The Game The Gods Play

by Izlawake

Magic & Gods AU. Ruby, Jaune, and others learn of their destinies to protect the world as Paladins, mystical warriors chosen by the Gods to fight against the evil Goddess Sheena who created the Grimm and started a war over a thousand years ago at the dawn of time. Can our heroes end The Game The Gods Play, or will they just be mere pawns in a seemingly never-ending war?

5. The Paladins of Light

A/N: Now that I am officially done with the canon episodes, The Game The Gods Play will all be original content from now on. Thanks for supporting the series, everyone.

Part 2: Rise of the Paladins

Chapter 5: The Paladins of Light

Throughout time, among the many warriors that fought against the Grimm, there were warriors who stood out among the rest. These special warriors were among the most powerful and seen once every generation, and each one of them had silver eyes, a color never seen in anyone else's eyes before. The silver eyes were a blessing from Oum, and those with the mystical power of the silver eyes were destined to serve Oum as his Laghsling, using the mystical power of their eyes to vanquish Grimm.

—From "The Silver-Eyed Warriors," the Remnant Codex.

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November 17th 1580

Cinder thought she had everything set according to her plan, she really did, but she did not take into account Ruby Rose awakening the ancient power of the Silver Eyes that killed the Grimm Dragon, nor did she anticipate that Jaune Arc—who she thought was Pyrrha Nikos' Guardian all this time—would arrive and dare stand up to her, even wounding her in the process, nor that Kyler Carnaid and Qrow Branwen would come to the boy's rescue, forcing her to flee. When she dove off the tower, she enveloped herself in Draíochta and vanished, where she teleported a safe distance away near Emerald and Mercury, who took her to a hidden car. Mercury got up front and drove while the women sat in the backseat. "Get us out of Vale," Cinder ordered him, and Mercury wasted no time slamming the pedal to the metal.

"Here, let me clean that," Emerald offered, drawing close to the long cut on Cinder's cheek with a cloth, but Cinder gave her an evil glare, making her shiver away and stare out the window for the entire duration while Mercury got them outside of the city.

Jaune Arc…Aziela chose you over so many powerful, far more suitable candidates for her Dànsling, why is that? Cinder asked herself, her mind deep in thought as she stared out the window at the destroyed city, still overrun with Grimm that dared not cross the path of the Olcsling. I saw you lead your fellow students at Beacon, but Aziela couldn't have chosen you just for your abilities as a leader, no man has ever been a Paladin based solely on his ability to lead before…Whatever it may be, do not grow confident in your power. When we cross paths again, I will show you that the holy magic of Aziela is insignificant compared to my hellfire and my Wytch powers. Cinder slipped an evil grin, her imagination picturing her towering over a defeated Jaune with herself ready to kill him, but then Cinder made a joyful gasp, for she remembered what horrible fate awaits Pyrrha Nikos now, and this in turn made her smile wider than ever as her mind filled with visions of Jaune Arc meeting the new Pyrrha Nikos.

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November 18th 1580

The Vale Wilderness

In the hidden White Fang camp, everyone was celebrating their victory over Mankind and the fall of Vale, sharing food and drink and making merry. However, the only ones not celebrating were Adam and Jaakuna, who were inside Adam's tent. Adam sat on his bed staring down at his katana while Jaakuna stood nearby. "Jaakuna, I will be fine. Go enjoy yourself or something," Adam ordered him, wishing to be alone. Jaakuna nodded and exited the tent. Adam set aside his sword and removed his mask.

"Goodbye," Blake simply told him that day, over a year ago, when she abandoned him and their revolution, cutting the train car and disappearing into the distance. Why did you do this to me, Blake? he wondered. On his cot was Blake's ribbon, which he held onto after he tore it off her head at Beacon. He took it into his hands and ran his fingers along the fabric. He can still remember giving it to her when she was thirteen after she was bullied by a couple human boys because of her ears.

"Here you go, Blake," Adam told her, handing her the black ribbon and cloth.

"But Adam, I thought you want us to show our Faunus traits all the time?" she argued. He smiled and tied the bow onto her head and over her ears.

"I did say that, but I thought you'd look pretty with a bow." He took a minute to finish up and stood back. "There you go." He held up a hand mirror to her and she marveled at her new appearance.

"Thank you, Adam. I'll always wear it," she said with a proud smile, making Adam smile in return.

Adam clasped a hand onto his eyes, covering up his scars and grit his teeth tight. His body shivered a little and he made a little whimper as he thought back to when he returned to Blake the day after he received his permanent scars.

Blake leapt into Adam's arms and sobbed into his coat while he held her. "I"m okay, Blake, I'm fine," he assured her.

"I was so scared! I was afraid that you weren't going to come back!" she cried. "Don't ever leave me alone! Promise me!"

"I promise."

"But you left me…" Adam growled, clutching Blake's bow in his grip. He exited his tent with his mask on his face and the bow still in his hand. He went to a nearby fire pit and tossed the bow into it, ignoring the curious glances from some White Fang members who were roasting some meat over the fire pit, then he returned to his tent.

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Patch Island

Everyone was trying to relax at the Xiao Long house as much as possible, even with Ruby and Jaune still unconscious and recovering. Kyler, Qrow, and Taiyang gave Yang, Velvet, and Cardin explicit instructions to stay inside as much as possible, but if they were to go outside, then to never lose sight of the house. "What is this all about? Why are we here?" Cardin demanded from the men while Velvet sat quietly, preferring to watch how things unfold.

"We will explain all in due time, once Ruby and Jaune have awakened," Kyler explained.

"My team needs me right now! I demand to be taken back to Vale so I can be with them!"

"I cannot allow that." Cardin called Kyler a disgusting word and swung his fist at him, to which Kyler easily blocked with his own hand, grabbed Cardin's, and pushed him to the floor. "Cardin, I cannot allow you to return to Vale, not now, not when you're so important to the world. And the same goes for you too, Velvet Scarletina. But rest assured, your teammates are alright and not in any danger whatsoever." That alone helped the two breathe easy.

"Um, you said that we're important? How?"

"Shade's headmaster Pecado Midnight and Haven's headmistress Grace Evergreen will explain to you when they arrive." Both teen shared confused looks, but chose to accept Kyler's words. Kyler then took his leave by going to the kitchen where Taiyang was. "Tai, you okay?" Kyler asked him.

"No, I'm not. How am I supposed to feel okay after all this? Vale has fallen, there's a giant Grimm Dragon atop Beacon, Ozpin is gone, the CCT is down across the kingdoms, one of my daughters lost an arm and is depressed, and my other is unconscious." Taiyang stole a look at Kyler. "Don't even think about correcting me on that, Kyler," he growled, jabbing a finger towards him. "I raised Ruby myself, and she's just as much my daughter as Yang is."

"I didn't say anything," he reminded him, making Taiyang slam his fist onto the counter in response, which made Velvet jump in her seat in the other room.

"Um, maybe we should go," she suggested to Cardin, who agreed. The two went off towards the bedrooms, hoping to check on Ruby, Jaune, and Yang. "I will go see Yang, wanna come?" Velvet asked Cardin.

He shook his head. "No, I doubt she'd want to see me of all people. But I'll go check on Jaune, see how he and the rest of JNPR is handling themselves."

"Cardin, be sure to be courteous towards them. At the camp, I heard…I heard that Pyrrha…was killed…" Velvet fought back a couple tears that appeared in her eyes, then she scurried off into Yang's room. Cardin could tell she was barely able to form the words.

