Chapter 8: Intense Training
Yang was on her hands and knees coughing, after taking some punches from Mereoleona, in all of her life Yang had never taken hits this heavy and hard before. She knew first hand how powerful her dad was after all he was the one that taught and trained her how to fight after all. But, as much as how strong her dad is Mereoleona is on a completely different level from him altogether.
Mereoleona had brought Yang to the Ultime-Volcano Mountain Trail and the place was unlike anything she seen on Remnant the air was thick and dense and she had trouble breathing a bit. Honestly if it wasn't for her aura she probably wouldn't be able to survive this place.
"Pathetic" Mereoleona said causing Yang to look up at her and saw that Mereoleona was a few feet across from her and she was crossing her arms, unlike Yang who had cuts and bruises all over her body Mereoleona was completely fine.
"If you can't even land a scratch me, then what makes you think you would stand a chance against the likes of Cinder and Salem" Mereoleona said as she narrowed her eyes at Yang who stood up on one knee and glared at Mereoleona.
"Well excuse me, I didn't expect to fight a crazy monster like yourself" Yang said as she slowly stood up.
"That shouldn't be no excuse girl, what ever happened to that confidence you had before we started, you were talking a big game but you been nothing more then a disappointment was all of that talk just for show or are you nothing more then a weak little coward, who runs away whenever a strong opponent enters the battlefield" Mereoleona said.
That struck a nerve with Yang when Mereoleona assumed she was a coward, it reminded her on how her mother was too afraid of Salem that she had abandoned her family, just so she could hide and save herself.
"Don't...you...dare call me a coward!" Yang yelled as she clinched her fist and a spark of flames appeared around her fits and her eyes glowed red.
"If you don't want me to call you a coward then prove it to me, stand up and fight, never hesitate, when you are facing a powerful opponent keep fighting, keep pushing through until you achieve victory" Mereoleona said she noticed how Yang's fist was covered with fire.
"Interesting it seems like she can use magic, maybe her body is starting to adjust to our world and is starting to absorb mana now" Mereoleona said as she smirked a bit.
Yang then calmed down however Mereoleona noticed her eyes were still red and her blonde hair was starting to glow on fire, Yang then started to bend her knees and get into a stance once she did that she propelled herself using her gauntlets and shot at Mereoleona.
"Coming right at me huh not bad but too predictable!" Mereoleona said as she prepared to counterattack but to her surprise Yang shot her gauntlets again moving to Mereoleona right and she threw a punch at Mereoleona but Mereoleona crossed her arms and blocked the punch and it actually knocked her back a bit.
Yang continued the assault and tried to keep punching at Mereoleona but the former captain of the crimson lions either managed to dodge or block the punches but Mereoleona could feel that Yang's punches were stronger then before just like what happened when they fought a few moments ago. Mereoleona then went ahead and ducked underneath Yang as she threw a left hook and she was about to launch a upper hook as she used reinforcement magic but Yang at the last moment jumped back sense the amount of power Mereoleona was infusing with her punch.
"Excellent g-, no excellent work Yang that's more like seems like your not a coward after all" Mereleona said causing Yang to smirk back at her.
"Glad I could prove you wrong, but I still haven't landed a scratch on you" Yang said as her semblance was deactivated.
"We still have some time before you get your chance however there a few things I want to ask and tell you" Mereoleona said to the blonde haired huntress.
Yang relaxed a bit and looked at Mereoleona "sure what is it that you wanted to ask me, Leona?" Yang said to the undefeated lioness.
"When you were attacking me I felt that your attacks were getting stronger, I know for a fact that it wasn't magic do you have some other power?" Mereoleona said.
Yang perked up when Mereoleona mentioned magic she mentioned that Julius was the wizard king and he was the leader of the magic knights she wondered if she was in the world where everybody could use magic.
"Oh basically that was my semblance basically whenever I take damage the stronger I become" Yang explained.
"Interesting I take it that semblances is the power you huntsmen use in battle instead of magic correct due to the gods wiping out the first wave of humanity and the second wave of humanity had to develop a different power from magic" Mereoleona said.
