A/N: Next chapter, glorious battle! Although this wont be nearly as big as the next one! Oh the plans I have for that one! Anyways things get pretty hectic next chapter as you'll catch a glimpse at the end of this one. Anyways I want to thank everyone who has followed and reviewed this story, thanks for being patient with it! It's going to get really fun soon so please stay tuned! I hope you enjoy it! :D
~Big shout out to everyone who has given me OCs to use! As you'll see in this story. They will actually have a decent part in the story but don't worry, RWBY is still the main focus!~
Yang glanced down at her new gear. Her armor was painstakingly white. Although she never wore plate armor before, she figured being in this full suit of it would hinder her movements and weigh her down, but the blonde was pleasantly surprised at how in fact light it was.
It felt like she was still dressed in her leather garb. She had no idea what this metal was made of, but even if she didn't agree with the color choice, she loved the feeling of it. Speaking of feelings as well;
Yang unsheathed her great sword and twirled it around her with ease. It felt good to have her weapon back in her hands. That and being outside that jail cell.
"Private Yang?"
Yang was shaken out of her thoughts and brought her weapon to a halt in her hand and glanced up at the unfamiliar voice.
It was a girl maybe just a few years older than herself and just a bit shorter. She had auburn hair and light brown eyes that almost looked hazel. She was dressed in her own set of white plate armor that mirrored Yang's although she had on a silver cape attached to it. Yang also took note of the long sword at her hip and a corseques hanging off her back as well.
"Who's asking?"
The girl in question smirked a bit before shaking her head slightly.
"Your commander is; the name's Captain LeAnn. Commander of The Order's Vanguard division. General Weiss herself recommended you to serve under me, promising that you have what it takes. Quite the compliment if I say so myself." The woman now known as LeAnn explained.
Yang knew she should be respectful towards this woman, who was to be her commanding officer now, but she was still ticked off about Ruby, but she'd play along. For now at least.
"Well, that's me, I'm Yang." Yang replied back, re-sheathing her blade now.
"Good, you'll be falling in with us. Follow me." LeAnn commanded as she turned on her heel and walked away from the front of the gates where the rest of the unit was assembled and across the fields towards a few tents outside the kingdom's gates.
Currently Yang and the rest of The Order's forces were gathered just outside the rear entrance of the kingdom's walls. Yang personally had never been through these gates. In fact she didn't even know they existed; so she figured it was only for Vale's military forces to use. But now she and her new commanding officer were walking away from the walls and towards a small command outpost configured of about four tents with horses stabled nearby.
"What is this Vanguard? How is it any different from The Order's regular army?" Yang asked as she was genuinely intrigued.
Captain LeAnn kept walking but turned her head to flash Yang a small smile before she spoke;
"Well, the Vanguard is The Order of the White Lion's spear head group basically. We're the heavy hitters in this army. When General Weiss says she wants a point taken with no survivors; she sends me and my Vanguards. It's usually a privilege and honor to be among us, so for her to personally recommend a newbie like you; it's pretty rare. Although you certainly look strong, I won't have any respect for you unless you prove yourself like the rest of us had to. Then you'll have it, as well as your stamp."
Yang nodded as she listened to the woman explain the group. She didn't really know why Weiss recommended her to this group as Yang still wasn't fully committed to her, but she'd take it. It sounded like this Vanguard of theirs got the brunt of the action; something she could definitely get behind. But what Commander LeAnn said at the end about…
"A stamp?" Yang asked.
Both girls reached their destination, next to one of the tents. The sun was now set and the forest they were in was being enveloped in an encroaching darkness as the sun fell behind the mountains in the distance.
"Yep, stamp. Like this one here." LeAnn said as she pointed at a black lion insignia on her shoulder plated armor. It looked just like The Order's white and light blue lion's regular insignia but this one was black with red eyes. It contrasted heavily against the pure white armor, and Yang wasn't sure how she didn't spot it before. The other regular Order solder's didn't have any sort of symbol on the shoulders so she never took notice until now. She'd keep her eyes out for it starting now though.
