A lone figure walked through the forest, her blood red cape sticking to her as the rain poured down. Water dripped in front of her face from her hood as she continued forward, mud splashing onto her cloak as she stepped through the puddles. The forest was suffocating, enveloping, and she sighed in relief when it began to clear and she entered a grassy cliffside. That relief dissipated when she heard faint screams, and the unmistakable roar of Grimm. She hurried up a rock jutting over the cliff's edge, staring out over the valley.
A village a few kilometers away was burning, the orange lights bright even from her distance. She grimaced, gripping her holstered scythe. A chill went up her spine as two Nevermore's swooped past her, their screeches ear splittingly loud. She cocked her head to the side; another one was coming.
She pulled her scythe out, the razor sharp blade springing out. She waited a moment before leaping off the rock, free falling, the wind whipping at her cloak and the rain pelting down on her. The Nevermore let out a screech as she landed on its back, jabbing her scythe underneath its wing. She jerked the scythe, causing the Nevermore to cry out in pain. She jerked the scythe again, forcing the Nevermore closer to the ground as they drew closer to the village. She saw people running throughout the village, some trying to fight the Grimm. Some of the Grimm looked up from their meals, glaring up at her, their orange eyes glowing. She scowled, and pulled the trigger.
The Nevermore screamed as its wing flew off, blood mingling with the rain as it came crashing to the ground. She leapt from the Nevermore's back and onto the roof of a building, sliding down its slippery shingles, her scythe turning into a sniper rifle in an instant. She leapt off the building, firing a shot at a wolf chasing after a woman. The wolf's head exploded into a spray of brains, bone, and blood, its body collapsing to the cobblestone street.
She landed with a tumble, and whirled towards a Creep, firing a shot and blowing a hole in its chest as it leapt towards a cowering boy. She heard a growl and leapt out of the way as a Beowolf swung at her with its claws, her scythe springing back into place. It growled at her again as it leapt towards her. She swung her scythe with a sneer, decapitating the wolf in one swift motion.
"Help me!" a voice cried out. Ruby whirled towards the voice, starting to sprint over towards it. An old man was cornered by an Ursa, a Creep peering down at him from the roof top. Ruby sneered and used her semblance to boost her speed before leaping forward. She screamed as she swung her scythe, slicing off the Ursa's head, landing on its back. She back flipped off the Ursa's back, switching to her rifle, and fired at the Creep, reducing its head to a black paste.
She landed with a grunt, hearing the corpses fall to the ground, and the man run off. The ground shook and she heard a rumbling. She turned, and saw stars explode in her vision as a fist slammed into her face, throwing her back and into a wall. She groaned, and struggled to her feet. A Beringel was glaring at her, its body covered in plates of bone armor. It stood up, pounding its chest, roaring at her. She scowled back at it, twirling her scythe and getting into the stance her uncle had taught her.
The Beringel lunged at her with a roar, and Ruby somersaulted out of the way, its fist crashing into the wall. She yelled, spinning on her heels, and swinging her scythe. The scythe stabbed into its side, embedding itself into its armor. She yelled, yanking on her scythe and ripping off the plate. The Beringel roared, grabbing a hold of her scythe, and throwing it, and her, off to the side.
Ruby skidded to a halt, gritting her teeth, and turning her scythe to a rifle. The Beringel turned towards her, black blood running down its side and dripping onto the street. It roared at her again and began to lumber towards her. Her eyes darted towards the nearby bell tower, and began to run towards it, firing at the Beringel. It threw up one of its arms to block her shots, the armor cracking.
She sprinted through the entrance, the Beringel crashing through. It roared at her as she ran up the stairs, firing at it as she climbed the stairs. It leapt onto the staircase, climbing it, the metal twisting underneath its grip. She climbed the steps two at a time, firing down at the beast as it gained ground. She reached the top, the clock's gears ticking and grinding around her. She scowled, no way out, and switched her rifle to her scythe.
The Beringel leapt over the railing, and landed, shaking the floor. Ruby stared it down, her grip on her scythe tightening. It lunged at her, and Ruby jumped to the side. A choked gasp came from her as the Beringel grabbed her cape as it crashed through the clock face. A strangled yell escape her lips as she began to plummet towards the ground, swirling her scythe, aiming the blade at the beast.
The Beringel landed in the cobblestone street, cracks appearing in the street and in its armor. It let out a weak growl as Ruby landed on top of it, stabbing her scythe into its chest. She dug the blade deeper into its chest, eliciting another growl, as she aimed at its head. She pulled the trigger, and with a boom the Beringel's head disintegrated, blood pooling from its neck. Ruby sighed, yanking out her scythe and stepping off its corpse as it started to smoke. She leaned against her scythe, catching her breath, the rain soaking through her clothes and chilling her.
There was a buzzing in her dresses pocket, and she pulled out her scroll; it was a call from her team. She hit the answer key.
"Ruby?! Are you there? We've been trying to call you!" She stared down an alley, watching the buildings crumble as the flames licked them.
"I'm here," she said.
"Where are you? Are you still near the camp?" Her lip twitched as a Beowolf ripped the arm off a dead boy and began to gnaw on it.
