A/N: Bonus content is at the end of the chapter. For those of you who didn't read Laws of Attraction, I outline my stories before writing them and my outlines are always… silly, to say the least. I like to save the goofiest parts of them to share with y'all at the end of each volume. Enjoy!

Now that we're done with it, I hope you enjoyed this rewrite of V4! (also it blows my mind that realistically, it took me only seven chapters to write all of V4's content, because so little actually happens for JNRR holy guacamole)

Posting this is actually sort of wild for me- not because we're around halfway through another longer fic, but because this scene at the end of 'No Safe Haven' (the final ep of V4) is actually the same scene I used in the first RWBY fic I ever wrote at the end of Nov. 2017. Although, in that fic (Magic Words) I wrote it from Ren's POV- so now, it sort of feels like I've come full circle.

Also, fyi: I've officially run out of chapters in my backlog. This fic will likely go on hiatus for a few weeks while I rebuild that. However, I'm also getting into the thick of another degree, and work is picking up to, so I ask for your patience, since it'll take some time! The support and reviews are so appreciated as motivation though :D

Let me know what you think of this V4 finale!

What We Call Home

Their landing was far from graceful, but graceful and lithe weren't what they were looking for- speed, on the other hand, was needed. So, the moment their arc almost brought them to the trees, Nora tightened her grip on Ren's arm and cried, "Hold on!" as she pulled the trigger one more time, bringing them clear over the town wall surrounding Kuroyuri. They both landed with a tumble, rolling back to their feet and dashing immediately towards the center of town.

While Nora could normally keep up with Ren, today, she could barely keep abreast with him, quickly lagging behind. The boy was using his longer legs to the fullest, sprinting as if his life- and Ruby, Jaune and Qrow's- depended on it.

The streets were eerily similar to Oniyuri's abandoned roads, except for the fact that all the damaged and broken buildings were in such disarray due solely to attacks, and not because construction had been abandoned. Kuroyuri had been thriving when it fell, after all- the prosperous white walls now grey and blackened with soot and grime and dried blood from nearly a decade earlier.

Strangely enough, Nora felt no attachment as she ran through these streets. She recognized them, of course- that was the easiest fruit stand to nick apples from, over there was the bakery where she had first seen Ren, and on the opposite side of the road was the mayor's house, whose belongings left carelessly by his open windows had always gone mysteriously missing thanks to her quick fingers and the malicious orders from her 'caretakers'.

But the ruined, emptied streets of the skeletal city didn't belong to her. Seeing the rampant destruction and decay didn't impact her heart. What did hurt her, though, was Ren's frantic pleas, the boy whispering, "Not again, not again," over and over again like a perverse mantra.

She couldn't even imagine how crushing it was for him to be walking back into this town again, to be returning to the same old nightmare as a decade ago.

After passing through yet another arch, they found themselves in the central courtyard in the middle of town. It was the widest area, the home of the majority of the businesses and workshops. Nora knew what was waiting for them there- a huge cherry blossom tree in the center of beautifully manicured gardens.

When they came to a stop, panting for breath and muscles screaming for rest after the intense climb and equally-intense fall, Nora's eyes fell upon the cherry blossom tree. It should have been bright green in the summer months, having passed the blooming season already.

It was dead.

However, her heart still soared, seeing Ruby and Jaune standing nervously beside the tree. Qrow was leaning against the trunk, still clutching his stomach, still coughing- but he was alive, and that was all that mattered.

Spinning around to face their resounding footsteps, Ruby's eyes lit up. "What are you guys doing here?"

"Did you hear that noise?" Jaune squeaked, one hand on Crocea Mors' hilt. "What was that?!"

By her side, Ren suddenly fell to his knees, trembling. "No," he breathed.

Ruby started forward, alarmed by his sudden collapse. "Ren! What is it?!"

Nora froze, watching as Ren's panting breaths turned from tiredness to horror. Before her very eyes, Ren's face grew ashen, mouth falling open, eyes locked onto a far-away point in the courtyard.

Ren's senses, and his ability to detect Auras and Grimm, had always been far better than hers.

After a second, she heard it, too. Heavy footsteps, plodding slowly along stone, scratching claws against wood and heavy, thick breaths, all began to creep towards them from somewhere on the other side of the central district.

Nora's back stiffened at the sound. While seeing the remains of Kuroyuri hadn't affected her as much as she'd originally thought it would, hearing those footsteps again brought back all of the fear and dread she had experienced as a child.

Jaune paused, finally catching it, too. "Wait, you guys hear that?"

Weakly, Ren protested, "No…" then he hung his head, clutching his arms around his torso.

"Ren?" Nora squeaked, bending down on one knee next to him. The boy didn't lift his face. The footsteps grew closer and closer, though, and soon, Ruby and Jaune's horrified gasps drew her attention. She caught sight of the creature which had plagued Ren's nightmares his entire life.

