In this chapter: a lot of waking up and even more exposition. But we finally get a bit of Salem. Not too much with the space marines and I took quite a few liberties with how they are/have been acting here.
But before we get on with this chapter my dear readers, I have to confess a sin.
I have moderated/deleted away a review/comment for the first time. Up until this point I have accepted and (mostly) tolerated all reviews, be they good or bad, be they written by registered users or written by quests. But this quest did manage to bother me enough with his/her/its comment about Jaune being the protagonist. The reason I deleted said comment was because it was not constructive, it was not relevant, and it sure as hell wasn't a good argument from my point of view.
I doubt that any of you actually care about
this but I felt compelled to get this off my chest.
WARPCHAT
"RIPANDTEAR"
＠MasterOfPlans
So, things didn't go as planned then?
"MasterOfPlans"
＠RIPANDTEAR
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-
"Grandpapa Nurgz"
Someone tell the indecisive mollusk to take a chill-pill before he bursts something.
"MasterOfPlans"
＠RIPANDTEAR
-UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKK YOU!
"420BlazeMy3601337Vagick"
＠MasterOfPlans
No, please! Fuck me instead!
"Grandpapa Nurgz"
＠MasterOfPlans
So, got it all out of your system now?
"MasterOfPlans"
Yeah, I'm good. I'm fine. Bird-boy is JUST still alive! But it's fine. It's fine. It doesn't bother me. It bothers me! It bothers me a lot! How is he still alive! We had it in the bag!
"Grandpapa Nurgz"
So, what do we do now? Do we try to pull strings again? Manipulate some more mortals?
"RIPANDTEAR"
NO! No more subtle! No more mindfucking! I'm fucking done with it!
"420BlazeMy3601337Vagick"
Yeah. Hate to admit it, but the paraplegic sociopath is right. Do you have any idea of how much effort it took me to mess with the Angel's little sweetheart? I'm so exhausted I can barely even get my wang up again.
#BonerPillsPlease
"MasterOfPlans"
＠420BlazeMy3601337Vagick
Too much information but yeah, getting any mortal on that warp-forsaken planet to do anything is exhausting. I can barely feel my cheeks anymore after that last bit with the Fake Maiden Girl.
"Grandpapa Nurgz"
Oh, you're right. Why does it have to be so damn hard?
"MasterOfPlans"
I've already told you that. The Grimm-twin-pricks basically cut those mortals' connection to the warp! Now I can barely get them to scheme properly. Hell, we can barely feed of them!
"420BlazeMy3601337Vagick"
Hmmm… Oh, I've got an idea! Let's just send someone to chop his head off!
"RIPANDTEAR"
＠420BlazeMy3601337Vagick
I'm listening.
"Grandpapa Nurgz"
Sure, but wouldn't the Anathema notice if we sent any of our guys to off his kid? You know how he's always getting in our way? He's such a jerk.
"420BlazeMy3601337Vagick"
No! No! Listen! That's the best part! We are not going to send anyone. We're gonna get someone else to do it for us!
"MasterOfPlans"
I like it!
#PlausibleDeniability
"RIPANDTEAR"
Then that's settled then. Go send some boys then.
I've got to go. Khaine is picking me up at five.
#LegDay
"RIPANDTEAR"
Has signed out
"MasterOfPlans"
Well, I'll better go handle the details of our little plan. And make sure to NOT let the Anathema know of this.
#TheManBehindTheMan
"MasterOfPlans"
Has signed out
"420BlazeMy3601337Vagick"
Has signed off
"Grandpapa Nurgz"
Has changed username to "ParadoxPoker2Point0"
"ParadoxPoker2Point0"
#YourSecretsAreMyBusiness
"ParadoxPoker2Point0"
Well now, I wonder who they'll send. I'd better keep an eye on this. But now I have a headmaster to get back in the game.
Patch
Ruby was dreaming. She couldn't see anything, only hear and maybe feel. She thought she could recognize voices. Was she laying on stone?
"Qrow." She recognized Jaune's voice.
"Take Pyrrha and Ruby and get them away from here. Weiss is down below. She can help you get down the tower."
"No need to tell me twice."
That had been Qrow. She had felt him pick her up but not the way he usually did. This had been more rushed and uncomfortable.
The scene changed, or so Ruby believed.
Hard stone had been replaced by a soft bed. Someone was moving her again. Was it Qrow again? She was so tired. She couldn't even open her eyes.
"It's alright. I got ya, kiddo. I got ya. You're coming home."
There was the sound of radio static in the background. Ruby recognized the sound of her dad sighing.
"Still Nothing."
"Just turn it off already, Tai. It's been days now. Nothing has changed. With the CCT down, it's useless."
"I know but it's like this all over the Kingdom, Qrow. We got no way to reach out to the rest of the world... and Ozpin's gone. Things are bad, Qrow."
"Yeah, I know. But hey, it's not as bad as it could have been. Just… almost. Now let's get Yang as well and head home."
Darkness returned.
Ruby did not know how long she laid there. It wasn't until the sunlight lit up the room she was in and the sound of tweeting birds reached her ears that she began to wake up.
She was in her bed, at Patch, wearing a pajamas.
"Morning Squirt. Enjoyed your little nap? You had us worried there for a moment."
Ruby turned her head to see Qrow slumped in a chair, drinking. In one hand he held a newspaper. The cover showed a picture of construction work in Vale, with the title "We did not fall - we did not break". A reference to the speech Jaune had given in the arena.
"Uncle Qrow? But… where is dad?"
Indeed, where was her dad? She was at home at Patch. Shouldn't her dad be there as well?
"Tai is sleeping on the couch. He has been worried sick about you ever since what happened a few days ago. He has been watching over you like a hawk since we got you home. Well, until I relieved him."
"Okay, but why am I here? Is everyone okay?"
"Everyone is… mostly okay. I hauled you off the tower and then managed to get you to a hospital. After a few days there you and Yang were cleared to be taken home."
There was a hint of sadness when Qrow mentioned Yang.
"Uncle Qrow, why was Yang at the hospital? Is she okay?"
"Ruby, it's not… you shouldn't-"
"Please."
Qrow sighed,
"Yang lost her right arm. She and Blake had a bad run-in with some White Fang. If someone hadn't intervened then those bastards were probably going to-"
Qrow cut himself off, not wanting to go into too gruesome detail with Ruby.
"Well, the ones who did it got what they deserved. They won't be hurting anyone ever again."
"But will Yang be okay?"
"She will be fine. With time, and with help."
