Chapter 53 - A Promise Kept
Act VI - Kingdom of Lies
A soft breeze hummed in the air. I was back within a forest, unlike the moment Charron ensnared my own mind in a prison of my very memories, this one was different. The trees were sparse and it was fall, the colorful leaves drifting down onto a dirt road between glades of grass.
I turned, inspecting the environment and finding a lone cottage atop a hill, a garden with bountiful crops, and a picnic bench sat under two trees. The sun was warm, basking me in a sensation of closure I had lost many times out in the wilds of Anima. Sat on the bench, legs waving back and forth, was a young woman, smiling and humming a tune I fell victim to following.
"Who are you...?" I asked, knowing this was merely a lucid dream, but who was she? I had never seen a woman like this
Her skin had a pinkish complexion with long magenta hair and eyes. She wore a white sleeveless shirt and short pants with suspenders. Dancing in the palm of her hand was a small, flickering ember, one her bright eyes pulled away from to smile kindly at me.
"Well met, sorry to say but we've only met once, though you remembering isn't your fault," She... heard my thoughts? Then again, three distinct individuals had that power so nothing new
"Okay, then who are you?" I asked, and she giggled
"Hmm, maybe not the best time to tell you that, sorry~" She sang at the end, sticking her tongue out playfully as I felt my gaze flatten, not often one's own lucid dream refuses to budge, but fine, whatever. "I want to tell you... and so much more."
"Aaaand?" Waiting for it, even twirling my hand to emphasize
She sighed, her expression softening. "If I told you now, it would only keep your mind away from where it's needed, silly," Where it's needed? That's when she bobbed the flame up and down, allowing it to dance between her hands, resting in her right. "Just know... I'm right here, okay?" She tapped two fingers to where her heart was, and that alone confused me more, I feel I should know her, but where? "Now, it's time to wake up, Kai."
"W-Wait...!" I reached out, and she blew out both the flame and the world itself
"Ugh... I hate vague dreams..." I groaned, rubbing my head softly, the memories of what had transpired flooded back to me, to start, I noted that I had bandages tied around my abdomen, clearly dust wasn't enough to heal me completely, or I'm a glass cannon at best. Scoffing, I scratched my head. "You two okay?"
"We will live, you, however, need to quit throwing a limb into every sharp object in sight!" Aye, Iota, good to see your charm is still intact? "Ha. Ha. That's a laugh."
"I am very well, thank you, the injuries you have sustained have healed tremendously in only a day, though I recommend resting until you are fully recovered," Penny informed me with a trademark grin, her sprite vanished as someone moved next to me.
"Sky...?" My head slowly turned now, heart pounding in my chest as I felt massive waves of anxiety, warmth, and guilt flood my body. Once more my amethyst eyes drifted to the present voice beside me. She... was really there, Ruby was sitting right in front of me. If it was some sick dream then I don't care for waking up
She's changed considerably, her hair has grown slightly longer. Ruby's new design sports a white high-neck décolletage blouse with brown studded wristbands on the arms. Retaining the use of a black skirt with red tulle underneath, somewhat similar to her original outfit, but her waist cincher has been replaced with an overbust corset with red strip holding it in place and a black belt
Thigh-high stockings reaching to a few inches below the hem of her skirt, decorated by an image of a long-stemmed rose. Her red-soled black boots contain four straps and buckles. Lastly, her cloak looked to be torn alongside her stockings from wear I guess. If I could boil it all down, I think I fell in love twice over.
Then, I did about the only logical thing I could, my heart racing just from her gaze, and I think she felt the same, call it instinct or just out of my own hopelessness in this situation. With a shaky smile, I pulled the covers off me. "I... I made it back..."
I threw my arms around her waist, hers over my shoulders as our holds locked tightly, tears already tracing my neck as I did my best to refrain from doing the same. Nothing mattered it was over, I did it, I made it back to her... all this time with this guilt bubbling for months, "I can finally hold her again." Some tears of my own slipped as I trembled
"I'm sorry..." My voice broke, arms shaking. "...I'm so sorry..."
