#'truly...humans are the real monsters' holy shit go throw yourself into the ocean and make creation that much better

[ivan-fyodorovich-k]

"Actually [faction] are the real villains in 40k" shut up you massive fucking nerd

[homogrimoire-archive]

CH. 4 - There Isn't Anything Sweeter Than Revenge, or Love

Part 4: The Little Mershade

In a moment of repose and reflection, a choice is made. A new friend is found, and the final battle for Grimoire Weiss commences.

AO3 Link

Hansel and I found this beach in the short time we were allowed to do as we pleased.

Gretchen would have liked a place like this.

To relax. They think in unison, and chuckle. They sit in silence under the shade of a broken ship, watching the ocean’s waves sway.

So, what are you going to do? Hazel asks, breaking the silence.

I don’t know.

Well, what is it you want. That’s always a good place to start.

I want… I just want to be happy, and safe. Isn’t that all anyone wants, Hazel?

That much is true, even if life makes that difficult to achieve. But you, you have a chance to make that happen, not only for yourself, but for others. It’s just like you said. Doing this would help all Gestalts. All it’s going to cost you is your time.

But is it worth the cost of destroying the love the replicants have made for each other? Do I have that right?

Do they have the right to kill Gestalts? Did they have the right to kill Kalil’s mother? Did they have the right to kill your brother? No! They didn’t!

…You’re right. They didn’t. They’ve killed so many of us, and will continue to do so. I know what I must do. Thank you. … Do you sense that?

Run!

Quickly, they escape from the ship, and reappear in the shady stone tunnel that leads to the beach.

What the hell was that!? Hazel questions.

It was a shade, but it was different somehow. It was far more powerful than me and perhaps even more so than the Shadowlord. We have to go back.

No offense, but that’s a dumb idea.

I am the Protector of Shades. I have to at least see if she’s alright. Gretel explains. You sensed her distress too, didn’t you?

Alright. Hazel sighs. Fine. But if it starts attacking, we’re leaving.

Thank you. she says as they notice a man carrying a package and some food quaking in fear as he looks up to the terrifying form before him.

��Boo.” they say, and he runs away screaming.

Idiotic vessel. Gretel says as they return to the ship, Grimoire Weiss still imprisoned in the weapons.

“Hello? Anybody here?” they shout into the ship in shade and human tongue. “We mean you no harm.”

Are you shade, or are you human? they hear someone whisper. Or are you a shade who became human? They cannot see who questions them.

A human possessed shade. They answer. Are you okay? We could sense your distress.

If I possess someone, will I become human? Am I already human? You would know, wouldn’t you? the unseen shade questions more as they make their way closer to her.

We are Gestalts. We have souls. We are human. Those things that call themselves humans? Mere vessels for us all. And when we reunite with them, we will truly be human as we were before. Gretel explains. God, how many of us have forgotten?

So I’m human? You’re saying I’m human? They hear her begin as the reach the door she lies behind. They open it, and instantly, Gretel is in shock.

A mermaid? No. A shade. The most powerful, unfused shade. Not even the Shadowlord can compare.. . Gretel whispered in awe. How are you so concentrated? She wonders as the little mermaid begins to ungracefully, but very euphorically, dance around.

I’m human! I’m human, I’m human, I’m human! she laughs as her body grows larger and larger. Quickly, the two exit the ship, and gaze upon her unrestrained form. Her gigantic form dwarfs the ship she called a home, and her wings span an incredible distance.

“Holy hell…” Hazel says as he gazes upon the shade, now also in awe.

“There! There he is! Oh my gods what did you do to my friend?!” They hear a man shout. They turn back to see that it is the man they scared, and he has arrived with company.

“Emil! Now!” Nier ordered, and the sun intensified. The area was bathed in light, erasing practically all shadows in the landscape. But Gretel and Hazel were quick, and hid Weiss and his prison in the their shadow before it disappeared.

“Shit!” Kainé yells.

See? Look at me? I’m human! The sun doesn’t hurt! the powerful shade giggled.

“Kainé, what is that?” Qrow asks her with concern evident in his voice.

“A shade. Be careful around this one. It’ll be more powerful than the fuckers at The Aerie. A lot more powerful.”

“You monster! You evil shade! You tricked me!” the man shouts, causing the big mermaid to deflate.

No. I’m human. I’m human! She repeats to convince herself. Just like you wanted!

If you want to be a true human, help us out! Take care of that skeleton! They shout at her.