Two clawed front feet, followed by two cloven hooves, came to a stop. At first, all they could see was a horse-like shape, the boney Grimm mask acting more as a full helmet making up the entirety of the creature's head, rather than just covering a part of its face. Glowing red lights, malicious and swirling underneath the mask, pulsated with every huffing, loud exhale, streams of black smoke rushing through its nostrils. The creature's ribs shuddered and shook, each bone acting as an exoskeleton over the Grimm's dark flesh- and overtop its bony spine was a flowing mane of black mist.

But the Nuckelavee wasn't a horse Grimm. No, the Nuckelavee, the giant, unique monster which had survived for over a decade in the woods and legends of Anima, the creature of Grimm that even the strongest Huntsmen did their best to avoid, was more like… a cavalryman.

"Drop your bags," Jaune whispered. Silently, Nora complied. She then tugged Ren's pack off his shoulders for him, the boy still collapsed and motionless.

Heaped onto the back of the horse-like main body was a hunched-over, humanoid torso. Bones jutted out of its back alongside what looked to be over a dozen arrows, lances and blades. Two long, gooey arms hung carelessly down either side, so lengthy that they dragged onto the floor. The human-like torso quivered, rattling against the horse's back eerily- then, with sudden, jerky movements, the torso lifted, revealing an unsettlingly-humanoid, yet horned, Grimm mask. The same red glow pulsated through markings on its mask, the eye sockets revealing burning, deadened orange orbs. The mask's sharp teeth opened up, revealing gooey strands of black Grimm flesh oozing and pulling apart, the same fire from the horse's mouth within the human's mouth as well.

Ren raised his head, eyes filled with such despair that Nora almost crumbled. No. We have to stay strong, you can't-

With uncannily sharp, angled motions, the Nuckelavee's head snapped back and forth, until its eyes came to rest on the horrified audience. Then, it opened its mouth wider, and let out another terrifying scream.

Suddenly, all hell broke loose.

The two long, dangling arms by the creature's side began to twitch and shudder, and they shot forward, stretching far beyond their original length to reach out for the quartet.

"Scatter!" Jaune yelled, and immediately, the group sprang apart, narrowly avoiding the beast's clawed hands. Nora grabbed Ren's shoulders and practically tossed him to the side on her way.

"We have to take it down!" Nora yelled. Dragging Ren to his feet unceremoniously, she pulled StormFlower out of his holsters and shoved the bladed guns into his hands. "C'mon, Ren. We've gotta fight."

Those pleading words seemed to awaken the boy at last. He shook off the fear and shock and crouched down, ready to fight, eyes blazing.

"How do we take it down?" Ruby cried, eyes wide and frantic as she used Crescent Rose's gunfire to propel herself up to a low rooftop nearby, trying to gain a vantage point.

Jaune was staring at the Grimm intently, but Nora could see the boy's knees shaking. She didn't fault him for his fear. This Grimm was the most horrifying one any of them had ever seen- the fact that the torso atop the horse was so human made its presence just that much more terrifying.

Finally, the blond called, "Let's bait it out. We have to see how it fights!"

"Got it!" Nora cried.

And with that, they all rushed in. Swinging their blades, they went after the giant creature with blow after blow, desperation and fear fueling each strike. At each attack, though, the monster was easily able to block their strikes and retaliate with twice as much force. They danced around the creature, but nothing was making even the slightest dent.

That was until Nora was finally able to plant one solid swing from Magnhild against the horse's ribcage after an electrifying pulse from her hammer, sending the creature flying straight off its feet into a nearby building. The structure was downed in an instant, collapsing into a puff of dust and flying shard of wood. "Nora, you did it!" Jaune cheered breathlessly as the four of them retreated back near the dead cherry blossom tree.

However, the Grimm didn't stay down for long. Soon, through the cloud of debris and smoke, the clopping of its hind hooves and its silhouette, punctuated by its heavy, angry breathing and glowing red marks, were approaching them yet again. Once it finally cleared the dust cloud, it paused, still twitching just as grotesquely as before. Nora had to fight the urge to curl away from it- everything about the monster sent her fight-or-flight reaction screaming to the nth degree.

Suddenly, the Nuckelavee leaned back, letting out another piercing roar. They all flinched, covering their ears as the sound threatened to deafen them permanently. Then, the Grimm straightened up, jaw clicking open and shut wetly as it stared between them… and the unconscious body of Qrow.

Jaune sheathed his blade and bolted towards Qrow before anyone else could react, dodging one of the demon's arms. He managed to reach the man and dragged him to his feet, draping one arm over his shoulder. The Grimm roared again and began to gallop towards the pair.

