.
Maiden of Snow
.
The bird in the cage
Missed the beautiful sky.
But doesn't remember it.
Nothing left, but dreams by sleep.
.
.
It was the middle of the night, when Mercury and Emerald left their dorm. Due to the nature of their errand, the two opted to leave Yang and Neo behind.
The pair traveled to the northern part of the city. Eventually making their way into the Sable District, where a large percentage of nobles and high society members made their residency.
Along the streets were mansions that could have passed for small castles. Each of them, extravagant and unique. The estates were so expansive, it made one wonder what the owners did with all the extra space.
As the two strolled towards their destination, Emerald read her scroll absentmindedly, while Mercury played games on his.
"Huh. Vale made a play to invade Mistral," Emerald scoffed. "The battle was just yesterday."
"Really? And we weren't invited?" Mercury asked.
"There's nothing like the Dracul Isles between the continents, but the army Vale sent was puny," Emerald read on. "Mistral cruised to an easy win. I guess Raven didn't think it was worth owing us another favor. Only a matter of time before our side invades back."
"Ya think?"
"Out of all the Kingdoms, Vale has the most awkward situation. They've declared joining the War, but lack the unity to compete. Even Atlas might make a move on them soon. The real big unknown is still Vacuo. Well, whenever the next big fight happens, Raven'll call us up…"
"Speaking of emo boss, how did your talk go?" Mercury wondered. "Since we're still working for her, I'm guessing we didn't get what we needed to save Cinder."
"Oh, she let me know how to do it. Actually doing it? That's another story. I hate to admit it, but I don't see us saving Cinder without Raven or her resources."
"So, we're not breaking up the band yet. Team ENMY lives on."
"Looks that way," Emerald groaned with annoyance.
"Heads up, Noble House of Assholes just ahead."
"I have a feeling that came out grosser than you meant."
"Oh, I meant it. This place is the worst."
The two stopped at the front of a large gate. Through the bars, they could see a mansion fifty yards from the entrance. Standing three stories tall and extending twenty windows long, it looked more like a hotel than a house of living.
"Y'know, for a family of assassins, your relatives aren't very subtle," Emerald commented.
"They're more like overly paid gangsters."
"There a reason you and your dad lived like hobos in the woods?"
"Dad drank all their fancy booze and broke all their fancy stuff."
"There it is. Ring the doorbell, so we can get this over with."
Mercury found the intercom and started jabbing the button incessantly. The radio crackled after a time.
"Kindly state your—"
"It's me, assholes. Mercury Black. I got your stupid letters, so open up!"
The radio went dead for a moment.
"Who might be the one next to you?"
"You already know who she is. She's my partner and she comes in with me."
More dead silence, but after making them wait some minutes, the gate rattled open. The two entered the premises, where they were guided by a butler to the courtyard gardens.
Statues of past assassins were erected on display. All of them posed in stoic stances to immortalize their grandeur. The bushes and flowers were maintained and trimmed to an aesthetic balance.
Further in, Mercury and Emerald were led to a quaint marble plateau. The polish of the stone floor was so clean, reflections could be seen in them. Arranged in a square were a number of high-quality sofas and small tables. There, the members of the Black Family sat.
"Welcome, Mercury. It's been too long," a young, charismatic man greeted them.
The person in question had a steel mask over his face, smelted in the likeness of a wise old man with curled hairs and beard. He wore a jet-black suit, and the way he asserted himself made it obvious he was the Head of the Family.
"Jupiter," Mercury grumbled with disdain.
"You remember the twins: Apollo and Diana."
Jupiter gestured to a pair of teenagers sharing a couch. Both wore the same youthful-faced mask except the brother's was black and golden, while the sister's was black and silver. The two waved with lazy enthusiasm.
"Vulcan would normally join us, but he's been busying taking part against Vale's latest poor excuse of an invasion," Jupiter explained.
"That sucks. I missed him the most," Mercury replied.
"Really? I could have sworn—"
"I'm lying. I hate him, just like I hate all you assholes. The only one I ever hated more than you guys was dad, and he's dead, so…"
"Mercury, Mercury. Tsk tsk tsk, still working so hard to play the black sheep, as it were."
"What do you want, Jupiter?"
The man in the bearded mask shook his head in exaggerated disappointment.
