Here we go

Cover Art: Z-ComiX

Chapter 116

So, Ruby thought, This is what it's like to have allies…

All her time in the Collegium had been spent as one among hundreds of potential enemies, even as she found those few people who might keep her secrets. Outnumbered and constantly having to hide her power, she'd done her best to blend in and not draw attention to herself. The Arcanists forever made talk of how strong Wildmages were, how dangerous, but she'd never truly had a chance to experience that.

Now, finally, she let loose. As the armoured cavalry thundered across the grass, the Arcanists brought up streams of fire, lightning and nets of golden light – only for them all to be shredded before their very eyes. The wind buffeted them, whipping their arms out of form with incredible strength. They were trained, the best of the best, and yet Arcanist magic required intense concentration. That wasn't easy with a cavalry charge bearing down on you and your only defence being torn away.

A few were able to summon other defences, from flashes of light to startle horses or raising the ground to form a barrier and force the cavalry around. Others tried, she was sure they did, but they'd never faced anything like this. For all their training, for all their superiority, the Arcanists of the Collegium had never fought an even fight. It was forever cases of many of them hunting down singular Rogues or Wildmages. They'd always had the support of the city, the loyalty of the people and the ear of the nobility. They thought themselves capable because they had never been challenged before, and because to them – nobles – it was unthinkable that anyone could.

Arrogance. Ruby wondered if, even now, they actually believed they might die. Or if they weren't so sure in their strength that they never once considered the possibility.

As the first lance tore into the chest of a noble scion, lifted him up off the ground and sent him careening back, they soon realised. The lance snapped off halfway down and was discarded by the rider as his mount thundered by. But in the time it took him to draw a curved, long sword specialised for mounted combat, the Arcanist was very much dead. A ruined, wreck of his former self.

Several more stared in horror and shock, their hands raised, spells faltering, as they took in the sight and realised that this was no desperate Rogue, no frightened child of a Wildmage who didn't understand her powers, nor even mindless Grimm that would throw themselves to their deaths with glee. This was not the engagements they were used to.

The hesitation proved fatal. Knights crashed into and among the Arcanists, killing several and badly wounding more. Those that lived had thrown themselves to the floor to escape the lances, but some were trampled under hooves and left broken messes. Others could not escape as the experienced knights of House Arc adjusted their aims and pinned them to the grass, releasing their lances at the last second so as not to be ripped off their horses by the impact.

Half of the Arcanists remained, and they tried to follow the cavalry as they galloped by. Their momentum was lost, some were in a panic and two broke for the trees, abandoning their so-called duty and honour as they went. Those that remained were older and more experienced, the ones able to survive the initial charge. One that caught Ruby's eye clipped the shoulder of a knight with a spear of ice and sent them toppling from their horse. Alive, but injured. Ruby extended her hand and gripped tight, willing the same force around him. The Arcanist screamed and went still, and when she slashed her hand to the right and let go, he was thrown away by some invisible hand. He crashed into a tree and crumpled to the base with broken bones.

Jaune reached the Arcanists on foot as the cavalry wheeled around for another charge. His sword glittered as he swung it two-handed, cutting through the arm and then the throat of one Arcanist in two swift motions. Spellfire splashed harmlessly against him, and she had to wonder what they'd ever thought they could do to a huntsman. Ultimately, the answer was that they hadn't thought. They hadn't considered. They'd only come out with their vague sense of superiority and the confidence that all would go their way. As it always did. As it always had.

It was sad in a way. Sad and depressing, like seeing the Dredgers so poor they had to beg from other Dredgers. Poverty asking poverty for charity. House Arc had no mercy for them, however. Just as the Collegium had no mercy for the slums. The knights brought their steeds around and crashed into them a second time, and this time there was no hope of withstanding the charge. Men and women brought up on find foods and opulence folded like children before a storm. All thirty of the Arcanists lay dead, broken or bleeding, while no more than six knights had fallen from their mounts, and only one wasn't moving.

