Hello everyone! How are you? As always, I hope you are all fine!

Chapter 82 is up and, surprisingly, I hope you enjoy it!

Thanks again for following/favoring/ reading the story. You are the best, all of you!

See you next week with chapter 83. Until then, have fun and be well!

Ruby opened her eyes. It was dark. Her head was spinning and her skull was throbbing in pain. Instinctively, she did the first thing that came to her mind; check her legs and arms. They were stiff, but responding.

What had happened escaped her. The last thing she managed to see was all three of them pushing Yang out of the window and then Weiss activated her semblance to shield them… without making glyphs…

She cupped her eyes with her left hand. Her gloves were missing. Come to think of it, I feel kind of light- and warm. It didn't take long to realize she was lying on a wooden floor, tugged inside her blanket.

Her clothes were still on, but someone had bandaged her- and quite deftly if she could say so. Did Blake rescue them? She tried to stand up, allowing a strained whimper to leave her lips as she stared around.

The first thing she tried to confirm was the whereabouts of her team. Much to her joy, she saw Blake and Weiss sleeping in their blankets around a small fire- Yang must have saved them all from the collapse

Ruby raised an eyebrow. She was in a room- or at least the remains of one if the missing wall on the left was any indication. Judging from the lack of ground next to the missing wall, she was in an upper floor.

The roof was missing too and, if her eyesight was right, they were near the lake. The silver moon was reflected on the shining surface she could see past the debris, despite a little fog trying to obscure the spectacle.

"Hey, you are up" Yang stepped in the room from the opening. The red girl had suspected she was standing guard. "How do you feel?" the tall girl knelt and rubbed her sister's cheek with her left arm.

Ruby nuzzled at her sister's touch, enjoying the warmth "a little stiff and a lot confused; what happened?" she asked her. "Are they ok?" she continued, pointing at Blake and Weiss' sleeping figures behind them.

Yang's smile grew "they are fine; just really exhausted. Weiss used her abilities to protect you from the debris, Blake covered for her and you tried to blow them both out of the wreckage- or at least that's what she said."

Ruby smiled. She had tried to do that, hadn't she? "Boy, not even one of us tried to help her own self" she chuckled. "We are all idiots - and I am punching you all for what you did" Yang replied, still cuddling her.

"Hmm… we deserve it" Ruby closed her eyes, enjoying the tender and warm embrace a little more, until a thought passed through her mind.

"Yang?" she asked, confusion lacing her voice. "Yes?" she replied. "You said 'she' told you what we did back then. Who are you talking about?"

Lilac eyes blinked a few times as the blonde tried to find the proper and reasonable way to explain what had transpired from the moment Ruby and the others had lost consciousness.

"Ok, I will tell you; but please, no matter how crazy or idiotic it sounds, try not to shout or get mad, ok? I have secured this place, but you can't trust those Gargoyles" she replied, earning a much confused nod from the brunette. "So, here's what happened…"

-o—

A couple hours ago

Yang stared at the corpse and the imposing woman standing above it in concern. Sure, she now had no gun pointed at her back and she could, no she would, definitely go all out fighting Cherry to protect her team.

But she didn't forget there was a monstrous Grimm with hideous magic powers just a few dozen meters behind her, so fighting was a bad idea to begin with. Lilac eyes sent a quick, worried glance to the ruined wall.

"Don't worry; the Gargoyles were destroyed and the Grand Mother has left already" the fox girl told her in her mystifying voice. "How can you be so sure?" Yang's reply came.

A pair of feral emerald orbs locked on her. Shit, I had forgotten what a monster she is. This gaze creeps me out as much as Tyrian did; and she is as much a religious zealot as that bastard was.

She pointed at the spreading fog around them; it had already nearly covered Vivian's headless corpse "thin it may be, Grand Mother seems to have an aversion to the fog spreading around here" she replied.

Now, that is some really useful piece of info- thanks! She took a combat stance and tried her best to send a harsh glare on the powerful enemy standing in front of her.

That leaves just you and me then. I will beat you and then go save the others. Her mind drifted at the dust in her left pouch. It was dangerous, yes, but if she could squeeze a little more aura, then she could pump-

Cherry sighed deeply and flicked her oversized weapon before stowing it in her back. "What are you doing?" Yang blinked twice. The shock and confusion nearly threw her off balance "don't you want to fight me?"

