RWBY: Bonds Between Hearts
Chapter 40: A Bumpy Ride Up North
WARNING: I own none of these characters sides from my OC(s). All rights go to their respective owners and properties.
This is nothing more than, well a fanfic, a story made up by a fan for entertainment and knowledge.
Everything in this fic is not canon and is only meant to give the audience a new idea of the works of each of the franchises in this story.
So please support me, my work and have some fun. Now enjoy the story. ^w^
It has been a week since the incident with Evol but also a triumphant one as both Cody and Lily have returned with all new power. Now, they have an actual fighting chance against the alien snake. Rather, Lily's case given it was her form that finally pushed the bastard back. Of course during the week, they helped around, relaxed a bit and recovered fully. Now everyone was making their way to the train that would lead them to Argus so they could get to Atlas for their next step in the plan to defeat Evol and Salem.
Of course, while everyone was slowly getting ready, Ruby made a quick stop to the gift shop. Something that the young huntress would do for most train rides as she swiftly returned to the group. A large smile on her face as she was hiding the gifts she got for everyone.
"… Seriously?" Lily-Vernage… agh! She will just keep calling her Lily when they are not in public!
"Come on! When was the last time you went to a gift shop?" Ruby scoffed.
The moonlight haired saint crossed her arms, one eyebrow raised. Ruby shrank at the ongoing stare before she slumped in defeat. "You never did."
"Exactly little rose." The saint snorted.
"Well! Then consider this your first one!" Ruby jumped back up with excitement.
"You better not have gotten me those lousy gift cards." Cody responded, his head rest on Yang's lap.
"You'll just have to wait until we reach Argus to find out." Ruby smirked with a huff of pride.
"I'm still upset we have to go back to Atlas… you wouldn't believe how hard it was for me to even leave…" Weiss frowned, as she was the least excited for this.
"Don't worry Weiss… Team RWBY, JNPR, and our two Kamen Riders won't leave you for a second! Promise." Ruby promised to the heiress with such a kind smile. As that is one thing that everyone can admit.
Ruby keeps her promises. Which made the young ex-heiress smile, as deep down she was truly glad to have these people as her friends-no… After everything that happened and them reuniting? They weren't just her friends anymore…. They were her true family.
"I guess you have a point."
"Oh look, she is actually praising such a statement."
"Hush you!"
Lily laughed slightly. "And there is what I expected."
"Say, where's Blake?" Yang looked around for her Faunus teammate.
"With Sun as he is the last person she needed to talk to." The saint answered.
"I'm glad she's doing better. Blake needed to get that mood of hers checked for a better outlook." Weiss noted.
And while it was slightly cold of her to say. She wasn't far off with what she was getting at. Blake has changed from her loner self now. Only time to heal for her and Yang is needed before everyone is back to their 100% selves.
Lily double checked the time via projection. Seeing the hour, they heard the announcement from the speakers. Pocketing the device, Lily clapped her hands to catch their attention. "Alright you guys, it's about that time."
"And YOU can get more exclusive help from us." Another voice chimed up, causing the group to turn to see two well… 'fresh' huntsman walking over. Most likely trying to swoon the girls for a fun time.
"…" Lily slowly turned her head towards Oscar and Qrow. The former shrank in embarrassment while Qrow rubbed his neck. They didn't want to say who forgot to mention the train having hunters.
"With such problems like Grimm and other stuff out there. We can give your cart, extra protection. Just in case things get… 'dangerous.'" The other guy chimed in with a wink, only to earn a look of disappointment from everyone.
"Two are taken, and you're looking at one of them." Cody spoke up, glaring at the two huntsmen.
Lily rolled her eyes and made Cyclops manifest. "Cyclops, be a dear and pick up our belongings."
It bowed before the Arma gigas-sized machine marched and picked it up. Humorously, Nora was dangling from one of the grips of the luggage when she tried to lift one.
"Hey look at me! I'm on a mobile swing!" Nora swung back and forth.
"Nora…" Ren sighed, "It's not a swingset."
"Weeeeeeeeee!" Ruby giggled as she too was doing the same.
"That's my team leader…" Weiss facepalmed with a groan and sigh.
XXX
The train ride was mostly silent for Cody and Lily. Team RWBY were in another train car room to rest but the blonde glanced at Lily who stared at the snow. "So um… sis, are you feeling okay?"
"Yeah."
"You sure? There were times you have been depressed after Vernage-"
"Cody, no. Please." She didn't want to remember having to say goodbye to her mother figure. It still hurts. She may have taken the name, she still isn't the same without her mother by her.
"Sorry… just… ever since you left Faust and joined us… I've always been worried for you and the others… I just want to make sure everything is okay with you." He apologized, showing how much he truly has changed.
"There are still things I have to readjust to Cody. Things that are not that easy unlike you. You left at an earlier time. Me on the other hand? Most of my life, counting my time in the streets."
"That explains why you didn't want to go explore Mistral…" he mumbled.
"All I want is to find an answer." Her glimmering emerald eyes stared at the glass.
"An… answer? To what?"
"What made mother so driven. So determined to the point she cursed herself to ensure Evol is dead by her hands. What made her a Saint. Evol may say it was because of her good deeds, her critical yet sharp honesty, and good heart but…"
"You think there is more to it."
"When we reach Argus, I will speak to Ozma of what he can tell me. His history of her may not be best but it may give some insight."
"I see… I could say that you can do it right now. But I think I already know the answer, we all wanna relax during this ride and not worry about any problems." Cody stated, answering his own question.
Lily stared at the glass but her eyes narrowed. "I wouldn't be so sure of that."
"Eh?"
"Grimm. I see a flock heading straight for the train."
"Hmm… could just be a normal attack?"
"No." Lily immediately got out of her seat. "I'll go warn those Huntsmen while you warn the others!"
Cody nodded as he got out of his seat and raced to the others cart. "We got big Grimm trouble, everyone!" He warned the others.
"Seriously?" Weiss groaned out.
"Well, lets get this little annoyance out of the way." Yang smirked, a wink to her boyfriend as they all began to get ready as they head up onto of the train to deal with the Grimm.
Climbing onto the top of the train cars, the blazing snow slapped against their skin but bravely held on. Catching up to them were a flock of Manticores led by a sphinx.
The blonde grabbed his dragon, placing in the Great-Dragon Bottle inside it.
KAKUSEI!
GREAT CROSS-Z DRAGON!
Cody cranked and churned his belt as the pipes and armor formed for him as he struck a pose.
ARE YOU READY?!
"Henshin!" Cody cried out as the armor collapsed on top of him as it formed his new armor.
WAKE UP CROSS-Z! GET GREAT DRAGON!
YEEEEAAAAHHHH!
As the Great Cross-Z armor strapped onto him, he lunged for the first Manticore Grimm, his fist knocking out its head with one strike.
"Here they come!" Ruby responded, letting Crescent Rose unfold and the others readying their weapons.
The first few met Qrow and Ruby but their expertise of the scythes allowed them to strike them down with no trouble. Cross-Z took a glance at Blake and Yang and their teamwork didn't lose face. Blake's swift movement combined with Yang's harsh swings that are added with the blast of the shotgun shells that expel from her gauntlets.
"Cody! Fire it up!" Weiss called out to the rider, as she made a few glyph platforms for him to use as the last one was a gravity glyph, forcing another Manticore to its knees.
Cross-Z nodded as he raced forward, taking the glyph platforms over to the crippled Manticore as with his fist ignited he punched through a Grimm's body with his attack.
"Ruby! Up for a high speed slash on these things?" Cross-Z turned to the huntress as he brandished his Beat Crosser.
"You bet!" Ruby replied jubilantly.
"Phase 3!" Cross-Z shouted, as his body glowed blue before the rider and scythe wielder soon sped through the Grimm attacks, dodging and weaving through it before cutting down the Manticore's and other avian Grimm that was attacking the train. "Why are so many focused on us?!"
"The Relic," the teen jumped and noticed Lily who had suddenly appeared due to her Saint Rogue armor.
"Don't sneak up on me like that!" The rider patted his chest from the jump scare he was given. "Wait, the relic is drawing them in? Not just the panic from the crowd?"
"How is that possible?" Ruby questioned.
