AN: Hey everyone, I am back with more of this series. Thank you for all the support this series has gotten here and on Tv Tropes. Going forward, I will treat this like a season of a show. In that, I will do five-chapters weekly before taking a break for a week or two, then another five chapters before taking a longer break. It lets me keep up consistency in content without having random breaks. For these next chapters, they will involve a lot of revelations and a high scale battle. To start, this chapter will give some hints as to some questions proposed but has a big revelation at the end. Hope you enjoy this chapter, leave a review with your comments and questions, and have a nice day.

Chapter 31 – Harsh Truths

Reines.

With a hum in her voice, Reines walked down the halls of the airship. Behind her, Trimmau carried two large paper shopping back full of clothes. The two eventually made their way to the meeting room. Upon entering, Sigurd and Brynhildr were already sitting down, "Well, how did your meeting with the Chieftain go?" Reines inquired before sitting in an opposite chair.

"He was grateful for us rescuing the White Fang and does agree with our cause." Sigurd spoke, "He wants to make sure as many lives as possible are saved in this conflict, and to avoid another war."

Brynhildr continued, "The Chieftain will be working on ways to get in contact with Sienna Kahn. While he doesn't think she will respond positively to the idea, he does know she is not ignorant enough to disregard our recent mission."

"Good, hopefully, we can meet the White Fang leader within a week or so." Reines commented before noticing Brynhildr having a look of concern, "What's wrong?"

"After our meeting, the Chieftain's wife spoke with me privately," Brynhildr responded, "They have a daughter, one who has not been answering her calls as of late." The beloved woman spoke with Reines having a focused gaze, "As well, she was a former member of the White Fang."

"They have tried contacting her boyfriend, but he has also not responded," Sigurd added on.

"Well, I might guess those two just want some alone time. After all, weren't you two the same way in your late teens?" Reines said with a suggestive smirk, causing Sigurd and Brynhildr to avert their gazes. However, Reines expression changed to contemplation as she placed her right hand on her chin, "Still, the timing would not have me assume that situation here. If the daughter of the most prominent faunus was murdered by the White Fang Killer, the war the Chieftain wishes to avoid may happen."

"The Chieftain's wife said she went through a lot to make sure their daughter's history was never made public. Information about the association with the White Fang, even the fact of her being their daughter." Sigurd responded, "They wanted to make sure she would never be a target for her past."

"Still, they are worried about her," Brynhildr added on.

"Understandable," Reines responded, "However, we can't do anything from our situation here. We need all of us ready in case the other White Fang Killers attack this island. They will just have to have faith in their daughter's ability to protect herself." She said with the two nodded, "Now, is there anything else we need to discuss?"

"Y-yes," Brynhildr spoke up, causing Sigurd to hold her right hand, "This is something we should have told you about from the beginning...I am the Summer Maiden."

Reines did not respond right away, her eyes narrowed as she looked at the beloved woman, "From the fairytale about the Maidens of the Seasons."

Brynhildr closed her eyes for a second. Upon opening them, they radiated a light aura, "It is no fairytale." She said with Reines starting to scowl, "I understand you are upset; we did not mean any harm by hiding this fact."

"Please understand, we-" Sigurd tried to elaborate, but Reines cut him off.

"I already understand why you would hide it; those powers are wildly desired by many threating individuals." Reines responded, "What I am trying to piece together is why you are telling me this now." She said before realizing the answer, "Someone already found you two out. And if I had to guess, it was the late Lieutenant-General."

Brynhildr looked down as she tightened her grip on her husband's hand, "Winter, I think the reason she wanted to save me was because I have this power." The Summer Maiden said before her eyes slightly flared with rage, "But I never wanted to be one of the Maidens. It only brings pain and sorrow to those associated with me."

Reines remained silent before sighing, "You should not tell this to Weiss, it would have both of you assume the wrong thing about this situation." She said with Brynhildr looking back to her in confusion, "You don't know that was the reason why the late Lieutenant-General did what she did. It was her choice to sacrifice herself to save you the way she did." The Princess of El-Melloi responded before standing up, "What's done is done, and we have a mission that needs to be completed. Grieve if you have to, but do not misread the situation with opinionated facts." She was about to leave the meeting room, but stopped at the door, "With the late Lieutenant-General taking your secret to her grave, you were safe to keep the maiden power hidden from me. I thank you for sharing this information, albeit later than I would I liked." Reines exited the room. Trimmau bowed to the Sigurd and Brynhildr before following her master. The King of Warriors turned to his wife, seeing tears start to run down the Summer Maiden's face. He held her close as she hugged him back.

Qrow.