Qrow took another drink. He had been having more than usual as of late. Especially since he had learned of what had been done to Yang. He wished he had been there to see the Flesh Tearer do the deed. Maybe even join in on it as well.
"But things are not all bad. Vale held and Beacon is still ours - in a way. Even if Vale has been sealed off from the rest of the world ever since Ironwood left for Atlas with his ships.
Anyway, how you feeling?"
"I… kind of hurt... all over. And on the inside."
It was heartache. The knowledge that Yang had lost her arm was not something Ruby had been ready for.
"Yeah, I can get that. But it's not surprising after what you been through or what did up on the tower. That thing seemed like it had been knocked out cold."
Ruby looked at her uncle confused.
"Um, I did what to the what?"
"Hmm, tell you what, I'll tell you if you tell me something first. Deal?"
"Sure. What do you wanna know?"
"What's the last thing you remember?"
"I went up the tower, and when I got up I saw Cinder… and Pyrrha. She had an arrow in her and she- she was burning."
Her voice quivered.
Qrow put his hand on her shoulder, comforting her.
"I know it hurts Ruby, but I need you to tell me what happened after that."
"My head hurt, then everything went white. I don't know what it was."
"Yeah, I get it. We'll talk about that soon enough. I bet you have questions about other things right now?"
"Yeah. Is Pyrrha…?"
"She is alive. You saved her, Squirt. If you hadn't you shown up when you did and done what you did, me or Arc would have been too late to get the two of you out of there."
"Jaune? You mean he woke up?"
'Woke up?' Qrow's face didn't betray the emotion of confusion. It was probably something he should have asked Weiss about or something.
"Yeah, he got up alright. He stayed behind at the tower so that I could get you and Pyrrha out of there."
Ruby was at a loss for words. Jaune had fought Cinder? But she had almost killed Pyrrha! How could he possibly have survived?
"Is he okay?"
Qrow frowned.
"He was, well, he is still in a bad way. He barely managed to drive Cinder off from Beacon, but I wouldn't call it a win really. Cinder and the Wyvern almost killed him. He was stabbed through the heart and one of his wings looked ready to fall off. And Pyrrha was actually dead for a moment."
Seeing Ruby's terrified expression Qrow tried to cheer her up.
"They will be fine. It will take some time, but they will be fine. Right now they're both recovering at their on wing at the hospital. Being heroes comes with some perks, it seems."
"That's good."
She was relieved but worried at the same time. Her friend had been so close to dying.
But there was one question that came to mind.
"You said Cinder and the Wyvern almost killed him. But Jaune only drove her off."
"Yeah?"
"Then what about that grimm? If Jaune didn't kill it, who did? Is it even dead?"
Qrow smiled and handed her the newspaper.
"The space marines killed it."
"They came!"
Ruby practically tore the paper from Qrow's hand and began to read like she was possessed.
"They sure came kid, they sure did. You should have seen it, Squirt. They tore the Wyvern to pieces before they purged the rest of Beacon. I almost can't believe what I saw that night."
"Did they have guns?"
"Yeah they did! Huge guns! And oh man, their melee weapons! They had chainswords, Ruby! Chainswords! They were just cutting grimm apart like it was nothing."
Ruby's eyes shone as Qrow began to talk of the astartes' weapons. He was happy to do so for it meant seeing his niece smile and take her off all the bad things for a while.
After Qrow had answered all the question he could it was time to get serious again. After all, he had promised her that he would talk of what Runby had done up at the Tower.
"Uncle Qrow, what did you mean when you said I did something at the tower?"
"Well, do you remember the first thing Ozpin said to you the night you met him?"
"I... I don't know. Maybe it was about-"
"Silver eyes, Ruby. It's an extremely rare trait."
"My eyes? So what? They are just eyes. Not like Jaune's with super-night-vision or anything."
Qrow couldn't help but smile.
"Oh man, you're precious Ruby. And special too. Not like how Tai calls you his 'special little girl'. No, you are special the same way Summer was.
Remnant's got many legends and stories. Most of them are true, after a fashion. Oz once told me the one about silver eyes. It started before Huntsmen were a thing, even before the kingdoms. Those born with silver eyes were said to be destined to become warriors. You know why? It's because the Grimm were afraid of those silver-eyed warriors. They were the cream of the crop. It was said that they could kill a Grimm with a look. Heh, and I used to think it was a ridiculous story."
"And you think that I might be one of these… silver eyed warriors? But uncle Qrow, I didn't kill that thing."
"Well, maybe you didn't kill it but you sure did a number on it. When I got up to the tower, it didn't even move. It was like you had knocked it out cold. That's pretty darn impressive."
"Heh, thanks. But how did you know what Ozpin said to me when I first met him?"
Qrow got up and stretched his legs.
"All those missions I go on, they have been for Ozpin. But now that he is dead, I'll have to pick up the slack."
"Wha-? Ozpin's dead?"
Ruby couldn't believe what she was hearing. Ozpin was supposed to be one of the best huntsmen in the world. How could he be dead?
"Yeah. Cinder killed him. Didn't even leave much of a body."
There was no mirth in Qrow's voice. He had lost a friend, a companion, and a teacher.
"Can I do anything? Can I do anything to help? I have silver eyes, don't I"
"You really wanna help? Get some rest. You're in no condition to go anywhere right now. Even less fight. Besides, according to Goodwitch, Cinder's trail leads to Haven. Or at least that's where Cinder's documents claimed she was from. That's quite a long way for a pipsqueak like you to hike."
He turned around and gave her a grin and a wink. "Better rest up now, kiddo."
Before he could leave her room Ruby spoke up.
"Uncle Qrow, what about Penny? Did she make it? She was on Ironwood's vessel when he was shot down."
Qrow looked at her with a joyless expression.
"Get some rest Ruby. That's all you can do for now."
But Ruby did not go back to sleep. Instead she got up. She had a sister to look in at.
Yang's room.
Yang was melancholic as she sat on her bed, cradling a pieces of Ember Celica - the left piece. The other one she had tossed so many times into a wall that Taiyang had hidden it away from her.
The piece that had gone on her right arm had been recovered the day after the Battle for Beacon from where she had been held by the White Fang when they had…
She didn't want to think about it but she couldn't help it. The memory kept coming back.
Her charging at Blake's attacker only to feel a burning sensation from her right arm, above the elbow. After that she had been helpless. Blake had begged and pleaded with the White Fang to leave her be but they didn't listen. Then they had began to cut. All while He watched, his mask doing nothing to hide his smile.
And once it was all over, where had Blake gone?
