A/N
*UPDATE* Super small change to the end, so it flows to the ending (separate chapter) that will be uploaded in a few days. Also some minute edits to the grammar and sentence throughout the story. Tell me if you find anymore! Thanks! *UPDATE*
So, I had a pretty sucky week. You know how I said I'd post this update a couple hours later? Well obvious it's not. I happened to be finishing up my editing but my mom was being extra stealthy that night and caught me on my laptop when I should've been sleep. She got incredibly pissed and took my laptop away. I COULDN'T GAME FOR A WEEK! CAN YOU IMAGINE? This morning, I convinced her that I wouldn't use my laptop so late at night, and that I promised to be good. She accepted, but guess what? I'm uploading this at 2am.
Anyways, that's my problem, for you though, part 2! Enjoy!
PS. Apologies for some time jumping, I'm a bit worried that they will be confusing. I tried my best. Just know whenever it's in italics it's a memory and it usually acts as a time divider. Thanks for understanding!
====Ethereal====
"LET GO!"
"Just wait Weiss! We're almost there~"
"I don't want to go!"
"Oh come on, I told you it'll be fun!"
"I need to do my homework!"
"Just through here."
"LET GO!"
Ruby turned a sharp turn through the dense emerald forest, finally breaking into a clearing after almost 5 minutes of endless running.
"Welcome to my humble pond."
Weiss emerged into a small clearing. In the centre was a very quaint pond. It wasn't that big like a majestic lake or anything. There wasn't an old wise willow that wept next to the pond. There wasn't a majestic pair of swans that swam in the pond. It was just an everyday pond.
"This is what you wanted to show me? A dirty pond?"
"Do you not like it?"
"Of course I don't like it!"
"Oh ... I thought you would."
"Well I don't. What's the point of taking me all the way out here?"
"To show you this!"
Ruby produced a small file from her pocket, placing it in Weiss's palm.
"What's this?"
"Read it."
Weiss flipped open the folder, and held the only sheet of paper inside up to read it out loud. "Jaune Arc has been found to be guilty of fraud and his expulsion will take effect immediately. Ok great, scraggly is getting kicked out. Who cares?"
"Keep reading."
"His position is, as of now, open … for claim."
"Huh? Right? You see now Weiss? I can see the look on your face."
"What does this mean?"
"You can be a team leader!"
"I- I don't understand."
"I guess I should start from the beginning. You know how Jaune was a little… behind all of us. He faked his documents so that he would be accepted into Beacon. Long story short, they found out."
"I mean, what did you mean when you said I can be team leader?"
"Oh! Well I know you've always wanted to be team leader, so I talked to Ozpin and you know, pulled the old Ruby pizazz and told them Weiss would be willing to take up the position."
"Wait… WHAT DID YOU DO?"
"I knew that you had always wanted to be team leader, and you had always wanted to be on the same team with Pyrrha to be the perfect partnership; Therefore, I thought Weiss is going to love this. No offence to Jaune of course."
"You…"
"After our mission, you'll be put on team JNRP, or should I say WNPR now, as their team leader! Isn't that great?"
"But …" Weiss felt her heart suddenly combust inside her.
"What?"
"But you- why did you do that?"
"Well, I uh, I feel like I've constantly been a … disappointment to you. So –um- I thought if you replaced Jaune, you wouldn't have to worry about me dragging you down all the time. You'll finally be able to be with Pyrrha as a partner, who I'm sure is in no way going to waste your time like I have."
"But-"
"If you're worried about us not seeing each other again. Don't worry about it. It's not like we won't be seeing each other during lunch or class." Ruby grinned, "It's just that you'll finally get what you wanted without me there to ruin it."
"I- "
Ruby smiled encouragingly.
"NO! " Weiss ripped the paper in shreds, chucking it carelessly over her shoulder. "I-I don't want to."
Ruby smile faltered, as tears pooled in her eyes. "What? Why?"
"I don't want to leave you."
As tears streamed from the younger girl's eyes, she ran up, bear hugging Weiss.
"I knew it…I just knew somewhere in your heart… you had a place for me."
====Ethereal====
Weiss couldn't sleep. For hours she tossed and turned in her bed, thinking about the day before that dreaded mission. She couldn't get it out of her head. The late afternoon at the pond, where Weiss had finally been broken. The walls she had built around her heart had been destroyed by one careful and precise strike by Ruby. Ever since her death though, Weiss had worked on repairing that wall, reinforcing it with steel beams, boosting its strength with armour plating, disallowing anyone's entry to her personal life. She was afraid of letting anyone to be close, she was afraid that if she let someone else in, that person would be likewise snatched from her with no remorse. She feared to go through what she had before.
Who knew, that even though Ruby didn't exist anymore, she could still bring those walls crumbling down again, smashing the steel into splinters, denting and bending the armour plates.
Weiss clutched her head. What if Ruby really was a ghost, and she heard what I had said to her.
"Tell her to fuck off…" Her own words echoed in her head. She squeezed her skull feeling herself go faint and light headed.
Weiss shook her head.
No way… no way she's a ghost. It's was all a trick by Yang and Blake. But what if…. ARG!
Weiss chucked the pillow from under her head at an invisible entity in the dark.
If I could take that back … I would.
Weiss pondered for a second, and sighed, whispering, "Curse myself."
"Ruby?"
"Are you there?"
No response.
"Ruby?" Weiss tried again.
"Well, if you really are a ghost… um… I just wanted to tell you, I'm sorry for saying that before."
Weiss waited again for some supernatural voice to utter an apology accepted, but of course, she heard nothing.
"Um … alright then."
Weiss closed her eyes, but felt the urge to keep talking as if Ruby was beckoning to converse more.
"Well, since I'm already talking to myself, might as well keep going."
Weiss sat up in her bed, leaning against the head board, and in her hands, was a scrap of red cloth. It had become almost like a teddy bear for Weiss. The cloth was in her hand, every night she slept. The red fabric was all that was left of Ruby's cloak, and Weiss regretted ever ripping one of Ruby's most treasured possessions. "I hope you're doing fine as a ghost Ruby."
"You better have ridden that Nevermore since last we … talked."
"I'm sorry again for what I said. I just can't believe you're a ghost. You understand me right?"
Weiss nodded to herself.
"Of course you do, you always have."
"Oh and by the way, Ozpin made me leader for RWBY –er- sorry WBY. We're supposed to be getting a fourth member sometime soon. Hopefully she's somewhat like you. "Weiss scratched her head. " I know what you're thinking and no… it's just for practical purposes. It would keep the team running smoothly like before."
Weiss swallowed, seeing if this time, she might hear someone respond.
"Ruby, either I'm going mad like Yang, or I'm just desperate." Weiss muttered. "Probably the latter."
