Neela followed Eliana to the edge of the cliffside, looking out at the forest below as the sun sank closer and closer towards the horizon, and she wondered what exactly had compelled Eliana to bring her out here. Eliana was hard to read at the worst of times, and just plain bubbly at the best of times, two of the reasons that Neela enjoyed her company as much as she did. The girl was a puzzle, waiting to be unraveled, but the best parts were always left a mystery to them. Eliana sighed happily, sitting and letting her legs swing as she had back on the night they'd spent at the waterfall, inviting Neela to take a seat beside her and she did. Eliana smiled, looking at Neela like she knew something that she wasn't admitting to before looking back out over the landscape.
"What was that look for?" Neela asked her. Eliana laughed to herself.
"I was thinking about something," Eliana explained to her. The sun gleamed in her eyes as she stared up at the colorful sky, they were moments away from the apex of dusk, the girl was always filled with a simple kind of wonder that Neela cherished. "We had this entire day together and I loved every moment of it, but something dawned on me. I was trying too hard to make this into a memory. At the beginning of the day, my sole intent was to make this a day that both of us would always remember, but it seemed like the harder I tried to achieve that, the more it felt like a normal day. Life's funny that way isn't it? It takes your well-intentioned plans, destroys them entirely, and replaces them with its own."
Neela stared out at the now purple and orange skyline and nodded in agreement. How many times had life held some other plans for her? Maybe it was all just fate and destiny that they had no control or say over in the end, that the choices that they made bared little impact on the end result of where life was taking them. But that couldn't be the case, right? It wasn't something that someone could just easily accept. The idea that even if she asked Eliana out, that destiny had already decided Eliana's answer?
"So, you think that life has already decided the answers for us?" Neela asked. Eliana smiled and laughed.
"Not at all!" Eliana exclaimed. "I made the choice to get out of bed this morning! I made the choice to come with you on our playdate together! Hell, I chose where we went! Life is more like that annoying parent that tells you that you can't go out on Friday night because you're grounded, but sometimes you just say, 'Screw you life, I'll go where I want and I'll do as I please!'" Eliana's shouts echoed out, reverberating through the valley below, scattering birds that were just nestling in for the night, sending small and large flocks alike into the air for a minute before they returned to their perches. "I guess what I meant to say is that life is full of moments that turn into memories when you least expect it."
"You're right about that much," Neela chuckled. Eliana jumped to her feet, helping Neela stand as they stepped back from the bluff and headed back towards the field. Eliana stopped abruptly, kneeling at Summer Rose's grave and staring at it for a long time. Neela placed a hand on her back, Eliana's silence and somber expression caused her nerves to unravel at the ends. "Elli?"
"Can you imagine?" Eliana asked. "Summer was the one that stopped Salem the first time, but she never received the kind of honor and praise that Ruby did. But she never wanted that. Summer only wanted to protect her family no matter the cost. The fact that it came with fighting Salem was just a mere coincidence, she would have done the same to keep Ruby and Yang safe whether it had been another Huntsmen, Grimm, or even one of the Maidens. She was the model Huntress. She understood what it meant."
"A lot like your dad," Neela noted. Eliana's eyes filled with tears and her breath caught, refusing to look at Neela as she nodded.
"Yeah," Eliana managed. Eliana felt a weight lifted off of her and air race into her lungs as she realized something. "I thought in the beginning that my purpose for heading to Beacon was to stay friends with you, or to make my dad proud, or to join the police force as he did, and those are part of the reason why… but I think that this is the real reason. If I die knowing that I did everything in my power to protect the people that I loved, can there really be any room left for regret?" Neela rubbed Eliana's back as she knelt beside her and wrapped her arm around Eliana.
"A noble cause to be sure, but none of us are planning on dying anytime soon, right?" Neela asked. Eliana laughed and nodded as she wiped the tears from her face. "Let's focus on living for now."
"Right!" Eliana declared leaping up and throwing a fist into the air. She glanced around and shrugged. "I'm finally all out of ideas for the night, now what?"
"How about we head back to the school and hang out in the cave," Neela suggested.
