Rituals, Cults, Soulstuff and Shattered Moons. (RWBY SI)

[Eldruin]

So this is my first work of fanfiction posted here.

Its probably terrible but meh, dont really care right now.

Have a nice day and perhaps enjoy?

-Eldruin

[¤]

Wanna learn something neat?

This will sound strange but hear me out.

It isnt the sheer quantity of soulstuff that kill someone when your trying to make a super soul and neither is it the quality of soulstuff.

Let's say, theoretically, the body is a jar and the soul is what's inside, and the mind is the lid. Naturally the soul doesnt 100% fill the body because it needs to grow, if it did fill 100% than when it grew the mind would... pop, and youd die.

On average the hypothetical jar is filled about a tenth of the way, experienced and Lucky individuals may have theirs a quarter full, some old families may have up to a third!

Atop all that let's also say that souls can hold shitloads of soulstuff and be fine, an infinite amount of coffee in your heated water if you will

So what kills you when your giving a soul more soulstuff? The jar fills with more souls than can fit, the mind pops off/cant close the jar and all the souls flood out, yours included.

In short, your mind breaks, your body usually breaks, and your soul plus your extra souls flood/manifest outwards in a violent manner.

This metaphor is flawed for many reasons, but it works to give you a mental image.

So how do you fix this? Simply give someone else the souls and soulstuff and then add theirs to yours. The extra souls are treated as soulstuff and thus infinitely absorbable and your own soul only handles the strain of one soul being added.

Thus, you now have Super Soul.

It's a lot more complicated than that, and theres a shit ton of metaphysical science to it, but you get the picture.

Now your probably asking why I know this.

Well, to continue that flawed metaphor, my jar is extraordinarily empty but produces shit loads of soulstuff. A shot of super caffiene that regenerates quickly.

That makes me a near perfect candidate to be at the receiving end of this super soul thing.

Which brings us from explanations to the physical world.

Where I'm chained to an altar plus Surrounded by 89 chanting and super powered cultists holding glowing gems.

[¤]

Agony.

Any sounds louder than a whisper make my head pound. Every touch sends white hot lightning through my thoughts. every breath feels like I'm drowning in hand sanitizer. my eyes only register a chaos that make then burn.

The chanting reaches a high point, the chains grow tighter and rough stone cuts into my flesh, hand sanitizer air because gaseous fire, the light becomes a whirlwind of colour and shapes.

Agony.

Worst part? The drugs I'm pumped full of makes me perfectly aware. Like that FBI cop show with the super Intelligence drug? What's it called? Limitless I think? I liked that show.

AAAAGGGGGHHHHH!!!

Agony.

Then blessed darkness.

[¤]

Colors realign first. I see a stone brick ceiling, sone parts scorched, others covered in frost, most looking melted and a small amount looking like its been slashed and cut.

Sound is next, the distinct sounds of something freezing, of something burning, of something zapping, and of some wobbly rumbling all reach my ears.

Scent is the worst, burnt flesh is a majority of it, something acidic is there as well. Plus decay and the scent I've come to associate with blood.

My tastes are back next, not much to say there but dry mouth taste and a bit of sonething metallic... blood. I probably bit my tongue.

Touch returns, feels like I'm wrapped around in the perfect blanket, not to warn, not to cold, a comfortable pressure, a nice little static charge running across me like a gentle finger tracing my scars.

Next is something... foreign, utterly alien... like... I dont know... but its inside- oh. that's my soul... wow.

It's like a sphere, with elements and concepts running around in a beautiful sort of chaos.

It's easy to pick out fire, it's angry and hot and hungry. But it's also pure and wants to make things better... somehow. It wants purity, it doesn't want to interact with others only consume them.

Frost is never close to fire, but greedily eats up the moisture in a strange and slothful manner. Its calm and lazy. It wont act on it's own, only laze around and spread calmly.

Lightning is energetic, it runs and jumps and laughs and plays, it gets bored easily though, always jumping from one thing to another. It moves to quickly for most to play with it though, so its a little lonely.

Wind is like lightning, motion is its everything, but it's not energetic and works easily with near everything. With fire it makes something intense and spread out, with frost it welcomes the design of a blizzard, with lightning it wants to move stuff and direct it in order for lightning to hit.

Theres another, it's all encompassing and mighty, though bit shy and a little scared. It has a wierd pull and push to it. It likes being in the background, it's closer than the others, always acting in selfless silence. I think its Gravity. Yeah, it likes being acknowledged as gravity.

Back in the real world I move, shifting to sit up. The chains that held me are gone, the pool of cooled metal on the stone below me informs me of their fate.

All around me is elemental chaos, things look like a hurricane tore through and left firebombs, ice spikes and lightning that somehow lingers.

I feel and 'see' a sort of connection to each patch of elements, like a thin line of colour spreading from in my chest to each patch and two that break apart and kind of just gesture in general directions.

Fire is shifting reds and oranges, ice a pale blue, lightning is white with coloured edges, wind is pale green and kind of circles me, gravity is black with purple swirls and points down.

I hesitantly reach out a hand and touch one of the green strings. I feel 'see' my soul react, wind pulsing in a eager manner. In the physical I feel wind gently pick up speed.

I pull the string and wind moves with it. I wrap it around my finger next, and watch in fascination as the string sort of moves to flow from my chest to through my arm. I move the finger but it does nothing. I move my finger and think hard on wind, it does nothing. I move my finger and think on wind while feeling my soul, the wind gusts against me.

I do the same with the others, learning to control flame, frost, lightning and gravity. I'm sure I'm doing it in a horribly inefficient manner, but its fucking soul magic.

I'm playing with magic in a room full I'd dead cultists... I'm in a room full of dead cultists... oh void, I think I'm going to be sick!

[¤]

I'm exploring the rest of the compound and found a couple journals. Dumb ass cultists apparently killed all their members in that ritual, left nobody. But this was also a ritual suicide 'praise the deathless dark goddess' cult so there that. Well, three people in that room where supposed to survive, they didnt expect Elemental chaos.

Fucking fuck, cultists with magic.

This us why I dont travel, go to America they said, it's just a short flight they said, its perfectly safe and we have a wonderful swiming spot and fancy drinks they said.

