[#] Pyrrha hitting Noir in the mouth got some cathartic comments... and Nora 'snu-snuing' Ren got great comments too.
[#] As always, Ko-fi subscribers have access to 5 chapters ahead, plans start at 1 dollar.
COMMENTS:
WatcherofWorldz[archiveofourown]: So ruby got senketsu good to know.... also everyone know nora got mjolnir.
AVIP: I plead the fifth. I will neither deny nor confirm anything.
Frostwolf3227[wattpad]: Oh, for fuck's sake XD of course you have to pull the Virgil line you have a powerful katana you have said it's like tradition in the fanfic community
AVIP: a trad-fanfic author… thats a new one.
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[Point of View: Hazel]
Deep within the cavernous tunnels connecting Mountain Glenn to Vale, the air hangs heavy with damp and shadow. I've walked this path countless times over the past few days while overseeing Salem's new operations.
The long, solitary walks make me reflect on the path that led me here. Each step echoes with the past, a relentless reminder of the hatred and guilt that have haunted me for years.
Vengeance may be a bitter word, but now it is a poison coursing through my veins, fueling my every action, every thought.
After my sister's death, I hunted Salem, blind with fury and desperate to kill the monster who had stolen Gretchen's life, only to discover her cursed immortality. A cruel joke, played by the gods or whatever darkness rules this world. That revelation should have broken me, but instead it only fanned the flames of my rage to a new target… the immortal wizard.
Why?
"Because he knew!" I mutter, voice low and seething.
He knew the risk, the futility, and yet he still sent my sister. Still, across the centuries, he sent hundreds of thousands of young Huntsmen and Huntresses to face that monster, to die violent, meaningless deaths.
And despite everything… despite her being a monster, despite her being the Queen of all Grimm, I chose Salem. I chose to fight for her, for my true vengeance, because she was the one who told me the truth. She showed me what Ozpin hides from the world.
But…
The more I serve her, the more I understand. She is also a prisoner of her own feelings. She is shackled to her revenge, deeper and far more poisonous than my own, a slave to the pain the gods left behind. And she spreads that pain like wildfire.
And here I stand in Mountain Glenn, raising yet another pyre to be set ablaze.
After Roman's arrest, Cinder's plans crumbled. So Salem took over what her apprentice had begun, rebuilding the foundation herself.
With a weary sigh, I halt before my destination. My boot sinks slightly into the sticky, blackened earth. Before me stretches a vast lake of bubbling, viscous black liquid, like tar, heavy with the stench of rot and ozone.
The ichor pulses like a heartbeat. Like it's alive.
Upon the pulsating black lake, a swarm of jellyfish-like creatures of Grimm floats, motionless for the moment.
Thanks to the swarm of Grimm Seers, Salem can now project her power across vast distances without exhausting herself as she once did. I do not fully understand what she is doing because magic is beyond my knowledge, but it seems she has been overfeeding this pool, pouring in raw magic essence, shaping it through the Seers from her castle in the land of darkness.
She doesn't just summon Grimm anymore. She designs them, crafts them. And what's even worse… she fuses them with humans and Faunus. An agonizing process that shatters minds in exchange for power and savagery.
I have seen the results, abominations of dark twisted powers, born of pure madness.
"Hybrids she says," I mutter in disgust. "They are monsters with broken minds, with aura… and too much rage."
I step back from the pulsating ichor, my heart hammering. The air clings to my lungs, thick with rot and the stench of death.
"That fool in white armor…" I mutter, remembering the man who embraced me and enraged Salem. "He did this. He pushed her too far."
I catch a glimpse of the army, Grimm and hybrids alike, all controlled by Salem through the Seers. They are loading a train with Dust, preparing for a massive strike.
With a heavy heart and growing dread, I whisper:
"And Vale will pay the price."
[Jaune]
Using my Semblance I created the HF Murasama to cut Adam's arm, as it is technological I was able to create it using aura, only 7% of it to be exact.
Let me tell you, it cuts that bitch like soft butter.
And to make my night even better, Cinder appears out of nowhere, ready to be captured too.
"Bring her down, Pyr."
The catwalk is shrouded in the dark glow of Pyrrha's Semblance as its twists before knocking Cinder to the ground, causing her to tumble, dissipating the kinetic energy of the fall.
I whip out another power suppression collar, twirling it around my finger.
"Lucky for me, I made plenty of these." I say with a smile. "Just in case."
Cinder smirks, her eyes narrowing.
"Don't celebrate just yet, Arc. Your sister wasn't the only one who brought reinforcements."
On cue, a maniacal laugh echoes through the warehouse, resonating like a growl.
"Ghahhahaha!"
The hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
That's not just any laugh. It's so feral, and unhinged.
Pyrrha's face tightens, her grip on Miló and Akoúo̱ shifting.
"Whats that?" She asks, worried.
"Trouble," I add igniting my firesword and reading my shield.
The laughter grows louder, closer, as an unnervingly tall, and lean monstrous figure steps into the dim light. His glowing red eyes lock onto mine. My heart hammers against my ribs, not from fear, but from the sheer, horrifying shock of his transformation.
