Eclipse - Act 3 - Shadow of Destiny

by Cosmic Fiction

6 years after the Inhumane Necessity, the Huntsmen are no more and Salem rules Remnant. The Gods have picked their champion, brought back to this world in a last ditch attempt to stop Salem. Now Pyrrha must find who remains and turn foes to friends to right all the wrongs. Meanwhile Ruby embarks on a dangerous mission which becomes deadlier than she could imagine...

6. The Relic of Knowledge

Chapter 5 – The Relic of Knowledge

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Ruby

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The two cars roared across the roads of Anima's Wildlands, passing by fields that now had Tar Pits swelling with the Dark Tar which devoured everything. Where the Grimm were spawning exponentially. Ruby looked back, constantly waiting to see more Grimm or Black Gallows pursuing them, but it looked like they managed to get ahead of them for now. She held her grips tight as the car drove, her hair blew in the wind alongside her long black and red cape. Penny sat beside her as Ruby descended back down beside her girlfriend.

Penny immediately started to check Ruby for any injuries, worried about her constantly. "Are you okay?" She nervously stammered.

"Huh? Oh yeah, I'm good." Ruby calmly answered.

"You took on a Leviathan single handed! You can't blame me for worrying." Penny said with wide eyes.

"Yeah, that was pretty crazy." Yang chuckled, smiling at her sister whilst she kept her hands on the wheel.

"It was nothing." Ruby brushed off with a blush.

"You took down a giant Grimm without even using your eyes! That's pretty insane!" Yang laughed.

"Oh any of you guys could have done it." Ruby giggled.

Penny gently punched her girlfriend's shoulder, making Ruby laugh. "You do remember that I am the one who can survive being ripped apart and gravely injured, right? I can be repaired. But you and your squishy body can't." Penny reminded, pinching Ruby's bicep.

"Ow." Ruby joked.

Penny gasped. "I'm sorry."

"I'm kidding!" Ruby laughed, which made Penny shake her head with a smile.

"I can't help it, I'm sorry." Penny's eyes widened, realising she just did it again. "See?"

"I missed you, Penny." Ruby softly said to her as she gently held her hand in hers. Penny smiled and gently rested her head on Ruby's shoulder, shuffling closer to her side.

"I missed you too. I won't run away again… I just… I couldn't go back after what happened at Kuchinashi." Penny explained.

"It's okay, I know. But the Summit's Claim missed you too… and they don't hold it against you. They know what's wrong." Ruby assured as she gently caressed her cheek.

"We all do." Yang assured as she kept driving. The two of them sat in the back of the car, looking across to see Eryka, Winter, Nora and Ren in the other vehicle.

"It's nice to see everyone's still together." Penny said. "Speaking of which… is Jinn still with us?"

Ruby smiled and just unclipped the Relic and let it sit in the middle. A bright blue smoke formed from within the Lamp, and it swirled around, forming into an apparition which was sat just like them, leant against the back of the seat with one leg crossed over the other.

She was tall, with blue skin and eyes, bound in golden chains around her nude body, with long hair and pointed ears. "Hello again, Penny Polendina." Jinn greeted with a smile.

"Hello, Jinn." She sweetly replied.

"It is nice to see you again as well. You have all looked after me like family, and I greatly appreciate that. It is… nice… to be amongst people after being in captivity for so long." Jinn explained with a smile.

"She has never stopped reminding us of that." Ruby said with a smile.

"I merely like to make it clear about how grateful I am to you all for your kindness. Few would risk it." Jinn stated.

"I still remember when we snatched you from Salem's hands. We knew of the Relics… but… we never really knew how to actually summon you. Until you just appeared in front of us anyway and explained how." Yang explained.

"I felt that my saviours deserved to learn my name so that I could pay them back." Jinn shrugged.

Ruby could still remember what Jinn told them when they first met the entity.

I am Jinn – a being created by the God of Light to aid humanity to pursue their quest for Knowledge. I am able to answer any question, but only to those I deem worthy of my words. But thanks to you – you have saved me from Salem, who would have used the Relic of Choice on me, forcing me to answer her questions, despite my personal judgements of the woman.

I am now in your service and will bestow any knowledge you wish – Ruby Rose of Patch.

Hence why Ruby became her guardian, she knew Ruby was still pure of heart. She did not judge her for spilling blood or doing some things the old Ruby would have never done. Because she was not blind to the reality of this new world.

Yang chuckled. "Oh, Ruby. Was Salem there? In some way?" Yang inquired.

"Yep. One of those Seers was there." Ruby answered.

"Is she still pissed at us for pulling off the greatest heist ever?" Yang asked, making Ruby laugh.

"Oh yeah." Ruby assured; she closed her eyes… remembering back six years…

… when they escaped Valravn and the Inhumane Necessity began…

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Six Years Ago…

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Crossing Anima after they disembarked from Roland Vasillias' Freighter was no easy task.

Because everywhere was in chaos, they were not blind to what was happening. It was everywhere, they saw the news reports on the way there – but had no idea at the time at the friends that they had lost to that dark day. Tai carried Ruby in his arms, her leg still injured from Valravn, and he looked round the tree as he saw Grimm sprinting across the roads, chasing down a Huntsman who was severely injured. Yang went to help but Eryka stopped her from going any further.

"There's nothing we can do… we need to keep moving." Eryka told them.

"B-But! He needs our help!" Yang argued as she yanked herself free from Eryka's hand, but Winter also stopped Yang with Eryka's help.

"His injuries are too fatal, there is nothing we can do to help him." Winter stated, they turned as they heard his agonized screams and begs for help.

"Please! Someone! Help Me!" He shrieked, as a pack of Apathy surrounded him. They groaned and screeched as they grappled onto him. They bit down onto his flesh as he wailed and cried in pain. One of them dug its long-clawed fingers into his eyes as it bit into his nose. Blood poured over his face as he screamed desperately, brought to the ground as he continued to howl as the Apathy devoured him slowly. His screams lasted for a long time, for a few minutes of unimaginable pain before he succumbed to his injuries.

They kept on moving, but his screams lingered in their minds.

"What the hell is happening?" Tai softly stammered.

"The Black Gallows… Salem… I know it. It's them, they are finally making their move on the world." Ruby answered.

"Wait, what? The Black Gallows?" He replied.

"They… they work for Salem. They always have done; Killian works for her. She was the one behind the first Attack on Beacon. She has been behind it all, Dad…" Ruby whimpered, and Tai's eyes widened.

"Salem… I hoped I would never hear that damn name again after… everything." Taiyang said as he kept moving. Ruby knew about Team S.T.R.Q's missions that Ozpin had them carry out; it was one of the many things they learned out there in the Wilds with the Branwen Tribe.

Eryka drew Constantine Damascus and fired it directly into the eye socket of an Apathy that shuffled through the treeline, snarling at them. The creature died quickly, crumbling away into a cloud of smoke. Nora also launched Stormur Skeggox up the hill into the chest of a rampaging Ursa, killing it in one shot. She opened her gauntlet, using the Gravity Dust to pull it right back into her palm.

They kept on moving, for hours and hours. Running through the blades of grass, through storms of rain, and eventually trudging through thick snow. They took Lavinia's advice, and started to make their way up the Mountains towards the Summit's Claim. They never stopped; they could not risk it. The world was in chaos right now and they had to find shelter somewhere so they could weather the storm.

And they knew that Li Ren could never turn them away.

Ren kept Stormflower close as he ran up the snow, using a few rocks to hop across, keeping ahead of the rest of them to make sure there were no Grimm lurking. The snow shuffled and he gasped as Centinels emerged, hissing at him. He fired the Machine Pistols at the Arthropods as they spad acidic venom at him. The acid melted the stone, but he jumped off quickly, firing both pistols into the mouth of one of them.

He landed on its back and wedged the barrels between the heavy plates of bony armour, firing until it died. That was when a second lunged for him, and he caught the pincers with his hands. He gritted his teeth, forcing the titanic invertebrate backwards. But it was stronger, forcing him down to the ground and slowly pushing its Pincers towards his face. Until Yang Xiao Long shot forward to help, only for the Centinel to smash into her. Without her Cybernetic Arm – after Blake was forced to cut it off to end Yang's Berserk Rampage – she was far weaker against the beast. It threw Ren aside and snarled as it shot forward.

Taiyang suddenly appeared, catching the pincers in his hands, forcing the monster back with furious blue eyes. He gritted his teeth and twisted its head hard, and pummelled it down into the snow, ripping the pincers from its face and throwing them into its softer underside. The Centinel crumbled to ash around him, and he looked back to see Eryka holding Ruby whilst he helped.

"Thanks…" Yang softly said, and Taiyang helped her back up. She stared at her stump, feeling as weak as she did before she put the arm on.

"Hey… we can make you a new one. Or find you one…" Taiyang assured as he gently caressed his daughter's cheek. She did not smile though, she just sighed and kept on walking.

"It's… not because of the arm." She said, Taiyang watched as she kept walking and Eryka stood beside her.

"It was Blake who had to cut it off. She's blaming herself." Ruby said to her father.

Taiyang looked at Ruby wide eyes. "No… it wasn't her fault."

"No… it was ours." Ruby stated.

"No, Ruby it wasn't." Taiyang assured, but Ruby stared at him.

