"I'm not, your, enemy." Ruby spoke slowly as she carefully raised her free hand.
This didn't cease the rudimentary spears and swords directed her way, but the tone of speech at least seemed to have an effect on one of the women. She was completely nude, with nothing to cover herself aside from the paint patterned across her skin which looked like a series of jagged crystals, yet those crystals covered mostly arm and leg, leaving the core bare. Honestly the only reason Ruby even noticed was because said woman was the only member of the entire group who was completely exposed.
The other women, and even the men, appeared as though they were partly mummified, with black cloth wrappings around their bodies. Ruby could still see large patches of skin between each go around, and yet the attire looked to at least cover up their valuables. These wrapped men and women also lacked any paint of the sort, with nothing but cloaks of cloth forming hoods that partially shadowed their faces.
"You speak so." The painted maiden started, her finger pointing accusatory. "Yet you hold one of our own as yours."
They understand me, good. Ruby expected that really, but it was still relieving to have her idea confirmed. Ruby noticed how the woman referred to Pebble, who hugged her tightly. The boy was frightened, and yet he made no sounds. Ruby was proud that he managed to retain control of himself, as even though she knew he'd faced more decrepit horrors before she expected those terrors to have taken hold of him. You're a brave boy, but don't fret, it's my turn to protect you now.
"I am his caretaker, nothing more." Ruby offered, only for the woman's eyes to narrow as she shot back in a raspy voice.
"I am no fool. I know your kind, and your lusts." The woman's voice soured near the end, and yet her lips eased off into a frown, with her tense face releasing the muscles of the scowl into a more controlled expression. "Yet I know that is not your intent. Follow."
The others cleared a path for them, and as the woman started deeper into the caverns several more nudged Ruby alone. Not wanting to start a fight with Pebble in the center Ruby followed after, holding the boy as they were led into the depths of the cave. Soon enough Ruby got to see how the path twisted downwards into a spiral of stone, which turned a shade darker, and then pale. The very walkway was twirling through colour, and eventually the decent ended. The path went straight again, and as they wandered along Ruby heard Pebble let out a meep of wonder.
Much like the pirate hideout before the cave expanded into an array of visual glee, with Ize growing along the walls and ceiling. Many different colours appeared to form bows of various shades, creating a sort of rainbow across the roof of the cavern. For most it would be hard on the eyes, but the Faunus around her hadn't seemed bothered as they continued, hiking over the uneven terrain. No foliage lined the depths, but there were several risings of plain stone, clearly placed by hand, but who's purpose was unknown to Ruby.
Crossing along she could see several exits to the area, with each continuing to be lit by Ize. They eventually passed into the larger looking exit parallel to where they entered; strangely it's shape was less... natural than the others. Ize lit the entrance like all the others, and some time as they sunk inside a devious atmosphere began to overwhelm, and the woman ahead saw fit to stop. Ruby and the others stilted their motions as well, and the woman turned to face them all, with her eyes settling on Ruby as she spoke.
"Tell no one of this. Swear to me, and we may continue." She told sternly, and for a second Ruby hesitated. This woman was asking her to take a vow of secrecy, which only begged the question as to why. What was so important that it couldn't be revealed outside of the tribe?
"I swear." Ruby had planned on keeping this little foray hidden anyways. She'd gain nothing by telling anyone back on ship, and even less to anyone outside of Halvali. Stomaching a few more secrets wouldn't do much, and if it got the tribe to trust her a little more than all the better.
The woman motioned her again, and once more they continued on their merry way. However as the cavern ceiling lowered and the space began to cramp Ruby started to have second thoughts. What if she was being led into a trap? However a second of reconsideration scrapped that ill-thought idea. What reason would they have to ask for secrecy if they were merely going to kill her? Whatever they had in store it was important, at least to them, which made it essential that she kept her cool.
