Among Liumang's many diverse life experiences, his recently being whisked away to safety through the timely intervention of a gods-damned Teryx could easily be labeled as perhaps the single most novel thing he'd experienced in years. On account of his current employer being associated with the self-fashioned goddess Salem herself, Liumang understood the likelihood that their escape would be aided in some capacity by Grimm, but that didn't detract from the unexpectedness of the situation whatsoever. What's more, the fact that his allies among Hazel and Mercury were uncharacteristically content with being carried around like prey animals by the Teryx's talons coincidentally gave Liumang some much-needed insight into their mysterious master. That insight was that whatever Salem looked like; she must have carried some respect for even her nameless Grimm to inspire such behaviors in her subordinates.
In an impressive variety of ways, Liumang remained unlike them. Unwilling to further enable a Grimm to carry him around by the shoulders any longer than absolutely necessary, Liumang wretched himself free of its grip and climbed his way onto the complacent creature's spiked spine. If Salem wanted to drag him wherever she pleased, she wouldn't be given the satisfaction of knowing he was delivered there like a hapless civilian.
Consequently, this defiant action earned him an abundantly clear view of their skybound surroundings; namely, what laid hidden within the mysterious black clouds that currently presided over Solitas. Liumang then found himself immediately impressed with what he witnessed therein.
That singular Grimm in the epicenter of all those aforementioned clouds ascended beyond all conceivable comparison. Leviathan, Sea Feilong, Nevermore – all gargantuan abominations in their own rights, yet all dwarfed by the whale-like creature that now drifted across the Atlesian skies right beneath the kingdom's collective noses. Insignificant fins acted like crimson wings that kept the creature afloat, hill-sized dust crystals jammed themselves into its gargantuan back, and even one of its innumerable teeth dwarfed the other airborne Grimm that flew around it in terms of size.
Summarized simply, that which Liumang's Teryx approached now was a never-before-seen abomination that could've swallowed any of Lake Matsu's floating islands whole. Liumang noticed a white-and-black speck riding atop its gargantuan head, their details becoming more distinct as his ride neared its presumed destination.
It didn't take his incredible intellect to infer who that individual must've been.
'So, this is the firepower you're working with, huh, Salem…?'
"What is that thing…?" Emerald breathed.
"I don't know," Mercury said warily. "Hazel?"
"Your guess is as good as mine," Hazel intoned. "Salem always implied she had something like this in development, but never even gave the thing a name. Whatever it is… she's probably been preparing that flying skyscraper for action since before anyone here was even born."
"Yet another reason that she proves herself a divinity in the flesh!" Tyrian hollered, kicking his feet energetically in the air. "Do you see it, friends?! This is what separates a lioness from the sheep! This proves that her immeasurable majesty goes beyond mere moral comprehension!"
"It's a damn impressive abomination, she has there!" Liumang shouted down at his allies. His legs tensed in anticipation of the moment they'd reach their destination. "Don't know about you guys, but I can't wait to see what happens next!"
Only another sparse few seconds passed before their quintet's Teryx completed their approach. As Emerald, Mercury, Hazel, and Tyrian were all unceremoniously released from their escorts' talons, Liumang leaped from atop his Grimm's back and landed atop the flying island that they'd been brought to. Upon adjusting his footing to the oddly balloon-like give that the enormous Grimm's flesh possessed, he truly analyzed the woman that stood with her back toward him.
Even with her minions having arrived, her eyes remained exclusively upon her infernal swarm of flying Grimm… and the horizon beyond them.
Salem was unlike any human, faunus, or abomination that he'd ever seen. Although her bleached white hair might've styled like something straight Mistral's ancient nobility might've worn, her skin matching the color immediately denoted the woman status as something beyond mortality. Adorned in a cold-shoulder robe that descended to her ankles and secured itself squarely around her middle fingers with small loops of fabric, three crimson stripes were all that offered Salem's person even a modicum of color. An arctic breeze brushed through her raised collar, and Salem turned her head ever so slightly in recognition of their arrival behind her.
It was then that Liumang caught a glimpse of her eyes. Jet black sclerae contrasted against glowing crimson irises ripped straight from some more horrifying retellings of ominous fairy tales like 'The Grimm Child.' Salem promptly returned her gaze directly forward, seemingly satisfied to ignore her subordinates for a short time longer.
But Liumang wasn't officially another of her subordinates yet.
"So," Liumang started, slowly retrieving a cigar from his breast pocket. "You're the one that's running this operation, huh?"
Hardly audible though it might've been, Salem sighed. Whatever silent vigil she might've been maintaining now officially intruded upon, she turned around fully to regard her assembled allies. Her scrutinizing gaze studied them all silently for equal amounts of time, yet it seemed she didn't see fit to offer Liumang even a passing glance. It was as if his presence there didn't even register in the immortal's mind; or, more annoyingly, that she thought he didn't matter.
Either way, Salem's holier-than-thou attitude almost impressed him.
Almost.
"Emerald," Hazel said. "There isn't any hiding from this."
"R-right! I know," Emerald immediately answered. Hesitantly, she forced herself to stare directly into Salem's unnatural eyes. "Listen, I- I know that we might've failed to defeat Ironwood's cronies, but this mission wasn't a complete loss! We-"
Salem simply raised a hand, and the thief silenced herself. Liumang almost had to keep himself from laughing at the incredible contrast in Emerald's behaviors between hours prior and right now. Where once the Fall Maiden carried herself in a manner befitting one of the underworld's elite, in Salem's presence, she'd been cowed into something more akin to a terrified teenager awaiting her parents' verbal wrath to fall upon her.
In the interim between the gesture and when Salem first spoke, Liumang lit his cigar. If the weight behind the immortal's mere gestures so easily subdued someone as prideful as Emerald, whatever came next would be highly entertaining.
"Emerald. You needn't waste your breath further," Salem stated plainly. "Understand that I didn't rescue my subordinates simply to hear you explain that which I already know transpired."
"You…" Emerald swallowed. "You saw what happened?"