"It was, Dad. Weiss and Blake were trying to help us, to stop us from making the same mistakes that Jackdaw made. But we didn't listen – and the moment that Raven took her chance to escape? We… lost it." Ruby explained, she looked at Yang as she kept on walking. "She thinks it was her semblance – I tried to tell her it wasn't… but… I think Valravn wasn't lying. Her hair burned blue before we snapped, and her eyes were literally on fire. Like lava… I've never seen her so angry. And I've never felt so angry. It… didn't even feel like me."

Taiyang gently held his daughter's hand. "Listen to me, Ruby – it was not your fault. It was Valravn… and nobody else. Not even Qrow or Raven… or Jackdaw. It was him – he was the one who made them do what they did. I will never forgive them for the lie or the fact they did it in the first place – but it was Valravn who was behind all of this. If it weren't for his cruel view of the Silver Eyes… your mother would still be alive… and maybe… your team wouldn't be divided." Taiyang explained.

"I don't know, dad… we had been at each other's throats the whole way there. This was not some spur of the moment thing… it was always gonna end that way. I know you want to help… but the truth is… I'm a failure. I failed my team… my friends… nothing I can say or do will change that fact. I have to accept that." Ruby explained, her voice cracked as she said those words.

Eryka looked at Tai and she sighed, because she could not even argue with Ruby's heartbreaking logic. But that did not mean they were just going to let her suffer in her regrets – they were all there for her. For her and Yang, and Nora and Ren.

After that night, they continued the climb. More hours passed, more walking, and finally they found the stone steps in the snow and approached the walls of the Summit's Claim. It felt like they found the gates to Heaven itself, gazing upon the sky and the Altum Eagles that circled the sky. Taiyang took over carrying Ruby in his arms, and the long trek here lead to another problem.

Ruby's broken leg had formed an infection as well, and she was suffering. Ruby was leant into her father's shoulder as she softly moaned in pain. "It's okay, baby… we're here." Taiyang whispered to his little girl.

They looked up and saw a familiar face stood in the Watchtower – Sashaa. The Archer from the Summit's Claim who had Prosthetic Legs, dark skin and white and purple hair. She gasped, instantly recognising them. "Ruby?" Sashaa gasped.

"She's hurt… we've been trying to get here for the past few days. But Ruby's leg… it's badly infected. Things in the world have gone to hell… we needed to find somewhere safe… can we negotiate terms with your leader?" Taiyang begged, but Ren stopped him and walked forward.

"Tell him his son is here." Ren said to Sashaa and she smiled.

"You needn't beg… Li Ren always said his gates are open to you." Sashaa assured, and the large heavy doors started to open before them.

"You're gonna be okay, sweetie." Taiyang whispered to Ruby as she softly moaned. Despite the cold she was still sweating, and they walked inside. Ren looked ahead and he smiled as he saw Li emerge from the old Monastery. He held his staff in his cybernetic hand as he walked, and despite his blindness, he could see them. Through the eyes of his massive Altum Eagle – Harmony Gives Humble Mind.

"Lie… my son." Li said as he approached him, immediately embracing his son once more. He held him close, in a warm and welcoming hug. Li looked at him and there was an evident… pain… in his expression.

"Are you okay?" Ren asked.

"I am… what about you? Ruby's injury… was it from the Academies?" He inquired.

"No… from Valravn Branwen." Ren answered, Li raised his brow with shock. He remembered the Old Branwen and the conversation they shared on the mountain. "He was playing us the whole time… Jackdaw never killed Ruby and Yang's mom. It was Raven and Qrow – Jackdaw was the one they framed. And Valravn was behind it all… because he wanted all Silver Eyed Individuals dead."

"I did warn you about the man." Maria Calavera greeted, sat on one of the steps. Her mechanical eyes blinked as she looked at the tired warriors.

"Yeah… well… I guess we were too stupid to see it." Yang sighed.

"Or he was too smart for you to see it. Not your fault to be tricked by a man like that." Maria assured.

"Come, let us tend to Miss Rose's leg. She is going to need it… I can tell from my Eagle's perspective." Li stated, always able to see through the eyes of the Eagles that live here on the Summit's Claim. Taiyang approached the bed and laid Ruby down, and he showed her leg to the nurses. It had flared up red where the bone had broken.

"Can you help her?" Taiyang asked them with worried eyes.

"Yes, it will take some time though." One of the Nurses said, pouring some medicine into a small cup. She gently lifted Ruby's head. "Here, honey… drink this. It will dull the pain."

Ruby did as she was asked, as always. "We will keep her warm, come on, Let's get her inside." The Nurse said. They lifted the light bed up and carried it to the Monastery where it was warmer and away from the snow. Nora blew out a breath, relieved.

"You couldn't pick your home to be somewhere easier, could you? The top of a mountain… why not a Tropical Island?" Nora joked, which made Li chuckle.

"What can I say, I don't like the sunburn." Li wittily replied, but he returned to that rather… concerned… feeling again. He pressed his hands against the stone pillar with grief as he stood there.

"Dad? What's wrong?" Ren asked, and Li sighed.

"It's… not me that I'm worried about, son…" He said, and he turned to him. "You know? About what has happened?" He asked.

"Yes… the Academies are under attack, everywhere." Ren said.

"Do you know?" He repeated, which confused Ren.

"I… don't understand." Ren stammered, and Li sighed and approached one of the Holographic Televisions, and he brought up the screen.

It was a list of the dead from the Academies, faces popping up every few moments. He rewound it back a few minutes and stopped.

Everyone gasped and felt sick with grief.

Jaune Arc – Dead

Pyrrha Nikos – Dead

Weiss Schnee – Dead

Blake Belladonna – Dead

Neptune Vasillias – Dead

Sun Wukong – Dead

The list went on, but the names that appeared hit them like a truck. Eryka fell to her knees with wide tearful eyes, and Winter wrapped her arms around her girlfriend. But Winter was sobbing as well for her sister. They both sat there as they grieved their lost younger siblings, and Dulcis gently sat and nuzzled against Eryka as she cried out.

Ren stared with wide tearful eyes as Pyrrha and Jaune's names appeared, and Nora hugged Ren tight. Yang also collapsed to her knees with grief, and buried her head in her hands, seeing Blake's name appear. Her heart crushed in her chest as she also began to cry. Li bowed his head with sadness for them – but they deserved to know.

Although, neither of them even realised that Weiss and Blake did actually survive the Fall of Beacon and were being saved by Cinder Fall at this point. But the world believed that they were dead.

When Ruby found out, she felt numb – broken inside. To her, she truly was a failure, because not only did her team become torn apart, but for all she knew… her best friends were also dead.

It was a dark day for them all… to know that their family… was gone.

It took a few weeks for Ruby to recover from the infection and for her broken leg to heal, thanks to her aura doing the rest of the work. But Ruby was still quiet, sat at the edge of a cliff… staring out at the gorgeous landscape… and at the pillars of smoke which were rising from Haven Academy even now. And all the Black Gallows Airships and Grimm that were circling the sky.

Ruby closed her eyes with grief. "We lost… everything we fought for… it was all for nothing." She softly said to herself.

"I wouldn't put it quite that way." The voice of Maria Calavera said, Ruby turned to see the small old lady walking over to her side. Just as they did back when they visited the Summit's Claim many years ago. Ruby turned away and wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Oh… I'm sorry… I didn't think anyone was listening." Ruby said.

"Well… I wasn't, to be honest. I only just came over." Maria admitted as she sat down next to her. They both stared out at the landscape. "It is beautiful here, isn't it? From up here you could easily forget that the whole world was now being conquered by a Queen of Darkness."

Ruby didn't say anything, she just stared at her feet. Maria glanced at her and scoffed. "What? First when you showed up here you would never shut up. Now you're a mute?"

"I guess I'm not in a very talkative mood. Since my friends are dead." Ruby answered. Maria glanced at her and she nodded her head.

"I understand…" She said.

"How could you possibly understand?" Ruby harshly retorted, glancing at her before staring back at the land.

"A lot has happened since we last spoke – I do not blame you for forgetting. My entire family… my husband and my three children were butchered by the Black Gallows. And as we all know now… they work for Salem. It all makes sense to me now… they came for us because of the colour of our eyes… because they knew we could pose a real threat to Salem. And that was why they cut out my eyes." Maria explained. "So yes… I know exactly how it feels to lose everything, Ruby."

Ruby nodded her head and she stared back at her knees. "I don't know what to do." Ruby softly said. "I want to… I want to kill her… I want to watch her die in agony for what she has done. But… but I know I won't be able to. How do you even kill someone like that?"

"There is nothing in this world without a weakness. It defies the laws of life and nature; everything can die by some means. It may be hard to find, it could be dangerous, but that weakness is always there. You simply must find the truth." Maria explained.

"How?" Ruby asked.

"I have no idea. But… you are going to need more than just those little pistols you have." Maria said as she patted them with her Walking Stick. "And… you must learn how to control those." She said, pointing to her eyes. Ruby looked at Maria as she lowered her finger.

"What's the point?" Ruby sighed, sounding resigned.

"Hmm… I thought you were a Huntress." Maria stated.

"Not anymore." Ruby said, but Maria shook her head.

"No. I don't think so. That was a choice I made and look at what happened. If perhaps I stopped wallowing in my own self pity over what happened to my husband, perhaps I could have realised that the Black Gallows were soldiers for Salem. Perhaps we could have had an early warning and be prepared. But no, I stayed up here and just did nothing for decades. I do not want to see you make the same mistake." Maria explained as she stared at Ruby.

