章節 118: The End of Hell
"General, I have discovered a compound within the Schreien forest" Winter said as she kneeled over the bodies of a mother and daughter who had been laid next to eachother, both covered with the shirts of a man to hide their nude bodies, Winter grinding her teeth in disgust when she saw the dried blood between the girls legs.
[Any sign of Weiss Schnee or Arthur Fielder?] Ironwood responded through her earpiece.
"Negative. The compound is abandoned and filled with fresh bodies, I believe it was the base of some type of organization that skirted around the laws, most likely a mercenary group" she replied.
[Understood, what are the states of the bodies? How many?] Ironwood asked, his voice audibly irritated at the idea that they had missed such a group of degenerates for so many years.
"Currently we have found two dead presumed mercenaries, both male, the first we found upon arrival at the entrance to the compound, his body along with the surrounding had been destroyed leaving gashes and severing his body into pieces" she began to explain.
"The second man was within a pod of gel that had been dyed with his blood, on scene examination showed he had bled from every orifice of his body, he was found within a room filled with computers and cages that once held an unknown creature, presumed grimm, we have also found numerous objects looking like collars and harnesses, which are being transported to the research division" Winter took a deep breath as she continued to speak whilst walking down the hallway towards the garage.
"I believe there is another mercenary either dead or has survived whatever happened here. Upon searching through the base I came upon what looked like a garden area, but had been heavily damaged, the ground had caved in revealing another chamber underneath, we have been unable to find any bodies on rudimentary exploration, but it is possible that there is a body buried under that. I believe the remaining mercenary has an understanding of mech control as we found a destroyed one within the uncovered room" she finished explaining as she walked through the destroyed doorway where Arthur had been thrown during his fight with Aster.
[Civilian casualties? Any survivors]
"In total we have found one hundred and two bodies, thirteen male,eight three female and six children, two male four female. Two survivors, we discovered two guards tied up within one of the outer walls towers, both are currently within my airship undergoing interrogation" she explained as she stared up at the strange bedrock wall in the centre of the garage, some soldiers having planted numerous explosives on it to get through and create a small doorway to enter the other side.
On the other side of the radio Ironwood was furious angered that these beasts had been so close for so long "How did we not see them?" he said to himself before speaking to Winter again.
[Understood, anything else of note?] he asked as Winter stared in disgust at the eleven bodies that had been strung up on the horrific contraptions of Aster.
"Yes sir, We have discovered tracks leading into the forest, a single set coming out a backdoor in a garage like structure, I believe it to be a civilian that may have escaped. We have also discovered numerous other singular tracks leading into the forest apart from this, believed to be mercenaries who escaped during the panic" she said.
"There was also a large number of tracks that exit the compound from the entrance that skirt around and connect with the singular tracks that exit from the back, once again believed to be survivors who had been released and were following the first escapee"
[Anything else?] Ironwood asked
"Affirmative, during an inspection of the various rooms in the compound numerous stashes of animal ears and tails as well as masks resembling those of the white fang as well as a strange substance that is being transported to research along with the collars and harnesses" she said, "I have also found my sister's Rapier, I believe she may have escaped along with the others"
[Understood, follow the tracks and find the survivors]
"Roger, Specialist Schnee, out" she said as she stepped into the snow, a glyph appearing next to her from which a horse like grimm appeared which she jumped onto.
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"Nacht, were they able to collect any information before Ironwoods arrival?" Jacques asked, his seat turned around as he stared out his window.
"I must apologize master, it seems the Kreischen were unexpectedly useless as all of the leaders have been defeated and killed, both Weiss as well as Arthur Fielder were seen leaving their base along with numerous other survivors" Nacht bowed to Jacques apologetically.
"Useless…" Jacques mumbled as he spun his chair around, "Is there anything that may implicate the SDC?" he asked.
"No master. I have ensured that anything that may lead to you or the SDC was properly disposed of" he replied.
"Good, you may leave" Jacques waved him away, "Useless buffoons" he said when Nacht left.
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"This is it…" Arthur said as he stopped in front of a small entrance to a cave, hidden under some fallen trees and snow, he along with his hundred followers having followed Weiss's tracks, raising his hand to the people behind him he said.
"Wait here, I'll make sure there's no threat before coming back for you" He said, getting blank stares from the people as they continued to huddle together for warmth.
