Hello! RGQC here and back with another chapter for you all to enjoy, and we've reached the climax of the Battle for Argus! After this one, there will be an epilogue just as I did for Haven, and man, there are plenty of things the gang will have to catch up on. Oh man, just thinking of it makes me excited once I finally work on the next chapter.
Just like before, comments first, and thank you to those who posted their reviews in the previous chapter. You have no idea how uplifting it was!
Fenrir's Fang96: Happy to see that you enjoyed it, and while most of the Royal Guards would return home after escorting Zack and Weiss to Argus, I do have some ideas on how to flesh out more of those Royal Guards in the coming future if you like. And fret not, in this chapter we'll get to see how powerful Zack is when he's controlling his berserk state. Somewhat.
Me-B-Lou-E-G: Yup! I do like my foreshadowing since I was sure most of my readers would have written her off as a one-time character in the first chapter of this story. Celeste will have a part to play in the upcoming wars in the future. And your explanation of how Terra and Saphron had a child makes some sense.
(Still confuses me to no end, lol.)
Guest: Sorry, but not anytime soon, to be honest. I put it on infinite hiatus.
TheCrimsonScizor886: Oh, Ruby's reaction will not be pleased, that's for sure. But thankfully, both Weiss and Zack are aware of this, and our resident Ice Queen will nip it before it gets worse as soon as everything calms down. And I get that you would prefer only Zack and Weiss being the couple. But I have plans for the three of them when we move on to future chapters, and it would be a shame to see them unfulfilled.
Kolomte'49: Glad to see that Cordovin's speech riles you up because it did for me when I had to imagine what she would say. As for Zack's exasperation at seeing his friends stop to chat, it is understandable if you see it on his part. Mainly he's having a terrible migraine keeping the barrier up and Grimm out. So, he would do the same shit the others would do, but being a sitting duck and in great pain really ruined his mood and patience.
And I'm happy that you're looking forward to the upcoming conversation between Ruby, Weiss, and Zack. I will make it great when I work on it in the next chapter and the epilogue of the Battle for Argus.
WPUrchezem23: Well, we'll see where the story goes from here between Ruby, Weiss, and Zack in the future and hopefully in the next chapter. Reminder: Weiss and Zack only recently got together, so the inclusion of Ruby would be… awkward, but I'm not going to rule her out just yet.
Guest 2: Won't lie, the reference to Hulk Hogan wasn't intended, but now it's funny to see in your context.
With that out of the way, let's get the last part of this battle going and see its end! As with all my other stories, I do not own RWBY at all. Its content now belongs to VIZ Media, and not me. Only the OCs in this story are my creations.
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To most, if they were to peer in from an outsider's perspective, the battle raging on outside the walls of Argus has been one of twists and turns. A constant tug-of-war that never seems to end, even when one side has the advantage before the situation dramatically flips on its head. Battles that continue to rage even as seconds pass by swiftly.
The Royal Guards of Sanctuary, first into the fray of battle and never yielding a step behind.
Even when their bodies ache and exhaustion slowly grips their bodies from uninterrupted battle with adrenaline flooding their veins, they fight on with loyalty and sheer discipline. Even when their aura and strength are tested against the never-ending tide of darkness, they hold it back like shields. Even when they take attacks that throw them away like leaves against a thundering storm, they hold on.
Even when they take on foes that would force Huntsmans to have second thoughts about engaging, they never show fear.
For fear is for the enemy!
And they shall NEVER show fear! (I couldn't help myself…)
To stand defiant against the end of life is one thing, and to accept death is another.
However, their end is not today.
And their loyalty to protect their Blessed One has finally been rewarded. In what sounds like the heavens screaming, a bolt of red light flew past everyone and made contact with the Wendigo Grimm, sweeping them aside as it tried to charge ahead towards its target near the walls. The sheer impact sent a shockwave that shuddered all nearby as the Bloody Hidesman was thrown off its hooves and far back.
Even the followers of the Grimm Witch were thrown onto their backs from the sheer impact it made. Additionally, the impact that made contact completely shattered the right skull plate of the Bloody Hidesman. And right in the air, floating, is none other than the Blessed One himself.
His fist was smoking red after punching the Grimm right in the face while the other gripped onto Oathkeeper.
And even his looks send nervousness down their spines, for they knew that the Blessed One had unleashed himself once more. For they were there in the arenas, watching the duel between the Great Khan and him, before madness took the fox Faunus to unleash his true power without restraint.
However, such fears were instantly extinguished when they heard him speaking. Not with maddened glee for battle but with familiarity.
"You've held the line until now, even against the odds. For that, you have my thanks. For escorting me here alive and protecting everyone." The Kitsune Faunus turns and looks down at the Royal Guards with his eyes consumed by red, including Nerium. "But this battle isn't over yet. Not until that monster's dead." Zack's voice booms and echoes with itself as light green energies begin gathering around his right hand.
In the next moment, Zack threw a beam bolt of green magic that sparkled like diamonds onto the ground, and out from it came an explosion of green that washed over everyone. All allies outside the walls of Argus felt their exhaustion fading away and their aura regenerating in seconds, to the utter dismay of Hazel and frustration of Tyrian.
"Deal with all who threaten this city, slay any Grimm that dares cross you, and leave the Bloody Hidesman to me!" And just like that, the Kitsune Faunus blasted off to engage the Wendigo Grimm, now growling furiously and pushing itself off the ground after that surprise attack. That wasn't all; with more Grimm reinforcements coming and their strength renewed, Nerium couldn't help but smile.
"Fortune smiles upon us all." She utters before she and her Royal Guard prepare themselves to continue the fight. "Yield while you can, Servants of Darkness. You are outnumbered and outgunned. Surrender. And your lives may be spared this day."
"Tch…" Hazel clicks his teeth. He's no fool. That boy's sudden return and… change had thrown whatever plans to capture him out the window. Even with that Atlesian mech coming in, he was confident that their arrogance would be their undoing at the hands of the Bloody Hidesman, but now?
The odds had swung so far in the defender's favour, and Ozpin's host brought magic to rejuvenate them all?
Even if he detests performing a tactical retreat empty-handed, what choice do they have unless they can somehow hold them off until more Grimm flood in and distract them all? Worst of all is Tyrian, who sees clear as day that the Scorpion Faunus is about to charge in blindly while throwing a childish tantrum or glee to go after their target.
But before he could speak up, Tyrian maniacally laughs out. "Surrender? Don't make me laugh! The fun's not over yet, my dearlies… and so. Shall. I…" He prowls down while Hazel tenses and grabs onto his shoulder tightly.
"Ozpin… I do not know whether this is your doing or not… but as much as I detest you. Your host has surpassed you beyond everything. Are you even in control anymore? Or nothing more than a puppet to the Sisters of Twilight her grace told us about?" Hazel thought before speaking to his colleague. "Tyrian, stand down! This mission is lost. We're outnumbered, and Ozpin's host is beyond us. It is suicide to stay here."
"LEAVE?!" Tyrian squawks furiously. "Just as the party gets interesting?! You fool, Hazel! This is the moment! Ozpin's host has so kindly delivered himself to our dear deer friend! My Goddess would be so pleased if I brought her to him! But these fools are in the way." The scorpion Faunus hisses out, but Hazel objects.
"This isn't a request. Your death here serves no one but Ozpin's. We will report this to her and return with a new strategy. Do not force me to carry you."
However, despite it all, the scorpion Faunus just has his maniacal smile while his eyes shine like an intelligent predator while the ground beneath everyone starts to rumble. "You have so little faith in my goddess's creations already here…" Just like that, numerous Centinels suddenly erupt from the ground alongside a Cenitaur leading the vanguard of the Grimm reinforcements.
"Well, well, WELL! Looks like help has so gracefully blessed us!"
Tyrian continues to grin madly as she takes several steps back while an unending tide of Grimm pours out like a renewed flood from the forest and straight for the walls of Argus. That wasn't all. In the air, more Grimm flyers, attracted like moths to a flame, continue to fly towards the city. However, several were already shot down by Cordovin with her rather annoying speech.
"Attention, Argus Defence Command, all Atlesian units, and any unaffiliated Huntsmen present. This is Specialist Caroline Cordovin! The situation outside our walls is well in hand with my presence here! All personnel are to hold their assigned positions and maintain firing discipline. I repeat, hold the line and do not, I repeat, do not fall back without direct orders from myself!"
"Let the world bear witness! Not even the largest of your kind can withstand Atlesian might. Witness true power! All units, fire at will! Do not let a single Grimm breach our walls!"
And for a moment, another voice breaks out, and it so happens to be Qrow's. "Oh, shut the fuck up, woman! You're annoying the hell out of me!"
Cackling at the fun, Tyrian breaks into a sprint. Not towards the Royal Guards, oh no no no. The scorpion Faunus zipped straight for the Wendigo Grimm and, by extension, its opponent. And the action caught everyone off guard that Hazel also broke into a sprint to follow his ally. To the utter frustration of Nerium and those under her.