Nora gasped, looking over to Ren for an idea. How could they stop the charge?

Ren's eyes were frantic, but after pausing and taking a breath, he knew what to do. He dropped to the floor, sending his Semblance through the ground to block Jaune and Qrow's anxious presence from the Grimm's senses. A wave of pink Aura covered Jaune and Qrow's bodies, and just like that, the Nuckelavee paused, cocking its head from side to side in confusion.

"Just get him to safety!" Ren commanded tiredly. Nora frowned, then gripped her hammer tighter.

He's too tired to keep using his Semblance. We have to distract it. So, she switched Magnhild into a grenade launcher and began pumping all of her remaining rounds into the monster. Once the monster began to scream and direct its attention towards her, she charged ahead, engaging the giant Grimm once more while Jaune staggered off, carrying Qrow to safety behind a nearby building.

Ren and Ruby leapt into the battle with just as much vigor and sheer desperation. They fired bullet after bullet into its black flesh, slashed and sliced at its arms and bony coverings, but nothing seemed to affect it. Every time they stilled to catch their breath, the creature would lock its sights onto them, capturing them with its tentacle-like hands and slamming them onto the ground painfully.

Nothing was working, and with each passing, haggard breath, Nora's heart sank further and further in her chest.

The creature had caught Ren in its grip for the umpteenth time when suddenly, she heard Jaune scream, "Guys, keep moving, go in a circle!"

Nora nodded. She didn't know if it would work, but she trusted Jaune. So, she fired another round into the Nuckelavee's back to distract it, then began to follow Ruby's already-running figure.

Soon, the three of them had settled into a manageable pace. Spinning around the creature clockwise, it was easy to fire at it without letting the monster grab hold of any of them. While they distracted it, Jaune drew his sword and ran up, slicing its leg- but it threw him back before he could do any real damage, and he fell to the floor.

Thankfully, he didn't remain downed. Instead, he climbed back to his feet, sheathed his sword, and pressed a button on Crocea Mors. Suddenly, the grip extended, the shield projected a honed edge, and Jaune was holding a two-handed longsword, ready to cut the monster down.

Nora grinned. Those upgrades were good, huh. As the boy landed a firm strike against one of the beast's haunches, it screeched in pain, actually leaping away from the boy in retreat. They could actually have a chance at taking it down.

And then, the monster extended both of its arms and began to spin in a circle, knocking down every single one of them before they could escape. Everyone yelped and cried in pain, their Auras draining faster than they could recover.

Nora winced and climbed to her feet as the creature howled again, its multi-layered voice sending chills down her spine. We need a different plan, she thought, watching the creature carefully.

However, before they could say anything, Ren ran forwards, firing at the creature on his own. "Ren, wait!" she cried, but the boy didn't listen. He jumped into the dead cherry blossom tree, leaping between branches when the Grimm tried to grab him.

What is he doing? We have to regroup!

Jaune clearly agreed with her sentiment, screaming, "Ren, get back here, you can't fight it alone!"

But Ren's eyes were murderous, and Nora knew that he couldn't hear them.

Why is he fighting alone?

Her heart stopped in her chest, sickening realization crashing over her as the boy flipped and dance and slashed and roared back.

Oh my god, this is revenge for his family.

He couldn't do it on his own. There was a reason no one had been able to down the Nuckelavee- fighting alone was a suicide mission.

She had to stop him. But how?

He managed to evade most of the Grimm's attacks, slicing at its arms whenever the opportunity arose, but he was exhausted, and soon the fatigue led him to make a misstep. Before they could all blink, the Nuckelavee had pinned the boy to a nearby wall, immobilizing him with one writhing extended arm.

Her hackles raised instinctively as the creature began to flex and curl the other arm, twitching, ready to strike. "Ruby!" she hollered, grabbing the girl's attention.

Thankfully, the younger understood her unspoken command. She held the blade of Crescent Rose out, and just like they had multiple times before throughout their journey, she launched Nora towards the boy using a spin of her scythe.

Nora felt her eyes water, the wind irritating them as she flew through the air. She didn't care. All that mattered was that time began to move in slow motion in her mind, and she saw the monster throw its other arm out, claws extended, ready to rend the flesh from Ren's bones.

You're not going to touch him.

Just in time, she intercepted the blow with Magnhild, using it to shield herself from the strike. The force of the attack was bone-rattling, and for just a second, everything went dark- but just as quickly, she was awake and alert, hanging onto the bottom of Magnhild's handle. The hammerhead was pinned by the creature's other claw, leaving her dangling from the wall above Ren.

She squeaked, regaining her balance and tightening her hold on her hammer before risking a look down at Ren. The boy was looking up at her, pure surprise and wonder on his face. However, as she felt the telltale breeze around her legs, her mind slipped away from the battle for a moment and she quickly felt her face flush a deep red. "Stop looking!" she squealed, crossing her legs and folding them up. Don't look up, I'm in a skirt!

