Chapter 13: A City of Rats and Spiders.
The multicolored flashes burned Maedhros's eyes with their artificial glow coming from every corner. They were false creations, lacking life or pure essence that could only be achieved with a never before seen level of industrialization. An impressive feat, sure, but aesthetically it was a waste. Along with such agony was added the roar of the cars, the horseless metal carts that moved at full speed around them. The sounds of millions of people walking, running, talking. The screens on the tall metal and glass towers, the aroma expelled by the engines and markets pierced his nose...
It was too much and the prince needed to sit down for a moment. The full weight of this new world overwhelmed his senses, more than he expected. Truly the world had changed, and he felt it throughout his body.
"Here, drink something." Like a resplendent guardian of undying grace, Amber came to his aid, offering him a strange plastic container filled with an unknown pinkish liquid, with pieces of strawberries at the bottom and what looked like a sherbet.
"Thank you". He accepted the gift and brought it to his lips to taste. It had an obvious strawberry flavor, with certain hints of other fruits such as cherry and raspberry, the drink contained a large amount of milk that was surely what gave it a slightly thick texture. Maedhros could have more of these.
"Not to put pressure on you, but I would like to spend the day touring the city, not sitting on this bench." The redhead recognized his partner's concerns, the square where they rested was a passable place, insipid and without any type of creativity anymore. beyond letting some pets walk peacefully in full view of their masters. However, Amber had insisted that he should get to know the city, and with the start of the school year just a week away, they could take advantage of the situation to do some shopping and "sightseeing."
The Emerald City of Vale proved to be an entirely new challenge for the Prince of the Noldor. Although far from being so beautiful, he could safely say that such a capital had no rivals in its time. Not even in Amman was there a city that compares with the size and structure of this creation of men. The roads, skyscrapers, bridges, everything was bigger, more optimal, more advanced and more functional. He could barely name half of the things he saw in just a minute of walking through the streets. His only real hand rested on the hilt of Foe Hammer at all times out of nervousness about entering the unknown.
"What do you think if we avoid the center? I don't think your brain can handle it." The young woman said as she continued drinking her orange smoothie, an act that the Elf imitated as he watched curiously as a woman with a dog's tail walked a chubby dog with short legs and a horribly flat face. Now the square really seemed like an unpleasant place.
"So, I've heard of some great places away from the central area." As she continued mumbling place names she reviewed her "scroll" looking for the most basic addresses. Not that the redhead knew how that worked, he hadn't even touched his since Ozpin showed him the basic functions.
"It is well, noble maiden, escort me on this tour." And he stood up, offering his arm for Amber to entwine at the elbow.
"First put me in the chair, Prince Charming."
"This is pure shit man." Honestly, Maedhros would never get used to his companion's vulgar vocabulary. He had expected those kinds of words coming from the mouths of dwarves, orcs, and some trolls, but hearing them being spoken by the lips of such a young woman was very disconcerting.
On the other hand, their tour didn't seem to be going very well, if the half-ruined building in front of both of them was no indication. The structure had collapsed and unrecognizable rubble remained as the only evidence that there had ever been anything in that section. From the shape it was obvious that it had been knocked down from within.
"This place was supposed to have the best Strawberry Sunrise in town." The maiden muttered as she puffed out her cheeks in frustration, an act that the elf found rather childish.
"It must have been an excellent drink if they destroyed the establishment for it." The prince joked sarcastically as he pulled his friend into reverse.
"Ha Ha, you are the master of comedy. Well! It doesn't matter, I just wanted to come for the drink, I don't really care about a mediocre club" she exclaimed having already gotten over the loss. And as a sign that it didn't bother her, she crossed her arms and raised her chin.
"Did you hear that Miltia?"
"Yes, but I wouldn't worry, it's clear that she didn't come to dance."
"Very true, very true." When he turned around, a duo of twins appeared in front of the prince. They were exactly identical in everything except clothing and hairstyles. With pale porcelain skin and bright green eyes. However, one was dressed completely in red and the other in white. One thing was clear, they knew how to fight.
"Who said that? Don't leave me on your back, hey!" He ignored the Maiden's demands and took a step forward, placing himself between her and the would-be attackers, his left hand resting on Foe Hammer's pommel.
"Can we help you ladies?" He asked cautiously.
"Calm down handsome, we're just checking the place. I wouldn't dare hurt a face like that." The twin in white said as she winked at him, an action that seemed to amuse her sister.
"It would be a waste, right Melanie?" The twin in red continued with the game. Then they both approached with slow and careless steps, predatory, but not in a lethal way, there was definitely no type of murderous intent in them, and he did not perceive immediate conflict either.
One of the women leaned in to look from head to toe, raising an eyebrow intrigued by his lack of a hand and the scars present on his skin, but otherwise seemed to approve of the redhead's appearance.