'Damn cowards." She sneers with disdain as she points her sword at the two running straight for their target. "Carve a path through the Grimm! We must push and reach before they attack our God's champion and capture him alive! Nor will I stand and let that Atlesian jeopardize everything! Now move!"
"Understood!"
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Zack's POV
Bloodlust…
That's the feeling I feel coursing through my veins. Voices urging me to rip and tear everything to shreds with my bare hands… My mind… It's like a whirlwind of rage and hunger for battle begging to be unleashed and let my power spill forth and make examples against all who dare challenge me!
But I am not that.
Never was and never will be just a rampaging, feral beast who seeks endless slaughter and battle. Despite my sight being consumed by red, it's difficult to differentiate friend from foe because all looked the same to my eyes.
And despite awakening in this berserk state, a twisted side effect of the incompatible magic of the Sisters and Brothers within me, I will not lose control like I did before when I first awakened it. I refused to do so even when every thought I carry is tainted by it. And if I cannot control it, I'll direct it away from those I care about and let it out on my foes!
And the Bloody Hidesman will die this day! I shall see to it!
Feeling an uncontrolled laugh spilling from my lips and a maddening grin that threatens to spill uncontrollably, I brought Oathkeeper up and down upon my prey but rolled out of the way. Something that infuriates me because something of that gargantuan size should not move that fast!
And seeing it alive made me let out a feral growl.
"You!" The Wendigo Grimm growls at me furiously. Aww… How sweet of you to remember me. Hope you don't mind if I take your head this time. "I shall see today that you will pay for taking my arm off, you fox brat. And once I'm done with you, that little red girl is next!"
Oh, did you not just threaten Ruby's life…
Oh no no no no no no, you didn't. Making me tempted to incinerate your PATHETIC existence from the face of this world for this…. Heh heh…. Now I feel like letting it all out, you know? But I feel like having some fun first before I snuff you out for good. "Is that so?" That same grin I bear leaks out again before pointing Oathkeeper at it with a single hand, while my tails twitch erratically while I feel something else burning within me.
Something else...
You will not touch Ruby! Never! She is not yours to take but mine to keep with me! Not when the children they will bear will have her Silver Eyes... I'll claim her as my mate just as I claimed Weiss as mine. The hereditary Semblance power of the Schnees can be put to better use than whatever that old fool Jacques is spitting on such a powerful bloodline.
No one will touch them, and eventually they will have my kits in them! My descendants, they will be powerful, bearing the strength of their mothers and mine! And they will be strong enough that no one could hurt or challenge them!
Heh heh heh heh heh heh…
And if they so happen to say no? Well, I'll have to discipline them because I'm the strongest one here.
And my legacy will live on to crush all who dare to threaten what is MINE!
…
No…
This thinking isn't right. Never is. I shouldn't think of Ruby so lowly as to treat her like meat on sale, nor Weiss as well. They… They are their own people and not mine because I said they are. Furthermore, they are friends, lovers in Weiss's case, but they deserve to be treated as equals… not lessers…
…
Focus, Zack!
I may not have much time in the world of the living thanks to the Brother Gods, but I will worry about my love life later. I still need to know where she and I stand now that Weiss is mine already… And to think my instincts would dare warp my desperation over the inevitable end to become this twisted…
And even with my mind clouded by it all, what happened in my thoughts made me nervous. Something that I need to think about later after butchering this deer into venison! "Too bad then. Because today's the day you will pay for your existence! Every bit of you is an offense to this world! So do me a favour and die like the beast you are!"
At that moment, power exploded within me while I rocketed straight for my prey with Oathkeeper glowing even darker than before. Voices urging me to kill intensify in seconds while I slice any Grimm flyer in my way into two towards my target with glee!
So, come! Come and die, monster!
The Bloody Hidesman growls at me before lashing out at me with claws that would turn an ordinary person into bloody red ribbons of meat. But too bad I'm going around it! With a psychotic grin, I twist my body so its attack barely misses me by an inch while the claws on my free hand glow bright red as I dig it straight into its horrid flesh on its arm and hear the wonderful noises of my prey roaring in pain!
Then I threw Oathkeeper at its eye since blinding it would make it easier prey, but the Grimm recovered fast enough to tilt its head to the side, which made my sword slice off a small chunk of its antlers instead. A shame really, it could have made its death much quicker had it taken it instead. Preparing to move again, my ears twitch towards the sound of air rushing over me, and I jump to avoid another mauling attempt by the Bloody Hidesman.
However, my eyes instantly shifted to the outline of what is a Nevermore flying towards me, but all I could show was my smile. Because less than a second later, Oathkeeper zipped past my head and impaled the flying Nevermore through the head like paper. At the same time, my instincts reacted instantly, and a red barrier appeared around me just in time before I was smacked behind me by the Wendigo Grimm and launched back.
Barely felt that at all!
"Hah! Is that all you got?"
I found myself laughing before commanding the surrounding barrier to plunge straight into the ground like a meteor right on top of tens of Grimm below. Completely crushing those beneath me while throwing others away. "Because I'm just warming up!" The instant I yell that out, the surrounding barrier dissipates, and I thump all nine of my tails onto the ground below at once, which causes crystals of pure Dust to erupt and impale the Grimm trying to get to me.
Then, throwing both my hands out, my Semblance, as all the dust that was created to impale every Grimm near me, was drawn together into a pair of Dust Guns similar to something I used earlier. Let's see if the Bloody Hidesman can take my Semblance at my full power! However, instinct commanded me to duck before a certain shadow of a scorpion Faunus flew over me before I dumped a round that launched him.
"Did you think that would work?" I couldn't help myself before my tails lashed behind and had Salem's other pathetic follower all wrapped up. Then, without even moving, I threw him towards Tyrian and was rewarded with both of them now on the floor after having an… unexpected collision. "Why waste your time going after me? You can never win, and I have bigger things to hunt."
I grinned out before my eyes returned to the silhouette of the Bloody Hidesman charging at me before Oathkeeper flew past me and impaled a pitiful Creep that tried to take a bite out of my tails. Hah! Lesser Grimms truly are worthless to hunt. Too easy to kill. Then, looking back at Salem's followers, I sneered.
"Try if you must to capture me, but I'll crush you where you stand and rip limb from limb! That's a promise…" I then kicked a Beowolf coming for me off balance before crushing its neck with my foot while it whimpers pitifully with a resounding crack! And it appears that my threat made Tyrian laugh at me while I felt my body twitching with energy.
Tch. I need to rein it in or expel it…
"OH! Such fire! Such glorious, unbridled FURY!" My eyes were on his silhouette. "You see, Hazel? You see now? This is no mere boy anymore but something worthy for our goddess! A godling, yes! A divinity of PURE power!" And the next second I see him charging towards me while I hear Hazel yelling out.
Oh? Worried for your comrade, I see? Perhaps I should cut his tail off and shove it down his throat for the sins of poisoning Qrow! "Tyrian, no!" And soon my new opponent was upon me while I brought my Dust guns and fired them. All the while, I can see that Wendigo Grimm charging at me, only for missiles to suddenly slam into it.
"Attention, everyone! I have arrived, and your assistance is appreciated. However, let me make this clear. This is my battle, and I will not let your seek of glory take away what is rightfully Atlas's! All Huntsmans and strangers, leave the big beast to me! Or be considered collateral."
Damn wretch! Arriving late to the show and stealing all the glory while everyone fought and bled to hold the tide! I have a score to settle with the Bloody Hidesman! I will take the life it took from one of Ozma's lives and put an end to its disgusting existence!
You!
I swear to the Sisters that you will not steal-kill my target!
Letting out a feral snarl that even surprised me a bit, my attention returns to Tyrian while that mad Faunus charges and evades many of my shots, and when he was close, Oathkeeper shot down from above and impaled the ground where his head would have been if he didn't twist his body in an uncanny way all the while giggling.
"Do me a favour and die already!" Furious gekkering left my lips before I did a backflip and fired both of my Dust guns at Tyrian before my ears picked up Hazel coming up from the flank and my legs swung to the side to parry his punch. It did not stop the crazed smile on my lips before I twisted my body and kicked him in the neck! "Or do you prefer if I break your bones instead? Perhaps that would send a message to piss off!"
Then, even if for a second, I can see all my friends' auras in the distance fighting alongside my Royal Guards, who act as the tip of the spear. I had to rely on sensing their aura so I wouldn't mistakenly strike them with my sight seeing red. But hah! It pleases me to see everyone using my rejuvenation spell I cast to return to the fight at full strength. In fact, it looks like Nerium is leading a charge towards me.
Aww… the concern over my safety is appreciated, but I'm having too much fun now.
Even if I detest that Caroline Cordovin will get to fight my prey. But I'm morbidly curious to see that tin can she calls a mech be torn to shreds, or will the Bloody Hidesman prove unwilling to use its intelligence? No matter, with it distracted for now, I got my eyes on the two and the countless chaff in my way.