"I missed you...so much." Ruby's voice tickled my ear, her arms pulling back to lock eyes with her again, I felt so ashamed but... but I couldn't decide on what to do with her. With a warming smile, she leaned closer. "But don't be... just, just..."
I hadn't let her say another word, closing off her breath with my lips against hers, feeling her hot breath brush between us before her own lips pressed back evenly, locking for the longest time as my mind let go of the guilt momentarily, hand brushing across her cheek as I pressed my lips against hers one last time, the sweet taste was almost like a dream.
We pulled away, as I felt a little flushed like her as we rested our heads against each other, laughing softly with a smile. "You owe me both an explanation and much more, dummy."
"I know... but can we stay like this a while longer?"
Ruby closed her eyes, leaning her head to rest under my chin. "Duh, what else would I want?" That was enough for me. "...I love you..." Or maybe that was
Closing my eyes with a relieved sigh, I nestled my own head closer to hers, hand playing with her hair again. "I love you too."
[Living-room]
"Wait, you fought a Nuckelavee? How? What? Oh please," I brushed aside her remark, hands behind my head. "I fought a suit of armor the size of a two-story building, get on my level - Although, that may require a step ladder."
"I'm nearly the same height as you now!" Ruby growled, punching my tender side, immediately freaking out. "Aaaah, sorry-sorry-sorry!" I put a hand atop her head, ruffling her hair
"No harm done, give me a little credit, love." My little nickname I tended to use caused the raven-haired girl to mutter incoherently under her breath, tapping me in the side again
"-So let me get this straight, you're friends with Gods?" Oh boy, Erika was questioning Albatross, a fate I tried to decipher myself but he was once more, extremely, Goddamn vague. "Nope, don't believe you!"
"How is that an argument? You just outright deny everything I said." Albatross waved a hand to her bluntly, my sister looking across the living room with her arms crossed
"So do you have super cool detachable limbs like Yang?!" Nora yelled too happy to be considered normal... then again, it's Nora
"Can you kids knock it off, you're giving me a headache." Qrow groaned, stumbling somewhere out of sight
"Hey, I'll have you know I'm in my thirties!" Albatross bellowed, and a smack to the head was heard. "Ack, what was that for?"
"...Specter told me that if you were ever to lie I was to hit you." Amber's cool response had me stifle a laugh as myself and Ruby stopped just before we came into view of the group
"I am though - Why is everyone picking on me today? What did I do?" A scapegoat for emotional stress, yeah, I know that feeling all too well, it was hanging in the air like a damp fog
Ruby's arm tugged me forward but I felt my legs glue themselves to the floor, cold sweat running down my back. I... was about to face my friends, the very people I just up and bailed on months ago when they may have needed me. This... this was alot to take in.
"Sky?" Ruby's fingers interlocked with mine, and I took a deep breath, stepping forward with my shattered confidence, feeling their eyes lock as voices died down under my sigh, eyes adverted as I bowed my head
"Hey, guys..." Lifting my head I did all I could to keep my eyes locked to them. "I... I don't really have the words to say, and I believe there's anything I can say, to you, or you Ruby," I glanced to the girl still standing by me. "Nothing I say can make up for my absence, even if what we've done is vital, Albatross."
He shut his mouth, placing his hands behind his head. "That's true, or you can say you missed them." I blinked at that, watching the unorthodox man wink my way. "You know they've been waiting for you to wake up atleast to know you were okay."
Within only five seconds of saying that I was tackled by Erika, her arms tied around me. "You idiot! You're okay!" Tender wounds, tender wounds! "Ah, dammit - eh, sorry!"
"Thanks, love the attention again," I wheezed, rubbing my stomach while I put an arm around Erika to hug her. "I'm glad you're okay. Missed you, sis."
"Yeah... glad you're ok too." Then Erika jumped back, posing before me as I looked at her roguish uniform. "Check it! I'm twenty percent cooler!"
My eyes widened as I pointed crudely toward her nose, "I never want to hear that phrase leave your mouth for the remainder of my life," I cringed, then turned to observe everyone's new styles and get-ups, they had all changed considerably. Jaune, his armor... "Nice upgrade, Jaune, is that...?"
