The sun was beginning to set. The coming twilight made all the more difficult by the thick grey canopy. Black shadows lurked behind every rock and tree. The red beady eyes fixed on the brightly coloured team. Every step was guided by the grim presence, herding them to wherever they wanted. JNPR trembled, spoiling for a fight. Olivia, on the other hand, walked through the area as if she hadn't a care in the world.

"La, la, la, la, la…" she sang as she twirled her swords.

"What are you doing?" asked Phyrra.

"Humming to her music."

"What music?" asked Ren.

"It's better if you don't hear it. Tastes like garbage, and feels like a thousand knives stabbing you."

"You're insane," muttered Phyrra, "We should deal with these grimm. Ren, Nora –"

"Leave them alone," Olivia sighed, "No point in bothering them if they're letting us pass."

"Are you insane!" blurted Phyrra, "They'll outnumber us when we reach the position. And we'll be trapped when we're inside."

Olivia stopped, "Take a look around. Notice anything?"

Phyraa swivelled her head, taking in the obvious situation around her. The grimm shuffled and lumbered away into the shadows when another group appeared. Moments later the same group would reappear on the other side. Above the nevermores circled, swooping down whenever the group got too close to its allies. All else was silence, except for Olivia's humming.

"You see it don't you? They're always ready. It's like fighting a scorpion. Attack the claws, the tail attacks. Attack the tail and the claws will get you."

"Where are the screechers?" asked Jaune.

"Good eye. She's far away, but they can still hear her song. If we're lucky she'll let us go without a problem for now. If we're unlucky, well…"

"So what are these grimm doing exactly?" asked Jaune.

"Sizing us up. She doesn't like to cause more harm than she has to," Olivia started moving again, "And if we run into her, you will run. I'll handle it."

"There has to be something we –"

Olivia grabbed Jaune and looked him straight in the eye, "You WILL run. I'll handle it. Understand?"

Jaune nodded, "Got it."

A large stone tower loomed over the team. A relic of an age long gone had been converted into a fully equipped and stocked military outpost. Dust and cobwebs covered the equipment, abandoned for years by the looks of it, but each item still served dutifully.

"Whoa, I wasn't expecting this," said Jaune admiring the building.

"That's Atlas for you. First in, last out," Olivia mockingly saluted, "How's the outside look?"

"The grimm are… gone?" reported Nora, "Yeah… gone…"

"What in the world drew her away?" muttered Olivia, "Listen up, I need you all to plug your ears until tomorrow, alright? The last thing I need is for any of you lot to get buggered."

"And how will plugging our ears solve that?" asked Phyrra.

"It won't solve it, but it's better than nothing," said Olivia, "I'm heading up to the top. This place should still have plenty of stock, but only take what you need. We might need to fall back to this place later."

The team quickly dispersed throughout the tower. Phyrra began salvaging. Supplies were in good stock, but were thrown about the building. Dust and cobwebs were suspiciously absent. Medicine bottles and implements bore the signs of recent use, but it was nothing of major concern. Ren and Nora disappeared in and out of rooms. Or more accurately, Ren was going in and out of rooms with a bubbly Nora following him. Jaune took a few moments to explore and relax, but when all was done and seen he ventured to the top floor.

"Damn Atlas and their complicated electronics," grumbled Olivia, "Over engineered hunks of junk."

"Everything going okay?"

"Just peachy. Hey, hand me that wire."

Jaune rummaged through the debris and handed Olivia her various odds and ends.

"So you here to help out or just looking around?" asked Olivia, "I don't mind either way to be honest."

"Well I was actually hoping…"

"If you want another lesson, come see me tonight. We don't want anybody peeping, do we?" Olivia winked and smiled slyly, "I'm kidding. But now isn't the best time for a lesson."

"Actually I was hoping we could… talk?"

Olivia looked up from her work, "Talk? About what exactly?"

"Well, you're not like other hunters I've met?"

