Chapter 33 - "Complicated Situations"

※ ※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

Furuta : "Come out! Come out! Wherever you are!"

The man was bunny hopping like a child through the forest and kept saying to come out to someone who he couldn't see.

A woman revealed herself from behind a tree. She was smoking a cigarette. Well dressed… A suit. There was no doubt, it was her.

Tessa : "Oi, weirdo."

Furuta : "Hmm… It's nice to see you again."

The weird attitude of Furuta just disappeared like ash being blown away by a breeze. He shifted quickly into a normal personality and looked at her.

Inspecting her body, he noticed she wasn't looking that bad what so ever. Instead, she had a few very, very cute features. Her hair was quite nice, and so were her sky blue eyes.

Tessa : "So, 'sup? How's the mission goin'?"

Furuta : "Jens and his team are currently approaching the Sanctuary. I've to wait, sadly. But the Clowns of V will attack the Village very soon. The Guardian of the Barrier will cause problems as well—"

Tessa : "You nearly killed Legend, didn't ya?"

Furuta : "Hmh? Well, of course. That insect forgot his place way too fast."

The woman in the suit inhaled the cigarette and breathed out. She ticked the cig with her finger and the ash fell on the ground.

Tessa : "Ya do realize that those people are very important for me, right?"

Furuta : "Of course my excellency."

Tessa : "They're the key to our success. They'll be the key to killing Jens, and tearing this world apart."

Furuta : "I understand my excellency."

She sighed.

Tessa : "Nimura, Furuta Washuu, Tell me, why are you so afraid of me? You're one of the strongest individuals on This earth. So why would you be afraid of such a pathetic being as me?"

Furuta : "Pathetic? I don't find you pathetic what so ever."

He shrugged and brushed his hair with his hand. Tessa looked at him with full disgust on his face and responded immediately.

Tessa : "Stop. Answer my question ya idiot."

Furuta : "Because… You know how to kill whoever you approach."

Tessa : "Hmm, It seems ya didn't forget ya place, Filthy Washuu."

Furuta : "Filthy? Why would you call me something like that? If my memories are in tact, I'm pretty sure you're the one that started most of this, and you call me filthy? That's quite disrespectful. Don't you think that's wrong? Aren't you a little bit ashamed of saying that? It sure is wrong, because it's wrong!"

Tessa : "Whatever ya want. Do not fail. I'll be leaving for a while, you better succeed."

She turned around and walked away.

Furuta took a breath and exhaled. The pressure of standing near Tessa Fortune was intense.

Furuta swung his hand and created a shining, bright, white mirror. He snapped his fingers and the mirror broke, immediately, two individuals appeared in front of him.

Dark skin tone, light green hair, red eyes, wears an outfit which is dedicated for warm or summer weather, it was Emerald Sustrai.

Light skin tone, black hair, orange eyes, wears a nice, beautiful, elegant red dress which represents her position, it was Cinder Fall.

Furuta : "Glad you're available."

Cinder : "What is the matter, Furuta?"

The two of them bowed before the Washuu King. Soon after, Furuta put on a disgusted facial expression and screamed.

Furuta : "Did you forgot your position? You're the Fall Maiden! Raise your head, don't act so noble, I beg you."

She looked at him, and stood up, Emerald remained bowing before him.

Emerald : "You summoned us. The Blood Cloud is at the moment not busy what so ever, so there must be something very important, right?"

Furuta nodded.

Furuta : "Jens will be taking the Trials of the Sanctuary today. However, the two of you will cause internal problems from outside the Sanctuary. Do not kill the Witch, Emilia. I don't really care about the others. You can kill Melissa if you want, but I doubt you're able to do so."

Cinder : "Melissa? Is she still alive? I thought you destroyed her."

Furuta : "I did. But thanks to the Powers of Eden, which she possesses, she isn't able to die from wounds like those. The only way to destroy her is destroying her Aura, shatter her Od, and rip the heart out of her."

Both Cinder and Emerald widened their eyes.

Emerald : "In that case, shouldn't we summon greater soldier? I mean, what the hell am I doing here? Can't we summon Adam? Neo? Noelle or Ash?"

Furuta : "Nya Nya! You forgot something very important! Neo is currently in a fatal position, so let's not worry 'bout her too much."

Cinder : "What?"

Confused, Cinder questioned what he meant with that.

Furuta : "She's currently fighting the Spring Maiden, Raven and Qrow Branwen."

