Ruby sat in the red room, she was in her regular combat clothes and Emma sat with her. Ruby was sniffling and a few stray tears ran down her face.
"I'm sure Pat is fine," Emma gently said, trying to comfort Ruby.
"I don't know anymore," Ruby mumbled.
"Hm?" Emma looked at Ruby, confused.
"Why is he such a wild card?" Ruby asked. "He is always getting into a fight or running off somewhere by himself. Pat is always leaving me and I can't do anything about it! When will he learn that he can rely on others?"
Emma didn't know how to answer. Emma had always know that Pat was one for adventure and hated sitting around doing nothing, but Ruby had a good point, Pat has to learn to ask others for help.
Ruby had stopped crying, but she was distraught by Pat's disappearance. Ruby stared at the ground, she couldn't keep her head up. Ruby felt weak and tired.
"Pat asked for someone's help once," Emma suddenly said.
Ruby looked at Emma.
"Who?" Ruby questioned.
Emma's face turned solemn, she finally spoke after a brief moment, "Liz."
XXX XXX XXX
Yang and Ryden walked through the emptied streets of Freund. Little did the couple know, but most of the guardians had a search party for Pat.
Yang led Ryden through the streets by his hand. Yang would occasionally glance back and smile at her new husband.
Ryden looked around at the houses that he and Yang passed. Ryden noticed some were still destroyed, Gier's assault must have caused more damage than Ryden originally thought.
Ryden looked forward back to his wife. Ryden still didn't know why Yang insisted on wearing her combat clothes and made Ryden wear his. Ryden was also puzzled at why Yang made him bring his weapon.
Suddenly Yang started waving and smiling at a pair of people in front of the couple. Ryden looked up and his eyes lit up.
Marty and Velvet waved backed. The two couples stood outside a restaurant. Yang rushed over to Velvet and Marty, pulling Ryden along.
"Hey!" Yang cheered, releasing Ryden's hand.
Yang and Velvet hugged. Ryden didn't look at Marty, they still didn't get along well.
"So Yang? How has the married life been?" Velvet asked.
"Well, same Ryden as before," Yang said, giggling.
The two couples entered the restaurant. They began eating and enjoying themselves, completely unaware of the danger outside.
Cinder and Tyrian walked down the streets. They stopped at the restaurant, Cinder turned to Tyrian.
"I want both of their heads on a spike, don't fail again," Cinder ordered.
XXX XXX XXX
Alex hobbled through a bright, white hallway. Heilig quickly walked ahead of Alex, she had already prepared his room and was taking him to it.
Heilig reached the door and placed her hand on the handle, she turned to face Alex.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Heilig asked.
Alex hobbled over on his crutch. "Yes."
XXX XXX XXX
Wind blew through the Sky temple's courtyard. A few storm clouds loomed over the courtyard.
Suddenly a bolt of lightning raced down from the sky and struck in the courtyard. Pat appeared out of the bolt of lightning. His body was beaten and bloodied.
Pat collapsed to the ground. A girl hurried over to him, her silver hair was in a ponytail. The girl helped Pat onto his feet, as she placed her hands on him, Pat's wounds slowly began to heal.
The girl helped Pat into the temple, she laid him down on a stone slab. She placed her hands on his stomach. The female's hands began to glow white.
Pat struggled to take in air and when he did his breaths were shallow and short.
The girl took her hands off of him. She smiled and placed her hand on his forehead. Pat stirred on the stone slab.
Pat slowly opened his navy blue eyes and weakly gazed up at the girl. Pat gave the girl a fatigued smile.
"I thought goddess can't interfere with mortals?" Pat asked, still smiling.
"We can't, but Eleanor shouldn't have done what she did," Mitleid answered.
Pat sat up, pain shot through his body. Pat winced at the pain and grabbed his side.
"Hey be careful, you aren't in a position to start moving," Mitleid said, with worry in her voice.
Pat grinned at the goddess and leapt off the stone slab. Pat started stretching as soon as his feet touched the ground.
"I got beat pretty bad," Pat admitted.
The goddess stared at the ground. She looked up at him, "I'm sure you can fight Gier if group up with Ruby."
