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:
Chapter 37: Faith in the Sword-3
True to the words of the cowardly lion, there was going to be a massive gala happening in the mountainous kingdom. Normally, this would conclude with the impending completion of his mission, but there was something different about this. He didn't sense any falsehood behind Lionheart's words, but such urgency was reserved for the exodus of the faunus.
After returning to the inn, Aganju shared all that he learned with Pyrrha while introducing her to Ilia. It was partially awkward when the chameleon mentioned keeping tabs on them, including during their (almost) kiss. However, this paled in comparison to the change in plans.
The following morning left them little time to enjoy the warm showers and a breakfast of biscuits and gravy. They were soon on their way, even getting a headstart on the dawning sun. This proved advantageous as they arrived at their destination with plenty of time to spare.
"It looks like that doormat wasn't lying" Ilia scanned the area. "There's hardly any guards outside, and I'm willing to bet that there's not that much more."
"They could be using the quality over quantity approach, you know?"
"I agree," Pyrrha nodded. "The Winchesters aren't known for lackadaisical security. If the numbers are down..."
"Then that means the bastard's got some badasses inside."
Aganju's tone shifted to one that was typical of both young ladies. While Pyrrha could pick up the slightest hint of bloodlust in his words, Ilia knew better. She could tell that her sibling's voice carried a harsh weight, one that she was afraid would lead to reckless dereliction. As he stood up, he felt Ilia's hand clutch to his jacket.
"Let's go, Ilia..."
"Not until you tell us what you're planning."
"We're wasting time. We have to go, now..."
Ilia was holding on tightly, causing her skin to turn blue with green spots adding to her already troubled complexion. Aganju knew he shouldn't look, but he couldn't resist. He saw tears welling up in the girl's eyes and felt his heart breaking at the sight of her newly formed anguish. This was precisely why he preferred to handle things on his own.
"You're not coming back, are you?" her voice was even though he could pick up the smallest traces of her own emotions beginning to crack her shield.
"I... can't return."
"Why not?!" she hissed while hot droplets began to fall. "We're supposed to be family and you're just going to leave us?"
"If I don't then I'll be putting you all in danger. You, Madame Raven, Blake, Sun, and the others... I can't have any of you paying for my crimes, especially ones committed against the Nikos family. I never cared what would happen to me but, if anything were to happen to you all, my family, I couldn't live with myself if you all were to suffer for my actions. That's why I asked Raven for permission to leave and head to Vale after this mission."
"Guess that's our cue," a male voice announced from the trees overhead. Above them, two forms descended onto the hardened snow with a soft crunch. Like morning and night, bright yellow and jet-black hair adorned their heads. A matching tail and pair of ears respectively, let the far past annoyed Aganju know who these meddlers were. "Sup, guys!"
"You've got to be kidding me..." the fox resisted the urge to facepalm. "What are you two doing here?"
"Oh, you know, we were just in the neighborhood-"
"We followed Ilia after she disappeared AFTER you left on your mission." Blake interrupted, clamping a hand over Sun's mouth. "We had no idea initially where she was going until after we made it to Mistral. After that, Sun insisted that we keep an eye on you to make sure that you're alright."
The trio all pointed their eyes at the now-embarrassed Sun Wukong scratching the back of his neck. Ilia was none too pleased, her glare growing harsher by the second while Aganju rolled his eyes at all he had heard. Pyrrha was the only one who saw his antics as amusing though she couldn't forget her displeasure with the fox.
Amidst the chaos of everything going on, they quickly settled on the main points of their being there. Pyrrha explained the full reason that led to what she believed to be the reason for Velvet's imprisonment while divulging her intentions afterward.
From her arranged marriage to Cardin to her intentions to sacrifice her status to spare her friend from the cruel fate of an uncertain future. Aganju told them of his plan to leave after the rescue, inciting the expected protests from his decision. Though his reasons were noble in principle, he was given an earful about how selfish it all was as well.
Ilia gave her apologies for leaving without a trace, finally concluding the ring of confessions.
"So, what do we do now?" Aganju rubbed his temples.
"If you're deadset on leaving Anima, then we're going with you," Sun stated with a nod from Blake. "And before you ask, we've already made peace with telling Yang about it. We're a family and we've been considering leaving this hell of a country in favor of greener pastures anyway."
