Each step echoed as she spiraled into the depths. The entirety of the tower remained silent, and as that deafening nothingness hummed in her ears she could almost hear her own heartbeat. Ruby found it fitting just how lonely the decent felt; it was more of a crypt than anything else, and the corpses and mutilated bodies along the way only helped to solidify that feeling.

However as she plunged deeper and deeper the amount of 'art' as it were seemed to lessen, as if most of the effort lay up in the heavens, no doubt where the 'god' sat on their thrown overlooking their effort. This wasn't much of a concern to her as she could deal with that later.

A small vein of hope sat in the distant corner of her mind as she continued along. Pebble must have been around somewhere, and even if she didn't find him immediately her heart told her he was still alive. Most would call it senseless, that going off a gut feeling would only lead to trouble, but she'd been around long enough to know that sometimes you just needed to roll with what you had.

The shine and sparkle of the crystal dulled as she plunged deeper, and the light radiating from the walls seemed to disappear almost entirely leaving nothing but the torchlight to guide her.

Ruby found herself drift back to when she'd first arrived with Salem, and how the two queens would chat about various topics of interest. Most of those topics were either about new trade deals or merely casual gossip. The two rulers were close friends and as such would often visit each other when they had the time; something that became scarce when the rebellions in the west began. However one piece of information whispered in the back of her mind.

"I never do grow tired of the way everything sparkles, like the sheen of the starry sky."

"I do adore it as well. Even having lived here my whole life I still find some sense of peace in this place."

"I'd suspect. How did you construct such a marvelous tower anyhow? I've seen plenty in my long days, and yet a place such as this seems to be unique. Not any other kingdoms have yet to come close to the air of magic your tower holds."

"In truth the tower was constructed before I was born. As far back as our history goes the tower was always there, so in truth I we haven't any records as to 'how' it was made. There are stories however as to it's origin, most of which passed down through the generations of our family."

"The seal?"

"Yes the seal."

"You know... if you wished I could simply deal with that Grimm for you."

"Yes yes, you've offered many times before, however my answer remains the same."

"And still I cannot understand why."

"True it sounds absurd, but I still hold faith in the idea."

"What will you do however if you're wrong? What happens if the seal and your family role 'don't' have some greater purpose?"

"I will deal with that when the time comes."

"Very well. My offer remains open, as it was to your mother, and her mother, and so on."

"And I appreciate it, truly I do, but there is this prickle of tension in the corner of my thoughts that maybe, just maybe, the seal and our role will reveal their purpose soon."

Salem had laughed lightly at the words, and yet it was in a friendly matter rather than the tauntingly cruel form she'd grow into during the coming future. However the idea of the seal was what had Ruby on edge. The seal was said to hold back a powerful and ancient Grimm, one she know knew as the Dream-Spinner, and was supposedly kept in slumber for the duration of the kingdom's founding.

And yet she traded words with that same beast hours ago, and it pointed her there. It spoke of something she sought, and whether any of it's words held truth or not she couldn't risk not checking it out. Along with everything she already did away with the ancient creature, so whatever it wanted to find at the seal must have been heavily dangerous.

The darkness reached it's peek as Ruby descended from the last step, and a vile odor of rot clouded around. Her eyes almost watered at the stench of death alone, however she'd been more than ready after what she'd witnessed above, and so she carried on. Bones crunched under her feet, and the remnants of discarded flesh littered the floor as she traveled through the filth. It seemed as though the unused chunks of gore were simply tossed aside for whatever reason, as if the 'art' had some sort of standards it had to follow.

Ruby was awash with power, not a ghostly tingle like she was used to around the mass amounts of death, but real power. Aura was incredibly sensitive, and due to that particularly bloody battlefields left a light shock in the air, that of the expended lives. Those who's aura was unlocked could train themselves to recognise and sense these lingering flickers of soul; a trick that was handy for tracking down points of death, usually to discern how new a battle may have been due to the energy fading over time, or even murder scenes if one was skilled enough.

