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Killing the child was easy. He was awfully flammable after all, my flammable little friend. No! He was just a host for Ozma! I had no connection to him. But just for good measure I kicked him across the hall as well, leaving him burning and broken. I didn't even need to check his body. He was surely dead. I didn't have to force myself to watch anymore, I could move on.

"Time for the next part of the plan. Revenge..." Adam may be ever vigilant but he wasn't exceptionally intelligent. Neo just nodded in agreement. We were not on the same page at all were we Pyrrha… Right she's gone.

"No. First the maiden then you get your revenge," I could nearly tell Adam was scowling beneath that mask but I knew for a fact Neo was scowling, "We get what I need, before you take what you want!"

"Tsk, Fine." Adam said through his teeth clearly wanting to say something more but when he met my gaze he was forced to comply. The next phase of the plan was simple. The Aura transfer pods were in a hospital on the lower levels of the compound. The only reason they would be there is for the maiden… It should be a simple task. I placed the relic in Neo's hands as she could conceal it the best.

"Follow along." They may want to stab me in the back but they had little choice as I led the way to the lower floors. Neo made exceptional disguises for them as we went along on our merry way. Yet I kept getting stopped in the halls as people asked me things. Not even important people, just regular people.

"Ms. Nill! We're about to go on lock down, could you make sure the students are safe?" A random grunt asked me as he ran passed. But I responded anyway as if it was a reflex.

"Sure, I'll send any students I see to their dorms."

"Thank you!" When he was out of sight Neo and Adam just gave me the side eye. When had I met that man? But as we neared the elevator I was stopped by another grunt, this one was heavily armored.

"Ms. Cydar, I thought you'd be in Mantle."

"And why is that?"

"They're evacuating all the civilians to Atlas. I just figured you'd be on the front line making sure people got up." Oh great he was talking far too familiarly.

"I was confined to quarters recently and I wasn't able to join the others…" That was the truth… it was the only reason I was still up here. Luckily… He just nodded as if he expected me to charge out of a window to go after them. The ride down was quiet as Neo and Adam were no doubt confused about everyone's general friendliness. But three floors from our stop we had to be greeted by the most annoying thing in the world. Neon was about to get into the elevator when she noticed me.

"Oh, uh, Cydar… how are you doing?" She didn't want to ask but her ride would have felt awkward without it. I initially wasn't going to respond but I was forced to when I noticed a little blood dribbling out of her sleeve.

"Neon… You're bleeding."

"Ugh, Dang it! That's what I get for tearing it out!" She rolled up her sleeve where I could see in the pit of her elbow was a small dribble of blood constantly flowing. She had clearly torn out an IV. I grabbed her arm as she fruitlessly tried to stop the flow of blood.

"Why did you need an IV?" I ran my thumb across the hole heating it into a small and mostly painless cauterization shutting it in an instant. She grit her teeth as she let it happen but when it was done she let her mouth open.

"You kind of tried to cave my face in…" That was a week ago, how had she still not healed? Or was it really that bad? I had never gotten around to apologizing for it.

"Oh… right. Well at least you're better now."

"Well not exactly. The doc still hasn't cleared me for combat but I'll be fine." She was a student after all… I was supposed to send students back to their dorms… But why wasn't her team here to stop her?

"And the rest of team FNKI?"

"On the front lines. I can't just sit here and wait for them!" Watts once explained to me that once you get a concussion for a few weeks after it's easier to get another concussion… Which can lead to more serious problems. She was admirable but when we reached the lobby I found several guards looming. They would have to do.

"Soldier," One of them turned to me, "This young student here needs to be escorted back to her dorm."

"Wait! What! Now I'm fine! You can't-" I placed my hand on her shoulder as I kept her in the elevator. When our eyes met I shook my head, she may not like it but if she got hurt again in such a quick succession then it would be on me. The tears that began growing in her eyes wouldn't stop as the soldiers joined her in the elevator to escort her back. The look on her face was heart wrenching, she was injured by me only to get betrayed when it really mattered. What would Jaune's look like?

NO! DON'T EVER THINK ABOUT THAT!

