The full majesty of the shattered moon is in full display over the horizon. Its radiant moonlight provides a soothing distraction to Blake as her mind wanders around in thoughts of trepidation about the events to come.
She just stares at the moon blankly, wondering about how it could stay peaceful and collected despite its broken appearance. She feels like the moon is taunting her, taunting her by the fact that she is being torn apart by the offer that Adam has laid out before her and she can't make a proper decision in which everyone around her can be happy. And with these thoughts she is agitated by the fact that she can't stay calm throughout this hurdle, by the fact that she can't mimic the peacefulness of the moon when she is being broken in a time like this.
Blake is thinking about every possible outcome that may happen with her confrontation with Adam. If she does not ask for any help from her family, she does not run the risk of losing them to the cursed promise that Adam has befallen them and ensures there safety at least for the time being.
But with every decision, there is a cost. If she decides on walking this path, the debt that she will have to pay will cost tenfold. She may never see her family again as she may lose her life in the process or worse, come face to face with the feelings of intense longing that Adam needed to quench at any cost.
Her eyes widen in horror about the thoughts that are manifesting in her head. Is she really this desperate to save the ones that she loves. Is she really this weak that she needed to pay with her life and not even have the ability to fight for the protection of her family. Is she really this worthless that she will pay any cost just to keep her family in the dark and never see them again just for their safety.
Blake's eyes are filled with sadness as a blunt realization hits her hard. The brutal realization that feels like cement smashing against her a million times over. It dawns on her that she is truly powerless when confronted with the demon's of her past and is forced into an unequal bargain that she knows will cost her life in the end.
But Blake still had a way out, a way out that she refused to acknowledge as she knows that a promise has to be kept by the monster that has longed for her for the longest time.
"I will destroy each and everyone that you love and you will be there to watch them, and you will be powerless to stop me"
This phrase would always play in her mind when she desperately needed help. A phrase that would often repeat like a mantra as it forced her to build walls of seclusion that rivalled the ice queen herself. But she would always find a way to reassure herself, to make her content with the familiar feelings of isolation that she believed to be necessary in order to prevent the horrible fate that would befall her friends and family.
But before she falls even deeper into the pit of sadness, a ray of sunlight holds out its hands and gives her a glimmer of hope. A voice that made her momentarily forget about her worries as she recognizes the cheery voice that is coming from behind her.
"Well I was expecting you to be here. I know that you love the sky at this time of the night"
Sun was the only thing that was keeping her from going into a breakdown right now. She needed to be strong so that nobody would find out about the situation that she was in.
But as she looks at Sun, she can't help but feel even more desperate than before. She can't help but feel the temptation to tell everything that was bothering her to the boy that has followed her through thick and thin. But this made her heart sink even more.
Blake knows that she can't let Sun get involved in any way with the situation that she is currently engaged in with Adam. Blake's resolve to isolate everyone besides herself with the issues regarding the White Fang hardened even more with the events that happened a few nights before.
She knew that she couldn't risk Sun's life once again. Blake knew that Adam was even more dangerous than what Illya could ever be. And she knew that Sun wouldn't walk out of this battle with a simple flesh wound like the one that struck him earlier. Blake knew that if Sun would get involved with her problems, she would be the reason on why another close friend of hers would lose their chance at a wonderful life.
"Hey Sun, I didn't expect you to be here"
Blake says this with a blank expression on her face. An expression that Sun was all too familiar with an is a sign for him to know that something was bothering Blake as per his earlier suspicions.
"There's something bothering you again, isn't it?"
"Why would you say that Sun? nothing is bothering me everything is fine"
Sun notices that Blake answered his question with a large notion of irritation as this validates his suspicions even more and decides to make good on his promise and leans on the railings of the balcony next to Blake as per their usual routine whenever they would meet in the balcony at a scene exactly like this.
"Come on Blakey, you know that you can't resist my good looks. Just tell me what's bothering you. Ill promise that I can do something to turn that frown upside down"
Sun would always joke around with Blake during conversations like this. He knew that he needed to make Blake more comfortable with their usual conversations so that she may open up more easier with her feelings and express herself better.
