A/N: After reviewing the criticism about the chapter, I have reorganized and revamped it to the best of my abilities. Some parts were removed, others shifted, and new things were added. Hopefully this flows better and is a much more stream-lined chapter than the previous version. I would still appreciate any criticism there may be.
Chapter 10: The First of the Forgotten Days
"This is so hard!" Amber stomped her foot down. "Argh!"
She threw her staff far into the vault.
"Is everything alright, Amber?" Ozpin asked.
"It's just so frustrating!" Amber complained. "And… the pressure… why she have to think about me in her dying thoughts?"
Ozpin put his hand on Amber's shoulder. "Circumstances may have forced you this hand, but… you will do just fine. Many Maidens before you faced similar issues, but they never backed down. I suspect you wouldn't either. And you got people to help support you. I'm here to help teach you how to grow with your powers and Qrow's going to keep you company in Mistral. You aren't alone."
Amber gave a small smile. "I don't know why Qrow called you all cryptic and… 'chess-mastery', because you've been nothing but frank about me and the mission."
Ozpin raised an eyebrow before chuckling. "Qrow's sense of humor isn't for everyone. But I understand where he comes from."
"What do you mean?" Amber asked.
"I'm familiar with operating in the dark. It was partly out of shame because I've made more mistakes than anyone else on this planet," Ozpin said before sighing.
"It had taken a toll on me, but I broke out of that rut and came out stronger from it. People are more inspired by the heroes in the light than the ones that work in the dark. Both are ultimately needed, which is why I'm here now and why I became the headmaster. A deputy headmaster and huntsman could only do so much. I'm here to make sure that no one else will make the same mistakes as I did. Both you and the students here. I wasn't lying when I said I wanted to raise the next generations of huntsmen and huntresses to best."
Amber had a happy smile. "Then I don't suppose you can help me with summoning the wind?"
Ozpin tapped his cane on the ground several times, almost as a way of thinking.
"A previous Maiden had told me that breathing through the nose and letting your thoughts scatter helps," Ozpin offered.
"Isn't it the other way around? Focusing your thoughts?"
"Well, from what she told me, focusing your thoughts cement them in place. The wind needs to be free. So your thoughts must be detached. Only then, you could direct the wind. Keep in mind, that's not controlling the wind."
Amber followed Ozpin's directions. Breathing through her nose, her mind became wild and unbound. Her eyes were surrounded by a small flare of fire. She pointed to a wall and wind manifested from nature itself slammed into the wall.
And Amber didn't feel exhausted like last time. The fire around her eyes dissipated, and she proudly turned to Ozpin who had a father's grin as if he was a proud parent.
"Thanks, Ozpin."
"No need."
Amber looked around and asked, "Where's Glynda?"
"She's overseeing detention. There's been a troublesome student."
"What did they do?"
"He got drunk, claimed he knew 'cheese' arts, and got beat up by a security guard."
"Heh. Sounds funny."
"It is and it's on video. Wanna watch?" Ozpin asked while holding his scroll. Amber was a bit surprised at Ozpin… but then again… not everyone could be serious all the time.
Amber grinned.
Glynda sat down quietly in the classroom. Apparently her first duty as an official teacher was to oversee detention. Well, actually it was fixing a broken window but Ozpin assured that she wouldn't have to clean up after the students. Despite most of the students being gone for the break, some had to stay in their dorms. And some were trouble makers.
Glynda would have preferred giving Gust the appropriate punishment, but Ozpin felt the public embarrassment was a bit too much. She felt like it was a slap on the wrist for him, but at least he seemed remorseful.
Kids were going to be kids according to Ozpin. Although, Glynda didn't really considering getting drunk and going around making fools out of Beacon students.
Bad publicity for hunters wasn't good for anyone. Ozpin seemed a little to relaxed about this whole thing. She couldn't really see how this would inspire anyone to become a huntsmen or huntresses.
Then again, with the stuff going on the news, people would be inspired by anything. Even if it was nothing but fake trash marketed to teenaged fangirls. Still, at least there was one reporter searching for the facts.
The mainstream news was a bit too censored for her tastes but it was for a good purpose she supposed. And at least the real news was getting out through the 'underground'.
"How much longer do I have to stay here?" Gust asked.
Glynda glanced at the clock in the room. "Two more hours."
"Ugh… why did I have to get drunk?"
"Well, now you know. Although, the next time you pull a stunt like these, I'm having you and your team on patrol."
"Please! Don't give us the most boring job ever. And the rest of my team will kill me if you did that!"
"Then, learn from your mistake, Mr. Tera. And maybe we could meet on more amicable terms. Because I will be your teacher. And you aren't making a good first impression."
"I'm sorry Miss Goodwitch."
"Well, you should know this. You are team leader after all."
"Sorry," Gust repeated.
"Then show it."
Glynda wondered if she was suited for this. Teaching the next generations of hunters seemed like a notable pursuit, but students were going to be students.
Students weren't going to listen to a teacher they didn't like. And then they missed vital information. An uninformed hunter was a dead hunter.
Some of these kids might have been inspired by whatever positive marketing out there, but the reality was still out there.
How many hunters died on missions? Or what about the retired and PTSD-addled ones? And how many students know that despite their training being mandatory, that they could settle for being reserve hunters? They could take other jobs that weren't as dangerous.
Each kingdom was different. Some information was restricted and others weren't.
The red-tape to the public was necessary but that didn't mean she didn't like it. The system worked, did it not?
Most of the trouble happened outside the kingdoms anyway. Glynda didn't think anyone could imagine an attack inside the kingdom.
Glynda thought about her teaching full-time. Where sub work was mainly giving guest lectures or following the previous teacher's instructions, here she had to teach students entirely on her own. Then there was Ozpin's little mission.
She didn't know why she was picked specifically out of the many huntsmen and huntresses, but she would do her job to the best of her abilities.
Glynda looked at Gust Tera. He was a Beacon student, oblivious to the true horrors to the world. He may have been a second-year, but he still was inexperienced. Her students- like most kids their age, believe that they are invincible and fearless. They weren't going to be able to take on the world.
But Glynda was going to make sure her students were ready for anything.
Yang slept in the house. She couldn't believe this turn of events. Ruby was alive.
The burden on her shoulders had lessened significantly. She still had to find Ruby. Which was why Yang felt like it was her duty to help in anyway she could.
It wasn't that she didn't trust Uncle Qrow or her dad, but it was her fault Ruby was gone. It wasn't her dad's fault or Qrow's fault or Summer's fault. That blame rested on her shoulders and her shoulders alone.
She looked around her empty room. Back at her… old home, Yang and Ruby shared a room together. This room would never be her real home until Ruby was here.
Even if she had to work with Hei's crew. It didn't matter what she did. She needed to find Ruby. And then she could find her mom, then they could be a real family.
Her dad was doing better now. He was doing his best for forgiveness, and the fact that he cared enough to try was all she needed. He wasn't a bad person, but did Ruby know that? She was a little kid, susceptible and innocent.
Yang still couldn't believe what she said to Ruby. Her bottled-up anger drove them apart. She didn't want that. She wanted Ruby safe and happy.
It seemed like everyone wanted that.
Yang examined her half of the room. Half of it was filled with Ruby's stuff. It was just as if Ruby never left.
