Arc Royale [Ch. 7]

A spiralling column of water roared its way up and over the nearby containers, easily reaching fifteen metres high. Yang and Ruby stared, mouths agape, as it twisted its way over them and slammed itself unerringly down on Ashari. Right in the middle of the fight, no less. Blake and Nora were slammed into containers, while Jaune slipped and was swept away and Pyrrha had to stab her weapon into the ground to keep her own footing. Leviathan hadn't cared to warn them of danger close, and he obviously wasn't worried about friendly fire.

Shockingly enough, he'd knocked Ashari flat to the ground.

"Yes!" Yang hissed. "Finish him, Leviathan!"

Ashari grunted and tried to stand, but the water that was under and all around him wouldn't have it. Acting impossibly, it coiled up and around his leg and yanked him back, causing him to slip and smash face-down again. Then, without breaking, the water around his foot dragged him bodily along the docks. It was like a scene out of a horror film, with Ashari trying desperately to grab hold of something but not being able to. The water travelled with him, both around and underneath, buoying him up millimetres off the ground and preventing any friction.

A Huntsman couldn't fight water. Ashari might kick and thrash all he wanted, but he couldn't harm something that wasn't alive. His sword swings splashed the water about, but it kept reforming and dragging him to the edge of the docks, where Leviathan was waiting, stood with a vicious and downright cruel grin. With a cry, Ashari was swept over and splashed down into the water.

It should have been over there – could have been. Leviathan had other ideas.

"You can fight!" he shouted to be heard to the man in the water. "But can you hold your breath forever? I doubt it."

The flailing man tried to swim his way to the surface, but how could you fight against someone who could control water when you were submerged in it? Ashari was dragged deeper still, inexorably forced down and down away from the precious oxygen required for all life.

Leviathan's plan was as clear as it was horrible, but this was war. These people were on Salem's side. Ruby bit her lip and clung onto that, hoping it – and the pain – would help convince her she wasn't aiding and abetting murder.

"He could kill me in the water…" Knight whispered. There was genuine concern in his voice. "All the Strength in the world won't matter if I can't push my way to the surface. What a horrible way to die."

—Arc Royale [Ch. 7]