The power she sensed was as the Grimm said familiar, to the point where she found herself in a dash as her boots kicked up the residue scattered across the floor. Ruby didn't care how disrespectful it was to disregard the bits of gore scattered around, not when the power grew ever stronger.

A door in the distance stood before her, cracked slightly to signify it's use, and Ruby barreled through. The woman ahead turned back, her hand a hair's width away from the statue. She took on a guarded and shocked appearance as she turned.

"Who dares stalk from the dark!" She called, and Ruby pulled back her hood before slowing to a walk.

"I'm glad to see you well, despite the condition of your tower."

"Who-wait..." Her eyes looked to squint and soon took a different expression. "Would you happen to be Ms. Scarlet?"

"I am." Ruby said calmly as she stopped several paces away. The woman visibly relaxed as the two looked to one another.

"Then you are not alone I would assume. I apologise but now isn't exactly a good time for a visit."

"My queen is not here." Ruby gave curtly, and the woman's apprehension returned.

"You've come alone? Not for malicious purpose I'd hope."

"No, but rather something else." Ruby stepped forward as she observed the statue. It appeared a pedestal of similar crystal to the rest of the tower, and atop it sat the form of an infant locked in perpetual wail. It radiated that all too familiar essence, and it was then that Ruby knew what needed to be done.

"This is it you know." The woman spoke as Ruby turned her eyes to her.

"The seal you mean."

"Correct." The woman looked longingly to it. "Our family curse."

"My lady offered time and time again to remove it. Why was it you so strongly resisted." Ruby tried as the woman held a shameful look.

"Swear to hold this a secret from all; our family holds a great shame and I'd rather none know of this tale. However I have this particular feeling about you. Call it childish but I feel this... 'air' about you. I'm holding hope that you may help us. Do this and I'll tell you everything." Ruby felt an odd sense of nostalgia; nevertheless she nodded.

"Thank you." She held a distant look. "Now where to begin."

"How about we start with what this seal is?" Ruby suggested as the woman nodded.

"Right. Hundreds of years back the seal, and subsequently the tower itself did not exist. The two go hand in hand to keep the Grimm sealed away at bay."

"The Dream-Spinner." Ruby gave as the lady raised a brow, nevertheless she confirmed it with a gentle nod, seemingly brushing off the fact that Ruby knew it's name.

"Yes. It was given the name due to it's ability to feed on the victims as they slept, draining away their vitality until their eventual death. However even it was not around before the seal."

"What do you mean?"

"Our family is one of the few with what's known as a hereditary semblance, in particular ours allowed us to blanket the area in a sort of dark fog. It would obscure like any other fog, but the unique part of it was that it also worked on Grimm. The creatures couldn't see in it and would get confused. One day, we crossed a witch."

"Oh..." Ruby could already see where this was going. Unlike the modern understanding of the term a thousand years from now a 'witch' in the current time period referred to someone who's semblance was so incredibly powerful it was a threat to entire towns and even kingdoms in some cases.

"Yes, but our family didn't understand it at first. Back before we were an official kingdom we lived in smaller towns throughout the cavern much like now. In a small corner of the cavern there lived an old woman. She was frail and quiet, living peacefully with her child. We were arrogant back in those days, and in a brazen display of power one of our own decided to blanket everything in darkness to test the limits of our power."

"Let me guess, it didn't go well." Ruby said as a hint of nostalgia overflowed. "It's always power."

"As much as it shames me to admit, yes, it was simply for power. This was not rare as ours were the closest to rulers this wasteland had, and with the Grimm stuck on the surface we thought it was safe, that nothing could get down."

"You were wrong."

"Terribly so." The woman replied tiredly. "While the ordinary Grimm gathered on the surface as usual eventually something else happened. Over time our people began having horrid nightmares, and the sounds of children screaming in their beds often woke several from their own dark dreams. Of course we all thought it merely a string of foul luck; that the stress of a particularly brutal season was to blame."

