Howdy and welcome back to The Fallen. Not gonna lie I was procrastinating like hell because I usually have the chapter done before the 25th which is my deadline for myself every month unless I've explicitly said something in the Author's Note. Anyway i'm actually surprised with how long this chapter is as it surpasses chapter VI by about a hundred words which means this is the new longest chapter in The Fallen so that's nice. Now onto something I want to address, this story's been around a year and one month! I'm so happy people have actually liked the story and hope another year is in the cards if its not done by then but I don't know. Anyway I'm gonna stop rambling and let ya'll get to the story, enjoy.
-OtherwiseR00K
"Are you fucking kidding me?!" May screamed as she slammed her hand down onto the desk, the force behind the punch cracking it, "How did they get past us?"
Robyn couldn't help but agree with her blue haired teammate and she was positive the rest of her team felt similar. The look on Fiona was especially noticeable, she looked like something she relied on heavily had just betrayed her. Her faunus biology allowed Fiona to have a better sense of hearing and sight than humans and the Happy Huntresses had made use of that trait in the past when dealing with ambush type Grimm and the occasional criminal.
Robyn could only imagine how it would feel for a part of your body to fail.
"H-how did I not hear them?" Robyn could barely make out the whispered voice of Fiona.
"I don't know Fiona, but this changes things." Robyn says, her words getting the rest of the team's attention.
"How?" Joanna asks.
"Because now we know that they're confident enough to not only sneak into the police station but also steal evidence under the nose of a Huntress team. That should speak volumes about how powerful this group really is."
"But this was cowardly!" May yelled, "If this group was so powerful then they could've stormed the building."
"True, but I think it's been very obvious that this group has been trying to hide from the public eye. This falls in line with that." Robyn retorted, making May quietly seethe to herself. Robyn knew it wasn't pointed at her though, May was angry with herself.
"So how will we continue, Robyn?" Fiona asked, her own eyes downcast.
Robyn pinched the bridge of her nose and then looked off to the side and out the window. In the distance she could just make out the cables that kept Atlas closer to the ground. She knew what she had to do but wasn't fond of the fact it was no longer the last option they had and now the only.
"I'm calling Ironwood." Robyn declared before taking out her scroll.
"Wait, I thought he was the last option we had!?" May questions loudly.
"He was, May. Then this happened and now I'm not so confident in just us going up against them."
"Are you sure we want to involve Atlas, the people of Mantel will not be happy once they learn of this." Joanna says.
"I know Joanna, but I will not be responsible for any of your deaths and I refuse to allow our prejudice to get us killed." Robyn says, tapping in the number she'd memorized from the academy days.
"Robyn," the leader of the Happy Huntresses looked up to see May looking at her, "are you sure this is for the best."
"Yes." Robyn said with no hesitation just as she pressed the call button, "This team's safety means more than my pride."
-Atlas Academy: 15 Minutes Prior-
James Ironwood stood in the middle of his office at the head of the holographic table. He hadn't been waiting too long but he did expect to see the Ace Operatives walk into his office in the next minute and to his satisfaction they did. The Ace Operatives were meant to be James' left hand in Atlas & the Solitas Wastes. It was James' intention to eventually bring them into the fold under his command.
The team strode up and stopped in a line facing him, then they snapped to a crisp salute. James nodded once again and finally spoke, "Do you know why I called you up here?" James asked.
"No, Sir." The leader of the team, Clover Abi said. Clover was the best choice for the team leader in James' mind. He was cool under pressure, kept his focus on the battlefield in front of him and when he was still in the Academy he had been selected for the Specialist Program for his leadership qualities.
The man's semblance was one other reason, Luck. Clover's semblance affected the very world around him but he had no control over what it did. Good fortune followed him around and knowing that gave James the belief that Clover could get things done. It is the antithesis to Ozpin's own tracker's semblance.
Clover's weapon was a bit of an oddity, Kingfisher. A fishing rod that Clover built and used to deadly force. James had watched footage of the Kingfisher in action and had no doubt in his mind that while it may be strange it was certainly effective in the hands of the lucky leader of the Ace Operatives.
"I called you because I have your first clandestine op for you." James revealed. He noted how Clover and two others on the team set their faces into a serious look while one of them had an eager grin.
"Finally, sir! I was wondering when you'd let us get off our asses!" Harriet Bree declared, a wide grin on her face.
Harriet was a different case to Clover. She was smart and certainly skilled but it was obvious she wasn't as ingrained into the military structure of Atlas. Harriet was a free spirit with a love of combat but she was also fiercely loyal. She gained the eye of the Specialist Program due to her loyalty as well as her combat scores and semblance.
Super Speed or a variation of it wasn't a very uncommon semblance for some to have. The difference with Harriet's was that she was faster compared to them all. From reports given by the woman herself when her semblance is activated she says it's as if the world slows down around her. Her semblance gave her a very fast reaction time when active allowing her to use her semblance to its best unlike most who have to gain that reaction time.
Her weapon went well with her speed. Fast Knuckles were a set of exoskeleton arms that folded onto her upper back when not in use. Ironwood had seen the power of those knuckles first hand after having watched her performance in the Specialist trials and crack open the hull of a Prototype Atlesian Spider Droid.
"Harriet, what have I told you about speaking to your superiors?" The woman next to her asked. Tortuga Caryo was a tortoise faunus with cyan plates at random parts of her body, two of them marking her cheeks. She was cool in the line of fire and firm in how she interacted with others which had caught the eye of the Specialist Program.
Her semblance was Turtle Shell, her aura spread out in a diameter of her choice and hardened. Tortuga's semblance had been stress tested and it was found she could take several hits from a Spider Droid before it began to fail. It has also been shown to just cover her own skin making her a walking tank.
Tortuga's weapon reflected this defensive mindset as all she used was an extendable wrist shield and an Atlas Standard Issue dust pistol. She didn't name them as far as James knew but she used them to incredible results. Tortuga was likely the most pragmatic of the Ace Ops.
