Chapter 42 — End

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness:

Only light can do that

Hate cannot drive out hate:

Only love can do that"

― Martin Luther King Jr.,

A Testament of Hope:

The Essential Writings and Speeches

He couldn't protect her.

The realization hurt more than anything he'd ever felt. Once again, he could not protect her. This girl that had given everything to help him, treated him and made him happy again. He had promised her. And yet, here he was, watching as she faced that human woman, Cinder.

He cursed everyone. He cursed the White Fang members that hindered him from getting to her. He cursed that silver-eyed girl for leaving Serena vulnerable. He cursed Spike for creating this entire mess. But, more than anything, he cursed himself for not being there to protect her now, when she needed it the most.

Horror spread through his body as he watched Cinder launch the attack at Serena. And she did nothing. She did not cry, did not beg for her life. She did not even move a muscle to try and evade the attack. All she did was sit there with an unbelievably sad look in her eyes. He knew what that look was; he'd seen it before. It was the look of someone who knew they were going to die, and accepted that fate.

She was going to die and was okay with it. He couldn't even detect a hint of resentment for the woman that would kill her.

The sound of a large group of something was sounding from behind him, but he could care less who or what it was. All he could do was watch as the attack made impact, engulfing her in flames. Actual tears pricked his eyes as he watched the event unfold in front of him before his heart stocked for an entirely different reason.

As fast as the fire had engulfed her, it suddenly disappeared. It seemed as though Serena's body had absorbed the attack the same way his semblance, Moonslice, did with the help of Wilt. Everything stopped at that moment, each person halting their own fights to watch in shock as the girl opened her eyes. Cinder stumbled back a step, clearly taken aback by the outcome.

As for Serena, she looked just as confused as everyone else. She had no semblance. Adam was sure of it. She was not of this world; she didn't even have an Aura. So how, in the Maidens' names, did she just do that?

The sound of a large herd nearing grew louder, and not long after, the first few Beowolves reached the courtyard, followed by several large Ursas, and even the Nevermore she had taken him on a flight with showed up, perching itself on top of one of the towers of the academy. The presence of such a large group of Grimm immediately put everyone on high alert, people forgetting their previous opponent and readying themselves to fight these new threats.

But the creatures did not attack. They remained in a close group, the Beowolves taking up the role of guarding the few Ursas, quietly surveying the crowd of humans and Faunus. Then, an Ursa much older than the others stepped forward, another younger Ursa and a Beowolf flanking him on either side.

The Grimm looked straight at the girl that still sat on the ground, her own eyes wide with surprise and shock. And, suddenly, Adam noticed something he had not before. Her eyes… They had turned a bright red, glowing in the light of the sun much like those of the Grimm did.

Slowly but surely, others began to notice this sudden shift in her appearance as well, everyone taking a frightened step back from this unusual human girl. Even the silver-eyed girl that had visited once seemed taken aback by this sudden change.

Serena was very confused. Against her expectations, she was not dead. Though Cinder's attack had hit her, the flames had disappeared without leaving a scratch on her. The woman seemed as shocked by this turn of events as she was, questioning what the hell she was.

If only she knew herself.

Because in the next moment, she suddenly heard a voice in her head. It was old and gravely, but, for some reason, it did not frighten her. No, she had a feeling that she knew this voice, this person that was speaking to her.

"Worry not, little one, we are here," it told her. The next thing she knew, a whole bunch of Grimm showed up, among them Napoleon, Ajax, Loki and even Aeolus she could spot. She barely registered the way everyone around her turned to face the Grimm and readied their weapons.

All her eyes could focus on was Napoleon as he stepped forth, Ajax and Loki on either side of him. Calmly, he made his way over to her, no one daring to attack and taking frightened steps back when the three Grimm passed by them. The old Ursa halted a few feet in front of her, his red eyes reflecting her surprised face. It turned even more so when she noticed that her eyes were the same red as those of Napoleon and the others.

"W-What?" she managed to whisper, confused beyond belief. What the hell was going on here?

"Congratulations, little one. You have finally unlocked your true power," the voice she now identified to be belonging to Napoleon told her warmly.

"What?" she asked once again, her brain seeming to short-circuit at this sudden turn of events.

"Ever since we first met, I could feel you have the gift. It just took you a while to manifest it. But your bond with us left no room for doubt. It saddens me that it manifested in this situation," he told her somber, lowering his head in a show of remorse. "You are now one with us, all of us. Your love for each of us is what made your power awaken. And now, even in the face of certain death, you chose not to hate, but to love. You chose to feel remorse not for yourself, but for all of those you would leave behind. That, is the final piece that was missing."

"I don't understand a word you are saying," she told him bluntly, eyebrows furrowed with confusion. The Grimm's bodies shook with silent laughter that only she could hear in her mind. Napoleon stepped close, lowering his snout to rub it affectionately against her dirty cheek. The action brought her a comfort and relief she had never felt before.

