AN: now for Blake's Chapters!
Rogue Shadow part 1
Blake Belladonna blinked in confusion, feeling a slight pain throughout her body, as she took in her strange new surroundings. Gone were the familiar sights and sounds of Remnant. which if she was being honest shouldn't be THAT surprising considering the last thing she remembered was falling through a void.
she reached down and checked her weapon, Gambol Shroud, to make sure it was still working. she aimed towards the ground and pulled the trigger: *click*
well, that's not good
she then switch it into its blade form, good news, THAT worked!
I'll have to figure that out later but for now...
she found herself walking through what appeared to be a dilapidated old town, but the most unusual thing about it was, how there were so many alien beings just wandering through. as well as many ships flying over head. she's never seen a place so old and desolate looking yet still so active with life. it was also rather hot which wasn't helped by the fact she was still in her Atlas jacket.
she walked into a dimly lit and rather old looking Bar, completely filled with an array of bizarre alien creatures. The air was thick with the clamor of dozens of languages she'd never heard before.
As her feline ears twitched nervously, as she cautiously made her way to the bar, her hand instinctively reaching for Gambol Shroud. The bartender appeared to be a gruff-looking bird-like being, who eyed her suspiciously.
"What'll it be, stranger?" he growled. Blake was almost caught off guard. dozens of alien languages and he somehow picked the one she could understand?
"Just... information," Blake replied hesitantly. "Where am I?"
The bartender let out a harsh laugh. "oh right, you must still be shaken by that fall. it was mighty impressive. big ball of purple energy just falling out of the sky like that! most would just arrive by ship." he explained with what seemed like enthusiasm "Welcome to the Planet Onyx, kid. The galaxy's Haven for what many would call 'monsters' like us"
Blake was a bit taken aback "monsters like us?"
The bartender not noticing, or maybe not caring about her confusion responded with "yep, it's like a one stop shop for every conquerors needs" he went on to explain "from the mightiest Generals, to the most skilled Bounty Hunters, even those that would normally be seen as just cannon fodder, all eventually come to this little corner of the universe"
she thanked the bartender for the brief explanation as she scoped out the place. Creatures of all shapes and sizes crowded around rickety tables, playing card games or other such games of chance. their voices a loud array of guttural languages she couldn't begin to understand. The air was thick with smoke and the pungent smell of unfamiliar drinks of many scents.
She wanted to try to remain unnoticed, so giving herself a chance to make sense of her current surroundings.
so one moment I was in Remnant, or rather the void between worlds...apparently, and the next I'm on this strange planet called Onyx. she thought to herself 'falling through a world' why does that sound so familiar?
As she edged towards the wall, a hulking armored reptilian alien stumbled into her path.
"Watch it, ya ally cat!" it snarled, baring rows of jagged teeth but also clearly drunk.
Blake's hand instinctively went to her weapon, but she forced herself to remain calm. "apologies," she muttered, attempting to step around the creature.
The alien's armored scaly hand shot out, grabbing her arm. "Not so fast, little kitty. You owe me a drink for that."
Blake's eyes narrowed. "unfortunately, I don't have any money at the moment," she hissed, wrenching her arm free "so if you could just...".
The reptilian creature roared in a drunken rage, swinging a massive fist at her head. Blake's training kicked in, and she ducked smoothly under the blow. The alien's fist connected with another patron behind her, a burly humanoid with blue skin and four arms.
The bar erupted into chaos. The blue alien retaliated, throwing a punch that sent the reptile crashing into a nearby table. Glasses shattered, and more patrons joined the fray, using the brawl as an excuse to settle old scores.
Blake tried to extricate herself from the melee, but found herself surrounded by flailing limbs of every size and flying debris. She cursed under her breath, wishing Gambol Shroud fully worked. Without her ranged weapon, her blade still unfolded but she didn't want to resort to spilling blood if she didn't have to. she'd have to rely on her hand-to-hand combat skills and her semblance.
A chair flew past her head, with a small alien still sitting on it, and Blake instinctively tired to create a shadow clone to take the hit, it didn't work.
my semblance doesn't work either?!
she was able to dodge out of the way using her natural skills leaving her attackers momentarily confused. She used her weapon's ribbon during the distraction to leap up into the rafters, her feline agility allowing her to balance effortlessly on the wooden beam.
