RWBY: Bonds Between Hearts
Chapter 23: The Silence in the Earth
WARNING: I own none of these characters sides from my OC(s). All rights go to their respective owners and properties.
This is nothing more than, well a fanfic, a story made up by a fan for entertainment and knowledge.
Everything in this fic is not canon and is only meant to give the audience a new idea of the works of each of the franchises in this story.
So please support me, my work and have some fun. Now enjoy the story. ^w^
The shattered moon gleamed in the night sky, Ozpin's gaze still looking back at the conversation with Vernage. Her harsh words, her honesty and criticism towards his decisions.
'Last warning Ozma. Tell them the truth now, or I will do so myself. You were a Hero when we first met. Is that still true when you have made these deceitful decisions when you are still fighting?'
Those words echoed in his head repeatedly. She knew the war in the shadows and she had been making moves against Salem just as she did when she was fighting Evol for centuries. The Saint wasn't blind to knowing Salem's selfishness caused the first wipe of humanity and had been ensuring they never hurt others.
Vernage has done various good deeds for it… he has been here in the academy relying on his companions who he hid the truth from. He couldn't fully trust them with it all. Should anyone else learn that Salem is nigh immortal? It could ruin everything he has worked up on to finally stop her. He can't risk that, not again.
Vernage had threatened that very bridge by telling the gods honest truth. She still had the recording of their conversation. She has the magic to prove it. Her work as the Saint isn't for her own well being but for the sake of all. Vernage hated seeing the people not being told the truth of reality. She saw what is truth and what is lies. A Saint to the core.
'Last warning Ozma.' Again the warning came to his mind. Vernage will tell his companions even Team RWBY the truth if he doesn't…
"Someone… please… tell me what to do? I…. I don't know anymore…" Ozpin muttered to himself, as he gripped his cane tightly as fear shook his entire body from this. Fear of losing everything he has worked up for, losing his will to fight again, and even more so…. Being alone all over again. He can't bear that weight anymore.
Ozpin could only look to his windows, looking out at the night sky and the shattered moon, still reminded of that day and his mission. He has to stop Salem. Even if Evol is the bigger threat, its hard to say what will happen to the Relics regardless if he eats Remnant or not.
Yet, with the recent fight still lingering on his mind even after two weeks. He was more worried on what Evol was planning now that they have the Pandora's Box? Just what was the snake thinking of now by allowing them to take it so easily?
Whatever the case may be. This Vytal Festival, is going to be changed from a simple tournament uniting the kingdoms? To one of the darkest moments in Remnant's history henceforth.
XXX
"96."
A blade swung across the air.
"97."
The white blade gracefully sliced the air it moved across, its form not affected.
"98."
Swinging the blade diagonally, the left foot skidded on the dirt before spinning on their heel.
"99."
With a deadly twirl, the blade was held in an overhead position. Then the familiar bluenette swung powerfully, causing a line to appear before the tree slowly fell into dozens of pieces instead of a single line.
"100." Lily lowered Vernage's treasured blade. She was wearing a tank top that exposed her abdomen and a pair of legwear. Her blue hair was still in the wild ponytail while sweat beaded down her skin.
"Well done, your swordsmanship is improving." Vernage praised the young girl.
The sword was stabbed into the earth, the bluenette slouching against the flat side of the embedded sword. "Gods, my arms feel like they are holding raw blocks of steel."
"You aren't used to holding Virtuous Steel. It took me months when I was 15 to properly wield it. On occasions I would lose my balance in combat." Vernage soothed. "You are adjusting as your augmentations enhance your strength."
"But do I have to wear weights on my limbs too?" Lily questioned as she looked at the weights on her wrists, "It just feels excessive!"
"It is needed since you have to get stronger and more adept with my weapons and magic. We sadly don't have the time to take it slow, now do we?"
Lily bit her lip. "You have a point."
"Look on the bright side. We even made spare firewood from the swordplay."
"Ah."
"Also, seems your new friend left something for you." Vernage giggled, as nearby was a simple bottle of water to rehydrate her body, as the bottle seemed normal, other than a nightshade flower embedded in the mold of the cup.