"Anyways, sleep well. Do ghosts sleep? Ah whatever, as long as you're at peace and rid of all the worries of school, life and grimm, I know that I will sleep soundly. "
Weiss scooted down into her blanket, gazing at the bunk bed above her, imagining a girl still sleeping above her. Arms spread wildly, hair scattered messily and mouth drooling from the side. "Good- Good night Ruby."
I'm insane.
====Ethereal====
The next morning passed rather normally, but no doubt Weiss felt a bit strange. Something had changed. She woke up with a hint of excitement and for a chance in a million, elated.
"Hey Yang." Weiss asked, as she got dressed, "Do you mind if I ask you a question?"
"Hmm? Is something wrong… you seem at peace for a change."
"Right… but just for information purposes… is… is Ruby here?"
"What?"
Weiss blushed, "You heard me."
"Didn't yesterday-"
"YES! I get it, just tell me."
"Ruby? You there?" Yang shouted into open space. "Where are you hiding?"
"So?"
"Good morning sis! Weiss is looking for you. " Yang smiled turning to Weiss, "Yeah, she's here. Why though, may I ask?"
"Just for informational purposes." Weiss said as she finished putting on her jacket.
She tapped her foot on the floor as Yang took her sweet time to put on her precious gauntlets.
"Could you be any slower?" Weiss hurried.
"Jeez, I'm done." Yang said striding out the door, "Impatient."
Weiss glanced outside down the hall as Yang disappeared around the corner. She tucked her head back in, closing the door.
She climbed up to Ruby's bed and sat down.
"Good morning." Weiss smiled sweetly.
Oh god this is dumb.
"Um, I hope you were listening when I was talking last night… I wasn't sure if you were there. Maybe sleeping? I don't know."
"I apologized for what I said… but again, you know me. I don't just easily believe in ghosts."
"But um, I couldn't take the chance that I was actually … saying that. AGH, this is so strange. I'm pretty much talking to no one. I don't even get a response."
Weiss stroked the white blanket that had only two weeks ago covered the form of Ruby Rose.
"I miss you."
Weiss squeezed her eyes shut, pausing for a moment.
"Say, do ghosts eat? I guess we could go to breakfast toget-"
"WEISS! You rush me, but you yourself go straight back in? What are you doing?" Yang's easily recognized voice echoed from the hallway.
Weiss instinctively jumped down from Ruby's bed scrambling out the door past the blonde, shielding her face.
"What were you doing?" Yang called after her, but Weiss had already turned the corner and shot down the stairs.
"Ruby? Come on, let's go. Are you there?" Weiss whispered. "I think today they will have cookies…"
====Ethereal====
"Why did you bring me to this pond anyways."
"Because I like it."
"Of course. Why else would Ruby Rose do anything."
Ruby lay stretched out on the wild green grass, eyes closed. Next to her, Weiss sat on her bottom, her arms wrapped around her legs. She didn't want to sit on the grass, but Ruby had offered to lay out her cloak for Weiss to sit on. Weiss didn't have any other reason not to and so complied.
Surprisingly though, the cloak was silky, smooth, and quite warm actually. No wonder Ruby wore it around so often. Weiss had always thought it was a thick and itchy, but now found herself tracing her fingers on the red fabric.
"Well you don't know the reason why I like this pond. "
…
Ruby coughed.
Weiss rolled her eyes, "Why?"
"Good question my young Weiss-hopper! Ever since these woods were infected by grimm, people began to fear this place. But I guess it's nice to know, that as scary as anything seems, there's always something nice. Like my pond here."
"This is what you call nice?"
"Ok whatever Weiss. I like it. Just can you let me have my moment of philosophical insight?"
"Hmm."
The two sat in silence for a while listening to the leaves bristle against each other, as the winds conducted their movements in a symphony of ambience. The pond wasn't very spectacular, possibly even the complete opposite. It was just a pool of water in the middle of a forest. But with the way Ruby described it, it did began to arouse feelings of innocence, purity and beauty. The soft light glistening on its surface made it feel like a beacon of serenity compared to the dark recesses of the forest.
"Are you nervous about tomorrow?" Ruby suddenly asked.
"Huh?"
"About tomorrow."
"Ah. Well I'm worried you're going to get us killed somehow."
Ruby laughed, "Don't worry about me Weissy, I can handle myself."
"I'm not worried about you. I'm worried about my own well being. But so long as you think before you act, and don't goof around like a child... maybe I will actually survive this."
"Goof around? I'm a professional Weiss. Psh, I'll take anything the grimm have to offer."
"Just please be smart and always remember to be careful."
"You worry too much. You should relax like me! It's no big deal. The two best huntresses Beacon has to offer fighting side by side against waves of grimm! It's a story for the ages!" Ruby cheered, raising a fist.
Weiss simply shook her head and exhaled. "It's just a scouting trip. Sight and flight remember? If we see something, we just leave it alone."
"Yeah! Of course I know. Psh, calm down, we're amazing together. We'll be fine."
"I hope so."
…
"Oh and uh … me becoming Team Leader of JNPR?" Weiss wondered.
"Oh yeah, that was completely made up."
"You suck."
"Please. I know you don't mean that."
"Oh yeah?"
Ruby clutched her face, imitating Weiss. "Oh Ruby~ I don't want to leave you~"
"Shut up you dolt. And that's not what I did." Weiss looked away, her face becoming red.
It was true. She never meant anything to hurt Ruby.
====Ethereal====
"I think something's wrong with Weiss, Blake."
"I know."
"She's been doing the same thing for what? A month now?" Yang looked to a two seated table by the windows. "She just sits there… every time … with no one with her."
"She's with Ruby."
"But, that's … that's so lonely. She can't even see or hear her."
"But at least she's happy."
Yang sighed, "I guess."
Weiss sat alone facing an empty seat, but the smile on her face was as genuine as smiles could get. She looked almost like a naïve child seeing her favourite food or toy. For days, she had gotten up, greeted a non-existent Ruby, and ate breakfast with a non-existent Ruby. They sat in the same spot, right next to the windows that looked out onto the Beacon Park. They sat in the same seats, with Weiss facing the same empty chair in a perfect straight angle. In front of her was a small tray that contained a plate of fried egg and toast, with some butter on the side. Between her words, she would occasionally munch happily on the crispy toast.
Weiss would tell the invisible girl everything she would be doing during the day. Everything she did the day before. Everything she could say, she did.
It was also, a very special day today. Wednesday. That means they were serving cookies. And of course, a small plate piled with them sat across Weiss on the other side of the table. Weiss always made sure to pick the best ones. The ones that had the most even amount of chocolate chips, the ones with the least cracks, the ones she was sure Ruby would've loved. But alas, as acutely as she selected them, they would always end up untouched.
