Here we are at Chapter 119. Time to see how Yang, Jaune, and Ren will take meeting a 'ghost' from their past. I do not own RWBY or Tales of Berseria. They belong to their respective owners. I only own my OCs. Here's chapter 119. Enjoy.


Chapter 119: The Reborn Flame

Within the outpost outside Mantle, Yang, Ren, but most of all Jaune, are still reeling in shock that the mysterious woman in front of them is their former comrade Pyrrha Nikos.

"...Pyrrha?" Jaune barely utters.

"It has been a long time since we've actually spoken to each other. I'm glad to see that you're all still alive," Lailah replies.

Yang is the first to really speak, "Wait, a minute, how do we know you're really Pyrrha? How do we know this isn't some sort of trap?"

Ren gets an idea, "Wait... Tell us something only the real Pyrrha would know?"

Lailah smirks before she giggles a bit, "I did rather enjoy seeing Jaune dancing in a dress at the school dance. He didn't have to, but he said that if I couldn't get a date to the dance, that he'd wear a dress,"

The three are wide-eyed once again, "...No way," Yang comes to terms with the reality of the situation.

Jaune doesn't say anything, but he slowly steps forth and wraps his arms around Lailah, stunning her a little bit even though she looks a little sad.

"I've missed you... For so long... I just... I'm just a little overwhelmed right now. But, I'm so glad you're still alive Pyrrha," Jaune cries.

"...I'm sorry, but I'm not Pyrrha anymore, Jaune," Lailah replies sadly.

Jaune steps back, stunned by her words, "What? But, then how did you-,"

"I was once the woman you knew as Pyrrha Nikos, but then at the Fall of Beacon... I died. However, the being known as Maotelus, who was once Velvet's companion, Laphicet, saw fit to save my soul. He reincarnated me into a being known as a Seraphim, which come from Velvet's old world. I stopped being the woman known as Pyrrha Nikos and became the Seraphim Lailah. Maotelus brought me back because he would need my help in protecting his world. However, he felt the changing of tides between light and darkness here on Remnant, and decided to send me here to offer my aid. At least for a time," Lailah explains.

"Wait, so are you saying, that you're Pyrrha, but at the same time, you're not?" Yang is greatly confused.

"I have Pyrrha's memories, her former emotions, but they are no longer my own. The day Pyrrha Nikos died was the day that Lailah the Seraphim was born. I'm sorry, but while I was once your dear friend Pyrrha, and in a way still am, I am no longer that same person. However, that doesn't change the fact that I want to help all of you," Lailah says and walks before each individual. "As a Seraphim, I can look into people's hearts, to see how they truly are. Ren, I can feel all of your emotions swelling over you like a raging fire. You are worried, but not just for the people of Mantle and Atlas. You are also worried about whether or not you made the right choices. About Oscar, about Jaune and Yang before you... But most of all, about Nora," her words leave Ren struck with silence. "Ren, I am glad to see that you and Nora finally progressed in your relationship. I always had a feeling, you see. But, you must know that she is just as worried about you as you are of her. She cares about you so much, more than anyone else. She worries that she's losing you, not just to the conflicts around you, but the conflicts within you. And she feels that without you, she doesn't even know who SHE is. That she may not be able to help anyone without you by her side. She is afraid of losing you, and herself," Lailah's words cause Ren to hang his head, wide-eyed as he learns about what Nora's really feeling.

Lailah stands in front of Yang, "Yang, you wanted to protect Mantle because you believed it was the right choice. Weiss and Ruby chose a different option. But, that doesn't mean that you made the wrong choice. It doesn't mean that they made the right choice. You are each following you own choices and beliefs. Even if you take different paths, you can still reach the same destination. It was the same for you, Weiss, and Blake, when you all went to Mistral and reunited with Ruby. You're not just a team, you're a family. There will always be times where family does not agree with each other, but it is through getting through those difficult times that makes your bonds stronger. Tell me: why did you want to go to Mistral?"

"I... I wanted to find my sister. To make sure she was safe," Yang replies.

"Yes, and you also wanted to see Weiss, whom you love so much, and see your partner, Blake, again. Yang, the division that was going on between you all is exactly what Salem wants. She wants people to fight against each other because when you are united, you are stronger than anything. Weiss, Blake, Ruby, Velvet; they all love you so much. They believe in you, but you must also believe in them. By achieving your individual goals, you can then achieve that monumental goal of saving both Mantle and Atlas, and stopping Salem. You must never forget, even if they may not be standing beside you physically, they are always standing beside you in here," Lailah points at Yang's heart. "You are the older sister, the best friend, the true love that they all admire and adore. When the time comes, I believe without any shadow of a doubt that you will be there for them, just as they will be there for you," Lailah walks away, while Yang rests a hand on her heart.