"Awfully warmhearted…" Adam looked displeased with my actions. I refused to look at him as I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"She's one less pawn in our way," he didn't really believe that but neither did I. We didn't make it far when I turned around and came face to scowl with Winter.

"What are you doing out of your room?" Quick think of a cover… Think something believable. Surely she'd believe that Pyrrha was determined to help. But what if she didn't buy that? Better question- What did she know about me?

"I escaped to burn the city down while it is already on fire with all my friends still in it." She read the look on my face as I raised my eyebrows to annoy her. She made a game time decision at the last second.

"You're determined to help them… While commendable it's not the best thing right now," She raised her thumb to her lip allowing her to bite her nail as she began thinking even harder, "I need to claim the maiden power… But there is still a chance Salem has more operatives infiltrating..." She was prodding for information. Feed her some to gain her trust.

"Well, aside from Emerald and Neopolitan, the only other woman in her circle is Tock. So I'd hurry if you don't want to risk an invincible alligator Faunus getting the maiden power." Tock was just like Tyrian, a clone that Salem had made plenty of, the difference was that she seemed to realize she was a clone she just didn't care. But the chances of her being in Atlas were slim to none… she was an alligator after all. Her body would practically shut down in this climate.

"And you are certain?" I made sure to keep the shadow hand hidden in my sleeve.

"Yes." Neo was standing right next to me but Emerald was a wild card. She could be here. She wasn't, but she could.

"Then I need to claim the power now. Come we have no time to waste." Wait. Was she really bringing me to the maiden power? Was she this foolish? Didn't she have to tell Ironwood? She immediately began walking away as she bee lined her way to the maiden.

"Aren't you gonna tell Ironwood?" She turned to me with a smirk, the kind I usually had.

"He left me in charge for a reason."

Why was she trusting me? She had led us through all the security checkpoints as we neared the maiden. Hell even Penny joined us as if there wasn't a city burning below us.

"I don't know about this…" Penny was the only one of us that seemed to have any reservations. But they all seemed to be about how she was against killing an old lady. None of them were about me. What kind of fools are they? I was nearing something I had wanted for my entire life and neither of them had even so much as raised a question.

"I know. But right now we have to do what we're ordered, not what we want." That must be the entire philosophy behind her life. It was hilariously bad… not as bad as when she acted like this wasn't entirely her idea. When we arrived at the final checkpoint I felt like something was off. The final checkpoint was just a massive turret and a metal detector, it may have had a guard at it once upon a time but now it had nothing.

"Stand guard here I'll be back and hopefully as a maiden…" She ordered all of us like it was nothing. But there was one final thing I had to tell her.

"Don't use the machine if you don't want her in your head… Make sure you kill her by hand." Why was I telling her that? It was morbid and didn't really matter but as Penny was the only one to react in shock Winter just nodded… Wait, I had to stop her. I needed to get the power before her.

"If she's just through there then we're done here." Adam snapped through his disguise as he immediately attacked Penny.

"Wha-" Penny barely had time to produce her array of swords before he began his onslaught. Neo didn't waste any time either jumping through the metal detector and drawing the attention of Winter. I stood there in shock as they were all fighting…

"Cinder! Of course you'd betray us in the end!" Penny shouted as she was struggling to keep Adam at a distance. Winter was as mute as Neo clearly kicking herself for trusting me. I didn't have time to think it over. But as they were both distracted I had plenty of time to meander my way into the maiden's room.

It was a nice stark white place that shouted nursing home with the only little distinction being in the art, as the canvases sat there rotting with the maiden. She was old and far past her prime and if Watts was to be believed senile. But as I came close to her there was a grace to her, and not just that of being a maiden. Like she had actually earned this old age… When I was right next to her bed I could almost feel her breathe. This would be easy, she wasn't even conscious… but before I could even raise shadow hand she woke.

"Are you- are you the one I'm waiting for?" I grinned as I knew the answer. Her only other option was the stagnant white princess that had never suffered a day of hardship in her life. Someone so devoid of emotion she couldn't even come up with a single thought of her own without being ordered to. I was the obvious choice. I had done everything for this power. I had killed, destroyed and murdered everything in my path! Now all that stood in my way was a single. Little. Old. Lady.

