New Divide

The East Wind takes us all in the end...It's a story my brother told me when we were kids. The East Wind - this terrifying force that lays waste to all in its path. It seeks out the unworthy and plucks them from the earth...That was generally me.

-Sherlock Holmes from BBC's 'Sherlock'

Ruby swept herself into a nearby bar. Her heart was racing frantically as she avoids the windows, just barely seeing her team stop and speak a few words before dispersing from the area, searching for her she assumes. Looking around she goes to a seat at the bar and flashes the bartender her ID and orders her signature drink. Once the drink is handed to her, she finds a secluded area in the back and sits, taking a large gulp of the burning liquid, savoring it as it smoothly goes down her throat.

Taking a deep breath she closes her eyes and tilts her head back, "There was once a merchant in a famous market in Vale. One day he saw a stranger looking at him in surprise…" She recites to herself recalling a story that she had once heard…or perhaps will hear again.

"…and he knew that the stranger was Death." Startled Ruby snapped her eyes open to see a woman with silver hair and prosthetic eyes looking right at her, "Hello dear, fancy seeing you in a place like this."

"Ms. Calavera." Ruby breathed out sitting up as the woman sits down a drink in her hand as well.

"Please continue. I've always liked this story." The woman said flippantly as she leaned back and took a sip of her drink.

Ruby stared at her, disbelievingly at who she was sitting with and to see if the woman was serious. Seeing that she was, Ruby took a shaky breath and continued, "Pale and trembling, the merchant fled the marketplace and made his way many, many miles to the city of Vacuo, for there he was sure Death could not find him." She paused and looked at Maria, "I'm sorry but what are you doing here?"

Maria does not respond, only takes a sip of her drink and then gives Ruby a measured look. Instead of answering the question, she places her glass down on the table and continues the story, "But when at last he came to Vacuo, the merchant saw, waiting for him, the grim figure of Death." She smiles lightly looking at the young huntress and says, "I think you know why I am here Ruby Rose."

"Very well, I give in. I am yours." Ruby says echoing the words of the merchant from the story. She places her glass on the table as well after downing the rest of her drink, "You are the Grimm Reaper, an embodiment of Death so to speak. So tell me, you do not seem too surprised to meet me."

Maria chuckled, "True and yet rumor has it you are a reaper as well. A…what did you say I was? 'Embodiment of Death'? Yet you are surprised to see me. Tell me: why did you look surprised when you saw me just now?"

Ruby was still in shock at seeing her old mentor. She was doing her best not to show it, and hide it from her tone. However she sighed heavily and says echoing the words of Death in the story, "Because, I had an appointment with you much later– in Vacuo." The story was ended but Maria was still waiting for an answer. An answer Ruby could not give just yet, "You are the Grimm Reaper. A celebrity. Not someone that you typically bump into."

"Liar." Ruby was surprised, "Oh come on. I may be blind but even I could see that 'Liar' is written all over you. Not becoming of a Silver Eyed Warrior." Picking up her glass again, Maria takes another sip of her drink, "Besides a second clue is you are hiding from your teammates."

"How did you-?"

"Fiona, the fortune teller that you all were just with, told me the color of your eyes after your visit. That and life has a very precious balance. When one is attuned to the forces of such a precious commodity it is easy enough to pick up on. Now then Ruby Rose why not stop this game we are playing shall we?"

"Alright deal. Now then if we are done with the games, how did you know my name?"

"Your team is calling your name and asking people questions. Not really that hard my dear." Maria leans forward and says, "So how much do you know about the silver eyes?"

Ruby leans away from her, "Enough to have the understanding of the ways of the warriors they were once known for."

"Yet you are doing those noble warriors a great disservice." A disappointed frown pulled at her mentor's lips, "You are running from your team, making them worry. For what? A personality revealing?"

"It was more than that. Something that I do not feel like sharing. I've tried to live the way of the warriors. Living with the desire to preserve life, and creation. Being an enemy of destruction." It was Ruby's turn to lean forward and look her mentor in the mechanical eyes, "I know of the Brothers and where the light came from. I've been trying to protect them all this time. However," taking a deep breath and leaning back, toying with her empty glass, she says, "I already have one of my teammates hate me. I can in fact live the rest of my days if they all hated me. What I cannot live with is them pitying me."

