The Knights of Grimm - Act 5 - The Oncoming Shadow

Prologue

Blood...

That was what she felt, hot and still sticking against her cheek. Her silver eye, wide and wet with tears, hearing nothing around her except the cries of those that were left. She could just hear Yang, Jaune, and others crying as the wind howled around them. She leant against the tree with Crescent Rose rested upon her legs, staring up at the starless sky and the shattered moon. Distant howls of the endless hordes of Grimm out there, trapped with no way out.

And all she could hear in her mind... were the words of Vir Nominis Umbra.

"I'm truly sorry... You all wanted to be heroes, to save the world from the horrors of the world... But in the end, it all meant nothing. Life is not like a fairy tale, and this tale does not have a happy ending."

Three Days Prior...

Before the blood... before the fire...

Ruby was sat on her bed, back in the dorms of Beacon Academy. It felt like old times, sat up on her top bunk whilst Weiss was beneath her. She fiddled with her new haircut, still getting used to not having that long tail anymore. "So this is what it's like?" Weiss asked as she peered up at Ruby on the bunk above her.

"Yep. How's it feel?" Ruby inquired.

"I feel a lot lighter. It's nice." Weiss admitted as she climbed up to join Ruby on her top bunk. "How's your leg feeling, pal?"

Ruby moved it back and forth, touching the long scar that was left behind from Raven driving that knife down her in the battle two days ago. "It's better, not as stiff as it was. Still can't believe it was only two days ago... we've been so busy, non-stop preparations. Training the Students... I know what Dad meant now... about how stressful teaching is." Ruby chuckled as she pushed her hand through her hair.

Yang and Blake both were sat together, reading some books to pass the time. "Do you think we're ready? I mean... he said it would be starting today... and... I gotta admit Ruby... I'm terrified." Weiss stammered, but Ruby smiled at her.

"We've done everything we could in the time we had. But we know our mission, we need to get to Atlas and get that Relic out of there as fast as possible. Are you sure you're okay with going back there? I mean... you haven't been back in Atlas since you left." Ruby explained, and Weiss blew out a shaky breath.

"Yeah... my father... my brother? They're not my family anymore... all of you are." Weiss assured with a smile. Ruby gently put her arm around her friend, and they rested their heads together.

"He'd be proud of you." Ruby assured.

"I bet he's pissed right now." Weiss chuckled with a smile, something they hadn't seen from her in quite a while.

"Why'd you say that?" Ruby asked.

"Missing out on last night's party? He'd have loved that." Weiss said with a smile.

"Knowing Neptune, he'd probably be suffering the biggest hangover ever right now." Blake chimed in with a laugh.

"How's Sun? Looked like he drank more than I think he intended." Weiss asked her.

"Kassius challenged him to a game of shots. And we all know how competitive those two can get... so... yeah... he's got one hell of a hangover. But he's taking some stuff to boost him up." Blake assured with a smile.

"Oh Sun... rookie error... never challenge Kassius to a drinking game." Yang laughed with a bright smile on her face.

It truly was like old times, four girls hanging out in their dorm, just laughing and having fun... but sooner or later they had to return to reality. They turned when they heard Glynda Goodwitch knocking on their door. Then she opened it, stood there in her formal gear once more. And already, they could see the look in her eyes.