Ruby hadn't seen when Monolith made her escape, she'd only noticed the monster's lacking presence whilst dodging away from Thorn, during the single moment so far where she'd gotten a chance to breathe.
Dammit!
It wasn't supposed to be like this, but what did she expect when putting her hopes in a Grimm anyways? Not that it mattered now. Thorn, while showing off the skill he once had with weaponry, was noticeably sloppier than usual. It was definitely hope guiding her next line of thought, but Ruby had an itch he was fighting off whatever source of control the wayward prick held over him. Not that it really put all that much of a damper on his strategy, which seemed to be partially present for the most part, made clear to Ruby as she flung herself tiredly to the side again, only to end up caught in a leg sweep and sent to the floor.
On her back, Ruby ended up rolling to the side, staggering up on her feet soon after as the man pulled his sword from the broken tiles below where her head previously sat.
Seeing as his weapon never shattered upon such a powerful impact, Ruby could deduce he still had access to his aura. Whatever took hold of him had bypassed his warrior's shield, meaning that simply breaking it wouldn't be enough. At this rate, and upon backing away from another swing and stepping around the platform that once bedded her, Ruby figured the best chance to end things was to either knock him out cold, or disable his limbs one by one.
Neither option was all that pleasing, but what other choice did she have?
"I'm sorry for this!"
His next strike was right on schedule with the last, a powerful slash horizontally, which would have either moved her back or under, allowing him to close in with a stab either way. Thorn was crafty like that, but when it came to his fighting style he was all about power and precision. So when said precision is offset by another weight crushing into and wrapping around his torso, one could see why he stumbled a bit.
Ordinarily she'd only wrap around either her lovers or family, and while that idea was still partially applicable here, Ruby wasn't exactly being playful like she would about a hundred years ago. Feeling him start to get a hold of himself, and most likely going to try and throw her off with a forward roll, she chose to act. Slipping her arms under and around his, and doing the same with her legs, Ruby began to let the dark in her core leak out a bit.
She'd soon be off to face Salem anyhow, so there wasn't much use in keeping the shadows chained so tightly within.
They'd not escaped fully, no, it wasn't quite time for that yet, but the death burrowing itself and worming around within her body was quite the fan of aura. It went to work soon enough, once properly released that was. Before this, only bits and pieces of the smoky substance leaked free from her pores, and it alone was merely a by-product of the core corruption's violent nature. Allowing an actual slice of the raw destruction within to escape, even if it was just a thread grazing the surface of her skin, was wholly different.
Not even a second free and it had shattered the man's aura, burning a path-like trail along the skin it touched, and sizzling within the air itself.
Ruby sucked it back in again, and thus the tendril imprinted along her fleshy hand had vanished as soon as it came. Aura didn't care where the damage was, it defended all the same, and shattered predictably from the force of her destructive infection. Without his aura to act as a crutch, Ruby put her full plan into motion and heaved. His limbs resisted of course, but they were no match for the strength of a still aura active user. Aura was an enhancement to all natural abilities, even if most people ended up forgetting that, and so when she put a little effort in, it didn't take long for his limbs to pop free from their sockets.
Painful as all hell, it was a necessary cruelty.
Thorn dropped, and while Ruby knew he was suffering the pain of it all despite his puppet body saying nothing, she also knew he was a man of commitment. He understood as well as she did that this was the only viable alternative to stopping him, just short of breaking bones, and while it hurt all the same this form of bodily damage could be recovered from both easier and faster. In truth, the only worry was over what her shadows had done to his exposed body; she'd never let it out before. But that was pondering for another time.
Getting off him, Ruby picked Thorn up.
"I'm sorry; I'll get us home."
His torso still tried rummaging around, but that mattered little with her. She had no trouble getting him into a better position in her arms, one where his body's worming meant nothing. With no better alternatives, she chose to take off, stepping free into the halls. It didn't take long to locate the exit, for all she needed to do was follow the screams and clashing. Even from within the music of war played to its own beat.
Brothers above...
Ruby wasn't so much distraught or panicked as one might believe. Instead, it was disappointment that made up her heart at the sight. Whatever reasons the people had for gathering outside to shout and cry over the past supposed weeks didn't matter anymore. Whatever reasons and grumblings the higher class citizenry had for delaying all transport had consequently turned the once bustling people into a blender of disaster.