"What does it matter to you what I do?" Ruby questioned.

"Because I have seen too many lives lost – you a bright, beautiful and kind-hearted soul. One I do not want to see dim, because there are few like you. But… if you are going to survive in the new world, you must be willing to spill blood." Maria explained.

"I know." Ruby said.

"So come on, get up." She said, and she walked over to her tent and threw something onto her lap. "I am going to teach you how to use those eyes of yours… and how to fight like the Grimm Reaper." She stated with a smile. "With the skills I will teach you? Combined with your Semblance and eyes? Well… you may become the New Grimm Reaper."

Ruby looked at the Walking Stick and touched the trigger, and suddenly the blade folded out from it, forming into the small Scythe. Ruby yelped, quickly lifting her hand off it before it cut her finger.

Ruby was reluctant at first, but over time she and Maria truly did form an incredibly special bond with each other. One that she never ever got to experience – having a Grandmother, in a sense. It was the feeling that Ruby never got to experience, since both Tai and Summer's parents died a long time ago. Maria trained her in many ways, how to focus her emotions and even her aura to a meditative state. How to fight with these weapons, and Ruby started to modify the Volcanic Pistols that Lavinia Vasillias gave her when they left Patch, turning them into the Scythes she had now.

Black Thorn.

She also started to make her own new outfit, one that could fit her growing body. She trained over the six years, and even now was still learning with Maria. And she managed to understand how her Silver Eyes worked, but more importantly – when and when not to use them. As Maria said, her skills and semblance would always be more powerful than the Silver Eyes could ever be.

But when a year passed – Ruby, Yang and Eryka were helping the Claim by hunting for some food down in the woods of the Wildlands. Eryka fired Constantine Damascus, now with her current outfit and also with Slice n' Dice sheathed onto her back. The Buck collapsed with a yelp as the arrow found its throat. "Nice shot." Ruby whispered.

"Thanks." Eryka chuckled, and the three of them approached the animal. It softly whimpered as it shook on the ground, bleeding out. Eryka crouched down and drew her Hunting Knife. "Shh… it's okay…" She gently whispered, stroking the soft fur of the mammal, before kindly ending its pain by stabbing it in the heart. The Buck fell silent and she lifted it over onto her shoulder with ease. But before they could leave, Ruby turned, hearing something.

"Did you hear that?" Ruby asked.

"Hear what?" Yang asked.

"Yeah… I did…" Eryka agreed, her hunting skills had sharpened her senses. The three of them walked to the edge of the forest, and they heard the sound of something landing. There was a massive Whale out there, it was utterly enormous, like the size of a Dreadnaught, and it landed outside of Mistral.

Ruby crouched down and reached into her backpack and pulled out some binoculars. She raised them to her big eyes, and she spotted her immediately.

"Salem…" Ruby softly said.

"What?" Eryka gasped.

"She's here?" Yang also sounded shocked.

"She's got it, that damn sword we saw all over the news. The Relic of Destruction." Ruby stated, keeping the binoculars on Salem as she entered the city. "She's headed for Haven… she's going for the Relic there."

"Which one was that again?" Yang asked.

"I think it was Knowledge. That's what Ironwood said, I think." Ruby said.

"Well… there's nothing we can do." Eryka said as she was about to walk away. But Ruby tightened her grip.

"Yes there is." Ruby suddenly said. Eryka stopped and Yang looked at her with disbelief. "Salem couldn't teleport here, she had to use that big Whale to get here. And she couldn't do the same when she stormed Beacon. We saw all the news coverage of that massive Grimm Army headed for Vale before it happened. She must have been there as well… maybe that Whale was, and nobody saw the thing."

"How? It's the size of a city." Yang challenged.

"It was a cloudy day when it happened. Is it really so crazy to think it couldn't hide in the clouds? It was dark as well. No wonder so many Grimm hit Beacon so fast… it must have been that thing." Ruby stated, pointing at the huge Whale.

"So? What are you saying?" Eryka asked.

"I don't think the Relics can be transported through teleportation. Salem had the Relic of Destruction when she hit Beacon, she didn't teleport there. And she hasn't teleported here. But we have seen that she can do it, just like Raven. Without the sword, of course." Ruby explained.

"And?" Yang asked.

"That means… she will be vulnerable to someone taking it from her." Ruby stated, their eyes widened when she said that.

"Ruby… you've come up with some crazy ideas… but this is just insane." Yang stated.

"We can't let Salem get all the Relics, and the Grimm cannot get up to the Summit's Claim. Hell I doubt she even knows we are even there." Ruby explained. "If we snatch that thing off her – it will weaken her."

"But for what? Even if we do get our hands on it, what then? She already has Destruction and Choice." Yang stated.

"Well… it's called Knowledge. Surely that thing must help us understand some things better. Maybe even teach us how to kill Salem." Ruby explained.

Yang and Eryka seemed to be apprehensive of the idea. "If you two don't wanna help me then fine, go back. I'll do it myself." Ruby stated with a sigh.

"Hold on, Ruby. We never said that." Yang said as she stopped Ruby from walking forward. "We'll get back to the Claim and get the others. You're gonna need help."

"What's your plan anyway? Just waltz in and snag it from her?" Eryka asked.

"Well… yes."

A few hours passed after Salem entered Haven Academy, and judging by the heat that covered the sword, she must have used the Relic of Destruction the same way she used it at Beacon. She cut the door open to claim the Relic without even needing a Maiden to do it for her. The Relic of Destruction was clear an extremely dangerous and powerful weapon. And currently, she held two Relics in her hands.

Salem walked through the streets of Mistral, and everyone was bowing before her. Not by choice, of course – merely from fear. Salem did not even look at a single one of them as all Thirteen Praetorian Knights followed her, armed to the teeth with their Sceptres. Salem approached the gates, and she turned to the Monstra sat in the fields and she walked towards it.

When suddenly, a flurry of red petals shot straight across her, and Salem barked with pain as her hand was sliced clean from the wrist. Black smoke and golden light shone from the wound, and very quickly her hand started to grow back. Salem gritted her teeth and looked around, realising the Relic of Knowledge was no longer anywhere to be seen. Salem stared ahead, following the trail of petals to see Ruby Rose sprinting off, and she gritted her teeth with rage.

"Ruby Rose…" She hissed, she then drew the Relic of Destruction, causing flames to burn through her veins as she pointed the sword. "HUNT HER DOWN!" Salem commanded her Thirteen Praetorian Knights.

Ruby darted off into the woods, using the trees as cover. She flew up and landed on one of the branches, clutching the lamp close to her chest. She looked at it, seeing the swirling blue smoke inside of the golden casing. "Hi… Relic." Ruby softly said to it, amazed to actually be holding one of these extremely powerful things. She looked down the side of the tree to see the Praetorian Knights stomping through the undergrowth, searching for Ruby.

She held her breath, not wanting to alert them.

But she knew, Salem was nearby.

She would not have let them come alone.

The Praetorians spoke in harsh words that were far beyond Ruby's comprehension, a language that she had never heard before. They yelled at the Grimm, one of them pointed its Sceptre forward to the large pack of Grimm which followed it. Ruby kept her nerves sharp as she clutched the Relic close. But Ruby started to notice that something was not right, because the Grimm kept getting closer to where she was hiding, including some of the Praetorian Knights.

I'm good… but not that good. I can't take on the Thirteen, none of us can…

Ruby then watched as one of the Praetorian Knights stood by the tree, Ruby glanced down at the Lamp in her hands, feeling it shrink down so her hand could comfortably hold it. She could not help but hear indistinct whispering from within it, and it even started to pulsate with blue energy.

That was when Ruby looked down against the Praetorian Knight beneath her, and it suddenly lifted its head to where she was hiding. Ruby was fast, using her Semblance to quickly move out of the Knight's cone of vision, jumping to another tree. She stayed as quiet as she could, but the proof was there. The Grimm were able to sense the Relic's location, there was no doubt in Ruby's mind that it created some kind of energy that they could detect.

The sound of Nevermores screeching echoed overhead, and Ruby kept her eyes open. "C'mon guys…" Ruby whispered to herself as she looked around. Ruby turned when she felt her Scroll vibrating and she quickly checked it.

The road, get here quick – Yang

Ruby nodded to herself and she flew back down to the ground, pulling her hood up and using the bushes to her advantage. The Grimm were everywhere as they searched for her and the Relic. She looked at the circular handle, and she noticed she could clip one of her belt keychains to it. That way she could keep her weapons handy. She connected it to her belt and slowly moved through the woods.

The Praetorian Knights were massive, at least twelve foot tall, wielding those massive Sceptres as they walked. Speaking in the dark and demonic language that they used, one that it seemed the Grimm responded to. Yet they still responded to Salem when she used their modern tongue… perhaps the Praetorian Knights spoke differently to hide their true commands from any foes?

Beowulves patrolled the woods, alongside countless other beasts. A Nuckelavee walked through the woods, snarling as the Imp on top looked around for the Relic. It had arrows, spears and other things wedged into its body – it was old…

… it was the same Nuckelavee that besieged Kuroyuri with Icarus many years ago. Ruby, however, did not know this. The huge creature trotted across the land, its hooves splattering puddles. Ruby waited for an opening, she knew she could not stay in the same place for long, the Grimm would sense the Relic. She quickly rolled through the clearing and into more tall grass.