Cinder : "Where? Why don't I know any of this? Did you forget that I am the one that should carry the powers of the Maiden? It's what she told us to do. After all, she doesn't fail."

Furuta : "Perhaps, but Spring isn't our priority now."

He shrugged and put a wicked smile on his face.

Furuta : "Adam is currently unnecessary, he wouldn't be that beneficial for this situation. As for the other two, Noelle and Ash, they're supposed to remain a secret. Nobody knows about them, especially not about Noelle, she should remain a secret until a certain condition is met."

Emerald looked very confused.

Furuta : "But you, my dear Emerald, thanks to your Semblance, will cause major incidents in the Emilia Camp. None of the others can do that."

Cinder : "Also, remember the fact that if we release Noelle, there is no going back."

Furuta nodded.

Furuta : "Exactly. So now, lets discuss what we'll do."

※ ※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

Running through the forest, the group follows a path made of stone, which lead their way to the Sanctuary.

Jens was ahead of everyone, Emilia, Otto, Melissa, Ram and Weiss followed him. They were almost at the Sanctuary, until they heard a sound.

Otto : "Guys."

He, Otto Suwen, stopped running and had drawn the attention of everyone. Everyone walked a little bit back and looked at Otto.

Without saying anything, he pointed at a sign. There were runes carved on it. Jens wasn't able to read them, before Jens could ask what it said, Melissa already said,

Melissa : "The Sanctuary."

Otto : "We are very close. We are very close, let's keep moving forward!"

Jens nodded, and like that, they kept running again.

After at least five minutes, the group arrived at a village. However, the village was completely surrounded by a barrier. It was transparent, but the outline of the barrier was visible because of the light of the sun.

Jens : "So this is… The Sanctuary."

Melissa : "It appears to be the—"

Interrupted, a scream was able to be heard behind them. It was a female scream, a familiar one as well.

??? : "JENS!"

The group turned around, it was…

Lisa : "Thank god, you haven't entered yet."

Tattletale approached the group, and behind her, there was Nathan and Yang.

Jens : "Li… Tattletale! What happened? Where are Sapphire and Lethias?"

Lisa : "We dealt with them. Well, especially Yang. She did most of it, I just protected the area against the Wardens."

Jens : "W-What?"

Nathan : "During the fight, Tattletale abandoned us. At least, that's what I thought. In actuality, she left the Village, and created an anti teleportation barrier, so no Warden or Warrior would interfere with the battle."

Lisa nodded.

Jens : "Amazing! Great work!"

Yang : "We need to hurry. Though, is it even a good idea to enter this… Barrier?"

With the sudden suggestion of Yang, everyone remained silent. Jens looked confused at Yang and so did the others.

Jens : "What are you talking about Yang?"

Ram : "She's right. Are you sure about this Jens? The Half Humans who enter cannot leave the Barrier."

Jens : "So? No—"

Suddenly, he realized. Emilia is a Half Elf.

Emilia : "I…"

Jens : "You don't have to enter. I'll take the trials!"

Weiss : "Are you crazy? Only Halves have succeeded in taking the trial Jens! Who knows if you will even return Alive?"

Nathan : "Do we have a choice though?"

Lisa : "Technically, we do. If Emilia enters, she could potentially succeed the trials within a few hours, and reactive the Barrier. However, without Emilia near us, it would reduce a great amount of power within our group."

Ram : "Jens, I do not like this girl, but she's right. Emilia cannot enter the Sanctuary Grounds. You have to do it."

Otto : "B-But… What if Jens doesn't return?"

Lisa : "Then we'll make him return."

Lisa walked towards Jens and grabbed his shoulders.

Lisa : "Listen, Jens. The woman inside the Tomb of the Sanctuary, the Witch of Greed, Echidna. She's a master manipulator. She's a Thinker Level 9, at the very least. The highest rating a human being can reach. She'll do whatever it take to gain information from you, understood?"

Jens : "W-Who is that woman, Echinda?"

Lisa : "I just told you, the Witch of Greed. She's the one that you'll have to face to succeed the Trials."

Jens : "A-Ah…"

Then…

??? : "Oy oy oy Oy! OY! Y'ALL ARE VERY NOISY, AIN'T CHA?!"

A boy appears. He has short gold hair and jade colored eyes. He is slightly taller than Ram, has a scar on his forehead, and has feline like canines. For his height, he has the perfect body build, very muscular.

Ram : "Not you…"

??? : "It seems Ram brought some friends, didn't she? Y'all are making a great mistake. I'll ask you kindly, return to your shitty mansion, got'me?"

