CHAPTER XLV

The Sky So Blue

It was late in the evening when the music began. The concert hall had sold out long before the date. The centerpiece for tonight's lineup was Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto Number 2, Opus 18, arguably one of the most beautiful compositions of all time. It wasn't out of place for those in the audience to be moved to tears, their heartstrings struck by each note echoing from the piano keys and the rest of the orchestra.

It had been some time since Weiss had gone around town purely for leisure. She figured her daughter must be having fun during winter break. She refused to miss out on her own merriment. She closed her eyes, allowing the music to carry her off to a place other than the wood and concrete concert hall. Each swell of the orchestra behind the piano was like a crest she rode over oceans of sound.

And then, the accompanying strings and woodwinds and brass would still themselves in deference to the pianist, whose masterful keystrokes were certain to enthrall anyone within earshot. When Weiss opened her eyes once more, the audience was on their feet, giving the performers the standing ovation they most certainly deserved. She, too, joined in the applause, the tumult a mirror opposite of the melancholy serenity of the musical piece.

Some of the most beautiful works of art come from places of the most profound pain.

She had said those words to Lilly once, describing a performance they had attended years ago. Her daughter had been weeping through most of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto Opus 64 in E Minor. Lilly had asked her why it was that she ended up crying through something so lovely and that was the explanation Weiss had given.

The night air nipped at her skin as she stepped out of the concert hall, standing at the edge of the street as the sidewalks filled with people, the majority of whom were likely headed to local restaurants and bars. She wouldn't join in these festivities, however. She enjoyed the long walks back to her small home outside the city proper, even if the walks were now solitary with Lilly residing at Beacon Academy.

"Would you care for an escort, Miss Schnee?"

Weiss turned to face a man in a black uniform and a high cap with a red armband wrapped around his upper left arm. She could recognize the insignia all over his uniform from a mile away.

"And what would bring the SS to a small town like this, Colonel?" she said with similar pretense.

He smiled an uncomfortable, overly cheery smile as he removed his cap from his head. "I, too, enjoy the works of Rachmaninoff. He is, after all, one of the most important composers of our era. Do you not agree?"

"I prefer the works of Karel Husa myself. He fully encapsulates the sensation of an infection spreading throughout the body, like an invasion from a foreign military."

"Yes, indeed he does. He spurs us to action against such an invasion."

"On the contrary, I think his music is a warning, not against threats from without, but those threats from within."

"Were you considering somewhere to have dinner after enjoying that music?"

"I was going to have a light salad at home before I rest. But I think we should drop this charade now, Colonel Gottfried."

"I suppose this would be the moment of crescendo in the accompanying music."

"I suppose it would be."

"Very well. As you wish, I will get straight to the point. I'm sure you're aware of the impending war between Atlas and Vacuo."

"I was hoping we'd be mature enough not to have to resort to violence to settle our disagreements."

"Unfortunately, humans are mere animals. Everything on this world resorts to violence at some point."

"Doesn't sound very aspiring to me."

Colonel Gottfried cleared his throat. "Atlas High Command would like to ask you join us in defense of our country and way of life."

"Against what imminent threat?"

"Why, our neighbors, of course."

"You say that you 'ask' me to join you. Something tells me this isn't optional one bit."

He looked at the ground, but when he turned back to her, she had a scowl on her face, her blue eyes hidden behind fiery golden halos of light.

"Leave," Weiss commanded. "And take your SS goons with you."

Colonel Gottfried eyed the runes that had formed on the backs of her hands. "Are you truly willing to start a firefight in the middle of this crowded street?"

"Who said anything about a firefight?"

He examined the runes more closely. They weren't elemental runes. One was bright white in color while the other was dark purple, almost black. He recognized both as a Holy Rune and a Darkness Rune, respectively. Either of these runes possessed spells that had the capability to strike a man dead where he stood.

"I hope you understand that we do this for our country," Colonel Gottfried said before returning his cap to his head. "Für immer Atlas." He nodded to his men, who were strategically positioned all around.

Weiss continued to follow them with her eyes as they disappeared into the crowd. She kept her guard up until their shuttle finally departed off in the distance, upon which she allowed herself to breathe easy and her eyes to return to their blue color as her magical energy dropped back down to normal.

Ignoring the murmurs all around, she straightened up her coat before heading back home, skipping dinner and heading straight to bed. She wasn't at all anxious; her actions were not mere posturing. She had every intention of unleashing the full might of her runic magic if it were necessary, even going so far as to summon a Darkness Rune to curse her enemies. The Holy Rune was there only as insurance should a curse need to be undone.

