Natalie: lol thanks, I'll have a hiatus before moving on to Vol. 5 but will definitely continue the story. Funny enough I have been pondering a ship for Olivia, that would be funny with Oscar considering they BOTH have someone in their heads. So far most have wanted me to pair her with Neo due to their friendship in Volumes 2 and 3.
Zetsu-Bunshin: But of course, the weapon is over a decade old. As if the good doctor could be seen working alongside someone with such an…antiquated design XD
Lelouch of Zero: I am so glad you liked Hildie, I'll admit I was worried having a split personality might not have come off well with my portrayal. I hope you enjoy this one.
Also wanted to warn everyone only reading Haven Lost, that I will be closing this story after this chapter. But worry not, for the story will continue in the original version; RWBY Heroes: A Double-Edged Sword, to keep the volumes together.
And with that…ONTO THE SHOW!
Esmerelda sighed as the tea started to whistle, quickly removing it from the stove. They had made a hasty retreat back to the Belladonna house after the mutual attacks on the rooftop. Apparently Yuma and the spider girl weren't the only White Fang agents active that night. A chameleon faunus acquaintance of Blake's by the name of Ilia had attacked, catching Sun with her weapon after his aura was depleted fighting all in the hopes of retrieving her scroll.
If only I'd gotten a chance to talk to Yuma, she mused while pouring the tea into the pot. What did they do to him that he just assumed the worst?
Fortunately, as the Chieftain of Menagerie, Blake's parents had access to a full security detail and medical supplies. It had looked bad at first; Sun twisting in his sleep and sweating profusely while Blake changed his bandages. It hadn't been until the moon disappeared from the night sky before he started to calm, finally stabilizing and drifting off into an undisturbed sleep.
Esmerelda laid a cup of tea beside her grandmother sleeping on a nearby sofa before hefting the tray towards the door to find the others. Considering how things were and the doubtless knowledge that she had ferried Esmerelda away as a child she was no longer safe. After a few trips with escorts, she had taken all the essentials from their house and settled into the Belladonna manor. For the foreseeable future…it was to be their home.
"Too much water, it dilutes the flavor."
Esmerelda turned, her grandmother sitting up straight as if she hadn't been sleeping at all sipping on the tea.
"I'm out of practice; Mr. Belladonna said your room will be ready by tonight."
"That is a relief," Odette cracked her back loudly and stretched out her wings. "I'm not as young as I used to be, the days of sleeping in unorthodox places are long behind me. And you picked up a few skills to supplement the loss," she poked her cane towards her granddaughter. "I saw the uniform on the floor…anything you want to talk about?"
Esmerelda glanced back, heart beating faster than ever. Odette didn't look angry or upset, merely stern as she awaited an answer.
"Did you tell the Belladonnas?"
"No, it is not my secret to reveal. What happened?"
Esmerelda laid the tray down, slumping next to her with a sigh. Officially speaking she shouldn't be telling anyone her mission, but she was her grandmother and was now involved, she deserved to know.
"I'm…an Atlas Specialist now nana, at least still in training."
"Mhm," was her only response, still listening intently.
"The White Fang were at Beacon. They let these mutated versions of Grimm inside that caused havoc. I fought alongside General Ironwood but it wasn't enough."
"I heard the news, utterly despicable."
"We were worried that the White Fang division of Menagerie may have been a part of the attack. The General requested that I…"
"Spy on us to ensure we were truly not part of Mr. Taurus' little splinter cell? I suppose that was the real reason you came back after all this time."
"Nana!" She looked truly hurt. "I didn't lie about being worried! I just," she paused, "didn't tell you everything."
"Anything else you haven't told me? Are your teammates you wrote about hiding around here somewhere too?"
Esmerelda lowered her head. "They aren't with Atlas; I don't even know where they are right now." She cupped her head in her hands, frustrated beyond words. "Everything just went so wrong after Beacon. My team was split up, and Horatio, he…" She bit back tears remembering them; Olivia's endless spunk, Roland's goofy jokes and Horatio's indomitable nature. "I don't want that to happen EVER again, not if I can do something!"
"Not as cut and dry as you hoped it would be?"
"Everything was so right before, so disciplined! I hoped that no one was with The White Fang when coming here! I could see you, spend some time together then go back. I prayed that they weren't active here, I never imagined Yuma would ever…I'm so sorry nana."
Her grandmother leaned forward, wiping away the fringes of tears forming in her eyes pressing past her military discipline, sitting back with a stern smile.