"I see, so all I have to do is kill a few Haven soldiers and I'm in? Just like that?" Yang asked.
LeAnn chuckled before opening the flap to one of the tents motioning Yang to follow.
"Usually it's a lot more work than that, but since our General herself recommended you; I'll let this mission be your initiation. Come on in and meet a few of the Vanguard!"
Yang followed LeAnn inside the tent to meet the rest of her future comrades. She knew she'd have no problem proving herself in this mission. As much as everyone else thought; Yang was no rookie when it came to fighting or killing. In fact it was a pastime she and her sister relished themselves in and enjoyed, and being told that she was about to embark on a mission to do such things.
Well Yang felt happiness for the first time that whole day.
As soon as she stepped foot inside the tent, Yang was met with bright lights as there was plenty of lamps alight. Letting her eyes adjust, the blonde swordswoman was met with a group of people huddled around a small wooden table in the center of the tent. Yang could see a roughly drawn map in the center of the huddled group who all looked over at her when she walked in though.
"Oi! This is the newest addition to our family; Yang. Of course if she survives after today's mission! Now be nice you all, I have to go over the plans for today's attack with the General. Be ready within the hour!" LeAnn commanded to the group at the table.
She walked out and gave Yang a small smile as she left the tent and on her way.
As Yang stood at the entrance of the tent, she continued to look at the group. There were only four people sitting at the table and Yang took note of each and every one of them. None of these members looked particularly thrilled to see her like LeAnn had, bar one. A female Faunus that Yang could tell was that of a lion of sorts. Her tail swayed from side to side lazily and her ears perked up as she smiled towards Yang, with sharp canine teeth showing.
Suddenly she stood up and hoisted another wooden stool and motioned for Yang to sit down with the rest of them at the table.
"Come on sit, sit! Yang was it?" The lioness Faunus asked energetically.
Yang raised an eyebrow at her, sure she was nice but her hospitality greatly differed from the other occupants of the table who still wore wary eyes. But Yang sat down on the offered stool albeit slightly uncomfortably. She never noticed it before, but being in the presence of so many strangers without her sister next to her slightly unsettled Yang. Maybe she needed Ruby just as much as she thought Ruby needed her.
"Yeah, the name's Yang." She muttered.
This caused the lioness Faunus to beam with a wide smile, and Yang once again noticed her teeth and how long they were, like fangs.
"Well great! Let me introduce you to our little group, of course it's just a few of us in this tent; I'm sure you'll meet the rest of the Vanguard soon. But firstly my name is Corporal Jacinth or Jay for short!" The lioness Faunus now known as Jay said while pointing at herself with a thumb.
Yang nodded as she uneasily listened to the loud girl and took this time to take in the rest of her features. Jay had thick amber hair that ran just past her shoulders, with freckles spread all across her nose and cheeks, and deep blue eyes.
"Next is Duncan; he's sort of an acquired taste. But he's good people and has even saved my hide a few times so don't judge him too harshly!" Jay finished as she pointed towards a man who looked about a year or two older than Yang herself to her left.
Duncan just nodded his head towards her as she introduced the two, which Yang returned. He had dark brown hair that looked almost black which was swept across the right side of his face; but Yang could see a scar running along his forehead. He had dark green eyes and defined cheekbones. At his back, Yang could see a shield slung across it and a sword at his belt.
"Next up is our resident scout, Rebecca!" Jay pointed towards another Faunus with large ears that looked as if they belonged on a mouse. More noticeable than that to Yang though was her green hair which fell down to her neck and was in a bob cut. Currently the girl was fixated on adjusting something on her bow and made no eye contact with Yang.
"And last but not least; Isaac or who we call ol' one eyed Isaac!" Jay finished as she pointed towards the last person at the table. He was taller than the rest of the soldiers at the table and had dark skin. His head was shaved bald, but he had a black goatee. He had black pupils with an eye patch over his right eye. Yang could see a claymore sitting next to him at the table.
