I do not own the RWBY or Fate Universes. Enjoy reading.

Chapter Sixteen: Break the Dusty Chains

I watched Weiss quietly as she stands alone in a large empty stage and singing a beautiful aria. The multiple white spotlights seemingly give an ethereal glow to her form. While I knew that Weiss didn't particularly like these singing events, there was a good reason why so many people showed up to see her sing.

She could be a genuine singing idol if she wanted to. She got talent.

Past memories resurfaced in my mind as I closed my eyes in thought. Both mine and Saber's. I felt…sad and nostalgic as I remembered things that (Saber and) I regretted deeply and yet others that we cherished greatly as well. I had many doubts when I accepted the choice of coming to Remnant.

Did I make the right choice coming over here? Was there something I did that I would regret later? Do I know what to do in the end? Was I doing the right thing?

Yet those doubts were washed away as I continued to listen to Weiss's song. It was pure yet emotional.

I am not alone in my journey. She asked for my help. So I answered gladly. I have no regrets about that choice. She is someone I would not regret having as my Master.

I had to wipe away a small tear from my eyes as Weiss finishes her song and the applauding crowd claps loudly for her. Even with conflicting thoughts, I smiled broadly at her as I clapped loudly with the audience. I know that Weiss will do fine. She has grown up as a fine young woman with a purpose in mind.

I then glanced up at the upper right balcony where her father and her brother were watching from with a slight frown. There have been a few slight changes to what I have remembered from the RWBY canon. I won't describe everything, but there were two specific things that stood out to me the most.

For one, Whitley didn't show up to confront Weiss when she went to meet with her father. Even though, I haven't seen Whitley a lot during my stay at the mansion, there were a few times that I actually met him personally. One memorable meeting is when I was helping myself to crepes that Klein had made for me. It was…an interesting confrontation to say.

(Flashback)

It was one of those rare days as I was enjoying a delicious strawberry crepe that Klein had recently prepared for me before leaving in a sudden hurry. For a butler, he was certainly quite busy these days in the mansion. I wondered how he could have made this crepe so fluffy and tender. Truly mysterious, indeed.

It was then that he came in. It was a thin boy with white hair that had strolled into the kitchen unannounced. I immediately recognized him on sight as Weiss's younger brother, Whitley Schnee. But…what was he doing here in the kitchen?

But I stayed calm and continued devouring my crepes despite of his unexpected appearance. I had little reason to fear of being revealed here as an uninvited guest. I was wearing my servant attire and I looked just like any other servant in the mansion. But that somehow convinced Whitley that I was an actual servant of the mansion when he approached me.

"Excuse me there, I have something to ask of you," Whitley said politely with his hands clasped behind his back.

I swallowed my last bite before replying. "Yes, what can I help you with?"

"Would you be privy to the whereabouts of Klein? I couldn't get a hold of him through my Scroll," Whitley gestured his left hand outwards.

I shook my head. "I'm afraid not. I believe he is currently busy with something right now."

"Is that so? It is unfortunate, as I was going to request him for some crepes…" Whitley's words trailed off as he finally eyed my huge stack of crepes in front of me. Klein had knew about my inhuman appetite and rolled up his sleeves to prepare a huge stack of crepes for me as a snack. What a thoughtful butler.

But Whitley's ice blue eyes looked at my emerald green eyes, and then looked again at the stack of crepes. Warning bells rang in my mind. My food is in danger by this teenager.

I immediately wrapped my arms around my stack of crepes and glared at Whitley guardedly. No one takes my food, especially not him. "This is mine…"

Whitley raised his hands up defensively. "Now, surely you have more than enough crepes there? Don't be so greedy. I honestly don't know why Klein gave you so much in the first place."

"I'm warning you; do not touch my crepes…"I repeated again with added dark edge in my voice.

Whitley obviously didn't get the message as he now had a slight frown on his face. "I don't know who you are, but as one of the servants in this house, your main duty is to serve the Schnee family and their needs. So if you excuse me, I will take some of those crepes for myself."