Lailah stands in front of Jaune, "Jaune, when we first met, you had so much to learn at being a huntsman, and a leader. But, I am so incredibly proud at how far you've come since Beacon. You have grown so much as a warrior and as a person. You were there for your friends when they needed you most. You helped Ruby on her journey to Haven. You helped Ren and Nora find closure with their past traumas. You learned to see past Oscar's connection with Ozpin, and learned to move forward from the past. You moved far beyond your previous mistakes. But, the one thing I am the proudest about... is that you never stopped being the caring, reliable, goofy, happy Jaune that I met at Beacon. You've matured, which is only natural, but your heart is just as strong as it was then, if not stronger,"

Jaune looks down in sadness, "But... none of that mattered. I couldn't save you. I wasn't strong enough..."

Lailah gently puts a hand on his cheek so he can look at her, "Nothing you could've done would've changed what happened that night. But, you can't be focusing on the past. You must look to the future, as must you all. That day, the only reason I had the courage to stand against Cinder was you, Jaune. You gave me that strength. It's a strength that possess as well. But, you're true strength comes from those around you. A leader knows when to lead and when to listen. To not put the weight of the world on his shoulders alone. You won at Haven, and against the Leviathan at Argus because you worked together. Because you weren't fighting for yourselves. You were fighting for each other, and for the people of Remnant. Just as any true huntsman or huntress would've done," she steps back to look at all of them. "Even in the darkest of times, there is always hope. But, sometimes fear clouds our vision. Sometimes our strength gives out. And yet sometimes when all seems lost, a light shines through the darkness. And we are reminded that even the smallest amount of courage can turn the tides of war... You all must never give up, on the fight against Salem, to save Remnant, but most importantly, you must never give up on yourselves and each other. The day you do so is the day that Salem wins,"

It is almost like they were originally in a dense fog in some dark swamp, only for her words to shine like the sun and light their way through the darkness and the muck, showing them the way home.

Ren sighs, "Jaune... I'm sorry... about what I said earlier. I had no right to say that,"

Jaune places a hand on his shoulder, "Hey, it's okay. You weren't wrong. But, we need to work together here, Ren. Remember what you told me back in Argus... Well, I don't want to lose you too. Or Nora, or anyone else I care about. But, I can't do that alone. I'm gonna need your help. Just like Nora will need our help," his words make Ren nod as a single tear escape his eye.

"You're not the only ones who have made mistakes," Yang gets their attention. "I made a promise a long time ago when I went searching for Ruby. I made a promise to myself that I would be there for her. I pushed her away when she was trying to help. When she was still holding onto hope. And now I went and made the same mistake again. Ruby isn't only doing what she thinks is right. She's not giving up. I gave up because I thought we didn't have a chance anymore. When I saw Salem, saw her army, but... when I found out that it was Salem that... that killed Summer, I was scared. Salem has caused my family so much pain. Making my mother leave me behind, killing Summer, putting my dad and my sister through so much. I was afraid to lose anyone else. But, it's not just her. I'm worried about Weiss. I didn't want her going to Atlas because I didn't want that damn kingdom to take her away from me again. I knew, I knew that her going with Ruby and Penny was the smart move because she knows that kingdom better than anyone in this room. But, I was trying to keep her in a cage, just like her father. It was because of that that she cut ties with him..." Yang lets out her emotions and then clenches her fists. "I will not become like my mother. I will not run, and I will not abandon my family. Not again. NEVER again. When they need me, I'll be there for them. I am done feeling sorry for myself," Yang stands, her determination reignited.

Lailah smiles, "Yes, this is just how I remember you all. Things will get difficult. Things will become even more so in the future. You will suffer, you will fall, but as long as you never give up. As long as you can keep getting back on your feet and keep fighting, I know you will succeed. Salem wants to take away humanity's hope. And that is why she has tried so hard, using others to do her bidding, working in the shadows. Why she has even sent people after Ruby, after Velvet. You must not give up. As long as you keep fighting, there is always a chance, no matter how small,"

The three smile and nod, their fighting spirits back.

Jaune steps closer to her, "Pyr-I'm sorry... Lailah. About what happened... at Beacon. Is there... Is there any chance of us..." he trails off.

Lailah smiles sadly and shakes her head, "Jaune, I am part of your past. But, you must look to the future. I do wish we could've gone further together. But, I cannot remain in Remnant forever. Soon, I must return to Velvet's world to fulfill my role there. Maotelus reincarnated me because I am needed to help protect his world. There is one there that will fight the darkness that will seek to destroy it, and they will need my help to prevent such a tragedy. However, I know the kind of person you are, and I am sure you will find someone that you can love like that... I am also aware of all the mothers of the children you looked out for trying to win your affections. It was quiet amusing," Lailah giggles, while Jaune rubs his head and laughs from embarrassment.

"Okay, with that out of the way, what should we do now? Salem has the lamp and Oscar, and we're still stuck out here. Plus, we don't know if Ruby and Velvet managed to get their mission done or not," Yang asks.

