{Justin/Achilles' perspective}

Well… here I am. Atlas, quite a few volumes early but this would give me an opportunity to explore the city myself if it wasn't for the fact Jacque, when we first landed, had us escorted immediately to his manor.

I didn't really speak much on the limo ride there. I stared out to the city streets. I saw all sorts of rich people from CEOs of some big company to military personnel greeting their child on the front steps of their homes.

A good portion of them were out dining at some expensive restaurant. Which just led me to assume how'd they react if they were on Earth during the coronavirus pandemic.

Hell I was stuck at my store's door during most of it, and had a number of people complain about the masks and how they 'don't work'.

I guess what I'm saying here is during my time at said door, I have learned how people act based on how they dress. Those in suits carry themselves with either honor or entitlement like Jacque here who is trying to start a conversation with me.

If they wear normal clothes, they usually are the kindest and will not yell at you if something is out of stock. Though sometimes they ask you to check the back.

If they're wearing a designer brand of clothing, that's what I refer to as the Karens or Kevins. And a good portion of these people look… You already see where I'm going with this.

"First time in Atlas Achilles?" Jacque asked.

I didn't bother to give him the courtesy of looking into his eyes to speak. I simply said "First time you used my first name and did not refer to me as Mr. Vermilion."

And Jacque's response to this? He responded with "Well, I figured it would make you feel more at home."

I took a deep breath and mumbled "God give me strength not to punch his lights out." I then told him "I'd be happier if I was out in the woods to be quite honest."

Weiss, who was across from me then stated "You did mention that you grew up in the mountains near Argus right?"

I sighed and gave her a sideways glance "Yeah, I did say that. Now don't talk to me right now ok?"

I then continued to stare out the window. Yeah I'm acting a bit harsh right now. But I had my arm chopped off. Not to mention the phantom pains haven't exactly helped me mentally.

"Achilles, I'm trying my best to be a good host. Why are you-" Before he could get that out I shot him a warning glare.

I guess my eyes must have turned red too because he was quick to silence as soon as I looked him directly in the eye.

After that, he then offered "Would you like some wine?" He tried to hand me a glass.

I shook my head as I turned to look back out the window "nah, I prefer whiskey or rum."

And soon enough, we were at the Schnee family manor. Where dreams go to shrivel up and die. Those towers certainly are an eyesore. Seriously why are they so high up? I'm getting ahead of myself. I grabbed my laptop bag and slung the strap over my opposite shoulder. I took one last look at the outside and looked up. The Schnee family logo was displayed proudly at the top of the doors. And this place will be my prison for a couple months while I sort through my emotions. And hopefully get my PTSD under control…


The night before I departed I had a horrible nightmare. My inner beast unleashing itself…

And that scene replaying once again.

I was standing in the burning cafeteria with Adam on the opposite end. His hair and blade glowing crimson. I had my guns Kronos and Rhea in my hands. I fired at him while yelling. He didn't flinch in the slightest. My shots passed right through him.

I tried to fire one more time, only for me to see my left arm was gone again along with my weapons. I looked back up to see I was face to face with him. His piercing blue eye staring down at me with a twisted smile. Like I was a cattle to the slaughter.

I was then tossed aside and suddenly found myself in a void. It was then a familiar voice called out. It took the form of Adam this time as it approached me, laughing And this, is exactly what I am talking about. Here you are, crippled, broken, weak, and most of all… filled with hatred. But not towards yourself… No you have a hatred for him! It gestured towards itself.

I stood up and balled my fist at it "Fuck off, I don't want you in my life. So get out of my head!"

He shook his head as he ripped off the Adam disguise and revealed to be myself. You don't get it do you? Or do I have to spell it out for you to understand again?

I shook my head "You aren't filling my head with lies anymore. Got that?"

It looked rather amused by my resistance. But he waved it off and paced around me. Don't you want revenge? Don't you want to avenge what he stole? Don't you want to see the light drain from his eyes as he finally understands pain like no other? It goaded. I know for a fact that you want him to leave that girl alone. You and I both know that will only happen in one way.

I shook my head again "He and I have walked similar paths before. But unlike him I don't listen to you. Otherwise I would have shot up my high school when I had the chance."

It crossed its arms and retorted You should have, it would have taught those kids who think guns are sentient and can kill people on their own something. And if not, it would have been hilarious to see their faces twisted with fear as you pull the trigger.

I glared at it "No it would have taught them nothing but to avoid me after I go back to school. Which in turn would have made me an outcast."

It shrugged at me. It would be better to cause them misery than to let them lead happy lives.

"NO, killing is not the solution. It only leads down a road of isolation." I retorted.

It shrugged Well you will accept my help sooner, or later. You cannot control your anger for long. We both know this, and you know what happens when that does.


And that is where it ended that night.