*tap* *tap*
Yang turned her head just enough to see Ruby looking into her room. She was finally up. How many days had it been? Yang didn't care. It didn't matter. Nothing did anymore.
Yang didn't say anything. Instead she almost pulled away from her sister, not wanting to be seen like she was now.
Yang knew Ruby must have seen her stump for she could tell that Ruby was uncomfortable by her quiet.
Her stump was bandaged just like the rest of her limbs and body. She stank of disinfectant.
Maybe Ruby also had seen some of the scars on her damaged scalp. Her dad had tried to hide as much of it as he could but it was still there.
Yang thought that the fierce, strong and determined person Ruby had always seen Yang as was gone. Now she was just some scared cripple.
Ruby carefully got closer until she was on Yang's bed with her. Yang barely reacted when Ruby hugged her.
"I'm so sorry, Yang. I'm so sorry."
Yang lifted her arm to hug her sister back but stopped when she couldn't feel Ruby. had tried to raise her right arm, the one she didn't have anymore.
Resentment boiled up in her. It was gone.
"It's all gone."
"What? Yang, what do you me-"
"It's gone. It's all gone. Beacon is a smoking ruin. Penny is gone and my ar-"
She stopped herself. She couldn't bring herself to say it.
"Yang, I know things are bad but it could be a lot worse. The paper said that Beacon can be fixed. What about Weiss and Blake?"
"Weiss' father came for her. Just as the Atlas troops were leaving, he showed up and just took her away."
"What? Why?"
"No one outside of Vale really knows what happened. Before Jaune's astartes took control over the broadcasts, the last things people saw were grimm swarming into the city. People don't know what to believe and hardly anyone knows the truth outside of Vale and the Council isn't talking so everyone's scared and doesn't know who to trust. Some even claim that Jaune and his sons are some warlords that have taken over Vale. So, Weiss' father came and took her to Atlas, where he thinks it's safe. She's gone, Ruby. She is gone."
"But, what about Bla-"
"She is gone! Sun saw her run from the hospital and into the city. He followed her but…"
"Why would she do that?"
"Don't know. Don't care. Just leave me alone Ruby. Just, leave me alone."
Ruby stood up and walked away.
"I love you, Yang. Never forget that."
Yang didn't answer.
Ruby returned to her room and sat down at her desk. So Cinder had come from Haven and was still at large?
Ruby knew that Cinder had to be stopped but how could she be certain that any of the grown ups would do anything about it? But she couldn't do anything about it on her own and her team was now gone.
But that didn't mean Ruby was alone. There was one team from Beacon that would probably be very happy to help her chase down Cinder.
She picked up a pen and began to write.
"Hey Jaune, I hope you and Pyrrha are okay. I was wondering if you and your team would like to tag along on a field trip to Mistral?
No need to rush with a response. Both of you deserve some rest. i won't mind some myself.
Cheers,
Ruby.
P.S. Could you see if you can find my cookie stash in my dorm and send it to me? Dad's cookies are terrible.
Vale
Apothecary Deon was making his way to Beacon's grounds on foot. He could have requested a transport but he wanted to stretch his legs, having been stuck in the mortals' hospital for so long. He longed to be out on the battlefield again with his battle brothers once again but for now he settled with the duties assigned to him.
He was to attend a meeting with some of the other battle brothers at the ruins of the schola. He left the care of his primarch to the mortal medicae Surgia. The man had proven himself loyal and competent in his work. Besides, it wasn't like the primarch of the IX legion was in mortal peril anymore. He was asleep and was healing well. Just as the other patient. And that was something Deon would touch upon during the meeting. It was time.
During his time with the reborn primarch Deon had been trying to get an understanding of his lord's physiology and try to 'correct' it to what it was meant to be. He had tried everything in his arsenal and narthecium but nothing seemed to work. The genes were there, as were the organs, but they wouldn't function like they were supposed to! It was as if his lord was still missing some fundamental piece of himself.
Deon had started contemplating turning to the Librarium for aid in this matter but they would wait until after their primarch had woken up again.
As he walked through the streets of the city Deon took the opportunity to see how the reconstruction was coming along and also to see how the mortals reacted to his presence. Many were careful around the augmented warriors but there were also many that smiled and hailed them as heroes.
A third group simply acknowledged them with a nod. A result from having lived so close to Beacon for so long, the huntsmen had told him. Even with the most bizarre and shocking things humans could adapt and grow accustomed to. Amazing really. Human perseverance was something to be awed.
As Deon reached Beacon he saw Thunderhawks and Stormravens fly overhead, no doubt returning from another sweeping operation somewhere in the Kingdom of Vale.
Their father had asked them to protect Vale but sleep had taken him before he could clarify if he meant the city or the kingdom. It made no difference to the astartes.
Well, perhaps it made a small difference. By protecting the whole kingdom the space marines would not grow bored as easily as they would have had they only bothered with the city.
Even so, Deon spotted a few brothers with scratched plate and some sporting fresh scars on their faces. The grimm were not a foe to back down when confronted by superior force. Instead they fought tooth and nail as if to spite the space marines.
Deon hailed some of the astartes he met on the way, both from his own chapter as well as Flesh Tearers and Lamenters.
Ever since their father had recognized them all as his sons the friction between the chapters had lessened quite a bit.
Some of the battle brothers sometimes asked aloud if they were seeing a remaking of the IX legion. Many, Deon included, would not have minded that, but what of the codex astartes? What of millenia of establishing new ways of war, traditions and grudges?
More leveled heads called for calm and patience. Most of the commanders among the astartes on Remnant belonged to this group. They would wait until their primarch woke up to speak of the matter.
Deon passed one of the huntsmen of the schola, the one who moved and spoke insanely fast. The full-fledged huntsmen were the only ones left at Beacon but that suited the astartes fine.
With the huntsmen-in-training having been sent to the other 'academies' for further training much of the grounds at Beacon had been taken over by the astartes. It was the only place with room for them and their vessels. They had only erected minor structures with what little materiel they had brought with them.
They were an expeditionary force after all, not equipped for long term operations requiring the establishing of a base.
Many of the mortals students had protested to leaving, saying that they wished to take part in the restoration of their 'home' but the teachers had refused them. Now was the time to rebuild, not to teach and learn.
The astartes had praised the students' determination and bravery but had to agree with the full-fledged huntsmen. No lessons could be held in the ruins and there were no more grimm for the students to slay around Beacon. The astartes had seen to that.
Only one of the teams remained, JNPR. With their leader, the primarch, and his partner hospitalized Lie Ren and Nora Valkyrie had been steadfast in remaining in Vale.