But Sun knew that the look that Blake was giving him right now was not in the joking mood. Then and there he decides to be more serious and tackle the issue head on.
"Come on Blake, just tell me right here right now. What is troubling you so much that you have become more detached and isolated than usual"
"It's none of your business to know Sun. And what makes you think that something is bothering me. I told you already, nothing is bothering me. I'm just a little bit under the weather that's all.
"Blake, even though I'm not the sharpest knife in the shelf. I'm not that stupid to notice that you haven't been acting like yourself lately. I know that you are Blake and being all alone and brooding is your thing, but I know you well enough to know that look on your face when you are distressed. I know because you don't look as cute when something's troubling you.
"How many time do I need to tell you, NOTHING. IS. BOTHERING. ME. GOT IT !"
Sun finally gets annoyed with Blake's persistence to keep her feelings shrouded in mystery. But Sun has a promise to keep and this fits the criteria of being a situation in which Blake needed a shoulder to lean on. And he would force Blake to lean on his despite her resistance to do so.
"Blake!, haven't I told you before that pushing us out is bad for you? I told you that we are ready to take the burden of your problems and I promise you that I can help so why won't you just tell me what is going on?"
"You don't understand Sun, whatever is in my mind is for me alone. And don't you dare think that you have the right to know what I am currently feeling right now because we are nothing more than just friends. We are not family, we are not related. Hell, we aren't even in a relationship and you think without even a single hair of a doubt that you deserve to know what is torturing me day by day?!"
The radiant moonlight shines over the two as they are both shocked about the sudden turn of events that unfolded right before them
Blake was suddenly shocked about the statement that she just blurted out right in front of Sun. She didn't mean to hurt the boy's feelings. She definitely considered him like family because of the close bond that they shared and she was certainly guilty about mentioning there actual relationship not meaning to insinuate anything between the two of them.
But Sun was completely and utterly battered with the sudden burst of anger that Blake flashed right before his eyes. He knew that their friendship ran deep and Sun knew that Blake didn't mean to suddenly lash out on him.
But what really struck Sun was the fact that Blake did not have the notion or even a single hint of them sharing something more. This really hit Sun hard as this plunged him deeper to the realization that Blake had no true romantic feelings for him and truly regarded him as just being a friend. Not even being treated like family in the eyes of Blake.
But Sun quickly relinquished these thoughts as he is once again reminded that the girl right in front of him was only stuck between a rock and a hard place. And he once again reminds himself that he needed to be strong for her not just physically, but also mentally in order to properly guide her and shoulder her mental burdens
"Don't get fazed by this. Remember, be strong for her"
"You're a man of your word. So make good on your promise!"
Sun is quickly pulled back into reality as Blake angrily marches off and leaves the balcony. She was so furious and guilty with what she just said that smoke can almost be visibly seen coming out of her cat ears and nostrils.
Blake, now furious with herself and because of Sun's annoying concern for her quickly marches towards her room and locked the door behind her.
She removes the large white coat that enveloped her and plopped on her bed flat down with her arms extended to her sides.
Blake just lays there, tired from the thoughts that was enveloping her for the large sum of the day and emotionally stressed out because of her argument with Sun.
Her eyes are finally averted to the open window that was located near the side of her bed. The now pale moonlight shines at her as per usual and once again she is entranced by its elegant radiance.
But as she gazes at the moon on the distance, a familiar piece of paper quickly catches her attention and Blake manages to pick up the crumpled piece of paper and reads the note in it once again.
"I can offer you a way out, a way out where we will both be happy and where precious blood that you value the most will not be shed. Meet me in the wastelands when you feel that the time is right. I will be waiting... My love"
While reading this, Blake suddenly felt an urge to remember. To remember the times that she had spent with Adam. This made her drift to a different time, a time when things were much more simpler and much more peaceful. A time when Adam was not the monster that she sees now. But the man that she truly idolized and the one that she first fell in love with.
"The stars look wonderful tonight, don't they Blake?"