He padded his chestplate. "Pyrrha... wanted me to use it in her place since... she's kinda unable to fight at the moment," A sore spot I'm sure, but he didn't show it. "It's been rough, but, glad you're back."
"Same to you, buddy." With a smile, I and Ren bowed to each other. "How's it been, Ren, still managing Erika's training?"
My inquiry had her face pale nervously under Ren's eye. "She's progressed smoothly, and with a powerful semblance, though her combat prowess can use some fine-tuning," Ren explained as I felt the buzz in the air as Erika's body coursed with red lightning, her muscles tensed and with a powerful flow of energy coursing through them
"I call it 'Overhaul', I can basically punch through concrete!" She chuckled boastfully, then shut down as she patted her empty pocket. "I... also lost all my money for repairs to said concrete."
Pinching the bridge of my nose I turned away. "Okay, maniac sister with super-strength, fantastic - Anything else I should know?"
"Hehe, we missed you too, Sky." Yang... she was doing far better, even a new cybernetic arm, now that looked high-end and seamless as though crafted by Albatross himself. Then she held it out in a fist-bump, to which I happily bumped only for her hand to grab my fist and tighten her hold, eyes cast in crimson. "You bail on my sweet little sister like that again and I'll break your legs as I will to Mercury, clear?"
"U-Um, crystal." I was now hiding behind Ruby, trying my best not to be seen, before Yang was smacked on the back of the head by Weiss, her eyes rolling critically. "Nice-Weiss to the rescue."
"Well, someone has to keep these two in-line, and you weren't around so I made up for lost time." Weiss smiled kindly, "It's good to have you back, Sky." The feeling was mutual, and always good to see my adopted sister smiling again, can't imagine what it was like back in Atlas for her, and with that horrid father of hers
However, Ruby grumbled at the remark she made, latching her arms around my own as she held me... me... um. Remember when I pointed out her new look... there was another feature that stood out for a moment, one... two things that now forced my cheeks to burn under my hand.
"Hey, I've improved!" Ruby complained, looking to me for support, but my head was bouncing with thoughts, the choirs of Valhalla calling to me. "Sky? Skkky, hello~"
"Oh boy, he's gone into heaven now." Nora pointed out nonchalantly from her upside-down form on the sofa
"Can you refrain from imagery like that, not exactly my cup of tea," Iota's blunt cynicism had us jump, cold, ice-blue eyes burrowing into mine. "Eric was the one to handle this stuff, not me."
"Hardly my fault!" My vague claim had his eyes glance to Ruby who had lessened her grip, then back to me with a scoff
"I'm starting to regret this form," He soon droned his critical gaze over the dumbfounded crowd
Weiss was the first to notice. "Hold on, are you... Iota?" That drew a collective gawk at the personality, his arms crossed with a chuff
"No, I'm Jack Frost - Who do you think I am?" His callous remark earned a unanimous nod
"Yeah, it's him."
"I'm standing right - You know what, don't care," He leveled his hands to them. "We have more important things to discuss, right?" He was, as much as it pained me to admit we had to tell them everything. Mars, Charron... me, it was... going to be difficult
"Are you sure about this?" Penny whispered in my ear, but I am, they had the right to understand everything in clarity, no more hiding things as Mars did, everything needs to be laid out before we could focus on what lay before us
"Everyone should get a seat, this may take some time, and please, give Sky time to... share what has transpired," Albatross spoke gravely, and with a grateful nod we took our seats, Ruby's hand in my own for support as I felt something ping in my chest
"Keep smiling through tears... For a life without light... has no future."
"I should start... with when I met with Specter before the Battle for Beacon."
[Later...]
No one said a word. The tale of my journey to uncover the truth of Cognitum led me to a strained trust of the Horseman that caused me so much torment, to the true reason behind Project Eclipse and my own purpose, of the Vex that would kill me and annihilate all of Remnant if it was allowed to become whole again. Of Gambit and the final fight against Mars... the promise I made and the truth of why he built Cognitum, for me, for a true guardian of this world the Gods themselves failed to create. And...
"...Eric... he..." My eyes wavered, Iota looking solemn. "He's gone."