"Here." The woman ceased her walking, stood firmly as she stared at the wall. Ruby wondered what made this specific wall so different compared to the rest of the cave, however that wonder was dashed as she realized just how dark it had gotten. Previously on their walk the inside was lit up brightly, and yet at some point the concentrations of Ize seemed to slow, to the point that there wasn't any more lining the path.
The woman faced the group behind them, and Ruby turned to see a man step forth, carrying with him a single shard of white Ize. Ruby took it, noting that it looked to dull a bit in her grasp. Ize, while not powerful in a traditional sense did have a few uses outside of how it was generally used in her time. It was a sort of Grimm detection tool, as it had a habit of changing it's brightness when around Grimm. The creatures of darkness gave off a sort of invisible pulsing when they were around, which was taken advantage of during the construction of radars hundreds of years from now. This power was no secret to the tribe, as they looked to catch their breath when the thing dulled slightly. They suspected Grimm nearby, but Ruby knew better...
It was reacting to her.
"Easy." She started, holding the Ize up to Pebble. He took the white light, and immediately it brightened again. While it couldn't detect her presence it seemed the Ize could see the truth when it made physical contact, most likely an aspect of her remaining humanity. "It's reacting to me."
"Why?" The woman's tone dipped significantly, and Ruby tensed. "Are you cursed?"
Rather than speak, Ruby decided on something different. She allowed her inner light to move, feeling that familiar tingle behind her eyes. The woman's breath hitched, but smoothed a second later.
"Bright one." She uttered, and offered a small nod. Every culture in the current time period had their own views and beliefs surrounding the silver eyes. While some saw them as tools for war or trophies to own, there were a few who saw them as aspects of divinity.
Some even saw them as heroic spirits.
The woman stepped aside, and Ruby approached the wall, allowing the Ize to illuminate the stone. Her focus was immediately ensnared as her breathing sped up. Ruby couldn't stop the question as it slipped past her lips.
"When did-"
"We do not know." The woman cut her off and subsequently answered. "One day, many cycles back, the stone shifted with no cause. No child of sand carved the stone. We know not how, but the land has seen to give us this warning."
"And how do you know it's a warning?" Ruby tried as her eyes rolled over the drawing, and a particular sense of fear and longing filled her to the brim.
"We felt... a strange fright upon witnessing it. Does it not offer fear instead of wonder?"
It offered fear alright, but certainly not as severe for Ruby. She saw how the figure, a cloaked woman, was bound and helpless. The details were lifelike, seemingly drawn to perfection, and yet there was one strange choice seemingly made to the image; It had no face. However despite this Ruby paid close attention to how the chains wrapped around the woman, holding her tight with what looked like great strain. Yet while the figure was faceless Ruby could make out exactly who it depicted.
It was herself, bound and left to rot.
Interesting. Ruby knew nobody could have drawn this, as while the artists of the time were incredibly talented this was a work that would take years to produce with such perfect detail. The tribe would have noticed it in the making if it were really done by hand, and yet she was told it showed up out of nowhere. Ruby chalked it up to the relic of choice's doing, but also took note to compare the picture to what she saw back in the palace.
This was the second time an image had drawn close resemblance to those she knew, and while Ruby was willing to overlook this before, now she was not. Whatever the crown had done initially, it had also carried the abnormal side effect of presenting events that may, or may not, come to pass; seemingly dependent on the choices so far made.
So that's what it'll be like. Ruby admired the image again, her eyes paying particular attention to how her skin cracked, and what looked like a mix of light and shadow seeped free. She understood what the drawing was telling her, and yet she wondered if it were merely a metaphoric visualization of her condition and end of her journey...
Or a literal one.
Either way by the end she would not be herself, and while that was sad in a way it was also relieving. This was her final journey, and to know this was the definitive end gave her a sense of comfort. She must succeed this time if the drawings pointed to it.
"Can you find reason in it?" The woman asked, to which Ruby hummed.
"I might." She faced her guide. "Is this why you allowed me in?"
"Partly." The woman admitted. "Few dare to enter our home, and even fewer still know it's resting place. How did you come to know it?"