Whitley then picked up a nearby fork to spear a few when I suddenly grabbed his wrist and held his hand in place. Looking back, I admit it wasn't a very rational action. But I was a bit more than pissed off at this snobby kid.

"Wha-?How dare you? Get your hands off of me!" Whitley's polite composure crumbles into an indignant expression. Yet his pitiful attempts to take my iron grip off his wrist were really laughable to me.

I looked at Whitley with slight irritation and I proceeded to stand up to my full height. I did let go of his wrist, only to immediately grab his collar and hoist him up high in the air. As I said, Whitley was quite a scrawny kid and he isn't that much taller than Weiss. His nerveless fingers let the fork slip through and fall on the floor noisily as he looked at me quite terrified.

I spoke in a calm voice as Whitley gulped nervously at his now-precarious situation. "Now, listen here, shrimp. You may be one of the masters of this house. But there are some things that you cannot steal from me. And my food is one of them. Klein had made these delicious crepes just for me and this amount isn't strange for my appetite. If you want crepes, then you can ask Klein politely later to make more of them."

"D-do…you have any idea… of what you are doing? Father won't let you out easily if you treat me like this!" Whitley sputtered out somewhat defiantly.

I initially frowned at his boldness before smirking. Two can play at that game of chicken. "Oh? Are you really spineless yourself to run back to your so-called father of yours for help? What would do when your father of yours abandons you one day? Who else in your family is going to help you out if you keep up this fake sweet attitude of yours, hmm?"

"I…" Whitley answers hesitatingly before falling silent, unable to refute my reasoning. Whitley had the best relationship with his father at the cost of alienating nearly the rest of the family and probably even idolizes him. But Jacques himself just probably views Whitley as more of a better prized tool than his sisters as he seems more receptive to his authoritarian and controlling attitude. But who knows when, not if, that will end?

But I glanced at his rather defeated state before sighing inwardly. What was I doing here? Was I really bullying a teenager who had no real family besides your father over a plate of crepes? Sure, he is quite a pain in the ass and there is a good reason why Weiss doesn't get along with him. But he isn't an inherently evil person in the end.

"Look at me, lad," Whitley complied as his watery blue eyes met mine. "I don't claim to know about your problems. But perhaps you should stop this charade of yours and open your eyes to the truth. Your own resentment and anger at others will only lead to more hurt for you. Your father isn't the best man to emulate as a person. It is a known fact that a lot of people don't like him for one reason or another. It will lead him to certain ruin. The question is, are you willing to follow him to certain hell for that worship? Or are you willing to find your own path that will suit you better in the end?"

Whitley stayed silent at my question though he seemed to be thinking a little. I sighed as I concluded my lesson. "If you promise to not tell your father about this, then I can concur on sharing a few crepes with you. But I suggest that you change yourself to be better than your father as a person at least. Do you understand?"

"But…"

"Do you understand?!" I repeated a bit more forcibly.

"Yes, I do! Sir!" Whitney bobbed his head rapidly.

I studied him for a few uncomfortable seconds before letting him down gently on his feet. "Good. But if you show that kind of attitude to me or others in this house, I will find you and teach you another lesson about manners."

I sat down on the table and transferred a few crepes to another plate. I still had a monster share of the food, so it wasn't much of a loss to me. I looked at Whitney, who was still ramrod straight like a perfectly disciplined soldier.

I raised my brow at his strange behavior. "Well, are you going to stand there or sit down to eat?"

Whitney eventually took a seat to eat, albeit uncomfortably. I raised a brow at his unusual meekness, but I shrugged my shoulders and began eating myself. It was probably a strange sight to see; a stubborn servant and a rather meek master eating at the same table.

(End Flashback)

Anyways, Whitley isn't the type to let go at the chance of getting back at his older sister. They do have an unusual antagonistic sibling relationship. But it could be a minor change due to my presence and he isn't entirely important to my plans.

The second change was that fact that Jacques Schnee seemed a little miffed. If you think that wasn't strange, it was more about what exactly irritated him.

