1 RWBY

Chapter 1: Grimm Fate Begins

A Grimm Fate Begins

"Back before Huntsmen, before Kingdoms, it was said that those born with silver eyes were destined to lead the life of a warrior. You see, the creatures of Grimm, the most fearsome monsters mankind had ever encountered, were afraid of those silver eyed warriors. They were the best of the best. It was said that even a single look from one of these fighters could strike a Grimm down." -Qrow Branwen

"There are two large pockets of Grimm in this village. We'll go in and clean things up before the panic in the village draws even more attention." The red haired leader pointed at the two opposite corners of the map.

"They're really far from each other," Blake voiced with concern as she sharpened Gambol Shroud's blade.

"It's only ursas and a few stragglers. We need to move quickly to get to the other smaller hotspots. It is strange that so many are appearing in such a small village as of late." Ruby slid her index finger back to the center of the map. "We'll regroup at the village after we cover the two problem areas."

"I'm with you on this one?" Weiss smirked as she refilled the dust chambers in her weapon.

"Yup, and you'll be with Blake on this one, Yang."

"Woah Sis, you really thought this through. What happened to that little cookie monster? They grow up so fast...Oh wait that's still you." Yang teased, loading her shotgun gauntlets.

"Yang." Ruby glared.

"Just joking, but you'll always be the little sister, even if you are our leader. Sorry, not sorry."

"Ahem..." Weiss closed her eyes for a moment, clearing her throat into her fist. "Well, she has been our leader for years now. I for one am quite proud of the fact that she's come to be so reliable."

"Aww, thanks Weiss." Ruby smiled, meeting Weiss's gaze when the white haired huntress opened her eyes again.

"W-What? It's true." Weiss blushed, spinning the revolver of her dust chambers to check that they were all full.

Ruby's cheeks grew rosy; seeing Weiss's embarrassment made her feel fuzzy inside. "Well it means a lot coming from you."

"Hmmph, don't let it get to your head. Let's go." Completing her preparations, Weiss turned her head away.

"Too late," Ruby teased.

"You're so annoying sometimes Ruby," Weiss grumbled as they left together, leaving the two others behind.

Yang rolled her eyes as Blake turned her head away to hide a knowing smirk.

"They're so cute," Blake whispered.

"Get together already," Yang whined, earning her an elbow to the gut from Blake. "Ow!"

"Don't be so noisy," Blake sighed, making her way to the exit. "C'mon babe."

The team left for their next mission.

The Grimm ursa wailed, falling on its back and melting into a black puddle.

"6! Better keep up, Kitty-cat!" Yang jumped back, preparing for the next conflict.

"It's not a competition." Blake combed a few locks of hair away from her face, annoyed by Yang's competitiveness.

"Sure, you're only saying that because you're losing."

"You know, Ruby and Weiss probably aren't being as silly as you are. This is serious... On your left!" Blake sliced through another Grimm, whipping her gun back to her hand with the tether.

"No, Ruby loves this stuff! Maybe because she's better at it. Sidestep!" Yang lunged forward and punched the Grimm sprinting behind Blake, sending it smacking into a nearby tree.

Yang shot towards the ground, using the recoil to land elegantly behind Blake. The two stood back to back. The blonde reloaded her guns, looking around for more Grimm.

"I don't care about some worthless competition. You're being distracting... Duck!" Blake quickly turned, stabbing another Grimm in the head with her sword.

Blake readied her weapon again. Her ears perked up, but she heard nothing. She sighed, relaxing for a moment. "Finally, looks like we're done, at least for now. Let's head further in. There should be some more north of here."

"Don't be like that babe." Yang grinned smugly, glancing over her shoulder. "If you beat me today I'll do that thing you like in bed."

Blake grew flustered immediately, and she looked back to Yang. "Is this really the time for this?"

"Is that a no?"

"...You'll also wear the thing?"

Yang's smile widened. "Yes, I will wear the thing. But if I win, you wear THAT thing."

"..." Blake's face reddened shamefully, and she quietly turned around, walking away.

"What? Blake? Where are you going?"

"Finding more Grimm. I'm only two behind you. You will not win."