"It's a pretty cloudy day today." Weiss said, gazing at the grim sky, "But I guess that doesn't really matter right? Too busy enjoying the cookies I bet."
Weiss took a cookie from Ruby's plate and nibbled on it.
"Oh! Forgot to tell you before! Jaune is still here. Ozpin convinced the board that Jaune was a good student and he's actually been allowed to staying … well I guess you probably already know that. Pretty big news. I keep forgetting you can hear and talk, it's just that I can't hear you."
Every morning, Weiss asks Yang the same question. Every morning, she answers the same. "Yes, Ruby is here." But the truth was, her visits were becoming less and less, to the point where Yang hadn't seen her sister in days. Why? Yang didn't know, but what could she do. Weiss was happy. She was able maintained a peaceful smile throughout the day instead of lurking around like a zombie. Yang had tried to make Weiss join them at their table during meals, but Weiss always gave the excuse that she didn't want to abandon Ruby. Even though there were days when Yang knew Ruby wasn't even here, she let Weiss go. To sit alone, in isolated joy, talking to "Ruby".
"Ruby, guess what I found out yesterday?" Weiss grinned, "Yang told me you like milk. Which I should've realised since you like cookies as well…"
Weiss smile drooped for a second as she looked at the uneaten cookies, but strangely enough, she regained her composure when she looked back at the empty seat.
"Maybe I'll get you some tomorrow. I was going to get some, but I spent a little too much time picking out those cookies. Unless you really want some…"
Weiss waited, her face never once showing a hint of sadness when there was no reply. Because in her mind, she thought that Ruby was there, saying something, and so she waited. Waited until she felt that Ruby was given enough time to finish saying what she wished to say.
"I'll get you some milk later, if you'll be here after I get back from school." Weiss raised an eyebrow, "Is that a deal?"
Weiss nodded to herself, exhaling a long breath. "Right… time for class."
Little did she realize, but a ghost had become the very thing that tied her to sanity.
====Ethereal====
"Dum dee doop dee da."
"Quiet Ruby."
"What? It's not like we're on a stealth mission."
"That's not the problem." Weiss checked behind them, "It's annoying."
Ruby grinned, "Oh is it?"
"Ruby no… I know what you're thinking."
"Doop dee doop dee doo."
"I'm serious."
Ruby skipped ahead, tooting her tunes, a smile on her face.
"That idiot. This is a serious mission. Grimm are all around us, just waiting to strike."
As Weiss lost herself in the rant, in the distance, Ruby disappeared behind a denser area of forest. It wasn't until an entire minute later that Weiss noticed Ruby was missing.
"Oh crap. Ruby!" Weiss ran forward, following where she last saw the bounding girl, "RUBY! Where is that idiot?"
By the time Weiss had caught up, she found Ruby in the model of a clearing littered by Grimm parts as they dissolved into Rose petals. Ruby stood in the middle, brandishing the vicious blade of Crescent Rose. When the girl noticed Weiss storming towards her, she waved happily gesturing at the handiwork around her.
"Ruby! I told you to wait! They probably attacked you because they heard you singing that wretched song!"
"Big deal Weissy woo. I took care of them right? Not a scratch on me." Ruby tilted her head up proudly.
"And what happened to sight and flight? This is just a scouting mission, we're not supposed to go round killing Grimm!" Weiss scolded.
"Don't worry! As long as we stay positive, the Grimm will stay away."
"But you are such a-"
Ruby disappeared in a flurry of roses appearing behind Weiss to whisper, "Positive…"
Weiss recalled the lesson they learned the day before on how the grimm were attracted to negativity. For the entire trip, every time Weiss got angry at Ruby, the younger girl would use that same excuse. It always worked. "Ugh... fine. BUT, stay close to me alright? I don't want you disappearing again."
"But moooom."
"Shut up Ruby. You acted like a child, so you're going to be treated like a child."
Ruby chuckled grabbing Weiss's hand like a little kid, "Hehe, who said staying close to you was a bad thing."
====Ethereal====
"Alright. Listen up children. It's been over two months since our last scouting of the surroundings. We are going to go in groups scattered around the surrounding infected zones. It's a basic sight and flight concept. If you see any Grimm. DO NOT ENGAGE. This is just recon. Understand?"
Weiss smiled, "Ruby you there? Well, seems like we're going out again…"
"Weiss! You will go with Yang and Blake, since you can't exactly go with a ghost."
"Yes sir!" Weiss answered. The fact that Ruby is a ghost has become so common, nobody found it special anymore. Some people would walk past Weiss and nod, merely acknowledging the presence of Ruby. It meant the same for her as well; Weiss has also gotten so used to expecting Ruby to be with her, that she doesn't even ask anyone if she was here. She just talks, thinking Ruby is always somewhere aside her, watching and listening.
"Are you ready to fight some Grimm?" Weiss asked.
No response. What did she expect?
"Well I am. It's about time I deal some justice of my own to those wretched things." Weiss grinned.
"WEISS!" Yang jumped at her grabbing Weiss's shoulders, one in each hand. "We're finally back together as a team!"
"Right." Blake muttered appearing behind Yang.
"Where have you been Weiss? We only see each other in the dorms now."
"I- I was working on something… for Ruby."
Yang's features suddenly darkened, "Oh- with Ruby… th-that's good…"
The blonde glanced around her, but saw no presence of her sister. "Didn't you used to ask me whether she was around?"
"Well, now I just sort of assume Ruby is always with me since you always say yes anyways."
Yang gulped, stealing a nervous glance at Blake. "O-Of course."
"So, are you guys read to fight some Grimm?"
"Of course we are! But don't forget. Scouting mission. Don't engage in a fight unless you have to. Don't get too angry." Yang reminded Weiss.
"And that means a lot coming from Yang. Who I've seen multiple times, decimate entire herds of Grimm because of a piece of her hair falling off." Blake mentioned.
Weiss smiled. It has been a while since the three of them really got together and talked. Weiss had been so preoccupied with talking to Ruby that she'd almost forgotten about her team.
"It's good that we're back together." Yang said, hugging Weiss and Blake altogether in one big group.
====Ethereal====
"I have a surprise for you Ruby. In honour of this mission. Remember how last time, you gave me that note, saying I could become team leader? I never really thanked you for it. So I decided to do something on my own…"
Class had been over no more than five minutes ago, as Weiss walked briskly down a empty hallway to the weapons workshop.
"Guess what I did?"
"I think you probably know already, but humour me!"
Weiss opened the door into an empty room, but lying at the end of the room on a clean white table, was Crescent Rose.
"You like it? I repaired it!" Weiss hefted, the weapon in her hand, swinging it clumsily trying to mimic what Ruby would usually have done.
"I wasn't able to do the transformation into a gun part though. I tried, but I couldn't figure it out." Weiss rubbed the back of her neck. "But it's good huh?"