Things weren't easy for Lily after she woke up upon Vernage returning her body to her. People still look at her warily and would receive fear or backlash. She wouldn't blame them. She was once a terrorist. A killing machine. A former follower of a cosmic monster. Her lilac eyes lingered on the box that rested on her bags. She had been protecting it ever since they took it. She was out here in Emerald Forest, camping.
Why? As she mentioned before, a majority of the city doesn't like her. The grudges. The colorful letters left behind that had forced her to remain here. She didn't want to bring a bad image to the school nor to her… friends.
Raising her hand, magic built up, displaying the power. She had been learning much by Vernage's guidance and learned more forms of magic than ever. The Saint had also been teaching Cody on the magic he inherited from Evol. Unlike her, Cody was still a novice in such things.
Furthermore…
She punched the grass, and waited. It was silent before a Beowolf landed face first in the dirt, a blade seen on top of its skull. She plucked the technoblade as the wolf disintegrated as did her blade.
The agents of Salem had been making moves. She wasn't idle. "You think Team RWBY should know, Vernage?"
"I do my little flower. Alas, Ozma is stubbornly persistent to not allow me."
"… Should I punch him?"
"Goodness no. As I had warned him already as it is his last warning. If he doesn't within the next 48 hours, I will rest assured. I do not like the truth being hidden from society. They may have acknowledged and greedily wanted to know more to the existence of magic, they deserve to know more."
"You're still the type to be sharp."
"And you are quite the determined flower I raised from those six months back then."
Lily snorted but smiled thinly. She looked at her hand, staring longingly before curling into a fist. The rustling forced her to grab the large katana, but saw a familiar face.
"Oh it's you…" She placed the large katana back into the earth.
"Figured you could have something to eat." Walking into view was Blake with some sandwiches for the pair, as it seemed Blake, among Cody as well, had wanted to give more of a chance for her redemption. Almost always there for something for Lily to have and enjoy.
A growl echoed in which Lily's face flushed red. "Hush you, Vernage." Blake blinked. "Sorry… Vernage was teasing me about my hunger."
"Ah. Well um… I hope you like tuna?" Blake said, feeling embarrassed that was all that she could make at the time.
"Never ate tuna…" She recalled the food she ate in Faust. Aside from the food from the diner and school dance, she never had much else.
"Well, then have some and relax." Blake said with a soft smile, as she soon sat down and handed a piece to Lily, hoping she'll like it as much as she does.
Lily sniffed before taking a bite. It was an awkward silence before saying, "…I would have eaten potato chips with this." She took another bite.
Blake giggled from the response, "I'll remember that for next time." She said, delighted to hear her enjoying the sandwich as her cat ears twitched with delight under her bow.
Something Lily found… adorable.
Blake glanced at the fellow defect, her amber eyes studying the bluenette. The state Lily was right now would have gotten eyes from the boys of the school. She remembered the dress Lily wore during the school dance. That caused a lot of eyes to go towards her, Faust agent or not.
As the days went on since Lily regained her body, Blake and Cody, usually take turns to check up on their new friend. Both of them reassuring she can stay in the dorms with the rest of Team RWBY, yet Lily insisted it would be better.
Thus, Blake and Cody would instead check up on her every day, not only to see how much better she's doing, but so that she wouldn't be alone. They cared a lot more than Lily expected, thinking that they'd just avoid her like the other students and civilians.
Weiss on the other hand, still avoided Lily like the White Fang, Ruby attempts once and awhile, as does Yang, though it still seems they have yet to trust her for now. But at least the bluenette knew she could count on Blake and Cody a bit more now, feeling relieved from that.
"Hope today wasn't too rough on you? I heard from Cody that you went in for a few supplies…" Blake spoke up, wanting to talk a bit with Lily.
"Other than the occasional glares and words? Its as much as I can be…." Lily sighed, taking another bite. "And.. um… how goes the training for the festival? I heard they're going to be able to proceed with it."
"It starts in about a month. Right now they're just setting up now that Evol is staying in his fortress."
Lily merely stared at the last bit of her meal.
"Say Lily?"
"Hm?"
"What were you like… before Faust?"
