Here we are at Chapter 25. Down in the trenches and below, we go. I do not own RWBY or Genshin Impact. They belong to their respective owners. Here's chapter 25. Enjoy.
Chapter 25: The Dark Below
Ei and her friends scout around the shattered remains of Mountain Glenn, looking for any signs of their foes. So far, all they've found are grimm that keep getting in their way. Ei slices downward, cutting a Beowolf in half while Nilou stabs a second in the head behind her.
"The negativity here must be really bad with so many grimm around," Dehya notes, wiping her hands after killing two other grimm.
"A lot of people died here when Mountain Glenn fell. All that residual negativity and death might as well be a drug to them," Blake says.
"With all these grimm around, are we sure the bad guys are still here? What if they moved to somewhere else?" Yang asks.
"Then we keep looking. We cannot quit until we find and stop them. I won't let them go free and hurt innocent people," Ei says.
"Ei, don't worry. We'll find them, together," Nilou says soothingly, which helps Ei.
A Beowolf jumps down over them, but it gets impaled to a wall by Candace's spear.
"If you two are having a moment, could you maybe not do it in a dead city full of grimm?" Candace teases them, retrieving her spear.
Her comment makes Nilou blush and Ei scratch her cheek. They continue looking through the city. As they do, Ei stares at the destroyed buildings.
"Ei, is something wrong?" Nilou asks.
"I was just thinking. This kind of destruction is what I'm trying to prevent back home in Inazuma. Sometimes, I wonder... if I hadn't changed. If I had stayed the course I was previously on... would this be the fate of Inazuma? Would I have doomed the home I swore to protect if I had stayed in the Plane of Euthymia?" Ei lets out her feelings.
Nilou holds Ei's hand, "Who you were then, what you did back then doesn't matter. It's what you do now that matters. You're here, fighting to protect your people and the rest of the world. I'd say that says a lot about the kind of person you are,"
Ei sighs, but smiles, "Thank you, Nilou. I guess I needed that,"
So far, their mission has uncovered nothing that could lead them to Signora and her people. The search goes on until the sun sets. By that point, Qrow and Oobleck give the order to set up camp. They find a safe location inside a destroyed building to set up camp and a fire. While Qrow and Oobleck dose off up on the second floor, everyone else is below them around the fire.
"You guys get some sleep. I'll take the first watch," Ruby volunteers and takes a sniper's position nearby, overlooking part of the city and the wilderness beyond.
"Nothing so far. I seriously hope we didn't come all this way for nothing," Weiss mopes.
"Well, at least we're completing our shadow huntsmen assignment for school. So, it's not a total loss if we don't find them tonight. We just need to be patient," Candace says.
Dehya looks up to make sure Oobleck is asleep. Qrow gives her a nod to say he is.
"Ei, once we find those Gnoses, what do you plan on doing with them?" Dehya asks.
"Well, I intend to give Venti's back his... after I give him a long lecture about taking better care of such items and self-defense. As for the pyro Gnosis, there is no pyro archon right now. I haven't decided if I should find a suitable candidate to become the next pyro archon, find a place to keep it hidden from the rest of the world, or just destroy the Gnosis itself," Ei explains.
"Destroy it? What would happen then?" Blake asks.
"Then there would be no more pyro archons. The Gnoses are the key to our divinity. No Gnosis, no godhood," Ei replies.
"You don't want that power for yourself?" Yang asks.
"I am already the electro archon. I see no need to wield the pyro Gnosis. Besides, there has never been an archon that can wield more than one element. It's unheard of, and a potential danger to all life on Remnant," Ei answers back.
"Okay... I'm curious, how does one become an archon exactly? Can anyone become a god?" Candace asks.
"There are specific requirements to ascending to godhood. For me, I was chosen to succeed my sister as the electro archon. But, I was not chosen simply because I was family. To become an archon, one must be deemed worthy of such a role and fulfill these requirements. I simply met those standards, and so I eventually succeeded my sister. Being an archon isn't just a gift of power and immortality, it is a massive responsibility, as well as a great burden. Not just anyone can survive such an ordeal. To live for so long while watching others die. To live knowing others are placing their faith, their lives, and their families, in your hands. Some may see it as a blessing, but it is not so simple. In some ways, it can also be seen as a curse. Being a god... it can be lifetime of anguish and tragedy. That is the curse. Watching friends and loved ones die while I continue to live... it is not easy," Ei says, staring into the fire.
