Chapter Forty Five: Still Wind

Dust kicks up along the long roads in the near wasteland. The van roves through the southern Mistral territories. For once, Carmine is the driver! The boy maintains a focus on the road, somehow still hitting every bump-

BUMP!

The speed going over the bump bobs each of the four occupants in their seat!

Neo latches onto the back of Carmine's seat in a flinch. Blinking, she pokes his neck, earning a tickling wriggle. "Shut up! I know."

Blair straightens the papers in her hands in the passenger seat. "Do you? Calm down and try to smoothly avoid bumps." The blonde then sends a gaze to Neo. "Don't distract him... please." The plight fell threateningly as Neo pouts and slides back behind the boy.

Behind Blair, Roman grumbles, rolling his window down to flick cigar ash out. "Yes, Neo. Don't hurry us to our deaths. I living." He then speaks up for Blair. "Stellar results Driving Instructor Barbie. Now, I'm terrified of when Neo gets her turn."

"If you complain so much, then you can teach her." Blair fires back. Neo lights up and sends a bright smile at Roman. Sure, that doesn't offer mischief at all. "Besides, you let Carmine drive."

"Barbie, I was stabbed through the thigh! And not in our personal vehicle, thank you." Roman spits back defensively.

"Think we're due for a trade in." Carmine mutters.

"Let's get through you and Neo beating the hell out of this thing before we grab something new." Roman puts in. Blair nodding with him.

Bzzt

Carmine's scroll, locked into the console. All eyes go to the radio screen of the console, letters flashing across. Carmine slows the van, grimacing.

Incoming Call: Cane Man

All staring, Roman snorts. "THAT'S how you have him listed?"

"Well, I can't exactly let someone take my scroll and see Professor Ozpin on it, can I?!" Carmine retorts, wincing after. "I'll answer. None of you say anything." He sends a look to Blair who nods. To Roman who shrugs. To Neo, who smirks. "Especially you." The girl recoils at the mute joke, sticking her tongue out.

Carmine hits the answer button on the console. "... Hi?" His voice hesitantly comes out slightly higher. He ignores Roman's face palm. "What's the matter?"

"Hello, Carmine. I trust you've been well?" Ozpin's voice sounds through the speakers. Blair narrows her gaze at the console, Neo tilting her head recalling the man's voice. Roman is the most passive.

"Bout as well as can be expected. You didn't answer though. Is something up? I'm not due for another forced report for a week still." His tone is curt. Clearly irritated.

"Possibly an overreaction, but I had Professor Port attempt to contact Mr Buchanan of Eagle Services. Ordinarily, response is immediate, but we've yet to receive contact in 18 hours."

Carmine scrunches his brow. He mouths to Blair. 'Who?'

Blair rolls her eyes and mouths back 'Dory's last name.'

That gets a curt glance back to the console. He opens his mouth to speak, but Ozpin talks again. "He goes by Dory, if you're purely on a first name basis."

The boy snaps his mouth shut, embarrassed blush lighting across his face. "I-I knew that." He ignores the faint snicker from Roman. "But... that's definitely odd. He's too skittish to outright ignore a call." He looks back to the road. "Actually, we're on our way to Mibu now for supplies before our next job. We can check in and let him know to contact Port."

"Indeed. Please ensure he is well. I believe his... skittish nature as you put it may have justification." Carmine opens his mouth to say goodbye, but Ozpin continues. "Also, remember to use our resources if you need it. Dangerous times call for increased caution."

Carmine rolls his eyes before responding. "Yeah, I know." He pauses in thought. "Actually, if you could send me some maps of a lot of the abandoned settlements south of Vale, that'd be great. I know many are classified since they never got anywhere, but... yeah. Big cities too."

"Of course. Should you require assistance? I believe Mr Port is ava-" Blair flinches and starts cutting her hand over her throat and shaking her head. "-ilable if you require the aid."

"Nope! Nah. We're good! Thanks for asking!" Carmine answers in a near panic. "Talk to you later!"

The abrupt rush to end the call reaches the other side as Ozpin replies, amused. "Very well. Give Misses Goodwitch, Rhodes, and Mr Torchwick my regards."

"Yeah. Bye!" Carmine hangs up on the man and sighs. He looks back to the road and continues the drive. "Kill me."

"A touched concerned to be on Old Man Superior's radar. Also flattered." Roman speaks up. "You look so happy to be mentioned Barbie."

Blair sends a glare through the rear view mirror. "Yes. I'm positively elated." She sarcastically drawls. "Error on my part or no, I've no interest to speak to him."

Neo looks between them all before shrugging and signing. "I think it's near to be recognized."

"Yeah, shocks me that he remembered you so well." Carmine smirks at her through the rear view. "Maybe you're that good at making impressions." Said girl gives a cocky smile before he continues. "Only a few miles off still." He makes the next turn. "What you think has gotten into Dory this time?"

"Name a thing." Blair and Roman say simultaneously, Neo deflating with them.

Carmine chuckles as they begin on the last stretches. Ahead, they should find the bridge crossing a canyon downward and showing the cliff face cave entrance to Mibu. He smirks and bobs his head to Blair. "Think Rama or Master Kourii would be willing to look over my armor idea?"

Blair flips a page in hand, raising a brow. "It couldn't hurt to ask. The dust siphoning from the enclosed cylinders is the primary issue. I believe I can craft the necessary lines, but I'm having issues determining how to hide the new pieces in your current three configurations."

Neo hums, caressing Hush in her hands and grinning at Carmine through the rear view mirror. He notices and chuckles. "Yes, you got defense and subversion, but come on... GUNS!" He lifts his voice with excitement. "I mean, come on. Put, like, a mini cannon along the inner shaft of hush with a switch in the handle so, instead of the blade sticking out the parasol, a gun barrel can come out and- POW!"

Roman snorts. "So, you want her to do what Velvet Valentine does with one shot in the chamber surprise?"

Carmine cracks a wide grin, releasing one hand from the wheel, turning, and finger gunning at Roman. "Hell yeah-"

"HANDS ON THE WHEEL!" Blair snaps at the boy. Carmine whips back forward, clutching the circular control like a life line. His wide, horrified eyes watch the road.

Behind them, Neo sends a worried glance to Roman and signs. "Don't be like her, please."

Roman snorts. "Right..."

Far off, Roman eyes the pillar arches marking the top side of the canyon bridge. Less than a mile off. He almost puts out of mind... but wait... His eyes squint. One of the sides was gashed. Sure, it's midday, but the lanterns are also missing. Not just unlit. Missing.

Neo raises a brow seeing the forming scowl. The conman straightens up in the seat beside her. Unable to just ask, Neo follows his gaze to the far off arches poking out over the top of the canyon.

"Seriously, you can lay off a wee bit, Blair. I'm in complete control." Carmine assures the woman in a light tone. Unlike Roman and now Neo, his attention is divided between the actual road and the woman beside him.

Blair rolls her eyes up from the paper schematics of Carmine's armors. "Ah yes. Tic Tacs won't kill him. I will just scatter a bag across my bed." She gives him a side glare. "Being able to be stupid and get away with it does not suddenly make it not stupid."

Carmine blushes and hunches in his seat. "Sh-shutty..."