Deon headed into the building called Beacon Tower. Or rather, had been called Beacon Tower.
The battle had not been kind to it and much of the structure had to be torn down in order to repair it. Mortal workers worked tirelessly, both locals from Remnant and serfs of the chapters. But even with their combined efforts the work would still take some time.
The damage caused by the Wyvern before it was slain was still visible and it was some of the worst of it.
Deon entered an elevator and descended into the vault of Beacon.
The astartes had discovered it and found it odd when they had seen the doors to the elevator torn open and the elevator shaft headed downwards.
The astartes had found use for the vault. It was where their commanders now met whenever there was need of a meeting. It was quiet, it was secluded and it was out of earshot.
Deon found that he was the last to arrive. Amaretto was already there waiting for him along with Skoraen and Furion and their aides.
"Brother apothecary, we have been expecting you. How fares our primarch?"
Furion spoke with an jovial tone, especially when he said 'our primarch'.
The Lamenters made no secret of the joy they felt of having been recognized as the Angel's sons properly.
"He fares well, brother sergeant, even if we have yet to understand and treat his current 'state'. I believe that he is ready for us to wake him up. Along with the other one. Thanks to their 'aura' their recovery has been swift."
"That is good news, brother. But you speak of their auras? You have grown awfully familiar with these mortals, to speak of their ways so casually."
Deon shrugged.
"Perhaps, but I cannot deny its uses. I had suspected their recovery to take much longer still, but you will not find me complaining. What news of our brothers in the field? Have the grimm been purged from these lands yet? I wish to have good tidings for our father when we wake him."
Skoraen shook his head.
"Not yet, but we are driving them back and liberating mankind from their existence as we do so. These grimm keep crawling from every hole we come across and the trees hide any larger formation from our ships in orbit. And there is still the matter of Mountain Glenn. The grimm cling to that place like a stench to an ork. There are plenty of hiding places in that place and any bombardment would only hide their caves from us while leaving the grimm unharmed. It will take a major offensive to clear that nest out. And we will not commit such a force until the other fronts are secured."
The other astartes nodded. For now they were simply containing that area, cutting of one exit at a time, while also patrolling the kingdom's borders.
"Amaretto, what about our efforts to reach the Imperium? Have our astropaths been able to establish contact with our chapters?"
"Negative. The warp remains restless and all attempts to reach out have ended in failure. I have given instructions to the astropaths to keep trying. For now all we can do is wait."
"Then we shall wait but now we shall awaken our primarch. Let us go, brothers"
Vale Hospital
Nora trotted along the halls of the hospital. Ren followed close behind. They were on their way to the Arcs with good news.
Surgia had let them know that Jaune and Pyrrha were to be brought back soon as they had healed enough by now.
The Arcs, Ren and Nora were the only mortals beside Arzet Surgia allowed by the astartes to even get close to Jaune and Pyrrha.
Arcs due to their blood ties to Jaune, something that did confuse the astartes to no end, and Ren and Nora because they were their teammates and practically family. The astartes however, had interpreted this in their own way. They recognized the same bond that was between one astartes to another. They called the mortals the primarch's own battle brother and battle sister.
Not that Nora would have let herself be removed had the astartes been less tolerant with her and Ren. She was not willing to split up her 'family' again. Last time that happened their teammates had almost died and had required the aid of the apothecary.
Jaune's relationship with the Pyrrha Nikos however, was a real conundrum for the space marines. The Emperor in his great wisdom, had not made his greatest warriors to seek out such companionship and they had a hard time understanding why their father would do so.
For now they seemed to settle with 'we'll see what happens'.
All and all, the time with the Arcs had been something like a big family get-together, Ren had said.
"With extended family."
The astartes were always keeping at least one warrior on site at all times. It could be quite awkward to interact with the space marines but at least the Lamenters and Blood Angels were polite. The Flesh Tearers however, tended to be a bit more bothersome to deal with.
"Hey guys!"
Nora waved at the Arcs as they sat in the visitor's area of the hospital.
The personnel had come to call it the Arc area as there was always one Arc there at all times. Today both of Jaune's parents were present as well as all the girls. Jaune's grandfather had left for the Arc homestead soon after the Battle.
"Hello Nora, Ren. You two seem happy today."
Augustus Arc smiled tiredly at the pair. The man was tired. Ever since the battle he had been drowning himself in work with the rebuilding effort in order to distract himself from his only son's condition. He did not want to think of how powerless he was to help Jaune. His wife had eventually decided to send his daughters out to get him to rest, even if they had to drag him away by the hair.
Livia Arc fared a bit better, but not by much. She had seven worried girls to look after and keep busy. That was distraction enough but Ren could see the bags under her eyes. He knew the woman had hardly slept properly since Jaune was put under. Sanguinius or nor, Jaune was still her little boy and she could not help but worry for him.
As for the sisters, there was a constant debate between them and their parent to send them home, but they insisted on staying by their baby brother's side. They normally entertained themselves watching the astartes and trying to wrap their heads around their new 'nephews'.
Mr. and Mrs. Arc had tried to as well but it's quite hard to do when your 'grandchildren' are all older than you.
"Yes, we have some great news about Jaune and Pyrrha." said Ren with a smile.
"THEY'RE WAKING THEM UP!" said Nora eagerly, drowning out the voice of her partner in doing so.
"They're gonna wake up! They're gonna wake up! They're gonna wake up!"
Jaune's parents looked like someone had lit suns behind their eyes and got up. They moved to see their son again, their girls coming after them.
Consciousness returned to him. It was not a pleasant experience. All the aches that had been held back by the drug-sleep started to radiate throughout his body once again. But thankfully it was not as bad as it had been before.
He groaned as he woke up, his stiff muscles protesting after having been immobile for so long.
Opening his eyes he recognized the apothecary that had tended to him and Surgia.
"Good morning Mr. Arc. I trust you are feeling well."
"As well as I have a right to, I suppose." said Jaune and stretched as much as his stiff muscles would allow. He carefully moved his wings, seeing if the injuries caused by Cinder Fall had mended. It had for the most part but he could tell it would still take some time before he would be flying with them again.
"Good, then you'll probably survive this."
Surgia gave a nod to the marine standing by the door, giving him the go-ahead to open it.
"Wha-"
Before he could finish, the door swung open to reveal his family and teammates. They rushed to him and he was almost smothered by his mother.
"Jaune, I was so worried. Promise me that you will never do something like that again. Promise!"
"Mo- mom?"
"Promise me!"
"I promise. And I'm sorry. I just-"
"Hush now. It's alright now. You're safe. That's all that matters."