Pat shook his head in a disapproving way, "Nah, I don't got any Ahnen. Gier yanked it out of me."
"Oh." The goddess stared back at the ground.
"Which I am very happy about," Pat said with glee. The goddess looked back up at his grinning face.
"Why?"
"Because that wasn't strength that I got on my own, I had to use my friend and a demon to use it and I hated that," Pat said, disgusted.
The goddess bewilderedly stared at Pat, she couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"But now I have time to train, I will become stronger," Pat said, finishing his stretching.
The goddess walked towards Pat, once she reached him, she placed her hands on his shoulders.
"Listen to me, I restored your semblance, but you can't fight Gier without Ahnen."
"Yes I can," Pat said, shaking Mitleid's hands off and walking away.
"Gier has obtained the demon, his power has increased tenfold."
"I know," Pat said. "I can't wait."
The goddess stared at the male in confusion. "You're excited?"
"Of course, my teammates can't give me a good fight and neither can any of my friends. The only one who could is Gier."
Pat smiled at the goddess and waved her goodbye. Pat raced out of the temple, leaving the goddess alone.
"I'm not pulling him out this time," Mitleid said, shrugging. "If he dies, then he dies."
XXX XXX XXX
Yang and Ryden exited the restaurant with Marty and Velvet. The two couples were well fed and happy.
"So Velvet, I have been meaning to ask this, but how is the pregnant life?" Yang asked.
Velvet shrugged her shoulders, "It hasn't been long, I have been told it is supposed to get worse."
The friends said their goodbyes and Velvet and Marty left. Yang and Ryden watched their friends walk down the streets.
The couple smiled at each other and began walking away too. Yang hugged Ryden's arm and rested her head on his arm.
Suddenly an explosion erupted just a few blocks from the happy couple. A building was ablaze and people's screams could be heard. Ryden looked and Yang, she grinned back at him.
"Go be a hero and save the day," Yang said, rolling her eyes.
Ryden kissed his wife on her forehead and he raced off. Yang watched him go and she sighed, there went their nice evening together.
Yang spun around and began walking the opposite way, but a man in a brown coat blocked her path. The man whipped his coat off, revealing his face to Yang.
Yang's eyes were drawn to his weapons, two wrist blades with guns. Yang hands became fists and she readied her weapons.
"Who are you?" Yang demanded.
The man began to giggle, the giggle became a cackle.
"My name is Tyrian and I am here to shut up those who oppose my queen," Tyrian said. He licked his lips as he stared at Yang, he looked at Yang like she was his prey.
"If you want to fight, then let's fight!"
Yang shot backwards and she was propelled forward. Yang slammed her fist downwards at Tyrian's face, but he blocked the attack and slashed Yang in the gut. Yang flew back and landed on her feet.
Yang raced back towards Tyrian. She was about to reach him, but Yang shot to her side and propeleed herself away. Tyrian tried to follow the girl, but Yang shot the opposite direction and began flying backwards towards Tyrian.
Yang slammed her heel into Tyrian's face. Tyrian staggered back and Yang landed on her hands, she flipped to her feet. Yang leapt towards Tyrian and slammed her fist into his gut, she fired her weapon and sent Tyrian flying backwards.
Tyrian slammed into a home. A dust cloud rose around Tyrian's entry point. Yang rolled her eyes and fired wildly into the dust cloud. The home was brought down, crumbling around Tyrian.
Yang sighed and reloaded her weapons. She turned around and put her back to the ruined house. Yang began walking away.
Suddenly Tyrian leapt from the rubble. He landed gracefully on the ground and sprinted towards Yang. Tyrian stabbed at her back.
Yang spun around, but had no time to dodge or block Tyrian's attack. Yang raised her arms and closed her eyes, waiting for the attack to land.
Yang heard metal slam together and she slowly opened her eyes again. Yang looked down at Tyrian's weapon, which had been caught by a katana.
Ryden stood in between Yang and Tyrian, his blade had caught Tyrian's weapon and Ryden struggled to keep it away from Yang. Ryden threw Tyrian back with his blade.
Tyrian slid back and slowly came to a stop a few feet from the two. Tyrian frantically looked between the two.
