Here we go.

Beta: College Fool

Cover Art: Kegi Springfield

Chapter 102

"Removed!? Ruby cried. "But that'll kill them!"

"They will enter the cycle of life and death, yes."

Jaune recoiled, fear coiling up inside him like a snake. His eyes sought Yang's. She looked no less horrified and was already engaging Ember Celica on her one good hand. Yin writhed uncomfortably, the black mass reaching up Yang's shoulder, almost as if the little thing was trying to hug its mother for comfort.

"That's not fair," Weiss shouted, striding forward. "All of them are innocent. Some of them are still children. Where is the justice in such a decision?"

"The balance of life and death is integral," the God of Light said without anger or sympathy. "Salem lived eternal in defiance of that as punishment. Had she died when it was intended, she would have had no children. The progeny she has defy the balance with their very existence."

"An existence you perpetuated!" Salem screamed.

"This is true. As such, their existence is our responsibility and shall be rectified by us personally."

"Your responsibility," the God of Darkness commented. "You are the one who cursed her. I had little say in it."

"Very well. I shall deal with it myself."

"Please," Ozpin said, "See reason. You granted me a task to see humanity learn to live in harmony and we have done that. What is the point of harmony if you're going to eradicate the very faction we've finally made peace with? You may as well have done that at the start."

"It was a test of humanity's capability. A test is performed in a simulated environment. The challenges face often do not persist once the testing is complete. Humanity has passed this test of their own making. As promised, we shall return and bring the world back to order and balance. This planet will be Remnant no longer. It shall be made whole."

"No…" Salem's eyes glowed and her clothes billowed around her. "I will not allow it. Slay me if you must, but you will never touch my children."

"Your wishes are immaterial in this. You cannot stop us."

"Not alone perhaps," Nicholas said, drawing his weapon. "But she won't be alone."

"How strange." Ozpin agreed, twirling his cane and holding it up like a rapier. "A millennia or more has passed and yet on hearing your voice again, I am reminded of the many reasons I came to despise you."

The God of Light let out a tired sigh. "Disappointing. Humanity showed such promise but now displays the same treacherous behaviour. This is not the balance and harmony expected of you."

"I'd say that's the other way around, actually," Ozpin said. "We were in agreement between ourselves, at peace. You are the one bringing discord. You are the one upsetting the balance – both of our peace and the balance of life and death."

"You-" The God of Light reached forward but held back at the last second. It was the first sign of emotion from him, a thick, roiling anger. Visibly restraining himself, he turned to the Atlas soldiers and the White Fang. "You have no conflict here. Leave and we shall take our place once the mistakes of the past have been reversed. There is no reason for you to fight or die here."

Jaune and the others tensed. The Atlas and White Fang contingent wasn't the strongest, but they had numbers on their side. The battle would be impossible enough already, but if either side turned on them? All hope would be lost.

Ironwood held his ground but the conflict he was going through was obvious. He could not afford to think with his heart when the fate of Atlas rested on his shoulders. The General turned to the side and whispered something to Winter. The Specialist returned it, the two engaging in a quick, heated conversation. When Ironwood turned back to the Gods, his eyes were hard.

"You once destroyed almost all of humanity because you believed they had disappointed you. You also admitted to placing our people in constant danger, with hundreds of thousands dying as some kind of test - all because humanity failed to meet your expectations. There is no guarantee you will not do so again."

"Humanity chose to wage war on us after our selfless work in protecting and helping them grow."

"And despite that you could have defeated them easily and allow them to surrender and learn from their mistakes, you killed them, their families, children and all the other innocent people of the world who had no control over the actions of a few greedy monarchs. Is this correct?"

The God of Light did not respond.

"It is." Ozpin gritted out.

Ironwood sighed. "I see." His eyes closed for a moment. "That is unfortunate." His hand slipped under his coat, drew forth his handgun and flicked off the safety. "I cannot countenance entrusting the lives of those I've sworn to protect in the hands of such capricious rulers. Humanity learns from its mistakes. You would destroy any who make them."

"Actions must have consequences."

"They do. It's just that your consequences are frankly ridiculous. A curse of immortality because you were foolish enough to be tricked? Genocide for the actions of a select few? Dragging Ozpin from the afterlife to fulfil your goals for you?" Ironwood raised one hand into the air, and every Atlas soldier drew their weapons. "It seems to me that those punishments do not fit the crime. A lack of balance, perhaps?"

"Balance and order are integral."

"Yeah, I don't disagree with that," Sienna yelled, spitting on the floor in front of her. "But I've got to agree with the tin-man on this one… and I never thought I'd say that. You know who else had a fetish for installing order on people without their consent? The SDC. We didn't fight to free ourselves of oppression just to let some glowstick assholes from another dimension rule over us."