"Hiyah!" Ruby dug her scythe into the Grimm beast that approached her. With a screech of pain, the beast fell over, whimpering and melting into a slimy, black ooze.

"Haa!" Weiss swung her sword, slicing the arm off of a Grimm ursa.

"I got it!" Ruby called as she repositioned, executing the ursa with a headshot.

"That's the last of them..." Weiss put away her sword, catching her breath. "But why were there so many?"

"Hehe, that's 16 Grimm for me and only 15 for you. You owe me a dozen cookies!"

"Are you even listening...?"

"Hmm? Are you trying to make excuses, Ice Queen?"

"I did NOT lose, you DOLT. What is with you and these stupid bets? If you wanted cookies, I would have baked them for you anyway..."

"Aw cute," Ruby teased. "Are you just saying that because you're losing?"

"It is NOT and I am NOT losing. I did most of the work on that last one and-" Catching Ruby's wide, smug grin, Weiss groaned, giving up on the conversation. "Nevermind, let's just go before more Grimm show up. Our auras aren't looking too good right now."

"Oh! You're right. Let's go meet up with Blake and Yang so I can tell them I won. Hehe~" Ruby laughed, using her semblance to dash beside Weiss and grab her hand, stringing her along as she walked forward.

"You didn't even w- Oh forget it!" Weiss pouted. She glanced down at their interlocked hands, her cheeks starting to flush as she thought of the intimacy Ruby so casually did. She basked in the moment. Her hand is warm...

"You're far too comfortable with me, you know?" Weiss finally remarked.

Ruby started to giggle at that, looking back to Weiss with a smile. She's so cute… Ruby thought to herself as she spoke with her joking attitude. "What's wrong with that? Melting your heart am I, Ice Queen?".

"You know...sometimes hearing that from you really hurts," Weiss admitted with some reluctance as she turned her head away.

Ruby's expression softened and her smile faded into a more serious apologetic expression. She stopped walking and turned her whole body to face Weiss, taking hold of the Ice Queen's hand with both of her own. "Aw, Weiss. I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean it, I was just joking."

Weiss closed her eyes and couldn't help but grin. "Yes, yes. I know. Don't look so sad, I'm not that fragile."

"Weiss!" Ruby cried and Weiss's eyes shot open. A rush of adrenaline kicked in. Weiss gripped Ruby's hand tightly and focused. A long black Grimm arm was stretching from the darkness, but she couldn't see where it was coming from.

Before Weiss could even pull out Myrtenaster, she saw the dark hand grab Ruby and pull her away, ripping their hands apart. Ruby yelped, and was pulled towards the darker depths of the forest.

Weiss stumbled, catching her footing and charging forward as she pulled out her sword. Creating Glyphs to increase her velocity, she rushed forward with immense speed and used an enhanced attack intending to cut the arm off.

But as she did, the unseen monster's other arm dashed forward in an attempt to stop her. She dodged away and sliced the arm holding Ruby. Liquid Grimm splattered over the ground as the arm recoiled and the monster screamed in pain.

"Are you okay?" Weiss asked.

"I feel okay. Just a bit weak...like it sapped my strength," Ruby whimpered, barely able to look up at her ally.

"I'm getting us out of here!" Weiss took a sidestep, using her glyph to launch herself backwards in a tactical retreat. But Ruby's weight slowed her down. She tried to avoid the second arm, but it managed to scratch her. She let out an agonized cry, feeling the remnants of her aura get sapped away.

Weiss staggered and lowered Ruby, who quickly pulled out her Scythe. She panted, clearly fatigued. Ruby's aura flickered as she used a large portion of what she had remaining to heal herself. "I'm... fine..."

"Well, when I kill this thing, it'll be a tie won't it?" Weiss joked cheekily, despite the situation. Preparing to battle, she straightened her posture, exposing her bleeding arm.

"Yeah…" Ruby laughed uncomfortably, feeling a bit shaken by the monster's speed. She heard beeping and glanced at her scroll, which indicated that Weiss's aura was exhausted. "Weiss, are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm just as fine as you are. Don't worry about me, focus on the enemy. I told you I'm not that fra-"

Something whizzed through the air at an alarming speed and Ruby's eyes darted in its direction.

