KS: Alright, folks. We're getting to Blake now. This one is going to be deep. But first, a little appearance from a familiar face.

Five months after the Fall of Beacon

Ever since she took over as the White Fang's high leader, Sienna has often wondered if the direction she has taken the organization was the proper one. Prior to this thought, she had believed that every thing she did was for the benefit of the faunus, to ensure that they would never have to suffer the injustices of prejudice and discrimination. There has been times where she thought that she might have taken it too far, but more often than not has she pushed those thoughts down.

But then… then came the Fall of Beacon. Her organization has willingly participated in an event that has put the world on edge, as well as cripled their communications sigificantly. Not to mention that the casualities listed were both human and faunus. The faith in the cause she had dedicated herself to was wavering sigificantly, and she feared that all this time, she was mistaken about everything.

"Lady Sienna," the guard next to her said. "We have word that Operative Taurus has arrived."

She gripped the arm of her throne. "Send him in immediately. I have more than a few words for him."

"There is one other thing, madam," the guard added. "He has brought someone with him."

Sienna's interest was piqued. "Surely, it can't be Ghira's daughter? We've not heard anything about her since that affair in Forever Fall."

"No, this is a different person," the guard replied. "Some girl with a lot of teeth on her."

"You mean she's wearing a tooth necklace?" Sienna asked.

The guard scratched his head, looking away briefly. "It'll be easier to see for yourself."

Sienna stared at him in disbelief, then sighed. "Very well."

The guard signalled their guests to come into the main room. Soon enough, the door opened, revealing Adam and a shorter girl skipping happily alongside him. Sienna could feel a headache coming on already.

"High Leader Khan," Adam said in false admiration. "It has been too long since we've last spoken to each other."

"In my opinion, it hasn't been long enough," Sienna replied bitterly. "I have half a mind to strike you down where you stand after what you did."

"I merely did what needed to be done for the sake of our kind," Adam said. "Many have rallied to our cause and our numbers increase with each passing month."

Sienna narrowed her eyes. "I am well aware of that. My only concern is that it will give the humans more reason to persecute us even further."

Adam chuckled darkly. "Then allow them to do so at their own peril. When it is all said and done, it will be the faunus that stand at the top of the world while the humans are at the bottom, begging for forgiveness."

Sienna could feel her patience wearing thin with every second she heard Adam talk. If she wanted to, she could just strike him down where he stood and be done with him immediately. However, he did have his uses, and his zealous vigor proved to be a great asset to the Fang. There were times that she believed it would lead to their downfall.

"I'll ignore that for the time being," she said. "On to another point, would you please explain who your companion is?"

The shorter girl next to Adam grinned widely, showing a multitude of teeth as she did a small curtsy.

"My name is Samehime Mizuiro. It is a pleasure and honor to meet you, Lady Sienna."

Sienna narrowed her eyes towards the girl. "Adam… mind explaining where you found this girl?"

"Actually, it was her that found us," Adam explained. "When we returned to Mistral, we found her casually sharpening her sword in front of a literal dozen of corpses. We asked her if she was the one who killed them, and she herself confirmed that she did."

"Really?" Sienna said skeptically. "One girl had slain twelve people."

"All of them were amateurs compared to me," Mizuiro bragged. "I could just fall asleep and I would still kill them with little effort."

Sienna let out a heavy sigh. "I'll take your word for it. Now, Adam, tell me why you have brought her here."

"The answer is simple," Adam replied. "This girl, with her prowess, wishes to join to White Fang."

Sienna clicked her tongue. "I figured as such. What are her reasons for doing so?"

Mizuiro grinned widely. "Simple, really. I want to offer my services to your noble cause."

"I've heard that racket enough times for it to go out of style," Sienna deadpanned. "What are you personal reasons for joining? Keep in mind that any mentions of killing humans will have you sent out of here faster than you can blink."

"Oh, trust me," Mizuiro said, keeping her grin. "I have reasons that go beyond simple bloodshed."

Sienna leaned forward. "I'm listening."

"Have you heard of the Aurum Empire?"

Both Adam and Sienna stood in silence for a few minutes before the former spoke.

"This is the first I've heard of it," he admitted.

