In the last chapter we saw the lancer knight attacking the camp but it seems this so called grimm hybrid has a history with raven. Find out now since this will be the last belongs to Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum. I own the OC's, AU. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 23 teal:departure
Everyone stood in silence in the camp as they stared at lazuli and the lancer knight. While raven looked at her confused along with some of the others. The lancer knight just kept shaking kneeling down queitly muttering to herself. The tribe member weres slowly advancing on her along with the others.
"Okay lets finish this off then we can reuild our camp"verona said pointing her rifle at her.
"That we can agree upon"Adam added brandishing his blade at the ready. As the group slowly approached the women. But lazuli then blocked the women infront of them to their confusion. All except for a few of them.
"Wait hold on don't kill her…let her talk"lazuli stated as they looked at her confused
"What are you talking about we have one of these grimm knights here. We need to eliminate it"pyke stated pointing at her with his one arm.
"He's right but…why…why did she hesiitated to attack you?"charile asked his wife from afar as she looked conufsed and shook her head.
"I..i don't know..but…but why are you protecting it?"mai asked lazuli as quickyl weiss and eria stepped infront the lancer to their confusion. Though dravan seemed to piece something togehter as he watched the sight infront of him.
"Back off right now and let her speak she isn't being control by the grimm anymore"weiss ordered to their confusion.
"What are you talking about? You talking nonsense kid that thing isn't human or faunus"a tribewomen argued.
"Yeah lets just kill it before it starts going on a killi–"a tribemmebr begun but lazuli stopped them saying something.
"Oh so you'll just kill one of your own like its nothing!"she shouted which made them all stop in place puzzled why she said that. While raven looked at the women who called out to her piecing it togheter. That maybe this person was someone she thought was dead.
"Your talking nonsense look let just–"verona begun but not before soemthing happened. The lancer knight shot up as she cluthced her head in pain. They looked at her wondering what was ahppening but soon she started to coughing repeatly. She then reached for her helmet throwing it off to the side as it rolled on the ground for a bit.
Then she reeled back as she expelled large amount of black tar like vomit onto the ground. As she expelled it they all looked disgusted by it as it formed a small pool.
"Ughh thats disguting i'm gonna be sick"falk said gagging as he vomited from the sight coughing as pyke patted him on the back.
"Don't look kids let get you to safety"haru said as she was guidning some of the kids away. While chairle made iris and dan hide down below. Dravan palced luna with him as he watched the sight.
"What..is that stuff….ughh it looks like tar"Weiss said disgusted jumping away from the puddle.
"I don't know but maybe shes in control"Eria codly said
"What are you talking about by in control?"mai questioned confused looking at the women.
"Rae what your orders?"verona asked her leader and friend
But raven looked at the grimm hybrid who hair was bright blonde. The women just shook in place for a bit before letting out a small sob. Then after a bit mancially laughter it seems but from joy.
"Its…its quiet…that…that dam parasite isn't talking anymore…it stopped talking"the lancer knight said looking up at them.
But this made most of the branwhen tribe stop dead in their tracks right now at who they were seeing. Along with raven who for the first time went wide eyed right now. Their was also mai who just had small tears welling up. Infront of them was a women with bluish green eyes and a sadden expression also known as…melissa bina.
"Wait a minute…mom?"mai asked shocked.
"What the hell she died eight years ago?"a tribe warrior questioned
"Yeah what the hell i thought these knights were their queens servant?"Another asked as they began to murmur at this
Lazuli guessed right that this women was mai mom because of how she phrased something early. How she'll take someone she cares about which meant her daughter maybe. The women death was faked eight years ago like her cousins.
"Melissa but..but she died eight year ago on a mission. Rae we found her weapon…she was dead someone confirmed it"verona said shocked seeing a dead women in front of her.
"They did but is..is it really you meli?"raven asked slwoly stepping toward melissa who was crying her eyes out. The women had a look of regret over her face along with several other feeling maybe being guilty, shame and many more.
She choked a sob back"rae…its..its me…i'm sorry…i'm so sorry"melissa cried repeating it over and over again.
Eria looked at the sight wondering if this was what was going to happen to zane. But she was surprised to find someone else now in control of their bodie from that parasite. Maybe she knows about how to stop them.
"Umm miss are you in control now?"eria asked sofly as melisa ignored her as she kept crying her out hugging herself with her one arm. It was pathetic seeing a grown women act like this.
Mai stepped forward"mom..what…what happened to you? How are you alive i thought you died?"mai asked smiling wanting to hug her.
But melissa quickly shuffled away in fear shaking her head"stay away…i don't wanna hurt you..please"she begged as mai looked at her shock. The tribemmbers began lowering their weapons surprsied seeing their friend here.
