RWBY is property of Roosterteeth! I only own my characters.
CHAPTER 34
Cinder walked through Vale, casting painful glances at the destruction around her. The Order's attack had left several districts almost flattened, but thankfully, reports suggested that casualties had actually been fairly low. Still, hundreds of people had been left without their homes, and Beacon and the Vale Council were doing their best to accommodate them.
A sudden burst of distant gunfire caught Cinder's attention, causing her to look up in time to see a Nevermore fall from the sky. Cries of thousands of Grimm drifted through the air, growing louder as Cinder approached Vale's Northeastern wall. Fortunately, the Order forces had not damaged the city's perimeter too badly, but there were still areas where Grimm were leaking in. In other sections of the wall, the creatures gathered in large numbers, scratching at the only structure keeping them out.
Cinder's boots thudded against a flight of stairs as she climbed up onto the top of the wall, the sounds of gunfire now within close proximity. There was a dull thunk, followed by a series of explosions. Cinder idly looked at what she was wearing. She wasn't sure why, but she had donned the EDC uniform that she had barely touched.
Barnes had given her the clothing as a formality to signify that she was officially a member of the group, but Cinder had often worn her regular attire for everyday activity. Now that the General was gone, Cinder couldn't shake the feeling that she no longer belonged. Was she just trying to convince herself that she was still part of the EDC, even though the man who had brought her in was gone?
Cinder reached the top of the stairs, gusts of wind blowing her long black hair wildly. The top of the wall was occupied by numerous Huntsmen and Huntresses, all firing their weapons down at a literal sea of Grimm at the base of the wall. Occasionally, someone would air at the sky to shoot down a Nevermore or other flying Grimm. The creatures were being drawn en masse to Vale by the painful emotions felt across the entire city, and the only thing standing in their way was the wall and the local contingent of police and Huntsmen.
Cinder caught sight of two people in EDC armor amongst the crowd atop the wall. It was this pair she had come to find. Alex knelt down to look over the edge of the wall and threw a grenade down at an angle. A blast of thunder could be heard moments later, accompanied by the furious squeals of the Grimm. Dimitri stood beside his old friend, firing his machine gun indiscriminately into the horde below. Alex turned to pull another grenade out of a crate, and noticed Cinder standing a short distance away.
"Cinder?" the blond soldier asked. "Is something wrong?"
"Er..." Cinder steeled herself as Dimitri also became aware of her presence. "Private Fall, reporting for duty, Sirs!" She made a shaky salute.
"Seriously, Cinder," Alex and the Russian pulled her aside. "What's wrong?"
"I-" the black-haired woman trailed off as grief and pain welled up inside her heart. "With Barnes gone, I- I thought- I thought I needed to prove that I was still of use to-"
"Oy," Dimitri cut her off by placing two hands on her shoulders. "None of that."
"Cinder, just because the General isn't around anymore doesn't diminish your place among us," Alex said softly, "The moment Barnes said you were a part of the EDC, you became one of us."
"But... aren't you the ranking officer now?" Cinder asked.
"Yes, but a rank is just a title," Alex replied. "We survive because we trust each other, not because of the chain of command, okay? Cinder, you're our friend before anything else. And its not just the EDC. Luna, Ruby, Firo, Blake, Ryland... everyone counts you as a friend." Cinder smiled sadly, remaining silent for several moments.
"Thank you... Alex. Dimitri," she finally said softly. "Thank you." Gray clouds overhead began to drop water onto Vale, tiny specks of liquid spattering the top of the wall. The precipitation quickly increased from a drizzle to a downpour.
"Looks like the rain's starting," the Russian stated. "Let's get Cinder back to Beacon before she soaks through."
"Right," Alex nodded, turning to one of the Huntsman in the area. "Think you guys can handle this on your own for a while?"
"We were born to handle Grimm," the Huntsman replied with a rain-soaked grin. "Go on, we can take care of this."
"Thanks," Dimitri nodded to the man. As the rain continued to fall, the pair of soldiers guided Cinder back down the stair from where she came. The woman shivered slightly as the mixture of moisture and cold air began to affect her. Finding that the torrential downpour seemed to show no indications of slowing down, the three members of the EDC took shelter under a partially collapsed building. A dust-covered green awning shielded a small rectangle of cement from the water.
"I'm beginning to wonder how good these uniforms really are," Cinder commented, wringing the sleeve of her drenched clothing. "Though really, thanks. Both of you. It's nice to have somewhere to call home."
"Everyone deserves to have someplace to go back to," Alex replied with a kind smile. "I'm glad you've decided that place is with all of us."
"Speaking of which, Boss," Dimitri added, "weren't you going to ask Cinder something?"
"Right," the blond soldier nodded. He adopted a more formal stance for a moment. "Cinder, as current ranking officer of our group, I'd like to ask you to oversee all strategic decisions."