Yes… Heh heh… Perhaps I should show them here why fucking with me is a horrible idea, and perhaps… Send an example to them for old dear Salem… Yes… the voices and I are in an agreement.
Killing them right now will be too boring…
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Maniacal laughter echoes the battlefield as Zack charges towards Salem's followers despite the countless Grimm attracted to the Relic of Knowledge on his belt in addition to the emotions and magic radiating out of the Kitsune Faunus. But every one of those Grimm types was utterly butchered with holes in his head or straight up impaled by Oathkeeper with Zack pouring magic into his nine tails and lashing at anything that gets close.
Even the likes of Hazel and an ecstatic Tyrian were forced to keep their distance, or else they would be hit as well. Even more than that, the Kitsune Faunus seems to be unleashing more of his abilities to the shock of everyone (except Weiss) when copies of Zack suddenly split from him and begin participating in the brawl and luring more Grimm towards himself.
But that wasn't the only thing happening already; Cordovin had met the Bloody Hidesman in hand-to-hand combat, and the two had locked their hands against each other. In fact, it looked like the struggle until the Wendigo Grimm violently puked more tiny Nevermores in the Colossus's chassis while making it recoil back.
"Disgusting abomination! I will put an end to you!" Cordovin roars as the Colossus takes a step back before changing its left hand into a drill and thrusting it at its opponent. However, that hit did not land because the Bloody Hidesman leaned back and let the attack pass before latching tightly around the Colossus's arm.
"No. I will break your toy, pathetic human. And you." Without a second, the Wendigo growls and thrusts its antlers forward and impales the Colossus with its antlers, which makes Cordovin cry out in frustration, but the Atlesian mech wasn't incapacitated yet. It immediately forms a cannon on its right arm and aims it under its left arm and right into the Bloody Hidesman's abdomen with a combination of fire and combustion Dust.
And upon firing it, the blast alone was so utterly devastating that it sent the abomination flying and crashing back with a hole in it. However, sparks were emitting out of the punctured holes within the Colossus, and those tiny Nevermore are already flooding through those holes into the interiors of the Atlesian mech.
"C'est quoi ce bordel?"
Celeste mutters out in a completely unrecognizable accent and language to everyone after stabbing a Beowolf through the skull and glancing to see the battle of the Giants and then to her childhood fox-Kitsune Faunus friend on a rampage by himself. "On dirait tout droit sorti de Pacific Rim. Ou plutôt Godzilla serait plus approprié? Et Zack... que t'est-il vraiment arrivé, et d'où tires-tu toute cette puissance?"
But to her utter shock, Jaune was nearby and actually heard her speaking in a language he didn't understand. "Uh… What? What did you just say back there? Celeste?"
"Nothing you should be conce- look out!"
The heiress cries out as she grabs Jaune by his hoodie and pulls him back before a Centinel erupts beneath his feet! "Crap! That was too close! Thanks for the help!" Jaune was sweating buckets as the centipede-looking Grimm hissed at the two. Before Nora came out of nowhere and slammed Magnhild so damn hard, the velocity and power launched the Grimm back!
"I got you, fearless leader!" Nora, as she usually is, smiles at her leader (and new friend) before another ear-piercing roar echoes across the battlefield, coming from the Bloody Hidesman!
"Tear that wretched machine apart! Destroy it!" Its voice, howling like a hundred screeching deer, filled the air before every single Grimm flier in the battle suddenly changed their targets towards Cordovin who laughed at the challenge.
"HAH! You think NUMBERS will frighten me? You think your mindless, flapping SWARM can withstand the disciplined, righteous fire of Atlas?! Not only that, but you may have damaged Atlas's greatest creation, beast. But all your pathetic Grimm infiltrations have failed. All of them have been terminated by the state-of-the-art automated defence systems!"
Cordovin's voice echoed out of the various speakers, her voice laced with adrenaline as if this was the most engaging thing she had had in a long time.
"Come, then! Test yourselves against Atlesian steel, and see what becomes of those who dare defy humanity! I'll turn this battlefield into a graveyard for your kind! Atlesians, FIRE EVERYTHING AND TURN THEM ALL INTO DUST!"
Instantly, a barrier made from Hard Light Dust materializes around the colossus, which, despite shuddering a bit from the damage it took, brings up its cannon and begins firing onto the oncoming Grimm. But that wasn't all that was happening. While everyone on the ground fought on and the titan of Atlas was distracted, the Bloody Hidesman had begun feeding on any nearby Grimm who ran past towards the war zone ahead
Snatching whatever Grimm that so happens to be caught and messily devouring them whole, the sight and sounds of Grimm yelping before hearing the sounds of crunching understandably horrify and disgust everyone when their eyes are turned upon it. Even more alarming is the black smoke that seems to be constantly emitted from the Bloody Hidesman's arms and legs has intensified, and the wounds it took are beginning to heal.
Yes, that includes the wound from the Colossus and the other damage taken from Zack earlier.
"What in the goddamn?" Qrow utters, completely stunned by the Wendigo Grimm's utter disregard for its lesser kin as it begins feasting greedily on the battlefield even with projectiles hitting and bouncing off its hide. Of course, he isn't the only one reacting to it because others like Ruby, Jaune and even Celeste were utterly disgusted by the sight, and the urge to puke was undeniable.
"What in the actual fuck?!"
Yang was next, only for Blake to join in after pulling out Gambol Shroud from a Creep's corpse. "That's not good." The cat Faunus concludes with even her ears shrinking down at the cannibalistic sight.
"Eww! What is it doing?!" Nora was next while Ren's eyes were wide open.
'It's… devouring its own kin?"
But out of everyone in the group, Weiss is the first to act. "It's cannibalizing… We need to make it stop now, or all the progress Corvidin and Zack did will be for nothing." And without even waiting for a reply, Weiss frowns as she then summons a Nevermore before jumping onto it as it flies towards her secret boyfriend.
Who was still in the middle of rampaging through the countless Grimm trying to attack him to no avail, with both Hazel and Tyrian taking pot-shots to no visible effect except for the Kitsune Faunuses increasingly growing mental instability. Something that dearly worries the Schnee ex-heiress since it was obvious that Zack was starting to show signs of losing control of himself to his madness with how he's starting to act.
And something she won't let happen under her watch! Of course, she also hopes to have him deal with the Bloody Hidesman before it heals too much of the damage dealt to it.
"Weiss!" Ruby was next as she sped after her partner before the others called after the two of them and chased after them. In addition, even the Royal Guards under Nerium had doubled their effort to carve a path towards Zack since his presence alone had drawn the majority of the reinforcing Grimm to him instead of the city.
But even despite that, the Kitsune Faunus is too busy tearing his way through any Grimm that gets in his way before leaping after Hazel, who dodges back when Zack slams into the ground he was in with Oathkeeper in hand. "Come on, oh avenger of the damned! Why the long face?" Zack chuckles as he swings Oathkeeper one-handed at his opponent at uncanny speeds that take him off guard.
As fast as it came, Oathkeeper slashes Hazel's chest while his aura flares in response before he roars back and throws a punch at the Kitsune Faunus. However, this proves to be an unwise decision because Zack threw his other hand out and caught his hand in his own. Then suddenly bending down, Hazel's eyes shot open when magical energies gathered around all of Zack's nine tails, pointed straight at him.
"Say hi to your sister for me…"
"You-!"
A maniacal laughter then interrupts the two that makes Zack's ears instantly perk up before the Kitsune Faunus swings Oathkeeper behind and nails Tyrian, trying to go for a flank, in the face, which throws the scorpion Faunus flying back into a Boarbatusk. "Heh… Should have kept his mouth shut." Zack snorts before throwing Oathkeeper at the Nevermore's head while it swoops down upon him.
"Now where was I? Oh yes…" He grins again before looking back at Hazel, throwing another fist at him. Only for Zack's tails to snatch onto his body and curl all over like a snake. Trapping Hazel in place. "You are a pathetic fool, you know? I know of your plans to kill every incarnation of old Ozzy. But you're a sad, sad little man… that won't fix your pain, you know? What Salem promises is nothing but lies…" The Kitsune Faunus whispers before rhetorically asking.
"Or is it fear that she is undefeatable that scares you? No matter. A traitor because of fear is still a traitor… And traitors who betray their own kind deserve death!" Zack smiles madly, his body as still as a diamond, while Hazel struggles with all his might while the Kitsune Faunus slowly brings Oathkeeper up and holds it close with the tip aimed at his prey's throat. "So be a good dog and die like one!"
"Zack, that's enough, stop!"
…
Even in the midst of battle, it was as if time stopped. Oathkeeper's tip was barely at Hazel's neck, and Zack seemingly freezes, his blood-red eyes wide open, before he slowly turns his head towards the noise of Weiss jumping off her Nevermore summon. "Weiss? What are you doing here?"