Cardin entered the guest room Jaune and his team were, where he was greeted by Ren and Nora on either sides of the bed Jaune was lying in. Jaune had been stripped of his armor and clothes, save for his undershirt and underwear, and he was tucked under the blankets. "How is he?" Cardin asked as he approached.

"His wounds have already healed up thanks to his Aura, his breathing is regular, but he's still unconscious," Ren answered as he wrung out a hot cloth and placed it upon Jaune's forehead. Cardin pulled up a chair and sat beside the bed.

"I owe Jaune my life," Cardin started, making Ren and Nora turn towards him. "You guys saw Sky get crushed by that giant cog. Had Jaune not hold me back, I would've ran right for Sky's body and for the Grimm that were converging on his body…After all I've done, especially to Jaune, I still can't believe he'd save my life again."

"Jaune doesn't care if you're a good person or a bad person, Cardin, you're a Huntsman, and he will do what he must to protect his fellow comrades," Ren remarked. Cardin dropped his head down to his feet.

"You guys have an incredible leader. You must be extremely proud," he complimented.

"We've been proud of our Jauney ever since our team was formed," Nora told him as she fished out his right hand to check his pulse, and that was when Cardin saw the mark of Aziela upon his hand.

"What's that there?" he asked, pointing to Jaune's hand.

"What do you mean? There's nothing there," Nora answered, waving Jaune's limp hand at Cardin.

"Never mind…" Cardin left the room and went to the guest room where he and Velvet are staying in. He approached a full-body mirror where he removed his shirt and turned around. Etched all over his back was large pair of black angelicwings that stretched all over. Cardin has had this on his back for all as long as he could remember; when he first discovered, he went to his father about it, but his father claimed he could not see the wings, and since then, he has kept them a secret. "I could see that mark on Jaune's hand, yet Nora and Ren could not…" he noted to himself as he looked at his wings. "There's something weird going on here…"

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Velvet went into Yang's room, where the blonde was lying in bed staring up at the ceiling. "Yang, you alright? Do you want me to get you anything, like some food or something?" the Rabbit Faunus timidly asked.

"No, I just want to be left alone," Yang sullenly answered, rolling over towards the window away from Velvet.

"Yang, Taiyang told me you haven't been eating much since you arrived home, so I think you should at least eat something."

"I told you, I just want to be left alone," Yang told her.

"Yang, you can't just stay in your room all day."

"I said GET OUT!" she yelled, making Velvet jump. Velvet quickly left and went down to the guest room where she and Cardin are staying in and walked in on Cardin checking his back in the mirror. She blushed a deep red upon seeing him, given that the only men she has ever walked in on were Fox and Yatsuhashi. However, her embarrassment was quickly replaced with curiosity when she saw the black wings in the mirror. Velvet asked, and Cardin quickly explained, telling her that he has had the wings on his back for as long as he could remember.

"Wait, you can see them?" Cardin suddenly asked her upon finishing, realizing that she could see the wings.

"Um…yeah…" she whispered before suddenly removing her shirt, exposing her bare body in a brown bra to him. Stretching across her left shoulder was a black tree tattoo. "I have something similar. I remember asking my parents about it when I was little and they said they couldn't see it either."

"And yet I can…" Cardin muttered.

"There's something weird going on here…We both have tattoos or whatever these are that only we can see, and we get dragged from our friends to here for some unknown reason…" Velvet deduced. She threw her shirt back on and took his hand, where he lead him out into the living room where Qrow is, where she proceeded to tell him about the marks on their bodies.

"I was wondering how long it would take you two to notice that you can see them," he chuckled once Velvet had finished.

"You know about them?" Cardin questioned, to which Qrow nodded.

"Tell me, have you two ever heard the story The Paladins of Remnant?"

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Once Qrow had finished his story and explained that Velvet and Cardin are destined to be the Nàdarsling and the Bhàisling, they were awestruck and confused. "Don't worry, once your predecessors arrive to take you away for training, everything will begin to make sense, but until then, just try to relax," he concluded.

"But what about our teams? Shouldn't they know about this?" Velvet argued.

"Not necessarily a good idea, as the Paladins are to remain in secrecy until they rise as full-fledged heroes so they would not be hunted down by powerful enemies. I wouldn't worry too much about your teammates, they're with Glynda, and if anyone can keep them safe, she can." Qrow could see the worried looks on their faces. "And I will be sending messages to them personally to notify them that you two are perfectly safe and are on an important mission."

"Thank you, Mister Qrow," said Velvet.

"Just call me Qrow, kiddo." Qrow smiled and left the house, where he transformed into a crow and flew for the Vale Encampment. The teens sat down in the living room to process what they learned with each other.

"I don't understand why I'm one of these Paladins though," Cardin started off. "I'll be the first to admit it, I have been a complete jerk to a ton of people, especially Faunus, so how can I be some mystical hero?"

"I've read the stories of the Paladins before, and according to the stories, the Bhàisling was a man slated for damnation and given a second chance. Maybe that's you, Cardin. A man being given a second chance," Velvet explained.

"A second chance…"

"Isn't everyone worthy of a second chance in life?" Cardin looked away, thinking about what she said.

At that moment, Nora came running outside to the two of them. "Jaune is awake!" she notified them where they then followed after her.

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Jaune sat inside a gazebo set near a bright sandy beach. From his spot, he could see the sun shine over the ocean, giving the water a sparkling sheen. He felt a warm breeze pass over him, making him feel at ease. "How are you?" said a voice behind him before the person it belonged to sat down beside him. Jaune turned and let out a gasp. Pyrrha was sitting beside him, garbed in a beautiful white dress with her red sash and emblem pin tied around her waist. She gave him a smile and rested her hand on his.

"How…?" Jaune stuttered out. "…I must be dreaming. I gotta be."

"You are indeed dreaming," Pyrrha assured.

"If I'm aware that I'm dreaming, then I must be lucid dreaming. I did that once and I dreamed I was going to bean one of my sisters with a heavy green gem."

Pyrrha giggled. "I remember you told me about that back when we talked about the strangest dreams we ever had."

"Remember Nora's dream about fighting Beowolves while eating pancakes?" Jaune chuckled, to which Pyrrha nodded. There was a moment of silence between them. "Pyrrha, why did you trick Cinder into believing you were the Dànsling?" he whimpered.

Pyrrha scooted closer to him and wrung her arm around his. "I'm sorry. I…I wanted to protect you from her. Remember when I warned you that there would be evil people dedicated to killing you and the other Paladins? Cinder is one of them," she explained. "I knew right away that you would have been no match for her had she know who you really are." She rested her head on his shoulder, to which Jaune wrapped his other arm onto her left shoulder. "I am your Guardian, destined to guide you, train you, and protect you, even if it costs me my life."

"But why did you have to die? Why did you have to leave Nora, Ren, and I? Why did I have to lose you after I found I loved you?" Jaune cried, hugging her tight.

"I will always love you, Jaune," Pyrrha professed to him. "And I will always be with you, no matter what."

"You're just saying that…" Pyrrha pulled him away and stared directly at him.

"No, I really mean it. It's how I'm speaking to you right now."

"Wh-What…?"

"Jaune, when I inserted some of my Aura into you to unlock yours back during initiation, my Aura stuck itself to yours inside your body and melded with it, becoming one. Then it happened again on the balcony when I tried helping you with your Draíochta once more. You now have a portion of my Aura inside you, Jaune." She tapped his chest and he in turn rubbed it, bewildered by this new information. "Aura is the manifestation of a person's soul, and thus that is how we are speaking to each other right now; you are not lucid dreaming, but rather communicating with my soul from the portion I unknowingly gave you."