"Do you know it's rude to stare at people?" Amber had managed to turn around only to be faced with the unpleasant sight of two harpies preying on her friend.
"Please, it's not like we're complaining," Melanie said as her twin continued to stare at the fascinating specimen in front of them. The truth was that Maedhros watched them more intensely than they watched him, although his motives could not be more different.
"Nice ears."
"oh please" Amber rolled her eyes in exasperation. Fortunately, it seemed that the elf had enough too.
"I'm sorry if my friend offended your establishment, this must have been a great tragedy for both of you." With his metallic hand on his chest he made a proper bow.
"Not for me." The redhead gave her a reproachful look, which he hadn't used since his last meeting with Moryo.
"We hope there will be another occasion to visit you."
"No, not really." On that they both agreed. Just as he was about to push Amber's chair and march in another direction, Miltia passed him from the side and held his left arm to her chest.
"Hey!" Amber protested. Then Melanie grabbed onto his right arm.
"HEY!" But the young Huntsmen continued to be ignored.
The autumn maiden couldn't do much in that situation, the birds of prey had sunk their claws into the poor, defenseless redhead, and wouldn't let him go without a fight, but before she could respond, the white-clad twin lightly kicked the wheel of her chair causing Amber to slowly begin to roll away.
"You little bi–."
"Ignore her, she's just selfish."
"When I manage to get up I'm going to–".
"Yes, why don't we better go have something?, handsome, we still don't even know your name." but Maedhros only sighed, with just a casual movement, he freed himself from the claws that immobilized his arms, and before The Maiden rolled onto the highway, he held the chair from behind.
"Yes, take that pair of whor–." Wanting to prevent any confrontation, he covered his companion's mouth with his silver hand.
"I'm sorry for my friend's aggressiveness, she hasn't had a good week." That seemed to please the twins' ego.
"I appreciate the offer, but we already have the day planned, plus we wouldn't want to distract you from your work." At that last part, both young women snorted exasperatedly.
"Yes yes, you have a point, Our boss can be a bit of an idiot."
"Miltia is right, this last incident put him in a bad mood." While they continued talking, Amber pinched his elbow and with a look told him to take advantage of the opportunity to run away as far as possible. He just rolled his eyes and pretended to cough, catching the girls' attention.
"This has been a lovely meeting, but it is time to leave, I wish you good fortune in your duty." Then, Miltia took out a strange blue card from between her exposed cleavage. Why he would keep it there, he had no idea, perhaps the dresses were not made to carry many objects. Be that as it may, such an act annoyed the Maiden a little more, but the elf's grip on her mouth still remained strong.
"A gift, handsome, make sure you come for the opening." Almost violating his personal space, she placed the card in the opening of his vest, slowly sliding it down while one of her hands rested placidly on his chest. It was clear that she enjoyed the moment, and for a second it almost seemed like she was going to stand on tiptoe to reduce the distance between their faces, but she had to settle for staring into those beautiful silver eyes from below.
"We will be waiting for you." She winked at him playfully, as she retreated towards the ruined building, her twin followed suit but not before blowing a kiss to the wind as farewell.
Maedhros did not understand human women.
"This one here is curious, you see, it compacts all that energy and transfers it to the blade. Due to its solid composition it will not be affected by impacts like the most common ammunition."
Maedhros understood the explanation of the dwarf in front of him perfectly. Dust, according to Ozpin, had been the key to humanity's survival during the Dark Age. They were pure elemental energy condensed into crystalline forms that were somewhat reminiscent of the Silmarils. Its origins were unclear, although the mage had attributed the existence of such material to the Valar. A gesture of compassion that changed the course of the war against the Grimms. The thought almost made the elf burst into laughter.
"So, what do you say boy?, You know what? I'll even give you a 5% discount." As Bruni continued speaking, the redhead couldn't help but smile slightly. Ozpin was right, there were still vestiges of his time, even if they were few. Yes, some things didn't change, for today he would let such an offense go.
"It seems like an acceptable offer to me, I'll take it." He took out a green card from his pocket, which made the dwarf happy and handed the blue gem straight into the redhead's mechanical hand. He held it between his fingers, it shone with a crystalline glow similar to a frozen lake in the middle of winter, and even if he couldn't feel it in his fingers, it was clear that it would be very cold to the touch.
A blow to his calf distracted him from further contemplating the piece of ammunition. Amber had gently bumped into him to get his attention, and when the elf looked down she rubbed a paper bag that reeked of oil in his face.
"I got food!"
"No, thanks". That didn't smell like anything edible.
"You lose it!" the Autumn Maiden shrugged. The duo then left behind Bruni's booth, one of many at the local fair. In the middle of the markets people crowded around looking to buy anything stupid, but there were some like Bruni whose products were genuine, although expensive. He saw men, faunus, dwarves and even even smaller, but less ugly people, in the form of Halflings, or Hobbits as Ozpin indicated not to call them.