"Stopping you from making a horrible decision, it seems." She huffs furiously. Even Hazel looks to be in utter disbelief that one of the enemies he has been fighting just saved his life. Still though, he couldn't move and was still at the mercy of Ozpin's incarnation. And speaking of Tyrian, the scorpion Faunus is a bit distracted because Ruby showed up and started attacking him.
"Let's be real here. I could have done something much, much worse to him than instant death, mate."
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Weiss POV.
Mate? Again, you called me that in that state… And why did you have to say it in the open like that?! Do you have any idea how embarrassing it is for me for our opponent to hear this?!
Ugh… I'm getting distracted.
I'm starting to believe that all this fighting's starting to cloud his mind. He wasn't like this when he lost control for the first time, but it is replaced by savagery I never imagined coming from him. Did whatever's happening to him remove all restraint he had? It would explain how unbridled he had become.
I mean. We all saw him tearing through everything with utter ease, and even Salem's agents are struggling to keep up! "Mate?" Hazel mutters, baffled by what he heard, while I feel my cheeks reddening slightly before pulling Myrtenaster out of my waist and dodging a Beowolf's attack before plunging it in the eye. Killing it on the spot,
"You stay quiet!" I snapped while my eyes glanced at my secret boyfriend using one of his tails to whack a nearby grim with such velocity, I swear I heard a crack! "You need to focus on the main target, Zack! The Bloody Hidesman is healing its wounds. Hazel and Tyrian are not the priority right now!"
But to my horror, my boyfriend then winds up his sword again! "Oh, I see. Okay, then. Then I'll make his death a quick one."
"No! Just knock him and Tyrian out instead of taking his life!" I countered before rushing and holding his arm back. "The real you will not end a life. Not like this. This is an execution you're doing." For a moment, I hoped my words would have influenced him enough, but all I got was a feral growl directed at me.
"Weiss… All of Salem's agents are a threat. Leaving them alive will cause more problems for everyone in the future." My boyfriend explains. He's right. They will be a burden in the future as we fight them again and again. But this is not something that should be done so carelessly.
"What if killing them forces Salem to come for us directly?" I countered before getting another feral growl from Zack, which just worries me even more.
"Then what difference is there in letting them go freely? They will tell her what happened here. About me. How long do you think it will be before she chooses to intervene because of my power? In case you've forgotten, she can't be killed. She will regenerate and come for us again and again with all the Grimm in the entire bloody planet after our asses!" He counters.
…
"Too many lives will be put in the crosshairs. It would put our friends at risk… It will put you at risk…" Zack's growl significantly softens, and I know for a fact that despite his mind being in this state, he still worries about all of us.
About me…
"I know. But let him go. Please. Justice will come for him, not today perhaps. But in the future." I hate how I must sacrifice a bit of my pride for this. Nonetheless, it must be done. Then, turning towards Hazel, I gave him my ultimatum. "We'll let you go unharmed if you promise to take Tyrian and leave. If not, I'm not sure if I can convince him to capture you alive instead of executing you."
"Who put you in charge?" Why does my boyfriend sound so upset about this? Upon taking a peek at his face, I see him glaring childishly at me while pouting. Which is incredibly jarring, I won't deny. I suppose he didn't like being ignored here. Yet before I could snark at his childishness, his ears perked up before he held his hand up and created a red barrier around us and Hazel!
Even more so, Zack dropped Oathkeeper to hold me tightly close to his chest with one arm! Then, as fast as it came, something large slams onto the shield and bounces back from what I can hear.
But…
Uh… I, uh. His chest is hard from all the training and fighting he had… I… that skin-tight undershirt doesn't leave much to the imagination, does it? I can see the outline of his chest… To think he's only a year younger than Ruby and close to his sixteenth birthday and…
I can only imagine he would look even more handsome as he grows older… If he looks a bit more like his uncle… uh… I think he would be a very handsome man.
That's assuming he lives longer than the estimated two years, which is unlikely…
…
Bad Weiss! This is no time to lose yourself like this! Shame on me for losing my focus! "Weiss, are you alright?" He's still worried about me. All of this is making my insides feel warm… However, we have a bigger problem. What was it that made him pull up a barrier?
"I'm alright. But what was that?" I ask next as my boyfriend gently let go of me. Even more, Hazel still has his eyes wide at him. I suppose he wasn't expecting Ozpin's incarnation to cover him too.
"Goliath. One of them just tried to trample us. Surprised to see one over here." I watch as he huffs before looking at me with softness despite how off-putting and intimidating, he is in this state. "Do as you wish, Weiss. This elephant is dead for daring to try and hurt us, and then the Bloody Hidesman next." I could only stare and feel… happy before my boyfriend recalled Oathkeeper into his hands and leapt for the Goliath.
"You got plenty of guts trying to trample over all of us! Now do me a favour and die because your free trial of living has EXPIRED!" Okay… He's back! Sort of. This must be another of those Earth references my boyfriend keeps throwing out occasionally…
Slowly blinking, I turned to Hazel, now free and staring at my boyfriend before looking at me. "Before we were so rudely interrupted. Will you take my offer?" If the surrounding chaos didn't happen at all, this talk would have been met with utter silence.
But seeing this man looking at my boyfriend, then at the Bloody Hidesman, and finally Tyrian fighting off most of my friends but heavily losing ground fast.
He makes a decision that pleases me.
"Very well then. But this isn't over."
"I don't expect it to be." I shot back before I caught wind of my boyfriend straight up decapitating the Goliath through its trunk and curving it upwards to chop its head clean off. Then turning back, I see Hazel running towards where everyone is, and in a motion that takes everyone off guard, he grabs and hoists Tyrian onto his shoulders and runs off into the forests.
I still wonder if I did the right thing, letting them off like this knowing how this could backfire on us in the future…
Of course, it should be noted that some of my friends started chasing after the two of them. I must get to them and have them leave the two alone and instead focus on the Grimm while Zack deals with the Bloody Hidesman. They will not be pleased, that is for sure. But better than to have blood in our hands.
Even if it may come to the point when we have to kill to survive.
==================================================================
"Damn… looks like I did distract myself a bit too much. That Grimm's almost healed up." Zack grimaces slightly beneath all the bloodlust for combat still flooding his mind and voices chanting to continue killing all who stand against him. But despite chastising himself for losing focus, the feral part of his psyche is pleased with this arrangement because it means there's more time to play with it.
Glancing back, the Kitsune Faunus can see his girlfriend rushing to stop some of their friends chasing after Hazel carrying Tyrian on his back. All the while the Scorpion Faunus looks like he's struggling to be free.
Then a chuckle left Zack's lips. Oh, the talk later will be so messy and entertaining in an odd way. Then looking up, he turns his gaze to the colossus still in the middle of swatting any Grimm flyers that get too close to it. In addition to Cordovin's incessant yapping over Atlesian or something like that.
But all is clear: this battle is reaching its conclusion, and the death of the Wendigo Grimm will be the final nail to end this fight. Grimm reinforcements are stretched thin with all flyers distracted with the Colossus and the Atlesian garrison blasting them out of the skies. All the while, the ground isn't any better, with his Royal Guards carving a path through them now that they were rejuvenated.
And the same could be said for his friends.
The clock is ticking, and it's time for this fight to reach its conclusion.
However, before Zack could ponder his thoughts while his body instantly lashed out at any Grimm trying to turn him into meat, a furious roar echoed out from none other than the Bloody Hidesman. It seems that while the Kitsune Faunus was surveying the situation, the Wendigo Grimm was doing the same, and seeing its allies retreating made it mad.
Which is an understatement.
"Cowards! Traitors! You dare flee the fight and fully intend to leave me to die?!" It howls once again before it starts charging, not at Zack, his friends, or the Royal Guards. Nor at the Atlesian defenders. No. It began trampling everyone on all fours after Hazel was still retreating. "For this insult and breaking our deal! You will die!"
Hah… That's funny to see.
It looks like it never expected the followers of the Grimm Witch to abandon it on a whim when the tide is painstakingly against them. But still, Zack could only ponder why the Wendigo Grimm was not retreating with everything now against it. Perhaps it knew that it cannot run, or perhaps… it refuses to let its pride or vengeance against him go… which doesn't make sense since it ran off when its arm was cut off.
Whatever the reason, the feral part of his sanity doesn't care. Nor do the voices who instead yell at him to attack. To kill such glorious prey now that it's alone and no one could steal his kill. To avenge one of Ozma's lost lives and to put an end to such a dangerous Grimm. Such thoughts manifested in an eager smile on his lips.
The die is cast.
Let the final battle between the two… commence!
Letting out a maddening laugh, Zack leaps straight for the Wendigo Grimm at such speeds that it did not have any chance to react before the Kitsune Faunus straight-up shoulder-checks the Grimm and sends it toppling off course. "Hey! Eyes on me! Your final fight is with me!" The Kitsune Faunus gekkers before flying straight for his prey with Oathkeeper already swinging.
