Despite everything that had happened in the past, the Vytal Festival was around the corner and Jaune, as Beacon's Headmaster was responsible for many things. Though he delegated the actual planning of the tournaments and entertainment to Ren.
Despite the Vale in preparation for the event and the atmosphere around Vale, Orion was more focused on Amira and how she was recovering.
" So, how are you feeling ? " Orion asked Amira, who weakly turned her head to face him.
" Better, considering my situation. I heard you found my sister. Tell me, is she safe?"
Orion sighed as he propped Muramasa up against a the wall. " She's alive, that much I can say. You angels are pretty resilient, you know that. Your sister's fine but I get the distinct feeling she doesn't trust me."
" Please, don't fault her for how she feels." Amira pleaded with Orion who waved the request off.
" Don't worry, I don't plan on butting heads with her, there'd be no point to it. Though I'm curious about you, Amira. You really care about your sister. "
" More than anything. The only thing I yearned for more than freedom was to my sisters again."
Amira watched Orion smile lightly before that smile faded all too soon.
" Does something trouble you, Orion?" Amira asked.
" Nothing important."
" I find that hard to believe. Mental and emotional stability is as important as physical prowess when it comes to combat. Confide in me, tell me what troubles you."
Orion sighed as he looked at Amira. " It wouldn't do any good at the current moment."
Nuri tiredly looked at the ceiling, exploring the maze that was her mind. Her armor lay cleanly separated by a practiced warrior.
The door to her room opened as Pyrrha stepped in, carrying a glass of water and a moist rag. She pulled up a chair next to Nuri and placed the rag on her forehead.
" So tell me, how are you feeling now? Is there anything else I can do for you?"
" I have questions I want answered." Amira said stoically.
It had been longer than anticipated, but Amira was fully healed, feeling better than she had in countless years. The first thing she did was take Orion to a place where she could repay his kindness for rescuing her.
" Where is this place ?" Orion asked Amira, who continued to lead him onward.
" When we angels first came to your world, many of our arms and equipment were beyond the scale of which Remnant had ever seen. Instead, we resulted to bring several tools to aid us in her infrequent stays. We brought Angelic Water and created a spring with to heal grievous injuries. Angelic Water has immense healing properties so it was very useful to use. Another place, the Twilight Forge, was a place we created in order to create new arms and armor, suitable for this world. It was-"
" A grand forge, capable of giving mundane weapons powers that could, in theory, rival those forged in Heaven."
Orion turned on his heels, he gripped Muramasa as he switched gears, preparing to fight. Amira put a hand on his shoulder and calmed down. Amira was looking at the new arrival with a confusion and joy.
Orion's memory of the person came back to him as the new arrival peeled back their hood.
A youthful woman, with emerald eyes and flowing silver hair smiled at them warmly, tears streaming down her eyes as she looked at Amira. Amira beamed with joy as she ran towards the woman and enveloped her in a tight embrace, tears streaming down her face.
" SERANA !" Amira yelled with joy as she and Serana fell to their knees, their embrace growing ever tighter. " I'm so sorry, I've left you alone all along !"
Orion merely watched in silence, a small smile creeping onto his face as a he felt a tear trickle down his face.
He left the sisters alone as he went off on his own to explore.
Ruby weakly rose from her bed, fatigue and lethargy still gripping her form. She forced herself to feet and tiredly dragged them to her kitchen. She didn't bother to turn any lights, she knew the place like the back of her hands.
She turned on the kitchen's sink and let it fill to brim with cold water. She turned off the faucet and submerged her head within the water, letting its cool embrace jolt her senses and force her into a more awake state. She jerked her head back and as a result, causing water to soak the floor and counter.
Feeling revitalized and awake, Ruby made a mental note to clean the mess up later as she went to her bathroom. She grabbed a towel and began to dry her hair as she checked her scroll.
As usual, there were more than a dozen contracts that required the work of a skilled Huntress, and each was highly lucrative. Though the money would be more than worth any possible dangers, Ruby decided that she wasn't going to take any jobs at the moment. Instead, she went into her living room, plopped down on her couch and got comfortable.
