Breathe Chapter 71: Dark Clouds

Sitting on her bed as thunder boomed outside, Ruby idly kicked her legs while listening to Nora’s tale of what happened in the past week. Needless to say, thing were fairly tense at Beacon and the entirety of Vale as well, but she didn’t let that get her down.

I mean... Her team was pretty affected by the news, especially since they knew Salem was probably involved somehow, but, as Maria would say, there wasn’t really anything that they could do to help.

So instead of spending their time needlessly worrying about it, they’d invited their sister team over... Well, Yang had anyway.

“After countless days spent memorizing the professor’s schedules, I made my move and snuck into one of the Grimm crates in Port’s classroom,” Nora said dramatically. “Knocking it out, I climbed out and after a night with a hacksaw, I was done.”

Ren sighed. “She bribed a janitor to lend her his keys and snuck in.”

“After that, all that was left was for me to take care of the evidence... Along with the witnesses,” Nora continued. “As it turns out, with a big enough explosion you can get rid of pretty much anything.

The team’s gaze panned over to Ren.

“That part’s actually true,” Ren admitted. “She accidentally let the Grimm out and ended up having to kill them. Her tools were... Destroyed in the process and she was forced to help professor Port... Reacquire the Grimm she killed.”

Wincing, Yang smiled sympathetically. “Seems like you guys had a fun week.”

“Eh, it was alright,” Nora shrugged. “You four probably had a way more awesome time fighting strange new Grimm.”

Ren nodded in agreement. “I too would like to hear more about your team’s impromptu mission.”

“It was pretty badass,” Yang grinned.

The final member of their team, however, silently stared out the window from his spot on the floor, going almost completely unnoticed.

Watching as a bolt of lightning flashed across the sky, briefly illuminating it, Jaune jumped, letting out a surprised yelp as a soda can dropped into his hand.

“What–”

“I thought you could use it,” Ruby said, staring down from her bunk. “So, what’s on your mind, fellow team leader?”

Seeing how everyone was now focused on him, Jaune sighed. “Can I ask you guys a question that might seem a little dumb? What’s... Going on right now?”

“We’re hanging out and talking about what we did for our break,” Ruby replied, sounding a little unsure.

That was what they were doing... Ruby was almost completely sure of it.

Jaune shook his head. “No, I know that... What I meant was why was school suspended. I mean, I know that it’s got something to do with some really old Grimm, but isn’t it like, super far away?”

Oh, that made a lot more sense.

“Um, well, it’s like... Well,” Ruby hummed, not really sure where she should begin. Luckily, she had a partner that was more than willing to lend a hand.

“It’s not a matter of how far it is, but how dangerous it is,” Weiss explained. “Each Grimm has a certain range in which they could be dangerous. If a settlement falls outside of that range, the Grimm are left alone.”

They did? Ruby didn’t know about that...

“Ancient Grimm, on the other hand, are a little different,” Weiss continued. “Their range extends across the entire Kingdom. If left alone, they’d destroy entire cities. They aren’t that big of an issue if they’re left alone, but this one wasn’t. Until recently, they’ve been known to be unkillable.”

Jaune gulped audibly. “Oh... So they’re really dangerous then... But wait, how does Coal factor into this?”

“What do you mean?” Yang asked. “He killed the last o–“

There was a loud crackle as the room's lights briefly glowed brighter, before suddenly failing entirely, dimming the room dramatically. For a moment, all was quiet, before a boom of thunder flooded through the room.

“Well that can’t be good,” Yang muttered.

“This... Uh... This isn’t related to that Ancient Grimm, is it?” Jaune asked nervously.

“It might just be a blown fuse,” Ren suggested. “I’m sure this has nothing to do with the Grimm. If it did, the professors would have had us evacuate.”

“Beacon should have a backup system if I’m not mistaken,” Weiss said. “It should kick in any moment now.”

Just as she finished, the room’s lights flickered on and the teams sighed in relief... Only for it to disappear entirely once more.

“That shouldn’t have happened,” Weiss muttered softly.

Feeling a little antsy just sitting here in the dark, Ruby hopped off her bed, quickly making her way towards the door. “I’ll go check what’s going on.”

“If you’re going, then we should all go,” Blake said.

“Nah, don’t worry about it. I’ll be quick,” Ruby waved her off. “Just there and back... No delay.”