"Of course I do; but not when you are like this" she replied. "What good would it do to me to kill a colossal warrior like you when you have no aura left and are hurt to the point of trembling to stand still?"

"Ahm" now, she was even more confused. Both for how easily she saw through her act and that unexpected show of mercy. "I mean, we are your enemies. Why don't kill me and let the others die inside there?"

The girl nodded in acknowledgement. "I abducted Jaune Arc and lured you all in Grimmwater" she said. Her eyes lowered and she gritted her teeth.

"And now, even if it's just orders, I am assisting in Azure's plans- how much shame do you think my blade can tolerate? I am not taking down a proud warrior who pleaded in front of my eyes, not to save her own life, but those of her comrades."

This time Yang couldn't hold her surprise. "You- are you serious?" She gave Yang a quick nod and tapped her talisman, sending a few low-key whispers that made Yang's hair stand on edge.

"They are all alive; their life force is faint, but stable" she started move forward, making Yang raise her arms "I will help you get them out and then I will let you be-there are some things I have to check around."

Yang was dumbstruck. She was…helping her; as if, really helping her. This monster, who had carved up six Vale Policemen without second thought, was helping her save her friends! What the heck is going on?

Everyone who knew Yang Xiao Long could talk for hours about how proud and upfront she was. How tough she acted and how much her very own dignity mattered to her and led her choices at life.

The ones who truly knew her, however, knew that nothing mattered to her more than the safety of the ones she loved. Pride and dignity could go to hell if it meant keeping her family safe.

She stared at the fox girl, now standing in front of her. "Thank you" and then bowed deeply, trying to cover her tears of relief "Even if we are enemies, I will never forget this. And I promise; I will return this favor."

-o—

"That was unexpected" Weiss' voice commented after Yang finished retelling the story to the two girls that had just woken up. They were both seated next to the fire, while Ruby stood guard by the opening.

"So, in other words, we owe our life to Cherry of all people" Blake's voice added "that feels weird." Yang shook her shoulders "it is weird, but I am happy for it. I really am" she whispered.

"In other words, our enemies are not as united as we thought them to be" the black-haired beauty concluded "or at least Cherry and Azure do so- I don't think she was following his orders when she saved Yang."

"I am more interested in why the Grand Mother has an aversion to the fog here- it's the first solid lead we have on the matter" Weiss noted.

"I agree; pressing matters aside, this is why we came here in the first place" Blake concurred. "Well" Ruby interrupted them from far away "I am also curious about Weiss' new power- it was seriously awesome!"

The girl in question rolled her eyes. Leave it to Ruby to be so direct- a refreshing feeling after tonight's events, for sure.

Cyan eyes stared at lilac and Yang nodded. "The reason I hid it from you two was that I wanted to make some concrete progress before-" "She just wanted to show off" Yang joked, making her lover glare at her.

Ruby and Blake giggled, until Weiss stopped them by clearing her throat "in any case, I have been practicing my grandfather's magic notes with Yang's help since we found them in the Schnee Manor" she explained.

"Ooohhh" Ruby's eyes shone like a kid's and even Blake didn't manage to conceal her surprise. "And, before you say anything Blake, I didn't try anything risky; I tried to use the most basic ones that do simple stuff."

"Like the one you used to make Vivian's body float?" the faunus asked. "Yes; the idea behind them is really simple" she explained "since our auras are remnants of the ancient magic it seems that with proper and sturdy training I can use it as a fuel for spells."

"That is-" "Like a Maiden! Weiss; this is seriously awesome!" the reaper jumped on her partner, making the pale girl suppress a startled 'eek!' sound before Yang grabbed her hood and pulled her away from the girl.

"Of course she can't do anything her semblance doesn't allow her to and up until now she has only managed to do small stuff like creating weak shields, minor lights and making items float" Yang told Blake.

"But if Weissicle continues like this, she maybe can stop relying on dust for her glyphs, which is just freaking incredible" the blonde turned at Weiss, who winked at her, making her grin widely.

