Chapter Two – Down the Dust Mines
Warning: This fanfic will spoil the events of RWBY up to Volume 5. The story picks up immediately after the events of Downfall
"AHAHAHA she's not wrong you know," laughed Anastasia, clutching her belly to ease the pain.
"Mantle… In Mistral?" replied Cinder confused. Mantle, the defunct capital city of Atlas here in Mistral? Absurd, Cinder knew her history of Remnant well enough.
"Not Mantle, its Mantle-3!" said Anastasia, wiping tears from the sides of her eyes. "If only you'd let Drizella finish what she had to say!"
"So they've built three of these things?"
"W-well sort of. Mantle-2 was destroyed in a fire - some freak Dust accident they say," said Anastasia, scratching her head, the girl clearly had difficulty recalling her town's history. "... and they named the new town built on top it Mantle-3."
"Huh, really," frowned Cinder, but remained unconvinced.
"I'm sorry Miss Cinder, history really isn't Ana's thing..." muttered Anastasia.
The Grimm spoke as Anastasia was fumbling through her memory trying to remember her history lessons.
Don't stress your tiny brain, darling. It's not too hard to figure. What was Mantle historically known for?
Their Dust?
And their trade with Mistral. It's really not that hard to imagine these mining guys here named themselves after the city that kept them afloat with Dust.
It makes sense. Dust powers everything in Remnant.
Good. Now for another question. Who's in control of Dust in Remna-
The Schnee Dust Company.
Surprise, surprise you're brighter than I give you credit for. Expect the Schnees to have their dirty fingers all over this town. Already feeling better about putting a hole through their heiress' chest?
Never felt bad about it. She had it coming; the weak don't deserve to live.
But you do after your fiasco with Raven?
Shut up!
"Miss Cinder, is sewing one of your super powers? Your ermm... Semblance?" asked Anastasia as she studied the intricate embroidery on Cinder's now form-fitting mini dress that she spent the night re-designing from her oversized white rags.
"No," replied Cinder curtly, admiring her own handiwork with pride. "When you've made your own clothes all your life, you're going to get good at it."
"Cool... can Miss Cinder make some clothes for Ana too?"
"No."
"Pleeeaseee? But they're really pretty- "
"No," said Cinder, fighting a growing uneasy feeling tugging at her heartstrings. "We're not having this conversation again."
Anastasia made a pouty face as they headed for the marketplace.
Anastasia seemed to regain her excitement as they stepped into the bustling square, waving around enthusiastically, greeting every other person she met as they passed through the busy marketplace. Some even offering her their produce for free, which she gladly accepted beaming back at them with her radiant smile. Though Cinder felt increasingly annoyed with the amount of attention Anastasia was drawing, something else in the distant caught her eye.
"Hey Ana, whose castle is that?" asked Cinder, pointing at the white castle that loomed high over the Mantle-3 marketplace.
Constructed entirely from pearl white marble, the castle had a clean symmetrical architecture, watch towers came in pairs, walls were perfectly parallel, even buildings were built in pairs of the same height. Cinder's eye immediately fell on the one high tower that stuck out like a sore thumb, breaking its otherwise perfect symmetry - a tower armed with a monstrous black ballista.
"That's where Jansen Argyros lives," replied Anastasia, she cleared her throat, straightened her back and continued in a deep voice. "Jansen Argyros, Lord of Mantle-3, The Chosen One and errrr... Protector of the Realm." Doubling up in laughter after finishing her terrible impersonation.
"Protector? What is there to protect here anyways?"
"Grimm mostly," replied Anastasia as she took a bite out of an apple and tossed it to Cinder. "Though those things haven't shown up in a long, long time. But the people still pay him for protecting us... And oh! Jansen is holding a ball the night after, Miss Cinder could stay around till then,"
"Not happenin- " Cinder tried to interrupt, but Anastasia's voice drowned hers out.
"We could sneak into the castle... Oh! Miss Cinder could make me one of those beautiful dresses and-and we could pretend to be one of those rich ladies," said Anastasia speaking faster and faster, taking a deep breath before finally declaring, "It would be so much fun!"
