Arc IV: Courage Ascending
Chapter 39: Fires of Change
The forest clearing was bathed with radiant moonlight, and a pale hand reached up towards its source. A faint outline of the Triforce appeared upon the back, with his half of Courage staring him in the face. Mocking him. Taunting him.
Reminding him.
Dark Link growled and dropped his arm. Much like the moon, Courage was once whole and his to control. But times were different then. There weren't mechanical horses that drove people down the streets or iron beasts that soared through the skies. It reminded him of the ancient technology his people developed, with some of these wonders perhaps rivalling the Divine Beasts of old.
The world was no longer Hyrule. It seemed the Goddesses buried his home beneath centuries of dirt and erased all mention of the past, but some things withstood the test of time.
Things like him and what he had become.
And while it was slowed down by Malice, recovering his memories was worth it. Especially when he began to remember familiar faces - there was a kindly old man, and a stern, but loving older sister.
Dark Link smiled.
He remembered warmth. Safety. Love. And when he set out from the village, the pure awe and wonder at seeing Hyrule's vast fields, endless forests, scorching deserts and ice-capped mountains. But he could never forget the imposing castle that stood in the centre -
A symbol of their divided kingdom and a reminder of better days. A beacon of false hope.
Dark Link frowned as he walked further into the clearing. Hyrule was not one back then, but two; the kingdom split centuries before he was born, and Hylia's bloodline warred amongst itself for control of the Triforce of Wisdom. And at the border between the two kingdoms was the ruin of old Hyrule Castle, its throne empty and waiting for the rightful Princess to take it.
A Princess that came not from his land, but from whom they called the enemy.
A Princess he came to love as a knight, a Hero and a man.
A Princess who was stolen from him by a returning ancient evil - the same that now gave him unlife and corrupted what sanity he had left.
While the Triforce's glow faded, he was certain that regaining Courage would enable him to resist Ganon's influence again. The skills of the false Hero - one Jaune Arc - were laughable at best, even though the boy's heart reminded him of his own. And while he cursed the Malice which flowed through his veins, the strength it restored made him feel like he was at his prime.
Was this what it felt like to be a Hero again? The power, the greed, the desire was...alluring, inviting, but there was part of him that resisted. It reeked of courage, but by Malice or his own hand, he just couldn't remember what it was. So close, yet so far.
"You, uh, having a phase there, elf boy? Or are you just a sucker for bathing in the moonlight?"
"Merc!" a female voice hissed behind him. "Shut up! What if he hears you?"
"That's kind of the point," Mercury chuckled as he came into view with an arrogant smile on his face, while Emerald was visibly nervous. "I'm not gonna yell from the trees like a chump. I'm gonna get real nice and close so I can show you, Emerald, that you don't need to be afraid."
Emerald crossed her arms and remained a good distance away. Clearly, she knew what was good for her. "You saw him kill Nikos at Beacon, much less helping Cinder with Ozpin beforehand. You really think insulting him is a good idea?"
"I think that whatever magic spell Salem leashed him with means he's a dog with a mask on," he replied, staring Dark Link in the eyes. "An evil, edgy vampire dog. Just what the hell are you, big guy? Can you even understand what I'm saying? And what exactly is Cinder planning to use you for?"
Dark Link remained silent, holding the assassin's gaze without flinching. After a few seconds, Mercury's smirk slowly faded to something harder.
"...look, I'm not scared of you," Mercury whispered. "And while I'm not stupid enough to take Ozpin's killer head-on, I call out true malice when I see it. I know it quite well, thanks to the childhood my father gave me. Trust me, it takes a monster to see another."
Monster?
Something unpleasant bubbled in his heart.
No...that couldn't be. He was chosen by Farore, after all, to wield the sacred blade and seal back the Calamity. It was his destiny.
Dark Link recoiled as something dark and angry recoiled within him, twisting his memories of the Master Sword to that of a broken blade bereft of its darkness-sealing power. Courage wasn't his, and neither was Wisdom in Zelda's hands; instead, Ganon wielded the united Triforce and used it to summon beings of red, blue and green light from the heavens -
Mercury stepped back, and Emerald gasped as the former suddenly spun a roundhouse kick at the side of his head. Dark Link closed the distance and caught his leg rather easily.
His eyes narrowed. The kick was telegraphed, and there was no serious force behind it.
Was it...a test?
"Merc! What the hell are you doing!?"
"Just having a little fun, babe," Mercury smirked back, though beads of sweat dripped from his forehead. Dark Link withdrew the dagger he jammed within the knee joints, and the assassin staggered back with only half a working prosthetic. "Though I guess they didn't revive him with a sense of humour."
"I doubt anyone's going to laugh if you kick them in the face," Emerald groaned with annoyance. One that he easily shared.
"Yeah, well, try stepping on me again and maybe I'll -"
"Aaand we're off," the thief sighed, dragging Mercury away in the direction of their campsite. The latter pouted and prodded his leg, no doubt assessing how long it'll take to fix, and as Dark Link watched them bicker, Emerald sent him one last nervous look before disappearing behind the treeline.
But when he was left alone, Dark Link continued to shake and clench his fists.
The anger was powerful, consuming and not entirely his; for a moment, it wasn't Mercury who spoke to him, but one amongst many kids from his village, calling him all manner of names for the crime of having a Hylian father and Sheikah mother. The Malice knew it, fed on it...and he welcomed it.
"Forgive him. Mercury can be crude at the worst of times."
But he fought past the temptation, jamming the knife into Mercury's metal knee instead of his neck to avoid unnecessary conflict.
Dark Link glanced back to face Cinder, who was walking up to him with a carefully neutral expression. She saw his own and halted several feet away.
"I'll thank you to spare him for now. He and Emerald still have their uses, and I will not have our group tear itself apart over petty differences."
He snorted and turned away, eliciting an audible huff from her.
"That being said, 'group' implies a group effort, and I won't have you trying to stab me in the back," Cinder sneered. She walked into view with her Grimm hand glowing with red, arcane light, though it blinked out a second later.
"I know you hate Salem's binding spell, and believe me, I hate it too. It's extra, unnecessary work when we can accomplish so much more together."
An incredulous expression split his face, while faint amusement flickered from the Malice within. But Cinder remained undeterred, throwing on a tired, yet rather convincing smile.
"We're not friends, and even calling us allies is too generous. I propose...a truce." She offered her Grimm hand. "I'm sure you have your own goals, as do I. If you agree to help me find the Spring Maiden, or at the very least stay out of my way, I give you my word that the golden triangle will be yours once we kill Jaune."
