B4C13 Salem's Presence

The woman's presence was an overpowering one and I wasn't the only person dragged down to my knees.

[...]

Tyrian was on his knees as well now, but not from the same invisible force that pushed us down.

[...]

"Yours is a face that caught mine eye the last I saw you," she said. One hand reached out to cup Ruby's chin, and the Reaper was drawn up from all fours into a kneeling position. Despite that, it was clear from her wide eyes that she couldn't move a muscle.

[...]

"Don't!" someone cried. To my surprise it was Ruby. She was still flat on her back, arms locked down beside her and unable to move, but her eyes were locked onto Tyrian's face. "Don't make a wish! Merlot did and he… he died. She lied to him!"

[...]

My bones shook as I forced myself to stand, muscles bulging against the force of Salem's presence. I managed to kneel and clutch Crocea Mors, and to rise again, even if it left my face slick with sweat.

[...]

I could barely move against someone who had apparently been one of the strongest people in all of Mistral.

He was in front of me in an instant, sword lunging for my throat.

Another met it, followed by a shoulder meeting mine as I was hurled to the side. Qrow was covered in dust and bled from a wound above his brow, but he twirled and slashed with his curved sword, driving Tyrian back and away.

I staggered and nearly fell, but caught myself at the last second.

[...]

But I can't move, and neither can the others. My eyes roved up to the balcony everyone else must have still been on, but since none of them had tried to help I had to assume Salem's presence had them pinned down as well. There was no way Yang wouldn't have tried to help Ruby and Qrow otherwise.

[...]

"You specifically instructed him to kill us."

"I did. What of it?"

"If he kills us because we can't move, then it won't be him killing us."

[...]

"I will release my presence from three of your companions." Her eyes strayed to the balcony the others were behind and she grinned, making sure I knew they hadn't fooled her. "Pick your representatives and I shall free them to face mine."