"What?" Cinder gaped at him in shock for a second. "Wait, you want me to..."
"In a way, I'm asking you to take over Barnes' role. He chose to teach you tactics and leadership specifically, so I'd like you to be able to work in a role that suits you..." Alex said. "Unless, of course, you'd rather help out somewhere else? The decision's up to you."
"What would I do exactly?" Cinder asked.
"The same things you've been taught. A tactician's job is to plan and coordinate. To make sure everyone's in the right place," the blond soldier answered. "As someone Barnes took under his wing, I can't think of anyone who'd fit the role better than you."
"Alright," Cinder nodded slowly, shaking water from her hair. "I can at least try. I'll do my best to prove your faith in me isn't misplaced."
"We've got your back," Dimitri patted her should once.
"I... I feel like there would be something Barnes would have said here..." Cinder smiled sadly. "But for the life of me, I can't seem to think of what..."
"Good, then you're already starting to sound like him," the Russian grinned. Much to the two soldiers' relief, Cinder began to chuckle ruefully, then laugh. The sound was muffled by the roar of the rain, but the pair could clearly see that Cinder looked like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
"Alright," Cinder said, calming down. Her sadness replaced with a look of fiery determination. "Let's get going. I'm going to need some help digging through Barnes' files if I'm going to come up with effective ways to fight the Order or that 'Shiro' woman."
"Aren't you worried about the rain?" Alex asked. "Wouldn't be good for our brand new tactician to catch a cold on the first day."
"I'm already soaked because the damn uniform sucks," Cinder smirked. "A little more water isn't going to kill me." She sneezed loudly. "Alright, fine. Cup of coffee and something that actually keeps me dry first..."
"Are you feeling better, Amber?" Ozpin asked, leaning on his cane beside the Maiden's bed. After she had awoken, Ozpin and Ironwood had helped move her to the most isolated corner of the infirmary, away from prying eyes and ears. Since normal residents of Vale were being treated at Beacon as the hospitals in the city overflowed, her presence went widely unnoticed.
"I'm... still having trouble processing everything..." the Maiden answered, rubbing a hand across her face. The scars she had acquired before falling into her comatose state were still visible across her cheeks and body. Arthur had concentrated on allowing the Maiden to wake up, and Ozpin understood that the Guardian hadn't possessed the energy to worry about already-healed wounds. "You said... I was asleep... for three years?"
"That is correct," Ironwood nodded.
"And... during that time... there were armies from other worlds... people wielding powers that rivaled Maidens fighting in the streets... and a temple that could have ended Remnant as we know it..." Amber listed off.
"Yes," Ozpin bobbed his head once. The Maiden's head fell back into her pillow.
"I leave for a little while, and it feels like the entire world got turned on its head..." Amber muttered, staring at the ceiling. "What happened to the boy who healed me? Who is he?"
"His name is Arthur Raphael," Ozpin replied. "He is one of the people from the other world, Earth. I believe he retired to his room. Healing you seemed to prove taxing for him..."
"I'll have to thank him once I'm back on my feet," Amber nodded, staring at the ceiling. "I assume he knows what I am?"
"We brought in quite a few new associates just before waking you," Ironwood answered. "The group present when you regained consciousness are all aware of your identity."
"I see," the Fall Maiden said, "They must be good people if you trust them. Could I possibly... meet them later? Or is it still best that I don't?"
"We've come to the realization..." Ozpin sighed, "that we may have been going about protecting you in the incorrect way... Tell me, Amber... were you lonely?" The Maiden looked at him oddly, as if trying to discern if he was asking for an honest answer.
"There were times... Yes..." she answered softly.
"Then Mr. Greene and Barnes were correct," Ozpin sighed. "I really was blind to what my actions were doing to others..."
"Ah, but it was for my safety, right?" Amber asked. "I can't blame you for trying to keep me saf-"
"No," Ozpin cut her off, "my actions very well may have ended up jeopardizing your well-being rather than protecting you. The fact that we were unable to reach you in time when you were attacked is proof of that..."
"So, what now, then?" Amber moved her head so she was facing the headmaster and Atlesian General.
"You may want to thank a number of our newest members," Ozpin sighed, but smiled gently. "After the current issues have been resolved, we plan on trying something different."
"You mean... the person who attack me," Amber guessed.
"That is one of two pertinent crises at hand," the headmaster nodded, "but you don't need to concern yourself with the other."
"Is there anything I can do to help?" the Maiden asked, shifting so her back was angled slightly.
"If there is anything you can remember about the day you were attacked, it might prove useful," Ironwood stated, taking out his scroll to note anything Amber said.
"That day..." she put a hand on her right cheek as she tried to recall what had happened. "I remember... a woman... She showed up at the location you had left me at... She looked lost, and asked me for directions... Then, she suddenly jumped at me... We fought, and then... And then everything went black.