"A friend of mine told me the way." Ruby started, noting the curiosity that lined the woman's face. "She told me you disliked her mother, and that her father was one of you."
"Her father..." Her eyes shifted as understanding made itself known. "Ah, the young one." A scowl returned. "The vile mother wishes more from us?"
"No." Ruby stated bluntly. "She is dead. Only Dove remains."
The woman eased herself again. "This is good, we may greet her as our own again."
Ruby held her tongue for a second, before ultimately trying the question burning on her mind. "I have something to ask."
The painted guide looked moderately intrigued. "This is?"
"The queen offered her daughter to you, did she not."
"To bear the young of our men, yes." She responded, which opened up the pit in Ruby's stomach again.
"May I ask why? You've plenty of women in your tribe, and she was only a child, so why have your men force her into motherhood?"
The woman seemed surprised a bit, only to shut her eyes in seeming contemplation. Ruby noted how her arms moved, clasping both hands together as they rested just before her. She opened her eyes which locked with Ruby's"
"We wanted her with us, away from her evil slaver." She wandered over to Ruby, but her eyes fell to Pebble. Her hand raised up, waiting just before the boy's chest, and yet the woman pulled away and looked back to Ruby. "You are both right and wrong."
"What do you mean?"
"We wished for her back, but knew she would not be handed over so easy. Her mother came to us for a trade, and I could see how she eyed our men. She was a woman of wanting, and having already cost us one of our own we could see her want for another." The woman started off down the cave again, and Ruby followed.
"She wanted another, okay, but what did that have to do with Dove?" Ruby tried as they stepped out into a larger cavern again.
However this time while it was roofed with Ize, and Ruby could see several open patches, where multiple sets of brutish tools and makeshift pens for cattle were located. These pens did house cattle, but not the kind Ruby was used to. They looked similar to deer, but they had an array of horns lining the spine of their backs, all dulled and small. They had a gray coat, and Ruby could make out a woman who appeared to be milking one, only the beast was male; she could tell because of what appendage the woman appeared to be milking.
Ruby made note to ask about it later, if she even wanted to know.
"Look over there." She pointed to the gray creature, and Ruby realized she'd be getting her answer a little sooner than she would have liked. "See the wilk we have here?"
"Yes, I see the wilk." So that's what they're called.
"These creatures feed off Ize. We know not how but they never eat plant or beast, only the Ize which grows rapidly in our home." The woman crossed her arms. "The cruel wise woman was not wise, and so she wished to obtain our stock, believing she could feed her people... or so she said."
"You didn't believe her?"
"She only ever took from us, never offering anything in exchange, but trade needs offering from both peoples; this she also wished to control." Instantly Ruby knew where her guide was going. "She saw how our own withered in longing, and assumed they wanted something other. The evil one looked to her young, and I saw both love and lust in her eyes. She told of how her child was newly strong, and of the cycles for motherhood, but we were wise. We knew she wanted the touch of men, and somehow she believed offering her little ones innocence would give that to her."
"She made the offer?" Ruby paused for a moment, thinking back on everything. Prim hadn't spoken much in the vision, back when inside the ancient. She had just taken everyone at face value something that made her grumble inside. She would need to be more careful regarding things like visions and such, as that single viewing seemed to have clouded her judgement.
There were multiple sides to a story after all, and even now she may be missing info.
"Yes, but it was not a good one. The little girl was frail and small, her skin soft, and her face filled with worry. We knew she would not survive the first birth, and we did not want her to end up like the wilk. We accepted with the idea to keep the child away from her mother, but only that. Giving up the secrets of wilk would not save that woman's land, but she would try regardless. We favored the idea to flee once we had the child, but the trade never happened."
"Yes, about that." Ruby steadied herself and began. "Her home was taken over, and Dove was driven away while the queen was killed."
The woman looked shocked, but she spoke in a steady voice. "I see... what happened?"