"I learned long ago that things are seldom as simple or organized as we would like. Raising you taught me that," she laid a hand on her lap. "What matters is what we do to make things work. I won't say a word, but the Belladonnas are good people…though you didn't hear it from me."
Esmerelda laid her hand atop her grandmother's, not knowing what else to say. It made her miss the many years they had been apart communicating over the weak scroll signals she could occasionally receive.
"Well, that is enough nonsensical rambling for one day, I am sure your friends would love some of your leaf water…off with you now before it gets cold."
Somewhere Else…
"They aren't like that, they aren't," Olivia muttered over and over, seeing the memories pass her by again. Once more the sinister belief behind the kind smiles was evident here, bringing into question all that she knew.
"Doubt it, but it sure sucks to be surrounded by it 24/7 huh?" Olivia turned slowly, spotting the familiar silhouette in the distance which was her own, the only difference being the silver hair and black eyes as it stepped forward.
"You!" She stood to her feet, taking a stance.
"Calm down boss, if anyone is going to be angry it's me. Your 'friend' followed through on his offer. When I get out of here I'll be sure to…"
"Don't you dare! I saw everything; you were insane, chaotic, out of control! Just like always."
"That's it," Hildie beckoned towards her. "Finally some negativity bleeding through, ready to act like a normal human? Get a little angry?"
Olivia came swinging, catching Hildie in the right cheek before kneeing her in the gut and driving her doppelganger to a knee. The next blow was caught, twisting her arm and ramming the huntress into a wall that wasn't there before.
"All those years, I was stuck in here," she whispered harshly into Olivia's ear. "Every foul thought that ever crossed your head came my way; you left me down here until you needed me. Needed your semblance you don't even understand."
Olivia head-butted her, giving some breathing space as she caught Hildie with a spinning kick to send her reeling to the ground.
"I understood enough!" She shouted. "To see into people's minds, I don't want that!"
Hildie started to laugh, a short, croaking laughter that sent chills up her spine. "Seeing thoughts is only a portion," she grinned at her counterpart's confusion. "You gave up the moment it got scary."
She swung an uppercut Olivia leaned back to avoid, the two throwing a series of punches and kicks that, unbeknownst to them, mirrored one another. Left, right, uppercut, kidney punch, they traded blow for blow, neither catching up.
"Absolute Perception," Hildie remarked amid their rain of attacks. "That is what I called it, nothing escapes it. You used me to track loverboy way back when to the island. Did you really think you could just sense where he was?"
"Shut up!"
"Air currents, could tell where they were most traveled through disturbances on the map, best chance for the island to be there. Same way you followed…Ember here. Minute clues here and there, nothing leaves absolutely no trace, it's impossible."
Despite growing angrier and angrier as Hildie seemed to grow calmer, Olivia listened intently. Her curiosity at the side of herself she had buried growing by the moment.
"Perceiving thoughts, that's the key," Hildie concluded. "Being able to see what they are thinking base on facial features, glances, even the way they move. A sixth sense that lets you perceive their thoughts and opens the door to…adjust them appropriately."
"Why are you telling me this now?" Olivia wound back her hand, delivering a stronger punch. The attack struck Hildie's cheek who did not so much as budge from the impact.
"To show what you missed out on," she glared back around her fist. "I had a bad feeling about that Fall girl, even that Ray despite her charity saving our life and how much you two had fun. Of course I had a bad feeling about everyone, we could have…"
"I told you," Olivia gritted her teeth. "I WONT take every secret of my friends; I won't…become a monster." She slumped to her knees, Hildie collapsing beside her, the two leaning beside each other utterly sapped of energy and drive.
"I guess it doesn't matter anymore," Hildie sighed. "We're BOTH down here now, how do you like having our life on rerun. Maybe with each of us here the point of view will vary somewhat…help pass the time."
Olivia had her head in her hands, pressing together as the frustration built. To be trapped in there alone with her while their body just withered out in the real world…
That thought was the start of her epiphany with those simple words, "their body."
She was trapped here with this all that time, how could I do that to her? How could I have known? That I could construct this place to hide her and all the emotions I didn't want away. I built this place alone, but together...
"Hildie," Olivia started with hesitant breaths. "We shouldn't have been looking into others, perceiving their secrets back when we were together, but neither should I have done what I did."
"If you try to hug me I will find a way to kill you in here."
"What I MEAN, is that maybe, we can both try to make up for it…together."
"So NOW you want to play nice?"
