RWBY||Return of the Riftwalker

Chapter 11: Generals

3rd Person POV

Kuroi's Castle

Awe. That was the only thing the young man could feel as he laid eyes upon the Primordial Embodiment. Her presence alone sent shivers down his spine, waves of chilling power practically rolling off her beautiful body. And her power... compared to the Primordial Goddess before him, the Seven Generals together were like a stream to an ocean.

So... this is the power of a Primordial Embodiment, the young man thought. Like the other Generals, he and Kuroi had met the day she had recruited them. Even though her presence now was significantly stronger than the last time they had met, it had still been well beyond that of any Dragon or divinity he had met before.

"Why should I trust you?"

"You shouldn't. I will not force you to join me, but let me ask you this: if you could bring her back by any means... wouldn't you take that chance?"

"..."

"Then we understand each other."

Shaking his head, the young man watched attentively, along with the other six Generals, as the unearthly beauty that reigned as their goddess surveyed the group. Her glowing eyes seemed to shine with an inner fire as she set her gaze upon the flagbearer. "Jalter do you find such malignance necessary?"

The young man shivered, a chill crawling down his spine. Her voice... it alone carried enough power to rival himself and the other Generals ten times over.

Kuroi raised her hand, fingers reaching limply, and the rest of the General's, save Jalter, returned to their seats, all barely concealing their relief that they weren't the focus of Kuroi's gaze.

"I... apologize," Jalter mumbled, taking her seat as Kuroi did the same, a throne of purple fragments and black energy forming so that the Primordial Embodiment of Quintessence Corruption was seated at the head of the table at the same level as the others.

"Good. For I see no reason for the needless badgering of young Damien," she stated, inclining her head toward the teen as she rested her clasped hands calmly on the table. Each movement carried both purpose and the Generals' attention as they hung on her every word. "He alone has conquered over 200 galaxies with naut but his own skill... so I'm curious... in what way has he failed to uphold his title as the First General?"

The room fell silent, none willing to raise an argument against the Primordial. Eyes narrowing, Kuroi surveyed her seven Generals. "I see... in that case, I am certain that you're all wondering why I decided to call you here after so long. My Elite Seven... my great Generals... you have served me faithfully for countless years and have proven yourselves more than capable of achieving our goal."

Damien nodded, exchanging a glance with the spear-wielding woman across from him.

Jalter dipped her head as well, albeit reluctantly.

"However... we are not without opposition," Kuroi stated. "Many do not understand the horrors and loss that drive us... nor do they comprehend our final goals. Different in their own rights they may be, but it is important that we do not lose sight of them. Nor should we allow them to blind us. The Resistance alone poses a grave threat to our cause, but our Abyssals are more than a match for their leaders. They are unbeatable... or, so we believed."

Damien frowned. "No offense, my Lady... but how is that possible? Don't the Abyssals fall under your Authority?" By all rights, they should... shouldn't they?