There was once a faraway land, full of wonder and beauty.
A cherished world that blended both darkness and light.
The two brothers locked in eternal contest, casting sunlight or shadow at either's behest.
The contest they wage lights up the sky; a full year of warmth, where beauty may thrive.
But then comes the brother of shadow—triumphant at last.
Bringing a year of darkness, from which all get their plight.
The fields wilt and shrink—the forests grow dim.
And struggle the world must, or be taken by Grimm.
"…So beware little rose, when you arrive to see light— that the terrors yet lurk in the looming dark night."
Ruby blinked. Her head tilted slightly as she turned to give Yang a wide-eyed stare. "Was that last part really in the story?!"
Yang shut the small, strange book with a small thump. "Yep! That's why I bought it." A small frown flicked across her face. "It's been a while since mom's been around to call you Little Rose… but as soon as I saw that line, I knew I had to get it for you."
Ruby gave her sister a gentle smile as she was handed the light text, looking down at it in her hands. "The Tale of Remnant" She read its cover, noting the half-white, half-black color scheme of the art. She thumbed its thick, cardboard-like pages. "I always thought that board books were for kids? Seems like a pretty spooky story to be for children though…"
Yang shrugged. "I dunno. I can't even remember which section of the book store I found this thing in—it just caught my eye." Yang's lips turned up in a small smirk, and her hand came up to ruffle Ruby's hair a bit. "Seems pretty fitting to me though, Little Rose," She gave a small chuckle when Ruby batted away her hand and started smoothing out her hair.
"Yaaaannggg!" She pouted up at her sister.
"I know, I know." Yang relented, still smiling tenderly at the far-too-cute expression. "Little Rubes is all grown up now that you're 18." She reached up and tucked one of her golden locks behind her ear, before leaning in and wrapping her arms around Ruby.
"Happy birthday, Ruby." Yang murmured warmly as Ruby returned her hug, pressing her face into Yang's shoulder. "I love you, and I'm proud to be your big sis."
"Thanks Yang… For everything. I love you too," Ruby said, sniffling quietly as happy tears pooled in her eyes. "I don't even know what I would've done without you after our mom disappeared," She paused to pull back slightly, but sought out one of Yang's hands with her own, clutching it tightly. "You're the best big sister a girl could ask for."
"Awww," Yang smiled shyly and rubbed the back of her head with her free hand, an embarrassed blush on her face. "It wasn't a big deal or anything Rubes, just doin' what anyone would, ya know?"
"Nope! Best sister ever, and that's final! I mean it though. Thanks, Yang." Ruby leaned up and gave Yang a peck on the cheek before pulling away. She grabbed the small, yet oddly regal-looking book and brought it over to her desk, setting it down with a thump.
"I wonder what it'd be like living in a world like that? Sounds kinda cool to have year-long days—seems like it'd be hard to sleep though." Ruby hummed thoughtfully, staring at the front cover of the book still.
Yang shrugged. "Nothing some good 'ole blackout curtains couldn't fix. I'd be more worried about the year-long nights… Sounds like it'd make the lives of people in that world pretty tough."
"Yeah. I guess you're right." Ruby let out a large yawn that she poorly tried to stifle with her hand. "Man, I'm pooped. I guess it's time for bed?" Ruby turns towards Yang and lets out a small, dejected sigh. "I was really hoping dad would call me sometime before the day ended," She murmured softly, her eyes flicking to the ground.
"I'm sorry Ruby." A small red tint entered Yang's eye for a moment, before quickly phasing back to lilac. No sense stressing out Ruby even more she thought, limiting herself to a deep frown. "Maybe he just doesn't have cell service or something? I'm sure you'll hear from him soon," She wished she believed her own words.
Ever since Summer disappeared ten years ago, Taiyang had only fallen deeper into drinking and grown more disengaged from their family with every passing year. A family which only consisted of Yang and Ruby…
With his absence, the responsibility of making sure Ruby was safe and properly supported had fallen to Yang, even though she was far too young for the task. She did her best, but Yang knew that things would've been a lot better for them both growing up if their dad hadn't shut down. But for him to not even bother calling Ruby on her 18th birthday…
Breathe in… Breathe out. Yang closed her eyes for a few moments and tried to get her mind off of that trail of thought.