Butlers helped me to a guest room off to a different part of the manor. The further away I am from Jacque's stank the better.

Well they helped me with my stuff… Albeit it's only my sword and pistols in that case and not much else. I then told the butler to leave.

After he shut the door I put my laptop bag next to my weapons.

I then laid back in my bed with a deep sigh as I stared up at the ceiling.

This is my life now… Stuck under the thumb of another dumbass parent who chooses personal power over their kids. Only this time it's a man who married into a powerful name.

I must have lost track of time because next thing I knew, General Ironwood came in.

"Achilles. It's good to see you. Truly." He said as he entered my room uninvited.

"Spill it. I've got a full day of self-loathing to do." I replied without much emotion behind my voice.

I heard him sit himself beside me on my bed. "I was hoping you would help me understand something. It took a lot of convincing Jacque to let me see you."

I turned my head to give him a look. He looked like he's been stressed as of late. I can see those grey hairs starting to grow more. "Like what exactly? I ain't exactly a scientist y'know. I've only studied basic science."

He stood up again. What was the point of sitting down then? "Well fortunately for you, you don't have to. Just need someone to come up with theories as to this thing that landed north of Mantle. Keoth recommended I come see you. Since he doesn't have vision. Besides you could use some fresh air."


[Meanwhile in Vale]

{Aaron/Moon's perspective}

"Here you can crash on the couch. I won't mind." Taiyang told me as he set a comforter and a pillow on the couch.

I nodded at him "Thanks, I was running out of money for that hotel room anyway."

"No problem man. Like I told Achilles, any friend of my daughters is a friend of mine." Tai said with a nod. He then went outside while he told me "I've got some yard work to do, I'll be back."

"I'll join you in a bit to help. I need to get my mind off things anyway." I offered.

He shook his head at me "No, I refuse to let my guests do any sort of work."

"Tai, it's fine. I can do some work. I'll be out in a bit." I insisted.

He gave me a smile "No wonder Ruby writes about you the most then." He then went out the door.

I sat down with a sigh. I then grabbed my bag and pulled out one of the two pairs of Judas Priest. More specifically the one that murdered Roman.

I can't get it out of my mind. The way he smirked as he fell. He knew what he was doing.

I have been thinking of making an upgrade. After all, Justin was making new weapons basically daily, the latest being his Drakon Gauntlets. Maybe it's time I go see Terra the smith.

I don't want to use this murder weapon forever. But at the same time I have a sort of sentimental attachment to it.

God I wish these decisions were easier to make.

"Hey Moon!" I heard Ruby say on my right.

I turned to meet her silver eyes "Oh hey Ruby."

"What'cha doing?" She asked.

I turned back to Judas Priest. "Oh you know…"

She sat down next to me and put her hand on my shoulder "I think you did the right thing. I doubt Roman would have backed down anyway."

"I didn't kill him." I told Ruby.

She looked at me confused "What do you mean?"

"He slammed my finger into the trigger which forced me to fire at his face." I told her.

I then put Judas Priest back in my bag "Maybe I should go see Terra about melting this thing down and making a new weapon."

Ruby didn't seem to like that idea. "Your weapon is part of your soul Moon, are you really going to give it up?"

I placed it back in my bag and said "I don't know. I don't feel like using a murder weapon. Besides, I want a change of pace."

Ruby seemed confused at me "Why? What's wrong with using Judas Priest? Sure you used it on Roman but at the end of the day, it's your weapon. You can't just abandon it."

I turned to her and simply said "I made it, and I can unmake it."

Ruby didn't like that answer "Why are you acting so weird Moon? You're usually spouting some joke alongside Achilles right about now. What's going on?"

I stood up quickly and paced to the door "Ruby, You're young. You won't understand. Even if I told you, you probably won't believe me."

"Is it about your power to predict stuff?" Ruby asked.

I turned around with an eyebrow raised "Wha-? No it doesn't Right now, rest while we have some time to think things through. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna help out Tai."

I then walked out the door and shut it behind me.


{Blake's Perspective}

Good, I managed to get Gambol Shroud back. I should head out of the school now.

I walked out of the ruins of the school and as I passed by where I found Achilles and Adam, I couldn't help but remember what he said when I was carrying him away.


Flashback

I stood over Achilles. Glaring into Adam's eyes.

Adam narrowed his eyes at me "And now you're protecting him? What has made you so weak as to want to protect such a weak human Blake?"

"I never asked for any of this Adam. I wanted equality. Not out of fear, but out of respect." I told him.

He gritted his teeth at me "What you want is impossible. I've said it once and I'll say it again. But as long as these humans walk Remnant," He said as he pointed his blade at Achilles who was bleeding out thanks to him. "That will never come to pass. I thought you understood that." He then chuckled "I guess I was wrong."

