Chapter 27: Letting Go

It was the first time in what felt like forever that all of them were out at the same time. Cinder, though she lead the way, could feel the presences of all her companions behind her, and could equally feel the daggers some were staring into her back. It had become normal for at least one person to stay behind with Salem. Now, the entirety of the Vale branch of the Resistance was traveling together: Adam, Roman, Mercury, and Emerald with Salem bringing up the rear. Emerald had her arm around Salem's shoulder, walking at a pace slower than the rest and whispering encouraging words.

With every step she took, Cinder felt her heart sink lower. Her stomach churned, and there was a painful lump in her throat. Her eye and socket itched. The urge to stop in her tracks, whirl around and hug Salem was growing stronger every moment. Even now, she questioned if what she was about to do was the right thing. Logic and emotion battled in her mind, but she could not allow her doubts to overtake her. There was a goal she needed to accomplish, and she kept trying to convince herself that Salem would want it this way.

Cinder glanced down at the map and compass she held in her hands. She wanted to ensure that they were going the right way. She glanced back up to get her bearings and note any landmarks, but instead saw their destination a few miles ahead. She folded the map and put both it and the compass into her pocket as she waved the others forward.

As conflicted as Cinder was about her decision to let Salem go, there was no place she could think of that would be a better place to go. The wooded grove was beyond the reaches of where Lord Ozpin's forces typically traveled, and was a small, preserved slice of purity in the world: tall, green trees, colorful flowers, bushes of sweet berries, soft soil, and damp, warm air. It was actually where Cinder and Emerald first found the herbs that they had treated Salem with for so long. Cinder almost opted to move their base there, but it was too far from any supplies that were not readily found in nature; namely Dust, blankets, cloth, and metal. Also, as plentiful in resources as the woods were, it still was not enough to sustain a whole group indefinitely. However, it was perfect for one person. Cinder did worry about Grimm, however.

Cinder's feet were beginning to hurt just as the group made it to the outskirts of the woods. Cinder ran her hand along the trunk of a tree, feeling its course bark under her fingertips. She sighed as she turned around, preparing for what she was about to face.

Sure enough, there were the displeased glares of Roman and Mercury, along with the worried expression of Emerald and the tragically confused expression of Salem. Adam wore no expression, but walked over and stood beside her.

"What drives us…" Salem muttered, her speech the most coherent it had been in quite some time, "love… justice… reverence…"

Cinder opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Only Adam seemed to note her fear and self-worry, and placed a hand on her shoulder. Cinder glanced up at the man, his face still covered by his white and red mask. Without ever changing his face, he nodded, and Cinder understood the reassurance her ally was giving her. She sighed, cleared her throat, and prepared to try again. First, however, she had to try one more thing.

"Salem?" Cinder said just loud enough for the woman to hear. Salem paused her muttering, never taking her eyes off the ground before her feet. There were a few seconds of silence, then she started murmuring again.

Cinder dropped her head, her heart heavy. She lifted it again and, after taking in the waiting stares of her friends, spoke.

"Salem has been our mentor and leader for as long as the Resistance has existed," Cinder said. "For some of us, she was those things long before. She once told me she trusted me with her life. I'd like to believe she still does, even if she doesn't realize it."

Emerald patted Salem's back and held her close.

"Salem taught me how to fight," Cinder continued, "so when it came down to it, I would be able to make hard decisions. Believe me, no decision I've ever made is as difficult as this. She's taught us. She's healed us. She's trusted us. In return, we've done everything we can for her. But we can only do so much." She sighed. "Say anything you'd like to say." Then Cinder turned around, her head low, as she leaned against the tree. It was the best privacy she could offer.

Roman went first. "You brought us together, Salem," he said to the dazed woman. "You gave me a purpose. But more importantly, you gave Neo a home. I can never thank you enough for that."

Mercury approached next. "You gave me legs to stand on. I'll never forget that." He backed up. His was quick and to the point. He did not want to linger on these emotions if he did not have to.

Emerald hugged Salem gently. "Salem, you are the kindest woman I've ever known. You're in there, somewhere, and we hope you find the same peace you gave us." She shifted the bag she was carrying to reach inside, and pulled out a long, soft black blanket. She unfolded it and draped it around Salem's shoulders as the woman cooed quietly.

To everyone's surprise, Adam stepped forward. "I didn't know you like they did," he said. "But if they care for you, you must be one heck of a person." Adam bowed.

Emerald reached back into the bag and pulled out a canteen of water. Careful not to startle Salem, she gently looped its strap over her shoulder and let it hang. Salem muttered and began to walk forward. Emerald kept her arms outstretched to catch her in case she fell, but she wandered on shaky legs over to Cinder. Cinder felt her presence and turned to face her.