From her vantage point, Blake surveyed the chaos. The bar had devolved into a free-for-all, with creatures of all shapes and sizes trading blows. She spotted a back exit on the far side of the room, partially blocked by a group of brawling aliens.
Suddenly, a plasma blast sizzled past her ear, singeing a few strands of her hair. Blake whirled around to see what appeared to be some sort of fully cybernetic-like being near the entrance, with a smoking arm cannon taking aim for another shot. She backflipped off the wooden bar just as the blast obliterated the spot where she'd been standing.
Landing in a crouch, Blake darted between the brawling patrons, using her agility to weave through the crowd managing to confuse her pursuers and causing them to attack each other in their frustration.
As she neared the exit, a hulking alien with tusks and gray granite-like skin stepped into her path.
"Where do you think you're going, little one?" it growled, reaching for her with its massive hands.
Blake feinted left, then ducked right, sliding between the creature's legs. She popped up on the other side and delivered a swift kick to the back of its knee, causing it to stumble.
Just as she reached the door she felt a sudden shock and lost consciousness.
Blake's head throbbed as she regained consciousness, the new unfamiliar surroundings coming into focus. Cold metal bars surrounded her, except for a stone wall behind her and the air was thick with the stench of sweat and what she assumed was blood. beyond her own cell she could see various other aliens
Blake's feline ears twitched as she took in the cacophony of alien sounds surrounding her. The dank cell seemed to reek of fear. She pressed herself against the cold stone wall, amber eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of movement.
"First time in the pits, little feline?" a slightly high pitch but gravelly voice called out.
Blake's hand instinctively reached for her weapon, only to find empty air where her weapon should have been. She tensed, ready to spring into action if needed.
A tall, thin but athletic hairy figure emerged from the shadows in the cell next to hers, a bizarre mix of what appeared to be a monkey and machine. "Name's Wukong. Former bounty hunter. Now just another piece of meat for the arena."
well...there's a weird coincidence. she thought.
"Blake," she replied cautiously. "Where exactly are we?"
Wukong's high-pitched cackle echoed through the cell. "Welcome to the Nightmare, little feline! Welcome to the 'Games' "
Blake's eyes narrowed as she processed Wukong's words. "Games? What kind of games?"
The monkey-cyborg hybrid leaned against the bars separating their cells, his mechanical eye glowing faintly in the dim light. "Gladiatorial combat, my feline friend. The kind where only the strongest fighters get to walk out alive."
A chill ran down Blake's spine. She'd faced danger before, but this was different. This was methodical, organized brutality. "And if I refuse to fight?"
Wukong's organic eye darkened. "Then they make examples of you. Trust me, fighting for your life is the better option."
"How did I end up here?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Wukong shrugged, the movement causing his cybernetic arm to whir softly. "don't know, they dragged you into the cell while you were unconscious. You probably ticked off the wrong person or most likely, were in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Games are always hungry for fresh meat."
Blake's mind raced, trying to piece together a plan. Without her weapon or her semblance, she was at a severe disadvantage. "How often do these... games occur?"
"Depends on the crowd's appetite for blood,"
Wukong replied, his cybernetic eye whirring as it focused on Blake. "Could be daily, could be weekly. The Overseer likes to keep us on edge, never knowing when we'll be thrust into the arena."
Blake paced her cell, her thoughts churning. She needed more information, needed to understand the rules of this new, brutal world she landed in. "Is there any way out of here? Any way to escape?" she whispered, glancing around to ensure no guards were within earshot.
Wukong's mechanical eye whirred as he focused on her. "Escape? Ha! The only way out is through the arena, little feline. Win enough fights, and maybe – just maybe – they'll set you free. But don't count on surviving long enough to find out."
Blake's ears flattened against her head as she processed this information. A heavy silence fell between them, broken only by the distant sounds of what sounded like a crowd.
"you are in luck, such as it is," Wukong continued "you won't be fighting against me or most of the beings in this cell block. these are team matches"
Blake's ears perked up at this new information. "Team matches?" she asked, a glimmer of hope rising in her chest. Perhaps having allies could increase her chances of survival and escape.
