A/N: New chapter, new setting. Also I don't know if I have to specify but in between these chapters that have massive setting changes signifies some type of time lapse of maybe a couple days or so.
Anyway that's all for now. Next chapter is what most of you have probably been waiting for for a while now lol. :)
Grandiose and awe-inspiring buildings stood tall and firm on both sides of the stone brick roads in Haven. A mix of gray stone buildings flanked the same stone brick roads that a certain Empress was walking down on, alone. She required no guardsmen or soldiers to protect her. Not while she was in her own domain, here in the center of her power she was simply invincible.
Empress Cinder continued to walk down the sunny streets of her Empire. The same Empire that her parents and their parents before her created from scratch. With every storefront or home she passed, she was greeted warmly by her people. Heartfelt hellos and praise were given to her from all sorts of people who admired their Queen and Empress as she strolled the roads of Haven. Cinder simply greeted them back in return and continued on her way; heading in no specific direction as she continued to stroll about at a slow pace. It was something she loved to do from time to time. To remind her of how much responsibility and trust was placed in her by her clan and citizens. That and to see the people who were cast out from Vale along with her; to let them know that there was something to believe in.
And they loved her for it.
Her war campaign against Vale was accepted with praise. When she opened up recruiting for her armies, her forces were swamped by both men and women who wanted to make a difference, to be the final driving force to get what they deserved. To snatch it in their own grasp and put down the backstabbing Schnee "dynasty" that was Vale. To retake what was once rightfully theirs.
Smiling to herself, Cinder sat on one of the many stone benches that lined the roads of her city and took this time to relax. She didn't want to think too much about the war right now, it was the main reason why she told herself to go on this walk; to calm down. Closing her eyes and feeling a warm breeze tickle through her hair and lick at her face, she let herself think about more calm thoughts. The plans she would do once her plan succeeded and the like.
Unlike most other major nations, Haven was only ruled by one singular person; her. She didn't have a council or other people who helped or assisted her in her plans or would rule in her absence. Her word and her word alone were absolute. Of course though she would sometimes listen to her Commanders in some things but mostly it was only her voice that mattered. Although a government like that would seem like a mistake; causing her to become power hungry, Cinder's father had taught her how to rule not for her own interests but for her people's interest. Her people suffered just as much if not more than her clan. She had to remember that and lead accordingly; for them.
"If you could see me now father… You'd be so proud…" Cinder muttered under her breath as she continued to relax herself on the stone bench.
Although she was only dressed in a silk crimson dress that was tight enough to show off her curves but loose enough for her to move unhindered in battle; Cinder carried with her, her bow. The one accessory she was never without. The war bow was passed down from her father to her, and the man drilled the teachings of how to use it into her for as long as she could remember.
But it had paid off.
At first she hated the teachings. Cinder remembered her younger self having wanted to do normal things. She was still a child and wanted to do nothing but play and have fun. She couldn't understand the role she had to fill at the time nor the importance of it. Until she was told the story of her clan and home. It started as what she thought were fairytales. Stories filled with brave knights and heroes who shaped the very lands that she lived in at the time. Of course her father also asking her if she wanted to be just like the heroes of old, to which she had said yes.
Now knowing what she had been training for all those years caused the ebon haired Empress to smile to herself. The old memories that coursed through her mind bringing a sort of melancholy feel to her. Anytime she thought of the past, Cinder couldn't help but ponder what would happen if she wasn't in this role. To be the guiding light of her people. She couldn't picture anyone else doing it. She could no longer see herself as anything but.
Gliding her hand across the steel curved war bow, Empress Cinder let the soft smile on her face remain as she looked up towards the cloudless sky. The sun was still blazing overhead but it wasn't as hot as it looked. Coupled with the cool breeze that whipped across her body she knew that winter was indeed coming. Everything so far was going to plan, more or less. A few minor setbacks she had planned for but her Empire was proceeding at the pace she had set for them. Everything was falling into place wonderfully. Another testament to how she was the only one to fill this role.
But thinking that caused the ebon haired woman to contemplate something else. Another thought that always lingered in the back of her mind every night.
'Once this is all over however…'
She knew once this war was over and won… that there would be a lot of rebuilding. That and all the promises her family had made in the past that she would have to honor, governing positions filled, debts repaid, and countless other things that would pop up after the war was over. Things she wasn't looking forward to in the slightest. She was raised to be a leader; yes, but not in the sense of ruling during peace. It was one thing her father hadn't bothered to teach her before he passed. She knew she could conquer during a time of war, but when it was over… she wasn't as confident in herself as she'd like to think.
