficult to breathe. All the stones that had been floating in the air fell to the ground, and the vines holding Nick in place loosened. He immediately began struggling against what was holding him aloft. The effort was wasted, however, as she used her abilities to force this newcomer off of her.
She used her powers to lift herself from the ground. The man who had tackled her had rolled with the force she'd used against him and had vanished into the shadows. She could hear Nick struggling with the vines behind her, attempting to free himself. She chuckled to herself and clenched both her fists. In response, the vines tightened back around Nick's throat even tighter than before. For good measure, she waved her hands around and added a few more vines to the grouping.
I am begging you. Save my wife.
Juliette put a hand to her own throat and pulled it back to look at it, expecting to see blood. Apparently, her skin was tougher than even she thought. She stared into the shadows, looking for whomever it was that was foolish enough to attack her. She tried listening as well, but Adalind was making too much noise behind her, so much so that Juliette was suspecting all the labored breathing was an intentional distraction.
She was on the brink of commanding Adalind to cease the noise when something or someone darted behind her, raking claws across her back in passing. Despite the assault, her resilient skin absorbed the blow, though the pain seared through her. Gasping in agony, she wheeled around to retaliate, only to be struck once more from behind. This time, the claws raked against the tender flesh around her waist, eliciting a guttural growl born of both fury and anguish.
She felt her waist, expecting once more to feel blood, but again, she was able to withstand the onslaught. She shouted into the night, "Enough!"
"You know what, I agree." A voice said from behind her. It was Hank's voice. She turned to face him and saw that he had his gun drawn. He gave her no time to speak or react as he began unloading on her. Squeezing the trigger again and again and again and again. The sound reverberated through the forest. On a normal night it would have frightened birds into the air, but the fighting in the region has long since scared them away.
The flashes from the muzzle illuminated the night, creating a strobing effect. Allowing quick glimpses of Adalind laying on the ground grasping her shoulder wound. Juliette staggered backwards with each round that made contact with her body. Though some rounds flew past her into nearby trees and bushes.
She fell over and Hank mistakenly believed it had been due to his gun fire, but in reality, she'd simply tripped. Her ribs and chest were white-hot with pain. Whether it was because of biology or magic she didn't know, she could feel the adrenaline rushing through her veins. Her hearing became more acute and though the blinding flashes of the gun had made it momentarily more difficult to see, she didn't need to see when whoever her clawed attacker was came at her again. She thought to herself that they were likely overconfident. She allowed them to think her more hurt than she really was. She waited for the stomping of the boots to grow nearer and before they could claw at her again, she flicked her wrist at them. They soared through the air, colliding with Hank. Juliette was able to finally see that the person attacking her was a Skalengeck. Hank and the Skalengeck's skulls cracked against one another. The sound was sickening and for just a moment, Juliette actually felt bad for Hank. Putting himself in harm's way like that was such a waste.
It's now or never!
She turned to face Nick when she heard another set of boots running at her. She put a hand up, rather than push the new arrival away, she used her magic to make him stop in his tracks so she could get a good look at him. He came to a skidding stop a few feet from her. He attempted to force his way forward, his feet scuffling in the dirt, but no amount of strength he could muster would get him within arms reach. She saw that it was a another Skalengeck. She nodded her head in understanding. She hadn't been attacked by one person. She'd been attacked by two who'd been coordinating their efforts.
She couldn't help but be impressed that they'd momentarily fooled her. She gazed at him and complimented their plan, "Smart approach. If your claws had actually cut me, you may have won. Maybe."
He attempted to reply but she whipped her hand at him and he sailed backward, flying high into the air. He collided with a tree and fell easily twenty feet to the ground. He lay there, motionless. She waited a moment, then another to make sure there wouldn't be any more attacks. Satisfied that no more were coming, she turned to face Nick, "Disappointed? I would be. All the planning you did, all the people you got to help you and she's going to die anyway."
If you can hear me, come to me!
As Juliette stood amidst the darkness of the forest, her senses heightened by the adrenaline coursing through her veins, she suddenly heard a deep, resonant sound echoing through the trees. At first, it was a distant rumble, but it quickly grew louder, more distinct.
The noise, unmistakably the creaking and cracking of wood being bent and broken, as if immense forces were at work, reshaping the very landscape. With each echoing thud and groan, Juliette's heart quickened, her mind conjuring images of a colossal figure striding through the darkness, towering above the trees, their footsteps shaking the earth beneath her feet. Her thoughts raced with images of Nick's mother, Kelly, measuring thirty feet tall, lumbering through the forest, pushing over trees to get at her.