"Better late than never, we both made mistakes but I am you and you are me. You see the worst and I the best in others. Perhaps we can work something out."
"And how do you propose we begin this new 'partnership?" Hildie motioned to the dark space around them. "Unless you have a key…"
"I made this place," Olivia stomped her feet surely before extending a hand to Hildie. "We don't need to escape it if we can break it down."
Her alter ego glanced down at the hand, utterly bewildered by the situation. For so long she had been trapped and after her bars had been loosened only saw Olivia as an obstacle to her own freedom. With this simple hand gesture all that was turned on its head, was it an effect of being together again, each able to see a piece of the other? It almost reminded the pessimistic side of her of their days together before everything crumbled.
"Bring the walls down around us? I like it…but what if it takes us with it?"
"It's either we try it, or stay here."
"Perhaps…an arrangement can be made," She smiled back eerily yet without a hint of malice as she took hold of Olivia's gesture, returning a powerful handshake and in that moment, it was like the old days.
The effect was immediate, cracks forming along the dark void around them like glass fracturing. The dark memories fell away to be replaced by how they actually were without bias to either end of the spectrum. Light burst forth above and rushed to meet them as if the two were being propelled upward at an incredible velocity moments before all was consumed and shattered around them.
"If this works, I'll see you in the sunlight."
Ferry…
"I'm gonna miss it," Yang sighed with a content smile to Pyrrha through her sunglasses as they stood on deck watching Patch shrink into the distance.
The trio from Patch had managed to reach the ferry before the last trip of the day, at their current pace they would be at the mainland of Sanus in no time. From there, Yang claimed to know where her mother would be residing based upon her uncle's previous instructions. Roland, the man who had remained by her side was currently down below, ensuring their vehicles were still secure in transit.
"If nothing else, it will be quite the experience," Pyrrha tried to remain cheerful. "I've never been to that part of Mistral."
"Probably for the best, according to Uncle Qrow it's not very hospitable. Will you be okay with…?"
"Don't worry about me," the Spartan shifted weight from her leg. "What about you?" Yang's only response was to subtly squeeze her mechanical fist, looking down with a sigh.
"Dad wasn't kidding about our intimidation factor…"
"We will be there for each other," Pyrrha replied with certainty. "If one of our…afflictions hits us in battle then the others will make up for it. I am not as," she hesitated with a clear sign of sorrow, "agile as I once was."
"We'll have to once we reach my moth...Raven, I don't suspect convincing her to help will be easy. When we get there, just let me do all the talking, though it might be better if we save you for..."
"We are all set!" Roland called out as he emerged from below deck. "Not a hair out of place."
"Good to hear," Yang remarked back, her eyes unreadable past her glasses. "You know how touchy I can get about stray hairs."
The three stood together in the morning breeze, thoughts racing through their minds. Could they find Raven, would they get to Ruby and the others in time to help? They had not seen any of their friends since they departed Patch that cold morning before the rising sun. The nagging guilt at not being able to join them when they set out was pulling at their hearts. The unofficial team didn't know if they could do anything, but if there was a way to help they would take it. As soon as the group reached Sanus, their real journey would begin.
Atlas…
The two women slipped out of the secret passage supplied by Klein who was able to accompany them. Penny crept out to examine the various aircraft in the hangar as Weiss bid farewell to the kindest soul she knew within the halls of Schnee Manor.
"I hope you find Winter," he whispered solemnly, clearly saddened to see her go despite the need for it. "Though it does an old heart good to see you in good company, I suppose your sister will be your only real family left after tonight."
Weiss laid a soft hand on his shoulder before wrapping the old butler in a strong hug, his eyes flickering several colors before he returned the gesture, holding back tears.
"I'll always have you," she whispered as he pulled away.
"That you will…now go, I'll seal up the way." With that last word, Klein closed the wall leaving no trace of the secret passage connecting it to the library.
"We can commandeer one of these," Penny pointed out a line of cargo ships recently having docked earlier that week. "According to reports, their cargo has already been unloaded."
"Don't you have a ship Penny?" Weiss asked as she looked over the old but still capable airships.
"The General's is secured nearby, but all Atlas vessels are closely monitored and I do not wish to involve him any more in our escape. Once we…"
"Who is there?" A gruff voice from the shadows caused the two girls to jump. Emerging from the far end of the room was a helmeted man. Based on his uniform he was a Schnee dust security officer rather than military.
I thought Klein made sure the guards were away, were we too loud or did he just come back early for his shift?