"And how many hunters have you met?"

"Well just my teachers I guess."

"That explains it," muttered Olivia, "Well, I could say the same about you. Never met a Vacuoan as… free flowing as you."

"Vacuoan?"

"You from Vacuo right? Your armour and sword are made in their style."

"Sorry, I'm from Vale. Are you from Vacuo?"

"Yeah, left the country after graduation. Flip those switches for me, will you?" Olivia connected another set of wires, "So why'd you become a hunter anyway? No offense, but you don't exactly seem to have the skills for it."

Those words cut Jaune deeply.

"My entire family were heroes and hunters," he said proudly, "I have to continue the tradition."

"Well that's a good a reason as any I suppose."

"How about you?"

"All children of Vacuo must serve," quoted Olivia, "Didn't exactly get a choice. But hey, I was living the dream before this."

"The dream?"

Olivia sat on a box and reminisced, "I was running a club before I met you. The Red Velvet Lounge. When this is all over you should drop by, you might even hear me play a set."

"You play an instrument?" Jaune beamed at the chance to talk about his guitar.

"A dabble in a bit of everything. How about you?"

"Acoustic guitar. I even write my own songs," boasted Jaune deliberately hiding the fact his music was less than appreciated.

Olivia chuckled, "Well we'll have to jam on stage then. And maybe I can drag the old man to join in too."

"What are you two doing up here?" asked Phyrra.

Olivia pulled out her flask, "And we were just getting to the fun part too."

"She's kidding, she's kidding," Jaune laughed nervously, "We were just shooting the breeze. That's all."

"Right… Jaune, Olivia," she said her name with derision, "Ren's made a small meal with what was left. It's ready whenever you are."

"Any good?" asked Olivia.

"It's made of five year old canned goods. What do you think?"

"A little alabaster should fix that," Olivia took a swig, "Of course, a drink makes everything a little bit better."

"Drunk," muttered Phyrra under her breath.

"Well Jaune, how about it?"

"What is it with you and drinking?"

"I like the colours," Olivia looked down, "And it drowns out the song. Ah, never mind that. Go on and grab a bite. You know where to find me."

"Come on, Jaune," said Phyrra taking his hand.

"See you tonight, Jaune-y."

Phyrra's gripped tightened, squeezing the life out of his hand. Her mouth resisted snarling. Teeth silently ground each other. No matter her intentions, her tone, or her words, it was impossible for Olivia to get on Phyrra's good side.

It was a strange sight for Jaune. Both of them shared a deep bond that transcended simple friendship. They were partners in a world surrounded by danger. Comrades in arms against the coming darkness. Of course, Ren and Nora fit the bill as well but they were distant, especially Ren. No matter where he went or what troubles he faced, Phyrra was always near.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked with a gentle smile.

"Oh, nothing really. You can let go of my hand now."

A culinary miracle of slop and beans made an adequate supper. When night fell Jaune returned to the top floor. Olivia had managed to find a crate of hidden liquor and the empty bottles around her were testament to her iron stomach. The huntress laid amongst a tangle of wires and stared out toward the black sky. She hummed a melancholic tune, conducting every note with a gentle swing of her finger.

"Come and find me… Come and find me…"

"The cavatina?"

"One of them," Olivia stood up, "Ready to start again?"

"Always."

"Now, last time you tried to keep me from dipping you," Olivia and Jaune circled each other, "This time, I want you to do the same thing, but try to spin me also. And five, six, seven, eight."

Olivia started slowly, making every step clear and obvious so her partner would understand the nuance. She took him by the hand and led him gently. Her other hand gripped his hip and pulled. Jaune stepped with the flow of energy then stepped to the left. The novice spun around the huntress and wound up behind her. He tugged on her arm to make her turn.

"Good, you seem to get the gist of it. Now, no holding back."

Their dance of death continued well into the night. Olivia's eyes shimmered in the darkness, drawing Jaune in with every step. The huntress tried another dip. Jaune countered with a full force spin. The pair pressed up against the wall, with Jaune pressed between the hard stone and the predatory huntress.

