B2C12 Salem's Presence

The being before us, be it God, woman or some demon, came with its own insidious presence. It washed over me like a wave of cloying nausea, except that it had a weight to it, for it forced me down onto one knee. The others were no better, some flat on their stomachs, as though held down from above, others on their backs, struggling for breath. Something deep inside me begged me to run. Something else told me to cry and huddle in a ball. It was an alien sensation, and one I had to clench my teeth together to fight my way past. It was a close call, even then. It felt like I looked into the eyes of death itself

[...]

"D-Damn you…" Yang tried to stand up, but only managed to push her shoulders a few inches off the floor before she slammed back down once more. My eyes sought out Blake, the strongest of us, but the Assassin was in no better a situation. Flat on her stomach, with one hand stretched out to try and reach her dagger. Even if she reached it, I doubted she would have the strength to throw it.

[...]

My hand shook as it wrapped about the hilt of Crocea Mors. The blade grated across the stone floor, and then clinked down before me as I tried to use it to leverage myself to my feet. It was to no avail. My muscles bulged and my skin turned red as I strained, but it was as though gravity itself had grown stronger.

"What…" Weiss struggled to breathe. "What are you?"

[...]

She looked towards us and chuckled. "Look, you already have worshippers prostrating themselves before you."

I scowled and tried to stand once more, but my armour weighed me down. My struggles only seemed to amuse her further. It has to be some kind of spell, I thought. It might be a Passive, if she even has such a thing. Damn it. If even Blake and Pyrrha can't move, I've got no hope.

[...]

"I…I…" Ruby struggled to move, but was locked on hands and knees.