"I doubt it." Ruby muttered under her breath, just barely loud enough for Yang to hear. "He didn't call me last year for like a week!"
Yang pulled her into another hug, not knowing what she could even say to that. Her heart broke for Ruby—for both of them, really. "At least we'll always have each other." Yang said quietly, rubbing a hand gently up and down Ruby's back as her hug was returned once more.
"Mhm! That's what really matters," Ruby's tone was cheery as they pulled away, but her eyes conveyed a lingering pain that wouldn't let itself disappear that quickly. "Can we spend the day together tomorrow?"
"Of course, Rubes—I have the day off so we can do whatever we want." Yang gave Ruby a few gentle pats on the head. She expected a protest of some sort, but Ruby just smiled before walking over to her bed and sitting down on the soft blanket that was covering it.
"Perfect. I'm gonna get some sleep for now then, 'kay?"
"Sure thing, goodnight Rubes—hope you had a good birthday even though…" Yang trailed off, her lips twitching downward.
"Don't worry, it was still amazing," Ruby nodded with as much enthusiasm as her tiredness allowed. "Goodnight Yang,"
Yang backed out of the room, gently closing the door on her way out. She made sure to make it to her own room, closing herself in and walking to her bed—before slamming her fist into the pillow. Her eyes glowed with a fiery red as she did her best to stay quiet.
"Her 18th birthday and that deadbeat still can't bother to fucking call? God, what else does he have going on that's too important to care about his daughters? A tear trickled down her cheek, and she quickly made to wipe it away. He didn't deserve her tears—he'd already gotten far too many out of her for one life.
Her eyes trailed over to a frame on the wall. A picture of her, Summer, and Ruby—a few months before their mother had disappeared. More tears rolled down her cheeks, but no matter how many were wiped away, these ones kept coming.
"I miss you so much, mom. You wouldn't have left us alone no matter what," Yang pressed her face into her pillow and quietly sobbed into it. Birthdays made her miss having parents (at least, ones that did anything) more than any other time of year. She loved that she and Ruby could take care of each other, but it couldn't erase the memories she had of Summer working hard to give them both fun and amazing birthday parties as kids. She only hoped that she was giving Ruby half as good of a time as Summer had given both of them every year.
She didn't know how long she laid there before sleep finally washed over her—her cheeks still wet with tears that had long since dampened the pillow she rested on. It wasn't the first time, and she would have a hard time imagining that it would be the last.
Her dream was a dark void of nothingness for as far as the eyes could see—nothing except for what looked like a person facing away from her. Long black hair trailed down her shoulders, and what looked to be… cat ears? Decorated her head. For once, Yang was aware that she was dreaming, though she hoped the cat ears would've tipped her off even if she hadn't been.
After all, cat girls were not real, of course. Still, that shiny black hair definitely looked realistic… and pretty.
"H-hey!" Yang tried to call out—her voice quiet and seeming far away.
The figure's ears perked up cutely, and slowly they turned towards her. Inch by inch, the most beautiful face Yang had ever laid eyes on was revealed—a pair of golden eyes staring straight into hers. Despite being in a dream, she felt herself gulp nervously.
"Yang…" The figure cooed softly, her voice a chorus of ethereal sounds and pitches. A bright, tender smile flitted across her face as the mystery woman reached a hand out and cupped Yang's cheek—who could only stand there, dazed. "Yang," She repeated softly, her head inching closer to the blonde's ever-so-slowly, her lips slightly parted.
"…YANG!"
Yang's eyes flew open as she was ripped from the dream—her heart pounding and a heavy blush on her face. She blinked, pushing off the feeling of disappointment and tried to get her bearings. She could faintly feel the bed shaking back and forth beneath her, even though she was entirely still—and the sound of things being rustled and tossed around could be heard through the walls.
"Ruby?!" She called out, hoping that she hadn't been hallucinating that last call of her name.
"Yang! Help!" A distressed response came, and Yang shot out of bed immediately, bursting through her door and down the hall. The rustling grew louder with each step she took. At last, she flung open the door to Ruby's room—a bright light meeting her eyes as loose books, pens, and other small objects were tossed to and fro all throughout the room.