"Better," she said pressing closer, "You're a quick learner."

Jaune laughed nervously, "Well, I have a good teacher."

Olivia smirked, "How about we move on to the next lesson?"

Her breath smelled like whiskey. Her eyes were slightly glazed.

"You remind me of him."

"Of who?" asked Jaune uncomfortably.

"Scruffy hair… he had scruffy hair like yours," Olivia sighed sadly, her breath intoxicating Jaune, "I wish…"

"Olivia? Are you alright?"

Olivia drew closer, "Never better."

Jaune pushed back against the huntress. In her drunken state she stumbled back and fell. The room shook.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry," said Jaune offering his hand.

"Go down, now!" barked Olivia.

"I didn't mean to –"

"Shit! I didn't think she'd send - You need to get down right now. Wake everyone else and get out of here," Olivia frantically ran for the door, "Shit, shit, shit!"

"Olivia, what's going on?"

"Don't ask questions, do what I say!"

The tower continued to shake. It was subtle and subdued like the gentle beat of the drum or the rain. Olivia bolted down the stairs and stripped her sword from their scabbards. Jaune shook his comrades awake. He was greeted with groggy eyes and beleaguered groans, oblivious to the strange danger.

"What's going on?" asked Nora.

"We need to leave, right now," ordered Jaune, "Olivia's freaking out."

"What?" said Nora.

Olivia burst through the door, "Good you're still here. Listen, he's got in. I need you to head to the top and climb down the tower from the windows. We'll meet at the second outpost. If I don't come by sunset, go down the mountain and head home, okay?"

"We can help" said Jaune.

Olivia shook her head and smiled, "Not against this, you can't."

Phyrra grabbed her gear, "What the hell is going on, Olivia?"

The tower shook more violently. Loose stone tumbled. Glass cracked and fell.

"Impatient as always," murmured Olivia, "I'll see you soon."

The huntress darted out of the room and sprinted to the lower levels. A small earthquake trembled.

"Let's do as she says," said Ren, "Quickly now."

"But what about, Olivia? We can't just leave her."

"We should trust her judgement."

"I'm with Jaune" said Phyrra, "We might finally get some answers. You two head to the top. If we aren't back in ten minutes go ahead."

"We'll come back for you," said Nora, "We're not leaving you behind."

"Alright, let's go team."

The barricade was torn asunder. Olivia and a shadow circled each other in the dim light. Her swords' high, melodic tune was accompanied by a deep, resonant beat.

"It had to be you," Olivia challenged.

Her opponent was a head taller than her and broad. Plate armour, rusted and worn, hung over a layer of mail and leather. Beneath the full helm, dull grey soulless eyes cut through her. Every step made the earth tremble. Massive maces knocked against his armour. Ringed pistons closed around his fingers, much like Olivia's swords. Every press extended the shaft. The tubes of dust glowed, giving the flanged head a unique, beating colour. The beast tapped his foot on the floor, the trembling earthquake following its lead.

Olivia rushed forward, swords like steel wings. The beast stomped his foot. Earth and stone burst from below, spraying stones and rocks. Olivia danced around the spike. Her twin blades cut across the air and slashed into the beast's maces. The beating mace and the melodic blade clashed as their masters pushed against each other. The beat overpowered the rhythm. Olivia dropped her sword and let the maces slide over her.

She pressed every piston on the hilt. The song of the blade became higher and higher. Its sharp edge sliced through the thick greave as if it were butter. The monster tapped his foot. The building rumbled. As she lost her footing, the heavy mace swirled around. Olivia rolled to avoid the strike. Her legs swept across the floor. The beast stumbled. The mighty mace smashed against the ground. Fire, earth, ice, and lighting exploded from the impact. When the dust had cleared a large crater remained.