Ryden and Yang charged Tyrian and they punched him together. Yang's robotic fist and Ryden's fiery fist landed on Tyrian's nose, sending him flying backwards. Tyrian crashed through the restaurant's window.
Yang and Ryden heard scream erupting from the Restaurant and people came running out. The couple readied themselves.
Suddenly Tyrian leapt from the window he entered from. Tyrian flew towards Yang, his eyes wildly darted around.
Ryden rushed forward and slapped Tyrian away with his blade. Tyrian was sent flying and skid across the ground. Tyrian slid to a stop, he laid on the ground, motionless.
Ryden and Yang looked at each other and back to Tyrian. Ryden started walking towards Tyrian. Ryden neared the motionless Tyrian, but suddenly a fireball came racing towards him.
Ryden spun around to block the fire and Tyrian leapt to his feet. Tyrian rushed towards Ryden and tackled ball of fire struck the area where the two were standing.
Tyrian and Ryden slammed into the ground, just a few feet from the impact point of the fireball. Tyrian sat on top of Ryden and prepared to stab him.
Tyrian stabbed down into Ryden's throat. Tyrian was suddenly struck by a bullet. Tyrian was knocked off Ryden by the bullet.
Tyrian rolled onto his feet and frantically scanned for his attacker. Tyrian's eyes landed on his attacker.
"Martin Goodwitch!" Tyrian called, standing up straight.
Marty walked towards Tyrian, he cocked his shotgun and the empty shell of his round flew out and clanged when it hit the ground. Marty walked past Yang, he didn't take his eyes off Tyrian.
"Yang, go get help," Marty ordered, glaring at Tyrian.
Yang slowly nodded, she knew she would only get in their way. Yang turned and ran off.
Tyrian grinned sinesterly at Yang, "Cute, but I do love it when prey flees."
Tyrian went to run after her, but suddenly Marty was in front of him.
"I'm not letting you go anywhere," Marty growled.
Tyrian back up, but he smirked and quickly raised his guns to Marty. Tyrian opened fire on Marty at point blank. Tyrian cackled as he emptied his guns into Marty.
Tyrian lost his grin once he saw Marty had teleported away. Tyrian scanned around for Marty, but couldn't find a trace of him.
Suddenly Ryden's fist collided with Tyrian's chin, knocking Tyrian back. Ryden glared at Tyrian and his hands clenched around his sword's hilt.
Five more fireballs flew towards Ryden. The fire Guardian easily blocked every single one with his katana. Ryden looked for the caster of the fireballs, he quickly found her.
Cinder strolled the two, her eye was surrounded by red fire. She smirked at Ryden.
Suddenly Marty appeared next to Cinder and slashed at her with his weapon. Cinder raised her hands and summoned two swords, she quickly blocked the attack. Cinder pushed Marty back, she glared at him.
Tyrian cackled quietly and licked his lips as he looked back and forth between Cinder and Ryden. Dread loomed in the air as the two fiery warriors stared at each other.
Cinder looked back at Ryden, her face twisted into a smirk. "I've always wanted to test Maiden powers against Elder powers."
Ryden rolled his eyes and replied, "I'm sure Pat gave you a good example of what they can do."
Cinder lost her smirk and glared at Ryden, "I can assure you that I have honed my skills since then, if I ever met back up with that Brewner boy, then I will end him in a second!"
"Of course you will, now if you want to fight, then I will be happy to oblige, but I would rather we do it in a place with little distractions."
Cinder's smirk returned, "If it will get you away from your friends, then I agree."
Ryden grinned, he had to get their fight away from the town. Ryden started walking towards Cinder. Ryden looked at Marty.
"Teleport us somewhere," Ryden ordered.
Marty was taken back by Ryden's request, but he quickly recovered.
"What are you thinking? You have been on a honeymoon and living with Yang for the last few months!"
"Trust me."
Marty rolled his eyes and slung his shotgun onto his back. Marty grabbed Cinder and Ryden's shoulders and he closed his eyes. Marty soon found an area that was far away from innocents.
Ryden and Cinder disappeared in a puff of smoke. Marty sighed in relief, he turned back to Tyrian and drew his weapon.
"Now, allow me to deal with you myself!" Marty shouted, charging the faunus.