I've seen Grimm, I've faced Faunus, but this... this is something else entirely.
That crazy bitch Salem has outdone herself. Not even the Hound looked like this… this is a nightmare ripped straight from the depths of a demented mind.
"Tyrian," I breathe, my voice barely above a whisper.
Tyrian stands before me in a new, monstrous form. Salem has transformed him into a horrifying fusion of Faunus and Grimm. His skin is jet black, his eyes glow red, and his lean, muscular frame exudes predatory power. Bone-like armor plates his body, spikes jutting from his shoulders, arms, and legs. His hands end in massive, razor-sharp claws, and a thick, segmented scorpion tail arcs behind him, tipped with a lethal stinger. His hair is braided into a long, whip-like strand, completing the feral, brutal visage of a creature born for destruction.
[Image]
His laughter subsides, replaced by a low, dangerous growl.
"Rejoice, you filthy heretics," he hisses, his voice echoing as if spoken by a multitude of beings. "The Goddess blessed me!" He snares that last a us.
I swiftly turn to Pyrrha, my voice firm.
"Stay back, Pyr." I say with worry. "Keep on the defensive and cover my sisters."
Her eyes widen, and she grips her weapon tighter.
"Jaune, no!" She protests. "Let me help you-."
Leaning in, I cut her whispering:
"His venom was lethal even before he became a monster. I have better resistance thanks to my enhancements, but you don't."
"Hyaaaa!" Tyrian's shriek pierces the air, a chilling sound that sends a shiver down my spine. "Stop your whispering and die!" He launches himself at us, his movements erratic and unpredictable.
I step forward, shield raised, and brace for impact.
CLANG!
Tyrian's claws shine purple as it clashes against the reinforced metal, the force of his strike reverberating through my arm, although most of it was dispersed by my vibranium shield.
'He's strong, insanely strong,' I think, worried. 'And his is using his semblance non stop on his claws.''
His red eyes bore into mine, filled with madness and hatred.
"You took down Cinder's pet with such ease that I suspect you were the same sinner who dared invade my Goddess's castle," he hisses, his voice grating like nails on a chalkboard. "But you… you filth worm, you're to weak and slow."
I grit my teeth, pushing against his assault.
"Yeah? Well, I'm still standing, aren't I?" I taunt, masking my relief. Lucky me, they don't suspect me for the raid on Salem's castle.
He snarls, as his tail lashing out, aiming for my side. I twist, the stinger grazing my armor but not penetrating. A small victory, but I'll take it.
A mist of fire snakes behind Tyrian. I notice Cinder forming a swarm of molten obsidian shrapnel.
"Fuck…" I murmur, kicking myself for forgetting about Cinder.
But a projectile shining blue falls from the warehouse ceiling and multiplies into a rain of arrows, descending upon Cinder.
The half-maiden moves the volcanic glass swarm, using it to block the arrows.
From the connor of my eyes I notice my sisters, Lilas and Noir, are out of action. The little one is on her knees, exhausted, and the one in black armor is unconscious. Blanche and Céruléenne, though tired, join Pyrrha to face Cinder.
Tyrian's tail whips around, aiming for my head. I duck just in time, the stinger almost grazing my head.
'He's fast, too fast.' I mutter mentally. 'I need enhancements.'
{{Without your armor I can't do much without risking you of losing consciousness like what happened in Menagerie.}}
'Just do it!' I shout mentally.
Electricity surges through my veins, a jolt that sets every nerve ablaze. My muscles coil, heat radiating off my skin like a furnace. Tyrian's movements, once a blur, sharpen into focus. I see him now, really see him, the twitch of his tail, the gleam of his eyes, the shift of his weight.
With my shield I start to parry his strongest attacks enhanced by his aura breaking semblance and with my sword I deflect his tails as I try to cut it at the same time.
The sudden change of pace in our exchange makes the monster smirk glee.
"Finally… a real challenge!" Tyrian hisses, laughter like broken glass scraping my ears. "I was getting bored of toying with helpless weak prey."
"Shut up you insane roach," I retort, landing a solid kick between his legs.
CRACK!
Most guys would double over with that kind of kick on his nuts, but Tyrian just laughs harder.
"Ghahhahaha! Foolish boy," he sneers, his voice a chorus of madness. "I have evolved! Beyond your pathetic comprehension!"
"Yeah, I can't comprehend." I mutter angrily. "You truly lost your marbles."
His tail lashes out again, but this time, I'm ready. I leap back, the stinger missing me by inches.
Mid leap, from the corner of my eye, I catch a glimpse of Pyrrha's fight against Cinder.
Céruléenne and Blanche are helping to compensate for Cinder's half-maiden powers, but my sisters are slugging it out. It's just a matter of time until Pyrrha is by herself.
"DONT IGNORE ME!" Tyrian roars, fury seething as I dare to look away.
Tyrian's tail whips toward me again, his eyes wild with frenzy. I twist, the stinger grazing my shoulder armor, leaving a searing pain in its wake as my Aura flares. I grit my teeth, pushing through the agony.