Leave Canada for the first time to catch up with old friends, wake up as a cult ritual subject. Voids sake, I'm never traveling internationally again.

Except to get home.

I take a breath to calm myself and walk into the next room of this ridiculous complex, it is thankfully a bedroom.

I'll say alot about these cultists, but they have a nice uniform. Black and purple hooded cloaks made of some soft material, white button up shirts and grry Cargo pants. Minor miracle that the first set I grab fit me pretty damn well.

Though these cloak robe things are alot like bath robes... meh, comfy.

[¤]

I'm at the front door, duffel bags on each arm and a large hiking pack filled with stuff on my back. I barely feel it, I also have abs now. Magic is one hell of a drug.

Anyway, one bag is full of every journal and ledger I could find, for the police of course, the other full of provisions and ammo, the backpack full of clothes and provisions that didnt fit in bag two.

Why ammo? Because I need bullets for the gun i found, a sub machine gun I think. Fucking american cultists had an armoury Full of them.

Well time to go outside.

My hand turns the knob and I walk out, half expecting crazy cultists.

Instead I get a beautiful red forest... and a shattered moon.

A unacceptable and familiar shattered moon.

F. U. C. K. Say it with me folks.

FUCK.

 

[Dromeosaur]

I am conflicted. On one hand, the story itself seems fine: character doesn't make me cringe, reactions are realistic. On the other hand, you could use a beta.

Still, watched with interest.

 

[Salty Doggo]

Seems interesting. Watching with interest

 

[Eldruin]

I am conflicted. On one hand, the story itself seems fine: character doesn't make me cringe, reactions are realistic. On the other hand, you could use a beta.

Still, watched with interest.

Click to shrink...

Thanks mate, I'd have one but I know nobody and those few I do arent interested in words.

Also, I shall do my best to make you cringe now.

Anyway, More?

More

More!

[¤]

How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood

Alternatively.

How much work could a Merc work if a merc work merc could merc work.

Doesnt flow right, sounds horrible. Keeps my mind off things though.

Another flick of my left hand Throws white and cyan ColdLightning through the air. The unfortunate Deathstalker on the receiving end being both frozen solid outside and absolutely fried inside.

It's been maybe two years since that damn night, and Unfortunately I havent grown much power wise.

I can use my Elements better sure, and I could combine them to do stupid stuff like make super conductive frost.

Voids I could make a tiny black hole if I burned my entire aura supply.

But no new elements, no aura growth, not much meaningful anything, canon is happening soon and I need to kill a half maiden damnit!

"Goliath on our 9!" A female in Atlas army gear screams out, her and her comrades pea shooters already aimed and throwing little pieces of metal at the heavy beast.

Quaint. My right arm comes around to point at the creature, the oversized handcannon it holds lining up with one of the creatures legs. Aura flows, the weapon whines, Elements align.

Snap

A spear of light shrouded in Elemental Fury digs deep into flesh and bone, then promptly explodes with a palates worth of colors, it's not an immediate problem now that its crippled. My eyes dance to find more 'hard' targets.

Well, I'm reasonably powerful. My super aura regenerates the better part of a huntsman's aura in a couple seconds if I'm really focused, and I have an absolute shit load of it.

Also my aura reacts wierd to Dust, like any and all Dust is a hand grenade unless I'm only 'channeling' a specific Element.

"Another Beowulf Pack!" A man in medic gear shouts as he heals with one and and shoots with the other.

My handcannon/Aura blaster sings with my aura again. This time muffled due to the muzzle/emitter being pressed to a thinner part of the goliaths skull.

The spear isnt visible this time, but I still feel it as it passed through bone, flesh, then dirt. This time filled with wind and lightning to make it sharp and fast.

I take a moment to just breath. Two years ago I was a shmuck going to see friends, now I'm a high tier Merc fighting with an Atlas Specialist and her groupies.

I contemplate assisting in killing Beowulfs left, but the Specialist is already there and I just spotted a snake thing.

"What are you doing Mercenary?! Help her!" A grunt shouts at me, probably.

"Shhh" I shush him and raise my Cannon again.

1

Rustle

2

Hiss

3

Strike

Snap

A black and purple spear wreathed in Gravity pierces the scaled skin, eight thinner white spears stick out the back.

I got that idea from RIP ammo back home, bullets with petals that break off inside something to make more wound cavities.

Grimm are rather tough, most humans worth using such ammo on have aura and those who dont your supposed to knock out. So Remnant didnt developed such tech. AP and non-lethal ammo are rather advanced though

Anyway the snake floats up into the air, grunts filling it with lead. I think its lead, I'll have to ask somebody sometime.

"Mercenary! Sniper says we got another heavy southward!" The female who shouted before yells out, shes a radio Tech I think.

"South squad has an AT gun, you dont." I say toward the Radio Tech, still keeping my eyes on the dark and snowy forest around us.

Specialist has finally joined us after regaining her breath.

"Can they handle it themselves?" A rather ragged Winter Schnee asks the operator as I turn my back to them fully. This mission is a clusterfuck.

Heres why.

First we had little to no info, second two out of four squads didnt have heavy weapons, third the fucking bandits weve collected are shitting themselves with bad vibes, four our transport left.

First wasnt that big a problem, second we solved by shuffling people so we had three biggish squads, three and four turned this from a capture job to a defend job.

"Mercenary, are you listening?" The Specialist asked, an incredibly annoyed tone to her voice.

"Not really, thinking about the money you are going to give me though, I'm imagining a cartoon Merc swimming in piles of lien." The wistful tone in my voice makes her pause, then she realised I'm fucking with her again.

"I'm sure, the south squad will hold and our transport is almost here. I want you east to take out a nevermore the sniper spotted." She spoke as she walked, helping up the soldier the medic finnished patching up.

"You want me? I'm flattered, but a date usually comes before fun." I smile at her before turning and starting my walk to east squad.

I hear something from her, but I dont particularly pay attention. Far to enthused about my midnight walk through the woods.

How much work could a Merc work if a merc work merc could merc work?

Quite a bit, especially if they have borderline magic.

 

[Eldruin]

Mod approval spam prevention thing tripped earlier because I constantly edit and tweak things, I'll try better to make this chapter nice and full before posting.

