Chapter 10

Glue and Tape

Lethargy drags at my body as I hold my bike steady. Weiss is using the tip of Myrtenaster to weld a trailer hitch to the rear side of Bumblebee. Oscar and Blake are sitting on the porch. Ruby is leaning over the railing watching us work. Qrow and Dad are pulling the trailer out of the shed. Maria wanders out of the house with a book in her hands.

A loud yawn from Oscar travels across the snow covered driveway. "Can we just go back to bed," Exhaustion is layered in the farm boy's voice. I can't help but mirror the sentiment.

"If we're all so tired," Blake starts, her tired eyes staring at nothing, "maybe we should make breakfast?"

"You wanna make it?" Oscar has a raised eyebrow. Blake looks at him, then back at the ground.

"Not really."

As Weiss finishes with the sloppy weld, the licensed hunters approach with the trailer. "You guys got that bike ready to go?" Dad asks with a yawn.

"Yup." I reply with a shrug.

"Well, it's done now." Qrow hikes a foot onto the side of the trailer, "So let's ho-" A pop and the hiss of escaping air travels across the courtyard. One of the trailers tires has blown out. Qrow lets out a growl of frustration, as Dad just laughs. "Listen here Tai..."

"You people are just beacons for bad luck, aren't you?" Maria states more than asks.

Qrow stares at her for a moment, before wandering off to flop down in the snow.

Again, I mirror the sentiment. I slide down the side of the well and sit in the snow. What's the point anyway. It's not like this is going to matter in the long run.

"I'm starting to think that the universe just doesn't want us getting to Atlas," My words are full of resignation. I spot Dad giving me a concerned look as he kneels by the busted tire.

"It's just a flat tire, I'm sure there's a spare." Ruby's optimism is grating this morning.

"It's not just that Rubes. It's everything. Storms, crashes, monsters..." Another wave of lethargy hits my bones. "I'm so tired."

"Me too." Blake agrees. "It feels like we're always having to fight just to get by."

"Yeah. But that's what we signed up for."

"We signed up to save the world," Oscar retorts, saying the quiet part aloud. "Not just... delay the inevitable."

A long moment of silence fills the courtyard.

The silence is broken by Weiss. "Last night I- I couldn't stop thinking. Why are we even going to Atlas?"

"Kids." Dad interrupts. "This isn't like you." His eyes are on me. I know he's right, but still...

I stand up. "You can't say you haven't thought it too. We all have. I mean... We can't stop her."

"Of course I have." Dad replies looking at each of us. "But we can't give up now. There's gotta be another way."

"Yeah," Weiss adds, "We dump the relic here. Bury it or drop it down the well."

"What about th-"

Blake's voice interrupts Ruby. "The Grimm might find it eventually. But it would take years. We could all be dead of old age before it's found."

"And leave it to be someone else's problem?" Dad scoffs, "Come on guys, listen to yourselves!"

"I don't know Dad." Ruby wanders over to the well. "I am... really tired." She lifts up the relic over the edge of the well.

The silence that follows is deafening. If she just drops it, we can all go back to sleep. Ruby screams in shock and jerks backwards. The relic flies out of her hands, but she's too slow to catch it.

"No no no! I didn't mean to!" Ruby cries out.

"Ruby, come on." Weiss sighs. "It's fine."

"No! There's something down there! I saw it, it was looking at me." She leans over the well staring into its depths.

I wander over and place a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, really, it's fine. You said your tired right? You're probably just seeing things."

She swipes my hand away angrily, "Dad's right! Something is wrong with you! We can't just leave the lamp! We have to go get it!"

"All we have to do is fix the trailer," Qrow states from his perch across the path. "Farm boy, check the shed."

"I'm not leaving with out the lamp!" Ruby shouts with breathless rage.

I see Dad studying us with a worried expression.

Blake sighs from behind me. "I'll go down with you Ruby."

"We'll go together." Weiss volunteers resting a hand on my shoulder.

Qrow lets out a frustrated sigh before stalking towards the house.

"Where are you going?" Maria questions the hunter. He just shakes his flask in response as he passes by. She lets out a disgusted groan.

"Oscar, work on that tire alright? I'll go down with the girls. Something is definitely weird here..." Dad walks over and we leap into the well one by one.

The lamp is nowhere to be seen. "Let's follow the current. No lights." Dad says in a hushed voice. We shamble forward, tired eyes scanning the water ways. After a minute of searching, we finally spot the glow of the relic. Ruby dashes forward and picks it up. There's a pause before she screams in terror. The scream shocks me, energy fills me as if blocked away. We sprint forward to stand by Ruby. The sight of the Grimm ahead turns my stomach. The group of monsters turn towards us with cracking bodies and loose flapping jaws.