XXX XXX XXX
Cinder and Ryden appeared suddenly in a puff of black smoke. Ryden scanned his environment, he immediately recognized the area they were in.
Ryden and Cinder stood on the edge of the great gorge. Ryden looked over and saw Frost's grave. Ryden turned to face Cinder.
"Ready when you are," Ryden smuggly said.
Cinder smirked and summoned two blades of fire. The fire around her eye intensified and Ryden summoned white fire around his eyes.
They both suddenly shot towards each other, flames coming off their bodies as they raced towards each other.
The two beings of fire slammed into each other, Ryden's blade against Cinder's blades. Ryden pushed against the Maiden's swords. Ryden slapped her swords away and slashed at Cinder's face.
Cinder was forced to step back, in order to dodge the attack. The white flames on Ryden's blade came just mere millimeters from Cinder's face. The Maiden could feel the heat of his blade on her face.
Cinder brought her blades up and tried to stab Ryden in the chest, but Ryden knocked her blades down and roundhouse kicked her in the side, sending Cinder flying towards the edge of the gorge.
Cinder flew off the edge of the gorge and fell down towards the rushing river. Ryden smirked and walked towards the edge.
Suddenly Cinder rose back up to the edge of the gorge, she dusted her shoulder off and grinned at Ryden.
Cinder became surrounded by an orange aura sphere and she began to levitate. Ryden calmly followed the Maiden as she rose into the air.
"This, is the power of a Maiden!" Cinder bragged. "What powers do you have?"
Cinder released her blades and held her hands out, aimed towards Ryden. A storm of fireballs flew out of her hands and barraged Ryden.
Ryden had no choice but to dodge the salvo of fireballs. Ryden leapt forward and rushed towards the edge of the cliff. Cinder's hands followed him.
Ryden reached the edge of the gorge and leapt off of it. Cinder spun around in the air and followed him down the gorge.
As Ryden fell, he place his hand and foot on the wall of the gorge. Ryden suddenly pushed off the wall and leapt towards the other wall. Ryden repeated this process and continued through the gorge.
Cinder flew after him, she attempted to hit him with one of the many fireballs, but Ryden was jumping around too much and Cinder couldn't hit him.
Pieces of rock and chunks of the gorge's wall fell down into the rushing river as Cinder tried her best to hit Ryden with a fireball.
Ryden followed the river as he leapt from wall to wall. Cinder began to close the gap between the two.
The fireballs started becoming a lot more accurate and Ryden had to start slashing a few out of the air with his blade.
Cinder suddenly rushed forwards and tried to knock Ryden from the air, but Ryden leapt backwards from a wall and flew behind Cinder.
As Ryden flew behind Cinder, he sheathed his blade and aimed both his hands towards the Maiden.
Cinder tried to turn around in time, but she was too slow. Ryden forced white fire to engulf his arms and suddenly let it go.
A massive ball of white fire raced towards Cinder. The Maiden tried to dodge, but the ball of fire filled the narrow passageway of the gorge.
The ball of white fire struck Cinder, knocking her from the air. Cinder plummeted towards the raging river that flowed beneath her and Ryden.
Ryden drew his blade and propelled himself with fire towards a wall. Ryden stabbed his blade into the wall and stopped himself from falling.
Ryden slowly climbed up the side of the wall of the gorge. He eventually made it to the top. Ryden stretched and sheathed his blade, he wiped some sweat from his brow and started walking away.
Cinder slowly rose from behind Ryden, fire surrounded her body, her hair was soaked and steam rose from her body. Cinder glared at Ryden and she summoned two fire swords out of the air.
Cinder suddenly charged Ryden and impaled him from behind. Ryden gasped for air as the blade were pushed deep into his lungs.
Cinder sinesterly as she drove the blades deeper into Ryden's body. Cinder yanked the blades from his body and allowed it to fall to the ground.
Suddenly Ryden's body began to steam. Cinder stared at the body in confusion as it went up in smoke and steam.
Cinder's eye widened and she frantically looked around, suddenly she was struck from her side, sending her flying back towards the edge of the gorge.
