POV - Whitley
"Are you sure you're gonna be ok," Ilia asked.
"Why," I asked.
"Because every part of you has looked nervous since you woke up this morning," she answered.
"Is it wrong that I'm nervous to meet a man so intent on meeting me," I asked.
"No but don't worry to much it'll show through and make you look weak," she answered.
"Oum I feel ridiculous," I said.
"Don't," she said.
"What," I asked.
"Don't feel ridiculous," she answered.
"I know it's silly, but this war is going to be my first real step into a war," I said.
"What war," she asked.
"One I'm not allowed to talk about," I answered.
"That's stupid," she said.
"I know," I said.
Ilia looked around us trying to see if anyone was listening.
"When will I get to see you again Whitley," she asked.
"I have no idea," I answered.
"Can you promise me something," she asked.
"Depends," I answered.
"Don't let the next time I see you be because you got hurt and had to be brought here," she said.
"I'll try," I said.
She took a step forward and enveloped me in a hug which I returned.
"Be careful Whitley," she said.
"I'll try," I said.
"I guess that's all I can really ask of you," she said.
"Guess so," I said.
"You best get going," she said.
"See you around Ilia," I said.
I turned toward Ghira's office, but stopped upon hearing the sounds of… fun… emanating from the room.
'You tease Sienna then turn around and do that'
I turned back around and made my way toward the door.
'Time for me to return to the mountains. This is gonna be a long trip'
(Time Skip because I can't think of anything good to put here)
I was exhausted and damn near ready to pass out. Flying over the ocean took a lot more out of me then I was expecting. My body felt strangely heavy.
'Schwarz told me about this'
My surrounds started to become familiar as I got closer and closer to the Creed.
'Oum please give me time to rest'
I finally saw the peck of the mountain that held the Creed base.
'Almost there'
I tried to speed up but failed to do so.
'I'm in so much pain right now'
I finally made it to the landing area where I slipped into a vent.
'Probably gonna get a weapon or two pointed at me, but I don't care'
I slowly slipped through the vent before reforming and landing on the ground.
"Intruder," a voice yelled.
'Called it'
"That's not an intruder dumbass, that's Death," another voice said.
"Wait that Death," the first voice asked.
"Yes, that Death dumbfuck," the second voice said.
"I'm so sorry sir, please forgive me," the first voice said.
"What," I asked.
"Please forgive my friend, he's something of an idiot," the second voice said.
"Hey," the first voice said.
"Just bring me to Madam Belyy," I said.
"Right away sir," the second voice said.
I looked up to see that the voice belonged to a female member. She began leading me through halls that I know all to well, but would get lost in do to my fatigue.
"Is everything alright sir," the second voice asked.
"It feels like I could drop at any minute and fall asleep on the floor," I answered.
"Sorry sir," she said.
We continued until we were stood in front of the elevator leading to Madam Belyy's room.
"Thanks," I said before stepping onto the elevator.
I pressed the button and elevator doors closed before it slowly began rising. I reached my hand up and took my mask off. Putting it in my jacket I let my arm drop to my side.
'Just a few more minutes'
After what felt like an eternity the elevator finally lurched to a stop and the doors opened.
"Hello Whitley," Madam Belyy said.
I reached up and took off my mask.
"Hello Madam," I said.
"You look horrible," she said.
"I feel it," I said.
"What do you mean by that," she asked.
"I flew here from Menagerie," I answered.
"Did Schwarz not warn you about flying for extended periods of time," she asked.
"No," I answered.
"Sit in that chair in the corner and get some rest, it should only take an hour of rest to get you back to 100 percent," Madam Belyy said, pointing at a leather chair that sat in the corner of the room.
I walked over to what looked like a very comfortable chair. Sitting down I found out that my assumption was correct as I sunk into what had to be the most comfortable chair I had ever sat in.
"Sleep Whitley," Madam Belyy instructed.
I closed my eyes and let the exhaustion win.
(Time Skip)
"Wake up," I heard a voice say.
Opening my eyes I saw Blanc standing in front of me.
"Hello Blanc," I said.
"How are you," she asked.
"A lot better than I was an hour ago," I answered.
"Glad to hear that, now stand up," she said.
I stood up form the chair and was immediately engulfed in a hug.
