AN/ sorry for being late guys was busy at work. Due to the sudden death of a resident at the facility i work at. It kinda got me down for a bit. And because of this and one of my coworkers being on medical leave for an additional couple of weeks, it's been hard to find time to work on this. (haven't had a weekend off in like 2 months.)

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Chapter 26: Lower Cairn

Ozpin watched the gilded beams of light crest the distant horizon. From his tower. Like he had every day for the past twenty-five years. Even now it reminded him of better times in his life. It filled him not with a sense of melancholy. But with an inner peace. The determination he had once lost when he had faltered on this path. That no matter what, as long as he had hope. As long as he strove to do what was right. And remembered that every life was precious. That they had worth. If not to him, then to someone. Those were the ideals carved into his body, no, his very soul. By the woman who saved him from his own despair. With locks of crimson, just like the scarlet sunrise. And eyes a gold dotted with flecks of blues and purples. Just like the sunrise.

Even as he nursed his coffee, he hoped that he was doing the right thing pushing the Uzumaki and his team like this. He wished that he had more time. But yet alas, he knew even now that this body was failing him. It was already past the point of his prime. He might extend his time a decade or more if he did not fight. He had maybe another five years at most if he intended to fight. Given just who he was up against, it was inevitable. It was why he had dedicated the rest of his lifetimes to pushing back the darkness of the Grimm of Salem.

Even now as he watched that brilliant view. It brought a smile to his face when he saw some of his students somewhere early risers getting ready for the day. They were and would always be the Future generation. The ones he needed to protect.

The headmaster just hoped that the mission would be a smooth one. That he had not made a mistake in selecting Team CFVY, and NNPR. yet still he could not shake the sense of foreboding that had haunted since yesterday.

]|[

Given that his team had to wake early just to get ready. Making sure that they had what they would need. They were all ready to go by the time that teams SLVR, AACM, and RWBY had come to see them off.

Sarada stood by, giving him a single nod as if to convey that she would watch over them.

A grinning Lycan slapped the whiskered blond on the back. "you better make it back in one piece. I've decided that you're my rival. And I Am gunning to take your spot at the top!"

Naruto could not help but chuckle, bumping fists with the wild boy.

With a grin, Yang locked her lips with his own. "For luck." she said.

Not one for public displays of affection Weiss embraced him in a hug flushed with embarrassment. As she gave him a chaste kiss. "Come back safe ok?"

"Always," he replied.

"See you when we get back, Red." Naruto said, ruffling her hair.

The members of Team NNPR grabbed their packs and headed out the door.

When they got to the Bullhead docks team CFVY was already there. With a wave Coco, their nominal leader for this mission, greeted them. "Yo, you guys are just in time."

"You can load your stuff in we're wheels up in ten." she said.

They nodded and quickly put their packs in the overhead racks.

"While we have the time, I would like to go over a game plan." Coco said.

"Right," they all chorused.

"So, I know that you can all handle yourselves in a fight just based on what I saw the other day. So we need not worry about you guys too much." coco said as she pulled up the information on their destination. Sending it to their scrolls. "As you can see here on the map. We will land in the castle's courtyard. It's just big enough for this airship. That is our primary entry point provided that the airspace is clear of Grimm. If not, then we will drop in at the alternate drop zone about a mile from the city proper."

"Take off in 2." the pilot announced.

"Right, let's strap in. and don't forget to study the maps of the city." Coco said, as she finished her small briefing just as the engines fired up and the Bullhead took off. It's destination: Lower Cairn.

]|[

Laruam bled from the shadows cast by the amber glow of torchlight. Appearing out of the shadow, they stepped forward into the light, seeming to be only a mass of writhing shade. They turned to take in the new scenery, noting that camp had moved once more. Ignoring Intrygant.

Intrygant took it in stride and asked, "So, how was our lady?" knowing that it was not a slight on their part. But a function of their power. The sensory input alone would drive an ordinary person insane. Yet Laruam only suffered this small drawback when traveling through the shadows to new locations. It made them one of the most dangerous of the pillars, second only to Leere.

