It took him a few minutes for Hadrian to explain to Raven what was happening and what was about to come but once he finished, the Leader of the Branwen Tribe accepted to help as she still blamed Ozpin for Summer's death. That and maybe because Summer might have threatened her to do so if she didn't want to be haunted by her in the future.

Of course, when Raven learned of the true story about the man and Salem… needless to say that she was both shocked and furious. Which was understandable as a handful of people actually knew the true story (Summer, Amber, Raven, Ozpin, Salem's followers) or thought that their actual world was a shadow of a greater one that had been destroyed by two arrogant Deities.

However, Raven had explained to them that it will be difficult for her to go to Atlas Academy like that. Why ? Her Semblance 'Kindred Link' sure allowed her to create portals but only to travel to people she was closed with such as Taiyang, Yang, Qrow, Vernal and Summer.

And seeing that the latter was… well… dead… Raven will have a hard time entering Atlas Academy. Hadrian had thought for a moment before an idea appeared in his mind. With Summer being a soul, she could go anywhere she wanted without trouble and once she found the location of the Relics, she could use the power gifted to her by Death to have a temporary body so Raven could use her Semblance.

Once the Leader of the Branwen Tribe would be there, and after retrieving the Relic, she would use her connection with the girl with ice blue eyes from earlier (whose name was Vernal apparently) to go back to camp ! Vernal, despite still being wary of him thanks to his little display, had accepted even if she had wanted to accompany her leader.

However, Summer voiced her worry about something : the fate of Atlas. Apparently the Relic was the only thing keeping the area from falling from the sky. After a moment of thought, Hadrian decided to give her a device that would allow its user to prevent it from happening.

The device would make sure Atlas was still flying even without the Relic ! What the device looked like ? A dagger… a curved dagger with emerald decorating it. Of course, Hadrian had menaced Raven if she tried to steal it.

Afterward, Hadrian's body became a black mist who went straight toward the Underworld to return to its 'master', leaving Summer behind so she could catch up with her old friend and then performing the mission.

Needless to say that once Thanatos went to the Land of Darkness to tell Salem the news, the Queen of Grimm had been greatly pleased with the development. In exchange, she told him how something interesting : apart of Tyrian's recent kills and Arthur's boredom, the actions of the White Fang had caught his attention.

After Sienna had ordered her followers to stop whatever they were doing for the time being, Adam Taurus had created his own branch of the White Fang and renamed it 'Blood Fang' and their emblem looked like a wolf head whose fangs were covered with fresh blood.

It was discovered that some of Sienna's own guards were members of the Blood Fang and she dealt with them accordingly… but executing them. The embodiment of Death couldn't blame her for that.

Apart of that, his clone in Vale was having the time of his life. After his discussion with Amber, he went to see Blanche and the two of them went to another date in the streets. They greatly enjoyed themselves even if they had to deal with glares and sneers of disgust from some people.

Thankfully, it was only a handful of racists people against thousands of civilized ones…

However the next day, something happened… something terrible that Harry knew would happen but was no less shocking : a massive Grimm attack ! It happened thanks to Torchwick and the Blood Fang who destroyed the barrier protecting Vale by the use of a train… filled with bombs. Thankfully,Blanche, Team RWBY, JNPR, and many others (including the teachers of Beacon along with Emerald and Mercury) all fought against the enemies.

Harry himself helped even if the Grimm were ordered by Salem to not hurt him… nor any innocents like she promised the embodiment of Death some time ago. During the fight, he had been mesmerized by Blanche's fighting skills as she moved with a grace that almost reminded him of a dancer.

A dancer with a sharp blade… and a fiery temper.

She looked even more sexier in this state…

Anyway, the battle seemed good at first as the Defenders seemed to push back their enemies but then, more Creatures of Grimm started to appear and Harry had been forced to use his 'Semblance' to chase the intruders.

Needless to say it had been pretty effective as the Dark Creatures literally fled with their tails between their legs from him. However, he had to deactivate his Semblance as it also affected his comrades and a few seconds later, the lovable Professor Goodwitch used her powers to seal the wall to prevent the Creatures to enter the city again.

Afterward, Harry was satisfied to hear that Professor Ozpin got a strong reprimand from the Council of Vale but was dread when he heard about who was nominated as the Head of Security for the coming Vytal Festival : General James Ironwood !