Weiss smiled glumly to herself. "Yeah. It was my pleasure."
From the entrance to the room, someone sniggered. "Pathetic."
Weiss glanced up and saw the massive figure of Cardin blocking the light from the hallway, casting a shadowy veil across his face. "What do you want?"
"Oh I was just passing by… but then I heard a wimpy little thing yipping about in this room." Cardin approached Weiss slowly in his usual haughty swagger. "But who knew, I'd find the great Weiss Schnee sulking about, talking to herself."
"I'm not talking to myself."
"Oh suuure. You're talking to Ruuuby. If I was her, I'd be laughing at how pathetic you are, keeping miles away."
"That's not true!" Weiss glared at the hulk of meat. "Yang always tells me she's here and comparing her to you, it's obvious who I'd rather believe."
"Please. You're running from the truth. Ruby's dead Weiss. It's been over a month, get over it."
"YOU! How dare you!" Usually, Weiss would have had a roaring voice that could tear any opposition apart, but instead, she sounded weak and fragile like a cracked glass vase that had simply been glued back together.
Cardin chuckled crossing his arms, "You know of all the people in this god forsaken school, you used to be the one I had the most respect for. A girl who held her own. Now? Seeking safety in a bloody ghost? Laughable."
"You-" Weiss clenched her jaw, feeling tears fill her eyes. "Come on Ruby let's go." She bolted towards the exit, one hand behind her as if it were holding Ruby's hand.
Cardin outright burst into laughter, "HAHAHAHA! Ruby~ let's goo. I'm a weak piece of crap and I can't believe you're dead… I'm so sad … wah wah wah. HAHAHA! PATHETIC!"
====Ethereal====
Two girls sat hunched together over a small roaring fire. They silently watched the flame cackle and burn as the dry wood shrivelled to a crisp black. Ruby had draped her cloak over Weiss, wrapping them together in a little huddle and keeping in the little heat they had.
"Thanks for the cloak." Weiss mumbled into her arm.
Ruby grinned, eyes still glued to the fire. "No problemo Weissy woo."
"Don't call me that."
"Why?"
"It's stupid."
"I'm pretty stupid, but you still like me~"
"What?! No I don't!"
"Fine then, I guess I'll take this cloak away." Ruby lifted her cloak off Weiss's shoulders, and instantly a blast of cold air struck the white haired Girl. Weiss quickly pulled Ruby's cloak back down, scooting closer to the madly smiling girl.
"Heheh. See what I'm saying?"
"That doesn't mean I like you! It's cold!"
"Suuuure…"
Weiss groaned. "Imbecile."
Ruby continued her observation of the fire, and so did Weiss. But she wasn't looking at the fire, she was watching the dancing fire perform their frantic dance in Ruby's silver eyes.
"Aren't you the least worried Ruby?"
"Not at all. This is the half way mark remember? We're half way done. Tomorrow we'll be sleeping in our bunks and not out in this cold."
"I know… but I keep worrying that something bad will happen."
"Why? I've seen you take down a boarbatusk on your own. "
"I know but-"
Ruby hugged Weiss. "We'll be fine. Nothing's bad happened so far right? Chances are, nothing bad WILL happen."
"I just hoped someone else was here to help."
"Oh. Am I not good enough?"
"Well today, you ran off and put yourself in danger in the middle of a large pack of Beowulf."
"I took care of them didn't I?"
"Yeah… that's true. But what if you do it again, and what if this time it's a nevermore or even a deathstalker?"
"We've killed one before!"
"But not with just the two of us!" Weiss softly nudged a depressed looking Ruby. "Look. I'm simply stating the truth here. Just please don't leave me and run off to god knows where tomorrow. I'm worried about you."
Ruby's trade-mark grinned reappeared. "Awww… Weissy. You don't have to worry about me!"
"But I- I do.."
"Then I promise to stick with you the entire time." Ruby announced with a proud voice.
"Thanks."
"Don't worry, we'll be back in Beacon soon enough. And besides, it's my pleasure."
====Ethereal====
Dead leaves crunched under the groups feet, as they quickly made their way through the winding emerald forest. It had been a pretty eventless day. The three had taken off quite anxious, keeping their guard up, watching their surroundings very carefully, and noting any suspicious movement. But as the day dragged on, paranoia decreased and not even the sudden snapping of dead twigs raised their attention.
A couple of paces in front of Weiss, Yang and Blake was having some conversation that looked to be very … exciting. Yang was laughing and throwing imaginary punches, while Blake walked alongside nodding approval. Weiss observed contently from behind.
She paced behind her two teammates, hands held behind her back, enjoying the peace and quiet of the evergreen forest. Her face bore a placid smile, contempt by the serenity of her surroundings.
"It's really nice." Weiss mumbled to herself, "Like you once said, Ruby, its' nice to know that, as scary as anything seems, there's always something nice."
Weiss closed her eyes, but continued walking, recalling the memory of them lying by Ruby's pond. "It seems like it's been ages since we were at the pond. I wonder if we can find it again?"
Weiss chuckled, "Maybe on the way back."
Blake called back to Weiss, "Hey! We're almost at the apex of our trip and it's only a little past noon!"
Smiling, Weiss replied. "We might even make it back in one day!"
Yang gave a throaty laugh, while Blake smiled back.
"Guess, you won't be missing your favourite cookies tomorrow." Weiss glanced at a space next to her, imagining a glimmering figure of Ruby next to her. She imagined a young girl, skipping alongside, humming a ridiculous tune. She imagined short black hair bobbing up and down, as the girl swung her arms joyously forwards and backwards. "I'm sure you're happy about that."
Weiss sped up to a jog catching up to her teammates. "Come on Ruby, don't want to be left behind!"
====Ethereal====
The sun had already set below the tree line, yet the three continued to move forward, led by a determined Weiss. They were already more than 2 hours past conditional time to set up camp. It had become already too dark to forage for fire wood, the sky being lit solely by a half moon. They could barely see the ground in front of them as they walked, but still they pushed onwards.
"Are you sure we'll be able to make it back?" Blake asked, glancing nervously at the rising moon. "We should set up camp and just rest."
"No. We'll be back at Beacon soon." Weiss ensured.
"Weiss... I'm tired, Yang's tired … you're tired! If we continue like this we'll be running on nothing but fatigue."
"No, I'm sure we're almost there."
"Weiss! Stop!" Blake grasped Weiss arm, grinding her to a stop. "There's no way. Even if we could, it's risky. You know these woods are infested with Grimm. What if a pack of beowulf suddenly spring on us and it's pitch black? Not to mention how tired we are! We'd be dead!"
"But I promised Ruby she'd be getting cookies tomorrow."