Those confused eyes on the face of her strong, confident mentor was something she would never get used to. Even now, the fight in Salem allowed her to walk and seek out her destiny. Cinder reached up and carefully placed her hand on the woman's pale cheek.

"You saved me," Cinder whispered, choking back tears. "When all of Remnant turned their back, you welcomed me with open arms. If you're still in there… if you know me… I hope you'll forgive me." A tear ran down Cinder's cheek. "I love you… Mom."

With that, Cinder stepped out of Salem's way. Whether it was some deep-rooted understanding or just being drawn o the warm, pleasant environment, Salem stepped forward and walked into the woods. She made small noises but would occasionally say words. "Maiden… monument… honest soul…"

Cinder watched mournfully as Salem trod further and further into the woods. Emerald finally broke and began to sob, grabbing onto Mercury's shirt and burying her face in his chest. He placed one hand on her back and the other on the back of her head, slowly patting her and silently assuring. Roman sighed and leaned on his cane. Adam shifted his attention between Cinder and Salem. Before long, Salem had disappeared within the trees. Aside from Emerald's muffled crying, there was no sound.


"So," Blake said, sharpening her blade, "where are they now?"

"Not sure," Sun said, doing his best to recline on the log he was sitting on. The campfire felt good, but he could tell his back would bother him later, so he was attempting to stretch and get comfortable, but was too unused to anything besides his chair. "We know somewhere in the western part of Vale."

"That doesn't really narrow it down," Ilia grumbled.

"Hey, I'm just going off of what I've got," Sun replied. "Lest we forget that it was you that kept me in the dark."

"Watch it, Wukong," Blake growled. "If we're going to work together, you'd best start showing me a little more respect. Things will be easier if we're not targeting each other at the same time we're targeting them."

As the leader of the White Fang spoke with the Golden Monkey around a large campfire, a smaller group of White Fang members gathered around a smaller fire a small distance away. Their tents were nearby. A girl with small antlers rubbed her hands together before inching them closer to the fire. A burley man with thick black sideburns sat next to a muscular man with reptilian scales and spikes, and another man with a large pair of bat wings on his back sat next to the girl. He had his gaze over on their leader and her company.

"Adam Taurus," the man with the bat wings said in a deep, sophisticated tone. "That's all High Leader Belladonna thinks about now."

"They were close," the girl with the antlers replied. "She thought he was her greatest ally. I don't blame her for feeling betrayed."

"Me neither," the man with the scales said, "but there's a point where it becomes too much. I mean look at her. She's obsessed. And now, just because she wants Taurus so bad, we have to sucker up to the godsdamn Golden Monkey of all people?"

"I never said she was fair," the girl replied.

"We were more than this," the man with the sideburns stated. "I was there the day she overthrew Taurus. She spoke of the White Fang as fierce warriors. That was the whole reason she overthrew him; she wanted the White Fang to become what it was always meant to be." He glanced over towards Blake. "Is this what we were meant to be?"

The man with the wings shifted. "I think it's clear now that High Leader Belladonna doesn't see us as fierce warriors. She sees us as a means to an end."

"Guys, come on," the girl said. "You're talking treason here. What about all the Faunus she saved from the mines? What about all she's done for us?"

"She might have thought of us as a revolutionary force for change once," the reptilian man said. "But now? Everything is revenge on Adam Taurus. That's all she sees us as. That bastard has taken up her every waking moment. She's not focused on revolution anymore. Now, instead of taking down the SDC or Lord Ozpin, we're doing grunt work for Sun Wukong, all because her boyfriend ditched her?"

"Guys, please stop," the girl pleaded. "You know she'd have you whipped for even talking like this."

"That's the problem," the winged man replied. "She doesn't have our best interests at heart. Only her own. The White Fang aren't thugs for hire. We're revolutionaries." He grunted. "I believe High Leader Belladonna is no longer suited for her position."

"I'd be inclined to agree," the man with the sideburns added. "We need someone who can lead us as what we are supposed to be, not what they want us to be."

The reptilian man looked over to the antlered girl. "I know you respect her, but you have to admit it, right? She's not a leader anymore."

The girl hung her head. "As much as I don't want to say it… yeah, I agree."

The winged man nodded. "It's best if we start asking around before trying anything. We may just return the White Fang to its original glory."


No one spoke any more than they needed to for the rest of the day. The entire walk back to the basement was silent, and even after they had returned, everyone went and did a different, independent task. Roman rationed food. Emerald took to quietly gathering Dust and ammunition, taking breaks to cry. Mercury opted to punch the wall for a few hours. Adam worked on sharpening, cleaning and repairing weapons.