Her sleep was restful despite the near-confrontation following the concert. It wasn't as though she had anything to fear from those soldiers, not with the power she was left with. She faced herself in the mirror to brush her hair, but stared in surprise at the tears rolling down her cheeks.

She wondered what it was that made her cry when she realized she had been thinking about that magical power she had called upon last night, the same magical power Lilly now wielded. Aside from her daughter, this gift was the last thing she had left of him. She closed her eyes, clutching the locket that hung over her chest, that same locket made of blue black opal on one side and red black opal on the other, the one that contained the first photograph ever taken of them together.

Ich bin dein für alle Ewigkeit.

That was the inscription on the other side of the locket. She opened it up, reading the words before settling her eyes on their portrait. They were facing the right side of the locket, where the inscription was written. He stood behind her, no space separating them. Was he leaning into her? Or perhaps it was her leaning on him. Even now, in spite of his absence, he was still her rock.

There was no stopping the well of emotion now and she stood in place as her vision blurred. She sat on the edge of her bed, holding the locket tightly to her chest as she let the tears flow. She made no sound, though there was no need to hide since there was no one else in the house with her.

She let out a heavy sigh before changing into a white t-shirt and blue jeans, stopping in front of the mirror one last time on her way out.

"No wonder you like dressing like this so much," she said aloud as she recalled Lilly's favorite attire. "It's comfortable and looks pretty good."

Lilly looked around as the world faded into view. The scenery was familiar. After all, who could forget home?

"Wait a minute," she mumbled.

We're back in the real world. Why?

"That's a good question."

Hang on a minute. I gotta...sort out my head.

"Yeah, me, too."

Uh, it's kinda our head, you know.

Lilly giggled. "Hey, we're not that far away from..."

Home. Yeah, I can see the house.

She began walking down the asphalt, which transitioned into dirt road at the formal city limits. Home wouldn't be for another mile, but the tiny structure in the distance was unobstructed by any other buildings or geographic features.

"Hey, you were always around here when we were still separated, right?" Lilly said.

Yeah. I mostly hung around the house.

"What's our home like in the Labyrinth?"

Not really any different from the real world. I mean, it had that bluish, grayed out look to it like any First Layer, but, I mean, I could always see you and mom.

Mom. That's right. Lilly hadn't seen her since the Vytal Festival Tournament, which was at the beginning of summer last year. As far as her mother knew, she was still at Beacon Academy. Assuming this wasn't a dream world she was walking through, she was about to see her mother again after over a year and a half. Lilly quickened her pace, focusing on the house ahead of her while Lilith sorted through their memories.

Let's see. We were surrounded by those SS freaks in the other world and we were about to get completely murder-death-killed when...something happened. I don't remember what it was. All I could hear in my head was...ugh, I can't remember. There was something, something overflowing...from your heart.

Lilith turned her attention ahead as her body began moving faster and faster. Lilly had picked up the pace and was now in a full sprint. Lilith could feel every bite of the cold wind on their face, tears drying up and falling again and again.

Of course. All we could think about...was home.

The house grew larger and larger as Lilly continued her mile-long sprint. Her legs and lungs were on fire by the time she was within shouting distance, but she kept her silence. She could hear the sounds of piano wafting over from their house. Her mother was playing Chopin's First Ballade. But something was off. It wasn't Sunday, their designated piano day. It was only Wednesday, and her playing was different somehow.

Nostalgic, Lilith said.

That was the perfect word to describe the colors of her melody today. It wasn't uncommon for her to play music that was melancholic in overall structure, but this feeling of longing was overpowering.

Lilly stood upright, taking deep breaths as she stood in front of the house she grew up in. The fire in her lungs wouldn't go away.

What are you waiting for?

She clasped both hands to her chest before taking a step forward, but she didn't go all the way.

What's wrong?

She smiled. "You remember what I told you, don't you?"

Hmm?

"A long time ago, when I wrapped my arms around you and shared in your pain."

Lilith held her breath.

"I said I'd trade..."

Trade places with me, she finished the sentence. I remember.

"Well, I think now's a perfect time to trade places."

Are you sure about this?

"Completely sure. I grew up with her. I've always known her touch, and her warmth. And now, it's your turn, Lilith."

Lilith lost her balance as she and Lilly swapped. Before she knew it, she was already trembling. How would she act before her mother? She had seen her from the World of Shadow, but never interacted with her, only living vicariously through Lilly. What would she do? What would she say?

How 'bout starting with a 'hello'?

Her heart skipped a beat as the door to the garden opened. Weiss emerged wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat, topping off jeans and a white t-shirt. She started with a visual check of her flowers, as she always did. Lilith knew this routine from memory, but never participated firsthand.

Are you just gonna stand there and cry? I thought I'm supposed to be the emotional one between us.

