Here we go
Cover Art: Curbizzle
Chapter 9
It was a quiet and sombre affair in Ozpin's office, the assembled members of Teams RWBY and JNPR sat shamefaced in front of the man's desk. The only mercy was that they'd been spared Team CFVY's presence, but that didn't mean much for them. Headmaster Ozpin took a deep breath.
"I want to begin by saying you should not blame yourselves for this."
Kind words, gentle words, and yet they had Yang gripping her hands tight upon her knees, trembling violently with her face locked down onto her lap. Beside her, Ruby dared to reach out and then lost her nerve and withdrew her hand. Blake and Weiss wore the helpless expressions of those who wished they could do more and didn't know how.
There was an empty seat beside Yang. There shouldn't have been, but Nora had accidentally left it clear when she sat down for a man who was no longer there, and now it felt like shuffling over would be an offence to the fallen. It lay empty, jarringly so. Yang's hair fell down about and before her face, obscuring her from their sympathetic eyes.
"I know that is hard to accept." Ozpin went on. "I've made mistakes in my life, more than you can imagine, and living with them is not easy. Tonight, however, was not a mistake you could have predicted. None of you knew this side of Leviathan, none of us could have known what might happen. You cannot-" He aimed the words at Yang. "-hold yourself responsible for what befell him. I do not. None of you. We had no idea what you might face tonight. You went in blind, and if anything it is my fault in encouraging that."
"We could have done better." Pyrrha said.
"That's easy to say in hindsight." Miss Goodwitch said.
"Glynda is right." Ozpin said. "Don't fall for looking what could have been done; it's a slippery slope from which there is no escape. Instead, let us focus on what we have learned. Would anyone care to fill me in on our new enemies?"
No one say anything for the longest time – Team RWBY could be excused having essentially lost a member and bring in grieving. When no one else opened their mouth, Jaune stood quickly. He was the leader of Team JNPR and if it took some of the pressure of Ruby, he figured he could stomach it.
"We met three Jau… iterations who are on Salem's side. The first was the one that was half-Grimm. We called him Grimm, and I'm pretty sure that's what the other did as well. He was strong, though not as strong as Knight, and he had these weird tentacles that came out of his back. They were fast enough to catch Ruby out the air. He could also summon and control Grimm."
"Summon them-?" Ozpin interrupted. "You are certain?"
"One hundred per cent. He cut himself and the blood became Grimm where it landed. He could then order them to attack us, cover him or try and get in Knight's way."
"Troubling. Most troubling. If he summoned a large enough force to threaten the city, we would be stretched thin."
"What of all the Grimm that fell from the sky when Leviathan attacked?" Ren asked. He looked nauseous. "How many… What were the casualties?"
There wasn't a one of them that didn't tense up. There had been so many, hundreds of them, and to imagine the carnage they could wreak over the city was mind-numbing-
"None."
Weiss, coiled tight like a spring, burst. "What!?"
"There were no casualties." Ozpin said. "A few injuries where people tripped and fell while running away, but to a one the Grimm that landed stayed in place and refused to attack. They were animate in that they would pace around, but they made no aggressive moves, even as they were being killed. Clean-up is still ongoing, but it seems the Grimm were instructed not to harm anyone."
"By Leviathan?"
"Actually," he said, "I believe it might be by this Grimm you mentioned, either intentionally or subconsciously. They were themselves in retreat and he may have feared they would attack his allies. Or he may know that too many deaths would spark a city-wide manhunt for him. If it were Leviathan, his control over them would have faded with his death. They are still placid. Please carry on, Mr Arc. The next one?"
"Ah. The next called himself Ashari. He spoke to us – knew us. Or Ren and Nora anyway. He gave Ya- us the chance to surrender but we decided against it." The slip, minor as it was, was yet another knife twisted in Yang's stomach. A reminder that they could have all backed safely out but for her confidence. An arrogant confidence at that. "He… He was older than me. Maybe thirty or so. And strong. He took out Knight with flashbangs and teargas, then beat the crap out of all of us in melee. It wasn't even close. He was like… he was like a machine. He just tore through us."
"But he did not kill." Ozpin pointed out. "He did not even cause the slightest permanent harm, plus he attempted to peacefully negotiate with you first. I wonder if this is the first iteration to show some… displeasure at who he has been summoned to serve. Would you say he hated you, Mr Arc?"