"And you turned to someone for help." Ruby gave only to feel a bit of surprise as the woman shook her head.

"No, we were much to proud for that. We decided to leave the dreams as is, assuming they were just that. However that all changed when we got a visit from the woman, and with it news of the first death."

Ruby had a feeling she knew what happened next.

"Her child had terrors it could not wake from, and she begged us to help. While proud we were not above aiding the others, and so did our best to awaken the babe." She sighed. "But even with all our recourses we could not raise the child, and one night it stopped breathing altogether. The mother was distraught, and supposedly vanished without a trace. Soon enough others would follow after, passing in their sleep at a rapid rate."

"Nobody could do anything at all?" Ruby asked with a hint of skepticism.

"Supposedly, however one day as one of ours lay on their deathbed the elder returned. In her hand a most beautiful staff that put anything of our own to shame. It is said she blamed us for constantly shrouding everything in shadow, for ceaselessly forcing an air of fear over everyone which had drawn in the Grimm."

"A staff..." Ruby looked to the seal. "Does the story say where she got it?"

"No, only that she had it. The rest of the tale is muddied beyond this point, and while we pride ourselves on conserving and documenting our history this tale in particular is almost all but lost. What we do know is that she called the Grimm responsible for all the death 'Dream-Spinner' and told of how it devours the memories of those who sleep."

"Do you know how she knew that?" Ruby tried again only for the queen to shake her head.

"No, the story only confirms of how she stopped the nightmares. Apparently she stabbed her staff into the ground, and immediately it erected a mighty crystal tower." The downtrodden queen placed a hand on the infant's cheek. "And at the bottom lay this seal. At that point we realized she was a witch."

"But why a baby?" Ruby asked as the woman sighed.

"Nobody knows for sure as the witch didn't say. All she told was that we needed to lull the seal to prevent the beast from awakening. That is where the story ends." The somber queen sighed. "But I believe it may have been her way of taunting us. Our power and disregard for the others drew in the Grimm which eventually killed her child. It feels like this is our punishment for that; to constantly sooth the baby, or risk the death of our own."

"So you don't know anything beyond that point? No other information on the seal and such?" Ruby tried as the woman stood straight again.

"No." The woman said as she stepped away. Ruby however caught hold of her hand and stopped the queen in her tracks.

"You've told me all of this, so I suppose you're open to ending this all?" Ruby tried as the woman nodded.

"At this point the seal is too close to breaking. I fear we are too late, and as such I must rely on you. I don't know why... but you give off this feeling of power, one you did not possess before back with your lady." She explained as Ruby gave a soft look.

"I can put a stop to it... but there's a cost."

"A cost...then what is it you seek?"

"It's different then that. When I end this you'll never have to deal with the seal ever again, but you'll lose something." Ruby told as the noble woman held a curious look.

"Then what is it I'll lose?" She tried as Ruby faced her head on.

"Your tower."

"Excuse me?" Ruby turned and looked to the seal.

"You'll be rid of the Dream-Spinner, but the tower itself will also disappear. It is the beast's prison after all, and without a prisoner it'll most likely crumble. Is everyone out?"

"..." The woman held her tongue as Ruby looked to see the apprehensive face she wore. That face left as she let out a breath. "Yes, everyone left as soon as we all awakened. I came here to try and see if I could perform the song, however when I did nothing happened. Usually there is a soft whimper and cry, but this time it was silent. I'm out of options, so even if it cost's my home then I'm willing to do it for my people."

"Very well." Ruby felt a tinge of satisfaction that at least one ruler seemed to care for more then themselves. Aside from Mobius the kingdoms that did rule had some rather unique rulers according to word of mouth, and she feared they may have valued themselves over their people. She was glad to be wrong, at least in this case. "Leave; I'll handle this."