"No." Why? Why had I stopped? Why was I crying? Why did I feel so conflicted about this? Why was Pyrrha so determined to stop me? WHY!

"Heh," Why was this old bat laughing at me now? I would end her- "I was worried when I first got it too… Or I feel like I was… I don't remember, I just know I've been waiting so long." She motioned for me to raise her bed. I complied, raising her back rest.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why wait? Why not use the power for your own amusement? Why not take control of your own destiny and forge your own path? Why do you just sit here waiting to die?!" It all came bursting out at once. I didn't even know why I was here anymore. I just knew I couldn't leave without my answer.

"Because I'm old and tired. Maybe once upon a time I wanted any of those but now… I don't remember." That wasn't an answer she was dodging the question! Why is it that I never get any answers!?

"So you're okay with just rotting! No one will remember you! No one will mourn you! No one will even acknowledge you even existed! And you're just okay with that?"

"It doesn't matter if I'm forgotten. Because in the time I had-I made unforgettable memories with the people I loved. Even if I don't remember it doesn't mean the feelings aren't there." Was that it? Was that the answer? It couldn't be. I had to get power for the sake of power alone… "I already had my adventure and used my power to shape it… What about you?"

"Huh, I don't understand. What about me?"

"Why did you get your power?" Such a simple question…

"For the sake of being strong-"

"That's never the reason, it's just the excuse people give. What's the real reason?" What was the real reason? Salem told me it would become clear when I got it, Watts had told me it was to get revenge, Hazel had told me it was to be used against my enemies, Tyrian had told me it was to more easily allow me to serve, and even Mercury had said he wanted to power to prove he wasn't weak. But why did I want it?

"I-I… don't know."

"Of course you do- the reason is deep inside of you. You just don't remember it yet…" as she finished she began focusing on the painting right next to her. It had originally been a landscape painting but now it was a hastily painted image of a woman. It was clearly supposed to be Winter… but I didn't see the resemblance, "Who is she?"

"Winter… she's the one they chose to be the next… well Winter maiden."

"Kind of pretentious to name yourself after the power…" I shook my head as she said that.

"She was named that before they chose her…" I knew the power was slipping out of my grasp by the second. No doubt the others would break through very soon and kill me in the process…

"Do you know what she's like?" The maiden asked as she began painting in the background.

"Well, she's strong and on the good-"

"Not her power, her character." She wanted to know who she's giving the power to… I would too…

"She's kind of a stick in the mud," This drew her attention, "She follows orders and does what she's told all while repressing any emotion that tries to surface. But she's kind to her sister and I think that shows through giving Weiss the determination to make her proud…"

"Tell me about her." This caught me off guard… sure Weiss would make a better maiden. Less of a threat to Salem but she had time to learn. I took out my scroll and cycled through the pictures. Until I found the only one of Weiss it just so happened to have the rest of us as well. Both teams, Penny, Winter, and the Ace Ops but I pointed to Weiss.

"Weiss Schnee, my first impression of her was a rich brat-"

"And you think she's a good choice?"

"Yes, because since then I've seen her try again and again to be seen for what she truly is… A good huntress trying to make the world a better place despite her name," she nodded before motioning to the others, "That's Yang Xiao Long, I first thought she was a party girl that didn't have much between her ears… That was pretty accurate, but it doesn't mean she cares any less. It just means she has more room to care. Then there's Blake Belladonna, she's far too quiet. But in that silence is thought, not the world shattering plans or revitalization of society but of action. She constantly thinks how she can act to help those around her… and how she can run to their aid. After that there is Nora Valkyrie, she has the biggest heart around caring for everyone in sight. Just being around her seems to raise everyone's spirits… I just hope she knows that we all rely on her…"

I couldn't continue anymore. I needed to stop. I could never go back to them and the tears were only growing as I realized that. I had ruined everything again and I would be forced to live with it… Until the tears were stopped by a gentle hand on my cheek. Rubbing the tears out of my eye the maiden was smiling, "Please, continue."

