A small part of Weiss's mind considered running. Ren was fast, but likely exhausted after a long day. She could rely on Ruby's aura to provide her a boost to her stamina and outrun him. But she quickly shoved the idea down. There was nowhere for her to run to.

"That's... quite the accusation," She stalled. Ren simply crossed his arms and gestured for her to explain herself. "What has made you suspicious?"

"Well, that little stunt where you raised those soldiers from the dead confirmed it for me. I just wanted to hear you say it yourself."

She winced. She had noticed he had acted strange after the battle but hadn't realized he had managed to see all of that. "Wait, that confirmed your suspicions? Then what started them?"

"The corpses in Kuroyuri. They had been moved from where they died, and many of them were disfigured. Not that I blame you for that, you clearly needed all the help you could manage against that monster."

The former heiress sighed deeply. There was no use denying it. "You're right. I am a necromancer."

Ren nodded at her words. "A part of me wanted to think otherwise, but I couldn't ignore all the obvious evidence."

Weiss barked out a laugh. "I've known you for a few days and you've already managed to uncover my secret. Meanwhile, I spent years studying at my father's manor and a month in Vale without anyone noticing. How annoying."

"To be fair," He offered. "You lowered your guard. There was no one around, as opposed to always being surrounded by people. It's easy to assume no one would be able to notice it when there's no one to notice. I know I would have lowered my guard if I were in your shoes."

"Interesting that you say that. Most people would simply condemn me for practicing, rather than picturing themselves in my place." Weiss mused. "So, what's it going to be? Are you going to bring me to General Nikos? Or have we already been surrounded by reinforcements ready to drag me off?"

Ren shook his head. "Neither. I haven't told anyone else about my suspicions."

Weiss blinked. "You haven't? Why not?"

He shrugged. "I figured I owed it to you. Without your necromancy, we couldn't have killed the Scourge. And I doubt we would have managed to pull off our attack so well. I may not understand it, but I'm willing to give you a chance."

The blue-eyed girl gave him a small but grateful smile. "I... Thank you. That's more than I expected." She let her body relax slightly, removing her hand from Myrtenaster's hilt.

"Don't thank me yet. I still intend to find out your reasons for why you know such dark magic, and will report you if your answer is dissatisfying." Ren warned.

"I'll take suspicion over being arrested or killed any day," She said in a joking tone, eliciting a small laugh from the stoic man.

"Well then, answer me. Why and how do you know how to use necromancy?"

Weiss adopted a thinking pose, hand on her chin and arms crossed over her chest. "The 'how' is simple. Like most Atlesian nobles, the Schnees don't like being told no. We have a large collection of forbidden books on all sorts of subjects. It took a while, but I was able to sort fact from fiction and teach myself."

Ren looked somewhat impressed. "I may not be a mage, but isn't it rather hard to teach yourself magic from a textbook without a mentor? And that's with an accurate book meant for studying. To learn forbidden magic on your own must have been hard."

Weiss just shrugged. "I was already experienced with more traditional forms by that point. And while sorting through ancient tomes looking for actual spells and principles sounds hard, actually using them is easy when you have a grasp on basic magical theory. I am hardly an expert, though. Much of my prowess comes from experimentation."

Ren paused. "And was that experimentation... ethical?"

"Depends. Are you particularly fond of rats and other pests? That's what I mainly focused on. The Schnee family is powerful, but even we couldn't get away with having people go missing all the time in our house."

"Clearly you've moved on to bigger targets. In both Kuroyuri and Shion, you rose fallen soldiers as undead."

"It is simply the same principle but to a greater degree. Using necromancy as an energy source and fragments of lingering aura as a pilot, I fill an empty vessel and imbue it with my magic to give it an order. A human simply requires more magic and soul to raise."

Ren nodded, looking slightly disturbed. "I see. I've heard of necromancers who could raise great armies of the dead, but the way you describe it makes it sound impossible."

"With time, I could theoretically do so." Weiss mused. "However, it would certainly draw negative attention. And morale would plummet. Using magic to preserve and manipulate corpses is taxing, and it would take over a year to create a sizable army with my current skill."

