[Temporary Note: STOP.]
[If you are a returning reader (started around February 2020 or earlier) who jumped right into this, the newest chapter of my little story, take heed – I went back and revised chapter 6 to add a fair bit of exposition in the last scene. At the very least I recommend you go back and re-read chapter 6 before you continue, otherwise you will miss important information. Personally I would suggest you go back and just re-read the entire thing to refresh your memory on what's happened, as I don't want to bother putting up a summary for such a short fic.]
[If you are a new reader (started at the end of 2020 or later), then disregard this note and carry on.]
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Blake was being drawn forward, ignoring Yang's pleas and forcing the blonde to try and keep up in the painfully dim light. How the child could navigate in the dark with such ease was quite a mystery, as Yang had already smacked her face against a wall on two occasions. One more and she was ready to start punching her way through the rock.
Neither of them bothered trying to stay hidden anymore, as Blake's powerful ears had already confirmed that the caves were mostly empty. Footfalls carried, however, forcing them to continue moving quietly.
Yang never cared for caves, or any sort of underground space – she was more an open-air girl, preferring to sleep under the heavens whenever she could. She and the guys always stayed outside during their missions, and after the attack she had made sure they all were laid to rest on an open hillside with an incredible view of the nearby mountains. It was their favorite kind of spot, after all.
Thinking about them still hurt, but Yang was past the point of blaming the white-haired kid for their deaths. She knew who was really at fault. And she still fully intended to return the favor.
As the pair came to an intersection with another brazier to light it, the small Faunus suddenly jerked and scampered off down one passage, her ears perked straight up. Either she'd heard or seen something, but Yang didn't care which – as long as they found their quarry and got out of these caves quickly, that was all that mattered.
Soon they found themselves before a very dimly-lit prison cell with a single shape inside. Yang wasted no time in destroying the lock on the bars, after which little Blake darted in and began quickly looking over the person within.
Yang's eyes took a bit more time to adjust, but she quickly realized this person was not one of the Rose women; neither of them had the same cat-like ears as Blake had.
A weary voice came from the person, older but with a definite feminine tone, "…Child? …Is it… really… you?"
Blake gave a tiny gasp as she looked closer, then gave the woman a sniff… followed by several minutes of close sniffing… before throwing herself all over the woman with barely-contained cries of joy.
Yang could finally make out some more details – the woman was thin yet still had muscle beneath her rags, her eyes seemed to glow in the faint light, and her hair was just as dark as Blake's. Her Faunus ears appeared to be exactly the same shape as hers, too. Thick chains bound the woman's wrists to the wall.
And between the squeals, Blake was using the word 'Mama' over and over again.
Well this was… unexpected.
"Why have you come here?" the woman said as she locked eyes on Yang, hands busy stroking and calming the child. "I have nothing more to say to that man. If he thinks to lower my defenses by bringing my child to me-"
"We don't work for Lord Neptune," Yang cut in sharply. "We're actually here to bust out a few other people, but… well, we just kinda found you first."
"Other people?" she raised one eyebrow, doubt clear on her face. "Why should I believe you?"
"Mama you have to believe her!" Blake suddenly blurted out from within the woman's lap. "We're looking for Mama Summer and Mama Ruby! We have to save them and Weiss from the Bad Man!"
"Yeah, it's… complicated," Yang sighed as she looked around, finally spotting a set of keys on a ring nearby. She quickly used them to remove the woman's chains and helped her up. "Once we get those two out of here, we still gotta rescue one more… and then I have a face to smash."
"Well… If my child says to trust you, then I shall," the Faunus woman said carefully as she rubbed her wrists. "Thank you for releasing me. I am called Kali."
"Yang."
"I don't know of anyone else down here, but I can follow that man's scent and help you find them. He leaves a musk worse than any man I've ever met. Come… they should not be far."
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Chapter 7:
Resolution
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Weiss blinked as she suddenly found herself outside.
There was no warning; one moment she was watching Lord Nathan sneer in triumph as he showed off the magic he'd stolen from her, the next… sunlight and grass. No one around for miles.