"I'll explain it later. Right now we have to ensure everyone is not drawing more Grimm from their fear." Saint Rogue ordered. "We need to escort them into the further train cars and decouple this one: otherwise we won't be able to do both protective details. As long as we have the relic, they'll focus on us more than the civilians."
"I hate to admit it but she's right," Qrow agreed.
"Well how are we going to do that? They'll still target and attack them!" Weiss pointed out.
Ruby paused before her eyes widened. "Ren. His Semblance!"
"Can he even shroud something this big?" Blake questioned.
"Jaune's Semblance involves Aura enhancement right? Like he did for Weiss?" They nodded before their brows widened.
"I can't help but be nervous on how smart you become, Lily."
"I get it from… mother.." her voice died down before shaking her head. "So you all know what to do?"
"Um… guys?" Yang got out, pointing ahead as the group looked to see a tunnel reaching them closely.
"Yeah, let's go with the plan!" Cross-Z quickly climbed down and the others followed with haste to rejoin with JNR.
Of course as they reunite, they see Jaune treating one of the cocky 'Huntsmen' from earlier. Cringing in pain as his arm was bent, most likely from the oncoming tunnel.
"That's what you get for being cocky." Qrow crossed his arms.
"Jaune, think you can boost Ren's Semblance to cover the carts that have everyone?" Ruby asked her friend.
"I'll do what I can." Jaune nodded.
"Alright, let's get everyone moved forward and let's hope this works." Blake noted with command. "Everyone! Move to the other train cars ahead!" Jaune, Ren, and Nora helped the citizens, allowing Team RWBY, Qrow, Oscar, and the two Riders to initiate the plan outside.
Blake hopped onto the couplings of the cart where as the others were on the roof. Her eyes lingered up but tensed. She swore she saw Adam.
"Blake, need you to focus here!" The Faunus looked up to notice Saint Rogue as she was in the midst of preparing the contingency plan, snapping Blake away as the moment she returned to where Adam was, he was gone.
'I must be too stressed…' Blake shook her head as she then decoupled the train with her weapon.
"Now!" Ruby shouted.
On cue, the train cars were decoupled, the group saw the rest of it becoming further and further apart. With it, it gave them leeway to take action and finalize their plan. Seeing the incoming Sphinx, Ruby and Qrow delivered a combined strike, cleaving the Grimm into pieces.
"Alright!"
"Guys…" Saint Rogue witnessed the Grimm in its final moments, inhale and unleashed a ball of fire.
"Uh oh."
"Everyone, hang on!"
The inherited Saint immediately used her magic, shrouding them all in ice and rock before everything went dark.
XXX
"Ugh… that sucked…" Cody groaned out, using his Semblance to melt the snow quickly as he got up and looked around. "Well crap."
"Is everyone alright?" Ruby asked.
"What do you think?" Lily grunted. She took in the surroundings and the derailed train car. "Looks like we will be walking from here."
"Oh you think?!" Yang shouted, pulling her precious Bumblebee out of the snow. "We're stranded in the middle of nowhere, a third of us aren't here, and we have a defenseless old lady with us!"
"My name is Maria Calavera, and I am not defenseless! I'm just a little hard on hearing. And blind without my eyes, that are in desperate need of repair." The now named lady tapped on the left side of her prosthetic eyes, which opened wide before closing, before opening narrowly again. "Okay, I'm starting to see your point."
"Prosthetics?" The former bluenette observed in curiosity.
"Yes… I um… had an incident long ago where I lost my eyes… Luckily, a very good man helped me. Though because of the procedure and my prosthetics, I have to get a check up every few years." Maria admitted.
"Hey mind cutting the techno chatter when we are in a situation?!" Weiss flailed her arms.
"Right, right, my apologies." Lily sighed. Her Semblance detected familiarity in the optical prosthetics. The technology was similar if not identical to technology made by Poledina.
Cody quickly helped Yang get her bike out of the snow, as well as whatever supplies the cart they used had within it. Meanwhile, Weiss picked up whatever Dust that was laid about and finally Ruby taking up the Relic that nearly was flung out from the wreck.
"Say Lily?" Ruby called, earning her attention. "You said this is what attracted the Grimm?"
"Ah yes." Lily tossed Yang a device she made to fix any damages to Bumblebee. "Mother once said that thing had the essence made by the hands of the Brother of Light. With it, it means it attracts the opposite- darkness. And knowing Salem's plan, they would have brought it to her."
"So its basically a beacon for Grimm?! Why weren't we told about this sooner?!" Weiss snapped.
"Ask Ozma."
All eyes went to Oscar who jumped. "Ozma if you can hear us, why didn't you include that part of your story?"
Oscar's eyes glowed as Ozma switched places for a moment, "My own fear… My apologies. If you wish to know everything this Relic does, please say so now. I will not hide anything, anymore."
Lily snorted. "Guess mother's words really made you open your mind clearly?"
"Painfully so… painfully so, Lily…" Ozma grimaced. "Vernage was right… and I hold no blame for her telling Qrow and Glynda. Telling each of you what history hid, it made her words give more clarity."
Vernage was the oldest soul in the world, it only stands to reason her wisdom was from her millennia of living.
Lily looked at the Relic. "Ruby, may I?"
"Uh sure." The scythe wielder handed the lantern to her senior. Lily took hold, her emerald eyes staring at it.
"What is this Relic called?"
"The Relic of Knowledge. It provides three questions of what you want to know. Knowledge that can span since the beginning. Why ask?"
"… Have you ever wondered about her?" Her thumb brushed across it as her gaze never lingered. "What made Vernage… Vernage. Of why she cursed herself."
"Its hard to deny that I haven't thought about it." Cody admitted.
"I have only known her for a short time… after getting Salem off of the tower." Ozma sighed at the memory.
"Then… why not ask the Relic? Ask it what you want?" Blake offered.
"… We all want to know right?" Ruby agreed. Even she herself wanted to know. Vernage mentioned she was only 15 when she fought Evol and sealed herself at that age. She wanted to know more about the woman. A part of her reminded her of her mom, Summer.
"What do I say?"
"Say Jinn."
"Jinn." Suddenly, the snow stopped, floating in midair. The wind stopped blowing too.
"What the?" Weiss looked around in surprise.
The Relic released blue smoke much to their surprise. The lantern hovered away from Lily's grasp, all of them watching the cyan smoke gather before it was beginning to manifest. A feminine blue humanoid with gold accessories appears before them. Her ears were pointed and her hair reaching down to her thighs.
"Wonderful." She hummed. "Tell me, what knowledge do you seek?"
"No wonder mother said the essence of divine power lingered…" Lily uttered. "What… who are you?"
"I am Jinn, a being created by the God of Light to aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge." Jinn introduced herself to the group. "I've been graced with the ability to answer three questions every one hundred years. You're in luck, as I am still able to answer two questions this era."
"Big lady…" Cody gawked in awe, earning a pinch of the cheek from Yang.
"So the Brother made this thing…" Lily whispered to herself. "Mother was right…" she took a deep breath. She had to ask it a question but had to ensure whatever she says isn't one. "If you are knowledgeable as you proclaim to be, can you even know the dawn of mankind in the history before the Brother of Light made you? You cannot be that knowledgeable if that were the case."
The entity paused before giving an answer, finding Lily's words full of doubt. It wasn't a question but criticism. Clever girl.
"Why don't I show you what you seek, young flower?"
"Then prove it. Show us the history of Vernage."
"Very well." She decided to humor the infused soul. Azure smoke began to shroud everyone, startling them. Suddenly the whole scenery changed before their very eyes.
"Once upon a time… when man was first born by the hands of the brothers, mankind had just begun to be what was the first form of civilizations. Of kingdoms."
Suddenly the group saw a grand kingdom with a tower that was glimmering a light. Akin to a beacon. Towers that reached high. The structures however were a kingdom they knew.
Eden.
Eden was one of the first kingdoms to be known to Remnant's ancient history. The smoke changed everything again before it shifted into a grand room.
The girls nearly blushed upon seeing the man who paced left and right. He was garbed in royal black cloth that was gothic but it didn't hamper the elegant yet royal style it held. His hair was short yet white as the moon that gleamed into the halls. His eyes were blue and his face was what made the girls flush red.
The cries of an infant reached their ears, almost ongoing for who knows how long. The man noticed several clergymen and a maid who cradled a baby.