She looked at him teary eyed before she hugged him again.
Jaune returned the hug and looked at the rest of his family. Surgia and the marine were gone, no doubt as to not disturb the reunion.
The Arc sisters soon joined in on the hug while their father wiped a tear from his eye. Jaune greeted them all, from the youngest to the oldest of them.
They looked him over thoroughly, inspecting the scar on his body.
He winced when the younger of his sisters prodded the one on chest were Cinder had stabbed him through his primary heart. The older sisters, mostly Virdine and Rosinca, were studying his wing. The joints and bone had healed well and new feathers were growing out to replace the ones lost. But two spots, Were Cinder Fall had grabbed him, were still covered with medical gauze and strange ointments.
Cinder Fall had been cruel, burning away his flesh to the very bone. Had Jaune been a normal human, the injury would never have mended. But even now new flesh was growing to replace the old. Had it been his old body from his previous life, it would probably have been done by now.
After a while Jaune broke up the hug and turned to Ren and Nora who had patiently waited their turn.
"Hello fearless leader. Good to have you back." said Nora.
"We missed you."
"Yes. You had us quite worried for a while." said Ren nodding, his normally calm demeanor cracking ever so slightly.
"I'm sorry for worrying you guys. I just- I had to-"
"We know. You had to save Pyrrha, we get it." said Ren understandingly. If it had been he and Nora in Jaune's and Pyrrha's shoes then he would have done the same in a heartbeat.
The pair stepped closer and gave Jaune a light hug.
After a while he leaned back onto his bed. He was still weak and needed some more rest even if it was nice to be awake again and see his loved ones. Speaking of loved ones…
"How is Pyrrha? Is she okay?"
"She is… she is starting to wake up. It will be a while before she is ready to talk yet. We should let her rest for a while longer. But she will get up again. She is strong."
Jaune smiled at her words, he was sure Pyrrha would pull through. But Nora's expression told Jaune that not all was quite alright with Pyrrha. Something about how she carried herself when she spoke cave it away.
"Nora, Ren, what happened to her?"
Some time later
Pyrrha was waking up. She was becoming aware of people around her. She thought she recognized the voice of Surgia but the other one was unfamiliar to her. It was deep and strong, and sounded like it came from high above as if the person speaking was towering over the other man. She didn't bother looking for her eyelids felt too heavy to lift.
She ached. Particularly in her chest and there was a strange feeling on the side of her face.
Every time she took a breath it hurt. She remembered Cinder firing an arrow into her chest and everything hurting. She had survived, but how?
A faint memory of being moved hastily flashed in her mind. She had been carried, pulled and tugged somewhere until it all came to a stop and everything had turned to black.
She tried to move and noticed something on her right leg. She tried to move it but a pain sudden pain stopped her. That's right, Cinder had hit her there with an arrow when her aura had been broken.
"I suggest you do not try to move yet." said Surgia's voice sternly, yet emphatically.
"Rest for now. Your friends will come see you soon."
Pyrrha did as she was told. She did not know for how long she had been asleep but she felt like she wouldn't mind a bit more rest. She ignored the stinging feeling from her face and went back to sleep.
She awoke again when someone called out to her.
"P...ha? Pyr..ha? Pyrrha? Hey Pyr, are you awake?"
A hand was gently taking her hand, coaxing her awake.
She recognized the voice. "Jaune…?"
She opened her eyes. There was Jaune with Ren and Nora to her left. They were all teary eyed seeing her awake at last.
She noticed the bandages around Jaune's chest and the gauze on his wings and the spots were new feathers were growing out. Pyrrha realized that Jaune must have been injured like her.
"What happened…? What about Cinder? The Maide-"
"Cinder escaped, Pyrrha. I tried to stop her but she got away."
"Yeah, but not before Jaune messed her up good! He set her running for the hills!" interjected Nora eagerly before her mood got less cheerful.
"As for what happened… well…"
"You died." said Ren bluntly. "Ruby and Jaune tried to save you at the tower. Ruby was unconscious when her uncle brought her and you to us. Jaune tried to keep Cinder away from you but you died from your injuries. You were dead for a moment but the apothecary was able to restart your heart."
Pyrrha was silent as she looked at her team. "I... died?"
But if she had died then the Power would have gone to Cinder, like it did when Amber died.
And Cinder had gotten away.
Realization hit Pyrrha hard.
She had failed. The Power of the Fall Maiden had fallen into the worst possible hands and it was because she had failed.
That meant Amber's death and Ozpin's group's efforts to keep her alive had been for nothing. It meant that Ozpin's death as he tried to stop Cinder had been for nothing. All that faith that had been placed in her had been for nothing.
And then Jaune had fought Cinder on his own? Madness.
She put her hand over the patched-up part of Jaune's chest, at his heart. Jaune gently helped her put her hand there but winched at her touch.
"It's been about a month's time since then." said Ren, willing in the blanks for Pyrrha. "Beacon has been evacuated and is being used as a base by the astartes. The kingdom is essentially sealed off from the rest of the word and the CCT is still down. Many did not make it trough unscathed. Jaune woke up but a while ago."
Pyrrha let this sink in. He had gotten so hurt for her, because she had gone up that tower.
Tears began to flow down cheeks and she pulled away her hand.
"I'm sorry."
Jaune put his hand on her face and wiped a tear away.
"Don't be. It's over now. The legion is here."
His words were comforting but then she got even more scared. She couldn't see his hand anymore. She could not see the hand on her right cheek. She could not see with her right eye. She reached up to feel around it but Jaune took her hand in his and spoke calmly.
"It's okay, Pyrrha. You did not lose it. There is just some bandages over it, that's all. Cinder burned your face a bit. But you will be alright. Rest now. You haven't healed fully yet."
Pyrrha nodded and closed her eye. Her mind was troubled but Jaune was there with her, telling her that all would be okay.
"Do you want to be left alone for a while?" asked Ren.
"Yes Ren. A few minutes, pleace."
Ren nodded. "We'll be outside the door. You shouldn't be straining yourself either just yet."
"Thank you." said Jaune and Ren took Nora with him.
The door closed and Jaune could feel his eyes close. He was tired but for now he wanted to be with Pyrrha. He held her hand in his. He wished he could help her. This was not how he usually saw Pyrrha. To him, she had always been strong and capable. Not like this.
The thought of losing her, the same thoughts he had when the mysterious light had entered Cinder, came over him. Only now there was no Cinder for him to take revenge on. There was only a wounded Pyr that he wished he could help any way he could.
As his eyes closed he kept thinking of how he could not bare to lose her.