"Not that I would condone such a strategy here. Associating the Oniyuri Rebellion with necromancy would allow King Lionheart to paint us as evil, and other nations would undoubtedly lend their aid to help kill you." Ren said.

"Yeah. Not to mention how pointless it would be. Undead will follow their orders, but can't think for themselves. I would have to be on the frontlines constantly to make use of such a force, updating orders as the flow of battle changed."

"I see. But you have yet to answer my primary question. Why is it that you learned necromancy to begin with?"

Weiss looked towards Ruby, who floated nearby, with a wistful gaze. "It's a bit of a long story, so I'll shorten it for you."

Sighing deeply, she brought her hands together and clasped them, looking towards the night sky. "There is a... dear friend of mine who has passed on. I wanted to find a way to help her, so I began to study any methods of doing so, even necromancy."

Ren gave her a pitying look. "Weiss... I'm no expert on necromancy, but... I have heard many stories and legends about people like you. People who don't allow themselves to properly grieve, and instead throw themselves into research in a desperate way to reunite with loved ones. Maybe it's for the best that you let her go."

Weiss shook her head. "You misunderstand. I never actually met her while she was alive. Her soul seems to be unable to move on and has instead attached itself to me. At first, I wanted nothing more than to be rid of her," She admitted, "But she managed to worm her way into my heart. Her situation is unique. It is unlike any form of ghost, shade, or lost soul I have read off."

Ren still looked skeptical. "There are countless forms of souls that cannot pass on. How are you certain hers is unique? And how do you know you can actually help her?"

"Because someone has done it before!" Weiss let her voice grow loud, before wincing and lowering her volume. "I've seen it, the journal of a woman who managed to revive the soul of her lover, in a situation exactly like mine. I know it can be done."

"And what does my mother's translator tome have to do with this?" The raven-haired man asked warily, checking around to make sure no one was listening. "Why are you looking for it if you've already read this ancient journal?"

Weiss sighed deeply. "The translation is incomplete. I have the journal's first few pages, as well as the final few sentences, but everything between is written in an ancient tongue. I need your mother's translator tome to cross-translate the text to ancient Vacuoan and to the modern language."

"I see. I suppose that explains why you are so eager to obtain it," Ren stated before turning to her with a hard gaze. "But I cannot simply take you at your word. How can I be sure you aren't lying to me?"

The Schnee pondered his question for a moment. How could she prove herself to him? She didn't have the ancient tome with her; it was back in Vale. Her necromancy notebook wouldn't be proof of her claim. Eventually, she was able to come up with an idea.

"Alright, I'm going to try something to prove what I said is true." She explained to Ren. "Don't freak out, okay?"

Ren nodded and Weiss closed her eyes. Reaching out with her aura, she felt the wisps of Ruby's soul. "Ruby. Please. Lend me your power." She felt the flames shift, flowing into her like a stream of vitality. Her exhaustion faded as power flowed through her body.

Strangely, managing control of Ruby's soul felt strained, as though she was trying to force a square block into a round hole. It didn't quite feel right like it usually did. Still, it fulfilled her needs. Holding a hand wreathed in silver flames out towards Ren, she spoke.

"Go ahead. Sense our auras. Feel her presence here." Ren seemed surprised and hesitant, but after a little more urging he took her hand. He let a little bit of his aura flow into her to observe the size of hers before gasping.

"I- I felt it! There's someone else there!" Ren uttered, pink eyes wide in shock and awe.

"Indeed. She is no mere fraction of a soul, nor is she warped by necromancy. A pure, unaltered soul existing without a body. Unprecedented and enigmatic. This is who I wish to save. This is my dearest friend, Ruby."

Ren seemed amazed but quickly composed himself. "I think I understand. That you would go so far to help her speaks to your character. Alright, I'll keep this a secret between us. Just... try not to be caught next time. If you need to use necromancy, tell me. I'll cover for you."

Weiss was surprised. "You would do that for me?"

"Of course. Your necromancy would be extraordinarily useful in battle. Besides, I consider you my friend, and I won't leave my friends behind."