"Run!" Maria shout echoes along the tunnel walls. The next few minutes are a blur. Flashes of those Grimm. We're sprinting down an older tunnel. Blake is on the ground behind us. A flash of silver light. I'm at the door. Another flash of silver light. I find myself coming to my senses. With a punch I bust open the metal cellar doors. The group charges out of the cursed tunnel ways.

"We're back in the house?" Blake is shocked and confused. I look back towards the cellar. I can hear the sounds of shuffling movement approaching. Dad shakes Qrow awake. He's barely functioning. Maria snaps at him as she sprints out of the room. I grab Blake's hand and drag her outside. Ruby is right behind us.

We're all shouting at Oscar as he runs an electronic air pump. He hears us as we exit the door and turns back confused.

"We have to go, now!" I shout. Blake helps Maria into the trailer as I climb onto Bumblebee and start the engine. We watch the building and after a moment Weiss and Dad appear dragging Qrow by his arms. Everyone gets loaded into the trailer as the house is quickly consumed by flames. Once everyone is settled, I rev the engine and drive us out of the farm and towards Argus.

There are minutes of silence as everyone calms down. We all take time to come process the events at the farm. The quiet is finally broken by Ruby.

"What were those things?" Her voice is laden with fear.

I keep my eyes on the road ahead. The air is cool, but clear. The snowfall stopped over night, leaving behind a bright blanket of white across the surrounding woodland. I listen to the conversation in the back as we go. It's helpful in distracting me from the guilt gnawing at me gut.

"The Apathy, they're called," Maria explains. "They're not strong or ferocious. They drain your will to go on. Bartleby's estate was hemorrhaging money towards the end. He wanted to cut costs on Huntsman protection, but in order to do that, he needed everyone calm... always."

I glance over my shoulder, Oscar has one of the diaries in his hands. He reads out of it. It seems that Bartleby had pulled two away from their pack and hid them away. Before he could finish the job proper. The Apathy drained him. He locked them up in his cellar and the rest of their pack found them. He managed to seal them away the next day, but it was too late. The estate just went to bed one day and never woke up. A fate we could've shared, one we almost shared.

After a moment of quiet, Weiss speaks up, "I'm sorry. For what I said back there... about giving up."

I slow the bike to a stop. "Yeah, me too... I know we can't quit until we get the lamp to Atlas."

"It's not your fault... it was those things." Blake states, fear enters her voice when she mentions the Grimm. I rev the bike back up and set us off down the path. I tune out the rest of the conversation, turning to my thoughts.

It wasn't just the Apathy. The whole mission... Salem can't be killed. She was made immortal. True, the immortality could be taken, if she learned the value of life and death. But that was before she was corrupted by the pools of destruction. Now, is there anything left of the humanity she once had? What's her end goal anyway? She craves destruction, but everything has been about driving us apart. I know we're missing something, but would it even matter if we figured it out? For now, I guess we just have to keep going, one step at a time. I don't know how long I'm lost in my head before a loud voice catches my attention.

"I can't believe it." Qrow's astonishment draws me out of my thoughts. "You... You're the Grimm Reaper, you were a legend! And then you disappeared..."

"How exactly, does a legend just disappear?" Oscar questions with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.

"You never used your name, never showed your face. Lots of us thought you were just layin' low." Qrow sounds almost reverent. "Eventually, we just came to accept that you were probably dead. But the stories about you, I based my weapon off of yours. I wanted to be as good as the Grimm Reaper.

"Well." Maria chuckles sarcastically. "I'm nothing but a disappointment, so you're well on your way."

"How can you say that?" Blake almost sounds reprimanding.

"Child, a Huntress is supposed to protect others to the bitter end. But after I lost my eyes, I only ever looked after myself," Maria's wistful words connect with me, "Even after my surgery, I was too afraid to fight. Afraid someone would find me to finish what the others started. You shouldn't aspire to be like me, especially when some of you are clearly stronger already."

I know she's talking about me. The words reach my ears, but I don't know that I believe them. When I went after Blake was it really about facing her? Instead of facing my mom, or going after Ruby... I ran to Menagerie and hid. Everyday, I'm terrified. The thought of facing him again... I can't even think about him without terror clawing at my throat. My eyes start to blur with tears, but I shake away the thoughts. My knuckles are white from their vise-like grip on the handlebar.

"Yang!"

The shout has me bringing the bike to a stop. I look over my shoulders and worry is written on the faces in the trailer.

