Chapter 9: Together, Vulnerable
"I don't like the look of that," Weiss said. She watched the distance through a pair of binoculars, perched near the precipice of the plateau mountain, one of many like it in the area around Elhattem, a city to the west of Kastell. The thick fog made it a difficult task, the town was completely covered.
Ruby looked at her, puzzled, "The look of what? I can't see anything."
The winds blew past them, strong, unrelenting and determined enough it might tear snowtents from the ground, were they ignorant of the least dangerous areas of Solitas.
"That's what worries me,'' Weiss said. "With the winds this strong, and visibility this low, there's a snowstorm coming for sure."
"We could still follow through. They'd never see us coming."
Weiss smiled, Ruby's confidence surging through her, an injection of optimism. "Maybe. But I wouldn't want to risk your Aura shield again. How will you snipe if you can't even see one kilometer away?" Weiss realized in the same breath that again she'd fallen to the Atlesian noble customs, of asking a question she knew the answer to, if only so her Rose would bolster again.
It was dangerous, mixing their personal and professional lives.
Ruby raised an eyebrow, a grin spread across her face, "Maybe I'll blindshot them? The ricochet shots are getting old…"
"Variety is the spice of life, or so I heard," Weiss said. "When the storm passes it'll be covering everything in about a meter of snow."
"That much?" Ruby said. "Geez, I don't know how the Yamainuk even survived here."
"Same way we do. Hiding in Caves, using fire Dust, and snow tents. Sometimes snow huts. Didn't combat school cover that?"
Ruby made a so-so gesture, "In a class or two, I think. They focused a lot more on the Valerian guard, since they were around at the same time."
"Vale's old tribes… Makes sense, that's Vale's history."
The winds rushed between them again, a reminder.
"We should get back to the caves. There's only so much Aura can do anyway, I can feel the cold shaving my shield down."
Weiss nodded. Below them, at the slight slope that was the mountainside, there was an entrance, one to an intricate cave system. Ruby wrapped an arm around her, then used her Semblance, transforming their material form into a turbulent whirlwind of rose petals.
Being deprived of her regular senses was a bit dizzying, in such a state there was no such thing as sight, hearing or any other sense as much as there was perception. They weren't sensing the surrounding area as much as they were acutely aware of it, everything from the speed of the wind to the smallest of snow and dust flakes. It was not unlike how a person could be familiar with their house and even traverse the place blindfolded without bumping into any wall or furniture, only improved a hundredfold. Weiss wasn't sure she'd ever get used to it, but a long time ago she found it explained really well Ruby's excellent —almost instinctive — sense of space and geometry.
They flowed down the mountainside along the wind, into the opening, Ruby reformed them immediately as they entered, holding Weiss as she stumbled from the sudden shift back to regular, human awareness. The past few weeks the caves had become a welcome sight, a place of rest, something that clashed with the rest of the team and their Vale Huntress training. In Vale, caves were synonyms with Grimm. In Solitas, it was very much the opposite.
As they walked inside, Ruby pointed to the rock carvings that sit behind the layer of ice on the walls, "This is where we left from, right?"
The carvings were discreet, stick figures held spears aloft under the broken moon. In the past it likely was one of a tribe's many pieces of art, nothing more. Some of the less informed historians in the past had assumed they were primitive, almost barbaric ways of expression, but the way the midnight sun reflected pierced the icicles above, and the layer of ice that covered the wall revealed quite the opposite. Ice glistened as light refracted, blue and orange hues covered the wall.
All this, and it was merely the effect caused by the minimal sunlight there was presently. Weiss could only wonder how it could look when the sky wasn't covered by the thick prelude to a snowstorm outside.
"It's this one. I remember this carving," Weiss said.
Ruby walked to her side as they moved into the cave, "It's pretty. It didn't look like that when we left."