Dark Link blinked.
Cinder maintained her smile, though amber eyes remained sharp as ever.
A light, lonely breeze passed through the clearing.
And she frowned as a quiet, hoarse sound slowly grew in the silence.
"Are you...laughing...?"
It felt rough, almost painful to do so since most of his vocal cords were destroyed when Ganon's sword impaled his neck. But Sheikah blood gifted him with an uncanny ability to hone in on the truth, and he found none in what she promised him.
Dark Link continued laughing, even as she growled and activated the Yiga binding spell to burn him from within, but it was paltry compared to what he endured before. Even drawing the Master Sword was more painful than this.
His laughter subsided when she left him alone, and so did his spiteful smirk. After a few minutes, Dark Link unclenched his fist, and the mark of Courage - wavering erratically between holy gold and malicious red - flickered away.
Unfortunately, Cinder's survival was necessary to find and kill Jaune, so he could reclaim Courage and have a shot at destroying the Malice within.
Truces weren't made with dogs, and only the desperate fell for cheap ploys to gain trust. But he would play the charade for now, scouting ahead for the girl before striking when Cinder least expected it - difficult with someone as clever as her, but not impossible for an assassin like him.
And when she outlived her usefulness, another mad, power-hungry tyrant would fall beneath his sword.
A good Hero always made sure of it.
x==)==
Half a world away, in a forest more tropical than temperate, a door closed and muffled the noise of people arguing and not getting things done.
Anyone else would've been driven crazy, but for Adam Taurus, patience was a skill meticulously cultivated over years of training, experience and pressure. After all, one does not simply walk into Atlas; it requires a fanatical level of precision to organize operations in enemy territory while ensuring the troops survived.
"...but I admit it's tempting to dismiss them now and deal with this migraine. It's bad enough that Sienna went rogue and colluded with cultists, but to see just how far standards have fallen..."
Adam growled and looked over the ocean. While the White Fang had civilian-friendly offices in Kuo Kuana, the headquarters was a fortified compound on the outskirts, near a cliff overlooking the Rodai Sea. Facing it was his office, giving him a perfect view of where his predecessor fell off with a fatal stab wound.
The burden of leadership shifted from Sienna's shoulders onto his own. He was no longer a company commander, but the newly reformed White Fang's newly christened Commandant. As such, he refused the ceremonial garments that were impractical for combat, but as his original clothes were damaged by an absurdly powerful bandit leader in Mistral, he now wore a new black and grey hooded jacket. Tightened atop it was a belt that held a red-hemmed flared cloth and his weapons, while a shirt beneath them tucked into black combat pants and boots.
Most importantly, Adam donned a new mask that was modelled after that of the Mistrali bandit leader. It covered his entire face in the shape of a snake, rather than a bird, but unlike his previous mask, there was a built-in radio and HUD that helped him track targets in combat.
If it worked, it worked. Adam wasn't too fussy about his appearance, only that it allowed him to get the job done.
Which was more than could be said for his generals inside. Even behind closed doors, he could still hear them arguing about the smallest, most negligible details.
"At least their hearts are in the right place. Morale is high, the men here are more experienced than those in Vale, and we have ample supplies for another large scale operation outside Menagerie. The problem is resistance -"
Adam glanced at the city skyline, with many buildings still damaged from the coup several days prior.
"- inside and out. Our grasp remains tenuous at best, with forces in Atlas and Mistral pledging loyalty while those in Vale and Vacuo remain reluctant. And while I'm willing to dirty my hands to attain their loyalty, it'd be optimal to avoid faunus-on-faunus infighting."
He frowned upon remembering how his ascension was marred by chaos throughout Kuo Kuana. While change was usually turbulent, it didn't mean he liked shedding innocent blood or opposing faunus in the process. But Adam believed that his wayward brethren would eventually see the light.
Adam glanced at the patch on his left arm that bore their new wolf-and-snake crest.
"And see the light, they will. It is my duty to liberate every faunus from their human oppressors. Even those who think they're not," he whispered as familiar, painful thoughts of a certain cat faunus came to mind. Those ultra-rare smiles, her love of fish and passion for justice -
His unconscious half-smile fell once more, dragged down by visceral anger.
"...most of all, you. If only I could rip the truth of your motives from you, Blake. A little bit of closure before I burn down everything you thought was worth over the lives of faunus men, women and children -"
Adam raised an eyebrow as the roof tiling behind him creaked ever so slightly.
"- but first, it seems I must deal with someone who thinks they can get the drop on me."
There was another creak, and he subtly angled his right leg back in preparation for drawing his sword.
With a clear shing, Adam whirled around as something heavy leapt off the roof and landed behind him -
And he grunted annoyed as he deflected Tyrian's scorpion tail with the flat of his blade.
"Heeheehee! Very good, Commandant Taurus! Looks like those horns aren't just for show!"
Adam growled as he sheathed his sword. "For a faunus so mistreated by human society, you seem awfully blasé about bonding with fellow victims."
"Victims? Who said I was a victim?" Tyrian replied with a confused face. "I killed, I stole, I kidnapped. I got arrested. I don't know about you, but I think I got my just desserts."
"You know what I mean."
"I do, and...well...how do I put this tactfully?" he remarked, rubbing his chin while the scorpion tail gently swayed back and forth. A sinister grin split his face a second later. "I don't really care. Do you really think I came here to debate morals with a terrorist?"
"You really think I will tolerate blatant disrespect for our cause? For the lives of the brothers and sisters you spit upon -"
Adam drew his sword again with blinding speed as Tyrian charged him, coming right up to his face. He stared unflinchingly at golden eyes, though all Adam saw reflected within was darkness.
"I think you will. Especially when they rely on you to arm and pay them so they can feed their families dinner. And where exactly do you get such resources...? Oh, yes. Through my Goddess!" Tyrian snarled, drawing blood as he held his Aura back and stepped into the blade pressed firmly against his neck.
"It is by my Goddess' grace that we bailed your predecessor out of debt and supplied your forces with prototype Atlesian weaponry when they've been wiping the floor with you on every continent! All for the low, low price of digging a few things out of the dirt." Adam's eye narrowed as the scorpion faunus stepped back, clearing his voice and assuming a less threatening posture.
"Everything I do is for our - my people. I live and die for their liberation."