Apart, our hero was satisfied when he heard about how Roman Torchwick had been captured during the battle thanks to the combined efforts of both Team CFVY and the Beacon Staff (Glynda Goodwitch, Peter Port and Bartholomew Oobleck). To be sure that the thief wouldn't talk (about either Salem or who worked with him), Harry decided to curse him.

It was not the same curse he used on Jacques Schnee a while back but a quicker one. With this curse, the famous Thief and Criminal would not live for very long… four days at most. Why four days ? Because Harry thought it would be a good idea to let everyone having their fun with the guy.

Yes he was a sadistic bastard !

The same day, Harry got to talk with Team RWBY who told him what had happened during their assigned mission with Doc Oobleck (the guy hated to be called Professor) : from the moment they learned who will accompany them to the ruins of Old Vale underneath Mountain Glenn.

Once they finished, Harry couldn't reprimand them this time as it wasn't their fault for being at the wrong place at the wrong time. However, if they hadn't found what the Blood Fang planned, maybe things would have been worse.

So instead, he congratulated them for their actions before Ruby presented him to their newest addition : a dog named Zwei. He was a cute little corgi who seemed to always smile. Apparently, Yang's and Ruby's father, Taiyang Xiao-Long, had sent the dog to them because he had leave Patch for some times.

It had been funny to see Blake hiding in Ruby's bed to avoid being near the fur-ball !

The Cat Faunus, thanks to her being...well, part-cat, was still wary of every canines were they Foxes, Wolves or simply Dogs. Sure she had a good relationship with Blanche (and the two's favorite hobby was to tease him about how the Wolf Faunus managed to tame the Grumpy Dark Guy), but Blake was still uncomfortable around her.

Anyway, as the time passed, things seemed to be good at Beacon because of the coming Vytal Festival… especially of the coming Tournament !

Thanatos and Salem had discussed of their next course of actions : at first, the Queen of Grimm planned to wait until the very end of the Tournament before activating the Virus in the System but this was not an option anymore.

Why ? Because very soon, with the help of Raven and Summer, the last Relic will be retrieved from Atlas Academy and they will finally summon the Gods so Judgment Time could take place. Thanatos/Harry couldn't wait for this moment as he had been ITCHING to see what those Beings were capable off.

Salem was just excited at the prospect of seeing the very Beings that cursed her being punished by the embodiment of Death himself, knowing that once the Twin Gods would be destroyed, Thanatos would get rid of the curse in her before sending him to 'the next great adventure' as he tends to call the Afterlife.

Arthur and Tyrian, them, had been ordered by Salem to do whatever they wanted for the time being, saying that they no longer have to look for the Relic. The former was happy because he don't have to work with the Serial Killer anymore while the latter had been itching for some blood lately.

This guy will DEFINITELY end up in Inferno once this whole thing is over.

Apart of that, at Beacon, Harry knew that soon the truth about him will come out and for some reasons was deeply afraid of how the people he grew to care a lot would react. Especially Blanche…

The Wolf Faunus was the love of his life and he couldn't stand her hating him after his true identity was revealed.

He shivered at the mere thought of it !

For now however, he will still enjoy his life as a normal Human as best as he could, knowing that very soon, it will be over. Sure he told Salem or Amber that it was the first time he experienced a Mortal Life but it was not true as it was his second time. He planned to tell the two when they will join him completely in the Underworld.

He could imagine the face they will make after he told them who he once was before he became Death.

It will be without a doubt really hilarious !

Speaking of Amber, the Fall Maiden was still restricted by Ozpin to not leave the Academy but she was allowed to teach again. Needless to say that many were thankful of that because they liked 'Professor Amber'.

Harry LOVED to call her that as he knew it annoyed her to no end… as she would glare at him each time he called her that. Of course, he wasn't bothered at all by this which seemed to annoy the Fall Maiden a bit more at the lack of reactions.

However, another thing happened because of her re-installation : her newfound relationship with one of her former attackers, Emerald Sustrai herself !

How did it happen ?!

Apparently, one day they bumped into one another in a corridor and they talked. Emerald had apologize to her for… well… attacking her and told the older woman that she would do anything to be forgiven. Amber, of course, had jumped on the occasion and offered for the two of them to go to a restaurant !