"Are you interested in dragon grass? It is excellent for the lungs."
"Would you like a gem for your girlfriend?".
"The best weapons! everything is state-of-the-art!".
After fighting their way through a horde of scammers, they managed to reach the outdoor lunch seats. He left Amber at the other end of the table so they were facing each other. The young woman then took out of the bag what looked like squashed meat between fake vegetables and bread, a box full of potato chips, and two closed containers that emit a light sugary gas from the straws.
"Are you sure you don't want one?" she asked as she handed him one of the "burgers" showing its excess fat and sauces of dubious origin.
"I'm sure I want to live." Amber only rolled her eyes for the twelfth time that morning, it was already starting to hurt. The young Hunstmen ate in silence with her reserved friend, enjoying the events around her. Families stuffed with unnecessary purchases, tourists being scammed, children running from every corner...
It was relaxing for her, not so much for him.
A disgusting smell overwhelmed his nose. A black plague like grimm's blood alerted his senses, letting the hairs on his skin stand on end. His pointed ears picked it up. Light, fast and irregular steps, a deep breath that detonated a putrid stench.
He was close, heading towards them. And Maedhros could see him.
He was in the crowd, dressed in a dark hoodie and shorts. He only wore almost torn sandals that would come off with just one run. He walked looking down and to the sides, but not forward. His costume did little to hide his unpleasant yellow-green skin, the lower part of his face was still visible and his legs were nothing to hide. Although his hands were hidden in his coat pockets, he was clearly unarmed.
It was close, just a few steps more…
The vermin was short, thin and hunched over. He never stood a chance, and only managed to extend his arm toward the extra burger because Maedhros let him. But as he prepared to flee, the elf suddenly stood up, and with a speed faster than the sound of a scream, lifted him like a ragdoll by the neck with his silver hand.
The orc failed to even wince in pain as he crashed to the ground, with such force that cracks were carved into the earth and the nearby seats, as well as other shelves, shook. The thief coughed, spitting out drops of saliva as he tried to catch his breath. Surprisingly, the thing did have Aura.
"Orcs have souls!?". No, of course not, the aberration probably managed to steal it from someone else. He would fix that, he took Sting out of his holster and with one quick movement he would cut the neck of…
"Go ahead bastard! do it!". The thing was braver than its ancestors, he'd give it that. He placed the blade of his dagger directly at the throat, which made the orc's reaction change much to the elf's pleasure.
"No! No! No! I was joking! Right there it was, in the end, that was just an orc like any other. He was about to continue with the greenskin's first request when a soft, cold hand placed on his shoulder.
Amber pushed his arm back, opening a distance between Sting and the hairless rat's jugular. Maedhros couldn't believe what his ally was doing, why did she want to stop him? Why was she looking at him that way?
"Enough, that's enough Nelyo." She didn't raise her voice, but there was a steely coldness in those words.
"Me neither, but what do you want me to do with him, cut off his hands? It seems like a fair punishment for the theft but I doubt an Orc would stop with that."
"Nelyafinwe." The whisper of his name was charged with a dangerous hiss, the Maiden's eyes flickered with intense flames and the sky that until then had been clear was dyed in shades of gray by the unforeseen storm.
Their eyes clashed in a duel of wills, but such a challenge left the Prince bewildered and in the end, the metallic shine of his eyes gave way against the Maiden's flames. Sighing, his grip on the orc loosened, and like a rat it crawled under his knee, grabbed the food from the ground and fled to whatever alley or garbage bag it emerged from, getting lost in the waiting crowd.
Such a spectacle only frightened the public, the visitors immediately left the place and the sellers closed their shelves, fleeing or taking shelter. A dead silence filled the now empty fair as the two continued to see each other without saying a word. It was the sound of a bell coming from Amber's pocket that broke the suspense. The Maiden, still looking at her companion, responded to the call of her Scroll with "yes," "sure," and "understood," before sighing and lowering her head in exhaustion.
"Ozpin wants to see us." Then Maedhros stood up, ready to push the Maiden's chair, but she refused.
"I can do it myself." He didn't understand the hostility, but he guessed that since it was a hectic week for her, Amber must have hoped to have a relaxing afternoon with a friend. Yes, that's what it was, he just put on a violent show in front of a young woman tired of violence.
He was going to compensate her in the future, for now he would only settle for following her in silence.
Mae Govannen Eruhini~✨
Salutations!~✨
This was a long week, because I had to fight my addiction to continue writing. Fortunately there were many things on Netflix that I had postponed on my agenda so that helped me a lot. Here we have the appearance of more characters from both RWBY and the LOTR franchise. We are already slowly approaching the initiation, I think that at this point there would only be two or three chapters left.
Any criticism or review is welcome.
Namárië!~✨