"Right, sorry, sir." Harriet says, returning to a rest position alongside the others.
"It's alright, Specialist Bree, just don't repeat this." James said, "Now, this operation is going to be different than the ones you've previously undertaken. You will be going into Mantel for this and I don't think I have to say how you will all be recieved."
"Mantel, sir?" The tallest of the team spoke. Vine Zeki was far more passive than his teammates and seemed to prefer a more diplomatic approach. That did not stop his combat abilities being on par with his teammates. All of these traits drew the eyes of the Specialist Recruitment Scouts.
Vine's weapon was named Thorn and folded on his back. When unfolded it resembled a star with hooked blades, similar to a saw. A gravity dust crystal was installed in the center which became exposed after Thorn was activated. The crystal was meant to produce a gravity pulse that pushed the enemy back. Though Vine very rarely used his weapon as he preferred his semblance.
Aura Vine was a versatile semblance, whips of his aura could be manipulated from his limbs. He could latch onto anything above and pull himself toward it or it toward himself as well as use the vines as whips. Vine could also push the Aura Vine from his feet which springs him high in the air.
"Yes, Mantel." Ironwood answered, "Now before this meeting goes any further I want to make this very clear. If any of the information I give you leaks from this room you will all be liable to be detained under treason." His eyes glinted as they narrowed, "That may seem odd but this information is important, and it's classified. Not even the previous General of Atlas knew of this."
The Ace Ops looked at each other, trying to read what the others were thinking. They all looked back at Ironwood and nodded, "We understand, sir." Clover said.
"Good, then the first thing you need to know is our enemy." Ironwood tapped the holotable and the hard light image of Mantel appeared, "For a very long time, even before Atlas existed, Mantel was infected by a parasite. This parasite is a group called the Church of the Grimm Goddess."
Ironwood watched as surprise filled his soldier's faces. The Church of the Grimm Goddess was unfortunately a known secret to Remnant but thankfully Ozpin was one hell of a campaigner of misinformation. It was believed that the cult was just a myth to scare young kids into being good.
"The cult is real, sir?" Clover is the first to ask.
"Yes, my predecessor had the job of keeping them at bay. She retired due to an incident that left her team KIA."
"Why hasn't anyone done anything about these fanatics, sir?" Harriet questioned.
"The strife between Mantel and Atlas is why." The Headmaster of Atlas Academy answers easily, "I can't send a squad down there without heavy scrutiny and it was determined to not be worth it due to the Grimm."
"So something has occurred that allowed us to operate?" Clover asks.
"To an extent," Ironwood says before he swipes at the holotable and changes the image to the video footage of the Wildcard, "This man entered Mantel airspace several hours ago."
The Ace Ops watched as the Wildcard entered view from behind a stack of crates, opened the cargo bay door, and jumped out. The Ace Ops looked back to Ironwood who began to explain, "Codename: Wildcard, due to the fact we do not have the man's real name and due to their actions within the last several months."
"What does he have to do with this operation?" Clover asked.
"Everything. In the time I have been aware of him, he has torn through Anima and was responsible for the upheaval in Mistral."
"I heard about that, supposedly a big wig in the Mistral underworld was murdered." Tortuga put in her piece.
"Yes, he has also done more than that but that is classified. What you need to know is that we want him here to handle these cultists."
"Wait, if you already have him on the case then why are we here? It sounds like Wildcards got this." Harriet says.
"Because he doesn't care for the collateral and your job is to mitigate the damage as much as possible. I know you all would prefer this to be anything else but a VIP shadow mission but I need people I trust to keep an eye on his activities."
"Sir, if this man does not care about the consequences of his actions, why are we not taking him in along with the cult." Vine questioned.
"Because for all the damage he may cause, he is doing a service for both Atlas and Mantel. The only issue I take with this man is that he leaves collateral in his wake. I will not explain everything in this meeting as to why but understand that his presence is a positive even if it will lead to something destructive." Ironwood firmly declares.
The Ace Ops look among themselves, silently trying to figure out where they all stand. After a moment they all nod and Clover takes a step forward, "What would you have us do, sir?" Clover asks, he and the Ace Operatives ready for their task.
Ironwood nods and opens his mouth to begin his explanation of the plan.
Buzz…Buzz…Buzz
Until the desk receiver began buzzing and completely interrupted the meeting. Ironwood's eyes lost their sheen as James sighed and quietly mouthed 'one moment' to the Ace Ops now standing surprised. James walked back to his desk and pressed the button on his receiver, "Miss Jamel, I told you not to call me for the next hour." James reminded his secretary.
"Sorry, sir, its just I have someone on hold who really needs to speak to you." The squeaky receptionist replied.
"Tell them to call back later." James replied pinching the bridge of his nose in irritation.
"Its a former student of the academy, sir." James blinked in surprise, "They called on the student line directly, I just intercepted it before it could reach your receiver."
"Their name, Jamel."
"R-robyn Hill, sir."
Robyn Hilll. James knew that name very well, since when she attended Atlas Academy she was in his office a great many times. She wasn't a trouble maker but she couldn't let injustice stand and intervened in physical altercations that broke out. James viewed Robyn in a more positive light.
Though he was confused on why she was calling him. Last James had heard, Robyn was the leader of a Mantel huntress team called the Happy Huntresses. It was clear that they preferred Mantel over Atlas and to an extent James could understand. Down in Mantel, Robyn had no need to deal with stuffy aristocrats always impeding on politics.
James hoped that once Dolus was General he'd begin a campaign to lessen the control the elites of Atlas had on politics but that was later, he had to focus on now.
"She said it was very important, sir." Jamel explained.
James frowned in thought before tapping a button on the receiver and transferring the call to his personal scroll, "Apologies but I have to take this." James said to the assembled team before turning around and putting the scroll to his ear, "Put her on the line Miss Jamel."