"I'm talking…to your soul…?" Jaune questioned.

"I really mean it that I will always be with you." Pyrrha took his hands in hers. "Jaune, dark times are ahead for you, and I'm sorry that I cannot be there to fight by your side, but should you ever need help, call me. I will help you as a guide and a voice to talk to, always remember that."

Jaune nodded and gave Pyrrha a smile, then he went forward and embraced her in a loving hug, which she returned. "I believe in you, Jaune. I will always believe in you," she assured him. She lifted his chin up and gave him a loving kiss on the cheek, which warmed his heart and made him smile. He in turn kissed her lips, prompting them both to wrap their arms around each other to deepen it for a moment. "Now, it's time for you to wake up." She stood up, taking him into her arms. She carried him off the gazebo and onto the beach, all while the light of the sun intensified, soon enveloping them both.

"Do not worry about me, for it is in passing that we achieve immortality," were her last words before Jaune was blinded by the sunlight.

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Jaune's eyes slowly opened and he found himself lying in a bed, with Ren and Nora at his left side staring at him. "You're awake!" Nora suddenly cried out. "I'm gonna go get the others!" Nora ran out of the room.

"You okay?" Ren asked. Jaune said nothing, but he then noticed that he had tears dried upon his cheeks. "Jaune, are you sure you're okay?" Again, Jaune nodded. Nora soon returned, now with Velvet, Cardin, and Kyler in tow. Everyone crowded around him and began bombarding him with questions, except for Kyler, who remained silent, understand the turmoil he must be experiencing.

"What happened up at the tower, Jaune?" asked a impatient Nora.

"Yeah, we saw a bright white flash atop it after you and Weiss went up," Ren quickly added.

"Jaune, is Pyrrha okay? Kyler and Qrow brought only you, Weiss, and Ruby from the tower to camp," went Velvet.

Jaune ignored them all and took in his surroundings, where he saw Pyrrha's circlet sitting on the nightstand beside him. He groggily reached out for it, to which Ren handed it to him. "Everyone, give him a moment," Kyler told everyone, making everyone hush up. They watched as Jaune cradled the circlet close to his body and slowly wept, which told everyone of Pyrrha's fate. "We did this all wrong," Kyler eventually muttered.

"What are you talking about?" Ren asked.

"Ozpin believed that we should have waited to train you all after the Vytal Festival ended, claiming you should enjoy the last of your youth, but look at what happened. The Dark Paladins attacked Vale, they took down the CCT tower, they killed Ozpin, one of our oldest Paladins, and they killed Pyrrha, a Guardian."

"So, Pyrrha really is…dead…" Velvet mumbled out before breaking into tears. Ren and Nora embraced each other and softly wept, and Cardin clenched his fists. Jaune, however, spoke up.

"What are I supposed to do now, as a Paladin? And what about the other Paladins?" he asked Kyler.

"For you, Jaune, given how things have folded now, it is best you wait for orders from Aziela for now. As for the other Paladins, they're right here." Kyler waved his hand towards Velvet and Cardin. "Meet Velvet the Nàdarsling and Cardin the Bhàisling." Ren and Nora were the only ones confused by what Kyler was saying. Jaune looked at both Velvet and Cardin for a moment and raised his hand, showing them the mark of Aziela so they understood.

"Who are the remaining two Paladins?" Jaune then asked.

"Ruby is destined to be the next Laghsling, my successor, and Yang is destined to be the Cothrosling, like Ozpin was."

Jaune jolted in his seat. "Ruby! Weiss and I found her atop Beacon Tower! Is she okay? Is Weiss okay?" he began badgering until Kyler hushed him. The others all began invested, desiring to know what happened atop the tower.

"Relax, Jaune, they're okay. Ruby is in the other room recovering. You got to her just in time before Cinder could kill her. And Weiss is alright, but she has been taken home to Atlas by her father." Jaune slumped in his seat.

"Jaune, did anything happen with you and Weiss atop the tower?" Velvet asked, quickly noticing his confusion. "See, when Kyler and Qrow brought you three to the Vale Encampment, Weiss' scar was gone, as if it had healed over." Jaune was still confused.

"Velvet, Jaune is the Dànsling, the Paladin of Aziela, and as such, he is gifted with Draíochta that gives him holy magic, which includes the strongest healing abilities among the Gods, specifically made for recovering wounds during battle. Weiss accidentally touched Jaune's Draíochta atop Beacon Tower and it healed her wounds, including her eye scar," Kyler explained.

"Incredible…" the Faunus girl mumbled. Jaune stayed silent, pondering what he did to Weiss.

"So long as she's okay…" Jaune mumbled then went silent. "What about Pyrrha's mother, Pandora? Does she know?"

"Yeah, she knows." Jaune lowered his head. "Jaune, you are not to blame for this. Now get some rest."

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The Vale Encampment

Citizens, Huntsmen, Huntresses, Atlesian soldiers, and even mercenaries all congregated in a closed off field where numerous tents, camp fires, and supplies were set up for the people. The Huntsmen, soldiers, and mercenaries were all given a small closed off area, where Glynda began working on a plan to retake Vale with Ironwood's help, despite the public outcry from the survivors, given that the last thing people saw on the video feed was the Atlesian Fleet attacking civilians. Ironwood and his remaining soldiers were met with vulgar language, thrown trash, and demands they return to Atlas. Ironwood ordered that his men ignore the foul cries. "You are not responsible for what happened. You did not turn on the civilians," he told them as they headed for the Huntsmen camp. Together, he and Glynda began formulating plans to first reclaim a section of Vale where some Atlesian Paladin prototypes were stored, which Ironwood believed would help them clear out the Grimm in the city.

The students went around handing out rations and water to the civilians as well as patching up those with injuries. Everyone was cold, miserable, wounded, and tired, and things only seemed to be getting worse. "This sucks, this really sucks," Coco told everyone at their campfire after performing an afternoon distribution of rations and water to the people. "We've got all these people in need of food, water, and medical supplies, and we're just running out on all of it. At this rate, we're all going to die before we even make a dent in the Grimm that's in the city." Around her, her friends slowly and steadily agreed.

"Where do you think Velvet was taken to?" asked Yatsuhashi. "I saw her get taken away with Ruby, Jaune, Yang, and Cardin by Kyler Carnaid and Qrow Branwen, but both of them refused to say anything about why they were being taken away."

"Somebody say my name?" asked Qrow, who came up behind them, surprising everyone. "I heard what you were talking about and I'm here to tell you Velvet and Cardin are just fine. We had to take them away so they could help Ruby, Jaune, and Yang with their recovery." A series of murmurs went around, but most of everyone agreed to Qrow's words.

Elsewhere, Olivia and Reese journeyed together with members of Glas Radiance, where along with handing out provisions, they also tended to the soldiers and Huntsmen, checking that their weaponry was in acceptable condition and help recruit the Atlesian soldiers for Glynda's Army, many of which were happy to join, hoping to help make amends for the betrayal the Atlesian Knights made. They reported back to Glynda, where the rest of Team LOST was, and they regrouped.

"Hey, Olivia, we've got something for ya!" called Durian of Glas Radiance, beckoning her over with a hand wave. Olivia and the others went to him, where they found themselves at a small clearing off a few large tents with combat gear strewn about; the makeshift base for Glas Radiance. Their leader Forrester gave Olivia a big hug and then Cherry, their demolition expert, handed her a large suitcase.

