A/N: Damn, way too long since I last wrote an update for this chapter.

Chapter XXVII: Farewells, Part II

Elaine was aghast at the news; the man in front of him was Cardin? It cannot be; was this an elaborate prank turned sour?

"I know you have many questions for me, Elaine," Said Cardin, "But to answer one of them, I truly am Cardin."

The Black Wolf, at that moment, had no words to speak that could cut the thick air of tension that arose between them; her throat ran dry, her words failed her, and her mind was a raging maelstrom of conflicting thoughts as she warred over her next course of action; should she simply take his words at face value? Or should she curse him for even allowing the hospital to send her that death notice?

"Cardin..."

The one who spoke was Russel, his pale green hair long messy and ruffled from months in bed and lack of maintenance, no longer in its signature mohawk style. His blue eyes looked red and bloodshot, a mixture of confusion, fear and helplessness reflected within them. He constantly cast glances at his wardmates - Dove and Sky, both currently in a deep sleep.

"Easy now, Russel," Said Cardin, "I only have to talk with her for a little while, if you don't mind."

"I... I don't," Russel said slowly, "But... Dove and Sky..."

"We did not know of their earlier conditions - they kept it from you as much as they kept it from me, so neither of us are to blame," Said Cardin, "Though I fear neither of them can ever return to Beacon again."

Russel seemed to deflate at that, his eyes being downcast.

"Why...?" Said Russel, "Why did this have to happen to them?"

"That's one question I've asked myself all the time," Said Cardin, "And I still don't have an answer for that."

Elaine then asked, "Why? What's the matter?"

"Not here, Elaine," Said Cardin, "Russel, look after them for me. I'll be out for a while."

Russel nodded, and Cardin then beckoned Elaine to follow her as they walked upstairs through the whitewashed corridors, bypassing many hospital staff and patients along the way, politely excusing themselves along the way.

They emerged onto the hospital rooftop, a scene of pitch black surrounded by the jungle of bright miniature suns all around them - all so bright they mostly obscured the glimmering stars in the night sky, the shattered moon ever blessing the dark void with its incomplete self.

And as they came to a stop at the edge wall, overlooking the busy night streets thronging with vehicles and passersby, both came to face each other, and Elaine quickly moved to grab Cardin's collar with an expression of annoyance, and said, "Alright, start talking right now! What the hell is going on!?"

Seemingly unfazed by Elaine's sudden change in attitude, Cardin then said, "As I stated in the letter, I made a pact with an entity of sorts - Magnar was his name, hence the reason behind my appearance."

"Alright, then why even do it in the first place?" Asked Elaine, "If there's one thing I know, you would never do something like this. At least, not before now."

"True. In fact, that was because of the grievous wounds I sustained," Said Cardin, "I believe you already saw how badly mangled by body was, after the suicide bombing by your ex-husband."

Elaine unconsciously blanched at that, momentarily weakening her grip.

"You're not the kind of person to accept such a pact like that - if what you say is indeed true," Said Elaine, "What's the real reason?"

Sighing, Cardin gently reached out with his hand, and tenderly brushed aside a stray strand of hair from Elaine's face, causing her to flinch slightly. With tender eyes, he said, "Because I care too much for the three of you."

The three of us...?

"I... I did not want to die so soon," Said Cardin, "Nor could I accept the fact that I was permanently maimed by that explosion; I wouldn't be able to care for you, protect you, even, if I remained crippled."

"B-But you know I'm not so weak... I'm called the Black Wolf for a reason, so... so..."

At this moment, Elaine's eyes gleamed with tears, and her hands trembled greatly with raw emotion.

"Truth be told, I could not accept my weakness, my inability to act," Said Cardin, "I realised this when my teammates were hospitalised."

"So they are the ones you said were injured on your watch," Said Elaine, "Then... what happens now? Must you disappear because of your transformation?"