"Not your best friend?" She teased. Ren chuckled.

"I'm not Nora. Besides, I think that role is already taken for you."

Weiss laughed warmly and let Ruby's soul separate from hers with a smile. She hadn't been expecting it, but she had managed to make an ally. It felt amazing to have someone other than Ruby know her secret, though there was still a little part of her that felt paranoid.

"Thank you for answering my questions, Weiss. I'll be heading to bed now. Goddnight Weiss, Ruby" Ren stated, heading off toward his tent. A cool night breeze blew through, prompting Weiss to do the same. As she entered her tent, she spoke softly.

"Well, that went well!"

"Did it?" Ruby's voice sounded hollow. Weiss winced as she realized she had never gotten to address what was bothering her today.

"Ruby, if this is about what happened at the battle, then I-"

"It isn't just about that, Weiss." The silver-eyed spectre started angrily. "Though that certainly upset me."

"Ruby, what's wrong?" The white-haired girl asked in a panic. "Why are you so mad?"

"Do you think he was right? Ren, I mean." She stated, confusing Weiss.

"What are you talking about?"

"Is what we are doing right? Isn't necromancy wrong?"

"Ruby, you know this is different. Our situation is differe-"

"How many necromancers do you think have said that throughout history? Hundreds? Maybe a thousand? How many people saw their situation as 'different' and justified their actions that way?"

Weiss was stunned. Ruby's points were valid, but this wasn't like her. "Ruby, what is this about? You never doubted me at the start of our journey!"

"That was before you killed a man by slitting his throat. That was before you took peoples' bodies and used them to fight their friends. That was before you burned someone's soul to nothing with fire like mine."

"Wha- Ruby, I had to do those things!" She shouted before quickly drawing a large glyph on the floor to prevent any noise from leaving it. She didn't want to draw attention to this conversation.

"You had to? There was no way to avoid this situation?"

"Yes, you know that. I have to save you!"

Ruby frowned. "I don't want to be saved if it means you have to kill people like that."

Weiss gaped at her. "Ruby, they were going to die anyway! They were the enemy!"

"That still doesn't mean it was right!"

"So what should I have done?"

"Not joined a war? Not come to Mistral? Never have set out to begin with?" Ruby offered.

"And just leave you like this?"

"Yes! I would rather stay a ghost than watch you kill for me."

"I'm doing all of this for you!" Weiss shouted, letting her anger get the best of her.

"That's the worst part! I don't want any of this!"

She clenched her fists. "Then why did you agree at the start? Why are you just suddenly not okay with this?"

Ruby looked shocked, as though she couldn't understand why Weiss didn't get her point. "Because you've been changing. You keep doing things that are wrong and justifying them. And they keep getting worse and worse."

Weiss scoffed, but Ruby continued. "You don't believe me? First, you blamed Yang and Blake for something not their fault. Then you threw yourself into danger and had to kill that White Fang officer. But you told me it was fine, because he was just a criminal. But now you've joined a war and are cruelly slaughtering soldiers without remorse! I'm worried about what you're becoming, Weiss!"

"I'm doing this of my own free will. I am choosing to do this to help you. I'm the same as I've always been, Ruby."

"That's the point! You're not! You don't smile as much anymore, you're constantly throwing yourself into danger and getting hurt, all for this stupid book. I don't want to come back if it means you die, or if you go too far."

Weiss felt hurt at her words but pushed on. "Ruby, please. I knew the risks when we started. I promise you, I'll be alright. Just listen to me."

The younger girl had tears in her eyes from how upset she was. "Why should I when you aren't listening to me? You keep brushing off what I say like that! Stop trying to take all this on your own! You need to know when to give up. Let's just go back to Vale. We can find another way."

Weiss shook her head. "No. I'm not leaving. Not when I have this chance. No other path is available to us. I'm staying in Mistral."

Ruby just scowled at her and turned around to fly away. Weiss felt her eye twitch. "Come back here! We aren't done talking!" The silver ghost dissolved into silver flames and got as far as they could from her before reforming. Ruby crouched on the grass with a pout.

