Faith.
Ruby and Blake walked the path to the plaza with the cat Faunus leading the way.
No words were exchanged. Blake was a rather reserved person as far as she knew, very rarely speaks unless something really bothering her, preferring to keeping things for herself.
There was a saying; 'eyes are the window of the soul'. By looking at a person's eyes they could discern a nature of that person. And so, Ruby honed her skill to perceive someone's intention through slight movement as she walk the wasteland that was Japan. a very needed skill in her line of works with how crafty demons were.
But what does it mean when you irrevocably changed but instead of fear you show a sense of serenity, as if you wanted it. back then, she didn't have strong reaction when she founds out she could cast demonic magic, no surprise nor fear. No nothing. Only acceptance. What does it mean, what does it tell her about Blake?
Ruby didn't know the answer but she will find it, one day.
Blake was visibly fine. There was nothing out of place or anything alarming regarding her newly discovered power. The answer could wait, for Ruby had found something else to look onto.
The wayward samurai casted her gaze from the road. Dangling by a rope on a roadside light was a banner, softly drifting on the breeze. it was a banner belongs to the church of Babel, a piece of blue cloth with white sigil resembling an eye in the middle.
She… wasn't sure how to react to the organization. On one hand, her experience with the same organization was far from stellar. Sister Gabby—no, Gabriel. It manipulated her team to free the rest of its cursed ilk, thus, playing a major part in their eventual clash of beliefs and separation.
A day that refused to left her mind. A day that shaped into who she was now.
On the other, she was in an entirely different world. sure, she spotted few resemblances here and there, but surely that doesn't mean their church was the same? No ilk of Y̴̗̙͉̫̞͙͔̻̓H̷̲̟̯̻̺̰̩̏̀̍V̶̧͔̯̘̣̺͖̠͖͎̼̤̫͋̐̀͐͂̎ͅͅͅḨ̷̢̧͙̬̮̟̻̗͔̐̇̽́̂̀́̚͝͝ would even lift a finger on the suffering of Faunus of this world. they would rather join with the rest of the arrogant on Atlas than building a simple church under the floating city. Angels were elitist like that.
But, she couldn't shake the feeling that the church had some connection with why she was here. It was a lingering thought that appear as soon as she knew of their existence.
What that demon planning to this poor world's denizen? What sadist desire he seek to fulfill with them? what infernal plan that the Law brewed while the Chaos pulling her along like some marionette show? What—
"Ruby, are you okay?" Blake's question pulling her out of her thought. She turned her gaze to her friend, who was frowning at her. "you've been glaring at that banner for a good while now."
Ruby mentally berated herself. there was no need to be too emotional now, it would serve nothing but distract her job!
"I am fine, don't worry." Ruby said with a small smile.
"you sure? You suddenly stopped the moment you lay your eyes on the banner."
True to her words, Ruby finally noticed that Blake was few paces away from her own. But Ruby maintained her smile. She shook her head and said, "I was just out of it for a moment. Truthfully, Mantle… it reminded me of home." It was not a lie.
Rock ceiling, faint smog in the air, and the barely maintained buildings. It reminded her closely to Tokyo. She strangely felt at home amidst these hardships.
"that's… depressing." Blake's brow twitched, "well, if you're really okay, then let's continue. The plaza is around the corner."
"After you."
the two continued their trek through the slum of Mantle. Not long after that, they finally arrived at the plaza. The moment they stepped foot on the brick pavement of Mantle's Plaza, they were greeted with smiles; smiles of the people of Mantle. One of joy and celebration.
Children running along the park, couples holding hands as they enjoyed themselves, parents and their children eating food sold by the many stalls. It brightened the depressing fog that engulfed the city. It was as if they were a citizen of a growing city, not a slum under the houses of their better. As if Grimm that roams the outside walls were nothing but a housewife tales to keep children behave. as if the Faunus and Humans had not been at each other throats.
Difference of class, race, or belief had no place here.
Only joy.
"This is…" Blake was at lost for words; her eyes jumped from one Faunus family to another.
This… this was what Blake fought for. What she wanted when she joined the White Fang; a place where man and Faunus could enjoy themselves. A place without tears nor blood to shed. To this day, she still yearns it.
And seeing this on a city where the Faunus discrimination said to be rampant. She didn't know what to say.
A piece of heaven could be shaped on this dirty soil after all…
her dream... was not an empty ambition...