"Yes Adam, without a shadow of a doubt"
The two young lovers gaze at the glorious night sky that was hovering above their heads. The two of them are comfortably lying down on a slanted hill that was lightly damp to the touch and gave them a clear view of the massive constellations that surrounded their view as they gazed towards the sky.
Blake's head was comfortably nestled on the warm chest of a young Adam Taurus. A younger Adam that was still pure in heart and contained good intentions for his Faunus brethren and wanted nothing more than equality between them and mankind. Nothing more, nothing less.
"You know Blake, these stars would often remind me of what we truly desire. Sometimes I would question myself, why am I doing this? why am I risking my life and many others just to gain equality that will cost more than the world's treasures just to have a chance of achieving it."
"But as I look into the stars above, it gives me more hope and enlightenment that I can ever wish for. These stars remind me that humans have been above us for as long as we can remember. And just like these stars, us Faunus just marvel at their beauty and never have the opportunity to notice that we have the potential to rise up to their level.
"I want a world in which Faunus and humans can share the same level in society. A level in which we can both marvel at each other's beauty and not fight for the right to be looked up upon by either side."
Hearing this from the man that she looked up upon, she can't help but form a blush on her face as she was completely astounded with Adam's vision and philosophy towards their fight to achieve equality.
She wholeheartedly admired Adam for his complete dedication to their cause and the huge amount of honor and humility that he exhumed towards everyone that he would interact with in a day to day basis. Also contributing to this is the fact that the boy was actually pretty charming and contained a huge amount of confidence whenever she was around him.
Blake just stares at Adam with a smile on her face. Completely smitten by the boy's large amount of charisma. This made Blake completely fall for him despite their relationship already being a romantic one.
So Blake decides to repay Adam for sharing his thoughts to her in a beautiful night like this. She decides to up the intimacy a little bit and she decides to lay flat on Adam's chest and stare at him face to face.
The two were currently engaged in an awkward position. In which Blake was leaned against Adam closely. Blake can feel the steadily increasing heartbeat of the boy that she currently had in her grasps. Her enhanced ears Faunus ears notice every slight change in tempo of Adam's exhilarated heart as she notices the ever furious blush that is currently enveloping the boy's face.
Blake cups both of her hands towards Adam's face and leans closer to him. They can both feel the tension that is building up between the two of them. The two of them both nervous and excited for the moment that they were about to share. One that they would treasure for years to come.
And in a quick flash both of their lips come into contact with each other. Their tongues both wrapped up in a gentle hug that would express the intense love that they both shared for one another for the longest time. Blake thoroughly enjoyed the taste of Adam's lips. It reminded her of the taste of sweet cherries as it enveloped her own and almost made her addicted to the sensation of Adam's tongue, which was intimately coming in contact with her's.
The two of them share this kiss for quite a while. Blake was certainly happy about the moment that she was sharing with Adam. She genuinely loved the boy she decided that this would be the best time to become more forward and as fate would have it, Adam also felt the same.
Blake and Adam enjoyed the kiss throughout its entirety. Both of them pull out of the kiss with a slight trail of drool coming in between them.
This moment couldn't have been more perfect for Blake. The radiant visage of the night sky was gloriously in display above their heads. All the while she is comfortably nestled in the arms of the man that she admired and both of them being in love more than ever.
"Adam, what you said was amazing and I love it. And I love you"
"We will stand together, side by side when we finally see the day where our dream have finally come true"
"My love"
Blake finally snaps out from her incessant dreaming. Now back to the reality that she was currently facing.
This memory was one that she thought she would treasure for the rest of her life. But as it is now, it became a constant reminder of what she missed from Adam. And this made her shudder as she remembers the slow descent of Adam to the path of destruction as his demeanour changed over time and his once noble vision became a shadow of his past as he no longer wanted equality.
But instead, dominance.
But this gave Blake a small glimmer of hope. A small light at the end of the tunnel that she could try and reach for no matter how impossible it may seem.
She was tired of running from Adam. Tired of sleeping every night with fear in her consciousness for every day that passes where there is even a remote possibility of danger finding its way towards her family.
Blake has finally decided to at least try to talk with Adam. To try and bring back the gentle man that she once cared for. Believing that some fragment of his old self no matter how small it is still resides within his heart.
