Weight of a Name

by GambolMuse

Weiss Schnee, abandoned by her birth family with only her hereditary magic as a memento. When old friends and new acquaintances become the family she had lacked, however, a new world is opened to her; a conflict hidden by those she thought she could trust. Stuck between opposing forces, can Weiss and her friends stop the conflict before it boils over? Where do they even start?

50. Chapter 50: Weight of a Name

Here we go.

---

"Well? Come get some, you bastards!"

Yang's throat strained as she howled over the raging fires around her. They were spreading, the building she'd been held in obliterated, walls turning to cinders as the glowing, lively embodiment of her fury crawled up them. The buildings of the estate were far apart enough that, unaided, the flames wouldn't have spread. Between debris from the explosion being thrown about and the wind lifting embers like tufts of a dandelion that wouldn't last long. A storehouse nearby had begun to smolder, its roof turning from gray slate to ashen black, the fire taking hold wherever it could. The lawn had been set ablaze, flames as tall as Yang herself dancing, moving formlessly and devouring anything in its path.

Another time she'd have felt horrible for the damage she'd caused. This was someone's home, someone who could purchase another, or two even, and be little worse for wear, but a home, nonetheless.

Yet with five Wardens before her cast in the pale glow of flames and the sun-like shine of her blazes, she cared little for architecture. Two of them were personally responsible for the hell she'd endured over the past few days. The rest were complicit in her suffering. And that was to say nothing of whatever they may have subjected Ruby to during their imprisonment.

The gods would have to forgive her then if she was more inclined to rain down Ralthor's fury upon the rotten pricks before her than fret about a building or two.

To both her mild amusement and impotent rage none of the Wardens were inclined to take her up on her offer. Standing as she was, with flames swirling around her, the air so hot that even with her bolstered tolerance she felt droplets of sweat bead on her skin only to vanish with a sizzling hiss, it wasn't as if any could get close enough to attack her head on. Screw wildfires, she was making her best efforts to impersonate the center of a crucible. Judging by how a handful of seasoned fighters shied away from her Yang figured she was doing a damn fine job.

"Alright then…"

If they wouldn't come to her then she'd come to them. Ruby was waiting for her somewhere and no way in hells would they be allowed to leave with these sods in their way. Which left her with only one option.

Flames danced in her palm before erupting in a roaring stream, a focused blast that raced towards and split the group before her. A lone tree went up in an instant, limbs creaking, screaming out as they fell away from the trunk, leaves turning to brittle wafers.

Yang repeated it again, and again. Fatigue would inevitably kick in. Spellcast sickness would take hold and leave her debilitated if she wasn't careful. With a triumphant grin, skin set aglow and air alight, burning brilliantly as the flames around her, she couldn't find a shred of concern for herself.

Another blast, this one curling in on itself, swirling like a vortex towards its target. Tree roots erupted from the ground and her spell slammed into them; blocked, but its power uninhibited, the roots went up in a tantalizing blaze in seconds.

Someone had the gall then to try and attack her. One of the twins, a girl a full head smaller than her, thin body obscured by a billowing white cloak. Yang caught her leg inches from her head and sneered, pivoted on her foot, and hurled the girl towards one of many fires. The girl's body shimmered and she vanished before falling into the fiery pits and to Yang's shock her twin replaced her, diving towards her with a pair of clawed weapons.

With only magic at her disposal Yang had to step back to avoid being torn apart. Duck, dodge, weave. The claws slashed through the air, whistling furiously, their curved teeth flaring, white steel turned orange in the blaze.

A pair raked across her shoulder and Yang hissed, then sneered. With her other arm she caught the girl, twisted, and pulled, causing both herself and her opponent to rotate, before lifting a leg and feeding her calf to the brazen fighter. Reprieve was fleeting as the other twin returned, her bladed heel missing Yang's face by a hair's breadth. With the flat of her palms Yang pushed aside harrowing kicks all while her mind reached out to her flames, shoving aside and snuffing out fire to secure a path or attempting to redirect some to weaponize.

Something ensnared her leg. A root emerged, securing her right leg in place, coiling around her limb up to the knee. Another erupted from the earth and caught her outstretched arm, yanking it down and her along with it. Something solid struck her back and she fell to her knee, gritting her teeth as stars danced in her eyes.

With a blade aimed right between her eyes she inhaled. Her chest swelled and the sensation of swallowing food just out of the oven built up, smoke spilling from her lips. Then, with a scream equal parts fury and pain, she loosed a breath of fire onto the twin. Satisfying was her shocked expression and pained howl. Again, she vanished from view and the clawed twin took her place, diverting flames and lunging for Yang's throat.

Having already freed her limbs Yang sneered, dropping her shoulder and ramming it into the girl's gut. Blades bit into her back and she drove her legs forward still, charging towards the burning remains of her prison. With a heave she grabbed the girl's sides and launched her, hurling flames and throwing her over the ruined walls, watching with grim satisfaction as her curled form disappeared into the pits below.

The other twin raced to help her sister, leaving the plant-wielding prick and the other two Wardens to contend with her rage. While the wounds on her back mended, black smoke rising from the gashes, Yang cracked her neck and flexed her hands, fresh flames coming to life in her palms. Realizing how out of his element he was, or the futility of his efforts, the plant-user fell back. In his stead the remaining two advanced, one brandishing a wicked mace, the other a halberd. Yang welcomed them as a scorned mother might her two children.

A wrathful smile as they charged, and a torrent of uncontrolled hellfire.

/+/+/+/+/+/

Weiss had been woken unceremoniously more times than she could count. Ruby was typically the main offender, eager to break fast with their friends, or train, or explore Vale before her streets became littered with residents. Occasionally she'd be disturbed by Jaune attempting to woo her, or Nora belting an unholy song meant to inspire them for the day, only to leave herself and half the cathedral deaf.

Only once had she been awoken by a firestorm befitting the end times.

With Merlot's spellbook tucked under her arm she tore down the halls. Most of the estate's servants passed her on the way, far too panicked to question her presence. None gave her a moment's thought or tried to stop her, wondering why on earth their lady's niece was charging towards the fray.

She wasn't dressed for battle. A pair of trousers and a tunic did not combat armor make, and being barefoot bode ill for romping about where flames might have taken hold. That mattered little now. She hadn't formed a proper plan yet, still working towards finding Yang's location. With that information now soundly revealed - by Yang herself no less - she needed to work on their exfiltration. She also needed to find Ruby in all this chaos, somehow get both sisters together, and make a break for it with the Wardens hot on their heels.

Needless to say she wasn't exactly prepared for this.

Bouncing off servants, panting as her legs ferried her forward, Weiss reached the stairwell, taking a page out of Ruby's book and sliding down the bannister. Her feet hit the cold marbled floor and she bolted for the front door, mind stumbling over itself as she attempted, poorly, to prepare for battle.

I don't have my weapon, I'm ill-clothed for a fight. I have little idea of my opponent's capabilities, less still about whether there are more laying in wait. Weiss took a second, but only just, to open the spellbook and sift through its contents. How did he use this blasted thing?! I couldn't make any of them work! She needed the instant casting of other Magi if she were to stand any chance in this. Merlot's spellbook, however, remained as useful as a twig against a Boarbatusk.

Someone suddenly took hold of her shoulder and she turned, book raised, ready to bludgeon whoever was daft enough to try and get the jump on her. It was a paltry weapon, but she was intent on leaving her would be assailant bruised and battered if need be.

Wallace's old face paled and he released her, hands held in defense as a frightened gasp rattled free.

"P-Pardon's, lady Caroline!"

"Pardon?!" Weiss howled back, lowering the book. "The estate's being burned to the ground and you thought it was smart to grab me like that?!"

"My lady, I only meant to -"

"Later!" Never. Weiss turned to leave and hissed as her arm was grabbed. She was above assaulting old men, however deserving it might be. She wasn't so base, so brutish that she'd bludgeon Wallace with the sizable tome in her hand.

The butler was certainly trying to earn that right though.

When she turned back she realized Wallace wasn't alone. Lady Lavender, her 'aunt', stared after her with a frightened, tear-stricken gaze, hands clasping a medallion hung around her neck. Her lips worked soundless words and she flinched, as did Wallace, as the fighting outside escalated. The sounds of flames roaring to life as they raced across the grounds, orange lights flooding through nearby windows, made Lady Lavender shirk back and whimper, removed as she was.

"Caroline, sweetie, we need to go." She tried to keep her words steady but each came out in a bumbling cadence, her voice pitched higher as stress built. "Come with me and Wallace and -"

"Go out the eastern exits and stay there." Weiss shrugged off the butler's grasp and took a step towards the doors. Lightning crackled outside, snapping. In one window above she could see the purple serpentine tendrils strike down, casting eerie shadows across the manor's foyer. "Once there's an opening, take it. Take as many people as you can and run."