THWACK!

"DAMN OLD LADY!" Heads turned now in bewilderment to see the young woman holding her head and the older woman with a wooden cane above her, "The fuck was that for?!" Slowly heads turned back around and the crowd went back to mind their own business.

Maria sat back down, "The stupidity that just spilled from your mouth. Honestly you just wasted precious oxygen, the chemical needed for the preservation of life, from the rest of the good folks here."

Ruby rubbed her head and gave the former reaper a pained glare, "Yea well you made me lose the majority of my brain cells."

"Surprised you have any after that crock of shit you just said." Maria came back with, "Now shut up and listen to your elders." She commanded before Ruby could retort, "Those people love you. They care about you, otherwise they wouldn't be this worried over you. You are doing them a grave disservice for this act of cowardice." Sensing that the young woman was uncomfortable she adds, "Also if you were listening to my friend, you would know that she was using her semblance to give you a direct warning."

"Her semblance?"

Maria nods and waves a server to the table and gives him her glass, "A water please dear. And for you Ms. Rose?"

Ruby nods and also hands her glass over to him, "Water as well please."

Once the waiter walks away, Maria looks at Ruby and levels with her, "The ability to see different pathways based on a person's personality." Now sensing surprise radiating from her unofficial pupil, she smiles lightly, "Yes those were not just mere fortunes that were being told to you."

Clasping her hands now, Ruby leans forward, "Just what are you saying Ms. Calavera?"

"That the path you are on is a dangerous one. The way you are now will cost you everything you hold to your heart." She answers leaning forward as well.

They stare at each other until there is an awkward cough of the waiter with their waters. Leaning back, the man puts the glasses on the table and shuffles away, "Your morality is off, but it is not too late to come back." Fiona's voice comes to her from the reading, "The light can and will fade; if that does happen then the dark will return and that light will cease to burn. So tell me what if all the plans you made were not worth the price they paid?"

"So long as they are safe that is all I care about." Ruby answers both to the haunting reading she had gotten and to Maria's inquiry.

"And what is the definition of 'safe' to you?" Maria asked, "Alive or dead? Because to be honest that is only two choices they have in the line of work you are all a part of. At least in death there is no pain."

Ruby shook her head, "Do not misunderstand me, I will pay whatever price to keep them alive." Then in a tone so low that Maria strains to hear over the crowd, she hears Ruby say, "I will not let them die again. That will be my price in the end."

A feeling passes through Maria as she looks at the red reaper in deep thought. Slowly she says, "Producers and consumers interact to determine the equilibrium price and the quantity of the goods or services rendered." Then critically she says, "So tell me this, what service did you acquire that has such a high and precious price such as life?"

Ruby smiles darkly, not at all phased by the point that had been made, "Does it matter? Everything has a price in some shape or form."

"True but typically for a comment involving a life, the saying is 'a life for a life'." Maria countered back.

Ruby looked at her and sighed, "It doesn't matter. What's done is done." She pulls out her scroll and sees the messages and the time on it, "I am going back to my team. You are right, I did do them a disservice in my cowardice." Getting up she looks at her scroll once more before sighing, "May I offer you advice? Free of charge?"

"Ok…but as you pointed out before everything has a price." Taking a sip of water, she adds, "So what is my unknown price?"

"Leave Haven as soon as you can. Preferably by the end of the week."

"Why is that?"

"Classified. However take my word for it, you do not want to be anywhere near here." Ruby said taking out her wallet and leaving a tip for the waiter before walking away without so much as looking back at her mentor, her final words being, "I'll see you again soon Ms. Calavera."

Maria watches the young reaper walk away and sighs, running a finger along the rim of the glass, "Well? How was your talk?"

Maria looks up and sees her friend taking a seat across from her, "I thought you still had costumers?"

Fiona takes a sip from her glass and sighs, "I am on my break. I needed it after a reading I had with four young adults with more or less the same readings that are connected with the young reaper. One though I saw nothing good in the end, her path only leads to death." Then looking at her friend, she asks, "Did you find the path you were looking for?"