"Very well, onto business, then." He picked a roll of parchment off the nearby table and handed it to Mercury. "A contract has been issued for the death of one, Qrow Branwen."
Mercury and Emerald's eyes went wide, as they unfurled the scroll to examine its contents.
Sure enough, the profile picture of Qrow was there. Along with vague information of his fighting style, abilities, description, and location. Mercury looked from Jupiter, to the parchment, to Jupiter again.
"Yeah. Hard pass!"
"Who issued this?" Emerald inquired.
"A mutual acquaintance of ours actually," Jupiter took a sip of his tea through his mask. "The Witch."
"You're working with Salem?" Mercury almost laughed. "Her standards must be falling if she let you in."
"Truthfully, our side's postponed this partnership for a while. Now in hindsight, it should have been a proposal we accepted ages ago. Salem proves to be an invaluable resource."
"…This a bid to become Head of the Sable Faction?"
Jupiter shrugged with phony innocence.
"—Yeah, you're not getting Merc's help," Emerald intervened. "We reached out to Salem before, and she ignored us. Now she suddenly wants our help again—and the target is Qrow? No deal and no amount of coin can make this worthwhile."
"She told me you might say that." Jupiter took another sip. "Which is why she said, if you were to complete the contract, she would repay your services by revivifying your beloved Cinder."
"Salem abandoned her!"
"I have no knowledge of the surrounding circumstances, nor do I care. The contract is the contract. And might I add, even without the incentive—you, dear cousin," he stared pointedly at Mercury, "are obligated to fulfill contracts assigned by the Family. Ignoring your duties will result in…repercussions."
"I don't know," Mercury smirked. "Considering you didn't give a damn about me ignoring my 'duties' before. It all just sounds like empty threats to me."
"You are no longer exempt under Salem's authority. And 'threats'? Really now, cousin? You know our Family doesn't do threats. We make good on promises in blood. Or have you forgotten?"
Mercury was about to initiate a surprise attack, when Emerald put a hand on his chest.
"Merc."
"…"
She turned to Jupiter.
"We accept the contract."
"Very good!" he clapped. "I must admit, I was rather averse to seeing you accompany our Mercury, but now I see it was to a benefit."
"I am the better half of our partnership after all."
"Indeed, you are. Well! I believe this concludes our business. I bid a good evening to you both."
Without waiting a second longer, Mercury and Emerald left the Black Family and were escorted off the estate.
Once they passed through the gate, Mercury glared daggers at Emerald.
"There a reason you did that? Because the way I saw it, you just slapped a collar around our necks, and handed them the damn leash!"
"What were we supposed to do, Merc? You wanted to pick a fight that badly?"
"We could've taken 'em."
"Sure, maybe. Or we could pick the smarter fight, and link up with Yang and Neo first. But that's not the main issue, is it? You think we can contend with Salem and all the hate she can rain down on our heads?"
Mercury groaned so loudly, it was almost a yell.
"Alright," he said, after letting his temper simmer a little. "How are we supposed to assassinate Qrow? Between you and me, the old man's not exactly an easy mark. And then there's Yang and Raven, who I have the teensiest feeling may not be onboard with us dusting him off."
"We'll think of something," Emerald replied. "Neo needs to be brought in on this."
"We are NOT telling Yang."
"Oh, ya think?"
Mercury scratched the back of his neck roughly.
"…Do you think Salem's legit about her end of the deal?"
"What, with saving Cinder? Dunno," Emerald answered doubtfully. "It's possible she'll make good. Putting trust in her is an iffy gamble, but…"
"But?"
"If things with Raven fall through—"
Emerald held her chin in thought.
"—It never hurts to have more irons in the fire."
.
X
.
In a land encased in snow, a perpetual blizzard howled to no end.
There lied the city of Atlas. A capital of industry, known for its innovative technology and Dust refinery. Built on the foundations of its former Kingdom of Mantle, the "new" nation grew at a pace that outstripped others in recent decades. Seeing its countless towers encroach the sky, one saw what the future held. But as impressive as the city was, it was not without its threats.
Outside the settlement gathered one of the largest species of Grimm ever recorded.