"What are you talking about? Why the hell did you attack your own tribe"verona demanded
"Auntie she didn't have control of her actions, she wasn't in control of her bodie"eria said to her which confused her.
"Look that doens't matter we need to eliminate her before she calls the other knight here"adam said stepping foward but someone put an arm up. Raven glared at the faunus who stood their silently as he backed off.
Then she looked at her old friend"meli what happened on that mission you where sent on eight year ago"raven asked softly
Melissa tear up sighing"i…my men and i went to the village to see if their were any surviors. Their wasn't except…two men..a scorpian faunus and…some guy with some deer mask. I heard them call him…conri"melissa replied
"Wait a minute that was one of the two that ollie was working with"adam replied as they stared at him.
"That could mean the bastard might have volunteer for those expeirments"lazuli added to their confusion.
"Experiments what are you talking about?'verona asked while melissa continued her story.
"They slaughters my men…i promised to bring them back. Their dead…those two…they…they brought me somewhere. They…they did things to people their no one should go through. They made me go through some surgery….their something inside me. It won't shut up…it never fucking shut up! It…it puppteered me like i was some suit"she added shaking with a hissing noise being heard as her back buldged slightly.
"Did anyone else hear hissing?"weiss asked
"And is..is her back moving? Is their something under their"dravan asked walking over with shock at the sight.
"Okay what the hell is going on right now?!"pyke asked very confused right now.
"Umm i think it came from her the grimm inside her might be very mad right now"lazuli said pointing at melissa who kept crying.
Raven looked at her childhood friend with sadness in her eyes at what she was seeing.
Melissa jsut hicked looking at the severed stinger"they…they put grimm bodie parts on me. i'm not even human…i'm a monster…the thing in my back..made me a murderer and monster. For remannt sakes..it..its made me feed a baby…to that lancer it rode"meliida added uncontrobble sobbing right now.
Weiss looked scared as she back up"that isn't right that isn't normal…who would do something like that?"She asked
"Meli…oh no"verona said as dravan wrapped an arm around her comforting her.
"Mom that wasn't you alright..maybe we can find you help. Then you could be normal again"mai siad with hope but was quickly dimished.
"Not that simple these vials only stun the grimm in her back. It requies a daily dose to put it under a deep slumber. But…that thing is her back couldn't be removed anyway. Its latched onto the spinel cord and brain stem. "Lazuli said
"Their not such thing like a grimm being able to do that"pyke questioned close by.
"Hes…he right how do you know all this?"verona questioned as lazuli looked down.
But before she spoke melissa grabbed her head as her eye buldged out"shut up…shut up you dam parasite!"she cried standing up.
"Shut the hell up you pathetic worm, i'm taking over and punsihing you for not following order"the grimm parasite also known as theta said in her head.
"Get out of my head…shut up…just shut up…please"melissa begged as she layed on her side crying. Lazuli just pulled the second syringe out as he placed it on melissa neck, then pressed the button injecting it.
The women desrved to say her goodbyes to her daughter as a human not that parasite contrlling her.
Melissa gasped then looked at her smiling"thank you…thank you"She cried
"Feathers what the hell that was the last one to stun them you waste…"falk begun as she looked at him with a somber look across her face.
Eria noitced this looking down"she wants to say her goodbye…let her stay under control like zane when he used them"eria saddly added as melissa raised an eyebrow.
"Your…your talking about that little kid…that bastard did it too"melisa asked to their shock.
"Your talking about my cousin?"lazuli asked as mai let the girl talk. She just gave her a chance to talk to her mom again.
"I did…seven of us didn't ask for this they locked us in a room together sometimes. Their was this little kid their…scared..kept asking for his family. But…me and guy named diego taupe along with another women watched out for him for a bit. Heard him and aarne are at peace now"melissad sadly replied but lazuli was happy to use the syringe on her.
"Umm thank you…for doing that…say your goodbyes to her before it takes control"lazuli said but melisa stopped her.
"Not yet…gotta tell rae something…you wanna hear this"melissa said as raven looked at her friend walking toward her waiting for her.
"What is it?"she asked wondering what she wanted to say.
Melissa sighed holding her missing arm"they…their after your niece…the one with the silver eyes. Apperenlty…her….and a bunch of others are traveling with qrow"she begun as this made some of them go wide eyed.
"Their after ruby..why are they after her?"weiss questioned as raven looked away. Falk and lazuli eyed each other because they knew why.
"I'll explain later but…why are they with qrow? Where are they heading?'Raven asked as melissa shook a little keeping her composer.
"I don't know that…scoprian faunus apperently came back injured. Some girl with blonde hair…took the bastard stinger off. Kept…bitching how the traditor known as mercury black was with her. Along with people from that…pyrrha girl team"she replied
Eria went wide eyed"wait my sister with them?!"she asked as dravan went wide eyed at that.
