Here we are at Chapter 88. Let's see how Velvet and the gang will hold up now that their train has crashed, and they have to take the long way to Argus now. I do not own RWBY or Tales of Berseria. They belong to their respective owners. Here's chapter 88. Enjoy.


Chapter 88: Uncovered

The group all gather around to start looking for supplies. After that train derailed and crashed because of the Grimm, they now have to walk all the way to Argus where Team JNPR should be at, waiting for them. Ruby and Velvet look around the wreckage, finding a few magazines of Dust rounds that they can use.

"Welp, our plan for getting to Argus has certainly taken a detour. How far did we get before we derailed?" Velvet asks.

"I don't know. I know there was still quite a distance to go before making it to Argus, but I'm hoping it's not too far away," Ruby replies.

"Reminds me of when Rokurou, Magilou, and I stole a ship, only for a storm to cause us to crash into the side of an island. Luckily, we met Eizen and his crew, and they gave us a ride. Of course, I doubt something like an airship is just going to pop up for us all the way out here," Velvet says as she looks back, seeing Yang struggling to get her motorcycle out of the snow. "Having some trouble over there, Yang?" Velvet calls out.

"Oh yeah, no trouble at all, except that our train is trashed, we're nowhere near Argus, we lost a third of our party, and we gained a defenseless old lady to take their place," Yang groans as she finally frees her motorcycle from the snow, only to end up falling on her butt in the process.

"I told you, my name is Maria Calavera, and I am not defenseless. I'm just a little hard of hearing, and blind without my eyes... Which are in desperate need of repair," Maria notes as she tries to fix her eyes a bit, only for them to work against her. "Okay, I'm starting to see your point," she concedes as her defense weakens.

"There's no use crying about Yang. What's done is done. We'll just have to make do and head on to Argus the old-fashioned way," Velvet says.

"Velvet's right, Yang. We won't make any progress if we are just standing here, complaining. Come on," Weiss says as she offers Yang a hand, which she accepts.

"Come on guys, we finally managed to get the Grimm off our tails, and I'd rather it stay that way, all the way until we get to Argus," Qrow says as he and Blake join them.

"Why should that matter? Apparently, we've been attracting Grimm since we left Mistral," Blake notes.

"Oh, how could we ever forget about that little issue? What happened to 'no more lies and half-truths'? I thought you said you would be straight with us from now on," Yang says, already angry again.

Oscar helps with Maria before turning back to them, "Yeah, I think it's time we all got an explanation," Oscar says before letting Ozpin take control of his body again.

"I did not lie to you. That wasn't my intention," Ozpin calmly retorts.

"Well, you certainly left out a few key details when you told us about the Relics. Come on, I spilled my entire guts to everyone about my past. The least you can do is show the same kind of respect," Velvet notes.

"And I am glad that you were honest about your origins, Miss Crowe, but you must understand, that my situation is far more complicated than yours," Ozpin says.

"Complicated? Oh please, don't even get me started about living in complicated circumstances. There's no one who could've had a more complicated situation than mine from back home," Velvet says, getting irritated.

"Please, now is not the time or the place for this," Ozpin retorts.

"NO, we're way past that crap! I want to know why you're still not willing to tell us everything!" Yang argues, getting angry.

"You owe us some answers, Professor Ozpin. After everything we've been through, and after fighting for you back at Haven, we deserve to know the truth, and I mean, the WHOLE truth," Blake stands with Yang.

Ozpin sighs, "It is true that the Grimm are attracted to the Relics. It's faint, but undeniable. I believe it has something to do with their origin, but I'm not entirely certain. Be that as it may, I felt that making you all aware of this fact would only add more anxiety and negativity to the situation, which is something I'd like to avoid, especially when we're out here in the wilderness. It seemed like the safer option," Ozpin defends his actions.