Yang perked up when Mereoleona mentioned about magic, she did say that, this Julius guy was the wizard king in their kingdom, he was the leader of the magic knights, does that mean that everybody in this world can use magic?.
"Yeah we can use semblances because of aura, it's pretty much of a manifestation of our souls and we can use it for all sorts of abilities mainly we can use semblances that is if people can unlock their semblances" Yang said.
Mereoleona placed her index finger near her lips "interesting seems like you guys can use aura in a similar way on how we can use magic, maybe if you can use magic along with using your aura and semblance you can definitely become stronger then before it's the best of both words basically" Mereoleona said as she grinned she might have found someway for not only for Yang to get stronger but for herself as well.
"So in this world everybody can use magic?" Yang asked.
Mereoleona raised her left fist as flames appeared around her arms "well for the most part yeah everybody in this world can use magic, I guess instead of using our very souls to fight we use mana that exist in nature and within people, mana is what allows us to cast all sorts of magic spells...tell me you sensed my magic power right when you first met me and when we were sparing" Mereoleona said.
"Now that you mentioned it..." Yang said as she somehow could sense Mereoleona power when she first met her and also earlier she felt something welling up inside her when she got mad at Mereoleona for calling her a coward.
Yang widen her eyes as she looked at Mereoleona "hold on a minute are you saying that I can use magic now!" she yelled.
"Pretty much, brat you are able to use magic but to be able to use your magic to it's fullest potential you need a grimorie" Mereoleona said.
"A grimorie, you mean that floating glowing book you have next you?" Yang asked as she pointed at Mereoleona's grimorie.
"Yep this book right here allows you cast all kinds of spells and makes you use your magic to it's full potential the stronger you become the more spells you get to unlock and use" Mereoleona said.
"Wow so I can use magic now without having to be a maiden, wow that's pretty awesome" Yang said as she grinned and punched the inside the palm of her head in excitement.
"There is also something I want to ask you but that can come later, but first lets get back to training" Mereoleona said as flaming aura appeared around her and not only that it created an intense heat wave that Yang had to cover her face a bit.
"Damn, you're really going hardcore huh Leona" Yang said.
"You damn right I am, whenever I fight my opponents I always fight at full power and try to crush them with my bare hands" Mereoleona said
Yang sweated a bit, in awe in Mereoleona power, she is just amazed at how fearless Mereoleona is, Yang thought she was pretty fearless but that changed when just two years ago during the fall of Beacon, she tried to save Blake and Adam managed to cut off her arm. She was always afraid and had some nightmares about what Adam did to her but after she and Blake killed him during their final battle with him she felt she slowly gotten back to her old self.
"That is until I saw and faced Salem for the first time" Yang said remembering her encounter with Salem when she Jaune and Ren were trying to save Oscar from her clutches during the battle at Atlas. She was angry at Salem because she why everything bad had happened to her and her friends not to mention she was the one who probably killed Summer the woman she consider more a mother then her biological mother.
Now here she was being afraid again how can she save the world if she freezes up against monsters like Salem, Cinder and Mereoleona.
"Yang remember what I said you can not let your fear control you, you must never hesitate you must fight dominate and destroy your opponent, even if you are fighting a stronger opponent you must keep fighting until even the strongest opponent loses their will to fight that is what it means to be the strongest" Mereoleona said.
"Being the strongest..." Yang said.
"That's right you have the potential to be the strongest huntress in your world, you could even surpass even me but that won't happen unless you dominate your opponent and gain back your confidence, now show me your true power show me what the strongest huntress can do" Mereoleona said.
"She right if I want to protect everybody and stop Cinder, Neo and Salem then I can't hesitate I need to be stronger no I will become the strongest huntress and their nothing that's going to stop me" Yang said as she slowly closed her eyes.
"Focusing was not really her strong suit, but she could feel an unknown power deep inside her that she knew wasn't there before, that must be the mana that she now has thanks to now being in this world.
"Ok I guess now I just need to increase my magic power and let it all out" Yang said as she took a deep breath and it wasn't long until her hair turned fiery orange and it wasn't long until like Mereoleona a large amount of fiery aura appeared and she almost was creating the same amount of pressure Mereoleona was creating with her magic.