Without anyone noticing, the room filled with a white light emanating from the two of them. Jaune thought he could feel Pyrrha's grip on his hand get stronger and stronger as he sat there. He did not open his eyes. He only smiled and began to think how to prevent this from happening again.
In a dark castle surrounded by grimm and dark pools
Cinder was sitting in a room awaiting her mistress. Behind her were Emerald and Mercury, quiet and unmoving but Cinder could feel their unease.
In truth, she didn't want to be there either. Not yet at least. She wanted to sleep and recover.
Her body had not yet mended itself despite Watts' medical skill and Salem's mystical efforts to restore her. She had been woken from her artificial sleep by her disciples earlier and been told that Salem had called for a gathering. Salem had originally considered letting Cinder sleep for much longer, maybe until winter if need be. But Salem had come to the conclusion that there was no time for such pleasantries and so Cinder had forced her aching flesh to rise.
Her skull ached and she could feel the stitches on her head. If she focused she could almost feel the foreign materials used to patch up her head.
The most unpleasant part had been her new left arm, grafted from grimm and made part of her by foul sorcery.
She had immediately covered it with a long sleeve but she had not had the time to hide the nails protruding from its fingers.
She wished she had done the same with her face but there had been no time before she had to leave for the meeting hall. She refused the drugs she was offered for the pain. They would could her judgement and she would need a clear head for this meeting.
There were others in the hall along with them, all seated around the table.
Arthur Watts - a disgraced Atlas scientist. Tyrian - Salem's leached madman. And finally there was Hazel - the big, strong and brooding one.
The men were quiet, waiting and killing time in their own ways.
Watts, sitting across Cinder was looking at his scroll, no doubt reading about yet another subject that had caught his interest.
Tyrian was to Cinder's left, crouching on his chair with his arms on his knees. He had a look on his face that made it clear just how unhinged his mind was. He was all smiles and giggles but he also was like that when he got to kill something.
Hazel was just brooding, arms crossed over his chest and eyes closed. If one did not know him, one would think him asleep. He was anything but asleep.
Cinder felt an irritation in her throat. She had been feeling a lot of those ever since she woke up after the Angel had maimed her. Every breath she took was irritating and sometimes it was even painful.
And then there was the coughing. She knew it was just her body's way of clearing her airways, but it did not help any for they were simply deformed and squeezed tight.
*cough* *cough* *cough*
Mercury began to step forward to tend to her but almost tripped as he was pushed away by Emerald who was already by her side. The girl had become more… possessive since the events at Beacon, not leaving Cinder's side for more than was necessary.
Cinder waved her off. It was just a cough. Nothing more. It was not something that her followers should break proper form for, not here, not with these people around.
Watts smirked as he looked up from his scroll.
"That's right, keep your posse in check. We don't want them to accidentally smash in that fragile skull of yours. I should know, as it was I who patched it up for you. It could happen so easily with people as clumsily as your... friend."
He indicated Mercury with a nod.
Cinder knew Watts was simply trying to provoke Mercury. It was quite obvious. Mercury and Emerald were her subordinates and their conduct would reflect on her.
Unfortunately, Mercury didn't get it and had to be stopped by Emerald from doing something stupid. Instead the son of the assassin settled for glaring at Watts who just smirked at the reaction.
"Hear that, Cinder? The sound of silence. Really, I've got half a mind to thank the one who did this to you. Maybe I would have asked him for pointers as well, were he still alive."
Narrowing her one remaining eye, Cinder tried to form words but all that came out of her mouth were weak hisses and croaks. Her throat still hurt from when the Angel had driven his sword into it. She put her fingers to it and gently put pressure on the right spot in order to form words.
Emerald, ever attentive, recognized the action that Cinder did when she were to speak. She leaned closer to listen and convey her words.
Cinder hated it. She hated having to rely on someone else to have her words heard. Her fingers twitched, both her own and the new ones given to her by her mistress.
Before the words could even leave Cinder's lips the door to the hall swung open as Cinder's mistress entered. Cinder forced herself to stand up as Salem almost seemed to glide over the floor to her seat.
Her skin is ghostly white, seemingly made even paler by the unnatural lines of black that cover her skin like frozen lighting. Her irises burned as if they were the fires of hell. What would have been the whites of her eyes were pitch black.
And despite her terrifying visage, she is beautiful in a way. With a regal posture she carried her slender form with a regal grace and her hair was decorated with jewels hanging from fine treads.
Salem stopped with her back towards her servant as she inspected a crystal device. Anyone else would not have dared turn their back on some of the people in the room, but she has nothing to fear from them. But they have everything to fear from her.
"Watts. That will be quite enough."
Salem's voice was stern, as if she is a disappointed mother lecturing an unruly child. She knew they didn't have the luxury to be squabble among themselves anymore. Not after what had happened at Beacon.
"I apologize ma'am. I'm simply not fond of failure."
He looked over at what once had been Cinder's face.
"Or having to clean up after other's."
Cinder scowled as much as she could with her face. There was a burning sensation in the charred flesh and an ache in her bones. Much was covered with numerous skin-grafts but it still stung.
"I see. Perhaps you would tell me Watts, to what failures are you referring?"
Salem's gaze was hard on the man. It took all the willpower he had to meet it without flinching.
He hesitates to answer. He knew that his case against Cinder was weak and petty. And he knew that Salem knew this as well.
"Well, she was discovered and driven off even when she had the Maiden's power. Not to mention how badly she was beaten by that winged freak. It should have been an easy fight for her but look at her now. And then there was the matter of the silver eyed girl that managed to interfere."
Salem looked at the man and calmly went over his words and their implications.
"Perhaps, but it is because of the Maiden's power that the girl was able to interfere. Make no mistake, Cinder is to be our key to victory, but her newfound strength comes with a crippling weakness. Which is why she will remain by my side as we continue her treatment."
Cinder was still. Part of her was relieved to have been cleared free of guilt on that matter, but she would be stuck in the castle for quite some time still. Stuck there with her mistress.
Even as her body begged for more rest and time to heal did Cinder want to be out of the castle, looking and hunting for the one responsible for her current state.
Salem continued.
"And let us not forget that Cinder did destroy Beacon Tower. She slew The Invincible Girl and obtained the full power of the Fall Maiden. And most importantly, she killed dear Ozpin. She succeeded in all what she set out to do despite having been found out. Isn't that right, Cinder?"
Cinder nodded eagerly, happy to be given the praise she believed herself to have earned. And to not be on the receiving end of her mistress' anger.
"I see your point ma'am." said Watts reluctantly.