"Now, I know you wanted to leave Glas Radiance to become a Huntress here at Beacon, and we respected your decision, but we cannot respect your decision to wear a combat uniform like that." Forrester motioned to Olivia's makeshift, and rather poorly-designed outfit.

"Hey, I actually like this outfit, you know!" Olivia retorted, but not in an angry tone.

"Yeah, and you said the same about your GR uniform too," Plum called out.

Olivia scoffed at him and opened the suitcase, which held her old Glas Radiance uniform inside, which was pressed clean and in good condition. "I see you had the holes and black marks fixed," she noted. "What's this for?"

"We figured since we'd be helping out Glynda and her army that we could do it together, for old time's sake," Forrester explained.

"And because your current outfit sucks harder than a desperate hooker in need of cash!" called Pine, earning a fist bump from Plum.

"Alright, for old time's sake," Olivia sighed, where she then handed her scroll, as well as Prime, Echo, and Olive to her friends and went into a tent with the suitcase. A few minutes pass and one of Olivia's hands came out waving for someone. "Whoever's got my scroll, put on a music track for when I come out. I wanna look cool when I strut my stuff. Pick a random song."

Lucas tapped on the shuffle button and AC/DC's "Chase the Ace" and Olivia stepped out. She was now dressed in a tight black short sleeve shirt with two leather brown shoulder holsters. Around her was an olive green combat jacket that came down to her waistline, and she wore her black fingerless gloves, black box cap, and goggles still. She wore tight olive green cargo pants and a black belt with a gold fastener buckle, and black combat boots. She still had her hair tied back into a short ponytail and she had two tufts of hair tied off to the sides of her forehead with tiny ribbons. Imprinted upon her shirt's left breast was a green sun. "How do I look?" Olivia asked everyone as she threw her dog tags on around her neck.

"Now that suits you more!" went Tristan.

"Wow, you got hotter," remarked a blushing Reese.

"It definitely looks better than your old one," Senna noted.

"Nice," Lucas simply said.

"I told you you'd look better in your uniform," said Forrester. Olivia grinned and agreed with him.

"Well, I best be heading off. I can hear Nebula calling my name." Tristan smirked.

"Mind if I go with you? Glynda wants me to inspect our camp's perimeter to ensure our defenses will hold," Lucas quickly asked, which Tristan did not object to, and they both headed off.

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The Arc family all huddled together in a regular-sized tent. All of them were inside except for Noire, Bleu, Blanche, and Gris, the former two who were out helping to treat the wounded and the latter two with Glynda, them being Huntsmen after all.

"I took another look around the Huntsmen camp earlier and I still couldn't find Jaune," moan Clair. "I asked Glynda multiple times where he is, and all she would say is 'he is safe.' What does that mean especially if he isn't here?"

"Mom, I'm sure Jaune is fine, wherever he is," Violet told her.

"Yeah, I mean, if he was dead, Glynda would tell us," added Verte. Argenté, Rouge, and Foncé all agreed, hoping it would calm Clair down a little.

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Outside, while Lucas, Tristan, and Nebula were wandering around, someone garbed in a thick cloak hobbled near them, bumping into one of them. "I'm sorry!" the person cried, who sounded feminine.

"It's okay, just be sure to be careful and try not to wander around too much," Lucas told her, pushing her towards her path. The woman continued on, heading towards the tent where the Arc family was in while the three continued on, though Lucas stole a couple glances back at the cloaked woman.

Cinder Fall snuck into the Vale Encampment with only one intention: murder Jaune Arc and his family, all for his interference with her invasion of Vale. She knew she would have only a brief moment to commit the murder before the Huntsmen were alerted, but that was all she would need before she could disappear. She knew which tent the Arcs were staying in thanks to a kind yet stupid Atlesian soldier who believed her when she said she was "Grandma Arc." As Cinder made her way towards the tent, she did a little hobble to fool any nearby Huntsmen, and it worked perfectly, though she ended up bumping into Lucas Dias along the way. She continued on, though she did not notice that Lucas continued to watch her as she went.

Upon reaching the Arc tent, she walked around its perimeter while smearing her hand across the fabric, leaving a trail of fire which quickly overtook the tent. She heard screams inside and erected a wall of fire before the entrance, forbidding escape. Cinder threw off her cloak and let loose a victorious laugh while nearby people ran and scream from the fire.

"STOP!" shouted an Atlesian soldier, who took aim and fired his rifle. Cinder simply ignored him as his bullets merely bounced off of her as if they were BBs.

"Pathetic mortal," she muttered as she waved a hand at him, igniting him on fire instantly, inciting more panic. Lucas, Tristan, and Nebula were already on the scene. Nebula drew her weapon Slashshot and fired a bolt at Cinder, who slapped it away. Lucas drew Fida'an and fired a shot at Cinder, but instead of the buckshot glancing off of her, it dug into her stomach, making her stumble. She slapped a hand to her side and it grew red with blood. "HOW?!" she cried, staring at him. She noticed the weapon in his hands and recognized the writing on its side. "HOW DO YOU HAVE THAT WEAPON?!" she screamed as she threw a wave of fire at them, which they leapt out of the way, but blinding them with smoke. Tristan activated his Alpha Senses and saw Cinder through the smoke. He drew his Dank Steel Shootah into its bow form and nocked an Aura arrow, then fired. The arrow cut through the smoke for Cinder, who saw it too late and barely avoided it, where it cut through her right hand, severing it completely and making her screech in agony. Tristan leapt through the smoke and swiped at Cinder with his blades while she avoided him. She fired a blast of fire at him, knocking him backwards and separating his swords from him.

At that moment, Qrow, Olivia, Pandora, Gris, and the living Arc children arrived, and the Huntsmen stood before Noire, Bleu, and Blanche who were in tears over their family members. "WHERE IS JAUNE ARC?!" Cinder demanded from them as she clutched at her stump, which became enveloped in her black Draíochta and promptly halted the bleeding.

"He is safe from you where you can never find him!" Blanche answered, stepping forward with her broadsword drawn. Clad in her combat uniform consisting of grey steel armor and white clothes, she raised her sword at the evil Wytch and deployed her wrist-mounted rotatable shield on her left arm. Her determined blue eyes shone through her short white hair. "Your efforts have been for nothing and now you will suffer for your crimes, Wytch!" The Huntsmen inched closer towards Cinder until she threw up a wall of fire, enveloped herself in black Draíochta and disappeared, resulting in her fire vanishing. The Arc children broke down before the charred remains of the tent, where everything inside had been incinerated into ashes, which were quickly stolen by the wind.

Once Glynda learned of the incident, she quickly had double guards posted at all perimeters and ordered that the Arc children be taken to Patch for safety. Blanche went to Glynda to argue that she would be better use aiding the other Huntsmen in the retake of Vale. "No, I want you to go to Patch with your sisters so you can protect them, but also because they will need you in this hour of mourning," Glynda told her.

"Glynda, I am stricken with grief over the death of our family as well, but I cannot just stand by and weep while Cinder Fall roams free," Blanche argued.

"And we will find her, in due time, but right now, we need to focus on retaking Vale and rebuilding the CCT to get communications back online, especially after that mess with the Atlesian Fleet being hacked."

"I believe you should send Ironwood back to Atlas where he belongs! He failed to protect the city and now we are isolated from the world with everyone scared because his troops attacked civilians! Two Dark Paladins attacked us, and now Ozpin is dead because of that man!" Blanche spat.