[¤]

We sat in the airship together. Two nameless and faceless mercs like myself positioned near the captured Bandits, the soldiers did soldier things like check on wounded and gear, the specialist was somewhere else making a call.

"Soooo, where'd 'ya get the big ass feather?" The Merc in green asks, her voice full of awe and something I failed to place.

Shes referring to the large nevermore feather in my hands.

The two nevermore launched a Ranged attack, all but one feather miss, the last hits my chest and just drops to the floor.

"My Turn" I unleash Hell in the shape of Flame enhanced Lightning, flames fed by Wind no less.

"Nevermore." I answer before taking another sip of ice coffee , lots of mercs liked to brag. I didn't. I liked efficiency, so did Orange in the corner.

"Wow..." Green was full of awe about something. She didnt get to do much this job, forced to play Sniper/spotter and Info relay so it was probably her imagining the fight.

"The Calamity taking out two giant Nevermore. Impressive stuff to watch." Oranges mechanical voice buzzes from their corner, face covered by a scavengers gas mask and body hidden under a animal pelt cloak that was most certainly not alive. Nope, no bio armour/weapon there.

"Calamity?" A new voice to the conversation. The local Schnee returning from her specialist stuff.

"Mistral Guilds name for him!" Green says with the stupidest smile, not turning to look away from me.

She wants me to tell the story. I hate the story

"He let loose, small island inhabitable." Orange to the rescue, equipped with boredom and small sentences, gotta love 'em.

"An island?" Schnee is suprised by that huh? she'll probably look it up later.

"Cultists kidnapping kids were based on a Dust rich island off the east of Anima. He set off all the Dust after grinding the base into the ground! It was like a sand storm back home, but on fire! And with ice! And lightning!" Green was there, technically. She was a pilot then.

"The children?" A soldier, the medic I shushed, asks with far to much hope.

"Grimm cult." Two simple words set all the emotions to negative, even the bandits.

"There were a suprising amount alive, mostly fine. In Vales foster system now." That got emotions back up, Vale had the best foster system of the four kingdoms.

Atlas' was the army, Mistral politely ignored their poverty, Vacou had a dessert, Vale had a proper system in place.

"That's good." The medic responded then got back to minding his own buisness.

Children, fucking fuck that brings up bad memories. Also an idea

"Schnee, your sisters going to Beacon right?" I suddenly brought up, still playing with the large feather in my hands.

[¤]

This is a dream, it's not a good one.

It's the ritual on that night, frozen in time a moment after the Rush of elemental power. For some reason this terrifies me.

Hanging around every person in this room floats a book. Their entire life story. And some chapters from the fragments of the souls they absorbed before jabbing their souls into me.

89 cultists and three shades that barely exist. over 578 souls, or fragments atleast. An average of about six souls per cultist. One cultist has 73 clear and shrap fragments floating around him. That changes the math a bit, but I'm not one for math.

That would be the bit that terrifies people, the amount of death that gave you life, but not me.

My body, bound to that altar, has no book.

That terrifies me. What does it say about me?

My body, bound to that alter, is spewing out elements from every pore and orifice of my body.

That scares me. What If it happens when I dont want it to?

My body, bound to that alter, is spewing cursing and insults at myself. Detailing my every fault and failure in the worst light.

That sticks with me. Why?

The Dream Ends.

Am I the dream, am I the dreamed, am i the dreaming?

The Void Calms Me, Wrapping Me In Gentle Darkness.

Knocking on a door, knocked on a door, knock on a door.

I Wake.

I dont remember the Dream, I never do. Only the Terror, the Fear, the Anxiety.

 

[Eldruin]

Hope everyones doing good.

[¤]


My left arm is up and power is discharged with barely a thought while my right searches for my aura cannon.

The barbed lance of ice shatters against the panel placed over the door, the many dents and marks can tell you how many times I've woken like this.

"You awake deary?" A kind older voice calls out, I hear the ruffling of papers and the clinking of keys at the same time.

"Yeah! I'll be a second!" I call as I scrambled to get up.

My place is a mess of file boxes and gear strewn about, the only 'clear' space is the kitchen section of the room.

I hear my land lady hum in a manner I can only label as amused.

I step over a reinforced demolitions box while my other hand uses Wind to pull my rent money to me.

I open the door with a smile on my face, The old Avian Faunus women returns it as I hand over the sack of currency, she in turn heads me a couple letters and a paper cup of coffee.

"Got home late?" She asked while deft hands counted cash, she already knew it was all there but she was a thorough person.

"Yeah, long flight and a light stroll." I respond as is customary. Both of us smile and I down my sweet liquid life.

"Well, do be careful now." With that she left.

I nod at her retreating form and head back inside to check my mail.

A few careful steps brings me to the kitchen where I place down the envelopes and get started making s proper coffee.

[¤]

I blink and set my coffee down on the roofs ledge.

In my hands is a acceptance letter and a request to speak with the Headmaster himself about said acceptance.

"Fuck. That was really easy" I whisper to myself as I reread the paper, this time with holy caffeine in my system.

I had sent the paper work like 10 hours ago, pretty much as soon as I got off the transport the kind people of atlas used to drop me off.

Why did Jaune need fake papers if he could do it online?

I mean, it's an open secret the online page is basically dead but still, fucking easy.

The other envelope s a picture of a a specific woman and Adam Taurus, with a good view of her face and those fiery golden eyes.

I cant help but smile.

[¤]

I walk into the little lounge at ridiculous in the morning, this place is so tucked away that I had passed it twice.

But that's by design. This place is basically merc paradise, Rev's Joint was a chill club that only played smooth jazz and served anyone.

Headmaster knew how to pick a place.

"Upper Floor, room Eight." Rev himself said from behind the counter, sliding a can of Huntsman grade energy drink before I can even sit down.

Impatient bastard was a saint though.

[¤]

"I still dont think we should let him in, He Is THE CALAMITY!" She shouted, riding crop/wand in hand. She didnt notice the small flicker of light under the door.

He did though, he also sensed the titanic Aura doing a rather good job at hiding itself from his senses.

To bad you could not hide a Raging storm. somehow it was silent and invisible, but the world was still slammed by it.