"Caroline, do not go out there! Do you hear me?!" Weiss paused at the door, fingers around the handle, and she sighed deeply. "You can't go out there! They'll kill you! Please, sweetheart, if this is about what I said…"

Her head hung and an exasperated groan slipped past her lips. Relieving her grip on the door her hand grabbed the medallion still around her neck, lifting it free and tossing it to the floor. Instantly Neo's spell broke, her body shimmering as bit by bit, like a pane of glass fracturing, the illusion concealing her faded away. Weiss couldn't help but offer an apologetic smile to the stricken woman before her, eyes wide as the shattered moon, mouth caught open in a scream that couldn't quite make it free from her pinched throat.

"Take Lady Lavender outside, have everyone ready to flee when you can," Weiss reiterated. "I'll try to secure a path to the gates."

To his credit Wallace nodded, grabbing his mistress' arms and pulling her back. The door Weiss had been going through opened of its own accord and she stepped back as frantic guards spilled in, faces slack in horror. Seeing a chance to arm herself Weiss reached out and wrenched a longsword free from one of their scabbards. Hardly her usual fare but similar enough to it, she hoped, that she could make do.

"Good luck," Wallace said, pulling his lady again. The elderly servant barked orders at the stunned guards, too shaken to even question the new white-haired girl in their midst. As a huddled, frantic mass they broke away, disappearing through a double door entryway, the sounds of their collective footsteps fading beneath the cacophony of battle outside.

Now with Merlot's spellbook in hand and a blade in the other Weiss felt somewhat more prepared. Her borrowed weapon was weighty but no more so than her rapier; anything was preferable to fighting unarmed. With the door open she charged into the night, finding little difficulty in seeing thanks to the fires burning nearby. It was, to put it succinctly, a living hell. The stables had somehow caught fire and the stablehands managed to break open the pens only for their steeds to charge free, barreling towards the now open gates and rushing down the road into Galloway in the distance.

Weiss turned towards combat, towards the roaring of fire, the crackling and hissing of lightning being thrown, and the drowned shouts of combatants caught in a fever pitch exchange. It was easy to guess that Yang was involved. Few people would set half an estate up in flames in so careless a display.

We're going to have a serious chat when this is over. Weiss started to run, feet cold against the damp grass, unpleasant pinpricks of blades sticking against her soles. I don't even want to consider the fallout of this…

Past flowerbeds long since trampled she reached the corner of the manor and rounded it, skidding to a halt in the sodden loam.

Yang was involved in the fighting, no surprises there, although Weiss didn't expect her friend to be quite so explosive. Streams of fire erupted from her hands, crashing against the stone walls surrounding the estate, spilling over and sending embers hurtling into the ocean or throwing fire across the grounds. Pillars of fire rose from nothingness, releasing cinders and soot high into the air, causing a blackened rain to begin to fall. Where bolts of lightning and the occasional surge of water sought to intercede Yang answered with devastating, almost reckless attacks of her own. Weiss wasn't so sure she could even get close enough to help.

She wouldn't find a chance to try.

From one of the other buildings, a small shed, two more Wardens emerged, their white cloaks shielding them from the falling embers. Weiss shouted a moot warning as they charged Yang, splitting apart to avoid a preemptive torrent of flames hurled their way. Stacked as the odds were against the blonde Weiss couldn't help her, not yet.

Watts emerged from the same building not a moment later, his lanky, towering frame cast in shadow. Weiss could just make out the look of righteous fury on his face from afar, green eyes burning bright as the flames before them. He was fixated on the battle, no doubt weighing his options and deciding on the best course of action.

More importantly, he hadn't noticed Weiss' presence yet. Encumbered, Weiss dropped Merlot's spellbook and wove runes - ice, fire, and wind, before releasing a trifecta, sending the combined, swirling spell hurtling at Watts' back.

/+/+/+/+/+/

She had no weapon. Her scythe lay forgotten in a field back outside the city, or more likely, confiscated by the city guard. She had no magic, her spells blocked by the stupid collar around her neck! If she was being honest with herself, she had no hope of being any help.

She still had to try.

Peach had shown her the way. Through the halls they ran, forced into an alcove whenever the crowds grew too thick, stepping into a side room to emerge from another door, removed from the chaos.

Except they weren't removed. All around them things were going to hell. The sounds of battle waged outside, the chorus of elements clashing, fire striking lightning, the ground shuddering whenever tree roots freed themselves of their earthly confines. Without the manor was a bed of frenzied battle. Within, screams and frenzied pushing, the storming of dozens of bodies rushing to flee from the scene. Ruby could only hope no one was trampled in the fray. She didn't linger long enough to find out.

In one of the kitchens they found an exit, a back door used primarily by servants to bring in shipments of product for preparation. Without her scythe to wield Ruby settled for a sizable kitchen knife, long as her forearm and just as wide. A shame that Blake wasn't there to guide her in its use, she thought somberly, waiting as Peach ferried a group of startled cooks out of the kitchen. A knife was nowhere near the same as a scythe, obviously. How was she supposed to fight with such a little weapon? And without her magic no less.

"I'll be along shortly," the healer had said. "I need to make sure no one's been hurt."

She didn't offer any complaints, parting with a smile and well wishes before throwing open the door and racing into the night.

By any standard she might be one of the fastest people on Remnant. As useful as her speed magic was, she still needed the endurance to maintain it, her body the fortitude to support such quick movement. Ruby ran as swiftly as her legs could carry her and ran with ease, breathing controlled, exhaling in fine wisps. Yet for as swift as she might be on her own it was agonizingly slow without her spells. Even as the windows of the estate raced by, she was frustrated with her turtle-like pace.

Magic remained yet out of reach. Her body would tingle in the all too familiar way as magic attempted to infuse her limbs with an inhuman strength, fortifying her and sending her hurtling through space at blinding speeds.

None of that happened now. Ruby growled and tore around the corner of the manor, not bothering to stop even as Yang and a masked Warden traded blows. Spells clashed against spells, fire and lighting colliding in a deathly beautiful array. With smoke and flames obscuring sight Yang likely never saw her and the Warden never heard her.

Mustering all the anger she could Ruby drove herself and her knife into the Warden's back. She felt the blade dig in as sharpened steel made easy work of flesh, staining the snow white cloak, turned grey by ash, with crimson streaks. Ruby absorbed an elbow to the head and stumbled back only when discharge forced her to, clenching her muscles and gritting her teeth in pain.

The Warden turned on her then, face red in fury, wrenching the knife free from his body and charging her. A fireball exploded into his back and Ruby let herself fall as he hurtled over her, crashing against the brick wall of the manor and sliding down it, motionless.

"Ruby!"

Hearing Yang's voice, a mixture of elation and surprise, filled her with glee. A smile split her face and Ruby rose to rush to her sister's side, only to yelp, shielding her face as dirt kicked up, rocks peppering her body. A large, gnarled root separated the two of them and she watched in terror as twin fighters emerged from a ruined building, descending on Yang in a flurry of kicks and swipes.

She was so close! If her magic was working, she could circle around and help Yang. If she had her scythe, she could cleave the root in two.

The ground at her feet rumbled and she preemptively dove away. Bark scraped against her trousers and she rolled, scrambling towards the bloodied knife and scooping it up. Another root shot towards her, the tip molded, sharpened like a spearhead. It pierced the first root and drove through with ease.

Trembling with nervous energy she circled, silver eyes trained on the bearded man advancing on her. The same one as before. The one who had watched over her so many times in her lavish prison. The one who had bound her at the farm, who had joked, after beating Yang unconscious, that she was useless. And here she was, a rose without thorns.

Magic or no she'd show the man just how dangerous even a plucked rose could be.

To bide her time was to welcome death, yet Ruby did just that. Control your breathing. Clear your mind. Yang can handle herself. She'd have to for now. Until she could deal with this brute her sister would be on her own. You don't have to kill him. Stab him in the stomach. Wound him.

Pep talk aside, she wasn't too confident in her ability to win. Ruby dodged another exploding root, barely, using the knife to miraculously cut through a thinner one that sought to coil around her arm. Once separated from the source the wood seemed to lose its power.

Larger limbs she couldn't hope to cut no matter how sharp the knife was. She'd just have to avoid those.

Ineffective as she might be with a simple blade the Warden wasn't taking any chances. Roots shot out, twisting and spiraling, lunging at Ruby. Lattice peeled off the side of the manor, briars wrenching free. Jagged thorns tore into the fabric of her pants, but she avoided them, barely. For every step she took forward the Magi forced her back three times as many.

On the bright side he didn't seem to be trying to kill her; without magic of her own trapping her would be an easy feat. There was little solace however in being an idle plaything. Yang needed her help and even now her sister struggled to fend off multiple attackers, her wild flames a deterrent and little more.

She tried. Gods knew she tried. If Yang wasn't going to give up on fighting back, neither would Ruby.

With little to do but press an attack she charged, ducking, sidestepping, and when necessary, scrambling out of the path of spells. Surprised by the ferocity of her assault, or maybe her recklessness, the bearded man stepped back, raising both arms and causing more roots to erupt. They rose up to either side and stood at her height then continued to rise, higher and higher. From an open yard to a corridor Ruby charged forward still, holding her knife at her side, eyes locked on the man at the end of the tunnel.

