Chapter Four: Dreamers and Cynics

Cinder seethed. She was still recovering. Still adjusting.

Ruby. The silver eyed girl. It was all her fault. Cinder had been so close to— It was her fault she failed. She wanted her revenge but Salem had sent Tyrian.

If only the Invincible Girl would have died quicker. Cinder would kill her again if she could. With the Fall Maiden's power there was never a chance for her. No, even without the power Cinder would never let herself fall to someone. Which is why it was even more irritating that the Invincible Girl resisted her semblance. The moniker was meant to be through the perception of her undefeatability as Mercury discovered. It wasn't meant to be literally.

Scorching Caress was meant to burn all in her way. The metal was irritable, but had a much higher resistance to heat than the human body. Even then she should have been able to do something. The part that grated her was even with her aura broken and an arrow pierced through her chest, Pyrrha's body continued to be minimally affected. A burn that resisted and attempted to heal, and resisted spreading across her body. It was the arrow that did her in and not her semblance. Cinder's attempt at a live cremation failed and ended worse as Ruby arrived.

She hoped they gave their idol a burial, rather than cremation so that one day she could finish the job.

It made no sense but it stabbed her pride, her confidence.

The sun set and risen before Shirou gained some semblance of feeling. He needed to go back. He needed to find Pyrrha's team.

Shirou couldn't feel his feet. Couldn't feel the impact of them touching the ground with each step. Only moving each foot when he was vaguely aware that they were no longer descending, but mostly from muscle memory even as he felt an all-consuming void devour him. There were several times he lost balance, swayed like a doll a child would drag by one of its flailing limbs.

He tried to deny reality. Tried searching for anything he may have missed to make it not true. His mind shut down, not allowing his conclusions to lead to rumination much like it did with his life before the fire, but he knew the answers even if his mind wouldn't let him properly linger there.

He felt sick. A second point of sensation arose in his stomach. A flaming burn that rose up his esophagus. The other sensation was his threaded heart being cut and pulled in every direction, under threat of being dismantled completely.

It was his fault. He should have done something. He should have saved her.

His throat tightened.

He did what he always did when faced with a wall. Stubbornly drive himself forward even as his body screamed at him to give in.

Memories were brought to forth.

Setting up another bookshelf when Pyrrha had too many comics to fit. Most were stories about heroes, but there were a fair amount about friendship and romance.

It was his fault.

Watching Pyrrha with eagle eyes as she started to use sharp knives as insisted she wanted to help cook Artoria a special meal. Her eyes sparkled with delight as her mom praised her.

It was his fault.

Pyrrha running to him to give him a hug and to tell him she loved him before running off to school.

It was his fault.

Memories warped into things they were not. The scene played again but the words 'I love you' warped to 'I hate you'.

Shirou remembers a training session. 'Why? I don't want to.' Pyrrha would never have said that.

His memories twisted and twisted until he was certain it was lies, yet his brain encouraged them to be true because it was his fault. He failed. She should resent him for that. He resented himself for that.

Pyrrha didn't have much aura to start with. It was a miracle she had any. Whatever structure governed this world was likely at play for that much like how everything was more vibrant. She had a few magic circuits but he wasn't exactly the best equipped person to teach in that regard. Even with those disadvantages she wanted to become a huntress. She wanted to help.

It wasn't wrong, but he also didn't want her hurt.

She certainly inherited that from both of them – wanting to take on the burden alone.

It was his fault. It was his fault. It was his fault.

Pyrrha met and surpassed every condition they had set. He could never prove it, but Shirou thought Pyrrha's dedication and resolution shifted something in Artoria.

He even thought Pyrrha may one day reach her where he couldn't. Something he never said aloud as it wasn't a fair expectation to place on anyone. It wasn't even really an expectation, but more of an observation. He witnessed Artoria become more like the person he remembered. Either was fine but… he just wanted them to be happy.

Artoria was tormented by something and Pyrrha…

She couldn't be happy anymore.

His body felt like it was being pressurized. Like someone was squeezing all the air out of his lungs. Like his heart would literally explode. Like the blood in his veins and arteries were at a boiling point.

Pyrrha.

Pyrrha!

PYRRHA!

He needed to get back to her team. It was dangerous out here, and while they made it this far alone, there was that person who attacked a huntress and plenty of opportunistic bandits. Even if they could handle themselves the amount will wear on them with time. Plus, he needed some connection, any connection, to his daughter.

Then after he helped them he needed to find a way to get in touch with Artoria. Though, there was no way to know where she was.