But if all else fails, Blake was willing to make Adam submit through combat as she was tired from running. Blake decides to confront Adam once and for all and decides to go to the designated location that Adam indicated in his letter.
Blake finally gets up from the bed that she was previously laying on and decides to prepare for her final confrontation with Adam. She has decided to leave early in the morning as to avoid attracting attention from her parents and Sun.
She heads over to her closet as she stumbles around in the dark. Blake notices the familiar glint of steel that was shining in her eyes that were coming from inside the closet.
Blake smiles as she knows that it was made by her beloved blade, Gambol Shroud. She reaches for it and grasps its hilt in her right hand. Meticulously inspecting it for any signs of damage or disrepair. But as expected, it was completely spick and span without any signs of age as its sharp blade reflected the moonlight that was illuminating Blake's room.
While in the closet, Blake also readies a large backpack that would contain some rations and extra clothes if the situation ever needed her to change into a fresher batch of clothing.
Blake prepared all of the necessities that she needed in order to travel towards the wastelands. It was a place totally void of any Faunus life as it was located in the outskirts of the city and its main landmass was compromised of desert therefore proving difficult to sustain life within its land.
The girl finally finishes preparing for the journey that she was going to take tomorrow. Knowing full well that this may be the last time that she would walk in this world.
Blake just sits there, staring blankly at her surroundings as she starts her slow descent to the pit of fear and sadness that was resting on her stomach and is steadily building up and spreading to the rest of her body.
But one thing kept her going. The one thing that was on her mind that kept her from being devoured by anxiety and fear was the reward that she would reap at the end of this trial. Blake can finally grasp the thing that was kept from her ever since she started running. A life that she knew that she deserved and had the right to from the very start.
A life in which she can actually be free.
But this life had to wait. She first needed to overcome the obstacles that were blocking her, Alone. Only then can she let her family be closer to her and she was still convinced that she needed no help regarding her situation and involving them would only make matters worse and the stakes higher.
And this made Blake more determined than ever to finish what she has started and fight for the life that she and her family deserved. And to get revenge on Adam for destroying a part of Yang that she would forever blame on herself.
"It's finally going to be over"
Blake mutters to herself calmly as she closes her eyes while sitting at the edge of her bed. Completely devoid of any care in the world as she nervously anticipates the turn of events that are going to shape her future tomorrow.
But as she finally begins to give in to her body's natural need for sleep, the silence in her room is broken as a steady knocking was coming from the door that she was currently facing.
"Blake its Sun. Please, just let me in"
Sun says this with a hint of desperation in the tone of his voice. Blake realizes that she can't avoid Sun as the boy was persistent in helping her and no amount of convincing can change the boy's mind.
"You can't let him be involved with your mess Blake, it's your problem don't let anyone be hurt any further."
Blake thought of this in her mind. Trying to convince herself to avoid making anymore unnecessary risks to the people that she was trying to protect . She was so close to achieving that goal that she tried to resist the urge to answer Sun despite his extreme insistence to help Blake.
But no matter how much Blake struggled to keep herself from answering the door. Some force made her do the opposite. Blake couldn't quite put her finger on what exactly pushed her to answer Sun's pleas. Call it fate if you will. But something inside Sun's voice made her manage to feel safe. It made her feel that tomorrow was just a regular day and no life changing event was bound to take place.
Before Blake could stop herself from answering the door. Without her even knowing, her hand was already trying to turn the doorknob. As if she was trapped in a spell that she was unconsciously following with every command.
"What do you want sun?"
Well this chapter is certainly shorter than the two previous ones. Well that was what I intended because chapter 4 could have been added to this one quite easily. But if I tried to add it this chapter would be too much crowded as I feel that too many interactions would be jammed in and no development may take place since the gaps between important conversations will be short.
You MAY expect a double update this week since these types of chapters don't take as much in me as the previous two but these are also pretty hard to write. This can be seen since the last few parts may be a little clunky.
As usual thank you for the support and reviews are very much appreciated so that this story may be improved for the future. Thanks!