Legal Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY or any of the show's characters. They are the rightful properties of Rooster Teeth. The True Runes and any other Suikoden-related lore that pops up in this fic are the rightful properties of Konami.

Chapter Twenty-Seven:

Clover woke to a splitting headache and blurry vision. His left cheek rested on the carpeted floor of what appeared to be a rather nicely decorated bedroom, his hands tied painfully tight behind his back. As his vision began to clear, the Mer shakily lifted his head up to get a better view of his current surroundings. The first thing he saw was a rather large bed taking up the far side of the space. Laying on it, consciousness drifting in and out of his eyes every few seconds, was Jaune.

Unbidden flashes of what happened earlier came to Clover's mind as his head fell back to the floor, his field of vision now limited by his current position. He remembered it in bits and pieces: the attack on his father's workshop in Mantle, and the Grimm being led by none other than...

"Look who's finally awake!" The notorious serial killer Tyrian Callows exclaimed rather gleefully from the left back corner of the bedroom by an ostentatious fireplace, a manic gleam in his golden eyes.

It was the lanky man regarding Clover indifferently from right beside Callows that gave Clover further pause, as Arthur Watts stroked his mustache with his index finger indifferently, "Well, it was a fun gig while it lasted." Watts said, seemingly lamenting his presence.

Tyrian threw his head back and cackled, "Now we get to make some new fun!" He said to Watts, as if already having the time of his life.

"What...is going on?" Clover asked, his mind still annoyingly slow and sluggish due to having just woke up from unconsciousness. He struggled to once more raise his head up from the ground to look fully in their direction, glancing briefly over at the disoriented Jaune, "What are you doing to Jaune?"

Tyrian stepped forward until he was practically standing over the Mer, "Shouldn't that be obvious?" He asked the brunette with a playful tilt of his head, "Our mistress demands powerful True Runes, so it's only fitting that we acquire them for her!" He grinned, "Soon you'll both be guests of the Land of Darkness!"

Clover stared at the dangerous scorpion Faunus for a moment before his teal eyes flicked over to Watts in understanding, "You've been working for Salem all along." He stated the obvious.

Watts inclined his head in acknowledgment of what Clover had just said, "Though sucking up to the Council of Nobles for a time did have its benefits too." He admitted smugly as he stepped forward as well, eyes downcast on Clover as if looking at a particularly fascinating specimen, "I was able to minimize the effects of one of the more problematic True Runes while sowing discord throughout the kingdom unbeknownst to anyone."

Watts knelt down then, one of his hands gripping the back of Clover's head painfully tight, "No one in their right mind will want to inherit the Rune of Punishment, you know. I just suppose that means you'll be stuck with it until the end of your days." He turned to thoughtfully tilt his head in Jaune's direction then, "It's the same with the Sun Rune. No one wants to bear a Rune that is guaranteed to one day drive its host mad."

Understanding dawned in Clover's mind. The reason he and Jaune been taken in particular was because they still had "purpose" as vessels for their True Runes. "But, without the presence of the Dawn and Twilight Runes to temper it—!" He began, desperate to convey the danger they'd taken on for everyone by separating the Sun Rune from its offshoots.

The hand gripping the back of the Mer's head tightened and he found his face shoved back into the carpet, Watts making a "tsk!" sound, "As if we hadn't thought of that." He muttered as if he was talking to an idiot.

Tyrian laughed, "Our goddess has huge plans for a True Rune destined to burn the world to a cinder!" He exclaimed joyously. Of course Salem wouldn't be intimidated by the destructive aspect of the Sun Rune. She'd welcome it, given her goals. "She has plans for both of the Runes, and for you two as well, of course!" The madman continued as Watts finally released his painful grip on Clover's head, "Don't worry, you'll be meeting your new mistress soon!"

That was more than enough reason to worry in Clover's mind. He held back on saying as much then as the door to the bedroom opened. A young woman with dual-colored hair and eyes entered the chamber, roughly shoving a bound Whitley Schnee through the door along with her. Distantly, Clover recognized the half-Mer as Neopolitan from when they'd encountered her and Cinder Fall amidst the bandit encampment in Mistral.

