The headmaster of Beacon looked out from his windows, watching the smiles and laughters of the Russians while enjoying themselves with their own activities. It reminded him a time when he used to have the frail mortality of man. Yet, he dread to recall a memory when he enjoyed the fruits of life, but also the curses of the Gods.

Ozpin thought of those summer days when he was young and a fool, someone who was just a simple man. However, he couldn't forget that moment of betrayal when their trust failed. All that hope of his own future had cost him his own life and the very peace he should have had when he passed.

Now he found himself in the future, confronting the problem he allowed to happen. Salem shouldn't have gotten ahold of that power for herself.

He heard a good friend of his speak. "Ozpin?"

The headmaster turned around and was greeted by the faces of General Ironwood, Specialist Schnee, Professor Goodwitch, Colonel Miller of the Rangers, and the young man who was the first to arrive in this world. "James, what can you tell me about the situation?"

Then the general placed his hands behind his back. "The council have proceeded to get on with the tournament, but I have my men and those Reds to search for the terrorists." The colonel scoffed at his words. "Is there something wrong, Colonel Miller?"

The older man placed his hands on his hips. "Those men consist of those machines and you're using the Reds to cover for their limited sensors. As much as I admire your initiative, those people must have moved."

However, Winter began to wonder. "How can you be so sure until we find out?"

Miller glanced over to her. "My experience says otherwise. If the communists found one of their hideouts, the first they're going to do is try and clear the place without leaving any evidence." He answered. "I used to deal with such people in the Spetsnaz before the war."

Then General Ironwood spoke. "I will be attending the tournament, Ozpin. However, I'll have my scroll on at all times. Should I receive word, you will be the first to know."

Yet, the headmaster spoke his wisdom. "I understand that you think you may handle it, but the people responsible for the previous incident have a history of eluding your forces. They will find a way around your troops."

"Yes, but this time I have you to help. This is where everything ends."

Winter caught their attention. "Sir, if this meeting is supposed to be private, I have to ask if Artyom and I should be here at all."

Professor Goodwitch spoke up. "You will understand in due time, but we're waiting for two very important individuals to join this meeting. Given the time the elevator takes, it will be awhile."

"I see."

A loud ding echoed across the room as everyone looked at the elevator. Professor Ozpin waited for this moment to meet with them again, the duo. When the doors opened, he watched Khan step out while another joined him in the same uniform as the colonel.

Despite his expectations, the two Metro survivors and the specialist expressed their surprise.

"Hunter?" Miller wondered. "I thought you were dead?"

The veteran Ranger chuckled. "It's a long story, colonel." Then he glanced over to the young man standing beside him. "Hello Artyom, we meet again."

The young man remained stiff and frozen in place while Khan's movement caught Miller's eye. "Khan, what the hell are you doing here?! You couldn't have gotten past the guards at D6."

Khan smiled at the thought. "Yes, no normal person could have gotten past those men, but Hunter and I are no normal people."

"Not normal people? You look like an old guy who has been eating too many mushrooms. Look, I respect you, but you should know your place."

General Ironwood was about to step in, but Ozpin restrained him with his cane. "I think it's time we explain the situation of what is going on here."

"Okay, what the fuck is going on?!" Colonel Miller demanded.

The headmaster's eyes looked over to the specialist. "Ms. Schnee, do you believe in fairy tales?"

She shook her head. "No, why does it matter in the first place."

"All fairy tales have a form of truth around them, hidden in mystery."

Miller shook his head. "A meeting about fairy tales? What is this? Show and tell."

"In a manner of speaking." Ozpin replied. "Let's begin with the tale of the four maidens…"

Pavel Morozov retraced how he managed to leave the warehouse as his men and those machines followed after him. With his gas mask on, the communist was happy he didn't have to deal with the awful smell as he made his way towards his exit.

