"Father…?"

Weiss stared down at him in shock. The image was carved in her brain. And it would remain there forever. Her father laid lifeless on the ground. A hole gaped in his chest. While he was normally white, Jacques was tainted in blood and his eyes were closed.

"Is- is he…" Weiss mumbled in disbelief.

Grunting, Ruby attempted to perform aura transfer. Her palms were hovering over him, but it was no use. Not even a measly spec of red stream trickled out of her.

"I- I have no aura to spare," Ruby pleaded.

While he was a horrible father to her girlfriend, that didn't mean he deserved to die. If Ruby could save a life, she would in a heartbeat. No matter who it was. She tried to force her remaining aura out of her palms, but nothing happened.

After struggling for several moments and tears slipping down her cheeks, Ruby tilted to the side.

"Ruby!" Weiss called and caught her before she could land on the ground. "You've done enough."

Ruby panted feebly, so Weiss laid her on the ground to rest.

"I'll try it," Weiss said uneasily, lacking confidence.

Truth was, Weiss was hardly able to stand. Much less perform aura transfer. Despite that, she hovered her hands over her father. One of her arms was most assuredly broken, but she forced it into position nonetheless. Grimacing, a trickle of white streamed out of her hands. When the stream lingered, it disappeared.

Darkness rimmed her vision. After she swayed, Ruby knelt and held her up by the shoulders.

"I don't think any of us have aura to spare," Ruby murmured grimly.

"His heart…" Weiss mumbled as she held his wrist.

No pulse.

For a moment, the couple simply gazed down at him. For once, Ruby was speechless. She had no idea what to say. What might comfort her girlfriend.

She glanced over to see a tear dribble down her cheek. Tenderly, Ruby brushed away the single tear. Weiss was in a trance and only reacted when her fingers made contact.

"He didn't suffer," Ruby tried to reassure, although her voice cracked in misery.

While that was comforting to know, Weiss didn't know how to feel. The sole source of all her problems was gone. Permanently, but this was her father. She didn't feel relieved as she'd anticipated. Rather, guilty. Guilty that she couldn't protect him.

"I'm sorry…" Weiss breathed as she held his cold hand. "If I didn't run away, none of this would've happened…"

Calmly, Ruby rubbed circles on her back. "Weiss, it wasn't your fault that he chose to come out here."

To disagree, Weiss shook her head. "He came here to get me, Ruby. No matter how you look at it."

Sniffling, Ruby wiped away her own tears. She'd never seen her girlfriend look so downcast. It was like a part of her was broken. Weiss' expression noticeably darkened, a million thoughts swarming her mind.

Not knowing what to say, Ruby simply wrapped her in an embrace from behind. "Weiss…"

Instead of returning the hug, Weiss just sat there. Unable to pry her eyes away from her father.

Suddenly, several footsteps scuttled across the jungle ground. At first, the white rose pair thought it was more enemies, so they hastily jumped into defensive positions. The moment they stood, they swayed. Somehow, they landed in pairs of protective arms. Neither could open their eyes, but the voices were familiar.

"You bunch of crazies," Nora muttered as she held onto Weiss.

Easily, Jaune lifted Ruby bridal style so she could rest. "I wish you told us you were taking on the Khans. We would've helped out way sooner."

While hearing them brought relief, there was a darkness in their hearts.

"You're helping now," Ruby breathed, delirious from lack of aura.

"Save him…" Weiss pleaded, which caused Nora to look down. "If you can…"

After that, the couple passed out simultaneously.

When the crew heard that, Pyrrha knelt to check on the man. His chest wasn't rising and falling, no faint breaths were present, and no pulse was sensed. Regrettably, she shook her head. That left her crewmates to frown.

For a while, Yang had been trying to limp over. "Is he…?"

"He's gone," Pyrrha informed sadly. "I'm sorry."

"Damn," Yang whispered.

Even though she didn't like the man, he didn't deserve to die. Momentarily, Yang glanced at her sister and Weiss with a prominent frown. They were out cold and couldn't even process the aftermath until later.

Curious, Pyrrha asked. "What happened?"

Now seated, Yang spoke and then coughed. "I think Sienna got to him. I'm not sure, though. I was busy trying to help Blake. Could ya help out her out?"

In the distance, Blake grimaced. She was propped up against a tree trunk. She looked like a canvas of blood and wheezed feebly. It appeared that she tried to heal herself when she shouldn't have.