Lily glanced at Blake then at her hand, taking the last bite of her sandwich. "For one, I lived most of my life in the streets of Mistral. I don't recall much about my mother or father since they were never there for me to begin with. All I could do was steal food, dig into garbages, stuff like that… been called street rat. Little bot due to my knickknacks being distractions for me to steal food." She raised her hand slightly. "I was practically malnourished on and off. No one ever gave a damn about me… until… I met Vernage."
"I'm… truly sorry you had a rough childhood…" Blake said with sympathy, looking worried a bit for her new friend.
"Most people have one. Not that I'm any different, Belladonna." Magic danced in her palm. "The only difference I hold from anyone on Remnant is this magic… and the fact I am only alive because Vernage is within me."
"Is it weird? Having to share your body-"
"My body isn't shared, Belladonna. My body is only inhabited to stay alive. What is little left of my lifeforce is all I have left to be considered on the brink of death." She moved her top slightly to reveal the cross-shaped scar that was in between.
"Then what will happen if she leaves?"
Lily shrugged. "… Don't know. I never asked her nor do I want to know. It's better that way than just brood in despair by the possible answers."
"Well… either way. Remember you now have friends here who'll be by your side." Blake reminded the bluenette with a soft smile.
"… Thanks." The former Faust agent murmured.
The Cat Faunus kept her smile as the two basked in the silence together.
XXX
"Come on, it's this way!" Yang bellowed brightly. Within Vale, Yang was using the opportunity to take Cody on a date, finally free from the hospital and recovered after weeks of healing. Though the young rider looked embarrassed over this.
"Ugh… do I really need to be here? Can't I just try to learn how to use my magic?" Cody groaned out, feeling embarrassed with what Yang had planned so far over this… 'date'. "I don't get why this… 'date' is so important."
"Because Vernage put money into it. If not you will be owing her… alot."
"Alot?! How much did you ask her?!"
"Best not ask for answers you don't wanna know." She smirked softly, poking his nose with a boop. "Now first thing is to get you some more new clothes!"
"Why?" He asked.
"Because you wear nearly the same thing, almost everyday." She pointed out his attire.
"Ahem." He gestured to her signature outfit. "The same goes to you and your team with your outfits when you are not in class."
"… Touche. But I want you to branch out more. As well as maybe even help me pick some clothes for myself?" She playfully winked before grabbing his hand. "Now come on! Let's not waste this day away!"
"Ugh… why did I even agree to this? Oh right, I got jolted with volts to my damn head!" He slumped in dismay. Vernage had told him to get through his dense head and realize more of his emotions. She also shocked him.
"Gotta learn there's more to fighting and vengeance, remember!" Yang giggled, knowing that this day is going to be fun for them both, even if he doesn't show it. "We got more than you think, cutie!"
Cody blushed softly from that, turning his head away and grumbling out, "I'm not cute…"
Yang giggled as she led him further into Vale, going into one of the shops for new clothes and more. He was unsure on what was being chosen for him and more, but just went with it. Though when Yang started to choose her new clothes, Cody had to sit and wait.
Cody grumbled and muttered to himself, not really liking this as much as Yang thought. He seemed ready to try to bail, though he knows she'll find him again and hit him, so he'll have to push it through.
"Ready for my first pick?" Yang called out from the changing room.
"Ugh.. fine… Let's get this done." Cody sighed, earning a slight huff from Yang, but she knows this'll change his mind.
As the curtains move, Cody looks to Yang as his eyes widen from her new outfit choice, enough to leave him stunned and slack jawed. Yang was now wearing a slim yellow dress that hung on one shoulder, as the frills reached her knees as it had a sunflower look and feeling to it, as the blonde brawler smirked softly.
"Well? Did I take your breath away, lover boy?" Yang asked with a giggle of delight though even she had a soft blush to her cheeks. She was simply showing herself off to him, and for once she felt a bit embarrassed but held onto her bravery to keep this up until they left the store.
"I.. uh…" Cody couldn't get out much as he kept staring at her with wide eyes.
"Hehe, another guy, unable to speak of my beauty. Ah, what a crime it is." Yang teased, enjoying his speechlessness.