Mereoleona smirked as she saw Yang opened her eyes and realized they were red like before, however unlike the rage she showed from earlier or the look of hesitation. Yang completely had a focus yet determined look on her face and Mereoleona couldn't help but smirk proudly at Yang.
"Well would you look you now that's what I'm talking about!" Mereoleona yelled in excitement "she has a lot of magic power and she doesn't even have her grimorie yet, I knew that training this girl was the right choice I'm looking forward to when she does get her Grimorie and ends up being the strongest huntress and the strongest mage in her world" Mereoleona thought.
Mereoleona then covered her fist with fire magic and got into a stance "are you ready Yang, because I'm not going to hold back with this last attack" the former magic knight captain said to the huntress.
"Good I wouldn't want you to hold back anyway how can I be the strongest if I'm afraid of a little fire" Yang said as she engulfed her fight fist with fire magic.
"Heh now that's what I like to hear" Mereoleona said with a smirk on her face.
The two women were stared at each other for a bit anticipating their eventual clash with each other once they did bother Mereoleona and Yang charged right at each other.
"AHHHHHHHHHH!" both Mereoleona and Yang yelled and once their fist clashed, they created a large explosion that engulfed both of them and created a mile raidus through the mountain area which caused an explosion and once the explosion settled Mereoleona was standing over Yang who was knocked out because of the blast but Mereoleona was completely fine until she had a slight cut on her face with some blood dripping.
Mereoleona touched the cut on her right cheek and looked at the blood on her right index finger and she couldn't help but smiled a bit and looked at Yang who was still unconscious.
"To think you would have this much power even without a grimiore, well done Yang your on your way into become the strongest huntress and stopping an immature witch who crying that she didn't get what she wants and a maiden who she believes she is hot shit and thinks she can do what she wants without facing the consequences" Mereoleona said she then heard her magic communication tool ringing and she took it out of her pocket and she answered it and she saw an image of Fuegoleon pop up from her device.
"Oh it's just you Fuegoleon what do you want?" Mereoleona said to her younger brother.
"My apologies sister, I didn't wish to disturb you but I recently came back from a captain meeting and something recently just happened to some of the squads in the clover kingdom" Fuegoleon said to his sister.
"Really and what would that be?" Mereoleona asked but somehow she had a feeling what Fuegoleon was about to say.
"With the Black Bulls, Silver Eagles and Golden Dawn three people had apparently fell from the sky and landed near their bases apparently they have come from another world and they are currently in a war against Salem with their entire world at stake, I believe their names are Ruby, Weiss and Jaune. Tell me have you seen any one of their friends I believe their names are Blake and Yang and their also a criminal who allied with Cinder I believe her name was Neopolitan" Fuegoleon said.
Mereoleona frowned based on what Fuegoleon was telling her it seems like Cinder managed to get the better of Yang's friends and Cinder managed to get both of the relics and if her partner was here too, it's most likely Cinder had betrayed her and pushed her off into the void.
Mereoleona sighed while Yang would be happy that her sister and friends were alive and well, she probably would be upset that Salem now has two relics now.
"I currently have Yang right now, she fell through the sky and landed here at the volcano mountain trail while I was in the hot springs late last night, she been with me ever since and we just recently trained together" Mereoleona said.
"Only you would want to fight somebody even though you barely known them for a day sister" Fuegoleon chuckled before he continued.
"Anyway this is great knews lord Julius actually wanted to gather all if not most of them if he could he wanted to meet them talk about their situation and what can we do to bring them back home to their world and help them stop this Salem" Fuegoleon said.
"I see...if that's the case I'll take Yang and bring her back to the clover kingdom tomorrow but it's possible that she and her friends might be stuck in our world for a bit" Mereoleona said.
"Yes lord Julius said as much he said that's possible that since they are in our world it might be possible for them to use magic" Fuegoleon said.
"Oh it's true Fuegoleon, Yang has a lot of potential she has about the same amount of potential as Noelle, the anti magic brat and that brat from the golden dawn I'm going to be excited when she gets her grimiore I wonder if her friends are strong as well" Mereoleona grinned.