"I'm aware of his reputation Glynda, and how it was achieved. But he applied, If I dont like the answers given I'll politely turn him away" He tried to calm her, it seemed to work aswell.

Crack Fzz

Sounded like a artillery gun before the door was silently opened then closed again.

Standing in all his glory, The Calamity. Tall and tired were the best way to describe him, dull green-blue eyes lazily drifting around the room while a scarred hand brought an energy drink to his lips, the fluid seemed to sharpen his gaze. He was not the tallest man hes met but definitely on the list. He was thin aswell, from what he could see beneath the robe like black and purple cloak he wore.

No weapon on him though, but that's to be expected, with a Soul like that he only need release it to cause chaos.

"...hi?" His voice was like a whisper, wraithlike and drowning in awkward Apathy.

Sort of like Qrow after particularly bad missions.

"Hello Mister Saint. Please, have a seat." He said with as much warmth as he could put into his words.

[¤]

So going with a mix of my usual online names was maybe a bit strange, but given that Salem and this dude may be able to curse me by knowing my real name? Healthy paranoia.

Also, Eldruin Saint is both easy to remember and easy to forget.

Also before it comes up, Eldruin fits with Saint, Diablo Tyraels Sword.

"Please, just Eldruin, we have no professional relation yet." I returned his warm smile with my usual brand of exhausted attempt, then stopped trying and drank more life.

"If you insist. I'm aware your probably overqualified to attend Beacon, but with such a... hidden past as Yours I need to ask some Questions, if that's alright?" He spoke as he looked through papers that I assumed were related to me.

Was he trying to make sure I wasnt an agent of the enemy? I kill Major Grimm or Grimm cults 90% of the time, but I guess that could be seen in a bad light. Or maybe hes just curious?

"Of course, though some things I cant talk about, secrets with promises and such." I respond easily, my mind could be rather fast.

"First, no place of birth or residence is listed. Mind explaining?" Ah, I thought I had that taken care of.

"Born to a Nomadic tribe, gone now. As for residence? I'm a Merc, I go where work is." I lied easily, what little experience I could gain form my extra souls usually had alot to do with politics. Also, nobody is allowed to harass my land lady, nobody.

"I see, date of birth?"

"Dont know exactly, I'm about a year older than most first years though."

"Past teachers?"

"Mostly self taught, few people showed some tricks here and there. That's why I'm here, get better, make money, help people if it comes up."

"I see-"

This will take a bit.

 

[Eldruin]

How is everyone on this fine uh- *checks clock* -evening?

pls give feed back, it makes me happy and I need the happy chemicals right now.

[¤]

Today is equipment day, the day I go over all my gear and do maintenance or go out and buy shit to replace broken things.

So, here I am at roughly lunch time putting the last of my file boxes away so that I have space, and regretting every life decision.

Because fuck, super soul magic or not, those boxes are heavy. Atleast Aura soothes my body after I'm done.

Now for the hard part.

I take roughly half an hour to gather my various cases of gear. A reinforced case of grenades and breach charges, a box of general utility gadgets, and the crate of zip ties and ducktape.

Let's start with my usual weapons.

My Aura Cannon slids off the magnetic holster on my right thigh as I fall to sit cross legged.

The weapon is beautiful.

A dull black rectangle roughly 40cm long, 10cm tall, and 5cm wide. The one of the corners flows like melted glass to meet and secure the comfortable slightly curved grip, wrapped in light Grey fabric of some type. The top face has a shallow triangular cut down in it to act as a sight of sorts.

Every face of my beautiful tool is engraved with flowing script and images of thorned vines, the light wear only makes it prettier.

The 'muzzle'/emitter face is the prettiest in my opinion, the usual thorny vine border is all it has it has in common with the others, where the others have flowing script and sigils this one has names engraved, foes I thought were worth respect. Each one us carved small and has a symbol next to them If the foe had a sigil, if they didnt I put the symbol of their organization.

The sigils dance with the light of my Soul as my fingers brush over them, I know every curve of its design. On the handle is written in English.

'My own little piece of the nights sky.
My Starlight, Claw Of The Calamity'

I got now long after I got the title, back when my only real option was to throw a elemental nuke down peoples throat. Now I have precision.

Hey, I'm talking about barely a year ago as if it was actually long ago.

I put it back down and start to work on the rest, random explosives of different types, breaching charges for armour and doors, refilling pockets with zip ties and duct tape rolls.

Next is armour. I don't wear alot of the stuff because super aura and preferring a caster role, but I have some. Plain steel Gauntlets and Greaves with hidden shotguns that i pretend are filled with stuff for dust casting, for when people ask how I'm throwing around Elements.

By the time I'm finished with that the sun is at the horizon and I'm desperately in need of caffeine.

I grab Starlight as I stand and walk to he kitchen to start making glorious liquid life.

Half way through filling the machine with grounds my scroll goes off in my pocket.

I sigh a sigh to end all sighs and fish out the device, throwing it in the counter next to me where its grabbed by a magnetic stand thing that holds it up for me.

"Saint, i have an o- uh... this a bad time?" The Annoying voice of Roman fuckng Torchwick comes through the device.

I blink and turn to look at the scroll, he vid-called me. I'm shirtless and making coffee.

"...maybe?" I answer before turning back to my coffee machine and trying to remember how many scoops I already put in.

"Well, okay. I have a job offer for you, big pay ou-" he tries to start.

"I'm on vacation..." I cut him off. He also cant afford me and I dont want Cinders money.

It looks about half way, so let's say I was cut off at exactly half my scoop count.

"Since when did you take vacations?" The man asks with the weirdest look on his face.

"...school year starting, cant merc work if I'm learning stuff." I answer as I close the lid and start pouring water into the reservoir.

"...your going to school? Like learning school for smart people?" Roman looked really confused. Probably because I dont look like I could be a student, also one of remnants top 100 mercs going to a school doesnt really compute, even for me and it's my story.

"Yes?"

Aaaaannnnnnd, pressed the start button.

"That's... that's a strange mental image. So you wont take the job?" He says after a bit.

"I'll be busy, you or Neo need anything?" I asked while staying at the slowly working machine.