"Yes!" Eliana declared. "Then I can finally tell you the name that I came up with for your sword!" Eliana moved in close and brushed Neela cheek, causing her to blush hard. "Tell me you've at least tried coming up with a name for my guns by now." Neela pulled her hand down.
"I'm working on it," Neela lied. Eliana groaned and slouched as she stomped away towards the wooded pathway.
"Working on it?" Eliana asked. "Neela, you've had all year to work on it? Or is it that meaningless to you? Hm? Don't care about me or my weapons?"
"You know that's not true," Neela protested.
"Then come up with something!" Eliana demanded. Neela followed Eliana for a second before feeling a breath on her neck and spinning around quickly. An Alpha Beowulf roared at her, clawing at the earth before swatting her away before she could react. "Neela!" Neela slammed into a tree, hitting the ground on her knees as things blurred momentarily, her mind trying to catch up. Had Eliana's yelling from before caught the attention of some Grimm in the area. She knew that Qrow had told her nine times out of ten there were normally Grimm nearby, but when they had arrived half an hour ago there weren't any to be found with her semblance.
"I'm fine!" Neela managed as Eliana opened fire, charging in. She used a forcefield to block a blow coming down on her, using her electric prods to try and stun it but failing to find an opening in its bone plates in the heat of the moment. He swung down again, getting nothing but forcefield as Eliana shot it in the knees with gravity Dust, forcing it off of its feet as she opened her defense, catching its paw with her right hand as she forced her free gun into its face and pulled the trigger. It roared in pain, grabbing her with its right claw and tossing her towards Neela. Neela leapt up to help stop her, but the girl was already on it, using her force fields to halt herself and firing a pair of gravity blanks behind her to propel in with unnecessary speed.
Her fist crashed into its jaw, sending it sliding away as Eliana planted herself, two regular-sized Beowulves joined the fight from the woods, racing past their leader towards the girl. Neela called for her locker, prepared to better help once it arrived. When had Eliana learned the trick with the blanks, or was it something that she'd always known to do? Neela charged in, tackling one of the smaller ones as Eliana dealt with the other, easily tasing it to the ground and finishing it off as the Alpha found its feet again and crashed into the fight. It unexpectedly pinned Eliana who had turned to help Neela, dragging her across the ground as she struggled to break free, Neela finishing her opponent with a blow to the head.
"Elli!" Neela yelled. Another two Beowulves rushed in, Neela started to worry that they'd attracted a whole pack and she'd need her weapon much sooner than later if that was the case. She raced in, jumping on the Alpha's back and yanking on it as it refused to let up on Eliana, simply ignoring Neela before trying to snap its head to the right to bite her. She was forced to let go, panicking without a plan to free her friend before the group was encased in lightning and exploded, Neela's body untouched and wrapped in Eliana's semblance. "Elli?" Neela burst through the smoke to find Eliana lying on the ground, struggling to move as her purple aura visibly fizzled.
"That could have gone better," Eliana noted.
"What was that?" Neela asked. Eliana chuckled and coughed as Neela helped her sit.
"I overloaded my shock batons and used all the lightning Dust in the chamber at the same time," Eliana explained. She looked at Neela, her eyes glossed over. "Were you okay?"
"I was fine," Neela exhaled. "I'm just glad you were okay."
"Fun's not over yet," Eliana gasped, pointing past Neela at a large group of Beos and Ursai that had been attracted by the explosion. Neela quickly checked her scroll. Still another minute or so before her equipment would arrive. She stood up and took a battle stance, ready to fend them off for as long as she could. They charged as one, Neela pulled back to strike as they reached her but a blade sliced through the majority of them and they disappeared into smoke, Qrow glaring at Neela from the middle of the pack as he shook his head.
"Well if this doesn't remind me of the old days," Qrow scoffed. He walked to Neela, checking her over before looking at Eliana. "You okay, kid?"
"Yeah," Neela informed him nodding.
"She okay?" Qrow asked.
"That was awesome," Eliana groaned as she stood. Neela smirked.
