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Yang wasn't sure how much more she could take.

After everything that happened at the house, she and Rider had barely managed to get dad to the hospital in time. The doctors had struggled to stabilize him for hours, when all she could do was sit outside the room and pray, powerless once more. The nurses had assumed Rider was her guardian, but they still asked if there was anyone she wanted them to call.

Like who? Everyone close to her had left her or was fighting for their life on an operating table.

Thankfully, Iskandar had advised her to call someone ("a commander must alert their allies when they are vulnerable!"), so she used the hospital line to call Doctor Oobleck in Vale. He, Professor Port, and surprisingly Miss. Goodwitch had all come over immediately.

Despite everyone being shocked by Rider, they had all made to comfort her as soon as possible. Oobleck had gone to the house, or whatever was left of it, to look for Zwei, who had been left behind in the confusion. Port had taken to drinking with Iskandar, partly to keep both of their jovial attitudes from upsetting her and partly because the two men hit it off instantly despite the situation.

Which left her staring at the red flame shaped marks on her right hand, the only one to comfort her the person she used to fear above all others. Oh, how she longed for the days where her biggest worry was Professor Goodwitch reading her the riot act in combat class.

Her former teacher grimaced at the Command Seals. "Do you know what those mean?"

Yang nodded. "Yeah. I'm part of the war. Just like Ruby and Kirei."

"Indeed. I am sorry."

She said it like she was pronouncing a death sentence.

Eventually, the doctors came out and told them her dad would live. That was the only bit of good news.

Whatever Kirei had done had warped his aura, so much so that it caused him excruciating agony just by existing. The doctors had never seen anything like it. They didn't even know where to start fixing him.

One year. That's how long they said his heart could hold out under the stress and that was only if he was kept sedated for the majority of the time. Any waking moment would only cause him agony.

Her father, who had stood by her when everyone else had left her behind, was already dead. His heart just hadn't stopped beating yet.

And all Yang could do was cry.

Suddenly, Iskandar shimmered into existence in front of her. He had a look of worry on his face for a moment before he saw her and sighed in relief. "Ah, master. Thank Olympus, you are alright."

"That's debatable" she muttered.

Goodwitch glared at the Servant. "Don't go in and out of spirit form in a public place, you fool. The war is supposed to be a secret."

Iskandar grinned widely. "There is no Mage's Association in this time, is there not? If so, I see no reason to withhold the illustrious presence of either myself or my fellow heroes from this world. The people shall behold our infinite majesty and glorious battles, and through them, know wonder!"

Yang sighed. "If you think that'll work, why don't you go look for another one to bother?"

"No need. There's another Servant in that room."

Yang's eyes widened. "Wait, what?"

Iskandar was pointing to dad's room.

"Onward!" he declared with a huge grin, rushing down the hall.

"Rider, slow down!"

He kicked the door to the hospital room wide open and charged in. Yang stumbled after him, the stress of the night making even the short sprint a marathon.

"Finally, now would you please explain what the hell you're—"

Her speech died when she saw what was actually in the room. Or rather, who.

Standing over dad's bed was a tall woman with red eyes and black hair even longer than Yang's own. A massive sword sheath was strapped to her side.

Yang recognized her instantly. After all, for over a decade, she had dreamed of finding her.

Raven Branwen.

Her mother.

She was here.

She was here to help.

She was here too late.

She abandoned them.

She had the gall to smirk.

"Hello Yang. We've got a lot to talk about."

The one Ember Celica on her arm deployed. Yang's eyes narrowed viciously, their irises barely staying purple. She went through every breath exercise dad had drilled into her, desperate to keep them that way. Even with Iskandar, she had a feeling this wasn't a fight she could win.

Raven cocked an eyebrow. "Really? Speechless?"

"Perhaps she has nothing to say to those who abandon their families" Goodwitch snarled as she entered. "What are you doing here, Raven?"

"Hello to you too, Glynda."

"What do you want?" Yang growled out.

Raven sighed. "Would you believe me if I said I was worried about your father?"

After all this time? "No."

"Thought not. Even still, it's the truth. It's not every day you feel aura meet an Origin Round. He did tell you what an Origin Round is, right? A magic bullet that can warp your aura into your worst enemy."

Yang's eyes flickered to her father's unconscious form. "Not too hard to figure out."

