The Knights of Grimm - Act 4 - Whispers of Arkhonex

Chapter 86 - The Embered Grove

(Viewer Discretion Advised - Sexual Content)

Ruby

It was finished, and they felt so relieved to know that the Acolytes of Lien were now not only defeated, but also now were following them into battle. Ruby stood atop one of the rocks, her red cape blew in the wind as she stared off into the distance, and the distant darkness and deep purple hue of Salem's Sanctum... the Ancient Home of House Arc – Sunhelm.

Her silver eye was large as she stared at it, pondering on the many plans that were bouncing around in her mind. Weiss walked over to her as she stood there. "What's on your mind, Ruby?" Weiss asked her.

"Huh? Oh, nothing. It's fine." Ruby lied, very badly too since Weiss could see it clear as day. Weiss sat down on the flat surface of the rock, massaging her sore leg from all that fighting.

"Oh, Ruby... you've never been a great liar." Weiss said, looking at her. "I know that face too, it's the dumb idea face."

Ruby chuckled at that. "Was it that obvious?" Ruby asked her, and Weiss chuckled.

"You're my best friend, Ruby. I can read you like a book." She said as she leant her hands backwards against the rock. She closed her eyes as she felt the cool breeze against her skin, a feeling that now would never feel so trivial after being locked up inside of the Hospital for weeks and weeks on end. "So? What's on your mind?" Weiss asked her curiously, Ruby looked at her best friend and they both laid back onto the rock, staring at the orange sky, slowly darkening, revealing how few stars were left up there in the expanse.

"I'm just... thinking. Thinking of what we should be doing next, y'know? I don't think we can stop the Shivering Dominion from starting anymore... but maybe we can do something to try and make it a little easier for ourselves." Ruby explained, and Weiss raised a brow.

"What do you mean?" Weiss asked.

"I dunno yet, I'm still trying to think of how we get best accomplish it... but... we have an army, one hell of an army... we could use it while we have it at the perfect advantage." Ruby explained, and Weiss chuckled.

"Gods I missed you, Ruby. Being trapped inside of that Hospital, never knowing what to do? Made me forget how great of a leader you have always been for us." Weiss said, which made Ruby chuckle again.

She gasped playfully. "My goodness, Weiss... how could you forget about me?" She teased.

"Don't be a pest." Weiss laughed, gently slapping Ruby's knee. "You know what I mean."

"Thanks, Weiss... I missed you too. You, Yang, Sun and Neptune... all of you." She said, she turned and heard the sound of Yang and Blake walking over to them. They both had coffees in metal flasks for them, made by the one and only Architect himself.

"Oh dear, are we getting all emotional over here? I dunno if I can handle any tear jerkers." Yang joked, making Blake chuckle.

"Here, the Architect has been making everyone drinks." Blake said, offering them their canteens. Weiss drank hers and so did Ruby.

"Ooh... he really did remember how much sugar I like!" Ruby laughed, buzzing from it already.

"How can you possibly function with five sugars in your coffee?" Weiss shook her head, disgusted by the little rose beside her. Ruby crossed her legs, and she rested her canteen on her lap.

"How many more tricks does that old robot have up his sleeve?" Yang wondered.

"Did you know that he was the one who risked his ass to get the Aphax Violet to you guys? He literally sprinted through the battlefield to get there and he only just made it through. Looks like Coco is patching him up too." Ruby said, looking past Blake to see the Architect getting the repairs he needed, and deserved after that heroic charge he led.