A single light beep was all he needed to hear to know he was now connected, "Ironwood?" Robyn asked, likely hearing the line switch as well.
"Hello, Miss Hill." James greeted, "It's good to hear from you but you're calling at an inconvenient time."
"Sorry, Ironwood but what I have to tell you is very important. I wouldn't call you otherwise."
She had him there. James was fully aware that Robyn Hill preferred doing things her own way. It reminded him of how they taught over at Beacon Academy with that more freestyle method of teaching.
"Then tell me, what is it?"
Robyn was silent for a moment, "There was murder a day ago. A young man, faunus, but he was killed in what looked like a ritual. I…felt the need to investigate this and try and catch the monster behind this but me and my team found evidence to a group that may have been responsible."
James couldn't help the surprise that adorned his face as he listened further. He was shocked that Robyn had found herself in something that was much larger than she could imagine. James went over the situation in his head trying to figure out what to do.
Then it hit him.
James knew that Atlas and Mantel had to have their relationship improve. If it didn't it was very likely that Salem would take advantage of this and tear them apart from the inside. If she hadn't already started to do so.
The Happy Huntresses were seen in a positive light down in Mantel and if it were seen that they were trying to mend relations between the two cities it could inspire others to do so. James really needed to bring the two pieces of the kingdom together if he wanted stability in the future.
"Before I give my answer I need to know one thing," Ironwood said, "Will your team be willing to follow Atlas protocol?" Ironwood needed to know this for there to be cohesion between the Ace Operatives and Happy Huntresses. A command structure both understood as it was taught to all Atlas Academy students and it wasn't something easily forgotten.
The line was quiet besides a few whispers that Ironwood couldn't make out. Finally after nearly a minute Robyn spoke again, "Yes, just send some help, sir."
"I will." Ironwood replied, "Send the coordinates to my scroll and wait for my team to arrive."
"Yes, sir." The line cut and Ironwood turned back to the Ace Operatives who straightened under his gaze.
"The plan has changed." Ironwood declared.
-Mantel: 20 Minutes Later-
Robyn tapped her foot as she waited alongside her team. They were waiting in an empty lot that was near the Crater, it was large enough for a manta to land safely. Robyn watched the sky but was also paying attention to her team's conversation behind her.
"Do we really have to do this?" May complained.
"Well, you agreed. Besides, it won't be that bad and we know how Atlas prefers to run teams of Hunters in the field. Robyn will still be the one authorizing orders to us." Fiona placated.
"But Atlas protocol? We left Atlas because we wanted to help Mantel and now we're going to follow Atlas protocol?"
Joanna sighed, "May, give it a rest. Robyn thinks this is the best move and we have to accept that."
May continued grumbling but didn't say anything else. Robyn listened as footsteps came closer before Fiona was now standing beside her, "Do you know who Ironwood is sending?" She asked.
"No, I was only told where to meet them." Robyn replied.
"Oh," Fiona replied before her ear twitches and she looks up. Robyn follows her gaze and can just make out a Manta flying closer, as it got closer Robyn could hear the engine. The Manta soared down before swooping down and slowing. The gust of wind made from this action caused the Happy Huntresses' coattails to flap back.
The Manta slowly descended until the landing gear unfolded and it touched down with a thump. The door slid open and Robyn could see a full team standing on the other side, "Thank, Red, go on and get out of here!" One of the Atlas Huntsmen yelled before hopping out followed by the rest of the team. The Atlas team approached as the Manta flew off behind them, right back up to Atlas.
"Hello, I'm Clover Ebi, the leader of the Ace Operatives." Clover introduced himself walking up to Robyn with his hand out.
"Robyn Hill, leader of the Happy Huntresses." Robyn reciprocated by shaking his hand. One good shake later they separated their hands and Robyn gestured to Fiona next to her, "Fiona Thyme, our tracker and general sweetheart."
Robyn ignored the sound Fiona made and gestured to May, "May Marigold, our resident stealth expert and grouch." May simply scoffed at the description of herself but didn't deny it.
"And last but not least, Joanna Greenleaf our brawn and resident ass saver, without her we may have come out of most fights with a few bruises." Joanna continued her stoic stare at the Atlas team even with the introduction.
"Good to meet you all." Clover greeted, "As you already know my name is Clover, but this is Vine Zeki our team's local monk and diplomat." Clover gestured to the tall and skinny man standing beside him.
"Its a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Vine bowed respectfully to the opposite team.
"This is Harriet Bree, our speedy specialist with a penchant for speaking before thinking." Clover gestured to the woman with a blonde streak in her mohawk.
"'Sup," Harriet replied with a lazy two fingered wave.
"And this is Tortuga Caryo, the resident tank of the team and the one who keeps Harriet in line." Robyn said, gesturing to the larger woman on the team. Harriet scoffed and mumbled off to the side at the description.
"I do my best." Tortuga replied.
"Alright, it's nice to meet you all but we do have a mission." Robyn says, looking directly at Clover.
"Good, we're all on the same page." Clover starts, "Captain Ironwood explained that you have suspicions of a group in Mantel."
"Not suspicions, fact." May chimed in.
"Facts, sorry." Clover apologized, "He told us to follow your lead since you are the Mantel natives and we don't really know our way around."
Robyn looked over the group before she glanced back at her team, "Well, Ironwood was right to do that but I do have a warning for you all. The place we're heading to is the Crater, the hole left behind by Atlas. The people who live there-"
"Wait, wait, wait." Harriet interrupted, "People live in the hole?"
"Yes."
"Why? I thought Mantel had enough space?" Harriet asked, clueless to the sudden look of hostility on May's face.
"Because they have no lien to their names, Atlesian." The blue haired woman growled, getting Harriet's attention.
"Whats with the hostility, and aren't you an Atlesian as well? Don't think I don't recognize that name, Marigold." Harriet replied, her eyes narrowed.
May growled and attempted to step forward but was stopped by Robyn, "May, quit it."