Seeing them all remaining together Arthur entered the cave, the sound of his boots echoed throughout the cave whilst also smelling a smoky smell in the air, causing him to let out a breath in relief as he entered a large open part of the cave where he could see Weiss holding the girl he'd asked her to rescue close to her body for extra warmth as they were both still naked. Weiss hair loose having lost it during her captivity.
"Told you i'd be right behind you" Arthur smiled as Weiss's head immediately bolted to him when she heard his voice, the moment she realized it was him she felt tears stain her cheeks as she released the girl letting her fall to the ground with a light thud, nothing that would harm her, Quickly bolting up from the ground Arthur rushed to Arthur as she threw her arms around Arthur.
Arthur reciprocating as he knelt down for her his arms wrapping tightly around her as she wept, "I was so scared!" She cried, "Please don't leave me again" she begged.
"I won't, I won't" Arthur gently said as he held Weiss in his arms, "I'm not going anywhere" he softly whispered to her as he waited for her to calm down enough that she herself began to push herself away from Arthur one arm covering her chest whilst the other her lower body.
"N-now, if you may hand me your shirt, it is not appropriate for a Schnee to be caught undressed" She said, some of her normal attitude returning, but with a more inherent calmness to it and lacking her usual arrogance.
Chuckling Arthur pulled out his Tome and brought out one of his extra shirts a wine red long sleeved one with a v-neck, his last in shirt fact, as he didn't expect to get stranded in a forest with an organization and to rescue a hundred people to which he only gave shirts to the young children as the adults could live a little longer without clothes.
"Here" he said passing it over to her which she quickly grabbed and held over her chest, an annoyed expression soon rising on her face as she indicated for Arthur to turn around by spinning her hand in a circle.
"Oh, right" he replied quickly and turned around, "I'll go get the others" he said and quickly began to walk down the cave entrance as Weiss changed.
"Good news everyone, it's safe, come on in" he said and began to walk back as it had been long enough for Weiss to put a shirt on. The hundred people following behind him. The moment he returned Weiss ran up to him, panic in her expression as she wrapped her arms around him, but quickly releasing him as she coughed into her fist.
"I do request you not to leave me until we have been rescued" She said in her most formal, Weiss like words, a light flush on her cheeks.
"I won't, just needed to get them in here before they froze to death" he chuckled as he indicated to the hundred people who were trying to huddle around the fire, all of them cuddling together for warmth as they sat on the ground Arthur seeing a few of the young children holding onto the backs of people not being able to get near the fire, not even the unconscious girl was able to get any warmth from the fire as they desperately huddled together. His gaze unconciously roaming over the image of Weiss in a way too big shirt for her that easily hung over her hands and just above her knees, the V-neck revealing a slight crease where her chest was.
"One second" he said to Weiss and walked to the group, "OI!" he shouted, "Do none of you see the children or the injured girl!" everyone jumped at his voice some immediately cowering and scuttling away in fear.
"Let the children and the girl be near the fire, I'll try to get a few more set up, so until then, please take care of the children" he said, his voice calming down enough, "You are all safe now, I understand the horrors of what you went through, but do not lose your morals" he said, calming those frightened as some of the men and women nearest to the fire shared a glance before they moved out of the way to let the children get near the fire, while another woman moved to the girl and lifted her up with help from another woman and brought her closer to the fire.
Smiling at this Arthur said, "Thank you" and turned back to Weiss, "You want to come with?" He asked, getting a quick and furious nod from her worried that Arthur would leave her alone.
"Oh, uh, yes, I will come with" She quickly corrected herself.
"Right let's go then" he said and began to walk along with her out of the cave, stopping for a second before asking Weiss, "Do you want a pair of pants? It's cold out there and I don't think just a shirt is a good idea"
"N-no, I will be fine, I've never been good with pants they chafe me, though, having some underwear would be much appreciated," she said, blushing as she so casually insinuated she wasn't wearing any.
Gulping at the imagery Arthur quickly handed her a pair of grey briefs and turned around knowing she would much prefer to put them on without him watching.
"L-let's go" Weiss said as she quickly walked past him, her face red from embarrassment, but not getting too far away from him so as to not separate from him.
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As Arthur and Weiss were walking back to the cave they began to hear a commotion like numerous people moving around in front of the cave, "Wait" he whispered to her and they both quickly ran behind a tree, Arthur's head peeking over the side of it to assess the situation.
