chapter 33

Ozpin said he was sending a bullhead to pick us up, I wonder how long it will take.

However, progress has been made with my replacement arm. I can now feel the entirety of the arm, but I'm only able to move my pointer finger.

'Cheer up, Hans. You'll be able to move it all in around a week if what you just thought is any clue.' That's nice to think, but alot can happen in that week. Wishful thinking.

"Ara~? You two are as close as usual." Merlin appeared, staff in hand, smirk on face.

'Where have you been?' Succubus or not, I can't know what she did.

'How rude! Implying that I sleep around, you shouldn't say such things to a lady!'

'Even if I fits?' That's strange, but I guess it's expected. If I linked my own soul with Neo's, it makes sense that she can speak through our connection.

'You... linked your souls? Do you even understand how dangerous that is? If one of you dies, both of you will. You're telling me, that you're both fine with that?'

'Yes.'

'Of course.'

I think we broke her. For a magus, she seems to underestimate the lengths that people will got to over what she considers trivial matters.

'Neo is the one of the few that had made me happy. Merlin, you know of War, right? A battle between nations all for the good of one. Despite the civilian casualties, despite the horrific pain the soldiers feel, despite the life changing injuries they experience. Do you know, what it's like to be the one who caused all of that?' The magus couldn't believe my words, the mere implication of committing such atrocities.

Neo looked at me with an uncomfortable look, I could easily tell she wanted to ask more about the why, but I was waiting on Merlin.

"But... no, why? Why would you do that?" Firmly, I planted my hands on her shoulders, staring her dead in the eye.

'Because, I didn't have a choice.'

"There's always-"

'I couldn't control my own bodies actions, I had no choice in the matter. I was conscious of it, every second of the way. And I could do nothing but sit there, as I murdered, slaughtered and brutalised Men, women and children. I was a prisoner in my own body.' I don't often speak this much, but i wanted to make a point.

'For once, in my long life, I am back in control. And I'm... enjoying it, despite still having to fight, I don't care because for once, in the last 60 years, I have had a choice. It's been my choice, my own free will.' This has truly been an amazing experience, all the pain I've experienced during my stay here cannot compare to having free will again.

"And here I thought my life was sad, being trapped in Avalon with only the ability to watch my world, the only thing to look forward to was the end of the world." Really? That... is sad.

Neo hugged Merlin, a... fair gesture. Now that I think about it, Merlin has helped me along the way.

But I haven't helped her.

'Merlin... someway, somehow, I'll free you from that tower.' It was the only thing I could actually do to help her. And if I had to make any assumptions, I could likely use either my divinity or my left arm to possibly break any of the anchors that tie her to Avalon.

But those are just assumptions.

"Hey! You lot! The bullheads here!"

"Well... seems like it's time to go. Thank you, Hans. Even if you don't do it, I appreciate the thought." No...

I fully intended to keep my word.

_________________________________________

Ahhh... what time is it? I couldn't help but look around. This isn't my room... oh, well...

The sight of Ruby in my arms quickly refreshed my memory. Right, I fell asleep next to Ruby because she wouldn't let go.

Really Ruby? No bra? Her pajama top had come loose, revealing her... ample bosom. I hooked her top back on, hiding the melon behind her top. I... couldn't help but be jealous.

In the few weeks since we had last convened, my cup size had only increased by a few centimetres. It... wasn't like I actually was actively wanting large breasts, I would be content with even breasts a bit smaller than Ruby's.

Unfortunately, I am flatter than a washboard.

I have accepted that.

Even then, who would those breasts be for? I severely doubted I would ever meet a man that I loved like I do Hans.

If he truly is dead, it seems my life will become one of celibacy.

I... cannot imagine a life with anyone but him.

It would seem the Ruby's grip has loosened, I can get up now...

Five more minutes.

_________________________________________

Anger

Rage

Infuriated

Three words that perfectly described my current state, cinder and her two underlings succeeded while losing their lives in the process. Immensely disappointed didn't even begin to describe how I felt towards her.

All I'm left with now is a fanatic scorpion who worships me like a goddess, a deceitful scientist who holds a grudge over simply not being picked by ironwood as if he was some unrequited lover.

Then, there's Hazel, a bunch of muscle who's morals are as pliable as rubber, swapping over to my side the moment he realised my immortality and displacing his vengeance from me onto Ozma.

Truly, all disappointing.

"Why have you gathered us here, goddess? Are there sacrifices to gather?! To bathe in their blood and offer them to your divine glory!" While a useful pawn, there are no better uses for them.

"Because I have gleamed that you have better uses." The whelps gained questioning looks as the beowulf's piled into the room, easily restraing the scorpion and scientist.

Hazel however, was not so easy.

"SALEM! YOU PROMISED A BETTER WORLD!" The brute cried out as he eliminated beowulf after beowulf, like a mad berserker trapped in a blood rage.