Wukong nodded, his cybernetic parts whirring softly. "Yeah, they pit each cell block against each other. there's eight cell blocks in total surrounding the arena. Sometimes it's species versus species, other times it's just random assortments, depending on who they have locked up at the time. Keeps things interesting for the bloodthirsty crowds."
Blake's mind raced, considering the possibilities. "So, who are our teammates?"
Before Wukong could answer, a deafening electric horn blared through the cell block. The sound of heavy footsteps echoed down the corridor, accompanied by the clanking of...
wait that's not the sound of metal armor I'm hearing. Blake thought to herself.
"no time to explain, it's Showtime," Wukong muttered, his organic eye narrowing.
A group of heavily armored guards appeared, their faces and bodies obscured by an oddly familiar looking white armor and masks with intricate red markings.
no...it couldn't be!
as Blake, Wukong, and various others were lead into the wide open arena, filled with the loud roars and cheers of the crowd, Blake was distracted by her thoughts.
they looked like Grimm but they couldn't possibly be...
Wukong elbowed her to get her attention "that's the Overseer, up on that throne"
Blake looked up into the stands where Wukong was indicating.
no...there is no way my luck is THAT bad!
up on a throne was a tall bipedal being with black 'fur', glowing red eyes, a head of a jackal, and the unmistakable, but surprisingly ornate looking 'bone armor'.
the Overseer was a Creature of Grimm!
"well...-" Blake's curse was drowned out by the noise of the crowd.
Blake's mind reeled as she tried to process the implications of a Grimm overseeing these brutal games. How was this possible? The Grimm were mindless creatures of destruction, not intelligent beings capable of organizing complex events. not only was it surviving but it was thriving outside of Remnant, and ruling over this brutal arena? It defied everything she thought she knew about the creatures of darkness. Yet there it sat, radiating an aura of malevolence and authority. She could have sworn The Overseer's gaze fixed on her, as she felt a chill run down her spine as the environment around her seemed to slow down then she heard a voice in her head.
"Welcome, little huntress," the voice echoed in Blake's mind, dripping with malice. "I've been expecting you."
Blake's eyes widened in shock. The Overseer's mouth hadn't moved, yet she could hear its words as clearly as if it were standing next to her. She glanced at Wukong and the other combatants, but they showed no sign of hearing the voice or any sign of responding to anything.
"Oh yes, this is a private conversation," the Grimm continued, its red eyes boring into her. "You're a long way from Remnant, Faunus huntress. I wonder how you'll fare without your precious aura and semblance to protect you."
Blake's fists clenched at her sides. "How do you know where I'm from?" she hissed through gritted teeth.
The Overseer's laughter reverberated through her skull. "I know many things, little huntress but there is one thing I must know from you: What do you want?"
Blake's mind raced, trying to process the Overseer's question. What did she want? To survive? To escape? To find her way back to Remnant? All of these thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant, but something deeper, more simpler, rose to the surface. the thing she's always wanted, for Faunus to be treated equally to humans.
The Overseer then responded like he could hear her thoughts "Equality for your People?" The Overseer's voice dripped with amusement. "How quaint. Look around you, little huntress, In this arena all are equal. Equal in their struggle to survive, equal in their desperation, equal in their fear."
Blake's eyes darted around the arena, taking in the diverse array of aliens and creatures preparing for battle as well as the multitude of species in the stands. The Overseer wasn't wrong, here species and origin didn't seem to matter. Only survival did.
"But this isn't true equality," Blake thought back fiercely. "This is just shared misery."
The Overseer's laughter echoed in her mind once more. "Perhaps. But it is the closest thing to equality this universe, or any other, has to offer. Now, prove your worth, little huntress. Show me if your ideals can keep you alive in a universe where strength is the only currency that matters."
With that, the mental connection abruptly severed. Blake blinked, the sounds of the arena rushing back into focus. She realized only seconds had passed during their exchange.
The Overseer raised a clawed hand, and the crowd fell silent. Its voice, deep and guttural, echoed across the arena. "Welcome, warriors and wretches, to today's games! Today, we have a special treat. A new challenge to test our combatants strength and cunning. Creatures from a world long thought lost. Let the hunt begin!"
