Fire Emblem: Three Houses is addictive.

The rain drizzled down, soaking through his clothes. The Hunter Outpost shouldn't be too much further. He saw the building after a few more minutes, the Hunter emblem carved into the wooden building. He saw the glass doors slide open, a man and a little girl leaving. The little girl was sniffling, the man's face was emotionless but Qrow could see the tears on his face. He watched them leave before entering the building.

The room was bright, the walls white stone, a large koi pond in the center of the room, brown wooden walkways over the water. A large screen was projected into the air, the names of the Mistral Hunters displayed on it, switching between the various names every so often. His shoulder's slumped at the sight of a table where the Brother's Cross, Crystal of Dust, and Sound of Devi sat; flowers, candles, and pictures resting next to them.

"Hello!" Qrow turned, looking at the counter that sat next to the entrance. A holographic woman smiled at him, a terminal sitting in front of her. "Welcome to the Mistral Hunter Outpost, I am this Outpost's designated AI, how may I be of assistance?" He went to the counter pulling out his scroll.

"I was looking to set up a job with some of the Hunter's here. I made a list of those I was looking to hire." He handed his scroll over to the AI, who hooked it up to their terminal. A second passed before they looked back at him.

"I am sorry to report that all Mistral Hunters are already out on previous deployments and shall not be returning in the near future. The Hunters, Heather Shields and Wan Shiro, are no longer active Hunters."

"Why not?"

"They have been reported as KIA." Qrow ran a hand through his hair, a shot of guilt going through him. He hadn't spoken to them in so many years. Shit. The AI unhooked his scroll from the terminal, resting it back on the counter. "Will that be all for today, Qrow Branwen?"

"Yeah. Thanks." He grabbed his scroll from the counter, ignoring the AI as it said goodbye.

He stepped outside, walking down the rainy streets. He pulled out his flask, taking a long swig from it as the cool rain fell.

Willow sat in her chair, sipping from a glass of water. She watched the gardeners tend to the gardens, trimming and pruning the leaves and flowers, the late summer sun beating down on them. She looked at the jug of icy water that her glass sat next to, before looking back at the gardeners. She drained her glass, shivering as the cold water ran down, and grabbed the jug, leaving her little pavilion.

She went to the tables and chairs that sat near the center of the gardens, and set the jug down, and cleared her throat, the gardeners looking over at her.

"I neglected to bring any cups but, there's water here for you," she said. They glanced at the water and then back at her before nodding in appreciation, going back to their work quietly.

Willow smiled slightly, and left the gardens, the cool air of her family's mansion washing over her as she entered. Her mind wandered as she walked aimlessly down the halls.

She fidgeted in the seat, clasping her hands, looking at the Psychiatrist. The Psychiatrist smiled at her.

"You said that you wanted to see me again, Willow. What can I help you with?" They asked. Willow hesitated before tapping her temple.

"I'm seeing that therapist you recommended, and taking the medication you prescribed but…"

"But?"

willow

"I-I'm still hearing voices. I haven't really seen anything since starting, but the voices haven't stopped."

The Psychiatrist's exhaled, looking down at their scroll.

"Like I said during our first meeting, this condition cannot be cured. It is incredibly common for schizophrenic patients to still be able experience auditory or olfactory hallucinations even when put on medication. Visual hallucinations are rarer, but the medication does severely limit the amount of hallucinations you would otherwise be experiencing."

theyrelying

Willow rubbed at her temple, shutting her eyes.

"Unfortunately, this is the best that we are capable of offering at the moment. The field of psychology is not as well researched here in Atlas compared to say, robotics or aura. I cannot put you on any other medications, and the ones that you are on are the best that we have and should be limiting the more severe hallucinations."

theywanttohurtyou

Willow opened her eyes, looking at the Psychiatrist.

"What can I do to help deal with them?"

"You can increase your therapy sessions; have them focus on figuring out coping mechanisms to help you quiet the voices. Unfortunately, that's all that I can offer."

Willow shook her head, exhaling, and stopping. She looked aside, at the door she stood next to.

Weiss' door.

She bit her lip before opening the door, and stepping in. She closed the door, leaning against it, looking at her daughter's room. The midday sun filtered through the closed white curtains, brightening the blue marble floor. Willow shivered as she looked at the fading brown stains barely hidden by the rug next to Weiss' bed.