"Along with jaune team does that mean they left argus to recruit ruby and yang?"weiss asked as eria nodded at that.
Though dravan smirked"guess my other niece took something from the man who took my arm ha!"dravan declared as melissa continued to talk but struggled slightly.
She shook perfusoly as the paraite was trying to get control again but was struggling to do it.
"I think…i think their heading here…last i heard before i got sent here. But…"melissa begun looking at her daughter wanting to divluge more to help her long time friend. But raven just knelt down palcing a hand on her shoulder.
"Its okay…talk to your daughter then i'll do what needs to be done"raven reassured as melissa nodded gently appericaitng it.
Mai looked at her mother with sadness in her eyes as she wanted to say so much to her right now. But while she hesitated dan broke free from his father grip. Then he ran over as haru tried to stop him but to no avail. Before they knew it he was hugging his mother leg scared.
"Mommy"dan cried as mai looked at him then loked at her mother.
"You…you had another kid…what his name?"she asked smiling as mai just embraced the women crying into her shoulder. Melissa returned it with her one arm as mai placed a hand on her back feeling something move but just was happy to see her mom again.
"Its dan…iris…she just turned seven recently…he's four year old"mai cried as melissa placed her head on her daughter shoulder.
"Thats a beautfiul name…i'm sorry for not being around to see it"melissa replied
"Who are you whtie lady?"dan asked while his father and sister walked over. Charile was surrpsied to see the women here was his mother in law afterall.
Charile sighed heavily rubbing his eyes"your grandmother…but she'll be gone very soon"he sadly said as iris looked scared at the women. Her appernace was quite freighting.
"Its okay sweetie…its..its quiet now…i won't hurt you"meliisa said
Iris slwoly walked over hugging the women to her surprise. But meliisa just let it happen as mai sobbed not wanting to let go. Meliisa was happy to see her family again after so long. Then she looked at raven sword with a somber look.
Raven noticed this and without a word nodded sliently to verona. The bat faunus just covered her eyes regretting what she was going to say.
"Get…get them away from her right now…they can't see this"verona ordered with tears welling up as the tribe members took them away. Charile picked up dan guiding him away while iris was confused. Mai didn't wanna let her go not wanting to see her mother die again.
"Please…please their has to be a way to save her?"she begged but the tribemember began to pull her away but she didn't let go.
"Let go…please…sweeite please"meliisa soflty begged as she could feel it taking control.
"I can't lose you again…dad died…already…please not you too"mai replied choking a sob back as melissa went wide eyed. Her husband was gone but with a hearvy heart pushed her daughter away. They dragged her way as she cried her eyes out not wanting to lose her again.
Eria looked at this thinking that maybe this was happening with nadia right now along with her partner. Lazuli seemed to be thinking of the same thing wondering how hurt her aunt was right now. Though adam looked at the sight sadly as he looked at his katana blade in hand.
Raven stepped forward kneeling to her friend then placed her forehead against her.
"I'll…i'll help your daughter through the grief old friend"Raven sadly said keeping her stoic face as she stood up braidishing omen in hand.
Melissa choked a small sob"thank you..rae…i'm sorry…you have to do this"melissa said as raven sighed heavily. She brought her blade up taking a relaxed breath. Then in a quick instance and to their shock she stabbed the women in the chest. Melissa gasped a little but black blood drippled from her mouth. But she smiled before hugging raven one last time.
"Thank you…old friend…goodbye"melissa said closing her eyes as raven gently pushed her off. Once she did raven clenched her blade hilt tight as she fought the tear back. But verona walked over guiding her away as the women fell to her knees. Raven couldn't hold her stoic nature anymore as she dropped omen to the ground crying her eyes out.
"I'm sorry…i'm sorry meli…i hope you live better in your next life"raven said
Though as they sat their for a bit melissa bdoie slowly moved up a little. They all looked in shock as her bodie cracked a little while it contorted.
"She isn't dead…oh no"eria said as they all raised their weapons.
"Are you kidding me? Come on lady just lay down pretty sure alot of people here don't want to kill you"falk sadly added
Melissa bodie shot up as it slowly cracked"oh how pathetic..this stupid meatsack bitching and whining about her family. She serves my mistresses now…that being salem raven branwhen. The same women you ran into many years ago"she stated potining at raven but looked weak right now by that blow.
Raven went wide eyed at that name alongside haru who nervously back up. The tribe leader shviered even thinking about that witch. The one who took her leader ago and has plague remnant for years with the creature known as grimm.
"Stay back..or else..we'll..we'll kill you"weiss said nerovusly with her blade shaking at the thought.
"She right stay down…your done for…please"verona begged
"Leave her alone you pest…let her die as a human not a monster"eria said as melissa sniffed the air for a bit then grined at her sending shiver down her spine.
