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Crimson Threads
Achilles' Heart
No-one on Remnant knows the true origins of the Red Thread of Fate; be it the works of a God or a biological phenomenon, the people of Remnant are able to find their soulmate; their missing half, the one they share a deep affinity and compatibility with, whom they are destined to be with. The circumstances do not always make sense to the individuals, but the long-spanning history of Remnant has proved that the Red String does not lie as people have always found their way to each other, no matter where they are or how much some try to change the outcome in some cases.
At first, there's a small crimson, ethereal band around one of your fingers – commonly around your little finger, ring finger, or thumb – or around one of your ankles at a certain point in your life. The closer you are to your missing half the more the Thread will expand and begin to link, guiding you to them. The close you get, the more the Thread with glow and become more visible to you and your soulmate alone, though the initial appearance is clear to anyone. While it is rare, you might even feel your partner's emotions and heartbeat, further linking to two together. The Thread is warm to the touch where it's tied.
Not everyone on the world of Remnant share the same thought about this phenomenon; some hate it and will defy Destiny only to end up with the person as intended. Others aren't always so lucky and go through life without ever having the Red Thread appear at all, though many, but not all, still find love.
And some end up with a White Thread instead, marked like a tattoo; white, associated with death, is a horrible, sad reminder that your destined partner has perished, be it after or before you even met. The theories of reincarnation, different lives and parallel worlds are not proven, but not dismissed and remains a hope for many on Remnant.
Love is usually what will unite the pair, but that is not always the case; it can be a spiritual level of compatibility or a platonic relationship that unites you, for the magical cord that may tangle and stretch, but never break from the two who are destined partners regardless of time, place, or circumstances.
It doesn't always make sense to the pair when they do find each other and it's not uncommon for the two to remain in denial despite it all. With the unfortunate Faunus racism still active in parts of the world there are destined soulmates who will actively avoid each other for petty things such as that.
And some people find out in the worst situations possible.
The ruins at the top of Beacon tower was littered with gears and blocks of stone as fire and metal clashed. The Vytal Festival had been ruined by deceit and trickery, bringing Grimm and the White Fang to Vale's doorstep after the death of a participant that had been nothing more than an Atlesian general's doll.
A well-aimed arrow to her heel had brought the Invincible Girl to her knees despite her best efforts – despite her strength. Her will, though indomitable, was unfortunately far stronger than her physical prowess which seeped from her body and her Aura had been shattered like glass.
And as the enemy circled her, bow and arrow in hand, the girl saw it.
Her heart was in a chokehold. She couldn't wrap her head around it.
Why now?
Why her?
Why under these circumstances?
Exhausted and wounded, Pyrrha Nikos met the woman's eyes; they were narrow and steely, but the confusion was leaking through and it stayed her hand.
Determined, Pyrrha asked her; "Do you believe in Destiny?"
Cinder was silent. Her gaze strayed from Pyrrha's and over to her left ring-finger as she followed the glowing Red Thread and where the string connected to.
Finally, she spoke;
"Yes."