AN: Hey everyone, I have the next chapter here. Thank you for all the support this series has gotten here and on Tv Tropes. This chapter fills in some of blanks as the what happened at the end of the last chapter. As well as sets up for some of the future plotlines of the series here. Because of that, this chapter is short, but still an important one. Hope you enjoy this chapter, leave a review with your comments and questions, and have a nice day.

Chapter 30 – Fall Back

Archer.

Archer ran through the halls as he made his way the infirmary section of Clockwork Academy. He entered a room, of which Ruby and Irisviel were occupying. However, he was focused on the one in the bed, "Cinder…" The red mantle hero said. Cinder's body was bandaged, but blood was still staining them at her chest wound. She was hooked up to a breathing apparatus and IV, a monitor reading her faint heartrate, "What happened?" He asked as he turned to Ruby.

"I just found her like this in the hallway," Ruby answered turning back to Cinder, "I call Irisviel and my team, we all moved her here."

"I patched her up as best I could," Iri said as she looked at the ring on Cinder's hand, "Looks like my good luck charm paid off." She said with a faint smile, but then looked back to Archer, "Shirou, I know you have a lot of questions, but she can't talk in this condition."

"Mother, what did you mean by good luck charm?" Archer asked with his eyes narrowing.

Iri sighed before standing up, "Let's talk somewhere else, let her rest in silence." She said before Ruby stood up, nodding in agreeance. Archer gritted her teeth at the claim, but then looked back to Cinder's body. He then nodded to his mother before the three left the room, closing the door with one last look at her. The red mantle hero looked back to Iri, who continued, "Okay, so you remember how I talked about how if I won Grand Order. I would want you to marry Cinder."

"What!?" Ruby exclaimed, "You can do that with a wish from the school?" However, both glared at Ruby, knowing the door was not fully soundproof, "…Sorry."

"Well," Iri said as she turned back to her son, "I already had the ring made that I wanted you to give her." She then broke eye contact as she pressed the tips of her index finger against each other, "But since Ruby and Iskandar technically won, and Cinder was leaving, I had Chloe deliver the ring to Cinder." She then slightly pouted, "But, I forget to add the love letter I wrote on your behalf. Saying how you would wait for her and forgive all that she would have to do if it meant we could all live happily ever after."

"Aw," Ruby commented, "That's sweet."

"No! It isn't!" Archer shouted before lowering his voice, but not his anger, "Mother, you can't do that. I never said any of that."

"But it's how you feel, I know it." Iri retroverted, "Come on, she is right here."

"NO!" Archer cut her off, "Stop trying to marry me off!" He then sighed as his voice returned to normal, "Back to the ring."

"Right, I created it with a highly condensed amount of my healing magical abilities." Iri responded, "If she ever took a critical hit that would have killed her, the ring would activate and bring her back life." She said before having a confident smile, "Then, she would realize how short life is, come back to you to profess her love. The two of you would get married and-" the pale-skinned lady was saying, but Archer was still glaring, "Hey, the plan almost worked like that." She said while crossing her arms, "I didn't want my friend to end up in this bad of a condition."

"The question now is, who or what did that to her?" Archer asked before sighing, "And the only one who can tell us is Cinder herself." He said before realizing something, "Wait, where's Chloe?"

"I only found Cinder," Ruby responded, "Everyone else in my team is doing a quick run-through of the whole campus."

"Don't worry," Iri added on, "If she is not here, she will be found elsewhere. Kiritsugu may be on a mission, but I can convince him to go looking if needed."

"So, all we can do now is wait for Cinder to wake up?" Archer asked as Ruby and Iri reluctantly nodded, "How long could that take?"

"It depends, I can't say at the moment." Iri responded before having an idea, "I know! You can kiss her! You know, like in sleeping-" She was saying, but Archer was already walking away. Iri then turned to Ruby, "I guess I have the wrong fairytale." She said with Ruby having a slight laugh. The two then followed Archer as they left the infirmary.