Cody finally turned away, making the brawler giggle. "L-Let's get going. And just choose what outfits you wanted so we can leave."
"Aw, you're cute, thinking I'm done. This is just the first outfit I wanna try on." Yang snickered. "Us girls can't just choose one outfit, we have many to go through."
The hybrid pressed his head against the wall in dismay.
This was going to be the death of him…
XXX
Inside a small lab within Atlas, Pietro was working on a new item for the two riders. It was an idea that 'Vernage' had, knowing what Evol could become. From her own analysis, she was able to deduce that Evol had one more item to help him evolve, knowing it to be 'Phase 4'.
She was able to grasp that it was the item to unlock his true Black Hole powers. Thus a countermeasure needed to be created not only to hopefully depower him, but see if the item could hold any weaknesses. If the item they're making could match what Evol had in store? They'd have a chance this time around.
Problem was, how on earth can he create something that is a black hole? They were an abyss that is nonexistent. Endless. A bottomless pit that snuffs out all forms of matter within seconds. To even analyze one would require a close encounter but that was… zero chance as the matter of it varied in countless ways. To be even near one was instant death due to its powerful vacuum of space.
This feat seemed nigh impossible! Yet… He had his faith. Not only for what Vernage spoke of and told him with their talk, but also the realization that he too did an impossible task thanks to his daughter. He will not falter with this, he will find a way and help stop Evol!
"Alright now let's see if it can do something for this little obsidian fella." He looked at the frozen Jelly Bottle.
Outside the lab…
Penny hummed happily, skipping merrily until the android stopped upon the massive burst of black smoke that caused the wooden door to slam into the wall. The orange-haired ginger rushed to the door and saw the entire room was covered in black soot, an outline of her father shown right behind him.
"I think you need to take a break, father." Penny giggled from seeing the sight.
"Heh… maybe you're right." Pietro chuckled out a cough. Maybe he can figure this out after a nice meal?
XXX
Yang had now brought Cody to a nearby amusement park, made for the Vytal Festival. She turned to the fellow blonde to see his reactions to this.
"Well? What do you think?"
"It looks… fun?"
"Then let's go! You're going to realize all the fun you missed out on!" Yang took his hand, leading him further into the park.
Ride after ride, Cody began to experience the various rides and to be honest, he really was having fun. More fun than he thought he would have. He thought it wouldn't be much, yet he was realizing that Yang was right about him missing things out.
Upon exiting the ride, he noticed something from the corner of his eye. Nearby was a simple game, but it had a large serpentine dragon on it. A… 'Xiao Long'. He then started to make his way to the game to play it.
"Say Cody-huh?" Yang blinked. "Uh Cody?"
He just turned and smiled to her as he made his way to the game counter, as it was the simple 'Hit The Bell' game. Easily able to tell that it was meant to examine how strong the user can be as the game owner had to guess it. For him? This was as easy as pie.
"Welcome! Seems you're ready to hit the bell!" the game owner smiled.
"I am."
"Good! Well, lemme see…" The owner noted before looking at the young man, lowering his glasses as his eyes glowed.
Ah, so that was the trick? His Semblance could deduce how strong the person can be with their body type and more. After a few more seconds the owner pushed his glasses up with a chuckle of amusement.
"Seems to me, you are strong. But I don't think you can hit the bell. If you do though? You can have any prize."
"I can hit it." Cody assured.
"Alright then. Go ahead and hit the bell."
Cody paid with the Lien and walked over to the game itself. Plucking the hammer, he hefted it and looked up at the bell. He took a deep breath before he slowly brought the hammer over his shoulder. With a sharp breath he said, "Hup!" And quickly brought it down, the momentum sending the orb straight up and up… directly hitting the bell that rang loudly.
The owner looked to the bell with some surprise, seeing how he hit the bell. His Semblance wasn't wrong! Yet the boy proved him. With a smirk and chuckle of delight showing that there were still surprises in the world? He clapped with approval for the young winner.
"I'll take the yellow dragon there." The blonde experiment pointed.
With a nod, the owner plucked the dragon and handed it to him, Cody then turned back as he made his way back to Yang, only to softly blush and look away before pushing the toy into her arms.