The van reaches the arches, moving under them onto the bridge. Neo gasps behind the boy, but he's yet to notice. As the van crosses the bridge, Neo reaches around the seat to nudge the boy, but he plows on with his statement. "At least use an appropriate level of anger. I doubt that needs an 11 out of-"

In the middle of the bridge, a large scorched hole marring the path! Carmine jerks the wheel, swerving around the mark before screeching to a halt! The hard stop pulls all four occupants forward before they slam and settle back in their seats.

Carmine and Blair both look out, slowly raising their gaze beyond the end of the bridge...

The gates in the side of the canyon cliff face... they're broken down. Scorch marks mar the bridge and the gate. The bodies of two regular masked guards lay about.

The lead weight of the scene drops, his gaze widening in shock. Sucking in a breath, his jaw drops. Neo's own expression mirrors his. Blair's own mouth parts, but she composes herself and scans the area. Roman ahead of her.

"No..." Carmine whispers out, exiting the vehicle.

"Carmine, wait-!" Blair tries, but the boy is already out. "For the- Roman, anything?" She asks, opening her door.

"Nothing outside." He reports. "Neo, keep Silver Streak covered." He advises, then notices Neo still blinking at the bodies. She shakes herself and nods, sliding out and running after the boy.

All four out of the vehicle, Carmine comes to a stop by the nearest of the bodies. He pushes aside the attention to the blood. Enough to notice that it was flaking. Dried. He brushes the shoulder of the body. "Shit..." Neo comes to a stop by him, scanning the area before sending a worried glance. "Cold and stiff. Blood is dried. This has been here a while..."

"Guess we found the reason Dory hasn't been chatty." Roman mutters. The comment spurs Carmine on to enter the dark abyss of the gate opening. Roman raises a hand. "Silver Str- Dammit!" The three move after the boy into Mibu itself.

. . .

Dead.

Carmine runs through the dark underground town. The lines that used to hold lanterns above were burnt out or cut down. Even in the dark, Carmine could see some of the buildings burned, others collapsed. The stench of the town's deposits and industry were overpowered by the new scent. Rot.

Another body heaped against another shredded wall. A child. Carmine approaches and turns the stiff shape-

He recoils upon seeing the mess that used to be the child's cheek. This boy is long dead... Shit...

Using his scroll as a flashlight, he keeps Heulin Noon raised. The distraction of the smell is nauseating. Another light pulls his attention, Neo reaching him. Her stone face grimace and wide eyes were mirrored by his. She shakes her head.

Both turn as Blair approaches, Fluorescent Finish fitted with White dust to shine bright all around them. "I checked the North wing. Eagle Services was completely destroyed and burned down. As were the storehouses."

Neo darts a worried look at Carmine as he tenses. "... Found anyone we know?"

"No." Blair glares around them. "Once we're scoured the town, we should bury the dead." Neo flinches at that, sending a glare back and waving her arm around. The blonde nods. "Right. AFTER we've searched for survivors."

"Who could've done this?" Carmine asks softly. Anger bleeds out when he chokes on a breath. "It's an entire town of warriors with legendary weapon creations! You don't just disappear that!" His voice raises, but he stops further shouting.

Neo and Blair share a look, the teen pointing to the bodies and then the direction of the West wing entrance. She then signs. "Any outsider bodies?"

"None thus far." Blair pauses to sigh. "Very unlikely that any rival clan or bandit groups could do this with no casualties. Even Atlas, if it wanted to wipe out the place would leave SOME casualties, scrapped robot troops even."

The three begin walking into the South wing, the direction to the temple. "So... this could all just be Grimm? They can decay really fast, so the dead Grimm from a horde wouldn't still be here."

"Maybe..." The blonde hesitates to answer. "But a Grimm horde just leaving bodies without consuming them isn't very likely." They see the light from Roman's scroll ahead. Approaching, she continues. "Not to mention that I haven't picked up on any communications cross continents about any roving or forming horde."

A lull in the conversation leads Carmine to voice softly. "Maybe a rare type Grimm?"

Now close enough to catch the topic, Roman cuts in, looking back from a gashed open corpse in front of him. "Tough sale. Don't think Grimm do that." He thumbs up to the large gate ahead.

The CRBN members stop, shining their lights towards the gate. One of the two gate doors is collapsed inward. The other is scorched. However, the shadows against the gate pull their gazes up further. Carmine and Neo both flinch. Blair grimaces.

Shadows of four bodies are cast from their lights. Four bodies, each covered in wounds and each hung by the neck. Nooses are tied around their throats, leaving them drifting aloft over the gate entrance.

Each of their torsos are gashed open with a letter. C... R... B... N...

No... The chill washes through the boy. No way AZRL did this. Neo shakes lightly before steadying herself against him, but his legs feel weak as well. This happened because of them. Roman sighs. "Well, this explains some things." He mutters. "We're not at the end of the rabbit hole yet, though."

The four enter the gates of the temple. Sure enough, bodies lined the shrinking walk way further and further on the path to the oasis. However, getting into the oasis garden itself was another gut punch.

The beautiful cavern oasis and waterfall remained... but the garden itself was scorched, shredded, upended, and littered with corpses. The concrete bridge leading to the main temple. The soft light peaking and bathing the oasis in blue natural light paints a somber picture.

The four enter the temple... opening the door to the main meeting room.

Neo flinches back, gasping loudly as she had been the first into the room. The long table center of the room is broken in half. On the far side of the room was a body, pinned to the wall with a long blade. Long hair, lifeless red eyes.

Master Kourii.

. . .

Hours passed. The CRBN members had found no survivors. That being said, they also knew a large number of faces hadn't been left behind. Tora, Ururu, Rama, Dory, Zaku, Kirran... None of them turned up. No, before they could pursue them, they needed to honor the dead.

The oasis was holy to these people, so a funeral pyre inside seemed the most appropriate . Only... getting rather crowded. Using the wood from the collapsed buildings, they'd situated multiple large wooden beds across the oasis.

The last pyre is loaded up with the last of the bodies... Master Kourii's placed atop it.

Blair made it a point to check each corpse for a pattern of injury. Each and every one had little deviation from the last. Lacerations. Large vicious slashes. Perfectly cut. AZRL typically uses men with guns, but all of these were clearly sword wounds. Some were more viciously attacked than others. With a sigh each time, Blair took the time to close each person's eyes for them.

Neo stands, eyes locked on the Master atop the main pyre. Her hands clench around Hush in her hands. The last weapon ever forged by the man on the pyre. She shudders. As if... she'd holding the last piece of that man. She stops a tear from forming, looking down.

She casts a gaze to the waters.

Carmine is viciously scrubbing at his arms. His breath is choppy with effort. He'd been doing so since bringing the last body. She really wishes he could stop when he starts that. Still, she lets him continue. Blair had said something about coping mechanisms to her before. Give five minutes, and if he doesn't stop, step in.

Roman grimaces nearby. "Well? We ready to send them off."

Blair stands up, sighing. "Allow me to do one final check." She marches from the oasis, leaving the temple path and standing out into the town of Mibu.

Kneeling down, she closes her eyes, allowing her semblance to flow. A dark shroud around her pulses violet before spreading. Barely visible. A faint shift before the energy dilutes enough to be invisible.

Sensory. Her semblance interacts with Aura, so if any life exists, she should feel it. Just as in Sanctuary, she scans the area. Unlike then, she gets no feedback. She sighs. Shutting her semblance off, she returns to the oasis. Once returned, she nods to Roman. The conman watches as Neo gets up to grab Silver Streak's attention and stop the scrubbing. Carmine removes his raw hands from the water, taking a deep breath before giving a curt nod.

