Chapter 28

Qrow was due to reach the capital the following day, and with the timing of his arrival unknown, Weiss was up at dawn, waiting in the great hall of the palace with Blake at her side. It was to be Weiss' first official welcome of a foreign ruler as Emperor, and she was going to do it right. The throne, the same one her father had so recently occupied, had been hastily repaired, and the seat the Empress had once occupied moved back beside it. The first arrival was not Qrow, but it did bring big news.

Nora burst in. "He said yes!" She exclaimed, bouncing around the room was uncontrollable excitement.

"What did…" Blake started.

"Nora requested we marry, and I agreed." Ren explained, arriving just behind her with his usual lack of emotion.

"We're getting married, we're getting married." Nora repeated over and over, practically singing it.

"Congratulations." Weiss said. "Any word on when Qrow will arrive?"

"Nope." Nora replied, swaying back and forth, unable to stand still. "I should get back to the army. The recruits need more training!" Nora skipped out humming to herself.

"We just thought we should let you know." Ren said. "I assume we have your blessing."

"You do." Weiss confirmed.

"Good." Ren said. "Now, I should get to work. The accounting here is a mess." Ren had been working as Weiss' treasurer for the time being. She could trust him, and he had the perfect set of skills. His memory was incredible, matched by his ability to do math in his head. He also had an appreciation for how small financial decisions could set off a domino effect of consequences. He had found a way to pay the army without the need for a special tax, even though the soldiers would receive almost twice their normal pay. Using some creative accounting, he had also worked out how to pay for Weiss and Blake's coronation and wedding, all while leaving the crown quite wealthy.

"Uh, Ren...shouldn't you be...I don't know...more excited about being engaged?" Blake asked.

"I don't see why." Ren shrugged. "We've been living like we're married for a while now. Nothing's going to change. It's just a meaningless label."

"Nora obviously doesn't feel that way." Weiss observed.

"Which is why I'm going through with it." Ren said. "If it's important to her it's important to me."

"That's...oddly romantic." Blake said.

"I suppose it is." Ren said. "Now, I need to get to work. That summit with Ferox isn't going to pay for itself."

It was still a few more hours before Qrow arrived. When he did he left his army outside the city and came to the palace alone. "Qrow, Exalt of Ylisse." A herald announced as he entered the great hall. He was clearly in a hurry, his clothes dirty and wrinkled, a weathered case slung over his back.

"Your Majesty the Exalt." Weiss said. She stood and bowed, Blake doing the same beside her.

"I'm sorry but there's no time for formalities, Your Majesty." Qrow said with a quick bow.

"What's wrong?" Weiss asked, a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"My spies have discovered Queen Cinder's plans." Qrow replied. "She aims to bring a new Fell Dragon into this realm."

"But that's...how?" Weiss gasped.

"Plegia's been trying for centuries, ever since Grima's death." Qrow explained. "In her they've finally developed a suitable vessel. She has the Blood of Grima, the Blood of Salem, and…"

"Blood of Salem?" Weiss asked.

"The 'new' Fell Dragon." Qrow clarified. "She also has Exalted Blood."

"Exalted...how?" Weiss demanded.

"Ozpin had a brother." Qrow sighed. "During a war with Plegia he got mixed up with the King's sister and, well, you get the idea. He died shortly after under mysterious circumstances, even before the child was born. It was probably a setup from the beginning. The kid dropped off the map for years and Ozpin totally lost track of her. It took my spies a long time to confirm Cinder is that child."

"How's she supposed to bring this Salem into our realm?" Blake asked.

"She's headed to Origin Peak to perform the ritual." Qrow replied. "It's on an island between Valm and Plegia, to the southeast. Luckily she's stuck in port because the winds have been against her, but she won't be stuck there forever. You need to gather your retinue and get there as soon as possible. I'll follow with the army. If you can catch her before she sails she won't have a chance to perform the ritual. If she makes it to Origin Peak...it won't be long before she's done it."

"And if she succeeds, what then?" Weiss asked. "The Falchion is destroyed."

