Sorry for the long wait, everyone. The most recent chapter I wrote for my novel took quite a bit of time to really think out and write. Also, just real-life stuff constantly coming up. Nothing serious, but certainly time consuming in one form or another. Also, my birthday passed by in the last week of October so I'm now lamenting the fact I'm 26, just year closer to death…

Heh, just kidding. Simply living life as it comes by. Also, been busy trying to watch some movies like Terminator. Honestly, I liked it quite a bit. Obviously, it could have been better, but I was happy with what I got out of it.

Also, still been busy playing God of War that a coworker was kind enough to lend me some odd weeks ago. Let me tell you guys, to those of you who haven't played it, Sigrun is pretty damn hard on New Game+, even when I still had it on normal difficulty.

Alas, it's time to hand it back to my coworker so that I may now enjoy the newest game: Death Stranding! Time to see what all the whackiness is about!

Ah, also saw the first episode of volume 7 for RWBY… yeah. On this front, not too sure on what to say other than that it exists for right now. Only time will tell if my opinion will change on it.

Now then, onto the chapter! Do keep in mind that this will just be setting up what'll be coming up next.

P.S. Jazz Ears, couldn't agree with you more. When the very concept of the Maidens was even introduced, I'd been pretty interested to see what magic could really do, but so far it hasn't really been impressing me. One can only hope that'll change in the future of the series.

Chapter 26

One would think that after having their plan essentially hijacked by a bunch of brutes and pawns, one would be steaming mad. But to Cinder's own surprise, recent events haven't angered her anywhere near as much as she now thought in hindsight.

Oh, certainly she was annoyed – yet another plan down the drain thanks to outside events – but after having shift her focus over the past several days and weeks, she's found herself sort of just mellowing out in a way.

If anything, Adam Taurus and his forces commandeering the train she'd gone through the troubles of getting set up in the first place had been a bit of a boon. Though that particular phase of her initial plan had caused only a small amount of chaos compared to estimates made back then, it had still rattled the entirety of the kingdom, showing them that their 'peace' was nothing more than a false and oh so very fragile one. Now the civilians were on edge, something that was already causing some of the many Grimm outside the kingdom to begin stirring.

"Hmm, this may still work," she muttered to herself.

"Do you really think so, boss?" Mercury asked from nearby.

Currently, she and her two subordinates – Neo were here too with her, but she didn't count as a subordinate – were out within Vale itself, indulging themselves at a café of all places. Having chosen a private booth that still allowed them a bit of a view of the café, they were taking a bit of a break, especially since it wasn't as if they could do much else for the time being.

"It's very much possible. Look – though everyone is going on as if all is normal, you can see the tension in their bodies, in the way they move. Even if it's only at the back of their minds, they're wondering if the Breach was really the end of it all," she said, motioning slightly towards the rest of the people here in the café.

And indeed, her observation had been spot on. Though people were milling about and enjoying a quick bite and drink to have and the workers performed their duties as always, many people had their shoulders hunched up. Those in the midst of some laughter during quiet but presumably humorous conversations laughed rather awkwardly, their movements restrained.

After so many years without any real Grimm incidents, the Breach had been a serious wake-up call for Vale.

It seemed like the Vytal Festival may still be planned for the same time, however. Alas, due to all the recent changes going on with her own plans and the like, she didn't quite have the same information network that she had before. But she was confident that, at most, the Vytal Festival would still be held if only at a somewhat later date.

It wouldn't matter much, however; in the end, that pathetic event had always been intended to serve as yet another distraction, albeit a significant one. Setting up the circumstances to evoke another Breach or at least an event that would cause enough distress in the people to get the Grimm to attack would be relatively easy, so it wasn't as if the Vytal Festival had to be their grand stage.

All things considered, she was just happy that she'd still been able to upload the virus to the CCT. So long as that virus remained there, she could hack Atlas' technology and take over their drones and the like at the drop of a hat.

But again, that would be something to hold off on until she can manufacture another major incident, for the sake of creating a truly grand scale of mayhem and disorder, that way she'd have all the time necessary to search Beacon for the Maiden while they were all mobilized.

"So… just what exactly do we do until then, ma'am?" Emerald asked from where she sat across from her. "I-I mean, under much different circumstances, we would've already been in Beacon as students, just going through the motions of their stupid classes until it was time. Since that's not a thing anymore…"

A valid point. While anyone with a brain knew that it takes time to execute actual plans, the idea of simply sitting on her hands for the time being wasn't something that appealed to her. With how swiftly things had changed thanks to Jaune Arc and his friends all that time ago, it wouldn't do to risk anything similar occurring.

