Chapter 11: Thorns
The world slowed down to a crawl as Cinder watched Ruby crumbled onto the floor. The mind was a fickle thing. Her mind simply couldn't process what was transpiring. Cinder had all the time to contemplate as she slowly scrambled to Ruby. Her mind went blank and latched onto a different train of thought, as if her mind couldn't comprehend what was going on.
How did Cinder ever get in this position? All the planning and training, yet she found herself being a mother to Ruby.
She said Cinder wasn't ready, and maybe that was true. Cinder couldn't fully detach herself from her emotions. She was only human after all and she was subjected to the turmoil that emotions brought. It wasn't all bad, she had Ruby after all.
But they were only together because of Cinder's selfishness. She originally thought Ruby as a weapon, but now Ruby was hers. Yet, it was still born out of a self-serving desire.
Ruby was a way to channel those hapless emotions away, but that was only a half-truth. She found herself loving Ruby as her own. Emotions- a double-edged sword for all. Now Ruby was in her circle of selfish desires and wants.
Ruby was hers. Ruby had a weak connection to her past life but Cinder continued to drive the wedge. She still had an unshakable desire for a mother. And Cinder filled that role.
Cinder and Ruby were similar in that regard. They had an unbreakable belief. Cinder merely replaced that idea of a mother for Ruby, while Ruby became a vessel to channel what love she could give.
It was a very… unhealthy basis for this type of relationship. Ruby was taken away from her real family- no matter how shitty it was- they were still her family but Ruby was hers. Was blood really thicker than water?
Yet all of that didn't matter, Cinder was happy and Ruby was happy. It was funny now. Ruby's happiness was her happiness. It was funny on how Cinder could be filled with such malice, but love someone so unconditionally.
Emotions- a double-edged sword. Every moment of happiness might potentially marred by moments like these.
Cinder was fucked up… but that didn't matter. She… they were happy.
Time sped up for Cinder and she rushed over to Ruby. Cinder had no idea what was going on with Ruby. It scared the life out of Cinder.
She picked up Ruby and begun pacing toward the door before pacing back to the bed. She couldn't go the hospital, as it brought forth a whole slew of problems. Anyone could ID Ruby and bring that damn Qrow to them.
Who knew how Ruby would react? Perhaps blood was thicker than water. Ruby had spent eight years of her life with her… real family, and only so much weeks with Cinder. No doubt, with prodding from this Qrow combined with old memories, Cinder was going to lose something precious again.
Besides the much cherished… 'emotional' connection, she had given Ruby her secrets. Even so her mission in Vale was a failure.
Cinder had to ignore that and focus on the now.
And she was completely lost- scared on what to do next. The only indicator that something went wrong was Ruby's eyes. Eyes could change due to age, semblance… or aura.
Oh hell.
This was probably her fault… but why would it have such a volatile reaction? What was different for Ruby?
What was so special about Ruby's… silver… eyes… that had to be it. How many people had silver eyes?
Whatever the case, all Cinder could do was hold Ruby and contemplate.
Ruby's breathing was slowing down… fuck it!
Damn it all, Cinder was taking Ruby to the hospital.
Cinder made her way to the door before Ruby opened her eyes. Silver sparks began sputtering out of her eyes and before Cinder could even react… streams of silver light shot out and engulfed the room.
As her vision blurred, every part of Cinder recoiled away. It was as though the silver light burnt her very being and amidst her blindness, she saw something.
Amongst the bright silver and the ringing in her ears, several other lights of varying colors revealed themselves in the distance. They were like stars… but they weren't actually stars. They were pieces long forgotten. Once part of something greater, now broken. There was only the remnants of what once was.
As Cinder bore into those stars, she began to feel adrift. She was losing her sense of self and Ruby was fading away from her arms.
That snapped Cinder out of the thoughtful daze. Everything she saw was now disappearing from her memory, but that didn't matter.
Cinder needed to stop whatever this was. While she couldn't see anything, she could still feel Ruby slowly leaving her arms.
She was running out options, Ruby was drifting away and it felt as though her soul was on fire. Anytime she tried moving any part of her body, it felt futile and pointless. The only thing she could possibly she could do was… her semblance.
Streaks of orange shot out from her, and began replacing the bright silver void. Cinder did her best to avoid hitting Ruby, but in the end… the flames consumed them both.
When Cinder came to, she was holding Ruby in her arms. Her eyes struggled to adjust, and soon she was greeted by the same cramped and dirty motel room. The whole event had Cinder unnerved. What had happened?
Was it all a dream?
Cinder knew it wasn't a dream. It was all too real and unlike the dreams that haunted her, there was a certain sense of reality attached to it.
Ruby began to stir and Cinder didn't know what to do. Clearly, she couldn't just ignore the events that just transpired, but what about Ruby?
What caused Ruby to do that?
Clearly it wasn't Ruby's semblance, but… what? The only thing that Cinder could come up with was Ruby's silver eyes.
Eye color could change for a variety of reasons: age, semblance, and even… aura. Hell, some rich upper-class people would pay top bill for a permanent cosmetic change like that. But what would invoke such a negative reaction?
There was something special about Ruby's silver eyes. Cinder had to ask her about it, the next time they met.
Ruby opened her eyes and Cinder briefly winced, remembering the pain that the silver lights wrought upon her.
Cinder's eyes met Ruby's eyes again. This time, there was a lone silver eye standing side by side with a fiery amber eye.
"What happened?" Ruby asked while rubbing her eyes. Ruby looked up at Cinder and kept squinting.
Cinder took a deep breath. This was a mystery that Ruby didn't to know yet. Until Cinder knew what it was, she was going to keep Ruby in the dark. It would be dangerous for Ruby. It was an unknown power and it could prove disastrous for the both of them.
"Nothing happened, sweetie. You just bumped your head," Cinder said with a half-smile.
"Are you sure? My head hurts. And so do my eyes."
Cinder scrunched up her face. She hated not knowing things. As soon as she could figure out what was wrong, she'd tell Ruby.
But not right now.
"How… about I get you something special?" Cinder asked.
"A present?! What is it? What is it?"
"It's a surprise. Now how about you do some aura meditation while I prepare it?"
Ruby quickly hopped onto the floor and sat down with her legs closed. Cinder could no longer see her eyes.
"No peaking, Ruby."
"Awwwwwww. Pwetty please?" Ruby asked in a deliberate cutesy tone.
"That won't work this time."
Ruby muttered her disappointment as Cinder went into the bathroom with the duffel bag.
She began to unload everything out. There was only a few canisters of fire and glass Dust left. Those were needed for the heist, as were the old Dust-infused clothes she had. Her Dust clothes still had some juice to them. She was on her last legs with her supplies. Sometimes she wished that raw Dust could be a bit more like artificial Dust. Despite it's weakness, creating artificial Dust increased the amount and made it more streamlined.
Picking up one of the canisters, she examined it. It was the glass Dust. Contrary to the ignorant masses, creating different and secondary Dust types wasn't the same as artificial Dust. Whereas regular and secondary Dust was actual crystals, artificial Dust was an actual powder. Although, there could be artificial secondary Dust.
But she didn't need the glass Dust, she needed fire Dust. Ruby's little stunt made her uneasy. It was another reminder that something could happen to Ruby. Besides, she had been meaning to do this ever since she got to the motel.
She plopped the canister down and rummaged through Ruby's old clothes. Fishing out Ruby's torn and blood-stained cloak. Several dark shades of red had marked numerous points all over the cloak. Ruby loved this cloak but Cinder felt it was another connection to Ruby's old life.