"Yes. It's a trick of the light, nothing more. The figures are carved in, and with the clouds, the ice and the sun outside it sometimes looks like they've moved when we weren't looking. You just need to look for the relief imprint it leaves on the ice. It casts a shadow over the carving too."
Ruby had a hand on her hip, "I love it when you geek out like that," she smirked.
"I do not geek out!" Weiss said, "This is just basic history and culture-"
"Nerd!" Ruby teased, tapping a hand on Weiss' shoulder. "I said I love and I meant it. If you were my history teacher back in Signal…"
"You would've paid attention?" Weiss asked, dubious.
"I'd have tried!"
It brought an image to Weiss' mind, of herself wearing a pair of bifocals and a wool sweater over a dress. Not an image she could associate with herself, but perhaps the one she associated with history teachers in general.
"Yeah, I don't think I can see it."
They moved further inside the cave, the natural tunnel, cold and stark. The walls were lit, if only slightly, by the Dust residing in thm, a faint orange glow emanated from the crystals. As the further they moved in, the stronger they radiated light. Finding the way back was easier the further inside they went, in that mountain most tunnels led to a central hub of sorts.
Echoing through the tunnels was the sound of fighting, coming from another entrance, a clash of weapons and the rumbling growling of Grimm… An Ursa? Weiss and ruby ran in its direction…
The sound came from another entrance, framed against the arched rift were two figures: the bear-like shape of an Alpha Ursa, a mountain of Grimm muscle, tall white haired woman, protected by alabaster bone-like armor and carrying only one of Blake's reserve blades.
The Ursa charged, shoulder-tackling the woman in its way, grasping at her midsection. The Woman stabbed down at its back, making the ursa roar in pain and flinch. She stepped out of the beast's grasp in the blink of an eye, then with a horizontal cut, brandished the blade as she stepped back again.
The ursa's head tumbled to the floor, then its body disintegrated. A pillar of ash in the previously unmarred snow.
The woman looked back at the couple behind her, in the cave. The armor that covered her was reminiscent of a knight's armor, something like what Weiss' grandfather Nicholas used, although it was made entirely of Grimm bone, white hair flowed from behind , where the head was exposed.
The visor, Weiss noticed, was distantly similar to the White Fang masks, if only because it was pointed at the front.
"Winter!" Weiss called, "You don't need to exterminate every Grimm within the mile you know?"
The armor crumbled as she approached, revealing the woman underneath, Winter Schnee. Her breath was heavy and quick, she no longer wore her uniform, only the clothes they could buy from the surrounding cities. She'd been agitated for the past weeks, sleep eluded her some days, in others she passed out for a dozen hours nonstop, causing Weiss no small amount of worry. Her sister was alive, but something in her had changed.
I just can't tell if you changed because of the military, or if it was because of your… current circumstance, Weiss thought
"Better safe than sorry," Winter said, then turned to Ruby, "Rose. Was scouting productive?"
"Somewhat," Ruby said. "We have no visual on their androids, and there's a snowstorm coming."
"That much is clear. Did Weiss warn you we could be expecting about a meter worth of snow?"
"It was the first thing she said actually…"
Weiss cut in, "And we're going back to camp. You should join us, sister."
Winter glanced at Weiss, a neutral look that spoke of her protest to such an idea, a sentence said without words. "We could use the cover of a snowstorm to… Ah, no, you've already thought of that, didn't you?"
"Ruby did. Are you coming with us or not?"
Winter shook her head, "I'm afraid not. I'd like some time to wind down. Using the armor is a bit too much for now."
A bit too much… Weiss thought. Too much in what way? How? Damn it Winter, she cursed internally. It was so like her sister to say one thing while leaving so much space open for interpretation that it could also have a thousand different meanings. She wondered if it was on purpose.
"Very well. Until later," Weiss said, walking away.
Ruby followed at her elbow, finally speaking up when they were out of earshot, "Everything okay?"
"Yes."
"You know, we still haven't talked about the whole 'alternate badass Grimm form' thing. I figured I'd let you do it in your own time but…"
"... But it's been five weeks?" Weiss completed the sentence.