"She'll be fine," Neela said.
"Good," Qrow replied nodding. He took a drink of his flask before glancing at Summer's grave and putting it away. "Why would you not bring your weapons with you if you know that I've told you time and time again that Grimm are just crawling all over this place!?"
"I'm sorry, Uncle Qrow," Neela sheepishly apologized.
"Sorry might work fine this time, but what if I hadn't been around at the cabin today and seen you two coming up here without any gear," Qrow scolded. "At least Elli there had the sense to bring her guns with her!"
"It won't happen again," Neela replied. Qrow nodded.
"Good," he stated. "Kid, I don't want to yell at you, I really don't. Imagine if I hadn't been here though." Eliana hobbled to Neela, wrapping her arm around her friend and giving Qrow the thumbs up.
"I won't let her leave Vale without it again, Uncle Qrow!" Eliana announced.
"You can just call me Qrow, Elli," Qrow informed her.
"How about Uncle Birb?" Eliana pried. Qrow looked at Neela.
"She likes naming things," Neela explained. Qrow nodded slowly before removing his flask again.
"Right," Qrow replied. He took a deep breath before scanning for more Grimm. "Hey, is there any chance that I can have a moment with Neela before I have to go?" Eliana shrugged.
"Sure," she replied walking down the path. "If I get attacked, I'll just scream until one of you gets there!" Neela shook her head as Qrow turned her away from Eliana.
"Did you tell her yet?" Qrow asked. Neela shoved him back and shook her head.
"Does everybody know?" Neela demanded.
"I just saved your life, you could humor me," Qrow noted. Neela bit her lip.
"I'm telling her as soon as I get back to the school tonight," Neela confessed. Qrow slugged her in the shoulder.
"Atta girl!" He exclaimed. "This is the part where I could give you some unsolicited advice that you've already heard at least a hundred times, but instead I'll let you get along with your night, you've got this." Neela hugged him.
"Thanks," she told him as she set off down the path after Eliana and he transformed, flying away.
"That was close," Eliana stated after they'd walked a while in silence.
"It's all my fault, I should've brought my weapon," Neela noted. Eliana grabbed her shoulder and they stopped.
"We both have room to improve, you aren't in this alone," Eliana reminded her. Neela nodded and smiled as they continued towards Signal, they still had a way to walk yet. It seemed like just yesterday they had made this trek to Beacon for the first time. Neela's tendency to fantasize had gotten a bit better, and they were both smarter and stronger than they were that day, but pretty much everything had remained the same, hadn't it? Two best friends with nothing to lose, just enjoying life. Enjoying each other's company.
I can't imagine life without her, but I don't understand this feeling…
Neela shook her head. Had she overheard something that Eliana was telling someone else? Only part of the conversation was returning to her, she couldn't be entirely sure that it was Eliana, or that Eliana had been referring to her. Maybe there was someone else in Eliana's life? Neela shook it off. She had to. Doubt had riddled her the entire year and rendered her dumbfounded at times. She needed to ignore all of the possible outcomes that weren't in her favor, and focus on the infinite potential if Eliana said yes.
"Elli," Neela said stopping in her tracks. Eliana stopped and looked back at her.
"What's going on, little hawk?" Eliana asked her as Neela seemed to be avoiding eye contact. Neela was shaking. Could she go through with it? "Is something wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong!" Neela blurted out brushing the hair out of her face and grabbing Eliana by the shoulders. "Elli, we've been friends for a long time, but I feel like there's something that I need to tell you!" Eliana never stopped smiling, watching Neela as she continued on the path down her meltdown of sorts.
"We don't really have any secrets, Neela," Eliana noted.
"I've been keeping one this whole year and I'm only just now working up the courage to tell you what it is," Neela exclaimed exasperatedly. Eliana nodded in acceptance.
"Okay, so what is it?" Eliana asked.
"Do you only see me as a friend?" Neela inquired. Eliana stared at her for a long moment.
"I see you as a sister, Neela," Eliana began before Neela cut her off.
"That's not what I meant!" Neela shouted blushing. Eliana stared at her in confusion.