Whitley's wide eyes took in the sight of Clover and Jaune both restrained, freezing in place at the presence of more of their captors. Before Clover could voice if the white-haired boy was all right, however, Watts stood up from towering over the former Ace Op and looked expectantly at the flinching teen before addressing Neopolitan instead, "I take it he wasn't the one then?" He asked resignedly.

Neopolitan shook her head at the question and Watts cursed under his breath as he thoughtfully turned his head towards the fireplace, "Damn," he said, "I'd hoped a Schnee might prove to be the True Water Rune's bearer after our own candidates proved so lacking."

Neo rolled her eyes in an exaggerated fashion and crossed her arms over chest. "Does this mean we no longer have any need of this one?" Tyrian asked gleefully not a second later, a predatory gleam in his yellow eyes as he looked over at Whitley in a considering fashion.

The youngest Schnee flinched, but before Clover or Whitley could vocalize any formal protests to the remark Watts shook his head and calmly stepped between the killer and his intended prey, "Don't be so hasty." He murmured, the fire in the fireplace casting lengthy shadows upon his features, "The boy might just have a purpose yet."

Tyrian sighed exasperatedly and clutched his head in frustration, "I hate having to wait." He said with an exaggerated whine.

Watts turned his back to the Faunus to peer out of a shaded window, "Patience," he said matter-of-factly, "It will all be worth it when Salem arrives."

"That's true." Tyrian replied, his expression brightening at the prospect as his eyes lit up all the more when he saw the dawning looks of horror suffusing their conscious captives' faces then, "Oh yes, Her Grace is personally headed here even as we speak!"

It was several hours following the attack on Pietro's workshop in Mantle, and everyone was still trying to piece together what had happened, even after switching locales to Pietro Polendina's not-as-often-used laboratory in Atlas proper to help calm the still rather shell-shocked doctor and to treat Marrow's injuries. The lab not only currently contained Pietro and Marrow, but Qrow, Robyn, and Winter as well, along with all of the young knights who had traveled to Atlas earlier. The rest of the Ace Ops and Happy Huntresses were back in Mantle, investigating the scene and patrolling for any straggling Grimm within the city limits. Unbeknownst to the Ace Ops, they were also being aided from the shadows by Raven and Tai, who had wanted to stay behind in case anything got overlooked.

To say that things had become even more intense in the twin cities in the wake of the attack was something of an understatement as Ironwood had officially declared martial law during the onset of the search, "Attempting to keep the public under control through excessive force is just going to make things worse in the long run." A pacing Robyn muttered to herself as she contemplated the situation, blond eyebrows furrowing together in consternation while she glared at the floor as if it could somehow provide her with answers.

From where she was standing close by, Winter frowned over at the tan-skinned blonde and attempted to place a consoling hand on her shoulder, "His Majesty is simply trying to do what's best given the current situation, Robyn." She reasoned, although the somewhat hidden doubt in her voice seemed to suggest she didn't quite agree with the king.

"But his 'best' is part of the problem!" Robyn sneered as she tore her shoulder away from Winter's touch. At the brief stricken look that crossed over the other's pale features, Robyn's expression softened considerably as she reached over to tentatively take the other woman's hand in hers, "I'm sorry." She muttered under her breath, not quite meeting Winter's questioning gaze, "I know you must be worried for Whitley and the others."

Winter offered her a brief, understanding smile and squeezed her hand back, "As are you." She replied.

Speaking of Whitley, Qrow glanced towards Ruby and Yang. Standing further away from the two older women, Qrow's two nieces along with Ilia and Blake had formed a protective circle around Weiss. Ilia and Blake's hands were both resting on the young woman's shoulders as she bit her lower lip and stared at the ground worriedly.

"It's going to be okay, Weiss." Ilia told the youngest Schnee daughter gently, her grip tightening a fraction in reassurance.

Yang nodded her head in staunch agreement, "Yeah," she exclaimed, "We'll find your brother and the others in no time flat!"

"And they'll be no worse for wear too." Blake added, casting a grateful look over at Yang for her helpful reassurance attempt.

"That's right!" Ruby said, nodding her head enthusiastically as her silver eyes glanced towards the nervously approaching Penny, "We're going to find all three of them."

Penny and Weiss both gave the encouraging group rather grateful smiles before Ruby and Yang looked at each other with a silent nod, pulling the others into a group hug. The shocked girls quickly smiled softly in response and returned the siblings' comforting embrace. Qrow quickly moved his light red eyes away from the display, not wanting to intrude.