"Please… Please tell me you have done whatever you could?"
"I am sorry your majesty… our healers did everything they could to heal your wife after she gave birth." The clergyman apologized. The maid somberly stepped forward and gently handed the man the crying infant. The infant was a baby girl as her hair was much like the man's.
"The little newborn… was Vernage."
XXX
Smoke flowed before the scene became a flower field full of moonflowers. A little girl pranced across the open field, laughing and smiling with purity. Her black dress covered her with elegance while a dark veil rested on the back of her flowing moonlight white hair.
Her father smiled as he watched his daughter frolicking across the very flowers she took after. A part of her reminded him so much of his late wife.
"Despite the grief of his broken heart, his daughter filled the light in him. His promise to his beloved borne fruit."
"Papa, are we seeing mother again?"
"We are, my little Vernage." Despite the brief pain, he smiled warmly.
The knights were not too far but kept eye on potential dangers. The king and daughter gently approached a small altar as the little girl placed a few of the moonflowers before it.
"Do you think… mama is watching?"
"Always. Under the watchful gaze of the Brothers."
"Then… I hope she reminds us how much we love her!"
"Me too… me too."
Ruby gently knelt to the tomb, seeing the writing. It looked jumbly at first but the smoke revealed its translation.
'Always our light under the night… forever remembered.' Ruby's eyes softened. "He missed her so much…" Just like dad did.
"I know how that feels too…" Cody said softly, taking Yang's hand into his.
The smoke blew past them, changing the scene to the kingdom's street market. The little girl who is Vernage was jumping around in glee, her arms out like wings. The guards tried to catch up to her but couldn't due to her nimble form.
"Reminds me how you were Ruby." Yang snorted.
"Hey! She is nothing like me!" Ruby pouted.
The young princess slowed her steps to see the slums of the kingdom. Weiss winced upon the conditions. Vernage slowed her steps as she saw the suffering and plight of the people.
"It was here that she realized people suffer one way or another. Rich or poor. Young or old."
"Now you know how they felt back then, Weiss."
"I get it…"
"It was also the day the first bond had been forged by Vernage. A bond that became a bond that could never be replaced."
The girl stopped fully to notice a boy curled by rotten crates, his head lowered. His blonde hair was dirty as were the rags on his body. His skin was covered in such as well, displaying he had been living this way.
"Wait… he looks like…" Yang gasped.
""Me…" Cody responded in shock.
The boy's hair was blonde but it was a different hairstyle. It was completely matted down, obscuring his eyes from view. The boy curled further when the princess approached. She tilted her head and leaned down.
"I am Vernage!" The little girl reached her hand to the little boy. "What about you?"
"A-Arthur…?" The boy tensed upon realizing the girl was the princess.
"Princess, you mustn't be here! These are the slums!" A guard slowed down. "By brothers my lungs need air…"
The girl stared at Arthur before she puffed up and looked at the knight, pointing at the blonde. "I want him to be in the castle!"
"Eh?"
"P-Princess?! B-But he is filth!"
"Clean him! He is going to be my friend! I won't be mean to friends! I will tell father to allow it if you won't let me!" The girl's cheeks were puffed.
The knight grimaced and bowed. "I-I understand… by your command." He approached the boy and gently hoisted him up. Raising his head fully, Ruby gasped when she saw the boy's eyes.
Silver eyes. The first child to harbor them.
"Young Arthur became from a boy in the slums to a boy full of potential."
The boy looked to be 10 years old now, ducking from a wooden sword before he yelped upon the blow, skidding across the training grounds of the dirt.
"Hehe, I win again!" Vernage giggled, as it seemed the two were having a duel.
The guard were watching as was her father.
"One more time!"
"Hehe~ Try!"
Arthur looked at the wooden swords before he reached for the wooden claymore. A few knights snickered when he had trouble lifting it but the boy growled like a lion and hefted it. The stance… was much like the stance Vernage had whenever she wielded Virtuous Steel.
"Have at thee!" The boy with astounding strength and courage, dragged the wooden blade across the dirt and swung it. Vernage squeaked and took cover. Her vail caught before she rolled aside to avoid the next blow.
"Holy cow…" Yang whistled. "He sure has guts!"
"I'll say…" Qrow uttered. The boy was headstrong to hold it despite the weight and size. He really was full of potential as Jinn said.
Just as Arthur planned to deliver the winning blow, he saw the tip of the wooden sword Vernage held, poking his chest just as the wooden claymore touched her neck.
"Draw?"
"Draw."
Everyone clapped in amazement until the king coughed. The girl immediately dropped her training weapon and rushed to her father, azure smoke shifting the scene again.
"Alas… her father fell ill."
The scene changed as Vernage was by her father's bedside, grasping his hand.
"With his illness he couldn't be fit to continue his duties thus handed it to Vernage."
"She was only 10 when she had to rule?!" Weiss spluttered.
"I can't imagine such a responsibility for a child…" Blake frowned with worry.
"For such responsibility came confliction."
Vernage slouched against the balcony, her glimmering emerald eyes dry of tears. The ten year old sniffled.
"Your majesty?" Arthur was dressed in garbs, a mantle over his left shoulder.
"He looks so adorable!" Weiss saw the looks from her friends. "Y-You didn't hear anything!"
"Yeah sure."
"And… recorded…" Cody snickered, pocketing his scroll.
"Is everything okay?"
"I don't know what to do… so many things I don't understand! Words too big and writing so!" Vernage grumbled. "How can I lead like father did…"
Arthur tilted his head. "Maybe… listen to the plight of people?" Vernage looked at him. "Like you found me in the dirt of the slums, your majesty. You saved me. Listened. And taught me. I believe hearing their plight with honesty is what you have to do."
"Helping others and honesty…" Qrow rubbed his chin. "Wait a second…" it was being pieced together.
Arthur was the reason she formed such ideals!
"If he was the reason… what started the trouble?" Ruby questioned with worry.
Smoke brushed across the scene, shifting into Vernage seated on a throne. She looked to be 13 years old now as she wore much more noble garbs as queen while her bob cut white hair was now long. A tinted veil was over her face, her glimmering emerald eyes being visible due to its bright colors.
As for Arthur…
"Wow…" Ruby saw how much he grown. Arthur was of the same age as Vernage but held sharp eyes of focus, a gaze akin to a lion. He may look young but he was dressed in blue garbs and silver armor over his torso, arms and legs. A large black sword was over his back, twice his size but held the image of a lion.
From a boy in the slums to becoming the ruler's most prominent and youngest of all the kingsguard.
"I don't look weird… do I?" Arthur asked, not noticing the tint on Vernage's cheeks.
"You're okay as you are, Arthur." The teen waved her staff in assurance.
"They were in love… but they were too young to realize it…" Lily said with surprise.
The young knight rubbed the back of his head before they heard the chamber doors of the throne room open by an older knight.
"Your majesty, a merchant, wishes an audience with you."
"Oh, let him enter!"
The knight obeyed and allowed the merchant in, dragging a small wagon in tow. Cody's eyes widened upon seeing the familiar gaze in the merchant's eyes.
"Evol…" Cody hissed in rage.
"May I ask who you are, sir?" The young queen asked.
"I am Evol, a mere humble peddler, your majesty." The peddler bowed. "I have come to provide Eden with something none can imagine."
The 13 year old tilted her head. "What is it you have?"
The man pulled the tarp, presenting various metal trinkets which earned curiosity.
"It was here the snake had fooled the princess… into war. For greed can do such things"
"Into… war…?" Ruby gulped.
XXX
The kingdom was quiet but war was going elsewhere far from Eden. Vernage looked depressed and struggled to think. Arthur remained concerned of his majesty's well being.
"Why did it come to this… I didn't want war!" Vernage somberly questioned. "People want to take what we are using to help others!"
"Vernage… If I may speak?" Arthur requested from the young ruler.
"Arthur…?"
"I believe we made a mistake… we are causing too much suffering to the people and our home… Maybe it is time to have Evol leave with his stuff. We can find another way to keep our people happy and well, we just need faith."
Vernage bit her lip but paused. This never happened until Evol showed them the trinkets. Did he… really make profit from the war…? Standing up, she looked at the guards. "Send emissaries in hopes of peace! We are ending this deception of the war!"