"I'm in a nearby village," she said.
"Is it safe?" A Nevermore screeched as it flew overhead.
"Yeah," she said. There was silence on the other line. "Don't worry about me guys, I'll be back before morning."
"Are you sure?" She chortled, shaking her head.
"Yeah. See you in the morning." She hung up and tucked her scroll away. She took a deep breath, and charged into the alley.
If I have harmed any one in any way, either knowingly or unknowingly through my own confusions, I ask their forgiveness.
The monks and nuns around her chanted in Old Atlesian, reciting prayer. She recited it with them, struggling with some of the words. She kept her eyes closed and her head bowed, her hands clasped together as she sat. Incense wafted through the air, the scent comforting.
There was a gentle ringing, and she rose up, keeping her eyes closed and her head bowed. She could hear the others standing up with her.
They continued their prayers, reciting the next verses. These ones she had an easier time remembering.
A gong was struck quietly, the noise signaling the end of their prayer session. Weiss opened her eyes, and sat back down, resting her hands on her knees. The monks and nuns around her wore thick robes that were an azure that faded to a cerulean. Sapphires hung from their throats. The inside of the temple was a rainbow of colors, crystals hanging from the ceiling and walls. Each color represented one of the forms of Dust; to remind them of where they all came from. The back wall, where the gong and bells rested, was black. And to where they all return.
The head monk stood with the gong and bells. He folded his hands together and bowed his head. Weiss and the others followed suit. He spoke in Common for the closing prayer.
"I am but a cog in the Great Wheel of Dust's universe. A part of Dust's unending love." The monk said. Weiss and the other monks repeated the prayer. "Made from Dust's own body, I strive to be kind, and to love every living thing. To protect those who cannot protect themselves." She repeated the prayer. "We thank Dust for giving us Choice. For giving us the ability to attain Knowledge. For giving us the capacity to Create, like them. And lament our ability to Destroy." She repeated the prayer. "We endeavor to walk in Dust's light every day of our lives, to live a life of compassion and face death with a heart full of peace."
Weiss' voice broke as she repeated the prayer.
The monks and nuns stood up and began to leave. Weiss stayed seated for a moment longer before she stood up and left.
It was snowing outside of the temple. Weiss picked up her shoes and hastily put them on, walking towards the gate. The white exterior of the temple was almost invisible against the snow. She shivered, her breath a silver mist in the air. The harsh wind cut through her thin dress, and bit into her skin. Snowflakes rested on her hair and against her face as she hurried to the long white car waiting for her. She opened the door and got in, the leather seats warm and welcoming after the walk through the snow. The chauffer looked back at her.
"Everything okay, Lady Schnee?" Weiss's gaze fell, and she turned towards the window. She rubbed her wrist, feeling the fresh bandages hidden by her sleeves. She closed her eyes and rested her head on the window.
"I'll be fine. Take me home, please." There was a pause.
"As you wish, Lady Schnee." The car began to move, and Weiss sighed, rubbing her wrists.
A sigh escaped her lips as she stood at the end of the dock. The sun was setting, the ocean waves golden in color. It was warm, summer. She inhaled; the scent of sea salt was always comforting and made her think of home. Her hand ran up her sleeve of ribbons, resting it on the white blue ribbon tied at the top. She smiled sadly, and let her arm fall.
The past several months had been hard, being on the run from the White Fang. Her hand brushed against the katana at her waist, and the pistol holstered against her thigh. Gambol Shroud had served her well, and she missed the familiar feel of it against her back, but there was no safe way to get back to Beacon and retrieve it.
She closed her eyes, her fist clenching, her nails digging into her palms.
The blood spewing into the air as his blade cut through. The arm as it flew in the air. The thud when they collapsed in front of Adam.
She scowled as she opened her eyes. She couldn't go back. All she could do now was what she did best.
Run away.
Thud!
The axe shook her arm as she embedded it into the log. She wretched it free, her breath coming out in silver puffs.
Thud!
It was unusually cold this winter, and most of the lumber in Patch was going to Vale to help with the repairs. Her father didn't want to buy any of the spare firewood in Patch, the freezing people back in Vale needed it more.
Thud!
She grimaced. Or a sharper axe, apparently.
Thud!
The log split, and she swiped the two logs into the basket next to the tree stump. She grabbed another log and set it onto the stump.
Thud!
At least she only had to worry about providing enough wood for herself and her father.
because you're unlovable
Thud!
She grit her teeth.
ruby left you
Thud!
she left you just like raven did
Thud!
just like summer did
Thud!
She snarled, her hair blazing around her, fire in her veins. The log had split, and she hurriedly put a new one in place. Her hand was shaking as she picked up the axe again.
Thud!
you're worthless
Thud! The log split.
you should have died back at beacon
Thud! The next log split.
you're nothing
She screamed, slamming the axe into the log. The log split in two, the axe blade shattering, the shards flying off into the snow. She stood quivering in the snow, the axe handle in her grip splintering. Something warm began to run down her cheeks, dripping onto her jacket. She screamed and hurled the axe handle into the snow covered forest.