"No matter, all can be explained later," he stated good-naturedly. "For now, I think it high time to show these people just who it is they are messing with. You need only give the command."

Serena shifted uneasily. She knew what he was saying — he expected her to give them the command to kill all those that had hurt her. He wanted to exact vengeance for what the White Fang had done to her. Grabbing the bone plate at his shoulder for support, she rose to her feet, Napoleon's head steadying her as she leaned against his side.

Everyone was looking at her, their eyes wide with fear and incomprehension. Even Spike seemed wary of her, certainly not having expected this outcome. Ruby just looked lost, her eyes darting between Serena and the group of Grimm that stood still, waiting for an order. Adam… She didn't know what that look in his eyes was. Not fear, but something else.

She opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted by the sudden sound of maniacal laughter of Spike. The Faunus was standing next to the black-haired woman he'd been fighting with, eyes a crazed look as they zoned in on her.

"YES! It is all over now. The Grimm have come and Beacon will fall. Do it, girl! Command them!" he spewed out, his words making everyone edge away from him, Human and Faunus alike. A mix of pity and anger flashed through her, the tiredness leaving her as she looked at the man that had caused her so much pain.

"You misunderstand," she started, calm eyes locking with Desde's crazed ones. "They did not come to shed blood. The Grimm came to protect me, as well as Beacon Academy and its students and teachers. They have no intention of fighting for your cause."

Uneasiness once again spread through the crowd. Though they were supposedly on their side, the crowd from Beacon still fidgeted nervously. And the Faunus were even more on edge than before, now that they knew they had an entire army of Grimm against them. Spike looked like he was about to object, demand that she tell them otherwise, but Serena did not give him the chance to utter another word.

"End this. You are not allowed to kill anyone, only incapacitate. Knock them out if you have to," she addressed the Grimm, giving them a stern look. Then, she looked at the Faunus. "Those of you who surrender peacefully will not be harmed." With that, she gave Napoleon a firm nod and he let out a low growl, the Grimm jumping into action.

The battle was ended quickly. Most Faunus were wise and gave themselves up, throwing their weapons on the ground along with their masks, hands up in the air. Those more loyal to Desde put up a fight but were quickly subdued by the Grimm. In all the confusion and excitement, no one noticed as Desde slipped past the Grimm. Serena only did so when he suddenly appeared in front of her, his war hammer already raised, ready to bash her head in. Napoleon reacted a second too late, stepping in between her and her assailant.

But Adam was quicker.

Before Serena could comprehend what had happened, she watched as Desde spit blood, a trickle of it running down to his chin before dropping onto the tip of the sword now sticking out from his chest. The red blade was eerily familiar, and Serena watched in shock as Desde's body slipped away to reveal Adam standing behind him. The look on his face was indescribable, but she detected a hint of regret in it.

"A-Adam, you!" Spike managed to spit out, chest barely moving as his life drained away, eyes turning lifeless. Adam took a last, long look at the man that had taken him in all those years ago.

Wordlessly, he flicked Wilt to the side, the blood creating a red arc around him as it sprayed unto the ground. Her own eyes fixed on Desde's still body, Serena realized that it was finally over. With the threat eliminated, Napoleon stepped away from her, making his way over to his fellow Grimm.

Serena — exhausted now that the adrenaline was fading and, she suspected, her power did, too — slumped to the ground. Before she could make contact with the harsh stone, a pair of arms grabbed hold of her waist and shoulder, gently holding her against a warm chest. Adam had caught her and was cradling her tired body in his arms. The feel of his warmth seeping through her clothes and his scent surrounding her were enough to make her let out a long sigh.

Blinking her eyes, she looked up at his beautiful red eyes to see them looking down at her with affection and concern. Her lips quirked in a tired smile as she said softy, "You know… Your boss was a real dick." His face froze for a second before it split into a large smile, his chest vibrating with the deep laugh that he let out at her words. Serena let out her own chuckle, the tension finally leaving her body.

She felt the way his arms tightened their hold on her when a set of footsteps made their way over to the two of them. Serena looked up to look into the shaded grey eyes of a man holding a cane. He gave her a small smile.

"Miss Serena, I believe. Ruby has told me much about you, but it can wait. For now, I think we should have a look at your wounds." A low growl was heard from Adam, and the man added, "Of course, your partner can stay with you. It's the least we can do for you."

Serena nodded at the man. Yes, rest was exactly what she needed right now. All else could be taken care of later.

She needed to rest. They all did.

EDITED 17/05/2020

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY or any of its characters. All I do own are my OC and the idea and plot of the non-canon parts of the story.

And that's that. The fight is over, but the story is not. So stay tuned for future updates where Serena can finally take a break from all she's been through. Hope you're all well and healthy. Cheers!