"You have omega scent on you..its faint but you knew of the traditor hmm he'll be happy to see you"she stated to their confusion what she meant by that.
"What are you talking about?"lazuli questioned pointing wisp at her shaking a little.
"You mean that one that started the fall big deal hes dead"pyke replied as falk elbowed him because that was his friend family. And his uncle quickly remebered that putting his hands up.
"He's…he's dead you killed him …you killed him"eria retorted as tundra shook in her hands but the parasite said something troubling.
Melissa giggle mancially"oh brother zeta and alpha are looking for his bodie. Their close soon he'll be with our mistress…following her orders."she corrected as lazuli and eria both went wide eyed that he may be alive but not himself.
Lazuli clenched her fist in anger shaking with a tear escaping"You son of bitch!"lazuli shouted wanting to rush forward but adam put an arm up telling her to stop.
"Out of my dam way you terroris–"he begun but adam stopped her.
"Shes trying to make you anger, if you let your rage consume you. It'll make you an easy kill"adam wsiely said as lazuli backed off growling.
Eria gave melissa an icy stare"you…your sick…just let her go…her family doesn't deserve to see her like this"eria said diverting the topic not wanting to believe that her leader might be alive now but not himself.
"Hmmm no i don't think so….but where is the spring maiden?"melissa asked grinning as haru flinched a little as she noticed that. The grimm hybrid smiled actually finding her objective.
Before anyone knew it she charged toward the girl quickly. They all tried to stop the girl but before they knew it a bright pink flame shot at her. It shot the women back as she landed on the ground rolling. They looked over too see something strange over one of harus eyes, a set of bright pink flaming eyes. The girl quickly shut them off as raven silently cursed picking up omen at the ready. She needed to make sure to stop her from taking haru. But she felt a pit in her stomach, because she couldn't bring herself to kill her long time freind.
"Your not taking her back to that witch"raven declared as melissa boide shot up as she laughed manically as her arm was out of socket. But she just jammed it back in with a crack like it was good as new.
"Oh you can't stop me…you can't kill my host"she eerily taunted as raven blade shook in her hands
"Look rae…i'll do it just stand back don't want you having to kill your long time friend. Owe you for saving my ass"Dravan volunteered to do the deed. But before raven could even answer adam rushed forward as he used moonslice. The faunus sliced through the women who stood their shock. Then he slowly stood up as melissa fell down face first dead.
As they sat their a screeching noise could be heard coming from her bodie. Then before they knew it she was enveloped in a thick black smoke. The group sat their for a bit before it clears and all that was left was a set of black bones. Raven just fell to her knees letting a couple tear escape. Verona rushed over to her friend holding her as she was upset at the sight. They managed to defeat another one of the knights but also a very good friend.
About an hour later everyone was still trying to figure out what extactly happned and what they saw. It was nightime right now. But all the tribemmebr were busy burying the dead they mai was in the tent looking at the black sleketon of her mother. They planned to do a proper bruial for her but they were wondering what they witness.
"Okay what the hell was that?"pyke questioned
"he 's right…my dead friend just comes back from the grave. Turned into one…of these things?"verona said gesturing to the skeleotn.
While dravan was shocked because of a name she mentioned early"along with that a very good friend of mine by the name of diego"he added as his neice wondered who that was.
Who is that? You never mnetioned him before"eria asked
"Uhh isn't he some sabertooth faunus huntsman or something that died a long time ago. They had a exhibit for him back in mistral if i recall"falk replied
"Along with said exhibit being robbed by that swan girl"charile replied as he was still sadden by seeing his mother in law like that. While falk and lazuli looked at each other because they did that.
Dravan swalloed as he stood still for a moment sighing"an old friend from my days at beacon along with being….declan blairs partner. He died eight years ago on a mission"he stated as they looked at him shocked.
"Okay this is very weird, she died eight years ago, along with him and zane. I'm guessing the rest of them probably had faked their deaths faked"weiss stated as they agreed upon that.
But mai was still crying as she looked over at lazuli she narrowed her gaze wanting some answeres.
"Who the hell did this to my mother?"she growled in demand as lazuli sighed nodding. Soon enough they begun to explain all they knew about these expeirments. That a man by the name of arhtur watts condcuted them. Along with how they got those supresants from an old researcher on the porject who was rescued. Her along with her mentor were kidnapped to conduct them. Their was also explaining how those syringes help stun the grimm knights.
But what puzzled eria was that her leader may be back from the dead again. Though she said looking for his bodie which means they haven't found it yet which reassured her. She would rather not have to fight the clown having to kill him.
"Despite all this crazy shit i just heard…i'm guessing now we know how to stop them"dravan asked
"Sort of but…umm what about him?"weiss asked gesturng to adam who didn't have his weapon instead was kneeling. He had his mask on as he stood their sielntly.