I kept my eyes on him. I don't think he'd try anything with me "This isn't the way to get what we want."

He shook his head with his eyes closed "Then what would you suggest then Blake? To form 'protests' for 'equality'? To start boycotting goods by those who would see our kind enslaved?."

I said nothing. I will not fall for his words any more.

"My parents worked all day and night for those mines. It broke their backs. And eventually took their lives. And when it came time for me to work, I did… And it cost me."

"I stepped out of line ONCE and they treated me like an animal to slaughter."

"But you already knew that. That night we shared was special to me, Blake. I thought you promised to be there for me, no matter what. I guess you lied to me."

He then slashed my neck. Fortunately I used my semblance to get Achilles and I away.

Running away from my problems once again… Like I always do.

As I was running to the platform I heard Achilles weakly say my name "Blake?" He asked.

"Hold on Achilles, You'll get the help you need." I assured him.

"Blake… Whatever happens to me… Make sure you stay... By the team… They need you." He said before he completely passed out.

His sword slipped from his grasp. I grabbed it just before it hit the ground and held onto it as I ran for the landing pad where everyone else was. Hopefully they haven't left yet.


Present

I know he wants me to stay… But I can't. I put my team into danger with Adam.

Yang or Achilles, They don't need to have the burden of my mistakes.

I looked up towards the sky and thought back to another time where he was staring up at the stars. He told me once he has spent his entire life looking up at the stars. Wondering if other life exists out there.

I personally don't. But it's not every day that I meet someone with optimism like him.

And Yang…

How do I begin to describe her?

She's beautiful for one.

She's strong.

She's kind.

She's… Caring.

I'm almost jealous of her.

No, not jealous.

If not that then what is this feeling I have for her? After all, she was willing to charge at Adam with no regard to her own safety.

Maybe as a friend?

Maybe something more?

Achilles did the same thing too…

Whatever, I have other things to worry about. I need to find a different outfit to wear, I'm too recognizable in this one.

Though I get the strange feeling someone is following me.


[Atlesian Lab]

{Justin/Achilles' perspective}

I followed Ironwood here. He hasn't told me much. He told me it's classified to tell in public for now until they can understand it. Which tells me it's either a meteor or some form of debris.

Looking around some of the scientists there were giving me the stink eye. "Um… Are you sure it's ok for me to be here? Reception seems a little… Icey, like Weiss was when we were back in Beacon."

Ironwood chuckled "Don't worry, they always look at people like that. They're rather introverted."

Wonder how any work gets done then? He took me to a door. But before opening it he turned to me and asked "I understand you like looking at the sky, correct?"

I gave him a nod "Yeah, but I haven't exactly been public about it. How did you-"

He cut me off and said "I saw you the night before the Battle for Beacon. You were staring intently at the sky, like you were hoping for something. If I remember correctly, Blake Belladonna was with you."

Oh right. That happened. I honestly forgot that happened with me losing my arm. "Yeah, She was looking for me since our school's curfew was near."

He nodded and took out a card. He swiped it into a card reader. "Follow me."

This doesn't look ominous at all…

He led me into an observation room of sorts and went up to the window. He turned his head to me and gestured for me to join him.

And so I did. "Alright so what did you-"

As soon as I looked through the window I saw something that made my heart skip a beat.

There's just no way… Is there?

How would this be possible anyway?

That's one of the two Voyager spacecrafts that Earth launched with the intent to study the solar system and to see the outer reaches of space before we lost contact with them.

The fact that one of them is here means it fulfilled it's last mission.

I guess my facial expression must have tipped off Ironwood. "I know, that was my first reaction to seeing this too."

He then turned his attention back to the Voyager "We are still uncovering its mysteries. Including its fuel source. It isn't any form of dust we've seen. And it seems to be rather foreign."

Oh right, Remnant can't leave the planet. They wouldn't know about the radioisotope thermoelectric generator.

"We also uncovered some disk on it. But we cannot make heads or tails of its symbols." He continued.

Oh yeah, when it was made people voted for what was on the disk. It was to send a message to any intelligent life about us. Though it was launched in 1977, so it's a bit outdated with what we're into.

Of course I can't tell him any of this, so time to do what I do best, bullshit it. "Interesting. It seems to have a dish too."

He nodded "We believe it was to communicate with wherever it came from, but has since lost its functionality."

I shrugged. Maybe if I can get this thing back up and running I can use the camera to tell Earth that there is life. Or at least, whatever this universe's Earth.

He then turned to me "Do you suppose there is other life out there that may have sent this out?"

I gave another shrug. Sure I'd love to tell him about Earth, but I've already painted the image that I'm the last Vermilion so I can't exactly do that. So I'll try to supply a vague theory for him…

Maybe this then… "Who knows, if this is an alien craft, then we have our answer."