They were dubbed the Jotunn. Creatures of humanoid shape with thin, dangling limbs. Their height reached the highest skyscrapers and their width expanded a distance of twenty yards. From the tips of their shoulders to the top of their heads, the giants were crusted in jagged bone. They possessed no neck to speak of, and in place of their face, there were three gaping holes; two for their eyes and one for their mouths. Disjointedly round, they had an off-putting look to them and the sound they made only emphasized the creature's unpleasantness.
The Grimm moaned long single-notes. Cries that sounded of pain and agony. It upset anyone within earshot, which, due to its vast size, was everyone on that side of the city. Just hearing it instilled anxiety—and anxiety brought more Grimm.
The lanky bodies of the Jotunn raised their fists and swung them down on the walls of Atlas in wailing cries.
Right when their fists were about to hammer the nearest structure, a hexagonal forcefield rose to repel it. The flash of crystallized energy pushed the Grimm back momentarily. But after regaining their balance, they would try again, and again, and again….
Their ritual went on in futility for the past year now.
The Jotunn came from wherever their kind spawned from and assaulted Atlas. Sometimes in herds, and sometimes in small groups. In every encounter, the barrier rose to safeguard the capital from the colossal aberrations.
Today, three Jotunn contested the city's outer defenses.
While two pounded away at the shield, one was flanked by attackers. A paltry force by ordinary standards, composed of only a trio of young women. Still, they alone faced the gangly titan with enough ferocity to drive it back.
The one leading the charge was the skilled wielder of the rapier Myrtenaster, Weiss Schnee.
Ascending the Jotunn's body, she cast Glyphs to travel its height. The fencer inflicted wound upon wound on the Grimm's flesh. And while the heiress deployed her arsenal of techniques, Coco Adel and Velvet Scarlatina provided cover fire.
"Hey, Vel. Is it me, or is moneybags a little more motivated than usual?" Coco watched.
"I'm not sure, but I think she wants to bring this one down on her own," Velvet added her input.
"Alright. Maybe hang back a little and see how this plays out."
The two, who were pouring gatling fire on the Jotunn, started to ease back.
Weiss noticed her teammates' behavior and smiled.
You have this, Weiss.
This is nothing but a stepping stone.
The young woman shot herself into the collar of the giant. Red Dust engulfed the blade of Myrtenaster, and a gash of deep crimson bore into the Grimm.
It wailed its haunting moan for miles out. The Jotunn brought up its arm, and smacked the assailant into the blizzarding winds with the force of a speeding truck.
Weiss blacked out momentarily, but managed to conjure a platform Glyph to land on.
She coughed violently into the storm.
Her arms braced her ribs. Weiss felt like her organs were crushed. Internal bleeding was a possibility. Still, as Coco and Velvet were preparing to help, Weiss ordered them,
"Stand back! THIS ONE'S MINE!"
The Jotunn brayed, but she shut the noise out.
Weiss stabbed her sword into the Glyph she was standing on, rewriting its script. The symbols changed and new rows of emblems were constructed.
As the Grimm pulled back to fling both its fists at the fencer, armored gauntlets rose forth to catch them in its grasp. Weiss poured her Aura into the crest and brought to life the rest of the knight's form.
But as formidable as her summon was, she knew it wouldn't be enough.
Her vision doubled and her concentration wavered. Energy reserves were all but empty. Her Semblance fell short of what she needed it to be.
Just then, Winter's voice lectured her in the back of her mind, clearer than she'd heard in a while.
Your Semblance is like a muscle.
The more you practice with it, the stronger it will become.
But if you only focus on one aspect of it—if you fail to test the limits of what you think is possible…
Then you will never truly grow.
Weiss drew a bright crystalline shard from her pack. She could feel the spark of life tickle her fingertips simply holding it.
The densely concentrated Dust illuminated with a brilliant white and blue. A more condensed form of the energy supplement.
There were a number of ways Dust was utilized: packed into bullets, woven into cloth, forged into weapons. But there were also more traditional methods that existed. Ones that posed tremendous risk to the practitioner of this age-old practice.
It could destroy the impure—but if the wielder's cause was worthy and sincere, they need not be afraid.
Weiss steeled her nerves, placing the Dust shard between her teeth and bit down.