'Another arm?!' Was all Ruby managed to think before it happened. She tried to warn Weiss, but she was too slow to react.

Weiss was smacked a few meters back by the third arm, knocking her unconscious immediately. There was a violent thud as her body smacked against the ground.

"Weiss!" Ruby sliced the arm, but the damage was done.

A rumbling screech echoed through the air. The inhuman sound sent a shiver down Ruby's spine.

More are coming!

Ruby barely managed to glance at Weiss's motionless body before having to focus on her own evasion. She was able to use her semblance to dodge away, preparing herself now for more surprise attacks. She fought back, cutting the arms that approached her, only to see them regenerate at a shockingly rapid rate.

With anguished shrieks, the monster revealed itself, staring at Ruby with its heartless eyes. It was a completely unfamiliar Grimm. It looked almost human, but had no legs or limbs where you would expect. Instead, its back had what appeared to be over a dozen arms that it used to walk forward, like some grotesque spider. Its entire body oozed sludge with each step as it made its way forward.

Ruby's face contorted in disgust. She increased her speed, using her semblance to slip through the attacks. But even with her semblance's aid, she couldn't get any meaningful damage in. She was stuck evading the relentless attacks. Even so, rather than fleeing, she attempted to save Weiss.

That was when a Grimm arm in her blindspot managed to grab her hair, yanking her to the ground. She cried out, feeling her aura depleting rapidly.

The other arms restrained her and pinned her. She squirmed, looking up at her bleeding, unconscious friend. The monsters' other arms grabbed Weiss, bringing her towards it.

"D-Don't...touch...her…" Ruby demanded, focusing on her training. She grit her teeth, shifting her focus from the pain as her aura continued to drain. The arms seemed to be sapping away at her aura with a mere touch, but Ruby was not one to give up easily.

Weiss is hurt...I can't lose here. Weiss...My best friend...the girl that I….

"Let...her...go!" Opening her eyes, her silver irises glowed with magical light.

There was a flash, and then the monster roared, wincing before immediately turning to stone. She felt the arms crumbling around her and she broke them off of her body. The fatigue caused her to tumble to the ground. Her body ached and her aura had been depleted.

"Have to...get out…" Ruby muttered to herself as she crawled towards Weiss. She winced in pain, clenching her torn clothing in her fists.

"My, my... To think I'd find the young woman that Cinder wants to kill so desperately," a feminine voice stated in a cold, but amused tone. "I'll have you two pay for killing my newest pet... Especially you, Ruby Rose."

Ruby turned and could only get a glimpse of her captor's red, glaring eyes.

" S-Sal-?" Ruby gasped with true terror in her voice as Salem's hand pressed against her forehead, a dark aura putting her to sleep.

"Hush now. We'll talk again soon."

Ruby stirred in her sleep, her mind wandering as she heard familiar voices.

"She's awake. She's awake!" Blake announced.

"You really had us worried, you know sis?" Yang added, sighing in relief.

"Ruby. I'm sorry…" Weiss said with strain in her voice.

It was her team. They managed to save her.

"Ruby…" Weiss repeated.

Everything...

"Ruby, get up." Weiss commanded.

Ruby woke up with a piercing headache.

"Finally!" Weiss snapped.

"Ah...where are we?" Ruby asked groggily as she looked around.

Everywhere she looked appeared to be some kind of dark red or black molten rock. Whatever was tying her down seemed to seep the same black aura the Grimm had. Except she could feel that darkness everywhere else too. It was even on the very floor she sat on. Even the sky above her seemed to have some kind of sickly red glow.

She looked up at her hands to see her binds. They were long furry ropes, with a hand at the end, holding everything together in a tight grip.

'It's…like the arm of that thing we fought.'

Looking over, she saw that Weiss was in the same position on another large rock. She was completely nude, and fully exposed. Ruby paused, taking in the sight before she could stop herself.