"Yeah seriisouly you let a wanted crminal out why?"pyke questioned lazuli as the other shared it.
"Hey guys semblance was useful…though apperently mr big bad terrorist doesn't mean harm"lazuli replied as they looked at adam.
"I understand you all harbor immense hatred toward me but…i want to atone for my sin"adam stated as they looked at him confused
"You atone for your sins? Dude you helped spreed hate around remnant agains the faunus people. Along with that terror attacks from vale, vacou, mistral and atlas. You and that spider faunus friend of–"falk begun but adam growled a that standing up.
"That bastard is no longer my friend! He ordered those that leave to be salughtered on site. Along with allying himself with those grimm knights and their queen"adam spat as raven looked at him mentioned this. She was still in shock of her friends passing and what happened to ehr. But she took a deep breath as she looked at a few people.
"Mai take your family and leave to go greive for your mother. While i'll send a band of warriors with you tommorrow to escort you back to a nearby town. "Raven ordered as the gulurs did jsut that but pyke stayed because of one rreason.
"Look ma'am their still the fact about him being a known terrosit. I need to bring him in because of what he did"pyke argued as raven raised a hand up to tell him stop talking
She looked at the bull faunus for a bit before declaring soemthing"right now he under the watch of the branwhen tribe. We can't risk him getting free and warning his allies in mistral if he get free. But if he indeed sepprated from the white fang…then we have an ally"raven said wisly as they looked at confused.
"Are you serious rae? The kid is a known terrorist he porbably helped killed several people"verona retorted
"Shes right if he get loose he'll probably head to ollie. Then finsih what he did to blake and then kill my partner"eria added but adam looked sadden by that. Which she noitced to her surrpsie that he even reacted by that.
Weiss noticed this too sighing"i'm guessing you feel regret for what you did to blake?"she asked
"I do…when she cofnrotned me at beacon i wanted to strike her down. But i couldn't bring myself to do it even before at the construction yard. When she told me someone ordered someone to kill our own people. I immedialty started to question what we were doing. "Adam begun as he slowly removed his mask shwoing his branding.
"That all this bloodshe will get us nowhere in life, only cause further discord for the faunus everywhere. But.."adam begun as he looked at his mask. Then he placed his mask on the ground and did something they weren't expecting. With a roar adam stompped on his mask breaking it completely before stomped on his mask several times for good measure. Now in fornt os his feet was his former mask as he let out a sigh.
He looked relived it seems free from being associated with that group of murders now.
"That i wish to not help with a cause that will evnetually kill my people. I'll glaldy hand myself over to the authrotiy once i'm done dealing with weaver and his allies"adam added as pyke studied him for a second. Then he slightly smiled looking at his nephew.
"Hpmh i can tell when someone regretted what they've done. You;ve got it written all over you right now. Maybe fate has other ideas for you…okay i'm dropping these folks off in mistral. Then i'm heading to atlas to check on my wife"pyke said looking at falk.
"Don't worry i'll keep this one wherebouts hidden but if i find him on the news committing acts of terror. I'm going to beat the snot out of you"pyke said to his nephew who slighlty nodded.
"Lets just hope he isn't lying"falk replied as pyke soon left the room. They sat in a silence for a bit before raven decided to fianlly speak up.
"You know where their probably attacking next aren't u?"raven replied wknoignyl as adam nodded at this. Then he looked at the map of mistral on the all as they all looked at it. They all quickly relzied where their enxt target was haven academy.
"Their going to target haven academy aren't they?"verona questioned
"That would be my guess, atlas has an entir emiltary blockade in place. While for vacou the terrain their is vast including large amount of grimm in the area. But with our forces dwindled from the attack on haven. I'm guessing ollie went back to menagerie to regroup with the remainder of the white fang. Along with allying with that bonnie thatnotos girl and the knuckledusters"adam replied
"Wait that man who tried to kidnap my father"Eria codly asked as dravan went wide eyed in rage at that.
"Someone tried to kidnap my little brother?!"dravan questioned in anger as his tail thrashed around. But verona placed a hand on him calming him down for now.
"He did clay burrows was hired by my father to do the deed. Jacque wanted the dust mines your brother owned. But he failed though i'm guessing those two gang allied themselves with this queen of theirs"weiss replied and admitted to jacque being the one who rochstrated the kidnapping.
"Oh that aint good those two run most of lower mistral beside of course for the spider gang. Along with the hana guild and the wave"falk added
"Yep if that the case their probably got hiding place all over mistral by now. Along with those knights we got big trouble. Who knows how many we'll be dealing with. Their also the crimson talon which are watts persoal army"lazuli added
Raven dipped her head deep in thought before speaking"ifs thats the case i need to gather as many of my warriors i can. I'll have some stay in certain places of mistral incase their attack. But…we need to protect her at all cost if they plan to attack haven"raven said gesturing to haru who sat their looking down.