"I'm glad you're ok, when I saw what had happened I thought you were dead," she said
"No, someone just got the jump on me is all," I said before returning the hug.
"Really," she asked as she stepped out of the hug.
"Yes, how would have thought that fighting the Atlas Military's greatest team by yourself would be hard," I answered.
"So what happened," she asked.
"Was held up fighting two of them, when one teleported behind me and shoved a sword through my chest," I answered.
"Again," she said.
"Yeah," I said.
"Do you just like being stabbed or something," she teased.
"Do you have a thing for Qara," I teased in return.
"What if I did," she asked.
"I would say that I'm surprised that you'd go for someone that is involved in the antics that he's involved in," I answered.
"Yeah, it surprised me to," she said.
"Oh well," I said.
"Listen, we need to get going, James gave us something to give to you and I figured you'd like to have it," she said before grabbing a rectangular box off the floor.
She extended it out for me to take. I took it from her and opened it.
'Yup'
"What is it," she asked.
"Something I need to return," I answered.
"That's not very specific," she said.
"I know," I answered.
"Well let's get going," she said.
"Lead the way," I said.
(Time Skip)
POV - James
"So why are we here exactly," Summer asked.
"We are adding to very powerful groups back into the play," Ozpin answered.
"So you're telling me that I had to leave the one day I have open per month to spend with the girls to help with your war that I've specifically told you I'm done with," Summer said.
"I only have you here because I know neither of these two groups are going to be to happy to see me once more," Ozpin said.
"That sounds about right," Qrow said before taking another drink from his flask.
"You know Glynda is gonna kill you if she sees you with that right," Tai said.
"But she's not so I'm not worried," Qrow said.
"Not gonna see what," Glynda asked as she walked back into the cave.
"Nothing," Qrow said as she frantically shoved his flask back into his pocket.
"Oum I didn't think it could get colder out here," Raven said.
"Well we are in the mountains Ray," Tai said.
"No shit, just, Oum it's fucking cold," Raven said.
"What's wrong Jimmy, you look lost in thought," Qrow asked.
"I've been meaning to ask that myself," Ozpin asked
"Ozpin, you really thought it was a good idea to being them back in, why," I asked.
"Because recently the two groups seemed to have figured out there differences," Ozpin answered.
"Yes that's why we were fighting one another," a new voice said.
Everybody turned to the entrance with their weapons drawn. I didn't move because I know who the voice belonged to.
"I take it you are representing the Dark Brotherhood," Ozpin asked as he put his cane down.
"Yes, I'm doing the same thing I've been doing for years now," the voice said.
"What is that supposed to mean," Qrow asked.
"That means he is the Brotherhood Chief," Ozpin answered.
"Yup, the name's Schwarz," Schwarz said.
"It is nice to meet you," Ozpin said.
"Yet to get the chance to decide if I feel the same," Schwarz said.
"Where is the Creed representative," Ozpin asked.
A woman, clad in white, dropped down next to Schwarz.
"Right here," the woman said.
"And that makes you the leader of the Creed," Ozpin said.
"Yes," she said.
"Your name is," Ozpin asked.
"You will call me Madam Belyy or just Madam," Madam Belyy answered.
"Hello Belyy," Ozpin said.
"Do my words fall apon deaf ears, if so this meeting is pointless," Madam Belyy said.
"Sorry, but you aren't my senior so it will be hard for me to refer to you as such," Ozpin said.
"Well let's try our best to not cause a fight between us and the deadliest warriors in these mountains," I said trying to defuse the situation.
"For once I genuinely like James' words more than yours Oz," Qrow said.
"Nevertheless we should get this meeting started," Ozpin said.
"We are waiting for three more people," Schwarz said.
"And why is that," Ozpin asked.
"Because having more than two opinions on our side is a good idea," Madam Belyy answered.
"Who exactly," Tai asked.
"A median, and another member from each clan," Schwarz answered.
"I don't know if it's a good idea to bring that many people into this," Ozpin said.
"Well it's a little late now," another new voice said.
Looking past the two leaders I say two new figures. The one in white seemed familiar, the other one not so much.
"And they are," Ozpin asked looking for names.
"My name is Qara," the one in black said.
