We were woken by the sound of explosions in the distance.

I knew right away what was happening, and so the moment I woke I started to hurry out of bed, gesturing towards the door while looking at Shi, who herself was now awake and on high alert. No doubt, she heard the explosions much better than I did, "Shi, go get dressed! This might be it!"

Shi didn't waste any time, she ran off to go do just that. Meanwhile, I threw on my Huntsman gear, coat and all, before grabbing The Long Memory and clipping it to my side. Afterward, I left my room and looked around. Shi was already there waiting for me, but I didn't see anyone else. I figured they were probably already outside, and so I started down the hallway quickly, gesturing for Shi to follow.

We both headed down the stairs with Shi asking, "Do you think it's them? The real deal?" I just nodded and she frowned, her voice gaining a distant melancholy for a moment, "This is just like Beacon…"

I shook my head, "No, it's not." I looked back at her, "We're all a lot stronger now, you included." Then I looked forward again and reached the door, "Just stay with me, as long as we work together, they'll fail. Vacuo will not fall."

Shi hurried to my side, "Right behind you, Dad."

Together we exited the house, and we immediately saw how hard the attackers were hitting.

It seemed like Atlas' forces were doing their best in assisting the Vacuan Hunters, but the Hard-Light barriers hadn't held everywhere. There were Grimm running amok on the streets, and not just ones native to Vacuo. I saw some Beowolves, Boarbatusks, and Ursa causing havoc. However, they seemed mutated to fit the environment, which mostly took the form of having much less fur.

Thankfully I didn't see any civilians on the streets. All I could do was hope that they were all safe, either hiding or secured by some of the Hunters and soldiers. I drew The Long Memory and extended it out before stepping forward. "Let's start towards Shade!" I told Shi.

I heard her draw Theta and we started hurrying down the road. However, it didn't take long for us to get waylaid by Grimm. Antlions and Beowolfs both hurried out of alleyways and down the street towards us.

A Beowolf lunged towards me as it drew close, prompting me to duck under it. I heard Theta cleave into the beast and smirked as I did so. An Antlion started flying towards us next and I raised my cane, channeling wind magic across it and swinging outward, catching the bug as it was flying in the air.

The air ripped through it and left it in pieces, and just as another two were flying towards me Shi raced past me. She swung her scythe in an upward slash, sending a wave of fire towards them after channeling fire dust into Theta. As it hit them, the beasts screeched and began to lose altitude. Then, she jumped into the air and cleaved both of them with one swing before landing back on the ground, kneeling for a moment to steady herself.

Another Beowolf lunged at her, prompting me to jump forward, kicking off the ground. I used some minor wind magic to stay in the air as I thrust my cane forward and connected it with the beast's head, the kinetic force from my weapon being more than enough to send it flying backward.

Shi stepped forward while I was still in the air, activating her semblance and using it to create an icy patch of ground in front of her while her other side burned brightly. The ice caused the Beowolves to lose their footing and begin to slide across the ground while several of the remaining Antlions suffered much the same fate.

That left an opening that she took advantage of, swinging her scythe forward and causing the icy ground to spike upward, impaling the Grimm in her path on spikes of ice. She deactivated her semblance, realizing that we had cleared the immediate path of Grimm. I landed next to her and smiled, "Good work, Shi."

Shi smiled back at me before we both began to hurry forward again, past the ice spikes she had created and to another street. The twists and turns of the city were not helping us get to Shade any quicker, but we would have to manage. The skies were filled with Nevermore and Antlions, so it wasn't exactly a clear shot to Shade even from the air.

As we rounded the corner to another street, we stopped as we heard a guttural hissing up above. We looked up and spotted another Grimm that we hadn't seen at all during our time at Vacuo. A Vulture flew above us before turning in the air to face us, beating its wings to stay in place as it hissed again. It was an inky black beast with six wings and feathers across the majority of its large body.

I quickly spoke, "This is a Vulture. They're able to travel through shadows, so mind the area around you, Shi." It was a bothersome Grimm, but given that it was daylight we would face less trouble with it than we would have otherwise.

Not that we wouldn't face any trouble at all.

Shi nodded resolutely just as the beast let out a screech before diving towards the two of us.

We split and jumped in two separate directions. The Vulture swooped down over where we had been standing and then took off into the air again when it grabbed a hold of nothing. Shi started firing rounds at it from Theta's sniper form, while I gripped my cane a bit tighter and then called on wind magic to take me into the air; letting the thing catch its breath wasn't a good idea.

The Vulture seemed angry at the idea of being followed. It turned around in the air and flapped two of its wings, creating a gust of wind and shooting out several feathers. I created a barrier that formed a bubble around me that prevented the spear-like feathers from connecting. Then, I gathered the shield in front of me and pushed it forward, emitting a pulse of energy towards the beast.

The green wave of magic connected with it and caused it to get knocked back slightly. It began to fall towards the ground, and I watched as it did. Shi, as I anticipated, moved to intercept. She shifted Theta back into its scythe form and leapt to the top of one of the buildings. Then, as the Vulture got closer, she jumped into the air again and slashed at its wings. She connected with two of them on its left side, causing it to screech in pain before Shi pushed away from it.

I followed up by closing in on it from the air, jabbing outward with my cane as I closed in on it. The kinetic energy from the cane pulsed out as I connected with the Vulture's body, slamming the beast into the ground, kicking up dust and sand. Black smoke rose from it, indicating its death.

Several Nevermore raced at me while I was still in the air, in response I kicked on my semblance and fueled it with magic, creating a blizzard in the sky that froze the wings of the birds and sent them to the ground right with their bigger cousin.

Then, I landed on the ground, deactivating my semblance and my magic as I did so. Shi was waiting there for me, and I smiled at her, "Easy enough, right?"

Shi nodded, "I just hope the rest of it is the same…"

I nodded in agreement and together we continued on our path towards Shade. We came across several weaker Grimm on our path, and we dispatched them easily. They weren't the problem, rather, the larger Grimm and the people leading the attack were our problem.