However, despite the situation now being heavily against its favour, the Bloody Hidesman does not yield. "YOU!" It howls before catching Zack's attack with its claws before yanking it off his hand before backhanding him in the same motion. Which tossed the Kitsune far back! "I'll see to your death for this, brat! I'll feast on your corpse and turn this pathetic city to ruins! By the time I am done with you!"
However, that just makes Zack laugh again in pure ecstasy with his claws glowing bright red. "Promise?" He cackles before flying straight for his prey. The Wendigo Grimm, however, now consumed by primal rage and fury over its allies leaving it to die, roars as it swipes at the Kitsune Faunus. Only to miss completely as Zack swerves underneath the attack and jams his claws into its arm.
Then digging the metallic claws on his boots into the Bloody Hidesman's arm as well, Zack couldn't help but laugh while his prey howled in pain. "Because such talk is cheap! So let us see who is the hunter and who is the hunted, shall we?" Another maniacal grin was on the Kitsune Faunus's face again before he jumped off to avoid the Bloody Hidesman's attempt to grab him while it growled furiously.
"It will be YOU who will be hunted!" It retorts while Zack just grinned in response. Then, while still flying in the air, magical energies gather around the Kitsune Faunuses right hand into a bright red ball before he throws it like a bolt as it pierces through the Wendigo's arm when it tries to block.
Even more than that, Oathkeeper, which has been tossed aside, suddenly makes its appearance by stabbing just above the monstrous right hooves of the Grimm. "I think you move too much. So how about we change that!" Zack laughs once more before Oathkeeper suddenly 'explodes' and freezes the Bloody Hidesman in place before reappearing in the Kitsune's hand as he closes in for another attack.
But it is not out of the fight just yet; as soon as Zack gets close, the Wendigo Grimm vomits out more tiny Nevermores that all begin swarming.
However, in the midst of it all, Zack seemingly vanishes in the swarm of Nevermores to the Grimm's surprise. Only to have one of its antlers cut clean off from behind by Oathkeeper! "Hey! What the hell are you attacking, eh? I'm behind you!" Only for the Kitsune Faunus to vanish again and reappear on the Bloody Hidesman's right as it tries to lash out at him.
"Or am I here?" Zack couldn't stop a sadistic giggle from leaving his lips. He's having a bit too much fun playing with his prey. And he couldn't help himself because all of it was just too FUN! However, when the Kitsune Faunus changes his location again, the Bloody Hidesman manages to grab one of his tails, which is enough for the Grimm to start slamming him again and again onto the ground!
Each repeating blow seemingly makes the fox Faunus yelp out in pain for the first time ever since the battle started. As if to rub it in further, it proceeds to then use Zack like a makeshift ice pick to break the ice on its hooves before giving the final slam into the ground while leaving the Kitsune Faunus implanted into the ground and stuck.
With its prey now stunned and trapped beneath it, the Bloody Hidesman decides to end this charade in the most brutal way ever by bringing its hoof down upon the Kitsune Faunus with such force it sends a shock wave that spreads all over the battlefield outside the walls of Argus.
If for a moment, silence had descended upon all.
From those in the city walls to Cordovin inside the colossus, to the Royal Guards, to Team RWBY, JNR, Qrow, Celeste, and Katharine. All could only bring their eyes to the beast, seemingly growling and grinding its hoof down upon its target. And horror descends upon all.
"... Zack?" Weiss utters with her voice trembling. She saw that. Everyone saw that. That thing managed to get a good grip on him before slamming him again and again before crushing him into the ground. "No… No, no, no, no…"
Tears were beginning to gather in her eyes as despair filled everyone's hearts. Even the Royal Guards looked as if they were about to go on an utter rampage of revenge any second now. But in an unexpected and totally throwing the situation over its head, Zack suddenly appears next to everyone, a little ruffled but none the worse for wear.
"Ohh… Yeah, glad I'm not that guy. That looks very painful to experience…" Calmly, the Kitsune dusts himself off snow before resummoning Oathkeeper into his hand while everyone stares at him in sheer bafflement. "Probably a bunch of broken bones, damage to major organs, brain damage, and death will likely follow."
? ? ?
And noticing the look everyone gave him, the Kitsune Faunus blurts out in the cockiest way anyone had ever heard him speak. "What? You thought I was going to let myself get squished, just like that?" Zack proceeds to shrug his shoulders before bringing his tails forward to brush them a bit with his claws. "I don't think anyone noticed, but halfway through it all, I decided to take a break and let my illusion fight it later. Glad it worked out the way I expected."
"That was an illusion? Just how powerful did you get?" Blake questions with her ears twitching, only for her Kitsune Faunus friend to chuckle like a child who managed to pull off a big prank and get away scot-free with his ears twitching rapidly.
"Yeah, I know Weiss told us that this is likely a temporary case, but geez. You're broken. Makes me scared how powerful you'll get as you get more tails." Jaune points out before their Kitsune Faunus friend starts cackling loudly again before his face turns grim. (HA!)
"Yup! But it sucks when I'm constantly on the brink of sanity, you know that?"
Zack then proceeded to bend down before bringing all nine tails pointing straight for the Bloody Hidesman. Before the tips of them glowed blood-red, and a second later, beams of red magic shot out of his nine fluffy tails and slammed straight into the Bloody Hidesman and made it collapse onto the floor on its back while it howled in agony.
"Whoa! Awesome!" Nora couldn't help but cheer at the utter sight seen only in stories and overall fiction on the CCTs before they got shut down. Meanwhile, the Kitsune Faunus lets out another fox-like laugh.
"Hah! Always wanted to try and do that! Now purge the remaining pests here while ensuring they die for good! This battle has outlived its length!" Brandishing his claws and having his tails hold Oathkeeper, Zack bears a crazed grin once again before speeding off like thunder and leaving a trail in his path.
Snow kicked into the air by the sheer speed the Kitsune Faunus travelled eventually came down and covered everyone in it. "We're seriously going to need to talk about what happened while we were apart. And why the hell did you stop us from capturing Hazel and Tyrian? We had them on the ropes! They were running!"
Qrow points out while he and everyone else dusts the snow off themselves while Weiss audibly sighs. "I understand. But I refused to let my friend cross a line."
"What line, Wiess?" The Schnee ex-heiress then looks at all her friends and allies reluctantly. She can't show how much she cares for him. Not yet. Not when her dignity as the sane one of the team is on the line in addition to being too early for them to know of her newly developed relationship with Zack.
And by God.
She will never hear the end of it if they catch wind of it. Even if they already had some suspicions of what was happening, this will be addressed later.
"While you weren't there. Zack was about to execute Hazel. He was so close to stabbing him in the neck, and we all know he is not like that." Weiss lets a pause take over before continuing. "He might not regret it in this state, but after he recovers? I'm sure he won't take killing someone, even justifiably, well. In addition to potentially aggravating her to come after us."
While those like Katharine looked to her mistress for answers only to get a shrug from Celeste, everyone else understood what Weiss was trying to say. Hazel's death could cause Salem to come directly for them. Something that none of them will be ready to fight. "Well… if you put it that way. It does make some sense, doesn't it?" Ruby rubs her hair only to notice that she's out of ammo for Crescent Rose.
However, the short peace they had was interrupted when all the Royal Guards ran right past everyone and towards the increasingly withering Grimm reinforcements, with Kharn leading the charge with his chain axe! However, unlike the rest of her brothers and sisters, Nerium stops by to check on the others.
"This battle has reached its conclusion. How long do you all plan to rest before you miss out on the finality of this battle?" The Sword of the Khan asks before glancing over at Ruby with a small smile underneath her mask. "But I'm sure the rest of my brothers and sisters can support your friend first before more Grimm arrive."
"I don't like you and still don't trust you." Ruby bluntly admits it while Nerium snorts. "Why did you hurt Zack months ago?" Ruby frowns with her hand trembling. How can he trust someone who hurt him? What was her friend thinking all this time?
"Something that can be addressed after this battle has reached its conclusion." The Sword of the Khan swiftly counters before taking her mask off. "Besides, all that matters is the state of your friend at the moment. Miss Schnee has so helpfully told you all of his condition, but such loss of sanity does not simply vanish as soon as the battle ends. It needs to be fully expelled from his system."
"So, what you are saying is that this is not the end." Ren then took a step forward before Yang snarks.
"That's reassuring…"
"Yes. But I'm sure your friend can rein himself in from his loss to madness." Nerium continues before looking directly at Weiss in particular. Something that everyone's favourite Schnee notices and gives a scowl back. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Oh, nothing more, honorary guest." The Sword of the Khan smirks before placing her mask back on to the utter squawking of Weiss. "But your relationship will be required if he is to retain his sanity." And just like that, Nerium was off to join her fellow Royal Guards in glorious combat while everyone else looked at Weiss.
Who utterly refuses to say anything. "Let's just go and end this battle already." She grumbles.
==================================================================
Zack's POV
Finish it. Kill. Slaughter. Maim. Butcher.