"Uh. No. He… well, he got kinda freaked when I thought he looked like dad, but he…"
"He went easy on us." Pyrrha said. "He didn't use half the weapons I saw under his coat, and he kept smiling."
"That damn smile…" Blake muttered. "It was… creepy…"
"Creepy?" Glynda asked.
"Even when he was fighting us, he looked happy to see us," Nora said, "But it was twisted. He was enjoying the fight. Not because he was beating us up, but like… like he was having fun playing with us. It's hard to explain."
"Like Qrow messing with me and Yang." Ruby said. "Half-training, half making fun of us and having the time of his life while he's doing it."
"I see." Ozpin likely didn't, but he looked curious enough. "As I said, it could be his loyalties are not total to his side. It's unreasonable to assume that half the iterations summoned are good and half are evil. This Ashari may have no choice because of whom he has been called to serve, but he may not personally wish you any harm. Given he recognised you all, he was likely teammates with you like our world's Jaune. He might no more harm his friends than Mr Arc here would."
"Unless he wants the wish." Fate said.
"Yes. Unless that. And the third, before we discuss further…?"
"I was the one who saw him." Ruby whispered. Her shoulder, bandaged and stitched up a second time, throbbed painfully at the reminder. "He was dressed in normal clothes. Jeans and a hoodie. He had a gun and… some ability to get through aura. I couldn't use my Semblance at all, and I know I pushed my aura to my back when I ran, but he still shot through it like it was nothing."
"Miss Rose's aura control is exemplary." Miss Goodwitch supported from beside the headmaster. "If she believes it was torn from her control, I would be inclined to believe her."
"A Semblance, then." Ozpin said. "One that can prevent the utilisation of other's Semblances and aura all together. That is a most dangerous prospect. I can't even begin to guess at the threat that poses. He could turn any of you, any one of you, into nothing more than a civilian. His choice of weapon, simple as it may be, supports that. Be wary of this iteration," he warned them. "He could be far more dangerous than Knight in his own way."
"Specifically, at targeting the anchors." Fate said. "No one is going to want to take Knight on after what he just did. But Ruby? Yeah, there's a reason this guy went after you." The lazy and bored looking man spared her a rare, concerned look. "Watch yourself. Or better yet, have Knight stop running off and leaving you behind."
Knight took that with a grimace. "We were unaware of the danger."
"Does that excuse you?"
"No." Knight sat back with a sigh and a creak of the chair under the bulk of his armour. "No, it does not. My responsibility was to protect Ruby and our teams. In that, I failed. You have my apologies."
"At least Knight tried!" Weiss hissed at Fate.
"I'd try too if I was literally unstoppable," he replied. "What? You want Hunter and I down there? He'd have been a one-shot for whoever that sniper was, and I'd have been torn to pieces by any one of those guys."
"Jaune came." It was rare to see Weiss offer any sliver of attention to Jaune, but her dislike over Fate seemed to trump even the fear of encouraging her unwanted paramour. "You beat him in a spar, and yet he came to fight."
"He isn't a target. I am. I was enjoying myself a nice bit of R&R. You, Hunter?"
"I read in the library…"
"You cowardly-"
"Weiss." Knight laid a gauntlet on her shoulder. "Leave it be. However harsh his words, Fate is correct that I should have prioritised the safety of you all. It is a lesson he delivers out of concern for you all, however biting, and one I will take to heart. Thank you, Fate."
"Tch." Fate hooked his hands behind his head and said, "Don't read into it."
"Moving on." Ozpin said. "We have a sniper on the loose – likely an iteration, but not necessarily. It could be an accomplice of theirs, or even one of their anchors acting independently. Leviathan's transformation has the city in uproar. No one knows who he was thankfully, but they certainly all saw a Grimm of titanic proportions emerge from the bay. This is going to cause a lot of panic. Understandably so. Knight, I wish to release the limited CCTV we have of you slaying the beast."
"Is that wise?" Ren asked. "It'll show his capabilities."
"It is not wise tactically, no, but if the citizens aren't confident the beast was slain, there will be outright panic in the streets. Knight's features are blurred enough for him to seem just another huntsman. I also expect Salem has a good enough idea of his strength already."
"I will default to your wisdom in the matter, sir," Knight said. "You may release your… video-scripture."