"I'm Blanc, and these two," she pointed at the leaders, "Are my parents."
"It is nice to meet you two," I said.
"You as well, he has spoken very highly of your fighting skills and battle tactics," Blanc said.
"Wait, that is the guy," Qara asked Blanc.
"Yes, that is the guy," Blanc answered.
"What do you mean by that," I asked, a little worried about what Whitley had told them.
"Oh nothing bad, I just expected, I guess more person," Qara answered.
"What do you mean by that," I asked.
"It's obvious, to me atleast, that you have prosthetics covering the right side of your body," Qara answered.
"Yes, I lost much of the right side of my body protecting my team," I said.
"I believe you have said enough Qara," Whitley said.
"Sorry man, it's just, the stories and the reality don't really match up is all," Qara said.
Whitley walked into the small cave entrance as everyone, except me and the four clan members, drew their weapons.
"What the hell is he doing here," Qrow yelled.
"Calm down you six," I said, as I walked up to Whitley.
"James be careful," Ozpin said.
"Glad to see you standing," I said.
"Your team merely hurt me, they did not kill me," Whitley said.
"Sorry about them," I appologized.
"It was clear that you had nothing to do with their presence in the mine," Whitley said.
"I'm sorry, but what the fuck is going on, I thought you hated his guts James," Tai asked.
"I may or may not have lied," I answered.
"Why did you lie to me James," Ozpin asked.
'You have no room to talk old man'
"Oh I'm sorry, after the numerous number of times you've left me in the dark about some serious things, I figured me lying about one little thing wouldn't be the end of the world, after all you still haven't answered a lot of my questions," I answered.
"But James, he's a killer," Summer said.
"And two of your teammates come from bandit tribes, which if I'm not mistaken, one of them ran back to before returning after 12 years," Whitley said.
"How the hell do you know that," Qrow asked.
Whitley walked up to Raven and lifted up the box.
"I believe this should help answer your question," Whitley answered.
"Uh, what is it," Raven asked.
"Let's get inside then you can open it," Whitley a swered.
The leaders walked forward before pulled out two stones.
"Never actually saw the inside," Whitley said.
"Well now's your chance," Schwarz said.
"So what care to introduce yourself," Ozpin said.
"Sure Ozma - oh sorry - Ozpin, my name is Death," Whitley said.
'Really Whitley'
"It's nice to meet you Death," Ozpin said, seemingly unfazed by Whitley saying his old name.
Fireplaces all around light as the two leaders placed the stones into there spots. Slowly a massive stone door opened before us.
"That feels extra in so many ways," Qrow said.
"Sure, but you tell me that it's not cool," Whitley said.
"That's fair," Qrow said.
"Follow us," Madam Belyy said.
"So is this new," Ozpin asked.
"Yes, it's only two years old," Schwarz answered.
"Looking at the architecture tells me that this vault was built by both clans," Ozpun said.
"Yes, it was Death's idea to build an area where the clan leaders could meet to solve disputes," Madam Belyy said.
"That's a very good idea," Ozpin said.
"Thank you," Whitley said.
"What's going on James," Summer whispered.
"What do you mean," I whispered.
"You told us that you hated Death," Summer whispered.
"Again Ozpin has kept to many secrets so I kept some of my own," I whispered.
"But you never told us about it, you can trust us," Summer whispered.
"There's more to it than a petty grudge," I whispered.
"So what exactly is in that box," Raven asked.
"There is a table in the main chamber, you can open it there," Whitley answered.
"Why don't you just tell me," Raven asked.
"I am trying to understand your character, making you wait for something is telling me a lot," Whitley answered.
"And what is that exactly," Raven asked, annoyance clear in her voice.
"You are still trying to reimplement yourself back into your team and family, you have been struggled to reconnect with the daughter you abandoned, and you are struggling to understand why I am here," Whitley answered.
"Why are you profiling me," Raven asked.
"Because you are an interesting character Mrs. Xiao-Long," Whitley answered.
"He even knows we're married," Tai said.
"That's because I find the way your marriage is working out kind of funny," Whitley said.
"That's fair," Tai said.
I turned to Ozpin to see him conversing with the two clan leaders.
"Anything we should be clued in on," I asked.
"No, I'm justing getting the full story," Ozpin answered.