She'd taken the initiative in adapting her plans to still try and accomplish her main goal, but it still wasn't enough. More was needed.

But what exactly to do? Try and kill Jaune Arc and his friends? They'd already proven themselves to be shocking adept at interfering with her own efforts at the most unexpected and even outright improbable of times. She didn't fancy them somehow doing so a third time.

However, unlike little Neo by her side, who seemed to be thinking along similar lines judging by her silent grimace, Cinder wasn't so focused on the blond teen as to be blind to everything else.

She was well aware of the fact that some soldiers from Atlas along with another team from Beacon had been the ones to come across the White Fang and drive them back as well as mitigating how much damage the train should've caused, thus proving that there were indeed other factors involved here.

And there wasn't a doubt in her mind that Ozpin and his own inner circle were at the helm for at least some of this. Just as she'd been adapting to what's been going on, so have they.

What new contingencies had they come up with? Were any already being implemented? There was no way to tell – it wasn't as if they were going to leave any records of what they discussed on any database.

But it was vital to stay at least a few steps ahead.

Causing a major incident so soon after the Breach wouldn't work – everyone would be far too on guard. It would be best to wait on that for the time being, until Beacon was at its most vulnerable.

However… that isn't to say some small incidents can't be started to divide up Beacon's and Atlas' attention for the time being.

Enjoying a long sip of her drink, Cinder looked intently between Mercury and Emerald before then looking to Neo.

After a long moment of contemplation, a small but rather wicked smile crossed her face.

"This is what we'll do…"

Hazel had paused for the time being to rest for a little bit. Though physical exertion wasn't something he's felt for years and years now, even he needed to sleep after a time.

And so, he did just that, settling down for a brief nap in the middle of the day, though thanks to all the forestry around him, much of the sun was blocked out.

Though surrounded by a number of Grimm, Hazel felt completely alone, a feeling he's long since grown used to… but as he slept, memories of old began to play out and he soon found the solitude almost unbearable.

Thus, after barely an hour of rest, he awoke with quite the grimace. And as if in response to his sour mood, the Grimm under his control growled in turn.

"Quiet," he barked out and the Grimm fell immediately and blissfully silent.

He sighed as he then stood up, knowing what was the cause of this – the events of just the other day, the battle he'd fought against the blond boy.

…perhaps he'd been more affected by it than he'd initially thought.

"I should've just killed him," he muttered. How naïve of him, to think that the boy would just die of wounds sustained.

But maybe… no, he highly doubted it. As if such a brutal beating would've snapped the boy out of that pathetic, all-sacrificing mindset of his. If it were that easy to get another person to change their mind on something so foolish and self-destructive, humanity as whole would be a lot different.

"Oho, I see you've improved your control a great deal," someone suddenly called, a man due to how deep his voice was.

Hazel was hardly surprised by someone finding him, for he'd detected the man coming just now, even with how deep in thought he'd just been.

It was indeed a testament to his control over the Grimm that none of them even remotely tried to attack the newcomer, Hazel's mental connection with them so strong that just a little bit of his subconscious was leaking into them, allowing them to recognize those that Hazel himself considers allies.

Such as this man, for example.

"…It's unlike you to be out in the field, Watts," Hazel said as the man fully approached him.

Arthur Watts, looking as impeccable as always in his suit, adjusted his coat a tad bit whilst chuckling. "Even I like to stretch my legs once in a while."

"I highly doubt that's the only reason you came out here," Hazel calmly retorted. "…Well, out with it. For what reason have you come to me?"

Though very rarely used nowadays, Hazel did possess a scroll, which was obviously used only to stay in contact with his other 'associates' when out in the field. However, none of them ever really contacted one another unless absolutely necessary.

Watts, of course, was no exception, often acting as Salem's intermediary as well as coordinating their efforts as needed. The disgraced scientist could've easily called him up, but instead he must have tracked his scroll to his current location and made his way here.

"Given that you're out here in the field, I assume you've been unable to keep up with the news, yes?" Watts asked. When Hazel merely gave him a flat stare, the man chuckled and continued. "Quite recently, a White Fang cell led by Adam Taurus had taken over a part of our dear Cinder's plan and used it to breach Vale. People have taken to calling the event the Breach – and what a creative name that is." His sarcasm was as plain as day there.

Hazel hummed a bit. "…I see. What of it, though? Has Salem decided to help Cinder out?"