Blake grabbed Weiss by both her shoulders. "Please, I'm sure Ruby would have understood the situation."
"What do you mean would have?"
"Sorry. I mean she understands."
"Blake. I know Ruby, and I'm certain she will not lay down and rest when there's cookies at stake." Weiss grinned delicately.
Blake glanced at the sky and the moon which had already risen high into the night sky. "Alright, we'll keep moving for another twenty minutes, and if we're still not there, we stop."
"Thanks."
"No problem. Yang let's speed it up."
Far behind them, came a low resounding moan. "Ugggghhh, I'm so tired."
"It's soon Yang, don't worry." Weiss comforted.
"It better be." The blonde, trudged through the dead leaves, cumbersomely trailing behind Weiss and Blake.
The two girls turned around, Weiss with her hands on her hips and Blake with her hands crossed. "The slower you are, the slower we get home."
"Ugggghhh." Like a zombie, Yang lumbered forward, her body bending forward and her arms dangling limp by her sides.
"I don't understand how this is your sister Ruby." Weiss sniggered. "How can someone so lazy be related to you."
"Hey! Now hold on a minute." Yang muttered, slightly tripping over her own feet.
"Yes?"
"You can't just- wait …" Yang eye's darted around them. "GET DOWN!" Yang's body snapped to attention, sprinting the last steps to Blake and Weiss, yanking the two into cover behind a line of trees and bushes.
'What is it?" Blake whispered.
"A pack." Yang replied, breathing heavily.
"What? Are you sure? Damn it. What now?"
"We take them out."
"Are you serious right now? This is a sight and flight mission!"
"Flight? I heard fight."
Blake sneaked a peak through the bushes, "There's much too many of them! And besides, weren't you the one who reminded us before we left?"
"Oh yeah? If you're going to run away, where are we going to go anyways? We're surrounded. I say we fight. We have the element of surprise!"
"No! We need to- "
"Weiss?"
The white haired girl, sat silently, legs tucked to her chin, as her body rocked back and forth. She was softly mumbling something herself, her lips moving unnoticeably in the pitch black night.
"Are you okay?"
Gotta save Ruby, gotta save Ruby, gotta save Ruby
"Weiss?" Yang tapped Weiss.
The girl suddenly jumped up, hands latching viciously onto the sides of Yang's face. "RUBY! Where is she! Is she safe? Tell me! Where's Ruby?"
"What? What do you mean? Ruby isn't-"
"She's fine!" Blake quickly interjected. "She's fine. She's right here with us."
Weiss's eyes were as big as the moon, flicking around, looking at empty space and then back to Blake. "She's alright? Is she really alright?"
"Yes. She's fine."
Weiss slumped back down, her hands letting go of Yang's head. "Good. Ruby's safe. That's good. Ruby's safe."
Rubbing her face, Yang moved away from the heiress, "Are you sure you are alright though?"
"Huh?" For some reason, whatever state Weiss was in, she snapped out of it. "Yeah, of course."
"But just now, you were…"
"Spit it out! We don't have time for this!" Weiss said, peeking over the bush at the Beowulf.
"Never mind."
"What's the plan guys?"
Simultaneously Weiss's teammates replied. "Wait." Said Blake. "Fight." Said Yang.
"So which is it?"
"You're team leader. It's up to you."
Weiss rose to a crouch slowly scanning the procession of the Beowulf. Although she could barely see anything in the dark, the glowing red eyes of the grimm lit up the night like fireworks. They could've easily been mistaken for a swarm of red fireflies. "There is certainly a lot…"
"So we wait?"
Weiss unsheathed Myrtyrnaster, "No. I've waited long enough to kill these ruthless grimm."
She turned to her team. "I will section them off with ice, and Yang I want you to take them out. Blake go for over watch and take down those you feel or getting around my ice. "
"Got it." Blake said swiftly jumping up onto a tree.
Yang cocked her gauntlets, smiling mischievously. "Is putting up ice, all you're doing? Aren't you going to fight?"
"Oh no. I'm going to slaughter them."
Weiss jumped out from the bush shot two walls of ice, sectioning off around 15 beowulf. The creatures reared up in surprise, crashing into each other, growling and slashing with their paws.
Suddenly, the light lit up like day, as Yang charged into the group butchering them easily with a couple swings of her fists. "YEEEEAAAAH! GOT'EM WEISS!"
Weiss dropped one of her ice walls, opening the gates to the rest of the pack. She could see Blake's silent and accurate strokes, dropping the beasts without them even realising. Weiss raised Myrternaster, switching the dial to red, she spun around slicing the air, sending a spear of fire roaring down the lane of Beowulf charging towards them. As the grimm scrambled away from the fiery ball of death, Weiss raised yet another wall of Ice, enclosing the panicked and shocked Beowulf. Yang charged in again, sending them to quick and explosive deaths.
It was smooth work from then on, Weiss sent a fireball, raised a wall, and then Yang would take them out. Blake would weed out the beasts from the outside, as the battle raged within the iced walls. Despite all the grimm they had killed, it seemed that more were swarming in from the forest. But caught in a killing frenzy, none of the team noticed the slowly but surely increasing amounts of glowing red eyes.
"WEISS! HAHAHA! WE GOT THIS!" Yang screamed ramming the face of a Beowulf, caving its skull and making its brain a soup of mushy glop.
"JUST HOLD TIGHT!" Weiss shouted, ducking under a swipe by a beowulf. She regained her footing, driving her rapier into the creature's side, puncturing its heart, killing it instantly. Without a moment's hesitation, she swept Myrternaster in an arc sending several bolts of ice careening to the approaching grimm. Each bolt, struck the black bodies of the beowulf, without any missing, ripping them in half, or pinning them to the ground. Bodies of grimm lay all around her, either with gaping holes in them from the bolts of ice, or cut in clean halves by her rapier.
"HAHAHAHAH!" Yang's hair had begun to glow bright red, her punches had seemingly gained an incendiary property, lighting the dead and deformed corpses to burst into flames, sending revolting smells of burning fur and flesh in their noses. Yet, the smile on their mouths never left. They could finally avenge Ruby.
Without warning, a thundering roar rebounded down the procession of Beowulf. Both and Weiss, looked towards the source. An enormous Ursa, stood on its hind legs poundings its chest. It dropped to its forelegs, with a resounding boom, then begun its charge of destruction. Shoving Beowulf away from itself and ripping trees from the ground, the Ursa bound towards the two girls.
Seeing it, Blake leapt from the trees, Gambol Shroud poised to strike, but was bat away with a mere raise of the Ursa's arm.
"WEISS! Give me a wall!" Yang demanded, beating away the Beowulf around her, as she reloaded her gaunlets.
Ruby…. Ruby ….
"WEISS!" Yang eyes widened in terror as the Ursa approached close and closer. "WEISS!"