Who could and would destroy an entire nation on nothing more than a mere whim. She probably would have done so already out of boredom if not just to see if she could, had her very reason for living not been tied up in serving lady Salem.

If he was honest, it was practically impossible for them to tell just who of the two were truly stronger, Laruam or Leere. They both were dedicated to Salem and had no desire for petty competitions of strength. Serving Salem was all that mattered.

Even getting Laruam to aid in this task was difficult. Pulling teeth would have been easier.

Finally noticing Intrygant, Laruam replied. "Our lady has deemed another worthy of elevation."

"Oh, well, how fortuitous? I hope they last longer than the last one. What was her name again…" Intrygant callously said.

A blade of shadow lanced out, just missing his head by the slimmest of margins. "her name was Fortezza," they growled. "and she laid down her life in service to our lady."

"Need I remind you that had she not done so you would have perished also?!" they hissed, their tone positively cold as ice.

Intrygant shrugged in response. "I did not ask to be saved. I fully prepared to die when we ran afoul of those masked demons." A flicker of genuine emotion crossed his face as it reminded him of the mission to eliminate the first silver eyed maiden in generations. It was not like it mattered he would soon forget all but his current goal once more.

As his anger faded along with the memories once more Intrygant thought to himself, "Yes, I truly prefer things this way." Even if he could never truly forget. It was an escape. Soon he was lost to the paths the future could take. Not even caring about the writhing shadows ready to strike him down. There was no point in worrying about it. In all the paths he had seen. Laruam had not once made a move to strike him down.

Laruam sighed as their blades of shadow returned to the formless void. They hated it when Intrygant did this. They truly did, but they pitied him more than anything else. He was a broken man waiting to die. He only hoped to get revenge before doing so. Serving Salem at this point was just a bonus for him. He had been this way ever since Fortezza, Voima, and Seherin his lover. And his teammates died. They helped balance him. Seherin especially. Their powers synergized so well. She helped narrow down the paths he took. It kept him in the present. Rather than the future.

With their anger abated, Laruam focused on more productive efforts. "So what progress have you made in the project?" they asked.

Intrygant glanced at them briefly. And he broke out into a smile.

This one was easy. "The city is well fortified. But the primary defence lies within the powerful walls of the castle However of the paths I have taken there are two paths that will work for our plans." walking over to a desk, he grabbed one of the many maps and placed it on top. He marked an X in bold over the sewer access.

"While the sewer does not have access to the castle, it runs right through the heart of the town. Where the cursed mud can cause the most damage." he explained, marking the front gates he went on. "The local guard has a history of low key corruption. If we were to offer a bribe, we could slip into the city unnoticed."

Laruam took in all that was said and especially what was not. If they went with the first option, then they would walk right into a maze of tunnels. Many of which they may or may not fit through. An arduous task, even with a map. Alternatively, if they went in as merchants, there was always the chance that their forgeries couldn't pass muster. Or worse, the guards on shift were not the ones perceptive enough to take a bribe. Laruam hated such vague possibilities. They needed more information.

"What are the odds of success if we take the sewers?" they asked.

Intragyant paused, his eyes going dull as he stated, "there is a fifty- six point six - seven percent chance if we act now. It drops to just under five percent in the next three days."

Lauram froze, 'five percent in the next seventy-two hours, How?!' They were about to ask when Intragynt added. "So you know there is an eighty-eight percent chance if we act now and sneak into the city."

"Why?" they asked.

Intragyant's eyes flashed a vibrant gold denoting the use of his semblance of foresight. The ability to chart a path to victory by running two separate timelines at the same time. In just moments, he ran through both scenarios.

In one timeline they went into the sewers, following the map that Intragyant obtained. However, as they had quickly come to realize, it was severely outdated. Turning what would have been a simple infiltration into a slog through a labyrinthian maze of tunnels. It took them three days to make it to the center of the town to unleash the cursed mud.