"Hardly," Watts replied with a huff. "However, our majesty has decided that in light of recent changes, it was time for the rest of us to begin moving out. She explicitly told me that Cinder is free to carry out whatever plans she has as she see fits still, but that the time to make our own move has come as well."

Hazel quirked an eyebrow at that. That certainly was unexpected. "Did she ever explain why?"

"No. But as we both well know by now, she's capable of seeing things beyond our ability to see, of detecting changes that we can't even begin to notice. She must have noticed something to warrant such a change. In any case, the time to idle has come and passed by. Now it is the time for action and that's something not even I can afford to pass up. I came here to join you, for our paths conveniently coincide."

Seeing as he was slowly making his way towards Vale whilst testing out his new ability over the Grimm… "Atlas?" This was the sole word Hazel could bother speaking.

The way Watts' eyes narrowed with dark glee was all the answer he needed, really. "Indeed… though my superiority over them all is all but objective fact, I still have something to make very clear to them."

Anyone else would've probably found Watts' grudge to be stupid. However, Hazel was quite sympathetic, given his own vendetta against Ozpin. That said…

"Doesn't seem particularly smart to go directly up against the Atlas military," he commented. "Even when accounting for your semblance, there's still a limit to it."

Watts merely smirked. "Oh, not to worry. I still intend to do this smartly – after all, I am superior to them all when it comes to intelligence."

"…As long as you know when to toe the line, Watts."

"Ha, you're hardly one to talk, Hazel." Watts' remark lacked the usual bite it had whenever he was discussing Atlas or speaking to Cinder. This was because the disgraced scientist held a certain respect for him, a respect that Hazel returned to an extent.

Thus, all he could do was just nod and begin his trek again, the Grimm around them slowly being roused from their silent and unmoving states into action. Watts slowly followed.

"Ah," Watts began, sounding like he was now switching topics here. "Also, I took the liberty of hacking into the databases huntsmen generally use. So far, there's been no notice of you put out. Not yet, at least."

Hazel grunted. "I see," he muttered, thinking on this bit of news.

It's been enough time for that team of trainees to make it back to Beacon, meaning they would've already reported all that they knew to Ozpin and even if somehow their description of him was lacking, Ozpin would know well by now that he'd been responsible for what had happened to Sol. That no warning had been put out about him just yet was a bit odd… but he's come to learn that Ozpin, in addition to being a complete bastard, was a crafty one. Things that seemed like common sense to some people simply wouldn't register with him.

"Keep an eye out then, if you can," the large man finally said. "Not that it would make a difference, a notice of me being put out there, but depending on what such a thing might say, it could cause some inconveniences."

"I'm well aware," Watts commented. "Not to worry, I've already set up my scroll to alert me if a notice of you does come up. I highly doubt it, however – it's not as if Ozpin would be so foolish as to send more huntsmen to their deaths against you. That said… you sometimes have the uncanny misfortune of attracting fights. But that aside too, even if a notice does come out warning people to stay away from you, it's not as if entire towns or villages can uproot themselves and relocate."

"Even so, stay on top of things," Hazel said. "As much as I hate that parasite, he is a cunning one. He wouldn't have held out this long against Salem if he wasn't."

"Hmph, I suppose you've a point. Though not mutually exclusive, age does tend to give one much experience," Watts responded.

There was then a long silence between them as they continued their journey to Vale on foot, a journey that should at most last a week or two if they're willing to simply take their time.

However, some time later, Hazel spoke again. "Where's Tyrian, now that I think of him?"

"He's still in Mistral," Watts replied. "Locating Raven Branwen is quite the task since she and her pathetic tribe of vermin tend to stay on the move quite regularly."

Quite some time ago, Tyrian had been tasked with tracking down and capturing the Spring Maiden. Back then, the young woman who'd become the Spring Maiden had broken under the pressure of this hidden war between Salem and Ozpin and had fled to Raven Branwen and her bandit tribe for safety. At the time this happened, their side hadn't been too sure of where the Maiden had run off to, but after some consideration, they'd come to the conclusion it was Raven if only due to the fact she was one of the very few outside of Ozpin's little circle that was aware of what was going on and thus knew best to stay on the move. Even though her own defection from Ozpin's side was a well-known fact to them, she would've still been the most ideal person for the young Maiden to have gone to.

Alas, Mistral was a very big place to put it mildly and though Raven and her tribe had a penchant for setting up large and almost even elaborate campsites, they had no problem abandoning said sites – after all, said campsites could easily be remade elsewhere with wood and stone from their surroundings and supplies taken from raided villages.