"Perhaps not." Raven looked to Iskandar and grinned, almost looking proud. "I've got to say, I'm impressed. Summoning a Servant can be difficult at the best of times, yet you did it without even trying. Your strength is astounding."

How did she know the summoning was unintentional? She hadn't been… Or if she had…

And hadn't done anything.

Yang felt her eyes blaze crimson.

"Indeed, it is" Iskandar declared, sweeping his arm to pat her on the back, shattering her rage. "I heard my master's boundless determination cry out for life. Even within the depths of… the Throne? Was that where I was? Bah, what does it matter? I am here now, and I shall claim the Holy Grail and conquer this new world!"

Yang could do nothing but blink for a few moments. Did he just say he wanted to conquer the world?

Amazingly, both Goodwitch and Raven shared her shock, their eyes wide and their mouths trying and failing to come up with a response.

"World conquest?" Raven said at last. "That's your wish for the grail?"

"What? No!"

"But you just said—"

"I said I would conquer the world!" the Rider stated vehemently. "As if I would ever let some cup do the conquering. I need it only to provide me with a body of flesh and blood. I can take care of the rest. Speaking of which…"

He threw his arms out wide, his cape expanding grandiosely behind him, propelled by some impossible breeze. Or maybe just his will.

"What say you of yielding the Holy Grail to me and joining my glorious and invincible army! You shall be treated as an honored ally, friend, and brother-in-arms! Together we shall share in the glory of battle and the joy of world conquest!"

He could have told them he was actually Salem herself and they would have been less shocked. All three women could only stand and stare at the absurdity of the fool.

And fight back the sliver of their minds that somehow believed he could actually do it.

A massive being shimmered into existence in front of Raven, his ragged head and rippling shoulders breaking the ceiling lights above. He growled at Iskandar.

The Rider merely widened his grin. "Oh, you're welcome to join me as well, big fellow. You look to be a fine warrior."

The giant tried to raise the massive stone sword in his hand, but Raven closed her fist. "Hold, Berserker. We're not here to fight." She glared at Iskandar. "He seems to think you're a threat."

"I should hope so. The foolish don't last long in my army."

Raven chuckled at that, a reluctant smirk growing on her face. "Fools do not last long anywhere."

She turned to Yang, her expression smug once more. "I suppose you have questions."

The blonde brawler narrowed her eyes at Berserker. "You're a master?"

"Obviously."

"Are you going to kill me?"

Raven's eyes widened in shock. "No. Never."

Goodwitch glared at her, her riding crop tight. "Pardon us if we find that hard to believe coming from a bandit."

"Tell me Glynda, how is it that Ozpin failed so utterly and yet you are still so dedicated to being his bitch" Raven remarked. "I went back to the tribe because I was tired of fighting his war. A war he knows we cannot win."

She turned back to Yang. "This Holy Grail War is more dangerous than you could imagine. Both Salem and Gilgamesh are after the wish granter. The men who attacked your father, Kirei Kotomine and Kiritsugu Emiya, they are but the King of Heroes' minions. You wouldn't last—"

"The King of Heroes is a part of this war?" Iskandar interrupted.

Raven raised an eyebrow at being interrupted. "Yes. But you wouldn't—"

"Excellent!" Iskandar cheered. "What joyous news!"

"You know this guy?" Yang inquired.

"Indeed. We took part in a wondrous clash in the Fourth Holy Grail War" Iskandar explained. "He is a truly momentous opponent."

"Did… did you win?" Raven asked desperately. Her harsh voice was tinged with a hint of… hope?

Unfortunately, Iskandar shook his head. "No. Sadly, his toys did me in. Shame. I was this close."

Raven's face dropped. "I see. I suppose he wouldn't be here now if he'd lost."

"It is of no matter" Iskandar claimed, his grin splattered on his face. "It will just make my final victory over him all the sweeter."

Raven scowled and turned back to Yang. "If you fight in this war, you will die. But if you give me your Command Seals, I can use your Servant to defeat them and claim the grail."

"How would you support another Servant?" Goodwitch gestured to the hulking man. "That doesn't look like your last Berserker. Providing enough aura for two must be draining you dry as it is. How do you plan to support three?"

"I have my ways" Raven replied ominously.

Iskandar scratched his beard. "Two Berserkers? Hmm, to command them both through their madness… is impressive. I would be proud to fight beside such warriors."

