Blake POV
I was able to finally arrived at Mistral. I was able to bring a lot of help from Menagerie, all of them lead by my father. He asked my mother to contact the authority first so they could back us up because most of our help were civilians, that even when they are Faunus and can be stronger than the average person, they are not trained for battle. I was hoping that the White Fang could see that their own family is trying to stop them, so they can snap out.
Ilia went ahead of us so she can try to deactivate the bombs they were planning to use in the tower. So, we were waiting for her signal to can get into action. I was getting nervous as we didn't hear any news from my mom, so I did not know if the authorities believed her. Then Ilia came back.
- What happened? Could you deactivate them?
- Somebody else did it. It seems that there is a group that is fighting against the white fang already.
- Did they find us?
- No, is not from us. It's just a group of 5, I am not sure if they are Huntsman. Maybe they are just mercenaries, but they are beating the white fang.
- With only five?
- Well, four, one of them is the one that took the bombs out before they could activate them. What should we do?
- Well, even if they are that strong, they won't be able to finish. everyone, so I will go there and stop those who want to escape.
Sun left and went to the battlefield, I saw my dad and he gave me his ok, so I went behind Sun and Ilia was beside me. When we catch up with Sun, we were surprised by the sound of an explosion. I thought that maybe we were too late.
- That can't be! I saw that girl taking the bombs away.
- Maybe they have more.
- No. We are too late.
- I am sorry. It is my fault (Ilia)
- Is not time to cry. We can at least stop them so the authorities can take them.
Sun gives us courage, and we kept running. I climbed the building that was closer to the plaza in front of the communication tower. I was able to see it, the communication tower was still standing, it seems that the explosion came from the building next to it. I could see that the place was full of the rubbles of the destroyed building, some smoke was still around the area, and almost everyone was on the floor. I saw Ruby on the ground, Jaune was next to her, then I saw Yang and behind her was Adam.
- THIS ISN'T OVER YET
Adam screamed, but at this moment, he was the only one left from the White Fang, the other members seem to be already down, Weiss looked to be responsible for most of them. So, I scream back so everyone can notice that we have arrived to help them. I said: "It is over. Adam". But instead of made his willingness to fight to go away, he went crazy and charged against Yang, who was giving him her back on him. I felt powerless as she was too far from me to reach out and save her; it was going to happen the same as in Beacon Academy. But then she turned to her back and punched him and sent him to fly.
After that, I got frozen. A sword was passing through Adam's body from his back, and the killer just kicked him, as he was a piece of trash that was making her sword getting dirty. I was lost in my thoughts because of it, but when I realized, Yang and that other person were not there anymore. I saw Ruby and Weiss, so I ran to them. Ruby seems tired as Weiss was helping her with her shoulder.
We were standing where the Mistral Academy used to be, but now not even the floor was the same. Once I got closer, Weiss was the first to talk.
- Blake! What are you doing here?
- I could ask the same. But first, are you alright?
- Yes, we are now.
I could not stop my urge and hugged them.
- And who are…
- Please, do not start with that right now.
When we stop the hug, I just have so many questions, but the first was.
- Where is Yang?
- I don't know, she went with her mom somewhere inside the Academy.
- Her mom?
- Her name is ReiRei.
- ReiRei?
Then the sound of the helicopters stopped us from continuing our conversation. Ilia arrived and inform us that they were able to locate and apprehend all the White Fang members. Then my parents and Sun appeared and asked us if we were alright. Then from the ground, a pile of rocks moved, and a raven went out from it rather quickly, then Yang and Jaune came out from it too, suddenly from their backs, another woman appeared. She looked like Yang but older with black hair and crimson eyes. My parents put themselves in front of me as they also felt that the woman was a treat, but she didn't even give any importance. I try to calm them, but the woman spoke.
- So, this is your Faunus teammate?
- Her name is Blake, not Faunus.
- And you are?
- DAD!
- We have to get moving.
- Yang?
- Wait, we have to...
- WAIT, EVERYBODY!
Ruby suddenly screamed. It seems that she was concern about something. Everybody was on their guard because of that scream.