This is where Ozpin came in. Her father had told her to rely on the man who advised him when he was still leader. Although Ozpin wasn't a true Haven citizen; having grown up in Vale, Cinder knew her father relied on the man heavily when he was still Emperor. Despite her feelings on the matter, she would honor her father's commands and deter to Ozpin once the initial matter at hand was settled. Once the war was over, she would seek out his advice in what to do afterwards.
Although she did find it weird that he only requested one thing, or rather a spoil of war after Haven would come out victorious. He wanted to remain in Vale and to govern it afterwards. Cinder didn't know how to feel about that, it wasn't as if she wanted to exterminate the entire civilian populace of Vale; only the ones ruling it. But to have Ozpin to rule over it left a bad taste in her mouth. Granted he was her father's trusted advisor, still something about the request rubbed her the wrong way. She did know that the man had his own agenda and was playing an integral part in striking against the Schnee family from the shadows. Him along with one of her most trusted soldiers were in fact set to enact the next phase of their plan in Vale extremely soon…
"I'll cross that bridge when I get there." Cinder whispered to herself as she continued squinting up towards the sky.
That is until she heard the sound of weighted boots making their way towards her.
She didn't even bother looking towards the sound or even gripping her weapon. She was in the heart of her Empire. Even though she was alone and not dressed for combat, she knew no one would be foolish enough to try anything against her here. And so, she waited.
As the sound drew closer, she could now hear the hurried breathes coming from whoever was making their way towards her. It was only until the shadow from their body cast over her that Cinder deemed it time to finally look towards whoever had dared interrupt her personal time. Turning her amber eyes downwards from the sky and in front of where she sat, Cinder stared expectantly towards the tanned face of her right hand woman, Emerald.
The girl was dressed in her usual battle attire which consisted of a uniform of iron and chainmail, complete with her twin scimitars that hung off her belt on either side of her and her cloak which was the same color as her name implied. The girl looked ready to go to battle, along with the face she was making; Cinder thought that she wasn't far from the truth.
Along with Emerald were two armed guards who were dressed in the usual gray armor that flanked Emerald. Their faces portrayed no emotion as they stood beside their Commander patiently.
"Empress." Emerald finally spoke with an edge of anxiety in her voice. "There's been an incident."
Cinder allowed herself to take in a deep breath while she still sat on the bench. Her annoyance at being interrupted at the moment was slowly subsiding. She knew that Emerald of all people wouldn't intrude on her personal time without a good reason; and that piqued her interest.
"Pray tell, Emerald." Cinder said with a hint of a smile still on her face as she continued running her hand up and down her bow at her side.
She watched the red eyed girl look unsure for a moment before glancing around her as if watching for an unseen threat. Seeing the girl do this as well raised quite a few alarms in Cinder's mind as she allowed herself to sit up just a tad bit straighter.
"E- Empress, I believe that this matter should be discussed in private." Emerald whispered towards her to which Cinder cocked an eyebrow inquisitively towards the girl. "It's in regards to Commander Mercury, ma'am."
Cinder now looked Emerald directly in her crimson eyes and gave the woman a deathly glare. She knew Emerald was a person who got straight to the point, so hearing her beat around the bush only pushed Cinder closer to the edge.
"Out with it, Emerald." Cinder growled menacingly.
She had no times for games. She didn't care if her Commander was feeling uncomfortable with telling her the news out in the streets of their kingdom, she had things to do and if something required her immediate attention, then so be it. Especially when it came to one of her trusted subordinates like Mercury.
Although the man was loud, offensive, obnoxious, and arrogant, she still liked the boy. She along with Emerald and Neo grew up together for the most part. Due to them coming from the most trusted families with ties to her own, it was only natural that they knew and interacted with each other as they grew up. So when Emerald said that something had happened to Mercury, it was almost like saying something had happened to her own brother.
Watching the mint green haired girl once again look conflicted annoyed Cinder. She was about to say something else to the girl until she finally parted her lips and spoke in a soft and fragile voice that the Empress had never heard from her most trusted Commander.
"H- He's been killed."
'Mercury… killed...? No, it couldn't be true. Not him.'
These thoughts and more ran rampant in Cinder's mind. Images of the loud and arrogant boy flashed into her mind as she pictured the way he looked right before he left Haven for Beacon as per her orders. The silver haired boy was grinning madly and extremely confident when he was informed of his new mission.
