I'm going to die?

Ever since Summer had said that to Blake a few days ago it was the only thing she could think about. It plagued her mind, and terrified her in a sense. It wasn't a direct fear of death, but rather a fear of 'when.' What if her friends needed her and she suddenly collapsed and died? Her condition might lead her friends to an early grave if she suddenly worsened, she could just become a hindrance to them. Summer, being perceptive as she is noticed Blake's slight shift in mood.

'Don't think about it. Dwelling on it won't help anyone. You need to stay strong for Ren and Nora. Trust me, you mean more to them than you know. She gently embraced Blake, rubbing her back slightly as she hugged her.

'You're important to them. You shouldn't bring yourself down like this. I know you don't like it, and they don't either.'

With that, Blake felt a sort of serene peace. Hearing Summer's words had calmed her considerably, and soon after she was back to her usual quiet self. Quiet, but happy. The only thing troubling her now were her friends.

Where are you guys?

Shaking it off, she smiled as she continued onwards. She knew they wouldn't have done anything stupid like getting themselves captured, so it gave her a form of solace. Nora was snuggling up to Ren as she walked, nuzzling adorably into his arm. After a few minutes of walking, both Summer and Qrow immediately stopped.

'What is it?' Ren asked, a slight tone of worry in his voice.

'We aren't alone,' Qrow answered, his casual demeanour from earlier long gone, only a stern expression on his face as he rapidly evaluated his surroundings for any disturbances. The three of them stared in awe. They could tell just from this one interaction that the two Hunters in front of them were far beyond their current level of skill. Blake even suspected they may even be as strong as an SSS-Class Grimm, something only the most powerful of humans can even hope to accomplish.

'Four of them,' Qrow said, before being corrected by Summer.

'Five, actually. You're slipping, old man.'

They were amazed that even in this situation they could crack jokes and stay so calm. Nora was shaking in fear, and Ren even seemed to be unnerved. Blake was somewhat more comfortable than them, but that was only because her acute awareness of her surroundings told her that Qrow and Summer would be able to deal with the threat, judging by the fact that even a novice such as herself had picked up on their presence. As if in synchronization, they were assaulted by five S-Class Grimm, one Beowolf, one Boarbatusk and three Ursa.

In an instant, before the three of them could even register Summer and Qrow's attacks the Grimm all collapsed in a pile.

'I got three,' Qrow cockily said, looking at the trio of severed Grimm corpses on the ground. 'Who's slipping now?'

Summer grunted in a sour tone, bitter about the fact she didn't take out more than Qrow. Ren, Nora and Yang however were still trying to comprehend what had just happened. It was over before they could even blink.

'Sorry,' Summer said cheerfully, back to her motherly tone, 'I guess we got a little carried away there. Don't worry, stick with us and you guys will be just fine.'

'Where exactly are we going anyway?' Blake asked, Ren and Nora both looking to them out of curiosity.

'You're sure you want to know the answer to that?'

'Positive,' Blake replied, the determination in her voice coming as a surprise to the two of them, before Summer finally answered.

'We're going to kill an X-Class.'

Their expressions turned to one of shock and horror almost immediately.

'You mean we're going to challenge the Grimm said to be unbeatable by a single person?' Blake asked, her tone making it very evident she was hoping it was a joke.

'Unkillable by a single person may be true,' Qrow responded, the seriousness in his voice removing Blake's doubt, 'but how about two people? If one person isn't enough, maybe all we need is to have more than one person fighting them. You are free to leave any time you wish. Just know that our goal will not change. Ever since we found this information whilst at the manor we've been waiting to go searching for them. I'm gonna find that bastard and-'

'That's enough, Qrow,' Summer chipped in, calming his seething rage. Taking a deep breath, Qrow spoke again, calmer this time.

'Sorry, I get a little bit carried away when I think about him.'

'When you think about who?' Blake asked curiously.

'Taiyang Xiao Long,' he answered sternly without thinking. Immediately realising his mistake, he turned and tried to correct it, but it was too late. The damage was done.

'What about Yang's dad? What are you going to do?!'

Realising there was no point hiding it from her, he answered honestly.

'We're going to kill him.'

'Then why are we searching for an X-Class Grimm?' Blake perceptively asked.

'The fool had an obsession with them. He left to go find one and document it,' Qrow lied. He'd caused Blake enough unnecessary stress, so he at least wanted to avoid causing more

'He abandoned us on a mission. A lot of people died because of what he did. I want to make sure he pays for his hubris.'

Blake seemed conflicted over the revelation that Yang's father had done such terrible things. On the one hand, she knew the matter of Yang's parents were a sensitive subject for her, due to the fact she didn't have any memories of them as a family. Nevertheless, she carried on with the others, walking for a few more hours before they stopped to rest.

'You guys holding up OK?' Summer thoughtfully asked, looking towards the three young Hunters accompanying them, the three of them giving her a monotone 'yes' in response.

'Do you really think we should bring them?' Qrow whispered quietly, taking a sip from a canteen he was carrying with him.

'We can't just leave them,' Summer said, 'and besides, they want to come along. You heard them.'

'The lair of an X-Class is no place for children, Summer. You and I both know that. If they make the slightest mistake, they'll die. If they don't make a single mistake they may still die.'

'Doesn't that also apply to us?' Summer shot back, the look on Qrow's face telling her she was right.

'I'm just worried. I don't want that tragedy to repeat itself,' he said.

'Please,' Summer said, tearing up almost immediately, 'don't bring it up.'

'Bring what up?' Nora asked cheerfully, before noticing her tears. 'Hey, what's wrong?'

Summer's hand began shaking at the memory. It was still vivid in her mind, like it happened yesterday. The encounter she and her husband shared with the X-Class Grimm... it would never fade from her mind. But the horror that she witnessed afterwards still traumatized her to this day. That Draconic Grimm... a humanoid X-Class Grimm with dragon scales, skin as hard as steel... she would never let those events escape her memory. They were no match for the overwhelming power of the Grimm, but what it did afterwards eternally scarred her.

Please, let him go!

You challenged me. This is my prey. And I shall devour my meal how I see fit.

Summer watched the Draconus tear into her husband with her teeth, ripping the man's arm off. She didn't even provide him the dignity of dying first. She slowly watched the man she loved be torn quite literally limb from limb, helpless to do anything. She gave in, and that was when she saw him.

Taiyang Xiao Long.

He had followed them, and just as Summer thought he was about to fight the Grimm, he did something even more unspeakable.

'Good work, Granberia.'

Why is he congratulating her?! Is he insane?

Then, he turned and looked her straight in the eyes. What she saw chilled her to her core. Those crimson eyes, with tints of black around the edges... she knew.

'You became a Grimm?'

'Merging with the Grimm is the ultimate power,' he answered. 'Don't worry. I left behind a very convincing copy of myself. Nobody will ever know. If you want to continue living, you'll keep quiet about it.'

To be honest, she had completely zoned out. She wanted it to end. She wanted it to be a horrible nightmare. She wanted to have the power to save him.

But what she wanted more than anything right now, was revenge.

'Let's go,' she said, commanding Blake and the others as she stormed ahead, seething with rage.

When I find you, Taiyang, I'm going to make you fucking pay for what you did. Setting us up, betraying us... I'll make you suffer through the seventh layer of Hell before you die!