I just hoped everyone else was doing as well as we were.

(The following is not part of the book 'Shattered Assumptions')

Meanwhile…

The sound of a hammer connecting with the skulls of beasts mixed with the sound of a scythe slashing through the same monsters, adding to the chorus of battle.

Cobalt yanked his bec-de-corbin out of yet another Dromedary and heard a Beowolf behind him. He turned to attack it, only for it to be cut in half by a scythe. Aurum Lazuli shot a smile at him then looked about, taking stock of their situation. The two were surrounded by a large number of Grimm of varying types.

The two formed up back to back as the Grimm crept closer, "Do you think we can take them all on?" asked Cobalt.

Aurum grinned, "If one more shows up, we'll be in trouble."

That's when the ground shook and, not far from them, a large Blind Worm rose out of the ground, screeching its animosity. It was easily several stories high, and it made Cobalt balk, "Like that one?"

Aurum frowned, "Yeah, like that one." Then, she shrugged, "Well… If I'm going to die, at least I'll be doing it with my nephew."

Cobalt rolled his eyes, "Can we drop the pretenses? I've known the truth for ages now. I know the people who raised me weren't my biological parents. If we're going to die, I'd rather at least be able to call you… Mom. For a little while."

Aurum's eyes widened and then she smiled softly, "Damn, Cobalt… You read me like a book, didn't you?" Her voice grew slightly melancholy, briefly, "You're just like your father, in that regard." Then, she regained her resolve, "If we make it out alive, I'll explain myself."

Cobalt smiled, "That's all the motivation I need."

Mother and son raised their weapons and then charged in opposite directions as they engaged with the horde of Grimm.

Cinder groaned as she incinerated another Grimm, "Nuisances, all of them!" She looked between Emerald and Mercury, who were both engaged with Grimm of their own, before she focused on another Grimm that was approaching her, burning it to a crisp.

Emerald sighed, "Can't you just fly off to Shade? If that's where the big important thing is, then that's where you need to be!"

Mercury kicked a Grimm and sent it flying before agreeing, "Yeah. It's a pain in the ass, but Em and I have faced worse."

Cinder scoffed as she cut down a Dromedon that charged at her with Aurora, "Please. You two have followed me this far. If I abandoned you now, that'd be admitting I'm too weak to back you up. We'll get there, and we'll get there together."

The three were prepared to fight through the Grimm on their own, but then, as a Nevermore moved to close in on Cinder, a powerful dust round shot it out of the sky. The three spun around toward the sound of the shot.

Roman Torchwick sauntered over, with Neo not far behind him, shaking his head, "Damn pests. Here I was, enjoying my vacation, catching up with Neo, when all these fucking things showed up and decided to ruin it."

Neo hurried over to join the other three before Torchwick did, causing him to smile. Cinder, while shocked, eventually smirked, "I never thought I'd be happy to see you, Roman, but somehow you managed."

Roman grinned, "Well, you're important to Snowfall, so I guess call this a favor." He joined them and placed a cigar in his mouth before shooting another round out at a Beowolf.

Cinder smirked, "Of course, Neve's always had a way of getting into the hearts of people like us, hasn't he?" She readied her weapons and narrowed her gaze.

Mercury smirked, "It's Team Crimson's comeback tour!"

Near the entrance to Shade Academy, Team JNPR plus Caine and Ozza worked to hold the line against the Grimm. They had been holding out well, and then, through the tide of Grimm, four people started towards them.

Orchid led the pack and strummed out a few notes with her guitar towards the Hunters, causing them to scatter. She rolled her eyes, "You're in my way!" She groaned and looked back at her assembled crew, Hazel, Astra, and Haimon, "Take care of them, don't let them follow me." They all nodded and then Orchid jumped into the air, using wind magic to carry her past everyone.

Hazel tore off his top and began to jab dust crystals into his body, "Let's make this quick."

Just as everyone was about to engage, several paper and ink Ursa charged forth, barreling into the ground. Most of them were able to get away, but Pyrrha and Jaune both got knocked deeper into the courtyard.

Haimon charged forward, "Hazel, keep them busy! Astra and I have unfinished business with the other two."

Hazel grunted and rolled his shoulders, "Fine." He cracked his knuckles, Grimm howled and roared around him, "The beasts and I will keep their attention."

Astra and Haimon both managed to break past the rest of the Hunters. Between the Grimm and Hazel, they weren't able to follow them, and instead were forced to engage with their opponents.

The courtyard was empty save Astra, Haimon, Pyrrha, and Jaune. The Ursa from earlier had dissipated. The latter two had gotten to their feet and raised their weapons. Pyrrha desperately yelled, "Haimon, please! You've got it all wrong! We-"

Haimon cut her off as he drew his two greatswords, he was covered entirely in his armor again, and gave off no emotion as he readied himself for battle, "Enough. I swore I would take my revenge for that day!"

Astra took hold of her pen, Jaune and Pyrrha watched as it projected a sword made of hard-light. A pair of ink and paper Beowolfs appeared at her sides, and she readied herself, "We fight as one, my love!"

Pyrrha, though her eyes brimmed with tears, steeled her gaze. She raised her spear and shield, "F-Fine… Fine! If you won't listen to reason, Haimon, then I'll make you see it! I don't care how long it takes, I'll bring you back! With me, Jaune!"

Jaune sheathed Crocea Mors and transformed it into its greatsword form. He held it tightly in his hands as he said, "Always, Pyrrha!"

The fight started properly with Haimon charging forward while raising his swords. He was barreling towards Pyrrha, but Jaune intercepted him as he brought his swords down, catching them with his own and pushing back.

Jaune, with great effort, was able to push back Haimon, making him stumble back. "You're not hurting Pyrrha!" Jaune said, "She might not want to hurt you, but I will!"

Haimon growled, "Very well, Jaune Arc." He started charging forward again, this time his gaze was fixed on Jaune.