Like a wish being granted, she made use of the sharp surge in her Aura. Weiss materialized Time Dilation Glyphs underneath her and her ethereal knight. The clocks hands wound at blinding speeds. Reality slowed to a crawl by her perception.
With the haste effect in place, the pair of shining warriors unleashed a god-like fury that traveled down the Jotunn's frame. Once reaching the feet, they traveled up again, slashing and cutting a violent path. Their blades sung with a high soprano pitch.
At the head, they positioned themselves opposite of the creature's sides. Weiss at the front and the armor at the back.
With exact timing, the two swordsmen drove their blades through the Jotunn's skull, meeting at the center of its brain.
The giant Grimm bade one last lamenting wail before evaporating into nothingness.
Weiss dropped onto a soft pile of snow. Her summon disappeared and her breathing was ragged. The blood from her injuries painted the frost pink.
She savored the moment briefly, but was not yet finished. Winter's voice wouldn't allow it.
Now, think to your fallen foes.
The ones that forced you to push yourself past who you were, and become who you are now.
Think of them,
And watch as they come to your side.
A great summoning Glyph materialized and dispersed the ice around her. The structure was incomparable to the one that borne the knight. From the portal, a ghostly form of a Jotunn was called forth.
With sheer force of will, Weiss controlled her new familiar and set it against its Grimm counterparts. A punch from the gargantuan whipped the surrounding snow into the wind, and one of the Jotunn fell. Its head smashed clean from its shoulders.
Coco lowered her sunglasses and whistled.
"Vel? Remind me not to talk smack about our princess being a delicate snowflake again."
Cause… damn.
.
X
.
"Damn…"
"Um…Coco?"
"Yeah?"
"Could you please, not stare so much? It's a little embarrassing."
"Oh, you are just too adorable~ " Coco said, as she pressed Velvet against the wall. Her lips went to nibbling along her partner's exposed neck line.
*Ahem*
The two looked to the side, and saw Weiss standing there in a formal gown.
"I don't mind what you do in the privacy of your own time, but I'd like you to exercise just the slightest bit of professionalism while you're on the hour."
"Sorry, Majesty. We thoughts it would take longer to wipe off the blood," Coco gave an exaggerated bow. An image that looked oddly appropriate in her tailored penguin suit.
Weiss walked up to her straightened her tie with a firm tug.
"We're late."
The heiress of the Schnee Dust Company and her two bodyguards rode the elevator down. Out of the corner of her eye, Weiss could see Coco wrapping her hands subtly around Velvet. Seeing the interaction made her a touch envious.
Her fingers fiddled with the rose-red thread that tied up her hair.
"Weiss…I don't know if you'll use it, but," Ruby fidgeted shyly in her memories. "I want you to think of me if you do! Happy Birthday!"
The memory brought Weiss a slight lift in her mood, and she would need it for tonight.
The elevator doors opened and the three were greeted by the rich light of the ballroom.
Weiss took a deep breath before putting on her best business smile. A fan she was holding, folded out like a peacock's tail.
Upon entering the hall, heads turned instantly. A few seconds of silence pervaded the space. And then, an avalanche of polite applause.
The heiress bowed humbly. "Thank you for coming", "So glad you could make it", and other greetings were exchanged between guests and hosts.
"—Weiss, come here a moment," her father, Jacques Schnee hailed her. "You couldn't dispose of those Grimm sooner? That abhorring noise they make could be heard through the windows."
"My apologies, father. I shall make sure to dispatch them in a timelier manner next time."
"Hm. Well, come here," he dragged her by the wrist to an old couple. "It is a pleasure to introduce you to…"
This pattern repeated itself throughout the night. A ritual of handshakes and verbal promises. Words of flattery and pretentious guffawing. Weiss played to the crowd with the elegance and grace expected of her standing. While the glad-handing took place, Coco and Velvet kept an eye on their client from the corner of the gala.
Until a rather portly guest approached the pair.
"Huh, a Faunus. Here? I had no idea the Schnees employed your kind outside of the refineries."
The man reeking of alcohol inched closer to Velvet.
"If you have a good dentist, by all means, press your luck," Coco said to him.
"Why my dentist?"
"Because you're about to lose all your teeth."
The pink-cheeked man looked flabbergasted.
"Do you know who I am?!" he outraged.