Abductors also searched, creating that utterly horrendous croaking sound as they looked for them, powerful magic flowed through their bodies. Burning eyes hidden behind their shrouds. Ruby looked up at the trees and she watched as Nevermores circled the sky. Ruby knew the road was not far, but with all these Grimm? It would not make escaping them extremely easy. And she knew… Salem was not going to be far behind.

Ruby took cover behind a tree as a massive Grimm – one which had a huge horn on its face and looked like a Rhino – waded through the grass. It sniffed the air as it looked for her, growling as it turned to where she was hiding. Ruby acted fast, the Elasmotherium was hardly the most intelligent creature and would seriously charge at the first thing it heard. Ruby saw a large rock on the floor, and she threw it ahead of her, and it clattered against the tree. The Elasmotherium roared and scraped its heavy foot through the dirt before charging towards it, using the horn to sheer the tree trunk. The whole tree collapsed as the Elasmotherium slowed itself down.

Ruby quickly shot forward in a flurry of petals and dove behind a rock just in time. Because a Praetorian Knight sprinted in that direction, spinning its Sceptre through its fingers forged from floating pieces of metal and stone. Black smoke travelled through its body as it walked, snarling softly. The Elasmotherium roared nearby as it shook its head, dust blowing off its thick furry hide. The Praetorian Knight pressed its heavy foot down onto the rock, cracking the stone as it stood above her, but it continued to search the rest of the area.

Ruby took this as her chance, running and sliding down the hill towards the road. Completely unaware of Monstra rising up into the sky and watching her as she fled. And definitely not noticed the winged one that was pursuing her. One of their cars showed up, they were all packed tightly into it with Winter at the wheel – still without the burn scars on her cheek and neck that she had now.

Ruby jumped inside. "Go! Go! Go!" Ruby hurried, and Winter stomped her foot down. Ruby looked back with wide and worried eyes.

"The fuck were you thinking? Stealing a Relic like that without warning us?" Winter sounded furious.

"Heat of the moment, I saw an opportunity and I seized it. We can't let Salem get the Relics." Ruby stated, she kept on looking back. It felt like they were not out of this yet – Salem would never give up so easily.

"Are you sure bringing it back to the Summit's Claim is a good idea?" Nora asked with concern in her voice, in a time before she had her new Magni Hammer.

"I don't know yet… but we cannot lose this thing." Ruby said as she patted the Lamp on her belt. But Ruby looked back again, completely unaware of what was coming for them on their left.

"LOOK OUT!" Eryka yelled, and Winter swiftly accelerated as fast as she could, because the massive Elasmotherium Grimm nearly slammed directly into their side, an attack that would have surely flipped their car over with that horn. The Grimm roared, and suddenly the Praetorian Knights erupted through the treeline with them.

"Go! Go! Go!" Ruby screamed, she drew Black Thorn and shot backwards at the Thirteen Praetorian Knights that sprinted after them. The massive Knights even on foot could easily keep up to pace with the car that was driving at full speed. The Rhino growled and roared as it got even closer.

"Keep it steady!" Yang said as she climbed onto the Roll Cage of the vehicle, now with her brand-new cybernetic arm. It still had some work to be done, it was bulky and quite rusted over, however there were still five more years at this time for her to make the improvements that it had now. Yang fired Shrieking Missiles towards the Elasmotherium which exploded against its thick hide, but it continued to charge after them, much faster than it looked.

Eryka joined Yang on the roof whilst Nora held onto the door and fired Stormur Skeggox in its Grenade Launcher at them. One of the grenades flew towards one of the Praetorian Knights but it slashed its Sceptre towards the grenade, batting it aside before it even got close.

It took nearly everything they had to bring done one Praetorian Knight back at Beacon, but Thirteen of them? They could never hope to challenge such a threat. Ruby looked up at the sky with wide silver eyes as she saw the Monstra following them. Eryka drew Constantine Damascus back and she fired one of her explosive eyes directly into the eye of the Elasmotherium. The one place where there was no armour on its heavy head, and the bone fragments shattered like glass. The beast roared as it toppled over, crashing into the ground, but the Praetorian Knight behind it just jumped over its body.

There were more Grimm following in pursuit, however they could never hope to catch them at this speed – yet the Praetorian Knights were so close behind them, getting closer and closer. Nora kept firing her Grenade Launcher back at the Knights to try and slow them down at the very least, but they either just exploded off their bodies and were completely ineffective, or the Knights just deflected them with their Sceptres.

"It's pointless! My grenades aren't doing anything!" Nora called to them.

"Same problem, we don't have the firepower we had before to take these things down!" Eryka called out.

Winter contemplated. "Hold on! I have an idea!" She said, and suddenly drifted the car around one of the bends, driving downhill.

"Where are we going?" Ren asked with confusion.

"We can't risk the Praetorian Knights learning about us hiding in the Summit's Claim. We need to lose them… and I have an idea for that." Winter said.

"And that is?" Ren asked.

"The Argus Limited! It runs through this region if we reach the tracks in time we could board it." Winter said, which made Yang chuckle.

"Just like old times." Yang said as she looked back at her fellow Rogues. Winter looked ahead and she gasped, but she was not giving in.

"Everyone strap in… it's about to get bumpy." She warned. Yang looked ahead and her eyes widened as well, seeing what Winter was driving directly towards.

"Oh you've gotta be joking…" Yang groaned.

It was a completely demolished bridge, but one that had the road bent upwards… perfect for a ramp. Yang, Eryka and Nora did not argue, swiftly buckling up as she drove as fast as the vehicle could go. The Praetorian Knights drew closer and closer, reaching out towards the back of the car with their massive metal hands. But then Winter made the jump, everything felt weightless as they cleared the alley, but the Praetorian Knights slowed themselves down, staring ahead as the car landed on the other side, roaring off.

The Praetorian Knights growled in anger, but then the Thirteen of them looked up – and watched as Monstra followed, and someone was following at great speed.

Winter turned around the corner as everyone cheered with joy. "THAT WAS AWESOME!" Yang laughed with awe, smiling brightly again.

Eryka grabbed her girlfriend and kissed her passionately. "SUCH A BABE!" Eryka cheered, and they started to follow the tracks near the face of the mountain. But as they turned the corner, their eyes widened from what they saw.

Salem.

She had formed a pair of massive Dragon Wings from her back, eyes glowing red as she dove down towards them. "SHIT!" Winter screamed, but they could not avoid her. Salem landed on the bonnet so hard that the whole front of the car smashed down into the ground, causing the vehicle to flip over their heads. The impact threw them from their seats, despite the belts. The belts broke instantly from how powerful that impact was. Eryka tumbled through the ground and Winter drove her sword into the soil. Yang rolled through the floor with Nora and Ren bounced and landed on both feet. Ruby swung Black Thorn outwards, driving them into the trees, bringing a couple of them down.

Their car exploded into flames, and stood in the smoke and fire, was Salem. She turned and glared directly at Ruby, her eyes glowed bright red as she walked down the body of the car, the flames burning parts of her clothes, but her body remained untouched. "I believe that Lamp belongs to me." Salem stated as she approached them, dark magic flowing through her body. She opened her hand and formed a massive Double-Ended sword from thin air, spinning it through her fingers, as armour forged from bone also surrounded her burned dress.

"No… I will not stand by and let you destroy everything we are." Ruby growled.

"That Relic means more to me than you will ever know. This is your last chance, Huntress. Give me the Relic… or I will tear you all apart." Salem threatened, everyone started to stand up, staring at her. But then Ruby stared at the tracks, seeing the holographic symbols forming.

Argus Limited Incoming – 5 Minutes Out

Ruby stared back at Salem and spun Black Thorn through her fingers. "Gonna take more than a threat to convince me, Salem." Ruby warned, which made Salem chuckle sinisterly.

"Then death it shall be." Salem stated, suddenly blasting towards Ruby, slashing the huge sword one handed at Ruby. She ducked down to dodge the sword and Ruby rushed past her in a flurry of petals, only for Salem to catch her by the throat out of mid air, throwing her into the ground. Ruby quickly rolled away as Salem stabbed the ground where she fell, and Ruby rolled across one of the rocks, firing her Volcanic Pistols repeatedly at Salem. The bullets either bounced off her armour or hit her directly in the face. But they had no effect, just forming holes which were healed by a glowing gold light.

Salem suddenly threw the huge sword towards Ruby, it spun like the propellors of a helicopter at Ruby, slicing the tree next to her clean in half, before it returned right back into Salem's hand. Salem then opened her hand and pulled Ruby directly towards her and went to grab her by the throat. But Ruby turned to petals once more and hooked her Scythes onto Salem's throat, slamming her against the ground. They cut deep wounds that would kill a normal person, but it was nothing to Salem. But the attack did indeed smash Salem into the soil.

Ruby jumped up towards Salem and fired her pistols at her face, but Salem kicked Ruby in the chest and as she fell towards the floor, Salem stabbed her sword at her hard and fast. The impact launched Ruby backwards, and if not for her aura, that sword would have killed her for certain.