"No... no... that's not possible."
She took a step back, then another. Despite the darkness shrouding the forest, Juliette's imagination painted vivid pictures of a giant, imposing and powerful. The mere thought of such a creature stalking through the woods sent shivers down Juliette's spine, filling her with a primal fear unlike anything she had ever known.
As the sound drew nearer, Juliette's breath caught in her throat, her pulse racing with anticipation and dread. Every fiber of her being screamed for her to flee, to escape the approaching menace, but a paralyzing fear rooted her to the spot, leaving her at the mercy of her own imagination and the looming specter of the unknown and the impossible.
As the thunderous cacophony drew nearer, the rustling of leaves intensified, transforming into a frenzied symphony of snapping branches and splintering wood. Each impact reverberated through the forest with alarming force, sending tremors through the ground beneath Juliette's feet.
Despite the darkness enveloping the woods, Juliette could discern the eerie spectacle unfolding before her. Trees bent and buckled under the relentless assault, their branches thrashing wildly as though caught in the grip of a merciless tempest. Some were torn from their roots entirely, flung aside like mere twigs in the path of an unstoppable force.
In the dim light filtering through the canopy above, Juliette caught fleeting glimpses of the sheer power, enough to rend wood and earth alike. The sight sent a chill down her spine as she realized that whatever approached was not merely a figment of her imagination—it was all too real, and it was closing in fast.
Nick was just as astonished at the cacophony as she was. The trees swayed, their branches blocking the moon and stars behind them and then moving away to allow them shine through once more.
With a sharp crack, one particularly ancient tree succumbed to the onslaught, its massive trunk splintering and collapsing with a deafening roar. The ground trembled as it fell, shaking Juliette to her core and leaving her in no doubt of the awesome power bearing down upon her.
She took another step backward and tripped on an exposed root, falling onto her backside like a toddler losing their balance. A fall that would end up saving her life.
As the tumultuous symphony of destruction crescendoed, a sudden flash of realization pierced the veil of uncertainty. What had initially seemed like the approach of a colossal behemoth, revealed itself to be something altogether unexpected—an erratic dance of energy and chaos, propelled by forces beyond comprehension.
High above the forest canopy, a shimmering streak of light blazed a trail through the night sky, its trajectory guided by an unseen hand. With each thunderous impact, the truth of its nature became clearer: it was no lumbering titan, but a manifestation of arcane power, careening through the air with unbridled intensity.
Nick's Staff, previously known as Zerstörer's Staff, ancient and enigmatic, forged a path of destruction as it hurtled toward its master, its passage marked by the splintering of wood and the earth-shaking reverberations of its impact. It veered wildly off course, ricocheting off tree trunks high and low, bounding across the forest floor in a frenzied display of magical might.
Each collision sent shockwaves rippling through the surrounding landscape, leaving a trail of shattered branches and upturned earth in its wake. Yet, despite its erratic path, there was a sense of purpose to its movements—a determination to reach its destination at any cost, heedless of the chaos it left in its wake.
As the Staff continued its tumultuous journey, it careened with astonishing force into the ancient sentinels of the forest. With each impact, the trees quivered and groaned, their sturdy frames tested to their limits. A massive oak, weathered by centuries of storms and strife, stood no chance against the Staff's unyielding momentum. With a deafening crack, it succumbed to the onslaught, crashing to the forest floor in a thunderous cascade of splintered wood and falling leaves.
Yet, the Staff showed no signs of relenting, its trajectory unaltered by the chaos it had wrought. Like a bolt of lightning unleashed from the heavens, it continued its relentless advance, the very air crackling with the energy of its passage.
In a final, climactic moment, the Staff flew over where Juliette's head had been just a moment before and found its mark, colliding with the palm of Nick's bound hand. The impact reverberated through the forest like a thunderclap, shattering the constraints that held him captive and freeing him from his bonds. The violent explosion swirled around him as though he were in the eye of a storm. Nick rose to his feet, his hand clasping the Staff with a sense of reverence and determination.
Meanwhile, Juliette, caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, found herself rolling backward on the ground from the concussive force, her senses reeling from the explosion of the Staff's arrival. As she lay amidst the debris and detritus of the forest floor, she could only watch in stunned silence as Nick, empowered by the mystical artifact now in his possession, stepped forward, prepared to face his destiny head-on.