Weiss's skin was elegant and smooth like porcelain. She had clearly taken care of herself. Even as a Huntress, she exuded the nobility of a princess. Ruby's eyes trailed from her slender legs to her well toned core. The white haired maiden certainly was a fighter. Eventually, the red haired girl shifted her gaze upward, seeing the bruise and cut on Weiss's arm and finally, Weiss's shamefaced expression.

"A-Are you okay?" Ruby finally stammered, "I mean...Your arm…"

"I can't say I feel great, but I'm alive. C-Can you stop staring at me? It's kind of embarrassing," Weiss said while averting her gaze and crossing her legs in a feeble attempt to cover her naked body.

"Sorry! I'm naked too. I mean..umm…" Ruby attempted to reply in haste, but ended up averting her gaze as well.

"I am well aware of your nudity…I mean..URGHH!" Weiss replied in frustration, still a bit unsettled as she glanced back at Ruby.

Silence hung in the air and Weiss distracted herself with the surroundings, trying to find a means of escape. But she quickly found herself glancing back to look at Ruby. She took a moment to stare as well, while the redhead averted her gaze in shame. Weiss took in Ruby's supple body. Her eyes trailed from her soft, thick thighs up to her larger, fuller breasts. Her heart ached, and her gaze fell upon that beautiful face that she fell in love with. Ruby had this hint of innocence about her that made Weiss feel guilty about staring. But that same innocence was what made her want to stare that much longer.

Ruby glanced back, looking away immediately after.

"Uh...You know, you're kind of staring at me too," Ruby pointed out with an awkward smile, shifting her gaze away from Weiss's but glancing back repeatedly to see if Weiss was still looking.

"Sorry, I-I was just making sure you're not injured. Are you okay?" Weiss asked, forcing herself to focus on the situation.

"I'm fine," Ruby assured her. She took a deep breath, trying to regain composure and concentrate. She looked up at the Grimm rope and gave it a few soft tugs.

"Good, let's get out of here. I think I ca-Wait, what are you doing?"

"One second." Ruby readied herself and held her breath.

Using her semblance, she tried to yank the imprisoning device. With a few red rose petals falling around her arm, she pulled, only to be met by the tightening grip of the Grimm hands pinning her down.

She cried out in pain.

"Don't bother. These things won't break. I've tried," Weiss explained. "Plus, you're still injured from the last fight."

"It feels really gross…This whole place gives me this bad feeling." Ruby shivered.

"I certainly feel the same. It's probably because of that." Weiss used her head to gesture to the floor in front of them. It appeared to be a large puddle of black, slimy fluid.

"Is that...a pool of Grimm? Is this where they're created?"

"Certainly seems like it. Either way it isn't good news. I don't even remember how we got here."

Ruby thought for a few moments and the memory flooded in. "Salem."

Weiss froze and stared at Ruby with a horrified look. "Then we definitely have to get out of here. We're being kept alive for some reason and I don't want to find out what it is." Shaken, she pushed forward.

"If it's Grimm, then let me try my eyes." Ruby stared with silent intensity at the binds above her, driven by her desire to save the both of them.

...

She took in a breath, holding it for a few moments.

...

"Guh..." She exhaled. "I'm sorry. I can't."

"You're still spent and our aura is all but gone. These repulsive binds are still sapping away our strength. It's slowing down our regeneration down a lot." Weiss glanced up at them, scowling in disgust.

"Any ideas?"

"Maybe. I've been trying to conserve my strength. I'll be able to use my semblance eventually. I'll summon something to cut this thing. I think I can do it if it's something small."

Weiss managed to create a small glyph, but winced as the glyph cracked and eventually shattered.

"I-I just need a bit more time. Sorry." She gritted her teeth, frustrated.

"Aren't you the one who said not to overexert yourself?" Ruby smiled, calming her.

Even in such a dire situation, Ruby was the ray of sunshine that broke through the darkness.

"I know. Sorry. I suppose I should be taking my own advice." Weiss smiled back.

It appeared that neither of them had any way to escape as of now, and the possibilities of what Salem had planned made the situation that much more dire.

"...It's not looking good is it?" Ruby mused.

"I thought I was supposed to be the pessimistic one..." Weiss frowned, unable to give Ruby the solace she clearly seeked.