An arrow suddenly exploded into Salem's back, and she turned, glaring at Eryka who winked at the Dark Queen. "Sup, your majesty?" Eryka quirked, before quickly firing another arrow. Dulcis suddenly grabbed onto the arrow, erupted into a massive burning Phoenix that flew straight at Salem, burning her body. But as the flames burned, Salem just sprinted at Eryka, swinging her sword at her fast and hard. She could hear the sword hum as it cut through the air itself.

Eryka transformed Constantine Damascus down into its shotgun form, firing it directly into Salem's face. A blast like that should pulverise someone's skull but it merely stunned Salem for a few seconds. She holstered Constantine Damascus and rushed Salem, drawing Slice 'n Dice, and she slid underneath her and slashed the Shortsword across the back of her leg, dropping her to one knee. Eryka then jumped up and with a yell, drove the sword directly through the back of her neck. It burst through her jugular, and she growled with anger as she twisted the blade. Salem gritted her teeth and reached back at Eryka and grabbed her blue hair and smashed her down into the back of her own head, before throwing her down to the ground.

Salem ripped the sword through her throat, completely unhurt by the brutal way of removing the sword, and she proceeded to throw the sword directly at her. Eryka rolled aside, and Winter helped her back up, forming multiple Glyphs which blasted fireballs towards Salem. Salem spiralled her Sword, blocking the explosive balls of fire from reaching her, glaring directly at the Schnee.

Salem suddenly thrusted forward, blasting a powerful column of red lightning towards Winter. She gasped and raised her sword, stopping the lightning with the blade as she held her ground. Salem charged forward and jumped upwards, slamming the sword downwards at her. Winter slid aside and jabbed the sword into the spaces between the plates at Salem, but Salem swung the huge sword with terrifying ease up her chest, which threw Winter up into the air. Salem jumped and spun around, slamming her boot down into her gut, throwing inter into the ground. Winter gasped in pain, and Salem channelled fire into her hand as she stared the Schnee down.

Winter got back up and gasped, suddenly taking a fireball directly to the face, breaking her aura instantly. Winter fell onto the grass with a pained groan, smoke trailing from the side of her face and neck. "WINTER!" Eryka screamed with fear, gritting her teeth with anger as she suddenly fired an explosive arrow directly into the side of Salem's face, blowing the side of her head apart. Salem staggered, her skull on show as the golden light regenerated the face that was damaged.

Yang blasted forward and punched Salem in the face repeatedly, nailing her in the gut and up the jaw, before firing both shotguns with her fists, throwing them both into Salem's sternum. Salem crashed against the wall, cracking the rocks. Salem took each punch as the side of her head started to grow back thanks to her immortality, then Salem grabbed Yang by the face and forced her down to the ground. Yang grabbed Salem's wrist so tight that her hand broke, even Salem had to release Yang from the pain it caused her. Yang jumped up and punched Salem across the face, but then Salem towered over Yang.

She swung hard and fast at the Blonde Brawler, beating her repeatedly, creating shockwaves with ever single punch that she made on her. Yang gasped from many of the strikes, then Salem grabbed her by her long blonde hair and yanked her downwards, directly into her knee. Yang staggered backwards as Salem ripped strands of her blonde hair from her scalp. Her eyes widened when she saw the hair in her grasp. Her eyes flushed red with rage, and her locks glowed bright gold with flames as she swung her fist at Salem's face.

Only for Salem to catch her fist with ease, creating a shockwave from the impact. Salem stared Yang down and proceeded to pull Yang forward and headbutt her, before swiping her off her feet and smashing her fist down into her face with all her might. Salem kicked her sword up into her hand, but Stormflower's Blades shot forward and the cables wrapped around the sword, yanking it from her grasp just in time. The sword bounced across the ground, and Nora blasted forward and drive Stormur Skeggox straight into Salem's shoulder and neck.

They both dragged across the ground as Nora ripped the axe out and dug it back in, striking over and over with the berserk intention to cleave her head clean off her shoulders. But Salem caught the weapon in her hand and forced her backwards, letting the blade dig into her palm. Nora gritted her teeth, then suddenly blasted a powerful beam of pink energy from the head of her axe directly into Salem's chest. Salem grunted, thrown directly through an overgrown boulder by the sudden strike.

"Guys! We need to move! The Argus Limited!" Eryka yelled, and Yang stood back up, groaning as she looked at her aura, nearly broken from the beating she suffered. Salem turned and glared at Ruby as they heard the sound of the powerful drain getting closer and closer. Ruby shot forward and spiralled with Black Thorn, slicing across Salem's cheek.

"Come on!" Ruby said, helping Yang up.

Eryka carried Winter in her arms as she sprinted up the rocks with everyone behind them. Salem snarled, suddenly sprouting massive Dragon Wings once more, taking off into the air. The lightning speed train erupted out the tunnel and they jumped off the edge of the cliff, landing on the top of the train. Winter tumbled but Eryka caught onto her girlfriend before she could tumble off. "I've gotcha!" Eryka yelped, holding onto her, pulling her back into her arms.

Eryka gazed at Winter, seeing the bad scarring from the fireball that hit her in the face. They covered her lower cheek and mainly burned the side of her neck. Bright red with steam leaking from them. "H-How do I look?" Winter weakly asked.

"Pretty hot." Eryka joked, which earned her a playful punch in the shoulder from Winter.

"You and you're dumb puns." Winter chuckled.

"What's the plan now? We're on the Train." Ren said.

"We wait until… we're in the clear… and we jump first chance we get and hide. Once we know we are safe, we get back to the Summit's Claim." Winter softly explained to them, struggling to speak because of the burns. Ruby turned to see Ren gasp and his eyes widen.

"We're… not clear yet…" Ren gasped.

Ruby turned and her eyes widened as well, to see Salem flying after them, and she blasted bolts of red lightning towards Ruby. She deflected them by spinning Black Thorn swiftly. Then Salem landed atop the rear carriage, still holding that massive sword.

"Eryka, keep Winter safe. We'll hold Salem back." Ruby explained, switching to her explosive rounds in the Volcanic Pistols and spinning them like a Cowgirl. Ruby fired them repeatedly at Salem as she walked forward with Yang and Nora doing the same thing with their explosive rounds. Salem blocked them fast with her sword, alongside her wings which were still extended from her back. The explosions however managed to hold her back. Ren also fired Stormflower repeatedly as Salem tried to advance.

Salem's wings swung and she threw herself forward, slashing at them all, but they ducked down, narrowly avoiding her. Salem drove the sword into the roof of the cab, and they could hear people screaming in fear inside. Luckily, the blade did not hit anyone, but people were starting to panic. Salem charged forward, swinging the sword and blasting magic from her other hand. Ruby slid across the smooth surface of the train, and she fired her pistols into Salem's chest. Salem recoiled back from the explosive rounds, until Ruby found she was out of ammo.

Salem stabbed down at her, but Ruby jumped up and drove both her blades into Salem's wings, hacking and slashing into the joints of them to cut them from her spine. The wings were severed, and Salem roared with agony, her eyes glowed bright red as she stumbled forward. That was when her eyes started to ignite, and the sky darkened around them. Ruby gasped with disbelief as Salem held out her hands.

"Oh crap… she's got the power of a Maiden!" Ruby called out, but Nora continued to fire grenade after grenade at Salem, constantly breaking her defence. Ren blasted Stormflower repeatedly, firing the blades into her chest and shooting forward, slamming both feet into her face. Salem however only stumbled from his attack, and lunged forward with her sword, cutting across his aura, knocking him onto his back. Salem then grabbed him by the throat and pummelled him against the top of the train with brutal force, denting the metal.

Eryka turned and she gasped. "Oh shit…"

Yang grabbed Salem from behind with her metal arm, forcing her down onto one knee. But Salem swung her elbow backwards into Yang's gut and she turned to see what Eryka also was just about to yell about.

"TUNNEL!" Eryka yelled, immediately helping Winter down between the carriages.

"EVERYONE DOWN!" Ruby yelled, they all dropped to their chests, laying as flat as they could. But Salem was not fast enough because Yang uppercutted her just before she dropped.

Salem staggered, then suddenly was knocked directly off the train. Yang laughed. "Ha! Take that bitch! You and your titty diamond can't beat us!" Yang cheered, only for her eyes to widen. "Why did I speak so soon?" She groaned, just remembering that… it's a tunnel.

It was hardly a blocked entrance.

Salem glared at them and she blasted towards them, gritted teeth, Nora looked up at the roof of the tunnel and she spun Stormur Skeggox through her fingers. "Get down!" Nora called out, blasting a beam of pink energy from the Axe, carving it across the roof of the tunnel. Salem gasped, her red eyes widened as the entire tunnel above her started to collapse, burying her in rubble.

Nora smirked, spinning her axe through her fingers. "Nora! We can make it, come on!" Yang called out and she sprinted to go and join them. The train roared out from the tunnel and they landed in the snow, and ran up into the mountains together, taking cover.

Salem erupted from the rocks, unleashing a roar of fury, burning the rubble to ashes. She blasted free from the rocks, pursuing the train. They could not see but Black Gallows arrived as well, their forces boarding the train. And they searched it, with Salem aboard, trying to find them.

Which gave them the perfect chance to disappear into the mountains.

It took them hours to find somewhere safe as night started to fall, and in the clear night sky? The swirling colours of the Aurora Borealis flashed over them as they found a small shack to take shelter in for the night. Eryka tended to Winter's burns, using icy snow to cool her down as she laid next to Eryka, resting to heal. Ruby stared at the Ancient Relic of Knowledge in her hands.