Jacques's meeting with General Ironwood about the Dust Embargo certainly happened and they were not best buddies about that subject as expected. But he was also complaining about how the company board was pressuring him to raise wages of workers in Mantle. It is quite odd as I don't remember him getting any trouble from the SDC, nor that anyone else wanted better working conditions in the top ranks of the company. I hardly think I had much role in promoting better working conditions in the SDC, no matter how much I agree with the sentiment. But his bad mood was still there and Jacques wanted Weiss to sing at the charity event to improve the company image by supporting Beacon reconstruction efforts. Though I suspected that was to reassure that his control was still absolute over his family at least…

I was somewhat glad to overhear news that now-Headmistress Goodwitch and the Vale huntsmen have finally were able to retake Beacon Academy and purge out the remaining Grimm. Yet the damage was extensive and it required some time and funds to rebuild the school back to its former glory. Hopefully, they will be up and running as the secret war against Salem will get much more large-scaled and open…

As Weiss finally takes her leave from the stage, I stood up and joined the rest of the crowd as we proceeded to the charity party. I already had my own party invitation (courtesy of Willow herself), and I might as well enjoy myself tonight. I do hope they have some decent food at least…

A few moments later…

I really hate charity parties. But at least I look pretty good.

I was dressed in White Rose attire (Saber Prototype), which consisted of a formal white suit clothing and blue tie. I mainly chose this as it fitted the usual white and blue Atlas colored attire and I really like its style. It was also rather comfortable on me surprisingly.

Unfortunately, it would seem that many young women in the party would strongly agree with my thoughts. I never had such luck with the opposite sex yet so many women were approaching me with such interest. In fact, I was a bit nervous in how some of the women were looking at me like a pretty trophy to be won.

And one such woman was currently flirting with me.

"Hello there, may I have a pleasure of hearing your name…?" A red-hair woman in a red dress asked me with a sultry smile gracing her lips. Her golden amber eyes glimmered as she had an adoring look at me.

"…Who are you?" I spoke neutrally to her. I took another sip of my non-alcoholic beverage that a waiter had offered me earlier. It was quite tangy in taste.

There was a slight contortion on her face before it is replaced by a flirting smile. No luck there. She doesn't seem much deterred by my subtle rejection. "Oh, my apologies. It is Lilvina Steele."

"Miss Steele, you say?" I smiled in fake interest. Seeing her rather eager nod, I then recalled an interesting tidbit from my eavesdropping regarding her. Looking at a certain direction, my smile widened even more. Oh ho, this might be a little fun.

"If I remembered correctly, don't you have a fiancé?" I asked a bit loudly.

"Him? He is just a moneybag to me. He has no other redeeming qualities and…is a quick shot," Lilvina scoffed at my question. Interesting... but I seriously didn't really need to know about the last part. And I'm sure he would be quite devastated to hear that…

"Is that so…? Then you don't mind saying those exact words to him?" I slightly gestured behind her figure.

"Lilvy?"

Lilvina whirls around, only to shockingly see a young man in his earlier thirties. Her fiancé looks rather distraught from hearing her words.

"Ron?! No…wait, this is not what it looks like?!" Lilvina shouted out in panic as the young man suddenly ran off in utter shame. I watched as the young soon-to-be ex-couple exited the party quickly before shrugging and moving on to a more secluded location. That was bound to happen sooner than later.

At least the entertainment in these kinds of parties isn't that half-bad.

Seeing that I was somewhat safe now, I took a peek at Weiss, who was standing by her father's side. She was looking a bit peeved at me.

"Why are those women always propositioning to you whenever I am not around?" Weiss complained irritatingly to me.

"Believe me, I blame my Charisma Skill for this. And I am not interested in these rather shallow women," I defended myself with a mental thought.

"Hmph, what would you do if there are men flirting with me?" Weiss asked me rather sarcastically.

"I will stab them with my sword if they are not worthy of you. Stab them again if they performed any inappropriate advances. Stab them one more time if I don't like them." I replied seriously without slight hesitation. "Then I will dice them up finely for good measure."

