The Way of the Maiden

by The Court of Talons

The world of Remnant is notable for warriors such as Huntsmen and Huntresses. It is also notable for the Mandalorians, groups of mysterious and nomadic warriors just as ruthless as the Grimm. This is the story of one particular Mandalorian, and how a chance encounter with a child leads to the adventure of a lifetime.

55. Chapter 55

Chapter 55: Victory

*WHOOSH*

*CRASH*

*WHOOSH*

*CRASH*

*WHOOSH*

*CRASH*

This had been a repetitive cycle for about ten minutes. And it wasn't a very pleasant one.

When Cinder found herself outside Auntie Em's inn, after she killed Flora Blair, Cinder impulsively flew into the sky via her Maiden powers. Rather than walking to the city of Vacuo with Auntie Em or waiting to get an airship, Cinder decided that she would fly all the way to Mistral with the full might of the Fall Maiden's powers.

But sadly, this was proving to be a terrible plan.

*CRASH*

This was the fourth time Cinder had fallen to the ground after she took flight. She may have regained full control of the Fall Maiden's powers, but Cinder was tired and weak. Being in a coma had left her with bedsores and stiff muscles, and those were only part of her current symptoms of waking up from a coma.

Flying and crashing into the sand four times had told Cinder that she hadn't fully recovered from her ordeal. She would most likely require a medical examination, maybe even physical therapy in order to be healthy once again. Right now, the best form of treatment Cinder needed was a long rest.

The only problem with that was there wasn't enough time for Cinder to rest. Not while her father was in an entirely different Kingdom, and in great danger.

And so, after getting off another sand dune that she crashed into, after shaking more sand off her body, Cinder let the fire in her hands and feet take her off the ground once again.

*WHOOSH*

Even though she was tired and constantly falling to the ground, Cinder had travelled a great distance across the land. Her powers had taken her far, and now they were taking her to the place where the land met the sea. The location of Auntie Em's inn was a three-day trip to the ocean, but Cinder had made it in less than that.

But she was still tired, and her powers were once again beginning to fail.

"Come on, come on!" Cinder begged as she concentrated harder. The fire around her eyes and hands were beginning to fade, but Cinder pushed herself to go even faster and to keep burning.

But while she was indeed going faster, all this did was expend all of her energy. She was running as well as an generator on its last bit of fuel, and that fuel finally expired.

Ash and embers followed Cinder as she fell down once again. She momentarily caught herself with fire a couple of times, but the fire disappeared as quickly as it came.

"No, no, nooooooo-!"

*SPLASH*

Instead of another dune, Cinder fell into the saltwater below her, which was freezing cold. Not only was she unable to create more fire to launch herself out, but Cinder was having trouble swimming as well. Her body was still recovering and she was still tired, and the cold wasn't doing her any favors.

The best she could do, however, was get her head above the water.

"GUUUUUUHHHHH!" Cinder yelled as she gasped for air. She then fell into a fit of coughing as she did her best to stay above the water.

The Fall Maiden immediately found herself stuck between a rock and a hard place. She was too far away from the mainland to swim back to shore, and all that was in front of her was the vast ocean. And when she tried to create fire once more, the water put it out in an instant.

It was at this moment that Cinder regretted her impulsive choice.

"No," she said as shivered from the coldness of the water. "I... I have to do this." Cinder closed her eyes and tried to find her strength again. "I can't stop here. I can't... fail."

"..."

Cinder may have told herself this, but the silence and the freezing nature of the water were telling herself otherwise. And Cinder would have believed what both of these forces were telling her, if she didn't hear another voice.

"You haven't failed, Cinder. Far from it."

Cinder looked up when she heard the voice, which caused her to doubt her own eyes. At first, she saw only the night sky and small waves gently hitting her face. But after a few seconds, Cinder saw a soft orange light shimmering above her head. She initially mistook it for the light she saw in the void, but the light soon took on a human form and revealed itself to be Cinder's mentor.

"Fall?" she asked. The only place Cinder saw the first Fall Maiden was in the void, but she was clearly freezing to death in the ocean. "Wh... What are you doing here? I'm not in the void."

"No, you're not," Fall confirmed. "But we've always been with you, Cinder. Just like we are now."

The idea was very comforting to Cinder. A moment ago, she believed herself to be alone in the world. She believed that she had dug her own grave by running off like a child, despite her good intentions. And before she even learned about the void, there were times when Cinder felt alone, even at Beacon.

So it was comforting for Cinder to know that she wasn't alone anymore. In fact, she found it hard to believe that she would be alone again. However, this didn't fix the mess she found herself in.

"I made a mistake," Cinder said to the spirit. "I guess I just got... caught up in the moment and tried to get to Mistral the only way I knew how."

"I understand," said Fall. "I would've done the same thing if I were you. Mistakes like burning yourself up are inevitable."

"Inevitable..." Cinder repeated to herself. "But I can't afford to make mistakes now! My dad's in trouble, everyone I know is in trouble! And here I am in freezing water with a body that wasn't ready to start fighting again!" Cinder lowered her head in shame. "What... What's that supposed to say about me?"

"A lot."

Cinder looked up at Fall once again, who simply smiled and spoke softly towards the Maiden who needed her guidance.

"I guess all that firepower burned your brain, too," she said with a small laugh. "Your body gave up on you before, Cinder. But that didn't stop you from taking the power back, did it? You know what I think this is supposed to say about you?"

"..."

"It's that what you think you lack in stamina, you've been making up with willpower. So you might need to get back into physical shape. But that fire you've been burning within hasn't gone away yet. And when you let that fire out, you saved someone's life." Fall smiled a little wider. "I'm proud of you, Cinder."

"..."

Cinder couldn't help but smile when Fall finished talking. She had to admit that she needed the encouragement, that someone could see that she hadn't lost her way. Obi-Wan once told her that bravery could lead to foolishness, and Cinder easily understood that lesson. But another lesson she learned was that it was never too late to get up and try again.

Only now, Cinder needed to know what exactly she could do.

"Thank you, Fall," she said. "But I still need to get to Mistral. I don't know what to do."

"That's why I'm here," Fall declared calmly. "What happened to you now is also supposed to say that you need a hand."

"Can you do that? From beyond the void?"

"I know you haven't seen it until now, but we've always been helping you with your powers. And now we can do it again."

The next minutes of their conversation involved a plan and helpful reminders. The plan was actually a feat performed by many Maidens in the past, by all four of them. Fall explained that it would surely get Cinder to Mistral in no time at all.

The reminders, on the other hand, were meant to serve as the fuel and energy Cinder needed to perform this feat. Fall's main piece of advice for the girl was to remember what she had learned. To remember and use it wisely.

Most students and disciples would be slightly annoyed by a vague idea, but Cinder remembered everything that she had learned. And with Fall's reminder and her plan to perform an extraordinary feat, Cinder knew exactly what to do and how to do it.

The first thing Cinder had to do was get out of the water. And though she couldn't do it with fire, Cinder started to think outside the box and let her problem become her solution. That was how she used her powers to make the water ascend high into the sky.

*FWOOSH*

Cinder found herself right on top of a spinning current, similar to that of a tornado. Now that her arms were free, Cinder used the air around her to stay floating while the water moved back to the sea.

*SPLASH*

Cinder was now floating in the air by a means of air instead of fire. Fire was her primary element, but she was going to have to use fire in a different way if she wanted to get to Mistral. So right now, Cinder was letting the air hold her above the ground. This was easy for her, due to everything she learned at Beacon.

And right now, she was ready to use what she learned in the void.

Fall's description of the ability she wanted Cinder to use included using something that Cinder had worked very hard on in the void. One of her last lessons, which proved to be the most important, was unlocking the energy within each of her chakras. Her crown chakra was still locked, since Cinder didn't want to abandon everything she had on Remnant. Unfortunately, this would make becoming a Fully-Realized Maiden very difficult.

However, Cinder had unlocked all of her other chakras. And now she had to concentrate on the new energy flowing within her in order to reach Mistral. It took time of course, since Cinder wasn't familiar with the newly found energy.

But once she connected with it, a miracle occurred.

*WHOOSH*

*WHOOSH*

The fire on Cinder's eyes changed from a bright orange to a beautiful blue flame. And when she let go of the air around her, more blue fire came to her hands and feet. And the fire within her began to burn just like the fire on the outside. The blue flames soon began to cover Cinder's entire body, which was exactly what she wanted.

Behind the scene, each of the Fall Maidens were giving their own strength to Cinder. This, combined with the energy of the chakras, was very close to what could be considered the power of a Fully-Realized Maiden. It was close, but it wasn't exactly the same kind of power. However, the power everyone was giving was enough for Cinder to make her move.

"Ready?" Fall asked Cinder.

The young girl moved out of a hovering position and into a flying position. Once she did this, and focused on her current destination, Cinder gave her confirmation to her mentor.

"Ready," she firmly said.

"...Go."

*WOOOOO*

*CHOOM*

Cinder moved like a speeding bullet as everything around her went blue. Not only was she moving like one, but the young girl was now traveling at a speed that would rival any bullet, airship, or anyone with a Semblance that allowed them to fly.

This speed was exactly what Cinder and the other Maidens were hoping for; a feat that was long forgotten, an ability that would take any Maiden anywhere across the planet in a matter of minutes instead of hours or days. The term for the speed wasn't scientifically correct, but one look at the flying Maiden made many people decide that the name did the feat justice.

Those who witnessed the power for themselves named it... "Lightspeed."

---

Nobody at Haven was aware of the events that transpired in the Kingdom of Vacuo. Nobody knew that the true Fall Maiden was finally awake, and nobody knew that two of Salem's closest underlings had been killed.

Aurora and Flora were the first of Salem's warriors to die during this brutal conflict, but they weren't the last.

*CLASH*

*WHOOSH*

*BOOM*

*CLASH*

Revan and Malak had been engaged in battle for several minutes, and the result appeared to be a stalemate. Each opponent was capable of striking and wounding the other, but neither of them could land a killing blow.

Revan hadn't lost his mask in battle, but his head was bleeding from an attack from the Force that may have left him with a concussion. He had several cuts on his torso, as did Malak. And yet, the Force provided both warriors with enough strength to keep fighting and do nothing else.

It was quite possible that at this rate, the warriors would be fighting until Judgment Day.

However, Malak had been so focused on Revan that he had forgotten that Obi-Wan Kenobi was still on the battlefield. He had used his Aura to recover from Malak's attacks, and now he was ready to rejoin the fight. But instead of relying on his lightsaber, Obi-Wan used his greatest ally: the Force.

Malak had found an opening against Revan and planned to strike hard in an effort to decapitate him. However, his arm became caught in Obi-Wan's invisible grip. The Sith Lord groaned in fury as he tried to swing the blade, but nothing was going to break Obi-Wan's grip.

And once he saw the chance his ally had given him, Revan struck hard at Malak.

*CLASH*

"Aaargh!"

Malak dropped his lightsaber when Revan's blade struck him. The strike wasn't lethal, but it was quite painful. So much so that Malak jumped back in retreat as he tried to work through the pain. He had fallen to his knees when he jumped back, and the burning sensation refused to leave his body.

The pain and the sight of the Jedi drawing closer were making Malak angry once again. To display this anger and hopefully defeat his foes, the Sith let out a scream as he unleashed a barrage of lightning upon the Jedi.

*ZAP*

*ZAP*

Revan quickly raised his lightsaber to deflect the electricity while Obi-Wan used the Force again. He once saw Master Yoda catch Force lightning in his hands, and the Headmaster did it to save his life. It was incredibly difficult, but Obi-Wan did the best he could.

After about ten seconds of standing still, the Jedi began to slide back as the pressure of the lightning overtook them. Malak's attacks were always strong and powerful, and he was quite proficient with the ability to conjure lightning. He primarily used it for torture, but Malak planned on using it for murder tonight.

Revan knew that he couldn't hold on to the lightning forever, but he also knew that he had to hold his ground. He could see that Obi-Wan was losing his ground as well, so he decided to help with this.

It was a risky move, but Revan reached out with the Force while he kept only one hand on his lightsaber. His free hand held Obi-Wan and himself in place so they could stop sliding and start fighting against Malak.

*ZAP*

Revan was hit by some of the electricity, but he was able to push the majority of it with his lightsaber. And Obi-Wan was able hold his ground once again. Together, the Jedi resisted the attack and held on with everything they had.

Malak was able to see that Revan and Obi-Wan were able to resist the attack, and his first instinct was to increase the amount of energy he was putting into the lightning. The Jedi were still able to hold on, which made Malak even angrier.

But when he saw that his lightsaber was directly behind Revan, the Sith Lord had another idea. The first step of his plan was to stop the lightning and use the Force in another manner.

"Godspeed, Revan," he said as he pulled his arm back, bidding farewell to his former teacher.

*HISS*

The sound was the only clue Revan and Obi-Wan received for Malak's intentions. Revan knew he was in more danger than Obi-Wan, and he also knew that he didn't have enough time to react with the Force.

He did, however, have just enough time to jump out of the way of whatever danger was behind him.

*WHOOSH*

*HISS*

Just as Revan hoped, Malak's lightsaber missed him when he performed a somersault in the air. It wasn't an easy feat, since he needed to act at a moment's notice. But the jump had saved his life, and the lightsaber found a new target instead of Revan.

"Im..."

*COUGH*

*COUGH*

The coughing and the sight of Malak kneeling before him told Revan that he had won. Because Revan had jumped out of the way, the lightsaber stabbed Malak in a place that was vital to survival itself.

And now that he had, there was nothing left for Revan but to watch as Malak left this world. But the Sith didn't leave in silence.

"Impossible," Malak finally uttered as he attempted to hold on to life. "I... I cannot be beaten. I am a Dark Lord... of the Sith."

As the Jedi stood over their foe, Revan and Obi-Wan silently reached an agreement on how they were able to beat Malak. It wasn't simply because they outnumbered him or they were more experienced than him. But rather, Revan and Obi-Wan knew that something like this was always inevitable for a Sith.

Before he declared this to be true, Revan decided to remove his mask. His emotions were vulnerable, as his face now showed sadness and pity towards the Sith. Malak could try to use that in his final moments, but Revan didn't care. If he was going to watch Malak die, he planned to see it face-to-face.

"It is the way of the dark side, Malak," Revan finally said. "All things end in death."

Malak coughed again before he replied. "Still... Still spouting the wisdom of the Jedi, I see," he said. "Maybe there is more truth in their code than I ever believed."

"..."

Obi-Wan and Revan were surprised to hear this; it was rare for a Sith to admit their wrongdoings.

But Malak knew that he had been defeated, and that he had been humbled before his former master and brother. All the anger and hate in the world couldn't save him now, since he could feel himself growing weaker and weaker.

He didn't have much time now, but he had time enough to think on it all. What Revan said was true, and his inevitable death would do nothing but prove the Jedi's point. So Malak knew there wasn't any reason left to fight.

But there was still enough time to talk.

"I... I cannot help but wonder, Revan," Malak said. "What would have happened had our positions been reversed? What if fate had decreed I would be captured by the Jedi? Could I have returned to the light, as you did? If you had not led me down the dark path in the first place, what destiny would I have found?"

"..."

Revan had asked this question more times than once. When Salem broke his mind and released him, he was indeed captured by the Jedi. His new path and new training weren't easy, nor was his return to the light. But Revan was able to surpass all the challenges he faced, and he had hoped the same could be done for Malak.

As for the final question, Revan knew that one thing was true; he should have never let his pride and lust for power drive him and Malak to Salem in the first place.