"We have a Relic…" Ruby could not help but sound astounded.

"And you snatched it right from Salem's hand." Ren could not help but chuckle at this fact.

"And… cut it off." Ruby admitted. "I didn't really need to do that, that was kinda extra."

"Of course you did." Yang chuckled, shaking her head as she tended the fire. "Salem… we threw everything at her but none of it even slowed her down." Yang sighed.

"I know – the stories we heard? They weren't kidding… she can't die. And she has the power of a Maiden… maybe two. She has two Relics after all." Ruby stated as she looked at the lamp in her hands.

"Yeah… Cinder was the last one we knew of. The only one…" Yang said.

"Things are bad… but maybe… with this thing? We could turn the tide? Just wish we knew how to use this cute little thing." Ruby sound, bouncing it in her hands with a smile.

That was when it happened…

Blue smoke started to pour out from the Relic of Knowledge, forming over the Campfire before them. Her naked body bound in chains, glowing blue with long locks of hair and pointed elven ears. She stretched her arms and entire body with ecstasy. All of their eyes were wide, even Winter's who was still too tired to speak. "Ah… finally… been cooped up in there for so long." Jinn softly said as she looked at them all. "Hello… my saviours, I am in your debt." She bowed to them.

"Uh… who are you? Were you in this thing?" Ruby asked with shock.

"I am Jinn – a being created by the God of Light to aid humanity to pursue their quest for Knowledge. I am able to answer any question, but only to those I deem worthy of my words. But thanks to you – you have saved me from Salem, who would have used the Relic of Choice on me, forcing me to answer her questions, despite my personal judgements of the woman."

"I am now in your service and will bestow any knowledge you wish – Ruby Rose of Patch." Jinn stated, gesturing to Ruby.

Her silver eyes widened.

"Me?" She asked.

"Of course. You are the one who saved me." Jinn teased, she suddenly vanished and appeared laid on Ruby's lap. Ruby's eyes widened as the admittedly beautiful apparition laid upon her. Jinn rose and gently caressed her cheek. "And for that – any knowledge you seek. I will provide. However there is a risk with my answers."

"What do you mean?" Ruby nervously asked.

Jinn remained sat on Ruby's lap, but she stopped acting all seductive as usual. "I am afraid, my power creates a great deal of energy. You will not feel it, but Salem will sense it. Once you ask me a question, your position will be revealed to her. So… I recommend that if you do wish for knowledge, you go somewhere secluded where your home is not at risk." Jinn explained, and Ruby turned to them all.

"So… no secret password?" Yang asked.

"My judgement is the only key required. I have offered intelligence to those I deemed unworthy… but none of them lasted long enough. I do not enjoy taking life – but I will if they are dangerous to all the good in the world." Jinn explained. "But none of you have anything to fear from me. Your wish – Ruby Rose – is my command."

---

Ruby

---

Back in the present…

Jinn sat where she chose, looking at them all with one leg crossed over the other. "I must say, Ruby – your first wish was quite the romantic one. Asking me if Penny was still alive." Jinn stated as she smiled at her. Both Ruby and Penny blushed as they huddled close to each other.

"I needed to know if she was okay." Ruby said. "After everything we lost…"

Jinn nodded her head in agreement. "Ever since that day, I think we really have been a thorn in her side. Hitting her shipments, taking down some of the Black Gallows and Feral One Informants to make the spread of information a little harder for her. But I still think nabbing Jinn from her grasp was a real kick in the crotch." Yang chuckled.

"Tell me about it." Winter said over the comm, touching her scars gently.

"Well… at least we're all together. That's all that matters. Let's get home." Ruby said, looking forward with Penny resting her head on her shoulder with a comforted smile. The two cars drove across the roads, headed back towards the Mountains where the Summit's Claim stood.

Back home…

---

Pyrrha

---

Pyrrha decided she could help Oscar with some things on the farm.

The cows needed to be milked, and it was easily the simplest task for Pyrrha to do right now. Considering she had only been resurrected for a few days now, it seemed nice to give her a bit of a simpler job. She sat by the cow as it mooed, pulling the udders and squeezing the milk out into the pales. Oscar tended to the Horses with their saddles, and he groaned, touching his head from a strange discomfort.

Pyrrha turned to him. "Are you okay?" Pyrrha asked.

"Huh?" he asked.

"Your head? Looks like you're in pain." Pyrrha stated, trying to take her mind off things for a while. Seeing someone in discomfort? That was always a way she found to take her mind off her own problems, to help someone else with theirs.

"Oh yeah… that. Dunno, been having these weird dreams. Didn't get much sleep last night." Oscar stated. "It'll pass though." Oscar assured.

"How long has it been happening?" Pyrrha asked.

"Honestly, it's not a problem. It's been happening for the past six years, but… nothing major. Just strange dreams that I usually forget by morning. But they wake me up randomly. Sometimes gives me migraines."

"Have you seen a doctor about it?" Pyrrha asked.

"Yeah, they just think it's a genetic thing. Makes sense, my Uncle had it before me. Ran in his family for generations, strange migraines and stuff." He shrugged his shoulders. Pyrrha nodded her head and he sighed, looking back at her. "What about you, Pyrrha?"

"Hmm?" She asked.

"How are you feeling? I mean… I can't imagine how you must be feeling right now… coming back from the dead and… everything." Oscar stated, and Pyrrha sat there and just returned to the cow. She didn't say anything because she closed her eyes and sighed. Oscar decided to not pry any further – her problems were nothing compared to what he was experiencing.

Later on in the day… Pyrrha got into the shower and she let the hot water run over her red hair. She pressed her hand against the tiles as the hot water ran across her naked body, rolling over the scars. She touched them and gasped as flashes of her final moments returned into her eyes. She jolted back, feeling the pain once more when those pieces of rebar punctured through her body and killed her.

She felt unimaginable pain for a few moments… and then nothing…

Experiencing death… it was something she knew was going to stick with her for an exceptionally long time. But as she washed the shampoo into her hair… something else flashed into her mind.

She felt him… his warm hands wrap around her naked body and she gasped. She turned and saw Jaune in the shower with him. "Mind if I join you?" Jaune asked her, and she giggled as she kissed him.

But it wasn't now… it was a memory flashing into her mind. Of their first time together, she invited him to join her in the shower. That night was magical, she would never forget it. Just her and him together… all night.

But now… she was alone… in the shower and the steam around her.

She collapsed in the shower, and she sobbed, burying her head into her knees as the water fell upon her head.

Wake up… please wake up… please let this just be a nightmare…

She opened her eyes, hoping he would be there… but he never was… she was alone.

More alone than she ever felt.

She sat there alone in the shower, crying away her grief.

After she composed herself, she slowly left the shower, wrapped up in a white towel and she sat down with her still wet hair. Staring at her own reflection, eyes bloodshot from the tears. Then she heard her door knock and she turned, seeing Amber stood there with something. But… Amber saw her face.

"I… I'm sorry, I'll come back later." Amber said.

"N-No… it's okay. What's up?" She asked, still refusing to talk about her emotions. Just bottling it up, not even noticing the Brother of Darkness watching her in the mirror. Amber showed what she had, and Pyrrha squeezed her eyes shut with grief. Poor Amber… she had no idea what she was holding, or what it meant to Pyrrha.

It was a Pumpkin Pete's Hoodie.

"I… I was gonna ask you to sign it. You were always my favourite… back when my parents were still alive." She explained. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have. You've been through so much, I shouldn't."

"Hey, it's okay… sure…" Pyrrha assured. Amber looked at her, and she cautiously gave it to her. She stared at the hoodie and felt the tears well up again. Amber gently squeezed her shoulder.

"You… you don't have to." She assured, but Pyrrha did it anyway. And she drew her signature on the smiley face like Amber wanted her to. Pyrrha gave it to her with a smile, wiping the tear away. Pyrrha did not look at her, she just stared down at the floor as she closed her eyes.

Amber smiled softly as she walked away and left her in her room. Amber clutched the hoodie, feeling bad. "Hey, Amber? Wanna go help me fish? We could always use some more, now we have an extra mouth to feed." Cinder suggested, and she smiled.

"Okay…" Amber agreed, but Cinder noticed that she seemed to be upset about something.

Or guilty.

Perhaps she could ask her.

---

Cinder

---

Cinder saw Amber sat on the stump on her own, just looking at the river, kicking her legs back and forth. Cinder set the box of Fishing Equipment down on the grass and she crouched down next to her. "Are you okay, kiddo? Did she say something to you? Did she upset you?" Cinder asked with concern.

"Huh? Oh no… no… she was genuinely nice. I… I just feel bad." Amber shrugged, squeezing in her shoulders. That was always something she did, making herself even smaller somehow whenever she felt upset. Or guilty. "Am I bad?"

"What? No… no of course not. Why would you think that?" She asked as she sat down next to her, gently stroking her hair.

"I asked Pyrrha if she could sign my Pumpkin Pete's Hoodie… but… I think I upset her. She already looked upset but… I dunno… I think I shouldn't have done that." Amber explained as she sat there.

Cinder nodded her head and she stood up, picking up her Rod and she started to get the bait sorted out. "Well… do you want me to be honest?" Cinder asked.

"Always." Amber answered.

"Well, you shouldn't feel bad because you didn't know. But… I know why it probably made her upset." Cinder stated.