Cinder needed to cut that connection away. She had spent too long reenforcing the idea that she was Ruby's only family now.
But that was only one of the reasons. Besides protection, -she would never admit to this outloud- Ruby's smiling face would be worth it. She laid the cloak onto the bathroom floor.
Then she emptied the canister, dropping pieces of the crystal onto the cloak. Dust sewing was a skill that took a long time to master. It took intuition and skill to weave Dust. Raw Dust was finicky, and sowing them into clothing was difficult. Each piece of Dust weaved only effected a certain area and if they overlapped, the entire thing could combusted.
While there was no doubt Ruby's aura would protect her, Cinder didn't need Ruby to watch her favorite cloak burning before her eyes.
The actual sowing was the hardest part. She needed to cut a small hole into the crystal before sowing it on. It was dangerous as Dust was so volatile. One mistake and there would be some questions on why the bathroom was burnt to a crisp.
After a few minutes of hard labor, she lifted up the cloak to admire her handiwork. The torn cloak was now studded with tiny red pieces of Dust. It glinted marvelously in the dim bathroom light. Now came the easy part, she channeled her aura to the Dust, willing it to fuse to the cloth.
A small red light washed over the cloak, making it into something new. The blood was gone and the patches were non-existent. It was a small side effect but it worked to Cinder's favor.
While it would eventually need some maintenance, Cinder had infused enough Dust to last a long time. Eventually, Cinder wanted to teach Ruby how to sow her own cloak.
But until then, this would have to do.
She hid the cloak behind her back before putting her hand to the handle. She heard a small 'wooshing' sound. Opening the door, she found Ruby still meditating.
Glancing down at the floor revealed tiny rose petals leading to Ruby.
"Ruby, were you spying on me?" Cinder asked with fake ignorance.
"Nope!" Ruby asked.
"Are you sure?" Cinder asked again. "I'm pretty sure I heard something."
"You… you did?"
"Maybe if someone confessed, I wouldn't punish them. So..."
"Okay. I did spy on you," Ruby said quietly. Both of her eyes conveyed a heavy sense of guilt.
"Don't worry, you still get your surprise."
"Really?" Her eyes widened.
Cinder held out the new cloak before Ruby. Ruby instantly sped up to Cinder and took the cloak.
"You fixed it?"
"Even better. Try it on."
Ruby put on the cloak and spun around.
"Try activating your aura with it," Cinder encouraged.
Ruby stopped spinning around and used her semblance to run around the room. Amongst the flying rose petals was a trail of fire.
Ruby stopped and like a cute dog tried chasing her cloak. "So cool!"
"Consider it an early present. But just so you know, the more aura you put into it, the greater the effect."
"Thank you, thank you!" Ruby hugged Cinder tight. Cinder noted that the curtain was on fire but that didn't take precedent. This did.
"Anything for you my gem," Cinder whispered to Ruby.
Ruby held Cinder's hand as they walked to one of the rooms. Cinder had told Ruby in confidence that she was going to go on a 'heist' with her 'acquaintances'.
Unfortunately, despite all of Ruby's begging, Cinder forbade her from coming along. Even so, Ruby could see that Cinder was uneasy with leaving Ruby.
She had found a babysitter in the form of the owner of the motel. Terri Bones had her own kid, and Ruby was a little nervous.
Despite her finally breaking out of her 'rut', she didn't want to break down. Ruby remembered all the bad times at school. But Cinder had assured her that Ruby would be fine and that she was strong. And if anything happened to her, then there would be hell to pay.
That gave Ruby some comfort.
Cinder had gave Ruby some rules. Absolutely no aura or semblance. Ruby didn't have to use the aura-hiding trick unless it was absolutely necessary. Then there was the rule that Ruby couldn't tell them anything about them.
Nothing about her… 'former' life. As far as she was concerned, Cinder was her only mother. Which was true, Cinder was there for her. She never left her. And the rest of her family probably hated her. Cinder was the only one she could trust.
Cinder told Ruby that she needed to disguise herself. Ruby found it kinda fun to disguise herself. Even if the contact did hurt a bit. She had to cover her left silver eye with a contact. She had some trouble putting it in but Cinder helped her.
So, Cinder said she was ready. Ruby felt the small pocket knife in her shoe. 'A reasonable precaution'. Ruby liked the knife. It was fast, sharp, and covert. She didn't feel safe without a weapon ever since… that man. Maybe killing him was good.
Ruby squeezed Cinder's hand.
Terri Bones lived in the motel, as Cinder described her too poor to afford anything else. Still, Cinder wouldn't normally let Ruby stay with someone like them, but circumstances dictated it.
Cinder knocked on the door and Terri opened the door. Her room was significantly more cleaner than their motel room. It wasn't exactly a motel room, but more like a miniature apartment situated nearby. Ruby was slightly jealous and pouted slightly. If Cinder had any displeasure, she didn't show it.
Terri greeted them, "So this is your kid? It's nice to finally meet you."
She knelt down and held out her hand. Ruby turned to Cinder who nodded her head.
Ruby shook her hand. "I'm Ruby!"
"Hey, Ruby! I'm sure you'll have a good time," Terri said before she got up. "Don't worry, Cinder. She'll be fine."
"I know. But I don't like having my trust broken. So, just keep that in mind. I'd hate to see the consequences of someone else's inadequacy."
"Over-bearing much?" Terri joked, but there was something uneasy in her tone. "But don't worry, the kids are probably watch cartoons or play a board game. Do what you need to do. But is it a date?"
Cinder chuckled grimly. "Something like that. I will be back in three hours or so." She turned to face Ruby.
"Don't worry, my gem. I'll be back before you know it," Cinder directed her smile only to Ruby which Ruby reciprocated.
Ruby gently let go of Cinder's hand as she went away.
Terri led her into the motel room where she found a girl roughly her age watching the holo-screen. She had dark blue hair that barely went to her neck. Covering her hair was a dark captain's cap. Coral was wearing a bright orange jacket that grabbed everyone's attention.
"Coral! Why don't you introduce yourself?"
The girl- Coral- turned off the holo-screen and practically hopped over to Ruby.
Terri whispered, "She's a bit eccentric but that's part of her charm."
"Hi! What's your name?" Coral asked.
"Ruby Fall," she replied.
"Cool! Do you wanna play a board game?"
"I'll leave you two girls alone," Terri said as she went into another room.
Coral pulled out a dusty old board game and plopped it onto the floor.
"It's called Grimm-Land!"
Ruby tilted her head. Her last encounter with the Grimm… brought unpleasant memories to say the least.
"How do you play?" Ruby asked while gulping.
"Oh, it's simple!" Coral unboxed the game and set down the board. There was four quadrants on the board. One had the woods, with illustrations of beowolves among the trees. Ruby redirected her gaze onto the illustration of the sea. There was a storm brewing, darkening the board as waves were raging with massive Grimm that resembled killer whales. Then there was the sky, free and boundless… but focusing her gaze on the rest, she saw a tornado of Nevermores swirling. The final two quadrants showcased a desert biome with gigantic Grimm worms bursting from the sand and a blizzard with red eyes amidst the blaring whiteness.
Coral seemed totally enthralled with this. Clearly, she had never seen a Grimm up close before. They were not to be trifled with. But Ruby couldn't blame her. She was like Coral, entranced by their stories about the Grimm. Until she had seen the truth.