The White Fang cheered and shouted, rattling their weapons and screaming obscenities and oaths. Compared to Atlas, they were a ragtag bunch, but not a single one of them disagreed with Sienna's decision. Slave to the SDC or slave to the Gods. Both were the same as far as they were concerned.

Smiling grimly, Jaune looked back to the Gods, feeling much more confident with an army behind him. Yang, Ruby and Weiss stepped up beside him – with the others doing the same, accompanied by Emerald, Ilia, Sun and Mannie.

The God of Light looked out over all of them dispassionately.

"The mistakes of the past made anew… and I had such hopes for them."

"That was your mistake. You should have cut ties as I did."

"Perhaps. They had such promise, however…"

"We still do," Jaune called. "But if you're unhappy with us, you don't have to stay. Life the curse on Salem and Ozpin and leave us in peace. We'll continue to look over Remnant and live in harmony, and you won't have to deal with us constantly disappointing you."

The God of Darkness shrugged one shoulder. "I was content never to return. Such is fine with me."

"No." The God of Light moved his arms away from his body. "We will not agree to such a proposal."

"What? Why the hell not?"

"Yeah. It's a good deal," Sun said. "If you're so disappointed in us, then leave."

"We created Remnant."

"And then abandoned it," Blake pointed out. "I think you've relinquished whatever claim you feel you had on it."

"Blakey's got a point," Nora said. "Our world isn't an experiment to us. It's our home. You can't come in, say we've failed and kill us. We won't let you."

"Your co-operation in the matter is not required."

"What's even the point?" Yang asked, throwing her hands in the air. "It's just more work for you, and even if you succeed, it's not like you'll gain anything. You're Gods. You could literally make a new planet and start anew. Why haven't you!?"

"And see our creations do this again? I've not the desire."

"Remnant was our creation," the God of Light repeated. "It is our responsibility."

"Yeah? Well you failed. Badly."

"Humanity-"

"Failed as well. Both sides failed – but you had the chance to be the bigger party about it. Power and responsibility. You were literally unmatched, yet you decided to fucking kill everyone and blow up the moon and peace out." Yang snorted. "Real mature, guys."

"Although I'd question her language, Miss Xiao-Long speaks the truth," Ozpin said. "My wife may have erred, but to be human is to err. If you wish us to treat you like you are above such concerns, you ought to act like it. Now is a fine chance to start. Take my life if you will, take Salem's too, but do not begrudge these people the lives they have created. This should be the very balance and order you've always wanted – Grimm and humanity living in unity."

"It is not."

"Then be disappointed and leave already," Qrow yelled. "Abandon us – like you did the first time."

"No. Our departure was clearly a mistake. As was allowing this to continue. We shall start afresh if required. The slate shall be swept clean."

"Shit." Qrow drew his weapon. "Looks like negotiations are over, Oz. Any great ideas?"

"Salem and I shall face the God of Light." Ozpin's body crackled with emerald energy. Despite standing in Oscar's body, he suddenly had the presence of a man ten feet tall. "The rest of you keep the God of Darkness busy."

"Eh. Just the two of you?"

"We are as close to Gods as any here. Trust me, Qrow."

"Do as Ozma says," Salem commanded, pushing away from Nicholas and spreading her arms. "Once upon a time, we ruled as Gods ourselves. Perhaps it's time we gave that a try once more."

Ozpin chuckled. "A fine suggestion."

The God of Light shook his head slowly. He took a step forward and immediately doubled in height, bright light shining from his eyes. "It did not have to come to this. I hope that you remember this. Time and time again, I gave humanity a chance to redeem itself."

"We don't need redemption from the likes of you."

"As you wish."

/-/

The odds were skewed. Two against the God of Light and easily five hundred against the God of Darkness. Then again, they didn't know the slightest about either of them. Jaune swallowed nervously and swung his sword left and right to loosen his muscles. Others did the same, no one knowing quite how to begin.

The God of Darkness appeared content to let them make the first move. If anything, he looked lackadaisical in comparison to his brother. Smaller, more relaxed – even arrogant. As if he didn't consider them a threat.

To be fair, he might have been right in that summation.

"Hit and run," Qrow called – and Jaune was relieved that someone experienced was there to take the lead. "Don't get bogged down in a fight with him when we don't know what he's capable of. Work together and if he focuses on you, retreat instantly."

"Long range?" Ruby asked.

"If you have it. Semblances-"

"Don't work on them," Emerald interrupted. "At least… ones aimed at them don't."

"You've been trying?"

"Since they made it clear they were about to turn on us," the green-haired girl admitted. "I tried to make the God of Darkness see the other as attacking him. When that didn't work, I tried it the other way around. Nothing happened."

