Prologue

Fear Itself

Empty. Silent. Dark. All words apt, not just for her castle, but herself. Ten thousand years she'd walked the world with this hollow shell of humanity. Far longer had she walked it alone. She couldn't count the ages that had passed. But they were all the same.

Empty. Silent. Dark.

There were of course, rare things that had been some joy in her immortal life. Her thoughts drifted to the beginning, with Ozma. She couldn't find the drive to be angry with him, most days. This was just their fate. A hand dealt by scheming, cowardly Gods. It wasn't Ozma's fault, not really. He had, of course, come back to be with her, in the beginning.

Those were the happy days, a bittersweet memory now, but all that she had ever dreamed then. Even after the uncountable time she had been alone, Ozma had been her joy. Until, the Gods stole her freedom once more. The mission they had given her Ozma, 'Reunite the humans and bring the Gods back for judgment', had tore them apart.

She did lay some blame at his feet. It was his choice to pursue this goal. They could've replaced these empty shells, brought back the true humanity. They would've been as Gods themselves. Then again, it was his nature wasn't it, to try to do what he believed to be the right thing. That was one of the things she'd loved in the beginning. He was the living embodiment of the heroes she'd read of all those years ago.

It was annoying, but she did still find that drive to be endearing. The true shame was that he'd lost it over the years. Salem felt a shred of pity for her Ozma. The years had changed him. She remembered all the times he had come so close, only for her to ruin it all. Eventually he just stopped trying. She was no stranger to failure herself though. For every time she had ruined his plans and dashed his progress against the rocks, so had he done hers.

It was an endless back and forth. Bodies thrown against bodies. How many of these humans had died in their war across the millennia? The one redeeming quality they had was their tenacity. Salem had respect for humanities stubbornness and refusal to just die. That same respect shared a space with hatred. She wanted it to end. Get the relics and summon the Gods. Let them witness the pathetic world they left and end it all. A final victory before her death, making those bastards destroy their creation, once and for all.

The sound of an opening door drew Salem from her thoughts. She turned with her usual grace to watch the returning party. Hazel, Emerald, and Mercury. So, Cinder truly had failed her. She could sense the girl, Salem's gift still existed with her after all. She would simply have to earn her way back. Watts and Tyrian were right behind the returning trio. Salem found herself rather annoyed. Trust had been placed in these four and it seemed to have been a mistake. As her subjects settled themselves, Salem took her place at the head of the table.

The three who failed stood, heads bowed, terrified to meet her gaze. Idly, Salem wondered why they were so afraid. She was fair, just, and not unkind. She wondered if it was her appearance, or perhaps her power. Or, she wondered, could it be that they think the failure enough to be worthy of death? It might be her fault of course, she often failed to remember who it was that served her at any given time. The faces come and go like the wind. It could be difficult to recall who she'd taught proper lessons. No, she was never one to take the lives of her subjects. They were too useful and too few.

Salem was no fool. She knew who was to blame for this failure. Cinder would find her punishment in exile. Until she had made herself useful enough to return. Those here would need a reminder that failure would not be tolerated. Hmm, maybe that was what filled them with such terror. She did know quite the creative torture methods. As she took in the sight of the kneeling trio, she decided that words should be all she needed.

With a patient sigh, Salem spoke, "I would like you to explain to me... how it is you failed so spectacularly?" They had been meticulous in planning and preparation after all. There was no reason for failure. It should have been a simple task.

Hazel was the one to speak up. He always had a soft spot for children. "The Faunus Militia split our forces-"

"Stop." Salem's command was obeyed without hesitation. She could see the terror on his face. So dramatic, these subjects were, not to mention dense. She should have chosen more specific words. "Let me rephrase the question. Who is responsible for your defeat?"

There was a moment of silence and Salem found herself growing impatient. Hazel didn't keep her waiting long, however. He rose to his feet and raised his eyes to meet her own. Salem returned the gaze with intensity. "I take full responsibility." Wrong answer.

Salem threw the table to the side, anger broiling in her chest. She ignored the others as she stalked forward. "But that wouldn't be fair now, would it?!" Salem lifted her hand, prepared to act. "We all know who's truly to blame..."