"Basically, you follow the path to the end," Coral said as she traced her finger along the twisting and curving path going through the four quadrants. The path was cut up into several squares, some blue and some red. "Land on the blue, you're good to go. Land on the red, you're no go. You get to battle the Grimm!"
She took out two decks of cards. One was dark black and the other, a dazzling white. Coral gave Ruby ten of the white cards.
"These are your battle cards. Use them to battle the dastardly Grimm!" Coral gestured to the black cards.
"Seems interesting."
They played the game and Ruby found the game intriguing. Battling Grimm required you to roll dice and get a certain number in order to draw a battle card lest she wanted to get sent back several spaces back.
Coral really seemed more into the game when she was in the sea quadrant.
"The game that interesting?" Ruby asked.
"It is, I mean huntsmen and huntresses and Grimm are always interesting," Coral said as Ruby snorted. Cinder told her that all of this was propaganda.
"But," Coral interjected. "Traveling the sea is something I always wanted to do. Imagine it. Sailing the high seas, looking for treasure and fighting the occasional Grimm that dare layteth a hand on my ship." Coral tipped her hat while she said that.
"Don't… don't huntsmen watch over the boats?" Ruby asked. It was a huntsmen job to escort boats over the more dangerous waters.
"Pfft. When I'm captain, I won't need any huntsmen or huntresses. Just me and my crew. Maybe you should be part of it, you could be the lookout with those sharp eyes of yours."
Ruby laughed. "Maybe. Sounds cool."
"You bet. I'd get out of this place and sail the high seas. What about you?"
Ruby tilted her head, debating on what to say. "Get… in the family business with my mom?"
Coral frowned and whispered, "I can't stand my mom. She's nice and all but… you ever feel a connection to someone else?"
Ruby nodded.
"Yeah, well I feel that with my old step-dad ever since he took me on one his voyages. It was amazing! I feel closer to him than my real dad. Is that weird?"
Ruby could relate to her more than she knew. "No... I understand… but what about your other dad?"
Coral shrugged. "I don't hate him. I use to, but he didn't hate me. Life is too short for that. Love who you want to love. But let's continue with the game."
It was nice playing this game. It was a nice break, a sort of carefree feeling that she needed. Ruby wondered how Cinder was faring with her 'acquaintances'.
Roman considered himself many things. A thief, a liar, and the occasional killer.
But right now, he considered himself short-handed for the heist. It was just him and Neo. Sending Felix to Cinder had backfired immensely. Damn his greed.
Felix was dead and Cinder was nowhere to be found. That left two options. Either they both died or Cinder was off somewhere.
Although, he wondered if she was out there. She knew where he was… but maybe she was recuperating?
Whatever the case, he had to move forward. Professionalism demanded it anyhow. Being a career criminal meant being able to roll with the punches.
He had spent too long planning this out.
It was an opportunity of a lifetime. Someone hired him to steal secrets. At first, Roman didn't know if it was a real job or not.
An underground complex owned by the Schnee Dust Company? There had been stranger things though.
He looked over the documents that his employer gave him. The complex was about five stpries deep and the whole thing was a giant metal cage. Removing the files would no doubt box them in. And if they really fucked up, it was rigged to blow. He wished that he had Felix or Cinder available. They could work great as demolition. And the explosions would be muffled. The place was disguised as convenience store, hidden down below.
Now, the research was most likely stored in offline terminal. Looking over the reports, it was a specially-locked file.
Copying the file was out of the cards. Doing so would delete the files, leaving them with nothing. He'd like to keep his options open.
Speaking of which, he had to figure out how to do this heist with just himself and Neo.
He'd preferably to this one loud and quick.
Not that he was incapable of being stealthy, but what was the point of it when his fabulous mug was plastered all over the wanted posters.
It could be worse, if his trump card was out of the bag, he would have been shot up the wanted lists.
He flipped the notes again. The facility drew power from the kingdom itself but had an offline Dust generator. If power was no restored in forty minutes, data is deleted and boom. Bum-rushing this would be only slightly better.
This was giving him a headache.
Then there was a series of knocks on the door. Each with a small pause between each one. One second, three, six, and finally five. A simple code. Roman sighed in relief and opened the door.
It was Neo. She gave a smirk and walked in with some fast-food. They had staked out in an apartment right across the complex.
She plopped down the food. Neo tilted her head at the food.
Roman shook his head. "I'll eat when I figure out how we're doing this heist."
Neo shrugged and began to engage in some very twisting stretches. He didn't know legs could bend that way.
Roman found her to be amusing. She was loyal to a fault. It was a little game of his to muddle their back stories and working relationship.
Most of the time, he'd tell lies and occasionally truths. It was a good tactic to throw people off their tracks, as information was power. And it was fun.
He was busy coming up with the next convoluted lie. What was already out there about them?
Adopted daughter, birth daughter, sister, wife, girlfriend, apprentice, hired help, an orphan?
Oh! What about a girl raised in the wild that he domesticated?
Nah, Neo wouldn't like that. She liked teasing people but being the butt of the joke? He'd probably 'fall' down the stairs if he told that.
And she'd do it all without a word. Her silence was by choice. Or maybe it wasn't. Roman liked keeping his cards close to his chest.
Eventually after an eternity of going over notes again and again, he felt a tap on his shoulder.
Neo gestured over to the food, now growing colder by the minute.
"Neo, dear, I'm working."
She didn't say anything, instead she produced a cheeseburger, almost out of thin air. To the untrained eye, it would be almost like magic… or a semblance, but really it was just sleight of hand.
Roman opened his mouth to protest but Neo shoved it into his open mouth. After briefly choking, he began chewing the food.
He mumbled his displeasure while Neo gave a smile.
"Fine, fine, I'll take a break."
He sat down at the small table with Neo.
She slid a bottle of beer to Roman before munching on the fries.
He may be a criminal, but little moments like these were bliss. Of course, lavishly spending their ill-gotten goods was even better.
But yeah, he still loved these moments.
He began to muse about the bad atmosphere about this heist.
Roman wondered if the employer tried screwing them over?
The fact that there was a rival heisting crew that tried doing the same job as them meant something suspicious was going on.
The Fake AH crew might have been dealt with but the fact that they knew where his storage unit was concerning.
Good thing that he managed to rope Cinder into dealing with them. Those bumbling fools were no match for a direct confrontation. They were suited for stealth, but Roman couldn't be bothered to deal with them. Criminal master-minding required his complete attention. Having someone like Cinder on his side was nice.
Neo, for all her skill, was required elsewhere. The city's power wasn't going to sabotage itself. Maybe it was a bad idea to send Felix after Cinder. But hey, if he succeeded, Roman wouldn't had to pay Cinder. Favors were a blessing.
He took a sip of the beer as he began to recall meeting Cinder.
Roman waited by the docks, as a fine mist began rolling in from the sea. The docks was something of a safe haven for criminals, both big and small.
Neo- of course- was lying in wait. She was backup in-case this 'Cinder' was a problem. For all they knew, it could have been a sting operation.
He hated overzealous huntsmen and huntresses.
Roman could hear methodical tapping in the background. Neo was getting bored. Roman had a small worry that she would bugger off and murder a bum to kill in order to pass the time.
Before he could tap his cane on the floor to deter Neo from those thoughts, a figure silently appeared next to him.
Roman jumped slightly before saying, "How long did you spent working on that entrance? I gotta say… it's a six out of ten at best."
He turned his head to analyze the figure. She wore a red dress with high heels. The only out of place item was a black domino mask. He could see fiery amber eyes staring at him.