"Of course it did not," the God said, overhearing despite Emerald's whispers. "What you call Semblances are a remnant of the gifts I gave to you. An unanticipated side-effect. Perhaps in my anger I did not take magic away from you as thoroughly as I believed." The God's tone was, if anything, bored. He didn't seem nearly as interested in smiting them as his brother did.

Jaune leapt on that. "Do we have to fight? You already said you wanted to leave us alone. What's the point of us fighting here?"

"There is none. The outcome of this battle is a foregone conclusion. You cannot defeat a God."

Statement. The God said it without mockery, fully believing it. Jaune swallowed again, suddenly a lot more worried. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Salem and Ozpin engage the God of Light. Despite their instructions, the Atlas contingent with Ironwood had decided to offer fire support. Luckily, the God of Light was too busy with the pair of them to focus on the unprotected soldiers.

Still, if they could stall for longer…

Well, there was no telling what would happen. If they stalled and the God of Light won, they were screwed. If they stalled and he lost – somehow was defeated – then they might have a chance.

"Is that why you're not interested? Because there's no challenge?"

"In part. It is… difficult to be invested in something with no risk or challenge."

"You could weaken yourself to make one," Blake quickly said.

The God chuckled. "A cute attempt. I admire it. Unfortunately, I have no means of sabotaging my own chances. I could fight without my arms and annihilate you all. I could refuse to move from this spot and cause the planet to tumble into the sun. I could give you a thousand years to try and destroy me and it would be in vain." He raised a single hand before him and summoned a purple orb into it. It flickered and shifted, burning with hidden power. "I am a God. Neither you nor I can change this fact."

"That doesn't mean we have to fight, though!" Ruby said. "You wanted to leave. It's your brother who wants to stay. Why not just go?"

"Because, as much as it irritates me, there must be a balance in these matters…"

The God of Darkness whipped his hand forward suddenly – so fast that he barely saw it. The first thing Jaune perceived was the dark orb approaching, and that it was suddenly as big as he was. Someone cried out a warning. He stepped back instinctively, but back wasn't the way out of its path.

"Move!" Something hit him hard in the side and sent him tumbling out of the way. The orb hit and exploded – the additional force knocking him further, rolling over and over until he crashed in front of Ruby's feet.

"Jaune," she gasped, dragging him.

"Who-?" Jaune looked back at the person who had just taken the attack meant for him and gasped. "Uncle Tyrian!" The faunus was down. Flat on his back, charred across his entire body and unnaturally still, Tyrian Callows lay defeated in a single attack. Jaune rounded on the God, eyes flashing red. "You son of a bitch!"

"I was born of no mother."

"It's a saying, you bastard!" Lunging forward, Jaune ignored Ruby's shout for him to stop and charged in, Crocea Mors at the ready. The God of Darkness summoned another attack, but he was ready for it this time and ducked under it, catching a hand on the rocky floor to steady and push himself back up.

The God of Darkness took a single step back and tried to bring forth another attack. It was too late.

With an angry cry, Jaune stabbed up into the God's thigh, piercing through the God's leg in one solid attack and up into his hip.

"Was that supposed to do something?"

Fear overtook his rage. He looked up into a painfully neutral face. "W-What?"

The God backhanded him. Such a slow and lazy blow, it caught him in the stomach and smashed his diaphragm up into his lungs. Air exploded out of him and he was sent flying back to the others. He crashed down, skidded and broke through a couple of rocks to come to a heaving, retching heap in the midst of them. Crocea Mors slid from the God's leg and tumbled down onto the floor with a clank.

"We are not as you," he said, stepping over the ancestral weapon. As he did, the blade rusted unnaturally, ageing tens of thousands of years in an instant. It cracked and ground to dust. "We are not bound by the same laws you are. This battle is pointless. The outcome is inevitable."

"So what," Weiss said, stepping in front of Jaune's body. "We should just give up?"

"You should do whatever you wish. I will not stop you."

They hesitated to do anything at first, uncertain of what they could do, but when the God held up a hand and brought forth another one of his terrifying orbs, Qrow, Winter and Sapphire rushed in, knowing they couldn't afford to wait. Taking the lead of their more experienced fighters, the others joined the assault.

Sapphire struck first – scoring a line on the God's knee before sliding under and behind, hamstringing him. The God did not fall and the sparks of purple light that came from the blow, displaced by her sword, floated back onto his form. In return, he pointed his attack at the approaching members of the Beacon teams and fired.

A flock of spectral bright-white Nevermore from Winter crowded into the orb, causing it to explode almost directly in front of the God's hand. That got a reaction from him – a pained hiss – and better yet, blinded him as everyone closed in.

