Things certainly picked up, that's for sure.
Poke, poke, poke went the winds, slipping tiny little jabs into her skin as she zipped around with the aid of her semblance. Being unable to see in this form had forced Ruby to preplan her entire route for the fight. Across, up, and over the table, circling it a couple times before solidifying to get a short glance at where she was. Afterwards she would immediately dislodge herself from the tethers of the ground which bound her, flying up and towards the farthest wall.
She'd restore herself, obviously to catch hold of broken stone or whatever other handholds she could grip, before looking out and hoping to spot a glance at Monolith.
The fog gave no sanctuary to her foe anymore, as letting the darkness that bubbled within leak out into the surrounding mist had tainted it; a drop of poison into her drink, which Monolith would need to stay far from if it wished to draw this fight out for any significant amount of time. Being a creature of destruction, the Grimm wouldn't exactly be harmed by the toxin, however it would be returned to a more... animalistic mindset.
Fear, sorrow, and all the other negative emotions Humanity was governed by; these were simply the release and expulsion of their destructive half. Humans, and all other intelligent beings across their playing fields were, due to this, no different than batteries: sources of power for the machines that were the Grimm, who'd greedily drain the people of all their power.
However the Grimm themselves were imperfect, and due to this, they didn't have the wits or restraint to hold themselves back when they came upon people. The taste of death provided one final burst of negative emotion from people as their souls were separated from their bodies, and it was this high that the creatures of darkness couldn't resist.
The death of a single Human heralded more potency than the collective suffering of hundreds.
But right now though, and not bothering to hold back the brunt of her corruption any longer, Ruby Rose exuded a scent worthy of a thousand or more dead; along the lines of the kingdom she'd toppled from the sky. However the exotic spray of which the dead produced was fragile, and left not a minute after the individual's passing, meaning the Grimm would constantly need to kill to fuel their addiction.
That wouldn't happen for Ruby though, as with all the darkness inside of her, locked away in its cage of worn and battered flesh, just being near her provided a lifetime of feeding.
All Grimm were pre programmed at birth to seek constant negativity, and the more they felt, the worse their ravenous proclivities became. And because of this, Ruby knew it was only a matter of time before Monolith began to crack.
Let's test the limits of your self proposed freedom.
Monolith Chrome, as she'd suspected, showed itself shortly after. Sitting upon the table, the creature looked up at her place on the wall and clapped.
"Alluring~" It commented, resting its hands atop its thighs. "Although I don't see the point in this. Tempting me with your succulent nectar does nothing but drive me forward." Laying a hand on its cheek, it added. "But that's all it is: temptation. I do not need to yield for such a feral trick."
"Maybe not." Ruby let herself drop, taking a step forward and extending her scythe. "But how long can you keep your focus on me, when I'm letting you breathe it all in?" A tiny smirk slipped into place, and she did nothing to squash it. "That's the funny thing about choice; with 'want' being the primary factor, it leads to a lapse of control."
"Oh?" Monolith leaned forward, challenging her claim. "And yet, the ability to forgo one's base desires takes center stage. Choice may be wrought by all manner of things, and yet the ability itself allows one to reel it back in."
"Maybe." Ruby let more of the darkness flow along her skin. Although invisible to ordinary eyes, she knew that to Monolith, as well as all other Grimm, she looked nothing short of a polished apple; sweetened by a glaze, and so tantalizingly exposed. "But unlike Humans, your kind has their desires etched into their very being. Humans have freedom over choice, but even they cave to their primal needs without remorse, all of which are based purely on survival." Ruby knew she'd sped up the fight significantly with this, and she could see the bare twitch of her foe. "But that's the thing about you Grimm: you don't need anything, and yet you're born with that same unstoppable urge."
"Maybe so." Monolith admitted before vanishing into nothing again. "But the primary concern for you thereafter, my dear, is if you really wish to face me in that state."
Perhaps that was a concern, but she couldn't exactly kill Monolith if it was constantly dissolved. Perhaps her silver eyes would do, but really, Ruby knew she didn't need to use them here. With so much destruction at her fingertips, if push came to shove, she could probably pop Monolith like a balloon; overblown until the rubber could stretch no more.