"Easily. An undetected, insignificant Grimm's presence and some slight concentration is all that I require to monitor my subordinates' movements," Salem explained.
Silence reigned for another moment.
"And what does this mean for me, now…?" Emerald asked.
"What does this mean?" Salem echoed. "Dear child, you obviously understand how disappointed I am in your inability to fulfill your own objectives, already. Whittling away precious time that could serve its purpose better elsewhere to scold you would be counterproductive. Despite your mission's failure, my machinations may proceed smoothly, yet. Machinations that don't involve your desire for petty vengeance."
Emerald gasped. "But-"
"Need you another reminder of our agreement?" Salem questioned harshly. "Your freedom to pursue Opal Malachite and Yang Xiao Long was contingent upon the provision of unconditional loyalty. You were provided one opportunity. That opportunity has passed, now."
"Right…" Emerald said softly. "You're right. I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize. Obey." Salem's harsh expression loosened. "And you needn't fret forever. If your compliance assists me sufficiently in fulfilling my goals… then yours would thereby follow suit. Such is the contract Hazel and Tyrian have long since understood serves as the foundation of our alliance."
'Cold-hearted, pragmatic, and manipulative?' Liumang inhaled deeply through his cigar. 'What a wonder it is that Remnant's survived this long with this she-devil around.'
"Agreed. That said…" Hazel's brow furrowed uncomfortably as he stepped forward. "Although I wouldn't question the amount of strength you've brought with you to Solitas, I'm hesitant to say that this assault on Atlas isn't a guaranteed victory. Watts might have drained their military's stamina and resources, stressed Ironwood almost past the breaking point… but his death isn't something I think we can simply ignore."
"Oh? I believe that our situation is quite different from your interpretation," Salem countered calmly. "Watts' most fundamental mission was to merely set the stage for my arrival. Before his demise, he completed that task admirably. His survival would've certainly been beneficial, but this next phase of my plans requires a more… forceful touch than anything he could've offered."
An unexpected chorus of monstrous roars, bellows, and screeches erupted from the Grimm that surrounded them. That simple action served its purpose as a perfectly timed reminder that Salem didn't need finesse to triumph over Ironwood's armies. Not now.
Respectably, Hazel bowed his head. "Understood."
"Good," Salem praised. "Though don't misinterpret my unfaltering focus as a complete disregard for the decades of service that Watts provided our alliance. His loss was immense, but it would be unwise to mourn his death while my objectives remain unfulfilled, yet."
"Then when the time comes that this kingdom lies in ruin, we shall most certainly commemorate his sacrifice!" Tyrian exclaimed eagerly, only to dial down his enthusiasm thereafter. "…should it please you, your grace."
"You weren't kidding about mourning when she says so, huh?" Liumang remarked.
"Quite. Tyrian might be many things, but duplicitous insofar as his dedication and devotion to my grand designs isn't an accurate descriptor, whatsoever," Salem said. Her inflection made the sentence sound more like a statement than an explanation for his behaviors.
"Everyone has something wild lurking inside them," Liumang observed. "Guess he's a little more in-tune with that wild side than most. Makes him entertaining, if nothing else."
"It makes him another indispensable loyalist," Salem corrected. Her attention shifted away from the scorpion-tailed assassin to instead focus squarely on Liumang himself. "And as I recall, our dearest Fall Maiden's first stop after journeying away from my territory was to recruit another ally before her mission began. You are… Liumang Bakuhatsu, correct?"
"In the flesh," Liumang confirmed, smoke emerging from his nostrils as his unoccupied hand placed itself semi-dramatically over his heart. "Consider me satisfied that my reputation reached your ears… wherever your home base happens to be situated."
"Indeed. In some capacity, your reputation preceded your recruitment into this organization rather substantially," Salem explained. "If your intelligence is as impressive as most assume, then you'd easily understand that I have eyes in many places. Constantly monitoring significant national criminals, government agents, and Ozma's elite Huntsmen were operations Watts and I agreed were a tactical necessity."
"Not surprised I qualified for an invitation, then," Liumang noted. "But if you really have been watching me … you'd know what happened to a little upstart city called Marineford, right?"
"Somewhat." Salem crossed her hands thoughtfully overtop her stomach. "Only after Grimm were drawn there en masse did I begin monitoring your activities with considerable scrutiny."
"Wait, what?" Mercury scoffed. "You're telling me that this guy burned down an entire town somehow? Yeah, right."
"Don't underestimate him," Salem cautioned. "The Grimm lured there only eliminated what stragglers Liumang and his liberated allies didn't slaughter themselves. As your father was the single greatest scourge Valean civilization ever knew, Liumang remains among Mistral's most imposing figures. You'd be wise to remember that."
"Yeah, uh…" Mercury stealthily stepped backward; his demeanor somewhat torn between its normal inflammatory nature and cautious respect. "I'll take that under advisement."
Despite himself, Liumang suppressed his satisfied smirk in favor of making another strategic time-buying pull from his cigar. If Salem only began monitoring him during Marineford's fall, that meant his precise origins remained outside her realm of knowledge. Which was good. Salem didn't need to know what precisely preceded his reputation's explosive climb to prominence.
Iridescence's dynamic armored duo was an unexpected exception.
"Regardless…" Salem started.
Offering her newest recruit little more than a courteous nod before promptly turning her attention elsewhere, Liumang sighed softly in annoyance. 'Well, aren't you pretentious?'
"Tyrian?" she continued. "You have something for me, correct?"
"Absolutely!"
Without another word, the infamous psychopath hastily rushed towards his immortal mistress' awaiting form. Tyrian dropped onto his knees, submissively bowing his head upon his arrival, the Relic of Knowledge floating silently above his palms whilst he raised it higher. Salem's stark white fingers methodically securing themselves around its attached loop preceded her accepting the relic, and an indescribable self-satisfaction infected her expression.
Over the unshakable silence that reigned throughout the entire minute that followed, Salem inspected the lamp with the reverence a concept given physical form likely deserved. Even Liumang felt himself become intrigued by the deceptively simple design the mythological divinities of yesteryear had granted it.