Crescent Rose tore through the God's leg in one swing, separating it so much that he could see through the gap. Weiss followed, summoning a glyph into that exact spot and trying to push the God's body up. Their plan looked to be to get the piece of the God away from him and see if that led to an injury. Even if the wound did nothing, he ought to be slow and unbalanced missing a limb.

While that happened, Team RYBN assaulted his neck, face and shoulders – Nora using her grenades not to cause damage but to blind the God with pink smoke. Ren fired through it into the God's eyes, while Blake looped Gambol Shroud up and over its shoulder, to be caught by Yang on the other side.

Blake hooked her ribbon around her arm and shoulder and yelled out to Yang. "Pull!"

Yang clamped her hand around the weapon and Yin did the same, black muscles bulging as the parasite threw all its strength into dragging the weapon down, causing the ribbon wrapped up and around the God's neck to tighten. Being on one side, it couldn't choke him, but the force was enough to add extra weight to his left side – the opposite to the one Weiss and Ruby had cut through.

Slowly, the God of Darkness began to topple to the side like a felled tree. The whole time, Nora kept its head covered in smoke, while Winter's summoned Nevermore – and a few real Nevermore – dived in and out, scratching at the God's eyes. With a mighty crash, the God collapsed, kicking up a giant cloud of smoke and ash. The White Fang cheered, along with the others.

"D-Did that do it?" Jaune gasped, standing. One hand clutched his stomach which still ached.

A rich chuckle came from the smoke.

Black light exploded out in a dome – expanding suddenly and without warning. It caught Yang and Blake first, then Weiss before Ruby was able to get her away. The others fled back, but those hit screamed in agony and were thrown back faster, as though electrocuted and propelled by the hit.

"Back!" Qrow yelled. "Get back!"

Jaune rushed to and caught Yang, Pyrrha doing the same for Weiss and Nora for Blake. The moment he caught her, his body stiffened, and purple lightning crackled over him, driving him down onto one knee. That was just the aftershock. How bad was it for Yang, Weiss and Blake?

"I-I'm okay." Yang's eyes cracked open. They were red from her Semblance, but it hadn't activated. She must have taken so much of a beating that it cut through it entirely.

"You're not okay."

"Put me down. H-Help the rest." Yang groaned as another crackle of lightning ran over her body, shocking both of them. "F-Fuck. Just, give me a second. Help them. Keep him busy."

"Right." No time to argue. Laying her against a rock so that she could still see what was going on, Jaune rushed back into the fray. The God of Darkness was standing again – and although an entire leg from the knee down was missing, he stood as though it were unnecessary. He didn't even adjust for having only one limb.

"Interesting. Exciting. Humanity has grown so much. Were I not a God, that might have worked." He held a hand out to the side and the purple material left from his severed leg rushed through the air, coiled into his hand, down his body and then reformed beneath him. His leg did not so much regrow as slowly return to existence, as if a curtain was drawn back and the leg revealed to have been there all along.

"That did nothing?" Sun yelled. "Shit. Does he even feel pain?"

"Not from us, but he did a moment ago when he caught himself in his own attack." Qrow said. "I'm assuming a God's attack can work on him. The God of Light and Darkness fought for eons, or so the legends go. They wouldn't have bothered if neither could hurt the other."

"Correct. Of course, a God cannot kill a God. Not entirely. Weaken, destabilise… You might call it injure, but the analogy does not hold true. Our battles were often of ideology. He would create and I would destroy that which he created." The God chuckled. "Such was easier than us battling one another, though it often came to that in the end."

They really were immortal, then. Or invincible. The two were different things and he'd hoped that Gods or not, they could be banished in some way if it came to it.

If we could make him launch an attack at the God of Light or vice versa, they might be able to hurt one another, but it's just as likely they wouldn't. These two fought tooth and nail for centuries. They'd have to mess up and hit each other hundreds of times to cause a defeat – and then what? If one falls, the other would have no one capable of challenging them.

The God of Darkness had been naïve in the past and tricked by Salem, but he wouldn't be so naïve as to repeatedly throw attacks that they could dodge and let hit the other God. He'd catch on sooner or later and just stick to melee.

"Jaune," Ren called. "If the power of a God can hurt a God, we do have some options…"

Of course. "Remy?"

"On it."

Tentacles sprouted out from his back as his skin turned ashen and hair white. The power of the God of Darkness, passed down through Salem after falling into the Pools of Darkness, washed over him. He felt stronger, more durable and filled with an aggression that had him longing to rip and tear. As he always had, he stamped down on it, enforcing control.

"Ah." The God of Darkness turned to him instantly, sensing the change. Even as Grimm descended on him, tearing and attacking his legs and head, he continued, ignoring all of them. "My power left behind. You would try and use that against me? I will grant you a favour and point out that such would be unwise."