"H-Here… for you…." Cody said, trying to hold his blush and slight embarrassment.
Yang blinked at the gift. She slowly looked at the dragon then at Cody. "You… got this for me?"
"Y-Yeah… it's… the least I can do on this date…" he rubbed his neck. "Right?"
Yang felt very touched from this. Not only did he win her a prize, but he also held back his strength so he didn't break the game. She soon took the plush and squeezed it against her as she smile brightly.
"This is very sweet of you, Cody. Thank you." Yang smiled before she leaned in and pecked his cheek. Giving him a sign of her affection and thanking him for the gift.
"Y-You're welcome."
"Come on, let's head back to the school." She smiled, taking his hand into hers as she began to lead him back to the rest of the city.
"Wait, we're done already?" He blinked confused.
"Let's just say… I feel more fulfilled than before." Yang winked playfully.
XXX
The sun was finally setting and many were enjoying their time before the night could occur. Cody still felt the odd warmth in his heart, this wasn't the same warmth as when Lily finally came back, nor him being accepted as the adopted son for Dr Pietro and brother to Penny. No, this warmth was something… much more different than the rest, one that he wanted to keep safe within him more than ever before.
He wasn't sure what it is… and the only way to find out was to talk to Lily.
At first he thought he was going to check her camp in the forest but noticed a small gathering in the training room. He saw Blake. Though a majority of them are males. "Blake? What's with the gathering?"
"Lily has been busy training. She requested permission for the use of the training equipment."
Peering over, he saw Lily in the midst of one handed push-ups though she had her feet raised and pressed against the blade. To add more to the pot was the weighted blocks on her back.
Lily's breathing was controlled, her figure never losing shape because of it.
Cody could already tell the reason for this gathering, but he looked to Blake instead, "I can understand them… But why are you staring at her? Do you have a crush on Lily now?" He questioned the Faunus.
"What? No, nothing like that."
"Uh huh…" Cody gave a look before noticing his sister figure muttered '100' before she spun her legs, kicking the embedded blade off the ground. Standing up, she raised her hand, catching it in her waiting palm and flicked it. She used her other hand to brush her hand across her head.
Several of the bystanders clap with approval and awe at how dismount, as it seemed many were more impressed by her now than before. Seems all of the worries and fears people were having when she started staying around are slowly fading away like it was the distant past.
The bluenette glanced and sighed, shouldering the large katana and the other hand on her hip. Her lilac eyes stared flatly at the gathering. "Are some of you just gonna be ogling or what?"
The many male students flinched as some turned away, others quickly walking off to avoid confrontation while others still remained stunned…. Though one person was different.
"I mean, you have a nice body. Who wouldn't stare?"
Nearby, Blake and Cody turned to the voice as the Faunus groaned. It was another male student, 1st Year, with armor with a bronze bird on the chestpiece with short orange hair and an attitude that was obviously "Jock" like.
"Cardin…" Blake groaned at the male student who has been an issue since day 1 of the 1st Years.
"He's going to get smacked into the pavement." Cody noted.
The buxom bluenette glanced at Cardin, her brow raised. "Someone said it out loud."
"So? How about it?" Cardin smirked, trying to play off if he was cool. Something that was obviously a mistake.
The bluenette approached, her eyes staring at Cardin. It was complete silence before the Virtuous Steel slammed into the wall beside Cardin as the only thing came after him was a painful high pitched groan. The armored teen fell to the ground, clutching his lower body while Lily's knee was kept up.
"Firstly, I hate when men leer at me like that sick bastard Alpha. Second, I don't date men and I take pride in my choice of attraction."
Cody leaned next to Blake, "Lucky you." He teased her with a chuckle. Blake shoved the blonde, making him laugh.
Lily took notice of Blake and Cody, as she had a soft smile on her face before walking over to them.
"How was the date?" Lily asked the blonde experiment.
"It was… i-interesting…" He responded, now feeling shy about sharing that moment. "Um… L-Lily can we talk? Just between us?"
"Sure." She leaned over. "Belladonna mind if you escort the watchers away while Cody and I talk?"
