Chapter 9: Explanation
Tai woke up when he felt something jostle his leg.
What…?
He rubbed his eyes, trying to see through the faint pre dawn light. A ghostly grey beam shone through the window, softly illuminating the source of his disruption.
A ruffled head of hair occupied the pillow next to him, canine ears poking out as if a wolf was stalking prey through tall grass. Pale, slender limbs were obscured by a thick comforter, though it did little to mask the earth-shattering snores that emerged from the figure.
As he watched, the other occupant rolled over to reveal a face he had only seen in photos and heartbreaking memories for the past thirteen years.
Summer Rose. His wife.
He got up, padding over to the window overlooking the backyard. The moonlight rippled with the gentle sway of the trees, giving the appearance of an ocean of quicksilver. A lone owl hooted, spotting a lone mouse ruining the illusion by scurrying over the landscape.
After her disappearance, he had held on to the faintest hope that one day, she would return. He'd stubbornly set the table for her, refusing Qrow's continuing warnings that it would only make the heartbreak worse. Even Raven had gotten concerned, though her method of showing it was… strange, to say the least. As the days turned into weeks, weeks into years, he had been forced to accept the reality that Summer was gone for good.
It had almost broken him to do that. He'd lain in bed for weeks on end, trying to ignore the cruel world that had taken the light out of his life.
He'd taken years to recover. Thank goodness his kids were there-they were the perfect motivation for him to haul his ass back to work. Even though it hurt to see Summer whenever Ruby asked him for cookies, he came to treasure those moments. Eventually, the pain had started to fade, and his life had gone back to a small semblance of normalcy. Qrow, as usual, had continued to drop in every so often flat out drunk on his ass, but he'd gotten used to that years beforehand.
Then Summer had finally returned.
"Honey?"
Tai started, realizing that his sleep wasn't the only one that had been disturbed. His wife had rolled over, rubbing her eyes. A lone cloud obscured the moon, briefly dimming the already faint light. "You ok?"
Pushing aside memories of last night (and most of the week, for that matter), Tai nodded. "Yeah," he replied. "It's just…."
"What?"
"I've gotten used to sleeping alone, that's all."
She'd come back Tuesday night, as perfect as the day she'd left. Down to the little tear in her skirt from Ruby refusing to let go. Aside from a few scratches (and a dislocated knee that he fixed up), one would have thought her gone for a few minutes, not thirteen years.
Summer turned over, frowning. "You're not the only one getting used to new stuff." They were both adjusting to life with each other. The problem was, she still felt it, while his spark had lain dormant for over a decade. Though it hadn't prevented the two from enjoying each other. His cheeks flushed as he thought of all the things the two had gotten to. He'd forgotten how ravenous she could be….
When he said she came back like when she left, he hadn't been lying. She'd returned thinking that no time had passed at all. She hadn't aged a bit, either.
Which made their situation a wee bit complicated.
After the events of last night, Reshan was looking forward to a certain sense of stability. There was simply too much to think about, and he wanted the clarity and peace of mind that the battlefield granted. No eerie Semblance, and no concerns about its implications.
During the Bullhead ride back to Beacon, he thought back to the first time his Semblance had activated. If Weiss's theory was correct, he had likely manifested someone else's powers and abilities. Someone from before he had lost his memories, for he could not recall anyone who displayed that level of power.
"Who could that be? It's not as though there's a catalogue of Semblances," he mused. If there was, however, it would go a great ways towards finding his past life.
After a good knight's sleep (first pun! Yay!), he checked his Scroll to find a message from Ruby.
"Hmmm…"
After a few minutes, Reshan decided to go knock on team RWBY's door. The scarred teen had multiple reasons for this- primarily so he could report in person to his commander's summons (he assumed it was a summons- why else would she message him?).
It definitely wasn't because he couldn't figure out how to access the message. No, sire!
He rapped his knuckles against the oak wood. A muffled groan emerged. After a brief second, he heard Ruby mumble something that sounded like "coming!"
When the door opened, Reshan immediately covered his eyes, praying to the Brothers that Yang was still asleep. "Milady, why are you still in your nightclothes?"
She yawned, leaning against the doorpost. "Reshan, it's 7 in the morning."
What in blazes does that have to do with anything, he thought. Was there no one else with a sense of decency in this place?
Maybe I'm the one whose sense of decency is out of sorts, he thought. He was certainly isolated enough in other beliefs to justify it. Outwardly, he nodded. "Indeed, milady. However, you sent me a message, and I thought it best to come quickly."