"I am sorry I started you on this path," Revan said as he kneeled down to Malak. While it was true that Malak gave him the idea to follow in the footsteps of the Jedi who fell to the darkness, Revan was the one who made the decision. He blamed himself for becoming a Sith, along with Malak.

However, this wasn't an excuse for Malak refusing to turn back.

"But you chose to continue down it," Revan reminded his former apprentice.

As he coughed once more, Malak found himself unable to deny this claim. "I suppose... I suppose you speak the truth," he said. "I alone must accept responsibility for my fate."

"..."

Even after his brother refused to join him, even after Salem locked him in the Fermata Cage, Malak refused to abandon the way of the Sith. Just as Revan's lust for power made him into a monster, Malak's personal ambitions led him to his death.

"I wanted to be Master of the Sith and ruler of the world," the Sith confessed. "But that destiny was not mine, Revan." He looked at Revan to make eye contact with him. "It might have been yours, perhaps... but never mine. And in the end, as the darkness takes me... I am nothing."

"..."

And with that single, and final act of regret, Darth Malak finally died.

Revan and Obi-Wan stood completely still after the Sith Lord fell to the ground and refused to move. Obi-Wan would have moved back to Haven Academy, but the feelings he sensed within Revan made him stay and do whatever he could to comfort his fellow Jedi.

Revan didn't know what to think as he stared upon the corpse of his brother. There were times in the past where he believed he would be at peace with the passing of Malak, that he would be proud that the Sith could do no more harm to Remnant. He wanted this to happen, he even prayed to the Force that it would happen.

But as he stared upon his handiwork, Revan felt hollow. Empty. His goal had been achieved, but nothing about him or Remnant changed. He was still feeling the pull of the dark side despite his renewed fealty to the light, and Remnant was still at war. Salem lived and plotted like she always did, and Ozpin did the same.

In Revan's mind, nothing good arose from this duel.

"It's hard to remember without the help of the Order."

Revan finally turned away and looked at Obi-Wan, who was staring at him instead of the body. "What?" Revan asked.

"Why the Jedi were created," Obi-Wan replied. "I once said that Sith like Nihilus were beyond our help. As I watched him fade away, I knew that the Force couldn't help him." Obi-Wan looked down at Malak. "He was different. I sensed something within him, right before he died. As soon as you gave your apology."

Revan was unable to sense anything from Malak, besides pain and despair. But based on what Obi-Wan was implying, there seemed to be something that he was missing.

"What?" he asked inquisitively.

Obi-Wan put a hand on Revan's shoulder. "Peace," he replied. "Malak... Alek... was at peace with what happened. You gave him peace."

"..."

Revan couldn't sense it now that his brother was dead, but he never had a reason to doubt Obi-Wan; especially when it came to the wisdom of the Jedi. It was their goal to use their knowledge and skills to bring peace upon the world, to spread understanding and put an end to conflicts wherever they arose.

If Alek was at peace, then Revan had performed the duty of a Jedi well. It was true that violence and death were only to be used as a last resort, but tonight they managed to put an end to more pain and suffering.

If he hadn't died, the Sith Lord would only continue to spread and feel pain and suffering wherever he went. When Revan put a stop to that, he saw that Alek didn't resent him for what he did. He accepted it instead, and he let go of any anger and hate he had.

Obi-Wan was right. In the end, Revan had given his brother peace.

*THOOM*

Obi-Wan and Revan turned to the sky when they heard what sounded like thunder. But it hadn't been raining at Haven, and there didn't seem to be any lightning as well.

However, they were able to catch a glimpse of a blue light in the sky that suddenly changed into an orange one.

The blue light was a fast one, it almost looked like a shooting star that was very close to the ground. But when the light changed from blue to orange, the Jedi could see that it wasn't a shooting star. It was something else.

Something that quickly flew down from the top of the academy and into the auditorium.

The Jedi shared a brief glance of confusion and uncertainty at each other before they rushed over to the broken entrance. But when they returned to the auditorium, they discovered that they were too late to discover what the light was. Mandalorians of Clan Vizsla and Tenau were also in the auditorium, and they too were captivated by the light. They were previously fighting Pre Vizsla's Mandalorians, but now they were all staring down the hole that led to the Vault.

"What was that?"

"I don't know. It went down there."

"Should we follow it?"

"It could be dangerous. I saw Vizsla and Djarin get dragged down there by something."

"Well, what do we do?"

Obi-Wan and Revan stared at each other as they also wondered what they do. With Malak dead, an immediate threat to Mistral's safety was put to an end. However, the sight of more Mandalorians landing near the entrance to the auditorium reminded everyone of the threat that still existed.

So the question remained; should they all investigate the light, or should they stay the course and defend Haven?

Obi-Wan and Revan suddenly sensed something when they looked back to the hole. They each sensed a presence, as if someone or something had just arrived at Haven. The presence was foreign to Revan, but it was familiar to Obi-Wan. However, it was a presence he hadn't felt since...

"Defend the school!" Obi-Wan ordered as he turned towards the invaders and activated his lightsaber. "We've lost too many Huntsmen and Huntresses, we are all Haven's last line of defense!"

The Mandalorians of Clans Tenau and Vizsla quickly agreed when they looked at the number of Saxons, Bralors, Carids, and the remaining members of Death Watch. Most of them were reinforcements that Pre Vizsla had called, but they were still a threat.

"Attack!" a Mandalorian from Clan Vizsla ordered. His brethren and the members of Clan Tenau obeyed without question and charged at the invaders.

"Don't worry about the Vault!" Obi-Wan said to Revan. "Our only threat is what's in front of us!"

Revan was willing to comply with the order of killing more Mandalorians, but his mind wasn't quite at rest. "I don't understand," he admitted. "We still don't know what that light was, the Relic could be at risk."

"We have no reason to fear it, Revan. I know what it was."

"You do? What?"

Obi-Wan smiled at Revan before he joined the defenders of Haven. "Hope, my friend. Hope."

---

Inside the Vault, Raven was the first to awaken. When she did, the first thing she noticed was how quiet everything was. Her dreams were loud and terrifying, and she was expecting reality to be just as loud with Aurora in it.

But Aurora was nowhere to be seen. All Raven could see was two unconscious Mandalorians, two sleeping Huntsmen that were close to waking up, and the dead body of a young bandit.

In a rare moment, Raven looked at her fellow bandit in pity. She didn't intend for one of her own to die, as she had a responsibility as a leader to look out for her entire tribe. And so, she silently walked over to the unfortunate girl and shut her unseeing eyes. It was the least she could for her.

"Uh... what? What happened?"

Raven turned around fast to see that Qrow was starting to recover with Ozpin. Both of them were no longer suffering from Aurora's nightmares, they were free. But rather than let them enjoy their freedom, Raven decided to let them sleep a little longer.

*BAM*

*BAM*

Two quick strikes to the back of their heads were enough to knock Qrow and Ozpin unconscious. Once she saw the results of her handiwork, Raven sighed in relief and welcomed the returning silence.

"Sorry, Qrow," Raven said. "But it's like I said; sometimes family disappoints you."

"..."

The continuing silence had given Raven some time to think about her next move. The whole reason she was at Haven to begin with was to kill Qrow. He may have been her brother, but he had caused her enough trouble for one lifetime. Raven knew that one quick slash with Omen would be enough to cleave Qrow's head off his shoulders.

On the other hand, the Vault was open. The Relic of Knowledge was Raven's for the taking. And even though she didn't have an exact plan for the lamp, Raven knew that keeping it away from Salem was for the best. And having something powerful with her was bound to be useful one day.

And so, Raven saw that she had a choice. She could either kill Qrow now and leave while she could, or take the Relic and vanish without a trace.

"Hm..." Raven hummed to herself as she analyzed her situation. She placed a hand on Omen and activated her Maiden powers once again. When she felt the fire come to her eyes, Raven knew that the speed of a Maiden was still with her. She could make a quick, clean cut at Qrow before flying to the Vault and taking the Relic. And there was a little bit of Aura recharged after she took her untimely nap.

"Why not do both?" Raven asked herself as she began to remove Omen from her sheath.

The question was intended to be a rhetorical one, but something came into the Vault to answer that question.

*WHOOSH*

*THOOM*

All of Raven's plans disappeared when she caught a glimpse of an orange light and heard something hit the floor. Valuing self-preservation over murder, Raven turned towards the spot where she entered the Vault in the first place. There, she saw a cloud of smoke and dust slowly disappearing and revealing a young girl with black hair who looked like she had just gotten out of bed.

Raven wouldn't be intimidated by the sight at first, but she knew that she had to take the girl as a threat when she saw an orange fire on both of her eyes.

Just as Obi-Wan had predicted, Cinder had indeed arrived at Haven Academy. Lightspeed had served her well, as did the assistance of all the previous Maidens. When they sensed that they had arrived at Haven, Fall and her allies slowly took their strength back to let Cinder safely exit the speeding force she found herself in. Once that happened, Cinder knew that everything was up to her now.

The memories of Aurora gave Cinder a path to follow in order to find her father. She saw Hazel destroy a statue leading to a chasm and she saw Aurora led two other women down into the chasm before she witnessed a large fight that left Aurora victorious. And so, Cinder followed Aurora's steps and flew into the chasm that led to the Vault.

There, she was met with four unconscious warriors and another Maiden.

"So..." Raven began as she held on to Omen's handle. "Can I safely assume that Aurora's dead?"

"...Yeah," Cinder replied. "I'm the one she-"

"I know who you are."

Raven possessed a strong memory, one that rarely forgot anything she deemed important. One of these memories was the chrome Mandalorian showing her a video of a young Cinder utilizing her Maiden powers. The Mandalorian showed Raven this video when he came to her for help, to prove that aiding him was very important. Raven saw the child's face that day, and she saw that it was an exact match to the girl who was standing before her.

"I also know that you're his ward," Raven said as she gestured her head to Din Djarin. He had seen what was happening to Aurora, but the pain she inflicted on him was enough to make him fall unconscious.

Cinder looked where Raven was looking, and she softly gasped. She wasn't afraid that Djarin was dead, since she could see his chest rising and falling at a steady pace. But rather, this was the first time in what felt like forever that Cinder had seen the Mandalorian again. There was so much she wanted to tell him, so much she wanted to do to help him.

But first, Cinder made a proud declaration that she hoped Djarin could hear.

"No," she said. "I'm his daughter. And damn proud of it."

"Hm," Raven hummed, unimpressed by the heartfelt gesture. However, she saw an opportunity to make this meeting a brief one. "He'll live, but he needs help." She turned back towards the Vault. "I suggest you take him and go."

Raven was confident with her plan when she heard quick footsteps stop at a certain distance. She expected Cinder to be kneeling by her father's side while she walked towards the open Vault. She planned to simply take the Relic and go, since it didn't seem anybody would be stopping her.

She was wrong.

"You opened the Vault," said Cinder, who was indeed kneeling close to Djarin. After she quickly checked his pulse with her right hand, Cinder gave Raven her full attention.

"Thanks to the chaos your attempted successor created," Raven confirmed. "She almost got away with it too. I guess I have you to thank for not letting that happen."

Cinder stood up as Raven stopped walking. "Qrow and Ozpin told me about the Vaults," she said. "That the Relics are there for a reason."

Raven grew very annoyed with what Cinder was saying. "I'm sure they told you plenty, and you just sat and obeyed."

"They told me how badly Salem wants to open them." Cinder began to walk forward, very slowly. "That's why Aurora was here. But what about you? What are you doing here?"

Raven turned around once again, after she took a few more steps towards the Vault. "What does it matter to you?" she asked.

Cinder wasn't afraid of Raven, and she let the older woman know this. "I don't want Salem to have the Relics... but I wouldn't trust them in the hands of someone who helped crazy Mandalorians invade the school," she said. "Or someone who thinks killing their brother is a good idea."

Raven understood that Cinder wasn't going to let her take the Relic, and now she took the chance to let the child know that she wouldn't let anything stop her.

"And I wouldn't trust them in the hands of a child, Maiden or not," she said as she took a battle position.

Cinder immediately followed, despite the fact that she didn't have a plan of attack. Judging from the state that Raven was currently in, bleeding with her clothes in tatters, it was possible that Raven was tired and not capable of fighting for long.

Then again, Cinder was still recovering from her coma. So she knew that her chances of beating her opponent were slim.

But they got a little better when Cinder heard an invisible voice.

"Cinder, we can help you."

Cinder looked around for the source of the voice, but all she could see was Raven preparing for battle. "Fall?" she whispered. "Where are you?"

"I'm still with you," said Fall. "And we can still help you. This will be over before you know it."

Cinder prepared for battle as well when she saw Raven approach closer. Flame naturally came to her eyes and hands as she waited for her opponent to make the first move. "What do we do?" Cinder asked her invisible mentor. "Another hidden power?"

"Sort of," Fall replied. "Just grab and hold her when you're close enough."

"What? Why?"

"We need to make contact with her to help."

Cinder don't have enough time to ask another questions or agree to the plan. Raven had just lunged at her with Omen, and Cinder had to dodge the red blade that nearly cut her face.

*WHOOSH*

Cinder threw fire at the Spring Maiden, and Raven moved as fast as she could to avoid the flames. She took cover near the rocks so she could recover, since she was still wounded from her battle with Aurora.

Cinder still needed time to recover as well. She couldn't fight with her fists or another weapon, since she didn't have Midnight or her armor. Her powers, however, were as strong as ever. So she flew close to Raven and blasted more fire at her.

*WHOOSH*

*WHOOSH*

Raven created fire of her own to counter Cinder's flames, and the two elemental waves came at a standstill when they met. Cinder pushed on the fire with both hands to intensify the flames, and she began to walk closer towards the Vault in order to prevent Raven from acquiring the Relic of Knowledge.

But Raven wasn't going to be stopped that easily.

*WHOOSH*

The fire completely vanished when Raven unleashed a gust of wind from her hands. Some of the fire reached her body when she was forced to let go of it, but she wasn't badly hurt. And now that the flames were gone, Raven flew to Cinder and grabbed her by the throat.

Cinder stopped just in front of the open Vault, but this was because Raven had stopped flying. She lifted the child slightly off the floor as she continued to hold her throat, but she didn't plan to choke Cinder.

Instead, Raven took Omen in her other hand and prepared to stab Cinder in the chest.

The Fall Maiden immediately saw what was happening, and she acted quickly. Rather than punch Raven's arm or try to use her powers again, Cinder followed the order of her mentor and grabbed Raven's arm. Nothing happened at first, so Cinder turned her thoughts inward as she saw Raven release Omen from its sheath.

"Fall, Lila, Karma... I could really use your help!" Cinder thought as she held Raven's arm. She didn't know what to expect from this small prayer, but Cinder knew she didn't have many options. It was clear that Raven was powerful, and she was playing for keeps now that the Vault was open.

Cinder was ready to rethink her strategy, since nothing seemed to happen when she called out to her allies. This idea changed, however, when everything went white.

*WHOOSH*

Cinder and Raven were both blinded by a white light that seemed to have come out of nowhere. When she opened her eyes again, Cinder saw nothing but whiteness all around her.

"I'm... I'm back?" Cinder guessed as she familiarized herself with her surroundings. And when she looked down, she was wearing her red dress instead of the pajamas she had in Vacuo. It seemed that she was back in the void, and it also seemed that her call for help had worked.

But nobody was around.

"Hello?!" Cinder called out. "Fall?! Lila?! Karma?!"

"..."

"Anybody?!"

"..."