"Okay…" I motioned to Winter as she stood with the stick up her butt, "That's Winter, you already know her. Next to her is Penny Polendina though… I killed her once before… and yet she survived. Because she isn't a real girl… but that doesn't mean her heart is any less real. It just means she has a lot more heart even if it is artificial. And finally there is Ruby Rose. I hated her. She blew off half of my face and an arm. Yet I can't fault her for it. I deserved it… I mean she's only 14 and she's leading us better than anyone ever could…"

I had to apologize to them and ask for forgiveness. I couldn't leave it like it was. I needed to shrink down and beg. I needed to do whatever it took to get their forgiveness… No I can't. I deep fried Oscar, there is no coming back from that one, "And who are you?"

I couldn't answer that one. I didn't even know at this point. Was I still Cinder or was I Pyrrha pretending to be Cinder? It hardly matters. I just knew I had ruined it, "Cinder Fall… I killed the Fall maiden, destroyed Beacon and killed Pyrrha Nikos. I'm a monster and I deserve whatever hell I end up in."

"Surely you wouldn't think this if you hadn't changed."

"I don't know. Probably! All I know is when they burst through that door I'm going to spend the rest of my miserable life in a cell," and as if on cue Adam and Neo got thrown through the door. I expected too much of them. A bull and an ice cream cone had hardly a chance against a robot and a girl made of metal. They were both only street thugs after all… Winter was the first to charge into the room after us.

"CINDER!"

NO, I WASN'T GOING TO SPEND THE REST OF MY LIFE IN AN ATLESIAN PRISON!

They all looked a little more than not exhausted and while Adam had his coat scuffed and his mask around his neck he looked more tired than injured, while Penny had a few gashes going through her skin revealing the metal underneath. Neo simply had a little ice collected on her hat as if that was all Winter was capable of, while Winter herself looked the worst for wear. Her bun was torn free, her uniform was scuffed and torn being generally ruined, while she had a black eye forming. Neo was either better than I thought or Winter was worse… I hope Neo was better.

"What?"

"GET AWAY FROM HER!"

"Oh, right." I was going to walk away from her when she grabbed my arm. I meant nothing to her, why was she stopping me? Better question- how strong of a grip did she have? I couldn't move her and she was grabbing shadow hand. How? That thing was supposed to be stronger than my regular hand.

"I recommend you run until you know why you're doing this." I couldn't even reply as the air around us began to freeze. I could hardly breathe much less attack, it swirled around us forcing Penny and Winter out of the room while tearing it apart. I was cold. And if I was cold then Neo and Adam would be freezing. I turned to them as the icy chill tore through their skin. I had to get them out of there. I would never have gotten this chance without them. I had to make sure they knew that.

As the roof got torn apart I got to Neo and Adam. She was freezing and he was barely able to move, had they been smart they would have bundled together to stay warm. I didn't waste a second as I grabbed their shoulders intent on flying them out. But Penny walked through the storm as if it was nothing. Our eyes met as I could see the betrayal.

What had they expected from me comradery and love. No. I was a monster and I didn't deserve either of those things. I picked Neo and Adam up as I flew us out of the freezing tornado. While they initially didn't have any complaints I'm sure the wiggling of her arms meant Neo wanted free. I didn't drop either of them until we reached an overhang looking down at the hospital.

"Well that was a resounding success. You managed to-" Adam wasn't able to finish as Neo kicked him. I wasn't sure if it was for me or her, but when Adam stopped talking she paced over to me. I wasn't looking at either of them preferring to look out over the tornado. I could feel her tiny little eyes boring in the back of my head but I also knew if I turned to acknowledge her she would tear into me in an unimaginable way. Likely stabbing me to death. We sat there for an uncomfortable second before Neo reached around placing her scroll in front of my face.

'Revenge now?' How could she so selfishly be thinking about revenge? We had bigger problems and all either of them could think about was hurting other people. It was pathetic… I was like that not too long ago wasn't I.

"No. Now we retreat," I turned to face all 4 feet of her to ask, "The relic?"