She took a moment to relish the feeling of the sun on her skin, which felt too real to be a dream. A cool breeze blew by as well, stirring her hair and whispering its secrets to no one in particular. She found herself less than concerned about the people she'd no doubt left behind, preferring instead to remain here. This place was peaceful. Quiet.
Dead.
A tingling sensation forced Weiss to turn around, only to find herself staring at a perfect reproduction of the old Mt. Glenn estate. Everything was exactly as she remembered it. All the walkways, all the windows and balconies, all the little details of the home she'd grown up in. Perfect.
She blinked, and suddenly it was all burning.
Walls and doors crumbling to ash, grass and bushes engulfed in crimson flames, smoke obscuring the sky for miles around. It was a scene out of hell. It was a scene she also remembered very well indeed, for it was the last time she ever saw the home she grew up in.
And then she watched as a figure burst through the front entryway of the flaming house. A figure bearing a child in her arms. A figure with long, flowing black hair… like an ebony waterfall.
A figure… with two cat-like ears atop her head.
NOOOO! THAT'S NOT WHAT HAPPENED! !
Another figure suddenly darted forward and used a thin blade to cut down the figure bearing the child, both of whom vanished like a puff of smoke. Weiss felt a pang of loss in her heart. There was an answer there, but it had been pulled away before she could find it.
Don't be fooled! You owe nothing to those animals! Focus, dammit!
Weiss found herself face-to-face with… herself. Another Weiss.
This one did not have the ice-blue eyes of her family, however – the eyes staring back at her were glowing red, not unlike the flames that still raged from the house.
You know I speak the truth!
If it's the truth, then why do you hide it?
Because you are too gullible! That man is putting you under an illusion, trying to trick you. Those animals destroyed your home, killed your family, and destroyed the name of Schnee!
Weiss looked back at the burning home with a remarkable calmness. Even though everything felt real, she was beginning to understand that it was… more like a vivid memory. She knew it was gone, that Mt. Glenn was nothing more than a ruin now, but it was still nice to see it whole one last time.
We have every right to be angry, the red-eyed Weiss continued to insist. Her voice came directly into Weiss' mind, ignoring the physical act of speaking. They've taken everything from us. We need to do the same-
No, we don't.
…What?
It doesn't matter anymore.
How… How could you say that?!
It's in the past, Weiss found herself pleading with her angry double. Let it go. We have to move forward.
NO! You TRAITOR!
Red-Eyed Weiss attacked, swinging her blade with a quick movement. Her eyes blazed with fury. Weiss didn't even bother trying to dodge.
Everything faded to white in the instant the blade made contact, but there was no pain… only a sense of overwhelming peace.
In that case… I'll handle this myself!
… _ … _ … _ …
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Pain
like a knife in her head
splitting her down the middle
…
Pain
her heart and soul
ripped in two
…
Pain
like nothing she'd
ever felt before
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As the pain slowly faded, Weiss' senses began to return. Before anything else, the sound of ringing metal drew her attention. There was also grunting, and a faint aroma of blood.
"I have no… idea how… you're doing this… my snow angel…"
"You've taken what's mine, Vasilius… I will have it back!"
Oddly, the second voice sounded very familiar. As her body finally regained enough strength to move, Weiss lifted herself off the stone floor of the cavern and beheld a bizarre sight.
Lord Nathan Vasilius was fighting with… her. A second Weiss. It was as though the vision from moments before had bled into the real world, the border between dream and reality falling away.
"You need not fight it… ggh… this blade can fell a thousand soldiers…"
"A sword is only as good as the man who wields it. You… are no man."
Weiss could barely make out the fight as she stumbled to her feet, weak and wobbly. She could see her double landing numerous blows with her dagger, cutting the larger man in multiple places, while he struggled to bring his magical sword into the position needed for a proper counterattack. Apparently the blade was less than useful at extreme close range.
They continued their fighting, but Weiss staggered on her feet, falling back to one knee. Her body felt… hollow. Like she wasn't completely there anymore. All her strength from before, all her drive and energy… gone. It was as though her soul had gained a mind of its own and forced itself to separate, with the end result being the double that was currently trying to bleed a Nobleman to death.
Even from a distance she could see the double had the same glowing red eyes from her vision.