The silence and uncertainty transformed Cinder's confusion into fear. She had just returned to the world of Remnant, and she wasn't looking to be trapped in the void once again. Cinder realized that she should have expected to be here when she called for help, but she wasn't sure why she couldn't see anyone.

Cinder was able to hear, however. And right now, she could hear what sounded like somebody crying.

The Fall Maiden looked around when she heard this sound, and she soon found herself looking in a certain direction. Across the endless distance, Cinder could see what looked like somebody kneeling down on the ground. When Cinder moved closer, the sound of crying became much louder as the person became clearer.

Cinder could see that the person kneeling was a younger girl, someone wearing a plain dress and what appeared to be a crown of flowers on her head. But what captured Cinder's attention the most was that this girl was glowing like Fall was. But instead of an orange color, this girl was glowing a bright green.

"...Hello?" Cinder asked when she stopped in front of the girl.

The girl looked up at Cinder with tear-filled eyes and a gasp. She quickly moved backwards in fear, which led Cinder to put her hands up and take one step back.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Cinder said quickly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you!" When she looked at the girl's face, it became clear to Cinder that the two of them were strangers; she didn't even see this girl when Cinder said her goodbyes to all of the previous Fall Maidens.

"Who... Who are you?" the girl asked. "Who... Who sent you?"

"N-Nobody. I was just looking for-"

"The power?" The girl looked at Cinder from head to toe and sighed. "Fine. Just take it and go. If she's dead, then it's yours." She looked away from Cinder and began to cry again. "There's nothing I can do about it now."

Cinder became more confused than ever. She still had the Fall Maiden's power, she was sure of it. So why was this girl talking as if Cinder still needed it? None of this was making sense.

"What?" Cinder asked. "But... I already have the Fall Maiden's power. I just got it back."

The girl looked up at Cinder again, very slowly. "Did... Did you say... 'Fall?'" she asked. "The... The Fall Maiden?"

"Well, yeah. I was here before, working to get it back. I mean, you saw me training here... right?"

The girl stood up on her feet and looked at Cinder once again. "You're... Why are you here?" she asked.

"I was looking for Fall," she explained. "And the other Maidens. I came here for help, and-"

"She's here?!" The girl dried her eyes and looked around the white space. "Where is she?!"

Cinder was taken aback by the girl's surprise, and it only made her more confused. If this girl was a previous Maiden, then she should have known that Fall was with her in the void.

Unless...

"Who are you?" Cinder asked calmly. "What's your name?"

"My name?" the girl asked. "My name is-"

"Spring?"

Cinder and the girl turned towards the direction of a new voice. They saw another girl before them, one that was glowing orange and wearing a shirt and a skirt. She had a surprised look on her face and widened eyes, but Cinder was paying more attention to the fact that she was here.

"Fall!" Cinder said with a smile. "I was looking for-"

"Spring?" Fall asked without paying attention to Cinder. "Is... Is that really you?"

Cinder looked at the green girl, who seemed to be just as surprised as Fall was. Cinder found herself sharing this surprise with a gasp when she put the pieces together. Just as she hypothesized, this girl wasn't a previous Fall Maiden.

She was a previous Spring Maiden. And based on what Fall had said, she wasn't just any Spring Maiden.

This girl was the Spring Maiden.

"Fall?" Spring asked. Her apparent despair soon turned to joy as she charged towards the girl with a big smile and open arms. "Fall!"

The sisters embraced each other in an instant and basked in the warmth of their reunion. Fall made a complete spin since Spring had her feet off the ground, and the sisters did nothing but laugh and smile as they kneeled down and hugged each other.

"I missed you so much!" said Spring.

"I missed you too!" Fall said as she brushed her hand agains the back of Spring's head.

"I didn't think I'd ever see you again."

"I never doubted it."

When the sisters stopped hugging, Fall looked over to see a surprised and smiling Cinder. She was glad to see the sisters reunited, but she was surprised to see that she had somehow found herself in the void that connected the Spring Maidens together.

Fall was also surprised, since she didn't believe her idea would work. But once again, the previous Fall Maidens came to Cinder's aid and allowed themselves to connect with the Spring Maiden, courtesy of the presence of Raven Branwen. And because of these efforts, Fall and Spring were reunited once again.

"This is Cinder," Fall said when her sister finally laid eyes on the living girl. "She's the current Fall Maiden."

"Hi," Cinder said with a smile and an extended hand. "It's nice to meet you."

Spring looked at Cinder and her friendly gesture, but she didn't shake the girl's hand. "You mean... you're not here for the power?" she asked.

"What? Me?" Cinder moved her hand back and quickly denied the idea. "Oh, no, no, no. I'm fine with just one part of the power. You see, I was fighting Raven Branwen, but I needed help because she was a Maiden too. I thought your sister could help, and then-"

"So she still has it? The power?"

"Um, that's right." Cinder looked over to Fall. "Unless you did something just now?"

"Not to Raven, no," Fall explained. "But my plan to bring us to this void worked. I was hoping to bring Raven too, but-"

Fall stopped talking when she heard the familiar sound of sobbing. She and Cinder turned and saw Spring had stepped away from her sister and moved to the floor once again. When she did, her tears and despair returned in an instant.

"...Spring?" Fall said as she kneeled down to her sister. "Spring, wha... Why are you crying?"

"Look at me, Fall!" Spring replied. "Look what I'm doing!" Spring gestures towards the empty void, but she was referring to everything that Raven had done in the Vault. And based on her current attitude, it was possible that Spring was referring to everything Raven had done with the Maiden's powers.

"Hey, that's not true," Fall insisted. "Raven's the one doing all of this, not you."

"But it's my power! I'm the reason Raven has it in the first place!"

Spring was referring to the fact that the power of the Maidens moved to another person when the previous Maiden died. Just like it did with Cinder, the power moved to the last person the Maiden held in her thoughts.

But there was a special circumstance in Raven's case.

"Do you know what happened to the last Maiden?" Spring asked. "How she ended up in here like the rest of us?"

"..."

Fall and Cinder shared a brief glance at each other. The sight of Spring crying and lamenting over the fact that Raven was using the powers for evil gave them one idea as to how she acquired them in the first place.

Fall was the first to respond to her sister, as well as the first to try and comfort her. "Spring, you don't have to-"

"She killed her!" Spring lamented. "She stabbed that poor girl in the back! She might have been a bandit too, but she didn't deserve that!" Spring smacked her forehead in sorrow. "None of this should have happened! It's unforgivable!"

"..."

"I'm unforgivable..."

Spring fell to the floor again, but Fall joined her and hugged her once again. Now she found herself hating Raven just as much as her sister did. She promised herself that Raven would pay for what she did, how she used her sister to carry out terrible crimes.

And fortunately for Fall, Cinder was willing to help.

"It's okay, Spring," Cinder said calmly with a bit of assertion. "We're here to help you, both of us. Fall brought us here, and she knows the void better than anyone. We can stop Raven."

Fall continued to cradle her sister, but she looked up at Cinder and nodded. "That's right," she said. "We're not leaving until we stop Raven." She then turned back to her sister. "And that's a promise."

Spring looked up at both of the women before her and dried her eyes. "...Thank you," she said. It was nice to see that she wouldn't be alone in this. "So... what are we going to do?"

"Yeah," Cinder said. "Do you have a plan, Fall?"

Fall stood up and looked around. "I did," she said as she turned back to her friend and sister. "I was hoping we could bring Raven to the void and use all of the Maidens to stop her. But it doesn't look like her connection to the void is strong. Cinder was strong enough, but she needed a push to get here."

Cinder immediately knew that slipping into a coma was the "push" Fall was referring to.

"She got the powers fairly recently," Spring pointed out. "So that makes sense."

"Hmm." Fall paused and raised a hand to her chin. "Let me think for a minute. We'll find a way."

Cinder began to think with Fall, but no ideas came to her mind. Fall's initial plan sounded like it would have worked, but it didn't seem like Raven would be coming here any time soon. Still, Cinder had faith in Fall.

And yet, Cinder began to wish that Karma was here. She was a very strict and blunt woman, but she was also a very wise Maiden. After all, it was Karma who showed Cinder what chakras were, and how there was much more to the power of the Maidens than met the eye.

"Wait a minute," Cinder said as she recalled Karma's lessons. "That's it!"

"Huh?" Fall asked as she snapped out of her thoughts. "What is it, Cinder?"

"Remember when you introduced me to Karma? And how she wanted me to unlock my chakras?"

"Yeah, of course."

"Before that, she actually showed me how strong the piece I had was! She used it better than I could at first!"

Fall didn't witness Karma doing this, but she took Cinder's word for it. "Well, people like Karma and I have had the powers longer than most."

"Yeah, exactly!" Cinder pointed directly at Spring. "Spring's like you, Fall! She's had the powers longer than Raven! She might be able use in a way that Raven can't!"

Fall took a moment to think about this. "That's true," she said. "Spring would know about the powers better than Raven."

Spring stood up again and moved to her new allies. "What are you thinking?" Spring asked. "That I attack her from the inside?"

"That might be hard," Fall replied. "Cinder did that to Aurora, but only because she had a part of the power. And she had to leave the void to face her."

"Okay, maybe we don't have to attack Raven," said Cinder. "What if we did what Aurora did to me? What if we took the power away from her?"

"What do you mean? You want to split Spring's powers up like yours?"

"Not split it up, no." Cinder turned to the second Maiden. "Spring, you're stronger than Raven. You can do anything you put your mind to with these powers." Cinder gently held Spring's arms. "So, I want you to take them away from Raven. If you can give the Maidens their powers... that means you can take them back."

Both Fall and Spring widened their eyes as they heard this plan. It was true that Spring could use her powers in ways that Raven couldn't just yet, but to take them back was a very drastic thing to do. She and the other Maidens had never tried anything like this, and neither had Fall.

"I'm sorry, what?" Spring asked. "You want me to take back the power?"

"Raven wouldn't be able to use them anymore," Cinder explained. "She won't be able to abuse them again."

Spring was about to say something else, but Fall put a hand on her shoulder and spoke first. "Cinder, that might be true," she confirmed. "But nobody's ever tried to take the power back from someone on Remnant."

"But that doesn't mean it's impossible."

"No, it doesn't. But it won't break the connection Raven has with Spring and the others. They'll stay with her until she dies."

"That's fine. Spring doesn't have to leave, she just has to make sure Raven can't hurt anyone with her powers again. And when the time comes, somebody better than her will be able to take it."

Fall and Spring were following along with Cinder's logic, and Fall was starting to believe that the plan would work. It was just like Cinder said; Raven wouldn't be able to abuse the powers anymore, despite the fact that she would still be connected to Spring.

But Spring didn't like the sound of that.

"I... I don't know," the younger girl said as she turned away. "Ozpin told us that we had a responsibility with our gifts. If I did this... I'd be taking a Maiden away from Remnant. Nobody's ever done that before."

"..."

"I've already done more harm than good with this. I just... don't want to cause any more."

Fall immediately began to sympathize with her sister. While she still believed that Raven was the one responsible for doing more harm than good, Fall could see why Spring was hesitant about removing a Maiden from Remnant. All four Maidens weren't just the key to the Vaults, but they were supposed to be the guardians of the world. Raven wasn't a guardian, but Remnant still needed the Maidens.

Cinder agreed, but she had a different point of view on the matter.

"Spring... Ozpin was right about your responsibility," she said. "But that doesn't mean he has all the answers. Trust me, I know."

"..."

Spring turned around and was immediately met with Cinder taking her hands and continuing her speech. "I don't know you as well as Fall does, but I know you were once a great Maiden. You proved yourself worthy to bear the title, not Raven. You've grown strong enough in mind, body, and soul, not Raven. You're just as important as me and Fall, being here doesn't make you powerless or responsible for what happens out there. And it doesn't leave you without the ability to make your own choices."

"..."

Cinder was well aware of how the power of the Maidens transferred from one person to another, and she believed that it was time to change that. And Spring deserved to be the first to do that.

"You're a Maiden too, Spring," Cinder continued. "You have the right to choose who deserves your power and who doesn't. You and everyone else in the void deserve to make your own choice. And if what Fall told me about you is true... there's no doubt that you'll make the right one."

"..."

For the second time upon their arrival, Spring smiled at Cinder and Fall. The point Cinder had made was true, and it left Spring with a new feeling of self-worth and self-worth and self-confidence; something that Raven had taken from her.

Now it was time to take it back, as well as everything else.

"You're right," Spring said with a determined yet humble look on her face. She then looked to her sister. "She's right, Fall. We have a choice too."

"...Yeah," said Fall. "Yeah, we do." She approached her sister once again and put her hand on Spring's cheek. "I know you'll make the right one. I know you'll find the next Spring Maiden."

"I will. That's a promise."

The sisters hugged each other one last time as they prepared to go their separate ways once again. Neither of them wanted to leave, since they had been apart for so long. But neither of them forgot the responsibility they had.

And neither of them would forget what Cinder had taught them.

After she said her goodbyes, Spring faded away from Fall and Cinder. Fall was prepared to let Cinder depart as well, but she had one final things to say.

"Thank you, Cinder," she said with a heartfelt smile. "You were absolutely right. We have just as much of a choice as everyone else on Remnant."

"You don't have to thank me," Cinder said with a blush. "I, uh, kind of learned that from you first. You and everyone else chose to help me get back on my feet."

"You're one of us, Cinder. Don't ever forget that." Fall put a hand on Cinder's shoulder and smiled. "And when you come back, we'll choose the next Fall Maiden. Together."

Cinder smiled and nodded. "Then I'll be sure to find a few good candidates when I get back," she joked. "Maybe it'll make the job easier." She and Fall shared a brief laugh and one final hug before everything began to go white.

"Goodbye."

*WHOOSH*

When the white light disappeared, Cinder found herself back in the cave where the Vault was located. And instead of being held slightly above the ground, Cinder found herself with both of her feet on the floor and able to breathe normally.

Raven, on the other hand, was the one who was in pain.

She had dropped Omen on the floor and she was holding both hands on her head. One would think that she was suffering from a migraine, but Raven felt like her head was on fire. Cinder easily noticed this, but she didn't want to take any chances.

*WHOOSH*

Cinder let a gust of wind escape her palm and collide into Raven, who flew backwards and slid across the ground. When she stopped sliding, Raven was able to regain control of herself and feel relieved of any pain. When she realized that she had been attacked and stripped of her weapon, Raven stood back up and thrust her arm forward.

Her goal was to create another gust of wind, but nothing happened.

"Huh?" Raven mumbled as she looked her hand. She looked back up at Cinder and tried again, but nothing happened. When she took a step forward and tried again, the same result was achieved. On a fourth try, Raven tried to create fire and lightning in contrast to air.

But all she did was fall to her knees when nothing happened once again.

After she spent a few seconds taking deep breaths, Raven looked up at Cinder with a scowl on her face. "What... What have you done?" she angrily asked. "What's happened to me?!"

"I didn't do anything," Cinder replied. "I just reminded the Spring Maiden that she still has a choice about her powers." A confident smile came to her face. "And she made the right one."

Since she was unaware of the true connection she had to Spring, Raven was confused and angry by the idea. "What? I'm the Spring Maiden!"

Cinder shook her head. "Not anymore. And frankly... I don't think you ever were." To make her enemy even weaker than she was now, Cinder moved her foot against Omen and kicked it towards the abyss to her left.

Raven lunged to the side quickly, despite the fact that she didn't have her powers anymore, and managed to catch Omen before it fell off the bridge. Her first reaction was to attack Cinder once again, but she changed her mind when she saw fire in the girl's eyes and hands.