"Gather the wounded and put them on the wagons," the commander barked loudly. Several knights quickly dismounted, while more went to collect the horses who were waiting obediently nearby. "We'll treat who we can and send the worst back with riders to the city. My lord and lady, are you well?"

"I'm fine." Ruby answered.

"They couldn't harm me." Jaune replied, wiping his bloodied sword on his sleeve in one long motion. There was a certain satisfaction to his voice. He was pleased to have had the chance to kill one. "Did you leave any alive, Rodrick? I'd be interested to hear their excuses for this."

The commander, Rodrick, pushed his helmet off and attached it to his saddlebags. A weathered and grey-haired man, though still stocky and strong. "I dare say we can find one that hasn't bled out yet, my lord."

Jaune glanced her way, silently asking if she wanted to. Ruby nodded and hopped down from the wagon. It didn't surprise her when Yang came along, having stayed in cover for the fight. She looked angry enough to want to get a few licks in herself. Blake followed behind, likely just interested in knowing the Collegium's plans. The rest of Jaune's sisters and Adam remained by the caravan, the latter helping some of the injured onto the wagon.

"You kicked ass." Yang whispered to her. "It wasn't even close."

"It would have been a lot worse if I had to fight them all. The knights did all the hard work."

"More reason to be grateful to House Arc." Blake spoke up. "We'll need their support in Menagerie. Perhaps they can train up some of the survivors and refugees there to defend the city."

Conversation trailed off as they approached Rodrick, crouched by a White-robed figure. The man was a wreck, his shoulder opened up and bleeding and his face pallid. Even so, he managed to glare at them with so much hate that she could have believed they'd killed his whole family.

"D-Do you have any idea who I am…?" he wheezed.

"Not a clue." Rodrick said. "And I doubt the carrion will care either."

"Fool. I… I am the heir to House Lund. M…My family…"

"Will do nothing." Jaune interrupted. "As I am the heir to House Arc, and you and yours attacked me. House Lund will not accept a war with House Arc, not when your father knows he would lose it. But then, this wasn't ordered by House Lund was it? The Collegium put you here."

"The Collegium will have your heads!" the dying man spat. "You can't disobey them!"

"We just did." Yang said.

"You won't get away with it…"

"We already have."

"N…No. H… Hunted. Always. O…Others," he said, spluttering for air. He laughed hoarsely and forced himself to say, "We were but one party. Others will come. Y…You will be hunted down until the end of days."

The man coughed and fell still, passing into an unconsciousness he would not wake from. It wasn't quite as satisfying as Ruby expected it to be. Death, that was. If anything, it felt like they were as much victims as she, though they'd willingly let themselves be tricked into believing that the White knew best. It was probably easy to accept that when they were working to increase your power and authority. No wonder the White Arcana was so populous.

"If there were other groups I expect they would have heard or seen this commotion by now." Jaune said. "We were hardly subtle. We should be away before they find us."

"Agreed, my lord." Rodrick ushered them back to their wagon and began barking orders. "Andra, Cole, I want you to escort the critically wounded back. Make sure Lady Arc hears of this treachery and takes appropriate action. All others, hold to your positions. We march!"

/-/

The wagons weren't made to move at the pace they were putting them through, and the constant bounce and jostle of the axles made that abundantly clear. The plush cushions weren't enough to stop the seats slamming up into Ruby's tailbone, to the point that it was almost more comfortable to stand. Those on horseback had a much easier time of it.

For an hour they'd travelled without once being challenged – something that had the knights on edge. If there truly were more Arcanists out, and there almost had to be to cover every route they might use, then they should have met them by now. Arcanists on horseback could have easily caught them, and the dying one had been right to say their battle wouldn't go unnoticed.

Were the Arcanists waiting for them to make camp and sleep before attacking? Had they learned their lesson and realised the battle wouldn't be easy? Neither seemed likely, as Rodrick didn't intend for them to stop until they were well out of the valley, and the Collegium must have known that.