Ruby flicked an ear. "Uh… did you read the message?"
Crap! She figured it out!
"Erm… uh…" Ruby grew quite the smile.
"You didn't read it, did you?"
"...no, milady. My sincere apologies." He felt the heat creep up his cheeks as a blush threatened to reveal his embarrassment. Thankfully, she didn't seem to notice.
"Here, let me show you." She pulled out her Scroll, explaining how to access, as well as send, messages. His eyebrows went up as the implications of instant messaging started to sink in.
No delays in communication meant that knowledge would be accessible to anyone, anytime. The shackles of speed were lifted, allowing for merchants to speak instantaneously, and for rumors to fly faster than the swiftest eagle. Typically, it could take weeks or months for news to travel to the farthest corners of Remnant. Now it took nothing but a brief moment.
This world is so strange, his mind sang. He would have to talk to Dr. Oobleck about this! The possibilities seemed endless.
He pulled up the message Ruby had sent.
U down 4 training tmrw?
He frowned, trying to understand the message. "Milady, is this some form of cipher?"
Ruby giggled. "No, silly! I'm just asking if you wanna try and figure out what happened last night!"
"I very much would like that," he confirmed, hiding his confusion at the message. "What did you have in mind?"
"Meet me in the training center after lunch, and we'll see what we can figure out," his commander said. "Oh, by the way- you have a message from Mrs. Goodwitch."
Reshan, please meet me in the armory after dinner. We will be forging your replacement sword.
He wasn't quite sure how to feel about her. On the one hand, she had betrayed his confidence. On the other hand, Professor Ozpin seemed to have full trust in her. Who was she? Why did she act in this manner?
"In that case, I'll see you then," Reshan said. He turned to leave.
"Can I ask you something?" Ruby blurted. Reshan smiled.
"As a wise man once told me, you already did, milady." Ruby rolled her eyes.
"Ha ha. Why do you keep calling me that?"
Ah, yes. He'd called her by that title even after she asked him to stop, hadn't he?
"Habit, milady. Whenever I think of calling you by your name, my heart wrenches." Reshan rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "I don't mean to cause offense. I suspect this compulsion to have been a habit of whomever I used to be."
Ruby looked at him sympathetically. "I wonder what your family is thinking about right now.
He chuckled. The scarred teen honestly hadn't thought of whether or not he had a family. Where were they, if they were even alive? "No doubt they are panicking, searching for me. What of yours?"
Ruby leaned back. "Dad's probably thinking up some bad pun, and Yang's thinking about what to wear for detention."
"And your mother?" He immediately knew the answer from how her lips pursed for the briefest of moments.
"Mom… she isn't around anymore."
She was an orphan?
Reshan found his eyes welling with tears. How horrible! The mere thought of having to go through that heartbreak was enough to make him cry.
"Ruby… I…" He couldn't complete the sentence. The boy simply crumpled, sobbing.
Ruby knelt beside him. "You okay?"
"N-no!" He blew his nose on his sleeve. "I-I'm so s-s-sorry for y-you!"
Why was he so darn emotional? He couldn't control himself, and he was making a fool of himself in front of his commander!
After a few moments, he collected himself. "Apologies, milady. I don't know what came over me."
"Maybe you're just not used to it," Ruby guessed. "You don't have memories, right? So everything is all new and fresh to you. I think you'll be fine after a while." She yawned. "Don't worry about it."
"A lack of emotional maturity. That… makes a disturbing amount of sense, milady," he replied. "I will bring it up with Dr. Oobleck later today." He noticed something odd. "Milady, might I ask you something in turn?"
Ruby nodded, ear flicking. "Sure. What's up?"
He pointed to the door across the hall, where a lone sock covered the knob. A few muffled thumps could be heard, as though to a beat.
"Why is there a sock on that door?"
Ruby frowned. "I dunno. Yang always said it meant the folks inside don't want to be bothered, but she'd never say why."
So it was a cultural sign? Why a sock, though? That would leave the occupant with one sock. Two made more sense.
"Thank you, milady." Ruby nodded, bangs brushing against the frame of the door. After bidding him goodbye, she closed the door.
Why was everyone asleep? There was simply too much to do to laze around! He had to get started on the book Dr. Oobleck had lent him, and read more of that Dust catalogue Professor Peach had assigned.
Well, here's to a busy weekend!