"Well, yes. That's pretty much unprecedented, you know? Penny and I, we did what we could, but we're not doctors, not like professor Peach."
"I know, Ruby. Look, Winter's her own woman, if something was wrong with her, she'd say something."
Ruby put her hands up briefly, "I believe you. Plus, we've advanced some, just by defeating that Dragon thing she was in. Some attacks stopped, Atlas retreated. We definitely delayed their plans."
Weiss nodded, "Yes. A couple of our teams were rescued too…"
Ruby took a moment before she continued, "I'll take whatever you say, but I also want to know if you're fine. You've been a bit distant, is everything okay?"
Reflecting on the thought, Weiss turned away from Rwby, facing one of the Dust lit, ice covered walls. Was she fine, after those five weeks? A superficial glance would say yes, but something still rested at the back of her mind, clawed at her attention, she just couldn't tell what. It had been that way since before they rescued Winter, like a part of her mind had been locked away, or rather isolated from the rest where all roads that previously led to it had been transformed into loops.
Weiss finally turned back to Ruby, kept moving to their camp. "I think I am. Something is bugging me about Atlas, but I still can't tell what it is, and that annoys me even more."
"I see, then what about- Ruby said, stopping as they reached one of the many hollow rooms inside the mountain. It was a large, domed chamber, so large that it could fit many huntships inside, their steps echoed as they moved across. Above, arched bridges connected tunnels and passageways, faintly lit by yellow and orange Dust crystals. The light was stronger near the bottom, where the crystals collected either through time or hoarding from past tribes. It was where they'd set up a trio of snow tents: One for Weiss and Ruby, the other for Yang and Blake, the last for Winter and Penny.
A narrow path along the wall led them down to their tents. Nearby, almost at the edge of the chamber were Blake and Yang, the blonde had her arm over Blake's shoulder, the two of them stopped talking as she smiled and waved at them, but otherwise didn't approach.
"Let's go inside," Ruby said
Weiss followed, and once inside, laid down and broke the silence, "Something you'd like to talk about?"
Ruby laid by her side, hesitated, "Kind of. I've been thinking…"
Weiss raised an eyebrow, "Yes?"
"Do you member that promise we made, just before leaving Vale, when we boarded The Mirage?"
Weiss scoured her memory for the exact words, "We will marry. When we restore the Cross Continental Transmit we will marry. Our world unified, that'll be my gift to you."
Ruby smiled, inched closer and wrapped an arm around Weiss' waist, "That's right. Are you planning on telling Winter about that anytime soon?"
"She's a smart woman, she'll figure it out."
"She doesn't even know we're fiances yet, how is she going to figure that out?" Ruby said.
"Give it time. Plus, if she doesn't, then I wanna see her face when we broadcast our wedding all across Remnant. Jacques would probably have a heart attack too," Weiss mimicked her mental image, bringing a hand to her heart with a pained expression, then slumped down.
The two paused briefly, then laughed in unison.
"If it happens it'll probably be during a holiday too," Weiss said.
Ruby looked at her, confused, "What do you mean?"
"Well, whatever day Jacques dies will probably be a worldwide holiday."
Ruby burst into laughter again, "You've thought about it a lot didn't you?"
"You could say that. Well, I have considered usurping my Noble House, committing patricide and making our marriage a Remnant Holiday, but not necessarily in that order."
"And what holiday would that be? Schnee day?"
Weiss snorted, "Not in a million years. With a name like yours? Day of the White Rose would be so much more fitting."
"Day of the White Rose… You really liked that callout, when we used it way back in Beacon?"
"Of course! Roses are always beautiful, and the name packs some impact."
The comment sent Ruby into a deep silence, moments where there was only the two of them, no other concern in Remnant. She'd missed that aspect of their lives, amid the endless war against Grimm, always putting themselves between people and the merciless beasts that hunt them down.