"To make it short Dove fought against the man who took her home, and after a little help from myself we managed to succeed. She is now the ruler of the kingdom again, and she's also the one who told me of how to find you."
"I see..." The woman seemed to relax. "Then all is well. She is safe, and so we may rest easy. But tell me." The woman's eyes shot back, and Ruby saw the way they shifted over her. "Why do you seek us?"
"May I explain a little later, I'm starting to feel a little tired." It wasn't a lie, everything had been wild as of late, and being hit with so much critical information really wore her down.
"Very well, we may welcome you for the night and talk in the morning."
"Thank you." Ruby looked back to the wilk, still finding it odd how the woman kept milking it's shaft.
"Curious about the wilk?" Her guide offered, and without looking away Ruby gave a slight nod and spoke.
"That one is male, right?"
"Yes, and no."
"Pardon?"
"She is gathering the beast's milk." Her voice softened. "Ah, so that is what steals your wonder. I shall explain it then. Wilk feed only on the light stone which lines our home, and never anything else. The young are too small and feeble to feed from the stone alone, so the parent expels a portion of the energy through a single rod. The young one latches on to feed when the creature begins their own meal."
"What about the mother?" Ruby asked. "Does she not feed them from the breast?"
"That is the mother. Wilk do not reproduce amongst themselves, rather after consuming enough Ize they give birth. The wilk dies as soon as the child is born, having used all their energy bringing their gift into the world." The woman crossed her arms and smiled. "Our oldest stories tell of how the young wilk are just their elder reborn. Wilk only ever bear one child per beast, and never more."
Ruby didn't quite know how to feel about that. On one hand it was an uplifting tale of life and rebirth, but on the other hand it was a tale of fated death. The parent always died to bring their child life, and Ruby couldn't help but wonder if the wilk knew they would die for it.
The woman rose her head, and Ruby followed her gaze. Wilk were walking across the roof of the cave as if it were nothing, and before Ruby could even ask the woman continued.
"They follow the meal, and are not limited to direction. It is said they may defy the worlds pull to seek their feed. Their freedom is in union with the light stone, as it was that stone which gifted us with them."
"It gifted them to you?" Ruby watched as the woman returned her gaze downward and nodded.
"Yes. The history passed down speaks of how the light saw us lonely, and from the light a wilk walked from the crystal, followed by more. Wherever the light stones sit, there are usually wilk to feed. Their milk and meat keep us strong, and they leave no waste."
No waste? Ruby looked around, and noticed a distinct lack of excrement. With how many wilk she saw Ruby figured there would be piles of the stuff littered about, and yet the area was vacant of any droppings. Ruby guessed that they must absorb the entirety of the Ize, otherwise their bodies would release the waste. Either that, or their bodies made use of whatever waste that was produced.
"As you now see, they are quite valuable to us."
"I see."
"Come now, you must rest." The woman started again as she took off, and Ruby followed after, yet her mind was hazy.
The wilk were the tribes saving grace, giving them everything they needed. The wilk in turn had everything they needed, and were even revered. Both lifestyles depended heavily on each other, and were terrifyingly fragile. One small misstep and the whole thing came crashing down.
It reminded Ruby of her own life.
.
.
"Got any three's?"
"Go fish." Ren offered as Nora reached for the pile of cards. I would admit that I didn't quite see the appeal of the game, and yet Nora and Yang were having plenty of fun, so I just went along with it.
We'd been on the train for about two hours, and so far everyone was taking it in stride, albeit with a little bit of boredom. Taking the occasional peek around I caught sight of Qrow nearly dosing off next to a window, and Oscar looked to be busy observing the lamp in his hands. I wasn't quite sure if the headmaster was speaking to him, but the boy seemed enamored by the relic anyways, especially with how the foggy blue glass looked to pulse every now and then.
"Your go V." Yang was the one who pulled me back to the game, and feeling a bit tired I laid my cards on the table and stood. The woman was, understandably, curious. "Something wrong?"