"And right now, we cannot afford to argue amongst each other about who had to protect Vale! The Dark Paladins that attacked us must have been planning this for a long time, and even if the Huntsmen and Huntresses were in charge of protecting Vale, do you think it would have made a difference? We must focus on first destroying the Grimm Dragon atop Beacon Academy, which drawing Grimm towards it like moths to a fire, but we have neither enough men or the weapons needed to even carve a path towards Beacon." Overhead, Amity Coliseum hung in the sky, still afloat thanks to the enormous wind Dust that powers it. At that moment, Forrester Shinegate, leader of Glas Radiance, arrived.

"Glynda, I believe I may have a solution for the Grimm Dragon," Forrester told her. "If we can get aboard the Amity Coliseum, we can hack into the controls and guide it over Beacon and drop it down onto it. We can take out the Grimm Dragon and all the Grimm that converging around it. It'd be like two Nevermores with one bullet!"

"You want to destroy Beacon?!" Blanche argued.

"Do it," Glynda ordered without hesitation. "I will supply you with a bullhead and whatever men and weapons we can spare, but you take out that monster, understand? I will tell you when the time is right, so until then, prepare yourself."

"Yes, ma'am. I will need only a bullhead and the codes to the Amity controls; my unit will bring the coliseum down onto Beacon alone." Forrester took his leave to notify his crew of their new mission.

"Blanche, please go to Patch. Jaune will need you once he learns what has happened," Glynda repeated to her.

Blanche thought it over for a moment. "I will," she answered.

"Tell him the truth. About everything concerning the two of you, I mean. He already knows that he is the Dànsling." Blanche nodded and took her leave. From there, The three Arc sisters boarded a bullhead with Qrow and were swiftly taken to Patch.

In a secluded spot near the edge of camp, Tristan and Nebula were hiding behind a thick tree in each other's arms with their scrolls in hand, where they were exchanging lewd photos with each other. "I definitely don't have these in my collection, thanks, Tristy," Nebula told him after receiving a batch of photos from, which she rewarded with a kiss. "Also, you were really cool when that woman attacked our camp."

"Aw, it was nothing, really," Tristan argued while blushing.

"Although, it was strange that my weapon or that soldier's couldn't harm her, yet yours and Lucas' did."

"Yeah, that was kinda odd, but whatever, we scared her off."

"Yes, and you were quite the hero when you shot her hand off too. That'll teach her not to mess with the Big, Bad Wolf." They closed together in a loving kiss, which quickly got extreme when they started exchanging tongues, but they were soon interrupted by a "ahem" sound. Breaking apart, Tristan and Nebula were greeted with Grace Evergreen standing over them.

"I know I'm interrupting something here, but I just heard that you shot Cinder Fall with one of your Aura arrows, Tristan," Grace told him with a smile. "I'm very proud to see that you've come far since I last saw you back in Mistral."

"Um, hi, Grace. Fancy seeing you here," Tristan told her. "This is Nebula, my girlfriend."

"My, my, only a couple months at Beacon and you already have a girlfriend. Impressive." Grace introduced herself to Nebula and shook her hand. "Now, I need you two to accompany back to camp." The two were annoyed that they had to abandon their alone time, but they followed her.

At camp, they met with Pecado Midnight, who, like Grace, brought an airship full of Huntsmen and Huntresses to aid in the upcoming battles, as well as relief supplies and weaponry. Next to Pecado was Lucas, who introduced Pecado as his old teacher who sent him to Beacon with a scholarship as well as give him his weapon, which Pecado used long ago, just as Grace used to wield the blades she gave Tristan. The two headmasters headed to Glynda to help with the retaking of Vale, and while there, they expressed their disappointment of Ironwood's failure in protecting Vale.

( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )

Cinder teleported back to Emerald and Mercury, who were hiding with the car a short distance away. Emerald quickly got Cinder into the car and Mercury drove off, hoping to get away from the camp before patrols went out looking for them. Cinder winced at her stump and focused her Draíochta into it, making the black energy flow like embers that quickly formed into a pitch black hand made of Draíochta. Cinder marveled at her new hand as she bent all her fingers. "I can't believe that the Paladins gave their weapons to children. Children of all people!" Cinder growled to herself while Emerald was shrunk in her seat, watching her silently and scared.

( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )

Patch Island

The Arc sisters arrived at the small port town on Patch Island and were escorted to the Xiao Long house by Qrow. There, the sisters went straight to find Jaune, who was in the backyard huddled over a large rock with a hammer and chisel. "Jaune, how are you doing?" Noire asked him as they approached him. Jaune was silent, choosing to ignore them as he continued his work.

"Jaune, we have some bad news. Mom, dad, Verte, Violet, Argenté, and Rouge…they're dead…" Bleu told him, making him freeze up. "…They were killed by some woman who wielded some kind of fire Dust." This made Jaune stop and slam his hammer and chisel to the ground.

"Did she wear a red dress and were her eyes glowing like fire?" Jaune coldly asked.

"Yes, she was, and her name is Cinder Fall," Blanche answered. Jaune immediately jumped to his feet and went for the house, but Blanche stopped him. "Don't even THINK of going after her!"

"I have to!" Jaune yelled at her, giving her a shove.

"Not when you're so weak! She'll kill you in seconds!" She shoved back.

"But it's my destiny! I have to kill her to protect the world!" Another shove at Blanche.

"I know it's your destiny, but you not going to fulfill it without mastering your Draíochta!" This stopped Jaune in his place. "I know who you are, Jaune, I've always known. And I'm telling you that you're not going to kill Cinder and get revenge for our family and Pyrrha, not the way you are now." She pulled Jaune into a hug, where he began crying. "I know it's hard, but you have to accept that right now, you are weak and are no match against her. You have to get stronger, but most importantly, you have to keep moving forward." Bleu and Noire joined the hug as well, and the last four Arcs collapsed onto the ground and continued holding each other.

( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )

The Next Day

As the sun barely peaked over the horizon that early morning, while everyone was asleep, Jaune, completely awake, got out of bed and quietly dressed, strapped his sword to his left hip and tied Pyrrha's circlet on his right. He went to the closet, where he retrieved a backpack, a sleeping bag, and a warm coat he set up in there earlier. He went back to his bed, taking care to tread lightly as Ren and Nora were asleep on cots in his room—they both wanted to keep him company—and laid a handwritten note atop his pillow, then he took his leave, carefully closing the door behind him. He then headed for the guest room, where he took a quick look upon the sleeping Velvet and Cardin, then took his leave. He did the same in Yang's room, as well as Ruby's, both of which he did nothing but watch them for a moment before leaving. Finally, he went to the living room, where his sisters were asleep.

Bleu was stretched out on one of the couches with a wool blanket half-covering her. Bleu took after their mother, inheriting her blue eyes and black hair, which Bleu tied with streaks of blue. Jaune went to her and pulled the blanket up to her neck, then he gave her a kiss on the forehead; Bleu was always a heavy sleeper, so she did not register the kiss. He then went to Noire, who was curled up on the comfy recliner in a sleeping bag, and brushed at her jet black hair. He made a passing glance at the sleeping Blanche on the floor and headed for the front door.

"Leaving already?" came the whisper of Blanche's voice, making him freeze. "Come here for a moment." Jaune obeyed and bent down to his sister's level. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yeah, I'm sure. I'm sorry, Blanche, but I have to go. I have to go train to become the Dànsling," Jaune whispered.

"I understand. Just do me a favor and try not to overexert yourself. And whatever you do, do not go after Cinder Fall, not yet, anyway," she warned him."

"Then when would the right time be?"