He spun the staff in his hands a few times and silently thanked it for listening to his call. He glanced over at the darkness he knew was concealing his wife, knowing that she was badly injured and needing his immediate assistance. But he also knew that Juliette wouldn't sit back and allow him to aid her. He forced himself to make the impossible choice of ignoring his wife's needs for now.
He charged at Juliette, attempting to strike at her face with the staff, but she deftly rolled out of the way. Disoriented but trained, Juliette spun her legs, rotating on her back, attempting to kick Nick in his gut or whatever part of his body she could make contact with, but his Grimm instincts countered her training easily. He sidestepped the kick and attempted to stab her with the Staff. She rolled her shoulder to the side and rolled over to finally make it back to her feet and face him.
He spun the staff around in his hands again as he spoke to her, "No more Coven to help you."
Knowing that she still can't use her powers directly against him, she attempted to strike at him with whatever was nearby. She flicked her wrist at branches, rocks, pinecones, vines, whatever her mind's eye could locate on the forest floor, but Nick deflected them with simple swipes of his Staff. A few times, he was able to use the Staff's abilities to send the items back at her. It caused no discernible damage other than to anger her in embarrassment.
Out of frustration, she decided to stop using magic and she rushed at him trying to strike at him with her fist. Nick, however, had been waiting for her to make a move like that and was glad she'd finally done so. He grabbed her wrist out of the air with one hand, placed the staff against the back of her arm with the other, and wrenched her arm so that it nearly came out of its socket as he flipped her over his head in a perfect arc before her body slammed into the ground on the opposite side.
Winded, which he counted on, he placed the Staff across her throat in an attempt to prevent her from refilling her lungs with air. Juliette used her natural flexibility to counter as she lifted her leg and kicked him as hard she could with the toe of her shoe against the top of his head.
He rolled backward with the blow and nearly collided with one of the Skalengecks he hadn't realized had regained consciousness and was attempting to rejoin the fight. Before he could say anything, the Skalengeck had sidestepped him and attempted once again to leap onto Juliette. She reflexively used her powers on him, sending him flying through the air. Nick had no idea if it would work or not, but he waved his Staff at the Skalengeck and willed him to stop midair.
When it did work, he tried not to react, but Juliette knew him far too well. She recognized the surprise and lack of confidence in Nick's eyes. As the Skalengeck hovered in the air above Nick, she decided to challenge the power of the Staff. Before Nick could safely lower the man to the ground, she flicked her wrist at him. Nick's Staff jolted in his hands as the man shot a few dozen feet higher into the air before coming to a stop.
Nick made a quick calculation in his head as he quickly lowered his Staff, releasing the hold he had on the Skalengeck. He could hear the man begin to scream as he plummeted to the ground. Nick then spun the Staff in his hand and jabbed it at Juliette.
She may not be able to use her powers directly on Nick, but the Staff had no such problem. As though she'd been slammed in her chest, she flew backward and rolled several times across the ground, dirt, mud, and weeds collecting in her clothes and hair. It hadn't hurt her, but her anger was boiling over.
Nick quickly refocused his attention back on the Skalengeck, using the powers of the Staff to catch him before he hit the ground, but only barely so. The Skalengeck, still Woged, hovered just a foot or so from the ground. His eyes, wide with fear, quickly turned to relief as he learned he wasn't going to die from the fall. Nick rolled the Staff in his hands and in response the Skalengeck flipped over in the air and was brought onto his feet. He glanced over at Nick. Nick nodded at him and then gestured with his head at Juliette. "You have a bolt?" When the Skalengeck nodded in affirmation, Nick added, "Be ready."
The Skalengeck reached into the inside pocket of his coat and pulled out the metal bolt. He gripped it in his palm so that the majority of it went up his coat sleeve. Trubel's words seemed to have done some good; he knew not to reveal he had the weapon before he had to.
As experienced and trained as Juliette is, that couldn't compensate for having mud and dirt in her eyes. She was on her knees, using her forearms and the backs of her hands to wipe at her face. When at last she could see, her anger and frustration overcame her discipline. She took in a deep breath and screamed louder than she'd ever done before as she slammed a fist into the ground. She hadn't intended to do it, but as her fist made contact with the earth, arcs of electricity shot out along the ground, spreading out through the forest, seeming to move with intelligence and intention, striking the bases of surrounding trees. Instead of bursting into flames, the trunks began to glow with an intense heat, casting an eerie red glow across the darkened woods. Energy flowed through the trees, causing them to tremble and creak as if in agony. Smoke wisped from the scorched bark as the intense heat radiated from the affected trees, creating an atmosphere akin to a smoldering inferno. The air grew thick with the scent of singed wood, adding to the surreal and menacing ambiance of the forest.