Immediately, the boy let out an awkward whine of his own, covering his own eyes.

When she saw that reaction, she smiled lightly. There was some colour in his cheeks from embarrassment, and the quick reprieve had taken his mind off the battle, too. He wasn't glowering like before.

Suddenly, the Nuckelavee sprang back to life. Her panicked cries filled the air as the monster twitched and spun, lifting her up by her hammer and flinging her around. The world spun as she made contact with the ground once, twice, three times, each time being thrown against the cobblestones below with enough force to break them- and to almost entirely deplete her Aura.

By the time she landed, everything was dark. The amount of force which had struck her- it rivalled even the beating she took during the battle for Beacon. Her Aura kick-started the healing process, and she winced, feeling a whining gasp slip through her lips as ribs began to knit themselves back into wholes again.

However, she didn't have enough time to rest. A sudden crash and cry of pain by her side caught her attention, and she forced herself up on her hands and knees, looking over at Ren's pained figure. He had been flung off to the side, just a scant few feet from her. The boy raised himself up, clearly injured- his own pink Aura was going haywire, trying to mend the wounds sustained- but he wasn't backing down.

He didn't even turn and look at her, injured beside him. His eyes were solely focused on the Nuckelavee, all of the silly embarrassment from just moments ago having vanished, instead piercing the creature with pure hatred and rage once again.

In return, the monster pawed the ground with its two front feet, getting ready to mow them down. Nora glanced around- Magnhild was within reach, but she couldn't see StormFlower anywhere. Yet, Ren wasn't backing down. Is he… gonna rush it without a weapon?!

He's going to die.

She didn't think beyond that. The Grimm reared on its hind legs before racing towards them. Ren crouched and got ready to pounce, as if he was planning on wrestling the giant monster barehanded. So, Nora stood, and using all of her remaining strength, she leapt forward and tackled Ren underneath the nearest building.

She blinked slowly, lying on top of Ren for a moment before the boy slid out from under her.

Ren, you can't do this.

Completely ignoring her presence, he tried rushing back out to face the creature. The sounds of the battle continued on, Ruby and Jaune's panicked cries filling the air in their absence. Immediately, Nora grabbed Ren's wrist, pulling him back when he tried to rejoin the fight. She could feel how tense he was, veins popping out of his hands and neck in exertion. His Aura flitted across his body, wounds still nowhere near fully healed, and yet, he kept tugging away from her, trying to free himself.

She allowed her head to fall forward, disbelief and pure grief coming together into a twisted smile on her lips. She just couldn't believe it.

"Nora, let go!" Ren spat, more malice and frustration in his voice than Nora had ever heard before. Each word stabbed into her soul, chipping away at her.

Ren, please, stop it. You can't.

"Nora, they're going to get hurt if we don't-"

That's it.

Without warning, without even bothering to raise her head, Nora slapped him across the face with the back of her hand. The air underneath the raised building suddenly stilled, and she heard him slowly shift, shuffling towards her in a crouch.

She had never hit him before- not outside of sparring. Not without a smile on her face, without rushing over and checking if he was okay afterwards.

Not while she was so close to tears.

The back of her hand somehow stung more than any of the wounds caused by the Nuckelavee.

She released his arm, dropping her own hands into her lap.

"…Nora?"

"No."

She heard him sharply intake breath, but she couldn't bring herself to raise her head. Her eyes were locked onto her hands, fingers curled up slightly in her lap. She was shaking- god, how she wanted to be strong, to calmly explain how dangerous his actions were. But the only thing in her mind was that almost a decade ago, Ren had been here to hold her when she the most scared she'd ever been, and he was the most important person to her, and she loved him so much-

And if she didn't do anything, she was going to lose him.

"I won't let you kill yourself like this," she whispered, feeling the tears well up into her eyes. She couldn't stop them. "After everything we've been through, I won't let it end." Finally, she raised her head, meeting his eyes with her own- watery, the palest blue.

When they had first escaped Kuroyuri as children, Ren had said her eyes were pretty. Not cursed- pretty.

Please understand, Ren.

She nearly sobbed. "Not like this."

If she lost Ruby or Jaune, her heart would break. She'd crumble and fall, weep and scream- but she'd recover one day.

If she lost Ren… who would she become?

Ren's eyes widened upon meeting hers, his brows drawing together as he finally understood just how broken she felt. But Nora knew- he didn't truly understand just how deeply the fear of losing him had invaded her heart.

God, she wanted to tell him.

It wasn't the time. She had never confessed her feelings openly to him because he had never been ready, and she wasn't about to pressure him into giving her an answer right then and there. They had more important things to worry about.