She sighed in annoyance and the thought of Orion and Yang together disturbed her beyond measure. For the past week, she hadn't gotten a comfortable sleep because of what she knew. Ruby promised that she wouldn't breath of a word of Yang and Orion's relationship to anyone, but she was having second thoughts about that promise.
She wanted, even needed to vent, to talk with someone who could help her make sense of everything troubling her. Yet, she couldn't break her promise to Yang, no matter what it cost her so Ruby tried to see things from her sister's view.
Even with that, she could only think of the negatives.
After the angelic sisters had finished their reunion, they found Orion, napping in the shade under a tree.
Leaves shone in a myriad of colors as they descended to the ground. Orion opened his eyes to see the sisters hovering over him.
" It looks like you two are done with your reunion, I'm happy for you both. However, Amira, you said that you were going to repay me, but I don't see how."
Amira smirked as she held up a radiant chunk of ore that shone like silver and appeared to be coursing with energy all of its own.
" This is how I intend to repay you. You human learned to use your Semblances by attempting to copy the powers that are unique to angels. We angels use something slightly different than your human Semblances, we use Cosmic Force, something akin to what you would call Magic. This metal has been imbued with Cosmic Force from both Serana and I. You'll use this to create anything your heart desires."
Orion's smile crept it's way onto his face as he rose to his feet. " Well I gotta admit, that seems pretty awesome. Where do I start?"
" The Twilight Forge," Serana stated. " It's the only place in this world where Cosmic Force can be remotely manipulated into weapons suitable for this world. We debated whether to simply imbue your current sword, Muramasa, with Cosmic Force or not. However, we both agreed that it'd be best to let you choose."
Serana waved her hand and in turn created a swirling white portal. " This is a much faster way to the Forge."
" Well, no sense in putting it off any longer." Orion said with smirk.
Amira and Serana meditated in peace and silence in a different area of the Twilight Forest, which was home to a deep mountain range with a dormant volcano at its center. That was where the Twilight Forge lay, a massive forge area of unrivaled perfection that didn't belong to this world.
Orion didn't bother to take in a the details of the area, or even bask in elegance. Instead he began to forge himself weapon with the imbued metal that Amira and Serana had given him.
He walked along the paved stone and stopped in front of the golden anvil, the heat of the nearby lava and the heat of water didn't bother him in the slightest. He was used to flames and intense heat, so he felt right at home as he looked down at the intense magma that raged on below him.
He turned his attention to a obsidian anvil before him as he laid the metal on it. Amira gave him a set of tools and a necklace that allowed him to manipulate the magma and water of the immediate area. She wished him good luck before leaving him alone to work.
He cracked his knuckles and set to work. He picked up a set of tongs, gripped the metal and submerged part of it into the magma. He pulled it back out and began to hammer away at it with an obsidian hammer.
The first blow released an intense wave of energy that knocked him back and sent him flying several feet back. He crashed into the ground, but quickly forced himself up as he rose to feet. A determined grin appeared on his face as he approached the forge again.
While Orion was busy in the Twilight Forge, Serana brought Amira to where she was keeping the Book of Oblivion.
They came to a temple hidden deep within the heart of the Black Forest, the most Grimm infested area on Remnant. It was also the same place where Chaos first arrived when it came to conquer Remnant.
Beowolves stalked the sisters, but didn't dare risk attacking them. They knew their position in the food chain and compared to angels, they were nothing, but insects.
The sisters came to a secluded, decrepit temple and entered it. Torches lit their way as Serana led Amira to an altar that was located on the lowest level of the temple. In the center of the altar was the Book of Oblivion, Chaos' prison and Elias' hell.
Amira could sense the dark energy and emotions radiating from the tome, but the bulk of it was retained by golden glyphs that were peppered throughout the area. The book itself was wrapped in a layer of golden silk and silver chains that were pinned to the earth and ceilings.
" You've done good, Serana. You saved Remnant's only chance of salvation and you even managed to extend the life of the prison. How much longer do you think it will last ? "
Serana sighed as she looked upward. " Until the next eclipse where the moon is whole and the world's are aligned. I'm positive that when that happens, Chaos' minions will temporarily grow stronger during that time and they will storm this temple. From there, they'll free their master. We could fend them off, but that would cost us far too much strength, we're waning as it is." Serana sighed in a defeated sigh.
