The Art of Blood | Bloodborne x RWBY

Informed - 3

Elizabeth POV

"Must've been some sort of last stand semblance. While it did put him down for good... you didn't have to be so brutal on the execution." Winter said while we rode the bullhead back to Atlas.

"It was an instinctual habit. We used techniques like that where I come from."

"Where do you come from Elizabeth?! You have no last name or combat record!"

"Topic for another day Ms. Schnee."

Winter opened her mouth to say something but sighed instead. To be truthful, they probably couldn't stomach some of the beasts I had encountered. The eldritch truth of Yharnam is best left in Yharnam.

The rest of the ride back was silent.

-~-

"May I escort you to your room, ladies?" General Ironwood said when we walked out of the bullhead.

"Our room?" Winter questioned.

"I'll explain on the way." Ironwood said before walking towards the door.

"I have always dreamt of having the best huntsmen and huntresses at my side. When I first met Winter, I saw the passion and ambition in her eyes. I knew she would be fit for the job at that very moment. I had a similar feeling when I first met you, Elizabeth." He said while turning to me

"What do you mean by that, sir?" I asked

"Well to start off, your combat skills are the best I have ever seen. I would like to meet whoever taught you how to preform."

I opened my mouth, about to tell him about Maria, but I elected not to. Anything I said would've brought more questions than answers.

"Which is why I am asking you to be my right hand."

"With all due respect, sir, why are you asking me this now? It hasn't been a full day since I've been a specialist. Wouldn't you want more proof of my skills before asking me this?"

"I think I have enough to ask you this. Here we are."

Ironwood opened the door to my room. I figured that Winter would take the second bed. Before we could walk in Ironwood extended his arm in front of the door.

"The only way I can let you two have this room is if you agree to the promotion Ms. Elizabeth."

The room was in every way an upgrade from the other rooms. Even Winter looked at me and nodded, signaling for me to say yes.

"I accept."

"Very good. You two have a good night. Report to me tomorrow by ten. I have a very important matter to discuss with both of you."

Ironwood moved his arm out of the way and shut the door behind us when we entered.

-~-

"Just on time." Ironwood said as he opened the door. "Take a seat."

We all sat equal distance from each other at his round table.

"You both know about fairytales, correct?"

I knew much about them. They were used to give the children good dreams in their rest. I never got that luxury. But still I nodded. I looked over to see Winter nodding as well.

"My favorite has to be the story of the four maidens. A man who gifted his power to four women. The four women representing the maidens of course. What if... I told you it was true."

"Have you lost your mind Ironwood? A children's story?" Winter said, barely able to contain her laughter.

"You may have you doubts. I also doubted it at first. But I can assure you that it is true. When a maiden dies, her power moves onto the woman she sees when she dies. If she doesn't see a woman, or if it's a man, then the power will go to another woman at random. One of these women, the winter maiden, is in our possession. I need one of you to watch over her and make sure she is thinking of you when she dies. I need one of you... to be the next winter maiden."

"I'll do it."

Ironic. Almost like Winter was born for this moment. Winter sat back down after shooting up when she answered.

"Good. But one part of the story wasn't true. The old man that gave the maidens the powers wasn't just an old man, but rather their father. And the mother... Salem. Salem has been called the queen of grimm by those who know of her existence. One of her pawns has attacked the fall maiden. She stole part of her power and left on life support. Which brings me to the reason we're having this discussion. We don't know when or where she'll strike next. We need to be on guard."

"Why can't we just kill Salem?" I asked

"She has incredible powers. Not even our best huntsman and huntresses could take her down. It is within our best interest to wait."

"Ironwood, I've slain gods. If she is anything like what I think she is this shouldn't be hard."

"I'm sorry what?" Winter said while containing a laugh.

"You heard me, gods. Their blood runs within my body. You wanted to know where I was from right, Winter? It's called Yharnam. A place ravaged by the scourge of the beast. Many men and women have transformed into horrifying beasts. Their bodies twisted and mutilated into disgusting shapes. The cause of the scourge was the blood. Blood of the gods. The blood was ministered to the people of Yharnam and they became hungry for blood. I was not born in Yharnam, but rather in a place called Cainhurst. I inherited blood of the nobles or as some know it... the forbidden blood of the gods. It is more powerful and more potent than the one distributed in Yharnam. Luckily, I was an apprentice to a hunter who new how to resist the urges of the beast within me."

Silent

"Any questions?"

Silent

"Very well. You may continue Ironwood."

Sorry for the short chapter. Power has been iffy where I am and I'm not always able to have my phone charged. It's been getting better the last few days but you never know what could happen. Next chapter should be at the 1500-2000 word mark.