Willow went to Weiss' bed, sitting down on the perfectly made sheets, looking sadly at the plethora of plushies and stuffed snakes that sat next to her multitude of pillows.

She rested her hands on the bed, looking at the empty fireplace on the other side of the wall, at the artwork hanging on the wallpaper covered walls, the record player sitting in the corner, and the writing desk sitting in front of the bookshelves.

"Mom?"

Willow stood up, looking back at the door. It was closed.

Mom? Why are you in here?

Willow shook her head, sighing, and sitting back down.

I really miss you, mom. I'm really cold.

Willow rubbed her temples, beginning to hum.

"Good evening, goodnight. Covered with roses; adorned with thorns. Slip under the covers. Tomorrow, if it is Dust's will, will you wake again? Tomorrow, if it is Dust's will, will you wake again?"

I didn't wake up, mom.

"Good evening, goodnight. Watched over by Dust, in a dream they show you the Way. Sleep blessed and sweetly, look for paradise in your dream. Sleep blessed and sweetly, look for paradise in your dream."

"Am I interrupting something, mother?"

Willow opened her eyes, lowering her hands, and looking to the door.

Whitley stood in the doorway; an eyebrow raised as he looked at her. She shook her head, resting her hands on Weiss' bed.

"No. Nothing." Whitley lowered the eyebrow, a bored expression replacing the quizzical look he had before. "Did you need anything, dear?" she asked. A flicker of anger shot through Whitley's eyes before he shook his head.

"I heard voices coming from Weiss' room and wanted to know who was in here. That was all, mother." He turned away, his hand on the door.

"Wait." He looked over his shoulder, annoyance in his icy eyes. Willow took a breath, gripping the sheets. "Your father… I know that he was terrible, and I don't miss him but…" She took another breath. "Tell me the truth. Do you plan to do that to me?" She looked at her son, dread eating her innards. Whitley chuckled.

"Weiss has grown fond of you, dear mother. If something bad were to happen to you, I'm sure she would be very upset about that." He turned away. "You have nothing to fear at the moment."

The door shut behind him, leaving Willow alone in the empty room.

Nora hesitated at the door of the Dust temple; the sound of chanting muffled by the door. She exhaled, taking off her boots and resting them with the other nearby shoes before going back to the door and opening it up.

Her nose wrinkled as the scent of incense, the smell pungent and sharp. The walls were a rainbow of colors, crystals hanging from the ceiling and walls. She saw people in crimson and maroon robes kneeling and chanting in Old Mistralian. At the opposite side of the building she saw a Faunus woman standing in front of a black wall, next to a large gong, praying as well. Large rubies adorned her robes. The woman's lion ears twitched slightly as Nora shut the door, leaning against it, watching the monks pray.

She stayed that way for several moments, watching them rise up and then kneel back down as they prayed. After a while the lion woman struck the gong, and rested her hands together, bowing her head. The others followed her example. Nora cocked her head to the side, listening to the lion woman pray in a language she didn't recognize, the others mimicking her; the words musical to her ears. They finished their prayers, standing up from their mats and filing out of the room, some giving her odd looks as they passed. They were all Faunus.

"Can I help you, hama?"

Nora looked aside. The lion woman stood next to her; her hands hidden by her robes. Nora nodded.

"This is a Dust temple, right?" The lion woman nodded.

"Indeed, it is. I am Huángsè, and I am in charge of this temple." Huángsè motioned with her hand, walking toward her cushion back at the black wall. Nora followed after her, sitting on her knees on the cushioned mat. Huángsè straightened out her robe as she sat down. She smiled at Nora. "What can I help you with?" Nora scratched the back of her head.

"Are all Dust temples like this? Is this one for Faunus only? What language were you guys praying in?"

"If you mean the colors of the walls and the Dust crystals we have, then the answer is yes. They are a reminder of the omnipotence of Dust, of how they are an aspect of every part of life on Remnant; from the water, to the worms that feed on the dead, to you and I and the Grimm." Huángsè rested her hands on her knees. "This temple does not exclude your kind, but this is a Flame Sect. It is more common amongst the Faunus. The Ice Sects are more common amongst the humans. Hence the reason why most of our members are Faunus. The language that you heard us praying in is the native tongue of the Faunus; Ishvi. When we have humans join us for prayer, we switch to Common to be polite." Nora nodded before motioning with her hand.