"Millenia. Millenia spent ceaselessly warring against that man… and the time's finally arrived that I have acquired a relic," Salem breathed. "What a marvelous job you've performed up until now, Ozma, but… your time is fast-approaching its conclusion. Jinn."
Beyond the boundaries of their assembled alliance, reality itself ceased to function.
Airborne abominations became frozen mid-flight.
Delicate snowflakes slowed down into an unnatural halt.
Violent red lightning abruptly offered its criminal observers an impossible freezeframe.
Remnant in its totality breathed not another breath.
And safely secured within Salem's grasp, the Relic of Knowledge trembled. Its trembles were answered by the immortal removing her ancient digits from around its accompanying loop, and it ascended high. Ephemeral blueish clouds emerged from within, its golden ornamentation turned to chains – altogether assembling into an unmistakably feminine silhouette. That same silhouette eventually acquired the shape of a woman twice Hazel's height that lost little of its attractiveness despite its enormity. Once its aforementioned chains completed their transformation into some ornamentation that served as its 'clothing,' the transformation was complete.
Liumang might've been informed about the fundamentals concerning the four relics and their collective importance previously… but that knowledge didn't prevent him from almost going slack-jawed at the humanoid entity that was currently stretching casually overhead.
'Jinn, huh? This shit's ripped straight outta a fairy tale…'
"Ahh, freedom again…!" Jinn strained. When her stretch concluded, she entirely overlooked both her audience and her nudity to inspect her surroundings. "I see that much has changed since my last manifestation, as well. More than any mortal might expect."
'That's an understatement…'
"Ah! And Salem…" Jinn transitioned into an almost surreally normal lounging pose, one arm supporting her head as she descended to eye-level with the immortal in question. "I recall telling quite the riveting story about you, once upon a time. Should you wish, I could tell it again…"
"I'm afraid that particular tale doesn't need retelling, at this time," Salem dismissed. "I simply summoned you to understand something decidedly mundane in nature – how many questions has Ozma utilized?"
"Is that your question, then…?" Jinn winked. "I jest. I believe an individual such as yourself would know that this knowledge is offered freely; this era, only one question remains within my power to answer."
"Hmph. Whatever Ozma asked previously must not have mattered much, then," Salem inferred.
"That is a matter that remains up for debate," Jinn mentioned. "And as much as I wholeheartedly adore having another chance to breathe, I must ask… would you happen to have a question for me, perchance?"
"No," Salem answered. "There's still time left before I should have need of you."
"Then in that case, my manifestation yields no further purpose." Jinn threw a sidelong glance to the astounded mortals that remained on the sidelines. "Until the time inevitably arrives that I'm summoned with purpose again… farewell."
Moments after Jinn swiftly reduced herself back into the familiarly unfamiliar form of the Relic of Knowledge, reality resumed its normal operations. Snow descended, Grimm soared, lightning flashed, and Remnant's unaware denizens drew breath once again.
If it weren't for their clandestine organization's knowledge of magic's existence, not a single mortal riding atop Salem's gargantuan Grimm wouldn't have questioned their sanity, by now.
"That was the relic?" Emerald uttered. "Wait, how'd you know-"
"How to utilize the relic?" Salem finished as the relic daintily returned into her outstretched palm. "Ozma might've designed a myriad of fairy tales to instill mortality in Remnant's godless masses, but as anyone with a modicum of wisdom understands, even the most farfetched myths and legends contain some measure of truth. Given my immense understanding of the man, my immortal wisdom, and generations of subordinates, unraveling these mysteries throughout the centuries was almost child's play. As we acquire additional relics, I'm sure you'll come to understand what legends Ozpin inspired through his discovering them, first."
"Such genius!" Tyrian praised, briefly backpedaling to smoothly rejoin his undeniably mortal brethren. "I'd have expected nothing less from someone with your perfected splendor!"
Amusedly shaking her head at the scorpion faunus' antics, Salem returned her attention to another admiring inspection of the lamp. "Emerald. Your failure to acquire your revenge, and thereby permanently eliminate many of Ozma's effective combatants from the battlefield, does disappoint me… but this relic? It might've managed to save you from retribution, tonight."
"Wait! That relic wasn't everything we returned with!" Emerald hastily explained, instinctive desperation to escape punishment within her voice. "We learned where Ironwood's been keeping the Winter Maiden this entire time!"
"Information acquired without using the relic? Even better." Salem sighed, satisfied. "Though that information's discovery was simply an example of you performing your duties admirably. A fundamental requirement for anyone operating beneath my leadership."
"I'm assuming that you're the exception, then?" Liumang jabbed. "That reincarnation of your arch-nemesis, Oscar Pine? Actually managing to bring that bastard back with us would've been pretty damn useful, now wouldn't it?"
Hazel's hulking hand instantly latched onto his shoulder. "You're treading on very thin ice here, friend. If you don't want to die painfully, you won't question her-"
"Hazel. Release him," Salem interrupted. Once the man had obeyed, she continued. "Liumang remains a recent addition to our organization. He knows not what is expected of him yet, so this once – since I'm in a somewhat forgiving mood – I shall forget this slight."
"Oh, your grace! Truly, your generosity knows no bounds!" Tyrian applauded, only to abruptly throw an extremely urgent look Liumang's way over his shoulder.
"Hey," Mercury whispered. "Roll with it. You don't want to get on her bad side."
At that, Liumang's brows raised themselves slightly with surprise. Annoyance at the implication his response should intentionally feed further into Salem's ego aside, if Mercury was offering some wisdom to set aside his pride to ensure his survival, that certainly meant something. His reply was thereby delivered in the most firmly neutral manner possible.
"Yeah. Thanks."
Seemingly satisfied with his response, Salem nodded. "Good. Then it would appear that your reputation within my circle remains unstained, for now. And Liumang?"
"Hm?"