If there was one thing Cardin liked about Elaine, it was how perceptive and shrewd she was, and he knew there was no point in lying.

"Yes," Was his answer.

Elaine's hands never trembled more in that moment, and tears cascaded down her face in rivers.

"Why...? Don't you know you're being cruel to us now?" Said Elaine, her wet crimson eyes fully level with Cardin's, "You know that by disappearing on us, the kids'll miss you so much - they'll be hurt by fake news of your death, and that boy, Russel as well. I... I'll miss you as well. I tried to ignore you, I tried to pretend that you're just a bloody brat I won't miss, and yet... I've come to love your company as a friend."

Cardin's lips then curled into a soft, genuine smile, and he said, "That's more than I've ever asked for from anyone... and more than I deserve."

"Don't say that!" Said Elaine, "I... you deserve so much more! You deserve a peaceful life, a life you can spend in joy with family and friends. It's because of me that you can't anymore; I failed to protect you from that blast, that's why you went and gained your transformation!"

Gripping Elaine's hands, Cardin said with a sad smile, "Don't blame yourself, Elaine. What's happened has happened. The past cannot be undone."

"But still!"

"Elaine, listen to me," Cardin said more firmly, "There's something I have to ask of you."

Elaine then said, "Let's hear it, then."

Taking a deep breath, Cardin said, "I fear for Russel, and because I cannot be there for him, I need you to look after him, Dove and Sky, in my stead."

"Must you really go?" Said Elaine, "I know I sound like a broken record, but you can just stay..."

"You and I both know that even with my death certificate, my appearance is easily distinguishable," Said Cardin, "To say nothing of what powers I might possess..."

Elaine sighed heavily, and as she released her grip on Cardin, she fell to her knees, feeling so utterly powerless.

Kneeling down, Cardin said to her, "I asked General Ironwood to place you, the kids, and my former teammates under scrutiny, and to ensure no one threatens you whilst I'm gone. You don't have to worry about the White Fang trying to find you, at least for a while."

Elaine nodded, if only barely, saying, "I'll miss you."

"It's not forever," Said Cardin, "We'll meet again, I believe."

And Elaine embraced him into a deep hug, letting her tears fall freely.

"Just... be okay, you hear me?"

Cardin returned the embrace, and said with a gentle smile, "I will."

IIOII

Back within the ward, Elaine then came face to Russel as she took a seat beside his bed, the young boy unused to her presence.

"Cardin's not with you?" Asked Russel.

Elaine said, "Afraid not. Nor do I believe he'll be around anymore."

"So... it's true," Said Russel, "He can't come back."

Elaine sighed, and said to Russel, "Perhaps this might be a bit much to take in, but he's entrusted you and your teammates to my care in his absence."

"What?" Russel said, "But... Cardin never does something like this; he's always been distant and cold towards others, even us, never really forming deeper relations with anyone in general. Though after our hospitalisation, he seemed... mellower, more approachable, kinder even. Am I right to believe you had a hand in that.

Elaine nodded in response.

"Huh, and to think it was a Faunus," Said Russel, "Although... perhaps I can see why he trusts you; you're not only kind and willing to hear people's problems, but you also emphatise with him on a personal level as well."

"You can tell?" Elaine asked in surprise.

"Well, if there's one talent I can claim to have, it's my ability to see through people," Said Russel, "At least, those that I can more easily read."

"Am I really an open book for you then?" Elaine asked.

"Perhaps you are," Said Russel, "Though I've yet to encounter anyone who can mask his emotions so well from me."

A slight chuckle was shared between them.

Elaine then sighed, her earlier smile fading as she said, "I still wish he could stay for a while longer; you two looked like you barely caught up with each other."

"I know, and that's what worries me," Said Russel, "I can only hope he doesn't do anything really stupid."

Taking a deep breath, Russel then said, "Well, since you appear to be a good friend of his, why not we get better acquainted with each other?"

And Elaine smiled, saying, "Where do you want to start?"