"But-!" May attempted but was silenced by a hard glare from her leader.
Harriet chuckled but was interrupted by a hand smacking her across the back of the head, "What are you laughing at?" Tortuga narrowed her eyes at Harriet.
"Nothing!" Harriet straightened and the tortoise faunus nodded.
"Anyway." Clover coughed trying to get the conversation back to the previous topic, "That warning Miss Hill?"
"Yes, the thing you all need to understand is that Mantel citizens won't be very welcoming of you all. I want you to know this because those in the crater likely have these viewpoints and there's likely to be a brave one who throws an insult or is rude to you. I need your guarantee you'll let those slide, we can't have an incident."
Clover nodded and looked at his team, they all looked back and nodded minus Harriet who looked incensed. Clover snapped his fingers to get her attention and stared at her expectantly, "Yeah, I got it." Harriet complied with a huff.
"Now that we're back on track, we should head down to investigate. I'm hoping we'll either find clues to the groups whereabouts or be able to cross this place off the list." Robyn says.
"Hmm, you compiled a list of possible hideouts then?" Vine was the one to ask.
"Yeah, we know a few other places this group could be hiding. The Crater is just the most likely considering its distance between most of the deaths." Robyn replied. "If we don't find anything we'll look elsewhere."
Clover nodded and Robyn turned around to begin walking toward the crater. Her team parted to allow her through and followed as she passed, soon the Happy Huntresses were followed by the Ace Operatives as well.
The two teams trekked toward the hole, as a few Mantel residents looked over in confusion or anger. But not one went over as the two teams were moving quickly. Finally they all came to the edge of the Crater which had a man made slope that wrapped around the entire site.
The teams went down it and all the while the Atlas team stared around at the large hole left by Atlas' ascension. They noted the abandoned mine shaft entrances and the scattered remains of old mining equipment left behind.
Finally the group made it to the bottom and the shanty town that rested there. It was a bunch of shoddily made wooden shacks with dust lanterns littered about and people resting by them to warm up. The people didn't look that great either with most of them having soot over their clothes and face.
"Alright, Clover, you and your team should stay here. We'll ask the questions since I don't think anyone here would be willing to talk to you." Robyn spoke.
Clover simply nodded, he was fully aware of his and his team's position down in Mantel.
Robyn nodded and then turned to her team, "Alright, I need you all to fan out and speak with the people here. If they don't want to talk, don't bother, just find someone else. We all reconvene with the Ace Ops in 10 minutes."
The Happy Huntresses nodded and turned off in separate directions into the shanty town. Robyn went ahead toward a small gathering near a dust lantern. The group was made up of three people, a young girl fox faunus with dirty brown hair, an older male fox faunus with silver hair, and a human woman with dark hair but it showed signs of graying.
The faunus noticed her approach just before the human did, and turned to look at her. Robyn could see the weariness in their eyes as she approached so she held up her hands for peace, "Its alright, I'm only here to ask a few questions." Robyn said, stopping a few feet from the family.
"Why?" The male asked gruffly, "What could you want from us?"
"Just answers, they aren't too invasive if thats what your worried about."
"Hmph, make 'em quick."
"Thank you. Now have you noticed any activity around the mine shafts around the Crater?"
The man looked at her with an eyebrow raised, "No. No one goes near them in fear of them collapsing."
Robyn furrowed her brow, "They didn't look so bad."
"Yeah, appearances are deceiving. I was a miner for these shafts back in the day, a maze of tunnels you never did see. They were condemned by previous SDC management some time back for being unstable. I lost a friend in a collapse, so I believe it." The man replied.
"Alright," Robyn said, not wanting to poke at any old scars, "So nobody goes into those mines?"
"No. If someone had, its likely they were caught in a collapse. There's occasionally a rumble or two from the caves beneath us."
"Its that unstable?" Robyn asked.
"Yes, now I've answered your questions. Leave us be." The man said gruffly, turning back toward the lantern.
Robyn didn't bother trying to pry more out of him. She began walking away to question more people, though that fact that the mine shafts were unstable stayed with her. She continued speaking with other members of the small community but they had the same story or a version of the story as that fox faunus.
Eventually the team split from the community and came back to the waiting Atlesian team.
"So, what did you learn?" Clover was the first to say.
"Not much, just that the mine shafts are supposedly death traps." May replied, an annoyed frown on her face.
"That's about all I could get from them as well, though they did mention quakes."
"That's not surprising, I've heard from other faunus that this place wasn't very stable." Fiona spoke.
Robyn nodded before looking at Joanna, "What about you?"
"Nadda." Joanna said.
Harriet huffed, "So we wasted our time?"
"I wouldn't say that, Harriet." Vine spoke, "We have crossed off a potential domain, we simply must keep looking-"
Before Vine could finish his sentence the ground suddenly shook. The Ace Operatives looked around while centering themselves so they didn't fall over from the quake. The Happy Huntresses did the same with Robyn, shocked at the quake before it suddenly stopped, leaving the group stunned.
Before anyone could process what had just happened an ear splitting roar pierced the air. The shaking started again, though much less powerful, and it felt different. It felt like a hoard of something was running.
Robyn quickly turned toward one of the many mine shaft entrances that littered the Crater and watched in horror as a Sabyr stormed out and roared, followed by many more. Both the Ace Operatives and Happy Huntresses reacted accordingly.
"Tortuga, Harriet, slow the horde down!" Clover ordered, "Vine, you and me will help evacuate the civilians!"
"You heard him, Huntresses!" Robyn yelled out her orders as well, "Fiona you stay here, your semblance could prove useful if anyone gets stuck!"
Fiona nodded as Harriet rushed past her with Tortuga, May, and Joanna all following to intercept the Grimm. The two leaders, Vine, and Fiona rushed toward the shanty town where screams were already echoing from and the sound of cracking stone roared.