"Insofar as my 'failure' to retrieve Ozma is concerned, understand that the Grimm's failure to fulfill their duties at that moment was completely inconsequential, overall," Salem explained simply. "Even if he hadn't weakened himself by willingly sacrificing his magic throughout the millennia, Ozma himself would've been incapable of defending against what's coming."
"And what would that be?" Liumang questioned.
"You will know soon. You will all see my dreams become a reality," Salem stated.
Liumang consciously kept himself from smiling. A substantial part of himself wondered if this was precisely how his cartel's loyalists felt whenever they were near him. If they felt the raw excitement filling the air whenever he spoke, or that their leader was as inescapable a reality as gravity or semblances – all of it. Only now did Liumang finally realize that Salem wasn't merely an immortal entity with some magical tricks up her sleeve.
Salem was a force of nature.
Once their city-sized monstrosity unleashed a deafening, echoing bellow across Solitas, Salem smiled and turned to observe the horizon again. Liumang, Hazel, Emerald, Tyrian, and Mercury all followed her example to better behold the battle that awaited them. At this particular moment, Liumang instinctively understood he was on the right side of history… and that this supposed 'superior' of his had woefully underestimated his cunning. Remnant's nemesis thought that his loyalties had been earned somewhat smoothly, but she didn't understand a certain something about her newest subordinate.
Ultimately, Liumang's loyalties would lie exclusively with himself.
As Opal made another glance down to her activated scroll, she breathed a relieved sigh at the sight of some rather exceptional news contained within its aura-monitoring app. It'd been less than half an hour since Iridescence had returned to Atlas Academy and only five more since they'd approached and entered the elevator that'd readily return them to Ironwood's office. In that time, it seemed that some good fortune finally decided to fall upon them.
"It looks like our auras have regenerated to around eighty percent, now," Opal observed. "I haven't checked anyone else's outside Iridescence, but I'm sure JNPR's are right around the same. Oscar's might be a little lower still, what with his injuries."
"That's good news," Lux noted. "We'll need our strength again soon."
"Right."
Besides the persistent hum that their elevator emitted as it continued ascending, the silence that infected the atmosphere among Iridescence almost became downright unsettling. Opal cautiously released an inaudible sigh to recenter herself and, storing away her scroll, occupied herself with a recollection of the buzz of activity that greeted them upon their return.
Or rather, the complete lack thereof.
Contrary to popular belief, Atlas Academy's internal adherence to constant military decorum and self-control didn't prevent its trainees from acting like normal people, sometimes. Atlas' aspiring military Huntsmen and Huntresses always treated their comrades and superiors both with respect when the situation demanded it, but off-duty, they behaved like people. They laughed, they cried, they argued… whenever Opal had spotted some student walking through the academy without them noticing her presence, they filled the facility with a comforting sense of life.
Now? Now, that almost homely sensation had disappeared without a trace.
The academy's staff and students certainly hadn't. Quite a number of individuals were going about their miscellaneous duties with admirable efficiency, but their faces made it clear that their efforts were distinctly strained. It didn't take a psychoanalyst to understand why the kingdom's best and brightest were incapable of completely hiding their concerns behind the familiar masks that military training had provided them with.
They were afraid. Scared that their lives would be snuffed out in an instant, soon enough.
Opal wouldn't delude herself into thinking that their fears were unfounded, either. Salem's existence being revealed to the kingdom's citizens was the wisest strategic decision that Ironwood could've made amid Mantle's latest failed invasion from the Grimm, but that miraculously inspirational speech of his couldn't maintain its impact forever. Even without knowing the precise details of Salem's capabilities, the reality that the Grimm's leader was headed their way was now sinking in rather heavily among the military's finest fighters. Opal wished she could've provided some comfort.
Told them that everything would be alright.
Told them that they'd live to see another sunrise.
Told them that they'd live to reunite with their families again.
But she didn't exactly want to become a liar, either.
'Come on… focus.'
Unimaginably eager to transition her train of thought away from the immensely dark destination it was racing towards, Opal shifted her priorities. If she couldn't relieve herself of the guilt that came with knowing many of the military personnel she'd passed would be dead before the night was over, then she'd instead take solace in knowing that there were those people that she knew wouldn't disappear on her anytime soon. Namely, her friends.
Certain friends that would imminently reunite with Iridescence again.
In another divine stroke of luck, Opal's attention returned to reality as Iridescence's elevator stopped. An almost comedic ding later and their transportation slowly opened its pristine metal doors, leaving its occupants free to exit at their leisure. Opal exited alongside Lux, Tenebris with Aurora, and although their sluggish journey towards Ironwood's office continued in silence, she at least considered herself grateful for the slight change in scenery. Its familiarity almost returned some fraction of ease into her subconscious.
It wasn't quite enough, though.
"Aurora?" Tenebris whispered.
"Yeah?"
"Should we, you know… tell them?"
"I…" Aurora paused, hugging herself closely. "I really don't know."
"It might be better to get everything thrown out there before the entire kingdom's under attack, though," Tenebris quietly intoned.
"Tenebris makes a good point." Opal stopped, and her teammates followed her example. "Now isn't the time that we should be hiding anything from one other. If there's something you two want to talk about with us…"
Lux nodded. "Iridescence always sticks together. No matter what."
"Yeah, yeah…" Tenebris lazily hooked his arm behind his brother's neck. "That's one thing we can always count on each other for, eh?"
"You weren't fooling anyone with how quiet you two were being," Lux mentioned. "Anyone could tell something's been on your mind ever since we got back. It isn't exactly often that you're this lethargic."
His brother sighed, his arm slipping back down to his side. "There's a reason for that."
"Opal? Do you remember how Liumang Bakuhatsu's history has always been a complete mystery since his cartel first appeared?" Aurora asked.
"Yeah. Why?"
"Because…" Aurora held herself tighter. "Because Liumang told us exactly how his cartel came into existence. About where he came from and… and what turned him into the monster that we fought against today."
"I won't like where this is headed, huh?" Lux asked.
"No," Tenebris said plainly. "Unless you wanna have some nightmares whenever we have another chance to sleep again, we'll keep the details light, but… Liumang isn't like Tyrian, Emerald, Mercury, or even Cinder. He's something worse, I think."
