Fangs of the Exiles
Rated M
Rwby
Summary:
Life is not about what happens to you, but what you make of it... At least that's what everyone says. Two faunus will answer whose way is right, carrying the will of a titanic kingdom while the other, the spirit of one who shouldn't exist. Forgotten, their paths will cross, for better or worse.
A/N:
Heads up! This is going to be a long chapter, so you've been warned! Enjoy everyone!
Chapter 15: Lighting the Fuse-3
[Vale/Patch Island]
Yang sat at the side of her bed, immersed in thought, after weeks of agony and an unscheduled intervention. The sunny dragon had been at a crossroads when it came to what she would do next, considering the comments of her father, academics, and even Roxanne. She'd still have panic attacks now and again, but she'd be soothed throughout the night until she was calm again.
Yang Xiao Long was first taken aback when the normally calm faunus would enter her room to check on her, even though this was expected of her loving if not overprotective, father. It drew a gentler side of the blond that she had only seen once before, during the Vytal Festival. It was interesting to realize how quickly the tables had turned and she was now the one being cared for.
I guess life's funny that way...
Yang was still conflicted as she scanned the length of her room. Memories of that carefree and cheerful child who used to play and protect her younger sister flooded back. From hide and seek to the duo reenacting fairytales, Yang couldn't get away from the sounds of her younger self, with Ruby, playing the day away carefree.
But those times were over; Ruby was no longer the little child or the carefree adolescent. They were now on distinct routes that would ultimately converge... Someday. The more Yang thought about it, the fewer options he had. Either she could sulk about her fate, or she could try and do something about it.
From what she found out, many of her friends and allies weren't as fortunate as she was in the aftermath and, while this didn't take away from her healing path, it was enough to remind her to be grateful and build on what remained.
I'm not dead...
Just as she settled on her next move, Yang's ear perked up at the sound of her father and friend outside.
"After that, you'll want to use your elbow in case your opponent is fast enough to get in close," Tai instructed, demonstrating a combination sequence for Roxanne who was hanging on his every word. "This way you can-"
The lesson was halted when the creaking of the back door caught the duo's awareness. Yang emerged from the Xiao Long household, shielding her eyes from the midday sun. What was equally pleasant was the fact that she was now wearing the Atlas-manufactured arm that was gifted to her. Tai and Roxanne shared a look of contentment as the girl finally turned to them.
"Alright. Let's get started!" the patriarch smiled warmly.
Yang nodded.
Roxanne gently touched her bandaged left arm and smiled upon seeing her friend finally coming back from her funk. Yang saw this and returned the gesture though it quickly twisted into a look that surprisingly made the ram even happier:
She saw the fire that burned brightly from deep within her soul.
Welcome back... she grinned, taking up a boxer's stance in preparation for the first of, undoubtedly many rounds of sparring.
Aganju, Ciel, and Pyrrha arrived at Kanaton Cave just as the rain had stopped and nightfall approached. After days of walking with wet clothes and sore feet, they were both exhausted and had little time to unwind. Unfortunately, their journey had put a strain on their minds, and they had not been able to enjoy a proper evening together.
It was difficult doing so when most of the towns were rooted in faunus hatred and their mission was to meet with the headmaster of Haven Academy. Still, it was nice to be able to rest after such a long trek. After lighting a torch, Pyrrha led them to a small pool within a deeper grotto. The sounds of rushing water created a serene locale for them to finally unload and relax for the night.
"I take it that we'll be camping out here?" Ciel huffed playfully.
The warrior nodded with a small smile.
"We can relax and let our clothes dry with a fire."
This made Aganju blush upon realizing the situation proposed by the green-eyed girl.
"You mean... Like we'd have to be naked?"
"Unless you'd prefer to catch a cold..." Pyrrha wrung out her soaked hair.
"But, are you sure about-?" he stopped when he saw her annoyed frown. "Right. Wet clothes. Stripping now."
As instructed, Aganju started a fire, took off the clothes, and hung them on their weapons close to the flames. Since neither of them had anything else on, they both couldn't help but blush and turn away from each other so they wouldn't see the other in their undressed splendor. This simply aggravated the situation between Pyrrha and Aganju especially.
Sensing things growing tension between the pair, Ciel decided to take the helm, if only to rid herself of the awkward energy.
"Anyway...!" she coughed lightly. "Since we have nothing to do but wait, how did you two meet?"
"Excuse me?"
"Come on, Pyrrha!" Ciel rolled her eyes, a sneaky grin dancing on her lips. "I was trained to be a heartless soldier at Atlas Academy and even I can see the romantic tension between you! You two were practically joined at the hip during the festival when you weren't with your respective teams."
"We weren't THAT close..." a blushing Aganju remarked unconvincingly at his adopted sibling.
"The Vytal tournament. During the attack on Beacon. Pyrrha got transferred to your room after the transfusion. You both defended me when they tried to take me back to Atlas! What more proof do I need?"
