3rd POV

Cinder, Emerald, and Mercury sat in their room listening to the VNN report on the Grimm attack Vale the day before over a Scroll.

"The quelling of the Grimm attack also brought an end to another threat to the kingdom," Lisa Lavender began. "The Headhunter of Vale, Viktor Krueger, is no more. Oddly he was present during the Grimm attack yesterday at the city square. He died by the hands of Huntsman Russel Nash who ended Viktor Krueger life by the same means as the serial killer's victims. Witnesses state what followed after was an unnatural electrical disturbance that destroyed much of the surrounding area. As for Russel Nash no charges for the killing are being pressed at this time. Although Viktor Krueger is deceased the Kingdom is adamant of keeping the curfew in effect until the end of the Vytal Festival."

"Kurgan ruined the plan and Torchwick is being held by Atlas," Mercury said. "What else could go wrong?'

"On the plus side Kurgan's dead," Emerald replied.

"But now the Highlander has all that power in him," Mercury replied. "If what the Kurgan said was true then he now has enough power to take over Remnant."

"I'm not concerned with the Highlander," Cinder said breaking the silence that she had held for some time. "We still have enough to continue with the plan. And the Highlander has given me all the assurance we need that we'll succeed."

"That's right," Mercury said recalling the day before. "He said something to you afterward."

"What did he say?" Emerald asked.

Cinder smiled. "He told me 'the fall of Beacon is near, and it is too late to stop it.'"

Yang POV

After flying in an airship for ten hours, (Y/N), Ozpin, myself and the others had arrived at small village in the Sanus Highlands. From there we hiked up into the hills. We left our weapons back at Beacon both Ozpin and (Y/N) assuring us we wouldn't need them. However, (Y/N) had brought both his katana and a duffle bag. As we continued to follow him I looked around. The environment was a mixture of hills, mountains and grassy fields was stunning. I was beginning to understand what he meant by the land having a magic to it.

"So this is where you come from?" Ruby asked.

"This is the land where I was born and where I came back to after being reborn." (Y/N) answered. "Over the past two millennia I've always found myself coming back here time and time again."

"Well that makes sense," Blake said. "This is your home isn't it?"

(Y/N) was silent as he stopped at the top of the hill. "Yeah, this is home."

We all caught up to him and saw what he was looking at. Across the top of the hill was a broken down stone tower. He began to walk again in its direction and we followed.

"This place is really old," Weiss started. "I'd say it's maybe thirteen hundred years old."

"Thirteen fifty," (Y/N) replied. "It was built as a watchtower way back. When I married Heather I turned it into our home. It was destroyed when Ramirez fought the Kurgan. At least it's still standing." He led us a little ways from the tower where we found two swords sticking out of the ground. One was a one-handed broadsword, and the other was a longsword with (Y/N) last name inscribed across the hilt. Around the blades were a pile of stones with a third pile to the right side of the longsword. "Glad no one touched them."

"Are these?" I asked.

(Y/N) nodded. He moved to the third pile of rock and removed his katana from his side. He then plunged the blade into the ground between them and I could have sworn I heard him say 'thank you'. He stood back up and joined us. "Ramirez, Heather, Methos," (Y/N) said as he pointed to the katana, the longsword, and then the broadsword. "My wife and my brothers. This was my family. It only seemed fitting to bury them here. Our home."

"Ramirez can truly know peace now that the Kurgan is dead," Ozpin said.

(Y/N) was silent. "Could the four of you give Yang and I a moment alone?" Ozpin nodded and ushered the Ruby and the others away regardless of my sister's protests. Then it was just the Highlander and I. "Walk with me."

I followed (Y/N) as he slowly made his way to the edge of the slope. "There's been a question on your mind lately," he said. "You haven't forgotten my promise to the four of you. Any question you have I will answer." When he reached the edge he sat down and stretched his legs out down the slope. "So go ahead."

I took this as a sign to join him so I sat down by his side. He was right that I had something on my mind since after he killed the Kurgan. A question born of curiosity. "What's the Prize like?"

(Y/N) smiled. "It's like a whirlwind in my head, but if I concentrate I can hear what people are thinking all over the world," he answered. "Leaders, lawmakers, scientist. I can hear them all."

His answer wasn't what I expected. "Well what am I thinking?"

"You're thinking about whether or not you can love me." (Y/N) said and then grabbed my hand catching me off guard and he stared into my eyes. "Well you can. I'm not immortal anymore. I'm like you now. I can love and have children. Live and grow old. I sacrificed it all because I want to be with you." Then he let go of my hand and sighed. "But I can't right now. Ozpin asked me to do a job for him in Vacuo."

"Vacuo?" I questioned not understanding.

"It's one of the reasons we're out here," (Y/N) continued. "Gives me the chance to return Ramirez's sword and say goodbye to you guys." He shifted his position moving in front of me and placed his hands on my shoulders. "There's also something I should have told you a while back."

"What ar-" I was interrupted as he kissed me. The shock faded from my mind as I relaxed into the act. Unconsciously I reached my arms around his waist. He moved back releasing his lips from mine as his gaze met mine.

"I love you, Yang Xiaolong," (Y/N) said. "I'm going to miss you."

His word made me feel a happiness similar to the night he shared his Quickening. "I'll wait for you."

"I'll make you another promise," (Y/N) said. "If you ever need my help just think about it. No matter where I am and what I'm doing I'll hear it. Then I'll drop what I'm doing and come running."

"I'll hold you to that," I replied with a smile.

A few hours later we return to the airship so that Ozpin could take myself and the others back to Beacon. He gave his farewells to Ruby, Weiss, and Blake only to then focus solely on me. "I asked you what the Prize was like," I said to him. "You never said what it was." Ruby and the others gathered behind me seeming to be as interested in his answer as I was.

"The Prize is a transformation into something greater albeit mortal," (Y/N) answered. "I've become at one with all living things. The thoughts and dreams of every person in the world are mine to know. I have both knowledge and power beyond imagination. Both of which I intend to use well."

"Well don't use your head," Yang replied. My pun made (Y/N) laugh and the others were quick to join. "I'm going to miss you."

"You do your best not to lose your head," (Y/N) said then kissed me. The act got the girls flustered. "Remember what I said. Think and I'll come running."

Finishing his goodbyes he turned to walk a trail leading north. As we took off in the airship I watched him walk away. I had decided to test what he said. I thought about needing his help and he then stopped and turned around. He waved and with it the assurance of what he said was true.

5 Months Later

(Y/N) POV

Yesterday, I had heard Yang called to me in her thoughts. With all that had happened since I left Vale I would have figured she would have reached out to me sooner. Now, I had been on the island of Patch for a half hour spending half of it walking through a green wood on a dirt trail. Up ahead I saw a wood cabin with flowers at the front and a man with blonde hair tending them. I smiled knowing immediately who it was. "I never took you for having a green thumb."

"Who are-" the man said standing up only to pause and look at me in disbelief. "(Y/N)?"

"Taiyang Xiaolong," I said. "You look well."

"(Y/N) (L/N)!" Tai exclaimed coming up to me and patting my shoulder. "I can't believe it! You haven't aged a day!"

"Actually I've aged five months since we last met," I replied.

"Okay…" Tai said confused. "How are you? What are you doing here?"

Then the door of the cabin opened and I turned my head to see Yang wearing an orange tank top and gray-brown cargo pants. I also noticed the prosthetic right arm. "(Y/N)!" she shouted with a smile.

I smiled back. "You called?"