"What's the difference between the Fire and Ice groups?" she asked. Huángsè smiled gently.

"I'm sure that the differences between our races played a part in it, but the ideological difference is that we believe that the Grimm have souls like every other part of nature, while the Ice view the humans and Faunus as being the only ones with souls." Huángsè raised a hand, holding it out in front of her. "Were you looking to join our temple, hama?"

Nora hesitated, and sighed.

"I don't know. I've never believed in any gods before, but... I found out some stuff that is making me have to reconsider my views on that." Huángsè cocked her head aside.

"May I ask what that might be?" Nora shook her head. "I see," Huángsè said. She shifted. "Might I ask what made you not believe in a god?" Nora hesitated before nodding.

"My parents died when I was little, and I was stuck in the wilderness in Mistral before finding a village; Kuroyuri. I was there when it got destroyed by the Demon of Anima. I was left homeless and fighting for my life, going hungry and cold until I was able to get into a combat school, and got a chance to go to Beacon. And then the Fall happened." Nora balled her hands into fists, frowning. "If a god does exist, why would they let that happen to me? If gods are all loving, why would they let all those innocent people die? Why weren't they there to protect them? Where were they when I was starving and sick?"

Huángsè was quiet.

"We cannot truly understand Dust, and we are often taught that life will be full of hardships and misery. It is an unfortunate reality of our world. I cannot tell you why Dust would make you suffer in such a way, but I do know that the teachings of Dust can help you learn to overcome your hardships and end your suffering."

Nora looked away, clenching her skirt. She closed her eyes exhaling. She opened and closed her mouth several times, unsure of how to respond before finally standing up, opening her eyes.

"I don't know if I'll be back, but, thank you for listening to me." She said. Huángsè smiled at her, also standing up, stepping off the cushion.

"It was no problem at all. If you have a change of heart, I will be here waiting to welcome you into Dust's arms and help you overcome suffering."

Nora smiled politely back, bowing her head.

Adam glanced around him, waiting at the door. A festering stench filled the air of the slums; filth littered the tight street he stood on. He shifted the pack on his back and knocked on the door again. A few more moments passed before the door opened, a set of eyes peering out.

"Adam Taurus?" a voice asked. He nodded, placing a hand on the door, creaking it open.

"You're Vicar Hēisè, right?" The man nodded, stepping back as Adam entered the house. It was small, cramped, an altar with Her Eye filling one of the walls. He heard the door shut. He went to a coffee table, swiping the Vicar's half eaten meal to the side and slinging his pack onto the table. "You remember what your role in this is, right?" Hēisè nodded.

"We are willing to do anything to appease our Mother. We will endure any hardship that Mistral might put us through." Adam smirked, and opened the pack, pulling out the uniforms of Atlesian Specialists. He set them on the table, emptying the pack.

"When we destroy Haven, I'll be leaving a few of my men with you and the others. Atlas and the White Fang attacked Beacon; Mistral needs to think it's the same here." He spread out the uniforms, smiling at the blood stains on one of them. "I could only get five uniforms. There weren't very many Specialists in Argus."

Hēisè looked over the uniforms, nodding his head.

"Five should be enough. It would be odd for Atlas to send more than that for a mission." He said. He gave the bloodstains on the one uniform an annoyed look before exhaling. "I will make sure that they are cleaned and up to the standard's the Atlesian Specialists pride themselves in."

Adam turned to leave, walking past the Vicar.

"Adam. Hold on a moment." Adam looked back at him. Hēisè looked over at him, his hand going to the Eye pendant at his throat. "Why do you serve our Mother?" Adam watched the Vicar rub the pendant; his nails black.

"She wants to bring about the end of humanity. I want the same thing. I am going to be the savior of the Faunus; I will lead them to posterity and to a life free of human persecution. And Salem is the best bet that my people have." The Vicar studied him for a moment before saying

"I see." He stopped rubbing the pendant, but his hand did not leave it. "Our Mother has seen the great sins of humanity; our persecution of your kind, of our hatred for each other, for our hunting of Grimm. The Grimm are not evil or monstrous, they are only animals who react to negativity. Our Mother will lead her chosen to an age free of the hate and pain that we have created." Hēisè smiled. "I will gladly stand by your side once our Mother remakes the world, if you would let a human do so."