Weiss just sighed and turned to her bed. Ruby was being unreasonable. She hadn't made peace with what would need to happen on this journey. Weiss had steeled herself to prepare for the fact that she would need to kill long ago. Ruby was just still too innocent.

The Atlesian noble passed out the moment she hit the pillow, physically and emotionally drained from the long day she had. Hopefully, things would be better tomorrow.


Leonardo Lionheart let out a sigh as he wandered the halls of Haven Palace. He did not get to do so often, but this was hardly a time for him to enjoy roaming the beautiful home. He had a job to do.

Stepping out into a garden of sand, he cleared his throat to let Cinder know of his presence. The raven-haired woman turned around, seeming surprised to see him out this late. He felt a flash of fear at the irritated look in her eyes before he managed to compose himself.

"Leo. What are you doing out this late?" She asked with a sneer. Lionheart felt himself bristle at her words. He was the king of Mistral. What right did she have to question him, and so casually? But he quickly pushed that anger down with his fear. He held no power here. Still, he had to try.

"Apologies, Lady Fall. I simply came looking for you to discuss a recent proposition you placed on my desk," He explained, unable to stop himself from looking at his feet. Cinder simply laughed.

"Oh yes. That. I'm surprised you are against it. I assumed you would see no problem with it." The threat in her words was hard to miss.

"No problem? Cinder, you are talking about recruiting criminals! I will not stand for this!" The faunus shouted, letting his anger get the best of him. The woman stood up angrily, leveling a furious glare at Lionheart.

"My dear Leo, I must insist that you give my name the proper amount of respect. That's Lady Cinder to you, iof you must be so informal. Otherwise, I might not be so agreeable in the future."

The king winced. The ember-eyed woman was hardly agreeable now. He dreaded to imagine what she would be like if she was truly angry with him. He meekly bowed his head and apologized.

"M-my sincerest apologies, Lady Fall. I am simply confused as to how this idea of yours will benefit Mistral. Please enlighten this stupid fool," Lionheart stuttered, swallowing his pride while appealing to Cinder's. Fortunately, the woman simply rolled her eyes at his blatant desperation.

"I suppose I had too much faith in your intelligence, Leonardo," She muttered. "Very well. Allow me to explain the merits of my idea."

Said idea was a law she had drafted and placed upon his desk that afternoon, expecting him to sign it promptly. Once in effect, the law would allow for the creation of a new section of the City Guard comprised of prisoners and criminals. A blatant ploy to gain favor with the crime families, but Lionheart refused to budge. He would stand his ground here!

"By forming this new guard, we will be able to more effectively maintain order in the coming months. As we have seen, spring is the time in which those rebels swell to their greatest size, and recent years have shown them becoming more and more desperate. I simply wanted to be proactive about keeping the peace here in our great city."

Her honeyed words were almost enough to make Lionheart doubt himself, but he held strong. "That might be, but I hardly see why we must recruit bandits and thieves to the guard. How will we know that they are not corrupt?"

She laughed. "Oh Lionheart, did you forget that you reformed the prisons a few years ago? I'm sure they have been rehabilitated and are ready to enter back into society as upstanding citizens."

He winced. The prison reforms had been something she drafted up, much like the current issue, around four years ago. At the time he had seen nothing harmful about it, but now he saw she was using it as the first step in a greater plan. He had no doubt the prisoners she would recruit would be loyal to her and her alone.

"And why them over citizens? While I know the people are uneasy, surely there are still many willing to answer the call and protect the peace?"

She shook her head sadly. "And what use do we have for untrained recruits? With my plan, we gain twice the recruits, and they are already trained in combat. Not to mention the fewer guards we will need in our prisons." Lionheart frowned. He had no doubt the prison guards were under her thumb as much as the prisoners themselves.

"Still, what will the populace think? Knowing that criminals are walking among them, in charge of protecting them?" He desperately tried to respond, but Cinder just gave him a cruel smile.