"…"

"…You know, Gray? You sometimes scare me," Weiss replied after a slight pause.

"I know. But I feel it is necessary to deal with such unworthy opponents," I answered darkly.

I paused in our conversation to deliver a withering death glare at one Henry Marigold, who was eyeing Weiss a bit too closely for my comfort. He immediately flinched and looked around fearfully until his light-brown eyes met mine. I gave him a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes. He then coughed nervously before hurriedly excusing himself from the party. Good riddance.

Weiss raised her eyebrow in amusement at this scene. "Well… it is not like I don't appreciate your earnest efforts for me. But I may have some difficulty finding someone worthy under your standards."

"That is the point." I said dryly. "And Weiss, do you mind meeting up with me?"

"I don't mind, but why?"

"Well…you seem like you could use a breather from a certain jackass Schnee," I joked.

Weiss suddenly coughed a bit before glaring at me from afar.

"Gray! You... shouldn't say things like that!" Weiss scolded me for my comment.

"But isn't it true?" I asked rather slyly.

"…" Weiss couldn't refute with my reasoning.

"Anyways, meet me by the painting of Beacon Academy, we do have some important things to discuss," I said afterwards.

"…I swear that you will cause me more headaches than Ruby ever would," Weiss finally grumbled before our mental link was cut off.

I chuckled at her statement as I strolled over to the meeting location and waited for Weiss to come over. I decided to admire the painting of Beacon Academy during my wait. It was a large and masterful painting with shades of greens, browns, and yellows dominating the canvas. It had that surreal feeling to it; a beautiful memory of the past yet a painful scar for the future.

A recollection of its former glory.

I didn't know when Weiss had came over to my side, but she was just over a meter apart from me. Yet we didn't immediately talk to each other as we gazed upon the painting for a wistful mutual moment. It was rather nice.

Weiss was one who first broke the silence between us. "Is there a reason why you chose this place to meet?"

"Not really. But it is a secluded place to talk," I replied lightheartedly.

"So what is it that you want to talk about that you couldn't just say over mentally?" Weiss questioned as she slightly turned her head towards me.

"Well, I just felt like talking to you normally. And the party wasn't as fun as I thought," I hummed lightly.

Weiss could only stare at me for my casual remark before letting out a soft sigh. "Well, it isn't like I don't appreciate your company now. But what are you planning really?"

I finally looked at her. "…I think it is about time that we should leave Atlas."

"Leave Atlas…?! Do you mean going out to join up with Ruby and others?" Weiss asked me somewhat eagerly.

I nodded slightly. "Yes. Both of us have gotten stronger ever since and it is about time that we should go before it is too late to do so. Haven Academy will be targeted soon and Atlas is shutting down its borders."

"What?! Haven Academy will be targeted?!" Weiss nearly hissed at me.

"Yes, as you know the perpetrators had records from Haven Academy. Ruby and others will most likely travel to Mistral sooner than later based on that fact. There is also news about increasing instability there and Haven Academy will certainly be the center of this turmoil if you know what I mean," I explained to her.

"The relic…" Weiss realized. "We would have to stop Salem and her minions from getting it. But I thought they would need to have a Maiden to open the vault. So I assume…there are some problems with that specific Maiden?"

"Yes, there are a few problems. It is nothing to worry about right now, but we would have to move quickly," I answered.

Her finger tapped against the rail in deep thought. "So, what is our plan to get over there? I doubt we could just leave through the front door easily with my father around."

I then revealed my plans to her. "For now, don't draw any attention during the party. We will leave soon afterwards tonight. I have already told Klein to prepare an airship to smuggle us out to Mistral through the Atlas blockade."

"Alright," Weiss concurred. Yet she seems a bit troubled...

"Weiss, don't worry. We will meet with your friends soon one way or another. I promise you." I reassured her. "You just need to be patient for now."

"I know," Weiss answered quietly.