Both Aganju and Pyrrha felt themselves grow more nervous at the undisputed proof presented by the blue-haired faunus. If it was obvious to her, then how could they continue to avoid the attraction? Incidentally, they never denied their feelings, but neither did they openly acknowledge their attraction to one another. When they finally looked at their accusor, Ciel had the biggest smug smile on her face.
"I guess you're right, sis" Aganju rubbed his neck sheepishly.
"It would seem that our attempts at subtlety were fruitless..." Pyrrha added.
"But, it does raise an interesting question," Both girls eyed the vulpine with curiosity. "Since we're on the subject, who have you had your eyes on during the festival, Ciel?"
Any signs of humor immediately dropped from the girl's features, replaced by mock confusion with a hint of anxiety. This sentiment was only intensified when she caught a wicked grin twitching on his lips.
"Huh?"
"Come on, sis! You can't tell me that your only focus was... following orders, right?" he was careful not to bring up Penny for a multitude of reasons, cutting his eyes at Pyrrha. Thankfully, she was too enraptured in his playful reversal of fortune. "I hope it's not Ren..."
"Nora would throw a fit!" the redhead giggled at his absurd assumption.
"Maybe she had a thing for that Nolan guy?"
Pyrrha shook her head while trying her best to contain the boisterous laugh creeping up. "He's too bland in my opinion! Hehe."
"Hmmm, that Sun could be up her alley..."
"...And risk Blake's wrath upon me? No way!" Ciel finally cut in.
"Scarlet?"
"He's gay..." she deadpanned.
"Neptune?"
"Not even!"
"What?! Everyone loves Neptune!" Aganju blinked incredulously.
"He's OBNOXIOUS! Plus he's afraid of water and... That says a lot to me."
"What about Sage?"
The siblings turned to a still-giggling Pyrrha. Despite her amused tone, they could tell that her inquiry was a legitimate one. This couldn't have been more evident than when Ciel grew quiet. Unlike her earlier protests, it seemed that spark had suddenly been extinguished. From how her eyes averted from theirs to the way she softly chewed her lips, was there some ground to stand on here?
Just as Aganju opened his mouth to speak, both his and Ciel's hearing caught the sound of something snapping nearby. Unlike him, this time Ciel was the faster of the two, snagging her clothes and weapon before he could rise from his spot on the ground. By now, their garments had dried off as Pyrrha and Aganju quickly dressed themselves.
"What's happening?"
"Someone's here with us! Ciel bolted to check things out. It's probably nothing more than an animal seeking shelter though."
They sat comfortably in silence after getting dressed and just enjoyed one another's company. If nothing further, this provided them privacy, a moment that Pyrrha wouldn't let pass in vain.
"Agan?" Oh, how he loved/hated how adorable she sounded using his nickname. He tried to keep his eyes on the entrance to the chamber but found his attention guided to his friend and object of his affection. "Look at me please?"
"Something wrong, Pyrrha?"
"I've been thinking..."
"About?" he softened his gaze, feigning ignorance.
"I was thinking about us," she looked down at the cold floor, her nerves betraying the image she once wore proudly. "Ciel is right. I've been attracted to you for a while and you've shown signs that you're interested in me if I'm reading things correctly. Am I mistaken?"
Aganju's immediate silence made her nervous, but looking up, she could tell that he was thoroughly thinking about her question. He then took a deep breath before lifting her chin so that they were eye to eye. If he was going to speak on this subject, the warrior in him needed to look at her directly.
"You're not wrong, Pyrrha... I do like you, a lot! But..."
"But?"
"I don't know if we're ready to cross that line, at least not yet." Sensing the young woman's objection, he slowly pulled away. His heart pounded in his chest in a way that made him wonder if it would break his ribcage. "We... We still have some things to work out first."
"Like what?"
Aganju noticed her frown, knowing exactly where this was going. Her perplexion was matched only by her annoyance. Rather than shy away from this, he doubled down on his resolve. If they were going to have this talk, then he couldn't allow fear to have a say in this conversation.
"The elephant in the room, Pyrrha!"
"If you're talking about our mission, that doesn't have to stop this from happening!"
"You couldn't have forgotten what you did, could you?" He chuckled bitterly at her. "I want to trust you, Pyrrha!"
"Trust me? Are you telling me that you don't trust me? After all, we've been through up to this point?"
"It's not what I meant..."
"What DO you mean, Aganju?"
"Can I trust you not to take advantage of my heart again?!" he forced out a growl that surprised them both.
Pyrrha's eyes widened in horror at his words, but not for herself. Months had passed and she'd truly forgotten the damage she did to his heart. The night they fought Cinder atop the tower. How could she have been so foolish to overlook her actions? Despite his reaction, there was no malice behind his words, only despair.
That kiss...
