The Charlatan of Choice

by SkyleafAlchemist19

The end is nigh. With three of four Relics in play, time runs short for America in more ways than one. Salem is on the move, and Ozpin insists they must retrieve the Relic of Choice before it's too late. But as Amber's past with Ozpin comes to light, America wonders if their trust might be misplaced... Sequel to The Atrocities of Atlas.

26. The Hunter and the Hunted

Warning: A bit more swearing in this chapter than usual.

XXXXXXX

Chapter Twenty-Six: The Hunter and the Hunted

From an outside view of the temple, everything was as peaceful as it could be with Grimm and Salem's strongest lurking outside the protective barrier. Six people stood guard— Ivan, Kiku, Winter, Blake, Sterlyn, and a reluctant Romano— as they patrolled back and forth or stayed hidden from prying eyes. Even the weather was serene and sunny, shining golden light down on the ruins and making them appear straight out of something from a fairy tale filled with magic.

It was indeed filled with magic, but not the kind that parents would tell children stories about. This magic brought nothing but misery and pain. For inside the temple, it was anything but peaceful.

Pyrrha stayed in Jaune's arms and could not force herself to move away, not even to help Francis as he tried to hold Arthur back. Whoever thought France was a coward was sorely mistaken, for he shoved himself bodily between England and his target, one hand on the nation's staff to keep it pointed at the ground.

"No, Angleterre. The shield relies on him—"

"Shield be damned!" England shouted. "Step aside, or I'll make you."

Pyrrha glanced at the doorway, where none of the guards outside had moved, and realized the temple must be soundproofed like she had suspected when her friends failed to come when she screamed. She laid her head in the crook of Jaune's neck and he gripped her tighter.

France's jaw clenched and he did not move aside. "You are not thinking clearly. Stop this at once."

"He tried to murder America, Pyrrha, AND Penny!" England thundered and the very temple shook with his rage.

Oscar lay in the corner, oblivious to the argument deciding his fate. They had tied him up with strips of metal torn from the lamps and forged into makeshift restraints by Pyrrha. At England's insistence, the homemade manacles covered Oscar's hands completely. Pyrrha hoped the strips of cloth inside them would make them a tad less uncomfortable. Oscar did not deserve any more pain than what he was already experiencing. He looked so small and vulnerable, but Pyrrha needed to remember he was not the one they were trying to keep contained.

"I KNOW THAT!" France snapped. "And YOU know why we cannot kill Ozpin! I'll say it again: If he dies, the shield goes as well. As a mage, I thought that would be obvious to you."

"He'll reincarnate." England said darkly.

"But he'll still die before he comes back. The shield could waver and Salem only needs a moment. Or the shield could explode because the person casting it is dying inside it. Not to mention Oscar does not deserve that fate. Stop being a mindless brute and think."

England's staff glowed ominously.

Ruby stepped between them. "Please, stop. Fighting won't help." she said quietly. Her silver eye flicked to Arthur but immediately went back to Ozpin, like she dare not look away from him for too long. "Can you block his magic?"

"Not here." Arthur growled. "The nexus is attuned to him, and him alone. Nor can we rely on those restraints to keep him powerless since he can use magic without that." He took a second to glower at the cane in Jaune's hands. Violet light flared over his skin and Pyrrhas breath caught in her throat.

"Not to mention he can turn off Semblances." Yang muttered darkly.

"We aren't absolutely sure he can do that." Feliciano brought up timidly.

Pyrrha knew that hopeful claim was false. She shuddered, remembering her desperation as she tried and failed to use her Semblance to help Alfred. She'd done everything she could to tear the dagger from Ozpin's grasp but it was like she'd never had Polarity in the first place. The feeling of absolute helplessness she experienced was one she never hoped to feel again. She knew she was not the only one still reeling from what had happened.

Alfred currently sat in the corner as far away from Ozpin as possible with Matthew, Weiss, Yang, and Jett at his sides. He did not appear to notice his guards or the conversation going on, instead staring down at Penny as he cradled the limp android's head in his lap. Try as he might, he could not wake her, and Pyrrha was beginning to fear Ozpin's claim that his magic would wipe electrical systems may not have been a lie. If Ozpin had killed Penny— again…

"Wait. If Ozpin can negate Semblances, why didn't he negate Vale's when Cinder was using it to—?" Jaune cut himself off, eyes widening with realization. "That son of a—"

"Maybe Salem made Cinder immune to Ozpin's Semblance somehow." Ruby interrupted. "Or maybe she was naturally immune, like how Matthew and Alfred are immune to Emerald's Semblance. Maybe that's why Salem recruited her. Or maybe—"

"Maybe Ozpin let himself die as another gambit." Yang interrupted bitterly. She leaned against the wall next to Alfred, weapons deployed and eyes flashing between red and dull blue. "Stop, Ruby. Just stop. He tried to murder Alfred, and was going to kill Pyrrha and Penny to eliminate the witnesses. Stop."

Ruby went silent.

"What do we do?" Feliciano whispered. "We— We aren't safe here. Salem is outside, Ozpin is in here with the ability to control the nexus, and we're trapped with both of them." He gripped the malachite necklace at his throat but did not break it, looking desperately to Arthur.

Jett gasped. "What if we use your necklaces to go to Earth and…?"

Arthur was already shaking his head. "Even if we teleport to Earth and return, there is no telling where we would end up on Remnant. We may even end up right back here because the highest concentration of people we all 'know' are gathered outside."

"Salem knew." Alfred whispered suddenly. He looked up, green eye hidden by his eyepatch while the blue one was dull with shock. "Salem knew Ozpin brought us here to sacrifice me. She said you would not let him take what he wanted..."

"My life." went unsaid.

Pain joined the fury on Arthur's face but he did not move away from Oscar. Matthew pulled away from Ren and sat beside his twin, yanking him into a brief hug. He let go too quickly, like he had been burned. More accurately, he pulled away like he was afraid he would burn his brother. Pyrrha's eyes were drawn to his chest, which was currently covered by his red sweatshirt. She could not see the black marks but no one could forget they were there, as unsettling as a shadow out of the corner of their eyes.

Alfred noticed everyone was looking at him and planted on a smile. "Here's an idea. How about I serve as a distraction while you guys run for—"

"NO!" everyone shouted.

Alfred recoiled with a wince. "I was joking. To lighten the mood? Jeez."

Pyrrha could see the angry rebuke burning Arthur's tongue but he held it in.

Yang chuckled humorlessly. "So to summarize: We can't kill Ozpin because we might lose the shield and Salem is right outside. Your portal necklaces are useless because you'd appear right back here if you return, and if you didn't return Salem would just continue the hunt on Earth and keep destroying Vale here to hurt Alfred. Ozpin can stop Semblances from working. Oscar's soul is being absorbed by his. Oh, and Penny won't wake up. Am I forgetting any other way that we're screwed?"

Matthew winced and rubbed his chest.

Yang laughed bitterly. "Oh, yeah. The Grimm parasite. This is just perfect."

Weiss shot her a disapproving look.

"How badly does it hurt?" Alfred asked his twin sharply.

"It just stings." Matthew claimed.