Jens : "Who the fuck is this?"

Garfiel : "OIOIOIOIOI! Don't'cha understand that I'm in control here? The amazin' me! Garfiel Tinsel!"

Garfiel_Tinsel_Character_Art.png

Jens : "I see. My name is Jens—"

Garfiel : "Do I look like I care 'bout who ya are? I'm tellin' y'all, turn around and leave. This is ma hometown, and y'all won't trespass."

Emilia : "Garfiel. You do not understand! The Sanctuary Barrier is collapsing! If the Barrier collapses, the Witches of Sin will be free! That will cause great damage to the world, and not just your home town! Allow us to enter, and we'll return as soon as Jens has finished the trial."

Garfiel : "Woah? Y'all are just like Roswaal, telling lies."

Lisa : "Lies? What are you talking about?"

Garfiel : "Roswaal gathered as many as possible Demi-Humans to ma Home Town, he told meh that it was temporary—"

Lisa : "But he actually did it so the Barrier would collapse faster…."

Ram : "That fucking… Clown."

Garfiel : "Whatever! Y'all won't enter these grounds! Me, The Amazin' Garfiel is the Guardian of the Barrier, got'cha? Protecting the Barrier is all I care 'bout, this is all that I've left."

Ram : "Don't you understand that we're trying to save your home town?"

Jens : "Exactly! Allow us to enter! I don't want to fight you."

Garfiel : "Haha! Don't make me laugh! Y'all don't stand a chance against me whazzo ever!"

Garfiel Tinsel shrugged. He sure was full of himself.

Suddenly, Garfiel widens his eyes as he stares at Frederica Baumann.

Lisa : "Hmm? It appears I was right after all, but was unsure if I was right. I really need to stop doubting myself."

Nathan : "W-What do you mean?"

Lisa : "Isn't it obvious? Frederica is—"

Frederica : "Garfiel?"

Garfiel : "Sis?"

A fated, yet unexpected reunion.

※ ※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

Standing on a very, very old ruin. Furuta looks around without understanding what he's supposed to do.

Furuta : "Oi, Ros. What am I supposed to do here?"

He turns around, and looks at Roswaal Mathers who is standing at the stone stairs. It's a ruin, surrounded by many stone pillars. It was mossy, most stone was covered by grass and vines.

Roswaal : "Hmm…"

The Clown, Roswaal Mathers grabs a book, opens it, and stares at it as careful as he can.

Roswaal : "It appears it's not your time yet."

Furuta : "Hmm? What do you mean? I am pretty sure I am the one that is supposed to collapse this, no?"

Roswaal : "You are, but not yet."

Furuta : "Are you fucking kidding me? They're at the Barrier already! What if they see me?!"

Rowaal : Aaaaaaah, then hide within the ruins, follow Jens as I will be dealing with the others from outside of the Sanctuary along with Cinder and Emeraaaaaald, yeees?"

Furuta : "Whatever you freeko!"

Furuta clapped his hands, and snapped his fingers. In an instant, his clothes were changed, and his face was covered by a mask of a clown.

Roswaal : "Should I summon the Clowns of V?"

Furuta : "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Do whatever you want my Rose! C'est Magnifique!"

Talking random stuff in French, Furuta clapped his hands again, and turned away from Roswaal. He entered the ruins even further, until he was unable to be seen. Right then, from inside of the village, Cinder Fall and Emerald Sustrai approached Roswaal.

Roswaal : "Why, Helloooo~ Ladiees~!"

Cinder : "Well, Hello, Roswaal L Mathers. Haven't you seen in ages."

Emerald bowed, and remained silent.

Roswaal : "Exactly~, I hope the mission of today will be successful!"

Cinder : "Where is Furuta?"

Roswaal : "He's inside the Tomb, waiting to meet with Jens and follow him. Whyyyyyyyy if I may ask?"

Cinder : "The Sanctuary can wait. I'm leaving."

Shocked from what the woman said, Roswaal swung his hand and screamed.

Roswaal : "WHAT ARE YOU SAYING WOMAN?!"

Cinder : "Neo is in danger. The Spring Maiden has been located. I'm leaving for now, I'll return once we got Spring."

Emerald : "B-But Cinder, what if they overpower you?"

Cinder : "It's not about overpowering an enemy. It's about taking away what power they have. And we will, in time."

Roswaal : "What is that supposed to mean?! Youuuuu cannot leave now! We must proceed this phase of our mission."