As the trees glowed with intense heat, their eerie red light illuminated the forest around them, casting long shadows and revealing the forest floor in stark detail. In the flickering glow, Nick caught sight of his wife lying on the ground, badly injured and seemingly unconscious. Panic surged through him as he struggled against the urge to run to her, heart racing with fear and desperation. The surreal scene painted by the glowing trees only heightened his sense of urgency, pushing him to act swiftly to save Adalind before it was too late.
As the chaotic clash between Nick's allies and the Coven raged on, the toll of battle became increasingly evident. Bodies littered the forest floor, some writhing in agony, others lying eerily still. The air was thick with the scent of blood and sweat, mingling with the acrid aroma of scorched earth.
Among the fallen, some succumbed to their injuries, their lifeless forms stark reminders of the brutality of the conflict. Others groaned in pain, clutching the wounds inflicted by Hexenbiest claw and magic alike. Limbs twisted at unnatural angles, faces contorted in anguish, they bore the physical scars of the relentless onslaught.
Despite their resolve, Gail, Robin, and Collette were not immune to the ravages of battle. Their once-imposing figures now appeared haggard and worn, their clothes tattered and stained with blood. Each movement elicited a wince of pain as cuts and scratches made their presence known, a reminder of the danger that surrounded them.
Fueled by desperation and an insatiable thirst for power, they pressed on, their eyes blazing with a fierce resolve. Each blow landed with calculated precision, every spell cast with unwavering intent. Though weary and battered, they refused to yield, fighting tooth and nail to defend their cause against overwhelming odds.
As the fighting continued unabated, the forest echoed with the crackle of magic, punctuated by the pained cries of the wounded. Shadows danced among the trees, their movements a haunting testament to the ferocity of the battle being waged beneath their boughs.
Camouflaged by the night's chaos, Nick and Samantha's meticulous planning bore fruit, rallying more allies to their cause with each passing moment. The tide of battle swelled and surged, the ranks of Nick's forces bolstered by newfound strength and determination.
A sudden cacophony shattered the night. The sound of splintering wood and crashing branches echoing through the forest. For a fleeting moment, the fighting paused, their attention drawn to the source of the disturbance, uncertainty etched upon their faces.
Hexenbiests and Wesen alike exchanged wary glances, poised and ready as they scanned the darkness for signs of the cause. Suspicion hung heavy in the air, each side questioning whether the chaos was of their own making or the handiwork of their adversaries. Glances were exchanged with all looking for an explanation.
The distinct sound of wood striking against wood filled the air, followed by the creaking of trees bending against their will. As the noise grew fainter, it became apparent that the source was moving away from the battlefield, the echoes diminishing with each passing moment.
With cautious determination, they resumed their onslaught, the urgency of battle driving them forward even as the echoes of destruction faded into the distance. And as the night enveloped them once more, they fought on, their resolve unshaken by the uncertainty that lingered in the air.
Within the carnage, one undeniable truth remained: victory would come at a cost. Lives have been and still likely would be lost, sacrifices would be made in the name of a greater cause. As the battle raged on, the fate of all hung in the balance, teetering on the edge of triumph or tragedy.
Hidden in the tumult of battle, a newly arrived Hexenbiest seized an opportunity to strike, their hand darting to the concealed bolt hidden within their clothing. With a swift motion, she lunged forward, aiming to pierce the toughened skin of a member of the Coven. But to their dismay, the bolt glanced harmlessly off the witch's resilient hide.
Before she could try again, her own allies became a hindrance, driving space between her and her targets. It reminded her of her college days when she'd gone to a concert and attempted to place herself into a mosh pit. Though this occasion had much deadlier consequences. Thankfully, the Coven preoccupied with defending themselves, took no notice of the failed attempt, their focus consumed by the battle raging around them.
Another Hexenbiest newcomer stepped forward, their resolve unshaken by the setback of their comrade. With determination fueling their every move, they too attempted to strike, their hand trembling slightly as they aimed for their target. Yet once again, her effort proved futile as the bolt failed to penetrate the Hexenbiest's flesh, leaving her frustrated.