She rolled her eyes before she popped off her hat and pulled the relic out of it. It grew as she took it out. That reminded me of something. She presented it proud of herself for keeping it safe, I took it just as quickly as she drew it out, "Thank you, Neopolitan."

I had been dreading this since Pyrrha had taken control of my mind but it was finally the day that I returned to Salem… I just wish it wasn't. Neo made it easy by stealing a ship so I didn't have to fly us up. But I couldn't help but feel nothing but sheer terror at what I was about to do. It made me feel as small as when I used to scrub the floor. Still as we flew to the giant whale, Monstra, I couldn't help but wonder why we hadn't used this thing to begin with.

Salem said it was her battleship but I don't think she really knew what that meant. Watts always shook his head whenever she said it. Not when she was looking mind you… I would get to see the others again so that was nice. Maybe this time I could actually be their friends… No. I don't think I want to be friends with the people who are so intent on destroying the world. Well Emerald and Mercury are enough… they were still my friends right?

"We're here." Adam declared drawing me out of my thoughts. But they did little to calm them as the canopy of the shuttle opened. I felt the chill of the tundra along with the warmth of the Grimm as it's breath tore through the cold. Salem needs an interior decorator as the hallways were significantly worse than the ones in Atlas and they all looked the same. Neo wasn't initially paying attention before she stepped in a puddle of darkness.

"Watch out… I doubt you'll be safe if you get lost." I muttered as I led them in. I didn't know the route but I did know shadow hand was leading me to Salem. Just follow the passages with heat… of course she only heated the one's she uses. But the path was anything but straight, giving plenty of chances to turn around and flee for my life, even though I would probably die if I did. Yet the throne room was massive as it faced the front of the whale. Salem's attempt at making a drivable Grimm.

We weren't even facing her allowing her to act like she hadn't noticed us, yet as Adam stumbled making enough noise to draw her attention I immediately kneeled while she stood up.

"Cinder," her voice was calming yet commanding, the others didn't kneel and I knew that annoyed her, "When I chose you as my vessel for the maidens, I put my trust in you. So I trust you wouldn't possibly return to me empty handed."

"We took it right from under Ironwood's nose," I said as I raised the relic to her. She looked at it inquisitively unsure if she should take it.

"Outsmarting the general speaks less about your intelligence,more to his." And Tyrian was here. I thought he was being hunted in Mantle. I was tempted to join them on the grounds that he's a freak, "After all you were outsmarted by those children first."

I rolled my eye. Now I bring up how he was also outsmarted by Ironwood- "That was of course before you joined them."

Well… shoot. I would have to talk my way out of this one. I looked up to see the form of Salem determined to understand why. Tell the truth she's probably had to deal with it in the past, "I was temporarily possessed by the soul of Pyrrha Nikos. She was determined to be around her friends and I found it advantageous to get so close to them as well. It allowed me certain- intelligence that I wouldn't be able to get otherwise."

"And what intelligence would that be?" And suddenly my mind was blank. Pyrrha probably was trying to block me… or I was just afraid. Make some up.

"Ruby managed to use the relic. But in the process she used up two of the questions…" I don't know why I bothered lying to her. I doubt we'd be able to get the password anyway. Though it was pointless as she looked unimpressed.

"Well that is… something. Was that all you managed to get while undercover?" Salem was less interested as she clearly didn't care that I was able to get information like that. I didn't know off the top of my head what information was important to her or not.

"At the moment I am-"

"Her soul tried to merge with yours didn't it?" And she already knew why I wasn't telling her everything.

"Yes… it was hard to tell who I was for a short time there. Luckily-" I motioned to the arm, "I was able to suppress her and regain control."

Still unimpressed she drew her focus to the other two. "And them?"

"Neopolitan has a very useful ability and Adam is strong as a bull. They are valuable allies." Adam made a noise with his teeth but he remained quite otherwise. Right he was a Faunus- I would have to apologize for that crack later.

"Allies you say…"

"I-I mean assets. Valuable assets."