He nodded to me and said "Let's get going then." He then led me out of the room and through the lab.


Eventually I ended up back at the Schnee manor.

Ironwood escorted me to the door. And before I went back in. I asked him "Where is Keoth staying?"

He dropped his head somberly and answered "A hospital nearby Atlas Academy. If you want to visit I can grant you a visitor's pass."

I nodded at him "That would be appreciated."

He gave me a card "Give that to the service desk when you go see him." he explained.

"Understood." I answered as I put the card in my pocket.

Before he left he told me "You're always welcome in Atlas Academy if Jacque gives you trouble."

I nodded at him "I might consider it. But for now, he's giving me a roof over my head and some privacy. So I think I'll be fine."

Just then one of the butlers opened the door for me. And what I mean by one of them, I mean Klein. "Good evening Mr. Vermilion. General Ironwood. Mr Schnee has told me to escort you to the dining hall for dinner."

I sighed and glanced back at Ironwood "Well I guess I can't avoid him forever."

Ironwood nodded "Good luck Achilles."

"Thanks. I'll need it." I replied as I stepped inside.

Klein led me to the dining hall.

As I walked with him I looked around. There's a lot of pictures of the family. Weiss decorated most of the halls. I passed by Jacque's office with the family portrait. I stared into the eyes of the portrait. It seems as though Willow, Winter, and Weiss don't exactly approve of him.

Willow seemed to have the worst of it with how much remorse she has in her face.

Other than that, a statue of a king Taijitu and armor that looked like the Arma Gigis that Weiss summons.

Which tells me that Jacque put Weiss through rigorous combat training, hence her scar. At least, from what the White Trailer showed.

Soon we entered the dining room.

"Ah Achilles, good to see you. Come, you must be starving." Jacque said with his arms outstretched.

"Don't waste your breath." I mumbled.

I then sat down next to Weiss. Whitley next to Jacque.

In front of me was salad, steak, and some other thing that I don't quite know but looks good anyway. I went to grab one of three forks, but before I grabbed it Weiss cleared her throat.

I moved my hand to the second one.

She cleared her throat again.

I got frustrated and slammed my hand on the back end of the third fork, launching and flipping in the air.

I grabbed it on its way down and showed it to her.

She gave a subtle nod.

Finally, now to enjoy some food.

Well this is the third most awkward family dinner I've ever had. Second being a thanksgiving with my soon-to-be-monster-in-law. And the first… We don't talk about it.

Anywho I'm getting off track.

Jacque started talking to me. "Has your family not taught you how to properly eat?"

I glared at him "Like there's any way to do that. Ballroom etiquette was never really my thing."

"I see…" Jacque noted.

Whitely then spoke up "Why would you drag a ruffian into our mansion father? He had trouble finding the right fork."

I leaned forward just so I could look him in the eye but Weiss stopped me before I could say anything.

"Whitely, he is a guest. And more importantly he is staying with us until he's back up on his feet. I suggest you treat him with respect." Weiss told him as she gave me a look. One that Jocelyn gave whenever she and her mother got into arguments. The look of 'let me handle this.'

Whitely gave me a glare before returning to his dinner.

I had finished mine and walked out of the dining room back to my room.


[Patch]

{Aaron/Moon's Perspective}

"Dinner's ready!" Taiyang called out.

I shut off the TV, nothing but Adam's face on almost every channel. I just hope Justin isn't watching it.

I got up to go and get my seat. Yang and Ruby beat me to the table.

As for the food, it looks decent enough. And it tastes good.

But looking around the table, I noticed the mood was a bit down.

Yang was just poking at her food.

Ruby was pretty much doing the same.

Tai looked at me and nodded "So… Moon, thank you for your help in the yard today."

"No problem man, any time."

Ruby glanced at me.

I raised a brow. "Yes Ruby?"

She shook her head "Just… wondering how Achilles and Weiss are doing."

To my knowledge, the CCT is still up and running. So global comms should be just fine. "Why not text them?"

"We tried." Yang blurted out. "But neither of them are responding."

That's just like him. Between him fucking his fiance as I'm trying to coordinate a gaming sesh, and whatever else he does when he isn't online, he never responds right away. "He will eventually I'm sure, he's probably going through a lot, besides that he did lose an arm so he may not be taking it well."

"You're probably right." Ruby said as she took a bite.


[In Atlas]

{Justin/Achilles' perspective}

What a pain. At least I have some time to self-loathe before I go to sleep.

I raised my left arm to look at the stump.

It's odd, I can still feel it there, and hell I don't feel like it's gone and yet I get reminded almost every time I decide to do anything.

I put it back down and sighed. I then put myself under the covers.

Can't get any worse right?


Reviewer Session:

Monster King: Glad you enjoyed it man. Any part in particular you enjoyed?