" Too true, Serana. It's true, we're Fallen Angels and as such we only have so much power left. Remnant is not suited for our kind to live here for long. You yourself used a great deal of power to stop Chaos those years ago and i'm proud of you for it. However, our lack of strength requires us to use our power sparingly. I wonder, Serana, can you still a Mitama?"
" I believe I'm still capable, but it would put quite a dent in my reserves of power. Though I wonder, has Orion finished his weapon?"
" Let's find out."
Serana and Amira arrived in the Twilight Forge via a portal only to see Orion sitting against a wall, the forge finally dying down. They saw a glistening change made of sliver, wrapped around his right arm.
His sword, Muramasa, radiated with a new energy. They felt a Cosmic Force radiate through Muramasa as Orion gave a weak thumbs-up.
" Very impressive, Orion."
" Quite impressive indeed."
The time had come for Amira and Serana to see Nuri, finally. They arrived in the middle of Jaune and Pyrrha's home, entering their living room through a portal that Serana had created.
Pyrrha was sitting on her couch reading a book that Blake had given her when the two angels appeared. She momentarily startled, but quickly pieced together what was happening. She greeted them both warmly, as she was expecting them. She pointed to a door down the hall and watched the sisters opened it.
They were greeted by the sight of their sister sitting in a chair and looking through a window. She turned her head and saw her sisters for the first time in countless years.
In contrast to the reserved emotions she normally portrayed, Nuri's eyes were streaming with tears at the sights. Serana and Nuri were likewise beaming with joy as all embraced and let their emotions pour out.
From the outside, Pyrrha smiled to herself.
Meanwhile, Orion looked up to the sky, the sun was beginning to wane. He had already left the Twilight Forge and was resting underneath a tree, thankful of the shade it gave him.
He dug into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper, a photo, that he kept with him. It was a little faded, but was clear and clean enough that it the picture was visible. He began to remember what had led up to the photo being taken.
When Neo, Mercury and Emerald had broken him out of from an Atleasian prison, he visited the place that Cinder and Roman had been buried, saying his last goodbyes and leaving a small candle burning between them. Afterwards, he traveled the world, reevaluating everything he had done, become and learned.
He found himself in Vacuo, and aimlessly wandered. While there, he saw that Team RWBY had returned and was leading an expedition of the area where they had first encountered Uriel.
He camped out nearby and waited for night-fall. When it had fallen, he saw Yang standing on the outsides of her camp, aimlessly looking into the night. Something came over him, simply watching her sent his blood to boil and his chest to hurt. She was perfectly silhouetted against the moonlight. She shined like a radiant sun against the moon's own light.
He knew what love was, everyone did. He just never had anyone to experience it alongside. To him, the deepest kind of love he felt was from the thrill of battle and the sensation cutting down his enemies gave him. However, Yang made him feel different. It made him...weak ?
He always thought that he saw her as property, something that he marked as his so that he personally kill. Ever since their first battle, she had been on his mind, even when he didn't realize it, he acted out of her well-being. He believed that it was so he could kill her with his own hands, but now he didn't know. During the battle with Uriel, he remembered saving her life and feeling anger at her being harmed.
Then he put himself in the path of Elias' attack that was aimed to take her life. He told her that his body moved on its own, against his will. Yet, that was a lie. He wanted to, he chose to save her life.
He rapidly shook his head and unintentionally walked next to her and stood there for a moment. When she noticed him, her immediate reaction was punch him directly in the side of his face. He took the blow and didn't flinch as she recoiled her fist, poised to swing again. He didn't move and she saw that he had no plans of dodging either.
She lowered her fist and looked at him before looking back at her camp. " What are you even doing here ?"
" I have no idea, Xiao Long." Orion said, his voice unusually calm and composed. There was no trace any hostility and Yang picked up on it.
Yang's eyes softened as she looked to the sky and laid back in the sand. Orion sat down next to her, the silence between them growing evermore.
" Is it true what you said, Orion ? After the battle with Elias, you said that I was...special to you. You said that I was one of the few people to ever make you question what you believed, then you up and got arrested. Why'd you tell me that ?"
