Hey, for the first time since last May I said a new chapter would come out soon and it actualy did. That's what's called 'character development'. Just kidding, odds are I'm probably going to end up going on another hiatus at one point in the future. Oh well, there's no point worrying about that now. For now, here's a new chapter of Silver Spectre that I hope you all enjoy.
P.S. This chapter did not have a Beta Reader. I'm still too embarassed to talk to my Beta Reader after dissapearing for a few months.
Weiss felt her breath be ripped from her lungs at Oscar's question. The young boy stood several feet away, an innocent and confused expression upon his face. The ex-heiress tried to form a response, but no words came out. Her companion was of no help either, as Ruby was currently gaping in shock after having heard his words. The farmboy's gaze flicked over to her, and Weiss's eyes narrowed. That confirmed it. He had definitely just glanced at Ruby.
The white-haired women felt like letting out a long string of curses. She had fled from her family's home on a whim, yet she had spent much of her alone time meticulously planning contingencies and excuses for whatever holes someone may have found in her story. Yet they all fell apart the moment someone else was able to see Ruby.
She had never even considered that a possibility. Some of the most powerful individuals she knew, such as Winter, Lady Goodwitch, and General Ironwood of Atlas had been unable to see her friend. So why was this random, Mistralian kid able to? Then again, why was she able to see Ruby? None of it made sense. But one thing was apparent to her. She needed to be careful with what she said, otherwise she may reveal too much.
If Weiss explained that the light following her around was, in fact, Ruby Rose, then that would prompt Oscar to ask more questions. Questions about why she was helping her, why was she able to see Ruby, and why she hadn't told Yang and Tai about her. That wasn't even mentioning that Oscar might figure out she knew how to use necromancy, a highly illegal study of magic that was banned in all of the Four Kingdoms, as well as sovereign territories such as Menagerie or Argus.
A small part of Weiss's mind told her to simply deny the existence of Ruby. Tell Oscar he was wrong, that there was no light following her. Plant seeds of doubt in the young boy's mind and get him to think he was wrong. But Weiss quickly squashed those temptations. If she did that, she would be no better than her father. Just another manipulative, abusive Schnee only concerned with furthering their own goals.
She was willing to go to any length to help Ruby and fulfill her promise to the girl, but that didn't mean she wanted to do terrible things. If it could be avoided, she wouldn't do anything that forced her to hurt others. But that still left a question on how to answer the question. The truth wasn't an option, but neither was an outright lie. She had to find a middle ground.
Oscar's expression wavered slightly, causing Weiss to mentally chide herself. She had taken too long to respond, and now he was getting suspicious. She had to think of something to say, and quickly. But Weiss wasn't very good at coming up with lies on the spot. Her father had an uncanny talent to detect them, so she had never been able to hone the skill. She could, given time, come up with and spin a convincing story, but she was helpless if she wasn't prepared. So she did what she could to buy herself more time.
"What exactly do you mean by 'silver light' Oscar? That's not very descriptive, and I'm not exactly sure how much you can see," Weiss inquired, causing Oscar's eyebrows to shoot up in surprise. She had just confirmed that she too could see the light, while not actually revealing any information about it.
"Well, it's this... ball of light that follows you around. It doesn't seem to emit any heat, and it's bright, but only if you look at it directly. What exactly is it?" Oscar asked hesitantly.
"Strange. So we see different things when we look at it?" Weiss muttered to herself loud enough for both Ruby and Oscar to hear her. The ghostly girl was currently scratching at her chin, seemingly deep in thought. The swordswoman took a deep breath to calm herself. "It's going to be ok. Together, we can work through this," She thought to herself.
"Wait, you see something different? What is it?" Oscar asked excitedly. Weiss darted her eyes to Ruby, silently asking her what to do. The silver-eyed girl shook her head vehemently.
"Don't tell him you see me. Tell him you just see a vague, human-like shape," The ghost advised. Weiss supposed that made sense. It was different from what Oscar had described while still being vague enough that she wasn't backing herself into a corner.
"When I look at it, I don't see a ball of light. I see silver flames in the shape of a person. I haven't been able to make out any facial features, or anything that would tell me what gender the being is, but I have been able to figure out it's emotions based on it's movements," Weiss lied. Her ability to think on the spot may be poor, but she could be convincing. This made her a perfect match for Ruby, whose endless creativity could come up with the most outlandish yet believable claims, yet couldn't tell a lie to save her life. Together, they were an unbeatable team.