The children rose and backed away from her approach. She must've been quite the sight. Hazel made to speak more excuses, that determined expression on his face. "I don't-" Salem cut off his words, summoning forth her Shadow Hands. They clawed at him violently and brought him to his knees, silencing him. Exactly where he belonged. Lessons must be learned. Salem stopped in front of him, taking in the sight. Let us see if the children have more sense than the rest of you. She turned her gaze to the girl.

The child was terrified. Good, maybe she won't make the same mistake. "Emerald..." Her eyes widened and panic took over. Salem approached the girl. "I want you to tell me whose fault this was." She waited, but the girl seemed to have lost her tongue. Perhaps some encouragement would help. "Now." The word was simple, the order was simple.

The girl's eyes screwed shut. "Cinder!" Her exclamation was followed by a more calm response. "We failed because of Cinder." Good girl. Salem found a sense of peace with the answer. It was good to see the girl still had her head without Cinder's presence. The girls potential would be worth keeping around.

"That's right." Salem stated simply. She placed her hand gently on the child's shoulder. "I want you to understand that failure. I want you to understand why Cinder must be left to toil in her isolation until she redeems herself." She stepped away from the girl, satisfied that her point had been made.

"You mean-" Mercury's thought is finished by the girl. "She's alive?"

"You're joking, how could you know that?" Watt's voice peaked her ire.

"Are you questioning our divine savior?!" Tyrian's rage was as strong as ever.

Watt's was taken aback and he met Salem's gaze. Her glare was a challenge. The man averted his eyes. "Of course not, forgive me."

"It's important to not lose sight of what drives us: Love, justice, reverence..." Salem paused as she met Emerald's eyes. "But, the moment you put your desires before my own... They will be lost to you." The warning was for them all. A simple fact of those she obtained as subjects was that they were selfishly motivated. Sometimes, a gentle reminder would be all it took to keep them in line. She made her way towards her seat once more.

Clarification may be required she supposed. "This isn't a threat. This is simply the truth. The path to your desires is only found... through me." She looked back at her subjects. Ensuring that her message was made clear. Tyrian was never in doubt, despite his recent failures. Hazel rose to his feet and met her gaze. Watt's had also understood her message. Good. She looked out at the Grimm flying just outside of the castle.

Yet another set back. She'd just about had enough. This pitiful war had dragged on far too long. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "And so we must press on..." Soon, she would find peace. She turned to face her subjects. "The Sword under Vacuo's academy, Shade-"

"Ma'am." Hazels interruption strained her patience. "I have... more to report." Salem spread her arms, bringing forth the Shadow Hands. A threat. Hazel continued, "Qrow and the children are taking the Lamp to Atlas."

Tyrian's mad laughter filled the room. "Not if I can help it." Salem kept her eyes on Hazel. There was more, she knew.

Hazel wouldn't meet her gaze. "And, they're being led by Ozpin."

Salem liked to believe that she was a patient woman. She had walked this world for uncountable years. She had seen stars die. Countless kingdoms had risen and fallen before her. Still, she had faced each and every day.

"So soon?!" Tyrian's voice was thick with shock.

She found herself tired though. She had fought this war with her Ozma for many a year. Played the game by the rules and come to a loss countless times. This time was to be different. Yet here he was, again, trying to ruin everything.

"He's the only man with a chance of getting through to Ironwood. If that happens..." Watt's voice fell silent.

Cold. Roiling. Rage. She had come so far. Ozma continued to bring ruin to her plans. One step forward two steps back. She was done. Fury was her world. She lifted her eyes towards her subjects. She was vaguely aware of the glass windows cracking. "Leave." The word was simple, the command simple. Tyrian began to speak but her eyes silenced him. Disobedience would be death in this moment. They all knew it.

She watched them leave, struggling to contain the thick fury. The door closed and she focused on her breath. She found a moment of calm. It was time to do the job herself. The war would end this generation, one way or the other. Then, with a feral scream, she surrendered to the storm of rage, hatred, and righteous fury. This. World. Will. Burn.

