Reaper's War

Chapter 29: Twisted

A/N: Told youuuuu. Enjoyyy!

In another part of Remnant, at the same time Ruby was fighting for her life against Whitely, far out of the reach of our heroines and heroes, a despicable evil rises from its throne of chaos.

Adam Taurus knelt before it, shaking with fear he had only felt one other time in his life. No, this was far worse than facing off against that abomination of a faunus.

The terrifying being he knelt before sauntered towards him and as it, she , outstretched a pale but veiny hand towards his head, he couldn't help flinching. The epitome of nightmares now standing before him simply smirked maliciously, her hand hovering over his head and evidently enjoying the fear the bull faunus was exuding. '

He didn't dare move a muscle, he didn't even dare to breathe in the presence of the ancient Reaper. No, that was wrong. Salem was far more than just a Reaper. Whatever else she was though, Adam didn't want to know even if he was curious.

"Adam Taurus," Salem spoke, her voice like honey laced with a potent poison and so smooth it could rival that of silk.

"Y...yes, my Queen?" He cursed himself for stuttering but did nothing else to punish his stupidity. One did not stutter or stumble over their words in front of this being.

"I have a task for you." The power thief said much the same way as she had said the bull's name and he shivered.

Not just because of the way she spoke but also because of the way she was stalling and pausing in what she had to say. She wanted him to fear her. She wanted him to ask about the task with the fear eating away at him. She wanted him to give her a reason to kill him. Or torture him. Or both. He wasn't sure. Asking what the task would be would surely get him killed so instead of doing such a thing, he simply accepted whatever it was Salem wanted him to do without question.

"I accept your task, whatever it may be and I will succeed."

"Stand and look me in the eye, then say all of that again. I will not accept anything less than determination to rid this wretched world of those that stand in my way." The ancient Reaper commanded, moving her hand away so the bull faunus could stand.

He did as he was told, standing with his brand new prosthetic legs he had graciously been gifted. They had been given to him for one purpose and as he dared to look the epitome of death in the eye, he knew without a doubt of what that purpose was: to get rid of anyone that dared to stand in Salem's way. His purpose was now to serve the Queen of Reapers.

"I accept your task, whatever it may be and I will succeed, my Queen." He reiterated, thinking it best to add the last part just in case his head started rolling.

The despicable evil seemed pleased with it, a small, menacing smile gracing her lips.

"Good. Now, there are a few small nuisances I want you to take care of. As I understand it, you were previously bested by one of the targets after I had almost successfully corrupted her. One Ruby Rose?"

"Yes, my Queen. I will not be beaten again, she will perish by my sword." Determination fluttered through him but doubt followed behind closely, almost clouding his mind with the memories of the night he'd almost died.

Salem seemed to sense the doubt and simply smiled. It didn't reach her eyes.

"You doubt you can defeat her in a fair fight?"

The bull faunus dared not to answer verbally and simply shook his head, knowing the ancient being was planning something more than just sending him off to kill.

"Then I will just have to make sure you come out victorious. You will not only have her to deal with, however, there are several others with her, including Weiss Schnee. If they are all able to fight you at once, you will not stand a chance but, if you divide them, you will be able to get rid of them one by one. Do not underestimate any of them or they will defeat you with ease."