"Sure, blow up an SDC lumber camp or two and call it a revolution," Tyrian scoffed. "And you people were just along for the ride when we 'liberated' Beacon. But I digress. My Goddess' patience is finite, but she is also merciful. She still believes you can give us what we are rightfully owed."
Adam tensed. "We are still searching for these...temple relics. Sienna's supporters stole them during the chaos."
"She still believes you can give us what we are rightfully owed," Tyrian repeated, a thin, sharp smile breaking out. "I really don't care how you go about doing it - in fact, once you find them, I'd rather you slaughter your way through and get them to me as soon as possible."
"I'm not an indiscriminate murderer like you, Tyrian."
"Then you'll never get anything done," the scorpion faunus sighed. "Half this city hates you, while Atlas threatens Ghira's government with blockades and express shipments of high explosives to your rooftops. War is coming, and if you dilly-dally now, my Goddess won't receive her due."
"Your Goddess won't receive anything if my people are dead!" Adam snapped. "Collateral damage is not mine to cause."
"But you have, haven't you?" Tyrian whispered. "We're more alike than you think, Adam. You enjoy the thrill of slaughtering your foes, then use nonsense like virtue to hide in denial."
Adam clenched his sword harder when Tyrian blinked and his eyes emerged a deep purple. "And you know why I don't care about faunus, Commandant Taurus? Well, did you know that it was a faunus who ratted out my family to the SDC? The worst of people isn't regulated to who has what animal parts, if any. True equality is ensuring all my Goddess' enemies fall before her - the only one capable of showing mercy to a monster."
For the longest time, Adam remained silent, holding Tyrian's unflinching gaze until he broke it by sheathing his sword.
"You are a...troubled individual, Tyrian Callows."
"No. I am a liberated one," he replied with an airy, contented voice. Adam noticed him gently thumbing a broken, faded red medallion with an unfamiliar wavy design. "Human or faunus, all pale in the dark light my Goddess brings. She will have her due through you or another. Time is of the essence, Commandant, and if I am not mistaken, timings are everything, aren't they?"
He watched as Tyrian smiled once more before slowly walking backwards. When the killer turned and disappeared around a bend, Adam sighed and leaned against the railing, feeling his migraine intensify in the humid air.
"Sir?"
Adam glanced to the door, finding Trifa closing it with a quizzical expression. "Is everything alright?"
"I'm fine. Just getting some fresh air."
The spider faunus glanced towards the walkway Tyrian disappeared into and remained unconvinced, but thankfully didn't push the subject. "I see. Anyway, I'm letting you know that everyone's done yelling at each other and have more or less come to a compromise."
He perked up. "Oh? And what have they decided?"
"That we marshal the entirety of our forces and resources across Remnant should Atlas invade. It will be a bitter fight to the death if that happens."
Adam nodded and turned back to face the ocean. Knowing they chose to fight pleased him, and yet...it was troubling. The worry must have shown through as Trifa hesitantly made her way over by the railing.
"Sir...?"
"Would you ever sell your soul or that of your people to free them from human oppression?"
Trifa made a confused, choking sound. "Um...what?"
Adam remained silent.
"...is this about those cultists again? If so, I'd purge every last one of them from our brotherhood. I mean, look how they led Sienna and others astray. But to answer your question, sir...I wouldn't. It'd be like trading one oppressor for another."
"And the only master the faunus must have are themselves."
"Precisely," Trifa confidently replied. "I trust in your ability to make sure that happens, as does everybody inside. We won't run away from our duty, nor get corrupted in pursuit of it."
"Thank you, Trifa. In that case, let us gather our strength," Adam nodded, turning to face her. "Have the Albains talk to the Belladonnas and see if we can renew the pact with Menagerie's civilian government. In the meantime, we must find whatever Sienna dug up so we can stave off the cultists for now. We must consolidate our control before taking decisive action, and it all starts here in Kuo Kuana."
Trifa nodded and headed for the door, though she paused before entering.
"If the Belladonnas don't recognize you as the new White Fang leader, sir?"
Adam's hand fell to his sword, and Trifa nodded with a hardened gaze.
He stretched his neck and looked across the city skyline once more as she went inside. As much as he hated to say it, the reality was as Tyrian said. The coup was only a prelude to war, and whether the Belladonnas would cooperate or not would determine when it would finally break out.
And for the first time since he joined the White Fang, Adam's resolve cracked the slightest bit. He was willing, but not excited to fight his people for control of their destiny. Innocents would be caught in the crossfire, whether it by his actions, the Belladonnas or worse, Tyrian.
The words of whom still echoed in his head, that he enjoyed the thrill and the ruthlessness in accomplishing his goals.
Adam growled, determined to prove him wrong. He was sure that he wouldn't descend that path of madness.
As sure as Blake wouldn't run from him a second time.
x==)==
Even though it was midnight, the Belladonna mansion was abuzz in a whirlwind of activity. Menagerie Guards patrolled the grounds, while officials at makeshift offices worked feverishly to coordinate relief efforts and placate foreign emissaries over the phone.
In the conference room, Ghira, Yuma and Kali were deep in discussion with the Albains regarding the future of Menagerie itself.
Dressed in sweats and a t-shirt, Blake watched the sombre scene play out before heading upstairs with a plate of hot dogs. The second floor was darker and calmer as spare bedrooms were converted to an impromptu, but mostly empty triage ward. Kuo Kuana's main hospital still had capacity, but medical supplies were already being stockpiled as a precaution for an influx of patients.
Eventually, Blake stopped by a door that was somewhat hidden in the shadows. A quick look around revealed no prying eyes, and when no one answered her knock, Blake opened it -
And froze as the tip of a sword tickled her jaw.
Annoyed, Blake held up the plate of fresh hot dogs. "Housekeeping."
"Sorry. Force of habit," Ilia muttered as she let her through. "Even though Sienna's officially dead, I can't afford to let my guard down."
Blake groaned and set the food down on a coffee table. Despite the new occupants, the room remained neatly kept; a holographic TV played the local news, though the volume was low enough that it might as well have been muted. Several chairs with jackets thrown on them were to the side, as well as a fridge and walk-in closet.
All of which surrounded the bed of the deposed White Fang leader. Sienna Khan wore a simple black nightgown and kept a hand above her bandaged wound while looking at, but not really watching TV.
And when she finally glanced over, amber eyes were swirling with emotions. There was plenty of hate and anger for Adam and the world itself, but there was no...drive. No passion. Just a tired and injured tiger that was saved from the brink but without anything left to live for.
"Like what you see?"
Blake realized she was staring and blinked first.