"Don't know, don't care. You don't look any more bulletproof than the next corpse."
"Coco," Velvet murmured.
"—Is there a problem here?" Weiss came over at a brisk walk, her fan wafting over her mouth.
"Oh, not at all, Ms. Schnee," the man tried to recover. "I was just admiring this Faunus of yours."
"Yes, I only hire the best. But you must behave yourself, secretary treasurer. This woman is employed as my bodyguard. I'd hate for her to be distracted, in case I were in danger."
"Understandable," he nodded. "I shall take my leave…But I would be so grateful, if the girl was, em, lent to my service. In a temporary capacity, of course."
"Of course. I shall put it under consideration."
The man took his leave and stumbled, before joining the other socialites.
As soon as he was out of sight, Coco threw Weiss a death glare. But her rage stifled when, behind the heiress' fan, she saw a trail of blood drip the side of the girl's lip. Weiss' fury was just barely checked by biting the inside of her cheek.
She turned to Velvet.
"I'm sorry you had to be put through that."
"No," she shook her head. "It's alright, Weiss. I'm…used to things like that happening."
"You shouldn't have to," Weiss tensed. "I promise you and all the Faunus. Once I'm CEO, I'll change things for the better," she whispered.
"We know, Weiss. Don't worry."
Velvet took a napkin and wiped the bit of blood from her mouth.
Weiss glanced about the ballroom with disdain. It made her sick thinking she was once one of them. But now, she was something more of a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Let these idiots think they matter for now, Weiss.
Play the part until the end.
And then, when the time comes, root them out like the poison they are.
The honor and legacy of my family and Atlas will be restored.
"I think I've spent enough time here." Weiss snapped her fan in half and chucked it into a nearby potted plant.
"Let's leave, before they ask me to sing something."
.
X
.
The three took the elevator down to a certain underground base, dubbed the Cerberus Tower.
It was previously an ancient bunker that had fallen to ruin in the past. But in recent times, the city of Atlas renovated it with the newest security systems and technologies—making it Remnant's most impenetrable bastion. The Kingdom's highest valued assets were housed here, including some very important individuals.
A heavy pressure weighed on their shoulders as they strode down the metal halls.
They entered a patient's room, where Winter Schnee laid unconscious. Ironwood sat by her bedside. His appearance was unkempt for a while now.
Along with the man, attended a very special guest and close relative of theirs.
"—Hello, Weiss. Your performance against the Jotunn was exemplary," the woman complimented. "I'm sure Winter will have words of praise, once she wakes. No Schnee without a Maiden's abilities has ever created a summoned Grimm of that magnitude."
"Thank you, Kori," Weiss replied. "I wouldn't have felt half as confident without you."
The woman named Kori Schnee broke into a homely smile. Her hair was the same white as Weiss and Winter's. A matching colored robe wrapped her body, lending her an image of some sacred being. An assumption not too far from fact.
Kori glowed with a special Aura without effort. It took the shape of faint snowflakes falling from her body. Proof she was the current Winter Maiden. And it was by her and the Tower's power that a forcefield protected the entire city of Atlas, called the Aegis System.
Though she was powerful, she also gave off the impression of being fragile. Her body had been weak since birth, and as such, lived most of her life in a wheelchair. The frailty in her constitution was obvious to anyone who saw her, as well as the small voice she possessed that sounded much like a soft windchime.
"—Is there nothing you can do for her?" Ironwood pleaded.
"No, Headmaster. If it were within my abilities, I would have already done so," Kori responded understandingly. "But I will keep trying."
Weiss rested a hand on her cousin's shoulder.
"Thank you, Kori."
She walked to Winter's side, looking into her older sister's face. It was a peaceful expression.
The doctors suggested several treatment plans. Each carried a significant risk. The procedures and equipment were being developed to increase survival odds. But in the meantime, the hospital kept Winter stable.
Weiss knew the nature of battle. She was taught about it since she was young and experienced it firsthand. There was nothing in thinking of what ifs and different rolls of fate's die. Regret was unnecessary. No person is responsible for another's life. To think so was arrogance.
…
Still,
The thought lingered.
Would Yang have been there if I had done things differently?
The somber atmosphere was cut through by the opening of the patient room door. A man with the appearance of a knight, dressed in heavy black mech armor, entered and went to the nearby Kori.