Besides, Ruby was going to need her room when they got her back.
She got up and looked at the mirror once more. Uncle Qrow was here and she took out the picture that dad gave her.
He didn't try taking it away from her. Her dad probably knew that would upset her. Her dad wanted to keep everyone happy. She set the photo near the mirror.
A connection began to form. Her mother had red eyes… and Uncle Qrow had red eyes. Her red eyes studied the photo.
Could it be?
Stepping out into the living room, she found Uncle Qrow and her dad talking.
"Dad… Uncle Qrow?"
She had slept in and her stomach began to growl. It was nice having breakfast with family again.
"Yeah, Yang?" her dad asked.
"I'm hungry."
"I'll go over to the market and get some food," her dad said. "Try not to give Uncle Qrow too much trouble."
"Ha!" Qrow laughed. Yang was just happy that her family was on the road for recovery. Of course, it would never be complete without her little sister.
However, with Uncle Qrow, her dad, and herself looking for Ruby… it was only a matter of time. But they didn't know that they needed to find her mom too. Their family wouldn't be complete otherwise. Which was why she needed to question Uncle Qrow while she still could.
"So… how are you holding up Yang?" Uncle Qrow asked as Yang joined him on the couch.
"A bit better," Yang admitted. Things were finally turning around, she could finally believe that things were getting better.
"That's good. Listen… we're going to find Ruby… I could feel it in my bones, you know?"
Yang gave a small smile and rested her head on Qrow. She closed her eyes and asked a question that she needed to ask.
"Did you know my mom?" Yang asked.
Qrow took a very deep sigh. "Yang… are you sure you're ready?"
"I am!" Yang said defensively and huffed. He didn't know that this family needed a mom- her mom.
"Raven- your mom, is my sister. And when you were born, she left you with your dad."
"But why?" Yang asked. Her mom wouldn't just up and leave?
"I don't know. She must have her reasons."
"So..." Yang started, her voice barely audible, "is there no chance with her?"
She needed to know that. Uncle Qrow was close to her mom, he would be able to give her hope that finding her mom wasn't a lost cause."I'm sure if you find her, everything would work out."
That solidified everything for her. She had to find Ruby and find her mom. Then everything would be alright. As great as her dad was, they still needed a mom. Summer had did a great job, and Yang had no doubt that her mom would be the same.
Yang saw Qrow flinch slightly.
"Hey, Uncle Qrow? Are you leaving us today?"
Qrow nodded his head. "I have to go on a mission but…"
Something pinged and Qrow said, "One second, Yang."
As Qrow looked at his scroll, Yang began to feel more hope. Yang wanted this family to heal. It had began the process. She wanted Ruby to be here. Ruby would be happy that the family was back together. Ruby was always slightly dependent on family.
"Give me a second, Yang. I have a friend at the door," Qrow said.
Yang turned her attention to the door. Qrow was talking to some stranger. The stranger stepped in and took off her hood.
"Who is that Uncle Qrow? Is that your girlfriend?" Yang joked.
The stranger coughed awkwardly while Qrow laughed.
"Nothing official yet, Yang-" Amber coughed again. "- but she's a friend."
The stranger sat down and Yang saw her weapon. It was a small staff. Nearly everyone crafted their own weapons, and Yang knew that eventually she wanted to make her own weapon.
Hopefully, once she thought to her plan. Find Ruby and her mom by helping Hei then… drop it. And maybe she could be a huntress like the rest of her family.
"Is she a huntress friend?" Yang asked.
"Something like that, but how about we do something else?" the stranger asked. "Liiike… how about I read you a story?"
Yang expressed her discomfort as politely as she could. She wouldn't smile like everything was okay. Because Summer… her adopted mother, it still opened old wounds. Luckily the stranger picked up on her obvious displeasure.
"How about I tell you stories about Mistral?" It wasn't often that other kingdoms were in the limelight. Unless it was a special event like the Vytal Festival, most kingdoms focused with on themselves.
"Mistral?" Yang asked, her curious red eyes widened.
"Yeah, Mistral is a very interesting kingdom… very different from Vale. You'd like it. Right Qrow?"
Qrow had a fazed look on his face. "Yep."
He took a long drink from the flask before realizing something. "Oh, damnit bladder. You two have fun. I gotta go use the men's room."
"So… what's your name?" the stranger asked as Qrow left.
"Yang."
"Hey, Yang. I'm Amber. So what do wanna hear about Mistral? I got loads of stories."
Yang started thinking. She needed something to take her mind off this recent news otherwise she was going to be going around anxiously and then she was probably going to get frustrated.
"What… what is the biggest Grimm you fought?" Yang finally asked. Her parents used to tell her and… Ruby all about their daring exploits.
Amber blew out a small breath of air. "Now, that's a hard one."
She slammed her hands together. "I got it!"
Amber coughed into her fist and poorly replicated a smooth and deep voice.
"In the lands of Mistral, there layeth a creature of Grimm, so vast and so destructive that not even the bravest of souls dareth-"
"I don't suppose you could stop talking like that, please?"
"Oh fine. No sense of fun," Amber joked. "Anyway, this Grimm was a real terrorizer. It had attacked numerous villages, destroying crops, and costing many innocent people their lives. Farming villages were hard to come by in the damp swamps of Mistral.It was a Nevermore… You know what a Nevermore right?"
"Bird Grimm?" Yang guessed.
"Close… but kinda off at the same time. This Grimm was huge. And it was really old, judging by how it 'evolved'. This Nevermore was huge, with it's white armor covering most of it's body. This type of Grimm had gotten the huge amount of it's armor on it's wings. This made it way more effective at long range. It's feathers went faster and struck deeper. It had garnered quite the reputation, to the point where the locals had called it 'The Winged Demon'."
"Not an original name," Yang commented.
"You want me to finish the story or not?" Amber asked.
"Anyway, the village put word out there about The Winged Demon, and soon enough a team of huntsmen came around to help slay the beast. I think their team name was GRLA."
"Wait… where were you in this story?" Yang asked.
"Oh, I was just temporarily staying at the village when they came."
"So, you aren't the hero of the story?"
"Well, I slain my share of Grimm but nothing as mighty as The Winged Demon. Unless you wanna hear me boringly slay a pack of young Beowolves..."
"Fine fine. Finish the story please."
"Team GRLA came to the village to wait for the beast. They decided to split the team up. One pair of partners to evacuate the village, and one to take the beast. Of course, I slept in and didn't go with the evacuation. Besides, if I did it would be a boring story. So, I managed to see the fight through the inn windows. The Winged Demon arrived with amongst the streaks of thunder and lightning. The two huntsmen were unfazed by the Grimm's size. Their battle was legendary. Armed with a simple gun-sword combo and a chainsaw bazooka, they waged war upon the beast."
Yang grew more excited as Amber began to describe the battle in detail.
"The sky was flooding and the beast screeched as they began firing at the Winged Demon. Their bullets and missiles couldn't pierce it's hide. Luckily the leader was clever and he noticed that the weaker points of it's armor was around it's chest. He provided covering fire while his partner launched toward the great beast. Using the chainsaw, he cut a hole right square in the Nevermore's chest. Then he began chainsawing his way to the Nevermore's black heart. Once there, he stopped the Nevermore's heart and the beast fell off into the swamps. And the Winged Demon was no more."
