In the mystical expanse of the Emerald Forest, the freshmen descended one by one, each encountering unique challenges and showcasing their individual skills.
Ruby, in her descent, unintentionally collided with a bird, an unfortunate casualty of her arrival. Bryce, observing the spectacle, restrained a laugh to avoid the risk of swallowing an insect.
Meanwhile, Bryce found himself hurtling toward a colossal tree. Thinking on his feet, he swiftly unsheathed Ash, using it to anchor himself to the trunk before expertly sliding down.
In close proximity, Reina exhibited finesse as she summoned ethereal ice wings, slowing her descent and allowing her to touch down with unparalleled grace.
Ulrick, harnessing the power of his semblance, seamlessly transitioned into his beast form, cushioning his fall before reverting to his normal state.
Natalia skillfully harnessed the recoil of her gun blade, employing it as a makeshift propulsion to decelerate her descent. As her feet touched the ground, a symphony of nature surrounded her, but amidst the ambient sounds, a subtle rustling emanated from the nearby bushes. Instinctively, she swiftly reloaded her weapon, the mechanical clicks echoing in the stillness of the forest. With precision, Natalia trained her aim on the source of the disturbance, ready to confront whatever unseen presence lurked within the shadows.
Emerging from the dense foliage, Ulrick cautiously raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Don't shoot!" he exclaimed, his voice a blend of amusement and relief.
"Ulrick?" Natalia quirked an eyebrow, wariness still etched on her features as she lowered her gunblade.
"Yeah, it's me. I suppose we're partners now," Ulrick grinned, his demeanor radiating a sense of camaraderie.
Natalia couldn't help but express her assumptions, "I half-expected you to be more disappointed that it's me and not Bryce."
A genuine smile played on Ulrick's lips. "Why would I be disappointed? You're my friend too," he reassured, his words carrying a sincerity that resonated.
Natalia's cheeks took on a subtle rosy hue before she turned away, clearing her throat. "W-we should probably make our way to the temple."
"Right," Ulrick concurred, falling in step beside her as they ventured towards the unknown challenges of this forest.
Bryce, moments after his landing, found himself under immediate assault by the relentless Grimm. From a distance, Ozpin observed the unfolding skirmish on his tablet with a keen eye.
"Now, Phoenix, show us why you are the Eikon of Fire," Ozpin declared, his words carrying a weight of expectation.
Bryce skillfully maneuvered, deftly dodging beneath the ferocious strike of a Beowulf before swiftly dispatching it with a precise shot to the back of the head.
"C'mon, boys, I haven't even broken a sweat yet," Bryce proclaimed a defiant grin on his face despite a single bead of sweat betraying the intensity of the encounter.
In truth, he had been strategically relying on his semblance, focusing on the art of counterattacking to maintain control. As the onslaught continued, an Alpha Beowulf lurked behind him, launching a surprise attack. Bryce's semblance activated just in time, but the strain was becoming apparent. He managed to narrowly evade the strike and retaliated by slashing off the Grimm's arm, eliciting a howl of agony that reverberated through the forest.
"Pussy calling for help! Ulrick is way more Wolf than you," Bryce taunted, his words ringing out amidst the chaos as the Grimm pack closed in, setting the stage for a fierce battle.
"Then again, I guess I can let loose since the professor is watching..." Bryce smirked, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Holstering Smolder, Bryce firmly gripped Ash with both hands, deftly activating the wind dust cartridge. A tempest promptly spiraled to life around him as he assumed a determined stance.
The remnants of the formidable Beowulf pack charged relentlessly toward Bryce, their aggression heightened as the temperature in the vicinity surged.
On his back, a pair of flames materialized, vaguely resembling wings, and the very air around him caught fire. The intense blaze seemed to dance in harmony with Bryce's unwavering focus.
"Begone!" Bryce roared, executing a sweeping slash that transformed into a burning arc, effortlessly bisecting or decapitating the remaining Beowulfs. The air crackled with the aftermath of his fiery onslaught.
Flicking his blade with a flourish, Bryce stood amidst the swirling ashes of his defeated adversaries, a testament to the unleashed power that lay dormant within him.
Merely ten yards away, Ulrick's keen senses picked up on something, causing his ears to twitch involuntarily. His gaze shifted in Bryce's direction, a subtle unease crossing his features.
Observing her partner's abrupt change in demeanor, Natalia inquired, "What's wrong, Ulrick?"
"Bryce is showing off again..." Ulrick muttered through gritted teeth, a mixture of annoyance and concern evident in his tone.
Natalia's eyes narrowed with determination. "Then he most likely needs help, so let's go," she decisively concluded.
"Wait, there are other presences near Bryce," Natalia remarked, her voice tinged with urgency.
"How good are your senses!" Natalia asked, shock evident in her voice.
"Doesn't matter, let's go." Ulrick's response was swift as he seamlessly shifted into his formidable Abyssal Beast form.
Without hesitation, Natalia leaped onto the back of the imposing black beast, and together they swiftly departed further into the forest.
Meanwhile, back with Bryce, the ground beneath him trembled ominously. His semblance kicked in instinctively, sensing imminent danger. Suddenly, a colossal King Taijitu burst forth from below, its gaping maw poised to swallow him whole.
"Am I really about to die like this..." Bryce's eyes widened, a fleeting moment of vulnerability crossing his features as his life began to flash before his eyes.
"Like hell I am!" Bryce's defiant shout echoed through the forest as he took swift action. With determined precision, he thrusts a fireball into the gaping maw of the King Taijitu, causing an explosion that obliterated its head.
Bryce landed gracefully, his hand poised on Ash, anticipating the inevitable second head's ambush. Tension hung in the air as moments passed.
Then, true to expectation, the second head emerged.
The serpent hissed menacingly, lunging toward Bryce with evident anger. Prepared for the impending confrontation, Bryce readied himself to strike. However, just as he was about to execute his move, a sudden intervention occurred. The ebony head of the King Taijitu found itself encased in a layer of ice, halting its aggression in a frozen moment of reprieve.
"Huh?" Bryce responded, genuine confusion etched across his face as Reina walked out of the nearby tree line, prompting him to raise a quizzical brow.
"Umm."
"Well, you'll have to do for my partner, I guess," she declared, her saber emitting an icy mist, her words laced with a passive-aggressive undertone.
Sensing an opportunity to address the lingering tension between them, Bryce decided it was time to clear the air. "And for the record, I'm not stalking YOU!"
"Uh huh, we have a temple to get to," Reina retorted, sheathing her saber nonchalantly. As she walked past Bryce, the Frozen Grimm began to crumble into a cascade of snow.
"You gotta believe me, I'm not weird. I swear, it was just a lot of coincidences!" Bryce pleaded, attempting to make his case as he quickened his pace to keep up with her. Together, they walked in the direction of the temple.
________________________________________
YOU ARE READING
RWBY: Frost/Inferno
FanfictionBryce Rosfield the boy blessed by Fire. As a child, he wanted to be huntsmen like his parents that's the only thing he remembers about his parents since he draws a blank regarding everything else. The few things he remembers are being called special...