"Hmm? Nah, I'll go grab some more goons from Juniors and Neo has a bucket of ice cream" With that our conversation is over and the device is off.

Bzzt gurgle pour

Hmm, Coffee.

Wait, is EP1 happening tonight?

Meh, not my problem.

 

[Eldruin]

I doubt anyone cares, but I found these chips that are smokey bacon flavored, delicious.

[¤]

On the other hand, Dust to Dawn has the bracket I need to mount a scope on Starlight and it also has the scope I want.

Has absolutely nothing to do with the early and confirmed killable Cinder sighting.

You'd be suprised by how easy it is to turn a Bullhead into a sub-zero vacuum chamber. Also by the amount of times I've done that.

Anyway, back to that scope I'm 100% buying. It has variable 1.25-9x zoom plus thermal vision and night vision settings.

I'm planning to get modular add ons made for Starlight, to go with the scope I'll get a stock and maybe get another another piece of the stuff I used to make Starlight to act as a 'barrel' extension, might have it mechashift into a neat little package...

I'll keep telling myself that, helps keep my mind off that I'm probably going to be... murdering Roman... Neo is going to hate me.

Ah, Theres the store. looks intact and I see no signs of battle, those being spent casings or craters.

Let's start the plan.

Roman tells everyone he doesnt have a semblance, because he doesnt know it. He has some sort of passive thermal sense, it's why he isnt spooked by Neo popping up out of nowhere, he still acts it though.

Any, passive thermal sense with a rough range of... I don't know, never looked to find out. Anyway, how do you beat that utterly?

Make yourself Cold and still the Air you affect while blending the surrounding air. Makes you, thermally, invisible. I think, It worked to fuck up and sneak up on Roman before.

"Hello, Saint. Finally getting around to gathering those parts?" The Old Man says as I walk in.

I nod in response and gently take control of the local wind, immediately getting a vague sense of my surrounding, and of the red reaper herself.

"Well, there near the backs where you'll find 'em." He says then goes back to Old Man things.

I myself silently walk to where he indicated, silently drifting past Ruby Rose and taking place out of sight.

Then the thought comes to me.

Why am I out here when I could be out there, waiting for the bullhead in order to jump in and wreck shit?

I'm about to leave when I hear the door and the line.

"Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a Dust shop open this late?"

Rustle

whine

"Please! Just take my Lien and leave!"

"Sh sh sh sh, Calm down, we're not here for your money. Grab the Dust."

click click

There goes that plan, idea one it is!

Fuck! This us why I dont make plans beyond 'Chaos and Aura Spears'.

 

[Laharl]

I wonder if it'll turn into a running fight if he attacks the helicopter or he manages to one shot cinder before she can retaliate in kind? Sour cream is best chip for me

 

[Eldruin]

I wonder if it'll turn into a running fight if he attacks the helicopter or he manages to one shot cinder before she can retaliate in kind? Sour cream is best chip for me

Click to shrink...

That's a way better idea then my original one and I may have rewritten this because of you wonder self.

Also, Sour Cream and Bacon is a thing here and it's the best.

Now, on to the entertainment!

[¤]



She had a premonition.

She had them before, always before That Thing shows up to ruin her day.

About one year ago she was at the docks, a Bullhead full of traumatized children crashed infront of her. Somehow no one died. She wished she did though, the green themed pilot was far to detailed in explaining what happened.

Eight months ago she was sipping tea in a friends log cabin out in patch, then there was an unnatural storm that melted the ground and froze the air. A massive and ancient Grimm Deathstalker was then thrown through the air and Wrecked the cabin before it died.

Barely days ago, she had to sit through a meeting with a tired Mercenary who was apparently trying to turn over a new leaf.

All of these events involved 'Eldruin "The Calamity" Saint'.

Right now? She was preparing some night time tea while reading through a folder, her finger about to hit the switch on the kettle, then it hit her.

A unnatural shiver down her and flashbacks to each of the times her days been ruined by The Calamity.

She most certainly did not scream and run out the door, and she definitely didnt barely remember to grab her weapon and cape. nope, didnt happen.

[¤]

He, was not liking tonight.

First his 'boss' wanted to hire The Calamity. The Mercenary is apparently going to a school for a bit. She didnt take that well.

Second, almost no Dust Stores open this late. That normally wouldn't be a problem, but his 'boss' wanted his face on the news, so only active places.

Third, red cloak and sharp scythe over there took out all his goons. Normally hed just point Neo at the problem, but that's number four.

Four, Neo had gone and got herself sick, she got some poor shmuck to challenge her to a eating contest, food of choice was ice cream of course.

Atleast this will be stress relieving!

"End of the line Red!"

He tossed the crystal and shot it with his cannon to set it off!

That's not Red, that's a magic wall.

Oh for Fucks sake.

Five, that's a Huntress... THATS A HUNTRESS! WITH MAGIC MISSILES!

[¤]

Fire and explosions and magic and bullets took up the last few seconds.

That didnt mean she missed the dark coloured blur silently dash past her, she also didnt miss it jump off the edge of the building and onto the Bullhead as it flew away.

Oh! That's a Huntress! The blur most have been her Teamate!

[¤]

A uncomfortably large amount of Remnants peoples have a fatal flaw.

They dont use their heads, and when they do they are bad at it.

High tier Mercenaries like me, we use our heads and use them well. It's how we bring every last drop of potential to light, its how I learned that Bullheads are perfect death traps.

You see, these things are sealed to prevent death by high altitude or death by poison breathing Grimm.

Sealed chambers, are really easy to use to kill people.

The holes the Huntress put in this thing are a small blessing, I can use them to pull the air from the inside and keep it out.

The Pyro Bitches flames need air to do its thing, so do her lungs.

Do you see what I'm getting at?

Vacuums kill people, make that Vacuum below 0°C and fill it with hostile Aura?

I'm sure you get it.

So do candlesticks and pyro down there, because they are clawing at their throats while their blood freezes.

Also crashing into a place that looks vaguely like a villainous hideout.

I cant help but smile.

Wanna learn something neat?

I dont like fighting, it's usually so messy and slow.

I like clean up. its neat and methodical, its quick and painless.

Well, painless for me.