"No." I said. "Just feeling a bit stiff from sitting down for so long. I'm going to go stretch my legs a bit."
"Oh, sure." Yang replied, her eyes shifting over the cards and back to Nora with a cheeky bit of mischief.
I turned, but found myself take a glance back as Ren addressed me.
"Remember to wear your cloak." He nodded to the cloth situated on my seat. "As far as most of Remnant is concerned you're still a wanted criminal, and with that Fang symbol on your shoulder I don't believe they'd be willing to listen if you told them of your innocence."
"Right, thanks." I took the mentioned cloak, and yet as I did so my eyes caught sight of Yang very sneakily matching my cards with hers, quietly cutting down on her own as pairs were laid down. Nora didn't seem to notice as she was busy trying to sneak a peak at Ren's cards, to which the boy feigned ignorance as he shuffled his own.
I shook my head, enjoying the small bit of fun as I donned the cloak, covering myself as I started off. Times like this where everyone was relaxed and no worries were etched in the air were few and far between as of late. I had no doubt we'd face more trouble in Atlas, and so I wished to enjoy the peace while it lasted.
On my way down the cabin I noticed Ruby sleeping softly as Pyrrha looked to her. The woman was almost unrecognisable with her new appearance, and even now I still had trouble seeing Pyrrha as herself. But small little chances like these, where she silently watched over her friends with an almost sisterly worry, those were the things that assured me she was still the Pyrrha we all knew.
Her heart remained honest, even as her body shifted.
I left through the door, feeling the brief chill of wind before entering the next cabin. People lined the seats, and a few glanced my way briefly. Disregarding the quick looks I continued on, making a point to pull my hood down a little further. The shadows hid my face, but I didn't want to risk recognition and the potential chaos it might bring.
"Feeling cold, are we young man?" I shifted my vision to the sight of an old woman, hunched against her cane looking to stand from her seat.
"A little." I lied, going along with the proposed excuse. The frail looking elder chuckled, and I noted how the strange pair of mechanical goggles looked to... blink?
"You'll get used to it. The northern land is usually quite chilly, but you'll see some folks wandering about in shorts, skirts, and all other manner of scant clothing that those youngsters seem to love these days." The woman stepped out into the walkway. "Headed anywhere in particular?"
"Not really." I told. "Just stretching my legs for a bit."
"Ah, I understand. Being cooped up for so long will do that to you. Well I hope you don't mind if I join you for a bit. As you can see I don't really have anybody to talk to, and most young folk care little for the time of an old geezer like me." She said as she started off down the way ahead of me.
"I don't mind." I didn't really feel comfortable with turning the elderly woman down. She seemed nice enough, and seeing as she was alone it wouldn't hurt to provide the woman with some company, at least for a little while; I had nothing better to do until we got to Argus.
"I didn't quite catch your name there young man." She said as we passed into another cabin, this one with significantly less people, but what looked like a pub. I debated on whether to give my name, but considering she was only an elder I figured it couldn't hurt.
"Vermillion, but my friends call me V."
"Youngsters and their nicknames." She chuckled. "Now it's only right I introduce myself as well. Name's Maria, although I doubt you'd remember it for long."
"Why's that?" I questioned, only for the woman to give a stark laugh as she sat at the counter. I took a place alongside her.
"Come now, a young man like yourself has better things to think about that an old lady like me. Besides, you wear the look of a man with a mission." Maria faced the bartender. "A glass of water please, and one for the nice gentlemen as well."
"Sure thing ma'am" He responded as he poured up a couple glasses. He placed them down and she took a quick sip, sighing in relief.
"Much better, clears the throat right up." She spoke, and yet I found myself curious. I faced her and presented my own wonderings.
"What do you mean by that?" I asked, referring to her statement a moment ago.
Maria smiled. "I've been around for quite a while, and believe me when I say you learn to spot those with drive amongst the directionless folk. They have this sort of force in their movements, and at times they hush away to themselves in thought. Most normal folk 'go with the flow' as they say, but not you. You have this look in the eye that whispers its worries for the world to hear; people only need to look."