Alfred raised a skeptical eyebrow. "And you always scold me when I downplay my injuries. You're such a hypocrite." His voice was too weary to sound upset.

Matthew jabbed his brother in the arm. "I learned from the best."

"I learned it from you. You're the older one." Alfred rolled his eye. Pyrrha would believe he was calming down if not for the way his hands trembled.

"You're going to be okay." he whispered as if he was trying to convince himself.

Matthew chuckled weakly. "Worry about yourself."

Alfred made a face. "No thanks." His expression crumpled. "Seriously, you need to tell me how badly it hurts. Ozpin kept saying you're in danger. I know he might have been lying to try to convince me to sacrifice myself but what if—"

"Hey." Matthew interjected soothingly. "It's just a little pain and discomfort. Honestly."

It was clear Alfred did not believe him. A shudder passed through him and he moved Penny's head, settling her on a blanket. He then curled up in the corner, facing the stone wall, and his shoulders shook. Pyrrha could not tell if he was crying or merely shaking. Matthew stayed at his side, hand on his shoulder, while Ren crouched nearby, hand pressed discreetly to the floor.

Weiss's sharp gasp drew her attention away from Ren to see her gripping her weapon tightly, her blue eyes on Oscar.

"He's waking up."

XXXXXXX

"He's waking up."

The words snapped America out of his daze and sent a chill up his spine. For a moment he sat in place, facing the corner with the alien desire for no one to notice him while he tried to breath evenly because Ozpin tried to kill him. He actually tried to sacrifice him. Not only that but what he ordered his men to do to Vale—

Oscar's body stirred. England and France's weapons never wavered as they pointed at the "boy's" face. Once America might have chided them for pointing weapons at the kid, but said kid wasn't in the driver's seat at the moment. The other soul inside him was too dangerous to be left alone.

Because now, America had seen what made Vale go silent.

Now, he had seen what Ozpin was capable of, both in the present and the past.

Now America knew the truth.

So when Oscar's eyes opened and glowed gold, America felt no pity for Ozpin anymore.

Vale stood in a grand hall lined with green banners. Guards were positioned stiffly below each and every banner, dressed in armor with green capes and chest plates that proudly bore her symbol. Once, the men wearing her symbol might have filled her with pride, but now she only felt unease. Vale knew they were not loyal to her. They cared for their country, yes, but the personification of that country? No. Their loyalty to her was not above their loyalty to their King.

A King they refused to believe was gone.

It was her Warrior King who ended the Great War. It was her King who told her of the plans to create four Vaults for the Relics and hide them beneath the new Huntsmen Academies.

It was not her King who came up with that plan. It was not her King that brought that plan into fruition. It was not her King that sat on the throne of Vale, staring down at her with logical, cold blue eyes.

It was those eyes that told Vale her King was gone.

One day, her King told her he was feeling unwell. Weak. Tired. Faint. She had foolishly urged him to go to bed, ushering him away gently like she had when he was a small child. He had grumbled just like he used to back then but left with good grace, going to sleep.

He never woke up.

Only Ozpin did.

His eyes were not gold like they always became when Ozpin was in control.

No, they were blue like her King's.

They were an icy, detached blue, that were not her King's.

Many would say her King's heart was too big and soft. That was why he stayed out of the Great War for so long. That was why it took Ozpin's whispers for him to use the Relics in Vacuo. Her King was too kind and compassionate for war.

Ozpin was not. He was an old soul, hardened by years of war and failure. His eyes reflected the cold, calculating mindset that may have once been compassionate like her King's but now saw people as pieces to be used in his war against Salem.

No one else noticed the change. No one else had noticed when her King was in control less and less and Ozpin more and more. No one cared, because they did not want to understand. Some of them even preferred their "King's" new, "stronger" mindset.

Vale noticed. Vale cared. Yet she still failed to understand what was happening until it was too late.

So here she stood, at the foot of the stairs that led to her King's throne. She did not bow, because the fake sitting in that throne was not her King. He was her King's murderer.

She kept these thoughts deep down and off her face. As a nation, she knew what it was like for her leadership to suddenly change hands. It often happened to Mistral, and Mantle, and even Vacuo.

It had never happened to her. Especially not like this. Ozpin had killed her King. He had snuffed out his soul like it was a measly candle and showed no regret, instead slipping into his role as Vale's leader like he believed it was owed to him. Vale did not accept that. She would never accept that. Ozpin may rule her Kingdom, but she would not allow this immortal, immoral soul to rule her.

Oblivious to her thoughts, Ozpin held out the grey orb. "It is as we agreed, Vale. The Relic of Choice will be hidden beneath this Academy. Now, I will need you to activate your Aura while you hold this—"

"No." Vale said coldly.

Ozpin paused, an incredulous look passing over his face. "I beg your pardon?"

"I said no." Vale repeated. "I will have no part in your 'new solution.'"

"You agreed earlier—"

"I changed my mind. And I made no such agreement with you."

Shock gave way to an almost parental disappointment. "The fate of Remnant depends on this Vault, Vale. And yet you insist on sulking like a child?"

Vale was not fooled by Ozpin's facade of benignity. Not anymore. "Call it what you want. I will have no part in this."

Proving her point, his blue gaze— blue eyes that were once warm— grew calculating. "Are you certain you will not assist us willingly?"

Vale buried her grief deep down and kept her voice firm. "I have made my choice."

Ozpin's expression iced over, becoming colder than Solitas. "Very well. Guards, hold her down."

Vale's breath hitched. As the guards closed in, she lashed out. She snapped one guard's knee with a kick, left another choking with a punch, and shattered a third's jaw. She dare not use her Semblance, not with the orb so close, so she relied on her strength to beat the guards into submission.

She would have won if green light did not surround her and slam her to the floor.

The guards immediately held her down by her wrists and ankles. No matter how she thrashed and struggled, she could not break free.

Ozpin nodded at one of the men that used to be her King's. Vale recognized him. He was the man the King hired only because he feared what he would do if left unchecked. The guard had a terrible Semblance, one that no kind man could ever have. He had acted as her King's torturer during the war, a bitter, horrible evil that her King coldly ordered in public but sobbed about in private.

Despite her determination, she was not above begging. "Stop. You don't want to do this."

There was no mercy or remorse in Ozpin's eyes. "Activate your Semblance. Now."

Vale's jaw quivered. "No."

Ozpin's eyes closed. "Force her."

The guard put a hand to her forehead.

Pain. Pressure. It surrounded her head and slithered into her brain and crushed her skull. She fought it, she resisted it, but eventually the pain became too much and lightning instinctively flared. The guard staggered back, howling in pain, but he had succeeded.

Green light flickered and sank into the orb. It glowed green.

Ozpin smiled, pleased. "Thank you for your cooperation." He gently set the orb in a crate and closed it. "This would have been much easier if you simply obeyed your King."

Vale glared at him, defiant even as tears of pain trickled down her cheeks."You're not my King. You'll never be my King. You murdered my King to wear his skin."

Green light flared over his skin and golden, godlike light shimmered over his crown."You insolent wench. I refuse to sit here and allow you to insult your leader. YOU WILL NOT SPEAK ILL OF YOUR MASTER AGAIN!"

