Darkest Nights: a RWBY Story

Chapter 46: the End of the World

The following morning dawned cold and foggy.
There was a quiet, almost somber mood throughout the house as everyone woke up and made their way into the living room.
"Where's Jason?"
Talia asked as Blake emerged from the master bedroom, already dressed in her combat outfit.
"Getting ready."
Blake replied, sitting down at the breakfast table and helping herself to some pancakes and sausage.
"He said he'd be out in a few minutes."
As Blake ate, others joined them in the living room.
Ruby and Weiss sat together in the corner by the fireplace, conversing quietly.
After five minutes had passed, Blake heard a noise in the doorway that led to the master bedroom and looked up.
Jason stood there, dressed in his black battle armor with golden trim. His jet black hair was slicked back, making his cat ears more prominent. He had Blackest Night strapped across his back and Phoenix Fire at his belt and, for the first time, had the golden vambraces of the Guardian on his arms.
Blake felt a sudden flare of pride as she looked at him. He truly was the Guardian.
Smiling, Jason sat down at the table next to Blake, leaning in to kiss her cheek.
The two talked as they ate, both feeling surprisingly calm given their current situation.
After a few minutes, Talia got up from the table and went to sit in a corner with Yang, who had just come out of their room.
Jason and Blake finished their meal, Jason turned to look at his mate.
"I just want to say... thank you."
He said, smiling softly.
"You've helped me more than I thought you realize and, incase one or both of us doesn't make it through this–"
"Don't say that."
"Just in case, I wanted to tell you that these past six months have been the best of my life, and I have you to thank for that."
Blake felt a light blush rise in her cheeks.
"Likewise."
She said, smiling and placing a hand on Jason's shoulder.
The moment was sadly interrupted by Talia, as she made her way back over to the table.
"The Royal Army,"
She said, looking at her brother,
"They're here."
Jason got up and followed his sister to the long living room window.
Gazing into the distance, he saw what yesterday, under the cover of darkness, he did not.
Just past a series of small hills was a large, relatively flat, plane. Although his vision was limited by the fog of early morning, he saw the mass of people on the hilltops closest to him, blue and gold banners flying high above.
It wasn't the whole army of course. Jason knew that, while Salem would be here, some of her Grimm would undoubtedly still be attacking across the four kingdoms. As a result, over half of the army was stationed to defend each and every village and city.
The group that was here in Vale was only several thousand strong, but was a formidable sight nonetheless.
Jason had sent out orders the previous day to make sure that each squad had a fair few experienced Huntsman and Huntresses along with the soldiers and, from what he could see, the commanding officers had gotten his message.
Turning to the group gathered in the living room, Jason spoke.
"Are you all ready?"
They all nodded and, weapons in hand, followed him out of the house.
It was a surprisingly cold morning and, by the time they got to the top of the hill where the army was gathered, Ruby and Jaune were already shivering.
The site that met their eyes as the fog lifted however was no less reassuring.
In the distance, no less than a mile away, was a dark mass that all but completely obstructed the horizon.
"Grimm."
Yang said in a voice that almost seemed far away.
She was right of course. An army of Grimm, at least 50,000 of them, stood on the plains in the distance.
Towards what appeared to be the center of the hoard, was a tall tower that seemed to draw the surrounding light into its pure darkness.
Jason knew instantly that that is where Salem would be. She was waiting for him.
"Why aren't the Grimm moving"
Ruby asked.
It was true. The army of Grimm, while massive, was not advancing.
"They're waiting... for me. Salem needs me alive. Meaning that the second I get inside that tower, they'll start to attack. But not a moment before."
Taking a moment to compose himself, Jason took a deep breath before starting down the hillside towards the wall of death.
After thirty seconds had passed, he heard running footsteps behind him and turned.
Blake ran up to him and threw her arms around him in a powerful hug.
Yang watched as Blake whispered something in Jason's ear before returning to the group as Jason continued to head towards the tower in the distance.
Just as he had expected, the army of Grimm parted to let him through, many of them growling, but with no actual signs of attack.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he made it to the base of the tower.
Tall and looming, the monolithic structure appeared to be made of dark, cracked, stone.
Unsheathing Phoenix Fire, he touched the tip of the sword's blade to the door and watched as it slowly slid open.