Roman nods back and places a hand on the pyre. Using his own semblance, he sparks and slowly forms an ember, lighting the corner of the pyre. He moves on the the next pure, igniting it. Then the next. Then the next. And the next after that.

Finishing, all the pyres have begun to fill the room with heat. The cracks in the ceiling of the cavern letting through the blue light should allow the carbon dioxide to escape. The four CRBN members step back.

"We need to see where they may have escaped to." Carmine's hoarse voice calls. He looks to them. "Tora once said the waterway leads to an escape tunnel that runs for a few miles. We should follow it and see if we can find survivors."

Blair nods. "CCT coverage will get spotty. Be sure to use radio function if needed." She looks to Roman, who nods.

"Right, I'll get the van and head around to the other side of the canyon where I can." Roman responds.

Blair looks to Carmine. "Go with Roman. We don't need anyone alone, and we can't just leave the van behind."

Carmine parts his mouth to complain, but stops. He nods. "Neo, Blair. Be careful please." He and Roman leave around the growing fires, leaving the two girls alone in the oasis. Neo spares a look at the pyre, sighing.

"So, water way. The escape tunnel is in here." Blair looks around. The blonde looks into the waters before softly hopping from the concrete bridge. Splash, the woman lands in the water up to her waist. Not deep. She wades through the pond, searching for something, anything that looks like an opening. A drainage way that would carry water...

Neo drops into the water. Her less substantial height bringing the water to her chin. She blinks in shock before huffing. Glancing about, she looks under the concrete bridge... spotting a stone etched surface... She reaches for it, feeling what's in the shape of a handle.

Raising a hand, she snaps her fingers, getting Blair's attention. The two look down at the hatch, and Blair nods, lightly patting Neo on the head with a down smile. "Good work Neo." Before reaching for the hatch, the blonde spares a look. "Are you okay to continue?"

The girl looks up at her before giving a nod. She raises a hand to sign. "The first time in years someone who was kind to me passed."

Blair nods. "Understandable. We can take a second more."

The girl shakes her head, looking back and raising a thumbs up. Blair smiles, reaches into the water, gripping the handle and turning it. Both girls feel a greater pull into the 'drain' of sorts as they hold onto each other. Then they drop in.

. . .

Outside Mibu, Roman and Carmine step out onto the bridge to the van. Roman stops, using his hand to stop Carmine as the two of them scan the canyon around them. A moment later, Carmine mutters. "I don't see anything. You?"

Roman narrows his gaze, but shakes his head. "... Nothing. Come on." He walks to the van. "You gonna notify Old Man Superior?"

Carmine moves to the passenger side, sighing. "I'll wait until we have survivors or not. I'll lookout." The two enter the vehicle, revving the engine before Roman turns it around to drive off...

Neither notice the small metal ball, the size of a marble, stuck to a groove within the vehicle roof. The metal piece blinks with a red light...

. . .

The two glided over the stone. The water flowed on and on as the girls struggled to grasp their surroundings. Neo yips as suddenly there is no more stone beneath her before she lands in a still body of water. Blinking underwater, she sees a rather smooth stone surface a few feet below her. Gauging the pool's size, she surfaces in a wide birth of water.

The water flows softly forward to another stream. It was another cave, small glowing moss barely leaves the new environment visible. The cave is wide enough for the girl to reach for land and exit the water.

Blair breaks from the water after her, quickly sending a sullen look at the girl. "I was never a girl for water slides." The remark gets a breathy chuckle from the mute. Neo mimes a tear fall at the blonde, getting a small glare. "We can't all be thrill seekers."

Neo allows a soft smile. At least Blair made this easier. The two girls continue down the cave, not truly needing their lights to see thanks to the moss.

While not overly large, the cave had enough space for periodic works along the walls. Cave art constructed from the moss itself. It was the lore of Mibu's temple practice, depicting the animals of the four winds. She recognizes the Drake, Tortoise, Liger, and the Phoenix. However, the glowing works depicted each animal around a silhouetted person.

"Interesting." Blair comments as they pass. Neo sends a curious glance, warning a head shake from the blonde. "I had my suspicions when we first arrived in Mibu years ago. That their practice around these four pillars they call winds, or animals, was very familiar." She nods to one of the art works. "Pay close attention to each of the figures tied to the animals."

Neo huffs, tongue and cheek, but does so. Each of the four silhouettes under each spiritual beast has different hair, but each clearly wears a moss glowing covering active as clothes. Depicted with long hair and coverings over their chests. A strange thing, as most warriors depicted in these pictures clearly are shirtless, or simply left undefined.

She signs. "They're clothed?" Blair nods for her to continue, so Neo slowly signs out. "Girls?"

The blonde nods. "Exactly. They're all women... I believe their Four Winds is actually an offshoot of the Tale of Four Maidens." The two pause as the cave path crosses over the waters as the stream goes further under ground. Blair smiles to herself. "So, let's test how much attention you pay, Neo. Which Maiden would be the North wind?"

The girl whines... not enjoying or being in the mood for a pop quiz. Huffing, she looks at the moss arts, seeing the animals... The one shaped like a dragon, the Azure Drake... was the North Wind...

She blinks. The North wind was based in the industrial center of Mibu... How was it described? 'Whose guidance facilitates our progress' or something. It was ingenuity... She blinks in realization and signs out. "Winter. Creation."

Blair's smile was genuine. Happy that the girl didn't shut out her lessons. "Perfect. And how would you assume a maiden of the South wind would be?"

Well, gee. Soft ball. Given the rule of opposites from the maiden tale, Neo matches that up with the South Wind's red phoenix. An animal that is always reformed from... "Destruction. The Summer maiden." She perks slightly. The south wind had also been about revival and survival.

"'Before creation comes destruction.' I'm glad you remembered that." Neo glows at the praise. "Which would leave the Spring maiden of knowledge." She pauses to glance at the depiction of the golden tortoise. "The West wind was based in connection and resource, while the Eastern wind, the Liger, was based on self strength and conviction... In other words, the Fall maiden of choice."

Neo pauses in thought on that... Wasn't there more to it? She signs. "What about the other things?"

"I don't follow." Blair politely states.

With little else to say, the teen signs out individual letters for the proper noun. "Vaterra?"

Blair lights up in recollection. "Mm! The seven chaos... No, I believe this off shoot religion is based purely off the maidens, unlike the ancient works in the floating mountains where many tales were given." Blair returns a gaze.

Neo nods as the two begin to walk in silence. A minute passes as the path eventually finds the underground stream again. The air shifts lightly. An air current? Perhaps the cave is closer to the surface than it appears?

The silence is broken as Blair speaks softly. "Would you like to hear the tale?" The innocent question helped. In fact, while aware of Mibu's destruction, Neo's mind was being drawn more away from the topic. The girl knows this... and is thankful, smiling and nodding.

"The Tale of Seven Chaos." Blair starts, satisfied to get the girl's attention. "Depicts the seven pillars of what we perceive as reality. Each pillar stands as a source of what paints what you know, I know, what is true, and not true about the world." She pauses for processing, then adds. "This tale operates under the assumption that all other tales are either originating from here, connected, or an offshoot of this."

Neo recalled a symbol on the Vaterra architecture. A six point star with a symbol in each point, with one last inside the center.