Throughout it all everyone, both Atlesian and Mantleite could only ask themselves, "How did this happen?"
-15 Minutes Prior: The Mine-
Tyrian Callows watched as two of his fellow brothers sparred below. He was perched on the railing of a small fighting pit that had been carved out by the lovely Sentinel Grimm deep beneath the official mine shafts the SDC once dug out. Tyrian widened his eyes in delight as one of the fighters slammed their fist into the other's throat. It was fantastic!
It was a shame that Vermilion had been killed as Tyrian was positive he would have loved this. The battle junky was certainly entertaining and Tyrian would admit to a soft spot for the boar masked follower of Salem. Tyrian would avenge his fallen comrade, he had a great many plans on what to do to the interloper. Each one more delicious than the last.
As he fell into the fantasies on what he would do to the interloper, a woman began walking up behind him. Tyrian was snapped out of his fantasies at the melodic chuckle, "Oh, Brother Tyrian, you do make such interesting faces when you think of maiming our enemies." A familiar voice spoke.
Tyrian turned his head to see quite a lovely sight. The green hair that framed her heart shaped face, those lovely velvet eyes that hid a great sadism. Her robes were modified as the sleeves were shortened down to her bicep with a pauldron strapped to her arm which connected to a chest plate. She also had an axe on her back which had the capability of turning into a mortar gun.
This was Byzz Gould, the woman who had performed wonderfully for her first time. Tyrian's mind wandered back to that night, the lonely faunus boy, the alluring posture of Byzz, her offer to the boy, and the fun that happened afterward. Tyrian was meant to appraise the girl and she passed with flying colors.
Tyrian chuckled and turned back to the fight, which had progressed, "Just thinking of what I'll do to the interloper once we find him, Sister Byzz." Tyrian answered, "I was thinking I could pluck out his eyes and feed them to him."
"Oh~ how delicious, Tyrian." Byzz sashayed over to the rail and leaned over it, "I cannot wait to see a true master at work."
"Oh, you'll have second row seats right behind our dear goddess Salem."
"The second best seats, of course." Byzz smiled, before looking over at the fight and suddenly looking crestfallen, "Oh no, I missed first blood. I so do love the sight of virgin blood finally brought to the air."
"Yes, I always preferred blood leaking with my poison from the orifices."
"Its interesting, I'll give it that but we all have our preferences." Byzz says before a thoughtful expression came over her features, "A question presents itself."
Tyrian looks over at Byzz, "Yes?"
"Did our Goddess have anything to do with the late General's death?" Byzz asked.
Tyrian giggles, "Oh, she had no need to flex her divine might! Humans and faunus have always been subject to vices and it seems the fat fool killed himself in pursuit of it!" Tyrian descends into a mad laugh while Byzz simply smiles beside him.
Soon the deranged laughter dies down and the two continued watching the brutal sparring match. Neither fighter was done and they continued fighting even though their aura had long since shattered. Soon though, their entertainment was interrupted.
"Uh, excuse me Brother Callows, Sister Gould." The two turned back to see a brother had spoken to them, Harold if Tyrian remembered right, "Have either of you seen Brother Todd?"
"No, we have not." Byzz answered, "Is there a reason you are looking for him?"
"The Bishop asked me to scout out our next sacrifice and I wanted him to come with, since he is a faunus and has better senses than I do." Harold replied, to the surprised duo.
"Really?" Tyrian couldn't help the giddy smile that carved itself on his face, "So soon?"
"Yes, since our Goddess Salem's plan for Atlas is almost to fruition, the Bishop wishes to get a jump on the new opportunities we will find in both Mantel and Atlas." Harold explained.
"Ohhh, I can't wait for my time to shine comes once more." Byzz cooed, her eyes alight with the lustful acts of violence she would inflict.
"Yes, well, I have to Todd first." Harold said while moving past the two serial killers, "I will be sure to inform you of any developments, Sister Gould."
"Please do~."
Harold nodded and then turned into a tunnel out of sight. The two looked at each other and smiled, both happy for what was to come. A bloody smack returned their attention to the sparring below and they became entranced by the fighting once again.
But suddenly a loud noise ripped through the air and Tyrian bore witness to Harold's bloody body being flung into one of the fighters in the pit. Tyrian swiveled around to see a broken railing, with the wooden having splintered from the force and facing outward toward the pit. He also noted the tunnel which the body had to have been flung from.
The members of the church armed themselves while Tyrian and Byzz watched the tunnel with anticipation growing. Soon someone walked out of the tunnel wielding a short sword and pistol in their hands. It took only for Tyrian to recognize the man from the few images that were captured of him as well as the description.
"Ah! So the Interloper graces us with his presence!" Tyrian cackled as he watched the hooded man turn to them. Tyrian hopped off the railing and sauntered forward before stopping, "And here I thought you weren't foolish enough to walk into the lion's den."
"Oh~ so this is the one." Byzz walked up to the side of Tyrian with her axe off her back and in her hands, "Mmm, I can't wait to watch you squirm."
The man didn't say anything. Instead he simply stared and it took Tyrian only a moment to realize that the interloper was staring directly at Byzz. Did he know her? Tyrian didn't think it was so important and simply deployed The Queen's Servants. The blades glinted with violent glee in the candle light.
Tyrian was just about to dash forward when It happened. It happened so fast that Tyrian barely had the time to throw himself down on his back to dodge the slash. He quickly spun back up and noticed that the interloper had gone directly for Byzz. He slashed overhead with the white blade and broke through Byzz's guard.
Another church member attempted to attack the interloper but he was quickly stopped by the interloper's pistol which barked and soon the sound of a shattered aura echoed. The interloper then threw his blade at the now exposed brother and the blade pierced his head. Without stopping the interloper slid to his knee and turned to fire at another brother.
Tyrian quickly moved forward, shifting his wrist to allow the guns on the Queen's Servants to fire. The heretic threw himself out of the way of the barrage and slammed his shoulder into Byzz which knocked her into the railing before she was then kicked through the wood and down into the arena.