Lilith began walking forward, tentatively at first, and then more confidently, and then finally as timid as was even possible for her. She stopped next to the house, half-peeking out at her mother, her hands clasped in front of her thighs.

After a few moments, Weiss took note of someone watching her from afar. The presence wasn't one that belonged to a stranger. No, this was familiar. It was family. She turned to face her daughter, who was as shocked as she was.

"Lilly?" she said as she dropped her watering can and trowel.

Lilith stepped out from around the wall, smaller than she ever was before. The mere sound of her mother's voice was enough to make it impossible to breathe.

"What...what are you doing here?" Weiss continued. "I thought you were supposed to be at Beacon."

"Yeah," Lilith said, her voice tiny. "But, I guess, here I am."

Without another word, Weiss began marching forward before stopping in front of her daughter. Lilith looked up at her, hazel eyes locking with pale blues, before the younger one lunged at her mother, gripping her tightly. She began to weep as a tsunami of emotions washed all over her, quenching a thirst that had lasted her entire lifetime. Her weeping transformed into outright crying.

"Oh, Lilly," Weiss said, returning her embrace, softly stroking her hair as she smiled. "Every time I see you, you're crying."

Lilith's only response was to cry even harder. Lilly wasn't immune to the sentiment either. Had they been in separate bodies, she was certain she'd probably be worse off. But she had no regrets. Those words she had for her other half so long ago were far from hollow. She was more than willing to give Lilith what she was privileged to have her entire life.

"Are you gonna keep crying all day long?" Weiss said as gently as possible.

Lilith was still sobbing, though the outright bawling was over. "Yeah," she sniffled. "I think I'm gonna."

Weiss shook her head.

"Sorry. I've just...missed you. That's all."

"I've missed you, too, darling."

Lilith was overwhelmed by the emotions once again and she gripped her mother tightly once more, but she kept her voice down this time, even as the tears poured forth.

"Okay, let's get inside. I have some of your favorite coffee brewing."

"Hang on," she said. "Just a little longer. I don't wanna let go just yet."

Weiss responded by holding her daughter close before looking out to the sun peeking over the city.

"Mom?" Lilith said.

"Hmm?"

"What the heck are you dressed in?"

"Oh, please. As if you're one to talk."

Lilith chuckled with her before following her into the house. Her heart had been doing backflips and barrel rolls since she first touched her mother. She had never imagined such warmth from a single human being. It was even more resplendent than what Lilly emanated on a daily basis. Her scent alone was enough to put her tumultuous mind at ease. Lilith had never known this kind of peace in her life.

Weiss sighed with a smile as she turned to face her daughter with their mugs in her hands. "Crying again, are you?" she said.

"H-Huh?" Lilith said before wiping away the tears. "Oh. Yeah. Sorry. It's just, it's felt like, well, like this is the first time I've seen you in...my whole life." She choked on the last word of her statement.

Weiss couldn't help but chuckle quietly. "Go sit down before you fall."

"Yeah, good idea."

Lilith sat at the dinner table. Lilly hadn't spoken a word since she embraced their mother, but she could feel a kind of serenity radiating from within, as if someone were wrapping her in a blanket made of sunlight.

"So," Weiss said before taking a sip of the coffee. "Oh, dear. I let it sit for too long. The flavor's flattened a little bit."

Lilith shook her head as she drank. "I dunno. I think this is the best cup of coffee I've ever had."

"Now you're exaggerating."

She shook her head again.

"I can't put my finger on it. There's something about you today. Like, you're a different person."

She shrugged. "Maybe I am. It's been...forever since we last saw each other face to face, you know."

"The Vytal Festival last summer. About a year and a half ago."

Lilith nodded. "Like I said. Forever."

"You're so dramatic."

"Am I, though? Christmas is around the corner. I'm about to turn twenty, mom."

Weiss's eyes widened as the realization struck her. Her daughter was right. She was weeks away from no longer being a teenager. Now it was her turn to be overcome by the emotions.

"When," she stuttered, "when the heck did you grow up so damned fast?"

Lilith shrugged. "I guess it all just happens out of nowhere, huh?"

Weiss stood up and walked to her daughter, holding her head tightly to her chest. "I can't believe you've changed so much in such little time. What the heck have you been doing?"

"You'd flip if you saw the stuff my team and I have been doing."

"I bet." She held her by the shoulders at arm's length. "How is everyone, by the way?"

"They're good. I've been making sure of it."

Weiss smiled before taking a step back. "Goodness. Two years ago, you left the house, and you had no idea what to do when the springboards launched you into the sky during initiation. Now, you're a team leader. And not just in name."

"Mom, please, don't remind me of that horrible day."