"Same here." Aurora swallowed and glanced between their faunus friends. "Lux. I know Opal probably could fill you in anyway, but… do you remember how some of Professor Oobleck's lessons mentioned a place called Marineford?"
Another nod. "Yeah. On the southern coastline of Anima, shipping industry powerhouse… basically another textbook Mountain Glenn incident with the mystery factor amped up to eleven, considering what happened to their leaders. Never liked those lessons in particular, but… I think I remember the broad strokes. Why?"
"Because Marineford wasn't a naval powerhouse for good reasons," Aurora explained, her voice stained with faint fear. "Marineford was built and maintained from the ground up through slave labor… exclusively faunus labor. Liumang was born into that nightmare."
It was almost like a thousand bricks had crashed down into Opal's shoulders at once. Her stomach churned itself into knots, to the point that she thought she'd hurl if Aurora or Tenebris continued their explanation too quickly. History lessons during her formative years in Mistral had taught her well about the 'tragic horror' contained within Marineford's mysterious collapse, but none of the rumor and intellectual conjecture concerning the city's demise could've prepared her for that news. Atlas might've treated its faunus laborers like they were slaves up until their team's presence changed things for them, but… slavery?
Even the notion that such injustices had persisted in recent history rather than the long-forgotten eras that preceded the Great War felt impossible to believe – but Tenebris and Aurora weren't liars. They were telling her the truth. While Lux fought to overcome his shock at the news, Opal convinced herself to respond for both of them.
"That's insane…" Opal uttered, her feline ears wilting. "Then does that mean…"
"It does," Tenebris confirmed in a whisper. "After his parents were thrown straight to the Beowolves... he singlehandedly started an uprising. One that ended in Marineford being burned to the ground, its leaders impaled, and Liumang acquiring a whip called 'Justice' – a weapon that almost got us both killed, while we were fighting him."
"That doesn't sound like something he would've made up," Lux observed, his furrowed brow betraying his lingering disbelief. "Liumang was behind that slaughter. You never would've guessed he was anything other than another big-time criminal, with how he carried himself. It's a miracle he didn't go insane, there…"
"Are we sure he didn't?" Aurora questioned. "None of us knew him personally before tonight. It's possible that his upbringing did drive him insane, in some ways… and maybe that narcissism of his only came about because of the nightmare he lived through."
"Wouldn't surprise me," Tenebris said. "Isn't it true that people's brains will do pretty much anything if it means they could protect themselves?"
"In situations like his?" Opal replied. "I think him emerging from Marineford as a narcissistic murderer instead of completely detached from reality was the best-case scenario he could've hoped for. Unfortunately for us, that makes him incredibly dangerous, too."
"Just like Emerald," Lux observed. "Emerald isn't insane, she's just… mourning. Turned that depression into power but didn't know how to really focus it."
"Then that's another reason Liumang's terrifying," Aurora added. "If Emerald doesn't know how to refine her emotions into power, then Liumang's basically mastered using his self-obsession into strength. Even when we were throwing everything we had against him… it wasn't enough."
"Which is probably why Liumang said he could kill us whenever he wanted, too," Tenebris realized. "That entire fight, he was toying with us. Even when he said he'd fight with everything he had against us… he could've ended that fight the second he got bored."
"Don't think that way," Lux cautioned. "Even if Liumang's an absolute freak in terms of strength, he isn't invincible. If Iridescence fought him together, he would've been done for, guaranteed; I mean, Emerald couldn't beat Opal and me, and she can use magic."
"Emerald also doesn't sound like she was completely in the right frame of mind, either, but point taken," Aurora admitted.
"Personally, I'm tempted to agree with Lux," Opal opined. "Whenever Salem's forces, and Liumang, reveal themselves… we should just hope that we're together, whenever that fight finally begins. Nothing's killed us yet, whenever we fight as a team."
"Hopefully, whatever's coming next won't make us split up," Tenebris mentioned. "I don't know what General Ironwood's thinking right now, but I don't think he'll want the Atlesian military to suffer more casualties than necessary. That means he probably wouldn't want to sacrifice his top fighters first, right?"
"Right. And hey, guys?" Opal's inquiry drawing their collective eyes to meet hers was all the reaction she needed to continue. "Tonight isn't ending anytime soon. It might feel like there'll never be another time where Salem's forces won't be constantly thrown against us, but… think of whatever battles we fight from this point forward as another step towards peace. Even if Jinn told us Salem can't be killed, that doesn't mean there's no way we can win this war, someday. We've overcome the odds time and again, and tonight's no different. Understand?"
Tenebris smirked, his posture straightening substantially. Aurora released herself from her self-comforting embrace, and the immense tension in her shoulders dissolved. Lux smiled softly and offered his partner an appreciative nod in response. Her team's reactions in their totality made Opal's heart soar higher than she believed possible, given their circumstances.
"Alright, everyone…" Opal offered her fist forward.
"Yeah, I'm not accepting that," Tenebris stated, only to immediately wrap his arms around Opal and Lux, who remained on either side of him. "This is more like it. Who's with me?"
Inspired into action by their intrinsic bond as teammates, Tenebris' offer needed no further elaboration to be accepted. Iridescence's members willingly entered an impromptu group hug that brought them close enough together that their bowed heads almost touched. Even if she couldn't read minds, Opal knew she wasn't the only one that found comfort within the warm embrace of her family's arms. In isolation, an overjoyed tear dripped down her cheek.
"Alright," she whispered. "Then until the bitter end…"
Their hearts and minds linked; Iridescence finished that sentence as one.
"Iridescence forever."
"Oh, so this is what you kids have been doing this entire time. Gotcha."
And just like that, their momentary reprieve apart from reality died a sudden, unceremonious death. Suddenly acutely aware of a certain individual's presence just in front of themselves, Iridescence's members quietly and unanimously released one another from their teammates' collective embrace. While Aurora, Opal, and Lux took additional steps away to recreate space between one another, Tenebris only sighed in exasperation.