Of course, that came down to the fact she'd need to catch it first.
Ruby felt the fog split behind her, and stepping to the side, she was able to avoid the root which shot itself from the wall at her back. Wriggling and now free from its prison, the wooden tentacle whipped at her, but a quick hop away was all it took to evade its reach. A soft rumble came from below, and she had to jump further back to dodge that one. Things got weird when, from that root itself, another crawled its way out from the side, and then another from its side, and so on and so forth.
Ruby had dashed back quite a distance as the almost braided rope pulled back. Leaves grew across its crevices rapidly, and portions of the wood looked to splinter and break. Tearing across the fog, Ruby split apart in place and allowed the attack to pass through her. Reforming had her relocated somewhere in the air, and she vanished again as the tentacle came crashing down from above.
Unlike before, this strand of branches had vastly better coordination with its attacks than its previous brethren. The swipes followed up one another in constant succession, with Ruby only getting brief moments to see before being forced to evade again. Due to this, she had no direct path in mind, and allowed the assault to carry her rose petals wherever it led. It wasn't all that taxing on aura, but it kept her from responding.
She couldn't lash out while being forced on the back end, and so Ruby tried something new.
Monolith sure liked twisting and swinging with those tree roots, however Ruby doubted a creature of death could suddenly manifest the ability to conjure and command life. With this in mind, the only possible thing it could be doing was ordering the tree itself to bend and break apart. However these roots were, for the most part, all intact. At a glance, they hadn't been ripped and re-tangled into anything new, and instead were, at best, wrapped up in one another. They grew from within one another, but that was merely the bark splitting apart to let its brothers shoot through, kind of like a sibling group hug, only without the awkward uncertainty of where, and where not, to wrap your arms.
Monolith, through this outlook, wasn't growing any new roots to attack: she was repurposing what was already available.
This meant that, with time, Ruby could eventually cut all of them away. However such a plan would take weeks, or even months to execute with a tree so enormous as the Embracer. But Monolith had already shown its impatience, and seeing as it needed to manifest itself physically to attack, there may have been a chance that it had tied its own essence to the tree. This would allow it to cut down on, or even completely avoid, the negativity Ruby released into the fog. It claimed to have been created with the tree after all, and so where better was there to go when threatened with danger other than home?
It mixed itself with the tree, and thus shared with it her wellbeing. This, in simple terms, meant that if she damaged the tree in any way shape or form, then that damage would be shared with Monolith.
There was only one way to find out for sure, and the moment she got a second of eyesight, Ruby locked eyes on her target, and awaited the next swipe from the collective tendril. The lash fell upon her without hindrance, as Ruby had allowed it to slam her downwards from above. It impacted her aura, but once her body touched down on the surface below, she split apart.
As opposed to before, the rose petals of this explosion had a fixed destination in mind this time around. No longer did they ride the winds who followed each attack. Instead, the petals clung close, trailing along the collective of roots and slipping into the deep cracks and openings between the ties. This placed most of her segmented body between the roots, and this was where the main event took place.
It hurt, but Ruby began to recreate her body inside of the wood, where it didn't have enough space to complete.
Normally, anything suddenly being forced to grow within an object would be ejected out of any available passage as it expanded, but Ruby's semblance, combined with her aura, didn't abide by that logic. If she decided to emerge somewhere, then whatever was occupying that space before - if it couldn't be forcefully moved away - would instead be consumed and destroyed. And it just so happened that Ruby's tiny Human body was not dense enough to split the ties of wood apart.
This was an ability her semblance had always possessed, however it never got much practical use before other than when she'd been nearly buried alive. The pressure above had proven too much for the dirt coating her petals to bear, and so her petals began devouring the very soil itself as the body reformed in place, making her whole again. She'd nearly died that time, but the sudden freed up space had eased just enough pressure up for her petals on the next attempt to slip through the roughed up earth. It hurt like hell, but she lived.
Aside from the pain, there was seemingly no down side to it. However, this effect would only occur when two conditions were met. One: there was nowhere for her petals to escape. And two: there was no space for her body.