It was then that things went to hell. 'All he saw was a shock of blonde, crimson eyes, then nothing…'

In the other timeline, they had delayed their infiltration by forty-eight hours to wait for their primary force of men to take over for the mercenaries they were traveling with. From the moment they stepped into the city, it doomed them to failure. Again, all he saw was that same shock of blonde and red eyes. As it felt like all the world was pressing him down, then blackness.

He gasped as both timelines were shut down. Ignoring the shift in Laruam's posture. He braced himself for one more use of his semblance. Within moments he had his answer. He knew what they needed to do. Even if it would be difficult. They had to do it now, or court failure.

"We need to move out as soon as possible," he announced.

Lauram nodded, falling in step right beside him. The shadows falling away from their form. As their features shifted. Skin once a dusky tone rapidly lightened to a pale tone. Silver Hair lengthening to mid-back, turning as black as pitch. hips flaring out to fill in their now more feminine form. A barely swell of a bust forming where once had been a masculine chest. Their features become more delicate, more feminine and softer. Eyes, once a haunting shade of gold, died themselves a crimson like blood. Their once six foot seven frame shrinking to that of a tender aged maiden of no more than fourteen years.

The remaining wisps of shadow wrapped around their now petite frame garbing them in a black dress with red frills, black stockings supported with garters and red boots. Adorning her hair with a red and black bow.

Intragyant brushed his hand over the ring on his right hand. Tapping into the portion of power gifted to him by Lauram for this mission. His crimson hair fading to a dull silver streaked with black. A beard forming where there was none moments ago. His once youthful appearance rapidly aged to that of a man in his sixties.

He adjusted his vest and shirt as the garments adjusted themselves to his new form.

Flawlessly playing their roles. The pair stepped out of their tent. Looking at the men sitting around the campfire. Lauram found the young man they were looking for. Lauram walked up to the man in charge of their escort.

"Excuse me, captain but my grandfather would like to speak with you." they said.

"Of course Ms. Amaya." the man said with a bit of a flush in his face. They cared not for the man's name. 'Yes, in fact, in all the time since the pair had started this ruse of being traveling merchants.' Lauram had yet to learn the Captain's name, preferring to stick to his formal title. He was expendable. They saw no need and learned the name of someone who would soon be dead.

Even so, they had a role to play, letting a bit of pink grace their cheeks as he glanced back. He is clearly infatuated with their current form. So they smiled softly and weakly waved. Causing a massive grin to break out of the young man's face. As he hurried over to 'her Grandfather'.

The interaction did not go unnoticed by the men they had been traveling with. Who broke out into uproarious laughter and teasing. Causing 'her' to flush even more at their wolf whistles.

When the captain reached the older man, he could not help the grin on his face as he rubbed the back of his head nervously. "Sorry about the men, Sir." the captain said.

"It's no trouble at all captain gray." he replied.

"Please, sir, call me Connell." the captain said.

"Then, I must insist you call me Rory. my dear lad. It appears my granddaughter has taken quite the liking to you. Who knows, I might just live long enough to see my great grandchildren." he teased, with a laugh.

Connell flushed scarlet.

With laugh Rory added, "anyway that is not what I wanted to talk to you about. You see, I just received word from my business partner. He pulled some strings for us and they moved the meeting up to first thing tomorrow morning."

It stunned Connell; he knew the two were involved in the dust trade. That was something that made the shipment of dust personally rather impractical. It was why the two acted as brokers for their company securing contracts with cities and local stores. He shuddered to think just how much harder their job would have been if they had actually been transporting dust. 'yea best not to think of all the ways it could end poorly.'

This was good news, in fact it was excellent news. He needed to tell the men.

"This also means this is where we part ways. I am afraid."

"W-what?" Connell gasped out in shock.

"Connell, while this came up on such brief notice it's unavoidable. but we need to make it to Lower Cairn by morning to meet our contact." he explained. "It's thanks to you we are with in a few miles of the city."