"It is alright officer," Penny bowed politely, standing between him and Weiss and thinking fast. "I am taking inventory and…"
"Who is behind you?" He approached; hand on the pistol at his hip. Penny was very recognizable and he became apprehensive as soon as he spotted the artificial girl. "Show yourself or I'll be forced to…"
Weiss stepped out hesitantly from behind her, leaving the briefcase behind to avoid some suspicion. She stood tall and resolute at the man who looked very confused.
"I do believe I can roam about my own home!" She announced confidently.
"M-Ms. Schnee!" He stuttered; hand still on his firearm in its holster. "I did not hear from Mr. Schnee that you were allowed out of your room yet!"
"It was recent but I am feeling much better now."
"I-I'm sorry ma'am," he stuttered, clearly nervous beyond all words. "But we had STRICT orders until Mr. Schnee himself said so for your health. Please come with me, I don't want to…"
A loud thud sent the guard falling to the ground, another man standing behind twirling a helmet revealing his features.
"Cam!" Penny exclaimed with joy, stepping over the knocked out guard to give him a tight hug.
"I got the call," he smiled as he returned the embrace. "We should be able to fly low and stay off their radar for a few hours. After that we'll be free and clear. How have you been Weiss?"
"Just…fine," she replied, having not expected the young man to be there as well. She remembered Penny's pronouncement of his status at the party, yet had not seen him since the battle. "You should probably leave before…"
"Nonsense, if you think I'm staying behind while Penny goes who knows where, you've got another thing coming." Penny blushed at his words. "Besides, I already got this one here all prepped, come on."
The three boarded an Atlesian cargo ship Cameron had procured awaiting their arrival. Within a matter of seconds the experienced pilot had the engines spooling ready for takeoff.
"Won't anyone miss this ship?" Weiss asked, noticing the cargo still on board despite Penny's previous assertions.
"Don't feel bad," he called back over the machinery powering up. "They were smuggling everything, officially none of this manifest exists. If they want to report illegal goods they can be my guest."
Weiss took a seat in the cockpit behind Cam and Penny who was acting as his co-pilot. She made one last glance backwards at her home as the ship took off through the hangar doors leaving her old life behind. No alarm had been raised and as Cameron said, it did not appear that the sensors had picked them up. By the time anyone noticed or scrambled pursuit they'd be well on course for the mainland.
Winter…please wait a little bit longer.
Elsewhere…
Olivia shot up in bed, gasping as her eyes adjusted to the ambiance around her. It wasn't long before she felt arms around her, telling who it was by the voice before seeing.
"Which one are you?" Nora asked, pulling her eyes open wide to check. She sighed in relief at the realization they were both their normal white and pink coloration again.
"Wh-where?" Olivia asked groggily, realizing she was in a rather sizable bed changed into unfamiliar pajamas.
"Mistral City," Ren informed, appearing beside his teammate. "We arrived last night and are quite safe. Are you alright?" He motioned towards her head.
Olivia scanned the room, spotting Jaune asleep in the corner and Ruby resting in the neighboring bed. Her shoulder was bare to reveal an ugly scar where the stinger had struck but the poison had receded, the purple veins nearly gone. She was sleeping peacefully, though her face looked deep in thought even in dreams. Olivia leaned back in her bed, glancing up to Ren. Finally, she grabbed a nearby mirror, fingers running through her locks at what she saw.
Her hair was swirled dirty blonde and platinum silver, neither color taking up more than the other. If those who saw it were unaware of what occurred, it would appear completely natural.
"I…we are fine," she replied to their collective confusion.
"There is A LOT to fill in," Nora held her arms out wide after a moment of awkward silence, holding out a small gold book. "Mr. Qrow just left; he had a BIG story to tell. Once the others are awake we can go over it…"
Olivia sighed; the hair coupled with her understandable annoyance at the ruckus so soon after waking being all the proof she needed to tell their plan had worked. That dark sealed portion of her mind was gone, she was whole and the young sniper of Team HERO was not alone. As Nora and Ren turned to check on Ruby, Olivia's eye flickered black for a half a moment before returning to normal.
One for all eh boss? Maybe we can work something out after all…
"Maybe we can," she whispered, drawing the attention of the others. "You guys should know, but before then I never told any of you my full name did I?" They looked to each other uncertain as they thought they had known. "It's Olivia…Olivia Hildegarde Ramus."
Menagerie…
Esmerelda carried the tray, making her way towards the study where Sun was recovering. Blake absolutely refused to leave his side; she was certain some tea no matter how watery would be welcome. Reaching out, she was about to open the door until she heard raised voices inside.