Pyrrha wanted to tell Jaune that it was too dangerous, but she didn't have time. Instead, she had to raise her shield and parry away a sword strike from Astra. The Angel's wings beat behind her as she smirked, "Your time is up, Pyrrha Nikos. You've caused enough trouble for my love and I."

Then, she jumped back before Pyrrha could retaliate. The Ink and Paper Beowolfs she had created charged forward in her place, while the arena around the four fell away. It was replaced with a field of magnolias, similar to what Pyrrha and Jaune had seen the last time they fought Haimon.

Pyrrha was determined to make sure this time went differently.

The two Beowolfs lunged at her one after the other. As the first did so, Pyrrha stabbed outward with her spear, cutting it down as quickly as it had been created. Then, deftly, she shifted her spear into its sword form and lopped off the head of the other Beowolf.

Astra didn't give her time to recover, she closed in on Pyrrha rapidly and swung her sword. Pyrrha deflected it with her shield and struck out with her own sword, however Astra stepped to the left and avoided Pyrrha's attack. As she moved, she swung again, and while Pyrrha was incapable of manipulating the hard-light blade, she was able to redirect the pen-grip itself, causing her to just barely miss.

Pyrrha stepped back while swinging her sword, catching Astra in the side and causing her to wince before she disengaged momentarily. Pyrrha growled, "What did you do to my brother? He wasn't always like this!"

Astra looked offended, "I did nothing to my love! Everything he has done, everything he has asked for, has been of his own design!" She hurried forth and swung her sword again, Pyrrha managed to catch it, this time with her own, resulting in a clash. Astra glared, "You should have seen him when my family discovered him! He was starving, malnourished, barely alive! The fact that he still drew breath at all was a miracle. He showed me kindness that no one outside of my family had before, and I reciprocated."

Pyrrha swung forward with her shield, hitting Astra in the stomach as she responded, "You could have reached out! Did he never tell you who his family was?! This could have been avoided! We could have been friends!"

Astra's aura had prevented any real damage from Pyrrha's shield, and she stepped back, "Maybe in another life, were tragedy not wrought." She twirled her sword in her hand and pointed it at Pyrrha, "But you stand in the way of our happy ending, and you will not be taking that from us!"

Then, two new paper forms appeared on either side of her, but they were not Grimm. Instead, they were two paper replicas of Astra herself. Then, together, they lunged forward in their attack.

Meanwhile, Jaune had been doing his best to hold off Haimon. Jaune spent more of his time dodging and blocking Haimon's greatswords than he did attacking. However, whenever he did attack, he felt his sword bouncing off the man, and Jaune had a strange feeling that it wasn't just because of his armor. Fighting in this field of flowers that didn't exist, he eventually swung forward with Crocea Mors, still in its greatsword form, and managed to cause a crack in his helmet to form.

Haimon grunted and, after knocking back Jaune with a strong swing of one of his swords, he plunged it into the ground long enough to remove his helmet. His mane of bright red hair freed, his green eyes bore not rage, but resolve. He had a new scar on his right cheek that hadn't been there the last time they fought. Then, he grabbed his sword again and hefted it up, "You've improved, Jaune Arc. Your growth is admirable. A shame your path ends today."

Jaune, though he was breathing heavily, didn't lose his own resolve, "You're wrong, Haimon." He shook his head, "What are you even fighting for?! Salem wants to destroy everything! There'll be nothing left for you, or for Astra! This is wrong!" He shifted his greatsword back into its sword and shield form, shifting his stance as he did so, "You've gotta know that."

The giant of a man smiled, and Jaune could see a mixture of resignation and mirth, "That may be so, but I will have the life I wished with Astra before that, and if not? Then the next life will be much more bountiful for us. For we will not be separated." He readied his weapons, "And to achieve our goal, we must strike you down!"

He brought one of his swords and swung downward. Jaune raised his shield, but he had more planned than just tanking the hit this time. As the sword connected, he emitted a pulse of gravity dust from his shield. The repulsive force caused the greatsword to get pushed back into the air, leaving Haimon open. Jaune followed up by closing the gap between the two, thrusting his sword out towards his opponent's face.

It connected, but not only did Haimon's red aura rise to block the attack, a substance like iron formed over the point where the sword would have connected. It retreated as soon as the sword was pulled back. Haimon just smirked, "You fight in vain, Jaune Arc." Then, he brought his greatsword around and swung once again.

On the other side of the illusory field, Pyrrha had been put on the defensive against the three attackers she faced. There were few opportunities to retaliate, and eventually Pyrrha had to put distance between herself and the onslaught of attacks.

She jumped back and shifted her weapon into its rifle form while temporarily dropping her shield. In those split seconds, she was able to shoot and dissipate one of the paper warriors, before shifting her weapon back into a spear, grabbing her shield, and thrusting her weapon forward, piercing the last one and dissipating it.

Astra closed in on her next, raising her sword and swinging it in an effort to catch Pyrrha while she was still recovering from taking out the paper warriors. However, Pyrrha used her semblance to move her opponent's sword so it missed her by a few inches. She followed up by stabbing outward with her spear and catching Astra in the stomach.

The other girl's aura blocked it as she staggered backwards, the white-gold aura flared, indicating that it was low. Yet, she showed no signs of giving up. Pyrrha tried to reason with her, "You're done, Astra! Just give up, please. We can-"

Astra shook her head, her normally straight hair was frayed and messy, her eyes filled with a mixture of desperation and finality, "We can what? Pyrrha Nikos, you're too good a person. You have to know…" She raised her weapon and readied to thrust it forward, "There was only one way this was ever going to end."

She thrust her blade forward, and Pyrrha deflected it while shifting her spear back into a sword. She thrust it forward, intent on only breaking the girl's aura so she could be apprehended. Astra had other plans, as this time she didn't raise her aura. The blade pierced her stomach and came out the other side as she gasped and coughed out some blood.