"What?"
"You heard me," Sienna replied, sinking further into her pillows. "Seems like I'm karma's bitch. The one who stole the White Fang from your parents has been defeated and humiliated. Best part is that I still owe them a debt for nursing Ilia and me back to health."
Sienna narrowed her eyes. "Say it. Come on, you know you want to."
"And what would I say, exactly?"
"That your parents told me so. That this is what violence grants us in the end. Isn't this the change you wanted -"
The tiger faunus choked as Blake grabbed a hot dog and stuffed it in her mouth. Despite her glare, Blake held it there until Sienna took a bite and swallowed.
"Was I revived just so I can die by sausage?"
"Keep whining and I might consider it."
"Adam Taurus just had her stabbed and kicked off a cliff!" Ilia snapped. "Give her a break. She deserves it."
"She has one," Blake replied, crossing her arms. Sienna grumbled and began working on the hot dog to not waste food. "No one knows she's alive, there's no more paperwork left to finish -" Sienna hummed - "and we're literally giving her free board and food. But I'm not here to keep kicking her when she's down."
"Hmph. Could've fooled me -"
"My parents are talking with the Albains as we speak. They should be wrapping up soon, but I don't know how long we can keep protecting you."
Sienna's retort died in her throat. Blake watched as both she and Ilia sighed defeatedly.
"So...when are we getting kicked out? Next week? Tomorrow? Tonight"
Blake shook her head. "We won't leave you to fend for yourselves. It's not so much keeping you here until you recover, but...you're alive. In the grand scheme of things, that's got to count for something."
"Are you saying that the ma'am should just out herself?" Ilia snapped. "She's in no shape to fight anytime soon."
"But have you seen what's going on outside and around the world?" Blake replied, pointing to the TV. The news had since switched to footage of docked Atlas warships being loaded with various supplies.
"I don't need to explain what Adam becoming the new leader means. Then you have Atlas preparing their ships for what they're calling 'containment', and mom and dad are still talking with the Albains about some sort of non-aggression pact."
"It's a treaty I signed with your parents so the White Fang and the Menagerie government don't go to war with each other," Sienna whispered. "Whenever there's a new Chief, High Leader or...Commandant, it needs to be renewed to reaffirm our commitment to peace in Menagerie. Let's hope Adam sticks his head out of his ass for once and goes along."
Blake blinked incredulously. "You really think he will?"
"Not at all."
Save for the TV's low volume, the room fell silent at the implication. No one wanted war, but it was clear that diplomacy was on its last legs. But regardless if they wished the opposite, they couldn't be caught lacking when the time came to face the music.
The door creaked open, revealing a bare chested Sun wearing joggers and holding another plate of hot dogs. But as he set them down, Blake only focused on the bandages that crisscrossed his back.
"Whoops. So much for dinner."
"Oh. Yeah, sorry. I thought you were still sleeping. I'd have called you otherwise."
"Nope. Kinda hard to when your back itches like crazy," Sun chuckled, waving her concern off. "I'm fine. It's only annoying when I have to put on new bandages and rub aloe vera on the burns. As if it didn't hurt enough already -"
"I joined the White Fang because I wanted freedom for our people."
They turned to Sienna. "It wasn't nice to grow up in a Mistrali household who treated faunus as animals. But before they could sell me to the SDC, I stowed away on a boat sailing for Menagerie. It was liberating to feel the sand beneath my feet and the wind in my hair without anyone stopping me. Doubly so when I heard about other faunus fighting injustice for us."
"But running this organization isn't cheap, and for the past couple of years, we suffered increasing defeats against Atlas in the field. Remember when I told you how a man paid our debts and rearmed our forces in exchange for looting temples for treasure? Yeah. Poisoned apple."
Blake and Sun traded glances before the latter piped up. "Do you...have what this person wants?"
Sienna nodded to Ilia, who went inside the walk-in closet and emerged with a tactical duffelbag. Throwing it on the coffee table, she fished out a pair of metal boxes with the old White Fang logo.
There was a click and hiss as Ilia unlocked the first one, and a peek inside revealed a black crystal whose grooves literally flowed with faint, orange light, like water. Even looking at it made her feel dread.
"It's some sort of magical artifact."
"Well, yeah. But what does it do?"
Sienna looked uncomfortable. "Let's just say that we had to put down several of our brothers and sisters who touched it and found out the hard way. It made them...not themselves."
Ilia closed the box and put it back before unlocking the second. This time, the lone content appeared to be some sort of tribal mask. Decorated in the face of a pale, young man, blue and red markings were painted on its forehead and cheeks, while white hair flowed freely from the top.
Though she heard Sienna's voice in the background, all noise suddenly became distant. For a moment, Blake felt...entranced. Mesmerized, even, as she stared at its empty eyeholes.
She didn't see the box's dark fabric as her vision swam, and all she felt was pure, unbridled anger, the likes of which she never thought capable of. It somehow knew her deepest fears and desires, then fed her with the promise of revenge. The strength to destroy Adam for his emotional abuse, then Atlas for denying her people their right to justice.
And before anyone could react, her arm snapped out to grab it, and Blake blacked out as their voices called her name.
x==)==
Blake tumbled to the floor, but the sensation and her vision were muted as everything was dark. For what felt like forever, she flew through the void, driven by rage against Adam, the White Fang...even herself, for leaving Yang alone because she was scared to confront her past.
Do you seek the power to change your world?
"...my world?"
It stopped when she saw the light, and with it, the visions. Visions of her parents proud and of a world where faunus were treated as equals. Visions of a rebuilt Beacon, of Sun smiling and happy with his friends -
And her own team together once more. To have Ruby's leadership, Weiss' pride and Yang's forgiveness.
She never wanted anything more.
Then show me that you deserve it.
Blake screamed as her entire body erupted in a cacophony of the worst pain she ever felt. It was like being burned, frozen, drowned and electrocuted all at once, and while she wasn't restrained, the intensity of it all brought her to her knees.
And when she saw those happy dreams begin to float away?
Blake tried to stand and chase it, but the pain was overwhelming and eventually forced her to collapse. Her will was simply too weak to keep her going, much less continue pursuing. Only a truly mad, power-hungry tyrant could ever hope to succeed.
Those that didn't would be consigned to oblivion for eternity.
As her eyes closed, the visions morphed into a giant, green-white flame in the vague shape of a man, who then raised his arm and fired a beam of the same towards her -
x==)==
And Blake gasped as the mask launched itself off her face with Sun and Ilia's help, smashing against and destroying the TV projector.