"Welcome to our little dysfunctional family." The man named Isaac uttered as he continued to glance down at the map, avoiding eye contact with Yang.
Yang still didn't feel at home per se, but all she was interested in was fighting and finishing this mission. Afterwards she and Weiss would continue their chat from earlier. She wasn't here to make friends with people she'd probably barely even get to know before they were either killed or she left the group.
But a sudden intrusion into the tent shook Yang out of her thoughts as she and the rest of the group turned to see who had just entered.
It was Captain LeAnn again who wore a wicked smile on her face.
"Hope you all introduced yourselves, change of plans. We're heading out now, gear up and let's move! The Vanguard is leading the assault!"
Weiss walked out of her war tent and out into the warm night air. The battle plan she and her commanders had come up with was a simple one. Scouts had confirmed that Haven troops only in a platoon sized element have occupied the mining town of Mountain Glen. They simply moved into the town and stopped all operations of ore excavating, which there in itself was problematic for Vale. Mountain Glen being so close to the kingdom was one thing, but the halting of ore needed to manufacture weapons, armor, and other various tools used in war was the main reason that the King had sent his eldest daughter to fix.
Another report from the scouts said that Haven did not raze this town like all the other villages they had conquered which did raise some questions for Weiss. Maybe it was because of how the town was used mainly for mining and Haven intended to steal the mining operation to use for their own troops? No matter, soon they would be eradicated.
But still, the feeling of being thrust into your first real battle, it was jarring for Weiss. She knew that as General she could stay back in the rear of the formation, but she was a Schnee! Also she had worked for this position. What kind of coward would she be if she hid behind her own forces? Leaders do not lead from the back. So Weiss herself decided at the meeting that she would be a part of the first squad to head in right behind her Vanguard unit.
"Your horse is ready, Weiss."
The white haired General turned towards the voice on her left and was met with the sight of her bodyguard, Blake. She had the reins to Weiss' war steed. A beautiful and magnificent horse that was as white as her own hair. The armor equipped on it mirrored The Order's in coloring and shading.
Weiss grabbed the reins out of her friend's hand and hoisted herself a top the mount in one swift movement. She was proficient in horse riding and mounted combat thanks to her training sessions with Tactician Glynda back when she was younger.
"Thanks Blake, you ready?" Weiss asked towards her Faunus friend as she too mounted her horse, which was black in nature and wore no armor.
Blake nodded back towards her and rode up by Weiss' side. Together they rode past the ready and waiting army of The Order of the White Lion troops who were in their specific formations. The Vanguard and cavalry units up front with the rest of the units behind on foot.
The order for a forward march was given and Weiss for the first time in her life began her first assault on the enemy. The low rumble as weighted footsteps dug into the soft ground sounded as if thunder was rolling from across the mountains. It was an exhilarating and unique experience. No amount of training from before could have prepared Weiss for this singular moment. The moment she would lead troops on a march towards a battle. A battle where people would lose their lives, would fight other humans; for the greater good.
For their country.
As the army continued to march forward towards their destination, the General fell back into her thoughts about what had just transpired. Weiss ordered the company commanders of her army to converge and meet at the edge of the forest to march onto the town together. Although there was only a platoon sized element of enemy troops, Weiss didn't want to give Haven the opportunity to pull anything or for her to meet them head on with not enough soldiers, so she chose to bring her entire unit.
She'd let her Vanguard charge straight into the town and do what they did best, and while they cause confusion and mayhem with their initial charge, Weiss herself would lead a smaller contingent squad from the town's west while Lieutenant Penny led another unit from the east. Together they'd push the enemies back towards the edge of town and successfully crush them in one last fell swoop. Her extra units she shouldn't need to call on would be ready at the forest's edge prepared just in case. Casualties were calculated to be almost non-existent if all went well. A fitting and sound proof plan Weiss came up with, with the help of her new advisor who was ordered to come along with her; Lieutenant Penny.