Once again smoke changed the scenery to night as the young queen had a frown. She waited until the chambers opened by her guards as they dragged a cuffed Evol.
"This was the night where it all changed for Vernage."
"Sir Evol… tell me, did you from the start, wanted me to use the trinkets to incite a war?!"
"Oh I'm hurt! I would never do such a thing, your majesty!" Evol scoffed.
Arthur frowned. "You are speaking false words, merchant. The war that had ended never would have never occurred until you showed the queen those trinkets. Trinkets that are similar to a few from our newfound allied kingdoms."
"They could've had their own-"
Soon the black claymore that Arthur held was now at Evol's neck, the young knight glaring at the merchant. Eyes like a lion.
"I see through your lies Evol… now tell us the truth…. Who are you really?" Arthur demanded.
Now the rest of the kingsguard gripped their swords. If there was one thing they don't doubt it was the young prodigy's gaze of focus.
Evol soon dropped the innocent act as he grinned, "That sure is a neat trick… boyo…" He complimented before a burst of energy shot around, forcing nearly all of the knights away.
The boy landed beside the queen before the warriors unsheathed their weapons. "Protect the queen!" They all charged towards Evol.
The snake broke the cuffs and retaliated against the attackers. Evol gripping one of the swords as he plunged it into the next knight before turning around to grab one of their helmets and crushing it like it was paper.
Evol was massacring the other knights in front of Vernage and Arthur as the two looked on with shock and fear. This wasn't just some merchant…. Nor was it human.
"Guess my little plan failed… Oh well… Then let me show you myself, dear 'Queen Vernage'." Evol said before he was encased in a black tornado, only for then to reveal Evol's Black Hole form.
"My name is Evol Blood… I am an alien devourer from another world… I simply came here to eat this little planet. Of course, I easily can do it without this planning, but what is the fun in that? Sadly, that little boyo saw through me. If only he did so earlier, you wouldn't have to see your people die…. Or if your father simply just acted instead of hesitating, I wouldn't have had to kill him."
The snake stalked towards Vernage who quivered in fear, clutching the staff against her. The monster flexed his fingers before he went for a thrust but was met with the large blade striking him into the marble walls.
Arthur held the large sword in the stance they knew by Vernage herself in their time. His silver eyes were glowing as he bared his teeth at the beast. A lion versus a snake.
"That… really freaking hurts!" Evol grunted.
"Stay away from Vernage you fiend!"
"Hoo~ its been awhile since I've seen someone look at me like that…. Well then, come on boyo! Let's see what you got?"
His silver eyes gleamed before he dashed with incredible speed. The massive sword lightweight in his very hands.
Ruby was amazed. Arthur's gift was allowing him to fight with such strength and grace like a lion. His power enabling him to defend against a few of Evol's strikes. No wonder Jinn said the boy had potential and becoming the youngest knight of the kingsguard.
"The fight was one of the hardest both the snake and young lion had faced. Enough to leave the young Vernage sitting there, frozen in fear and awe…. But sadly, a snake always hides it fangs…"
Arthur howled as he cut off Evol's limb, causing the snake to hiss in pain and drop to the ground as he held his stump, seeing the blade close to his face.
"Yield…" Arthur panted, feeling the exhaustion settle in.
"Yeaaahhhh, no. You."
The limb that was severed suddenly moved and impaled Arthur through the back. The young knight coughed up blood as he looked back up to Evol, who simply snickered.
Arthur could only drop to his knees as he looked at Vernage, a shred of tears running down his face before he fully collapsed on the ground as a pool of blood formed beneath him.
Evol picked up his severed limb and reattached it, making the group wince and nearly green.
"I'll admit, boyo. You gave me such a good fight in a millenia. Only my own brother has beaten me… So take that pride to your grave." The snake massaged his limb. "Great… this will take weeks…" he grumbled, vanishing through a rift.
The entire throne room now that the group saw was a bloodbath. The knights dead, the young prodigy impaled, leaving Vernage as the sole survivor within the throne room.
The girl frantically moved, rushing to her guard.
"Arthur! Arthur!" Vernage shook the blonde.
"Ver…nage….. I… failed you…"
"You didn't! Y-You protected me like you should! Y-You…" Vernage sniffled, her emerald eyes brimming with the onset of tears. "Please don't go away like mother and father…"
"I'm sorry… I… I always do my best… for you… my queen…" he weakly gripped her hand, smiling despite the blood. "Don't ever…. Forget what I said to you… listen to them… help them… see with… your eyes like I do." His hand laxed before falling limp.
Vernage whimpered before she cried her heart out amidst her screaming, clutching Arthur tightly against her as the moonlight casted down onto her.
"Oh Vernage…" Ruby whimpered from seeing the sight, as everyone's heart ached from seeing such a sight from the past.
Vernage and Arthur were bonded but she lost her eventual love by the hands of Evol.
XXX
They suddenly found themselves in a flourishing meadow field.
"Through that dreadful night, the young queen had set out in hopes her plea would be heard about Evol."
They saw a tired Vernage who was escorted by her guards. The knights kneeled while the 13 year old girl tiredly stepped forward and looked up, seeing the serpentine dragon.
"The Brother of Light…" Qrow uttered.
"Great Brother of Light… I come before you to seek your wisdom." The girl pleaded. "Please, hear my plea."
"What is it that you seek?"
"There is a fiend who hails from the heavens beyond and instigated war. He wishes to eat this world with us all in it." Vernage wept. "I don't wish to lose home… I…" her eyes watered. "I lost so much and I want this snake to keep his fangs away from our world."
"I am sorry for your loss, young one…. Sadly, I cannot do much from here. It is beyond the code my brother and I made, to not meddle outside our domains."
The knights said nothing but shock crossed their faces.
"Wha-What…?" Vernage uttered. "B-But that snake wants to consume everything here! You… You would let that monster eat us?!"
"I am aware of the serpent… While I cannot help remove it… I can grant you something else, something just as powerful."
"No, there is supposed to be something! You are our mighty god as is your brother!"
"You misheard me… I can grant you something else… a weapon to help."
"I DON'T WANT A WEAPON WHEN HE WILL DESTROY IT ALL!" The girl shoved her staff onto the dirt. "You… You only forsaken us to doom… y-you…" she cried.
"My queen… we should go home. Home is awaiting you." The knight gently escorted her away as the others followed.
"The Brothers… couldn't?" Ozma repeated in bewilderment.
"Tis but curiosity of the serpent that is they could not interfere."
Smoke brushed it away, revealing Vernage in her throne room. Her veil shrouded her face but there were glimpse of tears.
"She felt betrayed amidst her loss. Hopeless and in despair… however…"
Vernage's eyes trembled before she looked at the mounted sword on the wall that belonged to Arthur. Slowly she looked at the small statue of the brothers before she frowned. She shoved it off and stood up.
"Guard!"
"Yes your majesty?"
"Call the Church."
"The… church, your majesty?"
"I want to ensure our beliefs in the Brothers end tonight!"
XXX
"With her promise to Arthur and father, she had created a revolutionary change for Eden. One that had made Eden the paradise for all mankind."
Before them was Vernage, only now she was 15 years old, carrying the large katana that was the familiar Virtuous Steel that stabbed the floor.
"Her heart was full of resolve. Her honesty unhindered. Her eyes see deception that no soul can hide no matter how hard they try. Her kindness bloomed to heal the hearts of those she helped. Her vow to her precious Arthur made her the Saint of Eden. People see her as their symbol of humanity's glory. No more faith they held for the Brothers. The Saint became their faith in humanity and their symbol of her being a dragon of her image."
"She may have lost her loved ones… and her faith… but her resolve to save everyone still remained." Blake noted with awe and pride.
"People revered her more than the Brothers. She never turned away any poor soul."
They saw her helping so many people, her smile bright and calm.
"But when word echoed of Evol… she had to do something to ensure her people and allies are safe thus she went on a journey to find him… and find him she did."
The scene changed into a meadow but it was ruined by magic and cracks caused by a sword. Vernage dragged her large katana to slow down and glared at the bastard snake.
"Her expertise is the pinnacle of a swordswoman, exceeding her precious Arthur." Jinn continued. "Her magic had exceeded beyond any mortal due to her diligence and heart."