With a thunderous roar, massive gates on the opposite side of the arena ground open. Blake's eyes widened as she saw what emerged – a pack of Beowolves, their red eyes gleaming with hunger.
"What the hell are those things?" Wukong hissed, his cybernetic eye narrowing.
"Those are Creatures of Grimm," Blake whispered, her voice tight with tension. "They're monsters from my world. But they shouldn't even be here..."
Wukong's organic eye widened in surprise. "You know these beasts?"
Before she could explain further, the Beowolves charged. The arena erupted into chaos as the other alien prisoners scattered, some frozen in terror while others rushed to meet the threat head-on.
Blake's instincts kicked in. Even without her weapon, she was far from defenseless. She darted forward, using her agility to dodge the first Beowolf's lunging attack. As it sailed past her, she grabbed its arm and used its momentum to fling it into another approaching Grimm.
Wukong let out a high-pitched battle cry, his cybernetic arm transforming into some kind of energy weapon. He blasted one Beowolf, leaving a smoking hole in its chest, but another tackled him from behind. before it could close its mouth on him Blake managed to swiftly knock the Grimm off him which gave him the opening he needed to blast it. she held out her hand and helped him up.
"They're drawn to negative emotions. Fear will only make them stronger!"
As if to prove her point, one of the Beowolves pounced on a cowering alien, its jaws clamping down on the unfortunate creature's throat. The alien's agonized screams were cut short as the Grimm tore it apart.
Blake gritted her teeth, forcing herself to focus on the battle at hand rather than the gruesome sight. She scanned the arena, quickly assessing the situation. Most of the other prisoners were holding their own, but barely. Without proper weapons or training against Grimm, they were at a severe disadvantage. Without her weapon or semblance, she'd have to rely on her hand-to-hand combat skills and quick thinking. She spotted a fallen piece of metal debris from a previous fight and snatched it up, wielding it like a makeshift blade.
"Wukong!" she called out to her monkey-cyborg ally over the chaos of the battle. "We need to organize the others. These creatures aren't intelligent, but they're strong and relentless. If we work together, we stand a better chance!"
"You heard the little feline!" he shouted to the other prisoners "Form up, you miserable lot!" he shouted, his voice carrying across the arena.
Some of the prisoners, seeing Blake and Wukong's effectiveness against the Grimm, rallied to their call. A burly, four-armed alien with blue skin that Blake recognized from the bar brawl earlier, took up a defensive stance beside them.
"What's the plan, furball?" the blue alien grunted, using its multiple limbs to grapple with an approaching Beowolf.
Blake's mind raced, years of combat training kicking in "Aim for their heads, throats or underbellies!" she shouted. "They are literally soulless creatures, so don't hesitate!"
As the prisoners began to work together, the tide of the battle slowly turned. The Beowolves, while fierce, were no match for the coordinated efforts of the diverse group of fighters. Blake's knowledge of Grimm tactics proved invaluable as she directed her makeshift team, calling out weak points and predicting the creatures' movements.
Wukong's built-in energy weapon made short work of several Beowolves, while the blue four-armed alien used its strength to literally tear the monsters apart. Other prisoners found their own ways to contribute - a serpentine creature with venomous fangs managed to poison one of the Grimm, while a small, quick pig-like alien darted between the beasts' legs, distracting them and creating openings for others to strike.
As the last Beowolf fell, dissolving into black mist, an eerie silence fell over the arena. The prisoners stood panting, covered in sweat and the rapidly evaporating ichor of the Grimm.
"impressive, Blake Belladonna Huntress of Remnant, perhaps you are worthy."
Blake took a second in her exhaustion to register that the voice speaking to her wasn't the Overseer's or anyone else around her.
then the crowd's roar was deafening, a mix of excitement and astonishment at the unexpected outcome. Blake's makeshift weapon had shattered during the fight, her gaze darted to the Overseer's throne, where the Grimm-like being sat, its red eyes boring into her with an intensity that made her skin crawl.
The Overseer rose, silencing the crowd with a raised hand. Its voice boomed across the arena,
"Impressive," the Overseer's voice echoed, a hint of amusement in its gravelly tone. "It seems we have a huntress among us, one who knows the ways of the Grimm. How... fortuitous."