"Don't. Even. Think about it," Cinder warned as she began to walk backwards. "I'm taking the Relic. If you try to stop me, I'll cremate you and throw your ashes off this bridge. Got it?"

"..."

Raven didn't say a word. Instead, she used her newfound Aura to create a portal and disappear. When the portal closed, all that stood in Raven's place was a black feather that gently floated to the ground.

Cinder sighed in relief as she lowered her hands and let her fire die. Her first idea was to turn back towards her father, who was still laying on the ground. She checked his pulse again to make sure he was still alive, and smiled when she felt a stronger pulse than a few minutes ago.

Cinder decided to check on Qrow and Ozpin as well, even though she wasn't too fond of Ozpin at the moment. Fall sensed this when Cinder spoke to Spring, but she never brought it up before she left the void. And after she saw that both Huntsmen were still alive, Cinder considered the idea of waking her father up. But when she reminded herself of how she treated him at Beacon, the Maiden decided to practice an apology before she woke him up.

This idea, however, was blocked out by the temptation of the open Vault.

When she saw the open doorway and a golden lamp inside, Cinder felt compelled to step forward and get a closer look at the Relic. The first thing she noticed was how different the environment of the Vault was. The ground was comprised of stone and sand, like the desert of Vacuo. The area appeared to be somewhat blurry as well, a feature that made Cinder almost disbelieve her eyes.

When she stopped in front of the Relic, Cinder stood in awe as she inspected it. Djarin told her about the lamp before, as well as the spirit that rested inside. Cinder believed that the Relic was beautiful, the gold and blue colors she saw were very entrancing.

Cinder remembered what she said about the Relics staying the Vault, but she also remembered that the door was wide open. If she left the Relic without a means to lose the Vault again, anyone could just walk in and take it. And if Raven changed her mind, she could create another portal and ambush Cinder from behind before taking the Relic for herself.

And so, Cinder took a bold yet calculated risk and took the Relic of Knowledge off its resting place.

"Just in case," she said to herself. Cinder couldn't attach the Relic to her waist since she was still wearing pajamas. So she held on to the lamp very tightly as she walked along the path again.

As Cinder began to emerge from the Vault, she was welcomed by something she had been waiting an eternity for.

Din Djarin had finally started to recover from Aurora's attack. This wasn't the first time he was struck by lightning, and his armor had protected him from fatal injuries. The pain he felt now was mostly stiffness, which was starting to heal as he moved his limbs. He could feel the remnants of the electric shocks, but they would pass soon.

But Djarin stopped focusing on the pain when he saw a familiar person walking out of the Vault.

The Mandalorian initially believed that it was Raven, since she also possessed black hair. But upon closer inspection, Djarin saw that the girl walking out of the Vault was too young and shorter than Raven. The sight was a familiar one to Djarin, which caused him to make an assumption about the girl's identity.

"Ikki?" Djarin asked as he recognized the appearance of his sister once again. He had seen her once tonight, so it would be reasonable to assume that he was seeing her once again after enduring a lot of pain.

But something was different about this time. Djarin was familiar with the girl, he had definitely seen her before. He had seen that particular hairstyle, a particular patch of scarring on her left eye, and the clothes she was wearing.

Every detail screamed at Djarin as he stared at the young girl. She had stopped walking now, as she appeared to be just as dumbfounded as he was. And he had seen that look on her face before, as well as many other expressions too. But now, his gut and his heart were telling the Mandalorian that the girl was someone else he held dear to him. He would call the idea impossible, since she was supposed to be asleep and in danger.

And yet, he couldn't deny the reality before him. Not even after he removed his helmet to look upon her.

"...Cinder?" he whispered in disbelief and hope.

Cinder wasn't far from the Mandalorian, so she could hear the whisper. A multitude of thoughts and emotions came to her mind, most of which were regret and shame from their last days at Beacon. She was so absorbed by possibly finding her mother and in the verge of giving up her Mandalorian heritage, and Cinder kept telling herself that chances of forgiveness were slim.

But she still tried.

"...Dad," she said timidly. "I-"

"CINDER!"

Djarin ran like a speeding bullet as adrenaline pumped through his veins. It was this adrenaline that made his pain completely disappear and allowed him to wrap Cinder in a tight hug when he stopped in front of her. Joy, relief, and true happiness overcame him greatly and caused him to express all of these emotions at once.

As he held his daughter and felt tears pour down his eyes, Djarin knew that without a doubt that he wasn't dreaming or experiencing any hallucinations. This was real, and he wouldn't have it any other way.

Cinder had heard the term "heartwarming" many times in her life, and she always thought it was simply a figure of speech. But the moment her father wrapped his arms around her, Cinder could feel her heart become warm from the joy she shared with him. Her heart felt like it was sitting by a fireplace, and that soothing feeling spread throughout her entire body.

When she reciprocated the hug, Cinder felt all of her sorrow and fear fade away. This reunion was something she had hoped would come, it was something she had been looking forward to ever since she arrived in the void. And in the end, she did what she set out to do.

Cinder saved Djarin.

It wasn't until Djarin placed a kiss on her forehead and made eye contact with her that she finally let tears of joy stream down her face. When they hugged once again, and sat and cried for well over a minute, the clan of two finally found the right words to say to each other.

"Buir." (Father.)

"Ner ad." (My daughter.)

Cinder tightened her embrace when she heard this. The confirmation, despite everything, was something she didn't think she would hear. And yet, it meant the world to her. So much so that Cinder wanted this moment to last forever.

And yet, Cinder eventually let go when Djarin let go first.

"I can't believe it," the Mandalorian said with a smile as he dried his eyes. "You're awake." He then put both of his hands on Cinder's cheeks. "And you're here!" The smile disappeared as Djarin created an expression of surprise. "But how?"

"It's a really, really long story," said Cinder. "But I heard you were in trouble, so I came right away."

"Me?" Djarin suddenly believed that his life and well-being were meaningless when compared to Cinder's. "I heard you were in trouble. Aurora said she sent Flora to kill you! Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Cinder continued to smile as she explained herself. "You were right about Flora, though. I met her and a couple of Saxons when I woke up."

Djarin suddenly became worried. "And you were all alone." He immediately resented himself for not being at Vacuo. "Where is she now?"

"She's dead. And so are those Saxons. Oh, and don't worry about Auntie Em. She's fine."

Djarin looked around the Vault as he remembered what happened to the mad Faunus. "And Aurora?"

"She's dead too."

"...Good." Djarin hugged Cinder again. "I'm so glad you're okay. I wanted to go to Vacuo to help, but then I thought if I killed Aurora, I..." Djarin stopped trying to make any excuses when he saw that Cinder was alive and well despite everything he tried to do. He regretted everything that he couldn't do. "Cinder, I-"

"I'm so sorry!"

Djarin almost didn't believe his ears when he heard what Cinder just said. He looked at her once again, which caused him to see that Cinder was crying again. But these weren't tears of joy.

"What?" he asked out of confusion. He had too, since he couldn't think of anything Cinder should have been sorry for.

But Cinder could.

"I was so horrible to you!" Cinder said as she continued to cry. "When Merri and the others got in my head, when they made me think I found my mom, I pushed you away! I even pushed you away when you tried to help after I got hurt!"

Djarin started to recall the experiences that Cinder was talking about, but he didn't feel that he was being pushed away. "Cinder, no," he said. "That's not-"

"I don't know what I was thinking!" Cinder continued. "How could I do that to you?! After everything you sacrificed for me?! I'm a terrible daughter! I shouted at you, I argued with you, and I was about to give up everything the Mandalorians believed in!" Cinder reached for her neck to find her necklace, something she wished to return to Djarin in a sign of atonement.

But when she felt nothing, save for her skin and a deep scar, Cinder felt even more ashamed.

"Wha-?" she asked. "M-My necklace!" She let go of Djarin and looked at the floor. "Wh-Where is it?! I had it when I-!" Cinder suddenly remembered taking it off at Beacon when she felt ashamed of her heritage. "Oh, no! No, why did I take it off?! Oh, Gods, what have I done?! I'm sorry, Dad! I'm so, so-!"

"Cinder, don't you dare be sorry."

Djarin's request and another hug were enough to make Cinder stop yelling and regain a sense of calmness. However, this wasn't the reaction she expected from her father.

"W-What?" Cinder asked as she looked at his face. "But... I don't-"

"A terrible daughter?" Djarin asked as he held the Fall Maiden. "Cinder, I was a terrible father. It was my job to take care of you, to protect you. And I let you get hurt, I let you fall into your coma! I wasn't strong enough to stop Aurora that night, or even tonight!"

Cinder hugged Djarin again and prepared to tell him that everything that happened to her wasn't his fault. "Dad-"

"I tried so hard to get you back! To find and kill Aurora! But I couldn't! I couldn't!" Djarin squeezed Cinder a little tighter as he cried again. "I'm not as strong as you! I'm just an old man who can't even use his own Aura like I used to!" Tears continued to fall down his face. "I'm not the father you deserve, Cinder. I'm so weak."

Cinder turned so she could look at her father. "What?" she asked. "That's not true!" Cinder dried her eyes so she could see her father clearly, but she continued to cry. "You're the strongest person I know, Dad! You showed me how to be strong! Every day when we were together made me as strong as you! I couldn't have come back if it wasn't for you!" Her crying intensified when she remembered her own failures. "And I was going to throw it all away! I'm a mess!"

Djarin shook his head. "You're perfect," he said. "You're better than me. You should throw away everything I taught you, because you believe in something better! You... You showed me how to care about all of Remnant. Not just the Mandalorians. And not just myself." Djarin dried Cinder's eyes to relieve her of any pain. "You're the better person, Cinder. And you're..." Djarin reached into his belt and gently took out Cinder's necklace. "You're the better Mandalorian. I'm so proud of you."

Cinder gasped as she took the necklace. She was relieved to see that she hadn't lost it after all, and even more relieved to see that Djarin wasn't rejecting her. And she didn't plan on rejecting him any time soon. Which was why she took the necklace with a smile, gently caressed the symbol of strength it wore, and placed it back on her neck where it belonged.

The Mandalorians hugged each other once again. When they realized that they had let all of their pain and shame out, and when they realized that they would be there for each other, the clan of two felt better about themselves.

"I love you, Dad," said Cinder. "I love you more than anything."

"I love you too, Cinder," Djarin said. "I love you so much."

"..."

After another minute of silence, the duo stood up and dried their eyes. When Djarin did so, he noticed that the Relic of Knowledge was on the floor. "Is that the Relic?" he asked.

"Oh, right," Cinder began to reach down and take it. "Raven disappeared, but I wanted to hold on to it just in-Oh, my Gods!"

Cinder jumped back and looked at her left hand. She hadn't noticed it when she woke up or when she was fighting Raven, but there was a small Grimm attached to her left hand.

And it was alive.

"Ah, get off of me!" Cinder said as she pulled on the Grimm Beetle. It shrieked in pain as Cinder pulled, but the young girl began to feel pain of her own. Her head began to burn as her blood boiled; something was terribly wrong.

"Cinder, wait!" Djarin said as he grabbed her arms. "Don't touch it!"

When Cinder let go of it, she felt her pain disappear. She shook her head as she stared at the Grimm, which made her incredibly confused. "Wh-What is it?" she asked.

"It's the Grimm Aurora used to take your power," Djarin explained. "It latched on to you when she cut the connection. Do you remember that?"

Cinder took a moment to think, and then she remembered what Djarin was describing. She had been reinvigorated by what Djarin and Ozpin said, and she began to take her powers back from Aurora. But rather than let her have them, Aurora cut the cord connecting herself to the Grimm Beetle.

"It... It latched itself on to me?" Cinder asked. "I-I gotta get it off!"

"We can't," Djarin said regretfully. "We tried everything after you fell into your coma. But every time we touched it, you got hurt too. The doctor said that it's attached to your veins. Removing it could have killed you."

"What?" Cinder believed her father was telling the truth, but it was hard to believe that a Grimm was using her as a host. "So it's stuck to me like a parasite?!"

"Actually, it's not hurting you. It needs you to survive, but it's not doing anything to hurt you. It's called 'commensalism,' a symbiotic bond that doesn't result in the host organism being hurt or benefitted from the second organism."

"Host organism? That's what I am to this thing?"

"Apparently. But don't worry; when we get out of here, we'll find a doctor. We'll find someone who can get it off for you. I promise."

Djarin always kept his promises to Cinder, which made the young girl happy whenever he made a promise.

*BOOM*

*BOOM*

The clan of two looked over their heads when they heard explosions from above. Djarin suddenly remember that he was still fighting in a war. "Oh, no," he said. "They're still fighting up there!"

Cinder also remembered the battle, given that she had seen everything in Aurora's memories. "Can we stop them?" she asked. "I have all of my powers back. I can help!"

Djarin was about to think what he could do in this situation. But a new sound caught his attention.

"Uhh..."

Djarin and Cinder turned to see that Qrow was once again starting to regain consciousness. Ozpin was joining him, despite the fact that they both had terrible headaches. The Mandalorians looked at each other and nodded before they rushed to help their friends; Djarin helped Ozpin after he put his helmet back on while Cinder helped Qrow.

Because of this, Qrow was the second person to see that the Fall Maiden had returned.

"Huh?" Qrow said as he jumped back. But when he saw that the smiling face wasn't a hallucination, Qrow began to share the same joy Djarin had. "Cinder? Cinder!"

Cinder was tackled to the ground in another hug, one that she eagerly reciprocated. "Hey, Qrow!" she said as she laughed. Djarin laughed too as he looked at his friend and daughter.

"You're here!" Qrow said as he let go of Cinder. "I can't believe it! Mando, do you believe it? She's here!"

"I noticed," Djarin replied with a chuckle. "Incredible, isn't it?"

"You're damn right." Qrow looked back to Cinder. "Aw, man. It's good to see you, kiddo."

"You too, Qrow," Cinder said as she helped the Huntsman on his feet. "Sorry I'm late, though."

"You kidding? Better late than never." Qrow rubbed Cinder's head before he looked around. "Wait... what happened? If you're here, then where's Aurora?"

"She's dead."

"And Raven?"

"...Gone."

Qrow sighed as he shook his head. "Typical."

Cinder immediately felt sympathetic to Qrow. She didn't have any siblings of her own, but she understood how Qrow felt. "I'm sorry, I-Whoa!" She raised her hand to Qrow's face when she saw a new scar on it. "When did that happen?!"

"Oh, this?" Qrow rubbed the scar on his cheek. "Just a going away gift from Gar Saxon. He didn't take the eviction from Beacon too well." Qrow looked at the patch of light scarring on Cinder's left eye. "What about you? Can you see okay?"

"Me?" Cinder touched the spot that Qrow was looking at. "Yeah, I'm fine. I mean, I got a Grimm stuck to my hand, but I'm-"

"Cinder?"

The young girl softly gasped at the sound of her name. When she turned around, she saw Djarin helping a conscious Ozpin stand back up. He was the third person to see that Cinder had returned, and his heart swelled with pride and joy as he looked upon her.

Unfortunately, Cinder couldn't say the same about seeing him.

"It's a miracle," Ozpin said as he stepped forward without his cane. "Thank the Gods you're-"

Cinder backed away with a small gasp before Ozpin hugged her.

"..."

As everyone shared in a moment of silence, Cinder looked upon the three confused men in contemplation. She wanted to say that it was good to see Ozpin as well, but she couldn't forget what Fall had told her in the void.

Namely, how Ozpin had been keeping a big secret about Salem that jeopardized everything.

"Cinder?" Djarin called out as he gently pushed Qrow and Ozpin aside. "Are you o-?"