"For a little girl you really gotten stronger since that day."
"So I can ensure you are gone for what you have done to the kingdoms!" yelled Vernage.
The alien knocked Vernage's weapon aside and socked her to the dirt. "Aw still upset that I killed boyo? I can let you see him… in the afterlife as I eat this world." Evol mused, turned his attention to Pandora's Box that was on a rock. He approached but paused, looking up. "Oh great, they came..."
"They?" Cody repeated and looked up as did the others. They saw four clouds of red entering the sky. They felt their skins crawl in realization.
More Blood Tribesmen.
"Evol.. so this is where you went to. Some weird, backwater planet…" Another serpent like Blood Tribesmen scoffed.
"It's my meal so back off!"
"Brother..." the spider looking Tribesmen sighed, only to slam his fist into the stomach of Evol, causing the alien to drop to his knees.
"D-Did that thing…" Yang gawked and paled.
"He's stronger than Evol…" Lily grimaced.
"Uh… does that mean Cody has an uncle too?" Ruby noted.
"When we took that pact and devoured our home planet… We agreed to eat the others that interest us all.. Not just singling out one because of boredom or personal attachment."
Now that had their attention. They killed their own homeworld?! Ate their own people!?
"Well, I'm done! I'm done with being in your shadows! I will do as I please, 'brother'!" Evol glared attempting to charge up an attack fueled by his black hole.
Vernage painfully looked at the box.
"With the world doomed… how could she let it be devoured? With all she lost dear, she decided what was best… for all of mankind."
The young queen extended her hand and casted magic around the box. She slowly stood up in pain but bravely stood.
"No one… is taking my home…!" She yelled defiantly.
"And with a glow of her magical might, she did something not even Evol could expect…"
Evol grunted in disbelief, noticing light had pierced him and his kin. No, it was digging into his very soul. "What… did you do…?!"
"Making sure you don't forget who you messed with. For deceiving me. For making my kingdom go into war." Tears swelled in her eyes. "For killing Arthur."
She clasped her hands together and kneeled.
"By my life…" Upon the start of the chant, a large magic circle manifested beneath them. "Thine Soul of the good and evil. Entwine our lives so that none shall awaken our souls from the prison that binds them. For it is our own good to ensure all who is sealed is to never see the light of day. O' land around me, O' air that I breathe, bind my soul under endless rebirth should the blood of the snake and its kind free themselves from the box! Free my own soul when the day of acceptance has come!" She spread her arms as wings. "For we are one! For we are the glory to humanity!"
"From there, the Pandora's Box, the pinnacle of the Blood Tribe's technology…. Obeyed to a mere human. It's power going beyond what was expected from them… but at such a great cost as well."
One by one, the aliens were yanked into the box. The spider clawed the dirt in fear before being absorbed. The older brother barely had time to react as he was next to being absorbed by the box. To the group it looked like something from a movie upon the way they were dragged. Evol tried to resist but couldn't. He was now floating and being spun around.
The screams of the Blood Tribesmen echoed, Evol flailing his claws as the vortex was inhaling him. His eyes saw the girl. "You little bitch! This isn't over! I will be free! I WIIIIILLLLLL!" Evol screamed as he was sucked into the box. Alas Vernage closed her eyes as tears fell. "I'm sorry… father… mother… Arthur… I won't join you until that day comes…" The light coiled her and whipped her form straight into the box, the spell erupting in a geyser of light. The result caused the panels to burst out, each piece flying across the globe whereas the tiny black box bounced before falling into the chasm of water.
"Thus she had sealed the eaters who hailed from the stars beyond…. Only for a short time."
The group witnessed the scene moving frame by frame. As if it was showing the passage of time has been changing the terrain.
"After 150 years… the tiny cursed box had been found once more."
The said piece of Pandora was suddenly unearthed by a medieval individual. The person attempted to pry it open… yet instead of treasure it was greeted by nothing but a red liquid… one that took over the individual.
"Evol was the first to be released…." Weiss grimaced.
"Even though, the greatest evil was unleashed once more… the spark of hope also was freed from it… And thus began the paradox of Vernage's life…. One of rebirth and death."
The speck of a soul wandered across the sea of souls which amazed the group.
"Sensing the awakening, she knew the serpent was unsealed. Thus her mission had been reignited."
Smoke and light blinded them and they saw a couple with a newborn baby with moonlight white hair.
"And her first rebirth."
"For the flowers to bloom just as our daughter was born… this must be a blessing by the Brothers." The woman smiled tiredly.
"Our beautiful daughter… Vernage…" The father said, somehow giving the girl the same name as the young maiden from long ago.
"At one point in that life, she had met two souls who would later cause the change to the world."
"Ozma and Salem…" Qrow uttered, seeing the appearances of the two. So that is who they once were…
Vernage was no longer a young infant or teenager like they had seen before. She became what was best described as a goddess in given form. Her flowing moonlight hair, her porcelain skin, emerald eyes that nearly glimmered in the daytime. She had her precious large katana hover over her back.
"Will you not join us in the adventure, Vernage?" Ozma asked.
"I'm afraid I can't… I know it is not an answer you want to hear but I have to part ways from here." Vernage apologized. While she had enjoyed such short time with the two, she can't let it hinder her goal… nor have her history repeat again like on that dreadful night that haunts her in her sleep.
"But… you don't need to do this…" Salem said, grasping Vernage's hands with worry. "You can just come with us…"
Vernage smiled slightly but slipped her hands away. "My journey never ends… but if one day, I would like to have such an adventure with friends."
"Be careful out there, Vernage."
"Of course and I wish you two the best." Her voice nearly broke, recalling the younger years of her previous life.
"With her growth, she knew her emotions for her beloved Arthur was love. An emotion that had no choice but to bury deep within her heart." Jinn stated to the group.
"Vernage…" Blake muttered with sadness.
The woman never knew she loved Arthur until centuries later upon becoming an adult. And with it, it hurt Vernage's heart which somberly forced her to bury it to keep it at bay.
"I must be off… there is a serpent I must hunt." The Saint bowed. "For there is glory to humanity."
She walked just as blue smoke blew away the scene, revealing Vernage who was in the midst of fighting Evol.
"Yare, yare, you really don't quit do you, Vernage?"
"I won't rest until your existence is erased from the land, Evol!" Vernage snarled. "No matter what, I will live until you are gone! NO MATTER WHAT!"
"Oh crap." Evol grunted upon the powerful blast of magic. 'This brat really got stronger than ever… she really wasn't joking one bit. She- Ah shit.'
With a battle cry, Vernage beheaded the possessed human without remorse. Her large katana was stained in red as is her dark clothes by the red ichor. The body of Evol collapsed. "Cut the head off a snake… they die…" She murmured to herself. She clutched her sword somberly, "Arthur… you are never forgotten… ever…"
"She never forgot the people she watched die…" Qrow felt some relation to the woman. Watching the deaths of her kingsguard and Arthur was scarred deep into her memories.
"With victory… it would have been so…"
Vernage drank her water from the mug, setting it down gently and elegantly ate her meal in the tavern. Her emerald eyes stared at the plate. "How many more years until I pass on… would I die of illness like father? Die old?"
She continued to eat until a tap to her shoulder disrupted her eating. Turning slightly, she saw a young woman slightly younger than her wearing clothes of a commoner.
"May I help you-?" The woman tensed upon a foreign sensation dug into her chest. Her eyes slowly looked down and saw a knife.
"For Lord Evol…" the young girl sneered.
The woman staggered, gripping the knife that was embedded in her heart. Her eyes were full of horror and disbelief.
"It was there she realized the horrifying reality. Evol still lived… and had followers who revered him."
They watched as Vernage's life ebbed away, collapsing against the table of the tavern as knights began to arrest the girl for the murder of the woman. "Thus was her second death upon her second life."
"Good lord…" Weiss grimaced at the sight.
"Despite her success, it had also met failure. To live." They saw Vernage reborn as a baby again. "To die." They saw a sword stab her by a follower of Faust.
"To live."
Again they saw her reborn as a baby.
"To die."
Her death this time was falling off the cliff upon losing to Evol. "To live. To die. A never ending cycle of suffering."