But as Nora watched Ren's mouth fall open in regret, absolutely shell-shocked in her distress, another face slipped into Nora's mind. Pyrrha. Pyrrha wanted to say it. Pyrrha wanted to tell Jaune. She was supposed to have four whole years to tell him, a lifetime to tell him how she felt.

Her own tears finally spilled out, trailing down her cheeks, scalding in their heat. …is this how Jaune felt, watching Pyrrha go that night?

The thought made her sick.

There's never enough time, is there?

Ren sighed, hanging his head in weariness and shame. After taking a moment to collect himself, he raised his eyes again, plaintive and frightened. He quickly reached down to his right boot, pulling out a long, curved knife from its sheath within.

His father's knife lay across his open palms. The boy's expression was a mix of emotions- frustration, fear, hopelessness. Nora smiled sadly. She knew all he wanted to do was protect his loved ones, and ensure that he never lost anyone to the monster outside ever again.

And she was going to make sure that that desire was fulfilled, no matter what.

Gently, she folded his fingers around the hilt of the knife, holding his hand with her own. He looked up at her, confused, but she simply wiped her tears away and grinned determinedly.

We've lived through imprisonment and abuse and neglect and loss and suffering. We're going to make it.

She simply wouldn't allow anything else.

Don't worry, Pyrrha. I'll make sure to tell him when he's ready.

For now, all she said was, "We can do this."

The boy's eyes searched hers, worried and nervous. But soon, she grinned, and his brow furrowed in resolve. Together, he seemed say to say as he nodded.

Always, she nodded back.

With that, they stepped out from underneath the building. Nora walked over and retrieved Magnhild, while Ren simply stood, his father's knife clasped firmly in his hands. Seeing them walk out, Jaune ran over, relief clear as day on his face. Ruby soon scurried to join them, the four standing off against the Nuckelavee, the nightmarish creature pacing in front of them.

"Ren," Ruby called, Crescent Rose at the ready, "Jaune and I can take care of its arms."

Nora tightened her grip on her hammer. "I'll take care of the horse," she stated firmly, glancing over to the boy.

Ren sucked in a deep breath, then relaxed. His previous wild anger and hatred had dissipated, leaving behind nothing but calm determination. This was the Ren they all knew and loved. "And I'll take care of the rest," he agreed.

Nora caught his eye. Be safe, she mouthed.

His eyes softened. Okay.

With that, she turned on her heel and sprinted to a nearby building. The Nuckelavee's main body was slow. Unlike during the fight with Tyrian, who was too small and quick of a target to land a solid hit on, this creature fought from a fairly stationary position.

She was going to relish in destroying it.

As she climbed to the highest rooftop above the central courtyard, she heard the creature roar and scream as Jaune, Ren and Ruby all worked together to pin the creature down. As she reached the apex of the building, Jaune managed to stab through the creature's only free arm, eliciting another scream as the blond bore down on his sword, holding the creature's arm down. It struggled, but Ruby had already caught its other long, extending limb, meaning that it was effectively trapped.

"Nora!" Ren cued.

She turned away from the courtyard, holding Magnhild with both hands, taking a deep breath. Her feet were planted firmly on the edge of the roof. Using her remaining Aura, she could feel the Grimm's presence right below her, stuck in place.

Caught you.

And so, she pulled the upgraded trigger on her hammer, feeling pure energy and power rush through her body from head to toe, before letting herself fall backwards, unable to stop the excited grin slipping onto her face. The orange-haired girl felt the wind rush past her face, and she chuckled as she dropped from the large height. Her momentum only increased as she fell, and she flipped, her laughter ringing out louder and louder as she pulled Magnhild's projectile trigger and swung her hammerhead down onto the horse-like mask with every ounce of strength she could muster.

The humanoid torso screeched in agony, and she had never felt more powerful as the horse's body collapsed to the ground, motionless.

When she finally stood up again, Ren was standing in front of the humanoid mask. It screamed into his face, its pain piercing and earth-shattering. Ren didn't even flinch, heart completely calm.

Her eager smile fell away, replaced by pure awe and pride.

With a few quick strokes, Ren sliced off both long, tentacle-like arms, ignoring how the creature writhed and twisted. He slashed across the torso's glowing, bony chest plate, revealing more black flesh and smoke oozing out of fiery innards.

And then, he sighed, murmuring just loud enough for her to hear, "For myself."

He beheaded the Nuckelavee in one quick strike, and the humanoid torso slumped over the horse's back, quickly dissipating into black smoke. The rancid scent of the Grimm filled the air, mist rising into the clouds, wafting away on the wind. Soon, the entire shadowy, fleshy mass had disappeared, the glowing red marks peeking through white, aged bones dulling and fading away forever.