At their tallest the roots began to curl inward, interweaving, locking limb in limb. Moonlight was blotted out. Wood creaked all around her, the ground trembling as the earth itself was torn. Ruby ducked beneath branches reaching out to trap her, cutting through another, gasping in air to fuel herself and redoubling her efforts. She'd beat this man and help Yang. Nothing was going to keep her from her sister!

Ruby let out a shout and barreled through. The end was beginning to shrink, her path forwards disappearing. Already it was shut behind her, her only light the rays that managed to pierce through the gnarled growth.

Wind kicked up by the fires blew the man's hood from his head. Ruby caught the sneer on his face and the taunting, triumphant grin he goaded her forward. The end of the tunnel was within reach, the walls collapsing around her. With a final push she drew the knife back and lowered herself to try and prepared to dive free.

The end of the tunnel snapped shut.

/+/+/+/+/+/

Ice, wind, fire. Three elements hurtled towards Watts, twisting with one another and coalescing into a multicolored projectile, aimed square at the center of the man's back.

Weiss cursed when her attack was deflected with painful ease. She'd known it had been a futile effort, but she had hoped it might at least make Watts flinch.

Watts took his time in confronting her, more interested in Yang's battle than Weiss herself. When their eyes did meet, he looked upon her with something akin to disappointment. Not disgust as she'd have expected, or anger, but a look of disapproval.

"You have no idea what it is you're doing, do you girl?"

Weiss wove another pair of ice runes and unleashed them. Patches of ice formed at Watts' sides and erupted, blossoming into flowering crystals, edges razor sharp. A single swipe of his hand shattered them, a blue energy coating his body. Fire crashed against him, striking something unseen and absorbing the blow feet before Watts himself. Wind proved to be of little help.

"Do you know what it is you're fighting against? What are you seeking to delay?" Watts and Weiss both turned to the battle besides them as Yang cried out. Claws bit into the blonde's shoulder as a blade found purchase in her thigh. "I wouldn't expect you to, I suppose. Misguided as you are."

She'd heard enough. Whatever justifications Watts sought to give were worthless. She wove another rune, then another, and a third. Wind, ice, fire to coat her blade.

Ruby had speed magic. Fortifying spells like that couldn't be replicated even by runes. Even so runes did afford her the chance to make a decent mimicry of her partner's jarring speeds. Ice formed in patches along the ground while wind billowed at her back, tossing her untied white hair. She stepped on the first patch and the wind exploded behind her, propelling her to the next, and the next. The scenery turned into a blur as she streaked towards Watts, sword dragging a trail of fire in its wake. Her feet dug into ice for stability. The cold bite against her soles made her wince but she powered through. She slid into Watt's side, thrusting her fire-imbued blade up at his ribs.

Her blade was swat aside, the sound of steel striking steel. She saw nothing, although she did feel the boot that slammed into her soft, fleshy stomach. Winded she stumbled back, then raised her sword as a glint caught her eye, muscles tensed to absorb a blow. Another strike landed on her side and she fell, rolling away to avoid any follow up attacks.

Watts hadn't moved. He remained as motionless as ever, watching her with a dismissive interest. How? What had struck her? Air magic? Another glint caught her attention and she raised her sword, wincing as steel bit into her cheek, blood trickling down her pale skin.

"Set down your weapon and cease this at once. I only seek to deal with your friend." Watts tried to sound diplomatic. To Weiss he might as well have been pissing in the wind. She rose to her feet in defiance, sword held awkwardly in one hand, taking a fencing stance. The elder Hunter let out a sigh and shook his head. "Very well…"

The air around her shimmered and Weiss stepped back to avoid a spell. No attack came. Instead she watched as bodies materialized before her, figures carved from stone, showing little detail beyond a humanoid shape. She shuddered in recognition as six sets of black, soulless eyes stared at her, emotionless faces set in a grim countenance.

Sentinels, the same autonomous stone beings she'd seen, briefly, in the maze beneath the Cathedral. Six of them appeared, each wielding a blade, not stone like their wielders but metal, fire and moonlight glistening off them. With a silence unbecoming given the chaos around them they moved, forming a wall of bodies between her and Watts.

She wouldn't wait for them to make a move. Ill content to become their plaything Weiss wove an earth rune, raising jagged spikes that pierced the outermost creatures, tearing them apart at the waist. A spell of ice engulfed the center pair, shattering and reducing them to rubble. Blood trickled down her face, dripping onto the collar of her tunic, and Weiss' face twisted in concentration. Wind runes formed beneath the remaining two and launched them high into the air. She formed another set of runes, flinging them right, then left, tossing them about as a child might their toy before throwing them back at Watts. Their bodies shattered before they could reach him and the pieces collided against a barrier, exploding into dust or careening off, pelting the wall and building behind him.

"Not the most stable things, are they?" Weiss drew a water rune, and an ice rune. Droplets gathered together in larger orbs. Ice encased them, shaping them into shards.

Her hailstorm pelted Watts, or it would have if not for the Sentinels. Bodies reformed, they lunged and rushed to his aid, readily sacrificing themselves for their master. Stone absorbed most but she did manage to tear a few to shreds only to watch, horrified, as stone moved of its own accord, piecing itself together.

Where six earthen corpses had stood six Sentinels again readied themselves, unharmed, as though she hadn't just unleashed a barrage upon them.

"Do not presume for a moment that you ever stood a chance," Watts called over the fray. Another torrent of flames erupted, and Weiss felt heat lick at her back, too focused on the impossible task before her to turn and look. "Mere fledglings like you against us?" He shook his head and raised a hand. Six bodies moved in unison, weapons raised, charging headlong towards Weiss. "I'll make it quick."

Weiss stumbled back, deflected the first blade, scrambled out of the path of a second and third. Rigid joints scraped loudly as the figures gave chase, shambling towards her with unearthly determination. A fire spell blew a hole through one's chest and it continued its pursuit unabated.

They were slower than she was, mercifully, but she clearly couldn't kill them. Any puppet becomes useless without its master! Where spells had failed before Weiss took to the blade instead, using another wind rune to propel herself towards Watts.

Her longsword clashed against Watts' barrier and she leaned her entire body's weight into the attack, gritting her teeth as steel bit into magic, throwing sparks. Watts' face twisted into an angry scowl and he placed a hand on the inside of the barrier, palm glowing. An invisible force crashed into her, driving wind from her lungs and throwing her. She cried out as her back hit the ground and she rebounded off it, rolling and coming to a stop in a flowerbed. Coughing, desperately wiping soil from her eyes, she scrambled as a sword buried itself between her legs, throwing a handful uselessly into the face of another Sentinel.

She planted a rune in the mud and watched as a pillar of stone erupted, hurling two of the Sentinels high into the air. Her arms locked up as she absorbed a crushing overhead cleave from another, stepping aside and letting the creature drive its blade into the dirt. She relieved it of its head. To her horror it continued without hesitation and swung its sword blindly, cutting down one of its fellows in its blind assault.

Deflect. Dodge. Parry. Riposte. With her rapier she might have had an easier time standing toe to toe with the fiends. Awkward as she was with the sword it took all her effort just to fend them off. Weiss stumbled as the loose soil underfoot gave way, maintaining her balance and luckily falling away from a lunging blade. Her heart was ready to burst from her chest, weaving runes whenever she could, her spirit crumbling a little each time her spells failed to finish off the stony being.

Barriers. Immortal servants.

What in the hells was she supposed to do?!

/+/+/+/+/+/

Yang howled, her screams fueled by pain and fury. Numerous wounds raced to seal themselves shut and her healing ability did little to relieve her of the agony her injuries caused. Dried tears stung her eyes, her breath coming in raspy, strained gasps.

Magic was still readily available. She hadn't begun to fatigue yet despite the obscene levels at which she was expending energy. Maybe adrenaline was just making her oblivious to the impending ailment. Perhaps she'd just been blessed by the gods for once.

Whatever the case she used her blessing to the fullest.

Even as she was cut into, lifeblood leaking from gashes and lacerations, she saw Ruby disappear into a knotted tomb. Another blade bit into her shoulder and Yang lashed out, grabbing the offending girl's throat and tossing her aside. Another wound to add to the collection. Hissing, staggering, she reached out towards the exposed roots, steadying her shaking limb.

Focus. Controlled bursts. Ruby's in there, she ordered herself, inhaling and flexing her fingers. Sparks danced along the roots' surface, racing along the top, before igniting. Flames swarmed and swallowed the roots in an instant, dancing down the length of them and smoldering against the ground. Her heart stopped as she watched the display, praying to any gods that would still deem her worthy of mercy, and waited.

A small figure bolted from the twisted prison and raced towards her would be captor, hidden behind a wall of smoke. Yang could do nothing more to help as the twins redoubled their assault, raining blow after blow upon her. Blades dug into her forearms, scales withstanding their bite. Barely.

Their spells, she gathered, allowed them to switch places in an instant. Wonderful for feints, for buying themselves a moment's respite, or setting up surprise attacks. Miserable shit for Yang to deal with.