Cinder recovered in midair and landed on her feet. Suddenly Ryden came racing towards her. Cinder raised her blades up.
Ryden brought his blade over his head and slammed it down into Cinder's, he kept moving forward and pushed Cinder back.
Cinder slid back as Ryden pushed her towards the edge of the gorge. Cinder slammed her foot into the ground, stopping herself. Cinder pushed against Ryden's strength.
The Maiden looked over her shoulder, she had just stopped at the very edge of the gorge. Cinder sighed in relief and began pushing against Ryden's blade.
"You're very smart!" Cinder struggled to say as she pushed against Ryden.
"Thank you, but I'm not the tactician, I'm the power of PARM."
"Ha! They must be lacking in that field," Cinder taunted.
"Nope, I haven't even come close to using my full strength," Ryden said, grinning.
Cinder smirked at Ryden and she confidently replied, "A bluff and nothing more."
Ryden smirked at her and suddenly pushed down with all his might, shattering both her blades. Ryden's white hot blade came flying down onto Cinder.
Cinder slammed her hand into Ryden's chest. Cinder unleashed a torrent of flames, sending Ryden flying backwards.
Ryden flew back and slammed into a large rock. Cinder summoned two more swords and launched after him.
Ryden rolled out of the way as Cinder's blades impaled the rock. Ryden kneed Cinder in the ribs.
Cinder staggered to her side and wildly slashed at Ryden. The fire Guardian blocked her blade and twisted it from her hands using his katana. Cinder slammed her hand down and a bolt of lightning flew down from the sky.
Ryden leapt back and the bolt struck where he stood. Ryden landed on his feet, he glared up at Cinder, who was breathing heavily.
Cinder suddenly summoned a bow and fired an arrow towards Ryden. The fire Guardian was fatigued and didn't expect the arrow, he had no time to dodge.
The arrow tore into Ryden's right shoulder as he attempted to move out of the way. Ryden's right arm went limp and he dropped his blade. Ryden collapsed to his knees and he clutched his shoulder in pain.
Cinder smirked and walked towards the kneeling male. Cinder summoned another blade and prepared to stab Ryden, but he suddenly grabbed his sword and leapt up.
Ryden stabbed downwards into Cinder. Cinder stabbed at Ryden, both of the fighters winced.
Ryden had stabbed Cinder right above her cleavage, but her sword had caught Ryden's blade and was preventing it from entering further.
Cinder's right blade was aimed right for Ryden's ribs, but Ryden had moved his left hand in front of the sword. Instead of impaling his side, Cinder impaled Ryden's hand and now her sword was stuck in his hand.
Cinder struggled to keep Ryden's blade from entering further into her body and Ryden struggled to keep Cinder's sword from entering his side.
The two opponents were at a stalemate, neither could let up or they would be impaled. Both of their auras shimmered around their bodies.
If Cinder hadn't impaled Ryden's shoulder with the arrow he would've had enough strength to over power her, but he couldn't summon enough strength into his arm to do that.
Cinder couldn't over power Ryden, no matter how much she tried. Cinder glared at Ryden.
"Just die!" She yelled.
Ryden smirked at her as she coughed up blood.
"I think I'm starting to pierce something, you won't be able to hold on for long," Ryden stated.
"You'll hand and arm will fatigue before that happens, I'll enjoy making you a shish kabob!"
Ryden's hand was starting to struggle against Cinder's blade, he was trying to ignore the pain, but was also failing at that. Ryden didn't know how much longer he could hold out for.
XXX XXX XXX
Ruby walked through the empty forests of Hope Reich, she was getting desperate as she searched for Pat.
The cold wind of the winter blew past her. Ruby shivered, she didn't know where Pat or Gier was, but she was determined to find one of them.
Unbeknownst to Ruby, someone was watching her, stalking her. Hazel followed the red hooded girl from a distance, he didn't want to do what he was ordered too, but he knew Salem was the only way he could get revenge for his sister's death.
Hazel started walking towards Ruby, the snow crunched under his boot. His dust crystals bounced around in his pockets as he walked. Hazel was getting closer and closer to Ruby.
XXX XXX XXX
Sorry to leave it on two cliff hangers, but this chapter was getting long and I had to cut it off.