Raven preened at the praise.

"However," Iskandar continued. "My loyalty is with my master. And having called me to this battle with her will only, she will not yield me to—"

"This Holy Grail" Yang interrupted. "Can it really do anything?"

Raven nodded. "Anything you've ever dreamed of."

"Can it heal him?" Yang demanded, her finger stuck straight at her father.

"It… can" Raven informed her hesitantly.

"But you won't."

"No. I have another wish. One that he'd support me going after."

"One he'd support? That's… That's… Haha… Hahaha… Hahahaha!"

Yang burst out laughing, but not the warm flame she usually did. This was the crackling dissonance of a dying spark, harsh and scarring when it struck.

"How would you know what the hell he'd support?" she demanded. "How do you know what he cares about? You haven't talked to him for eighteen years! You don't know him! And you sure as hell don't get to come in here and try to use him to get something from me!"

Raven put a hand on the hilt of her sword. "So, you're refusing my generous offer? You're going to compete in the war? Against your friends? Against your sister?"

Yang's fist closed so tightly her knuckles turned white. "If you threaten Ruby again, I swear I will crush your skull."

"Believe me, Yang. The last thing I want is that girl dead."

Raven drew her sword. Both Yang and Goodwitch raised their guards, but Iskandar held his arm out in front of them and shook his head.

"You're leaving then, Master of Berserker?" the Rider inquired.

Raven nodded. "I understand your master has been through a great deal recently. I will give her time to come to her senses. In a few days, I shall return for your final answer."

She slashed the air and a swirling crimson portal appeared in the room. Berserker dissipated into blue dust and faded through the distortion.

Raven took one last look at Yang. "You do no one any good by joining this fight, Yang. Make the right choice."

She jumped through the portal and disappeared.

Yang let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. All those years of wanting to meet her mother, somehow it never crossed her mind that she wouldn't like what she found.

But now she had, and she felt just as empty as she had before.

Just as purposeless. Just as lost.

Just as broken.

Discarded.

Alone.

A titanic slap on the back drove her to her knees.

"HAHAHAHA!" Iskandar boomed. "A marvelous declaration, master. Truly wonderful."

Yang wheezed from his slap. "Glad you think so."

Miss Goodwitch came over and helped her up. "You poked an Ursa, Yang. Your mother, despicable she may be, is more than capable of backing up her threats. That said, if you are going to participate in the war, Bartholomew, Peter, and I will gladly take care of your father—"

"No" Yang declared sharply.

Iskandar raised an eyebrow. "No? Master, did you not just—"

"I said I'm not giving you to her" she elaborated. "That doesn't mean I'm going to run off to fight in some battle to the death."

She gazed at her father. Tears welling in her eyes.

"I can't just abandon him when he's like this. He didn't leave me alone. I can't leave him alone."

"But Yang, your sister—" Goodwitch started.

"Ruby will be fine" Yang refuted to her old teacher. "She's got Qrow, and Blake, and Jaune, and a Servant of her own. She's got everything she needs."

She looked down at her stomach, where Kirei struck to put her in a coma. "Not like my help would do her any good."

"Yang, what happened to your father was not your fault."

The blonde brawler didn't respond.

"Master" Iskandar began thoughtfully, his scarlet eyes hard and focused. "Do you truly have no desire to seek the Holy Grail? No drive to go forth and face the other Servants in magnificent battle?"

Yang gulped under the pressure of his stare, his eyes baying like a Beowolf out for blood.

Nonetheless, she mustered all her will and nodded resolutely.

Just like that, the pressure evaporated from Iskandar's face, his huge merry grin returning in full force. "Very well. If you are not ready, then we shall wait to move out. Peter has offered to put us up until your domicile is rebuilt. He says he has Kingdoms of Remnant: The Great War on console. I'm going to obliterate him in versus mode. You're always welcome if you feel up for a round."

With that, the King of Conquerors disappeared in a sapphire mist.

Yang collapsed next to her father's bed, her emotions spent for the day.

Goodwitch put a hand on her shoulder. "Yang, you're stronger than you think you are. I understand believing you can do nothing in the face of our enemies, but—"

"No offense, Professor, but I supremely doubt you do" Yang spat out. "I've faced Kirei twice now, and he's crushed me both times. All I can do now is take care of dad or go to Ruby and get her killed along with him."