Tyrian spun his arms to bear but his barrage of bullets were now being deflected by the white blade. The scorpion faunus ran forward in an attempt to keep the heretic occupied so he could get closer. Tyrian stopped firing and launched himself forward, but found himself blocked by the white blade. Tyrian's eyes glared into a dull golden pair of eyes which had narrowed in on his own.
Tyrian attempted to stab the heretic using his tail, hoping he could watch the man writhe in agony but the scorpion faunus' guard was pushed up by superior strength and then he was kicked in the face. The force threw Tyrian backward and into a pillar, he stood up quickly but a gunshot went off and Tyrian felt his head slam against the pillar again from the impact of a bullet.
His aura shattered on impact and Tyrian widened his eyes as the interloper aimed at him. Thankfully Salem was smiling down on him today as Byzz came back up and attempted to hit the man with her weapon. Unfortunately, the man used his arm to block the axe head which collided with the sound of metal which confused Tyrian and seemingly Byzz to as she stared at the arm. But then the intruder grabbed the handle.
With Byzz holding on to her weapon the intruder used the weapon and threw her back into the arena. This time the man followed after Byzz but not before throwing the white blade back at Tyrian. Tyrian barely managed to move his head out of the way as the blade pierced the area his head once was before it disappeared into the blue.
Tyrian stumbled to his feet, his aura being shattered sapping him of his strength. He stumbled forward to the railing and watched on as the interloper smacked Byzz with the side of the white blade before turning on his heel and shooting another brother attempting to help Byzz. Tyrian watched as the man's aura broke and then the next bullet entered his skull.
Tyrian could do nothing but watch as the golden eyes man turned and shot Byzz, shattering her aura with one bullet. Tyrian could only speculate why that handgun was so powerful but now wasn't the time. Byzz fell to the ground and gasped at the feeling of her aura being shattered.
Tyrian watched as the man approached the fallen Byzz, and saw how he stuffed the weapon into his coat while his sword dissapeared into blue motes. As he approached the woman he reached into an inner chest pocket and pulled out a dagger. It was a dagger Tyrian recognized as one used for rituals. Such as the one performed yesterday.
The man grabbed Byzz by the throat without care how she was handled and lifted her up. Byzz attempted to fight back but all attempts were cut off when the man stabbed the dagger deep into neck. Pyzz spasmed as the man, who'd stabbed the knife deep enough to hit the hilt, dragged it across the front of her neck.
"Aghhhh!" Tyrian screamed, "You'll die for that heretic!" Tyrian stumbled backward and used the strength he had left to run. He left through a tunnel toward the one place he could get help. The main worship area.
Tyrian ran and ran, even as his legs demanded he stop he ignored them. He turned down several tunnels, left, right, left, left again, right. Finally he came upon the large wooden doors which he slammed his shoulder into. He stumbled as they opened and fell to the floor, he looked up to see the cavern he was now in.
A large cavern with the surrounding walls carved out to display seats where the faithful would sit in ceremony. In front of Tyrian, a long bridge decorated in the symbols of Salem which led to a large purple crystal, filled with his goddess' magic which was also the centerpiece of the entire worship sight. Directly in front of the crystal was a dark silhouette, the woman Tyrian was looking for.
"H-holy One!" Tyrian yelled as he stumbled forward. The Bishop took note of him but only glanced back. The robes were different than the others as they were much more ceremonial in nature and far more decorated. The robe was black with deep red decoration sprawling the entire garment and she wore a red stole which hung from her neck and down to her stomach.
"What is it, Brother Tyrian? You know I do not like being disturbed." The woman spoke.
"I-I apologize but the interloper has come!"
"Has he? Why have you not dealt with him? I'm aware of your prowess Tyrian."
"My aura is shattered, Holy One."
This caused the Bishop to stop. She turned fully to appraise the scorpion faunus, "How?"
"The interloper. He's much more skilled than I believed he was, and he has this…weapon that shatters aura with a single shot. Byzz is dead Holy One, we need your aid."
The Holy One frowns, her red pupils against the black sclera glowed as he turned back to the crystal. She put a single hand on the crystal and put her forehead against it, "Mother Salem, I have need of your control over Grimm. Would you lend me your strength?" The Bishop did not speak out loud and instead focused her voice toward the crystal.
"You have my blessing, child." The voice of her patron spoke.
The words signaled a glow from the crystal housed in the platform. The divine power coursing through it caused the platform and cavern to shake. Tyrian stumbled onto his knees and looked down at the tar like liquid beneath them which churned and bubbled excitedly. As if its master's call was ecstasy in and of itself.
Streaks of the liquid climbed the walls of the cavern to reach the carved balcony and splashed onto the bridge. From the new pools came the creatures of Grimm: Beowolves, Sentinels, and Sabyrs. These creatures were born from the black ichor with only one true purpose. The growing horde sped off into the respective tunnels while the sentinels burrowed into the rock.
The sight made Tyrian begin to laugh as thoughts of death permeated his mind.
-Shirou Emiya-
Shirou spun around another cultist before smashing his elbow into the back of their head. They stumbled and Shirou moved his hands to a holding position, "Trace on." Gae Dearg appeared in his hands and as soon as it did Shirou thrust it through the man's back into his heart. Without stopping he spun around, sliding the spear out of the cultist and throwing the body as he went, and slashed open another chest while using the pointed butt of the spear to cut out another's throat.
Shirou had been fighting since he'd killed Byzz Gould, the twisted woman who reminded him of another. The cultists had flooded from the tunnels and thrown themselves at him which caused the arena to be drenched in blood and Shirou was not an exception. His coat had stains of it across the black leather and the tips of his hair, which peaked out from under the hood, had turned crimson from his massacre.
Another twirl of Gae Dearg and another throat is carved out. Shirou readies himself but finds only corpses surrounding him. He turns to survey the area, dismisses Gae Dearg, and turns on his heel toward a specific tunnel knowing that it will lead to the crystal.