She caught one of their arms and wrenched, then twisted, pivoting, and used the girl to stop an attack of the other. With a shove she forced them together and doubled forward, spewing another scalding breath that swallowed them.

To her absolute frustration they dove from the blast largely unscathed, cloaks burning but otherwise fine. Just as Yang set to charge after them an icy wind billowed around her, biting into her skin and pelting her with hail the size of her fist. Desperate for coverage she raised her arms to shield her face, grunting and growling as her torso took the brunt of the assault. Her right arm burned, she realized, as it had been for some time now. Amid a fight for her life she decided it was hardly the time for self-restraint; Ruby wasn't anywhere near close enough to be caught in the crossfire.

Yang felt an unpleasant surge of anger course through her as the bandages on her arm tore, the limb going black, then growing larger. Claws replaced her hand and she hunched over, heaving for breath, as fire erupted at her feet. Red eyes found the Warden responsible for the icy barrage and she bolted at him, eating a face full of icy wind, uncaring, and slamming her malformed hand into his ribs. The man yelped, lifted off his feet, and cursed as Yang slammed him into the ground.

Flames swirled in her other palm and she held it by his face, growling as she was bat aside by a gale force wind. A blade dug into her back as a twin landed on her, the other raking her claws across her arm. She bat away the latter, peeled the former off herself, and aimlessly unleashed scattershot fireballs, igniting the manor, turning another tree into a smoldering husk, and levelling a fountain in the process.

An icy blast pelted her from behind and she staggered. Wind hurled debris at her and she shielded herself again, hissing as broken wood cut into her, stones leaving sizable bruises. Her limbs trembled and though she'd hardly ran out of the energy to fight her body was reaching its limits. Healing was slowing, innumerable cuts still bleeding.

"That's all you got…?" Yang staggered forward as the Wardens, minus the man preoccupied with Ruby, circled her. She heard her sister cry out and saw roots ensnare her, wrapping around Ruby like serpents constricting their prey. "Come on then!" she screamed, letting her magic run rampant, white hot flames erupting at her feet, then blue. "Fucking try me!"

With the numbers to overwhelm her they still attacked one on one, albeit in quick succession. Relying on her scales as her only defense, paltry as it was, and her reflexes, Yang fended off one assault after another. Flames spilled without control and she managed to keep the twins at bay with those alone. Those using spells were another matter entirely.

Wind buffeted her, pressing down with enough force to drive her to one knee. Watching as her walls of fire were split, she inhaled, chest swelling, and spit a plume of fire, melting shards of ice. Most melted. Some broke through and she hissed as they cut along her skin, dipping her head to save one of her eyes from being destroyed. On her hand she kicked and spun, knocking aside the girl with the claws, then caught the leg of the other with the bladed boots. Before she could incinerate that one the other switched, raking her claws across Yang's chest. With a howl of pain, she dropped her captive and stumbled back, covering her latest wounds with one hand as she tried in vain to stem the bleeding.

Again, they formed around her. With the cold carelessness of a seasoned killer they took their time, circling her, taking stock of her condition. It was shit if she was honest. Wounds hurt like hell, blood continued to leak from her injuries, and the Grimm, try as it might, couldn't keep up with them. Come on you lousy parasite! Do something or we're both fucked!

Spells were readied, blades already sleek with her blood glistened, ready to tear into flesh once more. Yang screamed again, unintelligible, desperate and filled with rage and readied herself. She unleashed as much flame as she could manage with the sole intent on swallowing the whole group in one towering inferno.

Spells released and her own magic continued to build, unprepared. Frozen daggers raced towards her face, wind propelling them forward, and the twins took her flanks, boxing her in.

Ice shards fell short of their target. A gale petered out and hit her as little more than a breeze, barely enough to tussle her hair. One of the twins, inches from striking, yelped as she was hurtled aside, slamming into the ground and skidding along it. The other only just darted back when twin blades almost sheared her head from her shoulders.

Trembling, fighting to control her bubbling spell, Yang looked up at the back of Raven and sneered, swaying on her feet.

"'Fucking try me'? Really? That's what you went with?"

When in the hell did she get here?! And why was the woman so dead set on being so fucking dramatic? Twice now she'd stepped in to save her sorry hide just as it was on the chopping block. Couldn't she step in before I'm getting my ass kicked?!

Raven looked back at here, eyes raised expectantly. Was she expecting thanks…?

"Got somethin' better?" Yang snapped back. Not far away Qrow darted off to help Ruby. When had they gotten here? She supposed it mattered little. Ruby would be fine now and loathe as she was to admit it, she was alive too thanks to the deadbeat before her.

Red eyes snapped back to the twin Raven had tossed aside. Her fingers itched, lip curling back in a wicked grin. Fresh fire lapped at her palms and formed along her forearms, forming gauntlets of pure flame.

"Let her burn, Yang."

She planned on it. Focusing all her fire into a concentrate point Yang aimed the swirling mass at the downed girl, grinning viciously. The Grimm within her, she tried to reason, was the one taking pleasure in what she was about to do, not her. She would never get so excited over taking a life.

Her spell was released but Yang missed, flinching as a shrill scream filled the air. She recognized the voice at once, as did Raven who cursed behind her. Before she could try her attack again her mother grabbed a still bleeding shoulder and pulled her aside, pushing her towards the front of the estate.

"Go! We'll handle these runts!"

Yang nodded, powering through the pain as best she could while breaking into a jog. Her limbs threatened to buckle and the Grimm, begrudgingly, she was sure, worked to heal her wounds. Ruby emerged from her stranglehold and rushed to join Yang; eyes wide but determined. Weaponless, the older sister noted, and not using her magic. Hardly ideal, but then little about this shitshow was.

Together they came upon the front of the estate. Watts stood alone, watching as six strange stone figures gave chase after Weiss who clutched a hand to her side. Blood seeped between their friend's fingers and Yang bristled, as did Ruby beside her.

"Help Weiss," Yang ordered.

"Kick that guy's ass," Ruby answered, rushing off, unarmed, to provide whatever relief she could.

Pissed off at having to let her sister fight in such a state she stalked towards Watts. Furious at her own treatment she flexed her hands, forming twin fireballs, gritting her teeth as pain shook her body. Livid, incensed, righteously, violently enraged at the man responsible for the entire situation they found themselves in Yang unleashed her spells, cursing as they exploded against a barrier, though smiling when Watts staggered, stunned by the ferocity of her attack.

"You! What are…" The man's voice trailed off when he saw the Branwen twins fighting his comrades. Somewhere, Ruby had found herself a sword and screamed as she ran through a Sentinel. "This… This is wrong! All wrong!" Watts turned to her and waved a hand.

Fatigue hit Yang, her mind growing sluggish. The fucker was trying to put her under again was he?! Growling, she raked her claws across her own thigh. Adrenaline spiked and the pain jarred her from her fugue-like state. Slamming her good foot down she swiped her hand through the air. Sparks came alive, twinkling around Watts like the stars above, and went off, erupting in a series of small but potent eruptions that battered his barrier.

Yang threw herself at the barrier and screamed, slamming her fist into his defenses once, twice. Putting her hands together she slammed them down and the barrier shattered, falling away soundlessly. Watts' eyes went wide and she drew a fist back, grinning in triumph.

The crack of her knuckles across his jaw was the most satisfying sound she'd ever heard.

/+/+/+/+/+/

Searing pain. Weiss' hand trembled as it clenched her wound, gasping for breath as she stumbled back. Yang and Ruby were here, finally. She wasn't alone to fend off these soulless abominations. There wasn't much time to celebrate though.

Yang was overpowering Watts, yes, but shattering a barrier hardly spelled victory. No sooner did Yang land a blow was she thrown away; her subsequent charge stalled by concussive blasts. Ruby rushed to Weiss' aid and, without anything to fight with but a discarded shovel, broke it over the head of a Sentinel. Much to her friend's horror, and to Weiss' expectations, it shrugged off the attack and turned to Ruby. Its head quivered and it lurched forward, jaw separating and opening up.

The most ungodly sound erupted from the Sentinel then. A low, hollow screech that turned into a sonorous bellow, echoing from within the creature itself. Their bodies moved in jerky gestures and all six turned on Ruby, bodies reforming, undeterred by her pitiful assault.

Weiss wove a pair of ice runes and prepared to fire when they charged past Ruby with speed unseen before. By the time she realized who their target was she hastily redirected her spell and fired her ice after them. Two had their legs rooted and they fell forward, torsos separating from lower bodies. Yang, having heard their cries of warning, turned and blanketed the others in a wall of flame.

"Weiss!" Ruby slid to a kneel beside her and her eyes darted over the stricken Schnee, hands reaching for her wound. "Y-You're hurt! Let me go get Peach!"

"No time…" The Sentinels reformed yet again, and those trapped crawled forward without legs, dragging their bodies towards Yang. Weiss pulled Ruby's hands from her wound and pushed her back. "Help Yang, I'll support you two."

"But you're bleeding!"

"I'm fine!" Weiss hissed, pushing Ruby's hands back. "I'm fine. Help your sister!"