In the middle of the library, Qrow finished a book simply entitled, Runes Volume Five. He let out a sigh before placing the book on a stack of four other works of literature, "Scathach was nice to pick out relevant books for me to research." He said before leaning back in his chair, notice a stack of twelve more books, "But, did she have to assign me so much homework?"

Suddenly, turned to his right to see a familiar face in the library. Miyu was sitting alone, reading from a large teal book. She wore a black skirt with matching stockings and brown shoes. She also had on a matching white schoolgirl's uniform shirt and beret, accessorized with a red ribbon. Sapphire was hovering near her head, looking down at the book as well. Miyu remained focused as read, but noticed a shadow looming over her, "Please, leave me alone." She said to Qrow, who was looking down at the book, "I wish to read this in solitude."

"Really?" Qrow said while not following her request, noticing the topic of her material, "Huh, I'm a little shocked you are reading fairytales. I remember reading this one to Ruby when she was younger than you." He said before Sapphire flew a couple of inches in front of his face.

"Miyu has asked you to leave," Sapphire spoke in a somewhat serious voice, "If you do not, I will make you leave."

"Oh, my bad." Qrow said before taking a step back, but smirked, "Just trying to make conversation." He said with Miyu not saying a word, "Just answer me one question. Is that your favorite fairytale?" the unlucky huntsman said with his gaze getting slightly focused on Miyu, "Maidens of the Seasons?"

"…" Miyu did not say a word right away, rather turning the page of her book first, "No, it isn't." The cold magical girl responded, "I don't like fairytales, because they're never true." She said while turning the page again, "And they never do come true."

"Then why are you reading one?" Qrow asked, but Sapphire flew back in his face.

"You said only one question," Sapphire spoke for her owner, "Now, leave."

"Fine, suit yourself." Qrow said before putting his hands in his pocket, halfway turning around, "You know, you do still remind me of a woman I know with a similar cold attitude." He said before smirking to himself, while Miyu was turning a page. "Maybe, I should give Winter a call. See if she does have a long-lost sis-" Suddenly, a ripping sound was heard. Qrow looked back to Miyu but had pulled off the upper right corner of the book she was reading. While he only saw her back, the unlucky huntsman could tell Miyu was taking deep breaths.

However, Miyu calmed down as she cleared her throat, "I don't know why you seem to link me to the Schnee family," She said before closing the book and getting up, "But I assure you, that cannot be further from the truth." She turned back to Qrow with a cold gaze, "You can stay here, I will find a new place to read in peace." The cold magical girl said before walking away, Sapphire following behind her.

Qrow watched her walk away before sighing, "I can't catch a break, can I?" He said to himself before looking up, "If I could tell her, I bet Winter would get a laugh out of this whole situation I'm in." He said before taking out his scroll, about to go into his contacts, a slight chuckle in his voice, "However, I could just tell her about Scathach. Heh, might make her jealous." Qrow was about to call Winter's number, but his body pulsated. His hands shook as his face started to profusely sweat, "Hey, what was that feeling just now?" Qrow said as his hand would not move any closer to the call button.

You will not call any. Not for any reason…Not until you do what I asked of you.

The voice of the Queen of Grimm echoed in Qrow's head; his heart felt the cold fingers coil around it. After a few seconds, the feeling went away as the Unlucky Huntsman looked down at his scroll. In gritting his teeth, he closed his scroll and put it back in his pocket. In walking back to his seat, he opened a new book and began to search for more information on the Woman in Black.

Ruby.

Ruby walked with scroll to her ear, talking with the grand duchess, "You and to the others found nothing?" the red-hooded girl asked.

"If she was around, I think we would have found her by now," Anastasia responded, but was met with silence, "Ruby?"

"Uh," Ruby spoke as she was focused on someone else, "I found Charlemagne." She said, seeing the Benevolent King looking off into the distance through a large glass window, "I haven't seen him around since the Penny incident."

"From what I heard, he was also sent into your reality marble," Anastasia clarified, "I don't know what he saw, but that was right before he stopped going to classes."

Ruby realized it was not what, but who he saw in her reality marble, "I think I should talk to him, call me back if you find anything about Chloe." She said before hanging up. As the red-hooded girl walked towards him, her heart began to race, "Uh, hi Charlemagne." She said, but he did not respond, not even turning around, "…I huh, I should have talked with you a while ago about this. But when you entered my reality marble." She said before realizes his right fist was tightened, but she still spoke, "You saw Astolfo, didn't you?"

"…I did," Charlemagne responded, his voice somewhat colder than normal, "He was in his paladin armor and not those silly clothes he likes to wear…. I didn't even recognize him at first, but when I saw him smile, I knew it was my friend."

"So, you were happy to see him," Ruby asked with a faint smile, but Charlemagne did not respond right away.