Glynda stopped talking for a moment. She removed her glasses, allowing Yang to see her emerald eyes clearly for the first time. They were as intimidating as always, but also kinder.

"I had a sister too, you know" she revealed. "Ellie and I came into Beacon together and drew Ozpin's attention enough to be brought into his circle upon our graduation. Eventually, Ellie was chosen for a great honor and responsibility."

"What? Was she head of some combat school?"

"The Summer Maiden."

Yang's eyes widened in horror. "You mean… the last war?"

"Yes" Glynda nodded. "Kirei and Gilgamesh killed her to start the Fifth Holy Grail War. I was powerless, away attending your parents' wedding. They killed her and, until all this began, I didn't even know their names."

"I'm sorry."

"It's alright. I have… learned to live with it. But I don't want you to have to. Yang, unlike me, you are a master. You have a Servant that is more than willing to fight by your side, even if he is a bit… odd. Your father would not want you to languish in doubt when your sister needs your help. And if she dies, and you weren't there to at least try to help her, you will never forgive yourself."

"I'll forgive myself even less if joining her is what gets her killed" Yang countered. "Ruby's charging towards her dream. So are Blake and Weiss. All I'll do is slow them down or trip them up."

"That's Kirei talking."

Yang snorted. "Funny thing about the bastard. For all he pretended to be our friend, he never lied."

Goodwitch put her glasses back on. "That doesn't mean he was right."

She left the room.

And Yang was alone once again, awash in a dreamless sea.

RWBYRWBYRWBYRWBYFATEFATEFATEFATE

Ruby strode up the hilltop, the charred cabin as dreary as ever.

In the center of the ruin, Ozpin sketched large, complex circles into the black wood with his cane. As the tip of the staff passed across the floor, a shining emerald light blazed to life, creating symbols similar to the clockwork patterns from his office at Beacon.

Ruby stood outside the burnt remains, her red hood flapping in the wind.

Ozpin finished his current circle and sagged down, leaning heavily on his cane, his breaths labored and heavy.

"Are you okay?" Ruby asked worriedly.

Ozpin managed to give her a reassuring smile, his eyes so much older than the face they resided within. "Thank you for your concern, Miss Rose. I will be fine. This magecraft is complex, but I've done worse. I just need to be careful not to hurt Oscar's body. Four months is hardly an ideal amount of time to acclimate to magic circuits."

"Do you need to rest? I can come back later."

Ozpin shook his head. "No. In a grail war, you never know what could happen, and you cannot afford to be caught unaware again."

"Alright. If you're sure" Ruby closed her eyes to prepare herself and then opened them once more, her gaze resolute.

"Tell me about the silver eyes."

Ozpin limped over to the grass and took a seat. "Like I told you before, when the corruption battled Gaea, Alaya, the Beast of Humanity, was wounded tremendously. But she did not go gently. When she fell, she infused multiple souls with the barest fractions of the Counter Force, specially modified to remain with them when they reincarnated through the Root— a metaphysical plane that among other things is where souls pass through to be born and return when they die" He explained quickly when she raised her hand.

"As Archer may have told you, the Counter Force is one of the most potent sources of magic in existence. To ensure that it did not burn up the souls it was fused with, Alaya not only had to use the barest portion of portions, but she had to… limit it, if you will. Focus the power so that it could only harm those it needed to- Servants… and the Grimm. The Maidens are also affected due to their power coming from me, but too separate to share my immunity."

"Huh?" Ruby quirked an eyebrow. "They only affect Grimm and Servants? Are you sure?"

"Yes" Ozpin replied. "Why?"

"Well, during the attack at Amity Coliseum, my eyes activated against a Griffon. I turned it to dust, but I also demolished the stands behind it."

"Really?" Ozpin rubbed his chin in thought. "That is unheard of. Though from what Qrow has told me of the events at Beacon, your eyes are already the most powerful I've ever seen. Even at her best, your mother would have struggled to break through Rank A magic resistance."

"What?" Stronger than her mother? Was that even possible? "I can't be that impressive. I mean, I blacked out when they activated at the tower."

Ozpin's eyes narrowed. "Yes. That is disconcerting. Your eyes are not supposed to be so potent as to overwhelm you like that. Your body likely forced you into unconsciousness to cut off their power before they started to tear you apart at a cellular level."

"Oh" Ruby muttered. "That would be bad. Very bad."