"Very well." The woman turned. "But please be careful. I do not wish to inform my friend of her servant's death under my care."

"Don't worry, I can handle it."

"As you say." She left with that and Ruby was alone with the seal. However something was bugging her: from the way it sounded her family semblance sounded dangerous, and somewhat unique. A family based power like that doesn't just disappear, and she wondered whether it still existed in the future.

Something about it bugged her.

"Strange." She placed a hand on it. "I don't know how you got a hold of it but..."

The stone crumbled under the pressure of her strike. Ruby expected the thing to be tougher, but it fell apart with only a single blow; she chalked it up to age. Shaking the dust from her weapon as she reached into the crumbled pile of stone. With a yank she pulled free her prize, and soon enough the tower began to shake.

"It's been a while." Ruby admired it's beauty before she quickly made her way back in a flurry of petals. Unlike before she left not to the surface but to the underground just as the tower crumbled into nothing but a pile of crystal.

She regained her human state, and looked away from the glittering pile of gems reaching to the cavern roof. The others would have moved the ship as soon as the tower began to crumble, so she had no worries as to their safety. Instead her eyes were set on the object now in her hands as that deafening power made itself known by it's mere proximity.

The staff of creation: one of the deadliest tools to ever exist.

.

.

"What do you mean executed!" Sienna was up in Ilia's face, and Ilia in return continued to try and regain her breath. Blake however wasn't listening anymore, as her hearing and vision seemed to dull.

Weiss...

There was no fear, no major panic, not at first anyway; instead there was only the lingering burn of disbelief. A part of her scoffed at the idea, and almost wanted to laugh at the mere absurdity of such a thought, and yet the following silence in her mind swelled. Soon enough the bout of apathy flickered away, it's flame eviscerated in the winds of understanding.

It clicked, and the pain flooded in.

"I heard them." Ilia gasped as she drew in breath. "They were talking about something going down at the old post just outside of town."

"The one we used to receive and send supplies out, the one that leads to KiaŹ»i o Nalo?" Sienna questioned as Ilia coughed a bit.

"Y-yeah, that one. I asked one of them what was going down and they said Fennec ordered everyone to attend the viewing. I asked what it was and they laughed and said the Schnee was getting her deserved justice." Ilia told as she managed to stand.

"Shit." Sienna let out as she realized what it meant. "Do you know how they're doing it?"

"I'm not entirely sure, but I saw a block set up, and an axe. I think you can assume the rest." Ilia gave as Sienna swore again. On it's own the idea of that style of execution was much more of a hassle then the usual routine of using dust or simply poison, and Sienna knew there was more to it.

"They're using her as a symbol. They kill off a Schnee, and start preparations for their war at the same time; severing the ties that bound them." Sienna scowled as she bit at her thumb. "So that's what he meant."

"What who meant?" Asked Ilia as she steadied her breathing.

"It seems Fennec finally managed to grow a pair. He wasn't too happy when Adam ordered him to transfer the Schnee over to him, and it seems even his loyalty has limits. Still though he kept it secret from Adam, and most likely has ordered others to do the same." Sienna said as Ilia piped up.

"So they ousted you, and now they're ousting Adam?"

"No, they need him too much for that, I think they're just having a small disagreement on how to handle the girl. Fennec never sounded angry with Adam, nor did he look the part, so it's safe to assume he still holds respect and loyalty towards him."

"But he's still going behind Adam's back, and you know how Adam gets."

"Yeah, Blake did the same. Adam will play it off for a while, but soon after his anger will rise." Sienna huffed. "He'll lose his temper and go on the attack... actually, that may work out for us."

"Huh?"

"If Adam's all worked up he'll be prone to mistakes." A devious smirk etched itself across Sienna's lips. "He'll be so focused on the betrayal that he won't pay too much attention to the more subtle changes around him." She saw Ilia's form steady; a smile of her own slipped on.

"We can approach carefully from any direction so long as he's dealing with presumed traitors."