The second mace retracted, and quickly parried Olivia's sword. Its white head burst with cold light. The moment's respite gave them both a chance to separate and recoup. The monster tapped his foot faster. He smashed his maces against the wall to the beat. The ceiling began to collapse. Massive slabs of stone came tumbling down. The huntress danced around the falling debris, her eyes fixed on her target.

The tip of her blade barely touched his armour. The melodic strike sliced through the armour. Half the plate fell away revealing a battle scarred body and tattered clothes. He threw a vicious reckless swing. The nimble, unarmoured Olivia slipped beneath the mace.

Thunder erupted from below. A pillar of stone and earth slammed into Olivia's belly. On the beat another pillar plumed throwing her back up. Olivia narrowly dodged the third mountain and the falling mace.

"Olivia!"

A bronze shield soared through the air. The beast growled and struck down the disc with a hardened strike.

"What the hell! You're supposed to be long gone!"

"We're here to help," said Jaune taking a fighting stance.

"No you're not," said Olivia dodging another attack, "Get out of here!"

Phyrra joined the fray, "We're not leaving without you."

"I appreciate your new found love of me, but you're no match for this."

Phyrra thrust her spear, "You're not holing up well yourself."

Jaune slashed with his sword, "Maybe now is not the time for a conversation."

The beast crashed his maces into the ground. A wall of earth kicked back the hunters. Tremors emanated from the centre of the stone, weak but noticeable. Olivia's right eye turned red as blood, her grip tightened around her blades.

"You need to leave."

The beat picked up and a new rhythm accompanied. The stone wall began to crack but would not collapse. Olivia immediately began darting from point to point. Two maces crashed like drumsticks striking the cymbal. The ground burst into spikes. The stone wall shattered, throwing rock in every direction. Olivia spun, weaved, and rolled to avoid the shrapnel. Jaune raised his shield in the last minute. Shrapnel washed over him like a wave as the force hurled him into the wall.

"AHHHH!"

Phyrra bore the worst. Though she narrowly dodged the spike, hundreds of sharp stones cut through her exposed flesh. Her bronze armour buckled beneath the force. Bloodied bruises covered her arms and legs. She struggled to her feet.

BOOM!

The heavy mace crashed against metal with a mighty explosion. Jaune screamed as the bones in his arm snapped. The hapless hunter got between the beast and his prey. The hounding mace had crashed into Jaune's shield. A deep gong sounded, deafening the novice. The second mace followed, there was no way he could endure.

BOOM!

The second strike shattered the wall behind them. The huntress Olivia pressed her back against the monsters. His shoulder had shifted, his stance was wider. Her eye burned red. The nightly wind swept through the room.

"Jaune! Phyrra!" called Nora as she rushed down.

"Shit, not you too," grumbled Olivia, "You two, take them out of here. Now!"

Olivia slashed and struck, her blades disappeared beneath a whirlwind of silver and song. The monster retreated, creating tremors with every step. Ren pulled Jaune to his feet, Nora slung Phyrra over her shoulders. Together the team limped out of the outpost.

"BAAARRRRGGHHHHH!" roared the beast.

His flanged mace retracted, slipping beneath the parry. Electricity pulsed through Olivia's chest. Her heart skipped a beat from the strike. She coughed up blood as she tried to catch her breath.

"I forgot how hard you hit," she spat, "Even when holding back."

The beast refused to reply. Olivia slipped beneath the attack. Her swords ceased their song and lightly cut through the calves. The beast dropped to his knees.

"Sorry, but my job is done here," Olivia shot it a hard glare, "We'll meet again."

The night was cold and windy. JNPR was battered and bruised, barely able to stand. Ren threw together twigs and dry leaves as kindling. Nora tended to the wounded.

"Hold still, Jaune," Nora took Jaune's arm, "This might hurt."

"What do you – YOW!"

Nora pulled the arm and snapped the bone into place. She made a makeshift splint of branches and fastened it in place with scraps.

"How's Phyrra?"