"Ei... She's had to watch loved ones die while she lives on. It's why she once isolated herself. One day... we'll all be gone too... while she goes on living. With that being the case... should I... should I pursue these feelings of mine? Wouldn't that just be hurting her more when I die?" Nilou wonders.
"Damn, when you put it like that, almost makes becoming a god seem like a bad thing," Yang notes.
"So why would La Signora want to become an archon? Does she believe she meets the parameters to be one?" Weiss asks.
"I don't know. She said she wanted to 'burn the old world away'. Whatever that may be, it can't be good. The fact remains, she was able to harness Venti's Gnosis. If she gains full control over it and the pyro Gnosis, who knows what she'll be capable of. If she becomes an archon, it won't end well for anyone. Maybe she's consumed by the thought of ultimate power, or immortality, or there's some deeper meaning behind her actions that we haven't figured out yet. Either way, I won't let her have her way. Such power must be used wisely," Ei says.
"Well, I don't think we'll figure it out just wondering about it. After we find her and kick her ass, then we'll ask her," Dehya says.
"She's right. For now, we should get some sleep," Candace adds.
With that said, everyone turns in for the night that isn't on first watch. As Nilou lays down on her sleeping bag, she glances at Ei who has already closed her eyes. Taking a chance, she moves her bag until she's next to Ei and goes to sleep.
"Maybe... it's possible if I could... become like Ei. Then she wouldn't be so alone at times," Nilou wonders before falling asleep.
Candace watches the cute act and smiles, leaving them be. She can always tease Nilou about it tomorrow.
...
In the middle of the night, Ruby had already switched watch with Yang. However, Qrow and Oobleck wake up when they feel something. A tension in the air that wasn't there before. They drop down and wake the kids up.
"Hey, kiddo, wake up," Qrow shakes Ruby's shoulder.
"Huh-wah? Uncle Qrow?" Ruby groggily gets up.
"Get ready. We've got company coming," Qrow mutters.
This wakes her up as do the rest of the gang. They get their stuff together, their weapons ready, and find cover in the shadows. Qrow peeks out one corner and spots a few of Signora's soldiers heading down a street.
"Looks like more scouts. Let's follow, but stay quiet," Qrow says, eyeing Ruby and Yang.
"What?" Yang whispers.
"Again. Stay. Quiet," Qrow repeats his previous statement.
They follow the soldiers, keeping an eye out for any grimm as well. If any grimm attack them, it'll blow their cover and then all Hell will break loose. Qrow watches as they go into a busted-up building. A moment later, they follow inside, only to find the place empty.
"What? Where did they go?" Qrow looks around.
"How could they have disappeared? There's nowhere to hide here," Oobleck notes.
"Could this have been the Gnoses?" Nilou asks Ei.
"No, not like this. Only Signora would be affected by its power since she has it. There must be something else going on here," Ei looks around.
As they scout around, Blake takes a step and hears a weird sound and looks down, seeing only a wooden floor.
"Hey, I might've found something," Blake gets the others' attention. Stabbing her blade in the wood, she and Yang pull up the wood to reveal a hidden entrance. "It's a secret passage."
"They must've used it to go to their hideout. But, where could this lead exactly?" Nilou wonders.
Dr. Oobleck has an epiphany, "Of course, of course! I can't believe I was so stupid to forget such a thing!" he starts walking around.
"Dr. Oobleck, what is wrong?" Ei asks.
"I know where our quarry is going. During the time that Mountain Glenn fell, the city was cut off from the rest of the kingdom to prevent the grimm outbreak from spreading. With no way to escape, the survivors fled to the only place they could for safety: a series of underground tunnels. They built a city underground there and for a short time, they survived. Until... an expansion of one of the tunnels opened up a nest of subterranean grimm. The tunnels were sealed off from the outside world, creating the world's largest tomb. That, my dear, is the true source of the negativity in this desolate place," Oobleck explains.