Her Semblance was handy like that. Plus it's not like she was helpless. Not to brag or anything, but she was fairly sure that there wasn’t a student outside of her team that would be able to beat her.

Grabbing the door, she pushed it open and stepped out into the dimly lit corridor that was beginning to fill with students who were emerging from their rooms, before giving her team one last glance. “I’ll be right back.”

Closing the door behind her, Ruby took a step forward, planting her foot on the ground before disappearing in a blur of speed and rose petals.

Making her way around the various students, she easily could have gone faster, but doing so would have knocked more than a few people while also doing some damage to the corridor.

It didn’t take her long before she found herself stopping when she found professor Goodwitch standing at the head of a small group of students.

“We’re doing everything that we can to get to the bottom of this,” Glynda said firmly. “Please head back to your rooms in the meantime.” Staring at the approaching students, her grip on her riding crop tightened. “And be sure to tell everyone else as well. The sooner I can get out of here, the sooner the lights come back on.”

Grumbling amongst one another, the crowd slowly dispersed, leaving Ruby and Glynda behind.

“I think I made myself perfectly clear, Ms. Rose. Off to your room now.” Turning around, Glynda made her way down the hallway, leaving Ruby behind.

“But I could help,” Ruby replied, zipping to Glynda’s size. “I’m fast and I can–“

“No,” Glynda cut her off. “This is a problem for the staff to handle, not the students. It’s my job to look after you and it will be that way until you graduate from these halls. Now go back to your room.”

Refusing to back down, Ruby stood her ground. “What if it’s Salem?”

Sighing, Glynda came to a stop at an intersection. “I know it can be... Concerning... Learning about… her, but it’s not your job to worry about Salem. You’re going to be a great Huntress one day, but until then–“

The crack of thunder cut her off as a flash of white briefly lit up the hallways.

Distracted by the lightning, Ruby looked away for just a moment, before turning back towards her professor, only to find that she was missing.

“Professor... Miss Goodwitch?” Ruby called out, looking around for her professor.

She wouldn’t have just... Run off, would she?

Taking a step forward, Ruby stopped as Glynda’s glasses hit the floor.

Looking up at the dark ceiling above, she found herself staring at a long slender Grimm clinging to the ceiling with three limbs, pinning Glynda to the ceiling with its final limb.

As if on reflex, a flash of silver light flooded from Ruby’s eyes, lighting up the hallway in a way that outshone the lightning outside. Blinking as the light died down, there was a meaty thud as Glynda’s body was dropped to the ground.

Rushing over to help, Ruby glanced up at the Grimm, expecting it to have turned to stone, only to find that it was completely fine. Instead of doing any damage, all she’d managed to do was shift its attention from Glynda to herself.

“R–“ Glynda let out a haggard cough. “Run!”

Shaking her head, Ruby stepped in front of Glynda defensively as the Grimm snaked its way down the side of the wall, stopping in front of a corridor. It stood on all fours with a long tail and a head that resembled that of a Beowolf, only one that’d been twisted so that it was upside down.

Everything she’d done... All the training she’d endured had been for a moment like this and she wasn’t going to let it go to waste.

Taking a breath, she reached behind her back, going for her scythe, only to come up short when she grabbed a handful of air.

That’s right, she’d left Crescent Rose back at her room.

Crud!

Taking in laboured breaths, Glynda flopped onto her side. Unable to gather enough strength to even stand. There was no way that she’d be able to fight in her condition... But, without her weapon, Ruby wasn’t much use either.

She needed her Scythe... But she also needed to keep professor Goodwitch safe. To do both, she’d need to draw it away.

“Don’t worry, professor. I’ve got this,” Ruby said confidently.

Breathing deeply, Glynda nodded. “Don’t... Don’t let it grab you... Apathy...”

“Got it.”

Stepping forward, Ruby broke off into a sprint, rushing towards the hallway the Grimm was guarding.

Snarling as Ruby approached, the Hound’s mouth snapped open, revealing a row of jagged teeth. Lunging towards her as she neared, its mouth was set to clamp down on her head, only to bite the air as she disappeared in a flurry of rose petals.

Stopping a short distance behind the Grimm, Ruby waved wildly to get its attention. “Over here, um... Sorry, I don’t really know what to call you.”

Jumping to the side as it lunged at her, Ruby once more took off down the hallway, only using her Semblance when she needed to avoid taking a direct hit.