"It matters not what you think of them. Just that they are willing to follow orders." I barely made it through that part of interrogation. I doubt I'd make it through the next one. However when a pustulant sack in the corner burst open Emerald, Mercury and Hazel walked through. Was that a door in this place?

"Cinder... You're here! I knew you'd make it!" It was the first time in a while that anyone had said my name with anything other than disgust or hate. But I couldn't let it continue as Salem gave me the most intense glare I had received in a while. Emerald was charging at me for whatever reason and if she came to close there was no telling what Salem would do.

"Stop!" I couldn't even turn to see the hurt on her face. I was forced to remain focused on Salem. She looked more pleased that I was willing to push her away than anything. But she still remained intent when Tyrian began speaking again.

"So devoted to someone so incompetent. While the good doctor and I were dismembering the body of this great kingdom, you were simply atoning for past failures." He clicked his tongue at that thought. I grumbled as I had to get to him.

"You speak of incompetence when I only see one of you here. Where is the good-not-a-doctor?" He recoiled as I knew he was about to retort, I just couldn't let him, "Oh that's right. Instead of assisting the weakling you preferred to settle scores with Qrow. Tell us did you manage to kill the Headmaster or did that fail as well?" I didn't even break eye contact with Salem as I said those things. They would get him in trouble but with all the terrible deeds he's done I don't particularly care.

"Why you-"

"Enough. I care not for your petty contretemps." Salem came to my aid for once. That was nice. But as she paced around her throne I felt something was off. We managed to distract Ironwood and split his forces but the next part would take weeks and I don't think she wants to wait that long.

"What is the next phase-"

"In all due time Cinder… Remain still and wait until I call upon you. Then and only then will you be allowed to act." I finally allowed myself to break my gaze off of her.

"Yes, your highness." She wanted to hear something else from me but when I didn't give it to her she remained calm. She didn't point it out either, choosing simply to dismiss us. And I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief to get out of that Gods forsaken room. But as I did I was suddenly surrounded by a multicolor group of demanding children.

"Cinder are you-"

"I'm fine, thank you." I rolled my eye as Emerald asked. She wanted attention. But if I gave it to her right away the others would think I was weak… and I wanted to see how much she missed me. My attention was dragged away as Neo tugged on my glove, "AH, WHAT!"

I was expecting too much as she leaned in with raised eyebrows. She elbowed Adam to make him speak for her, "What was that thing?"

"Well she was Salem. And she will kill you if you call her a thing again. So best to remember that." I hadn't exactly filled them in on all the details, but I feel like I got the important one's across. Neo just shook her head as she was forced to listen to him. She wanted a room and food no doubt… Or I hoped she did, "Mercury, show them to their rooms-"

"I don't-"

"Please." He physically recoiled at the nicety as I asked him to help them. But it seemingly made him ill to have someone be nice to him. He grumbled as he led them away leaving me and Emerald alone. I stood there for a second. I could feel her trying to contain herself, as she didn't want to offend me by asking too much. I needed to let her know I am glad to see her too, "So... how have you been?"

"Uh, good. I've been fine- What! You never ask about-" I didn't let her finish as I pulled her into a hug. She was startled and unsure of what to do or say. She didn't even hug back. She just stood there too shocked to say anything. She was barely warm, not like when Nora hugged me… But I hope I was warm to her, "Cinder… What happened to you?"

I released her and pulled away gently, "How much time do you have?"

Emerald sat there in shock as I told her what happened to me and how I had to deal with the soul of Pyrrha Nikos. She was mostly confused how I had managed to put up with it for so long. I may have left out some choice parts but I wasn't going to leave out everything. Some details slipped out when they shouldn't, "So you and the blond kid did it?"

"No... maybe… Jaune was really nice… especially to her…" I shouldn't have let that one slip out. I could tell Emerald was wary about everything, but I also felt safe enough to tell her most of the big treacherous details because she wouldn't betray me.

"So her love overwrote yours?" Emerald was wary of where she was taking this conversation. I don't understand this one though it wasn't really that big just one of those things I did.

"Not really…" Emerald's eyes were the size of the moon, "I think her ability to love overwrote mine."