"SHUT UP!" it was clearly Blake. "Do you think I like being alone? Every day…every day I think about them. Ruby, Weiss, Yang, everyone at Beacon, they were all my friends! I hope they hate me for leaving!"
"You don't mean that," she heard Sun's voice, releasing a pent up gasp that he was awake.
"Yes I do! Everyone thinks they can help me but they can't. You saw Ilia last night and she's not even the worst! No, everyone is better off without me."
"Does that include your parents too?" Sun's voice was oddly calm. Esmerelda could not help but press her ears against the door to hear better. "Don't think I didn't put two and two together why you came back here…I'm not as dumb as you think."
"What are you talking about?"
"Come on Blake, you run away from your friends supposedly to keep them safe but then go right to your parents who think the world of you? Only one reason I can think of if you weren't lying…you came to say goodbye before leaving them behind too didn't you?"
Esmerelda pressed her eye into the door, trying to look through the keyhole out of rabid curiosity from Blake's silence.
"You think you're being selfless but you're not. You're running from everyone trying to protect them, but I'd go through last night all over again if it meant keeping you safe. You make your choices but you DON'T make ours. And hey, the next time we face lizard girl, I won't be doing it for you…it'll be to get even."
Esmerelda heard a grunt of pain before a giggle from Blake, causing her to do a double take.
"Did she just…?"
"Ssshh, I can't hear."
Esmerelda turned; she had been so focused on the door she didn't realize that both Ghira and Kali Belladonna were behind her. The feline mother leaned forward, pressing beside Esmerelda into the door.
"What is she saying?"
"My hero…" they heard Blake mutter several seconds before Kali's added weight proved too much to bear.
The door caved in, sending Esmerelda and Blake's mother crashing to the ground. Somehow, the lancer of Team HERO managed to keep the tray of tea upright. Recovering, they realized that Sun and Blake were watching them with exasperated expressions, completely forgetting they were clasping each other's hands.
"O-oh dear!" Kali jumped to her feet, falling into a cutesy expression as if the collapse hadn't happened "Would you look at that, he's awake…thank goodness!" She ended with a very awkward smile from which there was no recovery.
"Kali please…" Ghira groaned, clearly embarrassed beyond words as Esmerelda staggered to her feet, glancing every which way as if every other corner of the study was incredibly fascinating.
"MOM!" She called out embarrassed. "Ezzy! What are you doing here?"
"Hey Mrs. B," Sun looked no less shy over his shirtless and bandaged state among the group.
"Well, your father and I needed to speak with all of you. It is perfect everyone is here at the same time."
Ghira Belladonna laid a scroll in the center of the room, clearly having broken its security measures to reveal its contents.
"You were right Blake; Adam Taurus is planning an attack on Haven Academy. According to this scroll he is meeting with Sienna Khan to seek her support. It could be the fall of Beacon all over again"
"I can't believe Sienna would go that far," Kali interjected, remembering her old misguided friend.
"We can stop them, if we destroy the White Fang once and for all," Sun chimed in. His face was full of determination.
"No," Blake announced, standing to her feet and glancing at the collected room. "We're going to take it back."
Esmerelda could not help but smirk back.
If we can stop the White Fang without destroying them…then Yuma might…
"Ahem," Esmerelda called attention to herself with a sigh. "Before then, there is something I feel you all should know about me and I am sorry I kept it secret until now."
Salem's Domain…
Fire slashed outward again and again; one by one Grimm of the largest breeds fell before her, disintegrating in an instant.
Cinder scowled, how many hours did Salem have her in that room cutting down her creations over and over? She educated the new Maiden that continued use of her powers would acclimate her to their usage as well as simultaneously strengthening them, but she was getting tired; even lifting her arms was now a strain. She had started the training creating weapons of all varieties made of fire, ice even earth. As the hours dragged on her energy had waned, now she had barely enough strength for the simplest of attacks.
Four Beowolves advanced on Cinder behind their brethren she had just vaporized. They were no mere run of the mill Grimm, the green crystals growing from their backs gave away Merlot's handiwork. He had been quite busy for his new patron over the many months.
Cinder remembered the fight so long ago against Merlot and his creations, her fury was rekindled in an instant coupled with the uncertainty of her knight's fate since the receptacle had been destroyed on his end. That had been days ago with no word. With a painful grunt she swiped her left sleeve in their direction, a blade of flame burst forth bisecting all of them horizontally at the stomach. The assembled Grimm crumbled to ash before their pieces hit the ground.