They were hovering around her, but their voices were muted as her head pounded with the strongest headache she ever felt. But her body wasn't burning or drowning; Blake could breathe again, and the smell of hot dogs never felt so refreshing,
"...lake! Blake! Are you okay?"
"She's fine! Give her room to breathe, Sun!" Ilia snapped, and they both leaned away to give her more air. Groaning, Blake sat up and found them looking back worriedly, while Sienna was rather unsurprised.
"You stupid, stupid girl," the ex-leader began. "What on Remnant possessed you to fuck with things you shouldn't have touched in the first place?"
"The pot calls the kettle black."
Blake steadied her breathing and glanced at the mask, but when she looked at the eyeholes, she felt none of the captivation like before. Only a vague sense of disappointment.
"I...that mask...it felt like it was calling to me. Why didn't you warn me?"
"I was, actually, but you zoned out and grabbed it."
Sun and Ilia traded looks before the former helped her up onto a nearby chair. Ilia then gingerly grabbed the mask and tossed it back into its box, then hid the duffel back in the walk-in closet.
Blake gasped when Sun knelt in front of her with steady eyes. "What did you see?"
Pain and longing.
"...nothing good," she whispered, idly reaching for his arm when Sun went to stand beside her. "W-what happened to me?"
"When you fell, you were so still that you could've been mistaken for being dead," Sienna replied. "But then you started convulsing, and the mask looked like it was...well, they managed to rip it away before it...became your face."
Blake shivered lightly. "Whatever went on between you and this man, and now Adam's White Fang, we have to stop it soon. This is some seriously messed up stuff."
"I know. I paid the price for it too." Sienna sighed. Grunting she swung her legs over the bed and made her way over, shaking her head when Ilia tried to help. "Are you alright, at least?"
"I...no. Physically, maybe, but as long as this mask, Adam and whoever that man is remains loose, our people won't find peace. Do you even remember who he was?"
"He never showed his face or told us his name, but he was tall, somewhat thin and mentioned that he was a doctor."
"Blake looked at her with earnest eyes. "Help us, Sienna. You're the only one that can challenge Adam for control before we could even begin tracing the doctor's whereabouts."
"I know. It's not like I'm in a position to negotiate, and I owe yet another debt to you for saving my life and Ilia's," Sienna grunt as she sat on the bed. "If things break out soon, I can't promise I'll be in shape to fight. But now that self-pity's out of my system...I'll talk to Ghira and Kali and see what I can do."
Sienna sneered. "Regardless, you can bet Adam will have the reckoning of his life, by my hand or another's. Preferably mine though, and perhaps with a knife in the same area his people stabbed me..."
"Y-yeah. Good to hear you're on our side," Sun laughed nervously as her face grew darker with every thought. Blake let him lead her into the hallway as Ilia watched them like a hawk, saying their good nights in the process. Walking in silence, Blake eventually paused before the stairway and turned to face him.
"What's up?"
"Thanks. Not just for saving me from the blast at the outpost, but for ripping that thing off me," Blake whispered, clutching her elbow in a vulnerable gesture. "It's not natural. I don't want to call it haunted, but there's something that lives inside it."
Sun blinked. "Like a ghost?"
"I don't know, and it tried to offer me some sort of power. But as long as we find a way to stop this war from happening so we can seal it and find the people who want these kinds of things, I don't care," she replied, lightly growling. "You asked me what I saw, right? I saw...Beacon rebuilt. My friends reunited and Yang...forgiving me. I even saw you happy with your team."
Blake poked him in the chest. "But my whole body felt like I was burning when I was watching it play out. And if you didn't rip it off me, I don't think I would've woken up. So...thank you."
Sun grimaced sympathetically before gently squeezing her shoulder. "Anytime. That sounds like a Hallow's Eve movie come true, and to be honest, even if that ghost or whatever was telling the truth...I don't think you'd cop out. You said you're done taking shortcuts and running away, right?"
She exhaled and nodded confidently. "Right. There's no easy way to solve any of this."
"And the right way is hard, but you're taking it anyway," Sun replied with a small grin. "You don't need some spooky mask that'll tell you lies. You have your parents and you have...uh, me." He blushed lightly and coughed. "And even Sienna and Ilia now! We're all in this together. You can count on us when you need help."
Sun froze when Blake wrapped him in a light hug, then let go just as quickly.
"Thanks. Just don't forget that I'm here if you need me as well. I...I've got your six. Good night, Sun."
She turned and walked away before he could reply, though a glance back revealed him to be still frozen in place with an awestruck expression. It was almost...adorable. Innocent, even, a look belonging more to a young schoolboy than a battle-hardened huntsman.
It reminded her of how things came full circle; where she began her fight for faunus liberation, they would soon be fighting for the very soul of their people. And while her own may have been found wanting, Blake was certain that those of the faunus would never be broken.
Because when they were pushed, theirs was a spirit that was fierce as any deity.
x==)==
"Afternoon. What can I get you two?"
"Milk tea, please, with extra matcha."
"Uh, do you have Valean Moon?"
"We have both," the bartender replied, grabbing a bottle from the fridge and sliding it to Jaune while taking a minute to prepare Ren's drink. As they waited, Jaune looked out the windows and watched trees in various shades of autumnal colours, making the area feel more like Vale instead of Mistral.
"Cheers."
Jaune blinked and raised his bottle, clinking it against Ren's glass. The sweet, orange-infused beer was a refreshing distraction. "Ah, that's good. You could say that it hits Just...Rite."
The bartender chuckled quietly while Ren groaned. "Are all blondes afflicted with the need to make terrible puns?"
"Nah. I think it's just Yang finally rubbing off on me," Jaune grinned. "Don't worry. Unlike her, it's not chronic. This journey would be full of them otherwise."
Ren sighed in relief as he took another sip. "Then again, it's not like we expected our journey to Mistral to be part hiking, part road trip. I'm more surprised there are fuel stations this far out."
"Well, it's not just for fuel. Since this is also a major route from Mistral to the western ports, it's also a place where huntsmen and weary travellers can rest and stock up for the journey ahead," the bartender added, gesturing to shelves of canned goods and dust vials. "Hence our ability to stay open despite...local activity."
Jaune and Ren shared a frown and looked behind them. Three small armoured trucks in various conditions refuelled at the pumps, while Nora and Yang talked to Demetra Nikos and some of the guards.
Ares stood with Ruby by the railing, fending off her attempts at conversation.