They all looked confused at each other for a second, before raven nodded to the girl. Soon enough haru threw her hood back as she looked deep inside herself. Then soon enough one of her eyes bursted into pink flames as they surrounded them.
"Neat trick for a semblance"lazuli replied
"Yes, that is quite strange though most semblance have their unique traits."weiss added
"That wasn't her semblance that is the power of a maiden. Two of which you knew actually"raven corrected looking at weiss and eria who looked at each other.
"Wait what are you talking about and who are these maiden?"Eria questioned confused what she meant. Though haru sighed as she deactivated her maiden powers clapsing her hands.
"The maidens are protectors against grimm in a way. People who are bestowed powers of the four season that being summer, fall, winter and spring which is me. If rae wants me to show you it you can be trusted. Along with that the reason…your friend was killed"haru replied looking at eria who looked at her.
"What are you talking about?"eria asked but it clicked with immediately she was talking about pyrrha. That Pyrrha was one of those maidens
"Pyrrha…she was one of the maidens wasn't she?"eria added as Raven closed her eye nodding.
"Yes your friend was slated to be the next fall maiden. The previous one was cinder fall, qrow told me bits and pieces of it. But she volunteered to hold onto the power..sadly she lost her life. That means the girl known as Bonnie thanatos has it"Raven replied
But weiss was curious what she meant by two"but what did you mean by two? If haru is spring and Bonnie is fall. That leaves summer and winter"weiss asked
"She right who else was this maiden or whatever?"falk asked
Then Raven reached into a nearby draw, she pulled a picture out. Then she threw it onto the table as they looked at it. It was miyuki with possible maiden on it.
"Wait…miyuki? But she was one of the test subjects held hostage in watts lab"eria replied
"Huh well sweetie that girl is probably our next winter maiden. The previous one her grandmother died"Verona replied to the shock that her uncle and his family knew about it
"You knew about this?"lazuli aksed the two who nodded
"We did for one rae know Verona since they were kids. She trusted her and I owe her and qrow for saving my hide."dravan replied
"Yes both of them are trustworthy including most of you. Tarris here is an example, but you earned my trust."Raven started as Adam was surprised by this
"How did I do that extacly? I thought I was a wanted criminal that should be arrested for what I've done"Adam replied
Raven looked close by at the old picture with her and Melissa smiling slightly"you put a very close friend of mine out of her misery. For that I thank you…though she with her husband now it seems"Raven said looking at the burnt looking Skelton.
The faunus was caught off guard by this but just bowed his head"I..thank you miss xiaolong, if you'd like…you can punish me for causing pain to your daughter. The same applies to you…Schnee"Adam growled at saying weiss last name
The heiress sighed looking at him" just for your information im nothing like Jacque. That bastard should rot in hell for what he done"weiss replied as she decided to show him. She turned her back as she took a quivered breath. Then lifted her back up to show several scars on her back to his shock.
Falk looked at weiss who had an upset look on her face. Despite still needing to rest on his bad foot. He used the table as support as he pulled her shirt down. Then he sat down as she sat their looking down shown by showing it.
"So…your father even branded his own children…guess he might be the only bad schnee"Adam said
"Your not wrong about that my grandfather believed all faunus are simple just people. Not everyone is born to hate faunus. Sometimes you need to be shown their just like humans in a way just with a few extra traits"weiss wisely said
"Where'd the heck you get that a fortune cookie?"lazuli joked as weiss giggled simply
"No my grandfather he taught me and my siblings a lot of lessons unlike Jacque"weiss replied
"But back to the previous topic…miyuki Pearson may be the next winter maiden. Her grandmother died and we thought the power was lost. But she hasn't been seen anywhere I'm guessing she dead…which means we lost two maidens"Raven replied
Though something was bugging weiss actually right now. That being why ruby was being hunted down. Along with this women known as Salem which confused her.
"I actually have a question?"weiss asked
"That would be what?"verona replied
The heiress took a second to answer"why would they be after ruby also who is Salem?"weiss hesitantly asked as Raven shivered a little viable. Then she looked over toward her bed. She slowly walked over grabbing the case from early then she set it on the table. The group were confused by this but lazuli pieced it together.
"My niece…you know how she has silver eyes yes?"Raven asked
"Yes, your talking about the silver eyed warriors aren't you"eria coldy replied to Raven shock that she knew about them. Along with weiss who was surprised by this.