- If they are here with the police, they will get the credit.
- What are you talking about?
- If that happens, we won't be able to get the reward. We still do not have money.
- What happened to Ruby?
- That is a long story.
- Well, I am not going anywhere.
After that, we all calm down. When the police arrived, Yang's mom disappeared, but when I ask Yang about it, she just told me: "She is close enough. We can fill you with the details later on", then a black feather fell from the sky.
I still am in shock by the death of Adam. I do think that he needed to be stopped but killing him? Sun and my father were s great support for it, as Yang didn't seem to have any remorse for killing him, and Weiss and Jaune were more worried about Ruby.
The next day I met with the team. Jaune and Yang's mom were there. We were in a bar, which was kind of strange, but it seems that the bartender knew the team, and Yang's mom needed this place was selected because this area is almost without any protection from the authorities. So, I wanted to ask Yang's mom about the plans as she seems to be the leader right now.
- Ms. ReiRei.
- How did call her?
- Ms. ReiRei... Isn't that her name?
- It is her name.
- You stop giving people weird names!
I was confused. Ruby seems to call her ReRei, but it seems that is not her real name. It seems that Ruby had a better relationship with Yang's mom than Yang herself.
- It was my original name.
Then Yang's mom, who was sited drinking tea, which was weird enough thinking that you are in a bar, started to talk.
- What?
- My parents had crimson eyes and also called themselves Crimson Demons. After they died, your uncle and I took a test to prove our strength, and after passing it, the tribe gave us the name of Raven and Qrow. By the way, your uncle's real name was Kuro.
- Crimson Demons...
Yang just said that and turned into Ruby. Jaune and Weiss were grabbing their heads and said:
- I am kind of lost here.
- Me too.
I saw that Yang was also confused and took her hand. She squeezed my hand a little.
- Is a thing I almost forgot about myself.
- So, what Ruby has said lately was true.
- That I do not know. Seems to have truth in her words, but I do not know anything about her case. As long as I know your uncle and I are the last of our kind. So, I do not know much about the situation of your sister.
- But...
- For now, we can continue this conversation later. Right now, we should discuss what we need to do next.
- She is right. We have to know what happened to Ren and Nora.
- You said that they were trying to attack me. Well, it means that they went on a trip with no destination. The possibilities are that one they are coming back is high, but something is off.
- What do you mean? (Weiss)
- For what you told me. Lionheart was lying to you, he should have the remaining Huntsman at his disposal, so was that either there is no more huntsman here in Mistral, or he was conspiring against them.
- Serves them.
- Wait! Nora and Rem are with them.
- Lionheart is working with Salem.
- Are you sure of that?
- Yes, a… a double agent that infiltrated to the white fang was able to give me that information. That is why we were here, to stop them. The White Fang was going to attack the communication tower, as Lionheart already "take care" of the Huntsmen.
- So, they are…
- Ozma and Qrow.
- Kuro.
- Ozma and Kuro. are strong and intelligent enough. They won't fall for a simple trap. Either way, we need to get moving, Salem and Ozma will realize that the relic is not in the Academy anymore.
- But where to?
- For that, we need information.
- It is a good thing that we know who to ask and receive an answer.
Weiss said that with a smirk on her face while she was lifting a lamp. After that, they told me that we were moving right away, so I have a little time to say goodbye to my parents. Ilia said that she was going back and follow my father, she wanted to amend all the wrong things she has made. I asked Sun to come with me, and it seems he wanted to come, but he decided to go back with his teammates, and then they will move to Vacuo. It was sad to see him off, I got fond of him, without him, I might still be at a loss with myself.
I went with my teammates, and when I arrived, everybody was ready. It seems that we will need to go closer to the forest. Then we will be going where the rest of Raven's men? I was still confused about her name, I don't know if call her Raven or ReiRei, so I will keep calling her Raven. Then she took her sword and opened a portal where everyone entered, the next we saw we were in a small village and a girl was there with her weapon ready, me and Jaune were the only ones that tried to took our weapons, but when Raven came out the girl stopped to aim to us.