Ruby didn't move, eyes darting back and forth between the weapon in her hands and Weiss' wound. Why wasn't she going? She could easily overwhelm the shambling creatures with her speed. Hells, she could take Watts by surprise and land a wound or two before he even knew she was there.

"Ruby…" she muttered, snapping her fingers to draw attention from her injury. "Why aren't you going?"

"I… I can't use my magic…"

"What do you mean?"

Ruby leaned forward and gestured to the choker around her neck. "They put this on me, Weiss! It blocks my magic! I don't know how, but it does!"

Blocking magic. A seal then. That much she could undo in theory. Nodding, Weiss pushed Ruby's shoulder and gestured to the discarded spellbook. Her partner rushed to it and returned, pressing it into Weiss' lap and cringing as Yang shouted. Not in pain, thankfully, but that could come soon. They watched as the blonde blew away the Sentinels again only for Watts to reform them once more. Another blast from him tore a deep scar along the ground and Yang narrowly avoided it, the spell smashing into the manor's wall and blowing clean through it.

Search! Hurry, you idiot! Sealing, control! Something!

Not elemental. Not utility. Weiss found the 'Bend Will' spell and pulled Ruby closer. Her fingers wove over the collar and a series of characters appeared, blue markings glowing just off the surface of her skin. None of her runes coincided with those on the page.

Not that spell then. Not a barrier, which ruled out warding spells.

"Aha!"

'Dampen'. Weiss studied the runes on Ruby's neck again hurriedly, then the page. Without looking at the latter she copied the runes, taking extra care to get each one correct. It was agonizingly slow work. Yang continued to hurl fire. Watts continued to pelt her with shockwaves, destroying anything he struck. A window above them shattered and Ruby ducked her head down, nearly breaking the spell.

"Hold still!"

Weiss copied another rune, then another. By the time the final one was completed she released a held breath and looked up expectantly. To hers and Ruby's collective delight the runes twisted, twin circles turning in opposite directions. With a faint shimmer they faded and the choker around Ruby loosened.

No sooner did the seal fade did she push her partner away. "Go!"

Ruby nodded, placing a hand to Weiss' cheek with a smile before vanishing in a blur.

The sword Ruby had been given was a far cry from her scythe. It lacked the reach, the torque, and in the brunette's hands, the deadly efficiency of her usual tool. Weiss wouldn't have known that watching Ruby's handiwork. What she could only describe as an invisible whirlwind of blades raced between the Sentinels, lopping off limbs, disarming them, and cutting them asunder. They would reform, naturally, but that took time, and as they tried, she continued to harry them, dismember them, and reduce them to rubble.

With the distraction dealt with Yang refocused her efforts on Watts himself. Another concussive wave soared overhead, and the blonde propelled herself with an explosive shot, hurtling towards the man, twisting in midair and redirecting to avoid another blast. With finesse befitting of a fighter more like Blake, Yang pivoted yet again, twisted her body, and drove her leg into Watts' guard. Between her momentum and sheer strength, the man's barrier shattered again and his arms took the brunt of the blow, pressed into his chest and sending him sprawling into the dirt.

Watts tried to move but Yang lunged for him again, or rather, threw herself at him. Bodily tackling the man back to the ground, they rolled, and she managed to end up on top, pummeling down with her mismatched fists. It took several blows, but Watts managed to blast her away, crawling to safety. He spat blood, shaking his head and casting another blast to keep Yang at bay.

Left to watch the display while clutching her wound there was little Weiss could do. The sister's appeared to have matters handled and hurling spells would only get in their way.

Hurried footsteps made her turn and she relaxed seeing a group of familiar faces. Peach rushed to her and knelt, prying Weiss' hands off her wound and going to work. Behind her Goodwitch gave her a look of concern, assuaged when Weiss nodded her head, then took to watching Ruby and Yang instead. Further back still Roman and Neo had just arrived, the well-dressed if sweaty man doubling over to catch his breath.

"Any other wounds, dearie?"

"Just the one," Weiss said. "Have people begun to evacuate?"

"Not yet. Most of them are afraid because of the fighting. It's like trying to herd cattle." Peach smiled somberly. "And, I think, they fear that Grimm are going to spawn."

Naturally they would. With all their collective panic, the anger between combatants, it would only be a matter of time until Grimm began to appear. Unless the estate was within Galloway's barrier, which judging by the people's considerate concern, it wasn't. Grimm would appear as they feared just not for the reasons they thought.

"Roman, Neo, I leave it to you two to escort the civilians to safety." Goodwitch pointed to the gates as she stared down the pair in question. "Escort them to the city and let the guards handle the rest. Tell no citizens to approach until I personally arrive, am I understood?"

"Wha… But… But we just got here…" Roman whined. "You're making us run again?"

Another spell from Watts sheared the tiles off the manor, sending them raining down on the grounds below. Yang released a torrent of fire that missed the man, slamming into the wall behind him. The topmost stones were torn free and hurled into the ocean. Laughing, Roman backed up and tugged at his collar.

"You mentioned civilians…?"

Goodwitch saw them off and Peach continued her ministrations. The peculiar unpleasantness of feeling her flesh mend paled compared to the pain and discomfort of an open wound. Soreness lingered but she could deal with that much. Grateful, Weiss slowly rose to her feet, twisting to make sure everything else was in order.

Fire met a shockwave and the flames were thrown high into the air, casting the entire estate in a hellish glow. Fresh Sentinels formed, dredged up from the Earth itself. Watts was replicating more and more, faster than Ruby could dismantle them. Her partner stopped to catch her breath and saw Weiss standing, flashing her a reassuring smile before darting out of the path of one of Watts' spells.

"Go, we'll handle everything here," Peach urged.

"Thank you."

They needed time now. Time to evacuate, time to figure out how in the hells they would take down Watts.

Yang had her artificial boost from Merlot's tampering to bolster her magic capabilities. Watts? Watts was just a man, albeit one with decades of experience. Without Yang's enhanced strength they wouldn't be able to come close to touching him.

So long as the blonde's strength held, they could win.

Probably.

Yang kept Watts himself preoccupied with a firestorm, hurling whatever she could muster at the man. For his part the defenses held, only just; a combination of attacks should be enough to break through. With Ruby working on whittling down a never-ending horde of Sentinels that left it up to her to assist Yang.

First thing's first they needed to ensure the civilians would be safe. With earth runes Weiss lifted the ground and formed a crude but solid barricade between them and the gates. Would it hold? She doubted it. Watts blew through walls with his attacks like nothing, sundered the ground and had enough force to negate Yang's infernal blasts. A slab of stone wouldn't be much more than tissue against such a spell. It was better than nothing though.

With that taken care of she focused on the task at hand: Watts. Further away she could still hear combat raging as the twins fended off Wardens on their own. She'd have been a little more concerned if not for Qrow's class of magic; negating and blocking someone's spells with just a touch. With spellcraft it would be a hellacious undertaking to best their enemy. With powers stripped away.

She almost felt bad for the Wardens.

The twins were fine. Instead she gathered together runes - wind and ice, shaping her spell into a long javelin, steam rising from the frigid projectile. Watts flashed a new barrier and Yang's assault dispersed around it. Waiting for an opening she flicked her wrist, raised the javelin, and hurled it at Watts. It whistled as it sliced through the air leaving a trail of icy flakes in its wake. Then it collided, shattering on impact and cracking Watts' barrier. Another barrage from Yang shattered the barrier but Watts erected another. Face sheen with sweat it was clear he was struggling but then so were they. A stalemate.

They needed an edge. Ruby continued to harry the Sentinels, chipping away and preventing them from reaching Yang. One broke rank and made for Weiss herself, lumping and making ready to charge, a crude, misshapen spear in its hands. Several yards away it fell short, cut from head to toe by Ruby's sword.

"We need to do something!" her partner shouted, darting away and claiming another victim.

"I know! I'm thinking!"

Yang skid across the ground as she absorbed another blast, forearms sizzling, skin turned red. "Sooner rather than later, Weiss!" she cried out, growling and stomping the ground. Fire kicked up and raced towards Watts in a narrow trail, erupting around his barrier. She failed to break it.

More than one rune. Only overwhelming force would break the barriers. How many would she need then? A dozen? Twice as many? If they could only free up Ruby too…

"Ruby!" Weiss flagged her speeding friend down. "Attack Watts! Forget the Sentinels!"

"But…"

"They rushed to his defense before!"

Theoretically. Her partner nodded, darted between advancing figures and made a beeline for watts. Sparks erupted along the outer shell and the man within turned, blasting blindly to try and force Ruby back. Yang pelted the barrier with more spells and cracks formed, forcing Watts again to reinforce it.

Better, but they still needed more.

At least the Sentinels were throwing themselves into Yang's line of fire now to try and dampen her attacks.

Weiss began to prepare a series of runes, as many elements and combinations as she could think of. On her fifth moved to toss the book aside but paused. Either the fires around her were playing tricks on her eyes or the book had begun to glow. Baffled, she reopened the pages and gaped at contents inside, each rune set alight. The elemental runes anyways, as well as a handful of assorted spells. Most of her usual repertoire was glowing, performed within the book. But how?