'This is bad. Really bad.' I chastise myself, ducking under another of Tyrian's erratic swings. ' Why didn't I bring more backup? Why didn't I wear my god damn armor?'
I questioned myself, but I already know the reason.
'Arrogance… stupid, reckless arrogance.' I think in silence. 'I thought I could handle anything, that my Semblance and my enhancements would be enough. I'm such a dumbass.'
But in the midst of my despair Tyrian's attacks, once a whirlwind of unpredictable chaos, begin to fall into a discernible rhythm. Church's voice echoes in my mind, calm and analytical.
{{I managed to map his combat pattern, even this chaotic fighting style has a pattern. I'll start giving you instructions.}} he says calmly through the implants. {{Now kick his ass!}} He finishes not so calmly.
I dodge a wild swing, Tyrian's claws slicing through empty air with a sharp whistle. His tail lashes out, but I'm already moving, stepping inside his reach. His red eyes snap wide with surprise.
'I've got him.' I celebrate mentally.
But as I swing my sword toward his neck… Pyrrha's voice cuts through the chaos, a whisper that hits me like a shout.
"Do you believe in destiny?"
My heart stutters. Without thinking I risk a glance towards her.
She's on her knees, her shield and sword shattered at her side. Cinder looms over her, a bow of black obsidian in hand, a flaming black arrow ready to fire.
Time seems to slow.
"Pyrrha!" Her name tears from my throat, raw and desperate.
Tyrian's grin widens, his eyes gleaming with malice.
"Distracted, little fly?" he purrs in sick joy.
His tail whips around, too fast to dodge. I brace for impact, but it never comes. Instead, his right claw, which I hadn't noticed, glows even brighter with the purple energy of his Semblance.
"DIE!"
He brings his limb down, cutting my chest.
"Jaune!" Blanche screams on her knees, her voice laced with fear.
I feel it, a burning chill spreading through my chest, sapping my strength. My movements sluggish, my thoughts muddled.
I grit my teeth, exploding forward with a kick that sends Tyrian reeling. I ignore the searing pain from the cut that disabled my Aura protection and push through the haze of weakness.
With every ounce of strength I can muster, I lunge towards Pyrrha.
The world narrows to a single point: the flaming arrow streaking towards her. Time seems to stretch, each heartbeat an eternity. I can see the grim satisfaction on Cinder's face, the resignation in Pyrrha's eyes.
"Not today." I whisper.
I dive, intercepting the arrow mid-flight. It pierces my chest, the force driving me to the ground like a hammer blow. Pain explodes, white-hot, all-consuming. My breath hitches, each inhale a struggle, each exhale a ragged wheeze.
Pyrrha's scream echoes through the warehouse, raw and desperate.
"Jaune!"
Her voice cuts through the fog of agony, anchoring me. I reach out, my hand closing over hers, squeezing tightly.
Her fingers are warm… but so distant for some reason…
My vision blurs, the warehouse spinning around me. Tyrian's manic laughter and Cinder's cold chuckles blend into a distant, echoing hum. I feel detached, like I'm floating above my body, watching the scene unfold from a distance.
Pyrrha's face swims into view, her eyes wide and terrified. Tears stream down her cheeks, her mouth moving, but her words are muffled, distorted.
I can't hear her, I can't understand her. I try to focus, to grasp onto her voice, but it slips through my mind.
Gathering my last fleeting forces I mutter to her.
"Make... your own... destiny..." I manage to rasp out, my voice barely a whisper.
Her grip on my hand tightens, her fingers digging into my skin. She's saying something, shouting, but it's too late. I'm fading, the world slipping away.
Certain that this was the end for me.
But before I completely lose consciousness, a light catches my eyes.
A warm, golden light that pierces the darkness, driving it back. It's not the harsh, searing light of the flaming arrow that struck me, but a soft, gentle golden glow. It envelops me, filling me with a warmth that chases away the cold.
The light intensifies, Pyrrha's figure standing tall and resolute at its core.
She looks… different… why?
My sluggish mind finally registers it, she stands in her new armor, shining with a golden radiance, her eyes ablaze with determination. She's a vision, a beacon of hope amid despair. I want to reach out, to touch her, to tell her how proud I am, but my body refuses to obey.
"Pyrrha..." I whisper her name.
She turns to me, her gaze softening for a moment.
"I've got this, Jaune," she says, her voice steady, confident. "Trust me."
I do… with all my heart, I trust her. I let go, the darkness claiming me, but not before I saw her turn to face Cinder and Tyrian, her stance unyielding.
'She will definitely win...'
And with that thought, I surrender to the void.
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E ai gurizada…
[#] I hope you enjoyed this chapter, if you are interested, my Ko-Fi[avipbr] subscriber has access up to 5 chapters ahead:
Chapter 50 - Make your own destiny
Chapter 51 - Are you my brother?
Chapter 52 - Do Roosters have teeth?
Chapter 53 - United States of Harem
Chapter 54 - What the fuck are those?
[#] You can reach me on X/twitter, @AvipBr