"I wondered where you went," Hades hushed.
"Oh? Did you worry?"
"I did." The man bent to one knee and cupped the Maiden's hand. "I did, milady."
Kori's blush was further highlighted by her pale-white complexion.
"—Hades," Ironwood greeted.
"General Ironwood."
"Former General."
Hades ignored the latter response and shifted his focus to Weiss.
"Lady Schnee. I observed your battle with the Jotunn. Thank you for your service and easing milady's burden."
"Your words are too kind. I merely carried out the duty expected of me. I ask, how does the city fare, Lord Hades?"
"Protests from the lower class are on the rise. Some threaten to stop working the factories, but I fear a more drastic demonstration lies in the near future."
"As do I," Weiss sulked.
I need to take control as soon as possible. I know I can appease the people.
It's time that's working against me!
Hades seemed to catch something in the young heiress' expression.
"If you would lend me your ear, I wish to discuss some matter with you in private."
Weiss eyed him suspiciously, but politely consented. The two left the patient room and found a deserted section of the hall.
"The world is changing, Lady Schnee. I believe we share a mutual interest, if not, a mutual frustration."
"…Let us speak candidly, Lord Hades. What exactly are you insinuating?"
"Both of us are personal witnesses to our government's flaws. It is run by self-centered, egotistical fools, who only believe in their own profit. You wish to change this."
"…I do."
"I imagine so. Do you know your own family and other executives once considered exterminating Kori? Just so the next inheritor of the Maiden of Winter would be someone more 'appropriate'?"
Weiss squinted her eyes in vexation.
"I'd heard rumors, but never believed them. How do you know they're true?"
"Because I was part of the deciding council. They argued at length over who should gain custody of the Maiden's power. No matter that they had to kill someone. To consider the murder of an innocent life, like it were the same as firing an employee." Hades gave a breathy sound of disgust before continuing. "I was the one who pit the powers that be against each other. They quarreled like children, refusing to let the other have a 'superior resource'.
"It took all my influence, and cost me my standing, but I kept Kori safe. Even if I had to imprison her here to do so. I know the corruption that plagues Atlas better than anyone."
"You were the one who proposed stationing her in the Tower?" Weiss asked.
"To keep those who would bring her harm at bay, yes. You need only look to the Fall Maiden and her predecessor to see my concern. And I aim to prevent the fate that befell Kori's sister from repeating itself."
"I see."
The previous Winter Maiden was Kori's older sister. She fell in battle against a great horde of Jotunn. Although it was pre-arranged that the inheritor was someone selected and vetted by the government—the one who ultimately received the Maiden's abilities was Kori. In the older sister's dying moments, she could only think of her younger sibling.
"I work tirelessly for the day Kori may once again feel free under the clear sky, Lady Schnee. My measures, you may question. But my intentions are good."
Weiss relaxed a little more.
"Thank you, Hades… I mean that. At least for Kori's sake." She took a moment to process the information she just heard. "Then? What do you want from me? Is it support? A position?"
"I wish to put you on the throne," Hades' mask hissed. "We need competent leadership. Someone who can pacify the masses, the Faunus population, and guide us through this War. And your connections with Vale only further your resume."
"How long have you been thinking about this?"
"Since your return."
Weiss grew a little wary.
"…What pushes you to such lengths? One mention of your treason, and you would be ruined by the end of the day."
"I have…my reasons."
Weiss had a tough time reading the man's intentions through his spiked helm. But some things were just plain to see.
"You love her, don't you? You love Kori."
"….With all my heart, I love her."
"And the Kingdom?"
Hades nodded solemnly.
"It was once a proud nation, not always corrupted by greed and…the S.D.C., or the Monarchy before it," he leaned. "It can be again. Once more, the people of this Kingdom must stand against the tyranny that runs their government."
Weiss put a hand to her chin. The gears in her mind worked like a clock's. She weighed her choices carefully, predicting the repercussions; cause and effect.
The heiress reached her hand out.
"I accept your proposal, Lord Hades."
"I am honored, Lady Schnee."
The man grasped her hand, and Weiss showed a genuine smile.
"We have a long road ahead of us.
But it will be for Kori's sake, and the sake of Atlas."