Adam said nothing, turning his back on the Vicar and heading to the door.

Winter stood at attention. Ironwood sat at his desk across from her.

"At ease," he said. She stood at ease.

"You said that you needed to speak with me, sir?"

"I wanted to see how you were feeling. People were asking about you at your father's funeral." She squeezed her clasped hands.

"I am doing fine, sir. You know about the type of relationship my father and I had. I don't see a reason to mourn him. I had more pressing issues here that I needed to attend to as well." Ironwood rubbed his chin.

"Your mother and brother were there."

"I am aware, sir." Winter exhaled. "How is Whitley? I heard he got hurt, and he hasn't responded to any of my messages." Ironwood shrugged.

"Rather fine for someone who nearly lost their eye. He didn't seem too broken up about Jacques, and neither did your mother." Winter felt her lip begin to curl, and stopped it, keeping bearing.

"I assume she was drunk and made a scene or didn't even realize where she was at?" He shook his head.

"She was sober, and from what she told me, has been for several months. She's been seeing a therapist and attending rehab." He said. Winter frowned.

"That…That doesn't sound possible, sir." She said. Ironwood rested his hands on his desk.

"I can't dictate your life, Major, but I do think that you might benefit from reaching out to your family. Our jobs can be stressful, you need something outside of just the military." He nodded at her. "You are dismissed."

Winter saluted, and did an about face, leaving the General's office. She walked down the white metal hallways; her hands clenched.

Mother…. Mother couldn't change… could she?

Cinder leapt out of the way of the Behemoth's claws. She slid through the craggy earth, dust kicking up. The towering Grimm turned, the multitude of animalistic heads in its torso gazing at her. It lumbered toward her, its twelve hooved legs moving like a centipede's.

Cinder snarled, raising her hands, molten spikes forming from the kicked-up dust. She launched them forward with a croak like yell, the spikes shooting through the Behemoth, black blood spurting into the air. It collapsed onto the ground, starting to smoke, a dying whiny escaping from several of the heads.

She grit her teeth as several more Behemoth's lumbered forward. She glanced up, at where Salem stood watching. She looked back at the Behemoth's, snarling.

She slammed her foot down, the earth rumbling, spikes shooting forward, impaling one of the Behemoth's, it's smoking body left hanging from the spike.

The Behemoth's charged, several different screams coming from their heads. She sprinted toward them, leaping into the air, swinging her leg down, fire spewing forth, flames engulfing one of the Grimm. It flailed and thrashed, kicking-up dust as she landed. She ducked under the claws of one Behemoth, shoving her hand into the airborne dust, feeling a magma blade form in her hand. She swung with a yell, hearing the Behemoth's blood sizzle as she cleaved it in half.

She gasped, the remaining Behemoth ramming into her, throwing her off her feet. It grabbed her with one of its arms, hoisting her into the air. The skull like head at the top of its body split apart, its fang filled maw opening wide. Cinder sneered as she stared down the Grimm's gullet. She inhaled, and spewed out fire, the flames shooting down the Behemoth's throat. She fell from its grasp, the Behemoth stumbling back, flames leaking from the heads on its torso, smoke beginning to bellow from it. It collapsed, a sickening, charred scent beginning to fill the air as it burned.

She got to her feet, her breathing unsteady, sweat dripping down her face. She looked up at Salem.

Salem smiled as she looked down on her.

"You're getting stronger, Cinder." Salem left the rocky crag she stood on, heading back for her castle. Cinder caught her breath before following after her.

She fanned herself as her guard set the plate of bougatsa down in front of her. She picked up the fork, moaning slightly at the flakey crust and cheese custard; the sugar coating on top just enough to not overpower the other flavors. She watched the patrons of her bar as they sat at their fine wood and metal tables, drinking from their glasses. Her spiders wandered through the tables, offering snacks and complimentary refills of each patron's chosen spirit. She smiled as she looked at the bar counter, at where several men and women in white suits sat; SDC employees. The bartender listened to them attentively, keeping the liquors and wines coming, nodding and laughing as the SDC members talked to her.

Some juicy information from them, no doubt.