"Sometimes, you have the absolute worst timing I have ever seen, Qrow."
"It's a talent," Qrow said smugly. "Sorry if I was interrupting a 'moment,' there."
"Oh no, you just stumbled across our latest team attack naming session," Lux quipped.
"Pfft. If you think you could come up with better names than what Team RWBY's working with, you're dreaming," Qrow countered jokingly.
Much to the eagle-eyed faunus' chagrin, Aurora smiled at Qrow's verbal barb, and Opal fought to prevent herself from doing much the same. It couldn't be said that she was entirely successful at keeping herself from reacting, however.
"You know… he does make a good point, Lux."
"Wait, what!?" Lux exclaimed. "Come on, you're supposed to be on my side, here!"
At that point, nothing could've stopped Opal's laughter from escaping her lips.
Aurora's smile never faltered. "All jokes aside… it's nice seeing you out and about, again. I remember hearing that you were wounded when you fought Tyrian before, right?"
"Yeah, it wasn't exactly an easy fight coordinating with someone I've never fought alongside before, but we managed," Qrow explained. "Though wouldn't you know it, right when we had Tyrian on the brink… my semblance ruined everything. Robyn's aura shattered, Tyrian scored a solid hit on mine, I returned the favor, and the fight was finished. Everyone's loss, there."
"Well, it could've been worse," Aurora reasoned. "Misfortune semblance or not, we wouldn't have made it this far without you. Our chances of winning this war are higher with you around than not – even if that means Tyrian's still out there, somewhere."
Qrow nodded appreciatively. "Thanks. That means a lot, kid."
Wait, you mentioned that Robyn's aura shattered during the fight," Opal observed. "Is she alright? Where is she now?"
"Don't you worry about Robyn, kid, she's fine," Qrow reassured. "Tyrian might've broken her aura, but he didn't land any hits on her afterward. Some bed rest and a brief infirmary visit fixed her up fine. And about your other question? She's returned to Mantle, again. Wants to defend the people from what's coming next."
"That's good," Opal said. "And likely the best thing she could be doing, right now. Gods know the citizens will need every non-military Huntsman and Huntress they can get once Ironwood lifts Atlas into the atmosphere."
"You really think Robyn, the Happy Huntresses, and whoever else they can find will be enough?" Lux questioned. "Even with evacuations still going right now, Mantle won't be anywhere near fully emptied by the time we have to bail."
"Eh. They might have their hands full, but Robyn's resourceful," Tenebris threw in. "If there's anyone with the skills to keep whoever left behind safe, it'd definitely be her."
"Agreed," Qrow added. "None of us have much experience fighting with her, sure, but believe me when I say she isn't a pushover, either. With her good reputation with the people, as long as she's alive, they'll have hope. That's what matters, right now."
"Speaking of hope," Aurora began. "I think Ruby probably gained plenty of that if she heard you didn't die fighting Tyrian, tonight. Honestly, I'm somewhat surprised you aren't with her right now – unless you've already visited her again?"
"I haven't, but they've already been told I'm ready to see some action again," Qrow explained with a lazily dismissive wave. "Besides, Ruby and her team will see me again soon – JNPR left to fetch them when you guys first got back, right?"
"On General Ironwood's orders, yes," Opal confirmed. "They should only be a few minutes behind us, tops. Oscar, too, since they'll also escort him to his apartment to change after a quick visit to the infirmary."
"Fair enough. In that case…" Qrow leaned back against a nearby wall. "It looks like we can sit back and breathe for a little longer before headed inside."
"What's stopping us from entering Ironwood's office now?" Tenebris questioned.
"You're looking at him," Qrow answered. "It isn't anything personal, it's just that I think it's for the better that nobody enters that office until they have to. Trust me, you won't like what you see once you're there."
"Why's that?" Opal asked.
"Because…" Qrow sighed, crossing his arms. "It'll be better if you have your friends around whenever you-know-who decides to show herself. Even now, the view isn't looking good.
An unanticipated wave of uncomfortable coldness washed over Opal's entire being, from her feline ears down to her toes. Just as thoughts of holding herself close encroached upon her mind, she found Lux's warm hand placed gently upon her shoulder. Without the necessity for words being shared between them, Opal expressed her gratitude through a thankful look thrown her boyfriend's way. Some quiet minutes ensued, neither Iridescence nor Qrow moving from their respective spots as they awaited their allies' arrival.
When the elevator doors a short distance behind them opened their doors again, Opal's hand had seemingly wedded itself with her partner's right beneath her notice. Eventually, the newcomers' footsteps drew to a close a short distance behind them. In unison, Iridescence turned to face their brothers and sisters-in-arms once again.
Even still, nobody among them dared open their mouth first. Unresolved tension from their alliance's two strongest teams' last encounter still remained, becoming almost palpable as time stretched from some seconds into uncomfortable minutes.
Yet Opal reminded herself that those Huntresses that stood right before her at this moment were her still friends. Ideological differences aside, this wasn't the time for division. If Ironwood had recalled them into potential service, he likely recognized the weight behind Salem's imminent invasion more than any of them could. Certainly, now wasn't the time to burn bridges further; rather, repairs needed to be made while there was still an opportunity to do so.
It seemed fated that she'd take the initiative, then.
Opal offered a small smile. "…hey, Ruby."
Another second passed before Team RWBY's youthful leader tore her regretful gaze away from the floor. By the time she accomplished that somewhat herculean task, it became clear that all individuals in the hallway had focused themselves on whatever exchange ensued between the two team leaders, next.
"Hey," Ruby responded. "Listen, Opal, I know that when- maybe we should've-"
"Ruby, don't," Opal comforted gently. "We have bigger things to worry about right now. What matters the most is that everybody's ready for whenever Salem invades."
"Yeah," Ruby replied quietly. "That's right. Thanks, Opal."
"It's my pleasure."
"It really is happening, isn't it?" Pyrrha spoke. "Salem's coming, and everything she's brought along with her will be launched against Atlas, soon enough. It seems… surreal."