If this was her inner self… that would go a long way in explaining why Weiss still felt anger around Blake. She had somehow internalized everything, forcing all her pain and rage down until it could be pushed no longer. Now it was pushing back.
"Gah! You are… becoming an annoyance!"
"I'm just getting started, Blue Balls!"
"Why is… why is the knight refusing to come to my aid?!"
"Because even a ghost can recognize a fool at first sight. You may have summoned him, but that does not mean he owes you his allegiance."
Weiss shook her head to clear it and looked around, finally spotting the spectral figure of the knight – it was standing a few feet away, watching the battle with apparent indifference. It made no move to intervene. Weiss had seen it before, but she'd never taken the time to just… look at it. Other than having a bluish glow, the knight appeared to be wearing a full suit of Atlesian-style armor plate that would not be out of place at the right hand of the King himself. It bore the emblem of the Schnee family on its armor in various places, including the front of the helmet and the hilt of its broad greatsword.
As she looked upon it, the knight slowly turned its head to look back at Weiss. She did not feel a chill, as would be expected, but rather… a sense of the familiar. Somehow, beyond her understanding… she knew this knight.
"I see… … … so that's how it is…"
"Don't even think about it."
"It would seem the spell was incomplete. See how the knight still looks to his old master? She still possess part of the power, even though I wield the blade."
"You have no idea what you're dealing with."
"Legends refer to ancient Faunus magic as 'Blood Magic' …I suppose I'll just have to… spill the rest of hers!"
Everything suddenly happened at once.
Weiss barely registered the image of Lord Nathan, magic sword in hand, suddenly breaking away from his duel and charging right at her with an enraged yell, the tip of the blade aimed dead at her face.
Her double, red eyes even more filled with anger than before, turned to intercept… but would arrive too late. She was a step behind, and that delay would mean Weiss' death.
Voices, dull and echoing all around her, just fading into existence. Many she recognized, a few she didn't.
Lord Nathan's blade coming ever closer, slowly, inch by inch.
Small hands on her shoulders, her neck; Weiss was pulled back by the small hands of a girl with deep red hair and the even smaller hands of a child with cat ears. Where they came from and how they reached her simply didn't matter… they couldn't move her away in time. It was too late.
Movement just behind Lord Nathan – blonde hair flying forward, ready to tackle the man. He couldn't see her, but it was still too late. He would bury his blade in Weiss' skull long before anyone ever reached him.
Closer. Closer.
Ruby and Blake crying out, speaking in slurred noises she couldn't understand. Shouting all around. Meaningless.
Little Blake… suddenly throwing herself in front of Weiss. Protecting her from the attack.
No.
No.
No. Not her.
No!
NOOOOO!
CLANG.
A blade suddenly appeared before them, blocking the older man's sword. A wide blade engulfed in a bluish glow.
Time itself suddenly returned to normal speed as the spectral knight stood between Weiss and certain death. It moved quickly, grabbing the thin blade right out of Lord Nathan's hands and letting loose a savage backhand strike that sent the blue-haired man flying. He hit the back wall of the cave and slumped to the floor, groaning.
By the Goddess… the knight had just acted on its own accord… to save her life.
It stood unmoving as Weiss was suddenly and violently brought back to reality by the sobbing and mewling of little Blake, who didn't even bother trying to form real words for the sheer emotion running out of her. Weiss couldn't help but smile as she embraced the child, stroking her hair to calm her down. They sat there for a moment before Weiss noticed that Ruby was sitting less than a foot away… with a look of pure and utter shock on her face.
"What?"
"I just… I don't… I… what… who… Who are you and what have you done with Weiss?"
"It's a long story."
"And I'm sure we'll all have plenty of time to hear it," Summer Rose suddenly said from Weiss' other side, "…but only after we get back to the surface. I need some fresh air."
"Uh, guys?" Ruby suddenly cut in, pointing towards the middle of the room. "What about… her?"
Everybody looked where she was pointing and found Weiss' double, still standing on her own, watching everyone around her with clear anger and disgust reflected in her red eyes. Weiss' dagger was still in her hands, still red from the blood of the Nobleman she nearly killed. She reminded Weiss of a cornered and scared animal.