Tears began to well up in her eyes as she stepped closer to the vulnerable male. It was clear that this was needed if they were going to take any steps forward in their relationship. It was bittersweet.
Rather than plead her case, Pyrrha carefully placed both hands on either side of his face, smiling sadly. Her eyes sparkled with tears yet she didn't mind as she slowly pressed her lips to his own. Unlike their first kiss, this one lacked the desperation that encompassed the gesture. This time, she poured out her soul. Her remorse. Her willingness to fix things. Her true emotions. Everything was given to the faunus behind the sweet moment.
Aganju felt dizzy, his head swimming like before. Unlike that night, Pyrrha's deposit covered him, shielding him from the internal fall he'd been awaiting. This was no trap, only freedom. Deep down, they both knew they would have to work through that terrible mistake, but this was the first sign that they'd willingly do the work necessary.
Forgive me?
I do.
Work with me?
Of course.
While Pyrrha was the one to ignite things, Aganju gingerly pulled away, and a grateful smile flashed at the girl. She returned his smile with a gentle giggle, her flush cheeks ignited by the campfire beside them. Sure, doubt attempted to creep in, but she wouldn't give it any quarter as her smile increased in volume while in his arms. It was evident that the vulpine desired her on a level far deeper than even she considered.
"Are you certain that you're willing to go through this?"
"Only if we go through this together."
He drew closer to Pyrrha, gently pressing his lips against hers. She reciprocated by tenderly caressing his face with her hands, deepening their embrace while causing his tail to wag with delight. They remained locked in this blissful moment, unwilling to part until the need for air became too great to ignore. Yet, even as they parted, they couldn't help but laugh softly. It was a beautiful conclusion to the first hiccup in their connection.
That is...
Pyrrha leaned in, planning to steal another kiss when she felt her lover pivot wildly like a bloodhound. Gone was the tender gaze replaced by a hardening glare directed to the only way in or out of their makeshift campsite.
"Agan?"
"Who's there?!" he snarled.
As the footsteps echoed through the cave, a figure emerged from the shadows. Pyrrha was taken aback as the mysterious woman, donning a helmet reminiscent of the Grimm, stepped into the light. It was difficult to discern her features due to the helmet's obscurity.
The same could not be said for Aganju.
"I would apologize for interrupting such a tender moment..." she smugly announced. "But I couldn't care less."
"What are you doing here?" he snarled.
The woman merely lifted her hand to point directly at the faunus.
"My target is you, boy."
[Vale/Patch Island]
"Haaaa!"
"Yaaaahh!"
Tai Yang Xiao Long skillfully evaded a team attack but was suddenly hit by a powerful knee strike from Yang, which pushed him back. However, he quickly recovered and managed to block Yang's right hook and Roxanne's flying knee, using the latter's momentum to his advantage. With a swift move, he redirected Roxanne's limb towards his daughter's, and then swiftly swept their legs from under them.
During the sparring session, Yang performed a boxing sequence that was both fast and predictable, while Roxanne rolled backward to evade incoming attacks from the patriarch. While Roxanne was skilled in using all four of her limbs, Tai was able to exploit her weaknesses. Similarly, Yang struggled with the consistent use of her legs during combat.
That was typically the gist of things as she continued to charge ahead, throwing power strikes that were otherwise devastating; they would be if they landed. Heavy and powerful, Roxanne found it difficult to strike the faster Tai Yang who dodged her like wind passing through her fingers. The final result came when the two girls nodded at one another before lunging at him at the same time again.
Tai wasn't easily fooled and with some skillful maneuvering, he swiftly pushed himself off a nearby tree and dove between his opponents. They were taken aback when he grabbed their shirts and forcefully pulled them backward, causing both of them to fall on their buttocks. Meanwhile, Tai gracefully tucked and rolled back onto his feet. He couldn't help but smirk as his trainees groaned from the impact of their hard landing.
"Nice try girls..." he triumphantly called out. "I must admit you both pack a wallop! Well, when you could land a hit."
Yang rolled her eyes, albeit playfully while Roxanne was still rubbing her sore bottom.
"Yeah, yeah..."
"I'm surprised at how easily I got used to this arm though. Seriously, I thought it would just be this extra weight but, it feels natural. They did a great job over at Atlas!"
Tai was delighted to hear the excitement in Yang's voice. It appeared that his sulking months had finally come to an end, and he knew the reason behind it. Roxanne would obsess over the metallic limb and exchange notes with her best friend as if they were at a slumber party. Tai wiped his forehead with a towel and reminisced about the moment that he believed brought about this change.
-Two Weeks-
A worn-out Tai stumbled into the door after nearly a week straight of helping out with the relief efforts in Vale.
From Grimm to the occasional White Fang attack, he was exhausted and just happy that he made it through with only a few bumps and bruises. Opening the door to his home, he wasted little time in putting some groceries he picked up in the fridge and forced his way upstairs, each step drawing him closer to his beloved bed.