Cinder appeared to watch him march off with the rest of his troops; her along with the rest of Haven. Most if not all the civilian populace always made it a habit of parading their troops off before they left for battle. Cinder had seen it countless times but no matter how many more she'll see it, it always makes her proud to know that every person living in Haven is supporting her and her military force.
Bringing her eyes to meet Emerald's once more, Cinder attempted to keep a neutral face but could already feel the sides of her lips quivering in unease.
"Are you certain…?"
She didn't want to believe it honestly, but she knew more than anyone else that a life could be taken away in the blink of an eye. No one was invincible.
Emerald nodded her head, still looking miserable. Once again she looked around before speaking in a voice just above a whisper. "Empress, we received a report from one of Mercury's soldiers who survived their battle." The mint green haired girl looked conflicted for a moment before proceeding. "You can ask him himself once we return to the Castle."
Emerald then unclasped her armored glove in a smooth motion before bowing low and offering her ungloved hand towards Cinder. The gesture was that of a respectful subordinate offering to help their superior to their feet.
Slowly, Cinder took Emerald's hand into her own and rose to her feet. She was still deep in thought about the news she'd just received. Making sure, to grab her war bow as well, the Haven Empress quickly stood up and began walking towards her throne room ahead of her commander and her two guardsmen.
It felt like she was floating instead of walking. It was a feeling she thought was familiar but couldn't place. Sure she received word of when countless of her soldiers were killed, and while their lives wounded her as well, it was quite different for someone you personally knew. Someone you grew up with and thought of as a little brother in a way.
Remembering now why this feeling was familiar, Cinder; for the first time since her becoming Empress… let her head hang down.
'The last time I felt like this was when father… when he died.'
The same day her father left her alone in this world, was the same day she assumed her clan's legacy. With nothing but promises and hopes, those were the last words her and her father had shared. It was a bittersweet moment for her she remembered.
As she neared the large gray stone building that served as her royal keep, Cinder felt no joy in seeing the towering castle. Instead she felt… anger.
Walking up the steps, she watched as the two guards that flanked the doors to the chambers salute her before opening up the way for her to walk inside without so much of a grunt. When she no longer felt the warm sun's rays on her skin was when the Empress felt a cold shiver run down her spine. To think someone so close to her would lose their life in this war. She certainly didn't plan on that happening. She had no idea that Vale had someone who could best one of her strongest warriors. In fact, Cinder couldn't think of anyone who could best Mercury in a one on one duel besides herself and Neo. Even Emerald's fights with the boy would always end in a tie.
Keeping up her slight hurried pace, Cinder quickly found herself in her throne room and made her way to the single velvet chair that sat in the hall. Her thoughts were still in a twist as she glanced around the entirety of the throne room in an attempt to calm her nerves. The crimson red paint that adorned the walls which was a testament to the countless men and women who gave their lives for her kingdom, the dozens of armed guards who were posted every couple of feet; ready to defend her should she need to be, or the contemplating look her most trusted Commander and friend was giving her right now as Emerald stood in front of her a few feet away. None of these gave her any solace as Cinder felt herself start to grind her teeth; a bad habit she picked up from her father when she was beginning to become annoyed.
"Shall I bring him to you, Empress?" Emerald's voice asked, cutting into Cinder's thoughts as the words echoed off the cold stone walls of her throne hall.
The ebon haired Empress only replied with a slight nod of her head and in that moment Emerald waved her re-gloved hand towards one of her men. In an instant, one of her guards vanished and reappeared with another soldier, although dressed slightly different. Cinder recognized this new man's armor as that belonging to Mercury's unit as the man shuffled somewhat nervously towards her.
It didn't take a genius to realize that the man was tense and uneasy, but Cinder had no intentions of reassuring him that everything would be alright. Because quite frankly… she wasn't sure they would be.
"Speak!" Emerald shouted as she shifted away from the newcomer; giving him the floor, but she stayed just within reach to interject in case something would happen.
Cinder flicked her amber eyes across the soldier's armor. It looked as if he were just plucked up from any battle and placed here. His breastplate was dirty, his greaves were muddied with dirt and grime, and his forehead was caked with dried blood. It made her wonder just how long ago he had returned, and how fast.
"C- Corporal Anders, your highness." The soldier now known as Anders stuttered out as he focused his gaze at the ground of the room.
Cinder noted that there was nothing particularly special about this man. He was average at best with no outstanding qualities to distinguish him from any random passerby in her empire.
"The Empress cares not for your name and rank!" Emerald's harsh tongue cut in again, her voice bouncing off the walls.