"Weiss...If something happens, I want you to know something," Ruby started, tone more serious than usual. Concern seemed to wash over her face as she thought about Salem's intimidating presence.

"Abapbapap. No!" Weiss interrupted. "Don't you dare finish that pessimistic sentence. We'll get out of here, so tell me whatever you want to then. We're the fastest ones in our team. Even she couldn't catch us. We have each other's backs right? We'll get through this together. You can bet on that."

"Yeah. We will." Ruby nodded, confiding in her teammate. "After all, you do owe me a dozen cookies."

Before they could even enjoy whatever sense of comfort they gave each other, they felt the air grow thicker. A cold gust of wind seemed to come from nowhere, giving the two goosebumps. The air itself seemed to carry a pungent dread that made it clear something was approaching.

She was here.

"Ah, you're awake, my new pets," Salem stated with authority as she entered, greeting the two in an overly casual manner.

"Who are you calling a pet, you witch," Weiss snapped.

"Well, aren't you brave? Miss...Schnee was it?" Salem asked, casually walking up to the girl, stopping in front of her to study her delicate appearance. "I only ask because I couldn't care less about you, yet you address me without an ounce of respect." Salem reached out and her hand went to the base of Weiss' long ponytail. She started to comb her hands through her silky hair in a gentle, smooth stroke. "You are quite pretty, but you would think that someone of your stature would have some more manners."

Salem casually glided her hands to the bottom of her ponytail until they were free from the white locks. She then moved on, touching the tied up girl's arm with her hand and grazing a bruise.

Weiss exhaled sharply, afraid of what would come next.

"Sorry about that. It's a shame my new guinea pigs got so beat up." Salem trailed a circle around the bruise, before letting go. "But if you ever speak like that to me again-" she paused as she leaned in.

Weiss winced.

"I will not hesitate to do some...less than pleasant things." Salem pulled her hand back. Her words had certainly rung true and Weiss silently acknowledged the threat, finally feeling her tense muscles loosen. She took a shaky breath, glancing over to Ruby.

Salem took notice, glancing as well and smirking. She softened her expression, turning her attention to Ruby. "You should count yourself lucky, Ms. Schnee. The only reason I didn't kill you was because of her."

Ruby felt her heart skip a beat, and her back stiffened as Salem's focus changed to her.

She had said the words so casually, and Weiss's eyes became panicked, glancing up at Salem in disbelief before looking back to Ruby.

"K-Kill?" Ruby hardly dared to ask.

"Yes. Don't believe me?"

With a cruel smile Salem grabbed Weiss's neck without even looking. Weiss let out a choked sound in protest and Salem squeezed.

"Stop. No! I believe you! Let her go!" Ruby yelled, flailing helplessly. She tried to use her semblance to no avail.

Ruby cried out in anger, using her semblance again only to be smacked back against the rock.

"Make me," Salem replied flatly as Weiss's squirming slowed.

Ruby grit her teeth, desperately trying to escape.

"Don't you care about her? What will you do? Surely, you must do something." The dark goddess motivated her in a sinister manner, keeping her tight grip and glancing at the white haired huntress. "She'll die, you do know that… don't you?"

Weiss's eyes started to drift closed and Salem just kept her focus on Ruby.

"Weiss…"

"Come on now. I don't want this to be a waste. You do know how to use your power, do you not? Concentrate. Is Ms. Schnee not among the ones you want to protect?"

Weiss's eyes started to close. Her mouth opened, desperate for air.

Ruby felt useless, frozen in her own despair. She tried to muster up any strength she had.

Pyrrha.

Penny.

Mom.

And now...Weiss?

I can't let her die too.

Thoughts flooded her mind, but it was the words of Maria, the Grimm Reaper, that allowed her to focus.

"It is the desire to preserve life which fuels the light inside you. And to make no mistake, it is light. Preservation is an extension of creation, or, at the very least, an enemy of destruction. The Creatures of Grimm were made by the God of Darkness, but your light comes from his brother." -Maria

"I won't let you hurt anyone else!" Ruby yelled, lifting her head wand revealing her glowing white eyes.

Salem let out a groan of pain and let Weiss go.