Maria sighs and sits back, still running a finger along the rim of her drinking glass, "When does the path we walk on lock around our feet? When does the road become a river with only one destination?"

"Rhetorical questions or are you actually looking for answers because I am afraid I do not follow."

Maria placed her glass down and says, "I suppose rhetorical because Death waits for us all in Vacuo. I suppose the real question is can Vacuo be avoided?"

-SNOOPYKID-

Leonardo Lionheart looks around before composing himself and adjusting the satchel on his side. He didn't want to do this, hell if he could have gone back in time to stop himself, he would in a heartbeat. However he made a choice and has to take the consequences of that choice, I'm sorry Oz. He thought making his way to the complex in front of him, "Halt!" He stops as two guards in front of a guard house raises their weapons at him, "State your business." One orders.

"My name is Leonardo Lionheart. I am Headmaster of Haven Academy and here on official huntsman business by the council of Mistral." He says with one hand raised and another reaching into his coat pocket to produce his scroll with his license.

The guard's partner takes the scroll and together they look at it before handing it back to him, "Very well, I'll take you to our captain."

Lionheart thanks the men and follows the one inside the complex. He looks around the monochrome hallways and sees different soldiers marching along the corridors, "Wait here." The guard says once they come across a set of double doors. The guard enters for a few moments, allowing Lionheart a brief moment to pray for forgiveness. The guard comes back and says, "Captain Stone will see you now."

"Thank you." He nods and enters the room to see a man with jet black hair slicked back and well pressed formal army attire, "Captain Stone?"

"Headmaster Lionheart." The man holds his hand out and Leo gives a firm shake, "I understand you are here on official business." He waves towards a seat across from him before reclaiming his own.

Leo settles in and nods, "Yes by the council."

"I just had a briefing with the council not that long ago."

Leo coughs lightly and fixes his jacket, soothing out the imaginary wrinkles in it, "Yes well it seems that there is concern with the security of the wall here."

Stone eyes his guest before getting up and going towards the oak curio cabinet in the corner, "May I offer you a brandy?"

"Please."

Stone pours two glasses and hands one to his guest before reclaiming his seat, "Now then, why the concern all of a sudden? They did not seem concerned with the successful reports I gave three weeks ago. The wall has and always will be for strong enough to keep the Grimm from entering the city."

"There is belief that perhaps the security of the wall is compromised." Lionheart says casually as he takes a sip of the brandy. Pausing briefly he says, "Or there is a security leak in your department."

Stone chuckles, "Nonsense. Anyone who comes in is highly regulated and goes through thorough background checks." Getting up again he turns his back on his guest to look out the spacious window into the heavily forested area, "Even then we have stringent tests to determine those we consider trustworthy, and fail safes added to each person."

"I understand. I tried to give my support for all that you do here." Lionheart swirls the glass, momentarily hypnotized by the amber liquid, "Perhaps you would honor me with a tour and a small sampling of some of these…safety measures?"

Stone turns back around and his earthy colored eyes darkening at the man in front of him, "Those safety measures are classified I'm afraid."

"For the sake of Mistral then perhaps they can be unclassified for a brief moment." Getting up, it was Lionheart's turn to turn his back on his host and go over to the wall that had different decorations and certificates handing from it, "See the concern stems from the incident at Beacon with their computer security being compromised."

"Then there is no worries because as I said-"

"Yes everything is highly regulated, background checks, stringent tests, and fail safes. Right of course, but it wouldn't hurt to have someone else just be shown around you understand don't you?"

Stone eyes his guest and eventually sighs, "Alright. A brief tour. However, your bag and weapon stays here in this office."

"Understood. Thank you."

"I am doing this under protest and I will be writing to the council expressing my distain at having my authority and integrity questioned like this." He says going to the door and motioning for his guest to follow him. Lionheart inclines his head in thanks and together they leave.

Once they are out of the room, the satchel starts to twitch and the flap comes open. Out of it appeared a small spherical body that was covered with bone-like plates and long red tentacles ending in white, bony spikes and a single eye. It looked around the office and slowly made its way to the computer on the desk with a single flash-drive in one of the tentacles. It inserted the drive into the computer. The screen flickered to life with a red background and a Black Queen chess piece in the center before going black with multiple codes running across the screen.