"Why is everyone so tense?" Yang asked. "They've given up. Who can blame them after that loss?"

"The White do not give up, fair lady." Jaune said. His casual comment earned him a roll of the eyes from Ruby. Yang was anything but a lady. "It matters little how likely their victory. When it comes to duty, they are dogged."

"Then where are they? What's keeping them?"

"Yang has a point." Blake said. "The further away from Vale we are, the less their chances of containing us. Unless they're planning one final ambush with greater numbers, I'd have expected them to get in our way by now."

Jaune clambered to the door and unlocked it, then climbed out onto the top, his footsteps echoing above them. "Rodrick!" he called out. "How close are we to the edge of the valley?"

"Within sight, my lord."

Ruby, Yang and Blake looked between one another and then followed Jaune out and on top. The knights were clustered tight around the wagons, torches out in the darkness of the night. Ahead of them, the moon illuminated the narrow path leading out the valley, beyond which they would be free of Vale's influence.

It would be the place for an ambush. Quite literally, the last place to stop them. And yet they could see full well the road ahead and it was clear. Not a soul to get in their way, only a thick mist that hung a foot or two off the floor, cool white in colour and drenching the path.

"There's something about that mist." Ruby said. "I think we should stop before touching it."

Jaune nodded. "You hear that, Rodrick?"

"Aye, my lord. I'll have the men pull up."

The order was given and passed on, and soon they were approaching. The knights in the lead reined their horses in a healthy distance away, while the wagons behind trundled to a slow and creaking stop. The mist held its position, acting as a barrier. It didn't look unnatural, excepting that it didn't move from its position.

"What is it, my lady?" Rodrick asked.

"I'm not sure." Ruby said. "Blake?"

"It's magical. I can tell that much." Blake hopped down from the wagon and stepped up. She halted about two feet away. Ruby and Jaune came up behind her. "I can sense the faintest traces of magic in the air. Subtle," she said. "So subtle it's ridiculous. Whatever this is, it isn't powerful. Which makes sense given there doesn't seem to be anyone here to maintain it."

"A lingering spell of some sort?" Jaune asked.

"Mm. Acting as a barrier." Blake stooped to pick up a rock and toss it into the mist. It wasn't so thick that they couldn't see it harmlessly pass through and clack onto the road. Nothing happened. "At last I assume it's a barrier. I can't imagine why else it would be here otherwise."

The Collegium knew they'd probably take this path out, so maybe they'd sent Arcanists ahead to set this up. Whatever this was in the first place. If that were the case, they could then take their time gathering a force large enough to catch up and subdue them. It all made sense, but what exactly was it? And could it be dispersed?

"I could try and knock it aside." Ruby said.

"Wait!" Blake gripped her shoulder before she could. "They know two Wildmages are with us. They have to expect we'd try that. It could be what they're hoping for."

Ruby sighed and relented. "Why don't we just climb over the hills and ignore it then?"

"The wagons would never make it." Jaune said. "We'd have to ditch most of our equipment, and even then the horses might struggle. If we went on foot, we'd be easier to run down." Jaune strode forward before anyone could stop him. "It's magic," he said, stepping into the mist. "I'll be fine."

He trudged into the mist without fear, looking left and right as he did. It coiled and gave way around his boots, pushed aside by his mass. That it didn't do anything to him didn't mean much to the rest. The magic could just be failing to affect a huntsman. Jaune paced a small circle and turned back, wobbled precariously and then fell to his hands and knees.

"My lord!" Rodrick gasped.

He would be stopped charging in. Ruby swore and willed the fog away. Wind came in, swirling and creating a small opening the knight rushed into. He grabbed Jaune by the arm, pulled it up over his shoulder and lugged him out. By the time they were free of it, Jaune's eyes were closed, his breathing even.

"I'm woozy." Rodrick declared, setting Jaune down and then falling to one knee himself. "I feel like I've run a mile."