Weiss took in a deep breath, coughing and wheezing as she caught her breath. With watery eyes, she looked to Ruby with relief and awe.

When the two girls looked up, they saw Salem turned to stone, covering her face with her arm.

"...Is it over?" Weiss managed to ask.

There was a quiet crack, and a small rumble from Salem's stone body. Weiss crawled back, pushing her back into the rock behind her.

"No..." Ruby said, shaking her head.

There was a louder rumble and the stone split, first on Salem's hand. A visible crack grew and each successive rumble grew louder.

Then the entire stone broke apart, revealing that it was a mere shell around Salem's body.

Salem broke out, wiping away the excess stone on her body and brushing her hair free of the rubble. She stretched her arms, cracking her neck before turning back to Ruby.

"Very, very good Ms. Rose. You lack control, but that raw power is quite impressive... You'll be quite useful."

"How?...Ahhh!" Ruby asked before the discomfort started. She hung her head and closed her eyes, a jab of pain in her eyes causing her to cry.

"My, that really took everything you had didn't it?"

Salem smirked at Weiss, who winced at her gaze. "I do hope you learned your lesson Weiss...Well, did you?" Salem's eyes glowed threateningly.

Weiss gave a small, defeated nod.

"Good." Salem walked towards Ruby. "You know, I've dealt with a lot of silver eyed warriors. Hunters and Huntresses alike. I have had a lengthy existence here in this pathetic world. I have realized some things about your proud race. For some reason, you are all so similar in your naive sense of justice. That includes you, Ruby. You and your mother."

Ruby's eyes widened, and a deep hatred flared up inside her.

"Oh did that make you angry? Do you want to know how she died?"

Ruby's eyes teared up, but she wouldn't give Salem the satisfaction. "I don't need to hear anything from you."

Salem paused, reaching Ruby's naked form. She took in the sight. It was truly pleasing to see her in such a helpless state. With a gentle caress, Salem stroked her fingers along Ruby's hair.

"You really are all the same. You care about your loved ones so deeply. You always get so defensive about them. You're all so giving and selfless." Salem's finger slid past the edge of Ruby's bangs, and she circled back, starting to comb her entire hand through her vibrant hair. "Most of all, there is this clinging you have to hope. It really sickens me. You are always fighting like you can't lose. You all carry yourself with such confidence even though you are so frail and weak. It's so IGNORANT!"

Salem grabbed a fistful of Ruby's hair and pulled her head up to meet her gaze.

"It's not ignorance. It's faith. It's trust. You wouldn't understand our strength." Ruby retorted with determination in her unyielding voice. Her eyes started to glow as she finished, but the light dimmed back, leaving nothing but her empty words.

"Oh sweetie, you're cute when you're out of energy. This faith you speak of is exactly why I've spent so many resources crushing your kind. But you all come back, like some kind of plague to my plans. That's why you're here. I have a fun idea for you." Salem continued, pulling Ruby's hair again as she leaned in to see the tired girl more closely. "You poor thing. Your power is all sapped away."

"Nggh...Ahh…" Ruby groaned, trying to crane her head away from Salem's touch. Salem smiled, enjoying the helpless sight.

"Are you even listening? Don't tell me you're passing out already. That just won't do. You see, I've decided to start a little experiment. You won't give up so easily will you?"

"Experiment? You aren't going to kill us?" Weiss asked, breaking her silence.

"Why do that? You and your friend here could help me with so much more." Salem let go of Ruby's hair, allowing her head to fall forward.

"As if I would ever help you with anything," Ruby retorted, despite the fatigue in her voice.

"Oh don't you worry your pretty little head. It doesn't require your consent...for now," Salem said, motioning her hand for Ruby to come closer as she walked to the pool of Grimm filth.

The Grimm stretched, part of it snapping off like rubber. Splatters of black Grimm liquid hit Ruby's body, oozing out of the broken stretched limb. Ruby yelped in surprise, falling onto her side. She lifted herself up with her elbows, wiping her face with her arms to get the black gunk off her cheeks.

Before she could stand up, the Grimm arm pulled her back down, smacking her to the ground. "Guh...!"