"Oh" Ruby pouted "and I had so much fun sewing your clothes…" she averted her gaze and returned to her guard duty. "I didn't say I will stop using dust, you dolt; it's just an interesting alternative, that's all. Just imagine the possibilities of applying magic to our semblances- it could open new horizons altogether."

"Yet a quite impressive one" yellow eyes opened, brimming in curiosity "I would like to see those notes for myself as well, if you don't mind Weiss. I may be able to use them as well for my clones."

"Sure" she smirked, understanding her friend's trail of thought "but I left them with Dr. Oobleck, so you will have to wait until we are back in Vale- and try convincing him to lend them to you."

Weiss then stood up and walked towards Ruby's red-caped form in the opening. The black-haired beauty nodded and turned her gaze at Yang, lazing next to the fire while listening to them.

"How come you didn't try as well?" she asked her partner. "No, thank you. I get Weiss' curiosity, but I prefer to stick with the things I know. Why bother with magic when I can polish my own skills even more?"

"That is respectable, despite making you sound like a work-out freak" she smirked at her. "I don't accept that from bookworms like you. Stick with what you know, Bellatuna."

"I will let you know I have a healthy workout schedule. Besides…"

While the bumblebee pair was talking, Weiss had reached her own partner. "Do you want to rest?" she asked her. "Nah" the reply came "besides, I want you as refreshed as possible, Weissy."

A thin, elegant eyebrow rose in question. "Blake told me while you were still sleeping that she thinks Azure's lab is in the power plant we saw while entering the city; the one at the other side of the lake."

"That sounds reasonable. It is isolated from the destroyed area and has enough space and facilities for them to set a lab in" she acknowledged.

"M-hm" the brunette replied "Azure is there along with any survivors that bitch Vivian left." "Swearing doesn't suit you, Ruby." "Sorry, but I can't help it; I still can't accept that someone would do such a thing."

"Cinder did atrocities. Leonardo Lionheart did horrendous things. Heck, even Ozpin has a long list of sins smeared in human blood. It's not the first time this has happened" she told her, rubbing her shoulder.

"I know; it's just so… infuriating! She smiled at those people, taught them things and advised them on their future… all these while she was at any time ready to offer them as lab rats! It's… damn it; sorry Weissy!"

"Its fine" she smiled at her "it's good to confirm that you are still the same good-natured dolt that blew up my stuff in Beacon's entrance at heart."

"Yeah, thanks" she took a deep breath "at least it means all of our goals are gathered in one place. Azure, the students and the mysterious fog that repels Eldergrimm; we can reach them all at once."

"I agree; that's a positive thing indeed" Weiss nodded "but why did you say you want specifically me to be fully rested?" Silver orbs narrowed in a haughty- or at least as haughty as Ruby could be- manner.

"Because, dear partner, we are crossing the lake when the sun rises and before the fog goes away" she smiled widely "and by 'crossing', I mean you are going to make us fly over it!"

-o—

19th March, 86

The morning sun had just started gracing Vale with its brilliant spring rays. People were slowly waking up, eager to start their daily routine or, in some other cases, returned home from a really tough night.

Nothing of those applied in Erik Rust's case however. Seated in a small café's leather couch, staring at the rising sun through a hazy window, the man was desperately trying to stay awake while waiting his guests.

He had a really tough night behind him, helping Jaune and Velvet with organizing their search. But he was going to have an even tougher day ahead of him if he wanted to fulfill his girlfriend's request.

As he was pondering whether he needed more coffee or not, the door opened and a familiar couple stepped in, the cheerful voice of the girl matching the rhythmic jingle of the doorbell.

Dressed in heavy trousers, sweaters and long coats in matching shades of pink, green and white, Ren and Nora looked nothing like the pro they were, except for the weapons they still carried with them.

"Gooood Morning Ricky!" Nora slammed down on the couch opposing him with a loud thud. "Nice to see you too Nora, Ren" he stared at the stoic boy who nodded and sat next to his wife "how are you doing?"

"We are doing fine, thank you" Ren replied as Nora ordered them their coffees and a second one for Erik. "So, why did you call us here?" she asked him "weren't we supposed to meet later with everyone?"

Erik's eyes narrowed "sorry for dragging you over here in the morning, especially on your first day back in Vale. With tensions that high, you should rest, but… it's important and has to do with Velvet's case."

