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Grave Of The First Sin
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It can take a while to become friends.
But it takes next to nothing to become enemies.
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"Thanks for coming with me! You really didn't have to~"
"Come on, Ruby. There's no way we'd let you go alone," Jaune replied. And in a lower voice added, "Plus, your dad would've killed me if we did."
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
Aboard a transport ship making sail from Vale to Atlas, was Team RNJR. The vessel they were on was filled with soldiers, but also those on pilgrimage. The reason being the stop before Atlas. A humble speck of land between the two major land masses.
The Island of Vytal.
Texts are unclear how the pacifist nation first came to be. Though it was dubbed a nation, permanent settlement on the island is near impossible. And the island's population stayed incredibly low due to its difficult sustainability.
It was an odd piece of land. A sacredness rooted there, which kept all forms of corruption and change away. Crops could not grow on its soil. Wildlife and fish were absent. Any food supplies had to be imported from the mainlands. In keeping line with the island's theme, there were also no Grimm to speak of.
Great meadows of white flowers extended from the isle's end to end. An eternal rain fell from its clear skies above, regardless of what season it was. Not a downpour, but like the heavens gently weeping.
As such, Vytal was dubbed a "holy" land by many. Buildings were erected and statues were carved to pay homage to heroes and figures of the past. It was a symbol of peace and remembrance.
To no surprise, the site was selected for the peace treaty signing that ended the First Great War.
No weapons were allowed on the island. No wars, no conflict, no blemishes to taint this small corner of pure tranquility in Remnant.
And it was this place, Team RNJR's ship made landfall, at least for a half-day.
"Seriously, though. Thanks again for coming with me, guys. Are you sure this is alright?" Ruby asked as they made off the boat.
"It's fine. I think we all deserve a vacation after all those battles. Especially me!" Nora pitched her thumb to herself. "'Cause I took down the most ships and creepy robots out of all of us!"
"Once again, I want to say that none of us knew that contest was going on," Jaune commented.
"And that's why you lost!"
"—And once again, it should be reminded we are here to support Ruby, while she meets Weiss," Ren added. "Who is currently ill."
"…I remember! I totally remember that's why we were doing this!"
"Nora…"
"What, Ren?! After fighting for how many weeks straight, you think we don't deserve a breather?!"
"Just remember to be sensitive of Ruby. She's likely to feel down over the news of Weiss' condition and—"
"—GUYS, HURRY UP! I WANNA PICK OUT SOME SOUVENIRS FOR DAD AND WEISS!" Ruby waved enthusiastically ahead of them.
"…Or not."
As the couple walked off to join their teammate, Jaune observed them from behind.
They didn't act like it, but the war had taken its toll on all of them. The break couldn't have come at a better time. Taiyang, Glynda, and Straw officially tasked them with the mission of investigating the Atlas Kingdom and finding the reason why their Fleet suddenly withdrew. But he knew, at least part of the truth was, they were given some sorely needed R&R.
As Jaune watched Ruby bounce up and down, window-shopping the various books and wares, he saw the change in her too. The scrapes and fraying at the edges. The extra effort she put into staying positive. There was no way Weiss' condition didn't affect her, on top of everything else that happened; Vice Headmaster Hook, her Uncle Qrow, Yang. But there was also a new strength there too, a quiet resilience. And the true Huntress Ruby would one day become, was showing signs of taking shape.
Jaune thought he wouldn't be a good leader if he didn't realize that much. Still, there was always some room for growth.
He caught up to the girl and patted her shoulder.
"—Ruby?"
"Yeah, Jaune?"
"I hate to tell you this…" he squinted, bracing himself for what would happen next. "But we need to hand over our weapons or they won't let us into the city."
"…NOOOOOOO! NOT MY CRESCENT ROSE~~!"
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X
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"—What was that?"
"Quiet, you." Emerald smacked Mercury in his fake bandaged mouth. "What part of 'shattered jaw' do you not understand?"
"You're enjoying this way too much."
"You bet your crippled ass I am."
As Emerald guided Mercury's wheelchair down the ship's ramp, she fought the seductive urge to let her partner go flying down and into the watery depths below.
"Don't do it."
"Don't do, what?" Emerald asked.
"Don't be an asshole."
"What are you talking about, Merc? I'm not *Pft* I'm not thinking about anything right now! You crazy?" she tried to keep a straight face.
"I want Yang to push me."
"She only has one arm."
"I don't care. I'll wheel myself."
"I can't let you do that my poor, defenseless, stupid friend."
"Watch the ramp!"
The wheelchair hit the pavement painfully.
