As morning rose, Lodios and the elves gathered supplies for their journey to Darnassus, while Kage kept an eye on Team RWBY.
"So, what are the Druids of the Claw?" Ruby asked.
"We are the protectors of the forest. The spirit we follow is Ursoc. That's why I transform into a bear—to symbolize our strength," Kage explained.
"How many groups of druids are there?" Yang asked, eager to understand.
"About nine," Kage replied, then closed his eyes.
"That's rude, you know. I mean, can't you be nicer to us? We have no idea where we are," Weiss huffed.
Kage turned his head toward Weiss. "I have no respect for humans."
Team RWBY stared at him, shocked by his blatant disregard. Weiss crossed her arms and huffed.
"I used to believe the same thing," Blake said. "I was part of a group called the White Fang."
Kage glanced at her with interest. "Then you should understand."
"Look, I get it, but disregarding an entire race isn't right," Blake argued.
"You think I want to kill humans? I don't. I just don't like them. The race I do want to kill is the orcs," Kage said darkly.
Yang raised an eyebrow but didn't respond before Lodios approached.
"Are you girls ready for Darnassus?" Lodios asked.
They all nodded, and once everyone was prepared, Kage stood up and led them downstairs. As they stepped outside, they were met by three elves on nightsabers, who eyed the humans warily.
"Moon Priestess Amara, Ishnu-alah. How can we help you?" Kola greeted with a respectful bow.
"Ishnu-alah to you as well, Priestess," Amara replied. "First, why is a human here? And second, I was hoping there would be an adventurer available."
"Elune guided us to them. We are escorting them to Darnassus, and Lodios is accompanying us with his pet," Kola explained.
Amara nodded slightly. "I see. Well, that may be a problem. The path is infested with Gnarlpine ambushers. The corruption in Teldrassil is growing stronger, and we need someone to push them back—unfortunately, that means killing them."
"Why not save them instead if you don't want to kill them?" Ruby asked.
"Damn it… it's the Emerald Nightmare," Kage muttered.
"Huh? Didn't you say your people were connected to it?" Blake asked.
"Yes. Something is wrong… there's something there that not many of us know about," said Kage.
"You don't mean that…" Amara said, her expression darkening.
"Yes, the Emerald Nightmare is getting stronger, and somehow, it has infected our tree," Kage confirmed.
"Then let's purify it!" Yang said, pumping her fist, ready for a fight.
"Sorry, but that's not possible. Its existence is still unknown to many. To save them, we must kill them. A team was sent to retrieve four relics, but they haven't returned yet. If you can, Lodios, clear a path for them," Amara instructed.
"I can do that, but I'm going to need help. Can I get permission for these humans to have weapons?" Lodios asked.
Amara looked at the humans, hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. But Kage went to his bag, grabbed their weapons, and tossed them toward the girls. They eagerly caught them, happy to be armed again.
"Head in that direction and clear the entrance. Once you're finished, I'll meet you at the bridge," Amara said.
"Enshu-falah-nah," Kola chanted in response.
Then they all ran.
"You said you're huntresses in training, right?" Lodios asked as they moved.
"Yes, we are!" Yang confirmed.
"Got it. Get ready," Lodios warned.
They ran through the forest road and soon arrived at a cliff. Without hesitation, the elves jumped down, spotting their targets below. Lodios quickly fired an arrow, striking one of the creatures, while Fluffy dashed forward, tackling another.
The Gnarlpine looked like humanoid bears, their white fur stained with corruption. Ruby used her semblance to dash forward, slicing one down. Suddenly, a swarm of them emerged, surrounding them. Blood splattered onto Ruby's cloak, and for a moment, she hesitated. That moment cost her—one of the Gnarlpine slammed her hard, sending her crashing into a tree.
Yang, seeing her sister hurt, roared in anger. She threw a powerful punch at the same Gnarlpine, then fired a shot at point-blank range, blasting a hole straight through its stomach. Weiss followed up by piercing another with her rapier.
"Don't use too many bullets! We don't have a way to restock our supply," Weiss warned.
Blake nodded, relying on her blades instead. She swiftly stabbed another enemy. Ruby, regaining her footing, slashed at another. But as she moved, a sudden bolt of blue energy struck her, shocking her body until she collapsed, her skin burned.
Sensing an opportunity, the Gnarlpine rushed toward her, ready to finish the job. But before they could strike, Kage transformed into a bear, letting out a ferocious roar. Kola immediately rushed to Ruby's side, casting a healing spell.
"What's wrong, Ruby? You need to kill to survive," Kola said.
"Thank you… but they're breathing, living creatures. I can't just kill them as easily as you do," Ruby admitted, her voice uncertain.
"I understand. That's why I'm a priest—I try to save lives, not take them. But I can sense their life forces… they are suffering. We can't truly save them. Please, set them free," Kola pleaded.
Ruby hesitated, caught off guard by Kola's words. But before she could respond, a deep growl echoed from the nearby cave. A massive, bear-like creature emerged, its fur darkening into a deep red as its eyes glowed with corruption.
"Agal…" Lodios muttered in sorrow. "Not you too…" He took a deep breath. "May Elune bless you in the afterlife."
Whistling, he sent his nightsaber charging in. Kage roared and rushed at Agal, while Kola focused on healing both Kage and Fluffy.
Weiss and Blake flanked the Gnarlpine from behind, while Yang and Ruby focused on the larger threat. Yang struck two more down with a powerful slam, but the fight was far from over. Fluffy was wounded, crushed beneath a heavy blow, while a falling log slammed into Kage, knocking him down.
Kola rushed to heal him with a Lesser Heal, but Agal turned his attention toward the priest, ready to strike. Lodios quickly fired arrows at Agal, but they barely had an effect. However, they managed to stop the attack on Kola.
Seizing the opportunity, Fluffy bit down on Agal's arm, causing him to bleed. Lodios followed up with a poison arrow, landing a hit.
Meanwhile, Ruby faced another wave of Gnarlpine. She used her semblance to fly above them, striking from above. But as she fought, doubt crept into her heart. The regret of taking lives, even in battle, began to seep into her soul…
'This isn't like killing Grimm… this is different. It's a living being. I know their souls are corrupted, but still… can't we save them?' Ruby thought to herself, not realizing she was crying. Yang noticed and quickly moved to help her, ensuring she wouldn't hesitate at the crucial moment. Unlike her sister, Yang had no problem finishing the fight.
But then, Yang made a mistake. A lightning bolt struck her, sending her crashing into a wall. Blake was slammed to the ground, coughing up blood. Another bolt struck Weiss, and before they could recover, more Gnarlpine emerged from the shadows.
Kola glanced at the girls, realizing they were holding back.