"Thank you. As much as it is unfair to say it, it is best Leviathan died this night." There was a collective hiss and a wince, but Ozpin pushed on quickly. "Not out of any dislike for the young man, but because his presence would terrify the city. I believe he understood that, hence his commitment to a battle to the death. He could not stay if his very presence opened a rift that would drop Grimm into the city. Sooner or later, we would have so many they would smother Vale entirely. And if they were to go out of control, it could be an apocalyptic event."
"I believe Leviathan went easy on us as well." Knight said.
"That was going easy!?" Jaune asked.
"Yes. He could have swum out to sea and brought a tidal wave to destroy Vale. He could have launched a battery of waterspouts, drawn a tornado or simply drowned the city slowly. Instead, he chose to fight us with his body. He gave us a chance. This may have been because Yang was there, and he could not harm his anchor without killing himself, but I believe he also struggled to bring himself to harm us. Or you," he added for the teams' benefits.
"He held back for our sakes." Blake whispered. "He was so big he could have eaten us in a single bite if he wanted. I… I could barely move. Ruby passed out from the sheer presence of him."
"I don't think he wanted to be there." Ren said.
Yang's chair scraped back, and she was up on her feet. Ignoring the calls of her team and Miss Goodwitch, she turned and stormed to the elevator, took it down and away before anyone could think to stop her.
"Yang…" Ruby whispered at her sister's back.
"Miss Xiao-Long will be fine." Ozpin said. "All she needs is time. I want to hear more of this last iteration you saw, the one that approached you and your sister at the end. He introduced himself as… headmaster. Is that right? Headmaster of Beacon?"
"Y-Yeah. He said Yang and I had been his students. He acted like he knew Glynda. Enough to comment on what lessons she taught us on first aid and combat injuries."
Ozpin hummed. "I wonder. Do I reside in him? Or is he his own person?"
Another chair scraped back. This time, Fate's. To be honest, it was more a surprise Fate had stayed this long anyway. "Well, whatever he is, it isn't any of my business. I'mma take a page from Yang's book and call this over. Good luck on the next excursion. Try not to get any more of you killed, eh?"
"That wasn't out fault!" Weiss hissed.
"Sure it wasn't. You're all awesome." He winked her way as the elevator came back up empty and stepped into it. "You all continue being awesome, eh? I intend to keep enjoying this little holiday before a more powerful iteration comes along to kill me. Toodles."
The door swished shut. Pyrrha dropped her face into her hands, deeply embarrassed by his actions. Jaune petted her back comfortingly and whispered that it wasn't her fault.
"He's an asshole!" Blake hissed. "Why do we keep him here? He doesn't care about anyone."
"Because, Miss Belladonna, it is better we have an apathetic and lazy man on our side than one on Salem's. At least here, he does no ill, and he might be prompted into action sooner or later."
"Him? Put effort into something?" Weiss snorted. "The world would sooner freeze over."
"Be that as it may, I would like to talk more of this… new iteration. We shall call him Professor, as headmaster might cause some confusion with my title. If he truly is a teacher of Beacon at his age, one elected to serve as headmaster, then he must both be incredibly skilled and a genius. I would like you to get in touch with Xiong to see if he can find anything out about him and perhaps set up a meeting. With Leviathan lost to us, our forces are looking slim indeed. Only Knight can hope to fight for us, though hopefully that will change when General Ironwood arrives."
"I thought our side was sure to win." Jaune said. "We had Knight and Leviathan. Knight was only taken out by a gimmick. Once Ruby gets him up to date on modern weaponry, he should be able to avoid anything like that again."
"I fear that we let Knight's strength get to our heads." Ozpin said. "Jinn spoke of balance when the sides were decided by the Gods. For us to have someone of Knight's prodigious ability, it must mean that Salem has others more varied."
"Quantity over quality." Ren said. "We have the strongest, but all our eggs are in one basket. If Knight or Ruby falls…"
Ozpin finished it for them. "We may well be doomed."
/-/
Yang stared out over the long drop down to the Emerald Forest. It was tempting, in a sick way, to jump down there and lose herself in fighting the Grimm. Burn out all her frustration, guilt and sorrow and turn it into boundless anger. It'd be cathartic, and yet it would also be a grave insult after what she'd done. This was nothing more than she deserved.