A hand was placed on her shoulder. Ruby gave her a gentle smile and gestured forward.
Truthfully, she felt she didn't deserve to be here. To walks among the joyous crowd after the atrocities she had committed. She deserved to walk unto a hanging rope than be with them.
But she took a step forward nonetheless.
she felt lighter as she moves forward. the joy was palpable around her, suffocating what anxiety and doubt she had.
"Hey, Blake." Ruby said from her side. the samurai was looking around, a glint in her eyes, "I am curious of how cuisine of this world like, would you mind guiding me through them?"
Blake raised an eyebrow at her friend, causing the samurai's cheek to flush. She couldn't help but giggle, "sure, let's start with Sashimi!"
The two spent their day running around the festival. They went from one booth to another, tasting almost every food that were sold. There were also games that they played, but with how precise Ruby on throwing stuff, she decided to play games with less aiming involved.
The day became colder as the sun began to set, but the festival still roared with live—more so than before even! More stalls were opened, now selling more stuff like decorations, clothes, and even weapons.
Ruby spent a good while browsing the weapon stalls, inspecting the tools displayed almost zealously. She didn't buy anything too fancy, only a normal spear with no shifting mechanic whatsoever. Blake noticed a dangerous glimmer in the samurai's eyes when she named the spear 'Gae Bolg'.
The sun had set; dusk had settled on Mantle. Ruby had decided to return to their inn. But as they walk, they caught a sliver of conversation that made the Samurai stopped in her track.
"Are you sure you're going to the tower? What if a blizzard suddenly hit?"
"Hah… you worried too much, old man. We're not walk without stopping, you know. there will be places where we'll stop and rest. I will be fine!"
"you're saying that, but I can't help but worry. You're like my own brother at this point."
It was an exchange between a pair of man, conversing while eating their hot meals. One of them, a young man with neat hair and cross necklace, waved off the older man's worry.
"You worry too much, Nick. No wonder you're balding over at your age!" the young man said teasingly.
The older man huffed, "can't help but mock this old man's head, can you? you rascal!"
"Excuse me." Ruby suddenly called them as they came over. The two men turned to her, she then continued, "I cannot help but be curious, what is this tower you are referring? I have not seen any tower in this city."
The older man raised an eyebrow, "you're new around here?"
"Yes, in fact, I just arrived yesterday."
"huh… have you not reading your Apocrypha, girl? The tower was mentioned at least like hundreds of times!" the old, bald man shook his head in clear disappointment, he then lamented, "kids these days, busy with being a Hunter or chasing fame in social media. You all need to read your Apocrypha more; you might find some advice for life."
Blake frowned as the man ranted some more, but Ruby took it in stride, "I will make sure I'll read some more then." She said politely.
A cough from the young man interrupted the older man's rambling. The young man look at them and said, "are you not familiar with the church?"
Ruby shook her head, "I afraid not, I hail from a village in the middle of Kaguya Forest. We have little interaction with the outside world other than supplies."
Technically, it was true. The best way to not alarm people was to be honest with them, make them trust you by not showing excess body language or stuttering. It seems Ruby at least knows about that kind of things.
The young man nodded, "I see, then let me tell you." the young man gave a brief history of the church before he explaining more of the tower to Ruby. Meanwhile, Blake was simply listening silently. She already knew about what tower they talked about, she stumbled on it during one of her information gathering before her infiltration two years ago.
Siloam, the tower of unity… or so the legend goes. She never gets to see the tower personally, but she knew few people who had. They said it was a ruin of a tower located in the middle of the wilderness. It was discovered by the progenitor of the church before the great war but never opened to public until about sixty years ago. it was one of many ruins that doted Remnant, but this one was more special than others.
For one, Grimm absolutely refused to go near this tower. an impossibility, but after seeing Ruby's line of work...
An idea clicked inside her mind. Blake glanced at Ruby discreetly. Does she suspect that the church had a connection with demons in some way?
Blake turned her gaze away to the crowd. An organization connected to the demons would not made event like this possible. They wouldn't bother preaching people of equality and love. It was simply ridiculous. Why would they bother unite people if they seek to destroy them in the first place?
Are they really connected to a demon? Blake pondered silently
"I see, thank you for your information. Have a nice evening." Ruby said with a bow. With that the samurai and Faunus duo left the festival.
The rest of the walk back was filled with silence. It was not before they return to their room and locked the door that Blake finally speaks.