"My bag, go get it." She pointed over towards a wall where her armor, sword, and a handbag were. Jaune brought it back, where she fished out a necklace bearing a small talisman upon it. Upon closer inspection, Jaune recognized the talisman is in fact a stone with Pyrrha's emblem inscribed upon it. "Yes, that's Pyrrha Nikos' emblem, but it is also the mark of Aziela, as you already know. It is also the emblem of the Holy Spear."

"The Holy Spear…" Jaune repeated to himself.

"The Holy Spear is a band of knights that has protected Remnant for generations, and they were the main force against the Grimm during the Great War. The Holy Spear has lost its reputation since the Huntsmen and Huntresses were formed, however."

"I read the story of the Knights of Aziela once. So…the Holy Spear are the Knights of Aziela?" Blanche nodded. "So, you're one of these knights too?"

"I am. So is your uncle Gris. We've both been with the Holy Spear trying to restore it to its former glory, and we both were tasked by Aziela to watch over you for your entire childhood."

Jaune was astonished. "Wow…I just…Wow…" he mumbled. He put the talisman around his neck and under his hoodie. "Why are you giving me this?"

"When the time comes that you are ready to fulfill your destiny as the Dànsling, go to the Town of Helten in the kingdom of Vale. There, go to the inn and speak to a woman named Nova. Show her the talisman and tell her in these exact words 'the sun brings light and strength to her knights' and she will lead you to the Holy Spear. While you are gone, Gris and I will work to gather the Oath and its members back together for your return."

"'My return? Why would you be waiting for me?"

"Jaune, you're also destined to lead the Oath of the Holy Spear, just as our great-great grandfather Jaundice was their leader long ago, as was someone of our family for each generation," Blanche explained, surprising Jaune. "Our family's legacy goes back a long way, you know, more so than a bunch of Arc Knights." Jaune swallowed hard and nodded.

"So, does that mean you have Draíochta like I do?" he asked.

"No, I have Aura as any other person would. Only those chosen by Aziela are born with Draíochta, much like you"

"It's kinda confusing."

"It will make sense to you in time, especially when you meet the next generation of Guardians among your friends." Before Jaune could stand up, Blanche pulled him into a hug. "I always believed in you, you know, even despite your shortcomings," she whispered to him. "I know you will become a great Dànsling."

Jaune sniffled and inhaled a breath, trying to keep himself from crying. "Thank you, Blanche…I love you…"

"I love you too, little brother…" Blanche pulled away with a smile and wiped at his wet cheeks. "Remember, with each dawn, the sun brings a new day while casting away the darkness." Jaune nodded and took his leave, taking one more glance at Blanche and his sisters, the white one still watching him as he exited the Xiao Long house.

Jaune took a deep breath and headed down the path towards the port town. "You did not say goodbye to any of them, not even Blanche," said the voice of Aziela inside his head.

"I know," Jaune said aloud. He instantly thought back to when Team JNPR returned from their shadowing mission and Pyrrha and her mother parted ways.

"Well, I must go submit your team's report to Ozpin now," Pandora told all of four of them in front of Beacon.

"It was nice meeting you, Mrs. Nikos," Jaune told her, earning a smile of gratitude from her. Nora and Ren gave their compliments.

"It was good seeing you so soon, mom," Pyrrha told her before Pandora took her leave.

"Don't you want to say goodbye, Pyrrha?" Jaune asked her.

"No. See, my mother taught me ever since I was young to never say goodbye. She said that if you don't say 'goodbye,' then you aren't really gone. You just aren't here right now. It's supposed to mean that you really want to see that person again," she explained.

"I don't want to say goodbye to any of my friends or sisters because I will see them again one day. I don't say goodbye unless I intend to never see them again," Jaune told her.

"Such wonderful words. Jaune, if you wish to begin your training even sooner, then I have a much quicker means of getting to the island than what you wish to do. Look behind you." Jaune spun around and was met with Aziela herself, clad in her dazzling armor and her long, flowing red hair. "Come," she said, beckoning him with her hand.

Jaune followed her into the woods, where she lead him to a large lake. She touched the water with her boot and the surface shined with a white light, and a new figure appeared beside Jaune. She was clad in green robes and she had moss green hair and matching green eyes. "Hello, Dànsling, I am Iris, the Nature Mother," the Goddess introduced herself.

"Jaune wishes to go to the Island of Maidens, Iris. Can you connect this lake to the island's?" Aziela asked her.

"A simple task," Iris laughed. She walked out onto the lake, her feet never passing through the water's surface, and her entire body shimmered with a white light, which seeped down her body through her feet and onto the lake's surface. "Now, enter the water and come to me, Jaune Arc." Jaune was hesitant, but he eventually went out into the water and swam for Iris. "Now, you shall sink, but do not fret, for you will not drown in this water."

"Good luck, Jaune. I shall see you again once you pass the tests," Aziela called to him.

"Tests? What tests?" Jaune questioned, but Aziela had disappeared completely. He turned to Iris, who suddenly dropped a large rock into his arms with a "Here you go," making him cry out as the heavy rock began dragging him under. The last thing he saw before the clear blue water overtook his vision was Iris smiling down onto him and waving. Jaune quickly let go of the rock, but he continued to sink and at the same speed as the rock. He clasped his hands over his mouth as air bubbles escaped his lips. Shit, I'm gonna die! his mind screamed at him as his last air bubbles left him and he accepted his fate.

However, Jaune did not feel water rush into his lungs, nor did it feel like water at all despite its density and how he was still sinking. All around him was nothing but clear blue water and he soon realized that he could breathe actual air. As he continued sinking, he took deep breaths and began to sing a jingle, now finding entertainment in this newfound phenomena. The rock was still sinking with him, so he grabbed hold of it and his descent increased in speed. Eventually, he looked down and saw what appeared to be the surface rising up towards him with what looked like a forest outside of it. Jaune suddenly felt his entire body twist around and right itself up and he breached the surface, taking in a lungful of air. He clambered for the edge of the lake and dragged himself onto land. He took a look at the morning sky and lost consciousness.

Soon enough, four young women appeared from the trees spotted him and went to him. "Ah, so this is the Dànsling," spoke one of them clad in winter white and ice blue robes. Her eyes were the color of ice and her hair a snow white.

"He's young…and handsome!" remarked another, clad in a vibrant green dress and having matching hair and eyes. She had a crown of leaves in her hair.

"I told you I saw him atop Beacon the other night!" went another, this one with purple hair and wearing a simply shirt and shorts with suspenders. "I saw his Draíochta light up the tower, but you didn't believe me!"

"Look at him, he looks like he's endured a lot already for one so young," noted the last, this one with orange hair and wearing a matching colored skirted uniform of sorts. She lifted Jaune's right hand and the mark of Aziela glowed through his glove. "He is certainly the Dànsling, alright. Let's take him to the beach where he can start the first test. Who wants to do it with him?"

"I'll do it, I'll do it!" yelped the green girl with excitement.

"Very well, Spring." The four Maidens lifted Jaune up and carefully carried him away.

( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )

Ruby awoke that same morning a while later to find herself in her room surrounded by her father, uncle, and Kyler. She sat up in bed and rubbed at her eyes, which caught the attention of Zwei, who just wandered inside and gave a yelp, awakening the three men. "Ruby, it's good to see you're awake!" Taiyang exclaimed, giving his daughter a big hug.

"How you doin', kiddo?" Qrow asked her.

"I kinda hurt all over," she answered. "What happened?"