"Look Ana, I'm leaving today. I'm just going to get some Dust from the mines, then I'm out."
"Well, where would Miss Cinder be going?"
"I don't know," replied Cinder, bothered by her own answer.
"We're here!" Anastasia grabbed Cinder's arm to lead her on.
They arrived at the foot of a mountain range that stretched on for miles, the twin peaks of Haven Academy was obscured under the thick clouds, but Cinder knew it was up there somewhere.
"The entrance is sealed up today," sighed Anastasia. "Seems like even Greg's secret entrance has been found..."
The entrance was a simple crack in the rocks large enough for a person to pass through, but was now fenced up with malicious-looking barbed wire that hung a crude metal plate with warning that read–
"Entry strictly prohibited. By order of the Schnee Dust Company," read Cinder aloud. "Well screw that."
She snapped her fingers and the wire burst into angry red flames, twisting and writhing as it melted away. Anastasia's eyes widened with excitement, following closely at Cinder's heels as they went into the cavern.
"Miss Cinder, you're one of the four Maidens aren't you?"
"What makes you think that?"
"T-the way your eye lit up last night… and-and all that fire power to melt steel so quickly!" said Anastasia trying to contain her amazement. "It's like the stories that Mum used to tell Ana. You know, it's every girls' dream to be a Maiden, to be strong- "
"What if I killed a Maiden and took the power from her?" interrupted Cinder in a dark voice.
"W-well, that's not possible," frowned Anastasia in denial. "Nobody can kill a Maiden."
"Can't say I wish that were true," said Cinder, feeling her hatred boil once again. The mere word Maiden triggered memories of her encounter with Raven back at Haven Academy. How unpleasant it would be if she could never have her revenge because nobody can kill a Maiden.
"Miss Cinder would be an extremely evil person if she did," mumbled Anastasia. "And Ana doesn't believe that."
Ahahahaha, this girl is talking to the most psychotic murderer in Remnant and you're not even denying it. Still she refuses to believe that you're evil? Maybe you should tell her you've already murdered three young girls in your lust for power-
Look, I killed those girls because I had to-
No you killed those girls because you're a psycho who seeks approval by killing others. You're even more of a monster than I am.
They halted as they reached a fork. The left led to a large cavernous space covered with oversized rubies and crystals of red Dust sprouting from its rock walls, sparkling as if a thousand red stars were shimmering in the night sky. The right fork however was dark and damp and narrow, with not even a single gemstone in sight. It sloped upwards but twisted and turned into the darkness beyond, a sight that would have repelled any explorer in these mines. Before Cinder could make a decision, Anastasia quickly grabbed Cinder by her bandaged Grimm arm and dragged her into the ruby cavern.
"Wow, they're all so pretty! Do you think we can we take some? Hardly anyone would notice if just a few rubies were gone, right?"
Anastasia leapt and danced around, intrigued by how different every ruby was. Paying no heed to the dazzling red gemstones, Cinder noticed something at the corner of her eye. A viscous stream of black goo that snaked its way out of the ruby cavern. Retracing its path, Cinder quickly realized the only other way it could come from – the right fork. Her fingers clenched into a fist and she broke away from Anastasia's grasp to examine the black liquid. She already had an idea what it was, but she needed to be sure.
"Ana, I'm going to go check ou -"
Before she could finish her sentence, Anastasia wheeled around and planted something in Cinder's ruffled, ashen black hair. A ruby. A single ruby shard that fanned out like the petals of a flower - a rose.
"There. You look much prettier, Miss Cinder. Now you can go off," smiled Anastasia, and Cinder felt her face flush. "Hmmm… now to find something that Drizella might like…"
Can you believe that girl? Of all the things she could have done-
Charming, isn't she? Why don't you take that silly thing off if it reminds you… You know, of Ruby Rose? HAHAHAHA come to think of it, the girl even looks the part doesn't she? I mean, the hair and all-
Cinder abruptly slammed her fist into jagged rock wall so hard they both winced in pain.