"Always here," a sarcastic voice sniped as shoes crunched grass behind her. "Why is it always here?" A heavy sigh preceded legs hanging off the edge with her. The acrid tang of cigarette smoke stung her nostrils as he lit up and puffed on one. "You're always predictable like this."
"Fuck off." Yang couldn't believe that of all people to come after her it'd be him. He was the last person she needed right now. "And everything is predictable to you because you've seen it hundreds of times before."
"True. This is everyone's favourite spot to come and angst."
"Angst?" she hissed. "I-"
"It wasn't your fault."
"The fuck it wasn't!" she snarled. "Levi didn't want to go down there. He saw the trap sooner than anyone else, but I threatened him by saying I'd go on my own and he'd risk losing his anchor." Yang drew her knees up and planted her chin atop them. "I blackmailed him into going there. And now he's dead. Dead because of me. How is that not my fault?"
"Because he knew he didn't have aura. He knew, and he knew what that meant. But he wanted the wish." Fate let out a long puff of smoke that wafted away in the breeze. "It might be your fault he died there but it's not your fault he died. Idiot was dead the moment he was brought here without a means to protect himself. Or do you think no one would ever pull a trigger in his direction?"
"Don't call him an idiot…"
"Hmm. Fair." Fate held out a small white packet. "Smoke?"
Yang smacked it with her hand and sent it flying out into the Emerald Forest. Cigarettes spilled out from it in a dimly satisfying manner. To her frustration, Fate only sighed and leaned back.
"This is a war. People – Jaunes – are going to want those wishes. Not everyone is going to be an idealistic idiot like Knight willing to give them up for the greater good. Some will lie, cheat and murder to get what they've been denied in their lives. What would you do for the chance to bring Summer back?"
"Don't…"
"I'm not saying it's doable. It isn't. But from our point of view, it is. Some of us have lost people that hurts just as bad. That wish… well, it's a powerful motivator. This isn't my world, they're probably thinking. It's not my Team RWBY and JNPR. What does it matter if another Jaune's world goes to shit if it means I can save mine?"
"It's my world." Yang said.
"I know. That's why you're all fighting. It's why I'm not." He finished his cigarette and flicked the stub out over the forest. Yang glared at him, but he didn't seem to care for the risk of starting a fire. Bastard. "It's why Leviathan fought, even when he knew the risks. And it's why you shouldn't be blaming yourself for this."
"He went there because of me."
"He went there for the wish. Nothing more, nothing less."
Maybe. Yang sighed and stared out over the forest. Levi wanted the wish badly. She never asked what it was he'd wish for. In hindsight, that felt like such a dick move on her part. She'd never spent any time really getting to know him. "What's your wish?" she asked Fate. "If you won."
"Ha. Yeah. If." He snorted. "My chances are as bad as Barista's. My wish, though? I suppose it doesn't matter if I tell you." He grinned her way, and the expression was filled with sarcasm. "I wonder if you'll even believe me."
"Try me."
"I'd wish to go home, go to Beacon, go through for years of lessons, homework and exams, graduate with my friends, and then live my life, grow old and die. Preferably in that order."
Yang couldn't believe it. "That's it?"
"That's it."
"You can't be serious. You have a literal wish from a set of gods. They could give you anything. Money, fame, world peace, the key to the heart of every woman on Remnant. You wouldn't wish for any of that?"
"Sounds boring. There wouldn't be any challenge. I'd rather have a normal life."
That sounded even more boring to her, and yet for all his waspishness he sounded so… peaceful talking about it. She glanced over to see his eyes were closed and a rare smile played across his face. It looked off on him, on someone she was so used to seeing with a calculating and smug smirk. "Why?" she asked. "Why wish for something boring like that?"
"Boring, huh?" He laughed. "Maybe it seems that way to you. I wouldn't know since I've never experienced it. I don't remember what it feels like to honestly believe there's a future, let alone that I'll reach it. Maybe that's what we're all wishing for, things we can't get through any other means. Growing old. Dying." He sighed wistfully. "Doesn't it sound incredible…?"
Yang had no idea what to say to that. No idea at all. The silence grew uncomfortable, until even Fate seemed to realise he'd said something off. He grunted and brought out a fresh pack of smokes. Yang didn't knock them away this time.
"I didn't come to share stories," he said, lighting one.
"What did you come for?"
"To get into your pants while you're down and in a bad mood. Want to fuck?"
"No," she replied instantly.