The bartender leaned in. "Especially if you're out here on escort duty. The bandit clans out here know how to get their money's worth."
"Thanks," Jaune nodded, which the bartender returned before moving away to give them some privacy. "Not like we have a choice, anyway."
"Running into Pyrrha's family was certainly unexpected, especially since they took a detour," Ren agreed. "She never really talked about them either, which only makes it more surprising."
Memories of a diner, milkshakes and ice cream came to mind. "Should I tell him? Pyrrha said not to tell anyone else, but..."
But they will learn eventually, yes. It is your call.
"Jaune?"
"Oh, yeah. Sorry," he replied, shaking his head. "Yeah. Pyrrha really didn't see eye-to-eye with them on some things."
Ren narrowed his eyes, but eventually shrugged and let it go. "And not just her, apparently."
The door opened as Ares entered, who sneered at him and headed into the aisles.
"It's not your fault, Jaune. Even Mrs. Nikos said so."
"I know," he sighed. "She more or less hammered it into my head."
And hammer it, she did. Once the shock wore off, Demetra took them aboard her convoy before the bandits could send reinforcements to Shion. During the ride, she revealed that she kept tabs on Pyrrha - and them, by extension - so she could send a warning if her father tried to repatriate her. Ironically, since he was a Mistrali councillor, his station helped as the fear of a diplomatic incident before the Vytal Festival kept him from pressuring Ozpin.
Not like he would've allowed it anyway.
Explaining the circumstances surrounding Pyrrha's death, along with presenting her weapons to her family was a...heavy experience. Demetra refused to accept them until they met her husband, but despite her grief, she was kind, forgiving, and her smiles were genuine. It was clear who Pyrrha took after.
Conversely, Ares tearfully blamed and berated him. Jaune took it silently despite his friends defending him, but when Ares said he didn't deserve her, the rage almost prompted Jaune to take him on right then and there.
After a stiff few days travelling, everyone was emotionally drained.
"...I hope he feels a little better getting that off his chest. Even if he refuses to acknowledge my existence."
"You sure? You look like you're still blaming yourself. Don't let him get to you."
"For the most part, I'm not," Jaune replied as he finished his beer. "Even if it stings, I understand why her brother feels that way. But you know what? That doesn't mean I can't do something else."
A hum. "Something like...?"
Jaune stood and looked out the window, down the dirt road in their direction of travel. "Before we're done at Haven, I want to show Ares that Pyrrha's time with us wasn't for nothing. That her time with me was worth it, and that her legacy will live as long as we keep fighting."
Ren squeezed his shoulder and firmly nodded.
"Thanks for listening, man."
"Anytime. We're a team in life and death, and so we're with you until the end -"
The whole station rattled as a series of explosions and gunfire rumbled from outside.
"R-Ren! Is it an -"
"Ambush!" the ninja yelled, dodging a few collapsing shelves as he burst through the exit. The bartender calmly nodded for him to go - no doubt having seen his fair share of action - and Jaune followed after Ren.
Outside, gunfire strafed overhead while guards scrambled towards the station's perimeter. He saw Ruby running for him, though Jaune squawked when Ares shoved past him and began yelling commands to his troops.
"It's the Branwen Tribe!" she cried out as they dove for cover behind a truck. "They're attacking from the forest!"
"Right! How many did you see?"
"A lot of 'em, Jauney!" Nora yelled as she ran past, firing off a salvo of grenades that lit up the treeline. "And they're coming from all over, not just from the front!"
"So we hold down the fort, then," Jaune replied as he looked around. "Ruby, Nora, get up top and lay down suppressing fire! Ren, Yang, watch the flanks!"
They all yelled an affirmative and dashed out of cover, doubling the noise in the area with return fire. Jaune ran over to join Ares and the guards, fighting off bandits that began to scale the perimeter.
"Ares! How much fuel do the trucks have -"
"You don't command me, Arc! If you wish to help, it'll be on my terms!"
Irritation flashed across Jaune's face - "I - what? I'm not trying to -"
This isn't the time. Deal with the bandits first.
"Right," Jaune growled to Link, though Ares seemingly took that as confirmation. There was a glint of light and Jaune backflipped over a wolf faunus as the latter dropped from above with an axe kick. He blocked a series of jabs with his shield before deflecting the last, then swung and buried his pommel into the man's unarmoured gut. But before he could kick him off the platform, a bronzed shield - similar to Akoúo, but fully circular - flew past and did the job for him.
"Wha - hey!"
Indignant, Jaune turned and watched Ares summon it back in an eerily familiar manner.
"You have her Semblance too...?"
"Of course. I'm her family, after all," Ares sneered, though his face turned to one of pain upon receiving a volley of tracers to the chest. The snipers were then lit up with a fusillade of dust rounds, courtesy of Ruby and the trucks' automated turrets. Up top, Ruby picked off the rest of the snipers while the bartender ferried ammunition from the station. Behind them, Nora lit up the forest with pink explosions while Ren dealt with the few stragglers that survived the onslaught.
But while they were individually more skilled than the average bandit, quantity had quality of its own. Regrouping with Yang near a ramp, more bandits emerged from the treeline while others took cover and fired away. On the opposite side of the station, Ares and some of the guards were already falling back from the surge.
"Hey, what's the plan, Lady Killer?" Yang grunted as she caught a bandit's blade with her metal arm and ripped it in half. "We're not gonna last long if we just stay here!"
"I know! We're gonna need a distraction!"
"And let me guess. We're it, huh?"
"You read my mind," Jaune grunted. "We're taking the fight to them. Everyone, on me!"
Ares called his name, but Jaune ignored it as he vaulted over the railing. Joined by Yang and the rest, they collided with the wave of bandits and rammed their way through. Despite being outnumbered, they forced the bandits to focus on them instead of the convoy, stemming the tide and putting them on the defensive a few minutes later.
Taking a breather, Jaune found his gaze drifting over to Ares and his opponent. It was clear he had a lot to learn; Ares blocked a bandit's greataxe and counter-thrusted, but the axeman grabbed the spear, pulled him forward and punched his face. Disarmed, Ares used his Semblance to pull his spear and the bandit closer, stealing it back and unleashing a series of clumsy thrusts that eventually brought down his opponent.
Jaune! Pay attention!
Aura flared across his ribcage as a beam of yellow light struck him just below the armour. Jaune whirled shield-first to face a new threat, seeing a girl with short, cropped brown hair collide with and lock their blades in a contest of strength.