Why the hell did you do that?
Because you were being a prick. And don't you dare compare Ana to Ruby Rose.
Ana? How cute. On a pet name basis already are we? Miss Cinder, gross.
Maybe I should have-
The Grimm jerked hard and Cinder scowled.
What now?
Cinder, hold it. This is serious.
Saved by the bell? I don't think-
I'm detecting something. It's Grimm.
Sure you're not just sensing yourself?
No shit. I'm positive. This thing is big.
Ursa?
No. Its bigger. Much bigger.
The black trail led Cinder to an enormous chamber that dwarfed the size of the ruby cavern, large enough to even fit the entirety of Beacon Tower. Razor sharp stalactites composed entirely of rubies, emeralds, sapphires as well as other gemstones hung from the ceiling. Boulders that were encapsulated in crystallized Dust of all seven colors lined the walls, beams of rainbow lights refracted across the chamber. At the center sat the monolithic statue of a dragon, though no gemstones nor crystallized Dust sprouted from the cold gray rock. It appeared to be carved entirely out of a single massive slab of rock, rearing on its hind legs the dragon towered so high it almost touched the ceiling. Its maw wide open as if in the midst of bathing the cavern with hell fire, its wingspan almost encompassed the full circumference of the cavern, and from its monstrous side, a trickle of black viscous fluid oozed slow but steadily. The beast was still alive. Alive, but petrified. A feat that Cinder had only seen accomplished once - atop Beacon Tower. A blinding flash of silver that froze the Grimm dragon, but also took her eye, her arm and left her once beautiful face horribly burned and scarred.
What the hell is that thing doing here?
It's different from the one at Beacon. Its way larger and this one's got that long neck-
Hehheh. You would know all about these things. Brings back painful memories doesn't it?
Salem doesn't send these things out lightly. Dragons are few and precious. If this thing is stirring, there's only one reason - one of the four Relics is here. It must be.
Cinder, are the bad memories screwing with your mind? Ozpin is an arrogant prick, but placing TWO Relics here in Mistral seems hardly like-
Is there a way to wake the dragon?
What? Cinder maybe you should get some rest.
You heard me. IS there a way?
Your mind is a bloody mess-
Wake the dragon. Find the Relic... Yes, Salem would forgive me then... Right?
Cinder broke down and fell to her knees, her hands buried in her hair, tears streamed down the side of her face.
What if... What if the real vault of the Fall Maiden is here... Destiny... Yes-
A shrill scream echoed from the tunnel behind her, but all Cinder could hear were the voices in her head, her own voice. She sank deeper into the ground, sobbing and shivering in fear.
Cinder for fuck's sake, pull yourself together. It's Anastasia! Ana needs your help now!
Ana. Cinder felt a tremendous tug as if her mind pulled in by a vortex and reality materialized in front of her. The rainbow Dust cavern, the gray petrified Grimm dragon, Anastasia was running towards Cinder, behind her a pack of Beowolves squeezing through the tunnel mere feet away from rending Anastasia's tiny body apart. Anastasia wrapped her hands around Cinder's waist, and her heart skipped a beat, fistful of rubies were wrung from her hands as she embraced Cinder. The weak don't deserve to live, why the hell am I protecting this girl? Cinder clenched her teeth and stood up. With a wave of her hand, a tongue of searing amber flames shot forth, spiraling down the tunnel consuming the Beowolves, the rocks and all. Trapped in the tunnel the Grimm roared and writhed as the pack was roasted alive, leaving only rolling puffs of black smoke and charred rocks behind.
Anastasia tugged on Cinder's dress, pointing at the ceiling. Above them, a thousand glowing red eyes glimmered menacingly from cracks and crevices. A thousand Beowolves emerged from their caves growling and baying and salivating from their perch, ready to spring on their prey that so willingly entered their domain.