When he turned around the corner, he saw a familiar manhole where his men escaped for salvation. Now he was going back to meet the very people who attacked him on sight. One of the men spoke up. "Sir, are you sure we should be doing this?"

The major slung his weapon over his shoulder and climbed up the ladder. "I don't know about you, but I think it's better than the Rangers manhandling us." His fingers pressed against the top before he paused. "Cover me." All the guns were aimed at the top while he quickly tossed the manhole cover and suddenly took a position beside the manhole.

While his men and the machines began climbing out of the manhole, Pavel looked around and was alarmed at the emptiness of the entire warehouse. They must have left, otherwise this place wouldn't be so drafty. "Cyka blyat, the gopniks ran away from us."

"It could have been the smell." One of the men commented before the others chuckled.

At the center of the warehouse, the communist noticed a small computer device in the center of the room placed atop of a chair. Curious, he walked up to it and tried to touch it. However, the screen lit up with a image of a strange girl with pink, brown, and white hair. A smirk was on his face with her finger carrying a sign. "Too bad you're late, have fun!"

It had to been some kind of terrible joke for her to set this up. Yet, someone brought a concerning issue to the major's attention. "Major Morozov, I think there is something wrong with the machines."

"Comrades, what do you mean?" Turning around, Pavel looked at the machines that were escorting them. The blue friendly lights they expressed began flickering between blue and red. However, the latter color had won as the machines raised their weapons. "Oh fuck, open fire!" Then gunfire erupted between man and machine.

General Ironwood had left the meeting to oversee the tournament tonight; however, Artyom couldn't believe how deep he had caught up inside this mess. Oh how life was so simple before his days of becoming a Ranger. Learning that the strange anomalies and the possibility of magic was so hard to believe, but seeing Hunter conversing with the colonel should have been impossible.

What could possibly throw away the physics of the world so hard that he couldn't recognize any logical explanation to ease his mind. The fact that the people in charge of a school were tasked with a purpose far greater than he imagined and there was nothing he could do to not get out of the loop.

Then Professor Ozpin spoke. "I know it is hard to believe, but this is all true. I am sorry that you are now part of this."

A sigh escaped from the colonel as he rubbed his forehead. "Believe me, Artyom and I have seen some shit in the Metro, but this… this tops it off." Then he glared at Hunter and Khan. "Why the hell didn't either of you tell us that you were both gods. None of you didn't even think to tell me you were brothers?"

Hunter talked in a firm tone. "Colonel Miller, I understand that you don't want to believe this is all true, but it is."

"Even then, what the hell am I going to do with this information? Why tell me this in the first place?"

Khan took the lead in the conversation. "It's because of Artyom."

The young man perked his head up and looked up to the old mentor. "Why? What is so special about me?"

"You are the only person who has fought the Dark Ones and lived to tell the tale. That is impressive given that they ceased my brother to exist in the mortal plane. You have been given a task that was far beyond your calling and I'm here to tell you it will happen again."

"Why me of all people?" The Ranger pointed around. "I'm just a nobody with a gun. Winter has her powers, along with everyone else and you two are gods. There is nothing I can do to help."

Khan smiled. "I disagree. I see a man who simply does not desire the truth and the power because he knows how terrible they can become. Hunter and I chose you so you may do the right thing."

"You chose wrong, there is nothing about me that can help you and your people in this situation."

"I share the same sentiment as the hero of the Metro." Colonel Miller commented. "This is beyond us, you're just wasting your time with us?"

"Artyom, Miller, any day longer the witch who flooded this world with monsters will strike soon. We brought both of you here, because there may be a chance that the people of the Metro don't have to live in fear." The mystic answered. "She has to be stopped. If she finishes off with Remnant, she'll come to the Metro one way or another."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I know, Hunter, and Ozpin know. We were all there."

Then Winter asked a question. "Who is Salem?"

Khan turned his head to her. Before he could speak, the headmaster beat him to the words. "Salem is someone who controls the Grimm to meet her own ends."

