3rd POV:
Duncan: "Sooooo, these two bastards decided to come back. How about we go greet them."
Duncan smirked devishly as he looked at the sky, two meteorites falling, one of a dark purple color and one golden. He already knew what is about to happen.
Zarathos: 'Wonder if they will earse again the population of this planet? It's a posibility.'
Duncan: 'All the more reason to cut these loose ends.'
Mounting his bike, Duncan glanced once more towards the floating Kingdom of Atlas. Turns out, there will be a party held by Ironwood, in order to celebrate the end of this war.
Revving the engine, Duncan started to follow the two glowing beings falling from the sky.
Duncan: "It's hunting season for gods!", he grined.
...
Ashley: "What is going on in here?", she asked putting her hands on her hips.
Looking around, it was a giant room, or maybe an arena, given from the way the row of seats were positioned. But what made Ashley curious, it was the fact that many Huntsmen and Huntresses working on something. Among them were also team RWBY, JNPR, Oscar and Penny. All of them were helping in organizing this party.
Byakko: 'Given the events that transpired, i believe is a reason to celebrate.'
Ashley: 'No argue there, is good to see them happpy. But something doesn't add up...'
Byakko: 'So you noticed it too...'
Ashley: 'They should've beem mentaly scarred after the fight with Blackheart.'
Byakko: 'Duncan did heal them, maybe he did something to temper the bad memories.'
Ashley could only nod at Byakko's theory, after all, not even Duncan himself is not aware of the extent of his powers, he may have done it unconciously.
Weiss: "Ashley! Good timing, i need help choosing a color for the table cloth!", she waved at Ashley.
Ashley blinked twice before shruging her shoulders, she then took a look at the two colors presented in front of her. The colors were pretty much white, but a keen eye could tell the difference.
Ashley: "I'll go with the one in the right, it stands out, in contrast with the room."
Weiss: "Oh, finally someone who understands!", she raised her hands in victory.
Ruby, who was walking around with Summer, took notice.
Ruby: "But they... are the same color?", she scrached the back of her head, a question mark appearing above it.
Ashley: "Nope, one is a darker shade."
Ruby tried to focus, but she got nothing, to her it was the same color.
Summer: "Hehehe, i think they are the same color too.", she whispered to Ruby.
Ashley: *sigh* "So what are the two of you doing, seemed to me you were in a hurry."
Ruby: "Ohhh, yeah, we were about to go to the bakery!"
Summer: "We are in charge of the sweets, we were on our way just to see what they have in store!"
Ashley found their interactions quite cute, but a tad bit of jealousy lingered in there. She couldn't remember when was the last time she spend time with her mom, all of her life she only had... her brother.
Ashley: "You two? In charge of sweets? Will there be any left for us?", she kept a deadpann expression.
Summer: "Hehehe... no promises.", she nervously chuckled while keeping a small smile.
Weiss: "Well that's reasuring..."
Weiss's eyes widened slightly, curiously, the others followed her gaze. Yang was putting on the decorations, while Blake was slowly aproaching her.
Blake: "...hey...", she waved a little.
Yang, having a brooding expression, glanced at Blake.
Yang: "...hey."
Blake: "Yang... can we... you know... talk a little?"
Yang looked at Blake for a second, she then sighed in reluctance.
Yang: "Five minutes, that's all you get."
Blake's ears perked up, she then followed Yang somewhere they can talk in private.
Yang stopped and crossed her arms, she then turned to face Blake.
Blake: "Where do i even start? First i wanna say that i'm sorry for everything that i did, and i know that it's unforgivable."
Yang: "Mm-hmm, it kinda is."
Yang: 'Duncan did say that she wasn't in control during the fight.', she thought to herself, furrowing her brows.
Yang directed her attention back at Blake, who was still bowing her head.
Blake: "I'm sorry for running away, for giving you the cold shoulder, for ignoring you, for my outbursts and... i'm sorry for betraying you...", she closed her eyed and bowed her head.