"Most of the story," Madam Belyy said.
"We're here," Schwarz said as we walked into a large room.
"Roomy," Summer commented.
"Heh, not wrong," Tai said.
"Finally I can open this damn box," Raven said.
"You've only had the thing for 5 minutes," Qrow said.
"Yes, and you know how good I am with surprises," Raven said.
The rest of team STRQ went silent for a minute before shuddering.
"Let's not talk about that ever again," Summer said.
"Here, use the table," Schwarz said.
Raven walked up to the table and placed the box on it. She began opening the box that and sat unopened in my closet for about a year now.
'Wonder what it looks like if it could fit in such a small box'
"Seems you put some effort into keeping this box shut," Raven said as she finally fully opened the cardboard.
"Didn't want it to get anymore damaged," Whitley said.
"Anymore, " Raven asked.
Whitley didn't say anything, instead he motioned for here to continue.
She found the seem in the foam and pulled it over.
…
…
The silence was deafening.
"What is it," Qrow asked.
Slowly Raven raised her hand and put it ontop of what I knew was her old sword. Her fingers curled as she grabbed it and lifted it up and out of the foam.
"Ra... you're worrying us," Tai said.
Slowly Raven turned revealing the grip with maybe an inch of the sword poking out of the top.
"How… how did you get this," Raven asked.
"How do you think I got it," Whitley asked.
"But that would mean Tyrian is dead," Raven said.
"Because he is," Whitley said.
"Wait, that makes you the kid that saved me," Summer said.
"That would be correct," Whitley said.
"What happened to it," Raven asked.
"Tyrian stabbed me in the chest, I snapped off the back half of the blade, and continued fighting," Whitley answered.
"Is that all that happened," Summer asked.
"I don't remember much due to blood loss," Whitley answered
"No, he had multiple lacerations across his entire body, his right leg was broken in two places, he had a large gash across his right side inflicted by Tryian's tail, and he had a minor concussion," Blanc said.
"Wow," Summer said.
"You never told me it was that bad," Whitley said.
"You never asked," Blanc said.
"So why are we here," Summer asked.
"We are here to talk about what the Creed and the Dark Brotherhood can do now that they've rejoined the war against Salem," Ozpin said.
"Didn't their involvement lead to this centuries long cold war between the two clans," I asked.
"It did, but do to Death metaphorically flipping her off, we have to rejoin," Schwarz answered.
"Wait he what," Tai asked.
"He brought a Seer, used the marks Salem gave the two leaders, summoned her, and told her that he would stop her from ever getting between the two clans again," Madam Belyy answered.
"That's ambitious," Ozpin said.
"Being as we now have procedures in place to keep the clans from immediately jumping at each other's throats, I have a feeling that his words might stick," Schwarz said.
"Interesting, on the topic of Death would you mind if I took him off your hands," Ozpin asked.
'What the hell Ozpin'
"Not fucking happening," Whitley said.
"You are already her ene-
"I am not dedicating my life to fighting that woman, my job is to free the faunus from the SDC mines, that's it," Whitley interrupted.
"You do know she will wan-
"And I will kill anyone she sends for me," Whitley interrupted.
"So you're just running from her," Ozpin said trying to get under his skin.
"I'm not running from her, I'm just not joining an unwinnable fight," Whitley said.
"That's a bit pessimistic don't you think," Qrow said.
"How many lifetimes has he spent fighting Salem and losing," Whitley asked.
…
Silence, nobody had an answer.
"You never thought about it like that, did you," Whitley asked.
"No, I guess I didn't," Qrow answered.
"Is there anything I can offer you to change your mind," Ozpin asked.
"Give me twenty of your best lawyers so I can take down Jacques," Whitley answered.
'That's new'
…
"That hesitation tells me everything I need to know," Whitley said.
"Also that's not something I could even do Ozpin," Madam Belyy said.
"Alright, guess you being here was for nothing," Ozpin said.
"What," Madam Belyy asked.
"I was talking about Death," Ozpin answered.
"Good," Madam Belyy said.
"Does that mean I can leave," Whitley asked.
"I suppose so," Schwarz answered.
"Then I'm out of here," Whitley said, before turning into smoke and leaving.
'See you soon'