Blake's eyes narrowed, her fists clenching at her sides. She could feel the eyes of her fellow prisoners on her, a mix of curiosity and wariness.
The Overseer continued, its red eyes gleaming. "You've proven yourselves worthy warriors. But the games are far from over. Return to your cells and prepare yourselves. Tomorrow, you face a new challenge."
As the guards began to herd the prisoners back towards the cells, Wukong sidled up to Blake. "Seems like you've got some explaining to do, little feline," he muttered, his cybernetic eye whirring as it focused on her.
Blake nodded grimly. "I suppose I do."
Back in the dank confines of their cell block, after they were all served gruel, presumably that was also the name of the being that served it, Blake found herself inundated with questions coming from the multitude of cells in the cell block. All of her fellow combatants were eager to hear her story. She took a deep breath, wondering how much she should reveal.
"I'm... not from around here," she began cautiously. "Where I come from, those creatures, the Grimm are a constant threat. We train to fight them from a young age."
The blue-skinned, four-armed alien grunted. "Only ever heard of creatures like 'em from passing travelers but never seen 'em before. How'd they end up here?"
Blake shook her head. "I don't know but even if they were sent to other worlds, they certainly shouldn't be intelligent enough to... organize something like this."
Wukong leaned against the cell bars, his organic eye narrowing. "You know something about that Overseer, don't you?"
Blake hesitated, weighing her words carefully. "That 'Overseer'... it looks like a more evolved form of Grimm. But that should be impossible. Grimm can adapt if they survive a fight, but they don't think, they just... destroy." she then remembered something that Ruby had told them, something their teacher Dr. Oobleck told her: not every Grimm is mindless, or rather not every Grimm is still mindless.
Blake's revelation sent murmurs rippling through the cell block. The other prisoners exchanged wary glances, their alien features contorting with a mix of fear and curiosity.
"If these Grimm are as dangerous as you say," the serpentine creature hissed from a nearby cell, "then how do we stand a chance against whatever challenge awaits us tomorrow?"
Blake's ears flattened against her head as she considered the question. "We work together," she said firmly. "Like we did in the arena. The Grimm, and apparently this Overseer, feed on negative emotions. Fear, anger, despair, it makes them stronger. But unity, hope... those things can give us an edge."
Wukong nodded, his cybernetic eye whirring as he processed her words. "The little feline's right. We survived today because we fought as one. We need to keep that up if we want to make it through whatever's coming next."
The blue-skinned alien grunted in agreement. "Name's Wrex," he said, extending one of his four hands through the bars towards Blake. "If you're leading this fight against these Grimm things, count me in."
Blake hesitated for a moment before grasping Wrex's hand. "I'm not sure I'm qualified to lead anyone," she admitted. "But I'll share what I know about fighting Grimm. It might give us an edge."
Wukong then asked "are there humans where you are from?"
Blake nodded "yes, as you can see" she pointed to her ears as she moved them back and forth "I'm known as faunus, a humanoid with an animal trait"
Wukong had a shadow cross his face and Blake could almost hear the question before he asked it "do they treat your people the same as they would a fellow human or are you also a monster to them?"
"bit of a harsh question ain't it?" Wrex piped from his cell.
Blake's ears drooped slightly as she considered Wukong's question. "It's... complicated," she said softly. "There's been a long history of discrimination and prejudice against Faunus. We've made progress, but there's still a lot of work to be done."
Wukong nodded grimly. "Sounds familiar. Before I ended up here, I was part of a resistance movement on my home planet. We were fighting against the oppression of cybernetically enhanced beings like myself. The 'pure' organics saw us as abominations."
Blake's amber eyes widened in understanding. "That's why you ended up here? Because of your fight for equality?"
Wukong's organic eye darkened. "Got too close to exposing some powerful people. Next thing I knew, I was being shipped off to this hellhole." He paused, studying Blake intently. "Seems like no matter what world you're from, there's always someone looking to keep others down."
The cell block had grown quiet, the other prisoners listening intently to their exchange. Blake could sense a shift in the atmosphere, a growing sense of camaraderie born from shared struggles.
"Maybe that's why we're all here," Blake mused, her voice carrying through the silence. "We're the ones who refused to stay down, who fought back against injustice. And now we're being punished for it."