However, a new person snuck into the infirmary. It was Abigail, who quietly entered Cinder's room. After walking over, the Foreigner class girl looked down on her with remorse. She then removed the bandage over her forehead, causing the Grimm eyeball to appear.

Cinder.

In the black void, Cinder's eyes shot open. She looked down at her body, discovering her cloths and wounds were back to normal. However, in taking a step, the pain shot through her body.

I would not move that much.

Cinder heard the voice of her leader from behind.

You may look healed in here, but your body is still heavily damaged. We are in a combination of your dream and my reality marble.

Salem spoke, a look of remorse in her eyes.

My Friend, what happened to you?

"Salem," Cinder said before she remembered, "Vitch and Yu, they betrayed your order and are working for the Woman in Black. As well, they took the Spring Maiden power." She said as Salem had a look of sorrow in her eyes, more than before, "What is it?"

You have not noticed it yet?

"Noticed what?" Cinder responded. Suddenly, she looked at her hands again. She tried to call her fall flames, but nothing happened. She tried to focus the aura to her eyes, but nothing happened, "I…I…"

You are no longer the Fall Maiden. That title has been passed onto someone else.

Salem said before closing her eyes, Cinder having a look of shock as she lowered her hands, "H-how, I though the powers would not fully past unless the previous user had died."

Cinder, you died. It was only for a few seconds, but that is all the Maiden Powers' require to search for a new host.

"I…I-" Cinder struggled to speak, taking a step back., "I sacrificed everything for that power. Years preparing, training, and finally attaining them." The black-haired woman said before a look of anger filled her eyes, "And you're telling me I lost that power!?" Cinder slightly yelled as Salem looked with sarrow in her eyes, "What?"

Like the Fall Maiden Powers, your semblance is gone.

The queen of Grimm spoke with Cinder gasping in terror.

Your aura is practically nothing. All the dust-based skills you have learned are impossible for you to use now…. You are powerless.

"T-that's a lie!" Cinder responded looking down at her hand, "I can't be powerless, I have to have something." She said as she focused, hoping for a spark of some kind. Anything, "Come on! Work!" However, nothing happened, "No…this can't be…" The black-haired woman spoke as Salem walked over. The Queen of Grimm hugged Cinder, who cried on her leader's shoulder, "I… I failed you."

No, the blame for this mistake falls onto me. I was rash in recruiting those two after the loss of our other allies. I was desperate for our counterattack against Ozpin and the Woman in Black…I am the one who failed you.

There hug ended as Cinder dried her eyes, a look of focus and hatred, "What's our next move?" She asked as her leader, her voice more focused than before, "When can I kill those two traitors?"

You need your rest. Your body is in critical condition.

"Can't you expedite the healing?" Cinder asked.

In such cased, I would replace some of your damaged limbs with Grimm essences. However, your immunity would make that ineffective now.

"Well, Yu didn't steal that from me." Cinder commented in resentment before looking around the black void, reminding herself of something, "If this is like a dream, where is my body?"

You are at Clockwork Academy.

Cinder turned back to Salem in shock, "But, that is where you and Abigail went to investigate! How did I end up here?" She said before remembered the bloody huntress' portals, causing Cinder to grit her teeth, "No matter, as soon as I am healed, I can focus on getting my powers back."

Cinder, even if you killed them, the Maiden Powers would not choose you as a new host. These powers were never meant to be passed down to the same person twice.

"What about my semblance and aura?" Cinder responded.

You know it does not work that way for those abilities. Only the Maiden Powers can theoretically last until the end of time.

Cinder gritted her teeth, want to punch something. However, the endless black void gave her no targets, "I will find another way to kill them. Even if both are Maidens, I will not lose." She said as Salem noticed Cinder clenched right hand, blood dripping into the void, "I'm going to avenge Chloe."

She was a good girl.

"Speaking of which," Cinder said as she turned back to Salem with a slight glare, "Are you sure you can trust Abigail? I mean, you understand why I have doubts now."