The Nuckelavee, the nightmare which had haunted her and Ren for years, was finally dead.

She dropped Magnhild the same time Ren dropped his knife, both weapons landing on the ground with a clatter. But while Ren hunched over, absolutely exhausted, Nora took off running towards him. Before he could evade, she launched herself towards him, tackling him to the ground for the second time in five minutes.

But this time, there was no fear or concern in her heart. They had won. They were alive.

And Ren was still by her side.

The giggles which spilled forth from her lips couldn't be contained as she wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face into the crook of his collarbone. She kicked her feet up in the air behind her gleefully, joy only skyrocketing when she felt him relax underneath her, his arms wrapping around her back just as tightly.

They were alive. She couldn't tell if she was crying, but she didn't care.

The gods might not give us time, she thought happily to herself, but dammit, I'm going to make time.

Suddenly, Jaune called, "Guys! I think I hear something!"

Nora unwillingly released Ren, helping the exhausted boy to his feet. "It's… an airship?" she murmured out loud.

"…Two of them," Ren breathed, picking up his father's knife from by their feet.

And so it was. Two large Mistralian airships, wooden and rustic, so different from the Atlesian Bullheads and carriers which they were so accustomed to seeing from their time at Beacon, were flying towards the central courtyard. As they approached, the duo could see red lights flashing from their wingtips and bow, the light flashing in time with warning tones, indicating that the ships were coming in to land. In the emptied clearing where the Nuckelavee had been lying only minutes before, the two ships touched down, the air currents pushed off from their mighty wings rushing past Nora.

She turned to look at Ren. "We made it," she whispered.

He nodded, in awe of the sudden help.

One of the crew members came out, and Nora immediately ran forward. "Please, we need to get to Mistral," she cried overtop of the sound of the whirring engines. "We have someone who was poisoned!" She pointed to where Jaune had stashed Qrow during the fight- from around the corner, Ruby popped out, waving the crew over.

The man looked them all over, sending his crewmates out with a stretcher once the rest of them exited the vessels. He removed his helmet momentarily, running a hand through short black hair, muttering, "What in the world are you all doing out here? There's some fearsome Grimm in these parts. You wouldn't want to get caught by-"

"The Nuckelavee," Ren finished for him. "It's dead."

With that, the man stopped in his tracks, examining Ren and Nora's battered forms. "You… you lot killed it?" he breathed in shock.

Nora retrieved Magnhild, folding it up and stowing it away on her back. "Yup!" she saluted cheerily. "You're welcome!"

The man scoffed in disbelief, his words laced in awe. "That… that monster has been around for years. How did you…?"

Ren looked over to her, catching her eye. "We just… fought together," he murmured meaningfully.

Nora's heart almost exploded out of her chest.

The crewmember simply shook his head, absolutely stunned. His team was bringing Qrow back to one of the vessels on a stretcher, with Ruby walking alongside him. Jaune had gathered all of their packs, along with StormFlower, handing everyone's belongings to each person. Ren holstered his guns and added, "It won't destroy any more lives, don't worry."

"In that case," the older man sighed, "we've got to give you the royal treatment, huh? Don't worry. We'll get to Mistral quick and save your friend there. Climb on board- I've got to call ahead to the emergency hospital so they can prepare treatment for him."

Smiling wearily, the duo boarded the second airship. Jaune followed Ruby and Qrow onto the first one, and soon, they were up in the air, soaring over the forest. Below them, the skeletal trees around Kuroyuri disappeared, the forests turning lush and green once more. As the evening fell, the clouds upon the horizon had begun to lift, light shining in the distance.

Nora took a seat on the edge of the airship's open hold, letting her feet hang over the ledge. The fierce wind blowing through her hair felt delightfully refreshing, and she breathed in deep. It was so clear up here- so different from how stifling the forest and village had been. She could finally breathe again.

Ren took a seat by her side, and she flashed him a quick smile before turning her head back to the front, looking ahead.

In the distance, after what felt like forever, Nora could finally see it- the first city she could remember ever wandering through. As a child, it had looked terrifying in its grandeur, but from up there, the city of Mistral was glorious, built into the face of the tallest mountain in the region. The unique architecture of the locals, with their distinctive timber frameworks and patterned glazed roofs, were visible even from far away. The waterfall pouring through the side of the mountain and falling gracefully into a breathtaking river below, winding through the city, was absolutely magical, sparkling white with rainbow hues glittering in the misty spray.

And at the very top of the mountain was a CCTS tower at the very center of an imposing set of buildings. Although she had never seen it in person, she knew what it was.

They were going to make it to Haven. Their journey had ended.