Skidding around a corner, Ruby glanced back to see how close it was, only to find it absent. Looking up to make sure it wasn’t trying to trick her, she found it well and truly gone.

“Ah, crud!”

She’d lost it and now this thing was loose in Beacon somewhere. Ruby needed to find it... And fast. But she first needed her weapon. Without it, she’d just be stuck playing the same game of cat and mouse.

Luckily she wasn’t too far off from her room.

Taking off in a burst of rose petals, Ruby darted down the empty corridor, passing into her own, only to slam head first into the Grimm.

Catching her around her neck, the Hound slammed her into a nearby wall, cracking it in the process.

Feeling her strength begin to leave her, Ruby struggled in its grasp, kicking off the wall, only to be slammed into it once more, only this time, the Grimm clamped down on her neck with its other claw.

“YA–mph,” She called out and was immediately muffled as the Hound’s clawed hand wrapped around her mouth.

Clicking its mouth open, it twisted it to the side and leaned forward, hovering just over Ruby’s head.

Struggling in its grasp as she was forced to stare into the inky void that was its throat, Ruby suddenly froze when she saw something glimmering inside of it. A set of silver eyes, just like her own.

Seeing movement within the shadows, Ruby was forced to watch as a scarred feminine hand slowly made its way closer to her, before resting on her cheek.

Pulling back, it drifted a little higher and brushed a strand of hair off of Ruby’s face, before hovering dangerously close to her left eye. Silver eyes staring up unblinking from the void.

“GET AWAY FROM HER!”

Feeling a sense of weightlessness hit her before gravity took a hold once more, Ruby slumped against the wall as the Grimm was flung to the side by a fiery yellow blur.

Feeling as if all the bones had been plucked from her body, Ruby struggled to look up as Weiss crouched down in front of her.

“Can you hear me? Are you okay? What am I saying, of course you’re not,” Weiss muttered to herself.

“M’fine,” Ruby slurred. Noticing her vision blur, she looked down as tears streamed down her face, dripping onto her lap. “What?”

Grabbing Ruby’s arm, Weiss hooked an arm around her waist and lifted her in one fluid motion. “We need to get you out of here...” Looking back as Yang and Blake handled the Grimm, Weiss shook her head and turned away, prioritizing Ruby’s safety.

Failing to stand on her own, Ruby stared at the floor as her vision misted over once more. Was this really all that she’d amount to? Even after all her training, she was still dead weight that didn’t have the strength to help her own sister, let alone Remnant.

Hearing the sound of people rapidly approaching, Ruby didn’t even bother looking up.

“Weiss... Ruby? What’s going on?” Jaune asked worriedly.

 “No time to explain,” Weiss replied. “I need you to get Ruby out of here... We’ll deal with the Grimm.”

“A...Alright,” Jaune stuttered. “You can count on us. Do... Do you need any help once we’re done?”

Weiss shook her head. “Just get her to safety. That’s all.”

Leaving Ruby in their care, Weiss took off, swiftly making her way to her remaining teammates who’d dragged the fight further down the hall, away from the dorms.

“U...Um, what now?” Jaune asked, looking back at his teammates.

“One of us should go inform the teachers of what’s happening while the other two look after Ruby,” Ren said calmly. “I believe it should be me. My Semblance makes me suited for this kind of thing.”

“Glynda... Already knows,” Ruby muttered. “It... Got to her first. It’s like an... Apathy.”

“All the more reason for me to warn the others,” Ren added. “If it can take down a professor, then your time is going to need help.”

Help... They wouldn’t need help if she was there. Feeling an anger begin to well up in her chest, Ruby clenched her fist shut, her breathing becoming focused and sharp.

“I... I need my Scythe,” Ruby said

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Jaune murmured. “We should just–“

Slowly raising her head, Ruby gazed up at Jaune, her eyes glowing an ethereal silver.

“Or we could just get you your Scythe,” Jaune nodded a little too quickly. “That sounds like a good idea, now that I’ve had time to think about it.”

...Breathe...

Blood roared in Yang’s ears as she brought her fist down, mercilessly smashing it into the Grimm’s head again and again, cracking the floor in the process. Uncaring of how many times it hit her in return.

This Grimm... This Hound had hurt her sister.

Whether it was some freak coincidence that it was here or if Salem had personally sent it to kill them didn’t matter right now. There was only one thing she cared about right now and that was putting this thing into the ground where it belonged.