Weiss was still unsure as to how she felt about the energetic 1st Legion soldier. She was smart as she pointed out a few holes in Weiss' original plan in which the General herself overlooked but quickly amended. That and she certainly looked strong and charismatic. Already all of Weiss' commanders found the girl to be like a breath of fresh air with her relaxed, but alert attitude. It almost felt like she was stealing Weiss' thunder, but she'd take all the help she could get, as long as the girl was willing to prove herself and not just be a pretty face. So Weiss decided to give Penny a leadership role in leading one half of the dual assault. Of course Weiss wouldn't do this if she wasn't confident in the girl's abilities; she just wanted to see her in action, backing her theories and words up.
In fifty minutes time on the march, Weiss and rest of the troops caught first sight of lights coming from the town now. They were just reaching the crossroads which led into town and since it was the dead of night, Weiss didn't bother to hide her troops using the forest's trees for cover.
She nodded towards one of her battle masters who rode alongside her to give the order to halt. And so they did. The low rumbling sound came to a stop, and Weiss felt a slight feeling of regret. She had gotten used to the sound of hundreds of men and women stomping into the ground with purpose and conviction, ready for war. The sound was oddly soothing.
But now reality quickly made its way back into her mind. It was now or never and she was in charge of every single one of these soldier's lives.
She glanced towards Blake who looked back at her and nodded, wearing a reassuring smile on her face, which Weiss returned.
That's right; I don't have time to doubt myself. I have an army to lead.
"Begin the operation! Vanguard; charge forth! First squad on me, third squad fall in behind the lieutenant, and the rest of you stand by! Move out!" Weiss commanded loudly.
As soon as the words left her mouth, the rolling thunderous sound began once more as her soldier's scrambled to where they had to be. Right as the mounted unit of her Vanguard rode by her with purpose straight for the town; Weiss spotted a blonde soldier on her own horse riding along with the spear heading Vanguard unit. In her new white armor, the girl looked different to Weiss, but she knew who it was.
Yang.
Weiss personally assigned her to be a part of the Vanguard. The look in her eyes at their meeting in the jail cell and when she fought the drill masters at the ceremony, Weiss knew the girl was a fighter. As much as Yang played the act of tough girl though, Weiss could tell there was something else hidden behind those purple eyes of hers. Something akin to hurt and anger, but she didn't know what. And the thing Weiss found most odd about it was…
Why she was worried so much about it?
"General Weiss, the plan?"
Weiss snapped out of her thoughts and tore her eyes off of the wild blonde. She cleared her throat and unsheathed her rapier and held if above her head and said the words she'd only dreamt of saying ever since she read her first heroic tale when she was just a little girl.
"Squads one and three; Charge!"
For being on horseback the second time of her life, Yang felt like a natural. Of course the Vanguard would be a mounted unit, something they failed to tell her in the beginning. But of course, her ego got the better of her and when they presented Yang with her mount; a chestnut steed, the blonde told them she knew how to ride a horse.
She's ridden on one before.
Over five years ago.
With her uncle…
She's never ridden one alone before, but the feeling of riding it right now was intense. With every stomp of the hooves, Yang felt every part of her body vibrate relentlessly. It wasn't too hard though, after she managed to finally get on the damned thing, guiding it to where she wanted to go was easy. Although trying to fight on this thing would prove to be a challenge. She was holding onto the reins with both hands, she had no clue on how she would grip her sword let alone swing it at enemies in combat.
But she'd cross that bridge when she got there. For now she was near the head of the pack, charging straight into what looked like a small mountain town. The Vanguard and she were riding down a soft hill and directly towards the town. Yang could see shadowed figures moving about in the town, but for the most part it was unlit and dark, she knew though that whoever was present in the village would hear the stampede of mounted cavalrymen and women charging forward in a matter of seconds, and all hell would break loose.
