Cinder gasped for air, sweat stinging her eyes as a pack of Beowolves approached. They growled at her before one of them lunged. She yelled, swinging her arm, flames bursting forth, engulfing the Grimm. They flailed on the ground, screaming as the flames consumed them.
She gasped as a Beringel lunged at her with a roar. She snarled, flames engulfing her fist as she punched forward. Her fist ripped through its torso, blood sizzling against the flames. The Beringel's roar quieted, it's body growing limp around her fist, the flames spreading across its body. She yanked her hand free, falling to her knees, gasping.
"I thought you said you wanted power, Cinder." Salem's voice was cold, anger tinging her words. "Did you lie to me, girl?" Cinder shook her head, struggling to her feet. "Then stop holding back, child."
The door creaked open, Cinder looked into the shadows of the hallway.
"She will forgive me, She will forgive me, She will forgive me."
Tyrian stepped into the room, throwing herself on the ground, bowing, her head resting on the stone floor. The end of her tail was severed. Salem frowned, striding toward Tyrian.
"Where is Ruby?" Tyrian didn't answer, pressing her head further into the ground.
"-ves." she mumbled.
"Speak up." Tyrian shuttered, her tail wrapping around her legs.
"She lives." Tyrian lifted her head, her yellow eyes fearful. "I… I was unable to kill her."
Salem said nothing, Cinder backed away, the room growing darker. Tyrian flailed her hands, rising to her feet, her head bowed, unable to look Salem in the eye.
"It was Qrow! He betrayed us, my Goddess! I had the little flower and her friends and he intervened! He is why I failed!" Her tail unwrapped from her leg, moving out in front of her, the stump hovering in front of Salem. "The little flower took my stinger but I managed to poison Qrow. He shall be dead soon, my Goddess. I succeeded in that at the very most."
Salem walked around Tyrian, disappearing into the darkness of the hallway.
"You are a disappointment." She said. The door clicked shut a moment later.
Tears welled in Tyrian's eyes, her body trembling. She fell to her knees, beginning to sob. Cinder flinched as Tyrian began to pound her head against the floor.
"I'm sorry!" Smash "I'm sorry!" Smash "Forgive me!" Blood splattered against the stones, running down her face. A Beowolf lumbered past Cinder, growling. It lunged with a roar, its claws thrown out.
Tyrian's tail whipped out, slamming into the beo, throwing it aside. Tyrian rose to her feet, her tears mingling with the blood. She lunged at the wolf, her claws springing out as she sobbed. The wolf cried out as Tyrian's blades ripped into it, its blood spraying out, splattering across Tyrian.
She hacked at it's chest, its body twitching as its organs began to spill out. Cinder could taste bile as Tyrian's sobs turned to laughter. Tyrian plunged her claws into the wolf's chest, yanking it free, its chest splitting open, its ribcage shattered. Tyrian began to move, grinding against the wolfs corpse, her laughs turning to moans. Cinder stood, unable to move, her mouth hanging open in disgust as Tyrian ripped the wolf's heart free, trailing her tongue over it.
Yang shook the spray can, hearing it rattle, before spraying. The sickly sweet scent filled the air, her mask doing little to stifle the scent. She moved the decal, continuing to spray, spreading the snowflake pattern over more of her new bike. Until Beacon was clear there was no way to get Bumblebee from the school's garage. Finding a bike with a one handed riding option was a pain but hey with the money she'd gotten, it wasn't as big of a headache it could have been.
She lowered the decal, setting the spray paint on the ground before stepping back to admire her handiwork. It was a sport's bike, the way she liked them, it's body a gradient of yellow and orange. White and light blue snowflakes decorated the lower front of the body, near the front tire. Yang smiled at the familiar shades of white and blue.
"I don't think I remember saying you were ready." Yang rolled her eyes, turning. Her father stood in the doorway of the shed, his arms crossed.
"Going to try and stop me?" she asked. He shook his head.
"No. I know I can't hold you back. I just," he exhaled. "I wanted an actual goodbye. Something better than a letter." He looked over at her, his eyes meeting hers. "And I wanted to know. Where are you going?" Yang frowned.
"What do you mean?" He stepped out of the doorframe, walking over to her, resting his hands on his hips.
"I know you want to see her. And I know your Uncle Qrow has told you she's out in Mistral. And so is Ruby. I won't stand in your way, but I want to know. Who are you leaving for?"
Yang looked back at her bike. At the snowflakes on it. She closed her eyes; silver eyes, and her mother's note flashing through her mind. She opened her eyes, looking back at her father.
She gave her answer.
She nudged her door open, peaking out of it. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the pitch black hallway. She blinked, making out the furnishings. The hallway was clear.
She pushed her door open, and shut it behind her. She walked along the carpet, her heels silenced by it. She gripped the handle of her suitcase as she silently made her way through the mansion, going over all the essentials in her mind: toothbrush, mirror, clothes, snake plush, Dust, lien.