"Exactly." Sienna gave before her expression returned to one of thought. "Question is though: how do we get to him? He's got allies, dangerous ones at that, and we have no idea who they are or what they're really capable of. Unless of course I'm right about my theory."

"About someone moving the Grimm? I'm still on the fence about that to be honest, it seems a little extreme." Ilia sighed. "But we can save that all for later."

"Right, we've got Weiss to worry about. We'll need to come up with an approach." Sienna turned to Blake intent on asking her thoughts, but held her tongue as she saw the small trail of tears streaked across her quivering blank face. Blake looked so small as she almost huddled in on herself, mumbling something that Sienna could only hear snippets of.

"All my fault..."

"Blake." Sienna tried as the girl continued to mumble.

"I could have found another way..."

"BLAKE!" The shout looked to knock some sense back into the girl as her face whipped around.

"S-Sienna!?"

"Back among the living?" Grunted Sienna as she scowled. "What's got you so scattered anyway. We're trying to form a plan here, and whether you like it or not you're helping us do it."

"It's just..." Blake paused and tried to collect herself. "It's my fault in the first place. If I hadn't tried to come here then we wouldn't have gotten captured."

"Yeah, pretty much."

"Huh?" Blake looked confused as Sienna raised a brow.

"What? Thought I'd cheer you up or some other benign bullshit? You're right, it is your fault. You always do things without thinking them through, and it always ends up costing you." Sienna's face settled into a more blithe display. "With so many failures I thought you'd catch on by this point already."

"Catch on? What do you mean?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Sienna raised a brow, only to sigh as Blake remained silent. "Fine, I'll explain it nice and easy for you so listen carefully. You're tough Blake, and skilled too. You're always worrying about everyone and everything around you, and despite your attempt to appear unfazed by it you always keep an eye on everything. You're heavily emotional, and are quick to empathize with others. You wear your heart on your sleeve, and when trouble rears it's head you always rush into danger with little to no concern for yourself."

Blake blushed a little as Sienna gave a tiny smile.

"In other words, you're the textbook definition of a fairy-tale hero." Sienna's smile fell a little as she crossed her arms. "But that does lead into your bad habits. You act without thinking when you panic, and when you're emotional the only thing you seem capable of doing is either charging in blindly or running. Basically speaking... you're an idiot, back me up here Ilia."

"You are pretty stupid when it comes to those things." A small bit of red crept over Ilia's cheeks. "But I can't help but love that about you."

"I-I..."

"But things like that can change." Sienna smiled confidently as Blake tried to quell the wash of color over her face. "Even an idiot like you can stem to learn a few things."

"I... I'm just..." Blake felt so small. "I'm scared. I'm tired of all the cloak and dagger, I'm tired of all the death, I just... I don't want to lose anyone anymore."

"You won't, we won't let it happen." Sienna gave as Blake looked up. "I promise you, no matter what it takes we'll save them, both of them."

Blake wanted to believe her, she really did, but how could she? Time and time again all their efforts were in vain, and no matter what happened the worst always seemed to come. Who was to say this time would be any different, who was to say they wouldn't fail again.

"Blake."

She looked up, the shadow of Sienna stretched over her as the ceiling light above gave her an almost ethereal outline. Something about her looked so... pure, and Blake couldn't help but hold faith in every word she said.

"I won't let her die."

Author's note

...

And another one bites the dust. This time we only have two point's of view, but a lot more substance to go along with it.

Future Ruby's actually managed to accomplish something this time, although Pebble was nowhere to be seen. As much as I want to we can't have Pebble be the hero all the time. We also got some lore stuck in there, albeit not as extensive as I originally wanted. Then again small bits like this lend to the imagination better.

Sienna also managed to knock some sense into Blake, hopefully for the better. They're coming up with a plan, and regardless of how effective it turns out Sienna seems to be on a roll.

Anyway that's it for now, see you later.