HK-47: The White Fang's Assassin

Chapter Forty Two - Ghost Of War

After acquiring the Relic of Knowledge and captured Oscar, HK-47 and Penny made their way back to to the Star Forge. Upon returning to the Star Forge, they delivered Oscar and the Relic to Adam Taurus. Upon seeing both Oscar and the Relic, Adam was pleased.

Adam: Well done, HK. I see your mission was a success.

HK-47: Response: Why of course, Master! Though Blake and her meatbag friends got away, my new protégé and I were able to accomplish our primary objectives.

Penny: Correction: You forgot to mention the meatbag we killed!

HK-47: Rebuttal: That old meatbag was no one special. Not worth wasting the Master's time. Now then, the Lamp.

Penny then walks over to Adam Taurus and hands him the Lamp. It bore the same markings as the Staff. As he gazes upon the Lamp, Oscar speaks up.

Oscar: Listen to me! This Lamp is our best shot against Salem! You're fighting the wrong enemy!

Adam: You are mistaken about a great many things. Do you think I'm blind? I know who I fight. I fight against all who stand against the Faunus. Atlas. Salem. You. I care not for your shadow war. As far as I'm concerned, you are all enemies that I must conquer.

As Adam said this, Ozpin took control of Oscar's body to speak to Adam.

Ozpin: Don't you see what you're doing, Adam? This is exactly what Salem wants. She seeks the destruction of all of Remnant, Human and Faunus alike. 

Adam: Salem sought to use my cause as an instrument for her own goals. When I refused to let the White Fang be a tool for her to use and discard at her disposal, she sought to destroy me. But she underestimated my resolve. She underestimated the resolve of the men and women fighting for the Faunus. 

As Adam says this, he pauses to reflect on all that he has achieved. He glances over to Oscar and sees an entity who has fought an endless war. 

Adam: Ozpin....you've been fighting this war since the beginning of time. In a way, we're alike. 

Ozpin: Is that how you see yourself? How much innocent blood is on your hands?

Adam: They say war is where you find your true self. This war has showed me a part of myself I never knew existed. I like war...no. I love war. I love blitzkriegs. I love defensive lines. I love sieges, charges, I love mop-up operations, and retreats. Wars across prairies, in streets, in trenches, in grasslands, in frozen tundras, through deserts, on the sea, in the air, I love every act of war that can occur upon Remnant.

Ozpin: So that's your true nature? A war monger who lives for war?

Adam: Don't mistake me, as much as I find myself living for the thrill of war, the cause of the Faunus is my purpose. I would die to see the Faunus break from their chains and become the dominant force of Remnant. And if I must be the Ghost of War, so be it. Let me show you. 

As Adam says this, he summons his forces. As the soldiers of the White Fang Empire gather for Adam, he speaks to his troops. 

Adam: Soldiers of the White Fang Empire! When you joined the White Fang, you swore an oath. An oath to see the Faunus rise from their ruin and become a force of nature. I have never asked you for much except your undying loyalty. But I have one more request for you. All I ask for is war, war so grand as to make Hell itself tremble. I ask you as fellow brothers in arms what is it that you really want? Do you wish for further war as I do? Do you wish for a merciless, bloody war? A war whose fury is built with iron and lightning and fire? Do you ask for war to sweep in like a tempest, leaving not even ravens to scavenge from Remnant!? 

The men and women of the White Fang Empire then cheered their support to give Adam the war he craves. A smile fell on Adam's face.

Adam: Very well. Then war is what you shall have. We are a clenched fist, ready to strike down all who oppose us with our might. But after enduring over half a century wallowing in the darkness, for us, a simple "ordinary" war will no longer be sufficient. We are but a single battalion. A force of nature that the likes of Remnant has never seen before! I believe that our army of Faunus and machine will sweep our enemies like a purging flame! It is time for them to awake the ones who sent us screaming into oblivion, and who now lie sleeping. Let's drag them out of bed by the hair, and remind them of what we are! We will remind them of what it feels like to live in fear. We will remind them of the sound our jackboots make against their throats. We will remind them that there are more things between Heaven and Hell than are dreamt of in their philosophy. Our army of flesh and machine is going to burn this world down to ash. And from Remnant's ashes, a new world order shall rise. A world where the Faunus rule! A world where Humans bow before us! At last, the sea lion has crossed the ocean and is heading up the hill. Attention, all soldiers of the White Fang! This is a message from your commander. Let us bring them Hell!

As Adam finished his speech, the men and women of the White Fang Empire let out a thunderous roar. Ozpin and Oscar could only collectively watch as the Faunus of the White Fang Empire pledged to give Adam the war he desired. As Oscar was taken into custody, the other half of Adam Taurus was revealed. The revolutionary and the warmonger. The man who seeks to create a better world for the Faunus by burning the old world to ashes. And with the power of the Star Forge at his side, he had the means to do just that.