"Hmmm…."
Junior didn't know quite what to think about this situation.
There was, of course, the chance that it was a dud lead. It wouldn't be the first time one of his men brought back false information, and it certainly wouldn't be the last.
"And you're certain he matched the description?" He leaned on the desk, hands clasped together. His underling started sweating.
"Yes, boss," he said nervously. "His hair looked a bit different, but the scars were an exact match. I-I took photos, just to make sure!" He reached under his suit, pulling out his Scroll. Junior took it with a glare, quickly checking the photo displayed.
This particular grunt had tried to impress him by keeping tabs on Blondie. He claimed that while he'd been out on one of his scouting missions, he'd spotted her walking to a Bullhead supporting a certain someone. He wasn't particularly bright, this guy. Seriously, why worry about her? Blondie wasn't coming back anytime soon.
Well, I'll be damned, he thought. He's actually right. For once. The description matched, though the hair was certainly longer than expected.
The issue was, how did he go about trying to find the contact? He'd slipped away after delivering the description (and an unholy fortune as payment), and he hadn't left any details for getting in touch with him. This wasn't going to be easy, that was for certain.
"Good job, Jones," he said.
"My name is Johannes-"
"You did well, spotting him without being detected. I want you to get a group together, see if there are any rumors about this guy. The more we know before we make a move, the better."
"Boss-"
"Yes, Jones?"
"I don't think you heard me. My-"
"Dismissed. Go get yourself a drink."
The underling walked away grumbling. Junior fixed his tie absentmindedly, the paper crinkling in his grasp as he reread the old description.
If spotted, do not engage. Subject is incredibly dangerous, as well as mentally unstable.
Accompanying the warning was a photo of a young man with rather distinctive scars on his arms.
"Hmm…."
"Where is her weapon? She's taking out a box- HOLY BEARD OF OUM! SHE'S HOLDING A SCYTHE BIGGER THAN SHE IS!"
Reshan almost blanched when Ruby pulled out her 'sweetheart'. What had possessed her to term such a terrifying weapon something so endearing?
Ruby grinned as she rushed forwards, her footfalls silent in the early afternoon. It was an otherwise normal day for Reshan, or as normal as could be for the self-proclaimed five (soon to be six!)-day old. Yang was off doing her detention, which was much different than he'd expected: the blonde Huntress was helping Professor Goodwitch with paperwork. Far more tame than he'd been hoping for. Why carry a whip if you never used it?
Reshan moved out of the way just in time, the winds heralding his opponent's charge. He left his shield on his back, to cover any strikes against his back.
His commander closed in, whirling her scythe in a hailstorm of death. Reshan met her strikes, analyzing her style while attempting to keep the Beastfolk at bay.
She moves fast… much faster than I can, he observed while deflecting a swift strike that, had he no Aura, would have split him evenly down the middle. The blade of the scythe briefly sank into the earth before it was commanded from its' rest back to the task of rending the scarred teen asunder. Yet, from Thursday, I think I can safely say she can't utilize the Soul Shadow. Let's see how she handles biting range.
Ruby leapt, scythe held sideways as she spun herself like a top. Reshan bowed forward, allowing the gardening implement of war to grate on his shield. He immediately straightened, disrupting his opponent's balance and sending her weapon upward.
Taking advantage of this, he swung at her knees, and was rewarded with a yelp of pain. Ruby immediately spiraled backwards, landing a good twenty metres away.
"No fair!" she hollered. Reshan simply smiled in response. Not bad at all. Wait….
Said smile quickly disappeared when she did… something… to her scythe. Now he was looking down the barrel of a-
GUN! His mind shrieked. He pulled off his shield, but not before Ruby managed to squeeze off a round. It glanced off his shoulder, causing him to stumble backwards.
How powerful are these things? That hit like an Ursa!
Reshan charged forwards, shield held up to ward off any more bullets. Ruby took a few shots, but they all impacted on it, to no effect. When Reshan arrived, he feinted a downward slash before spearing his blade towards Ruby's heart. As he expected, she utilized her superior speed, deflecting the blow by spinning her scythe.
He let the sword go wide, instead electing to shield bash. Ruby's circle of doom was brought to an abrupt halt when she fell backwards. Before she could recover, Reshan came down on her neck, blade positioned just below her jawbone.
"I believe the match goes to me, milady. Your speed is quite-"
Ruby flashed a feral grin before she turned into a blizzard of petals beneath him. He stumbled, then froze due to the gardening implement of doom leveled at his neck.