Yang focused her mind in that usual place where she prepared for a fight and calmed her nerves. She relaxed her grip on the reins of her horse and brought her right hand to her sheath at her back. With every gallop though, she felt as if she'd be thrown off the horse. But finally she felt the hilt of her blade and slowly brought it out and in her hand. She held her great sword over her shoulder in one hand and the reins in the other. She'd get through this easily.
Yang looked back towards the village and noticed little orange dots appearing out of thin air near the edge of town and in the center. It was only then that she noticed they were in fact torches being lit up.
"We've been spotted! Vanguard ready for battle! Drive these bastards out of our lands!"
Just hearing the small command from her left, Yang felt her blood pumping, her adrenaline rising, and her anger boiling.
A wicked grin took hold of her lips as she watched more and more lights erupt out of the shadows in town. And finally a horn sounding off in the distance.
"Break off into cover formation!"
Suddenly the charging horde Yang was a part of broke away left and right, which only left her in the middle still riding towards town. She was unsure of what cover formation was, but she couldn't steer her mount with one hand, and plus she was already riding into town.
Yang spotted her first enemy directly in front of her. He was dressed exactly the same as the men who raided her home town of Signal, in the dark gray plate armor with a red and black tabard. The Haven soldier stood his ground right at the entrance of town with a crossbow in his hand and pointed directly at Yang.
"Shit."
She pulled on the reins with her left hand and felt the steed veer towards its left hard, causing Yang to lose her balance and be thrown off the mount and onto the ground. She landed hard on her shoulder and felt all the wind in her lungs escape her with the violent fall.
Rolling out of the ungraceful fall quickly though and ignoring the sharp pain in her shoulder, Yang stood up and spotted the Haven shoulder still taking aim with his crossbow. Yang gripped her weapon and rushed towards the man, swaying from side to side to throw off his aim. Watching the man follow her movements with his weapon it was only once she noticed his body recoil from firing is when Yang ducked and rolled forward to avoid the bolt. Standing up from her combat roll she was already upon the lone soldier who noticed he had missed his shot and was scrambling to grab his weapon from his hip.
Before he even had a chance to grip his sword in his hand, Yang brought her great sword back behind her and with as much force as she could, swung the blade directly into the man's ribs, cutting through his armor with ease.
The Haven soldier fell to his knee and Yang extracted her blade from his side, watching blood ooze from his gigantic wound. She chuckled before moving on, no need to finish him off as he'd bleed out in seconds. His screams of anguish falling on deaf ears, Yang was in her own little world now.
She continued jogging down the dirt path into town and suddenly noticed that she was very alone. The rest of the Vanguard must've separated and broke off to attack from two different angles as Yang could hear the stampeding of horses and fighting erupting from all around her.
"Hey!"
Yang whipped towards her right, down another path and spotted four Haven soldiers charging at her, weapons at the ready.
Fear?
Yang readied her great sword and breathed deeply to catch her breath, she'd let them rush to her and tire themselves out. She took up a defensive posture.
Is this fear?
The closest soldier raised her sword up and both her eyes and Yang's met for just only a moment, before Yang dodged left and spun around the woman; slamming her blade into her back causing her to shriek out in pain.
No.
Keeping her momentum up from the spin, Yang ducked under another soldier's hammer swing directed at her head; feeling the violent gust of air pass through her hair. She kicked at the man's legs causing him to topple over. But before she could deal the finishing blow, she spotted another solider thrust his sword right towards her side, so Yang hopped backwards and out of the man's reach.
This feeling is different.
She eyed the remaining three soldiers, as the man she kicked earlier got back to his feet. They squared off spreading out towards her trying to encircle her, but Yang wasn't going to let them.
Without warning she rushed towards the closest soldier on her left. He attempted to thrust his blade into her chest, but Yang easily deflected the pitiful blow with her great sword and ran her blade through his own chest with force. Ember cut through him like butter.
Happiness? Anger? None of these.