*BANG*

Djarin was forced to stop talking when something hit the back of his head. It was fortunate that he was wearing his helmet again; otherwise, he may have been killed by a yellow blast.

Everyone turned around to see that Pre Vizsla had also regained consciousness. The moment he did, Vizsla took his blaster and fired it upon Djarin.

*BANG*

*BANG*

*BANG*

As the yellow blasts hit Djarin's Beskar armor, everyone reacted differently. Qrow dived to the floor so he could retrieve Harbinger, Ozpin reached out with the Force to take Vizsla's weapon away, and Djarin moved directly in front of Cinder to protect her from whatever came next.

"Djarin!" Vizsla cried as he tore off his helmet pulled and out the Darksaber. "Face me, you coward!"

Cinder gasped when she saw the Darksaber in the Mandalorian's hand. She remembered the night it was stolen from her, when Djarin trusted it with her. She wanted to redeem herself for this failure, but she became confused when she realized something was wrong.

"Wait a minute," she said. "That's not Gar Saxon!" She saw Gar Saxon's message to the world at the Vytal Festival, when he said that he claimed the Darksaber fairly. But this Mandalorian was somebody else.

"That's Pre Vizsla," Djarin told his daughter. "He must have killed Gar Saxon and took the sword for himself."

"That's right," said Vizsla, who could hear what Djarin was saying as he walked closer.

*BANG*

*BANG*

Qrow tried to put a stop to Vizsla by shooting at him with Harbinger. But both of the bullets passed through the Mandalorian due to his Semblance. In retaliation, Vizsla aimed his gauntlet at Qrow and fired one blast from it.

*BANG*

Qrow stumbled back when the blast hit his chest, but his Aura prevented him from being killed. Vizsla didn't seem to care, since his eyes were on Djarin.

"Wait, Pre Vizsla?" Cinder asked as she pushed a giant Djarin. "The leader of Death Watch?!"

"And Mandalore," Vizsla said as he pointed the blade at Djarin. "Right now, my people are burning this monument of lies to the ground. You may have found a good hiding place down here, but that won't stop my people from completing our conquest."

Cinder's eyes began to burn when she heard this. "You can't do this! I won't let you!" Despite the fact that she wanted to fight, Djarin put his arm in front of Cinder so she wouldn't get hurt.

"It's already done." Vizsla readied himself for combat. "Haven is ours."

Djarin was well aware that Vizsla was expecting him to continue their duel, to keep fighting until one of them was left standing. In the past, Djarin would have accepted this challenge in a heartbeat in order to defend his honor.

But now, Djarin had a better idea.

"That... is for her to decide," Djarin said as he finally moved his arm down. He then turned to Cinder, and so did Qrow and Ozpin.

"What?" Cinder asked. "Dad, what do you mean?"

Djarin answered Cinder's question, but he looked at his enemy to do so. "You're wrong, Vizsla. And you're forgetting something."

The last time Vizsla was told that he had forgotten something, he fell right into a trap. Rather than risk the same thing again, the leader of Death Watch entertained Djarin to see if the claim was true.

"What?" he asked.

"Our duel is over," the Mandalorian declared. "It ended when I made you take the impact when we fell. You were knocked unconscious."

Vizsla recalled his great fall, but he was far from willing to admit that he had been defeated. "I never yielded. And as you can see... I am not dead."

"You don't have to die or yield for a fight to be over." Djarin learned this from his time with Cinder and the teachers at Beacon, though there were times when the Armorer declared a duel to be over. "You were unconscious. You couldn't fight."

"..."

Rather than wait for a response, Djarin continued to talk as he slowly turned to Cinder. "After I fell, Aurora bested me herself. I was left too weak to stand, and I nearly died. But I was saved. Cinder saved me the moment she killed Aurora."

When she looked upon her father and heard these words, she couldn't help but gasp. She was aware that she had killed Aurora and that the Faunus was about to kill her father, but she was unaware that Djarin beat Vizsla before that.

And given the sequence of events, that meant...

"Cinder is my savior... and our new Mand'alor."

Cinder gasped once again, much louder this time. She and Djarin talked about this, how it was possible that he was only carrying the sword for her. Cinder's head was filled with hopes and dreams that night, and she truly believed that she could do something good with the Darksaber if she was to be Mand'alor.

It was only hypothetical at the time, despite Djarin's insistence that it was the right idea. But now, the idea was a reality. Cinder realized that she was the new ruler of Mand'alor. And with her new claim to the Darksaber, all of her dreams for Mandalore and its people would come true.

Djarin, Qrow, and Ozpin all liked the sound of Cinder being the ruler of Mandalore. But Vizsla didn't.

After he processed Djarin's logic, after he heard that his chance to be a ruler had been taken once again, Pre Vizsla began to suffer a mental breakdown. His mind took him back to his days in prison, where he was forced to fight practically every hour of every day to assert his position and survive.

All of this had happened before, and now it was going to happen again.

"RRRRRAAAAAAAAUUUUUUHHHHH!" Vizsla screamed as he allowed rage and a thirst for revenge to fill the cracks that had been created in his mind. "I'LL DESTROY YOU WITH MY BARE HANDS!"

With that, Vizsla charged at Djarin like a wild animal and jumped in the air. Fire from his flamethrower and the black light of the Darksaber spun in the air as Vizsla set his eyes on the Mandalorians.

Djarin moved in front of Cinder to protect her from whatever came next, but Cinder raised her hands and let her eyes burn.

"No!" Cinder yelled as she let an elemental blast escape her hands. She wasn't thinking at the moment, since she was only focused on keeping her father safe. Impulse was her guide instead of rational thought, and she didn't know what to expect next.

*BAM*

"Aaaugh!"

*CRASH*

"..."

When Cinder saw what she had done, impulse and determination were replaced with shock and disbelief.

The element that the Fall Maiden unleashed wasn't fire, but ice. And when the blast struck Vizsla, the ice spread across his entire body and encased him in a cold prison. He had been frozen solid, but the ice didn't stop him from falling downwards.

And when he hit the ground, Pre Vizsla's entire body shattered into dozens of pieces.

"..."

Cinder fell to her knees in shock as she covered her mouth. While it was her every intention to protect her father, just like he was protecting her, Cinder never meant to kill Vizsla.

But she did. And Cinder felt terrible.

This had been the third time Cinder had killed today, maybe the third time in the past hour. It was becoming easy for Cinder to see herself like the Mandalorians upstairs, and even like Aurora. All of them were killers, murderers who carried out their deeds just to get what they wanted. Cinder couldn't think of herself as any different than any of them.

What would Fall think of her? What would the world think of her?

"Cinder? Cinder, can you hear me?"

Djarin had kneeled down to Cinder's level when he saw her fall to the ground. He easily recognized the distress on her face, and now he was prepared to help her find her way back to the light.

"I didn't... I didn't mean to," Cinder said as she stumbled on her words. Tears were starting to form in her eyes. "I didn't think, I wasn't thinking, I shouldn't have... I shouldn't have-"

"Cinder, listen to me," Djarin calmly begged as she gently moved Cinder's chin so she could see him. "This isn't your fault. He was crazy, he was going to kill us. That was self-defense, you were protecting yourself." He gently put both of his hands on her cheeks to calm her down. "Do you understand? You did nothing wrong."

"..."

Cinder remained silent, but the sound of her father's voice was incredibly soothing and helpful. She couldn't help but let tears fall down her eyes, but Djarin remained right where he was.

"It's okay, Cinder. Everything's okay."

"..."

Djarin could tell that Cinder was suffering from serious stress, due to the sweat on her forehead and her rapid breathing. But he remained completely calm and helped her through the ordeal.

"Cinder, take deep breaths. Watch me." Djarin took a deep breath, in and out, and urged his daughter to follow in the exercise. She eventually did, and their breathing became in sync. With each breath, Cinder began to regain her composure and her rational sense of thought.

Djarin couldn't explain how he knew to help Cinder in this manner. Perhaps it was from a similar experience he had when he was training to be a Mandalorian, a time when he was around Cinder's age. But Djarin didn't care where the advice came from, all he cared about was helping his daughter on her feet.

"I-I'm sorry," Cinder said in a calmer voice. "I don't know what happened. I was just-"

"It's okay," Djarin promised. "We're okay."

Cinder had fully calmed down at this point. She still regretted what she did, and she took no pride in her recent actions. But she was comforted by the fact that her world hadn't caved in on her, that her father was still there for her.

Qrow and Ozpin had remained completely silent when they watched Vizsla shatter like glass. When they saw Cinder suffer from a breakdown similar to his, they continued their streak of silence as Djarin did everything he could to calm his daughter down.

Ozpin reached out towards her when he believed that she had calmed down, but he quickly retracted his hand back when Cinder moved away from him. Qrow looked down at the ice to see that it was already melting. Soon, there would be nothing left of Pre Vizsla other than his helmet.

But there was one more thing that survived.

"Mando," Qrow said after he retrieved something from the ground. When the Mandalorian turned around, he saw Qrow holding the Darksaber in his hand. Djarin silently took it with a nod of gratitude before he turned back to Cinder.

It wasn't his goal to cause her more pain by handing it to her, Djarin simply knew that the sword was Cinder's property. She had earned it.

Fortunately, after a few seconds of silence, Cinder began to understand this as well. She slowly held her hand out towards Djarin, who gently placed the metal hilt in her hand. She held it once before, but this time was different. She hadn't earned it at Beacon, but now Cinder realized that the sword was hers.

And so was the badge and the burden that came with it.

But Cinder wasn't afraid of either of those things. With a glare of determination and courage, the Fall Maiden lifted the sword over her head and activated it. The dark blade shined on her like the sun, and Cinder didn't dare turn away or reject the Darksaber.

Whatever came next with her role as Mand'alor... Cinder was ready.

*BOOM*

An explosion from above reminded everyone that a war was still going on at Haven. But one look at Cinder was enough for Djarin to gain the belief that this war would end tonight.

"We can end this," he said as he turned towards the exit. "Just like we did on Gideon's ship. Once they see Cinder with that sword, they'll follow her orders. She can make them stop." He offered his hand to his daughter. "Are you ready?"

Cinder looked down at his hand and thought about her next move. She wasn't afraid of the Mandalorians above her, and she wasn't afraid to assert her new authority to make the fighting stop.

But she couldn't agree with Djarin.

"Dad, we can't," she said. "We need another plan."

"What?" Djarin asked as he lowered his hand. "What do you mean? Cinder, they'll listen to you when you tell them to stop."

"Yeah, but only for a little while. Remember how all of this started? You won the sword, everyone stopped fighting, but they just waited for a chance to steal it. What we did on Gideon's ship was only temporary."

"Cinder's right," said Ozpin. "There are dozens of people like Saxon and Vizsla up there. They could all bide their time until we're vulnerable again. And with Salem and her minions standing with them, she'll be keeping them in her grasp."

"..."

Ozpin wasn't Cinder's favorite person at the moment, but she was glad that someone else accepted her logic. And after a few seconds of contemplation, Djarin agreed.

"So what do we do?" he asked. "How can we make all of this end permanently?"

Ozpin looked to the side as he attempted to think of a solution, but he was suddenly distracted by something else. He was staring at the wall where the door to the Vault should have been. Only now, it had been replaced by another large stone. The golden door was gone, and the only reason that would happen was that someone had taken the Relic.

"Where's the Relic?" he asked as he looked around the area. Qrow and Djarin joined him when they also saw the disappearance of the door.

Cinder suddenly remembered where she had left it. "Oh, it's... right here," she said. She used her powers to gently float over towards the spot where she dropped the Relic. It was the spot where Djarin embraced her as they fell to the floor. When she landed there, Cinder gently picked up the Relic and showed it to everyone.

Everyone was grateful to see that the Relic hadn't been lost. "Please, hand it over," Ozpin said as he extended his hand.

But Cinder didn't let it go.

"So if the Mandalorians are working for Salem... would she have told them about this and the other Relics?" she asked as she stared at the golden lamp.

"Possibly," Ozpin replied, even though he remained unsure as to where Cinder was going with this. "But not likely. Only Aurora and Raven came down here. Salem most likely entrusted Aurora to bring the lamp to her."

The more he and Cinder thought about the situation, it didn't seem very likely that the Mandalorians were told about the Relics. They were simply a means to an end.

And this gave Cinder an idea.

"Dad, you said you used this Relic before?" she asked as she walked towards her father. "The day Gideon kidnapped me?"

"That's right," Djarin confirmed. "It told me how I could find you."

"Do you remember how to use it?"

"Yeah, all you have to do is say her-"

"Wait a minute, wait a minute," said Ozpin, who stood directly in Cinder's way. "Cinder, what are you saying?"

"I'm saying we can put a stop to all of this," Cinder said. "To the war, to violence, and any dream Mandalorians have of being conquerors." Cinder lifted the Relic. "I don't know what Salem told them, but if she's anything like the day I met her, then she'll be using the Mandalorians' emotions against them. She knows they're angry, that they feel some sort of claim to the Kingdoms. But they're just a means to an end to her, she doesn't care about helping them."

"It's a classic power play," said Djarin. "When she's done with the Mandalorians, she'll cast them aside. Maybe even kill them all. Either way, it'll be the Fall of Mandalore all over again."

"But if they see what Salem's really after, they'll stop fighting for her," said Qrow. "If we hurry, we can get up there before they destroy the-"

"We can't use the Relic."

Everyone turned towards Ozpin when he made this declaration. They were all surprised to hear an immediate decision be made, and even more surprised when Ozpin explained himself.

"If we show them the lamp, if we show them what powers the other Relics have, they might turn their eye towards the other Academies," he said. "It will be a war on two fronts."

Djarin immediately declined this idea. "Not with Cinder holding the Darksaber," he said. "If she shows them the truth, she can tell them how important it is that the Relics stay where they are. That we can't let Salem get them for herself."

"Yeah, Oz," said Qrow. "I know you're not a fan of using them, but I think stopping a war is a good reason to use that thing."

"Not just stop a war," said Cinder. "I want the Mandalorians to see what their anger and greed is costing them. How they're killing themselves by letting these feelings take over."

Ozpin fixed his glasses as he made another declaration. "We're not using the Relic," he said. "We can't cause a panic. We'll find another way."

Djarin and Qrow looked at each other in confusion. "Cause a panic?" Djarin skeptically repeated. "The war's taken enough time and lives to cause plenty of panic."

"And it took Beacon," Qrow pointed out. "It's gonna take Haven in a few minutes. Don't you want to stop that, Oz?"

Ozpin sighed as he stepped forward. "I need you to listen to-"

*WHOOSH*

*HISS*

Ozpin stopped moving when he found himself stuck to the floor. When he looked down, he saw that both of his feet were coated in ice. Djarin and Qrow were surprised by this, and they both turned around to see Cinder with burning eyes and an open palm.

"That's enough," she said as she quickly wrapped an arm around her father. "Sorry, Qrow."

*WHOOSH*

"What the-? Hey!"

*WHOOSH*

Qrow's words fell onto deaf ears as Cinder flew upwards with her father in tow. She couldn't carry him, but she allowed her powers of levitation to extend to Djarin's feet as well when she made contact with him. The Mandalorian stumbled a little at the unfamiliar feeling of flying without his jetpack, but Cinder held on to him.

"Whoa, Cinder!" Djarin yelled as he flew up towards the hole in the ceiling. "What are you-?!"

"I'm sorry, Dad!" Cinder yelled down to Djarin. "I'll explain later! I just need to know how the lamp works!"