"Hey, handsome. You must be Jaune Arc."
He frowned. "How do you know my name?"
"Don't worry about it," she smirked. "But the real question is have you seen a girl with white hair around here?"
Jaune choked. "Weiss...?"
The girl's face lit up. "You know the Schnee? Excellent! Do you know which direction she went?"
"Like I'd tell you if I knew!" Jaune growled, feeling warmth flare across his hand. "Who are you? Where's Weiss? What have you done to her!?"
"Think I'd know where if I just asked you the same question?" the bandit girl groaned, grabbing his shield arm to flip him over. She then pinned Jaune down with a sneer. "Name's Vernal, though, so you better remember the name of the one who'll kick your - wah!"
Vernal yelped as Jaune headbutted and flung her off. Retreating a fair distance away, she circled him and fired, scoring occasional hits to his legs but otherwise missing on his shield. Smirking, she threw one gunblade like a boomerang and closed in -
Only to grunt in pain as Jaune reflected it with his shield, sending it back into her forehead. Dark, indigo Aura flared as she charged him head-on; broadsword met gunblade in a fierce and rather dirty battle, but while Vernal landed two or three hits for every one of his, Jaune's blows were stronger and carved larger chunks of Aura.
Eventually, she pushed into his guard, grabbed his collar and tried to knee his groin. Jaune shifted his stance and barely managed to block it, and with a heave, kicked Vernal's gut as hard as possible.
"Brothers above, that's dirty," he panted out loud, his blood riling with anger. It didn't help when Vernal picked herself up and flipped him off.
She seems to prod her enemies before closing in for the kill. Just don't lose your way if you respond in kind.
"You betcha," Jaune replied as he dashed forth. He missed his opening, a Semblance-enhanced jump attack, then blocked against a volley of automatic fire. Vernal closed the distance, kicked the shield aside and backflip-slashed his face. But Jaune timed her landing as he slammed his sword down, letting loose a crescent of green-white energy that blew her away.
Vernal growled and scrambled towards him in a final charge -
Jaune roared back as he dropped his shield and held Crocea Mors with both hands -
And the loud clang of steel-on-steel was accompanied by a painful scream from across the field.
Jaune and Vernal froze in place, unwilling to make a sudden move when they each had their weapons by each other's throats. After a few, long seconds, they jumped back in tandem and turned towards the source of the scream -
"Ren!"
"Boss!"
And he gasped as he saw his fellow team leader sprawled out upon the grass. Nora tended to him while Ruby, Yang, Ares and some of the guards formed a circle. The bandits then backed away from their formation.
But not because they were on the verge of losing. Jaune realized it was to make room for an approaching, red-dressed woman with a distinctive bone-white mask.
Before the bandit leader could speak, Yang unleashed her Semblance in a fiery burst before charging her. The woman drew a long, thin red odachi with blinding speed and sliced down, sending a fiery wave that rammed into Yang while covering her advance. The former managed to block roughly half of her attacks, but it wasn't nearly enough and the blonde brawler was sent tumbling back beside him.
"I expected more from you, daughter."
Grunting, Yang took his offered hand and reloaded her gauntlets. "You don't get to call me that, Raven. Is this how you say hi after nineteen years? By ambushing us for shits and giggles!?"
"You survived, did you not? Against a true huntress, no less. That takes strength," Raven scoffed as she removed her mask. Behind them, Ren staggered to her knees while his arm flickered with pink Aura.
"Gee, thanks, mom. I didn't know you were so generous -"
"I'm not here for you, Yang. But if he has respect for himself, he will show me what he's capable of before I take him."
Jaune gulped as Raven suddenly dashed towards him at a speed that reminded him of Link, colliding with his shield and blowing him across the churned dirt. Aura flared across his left arm, but multiple glints in the sky revealed blades of dust plummeting along his path. One by one, they detonated in a line, and Jaune ran the gauntlet as Raven circled around before rushing him from the flank -
Now!
Raven's sword scraped the rear of his armour as he backflipped in the nick of time. He landed softly and retaliated with a flurry rush, but while he landed one or two hits, Jaune realized she was swift enough to parry most of his strikes.
"Hmph. Not too bad. But your strength pales to me!"
Jaune's dwindling Aura flared as she elbowed his face before carving vertically across armour and abdomen. A final kick blew Jaune away, though he stabbed Crocea Mors into the dirt and dragged to a halt.
With a pounding heart, Raven approaching and the bandits fighting off his friends, Jaune sheathed his blade and let Courage flare to life.
"Surrendering already? Or you think fighting unarmed will give you victory?"
He fell into a boxer's stance but kept his right arm loose. "Like my partner once said, if you think I'm so easy...come and take me."
Raven scoffed and dashed forth once more, but Jaune focused only on Link's words. On how enemies have strengthened their guards against blind frontal attacks and back slices.
Jaune narrowed his eye until he could see the white of her teeth -
Raven sneered as she prepared to uppercut from his right -
And there was a burst of green light as Jaune unsheathed Crocea Mors with a Semblance-enhanced mortal draw. It slashed through Raven's blade into her collarbone, and when Jaune drove it home, unleashed a wave of green-white energy to blow her away.
When the dust settled, Raven snarled and gripped her shoulder as red Aura flickered like crazy. "That. Fucking. Hurt. Now I see why they...whatever. But they won't get the chance because your life. Is. Mine -"
Jaune braced himself as Raven exploded forwards with glowing eyes -
And they snuffed out as she collided with an altogether different opponent - a tall, lanky familiar figure that dropped from above and parried her blow.
"The fuck!?"
"That's enough," Qrow grunted as he held firm and pushed his sister back. "Keep this up and Ozpin will be hunting you down until he's killed again."
Those words had an effect on both of them as Jaune and Raven froze.
"Wait, what?"
"Wait, what?" Raven echoed. "Ozpin's dead! He was killed at Beacon!" It soon gave way to frustration, however. "Unless he's already -"
"- reincarnated, and he's tracking my location as we speak. If you wanna keep fighting, you can bet that your days of hiding will become days of running. You know what he's capable of."
Raven glanced warily between him and Qrow, then behind them to see both sides backing away with their guards up.
Yang and Vernal were in the middle of an aggressive grappling match and hadn't noticed.
"All I'm saying is that we can sort all this bullshit out over a nice cup of tea. Or beer, if you have any."
"I'm not entertaining you just to feed your alcoholism."