"In regards to Ruby's group, I would not worry about them. Oscar is in great peril, but this will be one of many tests for him. And this test, he must face alone. However, you must have faith in him, and faith that he will return to you. The weather outside is starting to take a turn for the better. Soon enough, you'll be able to leave and return to Mantle," Lailah explains.

"Okay, but what do we do right now exa-," Yang begins before her scroll beeps, as does everyone else's.

They pull their scrolls out and they show the Atlas global broadcast system. A moment later, they see the image of Ruby.

"Okay, go ahead," they hear Velvet's voice from the background.

"...Um, uh. Hi. My name is Ruby Rose. I'm a Huntress. And if we've done everything right, then I'm talking to all of Remnant right now. Dr. Polendina can explain more later, but right now you all need to know that the Kingdom of Atlas is under attack," they watch their pre-recorded message go out.

All over the world, from Mantle, to Mistral, to all the corners of Remnant, their message is getting sent to everyone. All of their friends and allies, from Sun and Neptune in Vacuo, to Ilia and the Belladonnas, to Saphron and her family.

"They're getting the message out... To everyone," Jaune mutters, while Lailah smiles.

"Things are dire, and we need help. But please, try not to panic. This isn't some new enemy or invading Kingdom. This is a force we've faced before, for centuries… Salem. The White Fang, Atlesian drones, even the Grimm themselves have all been controlled and manipulated by her, in order to tear down the Huntsman Academies.

Yang looks out the window, "Ruby did it... Just like she believed she would," as she stares at Atlas.

"I know the idea of the Maidens and Relics seems… well… crazy, but I promise Professor Goodwitch of Beacon and Headmaster Theodore of Shade can verify all of this. They might even be able to help organize a way to fight back. But sadly, General Ironwood can no longer be trusted. But despite that, you must know that we haven't given up hope. Because that is precisely what Salem wants. For us to fight with each other, and lose hope. That's what happened at the Fall of Beacon. It wasn't Atlas that attacked. It was her. She wanted to divide the kingdoms at the Vytal Festival, which was created to bring us together. We didn't have time to prepare for Salem. But now you do! Just because she can't be destroyed, doesn't mean she can't be beaten. We proved that when we stopped her attack at Haven Academy. Salem may be immortal, but she is NOT invincible. She can fail, and she has in the past. When we stand together, united, she can't stop us. And that is what she's afraid of. If she really was unstoppable, she wouldn't have acted with such caution until now,"

Inside the Schnee Manor, Ruby, Velvet, Blake, and Weiss are sitting against Weiss' bed, with Weiss holding a sleeping Nora while Blake plays the broadcast on her scroll, and Ruby leans against Velvet as they watch the message.

"Salem knows we're a threat. That is why she does what she does. She sends her followers into the kingdoms to slowly tear us apart from the inside out, to divide and weaken us. Only then does she make her move. But, now she is out in the open because she knows that won't work anymore. She has a massive Grimm horde here, but still, we will never give up. So even if we- even if Atlas falls, you can't give up,"

Yang actually smiles a little now, "Heh, Ruby always did have a way with words and big speeches. No wonder Ozpin chose her as the team leader,"

Lailah smiles, "I told you. You must have faith in each other, believe in each other. Because that is how you'll defeat Salem. Just as Ruby said right now,"

"I hope Amity Tower will help bring us all together. Because in the end, that's how we'll win-," but then the message stops and they lose the signal.

"We lost the signal. What happened?" Jaune wonders.

However, before his first question can be answered, the ground suddenly rumbles as if an earthquake is about to happen.

"What... was that?" Ren asks.

"Nothing good, I'm afraid. I fear it may be the next stage in Salem's plan to attack Atlas," Lailah says.

The group exit the outpost. Luckily, the weather isn't bad enough where they have to worry about freezing to death now, so they keep moving without worrying about that. They feel another rumble as they run ahead.

"There's another one," Jaune calls out. They keep running until they stop at the edge of what appears to be a river, a river of black ooze. "What... is this stuff?"

Yang takes a step closer, only for a piece of the ground to break off. She steps back and watches the ground fall into the black river, only for the head of a Sabre to take its place before plunging back down. They realize then, to their horror, what they are looking at.

"It's... Grimm. A river of Grimm..." Yang says fearfully, and they look at where it's going.

Lailah nods, "Yes... and it's heading straight for the kingdom," she watches the river heading straight for Mantle and Atlas.


And that's the chapter. Lailah reveals her origins as the former Pyrrha Nikos, and has a heart-to-heart with Yang, Jaune, and Ren to get them back on track. Meanwhile, it seems that their message got out to everyone around Remnant, but will anyone answer the call? And what dangers lurk within the river of Grimm? Until then, please Read and Review.

P.S. That line that begin with "Even in the darkest of times..." I got that from a video game, so I don't own that line. I'll give you guys until the next chapter to see if you can figure out what game that line came from.