"Goodness," Pyrrha breathed, astonished by how injured they all were.

"I'll get her," Ren offered.

Quickly, he went to Blake to give her first-aid treatment. Meanwhile, Pyrrha flanked Yang's side since she was having trouble standing thanks to her ribs. Blood was smeared around her mouth and chin. Yang sent her an appreciative grin as her arm slung around her shoulders.

Even though Nora was already holding Weiss, she fetched Jacques. They needed to give him a proper burial. It's not like they could leave him in the jungle. That would be cruel.

"We need to find Qrow," Yang mentioned and then grimaced.

Jaune glanced around. "Which way did he go?"

"There," Yang pointed to the left. "He went after Sienna."

"I'll make sure he's okay," Jaune said to comfort her and looked down at Ruby. "Can someone take her for the time being?"

Instantly, Nora exclaimed. "Pick me!"

"You sure?" Jaune asked, stunned. "You're already holding him and Weiss."

"I can bench five of me, remember?"

"Riiiiight," Jaune replied, forgetting how strong his crewmate was.

"You're not holding three people," Ren told Nora like she was being ridiculous. "I'll take her."

After all, he was only holding up Blake. She could partially stand on her own. He could carry Ruby as well. It was child's play.

"I'd feel much better about that," Jaune said in relief.

Carefully, he transferred Ruby to his strong arms. As expected, Ren didn't even flinch from the extra weight.

Winded, Blake breathed. "Thanks, Ren…"

"Don't mention it."

"Stay here guys," Jaune ordered. "I'll be right back!"

As Jaune bolted into the forest, he noticed all the destruction. Most of the trees had been knocked down and ripped from the roots. The grass was torn to shreds and a dull brown color overcast it.

In the distance, he spotted four guys that were sprinting toward a cloud of smoke. They should be those brothers the Thorns had mentioned. Briefly, he wondered where they were going. Maybe the cabins.

His thoughts were confirmed when he heard a husky voice shout.

"Finish the job, boys!"


Barely, Qrow swiped his scythe at the tiger faunus.

Sienna managed to dodge by using the trees and branches to her advantage.

"Dammit!" Qrow cursed.

In front of him, Sienna's tiger ears flicked wildly. She probably sensed his sheer determination and lowly growled in frustration. She had to shake him off her tail.

Internally, Qrow was growing even angrier. His movements were slow thanks to his injuries. Normally, Sienna could sprint much faster than him. She could outrun him easily if she was in normal condition. This was his only chance.

Despite trying so hard to keep up with her, Qrow was slowing down and Sienna was gradually gaining distance. At this rate, she'd get away.

Not this time, Qrow thought as images of his fallen friends flashed through his mind.

"You're done for!"

With a thrust, Qrow tossed his scythe like a boomerang. Until now, he'd been observing her jumping patterns onto the trees. For his blade to land, it would have to be a good guess.

Fortunately for him, he hit the target.

"A-agh!"

With a high-pitched yelp, Sienna fell off the trunk that'd been chopped in half. Roughly, she thumped on the ground below and groaned. Qrow was about to rush her to make sure she'd stay down, but he stopped in his tracks when the tree tilted over her.

"No, no-"

Loud, resounding cracks. And it wasn't the branches.

To make sure it landed on her, Qrow walked over. Sure enough, under the broad trunk was a crushed Sienna. The massive trunk shattered her to bits. Blood poured out of her mouth and her eyes were closed.

There was no way she lived through that. Not without any aura. Despite the grisly sight, Qrow felt oddly accomplished. He was so relieved that he dropped to his knees.

"Looks like I'm your karma," Qrow said.

No one had to suffer because of Sienna anymore.

At last, he avenged his friends and sister. He wasn't happy that he had to kill her, but seeing the Khan leader finally dead gave him some satisfaction. He wondered if Summer, Taiyang, and Raven were watching him right now. If they were pleased or not.

Until now, his days were hectic. So hectic that he compared them to a storm. But right now, it felt like the storm had finally stilled its wake.


Sorry if that fight dragged on, but there was lots to cover.

Lyrics used from Lost In Thoughts, All Alone: "After the storm stills its wake, may all be blessed, so the fate and fallen can find rest." Thought these lyrics fit the chapter pretty well!

Stay dandy,

~Toto