"He says he's made some headway," Watts continued. "How much, however, remains to be seen."

"Hmm. Tyrian is the best of us when it comes to tracking," Hazel said. "And our best fighter excluding myself. If he says he's finally made progress, then maybe we'll finally have a Maiden captured within the next few weeks or so."

"One can only hope. Now, how about we pick up the pace just a tad bit?"

Hazel sighed, but not unkindly. "I suppose even you can have some moments of impatience."

And so, as they did indeed pick up the pace a bit, the two of them continued their quiet but light-hearted talk.

Adam was a man of discipline and focus… that said, that didn't mean he didn't have his moments of anger, for the ruined room all around him now attested to.

"Damn it all…!" he grunted out as he finally began to truly calm down. For the past day or so, he's tried to keep his cool, but upon realizing that he wasn't settling down, he'd opted to just find a random place to mindlessly thrash. It proved surprisingly therapeutic.

Now that he was beginning to calm himself, he exited the ruined room and took a seat outside, surrounded by some small tents some of his subordinates had set up to sleep in.

Following the botched train operation, he and his remaining men had been forced to retreat to a secret bunker well away from Mount Glenn. Because of its small size, it was impossible to fit all of them in there, but thankfully they'd made sure to stash some supplies in it well in advance of the operation in the first place, supplies had been used to construct these tents to accommodate all of them and then some.

Because this location was also one well out of the way of the Grimms' usual stomping grounds, they were mercifully deprived of Grimm to deal with, which gave them all time to recuperate their losses.

That said, the way the operation had so suddenly gone south had really left a number of them feeling angry and others even flat out rattled.

As leader, it was up to him to deal with this fallout, but as he himself had been angered by how things had turned out, he'd done a poor job of settling everyone else down.

Time to change that.

"You there, get me a map of Vale," he called out to a random member that had been passing by.

A minute later, the person – a Kangaroo Faunus – hopped back with rather impressive speed and map in hand. Taking it, Adam headed for the nearest table and cleared it to lay the map down.

As he did so, some other people took notice of this and approached him almost wearily.

"Is there a way to make a comeback, sir?" one of them asked with restrained eagerness.

"Perhaps," was all Adam bothered saying as he studied the map. This was actually something he tried doing yesterday, but he'd been in too bad a mood to really focus, especially since he'd also had to focus on making sure everyone and everything was accounted for after their trek here.

Now, however, he was looking at it with a far clearer mind and so he studied it closely.

From estimations made before the operation had been in full swing, a solid portion of downtown Vale was to be completely overrun with Grimm and while it was to be expected for huntsmen and the Atlas military to clear all the Grimm out, the number of casualties would've been in at least the low hundreds and with property damage being in the hundreds of thousands of Lien. This was excluding the damage the train itself would've caused by busting through Vale's ground.

However, thanks to the efforts of Winter Schnee and her forces along with that huntress team – Blake's team – the train had caused only minimal damage and the number of Grimm that had even made it into Vale was far below what had initially been thought. Casualties had still occurred but in far fewer numbers. Same thing went for property damage.

Suffice to say, their attack had packed a lot less 'oomph' than they'd wished for.

…Well, if nothing else, at least it had grabbed the populace's attention, showed those pathetic humans that the White Fang meant business this time.

Still, it wasn't enough. If the White Fang was to show all of Remnant just how powerful they truly are, how dedicated they are to their goals, then the only way to do that would be to accomplish something that can't just be sweat under a rug after a week or two.

Alas, the only way that was going to happen would be if they either took out Beacon or managed to take out the entire council and neither one was looking feasible right now. In the case of the former, they were isolated from most of Vale, so any attack that could be launched would be seen coming miles away. Even if a small strike force was to try and sneak their way to Beacon, there's no way it'd be strong enough to take on even a portion of the student body and staff. As for attacking the council, they were all spread out and their residencies were well-guarded. Though not impossible, attacking them in one of their homes or even on their way to somewhere else would be extremely difficult.

Adam grunted, somewhat annoyed. For as big of a kingdom as it is, Vale was rather lacking when it came to locations that could really warrant some shock value should it be attacked. And attacking celebrities wouldn't exactly do much in advancing his agenda.

The bull Faunus supposed they could maybe sink shipments making their way to Vale, but after what had happened at the docks that one time, he was certain new countermeasures had already been put in place.

"Nothing come to mind, huh…?" one of the surrounding White Fang members muttered dispiritedly.