Nora frowned, "She's in pretty tough shape. If we had taken all the supplies before we left… sorry, we didn't know."

"None of us did," Jaune clenched his fist, "Damn it, Olivia."

"What do you mean you didn't know?" Olivia walked out of the woods, "The old man said you knew what you signed up for."

The dark world slithered out of blurriness. The stale and stagnant air pushed back against the waking girl. When her vision was restored Ruby found herself leaning against a corner. Yang and the others slept beside her.

"Hey," she whispered loudly, "Hey!"

Ruby tried to reach out to shake them. Her hands and legs were bound by ropes, as were the limbs of her friends. Crescent Rose and her comrades haphazardly lay on the floor. Ruby grunted as she scooted toward her savior.

"Damn you!"

Ruby froze. Amadeus' voice boomed down the hall.

"You can send another one just as easily. This is a damn order!"

"We cannot obey your order, maestro. You will remain until the mission is complete."

"This mission will never complete. I was promised a crack team, not this lot of flats. You sent us a fucking VTOL and get them out of here!"

"What? Yes sir!"

"Good."

"Oh, no, he wasn't speaking to you."

"Ozpin," Amadeus ground his teeth, "Listen here you bastard, I need immediate evac."

"I'm sorry maestro, but that will not be possible," he could feel Ozpin cross his legs and grip his cane, "This mission shall finally be completed. Your team is more than capable for whatever you encounter."

"A crack team of hunters. You promised me a crack team."

"I promised you a team capable of the task."

"And these girls are it?"

"Yes."

"These girls will die."

"I sincerely doubt that, maestro," the devilish smirk cut through the air, "Their track record has many achievements that not even I have the privilege to speak of it. Now I am assuming that you had a recent clash with my choice squad?"

"It was more like mopping up a mess."

"I see."

"So send the damn VTOL."

"No, the success of this mission is vital. For Vale, for Atlas, even for your great Vacuo."

"I don't care about some damnable settlement our governments wish to establish. I don't want more blood on my hands."

"You short sighted fool. This is much more than a handful of houses with a serene atmosphere. Nor is it about those valuable resources beneath the surface. This is about the grand picture, maestro."

"And what would that be?"

"I pray nothing, but if you fail… Return to your rest. The night is nearly done."

"Ozpin? Ozpin. Ozpin!" Amadeus beat his fist against a console, "What do I do now?"

Amadeus buried his face in his hands and sighed, exacerbated.

Okay, okay, everything is okay.

Ruby carefully crawled to the scythe. Footsteps paced back and forth down the hallway. She forced herself to go faster and faster. The scythe was within reach. She sat up straight and guided the blade to the bonds. Ruby held her breath. Amadeus walked into the room and paced. The girl closed her eyes and pretended to be unconscious, hoping that he wouldn't notice her new position.

"Blue, blue, blue," Amadeus' eyes fixed on Ruby, "Cyan. Nice try Garnet, but there's no fooling me."

Amadeus grabbed Ruby roughly. Bound and helpless, she could only weather the storm. Her hands gently separated followed by her legs. The hunter turned to tend to her friends, undoing their ties.

Ruby rubbed her wrists, "Why?"

"I don't have time to babysit anymore. You're on your own now," Amadeus sighed, "But listen to this. Go down the mountain. Go home."

"But the White Fang –"

"Are all dead, or worse," Amadeus sat against the wall and closed his eyes, "And you will be too unless you leave."

"And what about you?"

"I'm going to finish this. After I rest."

Amadeus closed his eyes and began to drift away into the darkness. He hummed an assortment of tunes, occasionally grumbling that it didn't fit. Ruby undid her corset to examine the wound she suffered. She ran her pale hand over her soft skin. No blood, no bruise, no burn. The area was tender and sore, and twitched to the touch but there was no more pain.

What did he hit us with?