Yang started clapping before asking, "Wait, why didn't you fight?"
"I wasn't really trained at that point. So, I couldn't do anything to help."
"Ah."
Qrow came back into the room and soon her dad entered the house through the front door.
"Too bad. Looks like breakfast is here. And I was going to tell you a scary Mistral legend too. The Witch in the Shadows. It's a pretty good story too but maybe after breakfast."
"Aw." Yang accepted her fate and began eating breakfast. She began to think about Ruby. Was she eating alright? Did she have a warm bed and a roof over her head? Deep down, she knew Ruby was alright.
Yang started to formulate what she was going to say to Ruby.
'Ruby. I know I have been a horrible sister, and I can't even begin to say how sorry I am. But we're sisters to the end. I know that one moment changed everything between us, but just give me one more chance. Remember all the times we spent together. I don't care if you forgive me, and you can hate me, but don't hate dad. Give this family a chance.'
"Can you tell me the story now?"Yang asked as she chomped on her scrambled eggs.
"Why don't wait until you're done?" Amber asked.
"No! Because you'll be gone. You don't tell someone about a story and leave."
"Heh, you got me there kid. Alright, you ready? It's kinda scary."
"Please. I'm fearless," Yang said arrogantly. After all she had been through, a scary legend didn't seem that bad.
"Alright, The Witch in the Shadows."
Yang set down her fork in anticipation.
"Once upon a time, there was a witch. Nobody knew where the witch came from, but what they knew was that she should stay far away. For the witch would condemn all those who approach her to a pitch-black void for all eternity. A fate worse than death. She ripped the souls of warriors out of earthly bodies and condemned them to a fiery hell. Many valiant warriors tried and failed to smite the evil witch. All of them suffered the same fate. But eventually, the witch vanished. Most of them were weary of the witch's disappearance, for they knew not of the wicked schemes she may have. However, they say she lurks in the shadows, stealing away children for a sinister purpose. Once you are taken, you will never ever see your family again. She hides in the dark of her houses, waiting and lurking for any unsuspecting child. Every child that disappears was the work of the witch.For no one could save you from the Witch in the Shadows."
"I… don't think I will be getting any sleep tonight," Yang said sheeplisly.
"Don't worry, Yang. It's okay to be chicken sometimes," Qrow joked.
"Like you?"
Qrow had a thoughtful look before he gave a small smile. "C'mon Amber. It's time to go back to Mistral."
"That anxious to get away from us?" Taiyang asked.
"Oh, before I forget… Ruby is in Mistral and I'm heading over there right now," Qrow said straight-faced.
Taiyang was serious now. "Find her."
"You know I will find here, Tai." Qrow turned to Yang. "I'll bring Ruby back, okay Yang?"
Yang gave a smile. That hope seemed so solid right now. When Uncle Qrow said he was going to find Ruby, she believed him.
She knew that Hei wouldn't help find Ruby in Mistral… but she was still going to work with him. Because when she when Ruby got up, Yang wanted a family waiting for her. She wanted a loving mother, father, and sister waiting for her.
His family was broken.
Yet, appearances as to be kept up.
There was blood in the water and everyone was circling around them like vicious sharks, waiting to get their teeth into them.
He would not give them any chance to strike. His time of mourning had to be brief. The world continued to march on.
And today was the day that everything changes.
But there was one last thing he had to do before he could be ready to face the day. His time beforehand was spent preparing for this day, mourning, and training his eldest daughter.
Winter was well on her way to Atlas Academy. While the prospect of her becoming a huntress still slightly irked him, he needed to make sure she was ready.
He had already taught her such things about their semblance. Winter was already skilled in time dilation but likewise she had struggled with summoning like he did.
Normally, he would have pushed her far past her limits in order to help her learn but there would be no time for such a feat.
Then there was the matter of making sure everything went smoothly. Today was an important day. There was an impressive amount of important and refined attendants in the guest list. One of which was Brigadier-General Ironwood, the recently-appointed headmaster of Atlas Academy.
It was a golden opportunity. A chance to impress the headmaster to allow his daughters ease of passage through the academy and secure the coveted military contract away for SneBier's grubby little hands.
Speaking of which, he had suspected her involvement. Oh, there was a cold hell for people that dared to attack him or his family.
But right now, he wanted confirmation. After all she had to be here. It would be foolhardy not to miss this. Hell, he already sent for some news-reporters from all the other kingdoms.
He had just sent the last invitation to that Vale reporter, Lisa Lavender.
Everything was going to change after today. Yet, when everything changed, he wanted to revel in SneBier's defeat. And then, after he crushed Sturm SneBier utterly, only then would he end her.
Right now, he needed closure on this.
To that end, he made sure the door to his office was locked and he summoned a spinning glyph in the center of his office.
Everything felt a little off this time. But he searched deep within him, and ripped the animal out.
A ghostly version of his wife's murderer manifested within the circle.
"What's going on?" the degenerate asked, while clutching it's side. It was clearly weakened and tired, but it was stronger than most others than he had taken away. It even had a sense of… personality to it.
"Silence."
But it still obeyed his command.
"Now… were you involved with Sturm SneBier?" he asked.
The apparition nodded.
"Now what did she want with you? I don't recall any mercenaries like you in Atlas."
"I'm not a mercenary. I'm just one of the many people you wronged, you bastard!"
"Silence."
It seemed like this summon could speak on it's own accord.
"Then, why would she hire a rouge?" he asked.
"I'm not even that! Sturm babbled something about a fairy tale, and I fought a mirror then-"
"Enough of your babbling."
His summons were compelled to tell the truth. This truth was… abnormal. However, sometimes the truth was stranger than fiction.
"What fairy tale?" he finally asked.
"Reflections in the Mirror, you asshole piece of-"
"Silence."
It's disobedience was getting old, as he began to rifle through his bookcase. He finally found the book he was looking for.
'The Reflections in the Mirror'
Once upon a time there was a warrior in a far away land. He stood alone; no army, no nation, to country to fight for. He was in it for the glory and the bloodlust but even the greatest of warriors fall. So when he fell, he fell hard.
Failure drove the warrior mad and thus began his quest for power. He believed that he was flawed and imperfect. He dedicated himself to achieving physical perfection. Yet that did not sate his pursuit. So he consorted a traveling wizard to aid in his pursuit and threatened the wizard into getting rid of his imperfections.
The wizard knew about the darkness that festered inside the warrior's heart. He plucked the infection out of the man's heart and the power from the man's soul. No longer would the warrior be awakened nor would he be enlightened.
The wizard transferred the power into a power, creating a reflection of the warrior. A reflection of the warrior that he should not strive to be. The warrior, having seen the error of his ways, thanked the wizard and spent the rest of his days as a man of peace. The wizard entrusted the mirror to the former warrior and the wizard continued onto his journey.
When the former warrior died, another warrior found the mirror. She wanted to expel the flaws and the darkness inside her heart too. Entering the mirror, she battled her own demons. The mirror very narrowly consumed her, but she defeated herself.
When she left the mirror, she came out stronger for the mirror granted her power out of respect for destroying the evil in her heart.