Cinder was panting hard by now past the point of exhaustion. Salem had spent the entire training watching in silence from the corner of the room, judging every move she made with her blood-red eyes.
How much longer is she planning to…?
A roar snapped the woman out of her thoughts; a massive Beringel emerged from the shadowy corners of the room, an enormous fist aimed squarely at her face. Merlot's work could be seen here as well though subtly as green varicose veins wormed across its face from a green crystal replacing its left eye.
Cinder raised her hand; she had maybe enough strength for one more blast, just one more…
Before she could harness the power, the doors to the arena burst open followed closely by a trail of blue light. The Beringel exploded before reaching her, its charred corpse crashing to the ground in a heap. Salem turned to the door, a look of utter annoyance growing across her face, her eyes bright red in the dim light.
Ember was the first to enter, laying his still-smoking Railblade, Excaliburn as it was called, to the side and casting away his broken helmet. He did not even glance at Salem as he rushed to Cinder's side, catching his Maiden before her legs gave out from exhaustion, easing her gently to the ground.
"I missed you," he whispered only for her to hear.
Cinder opened her mouth, a hoarse rasp escaping her lips. After a brief respite to allow her breathing to return to normal, Ember helped her to her feet. He knew her better than to do something foolish and unnecessary like trying to carry her.
"Welcome home Ember," Salem greeted, having restrained her scowl at his interruption of Cinder's training. "It is reassuring to see you home once more. Please wait outside and we may discuss your mission; Cinder and I have more to do before the day is done."
Ember inhaled deeply as he turned to face Salem. Cinder leaned on him only as much as she needed to remain on her feet, avoiding eye contact with her master in black.
She doesn't want to defy Salem…that can be my duty.
"It…has been so long since I've seen her, your Grace," he started; choosing his words carefully while suppressing his disdain for how obviously beaten down Cinder appeared to be. "I beg an early reprieve from the day's training."
"That will slow her growth," Salem stressed, her scowl starting to reform. "Young Cinder has been holding back, she must utilize her powers as much as possible in as many ways as she can conceive their use to strengthen them and temper her mastery."
"And she will far more now that I have returned," he promised. "I can think of no better training partner than one who is immune to injury. You need not sacrifice so many of your creations that way."
Salem raised an eyebrow at him, eyes narrowing towards the obvious marks around his neck from the battle. "You would weather her fury each and every day to reinforce her power?"
Ember turned to face Cinder as he answered. "If it helps her…I will gladly face all her wrath for as long as necessary."
It wouldn't be the first time.
Salem's wicked smile widened at his words. "Very well, in that case you are free to…"
A sobbing sniffling could be heard from the door as Tyrian shuffled in, rubbing his hands together nervously. Upon seeing Salem he threw himself to his knees before her, bowing as low as he could. Salem's hunter had arrived shortly before Ember yet was so fearful at how his goddess would react he had delayed to contemplate how to explain their failure.
"I'm sorry…she'll forgive me…not my fault," he was still babbling as he had the entire way back to the Keep. "Pleeeaaseee forgive me."
"Tyrian," Salem acknowledged his presence. "We may go over it now, your task…were you both successful?"
Tyrian looked at Salem but avoided her eyes; he looked like a puppy that had just been kicked.
"N-no," he finally answered, dropping his gaze to the floor.
Salem turned to face Ember; surprisingly she did not appear angry or enraged. Rather her features relaxed as if she had expected this outcome. Her eyes appeared no less annoyed, however.
"Qrow Branwen was with them," Ember explained calmly, filing his report rather than groveling as Tyrian did. "He expected an attack on the children and was watching nearby, together they were…somewhat formidable."
"Yet you escaped with the girl," Salem revealed her knowledge of his last conversation with Cinder. "How exactly did a bunch of children and one Huntsman best you?" Her tone was stern yet collected, reigning in anger that would put Cinder's wrath to shame.
Ember recounted the battle, leaving out no details save for his application of the anti-venom or the swiftness of his withdrawal after claiming Excaliburn. Cinder's hand clenched angrily over his like a vice at the mention that Ruby had been left behind, but softened after several seconds as the fury washed past her.