It was a blushing Emerald that responded positively to the Fall Maiden. The days after the first date (as Harry called it), it was easy to see that the two were becoming really close. Our hero caught them twice kissing one another on the lips ! Of course, as blackmail materials, he would take a picture of them with his Scroll.

Anytime Amber teased him with Blanche, he would threatening her with the pictures ! Needless to say that the Fall Maiden looked like a living tomato once she saw the pictures… but promised to stop teasing him as long he doesn't show them to anyone.

He promised… but did show them to ONE person in particular : the lovely Blanche Moonflower ! Amber had hidden her head behind her faces when the Wolf Faunus started to ask so many questions about her girlfriend and the Fall Maiden had loudly cursed Harry's name for this.

Which, in return, had caused him to laugh loudly !

Another thing that made his day was the death of Roman Torchwick !

The most famous criminal was found dead in his cell after being imprisoned there for only four days ! Of course, it had pissed Ironwood who instantly questioned everyone in the prison, wanting to know how it could happen.

It was then revealed that Roman died of a disease… which was strangely the same one that caused the death of the previous CEO of the Schnee Dust Company : Jacques Schnee.

Of course, once the news of his death reached the public, cheers of joy echoed throughout the citizens of not only Vale but the other Kingdoms as well.

However, things were not totally good…

Why ? Because pf Ironwood, who sometimes, stared at him with suspicions if the two somehow met one another. He didn't know what he did to receive this but, just in case, he decided to keep a close eye on him.

Another thing he noticed was the growing tension between Mercury and Emerald… he didn't know why but he had a small idea of it. Surely it was because of Emerald's new relationship with the previous person they tried to kill.

But it could be something else… Not that he wanted to discover the true reasons of their arguments…

It was not his problem after all !

Anyway, a few days after the fight against the waves of Grimm, in th Underworld, a certain embodiment of Death was peacefully sitting on his throne, enjoying the peace and quiet of his palace. It was the middle of the morning and only 3 Souls had entered his domains… which allowed him to take short break in his duty.

"Lord Thanatos ?" a feminine voice echoed from nearby and he turned his head to see the transparent form of Summer Rose approaching him.

The former Leader of Team STRQ, thanks to him, was now allowed to roam freely both in her domain and to see her friend Raven… who didn't seemed to mind that a literal Ghost visited her.

However, he had strictly ordered her to not try to visit her daughters nor her husband without his consent as he would know it instantly if she dared to. Sure she was pained to not see her daughters already but was a bit relieved to hear that really soon, she will have the opportunity to see them again.

Even her husband…

"Yes Summer ?" he asked her with a raise-brow and a calm tone.

"Raven sends me to tell you she is ready..." the ghostly woman responded calmly but we could clearly see the excitement in her silver eyes.

She DESPERATELY wanted to go on this quest as it would allow her to experiment something she missed : going in a mission with a teammate. Thanatos sent her an amused look, understanding her situation before nodding his head

"Very well… you may go and try not to be seen by the Mortals…at least not yet..." the embodiment of Death ordered her sternly but gently.

"Understood my Lord ! See you !" Summer said happily but still respectfully for the Lord of the Underworld before disappearing in thin air.

Thanatos chuckled in amusement at this before looking at the ceiling and narrowing his eyes

"You both better be prepared because soon, I will destroy you !" he snarled the last part in a cold tone as his voice seemed to echoed throughout the universe.

At the same time, far away from there, two beings were shivering in fear, wondering what could cause such a reactions from two deities such as them.

Thankfully for them, they will not know it before some time…

Meanwhile, in the land of Darkness, Salem was also sitting on her throne, equally enjoying the peace and quiet of the moment. However, her tranquility was broken when a spectral form appeared a few feet away in front of her. The Queen of Grimm instanly recognized who it was and smiled

"My Lord..." she greeted him respectfully… but a devious smirk could be seen on her pale face.

Thanatos' right eyebrow twitched at this but he said nothing of it as he opened his mouth to say calmly "The mission has started..."

Salem's smirk turned into a pleasant smile as those words reached her ears "Really now ?"

"Yes… They just left for Atlas Academy… Soon enough, the last Relic will be ours Salem !" Thanatos retorted with a tiny grin of anticipation on his face.