She won countless battles, and when she passed, the power returned back to the mirror. Other warriors craved that same power. It may not have been the strongest magic yet they craved it because any awakened and enlightened can achieve that perfection.
Many tried, many failed, many consumed by their demons. So many warriors consumed due to their lust for power. Every now and again, a powerful warrior would conquer their flawed reflection and became mighty warriors.
Yet, there can only be one wielding the power at any given time. The one wielding the magic grew arrogant and eventually a skilled warrior would slay them and the mirror was once again free to test warriors of their worthiness and power. It was a horrible cycle. Friends turned to foes in hopes of achieving that power.
One day the mirror vanished, never to be seen again. There were skirmishes and battles raging amongst the warriors, all in desperate attempt to find the mirror. After that period of great fighting,the warriors seeking the mirror realized that they didn't need magic to be perfect. The mirror became a lost dream as warriors of yesteryear became stronger without the need for magic.
Some say the mirror is still out there, ready to test any warrior but one should approach carefully, for they may fall victim like the fallen warriors before them.
"So you're saying this fairy tale is real?" he asked.
"Was. I killed the mirror. And I got some of it's bastard memories."
"Then tell me the mirror's story and your story. Tell me all the details. And start from the beginning."
"Right away captain shit-head. Alright, I'll start when the mirror was first discovered."
"What the hell?" he muttered.
He approached the mirror. Who the hell leaves a mirror in this cavern? It looked old… yet regal. The black frame seemed to be made out of a crystal of some sort but he couldn't identify.
Besides, that wasn't his job. His job was to make sure that the mining went smoothly. Dust was a precious and rare resource and the occasional bandit gang may try their luck by raiding a Dust mine. Still, the cavern here was mostly empty save for this mirror. It could still be worth something and bandits aren't very picky.
He radioed in some other guards to help him as he couldn't halt the progress on the mining.
"What's this all about, Cor?" one of his men asked when they arrived.
"Found something. Looks old, ancient almost."
"Like your love life?" one of them asked before he broke out into laughter.
"Laugh it up, Mint."
"Well, a kid will do that to you. How is the little devil?"
"Focus on the job, Mint… and Theresa is doing fine. Now back to business."
"Standard artifact procedure?" It could be worth something. He nodded and they holstered their weapons. He stood guard while they carefully lifted the mirror out of the cavern.
They gently led it outside the entrance and into the cold winter air. They set it down and took deep breathes.
"Fuck, that thing is heavier than it looks," Mint complained. They shouldn't be complaining, they were decently trained in their aura.
Not even remotely close to a huntsmen level, but it should have been enough to handle a mirror.
"Who's making the call? Because I'm not," Cor said.
"Damn it, Cor. I'm not calling this in. Have the new guy do it," Mint stated. The new guy looked down. Cor would cut him some slack this time.
"Don't push it onto the newbie, man."
"Fine. I'll do it." The guard walked off and made the call while Cor approached the 'newbie'.
"Sir?"
"Please none of that sir or Pazuzu, sir crap. Just call me Cor."
"Yes sir." He hoped the new kid was joking. Obviously the kid hadn't spent any time in actual military like most of the guys.
"How are you holding up, kid?" he asked.
"A bit colder than I'm used to. But I'll manage." From what he understood he was a transfer from Mistral and they didn't have to serve'unofficial'mandatory military service. Atlas wasn't very liberal with that unlike the rest of the kingdoms.
"Just keep your head up."
Hopefully, he could rub some of his experience in the military onto the new kid, he might need it. Their aura wasn't much compared to huntsmen and drop-outs, but the military taught him to be smart. And the first lesson was never to let their guard down. The kid went by the mirror and stood guard.
Standard extraction procedure took a while. Then he felt a chill in the air. Every instinct told him something was up and his instincts were on point… most of the time. He gripped his rifle. He let out a low whistle, a signal to be on guard.
Each guard would whistle to another, passing the signal around. And of course the new kid wasn't privy to the signal. He walked up to the kid and held up a finger to his mouth. The kid nodded and stood guard.
A gunshot shot on by, nearly hitting the rookie. The kid fired blindly toward the direction of the gunshot, while Cor took aim. He couldn't see anything in this damn snow. The other guards began firing and eventually the gunfire ceased. They brought a wounded bandit in front of him. He was on his knees, eyes filled with malice.
"Aura?" His men nodded. It was more paper work bringing them in alive, besides he was probably doing the bandit a favor.
He took out a pistol and cocked it. The bandit managed to break free from their grasp and charged forward with a small pocket knife. He blocked the slash with his arm, his aura protecting him. He then took out his gun and blasted a hole in the bandit's brain.
"Fuck!" the newbie cried.
While the men jostled the rookie, he felt something pulling him from behind and before he could even react, he was swept off his feet and pulled into the mirror. He didn't even have any time to scream, and he was surrounded by complete darkness. He aimed his rifle and looked around. Nothing but a dark void. He unsuccessfully tried to keep his calm but worry overtook that. He needed to get back!
"Hello?!" he yelled. His shouts was consumed by the dark, and he felt everything rumble slightly. The same mirror from learner rose from the dark. He pointed his rifle to it and slowly approached it. He tapped the mirror with his knuckle once. It was solid.
He backed up from the mirror and stared into his reflection. A gruff man with a dark hair and a small stubble bore into his soul. Despite it being him, company armor and all, it was eerie. The reflection wasn't his… and every bone in his body warned him.
He pointed the gun at the mirror… and his reflection didn't follow his movements. He fired.
The mirror finished inscribing the fairy tale onto the dead warrior before it. The man was a mere awakened, but it needed to get the message out. For too long, the mirror had languished inside. That damn winter Maiden sealing it away really aggravated the mirror.
It couldn't even consume this dead warrior's aura, which infuriated it even more. It only gotten the warrior's last few moments of him living. The mirror's power had decreased since the time it spent in this void. This damn void devoid of life and those precious memories. It could no longer experience those memories and it could barely recall them right now.
The memories was all it had.
It craved knowledge and power more than ever. It needed to feast on a bountiful amount of aura to regain its former glorious state. It threw the corpse out of the void. Now all it had to do was wait.
The mirror despite it's fading knowledge, had a deep understanding of human nature. All it had to do was set the bait and watch as the humans fall for it.
The mirror shifted into one of it's older forms out of boredom.
It was an ancient being. Older than most. She remembered that damn winter Maiden and that damn… warrior. His aura would have been scrumptious to absorb.
What was that warrior's name?
Ozpin.
The mirror formed a hand to snap it's fingers. It was a human gesture and the mirror's hand cracked from snapping it's fingers.
The mortality of the mirror came back. Years hidden away sapped away at it's power.
It's physical form was more vulnerable than it usually was. The battle with Ozpin and the winter Maiden weakened it's physical form greatly. The mirror was no longer nigh invulnerable. But luckily anything less than magic wouldn't shatter it.
The mirror had waited for a long time, anticipating for someone to find it.
Now, it had a chance to regain it's glory.
The mirror was brought into this world for one purpose, and it considered that it did it's job well.
It thought back to it's creator. The wandering wizard. The mirror's memories of human interactions was… dusty.
The wizard was it's father… in human terms. It hated the wizard. It had came into this world for only one purpose and the wizard just casted it aside.