"W-what?" Erika murmured, hand to her mouth
"He gave his token, and in turn his life to save Kai, but trapping himself within the Astral Realm... he's gone," Iota's eyes hardened, standing up to pace. "... a price had to be paid, he had the guts to do it."
Should I tell them? Of... me?
"I need to think, sorry to sour the mood, again." It was as though the person I was before slipped into my shoes, forcing me to leave for the rooms. "I... I'm sorry Iota, if I wasn't so hellbent on trying to be some hero I... Eric would still be here, and I..." Turning back a flashed a pained smile. "I just can't keep his promise right now."
"Sky, wait-" I ignored Yang, having felt I betrayed their trust again. They need to know but if I tell them, will that cause more rifts? Will I eventually doom this world? I said It didn't matter but, but I can't get it out of my head, what if I ruined everything?
I was pacing the room I woke up in, hands ruffling my hair as I kicked the ground out of confusion. What if this was what Charron wanted? If he couldn't have Remnant than leave me to destroy it? Was the near fall of Beacon my fault? Was it supposed to fall? Did Pyrrha have to die? What else have I done that's changed history, and what am I doing now?
"Stop... just stop thinking of it!" I yelled, fist colliding with my own cheek as I tried to keep my thoughts from expanding on the matter. "This is what he wanted, for you to doubt yourself and break!" I had to keep it together, I had to... I had to for Eric. "You've come this far and you break now!? Is that it, am I just made to fail over and over!?"
Another strike to my face and I couldn't stop my mind, there was no longer a cheery presence to clear it, to uplift my spirits again to move forward with a proud smile. I didn't lose my creativity or joy... but I still lost a piece of me... forever.
I hunched over, feeling despair creep in. "Dammit, why'd it have to be yooooou!" I slammed my fists into the floor, tears staining the carpet as I punched out my anger pathetically. "Why couldn't I save you? Why am I still so weak I can't even save a piece of me! Useless bastard!" I raised my fist, preparing to strike again with much-needed force
"It's okay." A gentle hand softly cupped my fist, the strength dissolving in Weiss' hand as she sat next to me, smiling kindly. "You can let it out, we can only imagine what lengths you've gone through, bottling it all up, just as I did before I reunited with Yang and Ruby."
Another hand put itself on my shoulder, finding Yang's lilac eyes meet my own. "Don't need to tell us anything, and even if you push us back, we'll be here, like always, because it won't matter how far apart we are, we're a team... family." She took care in that word, hand squeezing my shoulder as another rounded us, knelt before me with her hand out to mine like so many times before
Why did she keep coming back? I betrayed their trust, left them behind when they needed me, each other. Am I falling back into who I was without Eric? Did I take for granted the strength he gave me without ever saying a word? Did Iota know this? Was he holding me up without my realization?
"They all are," Iota... "Don't be ashamed to place your trust in these girls' time and again, I have grown to accept it too... a shard of us still doubts, that lingering phantom of who you were before is still tethered," For once, his voice was gentle. "Let it go, as Eric so desperately wanted you to."
My eyes widened slightly at their kind hearts, my hand tentatively reaching for Ruby's as she pulled me into her embrace, two other pairs of arms ensnaring me as I was blessed with the mournful farewell that had failed to reach me for Eric, the sacrifices he made for me for years, I understand, it was all them now, they kept me together, all these fragments of me, are all of them too.
"Alone, I accomplished many things, but deep down they were still there, pushing me, guiding me when I felt I no one to rely on. My entire life I had never once been alone, only now I realize the hands that kept pushing me were all of them. A blessing I'll treasure through whatever comes next."
I stand by what I said, I'll find my place in this world, and I will be with my family, the people that have changed me forever. Bet on that.
To Be Continued...
My obsession over this chapter was well worth the wait, with all the craziness out in a single chapter, things will only heat up for the grand finale of this act. Other than the fluff in this chapter, I hope you enjoyed it, seeya in the next chapter!
Next Chapter: The Walls Come Down
Sky has alot to think about, primarily concerning the fate of the Relic of Knowledge, yet before any of that he has one person left to confront about all the secrets of the world, and answers he won't let slip away so easily.