All at once, curiosity filled Nora's eyes and Ren's timid gaze turned dark. "Tell us" he simply asked, waiting for the waiter to leave first.

A few minutes later, Erik had narrated to them all that had happened in regards to the case and how much Velvet and Jaune had been baffled by it, as well as the details of the crimes and yesterday night's murder.

"Wow, things are tough even in the City, huh" Nora sipped her juice, as coffee was strictly prohibited to her. "The case surely seems to have taken a turn for the worse, but what is our role in this?" Ren asked.

Erik took a deep breath and recalled the conversation he and Velvet had in private about her opinion on the killer's identity. Here comes the tough part; get a grip and be decisive, man.

"You are both as seasoned huntsmen as I am, maybe more. So, I want to ask you this; how could it be possible for a Grimm to be hiding in a city as large as New Vale, to the point we can't trace it at all?"

He stopped for a moment, took a quick glance at his friends' troubled faces and continued "even more, how is it possible for a Grimm to not go after any person harboring negative thoughts in the city at once?"

"Ah, that's an easy one" Nora's chipper reply came "it is old enough to be able to restrain itself, like the Goliaths in Mt. Glenn." "Or like Nyctos in Yugure" Ren's now totally serious voice added to his wife's.

Nora blinked a few times, trying to understand what her husband tried to say. "An Eldergrimm, cunning enough to restrain its eating, able to pass by unnoticed by the police and SHU" the man continued.

"Renny, what are you-" Nora noticed his tension rise with every passing moment. "There is a person in Vale who has come in contact with one recently and is periodically being examined about it" Erik cut her off.

"What?" Nora's voice came out as a pained gasp. "The incidents began after his return; his house is next to the cemetery. His sleeping and eating habits are a mess and he claims to be full even on his days off" his stare made the ginger girl turn pale.

"Guys come on… it's not funny…" "Moreover, Velvet has noticed that all cases of opened graves have happened on nights that he was off- duty and Ruby was away from Vale, so nobody could check on him."

"Come to think of it" Ren added to his friend's analysis, stroking his chin "Ruby has mentioned she feels a little off with the entire situation. What if it's not she who has the issue, but-"

"NO!" the turquoise-eyed girl slammed her fist on the table, making a serious dent on the wooden plank. The owner stared at them, but Ren stood up and apologized before turning back at his trembling wife.

"Nora-" "Don't 'Nora' me, Ren! Do you even understand what you two are saying right now?" she was furious but her eyes were pleading, as tears were running down her cheeks.

"I spent one damn year, crying every night, consoling Ruby, praying to every damned God out there to give him a second chance in life! You were there, Ren!" she stared at him and he averted his gaze.

"When Ruby told me he had woken up, it was the best day of my life other than the day we got married! I felt like someone answered my prayers! Like something good can happen to us after all!"

Erik didn't know what to say. Or, more accurately, we knew what to say but decided now was not the time for it. It wasn't that he couldn't feel what the redhead was saying, after all.

"And now…" Ren turned around "you are telling me that it was all a lie? That instead of my friend, instead of Jaune, the world decided to give a second chance to a freaking monster? This IS WRONG!"

The magenta-colored man tenderly embraced his wife and let her face rest in his chest. "It's wrong… YOU ARE WRONG!" she murmured again and again, as his hand gently stroked her hair. "You are… wrong…"

"I hope we are, Nora" Erik gulped. "This is why I want your help on the matter; I am really sorry to ask you two that, but if anyone can help me prove that Avyssos is not using Jaune in any way, that would be-"

"Count us in" the girl, face still buried in Ren's chest cut him off. "What she said" he calmly replied. The brown-haired man smiled weakly and quickly typed a message on his scroll and sent it to his partner.

'We are ready to move. Meet us at the clinic in two hours. Don't tell anyone.'

He closed the scroll, nodded at them and all three of them moved out after paying. "Are you ok Nora? Do you want to-" she waved her glove-covered hand, stopping him once more.

"I am fine Ricky; but I will say this. If this thing has hurt Jaune in any way, I will send it to meet its father even if I have to level down Vale, is that clear?" she shot him a deadly glare.

"What she said" Ren's lips curved upwards, his calm, serene smile far deadlier than his wife's furious gaze.