"Ruby Rose," Charlemagne spoke before turning around, "Why do you want to be a Huntress?"

"Why?" Ruby said before answering without hesitation, "I want to be a hero who saves everyone, just like in storybooks." She said with a smile, knowing that was how she would always answer that question. However, started to look down. Her smile lessened as her eyes filled with sorrow, "But I couldn't save Astolfo."

"No, you didn't." Charlemagne responded, "I wish to be a hero who saves everyone as well." He said before glaring Ruby, "Unlike you, that is a goal I will not fail at." The Benevolent King said with Ruby gasping, "Your reality marble is a plague, reminding people of their lost loved ones. You aren't doing any good by making people relive such painful memories."

"Hey, that's really mean!" Ruby responded, "It was thanks to my reality marble that Penny-"

"That was when she entered it the second time," Charlemagne cut her off, "The first time she entered, she left in a state of eternal pain. Begging for death." He said with Ruby gasping again, failing to realize that what he said was true. She had not noticed it before, but Penny was so close to death due to her reality marble, "What do you have to say now?"

"I…" Ruby tried to speak but could not find the words.

"You know the difference between your kingdom's definition of a Hunter and my kingdom's definition for a Hero?" Charlemagne asked with Ruby not replying, "A hunter only cares about the hunt, fighting a stronger prey than the last, and disregards the sacrifices made during the struggle so long as they win in the end. While a Hero cares about those they protect. No matter how strong the foe is, they will fight and save everyone." He then started to walk past Ruby, "We may be fighting the same enemy to the World of Remnant, but you are not the hero you think you are."

"I…" Ruby said before turning back towards him, "I'm trying my best!" She called out to him, causing the Benevolent King to stop.

However, Charlemagne did not turn back to face her, "Yet," He spoke in a cold voice, "That was still not enough to save Astolfo. And it never will be." Ruby gasped before Charlemagne resumed his walk down the hall, leaving the red-hooded girl behind.

As Charlemagne made his way down the hall, Anastasia passed him. However, she noticed his somewhat cold gaze as he walked. The Grand Duchess has a look of worry as she slights rushed down the hall. Soon, she reached the sight of the red-hooded girl. Ruby sat with her arms hugging her legs, her hood pulled over her head. After Anastasia knelt next to her, she pulled off the hood, revealing the tears that ran down Ruby's face. The Grand Duchess gasped before Ruby looked to her, "I …I don't think he likes me," The red hooded girl said with a smile through the tears, while Anastasia had a look of sorrow in her eyes. Anastasia hugged her friend, allowing Ruby to have a shoulder to cry on. She hugged the Grand Duchess back as the smile faded into sadness, her silver eyes closed, but the tears still ran.

Roman.

In the Emerald Forest, a Grimm Deathstalker falls over dead and starts disintegrating. Roman leaned on his cane, his breathing heavy. While Kiritsugu remains calm, allowing the rocket launcher to cool down before holstering it on his back. "This Headmaster is out of his mind if he keeps having teenagers fight these monsters." Roman said as Kiritsugu started to walk, "Hey, wait up!"

"These Grimm are nothing special. If you know the weak points of the variations, they are not a problem for even an inexperienced hunter." The magus specialist said as the orange-haired criminal caught up, "We have already searched most of this area," He said before stopping, "All that is left is this cave."

"Of course," Roman reluctantly said while looking at the unseeing enclosure. He then lifted his cane and twisted the handle, causing a flame to emit from the other end. With the torch, Roman and Kiritsugu walked into the cave.

As they walked, Roman kept checking the ground, "I swear if this is that Headless Hunter's home and step in brain matter," He said before a line of sweat ran down his forehead, "I really don't want to run into that thing again." After a few more minutes of walking, they could not continue past a rock wall, "Dead end. Looks like we need to go back." The orange-haired criminal said before Kiritsugu walked up to the wall, examining it. "What?"

"This was not a natural forming; someone made this wall here," Kiritsugu responded as he noticed the dirt was a different consistency than the other walls. As well, this wall was flat and not curved in like the rest of the cave, "We need to go through." The magus specialist said before kneeing, searching his bag for a rectangular device with a red timer. He placed it on the wall and pressed the blue button, causing the timer to countdown from two and a half minutes, "Back the way we came." He said with Roman hurriedly nodding.

Suddenly, a second Deathstalker jumped down from the above wall, cutting off their escape. Roman had a look of panic as his weapon was there the only source of light and Kiritsugu could not fire his rocket launcher in this enclosure. However, the magus specialist pulled out his Contender, shooting the Grimm in the skull. The Deathstalker's body began to convulse as if it were being ripped around from the inside out. It instantly went limp and started to disintegrate, causing Roman to have a look of shock. However, as Kiritsugu holstered his weapon before running. At that moment, Roman remembered the timer as well.