"What are you doing? If you keep hesitating, you will die! This world is kill or be killed!" Lodios shouted.
His words snapped them out of their stupor. Yang's semblance activated—her golden hair igniting as her eyes turned red with fury. Weiss responded by summoning two glyphs: one launched her toward an enemy while the other summoned a spectral beast that tore through the corrupted Gnarlpine. Blake fired her weapon, then used her semblance to leave behind a clone imbued with Fire Dust, which exploded upon impact.
Kage, still in his beast form, grinned. Now, they were finally ready to survive in this world.
Lodios took the opportunity to fire an Arcane Shot at Agal, slowing his movements. The corrupted creature smirked.
"Thank you, elf," Agal muttered before closing his eyes for the last time.
Ruby, still shaken, realized something—the Gnarlpine didn't want to kill their friends; they wanted release. Clenching her weapon, she stood up and unleashed Crescent Rose, cutting them down swiftly. When the battle was over, the group waited in silence.
An hour passed before four elves emerged from the cave, their clothes soaked in blood. One wore green and brown robes, another was clad in leather, the third was dressed in white, and the last in black.
"Shan'do, doranu therandil. Anu falor talah dor rethor, an'dorei shan'relas. Anu'dorini ther an'kresh nor alah dorini," one of them spoke.
"Ishnu dal'dieb, andu-falah dor, Arch-Druid. Ishnu'alah, an'dorei shan'relas," Lodios responded with a respectful nod.
The elves acknowledged them and began to leave, but the woman in white paused, looking at the four humans.
"Why, hello there. Thank you for your help, humans. We must go, but I advise you to return your weapons before trouble finds you," she said with a knowing smile before walking away.
"It's time to leave and report back. Lodios, you can keep the reward," Kage said.
They climbed back onto the road, where a priestess awaited them. Kage reported the incident, including the death of Agal. She sighed, then handed Lodios thirteen silver and fourteen copper before turning to the human girls.
"I'm sorry, but now that the mission is over, please hand over your weapons. And thank you for your assistance," Amara said firmly.
"Wait, we still have to give them up? We helped!" Yang protested.
"Rules are rules. I don't want to imprison you, so please comply," Amara replied.
Ruby sighed in defeat. "Give up, Yang." She reluctantly handed her weapon to Kage, followed by the rest of the team.
"Now, head to Darnassus. I've already sent word to the High Priestess—she will be expecting you," Amara instructed before mounting her nightsaber and riding off with her companions.
Kola glanced at Ruby. "Are you okay? You seem… off."
"No… I just don't understand how you can kill so easily without even trying to save them," Ruby admitted.
Kola lowered his gaze. "We traded with them, worked with them for years… I killed one of my friends today. The Gnarlpine were my friends once."
Just then, another Gnarlpine appeared, this one with brown fur and a necklace around his neck. He tapped his staff against the ground and spoke.
"Hello, elves. How are you?"
Ruby tensed, ready to react.
Lodios, however, remained calm. "Hello, Gnarlpine leader."
"Thank you for saving my kin. The Emerald Nightmare is worsening in this tree… did the adventurers recover the relics?" the Gnarlpine leader asked.
"They did, but we had to kill many of your kin," Kola admitted.
"I do not mind, as they are safe now. I have ensured our kind will be free from corruption. Please, thank the priestess for helping us," the Gnarlpine leader replied.
"Wait… I have a question. Why aren't you mad at us?" Ruby asked.
"When corruption infects our kind, it forces us to turn on each other—even on our own kin. I am angry, but not at you… at myself," the Gnarlpine said before turning off the road, leaving Ruby with more questions than answers.
"I… don't know how to feel," Ruby murmured.
"It's okay. I know how you feel, and I won't lie—I feel horrible too. I don't take lives lightly, but I try to save as many as I can with my power," Kola said gently.
"Let's go. Darnassus is only an hour away," Kage stated.
The group walked in silence until Yang suddenly staggered, a small trickle of blood seeping from her wounds. Lodios knelt beside his injured pet, tending to its injuries. Kola attempted to heal the group but quickly became exhausted, forcing Lodios to finish bandaging their wounds while Kage used Restoration magic to speed up Ruby's healing. Though her wounds closed faster, the process still took time.
Once everyone was ready, Kola took the opportunity to instruct the girls on how to properly address the High Priestess. Before long, they arrived at the city's great walls, where two guards stood at the entrance. Passing through the opening, Ruby's eyes widened as she took in the sight of two massive ancient trees with faces carved into their trunks, their leaves forming what resembled beards.
"Wow… they look like they could move," Ruby murmured in awe.
At that moment, one of the trees shifted, stomping the ground with a resounding thud.
"What the hell?!" Yang yelped, jumping back.
"Ancient Protectors," Lodios explained. "They are among our greatest defenders."
"That's incredible," Weiss remarked. "Living trees that move? You literally use nature to both attack and defend."
As they ascended the grand stairway, a river came into view, flowing peacefully through the heart of the city. A massive tree, its bark shaped like a bear, stood near the bank, with lush greenery growing over and around the buildings. Each section of the city was painted in hues of nature, seamlessly blending with the environment. To the left, a grand stone temple stood tall.
"It's beautiful… I never imagined a city like this," Blake whispered in awe. "You've mastered the art of living with nature."
"The temple is where we will meet the High Priestess," Kage informed them. "I won't be accompanying you. Lodios has your weapons. I must report to the Archdruids." Without waiting for a response, he waved and walked away.
The group followed the path, turning left around the riverbank before crossing a white stone bridge. As they walked, a strange feeling washed over them—a calming presence, as if their sins and burdens were being lifted with each step. The sensation was strongest for Blake, pulling at something deep within her.
None of them could understand it, yet it lingered in their souls.
They finally entered the temple, where a beautiful fountain stood at the center. An elven woman sculpted from stone held a basin, water cascading from above. It wasn't ordinary water—it was unnaturally clear, shimmering as if infused with divine energy. A ramp spiraled upward, leading to the inner sanctum.
At the top, they were stopped by a guard.
"Dalah'surfal, shan'do. Nor daranshi—andu-falah dor adare," the guard spoke in Darnassian.
"An'dorei shan'relas, ishnu'alah. Danil shan'arelah thera. Andu-falah dor Elune'dorin High Priestess," Lodios responded.
The guards exchanged glances before stepping aside, allowing them entry.
Inside, new guards clad in fine fabric stood watch. At the center of the chamber stood the High Priestess—her skin pale as moonlight, her presence radiating both warmth and sorrow. Tears glistened in her eyes as she studied the group, scanning from the humans to Lodios.
As if rehearsed, everyone knelt in respect.