Out of the spherical orb came a male voice, "Now then let's see what challenges you got for me."

-SNOOPYKID-

Sometime later, Arthur Watts leaves the computer and walks with his hand behind his back towards the main throne room area of the Evernight Castle with a small grin on his face, "What's got you so cheery?" He sees Tyrian walking next to him, having come out of a corridor.

"I see you are done with your temper tantrums." Tyrian scowls at this comment, "Not that it is any of your concern, but I have made a discovery that the Queen would be interested in."

"Is that so?"

"Indeed. Our friend managed to follow through his mission and you might be given a second chance after all." Tyrian now looked interested in this as Watts waved a drive in front of them.

Approaching the door, it magically opens before he could raise a fist, "Arthur, Tyrian. What do I owe the pleasure?" Salem's voice was pleasant as she looks away from a young woman with pink, and brown colored hair. Off to the side is Cinder and her two followers.

"My apologies, am I interrupting…?" He asks as he and Tyrian slowly enter the room.

Salem lightly laughs, which brings chills up his spine, not that he lets that show, "No not at all. Cinder was just introducing me to our new friend. Neopolitan was it?"

The woman nods and gives them a small wave, "Oh I see." Watts says seeing the intriguing eye color, "Where are you from?" He asks.

Neo holds up a finger and types on her scroll and shows it to him, "Vale. You used to work with Roman Torchwick." At this he noticed that Neo through a dirty look to Cinder, "Do you not speak?"

Neo looks back to Watts, her arms crossed and motions for her scroll back while giving a 'what do you think' look, "Apologies. Had to ask to be sure."

"So how did you meet up?" Tyrian asks as he eyes the umbrella in Neo's hand.

"Cinder was just about to regale us in this tale." Salem said dramatically motioning to the Fall Maiden.

"I had Mercury and Emerald take a look around one of the towns we were in. We were looking for word about Ruby Rose's group and where they were." Cinder said approaching Neo, "Well we got into an…"

Neo signed 'altercation', and Cinder nodded, "Yes altercation. See she blamed me for Roman's death at Mountain Glenn."

"Ah yes. Mountain Glenn. You had the idea of setting up explosives in the tunnels to bomb a way for the Grimm to get to Vale."

Cinder nodded, "Yes but Ruby Rose prevented that from occurring and unfortunately there was an explosion as you recall and Roman Torchwick didn't make it out."

Salem looked at Neo, "So since it was Cinder's idea for this, you rightly blamed her for his death." Neo nodded, "I am sorry young one."

Neo just motioned to Cinder to continue, "Well eventually I stopped the fight and confronted Neo that we were after the same person and I suggested that we form an alliance of sorts. Having also noticed her semblance, I thought she would be able to help us in our…cause."

"And what is your semblance?" Tyrian drawled out mockingly.

Neo gives him a deadpanned stare before motioning him to attack. Tyrian chuckles and lunges forward ready to punch her when something shatters in front of him, "Illusion wall." Cinder says and he looks to see Neo standing next to them unharmed, "But show them the best part." She says softly with a smile.

Neo smirks and looks between Watts and Salem. She then transforms her appearance and Watts's eyes widen as he stares at a carbon copy of himself. The copy stands next to him mimicking his posture and stare, "Well that is useful." Salem purrs out. Neo transforms back to herself and stands back by Cinder, "You can stay as long as you like my dear. Emerald, Mercury why don't you show our guest to her room." Emerald and Mercury nod and escort Neo out of the room, "Cinder do you have anything else to report?"

"No, we are all set on our end."

"Hazel reported back as well. He and our faunus friend are in their final preparations." Salem commented as she got up from her throne, Tyrian, Watts, and Cinder giving her a wide berth, "Arthur I trust you are finished with the prosthetic for Tyrian?"

"I have a few more final touches to make, but it is nearly complete. In fact I have some news of my own if I may."

"All good I hope."

"Certainly. Our friend has completed his mission. You may have your Mountain Glenn after all."

Salem turned around and looked at him, her arms are crossed, and an intrigued look came on her face, "Do tell."