The Relic of Choice gleamed.

Vale's legs buckled and she clutched at her throat as agony tore through her. Her tongue boiled. Her throat burned. Claws sank into her lungs and shredded them as they took her words away. She could not speak she could not think she could not breathe—

Vale's nerves were set alight and she screamed and sobbed, writhing on the floor. As quickly as the pain came, it passed, leaving her gasping and whimpering on the stone floor of Ozpin's throne room.

Ozpin balked and removed the Relic of Choice from his head, skin going ashen. He gasped, and for the first time, there was regret on his face."What is this? What did I—? No. Vale, I didn't mean— Don't run!"

Vale was already running. Something latched onto her arm but she shoved it away blindly. Was that hands or magic that tried to hold her in place?

Ozpin's voice called after her. "Vale, come back! I can undo it. Vale, please it was not my intention to bind you— Guards, STOP HER!"

She heard the clatter of armor and threw a wave of fire behind her. A few of the guards screamed in shock but they all had Aura, so none were burned. It was enough of a distraction that she was able to rush to the window. She broke through it as Ozpin's scream came behind her.

"Vale, I promise I won't harm you again. I'm sorry. I'M SORRY!"

Vale hit the ground. Her bones creaked and strained as she struck the earth and for a moment she lay there, winded. Above her came another shout.

"BRING HER BACK!"

Vale forced herself to her feet and took to the air. A bullet whizzed past her head but she kept flying, fleeing from the castle and the monster that took her throne.

The guards hunted her for weeks. Every time she dared to land they would soon be upon her. She had no time to rest, little time to find food or eat, and so she kept fleeing as her body grew weaker and weaker and the pain in her throat refused to cease.

She fled across the forests, across the rivers and oceans. She fled further and further north, to the one person she prayed would not return her to Ozpin.

She collapsed in the midst of a snowstorm, nearly crashing into a building in the City of Mantle.

Seeing the lightning mixed with his snow, her brother came running. He stumbled upon her, nearly tripping over her as she lay shivering in a snow bank. Her brother stared down at her, eyes round with shock.

"Amber? You're injured. What happened to you?"

Her eyes burned with tears that froze in her eyelashes. She tried to tell him, tried to warn him about Ozpin, but the words stayed trapped in her mind and her throat boiled with every attempt.

"Ákos." she whimpered, reaching desperately for him.

Her brother reached back for her and she felt her limbs go weak.

She fell into his arms and blacked out.

"You're a monster." America whispered.

Ozpin recoiled. "Alfred, please let me explain—"

"No." America said tremulously. "You don't get to 'explain'. I already know what you did. Vale's so terrified of you that her fear was able to overcome the geas you put on her."

Ozpin's skin went white.

"I know what you did to Vale." America choked. "You held her down and tortured her until she used her Semblance on the device that would lock Relic and the Vault's door. You used the Relic of Choice to stop her from speaking badly of you. You had your men hunt her like an animal."

Ozpin flinched.

"Mantle found her." Canada breathed, eyes round.

Ozpin barely spared him a glance. "I'm sorry, Alfred. I swear I've changed—"

His bound hands reached towards America. America instinctively shrank away from him, heart in his throat. Canada shoved his twin behind him, teeth bared and eyes glowing with a violent violet light.

"Touch him and I'll destroy you." Canada snarled, his voice unnaturally low.

He balked, startled by his own vehemence, and his skin turned ashen. He shot America a terrified glance, hand to his chest, and America slowly realized the Grimm essence may already be affecting his brother. Was it only enhancing his negative emotions, or was it making him more violent by default?

Ozpin's gold eyes dulled with comprehension. "I feared this would happen. Matthew, you cannot let Salem influence you."

Canada shrank in on himself.

America's terror vanished like a blown-out candle. "Shut. Up." he breathed. "This isn't about Mattie and Salem. This is about you. Stop trying to change the damn subject and admit that you're an immoral monster. You go around claiming you're the good guy and are acting for the greater good when you pull bullshit like this. What the hell is wrong with you?"

"I've done many things in my past that I am not proud of." Ozpin admitted. "But I learned from my mistakes. I— I realized what I had done was wrong. I sought to become better."

America could believe it. He could believe that the cold, ruthless man who had hurt Vale had regretted his choices and tried to improve himself. However, all that effort and good intentions went down the drain because of one unforgivable act. Because no matter his intentions, no matter how desperate the situation was, and no matter how one looked at it, Ozpin tried to kill an ally for more power and murder the witnesses.

"Well you failed." America snarled unsympathetically. "You failed the moment you thought about murdering me to gain power. You failed when you considered murdering Pyrrha and Penny because they were there. You're out of second chances. As soon as we get out of this temple, we're done. If you have any willingness to be 'better' left, you can stow away as deep in Oscar's head as you can manage and fuck off."

No one objected to his statement, and no one looked at Ozpin with sympathy, not even Ruby. Ozpin's expression went blank as he realized just how much damage his actions had caused. Because he tried to kill one of their own, their shaky allegiance to him had crumbled completely.

"And if you try to stay here, expect a bullet to the face." Yang snarled, eyes red.

America's gaze snapped to her. "No."

"That will not be necessary." England said suddenly. He knelt in front of Ozpin, and the harshness in his green eyes lessened. "Oscar. I have a sleeping spell that can be triggered to knock you out if Ozpin becomes a problem. Would you like me to cast it on you?"

Oscar gave no reply. America wondered if he even heard England. Ozpin stared at England stonily and his golden eyes never flickered. His expression twitched briefly but he gave no other reaction.

"I think Oscar would agree." Feliciano said quietly.

The look on Ozpin's face said the boy did. America cautiously approached and crouched next to England, ignoring his brother's warning glance.

"We're going to save you, Oscar." America promised. "So hang in there, okay?"

For a moment golden eyes turned hazel and tears dripped down tan cheeks. America resisted the urge to hug the poor kid and kept his distance.

"You're going to be okay." he repeated firmly.

Oscar sniffled and nodded. "I want that sleeping spell, please."

England took out his spellbook and began flipping through pages. "This spell can be activated at any time by you or us. I will give you a phrase to—"

"You don't need to delay it. You can do it now." Oscar said. His head was held high but his bound hands trembled. He swallowed visibly. "I don't want him to get the chance to hurt anyone."

"He won't." England promised, perhaps naively. He seemed to realize that and grimaced. "We cannot activate the spell yet for the same reason we cannot make Ozpin leave."

"The shield." Oscar whispered. He trembled. "I don't want to hurt anyone."

"It wasn't you." America said firmly, realizing what he was thinking. "It was Ozpin. You saved me, and Pyrrha and Penny."

Oscar shook his head. "No, I didn't. I did not know what was happening until I woke up standing over you."

America winced but pressed on. "You still saved us because you fought back. You fought back and knocked yourself out. You saved our lives."

Oscar remained unconvinced. The kid did not seem to notice he was crying. America wished he could gather him into his arms and comfort him, but he could not risk it. None of them could because if Ozpin was willing to kill, he'd be willing to take someone hostage.