---

"Keep pushing! Fire! Fire!"

*BANG*

*BANG*

*BANG*

Back in the auditorium, Bo-Katan took command of all of Vizsla's Mandalorians. There were still others outside fighting Huntsmen, Huntresses, and the clans who didn't serve Pre Vizsla. However, the majority of them were in the auditorium and ready to destroy the school.

A Mandalorian had told Bo-Katan that something had pulled Vizsla and Djarin into the hole by the stairs, so her plan was to go down and retrieve her leader. The only things that stood in her way were two Jedi and members of Clan Vizsla and Tenau. Her allies were able to engage with the enemy clans and create a path for her, so Bo-Katan could focus on Obi-Wan and Revan. But the Jedi were strong, and they had been holding Bo-Katan back with all their might.

*ZAP*

Revan unleashed a storm of lightning that either vaporized the enemy Mandalorians from prolonged exposure or kept them at bay. Obi-Wan reached out with the Force to push them aside, but they kept getting back up.

"We cannot keep this up forever!" said Revan. He was forced to stop the storm and unleash his lightsaber to deflect blaster fire.

"Just a little longer!" Obi-Wan said as he followed Revan's lead. "We'll go back on the offensive if we have to!"

"I don't have the Aura for a full-scale offensive!" Revan's lightsaber was beginning to flicker as he said this. His Aura was very close to giving up on him.

And when Obi-Wan saw the blue light on his sword flicker as well, he realized that going on the offensive would be unwise. Not even the Mandalorians of Clan Vizsla and Tenau could go on the offensive.

"Obi-Wan, are you familiar with Jedi protocol?" Revan asked as he deflected more blaster fire. "As well as Ozpin's?"

"Of course!" Obi-Wan said as he also deflected blaster fire. "Why?"

"It would be wise to follow it in a time like this! If the Spring Maiden is already down there, the Vault must be open by now!"

Obi-Wan knew that Revan had a point. He had sensed that the conflict that gave him and Ozpin a fighting chance had ceased, so there was no more distraction to be had. Given that he sensed something else down below, far less volatile than before, seizing the Relic and taking it out of enemy hands was a top priority.

Unfortunately, it meant abandoning Haven.

"You may be right," Obi-Wan decided. "But a task like that doesn't require two Jedi."

"Meaning?" Revan asked.

"I made an oath to protect this school just as much as the Relic. I'll buy you whatever time you need."

Revan didn't dare question Obi-Wan's decision. The man was governed by the traditions and the beliefs of the Jedi Order, and staying behind to defend the lives of others was certainly a part of what the Jedi believed in.

So it was only natural that Obi-Wan would choose to stay.

"Very well," said Revan. "May the Force be with-"

*WHOOSH*

The Mandalorians were knocked back once again, but the Jedi joined them this time. A large amount of fire had erupted from the hole, and Djarin had come out with it. The Mandalorian had fallen to the ground when he came out of the hole, but he wasn't hurt. Obi-Wan was about to yell out to his ally and ask what was going on, but another voice silenced his own.

"Stop!"

"..."

When the fire died down, everyone could see a teenage girl standing at the top of the staircase. The Mandalorians all wondered who she was, but Obi-Wan recognized her in an instant.

"By the Force," he said as he stood up. "I knew I sensed her presence." When he remembered this, the Headmaster couldn't help but smile as he stared at Cinder.

Revan also stared at Cinder, but he was more surprised and shocked instead of overjoyed. "Is that her?" he asked his fellow Jedi. "The Fall Maiden?"

"Yes. That's Djarin's daughter."

Revan was at a loss for words at this revelation, as well as what Cinder did next.

After she looked upon her father to see if he was okay, Cinder raised the Darksaber over her head and spoke. "This war is over!" she declared. "Pre Vizsla is dead! And if you want to survive, you'll listen to me as you listened to him."

"..."

All of the Mandalorians, enemy and ally to Haven, were standing in silence as they looked at Cinder holding the Darksaber. Everyone didn't know what to say, but they all shared the same disbelief and shock from Cinder's appearance and declaration.

"I defeated Pre Vizsla in the cave below us," said Djarin, who walked up the stairs to join Cinder. "And when Aurora bested me, I was saved by Cinder." He stopped walking when he was right next to the Fall Maiden. "This is my daughter, and our new Mand'alor."

Cinder smiled at Djarin, who proudly nodded at her. "We're stopping this fight," she declared. "Right now."

Everyone looked around at each other when they heard this. They were all still surprised to hear that the war was apparently over, and Revan was arguably the one who the most surprised. He was familiar with the title of "Mand'alor," the ruler of all Mandalorians. Most Mand'alors would rally their people together and fight, but now he was witnessing a Mand'alor who called for the fighting to stop.

It was at this moment that Revan realized he had made a terrible mistake by nearly killing her.

"No!"

*BANG*

Djarin heard the scream and gunfire just in time to step in front of Cinder and let a yellow blast hit his armor. When he and Cinder looked towards the source of the blast, they saw Bo-Katan with her pistols in hand.

"No outsider will ever rule Mandalore!" the zealot declared.

Djarin kept Cinder behind his back as he spoke to the mad woman. "Cinder is more Mandalorian than you could ever be," he said. "If you want to walk away from here alive, you'd better remember that."

Bo-Katan raised both of her pistols now. "Give me one good reason why I should follow someone who wants to abandon the fight."

*WHOOSH*

Another light emerged from the hole in the ground, as did a black bird. The light was green this time, and it was in the form of a shield. When it disappeared, Ozpin stood in its place with his cane in hand. And the bird suddenly transformed into Qrow, who was wielding Harbinger in its gun form.

"You're outnumbered, for starters," said Djarin, though he wasn't expecting to see Ozpin again so soon. He was still wondering why Cinder of all people froze him in place, but that was the least of his worries now.

"And more than that..." said Cinder, who gently pushed past her father with the Relic of Knowledge in hand. "Fighting right now will only kill us all."

All of the Mandalorians looked at the golden object in confusion. A few voices called out and asked what it was, but most of the present Mandalorians believed it was a weapon or a bomb. This fear caused some of them to back away and raise their weapons, but Cinder wasn't afraid of this.

"I know you're working for Salem, Bo-Katan," Cinder said. "That she's been helping you with her Grimm and helping you destroy everything."

"Working with her, not for her," Bo-Katan corrected. "And so what if I am?"

"She wanted you to destroy the school, didn't she? Just like she wanted you to destroy Beacon."

"We share a common goal."

Cinder shook her head. "No, you don't. Because if she got her hands on this, if you let Aurora take this to her while you destroyed Haven, you'd all be in big trouble. You'd all probably be dead."

Bo-Katan shook her heads. "More fancy talk," she said. "You're still not giving me a reason to give up."

Cinder furrowed her brow. "You want a reason? Fine. I'll give you a reason." She looked at the Relic, deep into the blue light that was pulsating. She could hear Ozpin running up the stairs with Qrow in tow, but that didn't stop her from speaking. "Jinn."

"..."

All of a sudden, everything went quiet. Not just the Mandalorians, but everything went quiet. The crackling of fire inside the auditorium ceased, and the fighting outside had fallen into silence. Everyone looked around when they saw what was happening, and they especially looked at the Mandalorians outside who seemed to be frozen with the Huntsmen and Huntresses.

It was almost as if the whole world had stopped.

Suddenly, Cinder felt the Relic of Knowledge float out of her grasp. She reached for it so she could retrieve it, but she quickly moved her hands back when she saw blue smoke begin to emerge from it.

All of the people inside the auditorium could see the Relic moving and smoking moving around it. Some raised their weapons to prepare for whatever was going to happen, Bo-Katan being one of them.

Djarin once told Cinder what had happened when he used the Relic of Knowledge, so she knew what to expect. She expected to see the smoke take form, to take the shape of a blue woman with golden chains appear before her.

And that's exactly what happened.

"Why, hello, Mandalorian," Jinn said after she stretched her arms and legs. She was looking at Djarin when she said this, since she remembered him from their last meeting. "I see my knowledge has greatly aided you."

Djarin awkwardly chuckled as he gently waved his hand at the spirit. He was the only one to do this, since everyone else was at a loss for words as they stared at the spirit. Obi-Wan, Revan, and Ozpin weren't as surprised as the Mandalorians and Qrow, but it wasn't every day when they saw the Relics being used.

"Wow..." said Cinder, who began to smile at the spirit. She saw that her father's story didn't do Jinn justice, as she was incredibly amazed by her presence and appearance.

"Did you have another question for me?" Jinn asked Djarin.

"Uh, no," Djarin replied. "Not me." He gently nudged Cinder to get her attention.

"Oh, right!" Cinder said as she remembered what was going on. "Um..." She then extended one finger. "Just a minute."

"..."

Jinn patiently waited for Cinder's question, or another chance to speak, as the Fall Maiden made her point.

"Salem doesn't care about you," she said to the Mandalorians. "She doesn't care about Mandalore, or honoring any deal she might have made. All she wants is power." Cinder pointed at Jinn. "This power. And she'll kill whoever's in her way to get it. One day that will be you. All of you."

"..."

"Your new ruler speaks the truth," said the spirit. "I am Jinn, a being created by the God of Light to aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. Many people, including Salem, have sought my siblings and my power. I have been graced with the ability to answer three questions every one hundred years."

The Mandalorians all looked at each other again when they heard this. Even Bo-Katan didn't know what to think.

"You're in luck," Jinn said to Cinder. "As I am still able to answer-"

"That's enough!"

Cinder, Djarin, Qrow, and everyone else all turned to Ozpin, who looked like he had seen a ghost. All of his allies were confused, since Cinder's plan was working. And given what Jinn said next, it would surely succeed.

"One question this era," she finished. Jinn then let out a small laugh as she stared at Ozpin. "It's a pleasure to see you again, old man."

Unfortunately, Ozpin couldn't say the same.

"Cinder... please," he implored. "Don't do this. We'll find another way."

"Oz?" Qrow finally asked. "What are you talking about? This is the best shot we got."

"What's going on?" Djarin asked. "Why don't you want us using the Relic?"

Ozpin looked to Cinder while he ignored the questions. "Cinder, please," he repeated. "Don't ask her anything, you won't like-"

"Shut. Up."

"..."

This was the first thing Cinder said to Ozpin upon his arrival, which confused everyone who was standing close to her. This confusion, however, was minuscule compared to the shared disbelief and uncertainty all the present Mandalorians had. And one by one, they all shared how they needed answers.

"Will someone tell us what's going on here?"

"What is that thing?"

"What's it got to do with us?"

"And where's Pre Vizsla?"

Questions like these, and more, soon engulfed the whole auditorium. Each and every Mandalorian tried to make sense of it all, which only caused more disorder and chaos. Djarin also wanted to make sense of everything, but he was much more calmer and sensible. And he knew the right person to ask.

"Cinder, what's going on?" the Mandalorian asked his daughter.

"Yeah," Qrow included. "What's your problem with Oz?"

Cinder looked at Jinn and quickly extended her pointer finger, silently asking for one more minute before she could ask her question. The spirit nodded in approval before Cinder turned around.

"Dad, I can explain," she said. "When I was asleep, I... I learned something. Something about Salem. You need to know that-"

"You know?"

Djarin and Cinder turned to see Ozpin looking directly at the child. "You know?" he repeated. "But... I never said... Cinder, how did you-?" Ozpin quickly looked at Djarin, Qrow, the Mandalorians, and Jinn before he tried to lunge towards Cinder and the Relic. "I have to stop this!"

"Hey!" Djarin yelled as he stood in Ozpin's path. The look on the Headmaster's face was beginning to scare him. "What are you doing?!"

"Oz, what the hell?!" Qrow asked as he joined Djarin.

The two Jedi looked at the Relic as well. "He's right," said Revan. "If she wants to ask what I think she wants to ask... none of them are ready for such knowledge."

Obi-Wan sensed the growing impatience and anger within the Mandalorians. This was the first time the fighting had stopped all night, and it was just about to start up again.

If Cinder really was going to ask what Revan thought she was going to ask... it seemed to be the only hope of Salem losing the Mandalorians.

"Were you ready for it?" he asked Revan. "Were any of us?"

"..."

Obi-Wan took Revan's silence as a satisfactory answer before he yelled up to the Maiden. "Cinder! Do it! Ask your question!"

Ozpin was the first to look down at Obi-Wan, and hearing what he said made the Headmaster feel shocked and even more desperate than he was before.

"Cinder, no!" Ozpin begged once more. "You don't understand!"

Cinder ignored Ozpin's warning and spoke to her father again. "Dad, the Relic can explain!" she said. "You deserve to know what's going on! And so do they!" She pointed down to the Mandalorians, who looked up at their new Mand'alor when they heard this. "Please, let me do this!"

"..."

Djarin couldn't think of a time when he felt more conflicted than he did now. Holding Ozpin back as if he were an enemy was something he never thought he would do. But his behavior had become sporadic and unpredictable, which was beginning to scare him.

And it was all to cover up a big secret, something that Ozpin clearly didn't want uncovered. Djarin couldn't understand why he would want something like this, and he didn't understand how Cinder knew it without telling him.

But what he did know was that he had lost his daughter once. And Djarin wasn't going to let that happen again.

"Do it," the Mandalorian said. "Do whatever you have to do, Cinder."

Cinder was incredibly grateful for this trust, despite the fact that she was asking for it instead of earning. However, she refused to let this act be in vain.

"Jinn..." Cinder began as she turned to the spirit. "I have a question on behalf of my father, my friends, and every Mandalorian standing before you right now."

Jinn looked at the immediate area to see a large number of Mandalorians. The ones who weren't present were currently frozen in time, fighting Huntsmen and Huntresses. But the group before her was certainly a large number.

And Cinder wouldn't want it any other way. A number this large would send word far and wide, so every Mandalorian could understand.

"Very well," Jinn calmly replied. "And what is your question?"

After she took a deep breath, Cinder asked her question. "What are Ozpin and Salem hiding from everyone?"

"NOOOOOO!"

Cinder turned around just in time to see that Ozpin freed himself and he was running towards her with an extended hand. She didn't have enough time to react or defend herself, all she did was cower behind her hands and close her eyes.

When she opened them again, all she could see was white.

"Wha... What?" Cinder asked as she recovered from her scare. "I'm back in the void?" Cinder was all too familiar with the white light, so it was only natural that she would assume that she had returned to the void once again.

But when the sight of blue smoke appeared, Cinder knew that something was different.

"Once upon a time, there stood a lonely tower..." said Jinn, who was nowhere to be seen. When Cinder followed the smoke, she saw an image of a large castle before her. It looked similar to Beacon, but it possessed some differences.

*WHOOSH*

The smoke blew into Cinder's face, which made the castle disappear.

"That sheltered a lonely girl."

Cinder turned around to see a woman sitting in front of a large mirror, who was fixing her hair while looking into it. The woman had blonde hair, aqua eyes, and she was wearing a long white dress. Cinder didn't know who she was, she believed that she had never seen the woman before.

She was wrong.

"Named... Salem."

"..."

When Cinder received this surprise, she received many more for the next twenty minutes.

The Fall Maiden learned that Salem's story was indeed that of The Girl in the Lonely Tower, something that Salem claimed on the first day they met. She was locked away from the world by her cruel father, in a time when Gods lived among men and gifted them with Magic.

Salem was eventually rescued by Ozpin, who went by the name "Ozma." It seemed the Armorer had told Cinder the truth about this idea. After he rescued her, Ozma and Salem planned more adventures around the world, where they expected to stay together forever.