She could recognise none, and yet while the guards were visibly cut down bit by bit at the hands of the inner invaders, Ruby could tell that most - if not all - had once been part of the crowd. How many had Monolith 'converted' to her side, and how much of said conversion was willing? Was that why they'd been making a scene at the docks? Had Monolith had them in her hands already, just waiting for the perfect moment to let them all loose? Most of the mob was making way not by skill or wit, but raw numbers and spears. Even if properly trained, not many were capable or courageous enough to chance facing so many spears, swords, and improvised arms at once.
With the streets very much off the table, Ruby commenced her escape the only way she knew how: in a flurry of rose petals along the winds.
The rooftops were empty save a few archers here and there, but with so much open space compared to the maze below, their chances for an easy regrouping went up tenfold. And, seeing as most of the city's defenses were set on picking off what resistance they could from the illusionary safety of vantage points, there would be few who'd notice a gust of wind blow by, even if it carried within it a pair of shadows.
Taking off in a rush, Ruby left behind the already cold trail of her adversary. Besides, why waste time chasing someone when you knew where they were headed? Monolith had only one apparent goal: chaos. And while Ruby could only speculate as to why, she knew where she herself needed to be, and that Monolith directly provoked her looking for a fight. The woman said it best herself, Ruby would kill her. And as for her own goals? Well, they were settled in with the nobles above who's idiocy caused this whole mess, meaning the ghoul knew where to find her.
Ruby needed only to carry on her way and meet with the monster at the center of their target: up with those soon to be dead nobles.
.
.
He's gotten better.
Not quite what Cinder had hoped for, personally, but it did make things more interesting.
Again she blocked one of his slashes: horizontal this time, and holding within enough power to nearly upend her. She wasn't exactly weak when it came to brute force, but the amount of push behind each swing felt like it was intended to crush stone. Regardless of that, she'd only been knocked back a few feet. Skidding to a stop, she eyed him down as he returned to his standard stance.
But why?
The question was not directed at his increase in skill - the reason for such a change was obvious - but instead it was aimed at his apparent need to revert back to basics after each distance forged. So far, and after every clash, if they were split apart for any reason, he'd take up his starting pose. It didn't mean much in terms of how he fought, but Cinder would be lying if she said it didn't bother her.
He was doing something, and the fact she couldn't tell what it was irked her.
A tiny hum interrupted things, as another before it had too, and Cinder was reminded of how their duel wasn't quite private. Steele seemed just as chipper as ever, having even taken a seat atop one of the broken chairs which had been flung from one of V's earlier swipes. She'd honestly believed the woman showed up to even the odds, but looking at it now, it made perfect sense why Steele hadn't jumped in; Salem was never so easy, especially to those who'd seemingly failed.
Irritating, but ultimately harmless.
This did complicate things though, as for every time they drew too close to Steele, V would unceremoniously double his efforts; at one point even splitting the floor of the office in an attempt to 'whack' them both away from what he'd probably perceived as an innocent bystander. Had she to guess, nobility was the only thing keeping him from going all out. Ironically, despite doing nothing herself, Steele was ultimately aiding in the battle, albeit in her own special way.
V unceremoniously chose now to close the gap, and Cinder was forced to lean back and underneath another swing. He tried tripping her up this time, but his sudden twirl turned leg sweep met nothing but air, and Cinder herself touched down on the floor a little ways back. However, this was counteracted by her choice to leap towards the man not even a second after landing; they were getting too close to Steele again, and while this appeared to hinder V, she knew any injury towards the woman, even unintentional, would most likely break off V's restraints completely.
Most would call taking advantage of the opponent's handicap an act of cowardice, but Cinder had a special word for the idiots who believed such rubbish: deceased.
Only a fool would throw away such an opportunity: true victory is dealt not just to those playing the system, but also to the ones rewriting the rules.
Clashing her uncloaked arm once more, she clamped down on his blade, making sure to smile nice for the man.
.
.
Something wasn't right.
Cinder was smiling as she grabbed Pale Bloom, which was nothing new, and I responded by flinging her up and over my shoulder, throwing her away. She landed against the wall, kicking off of it and planting herself firmly on the floor. Standing again, she flicked her wrist as if to knock out the kinks. I took a defensive stance, allowing my eyes to keep track of Cinder, and my body to defend almost autonomously.
The same could not be said for my mind.
Why hasn't she struck yet?
That other woman, the one with the Grimm inside, was my real worry. I'd felt her coming the moment my armor spilled into the open, and while I'd been ready for a difficult fight, she'd yet to do much of anything. Matter of fact, she seemed content to just stay back and watch as Cinder and I traded blows. These weren't particularly glamorous clashes, or even effective ones for that fact, but they kept us on the move.