That's where the training came in, as once she'd learned of this peculiar trait of her semblance, Ruby spent another failed lifetime mastering it. Now she could force her petals not to seek an escape through available openings, and thus eat opponents from the inside out if need be. Like all things though, there was a catch. If she refused to allow escape when it was available, then parts of her aura would be consumed to keep her petals from freeing themselves, and if not enough aura was present, they would simply disobey her will, and thus free themselves. This was caused by her application of aura, as she'd use it like a blockade to keep her petals all in one space. Without aura, they'd simply roam free.
Ruby never got to see what would happen if she ran out of aura and somehow didn't have enough room to escape, but considering her body would be forced to reform and eat everything in its way, she assumed it would be similar to having a broken aura; where she'd need to let it recharge before trying anything. But if she was stuck inside something, then realistically, she'd probably just suffocate to death.
That was a problem for when she had no aura though. Right now, she has plenty.
Despite knowing she'd be fine, the sting of recreation was still irritating. For every bit of matter her essence was forced to consume, it felt like she was being punched and beaten underneath her skin, akin to a pressure trying to break free to the outside world. Pain was irrelevant to her in the moment however, and soon she could feel the absolute clasp of her new wooden shell.
Being unable to breathe was fine, because even though she was trapped partially inside two or more different roots until she left with her semblance, Ruby could physically feel it whip about, suffering the agony of having a chunk of yourself cut off. But while the pressure of being tossed around told her the root was flailing, the rumble and subsequent shiver dancing along her skin cried in pain.
The root broke apart, seemingly torn from the outside as she felt weightless, and Ruby chose then to make her escape. She let her body naturally scatter once more, building itself again in the air, and falling to the ground for a second after. Landing had allowed her to look out at what laid before her, which was a severed slice of the once mighty limb, who'd been separated via a clean horizontal slice.
The portion connected to the ground returned to the earth once more, and Monolith presented itself a few meters away.
"Your dangerous." Not a trace of the previous playfulness to be found in that one; just a blank statement, to the point Ruby would dare call it cautious. "I expected you to lash out at the roots, but I never considered an internal attack."
"That's the thing with Humans." Ruby settled herself in for what was to come. "With true choice in our grasp, even the impossible is seen as a viable option. And, unlike the other Humans you've come across, death is meaningless to me."
.
.
Standing beside him, it was clear Jacques Schnee felt... uncomfortable around me.
Although my presence was born by the word of the council, it was apparent their choice was more a burden that even they perhaps thought it would be. Case in point: nearly every question directed at the trio, or more specifically Ironwood, was double sided to include me into the mix.
"How active has he been under you, and has he been allowed within civilian space off of academy grounds?"
The general handed out the same answer he had for the past three questions before.
"That information is under strict supervision, and is not permitted for public release."
This, as to be expected, did nothing to shave off the suspicion and doubts of the reporters and other representatives. Like before, there were mumbles and whispers, most of which continued to be ignored by the general. I kept my mouth shut as well. I'd not been ordered to speak, and neither had I been forced to answer any of the questions thrown out by the audience.
Personally, I saw no point in saying more than I had too, which left me stagnant on the floor.
Robyn Hill scoffed, seemingly tired by Ironwood's continuous copied responses, and raised her voice just enough to get the watchers' attention.
"Let's just clear the air here, so we don't have to listen to the same damn speech every single time this is brought up." Eyeing the man, she leaned up. "Anything pertaining to Vermillion, or his recent actions and location not limited in time or scope, is private information that shall not be disclosed without the council's strict order. Is that about right?"
"Yes." Ironwood crossed his arms. "This debate involves the three of us; not him. We are the ones pining for my second seat, and so it is us who must prove we have what it takes to handle it." He then sent me a look. "As far as things go, his involvement is strictly for extra security." And then his head turned back to her. "That is how his attendance had been requested, and that's as far as I'll allow him to go."
"Allow him?" Robyn narrowed her eyes. "So are you saying he's forbidden from actually doing anything?"
"Yes." The general was firm with his next statement. "Anything short of the White Fang or a Grimm incursion is to be ignored. We have plenty of security for average threats."