This day was no longer normal.
He sighed, reaching up and grabbing the scythe by the blade. One of the advantages of Aura was the ability to handle sharp objects without fear of injury. An ability he silently thanked the Brothers for as he tore the weapon out of Ruby's hands.
"Milady, might we return to my Semblance?" he asked, returning the weapon to its owner. She nodded enthusiastically.
"Right! So, did you feel anything during our fight?" He shook his head. Besides for an initial sense of surprise at seeing Ruby's weapon unfold (How the bloody hell did that work?), he'd been fairly calm during the fight.
"Huh." She frowned. "Nothing?"
"No, milady."
"Okay, then." She put away her weapon. "What did it feel like when it turned on?"
Reshan frowned. "It… I felt as though my mind said one thing, and my mouth spoke another. My Aura changed, somehow. I think it morphed into Yang's, if that is at all possible."
Ruby scratched her head. "Any idea what might have triggered it?"
"Well, it started during the song- AHA!" Ruby jumped at the sudden exclamation. "Milady, I believe it may have been the melody Yang was dancing to that triggered it!"
He'd seen Yang in his mind. Maybe that had what to do with it- and the song had triggered it! Come to think of it, listening to Mirror, Mirror had made a scene come to life as well. Perhaps that was worth investigating!
"The song?"
It was all coming together! This had to be the Dravenson method at work- he'd listened to a song, and he'd accessed his Semblance.
"Milady, I believe this may be the Dravenson Method at work."
"The what?"
"Lor-er, Professor Ozpin explained it to me. Apparently, it's a method to activate emotional Semblances. It works by listening to a tune that conveys a certain emotion…."
"But you didn't really feel any particular emotion when you copied Yang, right?" Reshan's train of thought ground to a halt at the question.
"Correct. Yet…"
He had felt something. It wasn't an emotion per say, but rather a scene that he had envisioned.
The satisfaction of protecting one's family.
The feral grin as he clashed with those who would harm a brother.
The desire to shield kin from all the harm in the world.
"Milady, do you know the song she performed to? Perhaps listening to it will help." Ruby nodded, pulling out her Scroll. A few taps later, and the song started to play. Reshan took a deep breath, concentrating on the song. The story it told, the fire it ignited in his heart….
It belonged to him. This was his birthright, granted by the Brothers in an age long past. A possession that had been passed down to him from the man who used to walk in this body, before his mind was wiped and Reshan woke, a stranger in his own flesh.
Was it the same Semblance he used to have? For that matter, what did he share with his former self? They wore the same body, true, but their personalities could be completely different. After all, Semblances were known to be a reflection of the soul. For all he knew, his former self was some rogue bandit.
If they were different, then what would happen if he managed to remember himself? Would they merge, or would he be constantly conflicted with himself as his personalities warred on even the simplest decisions?
He shook himself. There would be time to contemplate such mysteries later.
"Well, whaddya think?" From the moment he opened his mouth, he knew it had been a success. Yang's voice emerged in a duet with his own, neither dominating the other. Ruby practically squealed in joy.
"Woohoo! First try!" She buzzed around him, looking at him all over to see if anything had changed beside his eyes and voice. Reshan tried to follow, but she sped up so he could never quite get a look at her. Shrugging, he stuck a leg behind himself.
The Beastfolk tripped with an oof!, raising an eyebrow. Reshan looked down, a smug smile on his lips.
"Gotcha," he crowed. They had done it! Some took years for them to figure out their Semblance, but he had taken less than a week. He grinned, then beckoned for Ruby to continue their match from earlier.
It was time to see what he was capable of.
Weiss tucked a strand of hair back into her ponytail, setting down her pencil. She'd been dutifully taking care of her work when she'd gotten a message from Ruby, proclaiming her success with Reshan. They were currently dueling, and the team leader had invited her to come and watch.
She'd already taken care of most of her assignments, so it couldn't hurt to take a small break. The heiress gathered up her books, putting them back on her shelf. Blake waved idly from her bed as Weiss collected her rapier before departing.
Typically, her assignments back in Atlas had consisted of rote memorization. Coming to Beacon, she had expected much of the same, so it was a welcome surprise when Professor Ozpin had assigned a Group Tactics analysis. It had forced her out of her comfort zone, pushing her into the abstract realm as they strategized different team techniques.