Wrex grunted in agreement. "Aye, the little feline's got a point. I ended up here after leading a workers' revolt in the mines of Xerox 7. Couldn't stand by and watch my people be worked to death for the profit of the galactic elites."
Other voices chimed in, each prisoner sharing their own story of resistance and rebellion. As Blake listened, she felt a familiar fire igniting within her, the same passion that had driven her to fight for Faunus rights back on Remnant.
"Then maybe that's our strength," she said, her voice growing stronger. "We're not just fighting for our own survival anymore. We're fighting for everything we believe in, everything we've ever fought for."
Wukong nodded, a spark of determination in his eye. "A cause to rally behind. Something bigger than ourselves."
"Exactly," Blake continued, feeling the energy in the cell block rising. "The Overseer, these games, they're designed to break us, to make us turn on each other. But we can choose a different path. We can stand together, not just as allies in the arena, but as a united front against the injustice that brought us here."
A chorus of agreement echoed through the cells. Even those who had been silent before were now voicing their support.
As the excitement settled, Blake found herself lost in thought. She couldn't help but wonder about the strange circumstances that had brought her here. The fall through the void, the appearance of Grimm on this distant planet, the eerily intelligent Overseer, she had a feeling she was sent here specifically for this reason. to end this Grimm, to stop it from causing more suffering.
As the night wore on, Blake found herself explaining the basics of Grimm combat to her cellmates. She described the creatures' weak points, their tendency to attack in packs, and the importance of maintaining a positive mindset in battle. The other prisoners listened intently, asking questions and offering insights from their own combat experiences.
As the dim lights of the cell block began to flicker, signaling the approach of what passed for morning in this place, Blake felt a glimmer of hope. They might be trapped, outgunned, and facing an enemy she barely understood, but they weren't alone.
Just as the prisoners were settling in for a few hours of restless sleep, a bone-chilling howl echoed through from outside. Blake's eyes snapped open, her body tensing instinctively.
"What was that?" Wukong whispered, his organic eye wide with alarm.
Before Blake could respond, she could hear the chaos going on outside in the other cell blocks around the arena. The sound of tearing metal filled the air, followed by screams of terror and pain. Through the bars of her cell, Blake heard the bone-chilling howl a second time.
"Beowolves," she hissed, backing away from the cell door. "But why are they out there?"
As if in answer to her question, the Overseer's voice boomed through hidden speakers. "Consider this a midnight snack, my precious Grimm. Thin the herd a little before tomorrow's main event." all the cell doors opened at the same time.
The prisoners scrambled to their feet as the sounds of destruction drew closer. Blake's mind raced, trying to formulate a plan. Without weapons or her semblance, they were sitting ducks.
"Everyone, stay calm!" she shouted over the growing panic. "Remember what I taught you. Fear will only make them stronger!"
Wukong's cybernetic arm whirred to life, transforming into its energy weapon mode. "Easy for you to say, little feline. We're trapped in here!"
The howls grew louder, accompanied by the sound of claws scraping against metal. Blake's ears twitched, trying to pinpoint the Grimm's location.
"They're coming from the east side," she whispered to Wukong. "If we can funnel them into the narrow corridor, we might have a chance."
Wrex flexed his four arms, cracking his knuckles. "Just tell us where to stand, kitty cat."
Blake quickly directed the prisoners to form a defensive line at the far end of the cell block. the close-combat fighters or those with makeshift weapons were positioned at the front, while those with ranged abilities, formed a second line of defense.
The cell block door exploded inward with a deafening crash. Red eyes gleamed in the darkness as the first Beowolf entered, its jaws dripping with saliva and what looked horribly like fresh blood.
"Hold your ground!" Blake shouted, her makeshift weapon, a metal bar, at the ready. "Wait for them to come to us!"
The Beowolves charged forward, their howls echoing off the metal walls. Wukong opened fire, his energy blasts taking down the first two Grimm. But more poured in behind them, their massive forms filling the narrow corridor.
Blake ducked under a swipe from a Beowolf's claws, then drove her weapon up into its throat. The creature dissolved into black mist, but another took its place almost immediately.
"There's too many!" someone shouted from behind her.
"Keep fighting!" Blake yelled back, her voice strained with effort as she grappled with another Grimm. "We can't let fear take hold!"