Her spells faded as she lost focus. That was fine.

On a whim she held the book out in her hand, eyes trained on Watts. Did she have to weave a rune? No, it was already before her, right? Instead she pictured the rune in question - fire, forming its shape in her mind's eye. She envisioned each stroke, each movement, surprised to find the sensation of magic bending to her will. The pages rustled and she could practically feel the magic radiating off them, begging to be released.

Who was she to deny them?

Uncertainly she waved her hand and her jaw fell again as a fireball formed, firing off at Watts. She missed but that was hardly the point. The runes in the spellbook continued to glow, ready for use, and she felt capable of utilizing its power. How and why were lost to her, nor did they matter in the moment. Watts saw five runes formed at her back and erected another barrier. Weiss smiled, lifting her arm and letting it fall, pointing at Watts.

Ice, fire, lightning, wind, and water all surged forth. The sound of their collision, five spells pelting Watts' barrier at once, was unlike anything she'd heard before.

Judging by how Watts' defenses fell she ventured it was unlike anything he'd encountered before too.

Heat built at her neck and she dismissed it. Fires raged around them and the manor itself was aflame now, three stories quickly becoming consumed by a voracious, unfeeling force. With almost giddy abandon she formed another five runes and released them altogether. The ground at Watts' feet opened. Wind pelted him, pressing him forward into Yang's barrage of fireballs. Sentinels rushed to their master's aid and Ruby cut them down like wheat in a field. A deluge of water swept them up and threw them into the wall, over it, their rattling, hollow cries drowned out as they were swept under the water.

Is this what Yang felt like? So much power at her fingertips. No need to form runes. No reason to pause and prepare. Unsure of how to react to her newfound gift Weiss laughed and released a hailstorm upon Watts, content to let her spells speak for her. A blast knocked her storm away with disappointing ease, although Yang's follow up, a direct explosion that Watts barely blocked, did a far better job of unnerving the man.

"You're making a mistake!" Watts shouted. His hair was a mess, slender face caked in soot, clothing torn and singed. "What I do is for the good of the Church! For Remnant!"

"Like hell!" Ruby's sword clashed against a fresh barrier, tip pressing hard into Watts' protection. Yang pelted the front with fireballs, raining down and striking in a scorching volley.

"You fools! Stop this at once!"

Ruby darted away as a blast erupted at Watts' feet. She wasn't gone for long, leaping up and driving the sword down into the top of the barrier.

"Stop!"

Yang waited until her sister was clear and conjured a pillar, swallowing Watts inside. Sentinels which had only begun to form shattered, reduced to dust, and Watts cleared the flames with another blast, the barrier crumbling to his feet.

Weiss took her chance. A wind rune hurtled towards the man and knocked down his still forming shield, pushing him off balance. Another swept his legs out from under him. Ice crystallized on one arm, then the other, and finally his legs. Ruby dashed in and grabbed the hold of one arm, abandoning her sword as she ran with Watts in tow, hefting him up and throwing him towards Yang. Grinning, Yang planted her back foot and cocked a fist, crouching down and taking aim.

She swore Yang's fist came out the other side. It didn't, but Weiss couldn't help but cringe as Watts' stomach probably collapsed on impact, spittle and blood flying from his mouth. The blocks of ice did little to weight him down and the punch alone threw him into a tree, back colliding against it with a meaty thud. Down he slid, groaning as he landed, limbs limp against his sides. His head lolled and he lifted it, spat out blood, and coughed.

Weiss had spells ready. She was almost begging Watts to get back up so she could try casting more. What else could she do with the book? Could she replicate other classes of magic? Was she able to store any spells she wanted to?

Watts didn't rise. The man remained where he was, breathing raggedly, head leaning back against the trunk. Sentinels which had begun to reform shuddered and fell, crumbling away and returning to the earth. Either his magic had run out or they'd rendered Watts incapable of casting spells. Either was welcome, really.

Only once he was bested did Weiss realize the other sounds of combat had stopped as well.

She found Qrow and Raven standing over restrained Wardens. Seven in all, either bound or slain, with the twins leaning on one another for support. From afar Weiss could tell they'd sustained some injuries, which was unsurprising, but they were alive. That was good, she supposed.

Yang almost attacked Watts again. Marching towards him, flames still dancing across her body and hair alight, she raised her malformed hand and growled. Ruby was at her sister's side in a second and wrapped both arms around her waist, embracing her even as heat and fire spilled off the blonde's form. As though a switch had been struck Yang immediately backed down, cutting off her magic lest she burn Ruby. Watts tried to stand, pushing himself against the tree, only to slip and fall back down. More blood was spit up and he groaned, swatting uselessly at the air to keep the sisters at bay.

No wonder Watts' barriers were so difficult to break. The man himself took a punch and went down like a sack of flour. They were all he had to protect himself.

Granted, said punch came from a monstrous fist on a woman with unnatural strength, but one punch?

Hunters are just like everyone else without their magic, her mind reminded her. Casting a sidelong glance towards the gates she could just make out the residents of the estate rushing away, a solid body of panic scrambling down the causeway. Goodwitch, Roman, and Neo remained at the gates, to her surprise. I suppose they can manage a straight walk to Galloway. Weiss smiled, exhausted, allowing herself to drop the book and her aching arms to fall with it.

The spellbook had expedited her casting but it hadn't mitigated much of the impact of spellcraft, if any. Truth be told she felt better than she expected; the new mark, the Warden's, burned low on her neck, a pestering reminder of her new designation. Ozpin had promised it would help and it certainly had. How many of those spells could she have managed before without collapsing?

Goodwitch approached, hands folded at her back and even now, as fires continued to rage, she retained an air of calm professionalism. Weiss wanted to be a little further from the raging inferno beginning to claim the manor, but her superior placed a hand on her shoulder and kept her still.

Then she smiled. Okay, now she was seeing things. A trick of the light, or exhaustion. Maybe she'd already collapsed and was hallucinating?

"Well done, Warden." The woman paused, shook her head, then pat Weiss' shoulder. "Well done, Weiss. Exceptional work."

Technically she'd played a minor, almost insignificant role in the whole affair. Yang had been a one-woman army and fended off Wardens until their timely arrival. Hells, Ruby had kept a small army of earthen soldiers busy to buy them time to beat Watts. Besides slinging a handful of spells what had she done exactly?

Not much, although evidently it was enough.

Standing a little taller and bubbling with pride Weiss allowed herself to return the smile, nodding. "Thank you, ma'am. But…"

Goodwitch followed her gaze and moved away. "Qrow! Help me with the prisoner!" The lanky man groaned, leaning back and tossing his head, before shambling after the stern woman. It wasn't that they needed to watch over the other Wardens anymore. Half were slain, or so Weiss assumed, laid on the ground and unmoving, and the others were bound by their trademark robes. Raven still moved among them with both swords at the ready looking just a little too eager for one of them to try and make a move.

Ruby came bolting over and made Weiss squeal in surprise as she was almost tackled to the ground. Her side flared up and she hissed, complaints dying on the tip of her tongue as Ruby embraced her. Unable to find the energy to be cross for her blatant disregard of her injuries, healed or not, Weiss rolled her eyes and returned the hug, relaxing into the comfortable hold.

"That was insane, Weiss! I've never seen you cast so much at once!" Ruby beamed, grinning as sweat continued to roll down her face.

"A boon of the spellbook, I suppose."

"Between you and Yang he didn't stand a chance!" Ruby chuckled, hands on Weiss' arms as she stepped back, smile growing wider. "You two are awesome!"

"Speak for yourself, dolt," she chided gently, flicking her friend's forehead before smiling affectionately. "He couldn't hope to stop you, quick as you were."

"Oh, that? I can go faster, probably. If you think that was fast…"

"How about we just take it easy?" Yang smirked and waved with her left hand, the right slowly peeling away, black flesh giving way to a slimmer, more human form. "Seriously, I'm pretty burned out."

Awfully cavalier for someone peppered with cuts too, Weiss mused. They were healing, although she doubted it dulled the pain much.

Weiss had welcomed Ruby's hug but Yang's she shied away from, holding her hands up and shaking her head. Her fire had ceased, and her wounds had mostly healed but she was still sweaty, coated in soot, and that was to say nothing of the blood spattered across her clothing. With a stern huff the blonde caught her wrist and pulled her in for a bone crushing hug.

"I earned this, snowflake. Give me a fricken hug would ya?"

She acquiesced, mostly to save her spine from being shattered. She may or may not have held her breath for the duration of the hug too.

"I suppose you have…" Weiss smiled, then gasped as Ruby threw herself at them and joined in.

"Back together again!" her partner cheered.

They were, weren't they? Minus one, granted, but they could rejoin Blake once this fiasco was over and done with.

Not to slight their absent friend, or friends even, but Weiss was looking forward to a bath more than anything now. What she wouldn't give to just submerge herself in water, wash away the grime, and relax…

"Weiss?" Goodwitch tilted her head seeing them in each other's arms, cleared her throat, and gestured for Weiss to join her. "How do you feel? Are you still well?"

