The Mirage Desert; now that was something, especially with how it's kingdom handled itself. Unlike the Vacuo it would later come to be known as Halvali wasn't barren of all life, quite the opposite in fact. The desert was downright packed with people of all shapes and sizes, along with plenty of slaves and slavers as well. Many rivers, streams, and even several lakes littered it's sandy landscape, with the shores of such bodies of water often appearing muddy. However despite this it still remained a desert due to one particular reason.

The land was entirely infertile.

Vacuo in the present time had been a wasteland for sure, but at the very least some forms of crop and life could be grown with enough care and patience, however in the era Ruby now walked that was not the case. The sands of Halvali were absolutely bursting with untapped dust as well as spices and valuable metals, and it was due to this that life could not flourish. In time the sands would be drained entirely and life would be allowed to grow, but at that point many of the water sources would be lost, and it would remain a desert all the same.

Ruby turned her head slightly, her eyes settling on Pebble as he slept next to her. She'd been so worried when the pirates boarded, and yet afterwards she'd felt nothing but relief when they'd left without killing anyone. It was rare for pirates to beg for help, even rarer to deliver messages for royalty.

Just how desperate are they?

Ruby didn't trust how direct they were, even going so far as to assume it was a trap. And yet thoughts of that woman came back to her, thoughts of the subtle hint of desperation in her eyes. Some things just couldn't be faked so easily, and that fear, that need to call out, it was all too real.

She stopped her thoughts for a moment as she heard a tiny whimper. Ruby allowed her gaze to cover the small boy at her side as he shivered, all the while small tears dipped down his face. She pulled him close, softly pressing him to her chest as she began to whisper and shush. He moved a bit, and curled into a ball as the shaking grew, along with his whimper turning to a light cry. It pained Ruby to see him in such a state, and she debated whether to wake him or not.

Ultimately she decided against it as he slowly settled down. With a sigh she leaned back and allowed her head to rest on the shared pillow. It would be best to get some rest she decided, as she had all of the coming trip to worry about the pirates.

.

.

Pyrrha felt a lot of things in that particular moment, from confusion to rage, yet she stopped herself to ask a simple question, one who's answer she'd wanted since she'd awoken, and one that had bothered her just a bit too much.

"Putting all this on hold for now, how long was I out?" They'd arrived in Mistral, that much was for certain, but when she'd passed out they hadn't been close. All the talk of Salem and Grimm, as well as her connection to V had certainly put Pyrrha in a 'not so nice' mood, but at the moment she wanted an answer to just how long she'd been 'asleep'.

"About a day." Qrow told as Pyrrha narrowed her eyes.

"Really?" She didn't fully believe it. Mistral was a good distance from where they'd encountered Tyrian, and with that she didn't know whether they were closer than she thought, or Qrow was lying to her.

"Yeah." Qrow could see the scepticism brazenly strewn across her face and so elaborated. "The smoke from all the fighting and dead Grimm managed to draw the attention of a couple of airships believe it or not, and just when I was plotting our next move too."

"That's a little... convenient." Pyrrha didn't know how to feel about that.

"It's true." Yang said as she looked over. "We were about to scamper when they lowered down. And hey, they were nice enough to give us a ride to Mistral too, so that was cool." Yang cringed a bit. "What wasn't cool however was uncle Qrow carrying you flopped over his shoulder; I wonder how many folks got a nice view when the wind picked up."

"I don't remember you offering a better solution." Qrow quipped. "And besides, I needed my good arm in case we got into a fight."

"In the densely packed city?" Yang said as Qrow smirked.

"You should know firsthand just how dangerous these places can be."

"Why, does Salem have people here too." Ren had been the one to speak up, and like that all the tension returned.

"Maybe, she's always got her agents on the move as far as I'd ever learned, so it wouldn't be impossible."

Salem, that in itself was a difficult topic. Of all the crazy things Qrow had spoken about, from the brother gods and seasonal maidens, to even the existence of actual magic; nothing had been so conflicting to Pyrrha as Salem. A vile monster dead set on destroying humanity; the queen of Grimm with an endless army of darkness...

And V's apparent creator.

But then what did that make her? Pyrrha looked down to herself, her eyes swabbing at every inch of her body as she took in her form. V saved her, and yet he had changed her. Whereas before she'd seen it as only a gift from a lost friend, now she wondered just what had truly happened to her.

She shook her head and hardened her emotions. Whether or not the change was anything to worry about or no it was still a gift from V. It was the gift that kept her from losing her friends, and she would not scorn it just because his 'mother' was a monster, yet that in itself was another issue, one that was voiced by her red hooded companion.

"If she wants to destroy everyone then why would anyone ever join her?" Ruby asked. It was a reasonable question, one that Pyrrha felt she already knew the answer to.