"You believe I was truthful? After I murdered your own flesh and blood, you really are a fool." His eyes bulged in rage, I have little time for ants.

I blew a hole through his heart, as easy as murdering a child. Nothing, absolutely nothing will stop my goal.

I will die.

And they will help me, their corpses will serve as wonderful humanoid grimm.

Wonderful.

_________________________________________

Here in this bullhead, is awkward silence.

"I had an idea for you two. Since your relationship started, you haven't gone on a date, why not go on one through Atlas?" Criminal mastermind or not, the man made good suggestions.

"Uh... sir? There appears to be a storm up ahead! Do you want to go through it, or around?" Roman sighed at the pilots stupidity.

"Do we look like birds? Go around it. God... reminds me of my old lackeys, if anything, they were at least loyal." Considering how they did get payed well, It's expected.

Almost as suddenly as the storm appeared, the bullhead shook, slamming me to the floor of the aircraft. The sound of metal tearing almost stopped my heart.

But it was just Hans tearing open the bullhead door, where we clearly saw a grimm. A grimm had latched itself onto the side of the bullhead, his right arm glowed with white aura before punching clean through the flying creature.

It dissolved to dust, blowing away in the wind, revealing a horde of them circling the bullhead. Neo looked to him in concern.

He looked back at me, his shadowy writing filling the air.

'Look after her.' As if he even had to say.

I'd do it without a second thought.

Yknow, I just thought of that.

"Can't you help? O mighty mage Merlin?" The busty woman shook her head, petals flickering from the palm of her hand.

"Unfortunately not, my magecraft is more illusory and transmogrative in nature. I can probably fire some shots of condensed Mana but that will only hinder him. See?" Roman looked back to not see his son-in-law.

He had jumped.

Roman walked over to the edge with his cane, the bullhead shook, Romans life flashed before his eyes, is he gonna die here?

"You're fine." Merlin caught him by the back of his collar, Neo had as well.

Criminal or not, he could admire what he saw.

Hans, was leaping from gargoyle, to mini-wyvern to flying beowulves. Each one were killed immediately after he kicked off of them.

He did it so casually, as if it was nothing, a menial task, a chore. At least that was what I thought. But what do I know? Frankly, I know so little right now, it's almost funny.

"Ah, what's... the quip I'm trying to make? Too late now, it's gone." Had something funny I wanted to say. Forgot it.

"Hm. There's grimm dust on my clothes. What a pain. These threads aren't cheap!" Couldn't fault the man, he was damn efficient. Would've loved to have an underling like him, it would've made my jobs so much easier!

Never would've had to deal with cinder in the first place.

He's getting to his last grimm. I'd wonder how he plans on getting back, but my answer is his semblance. I saw him make platforms of Ice mid-air, he'll just do that again.

_________________________________________

98... 99... 100!

There. My daily routine was almost done. Now, it was just time for a run. I was ready for it dressed in my black sweatpants, black sports bra and sneakers.

I was able to get out of bed once Ruby's grip loosened, not that I wanted to get out of bed, there are just some days where all you want to do is lay there in bed, basking in its softness.

Such luxuries aren't something I can just bask in.

"Miss schnee-" I spun around on instinct, swinging a kick straight for the voice.

My foot met a cane.

"Quick reactions, quite a heavy strike too. You've improved immensely, Miss Schnee." I pulled my leg back, what a sturdy cane, it would have to be in order to be the weapon of the headmaster.

"I thank you, Ozpin. Now, not that it bothers me, but why are you here?" I wasn't exactly in a rush... but I did want to get my morning jog in.

"I... recall that you had a good relationship with Mr Günsche. I thought it best that you knew, he may still be alive, and on his way here. However, I would not get hopeful or tell your teammates. The credibility of these sources is... fragile." My breath hitched. To think... that he would tell me this face to face.

"Thank you, Ozpin."

_________________________________________

This was... unexpected.

As I'm making my way back to the airborne bullhead, a humanoid grimm punches straight into it.

I launched myself right at the beast made of human skin... then... it threw... something at me. The device wrapped itself around my waist, quickly expanding across my body and entrapping me in a suit of armor.

The suit of armor preceeded to shine lights all around me.

This... counters me, perfectly. I can't break out, my shadows are destroyed by the light. And if I try my semblance, I may only shatter my own skin.

And the scene I saw in front of me wasn't one i liked.

Neo, the woman whom had confessed to me and gave me some of the greatest happiness I had experienced in a while.

Against the beast that downed the bullhead.

Neo didn't look greatly confident either.

Can... can I really do nothing?

_________________________________________

Sorry that this took so long but ya know, just wasn't feeling it.

Join the discord, talk to me about the story, tell me your thoughts.

I'm really bored.