"Not quite." Qrow said. He slipped the case off his back and opened it. He withdrew from it a sword and shield. The shield was clearly the Fire Emblem, but the sword was at the same time familiar and unique. "I've done what I can." He lifted the sword up and bowed.

Weiss approached Qrow and took the blade. She recognized it now. "The hilt of...Winter's sword." She gasped. "And Falchion's blade. How?"

"I had my most skilled swordsmith graft the two together." Qrow explained. "You sister's sword was found on the battlefield, near where she had died. This weapon should now possess the properties of both. I understand your sister's sword functioned much like your own."

"Doesn't the Awakening ritual need to be performed to unlock Falchion's power?" Blake asked.

"It does." Qrow answered. "But I've already taken care of that. I performed the ritual myself. I am a descendent of Naga. Don't tell Yang."

"So it works?" Weiss asked.

"I can't say for sure." Qrow admitted. "Only one with Exalted Blood can unlock it's true power, and I don't have it. That's why it's imperative you stop Cinder before she completes her plan. We can't afford to risk the fate of the world on such an unknown."

"Very well." Weiss said. Taking the case from Qrow she placed the new Falchion and the Fire Emblem back in it before slinging it over her back. "Blake, get Ren. Meet us at the army's headquarters. I'll go gather the others. Qrow, we'll need horses."

"They're already waiting." Qrow reported.

"It's time to stop Cinder, once and for all." Weiss declared.

Weiss and her group gathered, immediately setting off for the port of Missiletainn. As they rode down the coast they could feel the contrary winds that had trapped Cinder there. They camped for the night a few miles away before resuming the chase in the morning. Worryingly, the winds slackened, then reversed. Cinder would not stay for long. Nearing the village, refugees warned them of the soldiers that had taken control of the town and forced out all the locals. Upon reaching the edges of the village Weiss and her retinue could hear the blare of horns. When they arrived at the docks they found the Plegian soldiers assembled, blocking their path. Cinder was beyond them, already approaching the waiting ships. She had no intention of sticking around for a fight she had not reason to bother with.

"She's getting away!" Yang shouted. "We need to attack now."

"I don't like our odds." Blake warned. "These are probably the best soldiers Plegia has, and they're backed up by Cinder and her retainers."

"We're too heavily outnumbered and we don't have the element of surprise to help us." Weiss sighed. "There's nothing we can do."

"There's something I can do." Pyrrha declared. She headed skyward astride her Pegasus.

"Wait what are you…" Ruby started, but Pyrrha ignored her.

Pyrrha drew a staff that had been strapped to her Pegasus' side and spoke a spell. A magical barrier surrounded her, and arrows fired by Plegian archers bounced off. "Cinder, Queen of Plegia, I challenge you to a duel!" Pyrrha shouted. "I will avenge my parents and Exalt Ozpin!"

Cinder was just about to board a ship but she stopped. She looked at Pyrrha for a moment, their eyes meeting. "I accept." Cinder yelled. "Soldiers, do not interfere." The sporadic arrow fire stopped and Pyrrha landed at the base of the dock Cinder was on. Knowing Cinder was an archer, she sent her Pegasus away. "What rules do you propose?" Cinder asked.

"No outside interference, the duel ends when one of us can no longer fight." Pyrrha answered. "No holds barred."

"I request one additional condition." Cinder said.

"What is that?" Pyrrha asked.

"The loser will be at the winner's mercy." Cinder replied. "Their respective associates will not intercede, even after the fight is over."

"Deal." Pyrrha said. "I will have my vengeance. I will see justice done." She drew her lance and shield and stood ready.

Instead of drawing her bow, Cinder drew a tome. "I'm going to enjoy this." She said with a smile. "I'm ready when you are."

"Then let's begin." Pyrrha said. She started running toward Cinder but pulled up short as Cinder spoke her spells and runes appeared on the ground between the combatants. They were magical traps that would explode in flame if touched. One appeared beneath Pyrrha and she dove backwards just in time, fire erupting in the spot where she had been standing.