"The same goes for me," Ilia smiled warmly. "You're stuck with me."
Aganju couldn't help but feel his face stretch into a sigh of resignation before conceding to their resolve. There was no talking them out of this once they'd made their minds up; he knew this to be true. They truly were family and despite his desire to ensure their safety, he couldn't deny his gratitude for their willingness to aid him.
"Alright then, I guess we're in this together..."
"Excuse me?" Pyrrha's soft voice cut in. "I would like to join you as well if that's not too much trouble."
On cue, everyone turned their eyes to Aganju. His eyes were downcast as he was deep in thought. He considered her words, a desire to escape a destiny that wasn't truly her own, it all seemed like excellent reasons. He finally turned his gaze toward her, those evergreen pools shining with truth and innocence before exchanging glances at his family. He watched as they all wore confidence on their faces.
"You want to leave after we save your friend?"
"Yes."
"Are you willing to accept all that comes with joining our group? You'd be sacrificing your wealth and status here."
"I find no honor in being the daughter of a man who finds the mistreatment and discrimination of others just for being different. If rescuing Velvet means I have to leave it all behind and start over, then I'd gladly do that a thousand times over."
Aganju sighed heavily but he wouldn't put up a fight... He couldn't put up a fight. In his mind's eye, he could see how far Pyrrha would go to accomplish her mission, even when it wasn't necessary. This time, he watched as they shared that forbidden kiss before she managed to slip away in hopes of battling someone alone. Fearing a repeat affair, the fox wasn't going to deny her.
"I guess there's no talking you out of this, huh?"
"Not if it means freedom for us all."
Sensing no deceit in her words, Aganju acknowledged her, bowing his head in acceptance. There was still caution within his soul, but he knew one way to put those doubts to rest. Perhaps the same tactic was used to bring him into the fold. He stood to his feet and pulled his scarf over his face.
"Then it's settled..."
"What's settled?"
"Sun, Ilia, and Blake..." the trio turned to him. "If you're planning on coming with us, then you'll be going in advance of me and Pyrrha. Once we finish here, one of you should ask Raven for some resources so we can find a place in Vale."
"What about you and Pyrrha?" Blake pointed out.
Aganju scratched his head sheepishly. "Um... We'll be joining you guys later. We'll have to stay behind to give you enough time to smuggle the captives out as well. Besides, if she just disappears to another kingdom, we're practically bringing war to Vale's borders and endangering lives."
"So..."
"Long story short, I'm working on a plan to get Pyrrha out of this arranged bullshit."
That acquainted warmth returned in Pyrrha's stomach, but it was short-lived as Aganju and the others pulled a scarf over their faces. They stepped to the cliff's edge and leaped off before she could inquire further. Her warrior's instinct aided her greatly as this trial by fire would be her improvised initiation. It was all so fast but she ascertained the nature of things just as quickly: Keep up and stay vigilant.
A fearless smile began to stir on her lips before she followed the group, feeling the crisp wind hitting her face with two thoughts becoming her focus.
1. If they were going to test her, then she was going to pass with flying colors.
2. She couldn't wait to be reunited with her best friend once again.
Velvet we're coming!
Aganju and Pyrrha were on a mission at the Mistral Faunus Ranch, and they were not alone. They were waiting for their partners, Ilia, Blake, and Sun, to finish their tasks before making their move. The excitement was building up as they rushed through the basement area, checking their equipment, and making sure everything was ready. They knew that every second counted. Blake and Sun were assigned to take out the guards in the lookout towers, while Ilia, the master of stealth, was tasked with sneaking through the grounds undetected. Once the towers were secured, Ilia unlocked the basement entrance from the inside, and the team's goal was in sight.
Could they make it? The stakes were high, and the pressure was on!
They carefully navigated themselves through the unprotected underground bunker, thankful for the tip afforded to them by Lionheart earlier. This allowed them both to traverse the area with little to no issue aside from the scattered cameras that could pick them up. This proved advantageous for the pair given Aganju's night vision that allowed him to guide Pyrrha through the darkness with ease. Eventually, they'd step up a flight of stairs, stopping just short of the only way in and out.
"Why aren't we heading up yet?" she rustled in his ear. "Is there anyone coming?"
Aganju kept his ear to the door, cutting his eyes toward Pyrrha within the pitch-black space. Though he did hear a few footsteps, that wasn't his concern. No, he was waiting for something.