Void, I'm fucked up.

Beacon has mental health people right? Councilor and therapists? I'll see if I can get an appointment.

 

[Laharl]

So is Glynda having ptsb whenever mc is around? Also what will you have the maiden do now that she's mobile the sensible holing up with guards or go back to running around for the mountain expy to kill

 

[Aria the Mage]

Well, Cinder is dead? Hopefully she wasn't thinking of anyone important at the time? Or does it just go back to Amber......butterflies away!

 

[Eldruin]

So is Glynda having ptsb whenever mc is around? Also what will you have the maiden do now that she's mobile the sensible holing up with guards or go back to running around for the mountain expy to kill

Click to shrink...

In order.

Yes. It's like... have you ever woken up just knowing that day will be bad? Goodwitch has that, except only attuned for MC based shenanigans.

I'm going pretend I'm not confused and say secrets.

Well, Cinder is dead? Hopefully she wasn't thinking of anyone important at the time? Or does it just go back to Amber......butterflies away!

Click to shrink...

Can Cinder survive being frozen solid, suffocating, a plane crash into the place shes hoarding explosives, and a thorough individual with a hand cannon?

I'll think it over for a bit, maybe flip a coin to decide, who knows?

[¤]

There are many options to survive what's about to happen, let's break it down in a list.

1: Tank it. Easy, I have shit loads of Aura and can use the Elements to lessen the impact.

Pros: I'll be on the ground fast, be close to the crash so I can make sure Cinders dead.

Cons: there is probably lots of dust in that warehouse, there are goons with guns, it will hurt.

2: jump. I have the aura to survive impact and elements to lessen Said impact, or just semi fly if I need to.

Pros: less hurt, theatrics, probably have more Aura to use in fighting.

Cons: might end up further from crash, people might escape, cant immediately put super heated spears through Cinders brain.

3: Gravity + Wind. Make the bullhead 'land' smoothly, pop cinder in face while walking calmly off the bull head.

Pros: theatrics, less possible collateral, guaranteed less concussion, probably intel, I can say a one liner.

Cons: less explosions, lots of aura drain, headache later.

...

Is it even a choice? 3 has Intel, One liners, and less people shouting at me!

Calmly I pull out a set of ear plugs, placing them in my ears in preparation for the coming firefight.

Now to slow the vehicle

Gravity is easy to work with, just Aura hungry

Wind is easy to use, but hard to use effectively.

That should make this easy, right?

Wrong.

It's going to suck.

[¤]

Sam was a white soldier, he fought for his people! For Freedom! For Equality!

He didn't fight aircraft crashes, so like his brothers and sisters, he ran from the crash zone and took cover behind a sturdy looking crate, and waited.

He was unnerved when he heard nothing. so he poked his head up to look, like any curious cat would.

He say the beat to shit bullhead more or less landed, the ground behind it a little tore up.

And the guy whistling a joyful tone while walking on the beaten machine.

He saw the mans hand make a claw, then heard and saw the glass of the bullhead explode outward.

Inside, strapped and frozen to the chairs were Roman Torchwick and the Fire Lady.

Niether looked alive, and the big handgun in the guys hand made sure the lady was dead.

with a- Snap -the Ladies head was speared through by a red and green spike of light.

"So, one chance to put down the guns and surrender. My job ended with the Pyro, but I'll gladly play with you guys."

He spoke as he jumped off the bullhead, behind him the spike in the ladies head exploded with blue flames.

Sam was smart, he liked to think, so he threw down his gun and lid down on the ground, hands behind his head.

Nobody else had survival instinct, because they raised guns or brandished blades.

What happened next was best described in three words.

Blender

And

Chunky Salsa

 

[verycoolname]

Was kinda hoping Torchwick would survive, even if I didn't think it likely. Or that he deserved to. Or that he was particularly likable. ...Guess it was all for Neo's sake.

 

[Eldruin]

Step to the left, twist clockwise, brush fingers, Cold.

The blades wielder was clumsy, then she was a statue.

Roll away from gunfire, bring up Starlight, insert Gravity.

The hulking guy with the LMG has imploded.

Jump back, arm up, swing to side, Fire and air.

The axe slid on my gauntlet, he and those in his general direction were bathed in green flame.

Step forward, punch, trigger hidden shotgun.

The kid didnt even have aura, the punch broke the mask and her nose, the shotgun painted her friend crimson. Neat, that's an RPG

Ice wall, wind to redirect shrapnel, gravity to give the shrapnel weight, lightning after impact to be thorough.

The explosive broke the fragile wall, the shrapnel became my weapons.Those sround me screamed, blades like glass digging into exposed flesh, gravity made them dig deeper. The lightning silenced the unfortunate living.

Grunts, barely any even had Aura unlocked and Cinders thugs werent home to give ne a challenge.

"RAAGH!" another grunt thought they were worth anything, I disproved that notion by forming a dense spike of ice in my hand, then stepping close and lodging it in their heart.

"YOU MONSTER!" That, wasnt a grunt. That's Emerald Sustrai. No Mercury Black though, where is he? Oh wait... illusion semblance, right.

"So says the Terrorist." I respond, Starlight Expelling a wide shotgun blast of Wind needles in her general direction.

She dodges, concentration broken. he dodges, visible and with a needle in his prosthetics.

I'm pretty sure one of them say something, but I dont pay attention. Instead I wave Starlight off to the side and put down another Terrorist.

Oh look, they're charging at me. Cute.

The needles in Mercury's legs, and everywhere else, detonate with a flash of pale green and a harsh blast of wind.

They tumble to the floor, I take this time to build up something fancy.

Mercury is up first after a couple seconds, somehow.

He's a black mark on the floor a few seconds later, bright violet flames that escaped the tight beam that had washed over him now burn the surroundings.

"I'm starting to think I'm overpowered. Oh well, any preference on how you go... Green?" Emerald is not where I left her and that door wasnt open.

I guess it was to much to hope I'd get everyone at once, and I dont have it in me to go after her.

That purple fire thing took me down to a quarter Aura, still more than most people but it's less than I like fighting with

I take a breath and survey the scene, its fucked up and any papers or intel is probably fuck beyond repair-

"GAAGH!"