Various times they witnessed Vernage reborn and die in so many ways. She had died despite her success and failures in her war against the snake. Her self-inflicted curse ensured her mission she vowed never finished until she killed the snake for everything he tainted. For everything he ruined.
For killing her closest friend who had loved her.
A path appeared before them that showed the number of bodies that were Vernage. Most of them showed she died as an adult. A few times… she died as a teenager. Frighteningly, a very small number of bodies showed Vernage died as a child.
"I'm surprised she could keep hold of herself every time she's revived." Qrow noted.
Ruby quivered upon seeing it all.
"At one point… the darkness in the hearts of humanity had hurt her own heart."
Vernage slowly twisted her grip of her weapon, tears leaving her eyes. Just as she thrust the blade into herself, smoke brushed it away to change the scene.
"That she took her own to erase her gaze from it all."
This caused them all to gasp in shock and terror. That Vernage truly went down that path, one that they knew well nobody could return… or regret.
"Her ideals clung onto her because of her beloved Arthur as she eventually reborn and grew once more. This time, discovering dark secrets."
Vernage as an adult again slid across the dirt, fearlessly cutting a Grimm before seeing a large Nevermore in the sky. She stepped forward but gasped and avoided the old school muskets.
"Those weapons… they look like it was just before the Great War!" Ruby being the weapons aficionado recognized.
The Saint clicked her tongue to see the human who hadn't been attacked by the Grimm. No, they were assisting the male.
"Just give it up, Maiden of the Season. Your magic is needed."
"They mistook her as one of the Four…" Ozma noticed.
"I am no Maiden of the Season!" Vernage hissed and casted a blast of earth and fire at the man. While it was avoided, the Nevermore swooped down for the kill. The Saint held her blade, her eyes focus on the bird. She took a leap, her blade coated in fire and wind before striking it horizontally, cleaving the Grimm with frightening ease.
Though with her back turned, the male assailant rushed towards her, blade in hand as he attempted to strike down the Saint. Of course, she could feel his malice as she dodged the swipe before kneeing him hard, making the assailant drop to his knees.
Her Virtuous Steel touched the nape of the attacker's neck, glaring down at him. "Who sent you after me? Was it that bastard Evol?"
"Evol? Who the heck is Evol?"
"Don't-!" She paused. There was no deceit or lies in his voice. He was speaking the truth. "If not him then who?"
"I don't… work for some annoyance named 'Evol'..."
"If you don't work for Evol, who do you work for?" Vernage hissed.
"I work for… Salem…"
Hearing the familiar name, Vernage's eyes widened.
"Salem…" To hear of her name again for millenia. She hasn't seen her after her second rebirth.
With that hesitation, the assailant freed his hand to grab his weapon, yet he couldn't attack in time before his head rolled on the ground by the blade of Vernage.
"Salem… why?" She uttered breathlessly.
XXX
"Within the Brother of Darkness's domain, Vernage had reached where Salem was now at. But the moment she did, the saint could tell a lot had changed…. And not for the better. Salem on the other hand realized who she sent her men towards."
"Vernage…. You live." Salem noted yet wasn't fully unfazed by knowing an old friend had remained after all of this time.
"What… have you done to yourself?" Vernage looked around then at her. "Your… Your heart is choking with evil and darkness."
"I have done nothing… blame the Brothers for this… They are the reason for everything." Salem said before extending her hand, "And you can help me with this task, Vernage… Take revenge on those two false gods for ruining our lives…"
"What…?"
"You once said you lost faith in the brothers. You still lived without being cursed by them. If that is true… we can change the world together. You won't have to be alone."
Vernage stared at the hand that was Salem's. The Saint did what she did for who she is. She shoved Salem's hand away, her emerald eyes glaring.
"No… Salem, I won't be part of this revenge you're desiring…"
"Oh? And why not? Aren't you, yourself in a journey for revenge?"
"Revenge and saving are two different things, Salem." The snow-haired woman hissed. "I will not tarnish everything I stood for."
"Pity… Then at least you can know that this isn't personal…" Salem said as she stood up, hand out as magic began to pour around her hand…. She was attacking the very same person who helped her in the past.
"Don't make me do this, Salem." The saint gripped her katana.
"Please… as if anything can truly put me down…." Salem revealed.
"Let's attest to how long your limbs can regrow as I mince you." Vernage's body was shrouded in magic before the two lunged at each other.
"She succeeded in defeating Salem once… but the regret she had was having to fight the person she called a friend."
Smoke blew it all away, revealing Vernage's next life. She looked to be a teenager and enrolled in the academy.
"This is Haven…" Yang recognized.
"Wonder why she wanted to enroll here?" Blake pondered.
It briefly changed into the headmaster office as Vernage was presented with a paper.
"You have been excelling in every field out there, Miss Blanc." The late headmaster praised. "Many have been saying you have become the symbol of a Huntress."
"Thank you sir, I am only doing my best." Vernage bowed her head with respect.
"But I have been hearing you have been preferring lone work and not with your team, Team BLNC."
Ruby gaped, pressing her hands against her cheeks. She remembered seeing a picture of a team in the hall at Beacon that displayed Teams from other schools!
"Vernage was Blanc of Team BLNC?!"
Vernage's eyes dimmed slightly. "It's better that way…"
"My dear… I know while some huntsmen and huntresses go off on their own after they graduate. But when you're in such schools, you must work with your team. Otherwise you'll only be holding everyone back." The late headmaster frowned softly, "Please consider this well… You are only as good as your team."
"… yeah sure…"
"Her inner fear of her loss in the past, it had made her push away so many people."
'Blanc' held her books against herself as she walked past students.
"I heard Blanc passed the combat exam with flying colors again," A female student whispered.
"Most of the guys tried to confess to her but she flat out rejected them."
"She sure has a cold shoulder on them, especially to blondes."
"Wow gossipers much?" Yang deadpanned.
"She must feel so alone…" Weiss frowned, feeling sad for the young Vernage's life.
"Because her heart was still with Arthur." Everyone looked at Cody. "She… never really let go of him even after she died so many times." To realize her bond with him was love after he died by Evol's hand. To realize it and never be able to tell him.
Vernage closed the door of her team but tensed when she saw her teammate Lapiz was about to move the large black sword from the corner. Suddenly she grabbed the fellow second year, shoving him to the wall. "Hey what the hell Blanc?! I was just-!"
"Don't you ever touch that sword! Do not touch anything of mine, EVER!" She snapped.
"Isn't that…?" Weiss gasped.
"The Lionheart was found after centuries of burial. It was in this life she had taken it back before enrolling in Haven Academy."
"Her last memory of him…" Blake said softly with a frown of sadness.
"But she's pushing too many people away… she's becoming too bitter." Yang pointed out.
"Fighting Evol, her constant revivals, the change of Salem, betrayal, and seeing the dark hearts of humanity had placed her mind into a state of depression and anxiety regardless of her vow to help people in need." The scene shifted to Vernage as she cried in her sleep within her home. "Despite being the strongest magician in Remnant, she is still only human."
Blake and the others could only watch with remorse and sadness for the young maiden throughout this visional journey. She had fought long and in such a difficult task, all alone within these rebirths. It was incomprehensible to even think of.
To Ozma, he began to realize unlike Salem, Vernage had slowly broken down but her heart for Arthur kept her going. Her ideals she inherited from him helped her stand on her two feet, no matter how weak the feeling of her body became. Collapse, she will stand up. Limp, she will still keep moving. Crippled, she would crawl with her own two hands to continue her battle against Evol. He began to realize the dark aspects and consequences of a prolonged life. The toll it brings.
"How old did she become from everything…" Ozma murmured to himself within Oscar.
"After a decade, her journey eventually led to a fateful encounter in Mistral."
The scene showed Vernage wearing a golden metal bracelet hugging her wrist. Her garbs were fully and completely black that was almost gothic in design but the way she walked and moved with grace spoke otherwise. Her right shoulder and arm was covered in silver armor whereas a black cloak rested over the left shoulder, embroidered with silver markings. Her long thigh-high boots hugged her agile legs while the skirt was long in the back and somewhat short in the front. The torso was shrouded in black too but left a small portion of her skin exposed.
She had Virtuous Steel hovering over her back while two swords were sheathed on her hips.
Qrow whistled, earning an elbow from Yang.