"Excellent !" the Queen of Grimm cried out in happiness and satisfaction as she clapped her hands in joy.

The embodiment of Death chuckled at her behavior before his face turned serious again

"I' m sure you heard about Roman's death ?"

"Yes… I am correct in assuming you have something to do with that my Lord ?"

Thanatos' right eyebrow twitched again in annoyance but answered calmly "You are... Roman was many things but he would do anything to save his own skin... He reportedly told the authorities who he was working with if it would get him a reduced sentence !"

Salem nodded her head in understanding at those words, having nothing to contradict this statement as criminals would do anything to save themselves… even if it means selling themselves to the Police.

The embodiment of Death then stiffened as he felt a presence entering his domain and groaned a bit.

"Well… I should go now… I will come back later… hopefully with the last Relic..." Thanatos said with a sigh, knowing that his duty was calling him.

"I understand perfectly my Lord..." Salem said to the embodiment of Death with a nod of both understanding and compassion.

Thanatos nodded at her gratefully before disappearing in thin air, leaving behind the Queen of Grimm whose head turned toward the outside, a smirk appearing on her face as she looked at her Kingdom.

Soon his revenge will take place ! She can't wait for it to finally happen after MILLENNIUMS of waiting !

00/(Time Skip)/00

Thanatos sighed deeply as he watched another Soul (a child) passed through the gate of Elysium. The embodiment of Death was internally angry because this child (who was only 6 years old) had died from starvation… killed by people who were supposed to love and care for her.

From what he saw in her memories, she was born a Faunus in a family of Humans… who strangely happened to dislike Faunus-kind greatly. Just like him many millenniums ago, the poor child was tortured, abused, rejected by people of her own flesh and blood.

She reminded him of himself when he was a human child, living with his relatives at Number Four Private Drive. Just like the little one, he had been forced into labors, rejected, abused, tormented by his own relatives. But unlike the Dursleys, this family actually killed the child…

Well scratch that, the Dursleys almost killed him plenty of times during the decade he resided with them but it was thanks to his Magic that he survived.

Anyway, with her being a child and having committed no crimes, Thanatos gently lead her to the white gate that was Elysium where the little one would live for all eternity. Hopefully, she will met dead relatives who will take care of her like her 'family' was supposed to.

Shaking his head, the embodiment of Death then hear someone calling him and instantly recognized the voice

"Lord Thanatos… We found it !" the former Leader of Team STRQ said with pure happiness through the link (yes he created a link between himself and her so she could call him whenever she wanted…and it will disappear soon)

Hearing this, Thanatos froze for a moment, his entire being was filled with surprise but also happiness and satisfaction.

"Wonderful ! Where are you both now ?" the embodiment of Death asked her with a calm expression.

"At Raven's camp !" was Summer's answer.

"Very well… I'm coming !" Thanatos responded with a nod, not that the dead woman could see it.

Will he really go like this ?

Of course not !

He will just send the clone he created when he first meet the Branwen Tribe .

(Note : In case you don't remember it, then read the precedent chapter again)

Closing his neon green eyes, Thanatos then began to focus as in front of him appeared a cloud of mist. A few seconds later, stood Hadrian Black, the oldest of his two clones who bowed at him in respect.

"Go to the Branwen Tribe and bring the Relic to me !" he ordered the clone in a stern tone.

Hadrian nodded at his 'creator' before disappearing in a cloud of mist. Now alone again, the embodiment of Death brought his hands together as a pleasant smile appeared on his face.

At the same time, in Anima, Raven was standing near the ghostly form of her former Team Leader Summer Rose as they both waited for Death to come. Beside the Tribe Leader stood Vernal whose eyes showed nothing but wariness at the prospect of seeing the man again.

Yes, she still had his little display in mind…

Soon enough, their attention turned toward the center of the camp as a cloud of mist appeared out in thin air. Through the mist, appeared a familiar figure many Tribe members instantly recognized as the embodiment of Death himself : Hadrian Black.

Of course, none of them (except Summer) knew of Death's true form as they all thought it was actually this one. Summer had wanted to tell her friend but had promised to her Lord to keep her mouth shut for the time being.

"My Lord..." Summer greeted the newcomer respectfully as she bowed at him.