Seemed like she wanted to keep her identity a secret. Perhaps Cinder was an alias. Roman used to worry about such things, but he had secured a very lofty reputation as a criminal. Besides who didn't like seeing his gorgeous mug? Neo on a bad day maybe.
Cinder ignored his earlier comment and asked, "Torchwick, yes?"
"The one and only. But please, call me Roman."
"Torchwick, would you mind filling me on the details or not?" she asked.
"I'll keep it brief. The actual details come before the actual heist."
One didn't simply give out important details out for free. For all he knew, Cinder could spread those secrets away.
"I'd prefer you tell me now."
"I'd prefer a lot of things. But we're going to be doing things my way. Are you in or out?"
He could tell that Cinder was a bit miffed about this. Still, she conceded nevertheless and hid her disdain quite well.
"So, tell me what I need to know."
Roman gave her the bare-minimum of the operation, things about what they were robbing and how their employer would pay them and how they would split the money. Cinder was like him, barely explaining the extent of her abilities.
Roman could still use her as some muscle and even as a demolition expert. He could see small signs that Cinder hated this. She had not mastered the fine art of adopting a facade. But, she was well on her way to mastering such an art. Even now, the small cracks in her mask were being sealed up. They all had to start somewhere.
Neo let out a small tap, telling Roman to hurry it up. Cinder immediately spun around, a black bow- Dust most likely- formed in her hands. In one quick motion, she fired an arrow at Neo's hiding place.
Glass shattered- a small breath of relief-, as the arrow exploded on impact.
"What are you doing?!" Roman grabbed Cinder by the shoulders.
"Being watched," Cinder replied cooly.
"That's my partner, you imbecile!"
Cinder shrugged. Neo popped up amongst the ruin and threw a knife at Cinder. She side-stepped the thrown knife and turned to Roman.
"Are we going to do this the hard way? Because, I could find another way to make lien and nobody would care for your scattered ashes."
"Stand down, Neo," he called out.
Neo stuck out her tongue. Roman couldn't tell if it was meant for him or for Cinder.
Roman chuckled.
The heist was starting soon. About in an hour or so. When the power ran out, they would have only forty-five minutes to break in and steal the company secrets.
"You ready for this, Neo?" he asked.
She chomped on the fries loudly, almost out of excitement.
"Alright, get ready."
Neo swallowed the fries and took out her umbrella. It was all she needed. A small pink light moved up from her toes up to her neck. Her usual attire changed into one of the mercenary outfits. Her multi-colored hair transformed into a dark brown.
Roman set down a ski-mask onto the table. Due to the more… 'corporate' nature of this, it was likely that the company would hire a mercenary or a hunter on them.
Plausible deniability.
There was a single knock on the door, breaking the silence. Neo disappeared and hid in plain sight. She was his backup. Her semblance was strong and more willing to use it openly.
He grabbed his cane and stalked toward the door. Melodic Cudgel was a pretty effective weapon. Aura could make any personal weapon dangerous. This wasn't even mentioning the modifications he made.
Roman twirled the cane and hid it behind his back.
Opening the door, he found a stranger dressed in a black sleeveless jacket with canisters attached to her black pants.
Roman knew it was Cinder and felt his grip tightened on his cane. He had no idea what her intentions were.
"I see you changed your mask," he commented. It was different from the last time they met. It bore a similar resemblance to those Strangerhood masks, except it was colored black.
"Were you expecting someone else? Now are you going to let me in or not?" Cinder asked.
Roman outstretched his hand and said, "Come in! Come in! I was just preparing."
Cinder walked in and went straight for the notes on the table. Roman had his suspicions but he would cross that bridge when it came down to it.
"Interesting. The SDC? I assume that little minx of yours is going to scout ahead, I'm the muscle, and you're taking lead?" Her tone had a smug tone out of it. A sort of know-it-all tone. It did not help with his suspicions.
Roman tapped his cane five times with a seven second interval. It held two messages, one for now and one for later.
Neo popped out of plain sight and gave Cinder a playful glare. Roman popped on his ski mask.
"So, who's ready for a little mass-murder and thievery?" Roman asked as he put his hat on.
Cinder waited outside the convenience store with the pair of criminals.
Then she heard it. The lights down the street began shutting off, quickly making its way to them. They were engulfed in darkness, but aura gave potential to hone their instincts higher than anyone else.
They had a limited time frame with the emergency power.
Entering the store, they found the cashier struggling to pull out something from under the counter. A gun, no doubt.
Luckily, Neo was quick and nimble.
Hopping over the counter, Neo slit the man's throat.
Roman made a low whistle and Neo pocketed the money from the cash register.
Petty criminals.
Neo led the way to the backroom. A steel door stood tall in the very back.
"If you would, dearie."
Cinder ignored him. Everything would be over soon.
Placing her hands on the door, a small explosion shook the door and it collapsed off the door. Beams of light shone through. Cinder got a glimpse of a dark hallway with two guards aiming their gun.
Cinder formed her bow but Neo pushed past her and opened her umbrella.
Gunfire erupted but Neo's umbrella blocked the bullets. Cinder took the opportunity and fired two arrows into the guards.
Their aura was weak and she was strong. Their auras shattered and Neo was already stabbing them with a blade from the tip of her umbrella. The little psychopath was smiling as the men screamed. Cinder ignored that and began taking note of the dark hallway. Cinder was the only source of light as her clothes emitted an orange glow.
The two guards were protecting an elevator at the end of the hallway.
Neo glanced up from the pair of dead bodies, blood splattered over her face. Getting up, Neo wiped the blood off her face.
On the elevator door, she used the blood to draw a question mark.
"We'll cut the cables. Come on, Neo. You should know this."
Neo, annoyed, tapped the elevator door two times.
"Oh, we'll just use Melodic Cudgel to grapple back up-"
Neo almost furiously knocked on the door again.
"Oh!" Roman turned to Cinder. "I don't suppose you could fly?"
Cinder couldn't help but snort. That would take it almost unhealthy amount of Dust to fly even then the stress would probably blow her heart out. No matter how strong one's aura was, it wouldn't help. Although, there was fairy tales about magic and Dust but Cinder dismissed that. Fairy tales were for children.
Speaking of which, maybe with the lien she could buy some books for Ruby.
"I'll cross the bridge when it comes."
Roman nodded and used the handle of the cane to pry the elevator door open.
They entered the elevator and Neo forced opened the emergency door on top.
"Brace yourself."
Neo cut the cables and after a brief moment of free-fall, their aura held them together. Cinder looked up and saw Neo gently floating down with her umbrella.
She landed in the elevator gracefully.
"Alright, remember the plan. Neo, scout ahead. Remember the signals."
Neo rolled her eyes, clearly displaying her annoyance. This was not new ground for her.
"Cinder, you're with me. I know the way to the main terminal. Alright, let's get this party started."
Roman forced the doors open and Neo protected them from the gunfire. Roman lifted up his cane and a reticule popped out from the bottom.
Cinder saw the blaring red lights brief bathing the complex in red. Roman fired his cane and the explosion incinerated the guards.
Neo disappeared after a brief absence of the red light.
"Alright, we got a limited time frame. Neo will probably distract most of the guards."
Cinder followed Roman room after room, opening each door for him with small explosions. Occasionally, she had to cut down several guards with her swords. As they ran through the facility, she noted the environment. Some of them were offices, papers were burning and scientists hiding.