The chambers of his revolvers slowly switched. Charges that remained unfired were deep purple and sparkled with power. Ruby crawled over to Yang and shook her. She was in a deep sleep and refused to even stir. Weiss and Blake also slumbered. Ruby undid their clothes where the bullet struck. Again there was not even a scratch.

"Come and find me… Come and find me…"

A cavatina?

The melancholic melody softly danced through the stone rooms and halls. Amadeus was silent as the grave, and still as stone. The world blurred slightly, a trail like violet mist drifted through the air, calling her. Ruby made Crescent Rose a walking stick and wandered down the hall toward the source of the sound. Her mind drifted into peaceful serenity as the song called.

Ruby entered a large open room, empty except for a single projector and a large screen. The projector flickers and stuttered, begging for attention after years of regret. A slender shadow danced with itself. She hummed the cavatina with every graceful step. In the flickering light of the projector, the shadow had a full figure. A long flowing deep purple gown, shimmering like silk embraced her. Two fans, embroidered with falcons and with glowing spines, added elegance to her gliding movements. Her long wavy, black hair was tied into a neat braid and the braid was piled into a swirling flower. A gentle breeze followed the movements of her fans, blowing back and forth, and east and west.

"Who are you?"

The dance stopped and the wind died. The silhouette faced her interrogator. She opened her eyes. Empty, obsidian eyes pierced through Ruby. The novice was taken aback but her fear quickly faded away.

"Come and find me… come and find me…" sang the silhouette, "And lay me to rest…"

Ruby's eyes became heavy. The tranquil violet veil returned, wrapping around her, but not embracing her. Intoxicating scents overpowered, but not overwhelmed. Warmth like the rising summer sun washed over her like the ocean spray.

The song changed. Sweet flowing notes degenerated into a coarse rough tone that was still soothing.

"I hear you," whispered Ruby, "I hear you."

"Excellent," said a coarse, sweet voice, "Now listen."

Ruby was carried off to a strange, ethereal land. Auroras of red and black waved through the void. The novice could only float in the endless sea of nothingness. As the song grew louder the red and black began to fade. An aurora of violet and dark blue grew brighter and deeper. Red and black clashed with the new waves. The storm of colour shattered this tranquil state.

"You shall –"

BANG!

"Silence! Silence, damn you!"

The violet-blue tide subsided abruptly. Ruby snapped out of her trance. Amadeus stood in the doorway, blood dripping from his right ear. The devil's right eye burned like unholy fire. A furious volley ripped. The silhouette gracefully dodged every strike.

"Get out of here, Garnet!" ordered Amadeus, switching guns, "Take the others with you."

Another volley. The silhouette grinned and swept her fan across. A thin wall of brown ice quickly appeared, shattering with the coming shots. A bolt of flame and lighting surged toward Amadeus. The hunter weaved beneath the attack and countered with another pair of bullets. The two demons circled each other, hurling furious elements. Bullet holes riddled, scorch marks and icy burns scarred the walls.

I can help. I have to help. I'm a hunter.

Ruby drove Crescent Rose into the ground. She levelled her shot, crosshairs square on the target's head. She pulled the trigger. The white bolt screamed toward its target. The silhouette smirked. A flutter of her fan created a great gale. Ruby's silver bullet flew off course. Amadeus dove in the last second, letting the bullet bury itself in the wall.

"I forgot you could do that," said Amadeus to the shadow.

The shadow smiled and waved her fans again. A fine mist, sparkling with all manner of dust, surrounded her. She spun on her heels and summoned another wind. The mist sprayed in every direction. Red clouds burned to the touch, scorching fabric and flesh. Violet-grey sparked and arced. Icy blue froze and slowed. Earthen clouds pushed them to a knee. A simple attack, but enough to give her the precious moments to descent on her prey.