The battle raged on, a desperate struggle for survival in the confined space of the cell block. Blake moved like a shadow, her years of training evident in every fluid motion. She directed her fellow prisoners, calling out weak points and coordinating their attacks.
Wrex used his multiple arms to great effect, grappling with the Beowolves and literally tearing them apart. Wukong's energy weapon cut through the Grimm like a hot knife through butter, but even he was starting to tire.
Just as it seemed the tide was turning in their favor, a bone-chilling roar echoed through the cell block. The remaining Beowolves parted, revealing a massive Alpha Beowolf. Its bone armor was thicker, its red eyes gleaming with malevolent hunger. the Overseer's voice suddenly rang out from the hidden speaker "enough"
The Alpha Beowolf froze mid-lunge, its massive form quivering as if held back by an invisible force. The remaining Beowolves retreated, melting into the shadows with low growls of frustration.
Blake stood panting, her makeshift weapon dripping with rapidly evaporating Grimm ichor. The other prisoners were in similar states of exhaustion, their alien features etched with a mix of fear and confusion.
The Overseer's voice echoed through the cell block once more. "Impressive, little huntress. You continue to exceed my expectations."
Blake's eyes narrowed as she scanned the room, searching for the source of the voice. "What do you want from us?" she demanded, her voice hoarse from exertion.
A deep, rumbling chuckle filled the air. "Want? My dear, I want what every being in this universe wants: entertainment. And you, my little huntress, are proving to be quite the show."
Wukong stepped forward, his cybernetic eye whirring as it focused on the Alpha Beowolf, still frozen in place. "This is all just a game to you, isn't it?" he spat.
"Of course it is," the Overseer replied, amusement evident in its tone. "Everything is a game when you've lived as long as I have. But don't fret, my little warriors. Survive long enough, and you might just learn the rules."
With that, the Alpha Beowolf suddenly dissolved into black mist, along with any remaining Grimm corpses. The cell block fell silent, save for the labored breathing of the exhausted prisoners.
Blake leaned against the wall, her mind racing. This Overseer wasn't just intelligent, it was cunning, manipulative. It reminded her uncomfortably of Salem, the immortal being who had controlled the Grimm back on Remnant. But how could such a being exist here, in this strange corner of the universe?
through her exhaustion the looked towards the still smashed door.
that's got to be a trap.
" yeah maybe, but it's also an opportunity."
that's the second time she heard that voice in her head. alright that definitely wasn't the Overseer's voice. who are you? she thought and the voice responded
"I am the one thing he…The Overseer couldn't account for, despite his intelligence and cunning." it continued "I heard your 'want', although at the moment all I can promise is that I can give you the power to escape this place and save the warriors of your cell block. anything else will be up to you. you must be the one to take the first step to oppose the darkness."
Blake was wrestling with a whirlwind of thoughts
why am I listening to this voice in my head?! it makes no sense! should I just go back to my cell? I don't even know if anyone is coming for me, or even knows I'm here. shouldn't I just try to survive like I did before?
she felt her memories come up to her mind, her time in the White Fang with Adam, her time in Beacon, meeting Ruby, Weiss, and Yang, the fall of Beacon when she ran thinking it would keep her friends safe, her Wukong's speech how that idea is ridiculous and they'll fight for her even if she doesn't want them to, and her final fight against Adam with Yang fighting along side her.
Blake felt a rising sense of resolute determination, no, I can't just wait. If I stay here I'll die, and even if there is someone coming, I probably won't survive long enough. even if I die trying, I can give the others a chance to escape.
"sometimes...that's all that's needed"
Wukong was looking at her realizing what she was about to do "WAIT DON'T…!" it was too late Blake had already sprinted through the broken door. Wukong knew the broken door had to be a trap. he turned around towards his cell, he knew he should just go back to his cell and survive as he always does because there are no 'heroes' coming for them, they were the ones fighting for others and they failed. the Grimm might be monsters to them but to all the humans of the universe or any other, the warriors in this cell block are viewed as monsters.
That's just how it's always been.
"damn it." he mumbled under his breath as he spun back around and followed her through the door. the rest of the warriors in the cell block followed behind him without any hesitation.