Cinder was taking her time as well, which made this other woman's presence doubly suspicious.
Who was she, and how much of her was Grimm like the dog ahead of me? Cinder came in for another strike, and while I blocked it as I had all the others, I'd made a bit more of an effort to try and overpower her. She'd caught Pale Bloom again, but rather than fling her away like before, I'd simply began to press. Strangely, she didn't try to get out of it immediately, instead seemingly testing how much power I was capable of putting into the act.
At the very least, keeping her in place allowed me to gauge her reaction.
This wasn't much help either, as she'd just kept up her smile. Cocky as I'd already seen, but with a single spark hidden within the most minute twitch of her eyes. The moment I spotted even a slight twinkle of light from apparently nowhere, I'd thrown all my power into the clash, forcing her down. She slipped free of this as well, letting my weapon tear into the floor itself as she twirled away. I'd seen her maiden powers before, and although it had been a while, I was not about to let her get the drop on me again.
There was nobody here to protect this time, meaning my senses were squarely locked onto her.
I was slapped with another feeling: a sense of excitement in the pit of my gut. It wasn't my thrill to burn within; no, this was an outside invader, who's emotions were clear as day, whereas mine were the hollow shell stepping back to lend it the limelight. That woman behind, watching as Cinder and I stared each other down, had significantly more darkness within her. My active rival's power was limited to a single arm, but for her?
It swelled within, gathered in the core of sorts.
"What's wrong?" Cinder taunted from ahead, halfway leaning back on the desk who still held the little drive I'd plugged in. "Are you not quite in the mood?"
I said nothing, just staring at her. The less comfortable she was, the better. Although it didn't seem like my lacking response did much more than disappoint.
"It's not nice to leave a lady wanting. You're not spent already, are you?"
Still nothing... no, that wasn't quite true. I was keeping tabs on the woman behind, who's still obscured blessing seemed to twist and spread throughout the body of its host. The hunger it felt was mellow compared to the happiness, which was not only strange, but downright illogical. My curiosity didn't come from the combination of emotions alone, but from the fact they seemed to 'cut off' to an extent, almost as if they were being shared with the host herself.
Cinder never had such a relationship with her Grimm side, which made me wonder why the queen's gift seemed to be bonded differently between the two. They had to be allies... or so logic dictated. There was a small, astronomically tiny chance they weren't, due solely by the lack of aid they offered each other, but I chalked that more up to deception. If she wasn't attacking me, then she was either doing something else, waiting for a chance to end it...
Or victory wasn't the goal of this battle.
Gripping my sword harder, I prepared to approach Cinder. It wouldn't have been an especially brutish dash, but instead a cautiously heavy stride. With the drive planted firmly into the desk, I needed to be careful not to damage either. Cinder didn't know this though, chuckling a little as I drew closer ever so slowly.
"Mmh~" She flicked her wrist my way. "I like a man who takes his time~" Bringing it back in, she cooed. "But I'm oh so impatient, so I hope you don't mind if I... speed it up!"
Internally I sighed as she launched with a kick directed at my head. I never even bothered blocking it this time, completely taking that blow to the side of my face. One thing I did commit to, however, was remaining on my feet, and as I slid back and knocked around some of the resting debris of a previously bodacious lounging set - or more specifically, a set of tables and chairs which was broken from our fighting - I came to a stop. Slowly I turned my head to face her.
Cinder stood, dusting herself off, and spoke.
"I'd half expected you to react. You really are losing steam, aren't you~?" Her response was for some unknown reason cut short as she quickly lost her smirk. It returned less than a second later, but that didn't prevent me from noticing it. I never got to dwell on that though, as the green light from a tiny corner of the desk behind her spoke an invaluable truth.
The transfer was complete.
.
.
Penny's grip never let up, not even when Clover tried getting her to let go. They were drawing a few eyes now, and he had to think fast to de-escalate the situation. And so, as he had for many other situations, he tossed on a playful smile, at points even making a few silly faces and seemingly putting on an act.
This... isn't good.
Tragically, things were going awry, but with so many people present he couldn't allow themselves to make a scene. The citizens of Mantle were already suspicious of Atlas, especially the Ace-Ops and himself, but Penny was the one person who they'd grown close with, to the point of genuine trust.
So basically, Penny was the only one they couldn't afford to let lose the trust of Mantle... which was kind of hard seeing as she actively refused to let him go. Unfortunately, it was at this very, very precarious time that Robyn Hill chose to chime in, as if things couldn't possibly fall off more.