However, that fated meeting would have to wait as he noticed a small strip of light peeking from one of the rooms.
Yang's room.
As he approached the door, he noticed an unsettling silence. Carefully, he tiptoed closer to investigate. To his surprise, he discovered two individuals standing motionless from each other. Their intense gazes revealed a palpable tension. Should he intervene?
Just then, the ram-girl let out a rough sigh, and he knew it was best to stay discreet.
"You're impossible..."
"What more do you want from me?!" Yang fired back, rubbing her temple with her left hand.
Crossing her arms under her chest, Roxanne grits her teeth.
"How about a bit of honesty, Yang?"
"Honesty? What else should I say, Roxie? It's not that simple!"
"Yes, it is! You're just playing the victim because it's easier than accepting the cruel truth! Your sad attempt at trying to be strong is hurting everyone you care about!"
From the sound of things, Tai Yang could tell this wasn't their first go-round with this conversation. By the looks of things, the two were reaching their boiling point. Despite this development, a part of him resisted the urge to intervene. Was it his ever-increasing need for rest? One could believe that, but, he knew something else held him back.
This was an intervention, one he'd been too apprehensive to have with his daughter.
"That I'm scared? That every time I close my eyes, I see the monster who did this to me?! That's frightening, okay?"
"Oh give it a rest!"
"What do you know?!" Yang shouted, tears threatening to spill over.
"YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE!"
Yang just stood there as the usually calm and stoic Roxanne has now erupted. Her own eyes flowed with tears as she undid the ribbons that normally kept her hair tied in pigtails, revealing her point. It was a point that sparked their friendship, along with Blake during the Vytal Festival.
How could Yang forget?
"Roxie. I-"
"Do you know what it's like to not only be hurt and threatened by your kind but humiliated?!" the blond said nothing. "Yes, I told you that they attacked my family, but, I never told you what led to this."
Roxanne Octane pointed to where only a part of her horns remained.
"What... What happened?" Yang's voice was soft, her passionate flame now nothing more than a flicker in comparison to the molten lava burning from the faunus.
"They..." Roxie lightly rubbed her scarred and wrapped arm. "The White Fang came into Vacuo looking for recruits. I was one of their intended targets since I was skilled at tech and a good fighter. Unfortunately, I told them no and they didn't take too kindly to my answer. The next thing I knew, they were attacking my mom's shop when I came back from a delivery and... I did my best to fight them off."
At this point, Yang just stared in shock at the full story being told to her.
"I did pretty well until they ganged up on me. That's when I saw him..."
Her voice was shaky, still riddled with fear and trepidation at the mere mention of her assailant, yet Roxanne refused to stop now. In a way, she needed this as much as Yang did.
"Adam?"
"Yup. I remember him ordering them to hold me down while he drew his sword. I'll never forget that twisted grin on his mug." her fiery orange eyes narrowed in both pain and anger. "He gave me one last chance to accept the offer and I spit in his face; a mistake I'd come to regret. After that, I remember the first horn being cut clean through with one swipe. Surprisingly, I felt nothing but shock seeing it crash onto the sandy streets. Unfortunately, I wasn't so fortunate with my other horn."
"W-What did he do?"
"He... He took his time with the second one; Made everyone watch as a sign to either get on board or meet the same fate. Though it was less than a minute, the pain and agony I felt made it seem like an eternity as I screamed as loud as my lungs would let me. I passed out shortly before he finished my torture, bleeding, and shivering from the shock, the last thing I remember was hearing his disgusting laugh before I blacked out."
Yang looked at the hurt girl before her trembling as if she were exposed in the frigid cold. Only now did this image bear a greater significance for Yang Xiao Long; a powerful reflection of who she's been ever since the attack on the school. Even more, she saw someone who'd been dealing with this for much longer than she'd been.
But, there was something else.
"I'm sorry..."
"I get it, Sug. You've lost an arm and that is beyond traumatizing." flashed an empathetic grin, tears still falling steadily. "You've lost a part of yourself, but you've also been given a chance to make the best of a bad situation. I never got that. I've lived my life feeling like half the person I was before that day with no way to replace what I've lost, but... I gained something far greater as a result."
Frowning lightly, Yang raised an eyebrow.
"What's that?"
"Shortly after I recovered, I discovered my semblance and had a new drive and purpose in life."
"Revenge on Adam?"
Roxanne shook her head.
"No. I have no intention of ever seeking vengeance on that beast. I don't have to. My 'revenge' is living my life knowing that he didn't break me."
There it was; the hidden gem hidden within the iniquity that plagued Yang Xiao Long.
"So, you're saying I should keep moving forward?"