She climbed down the stairs, moonlight filtering in, illuminating the blue carpets and white tile. She silently made her way down, walking past the Gigas statu-
"Going somewhere?"
Weiss whirled, drawing her sword, looking into the shadows.
Whitley stepped out from one of the statues, his hands resting behind his back. He hung close to it, half of his body obscured by shadows. Weiss narrowed her eyes.
"Whitley."
Whitley smiled, his blue eyes cold.
"Dear sister." He stepped forward, leaving the darkness. "I do so hope you weren't trying to leave in such an obvious fashion." Weiss said nothing, keeping her sword pointed at him. "You are a strong woman, Weiss, but do you honestly think you can make it across the tundra we call a yard all on your own? Climb the Alsius Mountains?" He chuckled. "And once in the City proper, what then, I wonder?"
"If you're here to stop me,-"
Whitley laughed, and shook his head.
"Of course not, dear sister, I would never dream to do such a thing." He cocked his head to the side. "I just want to make sure you get out of here, and aren't found again."
Weiss kept her sword aimed at him, staring into his icy eyes. She sheathed her sword, keeping a grip on its handle.
"And how would you propose I do that?" she asked. Whitley hummed, resting his thumb and finger on his chin.
"Hmmm. Now there's an excellent question." He lowered his hand. "I do believe the answer lies in the library."
He took off at a brisk pace, his hands folded behind his back. Weiss followed after him.
They entered a long hallway, Weiss swallowed; Father's office was down here. She saw Whitley start to slow down, cocking his head. He slowed to a stop before crouching next to a vase beside their father's office door. He motioned her over, and she crouched beside him. She could hear muffled voices coming from the room.
"You need to control yourself." It sounded like General Ironwood. Weiss bit her lip, tightening the grip on her suitcase as she heard her father laugh.
"You're going to try and talk to me about control? Do you even hear yourself?"
"I am basing everything off of your daughter's reports!" A cruel laugh.
"There are two Schnee daughters now, not three." Whitley stiffened.
"Jacques!" Ironwood shouted. "Winter is one of my best! If she says there is a threat in Mistral, then there is one!" His voice quieted "She's been there for weeks, observing what's happening in the city. And do you know what she found?" Her father didn't answer. "The black market in Mistral has been growing at an alarmingly fast rate. Weapons, Dust, food, it's all being traded in huge numbers. The Mistral Council are talking of removing our troops from their borders. They are preparing for war." Weiss heard a tinge of fear in her father's words.
"With Atlas?" he asked.
"Maybe. But there's something else in Mistral, a much bigger threat. Winter told me of a… a cult of Grimm worshipers."
"Faunus?"
"Why is that relevant?" Ironwood snapped. "These Grimm worshipers have been killing off Hunters in Mistral City. Whoever is controlling them, is not someone we want getting into Atlas. They're related to the people behind the Fall, I know it."
"The Fall was due to those Animals in the Whi-"
Weiss flinched at the sound of a loud crash.
"You. Need to get a grip." Her father said.
"I have. And I am going to keep our people safe. By this time next week, the Kingdom of Atlas' border will be officially closed. No one in, no one out, without the Honoris Consul's approval."
"You mean… your approval, Consul." Ironwood chuckled.
"Indeed, Jacques. So I would think you would want to remain on my good side."
Weiss stood up at the sound of approaching footsteps. She pointed two fingers at the door handle, a black glyph materializing on it. She looked down at Whitley, mouthing 'come on'.
The door knob jiggled before the door started thudding. Whitley got up, beginning to run down the hallway. Weiss followed after him, hearing Ironwood's strained grunts, and the thudding of the door.
Whitley threw open the library door, shutting it quietly behind her. He bent over, trying to catch his breath.
"Are you okay?" Weiss asked.
"Yes, yes, I'm fine. We can't all be gifted with athletic prowess" Whitley said. Weiss looked away.
"I meant… what Father said." Whitley was quiet, and Weiss looked back at him. Whitley's chest breathing was more even. He straightened out, his face blank.
"It's to be expected of a man like him, dear sister. I'm expecting similar things to be said once he takes me to meet the SDC board." He clapped his hands together, walking toward a bookshelf. "Now then, time to find our answer."
He walked to the far end of the library, inspecting the books. He reached for one, pulling it out and hitting something. The wall rumbled, the bookshelf moving as he pushed against it. The wall swung open, a dark passage behind it. Weiss went over to the passage, peering down into it. A staircase led down, the air drifting out cold.
"This should lead you into the city. I'm sure you can cover the getting out of Atlas part." Whitley said. Weiss nodded. She looked down the passage, and then at Whitley. She tossed her suitcase aside, embracing him.
"Thank you, Whitley." She felt him return the hug. "Tell Mother I'm sorry."
"I will." He said. "Be safe in Mistral, dear sister."
Weiss broke the hug, spinning around at the sound of a door slamming open. Whitley narrowed his eyes at the sound of their father's voice.
