Chapter 11

POV: Omniscient

The Belladonna family plus Sun were sitting around a low table drinking tea. After a couple awkward minutes of Sun stumbling around words and Blake's father assuming the worst meanings to what he said, Sun discovered that her father's name was Ghira

Ghira: And what's that supposed to mean?

Sun: Um… on the dance floor!

Ghira: Why were you watching her dance?

Blake just had her face buried in her hands at this point.

Sun: It was the school dance! We were dancing togethe-

Just then, a boom saved him from having to continue.

Ghira: Give me a second. I forgot about this…

After he left, Blake finally said something.

Blake: Who was that?

Kali: oh, it's nothing. It's just a meeting with the white fang.

At that, Sun and Blake both almost dropped their cups. They quickly set them down, and started running towards the front door.

Sun: Those psychos are here, too?!

They ran through the door, and into the front room.

Ghira: Is something wrong?

Standing in the doorway, were two people in matching red robes.

Blake: Why are you talking to these people?!

Ghira: What do you mean? This is Corsec and Fennec. They're the white fang representatives in Menagerie.

Blake gathered her thoughts, but before she could tal-

Sun: Wait, you seriously don't know?!

Ghira: Know what?

Blake: The white fang was at the fall of Beacon. They slaughtered innocent civilians and released grimm into the school.

Ghira turned back to the representatives.

Ghira: Is this true?

They glanced at each other.

Corsec: I'm afraid it is.

Blake Don't act li-

Ghira: That's enough, Blake. Explain yourselves.

Fennec: Actually, that was the reason we originally scheduled this meeting. We wanted to assure to you that Adam's agenda does not follow the will of High Leader Khan.

Corsec: As you are all probably aware, Adam has always been more… violent than others. He never believed humans and faunas were equal. Instead, he believes that faunas are the dominant race.

Fennec: The way he has gone about being heard is not good. We will be sending you a full list from Sienna on everything he has done that is against her will, and what she is planning to do in response.

Ghira: Ok. Thank you. I'll read it over later, but first I would like to have some time to spend with my daughter.

Corsec: But of course!

Fennec: Ah, yes. We were upset when we heard of your departure from the White Fang, Blake.

Corsec: But we do understand. After all, this can be a wearying fight.

Blake: Who said I'm done fighting?

Ghira: If you have nothing else to say, gentlemen, I'd like to go back to catching up with my daughter.

Fennec: As you wish.

Ghira closed the door. The room was silent for a second as they thought about the conversation. Only for a second, though.

Sun: So, those guys were creepy.

Ghira: I really don't like you.

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The two white fang representatives were walking away from the Belladonna's house, discussing the previous conversation.

Corsec: This could be bad.

Fennec: Should we inform Adam?

Corsec: Yes, let's.

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POV: Rocket

Qrow: So… no questions?

Jaune: Of course we have questions, it's just a lot to take in.

They had left Oniyuri and immediately set up a camp. There, they tended to Rocket and Qrow's injuries. After he was all patched up, Qrow decided he would explain everything to everyone.

Ren: So, there are 4 maidens, that don't need dust to use magic. To keep the power alive, whenever a maiden dies, the power is transferred to a female they love.

Qrow: The last one in their thoughts. Important distinction.

Jaune: And that's what you were trying to do to Pyrrha. Turn her in to one of them.

Qrow: The last maiden had been attacked. Somehow, they stole some of that power without killing her. We feared if we didn't do something, the rest would go to her as well.

Jaune: So you forced it on Pyrrha.

Qrow: We gave her the facts, and let her decide. You were there, you heard her.

With that, Jaune stood up in a huff, and stepped away. I knew I needed to change the conversation.

Rocket: So… why did they target Beacon? The school had to have been difficult to attack.

Qrow: Let me tell you another story. So, before humans roamed Remnant, there were two gods. One older and one younger. The older loved to create life. Plants animals and light were created by the older brother. Meanwhile the younger brother would see all that his brother had made, and hate it. He created destruction. Fire, Famine, and destruction was created to destroy life. But life always returned. Finally, the younger brother decided to create something with his innate desire to destroy. This creation would roam the earth, destroying anything the older brother made.

Ruby: The creatures of grimm?

Qrow: Right. After he made this, the older brother had had enough. He stepped in with an idea. He wanted to work together with his brother, to make something even greater. Their masterpiece. With their power combined, they gave them the ability to create, and destroy. To learn about the world around them, and to choose which path to take. The path of good, or the path of evil. And thus, humans were brought into the world.

Ren: What does that have to do with the schools?

Qrow: You see, those gifts aren't just metaphorical. They exist in a physical form. These 4 relics were given to man, but they need protection. If someone collected all of them, they could change the world directly with their will. Because of this, man made the schools. Their main focus was to raise huntsman, but they also serve another purpose. To protect the relics. This way, the relics are constantly surrounded by trained warriors, and even have an easy method of defence. That way, they kept it all out of "her" hands.

Rocket: Salem?

Qrow: Yes. No one knows where she came from or when she got here, but what we do know, is that if she gets the relics, bad things will happen.

Ruby: That still leaves one question. Why not just travel with us, instead of all this secrecy?

Jaune: Isn't it obvious? He was using us as bait.

Qrow: No, it's something else. It's more complicated than that.

Rocket: Well then, let's hear it.

Qrow: It's late. You kids should go to bed.

Nora: Seriously? NOW you're tired of telling us stories?

Qrow stood up, and walked over to the fire. He began poking it absentmindedly.

Qrow: It's a bit more… embarrassing.

He thought for a few more seconds, before making up his mind.

Qrow: Ok. Have you ever heard that crows are a sign of bad luck? Old superstition, but it's how I got my name. Some people can absorb electricity, stop time, or burst into rose petals. My semblance isn't like most people's though. It's always there. I can't turn it off. I bring misfortune. It might be good for in a fight, but it doesn't distinguish between friend, foe, or family. That's why I didn't want to travel with any of you.

He stood up straight again, and began hobbling off into the woods.

Jaune: And where do you think you're going?

Qrow: Just taking a walk.

Ruby: Is there anything else you want to tell us?

Qrow looked up into a nearby tree, and saw a raven, sitting in the tree branch.

Qrow: Not yet.

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The next morning, we woke up and stretched.

Ruby: Ok. I think it's about time we get moving today…

She heard coughing, and looked to find the source. It was Qrow, who had been leaning against a nearby tree. He had his hand at his side, holding onto the tiny, bandaged cut. The strange thing was that the clothing around the wound was still wet with blood. The cut should have scabbed over by now was still weeping. He lifted his hand, and we saw the purple stain of poison, also on the bandage.

Ruby: *Gasp*

Qrow: Well, that's unfortunate…

And then he passed out. His breathing stabilized, but I fear that that probably won't last for long.