"Well, why not introduce ourselves?" Said Russel, "I'm Russel Thrush."

"Elaine Jackal," Said Elaine, "Pleasure to meet you."

IIOII

When news of Cardin's death spread throughout the campus at Beacon, many voiced their utter disbelief that he of all people would die. At first, some were of the mind to believe it all a hoax, a lie to cover up something else - which was in fact true. With confirmed reports from the Atlesian General Hospital, however, many were convinced to accept it as the truth.

Though Cardin and his team would not be missed by Beacon's students and teachers, some nonetheless tried to use what resources they had to pry deeper, to attempt to dig past the bare surface and uncover the finer details beneath the lie.

Suffice to say, none succeeded; they were mere students arrayed against Atlas's bureaucracy and Ironwood's authority itself, and they were forced to drop the matter.

In the Headmaster's Office, however, Ozpin looked at the projection of Ironwood with an expression of great displeasure.

"Tell me you didn't do what you just did," Said Ozpin, "Even if you did so on grounds of clear, ironclad evidence, this is a rather overhanded measure with which you handled the affair with the Winchesters."

"I am well aware, Ozpin," Said Ironwood, unfazed by Ozpin's annoyance, "We both know they had to be dealt with, sooner or later; they were only worsening relations between Vale and Atlas, and performing many unreported acts of abuse and cruelty towards Faunus, much like our dear friend Jacques Schnee."

"I know that, but to literally just intervene like that, seize control of Winchester Enterprises and place a non-racist loyalist in charge of the whole company?" Said Ozpin in disbelief, "Most other people will just see this as Atlas gaining another foothold in Vale and exerting greater control over the continent, and we both know you can do without that additional suspicion."

"It had to be done one way or another, politics and people's suspicions be damned," Said Ironwood, "If I used any lighter measures, the Winchesters would merely take notice of such perceived weakness and use the Faunus workers' lives as collateral to demand concessions; it was a grisly affair, having to kill the two of them, but that's one less racist bastard plaguing this world."

"Storming their mansion and killing them, and seizing control of the estate and company, and suddenly granting the Faunus far better working conditions with all required insurance," Ozpin stated, "That's definitely going to raise more than a few eyebrows."

"I wasn't aware you liked being a broken record," Said Ironwood, "No matter. I'll give you another update once I find something on my end; Salem's agents aren't easy to find."

Ozpin nodded, though before he could cut the connection, Ironwood said, "There is one more thing you should know. Why I went after the Winchesters' assets? It was by Cardin's request."

Ozpin did a double-take.

"What?" He asked.

"It does sound unlikely, but it's true," Said Ironwood, "He never got along with his parents, and I think he figured that even with the hospital's confirmed reports of his 'death', they'd likely pull strings to bring him back - even forcefully, if need be. Though I will admit, I never expected him to so easily ask for his parent's deaths."

"General, when you issue my death warrant, I need you to kill my parents."

Such were the words that Cardin said to a dumbstruck Ironwood - though he did not look the part - as he quickly asked, "I can do that, but why?"

"I... I never realised just how much I despise them," Said Cardin, eyes darkening, "Truth be told, I've never entertained such thoughts before, but when I think of needing to drop beneath the radar, and protecting Elaine and her children, I know there's no other choice."

"I can certainly do that, but you do see the implications that will arise?" Asked Ironwood.

"I know, and perhaps this is much of me, but I expect you will have resolved yourself to do so," Replied Cardin, "Elaine and her children mean the world to me, and if I need to die... I'll gladly die."

"Shit..."

Ozpin never looked more dumbfounded that moment, massaging his forehead with shaky fingers.

"Shit indeed," Said Ironwood, "He's got real balls of steel, that boy. I only hope he's not reckless."

"I suppose for now, we'll just have to hope this remains a secret," Said Ozpin, "Oum forbid, we don't need another Raven Branwen."