Before he even entered the mine he made sure to use Structural Analyse so he could see the layout. It also helped him see the places of guards so he could take as many as possible before revealing himself. It certainly helped his ammo situation.
Shirou ejected the empty magazine from his pistol and took out another, his last one. He'd have to try and replace them somehow, but due to this world not relying on gunpowder he doubted it. The bullets were very special and even if he Traced them, which he could, they'd be far less effective.
He'd adapt though, he always did.
Shirou strode down the tunnel, this one leading to a specific entrance of the room housing the crystal. It was here that he noted the shaking and the howls coming from farther down the tunnel, Shirou walked over to another tunnel and summoned Kanshou and Bakuya just in case.
The rumbling got worse and worse until the shaking caused dirt to fall from the ceiling of the tunnel. Soon, however, Shirou watched as a wall of Grimm rushed past him without even a glance in his direction. They were heading up to the surface and quickly from the sounds of it.
Shirou wasn't worried however and kept the steel in his mind up. He was fully aware that the Huntress team he'd stolen from only an hour prior would come here. It was one of the sights on the cork board he saw. The Huntresses were trained to combat the Grimm, they'd handle it.
Shirou waited for the horde to pass but while he did he thought over what he knew about Bishops. He knew the bishops had a level of control over the Grimm, similar to their 'goddess', and that the ones he'd killed were not full bishops. They never showed this level of control and usually herded them around a settlement. He wasn't sure if this meant more or not but he knew she wouldn't be walking away alive.
The horde finally passed and with that Shirou ran the way they came, knowing what he was going to find. Eventually he came to the end of the tunnel and found himself in a sitting area of a balcony carved out from the rock. He walked down to the railing and looked out over the room noteing the lake of black beneath.
Shirou turned his sight to the middle platform which encompassed the large purple crystal that looked more like a spire than the others he'd dealt with. Was this what they'd eventually look like? Shirou then noticed the two figures standing before the large crystal spire.
Reinforcing his eyes he saw that the one in front was Tyrian Callows. A look at his weapon The Queen's Servants was all he needed to see the blood spilled by the blades. As well as a look at how Summer Rose lost her eyesight.
Shirou hadn't really thought about the woman he helped after first arriving on Remnant. He hadn't even remembered her name but seeing the woman being attacked simply for her eyes had jolted him. He could avenge Summer's eyes and dole out justice.
Shirou then looked at the woman behind the murderous faunus and knew. The bishop was within Shirou's sights and he would not her out of them. Shirou dismissed Bakuya in favor for Medusa's chain dagger wrapped around his forearm.
He threw the dagger forward, the nail like spike soaring forward and piercing the rock above and anchoring itself. Shirou then pulled himself forward and flew up above the dark ichor beneath him. At a certain point of his swing he pulled the dagger free and threw it down toward the bridge which it sunk into with a thunk.
Tyrian turned to see Shirou flying down and pushed the bishop out of the way of Kanshou as Shirou swung. Shirou landed on the bridge and dodged a flimsy swing from the fanatic scorpion faunus before pulling Medusa's dagger from the bridge and whipping it toward the bishop and piercing their hand and pulling them to the ground.
Shirou then dismissed the chain and flipped Kanshou into a reverse grip to block both of Tyrian's blades which were locked with the married blade. Tyrian attempted once again to use his tail to strike a lethal blow but this time Shirou stepped back causing the momentum from his tail to make Tyrian stumble forward.
Shirou switched his grip and stabbed Tyrian in the chest. Without giving him the chance to understand what just happened, Shirou sawed Kanshou up before ripping it out and slashing at Tyrian's throat. Shirou then kicked Tyrian back and watched as he fell back into the black ichor, sinking beneath the surface.
Shirou then snapped his attention to the bishop who had tried to sneak up to stab him. Shirou grabs the woman's forearm and smashed his fist into her face making her stumble back and the hood to come off revealing her visage.
The woman's face was milk white with black veins sprawling down her cheeks. Her eyes were red with black scelera. Her hair was short but stark white as well. She looked like a copy of their monsterous 'deity'.
"You infidel!" The woman screeched, "You'll rot with the likes of Ozma when Salem is finished with you!"
Shirou didn't dein her a reply and simply walked toward her, dismissing Kanshou as the fanatic woman backed up toward the crystal. Soon the blood red spear of Gae Dearg was in his hands ready to be used.
"Haha! I wish I could be their for when my goddess delivers divine punishment upon you-" her spiel was interupted by Shirou stabbing her in and chest and ramming her against the crystal. Her face was etched in surprised agony before Shirou tore the spear from her and twirled it to decapitate her.
The head rolled from the body before falling off the platform and into the ichor below. The body left behind twitched as blood poured from the chest and neck. Shirou glanced down at the body, specifically the dagger strapped to its side and frowned. He'd have to handle that later.
Shirou then looked at the crystal that was pumped to the brim with magic which wasn't exploding due to the fact that Gae Dearg only bypassed magic and so it was unharmed. Shirou dissmissed the spear and went over his options. He couldn't leave the crystal, being near it was a possible death sentence to anyone who made the wrong touch and he didn't want to risk the cult coming back to reclaim the lost chapter. But at the same time there was a small shanty town directly above this cavern that would likely collapse once the explosion went off.
Shirou decided he'd need to check on what was happening above him so he strode across the bridge and put his hand to the rock wall, "Trace on." A second later and information entered his mind, most of it he already knew which was the layout of the mines, but now he could see the shanty town.
He could feel the outline of the Grimm and tell that they were being fought. It seemed his hunch about the Huntresses paid off, though he was surprised to feel an additional four above. Another team had been called in, either by the Huntress team or someone else. This changed things.
Shirou took his hand off the wall and turned back toward the crystal. The two teams above could be enough to evacuate the crater above, he felt a lot of people already running up the slope to leave as well.