Cody wondered what part of history this was before he gasped when he spotted a familiar figure.
"Lily… that's you…"
By the trash bin was young Lily, who was rummaging through it for food. Now that everyone saw, Lily was once a malnourished little girl, her wild blue hair having dirt, grime, and splinters of wood. Her rags were torn on her shoulders and knees. The loud growl from her stomach showed she had not eaten anything to call food.
"Food…" The young Lily grumbled. Seeing the half eaten bread, she whimpered to the mold on it. She held her stomach to the growl of protest. She tossed it aside and rummaged through and found no other food. In the midst of it, it made her and the can fall.
Young Lily's eyes watered with tears. "I want food…" She'd have to steal once again. Hopefully she will be faster than the last time. Peeking she saw the woman in black.
"This price isn't what is was before."
"W-Well you see Miss Blanc, the supply-"
"Supplies I brought for this area of Mistral." Vernage hissed. "Do not fool me into trickery, Saph. Either I purchase the meal with its previous or I will report this."
The food seller flinched, knowing that they have been caught and by none other than the legendary Saint of Haven. "O-Of course… 25 Lien."
Vernage handed the man the lien and was handed the bagged meal. She bowed, "You have my thanks but do remember my words." She turned and walked away.
"Wow… she drove him into a corner." Yang whistled in respect.
They looked at young Lily who stared, clutching her growling stomach. She shut her eyes before rushing towards her. The street girl bumped into Vernage but stole the bag in the midst of it.
"Vernage had spotted the girl the second her meal was stolen by the girl of the slums." Jinn revealed. "It was there she had seem a glimmer of Arthur in her."
The street orphan peeked and saw the steak sandwich. Her mouth waters and her lilac eyes glimmering in hunger.
"I knew I was right." Little Lily tensed and slowly turned around to notice the silver-haired woman staring down at her. Lily's fight or flight responses hit, as she attempted to run, but the lady stopped her.
"Hey, hey! It's okay. I'm not here to hurt you." The woman whispered, kneeling down to her level. "That isn't who I am."
"A-Am I… in trouble?"
The woman tapped her chin and tilted her head. "Hmm…. And what was it that made you think that?"
"I-I…" Lily raised the sandwich. "I'm sorry… I'm just… I just want to eat delicious food."
The woman stared before shaking her head, pushing the bagged sandwich back to her. The street child looked at her in disbelief; the silver-haired lady was allowing her to have it.
"Go ahead and take it, little one. It'll do more good for you, than it does me." She gently pushed herself up to stand.
"Y-You… you mean it?" Young Lily looked at the woman, shocked from her kindness. All the adults would drag her after taking from them. They would always yell at her, calling her thief. Rat. The little bot due to her Semblance she awakened so early.
The pure silver-haired Huntress rested a hand close to her chest. "You have my word."
"Seeing the little girl, it reminded her of her beloved Arthur… a boy with potential found in the slums. Just as is the little flower - a girl with potential found in the slums thus rekindled the light in her and fate was born for them both."
The scene changed to Vernage reading to Lily at a bench. "Taught her what others don't." It changed to young Lily sleeping in a sleeping bag beside Vernage. "Looked after her like a mother for her child."
"Vernage…" Lily muttered, remembering those days well as she clenched her fist, only to feel someone gently take it, as she looked to see Blake there beside her with a friendly smile, making the young saint relax.
The saint brushed Lily's cleansed hair, humming a melody to allow the girl to sleep. Staring at the child, Vernage leaned to the girl. "Arthur would have adored you as our adopted daughter…" Vernage whispered tearfully to the slumbering girl.
"Aww…" Yang and Weiss cooed with delight from hearing such a kind gesture, only making Lily blush in embarrassment.
The next scene shifted to Lily peeking into a telescope Vernage made, seeing the stars much closer which amazed her.
"So pretty…" little Lily was amazed.
"They say the stars are suns - lights - for the worlds beyond." Vernage stated wisely to the young Lily.
"Worlds… beyond? I thought Remnant was the only one?"
"Just because you believe it so, doesn't mean it is true. There are two possibilities: either we are alone in the vast cosmos of the universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying but it is also the truth." Meeting Evol all those centuries ago had made her open her eyes to the possibilities outside the aspects of magic and the Brothers. It was why she had taught herself more spells that were beyond the ones anyone from the past anew.
Using the fundamentals of life, of all else including the very cosmos itself, her magic made her become the strongest human alive. It was how she beat Salem in a fight. That witch who was once her friend never dwelled on the possibility of her magic expanding further outward.
"O-Oh… it is scary…"
Vernage glanced at the downcasted girl then at the stars. "Do you want to hear another story?" This earned young Lily's attention. "The tale is about a boy. A boy who you remind me of."
"I… remind you of someone from a story?" Young Lily asked.
Lily's eyes watered as she began to repeat the words Vernage said to her younger self, "He was from the slums like you… but was scared of those around him. Until one day he met a princess. He became the best swordsman. The youngest ever to become her bodyguard." Lily repeated what Vernage was saying. "Brave for someone young, a heart of a lion. Never give up… never left the princess' side to protect her. Maybe someday… you might become like him.
"And you?"
Vernage blinked, glancing at the orphan. She smiled and affectionately ruffled young Lily's hair. "That too… my little flower."
More smoke shrouded the scene before it changed into the silver-haired woman in black in the midst of fighting a familiar armored figure in red. Her emerald eyes are full of unwavering determination and fury against the snake, Evol.
The young Lily was hiding behind a garbage can and secretly watched the maiden release indescribable power that didn't look like a Semblance. Like it was from a fairy tale.
"Still as annoying as ever, Vernage… How many more times will I have to kill you until you finally stay dead?"
"Not until you are gone from this planet for everything you destroyed! For everything you poisoned!" She raised her two blades but the twin weapons shattered upon Blood Stark's kick.
Vernage skidded but not before she reached to her back and procured the large katana-like weapon. The hilt gleamed in yellow before she dashed forward, striking him with her beloved blade.
The snake crashed into the stalls before Vernage unleashed a blast of lightning. Smoke and fire erupted and she waited. Suddenly a sharp sensation sliced through her arm, causing her to gasp in pain, stumbling.
"As the phrasing always goes… 'Never back up a snake in a corner.'." Evol snickered as a tendril raced back into the alien's body. He struck her with his alien poison… again.
The maiden staggered but the young Lily frantically got in between, spreading her thin arms in an attempt to protect the older woman. The lifeform cocked an eyebrow.
"Leave her alone!" Evol chuckled from the little human's attempt to protect her.
"Well, look at this, Vernage! A pet… how endearing… you normally would be alone and never be attached because of your devoted mission."
"She… has nothing… to do with this…" Vernage cringed in pain.
"Tomato, tomató." Evol heard a clink and looked down to see a ball. Plucking it, he pointed at it while looking at the girl. "What the heck is this supposed to be?"
The tiny orb hissed before it released a tar-like substance on his face. The lifeform grabbed but it was sticky that it glued his hands to his face. He tugged and tugged until he slipped from the fruits.
Vernage grunted and picked Lily up after sheathing her treasured weapon, running.
The maiden ran and ran, feeling Lily clutching onto her. Her brain was becoming numb by the ongoing loss of blood, her Aura trying to repair the missing limb as her magic worked on the poison working in her system.
"Come on! I know a place we can hide!" Lily said to the maiden, pointing to a direction.
The reincarnate grunted again and moved. Her steps slowed down before falling to her knees and releasing Lily. The young street orphan pulled Vernage but couldn't. "Y-You have to get up! Please!"
"Go Lily… just run…"
"No! Not without—" Vernage's eyes widened in horror when a sharp lance pierced the young girl. Lily slowly collapsed and dropped dead right before her eyes.
"Now that wasn't a nice thing to do, brat…" Evol hissed, and walk towards the two girls.
Vernage grabbed her blade but she wasn't fast enough to feel the lance pierce her too. It was yanked from her torso before Vernage fell beside Lily. Her emerald eyes began to lose their radiance but her eyes couldn't move away from the sight of the child. Such a young girl who had to live in the streets until she became happy. A girl who reminded her of Arthur.
'I won't… make history repeat…'
With the remaining strength left in her, Vernage shakingly pressed her forehead against the child's own. 'I give my life unto thee…' she whispered. 'For my soul bindeth thee...'