"Who are they?"weiss asked
"Same here I've never heard of anyone like that"Adam added
"Oh them pretty much imagine people with the power to eliminate grimm with their eyes in a flash. If their filled with pure of heart they can finish evil. Filled with hate they'll attack friend or foe."lazuli answered
"How extaclty do you know about that?"Raven questioned looking at the two
"Umm ember hayley told me"eria replied to dravan confusion because he didn't know about that family member
"Who the heck is ember hayley? I don't recall her being in our family"dravan replied
"Same here she some secret family member or soemthing"Verona added
"Oh she an ancient spirit housed in a glove that been alive for two hundred years. Me and Onxyia found her in a cave back in vale. Her soul was trapped in the glove by a jealous blacksmith"weiss simply replied as some of her stared in shock at that
Though dravan just gave a hearty laugh"so I'm related to someone who been trapped in a glove for hundreds of years. I don't regret being adopted still"he said smiling as his tail wagged
"Uggh this is confusing…though umm rae you wanna them about her?"veorna nerovisly asked as Raven gripped the table right in fear it seems. But composed herself exhaling as she kept a stoic face
"Have you all ever wondered where grimm came from?"Raven asked
"Sometimes aren't they just born like any other animal in our world"weiss asked
"The girl is right those creatures are the scourage of our world. I can even agree on that"Adam added
The tribe leader bowed her head as she clasped her hands together"no they aren't they are ruled under one person that has been here for years. A great evil that has plague remenant for years. I still get afraid even saying her name"Raven admitted as the women sickening voice was still fresh in her mind
Though lazuli didn't know how scary this women could be. But if it could cause summer rose to go into hiding from her daughter. It must be that bad, but her own daughter is in trouble. The thief thought about wanting to keep the women status a secret. But thought about how the women should know.
"That's…impossible no one can control grimm…that isn't true"eria replied shocked hearing this
"Your lying no semblance can control grimm an artifact maybe but one person"weiss added
"I'm not lying I've ran into that women before. She the main reason I lost my leader. That day in atlas all those years ago something inside summer snapped. She attacked her after qrow lost his leg. I was unconscious when it happened but…all I saw left of my friend was her arm"Raven begun as she stared at the case sighing starting to lose that hope of her friend was alive.
Raven clenched her fist"I don't even think she alive anymore…qrow does but…I've search all of remnant for her. She might be actually de—"Raven begun but lazuli slammed her hands on the table getting their attention as flak looked at her
"No don't you give up hope because I'm positive she alive"lazuli stated knowingly
"How would you know rae and qrow haven't been able to find her for years"Verona replied
The thief looked at Raven who seemed to be losing that last bit of hope for her friend. The thief couldn't stand it she already lost her father and cousin again. But she wanted to keep the promise she made to summer as well.
"Look I lost hope my cousin could be alive still. Then eight years later I find him alive, my aunt was so happy to see him after so long."lazuli begun as a small smile formed with a tear escaping
"But he's gone again…but do you really think she could be dead? If your team was the best back in the day. That means your leader was one tough son of a bitch. Never lose that hope keep looking for her and bring her back to her daughter. She might be running scared beacsue of this Salem….her family needs her"lazuli finished with falk smiling since she kept the promise
The women looked at the girl for a few moments as she thought about. Part of her does think summer is dead, but their was no bodie except her arm. Their could be a chance she alive out their. Her daughter needs her along with that idiot brother of hers
Before she knew it raven hugged the girl sighing"thank you for that…part of me believed this was a fruitless effort. But if meli was alive…maybe she is too"raven replied letting go as lazuli nodded
"Okay but why should we protect haru at all cost?"weiss asked
"Yeah if she so important why keep her here not locked up in atlas?"eria added
Raven took a deep breath composing herself"each academy houses a secret that being an ancient relic. Each one that corresponds with one of the four maidens. For haven it's spring…we're always on the move. Changing location to keep ahead of that witch."raven stars Ted as haru continued for her
"I was slated to be the new spring maiden my legacy. I didn't want any part of this at all. But I realized…that I have a purpose here. That is to protect those who can't protect themselves. "Haru added as raven finished for her
"That why we need to protect her at all cost. If Salem gets her hand on her where done for. And if their after my niece….I'm guessing their on their way here"raven finished
"Wait are you implying that ruby and her group could be on their way here?"lazuli aksed
"That would mean rogue could be coming here"eria said looking at her uncle who had a look of shame across his face.
"She could…I wonder how my niece will react seeing her dead uncle"dravan stated as Verona rubbed his back
"I'm sure she'll be mad at first but very happy to see you"she said knowingly as he nodded at that
Weiss was curious why they didn't take an airship here"why wouldn't they take an airship to get here?"she asked
"That would be faster if rogue took one they could have taken one"falk supported
But raven began to walk over to a sheet as she grabbed it. Then she walked over throwing it onto Melissa. It had the brawhen symbol on it as she began wrapping her bodie up.