One things at a time. That's what he could do.

One thing at a time.

Weiss was securely dropped off on Patch Island. The problem was now finding where those two lived. Even more troublesome that she had two suitcases, two hands, and needed one hand to use Myrtenaster which meant she kept having to drop her things to fight off Grimm.

Then she finally came across a town. She had been happy! Finally a chance to set her things down.

Weiss grabbed some much-needed coffee before asking around about Ruby and Yang to no avail which was disheartening. Even if the island wasn't big, it was still time consuming to explore without direction.

"Did you say Xiao Long?"

Weiss' ears perked when an old lady approached repeating their names. She brushed her hands down her dress to come across as more presentable to the person who could help her. "Yes. Ruby and Yang. Would you happen to where I could find them?"

"I'm not sure about those two but there's a Tai Xiao Long. He's a huntsman. Helps out from time to time, but spends most of his days teaching at Signal – well at least when they were still open."

Weiss felt stupid for forgetting. They had mention their dad and uncle teaching at Signal. It was only natural that they would live close enough for that commute. "Could you give me directions? Please." She almost forgot her manners. Ask not demand. Ask not assume.

She felt a wave of relief as she was given directions. One step closer to her goal.

She should have rested the night there though. The distance between the two towns weren't all that far, but the interruption of grimm became a huge annoyance. They should all stay down for good!

Weiss hadn't felt so tired in a long time. It was embarrassing.

It was all worth it as the world came to a stop as she spotted one of the people she wanted to see.

"Yang!" Weiss dropped her bags as she ran towards the blonde to hug her tighter. Affection she much needed at the moment and proof that she really was there. It was also a reminded that Yang lost an arm, but Weiss shoved that aside in her mind to bask in happiness. It's been a while since she's felt this happy, cementing her decision to leave home as the right decision.

"Weiss?!" Yang was beyond confused and thought she was seeing thing. Weiss should be in Atlas and yet she feels the smaller girl's arms tightly wrap around her.

"It's so good to see you."

The reality settled in and Yang hugged her back. Weiss was the team member who she got along the least with, but they were still teammates and friends. And right now she was desperate for anyone.

Pyrrha – Age 10

Pyrrha gazed up at the stars and moons. It was the rare occasion where the broken moon was at rotation to give the illusion it was full and not broken.

She felt soft fabric touch her shoulders and looked up to her dad who made sure the blanket would stay. "It's getting cool out." Argus had nice weather as a port town compared to other she's been, but the temperature still dropped at night. Dad took a sear beside her. "Something on your mind?"

"The story you used to tell me… 'The Sword in the Stone'. It's true isn't it? It's about Mom." It was a simple fairy tale like the 'Story of Seasons' or 'The Shallow Sea'. 'The Sword in the Stone' was a story about a knightly king who drew a sword from a stone, protected their land from evil, and united the people. It was a story of integrity, loyalty, friendship, and defending the weak. Normally, she wouldn't think anything of it. Fictional stories weren't real. However, Dad had been telling her more stories about Mom to comfort her and things sounded more and more familiar. Couple with how Mom never wanted to tell her that story, she was realizing a lot of things with hindsight.

Her suspicions were confirmed as Dad gawked. He quickly closed his mouth realizing the expression he made.

"You…? How did you find out?" Regardless of how famous the tales were, it had to be literally spelt out to him before Shirou put things together.

Pyrrha swung her feet and avoided his gaze. "You're…not very good with making things up."

Shirou sighed and scratched the side of his head, near his temple. He wondered how much he should admit, and what to keep hidden. Both to honour Artoria's confidentiality and to not wear down their past and choices on her.

"But I don't understand." Pyrrha twiddled her thumbs in a circular motion. "I understand wanting to bring peace, but why leave?" Dad could easily fight beside her. They could travel. It's only more recently that they settled down.

He put his hands down and leaned back with his arms as support. He looked up at the moon as if remembering something. "The story leaves a lot out." He took a moment to collect his thoughts. "It's true that she defeated her foes and brought peace to the land. Such rule brought questioning of the people when not under immediate threat. A king of virtue and honor, but they grew distant as they placed her on a pedestal. Even when betrayed she held no hatred. She didn't even consider it betrayal."