“Yang! Calm down!” Blake yelled, rushing after her as Yang continued to punch the Grimm through Beacon.

“NO!” Yang roared.

Taking another blow that smashed her into a wall, shattering it in the process. Every cell in her body screamed out for her to kill this thing. Who was she to decline?

Far too angry to focus on using her Breathing Style, Yang opted for brute force instead. Building up a massive amount of momentum using the speed technique Coal had taught her, she launched herself forward and brought her fist down on the Grimm, unleashing all of the pent up kinetic energy she’d absorbed throughout the fight.

A loud crack sounded through the halls of Beacon as a shockwave shattered the nearby windows. No longer able to control her own momentum, Yang tumbled after the Grimm, smashing through a window, before landing outside on the muddied floor below.

Breathing deeply as exhaustion began to set in, Yang pushed herself back up. Hearing a low groan, she immediately turned her gaze towards the Grimm, idly noting its battered body and crushed head. It was as good as dead, only... It was still here.

“Damnit, what is it going to take to kill you?!” Yang snapped.

Snapping its limbs back into place, the Hound’s head rapidly reformed. Within a matter of moments, it was back to full health and Yang... She’d just burnt through a massive chunk of her Aura.

Letting out an almost human like shriek, the Grimm spread its legs out, readying to launch itself at Yang.

“That’s the way you want to play it? Fine.”

Falling back on what she’d learnt during her break, Yang took a low stance, readying herself to use the first form of Sun Breathing. It could be a pretty exhausting move, but she still had enough Aura for a few hits.

Pulling back on the muddied ground, the Grimm rapidly made its way closer to Yang, ready to tear through her with its claws, only to be knocked to the side by a black blur.

“Mist Breathing: Shifting Flow Slash”

Landing in front of Yang, Blake took a slow, calm breath. The Hound in front of her growled and turned towards her, only from its black blood to suddenly spray from its front legs.

“Feeling calm yet?” Blake asked softly, shooting a quick glance back at her teammate.

“Yeah... Sorry about earlier.”

Nodding, Blake focused her attention on the Grimm, observing as its wound initially crumbled, before healing over. “This isn’t going to be easy. That thing was able to react to me at the last second.”

That would be a problem if she was her own, but between the two of them, they might just be able to beat this thing. That being said, she was going to have to be a little more careful since she was low on Aura.

Stepping forward, Yang cocked her Gauntlets and immediately began unloading on the Grimm, catching it by surprise.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Blake rushed forward in a zigzag pattern, circling around the Grimm as she lashed out with a flurry of cuts. Several of them only just managed to cut through its bone armour, while others found their mark and managed to penetrate into its muscles.

“Mist Breathing: Sea of Clouds and Haze”

Stopping a little behind the Grimm as it let out a pained roar, Blake took a quick breath and launched herself forward. Stepping off its back, she thrust her blade forward, intent on piercing through its head.

“Mist Breathing: Low Clouds, Distant Haze”

Piercing through the Hound’s throat, its head suddenly spun around and clamped down on Blake’s arm before she had time to use a Shadow Clone to take the hit, painfully halting her momentum. Clamping down tighter, it began to swing her around like a dog with a new chew toy.

Grunting, Blake lashed out with her cleaver-like sheath, she managed to score a hit against one of its eyes, but it was nothing that the Grimm couldn’t come back from.

Feeling like she was going to lose her arm, despite still having more than enough Aura, Blake was thankful when the Grimm’s movements were suddenly brought to a stop by a large black Glyph.

“Sun Breathing: Dance”

Bringing her bladed Gauntlet down, Yang slashed through the Hound’s muzzle, freeing Blake’s trapped arm and causing the Grimm a massive amount of pain in the process.

Landing on her feet, both Blake and Yang retreated as the Grimm thrashed about. Letting out a shriek of pain as its muzzle crumbled into ash, black fluid dripped from its mouth, slowly regenerating the missing portion of its face.

Jogging over, Weiss came to a stop beside the duo. “Are you two alright?”

“My body feels a little weak, but I’ll survive,” Blake muttered, cradling her arm.

“I’m fine... Just a little low on Aura,” Yang replied.

Having finished healing from its wound, the Hound’s gaze snapped towards Yang, delivering a harsh glare. Jabbing its claws into the ground, it rushed towards the trio.

“Not happening,” Weiss said, stabbing her blade into the ground.