"So the girl is dead then? She was to be returned here alive…"
"I did not remain behind to confirm her status," Ember answered, praying she could not actually read minds. "The Alpha Grimm had claimed my weapon and exhausted me while Qrow Branwen arrived as the others were ready to continue…"
Salem's hand flew outward, summoning a great pit of blackness beneath Ember's feet. In a flash, dozens of black arms seized him, dragging the struggling knight to the ground. Despite his best efforts, he could not resist them as several pulled Cinder from his shoulder.
"That was the only reason you withdrew?" She asked harshly yet with a calm voice. Tyrian had held his ground yet was trembling uncontrollably, surely imagining the same fate befalling him. "And surely nothing to do with your previous allegiances?"
"I…could not guarantee an escape with her," he gasped in pain, the arms squeezing tightly around his neck, generating insufficient force to engage his semblance. "So I made a tactical retreat while I could."
Salem glared back at him, seemingly ready to continue until she heard a poof of flame behind her. Glancing over her shoulder she spotted an exhausted, panting Cinder standing on her own two feet. The orange flame of her powers flickering in the remaining eye. The ruler of the Grimm let a slight smirk through her terrifying image. With the most nonchalant of motions, she lowered her hand, the pool of arms receding with it.
"The last eye is distracted then," Salem mused, eliciting a quizzical stare from Ember as he recovered gasping on the floor, this time it was Cinder who helped him. He had not heard her refer to an eye before. "You both…disappoint me. Though I am not the one to whom you must explain your failings," Salem's eyes darted to Cinder for an instant. With those last words she glided from the room, leaving the three alone.
Tyrian did not take her proclamation well, after Salem left tears streamed down his face, he was screaming more manically than Ember had ever heard. Based on the disturbed expression on Cinder's face, it was the worst she had ever seen too.
A single Alpha Beowolf remained in the training arena, no doubt attracted by the intense emotions from Tyrian it roared, leaping at the sobbing Faunus and ignoring the others.
Tyrian howled as if in agony; tears still streaming down his face as he punched the Grimm with his wrist blades. The beast flew across the room; the hunter was on it in an instant punching again and again. Each attack was meant to cause pain, not death and as a result the Beowolf did not disintegrate, trapped beneath his psychotic flurries. Tyrian's sobs slowly twisted, transforming into crazed laughter masking his pain, the tears never stopping as he continued mercilessly beating the defeated Grimm. Ember released Cinder, allowing her to stand on her own two feet once more. Despite her head shakes he approached the tormented faunus, reaching out with a hand.
"Tyrian…" he started, his hand clasping gently to the man's shoulder.
Tyrian spun in a blink, burying his wrist blade squarely into Ember's face. Mercifully the battered Beowolf beneath him began to crumble as it passed away. Ember's power had saved him, the blade pressing against his cheek but not piercing though his aura crackled gold at the blow. Cinder had taken several steps forward but stopped upon seeing him unharmed.
Tyrian's tears had stopped but remained glistening on his face, screaming, he took a second swing with his other hand striking Ember's gut. Cinder's knight allowed enough force through for Tyrian's blow to push him back slightly; he'd need some sort of gratification. The faunus swung again and again, his blows having no effect after the first few attacks. Ember did not keep track of how long Tyrian unleashed his blind unfocused barrage, but he continued over and over. Cinder stared on, clearly unsure how to react; Ember could not be harmed by such brutish simplistic attacks, despite knowing this fact she did not wish to witness it.
After a time, Tyrian's arms began to slow, drenched in sweat from the exertions. The scorpion-faunus just stared into Ember's eyes, his own as wide open as his body would allow them. He had stopped swinging but was still pushing forward with all his remaining strength, he was somewhat calmer than before…somewhat.
"Better?" Ember asked.
Tyrian did not reply, only collapsing to his knees once more, his sobs reduced to short sniffles, he looked utterly broken. Ember could think of nothing to comfort him, the woman he saw as a Goddess had just voiced her utter displeasure in him, he understood that pain to an extent. He patted his traveling companion's shoulder softly before turning back to Cinder.
"Let's get out of here," Ember whispered, helping her out of the arena all the while ensuring he was between Tyrian and her. He truly felt sorry for the man, was there nothing he could do for him? His mind was bent to Salem's will long ago.
Cinder would need rest and he was mentally drained as well. Ember started towards her room hoping he remembered the layout of the Keep.
"I didn't expect her to send me away so soon," he explained apologetically for his absence once they were in the halls outside. "If she tries putting you through anything else I swear I'll…"
Cinder stopped in her tracks when they were far enough from the arena, wrapping her arms around him tightly. Ember did the same; he had missed her so much. She was the strongest woman he knew but around Salem she had no power. Unless he could find a true trump card she would never be free.