Reaching behind him, Aganju was unaware that Pyrrha had attempted to reach forward to get his attention. This resulted in their hands crossing one another's, a slight jolt causing them to jerk their limbs back. While Pyrrha could barely see her palm, Aganju could see his own perfectly and he couldn't fathom what that was. He turned around slowly and noticed her doing the same. He felt his face grow warm but shook it off; this wasn't the time to be entertaining such thoughts.
"A-Are you okay?" he finally muttered, careful to keep his voice low enough for only her to hear.
"Yes, t-thank you," she replied, uncertain of what she felt at that moment as well. "Is there a reason that we're waiting?"
"Oh, right... I'm waiting for a signal that it's clear to move. Sun and the others should be putting things into motion for our approach."
Pyrrha twisted her face slightly at such a broad answer.
"What do you mean?"
Suddenly, a blare erupted from behind the door. Many footsteps rumbled as incoherent voices boomed with anger and panic. Much of it was difficult to make out, even for Aganju's heightened hearing yet, two words provided them the answer they sought.
"Jail Break!"
Footsteps stomped down what they believed to be a hallway until the reverberations began to decrease. Once it completely vanished, the duo finally took their chance. That was the easy part. Now, they had to find wherever Velvet was being held. They rushed through several corridors, checking every room available to them. Turning a corner, they found themselves face to face with one of the security cameras pointed directly at them.
"What should we do now?" Pyrrha growled.
"Keep moving! That's why we have our faces covered." He replied swiftly. They broke out into a full sprint, stopping only to check any unlocked rooms, but there was no sign of the vulpine. Aganju pulled out his scroll and pressed a series of buttons in hopes of reaching one of their allies. "Come on... Pick up!"
"Kinda busy, bro?" Sun answered, his breathing quick and haggard.
"Have you guys seen a rabbit faunus with long brown ears, hair, and eyes?"
"Sorry... I've seen a lot of people with one of those traits but not all three." Several grunts mixed with cries of pain and gunshots before Sun replied again. "Gotta go. But I'll contact lizard girl after we get to safety."
With that, he hung up, leaving both Aganju and Pyrrha to continue searching blindly. Finally, they entered a section of the ranch that was gloomier than all of the others. Muffled cries for help and wailing filled their ears as they deliberately stepped deeper down the corridor.
Peeking inside some of the room, several men and women were found bound, restrained to various grotesque pieces of 'furniture' calling out to anyone willing to aid them. Their pain and agony were on full display for Pyrrha and Aganju, inciting similar emotions from the young adults.
Pyrrha's stomach churned at the sight of the grotesque imagery. However, her partner had a different reaction. He suppressed his rage, but his right eye twitched with anger. The cries of his people pierced through his soul, and he couldn't bear to hear their pleas for mercy and release. He felt a burning desire to help them, but he knew he had to act fast to make a difference.
Aganju wanted to break down each door with his bare hands and rescue every one of his people from the torture chambers they were sealed in, but, he also knew that there was little time before the guards returned.
What should he do?
"We have to help them," he stopped dead in his tracks. "We cannot allow these people to remain in suffering."
"There's no time..." Aganju shot back. A wave of silence trailed between the two, a heavy bridge of shock and guilt. He expected as much as he kept his back to Pyrrha who stared daggers at the vulpine. He felt her eyes burrowing into the back of his head as he clenched his fists. "We're here to rescue Velvet and we can't stop now."
"We can't just leave them here to suffer!"
"I know..." he groaned.
"We couldn't live with ourselves if we left them to this horrifying fate."
"I get that but..."
"So, we are obligated as warriors to help-"
"I can't!"
Aganju's sudden eruption made Pyrrha flinch.
She watched as Aganju swept around, burning eyes directed at her. For the first time, the fury behind his glare was pointed at her, but a part of her knew an unfortunate truth. Behind his rage, she saw something else; a deeper feeling that'd only been witnessed once before at Kuchinashi. There was a deep-rooted pain that lurked within his soul and it was finally sprouting once again. There were traces of desperation that lingered behind his maddened gaze, a direct result of the moans of anguish from his fellow faunus.
What is it that's breaking him? How long has he been carrying this pain? Pyrrha inquired, sensing that the dark cloud over him was the same as the previous night. Whatever was plaguing him had a strong grip on his very soul. Even more remarkable, it was his forcing him to complete this mission at any cost.