Immediately, there was a voice like thunder as Haimon yelled, "NOOOO!" He had still been fighting Jaune, but in that moment he dropped both his weapons and raced away from his opponent.

Astra, in spite of herself, grinned, "My love, such noise, let this be brief. Oh, happy sword…" She raised her own sword, "Thou hast found thy sheath. There rust, and let me die." Then she stabbed her own heart with her sword, and as she did so, the illusion of the field of flowers fell away and the scenery returned to Shade's courtyard.

Pyrrha was too shocked to move, but Haimon made her. When he reached them, he punched Pyrrha with enough force to send her flying back. He removed both Pyrrha's sword and Astra's from the girl and tossed them to the side, then he held the girl in his arms, "Astra, my love…" He sobbed, for he knew she was already dead, "This war has taken you, in our pursuit of happiness…" He squeezed his eyes shut.

Jaune moved to stand next to Pyrrha, but neither moved to approach Haimon. He laid Astra down and closed her eyes before grabbing Astra's sword and moving to stab it into his own throat. In spite of Pyrrha yelling, "Haimon, no!"

Yet, it was not to be. His semblance raced to his protection and blocked the attempt at cutting his own throat. In an act of desperation, he tried to swing the blade several more times at his own neck, only for the Hard-Light blade to fizzle and die. With resignation, he leaned down and kissed Astra.

Then, his face running with tears, he stood, "Fine!" He looked at Pyrrha and Jaune, the two of them preparing to fight. Yet, Haimon made no move to charge them, "A plague…" He growled, "A plague on both your houses, Jaune Arc, Pyrrha Nikos! You wanted me to fight for you? Then fine." He turned away, towards the courtyard entrance, "I will give you what you wish. With one last kiss to Astra, I will die."

He started to walk away, ignoring Pyrrha's desperate pleas for him to stop. On his way, he grabbed his greatswords and continued on.

Those outside the gates could only watch in confusion as Haimon emerged, and then with surprise as he began to hack into the Grimm hordes. Hazel's shock led to him taking a strong blow from Nora, who wasn't one to waste an opportunity. Wounded, it was all he could do to flee.

Yet, Haimon intended on doing no such thing, and he would fight Grimm as he waded deeper into them, the sound of beasts being cut down barely heard over the din of weapon fire and beastial howls.

Earlier, towards the start of the battle below, began a battle above.

Orchid rose to the top of Shade Academy, where at the top of the Ziggurat there was a large rooftop. On that rooftop was the Vault of Summer. Orchid had intended to simply enter it, take the sword, and finish the battle.

However, the rooftop was not devoid of people.

Standing next to each other were Damian and Vesta. Vesta had her cane in its rifle form, while Damian held his sword, Athame, which was a longsword that had a small orb-shaped slot on the crossguard. As Orchid touched down onto the rooftop, she smirked, "Well, if it isn't the defector and his lady love." She strummed her guitar, "This is almost poetic. You're going to try and stop me, aren't you?"

Vesta responded first, "We're going to try, but we know we probably won't be able to beat you."

Damian raised his sword, "All we need to do is keep you here long enough. Until the others show up. Then, it'll all be over for you, Orchid!"

Orchid grinned, "Well, in that case, let me play you a little song." She strummed again, but this time a bolt of lightning shot from her guitar, Vesta and Damian just barely managed to dodge out of the way as Orchid began to lift into the air. All the while, she began to sing.

"Day by day, it's nearer. Step by step, you grow… Closer to your ruin."

As she sang, the sky began to swirl with storm clouds. It started to rain, and the water that fell was immediately harnessed by Orchid as she gathered them into spears, which she sent down after her two enemies.

"Soon your time to go... Life is just a journey… Yours is near its end. Bloody evolution…"

Again, they dodged. This time, the two of them took to the air, Vesta using her semblance to control wind and bring her to Orchid's level, while Damian used his wings to do the same. Vesta shot a dust round from her rifle at Orchid, but she just dodged and continued to sing.

"This world, transcend… Black out the sky… All things must die!"

Damian raised his wrist-mounted dust launcher, Scourge, and fired several more rounds at Orchid. All of them she dodged deftly before she shot out another round of lightning, this one directed directly at Damian. It hit him in the chest and caused him to gasp in pain as he flew backwards.

"This is the end! Here's where you'll die! Legends have scattered, so just say goodbye!"

As Orchid picked up and began to deftly play through the song, her attacks intensified. More than just lightning and water, her guitar sent out concussive blasts of wind, all of which were things Vesta and Damian had to try to avoid. Damian charged forward and thrust his sword, but Orchid lazily listed to the right and avoided it.

"No one will miss you, when you're finally gone! At your conclusion, sing your swan song!"

She emitted a pulse of wind that sent Damian flying back again, just in time for Vesta to close in on her and strike out with her cane. She managed to land a hit on Orchid's arm, causing the maiden to play a sour note and miss an attack. However, after shooting out a wave of fire to repulse Vesta, she recovered.

"Murder! Unkindness! Conspiracy!"

Damian's sword segmented into a whip-sword that he struck out with, directing it towards Orchid's guitar.

"Embers extinguished in effigy!"

Orchid repulsed the whip with a blast of air, causing Damian to momentarily lose control and almost fall out of the sky. Thankfully for him, Vesta grabbed hold of him and pulled him up again before they turned their attention back to her.

"Just close your eyes! Don't fear demise! Black out the sky!"

They both flew towards their opponent, with Damian firing dust rounds with Scourge while Vesta coated her cane in wind and prepared to strike once they closed the gap. All the while they were dodging sound waves and the elements themselves as they tried to strike them down.

"All things must die!"

Orchid looked bored as her enemies rapidly approached, she avoided every dust round that came her way, and as Damian came close enough to swing Athame at her, she raised upward and caused him to sail past her.

"All tales conclude, all bonds dissolve! Infinite matter will always evolve! Just pray for mercy, at your time of death! Be glad you existed, enjoy your last breath!"