The power of the four Maidens, that would be a good start. But what will I have to do by then, Olivia…your eyes are as terrifying as Ruby's were. His solemn thoughts turned to joy as Cinder opened her mouth to speak.
"Don't…leave…EVER again. THAT is an order." The words were clear for the first time since the Battle at Beacon. Tears welled in Ember's eyes at hearing her real voice after so long.
"Never again," he swore, deepening their embrace, the conflicted contemplation pushed aside for that night. "Not even by Salem's command."
They finally reached Cinder's room; ever the gentleman, Ember opened the door for her.
"I…hope you sleep well, we can discuss the mission in the morning if that is to your liking. If you need anythi…"
Cinder grabbed his wrist as he turned to leave, giving him a look of mild annoyance, her voice may have been on the mend but clearly she felt nothing need be said. There was a gleam in her eyes he hadn't seen before; it was stern yet tender, much more so than since witnessing her true face back at Beacon. She did not want him to go and he had no desire to leave.
"As…you wish, my lady."
"You don't have to keep talking like that."
Without another word, the two of them clasped hands together and disappeared inside Cinder's chamber, closing the door behind them and locking it with an echoing click. Neither witnessed a pair of red eyes intently watching their exchange unseen from the shadows.
Mistral Crowbar…
Qrow sighed as he slipped into the establishment, his head pounding after explaining the legends surrounding the Twin Gods and what they were working to defend at Haven. He was tired; his head pounding like a hundred Goliaths yet couldn't rest, best answer for that was another drink as his flask had run dry days before.
"The usual," he called out towards the bartender as he sat on a stool. Anytime he stopped in Mistral he always enjoyed this particular hangout. The drinks were decent; the staff were cute and never talked much, but most importantly was almost always empty. "Extra-large if you would."
"Mr. Branwen," he nodded while fixing the drink. "Didn't expect you back so soon, I guess I just lost a bet."
"Bet?" He asked only half interested as the glass slid in front of him.
"Someone's been fixing to meet you, damnedest thing I ever saw but seems he had it right." He turned towards the back near the small tables where patrons could eat. "Yo! Kid! He's here; you can stop working for five minutes!"
Qrow downed most of his drink, soft footfalls approaching from behind he pretended to ignore until they no more than a few feet away. Irritated, yet intrigued, he spun to look at the figure. It was a young man with brown hair, based on his attire he would have fit right at home on a farm or in the fields. The older huntsman guessed he couldn't be as old as Ruby at most. He wasn't ringing a bell and looked more than a little nervous.
"Well? What do you want pipsqueak?"
"Shut up, I'm getting there," the boy mumbled, apparently to no one as he glanced away before standing a little straighter and looking him dead in the eyes. "Umm, I'm supposed to tell you...I'd like my cane back?"
It was an odd statement framed as a question like the boy didn't really know if that is what he wanted. Qrow's bored face broke into the fringes of a smile, nodding understandingly as he reached beneath his cloak. The young man took a step back before realizing he had pulled out a short grey ornate handle with a white tip, the same which he had carried ever since retrieving it from Pyrrha at Patch.
"It's good to see you again Oz," he replied, tossing the short handle to him.
Oscar barely caught the object in time, whether it was intended or inadvertent, he gripped it at the right angle to cause the remainder of the cane to emerge from within. With a confused expression, he held the item that was so indicative of Headmaster Ozpin, taking one more step towards this mysterious duty he had pondered ever since first hearing that voice in his head.
"You may not be able to join in," Qrow teased as he leaned back against the bar. "But I'm not leaving here without a few more rounds…"
Volume 4 comes to a close; our heroes hold to their course, meet new friends and reflect on their past and futures. As before, I will be taking a hiatus to plan and rest before continuing Volume 5. I am uncertain how long that will be and I apologize in advance. For those enjoying the separate story Haven Lost, please keep in mind I will be closing that story and all future updates will go directly through RWBY Heroes: A Double-Edged Sword.
I noticed that some characters have been liked more so I wanted to ask here for the future due to how many characters there are, are there particular characters you would prefer get more screen time than others? I'll take all input into account when designing Volume 5.
A recent commission was made showcasing Ember and Cinder's actions after closing the door behind them. To find it, just search "Till the Stroke of Midnight" by AzaryaS; mature content warning before you do.
A big thank you to all my fans and those enjoying these stories. As always I hope everyone Reads and Reviews…but most of all Enjoys!