"Right... I get it now." Shadows seemed to clip down from her forehead, edging along her lower eyelids and stopping just above her nose as she leaned her head. The way she upturned her glare only heightened my caution. "He's just a trophy."
"He's a dangerous criminal." Ironwood corrected, with not an inch of emotion on his tongue. "Had it not been for them, I'd have Vermillion confined to his lodging, only letting him out under strict, armed supervision."
"Okay." Unlike before, I noticed how Robyn's glare never deepened. Actually, something about her expression... It was a bit of a stretch, but it almost looked a bit misplaced; as if it wasn't supposed to be showing anger or really any negative emotions. "So if I'm reading this right, you're saying he's just a criminal in your eyes."
"That is correct. I was under the belief I'd made this clear several times." The words marched out with practiced ease, however the routine of control was stuttered by a short twitch along his wrist. His arms were crossed, but from my angle I could see the motion clear as day. Sending a quick glance to the audience, I confirmed that nobody else had caught it, which was good I supposed; he couldn't risk any signs of weakness or wrongdoing. And yet, Robyn didn't appear convinced, and even as he hit her with another question, she seemed oddly relaxed. "Why are you asking?"
"Nothing." She flicked out, letting her now careless frown rest as she went on with, "I was wondering though: since you're so strictly against him, you wouldn't mind if I hit him with a few questions of my own, would you?"
It was clearly bait, but with all eyes on him, it was bait he'd be forced to accept.
"So long as it doesn't put Atlas or military security at risk, I'll permit it, unless the council has any objections?"
Such a blatant lie for those who knew even a little about him, but Robyn ran by as if nothing was off; putting on the visage of belief, even when everyone within our circle, and perhaps even hers, knew it was bullshit. Robyn didn't trust a word he'd claimed, which was smart for her I supposed, but it also meant I'd need to consider my responses carefully. The called upon council made no moves, with the one woman I'd seen before sending nothing but a curt nod towards us, and so Robyn set her attention squarely on me.
"Vermillion, right?" I merely eyed her, staring into her gaze and awaiting her assault. I'd been ordered to stand guard, and that was all; I had no reason to respond, although I could read the room well enough. Impatience dripped along her lips, and trickled into her voice. "Hello?"
"Answer her." Ironwood spat the command with false hostility, although it was just as stilted as everything he'd been forced to say so far. "That's a direct order."
Readying myself and re-correcting my stance, I replied.
"That is my name."
"Yeah, I know." Robyn was grinning underneath her glare; that much I knew, even if she didn't show it. "I was just testing the waters." Slouching just a little on her elbow, she began in earnest. "But seeing as you're up and operational, there's a few things I wanted to ask."
I nodded for her to continue, and nothing more. She took it in stride, lifting her head and talking with a sensible, unbothered tone. Most of her anger vanished, and so I'd assumed this was an honest curiosity she'd offered up.
"Is it just the threat of death that keeps you in line, or is the military's security really so complex that you cannot escape?"
Interestingly, she was asking why I worked with Ironwood. Oh yes, it was veiled in drapes to keep the present masses ignorant, but I could see beyond the curtains and view into her true intent. I'd been her prisoner for some time already, preached my innocence once before, and supposedly been recaptured by Ironwood along with Roman. It was... probably the only question I didn't mind answering, if only due to its simplicity.
"Death has never frightened me. And, while sophisticated, given enough time even perfection will falter and split." I let a split second of silence draw past before I topped it off. "One merely needs to bide their time, and await that perfect chance."
I consider nothing a threat. I can leave anytime. I'm waiting for something. These were the elements my message essentially boiled down to, and I could tell she'd deciphered it when her anger from before failed to return. With everything at hand, she'd most likely be wondering about what it was I'd been waiting for.
"Fearless huh? I guess I can see that." She said, following it up with an honest chuckle; something I'd never heard from her before. The noise spread happily about, and I couldn't help but wonder what she was like when she wasn't fighting in a war. Maybe her war only involved Atlas for now, but with Cinder and her goons within the kingdom, I knew Robyn's priorities would be forced to shift sooner or later.