"I understand you have succeeded," Tyrande Whisperwind spoke. "Now, we must pray. Please, bring her leg to the pool."
She led them down the steps toward the entrance, her bodyguards following closely. When they reached the sacred pool, she turned to Lodios and held out her hand.
"If I may… I would like to perform the ceremony in Common," Lodios requested.
Kola's eyes widened in shock, but Tyrande nodded. "Yes, you may, as she aided you the most."
Lodios stepped forward, carrying the severed spider leg. He placed it into the shimmering waters.
"Elune, guide her to the afterlife, so she may continue to protect the forest as we have done. Thank you for helping the elves find their way," Lodios prayed.
A soft glow enveloped the pool as the spirit of the spider emerged, its ethereal form circling the water before pausing in front of Lodios. She tilted her head slightly, as if in silent gratitude, then turned and walked away—fading into the light, vanishing forever.
"Now that this is over, thank you. Here is your reward," Tyrande Whisperwind said, handing Lodios twelve silver and fifty-five copper. She then turned to the four humans. "I received a message about you. Now, let's get comfortable. Please, follow me. My bodyguards will ensure our safety."
She led them out of the temple and toward a nearby tower adorned with flowers. A round table with several chairs sat in the middle of the balcony. She gestured to the seats beside her. "Please, sit."
"If I may, Priestess, these humans are not from this world but another," Lodios said.
Tyrande studied them carefully. "I see… and you wish to help them find a way home?"
"If I may speak?" Ruby asked hesitantly.
"Go ahead," Tyrande permitted.
"I was told that our power resembles a type of magic in this world—you called those who use it 'warlocks.' I want to know… are they good?" Ruby questioned.
Tyrande set her tea down and turned her gaze to Lodios, her expression darkening. "Lodios… what do they mean by 'similar to warlocks'?" Her voice held a sharp edge.
Lodios met her gaze without flinching. "High Priestess, I understand your concern, but their magic is only similar in concept—it is fundamentally different. They use their own souls as a source of power, but it is not corrupted. It is… beautiful."
Tyrande's eyes narrowed. "Explain."
"Ruby, can you show her what you showed me?" Lodios asked.
At his request, Ruby activated her semblance, gracefully floating into the air as rose petals swirled around her. Tyrande watched intently before nodding in understanding.
"I see what you meant," she finally said. "Warlocks use the souls of others, corrupting themselves in the process. This taints their very being. While warlocks have been allowed to rejoin both factions as powerful assets, they remain hidden from society. The only magic still forbidden is necromancy—except for the Forsaken, as they are undead." She took a sip of her tea. "Tell me, what is your world like?"
As the girls explained their world, they even showed Blake's ears to confirm their story. The concept of the Grimm intrigued Tyrande, who listened carefully. When they finished, she set down her cup.
"Your story is fascinating, and it is strange that you seek to return," she mused. "I believe human settlements may be your best chance at finding a way home." She turned to Lodios. "Is it your plan to accompany them until they return?"
"It is," Lodios confirmed, his resolve unwavering.
Tyrande studied him for a moment before nodding. "Then I wish you luck." She stood, her presence as commanding as ever. "Return their weapons. You are free to leave this place. Be safe, Lodios… and you as well, girls."
With that, she turned and walked back into the temple. Lodios handed the team their weapons before they left, making their way back to the riverbank. Behind it, both Kage and Kola awaited them.
"I gathered supplies for your journey," Kola said, handing them small packs.
"I got you more durable arrows and a new quiver," Kage added.
The group bowed in thanks before stepping through a shimmering pink mist that had appeared at the base of a massive tree. They walked toward the bridge, where a boat was docked.
Lodios suddenly sprinted forward, prompting the others to follow as they boarded the vessel.
"We made it!" Yang cheered. "So, does this take us to the human settlements?"
"No," Lodios corrected. "It takes us to Darkshore—still Night Elf territory. However, you are now allowed to carry your weapons. Just be careful. Also, do not mention your semblances. They could be mistaken for warlock magic, and that would cause… problems."
"Got it," Blake said. "I don't want my soul stolen."
"Hey, is there a way for us to make bullets?" Weiss asked.
"It's possible. We'll have to stop at Ironforge anyway, so we can ask the gnomes. Their engineers might be able to help you craft bullets and synthetic Dust," Lodios explained.
"Really? They can do that?" Blake asked, intrigued.
"Gnomes are the most intelligent race on Azeroth—next to the goblins," Lodios replied.
"If they're equally smart, why are goblins ranked lower?" Ruby questioned.
Lodios smirked. "Because while both races are known for their explosions, goblins prioritize money above all else. They'll do anything to be on top—even if it means killing or enslaving their own kind."
"Damn… they're almost as greedy as your father, Weiss," Yang joked.
Weiss rolled her eyes. "I doubt that."
"You'd be surprised," Lodios said. "Goblins are so greedy they'll betray each other, blow up entire operations, and enslave their own people just to climb the ranks."
Yang grimaced. "Okay… sorry, Weiss. I take it back."
Weiss huffed but let it slide.
As the boat slowed, they finally docked at their destination. Stepping off the vessel, they followed the path forward until they reached an intersection—where a lone human stood waiting for them.
"Hello, human. I wanted to know when the next boat will arrive," Lodios asked.
The human, a dockworker, smiled. "Yes, sir. The next boat will arrive in two weeks. It left this morning."
"Two weeks?! Why so long?" Yang exclaimed.
"I'm sorry, miss, but it takes a week to get there, then another to load, restock, and prepare for the return trip," the worker explained.
"Ugh, fine," Yang groaned.
The group made their way to a nearby building, entering what seemed to be a lobby.
"So, what's the plan? Do we just wait here for two weeks?" Weiss asked.
"I don't have enough money for that," Lodios admitted. "We'll be taking on quests around here until we do."
"So, how does that work?" Weiss asked, crossing her arms.
"We walk around town. If someone asks if we're adventurers, we say yes and accept the job—if we want it," Lodios explained.
As they descended a flight of stairs, a human woman in red clothing noticed them and smiled.
"Hello, Hunter. Do you mind teaming up with me? I have a quest I'd be happy to share," she offered.
Lodios' pet immediately began growling, baring its fangs.
"Ooo, scary. Looks like your pet is strong," the woman remarked, unfazed.
"Mind if I ask what class you are?" Lodios inquired.
"Oh, now that's rude," she replied playfully. "It's improper to ask a lady about her skills." Then, she turned her attention to the girls, eyes widening. "And what exactly are you four?"
Before anyone could answer, a voice muttered something unintelligible from within her cloak.
"Ooo, dos galar'zhog. Anar'zar ith'gash?" it hissed.