"You hired me to save your friend... I can't fail," Aganju's voice lowered, barely above a whisper.
She noticed the rage that controlled his resolve begin to relinquish its grasp. Violet orbs soon filled with despair, trying to salvage any remnant of the former blaze he exhibited mere moments before. Where he previously locked eyes with Pyrrha, his sense of truth once uncompromising, Aganju couldn't bring himself to look at her.
"Aganju...?"
"I won't fail her... Not again."
Self-loathing. Guilt. Shame.
It was a wrinkle in the otherwise smooth fabric that was Aganju's demeanor and Pyrrha didn't like the sight of it. She knew this feeling all too well and the last thing she wanted to see was someone else having to deal with that torture... alone.
This wasn't the time for pity though.
Pyrrha moved closer to Aganju, narrowing the distance between them until only a few inches remained. She was mindful of the significant height difference between them and placed her hand on his cheek to gently lift his face towards hers. Aganju continued to avoid eye contact, but Pyrrha did not require him to look at her.
All she truly needed was one thing.
"Listen..." she whispered. "...Do you believe in destiny?"
This was a surprising thing to ask of him, made even more evident by the perplexed look he gave her. Canine ears twitched gently as he tried his best to fathom such a question, yet no answer would come to his mind. All he could do was stare at the young woman, a success in its own right. His silence, coupled with contemplation, was enough to make Pyrrha's scowl soften significantly.
There was no need for him to answer. For now, she'd settle for the calming melancholy flickering like dying embers.
"We can discuss this further at a later time if you'd be willing. For now, we will release these tormented souls and then go rescue Velvet."
How annoying... Aganju thought, the corner of his lip rising slightly. "And how do you intend on getting these doors opened? If we go about it one by one, we'll be here all night. Surely we'll be...
His question was cut off by the sound of metal ripping. Glancing around, Aganju could see a dark hue shroud each entryway, tugging on the heavy doors as if they were mere paper. As he marveled at the sight of each gateway falling with a vibrating thud, the fox finally recognized the cause of such an occurrence.
The same dark aura resided around Pyrrha's palms, showing the truth of what was happening. While the act appeared to be effortless, he could tell that this was taking a great deal out of the former noble. One by one, each entrance was exposed.
"...caught?" his ears drooped in shock from the amount of force exhibited.
"Will this... speed things up?" she grinned, her breathing slightly troublesome as she lowered her arm. The gesture grew larger when he nodded blankly. "Then, let's move quickly."
"Yeah..."
[Outside the Facility]
As the sounds of battle raged on, Ilia managed to rejoin her friends. To say that she was impressed with what she witnessed would be an understatement. Not only were Blake and Sun doing an excellent job in leading the charge, but she marveled at how adequate her race was at defending themselves.
Those who were able to fight, did their absolute best to take out the outnumbered soldiers while the others escaped into the snowy region. The mini horde racing to freedom almost made her want to cry, but she'd settle on making any unlucky guard commit the act instead.
Though she utilized non-lethal force, her attacks were more than sufficient to take down the rather skilled men and women who crossed her path. One soldier thought it best to rush her head-on. In response, Ilia ducked under the assault, sweeping his legs from underneath him. As he fell to the snow-covered ground, the girl quickly pushed off of the balls of her feet, spinning in mid-air while another hapless officer ate said foot upon her descent, knocking them out as well.
What amateurs... she teased, pulling out her weapon of choice, lightning lash.
Using the whip blade, Ilia began mowing down many of the remaining men and women who opposed them until she stood side by side with her fellow stablemates.
"Good. You're back!" Sun gave her a thumbs up.
"Any word from Aganju?" Blake added, her concern overshadowing Sun's positivity. "We haven't been able to get in touch with him since he asked if we spotted that Velvet girl."
Ilia shook her head slowly, dread beginning to form.
"No. I tried to find any trace of her before I left but I only managed to get a picture and some files of her before leaving behind some presents. I was hoping that she'd be found by now."
The couple mirrored her gesture, Blake proving to be the one willing to inquire further.
"What do you mean by 'presents', Ilia?"
The chameleon faunus simply turned back to the chaos around them, her eyes filled with concern. She dared not speak on it, prompting Blake to try and contact Aganju only to receive static for her troubles.
