As the sun began to set over the barren wasteland, black boots danced softly across the sand as a lithe form dashed silently from shadow to shadow. She stopped by the gnarled and mangled roots of a once mighty oak tree, noticing the Dwarf Nevermores circling in the distance. In the light, it could be seen that she wore a black tank top with sleek armor running down her right arm. On her left, blood-stained bandages were wrapped around her bicep, as well as a black ribbon keeping the bandages secure. Purple, fingerless gloves caked with dirt, sweat, and blood covered each of her tired hands. On her lower half she wore torn purple leggings with spiky, armored shin guards on each leg. Black boots caked with blood and grime adorned her feet. Her face was speckled with dirt as well as a jagged scar running along her right cheekbone. Ripped, torn cat ears stuck out of a black bandana that covered most of her short black hair.

Blake tugged her tattered black scarf further up over her nose and mouth before dashing towards the site. She leapt over rocks and ledges before landing on a ridge overlooking her target. The avian Grimm were circling a solitary corpse lying in the dirt. She whipped her firearm out of its holster and fired a few warning shots, scaring the birds off. Using every muscle in her worn legs, she leapt from the ridge and landed beside the corpse. She knelt down and examined the corpse. The feminine body was clad in tattered leather and broken armor. Bloody rabbit ears stuck out of the shattered helmet and her dead eyes remained open. The ninja gave a heavy sigh and closed the faunus's eyes.

"Rest easy, Velvet," Blake said softly. "Your sacrifice will not be in vain. The Red Queen will pay for the lives she has taken." Blake took the leather satchel from Velvet's bloody corpse and, saying one last silent prayer for her fallen ally, buried the body in a makeshift grave. She then turned and took off for the location of the rebel camp. Blake passed the battered gates surrounding the rebel encampment and walked silently into the largest building. Inside, a tall blonde figure stood at the war table, studying documents.

This figure had long blonde hair with streaks of red. A black eyepatch covered her left eye, and various scars dotted her face. She wore a long brown duster overtop a titanium chest-plate. Her cracked, golden gauntlets were forever adorned upon her wrists, and bloody, spiked armor covered her muscular arms. She wore black leather pants emblazoned with a faded yellow rose. Filthy bandages and colorful ribbons were wrapped around her shins. She wore one weathered brown boot on her left foot, and a metal foot rested where she had lost her right foot earlier in the war.

"Any news?" Yang asked, her voice somewhat worn and weary. Blake pulled her scarf down and spoke softly.

"Dead. Velvet was killed by the Red Queen's forces, but I was able to salvage the food." Yang's head hung low, saddened by the death of yet another fine soldier. Blake laid a hand on Yang's shoulder. "I gave her a burial. She deserved at least that much." Yang was silent as her hands gripped the table tightly, the wood cracking and splintering. "Yang… I know you said it's too risky, but I think we should bring them in." Yang whirled around and pinned Blake against the wall, her remaining eye glowing red.

"I said NO!" Yang bellowed. "I already lost her once, I won't lose her again!" Blake struggled against the blonde's immense strength.

"But she can help!" Yang growled and punched Blake's head as hard as she could. Luckily for Blake, her speed outmatched Yang's and she was able to dodge. Yang's fist broke through the concrete, but Yang was so angry that she didn't care.

"No means no, Blake," Yang said coldly. "I won't allow it." Yang then turned and went back to the table. Blake, somewhat shaken, decided it would be best for her to leave. She walked out into the camp, where the rebels all went about their daily lives: fortifying the walls, rationing what little food they had, and repairing armor and weapons. Blake took a deep breath and spoke softly to herself.

"Forgive me, Yang… but we have no other option…" Blake then turned on her heels and began walking towards what looked to be a makeshift temple.


A human knight clad in black armor walked into the rocky throne room and knelt before a shadowy throne.

"My queen, the faunus was eliminated." The knight raised his head to meet the gaze of two blood red eyes peering out of the shadows.

"You have done well, Winchester. I was right to spare you," a sultry, yet demonic voice spoke to him. Cardin Winchester stood and quickly glanced at his three teammates standing by the door.

"However, my queen…" he started nervously. "We did just find that a rune was missing from your collection." Silence. "The temporal rune. We know where it might be, though! Recovering it is our number one concern!" An inhuman growl came from the shadows.

"Thrush! Front and center!" the queen demanded. Russel Thrush, the slim knight with the green Mohawk stepped forward slowly. Suddenly, with movements faster than the others could register, a figure shot forth from the shadows and severed Thrush's head from his body, as well as cutting his body into several pieces. The bloody, mangled mess of flesh and bone fell at the feet of a feminine figure. She stood over 6 feet in height and wore a black, skintight leotard. A blood red cape adorned with a black rose hung from her shoulders. Armored boots and gloves made out of Grimm bones adorned her clawed hands and feet. A silver rapier hung from her waist. Her skin was a dark purple, and her eyes a blood red. Scarlet lips curled into a snarl, revealing rows of sharp, jagged teeth. A necklace formed from human rib bones hung around her neck and a crown of bones sat atop her head. In her left hand was a massive, crimson scythe; in her right, a black scythe of similar size pulsing with dark energy.

"You see his remains?" She asked, glaring into Cardin's eyes. His knees shook and he nodded furiously. "Fail me again, and there won't even be this much left of you." She turned and walked back to her throne, in the process crushing Russel's head with her boot. The sharpened heel pierced his head and caused it to burst like a grape, spilling blood and brains all over the floor. "Am I understood?" Cardin nodded furiously.

"Yes, your majesty. Glory to Queen Rose!" Cardin swore, holding his mace over his heart as a sign of honor. The queen waved him off with one claw, before grabbing one of Russel's limbs and taking a hearty bite out of it, her teeth tearing through the muscles and bone with ease.