Blair continues. "Six pillars connected in a common function: to define life. So, one must ponder the structure that life takes. And what makes such formations structured? Dichotomy." Blair smirks. "Since we already know this one, let us begin thus. Before creation comes destruction. The essence of what we would come to call the Summer Maiden was the power of destruction, deconstruction... Something we see a lot of these days."

The girls gaze trails off, but Blair softly continues. "And through that deconstruction... come the materials to create something anew. The build back stronger, better. To create." She rests a hand on the girl's shoulder. "From a physical sense of rebuilding a ruined city... to being able to form new connections after losing those you had."

Neo feels a slight blush, but raises her off arm to pat Blair's arm in reciprocation. She gets it... Even if Mibu is entirely gone, something new can come from this tragedy. A rather... optimistic thought. She isn't fully sold, but smiles and nods to Blair to continue.

Blair smiles. "Though, that only covers one dichotomy. The ability for the world to shift and change via these two forces. HOW the world changes is another thing altogether. So, with the physical means set, now comes the will to do so. The pillar of knowledge, ability for thinking, living things to retain information, to build further upon winter's creations."

"But with that knowledge, one would think life would become static. That all decisions would come down to statistical probability and the making of the same decisions. Nihilism bred from limitation. Limitation by knowledge... I don't necessarily agree, but..." The blond notices a sly grin from the girl. "Well, then there must be knowledge's counter. Choice... free will to choose alternative outcomes."

Blair continues. "And so, the cycle of civilization is made... From the save barbaric beginnings from Summer, to the will to survive and strive by choice, to the retaining of experience, creation, and innovation, and building of knowledge, to the corrupted power knowledge has bringing upon ourselves limitation and ruin. And thus, from ruin, the cycle would begin again. This cyclical relationship is why we choose to name these forces after the four seasons."

"Many would end the tale at the four initial forces, but the seven chaos theory claims that it is merely the tip of the iceberg. For another dichotomy must be placed to allow the cycle to change, to allow the cycle to continue on if under any circumstance the world becomes engrossed in one force..."

She pauses, and Neo has to wonder if she was done talking. She glances up at Blair, who takes a breath. She signs. "So... the brothers made a cycle that endlessly repeats? That's dumb." She pouts before signing again. "So what? The world gets caught in one force, like destruction, then what stops that?"

The blonde smiles, amused. Neo realizes Blair was holding off to garner engagement. Bitch! "Why, forces of the brothers themselves." She simply utters, grabbing the girl's attention. "Good and evil. Or, rather, virtue and purity vs corruption."

"Should the world reach a robotic utopia, the selfish interests of man would force the abuse of knowledge to turn the wheel. So too, should the world devolve into chaos and destruction, it will only bring about heroes who will put their lives at stake to guarantee others survival. Their selfless sacrifice will endure destruction to allow creation to take over."

"And these two forces manifest themselves as two tales, interconnected, yet both shrouded in speculation. Corruption of life creates fractures in the life cycle... known as Grimm." Neo blinks in surprise. "And purity manifests in the heroes to quell these beasts. In other words, the Silver Eyed Maiden."

Neo blinks. As if sensing the thoughts, Blair nods. "It is believed that all documented sources of 'magic' are connected to at least one of these six pillars."

The teen squints. Then scowls at Blair. She signs. "Seven?"

Blair hums. "Not many have a clear idea of it. Some believe the seventh pillar is the brothers themselves. Others says it is the void of space that allows the existence of all the others to take place. Others say it is the source of ourselves." She taps her own chest. "The soul, able to be molded uniquely by the world. Itself, like each of the other pillars, a source of magic to the universe around us."

"What do you think it is?" Neo signs out, curious.

Blair huffs in a now disinterested tone. "I don't believe in magic."

Neo trips forward, face hitting the ground as Blair politely steps around and walks ahead. Neo flips back to her feet, now heated and gesturing her hands lightning fast in front of the woman!

"I believe that all things called 'magic' are simply forms of science not discovered yet. So, until we have formed the proper techniques and equipment to analyze these fairy tales, I lack an opinion." Blair sees the mute's jaw drop. Expected after Blair talked her ear off about legends for ten minutes.

The blonde sighs. "But... these tales may be true... if untrue, they instill pride, motivation, and yearning to improve. Who am I to take that away from anyone? Besides... maybe you can find something in them that I can't." She allows a smile for the younger girl.

Like believing that something can come from ruin... Neo thought about that. It was interesting... and lifted her thoughts. Maybe she's right? Neo smirks and looks back, signing. "You're totally a Spring maiden girl."

"I highly doubt that I will bring about ruin with knowledge." She briefly looks away, recalling Beacon... "Fine, a fair point little winter maiden." She pulls out her scroll, activating a radio setting. "Let's find an exit so we can start getting a signal out. No more time for fairy tales."

. . .

Daylight broke and stung the girls eyes. The cracks leading to broad daylight break next to a small drop off. The stream falls into an open pond that bleeds into an oasis in the arid outdoor climate. Must have been two miles out. Low altitude, as Blair sees the rising landscape on all sides but to the South.

The oasis ahead was wrapped with animals of the near savanna. Zebra herd and an odd hippo, either drinking or basking in the waters. Neo and Blair scan the dirt ahead, spotting wet tracks by the water heading East. Going on the trek, Blair pauses, going ahead and reaching out with her semblance to detect any aura nearby.

Neo fiddles with Hush for a moment until Blair finishes. "Nothing human nearby, but we know they went this direction." She kneels and judges the tracks. "They would have been soaked in water as we are, and these tracks are rather muddy. A large amount of citizens made it out of the village as we thought."

Neo breathes in relief. Confirms that they weren't captured, anyway. Wouldn't wish that hell on the Mibu clan. Or anyone for that matter. The teen begins walking ahead and opens Hush as a parasol, shielding herself and Blair from the sun.

Blair nods. "The village was destroyed at least yesterday, possibly earlier." The blonde pauses in thought. "They have no means for long standing travel with such an escape route... Vehicles left this far out would be subject to damage from the elements or animals. So, they would need a secondary location of shelter..."

The teen nudges Blair before wagging a her scroll in her off hand.

"True... Having the ability to call for assistance is key for recovery." Blair looks to a nearby high rock. "Get me up there." Grasping hands, the two teens leap high into the air.

Neo uses Hush to catch the air, drifting the two to land on the high ground. Blair lands and takes in the surroundings lands. "The CCT tower closest to here would be East. Any further West, and we would guarantee no response if the village's own CCT was shut off. That leaves two options. They have a secondary CCT station hidden at a recovery location, or the recovery location is like a bomb shelter to wait out the storm."

She pulls her own scroll up, activating the radio function. A thought occurs. "We've never set radio designations..." Neo raises a brow with a smirk before Blair's shoulders sag with a sigh. She activates the radio. "... Barbie one to... Bowler hat three. Do you copy. Over."

Neo snickers, unable to hold it in. Blair glares. Such embarrassment is something she thought she left behind at the academy.

. . .

Driving along the edge of the canyon, the ravine finally closes, unifying both sides as the van curves around. The radio sounds off as Blair's traffic comes across. Carmine and Roman both snap their gazes at their scrolls. Roman smirks.

"Handsome Devil one to Blonde Bimbo One, we copy." Carmine spit takes his drink out the window. "Any sign of the unhappy? Over."