Others contained sealed off glass windows. She saw blue Dust and the words 'Ice Fine'. There was a growing patch of blue Dust crystals. They were spewing out literal blue dust, which in turn began growing more crystals.
Cinder wagered it was artificial Dust gone wrong. Trying to replicate the properties of raw Dust clearly went wrong.
The Dust looked unstable and Cinder wondered if she could use it. Then she saw a pig encased in blue Dust.
Perhaps not.
They entered a workshop of some sorts, and at first, Cinder thought it was a prosthetic workshop. Instead, they were metal skeletons forming pseudo-bodies.
Prosthetic were a budding new field. Only the most advanced prosthetics were used by the people in power. Generals, hunters, and the rich.
But this wasn't it.
It was an imitation of lie. And Cinder began to suspect the secrets they were going to steal. Roman stopped right in front of a giant metal door that loomed over them.
She sheathed her swords behind her back and rubbed her hands. A big explosion gave way to a brief ringing in their ears.
It was a big enough explosion to cause the ringing. Aura enhanced all of their bodily functions. She ignored the brief ringing and picked up swords. The door still stood and Cinder glared at it.
Roman laughed. "You forgot about the specialized vault cracker?"
Cinder huffed slightly.
He put the device onto the door and moments later, it creaked open.
Roman saw a big computer terminal and pumped his fist. "Jackpot!"
He began typing something at the terminal and plugged in his scroll. "Well, the download is going to take a while."
A giant spiked ball swung toward the terminal and Roman. Cinder hopped in front of it and batted it away with her swords.
Someone walked in as the ball began to retract to its handle.
The owner of the ball and chain swaggered entered her field of vision. He wore green gauntlets and a teal chest plate. Green kneepads covered his grey pants and Cinder bore into his light green eyes. A ragged, bald face greeted her coldly.
He was a drop-out. Nova Pulp. She made sure to keep track of any and all drop-outs. He was one of the newer ones, recently starting out in the mercenary trade. Although, he was all business… sorta like Felix's partner. She could respect that.
She had no doubt that she could take him. But she still had to be wary. Cinder finally began to see what she meant about arrogance.
Cinder glanced at Roman who waved her off. She was on her own, which was fine by her.
Both Nova and Cinder charged at each other. Initial reports suggested that Nova's semblance was to create small pockets of explosions suspended in air.
His weapon- suspected name Blackhole Supernova- complimented his semblance quite well. From his the handle, he could channel his semblance through the chain and into the ball.
Cinder pushed Nova back with a strong swing. He almost tumbled onto the floor but he held his ground.
He began swinging the ball all over the room, creating small bright lights all over the room. He swung the ball at Cinder again. But he channeled most of his aura into that attack. Knocking Cinder into one of the balls of light. It immediately exploded, sending her flying into another pocket. She started bouncing all over the room.
Cinder finally slammed into the floor. Nova prepared to strike her down with the ball but she rolled out of the way. Her aura couldn't take much more.
Taking out a canister, she popped it open and swung it in front of her. Fragments were thrown out and suspended into the air. Her aura went into those fragments of glass Dust and shot out at Nova.
His weapon was too slow to block it and he stumbled. Cinder gave him no reprieve and charged. She kept swinging and swinging her swords. She kept close, as his weapon wasn't meant for close-quarters.
His aura shattered and she slashed his throat open. Her sword cut deep and his head barely stayed attached.
The body collapsed onto the floor.
Roman turned around, holding his scroll.
"Good news and bad news. We got it, but the place is going to blow in five."
Cinder rolled her eyes, a gesture that went unnoticed thanks to her mask. They rushed back to the elevator, quickly tracing their steps.
They found Neo waiting in the elevator, pretending to look at an invisible wrist-watch. They went into the elevator. Neo held onto Roman and he fired the handle like a grappling hook.
Roman and Neo zipped up five stories while Cinder pondered how she was going to make it. She climbed through the emergency door.
Channeling her tired aura, she jumped as high as she could and slammed her sword into the wall. Barely holding on, she climbed onto the blade of the sword. She had enough Dust left for two more Dust swords and for one bow.
Forming another one, she leapt up again and repeated the same process two times. The very last time, she managed to climb back into the small backroom of the convenience store.
Roman and Neo seemed surprised that she made it. Cinder eyed the scroll.
"Oh! You made it."
Nearly synchronized, they pointed their weapons at each other at the same time.
"A mutual betrayal," Cinder commented.
"Well, I guess we both needed each other for this heist. Although, I would have preferred Felix."
Cinder's hand trembled and in a low voice asked, "You sent Felix after me?"
Memories of Ruby flashed in her mind, there was no point for the mask- for the polite and controlled formalities. Her arrow began to glow.
"Well shit," Roman realized.
Neo, like a blur, ran to Cinder and kicked the bow out of her hands, but not before Cinder fired an arrow into the ceiling, briefly blindsiding them. Her bow was gone, fallen down the elevator shaft. Cinder grabbed Neo and slammed her into the wall, still blinded.
Roman aimed his cane at Cinder but she was quickly on him.
She twisted the cane out of his hands and swung the cane to the back of Roman's legs, forcing him onto his knees.
Cinder pointed his cane at the recovering Neo, whose eyes began to flicker into different colors. She kept pressing the trigger again and again.
Several of Roman's explosive shots engulfed the little psychopath. The explosive blasts were powerful enough to shatter Neo's aura after the second shot but Cinder didn't stop until the cane ran out of ammo.
The rage was more controlled now. Easier to control- to point and let loose. Neo was still alive, but her body was bruised and burnt.
Cinder could see traces of faded scars on the ruined skin. Her clothing probably gave her a good amount of protection. She wasn't as badly burnt as Cinder hoped. Given enough time, there would be no burn scars as aura would have healed it eventually.
Roman was crying out Neo's name but Cinder silenced him by smacking him the face with his cane. He fell onto his back.
She placed her heel onto Roman's throat. Cinder applied pressure before kicking him several times in the gut. His aura shattered.
Cinder almost wanted to taunt the man but she held her tongue.
She snapped the cane in half and grabbed Roman by the head. There was a loud explosion echoed beneath them. The lives that were trapped there were worthless, just like Roman.
But then she began to hear sirens in the distance.
"Listen…" Cinder regain her composure. "Listen here, I hate having my trust broken. Now, there is a small chance of redemption for you."
"Go… go.. fuck yourself."
Cinder chuckled before slamming his head into the floor.
"Now, I need you to be a distraction for the cops," Cinder took Roman's scroll. "If you do this… I won't kill you. Hell, you could take that bitch of yours too. Then, bygones will be bygones. Or I could kill you now. Try to weasel your way out, I will kill you."
Roman spat blood onto the floor. "Fuck you. But I'll do it, crazy bitch."
He limped over to his fallen comrade and picked her up in his arms. Cradling Neo and his broken weapon, he left the backroom. She followed close behind.
Roman hijacked a car and began driving toward the source of the sirens. Hopefully, he would lead them away from her.
It was time to pick up Ruby anyhow.
Cinder saw Ruby and that other girl having fun with a board game.
Ruby rushed over to embrace her. Cinder hugged her back, not bothering to contain herself. After adopting the calm and control mask for the heist, it felt good to let her guard down.
"How was it?" Cinder asked.
"It was fun! We played board games and talked about sailing!" Ruby said excitedly.
"Well, we're going to be sailing soon."
"Really? Where?!"
The other girl seemed excited too, but Cinder ignored her.
"To Mistral. We'll talk about it soon."