These plans changed, however, when Ozma died from an unknown disease.

Salem was plagued with grief and sorrow, which caused her to seek out the God of Light and beg him to bring Ozma back. The God was sympathetic to her cause, but he refused to break a balance he had delicately created.

Rather than accept this answer, Salem sought out the God of Darkness and made the same request while keeping his brother's answer a secret. He eagerly agreed to help her, but changed his mind when the God of Light revealed Salem's deception. And rather than learn from her mistake, Salem renounced the Gods and demanded that they bring Ozma back again.

In retaliation, the Gods cursed Salem with immortality until she learned the importance of life and death. But instead of taking her chance to fix her mistake, Salem led humanity in a rebellion against the Gods with the promise that they too could live forever.

Cinder immediately saw how this rebellion was similar to the war the Mandalorians started. Salem used all those people like she used the Mandalorians, just to serve her own needs.

And in the end, humanity followed Salem to their deaths; the God of Darkness saw fit to kill every person on Remnant before he and his brother abandoned the world.

Salem was left alone to curse the Gods, to curse the whole universe while she walked the empty world. She still couldn't find it within herself to accept her failings, but she was able to think of an idea on how to end her suffering. The pools of life had given her immortality, so Salem believed that the pools of Grimm could take it away.

She was wrong.

Rather than destroy her, the pools of Grimm changed Salem into a monster with a desire to destroy everything. She had discarded her humanity at this point, which led her to become the force of evil that Cinder met five years ago.

But this wasn't where the story ended.

In the afterlife, the God of Light met with Ozma to give him a task. Despite letting his brother eradicate humanity, the God of Light told Ozma that humanity had somehow returned to Remnant. But unlike their predecessors, they possessed no Magic of their own or any knowledge of the Gods. And it was the God of Light's goal to change that.

He told Ozma that he had created and scattered four powerful Relics across the world of Remnant, each with unique powers of their own. But if brought together, the Relics would act as a beacon and call the Gods back to Remnant. And when they returned, they would come to judge the world.

If humanity was united, if they had learned to live together as friends and allies, then the Gods would restore humanity as they once were and live on Remnant again. However, if humanity was divided and only cared about gaining power for themselves, then mankind would be considered "irredeemable."

If that were to happen, the world would come to an end.

Ozma was tasked with uniting humanity together, just like Fall and Karma said to Cinder. And once he learned that Salem was alive, Ozma took the offer in a heartbeat. He returned to Remnant with the ability to reincarnate upon death, where he not only learned that the world had produced Dust and the Faunus, but he also reunited with Salem.

The duo basked in the warmth of their reunion and lived together in the woods for some time. One day, Salem proposed that she and Ozma could take the place of the Gods, since they possessed Magic and their souls transcended death. Ozma was hesitant at first, but Salem swayed him to her cause.

Their rule over Remnant led them to creating a prosperous Kingdom, as well as a happy family. But that changed when Ozma eventually told Salem about the Relics, after they witnessed one of their daughters wield Magic. When Salem saw this, and when she heard what the God of Light had planned for Remnant, she proposed an alternate course of action.

She proposed that she and Ozma could finish what the God of Darkness started. And when they were gone, Ozma and Salem could create a new race of Magic-wielding humans.

Horrified by this idea, and horrified by the woman Salem had become, Ozma rejected his wife's wishes and tried to escape with his daughters. But rather then let him leave, Salem attacked Ozma and their fight destroyed their Kingdom.

As well as their four daughters.

Ozma's death was the catalyst of his new war with Salem, where he eventually took on the mission the God of Light bestowed upon him. His lives were filled with hardship and challenges, but the old man refused to give up. He eventually found the Relics and learned how to use them, with the Relic of Knowledge being the first.

Ozma asked Jinn his three questions, the first two being the location and powers of the other Relics. His third question, his most important one, was how he could destroy Salem.

Sadly, the spirit of the lamp told Ozma that such a thing was impossible.

Cinder thought that she had seen everything when she saw Ozma fall to his knees in despair. She felt like falling too, since the reality of her situation had been shown to her. However, Jinn still had one thing left to show her.

Jinn showed Cinder that Salem also sought out the Relics, but for an entirely different reason. After her battle with Ozpin, Salem discovered that her daughters had been killed. She found three of their bodies, but there was nothing left of her fourth daughter. With a heavy heart, Salem took their bodies, created coffins out of stone for them, and laid them down to rest in the Land of Darkness.

After she concluded her small memorial service, Salem found herself blaming Ozma for what happened. Not just with her daughters, but she blamed the man for every wrong that had been done to her. She wanted him to pay, she wanted him to suffer, but most of all... Salem wanted her life to end.

Instead of acknowledging her faults, however, Salem created a plan of action. She vowed that she would one day find the Relics and bring them together herself. In the meantime, she vowed to do everything in her power to divide the world beyond repair. She would bring the Gods back to not only destroy the world, but destroy her along with it.

The last thing Cinder saw before she returned to Haven was Salem scream into the sky and promise to destroy everything.

When she returned to Haven, Cinder was met with silence. Everyone close to her and standing before her were all silent after they heard Jinn's story. The silence was deafening, and it refused to hide the shock and disbelief everyone had when they heard the truth.

Ozpin, however, wasn't shocked or confused. The tears falling from his eyes displayed nothing but sadness and regret.

"Salem... wants to destroy the world?"

The first thing that broke the silence was a question from a Mandalorian in the crowd. He and his fellow warriors were all dumbfounded and confused, despite the fact that they had seen everything. Cinder heard gunfire outside and fire crackle again, but nobody before her lifted any weapons.

They were all too surprised to do anything else but feel the truth sink in.

Djarin and Qrow were also letting the truth sink in, as was Cinder. The Mandalorian was the first to turn to Ozpin, and he was the first to display his anger.

"Salem can't be killed?" he asked. "You knew about this?"

Ozpin looked up at Djarin with a regretful look. He felt as if all of his mistakes and hardships had come crashing down upon him. "I-"

"You knew all along!" Djarin yelled without giving Ozpin a chance. "And kept it all to yourself?! How could you do this to us?!"

"..."

Cinder spoke after her father. "You once told me that we had to stop Salem together," she said. "Did you ever have a plan to do it? To work around her curse?"

This time, Ozpin replied. "...No," he confessed as he looked down. "Never."

Djarin's anger intensified when he heard this, as did his feeling of betrayal. But more than that, he couldn't help but wonder how Cinder knew about this.

"Cinder, how did you-?"

"RRRRAAAAAAHH!"

*BAM*

"Aaah!"

Djarin was interrupted by a loud yell from Qrow, who had punched Ozpin in the face and watched him tumble down the stairs. When he stopped falling, Ozpin looked up at Qrow with a heartbroken expression. He didn't know what to expect from all this anger, but he didn't expect Qrow of all people to hit him.

Or say what he said next.

"No one wanted me," Qrow lamented as he looked to the ground. "I was cursed. I gave my life to you because you gave me a place in this world. I thought I was finally doing some good."

"But... you are," Ozpin insisted. He hoped that Qrow would see that, but the old man was proven wrong.

"Meeting you... was the worst luck of my life."

"..."

*BANG*

"Traitor!"

Everyone stopped looking at Ozpin and back towards the Mandalorians. Cinder didn't know what to expect when she revealed this truth. She almost believed that people would say the lamp was lying or that this didn't change anything.

But she was wrong. What she saw instead was an army of Mandalorians turning against one of their own: Bo-Katan.

"You!" a female Mandalorian said as she pointed to Bo-Katan. "You were closer to Pre Vizsla and Salem than anyone!"

"Did you know about this?!" another Mandalorian asked.

"Did you want this to happen?!"

"What else are you hiding from us?!"

Bo-Katan was holding her shoulder and laying on the ground after she had been shot. She too was unhappy with what the lamp showed her, but she was more upset to see that her brothers and sisters had turned against her.

"No, wait!" Bo-Katan pleaded. "I didn't know any of it! I swear!"

"She's lying!" a Mandalorian yelled. "She and Vizsla told us that Salem couldn't be beaten!"

"They knew she was immortal!" another Mandalorian accused. "They knew everything!"

"They used us!"

"They were going to kill us all!"

"Vizsla's dead! Bo-Katan should be dead with him!"

"Get her!"

All of the Mandalorians yelled as they charged toward Bo-Katan. She tried to fend them off with her own blasters, but she had run out of bullets. She then tried to back away, but she remembered there was a hole behind her when she almost fell into it. She considered flying out, but multiple wires wrapped around her arms and her leg. It was clear the Mandalorians wouldn't be letting her leave alive.

Bo-Katan would have been as good as dead, if Cinder hadn't created a small wall of fire and cut the wires after she jumped down.

"Stop it!" Cinder yelled when the fire died down. All of the Mandalorians took a step back before Cinder continued talking. "Don't you get it?! This is exactly what Salem wants! To turn everyone against each other until we're all dead!"

"..."

Cinder had a good feeling that she was getting through to the Mandalorians, but she was too angry to stop now. "Gods, do you really think you're making our ancestors proud?! Did you really think starting a war with Salem's help was going to make things better for us?! All you did was play right into her hands, you nearly ruined everything!" Cinder pointed at Bo-Katan. "It didn't matter what she knew or didn't know! You all did Salem's work for her! You're all just as guilty as Bo-Katan is!"

"..."

Everyone remained silent as they listened to Cinder, but Bo-Katan was the only one who lowered her head in shame.

"How many more lives, huh?!" Cinder asked as she looked around at the bodies of Huntsmen, Huntresses, and Mandalorians on the ground. "How many more lives will it take for you to see what's in front of you?!"

"..."

Cinder had to take a breath before she spoke in a calmer voice. "Salem doesn't help people; she uses them. Don't let her use you anymore."

The request was enough to give one Mandalorian the courage to ask a question.

"Well... what do we do now?" he asked.

To answer this question, Cinder raised the lamp over her head. "We keep this out of her hands," she said. "We protect it, and we protect the other Relics. But in order to do that, we can't be fighting amongst ourselves. We can't give Salem what she wants. We have to end the war."

"..."

Everyone became silent as they contemplated the idea. Djarin didn't need to think about it, however, since he agreed with everything Cinder said. With each word she uttered, he became more proud of her. She was close to ending the war without spilling any more blood, or fighting until the last man was standing.

Just as he said in the cave, Cinder was being the better person.

"To Hell with that!" a Mandalorian suddenly said as he raised his blaster. "Let's destroy the damn thing!"

*BANG*

A red blast hit the Relic, which caused Cinder to drop it. Suddenly, more red blasts hit the Relic as the Mandalorians desperately tried to destroy it.

*BANG*

*BANG*

*BANG*

*BANG*

*BANG*

"Enough!" Cinder yelled. "Enough!"

Once the firing stopped, everyone could see what Cinder was seeing. There were multiple marks on the ground, and the Relic itself was partially burnt.

But it hadn't been destroyed.

"It's not that simple," Cinder said as she picked up the lamp. "The Relics can't be destroyed. But they can be protected." Cinder extended her arms wide. "That's why Haven was built, why the other Huntsmen Academies exist. They're all meant to protect each and every one of the Relics. But because Vizsla attacked Beacon, because you attacked Haven, we're all in terrible danger."

"..."

Cinder let this thought sink in before she made her final point. "But it's not too late. We can fix this. We can fix Beacon and Haven. We can make sure we all live to see tomorrow... but only if you let us." Cinder began to pace around the area. "If you want to live, if you want to see our children grow, and if you want these Relics as far away from Salem... then you'll lay down your weapons. And stop. This. Fight."

Once again, all the Mandalorians looked at each other in uncertainty. They believed Cinder, since they were unable to destroy the Relic. They didn't know how she planned to protect the Relic, but all they knew was that they couldn't let Salem have it.

But to give up the fight wasn't as easy as it sounded.

"We didn't start this war... for Salem," said Bo-Katan, who finally started to get back up. Cinder turned around to give the Mandalorian her full attention and listen carefully. "We did it... for Mandalore." Bo-Katan held her shoulder as she talked. "They took everything from us. They looked down on us. When we helped them end the Great War, they left us with nothing. You can't ask us give up! You can't expect us to just forgive them all!"

Cinder groaned. "You still don't get it!" she said. She pointed to multiple bodies as she talked. "This, this, this is what makes the world think they can exclude us! Pretend like we don't even exist! It's not hatred that gives the world their excuse! It's fear!"

"..."

Cinder looked at the other Mandalorians again. "They're afraid of us! They afraid of whatever fight we might try to start whenever we show our faces, whenever we show our armor! We've built a legacy of warmongering, destruction, and killing even before the Great War started! What you all did tonight just makes them even more afraid! And they'll use that fear to fight back ten times as hard! All because you fired the first shot! And all because you came this close to helping Salem destroy the world!"

"..."

"But it's not too late." Cinder looked at Bo-Katan again. "If you stop fighting now, then Salem loses. All of her work will be for absolutely nothing. She'll be back at square one, you'll be striking harder than you might think. She might be immortal... but that doesn't mean she can't be hurt."

"..."

Cinder looked back at the army before her. "As for the rest of the world... leave that to me." Cinder activated the Darksaber again. "The leaders of Mistral will hear about this. They'll hear that the war was stopped by a Mandalorian. They'll see that their fear and anger can't apply to everyone." She then gestured to her father and her allies. "And I'll have witnesses. Nobody will deny the truth."

"..."

The more they thought of it, the Mandalorians began to see that this was a decent plan. Bo-Katan even admitted that nobody could deny such a story, not with the witnesses and the soon-to-be cooperation.

But there was one thing she didn't like.

"So you want us to run away," she said to Cinder. "To retreat in shame."

Cinder shook her head. "No," she said. "I want you to live." She quickly turned around. "I want all of you to live, whether you attacked Haven or not. You can trust me, you can let me assure your safety... or you can die in vain."

"..."

Cinder looked from the left and to the right before she made a final remark. "Well? What's it going to be?"

"..."

Silence filled the auditorium once again. There was much contemplation with the armored warriors, from each and every clan that was present. Cinder looked to see that Clans Vizsla and Tenau, both of which she was familiar with, were nodding their heads in approval. And when she looked back to the stairs, Cinder could see that Djarin was nodding as well.

But the real sign of good faith came in the form of distinct noises.

*CLANK*

*WHOOSH*

*CLANK*

*WHOOSH*

*CLANK*

*WHOOSH*

All of the Mandalorians were following their Mand'alor's orders. They were dropping their weapons to show that they were stopping the fight, and they were leaving while they still could.

Cinder gasped at the sight, since she wasn't expecting everyone to leave so soon. But when she saw more and more Mandalorians leave, the gasp was replaced by a sigh of relief.

"We'll make sure they leave," said a Vizsla Mandalorian.

"And that they take their comrades with them," said a Tenau Mandalorian. "Those who weren't present for Jinn's truth."

Cinder nodded at both Mandalorians. "Yes," she said. "Thank you."

"Of course... ma'am."

When the members of Clan Vizsla and Tenau followed their former enemies, Cinder turned back towards Bo-Katan. She was expecting more defiance, or an effort to join the right side in this conflict.

But instead, she saw Bo-Katan fly away as quickly as she could.

*WHOOSH*

The Mandalorian disappeared through a hole in the ceiling, and Cinder believed that this would be the last she would see of Bo-Katan for a while. But she didn't care too much.

Because when she saw her father nodding once again, Cinder's world became whole.

---

"There you go. Comfortable?"

"Yeah. Thanks, Dad."