"I can't reach him..." the feline's shoulders slumped.
"Something must be jamming the signal," Sun replied, taking Blake's arm gently. "We gotta go before backup arrives."
Despite her protest, the two followed behind the blond as he led them past the main gate. All Ilia could do was hope that the two could complete their task in enough time.
Back inside, Aganju was surprised at how easily things were going, especially when he witnessed Pyrrha's semblance. It took a long of energy from her but, he couldn't deny that she was more than capable of handling herself. It didn't take long for them to rescue the faunus from their chambers of torment, allowing them to reach their goal much faster.
However, with each room they investigated, their hopes of finding Velvet diminished more and more as she was nowhere to be found. The only saving grace for their moods was that they were responsible for freeing the few remaining imprisoned. Standing between the remains of the broken doors, Aganju and Pyrrha found themselves staring at one final door at the end of the corridor.
"Are you ready for this?" Aganju asked, his voice even.
Pyrrha said nothing. Rather, she extended her hand to flex her power once again. The fortified steel whined and groaned under her semblance, but in time, it too gave way to her command. The loud crash it made was nothing to them as they stepped inside, each one wary to enter the void within. Aganju took the lead though, his night vision helping him to see clearly what lurked inside.
Only a couple of steps were taken before he held out an arm, halting Pyrrha's advance as well. She was about to challenge him on why he stopped her, but she would be robbed of that chance thanks to a simple titter from the darkness.
"You're not afraid of the dark, are you?" a sultry voice called from the darkness. "Why not come deeper into my web?"
Aganju snarled, his eyes flaring behind his mask.
Why her?! Slowly, he moved deeper into the blacked-out room, carefully scanning the room. It was clear that he needed to keep his guard up, though he made sure to bring his eyes back to the woman across from him.
"Carmine Esclados..."
The lights suddenly flashed on, revealing the identity of their host. Those golden venomous serpentine portals locked onto his own, dangerously alluring. Her scarlet lips complimented her dark eye shadow, further showcasing her dark aura. Interestingly, she wore a dark navy cropped long-sleeved shirt with a metal chain-like top attached, a far cry from her usual military uniform.
He noticed a black fashionable tattoo on the right side of her torso that down to her upper leg underneath crimson torn-off booty shorts that matched her tattered scarf and thigh-high black leather boots.
"You've heard of me? I must say, I'm quite flattered. Unfortunately, I can't say that I know who you are."
He said nothing as the woman flicked her tongue over her lips. Her smile stretched little by little as his scowl deepened. For what felt like ages, the two glared at each other, separate temperaments clashing. The alliance of Pyrrha and Aganju carefully scanned the room for any signs of Velvet throughout the room but found no trace of her. Only various torture devices ranging from small to large adorned the room were visible aside from a rather odd-looking black settee.
"Awww. Not the social type, are you?"
"Where is Velvet?" he gnarred. "Where are you hiding her?"
Carmine simply crossed her legs, inciting a weird noise from underneath her; a squeak.
It wasn't a normal squeak that one would expect from furniture and even worse, Aganju started to notice something even more horrifying upon closer inspection. "Have you figured it out yet?" she taunted, raising what appeared to be a riding crop. "I believe she's saying hello."
he brought down the instrument of torture, swatting the front of her seat, earning a muffled yet, more distinct, whimper.
It was pained but the weariness was far more evident as her form began to buckle from the assault only prompting another vicious attack, much to the harsh woman's enjoyment. Gradually their eyes started to swell at the realization of the woman's perversion. The exhibition of their disgust was truly satisfying to Carmine, it was her nature.
She was a cruel woman, known throughout Atlas and most of Anima for her lust for the misery of others and that aspect of her was on display now. How could someone hold such malice in their hearts and love every moment of it?
"So, I've been spending time with bun-bun here but, she's been such a naughty girl. It seems that she still doesn't understand the rules of things."
Carmine eyed the faunus, specifically, her smile fading almost immediately.
"Let her go, NOW!"
Cocking her head, she pushed off of the kneeling form of the encased Velvet, leaving a gentle swat on her backside for good measure, a warning for her to stay put.
Though her face was hidden, Aganju could feel the aura of defeat radiating from her, his soul fracturing at the sight. He felt his composure vanishing as well as the image of the military woman served only to infuriate him.
