Contrary to the white world of Winter, this particular world was dark in reds and purples. The land had no means of being able to grow anything from the realm of Light. It only harbored creatures of darkness and negativity. Several pools of black slime were scattered across the desolate land, and from that - several Beowolves emerged from different pools, all carrying the same rage inside of them.

In the center of it all, a large mansion stood erect - away from the rest of the world. Inside one of the rooms was a gathering room, with a large table in the middle and several chairs on the sides. In the front, a chair that resembled that of a throne stood by, awaiting its owner to sit upon it.

Cinder sat on one of the seats, silent and waiting for their leader to finally arrive. To her right, a pale man had his feet on the chair and crouched down on it. His gold eyes darted around the room as he giggled to himself, his long brown ponytail sat over his shoulder, jumping along to his internal beat. Across from her, a tan, middle-aged man stared at his Scroll in his one hand while the other fiddled with his graying, dark mustache. His green eyes never left the device. Across from Giggles, a man sat with his arms crossed and eyes closed. Even seated, one could tell he was a tall man with his tan, muscular physique. Emerald and Mercury didn't dare sit with them, so they stood to the side, near Cinder Fall.

For what seemed forever in Cinder's mind, the doors finally opened. Everyone stood as a deathly pale with red and purple-veined woman entered. Her white hair was formed into a bun with six offshoots, suspended by ornaments. Every step she took, each jewel on her hair jingled with her. She had the appearance of a Goddess of Darkness and Death.

Right behind her was a tall man, taller than Salem herself, and powerfully built, garbed in a black suit. His hair was black as the night that fell to his waist, tied back in a tight ponytail with his bangs slicked back. A wicked sword hung at his side, made of shining silverish metal and engraved with flame patterns that seemed to mirror the metal's own intricate pattern. His eyes were mismatched, one a fiery orange and the other, an icy blue. His face was clean-shaven, and a scar ran down the right side of his face. He towered over everyone, even Hazel, and his presence sent a chill through Cinder herself.

The woman gave a small gesture for everyone to sit, and thus they did, as if by command. Cinder's body continued to shake, trying to prepare herself for what she knew was to come if it meant that this man was here. Her underlings couldn't help but take notice of this and became more frightened because of their fearless leader's own fear.

The man stood at Salem's side, his piercing gaze fixated upon Cinder. For a long, chilling moment he said nothing, yet continued to stare Cinder down. He slightly turned to the Goddess woman and spoke in a soft, yet deep, booming voice.

"With your permission, My Lady."

The woman nodded, "Do as you see fit."

He gave his own nod to her as thanks before striding over to Cinder's seat, standing very close and uttering two words in a much louder and projecting tone.

"Stand. Up."

All eyes, save the white woman's, widened - most knew what was to come. It took a while for the newly muted one to muster her courage to do as he said, yet she did so without complaint. The two tanner men made a grimacing face about the situation while the pale man's giggling increased ten-fold. This made Emerald's worries increase as well.

"Sadistic Fuck" The men thought.

For a long moment, the tallest man simply stood there, looking down at this young woman with narrowed eyes. "So," he began pacing behind her as she stood there in petrified terror, "Are the reports I have been hearing of late, correct, Cinder? That you failed to obtain the Relic beneath Beacon Academy?"

Unable to speak and wishing to protect her underlings from this man, Cinder gave the man a simple nod.

A low growl was uttered from this response, echoing through the hall. Without warning, a powerful backhand struck Cinder on the side of her face, sending her right to the floor.

"YOU FOOL!"

He didn't give her a moment to recover as he forced her back to her feet - only to strike her down again. "I warned you what would happen should you fail Lady Salem. And yet you returned anyway?! You returned with those two rats of yours despite knowing you had failed, and despite knowing what was in store? Just how stupid are you, daughter of mine?!"

Salem had stepped to his side to lay a hand on his arm, attempting to calm him, "Where she had failed to find the Relic, she had succeeded in our overall goal. She is our new Fall Maiden and was able to bring down Beacon in the way we had hoped. Not to mention… She had killed dear, dear Ozpin. Yes, there was a little… complication near the end, but that is no fault of her own. With her great power, comes a great weakness. She does, after all, hold the key to our victory." She glanced over to Cinder "Which is why you'll be by my side for extended training during your treatment."

Salem's words, as well as her physical contact, seemed to calm him enough, but his tone was no less cold regarding Cinder, "Weakness." The mere word disgusted him.

"I sincerely hope, daughter of mine, that this weakness is purged in the weeks to come. Lady Salem is being kind indeed to train you herself. I would not waste it if I were you."

Those last words chilled every person in the room, save Salem herself. Her hand was removed from his arm as she brought them together, posturing herself in a ladylike manner, "The Silver Eyes do cripple the Maidens in ways we cannot imagine. That girl, who had bested your daughter, is only a simple obstacle. Which is why I will send you, Tyrian," She glanced over the long braided man whose giggles never ceased, "to find her. And bring her to me."

The large man's mismatched eyes turned toward the man named Tyrian, narrowing them into slits, "ALIVE, Tyrian."

For a mere second, the maniacal man pouted, yet lifted his spirits, "Anything for our Goddess!"

Content with his answer, the large man nodded before turning back to his daughter, "As for you." His voice turned into a deep growl that hinted at the wrath within that she so feared, "If you fail Lady Salem again, rest assured, the only reason I will not kill you is because she commands me so. But nor will I be so restrained in your punishment, Cinder Fall. Am. I. Clear?"

The small daughter of this man nodded with much fear in her eyes and heart, coming to the realization of what he meant. Once again, she nodded.

Once again satisfied with his desired answer, he strode to his own seat at the table, at Salem's right hand. He was much calmer and collected in contrast to his earlier wrath when he sat. Cinder knew that he restrained himself significantly and that she got off easy.

Salem finally spoke up again, "Very well. Hazel, I am sending you to Menagerie to aid our new friend. Watts, I am sending you to take Cinder's place for our business in Mistral. Give our informant my best regards."

Both men replied in unison their understanding of her instructions.

She then turned to the hulking man that put fear in everyone besides herself, "Erebos, I shall need you here, for the time being, to go over our finances and future planning."

Erebos replied, "Of course, My Lady. I am at your service, always."