"Welp. Can't say I didn't try." Fate pushed down and stood up, dusted off his clothes and took a long drag of his cigarette. "I'mma find someone else to take the edge off. See ya."
He trudged away, and Yang watched him go. Could have let him leave. "Fate," she called out.
He paused. "Hm?"
"Thank you…"
"Not sure what you're thanking me for," he said, lying as he so often did. He walked away without another word, leaving Yang to stare out over the Emerald Forest. Leviathan was dead and she had a part in that, but he'd made his choices as well. He'd wanted his own wish, maybe less or more exciting than Fate's, and he'd been prepared to die for it. He'd made his choice, as had she. As had they all.
After a long moment, Yang slid off the edge and down, ready to vent her fury.
/-/
The small shuttle came to land slowly, turning away from the school building and hovering while the pilot aligned it with the pad. The air from the turbines washed over the landing area, blowing back Ozpin's suit tails and even threatening to spill his coffee. He angled the mug away slightly while Glynda pinned her clipboard to her bosom to keep the papers in one piece.
Eventually, the landing gear touched down and the ramp extended soon after. The doors opened and James was, of course, already there, eager to stride down and off the shuttle and onto firm land once more. Ozpin would have greeted his old friend well at any time, but this more than ever. He strode up and took the man's hand, grasping it tightly.
"I'm glad you're here, James. This war has already taken a turn for the worse."
"That's war for you, Ozpin. No plan survives first contact."
"Did you have time to read over the material I sent you?"
"I did." Ironwood smiled brightly. "You've struck gold with this `Knight` fellow. Power and humility don't always go hand in hand, yet by all accounts he's wise enough to accept counsel and humble enough to listen. As for the others…"
"Less fortunate. It is my belief this is the `balance` Jinn spoke of. Quality over quantity, or rather to have all our strength centralised in one package."
"It's a risk but also an opportunity." Ironwood said. "You don't have the teams here waiting?"
"They have been through a difficult situation, James. I want them to rest."
"Hm. It's never easy losing someone. I expect the fact he didn't exist before in this world doesn't make a difference. You can introduce us to them tomorrow." He leaned in. "I'm concerned about these opponents, Ozpin. One that can summon and control Grimm sounds problem enough, but one who can take on an entire team of students and who boasts a specialist coat? And another who can revoke aura at a whim? That's a devastating combination."
Ozpin well knew it. He'd done his best not to trouble the students too much, especially after their harrowing experience. The last thing they needed was reason to worry about assassins in the night. Luckily, that would not be an issue. He had made sure of it.
"That's part of why I want you here and handling the city's security," he said. "Atlas' surveillance is second to none."
"You were always against that before. You called our surveillance state one step toward an authoritarian regime if I recall."
"That was when I didn't have a war to determine the fate of Remnant on my doorstep. Moral debate is neither here nor there. Salem must be stopped. We must win this war, James. We must."
"You're right." James nodded. "Forgive my sniping. This isn't the time or place. We will win. If I have to bring all of Atlas' might down to hunt out these people, I shall. Whatever edges they have won't matter if we throw enough firepower at it."
Not too much, Ozpin hoped. He couldn't help but think he was unleashing the wolves on Vale, and that he had no other choice. No matter how extreme Ironwood could be, he could never be as extreme as Salem. It was not something he wanted or planned for, but in a very real way it would be worth it to destroy all of Vale if it meant winning. He hoped it would not come to that.
"Is your companion not here?" Ozpin asked, looking past him. "Did you decide to leave him on your flagship for safety's sake?"
"He is here. He simply… well, we all have flaws. It appears that travel is his…"
As if summoned by the words, a very ill-looking young man stumbled down the ramp and nearly fell. He caught himself by flailing forward comically with hands and feet, stumbling off the ramp and then throwing himself to hands and knees. A stream of vomit was projected form his mouth into a nearby bush. He looked smart in a white and black Atlas uniform, Ozpin supposed, but clothing could only do so much.
"Does he need a doctor?"
"No. No. He warned me about this. Intense flight sickness. He's been hugging the toilet on the flagship for days now. I expect he'll be happy to be on land." Ironwood cleared his throat. "Ozpin, may I present to you Warchief. A military and strategic genius, and one who has been undergoing personal training with Winter to bring his combat skills up to par."
Warchief whimpered and threw up again.