Next to her, Weiss fled, abandoning the fight, and ducking behind a tall tree.
"HELP!" Yang screamed as the Ursa rammed into her, knocking her far into the forest. The Ursa stood on its hind legs again, letting loose another deafening roar. Weiss dropped Myrternaster, squeezing her hands onto her ears, trying to block out the terrifying sound. Her entire body was trembling, as she tucked herself into as small a ball as she could.
"Ruby… Ruby …" Weiss's quivering voice mumbled to herself. "Where are you? Ruby, where are you?"
Oh no… that Ursa couldn't have hurt you Ruby. You were doing so well. Don't go charging into a fight like that. I killed it, it couldn't have hurt you. You're fine. I killed it. I killed it. Please Ruby, open your eyes, and talk to me. Please. Just … I …
Forcing her eyes to open, Weiss scanned the trees around her, deep into the forest, looking for any sign that Ruby was safe. Any sign to quell the burning desperation in her soul. There was nothing, but a wretched brown trees and an unknown darkness that led deep into the woods.
Weiss screamed into the air. "RUBY, RUBY! TALK TO ME PLEASE! WHERE DID YOU GO? RUBY!"
As if it were a dream, beside her, an airy light voice began to speak. "I'm right here. Weiss."
====Ethereal====
Ruby was twirling in circles, arms stretched out, as she hummed a soft little tune matching the melodies of the birds around them. Her skirt spun with her, looking like a ballerina dancing in one of the ballets Weiss used to frequent with her parents. It seemed like Eden for Weiss. Birds were chirping, the trees were swaying, butterflies were flying, an angle was dancing and they were going back home.
"Da dee dee da!" Ruby pranced around Weiss, doing half split; that is making it only to a right angle.
"Ruby…" Weiss said sternly. "You must be forgetting something."
Ruby stopped, pouting, she trailed with her head down behind Weiss.
"Good." Weiss kept walking forward, but felt two hands grab her shoulders. At first she tried to just shrug them off, but they wouldn't budge. "Ruby? I'm serious. Let go."
"No Weiss. Be quiet."
"Oh? Now you're telling me to be qui-mmmfffgggg-" A hand clamped over Weiss's mouth. The infuriated girl spun around to teach Ruby a valuable lesson, but then she saw what Ruby had seen.
In the distant, a sea of black and white crawled ominously towards them. It was obvious and without doubt, a pack of Beowulf.
Weiss removed Ruby's hand from her mouth. "Ruby… what we're going to do is hide in the trees to our left. Understand? There's too many."
Ruby turned to face Weiss, a playful on her face. "I got this."
"NO RUBY! THIS ISN'T GAME!" Weiss tried to grab the hood of Ruby's cloak as the younger girl rushed towards the encroaching blackness, but her attempt missed by a mile, Ruby disappearing into a cloud of roses.
"RUBY!"
"CHAAAAAAAAARGE!" Ruby screamed in the distance, unsheathing Crescent Rose and firing two shots behind her.
Nearly being hit by the reckless sniper shots, Weiss stumbled forward, chasing after Ruby.
"STOP!" Weiss shouted, but it was useless, Ruby was already in the midst of the pack, slashing and cutting all around. Weiss spawned a glyph beneath herself, speeding her movement, and trying to get to Ruby before something bad happened. Out of nowhere, a Beowulf leapt from the trees knocking Weiss into the dirt. She had only raised Myrternaster up to defend herself when the Beowulf pounced again. Luckily, she had just a fraction of a second to poise her sword arm, thrusting the tip of her rapier into the beast's heart. She pushed the creature of her, preparing to sprint to where Ruby stood in the heat of the battle. But right when she stood up, she realized the situation. The Beowulf she had just killed, belonged to a pack, a second pack. Seconds later more than twenty Beowulf surrounded Weiss, snarling and growling, waiting for a brave one to attack first.
To her right, a Beowulf howled and lunged at Weiss, who easily cut through the exposed chest area. It created a fountain of blood as the Beowulf fell still onto the ground next to her.
Weiss gave a ghastly smiled, "Who's next?"
Apparently all of them. At once, the remaining Beowulf all attacked. With a sweep of her sword, Weiss surrounded herself with ring of ice that all the Beowulf instantly collided with, falling backwards onto their backs. Weiss smashed a hole in the ice. Leaping through, she sliced the two grim nearest to her, letting their gurgling halves fall with a painful splat on the ground.
If only I was like Ruby, and they'd turn into Rose petals. Weiss shook her feet, shaking off some of the Beowulf Blood that now tainted her white boots. Whatever.
Casting another glyph, she sped around in a wide circle, delivering calculated strikes against the broken ring of Beowulf, dropping one after another, and leaving barely any mark on them save a single precise hole that went through their heart and bodies. But that wasn't it. More and more grimm seeped from the woods. For every one she killed, four took their place. It was relentless. After preventing a third barrage of attacks, she was given just a couple seconds of breathing room.
She poised herself, preparing for another attack. Over the growling beasts around her, she could hear Ruby in the distance firing her sniper and slashing with her scythe. Rose petals seemed to form a hurricane from the amount of Beowulf Ruby had no doubt killed. Bloody idiot. Weiss thought as she looked at the drooling figures around her. We wouldn't be wasting our precious energy with these Grimm if she hadn't rushed into to fight.
Weiss glanced at Ruby, easily resisting another round of Beowulf. Think you're so good? Wait till you meet a real challenge, then you'll know why you shouldn't charge into every battle.
As if on cue, behind Ruby, a massive Ursa, larger than Weiss had every seen, erupted from the trees, ripping the trunks from their roots.
"Holy crap…" Weiss mumbled to herself, eyes wide.
Smashing its own chest, it roared at the red girl in front of it, before slowly stalking Ruby, while the Beowulf kept her distracted.
"Ruby!" Weiss's eyes were glued to the girl in the distance, completely oblivious to the looming danger.
"Rub- aaaaghhh!" Behind her, a Beowulf had noticed Weiss temporary opening, and lunged. Weiss had barely any time to react, and only just in time cut the creature down before it killed her. But not without any damage. Its massive claws made a full slice on her abdomen, making blood seep through three gaping wounds.
Trying to get time to recover, Weiss quickly raised a wall in front of her stemming the barrage of Grimm. She clutched at her stomach, feeling the oozing blood leak between her fingers.
"Oh my god…" Weiss gasped, her brain beginning to feel light. She twisted her neck around to see if Ruby had noticed the Ursa.
"Stupid idiot. Come on! Notice the Ursa! What's wrong with you! Eurrgh." Weiss groaned, as she winced from the pain. Bending over, she clutched at her wound. "God this hurts."
