Chapter 55 - Until the End
Act VI - Kingdom of Lies
I was back again inside of the Emerald Forest, its mystical beutty still as captivating since the day I woke under it's roof. Sitting with my hands propping me up, I faced Trinity, an easy-going smile forever plastered on her lips. "Hello again, Trinity, how's life?"
"Hmm, as complex as any God's role among the Multiverse I suppose," She giggled, leaning closer. "They say playing favorites is unbecoming of a God but when do I play by the rules, I like you like many others I've communed with outside the realm of Gods."
That notion alone felt touching, to even remotely speak with a divine being in such an informal manner was already alot, but to actually be liked by them puts all I know of Gods to shame, Trinity was as human as anyone else. "And I feel the same way, maybe I should pray to you?"
She laughed, shaking her head. "Sweet at that is I find it strange when I'm prayed to, even now," Very well, guess it was time for the main topic still residing on my arm
"Trinity?" She sat down, legs crossed as I held out Cogntium. "If... if what Summer finds turns out to be Charron, that Eric's sacrifice meant nothing, what exactly can I do to beat Charron? I mean, hell, he's no Grimm or anything remotely close to Salem, how can I... beat that?"
"I've seen," That lifted my gaze. "Watching your journey has offered me extensive insight into the abilities of both you and this Vex possess, I am sorry you had to witness the darker side of this world's history," She kept her frown but she was anything but angry or irritated. "You and your friends have already done so much for this world, and the epicenter is near and growing, I can imagine fate will lead you there in no time."
Trinity sat back for a moment, and with the flow of her golden scarf, the scenery changed, the forest trembled and from what sounded like glass refraction came shards of white. They gathered around the light, refining an image, cracks resealed and a shimmer of the spectrum ran across the frame. A longsword of white, framed in a black outline, shards of glass bobbing where the pommel would reside.
"Memory Fragments, while it has many forms, a blade is the most commonplace manifesation," Trinity waved her hand, the blade spinning gradually. "The crystalized form of memory, the strongest force across the universes, magic, strength, technology, anything that is labeled as 'strength' can never hold a candle to the memories we create."
"Memory as a weapon? Sounds... perplexing?" I think that was the right word for this.
"If you want my opinion, not even the Gods understand its creation," Trinity sighed, whisking the blade away. "It appears when the strength of a person's memories are strongest, not based on their moral standing, but so long as light exists in their hearts, then it will form when they call without realizing it."
"Okay, now that's just cliche." She merely broke into laughter at my deadpanned look
Waking up from my pleasant chat and with a new drive burning in my mind I blinked under the dark covers, the faint sign out the outside's glow signifying a new day. I couldn't exactly turn given the warm and adorable girl cuddling me like a pillow, her head resting under my arm as she slept with her mouth ajar, her hair all over the place, we were both a mess when we woke up, and this was the first time in months since we've been like this so it was well worth it.
"You gonna keep staring at me or is this one of those, 'romantic' things?" To answer dumbly I blinked, seeing a pair of silver eyes through the dark of the blankets with a sly smile. "Oh no, don't let me stop you," She waved a hand lazily
"For someone who gets flustered easily, you sure do take to this quickly?" I remarked, nose poking against hers as she hummed
"Not my fault, you say all those silly... cheesy sentences like some cliche romantic fairy tale..." She muttered but pressed back. "You're lucky I like fairy tales..."
She and I kissed again for a moment, each time felt like the first so that was a bonus, 'certain' thoughts kept at bay I pulled away, resting my head atop hers while Ruby buried her face into my neck. "You know something, Rubes...?"
"Hmm?" Her tone was curious
"Have we actually been on a date before? Like, even before the Battle of Beacon?" I asked out of the blue, the thought having crossed my mind yesterday at how disfunctunal are relationship was, not that I minded how we did things
"O-oh, I-I guess we haven't, yeah..." Her tone got all muffled and shy, I could feel her tense up
"Moving on, want to go out today, just us, so no cynical comments from Iota." I offered, seeing her smile as she laughed
"Aww, no fun," Cute, but I'll leave him to his own romantic problems for once. Ruby moved to face me more directly with a warm smirk. "I... y-yeah, let's do it!"