"A pleasure, young man…" Ozpin said valiantly. "The fate of Remnant-"
"Uwaghhhhhh!"
"-rests on your-"
"Blurghhh!"
"Yes. Well." Ozpin adjusted his glasses. He could have sworn he heard Glynda snigger. "I'm sure he knows what's at stake and will be an excellent addition to our forces. Glynda will show you to the rooms we've prepared for you. I'll be sure to introduce you to Knight and the others tomorrow. I should warn you that some of them are… less than cooperative."
"This `Fate` character? I've read the file you prepared…" Ironwood's frown said all that needed to be said. "I can only hope Salem's forces have half as much dissent as our own do."
/-/
"Going out hunting again?"
Ashari cornered Null as he was leaving for the second time. Grimm watched patiently from his seat, as quiet as he'd been since the debacle at the docks. What had hit him hard hadn't upset Ashari, even when he'd come close to drowning.
"Is that a problem?" Cinder asked for Null's sake. "His identity isn't revealed as much as your own and he wears a hood. No one will notice him, and if they do then he can deal with it."
"The city is in uproar because of all the Grimm. This isn't a good time."
"Grimm that we could have used but for someone's refusal…"
"I won't have the Grimm involve innocent people." Grimm said instantly. "And I don't care what you want to say about my morals. It's my decision to make. Not yours."
"City-wide panic wouldn't serve us any better." Ashari said. "Unless you want people running around and risking-" The door closed and he turned back, clicking his tongue angrily. Null had taken the brief distraction as a chance to leave. He fixed his gaze back on Cinder. "Killing off independents isn't going to win this war. You're only making more enemies."
"I'm not convinced you want to win this war at all, Ashari. You had ample opportunity to kill members of Team RWBY and JNPR on the docks, yet you didn't take it. If it wasn't for this mysterious sniper, we'd have achieved nothing."
"And that sniper wasn't Roman or his guy." Mercury piped up. "Which means it was one of these independents Ashari mentioned. You think we should look to recruit someone like that, ma'am?"
"No." Cinder shook her head. "Their loyalties are uncertain. I won't have someone shooting at us. Our main priority is on preventing more joining Ozpin's side. We have them at a disadvantage now and we can't let them regroup."
"What of this so-called headmaster." Emerald said. "He seemed strong."
"Arrogant, you mean." Mercury said.
"If he actually was able to become headmaster of Beacon then he must be powerful." Cinder interrupted them. Her harsh glare said she wouldn't be argued with. "Don't underestimate him."
"Is he on our side, though?"
"Roman knows better than to betray me."
"Does Headmaster Arc?" Ashari asked tauntingly. "Maybe he's strong enough to think you're not necessary at all, Cinder. Did you ever think of that?"
"Perhaps you are not worth keeping around either, Ashari," she snapped in return. "Emerald, take him out and go scout around the city. Null shouldn't be the only one working tonight."
"Yes ma'am."
"Wait." Ashari argued. "That's an unnecessary risk. Emerald is a known-"
"Then perhaps you should have considered that before irritating me!" Cinder said. She flashed him an ugly smile. "Emerald, you have your instructions. This is a good chance for you to learn to work with your troublesome champion. Maybe he'll be less rebellious after his evening walk."
"What should we do if we find any independents, ma'am?"
"Do as you wish. If he is so eager to suggest recruitment, then go recruit. I expect to see the results of your labour come morning. I, meanwhile, must contact Salem and report our success in robbing Ozpin of one of his agents. She will be most pleased."
Ashari gnashed his teeth but could do nothing but follow his anchor as she made for the door. Emerald's face had been revealed in their flight from Haven and leaving her alone would almost ensure her capture. He shot one final glare to Cinder, who ignored him, before leaving with the green-haired girl.
"He's not wrong." Grimm said tiredly. As harsh as she may be, she was his sister in another world. He loved her dearly. "If you keep this up, you will alienate everyone who might call you ally. Do you really think you can win this on your own, Cinder?"
"Silence," she snapped, hardly even listening. "I need to concentrate on how to use Roman's new toy. Preferably in a way that removes him from the competition before he can start getting ideas."
Next chapter will be Emerald and Ashari on the town, along with some other new players. We've seen team good being active, and it's time to see a little of team evil's work. Meanwhile, Fate offering his own comfort in what small ways he can.
Next Chapter: 22nd January
P a treon . com (slash) Coeur