So they stayed back as England put the delayed sleeping spell on Oscar. America noticed the activation phrase was different than the one he had. He supposed that made sense. He would not put it past Ozpin to try to use the phrase to put America to sleep— the non-death kind. Though Ozpin would find a way… Maybe. He seemed to regret—

No, Ozpin would. America could not afford to give Ozpin the benefit of the doubt anymore. Not after what he had tried to do.

He tried to kill me.

America was not sure why he was surprised. He was not sure why the betrayal hurt so much. He knew Ozpin acted questionably before and always saw him as a sacrifice at least a little bit. Even when America was just Alfred the latecomer Beacon student to the Headmaster, he was a potential loss in Ozpin's war against Salem...

A part of America wanted to shove away his hurt and focus on those that may be feeling worse than him. Ozpin's actions were not just a shock to him, after all. But he could not find the energy. Left overwhelmed, his ability to comfort others in this matter had completely turned off, leaving him with the desire to get as much privacy as he could so he could at least try to process things. He did exactly that and returned to his corner, ignoring England, Oscar, Ozpin, his guards, and even Canada and Penny. In that moment, he did not even have the ability to scold himself for his self-centered reaction.

However, even with his inability to process or care, he did not fail to notice that throughout it all, Vale did not say a word.

XXXXXXX

Ruby could not handle this. With every passing second she felt the cracks widening, and knew it would not be much longer before she crumbled. She tried not to think or feel but she could not do it. It had been a mere two days since Uncle Qrow— It had been a mere two days since Frontier was destroyed. Her eye had not stopped burning for two whole days.

But now the burning was hotter, like a sun rather than a flame. The burning was hotter, and she felt drained, like all the energy had been sucked out of her. She gripped the talisman Arthur had given her and forced herself to breathe. Deep down, she knew she already would have fallen to Silver Eyes if not for the stone.

She wished she had asked more about Silver Eyes. She wished she had not delayed that lesson with Ozpin. She should have been more insistent. She should have asked exactly how Silver Eyes triggered and why, and learned the techniques to prevent it.

Instead she broke her promise to Arthur.

She did not do her best to learn how to control Silver Eyes. In fact, she did not try to control Silver Eyes at all.

And now it was consuming her.

As she stood quietly by the entrance to the temple, everyone was too busy watching Oscar to notice. Watching as Yang and Weiss whispered angrily. Watching as Arthur did his sleeping spell. Watching if Ozpin took control. Watching if he once again became their Enemy—

Ruby's lips twisted into a snarl. She forced it away, but her very muscles fought against her, like they were not under her control.

She was losing control.

She could feel her Enemies.

Ozpin was right there— He tried to kill Alfred, Pyrrha, Penny.

Adam was outside— He hurt Blake, Yang.

Roman was, too— He hurt Yang, Jaune, Ren, Nora, Alfred, Lovino.

And maybe Salem— She destroyed Frontier. Whitley. Klein. And Uncle Qrow—

Uncle Qrow was dead.

No. No, he might be dead. Sure, he did not answer his Scroll and neither did Whitley. Sure, Frontier had been wiped off the map by Salem. Sure, her uncle could not fight because of his injury, an injury he got saving her—

In a heartbeat, Ruby's mind cleared. Her vision sharpened, allowing her to see every mote of dust floating in the air. Her nostrils flared, and she smelled sweat and blood and filth and the flowery scent of Weiss and Winter's perfumes.

Ruby recognized it.

She recognized the focus.

She recognized the false calm.

And she recognized it.

She recognized the rage.

Her eye burned with building pressure that begged to be released.

The talisman around her neck glowed, pulsing like a heart struggling to beat.

She was losing control.

She was losing control, but she still had a choice.

Stay or move.

The choice was obvious.

Ruby turned away from her arguing teammates and walked out of the temple.

She heard Yang gasp and step towards her. "Ruby, what are you doing?"

"Stay out of my way, Yang."

She felt movement, just a whisper of air. She avoided her sister's grasp, reminding herself this was Yang her sister Yang not an attack a few more seconds she just needed a few more seconds—

"Stay back, Yang."

She recognized Weiss's voice. She hoped Weiss stayed back. She did not want to hurt Weiss again. She did not want to hurt anyone. But she would.

It was a good thing there were people she could hurt outside— Tear them apart. Make them suffer. Make them pay.

Blake noticed her coming and walked up to her. "Ruby—"

"Move." Ruby said.

Blake's brow furrowed. "Ruby—?"

Ruby looked at her with her burning eye. "Move."

Blake went white and hastily backed away.

Ruby could feel that everyone had followed her. They stood behind her, out of her line of sight, and a part of her appreciated their caution. In front of her were Grimm. They prowled outside of the shield, making the green forest appear black. Her lip curled with disgust. What vile creatures. They were abhorrent freaks of nature. They spotted her and snarled and she sneered back. Did these pathetic beasts think they stood a chance against her? Her?

And Ozpin. He had tried to murder her friends. Did he think she could accept that? That she would not make him pay—

Don't look back.

Ruby did not look behind her. Not even when she heard Yang grunt. Not even when she heard her sister curse at Ivan and Blake, screaming for them to let her go. Ruby did not look back, only ahead, at the sea of Grimm and the White Fang walking among them. She did not see Salem. She did not see the one responsible for Qrow's death.

She did not see the Enemy.

Ruby's eye pulsed.

"Let me go! Don't stand there! Stop her!" Yang screamed.

No one did. Unlike Yang, they did not let their emotions get the best of them. Unlike Ruby's sister, they understood.

Ruby almost smiled. "Feliciano, please stop me again."

With that, she stepped out of the shield and let the Silver Eyes consume her.

XXXXXXX

The air froze. All movement ceased, from the leaves to the branches to the Grimm and people beneath them.

Then the air ignited in a ball of silver flames, bursting outward with the rage of a thousand dying suns. It tore through trees, stone, and Grimm, encasing them in silver light as Ruby's furious scream reverberated like thunder. Burning ash, twigs, and things Canada did not want to identify fell to the scorched ground. Just looking at the light made his chest ache.

The light swirled around Ruby and stretched back from her eye like a single wing. America tackled Canada, shielding his body as the light slammed into the temple's shield. The wave of heat washed over Canada's face and his skin prickled and cracked. The light burned Canada's retinas, leaving warped echoes, and for a moment he saw the skeletons of the trees as they were vaporized. His heart skipped a beat as the light arced backward, crawling along the shield and devouring it, but soon it grew bored and circled forward, settling in Ruby's line of sight.

She ignored the people behind her, rapt gaze staring straight ahead. She stormed into the remnants of the treeline, vanishing from sight. The charged taint in the air lingered. Canada's skin prickled and he dare not move, fearing the light would target him like a shark smelling blood. They should have seen this coming. Ruby was already upset because of Qrow. Ozpin's actions pushed her right over the edge. A pillar of light shot into the sky and Canada cringed, hiding his face as his chest burned.

America noticed his pain. "Are you okay?"

Canada bit his tongue and nodded. Another shudder tore through the earth and pieces of stone fell from the ceiling. As soon as the ground stopped shaking, England darted over to the twins and yanked them up by their arms.