"Is this the time to piss her off?" Carmine asks incredulously.

"Just lifting the tension. Can't have you saps distracted in sorrows when business comes down." Roman responds candidly.

"I'm going to kill you someday. Over." Blair's voice calls out through the scroll speakers.

"Alternate stance. We could end up wasting our brain power trying to make sense out of you. You gods damned asshole." Carmine smiles as he finishes the statement, but activates his radio. "Don't kill him. We need him. What do you have? Over."

"Don't apologize for the criminally stupid. Just follow my directions..." The blonde cuts off before huffing out. "Over."

Roman cracks a smile. "I think she likes me."

Carmine's lips purse as he sends a dull look. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."

. . .

The two girls come to a stop at the base of a mountain. The tracks had mostly faded out, but the two were able to keep a focus on where they led. And now came a challenge. The path splits. Tracks lead up onto rocky land leading up the mountain. Another set of tracks lead downward, more mud covered, leading to a dip in the land by the mountain where the land mass is almost an eight degree cliff face.

The dip surely leads to another water source. So, the clan either went up, or down. Blair sighs. "I don't like the idea of splitting up. AZRL could still be in the area." Neo nods in agreement. The blonde closes her eyes, focusing her semblance once more. "... Nothing still. Lets-"

Wait. A small spark. Nothing greater than a medium sized animal, but... Up. "This way." She and Neo march up the mountain, where angled spikes of rock obscure and decorate the mountain side.

The two continue along the trail... until it splits again. The tracks are merely disturbed dirt. One path cuts through the spikes, almost like a thicket forest of the stone spines. The other path cuts left, leading down the north side of the mountain.

Again, she closes her eyes to concentrate. The same spark, forward. In the thicket. "Forward." Neo nods and follows.

. . .

And so, the pattern went. They followed the tracks, the tracks would split, and Blair would detect this aura leading them. Blair kept a mental list of the choices. Up the mountain. Through the thicket. Over the dead drop. Under a dug out overpass.

Each decision, Blair decided to relay via the radio to the boys. Over the wind of the mountain, she caught the van's engine in the far distance. Blair and Neo come to a halt at yet another split. Before them was an entrance of a cave. To the right was the top of the eighty degree drop down the mountain side.

Thing is, the tracks had disappeared.

The obvious answer clear, Blair steps towards the cave. A hand tugs the back of her shirt, Neo glaring forward. The girl steps towards the cave. Blair feels the pulse of aura from the girl and smirks.

Neo's image marches right into the cave-

"Rrrra!"

The gurgling shriek sounds with a thudding pounce! SHATTER!

Blair nods in approval before glancing down and spotting Neo still beside her. "Good call. What was it?"

Neo cringes, signing. "Crawlies. Spiders." She shivers at the thought with a grimace. The two then hear the rattling of chains. Neo signs again. "Captive. It's a trap."

Blair huffs, drawing Fluorescent and inserting fire dust. "Spider Grimm. Won't take a minute." The huntress ignites her sword orange red as heat radiates off. Entering the cave, Neo watches as a bright flash of fire scorches. The girl brightens, clapping giddy at the raw crunches and squeals coming from the cave.

A last shrill shriek cuts through the air before ending in a scorching blowout of flame.

Blair step out of the cave, Fluorescent returning to golden yellow as she sheathes it. Behind her, smoldering cooked carapace of spider Grimm with chains hooked in were sprawled about. "So, on top of a rather... interesting maze of split paths to get this far, the obvious end is merely a captive Grimm trap... So, the only way to go is..."

Neo smirks, looking at the cliff edge... She glances over to scrutinize it. One would expect jagged edges, uneven pieces? Yes, but a clear smooth path down the entire length of the sharp angle fall of the mountain. She and Blair share a glance, Neo holding out a hand.

Taking it, Blair tilts over the side before Neo throws them both over with a smirk. "Ah- NEO!" Blair snaps as Neo uses Hush to slow their descent. Blair glides her feet on the angled cliff face keeping an eye on their destination.

The girls slide down the length of the mountain, the smooth surface path surfing around two jagged spikes out the side.

Down and down and down... until Blair spots the destination. A tunnel at the bottom leading into a dark underground. "Keep your wits about you, Neo." Neo closes Hush, allowing both girls to land fully on the smooth stone and slide into the tunnel.

Both women slide into the darkness, the slide curving up and reducing the angle. The girls slide to a halt on their feet, each ready to fight. Nothing. The tunnel lighting behind them gives at a curve ahead. Stopping, Blair closes her eyes to focus.

She breathes a sigh of relief.

Casually, Blair walks forward to the corner... and draws her sword in a flash!

Clash! The metal of Fluorescent Finish bashes directly into the metal of a staff... Amber eyes come face to face with red. Blair raises a brow. "Ururu." Her hair, normally in a black bun, was undone and hanging tresses over her shoulders. Her pink kimono top was torn and tattered in several spots, but she looked okay.

The woman's face lit up in shock. "Blair? Neo!" She pulls back, looking behind them. "Where are the boy's? How did you find us?"

Blair could see the tension loosen on the woman. "They're on their way... We found the village. We're here to help."

A pause came over as Ururu sighs, sliding back to the wall and leaning on it. She calls out. "You were right! Laugh it up." Around the cave corner, another steps around... A white haired bat faunus with his eyes closed. Kirran Mibu.

Kirran smiles lightly, offset by his own disheveled appearance. "Hello, CRBN."

Blair blinks. "That was you leading us in?" She shares a glance with Neo. "Where is everyone-"

The bat faunus holds up a hand. "Let's wait for the other two to get here." He tilts his head. His aura enhanced echo location. "They shall be here in... wait... hmm... They appear to be bickering at the edge of the cliff." Neo snickers, letting the small happy moment in. "Ah, Roman pushed Carmine. Three... two...-"

"~aaaaaAAAAAAHHHH!" Through the hole leading to the surface, Carmine slides through at full speed, As the rock surface curves and smooths, the boy tumbles on his side, continuing on toward the girls scraping along the ground! Neo light hops, Carmine tumbling by under her. He hits the wall back first, eyes bugging out as his head hits the rock. "ACK!" He slowly quells the pain into anger and seethes looking at the rock slide. "That freaking prick!" He spots Ururu and Kirran, perking. "Oh, um, pardon? What up?"

The sound of the slide pulls their attention to Roman sliding on his feet and grinding to a halt, smirking. "Ah, our hiding survivors."

Neo smiles and helps a grumpy Carmine up to his feet as Kirran smiles back. "Let's go to everyone, then."

Blair huffs. "One thing first."

She cracks the sheath of Fluorescent Finish into Roman's shin, getting a pained grunt from the man. "Ah! What the hell?!"

"'Blonde Bimbo One' was it?" Blair glares at him.

He takes it in stride, smirking and composing himself. "Oh, Barbie. Gotta switch things up once in a while." The group's quibbling babble sounds as the Mibu warriors lead them further into the caves.

. . .

The group of six enter a lit area. Not of ornate lanterns, of represented coloration, of organized lighting. Of dim candles sporadically around. Dozens of disheveled individuals were laden around the room. All glance up, nearly panicked. Shades of red in worry, fear, and uncertainly.

All feelings that disappear upon seeing the four familiar faces.