Cinder remained in place, lobbing fireballs at Pyrrha. With the traps separating them and without her Pegasus, Pyrrha had no way to close the distance. Entering the duel hastily, she had left her tomes in the pack carried by her Pegasus as well. The only ways she could attack at range was by throwing her weapons. That was not necessarily a problem. She could remotely retrieve them after all. First Pyrrha blocked a fireball with her shield, then, spinning around, she hurled her shield out to the side like a discus. It curved in a wide arc as it flew through the air. After dodging another fireball, she launched her lance straight at Cinder, timing it so that both weapons would arrive at the same time.

Cinder was ready. She lunged forward and side-stepped, catching the lance mid-air, then used it to deflect the shield onto the ground before picking it up. The weapons briefly took on a dim glow as Cinder wielded them, taking an identical stance to Pyrrha's. Pyrrha tried to retrieve her weapons remotely, but nothing happened. Cinder just smiled as Pyrrha struggled to do what she had always been able to, but suddenly found herself incapable of doing. Pyrrha could not know it, but the same curse Cinder used to kill had drained the magical energy from her weapons, rendering them inert.

Cinder tucked the lance under her arm and waved her hand. The traps separating the pair disappeared as Cinder took the lance in hand once again. Pyrrha realized that the only way to get her weapons back was to take them back. Fighting an armed opponent without her weapons would be difficult, but not impossible. Most of Pyrrha's armor was leather, but she had enough metal plate on her forearms and legs to deflect the shots sent her way. Plus she was trained to keep fighting even when disarmed, and was an expert at the skill of disarming opponents. She took a deep breath and charged.

Cinder stabbed forward with the lance as Pyrrha closed in. Pyrrha deflected the attack aside with the armor on her forearm before throwing a punch at Cinder's face. Cinder lifted the shield and blocked the strike before spinning away. Before Pyrrha could attack again Cinder did so, stabbing at her face. Pyrrha ducked under the stab then rolled aside as Cinder tried and failed to kick her in the face. Now to Cinder's side Pyrrha rushed forward in an attempt to tackle her foe. Cinder moved the shield in the way and pushed Pyrrha aside, slashing at her back with the lance as she fell off balance. Pyrrha managed to dive out of range of the strike, rolling to her feet.

The combatants circled one another, each looking for an opening. Cinder broke the stalemate, lunging forward. Pyrrha saw the move coming, side-stepped it, and caught the lance under her arm. She raised her arm as Cinder swung the shield around but was not quick enough, the heavy metal disk slamming into the side of her head. Pyrrha released the lance and staggered back as her vision blurred. Shink. Pyrrha felt a burning pain in her abdomen. Looking down she saw her own lance buried deep in her torso. It had penetrated just below the diaphragm and to the right of the midline, gone all the way through and now poked out the armor on her back.

Pyrrha was not done fighting. She tried to back off the blade but Cinder pressed forward. She tried to punch at Cinder but was out of range. She grabbed the lance's shaft and tried to push it out, but Cinder wrenched it to the side and Pyrrha was overcome by the intense pain. Cinder started jerking her back and forth with the weapon, each move agonizing, until the pain and injury was too much. Pyrrha began to wobble, hardly able to stand. With a swift move Cinder drew the lance back, ripping it out of Pyrrha's torso with a twist that shredded her flesh. Pyrrha stumbled toward Cinder with the momentum of the move, and Cinder met her with a shield to the face. Pyrrha fell flat on her back. She tried to get up but the pain overwhelmed her.

Cinder crouched over Pyrrha. She tossed the lance away and put both hands on the shield. "This...is...what...happens...to...people...who...defy...me!" Cinder screamed, delivering a blow to Pyrrha's head with each word. Then she tossed the shield aside and drew a dagger from her boot. Pyrrha was still conscious and tried to reach for the dagger, but Cinder just smacked her arm away. Cinder plunged the dagger into Pyrrha's left ankle, severing the tendons and ripping up her flesh.

"Hold on." Mercury said, stepping up to the pair. "Let her live. She'll make a fine addition to my harem."