"It varies: some are hateful and want to see the world burn, while others derive a sick sense of joy from the pain of others; heck, even a few of them are just outright crazy. Whatever the reason Salem has no shortage of allies. The real question is how many does she have right now, because from what we know she doesn't keep them around for all that long." Qrow explained as Yang's gaze narrowed.

"We?"

The man stilled for the barest moment before letting out a chuckle.

"Heh, I must be getting old to let that one slip. I don't suppose you'd believe me if I said I was referring to the other headmasters would you?"

"I'd find it a little hard to believe that with all the work of running the schools they'd have time to look into those things, so yes, I am calling you on that." Yang had a hefty amount of snark in her attitude, and Qrow only shook his head with a softer smile.

"Fine. Remember that contact I spoke about meeting?"

"Yeah, why? Did you meet with them?"

"Not yet no, but they're one of the few who I'm in regular... well, 'contact' with." Qrow said as Yang flattened a look.

"Oh gee, we never would have guessed."

"Ha ha, hilarious." Qrow rolled his eyes before he took on a serious aura once more. "But it's not so simple as that. Let's just say that they're a lot more well known and interesting than most."

"Wouldn't that make them stand out?" Ren asked as Qrow nodded.

"Yeah, but Salem already knows we're going after her. She knows we'll just knock back whatever Grimm are thrown our way; that's why she has agents."

"Isn't she their queen though?" Ruby asked. "Can't she just send them all at once?"

"You'd think that, but from the information we have there's a range to her influence." Qrow told as Ren looked to understand.

"She needs to be close enough or they'll just behave as they always have."

"Bingo." Qrow crossed his arms. "Her range is massive from our understanding, but it has been weakening. According to the stories her range used to extend several kingdoms long, but that was hundreds of years ago."

"Hold on, hundreds?!" Yang's eyes were wide. "What do you mean hundreds?! Are you telling us she's really been around that long?!"

"Well actually it might be a few thousand." Qrow scratched at his chin. "History starts to get muddied the further back you go." Yang blanked, and understandably so. Taking a quick glance around Pyrrha noticed the brawler wasn't the only blond caught off guard as Jaune mimicked her stature - drool and all.

"Okay... so... she's really old?" Ruby asked as Qrow snarked.

"Yeah, she is." He regained his composure. "But that's what makes her so dangerous. She has a literal millennium of experience on top of near total control of civilization's natural predator. All in all it's a miracle humanity's lasted this long to begin with."

"Or maybe she isn't all that interested in our demise." Ren spoke up as everyone focused on him - Yang and Jaune included as they had snapped from the previous shock. "If she were then we'd already be extinct. People aren't exactly great at getting along with each other most of the time; the White Fang are a perfect example of that."

"Not a bad thought." Qrow gave with a smirk. "But it's more along the lines of effort. As far as she's concerned victory is more a matter of 'when' than 'if'. Salem is certain she can destroy humanity, and to her this is more of a game than anything. Why struggle and push if you'll just get your prize regardless?"

"She's toying with us..." Pyrrha didn't like the sound of it, even more so as she felt a feint flicker of irritation. "She doesn't see us as even worth the effort."

"Maybe so." Qrow popped as he leaned back. "But that just makes it easier to catch her off guard. She'll keep an eye out sure, she's not stupid after all, but she won't openly go on the offensive without a definitive reason. In other words we can rely on her keeping still while we work."

"And if she does do something?" Jaune was the one to ask this time, and with a noticeable layer of caution in his tone.

"Then we'll know it's something massive."

"Agh!" Nora clutched her head. "Why is everything so crazy now!? What happened to just trying to become hunters!?" Her feelings were echoed throughout the whole group. None of them signed up for fighting a centuries long war, but from the way it sounded they never really had a choice in the first place.

Fight it or not, Salem would always be there in the background.

"So what do we do?" Ruby asked as Qrow let out a sigh. Pyrrha could see the way the younger girl's eyes shifted, and from any angle a small bit of determination could be seen radiating from the silver disks; it caused both a swell of awe and fear to coarse throughout her body as she focused on those eyes. Pyrrha shook the feeling from her system.

What was that? It was strange, the mix of emotion she'd been injected with at the sight of the eyes. It was as if her body couldn't decide whether to love or hate it. The dark champion decided to file away her concerns for the time being and focused on Qrow.

"We can't do anything about Salem just yet, but I do have some info on how we can figure out what's going on with the gang bothering Mistral as of late." The older man spoke as he stood. "Follow me."

"Where are we headed?" Yang asked as they'd one by one stood to follow after the experienced hunter.