"Huh, Well how long has this light been following you?" Oscar asked, erasing Weiss's brief sense of triumph. The question in itself wasn't very dangerous, but she had to be careful with how she answered to avoid backing herself into a corner later on.
"Around a year now. It's never done anything malicious, and seems to be rather harmless. I suppose it's simply become a constant in my life, so I don't notice it very much," Weiss responded truthfully. She saw no need to lie about these things, as she doubted that information could be turned against her. Besides, it made it easier to keep track of her story.
"And do you have any idea what it is?" The boy inquired with a curious expression on his face. Weiss felt like ripping out her hair, but miraculously kept her cool. This kid just kept asking questions, each requiring either a hasty response or advice from Ruby to safely answer. And she could only glance at her closest friend's ghost so many times before Oscar got suspicious.
"I have a few theories, but no solid answers. It's obviously a ghost of some kind, yet it doesn't match up with any of the different kinds I know of," Upon hearing her response, Oscar's face scrunched up into confusion.
"Different kinds? There are different types of ghosts?" The boy asked with genuine curiosity, and Weiss felt a wave of relief wash over her. This was a question she could give a textbook answer too.
"Yes. I took an interest in them about a year ago, for obvious reasons. The standard ghost people tend to think of is known as a lost soul. These are deceased souls who are unable to reach the afterlife due to lingering regrets. They are, much like the Creatures of Grimm, mindless, and frequently attack the living in an attempt to repair their damaged souls. They can grow to become intelligent over time, but still maintain their hatred for the living."
Oscar nodded along with an enraptured expression on his youthful face. Ruby watched the scene with a bright grin, a far cry from the dour expression she'd been wearing not twenty minutes prior. Even Weiss couldn't help the small smirk that came to her face. She just couldn't help but enjoy explaining these things to people. While she may have become an apprentice to Oobleck in order to help Ruby, that wasn't to say she didn't enjoy learning new things and teaching them to people. Far from it.
"Obviously the silver spectre following me isn't a standard ghost. Yet it also isn't a shade, which is a type of ghost created when someone splits their soul into pieces using dark magic. Nor is it a wraith, a ghost formed when a necromancer corrupts another's soul. It is both too docile and too intelligent to be either of those things. I originally believed it to be a revenant, a type of ghost bound to this world by lingering resentment and a desire for revenge, invisible to all but their target of their hate."
"But because I can see it, that theory isn't valid," Oscar surmised, but Weiss merely wagged a finger in a way that reminded her of her old tutors chiding her when she answered a question incorrectly.
"Not quite. I had already dismissed that idea a long time ago based on the simple fact that the spirit following me hasn't harmed me, nor has it shown any desire to. I have fallen asleep hundreds of times since it appeared to me, and each time I have awoken unharmed. This spirit is no normal ghost, that's for certain," Weiss lectured, both to an eager Oscar and a smiling Ruby. The ghost girl ought to have known this all already, but each time Weiss explained something to her she always seemed so happy. She truly was a strange girl.
"So, to summarize, you have no idea what it is?" Oscar concluded. Weiss let out an undignified sound before shaking her head once again.
"I personally believe it to be some kind of guardian spirit or distant ancestor who watches over me," Weiss lied as naturally as breathing. While explaining ghosts to Oscar she had predicted he might dig deeper and had thus taken the time to prepare a suitable excuse. "But I lack any conclusive evidence to confirm this theory."
"I suppose that makes sense. I wonder why only we are able to see it though?" Oscar muttered to himself, to which Weiss just shrugged helplessly.
"I was actually hoping to ask if you knew why you could. Despite having been around some of the most powerful individuals in all of Remnant, only you have been able to see the spirit, aside from myself of course."
"Hmm. I don't really have an answer. I mean, Tai once told me I'm pretty perceptive when it comes to Aura, and since Aura is the energy emitted by the soul that might explain why I can sense the spirit? But I'm hardly a prodigy, and that doesn't explain why more talented people such as Tai or Yang couldn't sense it."