"A favour…? Why should we believe you?"

"You need not. Attack me and find proof in action. It is the only way your kind learns."

"Jaune, don't!" Weiss yelled, just as he was about to lunge in. Her warning brought him to a halt and he looked over in silent question. "He's the God of Darkness; your power is his power. He might not be immune to it, but it's his to control. He might be able to suck it straight out of you."

If that happened, he might die. Nervously, he looked to the God.

"It is my power." The God summoned another of his orbs, but this time held a finger beneath it. The energy whisked down into his finger as if it were water swirling down a drain. In one motion, the God of Darkness had brought said power back within himself. Proof that he could do the same with the power invested in them.

If I'd attacked, I'd be dead right now, he thought, looking to Weiss and nodding in obvious relief.

"You might be able to help against the God of Light," she said. "He won't be able to do the same. We need that God's power to use against this one."

Jaune's eyes flicked to the Relics. They had been created by the God of Light.

"You may leave and join the other battle if you wish," the God of Darkness said, apparently misreading his focus. "I will not stop you."

"Is this a game to you?" Ruby yelled. "We're fighting for our lives here, our very planet, and you're mocking us. You – You're telling us what will work and what won't. It's like you're not even taking this fight seriously."

"I'm not." The God of Darkness turned his head slightly, letting Penny's beam attack pass through his forehead instead of his eye. The hole it caused sealed up immediately, like a hole cut in water being filled again. "As has been said, this battle is a conclusion foregone. Whether I offer you some little assistance or not, the result will be the same. But once you are gone and once we repeat the process anew, an opportunity like this may not come again." He let out a loud, almost hungry sound."It has been over a thousand years since I was able to stretch my legs like this. It may be five thousand more until such happens again. Forgive me for wishing to extend the feeling just a little."

Jaune's hands clenched. This was all they were to these two, momentary distractions. Their history, their accomplishments, their feelings; those were all fleeing moments to beings as endless as these. It would all boil down to a fight the God of Darkness couldn't even be harmed in, all because of a whim. Because he felt like it.

"Jaune, the Relics!" Weiss hissed. "Before he realises!"

He ran for them. He needn't have – the God of Darkness remained true to his word and made no effort to stop him, nor to stop the attacks bombarding him, but the God of Light's battle was far different, with Ozpin and Salem being pushed back mercilessly, batted about by an enemy who intended to kill them both quickly and efficiently. This fight with the God of Darkness would last only as long as that fight did, at which point the God of Light would end his brother's fun.

Creation, Choice, Knowledge and Destruction. His hand found the hilt of Destruction without hesitation, Crocea Mors having died. He snatched the others up regardless and rushed back, throwing the Relic of Creation to Weiss and the Relic of Choice at anyone who wanted it.

"Jinn, we need you!"

The spectral figure flowed out of the Relic and quickly took in the scene. "Oh dear," she said, biting her lip. "This was not anticipated…"

"We're in bug trouble. Can you help?"

"I am a being of knowledge. I am limited. I was created to aid humanity in-"

"You were created to aid humanity?" The God of Darkness boomed. His voice was deeper, more demanding. "You are of my brother's power, designed and created to give humanity an edge they did not deserve. Foolishness I had little hand in, let alone choice. You should never have been made. If needs be, I will unmake you."

Emotion – that was good. Maybe. If the God was worried, that meant the Relics might be able to hurt him. It also meant he'd get a lot more serious, though. Jaune shifted and tried to get a feel for a weapon he'd never used before. It felt heavy, ornamental. The balance just wasn't there.

"If I have to use the God of Light's powers, I will."

"Is that so? Well, then, you should do it without one of mine."

The God snapped his fingers and the Grimm diving onto and attacking him suddenly froze. Inside of him, Jaune felt Remy freeze as well, writhing and twitching silently. "Remy? Remy!?"

"The Grimm followed you because of Salem's influence stolen from me. Let us see how you fare when they are removed from your control."

Everyone looked around nervously at the words, suddenly aware that they were in the Grimmlands and surrounded by Grimm. Ruby and Pyrrha backed up so that they could cover one another, and the White Fang spread out to form a tight ball so that they could cover their flanks.

Beside Pyrrha, Mannie shook his head and scratched angrily at the ground. The large Beowolf looked confused – almost lost. Its head swung to look around it, first at the God of Darkness, then Pyrrha, before finally turning to face Jaune himself.

Jaune swallowed. "M-Mannie…?"

The Beowolf howled. The sound pierced through the combat, echoed a thousand times by more Grimm. Its hind legs tensed as it leapt forward.

It sunk its fangs into the God of Darkness' shoulder.