"Some kind of energy-sapping mist?" Blake guessed. "I couldn't say what Arcana this is."

"None." Ruby answered. It had affected Jaune, and so the answer was simple. "It's some kind of poison. The mist isn't what's causing it; it's just there to keep whatever it is afloat."

"Well noticed!" an elderly voice croaked. The knights bristled and turned to face it, only to find two horses approaching slowly from under the cover of nothingness. They simply hadn't been there before. "And if you were fool enough to blow it all away with wind, you'd have been caught in the centre when it all came sweeping back."

Horses whinnied in shock and men and women across the wagons reached for weapons. Quickly, Rodrick placed himself between the two Arcanists and Jaune. Fresh lances were levelled and the hiss of steel filled the air.

"Back Arcanist!" Rodrick shouted. "In the name of-"

"Maria! Weiss!" Ruby's cry cut through his demands, and also through some of the tension. Nearby, the other knights began to take their hands from their weapons, sensing the relief. Ruby couldn't stop herself running forward. "Weiss, it's really you!"

"Of course it's me you… ugh." With a great show of reluctance – but very little of it in Ruby's opinion – her friend and former roommate dismounted and accepted the hug of a lifetime. "Yes, yes," she said, patting Ruby's back. "It's me. Little wonder you're so amazed. I am incredible and all."

"You!" Ruby didn't know if she should laugh or punch her in the face. "You left me! You ran off without even saying goodbye."

"I'm sorry… I… I didn't have much of a choice. You know I'd have stayed if I could. And you," she said, pushing Ruby away. "Looks like I'm not the only one evading the White Arcana."

"As a Wildmage should," Maria cackled from horseback.

"You know?" Ruby asked, more to Weiss than her.

"Lord Branwen came to inform us you were leaving." Weiss said. "He quite heavily hinted that we might want to go with you lest we find ourselves scapegoats for the White's failures. He explained everything he could, including what happened at the Collegium."

Ruby couldn't hide her excitement. "Does that mean you're coming to Menagerie!?"

"If the Grand Arcanist will have us," Maria said with a look to Blake. "Rogues that we are. And I, a necromancer. Not exactly favoured by any Arcana." She ended with a cackle.

All eyes turned to Blake, Ruby's largest and most demanding of all. The faunus sighed dramatically, as if it were all a waste of her time to be asked at all. Perhaps it was. "So long as you refrain from harming any citizens I have no issue." she said. "Nor to you, Weiss. You're more than welcome to join us. Now, if we could focus on the matter at hand…?"

Ruby kept to Weiss, holding her tight and unwilling to let go. The last time she had, Weiss had disappeared entirely. Yet here they were, both free and with their secrets exposed, and not really anything to say about it. She supposed Weiss might have things to say about her keeping secrets later, but for now they watched Maria steer her horse over and then dismount with help from Yang. She picked a cane off her saddlebags and hobbled over to Jaune's side. Too old to stoop, she tossed a small packet of parchment wrapped up onto his chest and said, "Make him breathe it in."

"What is this?" Rodrick asked. "Medicinal herbs? Magic?"

"The foulest smelling weeds in Vale. It's all he needs right now."

Jaune's nose twitched as they were held under his nose. He coughed and choked, snapping awake with a violent shake of his head. The packet was removed, but it didn't stop him rolling aside and making gaging sounds. For Ruby, it was all the confirmation she needed.

"It's Emerald Arcana medicine, isn't it?"

"A dust that puts people into a deep slumber." Maria confirmed. "The recipe is forbidden for any but the Emerald Arcana to learn, but by now you shouldn't be surprised that the White knows of it. It must be inhaled, hence why they need the mist and couldn't just sprinkle it on the floor."

And most people would think like her and try to use wind magic to dispel the mist, casting the dust up into the air and almost ensuring they inhaled some. If they passed out in the midst of that, the White Arcana could collect them at their leisure.

"My question is." Yang said. "Who cast it and why where are they?"