Suddenly, she froze, eyes popping wide open, back stiffening as if lightning had struck her yet again. A warm, large, callused hand covered her left hand, which she had been leaning back upon. Trying to stop herself from trembling, she looked down to her left, seeing Ren's own partially-gloved hand covering hers tenderly.

She gave up her pretenses. Allowing her fingers to shake, she turned her palm upwards, grabbing hold of his hand gently. He squeezed her palm, touch cozy and warm and perfect in hers.

Had he ever reached out for her outside of a moment of duress?

Unable to keep the expectant smile off her face, she raised her eyes to meet his. Waiting for her was Ren, magenta gaze full of something she could only call adoration, a tiny, hopeful smile of his own mirroring hers.

Is it time?

She squeezed his hand. He squeezed back.

Carefully, she released his hand, and he stopped short for a moment, smile falling away into heartbreak instantly. She almost broke out laughing- instead of pulling away, she simply slipped her fingers between his, intertwining them, holding him close.

The relief on his face was tangible, and she almost cried.

It's time. We made it.

She scooted closer to him. He didn't pull away. She leaned her head against his shoulder, nuzzling into him, peering up at his face.

And, for the first time, he leaned his head onto hers, his smile just as gentle and loving as hers.

He feels the same way.

Everything in this moment was absolutely perfect.

The Nuckelavee was gone. Ren was at peace for the first time in their lives, and Nora knew, with all the confidence in the world, that he wouldn't have nightmares about Kuroyuri anymore. He had avenged his family at last. They had survived that demon of their memories. They had won.

And Ren was still by her side, closer now than ever before.

It's now or never.

With the least movement possible, she turned her cheek and pressed her lips against his bare shoulder. I love you.

He didn't move away.

Instead, she felt him shift- hesitant, shy. She sucked in a breath, holding still.

His lips pressed against her temple, and he nuzzled into her hair. The tears spilled from her eyes at last, and she just giggled, stupidly happy at the sensation.

Immediately, Ren pulled away. "Nora, what-"

But she just wiped her eyes and beamed at him, hugging his right arm to her chest, their fingers still interlaced on her other hand. She couldn't speak.

Pyrrha, I told him. We're okay. I waited, and I did it.

Pyrrha would've been so happy for her.

But Ren's left hand, curious and careful, reached up and wiped her tears away with his thumb. Nervously, he cupped her cheek, lifting her face up to look at him. She held her breath, their noses only a few inches apart.

His eyes were searching, wondrous. He tried to say something, but the words caught in his throat, and he blushed.

"Ren, it's okay," she soothed instinctively. And it was. She didn't need him to say anything. This moment didn't need words to affirm how they felt.

He bit his lip, then relaxed, pulling his hand away from her face. After a moment of deliberation, he reached up and tapped her lightly on the nose.

"…Boop," he whispered.

She bawled harder, losing all her strength.

He really loves me, too.

With that, Ren began to laugh aloud, squeezing her hand reassuringly. He wrapped his other arm around the back of her head, holding her sobbing face against his chest. "I'm here, Nora," he chuckled, but his voice was so loving that she only cried harder.

After a lifetime of waiting, everything was perfect.

Pyrrha... I did it.

The rest of the journey into Mistral was a blur. By the time they landed, she had calmed down. When Ruby and Jaune saw her puffy eyes, they were alarmed, but Ren quickly reassured them that everything was alright.

He didn't let go of her hand the entire time, either.

One of the paramedics in the hospital recognized Qrow as one of Professor Ozpin's agents. "He comes to me whenever he's injured on a mission in the area," the woman explained briskly. She was a talented doctor, as it turned out- within the hour of his arrival, she had managed to deduce exactly what curatives the man needed, simply based on the his blood sample and the description of a 'scorpion Faunus' venom'. So, Qrow's condition was stabilized by nightfall, and they were able to bring him to a rest house. "He usually stays here during his trips. I believe it's normally reserved for visiting Huntsmen from Beacon, so it works out perfectly for you all."

With that taken care of, they were able to tuck Qrow into one of the beds upstairs and unwind a little. Ruby smiled at them all, murmuring, "I'm gonna go sit with Uncle Qrow until he wakes up," before disappearing upstairs. Her relief and accompanying exhaustion was clear as day. She needed some rest.

Jaune sighed, dumping his pack onto the living room floor. "I'll be upstairs, too," he said, although his expression was a little more troubled. But he clearly wanted some space, so there was no point pressing further.

Nora nodded. "Okay!" She waved at the two of them, then walked out the back door of the house.

There was a patio out back which gave them a wondrous view of the city. It faced east, meaning that the sunrise would likely be breathtaking. I'm gonna watch it, she promised to herself. How long had it been since they had had the time to simply watch the sunrise and sunset peacefully?

"This place," Ren murmured carefully. "It would've been our home if we chose Haven Academy."