The hunter and the shadow entwined in each other's swirling strikes. Amadeus' revolvers fired rapidly, the bullets narrowly missing when the shadow stepped in rhythm with his assault. The silhouette threw fire and lightning and ice from her open fans. Walls and mists burned past the hunter. Amadeus spun and danced with his target. Each of them deftly dodging the other while narrowly missing their own attacks. It was as if these two beings had shared in this deadly dance many times before. Every movement meticulously made to serve each other. They flowed with ethereal grace. Obsidian eyes fixed on the mixed blue and red.

"Die!"

Amadeus thrust his revolver forward as the silhouette did the same with her fan. Fire erupted. Hair scorched and singed as the flames missed their heads. They wretched the others weapon and broke from the close battle.

Ruby let out a battle cry and charged into the battle. She swung Crescent Rose wildly with godly speed.

"What the hell are you doing?! Get out of here!"

Crescent Rose screamed for blood. The silhouette followed Ruby's strikes and stepped in time with her. The biting blade sliced only through air. The silhouette grew bored with the novice. She raised her fans creating a powerful sweeping wind. Fire and lighting followed the air. Ruby leaped back suffering a few burns and a twitching arm. As her feet touched the ground, arrows of ice and earth sped toward her. The shards gripped her clothing and pinned her to the wall.

"Ruby!"

Weiss and the others rushed into the room, stirred by the sounds of battle and song.

"Get her down and get out of here! No arguing!" ordered Amadeus as he charged with gun blazing.

"Hold on sis, we'll get you down."

The shadows rushed toward each other. Furious faces seen only in the flashes of the guns. Their barrels pushed past the ear. The guns released their final shots. Ordinary men would've recoiled from the bang, but these beings would not give an inch. Amadeus holstered his revolver, the silhouette cleverly maneuvered to drop her gun in the holster as well. The belt spun and whirred as it changed the cylinders.

Twin fans swirled around the two. Dense clouds of furious dust surrounded them exploding and cracking with every new swipe. It was as if mirror images were fighting against each other.

"There," said Yang, "Now let's finish him off."

"Ruby's in no shape to fight," said Blake.

The room was awash with bright flashes. Two shadows clashed in the centre of a storm. The guns blared once more.

"I think she's got it under control," said Weiss, "Let's get out of here."

"Arg! Fine."

RWBY bolted out of the compound. The silhouette cast a large wall of shining ice barring the path to Amadeus. Weiss summoned her own spell to slow the abomination.

"We're almost there," called Yang climbing the ladder, "Come on, just a few more feet."

One by one they clambered up the narrow shaft. The silhouette stopped at the base of the ladder. Blake's cat-like eyes aimed her pistol. A flurry of bolts crashed around her. The silhouette stood firm and closed her fans. She swayed back and forth humming a little tune.

"Hurry up!" shouted Blake to her comrades.

The silhouette clapped her fans above her head, opened them and brought the fans crashing down. A tower of icy flame erupted from the edges. The fury rose up and shaft with blinding speed. The explosion hurled RWBY out of the shaft and high into the air. The team lay groaning and writhing on the hard ground. The silhouette rose from the earth, carried by an eerie wind.

"Hear me now… hear me now…" said the ghostly voice, "And listen…"

"I'm not done yet, bitch!"

Three shots erupted from the earth. Amadeus dragged himself out of the shaft.

"They shall be mine…"

Amadeus screamed in agony when the voice spoke. Blood poured out of his ears. Four shots ripped out. The silhouette danced around the shots.

The ghost scoffed, "Foolish human, she is –"

"Come and find me… Come and find me… and lay me to rest…" sand the silhouette.

A spray of blood burst from the silhouette's shoulder. Amadeus smirked at the clean hit. Both of his eyes burning red.

"Now you die."

AAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEE!

Everyone, even the silhouette, cringed at the horrific scream.

"Flee…" said the ghost.

The silhouette flew from the battlefield with a great gale.

"Come and find me… come and find me… and lay me to rest…" sang the silhouette as she disappeared.

Yang held her head, "Who was that?"

Amadeus holstered his guns and growled, "The bitch."