"Indeed. Which is why we need to find a way for you to control how much power you send out at a time."

Ruby scratched her chin in thought, remembering the times she had used her eyes. Obviously, the incident at the tower was unhelpful, but the others…

"When Archer was fighting Berserker, he was losing. He was on the ground, Berserker was about to kill him and… I was back at the tower, powerless to save anyone I cared about. Crescent Rose, my weapon, didn't matter, because I didn't matter. And… I didn't want to be powerless again. Then, the same silver light flooded my head, but it was softer than at Beacon. It latched itself onto Crescent Rose and let me hurt Berserker."

Ozpin hummed. "It is said that a weapon is an extension of one's soul. It is possible that your body reacted to ensure that the events of the Fall did not repeat themselves. Thus, instead of unleashing your power in a single burst, it bonded a more manageable amount onto your scythe."

"Yeah, and it still messed me up so much Berserker nearly killed me a second later" Ruby scoffed.

Ozpin sighed. "They are like a muscle. The more you practice with them, the easier it will become to use them."

Ruby scratched her head in embarrassment. "Tiny problem. My eyes have only ever activated when my friends were in imminent danger. As in, literally about to die-danger. How am I supposed to practice them if they won't trigger for anything else?"

"What activates the eyes is different for every warrior" Ozpin detailed. "The first one I met shouted a battle cry. Another ate a special herb. There was one a few centuries ago that could only activate his abilities after a forty-five-minute massage. He, unfortunately, did not fare well in combat."

"What did my mom do?" Ruby inquired.

"Your mother?" A fond smile spread across Ozpin's face. "She recited a code phrase in her mind. It took her forever to figure it out, hours of mediation to discover the right words. Especially once she had to recite it through all her blade clones at once."

Ruby frowned. "What was the phrase?"

Ozpin sighed. "Do I really need to tell you, Miss Rose?"

The red reaper shook her head.

"Thus Kindly I Scatter."

Ozpin nodded. He closed his eyes for a few brief seconds before forcing them open again. "I must let Oscar retake control, so I can rest from the ritual. I suggest asking Archer for help finding out what your trigger is."

"Why? He told me he didn't know anything about the silver eyes?"

"That may be true, but he has experience with a similar issue." Ozpin grinned. "Or did you think 'Trace On' was just a habit?"

Ruby chuckled. "I suppose. Thank you, Professor Ozpin."

"Always, Miss Rose. Remember, if you ever have any questions, you need only ask."

The boy's eyes flared emerald. A moment later, Oscar shook his head. "I'm not sure I'll ever get used to that."

Ruby giggled. "You will, trust me. Six months ago, I was dealing with my teammate's anxiety over the Vytal Festival. Now I'm… well… doing this. Things change, and we work with the hand we're dealt." She smiled at Oscar. "Thank you, by the way. For coming to help us."

"That?" Oscar inquired confused. "Me showing up when I did was a matter of luck. You're the one who's been fighting a war. Compared to that, I haven't done anything."

"You left your home on the word of a voice in your head to help people you'd never heard of" Ruby pointed out. "I'd say that's something."

Oscar chuckled. "When you say it like that, I sound crazy."

"Most heroes do."

And so, the reaper and the farmhand sat in the grass at the top of a hill, for a brief moment, at peace.

Then the reaper heard her uncle's scythe unfurl from the shadows and figured it would be best for her new friend's health if she left. Qrow could be cranky when he wanted a spar and she needed to start training with Archer.

After all, peace never lasts long in the heart of a war

Well, Kirei's Breaking Speech has done its work and Yang is so crippled by doubt that she doesn't think she can help anyone and Ruby learns that her silver eyes could kill her if she doesn't adjust to their power.

Though, for the record on Raven's arrival back during the Iskandar summoning, she literally arrived right as things were wrapping up. She couldn't have done anything. Yang just doesn't know that. Still a whole bunch of other stuff for her to legitimately pissed at Raven for.

I'm worried about how Oscar is devolving into an Ozpin exposition vehicle. I want them to be their own characters, I just haven't been able to figure out how to fit in any character scenes for him beyond small bits here and there.

Please support the new P a Treon page, overly complicated link at the top, or you can just go to the site and search my pen name.

Thank you for Reading! I hope you enjoy what comes next!

Go Forth and Conquer!