Red Eyes looked Weiss dead in the face and growled, "You… you embrace them now? Look at you. Happy. Smiling. And just about to die."
A sudden pain in her chest forced Weiss to gasp for air, clutching her chest. It felt as though her heart was trying too hard to keep beating. Erratic rhythm. Pounding.
"You…" the double wheezed, clutching her own chest in a mirror of Weiss, "You will not… live long enough to… enjoy it."
"Weiss? Weiss?!"
"What's the matter? Are you wounded?"
"We gotta get you out of here, Weiss!"
"Yang can you carry her out?"
"Stop!"
One final word cut through the chatter, bringing everyone to silence. Weiss looked at the speaker, a Faunus woman who bore an uncanny resemblance to Blake, and listened as she spoke with as much authority as her mother used to.
"Heed my words, humans… this is old magic at work. If you wish to save this girl's life, you must do exactly as I say."
No one argued against that. Weiss' chest gave another painful pulse as her vision began to fade.
"Bring the two of them into the circle, over there. Give me her dagger, it should work well enough. There… now you, bring the knight over here. Yes, that's it. Yang, take the blade from him and give it to Weiss. Now… I need to cut them both, as the ritual needs blood. No reaction… we must hurry."
Everything began to fade around her as Weiss slowly, gently, slipped into oblivion.
"It's not… enough… wait, Blake! Come here, I need you! She needs you!"
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She heard nothing.
She smelled nothing.
She felt nothing.
She tasted nothing.
She saw nothing.
But then… all at once… Weiss opened her eyes.
Oddly, she felt fine. All the pain from earlier, all the fatigue, the sense of her body falling apart… all gone. Weiss found strength in her limbs that felt jarringly out of place, but at least it didn't hurt.
She woke up to an odd sight – the older woman, the Faunus, wrapping a bandage around Weiss' hand. Little Blake huddled nearby with a similar bandage on her own hand. Yang, Ruby and Summer all stood nearby watching the goings-on with a sense of reverence.
Weiss' red-eyed double was nowhere to be found.
"That one should not have existed in the first place," the older woman calmly said after Weiss asked what had happened. "I only know a little about the magic in the Schnee bloodline, but I do know it was powerful… and unstable. Many men in your family's history have fallen victim to similar maladies of the mind throughout the years. Whether or not this was a natural effect of the magic, I cannot say."
"Lord Nathan mentioned something about that… he said he 'could not bear the thought that it would drive me to destroy everything I've ever loved.'"
"That is the legend he uncovered about the Schnee lineage. He seemed rather obsessed with it."
"Wait… where is he, anyway?"
"Over here, Miss Schnee."
Weiss sat up to find yet another unexpected sight – Glynda Goodwitch, the Steward of the estate, using a thin wand to hold the older man in the air with… glowing bands of magical light. He was literally floating off the ground. Should've guessed that woman was a mage.
Qrow stood next to them both and grunted at Goodwitch, "You know, you coulda told me you were one of Oz's spies! And working in secret to try and bring this guy down? You scared the living daylights outta me!"
"I could not afford to reveal my true purpose before I was ready to present my case," the blonde woman said with the same irritating calmness as always. "And besides, if not for Miss Schnee here, I would have had to endure another 3 months of this man's impertinence. I owe her much."
Lord Nathan simply sighed from within his bonds.
"In any case," the dark-haired Faunus woman brought Weiss' attention back, "the trouble has passed. If you rest for a few days, you will regain your full strength."
"I… thank you."
Blake suddenly threw herself across Weiss' lap, purring loudly. "Mama saved you, Weiss. Mama saved us all."
"Mama?"
"Yes… I am the child's mother. My name is Kali," she said with a sincere smile. "And you, it seems, have grown up well."
Summer, standing nearby and listening to the conversation, crossed her arms and grinned, "I knew you looked familiar!"
Both Weiss and Blake looked between the two women with some confusion. Did they… know each other?
"Ah, Summer… I did not expect to find you here. Are you taking care of these two? Oh… my apologies, three. I nearly forgot about your own little rose."
Now Ruby joined in on the head shaking. How…?