"Get up." he snapped. "We're running."

Yang's eyes flashed red. "We're not leaving—"

"We're not." England agreed. "But we need to leave before we're trapped in here again."

"By our enemies, or Ruby." went unsaid.

"The area to the west has the least enemies." Australia reported as his eyes glowed green.

"We're not—"

"Ruby left to give us time!" England bellowed. "If you want to stand here and wait for her to come back, be my bloody guest."

Yang gritted her teeth but Weiss touched her arm before she could retort. Yang looked at her teammate and red eyes faded to violet. A distant thoom sent a tremor through the temple and she staggered into Weiss.

England gripped America and Canada's shoulders as his skin flickered with violet light. He took a breath and cast a glare at the stone pillars that no longer seemed so sturdy. America shoved him off and hurried back into the temple. England spat a curse and ran after him, Canada following behind.

Pyrrha and her team were already inside, dashing back and forth as they grabbed bags of supplies and flung them at whoever happened to be nearby. Canada caught a bag and saw Oscar was still sitting in the corner. His lips twisted into a snarl and anger bubbled in his chest.

It truly was a pity Oscar was connected to Ozpin. Otherwise Canada would destroy the immoral bastard. America glanced at the boy and stepped towards him. Something ugly curled in Canada's chest and he shoved past his twin to approach Oscar. The boy saw him coming and paled drastically. His repulsive— fragrant— terror wafted through the air.

"No." Oscar gasped, jerking away from him.

Canada winced, realizing what he must think. "Oscar, I'm not going to hurt—"

"That's not it. I don't trust him not to hurt you." Oscar spoke to Canada, but his eyes flicked to America, showing who he truly feared for. "Don't release me."

Canada nodded and chose not to point out that Ozpin could likely break out of those restraints easily if he wanted to. A glint of metal at the boy's hip caught his eye and he frowned. Since when did Oscar have a dagger? America spotted the weapon as well and recoiled.

"How did you get that?" he gasped.

"What?" Oscar's gaze dropped to his hip and widened. "I don't know."

America snatched the dagger from him and clipped it onto his belt without a word. Canada caught a glimpse of the decorated hilt sticking out of the sheath and comprehended what dagger that was. Before the anger could come bubbling back, another explosion rocked the earth and Canada saw silver light flare in the distance.

"Let's move, people!" Australia shouted.

America ran to Penny but Romano reached her first.

"I have her." he grunted, settling Penny over his shoulder. "Go."

They rushed back out of the shuddering temple as the ground lurched. Canada resisted the instinct to crouch and cover his head with his bag and glanced at the clear blue sky. A flare of silver came from their left and he bit his lip.

Weiss followed his gaze and her pale lips thinned. "Feliciano, can you stay with her?"

"Excuse me?" Romano snapped, pushing between her and his brother.

"He has intangibility. He's our best shot of stopping her without anyone getting hurt."

Weiss's voice was too steady, and if Canada had to guess, he'd say she was using every skill she had in order to remain calm. Actually, he did not need to guess. Her fear tickled his nose, sharp and tantalizing—

Oh, crap.

Any attempts to deny what he was sensing were brutally crushed as Italy's terror washed over him. The Italian was paler than a ghost and his entire body trembled visibly. Despite that, he put a shaking hand on his brother's shoulder to stop him from advancing on Weiss.

"I'll do it." was all he said before he ran out of the temple.

Romano cried out, reaching for his brother, but Italy slipped through his fingers— literally— and vanished into the trees. America stopped Romano from following.

"We don't have time to argue." he said sharply. "Go."

Romano shot America a furious— No, he was scared. His terror smelled so sweet...— look, and Canada's lip curled. Did the Italian think that his sniveling anger could mask the scent of his fear? Did he think that Canada would stand by and let a miserable creature like him look at his twin like that— Focus.

Canada forced himself to breathe and focused on Winter's calm face. Unlike many of them, she truly was calm. The calm in the storm, one of the few who was not terrified out of their wits as they prepared to flee past Ruby and who-knew what enemies. Their fear and anger was so annoying— intriguing— and he was torn between the desire to enhance it and wipe it from existence. No wonder Grimm were always so angry if this was how they viewed negative emotions— Focus.

Canada felt warm finger in his own and followed them to his twin's face. America studied him solemnly— Canada smelled a burst of aromatic fear from him but it vanished— and squeezed his hand. Canada squeezed back, and let his brother drag him out of the temple's shield. He ignored the flare of pain in his chest, the terror swirling around him, and the horrible realization he had yet to acknowledge.

There was no time for that now.

They needed to run.

XXXXXXX

Tears streamed down Italy's cheeks as he ran through broken trees. Some stood with fragile defiance despite the large chunks missing from their trunks, while others were nothing more than jagged spikes of wood, swallowed by the silver inferno that devoured them. Italy was chasing a tornado, or a wildfire, or some other natural disaster, but instead of turning back and fleeing from its wrath, he raced towards it. Despite his heaving chest, dripping eyes, and quiet sobs he still ran after Ruby, because he was the only one who could.

It was too dangerous for any of the humans to try to stop Ruby now. Although his fellow nations could heal from everything Ruby did to them— except maybe America and Canada— they could not afford severe injuries now. They could not afford to lose limbs, or their heads, or patches of skin as Silver Eyes stripped it away—

Italy's breath hitched but he wiped at his eyes and shakily unsheathed his sword. He had stopped Ruby before. He had to do it again. Because once there were no more enemies nearby, Ruby would hunt everyone else. He had seen it happen. He had nearly been a victim. Japan and Weiss had been victims.

He could not afford to fail.

Italy could feel the heat. He could see the flares of light, flashing like lightning between the trees. He could smell the acrid scent of something burning. He could hear the pained howls and desperate screams.

He reached the end of the unnatural cleared path and watched Ruby turn a Beringel to ashes with a glance. He watched the cheerful girl skip after a masked White Fang member as she tried to crawl away. Ruby paused behind the struggling Faunus like a predator about to pounce and looked down at her prey, grin wide and unhinged. A gloved hand raised feebly and the White Fang's mouth opened, but the silver light surrounded her before she could plead. When it receded, only ashes remained.

Ruby's head snapped left and she vanished into rose petals. Behind her, the trees exploded into shards, sending projectiles of wood hurtling in her wake. Italy forced his frozen limbs to move and ran after her, keeping her in sight. Ruby ignored him, focusing on the Grimm first and the White Fang second. She appeared in the midst of the Faunus and they barely had time to raise their weapons before they were gone. If Italy did not know better, he would think they had teleported. The ashes they left behind told the truth of their demise.

Ruby turned into petals. Italy gave chase once more. He could not decide what to do. Ruby did not seem to care about him or those back at the temple, but that could change at any moment. Or she could stop mowing through Grimm and White Fang and run into one of Salem's direct followers. Italy was not so naive that he could hope they were unprepared to face a Silver Eyed Warrior. He had to do something. He had to stop her. Surely the others had enough time to run by now?