Suddenly, the ice wall she had raised, smashed into small shards of ice as a wave of Grimm tore through the cracks. Weiss quickly dropped her hand, raising her sword again to fend for herself. But it was then. At that precise moment, that Weiss heard a screech. It was the loudest and most soul-wrenching scream she had ever heard.
"RUUUUUBY!"
Abandoning all attempts of defence, Weiss turned towards the source of the scream, sprinting towards Ruby and the Ursa. She could see Ruby stumbling around, arms struggling to reach a yawning gap in her back. Her arms flailed around herself, but without success. The bloody continue to flow, pooling on the ground around her. Without warning, the Ursa raised its paw, prepared to finish off the bleeding girl.
"NOOO!" Weiss, jumped into the air, placing a glyph beneath her feet, she shot forward, Myrternaster pointed at the Ursa's paw. To focused on saving Ruby, Weiss failed to realise that the Ursa was actually countering her own charge. In a swift and vicious smack, the Ursa swept its paw towards Weiss, earning a loud cracking of bones, as it knocked her into the dirt.
Weiss groaned, feeling the obvious broken rib shift around within her, piercing into her own flesh. Trying to get up, she winced, almost falling back down from the intense pain. Her vision was blurry, clouded by several clouds of red. She blinked several times, trying to locate where the Ursa stood. She did.
It loomed over the still struggling form of Ruby, who was now kneeling on the ground, eyes white with fear and pain. And its paw was once again raised.
"RUBY!" Weiss shouted at her partner to have her duck, run or anything that would save her. It was futile, as she watched Ruby take the full force of the Ursa. Ruby's body flew far from the Ursa only to tumble like a rag doll onto the ground.
Weiss's heart stopped, as she watched Ruby's body come to a stop. Her partner's silver eyes that always seemed to glitter and shine, was blank, gazing through a hazy veil at the setting sun. Her partner's arms that had been dancing and swaying less than an hour ago, lay limp by her sides.
Weiss breathing slowed to almost a standstill as she gazed back at the emotionless and merciless Ursa, smashing its chest like it had slain some foe, as if it had won a battle.
"I'll show you a fucking battle." Weiss spawned a glyph below her, shooting herself towards the Ursa. "YOU BLOODY BASTARD!"
Dodging the Ursa's attempt of self-defence, Weiss released a flurry of strokes, carving several long scars into the Ursa's side.
"YOU WILL NOT HURT RUBY!" Weiss screamed
It roared in pain, but swept its paw towards Weiss regardless, but powered by inane rage, Weiss easily flipped over it, attacking the Ursa with yet another barrage of slicing and cutting.
"YOU WILL NOT TOUCH RUBY!"
She rolled under the Ursa's legs, and leapt into the air.
"YOU WILL DIE!" She plunged her rapier into the Ursa's back, piercing the heart, stopping the formerly powerful heart. The Ursa roared in pain as it began to fall limp onto the round, but Weiss was not finished.
Screaming, Weiss sent several spears of ice shooting towards the Ursa, embedding themselves into the creature's body. The crystalline ice was painted in red blood, darkening its prior gem like form. Weiss hopped around the Ursa, letting Myrternaster release an Armageddon upon the monster. Fire balls, ice spears, lightning bolts all burned, pierced and struck the beast. Her rapier didn't leave it untouched either, slicing, cutting and slashing the already dead Ursa. As the fury exploded, Weiss threw Myrternaster at the Ursa, lodging it in its chest, as she jumped onto its tattered skull. She didn't care she was soaked in blood. She began to pound the Ursa's face with her fists. The more her fists bled from the impact, the harder her punches became until finally, she tore open the beats face, leaving only a bowl of gunk and red sloppy liquid.
Her hands were shaking, as she leaned back onto her feet. You deserved it, you fucking asshole. She thought as she looked at her own handiwork. Without a moment more to waste, she snapped back up, and walked slowly over to Ruby's body. The Beowulf that had clustered around the fight before had all but disappeared, even they fearing the anger in Weiss. Blood continued to leak from Weiss's wounds, but she pressed forward as wobbly and unstable as she was.
She collapsed next to Ruby, clasping the girl's face in her hands. She still felt warmth, not sure whether it was the blood on her hands or her, she gently called out to her partner. "Ruby?"
The Girl's eyes were cloudy, gazing emptily at something behind Weiss.
"Ruby?" Weiss shook Ruby gently, but her pupils merely rolled around in her sockets, the silver colour now a dull and matte grey. Weiss looked away and covered her face with a bloody sleeve, tears pooling in her own eyes. "I killed it. You're going to be fine."
"W-Weiss." A croaking voice said,
Weiss pulled Ruby, up to cradle her head in the arms. "You're going to be fine. I killed the Ursa."
"It- it hurts." Ruby winced.
"It's going to be fine. We're going to be back in Beacon, and you're going to be healed up soon." Weiss sobbed, choking on her own words.
Ruby forced herself to smile, "It's too late for me."
Weiss shook her head madly. "NO! No it's not!"
"I'm sorry."
"NO! You're not sorry! You're fine!"
"I'm sorry for not thinking… for rushing into the battle."
"I don't care! I don't need you to think, I don't need to be smart, right now … I- I just want you to live!"
"Please. It hurts too much." Ruby flashed a glance at Crescent Rose lying a little distance away. "Please."
"What… no! Absolutely not!"
"Please… I-"
"I- I can't!"
"The- the pain."
Weiss hugged Ruby closer to her chest. "No, no, no, no, no, no. You're going to live. We're going to live."
"I'm sorry. I-"
"Just rest Ruby." Tears crawled down Weiss's cheek. "The next time you wake up, you'll be in your bed. Yang will be there, Blake will be there, Jaune, Pyrrha, Nora, Ren… and … I'll be right there next to you."
"You're hurt." Ruby mumbled, looking intensely at Weiss's tattered clothes
"I don't care. Right now, I need you to be safe."
Ruby gave Weiss a small grin, and closed her eyes.
"Ok. Weiss. Don't worry about me."
Weiss pulled Ruby closer to herself, letting Ruby's head rest on her shoulder.
"It's going to be alright."
====Ethereal====
"RUUUBY!"
Weiss clambered onto her knees, eyes wide at the ghostly figure in front of her.
"I- Are you safe? Are you alright?" Weiss reached out to touch the translucent figure, but her fingers curled back, hesitant of what she would feel or even worse, what she wouldn't.
"I'm fine Weiss." Ruby grinned.
After more than a month of not seeing Ruby's ever so common smile that had filled her life before. It was almost fatal, to see it so suddenly afterwards. Weiss slumped back against the hard tree, face in her hands, crying madly.
"Please don't cry…" Ruby hovered closer. "Come on… look at me."
"I can't." Weiss cried. "I killed you. Yang I was always right. I'm a murderer."