After the enemy Mandalorians disbanded, and after Revan volunteered to stay with Ozpin, everyone went their separate ways. Obi-Wan said that he would go to the main city in case the Mandalorians tried anything else.

That, and he said he wanted to check on something personally.

Cinder said that she wanted to do whatever she could to help, but Djarin decided that she needed rest when he watched her stumble on the stairs and grab her head. It was obvious that she needed rest.

Qrow didn't say where he was going.

Before he left, Obi-Wan provided Djarin and Cinder with a room for the two of them. Djarin practically carried Cinder to the room, since she was tired and still recovering from a coma. Djarin was still recovering from his wounds as well, but he was more concerned about Cinder's well-being. Besides, his Aura was starting to work again.

Despite the fact that she was comfortable in the bed Djarin took her to, she was rather distressed. Given what Jinn showed her and everyone else, this was the first time Djarin had spoken since the incident.

And Cinder could imagine why.

She had lived with the Mandalorian long enough to tell when he was angry, distressed, and disappointed. His body language was the key here, and Cinder could tell how upset Djarin looked after he left the auditorium.

He had every right to be upset, Cinder thought. She was upset too, since Ozpin had been lying to everyone from the start. And given what Cinder was saying earlier, how she learned about something Ozpin had been keeping to himself, the young girl was afraid Djarin distrusted her now.

"Are... Are you okay, Dad?" Cinder asked. "After, um... After all of that?"

Djarin sighed as he removed his helmet. He and Cinder were all alone in the room, so he could talk about what he and Cinder saw. "It's that obvious, huh?" he asked as he took a seat by her side. "I, um... I don't think I'm okay."

"I don't blame you. For being angry." Cinder looked to the side. "I... I'm angry too."

Djarin nodded slowly. "It's just... How could he keep all of that from us? And expect us to work with him?!" Djarin clenched his fists in frustration. "This isn't right, Cinder. None of this is."

"..."

All Cinder could do was stay silent, since she had no rebuttal to this claim. But she found her chance to speak when Djarin asked a question.

"Cinder... did you know?" he asked. "Back in the auditorium, you said... you said you learned something. Did Ozpin tell you? Did he make you keep this a secret?"

"No!" Cinder quickly declined as she sprang out of bed. "No, Dad! I know how it all sounded, but I swear, I didn't lie to you! I would never lie to you!"

"..."

The Mandalorian was surprised by the quick and passionate reaction. He couldn't deny that the possibility of Ozpin telling Cinder was real, but Djarin abandoned these thoughts when he heard Cinder deny it.

If her words weren't enough, the look on her face certainly was.

"You believe me... right?" Cinder asked hopefully. The silence was very intimidating for her.

"Of course," Djarin said as he moved closer. "Of course I believe you."

Cinder sighed in relief. "Thank you. I know how it sounded, when I said I knew something. But it's not what you think, I swear."

"So, what happened? Did you learn it from someone else?"

"All I knew was that Salem couldn't be killed. I didn't know about everything else Jinn showed us."

"But how did you know?"

"I, uh, kind of suspected it for a while. Remember when Salem told me that she wrote that fairy tale I read? The Girl in the Lonely Tower? It's been around forever, so I, uh... I kind of knew something was going on."

Djarin could accept this logic, and he was surprised he didn't think of it before. But that still didn't answer his question of how Cinder knew that Salem was immortal.

Fortunately, Cinder was more than willing to tell him.

After she relaxed in her bed, and after she made sure they were alone, Cinder told Djarin everything. She told him how she met the first Fall Maiden, how she had to rebuild herself from the ground up so she could be strong enough to take back her powers, and she told him how she learned of a Fall Maiden who sadly took her own life after discovering that Salem was immortal.

And Djarin believed it all. He still couldn't explain his encounter with his sister, which was something he didn't feel ready to talk about just yet. But it sounded all too similar to Cinder's experiences with Fall and the rest of Cinder's predecessors.

"So... what do you think?" Cinder asked as she finished her story.

"The first Fall Maiden..." Djarin whispered as he processed everything. "That's... incredible. So she taught you a different side of the powers."

"Yeah, she and everyone else did. All of my training at Beacon made me strong enough to connect with Fall in the void. Fall took it upon herself to show me how to build new connections to my body, mind, and soul."

"Right, you mentioned that. Was it hard?"

"Oh, super hard. I almost gave up a few times, especially after I decided not to open my last chakra."

Djarin sighed again, but not out of anger or frustration. "Cinder, I'm sorry," he said. "I wish I could have been there. I mean, I was there. I stayed with you every night, and I-"

"I know, Dad." Cinder moved closer with a smile. "Thank you for being there for me. I didn't see or hear you, but... I think I knew you were there. I mean, all I wanted to do was come back home. Come back to you."

Djarin smiled for the first time since he left the auditorium and took Cinder's hand. "I'm proud of you."

"Thanks." Cinder suddenly had an idea. "Hey, maybe I can show you what I learned back there! I can help you unlock your chakras too!"

"Me? But I'm not a Maiden."

"No, that's okay. Chakras are more about Aura and the body. Your Aura could be stronger with them. I can show you what I mean later."

"That... would be a great honor. I can't wait."

Cinder smiled at the idea as she reflected on her time in the void. She was grateful to Fall and Karma for helping her connect to her body and soul, and she was also grateful to Lila for helping her connect to her mind.

The idea of this connection suddenly made Cinder remember something.

"Hey, Dad?" she asked. "There was something else too. When I was making connections to my mind, I saw you there."

"You saw me?" Djarin asked. "Oh, wait a second. Was that the whole memory thing you were talking about? How you saw Winter, Penny, and Qrow?"

"Yeah, that's right. I saw you too, but I don't think it was a memory. It looked like you were arguing with someone. The Armorer, I think. What was that all about?"

Djarin didn't need much time to search his memories for an explanation. "Oh, that. Well, I have a story for you too."

In exchange for Cinder's story about the void, Djarin explained what he had been doing while she was comatose. He explained how it all began when the Children of the Watch split apart, when Ozpin recruited him to travel across the world and stay in Vacuo.

And how that led to an unfortunate encounter with Revan.

"He tried to what?!" Cinder asked as she clutched her bedsheets.

"I know," Djarin sadly replied. He had just finished telling Cinder how Revan tried to kill her when he joined the fight. "He wanted to use you to lure Aurora out of hiding."

"What the hell kind of excuse is that?!" Cinder hadn't been in the man's presence for long, but it was scary to think that he could have stabbed her in the back. "I thought the Jedi were supposed to be against that kind of stuff!"

"I don't care what he might say; he's not a Jedi. I just hope he leaves us alone now that the war is over. If he doesn't, stay close to me." Djarin took Cinder's hand in his. "I have a promise to keep."

Cinder couldn't help but laugh a little when she heard this. She remembered being scared of the Butcher on a Halloween night when she was a little girl. But she felt better when Djarin promised to protect her.

It was silly to think of it now, but it was also sweet to hear that Djarin took the promise seriously.

On the other hand, it wasn't sweet to hear that the Armorer accused Djarin of bringing trouble to the clan over and over again. And the punishment of being banished wasn't very sweet either.

To hear that Djarin was declared to be an outsider, to be something other than a Mandalorian, broke Cinder's heart.

But her spirits picked up when she heard how Djarin took care of her, from moving to Vacuo and actually stealing from Atlas of all places.

"You smuggled all that Dust?" Cinder asked when she heard how much the Mandalorian took.

"Not all of it," Djarin replied with an awkward chuckle. "We had to let some go so we could cover our tracks with an explosion. But we split the remains between Vale and Mistral. And, well... you as well."

"Me?"

"Willow promised me some Cobalt Dust for smuggling her own Dust. Since it helped you at Beacon, I figured it could help you again."

"Wait a second." Cinder sat up in her bed. "You stole that Dust... for me?"

"That's right. If it meant I could help you, smuggling a few crates wasn't too much to ask for."

"Whoa... Dad, I... I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything, Cinder." Djarin gently rubbed the top of his daughter's head. "I'm just happy to have you back again."

Cinder embraced the feeling and smiled. "It's good to be back." She stopped smiling, however, when she remembered the Armorer. "But you shouldn't have been banished like that. That's so unfair!"

"Honestly, Cinder, it's fine. I don't think I was going to accomplish much by staying there during the war."

"Still. You shouldn't have been banished for helping me." Cinder suddenly felt guilty for what happened. So much could have been averted if she hadn't fallen into her coma, she wished she could fix it all.

While she couldn't fix everything, Cinder had an idea how to fix what happened to her father.

"Hey, could you hand me the Darksaber?" she asked.

Djarin looked towards the desk he had taken his chair from. The Darksaber was on the desk, as well as the Relic of Knowledge. Djarin believed it would be best for Cinder to carry it since she used its knowledge to reveal a truth that everyone needed to hear. And since Cinder was the Mand'alor, the Darksaber stayed with her too.

"The Darksaber?" Djarin asked. "Why, what for?"

"I got an idea," she said. "Can I see it?"

Djarin didn't know where this was going, but he acquired to Cinder's request and handed her the Darksaber. After she sat up, Cinder activated the blade and brought it towards Djarin's left shoulder.

"I'm the Mand'alor," Cinder began. "Just like we saw before, every Mandalorian listens to me now. So as Mand'alor, I pardon you of whatever crimes or accusations the Armorer and any other Mandalorian charged you with." She let the blade hover over Djarin's left shoulder before she moved it to his right. "There you go." Cinder turned it off when she was done. "As far as anyone's concerned, you're an honest to Gods Mandalorian."

Djarin was honored by the small favor, and proud to see that Cinder chose to use the power of her title with humility and wisdom. Many words of gratitude and joy came to mind, so many that they never escaped Djarin's throat. He hadn't thought of it before, but hearing the opposite of what the Armorer told him felt really good.

"Cinder, I... Now I don't know what to say," he said with a chuckle.

"Aw, it's okay, Dad," Cinder insisted. "It was nothing. Just something that needed to be done."

"Still. Thank you, Cinder. That was... something I needed to hear."

"You're welcome." Cinder cracked a smile as she thought of something else. "But let me know if you need anything else. You know, a Mandalorian island, a new clan, or if you want everyone to bow before you. Say the word."

Djarin couldn't help but laugh at the joke. "Let's not start abusing power now. We've already had plenty of mad rulers."

"Yeah, no kidding. But really, I can help with whatever you need."

Djarin was about to thank her once again and insist that he didn't need anything. However, something came to mind when he remembered that Cinder was the ruler of Mandalore. He remembered that there was something he wanted to change.

Something he wanted his daughter to change.

"Dad?" Cinder asked. "You okay?"

Djarin looked over to Cinder and made a request. "Cinder, could you... could you make a promise for me?" he asked.

"A promise? Um, okay." Cinder didn't see the harm in a promise, even though she didn't know what it was. "What is it?"

"When I trained you as a Mandalorian, I taught you everything I knew. And everything I believed in."

"Right, like the Way of the Mandalore."

Djarin flinched when he heard that phrase. "Cinder... I was wrong to make you believe in all of that."

"What?"

"The Way itself is wrong. It's cruel, biased, and completely unfair. I can't believe I was like that in the past."

"What? Wait a minute." Cinder sat up in her bed once again. "Dad, is this about what the Armorer said to you?"

"No, this is something I learned myself. There are aspects I still believe in, but the Way of the Mandalore has only made the Mandalorians look out for themselves. Vizsla, Saxon, even the Children of the Watch only cared about themselves. Because of that, they started and joined a war that nearly destroyed everything."

"Yeah... I guess that's true. But you said Pre Vizsla and Gar Saxon didn't follow the Way of the Mandalore. Not like you do."

"That doesn't change the fact that we've let the past and tradition lead us to the point of ruin. If we don't change, if we just let the past define us and let it repeat itself over and over... then we deserve extinction."

"..."

Djarin took a deep breath before he spoke again. "Do you remember what we talked about at Beacon? How we could create something new for the Mandalorians?"

"Um... yeah," Cinder replied. She was somewhat in shock of how passionate Djarin was, but she answered his question. "Yeah, I think we called it..." Cinder couldn't help but smile when she remembered how funny it sounded. "We called it 'the Way of the Maiden.'"

"That's right," Djarin said as he took Cinder's hand again. "I want you to promise me, Cinder. Promise me that you won't live or rule by the old ways, the ways that did nothing but hurt us and the world. Promise me you'll start living by the Way of the Maiden."

Cinder was surprised by how serious Djarin was taking that phrase and idea. She liked the name, even though it sounded a little silly to her now. But one look at Djarin's face and the memory of his request told Cinder that this was no laughing matter.

"Dad, I... I don't know if I can," she reluctantly admitted. "I don't even think I know what it is just yet."

"Yes, you do," Djarin calmly declared. "You taught it me from the moment I met you. The Way of the Maiden is selflessness. It means looking out for everyone else just as much as your own people. It means defending peace, freedom, and justice for all of Remnant. But most of all... it means believing in yourself. Inspiring others like you inspire me."

"..."

Cinder was surprised once again. It seemed that tonight was full of surprises. But along with that, Cinder felt incredibly honored by what Djarin said. They were merely strangers, once upon a time. He was just a bounty hunter who lived for himself and his tribe, and she was just a little girl who ran away from her problems the first chance she had.

But now, to hear how much the both of them changed and grew... it was a wonderful experience. And if everything Djarin said was true, then sharing this with the world would be doing everyone a favor.

"We can work out the details later," Djarin said. "But right now, all I know is that I want to live like that. I want to live my life the way I've seen you live yours. So please... promise me you'll keep living like that. Promise me you'll follow the Way of the Maiden."

"..."

Cinder let go of Djarin's hands, which surprised and slightly scared the Mandalorian. But when he received another hug from his daughter, and when he heard something whisper into his ear, Djarin was happy.

"I promise."

---

Author's notes: hey everyone. Hope you're all doing good, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter! This is the end to the arc that started in Chapter 41, and the new arc will begin next chapter.

Before I begin, I wanted to say thank you for helping me reach over 400 favorites and follows on this story! You're a terrific audience, I'm so happy this many of you are enjoying the story! I promise that you'll like what comes next, but thank you for being a great audience!

And let's not forget the final episode of Ahsoka is almost upon us! I gotta say, I liked the show as a whole, so far (especially Baylan Skoll). What did you think of Ahsoka? Let me know in the comments!

To The Avenging Titan, Cinder is like Ethan, haha. Glad you liked how I handled Flora and Aurora's deaths, and I hope you liked this chapter too. Thanks for reading!

To deathwing17, Cinder got her payback, alright (and then some). Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

To Don Cheeto, I don't have any plans for Baylan at the moment, but I would love to include him and his crew in the future. Baylan was such an interesting character, I loved seeing him in every episode. You'll be seeing Thrawn again in the future, and I think you'll like what you see. Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

To GojiraFan455516, glad you liked Malak mentioning Vader. His role in the story will be known very soon, don't you worry. As for Hazel, you'll have an answer soon. Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

To Servos New Head, glad you're happy to see Cinder's awake. And I'm glad you liked Aurora as an OC, thanks for leaving your thoughts on her. Thanks for your comment about comparing this to Haven's Fate, what you said made my day. And you'll see plenty of more where that came from. As for Vader, you'll also see him in the future Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

To CT7567Rules, I'm not crazy about bugs either. Glad you liked how I handled Flora, you'll see more of Fauna and Merri soon. Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

That's all I have for now. Thanks for reading, I really hope you liked the end of the arc. I have big plans for the next one, you'll definitely like it. Don't forget to leave a review before you go, and I hope you have a great day.

The Court of Talons is adjourned. See you next time!