"Even I wouldn't argue with that," Qrow said. "You know I've been in this fight since before you kids were even born, but… I've never seen Salem in action. Seen her? Sure. That came with my missions scouting around the world for Oz, sometimes. Seen her fight? What she's capable of? Never."
"This doesn't feel like it's gonna end well," Lux muttered.
"You could that say that again," Tenebris remarked.
"But there's always hope," Aurora reminded. "There has to be hope. Right?"
Following that assertion, no small number of silent gestures followed that conveyed their collective agreement with the claim. Her reaction particularly distinct from all others, Ruby relaxed substantially through the encouragement Aurora's words offered. Optimistic blue eyes encountered grateful silver, and just like that, the atmosphere within the hallway drifted just a little bit further away from once-impenetrable gloom.
"I know it might not mean much, but…" Oscar paused, stepping forward with a hand over his heart. "Take it from someone who wasn't involved with any of this until a little while ago when I say that… if I were still a farmhand and knew you guys were fighting for Remnant? That alone probably would've made me feel safe, sleeping at night."
"Looks like more Ozpin's melding into you than we thought, kid," Qrow observed, finally pushing himself away from his leaning position. "Oscar's right, though. Understand that your teams are all stronger than STRQ ever could've been when we were younger. It might seem absurd, but it's true. Defending Mantle tonight, coming back alive with Oscar… I think that's proof enough that you kids surpassed us."
Ruby's innocent eyes widened. "You really mean that?"
"Of course, kiddo. Summer, Tai? They'd be proud if they saw you, tonight." Qrow scanned across the three teams that stood before him. "That goes for everyone. Your folks, even if they aren't around anymore, couldn't be prouder of the Huntsmen and Huntresses you've grown into, these days. I know I am."
"And they'll be even prouder when they see us again, someday," Oscar added.
"Right. I bet they will…" Jaune smiled wistfully. "B-but let's now talk like tonight's the end, because it isn't. It's the start of another battle that's just like every other we've fought, lately."
"Cranked up to eleven, but yeah." Tenebris shrugged. "Good point, man."
"Then let's head inside," Opal suggested. "There's no point in having General Ironwood stare down Salem's forces when they arrive all by himself."
It didn't take long for everyone to heed her aforementioned suggestion, either. In what felt like less than an entire minute, Oscar, Qrow, RWBY, JNPR, and Iridescence all advanced through what little remained of the academy's hallways before they reached Ironwood's vandalized office. Upon their arrival, it appeared as though their time away had allowed the location to seamlessly shift into another unfamiliar state of being. Most apparent among the changes that comprised this unfamiliarity was that the place had been repaired immaculately – though not returned to its former glory. Not exactly.
Where once shattered glass, scrap metal, and fragments of electronics littered his office, now the office's floor space had been cleaned completely. Its walls were comprehensively repaired, and the devices Emerald had destroyed therein had been restored, although peculiarly, Ironwood's untouched furniture was nowhere in sight. Ignoring whatever potential explanations would've explained the oddity, what distinguished itself above all else in the rather barren office were the strips-like devices lining the room's empty window frames.
If not for the breeze that still blew through the room, one wouldn't have been that remiss to assume that the devices were some hard-light generators that provided a barrier between the frigid elements and the Ironwood's office itself. Further inspection yielded the insight that these devices were instead projecting detailed holograms and military correspondence where the general could easily read or otherwise interact with them.
Personally, Opal thought it another astonishing testament to the military's efficiency, that it could so readily turn Emerald's act of terrorism into an opportunity to install devices that'd help its leader better coordinate his forces' defensive efforts. Provided what they were being pitted against, they certainly needed every advantage they could manage.
A temporary twinge of guilt tugged at her heartstrings. If there was anything that could have changed the tides of this battle before it began, it would've been Jinn's insight into the past and present workings of Remnant's inhabitants. Her divine knowledge and Ironwood's tactical mind combined would've almost guaranteed the kingdom's survival.
But they'd failed at securing that advantage whilst fighting for their lives.
Somewhere in the darkest recesses of her psyche, Opal genuinely wondered how many lives would be lost because of that failure? How many brave soldiers would never see their families again? How many children would become orphans, tonight?
'Stop it. There's no use thinking about that, now.'
With some effort, Opal successfully wrenched her consciousness back to the matter at hand, but another glance at what lay beyond her superior sealed her mouth shut before she could've ever hoped to speak. Over Ironwood's shoulders and encompassing the entire horizon beyond Atlas was a skyline straight out of everyone's worst nightmares. Impenetrable black clouds served as harbingers of Salem's climactic debut, red lightning therein making a mockery of nature itself all the while. Nobody needed to proclaim their suspicions about what armies might've laid hidden within that foreboding storm.
Even with the lights inside the room still active, that same all-encompassing airborne omen made the entire office seem substantially dimmer by comparison.
Whatever Ironwood might've been thinking at this time remained an utter mystery. His back remained turned to his allies while both his hands clasped themselves behind him. Whatever burns he'd suffered whilst fighting Watts, it seemed his aura and Atlesian medical technology combined had healed him enough to remove the necessity that he wore a cast, anymore.
Yet, when faced with Salem's invasion, even that triumph felt inconsequential.
Ironwood finally turned around, giving his allies a paper-thin smile whilst the skyline cast him in a disconcerting silhouette. "It's good seeing you all again, safe and sound. I'd like to formally welcome everyone home for however long we have before duty demands we separate, once again. Additionally, know that I'm glad that nobody who recovered Oscar was seriously injured on their recent mission. You fought well."
Another pang of guilt pried Opal's mouth open before she could stop herself. "Sir, the lamp-"
"I know."
"…you do?"
"Oscar informed me via scroll after getting re-equipped in his apartment," Ironwood explained with an understanding nod. "While it would've been incredibly valuable if the relic and Oscar were recovered together, I believe I made it clear previously that I'd like to lose as few lives as possible, at this point. You achieved your critical objective in saving Oscar and didn't die in the process. That's what matters, here."
"Another critical objective of that mission was recovering the lamp," Opal reminded.