"You know, I'm getting really tired of people always deciding on what is best for me, without ever regarding my own opinions on the matter or about my well-being. I had enough of that from back home, but I REFUSE to let that stand here, even with you, Professor Ozpin," Weiss retorts.

"I agree with Weiss. I was trapped inside a cell by my own brother for three years because that was the 'role' he decided that I had to play with his messed-up ideal of reason. My fate is my own to decide, and no one can take that away from me," Velvet adds.

"That was not my intention," Ozpin retorts.

"Was it also 'not your intention' to hide the truth about Lionheart from everyone else?" Yang argues.

Ozpin turns around and start walking back, with the others following him, "Yes, in fact. I believed the Kingdom of Mistral deserved better than the truth. And I believed that Leonardo deserved to be remembered for his lifetime of service as a huntsman, a headmaster, and as a friend, and not for the unfortunate missteps he made in his final years," Ozpin retorts.

"Missteps?!" Yang yells.

"He betrayed us and led us into a trap that was meant to kill us. It was because of him stabbing us in the back that Ruby was put in danger, and Weiss was almost killed!" Velvet notes.

"How could I forget about that? I almost lost the person I love because of that bastard," Yang mutters, her fists shaking with rage.

Weiss puts her hands on Yang's to help her calm down.

"What Professor Lionheart did was wrong. I am not here to argue against that, but does one lapse in judgment really negate all of the good he did in the past? Do we not all have regrets? You may have met Lionheart at his lowest, but you did not know the man that he was before, the man I called a friend, before Salem found him," Ozpin retorts again.

"I bet he wasn't much then before Salem found him, either," Velvet mutters.

"Velvet," Ruby says.

"I'm just saying," Velvet retorts.

"Look, we're all supposed to be on the same side here, but that can't happen unless you're straight with us. You can talk to us about these things. We're not going to betray you," Yang retorts.

"Do you really think Leo was the first?!" Ozpin suddenly exclaims, shocking the group with his outburst. "That he also said that he wouldn't betray me? That he said those exact same words and promised to help me fight against Salem? I'm sorry, but you must understand; my actions and choices are backed by experience. I'm not saying that I have reason to believe that you'll betray me. I'm simply stating that I have reasons for the things that I do, the actions that I take, the secrets that I keep. That is why I... wait, where's the Relic?" Ozpin asks as he notices the lamp is not with him.

"Right here," Ruby says, holding the Relic of Knowledge up in her hands.

Ozpin sighs, reaching out to her, "Please, give it to me, Miss Rose," he asks.

Ruby, however, remains defensive as she keeps the relic close, "So, every time you talked about having faith in humanity, about seeing the good in them, that was just for us? Don't you have faith in humanity?" Ruby asks.

"Sure doesn't seem that way to me," Velvet notes as she stands between Ozpin and Ruby.

Ozpin sighs, "That is not what I meant to suggest. Please, you all must understand that the relic is a powerful item, one that I have been watching over for a long time, and I simply feel that it is my burden to bear. I do not want to put you all in anymore danger than I already have," Ozpin says, trying to be diplomatic.

"Why does it matter if Ruby carries it? You said so yourself, the relic already answered three questions in this era. It can't be used until the next lifetime, so why worry about who carries it if it can't do anything right now?" Weiss asks.

"Please, I need you to listen to me-," Ozpin begins walking towards them, only to suddenly freeze and start straining against himself.

"Oz?" Qrow says.

"Hurry... He's... trying to stop you!" the voice of Oscar suddenly says.

"Oscar? What's going on? Trying to stop us from what?" Velvet asks.

"He's afraid... you'll find out... what he's hiding!" Oscar says as he struggles to keep control of his body with Ozpin. Oscar falls onto his hands and knees, while the team form a protective wall around Ruby with their weapons at the ready. Oscar looks up at Ruby, "Her name... is Jinn... Say her name... to summon her," Oscar struggles to say.

"Her name?" Ruby questions as the wind begins to pick up.