"I suppose it's pointless to sit here wondering about it. We could ask questions for hours, and all that would bring about is more questions. The only way to find out is through action," Weiss declared with conviction. She wanted to end this conversation now, before Oscar asked more questions. She'd gained a healthy respect for the boy's intellect, and she wasn't sure she'd be able to answer any more questions he might ask.
"But wait," He began to say, and Weiss felt her stomach drop. "Does this have anything to do with why you left Atlas? From what I heard from Tai, you left to finish your grandfather's work, but that doesn't seem to add up," Oscar pondered. Weiss shot a panicked glance towards Ruby. If Oscar continued this train of thought, he could very well unravel their entire web of lies and expose them here and now. She had to cut him off.
"Weiss, tell him about how you found your grandfather's book!" Ruby called out to her, floating up into the air by a few feet. This served to distract Oscar, who turned his attention to what he saw as a ball of silver light and gave Weiss time to compose herself and organize her thoughts. Tell him about how she found her grandfather's book? But she found that when she was researching how to help Ruby. How would that help?
Suddenly, Ruby's words clicked into her face. "You're partially correct, Oscar. I was researching my... condition within my family's private library when I found my grandfather's last work. After an argument with my father, I decided to fulfill his final wish and finish the book. Yet my goal is also a selfish one, as the book may very well contain answers about the spirit following me," Weiss explained.
It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the truth. It was both, tightly woven together into a simple story that was easily believable. Oscar clearly accepted it, given the look of understanding that crossed his face. But Ruby gave Weiss a worried look and quickly gave her a warning.
"Weiss, you need to tell him not to spread this story around. He may believe it, but if it gets back to Doctor Oobleck then he's going to get suspicious. He's read your grandfather's notes, so he'll figure us out," The cloaked girl advised with a worried expression. Weiss felt a chill run down her spine at her words. She hadn't thought of that.
"By the way, Oscar, I have a favor to ask," She rushed to say before the boy could either walk away or continue to ask questions. "I would appreciate it if you kept this conversation between us," She explained, prompting a perplexed expression to surface on his face.
"Why? I mean, sure, I will, but I don't think anything you said was all that bad," Oscar queried, and Weiss's mind rushed to think of a compelling lie before settling on one she felt was rather good.
"It's just... well, you are aware I ran away from my home, yes?" She asked, to which Oscar answered with a nod. "Well, I'm well aware of the reputation and rumors that have likely begun to spread about me. Imagine how much worse they would be if people found out that I was seeing a ghost no one else could see."
Oscar's eyes widened in surprise. "They'd think you'd gone insane!" He muttered in shock. Weiss gave him a sad smile and a bitter nod. "I understand. Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me!" He enthusiastically said, and Weiss felt an arrow of guilt pierce her heart. He was a kid, and yet here she was, lying and manipulating him to suit her goals. She was no better than her father.
"Thank you, Oscar. Now, I think it's time you head back to Patch. Tai's probably worried sick right now," Weiss said. Oscar's eyes widened, and the boy let out a string of words no boy his age should be saying, if you asked Weiss.
"The ferry! The last boat back to Patch leaves at sundown!" He exclaimed before looking at the sky and letting out a yelp. The sun was just beginning to dip below the horizon. "Thanks for your help earlier, Weiss. It was great talking to you!" Oscar exclaimed before taking off in the direction of the docks. Weiss watched him go with an impassive expression before turning and walking away.
She should probably get back to Beacon Castle. Hopefully, by morning Lady Goodwitch's plan would have come to fruition and Torchwick would be in custody. Then she could recover the translator tome and finally start the process of translating the ancient tome. She had been concerned with Ruby's attitude earlier, but the girl seemed in much better spirits now, and Weiss was far too tired to have that conversation right now.
She made it about three steps down the road before a sharp pain struck the side of her neck. Her hand shot up and covered the spot that hurt, grasping onto a small dart and pulling it out. She whirled to her left, trying to spot her attacker. Two shapes stepped out from an alleyway, one twirling another dart in their hand.
They were both short and lithe women with disinterested expressions on their faces. The one on the right wore a strapless dress in a deep red color, the other one a pure white. They both had the same haircut for their long, straight, black hair, and each had a feather the color of their dress in their hair. The one twirling the dart, the one in white, spoke in a bored and soft voice.