There was a pause, and I flicked my gaze around the dark then back to her eyes. "So... we aren't moving?" Thast earned a light jab to my shoulder. "Threat of the world, Relics, and many more adjectives I dare not say and you're still lazy in the morning."
"I've been dealing with Grimm nearly everyday, and finally after my boyfriend comes back from apparently stopping a crazy, God-like... thing!" She thrashed her hand to emphasize. "And not once have I had any time alone with him, what's up with that?"
My eyes opened wide. "I know right? It's like I'm forced to conform to gloomy topics and almost every chat is about the Relic of Knowledge, so you know, fuck it, today I want to spend time with you, and that starts with sleeping in." I liked Ruby's way of thinking in crisises like this, makes it far less troubling to think about. "Is that what you wanted to hear?"
"Mmmhmm, just about."
Ruby then shuffled over, sitting atop my abdomen while she stared down at me with a small smile, cheeks a deep red. "Try and top that plan, dummy," Given the fact that most of my plans typically revolve around 'think first ask later' this was a relaxing change of pace
Holding my own smile, I sat forward. "No... I don't think I can," Ruby then wrapped her arms around me as she planted her lips firmly to mine, the force she applied knocked me back. We parted with a heavy, hot breath as the result leading to my own cheeks tinging the same color. This girl...
With the sheets still covering us, we were alone in the dark, Ruby pressed herself closer to look directly into my eyes and I couldn't look away from her soft expression. My arms locked around her waist, her hair fell down between us as she moved her hands to rest at the sides of my head. Apprehension? Bliss? Desire? It was all swimming in my head, I'm certain the sane side of my brain is telling me off or to consider alternative solutions but I never did anything in my life without reason, how is this any different?
Her warm smile never left her face, but her voice trembled, "S-so... um, I think we-we're a little um, what's the word...?" Tilting my head forward to rest it against her own I sighed, myself thankful she said something
"Rash?" I earned a beaming look from her eyes
"Yeah, that," She quickly spun herself to lay beside me, both of us soon breaking into a soft chuckle. I think that given all that's transpired that was just enough, hearing her endearing laugh pushed aside my previous concerns. "Hey, n-not that I, you know, haven't thought of-"
"Ditto." She didn't need to say it, I'm a dude this stuff is somewhat out of my hands, I'm just glad I didn't have to sail the uncertainty alone. Deciding to break the tension some more I smiled devilishly as I brushed my lips to her ear. "You are rather sexy."
Ruby immediately 'eeped' and tucked herself under the cover as I tried not to laugh too loudly into my hand, tears stinging my eyes at her reaction, followed strikingly quickly by her hand tickling my side, pinning me for her counterattack. "You think that's funny, you... you, jerk!" Her hand continued to pin my motions, spotting the toothy grin and crimson cheeks looming over me. "Don't mess with this awesome Huntress and expect me to go easy."
"I shall not fall to your devil trickery!" I proclaimed
Her hands gestured toward herself, "Hehehe, I am the master of lazy mornings, like I will fall so easily."
[No POV]
"What are you looking at?" Albatross blinked, turning to nod to Oscar, Ozpin having stayed silent for most of yesterday afternoon and this morning. Time to reflect is what Albatross concluded, and everyone never brought it up other than the boy before him and the duo he watched with a keen eye. "Ruby and Sky? Are they-?"
"Going out together, yep," He replied simply to the boy's observation. Albatross sighed with relief. "I had hoped they would."
"Really?" Oscar didn't quite understand, but from what he could see from the balcony they looked really happy, talking and occasionally laughing. His own smile infected his face. "I guess after everything they've been through they deserved a break, even just what I heard was... alot."
"Yeah, I've been there too," Albatross thought about how funny it was seeing them sneak their way from the house in an effort to avoid others side-tracking them. "Let it be the last day for a while any of us get a chance to relax, tomorrow things won't be so cheery."
Oscar tightened his hold on the cane in his hands, Ozpin still shut himself away, but the faint look into his memories was enough for the boy to realize that there was alot riding on his shoulders now, so maybe taking it easy would be for the best.
"Maybe you and Erika should spend the day together, no?" The smug look on Albatross' features quickly made the farmer back up, waving his hands to obscure his blush
"W-w-what!? N-no, well not like - I don't-" Then he tripped and fell back-first into the room, leaving the crimson-eyed traveler to burst out laughing. "Why me..."