"A way back behind some bushes." Weiss answered. "Where Maria left them once we found them. Four in total. If it weren't for the shadow magic Blake taught her, we wouldn't have been able to sneak up on them."

"More were in pursuit as well." Maria said. "I left a few surprises to slow them down." Her dry laugh implied they weren't kind surprises. "Enough to buy us time to leave. Enough to make them remember the Arcanist of Life and Death."

"If we can get through here." Yang said.

"Hush, child. I am Emerald Arcana. This is my domain."

Maria strode up to the mist and stuck her cane into the ground. She reached under her robes and retrieved several pouches, then dickered to herself for a few moments. As spells went, it wasn't one Ruby was used to. Little concentration, more muttered chatter and Maria flicking through some leather sections on her pouch for more than two full minutes. The knights watched impatiently, the creak of leather and the occasional scuff of a hoof on the ground showing it.

Eventually, she found what she was looking for, withdrew a small glass jar and popped the cork vial in the top. Taking a generous portion of whatever it was into her hand, she tossed it out in a sparkling cloud. Nothing changed. The mist remained, the cloud mixing with it, and Ruby sensed no magic.

"There." Maria Calavera said. "Tis done."

"You didn't do anything…" Ruby muttered. Weiss swatted at her and shushed her for being rude. It was such a familiar thing that Ruby couldn't help but grin. "What?" she teased. "That wasn't a spell. Maybe she's losing her mind in old age."

"I can assure you my mind is as keen as my hearing. And Wildmage or not, I'll bend you over my knee, girl." Maria picked her cane back up and stepped into the mist. It wrapped around her robes as it had with Jaune, but this time she stayed in it for a full minute without any ill effect. "Wisdom is in knowing when a problem can be solved without brute force. A neutralising agent deals with the compound well enough."

"The mist is still there." Rodrick said.

"The mist is just mist. Why bother with it? If anything, it'll buy us time when the Collegium hesitates to travel through. Speaking of which…" Maria looked backwards.

Lights were shining in the distance. Lanterns or spellfire, but whatever it was it was coming closer. The Collegium had caught up with them at last, but it was too little too late.

"Into the mist!" Jaune shouted. He raced for the wagon with them each in tow. Weiss and Ruby helped Maria back onto her white horse, then Ruby accepted Weiss' hand up onto the back of her own. Jaune and the others had reached the wagons, which were just beginning to rumble forward. "Go! We don't need any more battles today. Through the mist and we are free."

The first of the wagons trundled into the mist. Their drivers tensed but kept the horses steady. They, at least, were unaware of the danger and happily pulled them through. The knights followed behind, urging their steeds on and gaining in confidence as no one succumbed to the mist. It was cold still, and it clung to them, but Maria's efforts rendered it nothing more than a vaguely magical mist. Within minutes, they had reached the other side of it, and not a second too soon. A force of Arcanists almost a hundred strong were in hot pursuit, racing forward on their own horses.

"Weiss." Ruby whispered. "Stop here a second."

"Wildmagic?" she guessed. Weiss pulled on the reins and turned them sideways to the mist. "Go on. Show me what you can do. I've been curious to see it ever since Lord Branwen told us."

If they wanted a show then she would give them one. This would also stand as the last thing the Collegium of Vale saw of them, and a warning of what would happen should they ever make a move on Menagerie. Ruby watched the small army approach, the Arcanists realising that the mist was no longer dangerous and plunging into it. They were determined, she would give them that. As recklessly confident in their survival as the last had been.

Ruby sighed and took a deep breath. She brought a hand out, clenched into a tight fist. Wildmagic was fed by emotion, by passion, so she thought of everything the Collegium had done to her. Of Merlot, of the slums, of the Azure Arcana, of Grand Arcanist Ozpin, of Ren, Emerald and Nora, of Pyrrha, of Sun. Of all the people who had died or had their memories removed, of those who would remain in Vale never knowing their lives had effectively been erased. Of Nicholas Arc, of the Sanctum. Of Cinder and all the slums. Of the Malneux family who would never know their daughter had been stolen away, or that she'd escaped only to sacrifice herself for her friends.