Who did that wizard think he was?
When the mirror took form, the wizard abandoned it! The wizard knew it was alive! So when it begged it's… 'father' for a body, he rejected it because the aura and emotions it absorbed were evil. He even spat in it's face by forcing it to give it's power up when it was defeated.
Throughout the years, the mirror had tasted every type of mortality. It experienced good… evil, they were all the same thing. The mirror had learned that the only person… thing that mattered was itself.
The wizard denied the mirror a body! So the mirror sought knowledge and power. It absorbed and absorbed in hopes of reclaiming a body.
Right now, the mirror was going to reclaim it's power.
Years upon years have passed, the world may have had found a way to give it a body. Magic and aura had failed it, but perhaps the budding art of science had progressed significantly?
It always dismissed those 'scientists' as fools.
No matter the case, the mirror had to start anew. It shall find a way to live. All those memories of walking down beaches, eating, breathing, and loving. It could experience those memories but never live them.
It would find a way.
"Where the hell am I?" Gale shouted into the void.
"You're in me," a chorus of overlapping voices said.
"Sorry, but ew."
Something gently grasped Gale's shoulder. Gale spun around, trying to scratch whatever touched her. Her shoulder began to burn.
"What the fuck did you do?" Gale screamed.
A body made out of glass manifested in front of Gale.
Gale tried jumping at the glass figure but it merely flicked it's hand and Gale was flung onto her ass.
"It's pointless… pointless, pointless," the voices echoed from the glass figure. Gale noticed that… a piece of her shoulder was on it.
"Could you cut the echo out and fight."
"Why? I already won. Even if you did fight… your aura is weak and pathetic. I fought so many enlightened and so many awakened, and I gotten pretty good at reading people."
"Then what, I'm suppose to lie down and die?"
"We could talk shop. I got your memories."
"Don't you dare," Gale threatened.
"Who is Zephyr?" the mirror sneered.
"Argh!" Gale tried slashing the figure but it disappeared and reappeared right behind Gale. It got Gale into a choke hold and whispered, "If only you could have saved Zephyr. If only you were there."
The void shifted into one of those days. Gale and Zephyr were in an argument. Gale watched helplessly as the mirror prevented her from moving.
"Why can't you support me?" Zephyr asked… pleaded.
"I always support you! But trust my judgment just this once!" The Gale in the scene shouted.
"Gale, I love you, but please… please… trust me."
The past Gale threw up her hands in defeat. "Fine… fine. You win."
"You should have kept her from going!" the mirror accused her.
"Shut the fuck up!" Gale broke free from the mirror's grasp.
She spun around and saw the mirror with her entire arm as it's own. Gale noticed that her own arm felt… numb as if it wasn't there.
"You know… you're lucky enough to even challenge me."
"Ain't I a lucky lady?" Gale spat. "So what the fuck are you?"
"I'm going to be you. Everything you are… I will be… but better."
Gale charged once more but the mirror grabbed Gale's numb arm and twisted it.
"You're dead weight. Sturm had sent much better warriors than you. Their aura now resonates inside of me."
"Yeah, well, then I must be the prettiest one here then," Gale retorted.
"Is that what Zephyr told you?"
The mirror paused and the glass glinted. Gale felt a memory being plucked from her soul.
"Oh ho. That's what Zephyr used as a pick-up line? Strange, I wouldn't have pegged you as a submissive."
"Shut it!"
The mirror tapped Gale's forehead and she was flung back several feet.
"Poor poor Gale," the mirror taunted.
Gale struggled to get up. "I will tear you limb from limb!"
"Tsk tsk. You should really chill out. It's pointless. You know, usually I would knock you out before I start the absorption, but no need. Just relax, and I'll let you experience happy memories. I win, you win. The connection between us will be almost enjoyable. Unless you want to fight? But that won't do you any good. We're connected."
The mirror broke one of it's right pinkie finger and Gale felt her pinkie break. Gale bit her lip to stop her from crying out.
The mirror flickered into an almost completed reflection of Gale, except for her head- stopping just at the neck.
"Then enough talking. I'm going to go down swinging."
"You know, I gotta admire your tenacity. I've experienced a great number of things from the memories I have taken. I've seen Maidens rise and Maidens fall. I've seen the Knights ride and the Knights die. I've seen Ronins glorified and Ronins vilified. I've seen Martyrs shrouded and Martyrs revealed. I've seen demons redeemed and angels disgraced. I know where the Grimm come from and the secrets of Dust. Witches and wizards, sorcerers and sorceresses. But seeing your determination up close, that's something. I like making memories of my own."
"Nice to know I make you feel all warm and fuzzy," Gale said. She charged once more but the mirror grabbed her by the throat and tossed her back to the ground.
"Thank you, Miss Soot," the mirror said as it rubbed it's own throat.
Gale stood up, defeated. "So what now?"
"I almost have enough aura to make contact. Maybe with magic and science combined I could have a body. Is Salem still around?" the mirror started blabbering.
"No, about me? Is there an afterlife? Or I'm I just stuck in you forever?"
"Your aura is. A reflection of you would be inside me but your actual soul? Who knows? Maybe you will, maybe you won't, I never bothered to find out."
Gale didn't like that answer. If she was going to die, then she wanted to be in whatever afterlife there was with Zephyr. She didn't want to be stuck with this mirror forever. Besides, anything to spite this mirror was welcomed… and deep down, she just wanted to see Zephyr one last time.
So she was going to go out on her own terms.
Gale, in one swift motion, slashed her throat with her claws. She felt cold and collapsed onto her side, her eyes still on the mirror.
"Wait, what?" the mirror said before it's throat started bleeding. "Oh… I got cocky didn't I? Well…"
The mirror collapsed onto it's knees, as shards of glass were flying out from behind her. "Congratulations, you win. But… please..."
The connection between the two snapped, but not before Gale learned that magic could destroy the mirror. The mirror had kept that as a secret, but in it's arrogance… that secret slipped.
"Don't… I don't want to die," the mirror pleaded as it faded away. The shards of glass flew into Gale's torn throat and healed her.
Gale got up renewed.
But there was one last thing she had to do before she left this void and destroy this mirror.
With a wave of her hand, a scene began to form. A memory, but with the mirror's magic, she could reshape the memory, just a bit.
It was their home, disheveled and rugged but that's what they loved about their home. It was theirs.
"Hey, Gale. What are you doing here?" Zephyr said as she got ready to live for her last day on Remnant.
Gale said nothing and hugged Zephyr tight. "And hello to you too."
Slowly breaking away from the hug, Gale caressed Zephyr's cheek. It had been so long. Gale didn't know how much she missed Zephyr until now.
"I will be with you soon. But could you do something for me?" Gale asked.
"What's wrong, darling?"
"Just… please."
Zephyr nodded.
"Just… say you'll forgive me."
Zephyr had a puzzled look on her face but said it anyway. "I forgive you."
The mirror's realm began fading away and Gale knew she was being pulled back into the real world.
Gale kissed Zephyr for the last time.
Locus looked at the picture for the first time in a long time. He had received news about his partner. Looked like his partner was dead. The two had split up ever since their little fight.
Of course, Felix would argue that he had gone soft. Locus just didn't want to take the more damning jobs anymore. He was a drop-out, not a monster.