Finally, Ruby shattered the moment, "Tell me more about the cave ecosystems again."
Weiss offered her best incredulous look, "Oh, so now you want me to 'geek out' huh?"
Ruby feigned offense, "I always want you to geek out!"
"When you call it that it sounds like a bad thing you know?" Weiss said.
"I just don't like mincing words! I like it when you go all Library of Ozmandias on us, okay? Plus, It always helps to be prepared."
"I know, you dolt. To be honest I'd much rather you tell me about Patch again. It's different from Vale, isn't it?"
"It's a lonely and boring place. Your turn now."
"Come on, that's not fair. I never had the chance to go there, tell me more about it."
Ruby let out a short, quick huff, "I just did. Our house was in the middle of the woods, so no neighbors. It's sunny all year round, then at the very end it's either a downpour of rain or snow. See? Not much to talk about. Now tell me, how do these caverns work?"
Weiss sighed, "Well, It's an intricate ecosystem. We're only at the surface, they go far deeper than this, this is only a plateau mountain, the ridge mountains are the best. You know the ones with those peaks, the ones that look like crowns?"
Ruby nodded.
"They're actually impact craters, formed by meteorites. Some of their caves connect between mountain ranges, there are chambers with geothermal lakes inside, entire species of animals that can't survive anywhere else. You should see some of the rock carvings the tribes left there. Centuries old art, preserved under the ice."
"Kinda like Mountain Gleen then?" Ruby asked
"Kind of. But without the Grimm infestation, the tribes spaced themselves out as far as I know. There are other animals, polar bears, foxes, hares… a few plants too."
"Plants without sunlight? We haven't seen any here though."
"This cave is too shallow, most of the soil here is permafrost, so at best you get some of the low light kinds. Deeper down, it's rich in Dust, both in crystal and particle form. They adapted to get their nutrients from that. Though in some places there's cotton grass on the surface. You know those little flowers, with the white fluff, like dandelions?"
Ruby hummed, "Yes, they almost look like candy too."
"In Atlas we have one made to look like them, you know? I… Don't know the recipe though, and I don't think we can go up there and just ask at the moment," Weiss said, laughing at the circumstance.
She continued, "Then there's the Grimm, they barely roam inside the caves. They don't feel cold, and snow is only a mild delay, so they can just live out there in the tundra. I hear they only raid Schnee mines because of the accumulated negativity, for obvious reasons."
"It's the exception and not the norm then. I think you said before that's why they kept sending Specialists into the mines, you said something like 'a curative meant to cover the real problem'."
"Yes. Then again, subterfuge is Atlas' specialty. All in all, out here it's a very diverse ecosystem."
Ruby nodded again, "That's what I like so much about this place. Most people would just… assume it's a cold ruthless continent but there's so much life running through it."
"Yes… I hadn't thought about it like that. I suppose appearances don't help, especially when it looks like a wasted land. "
"Hmpf, It didn't choose to look like that did it? I think it's beautiful, and that it shouldn't be underestimated."
Ruby looked into her eyes, underestimated, what was she talking about… "Ruby you dolt are you talking about me?"
Ruby groaned, frustrated, "Ugh, now you've ruined the moment."
"Ruby. I am not a near sterile, frozen wasteland."
"You're right. You're a beautiful Huntress that can survive in one of the harshest climates in Remnant. Kind of like-"
"Do not!"
"Alright, alright. So tell me then, the Yamainuk created the snowtents, right?"
"That's right. It's old technology at this point, pre-war, but it never needed upgrading."
"And how did they conserve body heat?"
How did they… Oh, Weiss realized, a smile creeping across her face. They could share heat for the rest of the night.
Perhaps mixing their lives as Huntresses and lovers wasn't so bad after all. Ruby was the woman Weiss fought for the most. Without her, she'd never have made it so far.
Our world unified, that'll be my gift to you, Weiss thought. No matter what's to come.