Summer bent down to the floor, letting her look Weiss in the eye as she said, "Kali was your wet nurse."
"I remember those days like it was yesterday," Kali mused, a faraway look in her gaze.
"And she and I are old friends."
Both Weiss and Ruby took a few moments to pick their jaws up off the floor.
All at once, an image returned to Weiss' mind… the image of a woman with long, ebony hair and two cat-like ears… bearing a young Weiss out of the estate as it burned… black hair that was more familiar now than ever before…
"You… you are the one… who saved me."
"Yes," Kali nodded, a glimmer of sadness in her face as she recalled that day. "I couldn't just leave you, not when those mercenaries were killing everyone else."
"Mercenaries?"
Goodwitch spoke up next, stating, "According to Mr. Vasilius' own records, his father was responsible for the destruction of the estate at Mt. Glenn. Apparently it was connected to this… ritual he obsessed over. He allegedly blamed the Faunus for the attack to throw off suspicion against himself. Anyway, once we sort out the finer details in court then I can give you a more concise explanation, but rest assured… the Faunus had nothing to do with the death of your family."
Nothing to do with the death of your family.
Nothing to do with.
Nothing to do.
Nothing.
She should have felt pure rage at Vasilius, but… nothing.
All her hatred, for all these years… all for nothing.
All the oppression faced by the Faunus… all for nothing.
Nothing.
"Weiss? Are you crying again?"
Blake's small voice suddenly made Weiss realize that she was, indeed, crying. But not out of grief, nor madness as this situation would have warranted… but in purest relief. She no longer had any reason to hold on to her anger. She no longer needed to nurture the bloodlust that always arose around a people she had always considered inferior.
Without saying anything, Weiss gently embraced Blake in a hug. She didn't bother holding back her sobs as she let it all out – all the pain, all the rage, everything she'd built up over a decade of living under the weight of fear and anger. Blake took it all, never flinching away, as she mirrored the same petting motion on Weiss, gently running her fingers through that silky white hair.
They stayed this way for several minutes, ignoring everyone around them.
They didn't say anything else until they got home that night. They didn't have to.
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Some time after everyone had left the caverns, Kali returned alone.
She was tired, as anyone would be who had been kept in a prison cell underground for several years, but the knowledge of her child's kindly fate had given her a new lease on life. She knew she could trust the family that little Blake (a wonderful name, by the way) had gathered around herself.
But there was still something she needed to take care of.
"I know you're still here," she spoke into the darkness.
After a few moments of silence, there came a brief flash of magical blue light… and the Guardian of the Schnee Family appeared before her once again. He walked forward, silent and stoic as ever, before stopping directly in front of her. Kali stood almost a full head shorter than the knight, but she didn't care.
Kali was familiar with the Guardian; as a member of the staff at Mt. Glenn, she had grown close to the family and learned many of their secrets. As such, only Kali knew the truth behind the identity of the knight standing before her.
"I never expected little Weiss to grow up so fast, but once I realized who she was then I knew what you would do… Jacques."
She watched expectantly as the knight gave a slow nod, then gently removed his helmet. Kali found herself staring into the ghostly eyes of a man long dead, given new life by the power of the Schnee blood.
(I should have known you would still be alive, Kali) the ghost spoke with a voice that was not a voice. (You were always a tenacious one.)
"You can blame your wife for that. I learned from the best."
(Goddess help us all if your own child ends up like her mother. I doubt this world could handle two of you.)
"It was clear to me that they both turned out exactly like their father."
(…)
"…"
(Have you told her yet?)
"No. And I have no intention of doing so. Blake has lived happily without that knowledge, and I don't intend to change that now."
(What about Weiss? I sensed the change in her when you preformed that ritual. I suspect that she might like to know… that she has a living sister.)
"All in good time, Jacques. And besides… I still haven't gotten over your death. We barely knew each other… before-"
(That no longer matters, Kali. I have passed on and embraced my new role. It is time for you to do the same.)
"… … …Was there ever anything between us? Or was I just a way for you to escape from your wife for one night?"
(I told you how I felt, Kali… and I stand by my words.)
"I believe you."