"I'm saying that you should allow yourself to feel and begin healing," Roxanne smiled softly, finally quelling her inner fire. "It's not easy, but that's why you have us. Your dad and I? We care about you, Yang. We want you to get better, at your own pace of course. But, all we want is for you to try. We love you, Hun!"
The floodgates opened and Yang simply stepped to Roxanne slowly but surely. She then wrapped her arms around the ram and just let the waterworks flow out freely as the two embraced. Neither said anything at that moment, at least nothing that Tai could hear. It didn't matter though. His eldest daughter had finally had her breakthrough and he couldn't be happier.
However, with just enough energy left in his body, he slipped past the door silently and retired to his room, missing the dual shadows now shifting their position to a more intimate one. He'd find out soon enough though...
-Present Day-
That night made Tai Yang Xiao Long with vigor while the two girls watched from a distance with matching looks of concern. Still, the fact that he too was at peace made it less awkward as the pair exchanged glances at one other before quietly agreeing on a plan to sneak up on the unsuspecting elder.
"Ready old man?"
He opened his eyes to find that both Roxanne and Yang were only mere inches away before they jumped on him.
Needless to say, they won this round.
[Anima-Kanaton Caves]
Two sets of optics stared at the masked woman with unsettling hearts as her heels clicked against the stone terrain. Unlike their first meeting, Aganju could feel the adverse intention radiating from her. Their first encounter was seemingly by chance; no real reason for their clash aside could be found other than defending the village. Now, she's declared that he was her target...?
But why?
"What do you want with us?" The soft yet stern voice of Pyrrha broke the smothering silence.
"You? You have nothing of value to me." The woman's fiery gaze flashed through her helmet, before waving her hand dismissively. "I could kill you right now and not bat an eye."
"Stay away from her..." Aganju bared his canines, a low growl rumbling in his chest.
How 'charming'... She rolled her eyes. "Relax boy. If you come with me, I can assure you that your 'master' won't be harmed."
It was a lie, but they didn't need to know this yet. Knowing that her subordinates were still gathering near the exit of the cave, she had to keep the two distracted long enough for the ambush.
"Watch your mouth!"
As expected, Aganju's growl grew in power, echoing against the rock faces surrounding them. His eyes glowed but didn't contort to their sinister counterpart. It emerged that his greatest weakness would reveal herself to be the one keeping him back as the scarlet-haired girl took the faunus' arm.
This could prove advantageous.
"And what will you do if I don't?"
"I'll rip out your tongue...!"
Though they couldn't see it, the woman's lips twitched upward warily. The lack of hesitation! She bit her trembling lip at the sinister aura that permeated from his words. She studied as much of him as possible in the seconds that passed. His mismatched eyes had now matched hers, though there was something else. Swiftly recalling the words of her right hand, Raven found fewer reasons to deny the woman's claim.
So why was she excited? Any person witnessing this would've immediately called for his life and been done with them all. However, the Bandit Queen wasn't just any person.
Vernal was right! That bloodlust is unmistakable...
Bloodlust.
She possessed a certain mindset, a determination that pushed her to pursue her desires and needs without fear. This quality has been an integral part of her very existence and has helped her survive all these years. It's what enabled her to become the leader of her tribe. As she looked at the focused male standing before her, she sensed hints of that survival instinct.
But, would he remember her?
"My name is Raven..." she announced while slowly drawing her blade. "...and you're more than welcome to try, mutt."
Aganju closed his eyes, feeling his breath course throughout his body. This was just like at Beacon Tower with the woman now known as Cinder. The way she mocked him for moving forward and establishing bonds with others, a notion she considered for the weak. It was infuriating, the perfect motivation for someone looking to let loose.
If this mystery woman wanted a rematch, he'd be more than happy to oblige. He then looked over to Pyrrha who simply nodded in understanding. She worried for his safety, but she trusted that he was capable of handling himself in battle.
Using her semblance, she summoned his weapon, Cerberus, before handing the blade over to him. Exchanging glances, she wanted nothing more than to join him in battle. Aganju shut this down with a head shake but also a soft gaze that told her that this was personal. Understanding, an unhappy Pyrrha frowned but she wouldn't argue with him.
She gave him a peck on the lips that told him 'Be careful' before retreating over to her clothes.
Aganju then shifted over to the woman, eyes narrowed and concentrated on his opponent. The weapon then split into two blades. His glower deepened as he took his stance. Above them, the heavens grew dusky and the rumbling of thunder proclaimed its appearance. It appeared that the stage was now set.
"My name is Aganju Umbrae and don't call me mutt..."
I know...
[Xiao-Long residence]
Yang and Roxanne entered the Xiao Long family's home, drenched in sweat and completely drained after their training session. As they continued to practice week after week, their bond grew stronger with every jab and kick. Over time, Yang gradually started to reveal more of her true self, and although Roxanne knew that the exuberant Yang of the past might never completely return, she cherished the fact that her friend was becoming more open once again.