The party eventually (and thankfully) ended peacefully without any notable incidents and Weiss returned to her bedroom, where I was already waiting for her. Her weapon, combat clothing, and dust supplies were already packed for her on the bedside. I carried a black backpack myself that was filled with some items that I thought would be useful for the journey. You can't be too prepared for anything.

"Are you ready, Weiss? You can't go back being a SDC heiress after this," I asked her quietly after Weiss had changed back into her combat attire inside her bedroom.

"Yes, Gray. I already know the consequences. Now let's go." Weiss replied resolutely with her Myrtenaster in hand. She looked around carefully for any people outside in the hallway before following me closely. It is good thing that she was being cautious, but I have already checked several times. There was no one nearby currently.

Yet Weiss's next steps slowed down to a halt.

I turned around to see Weiss curiously. She had some hesitation in her face. "What is it, Weiss?"

"Could…we stop by somewhere for a moment?" Weiss requested.

I slightly frowned before nodding. "Alright, it is a little risky, but we could spare some time. But we will have to get out of here soon after that."

Weiss nodded at me graciously before moving the opposite direction across the hallway with her steps muffled. I silently followed after her, having a good idea of where she was going.

It was a short trip before we finally stopped by the door of Willow's bedroom.

"Gray, I just need to talk to my mom for a moment. Do you mind waiting outside? It won't take that long," Weiss asked me.

"Of course," I replied earnestly. Weiss whispered a thank you to me before silently entering the room. In the meanwhile, I kept a careful watch outside with a smile.

Weiss closed the door behind her as she looked around in the room for her mother. She then found Willow reading a book on the desk with a steaming cup of tea. Complex feelings rose in her heart.

"Mom…?" Weiss spoke out hesitantly. Willow turned her head around.

"Weiss, is that you? What are doing up so late?" Willow asked worriedly as she got up from her desk.

"I…have something to tell you." Weiss spoke out softly.

"What is it, dear?" Willow asked patiently as she stood in front of Weiss.

"I-I have to leave this house for a while… and I wish to say goodbye to you," Weiss confessed. She knew that it was a cruel thing to do to her recovering mother. But at least, Weiss didn't want to leave without saying any words to her mother.

Then Willow's arms wrapped around her shoulders to Weiss's surprise. "I know," Willow answered softly as she hugged Weiss tightly in her arms.

"You…knew?" Weiss asked in half-shock.

"Saber had told me about this earlier. So I was prepared for the fact that you will be leaving this house sooner than later. But I am still glad to able to hold you in my arms one last time," Willow explained.

Weiss would have to question Gray later about this. But for now, Weiss returned the hug back to her mother. It was a nice feeling. "I'm sorry that I have to leave you now."

Willow then sighed heavily. "I also wish I could hold you closely forever, but Saber told me that you had a very important role to fulfill. So it is my responsibility as your mother to assure you that you aren't doing anything wrong here and I support your decision. Just… remember not to forget the people behind you."

"I will. And…thank you," Weiss wiped her eyes.

"There is no need to thank me. If you ever have to come back to Atlas one day, you can rest assure that I will be there for you," Willow brushed Weiss's hair with affection.

Willow then smiled rather teasingly. "Also, it would be prudent to capture your bodyguard's heart during your journey. I do wish to have plenty of grandchildren to play with, you know."

"Mom…?!" Weiss cried out as her cheeks turned dark red.

Willow waved her hand away. "I was only half-joking there."

Somehow, Weiss didn't feel quite at ease at that answer.

"Now go, before your father finds out. Your friends are waiting for you," Willow shoo her away with a sad smile.

Weiss nodded tearfully before taking her leave. When the door finally closed behind Weiss with a click, Willow sighed as she closed her eyes for a moment.

Yet when Willow opened her eyes again, they now held something that many had thought was long lost in the Schnee matriarch.

Defiance.

When Weiss came out and silently closed the door behind her, I looked at her concerningly. "Are you feeling okay?"

Weiss nodded as she wiped her eyes. "I'm fine now, Gray. Let's go."