Vesta struck out with her cane and at first Orchid simply flew backwards to avoid it. Then, wind pressure exploded forward and caused her to get sent flying backward. She flipped backwards a few times before righting herself. She gritted her teeth angrily before continuing the song.

"Gleefully voicing this eulogy! Spawn of the tenets of treachery!"

Damian attempted to take advantage of Orchid being thrown off balance by racing towards her, brandishing his sword as he prepared to thrust it forward. However, Orchid sent out an especially powerful pulse of gravity magic, sending him rocketing towards the top of the ziggurat.

"Rest now, subside… With fate, collide…"

As he collided with it, Vesta picked up where he left off, charging towards Orchid. However, as the Maiden tried the same trick, she dodged to the right and managed to get a strike on Orchid's right side, causing her to growl in pain.

"Black out the sky! All things must die!"

Still, she didn't miss any lines, shooting out electricity from the head of her guitar, which pointed directly at Vesta. The electricity collided and shocked the girl through her aura, causing her to scream in pain before Orchid let out a pulse of wind magic, causing Vesta to start sailing to the ground.

"It's time to accept, to abide! Admit that the hour's arrived! Resign, comply!"

That was when Damian returned to the skies and once again charged towards Orchid. As he saw Vesta starting to fall, his eyes widened before he glared in Orchid's direction, his eyes beginning to glow.

"It's time to be one with the sky! Surrender your pride! Let death be your guide, all things must die~"

As Orchid saw this, she fought the urge to gasp before putting everything she could into an attack. A massive fireball formed in front of her, as big as the rooftop itself, and she launched it towards the rapidly approaching boy.

"Just close your eyes! Don't fear demise! Black out the sky!"

The silver light ignited at the same time as the fireball closed in on Damian. It shined bright for a few moments and caused Orchid to grit her teeth in pain, her flesh seeming to start to smoke, however it didn't last long. Damian was caught in the explosion and sent flying towards the ground.

"All things must die!"

Orchid finished her song as she flew back to the rooftop that held the vault, with Vesta and Damian both removed, she grinned, "Almost too easy." Then, she looked at the door that held the entrance to the vault and pressed her hand on it, causing the orange details on the wood door to shine as it began to open.

That was when she felt a fist of pure auric energy collide with her side. It hit with enough force to send her rocketing away, straight off the roof. It was through magic that she was able to catch herself. She floated upright and growled, "Ugh, what now?!"

Aura stood there, fists clenched, while Violet herself stood a bit further back, breaking off the grip of Suncutter as it turned into its rifle form. The sword slipped out and began to form a chakram while she said, "I'm not letting you get that relic!" She gritted her teeth.

Orchid scoffed as she readied herself and her guitar, "Please. Those two couldn't stop me. Do you honestly think you can stop me? What are you but a worthless side character to this story?"

Violet actually laughed at that, "A side character? Maybe! But you know what?" She raised her rifle, "Today, I'm stepping into the spotlight! Today…" She fired a dust round, which Orchid dodged, "Violet is the color that will shine brightest!"

Orchid smirked, "Fine. If you're so ready to die, then, I'd say it's time for a witch hunt."

And then, the song began, appropriately titled Witch Hunt.

"We're gonna make the devil- We're gonna make them pay! Just look at what they do, just look at what they say!"

As she began, she immediately fired off several sound waves towards Violet. Aura formed into a barrier in front of her before returning to her humanoid form while Violet shot at Orchid, directing her chakram towards her at the same time.

"So many pointed fingers! Pitchforks and torches! Vigilante justice! Makes the mob remorseless!"

Orchid dodged several bullets, although one caught her leg and caused her to grunt. She shot lightning from her guitar head, but it was weaker than before.

"You never look in the mirror, when there's someone new to blame! You never gotta change yourself When you gotta curse the name of your greatest foe, that you created yesterday!"

Aura took it head on and then punched outward with both her arms as they stretched outward. This took Orchid off guard, but she was able to fly above the punch Aura attempted to deliver.

"Just look at what they do! Just look at what they say!"

The fists reached back around and grabbed at Orchid's legs, causing her to look at them in shock. She emitted a pulse of wind that caused Aura to lose her grip and draw her arms back to herself.

"It's time for a witch hunt, baby! It's time to rally for the cause! It's time to prove ourselves! It's time to win applause!"

Orchid flew forward, closer to Violet, and shot several soundwaves towards the girl. Violet responded by digging her heels into the ground and gritting her teeth, fighting through the blasts and firing several dust rounds back in retaliation.

"You might think you're safe from the fire! But everyone gets their turn! 'Cause we love a good witch hunt, baby! We love to watch the "bad guy" burn!"

A Hard-Light barrier formed in front of Orchid, catching the rounds as they drew close to her. A gout of fire formed above her and shot out towards Violet, causing her to have to jump out of the wave.

"We love to be the broken hearted! We love to be the sheltered child! Now we're gonna get a little crazy! Now we're gonna get a little wild."

Those lyrics hurt Violet more than any attack Orchid could make. More than anything, they made her angry, and Aura responded appropriately by launching into the air after Orchid while Violet herself scrambled to her feet.

"We've just been waiting for the moment! Quivering 'cause we smell blood! Our love is a gentle shower, that turns into a raging flood."

Orchid created a wave of water that shot forward towards Aura. Yet that didn't slow her approach, she appeared on the other side of the wave of water and punched Orchid in the face, causing the girl to fly backward a few feet before catching herself. She continued the song, intent on not missing a beat.

"It's so much work to be the righteous! It's so hard to be so good! We're just so thankful to fight this! 'Cause no one before ever thought we could!"

Aura retreated back to Violet before reemerging in her standard combat form while Violet herself reloaded her weapon and fired more rounds towards her foe.

"But now we're gonna burn a straw man to light up the darkest night! Our hands might be a little red but rest assured, we're in the right!"