"That was rough...! Your kicks are improving."
"I still can't believe that you pack such a punch without your semblance!" Yang slapped the faunus' back, nearly making Roxanne spit her gulp of water out.
"Yeah..." the ram flashed a light glare. "That arm of yours is something else."
"My punch makes you shiver, huh?" Yang stuck her tongue out playfully.
"Something makes me shiver... and I don't mean your punches either."
The teasing Yang's eyes widened as her cheeks flared up with intense heat. To make matters worse, she found that her sparring partner was sizing her up with a seductive gleam in her eyes. In truth, their physical battles paled in comparison to the silent ones they'd wage, either subtly or blatant; the latter would be held whenever they were confident they were alone, mind you.
"Roxie?" the blonde quietly scolded. "My dad's upstairs! What if he hears us?"
As Roxanne Octane gazed at her girlfriend, she felt a mix of curiosity and apprehension. While she cherished their closeness, she also didn't want to disregard the rules of Yang's house. Up til now, she had been courteous, but, given her newfound feelings, she still felt wary about crossing any lines.
"Okay... I see yer point, Yang. I'll tone it down inside the house."
"Thank you."
Yang gave her companion a warm grin before taking another gulp from her bottle. What she didn't expect was a quick peck on the cheek that almost made her cough on her water. Yang fought the temptation to choke as he watched the faunus depart the house, giving her a good view of her rear on the way out. She ran after Roxanne after a few moments to gather herself, and the two were soon back to sparring, each working on their grappling tactics.
Upstairs, Tai Yang Xiao Long watched from the balcony as the girls resumed their combat training with a soft grin, content to relax as their giggles and confrontational grunts filled the air.
"I hope they keep things clean..." he chuckled, taking a sip of water and leaving to catch up on his shows.
[Kanaton Caves]
In the cavern's open area, Raven and Aganju engaged in a fierce battle, their weapons clashing with a burst of colorful sparks that illuminated the dark grotto. The intensity of their fight was evident in every collision, whether it was on the ground or in the air. Neither of them seemed to hold back, their force equally matched. Despite this, each combatant possessed a unique skill that gave them a fighting chance, making the outcome of their duel unpredictable.
Pyrrha watched as her comrade found himself in a test of strength.
As he swiped at the woman, forcing her to jump back, Raven did not doubt his determination to emerge victorious. With his blades combined, he charged forward. She could tell that the faunus had adapted quickly to her style, despite their last meeting being a short time ago.
He's deceptively powerful and crafty!
That was his most significant edge in a battle; his ability to adapt and adjust his strategy to keep up with his opponent would always serve him well in combat. His blows continually connected with hers as he forced her back with only his power.
Raven smirked under her concealing mask though, eyeing a significant weakness for her to exploit. She then ducked under him reversing Aganju via her shoulders, freeing herself and slashing the air beside her, creating a portal and stepping through it.
"Not bad... But not good enough."
The cavern now grew still. The dimly lit area did nothing to stop Aganju though as his eyes could easily see in the dark. Still, the woman was nowhere in sight.
The fox couldn't even pick up her scent, yet he wouldn't drop his guard.
He took a deep breath and scanned every nook and corner of the hole. He could sense her towering presence, but he couldn't pinpoint her whereabouts. The vulpine twisted his body to face the gateway after hearing it in the distance, but there was nobody there. On top of that, his mind rushed to the realization that Ciel had been gone for some time as well.
Where the hell are you?
"Aganju!" he turned to find the gladiator being dragged through the gateway, several hands clutching at her form.
"PYRRHA!"
She was pulled through the doorway with a sword to her throat before he could reach them. As his body shivered with blazing wrath, Aganju let a roaring surge from his mouth. All save his demonic irises were absorbed by the inky emptiness as he ran into the lone path in quest of his peers.
His mind filled with the things he would do to Raven and anyone else he's come across. All that mattered was that they would be alright; damn anything else. His lungs burned but he didn't care. His legs were growing weary and yet, he refused to quit until he reached the ones responsible. His trek reaped a much-desired reward as he watched as a surrounded Pyrrha and Ciel fended off the band of brigands.
Standing in the way of their exodus was a seemingly tranquil Raven, watching the scene unfold in silence from her place near the cave's opening.
While the duo did rather well against the majority, there was one, a girl with short brown hair and icy blue eyes giving her trouble. Aganju wasted no time and ran up the inclined slope that led to the exit. While relieved to see him unharmed, Pyrrha was equally worried about the well-being of the vulpine.
"Aganju?"
He didn't acknowledge her pleading tone. He couldn't afford to do so now, not if they were to survive.
He rushed past them all, leaving his partners to battle the focused short-haired woman. He wound up knocking out anyone foolish enough to get in his way with accurate kicks and strikes. He knew that Pyrrha wouldn't approve of a mass killing, but it wasn't anything that noble keeping him from exterminating the hapless cronies.