"There's a woman by the name of Lily who's apparently felt the effects of our newest troublemakers. And we are going to pay her a visit."

.

.

I laid still against the mattress, having tried for hours to get some instance of sleep, and yet my mind kept replaying the events of the previous day.

I'd followed Blake back to her home, but not before turning to collect Sienna's body. A small hint of shame filled me at the time as I looked upon her face and saw the way it relaxed. It was as if she'd simply decided on a nap, but unfortunately it was one she'd never awaken from. The silence was deafening throughout the walk. The others said nothing as we moved along, and not even Magenta could utter a word despite the constant looks she sent my way. It hadn't been long before we got to the manor, and that's when things got worse.

When we got inside I saw Sun set Weiss down on the sofa as he took a seat next to her. I saw how his eyes glossed over her, and his lips flinched at each passing mark and scar. Sun cared for her, more than most friends, and that was when I recognised the look he wore. That concern, that attention to detail and level of focus, it reminded me of how Angela used to worry over me. Blake and Ilia held onto Magenta and forced the woman to remain still. Magenta did so soundlessly as she refrained from making eye-contact with any of us. Blake's ears perked.

Kali had walked in, and her response was nothing short of heartbreaking.

Her hands had flown to her mouth, and she stumbled back before running off. I'd been about to move and go after her when Blake stood instead. She looked to Sun and he nodded before walking over to take her place in keeping the prisoner captive. Magenta made no moves, and I could have sworn I saw something twinkle in the light.

I felt myself still as Blake approached, arms outstretched with a knowing look. I handed Sienna over to her, gently as if I were carrying a bady. She took the body and her eyes watered a small amount. They shut quickly as she turned and raised her head. It was at that point I watched her walk off towards the doorway where her mother had run. I didn't know what she planned to do, but I kept from moving.

Deciding to place my trust in Blake I walked over to Weiss to check up on her instead.

I was stopped halfway however as a woman held out a single white robe to me. She was one of the servants I'd recognised from when I'd first arrived. I'd remembered my nakedness then and calmly put it on. It felt nice to be clothed again, especially considering I had been baring it all for a couple days.

When I first awoke I'd found myself in a familiar setting, right in the center of a certain set of ruins, next to the very first obelisk where everything began. I'd been naked much to my embarrassment, and at the time I was tense. Grimm could catch me off guard and I'd have to rely solely on my magic or physical skills to fight as my sword was nowhere to be found. I'd been tired and my confidence had been low, so I wasn't all too keen on those potential odds.

It didn't matter though as the ruins were empty. At the time I decided to morph into my armor anyway to try and sense any of their emotions just in case, and sure enough it was a ghost town. I'd been naturally confused: why did I wake up there, and where were the Grimm? I brushed it off however and decided to simply head towards the main settlement in hopes of meeting up with Sienna for answers.

And then she died.

I flinched as the sun shown through the window, directly into my eyes. Standing with a mild fatigue I decided to just accept I wouldn't get any sleep. With that in mind I made for the door and wandered out through the halls. If I couldn't get any rest then I wanted to at least check up on the others.

They were most likely asleep at these early hours, but I could wait in the living room. My mind continued to wander as I moved along, seemingly unable to quell. I was tired, terribly so, and yet I couldn't stop worrying for the others. How long had they been dealing with the White Fang, and just how much damage had the group done?

I shook myself. Those worries were pointless; I would have my answers, and when I did I'd decide what to do afterwards. I had no idea how long I had been gone, or what state Menagerie was in, but from the looks of the others I knew something had been going on, and I didn't like being out of the loop. Instantly Magenta came to mind. She was our captive now, and I was fully intent to make her talk.

No matter what it took to do so.

As I approached the living room I heard a soft noise, almost like that of a whisper. I slowed my footsteps and began to carefully and silently maneuver ahead. The noise grew from unintelligible murmurs to coherent speech. I recognised the voices as soon as I was able to make out the first words.

"I just..."

I paced towards the opening, standing at the entrance just before the living room. I saw both Blake and her mother Kali sat on the couch, with the latter clearly worse for wear. She looked absolutely ragged with her hair every which way and her clothing ruffled, and even as Blake leaned against her Kali didn't so much as face her daughter.

"I know. It doesn't seem real, right?" Blake's words were soft, and even watching them side on I saw how the younger woman gripped at her mother's side in a soft embrace.

"She was doing so well, she was talking more, and smiling." Kali's face was covered by her hands, but even through the muffling I could hear the quivering of her voice as she struggled out the words.

"Yes, she was, more than I could have ever expected. She went out of her way to save people, to save Humans." Blake adorned a loving smile as she pulled Kali closer. "For the first time since she took charge I saw her fighting for more than just the Faunus. I saw her fight for everyone, and I saw how it made her happy."