She looked away from the well-stocked bar counter, nodding her head gently to the fusion jazz playing, and looked out over her bar, her web. It was brightly lit, only the most modern and chic of décor, all made by the finest designers that Mistral had to offer.

She frowned, watching a hard-faced woman with green hair enter the bar, nodding courteously to her spiders, their eyes set on her. They came to a stop in front of her table, hanging back, looking at her guards before speaking.

"Ianthe Malachite?"

"That's Lil Miss Malachite to you, Detective Midori."

"Right." Detective Midori glanced between the guards, before looking back at her. "I know what type of business you're in, Lil Miss Malachite." The guards took a step forward. Detective Midori raised her hands up, her jacket parting. Ianthe narrowed her eyes at the holstered pistol at the Detective's hip. "I'm not here to arrest you, with the way Mistral is, we need people in your business. I came here for a request."

Ianthe cocked an eyebrow, and looked to her guards, motioning for them to back away. They did so, allowing the Detective to step closer. Her voice was hushed as she fished something out of her coat pocket.

"There was a murder down in the Mid-Levels. The owner of a noodle shop, Kobayashi Aka, was found dead behind his restaurant." The Detective set a group of photos on her table, next to her plate. She flipped through them, her nose wrinkling in disgust at the gore. "The police are wanting to close this case; they think it's the work of that Grimm cult down in the Lower-Levels." She set the pictures aside, resting her head on her hand.

"And you think otherwise, Detective?" she asked. Midori nodded.

"The way that man's organs were pulled out doesn't look like the way a Grimm does it. Too clean. And whenever we found the bodies, those cultists would paint some weird symbol, not a mural of two women." She said. Ianthe hummed, looking back at the photos, noting the bloody painting on the wall.

"What are you asking me for, exactly, Detective?"

"If any info involving this case is brought up by your patrons, I would appreciate it if it that info were to leak, somehow." Ianthe smiled, sliding the photos together and handing them back to the Detective.

"My services don't come cheap, Detective." Midori took the photos, setting them in her coat pocket.

"I'm aware. Fifty?"

"Seventy-five." The Detective chuckled, shaking her head.

"Fine. I assume you'll know how to get in contact with me?" Ianthe smirked.

"Oh, I know, Detective. When I get your info, you'll be getting a visit from one of my spiders." Midori nodded, turning and leaving, grabbing a korokke from one of her spider's servering trays as she left.

Ianthe returned to her food, taking a bite of the bougatsa. She grimaced; it was cold. She lifted the plate up, holding it out to one of her guards.

"Get me a new one," she said.

Miltia leaned over the railing, watching over the dancing crowd, the bass thumping, and the red and white lights flashing throughout the club. Junior sat at the bar, talking to some gangster or another, it was getting hard to keep track of who he was dealing with. She leaned back, stretching her arms. She saw Melanie near the entrance, standing next to the bouncer, yawning, and checking her scroll. She looked back at the crowd, cocking her head at a flash of long blonde hair in the crowd.

She stepped away from the railing, going down into the crowd. The music was booming, the bass beating into her chest with each note. People shoved against her, their bodies slick with sweat. She growled in annoyance as she stepped around a couple grinding on each other.

She went further and further into the dance floor, looking through the crowd.

"Hey!" Miltia looked to her side; a woman with bright blonde hair was dancing near her. Her eyes were bright blue, her chest flat. "Wanna dance?" Miltia shook her head.

"Not interested," she said. The girl shrugged, turning away from her, and starting to dance with some other girl.

She made her way through the crowd, going back to her spot on the railing. She watched the blonde girl dance in the crowd, and sighed. She saw her sister take the spot on the railing next to her.

"Bored?" Melanie asked.

"Always," she replied. Melanie giggled, resting her elbow on the railing, turning to face her.

"You still looking for that one girl? Yin?" Miltia felt her cheeks grow warm, and looked away, eliciting a laugh from her sister.

"Her name's Yang."

"Yeah, that one."

"It's been a while since she's been in here. I'm just kinda worried. When she came in last time it was because she got her ass kicked at the Hole."

"I'm sure she's fine, sis. You can't mother everyone you meet."

But… what if she gets hurt again?

Miltia shook her head, looking back at her sister.

"Did you, like, need something from me?" she asked. Melanie shook her head before making a face and nodding. Her playful smile disappeared, a serious look filling her lime green eyes.