Ruby, of course, had suggested multiple different names for the 'team attacks', as she called them. Some of them made sense- they described their function. Some, on the other hand, bordered on the extreme.
Why call Yang and Blake's attack 'Bumblebee'? It had nothing to do with its intended purpose. Swinging the blonde brawler so she built up momentum was neither light nor graceful, as the name implied. Though the wound it dealt was more than likely to sting, so maybe Ruby wasn't so far off….
Her musing ceased when she approached the training ground. Reshan was currently locked in combat with Ruby, a smirk on his face as the scarlet speedster was knocked back once more.
His typical weapons lay abandoned on the sidelines, the blade a silent spectator seeing a seemingly simple scuffle. The shield faced away, as though to declare its indifference to the match. There were a few other occupants, filling the space with sounds of metal clashing and bullets firing. A lone raven perched atop a tree, its beady eyes glaring down as though it intended to critique the performance.
For some reason, a pair of headphones poked through the amnesiac's shaggy mane. Seriously, when was he going to get that thing under control?
In any case, he was sparring with his fists. As she watched, he quickly launched himself at Ruby, trying to land a decisive blow. The Faunus quickly dodged, firing a round to the left and launching herself in the opposite direction. She continued to fire, letting a hail of bullets pelt Reshan. The teen charged, letting the bullets impact.
What is he thinking? His Aura can't take those kinds of hits for long- that's a sniper rifle, for crying out loud!
Before Weiss could voice her objection, she noticed something, causing her jaw to drop.
Reshan's hair had just caught on fire. Golden fire.
He caught up to Ruby, a fist crashing through her defenses. Ruby tried to rush away, but a hand grasped her cloak, tugging her away from any chance at escape. Ruby ended up skidding uselessly in the dirt, her boots kicking up dust.
"Okay, okay! You win!" Ruby pouted as Reshan laughed, ruffling her hair.
"Good job sis, but you're gonna need a better strategy than just running." The harmony started to fade as Reshan peeled off the headphones, his voice becoming more dominant. His stance also changed, becoming more formal. In a few brief moments, the lilac faded completely, to be replaced by the brown. He quickly removed the hand he'd placed as though scalded. "If you are shielding peasants-er, civilians, you won't have that option, milady. There are times when your only option will be to fight."
Ruby groaned. "Please stop calling me sis, dude. It's getting really awkward."
Weiss hid a small smirk as Reshan immediately slammed a fist into his breast. He knelt on a knee. "Apologies, milady. Yang has rather strong sisterly instincts, and it is difficult to control." He got up, dusting off his pants.
Weiss rolled her eyes. "So was I correct? Reshan is copying Yang?"
Ruby nodded. "Yup! He's got it all- fighting style, instincts, even her Semblance!"
Reshan turned to Weiss. "We have determined that listening to the song Yang performed to last night was the trigger. After the melody completes, it lasts for about two minutes, with decreasing returns on repeated listenings." He rubbed his forehead. "My Aura levels increase as well, likely matching Yang's. The headache I suffered last night was likely my mind reaching for knowledge that Yang has, but I don't. I don't copy her memories, which is likely fortunate."
"Why?" Reshan ducked his head.
"Because that would give me access to all her secrets… and all the time she has unclothed herself."
Ruby made gagging noises. Weiss's face turned as red as her partner's cloak. "Reshan! What would make you even consider-"
"Ruby pointed it out, not me!" He refused to look her in the eyes as he reddened. "Can we please move on to something else now?"
Weiss frowned, glaring at Ruby. "Yes. Any luck on the other time it activated?"
Reshan shook his head. "No, I'm afraid. All I can safely say is that no music was present at the time."
So music isn't required for the Semblance to activate, Weiss realised. She said as such, to which Reshan agreed.
"In addition, I believe there is another song which may activate it, though it may be naught but folly." He nodded towards the heiress. "You have a melody of your own, correct? Would you trouble us with a performance?"
Weiss sighed. "Reshan, that kind of song takes a lot more than a voice. There are instruments, and backups, and a whole lot more. Just listen to it online or something."
She'd performed that song more times than she could count. Aside from it being a PR piece for the SDC, her father had used it as a means of attracting potential suitors.
The song had become associated in her mind with the loneliness she had endured within the manor, of the hours spent studying in the library with only her thoughts as company. With Winter fleeing the house as soon as possible, Mom drinking herself into oblivion, and Dad taking Whitley with him to every event in the SDC, she had spent a considerable amount of her teenage years in solitude. It stood for all the superficial things she had come to despise in high Atlesian society. The song had used to be a family tune, sung at family gatherings. Her father had taken it and commercialized it, ruining yet another aspect of the Schnee name.