Ruby locked onto another group of enemies and ran into the trees. Italy caught sight of her in time to see four White Fang turn to dust. Ruby laughed hysterically, like a small child who had successfully broken a disliked toy, and Italy's gorge rose at the needlessness of it all. Ruby was not killing because she must and these White Fang were a threat. They were not even in her way. She was simply killing them because they were enemies and just happened to be there. Was this what it was like when Silver Eyes did not have a specific enemy to focus on? Useless violence without a goal?

Italy could not bear it. The White Fang were his enemy. They would kill and hurt him given the chance. Yet he could not stand by and allow Ruby to hunt them down squad by squad until she ran into something that stood a chance.

Italy scooped up a ball of mud from the forest floor and threw it. It hit Ruby in the center of her back and she halted in place. Slowly, her head turned, and her burning silver eye focused on Italy.

Italy turned on his heel and ran through the trees.

The forest turned to ashes behind him.

Italy held back a scream and kept running, passing directly through wood, stone, and foliage as he fled. He risked a glance behind him and his heart leaped into is throat. Ruby was right behind him. Her silver light cleared her path, leaving her as unhindered as him, and he had to wonder why she did not turn to petals and—

He blinked and Ruby was in front of him, eye wild and grin wide with madness. Italy shrieked and raised his arms, bracing for an impact that never came. He passed harmlessly through Ruby and tripped, falling to the ground. He instinctively curled up into a ball and the silver light passed through him. Ruby snarled in discontent and dove through him scythe first. She did it again. And again. And again. Italy squeezed his eyes shut and felt her pass through him.

It's just the wind, he told himself.

It was just the wind and he wanted to intangible in order to avoid getting in her— its way. Ruby's shriek was harder to deny but Italy kept his eyes closed, terrified he might solidify if he looked. Air rushed through him, then air with a metallic twang. Italy kept his eyes closed and pretended he did not exist. He was a distraction, and nothing more. The wind stopped and he heard the crunch of footsteps on leaves. He felt warm air tickle his face. He heard the crackle of the devouring silver light. He kept his eyes shut.

Ruby hissed and circled around him, her light footsteps crunching on the leaves. Despite himself, Italy felt his terror building. Any minute now, his intangibility was going to fail. It was going to fail and he would turn solid. He would turn solid and Ruby would tear him apart molecule by molecule, laughing happily as she tortured him to death again and again.

Italy's terror swallowed him and he sprang to his feet. Ruby leaped back, startled by her prey's actions, and Italy ran into the woods. He only made it a few meters before his foot caught in a tree root. He fell with a cry, hitting the ground hard. He shook his head and looked up, to see Ruby grinning at him. Her head tipped mockingly as she looked from the tree root to his face, as if she were daring him to become intangible again. Italy's breath froze in his throat and his body remained solid. Ruby laughed, high-pitched and cruel and—

A large hand grabbed the back of her head, yanking it backwards. The silver light arced up with her face, flailing angrily as it failed to devour anything. Italy slowly recognized his savior as none other than Hazel Rainart, and his mouth fell open. The huge man's muscles quivered with strain and he gritted his teeth, carefully holding Ruby in place. Italy's eyes locked with Hazel's and he thought he saw sorrow there. Although the man's strong frame did not waver, something in his face crumbled and he shut his eyes, gripping Ruby's head firmly.

Italy realized what he was about to do.

"DON'T!"

Hazel hesitated. Ruby's nostrils flared and her eye narrowed. She burst into petals, slipping out of Hazel's grasp, and vanished into the trees. Italy jolted into motion and ran after her, tripping through a tree. Hazel's heavy footfalls did not pursue them and the large man's presence soon faded from Italy's mind, lost in the mantra of stop her stop her stop her.

Rather than demolish the trees in her path, Ruby shot between them in a swirl of petals. When Italy caught glimpses of her face among the swarm, he saw she was not smiling. She was focused.

She had a target.

But who?

Italy spotted a tall, black-clothed form up ahead. He saw the eye-like symbol on her back and he skidded to a halt, flailing frantically as he fell to the ground in a heap. Ruby had no such reservations. She sprang at Salem, petals rushing like leaves in high winds and eye aglow with deadly light—

Without even looking her way, Salem reached up and caught Ruby by the throat.

Ruby lurched to a halt, legs flailing and roses flaring desperately around her as she struggled to look at Salem. Black fingernails dug into her flesh, forcing her chin upward. Ruby snarled and twisted like a rabid cat and Salem shifted so she was at Ruby's left— in her blind spot.

Red eyes narrowed, and black energy flared over Ruby's petite frame as a shudder passed through her. The feral, silver glow faded from her eye, leaving confusion and horror behind as Ruby— for lack of a better term— regained consciousness in her enemy's hold.

There was no time to react. There was no time to think. Italy could only act, spurned by the comprehension that Rubywasgoingtodie. Praying to whatever deities were out there, Italy dove at Salem. Rather than pass through her, he halted where the Grimm Queen stood and reformed into solid matter.

Salem's borrowed body exploded around him, torn apart from within.

Ruby and Italy fell to the ground in startled heaps and gaped at the black gunk that rained down on them. Italy shrieked and rubbed at his clothes, desperate to get the substance off. It faded into nothingness but still he screamed, clawing at his skin in order to remove the black gunk that was not really there. Ruby grabbed his hand and he flinched, pulling through her grasp as he frantically crawled backwards.

Ruby's eye welled up with tears and she pulled her hands to her chest. Italy's throat squeezed.

"Sorry." he croaked.

Ruby silently shook her head and rose to her feet. Her shoulders quivered and she grabbed her hood, pulling it over her head. Italy watched her warily, half-expecting her to burst into tears or snap. His heart beat like a trapped hummingbird's wings, frantic and afraid, but he forced himself to speak.

"Um. Do you feel better?" As soon as he asked the question, he wished he could take it back.

Ruby looked past him with her single, teary eye. "No."

"Ruby!"

A splotch of yellow appeared among the trees and Yang stormed into the clearing. A mutilated tree branch fell to her left but she did not react, shoving it aside with enough force that it hit a trunk and shattered. She halted in front of her sister, glowering down at her with burning crimson eyes. Ruby kept her gaze on the ground.

"That was stupid." Yang snarled.

"I know."

"That plan was reckless."

"I know."

"It put you in unnecessary danger."

"I know."

"You could have died."

Ruby cringed. "I know."

Yang hugged her. "Don't ever. Do that. Again."

Ruby hiccuped. "I'm sorry."

Yang's arms tightened. "I mean it. Qrow would throw a fit if he knew you did this because of him."

Ruby flinched. Yang's remorseless scowl remained but she rocked her sister back and forth, laying her chin atop her dark hair.

"Remember how he screamed at me after I took you to that abandoned house? He shouted so loudly it made Dad's anger a breeze. They both would be pissed you ran to face enemies alone because you were sad."

Ruby shrank inside her cloak as if she hoped she could vanish inside it. Italy's heart went out to her but before he could speak in her defense, Romano put a hand on his shoulder and shook his head.

"You are sad, and grieving, and that's okay but when you feel like that you talk to people, do you hear me?" Yang demanded. Her voice grew thick as her violet eyes faded to blue. "You talk to me, because I'm your older sister and I'm not going to lose you too. Especially not to something fucking stupid like this!" She gestured at the demolished trees, hair flickering with flame.