- Vernal, good work with the relocation. Can you show us a place we can use where we cannot be interrupted?
- Certainty.
The girl takes us inside a small hall that may use for the leader of the village. In the way, I could realize that this was abandoned. Some buildings were crumbled, others were still standing strong.
- What happened to the villagers?
She did not respond and only looked at Rave, it was after she just gave her permission when she nodded to her with her head when she started to talk.
- We don't know. Maybe Grimm attack. When we arrived here, this place was already empty with some corpses, so we clean up and make it our own.
As I walked, I could see that some of the buildings were collapsed and have been cleaned by some men, who looked like bandits. While on our way, Weiss was able to see the corpse of one person under some rabble and made a face of terror. Then the woman that was guiding us said:
- We still need some work, but it already has a wall that can protect us from the Grim.
Then we arrived at the hall. It was kind of fortunate that it was still standing. It was the biggest building around but small compared to the halls in the cities. Inside it has big stained glass on the sides, but it seems that they hadn't clean it, as we could see broken chairs and dust everywhere. The girl called Vernal was about to leave, but Raven stopped her.
- I may be out for some time, so you will be in charge. This is why you need to know what the tribe needs to survive against.
After that, the door of the hall was close from inside. Then Raven told us that to summon the being inside the lamp, we have to call her by her name: Jinn.
After discussing within us what to ask, Weiss was the one that summoned the mystical been from the lamp. Then it seems that the time stopped. The birds that were flying outside the window stopped midair, the clouds of dust that could be seen from the rays of the sun were also still.
- Finally! My name is Jinn. A being created by the god of light to help humanity in their pursuit of knowledge. I've been grace with the ability to answer three questions every 100 years. You are in luck, as I am still able to answer 2 questions in this era.
A woman in blue appeared. She looked like it came from a fantasy book. I could not believe that a being really came from that lamp.
- Eris is the right goddess.
- Eris? Well is the first time I hear about that goddess, as it is also the first time that I met a pure-blooded Crimson Demon.
- Ruby… I mean Megumin. Do not waste the questions.
- But I did not make any questions.
- Well, that is correct. But then tell me, what are your questions?
Weiss stepped in front as she and the rest of us already discuss carefully what question to make.
- Can you tell us everything about Salem and professor Ozpin?
After that the whole room went blank, I could not see Yang or anyone else, then the voice of Jinn sounded in my head and started to tell me the whole story, my surrenders change to show me the story that was told. I saw how Salem was a Human, just like Ozpin, whose name was Ozmar at that time, that they could use magic at will. I heard their tragic story and how he died and how Salem didn't accept his death. How the gods decided to make her immortal and then destroyed humanity. Watching Salem trying to commit suicide when she jumps to the pool of Grim, where the Grim came from, but failing she ended up changing to the monster she is now. Then we also saw how Ozmar was asked by the gods to bring peace to the world, and that the relics will be used to judge humanity, he was sent back to our world, where we the Faunus exist, and where magic was used only by him and Salem. We heard how Ozmar married Salem and created a kingdom. How they have three daughters, and one of them showed them that she could use magic. Salem offered Ozmar a union within all the humans and Faunus, a new world order, but Ozmar decided to follow the old gods, and they fight each other, destroying their kingdom and killing their kids in the process. And for Ozmar, the only way to bring peace and put humanity together is by killing Salem. But when he was in front of Jinn and asked her how to destroy Salem, Jinn answered him that Salem cannot be destroyed.
After hearing all the story, the time started to move again. Everyone was silent. The tension of the place was so high that no one could say a word.
- If we let Salem have the power of the Maidens we perish, and if we collect the 4 relics, we also perish.
- We know that!
- So, what's the point of this fighting? We cannot win.
Although everyone was in this state, I thought I have to do something. In my time back in Menagerie, my dad has to step up and help the people and give them hope in the worst situation that we could think of. Then trying to think about something, I notice that Ruby was using this strange patch in her left eye.
- Ruby, I mean, Megumin, Can I ask you something?
- Of course.
- Why are you using that patch in your eye?