"But what about the Grimm? At least let me get some men to escort you." Connell pleaded.

Rory shook his head in the negative, "I can't let you put your men at risk like that. Besides while I might get on in years I still am quite the fighter. And my granddaughter is good too."

'That was True' Connell knew that. Even so, this was just so sudden. Yet he knew he could not stop them from leaving.

"Alright then I wish the two of you luck in your endeavors. I hope we meet again." Connell said, even if it tasted like ash on his tongue. Even if it was the last thing he wanted to do. It was better to part on friendly terms at the very least.

"And I wish you the same."

Connell took Rory's hand into his, shaking the older man's hand firmly before parting ways.

It was not long after that that the pair left the camp. Once out of sight the two picked up their pace heading toward Lower Cairn.

]|[

'With the day and a half flight to lower Cairn being rather uninteresting.' Coco and her team had been expecting this to be another milk run. They were sent to reinforce the local huntsmen stationed there. They had called in for a resupply and back up because of the uptick in Grimm sightings in the area. It was likely that a herd was passing through. Nothing to worry about, really.

Even from a distance, they knew something was wrong. Grimm and smoke filled the air. Choking out what little light that could be cast on the town. It was impossible for them to land. And yet things only got worse.

They had caught the unfortunate attention of an elder Nevermore. Negligently with a flap of those massive wings, it and hundreds of its brethren let loose a volley of spear-like feathers. The cargo ship was like a sitting duck to them. Even as the pilot tried to evade. There were just too many. They were shot down with the impunity one would use to swat a fly.

The pilots were dead before they even hit the ground, impaled by countless feathers. Coco was sure they would have been dead had it not been for the actions of the blonde captain of NNPR, and his fiery haired partner.

The only thing she saw moments before the crash was his fox leaping from its perch on one seat. Rapidly growing bigger than any dog she had ever seen. It tore through the side of the airship with negligible ease. three tails wrapping around Nora, Ren, and Yatsuhashi. It leapt from the falling airship. Iron sand burst forth, wrapping around Fox, Velvet, and Coco herself as Pyrrha leapt from the airship along with Naruto.

As if to spite them another volley of feathers were fired upon the ship. Some of them must have hit the fuel tanks and stored dust rounds because what remained of the ship exploded in a violent Shockwave. Moments after they leapt from it.

The barely there, threads of iron sand that bound Coco to the rest of the others snapped in the explosion.

"Oh, shit!" Coco cried. Even with aura Coco knew free-falling from this height would likely kill her if not maim her. Leaving her prey to the Grimm.

Those were the facts she knew even as she heard Velvet cry out her name, "Coco, no!"

There was very little she could do. Even as she watched the others drift away. Forced apart from her by the explosion. 'Yep, this was definitely going on her list of top ten worst days.' She thought as she fell.

She felt a force act on her entire body, then suddenly she slowed. Until she was next to a familiar whiskered visage.

She would have said a rather scathing comment, preferably about how now they could both die together, when he wrapped an arm around her waist. Out stretching the other towards the ground. For a moment she saw his eyes flash purple. Abruptly they stopped falling moments before hitting the ground. The ground however was not so lucky. Cratering under the force of Shinra Tensei.

Touching down in the crater, the first thing Coco did was check her Scroll. Swiping through her contacts, she found the names of her teammates. She had to bite back a curse when she saw that she had no signal.

There was a relay tower in Lower Cairn. If they had no signal, it could only mean one thing.

'So what now?' Was the obvious thought on her mind. But really there was only one choice now that they were alone, separated and surrounded by Grimm. Even now she could hear the rustling foliage in the distance.

There was only one choice, really. She glanced at Naruto, "are you ready?"

He snorted as a grin graced his whiskered visage as he drew the sharp spear he stated, "you need to ask?"

Coco nodded, "yea, that's what I thought." unclipping Gianduja from her hip. Gripping it by the strap. Readying herself for the fight to come.