Ruby grabbed Cinder's hand as they walked out. Cinder turned to Terri.
"Th.. thanks for watching Ruby."
"Anytime."
They went back to the motel room and began packing up.
"Why are we going to Mistral?" Ruby asked as she began playing with her cloak.
"I'm from Mistral," Cinder commented.
"What's Mistral like?"
"It's… it's alright. But with you, it will be better," Cinder said before tapping Ruby on the nose.
Ruby giggled before rubbing her eyes. "Can you help me take out the contact?"
"Of course, my gem."
Cinder helped remove the contact from Ruby's eye. She stared into Ruby's lone silver eye.
"Hey mom, why did my eyes change color?"
Cinder was about to lie or dodge the question, but two things stopped her. She remembered the outrage that she felt discovering Roman's betrayal- granted she was planning the same thing- and Cinder's promise to Ruby.
'I will never lie to you.'
It was worrying on how Ruby might react if she ever figured out if someone was lying to her. Would she act in disbelief? Hatred?
Would Cinder risk it?
But… she might lose Ruby otherwise.
Which brought another worrying thought to Cinder. Ruby had effectively two lives. The old one and the new one. A life without Cinder, and a life with her. Ruby had that 'blood connection' whereas Cinder had none. It was impossible for her. The scar that ran across her stomach assured that.
If given the option, would Ruby run back to her old life?
Cinder didn't like to gamble. She preferred sure-fire victories. This wasn't some game of manipulation or lies or secrets, this was someone she considered her daughter.
So, Cinder told Ruby about her eyes. After Ruby's initial excitement, Ruby began to heed to Cinder's warnings and concerns.
Then came the damning question- the one that muddled the future. The question that made Cinder question the path she would have to take.
'Why are we going to Mistral?'
Cinder wanted to lie. Tell her sweet little lies that Cinder was the only one that loved her. She remembered how it felt when Roman revealed his treacherous nature.
She hated the man with a passion.
Would Ruby hate her with the same intensity?
Cinder opened her mouth to lie, but no words came out of her mouth. Instead, tears fell down her cheek.
Ruby hugged her and asked, "What's wrong?"
Cinder laughed sadly. It was so easy to lie. She could tell the most elaborate of lies, perhaps even convince entire kingdoms that they were at war.
"Do you really want to know why we're going to Mistral?" she asked quietly.
"Yeah?" Ruby asked. She was more focused with concern. Would Ruby still look upon her the same? Cinder didn't like having her trust broken and she should treat Ruby the same.
"Your uncle..." she started. "Your uncle is looking for you. And..." 'He wants to take you back to your horrible family. I'm the only one you can trust.' Cinder wanted to say.
"And… I don't know what to do," she finally admitted. "I love you like your my own. And that… that means, your happiness means the world. Maybe… I'm a horrible mom."
Cinder paused. There was no need to put on a falsehood for Ruby. She hid away her emotions for so long.
"I mean, I got you hurt!" Cinder wiped away her tears to no avail. "Why would someone like you want me as a mom? Maybe you should go to your uncle."
Ruby looked on as Cinder cried out her fears. Her silver eye glinted with something while her amber eye flickered with something else. Cinder couldn't read into that, but there was no malice in either eye.
Finally, Ruby hugged Cinder tight.
"I'm scared," Ruby said sheepishly.
Cinder looked at Ruby again, confused.
"Scared of what?"
"What if they still hate me? I… I had nightmares about them. Why would they want to find me? Could they really hate me?"
'Yes! Yes! Fuck them! They can burn in hell! You're mine! You're my daughter now! Not theirs! I… just want you happy.' "I don't know if they do, but I know what I think of you. I love you, be you a Fall or a Rose."
"What am I suppose to do?" Ruby asked, clearly conflicted.
"Shape your own destiny. I just… hope that we will share the same path. I'll give you some time to think about it."
Cinder exited the room, and hung around by the door. She slid down onto the floor with her back to the wall. She buried her head into her hands.
Why was she like this?
Cinder Fall wasn't a nice person. If she had her way, the kingdoms would burn. The few that encountered her didn't see this side of her. Nobody did, not even herself. She prided herself on control and power.
Yet, she was so starved for any hint of affection… that she let herself loose. Now, she was going to lose it all. Either everything went her way or else.
This was quite the paradoxical conundrum. She wanted Ruby and she wanted Ruby happy. Choice- destiny was out of her hands. It was Ruby's choice- not her. Taking control would make everything she loved about Ruby gone.
She wanted Ruby as a daughter not a slave.
Cinder enslaved her fair share of people to achieve her ends, but Ruby wasn't an end.
Cinder couldn't shape this part of her life.
She exhaled quietly and started looking at Roman's scroll. She had to get her mind off this.
The file was still there, but it was a burner scroll. There was nothing but the file on it. Roman had screwed her over.
Only he knew the person who held the payday.
Cinder wanted to scream in frustration. But she didn't. Who was she right now?
Was she the Cinder Fall who let her guard down around Ruby? Or was she the Cinder Fall who was calm and in control?
Ruby's choice would decide for her. Ruby was the only one. Nobody else.
She needed to figure out what to do next. There was no lien- no way to leave this shit kingdom.
Cinder had a scroll filled with corporate secrets but no buyer.
While Ruby decided her fate, Cinder called the SDC customer service. She was going to do something reckless. Strong-arming the SDC into giving her lien. Threaten them into meeting her here, take their lien, and run off to Mistral before anything bad could happen. As the scroll ringed, she tapped on the door.
"Ruby, I'm going to be back in a couple of minutes."
"Okay!"
Her mask formed and she waited in the shadows of the motel. They better arrive on time or else.
Ruby was conflicted, right down the middle.
There was a chance at her old life. Perhaps her ol… family didn't hate her. Even then, Ruby was with Cinder.
She didn't know what to do!
Ruby finally remembered both the good and the bad. Perhaps, even truly… they were sorry. Ruby spent so much time being worried and afraid that she didn't even consider that.
Ruby remembered what Cinder said about heroes.
But did that really matter?
Ruby didn't care about that anymore. Heroes didn't exist.
Family did however. In her naivety, Ruby wanted her... dad and her new mom to get along. Maybe that's similar to what... Yang wanted.
Reality had struck.
Cinder wouldn't like that, she wouldn't get along with… her dad.
Ruby just wanted everyone happy. Cinder didn't want Ruby to go, but maybe… they found Yang's mom and became a family again.
Did they still hold malice?
Or perhaps, they just made a mistake. Despite, her old mom being a fake hero, Ruby was almost certain that her love was real.
Could their family be rekindled?
Maybe, things could get better… at the cost of losing Cinder. Ruby considered Cinder her new mom. Was that wrong?
They were all her family in their own way.
Ruby couldn't bring herself to hate them.
Yet, how could she do this?
Finally, Ruby found a small solution. If her family was really worried about her, then they deserved to know that she was alright.
And Ruby didn't want to leave Cinder either.
Speeding around the room, she found a pen and paper to use. She began penning a small letter to Yang and her dad.
It was a compromise.
It was the only conceivable way that Ruby could keep everyone happy.
Family was family, blood or no blood.
Once the letter was penned, she tapped on the door to tell Cinder to come back in. Hopefully, Cinder was done with whatever she was doing.
Cinder was holding a briefcase when she came in. She was wearing a mask that quickly faded away. She looked a little pleased and smug, but facing Ruby, a different look formed.
One filled with uncertainty and worry.