"She had ideas." Kali let her hands down, and I saw how her face was stained in tears and burned red around her haunted eyes. She had clearly been crying for hours, and that itself stabbed me deeper than I ever could have expected. "She wanted to change. Not just herself but everything. S-she wanted to protect people, a-and stop all the violence."

"I believe she would have too." Blake while holding a strong front still had a tiny bit of edge to her voice, and even though her face was clearer than her mother's I still saw the remnants of a struggle faintly ringed around her eyes. "She was always determined and willing to go the mile. It was one of the reasons I followed her, even after dad stepped down."

"Then why... just... why is it when she was finally making progress, when she was finally finding happiness, when she finally had a chance; why is it only then that she's taken away?" Kali stilled for a second as Blake took one of her hands, and finally the two locked eyes.

"I don't know. For some reason every time life seems to get better something has always come along to ruin it and shatter all our hopes and dreams." Blakes eyes burned with a distant fire, and almost instantly it snapped into a roaring blaze. "Sienna didn't let that stop her though. She had up's and down's like everybody, but when it came time to move she was the first to take the step. She walked right into that fight with us understanding there was a chance she might not walk back out alive, and even as she was taken from us I saw her smile. She... she was happy that we were safe, that Weiss was safe. Sienna was happy that a Schnee was safe; if that isn't a sign of change than I don't know what is."

"Change..." Kali's shaking voice softened a bit. "She'd talked about change before."

"Sienna changed." Blakes eyes burned with drive, so much so I could almost feel her very soul writhing with the need to press on through all that would appose it. "She hated Humans almost as much as Adam, and yet she saved them. It might sound silly, but just seeing that someone who'd suffered so much at the hands of Humans could still come to protect and care for them... it makes me feel that there's hope for us all yet."

Kali leaned back as she looked to the ceiling.

"I remember when we first met them, both Sienna and Adam. They'd come on the boat with the other refugees. Adam was so protective of her, pushing everyone else away who would get too close." She let out a light chuckle. "He was like a tiny knight standing guard over his princess, and despite being a small child he looked ready to fight everybody, at least until Sienna would tug at him. She was such a shy little thing, and even if you don't remember she would always follow Adam around."

"They came here together?" Blake asked as Kali looked back to her with a warm smile.

"Yes. At the time I eventually learned that the group were refugees from Atlas, and that Sienna and Adam were orphans. The boy had scars no child should have, and yet Sienna had next to none. Despite being worse for wear he always made an effort to drive away anyone who scared her, and fought anyone who dared to make her cry."

"Were they really that close?" Blake asked as Kali gave a gentle nod.

"They were." She looked down to her lap as a fog seemed to roll across her vision. "It's just so strange to think about. Sienna grew so much over the past few months, and had learned to care and fight for others. She matured so quickly into an understanding and powerful woman; one who learned to overcome her hate, and now she's gone."

"Meanwhile Adam has done the exact opposite." Blake looked away this time. "He's lost himself in his need for vengeance, and is fully determined to destroy everything in his path... even if those who stand against him are friends."

I saw the small curl along the side of Kali's lip as she looked to Blake and reached out to pull her into a tight looking hug of her own, meanwhile Blake appeared shocked by the sudden movement.

"Even with things going wrong I'm a little happy you know." Kali told as Blake's eyes wandered to her.

"Why?"

"Because my little kitten has grown into a fine young woman. It makes me happy to see you so mature and willing to try and understand the world around you." Kali looked to squeeze tighter. "I'm just so happy that at least something good has come out of everything."

"M-mom!" Blake stopped her struggle and sighed. A content smile drew over her face. "Fine, you can squeeze as much as you like, just this once."

"I'm sorry. I should be the one comforting you, not the other way around."

"Everyone needs a little help sometimes." Blake said as she returned the hug. "Even if they are a mom. Let me be there for you this time, because even when I run you and dad are always there for me."

Kali's grip looked to tighten as the two sat there, and feeling that this was a moment I had no place in I wandered off elsewhere.

The sunrise should be at it's peek, perhaps I will relax and watch the morning roll in.

Author's note

...

Late again; at this point I'm starting to think the schedule is nothing but suggestion now. Sorry for not keeping up, but my work schedule has been trash at the moment, and it's thrown me off somewhat. That, and a healthy dose of fatigue have made writing difficult.

But we have a chapter now, and so the story continues to unfold. Believe it or not we're coming to a sort of shift, but not a very obvious one... I hope. It would also seem Sienna has a bit more left to be explored, as even with her gone there remain a few secrets just waiting to be uncovered.

That's all for now, so feel free to tell me what you think.

Catch you all later.