Robyn Hill didn't know it, and even the general may be blind, but they'd all be forced to join hands when everything collapsed. None could survive on their own, not against Cinder, and certainly not against Salem should the claims of her madness prove true.
I wasn't sure when, or how, but with Cinder herself here, I had no doubts we were in for another event similar to Beacon. Even though Atlas was much larger than Beacon had been, the election itself and all the tension it brought with it was no different than the Vytal Festival beforehand. It set up similar enough circumstances that I could truthfully see Cinder pulling a stunt just as destructive as before.
It was only a matter of when she cut the ribbon to officially begin the event.
"Is there a problem, Miss Hill?" Ironwood challenged, maybe showing off a bit too much of his paranoia towards her sudden improved mood. It didn't matter too much though, as Robyn just waved him away.
"Just can it, Ironwood." Rolling her eyes dismissively, she smirked. "I just find it funny how he doesn't even consider you a threat."
I don't believe he's truly your prisoner.
Ironwood, in turn, drew back in with a frosty breeze.
"Perhaps not, but that courage doesn't change his situation here."
It doesn't matter what you believe, things are the way they are.
Not a single person knew what was actually being discussed, which was no surprise really. None of them had the context or required information to reasonably suspect the battle commencing before their very eyes. To tell the truth, most of this was speculation on my end as well. Even so, I could hear their implications so clearly, and shouting with so much passion that I'd almost questioned if they were saying the words alongside their meanings.
It almost echoed in a sense, and when that thought crossed my mind, I could literally see why.
They were so thin, and yet wrapped easily around everyone in the room. I... I hadn't known I'd done such a thing, but those tendrils from before with which I'd subdued Vine, they were linked around the necks of every single person in the room. Both civilian and soldier alike; students and staff; the veiny snakes never discriminated. I should have been worried about how I'd unconsciously extended my influence, only to then consider how I hadn't caused any damage to those I'd captured.
I could feel them now too, like extra fingers they could bend and twist with my command. So many people at the behest of my mercy… it felt so… natural to consider.
Seeing them now, and actually considering what I'd just run through in my head, I began pulling all of the invisible wires back into me. As they left both Ironwood and Robyn, I noticed a slight shift from the two. They couldn't see my tendrils, that was for certain, but they looked to have felt a disturbance of sorts anyways, right as I'd taken my extensions away. Robyn, unlike Ironwood, had a more visible reaction.
Curling a brow upwards at the sight of Robyn's somewhat befuddled expression, the general put her on the spot; perhaps testing to see if it was her who caused his own unease in some way.
"Is there a problem?" No secret or extra words spoke alongside it, meaning those echoes from before were stolen reasoning I'd siphoned through the tendrils; I put a mental note down about this ability for later.
"No." Rolling her shoulders, she carried on with, "just a kink in my neck from pulling a muscle earlier." She followed it up with a scowl. "Okay, is it just me, or is the investigation taking too long."
"I wouldn't be able to tell you." Ironwood laid out. "Specialist Schnee knows the process for how procedures go. They take quite a while for more thorough digging, but she's also got your ally with her as well."
Robyn looked to think on it a bit, ultimately agreeing with that claim.
"Maybe." And then another grin took its spot on her face. "Who knows; they might have found something dirty in your drawers."
Ironwood certainly didn't like that, but he had to go along with it, and again it was only I who caught the twitch of his wrist.
"Then we will see when they return."
Robyn let the hard glare burn in response to that little challenge. She was clearly ready for a fight, and she didn't intend to lose.
"Count on it."
Author's note
...
Okay, so Future Ruby gets a somewhat cool scene battling Monolith, so that was nice. Not much of a fight, I know, but you know how these things go most of the time anyways. Really, it was to be expected that Monolith would have some sort of weakness, and this is seemingly it.
We get V's perspective this time as Robyn and Ironwood have their arguments, if you can even call them that. V shows that his tendrils do more than put you out of commission for a few hours, as he seemingly has the ability to read thoughts to an extent. Useful for getting the truth, but concerning that it happened without his input.
Anyway, that's it this time. See you later.