"Well, allow me to educate everyone present in the room," Mizuiro said. "In times long past, the Aurum Empire was a superpower that was known and feared throughout all of Remnant. They had technological knowledge, fierce battle tactics and possessed some of the greatest weapons unlike any have seen before. With it, your group will finally be able to put our people at the top and scorn every human who deemed us as inferior."

Sienna thought about this for a moment. Having a power that has existed long before she was born would be a great boon to the White Fang. However, the girl's words did ring some alarm bells in her mind. What would reason would she have to disclose such information and why to her?

"I can tell you have some doubts about what I have told you," Mizuiro said. "In fact, I'm sure you doubt that I'm even a faunus."

"I never said I doubt your heritage," Sienna replied.

"Well, just in case you do doubt it, I'll show you."

Without warning, Mizuiro hopped over to Sienna until her face was an inch away from her own. Then, she opened her mouth, revealing rows of dagger-sharp teeth. Sienna was surprised to say the least.

"A shark faunus. Never thought I'd live to see one."

Mizuiro closed her mouth. "Yeah, we're a rare breed. I bet I'm a definite shoo in for this fine organization of yours."

"We don't recruit members based on their breed of faunus either," Sienna said curtly. "However, you have piqued my interest regarding the information of this… Aurum Empire. Do you know where we can find the location of one of their weapons?"

"You're in luck," Mizuiro beamed. "One of the ruins is found in the mountains. Give me some of your troops and I'll lead you to it."

"Very well," Sienna replied. "Adam, gather any nearby personnel and follow Mizuiro's directions to the letter. If what she says is true, we may have an edge."

Adam bowed. "It shall be done." He turned around and walked away with Mizuiro, only to be stopped by his leader speaking once more.

"Oh, one more thing."

He turned around to meet the narrowed gaze of the high leader.

"Make sure the girl dealt with the off chance she goes back on her word. We don't a repeat of what happened in Forever Fall."

Adam simply turned around and continued walking. "You have my word."

As they left the throne room, Sienna turned towards one of her guards.

"I want eyes on him around the clock," she ordered. "If he or that girl does anything suspicious, inform me immediately."

"Yes, ma'am," the guard said.

Sienna tented her hands together, deep in thought.

"Samehime Mizuiro… just who are you?"

Present

Mizuiro clapped in delight as Adam slayed a large, phoenix-like Grimm with little effort.

"Very good," she complimented. "I can see how you're at the top of your organization."

Adam turned towards her with an indifferent look. "Why did you not join me?"

Mizuiro shrugged. "It looked like you had it covered. And you did."

Adam scoffed as the Grimm dissolved behind him.

"I have to say," he said. "I'm surprised that a Grimm of this magnitude has taken refuge in a ruin that was once part of a great empire."

"Don't think too hard about it," Mizuiro replied. "Nowadays, a lot of Grimm will hole themselves up in old places nobody cares about anymore. It's basically the norm."

"Normal or not, this Grimm is clearly different from all the others we've encountered," Adam cut in. "There must be a reason why it was drawn to this place in particular."

Mizuiro walked up to him and patted his back. "Like I said, don't think too hard. Bottom line is, we beat an old Grimm and we're going to get something out of it."

"What do you mean?" Adam asked.

He soon got his answer when a light shined where the Grimm once stood, immediately getting his answer.

"It's… beautiful."

Mizuiro grinned sinisterly as Adam looked at the light in awe.

"All according to plan," she said silently.

Blake continued down the dark caves. If it weren't for the flashlight, she would not be able to find her way around.

"I have to commend whoever hid a dagger in a dark cave like this," she said. "Then again, the dagger is possibly thousands of years old, and the one who hid it is more than likely no longer living."

She carefully went down a short slope, keeping a tight grip on the flashlight.

"I swear, the inside of this cave gets darker with every step I take."

It was no exaggeration. Blake could feel the darkness slowly surrounding her. It was so thick that even the light had hard time penetrating it.

"What's going on?" she looked around cautiously.

Suddenly, wind started to blow around her. She had a very hard time keeping her balance.

"Where is the wind coming from?" she asked frantically. "There shouldn't be another way out of the cave… is there?"