Neither of the them spoke again as the ghost of Jacques Schnee gently lifted Kali's face and kissed her, his spectral form solid enough for the task. Kali embraced the man she loved, the man she lost on the same night she made love to him, and finally made peace with their parting.
When she opened her eyes again, Jacques was gone. She was alone in the cave… and in the world.
As Kali slowly made her way outside again, she thought about Willow and the friendship they shared. Had she known? Did she suspect that her husband had been unfaithful? And would Kali be able to face her again when they reunited in the next life?
In time, she decided, Kali would tell Blake and Weiss the truth.
For now, she was content to let them simply be happy together.
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[Later…]
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Blake enjoyed relaxing under the big tree on a sunny day. She liked relaxing with Weiss even more.
They all still lived in Summer's house, but the place had been made much bigger. A bunch of men came by shortly after all the scary stuff happened and built a bunch of new rooms and even fixed up the rooms that already were there. Mama Summer said it was the Governor's reward for doing such a good job. Blake eventually wanted to meet this Governor Man and thank him personally.
Part of the reason they did it was because other people soon moved in – the Crow Man and the yellow-haired lady. Mama Ruby said Blake would probably have to start calling the Crow Man 'Papa,' but not yet… he and Mama Summer were up to something. Adult stuff, Mama Ruby said.
Weiss didn't bother trying to explain anything. All she wanted to do was lay around and relax, but only if Blake was with her.
Blake found herself constantly purring whenever they relaxed together.
She wanted Mama to move in as well, but Mama said no. She said she still had some things to do in the Big City and went to help out the scary Glasses Lady with all her Grown-Up Stuff.
As Blake lay curled up next to Weiss, voices floated into her ears and kept her awake. She didn't know most of the things they were talking about, but she still listened. Maybe they'd say something she could follow.
"Well, kiddo… just got a message from Goodwitch. According to her, Mister Vasilius is no longer a Nobleman. Governor Ozpin stripped him of his title and all rights that accompanied it."
"By the Goddess… how'd he react?"
"She didn't say, but I suspect there was some crying involved."
"From the punishment… or from Yang's punch before we left?"
"Both, I'd say. Man… I'd pay money to watch her let loose for 5 minutes. Even watching her hit him one time was very satisfying."
"What about his shipping company?"
"Handed directly to Goodwitch…"
"Makes sense-"
"…Who handed it directly to me."
"Wait, what?"
"Exactly what I said. Apparently it was 'too much hassle' for that woman. Sheesh… might as well burn all the ships at harbor than let me take ownership."
"Oh, I don't know… you might turn out to have a knack for it."
"Hmm… I highly doubt it… but I suppose it can't hurt to make an effort, can it?"
"Especially if you plan to become a family man."
"… … …I hate that I have no comeback for that."
"You're welcome."
"Qrow? Weiss? Dinner's ready! Yang made us a stew… her own recipe."
"As long as there's no eggplant in it, then we're fine."
"…Do I even wanna know?"
"No. You don't."
"Fair enough."
Blake followed everyone inside where Yang the Blonde Lady proudly served her own stew, and she and Mama Summer and Mama Ruby and the Crow Man and Blake and Weiss all ate together.
Maybe someday Mama would join them, and then Blake would be surrounded by everyone who loved her and everyone she loved. And really… that was all that mattered.
That… and sharing a bed with Weiss. How did she ever sleep without someone to snuggle?
:3
…
… ~fin~…
…
Author's Note: That's another one down. Finally.
I'm currently trying to wrap up a few of my overdue stories before plunging headfirst back into Paradigm of the Rose, my multiverse epic, and next on the list is Scarlet Night White Moon; that's my Summer X Raven story, for those who don't know.
Anywho, I enjoyed writing this one for the most part – though it needed quite a few more revisions than my other work to reach a satisfactory level (and I'm probably still not done). I know some of you were a bit disappointed in the beginning that I teased a Monochrome story without delivering, but I think it turned out okay (and I'll write a proper Monochrome fic later on to make up for it). And besides… smol Blake is best Blake. :3
Oh, and this is the actual end of the story – the next chapter is just a bonus that has nothing to do with RWBY or Heart of Ice in any way. You won't miss anything if you decide to skip it.
^u^