Cinder : "Actually, I, the Fall Maiden, can do whatever I want. You, however, are very depended on others, because you're weak."

Hearing this, Roswaal forms a fist out of his hands, and bites his teeth with anger.

Cinder : "See, now you understand. You're too depended on others, because, just like your teacher, you can't do things alone. You're unable to do so. However, I can do whatever I want. There's nothing that will stop me, you damned Clown."

Roswaal : "Go already, I think we talked enough."

Just like that, Cinder swings her hand, and creates a portal made of Magma. She enters it, and disappears. After she left, the magma becomes stone, and falls on the solid surface of stone, and shatters to ash.

Emerald : "I am very sorry about what she said. Please, don't take it personal."

Roswaal : "Sheeeeeeeeeee's right. But now, as she disobeyed, I'll make the situation, our mission, a biiiiiit more interesting."

He swings his arm, and created a blue and gold mirror, it's a communication device to talk to anyone he wants.

Roswaal : "Ash of Distress. Arise and come to the Sanctuary, we've people to deal with."

※ ※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※

Amy : "Victoria… can you hear me?"

Annie : "She's recovering. Don't push her. We must get back to the fight as soon as possible Panacea."

With her palm on the naked shoulder of Vicotria, Amy stares at her face and tears up. She's scared of what will come next. Her sister, Victoria Glory is her idol. Her dying, would break her world entirely.

Annie : "Take her to the Head Quarters, and heal her there. I'll go help Shadow Stalker."

Amy nodded. While nodding, tears fell from her face on Victoria's bloody face.

Annie swung her hand, and teleported Amy and Victoria away.

The girl within the crystal barrier sighed and said,

Annie : "Never a break for me, am I right?"

She shattered the crystalic barrier which surrounded her and analyzed everything around her as soon as possible.

While the barrier went down, she noticed the City being set in flames. There was not much blood nor people.

Looking into the distance, Annie notices Raven and Shadow Stalker fighting. Immediately, she runs towards them and prepares to attack Raven Branwen. She crystallized her arms and created blades made of unbreakable crytstal.

However, before she reaches them, her vision suddenly turns black, as if someone or something was blocking her view. Not even a second later, she feels something powerful hitting her face, and she falls on the ground. Annie's Sky Blue Aura becomes visible and flashes. She opens her eyes again, and tries to see what punched or kicked her in the face.

Her view isn't clear. It's blurry, but she sees a few colors which immediately gives her an idea who did this.

Burning red hair, sky blue eyes, a sword in his hands, and a sword in a sheet on his waist, handsome, it was without a doubt, the Master Sword Saint.

Annie : "Reinhard van Astrea."

Reinhard : "It appears there is no need to introduce myself. That makes me very happy. However, looking at all this, I cannot let you go."

Annie : "Me? We did this, you say?"

Reinhard : "I'm not referring to your deeds, I'm referring to you in general. Annie Leonhard, member of the Warriors."

Annie is shocked, she takes a step back and starts thinking.

"What?! T-This is impossible. How does he know my name? How does he know about the Warriors? I-If he knows that the Warriors are associated with Vincent, I'll be burned alive. No, this is not good… I cannot face him myself. If he sees the others, I'll be screwed even more."

Annie : "Tell me, who told you?"

Reinhard : "Tattletale. She told me everything, even your powers, and I have to say… I am surprised that there are more people standing on the top of the mountain called 'Power', however, even if it's sound a bit impolite, you do not come close to my power."

Annie : "My master told me whatever I need to know about you, about your mother, and your sword."

Hearing this, Reinhard opens his eyes more widely.

Reinhard : "It appears a family secret got uncovered. I truly wonder how, as I do not know any spies within the Astrea grounds. Now that I know that you hold powerful information, I have to arrest you, and bring you to the Capital pri—"

Annie swings her, creating a massive wall of Crystal and runs away. She grabs her Mirror and starts screaming in it, as she's afraid that she met her fate, too soon.

Annie : "REINHARD VAN ASTREA IS IN PRIESTELLA! ABOARD THE MISSION! I REPEAT, ABOARD THE MISSION! HE KNOWS MY NAME! HE KNOWS THE WARRIORS! RETREAT RETREAT RETREAT! IF EIDOLON, LEGEND OR ALEXANDRIA HEARS THIS, COME TO MY LOCATION AND SEND REINHARD AWAY, OR DEAL WITH HIM! I REPEAT! WARRIORS, WARDENS, ABOARD THE MISSION!"

※ ※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※　※