"I'm aware," Ironwood stated. "But if forced to choose between this outcome and one where both your team and JNPR had died reclaiming the lamp, I'd choose this scenario every time. The Relic of Knowledge is effectively useless without allies available that could make its acquisition worthwhile. Salem has the lamp, yes… but we still have much ourselves. Our Maiden remains alive. Our relic, secured. Our fleet, rallied. This battle isn't a foregone conclusion."
"You know what James? I think you're actually impressing me right now," Qrow commented. "I would've thought you'd need another talking-down from everyone here to tackle this invasion with a level head."
"Now isn't the time for division," Ironwood asserted. "Tonight, we'll be making decisions that will alter the course of Remnant's history forever. In our decision to abandon Mantle, soon enough, we've already made some such decisions. I… I can't expend more energy fighting my own allies. Not anymore."
"It might not be the decision you wanted to make, at first, but…" Oscar offered an encouraging look Ironwood's way. "I think the choices you've made are the best you could've taken, given the circumstances. I'll follow you."
"Same here, James," Qrow added.
"Iridescence, too," Opal said.
"We won't back down!" Ruby exclaimed.
"And neither will Team JNPR," Jaune asserted.
"That means…" Ironwood paused, searching for words until eventually, he resigned himself to the simplest response he could make. "Thank you. All of you. Now I know it might seem rather morbid, but… I'd like to invite you to join me. There's nothing we can do now but wait and see what Salem's brought with her, tonight."
In light of their reacquired unity, nobody needed convincing to accept the offer.
Jaune, Nora, Ren, and Pyrrha all assembled at the rightmost empty window of the office. Each of the team's members radiated some subdued tension, but they remained ready to face Salem's invasion head-on.
Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Yang took their position at the window frame beside them. Despite the disheartening implications Salem had spoken to her, only their team's leader expressed anything but tension in anticipation of their opposition's arrival. Ruby wasn't smiling, but her silver eyes easily betrayed her commitment to protecting as many innocents as she could.
Even now, she remained the simplest soul imaginable among their alliance.
Qrow, Ironwood, and Oscar sidled up alongside one another at the hologram-filled center of the elaborate interface that filled the windows. Despite their traumas, differences, and abundant dread, they trained their expressions well enough that their faces only revealed thoughtfulness instead of fear. Opal thought it fitting, that the core members of Ozpin's clandestine circle remained so calm and collected, even now.
And finally, Iridescence found their place among the arrangement.
Opal thereby led Aurora, Tenebris, and Lux toward the vacant space immediately to the experienced trio's left. Opal placed an unflinching hand on the frigid window frame and leaned into the breeze to better view the horizon beyond. Lux joined her. Tenebris appeared behind his brother. Aurora placed a hand atop the brawler's shoulder as she came to rest at his side. As a whole, Iridescence stared into the abyssal fog of war Salem had undoubtedly conjured up in accordance with her genocidal schemes.
This was it.
Indeed, death incarnate soon proudly displayed its fangs before them.
As Salem's inscrutable black clouds parted, her army emerged in its totality. Accompanied by a veritable colossus of a whale-like Grimm that defied all classification erupted a hailstorm of other airborne monstrosities, their numbers as innumerable as the stars themselves. Out of all the capable combatants in the room, only Ironwood maintained enough of his composure to keep his eyes from widening at the impending invasion. Thousands upon thousands of airborne Grimm swirled like a cyclonic storm of destructive pitch-black raindrops, but none drifted too far away from the colossal whale Grimm quite yet. They were waiting for their creator's order to strike, and Ironwood had deciphered that much in an instant.
It seemed that Remnant's survival truly did depend on their alliance's actions, tonight. The pressure would've crushed lesser spirits than those in Ironwood's office into dust from the moment they saw Salem's formidable army. As it stood, nobody inside that room dared look away from the imposing invasion for an instant. In that moment, nobody dared to even speak.
But somehow, Opal wholeheartedly believed that their alliance would live until tomorrow. If not through her contributions alone, Iridescence would guarantee that much.
Tonight, their team's tale truly began.
Authors Note: On account of me being inexcusably and inexplicably proud about this finale chapter for ToTI, imma indulge myself and exposit a little bit about all the play-by-plays contained here. Okay? Okay!
First off… yeah no, I'll openly admit my description for Moby, or Charlie, or Whaleman McGillicuddy was somewhat sub-par, but eh. I figured that since we all know what it looks like that going into inordinate amounts of detail describing its bulbous feckin' skull would've been wasteful. What wasn't wasteful (in my opinion) was the interactions that followed. From Emerald becoming an abused puppy to Tyrian being devoted to Jinn's name already being known because screw you RT Salem should be smart enough to know the relic's name… it was a fun time. What made it all the more exciting to write was Liumang being the main POV. While he probably won't make any moves against Salem anytime soon, he's definitely the least stable ally among her circle. Fitting, for someone with such an explosive semblance and overwhelming power. Speaking of…
Yeah, Iridescence's assumption that he really could have decimated Aurora and Tenebris might very well be true. Whether they fight again, when, and the circumstances remain to be seen, of course, but one thing's for certain – Iridescence's unity is nigh-on unshakable, in its present state of being. They've always been on the same note (mostly) since V1 and after Opal came through her V4 funk, but now? Now it means even more to them than ever before, what with total annihilation being a possibility for them and all.
Unlike luck. Because our unlucky Qrow kinda-sorta cucked their emotional moment because of his horrendous timing. Fortunately, Misfortune didn't make anyone fall flat on their face or anything for that final sequence wherein Ironwood has his final few lines for the volume. Wonder what'll happen to him and everyone else once Volume 8 starts?
Wait. Volume 8. AH DAMNIT HERE WE GO AGAIN!
PS: ToTI's gonna go on hiatus so I can review my plans for Volume 8 and witness canon's rendition of Salem's 'super-cool' invasion before making any concrete decisions. I have my framework, just wanna see what canon does too before writing ToTI Volume 8 in all detail. Until then, cheers!