"Vale's a pretty bad target, I guess…"

"Yeah, except for maybe Beacon, but even then…"

"But damn though, if it wasn't for that traitor and that human team of hers!"

"Yeah, she was even working with a Schnee of all people-!"

All chatter started to slowly cut off within Adam's mind as he focused ever harder on what to do next.

"Blake…" he muttered, thinking of the girl he'd thought he'd never see again, only to then see her again during the operation.

Once upon a time, the two of them had been good friends, eager to make their mark in the world by paving the way for Faunus equality. And when the previously peaceful White Fang's efforts proved to be ineffective, he'd been the first out of the two of them and their little circle of friends to take steps in becoming strong for the sake of their race.

He'd become a mentor of sorts for Blake and for others and whatever new skills he'd picked up, he'd done his damnedest to teach to her as well… and before long, she'd become his partner and together the two of them had gone on many missions to see their new vision of the future realized.

He'd thought Blake to be like him – a true believer of the cause, willing to do whatever it took, no matter how horrible, in order to ensure the Faunus had bright and shining future they deserved. He'd had no idea that she'd ever started to doubt the White Fang, especially not to the point of defecting.

…No, now that he's had time to reflect, he could see the signs of Blake's discontentment during the months leading up to her departure. Hindsight really was twenty-twenty. Hell, she'd even taken to hiding her ears for the last several weeks of their time together. That she no longer hid her ears amongst those human companions of hers just made this fact that much more painful to be aware of now.

But had she simply left to live the rest of her life in secrecy and false peace, that would've been one thing. It wouldn't have made the hurt any better, but he would've understood; even he sometimes grew a little weary of all of the things that had to be done. But instead of doing that, she chose to instead head to Beacon… and all for what? For some perceived level of redemption? Just to spite the White Fang, an organization that her own father had established? Something else?

He honestly couldn't fully fathom the girl's reasons, but if she was now so keen on impeding their progress, then so be it. It will hurt, having to cut her down… but he'll cut her down if he must.

…

…

However… perhaps he won't have to. At least not just yet.

"Hmm." He backed away from the map, an action that caused all the chatter around him to cease.

All eyes now on him, one of the White Fang member looked at him with a small bit of hope in his eyes. "H-Hey, Adam? Did you just think of something?"

"…Perhaps. I will need to dwell on it a while first though, make sure it's even feasible…. But tell me this: do we have anyone good at hacking?"

There was a long beat of silence as everyone around him looked back and forth between one another and for that whole moment, Adam worried that he'd been hoping for too much.

But then…

"Well, not among us right now… but back at home base, we got quite a few guys that know their way around that kind of thing."

Adam didn't quite smile… but the corners of his mouth were up-turned just a bit. "I see. I'll get back to you lot later. I need to think this through. For now, just prepare for departure – in any case, it's time to relocate to somewhere much more well-equipped."

His words, though vague and not really promising anything, were still enough to lift the others' collective mood a fair bit and they left him to his own devices.

Now on his own, Adam took a seat and planted his blade into the ground, hands lightly resting upon its pommel as he thought.

Due to his own admittedly narrow-minded way of thinking, he's stuck to full frontal assaults most of the time… but thanks to his time working so very much in the shadows as a result of being under Cinder's thumb, he's come to learn the finer points of subterfuge.

If trying to attack another location wasn't possible nor would generate the shock value needed… then what if instead, he tried making an example of someone instead?

If word was leaked to the media about a White Fang member defecting and going to Beacon of all places… and right under the headmaster's very nose at that too, just how would the public react? And what if this White Fang member was none other than the daughter of the man who made the organization in the first place?

"…My apologies, Ghira," he whispered to himself. He knew all too well that the man, though ultimately inept, had truly meant the best when he'd first formed the White Fang. But really now, just how many people out there would even remember that the organization had once been a peaceful one? Not many, he'd imagine.

And in turn, he could imagine all too well how everyone, especially the majority of those damned humans, would react to having a former White Fang member hiding among them.

…Very well then, he supposed. Blake will be of service to them one more time… and only one more time.

And when it comes time to execute her for being a traitor to both sides, he shall be the one to deliver the final blow, for all the world to see.

From one believer to a former believer, from one former friend to another… he'll grant her that mercy. This, he swears.

Qrow Branwen was many things. A badass huntsman, an even more kickass uncle, a high-functioning drunk, a perpetual cynic, a less-than-always-successful skirt-chaser and something of a grumbler when it came to work.