Yang

The single quality that is common across every living creature on this planet... is fear.

It was only Blake's touch, her hand over mine, that kept it from shaking. Adam's blade lay in my lap, taunting me. Everyone aboard was looking out the window, looking at the fleet of war ships that hovered over the city of Atlas.

It's funny then, that as common as fear is... we so easily underestimate its power.

I couldn't look though. Even if it was hours ago that we'd faced him, that we'd won. The terror of our encounters still flashed through my mind.

Fear of growing close to someone...

I saw the fire that burned Beacon. I saw the mask of the man who stole my peace, my arm. The man who stole Blake away from me. I watched her leave, run from it all.

… a subsequent fear of loss.

Terror clawed and scratched at my chest and throat. I had almost lost her again. He had stood over me, moments from claiming my life.

Fear of failure.

I had abandoned them to the fight. Unable to even defend myself. If it weren't for Weiss, I would be dead. Blake would be dead.

And as more people depend on you, those fears can take on greater power.

It was a struggle to breathe, I gasped for air. The sight of Blake, on the ground. Weiss struggling to stand. But, Adam stood unscathed, dangerous... deadly. The blood of innocents flowing between dense cobblestone.

But fear itself isn't worthy of concern.

A cool hand on my cheek brought me back to reality. Golden eyes burned away the suffocating fear.

It's who we become while in its clutches.

"I'm so sorry..." The words stung as I spoke them. "I let you down." A thumb brushes across my cheekbone.

Will you be proud of that person?

"Yang," Blake's voice was thick with determination. "You didn't let me down. You saved us. You came back and we fought, together." Tears dripped down my face. She wrapped my fingers tightly around the sheathed blade. "This is no longer a symbol of nightmares. It is a reminder that you are still here. That we fought and won."

Will you forgive them?

I looked down at the weapon, and considered it. We did win. We fought, survived and spared him. I had the man who ruined my life right there, moments from death.

Will you understand why they felt the need to do the things they did?

"I wanted to kill him." Bitterness filled my voice as I uttered the words. "I almost did. I wanted to make him pay. He stole everything from me."

Will you even recognize them?

"But you didn't." Blake's voice was soft, as she lifted my head. she forcing me to meet her eyes. "You aren't Adam. You are Yang Xiao Long. The woman I love."

Or will the person staring back at you be the very thing you should have feared from the start?

I looked back at the weapon and pulled the sword partially from the scabbard. I saw myself reflected in crimson steel. "I should have. He was going to kill you, I shouldn't have hesitated."

I suppose we all find out... sooner or later.

Blake took the deadly blade from my hands. "No." She sheathed the blade, then took the ribbon of Gambol Shroud in her other hand. "If there is one thing, you should always remember." She wound it tightly around the hilt, tying the weapon closed. She cut the length of ribbon from her weapon the looked into me with fire burning in her eyes. "It's that there is always a better way." She placed the weapon across my lap once more. "Carry this with you always. A reminder of what could've been." She placed my prosthetic hand over the ribbon. "And what should never be."

The voice of the pilot carried towards the back of the cabin. "We're here. Brace for landing."

Blake's hand cupped the nape of my neck, using the leverage she pulled my forehead against hers gently. The fiery determination in her eyes became a comforting warmth. "You are a dragon, my dragon, and you burn bright with passion, intensity and strength. But, please, don't let your flame become a force of destruction Yang." I cupped her cheek and kissed the tip of her nose.

"I won't. I promise."

A/N: Heyya! Thanks for reading my prologue here. It's been a while since I've done any proper writing. This is something I've had cooking around in my noodle for a while. There are definitely a few changes from the canon storyline, but I just couldn't shake the idea. I feel like things at Atlas could've gone so differently, it's definitely something worth exploring. Also, Yang is one of my favorite characters. I feel that just as Jaune has a lot of potential early on, looking at Coeur, so to does Yang post volume 3. The amount of trauma and pressure on her, it's more than enough to break many people. There are plenty of chances for lines to blur, and right and wrong to become very grey.

Feel free to leave your thoughts in a review!