"So, that must be where they're really hiding," Dehya cracks her knuckles.
"Well, what are waiting for? Let's get 'em!" Ruby cocks her scythe.
"Easy there, little killer. We don't know what's waiting for us down there. We're going, but we need to be smart. Stick together. Don't run off. And don't make a scene unless absolutely necessary. This mission's not done until we find our target," Qrow says.
The group head down the passage leading them to the underground city. Once they reach the bottom, she quickly take cover as they spot plenty more soldiers wandering about, performing different tasks. This is definitely the place. It's the same soldiers that serve La Signora. They're moving supplies, weapons, and resources. Like they're preparing for something big.
"What could they be up to?" Ruby mutters.
"Who knows? Whatever it is, it can't be good," Weiss replies.
"What's the plan, Qrow?" Ei asks.
"This place is tight. With a big group like ours, we won't be able to stay hidden forever. We have no choice but to go with shock and awe. Create a scene to get their attention, bust through all the bad guys, and then find Signora. We'll take her on together to give ourselves the best chance of winning. So, kids up for a little fun.," Qrow winks at Team RWBY.
"Now you're speaking my language," Yang smashes her fists together.
"Alright. Ready... now!" Qrow gives the signal.
Weiss makes the first move by creating a few glyphs and launching fireballs from them. The fireballs fly up and explode around the soldiers. Qrow leads the charge as Teams RDCN and RWBY attack the soldiers head-on. The soldiers recover from the ambush and retaliate. Ei flies by the others, swinging her naginata and slicing through two red soldiers. Nilou flips over her, swinging her sword downward on a third. Dehya nods to Candace who swings her spear around. Dehya jumps onto the spear and Candace sends her flying like a baseball. In the air, she sets her sword on fire and reels it back. She falls and then swings her sword, smashing the ground in a fiery explosion, sending several soldiers flying back.
"Dehya!" Candace yells.
"On it!" Dehya starts glowing.
She smashes her fist into the ground, activating her semblance. Everyone within her field share their strength and start mowing down soldiers one by one. Qrow comes in, swinging his sword as he blocks the strikes from two opponents and then kicks them both back. Oobleck zips by him with his thermos, now in its staff form. He swings his staff, sending out a few fireballs that take out snipers on the upper floors of the buildings around them. Ei engages her Eye of Stormy Judgment, creating eyes for her and her allies. The added strength from her and Dehya's semblances makes things easier for their group.
"Up high!" Qrow yells.
They look to see White Fang soldiers with red snipers aiming their weapons on top of the damaged buildings. The team scatter as bullets rain down on them before taking cover.
"The White Fang is here too?!" Weiss yells.
"We couldn't catch Adam last time, and there were still some of their members that follow him that we haven't captured yet. Of course they would be here too," Blake replies.
"Figures," Dehya rolls her eyes.
Ruby takes aim and fires her sniper-scythe, taking out one of the snipers.
"We need to get those gunners out of the way," Qrow says.
Zwei barks at Oobleck, who gets an idea. He pulls his staff back and swings as Zwei jumps up. He hits the brave corgi and sends him, in flames, flying towards one group of the snipers. Zwei hits them in a big explosion, taking them out. The other group turn towards him, only to get blasted by a few fireballs, courtesy of Oobleck.
"That'll work," Ruby notes.
"Go Zwei!" Yang cheers.
Candace swings her spear as Ruby jumps on it, sending the younger girl flying up. Ruby uses her semblance to zip up and grab Zwei. Now in the sniper position, Ruby takes shots at their enemies. With that settled, everyone gets back on the offensive. Candace runs forth with her shield out to block the shots. Yang then jumps over her to smash her fist on the ground, sending three goons flying back from the shockwave. Ei deflects a sword strike from one of the red warriors, countering with a strike at his ribs. She then twirls her naginata around before thrusting the back end into the face of a second followed by kicking him into the air. Nilou comes up and swings her blade down on said goon, sending him to the ground. Weiss conjures a few glyphs and fires off some ice shards while Dehya swings her blade to send out a few fire waves. The combined assault of fire and ice wipes out several more attackers. Qrow fires off his shotgun, taking out one White Fang soldier before deflecting a strike from a second with his blade. Qrow then makes two swings of his blade to take them out.