"Why?" Amber asked.

"Pyrrha Nikos had a boyfriend. Six years ago, back when she was alive? There was this guy, this idiot, called Jaune Arc. He was her leader – he was useless when it came to fighting but he was a good leader. She fell in love with him… and he always wore one of those stupid hoodies." Cinder chuckled.

"Had?" That was the word Amber heard the loudest.

Cinder nodded. "He was killed – during the Inhumane Necessity, just like Pyrrha was. He was the one that set of the bomb. I think… that the hoodie could gave just reminded her of him. Hell I doubt a moment passes where he isn't in her mind. You've gotta remember… for us it's been six years. For her? It's only been a couple days."

Amber sat there, and she thought on all of this. "But you're not bad, honey. You're one of the kindest, best people I have ever known." Cinder assured.

"That man said I was bad." Amber revealed.

"Who?" Cinder asked.

"The bad man… the one who tried to kill us. Back when we were with the Tribe." She clarified.

"Shay?" Cinder asked, and Amber nodded her head. "Shay was a cruel man… he would have said anything to hurt anyone. Don't ever take what he said to heart, honey. He's gone… it shows what he knew." Cinder explained and Amber nodded her head.

She looked around and smiled. "Hey… can I maybe… take a break quick?" She asked.

"You haven't even started fishing." Cinder pointed out.

"I know… but… just trust me." Amber said as she crouched down to the dandelions.

"Alright." Cinder chuckled.

Amber fiddled with the small flowers at the bank of the river, a little smile on her face and bright eyes gazing down at the necklace she had built. Behind her, Cinder looked over her shoulder at the Farmhouse, seeing Pyrrha looking through the window still.

Part of her felt for Pyrrha's grief… but at the same time… she still felt uncomfortable about letting her stay here.

She sat down on the stump and picked up her fishing rod, waiting for something to bite onto the lure she cast. She exhaled through her nose, concerned with Pyrrha staying here, but still being the mother-figure to Amber she had been since they escaped from the Branwen Tribe. Amber smiled brightly, turning to Cinder as she held her necklace of dandelions up to her. "Cinder! Look what I made!"

Cinder's eye seemed to burst with the smile that formed on her lips as she looked at the adorable girl. "What's that, Amber?" She asked her curiously as she set her fishing rod down and walked over to her. Amber beamed like the sun as Cinder gently brushed the long locks of brown hair from her large amber eyes.

"It's a necklace!" Amber squeaked with such a joyful voice.

"A necklace?" She asked with a coo to her voice, as Pyrrha listened to her speak and watched her through the window it… bewildered her… seeing Cinder so… kind and happy.

Maybe…

Just maybe… she had changed. Maybe that little girl was the reason why she had changed.

Or was it a ploy? Was the monster still lurking… her growth nothing more than deception, like she did before?

She couldn't be sure.

"I made it for you… it reminds me of Raven… I thought you'd like it." Amber softly said to Cinder, the Fall Maiden grasped it in her hand as she looked at it. A smile curved across her face as she looked at Amber.

"I love it, honey… thank you. I'm gonna wear it right now." She assured, ducking her head down to slide the necklace of dandelions onto her neck, and she chuckled as she held her hands out to Amber. "Look at that! Perfect fit, you'll be a jeweller yet." She assured as she wrapped her arms around her, and Amber did the same, both squeezing one another in a passionate and warm hug.

But then… the mood changed when a frighteningly familiar voice emerged from the shadows. "What a sweet little girl…" The snake-like voice of Nathaniel Killian interrupted, and Cinder's head turned sharply… everyone in the Farmhouse gasped and they draw their weapons. Weiss gritted her teeth in anger, drawing Myrtenaster and Blake Gambol Shroud, but with her blindness? She knew she was never going to fight as well as she could have done… hell… maybe it would be best for her to not fight, since she could not fight this way. Pyrrha grasped Snapped Crocea Mors tight as she glared away from Cinder and to the man emerging from the darkness, using his semblance he unlocked many years ago.

But he was not alone, there were others with him.

The Leader of the Squad was a man with short brown hair and teal-green eyes. He wore a sleeveless Atlesian Specialist Uniform that consisted of a white sleeveless double-breasted coat with red and blue accents with ornate detailing shaped to the form of wishbones, broad tail with red lining and a four-leaf clover pin on the lapel. His belt had a rabbit's foot keychain hanging off it. He also wore white pants and covered his hands with brown fingerless gloves. He also wears blue calf high boots with four dark blue straps and silver steel toe plating.

Beside him was another Former Huntsman. He was a tall man with short shaved grey hair, deathly pale skin and light blue eyes. He had several tattoos, including a third eye tattoo along the centre of his forehead and chin. He wore an Atlesian Specialist uniform that consisted of a white double-breasted, partially unbuttoned coat with a broad tail, navy blue accents, collar and shoulder flaps. A red sash ran diagonally over his left shoulder meeting a second red sash around his waist under a large blue belt, and navy-blue fingerless gloves that go up to his brachium. He wore navy-blue pants tucked into a pair of navy-blue thigh-high boots with steel toe and heel plating, a small pouch on the sides and kneepad detailing. He also wore beaded necklaces around his neck and beaded bracelets around his right arm alongside two silver bands, one small, one large on his left forearm.

The Other Former Huntress was a tall young muscular woman with medium brown hair in a short ponytail, brown-tan skin, and brown eyes. She wore an Atlesian Specialist uniform that consisted of an open white, one-sleeved crop jacket with dark blue accents, shoulder flaps and collar and a dark grey shirt. She had silver vambraces over her forearms She had a red belt around her white pants and went barefoot save for some martial arts footwraps alongside dark blue calf plates that covered the tops of her feet, the plates had three red straps tied around them. She also had a silver hoop earring on her right ear.

Another one of the Huntresses was a dark-skinned young woman with platinum blonde and brown hair shaved on the sides and dark pink eyes. She wore a very short-sleeved Atlesian Specialist uniform that consisted of a sleeveless white double-breasted vest with silver buttons and dark blue accents. It had a white and dark blue-collar, a dark blue short-sleeved t-shirt, a red tie and white shorts. She wore dark blue chaps that presumably connected to the tops of her shorts. The chaps exposed the inner part of the thighs and the backs of her calves. She also wore blue fingerless gloves and dark grey trainers with black accents and a white stripe accompanied with red socks. She also had white calf pads and dark blue knee pads as well. There were also dark blue straps fastened around the top of her vest. The blonde portions of her hair were styled in a way that resembled a rabbit's ears.

Finally, there was Youngest Former Huntsman with long greenish-black hair and blue eyes. He was a Faunus, with a dark grey and light grey canine tail as his trait. He wore an Atlesian Specialist uniform that consisted of a white double-breasted coat with silver buttons, dark blue accents, collar, shoulder flaps with matching cuffs that had two silver buttons. The coat's tail split, allowing his tail to move freely. He had a dark blue belt with a silver buckle around his waist with a dark blue pouch on the right side. He also had a red ascot tied around his neck. The Huntsman wore a red shirt under his coat alongside dark blue trousers tucked into his black knee-high boots.

Killian now had a squad with him, and they looked formidable.

With his hands behind his back, and that cold look in his eyes… not matching the smirk on his lips as he stepped round from the shadow cast from the sun of the house, they had been living in. Cinder ascended slowly as she stared Killian down, keeping Amber behind her, slowly manifesting her Obsidian Axe behind her back in case. "…in such complex circumstances. Hello, Cinder Fall… been a long time."

Cinder glared right into his eyes with her only iris, this time noticing the Grave Dust arm that pulsated from the stump. "Hello again, Killian…" She replied, and the Commander chuckled as he clapped his hands together as he paced towards her.

"How long has it been now since we last saw each other? Six years?" He asks.

"Something like that, yeah." She replied, and he scratched his chin as he looks at the now Farmer Fall Maiden.

"Aaaand yet, here you are… playing Farmer outside of Vale. Someone with your talents?" Killian scoffed.

"It's a peaceful life." Cinder answered. Killian narrowed his eyes, suspicious of her already.

"Lonely I imagine." He said, before glancing back at Amber. "Or… perhaps not… with this cute little one with you. Do you remember me?"

"Yes…" Amber softly answered.

"You're bigger now. How old are you now? Twelve?" He presumed, and Cinder narrowed her eye.

"Thirteen." She corrected, her amber eye glaring right at his onyx-coloured ones, his smirk fading as the conversation turned serious. She jokingly looked at Amber as she gripped her sleeve with fear. "And a half." Feeling her tug.

"Thirteen years old… and a half… so young and naïve… maybe she will be lucky to see the beauty of the world." Killian stated as he held out his arms, glaring at the tiny girl hugging her mother-figure's leg, watching Killian's every move like a hawk. But then Cinder revealed the Obsidian Axe in her grasp, staring him down.

"Was that a threat?" She snarled viciously; eye glowing faintly, yet even that did not seem to intimidate the Commander of the Black Gallows. Her eyes watched the treeline around their home they had made, knowing he must have Stockholm Troopers watching them right now… he would never challenge the Fall Maiden so confidently without plenty of reinforcements.

Even with this squad at his side, they would not be able to stop Cinder Fall.

"Hardly, just stating a fact… but if you do not cooperate… I cannot promise that it will change." Killian explained as he stood before her, his hands now behind his back again, close to his Chrome Pistol's holster to draw it if he must.