"What?" I ask surprising myself with the heat in my tone. There's a pause and I take a deep breath, running a hand through my hair. "I'm sorry. What's up?"

Ruby flashes her scroll with a smile. She points towards the hill ahead of us. "I just got off of a call with Jaune!"

"Wait with Jau-" Realization sets in as I cut off my words. With a grin, I drive us just over the top of the hill.

A giant wall surrounds the coastal city of Argus ahead of us. The plains surrounding the area are free of snow. The air is still cool but not stinging. I look back at the group with a smile.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived in Argus."

There's a bustle of excitement as we head towards the main gate. I can hear scattered chatter from the trailer. As we pull up, I spot some storage units. Everyone hops out and I park Bumblebee and secure a safe storage. While I'm at the service desk, Nora and the rest of the team shows up. They engage in animated conversation. I park Bumblebee in the purchased slot and lock it away. Nora wanders over with Blake and Weiss.

"Hey!" Nora hugs me tightly, "I missed you guys!"

I return the hug fondly.

"It's been a crazy trip." I inform the pink haired girl and step out of the hug.

"That's an understatement." Weiss huffs.

"I'm glad all of you are safe." Blake states placing a hand on Nora's shoulder.

"Well, you know." Nora waves it off. "So who's the old lady?"

"Her name is Maria." I glance around the group. "Looks like everyone is heading into town. We'd better catch up."

Our party finds its way to a nearby trolley station. Jaune explains that the trolley can take us just about anywhere in the city. We all gather on and travel along as the others talk about the city. I catch sight of the ocean still a distance away.

"This place is bigger than I expected," I say looking over at team JNR.

"It's actually one of the largest non capital cities in Remnant." Ren explains.

Ruby gasps, "No way! But wait, wouldn't it be harder to settle something this big away from the main kingdom?"

"Well, it was, until Mantle showed up."Jaune continues his explanation. "Early Mistral attempts didn't go too well. But, Mantle colonists were able to help them brave the cold climate and returned for goods Solitas couldn't provide."

"It's a joint effort by two nations that created a hybrid city. The city falls under Mistral's domain, but Atlas military guards the city and ensures steady trade." Ren adds.

"Well, until recently." Nora snorts out.

The trolley makes a stop and the trio lead the group off.

"We should probably start looking for a ship." Blake states looking towards the ocean side.

I start to agree when a shout from across the trolley tracks catches our attention. A blonde woman that looks strangely familiar is carrying a baby and waving at our group. After a moment, I recognize the resemblance.

"Jaune is that...?"

"Hey Saph." Jaune waves before adding, "She's my sister."

We are lead to her house and gather in the living room. Lively conversation takes place. They'd been staying with Jaune's sister, Saphron, and her wife, Terra Cotta. We learn that Terra works as a technician on the town's communication relay tower. Apparently the military radar system is also positioned there and has been malfunctioning. We discuss finding a ship at the military compound, but are informed the previous attempt went poorly. After a short discussion we decide to try again in the morning. With the hope that Dad and Qrow as veteran Hunters are enough to gain passage to Atlas.

Jaune slams his fist into the wall. A large crack forms at the point of contact. After a bad meeting at the military base, adding more bad news to the pile about Salem, isn't helping anyone's mood.

"Jaune!" Ruby shouts in surprise.

"Everything we've done has been for nothing!" He shouts towards the wall.

"That's not true." Blake says looking around the room.

"Really?" Nora questions angrily. "Because it sure does feel like it!"

Blake's ears flatten on her head. "I, uh..."

Ren pipes in. "If Salem can't be killed, then how are we supposed to win this?"

Silence.

"Wow." Jaune scoffs sarcastically. "Great plan everyone."

Oscar steps forward. "Look, none of this is great, we know. But we're not the bad guys here."

Jaune spins on Oscar. "Are we sure about that?"

Oscar backs away a step. "What?"

"He's in your head, isn't he?" Jaune stalks towards him. "Did you already know about this?"

"He didn't know any of it!" Weiss shouts in defense of the farm boy. Dad tenses, standing next to the boy.

Juane grabs Oscar and shoves him against the wall. "How much longer can we even trust him?"

I rise from my seat and shout, "Jaune!" This one was the warning.

"How do you even know it's really him?! What if we've been talking to that liar this whole time!"

"Jaune!" Ruby's shout gets his attention, as Dad pulls him off of Oscar with a firm hand on the shoulder. The farm boy is cowering into the wall. Jaune takes a moment to look at Oscar. The poor boy's fear seems to return Jaune to his senses. After a moment, Dad lets go of his shoulder, and he stalks up stairs in silence.

