RWBY The Serpent Order - Chapter Two: The Mythosian Encounters (Ending)

The Fight.

Medford was beyond angry. 

His enraged grumbles accompanied his determined float. He'd had it. He didn't care anymore if he died. Caleb and The Mythos had shown no restraint in their desire to take everything from him. They had embarrassed him in front of The Order, brought him to the brink of death... but nothing compared to possessing him and attempting to have him destroy not only his friends, but also his only love, Ruby.

Never again would he let this happen. Even if he was dead, maybe Ruby would finally be free of putting herself in danger for his sake. Besides, The Heresiarch could replace him with a new bishop in an instant! He knew he deserved for D'Sparil to have crushed his neck instead of sparing him. At least he would've then honored the traditions of his liege: DEATH to all traitors.

He was through disappointing and hurting everyone that put any faith in him. That time would be the last. His grumbles of buried fury continued as he floated on. The four bishops, along with his pet owl, accompanied him silently. 

----

The Order had discovered the hideout of Caleb and the Black Knife Cult, and now the morning sunlight gave audience to the racket of gunfire, magic spells, screams, and the various sounds representing the heated blaze of battle. But as the last cultist fell the attackers realized the glaring issue: Caleb was absent.

As he stalked away from the camp, Caleb cackled to himself.

"Fools! I knew that escape passage was a good plan! Oh, but you're just paranoid, Caleb! Nobody will ever find this place! Well, just look who became fodder for those Serpent Order swine!"

He babbles to himself as he scurries on. The cultists were all useful idiots, the distraction he'd need should this all fail at the last minute. He'd find another to corrupt with the dark truths. There was always another bum in the alleyway that he could promise a better life to.

His thoughts are interrupted by a shout.

"Stop right there, FIEND!"

Medford, four bishops, and Bartholomew the Owl were approaching! Hostile intent was evident and combat appeared quite imminent!

"Oh... Its just you... For a moment I thought I might be in danger!"

He draws and twirls his guns, a malicious smirk forming upon his dry mouth. So, the boy had come back for more? Perhaps he wasn't as much a coward as he first let on.

"How kind of you to bring your friends along on this unexpected playdate. A shame they can't stay long..."

And with that, Caleb sprung into action, shooting off his twin flare pistols  in rapid succession! The hail barrage of flares was sudden enough to kill one of the bishops before they assumed formation. They swoop down and make strafing runs, scoring a few hits despite his considerable efforts to dodge and return fire. Medford joins in with more powerful projectiles, his casting chants mingling among the other bishops.

"Your terrorism ends here, bastard! You'll pay for all the death you've dealt this world!"

Medford's fiery eyes were brightly lit, and Bartholomew orbited him with a gratuitous quantity of hoots. 

Caleb managed a dodge roll with a couple of well timed hip-fire shots. They connect with a bishop, setting it ablaze until it explodes with a ghostly scream. Caleb smiles wickedly as he pulls out twin tommy guns, mowing down the two remaining bishops and forcing Medford to take cover behind a large rock. Bartholomew joins him with a hoot as the wait out the supressing fire from Caleb. Finally the sound of ricocheting bullets is replaced by gun clicks. Caleb swears under his breath and throws them down, wiping away some blood from a cut on his lip.

"You're all alone now... Those puppets of yours were a waste of good souls! Come out and face me, COWARD!" 

Those words dug in like fiery talons, and he let out a cry of rage as he dashed from the rock to meet Caleb head-on. Caleb laughs as he confidently throws a bundle of dynamite into Medford's path, detonating it and sending Medford flying back unceremoniously onto the ground. An insanr, hearty cackle comes from Caleb.

"BAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! YOU FOOL!! Oh that slaps me on the knee!"

Medford looked up, a bit dazed. He turned to Bartholomew, pointing to the deranged and cackling cultist.

"Sic him, boy!"

By the time Caleb looked up it was too late to dodge the charging owl! With a hooting screech and wispy glowing eyes, the owl clawed, pecked, and tore at Calebs's face with its beak and talons. Caleb flails about, eventually smacking off the clawing owl with the butt of one of his flare pistols. Just before he can finish off the downed owl, he gets a few ice projectiles in the back from a risen Medford. He turns with and angered face.

"Fine then! You'll be first to join me then!"

He lifts his hand and smiled with great malice.

"In pache requiescar fortu nato!"

Green, beaming waves of magic emit from his hand to reach Medford's forehead. Medford felt his mind being tugged at, a force attempting to wrest control. It was familiar, just like the one that had possessed him earlier. Every fiber in his mind he could muster fought back. The memories of how he had hurt Ruby, how he probably was responsible for the deaths of others too. He felt his unresolved grief take over him, the pain driving him forward towards Caleb. 

"Succumb and grovel to the power of the truth! Your corruption marks the start of your lieges downfall! But first, a lose end to tie up with little Miss Rose..."

Medford's eyes burst into a fiery red, his teeth clenched as the guilt and desire to make things right took hold of his entire body. He ached to avenge it all. He struggled as he crawled closer to Caleb with a seething expression of pain upon his face. As he staggers to his feet he shouts.

"NO! NOT AGAIN! YOU WON'T HAVE HER, YOU BASTARD!"

With a flame engulfing his fist he dashes forward!

"What the hell...-"

He draws a flare gun too late. Time seems to stop as Medford's flaming hand pierces through the cult leader's chest, holding his beating heart in its grasp. Kneels buckling, Caleb looks to the face of his killer, a spiteful smile crossing his face.

"You... Think you've won.... *Cough* Your fight will never end..."

With a wheeze, he slumps to the grass, staining it a deep red. Medford sighs ans he takes Caleb's heart and places it into his robe's inner pockets. It would make quite the souvenir.

Lifting his unconscious owl companion into his arms, he floats away from the gruesome scene, leaving Caleb's body to the vultures.

THE END