Lodios narrowed his eyes. "Demon, show yourself."
"Wow, rude. I'm an imp, thank you very much," the voice retorted as a tiny creature emerged from the woman's robes. "Name's Zikzleth."
Yang smirked. "That thing's tiny. You're not a threat."
"Shut it, human. Your soul is powerful, but I can still burn you," Zikzleth snapped.
"Oh, I bet you can't," Yang taunted, crossing her arms.
The woman chuckled. "Alright, alright. The quest pays forty silver. Since there are two of us, we'd split it twenty each. But if the girls join, we'll make it five silver per person." She extended a hand. "Name's Elizabeth."
"What's the quest about? You should be able to handle it yourself," Lodios said, raising an eyebrow.
Elizabeth sighed dramatically. "Well, thank you for the vote of confidence, but I'm actually a rather weak warlock. I only have two demons at my disposal. Also, this job involves an elven pastime."
"And that is?" Lodios asked, his suspicion growing.
"Naga," Elizabeth replied simply.
Lodios' eye twitched. "A naga quest… is it a kill mission or a collection quest?"
"Collection," Elizabeth confirmed. "There's a cave near Cliff Springs with mushrooms we need to gather. You in?"
Lodios turned to the others. "Girls, do you want to join?"
"Are they going to try to kill us? Then we kill them," Ruby said, her expression serious.
"Well, duh. Everything tries to kill us," Elizabeth scoffed. "We just have to do it first. And then there's the Horde—a bunch of bastards who also need to die."
Ruby frowned. "I don't think I'll ever get used to killing as easily as you."
"Aren't you an adventurer?" Elizabeth asked, scrutinizing Ruby's outfit. "I can tell by your gear. Naga slaughter countless people and invade wherever they please."
Ruby flinched at that. Yang noticed and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"It's okay, Ruby. If we find someone who doesn't want to fight, we won't kill them, right?" Yang assured her.
"Well, duh," Elizabeth said with a shrug. "If they surrender, we let them go."
Ruby hesitated for a moment, then sighed, her eyes firm with resolve. "I'm in."
Elizabeth smirked. "Good. The cave is about three hours away. We should start walking now. On the way, let's discuss our abilities and how we can work together."
As the group walked, Ruby asked Elizabeth why she became a warlock.
"Easy—power. Why else would someone become a warlock? Also, why is your soul so bright, blondie?" said Elizabeth.
"Um… well, that's straightforward. But I thought warlocks become corrupted? Staining the soul and all that?" Yang asked cautiously.
"Well, yeah, using warlock magic does stain the soul, but if you stay in control and properly enslave the demons, you'll be fine," Elizabeth replied.
"But why stain your own soul just for power?" Ruby asked.
Elizabeth stopped walking and studied the four girls. "Okay, Lodios, where are these girls from? These questions should be no-brainers. So tell me, before I start thinking they're demons in disguise."
"They're not demons, girl. They're human. I don't understand it either, but I think their souls are more powerful than a normal human's. Maybe they're demigods? But that doesn't seem right since their forms are their true forms," said Zikzleth.
Elizabeth thought for a moment. "Lodios, I trust you, but these girls… please, tell me. I promise I won't take their souls. I just want to learn about this power."
"Ugh. No. Warlocks are some of the most untrustworthy people to ever exist," Lodios said.
Elizabeth pouted and started whacking Lodios repeatedly, calling him mean. Meanwhile, her imp landed on Weiss's head.
"Why do I follow such a childish woman? Ugh," groaned the demon.
"Hey, can't you just leave her?" Weiss asked.
"Wow, you really don't get the whole 'I'm enslaved' part, do you?" the imp replied. "I can't leave unless she dismisses me. But hey, I'm great at fire attacks and fire shields! So, human, why don't you use ice magic?"
Yang burst out laughing. "Excuse me, why do you assume ice magic is what I use?"
The imp grinned mischievously. "Ice princess, duh. Why else would I say it?"
Weiss scowled and swung at the imp, who yelped and took off running while she chased after him, launching icy attacks in his direction.
Blake smiled. "I've noticed… this world may be dangerous, but I like the people here. It's kinda fun being with them," she whispered to Ruby.
Ruby didn't respond. Yang nudged her. "Hey, are you okay?"
"Ruby, if you want to stay back, I understand. The warlock and I can handle this ourselves," said Lodios.
That snapped Ruby out of her thoughts. "No, I'm just… concerned, that's all."
Before she could continue, a scream rang out from Weiss and the imp. They sprinted past the group in a panic.
"Run! Humans and elf, run!" the demon shrieked.
A moment later, a group of imps and a demon with hooves appeared.
"Oh no… it can't be them," Elizabeth muttered.
"Satyr! Run!" Lodios shouted.
The entire group bolted, but before they could escape, the satyr raised his hands and chanted, "Dorash'nor thero'shan kazreth!"
Glowing red roots erupted from the ground, forming a barrier and forcing them to stop.
"Hello, night elf," the satyr sneered.
"Crap. Let me guess—you want to turn me into one of you?" Lodios said.
The satyr laughed. "Why would I waste my time on a weakling like you?"
"Thought so," Lodios muttered.
"So, we fight, right?" Weiss asked, gripping her weapon.
"Sounds like it," Yang agreed.
"Actually, no, humans. I want a favor," the satyr said.
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes. "Your kind is always trying to spread corruption. Why would we help you?"
"A warlock human, of course. That explains the Imp." The satyr stared at the girls, examining each one. "Interesting… our lord Sargeras might take an interest in you girls. Join us, and let's burn creation together."
"How about no? What do you want?" Blake replied sharply.
"Fine. I will reward you if you can kill some spirits," the satyr offered.
"I'd expect a demon to enjoy that," Lodios remarked.
"I understand your suspicion, but I have my own ambitions. I want to climb the ranks of the Legion, and to do that, I need a certain satyr dead. Kill Xabraxxis for me, and I will send you a letter with your reward."
"You want us to kill your own kind? Why?" Yang asked.
"Foolish girl, isn't it obvious? The strong survive, the weak perish. I want to rise through the ranks, and eliminating him serves my purpose." The satyr smirked before gathering his imps and vanishing into the shadows.
"Do demons kill each other often?" Weiss asked.
"All the time—especially demons of the Burning Legion," the imp answered.
"Back there, you mentioned something about being 'turned into one.' What did you mean?" Ruby asked, her voice laced with concern.
"They used to be elves—before they were corrupted and transformed into demons. I don't know who the first was, but all elves know this. Satyrs were once night elves whose souls were twisted and consumed by darkness." Lodios' expression darkened as he stared at the path ahead. "Let's keep moving. We still have an hour left."