Cinder watched Anders jump slightly at the loud shout before looking even more nervous as he mumbled a small apology. He looked like a sad and pathetic puppy to her.
Leaning into her chair to relax herself, she propped her bow onto her lap before staring into the man's downcast green eyes before speaking.
"I have many questions regarding Beacon but I will ask the most important one first." Cinder said, her voice cool and betraying no emotion. She watched Anders' face lift up as his eyes rose to meet her gaze with a somewhat hopeful look now adorned on his face. "What happened to your Commander?" She finally asked.
Anders' entire face seemed to harden at the question as he cast his gaze downwards once more. If anything, it looked as if he were ashamed about something to Cinder.
'Interesting.' She thought to herself.
"H- He was… Commander Mercury was leading the charge against the Vale resistance." Anders started in a low voice. "We fought against the best Vale had to offer it seemed. Their armor were those of the Order of the White Lion army." He continued. "But no matter who the Commander went up against, it didn't seem like they were enough for him. With him leading the charge, he cut through enemy after enemy, alone. It looked as if we would break through their offense with ease!"
Cinder couldn't help but notice Anders' voice and demeanor changing as he recalled what had transpired. His voice rose in octaves as he relived his last battle, the pride in his face and speech were apparent as he remembered the battle in which he fought alongside his Commander.
"But then… then it seemed like someone finally stopped the Commander's advance. I watched the two of them clash momentarily and it even looked as if the Commander was pushing her back!"
Hearing 'her' however intrigued Cinder as she interjected. "Her? Describe her for me. What did she look like?" Cinder asked coolly. If it was who she thought it was, then it would give her all the more reason to crush the Schnees under her heel.
She watched Anders hesitate a bit from being interrupted before scrunching up his nose as if trying to remember. "I uh… She had long hair, blonde I think it was and fought with a large great sword."
Empress Cinder felt her earlier anxiety fade at the hearing of the description and exhaled quietly to herself. She was sure it would have been the Vale princess turned General; Weiss Schnee who bested Mercury. But Cinder knew that all Schnees had the trademark white hair color. Although she did know that The Order of the White Lion was led by the famous Weiss, it seemed as if the girl had some talent in that army of hers if one of her common soldiers defeated Commander Mercury.
Cinder wasn't exactly sure how to feel about that.
"B- But it wasn't her that landed the killing blow against the Commander!" Anders began again. "After what looked like an intense fight, our Commander pushed the girl back and was about to land a killing blow before another girl appeared and deflected it."
Hearing that another girl had jumped in only made Cinder wonder if that one was indeed the Schnee but she opted to remain quiet and listen to this man's recollection.
"This girl fought with a large Scythe and quickly engaged with him but right when it seemed that the Commander was about to best her as well, the blonde one jumped to this girl's rescue and stopped Commander Mercury's blow while she… she…"
Anders stopped speaking, looking as if he'd thought better than to describe the fashion in which Mercury had been killed. No matter however for Cinder, she had heard enough on that matter for now. Although hearing of the two girls who took down Mercury upset her even more so then before.
Hardening her glare at Anders, Cinder spoke the question that had been burning in the back of her mind now.
"Who gave you the order to retreat?"
She watched the man visibly flinch as his green eyes remained focused on the ground below him. "N- No one did, Empress."
Cinder heard Emerald snort before muttering "Coward" under her breath. But she refocused her attention back to Anders. She noticed that all of his earlier vigor at the retelling of his story had evaporated. He once again looked very much like the same man who had first entered her throne room. The timid and very afraid soldier.
"If no one sounded the order to retreat… then what are you doing here?" Cinder asked in what could only be described as a sickly sweet voice. She could already see Anders' breathing becoming labored as the man racked his brain for an excuse.
"M- My lady, to deliver the news of Fort Beacon's fall into enemy hands!" He stuttered while finally making eye contact with her.
All was quiet in the hall as Cinder remained seated on her throne. She held her gaze with Anders' own pleading one before she ran her hand up and down her bow. It was something she liked to do while she thought, something that calmed her a bit. The motion seemed to be a bad omen for Anders it looked like as the man swallowed nervously and followed her hand motions with his eyes.
Now for Cinder, running away in the face of death was an understandable thing. Of course, no one wanted to die. She understood that, all too well in fact. But it was how you faced that ultimate fear that showed your true worth as a human being. And while she knew this man ran and left his unit at the mercy of Vale's army, she wouldn't be too harsh on him for bringing her this news.