His gaze landed on Maria, who was holding onto Pietro's hand with a tight grip while he busied himself with tidying up some things on a nearby lab table. The elderly woman seemed to catch onto the Elf's regard quickly enough, tilting her head in Qrow's direction not a moment later, "How are you holding up?" She asked him, almost gently.

Qrow let out an exhausted sigh and ran his hands through his graying hair, "Not doing great now that we definitely know that Salem's forces are here," he answered truthfully, knowing the older woman would accept no less, "But I'll be fine once we get Cloves and the others back."

Maria hummed appreciatively, turning to Pietro and squeezing his hand gently, "We all will be once we find them." She said, sounding as self-assured as always.

"I want to help too!" Marrow stated loudly, jumping up from the seat he'd been sitting impatiently in while Oscar had finished dressing his scratches and other relatively light wounds. He jerked a thumb at his chest, tail thumping wildly behind him, "I can track them. I know the captain's scent. And I..." He trailed off as his face darkened with a blush, looking down at the ground almost bashfully before continuing, "I can recognize Jaune's just about anywhere."

Maria raised an amused eyebrow at Marrow's embarrassed admission, though it was Nora who spoke up first as she approached behind the canine Faunus and good naturedly slammed her hand into the small of his back, "Well, what are we waiting for then? Let's save our friends and hopefully get Ironwood to chill out all in one go!" She said cheerily with a huge grin, "With Marrow's Super Jaune Sense and the Dawn and Twilight Runes, I'm sure we'll find them in no time!"

"Super Jaune Sense?" A thoroughly flustered and winded Marrow managed to squeak out.

Ren and Oscar both glanced at one another then before the older of the two sighed and put his hand on Nora's shoulder, "It's a bit more complicated than just that, Nora." He reminded the Winged Horde girl gently, "We haven't even pinpointed their general direction yet to start looking."

Nora's face fell at this reminder, her winged shoulders slumping at the thought that it might take longer to find the others, much less plan a rescue, "But—!"

"The boy is correct."

All at once, the group spun around to face the entrance to the lab where a newcomer's deep voice had just spoken. "Mother…" Weiss began softly at the sight of Willow Schnee standing there, Winter's eyes widening as well. But it was the three people behind Willow that took everyone the most by surprise.

Hazel, one of Salem's most fervent followers, was standing behind Willow, arms crossed over his massive chest after his impromptu declaration. Behind him was a tense-looking young Mer named Emerald and a thoroughly disinterested-looking Mercury, both of whom were usually noted lackeys of Cinder Fall.

Qrow let out a hiss of air as his right hand began to glow while he reached for Harbinger. Emerald further tensed while Mercury lowered his arms at the thinly veiled hostility suddenly being directed at them from practically everyone in the room, though their older compatriot remained unflinching.

Willow stepped forward as though to shield the three soldiers from the Land of Darkness, holding her arms out as she did so, "Hazel approached me first following the attack in Mantle." She informed them, pale blue eyes never leaving the battle-ready motions of those around her, "They're here to help."

"How?" Yang snorted derisively at the notion, her hands clenched into fists.

Mercury scoffed in return, stepping forward slightly, "You want to find your friends, don't you, blondie?" He taunted, "We can take you to them."

Qrow growled, "If this is some kind of trick..." He trailed off, knowing his threat was definitely recognized by Emerald's flinch.

"It isn't." Hazel said, stepping forward past Willow as his eyes narrowed, "I think it's safe to say that no one should want Salem to acquire anymore of the True Runes than she already has."

"Especially since she just wants them to destroy Remnant." Emerald muttered under her breath, averting her red-eyed gaze to the side.

Nora raised an eyebrow incredulously, "How long did it take you guys to figure that one out?" She asked, clearly exasperated.

"That doesn't matter." Hazel stated in an infuriatingly calm voice, "What matters is that we're here offering you a truce of sorts for the time being."

Silence fell over the laboratory as the two groups regarded one another, Hazel's words sinking in, "But you need to make up your mind on whether you want to accept our help sooner rather than later." The muscular man continued, "Salem's on her way to Atlas even as we speak."