"Oh… that… makes… no sense," Hard to argue that, "but you're still you?"

"Uh… yeah. I'm still me."

"Good. I wouldn't want to deal with a goody two shoes version of you." Emerald was on the right track as she managed to keep me steady and was on the same page as me. I was glad Emerald was here. Not only to show me around this thing but to let me laze around in her room. It actually had decorations… even if they were just a few pieces of glass that I made for her and several posters she and Mercury 'procured.' Though this place still felt like a soulless monster.

"It wasn't all bad… I got to sleep in a real bed." I motioned to the stone slab.

"Yeah. I've taken to sleeping on the bean bag." I remembered that thing… it took her a month to sneak it into one of the shipments Watts had ordered. We all had a good laugh about that… or Mercury did. I stood there unimpressed while Salem was confused why it was brought to her attention. Why didn't I laugh back then?

"Looks... comfy..."

"Barely better than the slab."

"Yeahp. That sounds about right," I grinned as I looked at it.

"Do you want it? I make it sound a lot worse than it is-"

"What? No. I'm fine I'll just sleep on the slab."

"It's no trouble. I'll-"

"Emerald. I'm not taking your bed." And there it was even with the curt and solid reply that made her flinch. The reason I wasn't exactly fond of her was ever present. She only thought about pleasing me. Never about herself.

"I understand." She shrunk back as she knew she annoyed me for a second there. I immediately shook myself out of it to reassure her.

"It's fine…" She didn't meet my eyes. What did Nora say was the best way to make friends? Change the subject, "Now aside from the living situations. How have you been?"

"Like I said, fine, just fine." She was closed off as she didn't really know what to say. There was only one thought in her head and it was pleasing me. I needed to break her of that.

"No, you are not just fine. I mean it. How are you really?"

Our eyes didn't meet and I knew she had something to say. She just couldn't get it out. So we just sat there in silence for a few seconds. Then minutes and before I knew it time was irrelevant and she had yet to answer me. She just shook her head. I gently shook mine as well. If I couldn't get her to really talk to me then I doubt I could get anyone on this Grimm to… Which brought up another point… I had to talk to Salem.

After weeks of having mine and Pyrrha's souls acting like 'play-doh in the hands of a toddler' I had to finally acknowledge that I was different from the last time I was in Evernight. Now I only hope Salem didn't take this as a bad thing, "What is it you need my child?"

The words caught in my throat and I couldn't tell if it was actually my fear or if it was Pyrrha's, "I-I'm worried about what I've become. My thoughts are scattered and I'm not certain if they are mine anymore."

"Of course you are. You were going through a process that one man in history has mastered while four girls sporadically do it." She was awfully calm. I was right she had done this before. Which begged the question when?

"So you knew?" That may have been more accusatory than I meant it to sound.

"I knew it was always a possibility, but when they dragged you back to Evernight, I saw that green eye of hers I knew it had happened," She knew this entire time and she didn't even bother telling me, why am I not surprised? Better why was I still here listening to her?

"But she didn't show up until after Haven. Why-"

"When I grew you that arm I made sure she was sealed away. She just so happened to slip out when I told it to allow Grimm to detect you." Wait, I made that up. But she was actually trying to teach me a lesson back then… or get me killed at the very least.

"And now? I've merged with her for over a month and-"

"You may be different, but if you think you can stand against me that change won't save you. Best to remember I can still take you apart…" She closed her hand with that and mine began to flicker. But the intense pain that I usually felt was less than it usually was. Like I wasn't feeling the full brunt of it; I still cried out though.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" My vision was blurry until she opened her hand once again.

"Now run along…"

"Yes." I bitterly muttered through my teeth.

"Yes- WHAT!"

"Yes, Your highness-"

"NO!" She had let it slip earlier when we were with the others but this time she was determined. She wouldn't have me defying her. I had to suck in my pride no matter how much more this hurt than the arm.

"Without you, I am nothing."

"Good."

I was not saying it to her.

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Such an emotional chapter. I was trying to make myself cry the entire time. If I succeeded with any of you then-

Thank You. I couldn't have done it without you.