"Right. Time to go." He said. He picked up her luggage, holding it out to her. She took it, smiling sadly at him. She stepped into the passage, looking back at Whitley as he moved the bookshelf.
"Goodbye, dear brother." She said.
"Goodbye, Weiss." He said.
The passage closed, frigid darkness Weiss' only company.
Sun groaned as he opened his eyes, his back throbbing. Blake sat in a chair across from him, her head hung low, her hair obscuring her face, her ears pinned to her head.
"Do you know why I ran?" she asked quietly.
"What?" he groaned.
"The night Beacon fell. Do you know why I ran? Do you know what happened to Coco and Fox?" she asked.
"What are you-? Where-?" Blake lifted her head.
"I saw them die, Sun. I saw my friends die, right before my eyes. They died saving me." She untied her blue ribbon, the White Fang branding visible. "From the man that did this to me." Blake shook her head. "But I know he won't stop at them. Anyone close to me, anyone I cherish, I know he would do the same thing to them."
"Blake…" He said. She sniffed, rubbing the emblem.
"I don't want to see any more of my friends dead, Sun. That is why I ran away." He saw tears drip down. "And it hurts, Sun. It hurts every second of every day. I think about them, so much." She retied the blue ribbon, rubbing her hand against it. "I loved them. Ruby, Yang, Weiss. I loved them like I never thought was possible for a monster like me." She stopped rubbing her ribbon, her hands falling into her lap. "And I hope they never learn that I'm alive."
"You don't mean that."
"Yes, I do!" Blake yelled. "People think they can help me! They think they can save me from my past but they're wrong! I can never escape! I've killed people, Sun! Do you know what living with that is like?! And that girl, Ilia, she's not even the worst of the people from my past!" she screamed. "No. No, it's better if everyone left me. I made these mistakes, and I will atone for them alone."
"You think you're being selfless. But you're not." Sun said. Blake looked at him. He hissed, pain shooting through him as he sat up, leaning into the couch. "Your friend got me pretty good, no lie. But you know what? I'd do it all over again if it meant protecting my friend." Blake's ears perked up slightly. "And I can guarantee that Weiss would never let you face your demons alone." Blake looked at the blue ribbon on her arm. "You're allowed to make your own decisions, just like we're allowed to make our own. We fight to protect you, because we love you, Blake." He frowned, his tone stern. "So stop trying to push us out. We want to be there for you." He said.
Blake sniffed, and wiped at her eyes. She looked at him, smiling.
"Thank you, Sun."
The door flew open, thudding loudly against the wall. Sun turned, grunting in pain to look at the doorway.
Neptune stood in the doorway, his brow furrowed, his jaw set.
"Where is my man?" he said. Sun raised a hand weakly, smiling.
"Hey, Nep."
The serious façade vanished, Neptune rushing into the room, crouching next to him.
"Don't do that again, dude. Do you know how much of a mess I've been?" Sun gave him a cocky smirk.
"You think a bit of whipping can keep me down?" he said. Blake facepalmed, her cheeks red as Neptune laughed. Sun shifted as he heard someone clear their throat. Ghira and Kali stood outside the room, a scroll in Ghira's hands.
"When you three are ready, I have something to discuss." He said.
Her father paced in front of them, Ilia's scroll on the table.
"You were right to be suspicious," he said. "Adam Taurus is planning a coup against Sienna, and plans to lead an attack against Haven Academy."
"It would be just like the Fall of Beacon," Kali said.
Neptune grimaced, shifting in his seat as he looked at the scroll. Sun scowled.
"So what's the plan then?" Neptune asked. Sun shook his head.
"We go out and destroy the Fang once and for all." Sun growled. Blake shook her head, Sun looking at her in confusion.
"There has been enough bloodshed in the White Fang. We're not going to destroy it." She looked at her parents, and at her friends. She smiled confidently. "We're going to reclaim it."
Ren's lung burned as he ran through the rain, mud splashing onto him. Nora sprinted alongside him. Lightning flashed, the ruined walls of Kuroyuri appearing.
He forced his legs to move faster, hearing Nora fall behind.
"Not again. Not again."
Lightning flashed again, the buildings lighting up, thunder booming. Ren grit his teeth, sprinting faster and faster as a sniper round shot off.
He slid to a stop, his chest heaving. His hands trembled as he reached for Storm Flower, hearing Nora run up behind him.
Terror etched Pyrrha and Ruby's faces as they leapt out of the way as it slashed at them with a bone scythe. Ruby ran to the side, firing at it. Bones formed on it's torso, the bullets sparking as they hit it's armor.
It's back straightened, its head lifting, Ren swallowed, grabbing Storm Flower as he heard a click like growl. It's head began to twist backwards, the sound of bones snapping and twisting chilling Ren's blood.
Lightning flashed behind it, thunder shaking the ground. It's featureless face stared at him. It lowered it's head, it's lower mandibles splitting apart.
The Demon of Anima, the Nuckelavee, smiled at him.