"Ruby!" Weiss yanked on her binds in vain, feeling them squeeze tighter around her wrists.

"I'm fine!" The redhead looked forward to see the Grimm rope that bound her growing clawed hands. They dug into the dirt, pulling her forward. "W-What is this thing?"

"Please, just let her go! What are you planning?! I'll do anything you ask. Just stop. Don't do anything else. Take me instead." There was a pause in Weiss's voice, hesitation after her previous comment had her choked. But she cared more for her friend's wellbeing than her own at this point.

"Shh, all I ask is that you just watch, alright?" Salem gestured to Weiss with a finger on her lips, teasingly asking for the girl's silence.

"As you all know, silver eyed humans are blessed by the god of light. A God that created all the beauty in this world...It nauseates me just thinking about it." Salem exhaled, enjoying Ruby's helpless state.

The arm's clawed forward and pulled Ruby closer to the pool. Every motion moved her closer to Salem. Though Ruby pulled back, she was dragged forcibly towards her demise.

"So I'll ruin it all, including you. I can't wait to see what such a blessed bitch like you will twist into." Salem merley watched, a pleased satisfaction lighting up her usually jaded eyes.

"After all, Grimm feed off of negative emotions. I'm very curious as to what darkness I can expose in you, Ms. Rose. Everyone has something to hide. Greed, Pride, Lust, Envy, Wrath, Gluttony, Sloth. The core of human sin has no bounds and its taint is in everyone. Even you silvered eyed fools." Salem leaned in, bending forward to grab Ruby's chin, looking into her beautiful eyes. "I can't wait to see what's inside the depths of your seemingly innocent heart. I'll dye you black."

"W-Weiss…" Ruby gasped, strain in her voice as she grit her teeth. She locked eyes with her best friend, who looked just as helpless as her.

"How adorable. Do you hear that Weiss? She wants you to come save her." Salem whipped Ruby away from her grasp like a used toy and scoffed, getting back up.

"Ruby..." Weiss could do nothing but cry. Her eyes teared up, fearing for the worst. I still don't have nearly enough energy.

The arm reached the pool, sizzling as it degraded into a black slime. Ruby took the moment to pull her hands away from its firm grasp as it liquidated, recoiling from the abhorrent pool. The liquid stretched, following her and climbing to her skin, spreading over her arms. Several black tendrils started to wrap around her hands, working their way up her arms. She used her feet to kick back, driving herself away from the pool as she slipped away from the invasive black Grimm slime.

"Let me go!" She flailed, her small stature overwhelmed by all that was happening.

"Give the poor thing a hand, would you?" Salem took a step closer to Ruby, nudging her head to command the pool to do her bidding. Several more arms shot out of the pool and grabbed Ruby by her legs, morphing into liquid tendrils. They grabbed her, winding around her feet and legs to prevent any chance at escape, dragging her with their immense strength.

A few glitters of red petals fell into the pool as Ruby desperately tried to escape with her semblance. But her strength was lacking. Feeling a second wind of adrenaline, her eyes started flickering silver, and she turned her attention to the black filth in front of her.

"Bad girl." Salem raised her hand, and the tendrils suspended Ruby, pointing her head away from the pool, up into the sky above. Ruby's eyes flashed brilliantly for a moment, piercing into the night sky. Parts of the Grimm had turned stone, but the core that was pulling her into the pool remained. "That's enough of that." Salem closed her fist, lowering her hand with an assertive firmness.

"I'm scared. Don't do it. Please! Weiss! W- " Ruby screamed, begging for any salvation before her entire body was dragged into the black pool and all sound was lost in the void. A small air bubble floated its way to the top of the liquid, popping after bubbling to the surface.

"Ruby, oh God, Ruby!" The white haired huntress' desperate cries fell on deaf ears.

Salem clicked her tongue, looking at her hand which was now encased in stone. She waited a few moments, wiggling her fingers until a satisfying pop released them from their rocky prison. "Even a novice like her can be this annoying to deal with." She rolled her knuckles, opening and closing her hand a few times.

"Salem! Please stop this!"

"Why would I stop? We've only just begun."