"I see." It was unnerving how easily she was able to read me, but it also made me curious. "Have you ever had such inspirations?"
"Oh yes, back when I was young I had just as many dreams and goals as anyone else; everyone does." She relaxed herself against the counter. "But most are shoved away by the harshness of the world, and few ever retain the desire and will to push ahead and keep reaching for those goals. I don't blame them though, with all the chaos going on it's only normal for folks to focus on a simple life as opposed to those of aspirations." I saw her smile shift into a small grin. "Although it's nice to see some folks still reach for those goals anyway."
Before I could respond the door to the car burst open, and a man screaming rolled across the floor. Before he could even get up something shot in, and in an instant I found myself taking the hit instead.
A Nevermore?! The creature bounced back, and flew towards me again. Not bothering to question how it got in I tore off my cloak. Like a net I managed to catch the beast as it swooped in once more, and before it could rip itself free I slammed it against the floor, and crushed it beneath my boot. I saw bits of smoke seeping from under the cloth, confirming that the Grimm was dead.
Before I could even question what the Dust had just happened I heard a few shouts and panicked cried behind me. Turning back I saw most of the inhabitants had backed against the other end of the cabin, all looking to me in terror. Without the cloak my darker appearance was on full display, and I saw how several of their eyes locked not only to my skin, but also the Fang symbol on my pauldron.
Wonderful, now this is just lovely. I didn't so much as move before the man on the floor shouted out.
"I-It's you! The criminal who attacked the Vital Festival! S-stay away!" He started crawling away in fear, only to be stopped by a cane suddenly dropping in the way of his path. Maria looked down and hummed disapprovingly.
"Now now, that's no way to treat the gentlemen who saved your life."
"B-but he-"
"No buts." She stated, her voice holding a commanding aura to it. "Now say thank you, like a good man."
"I-I..." He looked to her, and for a second his face shifted. He stuttered out a sigh before looking to me with a little bit of fear. "T-thank you."
"You're welcome." I gave before kneeling down to him. "Now, can you please explain how that Nevermore came to attack you?"
"T-the front, it's-" Before he could finish I heard a series of screams quietly pull in through the walls. It was coming from up front; back where I'd left the others. I shot a look to the man, who continued shakily. "It's being attacked by Grimm. Nobody knows why, it just happened out of nowhere."
"Right." I stood, and looked to Maria. "I know we just met, but can I make a request of you?"
"After granting this lonely old girl the time of day?" She wore a curt little grin. "Go right ahead."
"You're the only one who didn't freak out with the Grimm, so I'd be right in believing you've dealt with similar circumstances before?"
"I have." She admitted. "I used to be a huntress back in my days, even if I'm nothing but a husk now."
"Trust me, you're not a husk, in fact you're the only one here with a level head." I pointed to the door on the other end of the cabin. "I need you to lead these people, as well as the rest ahead, forward a few cars." I allowed my hand to lower and faced Maria directly. "If there are Grimm so close then the people won't be safe here."
"I can manage that no problem." Her goggles had a couple shutters move, giving the appearance of a squint. "But pardon my asking, just what exactly are you going to do while I'm gone?"
"My job."
I turned away and ran for the door, knowing the others were probably already in the thick of it.
Author's note
...
Back again, and Actually on the correct day... I hope. Sorry to all who came last Friday only to realize the chapter was posted Thursday, I've been working on my own original book, and lost track of time a bit.
Anyway, this chapter puts most of the spotlight on future Ruby, and her never ending habit of running into wacky situations. We also get some time with V, as well as a meeting with someone special.
Love it or hate it the plot is moving on, and the only thing left is to see where it goes.
Feel free to tell me what you love or hate, kind of helps with touching up smaller things in the story, at least in the details department; plot will remain unaffected, but the presentation might improve.
Until next time.