It had been a surprise when Shirou reunited with Artoria on Remnant. She had always been radiant in appearances and ideals. A crystalized legend he once never thought he would meet. A legend he could never touch. However, there was a gap between the Artoria he first met and the one he met here. Most heroic spirits were copies of themselves, but Artoria was different. She was herself. After the Battle of Camlann but before reaching Avalon. Something consistent from when he knew her, but she hadn't participated in the Fifth War. Shirou thought she had accepted her end. Happy to have done all that she could, if wanting to do more, but willing to indulge her emotional side after doing all she could have done. Unfortunately, he missed the inner turmoil she experienced until years later. It wasn't that she disliked their time together. He refused to believe that. Artoria had been battling against her ideals.

Pyrrha didn't understand. She wanted to be closer to the people she admired. Why would people grow distant?

"There was no true winner. In the end, they say her weapon was given back to the Lady of the Lake and the fairies brought her to Avalon."

"The end?"

Ah, he spoke too much!

Pyrrha frowned. That was too sad.

"She hasn't reached Avalon yet, so it's not really the end." Shirou thought he was making it better, but his words did nothing to lift Pyrrha's mood.

She didn't understand how Dad could know the end to Mom's story if she was still out and about. "Like a final destination?"

Shirou no longer trusted his words. "Like fate I guess." Linearly, it should have already happened, but Artoria currently existed outside that.

"Then I don't like fate."

Shirou wrapped an arm around her and pulled her in. "Then what if we think of it differently. I, Shirou, whatever universe it may be, will always want to save someone." He felt confident in that. The same motive and path didn't have to lead to the same end destination. That's what he learnt. "A sentiment, no, a goal I'll achieve no matter what. Something I'll spend my entire life working towards."

"I like your version better."

Pyrrha once again questioned whether Mom needed to go so far off alone. Wasn't wanting to bring peace good enough? Wasn't being surrounded by love good enough? She didn't need to do things alone.

She looked back up at the moon wondering if Mom was looking at it too.

Nora never wanted to be scared or weak again. She certainly wasn't going to succumb just become some man ran at their group with intentions to hurt them. Even if he was fast, flexible, unpredictable, was clearly leagues better than them, seemed way too enthusiastic attacking people probably half his age—

Nope. Buckle down because she refused to budge an inch. She raised Magnhild up, prepared to use it to attack or defend.

He wanted Ruby, but she wouldn't let that.

They fought and he mentioned something about serving his goddess.

They continued fighting but they couldn't land a clean hit. Everything was blocked or dodged, even using momentum to use their attacks against them.

Ruby's aura broke and the tension Nora felt increased tenfold. She wouldn't be able to get there in time!

Nora was surprised and relief as a man stepped in. Black hair. Red eyes. She faintly remembers that man from the Vytal Festival. A video had spread of him and a white hair woman fighting – and it was awesome! Oh, right. And she had seen him briefly with Ruby and Yang.

"Salem."

"Who?"

Nora shared Ruby's sentiments, but was too happy to have backup to care at the moment. Beat the bad guy now. Ask details later!

The two men moved at speeds that Nora required lightning to even consider keeping up. Still, she looked for any opening and acted when she could.

"Don't come closer."

Ruby took to the roof to try and help and Nora remained where she was trying to think what to do. Their skills clearly didn't match, but it felt horrible to just stand there. Their strengths were matched so it only made sense they try to help to tip the scales somehow, but they also couldn't get in the way.

Nora did enjoy the way the guy on their side punched the baddie before he retrieved his weapon.

Her eyes were glued on the fight. The only reason she saw it coming was because of how the bad guy reacted. He stopped the swing of his stinger to create a lot of distance.

It appeared in a flash. Several projectiles hitting the space where the faunus stood only seconds before.

What the?

He arrived a moment later in a blur. It was the air headed forest man! He landed next to Scythe Man wielding a sword. It weirdly reminded her of Jaune's sword. Blue handle. Golden hilt. Only it was like a hundred times more decorative, even along the blade. Even standing far enough away the blade practically glowed and made Crocea Mors look yellow in comparison. Even in the dire situation, it was hard to look away from the dazzling weapon.

"What's going on?" His voice angry and stern.

No longer was he the fool mindlessly out in the forest unwilling to talk to them.

"Look who came back. Sure you want to stand that close?" Wait? Did they run into each other earlier?

"I'm not in the mood for games. My luck can't get worse." Nora watched as Sword Man scraped his foot along the ground to stand in a better stance. "Especially not now. I've got some steam to blow off."

Artoria stared in wonder and despair as her hand shakily reached out to the item she hadn't seen in a long while.

It couldn't be true.

She now felt even more responsible.

Excalibur's scabbard, Avalon.