"Jinn..." Velvet mutters to herself before looking at Ruby. "Give it a try. Let's see what happens and find out what's going on," she says.

Ruby looks from her to the lamp, itself glowing a little brighter. "...Jinn?" Ruby calls out.

Suddenly, the wind and the snow stop, but not normally. The snow stops in mid-air, like time itself has suddenly frozen.

"What is this?" Blake asks.

"Oh great, more hocus pocus," Velvet groans a bit as she feels on edge.

Just then, the Relic of Knowledge floats out of Ruby's hands into the air above them. Blue smoke comes out of the lamp and engulfs it as it spreads. A few moments later, a spirit-like figure of a semi-nude woman with blue skin and long, dark blue hair, wearing gold, ornate jewelry takes the lamp's place. The blue woman stretches and moans as if she had just woken up from a VERY long nap before she looks to the group.

"Ah, much better," Jinn says, stunning the group with her appearance. Jinn rests her chin on her hand. "So, tell me, what knowledge do you seek?" she asks a bit playfully.

Back in Mistral, Hazel, Mercury, and Emerald are at a docking port, looking for a lone airship to steal and take them back to base. Luckily for them, they manage to find one Mistralian airship that has been left alone.

"Come on, let's move," Hazel says ad the group make their move.

All-the-while, Emerald looks at the ground, lost in thought, like she's somewhere else completely.

"Emerald, you okay?" Mercury asks.

"Huh? Yeah, I'm fine," Emerald says. "I can't let this stand."

They board the airship, and Hazel takes the controls. Mercury and Emerald wait in the back, but Emerald looks outside before she looks back to Mercury.

"Time to get out of here," Mercury notes.

Without him realizing it, Emerald uses her semblance on him to create an illusion of herself sitting next to him, while she jumps off of the airship as it takes off. Once the airship begins flying, her illusion fades away, which Mercury soon notices.

"Emerald?" Mercury mutters before looking out the side of the airship, seeing her back down on the ground below. Emerald gives him one last look, before she takes off in the opposite direction. Mercury narrows his eyes at her, "You idiot... Good luck," he mutters as the airship flies off into the distance.

Meanwhile, Emerald makes her way through the docking port and back into the city.

"I owed Cinder everything, that was the only reason why I helped Salem. But, without Cinder, there's no point; Salem be damned. I will not rest until I find that bitch, Velvet Crowe, and make her pay!" Emerald thinks before disappearing into the shadows.

Later on, Emerald finds herself in another part of Mistral, now with a tanned cloak with the hood up to cover part of her face. She looks around, remembering that Cinder once told her about an information broker that lived in the darker part of town that could get any info her clients asked for... for a price. It was how Cinder had found her, actually. After using her semblance and her thief skills to steal enough money from passing civilians, Emerald made her way to said part of town, remembering where to find this broker. Little does she know, that while she's looking for someone, someone in the shadows has already found her, and casually unfurls their umbrella as they walk away.

Back with Ruby's group, they continue to stare in awe at the sight of Jinn, with Maria even trying to clean and adjust her googles to makes sure they were still working for the most part.

"I am Jinn, spirit that inhabits the Relic of Knowledge. I was created by the God of Light to aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. I have been gifted with the ability to answer three questions every one hundred years, and have knowledge on the past and the present, but not the future, for it has yet to be written," Jinn says.

"Like I said, more hocus pocus," Velvet notes.

Jinn turns her attention to Velvet, "Aw, now as the spirit that was created to aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge, I know of every person who has ever existed on this world. When they were born, when they died, and what they did in their lives, but you..." she says and floats closer to Velvet's face, making her a little uncomfortable. "You, however, are a singularity. I know not of your birth, only the days which you have spent in Remnant, and those days are far fewer than the rest of your group, and of most people on Remnant. Now I wonder, what knowledge do you possess on this subject?" Jinn asks, intrigued as she floats around Velvet.