"I want to visit mom."

Miltia scowled, her lip curling, the sounds of the club turning mute as she looked at her sister.

"Why would you want to do that?" she spat.

"I want to know. If she knew…" Melanie rubbed at her chest. "If she's cared at all that we left." Miltia's scowl deepened. "I know you hate her, sis. But don't you want to know too?"

"No. I don't. Fuck her." Melanie said nothing for a moment, still rubbing her chest.

"I've already, kinda, talked to Junior about this. I'll be leaving in a few months, when things get less crazy, and the trains open up again." Miltia felt her jaw drop, and her body step back from her sister. "I wanted you to come with me, sis. If… if he's still there, I know that you can protect me." Melanie's hand fell, her head lowering, unable to look at her. "I… I should have talked about this with you first, I'm sorry. I know that going back to her would be hard for you, so…" Melanie looked up, finally meeting her gaze. "I understand if you want to stay here."

"Of course you should have talked to me about this!" She felt a stab in her chest as Melanie winced. "I…. I know what mom's answer will be, Melanie. But if you think I'm going to let you go to Mistral, back to them, all by yourself then you're crazy."

Miltia embraced her sister, running a hand through her hair.

"I promised you that I would never let anyone hurt you, Melanie, and I'm going to keep that promise." Melanie hugged her back; Miltia felt her sister trembling in her arms.

Yang watched her mother as Vernal filled the teacups. Raven picked up her cup, taking a cautious sip before smiling gratefully to Vernal.

"Wait outside," she said. Vernal nodded, leaving the tent. Yang looked back at her, her breath hitching. Sitting on a shelf, on a stand, was Midnight Thorn. The spot on the stand below it was empty; several Dust blades say next to the shelf. "Drink, it's better when it's hot."

Yang looked back at Raven, narrowing her eyes.

"What's this 'truth' you wanted to tell us?" she said. Raven took another sip.

"That truth is subjective, and that you don't know as much as you think you do." Raven set the teacup on the table, shifting on her cushion. "Your uncle has no doubt told a lot of things to your sibling and their friends. Honeyed words from an honorless coward."

"He has more honor than you. He's been risking his life as a Hunter while you what, raid and kill people?" Raven chuckled.

"Did your uncle ever tell you why we were sent to Beacon? About your grandmother?" Yang's brow furrowed. She saw Weiss glance at her. Yang shook her head. "We were sent to learn how to kill. We were raised together here. After a Hunter helped out in a raid from a rival clan, our mother decided we would be trained as Hunter's to help defend our territory and kill any who were hired to try and stop our clan. We were meant to be the Hunter of Hunters." Yang stared at her in shock, Weiss glancing back over at her. Raven smirked. "Uncle Qrow leave that little bit out, hm?" Raven reached for her tea again, sipping from it before getting up. She walked around the table, past Weiss, and over to where Summer's sword sat.

"We were good, the entrance exam mere child's play compared to the training our mother put us through. This is no doubt one of the reason's we caught Ozpin's eye."

"What do you mean?" Yang asked. Raven took another sip.

"He would have Qrow visit him in private, gave our team special missions, and once Summer unlocked her abilities, she would get special training from him. He'd generally turn a blind eye to anything we did, allowing us to get away with a lot of stuff no one else would have." Raven looked over her shoulder, smiling smugly. "Sound familiar?"

Yang glanced at Weiss. Weiss caught her gaze, and reached her hand out, slipping it into Yang's. Weiss nodded at her. Yang took a breath, trying to stem the butterflies in her stomach at Weiss' touch as she looked back at her mother.

"What's your point?"

"How much do you really know about Ozpin? About our family? About the past?"

"He was a child prodigy, one of the best Hunters on Remnant, and the youngest to ever be appointed to a Headmaster position." Weiss said.

"He planned it to be that way. Everyone at those academies, the ones that he set up so long ago, are loyal to him, and him alone."

"That…that doesn't make any sense? He's not that old?" Yang said. Raven looked down into her tea.

"That is just one of the many secrets he has kept. And one that he entrusted to my team." Yang scowled.

"Quit the bullshit and just tell us already," she growled. Raven lifted her tea up, draining the last of it.