"WHAT!?" The God swung angrily, but Mannie had already let go and dashed out of reach. A horde of Nevermore descended on the God's head as he did. "How? They are stripped from your control!"

"And why should that change anything?" Sapphire demanded, sneering at the God. "Do you think they were slaves? I grew up with one-hundred thousand siblings. I played with Beowolves, cuddled up by Ursa through the night, rode on Deathstalkers and helped Nevermore preen those hard-to-reach spots. We all did. There wasn't a day that would go by when we wouldn't feed the Grimm, pick sharp rocks from their paws or play with them."

"You abandoned them," she hissed. "We did not. What choice did you think they would make?"

"Jaune," Remy hissed inside of him.

"Yeah?"

"Kick his ass."

Jaune grinned. "Already on it, pal."

While the God was distracted, Jaune charged in with the Relic at the ready, flanked by Weiss with the Relic of Creation and Sun of all people with the Relic of Choice. He was wielding the crown like a cudgel.

The God saw them coming through the mass of Grimm and lashed out with one arm towards them. Weiss and Sun split and flanked while he fell back, sliding under the arm and nearly cracking his head on the rocky floor. "I got you!" Remy crowed, slamming tentacles down into the ground and using them to push Jaune back up onto his feet on the other side of the God's arm.

Do your thing, Relic. You were made to help us – so bloody help us already!

The sword's tip bit deep, even as Weiss stabbed the staff in from the side and Sun chucked the crown up into the God's face. A bright light flashed out from the point of contact, light pouring out of the wound. The God of Darkness screamed in agony.

"RARGHHH!" The God staggered back, dragging himself away from the Relics. "Damn you," he hissed, voice grating like tombstones over gravel. "How dare you?" He snapped his arms open and a force picked Jaune up and hurled him back. The others were thrown away, too, sent a good fifty metres of so and sent crashing down into rock.

Jaune coughed out a little blood from the impact. Weiss groaned and tried to stand but collapsed back onto her front. She'd taken the brunt of it. The staff, the Relic of Creation, lay discarded a good ten or so feet away. Cinder rushed up to it, but even she looked badly hurt, favouring one side as a charred arm hung limp.

"Enough. I will slaughter you insignificant wastes of-"

"No!" Ruby yelled, using her Semblance to appear in front of the God. "Get back!"

Her eyes flickering was the only warning the God of Darkness received before a blinding silver light poured out, slamming into him and causing him to recoil, one hand over his apparently blinded eyes. Even then, his other hand snapped out, catching Ruby by her head and shoulders, his fingers blocking out the power of her silver eyes.

"Artifacts dripping with my brother's power. Ozma reincarnated despite my earlier attempts being rebuffed." The God of Darkness panted, smoke rising from his form. "And now this? The Power of Light in the eyes of a child? Where is this vaunted order of yours, brother!? How much of the Power of Light exists in this blasted world!?" He roared angrily, the sound deep as a dragon's and flung Ruby away, sending the girl rocketing back like a comet to crash into rock and carve a trench a foot deep. She didn't move. "How is this balance!? How is this order!?"

He could barely move. His legs felt like they might be broken and there was definitely some internal bleeding, because he hacked out another splatter of blood. Of those who had been fighting, many were down, including much of the White Fang. Even the Grimm had been knocked back, many of the Nevermore struggling to stand.

"P-Pyrrha," he choked. "T-The Maiden's powers…"

"More!?" the God roared, hearing him. "This is madness!"

"Yeah," an exhausted voice spoke. Yang staggered past Jaune's body, Yin hanging at her side and Yang's arm on Yin's elbow, supporting her child. "It kind of is."

"Yang," Jaune hissed. "Don't…"

"It's pretty fucked up," she continued, ignoring him as she walked towards the furious God. "But you know, this is just proof of how unfair things are. Not only for us, but for you as well."

The God of Darkness stilled. His eyes bore into Yang's, but seeing her unarmed and without a Relic, he allowed her approach. At any moment he might crush her, kill her. Jaune tried to force himself up, but his body just wouldn't obey.

"Unfair? Speak your words wisely, child, or they shall be your last."

"Hey, I'm just speaking the truth. I mean, look at the way things have worked out. You and your brother fought for millennia or something – and then he gets it into his head to strike a deal, impose balance and order between you. Makes sense, right? Lets you work together instead of against one another. It's definitely a good deal."

Yang grinned. "Or it would be if you hadn't been shafted."

"…"

"I think you can see it as well as I can. You both made Remnant, you both created the land, the seasons, night and day and all the people who lived here. He gave them some of his power and you gave them some of yours. A fair balance."

"Yes. A balance. Order."