Those are just a taste of the countless words constantly spoken in my mind… If the situation earlier was bad, then now the voices are no longer whispering. They're yelling, encouraging me to put the Bloody Hidesman in its place in the soil and make it die a painful death. Yet, I feel more energetic. More alive to keep the slaughter of my foes running!
I can only hope that once this battle has reached its conclusion. I'll take back control of my mind. Because so far, I'm unnerved by my… ruthlessness. I mean. Despite how pathetic Hazel's excuse to work with Salem is. It is understandable to think otherwise when she appears unkillable and offers him a chance to avenge his sister against Ozma.
But my mind…
For glimpses, I see him as a coward. A threat that needs to be exterminated before he leaks to Salem of my… changes. I still am impressed that Weiss challenged me in this state. Bold of her. Very bold of her indeed… Perhaps this is why I see her as someone worthy to be my mate. Or at least the more animalistic side of me does.
The real me sees it as someone stopping me from doing something utterly foolish. Even if that side's downed by insanity and lust for slaughter for all who oppose me.
Anyway, with most of the Grimm reinforcements culled alongside Salem's agent running away like the rats they are, this leaves only one major prey left. And I'll be damned to let anyone take it! Ozma lost one of his lives to this monster, and a debt has been made! Let it pay this debt with its life.
A life for a life!
"YOU! You should have been crushed beneath my hooves!" Ohhh… Didn't see that coming, did you, huh? Heh heh… Well, too bad! Today's the day you die, and you're not running away alive like last time! Even if you get back on your feet, our dance has long concluded. You just don't realize it yet…
"Hah! Caught you off guard, did I? You fell for my trick and were none the wiser to notice the difference between what's real and fake!" I laugh madly once again before swinging Oathkeeper once again at my prey. Which earned a swift response, and the Bloody Hidesman caught my weapon once in its claws. A shame, really, because I WANT that to happen!
Winding up my fist the instant it caught my Zweihänder, I slammed my fist right on its finger joints, and a resounding crack echoed across the whole battlefield! Oh, that sounds so crispy alongside its pathetic howls before I swing Oathkeeper and cut its fingers off!
See? I fixed your fingers by removing them!
Feeling my instincts kick in again, I flew under another attempt by my prey to swipe me aside, and I could see that its finger had begun to grow back again. Even more than that, their pathetic tiny Nevermores are now on me, but a quick swipe of the claws or catching and crushing them with my tails was enough to end their existence.
"RAARRR! I WILL MAKE YOU SUFFER FOR THIS!" The Bloody Hidesman howls its lungs out. Does Grimm even have lungs? Eh, not like it matters at all to me. They're creatures of darkness made to hunt those with souls. Just pawns in the great game. Then, in an act that caught me off guard, those smoke particles on its limbs intensified until everything around my prey was covered in it.
And I can't see anything!
Then I was suddenly snatched up within its hands and thrown face first into the ground! This won't stop me, you hear me! "Die properly this time, you brat!" Trying to crush me, eh? Not on my watch! Getting back on my feet, I can see the Wendigo Grimm bringing its hoof down upon me!
Death will take my soul someday within two years. But today's not the day I will say hi to the reaper! Letting out my own roar and holding Oathkeeper with both my hands, I thrust my Zweihänder up into the Bloody Hidesman's hoof! And in a spectacular clash, I hold with the full weight of the beast upon me!
"Is that all you got?!" I grinned before channelling magic and aura into my arms so I could keep it distracted. "Because perhaps you should pay more attention to me!" And pouring more magic, a clone of me split off from me and began running up its leg! I am aware of the tales of Kitsune in my world having the ability to make illusions of themselves.
But the abilities I can bring in while in this state are more… insane or magnificent if one were to think upon it. By utilizing my magic, I can create duplicates of myself that are 'echoes' of me. Unlike the clones, which I see Blake or Sun summon through their Semblance, I have connected to my mind directly.
As in something like a pseudo hivemind, if I were to describe it to the best of my ability.
I see, feel, sense, and control as if I am them while I am still under the Bloody Hidesman's hoof. "Now get off me!" The me that's running up the Wendigo's legs yells before I dig both my claws enhanced with magic into its leg and resume running up. While it definitely is an incredibly painful experience to imagine something fleshier, this attack worked to my favour as it caused the pressure to lessen just enough that I could slip underneath without getting crushed.
While still bearing a feral grin on my face, I can see myself still running up the Bloody Hidesman's leg, and now on its thigh, I noticed my prey about to swipe the echo version of me off it, but fat chance! "Oh, I'm not done just yet!" I roar before throwing Oathkeeper with one hand like a damn javelin and impale its healthy hand.
Which so happens to allow my echo self to jump from its thigh and pull Oathkeeper out of its hand and slice it off to a satisfying howl of agony.
How mesmerizing…
Even more, the voices in my mind had synced up like a roaring crowd awaiting the sight of a public execution. All chanting Kill it over and over again. But as if to disrupt the glorious moment I was having, several missiles showed up out of nowhere and slammed into my prey before blowing up and sending it staggering back!
Damn it, Cordovin!
This is my kill! Not yours! You need to fuck off now before I choose to turn my blade on you!
"This is it, foul beast! Your invasion plans have been thwarted, you minions lie broken beneath my feet, and the machines of Atlas still remain standing despite numerous setbacks! Now only you remain. And I, Specialist Caroline Cordovin will be your executioner. "
"For the individual duelling the monstrosity, you are to pull back this instant! I will not be responsible if you become collateral for standing in my way! As for every Huntsman and strangers still on the field, you've done your part and have my thanks for holding the line. Now pull back and let the professional clean up the job."
"And once we're done, you'll all see me for a final briefing! This is not negotiable!"
You…
Tch.
Guess I'll have to make this fight a quick one. I can see that Colossus is all battered up with man-sized holes and sparks emitting from the damaged parts. Yet it still charges forward like a juggernaut towards my prey. The same could be said for my Royal Guards also running to my side, as are my friends and girlfriend.
Time to make this the finisher.
Syncing my echo with myself and ignoring the annoying yapping of Cordovin, we ran towards Bloody Hidesman and jumped as one for its face, and with our fists up, I spotted fear in its eyes. Fear. Hah… To think even such a monstrous Grimm can show fear for its life. Perhaps its ancient age did give it the intelligence to recognize the concept of death. No matter.
A being such as it will never understand what it takes to face the fear of death!
"This is it! The end of the road for you! Now, may your darkness be purged from existence!" With a roar that echoed the battlefield, my fists met their target, and the sheer power delivered to the Grimm's face sent it crashing onto the ground while my echo vanished at my command.
Then, with a final attack and holding Oathkeeper with both hands, I fell upon the beast as it brought its still regenerating hands to stop me. "Wai-" Whatever it tried to say, I care not. For Oathkeeper soon met its mark right between the eyes and pierced deep into its skull. But I wasn't done yet.
Such a Grimm will not go down so easily, so I poured as much magic as needed into Oathkeeper and channelled it into an explosion that blew its entire upper torso up into nothing, which also happened to send me launching into the skies as a bolt of red light.
Straight for Argus's port.
Hah! It may seem madness, but my keen hearing picked up the presence of another Grimm rapidly coming from the sea. The noise it made in the waves is just too much to ignore, and from what I can guess from the size. It is that Leviathan Grimm whom everyone fought in canon. Too bad it is about to get spawn camped because I got something just for it…
Besides, not only do I get to take out one legendary Grimm as prey, but another?
How could I say no to such an offer?
Of course, that did not stop everyone who knew me from calling out while that blasted woman would not stop yapping about me stealing her glory. Fool, can't the speakers on that damn mech break already? I tire of her infernal racketeering. Hearing the blaring of the alarms in Argus was all I needed to know before I noticed that Grimm was rising from the sea.
It's about time you showed yourselves. I got something I think you'd enjoy…
Hah hah hah he he he…
Upon emerging fully from the sea, the Leviathan lets out a roar that echoes as far as I know. But you are too late. Had you come earlier, things would have been so much more interesting… So, I'll just give you a quick death and something I so desire to try out. So, do me a favour and be a good test dummy, and I'll bite your head off, okay?
==================================================================
To everyone, seeing their friend or Blessed One in the Royal Guard's eyes blasting off straight for the shores of Argus came as a surprise. But such confusion, despite the relief that the battle for Argus was over, only made them wonder worriedly about him. Why was he heading straight for the sea?
Despite that, everyone quickly gathers onto the walls as fast as they can to see that bolt of red light arriving upon the seas of Argus. And then it happens. The alarms of another Grimm attack begin to blare once again. "Again? Didn't Zacky blow up that goat already? Why is the alarm still going on?" Nora couldn't help but ask everyone because she and everyone else were running incredibly low on ammunition.
And despite being rejuvenated earlier by Zack's magic, it certainly did not stop the mental exhaustion from catching up on everyone. Except for Nerium and her Royal Guards, who remain composed with their masks on. "I don't know, but my guess is that something is coming from the sea." Jaune could only suggest before one of the Atlesian guards on the wall pointed out while taking several steps forward.