"So… you're awfully interested in Siloam tower, can you tell me about it?"
Ruby hummed, pondering for a moment before answering, "the quest that taken me to this world... I think there is a connection to this tower."
"How so?"
Ruby just smiles knowingly and said, "a hunch, if you will."
Blake furrowed her brows, "don't get me wrong Ruby, but you're not someone that strike me as believing something on a hunch alone."
"And most of the time you will be correct. But, in a way, I have developed a sixth sense regarding supernatural issues."
Is that so…"so, do that hunch also the reason you seem to dislike the church so much?" Blake couldn't help but asked.
The emotion she felt when Ruby got a glimpse of the church was—for the lack of better word, blazing. It was like she could lash out and murdered everyone around her at a drop of a hat. Blake almost could see a faint, red aura coming out of her person every time she felt that intense anger.
The smile on the samurai's face was gone. Ruby sighed, "forgive my lapse of emotional control. But I promise you; I would lay no harm upon anyone."
"and I trust you with that, but its just… painful to see." Blake frowned, "did... something happened to you, with an organization similar to the church?" Blake needed to know. if she wanted to help her only friend, she needs to know why was she hurting.
Her question seems to hit its mark. There was a flare of anger for a split second inside her friend. Ruby frowned and looking away. she was hesitating, Blake could tell that much.
Minutes passed like eternity. Blake was simply looking at her friend, waiting for her answer. Ruby was looking at the side, locking her silver eyes to the sight outside.
Finally, the samurai sighed. "…yes. There was a similar organization back in Mikado. That monastery was… it was the only belief in the kingdom. I was a devout follower of their teaching, just like my family before me… just like him..."
In an instant, Blake felt Ruby's emotion intensifies. No more there was anger, there was also sadness. A very deep sadness.
"I followed each commandment with passion, avoiding what they forbid like plague. You can say, I put my heart and soul to our belief." then Ruby faintly smiled, putting a hand on her chest, "Then, on my 18th birthday, I was chosen as a samurai. I could not be happier; I get to deepen my faith in the Lord, and protect people I cherished. I also get to meet people who I could proudly call comrade. It was a blessing. A miracle from the Lord."
Then she clenched said hand, her smile turned upside down. "Then, my team received order to go descend to Tokyo. Everything after that were maddening descends for us. Betrayal. Sacrifice. We endured everything—every trial with our best. but… every person had their breaking point. and unfortunately, we reached ours."
"After a rescue mission, we were summoned by the head nun of the monastery, Sister Gabby. It was a peculiar summon. Sister Gabby, she almost never left the monastery area, nobody knows who she was before becoming a nun. That day, we were asked to accompany her on a journey. She took us to a place called Shene Duque, where she then revealed her true self…"
Blake's lips thinned. a guess came to mind, "a demon…"
Ruby nodded, "she… no, It was. It was a Seraphim class demon—one of four true Archangel. That day… we were given a task; to aid them in their war against demons… and eventually, to destroy Tokyo."
"D-destroy?! There are people living there, what about them!"
Ruby scoffed, "they could care less. They view people of Tokyo as filth, undeserving of even a speck of sunlight. They are a blight to the Archangels' view of a new, prosperous world."
Angels... are like that...? "...What happened then?"
"A choice was made." Ruby said with a grim tone. Her eyes, they speak of sadness, their silver lost its gleam. "Flynn… he chooses to stay, along with Jonathan and fulfil a task given by Gabriel. I… I was torn. I was a believer—I follow what sister Gabby and the monastery preached, and yet, what they wanted was what they forbid; Just because they judged the people of Tokyo unworthy, they wanted to eradicate them. it was hard, but in the end, I made a choice…"
Ruby sat down near the window, where she usually slept. She closed her eyes and continued, "after what I saw in Reverse Hill… after what I saw what happened to the people of Tokyo… I can't just stand idle and let the Archangels trample the innocent even further. It was then I decided to left and accompany Walter. It was but a start of a downward spiral. A free fall into the abyss."
The young samurai stared down at her hands. a snarl faintly shown on her lips, "because of Gabriel… because of the angels, I shed the blood of my own. I committed the greatest sin of man, all because of their machinations and their foolish ideals!"
She looks up and stare at Blake in the eyes. A cold burn in those silver orbs. "That is why, I swore; I won't let anyone suffer under the machinations of such being. Not again."