"Of course." Blake nodded and began to shoved the spectators away. Lily walked over to the benches, slinging a hand towel over her neck. "So what brings you to come and talk to me? I expected you would talk to the scientist."
"A-At first but recalling you mentioned… u-um… having a night with Crystal… er…"
Lily stared blankly and Vernage had the same thought in mind.
'Poor boy is attracted to the brawler.'
"He just now noticed?" Lily responded in thought.
'My guess is, he's trying to figure out what he's feeling and needs to do.'
Lily chuckled in amusement and gently made Cody sit on the bench, sitting beside him. "Cody, what you're bringing up means you are attracted to Xiao Long." She informed him. "By that, I mean you are in love. The love of the opposite sex."
"In… love…" He responded, pondering at the phrase "That's.. What I'm feeling warm in my chest?"
"Yes. I may not have been in any relationship, I am not blind to emotions. Nor is Vernage."
"But… what do I do? I… I never been like this before. Why do I want to keep this feeling from leaving me? What can I do to prevent myself from pushing her away?" He questioned, his mind wrapping in confusion and worry.
"Follow what your heart is telling you. Otherwise you will only be bottling it away, abandoning a part of who you are." Lily patted Cody's head. "Don't hide it, tell her how you feel before someone else chooses to pluck her for themselves, boy or girl."
Cody pondered at her words, looking to her for another worried thought before she silenced him as she shook her head.
"Don't be scared… It's natural to feel like this." Lily reassured him, "She kept going after you to help you, remember? She won't easily let you go."
The blonde experiment looked back down to ponder, his mind slowly beginning to calm down instead of racing with worries and emotions, only to soon find the warm feeling again. Cody then looked to Lily with a smile as he nodded to her.
"Now tell me, what is it you are gonna do?"
"I'm gonna cheer her on in the tournament…"
"And?"
"And when they win… I'll tell her how I feel about her."
The former Faust agent smiled, patting his head. "Atta Cody. Just remember everything I said… and from what I saw from that girl, better hope her relatives don't pummel you."
"Heh, it's going to take more than some crazy drunk with a scythe to scare me next time." Cody huffed with a smirk. "Plus Ruby will vouch for me too."
"And her dad?"
"… A-Ah… w-well um…" The blonde slumped. "I'm getting mauled aren't I?"
"Probably. I hope to Mankind you come out unscathed… or just a bruise."
"Lily!" The bluenette laughed upon her former cellmate's dismay, "Relax I'm just messing with you… or not."
'You really are sly in such things.'
That she had no shame in.
Lily paused and her eyes briefly noticed the window, her sharp eyes noticing a small little raven. Closing her eyes, she pushed herself up from the bench. "Alright lover boy, you better head back to your apartment otherwise I'll start grilling you about the rules."
"Yeah, yeah, I heard you sis." Cody waved off, leaving the room. With him gone, Lily manipulated the door and closed it. With it, she made the window open in which the little raven flew inside.
"What do you want, Brawen?"
Feathers danced around before revealing Yang's mother. "Seems Vernage taught you much."
"Cut the bullshit. What do you want from me or Vernage?"
The ravenette closed her crimson eyes. "Tell me, what do you see in the value of strength?"
"… My value in strength?" Lily repeated. "Why ask a stupid question like that? Strength all depends on the individual themselves. Just as Vernage did when she fought Evol repeatedly. … Just as I did to fight my way out…"
"Exactly. You rose up and came out from such a monstrous place and are stronger than ever. That is the kind of strength I believe is needed."
"For what?"
Raven extended her hand to Lily, opening her eyes as crimson met lilac. "To join my tribe. I am not blind to see how everyone mistreats you, Lily. In the streets. In Beacon." She offered. "Atlas soldiers keep itching their fingers to the triggers of their guns. Ironwood wanted nothing more than have you behind bars and possibly peek within as you hold the ancient magic that Vernage held and enhanced by whatever Faust made you ingest." She pressed on. "You would have a place in my tribe. A place where you won't have any worries. A place where you have equals."
Lilac eyes stared at the bandit leader with a sharp gaze. It was true that it was how the people she mentioned feel about her. Most hated her and Atlas would have done nothing more than have her rot in prison or on the table.