Ignoring the gurgling of the man's last attempts to breathe as Yang's blade was embedded into his chest; she withdrew her weapon from him and turned around just in time to see the last two soldiers charging at her. She parried a strike from one and ducked under the other's all while walking backwards slowly to create space for her to use her weapon defensively.
What is this feeling?
Yang parried another onslaught of attacks from the last remaining two soldiers, they were attacking simultaneously now, which left Yang unable to attack. This in turn was pushing her back even more. No way was she going to let these guys get the better of her. Deciding to put her armor to the test, Yang parried another swing at her and quickly slammed her blade into one of the soldier's shoulder in an upwards swing.
Oh, now I know.
With her blade in his shoulder, the man cried out loudly and dropped his weapon, but Yang was now left open to attack. She already spotted the other man swing his blade at her, so the blonde leaned towards his attack. As soon as his blade made contact her armored shoulder, she regretted it being the same shoulder she had just fell on earlier.
Emptiness.
Lifting her heavy blade out of the man's shoulder she shoved his bleeding body off and hopped backwards again to create some space between herself and her last opponent. She could still hear the dying sounds of the soldiers she already defeated but drowned them out.
I'm alone.
The last soldier rushed forward, and Yang held her blade behind her back, ready for him to rush into her reach. The moment he lifted his sword to bring down on her, Yang spun around his strike and thrust her weapon into the man's back in one quick strike.
This was the first time I've fought without Ruby by my side.
Yang pulled her sword from the man's corpse and heard him hit the ground with a metallic thud. She brought her gloved hand to wipe at the moist sensation on her face and brought her hand back only to notice it was blood and not sweat.
"I can't wait to tell Ruby. Four on one." Yang muttered as she continued staring at her bloodied hand.
The feeling of fighting four trained opponents so quickly didn't feel real to Yang. She'd never experienced anything like that before, but she knew she couldn't be hesitant. That's how you died. So she charged in and won, easily.
Yang was so lost in her own thoughts she didn't even hear the footsteps of someone making their way behind her, and it was only when they reached out to her shoulder is when she was aware of someone else's presence.
"Hey."
Yang whirled around quickly and swung her weapon at the voice and touch behind her. She watched a familiar girl dodge her attack skillfully by leaning away from the swing and put her hands up in mock surrender.
"Whoa there, newbie! It's just me!"
Yang dropped her combative stance and sighed. It was the lioness Faunus from earlier; Jay. The woman then whistled seemingly impressed by the carnage around her as she dropped her hands.
"Nice job, Yang. Took them all out by yourself?" Jay asked.
Yang kept her eyes on the Faunus. And it was then that she finally noticed the woman's weapons. She had a chakram in her right hand and a short sword in the other, both of them bloodied as well.
"Yeah." Was all Yang replied with.
She sheathed her blade and started jogging towards the sounds of battle, down the street she could see more Order soldiers fighting and Yang intended to be a part of it.
As she headed off towards the fight though, she turned around to see if Jay was following her, but spotted the lioness Faunus bent over and searching the bodies that Yang herself had just killed. But the blonde paid it no mind. She had no idea what she was doing, but all Yang wanted to do was continue fighting. She was on a streak and she had no intention of stopping now.
"Minimize damage to the houses! Keep an eye out for civilians!" Weiss commanded a top of her mount.
It was complete chaos in the town, but her forces were crushing the Haven resistance. They really did only have a small presence in the town and that was fine by Weiss. The quicker they took back the town, the faster she could return back to the kingdom.
Currently Weiss was in the center of town still mounted on her horse. She had sent Blake to check up on Penny's unit on the other side of the village, ignoring her friend's suggestion of sending someone else, but Weiss assured her that she would be fine. She was still surrounded by her troops and she needed someone who could take care of themselves to rush across town alone.
So Weiss continued to watch the battle unfold in front of her. Her troops were almost done cleaning up the remnants of the enemy. Weiss herself hadn't had to personally fight anyone but she still held her rapier in her hand just in case. Hopefully though no one noticed that it shook with fear in her grasp, along with the rest of her body. Sure she was confident, but she was still terrified. This was real, very real. She watched as people were killed mercilessly in front of her. Butchered all in the name of king and country.