Even elves could be corrupted so easily… no wonder he looks so grim, Elizabeth thought. "Well, girls, let's go."
Team RWBY silently followed, their minds weighed down by the conversation. For the first time, they truly grasped that every demon was once a living being—a soul twisted beyond recognition. The sheer brutality of this world was unlike anything they had faced before.
Ruby felt it the most. She wanted to be a hero, to save people, not kill them. But here, death seemed inevitable. Even the imps, despite their nature, felt. Did they deserve to die just for existing? Her heart wavered, setting her apart from her team.
Yang understood the necessity of violence in a cruel world. Blake, having once been part of the White Fang, remained impassive. Weiss, though thoughtful, saw suffering as something that needed to end—no matter the means. Their quiet acceptance only deepened Ruby's inner turmoil.
Lodios glanced back at Ruby, sensing the conflict within her. Hesitation will get her killed, he thought grimly.
After a few minutes of silence, Elizabeth finally spoke up. "I think I'll dismiss my imp. A voidwalker might be better for defense."
"That could be a good idea," Lodios agreed. "With my pet and your voidwalker, we'll have better frontline protection."
Elizabeth nodded and stopped walking. "Alright, let's do it. Girls, just so you know, summoning a demon requires a soul. Luckily, I have this pouch—it stores up to twelve soul shards." She winked at Ruby. "Ready to meet my voidwalker?"
"Let me see it first. I want to talk to your voidwalker," Ruby said firmly.
Elizabeth hesitated but said nothing.
"Zorath'nal vek'tash, kazir'dor vek'nazoth! Xagath nor'theron, vek zil'karash! Al'theron xath'zor, tor'lash Voidwalker!"
The warlock began the ritual by drawing a glowing purple summoning circle on the ground, inscribed with eldritch runes pulsating with void energy. The runes flickered between dark violet and abyssal blue, crackling with unnatural power.
As the incantation was spoken, the air grew heavy, and the surroundings seemed to darken, as if the very light was being drained away. Elizabeth held up a soul shard, a crystal pulsing with eerie, trapped energy. The moment she shattered it in her hand, a wave of shadow magic erupted, warping reality.
Suddenly, a silver cuff with a purple gem materialized in the air, its glow intensifying. A thick cloud of black smoke billowed forth, swirling within the summoning circle. From within the fog, a massive, shadowy figure emerged—its body barely held together by crackling void energy. Glowing blue spots in the darkness resembled piercing eyes, staring into the depths of their souls.
A deep, slightly echoing voice rumbled, "How may I serve, Lady Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth smirked. "Hello, Zhaarnak. Be my shield and draw our enemies to you."
The Voidwalker regarded her silently before stepping beside her, its form pulsing as it acknowledged the command.
Ruby hesitated before speaking. "Hey, Zhaarnak, may I ask you a question?"
The Voidwalker gave no response, remaining fixated on its task.
Elizabeth sighed. "Sorry, Ruby. He doesn't have a mind of his own. Once I give him an order, he focuses entirely on completing it."
Ruby lowered her gaze. "Oh… I see. Thank you for explaining."
She looked away, feeling disheartened.
As they walked, the group reached a waterfall and a bridge. After crossing, Lodios and Elizabeth suddenly turned toward the forest, gripping their weapons.
"Get ready," Lodios warned. "There are bears here infected with disease. Be careful."
Elizabeth nodded. "Please put them down. They disrupt the balance of the forest, killing everything in their path and spreading their sickness."
The team nodded in agreement.
Suddenly, Fluffy—the large feline companion of Lodios—lifted its head, growling before letting out a deep roar. From the trees, blue-striped cats emerged—Moonstalkers.
Lodios held up a hand. "They won't attack. Fluffy will handle them."
As the Moonstalkers stared at Fluffy, smaller kittens cautiously crept out from behind them. Fluffy let out another low growl, seemingly communicating with the lead Moonstalker. A silent moment passed before the Moonstalker blinked, then turned away, leading its kittens back into the forest.
Fluffy returned to Lodios' side.
"Looks like we're good to go," Lodios said. "But I have a feeling we'll run into bears soon."
"How can you tell?" Yang asked.
Lodios smirked. "You forget—I'm a hunter. I understand my pets."
"You can talk to them?" said wiess.
"Not in words," Lodios explained. "It's a bond. I can understand their instincts, their warnings, without them needing to speak."
The group continued forward, soon reaching a river flowing with fish. Lodios sat down, pulled out a fishing pole, and casually cast his line into the water. Meanwhile, Elizabeth took a seat, drinking water and eating some food.
Yang frowned. "Uh… there's a cave right over there. Why are we just sitting around?"
Lodios didn't even glance up. "Because we need to rest. To keep our minds and bodies sharp, we have to pace ourselves."
He looked at Team RWBY. "Which means, Yang, you and your team should swim and relax. Just don't wander too far—I don't have another fishing pole."
"Are Naga really that dangerous?" Blake asked.
"Yes," Lodios nodded. "Male Naga are incredibly strong. They can shatter boulders with ease. Female Naga, on the other hand, are beautiful but wield immense magical power."
"He's right, girls," Elizabeth added. "Relax and enjoy this place while we can. Voidwalker, patrol the area. Alert me if there are any enemies."
At her command, the Voidwalker silently drifted away, scanning the surroundings.
"Lodios, can I help fish?" Blake asked.
Lodios handed her his fishing pole. "Sure. I could use some rest—it's already late afternoon." He stretched out on the ground, his pet curling up beside him, both quickly dozing off.
Elizabeth chuckled. "You girls are lucky to have a hunter with you."
"Are we? I don't understand," Weiss said, tilting her head.
"Yes. A hunter with a strong pet is invaluable. Their tracking skills are top-tier, and even humans can learn to tame powerful beasts like these elves do."
Team RWBY exchanged glances. Something about Lodios felt... different. He didn't seem to command his pet the way they expected a hunter to—he followed it instead.
Elizabeth caught their expressions. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing… I just agree with Fluffy," Weiss muttered, averting her gaze.
Elizabeth burst out laughing. "Fluffy? That's hilarious!"
Before anyone could respond, Blake suddenly pulled on the fishing rod. "I got one!" She reeled in a purple fish with an ugly, distorted face.
Elizabeth's eyes lit up. "Ooooh! A Blackmouth! Can I have it? It's super useful for potions!"
"It's not food?" Blake asked.
"Nope! But the oil extracted from it is great for making water-breathing potions."
Blake shrugged and tossed her the fish before recasting her line. Meanwhile, Yang paced back and forth, visibly bored.
"I want to fight something," Yang groaned.
"Relax, Yang. I need you at full strength—these Naga are no joke," Weiss reminded her.