"A lot has happened," said Kyler. "We lost Vale to the Grimm; the entire city is swarming with them and the Grimm Dragon is frozen atop Beacon thanks to you."

"Wait, thanks to me?"

"Yup. Although, it's still alive, it's just frozen permanently atop Beacon. Glynda is already forming an army to retake Vale so the CCT can be rebuilt," Qrow told her.

"What about Yang? Is she okay? Is everyone else okay?" Ruby suddenly grew worried for her sister.

"Yang is…She's okay." Taiyang seemed unsure of her answer. "She's in her room, but she doesn't want to talk to anyone. But don't worry, Yang won't let this stop her."

"Let what stop her?" Ruby was puzzled.

"You can see for yourself soon, but right now, we need to know what happened atop Beacon Tower," Kyler insisted.

"Kyler, do we really need to go into that right now?" Qrow asked him. Kyler ignored him and asked Ruby again.

"I…I remember landing into Ozpin's office and…" Ruby gave a gasp. "…Pyrrha! Is she okay?!" Ruby pleaded with tears.

"She's gone…" Kyler softly answered, which made Ruby burst into tears. "Continue, Ruby."

"I saw Pyrrha…and Cinder…" More tears flowed as Ruby bit her lip, unable to say it. "…And then my head started feeling funny, like I was having a migraine, then everything went white, and I screamed for Pyrrha…"

"That's enough. It's all we need to know," Kyler told her, resting his hand on hers.

"Mister Wolf…" Ruby mumbled, tears streaking down her cheeks. "Jaune…Is Jaune okay? Does he know about Pyrrha?"

"Yeah, he knows. He's in the other room sleeping. You can see him soon." Ruby nodded but continued to cry.

"Ruby, do you remember what Ozpin said when you met him for the first time?" Qrow asked her.

"Um, he said something about my eyes being silver."

"That's right, silver eyes. You have silver eyes just like your mother did. Silver eyes are an extremely rare trait to have," Kyler told her.

"But what do my eyes have anything to do with that Grimm Dragon?" Ruby asked.

Kyler sat himself onto her bed and looked at Taiyang and Qrow, who both nodded. "See, silver eyes are only seen once every generation. Silver eyes are not passed down through offspring, but they are given to special mortals by Oum, Lord of AboveRealm, and those with silver eyes wield mystical power that the Grimm fear."

"Mister Wolf, what are you talking about? You're not making any sense," Ruby told him.

"You're special, Ruby, just like how your mother was special, and how Kyler here is special," said Qrow. Kyler rubbed at his eyes for a moment and withdrew two green contact lenses and revealed that his eyes were not green, but silver.

"Those who are born with silver eyes are destined to serve Oum as his Laghsling, just as I was destined to do so over a thousand years," Kyler told her, surprising Ruby with his silver eyes. "Yes, the fairy tale of the Paladins of Remnant is real, it always has been real, and I am a Laghsling, the very first Paladin."

Ruby stared awestruck at Kyler. "Mister Wolf…you have…silver eyes…?"

"Yes, my eyes are silver, just like yours and your mother's."

"I…I…I duh…" Ruby stuttered out, unsure of what to say. Kyler turned to Qrow and Taiyang.

"Should I tell her?" They both nodded and he turned back to Ruby. "Also, there's…something you need to know about your mother…as well as the circumstances surrounding your birth…" Kyler started, swallowing hard. He took a deep breath while Ruby looked puzzled. "See…Your mother…"

Kyler did not finish his sentence as Nora busted the door opened and looked panicked. "Jaune's gone!" she cried before rushing back to her room with everyone behind her, including Ruby. Inside the room, Jaune's sisters as well as Cardin and Velvet were there, and they were all equally worried except for Blanche. "See, when I woke up, first thing I did was jump onto Ren's cot to wake him up so he can make me pancakes for breakfast, and that's when I saw that Jaune's bed was empty! Course, I figured 'hey, he's probably already awake and taking a shower or something!' but he wasn't! And there was this note on his bed!" Nora hastily explained while shoving said note into everyone's faces.

Qrow took the note from her and read it aloud:

"To everyone, by the time you read this, I will be gone. Don't come looking for me and don't worry about me. I am safe. After everything that has happened, especially with Pyrrha and my family, I cannot stand by and wait anymore. I'm weak, and no amount of encouragement from my friends will say otherwise. I want to become stronger, and to do that, I had to leave as per Aziela's orders.

"Ruby, I don't know what happened atop Beacon Tower while you were there, but please know that I don't blame you for Pyrrha. I know who you really are, and I hope to one day stand side by side with you in the battles to come. Ren, Nora, you two are the best teammates I could ever ask for. No matter what, we will always be Team JNPR. Ren, you're like the brother I never had. Thank you for everything." Ruby began tearing up and Nora clung herself to Ren.

"Velvet, Cardin, if you two are in fact Paladins as I suspect, then know that our enemies are more powerful than you can imagine, even though I have only seen a glimpse of Cinder Fall's powers. Please be careful and I hope to see you beside Ruby and I in the future.

"Please understand that I'm no longer the boy you knew back at Beacon anymore. I died atop the tower that night with Pyrrha. The boy you knew is gone. But when I return one day, I will be a man ready to protect the world as a Paladin. -Jaune."

"What is Jaune talking about? Who I really am? Paladins?" Ruby questioned. Cardin and Velvet understood what Jaune's letter meant, and they were both content to know that Jaune was okay.

Before Kyler or Qrow could answer her, the door bell rang. Kyler answered it and found Grace Evergreen and Pecado Moonlight at the door, who invited themselves in. The three Paladins went to the others, where the two headmasters met with Cardin and Velvet. "I assume you two know who you really are?" Grace asked them, which they answered yes to.

"Good, then let's just sum things up real quick," Pecado added. "You two are Paladins, and we are Paladins as well, here to take you away to train you how to utilize your Draíochta to its fullest potential, give you magical weapons, and turn you into the next heroes of Remnant. Sound simple enough?" Cardin and Velvet both silently nodded.

"Pecado, you can't be so upfront about such things," Grace snapped at him, going to Velvet and getting down at her level. "Listen, we will explain everything all in due time, but with the attack on Vale and the recent attack on the Arc family, we have to move you all out sooner than planned."

"Um, can I visit my teammates before we go though?" Velvet asked her.

"Of course, but we must be quick."

"If you want to see your comrades as well, you may," Pecado told Cardin. Cardin was happy to hear that.

"Ruby, we best pack up and leave as well," Kyler told the little rose before leaving the room.

"Dad, Uncle Qrow, what is going on?!" Ruby asked them.

"I'll explain it to you in a bit, kiddo, but you do what Kyler told you. Pack up and don't forget to bring Crescent Rose with you," Qrow told her, leading her to her room with his hand on her back.

Ruby, Velvet, Cardin, Ren, Nora, and the Paladins packed for their trips. Ren and Nora were told they were to return to the Vale Encampment to assist Glynda in the fight to reclaim Vale. With nothing left for them in Patch and with Jaune and Pyrrha gone, the two decided this was the best course. The teens all met out front of the Xiao Long House while the adults were inside in Taiyang's room.

"I'm staying here to care for Yang. I can't imagine what she must be going through after everything," Taiyang told everyone after they finished packing.

"We understand," said Grace. "We must wait and see if Raven ever returns home for Yang so she can prepare her as the next Cothrosling." Grace and Pecado went to Velvet, Cardin, Ren, and Nora and they departed after the teens said their goodbyes to their friends. At the Vale Encampment, Velvet and Cardin reunited with their teammates and quickly explained the situation, thought their friends barely believed a word they said, and given that they could see their tattoos, there was no point in showing those to explain further. Velvet explained to Team CFVY that she would be going away for a while and they all embraced in a big hug.