Was this plan going to fail?
But then, a Schakal, a Jackal-like Wesen, emerged from the fray, its strength and ferocity evident as it honed in on its target. With a mighty thrust, it drove the bolt deep into Gail's back, the force of the blow causing her to stagger forward. Unaware of the bolt protruding from her, Gail remained focused on the chaos unfolding around her, her attention consumed by the relentless onslaught of her adversaries. It wasn't until the protruding bolt brushed against Collette that the pain registered, sending a jolt of agony through her senses.
Collette reflexively reached to grab the bolt to remove it from her cohort, but her arm was knocked aside as bodies collided with other bodies.
Within seconds, the first Hexenbiest whose bolt attack had failed, shuffled over to the Schakal, seized the opportunity and palmed her bolt to him.
Time seemed to slow down as Robin witnessed the Schakal spin around and drive the bolt into her own upper thigh. She reflexively lashed out with her hands, her powers sending him flying backwards, but the Hexenbiest army was prepared for such a move and used their combined powers to catch him.
She dropped to one knee, staring at the bolt in her leg. However, that brief showing of weakness encouraged the combatants to lunge forward at her. Collette, whom Robin was grateful to see, was there to run interference. She quickly pushed back all she could with her powers.
This action, however, would prove to be a mistake. Robin and Gail had bolts jutting from their bodies, and with the reprieve they were given by Collette's fast thinking, they'd begun to focus on their injuries rather than on their enemies.
Their enemies seized this opportunity to hatch a new plan. The crowd was filled with mostly Hexenbiests, and as powerful as their magics were, it appeared they didn't have the physical strength needed to use the bolts as weapons. A strategy was quickly laid out: get the bolts to the Wesen among them with the physical strength necessary to penetrate the flesh of the Coven members.
As Collette pulled the bolt from Gail's back, Gail let out a scream that could be described as equal parts growl.
The atmosphere then took on a palpable change, causing all to stop in their tracks. A sudden shift in the environment seized everyone's attention. The air crackled, then, with a sudden and eerie intensity, the trees surrounding the battlefield began to glow with an otherworldly light.
Once again, an unannounced truce formed as both sides were equally engrossed as the glow intensified, casting long, twisted shadows across the forest floor. Faces twisted in confusion and awe, they exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes wide with disbelief at the surreal spectacle unfolding before them.
As the ethereal glow bathed the battlefield in an eerie light, it unveiled the gruesome spectacle of carnage and chaos with stark clarity. Alongside this haunting illumination, the scent of burning wood permeated the air, its acrid aroma seeping into their senses, infiltrating their nostrils and clinging to their clothing and hair. The pungent odor, a haunting reminder of the violence and destruction surrounding them, would linger in their memories for days to come, persisting even after several showers in futile attempts to wash away the lingering traces of battle.
As the combatants gazed upon the glowing trees searching for a cause, their attention was drawn to a figure standing amidst the eerie light, silhouetted against the glowing backdrop. It was Nick, flanked by a Skalengeck, their forms illuminated by the surreal glow of the forest.
A murmur rippled through the crowd as they beheld the sight, their eyes widening in recognition and disbelief. For many, it was the first time they had seen Nick since the battle began, and his presence alongside the Skalengeck spoke volumes about the gravity of the situation. Skalengecks have a reputation for hating Grimms more than most other Wesen.
In the distance, Juliette stood opposite Nick, her form bathed in the same eerie light. The realization dawned on the combatants that Nick had been engaged in his own struggle against a Hexenbiest, and the sight of him standing defiantly against her sent a ripple through their ranks.
As they watched, the tension in the air crackled with intensity, each moment pregnant with anticipation for the inevitable clash between the two forces. The glow of the trees cast a surreal backdrop to the unfolding drama, heightening the sense of danger and foreboding that hung heavy in the air.
Collette nudged both Gail and Robin, ensuring they could see Juliette in the distance, silently communicating to them that things were about to change. With a smirk of overconfidence, she exuded an aura of cockiness, reveling in the impending mayhem about to unfold.
With their separate battles converging in the glow of the trees, the combatants prepared themselves for the coming conflict.
As Juliette rose from her kneeling position, her eyes glinted with a dangerous fervor, fueled by a mix of fury and determination. The glow of the trees cast eerie shadows across her features, accentuating the lines of strain etched into her Woged expression.