"If I know my brother…he taken secret routes to avoid being seen from her. I could use my semblance to transport them here"raven begun
"Wait you can teleport to people at will?"eria questioned
"Nope raven semblance is called kindred link, she can teleport to people she formed strong bonds with. Those being qrow,me, tai and yang"Verona answered
Adam cupped his chin"I'm guessing they may be here soon enough. That women said a while ago, so they could be arriving here soon"he replied
Raven finished wrapping Melissa bodie up as she nodded"they could but…if they don't we warn lionheart of the impending attack. We don't know when the white fang will strike. If we cause a commotion ,panic will ensue causing grimm to come"raven added
"Which means they might commence their attack during the commotion just like in vale. So we wait here for them to arrive… along with preparing to support haven"eria said on confidence
Raven nodded at this as they all agreed to keep what was said a secret. About an hour later raven brought Melissa bodies to a spot on a hill where they buried her. The women recalled how she always wanted to be buried facing the sun. The funeral was short and quick but mai just cried for her mother death again.
Though at least now she knew what happened to her. She couldn't thank lazuli enough for scarfiiecng their one chance to stop the grimm knights. Just to let her talk to her mom again.
But the day quickly past, as the next day pyke and his group were escorted by some tribe members to the nearest village. While for the rest of them they had their new routines.
Right now near the woods near a small hill was falk and weiss staring at a valley below them. The ice queen just sat close to him as they interlocked hands.
"You know I never thought the ice queen would fall for some guy like me"falk asked as weiss smiled
"Well your a better man Than my father and you aren't trying to date me for my company or my family name"weiss replied as he chuckled at that
"Maybe I am though…you know I'm lying"falk replied as weiss nodded as she leaned her against his shoulder
"I know you are…but maybe I did find you slightly attractive at the dance"weiss replied slightly blushing. Falk just smiled laying his head atop hers as they stared at the valley below.
With lazuli right now she was staring at an old picture in her hands. The family picture with her siblings and dad, along with her aunt and cousin. She lost two people she considered family. Her cousin death was easy to get over but her dads…Roman did so much for her raising her like his own.
But he was gone right now as she just let some tears escape her eyes. She sat on the bed in Mai tent sobbing a little how much her family hates her for running away.
That didn't matter right now, because she was going to put a stop to that witch along with those grimm knights. Bonnie still was the one who helped kill her father, but she was the mastermind of it. Though she wonders if her siblings will still love her for being gone dining and hope their safe.
"I hope you two are okay and helping auntie with his death. Please don't let her turn to the bottle again"lazuli said to herself thinking she was alone but someone cleared their throat
Mai stood their with fresh tears on her face as she sat on the bed with lazuli.
"Oh hello ma'am you need something"lazuli asked covering her father face on the photo
Mai sniffed a little"I just..wanted to thank you again for what you did for me. I..I missed my mother deeply when she passed. But hearing what happened to her…it's heart breaking."mai begun as she placed a hand in lazuli shoulder
"But…I know she's probably at peace now. She came back home…I got to say goodbye to my mom because of you. It seems both of us lost someone who didn't want to become those knights"mai added a slazuli nodded at tha
She looked at the diamond necklace on her neck sighing hevaily"I guess…but..but I just want my dad back. I wish he didn't have to kill himself saving vale…by shutting those dam bots down"lazuli begun as tear slowly escaped her eyes
"That my cousin wasn't dead again…that my aunt is probably heart broken after just getting him back. My own siblings probably hate me…I'm not even their for them right now. That…that…I'm a terrible older sister…I should be their for them"she finished crying now as mai just wrapped an arm around her hugging. The women was still grieving for her mother but wanted to comfort the girl for helping her talk to her one last time.
"You should but…you helped someone find their family members. Along with getting a girl away from their absuser. I'm sure they'll be happy to see you"mai knowingly said as lazuli slightly sniffed nodding. The two just sat their consoling each other for the family members they lost recently.
While for eria she was staring into a fire thinking about what to do next. Because right now if rouge might be on her way here. That means she could find her sister finally and hope she safe. But also hoping her partner was okay right now dealing with the grief right now of zane death.
Though for him she'll become leader in his steed like he wanted. She'll stop another incident like the fall from happening again. Along with making sure their other two teammates are safe and sound. She can wait a little longer for her sister. Because when she gets here she in for a surprise when she get here seeing their uncle here. She can't wait to find her other half, and couldn't wait for her twin sister to ask to mod her leg for her.
But deep in the woods with a legion of bandits by her side was vernel. As she was trying to come up with a plan now to deal with raven and her tribe. But what she won't expect soon she'll get help from a certain witch. Along with a certain doctor who taken a specific champion planning on bringing her back.
That concludes the chapter with a quite upsetting end for some of the cast. Though it seems eria and company have to just wait for her sister whos with qrow for some reason? Till the next volume to figure out Rogue perspective on her journey. Along with springs identity being revealed or part of it. Thanks for reading!