We deftly went our way through the mansion to the hidden passageway by the first floor library that Klein had shown me. Thankfully, there weren't any hindrances this time around.

Speaking of whom, Klein was waiting for us when we had quietly entered the first floor library. Weiss ran toward Klein, dropping her luggage and weapons onto the floor to hug him.

Klein hugged Weiss back and worriedly asked, "Are you sure that Mistral is safe?"

Weiss then released the hug and backed away. "No, but I will have Saber with me on this journey."

"Well, I suppose that he will keep you safe." Klein relented before looking at me.

"I will," I assured him.

"Then I suppose your older sister and mother will be the only family you have left after tonight." Klein sighed ruefully.

"I always have you," Weiss said after she comforted him.

"You most certainly will," Klein replied back in earnest with a slight smile. "Now go."

Weiss and I entered into the hidden passageway, where Weiss then looked back one last time and said, "Thank you, Klein."

Klein only nodded in silence and closed the exit behind us. There was no going back now.

Weiss was relatively silent as we made our way through the passageway to the outside. From there, we eventually made our way to a private airship hanger. We met with our arranged pilot, where I handed him the bundle of lien to smuggle us to Mistral.

He deftly counted the lien given to him before looking up at us. "Okay, you two can hide out in the cargo hold. I can take you as far as I can, but if we get caught, you two are on your own. Understand?"

We nodded at his statement and promptly entered the cargo hold of the brown airship. The cargo airship then took off without a hitch a few minutes later. Weiss and I gazed upon the rising sun over the mountains of Solitas together as we were heading down southeast to Mistral.

"Gray?" Weiss finally spoke out to me.

"Yes, Weiss?" I replied.

"You told my mom that we were leaving in advance?"

I shrugged my shoulders to affirm her question. "Yes."

Weiss glanced at me. "Why?"

"Your mother may have not understood why you are leaving specifically, but I feel she has the right to know if her daughter is going to be okay. If you had left without a word, she might have been lost and worried without any explanation. Even though she seems to understand you better now… and I find it good thing that you considered about your mother's feelings before leaving," I explained with a smirk.

"I…didn't think much about that. I just wish to leave without any regrets," Weiss muttered under her breath. "It isn't like I am going to see her again soon."

I snorted inwardly. Weiss, you are going back to Atlas pretty soon after escaping to Mistral. Not that she knows about it yet…

"…Do you think we can win against Salem?" Weiss suddenly asked me.

I paused for a moment before speaking. "If you believe that victory is possible and you are not alone, then yes, we can win against her. And since you have me, I will bring you the promised victory."

"The promised victory?" Weiss repeated in confusion.

"Yes, it is the promised victory that every person seeks in their very hearts," I said mysteriously. "You just have to wait for me to show it to you at the right time."

"…Then I will put my hopes into you," Weiss told me.

"I won't disappoint you," I replied as I reclined back on one of the crates.

Shutting my eyes for a moment, I reviewed my knowledge and plans once more. I knew that we were leaving a bit earlier than expected, but we don't really have the luxury of plot relevance at this point. The current timeline was already unraveling from the original plot itself and I am consistently losing my future plot knowledge. I will lose my initial advantage pretty soon.

But as I cracked one green eye open to see Weiss, I don't really care about that at this point.

Her beautiful smile was all that mattered to me right now.

So we have finally reached the end of the training arc. As we go into our next arc (Haven Arc), I will probably releasing another character interlude for a transition.

I would like to thank my readers for supporting this story (which is about 8 months old by now) as we finally reached the 1000 favorites and 1000 follows mark. Thank you again for your continued support. I know that the story is a bit slow-paced, but I prefer to flesh out some of the details of the characters before getting into the action. And there are still many of you still leery of the idea of having more than one Servant in this story. Understandable, but I will try my best to make it work.

A side note: The new RWBY fanfic is an OC-centric non-crossover story and probably be rated M for certain reasons. It is expected to be a long-term story like this one. More details shall be released later.

Please stay healthy and safe out there. And please support my work as you read inside your homes. Thank you.