"Over there! In the distance!" He points before the massive Grimm rises from the sea and lets out a roar that shakes the ground. All the while, that bolt of red-light glows ever brighter as it seems to descend upon the monster. "A Leviathan Class Grimm. Just after we fought and killed one of them already? By the Gods. What is with today?"
"This is bad. We don't have enough munitions to take something of that size out. The damage the colossus also took hampers our success." Katharine mutters while her eyes land on Celeste, who remains completely silent. "Mistress? You're very calm about this."
"Hmm?" The heiress hums while raising an eyebrow at her caretaker. "No. Not really, I'm worried about our situation, but… I think my friend has already solved our problems; I think." She admits while the overall mood of everyone dulls. Except Weiss, who's silently praying for her boyfriend's safety, or Ruby, who suggests using her eyes again.
"Your lack of faith in the Blessed One is annoying." Kharn growls, which understandably earned looks of disagreement or confusion from everyone.
"Blessed One? That title again." Blake mutters while her ears twitch while Yang butts in.
"Seriously, what's with you people calling our friend the 'Blessed One?' Makes no damn sense to me." The blond brawler points out before getting a snarky reply from the Grimm Slayer.
"Why would I have to say a damn thing when the truth is right before us all?" He continues before pointing his chain axe straight at the Leviathan in the sea, while Ruby couldn't help but squeal at the sight of such a magnificent weapon. Even if the situation isn't appropriate at all. "That Grimm is already dead. It just hasn't realized it yet."
Then, like a comet falling from the heavens, the bolt of red light began to grow rapidly to the point none could comprehend its size. Soon the red light faded, and out came an utterly MASSIVE nine-tailed Kitsune barrelling his fangs down upon the Leviathan Grimm that it barely had time to defend itself.
Then, just as fast as he came, Zack in his Kitsune form slams into the Grimm, forcing it onto the sea on its back before the now fully realized Kitsune sinks his ginormous fangs deep into its neck. "Holy shit… What the hell is that thing?" Atlesian personnel utter out in shock while every one of Zack's friends' jaws hit the floor as fast as they could.
Except Weiss, who has seen him use that from before the last time he lost control of himself. Though she's still surprised about what he did.
"Damn, kiddo… I wasn't expecting this. Thought you were going to punch the shit out of it…" Qrow mutters as he takes his canteen out and takes a drink. Only to notice that it was empty. "Damn. Out of alcohol when I really need it…"
Others like Ren could only blink, but it was clear from his more visibly widening eyes that this was unexpected. "We are in agreement, Mr. Branwen. Not the alcohol part."
"Wow… He's big. Like, really big. I think we can all ride on his back like a mount or something…" Yang was next, right as Nora utters excitedly.
"OH, MY GOODNESS! He's so big and fluffy! Look how fluffy Zacky's tails are, Renny! Do you think we can sleep on him at night and we'll be all warmed up?"
"I wasn't aware your old childhood friend could do this." Katharine spoke as she glanced at her mistress, who lost her composure and answered back.
"N-No. He wasn't like this. Nor have this power with him." Celeste answers earnestly before glancing back at the massive Kitsune still biting down upon the Leviathan Grimm. "Now I wonder what actually happened to him to grant him this… power. This is beyond everything I know…"
"Weiss, did you know he could do this?" Jaune then asks his friend as everyone looks at the ex-heiress, barely reacting. "You don't seem to be shocked that he could do this." He points out that Weiss found herself increasingly self-conscious about the attention she's suddenly receiving. Which was rare thanks to her experience with public operas.
Thankfully or not, the sound of flesh tearing echoing through the city caught everyone's attention as they turned to see Zack tearing an entire chunk out of the Grimm's neck as it struggled to resist. Then spitting the disgusting black flesh out, the Kitsune then bites deeper into its neck while Leviathan roars defiantly.
Right as Zack pulls again and rips its head clean off!
The only good thing is it's a Grimm getting its head ripped off, or things would have gotten incredibly bloodier than they should have if it was flesh and bones instead. "It is done…" Weiss sighed upon realizing that she was holding her breath the entire time, but after recovering, the rumblings of the Colossus beyond the walls of Argus caught everyone's attention.
"Ahem! Attention, all Argus defensive personnel and... Huntsman auxiliaries."
"Let it be recorded that the threat to the city of Argus has been... neutralized. The Kingdom of Atlas, embodied by my swift and decisive action, has once again proven its unwavering commitment to the security of all Remnant! The Grimm horde is broken, their commanders slain, and order is restored!"
"However!" Caroline Cordovin's voice sharpens, the professionalism beginning to fray at the edges. "The methods by which the final... dispositions were carried out were... unorthodox! Highly unorthodox!" She continues yapping on with everyone looking quite annoyed except for the Atlesians who were cheering or saluting in SHEER PATRIOTISM.
"That... fox-eared individual… I suspect a unique breed of Faunus whose identification and affiliation remain unverified and has engaged in reckless, unsanctioned, and frankly... bizarre manoeuvres that complicated a structured military response! The target was the high-priority target, and its elimination was to be conducted with the precision and power only Atlas can provide!"
"And then... and then...!" She sputters, trying to find the words for what she just witnessed. "To then manifest into some form of... of... gigantic, vulpine-like animal and engage the secondary Leviathan-class target with... with feral bites! This is not how civilized warfare is conducted! It is chaotic! It is undocumented! It is a spectacle, not a strategy!"
This understandably did not earn any favour points from the Zack's Royal Guards, who are now all glaring at this fool for her brazen insult of their Blessed One. Even Kharn was getting a bit in the mood to attack her for this insult.
"I will be requiring a FULL debriefing from each one of you! I want names, I want origins, and I want explanations for these... these parlour tricks and unauthorized Semblances! The idea that a single, unaffiliated combatant could wield such... such... disproportionate power without Atlas's knowledge is a security concern of the highest order!"
"So, to the strangers on the walls, you will stand by for immediate questioning later today. Do not attempt to leave the Argus under any circumstances. Your... assistance... is noted, but your actions have raised more questions than they have answered. Cordovin out!"
And just like that, the Colossus marches off back to its base while everyone glances at one another. "Well… That went better than I thought." Jaune was the first to speak up before Celeste butted in.
"Is that so?" She then lets out a long sigh. "Never thought my first battle as an unofficial Huntress would be so chaotic and exhausting… Still, dealing with Specialist Cordovin will be an absolute pain. Knowing her personality, I know for sure everyone."
"Welcome to our life, princess."
Qrow jokes before grumbling at his empty canteen bottle. Because damn well he needs one right about now! "Besides the chaos of today, well done, Mistress. This defence could have gone much better, but for your first time? You handled yourself well, and I can say exactly that your years of nightly training are paying off." Katharine, despite how she is usually in keeping a straight face at all times, smiles at her mistress.
"Yeah, I'm beat and hungry, actually. Anyone want to get some ramen later after we pick up- wait. Where is he?" True to Yang's words, Zack in his Kitsune form was no longer by the sea, and in fact, he's gone! As if he turned to nothing! "Seriously? How does something that large disappear all of a sudden without anyone noticing?!"
"Wait, whaaatttttt? WHEREDIDHEGO?!" As expected, Ruby did not take Zack's disappearance well, and even Weiss was baffled by it, and soon… Everyone began looking everywhere while the Royal Guards were looking up for some reason. Noticing the odd behaviour of these people who came with their friends, Ren walks up to Nerium and asks, "Where are you looking at?"
But as soon as he said that, everyone heard a fox-like cackle coming from the gate tower, and up there everyone saw their friend resting on the edge while looking down upon everyone. "Who would have thought that even the people here would forget to look up?" Zack grins before he falls before everyone.
However, it was still obvious by his physical features that he was still in his mad state. Something that didn't go unnoticed and made everyone take several steps back. "Keep your distance, everyone. Zack's still in that state…" Weiss warily warns everyone while the Kitsune Faunus ears and tails twitch in sync.
How he hasn't returned to normal is unknown to her, but Nerium's words that she might be able to snap him out of his madness linger on her mind.
"Perhaps…" A growl left the Kitsune Faunus's lips as he calmly walked towards his friends as if nothing was amiss. Even as everyone backs away slowly for every step he takes, the Royal Guards still remain in place.
In fact, Weiss, while originally taking steps back with her friends, suddenly decides otherwise after remembering Nerium's words. And in an action that scares everyone worried for her, the ex-heiress chose to march forward suddenly.
"Weiss, what are you doing?"
Yang hisses while Ruby is conflicted about either moving forward and pulling her partner back or staying here and trusting that everything will go well now that the battle for Argus has come to a conclusion. "You ask us to move back, and now you're going ahead? Have you gone insane?" Yang continues while Celeste joins in.
"While this is the first time we're speaking, Miss Schnee, it's a pleasure to meet you, and I would offer a proper introduction later. But are you sure you should be approaching him when he is in this uncontrollable state?" But instead of receiving a direct response, Weiss pauses her steps before glancing at her friends.