Orchid managed to evade most of the rounds, although, just as last time, one caught her leg as she tried to fly over it. She gritted her teeth, even as her aura blunted the shot. Then she aimed her guitar head towards Violet and summoned as much strength as she could to fire a powerful bolt of lightning towards her.

"It's time for a witch hunt, baby! It's time to rally for the cause! It's time to prove ourselves! It's time to win applause!"

Aura created a large barrier and tanked the hit while the sound of thunder ripped across the sky. Aura dissipated while Violet gritted her teeth, feeling much weaker. Yet her own eyes began to glow.

"You might think you're safe from the fire, but everyone gets their turn! 'Cause we love a good witch hunt, baby! We love to watch the "bad guy" burn!"

As the song drew to an end, Violet let out a powerful blast of her silver eyes. She had only intended on using it to cover her attempt to enter the Vault, but it ended up doing more than that. It caused Orchid to scream in pain and retreat with as much haste as she could manage.

By the time the light died, Violet was standing alone on the roof. She looked out across the city and gasped. The hordes of Grimm seemed almost endless, and there were plenty of bigger ones that remained, destroying buildings as they went.

She looked back towards the Vault, and in that moment, she realized what had to be done.

Violet placed her hand on the door and began to push it open.

(The following is part of the book 'Shattered Assumptions')

Neve POV

Where the streets had before been fairly sparse, they began to flood with more and more Grimm as time went on and we got closer to Shade.

Shi and I had just finished taking out another pack of Dromedaries when we heard a guttural roar. Yet, disturbingly, it didn't sound like it was coming from a beast, but a Grimm.

I mused that, really, the two could be disturbingly close to each other, even as I looked in the direction it came from. Shi and I shared a look before she asked, "Do you think it was a Huntsman?"

I looked back in the direction it came from, "I don't know, but we need to find out." The two of us began to rush towards the source of the sound. It was several streets away from where we had been before, and it became increasingly difficult to progress as we got closer to the sound.

Grimm were common, they were nothing Shi and I couldn't handle, but they slowed us down nonetheless.

I was having to rely less and less on magic, because I used it to burn through many of the Grimm in our path, but if I used too much of it I would be too exhausted for any serious problem to come our way. At that point, I was afraid to even fly, because it might take too much power and concentration. Hence, we had to walk.

When we finally arrived at the source of the sound, it had gotten much weaker and more desperate as it grasped at the last strength it had. We found the source, there, surrounded by waves of dead Grimm.

He was the last person I had expected to see killing Grimm in the midst of the city.

"Haimon Nikos?"

His armor was heavily damaged and he was lacking a helmet, but there was no mistaking him for anyone else.

His face was bloodied and had several cuts and bruises on it. As he looked at me, he smirked, "Neve Cadere. You fought with great skill when we last crossed paths…" He coughed and made to step forward, but fell on one knee, "Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm in no shape to fight."

Shi asked the question we were both thinking, "W-Why were you fighting Grimm? Aren't you… Aren't you a bad guy?"

Haimon laughed, but it devolved into a cough, "Child, you should know by now that things aren't so black and white…" He fell onto his back with his arms splayed out, "The truth is that I lost my beloved. My dear sister Pyrrha… She killed her. I've no fight left to fight."

I stepped forward and knelt next to him, "So… you're just… done? Like that? Because Astra died?"

He nodded, "What's left for me? I was brought as a carry-on because of my beloved's semblance. I was allowed to work with the White Fang because of her. I was given a second chance at life because of her…" He turned his head and coughed, blood splattering on the ground as he did so, "There's nothing left for me."

I frowned, but before I could say anything, Shi spoke with resolve in her voice, "That's not true! When we lose the people we love… It means we have to keep living for us and them." She wore a frown on her face, "If we just gave up because the one we love died… Then there'd be nobody left after a while."

He chuckled, "Keep that fire inside you, child… Perhaps…" He winced in pain, "Perhaps that's true for… most people, but… Not for me. I am… Lost. Just…" He closed his eyes, "Keep that fire within you. It shall serve you well, for… You must… fight for… your…" He took one last breath, "...Future."

He exhaled a final time, and he was gone.

Shi and I both closed our eyes and lowered our heads for a moment before I stood again and opened my eyes, "It's a tragedy, but… For some, there really is no other option. We are lucky to not be like him." I patted her on the head, "Are you okay?"

Shi remained silent for a few moments before nodding and opening her eyes, "I…I'll be fine. It's… not easy seeing someone die, but… I've seen it before." She managed a sad smile, "I'm more worried about Pyrrha…"

I could never really get over how mature she could be. I really should have been, but it was difficult, it still is, even now, "Right… We need to go to her. Shade is likely still under attack. We'll… leave Haimon here for now. Pyrrha might have some idea on what should be done for his burial."

Shi nodded and then we were off again.

From that point forward there were far fewer Grimm. I would have wondered why, but their corpses littered the ground or the smoke left from their dissipation clouded the sky above the streets. The ones we saw closest to Haimon were killed by what appeared to be blunt attacks or punches. Eventually, we reached where Haimon's swords were. He had broken them while slaying a large Beringel that was easily the size of a one story home.

I lamented, and still lament, that Haimon's life ended the way it did. Were he and Astra forces for good, they could have been invaluable allies in our fight against the darkness. Yet, there was no time to dwell on it then, we had to keep moving.

Once we reached the walls that protected Shade Academy, we found even more Grimm that lay dead. The front was deserted, but as we pushed into the courtyard we saw why.

Team JNPR plus Caine and Ozza were there, sitting down and catching their breath. They all looked incredibly tired, and Pyrrha looked distraught. Astra's corpse laid there with her eyes closed and her hands over her chest, and as we got closer we saw there were two more people.

Caine and Ozza were tending to Damian and Vesta respectively. As we approached, we were greeted by everyone. Jaune sighed in relief, "Thank the Brothers you two are here. Things have been… a little rough, if you couldn't tell."

Caine nodded in agreement, "I'm far too exhausted and injured myself to fully heal Damian and Vesta, especially with their injuries… If I tried, I'd likely perish." He seemed upset at that fact, "They've taken a lot of damage from fighting Orchid, up at the top."