"You seem smart enough, why don't you try to figure it out yourself?" Velvet retorts.

"Oh... but I already have... Velvet Crowe, the Therion, or in other words, the demon eater," Jinn says.

"How did you-," Velvet begins, shocked.

"Merely looking into you, I could then see all the knowledge you possess, including the knowledge of your world. To think there was another world with humans and monster dwelling within it. And to think that someone from this world would suddenly gain the ability to summon someone from your world after they died. I've never been one to be surprised, though I must admit, this is indeed a pleasant surprise," Jinn notes.

"You got a problem with that?" Velvet growls.

"Oh no, no problem at all. I've seen humans, Faunus, Grimm, animals, the Gods themselves, but never have I ever seen a real demon for myself. It's even more interesting to see a demon with your reputation and history, now that I've learned of it, falling for a human girl. This truly is quite a treat," Jinn says.

Velvet's patience is starting to run out, "Yeah, great. Glad I could give you a good time. Now how about we get back to business. Though we summoned you, we know that you can't answer any more questions this era because you already answered those three questions" she asks.

"Yes, it's just as I-," Ozpin begins.

"Shut up, Ozpin, I'm not listening to you right now," Velvet stops him.

Jinn raises an eyebrow, "Well, well, well, it's a pleasure to see you again, old man. As for your statement, that is incorrect," Jinn says.

"Incorrect?" Yang mutters.

"Yes, I can answer three questions every one hundred years, but you are in luck, as I am able to answer-," Jinn begins.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Ozpin shouts, trying to stop her.

"-Two more questions in this era," Jinn finishes.

The group look back at Ozpin, with Velvet glaring at him, "And yet, another secret you kept from us, Ozpin. Anything else you don't want to share with us?" she questions him.

Even Qrow is shocked by Ozpin's further deceit. Ozpin looks to Ruby.

"Ruby, please, don't do this," Ozpin all but begs.

Velvet stands between him and Ruby, "You're not in charge here, Ozpin. Come near here, and I'll devour you," Velvet warns him.

Qrow steps forth, "Hey-," he begins, only for the rest of the team to stand in his way, weapons at the ready. Qrow raises his hands in surrender, "Do what you think is right, kiddo," he concedes.

"...Jinn," Ruby begins and looks to her. "...What is Ozpin hiding from us?" Ruby asks her question.

"NOOOO!" Ozpin yells as he runs at Ruby, only for Velvet to get in the way.

However, everything suddenly goes white all around Ruby, with everyone gone.

"Huh? Velvet? Weiss?" Ruby calls out, only for her to disappear and Velvet to take her place.

"Ruby? Ruby!" Velvet yells out.

Yang then takes her place, "Weiss?! Ruby?!" she calls out, but then Weiss takes her place.

"Yang? Blake?" Weiss looks around the white expanse.

"Yang? Ruby?" Blake calls out.

Velvet reappears again, looking around for her friends, but then sees the scenery around them suddenly begin to change. She hears a woman humming in the background.

"Once upon a time, there stood a lonely tower of a great castle..." the voice of Jinn says. Blue smoke envelops them, changing the environment again. "...That sheltered a lonely girl..." Jinn says as Qrow takes her place, as the scenery changes into a room in the tower. Ruby takes his place as she walks up to a human woman with blonde hair, wearing a beautiful dress in front of a large mirror. "...Named... Salem..." Jinn says as the woman turns around, showing a sad expression on her face.


And that's the chapter. Velvet and the gang begin to learn the truth about Ozpin and Salem. Meanwhile, it seems Emerald is now out on her own personal quest for vengeance against Velvet for killing Cinder. Pretty easy to tell how Velvet's going to react to Ozpin once she finds out the truth that Ozpin was trying to keep from the group. How will Velvet and the others handle the truth? Will Ozpin survive if Velvet doesn't take it well? Will Emerald get her revenge? Until then, please Read and Review.