The two barely made it out of the cave before hearing the explosion go off. A plume of smoke followed them out of the cave, but once it died down, Kiritsugu reentered the cave. Roman sighed as he followed, "What happened to not using those on Grimm, saying it was a waste?"

"We are not in a position to waste time either," Kiritsugu said, "That was my thirty-eighth shot. However, I would rather not use another on a simple Grimm."

"Then next time, set a longer timer." Roman retorted before the two made it past the fake wall, seeing the rubble on the ground. As they went deeper into the cave, there breathing became slightly heavy. Kiritsugu held his right hand in front of Roman, causing both men to stop. The orange-haired criminal now noticed with the magus specialist's saw, "Those are some odd symbols."

"They're runes of light," Kiritsugu said before placing his hand on the odd symbols causing them to illuminate. Suddenly, multiple runes of light appeared around the cave, prompting Roman to blow out his torch. With more light, they discovered the massive area that had been dugout. However, the ground and walls were littered with burn marks and craters, "There was a battle here." He said before seeing a look of horror on Roman's face. The orange-haired criminal was pointing with his cane, causing the magus specialist to turn towards the direction. What they saw was who they were looking for. Ozpin, but not all of him.

Rather, it was only his head onto a pedestal. His eyes closed as his glasses were broken. His skin was slightly grey with decay as a line of blood went down the right corner of his mouth, "Well, we found the headmaster." Roman stated, but Kiritsugu turned with a deadpan gaze, "Yeah, I realized it as soon as I said."

"I'll have to inform my superiors of his death," Kiritsugu responded, "But who killed him?"

"Well, I know one guy with a decapitation fetish," Roman said with the Headless Hunter coming to mind. However, something did not line up for him, "Still, that guy didn't seem like the type to keep the heads as trophies like this." He said before closing his eyes with a shiver at the memory of the head smash. Upon opening them, he saw the magus specialist examining the head, "What are you doing?"

"Hmm," Kiritsugu spoke as he looked at Ozpin's neck wound, "This was done through magic, not a normal sword…I wonder." He took off the glasses, popping out one of the lenses. He placed the lens under Ozpin's nose, seeing the glass fog. Kiritsugu gasped as Roman took a step back. The magus specialist then examined Ozpin's right eyes. In opening it, he saw a faint light remaining, "…He's still alive."

"Bull crap! He's just a head!" Roman responded. "If that's the case; where's his heart, where's his kidneys, WHERE IS THE REST OF HIS BOD-" He said with Kiritsugu realizing it as well, "…No way."

"The Headless Hunter," Kiritsugu spoke as he turned back to Roman, "Is the rest of Ozpin's body." He said with Roman being speechless, "In ordered to confirm this, we need to talk with Ozpin."

"Huh?" Roman responded, "I don't think he has enough of a throat to speak with."

"Then, we need to call a necromancer." Kiritsugu responded as he walked over to the orange-haired criminal, "And I know who I can escalate to help us out."

"Of course, you do," Roman said with a sigh, then they looked back to Ozpin's head. Suddenly, Roman patted the magus specialist on the back, "You carry him." The orange-haired criminal said before walking away, "Stick him in your bag for all I care, I'm not touching that." He said before noticing an odd wall. This one was made of a hardened blackish-crimson residue, "Another fake wall?" He said before placing his hand on the surface.

"We have to leave now." Kiritsugu called out, causing Roman to pull his hand back, "The Head will continue to decay in this environment." The magus specialist said before placing the head in the bag, "As well, that explosion might have alerted more Grimm to this location."

"Fair point, let's get out of here." Roman said before following Kiritsugu, "This place gives me the creeps."

After they left, silence returned to the room. However, the wall that Roman touched start to crack. A few small chunks fell onto the ground, revealing something underneath. It appeared to be the front of a human skull with a X-shape scar on the forehead. In the black void of the right eye socket, a red glint was seen, followed by an aura of a blue flame.

AN: There you go, a lot happens in this chapter. Reines learns about Brynhildr being the Summer Maiden. Meanwhile, Qrow still doesn't know about Winter's death, but does have a very interesting conversation with Miyu. He got his heart squeezed by Salem, but Ruby is the one who got her heart crushed by Charlemagne. He was hurtfully, but in his context, this is just what he sees Ruby as. Roman and Kiritsugu make the ultimate discovery on what happened to Ozpin and who the Headless Hunter is. And Finally, I revealed who one of the other kings was from Gray's story. Gramps is here and already burning with intent to kill. That is all for now, thanks for reading, and hope to see you in the next chapter.