- This is the magic item that helps me suppress the mighty magical powers. If I were to take this off, all my power will be decontrolled, and it may even destroy part of the world.
That made us froze again.
- So that is why you took out your patch when you created that explosion.
- What? So, it wasn't the bombs of the White Fang the one that caused the explosion in Mistral?
- No, when we were fighting the White Fang, Ru… Megumin took her eye patch and then created energy with her Cresent Rose.
- BaraBaraGetsu. Call my crosier by its real name.
Megumin looked quite frustrated, which light out the tension.
- So, is it like a seal?
- Well, is all a lie. I just use it to look cool.
- What?
Everybody looked at her kind of angry as they were thinking about the matter pretty seriously.
- A person who wears jewelry in his clothing that she wears to fight; a girl wearing a coat in a place that is too hot; or the person who has to remove gloves to fight. None of them have a reason to criticize me.
That light up the tension, and we started to laugh because of it. Then Jaune interrupted the moment.
- That's it!
- What?
- You don't get it? We cannot destroy Salem, but we can seal her.
- How do you suppose to do that?
- We can ask the lamp.
- Forget it. If she says that is not possible, it will be wasting a question.
Then Vernal get closer and commented to Raven about the festival. She let us know that we forgot that Penny was a robot, but she still had a semblance, meaning that a soul was in her, meaning that someone had to seal that soul inside the machine. The only problem was that Penny came from Atlas Academy, which means that Ironwood, another trusted person of professor Ozpin, will be there.
- We have a connection with people inside Atlas, and one of them just returned, he may be able to help us. The Schnee girl may know him. Vernal Call him over.
The Girl went out and then a big turmoil sounded. It seems that a group of Grim was attacking. Raven's tribe was already fighting and we take out our weapons to defend the place, but Raven stopped us saying "This is our fight", then Yang stood up and said, "We are all together in this", then Weiss said "And the reason for many of your people is injured is because of us"; Vernal just give Weiss a stabbing look.
The Grimm was weak, but there were many of them, fortunately, there were a lot of people fighting, some of them injured but with a big fighting spirit. I was surprised, despite their looks of simple bandits they were working as a team, or better said, as a family, looking for each other and protecting those in need. It reminded me of my time in the White Fang. While I regret so many things I did, we always were a brotherhood looking for each other. The only one that stayed behind was Megumin.
When the fight was over Yang was chatting with a shady man. "Look at you. It seems that you really can defend yourself". Then when everyone was close, Megumin point at the man and said: "Oh! is the virgin guy" Vernal and the other tribe members started to laugh. The Weiss asked Megumin:
- Why did you call him that?
- Well, he was trying to hit on us.
Vernal turned and looked at the shady man and asked:
- You tried to hit on two minors?
- But he was beaten up with one punch by Dar… Yang.
The shady guy tried to cover Megumin's mouth, but everyone heard and started to laugh at him.
- Hahaha. Don't worry Pal, Tell you what. I'll buy you a drink.
- Really?
- Sure. But it will be water, I am still a minor, and I don't think that my mom will let me buy alcohol.
It seems that comment took Raven out of a guard. And then she started to laugh too.
At night we were around some fire, and then Raven came to us with a man dress in a white pilot suit. Then Weiss was the one who stood up and said:
- You survived!
- Oh! the Schnee girl.
- I have a name.
- Sorry, forgot it.
- Wait, you are part of this tribe?
- Well, to whom would I be selling all the Dust I was contrabanding? Not to the Heaven Academy or the White Fang, let me tell you.
- This is a cute reunion but go to the point.
- Oh, sorry. Well, that Penny girl robot is still working, now is property of the Atlas military, but the one who created her is also working independently in the city, so you can meet him at his workshop.
- But now the problem is to get in.
- Didn't you hear? I can contraband Dust or anything, and the Atlas will never know.
- You sound awfully confident.
- I have experience with ….
- No need to tell us. We don't need to know the crimes you may have committed.
At that moment, we decided to enter Atlas that way. Raven asked us for just 3 days max to can get a new ship. After those days we were ready to go to Atlas.