After much deliberation, I had acquired the novels I was missing or found interesting, my collection having been left at Beacon, implying our room is still intact or not occupied by other students. We had wandered about Mistral, window shopping and sight-seeing, but primarily to pick up a few books from a book trade.
Today was probably the most relaxing day since Beacon, between training, fighting and traveling with news and revelations galore it was almost strange having the fate of the world no longer on my mind. Instead, I laughed, chatted and generally felt my head solely think of the nerdy, leader in a red hood that I found so endearing.
Ruby was over on the other half of the store by the time I found her, browsing in a section that did draw a few eyes, though the deathly glare I always kept had them disperse, not that I cared but I suppose better than some creepers. Ruby was in... a spicy section, shall we say?
Ruby was smiling, "Yay, they have it." She happily held out the book for me to read the title of, a hard-cover of maroon red with gold writing, fancy and bold too
"'Man Who Walked The Stars'... huh, think I heard of that before?" Where though, and why did I feel like a reference to something? The other book in her hand was actually held with the cover facing away from me. "And the other?"
As her namesake, Ruby's face flushed a little, strolling past me to buy the book as I ghosted her. "It's called 'Ninjas In Love 3', I, well... um, I really shouldn't tell."
"It's smut - Correction, the same smut Blake normally read." I pointed out bluntly, just as Ruby handed the books over to pay for them. She didn't speak other than to thank the man as I did the same with my books, once we left the store with a wave to the man, Ruby immediately grabbed my collar, face turning red again
"Why would you just say that so abruptly!? A-and how did you-" Prying her off my jacket with a confused look I pointed to my eyes
"The section you picked it from was... erm, 'Heavy Romance', and I was kinda surprised you just waltz right down that section, a number of shoppers were too." I replied with a smug grin, seeing her face slowly turn up in temperature
Ruby let out a high-pitched whimper, then she covered her face with her hood, burying her now camouflaged face into the fabric as she seemed visibly smaller after I blinked, chuckling a little at her reaction. Ruby's got a thing for smut, never thought I'd see the day.
"You know, your depth perception sucks, surprised the rest of the novels didn't tip you off."
"Nu-huh." She shook her body side-to-side, planting her head against my torso in a vain attempt to hide herself from the world
"Come on now, it's fine" I sighed, but she shook her head, this was an adorable sight but rather awkward to say the least. Pinching my nose I quickly eyed a few streets for a second. "Shall we go someplace else?"
"Uh-huh." Her head bobbed up and down against my shirt, and with my arm around her head I tugged her along but not once did she let go of me.
The walk wasn't far, just until we were far enough away from the shop and from people as I sat her down on a bench overlooking the valleys of Mistral from a risen garden, it was a nice view, but Ruby was still unable to tug her hood down.
With a stare, I drawled, "Ruby, you can return from the crimson lands now."
"Nope. I think I'll stay in here forever until history forgets about me." Doubtful. With my right hand I threw the hood back, revealing the puppy-dog eyes that soon turned mortified. "Let me hide..."
"Now you're being dramatic, so what if you like smut - which I doubt - I've even read it once though Blake did threaten to claw my eyes out if I told anyone, yikes." Books are dangerous stuff.
"I-i read the first one too, I liked the action and tension and-and then I started to read the second... but w-what if he thinks I like this stuff!? W-W-What if I'm given, ugh, recommendations!?" Ruby waved her hands frantically as though swatting away the images
"I think you're overthinking this. Judging someone based on what they read is literally like 'judging a book by its cover', I mean for God's sake I'm a perfect example!" I preached, her eyes lifting to me. "Need I remind you of how I acted when I first arrived in Remnant? Iota trying to kill you, and... well you get the point."
"That's... true, I guess?" Ruby was starting to come around.
I motioned to her, "And there you go, end of the world averted." With a smirk, I also added matter-of-factly. "And since you've been such a big girl today, I... got you something for the occasion."
She puffed out her cheeks. "Stop acting like I went to the doctor's or something!"
"Never gonna happen - now here," I fished around in my backpack, I was broke again but it was worth it, thanks to Iota and Penny
"Your welcome, friend!" Penny declared to me alone
I saw the look of confusion warp and widen into surprise as I held out a small box, opening it to reveal the twin pair of rings. Silver with some fancy carvings edtched into the reflective metal. Both fixed with a jewel, the left a glistening ruby and the other a deep sapphire. Like I said, I'm utterly broke now, it was worth it.