"No. It's my fault, I was the one who-"
"NO! You're wrong! I- I let them do something to you at the hospital. I- I made you suffer in your last moments. I could've waited for Blake, I could've waited for Yang, but I- it was your only chance and I-"
Ruby, glided next to Weiss, trying to put an arm around her. She kept her arm hovering above Weiss's shoulders for a second, but as soon as she relaxed, it fell straight through Weiss. "No, Weiss. That's exactly why it's never your fault. You tried to save me. The whole time you have known me you have tried to help me. In your own angry way, but everything you have ever done was for me. No matter how many times I draw something stupid for you, no matter how good a grade I get, I know there's no way to repay what you've done for me."
"Then why was I the only one unable to see you."
Ruby's gaze was downcast. "Because I was scared. I thought you would yell at me. I thought you would hate me for everything I've put you through."
"I would never hate you! It's impossible! You were the star of the school. You were friends with everyone. You were nice to everyone. Everyone loved Ruby rose."
Ruby leaned towards Weiss's ear and with a breathy voice whispered, "Everyone but you."
Weiss's eyes met the sincere and faint eyes of Ruby, as she began to cry.
"Oh no, no. That's not the reaction I wanted." Ruby waved her arms frantically.
"I'm sorry… I don't know how to – "
"To what?"
"I- " Weiss face became blood red. "I've always loved you! Alright? From the day we became partners, I've never stopped. I denied it, cursed it, and locked it away, but it was there. It was always there."
In front of her, Ruby's body began to shimmer, as her skin regained colour. Weiss could feel Ruby's warmth now. She could feel Ruby's arm around her neck, her hand holding hers, her leg leaning against hers.
"R-Ruby?" Weiss was startled, "Are you alive?"
"No. But I can feel now. I can feel…"
Weiss pulled Ruby onto herself, closing the distance between their lips. It was simple, and short. Realising her impulsive actions, Weiss pushed Ruby away, utterly ashamed of her own actions. Her blue eyes were riddled with fear as she looked at the confused face of Ruby.
"Weiss…"
"Please." She sniffled.
Weiss reached into a small concealed pocket, producing a worn red cloth. She motioned for Ruby's hand, which she delicately took in her own. She placed the fabric in Ruby's palm, and closed her fist.
"Promise me. Where ever you are. Whether you're with me, or somewhere else, never forget me. "
"Weiss. You don't get it." Ruby grinned, "My business on this world is complete. I know that you love me and now I'm at peace."
"What? I don't understand."
"I'm going to heaven. I'm going to finally rest." Ruby's body begun to shimmer again, but this time it was golden and not a dull grey outline. Her contours flashed with yellow light, as she rose higher from the ground.
"NO!" Weiss grabbed at Ruby's hand, but she merely passed through, feeling nothing but air. "NOOOOO! RUBY! DON'T LEAVE ME NOW!"
Weiss reached for Ruby, something to hold onto. A hand, a collar, a bunch of hair, anything she could possibly grab. Anything that would bring Ruby back to her, but her hand always passed through Ruby's slowly disappearing body.
"I'm going to rest Weiss. It's been a long time."
"NOOOO! YOU CAN'T! WHO WILL I TALK TO? WHO WILL I BUY COOKIES FOR ON WEDNESDAYS? WHO WILL I FIND TO COMFORT ME?"
"Don't worry Weiss, I'll always be watching…"
"COME BACK! PLEASE! HOW CAN YOU LEAVE ME LIKE THIS? WE FINALLY SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN, AND YOU JUST LEAVE? I NEED YOU RUBY! I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE A GHOST!"
"I'll always be watching…"
"RUUBY!"
"Always watching you."
And Ruby was gone. The forest was dark again, with not a hint of her existence remained. The only thing that was left behind, was a lone piece of red cloth, lying in the grass, forgotten. Weiss picked it, scrunching it painfully into her fist.
"RUUUUBY! COME BACK!" Weiss screamed into the air.
====Ethereal====
Weiss emerged from the woods to where the battle between Yang and Blake vs grimm continued to rage on. The two girls splattered with blood were fighting back to back fending off wave after wave of Beowulf.
"OI WEISS!" Yang gestured for Weiss to go over there. "WHAT WERE YOU DOING? WE COULD REALLY DO WITH SOME SNOW PRINCESS JUSTICE!"
Weiss gazed emotionless at the dead grimm around her, and the flaming eyes of Yang Xiao Long.
"No."
"WHAT?"
Weiss slowly unsheathed Myrternaster with a long resounding metallic ring, drawn from her side.
"I'm going to find Ruby."
"Wait… what? NO! WEISS!"
Weiss raised her rapier directly in front of her, the viciously sharp point, hovering just above her heart. On the hilt of the blade, she had wrapped the scrap of red cloth. And now clutching it with trembling hands, she closed her eyes.
Ruby, I'm coming with you.
"NOOOO! WEISS!" She heard Yang shout.
She swiftly brought the blade through her chest, feeling it strike through and out in one clean stab. As her head grew light, she could hear Yang and Blake screaming, running towards where Weiss stood. She could hear the howls of Beowulf as the moved in to attack. She could hear the whistle through the trees. She could hear the silent rippling of a pond. She could hear the sound of a sniper rifle. She could hear the sweet laughter of a girl.
Then suddenly it stopped. All the sound stopped.
Weiss found herself in the dark recesses of a tunnel. Behind her, was darkness that led to somewhere. Down into the cavernous depth, she could marginally hear a girl's laughter, and a strangely familiar humming. She wanted to walk towards, to walk towards that melodic voice, but in front of her, far off in the distance was a small speck of light. Despite its size, it gave a fiery bright light drawing Weiss in like a moth to a flame.
She began to walk towards the light, each foot step resounding off the dark ground like a steady heartbeat. But the closer she got to the light, the louder a sound became. She hadn't noticed it before, but it thrummed irrationally and continually.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
====Ethereal====
A/N
*UPDATE* is this what you'd consider small update? Anyways, I'll release the ending in a separate chapter in a few days, but enjoy the cough foreshadowing cough. I have a cold. My bad. Hope you enjoyed, albeit this being pretty much the exact same story. Oh well, Thanks for reading! *UPDATE*
Yeah. So terribly sorry for the delay, breaking yet another of my promised times of update. I tried to sneak upstairs and get my laptop, but my mom caught me twice, extending the period that she kept my laptop. That's my fault. Sorry.
Anyways. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW! I don't care if you don't favourite or follow really, but PLEASE REVIEW! IT IS BY FAR THE MOST IMPORTANT THING OF ALL! If you liked it, great. If you didn't, great. Just write something. You get my drift here?
THANK YOU KIND SOULS FOR READING! I HOPE YOU ENJOYED!
ExGuard123