"What do you want, Killian? I know you, and I know the resources you have… you knew we've been living here for a long time." Cinder questioned, knowing exactly how he worked and the knowledge he had on person. Pyrrha was constantly waiting for the right opportunity to attack… whether Cinder ratted her out or if Killian figured it all out himself. He was there, and it was likely that he is looking for her.

Perhaps because of her resurrection.

"To think that you were once one of Salem's most trusted allies… the Fall Maiden… her ace in the hand… and now you are here. I guess it is a good thing our Queen is forgiving… whenever it suits her." Killian explained. "I mean it surprises me, your file made me think you would have stayed by her side even in failure. Orphaned child who killed her family who treated her as a slave, on the street for scraps… then taken in by Salem when she was a few years older. Like a damn messed up fairy tale." Killian chuckled.

"What do you want? Ice is thin, Killian." Cinder sternfully repeated as she stared him down, he stopped his chortling and narrowed those onyx eyes once more.

"Watch your tone." The short Huntress commanded; Cinder raised her brow.

"Or what, you little bitch?" Cinder snarled, ready for this to go dark.

But Killian raised his hand, stopping them. "I haven't introduced them, have I? Cinder Fall, please meet my Ace Operatives. Clover Ebi, Marrow Amin, Vine Zeki, Elm Ederne and yours truly – Harriet Bree."

"Ace Operatives, huh? I thought they got wiped out." Cinder stated.

"Captured. We helped them see the flaws in Ironwood's way, offered them a new path. They accepted it graciously." Killian explained, Cinder scoffed.

"So you gave up one dictator for another? You're hardly moving up in the world." Cinder stated.

"Careful with your tone." Clover commanded, which made Cinder roll her eyes.

"I'm gonna ask one last time – what do you want?" She demanded, pointing her axe at them.

"You're a wanted woman, Cinder Fall… you and Vernal are, hell even the little girl could be worth some. There's a bounty on your head for fifty thousand lien, one hundred alive. It never stopped being in play after you changed your formal identity after Beacon fell." He explained to her, not interested in it obviously since he did not need it… sounded more like a threat again. But Cinder being Cinder, she scoffed into a laugh.

"Fifty Thousand Lien? For me? Wow… any chance I turn myself in?" She asked curiously as she pressed her hand to her chest.

"I'm afraid not… if only it were that easy, right?" He chuckled.

"Ain't that the world?" She responded as she held her axe tight, staring him down whilst protecting Amber behind her.

"Cinder, you are not the one I am here for. You see… Salem has the whole world in her hand. We are this close to achieving greatness. But with the Relic of Knowledge stolen and Creation still out of our reach, we have not got everything she needs as of yet. But… something else… something far more troubling has caught our attention. As you know, Salem knows about Weiss and Blake's survival and you harbouring them." Killian explained to Cinder. "But… Pyrrha Nikos was spotted in Vale recently."

"Nikos? I thought she was dead, killed in the attack?" Cinder asked as she tapped her chin, and Amber whimpered, until Cinder gently caressed her hair with her finger wrapped round the axe.

"So, it seemed. And yet here we are, countless people recognised her face. Wrapped up in a cloak, on the run from my men and the Grimm. Causing carnage, and… she disappeared in the same place as Weiss and Blake did. I wonder… did you decide to be kind to yet another soul?"

Cinder shook her head, still defending Pyrrha, despite this being her fault for being caught. "Haven't seen squat." Cinder answered, spotting Vernal walking out the house with her pistols in her hands, aimed at Killian.

"That so? Because my men and Icarus tracked her trail all the way to this area… after she vanished into the rushing river… one that connects to this exact one." Killian explained as he reached into his jacket pocket and held a flask of alcohol, taking a swig.

Strange… he never used to have a flask on him six years ago… perhaps things were not going so well in his personal life? He did not look as well as he once did, tired and pale. "I mean… it would look pretty bad if you hid this one from us, Cinder."

Cinder chuckled sweat brewing from her brow.

"Isn't the whole idea of a Huntress going rogue a bit old fashioned nowadays? Y'know… seeing how you slaughtered every last one?" She asked him with a nervous chuckle, and he lowered his flask from his mouth.

"Apparently not." Killian replied, shoving it back into his breast pocket, walking towards her slowly again. Elm spat out some tobacco onto the ground with her Hammer rested on her shoulder. Cinder slowly started to ignite the Obsidian Axe with her magical abilities. "Cinder, here is my offer – at the end of the day you are not my target, or Salem's anymore. She has no need for the Maidens, you were merely a tool she needed. Now she just wants Pyrrha Nikos… and to know how she came back from the dead… So give me Pyrrha Nikos, and you have my word that you won't see us again." He assured as he approached the Fall Maiden with his arms held up, away from his weapons.

"Well you see, at the end of the day I have no idea of what you're talking about. I have been out all day and I would have noticed a Pyrrha Fucking Nikos hobbling onto my land from this river, Onto our land. We paid for it, so I am very protective of it." Cinder explained as she glared into the eyes of Killian. "I have kept my end of the bargain as I promised I would. You have no real evidence to prove that she ended up on my land, and so you have no place to make demands of me."

"Are you sure you want to do it this way?" Killian coldly asked her.

"I dunno, Nathaniel… do you?" She asked, her eye burning hotter and hotter.

Suddenly Cinder's eye ignited with orange flames as she stared into his eyes with gritted teeth, making Amber whimper with fear behind her leg. At that moment do they see that Cinder Fall again… the one to be feared… yet he did not even flinch.

"You enjoy being Salem's pawn, don't you?" She snarled with fury in her voice, then Killian narrowed his eyes back.

"Oh no, Cinder – I enjoy creating order, an order in which saves lives… when the likes of you and other Huntsmen and Huntresses across the globe get people killed for powers left unchecked. And for the savage acts you have made in your life; I will make it my mission to make sure you and every other Huntsmen and Huntress left on Remnant… will die… savagely. For that is all you are… savages." He growled, despite having abilities himself, being a hypocrite with every single thing that left his lips.

Cinder smirked with gritted teeth as flames crackled around her eye. "Oh, we're all gonna die, Killian." She reminded.

He huffed. "Hmph… some… sooner than others." Killian told her, turning and walking away from her. "So long, Cinder… I'm sure we will speak again… very soon."

"Goodbye." Cinder growled.

Elm looked at Amber with a smirk. "Enjoy your fishing, kid! While ya still can." She chuckled.

She watched as he walked to the shadows, fading away and teleporting off somewhere through his Shadow-Walk Semblance…

The Ace Ops walked into the woods and got aboard a Black Gallows Wasp which took off into the sky, leaving the Farm.

Cinder roared with fury, taking her massive axe and throws it like a tomahawk at the tree where Killian's shadow was cast upon. The blade of the axe sliced straight through, and the shockwave split the bark of the tree clean in half, creaking as it collapsed into the ground. And as the light shone upon the shadow.

Killian was gone.

Leaving her with Amber…

And that threat in her mind.

Salem knew Pyrrha was here… which meant this was far from over. Cinder glared Pyrrha who was sat there, wide eyed and afraid. She never wanted to bring anything down upon Cinder or her family. As Cinder and Amber returned, none of them realised that someone else was watching.

And saw Pyrrha in the window.

Icarus… stood upon one of the trees like a Hawk… was watching the whole time. "Well, well… back from the dead indeed…" Icarus chuckled sinisterly, extending his mechanical wings as he flew off into the sky, headed back towards the Sanctum – to inform Salem.

The peace of the Farm… was soon going to be shattered.

---

Author Note - Shiiiiiiiiit

Things are about to get heated soon, because once Icarus informs Salem that Pyrrha is not only alive for certain, but Cinder flat out lied and protected her. Keeping her from Salem's grasp, directly breaking her end of the bargain with her. It's all about to kick off! That part with Cinder and Killian, I loved writing that part. Killian really has changed, has just embraced his dark side, but it is clear that physically it has been taking a toll on him. Drinking more often, pale and exhausted. Hardly the man he was back in Act 2. Plus Mummy Cinder is so adorable and sweet to write I love her XD

Amber is such a precious bean too. And Pyrrha... you really need to talk about your emotions honey, because it is really gonna start having a negative effect. Her having these flashing memories is so sad, showing how much she misses him. She needs such a massive hug. Better yet - she needs Jaune back. :(

And - the BULK of this beefy chapter. The flashback. Man that was great fun, so much to show and more to show in the future. I really like the rules that Jinn has in this story, makes her a bit more leniant. Basically infinite questions but only to those she deems worthy of her knowledge. Plus showing their reactions to the names popping up during the Inhumane Necessity? That was heartwrenching. But Maria Calavera teaching Ruby how to become the new Grimm Reaper and how to use her eyes? I loved that. And of course, Ruby's little heist. Who'd think there would be a Rogues Vs Salem fight THIS early XD But man was it awesome, love Salem's double ended sword in this story.

Gotta come up with a name for it XD

And we know the first question Ruby asked was if Penny was still alive, and where she was. Of course this was about a year ago, so obviously they found her for their friendship to become romantic. But... what happened in Kuchinashi? Well... that is for a future flashback.

Excited for that one :D

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Sorry for it being so beefy, didn't expect it to be XD Please review, follow and favourite!

Stay tuned for the next chapter - Bloodstained Memories

- Matt