Yang: "What am i going to do with you Blakey? I don't think we can... go back to the way we were..."
Blake: "Oh!... i... understand..."
Yang: "But... we can... start over. You know a new beginning."
Blake: "Wait? For real?!"
Yang: "Yeah, well, someone told me that if i care for someone, i have to endure the good and the bad. I just hope that you are back for real."
Blake couldn't contain her happines, she just straight up caught Yang in a bear hug.
Blake: "I promise that i will try..."
Yang: "Oooook~, maybe moving a little too fast?"
Blake's eyes shot wide open, she took a step beck and scratched the back of her head awkwardly, a small drop of sweat ran down her forehead.
Yang put a hand on her hip, rolling her eyes she turned around. Blake followed suit after Yang.
Yang: "So, i can't help but be curious.", she glanced at Blake.
Blake: "About what?"
Yang: "How... did it feel? You know, to be like Duncan in a way, a Rider?"
Blake stopped, her gaze unfocused, directed nowhere in particular, her eyes became dull. She was gazing in the abbys just remembering her short time as a Rider. Seeing this, Yang got worried a little, but in an instant Blake recovered and put on a smile.
Blake: "It's... hard to describe, she could take over anytime she wanted, but when i changed, her control was absolute. I basicaly took a back seat in my own mind, i could see and hear everything, but i couldn't do anything about it. It wasn't even my own body anymore."
Yang: "Wow, just... i don't have words for this. You are basicaly taken control away and...i don't want to even think about it. Better that Duncan killed her, what was her name again? Lost? Last?"
Blake: "LUST, she went by Laura in the past. Her memories were kinda fuzzy."
Yang stopped and faced Blake, having an confused look.
Yang: "Wait, how do you know all of this? And her memories?"
Blake: "Well, i'm not sure, but when i was bonded with her, some of her memories intertwined with mine."
Yang: "Ok, so, basically, you have zero control over your OWN body, the transformation looks quite painful and the memories of some rando are stuck in your own head...", she counted on her fingers.
Blake: "Yes, that's pretty much how it is.", she shrugged her shoulders
Yang: "I'm starting to feel that the cons of this powers outweight the pros...", she mumbled to herself, she then grabbed Blake by the shoulders. "Wait! About LUST! Or Laura or whatever!"
Blake: "What about her?", she couldn't hide the disdain she had for the demoness.
Yang: "She seemed to know Ashley and Duncan on a personal level, seeing that she made him quite angry. Lately many names have been thrown around. I mean we... we barely know anything about them."
Yang took a seat, Blake sat right beside her, trying to recall as much as she remembers.
Blake: "Laura was... basically a big sister figure to Duncan. They knew eachother since they were kids and would spend time after school with their little group. She suddenly disappeared one day, but she made a deal with someone named Mephisto, i think, he was... VERY powerful Lord of Hell, strange... when Mephisto was talking about Duncan, he was very cautios and... afraid? Hard to say. Duncan and her fought many times, but he always showed her mercy, or better said pity."
Yang: "It is quite... sad, when you think about it. Having someone you knew since forever, turn on you. You try to give them a chance and then they backstab you again. Guess Duncan was all out of mercy, especially since Laura mocked this girl Akane, guess he must've cared for her a lot."
Blake: "...Akane... OH GOD!", she brought her hands to her mouth, having teary eyes.
Suddenly, Blake's face turned green, she started to feel nauseous. Gagging, she felt like puking out her own insides. Looking around frantically, she spotted a bucket, she quickly rushed and started to vomit everything she had inside of her.
Yang rubbed Blake's back, who was hunched forward, face first in the bucket.
Yang couldn't understand what happened. One moment Blake looked fine and the next moment she is puking her guts out.
Yang: 'Her face changed once i said that girl's name. Akane? Was there something in Laura's memories that made her like this?', she thought, growing worried for Blake.
...
Duncan: "Is it just me... or they slowed down?", he narrowed his eyes at the sky.
Zarathos: 'No, they actually slowed down. I think they know that we are waiting.'