With a fluid motion, she pushed herself upright, her movements graceful yet filled with an underlying tension. Her gaze locked onto Nick, her former love turned enemy, standing resolute. Beside him stood the Skalengeck, a formidable presence exuding an aura of menace.
Despite the distance separating them, Juliette could feel energy in the air, a tangible manifestation of the power surging within her. Every fiber of her being thrummed with raw intensity, her senses heightened as she focused on her target.
Nick met her gaze, his stance steady and unwavering. The tension between them palpable, a silent exchange of defiance and determination that spoke volumes without a single word being spoken. He held his Staff in front of him with both hands, ready for whatever she may send in his direction.
As the glow of the trees bathed them in an ethereal light, Juliette's lips curled into a predatory smirk, a glint of malice dancing in her eyes. With a flicker of movement, she shifted her weight, readying herself for the inevitable clash that loomed on the horizon.
In that moment, Juliette stood poised on the precipice of destiny, her path intertwined with Nick's in a dance of fate and consequence. The stage was set for their final confrontation.
As Juliette and Nick stood in tense silence, a sudden disturbance echoed through the surrounding forest. The crackling of breaking branches and the rustle of displaced foliage drew their attention.
Emerging from the shadows, Collette moved with purpose, her form also illuminated by the glow of the trees. Each step forward a deliberate push through the tangled undergrowth, her progress marked by the subtle exertion of her will over the surrounding environment.
With a series of commanding gestures, Collette cleared a path through the chaotic landscape, her powers bending both nature and their adversaries to her whim. Hexenbiests and Wesen alike were swept aside by an unseen force, their bodies tumbling to the forest floor as she forged ahead, though it caused no actual harm in the process. Her goal wasn't to hurt anyone in that moment, her goal was to reach Juliette.
Beside her, Gail and Robin followed, their determination matching that of their leader. Despite Robin's injury, the bolt still in her thigh, they pressed on, driven by the shared goal of reaching Juliette.
For Collette, the journey was not just about confronting their adversaries; it was about aligning herself with an ally in the heat of battle. With each passing moment, her resolve strengthened, her focus unwavering as she closed the distance to Juliette's side.
Juliette was unsure how to respond. In her mind, she'd wanted so badly to take her time killing Adalind. When it seemed she was going to have no choice but to kill Nick first, she'd accepted it as the cost of retribution. Now, however, Collette was shifting a battlefield between her and Adalind. Even if she was to get past Nick, she'd somehow have to fight through dozens (she peered through the forest and then questioned, hundreds?) of Hexenbiests and Wesen of all kinds.
Collette viewed Juliette's presence as something of good fortune in a bad moment. Juliette, who felt that she was nearing accomplishing her goal, even if she'd have to get more blood on her hands first, saw Collette as bad fortune in a moment of opportunity.
How is Adalind so lucky? Why does good fortune keep falling in her favor? She seemed to elude consequence at every turn, her luck a constant thorn in Juliette's side.
Juliette's anger was boiling over. She attempted to focus her emotions, the way Eve had been able to. Losing control now wouldn't help.
As Collette used her abilities to push people out of her way to clear a path, it was driving the center of the battle directly towards Juliette. Juliette saw the strategic advantage of doing so... for Collette. But for exacting revenge? It was simply getting in the way!
She glanced over to where she knew Adalind's body lay, and with the newly added glow of the trees in the region, she should be able to see Adalind laying there, but the view was blocked by new arrivals. For all she knew, Adalind may not even be laying there any longer. She may be getting away!
Juliette finally lost control and shouted at Collette, "STOP!"
Collette furrowed her brow but pressed on; she couldn't just stop. She was surrounded on all sides by people who would gladly take her down.
Juliette glanced back at Nick and then back at the direction Adalind's body should be laying and then back at Collette who was unknowingly putting more and more people between them.
Nick saw it as the opportunity he needed and rushed at Juliette. He closed the distance between them in the blink of an eye. With his Staff held firmly in his grasp, he unleashed a flurry of standard punches, each strike aimed at unbalancing Juliette and creating an opening for his true attack.
Juliette, anticipating his moves, absorbed the blows with ease, her Woged form providing her with enhanced durability against Nick's onslaught. As she prepared to strike back, her focus shifted, her attention drawn to Nick's movements.