She looked back to Hunter. "I thought Hunter created them."

However, he shrugged his shoulders. "Yes, I did, but they were never meant to be controlled… until now."

Artyom heard his comms spark to life with Uhlman's voice. "The school is under attack, alerting all nearby Rangers!"

The colonel grabbed his comm. "Inform the D6 garrison commander to assist with the defense."

"Understood."

The headmaster was quick to talk. "Professor Goodwitch help the others in the defense of the academy." A quick call from the man's scroll garnered his attention when he answered the call. "James?"

The general of the Atlesian Military answered. "The knights are being hacked and the Grimm are everywhere. Vale might be under siege."

"I'll send Goodwitch to assist."

"What about the maiden?"

"I will take care of her."

"Do we even have someone?"

Artyom noted the headmaster's pause in the moment.

"Let that become my burden." Then he glanced over to the young man. "Artyom, Specialist Schnee, I may need both of you."

Why was he asking them when they could be defending the academy? Then Khan met with the Ranger. "Artyom, do as he says. They will need you."

"Why would they need me?" He asked.

"Listen to my brother, Artyom." Hunter commented. "He has a good reason."

The headmaster walked into the elevator as the others followed. In the tight confines, Colonel Miller and Artyom's comms echoed the sounds of gunfire and shouting orders. Whatever they were facing, they needed help.

"Shit, bring it down!" One Ranger shouted to the top of his lungs.

"Medic!" Another cried out.

"Transports are pouring infantry!"

When the doors opened, Colonel Miller walked out of the elevator and drew a large weapon from his back while the brothers and the blonde professor joined him. However, the lobby was filled with gunfire with Rangers and members of the White Fang fought in close-quarters. "Sparta, to battle!" The colonel shouted before firing his weapon.

After the doors closed, the headmaster rested his hands on the cane before looking at the specialist. "Were the circumstances different, I would have asked, but you are probably wondering why I'm bringing you to this part of Beacon?"

Winter stared at him. "What secrets are you keeping?"

"I told you and Artyom that magic and the maidens are real."

"Correct, but I have a feeling you're implying something."

"You are about to meet one." As the elevator doors opened, Ozpin quickly walked forward as the Russian Ranger and the Atlas Specialist followed after him. "If things go the way it was planned, Winter Schnee, you might become one."

She was surprised at his calm demeanor. "What do you mean?"

"You will see for yourself."

They continued to walk the long hallway while a war above was being waged.

Bulkheads landed on the ground with Grimm or White Fang insurgents pouring out. Terror filled the entire academy while the Rangers and armed Atlas personnel fought in the open.

Uhlman's finger held down the trigger as one of those black wolves in white armor were gunned down to without mercy. If they kept this up, the ammo expenditure would kill the rest. Gunfire flew past him on his right before he hit the ground with a slam before bringing his Kalashnikov to bear.

Ever since those strange-looking people in white uniforms and red streaks arrived from their transports, everything went to hell. The open-field firefight would not let up as bodies fell, Rangers, Atlesian, and White Fang. It did not matter, death had taken their souls while the dirt and stone were covered in blood.

Out from the main building, Uhlman recognized his superior and his bodyguards running out into the open to join them. "Hold them back men!" The colonel shouted. Yet, he was also accompanied by two individuals, one who shouldn't be here while the other was supposedly dead.

The Ranger waved his hands and caught Miller's attention. "Colonel Miller, over here!"

When the battle line of Rangers and Atlesian soldiers retained their positions, Miller smiled. "Great work, Rangers. We did it, but hold this position until reinforcements come."

"Sir, what about the others?"

"We can't lose access to D6."

Then Khan made a request. "Colonel, let Hunter and I find the others and bring them here. They'll be safe out here."

He dismissed him with a handwave. "Very well, just don't die on me."

Yet, Uhlman's mind was probably confused just as every other grunt with the lack of humor. "Miller, mind telling me why Khan and are here?"