I do. Abigail is not hiding anything from me. As a voluntary conduit, she has made her mind an open book for me and my powers… .I would know is she is hiding something.

"I see," Cinder commented, "So, she was the one who found me?"

No, that was Ruby Rose.

"What? She is here!" Cinder responded in shock, "That is the last person I want to see me like this." She said before sighing, "Well, not the last one…How am I going to tell Iri and Shirou?"

Cinder…they are here too.

After Salem spoke that sentence, Cinder's skin went almost as pale as the Queen of Grimm's, "You have got to be kidding me!?" She said before putting her left hand to her face, "How am I going to tell them that Chloe killed and I just…stood there and watched."

If you wish, I can bring both into this void to talk civilly. However, if they become hysterical, I can-

"NO!" Cinder turned back to Salem, reaching out her left hand, "Please, you said they would be spared in your plan."

I said I would spare Irisviel, as I rather like her.

Salem spoke with a smile as she tilted her head.

Oh, how I wish I could have joined in on your girl talks.

Cinder sighed as the smile faded from the Queen of Grimm's face.

But Shirou Emiya, he cannot be allowed to live if my dream is to be a reality. He will only cause more harm to the world. And if the two of us were to ever meet, I am sure he would instantly try to kill me… As all heroes try to kill me.

"Salem…" Cinder pleaded.

You love him, don't you?

Cinder did not respond right away, rather looked down to hid her face turning red, "The time that I knew him was short," She said before a smile formed; the memories of her time at the mansion, her battles with him, her training with him, the times he carried her, and even the time he kissed her. "However, I felt like I could lower my guard around him. But I wasn't worried, I didn't feel weak. In fact, I was happy. I felt stronger with him at my side. When I was fighting to save him, it was when I fully unlocked my powers. No one has ever made me feel this way before." She then looked back to Salem, "Yes, I do love Shirou." The black-haired woman declared as the Queen of Grimm sighed, "Salem, do you considered love a negative emotion?"

It did not end well for me when I expressed that emotion. But I have already told you that story.

Salem said as she looked away into the void, her mind lingering to the time before her transformation.

For me, I am glad that was the only time I experienced the tragedy that is True Love. Cinder, you should-

Suddenly, a new moment in Salem's past flashed before her eyes. She remembered standing in open plain, an army of over five-hundred Grimm of every species behind her at the command. She watched as her sole opponent rode in on a white stallion clade in silver armor. The armor of the rider was of the same quality, as well as a blue dress underneath. The helmet she wore resembled that of the head of a loin, complete with a thick mane that ran down her back. The visor was in the shape of the open jaw of the beast. In the visor, a set of green eyes were piercing through towards the Queen of Grimm. In her right hand, she wielded as white lance that glowed yellow with the gathering of aura. Salem emanated a black aura as her army was about to attack. However, that is where the memory ended.

"Salem!?" Cinder asked as her leader was profusely sweating. The Queen of Grimm had her left hand on her face as she took deep breaths, "What happened?"

I…I don't know.

Salem responded, her red eyes twitching.

Why? What was that memory? Who was that?

Salem said before seeing Arturia Alter in the distance, causing her to regain her composure.

My apologies, I seem to have had an odd memory lapse.

"What?" Cinder commented, "What does that mean? Why would you-"

Cinder, this development is something I need to figure out myself. For now, focus on healing your wounds before I give you a new mission…. Regarding our last topic, we will address it later.

"I-I see," Cinder said before giving a slight bow, "Thank you."

One more thing, that man who follows Ozpin like a loyal dog is here as well.

"Qrow? Of course, he is." Cinder responded with a sigh, "What happens if he sees me and tries to kill me in my sleep?" She asked with the reality marble fading, but Salem smiled back to her comrade.

If he is misfortunate enough to try something that stupid, I will crush his heart.

Cinder had a slight smile back before the reality marble vanished. Back in the infirmary room, Abigail sighed as her Grimm eye closed. She replaced the bandage before leaving, letting Cinder to sleep in solitude.

The Fall Maiden.