They continue to cut down and blast through the opposition in front of them. Just then, a few of those brawlers and two of those large soldiers with the freeze guns appear.
"Not these guys again!" Weiss curses.
"Take them down!" Ei declares.
Ei and Qrow deal with one of the freezers while Oobleck, Ruby, and Zwei handle the second and the others deal with the brawlers. The freezer tries to turn Ei and Qrow into ice cubes, but the pair dodge his ice. Qrow swings his sword upward, knocking his gun up. Ei slides past him and makes a swing of her blade, followed by Qrow kicking him in the face. Ei follows it up with a slash at his back. The pair continue this routine of deflect-and-slash, preventing their opponent from countering them. Meanwhile, Ruby twirls in the air with her scythe at the second freezer. The freezer blocks her strike with his gun and pushes her back, only to get nailed in the face by Zwei. The dog bites his face before he pulls him off and throws him aside. Luckily, Ruby catches him while Oobleck swings his thermos at his feet, tripping him up. Ruby uses her semblance to zip by, grabbing an ankle with her scythe blade and then pulling the trigger. The man falls onto his back and the last thing he sees is Oobleck and Zwei in the air, with the doctor smashing the ball of fluff straight into the bag guy's face before everything goes dark.
As for the brawlers, every time one fighter meets a brawler's attack, another of their group would make a flanking maneuver while Ei's Eye of Stormy Judgment does the rest. They slowly whittle down the brawler's stamina before each one falls like dominos.
"Alright, who's next?" Yang looks around for the next opponent, only to see that all of the goons they've faced thus far have fallen.
"Looks like we've dealt with a lot of them," Blake notes.
"Then let's find our target and finish the job. The sooner we get back to Beacon, the better," Ei says.
"Oh, why in such a rush? You came all this way. It's only proper I give you a warm welcome, is it not?" they hear a new voice and look to see their target, La Signora, appear from out of the shadows.
"Signora," Ei glares at her.
"Ei, so kind of you to visit me again. I don't suppose you have your Gnosis with you would you?" Signora taunts her.
Ei doesn't waste time talking this time. She jumps right at Signora with her blade reeled back. However, Signora conjures some ice shards up in front of her to block her strike. Ei pushes off just before an explosion of flames can consume her with the ice.
"That is..." Ei notices the object in Signora's hand.
"Yes. The Pyro Gnosis. Now, I can wield two elemental powers. And soon, I will have yours and the rest, Ei," Signora says.
"Why do you seek such power, Signora? What is it you hope to gain?" Ei asks.
"I was once a loyal follower of Her Majesty, The Tsaritsa. She saved me from this cruel world and gave me purpose. She promised me that she would grant my wish and create a better world for us. But, then one day, she disappeared. I was betrayed. If she won't act as my god and grant me my wish, then I will simply do it myself. And for that, I need power. More power. I will become a god myself," Signora explains, sounding something like a maniac.
"This lady is nuts," Ruby notes.
Signora narrows her eyes at Ruby, "I wouldn't expect rabble to understand my glorious quest. No matter,"
The Pyro Gnosis starts glowing again and she raises her hand. A burst of flames hits the ground and causes cracks to form. The cracks spread until they form around everyone and the ground under Ruby's feet falls apart, causing her to fall into the abyss below.
"RUBY!" Weiss and Yang yell.
"Don't worry. You'll be joining her soon enough," Signora smirks as Roman Torchwick, Adam Taurus, and several more soldiers join her side.
And that's the chapter. Just as Ei and her friends find Signora, things just went from exciting to bad real fast. Will Ei defeat Signora this time? What will happen to Ruby? Until then, please Read and Review.