"The Grimm are not the real Grimm. The real Grimm died out long ago, and they weren't too different from you or me. The last Grimm, Salem, has been trying to wipe out humanity for thousands of years. She can't be stopped, she can't be reasoned with, and she will not rest until all of humanity is dead."

Yang stared at her mother, her mouth agape in shock.

"What?" Weiss asked. Raven looked back at them.

"Old man Oz has been around just as long as Salem has been. He was cursed by the gods, stuck in an eternal return until Salem is defeated." Yang got to her feet, glowering at Raven.

"The gods died with my mom." Raven said nothing, stepping aside. Yang blinked; white butterflies floated around her mother's sword, some resting on its white blade. Raven walked past her, heading toward the other end of the tent, to a large map of Remnant.

"I thought the same, Yang. But the dead on Remnant have a bad habit of not staying dead."

"Why should I believe any of what you've said?" Raven looked back at her, smiling.

"You're finally asking the right questions. Keep asking that question and you might be able to learn the truth. Something your fool of a father and uncle were never able to do."

Yang yelled, Ember Celica springing into place, a shot firing, the table exploding into splinters.

Raven didn't flinch, her smirk growing as she looked at her. She heard a gun click and looked behind her shoulder; Vernal stood in the entrance her wind and fire pistol aimed at her. Vernal narrowed her eyes, her finger moving to the trigger.

"You'd best calm down," she warned. Yang snarled-

Butterflies went through her stomach as Weiss grabbed her hand. Yang looked down, at their clasped hands, at the pleading look in Weiss' icy eyes.

"Yang, please." Yang took a breath, stemming her anger.

"That's right, Yang. Listen to your teammate. You've never been let down by them before." Raven said with a smirk. Yang ripped her hand free of Weiss', stepping towards Raven.

"You don't know the first god damn thing about me or my team! You were never there! You've never been there! You left me!" she screamed. Raven turned to face her, lifting her chin.

"I know a lot more than you think, Yang." Raven looked between her and Weiss. "I know exactly the feelings you're going through right now, Yang." Raven stepped toward her. "The pain, the heartache, feeling like if things had been different you could have been happy." Raven rested her hand on her shoulder, her voice a whisper in her ear. "I loved Summer the same way that you love Weiss." Yang's eyes widened. She tried to break free of Raven's grip. Raven tightened her grip. "Your uncle will never tell you this, and neither will Ozpin. But Qrow is the reason why Summer is dead, and Ruby is not really your sister. You can't trust anything they tell you." Yang broke free of her Raven's grip, stepping away from her.

"I-I…" Raven looked over at Weiss.

"Dear old Ozpin has a magic to him, from back when the world was watched over by the gods. He gifted Qrow and I an ability separate from our semblances." She walked to an opening in the tent, lifting the flap and looking back at them. "If you want proof that I've been telling you the truth, come see for yourself."

Raven left, the flap closing. Yang looked over at Weiss as she got to her feet. Weiss nodded at her, walking up to her side. Yang felt her hand tremble as she went to the flap, opening it, and following after Weiss.

The area behind the tent was empty, the grass dead, logs of firewood off to the side. The makeshift walls of the camp encircled the area, the branches of a large tree dangling over the sides of the barricade.

"Raven?" Yang called out. She heard a bird caw, but no other sound.

"Yang?" Yang looked back at Weiss. Weiss rubbed at her wrist; her eyes fixed on her. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Weiss kept rubbing her wrist.

"It's okay if you're not okay, Yang." Yang scowled.

"Don't tell me you believed any of that? She kidnapped you, she abandoned me, how can you trust anything she says?" she spat. Weiss lowered her hands, glancing at Yang's hand.

"Of course I didn't believe her. Well…"

"Well?" Weiss shrugged.

"Not… all of what she said. I mean, magic is impossible. I'm sure there's an explanation for it, just some weird semblance or Dust."

There was another cawing. Yang looked to the tree. A large black raven sat in the branches, peering down at them with red eyes. It cawed at her.

"A bird?" Weiss asked. Yang felt herself take a few steps toward the tree.

"It's… a raven. I've seen it before. When I was growing up, and at Beacon."

The bird leapt down from its perch, flying down. Yang stepped back as the bird grew in size. She heard Weiss yelp as the bird began to change, feathers falling out of place, its body contorting, red and black clothes appearing.