That promise—no, that oath. she could feel Ruby's determination through her words. The anger she felt in her now more tempered than before.
"…so, you're worry that the church is compromised?"
Ruby nodded solemnly, "I am. Considering how demons had made their way into this world, I fear the worst if one of Y̴̗̙͉̫̞͙͔̻̓H̷̲̟̯̻̺̰̩̏̀̍V̶̧͔̯̘̣̺͖̠͖͎̼̤̫͋̐̀͐͂̎ͅͅͅḨ̷̢̧͙̬̮̟̻̗͔̐̇̽́̂̀́̚͝͝ agents has infiltrated their inner workers."
Blake stood straighter, "the who?" for some reason, she couldn't hear the name Ruby just said.
"Y̴̗̙͉̫̞͙͔̻̓H̷̲̟̯̻̺̰̩̏̀̍V̶̧͔̯̘̣̺͖̠͖͎̼̤̫͋̐̀͐͂̎ͅͅͅḨ̷̢̧͙̬̮̟̻̗͔̐̇̽́̂̀́̚͝͝ … He was the mastermind behind the suffering of people of Tokyo." Folding her arms, Ruby threw a glare outside. "We managed to vanquished Him from our world. but… I am not sure why. but, the day we slay Him, I felt that it will be not our last meeting."
Blake frowned. Ruby's expression, her change in posture, the underlying fear in her heart. This—whoever that jumbled of noise was—clearly a very strong demon. Its so strong to the point it could avoid itself being named.
"…Do you think it already made its way to Remnant?" the question left her lips on its own.
Ruby's expression turned grim; an uncertainty flashed on her features. "I do not know, that is what I fear the most."
The white walls. The pristine marble floor. Chandelier hanging above her head was the most glamorous money could buy. Yet, there was nothing but the noise of her footsteps, echoing through the dining room.
No mother to greet her and asked how was her day, no father to encourage her to try something new. There was no sibling to tease her, to made her face flustered red with embarrassment. There were only faint clinks of silverware poking ceramic plate.
Such an ordinary dinner at the Schnee Mansion.
Weiss Schnee pushed her plate away before standing up. Klein was not present at the moment, so she immediately stepped away from the table and walk to her room. as she moved through the hallway, her eyes caught the glimpse of the shattered moon on a window. She stopped for a bit, looking at the smaller chunks on the moon.
Today was supposed to be a good day. she was supposed to take Whitley out to the fair down below. To enjoy themselves, just like she promised to him.
but… life would always find a way to screw it up
Jacques Schnee, her father, decided to take Whitley along to his trip to Vale under the impression that the Schnee boy need more 'training in family business.' Weiss know not of the man's scheme. She could only pray to Axiom for her brother safety. As much as she loath to admit it, she was powerless against the current head of the SDC corporation.
This mansion… so many staffs… yet nothing but silence greeted her. seeing those chunks of the moon somehow made her feel… lonely.
Weiss shook her head. Jealous of collection of rocks? what was wrong with her! she turned around and walked away from the window, continuing her journey back to her room.
There was more pressing business to deal with, no time for her to feel sorry for herself. one of which was she need to prepare her things for the upcoming pilgrimage. It was unfortunate that Whitley wasn't able to accompany her, does not mean she need to forgo this sacred opportunity though. Moreover, she would have more time for herself than before.
As Weiss arrived to her room, she began packing.
Pilgrimage to the Siloam tower, a once in decade event for the follower of Axiom where people deemed of age journeying into the wilderness of Atlas, visit the 7 sacred sites, and finally baptized in the Siloam tower. It was a ritual to signify a person had finished their childhood and ready to face the responsibility of adulthood. It was not an obligation, but she thought it would be nice to have some time away from home.
Plus, they taught them some survival skills that she might need when she became a Huntress.
As she packed her things, she dug deep into her drawer. Faint glimmers of jewels and fine glass shone before her eyes. It was gifts from her father's associates. People who were nothing more than names and faces. But among the accessories was her most treasured gift of all; a white feather hairclip. It was given by Father Rami on her 7th birthday, he said it was a lucky charm of sorts.
Weiss never understood why a priest of a church believe in a lucky charm, but it was a more thoughtful gift than the myriads of gemstones she been gifted over the years.
It also strangely warm and comforting unlike the cold, shining jewels and gemstones around it.