"Whoops! My bad~ "
Following behind the two, was Yang with her hair tied and stuffed under a hood. Her Ember Celica was detached, and Neo pretended to help as her crutch. She couldn't put a finger on it, but something tripped her senses the moment her feet touched land.
"So, this is Vytal, huh? It's weird."
"—How so, Miss Yang?" Masa asked, following behind.
"I don't know… Not to sound all feng shui or anything, but the energy's weird here. It's almost like the Tower. Whatever this place is, it's really close to the Never Realm."
"I see…"
"You okay there, Maz?"
"This one does not understand what you are eluding to."
"I dunno. Just feels like, since we got here, you've been kinda down."
"You can tell, this one asks in disbelief. Could this be due to the compound effects of your Maiden's Inheritance and Semblance?"
"No," Yang answered shortly. "I just think I know you enough to tell."
"I see…"
"Wanna talk about it?"
"…The offer is appreciated. But this one would rather keep certain things to one's self. At least for the time being."
"'Kay."
Yang tapped the engineer's arm, who only continued to stare back expressionlessly. She then, looked behind her to the last member of their group.
"How about you? What do you make of the place?" Yang asked.
"The same," Cinder replied shortly.
Yang waited for more.
"That it?"
"I don't like it. And it doesn't serve my purposes, so I have no inclination to care."
"Typical."
After being checked for weapons, the group was let into the main city thoroughfare. Temples forged of pure white stone lined the streets. Everywhere they looked, there were displayed works of art. Whether it was in word, brush, or clay, if they searched for it, they would find it.
Perhaps the citizens practiced their arts and crafts with such devotion, because Vytal was the only place they knew such things would be kept safe. For it was a too frequent that works of culture and history were changed at the convenience of conquerors—and in the worst cases, destroyed.
"Feels kinda naked without our weapons," Mercury commented.
"Speak for yourself. I've still got my Semblance, and three living weapons with us." Emerald glanced back at Cinder, Yang, and Neo. "Honestly, short of Raven bringing the whole Mistral Armada, it feels like we're untouchable."
"What did you always say about being overconfident and letting our guard down? I think it was 'don't'."
Emerald kicked Mercury's seat.
"I can't believe you're the one reminding me that. We do have a habit of getting our backs stabbed when we lower our guard. Still, I don't get the feeling we'll be ambushed here."
"You think Vulcan's above that?"
"He'd be an idiot to take us right now."
"—And you would be fools to start a fight here."
The two noticed Masa glaring at them from behind.
"None of you are to start trouble while on this island, this one speaks seriously. If you do, this one will never forgive you and a dire price will be rectified. Is that understood?"
Under the engineer's pale-shadowed irises, the members of the group nodded in turn. They could all sense something drastically different in Masa's temper. So normally deadpan, but now appeared on the verge of being overcome with emotion.
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X
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"'Summer Rose, leader of STRQ Team," Ruby read the inscription carved below the statue. "'Honored and Remembered for her service of Remnant. Accomplishments include: The Suppression of Monstro, The Slaying of Ansbach, The Capture of Hunter-killer Jek, and her part played in overthrowing the Mantle Monarchy, among other feats of bravery.'"
She eyed the statue of her mother with a curious wonder. Its size was considered average compared to the others littering the city. Most of Summer's appearance was obscured by her hood. In spite of that, the sculpture gave off a stoic impression. Whether it was the artist's interpretation, or how her mother really was, Ruby yearned to know.
She made a mental note to track down some books on her if possible, but right now, her team had a more immediate opportunity.
"This is impossible…" Jaune muttered. "We're never gonna find any real information buried in all this!"
"Patience, Jaune," Ren advised, while shelving one book, and pulling out another. "An opportunity like this doesn't present itself often."
"Do you know how many 'old man's have been written in these stories, Ren?! THOUSANDS!"
"At least your topic is bearable. The myths surrounding 'silver-eyed warriors' become increasingly surreal with each volume. Bloodline of the first Humans, Werewolves, Aliens from outer space?" Ren frowned and shoved another book into the shelf.
While perusing Vytal, Ren and Ruby found themselves drawn to the number of books being sold. Among them, they found a collection of old stories kept in pristine condition. Seeing it as a chance to learn more about Ozpin, the Maidens, and Ruby's ancestry, the group decided they could not let the opportunity pass.
The only problem was, just as there were a great amount of factual recounting, so too was a greater amount of fictional exaggerations. And it was proving difficult to sort through which was which.
"Hey, guys! I found something!" Nora came waving on her approach. Unlike the rest of her teammates, given her habit of finding research sleep-inducing, she was tasked with searching the sculptures.
Ruby, Ren, and Jaune immediately followed the girl to a circular temple of statues. It seemed they were carved during different periods of time. The most recent being closest to the bottom. There, they saw a very familiar figure.
"'Ozpin Verde, Headmaster of Beacon Academy'," Ruby read. "Did Professor Ozpin have a last name?"
"I don't believe so," Ren answered thoughtfully.
"Let's see: Mentor to GIAS Team. Youngest Headmaster to be named. Part played in Mantle Monarchy, blah blah blah," her voice trailed as she read more of the accomplishments. "Nothing much we didn't already know."
"Boo!" Nora yelled.
"Nice try, though. Hm?"
"What is it, Ruby?" Jaune asked.
The girl looked at the statue next to Ozpin's.
"'Myrdin Zaffre', the Headmaster before Ozpin. Says here he was Grand Strategist during the First Great War. Also, he was Ozpin's Mentor. Do you think…?"
"A past reincarnation of the 'old man'," Ren finished the thought.
"Then… all of these…" Ruby looked on the rows of Beacon's past Headmasters. "Where's the first one?!"
Together, they ran up the stairs and past each older sculpture like traveling back in time.
"Headmaster Luka… Olorin… Who… Strange… Here! Huh?"
They stopped at an unnamed statue. Its form and inscription were damaged beyond anything they could make out.
"—Yes. It is a very odd piece," one of the nearby temple workers walked over and commented. "Records of the first Headmaster of Beacon have all been erased. For that to have happened, it must have occurred before our institution was founded."
"A dead end?!" Ruby cried.
"I'm afraid so," the worker sympathized. "I, too have been curious about the first Headmaster's origins. What would motivate anyone to erase his or her memory? I've been on this island for a long time, and only found a few pieces that are relatively close in age. Each of them, just as obscure."
"Can you tell us where they are?"
"I don't think you would glean much information from—"
"Please!"
"Oh, okay, young lady," the worker chuckled. "Well, one of them is a staff. It stands in the middle of the city. There's nothing much to it, really. There was also a book I found once when I was younger, but the contents of it made no sense. I can't remember what was in it, actually. Never did find it again."
"A staff! That sounds interesting! Any other ones?"
"Well, there are the ruins that lie on the eastern edge of the city. It's about half an hour's walk. I still sometimes go there to see if there's something I can uncover."
"A whole ruin?!" Ruby's eyes lit up.
"Yes. It is a very breathtaking sight. Though, sad. I urge you to be respectful there."
"We will! Thank you!"
Team RNJR rushed out the temple and stopped at the entrance.
"So, where should we go?" Ren posed. "The staff at the center of the city should be closer."
Ruby scrunched her face and tapped her foot in troubled contemplation.
"Well~"
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X
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On the eastern edge of Vytal's city, Team ENMY's group walked the ruins.
It was nothing like they'd ever seen before.
An indescribable feeling of sorrow filled each of them. The scent from the rain and white lilies covering the grounds smelled especially potent. The air felt hush and substantial. A tender breeze swept through, carrying white petals into the winds.
Positioned in rows of circles, were statues. Each bending a knee, bowing to the center. Tears streaked across their cheeks with tightly shut eyelids. Their forms varied, none of them duplicated. It was likely every sculpture was carved in the likeness of an individual. Most expressed sadness, others a mixture of anger—all with an indescribable sense of loss.
Carefully, the group moved past these life-modeled stones. They followed Masa's lead to the center, where the carvings faced.
There, they found a monument. No inscription, but a bowl of ever-burning fire undiminished by the rain falling onto it.
Masa kneeled at the foot of the marker, so much like the statues around.
It was old, Yang thought. All of it was.
Her acute senses told her life was ancient here. At some point in time, an unfathomable amount of emotion concentrated on this single point in history. It was so powerful that it engraved this island into its current perpetual state. An event that shaped the fate of Remnant itself.
After taking in the immaculate artistry put into making the ruins, Yang was left with an odd inkling. Like there was something right at the tip of her tongue, a thought she couldn't quite place. Then, she turned her eyes towards the "shrine" Masa paid her prayers to.
Yang immediately stiffened, and not to much surprise, so did Mercury. The two looked at each other with the same exact thoughts. Of their group, they had the most experience with this specific work, to the point where seeing it was almost like a craftsman's signature.
"Hey, Maz?" Yang started. "This place looks pretty old."
"Yes," Masa answered with a flat tone.
"Right, it's just that—it kinda reminds me of the grave you made for Victoria."
"…So, it does."
Yang and Mercury exchanged worried looks.
"Um, how is that possible? Haha… I mean, you don't look super old."
"—That's because she's one of them," Emerald crossed her arms. "Isn't that right, Mazzie? Like Salem. Like Ozpin. You're the same, an immortal."
Masa slowly got to her feet, turning slowly to them.
"Not quite in the same category, but there exists a similarity."
"I knew it."
"I am grateful you did not ask."
"Gotta say, every time you switch up referring yourself from 'this one' and 'I', it sends a little shiver down my ass."
"Very perceptive, Miss Emerald. You are correct to be wary."
Just then, the whole world took an abrupt still. Time halted in place and sound muted.
After what seemed like a breath, time resumed its flow. The white petals floating in the wind turned black. The skies above, splashed with a dark-reddish hue. And seemingly from nowhere, a shadily dressed figure appeared and made her way to the center monument.
Her hair and skin were white as bone. Eyes like endless abyss. And a presence that reached out from her, so dreadful, it made Yang swallow hard.
The girl took in the sudden change in her surroundings. Besides her, Masa, and Cinder, the rest of their group looked to be frozen in time. Going by the familiar atmosphere, Yang came to one conclusion.
They had been pulled into the Never Realm.
The mysterious woman, who appeared so suddenly, stopped next to Masa without paying attention to any of them. Her fingers conjured a black mist, and then, thread a few stems of red spider lilies from the air, placing them into a nearby pot.
She finished a silent prayer before addressing them.
Cinder was the first to meet her gaze. A deep intensity resounding in her voice.
"Salem."
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X
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"—Isn't it strange the way you just meet people at graves?"
"Yes. Of course. How strange it is to meet an acquaintance, before a grave—on the anniversary of their death," the other responded sarcastically. "Truly strange."
On the shores of Vacuo's beach, two elderly women stood before a stone marking, where the ashes of Shepherd were once spread.
Unlike the continents of its counterparts, the steppes of this Kingdom experienced the same smoldering heat it always had. Cold never found a home in Vacuo—and it never would.
"The war is progressing. Do you still plan to do nothing?"
"Again, the war," Temujin rolled her one good eye. "Why is everyone always asking me about that? Surely, the illustrious Headmaster of Shade Academy carries more weight to her word than I?"
"Don't even joke about that."
"Who was joking? And what crawled up your dusty cunt today?"
"I would rather you restrain yourself from such crude language. Especially in front of your brother."
"Peh! My brother's not here. His crisped bits are floating all over the ocean. Probably long eaten by some fish by now. That, or being sniffed up some sailor's nose." Even this crass joke got a chuckle out of the other. "And alive or dead, I speak the way I want to speak. I am the queen of Vacuo after all!"
"As usual, you only invoke your title to serve your foolish shenanigans. I should remember to record that next time. Then, we could finally thrust some real responsibility on you."
"Sour puss! Has becoming a teacher done so much to wear away the one I call my best friend, Minerva? Hm? Perhaps we should have erected two graves, then."
Magic sparked from the other's fingers testily.
Her name was Minerva Calico, and she was the Headmaster of Shade Academy. Though discolored now, her hair had patches of orange, black, and gray. Her nose was sharp with a bit of a hook. The glasses she wore served to further accentuate her firm features, which communicated a sense of intelligence. And atop her head, were a pair of worn cat ears.
Unlike Temujin and many other citizens of Vacuo, the Headmaster was fond of wearing more formal attire. Even in the heat, she chose to don clothes of a modern Victorian-era.
While the two old friends bantered, another figure approached from behind.
The young Faunus placed her hand just beyond the stone marking. The tide came in and filled her cupped palm with seawater. With slow and purposed motion, she took it to her mouth, and drank.
"Ilia. How goes the war in Atlas?" Temujin asked.
"—You despise it when others ask you, yet you do not hesitate to ask it of others," Minerva grumbled.
"Oh, quiet, you."
"Bad," Ilia answered. "It's a melting pot waiting to tip over. Adam's White Fang, the industrialists, the aristocrats, and the poor. They're about to come to a head. And to make things worse, Weiss Schnee's disappeared off the face of the Kingdom."
"Hm. Too bad. I liked her a little."
"No, you didn't."
"No. But she was useful. Oh, well. Spilled milk and all that."
"For some reason, the city's Aegis Defense System is down too."
"Ooh~ That is certainly terrible—for them," Temujin commented indifferently. "Sounds like the dominoes are falling for the Kingdom of Atlas."
"Sure, does."
"—Ilia. Do remember to attend your classes tomorrow," Minerva interceded. "As noble as your extracurriculars are, your education is just as essential."
"Are you serious?"
"Do I appear to be joking?"
Ilia gulped.
"Nope."
Temujin could barely stifle her cackling in the background.
"Come, now. Show the child some leniency, you crotchety old cat."
"You're the last one I want to hear that from, you conniving old fox." Minerva turned to Ilia again. "Now that I think on it, I'm sure I could scrounge up one or two professors to provide some supplementary lessons, if you would accompany me back to the school."
The young girl looked past the Headmaster to Temujin, who did everything she could to avoid meeting her gaze.
"Temujin!"
"I can't save you, when she's like this."
"You said you would talk to her!"
"—Oho~ And the truth comes to light," Minerva's pupils sharpened into tiny slits. "So, you made my student a promise you had no way of keeping."
"As queen of Vacuo, I sanction Ilia Amitola… not in trouble. And, em, absolved of all crimes. Pardoned of any and all infractions of civil disobedience. Whatever the words are."
"On an authority you do not possess, no less."
"I—ah di-di-di-di-"
Minerva snatched one of Temujin's wolf ears, and yanked on it. Even Ilia couldn't believe what she was seeing. She knew the Headmaster was frightening at times, but treating the war hero, who carried the fight against the Third Crusade, who ruled Vacuo and united its people as its savior—like a misbehaving juvenile was beyond what she could grasp. Yet, there it was.
"Foul witch! Release me from your magic!"
"It's my hand, you senile hag."
"I will fight your oppression and di-di-di-di!"
"Ilia." Minerva chose to ignore the unofficial sovereign for now. "You were accompanying me back to the school now, I believe?"
Ilia bobbed her head faster than she ever had in her entire life.
"Do you not feel shame treating your oldest friend this way, in front of her deceased brother?" Temujin grunted.
"Not another word from you. I feel inclined to take you back to the school, as well."
"Ah." Temujin stopped struggling. "I think it would be better if you two stayed a while longer."
Minerva noticed the subtle seriousness in her tone, while the other slipped from her grasp.
"Why…?"
"I think I'd rather have even numbers—just in case."
Before the Headmaster could question it further, her answer was given form.
"—Strange how you just meet people at graves, isn't it?" a voice echoed from the ether, as a dark portal opened.
Out from the vacuum came Raven, followed by Blake and Adam.
Minerva sighed.
"Truly, you are your mother's daughter."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"—She was being smug about it being Shepherd's anniversary, so it wasn't strange, or some sassiness," Temujin explained.
"Uh huh…"
The three newcomers went to the edge of the tide like Ilia before, and took a handful of seawater. After they drank, they joined the other three again.
"You look well, Headmaster," Blake greeted.
"Thank you, Blake. You do, as well. I suppose it would be too much to assume any intent of resuming your semester?"
"I'm sorry for disappearing like that."
"—Not like that's anything new," Ilia scoffed.
"…Ilia."
"Blake." The girl switched glares to the other. "Adam…"
"Ilia…"
As the three teenagers traded greetings and pursed looks, the older ones watched.
"Awkward~" Temujin whispered to Minerva.
"As entertaining as teen drama can be—we should talk," Raven pressed in.
"Hm. Barely recognized you without that stupid thing on your head."
"I liked that mask."
"You look much cuter now."
"The only one alive who would dare call me 'cute' would be you," Raven scowled. "Well, you have Adam to thank for that. Now, onto business."
"You sure it's business you came for… and not a fight?"
An overwhelming threat exuded from Temujin's voice, putting everyone on edge. They could feel Aura swell from her body. And in the moment it took to react, Ilia, Adam, and Blake hovered their hands over their weapons.
The "ruler" of Vacuo broke into a crooked smile that bore her fangs.
"Rambunctious, aren't we?"
"Could we maybe, not frighten the children?" Raven asked, seeing Temujin's joke being taken too far.
"Oh, you used to be fun."
"—Temujin." Adam stepped forward.
"Oh, here we go…"
"The time of the White Fang is over. For yours and mine. This is the time to unite our people, not just within a single Kingdom, but all of Remnant."
"Under who, young pup? You?... Or the Witch?"
"It's what's best for the Faunus people. You can join us, or at least…"
"Yes?"
"Stay out of our way."
"Ohoho~" Temujin chuckled. "Unfortunately, if you're hoping to strong arm this old coot, you'll have to do more bite than bark, little Adam. There's scarce anything left in this world that can frighten me anymore. That includes your all-powerful, all-knowing master."
"Why can't you see the sense in this? We could end the war now if Vacuo joined Mistral. The first two nations to support Faunus in a mutual alliance? It would bring an end to the conflict, and the start of a new era."
"…"
"Atlas will fall, and Vale even sooner. Our victory is all but written in the history books. And when we win, we'll change those nations just like Mistral and Vacuo. This is what Shepherd died for. What you fought for. Let us honor the cause. Bring a decisive end to all of this now."
"…Your speech has grown more eloquent. I'm impressed. Does the Witch wish for the same thing?"
"I am the hand of Salem. We made a pact to act in each other's best interests. She shares the same need to help our people as I do. With her power, I am making our dreams a reality! She wants to speak with you, if you would just meet her."
"Sounds completely reasonable."
"Then—"
"Yes, it would be rude of me not to respond to Salem. Make sure to remember this right. *Ahem* Regarding a future appointment…"
Temujin took a lengthy amount of time to clear her throat loudly. And with a swift whip of her head, hocked a heavy spit on the ground.
Having finished saying her piece, she roped her arm around Raven's.
"So, it's been some time…" With her other arm, she took Blake's. "Have either of you killed anyone noteworthy? Met any old enemies of mine?"
"I happened to stumble across a few Crusaders," Raven replied. "Some during the revolution of Mistral and others in the invasion of Vale. There was also a thing with Vermillion, who funded part of the Crusader's expedition."
"Are these individuals still with us?"
"Who?"
"Hohoho! That's my girl. Minerva! Prepare the tea!" Temujin clamored, while dragging her "daughter" and "granddaughter" in the direction of Shade Academy.
"Unbelievable," the Headmaster massaged her brow.
"Is this really, alright?" Ilia asked.
"If it was, she wouldn't have asked us to stay. I swear, that woman could start a war with the first word of a sentence and end it with the last one." She side-glanced Adam, who was still stewing with rage. In a quieter voice, she spoke. "Keep your eyes on Blake. I will pay careful attention to Raven and Adam. Best not let your guard down, dear."
"Yes, Headmaster."
As Ilia stared ahead to the awkwardly smiling Blake, their eyes met briefly. The chameleon Faunus felt her ears grow hot, followed by a trace of regret.
Right.
Don't let your guard down.
No problem…
.
X
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"—Do not let your guard down."
"I know that," Yang answered Cinder from the side of her mouth. "So, that's Salem?"
"The one and only."
While the two Maidens struck fighting poses, Salem spoke to Masa.
"How many lifetimes have passed, since we last met?"
"Only two for this one."
"And five for myself."
"…"
"Why do you lend assistance to his cause?" the Witch interrogated.
"You know I would never."
"Then, why?"
"My only allegiances lie with my patrons. Whether they are your ally or your enemy is no matter of consequence."
"It matters to me, Masa. I take it very personally."
"I've armed plenty of your champions throughout the ages, including ones you have now. Why do you care—"
"Because I'm close," Salem interrupted with emphasis. "So very close. And if not Ozpin, there exists only one other, who could possibly stand in my way."
"…"
"Do not make me ask again… old friend."
Salem turned from the monument, and walked to one of the statues nearby. Her hand touched its shoulder, causing Masa to feel a cold chill. The Witch continued to move until she was before Cinder and Yang.
"Maidens of Spring and Fall," she extended an open hand to one, and then the other. "I offer my greetings. Such young and fierce ladies as yourselves, I am sure you must be bounding with energy." The dark veins in her skin quickened. "But I will not tolerate any acts of violence on this land."
"—Miss Yang, Miss Cinder. You are not allowed to fight here," Masa reminded.
"You did not warn them beforehand?"
"I did not expect you to show yourself here."
"And, why not? This is a land of peace. The only time the Old One and I ever broke bread. So it stands this is the best place for… open discussion. Wouldn't you agree, dearest Cinder?"
Cinder and Yang traded looks, but under Masa's prolonged stare, they slowly dropped their arms to the side. Although eased from their fighting stance, the two readied to battle should the situation arise. Their materialized Auras drifting from their silhouettes was proof of that.
Seeing that was enough, Salem resumed.
"Cinder. I know some unpleasantness unfolded between my followers and yours, but all can be made bygones."
"If I were to join you again."
"If you were to join me again, yes."
Cinder's jaw clenched.
"I heard your whispers, Salem. The ones you spoke, when you thought no one was listening. You betrayed me. Now, you will suffer the consequences."
"Tsk tsk tsk," Salem shook her head condescendingly. "Little. Spoiled. Brat. You accuse me of betrayal? I took you in when your beloved Raven abandoned you. When you wandered Mistral, crying, lost, pleading for someone in the middle of the woods—I answered. When you were too weak and helpless, who gave you direction? Who gave you focus? You only found Amber Autumn, because of me. And was I not the one who guided you to the faithful followers you have now?"
With a wave of Salem's fingers, Emerald and Mercury began floating off the ground. The two Maidens bit the inside of their mouths, struggling to remind themselves things were not always what they seemed in the Never Realm.
"And despite your betrayal, I am gracious enough to welcome you back into the fold, with all forgiven. After everything I gave you, how do you accuse me of betrayal?"
"Allegiances are not so simple, Salem," Cinder narrowed. "They aren't as convenient as your precious scales. A single wrong is enough to make us enemies. You can dangle all the 'goodwill' you've done for me as much as you like. But it changes nothing of the fact that you left me to rot in the Never Realm to suit your own ends."
"I was going to free you. Did you truly believe I had abandoned you? Like Raven had?"
"You betrayed me first. Consequences will be exacted."
"Tsk tsk tsk. You'll rue this decision. I pity what lies for you next."
Cinder had no words in return, as Salem continued to twirl the statues of Emerald and Mercury faster and faster.
"My poor girl, if you stayed by my side, you would have everything you wanted. Your Kingdom, your power, even Raven. But now…" the Witch sighed. "You've thrown it all away for nothing. Out of some misplaced pride or ill-conceived grudge? I'm not quite sure. But I implore you, Cinder. Think carefully. Choose wisely."
Salem stopped waving her fingers, causing Emerald and Mercury to shatter to the ground like glass.
As strong-willed as Cinder was, doubt still strick her heart like one of the shards rolling at her feet. She questioned if she made the wrong decision. Maybe Salem was right. The Witch already owned Mistral. Vale and Atlas were on the verge of collapse. And Raven had rejoined Salem's ranks.
It wouldn't be just her who would pay the price either, as she stared into the fragmented faces of Emerald and Mercury.
Words caught in her throat. Cinder struggled to say something. To form a retort, or even negotiate…
But before she could, something akin to a volcano erupted beside her.
Scorching gold feathers exploded in every direction. The ground Yang stood on fractured into an array of fissures. On her shoulders, the shadows of two massive creatures loomed.
After her mother named Salem her enemy, Yang wanted a chance to meet the Witch. To measure her, to make her own choice, whether to fight her or not.
And it was now, that they met.
It was now, Yang made her choice.
Before her, she knew existed a being that represented everything she fought contrary to. The Witch twisted and construed. She controlled people at their weakest. Caged them within themselves. She took away and granted some twisted, deformed version of people's wishes in return. This being cheated the world, and called it fair.
And maybe worst of all—
Nothing seemed real in her empty black eyes.
It was a sensation Yang felt before with Ozpin. Something that all immortals possibly possessed to a certain degree.
"You've lived too long," Yang snarled. "You don't care about this world. You don't know it. You don't even see it."
Every syllable sent a shock through the air. Her voice boomed with the crack of a storm. The emptiness of the Never Realm filled with her presence.
"You're nothing but a leftover of the past, trying to stop the future. But I won't let you. Not anymore."
For the first time, Masa saw an expression Salem had yet only reserved for the Old One alone. Now, it surfaced in the wake of Yang's words. A look of pure and murderous contempt.
"To think, you'd spit on my hand before I even offered it."
"I don't want anything you can give…!" Yang snapped.
All the flowers in the field painted with dark ink. A violent gale picked up. The sky itself, felt like it sunk closer to the earth.
"You don't know what you're starting, child. You don't know what you're fighting."
"Not much, from the looks of it. From what I know, you rather have others do the fighting for you."
"You speak of matters you do not know."
"Am I? Cause your hands look a little soft from here."
"Shortsighted, fool," Salem bore a wicked grin. "If you want to know proof of what I am capable of, try not to look at such small things. Broaden your vision and you will see it anywhere. What exactly my hands have done."
With a slight raise of her chin, Yang followed the Witch's notion to the sky.
There, the fractured moon hung. Larger than life. A floating piece of destroyed world.
"You think you've seen battle? You think this war is great? I've seen gods bleed and realms sunder. What you know as the world is nothing more than a grain of dirt."
"I call bullshit," Yang squinted stubbornly.
"…I don't lie."
"Fight me."
With a few choice words, Yang challenged the apocalyptic Witch to a brawl, and brought time to a slow crawl.
"You trifle with things outside—"
"FIGHT. ME."
Yang's Aura scorched like a nearby solar flare. The meadow caught flames, while the moon fractured further into pieces.
"I could have given you anything, stupid girl. Your friends, your mother, even your arm back."
"—Hmph. Pf. Hehe…haha…hahaHAHAHA!"
The sudden laughter from Cinder broke through the tensions of the two. The Fall Maiden, who was so unusually tame, found her grit once more.
"If she were here, my subordinate would surely laugh at your awful display just now," and then, in a quieter voice added, "and my own."
Cinder's Aura swelled, causing falling leaves to burn around them. A murderous viciousness traced and vibrated from her voice.
"She would tell you, 'there's nothing more shameful than a con artist trapped in her own failed pathetic con'," she directed at Salem. A mischievous grin painted on her expression.
Yang knew Emerald's words well too, and thought the same.
Salem's temper was reaching a head.
"Remnant will know peace by my hand. And I will be sure to build it on the foundations of your corpses."
"You say, 'peace'," Cinder narrowed. "But what I think you really mean is control." The young woman matched Yang's challenge. "And I, nor the people of Remnant, will ever be controlled."
"Especially, by some insufficient relic of the past."
.
X
.
"And then, what? You guys just dropped the mic and bailed?" Mercury asked, unable to contain his excitement.
"Something of that nature," Cinder smiled.
Shortly after Yang and Cinder's declaration of hostilities, the Fall Maiden severed the connection, and brought the three back from the Never Realm.
As they boarded the boat once more for departure, Cinder summarized to the others what happened during their brief pause in time.
"I wish I could've been there," Emerald said.
The petite Neo silently pumped her arms vigorously flipping the middle finger.
"And flip her the bird on the way out," Mercury added.
"That, too. Sounds like you missed a real opportunity, Yang. Yang?"
"—Hm? Yeah."
The girl in question had her attention taken away by the sight of the lone engineer. Masa was lost in gazing at the disappearing island, off the ship's railing. Yang joined her, leaning her arms across the boat's metal bars.
"What's on your mind, Maz? Worried about what Salem said back there?"
"No, actually. It was what you said."
"Me?"
Masa paused, hesitant with her next words.
"…I am also an immortal, Miss Yang. And I may have done a disservice to the people of this era in simply existing here."
"You're not the same as her."
"Am I not?"
"No! You're not!" Yang hugged Masa from behind. "You care. You've loved and lost. You feel… I saw it with Victoria."
"…She was the friend of this vessel. Not me."
"And what does your 'vessel' say about that?"
Masa clasped her hand to her heart.
"She agrees with you."
"See? You live in this world, Maz. You let yourself become a part of it and you let things in. That's all the proof you need and it makes every bit of difference."
"…"
"You're nowhere near the same as Salem. And I know I'm glad you're here."
"…I see." The engineer lowered her gaze, hiding her expression. "Thank you, Miss Yang—this one thanks you."
Together, the two watched the island drift farther away until it was barely visible above the horizon.
"Still, what's the deal with Vytal?" Yang asked offhand. "As places go, it was definitely one of the weirdest. Can't imagine what it's like for the people living on it."
"The island was never built with the purpose of habitation, this one answers."
"Hm…That right?..."
Yang's eyes widened after a time, detecting something was amiss.
"…Wait. Built?"
She looked down into the empty eyes staring back at her.
"No… way…"
She tried to laugh it off and dismiss it, but what the engineer implied was almost too strange not to take as truth. There was also the hint Salem dropped about the moon. Yang pretended not to mind it at the time, but the scope of what "immortals" could do was quickly becoming something she couldn't begin to grasp.
"The island was also never called 'Vytal' until the First Great War," Masa added, matter-of-factly.
"Yeah? What was it originally called?
They saw the last of the island set into the distance.
"The Grave of the First Sin."
.
X
.
Coming up on the shores of Atlas, everyone on the boat saw the fires light the dead of night.
Smoke rose from the city, and as far as they were, they could hear the screams of its citizens. A cacophony of inhumane noises traveled across the plains, which could only belong to the Grimm.
No one could believe what they were witnessing. The Kingdom was consumed in chaos.
Roaming Jotunn giants limped into the capital with little resistance. Smaller species of dark creatures bound for the grounds in stampeding waves.
Airships dotted the skies, trying to pose some form of defense. Various mechs, the size of people to the girth of buildings, fought for their makers' homes.
The same sentence was on the tip of each and everyone's lips. Some gasped it, while others shouted it at the top of their lungs.
Atlas is falling.