"Do you recall what this woman looked like? Did she give you her name?" Ozpin asked urgently.
"White hair... I remember white hair... I don't think she ever said her name though..."
"Well, it's not much to go on, but it certainly sounds like the same woman that appeared at the school," Ironwood noted, staring at the transcript of Amber's statement.
"I've been meaning to ask," Amber spoke up. "Where are the other Maidens? I'd be interested in speaking to them."
"The Summer and Winter Maidens were killed prior to your attack," Ozpin answered solemnly. "And we lost contact with the Spring Maiden when the communication towers went offline. We believe that the new Winter Maiden is nearby, but we are unable to keep track of her. Your attacker is in possession of the Summer Maiden's power, as well as some of yours."
"Well, I think I can ease your worrying a little," Amber smiled lightly. "I feel that the two missing Maidens are very close."
"Arthur?" Emerald called as she pushed the door of their dorm room open. Pyrrha followed behind her. The Mistral student had been filled with worry ever since General Ironwood had arrived with news that Atlas had been attacked at the same time as Vale. Without the rest of her team by her side, Pyrrha felt... exposed.
Pyrrha looked around the dorm room, flinching as her eyes passed over Anika's bed. She and the sniper hadn't spent too much time together, but they had spent enough for Pyrrha to consider her a trustworthy companion. It suddenly struck the Mistral student how quickly Anika's life had ended. Her belongings were still hastily stored underneath her bed, as if she would come walking into the dorm to finish cleaning.
Emerald moved over to a motionless lump laying on one of the beds. Arthur lay on his side, facing the wall silently. Even without seeing his face, the girls could tell he was exhausted.
"Hey, Arthur?" Emerald said softly, sitting down on the edge of his bed. "You okay?"
"Y-yeah..." the Guardian quietly answered. Emerald caught a glimpse of his face, and could see tear streaks running down his cheeks.
"You may be good at reading people," the mint-haired girl placed a hand on his shoulder, "but you're a terrible liar, you know..."
"Arthur, what's wrong?" Pyrrha asked, pulling a chair over so she could sit next to the pair.
"I- I failed," the Guardian answered shakily. "The Order attacked Vale... I was useless... and I lost friends... just like last time..."
"Arthur," Pyrrha spoke gently. "Nathan and Miko's death weren't your fault. Neither are Anika's or Carbon's. You tried-"
"They are my fault!" the Guardian suddenly sat up and shouted. "What good is the power to heal people if I can't save anyone I care about!?" Tears fell from his eyes. "All I'm good for is keeping people alive slightly longer. Nothing I do matters! The people I want to live are the ones that always die! I-" Emerald jumped back as Pyrrha's hand flew across Arthur's face with a loud slap.
"Listen carefully, Arthur," Pyrrha said both commandingly and gently, "I know that I don't have the experiences you do. I know I can only guess at the pain and suffering you're going through. But, Emerald, me, and most of the others are still here. We know that you can't save everyone, and we don't expect you to. But you won't be able to help anybody if you break down now." Pyrrha took a deep breath. Arthur stared at her silently for several moments, a red imprint of the Mistral student's hand clearly visible on his left cheek. He sat and processed everything Pyrrha had said.
"Look," Pyrrha continued, "you don't have to shoulder all of our burdens for us alone. We're your friends, we're here to help."
"You're a terrible speech giver..." Arthur replied shakily. "Thank you, Pyrrha... I... I lost myself there..."
"That's to be expected," Pyrrha smiled. "We've all undergone a hellish trial, and you're probably more exhausted than any of us after healing the Maiden... Er... and I apologize for hitting you... it was the first thing that came to mind..."
"You don't need to be sorry," Arthur shook his head. His eyelids fluttered. "Thank... you..." The Guardian suddenly passed out as his fatigue finally overtook him. Emerald gently sat his head on her knee. She wiped the tears off his face with her hand.
"He's kinda cute when he's asleep..." Emerald noted softly. "I'll stay with him until he wakes up again... Make sure that he knows I'm not going anywhere..." The mint-haired girl brushed a strand of hair off the sleeping Guardian's face.
"I think I'll stay as well," Pyrrha smiled. The hours dragged on, and slowly Emerald also nodded off, resting against the wall of the dorm with Arthur's head on her lap. Pyrrha kept a soft watchful gaze over her friends, but as the sun set, she too eventually slouched in her chair and began to snore softly.
A/N:Not sure how I feel about this chapter. I kinda feel that something's off. Sorry for the delay, but I should be back on track now.
Reviews, Follows, and Favorites are always appreciated! Let me know what you think! Got a question for me? Go ahead and leave one in a review, or if you don't want to share the answer, send me a PM. I will answer as quickly as I am able.
REVIEW REPLIES
Skaana: Thanks!