In that split second, Nick stooped down, his frame had been intentionally blocking Juliette's view of the Skalengeck who had been lurking behind him. With a swift and calculated motion, the Skalengeck leaped over Nick, driving the hidden bolt concealed up his sleeve into Juliette's exposed flank.
The bolt found its mark, sinking deep into Juliette's flesh with a sickening thud. Pain flared through her senses as she recoiled from the unexpected attack, her movements momentarily halted by the shock of the blow.
Collette, who had been making good headway at closing the distance between her and Juliette, stopped at the sight of Juliette's wide eyes reacting to having a crossbow bolt stabbed into her side.
For the first time in years, Juliette's medical training came into focus. As a veterinarian, she knew that pulling the bolt out of her leg would likely lead to excess blood loss. There was no time to clean or bandage, so for now, she'd be forced to ignore it. That would prove to be difficult.
Collette glanced at the bolt still protruding from Robin, then at the bolt protruding from Juliette and then at the bolt she was still holding in one hand that she had pulled from Gail's back. It was at that moment that Nick's hesitance to use the bolts was proven to be worthy of concern. Without asking or even warning, Collette reached back, grasped the bolt in Robin's leg and snatched it out. Robin let out a scream that echoed through the forest and lessened the element of surprise that Collette would have had as everyone saw the two bolts in her hands.
With a casual flick of her hand, she sent the bolts soaring into the air, each one spinning in a graceful arc. As her other hand swirled in a rapid tornado-like motion, the bolts responded, gaining speed until they became a blur of motion around her. Robin and Gail instinctively retreated, stepping back to evade the bolts as they whizzed past with increasing intensity.
Collette stepped forward towards Juliette again, using the spinning bolts around her to keep other Hexenbiests at bay. Many of them attempted to use their own magics to take control of the bolts away from her, but the bolts were moving too quickly, and Collette was simply too powerful.
Juliette, however, became concerned. She followed Collette's gaze to the bolt in her own side and took a few steps back and began waiving her hands at Collette as she shouted, "No! Stay back. Leave it alone!"
Nick saw his opportunity and grabbed Juliette by her hair and shoved her towards Collette.
Collette quickly guided the bolts spinning around her to go around Juliette so both of them were surrounded by the spinning bolts. She attempted to reach for the bolt in Juliette's side but Juliette twisted away, "Stop it! Leave it where it is!"
Collette, having misinterpreted Juliette's motivation, was about to shame Juliette for being afraid of a little pain when suddenly both Robin and Gail cried out in screams. Collette spun her head around to find that they'd both just been stabbed with new bolts.
A Balam, a jaguar-like Wesen, and a Mauvais Dentes, a saber-toothed cat-like Wesen, were both leaping away from the duo. Collette flicked her wrist, sending one of her bolts flying, then flicked her other wrist to send the second bolt flying. The first bolt missed the mark, striking a tree in the distance. The second bolt, however, struck the Balam with such velocity and force that it sent his body flying back into the bushes and weeds, flipping him head over feet several times. When he came to a stop, he was completely motionless. His eyes blank, staring into nothing.
A Hexenbiest in the crowd in the crowd, her face a mask of horror, clasped her hands over her mouth in shock. With a panicked urgency, she darted through the throng towards the fallen Balam, his once fearsome jaguar form now reduced to its typical human appearance. Nick's keen Grimm senses caught snippets of her frantic mutterings, pleading desperately under her breath, "No, no, no, no. Please."
As the fallen Balam became another casualty of the night's chaos, Nick raised his arm, brandishing his Staff high above his head. His voice rang out with commanding authority, cutting through the tumultuous atmosphere, "Now!"
In an instant, the forest erupted into a frenzy of activity as the Hexenbiests unleashed their combined powers against the Coven. Dirt, rocks, leaves, and twigs were hurled through the air with ferocious speed, creating a swirling maelstrom of debris that obscured vision and made movement treacherous.
The more powerful Wesen among them seized opportunities as they came, darting forward with swift and calculated strikes. Like silent predators stalking their prey, they closed in on the Coven members.
The Coven, as powerful as they are, had allowed their arrogance to be their guide as they took no time to learn about strategy or combat. Juliette, the only one in their group with any formal training, attempted to defend herself; however, Nick knew her too well. He put himself in front of her, feigning attacking motions. Juliette attempted to deflect his fake attacks out of instinct. All of this was simply to distract her as another Wesen, a Blutbad, sped behind her, jabbing another bolt into her rear. She spun around to defend herself, but the Blutbad was gone. Not even a second had passed when the same Mauvais Dentes as before had come rushing past her, shoving another bolt into her thigh.