A hand placed on his shoulder brought his senses back and he turned to see Pyrrha looking back at him. Her green eyes were saturated with empathy, reminding him of the reason he was here in the first place. She could see him wrestling with what to do, the war waged behind his narrowed gaze, and silently nodded in understanding.
"Are you sure?"
"Give her to us," he growled, his voice more contained this time. "NOW."
"Why don't you come and take her?"
The mere sight of her made his blood boil, but whatever his issues with the woman would have to wait, in favor of the greater good. However...
...that didn't mean that he couldn't enjoy himself either...
With a flash of his canines at Pyrrha, he charged towards Carmine, relying on his agility to catch her off guard. And it worked like a charm! She was left bewildered as he appeared right in front of her, his eyes reflecting her favorite shade of red, filled with a strange sense of joy beneath his mask. As he swung his arm down to strike, she barely managed to escape by leaping to his right side.
Taking her opponent by surprise, Carmine quickly regained her balance and stood her ground. She refused to let fear take over as she faced him, noticing the scythe he held in his right hand. With a swift movement, she drew her sais, ready to deflect and block any attack he might throw at her. This time, she was more determined and confident in her abilities to defend herself.
He's good... she admitted to herself, carefully reading his expertly timed shifts and changes while finding very few openings in his approach. His speed was only matched by his power, a sneaky part of his offense that would give her trouble if she wasn't careful.
Sensing that this was his plan, Pyrrha rushed over to the still form of Velvet while Aganju kept Carmine occupied. Such a submissive position was heartbreaking but not as much as when she attempted to help her up. Rather than follow her touch, the Lagomorpha shivered under the restrictive material, remaining rooted in place.
How long has she endured this? Pyrrha pondered as she tried to free the faunus from the restraints. She removed the hood that kept Velvet blind, almost regretting doing so with what she saw.
Her tan skin was coated in black and blue bruises, small spots of caked-up blood accentuating them. Her terra orbs showed just how broken she truly was, the torment having gained her fear and obedience. Her left eye was slightly swollen, enough to augment her vision a bit. She winced as sweat glazed her features, pasting her brown hair to her face.
"V-Velvet?"
"..." her lips parted but only a barely heard exhale came out.
Pyrrha pulled her friend into a ginger embrace, shushing her with comforting words. Feeling the warm embrace, Velvet began to shudder, which soon gave into a convulsion of emotions. Tears poured from her eyes as she sat there limply in her former master's arms, her limbs heavy from her earlier ordeal. She thought that Pyrrha had forgotten her, discarding her for another at some point, and yet, her heart swelled with glee.
"We're getting you out of here," Pyhrra's words made her stiffen.
"W-Wha-?"
"Can you stand?" Once again Pyrrha cut in, pulling away to show her seriousness. Seeing the normally sweet gaze now stern and uncompromising, it was a wonder if she was there. She bowed her head, gingerly raising it back to silently allude to some minor issues to which the red-haired warrior understood. "Then let's go..."
A hesitant Velvet eventually complied with the instructions, allowing Pyrrha Nikos to drape the bunny's arm over her shoulder, carefully guiding her to the only exit available.
During the battle, Carmine and Aganju were evenly matched, with the sadist managing to keep up with Aganju's attacks. However, Aganju began to slow down, allowing her to gain the upper hand. Despite this, Aganju still managed to strike from all angles with her sword, but the length of Carmine's weapon kept her at bay.
Carmine was surprised by Aganju's change in tactics, which wiped any semblance of entertainment from her face.
He's been stalling!
Carmine's suspicion was confirmed when she cut her gaze to find the red-head and her plaything, slowly leaving the room. Her eyes narrowed as she began to flare up her power. The steel-floored room soon began to rumble, the air around her, and Aganju suddenly blurring the area around them. Tiny pieces began to scratch against his face.
He stood there, uncertain of what to make of things until he noticed her image suddenly disappear behind...
Sand? he wondered as he watched the grains begin to stick to his left arm.
Soon, a few insignificant grains began to accumulate into small patches. Those grew bit by bit until the entire limb became encased in sand. The discomfort then gave way to an uncomfortable weight pulling him down before the bits soon crawled all over his body. He tried to rip off the fragments but to no avail. Little by little, his body became encased in sand, leaving only a sandy column as a result.
He struggled within, feeling himself becoming compressed under the pressure. His mind began to numb as his struggles grew shorter until he was incapable of movement.
