The Break Room was tense as the teachers of shade poured over details of Grimm Reports, It just didn't make sense, two days before Initiation, they had Censused the island and found 2 young elders and roughly 200 small grimm. But the Veritable Grimm incursion that occurred on initiation day was definitely more than 200 Grimm, Aurum had held back the Grimm horde for just about an hour as the Students got to safety, trained as she was, the fact that anything could keep Aurum occupied for an hour was baffling, especially on an island so small.

Finally, Sino had the idea to look at the cameras placed all over initiation island, and once they did it all made sense. Just after the Teachers who took the Grimm census had left, Grimm started coming from out of the ocean waters, Beowolves and Creeps literally walking out of the water and into the forest of the island. The cameras revealed the Grimm walking into the brush and stopping, seeming to wait for something, as the horde grew, the Grimm started to hide, burying themselves and finding bushes to reside within, this happened until about an hour before initiation.

With Well over 3000 Grimm on the island, the student were dropped off for initiation... No wonder it was a massacre.

Neo woke up to an unfamiliar ceiling, blinking as she woke, she sat up and glanced at the alarm clock. 5:10 AM it read, It seemed she had gotten up a bit early, classes began at 9, so she needed to be ready by 8:15 for breakfast. Neo grimaced at the taste of her own breath, and got up from her bed, her feet light on the floor. She padded over to the inbuilt Kitchenette and opened the fridge, looking inside for something to clear the horrid taste from her mouth, she pulled out the milk from the fridge and poured herself a glass.

After taking one full swig, she set the glass down and contemplated her position, bringing up her hand and using her semblance to replay the events of initiation, Mainly her mother's battle against the Grimm, she watched as a mini version of her mother battled countless grimm in never ending waves, studying the raw efficiency of her movements.

"Whatcha doin?"

Neo jumped, both of her eyes becoming a flat white and her illusion cascading much like when she first unlocked it. Realizing that there was no danger, she dismissed her aura, and blinked, her eyes returning to normal, she then walked over to the edge of her illusion and punched it, the whole thing turning to rose petals. She then looked at the person who scared her, her best friend from Umbra, Scarlet.

"By the gods Scar, you scared the crap out of me, why'd you have to do that?" Neo asked with a slightly irritated tone and a glare, Scarlet replied, bringing up one finger, "A. It was funny" Another, "B. You dropped your guard." and a third, "C. Because you so focused on something that it dropped your guard means its troubling you, and I want to know what it is."

Neo's eyes softened, her shoulders slumped, she took a steadying breath and motioned for Scarlet to come closer, Scarlet did so, and Neo sighed, "My Mom... Told me some Stuff... the night before Initiation, I... I cant tell you what it is... but, just know that I'm fine."

Neo brought her hand up, once again using her semblance to replay the events of initiation, "I... Watching this, it scares me... Not because I think my mother cant handle it, but because she's trying to do it alone... I..." Neo's eyes began to cycle colors as she watched her mother, tracing the movements of her scythe, "I think, that if she keeps going like this, without some sort of help... she'll break. I... I listened to her that night you know? And it... it was so heartbreaking, she... told me her whole backstory... and honestly?"

Neo met Scarlet's eyes, Rapidly changing pink, brown, and white meeting deep maroon, "I'm terrified of the woman who raised me... Don't get me wrong... I love her, she's my mother through and through, but that woman is something else, and I... I don't even think it registers to her, how she talks about some things... Have you ever seen her training regimen?" Neo asked Scarlet, the taller girl shaking her head, Neo gave a short chuckle, though it lacked any humor, "She trains at least 4 hours a day, and not like training dummies or weight lifting, she does full on combat simulation, against the headmaster, Miss Rumpole, everybody she can, and when she doesn't have a partner, she takes S Tier missions... As Training." Scarlet's Eyes widened, and Neo continued,

"Do you know what her Sparring record is? What her ongoing score with The Headmaster is, supposedly the strongest Headmaster of the four, and one of the most elite huntsmen on the planet? No? Their ongoing Score is 2419 – 609, In my mother's favor." Scarlet's eyes widened further, her jaw going slack, Neo continued anyways,

"My Mother... While she may be a frighteningly good Huntress... Is still mortal... and I think... I think she's going to end up killing herself long before she gets a shot at Sa-" Neo cut herself off her left hand flying up to her mouth. Stopping for a moment, Neo let out the breath she was holding, and glanced up to Scarlet, who had a curious look on her face, "Don't ask... Its... Better you don't know."

Scarlet's eyes hardened, and she gave Neo a hard look, "Neo, We've known each other for just over 4 and a half years, don't think you can skimp out know, just cus you think I cant handle what you're hiding."

Neo sighed, "Sorry Scar... This one's a bit too big for me to spill the beans on... I'll give you a tidbit, but I cant tell you the whole thing... If they found out, either my Mom, or the Headmaster might ground me for life, and maybe a bit longer."

Neo sighed, glancing at the microwave to see the time, 5:55 AM, she looked back to her best friend, and began, "So... my mom... no that's not a good way to put it" Neo faded into a whisper, mumbling to herself.

Once again, Neo sighed, mulling over what to tell and what to exclude... she finally decided on 3 things to tell, and began her line of questioning, "Whats your favorite fairy tale?"

In the End, Neo had told Her Best friend about the Silver Eyes, The existence of the maidens, and the Relics. She had excluded the existence of Salem, that her own mother was a maiden, the Brother Gods, and all manner of time travel.

Scarlet had just one question, "So, these relics, they're gold and blue, have a spirit in them, and all do different things?"

Neo nodded

"So, you said there were 5 right? Uh, Is your mom's weapon a relic?"

Neo gave a bright smile, and then wondered something, Hey rose? Can I Summon you even though Mom isn't here, and her weapon is back in our apartment? Yes, otherwise your summoning power would be useless, I can be summoned Anywhere.

Neo grinned, "Golden cookie for you Scar, you figured it out... my mom's weapon is the Relic of Hope... I'd explain it to you, but I think I'll just let Rose do that.

Scarlet looked confused, and Neo chuckled before intoning, "Rose"

Time Froze, and Rose appeared out of thin air, foregoing the summoning ritual, but not without her Languid stretching It gets Cramped in there okay?

Rose chuckled softly, the musical quality of her voice contrasting with her godly undertones, she then spoke addressing the Duo, "Greetings, I am Rose, The Spirit contained within the Relic of Hope, I am A Bie- Oh? Dont? Ooooh? Okay... mmhm... Alright Neo... okay... Kay... Got it. Oh uh, I'm speaking out loud?" Rose looked down to the duo to find Neo Glaring daggers at her, and Scarlet looking confused. Rose had the decency to blush, the red contrasting brightly against her blue body, "Hmm, I didn't know that's how that worked... anyways, I have the power to manipulate chance, This is the truth behind... Aurum... and Neo's so called 'Second Semblance' They are able to speak to me telepathically."

Scarlet turned to Neo, Looking at the diminutive girl with an incredibly confused look on her face, Neo simply shrugged,

"Told you. Too big to spill the beans, and I only tipped the can."