Cinder had gone outside, not far from the hideout. She brandished her blades and, standing alone under the seemingly eternal grey sky, practiced. She swung her blades through the air, fine-tuning her abilities. Though she was already accustomed to her signature blades and bow, she wanted to know every last detail about them. How every possible move from every possible angle felt. How to most efficiently use them. How not to fail anyone else. She imagined Lord Ozpin himself standing before her, taking every stab and blow. She breathed heavily and gritted her teeth. She swung rapidly at her blind spots, damning the Reaper for taking her eye every time she cleaved at the area. With each stab, swing, punch, and kick, Cinder got louder. She started by grunting. Then huffing. Then vocalizing. Then yelling. Then screaming. Soon she was shrieking with anguish and anger. She whirled around and slammed her twin blades downward, only to be startled by metallic cling and a sudden presence.

Adam adjusted his grip on his sword as he held back Cinder's blades. Cinder yelped and pulled back, staggering back and trying to hide her tears.

"I'm sorry!" she exclaimed. "I didn't know you were standing there… I didn't mean to…"

"I chose to stand there," Adam said. "Hopefully to help you take a breath before you pass out."

Cinder cocked her head. "I was that loud, huh?" she panted.

Adam nodded. "We could all hear you."

Cinder sighed. "I'm sorry."

"Quit apologizing," Adam said. "You're hurting. I understand that. We all understand that."

"But I'm supposed to be your leader," Cinder huffed. "I'm supposed to be strong."

"No one ever said you weren't," Adam replied. "Being strong isn't hiding your pain. It's pushing past it."

Cinder turned away. "I don't think this is a pain I can push past."

Adam stood silent for a moment. Then he returned his sword to its sheath and slowly walked over until he was right behind his ally.

"Tell me about her," he said.

It was Cinder's turn to pause, but after exhaling deeply, she spoke, though not turning back to face Adam. "My parents died when I was very young. So young, in fact, that I never really knew them. Even as a child, they were just blurs.

"I was taken in by a woman. I never knew her real name, because I could only refer to her as 'Madame'. She ran a hotel in Mistral. Despite being essentially my guardian and foster parent, she treated me nothing like a daughter. I was her slave, pure and simple. I did all the chores of the hotel. Every dirty, grimy job. Every linen. Every floor. Every toilet. But it didn't stop there. I tended to her every wish, no matter how demeaning or painful. She hurt me in ways I can never heal from. I found out later she had sold her own two daughters into Mistral's underground prostitution trade. Her own daughters. If that's what she did to her own flesh and blood, you can only imagine how low she thought of me. By the time I was fifteen, I was ready to die.

"But something happened. As I was eyeing the decorative sword she had hanging over the lounge fireplace, we got a visitor. A visitor who, for the first time since I could remember, looked at me like a human. Salem. I don't know what compelled her to me, but she saw my plight. She saw what I was going through. She never thought twice about saving me. On her final night, she snuck me out with her to Vale. She took me in. She saved my life. She wasn't just my mentor like she was for the others. She was, for all intents and purposes, my mother. She taught me everything I know: how to read, how to write, how to use a map and compass. She taught me how to fight. She gave me these blades. She taught me how to shoot a bow and survive in the wild. She taught me how to kill a Grimm and bandage a wound. She always told me that I was destined for something great, and that I was capable of things I'd never even dreamed of. For a girl whose only escape for years was to dream, I took that to heart. I wanted to impress her. I wanted her to be proud of me.

"But then… there was the bombing of Vale. None of us saw it coming. I don't know how, but Salem seemed to be the only one who knew why it was happening. She went into the fray, adamant to save as many people as she could and to stop what was causing it. Seeing her running into fire was the last time I saw her as she was. After that… we lost so much. Vale was in shambles. The Reaper took my eye. Lord Ozpin declared himself the ruler of Remnant. When we found Salem afterwards, she wasn't the same. Her mind was damaged. She was broken. I don't know what happened to her, but I know it's Lord Ozpin's doing. Nothing seemed to go right after that."

Adam was silent for a moment. "I understand," he said. "You love her."

Cinder nodded. "She's my family. The only family I had."

Adam placed his hands on Cinder's shoulders. "The way I see it, you have a family. And because we're a family, we're going to stand with you. To the end."

Cinder turned to face Adam, tears running from her eye. She sniffed. Then she began to cry. Then she began to sob. Her legs gave out. Adam helped lower her to her knees, kneeling down with her. Cinder grabbed Adam's shirt as tightly as she could, wailing and bawling. Adam's hands never left her shoulders.

On a nearby dead tree, a crow sat perched, observing the interaction. Its eye flickered red before it spread its wings and flew off.