Yang sighed dramatically. "Ugh, fine."
Elizabeth turned to Ruby with a grin. "Hey, where are you from? I'm from Goldshire, in the Eastern Kingdoms."
"I'm from Patch, a tiny island off the coast," Ruby replied.
"Tiny islands are scattered all over… What about you, Blake?"
Blake stiffened slightly. She had never told Elizabeth her name.
"How do you know my name?" she asked cautiously.
Elizabeth smirked. "Easy."
She raised her hand, channeling dark energy, and suddenly, a floating, spectral eye appeared beside her.
"This is Kil'rogg's Eye," she explained. "It lets me see and hear everything around it. It's great for scouting… and spying." She paused before adding, "It's also completely invisible unless someone is very perceptive."
Blake frowned. "That's unsettling."
"I'll use it later when we need it," Elizabeth reassured her before turning away.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to focus on fishing," Blake said, clearly trying to change the subject.
Elizabeth let it slide and smirked. "Fine. But tell me, are you a druid?"
Blake flinched. She saw my ears.
Elizabeth's smirk widened knowingly. "I see… But remember, a soul is a soul. It doesn't matter what you are—we all die the same in the end."
She stretched her arms dramatically. "Alright! Time to prepare you all… which means it's time to make cookies!"
That immediately caught Ruby's attention. "Wait—you have cookies?!"
In her excitement, Ruby accidentally activated her semblance, blurring forward in a streak of red petals.
Elizabeth reacted instinctively, raising a hand and beginning to cast a Shadow Bolt, dark energy swirling around her fingertips.
"What was that?!" she demanded, her voice turning cold. "How did you move like that? You used your own soul."
Ruby froze, feeling a chill run down her spine.
Without opening his eyes, Lodios spoke up. "Calm down, Elizabeth. Their power comes from their souls—it's called a Semblance. Each girl has one. It's safe. Ruby's is just speed."
Elizabeth hesitated before lowering her hand. "You could have told me that humans can do that! Ugh, you elves always leave out important details." She huffed before turning back to Ruby. "Don't use your Semblance around people carelessly. Some of us might kill you for it."
She lightly smacked Ruby on the head before sighing. "Okay, back to cookies. I can only make one per person." said Elizabeth.
She pulled out a glowing green stone and handed it to Ruby. "Keep this in your pocket. If you're bleeding badly, eat it. It will heal you and restore your soul."
Ruby examined the stone. It had a faint, otherworldly glow. Then, Elizabeth took a soul shard, channeling green magic into it. The shard shifted and transformed, becoming another green stone.
Ruby's eyes widened. "Wait… this gem is a soul?"
"Yes, they're called Healthstones. They're very useful. A warlock can create them by extracting a person's essence, turning it into a great resource," said Lodios.
"Can I have one?"
"I got one, and sure," said Elizabeth.
"Wait, I can't use this," said Ruby. "Whose soul is this?"
"A coyote from, I think, Westfall," said Elizabeth.
"I thought only humans, not creatures, had souls," said Ruby.
"Practically anything with a soul can be extracted. Once consumed, the life force of the individual is given to the user, freeing the soul and sending it to the Twisting Nether," said Elizabeth, handing one to Lodios.
"Why can't we have two?" asked Weiss.
"It's a unique item. A person can only carry one at a time. Also, after a day, it expires and disappears, leaving only ash," said Elizabeth.
"That's stupid. Ruby, hand me yours, and I'll prove this is a dumb rule," said Weiss.
"No, don't—" Lodios muttered sarcastically.
She took one from Ruby and then asked for another. Elizabeth laughed and held out her hand. But nothing happened. Weiss gave her a strange look and kept trying to grab it, but her hand wouldn't go near it. She pushed against the invisible force but couldn't grasp it.
"So, you should stop," said Elizabeth.
Weiss backed up, then grabbed the Healthstone again—only for it to explode in her hand. She threw the remains back at the warlock, glaring.
"Told you," said Lodios.
"Shut up," said Weiss. "At least I still have one."
Elizabeth tossed one toward Ruby and created a new one for Blake. Once she finished handing out the Healthstones, everyone just stared at the glowing green stones in their hands. Weiss frowned at hers.
"I should mention that when you consume one, you can't use another for fifteen minutes," said the warlock.
"Why?" asked Blake.
"Well, the Healthstone makes the body unable to absorb another right away. But if you touch a second one, the green glow will dim," Elizabeth explained.
After some rest, they were ready to move. Once everyone was prepared, Elizabeth used Kil'rogg's Eye to scout the cave.
"There's a Naga nest—tons of mushrooms we need, but I can't find the one Deathcap. I can't go any deeper, but there are about fifteen males. Looks like five of them are priests and ten are mages," said Elizabeth.
"That's a lot. Tell me they're separated so we can take them out without being swarmed," said Lodios.
"That's correct, but we'll need a stealth approach," said Elizabeth.
"Yang, I need you to take on the muscle-bound defenders. I think your strength can handle two of them. Maybe Blake should provide cover fire," said Elizabeth.
"We shouldn't use too much ammo since we don't have a way to restock," said Weiss.
"I see. For now, limit your shots. Ruby and Lodios, do you mind accompanying me?" asked Elizabeth.
"Weiss, you and my Voidwalker should create a distraction," Elizabeth added.
"That could work, but I think you and I should attack with your Voidwalker while Weiss defends Ruby as she collects the mushrooms," said Lodios.
"You sure? Ruby's speed could give us an advantage," said Elizabeth.
Lodios simply stared at her, and she immediately understood why. He didn't believe Ruby had the ability to kill her opponent.
"If you baby the girl, she won't be able to kill when the time comes. You have to give her the opportunity," she said.
Elizabeth froze. "That's... not good."
Lodios immediately noticed her shift in tone. "What's wrong? What did you find?"
Elizabeth hesitated before answering, fear creeping into her expression.
"Twilight's Hammer."
The moment those words left her lips, Lodios stiffened. Fear took hold of him.
"How many?" he asked, voice low.
"Two," Elizabeth answered. "One of them is powerful. If we were to fight him, we'd need everything at our disposal to take him down. I found my mushroom—the Deathcap—right next to him."
"Shit. Why are they here?" Lodios muttered.
"Sorry, what's the Twilight's Hammer?" Weiss asked.
Lodios took a deep breath. "They're a cult that worships the darkness of this world. They're extremely dangerous. Remember when I told you about the black dragon?"
"Yeah, Deathwing. The dragon that tried to end the world," Blake recalled.
"Yes. But what I didn't tell you is that Deathwing was once a guardian of Azeroth—before he was corrupted by the Old Gods," Lodios explained.