Weiss took the feather and clipped it to her hair. She opened her walk-in-closet and stands before a jeweled mirror. putting a hand on her chin, she performed a delicate pose.
The feather… she didn't know how to explain it, but the feather must have contained something. because somehow her features glows more than when she applied her best make ups.
"Lucky charm? More like beauty charm" Weiss remarked and took off the feather. She then returned to her room and packed the clip into a bag she will personally carry.
Her eyes then drawn to the corner of the room, where her trusty Multi Action Dust rapier, Myrtenaster, resting against the wall. She approached the blade and noticed slight chips on the blade. she holds the weapon up. the Debole was bent a few millimeters. its Foible slightly blunt. She opened the cylinder only to find it slightly harder than usual. Weiss frowned. It seems she was trained too hard yesterday.
"its due for your maintenance anyway…" the heiress said to her rapier, gently tracing her thumb on the flat side of the blade, "'Hunter's weapon is an extension of oneself…' that was what that Huntress in red said. I think there is some truth in it. like limbs; if I neglect to train or take care of it and it fails me, then I don't have anyone to blame but myself."
"A wise words, Miss Schnee." Came a voice from the door as it opened.
Weiss turned and nods, "Klein, you have returned."
A familiar balding man in neat, butler outfit entered the room. "Indeed, and I bring a message from the Priest."
The heiress sighed, "why didn't he just learn to use scroll I gave him is beyond me."
Father Rami was one of few wise people Weiss had the honor to meet, but unfortunately, he seems to be inept in all manner of technology. No matter how simple the piece of technology was, so long as it shows a slight hint of 'sophistication' he would be unable to use, let alone understand how it works.
Weiss puts down the rapier back to its previous position, "so, what is his message?"
"he would like to meet you tomorrow, preferably, before the church sermon."
Weiss raised an eyebrow, "tomorrow? Isn't tomorrow the preparation day for the pilgrimage?"
"indeed, it seems he wanted to speak with you about something before anything could get in the way."
"I see…" Weiss nodded, "that would mean we'll meet before 6 AM, no?"
"yes, Miss Schnee." The butler confirmed. He then asked, "does this mean you will meet him?"
"I don't see why I can't" the heiress shrugged, "Father was off to Vale, and there was no urgent business tomorrow."
"…don't you think you'll worry Mrs. Willow if you are to disappear early?" the butler asked with concern.
"Mother… if she worries about me then it's a sign from Axiom that thing starts to change for the better." Weiss answered, a hint of sadness flashed in her blue eyes. I don't think tomorrow will be the day, though
"I see…" Klein's trailed off before bowing. "Then I will be off to inform the holy Father. Do you need anything else, Miss Schnee?"
"I don't think so. you can rest after this, Klein. You deserve it."
Klein smiled and said, "You are too kind, Weiss. Have a pleasant evening." the butler then stepped out and closed the door. Weiss listened the footsteps of the man who always by her side faded to the distance.
"…no, you are too kind, Klein." Weiss muttered under her breath.
The butler was everything she hoped her parent were. When she was young, he would asked how her day was like. He was there when she was on the lowest point in her life. He waited under the snow when she was busy with her singing lesson. He watched Weiss' first performance in that church on the hill with a big, proud smile on his face.
He was too kind. He did not deserve to be under the thumb of a man like her father. She would rather Klein to live his life however he likes. A life where he could be happy…
Weiss went to lock the door and then to her bathroom. stripping down her dress, she cleaned herself, changed to a pajama and went back to her bedroom. as she lay on her comfy bed in the dark, slowly drifting to sleep, Weiss thought wanders by itself. it dreamed a life where she was but a simple girl with a simple life.
Where the only thing matters was her family and her faith.
To be continued
A/N:
shorter chapter, mostly because it's all dialogue. Anyway, we reached 17k view and 100K words! thank you all of you for giving this fic a chance, truly, I can't thank you guys enough.
A glimpse of Ruby's days in Tokyo is revealed, and also there's Weiss. You guys might notice that I changed how Whitley and Weiss' relationship. Its not an on a whim change, it will play a role in the future.
Ruby also opening up more to Blake, which more moments like this would coming, mostly as a way to tell how SMT 4 Ruby route happen without going into a flashback sequence too often. But Blake would learn more as Ruby tells her story, both on Ruby as a person and the nature of the world itself.
So yeah, that's all I guess…. Sorry for the grammar errors and have a nice day!