Yu looked at her hands, but gritted her teeth before clenching her fist, "I did not gain the Fall Maiden power." she said before looking to Vitch who was stretching her back.

"Really, that's a shame." Vitch said before smiling, her eyes glowing with a pinkish aura, "I seem to have gotten my favorite season without issue." The Spring Maiden said before looking over to a black scorch mark in the ground, "Granted, we made sure there was nothing left of that maiden."

"Cinder escaped. But considering her injuries, I would say she is dead by now." Yu said with Vitch turning back to her, "That means a new Fall Maiden has been chosen."

"Well, I think I know who it is." Vitch commented with a smirk, "That woman with red portals, the one that took Cinder."

"Yes, but I wasn't anticipating someone like to find maidens." The Consort Beauty commented, "I had seen her face before, on the bounty boards in the last town we visited. She was moderately ranked with an enormous reward."

"Oh, in that case," Vitch said with a sneer, "Let's get our other friend to track her down." The Spring Maiden said before taking a few steps away. "After all, she does like taking on strong targets alone. Something she shares with this bounty lady." However, Vitch stopped as Yu pulled out a single strand of hair. In releasing it, the Consort Beauty summoned a Nevermore firebird.

"Come on," Yu said before jumping onto the firebird, "We have been given the order to go after a different maiden." She said as Vitch jumped on, "This one, we already know the location of and the owner."

"Really, which season is it?" Vitch asked, but then giggle, "Actually, don't tell me." The Spring Maiden said before smirking, "I want it to be a surprise." Yu focused on controlling the firebird as the creature took off.

After a few minutes, not a sound echoed in the land for miles. Only the wind blew over the destroyed land that used to be the home of a mother. At the nearby cliff, the sound of running water was heard. At the bottom of the chasm, a river ran in a rapid current. Down the river, multiple trees had grown near the water. However, their green leaves started to change to an amber orange. The water started to emit steam, as if a fire was lite under the current.

Suddenly, a left arm emerged from the water. It reached for and grabbed the gravel at the shoreline. In pulling out more of her body, it was the red mantle girl. Chloe coughed a mixture of blood and water. Her abdomen showed were the sword had entered her body, but the wound was partly healed and cauterized with fire. While her breathing was still painful, Chloe started to talk, "My insides are on fire..." She said before opening her eyes, an amber aura radiating out, "Cinder…It hurts...It hurts!" The Fall Maiden spoke before holding her stomach in pain, her body coiling as the aura was overflowing, "AAAAAAAAA!" She screamed as she shut her eyes. However, Chloe then saw the image of the woman she had called out before, as well as the red mantle hero she looked up to. In seeing them, the Fall Maiden eyes shot open, "No!" Suddenly, her aura started to calm as she started to stand up, "I…I will not die here!" Chloe said as she started to hobble, "I will see them again!" She said before walking the path alone, "Cinder…please be alive."

AN: There you go, new maidens are assigned. Vitch is the new Spring Maiden and Chloe is the new Fall Maiden. Cinder gets karma in stealing the fall maiden power before. Now, she has no more powers; no semblance, no ability to use dust, a basically no aura. Yu has all of that now, expect the maiden power and immunity to Grimm. She does have a nice talk with Salem, one that was fun to write as a foil to how they act to each other compared to the cannon context. You also get the reveal that Salem once fought Altria, but more about their history later. Vitch and Yu have a new maiden to hunt as they send someone else after Raven. The next saga is going to be intense.

Now, while next week will be a Roadmap Chapter, I'll be taking a few months break from this series. I have Re: Neo I'm also working on and Duel Academy's New Students heading close to it's ending. I want to focus on finish one or both of those series before returning to Lost to Dust. Between work, I cannot joggle three series like this. With Lost to Dust, I like to have the chapters made a few weeks before posting so I can edit more if needed. So, think of this chapter as a season finale, but I will return to it. I may do this as the structure going forward but have not decided yet. That is all for now, thanks for reading, and hope to see you in the next chapter.