But she knew this was what she wanted. Weiss herself chose this life, and she didn't have a choice but to appear as a stoic leader. She wouldn't let her army know she was showing fear.
But it seemed her horse had the complete opposite feeling than her. Without warning her white steed reared back onto its hind legs causing Weiss to collapse onto the ground dropping her weapon in the process.
"Ow, what the hell?"
As soon as Weiss stood back up to find out why her horse had just panicked though, she spotted a figure dressed in black lunge towards her. The gleam of a dagger in their hand as it bore down on her.
Weiss felt her eyes widen at the sight, she stumbled backwards and tripped over her feet, once again falling to the ground on her back. The figure loomed over her now though, initially missing their first lunge since Weiss fell back.
Looking up towards this hooded figure, Weiss could see that their face was covered up by a white mask with red markings on it. She'd never seen anything of the like before and wondered if they were a part of Haven's army. But once the figure flipped the dagger around in their hand to stab her, Weiss panicked once more.
Oh my Gods, I'm going to die!
Weiss shut her eyes at the sudden realization. It wasn't supposed to be like this! How did they even get by her forces?!
In a last ditch attempt to shield herself from being stabbed, Weiss brought her hands up over her cowering face and waited.
…
And waited.
It was only when she heard a grunt followed by a sickening crunching sound she opened her eyes and looked up.
The figure still loomed over her, but they were frozen in place. Although Weiss could see a bloodied blade sticking out from the figure's stomach now. The red liquid dripping onto her own armor as she realized that she'd just been saved by someone.
Finally whoever had killed the figure pulled their large blade out of the person's body which fell right next to Weiss as she was still on the ground, in a low thud. Glancing over towards the dead figure right next to her, Weiss flinched away from it.
"Might wanna… stay on your toes, General."
Weiss already recognized the voice. It's aggressive and condescending tone instantly letting her know who it was before she even looked up.
Yang.
The blonde swordswoman stood in place of the figure, looming over Weiss. Her large great sword held over her shoulder as she looked down at Weiss with a curious look, before finally offering a hand to help the General to her feet.
Weiss regained her demeanor rather quickly and felt shame in letting herself be seen in such a disgraceful manner. By Yang of all people! She didn't know why but for some reason she really rather it had been anyone else but the blonde.
Weiss brought herself to stand without the girl's assistance and brushed herself off. She was still scared, her heart was beating faster than at any other time in her life. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself and strode past Yang to pick up her rapier. She observed the scene in front of her and noticed that The Order had all but finished the sweep in this sector.
Turning around to face Yang, she peered into the girl's lilac eyes and took in her sweaty and bloodied face. She looked as if she was in the thick of things and fighting for her very own life. Weiss knew she should at least be thankful towards her, she did in fact save her and as much as Weiss wish it was someone else, it was only proper to show some form of gratitude.
"T- Thanks Yang." Weiss muttered before walking off towards her soldiers. She even spotted Blake heading back towards her on her horse with Lieutenant Penny behind her with her forces behind them.
Before walking to meet them though, Weiss glanced back over her shoulder towards Yang and the corpse of that lone person who had almost killed her.
Who the hell was that?
"General Weiss, the battle is over. Mountain Glen is liberated, casualties are almost zero."
Weiss nodded her head at the information but she found herself distracted. She'd almost lost her life, and cowered in on herself in what she thought would be her last moments. It was so disgraceful she was a General! A Schnee! She felt angry with herself, almost on the verge of tears, but she'd bottle those emotions for now. She'd wait until she was alone.
One last time she glanced back over her shoulder and at Yang. The blonde was now talking with Commander LeAnn and a few other of the Vanguard troops, but Weiss' eyes locked with Yang's own as the girl looked back at her with an indifferent look on her face.