She hummed in response. "I'm glad we chose Beacon."

"Yeah?" he asked, smiling gently at her.

She nodded, grinning softly. "We met Pyrrha and Jaune and Ruby and everyone there, after all."

"…even though we were far from Caelus and Howl, and Kalian?"

Nora chuckled. "We'll find them. We've made it to Mistral, right? That doesn't mean we have to stop looking."

Ren's eyes scanned the city. "You're right," he murmured ruefully. "We'll find them."

"They're family, after all."

She couldn't bite back the smile that emerged automatically as Ren shyly grabbed her hand again. "Family," he agreed.

After a few minutes of simply enjoying the brisk evening air, Nora pushed away from the balcony. "Jaune's probably moping huh?"

Ren snorted lightly. "Let's go find him."

Just as expected, when Nora creaked open the door of the boys' bedroom, Jaune was seated on the floor, leaning back against the bed. A frustrated scowl painted his lips as he stared at something on the wall opposite. Glancing over, Nora saw Crocea Mors propped up by the door, the shield and sword fully expanded, Pyrrha's circlet facing Jaune.

Upon seeing them, though, Jaune's expression relaxed slightly, a self-deprecating smile on his lips. Nora walked forward, slipping next to the blond. As she settled in beside Jaune, she saw Ren unsheathe his father's dagger, leaning it against the wall next to Jaune's shield. She leaned her head against Jaune's shoulder, while feeling the bed dip behind her back as Ren took a seat on the mattress, his hand reaching down to rest upon her shoulder.

"That is my father's dagger," Ren murmured after a few moments of comfortable silence. "The Grimm we fought- it's known as the Nuckelavee. It haunted Mistral for years."

"You've… seen it before, haven't you," Jaune replied solemnly.

"Yes. That monster is what destroyed Shion, and Oniyuri- and Kuroyuri."

"Bandits did it all first," Nora added. "But that Grimm always came after."

Jaune sighed. "…Kuroyuri was your home, wasn't it? The one that was destroyed."

"It killed my family."

Jaune froze. Nora patted Jaune's knee comfortingly, not bothering to move her head from his shoulder. "It's okay, Jaune. You didn't know."

"I'm sorry for forcing you to go there in the end, anyway."

"It's okay," Ren insisted. "I'm… I'm glad we went. No more people's lives will be destroyed by that creature ever again."

Jaune didn't respond, eyes drifting from the dagger to his sword and shield.

Quietly, Nora murmured, "Pyrrha would be so proud of you, Jaune. Your training is paying off."

At the mention of her name, Jaune began to silently weep, and she reached a hand up behind him as he hunched over, patting the boy's back comfortingly.

"She loved you."

He cried harder.

"But don't be sad anymore, Jaune. We… don't know what's coming next, with the… Maidens, or whatever. But she died fighting for what she believed in. And we've all gone through far too much to be sad, right?"

Ren kindly added, "And she's still here with us. Always."

They let Jaune weep with tiny, knowing smiles on their faces. They had made it to Mistral. They had gotten Ruby there, safe and sound. And although the journey hadn't been smooth, the wounds from the Fall of Beacon were healing properly at last. There would be time for more questions and answers about Professor Ozpin's role, and Pyrrha's loss, later. For now, they'd rest.

Eventually, Ren swung his legs around the bed to rest behind Jaune's head. The blond leaned back against his legs, tuckered out from the tears. "She'll always be here with us," he whispered. And he reached up and pulled the red and gold ring, still hanging around his neck on that thin chain, out from his hoodie, clutching it tight to his chest.

Nora smiled, content. They were together. And that was all that mattered.

-end of volume 4-

***BONUS CONTENT FOR VOL. 4!

Guess who's back everyone- it's… my outlines! I hope this makes you laugh! Enjoy :)

[4]

They get a call, local comms still work after all, ruby says hey come over bbg my dad's home but like whatever

[5]

He's super nice since they're all ruby's first friends and she's like DAD YULIKEDIS

but they insist that there's a boat that'll take them straight around but they're like… but trains? Across the continent? With us would be faster? And ruby just sighs and say fine dangit you guys suck

[7]

But there's barely any profiles left on this board, everyone's been scratched out or ripped off and it was weird not seeing it automated but the boonies were never fancy anyway dawg

[10]

Nora's like you should get a grenade launcher and ruby says no he's so strong now get him a gatling gun or a torpedo launcher like coco and ren just sighs and mutters do we really want to give jaune a gun and literally everyone just stops

And surprisingly enough jaune just laughs and say you're not wrong and for a sec it's the vytal festival all over again

[17]

He leans around and presses a kiss to her temple and she leans into it and he knows and they've finally figured it out and she's so happy

And he boops her and she's like fuck me boiiiiiiiiii