"I got these, promise rings. Everything you've done for me you've backed up with your actions so I wanted to do the same, a physical promise that no matter what happens, what secrets I keep or the threats that we can't see, that I'll always stand by you, even if it hurts, for you?" I saw her wide eyes return to my gaze. "It's worth everything I have."
In a sudden rush of roses, the overjoyed state in Ruby's face flew into my arms, almost toppling me as she hugged me tighter than ever before. Huh, maybe I should have done this months ago, I'm just glad she's happy. Eventually, I was able to slip the ring onto her finger, myself appling the new addition to my style as I felt the coming storm in my head disipate.
"You were panicking the whole time, weren't you?" I merely nodded to her smile, then a pair of lips pecked my cheek. "I love you."
"Love you too, Rubes," I returned, clearing my throat as I rummaged through my bag again. "That's not all, fair maiden, for I have put myself further in debt with these!"
"Kai..." Her almost guilty way of saying my real name proved my plan had worked
Another box, this one containing the still partially warm chocolate-chip cookies from a bakery nearby, half had strawberries mixed in while the other half were just chocolate. Hers cost me more, being made of rare imported ingredients from Atlas.
"Oh My Gosh...! Premium Atleasian Strawberry-Chip-Cookies! But how!? When!? Where!?" Holding back the box from her drooling expression I held a neutral but relaxed face. "But... but they cost a fortune! A-And the rings too-!" She blinked between me, the ring and the box. "You didn't have to all this..."
I'm not doing this back-and-forth crap with her. "...you're right, but since when do either of us listen to reason?" The day out, the rings, the cookies, I spent hours debating my choices as I would a battle, each step was carefully taken and the results were more than enough payment
That stopped her from going to press the issue further, smiling softly at the box as I kept my gaze to the city below. "You know... typically someone who refuses a gift doesn't typically latch onto said gift like a leech."
Ruby blinked, having noticed her vice-like grip before chuckling nervously. "Hehe, hunger?"
"Sure," I handed the box to her as she flicked the box open with bright silver eyes, already picking one out to bite down half in a single chomp. Her cheeks flushed as she squealed at the taste, a visible shiver running up her back
"These are sooooo good~! I wish I had some milk though!" Maybe if she didn't eat them so quickly she'll have some left. Taking out one of the strawberry ones, I snapped it in half, savoring the taste. "Mmm~! I haven't tasted anything so amazing in years!"
I nodded with her, trying not to shiver at the sweetness, though I saw it, her eyes kept flicking back at the ring, making my heart flutter dumbly. "Oh yeah, definitely worth it."
"You are too sweet, Sky." Sorry, you have to be a spectator to this, Penny. "Oh no, it is quite alright. Seeing Ruby so happy again was one of the many things I had hoped to see again, so thank you!" I could imagine the little sprite's beaming face right now. "When should we tell her?"
"Save it for tomorrow, I think anymore surprises might give her a heart attack." I snickered but Ruby didn't seem to notice as we sat shoulder-to-shoulder, sharing in the baked goods with our ringed hands intertwined. Then I tapped my side of the box. "Hold up, you rat, you took my share!"
Quickly, I snatched the one centimeters from her mouth, seeing the misty eyes circle round to me. "Waaah, it's not my fault they're so good!"
"You ate nearly a dozen in less than three minutes!?" I gaped, snatching the box from her viper-like hands, even as she waved them frantically to reach them. "Not a chance, Red!"
Her hands desperately tried to take back the box as cartoonish tears fell from her eyes. "Come on, Kai, I'm super duper sorry~! Just one more~!"
"You and Yang share one thing, and that's your horrible ability to lie."
"Waaaah... meanie...!"
To Be Continued...
The last touching moment for a while between these two as we move on the Battle of Haven, a literal hell to try and rewrite so I hope it goes well. Tensions are high and danger is lurking for the team. I hope you enjoyed, appreciate the support, seeya in the next chapter!
Next Chapter: Haven No More Act 1
The team goes to meet with Lionheart to discuss the situation with the Counsel, and to ensure the safety of the Relic. However, Iota and Amber return to bring some unsettling news.