That revelation shook the girls.
"I don't know how powerful the Old Gods are, but I believe they once ruled this world," Lodios continued. He turned to Elizabeth. "Warlock, I know you can sense the darkness. Want to add on?"
"Yes," Elizabeth said, her voice grim. "If you hear thoughts that aren't your own—run. Resist. If you don't, you'll end up killing your own lover or family before you even realize it."
The girls swallowed nervously.
"We keep our strategy," Lodios said firmly. "But these cultists are kill on sight. Use whatever you have to end their lives."
The girls nodded in understanding—except Ruby. She hesitantly raised her hand.
"I'm sorry, but... can't we leave them alone?" she asked.
"No. If they finish a ritual or anything related to the dark, it could end the world," Elizabeth said coldly. "This is called the Hour of Twilight."
The moment those words were spoken, they all felt it—laughter, chaos, an overwhelming sense of despair creeping into their minds.
Lodios suddenly slapped Ruby across the face.
"Sorry. Focus. Don't think about it anymore," he ordered. "They'll get into your head."
The sudden shock made everyone refocus, and just as quickly as the voices had come, they were gone.
"Everyone ready?" Lodios asked. "Yang, take out the first two. Blake, be on guard—protect Yang."
Yang rolled her shoulders, then punched her fists together. The hidden shotguns inside her gauntlets clicked into place.
"Ready, partner?" she asked, grinning.
Then, with a blast, she launched herself through the air. She slammed her fist into the first Naga, detonating it on impact, while the second was sent flying back from the force of the explosion, dead before it hit the ground.
The remaining Naga immediately turned toward the entrance, alert.
Fluffy and the Voidwalker charged into the cave, with Lodios and Elizabeth following close behind. Ruby and Weiss stuck to the shadows, searching for the mushrooms.
Two Naga priests raised their hands, casting Smite at Lodios, but his pet roared, drawing their attention. The Voidwalker used Suffering, forcing the male Naga to attack him instead.
Ruby spotted a mushroom growing near the edge of a cliff. Meanwhile, Lodios fired an arrow, landing a shot straight into a Naga's eye. It took him multiple shots to bring one down, but he was precise.
Fluffy lunged, tearing into the priests, spilling their blood onto the cave floor. One of the priests attempted to heal the injured Naga, but Lodios fired a blinding shot, interrupting the spell.
The battle raged on as blood pooled at the cave entrance. The total count: ten Naga—six warriors, two priests, and two mages.
"I got about two mushrooms, but the cave goes deeper," Ruby called out.
"Rest up, everyone," Lodios ordered.
Yang and Blake rejoined them in the cave.
"The guards are dead," Blake reported.
Yang held up her bloodstained clothes with a thumbs-up.
Lodios consumed a Healthstone, then bandaged Fluffy's wounds while the Voidwalker began to glow, its hands enveloped in eerie blue orbs.
"What's the Voidwalker doing?" Weiss asked.
"Oh, that? The Voidwalker is recovering. They use an ability called Consume Shadows. It absorbs the surrounding shadows and lifeforce—not ours, but from the creatures or Naga that have died nearby," Elizabeth explained.
Fluffy sat at the ramp, staring down, waiting for the Naga to come. Nothing was there. The Voidwalker stood beside the cat, silent.
"What's the next part of the plan?" asked Weiss.
"Give me a minute to scout," said Elizabeth.
She cast her spell once more, searching. After a few moments, she spoke. "There are two different paths. We could screw ourselves if we're not careful. Worst part? We need to go down both paths—there aren't enough mushrooms otherwise. But we need to leave at least one behind."
"So, divide and conquer? Might be the best option… but the Twilight's Hammer could be a bigger issue," said Lodios. "Are they together?"
"No. One's in each path. The more powerful one is an orc, the other a gnome," Elizabeth said, thinking. "Lodios, any ideas? I think we need to split."
"You're right, we do," Lodios admitted. "But I don't think Team RWBY has the ability to handle both the Naga and a cultist."
"Hey, I'm sorry—I can," said Yang.
"Listen to Lodios. His world is much harsher than ours. The magic of the cultists could kill us," said Weiss.
"Then I'll go without my Voidwalker. Team RWBY can use him instead," Elizabeth decided. "This might give them a chance. Voidwalker—tail them. Use Sacrifice on whoever is about to die."
The Voidwalker understood and moved next to Ruby.
"I will listen to your command, Little Red," the demon rumbled.
Lodios hesitated, uncertain about this plan, but they didn't have a choice. He turned to Ruby.
"Can I trust you to kill this gnome? You must not hesitate. No matter what. Even if he begs for his life."
Ruby hesitated. But then, with a focused gaze, she nodded.
"Then I will trust your team. Elizabeth, you're with me. Thank you for sacrificing your demon for this cause. Make sure you guys collect the mushrooms," Lodios said.
He took a deep breath, whistled for his pet, and ran with Elizabeth down the right path. Team RWBY and the Voidwalker took the left, Naga warriors charging toward them. The demon moved ahead, shielding the group.
Ruby sprinted through the tunnel, while Yang and Weiss swiftly dispatched two Naga. Then they spotted four more—one priest, one mage, and two warriors.
And then, the gnome.
"Well… I didn't think adventurers would come," the gnome sneered.
"Well, shorty, we came here to collect mushrooms," Yang cracked her knuckles. "But now you need to die."
The gnome laughed. "You're kidding. You children think you can kill me? The gods will return, and the Hour of Twilight will begin! Naga—kill these children."
The two Naga warriors lunged at Yang. Weiss quickly placed a gravity glyph, slamming them into the wall. Blake rushed at the priest, keeping her distracted, while the mage readied a spell.
Ruby dashed toward the gnome, slashing with Crescent Rose, but he dodged each strike with ease.
"What are you, girl? Wait… I know. A child who doesn't understand this world."
A blast of dark energy struck Ruby in the chest, sending her flying back. The gnome laughed.
Ruby stabbed Crescent Rose into the ground, using the recoil to shoot at him, but he blocked each bullet, dissolving them into shadows. A tendril lashed out, slashing her arm. Blood dripped down her sleeve.
"You're quite interesting," the gnome mused. "But I've had my fun. Now, you die."
He waved his hand, and a dark force stabbed into Ruby's gut, knocking her back.
"No!" Yang screamed.
She fired her shotguns, killing the remaining Naga warriors, then ran to Ruby, who lay bleeding from her stomach.
"Swallow your Healthstone!" Yang ordered.
Ruby fumbled for the green stone, then swallowed it. The wound on her stomach sealed, though the cut on her arm remained.
The gnome chuckled. "Healthstones? Oh, you children are prepared."