"Good. But you do have a point, Watts. Cinder was beaten within an inch of her life by one without silver eyes, despite her having the power of the Fall Maiden. Beacon is not ours and one of the most powerful grimm on the Sanus continent is gone."
There was a clear hint of annoyance in Salem's voice. It made Cinder worried for hers was a harsh mistress.
"But I do not believe all of this was young Cinder's fault. Cinder, would things have gone this way, had not the girl with silver eyes interfered at the Tower?"
'Oh yes, it would have gone differently.' thought Cinder as she made a fist with her grimm arm.
It would have gone better had not the Little Red been there.
Ruby Rose, Cinder had come to hate that girl as she had been bedridden, recovering and suffering. Cinder had contemplated her loss a lot the few moments she had been awake, staring into the ceiling while laying in bed like some cripple.
All would have gone fine had it not been for the girl. Nikos would have been dead. Cinder would have been at her best when Arc had arrived and the Wyvern would have been there to back her up from the beginning. Maybe Cinder would have even been able to make a clean getaway.
But instead her body had been stiff and rigid at the beginning and her vision blurred. Had that not been an issue she might have won. She would have won.
And it was all Ruby Rose's fault.
Cinder touched her throat and whispered the word into Emerald's ear.
"She says 'no'."
Salem nodded, a small smile on her face.
"Then tell me child, what happened?"
Using Emerald as her voice Cinder told Salem about everything since her arrival at Beacon while Salem listened intently, especially when Cinder spoke of Jaune Arc - the human with fangs that later grew wings.
"Wings you say?"
Salem hardly believed her own ears. She turned to Emerald.
"Is this true, child?"
Emerald nodded and took out her scroll. With great respect she approached Salem to hand her the device with pictures of the Angel.
Salem looked at them with great interest. "How beautiful they were. It is almost a pity he is gone."
Salem had been around for long enough to know that this Jaune Arc certainly was an oddity. For those wings couldn't have been of 'natural origin'.
"What of his kin? Do you know if they too were like this?"
"No ma'am. They were all perfectly normal. Just as shocked as the rest of the world to see him like this." said Emerald quickly.
Salem nodded at this. How curious.
"Cinder, did you ever take an interest in this? Did you ever try to sway him to our cause? He might have been an useful ally."
Once again Cinder whispered her answer into Emerald's ear.
"She did try to seduce him a few times, but he stayed loyal. That is why he got in our way it seems, he wouldn't turn on Nikos or leave her side."
"How noble of him. What else can you tell us?"
They spoke of how he had seemed to be immune to any disease, at least the ones that had plagued Beacon, and his seemingly odd past. They mentioned the rumors that had been circling around Beacon before the Tournament. People had claimed that he was an prince of an empire.
Salem raised an eyebrow at this. An empire she didn't know of?
But it was the tale Jaune Arc had told of Night Haunter that had really caught Salem's interest. She would have remembered such a figure in Remnant's history, as well as hearing of a city being laid to waste.
There was of course the possibility that the tale was simply made up. But Salem knew that most stories on Remnant always had some basis in fact.
But where would that place this Nostramo? How could such a story be true at all?
Salem quietly contemplated this before she had the children continue their account.
'Questions, questions, but no answers.
They told her that Arc somehow had seemed to have caught wind of their plans, and the virus in the CCT somehow. Mercury mentioned that there had been some strange broadcast when Cinder had infected the tower and when Arc had first taken part in the Tournament and finally when the Battle of Beacon had begun. Perhaps there was a connection?
Salem would have Watts look into that matter later when there was time.
They revealed that Arc had apparently figured out Emerald's semblance. But Salem wrote that off as him simply having been observant and cautious of them. The same went with his intervention in the fight between Pyrrha Nikos and the toy from Atlas. Penny was its name, right?
But then Arc had revealed Cinder's actions to all of Remnant with worrying accuracy. He had figured out their plans somehow. And what's worse, he had revealed Cinder's identity along with those of her disciples to Remnant. That would be a problem for them in their future endeavours.
They then reached the point at which Arch had called forth his 'legion'. He had also called them his 'sons'.
They all assumed it was ironic, for surely Jaune Arc was too young to have sired children yet.
"They took control over the broadcast." said Mercury. "Overrode Moustaches' stupid virus and stopped us from broadcasting what was happening in Vale. I guess people are a lot less scared now than what they would have been."
"You're lying! No one could have overrode my virus! It was perfect!" shouted Watts and got up so fast that his chair toppled over.
"Shut up! Your virus sucked and that's the truth."
"Enough. We need not fight between ourselves. Save it for the real enemy."
Hazel spoke and put an end to the quarrel. He was a man who usually didn't seek conflict where none was needed. A valuable trait, Salem figured.
The other two saw reason and backed down but their resentment for each other would no doubt remain.
What had happened in the Vault beneath Beacon came next.
Salem took note of how Cinder had conjured a flame that had rendered Arc defenseless and unconscious. Salem knew magic and fire but what Cinder described spoke of wrongness.
She would have to look deeper into that matter herself.
"And what happened on the tower?"
At the beginning of the debriefing Salem had assumed that Cinder had 'lost' because she had been overconfident after her defeat over Ozpin and Nikos. And that would have left her open for the intervention of Ruby Rose but now she wasn't not so certain anymore.
When Cinder and Arc had fought something had been off. He had been reacting to every move Cinder made with the Power before she even made them.
"As if he knew what you were going to do before you did it?"
"Yes."
The word was a croaked whisper but Cinder's voice was getting stronger as she was being forced to use it more and more as she went over all that had happened.
Salem grew more and more concerned.
It may have been the Power of The Fall Maiden that caused it."
Cinder had admitted that Arc had seemingly frozen up when Cinder had called upon the Power when he was tending to her when she was ill. Did Arc perhaps have a bit of magic in him? Did he somehow posses a bit of the old gift in him?
"Even more is the pity that he is dead now."
"Ma'am?"
All looked at her with a confused expression.
"Never mind. What of these warriors he summoned, these sons of his?"
It was Mercury who spoke of this. The warriors had come down from the heavens on ships bigger than bullheads and with weaponry more potent than anything he had ever seen before.
The warriors had been huge, so tall that maybe a man could reach up to their breastplates.
"Like something out of this world." the young man said.
He also pointed out that they had seemed very keen on getting to Jaune Arc but Cinder had managed to kill him just in time. Hers and Emerald's speedy departure was probably the only thing that saved them from dying. For after the Angel had fallen the warriors had gone berserk, killing anything they saw as an enemy.