"Summer… Raven… Vernal..." Hadrian greeted the trio as around them, every Tribe members left the area to go elsewhere.

Try to guess why^^

Raven and the blue-eyed girl nodded their heads at him in greetings.

"I heard that you found it..." Hadrian demanded as he glanced back and forth between Summer and Raven.

"We did ! It was not easy but we did it !" Summer replied childishly which caused Raven to roll her eyes in fond annoyance while Vernal snorted in amusement.

Hadrian himself was amused by her behavior as he now saw (again) why she was Ruby's mother.

"It was not really guarded… and the dagger you have us was pretty useful..." the leader of the Branwen Tribe added before her friend could add something else.

"Good to know… I would hate to deal with hundreds of souls at once… Too much work for my taste..." Hadrian responded with a soft sigh.

He was thinking about the time he had to deal with Thousands of souls… all in the same day. He hadn't slept for a week or two to be sure that every single one of them was judged. That's another reason of why he wanted to punch the Twin Gods as it was their fault he dealt with this !

Hearing this, Vernal and Raven both snorted in amusement while Summer giggled at his misery. He shot the trio a glare before asking in a calm but stern tone

"May I see it ?"

Raven nodded at him before looking at Vernal "Bring it here !"

The blue-eyed girl nodded her head at her leader before dashing toward the largest tent of the camp. A few seconds later, Vernal came back, holding in her hands the last of the Relics. The moment his eyes fell on it, Hadrian could detect the power radiating from it and slowly inspected it once Vernal handed it to him.

The last Relic of the Gods was a golden ornamented staff with a blue spearhead-shaped crystal on top and with a smaller crystal on the bottom.

"Wonderful…" he muttered as he looked at the staff before looking over at the three people (two living and one dead)

"You have done a great job… all of you…" he began to say before adding

"Summer, I promised you the possibility of visiting your family..."

The ghostly figure's eyes widened at those words ad her entire body was filled with growing anticipation and excitement.

A smile appeared on Hadrian's face as he added gently "You are free to go see them..."

A squeal of joy escaped Summer's mouth once those words reached her ears. The sound caused Hadrian, Vernal and Raven to cover their ears in slight pain before they all glared at the ghostly figure who, upon realizing what she did, looked back at them sheepishly.

"Sorry..."

Hadrian sighed deeply but then looked back at Raven and Vernal "I have to go now… Good luck with her !"

"Yeah..."Summer began to say with a wave before her mind processed what he said

"HEY !" she cried out in indignation as a pout appeared on her face.

With a smirk, Hadrian Black disappeared in a cloud of mist, taking with him the Relic. Once he was gone, Raven looked at her friend before saying

"Come on Summer… I will take you to Patch..."

00/(Time Skip)/00

Salem was currently on the landing deck of her castle. Her dark eyes were looking at her Kingdoms as Creatures of Grimm were seen coming out of some pools. The Queen of Grimm was waiting for the embodiment of Death to come, hopefully with the remaining Relic in his possession.

"Soon… you will both pay for what you did to me..." she whispered softly as her eyes narrowed slightly.

It was said to no one in particular but we could understand who it was meant to.

"Oh they will pay, you can sure of that, dear friend !" a familiar voice echoed from behind her.

Turning her head with a smile, she saw it was none other than Thanatos, the embodiment of Death himself in all his glory. His clone had come back to him a minute ago to give him his package. When he had it in his hands, he went straight to see the Queen of Grimm to tell the news.

"My Lord… You are back… and not empty-handed it seems !" Salem replied with ravishment when she saw the artifact in the man's hands.

"Yes Salem ! As you can see, the last Relic of the God of Light has been found !" Thanatos replied with a smirk as he presented her the Relic.

Smirking back, the Queen of Grimm then used her magic to summon the other Relics and soon all Four of them were levitating before the eyes of Salem and Thanatos.

"With all four Relics now in our possession, we can now summon the Twin Gods back !" Salem began to say to her Lord with a dark grin

"The Relics will take them to us… and Revenge will be our !" Thanatos added with his own dark grin.

Once those words escaped his mouth, the embodiment of Death and the Queen of Grimm started to laugh like two mad scientists. Their laughs echoed throughout the castle and the Creatures of Grimm who heard them fled the area with their tails between their legs.

(To be continue…)