"I love it when they struggle..."
As the cool air swirled around the sandy tomb, Carmine couldn't help but feel an electric excitement building within her. Her hand twisted with anticipation, as though it already knew what was to come. She could almost taste the rush of power that was about to be unleashed. With a wicked grin, she watched as another faunus fell into her control, and the thrill of it sent shivers down her spine. And yet, she knew that this was only the beginning. Something was cracking inside the sand, and soon, she would unleash a force that would shake the very foundations of the world. The thought made her heart race with excitement, and as the first drops of sanguine mixed with the sand, she knew that her ultimate triumph was at hand.
Eventually, the construct broke, leaving Aganju to crash onto the floor with a sickening thud, his body unmoving and wounded.
"You sure know how to turn a girl on..."
Carmine then turned her attention to Velvet and her rescuer. With a flick of her hand, a sai flew at them, stopping just short of hitting either girl. Pyrrha was forced to turn around, spotting the auburn-locked beauty approaching her with a sly smirk. Green orbs watched in shock as Aganju's motionless form lay there in a pool of ruby liquid.
"Tsk tsk." she clicked her tongue. "I thought I made it clear to you and the mutt that we weren't done playing. And you..." she turned her calculating stare at the now trembling Velvet. "I don't remember giving you permission to move, did I?"
She could almost smell her fear, inhaling it as if it were the sweetest perfume. She treasured that 'scent'. The way it tickled her lungs was euphoric. Now, she only needed to stop this intruder and she could get back to 'playtime'. As she watched Velvet turtle behind her prospective savior, Carmine finally allowed her true emotions to manifest, a sinister scowl that made Pyrrha's blood run cold.
"I'll be sure to give you proper punishment... After I take care of our unwelcomed guest."
"She's not going anywhere with you."
"Oh? And what are you going to do, little girl?" Carmine replied smugly.
"I will defeat you and save my friends."
This girl... the lieutenant mentally inquired. I know I've seen her from somewhere.
Anticipation rushed through them both as emerald gems clashed against gold.
It was evident that Pyrrha was in no position to fight as she left her weapons back at the hotel after being led astray earlier. Plus, she was still a little tired after exerting her power to rescue the other faunus. None of that mattered though; she'd die protecting Velvet if that's what it took to ensure her freedom.
"You're clearly in over your head, so I'll show you some mercy. Just give back my toy, and I'll let you and your wounded dog leave."
"Save it! I'm not leaving Velvet to suffer by your hand!" Pyrrha spat back with vigor, surprising even herself at first.
Now Carmin was growing angry.
"You don't realize your position, do you? You break into the Mistral ranch, destroy our facility, attack Atlas and Mistral soldiers, and steal our possessions?! You'll be lucky if you're tossed in prison for life after I get done with you... I'm offering you a rare chance at forgiveness and you're turning it down for some animal?!"
Pyrrha held her cool despite the woman's outburst, standing between Carmine and her prize. She didn't come for a fight, she'd hoped to avoid one. However, she spared a glance at her former servant, bruised and battered from only Oum knew how many days or weeks of anguish, before turning back to her menacing challenger.
"No. She is my closest friend and I would lay down my life to protect her. That is why I decline your offer. Perhaps, you should come up with a better one."
"You little bitch!" Carmine narrowed her eyes, a patronizing grin pointed at the pair. "What would you propose?"
Her thoughts were cut off by an explosion that shook the foundation of the ranch.
Another blast soon trailed behind shortly after followed by another. Then another, causing those inside to stumble.
When things steadied, Carmine glanced up only to hear a satanic roar echo from behind her. Clutching her remaining sai, the officer frantically twisted her body only to find a pair of hellish eyes aimed at her followed by a blur before she felt a sharp pain rush through her head. She shrieked as bloody tears fell freely from the right side of her face.
Her cries reverberated against the walls as she fell to her knees, her blood creating a goopy pool underneath.
As they left, only an injured Carmine remained inside the chamber. Slowly, the pain pulsed behind her eye as the damage wracked her body, forcing it into involuntary convulsions. The rumblings continued as she lay in her hemoglobin, her body and mind's connection temporarily severed as debris crashed all around her. With her future uncertain, Carmine surprisingly broke out into a demented smile upon further comprehension.