Weiss nodded and wove a wind rune to prove it, smiling as she let it dissipate. "Yes ma'am, do you… Need something?" Her eyes widened and she looked around. "Wait, don't tell me Grimm -"

"Have not appeared, gods be good. No, I don't need you for that."

Wood creaked and buckled. From above the roof flexed before caving in on itself, weakened by fire and unable to maintain its support. With the falling roof came one of the walls, burning debris falling into a flower bed below and crushing everything beneath. Weiss sighed, hung her head, and nodded. She knew exactly what was going to be asked.

"Good." Goodwitch smiled and pat her shoulder. "I'll assist you and collect debris, but as the only one here versed in using water magic…"

"I understand, ma'am."

"Then get to it. We need to contain this before the entire estate collapses." The woman began to move away before pausing, shuddering and shaking her head. "I can't imagine Ozpin will be thrilled when we receive a bill…"

"They're going to bill us?!"

"Rogue element or not it was still the Church that caused this." Goodwitch let out a lengthy sigh and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Let's save what we can. The less that collapses the better."

Weiss grimaced, turning to the burning, three story structure before her. At least adrenaline still pumped through her veins, helping to stave off fatigue that was no doubt moments away. She wove one water rune, then another, looking towards Yang and Ruby for help.

"I just make the flames, Weiss," the blonde said defensively. "Sorry."

Ruby shook her head and smiled apologetically; hands raised in defense. She was fine with hugging fire a second ago!

Weiss groaned, letting loose her runes and dousing the burning rubble closest to her, then readying more. Ruby did at least bring her the spellbook, which was nice, although her friend was just a little too quick to rush back to Yang's side and excuse herself from any work.

"Thanks…" Weiss drawled, rolling her eyes and conjuring more spells.

To hells with Lady Lavender's bill. She was going to charge the kingdom a small fortune for saving this house.

/+/+/+/+/+/

By the time all the fires had been contained Weiss was on her last legs, ready to lay in the grass itself and sleep away her fatigue. The Warden's mark and spellbook had helped somewhat but gods if there wasn't a lot of fire. Swaying, she welcomed Ruby's arm around her shoulders to keep her steady, throwing an accusatory glare towards Yang.

If she hadn't been so overzealous and tried setting all of Remnant on fire, she wouldn't have spent the last two hours combating them.

The estate remained standing. Sort of. Half the roof had collapsed by the time they'd finished, and the western wings were skeletons, poor imitations of their former selves. Whatever building Yang had been held in was now gone and only the foundation remained. Trees were reduced to charred, blackened twigs, brittle and deathly frail, and the garden beds that weren't crushed beneath rubble were burned to cinders anyways.

Recoverable, sure, but it wasn't going to be quick. Or cheap, a lamentation that Goodwitch made clear multiple times during their work.

But they were done. Watts was restrained, cooperative even, although Weiss suspected Raven's blades to his throat had something to do with that. He'd answered Goodwitch's questions in full. The information had been kept from them, frustratingly, and when asking Raven for information the woman merely scoffed.

"Bastard didn't give a damn about Yang," she grumbled, spitting into the ground. "The rest was shit about 'saving the Church.' Hell if I know what that means."

Neither did Weiss. As disappointing as it was to be denied answers, she supposed that they'd gotten any at all was good enough. Goodwitch and Ozpin would handle Watts' betrayal. Execution, if she had to guess, the typical punishment for a rogue Hunter. Brutal, swift, and fitting of the crime. All of Watts' co-conspirators would likely receive the axe as well.

"Here, by the way," Raven handed over her rapier, the blade stuck with dirt and sod. Weiss shot her a cross look and the woman scoffed. "I didn't fucking break it. You're welcome, by the way."

"Thank you…"

"Damn right. Pain in the ass trying to carry that around while I fought."

Why didn't you just drop it then? Weiss wanted to ask. Or leave it with Goodwitch, or Roman…

Scratch that. She'd rather Raven hold onto her weapon than that conman. For all she knew he'd have tried selling it off to pay some debt.

Using her shirt - it was already soiled anyways, Weiss carefully wiped down the blade of her rapier. It was comfortable compared to her pilfered longsword earlier. Familiar despite how little she'd used it so far. Giving it a swing, she smiled, and without anywhere to properly sheath it, held it at her hip.

Matters hadn't proceeded as planned whatsoever – not that she'd had much of a plan, but she doubted anyone could argue with the results. She had failed to alert the others as to Yang's location, but her friend took it upon herself to do so. Just a tad overzealous; everyone in a five-mile radius had probably seen Yang's towering explosion. And then the blonde had enough energy to keep fighting after that?

"Your daughter is a monster…"

"What was that, Schnee?"

Ice gripped her heart and Weiss inched away from Raven. "I didn't mean it literally. She's just impressive, that's all."

The woman, insufferable as she was, grinned and cocked her head. "Yeah? You have the hots for my girl now?"

"That's not… I didn't…" Raven laughed, and Weiss rolled her eyes, grumbling as she left the woman where she was. It was good natured ribbing and fair game, but she wasn't in the mood for it. Between playing a spoiled brat, fighting Watts, and extinguishing multiple fires her humor had all but left her.

So, rather than join Ruby and Yang as they chatted excitedly, she marched her way over to Goodwitch, clearing her throat loud enough to interrupt her and Qrow's conversation.

"Yes, Weiss?"

"I would like to go into the city and rest."

"We aren't finished here," Goodwitch chided.

Watts. They were still waiting for someone to come by and take him away. Wardens, she'd assumed, which seemed idiotic given the blatant betrayal they'd just experienced. Why not just let Qrow take the man? He could easily handle a single person, couldn't he?

Then she was reminded of the four remaining members of his group and let out a groan. Even now the traitor was causing problems for her. I just want a bath! Is that so much to ask?!

"We shouldn't have to wait much longer. Go take a seat or join your friends. There will be plenty of time for rest soon."

"Gods willing," Weiss grumbled, hanging her head and trudging off.

Ruby and Yang's energy, especially now, was overbearing, but she couldn't deny the happiness she felt as they both smiled at her. Waving off hugs this time she settled for a pat on the head and ruffling of her hair, courtesy of Yang. Although settled was putting it lightly. The blonde had the reach advantage and Ruby grabbed her arm before she could retaliate.

"Ready to head home, Weissy?"

"Weiss works just fine, you know."

"Sure I do!" Yang grinned. "But that's boring." The blonde paused, lips curling back in a toothy grin. "I could call you Ice Princess instead? Snowflake?"

I won't even dignify those with a response. Instead Weiss scoffed and stomped her foot petulantly. "How is my name boring?!"

"Her name isn't boring, Yang! I think it's nice!" Ruby smiled, then snickered. "Though I do think "Weissicle" is a funny nickname…"

Gee, she wondered who came up with that one. It was fortunate that Yang's wounds had all healed by now. She was still filthy, with dried blood crusted on her clothing and smeared with grime, but her injuries were gone. That was good. Weiss would feel a little less bad if she added one or two to the mix.

The sisters went off on a tangent and Weiss, content to simply bask in their presence, or too tired to contribute, let them. Something about revitalizing their plans together once they returned to the city. The thought again of doing anything but resting made her insides churn unpleasantly but she smiled along with them, nodding diplomatically whenever asked if she'd like to tag along. If they wanted to include her in their nonsense then she'd gladly join in, if only to keep them out of trouble.

She couldn't wait to see the others again. Pyrrha, Ren, Nora, and yes, even Jaune. Hopefully whatever tasks they had been assigned weren't half as daunting as hers had been. Ozpin certainly seems to enjoy giving me ridiculous missions.

She wasn't sure if that was a testament to her ability or outrageous expectations.

Blake would love to hear about it too, and probably be thrilled she hadn't been made to take part. Whatever she'd gotten up to must pale in comparison to what had transpired here.

Perhaps we all should request time off after this. Weiss smiled as the sisters laughed, unsure why they were laughing but having a sneaking suspicion she had been the punchline when they both smiled cheekily at her. I could certainly use it. I'm sure they could too.

Besides there was still a lot to sort out. Questions left unanswered about the Church. How Watts had managed to operate right under Ozpin's nose, how no one had noticed. Why they had been able to experiment on Yang in the first place?

In the lull following combat her mind returned, as it so often did, to the inexplicable, sometimes contradictory information they'd been given about the Church. They still had yet to receive answers and now, with time to consider some of her queries, the blatant lack of information about her own organization was galling.

They still didn't know exactly why Yang had been chosen, did they? Something to do with her resilience, and to enhance Hunters further. They had the basics, sure, but there had to be more to it.

Were Grimm becoming more of an issue? She hadn't seen many on her journey to Galloway and now, after a monumental battle between Magi, none had appeared by the estate either. Goodwitch had confirmed it wasn't protected by Galloway's barriers and that in of itself was a massive discrepancy. Magic attracted Grimm, that had been confirmed, yet there were none here now. Someone else must have recognized that too.

As ever there were more and more questions about the Church and no clear explanations.