Mercury described what he had seen them do to the Wyvern. It was worrying news to Salem. But she did not dwell on it long.
It was time to surmise the situation.
There was a new faction on Remnant. No one knew who they were or where they came from. They were technologically advanced, well armed and armored and capable of easily deploying from the air. They seemed to have been in hiding, awaiting Jaune Arc's command.
Salem would have to speed up her plans.
As for Cinder and her disciples the situation was hardly ideal.
The world now knew of Cinder, Mercury and Emerald. They would have to move even more carefully now in order not to be spotted and draw attention to their plans. But the rest of the group remained a secret.
Jaune Arc, the Angel, was dead, stabbed him through the heath by Cinder and Emerald had seen him fall. Admittedly, Salem would have prefered a body but such a wound should have killed him for sure.
But Salem had no way of knowing how the new faction would act or if they had an alliance with Ozpin's forces and allies. For now the warriors seemed to be staying in Vale. That was fine by Salem as that meant they would not interfere in what was to come. But that didn't mean she would just take it for granted.
"We have waited long enough already. We must act."
Salem summoned a Seer into the chamber and spoke to it.
"Reinforce our numbers in Vale. Maintain the pressure."
"Is that wise?" asked Hazel. "We have already lost that battle. Our forces only linger in Mountain Glenn anymore and I doubt we would be able to take the school now that it is properly defended."
"True, but the constant pressure from the grimm will keep them busy and out of our way while we hunt for the Spring Maiden."
"We are continuing the hunt? After all that has happened?"
Watts was surprised. He had expected a change of strategy.
"Indeed we are. We are in need of knowledge and that is something the Relic of Knowledge can provide. But in order to obtain it we require the Fall Maiden. And I doubt it needs mentioning that we may have need of her power for things to come. Tyrian, I want you to continue your hunt for the Spring Maiden."
"Hehehe. Gladly."
"Watts, you will take Cinder's place and meet with our informant in Mistral. You need not be gentle with him if he doesn't tell us what we need to know. And while you're at it, see if you can get your hands on some military hardware. Something from Atlas perhaps? I believe we will be needing it in the future."
"Understood ma'am. I'll see what I can do but the matter of the Spring Maiden will take priority for now."
"Very good.
Hazel, I'm sending you to the leader of the White Fang. Adam Taurus managed to escape Beacon and has arranged the meeting. The boy continues to prove loyal and he has amassed quite the following with his promises for more human blood and revenge for the White Fang that died at Beacon. Ensure that Sienna Khan feels the same."
"As you wish."
Cinder raised her human hand. She had something on her mind.
Emerald leaned in to listen.
"She wants to know... What about the girl with silver eyes?"
Indeed, what about her? Cinder was almost boiling with anger at the girl. True, it had been Arc that had disfigured her and it had been Nikos and Ozpin that had tried to deny her the power but they were all dead already. Rose was the only target for Cinder's hate that still remained.
To Cinder's relief Salem seemed to consider this but Watts scoffed.
"What about the girl? Seems to me that the girl would be Cinder's problem to deal with, not ours. Or is she perhaps afraid from the Little Red Hood?"
Cinder coiled her new hand into a fist and slammed it against the table. She was not going to put up with the man's disrespect. She was the Fall Maiden, the elements themselves were hers to command and she would not be mocked like this.
But Watts only grinned at her.
"Enough." Salem's patience with her follower was wearing thin.
"Tyrian, I have another assignment for you."
"Yes, my lady?"
"Spring must wait for now. Cinder is to be the key to our victory but that means having a silver eyed warrior around might pose a problem for us. We need to maintain our strengths for the inevitable conflict so that is why you are to find the girl with silver eyes."
Tyrian began to giggle and clap like an excited child at her words.
"And bring her to me."
Tyrian's clapping stopped and his face betrayed his disappointment as he pouted. He recovered soon enough and shrugged. His mistress had told him to bring her the girl. But not if she had to be in one piece when he did so.
"Ho-ho-ha-ha. A-ha-ha-he-he-hew-hew A-HE-HE-HE-HA-HA HAHAHAHAHAHAHA"
At a random farm
He was dreaming. It couldn't be anything else. He dreamed of fire and death.
He dreamt that he was underground, or at least that is what he thought. It was a great vault. He was not alone. There was a woman with burning hands.
She was hurling fire at him. How did she do it? Magic?
He was protected by some bubble but it did not last. A moment of letting his guard and shield down had sent him plummeting to the ground.
The woman pulled him up, smirking at him.
"Now, any last words before I send you home to mommy, Ozpin? For however long that reunion will last anyway."
"My mother is dead."
His voice was croaked and it didn't sound like his own voice. And who was this Ozpin the woman was talking about? His name wasn't Ozpin, or was it?
"I know. Better luck next time, Ozma. Maybe then you will actually last for a few more rounds."
Who was Ozma? Was he Ozma? Was Ozma Ozpin? And what did she mean 'next time'?
He didn't get any answers. Next thing he felt and saw was fire.
Oscar Pine woke up in a panic. He was sweaty and breathing heavily, his heart beating as if it wanted to burst out from his chest. He looked around, ready to bolt at the first sign of movement.
The old familiar feel of his loft in his Aunt's barn soon calmed him. Nothing was wrong. It had only been a nightmare.
Getting up he climbed down a ladder and made his way out. The sun was rising, the birds were singing. In the horizon he could see the mountains. All was as he had left it the day before.
He went about his shores and tasks as he always did. Pumping water from the well he couldn't help but think of the world outside of his Aunt's farm. It was an odd thing for he had never done that before. Well, not that often at least. But now he had an urge to move, to grab a stick, a staff or a cane and just start walking, as if he had someplace he had to be.
He was woken up from his daydreaming when he felt a cool sensation spreading over his foot. Looking down he noticed that he had overfilled his bucket and the water had poured over his boot.
"Not how I wanted to start my day."
So yeah, Jaune and Pyrrha have woken up as well as poor Oscar. Cinder is up and about and she wants to get that Little Red.
I am just going to point out that instead of having it be several months before stuff start to happen after the Fall, it will only be a few. Had I made it take as long as in the show then the astartes would have began to take over the planet completely and give it to Jaune as a Father's day gift.
Emps is keeping tabs on the warp morons and the astartes have pretty much purged all of Vale.
Admittedly, not much happened in this chapter apart from exposition of what has happened. It may be boring for some of you, but it is something that needs pointing out.
A few words about Salem: the first time I saw her I was like "Ahhh! Kill it with fire! Her eyes scream unholy abomination!". Now I'm still scared of her.