Ozza added, "Y-Yeah, I think she's still fighting someone up there. I don't know who, but…" She looked up at the top of the Ziggurat, where indeed Orchid seemed to be locked in a struggle with someone, "Whoever they are, I don't think they'll be able to hold against a Maiden for very long. You need to get up there!"

I nodded and Shi started to head into the academy but I stopped her with a hand on her shoulder, "Shi. Everyone here is clearly exhausted." Not that we weren't tired, but we were better off than them, "You're the one in the best shape right now, so I need you to defend them. Okay?"

Shi looked like she wanted to argue, but instead of doing that she just nodded and, with clear worry in her eyes, said, "Be careful, okay?"

I smiled reassuringly at her and nodded, "I will." Then, I hurried off into the Ziggurat. I couldn't rely on flight, at that point my magic was really at its limits, and I didn't want to push it too far, in case I had to step in and fight Orchid myself.

The halls of Shade Academy were empty, the auditorium and the arena were filled with civilians who were being protected by teachers who had been incapable of leaving their posts. No doubt they had no clue how close the enemy had come to breaching the academy, and no doubt they had no clue that the Vault that held a weapon with the strength to destroy the city was at risk of being opened. If they even knew about the relic or the Maidens at all, of course.

The Relic of Destruction, also known as the Sword of Ozymandias, is a weapon of mass destruction. It amplified the user's abilities to superhuman proportions, but at a cost. The bodies of Humans and Faunus were incapable of truly handling the might of the weapon, and they would sustain grave injuries for its use. The sword, the legends said, would take a piece of the wielder's soul with every use.

I don't believe it did so literally, but I know that using the sword during the Great War affected Ozymandias greatly, the shock of the war, the shock of the power he held, was something he never truly recovered from. The next life Ozma lived, prior to Ozpin, suffered nightmares about the war frequently.

His was a life that Ozpin tried to forget, a life that went against our principles and our beliefs. He was hardly us, and it was in the past.

As I raced to the top of the ziggurat, I could only pray that I got there before it was too late. My heart was filled with terrible fear as my memory of what the other Caine showed me played back. I tried to prepare the city as best I could, the academy as best I could. I just hoped that would be enough.

Yet, as I reached the entry to the roof, its lock having been broken off, the silence was deafening. I pushed open the door just in time to see Violet, looking tired and worn out, brandishing the black blade of destruction. I reached out and hurriedly yelled, "Violet, wait!"

But it was too late.

She held the sword aloft while declaring, "Vacuo stands!" before a blinding silver light overtook my vision.

There is a theory in the field of psychology known as the Shattered Assumptions theory.

It posits that a sufficiently traumatic event can radically alter victims, survivors, affecting how they view themselves and the world around them. Generally, there are three assumptions that are the ones frequently brought up, called the 'assumptive world.'

Overall benevolence of the world, which was perhaps the assumption I made the least. I knew the world was rough and unfair. As I watched Violet fall to her knees, her hands going to cover her bleeding eyes, and as I hurried over to her, knelt beside her, and pulled her into a hug, I felt that knowledge get reinforced.

The world is not fair, Remnant is not fair.

The meaningfulness of the world. Everything happens for a reason, right? Good people get good things, bad people get bad things. Surely, one might think, if a person is in jail, then they deserve it, right? If something bad happens to someone else, they must deserve it.

Often, this belief is challenged by bad things happening to the person who holds it. Did you deserve what happened to you, be it something as simple as breaking your phone, or as grave as losing someone you care about, someone you love?

When I died for the first time, I was torn away from my home and my family, because I was trying to be a good person. When Shi lost her parents, when the world came tumbling down and I saw the light leave Amber's eyes, there was no way that assumption could remain. Again and again it was broken, turned to dust.

I ask you, you who are reading this, if you feel Violet deserved to lose her eyes. If she deserved to fall in love with someone like me. If she deserved to get dealt the hand that life had given her.

Finally, there is self worth. I have struggled with this greatly, all through my life. You've seen it too, haven't you? I didn't think I was worth anything to begin with, even at this point in my life, I still put everyone else above me. When I thought I had everything under control, when I thought that I was winning and I was truly worth a damn, that was when I shattered Penny. That was when Shi's parents and so many other innocents died. That was when, in spite of everything, history played out as I remembered it.

I knew that day that I wasn't worthy. As I held Violet and tried to comfort her with softly spoken words that I knew wouldn't help, I knew again I wasn't worthy. Not of her, not of Cinder, not of my friends, not of Shi. With all of the power I hold, with all the knowledge I have, how is it that I could still fail so badly?

Yet, as I looked out over the city, now devoid of Grimm, and imagined those who survived picking up the pieces and trying to regroup, I knew the world was stuck with me. In spite of my failings.

I am Neve Osiris Cadere. I am Ozpin. I am Ozma. I am not a hero. The prayers I have whispered and answered, the things I have given and taken away, the things you have read about me and will read about me. All of those things contributed to my worldview being shattered, solidified, and shattered again.

Turn to page one, and then turn back here, and tell me if you think I'm the same person as I was then. Tell me if the naive boy who, in spite of his reservations and fears, opened his heart to Cinder, who thought he could live an easy life, who thought he could run from his responsibilities, is the same as the one who tried to comfort his blinded friend.

I think, in a way, for as different as I am, as I was on the top of the Ziggurat, that some fundamental parts of me remained the same. I questioned myself in Beacon's Vault, I questioned myself there, often I still question myself. Yet, I am who I am, and there is no changing that.

I am far from a simple soul.

Violet wrapped her tail around me and I was grimly reminded of that day where I held her on the couch. The day she first started to fall for me, and I silently hoped that she would find the happiness she deserved. She did not deserve to suffer as she did, but it had happened anyway.

Because the assumption of the just world is nothing but a fallacy.