Heat tore through her and her eyes watered, tears streaming down her face as all those memories twisted and boiled together into an angry mess of ugly rage. Ruby screamed her rage, images of hundreds of people drowning and torn apart by Grimm, sacrificed by uncaring nobles and an unfeeling leadership. The White Arcana.

Furiously, and with an angry roar, Ruby ripped her hand downward.

And the world shifted.

Rock cracked and split, grass erupted and spat dirt into the air like geysers. The ground trembled and boulders rolled down the nearby hills. The Arcanist's horses halted and reared, some throwing their riders away and a few even sprinting in the opposite direction. Those that fell created more obstacles for those behind, quickly bringing them all to a stumbling and clumsy stop.

Ruby gritted her teeth through it and wrenched her hand to the side. The shaking earth split and cracked, a mighty fissure running through it and cracking the road wide open. Cobbled stone tumbled down, taking with it several Arcanists who cried out in shock. The once flat terrain dipped in as the ravine opened up. Not deep enough to kill, but by far enough that no horse would dare make the journey down. Those on the edge shied away despite their riders' best attempts.

The pass leading out of Vale might be navigated on foot. The Arcanists could, if they wished to get dirty, crawl down and then climb out the other side. They would do so on foot, however, with no way of ever getting their horses across short of building a bridge. With a pant, Ruby let her hand fall. The ravine would halt any pursuit, and would likely do so for days, if not weeks.

"Let that be a lesson to you all." Weiss called out. It was sudden, but her voice was heard in the silence. "Any who trespass upon Menagerie will face the wrath of not one, but two Wildmages. The White Arcana has failed. It has fallen."

"You can't do this!" one of them shouted back. "The Collegium will come for you. The White does not falter."

With a wave of her hand, Ruby sent a shockwave of air firing out. It caught the lip of the ravine on their side, blowing rock and dirt up. Horses reared in shock and threw half the riders off. Some fell badly, breaking bones, while others tumbled in the dirt like peasants.

"If the White does not falter then it shall die!" Ruby shouted. "I'm done with you all. I'm done playing nice." Two great pyres of light appeared above her, burning bright and hot in the sky. "Turn back now or every single one of you will burn. Falter!" she spat. "Falter or die."

They wanted to keep coming. She could see it in their eyes, a desperate arrogance that could only survive so long as they clung to it. They knew they were beaten; they knew it was over, but to admit that would mean accepting it, and she knew it would shake their entitled lives. Some, it seemed, would rather die in ignorant bliss than live in a world where their power might be questioned. The fires grew hotter still, doubling in size.

Another horse strode up, Adam on the back. He whipped out his sword and pointed it at them. Crackling lightning spread across the ground, exploding loudly as it popped and snapped at the air. The sky above them darkened, clouds coming in, and the rumble of thunder echoed.

One, they might have forced themselves against. One, they could have lied to themselves about. Two was an impossibility. A few at first, and then more as the panic spread. The White did not just falter. It fled. A wave of White limping away defeated and frightened.

"We could kill them right now." Adam said. "For Cinder."

"We could." Ruby said. "But I think Cinder would find it all the more fitting that they have to live their whole lives with the shame of their defeat. If they die, the White can claim it died bravely. Like this, the Arcana is tainted. Cowards."

With a pleased snort, Adam sheathed his sword. He turned his horse away, a grin tugging at his lips, and kicked it back toward the knights and the wagons, all waiting. Ruby spared one last look for the retreating Collegium and then signalled Weiss to take them away.

It was time for them to make a new life. One far away from Vale.

There are probably only two or three chapters remaining of this, depending on how far I want to show of the future and the fallout across both Vale and Menagerie.

Next Chapter: 23rd January

P a treon . com (slash) Coeur