Pain flashes across my back, I'd let my Aura drop when I shouldn't have.

I turn my forward stumble into a roll with a turn.

She didnt leave, just waiting to strike.

"Ow, that's going to scar."

My aura is already fixing the damage, my cannon is already blasting in her direction.

Shes got skill at dodging, to bad Gravity is a bitch, and lightning is fast.

She slams into the floor and doesn't get up, then screams when Plasma and electricity wash over than through her.

Only for her to dissapear, because she wasnt there. Fucking illusionist.

This time her blades skid across my Aura, dont turn, I let the world burn instead.

"AAAAGH!" Theres the scream, now I turn.

Starlight sings and gravity holds her in the flames.

She gets a spear of red and green in her head a second later, it cracked her suprisingly resilient aura then brought more flames to the party.

What's my Aura like? One tenth of usual full and climbing steadily.

"VPD! HANDS IN THE AIR AND WEAPONS ON THE FLOOR!" That would be the cops

"GAA! WHAT THE FUCK!" and that would be candles in the bullhead unthawing.

Eventful night, all things considered

 

[verycoolname]

Ah. Hadn't realized it was one of these protagonists.

 

[Laharl]

Blood for the blood god is the way to go when dealing with genocide everyone type people

 

[Eldruin]

Ah. Hadn't realized it was one of these protagonists.

Click to shrink...

Could you specify what kind of protagonist and why you are or arent enjoying?

Blood for the blood god is the way to go when dealing with genocide everyone type people

Click to shrink...

You say that like you Khorne isnt always the way to go.

 

[QuinnCerberus]

Welp there goes the stations of canon. I wonder how this will effect the fall of bacon.

I never watched past volume 5 and 4 and 5 were both basicly filler. Very much looking foward to how that will change with this.

 

[Eldruin]

Welp there goes the stations of canon. I wonder how this will effect the fall of bacon.

I never watched past volume 5 and 4 and 5 were both basicly filler. Very much looking foward to how that will change with this.

Click to shrink...

Pffft, fall of bacon. But that's a secret.

 

[verycoolname]

Could you specify what kind of protagonist and why you are or arent enjoying?

Click to shrink...

I don't know whether I'm going to enjoy it or not. I was enjoying it so far, but I really need to be in the right mindset to enjoy stories with this kind of protagonist. I'm a little wary of this right now.

Basically, I'm referring to the kill em all protagonist. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Honestly, I feel kind of strongly about this. I'm stuffing my opinion behind this spoiler because I don't want to risk discouraging you or 'forcing' you to change the way you write your story. But again, I feel super strongly about it.

Spoiler: incoming salty rant

Mostly, you need the protagonist to be up against people the audience doesn't mind dying. Plus a huge problem is that we're going to be dealing with the drama that comes with the other characters being forced to interact with what is effectively an unrepentant mass murderer. Or worse, they will be okay with it.

Cinder? Worth a lot of drama to see her bite it so quickly and not have to deal with her shit. Random White Fang grunts? A lot less cathartic. Him putting most of them in the hospital would have been fine and still plausible. Torchwick, Emerald, and Mercury? They weren't irredeemable, so depending on how much you like or empathize with them, it isn't very nice watching them get killed. It would have been nice seeing Torchwick and Neo go a different route than canon.

So, what is Saint going to say? 'It's okay officers: they deserved it.' 'Sorry Blake, but holding back is hard, so I didn't bother trying not to splatter your former compatriots.' 'Hey Ozpin, I know the future, but instead of informing you about it, I just murdered a bunch of people cause it was less awkward.' 'Sorry Neo, but It was just easier to kill Cinder while Torchwick was in the line of fire. Killing them both was a lot less risky and awkward.'

Whew. Alright, now that that's out of my system, I will say I'm looking forward to the next chapter.

 

[Eldruin]

I don't know whether I'm going to enjoy it or not. I was enjoying it so far, but I really need to be in the right mindset to enjoy stories with this kind of protagonist. I'm a little wary of this right now.

Basically, I'm referring to the kill em all protagonist. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Honestly, I feel kind of strongly about this. I'm stuffing my opinion behind this spoiler because I don't want to risk discouraging you or 'forcing' you to change the way you write your story. But again, I feel super strongly about it.

Spoiler: incoming salty rant

Mostly, you need the protagonist to be up against people the audience doesn't mind dying. Plus a huge problem is that we're going to be dealing with the drama that comes with the other characters being forced to interact with what is effectively an unrepentant mass murderer. Or worse, they will be okay with it.

Cinder? Worth a lot of drama to see her bite it so quickly and not have to deal with her shit. Random White Fang grunts? A lot less cathartic. Him putting most of them in the hospital would have been fine and still plausible. Torchwick, Emerald, and Mercury? They weren't irredeemable, so depending on how much you like or empathize with them, it isn't very nice watching them get killed. It would have been nice seeing Torchwick and Neo go a different route than canon.

So, what is Saint going to say? 'It's okay officers: they deserved it.' 'Sorry Blake, but holding back is hard, so I didn't bother trying not to splatter your former compatriots.' 'Hey Ozpin, I know the future, but instead of informing you about it, I just murdered a bunch of people cause it was less awkward.' 'Sorry Neo, but It was just easier to kill Cinder while Torchwick was in the line of fire. Killing them both was a lot less risky and awkward.'

Whew. Alright, now that that's out of my system, I will say I'm looking forward to the next chapter.

Click to shrink...

I like you, I hope you have a nice day or night.

So let's start.

The mc isnt a unrepentant killer, he sees the cause of a tragedy and puts a hole in it. Past experiences I plan to litter through more bad dreams, flash backs, or just that counciling, have made him this way for one reason or another.

He will not be okay, hes just throwing the Feelings aside to get work done right now.

For Cinder. you said it, it's worth it. Penny, Nikos, Oz and so many others will live to act against the dark.

For Mercury and Emerald. I've never liked them, in my fucked up headspace Emerald is a thief and Mercury is an assassin, both may be redeemable, but they knew what they were signing up for.

The grunts are basically in the same boat as the previous, and any who surrendered he put an amount of effort into sparring and not targeting, I'm sorry I didnt make that clear and I'll try better. hes a horrible person not an asshole, he usually wont drop people who surrender.