"You better come back soon, got it?" Coco told her partner before Grace and Velvet departed in a bullhead.

Cardin gave one final command to his team to aid in the fight for Vale as much as they can, to which they agreed. "I'll be back before you even realize it," he told them before boarding the bullhead with Pecado.

Back on Patch, Kyler was heading towards Yang's room where Ruby was when Qrow appeared and stopped him. "Kyler, I'm coming with you," Qrow simply said.

"No, you're needed to help Glynda and the new Guardians," Kyler asserted.

"No, I'm coming with you, and that's final. You don't know Ruby like I do. Just because she's your successor doesn't mean you know her like I do. You weren't there for her while she was growing up, so don't pretend you can understand what she will be going through, especially when you have to tell her the truth about us and Summer!"

Kyler let out a sigh. "Qrow, you know I never meant to do it…"

"Yeah, well, you still did it anyway."

"If I could take back what I did, I would…"

"You've said that loads of times in the past, and it means absolute bullshit. Where were you the news came that Summer died? Where were you when Ruby needed her father and Taiyang shut down? Where were you her entire life?" Qrow growled, his voice growing louder with each question. "That's right! You were too busy protecting the world from evil! I was there for her every godsdamn time! I was there when she needed someone to hold when her mother died! I was there to help her recover from it all! I was there to raise her when her mother and father weren't there for her! I was there to teach her combat and made her the Huntress she is now while you have to go and thrust your fucking destiny onto her!"

"Qrow, please…"

Qrow suddenly grabbed Kyler by his coat and slammed him into the wall while Kyler offered no resistance. He slammed Kyler's head into the wall a few more times, denting in the drywall. "You stole Ruby from me, you fucking bastard!" Qrow screamed at him with tears in his eyes. "You stole my daughter from me!" Two more head slams and Qrow let go of him, allowing Kyler to fall against the hallway cabinet for support. He rubbed the back of his head and looked straight at Qrow with tears down his cheeks.

"I swear I never wanted this," he blubbered. "If I could take back what I did, I would, I swear to the Gods. When Ruby was born, I prayed constantly that she was yours, and when the test results came, I felt so ashamed at what I did, what Summer and I did. I wished that we could've kept it a secret from you, I really do…" Qrow stared down at the crying man before him. "…And what about you, Qrow? Do you think you're any better than I when you left the woman you loved out of anger? She told me once about how much you yelled at her for what happened and how angry you were…She broke down in tears in my arms and wished things could go back to normal…Summer only wanted you, not me…" Qrow went wide-eyed at this knowledge. "Qrow…you're right…I need you to come with Ruby and I. She needs the man that should've been her father for when she becomes the Laghsling."

Qrow was silent for a moment, then he lifted Kyler back up. "That's all I wanted, Old Wolf," he told him.

In Yang's room, Yang had just told Ruby what happened to Weiss, Blake, and Vale. "There has to be a reason…" Ruby started, hoping to suggest as to why Blake ran away.

"No, there doesn't!" Yang shot at her. "Sometimes bad things just happen without a reason. It doesn't matter anyway. I don't care about Blake anymore."

"That's not true!" Ruby retorted.

"Yes, it is!" Yang yelled at her. "I tried to save her from that psycho Adam and look what happened to me!" Yang twisted her body so Ruby could get a full view of her right stump, which made her feel sad. "I tried to save Blake, I lost my arm, and then she just ran away! It's what she does, Ruby! Whenever her past catches up to her, she runs away without a care for anyone but herself!"

"But…Blake loves us…"

"No, she doesn't. She only cares about herself."

Ruby was silent for a moment. "Yang…"

"Just leave me alone." Ruby went forward to give Yang a hug, but the blonde stuck her hand out and stopped her. Ruby back away and headed for the door.

"I love you, Yang," she said. "Listen…I'm going away for a…while. I've got something important of some kind to do…I don't know when I'll be back."

"You do what you want, I don't care anymore" Yang told her as Ruby left to see Qrow and Kyler waiting for her.

"Guess what, kiddo. I'm coming along with you two for your journey," Qrow told her, which got Ruby feeling a little better.

"Ready to go? Ready to start your journey as a hero, Ruby?" Kyler asked her, to which Ruby nodded.

And thus, Ruby, Qrow, and Kyler left the Xiao Long House and headed into the forest, where they came upon the same lake that Jaune used. They waited at the edge until a young man dressed in a red shirt, a white jacket, black pants, and with a yellowish-tan tint to his skin appeared behind them. His hair was scraggly and black, his eyes dark, and he wore a kind smile.

"Are you ready to begin the journey to become a Paladin?" Oum calmly asked the young Rose.

"I'm ready."

Oum laid his hand into the water and the surface shimmered with a bright light. The three stepped into the water and walked forward until they became submerged and disappeared.

( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )

In the Xiao Long's backyard, Iris stood before the small boulder Jaune was chiseling at the other day. "Hm…He never finished it," she said to herself before tracing her fingers along the rocky surface, inscribing letters upon it with her touch. Once she finished, she clapped her hands together and placed one hand on the grass before the boulder. Instantly, a small cluster of junipers sprouted up and formed a neat spot before the boulder. Iris, pleased with her work, disappeared.

The inscription on the boulder read:

"Pyrrha Nikos

"In Passing, We Achieve Immortality."

( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )( )

The Dark Realm of Remnant

Ozpin sat in a prison cell restrained with a rustic chain and ball inside Salem's Castle. Ever since he arrived and witnessed the horrible fate that had befallen Pyrrha and Summer Rose, all he could do was wallow in misery knowing that they are suffering these fates because of him. Salem soon came around and went to him. "How are you doing in here?" she playfully asked. He gave her no answer. "Oh, Ozpin, are you still grief-stricken by your discovery of what happened to Summer? That she and Pyrrha are now my generals and will have to fight their former friends?"

Salem bent down to Ozpin's level and lifted his chin up, making him stare into her blood red eyes. "You gave them their fate, Ozpin. How ironic for Summer though, to have her life ruined twice by a man she trusted. Tell me, did you think nothing about Qrow and Summer when you gave Kyler the order to impregnate the girl? Did you not think of how your decision would ruin their lives, as well as Ruby's should the secret ever be known to Qrow? Did you not care you tricked a woman into cheating on her husband, all so that a child born of two Paladins can come into the world and be cursed with the destiny to defend it as a Paladin herself?"

Ozpin bit his lip. "I did what I thought was best for the world," he answered after some hesitation. "I knew our world was going to need a powerful Paladin one day, so I did what I did for the world."

"You lied to Kyler though. You told him that it was dictated by the Gods that he and Summer conceive a child together to create a child born with Draíochta and blessed by Oum, yet you cared neither for Qrow's thoughts, Summer's, or even Kyler's. He obeyed you under the false pretension it was the will of the Gods. You destroyed a happy marriage and four lives with one little lie, all for the world of Remnant." Salem's lips curled into a smile and she traced a finger along Ozpin's cheek. "When Ruby Rose has grown up and she comes forward as the next Laghsling, I will destroy her and show you that your smaller, most honest soul born of two Paladins is pathetic compared to my power." Salem exited the cell, giving Ozpin a sinister toothy grin before departing, leaving the old wizard to weep, curled up in a corner.

Next Chapter: The Blooming of a Rose