Weiss felt her face heat up instantly with anger and embarrassment. She quickly whipped her head back towards Blake and Penny who were relaying information on the current situation of the town.
"G- Good, do one more sweep through and consult with the town's mayor. We should reassure the citizens that we will send reinforcements to watch over the town once we leave. Good job so far but it's not over yet." Weiss said.
She fought the desire to glance back towards the blonde who she knew was keeping her eyes on her. Weiss only hoped that Yang wouldn't tell anyone how she found Weiss huddled into herself in fear.
"Weiss, you okay? Did something happen?"
Weiss looked towards her friend and body guard, Blake. She stared right into the girl's golden eyes and for the first time since she's known the girl she lied to her;
"Everything's fine Blake, let's go check up on the first squad."
"Hey, new girl! Wake up it's your shift for night watch!"
Ruby slowly stood up from where she was laying down from. She was currently outside underneath a large tree with the rest of her new comrades.
She had no idea where Yang was now, ever since they dragged her away from the graduation ceremony. Ruby more than anything wanted to beg for them to not take her only family away but she couldn't bring herself to say anything.
So here she was now, serving under a different General and in a different Army. Currently now though, the new recruits who joined The Wings of Vengeance were to sleep outside the barracks and pull guard around the surrounding area.
Within the walls of the kingdom.
It was a load of bull, Ruby knew that but this is the life she was now a part of. So she'd oblige.
Standing up now, Ruby grabbed her weapon and glanced towards the other body who was supposed to accompany her on her nightly patrol and nudged them softly with her boot.
"Go away."
Ruby sighed and nudged them one more time, this time a little more forcefully.
"One more time and I'll fuckin' stab you in your sleep! Go away!"
Shaking her head, Ruby sighed and walked off to start her patrol alone. The faster she got started the faster she could return to lying down. She couldn't sleep anyway, not without Yang. Ruby more than anything hoped she was okay, she knew she wouldn't be in jail for the day as she heard The Order which she was now a part of had a mission tonight. She knew her elder sister could take care of herself, but she couldn't help but worry about her.
It was the first time Ruby and her sister were separated, and she hated it. It was the worse feeling ever. Her stomach was twisted in nervousness, she was constantly feeling anxious and her nerves were in overdrive. She missed Yang and almost felt like crying tonight but fought against it. She didn't want to appear weak in front of the new people she was surrounded by. They already treated her harshly, she was one of the new girls and plus she didn't speak. So they already nicknamed her freak or mute.
Ruby didn't mind the names, they wouldn't hurt her, but what she did mind was not being with Yang. Glancing up towards the moon Ruby sighed deeply once more before continuing her stroll around the nightly fields somewhat calming herself with her thoughts.
That was until she felt something hit her in the back of the head with force, causing her to hit the ground in a daze.
Quickly she reached for her weapon which she dropped when she was hit, but felt a boot stomp on her hands and a palm force her face into the warm grass.
"Yeah, that's her!" A male voice said.
Ruby struggled against the grasp she was being held by, but to no avail, whoever was pinning her to the ground was stronger than her and she couldn't reach her weapon which was just out of her grasp.
She couldn't believe she let someone sneak up on her, she was too focused on her thoughts! But she had no idea who would want to sneak up on her. Haven? Someone who tracked her down from a bounty?
"We meet again. I knew I recognized you, you were with that blonde bitch that night in the bar." The voice spoke again.
Ruby could hear shuffling from her left as well, which meant there were two people present, easy prey if she could get her weapon.
But she felt a swift kick to her ribs which caused her to release a coughing fit.
"Hey man, don't beat her up too bad. We should have some fun first!"
Ruby tried once again to squirm out of the man's grasp, and could now feel the welling of a bruise at her ribs where one of their boots connected. She had no idea what they were talking about with having fun but it scared her.
"Heh, yeah you're right. We should…"
Ruby shut her eyes and grit her teeth, she'd never felt so powerless.
Where are you, Yang? You promised to always protect me…