Raven landed on her feet, her arms slowly forming from her wings. She looked up at Yang, smirking as her beak changed to her nose and lips.

"What was my semblance again, Yang?"

Yang couldn't answer, her body rooted to the ground. Raven's smirk turned to a coy smile.

"Or maybe it would be better to show it?"

A red and black portal materialized behind her.

"H-how…" Weiss couldn't finish the sentence.

"Go through that portal and ask Qrow yourself." Raven said.

"You're…you're letting us go?" Raven shook her head.

"I'm giving you a choice. Stay with me, Yang, and we can have a fresh start. We'll be safe from Salem and Ozpin's war." She stepped to the side, out of the way of the portal. "Or you can join your sibling, and die, just like they will."

Yang squeezed her hand, trying to stop it from trembling.

"I don't care who I have to face. I will keep Ruby safe." She scowled. "Get my bike, I'm leaving."

Raven sighed in annoyance and shouted for one of the Branwen's to bring her bike over. Yang got on, feeling Weiss take the spot behind her, wrapping her arms around her. She turned on the engine, the bike roaring to life.

"Yang." She looked over at Raven, Weiss doing the same. Raven rested her hand on the hilt of her odachi. "If you side with Qrow, if we ever cross blades, I won't be forgiving."

"I won't be either. I still have that promise to keep."

Ruby sipped from the tea, Ivory sitting across from her in the kitchen. It was well furnished, the cabinets a shade of gray that she liked.

"So, that Uncle Qrow of yours, is he from your sister's side?"

"I…think? He's always helped Yang and my dad out with raising me, but I never really thought about how he was related to us. He was just Uncle Qrow. Show up and tell me cool stories about him and mom or show off his scythe. I didn't know Yang and I had different moms until recently, so, yeah, I guess he's her uncle." Ivory smiled sadly and took a sip from her tea.

"I'm glad you had so many people there to help you grow up. Two dads and a sister. I really wish I could have done more for Summer."

Two dads

Ruby frowned and sipped from her tea.

"Did my mom like tea? Or did she like coffee more?" Ruby asked. Ivory rubbed her chin, humming slightly as she thought.

"I think she tried coffee once and spat it out almost instantly. She's always been more partial to tea. My source of income wasn't…. very reliable so I never really had a lot of variety with what I fed her growing up. That might have played a part in it."

"Was it this type of tea?" Ruby asked. Ivory nodded.

"Yep. Green tea was the type she liked."

She heard the one of the doors in the living room open, and the sound of footsteps. Ivory craned her head, trying to look down the hallway. Ruby smiled at her.

"It's probably just Uncle Qrow."

"Ruby?" Qrow's voice carried down the hallway. Ivory exhaled and took a sip of her tea. Ruby set her cup down, getting out of her chair, and heading down the hallway.

"Did you have any luc-"

She froze.

Yang.

Yang said nothing, taking a step forward, a fire arm forming from her stump. She couldn't tell what the emotion in her sister's amethysts eyes was. She opened and closed her mouth several times.

"Ya-Yang… I-I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have left you, I should have waited until you were ready, I shouldn't have run off without telling you were I was going, I-"

Yang embraced her. She felt tears welling, and buried her face into her sister's shoulder, hiccupping as Yang stroked her hair. The fire arm was warm, comforting.

"I love you." She felt tears drip onto her hair and started to sob.

"I love you too," She cried.

She opened her eyes, looking past her sister's shoulder. Qrow stood in the doorway, Weiss standing off to the side, her eyes watering. Ruby shifted, Yang looking over at Weiss as well. Ruby sniffled, and held out her arm, smiling at Weiss.

Weiss' lip quivered, the tears dripping down her cheeks as she ran over to them, embracing them.

"I missed you so much, Ruby!" Weiss hiccuped. Ruby wrapped her arms around her, hugging her sister and best friend.

Excuse the rust with this chapter, I haven't written much recently.
And I went and edited previous chapters to retcon Yang slapping Weiss back in V1 as I felt (and have been told by various readers) that it was very ooc for Yang to do so. I also edited some things in the V4-5 chapters; I recently had some drawings done of how RBY look in this AU post Fall, and changed some descriptions to match these new outfits. You can see what they look like on this fics tvtropes page.