Watching as another black Glyph formed in front of them, the Hound suddenly leapt into the air, completely avoiding it in the process.

Using Ice dust in an attempt to freeze the Grimm in place, Weiss watched in horror as it sacrificed one of its limbs to weather the blow, before ramming into her with its shoulder, sending her tumbling back.

“Mist Breathing: Low Clouds, Distant Haze”

Lunging forward with the intent of doing as much damage as possible, Blake was battered to the side, giving Yang a clean shot to its ribs.

Taking a hissed breath, Yang’s hair lit up as she brought her bladed Gauntlet down on the Grimm, hacking through its chest, causing a massive haemorrhage of black blood.

“Sun Breathing: Dance”

Landing a direct hit to what she assumed was its vital spot, Yang’s Aura began to flicker dangerously. Deciding to put a little distance between herself and the Grimm, Yang ducked under its remaining limb with the intent of escaping from its side, only for a human hand to shoot out of the hole, latching onto her arm.

“What?”

Struggling to pull herself free, Yang began to feel her strength fading. With a newly regenerated limb, the Hound latched onto Yang and began to drag her closer towards the hole in its chest where she was able to make out a pair of eyes not dissimilar to Ruby’s.

“No,” Yang muttered weakly.

Beginning to feel hopeless, a red and silver blur suddenly appeared in front of Yang and cleaved through the Grimm with an arc of numerous silver crescent moons.

“Moon Breathing: Dark Moon, Evening Palace”

Letting go of her, the Hound let out a horrible shriek as a portion of its body began to petrify and crumble away, revealing black, pulsating muscle to the world.

“Sorry I took so long,” Ruby apologized, helping to support her sister. “I would have been here sooner, but... Traffic, am I right? I hope I’m not too late.”

“You got here right on time,” Yang said, breathing a sigh of relief. “Ruby, that thing... there’s a person–“

Ruby’s grip on her scythe tightened. “I know.”

“Do you think it could be...”

“Get some rest, Yang. I’ll handle things here,” Ruby cut her off as she walked towards the Grimm. “This won’t take long.”

“Ruby!” Yang called out, weakly reaching for her.

Taking a focused breath, Ruby’s Scythe burned bright silver, resembling that of the moon. Taking off towards the Hound, she easily outpaced it. Lashing out, she performed three separate slashes, each of them easily cutting through the Grimm’s body, causing entire portions of its flesh to petrify and fall off.

“Moon Breathing: Pearl Flower Moongazing”

Unable to recover from the attacks fast enough, the Hounds body split open as another one that was only half its original size crawled out, abandoning the petrified portion of its body.

Narrowly dodging another one of Ruby’s slashes, the Grimm’s form blurred to the side as it circled her. Looking around, its gaze locked onto Yang who was still recovering from earlier, it sprinted towards her, ripping up small chunks of muddied ground in the process.

Disappearing in a flicker of rose petals, Ruby appeared in front of Yang. Gripping her Scythe tightly, she took another breath and swiped it side to side, sending a storm of crescent moons flying towards the Hound.

“Moon Breathing: Loathsome Moon, Chains”

Using its far more nimble body, the Hound leapt over the approaching storm, only to come face to face with Ruby’s sniper rifle.

A loud bang sounded as a blast of Gravity dust tore its way through the gun and collided with the Grimm, sending it flying back down into the hail of crescent moons just as a sharp whistle pierced through the air.

Flying backwards, Ruby took another shot, propelling herself back towards the ground. Landing by her sister’s side, she stumbled slightly as exhaustion began to set in, her Scythe rapidly returning to normal.

“Is it... Done,” Yang asked hesitantly.

“I don’t know,” Ruby replied.

Noticing the Grimm’s petrified husk, the duo slowly made their way over with Weiss and Blake approaching from the side.

It certainly looked dead, but there was really only one way to make sure.

Nudging the Hound’s body with her Scythe, it cracked and broke open. Preparing herself for the worst, Ruby was met with a hollow shell with a small, collapsed muddy tunnel beneath it.

“No,” Ruby murmured.

It escaped.

Exhaustion finally setting in, Ruby leaned into Yang’s side as her vision rapidly darkened. Hearing a commotion a little further back, she noticed a bunch of the professors rushing over alongside her uncle who looked a little beaten up.

Feeling the world begin to spin, Ruby’s vision faded to black and she finally passed out.