"Is he going to be okay?" Dad asks looking towards Ren and Nora.

"I don't know!" Nora replies with frustration and follows Jaune upstairs.

Ren is right behind her. "I think we just need some space." The sound of a slamming door echoes downstairs.

"I think we could all use some space." Blake says softly.

I look up at her and she's looking at me with worried eyes. I walk through the room, and pause to place a light hand on her shoulder. She meets my gaze. I offer small smile and squeeze her shoulder lightly. I exit the house into the cold midday air and wander aimlessly in my frustration. After a few minutes of wandering, I find myself on the trolley. I stare out into the crowds of people.

All of them going about their daily lives. Not a single soul has a hint of the true threat. The Grimm are just another part of life for the people of Remnant. Salem is something far darker. An immortal dark being who seeks only the destruction of the world and of herself. I wonder if she truly believes the gods will kill her. She was cursed with immortality, and from what we saw... I don't think they'd just let her die. Not after everything that has happened. The gods wanted her to learn a lesson. If she doesn't, then I have to doubt that they'd spare her the tortured existence.

I exit the trolley and find myself at a tea shop on the corner of the street. They have outside seating and I decide to take advantage. Tea always helps me calm down. I take a seat and hide my face in my hands. Despair is a strong emotion.

"What can I get for you today?" The voice of the waiter interrupts my thoughts.

Before I can answer a female voice rises, "I'll have a green tea, and she'll take a lavender with honey."

I lift my head, wandering how the stranger knows my favorite tea. Shock floods through my veins. A woman with crimson eyes sits across the table. Mom? Her jet black hair falls behind her in a wild fashion. Her hands rest on the table, fingers linked.

"Raven!" Her name comes out in surprise and she glares at me.

"Keep it down Yang." She says crossing her arms. "I've been waiting for you to separate from your friends for quite a while."

"Why are you here?" I question angrily. "You were helping them, helping... her."

"It's not that simple Yang. I'm here because I knew we may never get the chance to talk again. I had hoped you would find me eventually, when you were ready."

"When I was ready? I've been ready. For over a decade, I've been ready."

The waiter returns with our tea. Raven sips at the drink, watching the waiter leave before answering.

"Then why didn't you come? I was expecting you, not..." Her voice trails off.

"Not dad? Yeah I bet." I scoff and lift my prosthetic. "Like the new arm? You hear about that?"

She eyes it as her eyes harden. "Yeah, something like that. I know it was the bastard Adam. Maybe we should talk some more about that."

I cross my arms and look away. "What do you really want? All this time and you show up out of nowhere."

"I came to make sure you knew what you were getting into. I had hoped your little trip to Menagerie would keep you away."

"How did you know about that? How long have you been following me?" Anger fills my voice.

"Yang, please," She scoffs, "Do you really think I haven't been keeping an eye on you? I know Tai told you about my semblance. I also know that Ozpin's little secret about Qrow and I is out. You really trust him still?"

"No," I reply softly, my left arm is shaking. "No Oz- He's gone anyway."

Raven leans forward with dangerous eyes, "What do you mean gone?"

I meet her crimson gaze with a scowl. "I mean he's locked himself away in. What do you know about... her?"

A flash of fear comes and goes in an instant across Raven's face, "I know enough. That's why I want to know what you're still doing here. If you know the truth, why?"

I swirl my tea and take a sip as I stare into Raven's eyes. It tastes nice, and brings a small feeling of comfort. I take a deep breath.

"Because, I have to. I can't just abandon my family, Raven." I state firmly and stare Raven down.

"Is that why you're shaking like a terrified little girl?" She fires back. "Because your so strong and brave?"

I narrow my eyes leaning forward, "Yeah, I'm terrified. At least I'm facing it. I'm not going to run away like a coward."

"You don't get to call me a coward! You don't know the things I've done, the things I've seen." Raven slams her fist onto the table as she talks.

"Then tell me Mom! You came here to talk right? So talk!" I feel frustrated tears forming in my eyes, "Why did you abandon us?"

She takes a breath and leans back in her chair. She takes a long sip of her tea.

"Tell me, did you even put up a fight? When you lost that arm," She watches me out of the corner of her eye.

I clench my fists and stare into my lap. I can't bring myself to answer.

"That's what I though.," She says in a soft voice. "Yang, you have no idea how to fight a skilled swordsman. I saved you from that little girl on the train below Mt. Glenn. I wasn't there to save you from Adam, and I can't be there to save you next time either."

I grit my teeth and punch the table in frustration, "Yeah, because you'd only help once. That was the rule right? Did it help ease your conscience?"