Violet, her voice broken and filled with desperate sadness, asked me, "Did I… Did I do good, Neve?"

I held her tighter, "You did great, Violet. You did amazing. You saved the city. You're a hero…"

I knew what was happening to her. The sword had left her, temporarily, completely raw emotionally. It was like stripping bark from a tree. Anyone who used it would suffer in more ways than one, if they were not meant to handle the blade.

That meant I couldn't blame her when, while sobbing and hiding her face on my chest, covering it with blood, she said in a hushed whisper, "I-I love you, Neve… I did this… for you…"

I put my hand on the back of her head as I continued to hold her. Truthfully, there was really nothing I could say, because I don't love her like she loves me. Telling her otherwise was lying in a way that I never wanted to lie, and taking advantage of her on top of that. Telling her that I didn't love her would do nothing but worsen her mood.

So, I did the only correct thing in this situation. I didn't say anything.

Magic healing was limited, but I was at least able to channel some of the magic I had to stop the bleeding. If I could use magic to restore her eyes, I would, but healing was one of the few things magic couldn't do, not without great sacrifice.

That wasn't to say I didn't have an idea of what could be done to fix this, but I didn't say anything about it yet. Providing a solution wasn't what Violet needed in that moment, she just needed to be comforted, to have someone there for her.

She whispered, "I dreamed of kissing you, once. I dreamed of a day where I'd be the one who was there for you. I dreamed of being your hero. I… I dreamed about what it would be like if Cinder wasn't there. I wanted you for myself, I was… I was being selfish. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. Cinder is my friend… I don't want to get rid of her. I'm so sorry…"

What she told me was a shock, it shook me to my core, to know that she had been suffering like that, and dreaming of something that she just couldn't have. I whispered back, "It's okay… You don't have to apologize. You can't help what you think sometimes, we're just people…"

I moved my hand from the back of her head to her upper back, "I understand how you feel… You feel worthless, like you're nobody important, but… You are important Violet. You're so very important, and… You deserve happiness."

She remained silent for a few moments before saying, "Then… If I deserve happiness… Can you… Can you do something for me? Just once?" I hummed, urging her to continue, and then she shifted slightly. She pulled away slightly from my chest, although her head was still lowered, and then she asked, "Can you… Can you kiss me? Please?"

My eyes widened and my first instinct was to reject her, but I stopped myself. At the time, I was only thinking of calming her down, of trying to make her relax, make her happy, so that she wouldn't lose herself in a pit of despair. I knew that Cinder would understand, because I knew that she and Violet had some strange understanding.

I knew that I didn't love Violet like that, and I knew that even if I did she would deserve someone better.

Yet, at that moment, I wanted to make her happy, so I simply whispered, "...Okay. Just this once. Cinder will have to be told, but… I think she'll understand." It was then that I felt the first drops of rain from above begin to descend upon us.

Violet didn't need to hear anything else. She closed the gap between us and pressed her lips against mine. I returned her kiss, and pulled her closer to me, because I wanted this to be as genuine as I could make it. Because she deserved it.

She held it for several moments, and she clearly didn't want it to end. I could tell she was making the most of it, and though I felt nothing stirring within my heart, I still tried to make it everything she could have wanted it to be.

When she pulled away, I saw how red her face was, we were both out of breath, and she promptly hid her face on my chest again, "That was… Amazing." The rain was steady now, yet I made no attempt to move.

My lips still tingled from the contact, and I felt a sense of shame within me that battled with the feeling of positivity that came from knowing I made her happy. I didn't know if I made the right choice then, and I don't know now. Maybe you think what I did was deplorable, or maybe you think it's justified, that it was the right thing to do.

Whatever the case, it's what happened.

After a few more moments, when it was clear that the effects of the sword were fading, even though they were still there, I finally started to move. I patted her back and whispered, "We need to get to the others. I'll help you get down."

She nodded and we started to stand. I grabbed the Relic of Destruction as I wrapped my other arm around Violet's shoulders to keep her steady. I stared at the blade, looked at my vision gazing back at me, and whispered, "Blade of Ozymandias… Thank you."

I knew it wouldn't be safe there, so I was going to have to take it with me. As long as I didn't draw on its power, I knew I'd be fine. I held it in one hand while my other arm was around Violet before I started to guide her down.

It was slow going, Violet could barely stand up straight, let alone walk, and without her sight it just became even more difficult. Eventually I let her borrow The Long Memory so she could have that to help guide her forward as well, and that helped alleviate the problem somewhat.

When we finally reached the ground level and entered the courtyard, I saw that groups of civilians and the teachers I had seen before stood there as well, clearly marveling at what had happened.

Caine hurried over to me with the others not far behind, "They're all gone! Is it because…" He nodded to the sword, and then glanced at Violet. I just nodded and he sighed, "I see…"

Jaune stepped forward, "Want me to help Violet?" I nodded and wordlessly let him take over supporting her. She didn't complain, she didn't say anything. I could tell she was exhausted, and she needed rest. We all did.

I had also received a text on my scroll from Lunus, informing me that he, Ruby, Jeanne, and the other members of Team RWBY were safe and that they had been battling on the perimeter walls the whole time.

I texted him our location and then put my scroll away while Ozza asked, "So… We stopped the attack, we have… That. What next?"

The question caused me to hum as I looked at the blade, "We can't leave it here. We'll be taking it with us, and…" I looked towards Violet, "We're going to have to get her some mechanical eyes, so we can restore her vision. So…"

I looked back at Caine, "We're going to help with recovery for a little while, at least until the other nations send the relief forces they promised. After that, well… We're going to lock away this sword in another Vault. It's unprecedented, but… It's the best option we have." The option to put it in the Haven vault was there, but that was much further away than Atlas was at this point, and didn't have nearly as strong defenses.

Shi had worriedly come to my side while I was talking, and she asked, "So… The one place we haven't been yet?"

Of course, she knew where we were going. Yet, I supposed she needed to hear it, "Yes…"

"We're going to Atlas."