A ring of blue flames appeared around Orion as he clenched his fist, gripping uselessly at the sand.
" Cinder gave me purpose, she gave me a reason to live. I enjoyed fighting, but most of all I lived to make her desires, her goals a reality. I could live happily, being the sword at her side. Then, you're mother, Raven made me remember the most important thing Cinder taught me. My will to live will give me strength for what lies ahead. Then, you showed up. You were like a wall I couldn't break, a fire I couldn't extinguish, a challenge I couldn't overcome. I was so sure that I wanted to kill you, but not out of pride. I was...afraid of you."
" I'm not that scary." Yang said jokingly, yet Orion didn't laugh.
" I've always been able to fight on my own and break all of my challenges. You...I couldn't break. I couldn't beat you. Yet, I ended up..."
" Falling in love with me ?" Yang asked, curiously. Orion sighed as the flames died down and he fell back into the sand.
" It looks that way, Yang."
" Didn't you had the ability to love another person. Listen, you're still my enemy, my friend's and my family's enemy. You tried to murder my sister and our friends in cold-blood. You honestly didn't expect me to forgive you, let alone fall in love with you, did you ?"
Orion chuckled to himself slightly and sighed. " Of course not. Something just made me want to say, to get it out there. Well now that I'm done making an ass of myself, I don't think we'll be seeing each other anymore. You don't have to worry about this psycho making your life a living hell anymore."
Yang watched as Orion rose to his feet, brushed the sand off him. " I'm sorry, about everything."
Those words caught Yang more off-guard than Orion's confession to her. The last thing she had expected him to do was apologize and she could only watch in silence as he walked away.
Orion snapped back to reality, smirking lightly at the memory of his first rejection. He tucked the photo back into his pocket and breathed a quiet sigh.
His scroll went off, beeping madly. He sighed once more and read the message he had received. His eye twitched slightly, his grip tightened and his blood raced as he closed his scroll. He quickly regained his composure, but moved with haste as he became a golden phoenix and took the sky.
He knew that if he flew at least as fast as sound he could get back to Vale within a few hours. From there, he had at most, a month to prepare. The message he had received confirmed his greatest fear.
Remnant's next eclipse was in one month's time. Some sources he secretly worked with had finally sent the results he had asked for a year ago.
And when the eclipse occurred, Chaos would be free.
Sun, having finally returned to Vale after a week of travel, downed the rest of the he explained to Amira, Serana and Nuri what had become of their sister.
He broke the news gently as he passed off the golden gem, Naomi's Angelic Soul, to her sisters. He then explained about what Naomi had done, imparting what she onto him.
" She...always did she wanted to. Naomi imparted everything she knew about Chaos onto you. From its origins, to its resurrection. Orion believes that Chaos will rise in one month's time. He's correct, everything is nearly perfect for its resurrection. We know where it shall rise, so we'll need to prepare. Also to...tend to Naomi." Amira said, speaking for her other two grieving sisters. She herself seemed saddened, but remained a facade of clarity.
That last part caught Sun off-guard. " What do you mean ? "
" You'll come to understand the meaning in time. For now, train, enjoy time with your loved ones, anything you want before Chaos returns."
Orion rested on his back, listening to the sounds of the city from overhead on a rooftop, away from prying eyes.
A familiar combat knife landed next to him, the blade piercing the ground next to him. He casually pulled it from the ground and clean the dirt off it with his sleeve.
" Took you long enough, Sun. So, what do you plan to do before Chaos comes back ? Go spend time with Blake and finally propose to her ? Go off and train ?"
" That's none of your business." Sun spat, causing Orion to sigh in annoyance.
" Hostile to me as you've always been. Tell me, if we destroy Chaos, save the world and all that jazz, what do you plan on doing next ? "
Sun didn't answer, instead he turned away and climbed down from the rooftop. Orion sighed, knowing how difficult Sun was going to be. However, his mind turned back to what he had asked Sun.
While he didn't get an answer from Sun, Orion knew what he himself wanted to do after everything was said and done. He dug into his pocket and held up a glistening golden ring, letting the light shine down on it.
He just hoped she'd agree.