"Like I said Yang, it's complicated. Listen to me, if you keep going like this, you're going to get yourself killed. I won't have you dying because you don't know how to properly defend yourself."

"I know how to fight." I retort meeting her crimson gaze.

"Is that so? Meet me outside of the city, and we'll have ourselves a little sparring match. If you win, I'll tell you anything you want to know, and more. If not, well, we can talk about that when it happens."

I growl and my eyes narrow in a glare. I can feel my eyes flash crimson.

"Tonight at ten o'clock, on the other side of the hill that you came to town over," Raven stands up and tosses a lien on the table. With a last glance, she disappears into the crowd.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I lean back in my chair and grasp my trembling wrist. I take a moment to push away the fear in my chest. After my arm is steadied, I pick back up my tea and sip at it in silence.

I wander back towards the Cotta-Arc house in quiet contemplation. The sky is covered with a blanket of stars. My Scroll reads eight o'clock. The search for a missing Oscar seems to be over. Dad sent out a text saying he had found him about thirty minutes ago. Blake is sitting on the steps leading to the house's entrance. I stop at the bottom of the stairway, hands shoved in my jacket pocket.

"Hey," I say softly.

"Hey back," She replies. She smiles at me and pats the concrete next to her. I climb a couple of stairs and take a seat at her side.

"Is Oscar doing alright?" I ask, looking out at the empty street.

"Yeah. He got a new battle outfit, and spent some time talking with Tai." She leans against me. "Apparently, he can cook, so there's a casserole in the oven. Everyone else is inside, and they're all doing better. Although, Qrow drank himself into a bad stupor."

I let out a soft sigh, "That sounds about right. He's never been that bad before, but things haven't looked this bleak either."

"Yeah, about that. How are you holding up? I've been worried about you all day." Blake places a hand on my leg. Her ears are flat against her head.

I lay my head on her shoulder and clasp her hand gently, locking our fingers together.

"I... I saw my mom earlier. She found me at a tea shop." I inform my partner. "We had a... talk."

"Oh."

"Yup."

"Well... How did that go?"

"I wouldn't say it went great. She wants me to meet her outside the city in a couple of hours."

"Are you actually considering that? She's dangerous, right?"

"I think- I have to go," I reply in soft voice, "Please understand Blake, I need to-"

"Stop." She lifts our hands and stares at me with determined golden eyes.

"But I-"

"Yang, listen." Blake presses her forehead to mine."You don't have to explain yourself to me. I trust you. If you say you're doing this, that's all I need to hear. Just... let me come with you. I don't want you to be alone in this."

Tears begin to blur my vision and slide down my cheeks, "Blake, I- Thank you. Please keep this between us for now?"

She presses a light kiss to my nose. "Of course I will. It's not my place to tell your business. I just want to be here to support you."

The front door swings open and Oscar appears in the doorway. "Hey, dinner's ready, if you guys are hungry."

Blake wipes away my tears. "We'll be right in."

"Is everything okay?" Oscar has worry in his voice.

"Yeah," I reply and stand up. I help Blake to her feet and take a deep breath to steady my emotions. I look up at the door and catch sight of Oscar in his new outfit.

He's in an olive colored coat with dark red shoulder pads and belt. Under the coat is a white collared shirt and bandages around his throat. A pair of orange gloves with a slightly open U shape and black X- pattern wrist straps are on his hands. He's also wearing a pair of black trousers and red boots with orange coloring around the toe. I ruffle his brown hair as we walk in.

"You're a cute little cinnamon bun." I chuckle and the young teen's face turns crimson.

At the sound of my voice, a blur of red tackles into me with a hug. "Yang!" Ruby shouts happily. "I was so worried. Are you doing okay?"

I return the embrace, and look around the room. Everyone is here and their eyes are all on me. I feel a grin light up on my face at the sight of my family. I pat Ruby's head. "I'm just fine. Needed some time to think is all. I heard there's casserole?"

"Yeah!" Nora shouts, but the words are muffled as she stuffs a spoonful in her mouth. "Ish wreel good."

"It's a little burnt around the edges," Ren admits. "But our hostesses managed to salvage it before the house burned down."

I raise an eyebrow towards Oscar whose face turns a darker red. With a round of laughter from around the room I take an empty seat on one of the couch's around the room. Blake takes a seat on the arm of the couch at my side.

"So Yang." Saphron begins with a cheeky grin. "We were just hearing from your friends about how you took down a Leviathan single-handedly?"

I feel a warm flush in my cheeks and I lean forward, "Listen, it wasn't a Leviathan, and I had help."