He secured the sword on his back again. It was for the better. Felix was brash and reckless. It was a weakness more often than not.
Still, he missed his partner back when they trained at Beacon. Before they went on one of those missions. The missions that made them see the very worst in everything. Grimm weren't the only monsters that day.
It was the day the ditched their names and began to take on codenames. Felix was Felix and Locus was Locus. They weren't Beacon students any longer, they were drop-outs.
Morals became looser and they began taking any type of mercenary job that could to survive. It was only after they had abandoned a village to the Grimm did Locus see that they became the monsters that changed them.
They fought, and went onto their separate paths. It was for the best, the road they had traveled on finally split and they had to follow their own roads.
Felix opted to stay in Vale and operate solo. Locus however made his way to Atlas. From there he gathered a crew of mercenaries. He wouldn't call them morally good, but they didn't stoop to bandit level.
Locus wouldn't shed any tears for Felix. The most he did was empty some of his flask into the cold snow, out of respect for a former, fallen comrade. Felix was his partner during their time at Beacon, he at least deserved something.
Locus's Mercs of Chorus were steadily gaining a reputation. Both with the military and clients. The Atlas Military had already put a price on their heads, but that was a sign of a good mercenary group.
Even if their vendetta was slightly personal after they humiliated Brigadier-General Ironwood when they stole some highly advanced military tech.
He began to check around his camp's perimeter. Their white tents blended very well with the environment but that didn't mean their defenses were impenetrable.
A general sweep revealed no bandits nor any other thieves or rogues. He wasn't too worried about the Grimm.
His men were trained to be mostly fearless. Otherwise, they were hardened through years of conflict. Satisfied, he returned to his tent and began planning on going to a village for supplies and reprieve from the cold.
His scroll chimed. Someone wanted to contact his crew for a job. Which was good, they were running low on lien.
A simple job. His crew and him had gotten a good reputation, to the point where clients accepted their policy of half of their payment up front. As he read into the mission, he got the sense that this was someone who held a grudge.
Hit up the Schnee household during their little gala, make a lot of noise, and humiliate them. It seemed like the client wanted a sense of twisted humor. They wanted them to dress up as White Fang and quote 'put them in their place.'
It was a high-risk, high-reward scenario. There was going to be military personnel there, specifically their old friend Ironwood. Most of his mercs took pleasure in being a thorn in the military.
Something was slightly off about the message, but the client had already paid half of their normal in advanced.
Whatever was going to happen, they could take it.
The sun began to dawn through and the day had begun.
The grandfather chimed, and the day had began.
Today was the day she had to be the best. Today, she was going to be in front of the crowd. Her father was going to be a different kind of person today. He wasn't going to be her father, but a businessman.
Likewise, she had to be Weiss Schnee the Heiress… not just Weiss Schnee. Could she do it? She didn't have any experience with this. Winter had some experience with this thing, but she ran away. But… she didn't have the luxury of giving up.
She would never have the chance to do so. She would never ever stop. But something deep down, didn't want to stop.
Getting up from the bed, she went in front of the mirror. Things change, and the mirror always seemed to reflect that.
Her glassy eye and her scars marked her face. While it was a reminder for her, but it was unsuitable for everyone else.
To that end, she got the huge eyepatch that was custom made for her. The eyepatch was designed to cover most of her face, as to hide those scars and it bore the Schnee family symbol. Of course, most of the time, symbols were changed when the person turned thirteen. However, Weiss couldn't think of ever changing it.
Likewise, she couldn't ever remove these scars nor replace her eye. Prosthesis were significantly advancing quite rapidly but she saw it as the weak way out. Even if she was struggling with her training. Even if it was a source of private embarrassment but she was slowly climbing back up to her old level of skill of eye-to-hand coordination.
The only good thing that has happened since… the incident, was her semblance. Father had been training Winter with her semblance. He couldn't devote his time to both of them, so he opted to train Winter so her older sister could train her before Winter went off to Atlas Academy.
Her father had become a very busy man. Of course, he was always busy but now… it seemed like that increased thrice-fold.
It was, of course, his responsibility. He had been making phone calls all day, setting and preparing things for the grand reveal as he called it. He did not disclose the details to Weiss or Winter, but they had to be their best for today.
Weiss had been busying prepping for today. Just like her father, just like Winter. But only both of them worked on semblance training. It made sense, Winter was going off to the Academy soon and she needed all the help she could get.
But that didn't deter Weiss from training on her own. She outstretched her arm and opened her hand. A small glyph formed in her hand. This was the biggest she could project a glyph. It had been much smaller before but each time she trained, she could summon bigger glyphs.
The most she could do with her semblance was project stuff forward and back. Yet, it was obviously destined to do such more. She saw the power that her father exhibited during the 'incident'. Weiss Schnee. A prodigy in more ways than one. A reserve huntress in the making. Heiress to the Schnee name and Company.
That was what she was, not who she was… yet. She stared at the eyepatch. Weiss Schnee was going to be an heiress, prodigy, and reserve huntress.
Right now, she wasn't all that but it was her destiny to become something greater. Her father told her this was the day that everything changes. It was true. Today, Weiss Schnee was going to be publicly introduced to the world.
Her pressure would be now thrice-fold. She was a Schnee, she could handle it.
Masking her face, she was ready to face the day. Today the world was going to change.
The world was changing. The announcement was just an indicator on how fast the world was going to change. Blake knew that she needed to be there, helping reform the world for the better. But right now, she was in now position to argue or fight.
She had been through so much, and so had Adam. Right now, she just wanted to rest while she still could. This was going to be a long ride to Mistral. It was going to be their new home.
Blake gripped Adam's hand after they heard the news from the holo-screen. Things were changing. Both Blake and Adam knew it.
After all they had been through, they couldn't even have a moment of peace. Lopez and Tukson were already quietly discussing the news.
But Blake had enough of that excitement, she just wanted to enjoy the calm while she still could.
Adam started to say something in outrage but Blake just put her head on his shoulder.
"Please. Just later," Blake pleaded. She didn't want to talk, but just enjoy being with Adam again.
Adam looked to Blake and with resignation, closed his mouth. Adam's shoulders relaxed as Blake rested her head.
"Are… are you the only one left?" Blake asked.
He turned his head, and Blake knew she struck a chord.
"I'm sorry for asking," Blake muttered.
Adam took a long sigh before saying, "I am."
"I… I don't know what to say."
"Then don't," Adam nearly snapped as Blake flinched. "Look… I'm sorry… I just don't want to talk about it. I was trapped… powerless as I watched kids die."
Blake didn't say anything. She couldn't even mouth an apology. His hardships- his trials seemed so much worse in comparison. It would just demean everything.
"But as long as you were safe-" Adam started.
"I..." Blake tried to say she wasn't always safe, but that felt like spitting in Adam's face for all the hardships that he had face.
"What is it? You could tell me."
Adam seemed like the one person she could trust- the person she could confide in.
"With my aura, I… killed… someone," she whispered quietly.
"Who?" Adam asked, somewhat stunned.
"The guy who took you," Blake said, ashamed.
Adam closed his eyes, almost internally debating something. "Then… good."
Blake didn't know what to say. She expected Adam to be mad or ashamed. Maybe that was her projecting herself on him.