"Then, what do you mean?" Eliana questioned.
"I mean that I love you, Elli!" Neela yelled at her. The words echoed out until they faded and Neela's conscious returned to her. Eliana walked several feet in front of her as Neela kept her eyes on the ground. Just another fantasy… She'd rehearse it over and over in her head until they arrived back at the school… then she'd ask for real. No more pretending, no more daydreaming, no more excuses to try and put it off. This was it.
"Do you ever stop and wonder what happened to the moon?" Eliana pondered as they boarded the airship after roughly fifteen minutes of silence in each others' company.
"You think something happened to it?" Neela asked. Eliana laughed as she ran to the window and looked out at it reflecting off of the water.
"I mean, it looks broken, doesn't it?" Eliana pointed out. Neela shrugged as she stared out with her best friend.
"What if it's just always been that way?" Neela offered. Eliana groaned.
"How boring would that be!" Eliana complained. "Maybe Salem or Ozpin had something to do with it, you know?" Eliana shook her head and scoffed. "Always broken…"
"It was just a theory!" Neela defended.
"I know, but it'd be super anti-climactic!" Eliana explained. She sat back down and glanced around the empty ship. "So, are we still going to Atlas during summer break?"
"That's what I was planning on, why, what's up?" Neela asked. Eliana lit up.
"Do you think that your Aunt Ruby could take us out to the Grimm Forest in Mistral to see the broken bridge to Salem's Realm?" Eliana declared. Neela laughed and shook her head.
"Probably not," Neela replied. Eliana pouted and gave Neela her best puppy dog eyes.
"Why not?" Eliana begged.
"Because that area is off-limits to everyone, Ruby included," Neela told her.
"Stupid council," Eliana grumbled.
"They have their reasons," Neela pointed out.
"Probably stupid reasons," Eliana added. "I've heard rumors about the forest. There are actual spawning pools that the Grimm just crawl out of, that's how they're born, can you imagine!?"
"Sounds crazy for sure," Neela agreed as the airship began docking. There was a tingling in her fingers. Her head was beginning to spin. Her heart pounded in her chest hard enough that she was sure it must be some kind of panic attack. She ignored the sudden spike in her heart rate, following Eliana into the woods where her fate awaited her. What if Eliana said no? What if it all went awry? What if Eliana never spoke to her again? Neela forced herself forward, remembering what Ilia, Qrow, and Titus had told her. She could do this, right?
"You okay, Neela?" Eliana asked before they reached the cave. "You look a bit pale." Neela shrugged her off with a smile.
"Yeah, I'm good," Neela told her. She grabbed Eliana's hand, stopping her before she could duck into the cavern, and Eliana looked at her with concern.
"Are you sure?" Eliana questioned.
"I need to tell you something," Neela managed, her lips dry.
"What is it?" Eliana inquired. Palms sweaty. Knees shaking. Neela opened her mouth but as she was about to speak, Eliana's scroll rang.
"I…" Neela began before stopping. Eliana removed her scroll and it lit up as she took a step away.
"It's my mom!" Eliana squealed. "I'm sorry Neela, give me just a second, I haven't talked to her in a while!" She took a few more steps into the woods as she answered the call, Neela exhaled sharply as she balled her fists and kicked the earth. Something always had to come up! Maybe it was fate! Maybe she should have told her at the grave! Or sooner! She glanced over towards Eliana but no longer had her in her line of sight and decided to wait for her to return. "Hey, mom! What's up?"
"Is Neela there with you?" Violet asked.
"Yeah…" Eliana answered a bit puzzled as to why she'd ask that before saying anything else. "Why, what's up?"
"I don't know how to say this," Violet began. Eliana stopped in her tracks, more confused than she'd been a moment ago. "Whatever you do Eliana, don't go after these people!" There was a struggle and Eliana felt every nerve stand on end in her body as she shuffled helplessly as though she was searching for something on the ground before someone else took the scroll and spoke to her.