"Hmph... These bastards chose the wrong place to pick a fight with the Fall Maiden," smirked Cinder as she eyed her surroundings. "Ana, best shut your eyes for this one."
The Alpha sprang from its perch and the Fall Maiden whispered an incantation, drawing her power from the endless crystals of Dust. Fire is my body. The cavern shook violently as boulders of Dust unleashed a brilliant surge of energy. And glass is my heart. When the light faded, swords, spears, javelins, axes, halberds - every weapon known to Cinder materialized in the air hovering, constructed entirely of red-hot glass. A million weapons, a thousand aimed and ready at every Beowolf in the cavern.
Oh hoho, now that is something I wasn't expecting. Her Grimm arm chuckled, thoroughly impressed.
Die. Cinder's lips curled into a sadistic grin. The weapons shot forth, striking their targets with unnatural accuracy - impaling the Beowolves through their skull or through their hearts, the glass pierced their tough hide as if it were water. The weapons struck with such force that it knocked the Grimm off their feets and nailed their bodies to the walls. When the dust settled, a thousand glass weapons fell aimlessly, sticking themselves to the ground with their handles up resembling the gravestones from a graveyard. Only a dozen Beowolves managed to retreat back into the dark crevices, those that did had glass swords still sticking out of their sides at odd angles.
"Consider this payment for saving my life, Ana. I don't owe you guys anything now- "
Footsteps echoed all around them, Cinder immediately pulled a curved glass scimitar from the ground to arm herself. A dozen soldiers emerged from the tunnel that led to the ruby cavern, covered from head to toe with ubiquitous gray body armor, they wore helmets with visors that obscured their eyes, armed with rifles and had pistols in their holsters. The troops kept their aim trained on both Cinder and Anastasia.
"Drop your weapon!" demanded the commander.
"No," replied Cinder coolly, pointing the tip of her sword at the commander. "You drop your weapons if you don't intend to become kebabs like those guys."
The commander turned his head to see the mangled, impaled bodies of the Grimm that were now slowly starting to dissipate and he cursed. His troopers, gave blank stares at one another visibly disturbed by the destruction that Cinder was capable of, some even lowered their weapons, others were shivering. Cinder tried for a smile, she was at the height of her domination, but felt only emptiness in her heart. Why did she not feel satisfied? The troopers clearly feared her power, why had it become so unfulfilling? When did she start caring about something else?
Cinder's train of thought was rudely interrupted as a massive gash appeared, cutting diagonally through space and time. Anastasia hid behind Cinder, peeking out from behind her skirt like a shy child. The tear was twisted and warped on its borders as if looking through frosted glass, the cleavage expanded slightly and from its depths a man stepped out of the abyss. The man was strong and toned, his short blonde hair parted elegantly to the side of his handsome face, he wore pristine pearl white armor and was armed with a longsword encrusted with enormous sapphires. He wore a smile on his face, a smile all too familiar to Cinder Fall, the arrogant smile of a person who knew they were in complete control. But it was his eyes that unsettled Cinder the most. They were cold and devoid of sympathy; this man had eyes of silver.
Author's notes:
Phew that's alot of set up I had to get out of the way, hope you guys enjoy this chapter! If procrastination or writer's block doesn't set in I should be able to get a chapter up weekly. I will be updating this section if there are any pressing issues you guys have. Cheers!
About Unlimited Blade Works Cinder. The incantation was just meant as a call out for Fate fans, as far as I'm concerned she could have just said "Hocus Pocus" and the exact same thing would have happened. This is going to be a one-off event. She will not be going UBW-ing anyone else, I just seized the opportunity after seeing how she makes disposable glass swords in her fight with Raven and that now she had basically unlimited supply of Dust to draw the energy from.
About the silver eyed warrior. In my head he's a really powerful Jaune with silver eyes, even his name takes on the initials J.A. I debated between Argentum and Argyros for his last name but settled on the more Greek-sounding Argyros to make that connection to Pyrrha who also has a Greek name. TL;DR he's some version of Jaune + Pyrrha but as a silver eyed warrior.