"I see, that's good that they are able to learn magic I will report this to lord Julius at once I'll see you tomorrow sister" Fuegoleon said as his image disappared.
Mereoleona looked at Yang "I guess I need to wait until you wake up I guess I need you to do one last thing you need to do for some training and also a little bit of a reward as well" Mereoleona said.
A couple of hours later Yang slowly opened her eyes and she slowly sat up from her back and she rubbed her head and she saw that Mereoleona was sitting across from her.
"It seems you're finally awake Yang, how do you feel?" Mereoleona asked the blonde haired huntress.
"Even though it's been a day I felt like I've gone through hell and I thought training with my dad was rough but your training is by far the hardest I've ever done" Yang said.
"But you did become stronger didn't you?" Mereoleona said as she stood up and Yang stood up as well.
"Yeah I did I feel like I could actually do you anything now that I have magic, especially fire magic!" Yang said as she engulfed her right fist in flames.
Yang then looked at Mereoleona and smiled at the undefeated lioness "hey thanks for training me I really appreciate it" Yang said.
"Say that after you become the strongest huntress and knock Salem's head off and give that bitch Cinder a piece of your mind, with that said I'm afraid I have some bad and good news" Mereoleona said.
"Really ok then what's the bad news?" Yang asked.
"The bad news I'm afraid that Cinder had managed to get both of the relics and that some of your friends fell not long after you and landed here in our world as well" Mereoleona said.
"What! Cinder gotten both of the relics damn it now Salem has both of the relics, but wait you said some of my friends are here who else fell through the void and came to this world?" Yang asked although she not happy that Salem gotten both of the relics thanks to Cinder. She was happy that some of her friends were alive and were in this world as well, she was still worried about everybody back home because no doubt Salem would target Vacuo and head back to Vale soon. Because if she managed to get the other two relics then everyone on Remnant would be wiped out by the gods.
"I just talked my younger brother a couple of hours ago if I'm not mistaken, I believe that he said Ruby, Weiss and Jaune are in the kingdom with the magic knight squads that founded them after they crash landed into our world" Mereoleona said before continuing.
"He also said someone name Blake and Neo was also missing" Mereoleona said.
"Neo" Yang growled.
"Isn't that the woman who you protected your sister from?" Mereoleona said.
"Yeah she's the reason why I fell into the void and gotten here in the first place, I didn't expect she would be here as well" Yang said.
"Well if I had to guess it's most likely that Cinder had betrayed Neo and must have pushed her into the void as well I wouldn't put it pass her" Mereoleona said.
"Still if I see her, I'm going to give her a beating of a lifetime, I swear I'm not going to loose to her again" Yang said, she then had a worried look on her face.
"Are you worried about your friend that's missing?" Mereoleona asked.
"I am Blake is...she one of my closest friends I really don't want anything to happen to her not after what we've been through" Yang said.
"I'm sure your friend is fine Yang, if I recalled when you were telling me her story you told me she and her race does get discriminate by the people world. If she strong enough to be able to handle that, then she is strong enough to survive in our world so maybe have some fate in her" Mereoleona said.
Yang sighed she knew Mereoleona was right she has to have faith that Blake would be alright, but still though if she comes across some enemies here thats as strong as Mereoleona Blake could be trouble.
"You're right I should believe Blake will be alright so what's the plan then?" Yang asked.
"Well since Julius wants to meet not only you, but you and the rest of your friends as well, we're heading straight back to cover kingdom first thing in the morning.But as we do that we are going to have to get you a grimoire" Mereoleona said.
"Awesome I can't wait to see what kind of spells I can use" Yang said.
"Well good news you get to learn your first spell right now, watch closely" Mereoleona said as she closed her eyes and Yang saw a red aura appeared around her.
"Is that aura...no that's mana you're coating your entire body with Mana" Yang said.
"Well you're starting to catch on quick good then I won't have to explain that much, this spell is called mana skin pretty much any magic knight can learn this.Since we are in a grand magic region, in order to protect ourselves from the hellish environments, most magic knights use these spells to protect themselves" Mereoleona said.