More wind began to blow in front of her. Blake shielded herself from the gusts, but it was proving to be too strong for her as it was pushing her back.

"Need… to keep… going…"

The last gust of wind was the strongest of all, as it blew the flashlight out of Blake's hand and away from her reach. She was now surrounded by total darkness.

Only then did the winds finally stop.

"This is annoying," she grumbled. "Guess I have to rely on my nocturnal vision now."

Sadly, her nocturnal vision did very little to alleviate her current situation. The darkness was just far too dense for her to see further than where she currently was.

"I really have a bad feeling about this…"

A faint noise caught Blake's attention. She quickly turned to the left, where it was coming from.

"H-Hello? Is anyone there?"

She slowly walked closer to the source, which became louder each time she moved towards it. Eventually, she was able to make out part of a word.

…y?

Blake stopped when heard it, then slowly continued forward.

…Why?

She heard it clearly that time. Someone was speaking in the dark, but she didn't know who it was… or who it was addressed to.

"Who are you?" she asked softly. "Did you get lost in here? Do you need any help getting out?"

She continued forward, only to stop cold when she heard the voice speak once more, with clarity.

Why did you leave?

Every nerve in Blake's body froze. The voice… it sounded disturbingly familiar. Almost like it came from…

"…Yang?"

How could you leave me, Blake? Do I mean that little to you?

Blake was in disbelief. How could she be hearing Yang's voice in a dark cave like this?

"No…" She shook her head frantically. "This isn't real. You're not real."

Not real? Are you saying that I don't exist?

"You're not Yang!" Blake shouted. "You're nothing like her!"

And how would you know? You're barely around to know anything about us?

Blake fought back a gasp. The voice was no longer imitating Yang, but someone else she new all to well.

"Weiss?"

I have been on you to be more upfront with everyone around you, and look where you are now. Perhaps my faith was misplaced.

"Shut up!" Blake said frantically. "Who are you?! Why the hell are you imitating my friends' voices?!"

Imitating? Really? You have fallen farther than I thought, Blake. First you abandon your friends when Beacon fell, and now you accuse me of being an imitation? Honestly, disappointed doesn't begin to cover how I feel about this.

Blake drew out Gambol Shroud and aimed it at the darkness. "You're not real! Neither of you are real!"

Does that mean I'm not real to you either?

Blake was in hysterics. "SHUT UP!"

Why do you push us away Blake? What have we done to you to receive such coldness.

Blake was screaming as she fired all over the cave's interior, not knowing where the bullets were hitting. All she wanted was for whoever or whatever to cease the torment she was inflicting upon her.

"LEAVE ME ALONE! I DON'T WANT THIS ANYMORE!"

Eventually, she expended her ammunition and all she could hear was the empty gun clicking. She slumped down and breathed heavily.

"I need to get out of here," she said between breaths. "I'm not losing my mind over a stupid dagger."

Well, isn't that bloody typical. You've only been in here for a few minutes and already you're considering to cut and run.

Blake shot up from the ground and pointed her weapon all around the area. This new voice sounded nothing like her friends, but it was nonetheless sinister.

"This is the last time I'm saying it," she growled. "Leave me alone."

Yeah. That's what you want, isn't it? To be alone. It's what you always want. Well, I got news for you. Nobody in this world ever truly gets what they want. Not without a price.

"What do you mean?" Blake asked.

As you're no doubt already aware, someone else entered this cave before you. However, no amount of light can ever hold back the darkness. That especially goes for the darkness within one's own heart.

Before Blake could answer any further, the darkness parted to her left, and she covered her mouth in horror at what she saw.

(Silent Hill 2 OST: Null Moon)

There was a mercenary wearing a Grimoire uniform. He lied on his back, eyes wide open, but void of life. In his hand was a gun and a gunshot wound was seen on the side of his head.

"W-What happened to him?"

The darkness was too much for him. I showed him every single thing that happened in his life. In a way, I took out his dirty laundry, and I do mean dirty. I'll spare you all of the gritty details, but it finally took it's toll on his his poor, fragile mind.

Blake had no words for this. It was beyond words, beyond understanding, beyond… well, everything.