Although the same can't be said for the CRBN crew. Carmine in particular, brows knit, as he scans the room. Blair and Neo are both schooled, showing nothing. However, somehow Roman still looks disinterested, soaking in which faces made it. "Ah." The conman steps forward through the small crowd, spotting a particular bald top head. "Been looking for you, Q-ball."

The pale accountant, Dory, jolts, looking up with his sunken in eyes. "OH GOD!" He falls back, arms up. The people around him, usually able to ignore his spookish nature, flinch with his outburst. The man flips on a dime, nearly at tears to soak his shredded suit jacket. "You're alive! I can't believe it."

Roman raises a brow. "You're alive. I can't believe it." He mutters and parrots back. He calls over to the boy. "He's fine, Silver Streak."

The boy sighs, looking over to Ururu. "How many escaped?"

"Originally, 42. After some wounds have taken us, 33." The woman answers. The numbers paled in comparison to the rather prosperous town they'd known. The CRBN team shares a somber glance.

"What is your recovery plan?" Blair asks curtly.

The red eyed woman scoffs and glares. "Wait for the wounded to heal while we're hidden and move somewhere, anywhere. Zaku hasn't recovered yet."

The group is directed to a corner of the room, multiple wounded. There, the blonde Mibu warrior lays on a flat, shirt removed, and bandages over his right torso, arm, and eye. Neo is the first to notice the man treating him. She walks over to stand by the simply dressed fox faunus with red hair. Coming beside him, she conjures a sign. 'Rama.'

The man who'd sold her the base for Hush smiles, despite keeping his attention on tending to Zaku. "Hello, little one." He spares a glance at her. "You've grown an inch."

A... single... inch? Neo's posture slouches as a heated glare forms, but she washes it away. The recomposing act gets a small chuckle from the kind blacksmith as she kneels to look over Zaku with him.

"Where's Tora?" Carmine asks quietly... noticing the distinct lack of men over eight feet tall. Confused, he glances up to see Ururu glancing off. The small bit of silence was simple... but his gut dropped. "... Where is Tora?"

Kirran speaks up. "He'd succumbed to his wounds by sunset yesterday."

He freezes up. "W-... what?" Carmine mutters as the bat faunus walks by.

"We laid him to rest overnight. He'd suffered a massive blow to his chest." Kirran speaks clearly, yet they notice the slight quiver in his voice. "Just like all of us, we didn't stand a chance."

The news washes over the boy, and Blair presses on to cover over it. "What DID happen? How did you come under attack and not leave a single enemy casualty?" Ururu snaps a gaze over, but Blair continues. "You are fine warriors, and you have many guards in the village- Had... many guards in the village. Just how did AZRL, even AZRL, defeat you with no detriment to themselves?"

"Because there was only one."

The CRBN group glances over to Rama. The soft spoken man speaks most composed. "There was only one enemy, from what I recall, and we did not know what we were dealing with until the entire west wind district was destroyed." He glances up, sparing a glance at Ururu, pointedly at her arm. "Miss Ururu was defeated before the rest of the village was aware."

Whoa... that's... impossible?! Right?

Said woman looks down in shame. "I couldn't move... No one could." She looks the CRBN group in the eye. "It was a man, tall and lean, wearing a metal masked helmet and armor..." Carmine notices many of the cave dwellers shrinking in recollection. No one seems to disagree with the description. "Whoever it was, they had the ability to completely nullify movement... I think. I don't know. It's just-"

Heavy breathing filters into her speech as she stops, angry. Recomposing herself. "The north district got the word out of the attack, and Rama organized the villages as Tora attempted to fight the man... Now you know the result." She casts a glance towards Zaku. "Most of the village had been slaughtered, but Rama and two smiths got myself and Tora through the temple gate when Zaku confronted the man. You see the result of that... I lost consciousness around there."

"Zaku hasn't been able to stay awake for long since." Rama puts in.

"Master Kourii stepped up to confront the man at the temple gate itself, allowing everyone who escaped to get away." Kirran points out. "I'd wished to help, but Master said after the other three failed, I wouldn't manage any better." The blind bat bitterly adds. "... I could feel their fight through my hearing... It was fierce. For a moment, I believed Master had the upper hand, even... but..." He directs his closed eye stare back at the CRBN crew. "I was right to not bring conflict to the clan with them."

Many snapped glares go the blind man's way, but they can't argue right now. Carmine grits his teeth. "Okay... Okay, we'll escort you guys to safety then? We got the van, can attach something like a hitch to pull the rest of you with?"

"The only place for us to go would be Mistral. Too many of the areas near are laden with bandit tribes." Rama points out. "And even in Mistral, the city is closing off much of its border territory. I hear many hunters are being drawn in there, less out on jobs managing the land's issues." The fox hums. "We can only hope they will take kindly to us."

Carmine snaps a look between them... then double takes and marches to Neo. He grabs her by the arm, eliciting an 'eep'! He pulls her to Roman, grabbing his arm for a 'hey!' Then to Blair. "Team meeting." He turns to the Mibu warriors. "One second."

Dragging his team down the cave, arriving back at the stone slide with natural light peeking in. Carmine releases the group as Roman scowls at him. "What the hell?!"

"Shut up." Carmine narrows a challenging gaze on Roman before looking seriously. "Do you remember seeing anything in the village that could be used to tow them?"

Roman raises a brow. "Supply wagons and dreams." He snorts. "All the wagons were damaged in some capacity. Could take some parts and wheels from some and attach them to the beds of others." He then glares at the boy. "I demand payment though-"

"Done. Whatever." Carmine dismisses him. He turns to Blair. "We're taking them to Haddon." All three CRBN teammates flinch at that, Roman lighting up in heat.

"No."

"Yes!" Carmine snaps.

"Noooo." Roman drawls out condescendingly.

"Yes!"

Blair cuts in. "Carmine, we chose Haddon to remain off the map and at least moderately hidden-"

Roman cuts in. "Something undercut by SOMEONE giving the location to our neighbors over the mountain." The conman glares at the boy.

Blair continues. "Inviting an entire village worth of people to stay would not be hiding under the radar." She then adds. "Besides, only three houses besides ours are even manageable, let alone have amenities."

"Which can be fixed." Carmine pushes back. "These people risked themselves for us by providing us information and resources. We have empty buildings left to nothing. I will NOT leave them to nothing when they lose their home to OUR enemy."

"While we might share some form of responsibility..." Blair starts, but Roman cuts in.

"These people were in bed with AZRL before we ever showed up, remember? This is on them, and populating our base of operations with the sad depressed homeless won't exactly do anything except make US easier to find." The conman snidely puts in.

"... Not how I would word it, but Roman is right." Blair adds after. "I agree that we shall escort them, but making Haddon their new home nullifies the point of us having a home where it is."

Carmine huffs, looking the blonde in the eye. "Yes. And?" Both adults snap glances back. "Yes. It makes us easier to find. It's a shit situation. Tough. It's also the right damn thing to do." He shifts to stand to one side, hand on his hip. "Counter that in a way besides just 'it's stupid', and I'll agree, but I already know. And, I don't care."

Blair and Roman hold the stare with the boy, but the blonde sighs and looks away. Roman moves his glare to her. "No, don't you sigh. Don't you dare let him be this stupid! Right Neo?" Roman calls to the mute. However, all focus moves to her.

The girl stands against the wall, wringing Hush in her hands in thought. Her gaze on the weapon. Lips pursed, she looks up and shrugs. However, after a second, she gestures to herself, then to the boy beside her.