Cinder thought for a moment. She put her dagger away. "You don't want that." Cinder said. "She's far more trouble than she's worth. But you're right, killing her outright would be too much of a mercy." Cinder caressed the side of Pyrrha's face with her bare hand. "She can die like her parents. And she'll live just long enough to see my plan come to fruition." Pyrrha could feel the curse already beginning to drain her life force. Cinder gestured to one of the nearby soldiers. He brought her a staff. She tossed it on Pyrrha. "Heal yourself. I wouldn't want you to die too soon." Cinder waved to Emerald and Mercury to tell them to board the ship, then went to one of the officers in her army. "Give her back to them. Then make sure we're not followed."

In her terrible physical state, Pyrrha fumbled with the staff. Eventually she was able to get a good hold, said the spell, and healed herself well enough to stabilize her condition. It would be enough, as the curse would surely kill her before any complications from her injuries did. Two soldiers approached her. She wanted to fight them but was still too weak. They grabbed her by the wrists and ankles, carefully avoiding touching her skin. The ranks of Plegian soldiers parted as Pyrrha was carried through.


Weiss and her group could see nothing of the fight. The ranks of Plegian soldiers blocked their view, and the soldiers' stoic silence gave away nothing. There was no screaming to be heard, just grunting and some muffled speech none could make out. Then the line of Plegian soldiers split. A pair of them carried Pyrrha out in front of their position and tossed her unceremoniously on the ground. A third soldier tossed her weapons on the ground beside her. She was still alive and conscious, but covered in blood.

"Don't touch me." Pyrrha warned in as loud a voice as she could manage. "I've been cursed." She struggled to crawl away from the Plegians. Ruby fell to her knees bawling. She knew what it meant. Nora cried too, burying her face in Ren's shoulder as he embraced her and rubbed her back. Weiss and Blake stood stunned.

Without a word Yang walked forward. Ruby started forward too but Blake grabbed and restrained her. Weiss went forward with Yang instead. Weiss grabbed Pyrrha's weapons and quickly retreated back to the others while Yang picked up Pyrrha. "What were you thinking?" Yang growled through gritted teeth.

"I had to stop her." Pyrrha said, her voice barely audible.

"We could have come up with a plan." Yang snapped, walking back towards the others with Pyrrha in her arms. "You didn't have to do it alone."

"There was no time." Pyrrha protested weakly.

"I forgave you when you stabbed Ruby in the gut, but now you've stabbed her in the heart." Yang said. "Do you have any idea of the pain she'll feel if you die?"

"I'm sorry." Pyrrha said. "Cinder killed my parents. I miss them so much. I couldn't let her escape, I had to…" She sighed. "It clouded my judgement."

Blake still held the sobbing Ruby back as Yang lay Pyrrha down on the ground. Weiss placed a pack under her head to prop it up and make her more comfortable. "Ren, use my life force to heal her." Ruby pleaded. "Please, take it all if you must."

"I could, but that would mean touching her directly." Ren said.

"Don't." Pyrrha warned.

"You're not doing it." Weiss ordered. "We can't risk all three of you being cursed. The situation's bad enough as it is."

Ruby screamed and cried, struggling to get free of Blake's grip, but now Yang held her back as well. "No!" Ruby screamed. "I can't lose you! I can't go on without you!"

"If we kill Cinder quickly enough we can save her." Ren suggested. "It's the only way."

"So let's go after her!" Ruby demanded.

"We can't." Blake said. "It would have been a close run thing to take on the Plegian soldiers with Pyrrha fighting on our side. Without her there's no way."

"Weiss, are there any other ports nearby, anywhere else we can find a ship?" Yang asked.

"No, this is the only decent harbor in the region." Weiss sighed. "There's nothing we can do. And it's not just Pyrrha's life that hangs in the balance. If we don't stop Cinder it may very well be the end of the world."

"So what are we supposed to do?!" Nora shouted. "Just sit here and wait? We have to at least try!"

Nora took up her hammer but Ren grabbed her. "Nora, it's suicide." Ren warned. "I won't let you do it."

"We have to do something!" Nora protested.

"Unfortunately I don't think there's anything we can do." Weiss groaned. "We'll need a miracle if we're going to stop Cinder."