"So?" Cinder asked quietly.
"I want everyone to be happy," Ruby started. "My family may be 'heroes' but… they're my family. They deserve to know what happened."
Cinder looked downtrodden but Ruby continued. "So, I want to give them a letter. Tell them not to worry."
"So, you want to stay?" Cinder asked with hope beginning to form in her eyes. A spark full of hope.
"Of course! You're family too! I can't leave you alone!"
Cinder smiled. "Is… is it okay if I see the letter?"
Ruby gave a toothy grin and handed Cinder the letter. Ruby fiddled with her cloak anxiously. She began to notice the significance of it.
It was both old and new. Summer made it and Cinder refined it. Ruby loved it with all her heart.
Ruby glanced up to Cinder, as she finished the letter.
Cinder had a small tear in her eye and she smiled. Ruby Fall returned the smile.
Nobody would separate them.
Crimson couldn't believe her eyes.
She started hopping up and down.
"I'm pregnant!" she almost shouted. "Oh my god, oh my god! I gotta tell Azalea!" She realized that her husband was on a mission outside the kingdom.
Crimson started thinking about who to tell. She obviously had to tell her husband, her partner… hell, she'd even tell the fourth member of their team. Even if he was a fame-hogging, slight disgrace to the huntsmen name but he was a brother-in-arms.
Team CRAN was going to have a little reunion. She spent a long time trying to actually get pregnant. Now, it finally happened while she still had a responsibility. One final mission. Then, she would take a leave of absence. Crimson knew that Azalea was getting tired of the huntsman lifestyle. Perhaps, once the baby was born, he could retire and she could continue her huntress duty.
Huntsmen and huntresses had numerous options for retirement. There was several 'unofficial' ways for them to retire. They could go into reserve. They could become a teacher and only on the rare occasion go on missions.
The official way to retire was serve at least four years.
Her scroll pinged.
It was one of her civilian friends. She was a secretary at the SDC. Crimson didn't hear from her since she took a job in Atlas.
Crimson pretty sure that she worked directly underneath the big man himself.
"Hey! What's going on?" Crimson greeted.
"Sorry, Miss Neverbloom-" Oh, it wasn't a social call. She only called Crimson by her last name when it was serious. "Unfortunately, I wished I called under different circumstances. While I was in Vale, the SDC had the unfortunate luck to be blackmailed. Mister Schnee wanted this to be kept on the down-low, so the ransom was paid. However-"
"Yeah, yeah. I got it. You need my awesome tracking skills and my semblance. But this will cost you."
"How much?" her friend asked, disappointed.
"I want you to have some lunch with me."
"What's the occasion?" she asked.
"I'm pregnant."
"Wait, what?"
"You heard me," Crimson said.
"Congratulations! But… are you sure that you need to this? I could always find someone else."
"Nah. It's a small favor. Besides, it's probably going to be one of my last missions anyway."
"If you say so, details are on your scroll but stay safe," her friend said.
"You know it! I look forward to that lunch," Crimson said.
"Heh, yeah. Take care."
Crimson went over the details in the scroll. The exchange took place at a motel owned my one Terri Bones.
A little questioning then put her tracking skills to good use.
Arriving at the motel, she started asking Terri about the residents there. Once she stated it was official huntress business, Terri spilled the beans.
Only one name stood out from the rest.
Cinder.
Could her two missions be related?
Coincidences like this just didn't happen. Crimson had a gut feeling that Cinder was leaving Vale and soon.
Crimson had a limited time frame to find Cinder. But there was one important detail. Cinder had a daughter.
Perhaps, Cinder's intentions were a tad more benevolent than she originally suspected. Whatever the case, she needed to solve this mystery and quick.
Entering the room that two stayed in, she began to channel her semblance. She touched a burnt curtain and she saw a ghostly trail leading out of the room.
Her semblance may not be suited for combat, but not all semblances were like that. Although, it didn't matter. Tracking down missing persons made it all worth it.
Rushing out, she ran past a mailbox and saw that the trail led to the docks. If Crimson had to guess, the Falls were leaving Vale via boat.
She saw two figures at the empty docks.
"Cinder!" she shouted.
Cinder spun around gently nudged her daughter. The little one grabbed the suitcase and sped off in a haze of red and fire. There a brief note of kindness in that gesture, before she saw that same mask of angry.
"Crimson Neverbloom," Cinder said calmly.
"Why?" Crimson said simply.
"That's for me to know."
She put up her fists and they became engulfed in flames.
Crimson took out her whip. "I don't want to this. Just give me the lien and tell me why. I want to help! We'll work something out!"
"I don't need your fucking charity." The tone was cold and unforgiving.
Cinder charged at Crimson. She swung wide, giving Crimson an opportunity to tie her whip around Cinder's arm.
Twisting around, Crimson got Cinder into an arm-lock.
"Don't make me do it!" Crimson was more than willing to break Cinder's arm to get her to stop. With the right amount of pressure and aura, there were ways to bypass aura.
An orange circle formed beneath them and an explosion separated the two. Cinder got up and with visible pain, formed a single black sword.
Crimson noted that Cinder was most likely running low on the Dust in her system.
She cracked her whip and electricity began coursing through it. The handle of the whip contained a single yellow Dust crystal.
Cinder twirled her sword and the blade caught on fire.
"I don't want to do this! I know there is more to this!"
Cinder merely ignored her and slammed her blade into the ground. A row of fire shot out toward Crimson. Leaping into the air, she cracked her whip at Cinder.
The whip found its mark. Thousands of volts coursed through Cinder and she dropped her sword as her aura shattered.
Crimson thanked her weapon, Crystal Indiana. It took a long time modifying it.
Cinder stumbled onto the floor.
"Leave her alone!" a young voice called out.
A blaze of fire smashed into Crimson and she could feel a tiny knife chipping away at her aura.
The blaze went away and Crimson saw Cinder charging up as flames danced all around her. A massive wave of fire consumed Crimson and the last of her aura.
The daughter stood by a literal smoking Cinder. She tossed Crystal Indiana to the side and picked up Crimson by the throat.
Crimson didn't want to die. She just wanted to help. She wanted to see the rest of her team. She wanted her baby to see a world. Crimson was doing her best to shape the world to be a better place.
So why?
Cinder couldn't be this bad. She was a mother too.
"Please don't," she croaked out. "I'm… I'm pregnant."
Cinder's eyes glinted something fierce. "You're in the way. I'm not losing my daughter to the likes of you."
"I wasn't lying when I said I wanted to help. But please as a mother, please don't."
Crimson felt the heat emitting from Cinder's hand.
"Then, you'd understand that I would do anything to protect my daughter. Although, I do regret this."
There was that one sliver of goodness in Cinder. Crimson just had to appeal to that.
"Just tell me, when we were traveling together-"
"When you lied to me about being a huntress?" Cinder accused. "Let me guess, it was because of the mission!"
"When we were traveling together, what did you dream of? I know there is some good in you. What made you smile?"
Cinder pulled Crimson in close. "Your attempts are naive as they are stupid. Life doesn't work like that. But do you really want to know?"
Crimson struggled to nod.
"You know what made me happy? The kingdoms burning."
Crimson grimaced and knew that it was hopeless. She was sorry. She was sorry that she wouldn't see her husband anymore. She was sorry for the grief that she was going to put her husband through.
Crimson just wished that it didn't have to be this way. She wanted a family, but that dream was dead. Her family sacrificed for someone else's family.
She didn't want to die.