Ruby's face crumpled. "Yang—"

Yang hugged her sister tightly, hiding her face in her dark hair. "You scared me."

The admission was no more than a whisper and Italy turned away. They could not give the sisters the privacy they needed so they stood awkwardly to the side, with Russia, Japan, Pyrrha, Jaune, Winter, Sterlyn, and Australia taking up defensive positions around them.

Canada's eyes flipped wide and narrowed. "We need to keep moving. We're going to draw in Grimm."

Yang pulled herself together and nodded. She gently put an arm around Ruby's shoulders but paused, stepping so her back was to her sister. She lifted Ruby up by her legs and the dark-haired girl yelped, clinging to her sister's shoulders.

"No protests. You're tired." Yang said before Ruby could open her mouth.

Ruby closed her mouth and silently leaned her head against her sister's back. They had to put some distance between themselves and Salem's forces. Salem herself had been taken out— at least, one of her many possessed bodies had— but Italy doubted Ruby had killed all the Grimm and White Fang. Not to mention Hazel…

Italy nibbled his lip, debating whether to tell them about his encounter with Hazel. He decided to keep it to himself. He was not sure he could explain Hazel's actions. He would tell them later, once they stopped for the night.

"How did you find us?" he asked instead. "I thought you were supposed to go west."

Blake shifted uncomfortably.

"This is west." Weiss said bluntly. "You ran right by us."

Italy flinched. He had almost allowed Ruby to attack them?

"We'll continue west before looping to the south." Winter interrupted. "There are too many enemies in this area for a straight path."

"It's not a great plan but it's the best we have at the moment." England grumbled.

"Fun." Jaune muttered.

"What about Oscar? We can't just leave him here." Nora said.

Ruby shuddered. England's glower darkened. Yang looked similarly murderous.

"We certainly can." Russia said.

"Yes, you can." Oscar agreed. "You should."

"Hey." Australia said sharply. "We're not ditching you because of that meddling old man."

"'Meddling'?" Jaune muttered. "Try murderous."

France tapped his thigh irritably, glock in hand. "Ozpin's actions are not Oscar's fault. He should not be punished because of Ozpin. Besides, we have the sleeping spell ready—"

"Quiet." Winter interjected sharply. Her icy gaze slipped over the group before it settled on America. "Alfred, you're the one he tried to kill. It's your choice."

America's expression smoothed out. He crossed his arms and drummed his fingers on his forearm, face completely blank. "Do we need Ozpin to get to the Vault?"

Oscar hesitated, then shrugged helplessly. "He won't tell me."

America dragged a hand over his face. "Naturally. You know, if he wants to convince us that we need to put up with his bullshit for world-saving reasons, he's doing an awful job." He knelt in front of Oscar and looked him in the eye. "Jett and Francis are right. You shouldn't suffer because of Ozpin's actions. You didn't ask for any of this. That's why we're going to help you, okay Oscar?"

Oscar bit his lip, eyes shimmering with unshod tears. "Don't promise."

"I won't." America whispered. He stood up, looming over the boy. "Don't make me regret this, Ozpin."

Oscar's eyes remained hazel.

XXXXXXX

Hazel watched America and the others hurry away, disappearing into the trees. He did not pursue. Instead he exhaled and turned his back, searching for his allies. None of them had been caught in the Silver Eyes' attack. None of them had been close enough. Only Grimm and White Fang members had been torn to shreds. Hazel's haw clenched and he closed his eyes.

If only I had been faster…

He shook his head and pushed those thoughts away. He could not regret the past. He could only stride towards the future. Still, he had been close to killing Ruby Rose.

He should have killed Ruby Rose.

It would be kinder to the girl. Both to her and the allies she could kill.

Ozpin was incredibly lucky. Unlike every other time he had a Silver-Eyed Warrior on hand, he had the perfect counter to them. That nation— Italy, was it?— was so incredibly fortunate to have a Semblance that allowed him to face a Silver-Eyed Warrior with little risk. It was almost like fate.

Was it fate that Gretchen died?

Years-old grief swelled in Hazel's chest but he was used to its presence. He acknowledged it, even though he could neither accept or reject the pain. He could allow himself to be bitter at Italy for having a Semblance that allowed him to escape a Silver-Eyed Warrior unscathed. He could hate Ruby Rose for having that vile power that killed countless innocents. But he would not.

These children were all being manipulated by Ozpin and fighting in his war, oblivious to the damage he caused. The countless deaths he caused.

Ozpin knew Gretchen's teammate was an awakened Silver-Eyed Warrior.

He knew the girl was unstable and nowhere close to learning how to control her power.

He sent Gretchen's team on that mission— a mission meant for third years, not first years— anyway. He claimed it was because they asked for the job.

Hazel knew better.

He knew that Ozpin pulled some strings in order to test his newest Silver-Eyed Warrior.

Gretchen died because of a test her team did not know they were taking and were woefully unprepared for: a test that caused their their teammate to go berserk and turn against them.

For that, Hazel would never forgive Ozpin.

He would never forgive Ozpin for sending a teacher to inform him in his place, holding a small box in her hands.

A foot.

That was all that was left of Hazel's beloved little sister.

A single foot.

At first Hazel had accepted his sister's death as an unfortunate accident. Killed by the Grimm, Ozpin's lackey told him.

Now he knew better.

He knew the truth.

So Hazel would stain his hands blood red, because in the end all his sins would create a better world. He would make sure Ozpin never got another person's family killed again.

Even if he had to work with the Queen of the Grimm herself to do it.

XXXXXXX

Team RWBY were the first to stand guard that night. Of all people, it was Blake who volunteered them for the job, speaking up before Ruby could crawl beneath her blanket. They sat at the edge of the camp while Francis and Kiku stayed close to the fire. Ruby could hear a couple people shuffling around, unable to sleep, but knew Alfred and Feliciano were not among them.

Lovino had used his Semblance on both to help them sleep but Ruby could hear Feliciano whimpering. She was too numb to feel guilty. She was too numb to feel much of anything.

She tried to sit off to the side but Blake sat right next to her. The Faunus grabbed her sleep before she could move away.

"Don't leave."

Ruby reluctantly sat back down.

"Same for you two." Blake told Weiss and Yang.

Weiss raised an eyebrow but settled down daintily.

Yang plopped down with a soft thud. "What's up, Blake?"

Blake's yellow eyes gleamed in the shadows. "We need to talk about Qrow, Sun, Whitley, and Klein."

Ruby's breath hitched. Yang tensed. Weiss dropped her gaze.

Blake was pale but her ears were flicked back, daring anyone to try to protest. "We— We aren't certain they're dea— ...gone, but we're all upset. That's why we need to talk, not only because of the Grimm but because we are friends and a team, and I'm not letting any of you suffer alone."

Ruby, Weiss, and Yang could not meet her eyes.

"I'll go first." Her ears flattened against her head. "Sun wouldn't want me to keep it in." She shook herself but her skin was noticeably pale. "Sun is my friend. He helped me even when he just met me. That was the kind of guy he was. He stayed by my side even when I did not want him there. He convinced me to stop running from my mistakes. But I treated him like crap. Not often, but when he offered his help I shoved him away. I— I was angry that he kept his identity a secret even though I did the same thing. I never got to apologize." Her strong front wavered and her shoulders hunched.