Yet… before she could say anything… the memories of Cody saving her from herself, Blake showing to try and get closer to her, and the rest of Team RWBY, JNPR, and even Penny accepting the young woman and forgiving her appeared in her thoughts. And it wasn't Vernage doing this… it was her heart. Reminding her she now has people to protect and fight for.
Lily retracted her limb away, "No. Regardless of the hate they throw at me, I will keep on going on my own terms."
Raven frowned upon hearing this, "You know sooner or later, they'll just hunt you down. People don't forget or forgive."
"I will defend myself if I must. And I will fight regardless. My strength will not go unhindered." Raven saw the brief cold gaze in her eyes. "And if they touch anyone I care about, they won't expect mercy."
"Hmph… shame that you're so narrow minded, you don't realize how much trouble you're putting yourself into now…" Raven shook her head with disappointment.
"I know how the world works, Brawen. Vernage knows a lot about it. This knowledge alone will keep me going and fight." She pointed an accusing finger at the bandit leader. "As long as I stand, this gift will be my shield. This burden will be my sword. I will not fall like I have before."
The ravenette's fingers curled into her palms before she nearly gritted her teeth. Having Lily by her side would have bolstered her line of defense against Evol as Vernage was the most powerful mage equal to him, stronger than Salem. Vernage was merely far older than Salem given her time in the past.
"If you continue to dwell in your past, you will only lose sight of your future." Raven furiously looked at Lily but it wasn't Lily who spoke but Vernage, the emerald eyes and moonlight hair noticeable, her eyes staring with sharp criticism and honesty. "Strength isn't everything when no one is born strong. Strong or not, the only fear of it is facing a stronger foe. Fear that you hide poorly."
"I am afraid of nothing…" Raven glared at the possessed girl.
"You do. Fear of loss. Fear of losing your strength. Fear… of all your efforts being proven fruitless in the end." Red steel pressed against Vernage's neck, the crimson eyes glaring angrily at her.
"It is the secrets you have told me that Ozma hid being the cause, is that what you want from me?!"
"Yes." The Saint had no hesitation in her response. "Having fear makes us human. You can show it or hide it. Denying it makes you more monster than man."
Raven tensed when she felt a cold touch in the back of her neck. Her gaze shifted, seeing the metal being that had once assisted Vernage in the fight against Evol. It was holding a large sharp talon close, her Aura in her neck gleaming by the sharp touch. That and the sword against her chin. She never noticed that until now. "Tell me Raven, are you more of a monster than a human for the inexcusable actions and sins you have committed in your lifetime or are you more human than a monster like Evol?"
Raven was frozen in fear, unable to worm her way out of talking or convincing Lily to join her or find some way to blackmail her into working with the tribe. She had no options left other than running… to which in a flurry of feathers she did so, flying away from the girl, now defeated like she was a novice.
The moonlight and emerald colors faded away, resting control back to Lily as she placed the bracelet back into the ponytail. "That was… on point."
"It is the honest truth, my little flower. Her eyes must open."
Lily took a deep breath. "So it seems…" she plucked Virtuous Steel from the wall and exited the room. Alas within Lily's pocket, the recording with Ozma that was kept… had been sent to another.
To a dusty crow.
A/N: Welp another small chap, but one I think was needed. Not only to give Cody and Yang a date that has been needed for them to grow close, but also for Cody realize his love for Yang.
Of course that wasn't all, such as the little hint for Lily x Blake. Now reason for this is, mostly cause I don't usually like seeing certain characters be ignored/left out of the loop for being in a relationship. True, we may not see it on screen/after its ended. but I usually like when such characters are able to get their own happy ending. Thus I figured since I'm taking Yang, Blake should have someone to grow onto, thus Lily.
Plus if you think about it? Lily and Blake are somewhat parallel with their lives. Both were part of a group who had done many terrible things and believe they were in the right. But then break away from it to try and do good and atone for their misdeeds only for such forces to still be in their lives, slowly chipping away at them.
I felt like this would be a good idea to do and give them both something to fight even more for other than their friends and family. But we know there's gonna be more for them soon.
Until then, later minna!