Reshan sighed. "Apologies, Weiss. I did not mean to cause such angst."
Drats. She hadn't realized her emotions had been quite so apparent. Resetting her face, she held up her chin. "Whatever."
She needed to convey a position of strength, or people would take advantage of her position. It was something that had been drilled into her since a very young age, and it had proven correct time and time again. People did not see her. They only saw her position, heritage, or talents. Never just Weiss.
She stalked off the field, ruminating.
She failed to notice Reshan staring at her back, a crushed look on his face. Not like it mattered. A Schnee didn't need sympathy.
The bar was bustling as usual when Raven walked in the door.
She immediately noticed how the inhabitants stilled slightly in their revelry to stare at the newcomer. It was natural- the weak looked up to the strong. She ignored them, walking to the back where her brother curled over the table.
She could immediately tell something was wrong. Qrow was drinking a beer. He never drunk beer- he'd always gravitate towards the stronger stuff. Plus he actually seemed sober.
"Raven. Good to see you." At least he wasn't acting all lovey-dovey. If he had, she would have turned around and walked right out. She was unnerved enough as it was.
"Qrow," she said simply. Taking a seat, she removed the mask she typically wore. Some had made the mistake of associating her with the White Fang for doing so, and one man had been bold enough to try and attack her for it.
Fools. She was far more deadly than some White Fang grunt, as her assailant's grieving family had found out.
"Can't believe what's going on, sis," he drawled. Maybe he was drunk after all. "Sum came back, and you know what? I ain't happy. I'm goddamn annoyed."
Raven rolled her eyes. Qrow usually went on some fantastical drunken vision, and it fell to her to pay for the mess. She had to get the conversation started, or they'd be here all day.
"I can't find a room where the two of them have clothes on! And don't even get me started on the whip-"
"What do you want, dear brother?" she asked, flagging down a scotch. Her brother scoffed.
"Scotch? Seriously?" he rolled his eyes, ignoring the fact that he was only drinking a beer. "You must be softening in your old age."
"We're the same age, idiot," she snapped back. "Now tell me what it is you want so I can get back to the tribe. We have a raid on Wednesday and I need to be back soon."
Qrow groaned. "It's always business with you, isn't it. Don't you just want to hang out for a bit? Get the team back together and all?"
She stood up. "This is a waste of time. Goodbye."
A hand grabbed hers. If it was anyone but Qrow, she would have sliced the offending limb off. As it was, she was contemplating doing just that.
"Let. Go." She turned around to see that her drunken brother had gotten up. He released her arm, a stupid smile on his grizzled face.
"Oz thinks we picked up a member of the tribe wandering in the Emerald Forest." He got out his Scroll, showing her a picture of some random boy. "This kid ring a bell?"
She shook her head, grabbing her helm. "Never seen him before. Now, is there anything else, or can I get out of here."
Qrow raised an eyebrow. "Nothing about Summer?"
Why was he going on about her? She was dead. Nothing had changed in that department, and she didn't care to know anything more. The weak were consumed, and the strong survived. That was the law of the tribe.
For a time, she had believed differently. After graduating Beacon, she had tried to pretend that things like love and friendship actually mattered. She'd even settled down with Tai, blindly believing that things were alright.
She had let herself grow soft, and nothing more. After a few years, she had realized that, and had promptly left him with a daughter that had inherited her father's weakness. She had watched as her daughter had grown sappy, always watching over her younger sister.
A sister born by one she had once called a friend, before Salem had her killed.
Qrow's eyes widened slightly. "You don't know?"
"Know what, dear brother?" The phrase dripped out of her mouth, oozing with cynicism.
Her brother dug through his photos before pulling up another photo.
"A couple nights ago, I ran into Summer right outside this bar. She hauled my ass back to Tai's, and I woke up there the next day."
It showed the three of them sitting together on the couch, Summer squished between the two men as they leaned in for a selfie. Something was off, and not just her Semblance. She looked as though she hadn't aged a single day since Raven had sensed her terror before the link had been severed. Raven's eyes narrowed.
"That's fake. There's no way-"
"Nah, believe me. It's her, Rae. She's back, and she's got one hell of a story to tell," he countered. "You know what her last mission was?"
