chapter 38

Silver chains.

One of the few things that was essential in creating a Natural Werewolf.

Hans knew this, there was two days until the final battle, it was late and the shattered moons fragmented light shone down upon the snow.

"Why are we out here Hans?" Summer asked with surprising innocence for her age.

"Preparation. Bloodlust may influence your actions. Tonight, I make you a natural werewolf."

Before summer could question any further, Hans wrapped the chain around her in a blink causing her to grit her teeth as the silver seared her skin.

"Is... the chain... necessary?" A nod from the man made her relieved but also worried. Why would she need to be tied up? Her answer was given as the captain placed a hand on either side of her head, directing her sight up to the lustrous moon.

"Yes." The shadowy letters danced in front of her eyes as she stared at the moon, sinking into a sort of Trance.

As soon as she fell into lucid slumber, Summer started thrashing away at the chains which seared her skin. Hans observed, stood ready for anything as Summer began to growl like a dog.

'Here comes the transformation.'

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In her room, Neo sat on the edge of her bed, glee clear on her face as she kicked her legs.

'I can't wait... oh, how should I kill him? That owl...' as time passed, Neo found herself ecstatic at the mere thought of the owls death.

These thoughts were disrupted by the automated door opening loudly, revealing the specialist in Training.

"Afternoon, Neo. Would you mind accompanying me somewhere?" Standing fairly casually, yet the still intimidating air remained. It came with the position after all.

"Where?" Using her semblance, Neo made a card. A good application for communication, and a good way to hide her suspicion. Neo didn't think Weiss was a bad person per say, but she was now a member of the Atlas military and Neo is a wanted criminal.

Atlas isn't known for its intelligence.

"My... Home..." The solemn look on her face, it was sad to see. Neo pitied the woman.

"Can I ask why?" Weiss ran a hand through her hair with a grimace scarring her face.

"Normally... I'd ask Ruby to go with me... but due to her recent... alcoholism... that wouldn't be a good idea. I haven't exactly bonded with other teams to such a personal level, Yang is... indisposed. Blake isn't even here. And so, I figured I'd ask you. On account of our... shared interest."

A personal matter. And there was no one else she could go with. Well... this wasn't all bad. If she truly held onto her feelings, then it wouldn't be a bad idea to get to know her.

"Alright then." A graceful smile dawned on her face. One that could make you forget her families history.

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The ride was... awkward.

Weiss and Neo were opposites.

Neo was a kid who grew up on the slums, struggling every day to survive. Each moment was a miracle. Each meal could have been her last.

Weiss... had everything. Money, fame, a cushy home. At least in Neo's eyes.

That all changed when Weiss showed her stomach.

Neo covered her mouth, she would've gasped but the sight had robbed her of any breath she had. A singular scar running across her supple stomach. And the sight... scars weren't exactly pleasant to imagine.

"I... got this when I was twelve. We have servants at the mansion... it... it was only later that I learnt. About how few of our servants were... willing." Neo... didn't need to think much. The umbrella woman could imagine.

A bratty child ordering you around... when you're simply a slave. One of them probably lashed out in a blind rage.

Neo both could and couldn't blame them.

On one hand, they had been forced to serve a family like slaves, treated inhumanely and like animals.

On the other hand, the sins of the father do not lie on the child. If a criminal had a child, would you punish the child for the crime? No, the child is still innocent.

But, a question arose.

"Why tell me this?" Neo was genuinely confused at the level of trust that Weiss was showing.

"I... I wanted to break the ice... I trust Hans with my life, and if he trusts you, I see no reason not to. I had planned on telling Ruby... but there hasn't been a good time to do so." Neo, as cruel as it sounds, almost burst into laughter. Weiss had steeled herself, showing the scar of her past to Neo, trusting her with this secret completely.

All... all to break the ice...

"I like how direct you are!" Weiss smiled, happy to have succeeded with her gamble.

"Neo... before we go to fight Salem... tomorrow, let's go to an ice cream parlour." That day... there wouldn't be anything simpler. The day before the final battle, they'd eat ice cream and chat.

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Summer froze in the moonlight. And then a jolt ran through her body. From her brain, that jolt was carried to every inch of her body and she leapt, breaking the chains to reach her target.

Hans

He didn't flinch. This was Natural.

Instinct is natural.

Hunting is natural.

Fighting is natural.

As he avoided the blow, Hans slapped her across the cheek, not only launching her away but also heightening her senses.

Growling aloud, Summers mouth seemed far more feral. Her canines more pronounce, her eyes were simplistic in their preying gaze.

'It's begun.' Like a wolf, Summer leapt at him, aiming straight for his neck. Her hands had become claws padded by fur, the transformation slowly moving up her arms.

A slash.

Hans opted for an application of jeet kun do. In one motion, he moved her arm out of reach while launching a punch straight to her throat. A precise punch, that easily debilitated the strongest huntress.

Downing the beast onto her back.

It was strange. Hurting to help. To supress her bloodlust and help her, he would have to hurt her considerably.

Getting up, he could only sigh internally at the healing factor.

Summer seemed even more feral the second time around. Instead of just her arms, everything up to her neck had been transformed. Her body bulking up and shredding her clothes to pieces.

Thinking ahead now... his shirt would get ripped up every time he transformed.

It'd repair itself thanks to besitz. But it would be a bit annoying.

Black fur. A red collar of fur around her neck.

A strange appearance for were-

'Fast...' feeling the three slashes across his chest, Hans realised something.

He'd have to take this more seriously.

The wound disappeared, the wolfs aura enveloped his whole body. Holding his one functional arm up, it wouldn't be long until the other arm was alright. But for now, this was fine.

One arm would be enough.

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The mother felt an indescribable hunger.

It was as if she hadn't ate anything in decades. Her stomach felt like a prune, shrivelled up as if trying to squeeze every last nutrient out of itself.

It was painful!

Pain

Pain

PAIN!

She just wanted to eat! Just a bite, just a nibble...

No, no, no no!

She couldn't give in! Not now. Not when she'd came this far.

All she could do, was sit there. Starve, and sit there.

He'd be there after it was all over. He'd take care of this...

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The halls of the Schnee mansion were authentic, prestigious even. Neo had always dreamt of breaking into a place like this. How fun it would've been...

Those days are over now. Neo wasn't the greatest at planning, it was always Roman who did the planning.

Following after Weiss, Neo noticed how barren the place was. Wasn't the schnee Manor said to have many servants? Come to think of it, shouldn't there have been two other Schnees here?

Out brisk walk came to a halt outside of the door, to what I could only assume was a study.

"Here we are. I... I hope she hasn't drank herself to death yet." Grabbing the door handle, the usually confident Weiss... found herself hesitant.

The last time they spoke, Weiss was... less than kind. To say the least. What would she think of her?

Neo decided to push the door open herself, revealing a woman with her head resting on the table. One hand resting on the desk, the other clutching a wine bottle that sat on the table.

Raising her head, the womans tired eyes rested on her daughter, before promptly passing out.

"I'm... somewhat relieved. I can put that off for now..." Moving over to the desk, Weiss tossed Neo the wine. The mute caught it as she stared at her quizzically.

"Keep it, I'll try and get her sober. Once more, I thank you, Neo." Her smile was Radiant.

"You're welcome."

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Getting ready for the big fight, the last one. Honestly, I'm going to try a full 2k words chapter for the battle against Salem. 2k words about one fight.

Anyway, join the discord.

https://discord.gg/huHsRMKkTM