A sigh escaped him. "It's a very complicated story."

By the time they arrived on the other end of the long hallway, Artyom could not believe his eyes. There was a strange machine that was implanted into the wall, but was also connected to two tubes. One was empty whereas the other was occupied by a girl with dark-brown hair. "Ozpin, could you explain what is this thing?"

Winter shared the same sentiment. "Why is there a girl in one of those tubes?"

The headmaster made his ways to the control system before leaving his cane beside it. "Specialist Schnee, someone had attacked her a long time ago and the reason why I brought you down here is to transfer Amber's leftover power over to you."

"Why me?"

The headmaster lowered his head. "Only the power of the maidens can be given to women and only women. I would have tried to convince someone to take the burden, but…" He looked his shoulder and met Winter's eyes. "...time is of the essence. Amber will die and the person who wants that power will use it for nefarious purposes. I hope you understand."

"What will happen if I do? Simply have her power and that's it?"

"The technology provided by Atlas is experimental and if we merge hers with yours I have no idea if it will change him." Ozpin answered. "We're met with the unknown and the fate of Remnant relies on the power of the maidens not falling into their hands."

Artyom couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Winter this is dangerous."

She looked at him. "I know, but I can't allow something like this to fall into whoever wants it. They will threaten Remnant."

"You might not be that same person once you undergo through that."

Winter smiled at his worry. "I appreciate your concern, but I don't think it is possible with the fighting above." Then turned her full attention towards the headmaster. "How long will it take?"

Ozpin answered. "It will take some time. Are you willing to go through the procedure?"

The specialist confirmed with a nod of her head as the tube open before she stepped forward.

[Red Orchestra 2 Heroes of Stalingrad - Main Theme]

Author's Note:Valentines day came out yesterday and now I felt in the mood to update a chapter.

Psihopatul: You know, this is the part that Artyom describes how powerful the Dark Ones are.

TheShadowOfZama: I have a very good reason why Ozpin is cursed.

Well, if Cinder could have her "Just as planned" scheme work, it's one hell of a Russian wrench in her schemes.

OverKing: Russian hardiness can go so far against semblances and Grimm. As for the timeline, it's started really early given that I've been going off the rails.

TwilightScarlet: Nitpick, it's Rangers of the Order. Not the other way around.

Guest: Pavel is a loyalist to the Red Line, no doubt about that. However, plans can also be screwed over by outside factors.

Now the Rangers do know that D6 is valuable and everyone is itching to rip it out of their clutches, but they're also in the most powerful position ever since they could theoretically destroy the final hope of getting the remains of humanity out from the tunnels of the Moscow Metro. The organization doesn't appear to be insane, but the Red Line and the Fourth Reich really don't want to put that theory into practice.

Sabere Commander: Good to see that you're enjoying this fic.

Tinboy: You should picked Winter War for the ship name.

As for Khan and Hunter, the novels make a hint that Hunter is the reincarnation of Attila the Hun while Khan self-proclaims that he is the last reincarnation of Genghis Khan. So I kinda decided to play around with the idea that they are gods. However, I did read up on Genghis Khan and learned that no one truly knows how he died in real life so the mystery tends to help out in my case.

The Many: Actually there is one fringe group in the Metro that could possibly fit with this possibility, the Jehovah Witnesses. Yes, I shit you not the Metro got that already covered. It's not in the games, but the novel has Artyom simply considering these people to be very weird. Thankfully, their delusion isn't shared with the rest of the Metro. You could say they're the Metro's equivalent of Monolith from the STALKER series.

Guest: I wouldn't call Khan and Hunter stupid. If you'd seen my discussion about Khan on SB(SpaceBattles), Khan is a guy who shows up when things matter and are on the line. Why would he choose Artyom of all people? Because he carries a burden few will ever know and fewer will understand. Remnant may be above his weight class, but one should take notice that Artyom once thought the same when he made his first steps to Polis.