"No."
"She was sent by Oz to kill one mean Grimm. She succeeded, but that sonuva bitch had a nasty surprise in store."
Raven sat back down, scowling. "That isn't her."
Qrow raised an eyebrow. "Judging by the amount of time she and Tai spent shagging the past week, I'd say it's her."
Dammit. Raven's face only betrayed a hint of red, but she knew that Qrow would probably hold it against her for the rest of time. Ugh.
Look, she acknowledged that her time with Tai had certainly been satisfying, in more ways than one. She might carry herself otherwise, but she had feelings too!
Wiping her nose, she chugged the rest of her drink before crushing her brother's hopes.
"Trust me. My Semblance didn't pick her up."
Qrow's eyes widened. "Wait a sec… seriously?" Well, at least he understood the implications of her Semblance. If her bond with Summer hadn't revived, then it was highly unlikely that it was actually her.
She nodded, a smirk growing on her face. "You should watch your back more, little brother."
He groaned. "You're older than me by all of two minutes, you asshole."
She ignored the comment. "Looks to me like you've been taken in by a scammer. Pity, that. You're slipping."
Qrow finished his beer, finally going to the scotch. "There's only one person who'd try something like that, and be able to pull it off." They both knew her.
"Salem."
"Bingo." After taking a deep draught, he slammed his shot glass on the table, a small crack forming in the base. It quickly expanded, shattering the cheap glass.
"Damn Semblance," he cursed, shaking his hand. His Aura had protected him from the injury. "Anyways, she's making a move. You want in? We could always use a hand."
Raven shook her head, mane rustling. "We both know I stepped away from that poor fool's war long ago."
"Tai and Summer are heading to Beacon tomorrow, to reunite with the kids. You want Salem's agent that close to Yang? I think that covers the whole 'one time' rule."
Crap. He had her there.
"So what do you propose, dear brother?" She leaned forwards, preparing for one last raid with her brother. She didn't particularly want to be anywhere near Yang. That, added with the fact that she was likely not in any particular danger, meant that Qrow's argument wasn't the real reason she agreed in the end.
No one would desecrate Summer's name. No one. This imposter would fall by her blade, a final gift to her departed partner, and closest friend.
For The Glory: All Good Things
The roars of the crowd welcomed him as he walked into the colosseum.
He thrust his mighty warhammer high into the air, eliciting another round of raucous applause. A loud thumping echoed as the beats of drums awakened the primal animal that lurked within, beckoning the warlord with promises of glory and power unlike any other.
Reshan leaned back in his chair, a primal hunger building up.
He had already claimed that promise. Now, someone came to challenge him for it.
Staring around the arena, he caught sight of his children watching from the front seat, their mother pointing him out. They were too young to understand what the challenge meant. All they knew was that Daddy was going to win, as he had so many times before.
Winking, he raised his hammer once again, causing a hush to fall over the assembled tribes. In the relative silence that followed, his kids let out a faint cheer. It echoed pitifully against the sandstone walls, but it strengthened him regardless.
He shuddered.
Strength was everything, but only if you used it for something. Otherwise, it was just storing up gold until you starved. Why be strong for strength's sake? In his case, he fought for hearth and home. Clan and kin.
His challenger stalked forward, a mace grasped tightly in his palm. The man was about two metres tall, a titan among most men. Compared to him, he was about a head's height shorter. He had been vocal about his objections, and had issued the Rite last week. Thankfully, the Elders had approved, which meant it was time to silence this lamb's pathetic bleating.
The warlord stepped to the center, a smirk on his face. There wouldn't be much of his opponent to clean up after he was done.
There usually never was.
After clasping each other's arms, the two men went to their positions. His opponent readied his weapon, his face neutral.
For his part, he smiled. It was time to unleash the beast, and brutally crush this weakling until his skull caved in!
Plus, he got to tell his toddler all about it when he got home. Double bonus!
As the horn blew, he burst forward, a feral grin-
Reshan tore off the headphone, hand shaking slightly.
Why do I imagine these things?
Were they memories of his past life, or repressed desires of himself? The first one was impossible (Last time he checked, he wasn't Yang), the second one untenable. There was no way he could have such a love of war.
At least, that was what he tried to tell himself on the way to the armory.
A/N: Hey, everyone. Hope you're all doing well. Please drop a review! I really do appreciate it. Not too much to talk about, so I'll let you all get back to your regular Sundays.
Next Chapter: March 27