"Pretty much like aura, our aura protects us from extreme weather but eventually the weather can cause our aura to run out and if that happens we would be in trouble" Yang said as she remember how the people of mantle almost froze to death due to the heater grid being turned off.
"Then it's a good thing I'm teaching you mana skin then. Unlike aura, mana skin has no such weakness and it wouldn't hurt to have your aura and mana protect you" Mereoleona said as she continued by saying.
"Now concentrate and use the mana to surround your body" Mereoleona said.
Yang then closed her eyes and she focused as she gathered the mana from within herself and used it to cover her entire body and it wasn't long until a red like aura covered Yang's entire body.
Yang opened her eyes "woah so this is mana skin awesome it feels like I'm wearing an extra layer of armor over my aura" Yang said.
"Now that your aura and mana is protecting you, you should have no problem climbing up the mountains with me" Mereoleona said.
"I'm sorry what did you just say?" Yang said as Mereoleona grabbed her belongings and turned around.
"We're going to top of the mountain now come on, quit wasting time and follow me" Mereoleona said as she jumped in the air and to Yang she looked like she was flying.
"What the hell is she flying! how I wonder if she using magic to do that, well if she can do it so can I" Yang said she then got into a stance and pulled her arms back and once she did, she shot her gauntlets towards the ground and used the momentum to propel herself in the air.
"Ok Yang just focus...what do I need to do to fly...do I need to use the mana on my feet to fly maybe I should try that" Yang said as she was gathering more mana but unknown to Yang she was gathering the mana around the area to fly through the air. Yang had unknowingly had used mana zone to make herself fly throught the air.
Mereoleona looked back and couldn't help but had a wide grin on her Yang managed to use mana skin and now she was able to use mana zone.
"This girl, she is passing my expectations minute by minute yes when she reaches her full potential I'm going to have a lot of fun fighting her Mereoleona said as she saw some rocks coming her way and she wasted little time and she effortlessly punches through the rocks with no effort at all. Yang also had some rocks coming her way and just like Mereoleona she also managed to punch through the rocks with ease.
There was also times where lava had started to erupt but Mereoleona and Yang just punched through the lava as well, a couple of minutes later it wasn't long until both of them had reached the top of the mountain.
"So you finally made it to the top, how do you feel?" Mereoleona asked Yang.
Yang laughed "it was awesome! I can't believe that I actually flew man it's been forever since I get to have fun like this...training with you and doing this, it's probably one of the coolest things I ever done haha".
It's been forever where she was able to relax and have fun having a fun and doing some intense training even though she went through hell to do it, it reminded Yang of her days at Beacon preparing for the vytal festival and being with her team and other friends. Those were really simpler times back then it really shows how everything really did change in two years and how they had to grow up so fast and had to fight battles not many could even do.
"You know this mountain top was the place where you crashed and where I found you last night" Mereoleona said.
"For real man that's crazy, I guess I was lucky that you around then I don't know what I would do if I was alone by myself" Yang said as she turned and looked at Mereoleona.
"But why were you on top of this mountain anyway?" Yang asked the former captain of the crimson lions.
"Take a look yourself" Mereoleona said as she pointed towards the center of the volcano and Yang walked towards the center and she was surprised that instead of finding lava it was actually a hot spring.
"Wait there's actually a hot spring here?" Yang asked.
"Yep I was actually taking a nice soak last night until you showed up so what do you say Yang want to take a dip in the hot springs" Mereoleona asked.
"Are you kidding I could use a nice-" Yang said as she looked and saw Mereoleona was stripping and it wasn't long until Mereoleona was naked and Yang couldn't help but blush a bit as she saw Mereoleona naked figure.
"Holy shit she stacked" Yang thought as a young woman she was pretty confident in her body with her flirting she made most guys and some girls drool but Mereoleona had just if not more of a impressive body then even herself.
"Well why are you staring at me for Yang come on lets enjoy ourselves a nice time in the hot springs also I brought some drinks with me" Mereoleona said.