"But it's either that or losing this battle, and I know you like to run at the first sign of responsibility," Qrow spat. "We're enough to take you and the tribe on, and Ozpin's waiting to have Lionheart send every huntsman left in Mistral after you. So, what's it going to be, dear sister?"
Jaune waited with bated breath as she held her brother's gaze, but in the end, Raven sheathed her sword first and headed wordlessly into the trees. The Branwen Tribe followed her while Vernal waited at the edge to guide them, and Jaune sent Qrow a grateful nod as the others made their way over.
"U-uncle Qrow! You're here!" Ruby gushed before narrowing her eyes. "Why are you here? Have you been following us the whole time?"
He sighed and ruffled her hair. "Long story, kiddo. But I didn't come too late, did I? Y'all look kinda terrible."
Ren grimaced.
"Just in time, actually. Thanks for that. I was getting my ass handed to me," Jaune replied, then narrowed his eye. "And what was that about Ozpin and reincarnation and sending huntsmen -"
"A bluff, mostly. But hey, you scared the daylights out of Raven when you broke her blade and all that," Qrow grinned, dodging the question as he drank from his flask. It fell as Yang returned covered in dirt and bruises. "But we can save your questions for the reunion party later. For now, we've got a bandit chief to talk to."
"And to answer your question, the trucks are not yet refuelled," Ares reluctantly chimed in. "If you really need to negotiate with this...savage tribe's leader, then we have some time. We shall await your return."
Jaune nodded and turned to the rest of them, all looking worse for wear as they came down from the adrenaline. While they were still fit to fight, they weren't out of the woods quite yet.
With a determined nod from Ruby, Jaune gripped his sword tight and led them into the proverbial heart of the enemy.
- AN -
Hoo. Lots of stuff this chapter, eh? Apologies for the later update time as well, as I tried to upload it earlier before I stepped out, only to give me issues then and there.
But it's up now, and that's what counts. Originally, the plan called for a slower paced focus on Blake and Adam's preparations for civil war, but it felt drier than I liked when I finished the first draft. Since the meat and bones of Jaune's meeting with Pyrrha's family will be focused on later in the Arc, I rewrote the drama to be counterbalanced by some action so as to not drag things out as they all got closer to Mistral.
But I hope you liked the chapter! In the grand scheme of things, it's out earlier than usual since I felt refreshed after the previous one and wanted to keep the ball rolling, but now it's time for a little break. I've been looking at Skyward Sword HD since I never got behind the motion controls with the original, but apparently there's a lot of...unpopular decisions made by Nintendo with regards to it. Is it still worth getting, though?
Anyway, thanks for reading and sticking around so far! As usual, concrit is always welcome and any updates will be on my profile.
Cheers, and until next time!
- Reviews -
MountainBookSage25: Should be truncated for this one at least.
Dragon lord Syed 101: Thanks! Don't worry, it's something I'll be focusing on more as he starts his journey. All the characters are indeed coming on stage, but looking back, yes, I'd have written more Ruby in my chapters. Hindsight is always 20/20.
Guest: Thank you! From an author's perspective, it's been amusing torturing Weiss' patience from dealing with Roman and Neo, but the journey to Mistral lays the foundations of what I have in store for her. Just like for Jaune and his crew. While she may or may not be the next Zelda, by all means, keep betting ;) At least there's more screentime for Blake and Sun this chapter.
Guest: Yup! Everyone's slowly coming together!
Super heavy weapons guy: Oh yes. It'll be more of a focus a couple chapters later, but as for the masks...maybe! We'll see how things go.
Thunder Dragon: It's an interesting suggestion, one that we're actually more or less on the same page on. Regarding the tiers of different gods / spirits in Zelda, my own personal headcanon's quite similar, and while there's more worldbuilding to be done in the story, I'll touching on some things here and there regarding the gods of Zelda and RWBY.
jeremiahkelley93: Thanks!
Ikki: Thanks, I appreciate that. To answer your questions:
1, 2) Maybe! I don't like spoiling specifics, but there'll be characters from across the Zelda franchise and perhaps a few inspired by some that'll appear. Same goes for any spirits or other forces of nature.
3) Yes, though I'm more on modern animes and on a casual level. Off the top of my head, I liked Drifters, Kimi no Na wa, Netflix's Castlevania, the Ghost Stories English dub and recently, Case Study of Vanitas.
4) With the manga, I really liked the two volumes of the OoT ones, though I haven't checked the rest out. We'll see how things go.
Manda's Priest: No worries, but at this point I'm not taking any challenges or fic requests since I'm busy balancing this and other hobbies with work. Hopefully there's someone else in the forums who has a better grasp of this and can take it, but otherwise I'll have to decline. Thanks for taking the time to reach out.
Reader: Oh, I have, and after being blueballed from any BOTW 2 news like the rest of us, I'll take whatever mini teaser I can get.
Ganondorf will come in time, and I have plenty of ideas for not just his soul's release, but Dark Link's usage of Malice and the physical form Ganon will take on. And just like the next Zelda's identity, that's remaining tightly under wraps. But yeah, it's nice visual, eh? Salem's working to release him, but doing so means unleashing the full force of the evil that was sealed for innumerable millennia. I actually revealed the rough time span since then in a previous chapter ;) Rest assured, when he's out there asserting his dominance, Jaune will be ready as the Hero to take him on.
Same for the next Zelda. At the start, none of them were exactly viable or worthy of being the next incarnation, but I'd like for every character to mature over time. Their characters will grow amidst their respective conflicts (eg. Blake and forgiveness, loyalty, morals of seeking justice), and perhaps the chances that one of them may or may not be the next Princess.
Guest: Thanks! Though he's still driven by greed and the need to survive, I wanted to flesh out the backstory that caused him to be like this. While hints and pieces of his and Neo's backstory were littered throughout some previous chapters, the entirety of it will be coming up. I'd also like to see how Oscar - mainly Ozpin - reacts to having them as travelling companions.
But don't worry! Closure for Jaune is one amongst many goals the group has in reaching Mistral, and it ties into the emotional end I have for the Arc's conclusion. I see what you mean about the dragging and I agree with you, but even if I decide to retcon things (which I won't here), I don't want to rush things where they shouldn't be. But hey, lessons learned and hindsight for the future.
- Stats -
Upload Date: July 18 / 2021
Chapter Word Count: 9467
Approximate Page Length (Times New Roman, size 12, single-spaced): 23.8
- Disclaimer -
The Legend of Zelda and RWBY are the respective properties of Nintendo and Rooster Teeth.