End her! That evil voice rang in his ear, urging him toward the woman. She's the reason for your pain!
Every attack was only a means of getting closer to injuring the woman at the heart of the gang. If any blood would stain his sword, it would be hers. The men and women of the tribe would fall one by one until one of them got on the boy's back, followed by another and another. This continued until Aganju found himself buried under a dog pile while Raven looked on.
"Such a disappointment..." she muttered, turning her back. "Take them back to camp after you've..."
"GET OFF OF ME!"
Aganju sparked his intensity, pushing off the bandits with just his wild aura. Due to the pile, he'd dropped his weapon, but it wouldn't matter. Unlike before, he stood hunched over, baring his fangs. The air around him swirled like a violet-translucent gale that formed claws around his fingers. This was enough to finally draw apprehension from the masked woman.
She was right... Raven hissed at the dire situation. She had to think quickly or else everyone could pay the ultimate price. To her surprise, there was no sign of Grimm in the area, a fortunate occurrence. But, with the danger before her, what could be done? "It seems I've misjudged you!"
Raven's words fell on deaf ears. He let out the fiercest roar he could muster, daring anyone to challenge him. Gone was his reservation. No longer would he hold back. If they wanted to die, he'd be happy to oblige them. When the fox turned to the masked assailant, he was taken aback when he saw that she was no longer there.
"Yet, you're still that little pup from all those years ago..."
When he turned to confront the warrior, she had vanished yet again. When he turned around, Pyrrha was caught between Raven and her deputy. Ciel was kept at bay by the brunette's blade rifle pointed at her back, effectively taking her out of the fight. The sharp weapons of both ladies probed into her neck, threatening to draw the crimson blood underneath.
"I didn't want to believe it was you..."
"What are you-?"
"You don't remember, do you? Hmph... If only she could see you now."
Aganju's patience was running thin at this point. She wasn't making sense, but the conviction within her voice pressed him to temper himself if only just long enough to hear her out.
"Vernal...? Is he the one you spoke of?"
Vernal?
The woman in question motioned for some of the bandits to restrain Ciel before she had a chance to drink in the sight before her. Her pale blue eyes morphed from confusion to recognition to astonishment. Aganju swore he saw a ghost of a grin appear only for it to fade in a second.
Why is she looking at me like that? Vernal... Why does that name ring a bell?
"It is you!" her eyes lit up, though her tone remained measure. "I thought you were dead, pup!"
"Don't call me pup, shrimp! Er... I mean-!"
His mind rushed with memories, once locked away, forcing him to stumble back. His rage soon melted away as he grappled with his emotions upon seeing her face. This was Vernal? She looked so different from when they were children. He towered over her now yet, she looked at him with a strength that could only come from survival.
"I can't believe it's you! I can't believe I forgot all these years."
"It's good to see you've become strong, even if it was temporary..."
Unintentionally, Aganju recalled the power till the regular violet optics reappeared. The faunus felt something stab his gut and he was hurled into a large stalagmite. His eyes widened in surprise as he witnessed another infernal gateway vanish behind his assailant.
A trick...! he choked on the blood that pooled in his mouth. He couldn't hear Pyrrha's horrified shriek nor Ciel's. Only a high-pitch whine faded in and out of his ears as he struggled futilely.
The anguish quickly began to travel through his body from his core, but what happened next might haunt his nightmares forever. The one who impaled him grasped for the Grimm mask, slowly exposing her face. Skin that is as white as snow. Her eyes were crimson, like sanguine diamonds that matched his right orb.
Despite this observance, the most notable thing Aganju noticed wasn't that but what came from those eyes.
A tear.
A single drop of regret fell down her cheek as she stared back at the boy as if pleading with him to remember something. To her, he was like a frightened child. Her lip quivered slightly but, he was close enough to see her hide this from her tribe as she leaned in closer. Her breath tickled his ear, momentarily pulling him away from the agony.
Why is... she crying?
"Tell her, she was right. I'm sorry for failing you." Raven withdrew her katana, watching as Aganju fell into her with a gasp.
His shivering turned into convulsions as he slowly slumped to his knees. His mind had no time to process her words. The next thing he remembered was feeling her heeled boot push him over the edge of the cliff watching as the image of Raven grew smaller, as did the image of a broken Pyrrha reaching in vain for him.
Raven watched with melancholy in her heart as the shrieks of the red-haired girl echoed throughout the fissures of the cavern. Her futile cries for her Aganju fell on deaf ears, but not on a stone soul. The men and women rushed to her shortly after she had managed to break free from Vernal's grip, taking the girls prisoner, their leader putting on her mask before acknowledging her lieutenant.
"Take them back keep her tied tight. I don't need the redhead using her semblance either, so keep her blindfolded."
"Yes, ma'am."