"Except that it wasn't balanced, was it? He got all the followers, all the petitions, all the devotees. Meanwhile, you were stuck on your own in the middle of some blasted wasteland waiting for someone – anyone – to come by and worship you. You put in half the work and didn't get a damn thing for it."

"Such was humanity's choice…"

"That's bullshit and you know it. People didn't choose to go to him because they wanted to – they just couldn't make it to you because of how dangerous it was. If it were balanced, you'd have both been equally accessible. Or inaccessible. Instead, your brother made it so that anyone and everyone could get to him and no one to you, leaving him the worshipped one, the beloved one, the popular one."

"And then one day you finally do get someone who comes to you." Yang came to a stop not ten feet from the God. She stared up at him defiantly, sympathetically. "A desperate woman who was spurned by the God of Light. She promises to worship you and becomes the first – only for your brother to come flying in and stop her."

"She sought to abuse the balance of life and death."

"A balance you obviously didn't care about since you brought Ozma back to life. And besides, didn't the God of Light bring Ozma back later anyway? What changed, huh? What made it bad for you to bring him back but A-Okay for him to do it? What made life and death so sacrosanct that you couldn't fuck with it, but he's allowed to grant Salem immortality, breaking that same balance in the first place?"

The God was speechless.

Jaune was, too.

"Oh sure, you resurrect someone and you're the asshole, but he does it and suddenly he's `giving humanity a chance` and `holding on to hope`. What bullshit. I'll tell you why he didn't let you do it – because it would have meant more followers for you. Something you brother didn't want to let happen!"

The God of Darkness shook with fury. His head twisted towards the God of Light, still fighting Salem and Ozma, but he turned back just as suddenly, a hand reaching out as if to crush Yang. "You are seeking to trick me. Just as she did."

"Me? I'm not telling you to do anything; I'm just calling it as it is. As for Salem, she didn't trick you. She offered to follow you if you brought Ozma back. She committed to that. Where was the trick?"

"She did not tell me she had visited the God of Light beforehand."

"Did you ask her?"

He didn't respond.

"Would it have bothered you if she had? Would you have turned down her wish and her offer to become your first loyal worshipper?"

"No…"

"Then where's the trick? Not from her." Yang grinned savagely. "But I'll tell you who did trick you; your brother. Balance? Order? Yeah, his order. His balance. One where you get to sit alone on the other side of the world while he rules as a benevolent God that everyone loves and you're the boogieman people talk about in hushed whispers."

"The God of Light who only cares about the balance of life and death when he's not the one breaking it – who even after you both left Remnant went about behind your back to bring back Ozma and create the Relics, items created with his power. Where's the balance in the God of Light making Relics for us but you not? Did he even tell you he was going to?"

"No…"

"I thought not. You looked pretty surprised by them. Not to mention my sister's eyes – which, if you didn't know, is another thing your brother put down here without you knowing about it. Fair, right? Balanced, right? He gives humanity something, so you get to give humanity something." Yang held her arm out. "So, where's the boon you got to give? Where are your Relics?"

The God of Darkness shook.

"I mean, if this all worked as your brother intended and humanity was remade anew, they'd all be alive knowing that it was because of him that they get to live safe. Everyone would praise the God of Light for creating the Relics and giving humanity another chance. So, when things go back to how they were and you're sat here hoping for people to come and visit, how many do you think will? How many do you think will come to you when the God of Light already cheated to make it so that he's seen as the good guy again. The hero, the loving God or forgiveness who broke the rules to give humanity an edge? Because I'll tell you what I think; I think there won't be a single person who would come and worship you. Just as it's always been. Just how the God of Light likes it."

"Balance and order," Yang mocked, derision dripping from every word. "Just so long as it's balanced in his favour."

"You seek to make me defeat him for you," the God of Darkness seethed. His body was trembling, evidence of Yang's success in raising his ire, but not in doing so without being caught. "In the end, you're no different from Salem. You wish me to do your work for you."

Rather than deny it, Yang nodded. "Yeah. Pretty much."

The God stared at her. As did everyone else.

"Yang, what the fuck?" Blake hissed.

"Nah, I'm not going to lie about it. You're not an idiot and I'm not good at sneaky stuff. More of a hit something until it stops moving kind of girl. But I am an older sister and I know what it's like to have a sibling. Mom and Dad were always careful to make sure we shared stuff and got fair presents. Didn't want any jealousy between me and Ruby. Even after mom died, Dad was the same. He got me a motorbike but made it clear Ruby could have a car or bike once she passed her license. Whatever I got, Ruby would get something equivalent."

"You would suggest we are as children?"

"I'm just saying I'm in a position to judge. I can look at your situation and point out when someone is taking the piss. You're putting in just as much work as him and being paid beans for it. Am I trying to trick you? I don't know. Not really. I'm being pretty up front about this. I want you to go over there and knock your brother's face in, show him why he's being a dick and drag him off. Leave us alone."