"I want clothing and blankets assigned to each and every person! If we run out give up your own! these people have gone through enough!" He heard winter ordering around the soldiers as they guided all the survivors into the airships that landed around the clearing of the cave.
"You will all be getting properly fed once we return to Atlas! I have already informed the general and he is putting up a camp for all of you to rest in until we can either find your family or set you up somewhere! The general will be making an announcement once we arrive and will explain everything that will happen for you in the coming days! I'm sorry you went through this, we shouldn't have been so blind" Her voice turned sorrowful as she bowed to the hundred people who were looking at her in shock.
Many of those from Atlas had never seen a specialist bow to anyone except the general or a higher up in the government.
"Winter!" Weiss shouted as she ran from behind the tree in realization that her sister was there looking for her.
The moment Winter heard Weiss's call she turned her gaze one of relief as she allowed her specialist demeanour to fall apart as she caught her sister and hugged her. "Oh, Weiss, i'm sorry I never should have let father send those escorts, I should have known something was up" Winter said tightly pulling Weiss into her chest to comfort her.
"I'm-I'm okay Winter,I've had time to calm down," Weiss said, as Winter released her.
"Nonsense" Winter's voice turned stern, "You have been through something traumatic, I want you speaking with a psychologist as soon as possible," She said, not really leaving any room for argument.
"That-that won't be necessary I already have someone I speak to whenever I'm having problems" Weiss replied, Winter squinting at her in doubt.
"You, speaking to someone that isn't me when you're having trouble? I sincerely doubt that" Winter said.
"Winter! I-I'm not that bad!" Weiss tried to retort but only got a doubting nod from Winter
"Nevermind that, let's get you inside and into something warmer than this rag" Winter said pinching at the shirt her sister was wearing.
"It's not that bad…" Weiss whispered.
"Ahem" Arthur cleared his throat, "Those are my rags thank you very much" he said.
Winter looked to him, suspicion on her face, "You, how do I know you aren't responsible for this? I find it incredibly doubtful that you would be getting so close to Weiss to the point she would invite you to the ball on her own" Winter quickly moved in front of Weiss, her hand on her rapier.
"..." Arthur was dumbstruck by her words. Letting out a sigh Arthur scratched the back of his head, "Because, they were after me, not Weiss, she was collateral" he said, and began to explain everything he'd been able to figure out about why they had attacked them.
Both of them shocked at the revelation, whilst Weiss collapsed onto her knees as she put two and two together about why Aster or Blut to her was ordered not to harm her… because she was still useful to her father, and having her hurt would be an embarrassment to him, but apparently not having her body defiled wasn't embarrassing to him.
Her eyes trembling in horror as she realized this, whilst Winter gripped tighter on her rapier in anger, "It's not enough," she muttered, "I can't do anything with just word of mouth, I need evidence before I can drag him down" She said.
Arthur ignored it as he went to Weiss's side, letting her grip onto his shirt as he kneeled next to her, one of his hands resting atop her head in the way that she found comforting, "I'm here Weiss, i'm not going anywhere" he said to calm her down knowing that he was near, "Let's go inside okay?" he gently asked her getting a short nod in reply as he guided her to her feet.
Giving Winter a quick nod before guiding her into the ship where he was handed two blankets by the soldiers within, gently throwing one over Weiss when they got to the back of the ship to an area where there were fewer people, knowing that, that would also help calm her.
Throwing a blanket over his own body Arthur rest his head against the wall, feeling something crawl under his blanket and pulled on it. Looking down he saw Weiss had pulled his blanket over her whilst letting her own fall to the ground as she wanted to be as close to Arthur as possible, finding comfort in just his touch.
Giving her a small smile Arthur raised his hand and placed it atop her head, "Go to sleep, it's over now" he said, gently rubbing his hand on her head as Weiss closed her eyes and curled her body up on thee seat her body turned to Arthur as she gripped onto his shirt whilst his right arm hooked around her back and gently stroked her back.
'I'm going to kill you Jacques' Arthur vowed, as he stared out the window next to where he and Weiss were resting, his eyes and hair flashing to black for a split second before returning to white. Arthur finding no more need to force his emotions into a box that he locked away after everything that had happened.
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Alternate Chapter names: [Rescue] [Aftermath]
Words: 2,852
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