For Torchwick. See " "GAA! WHAT THE FUCK!" and that would be candles in the bullhead unthawing. " sorry i didnt make it clear that 'Candles' was Torchwick. To my Knowledge he still had basically full aura and was in tip top condition when Cinder started fighting, so a little chill and hes probably still fine, 'Aura and half understood Cyro sleep science quote here'

For Candles and Neo. I was planning the whole 'run away or turn a new leaf, just dont be a genocidal Terrorist or work with them' bit.

For what hes going to say? Remember that picture of pyro and Taurus MC got in the mail? I'll probably do something and run with it. 'One final job, then I'm free' cliche and all that.

For specific with beacon prople? Again run with the Mercenary taking out Terrorists or something about unspecified vengeance, maybe spin up a few words about him meeting amber in the past and looking into her 'dissapearance'.


And he wont be talking about knowing the future, because yeah that awkward as hell and rather unbelievable. Add the fact that he doesnt even know how that happened and that hes already a sus person, guaranteed trip to whatever afterlife exists in my opinion.

That's all I got, sorry if its unsatisfactory.

Edit: my space bar hates me and how in the void do you do spoilers?

 

[verycoolname]

I like you, I hope you have a nice day or night.

That's all I got, sorry if its unsatisfactory.

Click to shrink...

It isn't unsatisfactory, and I'm glad you cleared up that whole 'candles' thing.

My reaction was a bit more extreme than warranted and I'll admit it. Chalk it up to a combination of bad experiences and whiplash from my own assumptions about the MC. I'd been picturing 'Collateral Damage Man the savior of us all' who only killed Grimm cultists and nazi equivalents. Seeing the death happening like it did made me jump to conclusions. That isn't fair, since Cinder is a Grimm cultist, Emerald and Mercury were going to off Tukson for leaving White Fang, and the members of White Fang had to have known the death toll their current plan was going to have even if they didn't know the plan. I've been having a rough couple of days too, so that doesn't help.

With the benefit of hindsight, and knowing he only temporarily iced Torchwick, I can safely say my worries were unfounded and my rant was unnecessary. Which is nice. I like being wrong about shit like this.

I'm gonna go to bed and reread the chapter in the morning. Thanks for being chill about this.

 

[Eldruin]

It isn't unsatisfactory, and I'm glad you cleared up that whole 'candles' thing.

My reaction was a bit more extreme than warranted and I'll admit it. Chalk it up to a combination of bad experiences and whiplash from my own assumptions about the MC. I'd been picturing 'Collateral Damage Man the savior of us all' who only killed Grimm cultists and nazi equivalents. Seeing the death happening like it did made me jump to conclusions. That isn't fair, since Cinder is a Grimm cultist, Emerald and Mercury were going to off Tukson for leaving White Fang, and the members of White Fang had to have known the death toll their current plan was going to have even if they didn't know the plan. I've been having a rough couple of days too, so that doesn't help.

With the benefit of hindsight, and knowing he only temporarily iced Torchwick, I can safely say my worries were unfounded and my rant was unnecessary. Which is nice. I like being wrong about shit like this.

I'm gonna go to bed and reread the chapter in the morning. Thanks for being chill about this.

Click to shrink...

It's all good mate. That was a lovely pun and if you ever need to rant at someone for something I'm always around.

Sweet dreams and all that.

[¤]

How long ago has it been since I last Meditated? Prayed?

... Before it went to shit, again. Before you were sure there was something listening

I cant even remember.

Seventeen, including myself and Torchwich survived. Fifteen Whitefang, people who thought they were doing the right thing, beaten down and shown the world by someone who barely knows the world themselves.

Maybe I should start doing that again. Meditating and Praying, even if nobody else knows what I pray to or for.

... would it be the same without them? Friends, Family, The Monks, The love of your life.

I can't even think of words to whisper.

drip

Maybe tears and blood are enough right now, I'm spilling enough of both.

...a heartfelt sacrifice, fuller than hollow words.

Maybe I should rest a spell, might have a good dream for once?

...I doubt it.

Yeah, just close my eyes a second.

[¤]

This is a dream, it's better than most.

The temple is quiet. it's always quiet, but never this quiet. I cant even hear he Monks humming their songs, it's wrong.

I drift through the halls carved from stone, each inch of this mountains flesh made into a work of art.

Each line seems to mock me and my failures, even though the art as a whole speaks of joy and love.

I come to a large door, formed from almost pearlescent stone. Moonlight solidified the monks say.

Schlllk

I already know what's inside, I open the door anyway, this dream has one Exit, and I'd prefer to leave swiftly.

rrrriiiip

The room is large, a perfect half sphere. Reaching Halfway up the curved wall/ceiling in a list of names I cant understand.

splsh

On the floor is corpses, a pool of blood, and one 'living' thing.

'Its your fault'

'You could have saved me'

'Is this how kindness is replayed?'

'Abomination'

'We shouldnt have helped you'

I havent forgotten how many are here.

I knew each one of them, I knew each oned favourite colour, favourite food, who thought who pretty, who thought who dispectable.

rattle

Chains near the door move in slow motion. The body held there, I know like the back of my hand.

I'll let you guess why.

grrrgl

The fiend in the center of the room moves slow as it tears into flesh and fabrics alike.

It's my fault it lived long enough to do this

Because I was kind, because she begged, because she claimed she was coerced.

I leave this chamber and head through another door.

knocking on the door, knocked on the door, knock on the door.

I wake.

I dont remember the Dream, I never do.

I feel my fingernails deep in my palms, I feel the blood drip to the floor just like the tears.

I hear the cage open, two sets of feet, two hearts and two sets of lungs, one sits on the empty bench.

I can only smell blood, mine and many others.

I should only see darkness, I see a grinning girl.

My souls senses are dull, the collar on my neck makes sure of that. Dull doesn't mean gone, Empathy is a skill I've learned, it triggers at the worst time and it picks up on the deads echoes.

...we are a bad person, arent we?

Probably should start meditating again, maybe Praying aswell.

 

[verycoolname]

Why am I not in bed yet? It's like, two minutes until midnight...

Oh well, reading time!