Her eyes gleamed before a small glowing orb left Vernage's body and slowly hovered into Lily. The gaping wound began to meld together, bone and flesh stitching together as the destroyed organs regrew within. With it, Vernage's body became limp, her glorious moonlight white hair becoming brown.
"Thus… Vernage had used her own soul to save the little girl who reminded her of her beloved Arthur, slumbering from her time fighting. To lock herself away from the suffering and loss until she awaits the time to wake up."
Everything turned bright until they found themselves back in reality.
Ruby fell to her knees and cried, trying to stop the tears from falling but couldn't. Witnessing the bodies of Vernage's countless lives was painful for her heart. To die as a child, as a teenager, as an adult. The suffering of the saint.
The little girl was only 13 and lost her innocence of the world by the hands of Evol. For Ruby to see such death… to watch all the evil of the world and its colors that Vernage had seen. The saint committed suicide at one point in her life because she had seen the too much darkness in the hearts of humans and Faunus.
"Lily…" Blake looked to the said new saint, gripping her hand around hers in a tight, yet caring hold.
"Now… does that knowledge suffice you?" Jinn questioned the young saint, showing that she indeed had near infinite knowledge to give out.
"…" Lily lowered her head. It was silence before she rushed away.
"Lily, wait!" Cody called out to her.
"Let her be."
"O-Ozma, but-!"
"She needs to have her mind straight. Yes Lily has remembered how it was for her but remember she has Vernage's soul infused with her. The strong possibility that Vernage knew also included memories of those days."
"Plus, given what we all just saw? I think we all deserve a small break. We'll gather what we can and relax for a bit before taking back on the road." Qrow suggested, "Though you're going to have to make a fire for us, kid."
"I am no pack mule…" Cody crossed his arms.
"Who here is strong enough to carry large bags?"
"Ugh… You owe me for this one, ya ol' fart." Cody grumbled as he marched off to grab wood and start a fire for everyone to stay warm in.
"I AIN'T OLD, BLONDIE!"
XXX
Ruby stared in discomfort at the fire, her silver eyes dim and tired. She wasn't sure what to think after recent events. The world can be a dark cruel place… that even a girl who was once younger than her had seen it all. The blood. The bodies. The various experiences of death. Vernage, an innocent princess… becoming a hardened saint of a warrior.
It was because of Arthur's death, she became who she was. Vernage was no hero, she was a saint for her people because the gods didn't do anything to stop Evol. She erased faith in gods and placed it into humanity. People revered her as their source of faith. All she wanted was to ensure Arthur's ideals remained with her to the end of time…
But look what it did to her. She got knocked down so many times in life, young and as an adult, and crawled out to live for Arthur. For the people.
Ruby tightened her hold on herself.
Seeing Vernage die as a little girl several times in her time of rebirth… the toll on the mind.
How can she call herself a hero like in the stories if Vernage had no good ending. No happy ending. She suffered endless tragedy over and over. She lost her mother just as she was born. Lost her father to sickness. Lost Arthur and so many knights who vowed to protect her to Evol. She watched Lily impaled.
Just how could Vernage or even Lily continue onward after all of that? Ruby just… didn't understand how they were able to be so strong after all of that? What would her mom even do? Would she… give up?
Vernage had once given up… and killed herself but that was because she saw the darkness in the hearts of people. Saw their greed, selfishness, everything that was bad.
"Everything okay?" She glanced to notice her uncle who sat down next to her.
"… If okay is the right word…"
"Squirt, what you saw from the tale-"
"Is bitter facts… about our eras… about how bad it was for us back then… about people dying… about Vernage's endless suffering."
"Yes, that is true. But you shouldn't let it drag you down either…. You've also seen all of the good she and we have done. Shouldn't that be enough? Isn't being a Huntress what you wanted?"
"It is!" Ruby snapped for a bit only to flinch as she lowered her head, "Of course it is… But… I didn't know it'd be like this… I thought we would just have good adventures, some troubles and always helping out. But now? I… I don't know what it is anymore… I am a team leader, trying to fix things right but how can I call myself such? To be pressed for answers to a solution! To make it all better?!"
"Ruby…"
She gripped her hair. "I am not like mom! I'm not like her at all!" She wanted to yell her frustration at the burst of emotions in her.
"You're right… you're not." Cody spoke up as he walked over to her. "You're not meant to be like them… You're meant to be yourself, Ruby. So why get upset over that you're not like them?"
"I-I… I just…"
"You were inspired by them. No?" Cody questioned her as the young huntress nodded, "Then that's good. Be inspired by those you look up to. But don't imitate them. You must be your own hero for others to see, not just a copy of what you wanted. Otherwise you're not being true to yourself… Don't be someone you are trying to be."
"Then what about Lily?!" Cody flinched. "She calls herself Vernage when she isn't! How is that any different?!"
"That is a title now. Those can be given towards others, Ruby." Qrow spoke up, "She may not be the original one, but she was granted and gifted the title by her alone…. Don't just assume she's taking that identity to replace her own…" The uncle said, showing some dissatisfaction from Ruby speaking ill from the Saint. "They both have been through too much hell so at least give them some respect and – shit."
Ruby opened her mouth in confusion to her uncle's swear but tensed to the dreadful feeling in her spine. Shakingly she turned around to notice Lily who was glaring at Ruby.
"Don't you dare… don't you ever talk like that about her." She hissed. "Do you have any idea what mother had done?! For humanity knows how many years than Ozma here?!"
"I-I-"
"I told you when I was with Faust, you had to grow up to the reality of the world! You think I took the name to be her?! I am Vernage but I am not Vernage as my mother was who fought and was tormented! She lost everything she loved because the world was cruel to her! She took it back bit by bit but still lost it all!"
"I-I'm sorry I-"
"What can you even do with those eyes unlike the others?! If you keep up with that childish charade you will tarnish every silver eye who performed their valuance, especially my mother's beloved Arthur!"
"I.. I just didn't expect the world-"
"Just who are you to call yourself a huntress if you have that mindset?!"
"I DON'T EVEN KNOW ANYMORE!" Ruby snapped, her bangs covering her eyes, "I… don't know anything about me anymore… After seeing what we all saw of Vernage's life? I don't know what's even right anymore… I don't even know what to do anymore… If its just going to be like this? What's even the point?" she looked slightly but her silver eyes harbored tears.. the very eyes that were dim with a noticeable glare and a sad frown curling her young complexion. "…Is that what you want me to say?"
"… Tch." Lily-Vernage clicked her tongue and kept her distance from them. She sat beneath a tree before smashing her fist against the bark, creating a metal dome around her.
Ruby on the other hand, dropped to her knees, tears running down her face from the confusion and stress. The anger. Cody soon walked over before sitting down next to the young huntress and did something surprising… He hugged her.
"It'll be okay…" He said, attempting to comfort Ruby from all this distress and woes. He knew better than anyone about the confusing tasks ahead and the uncertainty of it all. But thanks to Yang and the others, he found his purpose and now he wants to help return it back to those who may need it.
Ruby sniffled at first before she buried her head against his chest. Her body trembled upon her muffled yet silent cries.
Cody could only sit there and comfort the young huntress, stroking her hair gently. Though from across them, Yang watched with a soft smile on her face, knowing that she didn't need to intervene to help her sister. Seems her boyfriend already took that step to help Ruby out in need. She just hoped it would work out this time.
Within the dome, Lily's fingers traced the snow, her eyes dry from tears. Digging into the snow, she bashed her fist against it. And again. Again. And again before stopping. "Find it… find mother's treasured memento…" She didn't want her mother's name to go away anymore. If that is the case… she wants to ensure both swords are together. Like a mother and father watching her in her journey she took in her mother's place.
"Find the Lionheart." The dome rippled and released a few small orbs, all jittering away with haste. "I won't let her be alone again…"
XXX
A/N: Well ain't this a change! Since everyone knew practically about Salem and Ozma thanks to Vernage. We had to change the wish cause it being used had to have happened. Thus we now got the full backstory to Vernage and what she stood for.
But as you all can see, its also making our Lily a bit tunnel visioned to find the Lionheart at all costs. Wonder what this'll turn into once we reach that house of horrors?
Until then, later minna!