It seemed he already knew what to do, so Shirou traced Rule Breaker and approached the crystal.
-Robyn Hill-
Robyn ushered some of the last of the residents up the slope before turning back with a frown. She watched as the Happy Huntresses and Ace Operatives worked together to deal with what was left of the horde that emerged from the mines. It brought up uncomfortable thoughts that Robyn did not want to think about right now.
Besides that the two teams working together was good. She watched as May shot a Sabyr that would have hit Harriet who smashed the armor of a sentinel before kicking it back toward Joanna who smashed her weapon into the Grimm reducing it to black dust. It was good to see that, it meant cooperation was possible.
She turned to see Clover ushering another family, the last if Robyn was right, up the slope before turning toward her. Robyn could see the thoughtful frown on his face as he approached and she could make a general guess as to what he was thinking. How the hell the Grimm got into those mines?
"That's something I'd like to know as well." Clover replied as he took up position next to Robyn, watching the two teams.
"I said that out loud didn't I?" Robyn said, her hand on her face.
"Yup," Clover gave a small grin before looking back, "I think we need to check those mines. Of course Mantel isn't Atlas so I understand if-"
"No, we'll need the help." Robyn replied, when she saw Clover's surprised face she explained, "You likely already know this but Mantel simply does not have the manpower to handle something like this. Atlas soldiers could sweep the entire place in maybe in hour but I don't want my people down there."
"I understand that." Clover said before his face turned more thoughtful, "I'm fairly certain we have equipment to map out the tunnels without entering though. I'll have to see if Scarlatina would be willing to whip up a sonar beacon."
"Scarlatina? You mean William Scarlatina, the Engineer?" Robyn asked.
"He prefers Will, but yes."
"Hmm, you do that-" Robyn tried to reply but was stopped when the ground shook. This one far more violent than before as the one before. It threw the huntsmen and huntresses to the ground with the only ones standing being Joanna and Tortuga.
Quickly helping them up screams were heard as a cracking noise punched through the air. The two teams turned and gaped as they saw the ground begin caving in. Vine reacted quickly and grabbed the least mobile of the Ace Ops Tortuga before using his semblance on his feet and launching himself and Tortuga up.
Harriet simply activated her own semblance and ran up the walls of the crater. Joanna grabbed Fiona and May before bolting up the slope. Clover ran up to the wall and cast Kingfisher's line to the top with the hook securing itself around a pipe. He reached out for Robyn who took his hand as the weapon reeled the two up the side.
Both teams made it to the top in time to turn and see the entire bottom of the Crater fall into the dark. A gaping maw had opened up beneath and all the people who escaped could do was stare down at the hole. Robyn was only dimly aware of the wails around her as she noted something across the way.
A figure in black was coming up from the hole using chains. They swung themselves up and Robyn snapped out of her daze, "Clover!" she yelled looking over toward the other team leader. Clover looked back before looking at what Robyn had seen and widening his eyes.
"Clover, send Harriet! We can't let them get away!" Robyn had a feeling they knew what had caused the sinkhole. She couldn't let them get away and the only one fast enough to possibly catch up was Harriet.
"Bree!" Clover barked, getting the small woman's attention, "Chase after that man!" Clover pointed to the man climbing up the other side of the crater. Harriet followed his finger and widened her eyes in surprise before she narrowed them and lightning crackled across her figure.
As the man crested the top Harriet sped off. The man finally got to the top and immediately ran off disappearing behind a building just as Harriet was almost there. The speedy woman continued on and went in the same direction the figure went.
Robyn could only hope she caught up.
So, how was it? First thing I'm gonna say is that the meeting between the Ace Operatives and Ironwood was crucial in my eyes, I needed James to come off smart or at the very least working in Mantel and Atlas' best interest while also hiding specific information from the Ace Ops. I also needed to get a characterization down for the Ace Ops, also if your wondering where Elm is at I figured she would be better as a rookie as she came off as far more happy in the show just like Marrow was if a little subdued. Harriet was my biggest concern considering she was almost responsible for bombing Mantel so I made her brash and casual, she only really gets into it with May due to May being sensitive about Atlas and I don't really blame her for that. Vine is pretty easy, I'll admit I almost forgot he existed when I was working on the Synopsis for this chapter, he's the guy you can count on to have a clear head and think logically. Tortuga is a lot of guess work on my part, since she's supposed a reference to the Tortoise and the Hare, I figured having her as the one that helped keep Harriet on a leash would be good. Now Clover, is actually rather easy, I just gotta make him confident with a flare for luck.
Now we move on to something minor but something I feel like I should at the very least mention. I'm aware that May Marigold is trans, however, I will not be bringing it up very often if at all due to me not being comfortable tackling the subject as I know it can be a loaded topic. So I'm just gonna brush over the fact unless it comes up in the story. I'd also like to talk about her hostility as in the show she's the most hostile toward anyone from Atlas and that's why I'm writing her that way.
Another thing is the Mine part of this chapter. Yeah, Tyrian was not making it out of this if Shirou had anything to say about it and that is something I wanted to touch up on. I do not have a problem killing certain characters off if its in line with the story and even though I like Tyrian and I wrote him well, that doesn't mean he was going to survive. I'm only touching on this because I have a feeling I'll get a review or two criticizing my decision.
Then we have Shirou, and I don't have much to say about him as I think I have his characterization down I'm just asking y'alls opinion.
Finally we have the ending. The sinkhole opens and Shirou runs away with Harriet attempting to make chase which I felt was best for her since, ya'know, Speedy Gonzales. Now just to confirm, the Atlas arc is not over, if you've been paying attention you'll know that theirs a plan in place that hasn't exactly been thwarted yet. Now what that plan is, is for me to know and you all to find out but I'm hoping I put enough hints in for you guys to know something else is happening.
Anyway, that's all I got so have a good night/day.
-OtherwiseR00K