"Yeah that does pretty nice alright" Yang said as she went ahead and took her clothes off and it wasn't long until Mereoleona and Yang were sitting together in the hot springs and both of them were drinking some wine from their cups.
"Ahhhh" both of the women said as they finished drinking some wines from their cups.
"Man does this hit the spot drinking while relaxing is so awesome" Yang said.
"I'm a bit suprised a brat like you can hold your liquor" Mereoleona said.
"Ah their were times where I do use to go to clubs and hang out and drink" Yang said.
"What's a club?" Mereoleona asked.
"You don't know what a club is it's basically a place where you can go to party drink and mingle" Yang explained.
"Ah so pretty much like going to a bar and ugh social gatherings that the nobles go to ugh no thanks" Mereoleona said.
"You don't like noble gatherings or something?" Yang asked.
"Nah I'm sure your noticed but political stuff like having to play nice with nobles who has sticks far up their asses just isn't my thing, I do enjoy a wild party every now and then but for me I just enjoy being out in the wild to train and get stronger" Mereoleona said as she went ahead and poured another cup.
"Yeah I think I understand, I became a huntress because of the thrills and I just wanted to travel around the world and have fun" Yang said as she took another shot of her wine.
"Their nothing wrong with that, there nothing wrong with having fun and doing some things for yourself" Mereoleona said.
"Yeah, I know but I realized as a huntress I need to do my job and help protect and save as many people as I can, you know that was Ruby's goal she was determined to be a huntress because she wanted to save people I'm suppuose to be her big sister but you know I can't help but admire her" Yang said.
"Believe me when I say it I also admire and respect Fuegoleon even though we have different personalities, and how he wants to do things by the books. I can't help but acknowledge his power hell I consider himself the strongest and I have to train everyday just so I can even live up to his expectations" Mereoleona said.
"Heh I say that your doing a pretty good job so far trust me" Yang said as she chuckled a bit.
"Yeah,it seems like you must have looked out and took care of your sister when you were younger, I'm sure she appreciates you doing that for her and will always value you being there for her even when she grows up and make decesions for herselfs" Mereoleona said.
"That's true" Yang said as she poured another cup and drank it.
"So you think you're going to travel the world after Salem is defeated?" Mereoleona said.
"Ah I haven't really thought about it honestly because we don't even know how we can kill an immortal being" Yang said.
"Well you better make your plans soon because that's going to happen soon immortal or not Salem is going down and I'm going to help you not only help you become the strongest huntress but to take down Salem and let you live out the rest of your life" Mereoleona said.
Yang smiled "thanks leona that means a lot" she said.
"Well why don't we make a promise and a toast" Mereoleona said as she poured another cup of wine and Yang did the same as well.
"Sure what's the promise and toast about?" Yang asked.
"Promise me that one day when you get stronger we go all out and this is a toast, a toast where we will finally put Salem in her place once and for all" Mereoleona said.
"Hey I drink to that your on I would love to see us go against each other at our best cheers" Yang said.
"Cheers" Mereoleona said as she and Yang clank their glasses together and both of them were drinking their wine after that Yang took a moment to look at the sky.
"Ruby, Weiss, Blake, Jaune I'm coming and when we see each other again, we are definitely going to find our way back home and once we do Salem and Cinder are going to find out that I've learned a few more tricks and I'm going to show them what the future strongest huntress can do" Yang said as she had a determined look on her face as she was ready to become stronger and get back home and stop Salem once and for all.
A/N: Wow I can't believe I wrote a long chapter haha honestly I was going to have this chapter focus on Weiss but I guess I was excited to show a little bit on how Yang's training Mereoleona haha I guess I had more fun writing the chapter then I thought. Anyway yeah Yang going to be learning a lot more from Mereoleona and she going to be a powerhouse in future chapters if you think Yang going to be a powerhouse imagine what happens if Weiss, Ruby, Blake, Jaune and Neo learn their magic and get their grimiores its going to be crazy. I also hope you guys enjoyed the bond Yang and Mereoleona shared as well and how both of them relate to each other a lot that was also fun to write as well. Anyway thank you guys so much for reading my story it really means a lot don't forget to read review and follow the story until next time guys see ya