"What are you two doing?" Her gaze was half-lidded and most certainly filled with accurate and justified suspicions. Clover, being the level-headed leader that he was, did what he did best in scenarios where discretion and a finer touch was needed: he cobbled together an excuse.
"Uh... heh-heh!" He coughed up a short chuckle, making to rub the back of his neck with his other - and suitably free - hand. "I might have accidentally gotten her a little excited."
Robyn's look did not improve.
"What?" Flat as a board, Clover was at least glad she seemed more conflicted by the questionable expression. Sure, it didn't sound great by a mile, but a mile of questionable thoughts was always better than even a millimeter of irate conflict.
Penny actually let go of his hand... by throwing him towards a nearby wall.
Not having time to do anything else, Clover rotated himself midair and went skidding by his boots. Off in the distance he was certain the act had everyone looking at Penny, and not exactly in a good light either. Luckily, a silly idea came to mind, and without provocation he started lightly laughing.
"Alright, I kind of deserved that." He stood, stretching as childishly as he could, all the while his clearly not okay teammate looked his way menacingly, emotionlessly, like the heartless machines Mantle often accused them of abusing. Robyn had her crossbow locked on the girl, but she seemed hesitant - probably from his statement. Not letting the flames of chance die down, he took up a lighthearted version of his battle stance as Penny did the same, all the while carrying on. "When I said I wouldn't mind a duel, I meant back at the school. But that's okay: here's good too."
"What's happening sir?" Came the cry of Harriet, who for all intents and purposes stood there awaiting orders. She and the rest of the group must have realized something was up too, and appeared to have come to the same conclusion about minimizing chaos like he had. This, at least, made fulfilling the bluff a little easier.
"I might have made the mistake of claiming she's gotten rusty down here." He sent his sights back to Penny, who didn't look like she cared about anyone else but him, as if he were the prime target. It was visible now, the way her eyes glowed a deep alarming red. If they had any sort of chance stopping whatever was brewing, he'd need to win the fight she looked set on. "And she's rearing to prove me wrong right in front of everyone."
Clover made it sound as playful as he could, and while a few people looked to buy it, he knew for certain the vast majority were more confused by the spectacle. Fortune again was on his side though, for it was Elm this time who backed him up. From an outside perspective, the taller and more muscularly built of the group sounded like she was teasing him, which served to lessen the growing fear drastically.
"Look, I get you're the leader and all, but can you try not to make an ass of yourself from time to time?"
"Hey, someone's gotta do it." He offered a little shrug. "Mind stepping in with me?"
"And interrupt your oh so deserved reprimands? Not a chance." She then began making her way around, gently maneuvering the clearly confused, and yet lightly invested, patrons of the gathering away from the brewing fight. "I think the rest of us are just going to sit back and enjoy the show, while ensuring the safety of the civilians, of course~"
"You got this one boss!" Came Harriet, who'd picked up on Elm's subtle excuse to direct the people away from the two. Yeah, he was making himself out to be an irresponsible ass, but that was probably for the best.
Better the people see the Ace-Ops as clowns than enemies.
"Really feeling the love here, guys." He called, biting back a faux sigh under his breath and chuckling again, but this time standing straighter. "Oh well, I guess I get what I ask for, huh?" Clover then pointed towards his less than average friend. "Okay, show me what you've learned down here in the city!"
It was designed to sound as bombastic and showy as possible; a sort of appetizer before the main course of Robyn's gathering. Even when Penny shot forth towards him, Clover made sure to keep up his smile, even though he knew he was in for a world of hurt one way or another. That didn't matter though, because there was only one thing on his mind as he took and blocked her torpedo of a strike.
What's happening to you?
Author's note
...
And another one hits the fan.
This time we have the - quite simple and somewhat boring - fight between Cinder and V, all the while Steele sits patiently in the background. Ah, easily distracted Cinder, completely disregarding things in all the excitement, not that it really matters to the fight. So V knows Steele's with Salem, through simple deduction obviously, although he hasn't exactly done anything but worry over it. Future Ruby's also on the move, but with less action on her part. With Thorn temporarily out of commission, she's got no choice but to deal with him first before heading after Monolith.
While that's all going down, we have Clover trying to play off Penny's 'change' as nothing but a stunt and some idiocy on his part. Sure, it may work for the civilians, but what about Robyn? What does she really think of this? I'm certain we'll get the answer soon enough, but for now I'm cutting it here.
Still no real motivation to speak of, but hopefully this chapter doesn't suffer too much from that.
Until later.