Cinder plunged the sword through Crimson's belly and Crimson Neverbloom was no more.
Cinder looked upon the crumbled body of Crimson Neverbloom. The blood began seeping out onto the light red duster. Her light red hair was cloaked in blood and dirt. Cinder began to search through the duster coat and pulled out Crimson's journal.
It was a hunter's journal. It could be useful, if Cinder could crack the code.
Crimson had been something of an acquaintance. This was before the betrayal. She trusted Crimson and she turned out to be a huntress, the very thing she despised.
While Cinder felt a twinge of guilt, this action was a necessity. Cinder didn't technicality break her vow to not harm children. It wasn't out of the goodness of her heart, but rather because she couldn't bear the thought of hurting someone like Ruby.
"Are you alright?" Ruby asked.
"Heh. Shouldn't I be asking you that question?" Cinder asked.
"I'm fine, What about you?"
"Never better! But I saved you from that mean old huntress, didn't I?" Ruby boasted.
"That you did. Nice use of the cloak. You made me proud."
Ruby beamed up to Cinder. "I don't suppose I could get a present because of how good I did?"
"That depends. What is it?"
Ruby held up her pocket knife, it's blade bent.
"Oh, that's a shame. Kinda my fault anyway, I didn't properly teach you on how to channel your aura through a weapon."
"I didn't like the knife anyway. Too short."
Cinder laughed. "I think it's time we made you a weapon. Something that suits you. How about… while we're on the ship, you could think of a weapon. And then, while we're in Mistral… I'll help make you it with you. Now, let's go."
Cinder took Ruby's hand and they began to make their way to the ship. It was easy to pay for someone to take them to Mistral.
Paranoia forced her to pick a boat over an airship. Cinder didn't want any record of them leaving on an airship.
It worked out fine anyway.
Once on board, they began to set sail. It wasn't a cruise ship by any means but it was good enough.
The cabin they were staying was small and a bit cramped, but they didn't mind. The voyage would almost certainly take a few days, but that would give them enough time to recuperate.
Ruby was reading some old comic books while Cinder counted the lien. Cinder knew they weren't ready. They needed more time to train.
And Cinder needed to find some allies and fast.
Ruby was a great start. But, the two of them couldn't take on a whole kingdom.
Ruby groaned out-loud.
"What is it, Ruby?" Cinder asked.
"I already read all these books. And I'm soooo bored."
"What did I say about complaining?"
"I know, I know. But I'm soooo bored."
Cinder put down the lien and sighed. "Maybe you're right. How about we explore the ship?"
"I could do it by myself."
"As good as you are, I don't want you to fall over."
Ruby laughed. "I won't! Pretty please!"
Cinder frowned before eventually sighing. She decided that she should take the time to crack the journal while Ruby was out. But Ruby needed some safety. She pulled out her own knife and gave it to Ruby.
It was a bigger pocket knife than the last one. Hopefully, Ruby wouldn't break this one.
"Just in-case. And try not to fall over!" Cinder called out as Ruby ran out.
Ruby began walking around the deck. It was a night and Ruby could see what Coral meant by her love of the sea.
The salty sea breeze on her face, the gently brush of the waves.
Ruby considered Coral to be a friend, despite their brief interaction. Ruby looked upon the sea. It was calm as the ship cut a course through it.
"Pretty nice, isn't it?" a voice said from behind her.
Ruby spun around and saw a redheaded boy facing her. He wore a simple sailor's uniforms.
"Hey," Ruby started.
"Where are my manners, I'm Scarlet David." He held out his hand.
Ruby shook it. "Ruby Fall."
Scarlet leaned over the railing. "Beautiful ain't it?"
The shattered moon shone it's light across the calm sea.
"Yeah," Ruby looked at Scarlet again. "Do you work here?"
"A bit yeah. It's job experience. Over the summers I help out with some of my parents' friends with shipping."
"Gonna be a sailor?" Ruby asked.
"Eh. That's kind of the plan. Although, anything with adventure is up my alley."
Scarlet looked at Ruby. "Nice eyes."
Ruby fidgeted and blushed a little. Cinder wanted her to wear contacts all the time, but Ruby begged not to.
"Thanks," Ruby sputtered out.
"Sorry, that was rude of me. But you headed to Mistral?"
Ruby nodded.
"Not the best place, but hey, it's home."
"Do you know where I could find any food?" Ruby asked.
"Wait here a moment."
Scarlet ran off and returned with a sandwich. "Straight from the captain's table."
"Really?"
"Not really. But it's still good."
Ruby bit into the sandwich and to her surprise, found out she liked it.
"I don't suppose you could tell me what people do around here for fun?"
"Fish!"
"Excuse me?"
"Oh, you could fish."
Scarlet disappeared and returned with some folding chairs and fishing poles.
"The ship is going at slow enough speed for us to fish. I'll teach you the basics."
He set down the chairs and they plopped down on them.
"It's simple. You hook the bait and you cast the line out. Like so!" Scarlet casted out the line.
Ruby did her best to emulate what Scarlet did.
Soon, Ruby began growing anxious. "This is so boring!"
"Good things come to those who wait," As Scarlet said that, he reeled in a big fish.
"That's no fair! You cheated."
"I only have experience, young one. But, if you wait… the fish will come to you. Everything works out in the end."
Ruby grumbled and she shook the fishing pole.
"Can't wait to eat this bad boy. But seriously, have some patience."
Ruby sighed and began waiting. She felt a tug on the line and she began reeling it in.
She pulled up the fish and found out that it was a tiny fish. It was barely bigger than a goldfish.
"Hahah! Don't worry, we can't all start out great. But if you keep at it-" Ruby casted out the line again. "- eventually, you'll find out everything would work out."
Ruby felt another tug and she pulled in a fish that was three times bigger than the last one.
"Yeah!" Ruby shouted.
"See! I told ya." Scarlet paused. "I gotta get back to work, it's been fun."
Scarlet ran off while Ruby returned to her room.
She found Cinder sleeping with a dark look in her face.
Cinder found herself in that dark realm once more. She faced the pale white figure once more.
"Salem."
"Cinder," she returned. "I said you weren't ready but yet… you disappoint me. You couldn't have any patience. Seven years at most. But you couldn't wait."
"I apologize, Salem."
"Take it as a learning experience," Salem paused. "I see you taken an apprentice… no daughter. Are you not a maiden anymore?"
"Adopted."
"Are you prepared of what that entails?" Salem asked.
"Too deep even if I wanted to stop."
"I know what you mean. But are you really prepared?"
"It's the path I chose."
Salem chuckled. "There was so many paths that I could have took with you. And yet, I chose to give you freedom. All I asked of you is that you obey. And yet..."
"I apologize-"
"Don't. Although, I was going to tell you about the maidens and your destiny but I feel as though I should reconsider. In your brazen arrogance, you were sloppy. You interfered and now, it would be best to wait."
"But-" Cinder started.
"No buts. As humorous you thinking you could take them on, you would have lost. When dealing with someone like Ozpin, you shouldn't just rush in. You're lucky that you didn't. You're no use to me captured."
"Yes, Salem."
"I was going to tell you about the maidens and the phoenixes. But perhaps, when you're ready."
"Yes, Salem," Cinder repeated.
"But this isn't a social call. I decided to give you a warning."
"Thank you, Salem," Cinder said. "What is the warning?"
Salem gave a smile. A cruel smile, that signified that punishment and amusement.
"Watch out for silver eyes cloaked in white."
Next Chapter: Frostbite