Weiss couldn't help but chuckle. "You went from being at the bottom of your class to number one."

"I guess I did, didn't I?" Her comment was directed just as much at Lilly as it was to herself.

She looked down at the floor before standing up and walking around the house. Weiss watched in silence as her child went from one thing to another, breathing everything in so deeply that it hurt. There were photographs of events she'd never participated in, trophies of competitions she'd never won, birthdays she'd never celebrated. The emotions were more subdued by now, but still there, lingering in the background, just behind her eyes, only overtopping little by little.

She stopped at the baby grand piano, the most luxurious thing in their tiny house, taking up the entirety of the open room adjacent to the living room and dining room. She remembered the day Lilly and Weiss had knocked down both walls and filled in the space with open arches. She recalled laughing to herself at her other half's complete ineptitude with power tools. But mother was always there to correct her errors, just like with the piano.

Lilith took a seat at the bench. Even though she had never sat here before, it felt like this was where she had always belonged. She gently laid her fingers on the ebony and ivory, pressing down on a high octave C key, following up with more notes, and chords, and then scales and arpeggios.

Once the music began to flow through her bones, she closed her eyes and started playing a piece that left her mother stunned. Perhaps "Misting Rain" was the most definitive name for this composition; it captured an otherworldly image, evoking something mysterious and unapproachable by mere mortals.

"Lilly," Weiss began, standing by the piano, "where did you learn that piece? I don't recall ever teaching you any of Rachmaninoff's Études."

Lilith shrugged. "I remember hearing it once and liked it so much I decided to figure out how to play it."

Weiss couldn't believe the mastery in her daughter's performance. As far as she could remember, Lilly was quite competent, but not a virtuoso, and yet, what she heard just now was nothing short of prodigious.

Lilith yawned, staring at the keys blankly.

"Hey," Weiss said, pushing the issue of her piano playing to the back of her mind. "You still haven't told me. What in the world are you doing here?"

"You mean back home?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Oh. Dunno. I just thought of home and then poof! Here I am."

"Lilly," Weiss said dryly.

Lilith chuckled. She wanted so badly to tell her mother the truth, that she wasn't the same Lilly she knew, that she was her Wraith and that it truly was magic that brought them back to Oasis, but without knowing how Weiss would react, Lilith decided to maintain the image.

"Okay, okay," she said. "I thought I'd come home for winter break. That's all."

"No winter classes?"

"Heck no. I—ahem—don't need them anymore."

Weiss couldn't help but snicker. "Look who's grown an ego."

"I mean, I missed you. I just...wanted to be back home, back where I didn't have to worry about fighting monsters, where I didn't have to venture into those dark and miserable places."

Weiss walked over to her daughter, holding her from behind. "I wish we lived in a world in which I could afford to just keep you here forever, a world where you could've attended a normal college and taken a normal major and become a normal adult."

"But we're anything but normal people living in a normal world."

Weiss sighed.

"I get it, mom. You wanted me to be ready for all the crap reality had to throw at me. And besides, I think it would've been really awkward if I were sitting in an office doing a desk job and then sneezed and a rune suddenly appears in the air cuz I can't control it cuz I don't know what the heck it is and then my desk catches fire—"

"Okay, now I know you're you."

"Huh?"

"The periods and commas. You know what they are and how to use them, right?"

Lilith could hear Lilly giggle within, which made her giggle as well.

"Much better," Weiss said. "The ugly cry is very unflattering."

"That's not very nice."

She giggled before holding her daughter more tightly. Lilith breathed deeply the scent of her mother. It was the same scent she remembered from childhood, even as a mere third party observer in the World of Shadow.

"Mom?"

"Hmm?" Weiss said. "What is it?"

"Would you be mad if, well, after graduating, I just came back home?"

"And stayed here?"

She nodded. "I mean, I wouldn't be wasting my Huntsman badge or anything like that. I could always be the one who protects Oasis from the Grimm and other bad juju. I mean, it's not like anything can touch me with this crazy magic I have."

"Oh, wow, you really have grown an ego."

She chuckled.

"Well, I don't think I'd be mad. Objectively, it would seem like a waste of a whole four years of Academy training, but your future is yours to decide, no one else's. If that future is to be a simple one, then so be it."

"You'd be okay with that?"

She nodded. "All I want is for you to be happy. And if that's what would make you happy, I'm all for it."

Lilith grasped her mother's forearm as the latter continued to hold her from behind. She closed her eyes, leaning back against the rock of her life. In the meantime, Lilly couldn't be any happier, having given her other half the chance to be in their mother's arms, even if for only the day. She vowed she would figure out a way to make it permanent, that they would both dwell in the sunlight together.