Frustrating didn't begin to cover this. Weiss was beginning to suspect they were actively being redirected, kept busy to prevent them from trying to learn more.

Spellcast sickness hadn't set in and yet her head began to throb. Dull, at first, it swiftly turned into a pounding headache. She winced, clutched the side of her head and closed her eyes. And then there were these headaches that she got, always out of the blue, seemingly inexplicable in their origins.

"Weiss?"

Why did she get these? Why hadn't they ever been told anything about these? Was it an issue unique to her? She doubted that. So why then? Why hadn't anyone acknowledged these sudden migraines? Why did she continue to go untreated? Why hadn't she mentioned it to anyone before?

Her headache grew, a resounding thumping square between her eyes turning into an all-encompassing, debilitating throb. Weiss hissed and clutched her head in both hands as she staggered. Someone's hands seized her shoulders and through blurry vision she saw Ruby staring at her, worry plain on her face.

"Weiss! What's wrong?!"

She hadn't overdone the spells, it wouldn't have onset so suddenly, so abruptly.

Why had Watts insisted on taking Yang away? What did he mean about 'saving the Church'? Who was he trying to save it from? Why was Yang so important to that?

Why did Raven want her?

Why did the Church want her?

So many questions. No answers.

Weiss groaned and almost sank to her knees, crying out silently as her head felt like it might explode. Ruby tried to embrace her, and she shove her friend aside, falling back into the dirt and curling in on herself.

Whispers began to fill her head, indecipherable and random. Unintelligible chatter that she couldn't make out whatsoever. What in the hells is this?! Weiss let out another groan and tossed her head, slapping the side of her skull in a desperate, furtive bid to try and stop the noises.

Why wasn't Goodwitch helping her? Qrow? Raven? Her friends?!

What was happening?!

Then the whispers stopped. Just as soon as they'd begun, they abruptly cut off and left behind an eerie silence in her mind, a clarity that felt unnatural. Everything felt surreal for some reason, her body lighter than before, her exhaustion erased. Hoarse, she tried to call out to her friends, but her lips couldn't form the sounds.

A lone voice returned to her, a single woman's voice, low and commanding. She didn't recognize it, couldn't place it, and it felt as though it reverberated through her whole body, ill content to be confined to her skull.

"Kill."

The woman uttered the same word over and over, slowly, enunciating it. Weiss felt her body warm; her muscles relax. Somewhere she could almost feel magic responding despite making no effort to reach out. Swirling around her. With a trembling hand she blindly groped about until she found her rapier. Her fingers curled around it, reassured by the comfortable chill of steel against her fingertips, imbued with a sense of purpose.

"Kill."

"Weiss! What's happening?! Talk to me?!"

"Kill her."

"Schnee, cut the shit! What's going on?"

She felt relaxed. She felt at ease even as her body writhed, shuddering against her will.

"Weiss."

Her eyes shot open and she saw Ruby, then looked past her towards Yang, the blonde looming over her sister and reaching out, clearly worried. She gripped her rapier harder and exhaled steadily, her mind settling and her body ceasing its convulsions.

"Weiss. Kill her."

Weiss rose, testing the weight of her rapier, and smiled at Yang. Peace. Clarity. It made perfect sense.

Ruby yelped as she was pushed aside and Yang staggered back, gritting her teeth as Weiss' rapier dug into her shoulder, hand bloodied as she tried to stop the blade.

"What the fuck?!"

Yang needed to die. It made sense. Perfect sense. She pulled her weapon free and wove a rune in Yang's face, blowing her back with a burst of air. Her rapier narrowly missed Yang's throat and she wove another spell, trying and failing to encase the blonde in ice. She gave chase, lunging, thrusting, cutting at Yang as she scrambled to stay back.

Ruby collided against her back and Weiss fell forward from the unexpected assault. Squirming, she tried to break free, hand grasping as her rapier was knocked from her grasp.

"Kill her, Weiss." The woman called her name again. Gently, soothing, yet with a firmness that made it clear it was an order. One she was desperate to follow.

Kill her. Kill her. Kill her."

Ruby pressed down upon her back, crying out for someone to help. Try as she might to buck her partner off her back she hadn't the strength for it, writhing beneath the brunette, clawing in the dirt to try and dig herself free.

Weiss screamed as anger boiled over. Unable to get a hold of her weapon she began to weave a run instead, crying out as a boot slammed down on her wrist. Raven returned her scowl and she tried to pull free, Ruby atop her, the bandit pinning her arm to the dirt.

She tried to break free, screaming and kicking. Something caught Raven's attention and the woman cursed, stepping off Weiss' arm and deflecting a spell. Weiss' head began to throb again, and she cried out, face pressed against the damp, cold ground, legs kicking out and back arching. Fire ran through her veins.

Another spell was flung. Ruby shouted in warning and collapse on top of her. Raven screamed and Weiss saw Yang shoved aside, another spell deflected by the bandit.

/+/+/+/+/+/

Ozpin eased back from the scrying orb and removed his spectacles, rubbing the bridge of his nose with a weary sigh. In his tower he turned his chair to gaze out over the city, staring out into the horizon as the dark sky gradually turned a brilliant shadow of fiery orange.

It hadn't worked as intended.

They had expedited the process and knew it could fail, that she may not have been ready, but he'd had higher hopes for the girl. They all had. Bastard child or not a girl with that pedigree, with that kind of command, she could have been a prime candidate. The ideal Warden.

Yet she'd floundered. Even now as he turned back to the scene at the estate Weiss seemed to be inept, incapable of carrying out her orders. It would fall to Glynda, although Qrow's presence complicated matters further.

In an ideal world Weiss would have attacked, killed Yang, and fallen by either Raven or Qrow's blade. Ruby would remain but she could be dealt with easily enough. Plans rarely went as one hoped, however. With a rueful smile he waved a hand over the orb and changed scenery. The world came through as a blurry mess at first before trees began to take shape, a long, gray strip marking the road sprawling out before him.

Blake raced down the road with a girl on her back, shadows springing up in her wake to intercept spells. Behind her four figures gave chase, unable to match her speed. He'd have thought Lie Ren at least swift enough to keep pace. Another error.

Or perhaps a result of rushing the process. They were imperfect, he'd admit. An unfortunate result.

Letting the orb's view fade away he replaced his spectacles as the door to his office opened. Smiling, he rose from his desk and circled around it, greeting the newcomer with a slight bow of his head.

"I trust you rested well?"

A deathly pale woman smiled back, nodding once as she silently moved across the room. Ozpin stepped aside and allowed her to inspect the orb, conjuring the scenes again. After a moment she shook her head and stepped back, lips drawn into a thin line.

"They've failed."

"I'm afraid so. It seems we were hasty in our decisions." Ozpin frowned. "And I doubt Glynda will be enough to stave them off."

"And what of the others?"

"Beaten. The twins proved to be more than a match thanks to Qrow's debilitating gift."

"Hardly our mistake. Watts' defection was not something we could have planned for." No, but it was something he should have seen coming. The man's agitation as they discussed how to handle Yang and the fallout of Merlot's machinations. His eagerness to shirk protocol. Ozpin let out a heavy sigh and ground his foot into the hardwood floor. The woman smiled at him sweetly, reaching out and placing a hand on his cheek. "Patience, Archbishop. Patience, and we will emerge victorious."

"Naturally. I'm ashamed to admit those four girls have been more troublesome than I expected."

"They weren't the first, nor will they be the last. It matters not." Silent as death itself the woman approached the windows, folding her hands at her back as she peered out at the city below. "The Church has weathered far worse than a few insubordinate girls. We'll resolve this and Remnant will be all the better for it."

"As ever, you guide us to a better world."

"I am but one part of this. Don't be so modest; I couldn't do anything without your assistance, dear."

Ozpin smiled, joining the woman by the windows. The sun continued to rise and he could just begin to feel the heat of its distant warmth, beckoning in a new day. Washing away any misgivings of their fleeting failure.

They would likely escape now, all four of them. But where would they go? The Church was universal. Every kingdom contained its own branch, every major city playing host to Hunters, to Wardens. Wherever the girls tried to go there would be eyes on them, willing souls ready to take up arms in protection of Remnant.

"Grimm…?" he asked, tilting his head thoughtfully.

"No. Galloway is ill prepared. We cannot expect that barrier to hold with such a large force."

"Then we allow them to escape," Ozpin nodded. "I'll begin to make arrangements at once. In the meantime, could you monitor them? I'd like to know where they're planning to go."

"But of course. You may leave it to me, Ozpin." The woman smiled again and leaned in, closing the small gap between them and kissing the wizened Magi. It was brief, fleeting even, but left her with a small delight. "Glory to the Church."

"Glory to the Church. I leave them to you, Salem."

Ozpin excused himself, bowing out and leaving his office. Behind him the woman continued to stare out at the city as it just began to wake. Thousands of unwitting, complaint souls rising to begin another day in ignorant bliss.

---

Well, there it is.

Whether breadcrumbs sprinkled throughout 49 chapters will make this make sense or not remains to be seen.

Thanks for reading! I'm going to go hide under my bed now.