Duncan groaned, then facepalmed. The two meteorites started to slow down they arrival, much to Duncan's annoyance.
Duncan turned off the engine and sat on his bike. Grabbing his flask, he took a swig, waiting for the arrival of his new headaches. Duncan himself was quite curious. Why are they returning now? After all this time.
Zarathos: 'Any plans for when we return home?'
Duncan: "Hooo boy! Where do i even start?"
Zarathos: 'I suddenly regret asking, you can shut up now!'
Duncan: "First of all..."
Zarathos: 'You won't shut up will you?'
Duncan: "Nope. So where was i? Oh yes! The Darkhold Fragments, don't know where they are, so we must wait for them to activate, just great!"
Zarathos: 'It is indeed quite troublesome. But that's what they are, Fragments. None of them contain the true power of The Darkhold, luckily we have one.'
Duncan: "Next on the list, John Constantine. He wanted to talk with me, that's why Ashley came after me in Remnant."
Zarathos: 'Knowing that guy, it must be a complete waste of time or... another apocalypse is coming our way.'
Duncan: "Oh! Goodie! Another end if the world scenario! We didn't have one of those in days!"
Zarathos: 'I can practically taste the sarcasm, but do keep going. We stopped numerous similar events, and that didn't stopped us before.'
Duncan shrugged his shoulders, he then took another swig from his flask.
Duncan: "You do have a point. Now, the call made by GunHee."
Zarathos: 'That kid wouldn't call without a good reason. Something must've happened that the Hunters can't handle. You sure you don't want to call him back?'
Duncan: "Nahhhh, they can handle themselves. Besides, they can ask some mages for help."
Zarathos: 'I must have some memory problem. Last time i checked... the Clocktower and the Hunter's Association wheren't on good terms.'
Duncan: "You make a very good point. Counter point, he will call again if he really is in trouble."
Zarathos: 'True, besides, it's better not to meddle with those Hunter's business.'
Duncan: "Now... serious talk. Before we got trapped. You saw him too right? Who was that black knight?"
Zarathos: 'Hmm... no idea. But... he looked familiar. Like i knew him, but... Ugh! This is so annoying!'
Duncan: "Must be from your missing memories. Don't stress yourself over this, take it easy, we will find out eventually."
Zarathos: 'Yeah, but one think i can't get out of my head is that...'
Duncan: "Yeah, it was just for a moment, but... his eyes looked just like my dad's eyes."
Zarathos: 'Which should be impossible. Your parents gained powers only after their revival."
Duncan: "Welp, looks like we are not gonna get bored any time soon. But for now, let's welcome our guests."
Behind Duncan, something came crashing from the sky, creating a giant crater, dust and smoke covered the scenery. Duncan raised an eyebrow, a little amused by the dramatic entrance, he then took a swig from his flask.
Two figures emerged from the cloud of smoke. One of a brilliant golden color, a pair of of horns adorning it's head, Brother of Light. And one of a dark purple color, a pair of draconic horns adorning it's head, Brother of Darkness.
Duncan started to walk slowly, while clapping and chuckling, much to the brothers confusion.
BoL: "I did not expect that someone is gonna wait for us."
BoD: "A mere human nonetheless. Tell us mortal. Is Salem and her Grimm still roaming this world?", he demanded from Duncan.
Duncan: "And this is the moment where you sealed your fate.", his eyes changed to fiery red.
Bol: "You... aren't a mere human, are you!"
Duncan: "About time you figured out lightbulb. How unfortunate for you two, you caught me in quite the bad mood. But before i end your existence... i have one burning question. Why did the whole population had to be punished for the actions of a grieve stricken woman?"
BoD: "Quite the nerve you have! Threatening us! And now you demand answers from us?", he stood before Duncan, looking down on him.
Duncan crossed his arms and smirked, this action angered BoD, making him feel looked down upon by the human before him.
BoD stretched his arm forward, ready to erase Duncan. This made BoL's sense of danger go on alert, the danger was coming from Duncan.
