The Knights of Grimm - Act 3 - Shattered Memory

Chapter 25 - The Nightmare Returns

Qrow

The Nuckelavee charges straight for the river where they are, then it leaps, vocalising a demonic bray as it jumps over the ford. It lands on its hooves directly in front of them, the humanoid body rises up from where it hung limp, then it cracks and twitches, the long arms shuddering as it stands there. The three Huntsmen stagger back from the powerful landing of the huge beast, eyes glowing bright red and smoke trailing from its jaws. Then the body rises up, and the head pulls back. Unlike the Kuroyurian Nuckelavee, this one is clearly much younger than that one was. The horns are nowhere near as long and it lacks the arrows and weapons lodged in its back from the countless battles it had one. But it would still be old to reach the size it is at now. The Nuckelavee's horse snarls as it stands there, and the rider glares at them, then lets out a deafening screech, like something straight out of a horror movie.

The howl that Qrow had hoped to never hear ever again after the last time he saw one. Qrow spins his sword through his fingers exceptionally fast, pointing the huge blade of his sword at the Nuckelavee. The monster rears back, roaring monstrously as it kicks its clawed feet that replace the hooves back and forth. It slams its feet back down and the imp growls, swinging one of the stretched out limbs towards the trio. They all leap out of the way just in time as the hand smashes through ancient pillars made from stone, swampy moss stuck to the claws. They have to retreat from the creature as it walks towards them; it is two powerful for them to take down quickly.

And the Knights Bannermen are advancing towards them, skeletal warriors coated in tough black metal plating. Their eyesockets are both filled with glowing red energy which represent their eyes, smoke pouring from their mouths. One of them sprints extremely fast towards the river and jumps across it, rolling across the slippery and moss coated cobblestone ground. The sound of all that metal crashing into the ground echoes, sounding deep and horrific. The Bannerman holds its sword by the hilt, the blade is jagged, made from dark metal as well, serrated edges sharp enough to cut through steel. The Bannerman charges towards Raven and she gasps, her eyes widening and she blocks with her Odachi, a powerful clang rings out and the Bannerman strikes again towards her with its sword. She thrusts forward, their blades collide once more, and they stare at one another.

Raven's eyes widen with shock and fear when she sees the skull inside again, the faint howling voice behind it can be heard as well. The Bannerman forcefully pushes down at her, and the blade scrapes across the floor, cutting clean through stone and it kicks her in the flank to stumble her. The Bannerman creates a haunting snarl, like multiple growls overlapping at once, but its eyes focus on the other Huntsman that sprints towards it. "Get away from my fiancé!" He roars, Taiyang charging straight for the Bannerman, he jumps at it and clenches his hand into a fist. His Semblance engages, hardening his fist and making it strike even harder. He punches the Bannerman directly in the side of the helm, denting the metal and the being staggers back from Raven due to his attack he just made. The Bannerman swiftly swings around with the sword, cutting clean through the air and narrowly missing him as he hops back. Raven hells, swinging her Odachi straight up, and the blade cuts right through the chest of the Bannerman, dealing fatal damage.

The Bannerman roars, and their eyes widen with amazement, unlike Grimm it does not just turn to smoke or disintegrate like they usually do...

The Bannermen seem to collapse into themselves, a powerful explosion can be heard within this one's armoured body, and the plates of metal break apart, along with the bones. It appears to be some sort of portal, one that forms inside of the Knights Bannerman and there is a faint red glow to it. Smoke and embers pouring out from it as it sucks the pieces of the warrior back in. The Bannerman roars, piece by piece being pulled in, until nothing remains and the portal collapses violently with a pulse. Taiyang stands beside his betrothed and he pats her on the back, feeling relieved that she is okay. Raven smiles and she says with a laugh in her voice, "Had it under control." She exhales.