Ok, that started to sound a little too self-depreciating towards the end there, the man in question thought, but hey, his semblance sucks balls so he supposed it was expected for him to be how he is.

Anyways, his little silent diatribe aside, he had to buck up and get things done. He may be a cynic and a grumbler, but if there was one other thing that could be said about himself, it's that he's never one to back down from a task.

That said, he did wish this was one task he hadn't been given. Hell, he wished this was a task that didn't have to be given to anyone at all.

"Oz, I really hope you know what you're doing," he mumbled before taking a quick swig from his flask, which he always made sure was topped off whenever he passed by a town or village.

A fair bit of time ago, Ozpin had decided to give him the ever so wonderful task of tracking down his oh so pleasant sister. Naturally, he'd protested vehemently when his longtime friend had asked this of him, had listed just about every reason under the sun why Raven was one of the last people they should ever bother seeking out.

His sister might have once been something of a morally just person, if unpleasant – time around Summer and especially Tai had softened her hardened heart up, if only to an extent – but that same abrasive but well-meaning person died the day she'd decided to suddenly up and leave Tai and Yang behind to fend for themselves while she returned to their dear old tribe of criminals. Ever since then, she's taken to becoming the tribe's new leader and had wasted no time in doing the same exact shit the tribe used to do before, raiding and pillaging settlements for resources and sometimes for shits and giggles.

Needless to say, Qrow didn't have a particularly high opinion of his sister nowadays. Why exactly the Spring Maiden, young as she'd been or not, had decided to panic and go to Raven of all people for safety was something Qrow would never discover or understand. In any case though, with how crazy things seem to be getting in more recent times, he did grudgingly admit that Oz had a point in trying to once again have a united front. There'd be no other way of beating Salem otherwise.

Still… he wasn't looking forward to seeing Raven again. Really, he didn't. He didn't know why she suddenly ran off on all of them, but considering what she's been up to since then, he was sure that the reason was bullshit. And while he's grown up since he was a punk teen, Qrow knew himself well enough that he and Raven might come to blows if they say the wrong thing towards each other.

He sighed. "Ah well, I guess everything comes full circle some time," he commented. Despite all he's learned ever since Oz brought him and the others into the fold, Qrow's personal horizons have expanded considerably, but even then he was hardly a believer of things such as fate or destiny. Still, even then, he supposed that there really were higher forces at work sometimes.

Now that said, damn, if only Raven would just save him a bit of trouble and come to him first. With her semblance, approaching him would be all too easy and by now she had to be aware that someone was inquiring about her in these parts of Mistral. Alas, it seems his sister really wasn't in a mood to talk.

Fine then, have it her way, he figured. It wasn't as if she could hide forever. Though he didn't doubt for a second that the tribe had updated their methods to go along with the changes in Remnant as a whole, there was still a whole lot that must have stayed the same. Naturally, this included their general actions and movements. In all honesty, the only reason it was even taking him as long as it was to find her and the tribe was because Mistral was a big damn land to search, even with his knowledge of the tribe's general movements and the like. That, and well, he wasn't in a big enough hurry to reunite with Raven anytime soon.

In any case, he was getting close now, he could feel it. At this point, he could only hope that his own semblance doesn't screw him over though; it had a bad habit of doing that whenever it seemed like he was making genuine progress in any endeavor he undertook.

"Alright, Raven… hope you're at least willing to talk when I find you… because when I do, I'm not going to head back empty-handed after all this," he muttered.

And so, Qrow continued his trek throughout the lands of Mistral. Little did he know, his semblance was already hard at work in screwing him over.

Yeah, sorry this chapter is considerably shorter than usual, but as I stated in the previous chapter, this one was basically just going to continue focusing on the fallout of the Breach and the like anyways. Additionally, as you all can surmise, it sets up what'll be happening next in short order.

Cinder will be making a move soon, Hazel and Watts are heading for Vale, Adam and his cell are going to start prepping their next operation and both Tyrian and Qrow have been sent out to find Raven and by extension the Spring Maiden.

Expect things to get messy and fast once this new ball really gets rolling.

So… yeah. Other than that, not much else that really needs to be said, I think. But of course, any questions you guys have, I'll be more than happy to answer if you PM or you leave it in the reviews, in which case I'll either PM you guys or just answer it in the next chapter's AN.

Now, not sure when exactly I'll get the next chapter out – my novel right now has been having increasingly longer chapters – but I'll try to get it out as soon as possible.

Until next time, everyone. Take care!