He began casting another spell. The Voidwalker reacted instantly, Killing himself for Yang, using Sacrifice. The shield absorbed the attack but blasted Yang into the wall. Her Aura flickered.
Ruby panicked. She used her Semblance to rush to Yang, but the shield was still holding her down.
"I'm okay, Ruby," Yang groaned, her Aura barely holding. "But my Semblance is charged. Stop hesitating. Deal with the short stack."
Yang launched herself forward, activating her Semblance to assist Weiss.
Ruby stood there. Frozen.
"You're weak, girl," the gnome sneered. "You'll die by my hands. I hope the Twisting Nether is kind to you."
The gnome used magic to summon a twisted creature.
The monstrous figure smashed the ground where Ruby had stood. The impact sent a shockwave through the cave, shattering stone and kicking up dust.
Rose petals scattered in the air—then, in a blur of crimson, Ruby reappeared behind the gnome.
His eyes widened. He barely had time to react before Crescent Rose sliced clean through his neck.
His head fell.
The moment of silence that followed was suffocating. Then, Ruby slammed Crescent Rose into the ground, fired a shot of fire dust, and sent the monstrous shadow creature skidding backward. It let out an inhuman shriek, writhing as it struggled to reform itself.
Not giving it a chance, Ruby switched to ice dust. A precise shot encased its head in ice. The creature flailed, its movements erratic, but she wasn't done.
A third shot—earth dust. A jagged boulder erupted from the cave floor, slamming into the frozen head, shattering it into pieces.
The monster collapsed, its body twitching before finally going still.
Behind her, Yang let out a battle cry and fired both her gauntlets, launching herself into the last Naga warrior. The sheer force of her strike sent the creature crashing into a cave wall, lifeless.
Weiss, breathing heavily, withdrew Myrtenaster from the Naga mage's chest. A final, sharp breath left its lips before it crumpled.
Blake wiped blood from her blade as the priest fell beside her.
And then, there was nothing but silence.
Ruby stood in the center of it all.
She dropped to her knees, her body trembling. Crescent Rose slipped from her grasp.
"I don't like this," she whispered, her voice cracking. Tears streamed down her face. "I… I didn't want to take his life."
Yang knelt beside her, placing a comforting hand on her back. "I know, Ruby… I know."
Weiss approached slowly, her usual sharp demeanor replaced with quiet understanding. She hesitated—then gently wrapped her arms around Ruby, holding her as she sobbed.
The Voidwalker's shield finally faded, and its remains—only shattered cuffs and a cracked gem—lay where it had once stood.
Ruby's gaze drifted downward. Blood stained her hands. Her cloak.
It was real.
It had happened.
And there was no undoing it.
"Ruby, it's time to meet up with Lodios," Blake said gently.
Ruby looked up at her, dazed, then slowly collapsed Crescent Rose. She stood up weakly, Weiss clinging to her side as they walked.
With Lodios…
Fluffy lunged first, his fangs sinking into the orc's arm. The brute roared in pain, trying to shake the beast off, but Fluffy only bit down harder, his claws raking across the orc's flesh.
Elizabeth raised her hands, dark energy crackling around her fingertips. She whispered an incantation—Curse of Agony. The magic lashed onto the orc and his screams grew louder as the pain intensified.
Elizabeth took the opening. With a flick of his wrist, he sent a fiery bolt straight into the orc's chest—Immolate. The flames clung to his body, burning from the inside out. The orc staggered but didn't fall. His eyes, bloodshot and filled with rage, locked onto Elizabeth.
Then lodios charged.
Lodios barely dodged the first swing of the orc's hammer. The hammer whistled past his ear, slamming into the ground and sending dirt flying. He rolled to the side, firing an arrow mid-motion. It struck the orc's thighs, he was slow.
"Elizabeth—now!"
She was already casting. Her hands glowed with sickly green energy—Corruption. The spell seeped into the orc's body, dark veins pulsing beneath his skin. He heaved violently, his stomach twisting in unnatural ways, but still, he pressed forward.
Lodios cursed. He's tougher than I thought.
"I'm going to use Drain Soul—finish him off!" Elizabeth called out.
Lodios didn't hesitate. He dashed forward, ducking under the orc's wild swing, and slashed at his leg with his dagger—Wing Clip. The orc snarled as blood gushed from the wound, his movements slowing.
Then it began.
A ghostly blue mist started rising from the orc's body, his very soul being pulled away. He thrashed, trying to resist, but the energy wrapped around him like invisible tendrils.
He choked. Stumbled.
Lodios didn't give him a chance to recover. He lunged, blade flashing. A clean strike to the throat.
The orc gurgled, blood pouring from his mouth.
Then he fell. A soul shard created from the orc was now in Elizabeth's hands.
Silence settled over the battlefield, save for the crackling embers still burning on the orc's corpse.
Lodios knelt down, rifling through the pockets of the fallen warrior. He pulled out a handful of copper coins.
"Want any of this?" he asked, glancing at Elizabeth.
"Nah. You can keep it. Call it a gift—I got a very nice soul shard out of this," she replied, grinning as she examined the glowing crystal in her hand.
She turned, plucking a Death Cap from the wall.
"I wonder if Ruby's okay," Lodios muttered.
Elizabeth frowned. "Well… I think my Voidwalker's dead. So I hope she's alright. But we should let them finish on their own."
She grabbed another mushroom, stuffing it into her bag.
"Let's head back." siad Elizabeth.
Fluffy limped slightly as he padded alongside them. They walked in silence, the weight of the fight lingering over them.
As they exited the cave, the first thing Lodios saw was Ruby curled up in the fetal position, Weiss holding her close.
"So… I'm guessing Ruby killed the gnome," Lodios murmured.
"She did," Yang confirmed, running a hand through her blood-matted hair. "And I really want to leave this cave. I need to wash this out."
Ruby clung to Lodios's back, still shaken, her breathing uneven.
"I agree, let's move," Elizabeth said, adjusting her grip on Ruby to help steady her.
Lodios bent down and carefully pulled Ruby's arms around his shoulders so she could hang onto his back.
"Thank you… I can't walk right now," Ruby murmured, sniffling. Fear still clung to her voice.
"No problem. Just rest," Lodios replied.
They moved forward in silence, the weight of what had just happened pressing down on them.
As they neared the area where they had first arrived, the forest seemed quieter than before—almost as if the land itself knew what had transpired.
A/N
This is a story I wanted to work on since nobody seemed to have done this type of crossover before. There's a great Bleach/Warcraft crossover, so I decided to do one with RWBY. I enjoy the Warcraft world, and adding Ruby seemed like a fun challenge. Yes, I'm demented for breaking her this early, but I still think it was a good idea.