BoL: "Brother! Wait!", he called out to BoD.
But it was too late, Duncan was ingulfed in a black mist, soon followed by a blinding light.
BoD started to walk away, pleased with himself, but he soon started to question BoL's nervous state.
A maniacal and demonic chuckle was heard, from the black mist, a chain shot out and wrapped around BoD's neck, bringing him down to the ground.
As BoD looked up, he saw a flaming skeleton clad in leather, a golden blazing crown floating above his skull.
Duncan: "The time for talk is gone! The Devil's work must be done!"
Duncan grabbed BoD by the horns, lifting him up, he kneed the god in the face, sending him flying.
BoL: "Please! Be reasonable! We do not wish to fight you!"
Duncan: "Fight you? I'm here to destroy you! Mark my words, i'll make you eat your own heart!"
Hearing Duncan's words, BoL grew worried, his body suddenly ingulfed by a light which soon dwindled, revealed an eastern dragon.
The sound of bones breaking caught Duncan's attention, BoD started to twist his body, until he changed into a western dragon.
Duncan: "Ohhh, how nice of them... they gave me bigger targets!", he chuckled.
BoD: "Such insolence! Know your place, human!", he let out a draconic roar.
BoD opened his mouth, letting out a stream of dark and poisonos flames. But Duncan respsonded in kind, opening his jaws, through his mandibles, a torrent of Hellfire escaped. BoD's dark flames clashed with Duncan's Hellfire, but the BoD was quickly overpowered, resulting in his face being burned.
BoL dashed towards Duncan with open jaws. Duncan caught the BoL by his fangs, not allowing him to bite him, but Duncan was still pushed back a little.
Letting out a feral growl, Duncan tightened his grip, he then slammed BoL's head in the ground. Mounting the dragon, Duncan started to punch the BoL in the ground, with each punch the BoL was being burried in the ground, each punch creating shockwaves and gusts of wind.
Suddenly Duncan was taken away, the BoD took him in his jaws and flew to rhe sky.
Feeling annoyed, Duncan merely raised his skull and made eye contact with the BoD. Duncan used the Penance Stare, but not enough to kill him, only to kill his will to fight. The BoD let out a pain filled scream, seizing the opportunity, Duncan jumped on top of BoD and grabbed him by the horns. Duncan twisted the BoD head just enough to send him crashing into the ground, Duncan jumped before the impact, landing safely.
The BoL, who just recovered, tried to coil himself around Duncan, to crush him. Duncan let out a demonic roar, sending an omnidirectional wave of Hellfire for a few kilometers. The BoL let out a pained roar as he was sent crashing and rolling on the ground.
Lifting himself up, feeling humiliated, filled with hatred and anger, the BoD clenched his fist, suddenly a black pillar of energy errupted and started to expand... the BoD wanted to erase everything in sight.
Unfortunately for them, Duncan stopped the explosion of energy by catching it in his hand. Duncan clenched his fist, destroying the mass of energy meant to erase the population of this planet.
The BoD stumbled back, not used of having an opponent that can stand up to him.
BoD: "J...Just what the Hell are you?!", he shouted while glaring at Duncan.
Duncan dashed on top of BoD, and whipped out a pair of chains that coiled around his wings. Duncan started to pull the chains, until he tore off the BoD wings.
The BoD was forced to turn into his base form, falling to the ground, he started to trash around in pain.
Duncan slowly walked towards the BoD, grabbing his horns, he tightened his grip.
The BoL, who also turned back to his base form, could only watch. BoL's body was scorched, he painfully raised his head, only to see his brother at Duncan's mercy.
BoL: "Pl... please... you... you don't know... what you are doing! Th... there will be consequences!", he pleaded.
Duncan merely twisted the BoD's head until it ripped off of his neck.
The BoL looked in horror as Duncan showed him the BoD decapitated head. Walking towards the BoL, Duncan threw on the ground the BoD's decapitated head.