He took it! That beast took my eye... She chuckled at the irony of the situation: The enthusiast of pain was now on the receiving end of her joy. She was sloppy. She was foolish. She should've ensured that the faunus was dead. She shouldn't have gotten caught up in her alleged victory but, she did. Now, her life appeared to be coming to an end.
She wouldn't let her smile fall, the 'heroes' wouldn't get the satisfaction of breaking her. If she died here, she would die with her resolve intact. If she survived, she'd see to it that they'd pay for humiliating her. She was embarrassed. Defeated.
Carmine failed her superior, Cardin after he left her in charge of the ranch in his stead. That was the closest thing to regret that the lieutenant had.
"Cardin, my love..." she winced as actual tears fell from her remaining good eye. "Forgive me."
With that, Carmine exhaled softly as the chilly winds began to descend on her fallen form. Her breathing grew shallow as the moon's beams appeared to shine directly onto her, highlighting her failure further. She wouldn't notice though. Her mind had forced her body to fall out of consciousness. Whether she'd live or die would be revealed once she opened her eyes.
Another day on earth or the fiery depths of hell itself?
Either way, she eagerly awaited the outcome.
After escaping and destroying the ranch, Aganju and the others thought it best to move onward from Mistral. It was a long and arduous journey given the circumstances but, with the help of Lionheart, they managed to sneak out of the kingdom, leaving it behind them. They chose to go back to Kuchinashi, a day's journey away but their safety would be secured for the time being.
Jaune gifted them the upper suite for the night, recalling his family's connection with Pyrrha finally; he was a bit dense when it came to the girl. They made no plans to stay for too long, only enough to secure Velvet's health before moving back to Garneta.
Surprisingly, Ilia volunteered to tend to her while Sun and Blake contacted Raven Branwen to report the details of their mission. Needless to say, there was a lot to unpack. After a talk with Ilia about Velvet's condition, Pyrrha returned to the suite only to find a certain fox faunus missing. She left the hotel that evening after everything was shut down at the front desk. Only after she was certain that it was safe enough did she start her search though.
If she had to hazard a guess, she had an idea of where she'd find him. Exiting the building, she watched as the clouds above released a moderate blessing of chilling snowfall. She paid no mind to it, however.
Heading downstairs, she found him sitting at a table off in the corner. She stepped closer but hesitated from sitting down, uncertain if he wanted company.
"Something on your mind?"
"I... I was just..." she jumped a bit. "I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize," he turned to face her, his violet eyes warmly aimed at her. "I was just lost in thought."
"If you're concerned about the faunus we rescued, Sun and Blake sent us a message. They'll all be leaving the night of the gala. Even better, Cardin and his father were exposed in a scandal after the fall of the ranch."
"Huh?"
"That woman we faced was an international outlaw from Vacuo masquerading as an Atlesian soldier. She also had a history with Cardin, pulling him and his father into the mud by affiliation. My father cut ties immediately after hearing this."
"Really? That's great!" Aganju smiled softly. "I guess we don't have to come up with a plan after all."
"Not quite..."
Aganju tilted his head in confusion, though it would give way to a cautious squint.
"What's wrong?"
"My father has set up another suitor, this one far worse than Cardin. He's a notorious nobleman with a penchant for faunus fights. So, that's still a problem."
"While I'm not thrilled to hear that, how hasn't the king sent for you until now?"
Pyrrha giggled half-heartedly at his query.
"I told him I wanted to go on a shopping spree to Garneta. They should be sending a carriage in a few days to bring me to the gala."
"Too bad you can't fight that clown and win your freedom..." Aganju huffed. What he didn't know was that his words lit a bulb in Pyrrha's mind.
"But you can!"
"Pyrrha?"
"Don't you see? If you come to the banquet with me, that'll give us an alibi!" She giggled, eyes lighting up like the stars on a clear night. "I could say that you're my new vassal who'll fight his champion on my behalf and, once you win, we'll be free to leave without inciting war! On top of that, it'll provide enough of a distraction for the others."
Before Aganju could point out any flaws in Pyrrha's plan, she threw her arms around his neck, embracing him fully for the first time since joining forces. Whether he wanted to or not, he couldn't resist the optimism oozing from the princess, returning the gesture with a lopsided grin.
"Then we'd better get some rest if we're going to get back in enough time. I'll dip into my funds and get us a coach this time..."