Collette, so far, was completely bolt-free. Robin and Gail, on the other hand, were each quickly run up on and stabbed a few times each. Collette foolishly attempted to reach out to grab a bolt to remove it from her friend when she was struck in the face by what seemed to be Nick's staff. She rubbed at her cheek and turned her head in his direction, but the Staff was still in his hands and he was several feet away. She read the expression on his face that he was also surprised at what the Staff had just done.
She took a step towards him, knowing her powers would be useless against him; she wanted to try to get her hands on him, but he jabbed at her with the Staff, and though he was still several feet away, the end of the Staff struck her on the face once more and before she could blink, the Staff was back in his hands as though it had never left his possession.
She was about to call out to Gail who, for reasons Collette would never understand, was the only one in their Coven whose powers could directly affect the Grimm. Before she could call out to her, Nick's staff struck her in the gut and then her face in quick succession. The blows did no lasting damage, but they did enrage her. She rushed at Nick, planning to simply throw her weight at him. She knew if she could just get her hands around his throat... Before she could finish the thought, she found herself falling to the ground. Two Wesen had just run up to her and jabbed bolts of their own into each of her legs nearly simultaneously.
She cursed at herself for becoming distracted, which seemed to be the Grimm's plan all along. Out of habit, she used her hands to try to push herself off the ground when she remembered she could simply use magic. Her body began to rise up, but before she could get to her feet, she was slammed back down the ground as two more bolts protruded from her back and calf. She screamed out in pain and frustration.
Juliette was staggering on her feet. She'd had several bolts sticking out of various parts of her body. She began to lose her balance when she reached out and grabbed a nearby Hexenbiest by her scalp and pulled her close, attempting to use her as a human shield but also as a means to keep herself upright. The Hexenbiest struggled and let out a yell of contempt, but Juliette was far too strong.
Having spun around, Juliette attempted to find Nick in the turmoil, and when she spotted him, she called his name, and he turned towards her, "All of this was because of what Adalind did. All of it. Those people are dead or injured." She gestured at the battlefield that the others had come from. The glow of the nearby trees was beginning to dim, but Nick could still make out their forms.
Juliette's eyelids lowered for a moment as the tranquilizer in the darts began to take effect on her. She snapped her eyes back open to finish her thought, "Adalind... she... she..." and then she collapsed onto the ground. Her limbs twisted and contorted in odd positions on the ground as the crossbow bolts prevented her from laying flat. The woman she'd been holding hostage turned and kicked Juliette a single time before she ran off to join the rest of the fight.
Gail and Robin were trying to fight back to back, but they each had several bolts protruding from their bodies at odd angles. Each step, each bit of exertion they put forth simply allowed the tranquilizer to course through their veins that much faster. They would bump into each other, forcing the bolts jutting from their bodies to bend at awkward and painful angles. For a bit, the pain inadvertently kept them awake. Robin was the first to collapse as the tranquilizer overpowered her senses, and it seemed as though Gail had used Robin's fall as permission to collapse herself as well.
Collette was the last Coven member remaining. She had gotten to her feet just as her comrades had fallen. She took stock of the situation. Surrounded on all sides by Hexenbiests and Wesen. Several crossbow bolts were sticking out of her as though she were a pin cushion. Her head was spinning.
Nick stepped forward through the crowd, he was about to speak, Collette was sure of that, but he didn't get the chance as the woman who cared for the Balam rushed out of the crowd, seeming to forget to magic was an option, she drove her fist into Collette's face. Once, then twice, with powerful blows that a boxing enthusiast might have referred to as haymakers. Then the woman screamed a primal scream forcing several in the crowd to wince and cover their ears as she began punching Collette with quickfire speed. She would later discover she'd done more damage to her own hand than she'd done to Collette. But she wouldn't care.
Collette's body began to feel heavier and heavier to her as the tranquilizer coursed through her. She began to sink to the ground, but the Hexenbiest attacking her wouldn't have it. She grasped Collette by the collar with both hands pulling her back to her feet, then she'd release with one hand to strike Collette in the face before grabbing the collar once more to repeat the process. With each attempt, however, Collette would sink lower and lower to the ground. Through tears and gritted teeth, the woman was heard shouting, "Don't you dare pass out now!" But it was too late. Collette hadn't heard the words.