"We shall simply say this was your idea. The people will trust you, as they always have." He couldn't help but give out a laugh. The peoples' trust in him was hardly what it once was, and Cinder was a fool for thinking otherwise. Still, there was nothing he could do.

"And there is nothing I can say to sway you?" He asked.

"And why would you need to? You need to focus on more important things, such as our deals with the White Fang." She explained. He grimaced at the reminder. They had been meeting with the terrorist group for the past few weeks, despite their history of condemning each other.

Their conversation was interuppted when one of Cinder's most loyal followers, Emerald if he recalled correctly, ran into the garden, her face worried. Hurrying over to her master, she handed her a letter.

"Emerald," Cinder spoke, confirming Leonardo's memory, "What is this?"

"I-it's a report from the West. Apparently, the Oniyuri Rebellion has been claiming that the Scourge of Mistral has been slain," She stuttered out. Both Cinder and Lionheart's eyes widened at the news.

"Truly? Regardless of the source, this is incredible news if true!" Lionheart exclaimed, decade-old guilt easing from his heart. Cinder looked less pleased.

"If it is true. How do we know this isn't a lie?" She mused.

"Our scouts confirmed a massive cloud of darkness dispersing in the region a few days ago. It had to have been a Grimm of similar size. Given our rough estimates of its location, it's safe to assume it was the Scourge," Emerald explained.

The noblewoman scowled. "Damn. They will certainly use this to draw more fools to their cause. How fortunate that we were just discussing how to deal with that," Cinder gave a pointed look at her king. Emerald cleared her throat.

"Um, actually, they uh..." She stuttered nervously. "They say they didn't do it."

Cinder snapped her head to look at her. "What? Why not? Even if they didn't, what point is there in claiming otherwise? Surely they aren't stupid enough to let this chance slip by them?"

Emerald shook her head. "They claim it was killed by a traveler who was in the area. The traveler was wounded after this fight, and now the Rebellion is taking care of her. Rumor is that they're trying to recruit her."

"And does this traveler have a name?" Lionheart couldn't help but ask. Emerald glanced at him with an annoyed look, but Cinder gestured for her to answer. Visibly swallowing her fear, the red-eyed girl did.

"Weiss Schnee."

If hearing the Scourge had been slain had surprised them, then hearing the name of the missing heiress to the most powerful Atlesian family left them stunned. Lionheart whispered the name wordlessly to himself while Cinder's face paled, thoughts racing visibly in her head.

"Schnee? What the hell is she doing in Mistral?"

Emerald stepped forward. "My Lady? Do you want me to try and bring her here? Or eliminate her?" She offered, but Cinder just waved her off.

"No. Doing so is an unnecessary risk, and I would hate to see you hurt," She spoke gently, making Emerald blush. "Besides, the Oniyuri Rebellion is simply a distraction. For now, we need to focus on the White Fang. I'll dispatch a few battalions to force them back before they can use their newfound momentum."

Lionheart frowned at her words. While he couldn't claim to be as cunning as Cinder, he did have more military experience than her on account of being a former general of Mistral in his youth. Focusing on negotiations with the White Fang would allow the Rebellion time to grow in power. It was likely they would swell to numbers too great for a few battalions to manage by the time they arrived.

"She should be more aggressive in stamping out these rebels," He mused to himself. "We could have been done with them years ago. This is our chance to finish them off for good. But who am I to speak out against her? It's

her kingdom at risk."


Uh oh. Ruby and Weiss finally started arguing. Who knew that having one person continuely ignore their own health and the concerns of their friend while said friend fails to see that trying to force a descion on her friend would lead to an unhealthy relationship? Aside from literally everyone, that is.

Ren is the first to join the "knows about Ruby" club, though Oscar and the ghosts of Kuroyuri are honorary members. There wasn't really space for it in this chapter, but he'll be a new form of engagement for Ruby, which is especially important now that she and Weiss are arguing.

And Cinder continous her nefarious plot. Soon enough she'll reveal what it actually is, but for now just know that she's making moves. Though ignoring Weiss and allowing the Rebellion to grow might not seem like the smartest move.

Expect the next chapter within a week, and have a nice day.