Clover was forcibly led from the bedroom that he'd regained consciousness in by a disconcertingly cackling Tyrian, the scorpion Faunus' grip around one of Clover's biceps painfully tight. His poisonous tail pointing tellingly towards Clover's back as the Mer was marched down the hall and into another, smaller room. This one seemed to be a waiting area of sorts, with an assortment of chairs and a couch in the center of the space.

He was shoved roughly from behind until he staggered onto the couch's cushions, his back roughly making contact as Tyrian leered over him as if he'd been given some sort of great prize, "Beyond that Schnee boy, Watts has been generous enough to give me free rein over our guests so long as I don't kill you." He noted, a wide grin on his face, "Though I wouldn't dare do something that would so go against Her Grace's wishes in the first place."

Clover struggled briefly with the restraints painfully pinning his arms in place, though they didn't budge. His mind went back to the sight of the still unresponsive blond he'd seen previously, "What did you do to Jaune then?" He demanded, remembering the rather deep and all too purple gash on the young man's cheek.

"Oh, it wouldn't do for the Sun Rune bearer to be able to use his magic, now would it?" Tyrian practically cooed, his tail's tip touching the side of Clover's face pointedly, "That particular True Rune grants a certain amount of protection from the more lethal properties of my poison. I got the idea from Watts' use of the Grimm Water."

Suddenly the tail was removed from Clover's line of vision, a vial of far too familiar brackish substance suddenly taking its place as the dark-haired Faunus considered him, "Speaking of," he began, leaning forward, "Open wide."

Before Clover could formulate any kind of response or protest, the bottle was shoved between his lips and the Mer nearly gagged as the Grimm Water began trickling down his throat when Tyrian forcibly tilted his head back with his free hand. The other man was practically straddling Clover on the couch now as the last vestiges of the substance drained from the bottle. The Faunus patted the winded Mer's left cheek as he removed the container, muttering gleefully, "You should know how important taking your medicine is."

Clover gagged, tears forming in his teal eyes as Tyrian took in his form as one might a thoroughly entertaining specimen. He absently stroked the scales on Clover's arm with his fingertips, "Mer truly are interesting creatures." He muttered, "It's hard to believe that one was chosen to be the Royal Consort. How positively fascinating! And the Rune of Punishment is quite the impressive True Rune indeed." Tyrian leaned forward then, his breath ghosting over Clover's ear as he blithely added, "I can see why Branwen is so taken with its current bearer."

Clover's eyes widened at the almost sickeningly intimate way that Tyrian mentioned Qrow, his heart thudding loudly in his chest as his shocked reaction caused the madman to grin wider, "Oh, yes! I've been in a competition of sorts with the little birdie for quite some time now." There was a predatory glint in his eyes as Tyrian recalled the lithe Elf, "Soul Eater is also incredibly fascinating!"

"Don't touch him!" The brunette managed to growl out protectively despite his own less than ideal circumstances, though Tyrian's facial features only lit up in amusement at the attempted display of bravado from his captive audience.

"Well now, that wouldn't be very fun, would it?" The madman taunted, leaning forward to mockingly caress the gills on Clover's neck, eyes turning purple for a split second, "Now I have two Cursed Rune Bearers that I can play with." He mused, "And I intend to do just that for as long as my mistress allows it."

Clover's head spun at Tyrian's cryptic words then, and he felt a warmth on his left hand. Glancing down and behind him, he could make out the sigil of the Rune of Punishment glowing faintly against his scales, the True Rune trying to react to its bearers' obvious distress. The act just made his head swim faster, however, and the glow promptly faded with only a sharp stabbing pain in his chest for a moment.

Tyrian took at the scene gleefully, a patronizing smirk gliding over his features at his prey's current helplessness, "My, it's a good thing you've been so diligent in taking your medicine, Captain Ebi." He taunted, his golden eyes lighting up, "It wouldn't do for either of us to turn to ash right now, after all!" He grabbed onto the back of Clover's head just as Watts had done earlier and yanked it up so that Clover was staring directly into his manic eyes then, "Soon, you and everyone else on Remnant will learn how your very fates tie into my goddess' will."

Author's Notes: And I'm back to this story after a bit of a longer break than I'd originally intended. Sorry about that, but hopefully future updates will help to make up for it! :) Thank you for reading, as always! Friendly comments are always appreciated!