Ruby grasped her hand. "Sun didn't— doesn't care about an apology. You know how he is. He'd probably poke you in the shoulder and tell you to stop blaming yourself."

Blake twitched. "I'm not—"

"You are blaming yourself for Sun's condition." Yang denied bluntly. "Don't. I'll happily pull a Sun and bug you until you stop angsting."

"I'm not angsting." Blake said but her lips twitched.

"I don't care that my father's dead." Weiss blurted. Her head stayed bowed with her bangs covering her eyes. "When he died, I was more concerned about how Whitley would react than my father's death. I left my brother and Klein behind, even though I promised I wouldn't again. I thought we'd have time to be a family when I came back. But now they're gone." Her shoulders jerked. "Is it because I did not grieve for my father that my brother and Klein were taken too?"

"No." Yang said fiercely. "It's okay that you aren't torn up over your father. He was an asshole who treated your family like crap." She grasped Weiss's hand and rubbed circles on the back of it.

Weiss followed the movement with her eyes before he face crumpled. "Winter's all I have left. What if I lose her too? Or any of you?"

"You won't." Blake promised.

Yang nodded in agreement and pulled Ruby into a one-armed hug. Ruby forced herself not to pull away.

Yang tipped her head back and closed her eyes. "I don't believe they're dead. Until I get undeniable proof I refuse to believe it. But if… if Qrow is dead, he'd huff and grumble about us mourning for a crusty old bird like him. He'd want us to keep moving forward and watch out for each other. I'm going to do that and kick Salem's ass for him."

Ruby could almost smile. When the silence stretched on, she realized it was her turn. Swallowing hard, she snuggled close to her sister.

"Uncle Qrow taught me how to fight with a scythe. When I was little, he let me hold the handle of his scythe and 'swing' it around. He did most of the work but I could pretend I was a great warrior like him. Dad was so mad when he found out. I think he banned Qrow from drinking for a month. He kept replacing the alcohol in his flask with apple juice."

Yang chuckled softly. "I remember that."

"Yeah..." Ruby swallowed. "Uncle Qrow was the first person I showed Crescent Rose's blueprints to. He was so happy I chose to use a scythe like him. He pretended to act cool and smug but I knew he was really, really happy. He laughed when I tried to swing it for the first time and cut up Dad's sunflowers." Her eye stung. "He can't be dead. Not like Mom and Penny."

Her team gathered around her, crushing her in a group hug, and let her cry instead of say the words she couldn't bear to believe.

XXXXXXX

Salem's fingernails tapped on the stone tabletop with tiny clicks as she drummed them on the surface. It was an aggravatingly human habit, but one she found to be beneficial. The rhythmic taps, all one after the other in a smooth pattern, helped focus her. And she needed that focus, not the rage that begged her to turn on her silent and nervous disciples— Emerald and Watts— and tear them apart for their failure. They had Vale trapped with no way out, yet he managed to slip between her fingers once again and they had lost Tyrian.

Salem was greatly displeased.

But she could not give in to the dark urges of the Grimm and slaughter them both. She was above such beastly urges, and followers were hard to come by. However, there was someone that she could make suffer. Two people, in fact.

In front of her lay a map of the Kingdom of Vale. She slid a pale finger over the different towns on the map, ignoring the ones crossed out with red Xs and the ones slashed through with black; the City of Vale among them. With the Relic of Knowledge's help, Salem knew the Kingdom's physiology well and she did not want to risk killing Vale too soon. She doubted Ozpin would allow death to unlock his precious Vault, so she needed to keep the key in one piece until it was no longer useful. Well, relatively one piece.

Salem touched one of the unmarked towns. It was not the most influential city, but it was not minor either. Vale would certainly feel its fall. It was a pity he had yet to receive her message and surrender herself to him. If he continued this trend, she may have to begin the next stage of her plan early. That was, if he was not captured beforehand.

Though if Salem were honest with herself, she would destroy Earth anyway.

Humanity would die.

Her Grimm would thrive.

From this world to the next.

Salem closed her eyes and smiled as she saw Vale's slumbering face. Apparently the child had difficulty sleeping, so the brown-haired nation— Romano— had to assist him with his Semblance. It was almost amusing. The prideful brother lost his pride, and was humbled enough to admit he needed help.

While the supposed 'humbler' brother did not ask for any aid and laid awake.

Ozpin truly was a blind fool. He feared that Salem would take direct control of Canada when he should be more aware of how she worked by now. If Salem wanted to, she could exert enough control to make the subtle resentment in Canada flare into a fire. If she wanted to, she could make that rage at the unfairness of it all boil over for just a moment so he reached out and snapped Vale's thin neck. But she would not, and not just because she needed Vale alive. She preferred subtlety over force until her enemies were sufficiently divided and weakened. And now she had the perfect spy to see how it all unfolded.

Salem almost smiled as she remembered seeing the aftermath of Ozpin's attempt to sacrifice Vale. The child had collapsed in his twin's arms, trembling against him as his body went into shock. He had hysterically whispered what had happened, gripping Canada desperately, so ignorant to the Queen seeing through his brother's eyes. He looked so vulnerable, with tears in his good blue eye, and Salem knew once she had him, he would break. He would shatter in an instant, and she would finally win this war.

She just needed a new plan.

Salem looked through Canada's eyes and saw Vale breathing softly. She sent a bolt of fear into her unwitting spy and he shivered, rubbing his chest. He reached out and brushed a protective— fearful— hand through Vale's hair and Vale murmured softly, relaxing at his touch.

How would Vale react if his brother turned against him? Would he give up like he had so many times before? Or would he fight harder than ever to save his brother and himself? Salem almost wished to find out, but unfortunately Canada did not have special implants like Emerald's. She could not force him to teleport to her side with Vale in tow.

Salem frowned in thought. Her astral form was not strong enough yet to retrieve him when he was guarded so closely, and she could not risk leaving this place to go herself. If she left, it would close itself off, forcing her to waste more time opening it again. She would not allow Ozpin to delay her this time. So no, she could not go herself.

Yet her followers could no longer be trusted with this task. Humans and Faunus were too flawed. They had their own motivations, which often conflicted with hers. Not blatantly, but just enough that they failed her when it mattered most. Even Tyrian had put his desires above her own at the end, choosing to target the nation that cut off his tail instead of Vale. She could not trust any of them to do this.

Only her Grimm were absolutely loyal. Only they were directly in her control. But none that existed could fit her needs. The Grimm sought to kill, to tear their enemies apart. She did not need a Grimm to destroy, but to capture. The Grimm certainly took people on occasion, but they could not hold them. Nor could her Grimm teleport her and Grimm pools like she could. No Grimm that existed was made with those specifics in mind.

No Grimm that existed…

Salem raised her head and looked at the Relic of Creation.

XXXXXXX

A/N: Guess who combined two chapters again? *waves*

I'm really excited for the next one.

Thanks to everyone who read, reviewed, etc!