"But… but..." Blake said. "He had kids."
"That didn't change what he did," Adam justified.
"So… he was still one of the bad ones?"
"They're all bad one way or another."
"Not all of them," Blake muttered.
"That doesn't matter. We're going get a new home in Mistral, then… we got aura. We have the power to change the world for the better."
"We're just kids," Blake said.
"Kids without a proper childhood. They stole that from us," Adam said.
"I know… but sometimes… do you ever want that childhood back?"
Adam gripped her hand. "Once… but now that it's gone, it's gone forever. But we can chance the future for the better."
"I know," Blake said quietly. "But… doesn't it seem like things changing a bit too quickly?"
There was always that lingering doubt in Blake's mind but with Adam, it seemed to fade away.
"Things will change for the better. But we won't change. We'll always have each others backs. I won't let you go like last time. We'll do things together. We'll change things for the better."
"Together forever?" Blake asked.
"Together forever," Adam reaffirmed.
"Hey, Adam?" Blake asked while yawning.
"Yeah?"
"Do you have a story to tell me?" Blake asked. Reading books had always helped her sleep. And Blake wanted one more moment of rest.
"There was one story. That I heard before. The Sword of the Ronins."
"Tell me, please!"
"Alright. Forgive me if I'm a little rusty. Once upon a time there was a sword-smith whose swords were famed for their greatness. Many warriors had came to him seeking his famous steel. Only those who were worthy were granted such an honor. But as time marched on, the sword-smith grew old and a mighty Grimm emerged from the depths of hell itself. Four humble warriors came to the old sword-smith to have him forge four swords to help them slay the Leviathan Grimm. The sword-smith knew that it would take more than regular steel to kill such a beast. So, he forged four magic blades."
Blake yawned and started drifting away.
"It was said that the sword-smith used metal from the moon itself. The four blades were forged in the light of the day, the dark of the night, the shadow of an eclipse, and when the stars shined brightest. The blades held special powers. Each of the other warriors named their swords per tradition. The silver warrior dubbed her sword of the stars Argentum Oculos. The phoenix warrior dubbed her sword of the sun Cinis Lacrima. The time warrior dubbed his sword of the eclipse Probus Anima. And the wolf warrior dubbed his sword of the night Luna Plena."
Blake muttered, "That's so cool."
"Swords are pretty cool aren't they? Maybe we should learn how to use swords."
"Yeah," Blake said absentmindedly.
"The four warriors fought the massive Leviathan.Armed with the mystic might of the swords, they brought battle to the great beast.Their battle raged across the lands. Villages were vanquished and lives were lost. But the battle would have gone much worse had they not bring the swords. Yet… even armed with such majestic weapons brought about by sorcery, they fought the battle alone. Realizing their folly, the four warriors began to fight the Leviathan as one. The sun, the moon, the stars, and the sky itself emerged to help bless the warriors in their battle."
"How?" Blake asked.
"I dunno. It was magic or something. I think. Whatever, it's a fairy tale. Don't read too much into it."
"Okay, I guess."
"With nature itself helping, they managed to slay the beast. Realizing the power of the swords and the capacity for destruction, they returned to the sword-smith to hide away the weapons. The sword-smith agreed to hold on to the swords in case they are needed again. But word had spread about the swords and their power. And in the dead of night, a thief murdered the frail sword-smith and stole the swords away. The four swords began to transfer from hand to hand, some were used for noble purposes and others for sinister purpose. The four swords were a source of great strength. Conquerors lusted after the swords… and the swords' original purposes were twisted. So the swords disappeared from history. Until four warlords arose in the north, the south, the east, and the west. The swords were claimed once more by four humble warriors. They brought down the tyrants before they disappeared. They knew the swords' history and the temptation that came with the power. So they hide in the vast wilderness, only emerging to slay the threats to the peace. And they became engraved in many myths and legends for they were the Ronins. The end?"
"Thanks, Adam."
Blake began to drift into sleep. She liked dreams. It was a reprieve from the cold world, and allowed people to dream of a better world.
Cinder hated dreams. Often times, they brought ill omens, memories of a tortured past, or something more sinister.
This dream was that dream. It unnerved her to say the least. It would always unnerve her.
The shattered moon sat still amongst the purple sky. Landmass jettisoned up from the earth, neither mountain nor hills.
Purple crystals sprouted like weeds all across the barren ground. Cinder didn't like this place. Despite everything, it chilled her to the bone.
The air was cold and dry. Dreams were almost real as reality. Especially if it was those types of dreams. The last time she was here, she wandered endlessly before waking up. The last time, she thought only of herself.
Now, she wondered about Ruby. Sometimes she felt like she wouldn't wake up from this dream. Before, she might have scoffed at the thought. That was in the past… now she had to find her way out of this nightmare.
Walking through the dead and hollow lands, she wanted this nightmare to end.
A scratchy and inhuman voice called out from the emptiness.
And lo, for he came upon them with a stead of fire and strife. Wielding a sword of death and devastation, he brought despair wherever he rode.
No one could escape him. Neither man nor Grimm, he slew tAnd lo, for he came upon them with a stead of fire and strife. Wielding a sword of death and devastation, he brought despair wherever he rode.
No one could escape him. Neither man nor Grimm, he slew them all. Body of a man, heart of Grimm but he held no empathy for man or Grimm.
There was only blood lust in his blackened heart.
Dreams were confusing and scary, especially if there was some sort of hidden meaning in them.
A cold and harsh wind blasted her. Cinder summoned some fire in her hands to keep warm. The blast of cold air snuffed out Cinder's fire and brought back that voice.
When he rides, the sky will turn red with blood and the stars shall watch the destruction he wroughts. Hell will be raised, fire and brimestone shall burn the sons and daughters of dust.
Sword in hand, he shall raze the lands to the ground. Warriors will fall to his blade, no matter how strong they may be, they shall all fall.
Cinder desperately tried relighting the fire in her hand, but to no avail. She began to curse as the winds grew harsher and harsher.
"Argh!" she shouted as fire finally returned to her hands. She had to hide from these winds.
She stumbled her way to a cave opening. Reaching refuge in the form of the cave, Cinder was in the dark… alone.
But she managed to relight the fire in her hands again. The walls were barren save for an inscription, written in crudely.
Warriors of silver, wizards and witches, maidens, martyrs, and ronins will all fall.
The knight of fire will bring forth the first night. None will survive. For he is the first Knight of the Grimm. He shall bring forth a world on fire.
The world will shatter like the moon of old when they ride.
Cinder moved away from the inscription and edged toward further into the cave. When would this dream end?
It had gone on far enough. She wanted to wake up and be with Ruby right now.
At the end of the cave, she saw her. White skin, inhuman eyes, and the gut-wrenching feeling in her gut.
A single word escaped her lips before Cinder woke up.
"Salem."
Ruby collapsed from exhaustion.
"Ruby, you know this hurts me as much as you." Cinder's tone was genuine but that didn't help the aching.
"I don't know about that, Cinder." Cinder almost seemed hurt at that comment.
Ruby often switched calling Cinder her name and mom interchangeably. Both of them held the same effect for her. Both carried equal weight for her affection and love for her new mother. Although, she was beginning to call Cinder 'mom' more often.