Blair groans and face palms, leaving Roman fuming. "You were supposed to be the smart one!" He throws his hands up, frustrated as Blair feels the same.

"No... Carmine is right." The blonde sighs out in a breath. Roman snaps a glare at her. "This is why I put him forth as leader to begin with." Sending a tired look at the man, she adds. "To keep our bad habits in check."

Roman snorts. "Bad habits like living?" Neo chuckles with him, but he sends a pout at her. "Don't laugh at my sarcasm, traitor." He huffs. "Kill me."

Carmine smirks at his victory. He looks at Neo. "You, me, and Roman will go get the van and work on a wagon and hitch." The girl nods and smiles at Roman, who glares unhappily before leaving. Carmine then looks to Blair. "Tell the clan and help them get ready, okay?"

"Understood." Blair nods back before the three rush off. Blair turns to return down the hall. A short distance in, she is met with Kirran, the blind faunus waiting. "You were eavesdropping?"

The faunus smiles lightly. "Just being thorough. You're good people, but I'm inclined to agree with Roman."

Blair raises a brow. "So, you think the clan will refuse?"

"Not at all. It is the best solution for us. But, it IS a danger to you. Be careful with that." He turns from her. "I'll relay the offer to the others. Expect us to be ready within hours." He marches off as Blair sighs.

Here's to optimism...

. . .

Hours by, Blair assists a young woman escorting two children out from the underground chamber. Out in the sunlight, she looks to see the sun on the edge of beginning dusk. Glancing around, she does a head count. 29. One sixth male, one third female, the remaining half children between both sexes.

Ah, 28. She'd counted Dory. Her mistake. Speaking of... Blair approaches the man, crossing her arms. "So, how do you feel about the move?"

The sullen accountant slouches. "Ah... I'm not much a farmer. I was taught to be a lawyer. Better than death though." He wipes his sweaty head, nervous. "I can't go to Atlas... Or Mistral." Blair opens her mouth to ask, but the man just mumbles further. "Mistral pollen gives me hives, and I was disbarred for gross incompetence during a murder trial in Mantle."

"Wha-"

"I didn't MEAN to yell that he did it during direct examination! But, the prosecution's objection just sounded so sure." The guy just calls out loudly before face palming.

Blair purses her lips, annoyed. "Perhaps a civil attorney would have been the right choice?" As soon as the words left her mouth, she blinks in thought, glancing up. "Actually, I think I can help you with that." As the sad sack man looks up with slight hope, she catches move movement from the cave entrance behind them.

Ururu and Rama exit the cave, the faunus supporting Zaku by the arm over his shoulder. Ururu has a supporting arm on the groggy man's back, the other hand holding Zaku's gaze forward at the chin. "Come on, stay steady! You can't afford to lose any more brain cells... That's it, slow and steady."

The groggy blonde man has his one visible eye open, albeit barely. "Eh... Why does everything look so... off distance-" He stumbles, misjudging a step distance. Rama keeps him up and gives a nervous laugh.

"I would assume you're referring to a current lack of depth perception." Rama says lightly.

Blair frowns and steps forward. "May I take a look? How bad is it?"

As the three get Zaku to a sitting position, the blonde looks over the bloody bandage wrapping. Ururu answers. "Deep gash laceration under the right arm, possibly damaging a lung and definitely snapping a rib. Also a laceration along the right side of his face ending at the edge of his eye. We've only been keeping the wound closed and hoping aura healing can do its thing at this point."

Blair nods. "When we leave, we will collapse the seats in the van for him, and I will work on him in there." She catches movement coming, sighing in relief. "Thankfully, that seems to be sooner than later." As the CRBN van roves around the corner, slowly, with a large wagon in tow.

Slowing to a stop, Roman exits the driver side. "Alright, can we get the bad idea train moving?"

The party gets to work, getting all the citizens into the large wagon turned trailer, as well as lowering the back seat bed of the van for Zaku. Blair sets up the injured Mibu warrior in the van, Ururu joining her in the back with him. Carmine and Neo move around to the wagon with the citizens.

As Carmine moves by Dory, Neo jolts, a thought occurring. She bolts to the man, spooking him. "AH! What?!"

Neo removes her wallet from her pocket, gesturing to it, then to him. Carmine's confused brow quirks before his eyes shoot wide. "Yeah! If Eagle Services is destroyed, what happens to our bank accounts?!"

From the wagon, they hear Roman's loud exclamation. "WHAT?!"

Dory blinks at them before calming. "Ah... They digital records and assets of all accounts we managed are linked to databases at two locations: the Mistral marketplace and downtown Vale's main banks. Your accounts are still accessible and safe unless both of those up and disappear."

"Oh, thank the gods." Roman's voice trails off from the van. Neo sways and wipes her brow, relieved. Carmine chuckles at the two's reactions. Understandable.

Rounding the vehicle and checking the hitch, Blair is about to announce their departure when she passes Kirran.

The bat faunus stand stock still. His ear twitches. Again. A second passes. Again. A second passes. His face scrunches uncomfortably. What is that? He turns to the van. As Blair rounds the vehicle again, this time with a package of medical supplies, Kirran is gone.

Blair stops, furrowing her brow and looking where the bat faunus just was. Frowning, she turns on a dime, finding Kirran landing behind her. The man had just been atop the van. Turning a suspicious glare, she gives a curt start. "What were you up there for?"

The faunus doesn't turn to her, but holds up an object in his left hand. A metal marble from the roof. Red flashes come from its light casing. Dim enough to not be visible except in low light, and even then. Still, each time it blinks, the blonde notices the bat faunus flick his ears, minor irritation clear. "I think someone was waiting on your group to show."

She takes the object into her hands, frowning. She closes her eyes, focusing her aura out to sense around them. The brief silence is met with a sigh. "No one within range. They're biding their time."

"Finding out where you hang your proverbial hat." Kirran puts forth. "The enemy will be tracking us."

"Until we hit the northern mountains, and I will disable the tracker." Blair nods back to the faunus. "Thank you for letting me know. I'll inform Roman to mix up our trail on our way out of here." She turns to enter the van again to continue checking Zaku, but stops upon the blind man not moving. "What is it?"

Kirran's ears flick, then settle as he finally turns. "Dead air." He waves while moving to the wagon. "Do be wary of pot holes and dangerous routes. Many of us are not well traveled beyond these desert valleys." Blair watches to make sure he gets in the wagon. Something with his... particular method of articulation has always unsettled her, even when knowing he's telling the truth.

Everyone saddles up in the vehicle and wagon as the now improvised caravan gets on the move...

. . .

A hour passed, the travel on the road continues as Blair glances up to see mountainous turns ahead of Roman. Shifting away from Ururu and Zaku, she climbs to the front of the van cabin. "Have we gone far enough?"

Roman snorts. "Any closer, and I'll refuse to go home at all." Blair nods, removing the tracker from her pocket. A focus on her aura, she focuses on and clenches her hand around the tracker.

CRUNCH

The metal whine sounds before Blair puts the crushed metal bead in a front console cup holder. The two nod as Blair moves back to Zaku.

. . .

Now miles off, a hand's firm grip remains on a small screen device. The blinking light on a holographic landscape suddenly cuts out. Red graphics appear with the words flashing. 'Signal Lost'. The hand presses a side button, deactivating the display and stowing it away.