"Well well well. Looks like Junior was right, Militia. The Schnee is here in Vale."
"Told ya, Melanie," The other girl, Militia apparently said. "Junior's never wrong. Now come on. The boss wants us to bring her to Torchwick," She said as she took a step towards Weiss. The ex-heiress scoffed and raised her sword. As if two common street thugs would be able to capture her. She'd take care of them, then make them reveal Torchwick's location to her. Then, she'd pass that on to Lady Goodwitch.
"Ohh, look Militia," Melanie cooed. "The little princess wants to fight," She said cockily. Weiss nearly let out a snarl. These two had mentioned knowing Junior, and she vaguely recalled seeing them in his bar that morning when she'd gone with Yang to get information. That meant the large man had betrayed them. Not that she'd expected loyalty from the information broker.
"Well, sorry then, Ms. Schnee, but we aren't exactly in the mood to fight," Militia said before taking another step forward. At that, Weiss finally let out a cocky laugh.
"What, you think you two can take me?" She exclaimed before flourishing her blade. The two girls seemed to flinch, but quickly regained their courage and began to chuckle darkly.
"Of course not. Even if we both attacked you together, you'd at least be able to hold us off until the guards came. But given what Neo's told us, you'd probably kill us before they even got here. But that's why we hit you with the poisoned dart," Melanie explained, causing Weiss's eyes to widen in shock.
"No need to worry, Schnee. It's not going to kill you. You're just going to take a little nap, that way you don't cause much of a fuss when we bring you back to Torchwick," Militia spoke softly, and Weiss began to feel her arms grow tired. She was already exhausted from this morning, so whatever drug they'd poisoned the tip of that dart was quickly shutting down her body. This was bad.
Her arm lowered, leading to the tip of Myrtenaster to scrape against the cobblestone road. She tried to slow her breathing to prevent the drug from making its way through her body quicker, but it was pointless. The two women looked at each other with a nod and ran towards, assuming she'd be tired to resist.
She watched helplessly as they got closer and closer. Fifteen feet. Her eyelids began to drop. Twelve feet. Her legs began to shake. Ten feet. Her on grip of her sword slackened. Five feet. Her head fell, her neck too weak to hold its weight anymore. Finally, they reached her and struck out, Melanie with a low sweeping kick and Militia with a sucker punch to the throat.
In a single motion, Weiss flooded her left arm with aura, filled her blade with fire dust, and swung outwards in an arc. The flaming slash caught both women across the stomach, despite their desperate attempts to dodge. The wounds instantly cauterized thanks to the flames, but the pain was much worse because of it.
But as soon as she finished her strike, her grip went slack and she fell to the ground. Both women clutched their stomachs in pain, but Melanie was able to walk towards Weiss, As she lifted her leg to kick Weiss in the face and knock her out, the ex-heiress locked eyes with Ruby, who floated helplessly in the air. Throwing caution to the wind, she called out to her friend desperately.
"Find Oscar!" Weiss cried out just before a boot slammed into her face and her world exploded into pain before fading completely to black.
So obviously this was a much shorter chapter then what I've written in the past, especially compared to the last two I wrote. But to be honest, it kind off had to be. This was the best point I could think to cut it off, because if I continued then I'd have to write like another 5000 words before I reached another good stopping point. And if I had cut it off sooner, it wouldn't have made sense.
I suppose I could've dragged out the conversation a bit longer, but I felt like it was already being a bit repetative. It honestly was just Oscar asking a question, Weiss freaking out, Ruby giving her an answer, Weiss saying the answer, and Oscar accepting the answer. A better writer than me could've made it more engaging, but I feel like it wasn't bad.
Speaking of Oscar and Weiss's conversation, I actually had to pull up one of the earliest chapters of this story to make sure I was getting everything right. When Weiss was explaining the types of ghosts to Oscar, I remembered that I had described them back in chapter 3 when Weiss was trying to figure out what Ruby actually was.
And oh boy, that was honestly kind off painful to read. Those early chapters really suffered from my lack of expirience, and they tended to ramble on and on, being really repetative in an attempt to pad out the story and make it seem longer than it was. I might eventually go back and fix them up, but I doubt that will happen anytime soon.
Regardless, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and look forward to the next chapter that will hopefully come out in a few days. Until then, I hope you all have a great day.