You know, now that I think about it, you two are a lot like.

"In what way?" Blake asked.

Both of you… you're nothing but a pair of cowards. Always eager to escape the sins of your past and pretending like they never existed. Only difference is his escape was more… permanent. It's disgraceful, really.

Blake couldn't bring herself to respond. Not because what what the voice said, but how true it was. She even admitted it herself when she and her team were on Mountain Glenn that night. And here she was, away from Beacon after the night it fell to the Grimm.

I wonder… how long will it take for you to crack?

If Blake's blood wasn't cold enough, it went down far below zero degrees when the voice put on a sadistic tone.

"What do you mean by that?"

Nothing was heard. The voice made no reply.

"Is… is it over?"

In the span of a nanosecond, Blake was instantly proven wrong.

Memories began to flood in her head. Memories she had tried her best to put aside.

And all of them violently repeated in her mind, tormenting her.

"Neither of you understand how much this means to us! Your nothing but cowards, both of you!"

The argument she had with her parents before joining the White Fang.

"I'll set the charges."

"What about the crew members?"

"What about them?"

Her falling out with Adam.

"Well, maybe we were tired of being pushed around!"

The argument she had with Weiss, inadvertantly revealing her heritage.

"I… want to believe you."

"…Blake?"

Doubting Yang after that affair during the Vytal Festival.

"I will make it my mission to destroy everything you love… starting with her."

"GET AWAY FROM HER!"

(Song end)

Blake fell to her knees once again. Every bad memory she has set aside has come back to her in full force, not giving her any time for rest. They overwhelmed her, tormented her, drove her to the brink of madness.

"MAKE IT STOP!" she pleaded.

I will not stop, Blake Belladona. Not until you are gone from this plane of existence. What I am doing to you is a mercy compared to what I showed that scum of a human over there. This planet is rotten to the core as is. Cowards like you and him are nothing more than pollutants that must be disposed of.

As the memories repeated in her mind, Blake suddenly saw herself slowly inching her blade to her throat. Was this it? Is this how the voice made the man take his own life? By forcing him to relive his worst fears until he could no longer take it?

"No… I won't! I won't let you do this!"

You poor fool… it's already too late.

The blade sliced through Blake's neck… but just in the nick of time, her semblance kicked in, creating a stone copy. She breathed heavily as she grasped her neck, not feeling any scar on it.

"I… I'm still alive."

Yeah, not that you deserve to be. That's your semblance, isn't it? Well, thank you for giving me more evidence that you're a bigger coward that I initially thought.

Blake was really feeling her patience thin out. "This is the last time I'm telling you this. Leave me the hell alone."

Fine, I'll leave you alone.Hopefully you can die alone, since you don't want anyone near you.

Those were the last words the voice uttered. Blake heard nothing more.

She slowly stood up. Her heart was beating uncontrollably. She was this close to taking her life under the influence of a supernatural force, but she overcame it.

"I need to get out of here… but I can't leave without the dagger. Or that poor man."

A light slowly shined next to her. She walked towards it until she found herself in a small section of the cave. In the center was a dagger sticking out of a stalagmite. It had a black handle and sinister, demonic designs on the blade.

"This thing had better be worth all the trouble," Blake sighed.

Kana waited outside of the cave, occassionally looking at her watch. It has only been a few minutes since Blake entered the cave, but she was getting worried.

"To hell with this," she muttered, picking up a large sword. "I don't know why I didn't decide to just go there by myself. I just hope I'm not too late."

As she took the first steps near the cave, she saw Blake come out of it, carrying a man wearing the same uniform as her own. She was overjoyed, but it quickly gave way to sorrow as Blake gently set him down on the ground.

"Is he…?"

Blake's expression gave her the answer she needed.

"…I see. We should bury him before setting off. Pay our respects and whatnot."

Blake nodded and the two carried the deceased man into the forest, unaware that a figure was watching them from within the cave.

"Blake Belladonna… you're not worthy of drawing breath on this forsaken planet, much less setting your filthy hands on the dagger. I swear, I will make you regret ever being born."

KS: Blake finally got the dagger... and with it, a potential new enemy. Who is this figure that wants her dead. Only time will tell.