Duncan: "I'm a devil of my word!"
Duncan appeared in front of the BoL, he then punched a hole through his chest and took out his heart. Duncan then shoved the heart in the BoL's mouth.
Duncan: "Now... swallow!", he said calmly.
Duncan gripped the BoL's head tightly, he started to slowly put more pressure until the BoL's head exploded.
Duncan looked around, at the corpses of the gods he just killed.
Letting out a small sigh, Duncan returned to his human form, only for him to clench his head in pain.
???: '...Arise...', a voiced echoed inside Duncan's mind, making feel like his head is about to explode.
Duncan's eyes shot wide open, only to see that his shadow expanded across the land, multiple purple eyes peeking through the darkness of his shadow. Rubbing his eyes and shaking his head, his shadowd returned to normal.
Duncan: "Ugh! Hey Z, what was that about?"
Zarathos: 'What was what about?', he asked a little confused.
Duncan: "Didn't you say something? And something was wrong with my shadow!"
Zarathos: 'You must be tired, or that wild imagination of yours.'
Duncan: "No, i think i heard someone say loud and clear... Arise..."
Zarathos: 'Did... you just say... Arise? Hmm...'
Duncan: "Got something to say on this?"
Zarathos: 'Not quite sure. If i knew anything, i would've told you already.'
Duncan scratched the back of his neck, too many questions, and no answers at all. It felt like someone was playing or testing him at this point, and he was not happy at all about this.
Duncan mounted the bike and turned on the engine.
Duncan: "Just another problem to add to the pile.", he mumbled to himself.
....
Oscar: "Why did he want to meet us here?"
Ashley: "He didn't specify, he just said that he found a solution."
Oscar: "Leave it to Duncan to give us anxiety with just a few words."
Ashley and Oscar found themselves in the training area in the Atlas tower. Why? Quite simple, Duncan called Ashley and asked her to bring Oscar.
Suddenly the doors were kicked open.
Duncan: "Knock, knock. Let the Devil in!", he donned a carefree smirk.
Ashley: "About damn time bonehead, what's the so called solution and for what?"
Duncan's shoulders dropped, leave it to Ashley to get to the point and act like an adult.
Duncan: "Ok ok ok, sooooo~. I think i know how to separate Ozpin from Oscar."
Oscar: "Wait! For real? How?"
Ashley crossed her arms and pondered for a second, she may have a faint idea about what Duncan is on about.
Duncan: "Just wait a second and don't move. Ash, care to give me the Yamato?"
In Ashley's hands, the Yamato materialised from blue particles, she then tossed the sword to Duncan. Oscar became a little nervous as Duncan looked at him with the katana in his hand.
Duncan slowly and menacingly took the Yamato out of it's sheath, without a warning, he stabbed Oscar in the chest. Ashley rolled her eyes.
Shortly Ozpin's body slowly materialised out of thin air, falling to the ground.
Duncan tossed back the Yamato to Ashley, he then helped Ozpin to stand up, Oscar shortly snapped out of his daze.
Ozpin: "Haaaa, feels good to have my own body! But i must ask... how?"
Duncan: "Meh, not sure myself, i was 80% sure that i would've killed you."
Oscar froze in place, Ozpin just sipped from a coffee mug he just pulled out of nowhere.
Oscar: "I will try my best to ignore that. But i must say, it feels weird, you know..."
Ozpin: "That makes the two of us. Now let's put aside our worries, i need to get a suit for the upcoming party."
Thus Ozpin and Oscar made their exit, as two separate beings. Duncan sighed relieved, he wasn't sure that would work.
Ashley: "Wait... does that mean that i have to wear a dress... and heels?", she asked widening her eyes
It's safe to say thay Ashley isn't a big fan of formal dressing and high heels... except high heel combat boots that she wears.
Duncan: "Ayep!", he chuckled.
Byakko: 'Oh! Goodie! I do have some dresses that would accentuate your eyes and hair!'
Ashley: "Furball! Shut! It!"
This chapter's meme: