.
Of Ash and Ember (Part Three)
.
The first time I met Yang, I knew she was special.
Raven and Tai understandably had their concerns. The thought of their daughter possessing the Reaper Semblance was a constant burden. A burden that only weighed heavier as Yang grew.
I felt guilty never telling them the truth. I could've saved them a lot of pain and anxiety, but I think some truths can't be told. Instead, they must be discovered. Not just for Raven and Tai's sake, but for Yang herself.
I can see things…
Special things.
…
There were complications with Yang's birth.
Raven had been in labor too long. All of us saw the suffering she endured, her life being stretched thin. Just watching and not being able to do a single thing for her.
I'd never seen Raven fight so hard in my entire life—and if Raven is anything, she's a fighter.
Leading up to that moment, she told me about all her darkest fears. How often she had nightmares of killing her own child. How her Semblance spelled death for anything and anyone she touched. I could only think how silly that was, while watching her pour every ounce of her body and soul into keeping her yet to be born daughter alive.
The worst was coming to pass. I knew what Raven was thinking. She was ready to forfeit her own life if it meant her child was safely delivered into this world.
…
And then, I saw her. Yang Xiao Long.
Little bundle of fire. Tiny, curled fists punching the air. Cries that pierced your heart. She showed Raven's spirit in her already—her tenacity. So warm and full of life in my arms.
…
And I knew Raven died giving birth to her.
I watched the last wisps of her life fade. At the time, I wished with everything in my heart for the power to rewrite what fate designed. But there was nothing I could do.
Tai and Qrow were in a panic. I could only watch, frozen in my own sorrow. Until I felt little Yang wriggling in my arms. Something indescribable flowed from her. A light.
I knew what she wanted. She reached out for her mother and I brought her near.
As soon as Yang touched Raven…
Life sparked her body once more.
It wasn't long until everyone celebrated the miracle. Raven was declared dead for five full minutes. The doctors said it was a rare occurrence but not unheard of. Qrow witnessed the very same thing himself.
Sometimes, the body simply found in itself the will to persevere, with just a little help from luck.
…
But I knew.
I, alone, knew Yang was the one who saved Raven. It's why I never worried what future her Semblance held in store for her.
She embodied Raven's fire, as well as Tai's kindness. She would grow into someone who strengthened those around her, emboldened them beyond what they thought they could be. There would be tough times ahead of her, but I knew for certain she would conquer the challenges life threw her way.
The first time I met Yang, I knew she was special.
She would provide the courage for those who needed it. She would be the heart of her loved ones and the backbone of her allies.
And in their darkest moments, when they were most lost—
Yang would be the one to guide them home.
-Summer Rose, Diary Entry XXXX
.
.
Cinder awoke to find her surroundings trapped in time.
She was still in the Never Realm. The ruins of Gjallarhorn remained below, sinking into the rising tide of lava and strange winter frost.
An injured Weiss kneeled on a lone iceberg, looking up in shock. Seemingly retreating to a distant stalactite, were Ruby and Blake. And there…
Sideways standing in stout protection of her, was Yang. Her partner wore an expression of mixed worry and surprise.
Ah.
I remember now.
Cinder pawed the left side of her face. She felt nothing but blood and gouged flesh. The fragments of what her eye used to be, in her hands.
I lost it saving Yang's life.
Hmph. No wonder she looks so dumbstruck.
…
Honestly.
What compelled such foolish action?
…
(( "Selflessness." ))
The voice resounded with clarity behind her.
When Cinder turned, she saw a tall woman standing there in broken armor. Half her helmet had been ripped apart, exposing half her face. The warrior's body was stained dark red, as if they simply arrived fresh off a battlefield. But what was probably most distinguishing, were the two horns curling her head.
One burned with an ashen fire, while the other cascaded frost and ice.
"Romia, the Queen of Rebellion," Cinder muttered.
"You can refer to me as your great grandmother, child."
"Hmph. What is happening? I was wounded, but I shouldn't be delusional."
Cinder's ancestor breathed a harsh sigh.
"As expected of my descendant. This vision is real, Cinder. I have appeared due to your act of Selflessness."
"…"
"…"
"Heh…"
"…?"
"Hehe—"
"…?"
"Hehehe…. HehehahahaHAHAHA!"
Tears swelled at the edge of Cinder's remaining eye, as she fell into childish laughter. Her arms braced her sides tightly. She couldn't remember the last time she experienced something like this. It was simply too hysterical.
"Are you quite finished?" Romia tensed.
"You are joking."
"I am not one to joke."
"You have appeared to announce my worthy succession to the Fall Maiden's Inheritance? Truly?"
"A succession I can still revoke."
"Hm." Cinder stared at the ghost of her relative, still finding humor in the situation. "This is quite the convenient test to appear at my eleventh hour. Have you been watching me for some time now?"
"Yes. We have."
"I was being tested by another? Who?"
"Who do you think?"
Cinder thought for a moment, before turning in the direction of the frozen Yang.
"She spoke to you?"
"Much less spoke. She did, however, communicate her intentions. That girl is very special in that regard." Romia sauntered to Yang's side, and laid an armored hand over her fiery heart. "The hours she spent, words unspoken in the training room during quiet moments of reflection— knowing full well nothing may come of it. An honest, passionate soul of this caliber is hard to find. You would be remiss not to make her a true friend and ally."
"Yang… acted to awaken my full Inheritance."
"Should you ever deviate from your foul behavior and seek to do good for another's benefit outside your own, your succession would be proposed for validity—is vaguely what she expressed. I doubt she would ever have guessed your defining moment would come in the form of her own salvation."
Cinder thought back to all their training sessions. How Yang helped her manage the erratic bouts of hysteria. How she spent time and time again honing her temperament of something she could barely control. All of it sincere. Never once a lie in her intentions.
Cinder stared hard at Yang's frozen figure.
We united under a contract of business partners, you and I. Calling it a tenuous pact would have been an understatement. We were an ends to fulfilling each other's means. I would grant what you desired—and you would assist me in my ambitions.
Nothing more and nothing less to be gained from either of us.
…
Nothing more, nothing less…
…
A warmth tickled Cinder's heart.
And a soft laugh escaped her.
This certainly has become more than we bargained for, hasn't it, Yang?
She bade a silent thank you to her unlikely friend, and something took root in the pit of her chest. A gentle nature that immediately hardened upon returning to the discussion at hand.
"So, I've passed your test, then?" Cinder addressed her ancestor's ghost. "I must say, I can't imagine a single selfless act is enough to prove my embodiment of the Fall Maiden's virtue."
"Sometimes, it is not the magnitude of one's actions, but its distinction. The divergence from what we know and what is safe."
"I have done nothing remotely close to living my life in safety."
"You've always done what you knew would prolong your survival. Raven taught you to seek, exploit, betray. You taught yourself to compel obedience, inspire fear. But trust—that is something you never truly learned, but is second nature in others."
"A roundabout way of informing me I have trust issues."
"And you've learned to close your heart to the warmth of others. Only in the stoking fire of your ambitions, did you ever take any measure of it."
"…You preach too much, grandmother. If you have a point to make, get on with it."
The Queen of Rebellion gave half a smirk.
"You've changed, Cinder Fall. You have allies you rely on implicitly, even if you delude yourself into thinking they are disposable." She paused. "And you delude yourself into thinking you hate someone, who you feel the most kinship with. Not a rival, not an enemy, but almost a sister."
"That will be enough."
"No, my great granddaughter—"
A chuckle echoed around Cinder.
"—It is only the first step."
.
X
.
"Cinder...!" The voice came from a distance.
"…"
"Cinder!" Now, coming closer.
"…Quiet."
"Cinder! CINDER!"
"Enough, Yang." The Fall Maiden took the Spring Maiden's arm, and helped herself up. "I am awake. You can stop your incessant worrying. You'll give me a headache."
"…But your eye."
"Hm," Cinder flashed a brief, but earnest smile. "…A small price to pay for your foolish life..."
"What was that?" Yang asked, not quite hearing her.
"I said, 'you owe me a heavy debt in its place'! From this moment forth, you will be my left eye. Do you understand?"
Yang sensed something, an abrupt change in her ally. Not just in Aura, but in persona. The quality of life in Cinder shone with a new vitality. A fondness lingered underneath her tone.
"…Sure thing, Cinder," Yang replied with a kind smile. "Sure thing."
"Good. In the meantime—"
There was puff of smoke and a shadow leapt to cut Cinder down. But a hand darted out, and deftly caught Blake by the neck mid-strike. Dark miasma then, leaked out like a tapped fountain, as if it had been waiting to be released for just this moment. And it blanketed Cinder in her entirety, seeping into her skin.
…
But a single, amber eye shone deep from the shadowy haze. It colored of wrath and ruin. It leaned out of the smoke and rested beside Blake's ear.
"—Curse yourself for not taking better advantage when you had the chance, little kitten."
Cinder's grip tightened around the soft tissue between Blake's jaw and neck. Her nails sunk into the skin like a vise lined with knives, drawing thin trickles of blood. The corruption of Blake's Semblance having nowhere the effect it once had—not with the Fall Maiden's true succession to her inheritance.
The ring Regalia on Cinder's finger faded and disappeared. In its place, a glass slipper took form around her left foot. It glowed with Runes and sunk its teeth into the wearer's heels. The blood and flesh sacrificed to it, elicited an illumination of power. Truer than a ring, the glass slipper signified the Regalia marking Cinder's ascension.
The heel ignited with jet fire, blasting Cinder and her quarry across the "sky". Unable to break the Fall Maiden's grasp, Blake was rammed through several floating pieces of mountain with impunity. They came to a stop only in the deep crater of the cavern wall. Blake's body reduced to nothing more than a bloody pulping mess.
As the remains of the corpse started to regenerate, black mist faded the girl to a safe place for resurrection.
"Hmph," Cinder scoffed and returned to Yang. "Another life taken, true to my word," she announced upon landing.
"All ready for the finale, then."
"Indeed."
The two launched themselves near the ceiling and stood side by side. Each held a hand aloft, and hovering above their palms, shining objects manifested. A fiery crown spun in Yang's hand, while a glistening, glass slipper formed in Cinder's. Upon the appearance of the two Regalias, the whole underground environment shifted.
A brilliant star expanded overhead in the blink of an eye. It demolished the mountaintop and absorbed the debris through its gravitational pull. The celestial-like phenomena pulsed with a beating heart, singeing the atmosphere with every reverberation.
At the same time, the sea of lava rose. Streams of molten liquid flowed towards Cinder, weaving together like graceful tapestry. Its temperature was so high, that one drip from the forged weapon burned scorch marks in the Never Realm's reality. The shape of the arrowhead took on the form of an angry fang or beak. Almost animalistic, and smoking with the same brimstone of the Fall maiden.
"No way…" Ruby could only stare up in awe.
"Ruby," Weiss called from below. "We don't have a choice. We have to hit them with everything we have left."
Ruby nodded and joined her. Blake reappeared with a limp, not quite recovered from the punishment Cinder put her through.
Weiss tried to form her armor, but they cracked apart after barely forming. Her limbs gave out, overtaxed with fatigue. The ambush against Yang took its toll. She would not be able to fight directly for the final clash.
Instead, Weiss held her hand aloft like her Maiden counterparts. A small ceremonial sword levitated above her palm. She poured her will into it, and countless Glyphs answered her summons. An army of knights born into existence. Each polished with a custom weapon, armor, and combat style.
Something in the motion of the other Maidens compelled Ruby to mimic them. Her palm held open, and a vague image shaped to her calling. Its silhouette defined with more concentration until it became a key. A key that unlocked the gate to a forest. And in the forest, slept many terrible things.
Crimson vines sprouted Ruby's cloak. The briar foliage extended to cover the whole base of the mountain. And in the middle of that forest, Ruby's vast cape grew and fluttered violently. A beast appeared in its shadow, like a magic trick.
The enormous clothed wolf snarled hungrily. Rose petals trailed from its fur as it shook itself. The little red riding hood mounted the creature's back, like it was her rightful place. Her silver eyes matched the gleams of her wolf's, as both stared defiantly to the two Maidens in the sky.
Blake was the last to act. Although she was already suffering the aftereffects of Bane, she popped several more shards into her mouth. There was nothing left but to gamble the rest of her life in the next moment. There wasn't a future worth having if it wasn't hers to attain.
Blake lifted her hand, and a Grimoire materialized from the void. Tattoos inked across her skin at the tome's appearance. Something strange overtook her. Her consciousness barely registered her actions, as if the girl's body was not her own.
The pages of the book flipped rapidly until they came to a stop on a certain emblem. Its design floated from its confines and activated—an etching of a wilting rose.
Shadowy mist blanketed Weiss' knights, enhancing them further with an aspect of madness. Their weapons and armor took more sinister aesthetic, but heightened ability. Horns grew atop their heads, similar to Adam's. Their blades coated with a crimson tinge with matched markings. They twitched, unable to keep their sanity for much longer.
And so, the five faced each other as the beginning of their battle. A war of Maidens. A war that determined Rule, Justice, Love, People, and Life.
The last fairytale would be written only by those who achieved victory.
—Only by those who seized Destiny.
…
Yang closed her hand and the star shrunk. It rumbled, fighting to escape like a nova trapped in a mortal fist.
Cinder cooled the lava-painted weapon she wove into existence. Its form reached the length of her body. Her glass slipper formed into a bow for her to notch it on.
The wolf Ruby rode, unhinged its enormous maw with the girth of a crocodile's. It then, leapt with insane agility, leading their army's charge.
Countless summoned knights followed the rose warrior to battle and to certain destruction.
Yang plummeted towards Ruby. Her younger sister's mount looked to devour her, while she pitched forth her strongest fist. The might brought with it, that of an undying flame which sparked soul and life.
Cinder unleashed her arrow that flew with a single hollow note. It reverberated across the Never Realm, a hum which sung of cataclysm and a world's end.
…
Gjallarhorn would never exist again after that moment. The section of the Never Realm would remain forever lost, wiped out beyond recoverability by the conflict that transpired there.
An immortal scar marking the end of the epic contest between Maidens.
And a monument to Destiny itself.
.
X
.
The five reappeared in the lowest chamber of the lowest Tower.
Ruby, Weiss, and Blake laid unconscious on the floor. They showed no signs of waking anytime soon.
Only Yang and Cinder remained with their senses intact. The undisputed victors of battle.
"Well…!" Yang panted. "That was a thing."
"It certainly was…challenging," Cinder also out of breath.
"But…we still won…! Heh!"
"Hm!"
The two exchanged a lighthearted grin and knocked their fists together.
Cinder wiped the strands of hair sticking to her face.
"I believe we should take reprieve after today. Not a long one, mind you—but a deserved one nonetheless."
"Not just yet," Yang refuted.
"…"
"Time to make good on our deal."
"I see. Yes. One condition of many." Cinder paused. "I am so very sorry, Yang. You've served your purpose well, but I think now is the time to break our contract."
"What?"
"You must have known this was coming. Do not worry. I will make your death a swift one, free of pain."
"…"
"…"
"…Was that supposed to be funny?"
"Was it not a good joke?"
"No. Not at all," Yang waved her hand. "You're even worse than Weiss."
"Hm. Was it the delivery?"
"No, there's just a time and place for it."
"Was this not it?"
"No. It just wasn't very good."
"I see. Well, then. I shall endeavor to—"
A white shield bashed into Cinder's back, and pinned her face down. Followed by a sword held slightly cutting into her neck.
"…Jaune," Yang barely eked out.
The young man ignored her, paying only attention to Cinder.
"It's time you pay for what you've done!"
"Well, this is embarrassing. To think we were so fatigued, we failed to notice this one hiding in the background."
"Jaune! Stop it! It's over!" Yang shouted.
"It's not over until she dies!"
"I'm warning you, Jaune! If you kill Cinder, you'll regret it for the rest of your life!"
"Nothing you say can change my mind! She killed Pyrrha! You told me you would avenge her, but you lied!"
"Hm," Cinder muttered. "The boy has a point."
"Cinder, could you not right now?"
"Worry not, Yang. The boy won't do it. He lacks the stones."
"WATCH ME!" Jaune cut his sword in a little deeper.
"You're not a murderer, Jaune!" Yang inched closer, her fist aimed at the ready. "Cinder's right about that. You don't have it in you to do it."
"I can't believe you're willing to protect her! AFTER EVERYTHING SHE'S DONE!"
"Pyrrha wouldn't want this for you… She'd never tell you to get revenge."
"Pyrrha isn't here! Only my sword in her neck is! I don't care what happens to me after this, I'm putting an end to you now, you bitch."
"Language, Jauney boy. Did you kiss Miss Nikos with that mouth?" Cinder laughed.
The moment of blind rage exposed vulnerability—a moment the Fall and Spring Maiden did not miss, especially with their Semblances.
A minor explosion from a Rune Cinder drew, sent Jaune jolting slightly up. In the next breath, Yang dashed forward, nailing the young man with a left cross.
"Ugh…" he groaned.
When he came to his senses, Yang stood over him with a grim look.
"You've really changed, Yang."
"We all have."
"…"
"You'll thank me for this."
"No, I won't."
"Yeah…you will."
Yang dropped her fist, sending Jaune into concussive sleep. She looked at him for a long time as Cinder brushed herself off.
"How long do you plan to stare at him? Feeling guilty? Honestly, what's one more betrayal now?"
"No, it's not that," Yang said with a curious tone. "I didn't notice before, but I think I see a little of Pyrrha's Aura embedded in his."
"Hm. She must have been the one to unlock it…" Cinder paused. "Will it assist you?"
"Ups the success chance a bit, definitely."
"How fortunate. I am elated that my being taken hostage has served more purpose than a mere distraction."
"Yeah. Let's get started, Cinder." Yang stepped away from Jaune.
"Indeed—"
"—Let us rewrite what fate previously designed."
.
X
.
With that, Cinder brought forth a glass queen chess piece. A smoldering memory encased in its crystal. She set it onto the floor with a soft clink.
In her other hand, she produced a certain circlet. It was bronze-colored, elegant in design, but durable and made with practicality in mind.
Cinder pressed her fingers together.
*Snap*
The Tower hummed with life. Vast amounts of Dust were consumed as the past replayed itself according to Cinder's command.
And then, they were at a Tower. Not the one in Atlas, but the one at the top of Beacon.
It was a memory replayed far too many times—but this would be its last.
Cinder spoke to the scarlet warrior kneeling on the ground.
"It's unfortunate you were promised a power that was never truly yours."
She circled her opponent like a predator its wounded prey. Cinder took the defeated's chin in her grasp, looking deep into their bright green eyes.
"But take comfort in knowing that I will use it in ways you could never have imagined."
The tone wasn't spoken in the harsh manner it once was. Instead, it carried something else, something indescribable.
The reality of the memory warped at the small divergence from the past, but Cinder resumed without a care. Her opponent stared up at her.
"Do you believe in Destiny?"
She frowned at the question, and then smiled.
"Yes."
Cinder took aim at Pyrrha's heart and pierced it with her arrow.
Death encroached the girl's life.
The Fall Maiden strode coldly to her and reached out. She placed the circlet she held onto Pyrrha's head. As the warrior was about to disintegrate to flakes of burning ash, Yang stepped in and pressed her palm against Pyrrha's back, right over where her heart would be.
"Time to come home, Pyrrha."
The world around them folded in and out, like a delirious kaleidoscope.
Suddenly, they were no longer at the Tower, but standing on the surface of an endless ocean. A night sky full of shimmering stars stared down on them, reflecting off the surfaces of water.
"This is the realm of your soul, I take it?" Cinder scanned the horizon curiously.
"Yeah. Come on, no time to look surprised. We have to move quick and—"
"Yang. There!" she pointed.
A star twinkled and started to fall from the sky.
"It's Pyrrha!"
Yang and Cinder sped in pursuit. Below them, the shadows of two behemoth creatures swam just underneath the surface.
"—You called for us?" an elegant voice came from the phoenix.
"Yeah! Help me save my friend!" Yang commanded.
"—As you wish." The dragon charged ahead to the descending comet.
It erupted from the ocean, and caught Pyrrha's soul in its mighty jaws. Using its own body, the dragon softened the impact as they fell. Great tidal waves rose and receded upon the action.
The phoenix quickly joined its partner, caressing the dying soul. When the star teetered on darkening, it reignited it, like keeping a fragile candle burning.
Yang and Cinder caught up to them. Their hands reached out to the soul hanging by just a thread.
"Together, now!" Yang shouted.
Cinder nodded.
The two pressed their hands against the surface of the warm glow. They poured everything they had into the fledgling sphere of light. They felt the emotions and memories carried within. Pyrrha's birth to her untimely death. Pride, love, and then sorrow.
Ruin and Rebirth intertwined.
The end—
And a New Beginning.
.
X
.
(The night Cinder was freed)
Yang and Cinder stood on the snowy rooftop of Junior's nightclub.
"I can revive, Pyrrha Nikos—if you were to assist me in my ambitions."
…
(Weeks ago, in the training room of the Mantle Mansion)
"The Queen of Rebellion brought her lover back to life, huh?" Yang pondered. "Could she do it for anyone?"
"Unfortunately, a number of conditions must be met. One key attribute being, the one who lost their life had to have perished at the location of a Tower."
…
(Earlier that night, waiting in the Tower's lowest chamber)
"I wonder if she'll forgive me—if it works, that is."
"Having second thoughts, Yang?"
"Bringing someone back to life… It's so selfish. What if she's at peace?"
"She most likely is."
"…"
"But you know…"
"…I believe peace is extremely overrated."
.
X
.
(The Present)
…
Her eyes blinked with resistance, like she'd been asleep for too long. Her body prickled with a returning sensation from numbness. She could feel the cold floor, but also, the warm arms bracing her.
When her vision readjusted, she saw a girl with blazing hair looking down at her.
"Um, hello," she greeted uncertainly.
Yang sniffed as tear drops fell from her eyes. The girl struggled to make a straight face but failed. Emotions overflowed as she barely managed to speak.
"Hey, Pyrrha. Welcome back."
"Back?" the scarlet-haired girl sat up, while rubbing her forehead. "What do you mean—Hm? Yang, you look a bit different."
"Ahaha… a lot of stuff happened."
"What? Wait, what happened? Where are we? What about Beacon?"
As she took in her surroundings, her eyes widened at the girl posturing against the wall with her arms crossed.
"You…!"
"No! Nope! Pyrrha, it's not what you think," Yang held Pyrrha back from attacking Cinder.
"But, she…!"
The next thing she saw were the bodies of Ruby, Weiss, Blake, and Jaune strewn across the floor heavily injured. Pyrrha gasped in horror.
"Perhaps, we should have cleaned up before attempting this," Cinder suggested all too late.
"Did she…?"
"Well," Yang scratched her head awkwardly. "Actually, she and I did that, but it's complicated."
"What?!"
"You know, why don't you just go see Jaune? I'm sure that'll make him happy."
"Uh… Uh…" Pyrrha's mouth opened and closed repeatedly like a goldfish.
Seeing Cinder no longer wanted to continue their previous battle, Pyrrha made her way to Jaune. Her hands pressed against his chest, as she poured her Aura into him, stimulating his recovery.
After a few seconds, Jaune began to stir.
"…Mmm."
"Jaune? Jaune, wake up!"
"Mm. Pyrrha?"
"Yes, it's me!"
"Can we please just skip Professor Port's lecture today?"
"No, Jaune. Wake up! Something weird is happening."
"…I miss you, you know."
"Huh?!" Pyrrha blushed.
Jaune looked up at her with tears in his eyes.
"I love you. I'm sorry I never found the courage to say it."
"Jaune?! What are you—!"
The boy took her hand tightly.
"Please, don't go."
"!?"
Pyrrha looked back and forth between Jaune and Yang. Completely lost, she homed in on the one who made the most sense of the two.
"Yang?! What's going on?! What happened?!"
Yang only sighed and fell flat on her back from exhaustion.
"It's been a long story getting here, Pyrrha."
She chuckled cheerfully.
"It's been a long story."