As Pyrrha and Ciel yelled hysterically at her, Raven paid their pain no mind. It had nothing to do with a lack of emotion, but rather, it was her pain that overshadowed that of the girls. Still, she retained her heartless persona, allowing them to curse her until they were out of sight.
On her right side, a cardinal sash floated along the ground by her feet. Picking it up, she recognized it as belonging to the girl before looking to her left. She then turned to the edge of the precipice where the fox's weapon rested. Raven, feeling the weight of her deed, simply walked over to the blade, tying the red scarf around the hilt before tossing them both over the side, removing the last physical remnant of her crime.
She didn't want to kill him, but after seeing how uncontrollable he was, there was no bringing him back to her tribe.
Translation: Raven panicked.
"You just had to trust me, didn't you?"
[Evernight Castle/Training Room]
Several slashes of hot energy tore across the vacuum in the center of the blackness. Each stroke, more powerful than the previous, began to break down the chasm until only one remained standing in the center of the room.
Cinder Fall.
Destroyer of Beacon.
Killer of Ozpin.
Fall Maiden.
She huffed as she tried to regain as much of the energy she'd just exerted as another Beowolf began to disintegrate in front of her. She'd been at this exercise for hours yet, there seemed to be no end to the ravenous beasts that appeared, courtesy of Salem. The spectral woman looked on with an expressionless gaze as her protege continued to try and fend off the creatures.
Soon the girl found herself stalked by four Grimm at once, eyeing their sickly yellow eyes with only a single thought in her mind: Kill or be killed.
As they attacked, she focused her attention on exterminating them all at once, but she discovered that it sapped her stamina far more than she had imagined. Cinder would be almost assaulted by an ape-like Grimm who nearly caught her off guard as she wheezed for precious air. Fortunately, she had the foresight to push her palm into its belly, emptying it of its entire existence before collapsing to her knees in fatigue.
"Enough!" Salem regally exclaimed, her serene voice drawing more fear from the younger woman than any monstrosity could. "I thought you were the girl that wanted power. Did you lie to me?"
The woman's words cut deeper into Cinder's heart than any weapon ever could. She wanted so badly to lash out, but her recovery was nearing its end; she could feel it. Instead, she turned to Salem, shaking her head.
"Then stop holding back!" she glared at the once proud and vocal girl on her knees. "If you want to master your powers, you must-"
The door opened abruptly, interrupting the master and revealing a trembling Tyrian emerging from the shadows.
I'm sorry... She'll forgive me," he dropped to his knees, muttering to himself as if another was conversing with him. "Please, forgive me."
"Tyrian?" His form ceased its rattling on command as she called his name. "Your task? Were you successful?"
Despondent and discouraged, he couldn't bear to look his queen directly in the eyes.
"No."
Salem's displeasure was palpable, as seen in the ominous change in her eyes. Despite his face pressing against the stone floor, he sensed the weight of her disappointment piercing his dark heart. An agonizing silence followed before she turned to leave, leaving Tyrian to try to salvage whatever remained of their relationship.
"But, hope is not lost! My tail- erm... My stinger! It poisoned him... Qrow! He will not be a nuisance to you any longer. No! No longer!"
The revelation of his deed caused Salem to stop, eyeing him with an unreadable gaze.
"Have I done well? Have I pleased you?" the meekness returned in his voice, hoping for the woman's approval.
"The last eye is blinded." She pondered. "You disappoint me..."
Aghast.
Whatever delight remained on the male's face as she exited the room. She could hear Tyrian's faint weeping rebounding from the castle walls as the door slammed shut behind her, but she didn't move. His sadness, like the Grimm she'd summoned, was like a lullaby to her. His crying soon twisted into maniacal cackles, accompanied by his swords slashing any horror she decided to toss at him.
None of that mattered now, as she entered her room, wanting nothing more than to reflect on all that had transpired. She couldn't be certain that Qrow was no longer a menace unless his death was confirmed. This also indicated that the silver-eyed girl was still alive, which may be a greater problem in the future.
However, something else drew her attention. These apparent obstacles would be handled and planned out, but there was that itch that the woman just couldn't scratch. Closing her eyes, Salem sat down in her chair, staring back at her reflection with a look that she never thought she'd ever see again.
Hope.
Salem was concerned about the identity of the faunus who was said to share her eyes. She could wait until Cinder's voice was repaired. But, being a magical being, she wasn't wholly without alternatives. She reached for a little music box, ignoring the green figure of a little child and clutching a small diamond in her palm, crushing it into dust.
Bloody eyes shut slowly as she channeled her mind on the reported enigma.
After hearing the haunting melody of the music box, Salem watched the specks drift above her before settling in for a well-deserved rest. The childlike tune evoked an indescribable feeling within her, stirring old and forgotten feelings. Despite her curiosity, she soon drifted off, allowing a faded image of a faunus child to appear in her dreams.
Who are you, child?