"You… You are misleading me…"

"Am I? What am I hiding? What motive do I have that I haven't just told you?"

The God of Darkness didn't respond for a moment. Most would have continued talking, but Yang held his gaze, waiting for him to speak again. For the first time since the night had begun, the God appeared to be completely speechless.

"What do you wasn't?" Yang suddenly asked.

"What-?"

"What is it you want from this? I mean, we know why the God of Light wants to destroy us, but like you said before, you're not really into this. Still, you're here doing his dirty work for him like usual, so he is going to reward you for this, right?"

"I do not… No, I do know. He will not. We will create this world anew."

"Same rules as the last time?"

"… Yes …"

"Then it'll be the same conclusion, I reckon. You ignored, him the God worshipped. Face it, he just doesn't want you to be on the same level as him. He never has. Makes sense, too. I mean, you spent all your time fighting him at first. He suggested peace, but that sure as hell doesn't mean he has to honour it."

"The balance. The order…"

"God." Yang let out a sigh. "Quit lying to yourself. What balance? The first thing he did after coming back was try and kill anyone with the Power of Darkness within them. Anyone with your influence in them. My sister has his influence, but she wasn't going to be killed. Face it. He doesn't want co-operation. He wants you out of the picture, or at least hidden and pushed away. You claim Salem tricked you? The way I see it, only one person tricked you…"

"And he's been doing it for thousands of years."

"S-She's right," Ruby gasped, kneeling, beaten and broken with blood dripping down her face. "Yang's right. W-We're sisters. We do everything together… as a team. I wouldn't hide her away, ignore her."

"You are… We are nothing alike," he said.

"Aren't we? I've got the Power of Light and Yang has the Power of Darkness." Ruby smiled at her sister. "I still love her."

Yang looked back. "Love you too, sis."

The God stepped back.

"Fight back!" a voice yelled. To Jaune's surprise, he realised it was a figure among the White Fang. "That God's as bad as the SDC – acting like they own you. Because, what? You happen to be born different?"

"I was not born-"

"He's right!" another shouted. "It's oppression. Equal rights. Equal opportunities."

"Balance," Blake agreed. "Equality. A word Atlas and the SDC were keen to throw around, even when they branded us with irons and stamped their initials into our bodies. We were never equal; they jus wanted to use us for their own ends. Just like the God of Light is using you. We broke free. We fought."

"You can fight it, too," Sienna said. "Haven't got a mask big enough for you, but I wouldn't say no to a literal God in the White Fang. Or maybe you could be the God of the White Fang. You're certainly going through the same shit we are."

The God of Darkness looked up. "A God of… Worshipped?" For a second, he hesitated. "No. Trickery, deceit, lies."

Slowly, Yang reached out to touch his knee.

"We're not lying about anything. We're straight up telling you we want you to help us. The only one lying is the God of Light. And maybe you."

"I am a God. I have no need of lies."

"Not lying to us. Lying to yourself. Don't let us decide for you; you need to make your own decisions. But just as you shouldn't let us sway you, you shouldn't let him, either. You're a God. You're his equal. Personally, I think it's about time he started to treat you like it."

"Yes." The God of Darkness expanded. His head grew, elongating, stretching into a serpentine shape. As it did, his voice became deeper, echoing along his neck to reach his mouth. "Yes, I think it is."

The transformation was slow yet undeniably impressive. The dragon shape was unlike Kevin, longer, bigger, more elegant somehow. It was as beautiful as it was terrifying and now, out of a human shape, the sheer difference between the God and them was evident. Yang stood beneath it, looking up in awe.

"Stand aside, child of darkness," he boomed to her. "Watch as your God reminds the world why He is deserving of worship."

Yang grinned.

"You go, man. Kick his ass."

Are they tricking him? I don't know. Maybe. Even when I first heard the legend in the show, all I could think was how it didn't quite hold up. Not in a "RT made a mistake" kind of way and more in a "The GoL is clearly taking liberties" way. I mean, the GoL breaks all the rules he makes and waxes about "Balance" but it only ever seems to apply when it comes to keeping the GoD down.

Do you disagree? I'd be interested in hearing opinions on it

Honestly, I like the idea of the Gods being a little more fallible, having a little personality. I know some religious folks might prefer their idea of God as being all powerful, kind and omniscient, but since this is fiction, I don't see how it needs to apply.

Plus, it always struck me as kind odd that the GoL likes to create, GoD likes to destroy, yet the GoL hashes out a co-operation deal where the GoD kind of can't even do that anymore without the GoL's permission. Doesn't that seem a little one sided?

Next Chapter: 7th February

P a treon . com (slash) Coeur