"Trust me on this. Let me handle this."
Despite how the situation looks and the worry for her safety, everyone nods their heads with hesitation, and before long, Zack stands before Weiss. Then he does something that catches everyone off guard. In one swift motion, the Kitsune Faunus wraps her in a gentle hug and rests his forehead against hers, all the while his three fluffy tails gently wrapping around her.
All the while, Zack begins audibly purring once Weiss rests her hand on his cheek and he leans into it, just as he had done on her. "Zack?" Weiss then asks before getting a response.
"Shush, dear... Let me have this moment…" As expected from such utterly shameless action and comment, Weiss's cheeks utterly explode into a shade of red from sheer embarrassment. While some were surprised by his actions, others, like Nora and Yang, were grinning ear to ear at the sight because what they suspected had become a reality.
It just happened that their relationship only bloomed further once they were apart.
As for Ruby, the sight for some reason made her heart throb painfully, and she ended up grabbing the necklace on her neck. All the time wondering why she feels so sad and jealous of what she's seeing? Why does seeing the two so… happy make her so sad? Shouldn't she be happy that her partner and best friend are alive?
Others, like Celeste, blink dumbly the whole time. "A Schnee falling for a Faunus? What timeline am I in? Did I miss something?" And lastly, Qrow, the old Huntsman, just glances at the newly revealed couple and shakes his head with a smile before looking at the Royal Guards.
All still waiting except one who jumped outside the walls of Argus for some reason after receiving a nod from Nerium.
But whatever Zack was doing was working, as his Kitsune features were starting to retract. His elongated claws and fangs begin to retract into how everyone saw him just now. His nine tails slowly vanish, reducing back to three, with the other six vanishing into nothing, and lastly, Zack's eyes return once more with the redness of them utterly gone as soon as he opens them again.
"Your back…" Weiss loses her breath once again upon seeing those gentle golden eyes once again as a soft smile grows on the fox Faunus face.
"Yeah, I am. I can think clearly once again." Zack glances at everyone looking at them, and his cheeks explode into red as he breaks off awkwardly while screaming in sheer panic in his mind. "OH GODS, THEY ALL SAW THAT! What was I thinking doing that in front of everyone?! Was it because of my instincts that compelled me to have her in my arms?! Oh, fuck me! Weiss is going to kill me for this!
"Dear, huh?"
Yang's voice cuts through the silence as the grin on her lips grows ever wider, with the secret couple's faces turning ever paler before Weiss gives a glare that promises pain. "Now I REALLY want to know what happened between the two of you for Weiss to be called 'dear' all of a sudden." And at the same time, Nora starts going on about how she knew they would soon fall for one another alongside trying to come up with a proper ship name for the two.
"Oh, oh! I know what to call them! Perhaps SnowFox! Or maybe Yukitsune? Or perhaps something else? Gah, I think of more." Nora rambles on while Blake gives a cheeky smirk at the two of them, while Jaune is clapping his hands, as is Ren.
"You're so dead after this is over, Zack Arakan…" Weiss's murmur is laced with murder while Zack nervously takes a step back from his girlfriend, and even more than that, all three of his tails are all puffed up and become as stiff as a pole and point straight into the air.
All the while the fox Faunus looks terrified and begins nervously laughing. "Eh, eh, heh… Would an apology suffice for now?" Only to hear Weiss angrily grumbling to herself about her need to maintain her reputation and dignity. But soon the fox Faunus' attention was back to Ruby, still watching the two quietly without the life she is known to have.
"Right, Ruby… guess what she is doing right now just reinforces our suspicions that she does like me. Or perhaps has a crush. Wonderful."
In a move that surprised most, Zack then walks towards her and gently pulls the little Rose into a hug. "I missed you, Ruby, and the rest of you guys, you know that? You have no idea how worried I was for you guys when we were cut off." And just for a moment, Ruby's eyes widen before she hugs him back with a small smile on her lips.
"Yeah… I was so worried about you, about Weiss when she suddenly jumped after you." And just then, Yang joins in on the hug, as does Blake, and it does not take long before everyone else does so, with Weiss joining in the hug ball reluctantly.
Except Qrow, Celeste, and Katharine.
"Oh, trust me, foxy. You should have seen how she was acting afterward; she was a worried mess. But you're back here with Weiss alive and well. Well, minus the whole super crazy side you have and a bunch of faceless guys following you here." Yang giggles as she rubs Zack's head while he squawks about not touching him like that.
"Happy to see you both again. And you've grown somewhat in the past three days, both of you, I mean. I can just tell straight away from how you act just now." Blake hums out while poor Ruby and Zack in the middle were getting crushed by everyone.
"Ack! Help… Getting squished by chest… Can't breathe…" Poor Ruby's face was basically kissing Zack's chest, with her face just as red as her cape beneath it all. Why is she acting so embarrassed being so close to him? And why does it make her heart beat so fast? Not that it is bad, but it feels…
Right? Is that the right word to say?
He also smells like lavender, which is nice too, minus how sweaty everyone is after all the fighting.
Ew…
"Not to interrupt your reunion with your friends, Arakan. But we are still here and require a debriefing before your escorts depart home. Worry not about the need for rest; they can handle the journey on the way back home." Nerium's voice snapped everyone out, and they turned their heads to see her and the Royal Guards all kneeling with an arm on their chests.
"Oh… Right." Zack mutters before he untangles himself from everyone and finds himself awkwardly standing before his escorts. While everyone remained confused about why they were kneeling before their friend. "Well… I'm not great at the whole speech thing, but I just want to thank all of you for escorting me and Weiss back to Argus. And lending your assistance in repelling the Grimm threat. Without it, I don't think we'd be here speaking. And…"
Zack glances to the side to see everyone except Weiss giving curious looks while whispering to one another, which the fox Faunus picks up. But choosing to ignore them, he looks back at them. "Well… once you get back, give the Khan the word that I am alive and well, and may we see each other again in the future."
As one, all the Royal Guards give a single response to the Heir of the Arakan Clan.
"Understood!"
And so, they all began jumping off the walls of Argus and down below before one of them, wielding a massive pair of scissors as a weapon, reappears before the fox Faunus with two bags in her hands as she presents them. "Blessed one, I have your belongings as well as Miss Schnee's from your horse."
"Ah, thank you." Zack offers a smile as he takes the bags off her hands. "Go ahead and join the others on their journey home. You all deserve a rest for sure after today."
Taking a back step, the bodyguard then gave the same salute as the others gave earlier and bowed. "You honour us, Blessed One. May your future journeys fare well." Just like that, she was gone through her portal, leaving Nerium leaning on the nearby wall much to Zack's reluctant acknowledgement.
"So, you really are sticking by my side as a bodyguard whether I like it or not, huh?"
"Correct. I will take my job to keep you alive seriously. Failure to do so will be an insult to the oath I made to your uncle. Besides, that Scorpion Faunus had made utterly dehumanizing and unacceptable remarks about you. And that demands retribution."
"Uncle?" Nora jumps into the conversation with her head tilted to the side. "You had an uncle the whole time? Why didn't you say anything about him?! What was he like? Is he a Huntsman?"
"And what's that about a Khan, and who were those guys anyway? They seem really loyal to you for some reason." Ruby adds in next before Zack groans out loud.
"Right… I guess we're heading back right to whatever place you have, and then we can explain what's going on." His stomach soon grumbles afterward, which makes his cheeks red and everyone chuckle at him. Some things just never change for Zack, especially when it comes to food and his stomach growling at the worst opportune times.
And to drive the point, Weiss was actively grinning beneath her hand over her mouth. Oh, how her boyfriend can be so adorable at times despite his efforts to be serious. "I suppose it is that time you have your meals. After all, it is close to midday. Let's hope some of the stores are open now that the crisis is resolved."
It was also during that time Celeste and Katharine walked towards the group. "Well, if you're going for lunch, then allow me to sponsor the meals. It is on me because our meeting was interrupted, and besides," her eyes soon land on Weiss first and then Zack. "We can resume our talk or deal with… Cordovin later. I am not looking forward to the latter."
She sighs before Neo can be seen patronizingly patting Zack on the head again while the fox Faunus glares at her. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Nice to see you again, Neo. Hope your time in Argus has been a wonderful time. Now stop patting my head like that!" Yet all he got was a silent giggle from the mute as everyone soon departed from the walls and back onto the streets.
Or at least, that was before Weiss asked her boyfriend. "Zack, are you not going to hide yourself?" Which made everyone pause and look at the Fox Faunus who shook his head calmly.
"Even if I'd like to, there is no point to that. Besides, after our catching-up talk later today, I think you'll all understand why I say this." Zack calmly states, which earns him looks from everyone. "And if you are asking why not now or during lunch, it's because I need time to think on how to explain it all. So, I won't say anything until then."
With nothing else, the search for food became everyone's concern.
That fight really worked up an appetite, and after that, a talk with Cordovin. Something that no one's looking forward to, but at least they are together once more with new friends and allies.