Standing atop a cliff is a single man. A lean and athletic build is bulked with fitted skin tight black. Metal plating forms around sculpted on the man's muscles. White sashes around the waste and the left shoulder to right hip tie objects to him. Both are wrapped skin, or armor, tight. The belt sash is tied to a bar along the small of his back with three silver and violet cylinders. The shoulder sash holds a long red scabbard for a great length large variation of katana, greater than a Nodachi blade. A masamune blade. The sheathed weapon is almost as long as the man himself is tall, easily up to his chin should he place the tip on the ground.

Over his head is a smooth metal mask. Completely featureless, save for two silver lights in the mask where his eyes would be. The helm did not cover the back half of his head, allowing a wild spiky shoulder length mane of jet black hair. The small crack between the black skin tight material of his suit and the helmet shows pale skin underneath.

The man removes a scroll from a bag on the ground. He hits call and holds it up.

"I'm reporting in... They've found and destroyed the tracker after leaving... They must be more aware of their surroundings than expected... Of course... I will pursue them quickly-" He stops, the call recipient speaking back. "I see... I will return to Mountain Glenn immediately to assist in the transfer."

. . .

Two days travel seemed to get it done... the dawn light setting in on the village of Haddon. The improvised caravan had arrived. The CRBN members settle on the steps of their small manor house as Ururu is observed bringing Zaku into the barn nearby with assistance from one of the other Mibu men.

Blair spares a look at Dory before moving aside and making a scroll call. The sad sack lawyer had been sulking and sitting on a broken off stump, so maybe good news could get him to stop.

… Pretty low odds of that mood changing for long, but still got to be a good person, right?

While gone, Roman leans heavily on his cane, condescendingly glancing at the Mibu clansmen, Kirran and Rama. "Yes, now. Ground rule number one. You don't come into the main house. I don't appreciate free loaders, much less free loaders knowing where my things are. Don't care how sad your situation is."

Carmine sends a glare at the conman. Neo gently tugs him back in a light scold so Carmine could turn to them. "We'll be giving ONE spare key in case anyone needs any emergency medical supplies."

"How can you be that-" Roman's admonishment dies as Neo pulls out a key ring with two keys, taking one off and passing it off to the fox blacksmith. "Wha- but-" He groans, flailing his hands. "You're far too trusting... BOTH of you."

Neo pouts, simply holding up Hush as if that explains everything. Roman simply rolls his eyes away. Neo then fixes a hard look on Rama, sending shifty eyes towards Kirran.

Rama sweats nervously and scratches his cheek. "I doubt I could stop him from simply taking the key, but I will look after it. Do not worry." He sends a glance to Kirran. "He's been serving dutifully, so I'm sure there will be no issues."

Immediately, all three present CRBN members send sullen glares at the blind man... the blind man that previously poisoned his own master to avoid AZRL's wrath... All thinking 'yeah right.' Carmine sighs and adds. "Well, at least there's Ururu and Zaku once he recovers, right? At least we don't have to worry about any random Grimm just walking on up and crapping on our couch."

Kirran snorts. "Ururu can be appeased, and Zaku wouldn't notice." He smiles. "Just because I won't make any issues doesn't mean I like being told I couldn't if I wanted." The CRBN members all double their dower glares, earning a laugh. "I cannot see your faces, but I can feel your ire. Do not worry."

Rama cuts in. "We will do our best not to intrude on anything you've already had planned for your home. Is there any further instruction you wish to add? I notice the crop areas of this village are unused... If you wish this village to remain as under the radar as possible, we would do well to restore the crops."

Carmine sends a look at the other buildings, most still rather unkempt and damaged. The grasses in the areas have still overtaken the once farming field. "Well... Not really. Actually, do whatever is needed." He puts a hand to his chin. "The port town nearby should have some supplies to get started." The boy fishes his wallet from his pocket. "Actually, here. This can help you get started."

The fox blinks and holds his arms up, almost to protest, but Kirran cuts in. "Keep in mind, Rama, that with our home gone, we lack any resources whatsoever."

Rama deflates and accepts the card from the boy. "I thank you... This is very kind."

The boy smiles back. "It's only because of Dory and your village cooperating with us that I have it, so feel free to use as much as you need."

"Bad move." Roman snorts.

"Shut it, Bowler Hat. Half my money is paying you to go along with being base line nice." Carmine sends a glare at him, Roman turning away and smirking. "Anyway." He turns back to the Mibu clansmen. "We had gone to Mibu hoping to get supplies, let Roman go a little crazy with whatever he wanted, but... we'll just have to make due with what we have when we go to Mountain Glenn."

Nearby, Blair gets off the scroll call with a satisfied nod. She glances back to Dory, making sure to approach from in front of him, lest he freak out yet again. "Dory."

The accounting lawyer glances up. "Oh? Oh!" He blinks and brightens slightly. "You said you could do something for me?"

Blair nods. "Yes. When the clan members send someone to town, go with them. The town nearby has a port and ferry service straight to a Vale territory city called Sanctuary. That's where you're going."

The lawyer furrows a brow. "Uh... I see, but what... would I even..."

Blair presses on. "As it would turn out with our travels... Sanctuary has had its officials and primary medical staffing cleared of all AZRL affiliation... which also coincides with a severe lack of staffing." She allows a smile to form upon having his full attention. "I called ahead, and I believe Hallowed Heart Hospital could do with having a permanent lawyer on their staff."

Dory's brow furrows, mouth parted as he freezes an off stare at her. His pasty skin starting to sweat in the day light. He just sits there... frozen... Blair's small smile falls as she almost waves her hand in front of him, then groans. He's locked up.

"... You got me a job?" He finally cracks out.

"I got you an opportunity, but... a very high likelihood, yes." She displays her scroll for Dory. "Just go to this address once you're in the city and meet with the Chief of Medicine, Dr Knox. The best way to meet with him is through Dr Jacob Daren." She pockets the scroll from him and shifts her footing, hand on hip. "Any question-"

The question is taken from her as the dower and monotone man lurches forward, wrapping the blonde in a hug... A disgusting, sweaty, smelly hug on the abrasive blonde. Instantly, she shoves him off, flapping her arms disgusted. Dory hits the ground from the shove, and Blair flinches. "Ah, apologies-"

But the man now have a face splitting smile. "No need! Pain can't bring me down! Thank you!" He pulls himself to his feet. "How can I ever repay you?"

Blair simply pauses to take a breath, then allows her smile to return. "Just stay out of trouble, please. Okay?" The other CRBN members watch on, fairly amused at the scene.

Roman even cuts in. "Aw, Barbie is making such close friends with the sad sack." He taps his cane on the ground. "But, alright. I'm sick of the feely thank yous. Can we go now, please?"

Carmine huffs before turning to Rama. "Yeah... Are you guys going to be okay?"

The fox faunus smiles and nods. "We've... experienced a tragedy, but thanks to you, perhaps we can recover."

The boy nods back. "Good... I'm sorry for your loss." He then calls out. "Alright, CRBN come on!" His hands clench into fists, a fire in his belly lit. "We need to pay them back ten fold."

And new arc underway! Mibu has been leveled, and the stakes (hopefully) have been set. Still, our good Team CRBN members have opened way for Haddon to be repopulated by their allies. Now, what does that mean for what's ahead in Mountain Glenn? Stay reading to find out.

Join next time in Chapter Forty Six: The Divine Wind.