"Hello, Eliana," the voice addressed her, both sweet and terrifying to her ears all at once. Her body shook in terror as she considered running, but where would she go? Where did they even have her?! "You can say whatever you'd like to me, I'll listen."
"Who is this?" Eliana stammered. The woman chuckled, sighing before leaving Eliana to hang on to the unnerving quiet for a moment and experience desperation. Eliana knew to keep her voice down, she didn't want Neela involved yet, she didn't know what these people even wanted. "I asked, who is this?"
"Such an impatient child," the voice replied. "Your mother has been so cooperative for the past couple of days, waiting for us to call you in what I can only assume is compliant silence."
"You didn't answer my question," Eliana cut her off.
"But just like your father," the woman spoke again. "At least, that's what they've been telling me."
"Who are they? And who are you!" Eliana demanded.
"You know who I am," she told Eliana. "We've never met, nor spoken, but you know who I am. I am the savior of this world. Remnant will finally open its eyes once I'm finished rebuilding the world from the top down. Surely Neela has mentioned me at least once." Eliana's mind scrambled before regathering quickly and the fear set it once again. She wanted to scream. She wanted to stab her, beat her, kill her! She wanted them to give her mother back and if she found out that they'd hurt her, so much as minor rope burn from tying her up, Eliana would massacre every last one of them… or… she'd try. She knew she didn't have the strength to take down Athena, and the Faunus was just as aware of the fact.
"Neela has never mentioned you once," Eliana replied smugly. Eliana assumed that the dead air that followed was Athena searching for an answer in frustration and it gave her an uneasy satisfaction. She couldn't play these games right now, her mother's life was on the line.
"Perhaps not," Athena answered flatly. "Though surely, somewhere, at some point, you've been made aware of how merciful I am, have you not?"
"Let's just say that I have," Eliana humored her. Athena chuckled.
"Now you're getting it," Athena told her. "I'll send you the coordinates of where to meet me once you hang up. Don't tell anyone or bring anyone because if you do, I think I'll let The Chameleon have his way with her. See you soon, Elli." With that, Athena hung up and Eliana was rendered immobile. The Chameleon? It wasn't a coincidence, was it? Athena had this planned all along. She broke him out. She enlisted his help. They knew they could get to Violet… all of this is what Athena wanted and so far, it had all gone her way. She couldn't tell anyone. Somehow Athena was watching, there was no doubt in Eliana's mind. But, what did she do then?! Did she just meet with Athena and do as she said?
Eliana stared blankly at the scroll as she received the coordinates, placing it back in her pocket for the time being as she headed towards Neela. What did she say to her? Neela was just about to tell her something important, but there was no telling what Athena would do if Eliana made her wait. Eliana took a deep breath as she broke past the tree line and headed quickly towards the cliff as though Neela wasn't there. Neela found her feet quickly, she'd been sitting in the grass waiting for Eliana to return and chased after her.
"Elli, what's up?" Neela asked her trying to grab her hand but Eliana slipped away.
"My mom needs my help with some Grimm at the house quick!" Eliana told her.
"You want me to come with?" Neela inquired.
"I got it!" Eliana called to her as she broke into a jog. "See you in the morning!" Neela contemplated running after her, she still hadn't confessed her feelings, but something seemed off, and Eliana seemed distant about it. She sighed and headed for the dorms. It'd be better to tell Eliana when she's not distracted. Meanwhile, Eliana had broken out into a full-blown sprint, throwing lien at the airship pilot before sitting and twitching her fingers nervously, wishing that he wasn't required to wait another couple of minutes before leaving. The Chameleon. This was bad. How could this have happened?
Next week, Eliana meets with Athena in Chapter 125 - Equivalent Exchange!
A big thank you to Helihi, Cadhla182, Carlomontie, Nliast, Y8ay8a, Sa-Dui, Diyaru4500, Demize00Zero, TheCipherNine, SketchHungry, Ookaminoki, Lightning-in-my-Hand, and Dishwasher1910. All of their artwork can be found at Deviantart, you can search Silent-Celica and under my favorites tab, I have a collection for NITE.
Until next week, stay classy, and make sure to wash those hands!