"But of course, Anders." Cinder finally replied.
She watched the man flinch once more at the hearing of his name as it graced her lips for the first and most likely last time ever. Cinder then waved her hands towards her guards. "Guardsmen, take him to the jails." She then ordered dismissively. But as she said the words and watched the blood drain from the man's face, she spoke up before he could even ask why.
"Be thankful that I'm even letting you live. Although you left your brothers and sisters after your Commander fell, you did have the courage to return back here and retell the events of what had happened." She explained as she watched her men move to flank the bewildered Anders before prodding him to exit the hall.
Nothing more was said as Cinder watched the men exit the hall and close the door with a final slam. As soon as the door closed however is when she noticed that Emerald had returned to her earlier position in front of her. The green haired girl dismissed her own guardsmen and gave the order for the hall to clear out. Cinder watched the eyes of her own guards as they looked unsure if they should listen or not to Emerald but then she gave a nod in their direction the entirety of the hall was cleared out, save the two of them.
Once they were alone was when Cinder finally let herself sigh tiredly. The full weight of what had been reported to her showing visibly on her face and body. She left her shoulders slump a tad bit as she rested fully into her throne. She didn't care for showing Emerald this side of her, her true feelings.
"Losing Fort Beacon is quite the setback." Cinder muttered as she was peering into Emerald's blood red eyes. She could see the girl was seething with anger but didn't know what about.
"Why did you let that coward live?" The green haired girl finally asked in a barely restrained voice.
Cinder allowed herself to sigh once more before speaking. "There's been enough death lately, Em. If I can prevent the death of at least one of our countrymen for now; then I will."
She heard Emerald snort before folding her arms and looking away. She knew the girl was angry about the news of Mercury. Although the two argued all the time, they still considered each other to be family. All of them did. And if there was one thing you didn't do, it was mess with family. A mistake that Vale would learn firsthand.
Thinking about the plan that Ozpin had told her in regarding why he required Neo's assistance again once more in Vale brought a small smile to her face. Things were about to get interesting and soon. She would just have to be patient in this part and let the next phase of the plan commence. There were two parts to a war. The actual battles in which she was in charge of and then the political aspect in which Ozpin was heading. The war that took place in the shadows as Cinder liked to call it. And with the reports that she was receiving from Vale, it seemed as if Ozpin was winning that one. Now all she had to do was wait, and knowing that she had sent Neo to help with Ozpin in Vale only made her just that much confident.
"I miss him."
Cinder looked up towards Emerald and could see the tanned girl fighting to hold back the tears as she struggled to speak again.
"I miss that bastard already."
Cinder felt for the girl, she really did. Knowing that the man she considered her little brother wouldn't ever come back home was almost unbelievable to her. But where she would be sad, Cinder would make sure to pay Vale back tenfold for what they did. She had to be patient for now however, she couldn't lash out so quickly at the moment.
"Cindy… Give me the order."
Glancing over at Emerald again, Cinder spotted that the girl had gotten herself under control for the most part. But not fully… She peered into the reddened eyes of Emerald's and could see the fury behind those beautiful irises. She knew the girl was an emotional person who would act out based on her feelings, but now was not the time for it unfortunately.
Taking in a deep breath, Cinder smiled sympathetically towards the girl. "Not yet, Em." As she spoke the words, she could already see the bewildered and slightly betrayed face the tanned girl gave her, but she continued. "Trust me, losing him hurts all of us, but rushing out to look for a fight right now wouldn't do any good for us."
Cinder watched Emerald look away in defiance and anger, but there was another reason why she wouldn't order her friend to go…
"Plus…" Cinder started, rising from her throne and sauntering over towards Emerald slowly. "I can't lose you too." She finished as she reached towards the girl's face, cupping her cheeks into her hands.
She turned Emerald's face to look back at her own and could see the unfell tears in her eyes. Reaching up with her right hand, Cinder brushed the liquid from Emerald's eyes and gave her a reassuring smile to calm her nerves. It was then that Emerald dove into Cinder's chest and hugged her tightly; sobbing in a mix of anger and sadness. As the Empress embraced her Commander, Cinder contemplated telling her the plan she and Ozpin actually had for Vale in the coming days but decided that right now, she'd much rather comfort her friend.
For today… she was quite tired of speaking and thinking about death. The full weight of knowing that people were dying for Haven's dreams under her rule was quite taxing to the young woman. For now, she just wanted to keep embracing one of the last people she considered her family.
She just wanted comfort… There'd be time for revenge later.