I─ I will be human! she screamed, her voice shaking the very air around them.

Immediately, the fight begins. She launches an assault of spear-like appendages at Emil. his magic is enough to block, but he struggles to hold his ground. Qrow quickly slices through the appendages, causing what remained to retreat.

“I’ll take care of her! You three take care of them!”

“Got it.” Kainé nods as Emil flies past Hazel and Gretel to keep The Little Mermaid busy. They have faith in the shade.

“Ready for round three, fuckface?” Kainé cursed at the possessed man.

“Three time’s a charm, huh?” Hazel replied, looking at Qrow.

“Try me. Let’s see how lucky you are, fuckface.” Qrow shoots back as he readies his scythe.

They may have been at a slight disadvantage with Gretel weakened by the sun and having to retreat to the shadows created by the clothes on his body, and also being in on a three versus one, but they would not be discouraged. Both would see their mission born of revenge and love through.

Kainé and Nier attacked from the sides, while Qrow went to strike their front. With their speed, they moved to attack Nier first before the others could strike. He went in for a jab with his beastly spear, but the duo quickly sidestepped and grabbed the spear. They yanked it out of his hands and went in for the counter. The teen was quicker than they would have liked, and deftly dodged the reprisal. Kainé and Qrow closed in, but their weapons were blocked by the spear’s study length. Foolish vessels. Stupid human.

“Hmm. This is neither my Sweet Revenge or my brother’s Sweet Love, but it will do for now.” She tells them through Hazel. They feel a jab from behind. Nier saw the opportunity and took it. Unfortunately for him, the beastly dagger would not pierce through aura.

My, that is useful. She comments as they kick Nier away and throw the other two towards him.

Eh. he replies. It’d take a lot more than that to even put a dent in my aura.

Good.

With Emil and the shade in their view now, they see the unparalleled power the two displayed. Glowing magic and angelic lettering soared wildly above the ocean. Glyphs and shade appendages littered the sky in a mess of chaotic sounds.

I will be a human! I’ll kill all of you! Don't you dare stand in my way! She screams to the world.

“I won’t let you hurt my friends!” He shouts at the shade with determination.

They go on the offensive this time, aiming for Qrow. The Shadowlord will want his replicant in good condition, as will whoever’s replicant the other teen belongs to. Qrow, however, is free game. They attack again and again, throwing Nier off with ease, and only having to put in a little more effort for Kainé.

“Can’t you fucking kneel over and die already bitch!?” Kainé shouts in frustration.

“Someday. But not today.” they answer her. But before she can even yell a curse back, they hear a blood curdling scream. It is not the shade, but Emil.

“Emil! What the fuck is going on with you!?” Kainé demands to know. The shade still attacks, but her power does near nothing to him.

Die! Die! Die! I will be a true human!

“Get away from me! NOW!” It is not a request. It is was an order. Qrow stood in Hazel and Gretel’s way as Nier and Kainé begrudgingly leave.

“You better stay alive Emil!” They hear Nier shout as they escape, but he is too far gone to answer.

“Stupid human.” Gretel speaks.

“Willing to drag me down with you?”

“Three times a charm.” Qrow smirks. But his cocky expression is quickly replaced by confusion as a bubble of magic surrounds him.

“LIVE.” Emil commands.

“What?” Qrow shouts more, but they cannot hear him anymore as he is sent away. With no better plan, Hazel and Gretel try to escape, but hit an invisible barrier with a thud.

“Shit.”

Goddammit! Think, think think! What could we do? Gretel said in exasperation as they scanned the beach. There wasn’t anything else there but the sand, the ocean, the shade, and The Ultimate Weapon.

Do you think a shade like her can bring back the shadows? Hazel wonders.

There’s only one way to find out.

-

Are you okay? Gretel asks the mermaid as they exit a shadow.

I’m wonderful! More wonderful than anything! Soon, I’ll be a real human!

Good. And you, Hazel?

Could… be better.

Her possession is taking a toll, isn’t it? Even though she used most of her power and severed herself from a lot of it too, she still retains an incredible amount of it. How did you get so concentrated, and what is your name, might I ask?

I don’t know my name, or that I was even so strong in the first place though. But I don’t care! I’m going to be human! And then we can finally be happy!

For your sake, I hope so. Gretel could not bring herself to reveal than the man who loved her would be replaced by a different man. She had gone through so much. That knowledge could break her. Hazel carried on, harboring the two powerful shades in his body as their temporary vessel.