"You know, you were doing so well now. We talked, you were getting better at training. What's going on?"
"I'm sorry, Cinder," Ruby muttered.
"No, I'm sorry for making you pushups for nearly an hour but I do this because I love you. The world's a cruel place. And I don't anything to happen to you."
"It's just sometimes I don't think I will be strong as you."
"Oh, Ruby come here."
Cinder got onto Ruby's level and outstretched her arms. Ruby crawled over into Cinder's arm. She was too exhausted to even get up.
"Ruby… it's fine. Nobody is naturally just strong. We all have potential to be strong. And let me tell you something, you've got great potential. Although, you already know that… just like you know I will always love you," Cinder said as she brushed Ruby's hair away from her face.
"But that's not what I want to tell you. Do you like fairy tales?" Cinder asked.
Ruby nodded.
"Alright, let me tell you a small story. Once upon a time, there was a girl. A girl that knew nothing about the cruel, cruel world. However… something happened that shattered that girl's naivety. She began to see this horrid world for what it is," Cinder said before pausing. "Of course, there's you. A small light in this dark world but you weren't around then. But you're here now with me."
Ruby smiled as Cinder ruffled the girl's hair. "It seemed like the whole world went wrong. People couldn't be trusted, the Grimm were on the rise, and her trust and faith was gone. Through many hardships, she learned that she needed power to make things better. Because it seemed like the people in power didn't do anything but ensure to help themselves. It was almost like they wanted to keep this cruel world. If she wanted to change the world, she needed something to do so. Power.The girl wanted to be strong. She needed to be strong to fight those that would hurt her. The girl wanted to be feared. She needed to be feared, so that nobody would dare challenge her. The girl wanted to be powerful. She needed power to change the world. Becauseif she wasn't, then the world consume her."
Ruby hugged Cinder tight. "I'll try harder, Cinder. I promise."
"You don't need to promise me anything, Ruby. You're going to be one of the strongest, I know it. Now c'mere!" Cinder lifted up Ruby and began waltzing around with Ruby in her arms. They danced in the empty warehouse as Ruby began laughing and Cinder started laughing with her shortly after.
She stood in front of the vending machine, contemplating what to do. Ruby's uncle was obviously getting desperate. He was desperate enough to issue a reward to anyone who has seen Ruby. Luckily nobody has truly seen her. Yet this makes things more difficult. She might have to change Ruby's appearance.
She could always cut and dye Ruby's hair but Ruby's bright silver eyes are a dead giveaway. She doubts the girl will be comfortable wearing contacts. At any rate, Ruby can't be seen in public, otherwise some weasel will try to bag the reward money and take her daughter away from her. And then she will be thrown in a prison, or a gulag depending if they discover she has semblance. Then Ruby will gone forever, taken to be brainwashed into a huntress, while she rots in jail. She won't let anyone shatter the bond between her and Ruby.
She sighed. What was she going to do? She can't hide out in the hotel indefinitely, she will eventually need to move to a new base of operations. She doesn't want to risk losing Ruby to that bastard. But she didn't know what to do. She spent years planning, training to enact her vengeance. She had all the time to prepare for that, even with current setbacks, she can always push back her vengeance.
She clearly wasn't completely ready for her revenge, yet she had all the time to get ready for the next time. But this was different. Time was not on her side. She was clueless on what to do next. She had no time to prepare. And at any moment, some idiot on the street will out the two of them if they even step a foot outside. She wanted help, but throughout her life nobody has helped her, so she expects that nobody will help her.
She wanted advice, someone to reassure her, to tell her how to keep Ruby away from him. Yet she is pessimistic. Nobody has helped her. Nobody has even reassured her that things would get better throughout this shit life. She shoved the vending machine in frustration.
"Something wrong?" a familiar shrill voice asked. She turned to see the attendant from last night. Last night, she was too exhausted and worried to actually see the generous attendant. It's strange, she's expecting there to be a catch. She eyed the attendant carefully.
Nothing but a tired older woman with black hair beginning to fade into grey. Probably overworked and stressed out. Her instincts told her she wasn't a threat, but she was still paranoid.
"I... It's… nothing." The older woman gave her a look before saying, "You know I didn't catch your name last night."
"It's Cinder… Cinder Fall."
"Terri Bones." Terri held out her hand. Cinder looked at it for a moment carefully before shaking it.
"Are you sure nothing's wrong?" Terri asked once more.
Cinder looked at her. Why did she keep pushing? Is there some ulterior motive or was she one of the few decent scraps of humanity? Cinder took a big sigh and contemplated if she even continue talking. There was a brief silence before Terri broke it.
"Look, I'm sorry if I seem pushy, but I could tell something's wrong."
"It's a bit much at times." Cinder nearly blurted out.
he mentally scolded herself. She had to play this close to the chest, this type of slip up would get her killed.
"Ah yes. The joy of raising a kid by yourself. I suppose your partner is a complete dickhead too."
Well, she didn't Qrow personally or Ruby's actual father, but… yes they are… for trying to take her daughter away.
"Yeah."
"Don't worry about it too much. Raising them makes it all worth it." Cinder couldn't help but smile.
"See, you're already smiling. Can't be too bad," Terri reassured Cinder. Cinder recomposed herself, can't smile for too long in front of a stranger.
"I suppose so."
"Hey, maybe our daughters could meet," Terri suggested.
NO! No. No. Calm and control. She didn't need to blurt out her anger and fear and paranoia. If this woman kept pushing, she would get rid of her.
"I'll… think about it."
"Alright, I'll let you think about it. But I'm sure Coral would enjoy the company."
"I'll think about it," Cinder repeated.
She picked up the cheap food from the vending machine and went back into the room. Ruby rushed out of the bathroom with a smile. She went up to Cinder, hopping up and down.
"Cinder! Cinder! Look!" She beamed at Cinder… with amber eyes, her eyes.
"Isn't that cool?!"
Cinder gulped and gave a smile.
"It sure is." She was panicking. Something must have happened. And she didn't know what happened. This uncertainty frightened her. She had to think this through. What could have caused this? Would there be any negative repercussions?
Would Ruby be alright?
Think think think! The only moment she could think of that could possibly caused this was when she transferred her aura to heal Ruby.
Aura transferring was an uncommon practice, only skilled aura users could pull it off. Even then, it was finite skill that would eventually fade away with age. She had no idea if the eyes was just a harmless side-effect or a warning of something worse to come. She picked up Ruby and hugged her.
"Are you feeling alright?" she asked.
"Never better," Ruby replied with a happy tone. She set Ruby down.
"If you don't feel well or anything, tell me."
Ruby tilted her head, not understanding Cinder's concern.
"Okay? But isn't it cool?" Ruby asked again. Cinder looked into those amber eyes. The innocent glean in those eyes was still there.
"Of course," she smiled. She sat back onto the bed while Ruby went back to watching cartoons. If there is one good thing that could come out of this was the fact that Ruby might not be identified at first glance.
Those damn… those adorable silver eyes would be the undoing of them. Silver eyes were a very uncommon trait. Still, this could work. She felt Ruby's hand tugging on her dress.
"Cinder… I don't feel... so well."
Thud.
She turned around and found Ruby twitching and convulsing.
"Ruby!"
Next Chapter: Thorns