"What's happening!?" Yang shouted—her eyes squinting at the bright light that seemed to be coming from the table.
"I don't—Ahh!" Ruby shouted, losing her grip on the bedpost as she was quickly drawn into the large, shimmery mass of light. She tried to reach out towards Yang, a desperate look in her eyes. Yang's heart pounded in her chest as she sprinted forward, stretching her arm out and trying to grab hold of her sister.
But she didn't have the speed to do so.
"RUBY!" She shouted as the younger girl disappeared into the light. Without a second thought, Yang leapt towards where she'd seen her disappear—and suddenly, all went black again.
Only she wasn't asleep. She could still feel the strain in her body—the rush of blood pumping through her with every heartbeat. An indescribable chill rolled through her, and for several long seconds, she couldn't move—trapped in the confines of the void.
Soon, though, she was free again—and that freedom came with a soft thud on a hard, stone floor.
"Ruby? Are you here?" Yang called out immediately into the darkness.
"Yang? What happened…?" Ruby answered from right next to her—prompting the older sister to tackle her in a fierce hug.
"God if I know. I'm just so glad you're okay," She murmured, inhaling deeply before exhaling, trying to calm down now that she knew Ruby was okay. It seemed that the danger—whatever that may have been—had passed?
"Where are we?" Ruby asked quietly, leaning into the comfortable hug. Yang peered around—they'd landed in a dark room of some sort, but not pitch black, as she noticed streaks of light shining through the cracks and seams of what looked to be a door. Those small strands of light revealed a bookcase with tomes of various sizes on its shelves, though it would be impossible to read even what the titles were without a better light source.
"I guess we should find out," Yang said, staring at the door for a few seconds before disentangling herself from the hug. "Stay behind me, okay Rubes?"
"Y-yeah, okay." Ruby said, following it up with a nod even though Yang couldn't see her.
Yang slowly crept up to the door, her eyes fixed on the strands of light. Occasionally they would darken from one side to the other—as though someone was walking past it. Focusing a bit, she started to hear distant voices and activity.
When she made it to her destination, she found a handle near the center and gave a small tug—but it didn't budge. She felt around a bit—biting her lip nervously as she tried to be as quiet as possible. Soon she found a small latch, which she gently pushed open.
"Okay, here goes nothing," Yang murmured, finding the handle once more and pulling—this time to immediate success, as the door started to swing towards them. As soon as it did…
"Bright! Soooo bright," Ruby squeaked out, but kept trying to peek out the doorway. The sounds of talking were louder now, though still a ways away and around the corner of what looked to be a dirt street, going through a… town? There were a bunch of buildings that lined the opposite side of the street, but they all looked old. There wasn't a hint of electricity-powered lights or signs in what looked to be shops, and Yang could even spot what appeared to be a standing torch along the road.
"Wow… This place looks," Ruby exclaimed quietly, pausing for a moment and putting her thumb on her lower lip in thought as she glanced around—still mostly concealed by the doorway that they'd yet to step through.
"Ancient? Decrepit? Like it just kidnapped us through a weird portal thingy?" Yang voiced just as quietly, smirking at her sister despite her nervousness.
"Really cool!" Ruby finished, daring to step forward into the warmth of the sun—taking a wider look around. A few more shops lined the road with the occasional visitor walking in or out of them, and what looked to be a very bustling pub with a saloon-style door was further down the row. Even at what appeared to be midday, there were sounds of clanking glasses and loud conversations.
A small group of three people were standing outside of what looked to be a warehouse on their side of the path, one or two of them glancing at Ruby every so often with curious eyes.
"Holy cow Yang, it's like one of those small towns from history class! Gosh, everything is so packed together—look over there! Those houses look super cozy!" Ruby pointed towards the opposite end of the dirt road as the direction the pub was in, noting a line of small cabins, plus a luxurious looking building at the very end that seemed like it had an almost modern tint to it. A large fence surrounded its grounds.
"Calm down Rubes, we still need to figure out where the hell we are and why—how even—we're here. We should really try to lay low and get some information if we can, maybe see if anyone knows how we can get home. Surely someone's gotta have a map that can get us back to Vale." Yang was quickly losing confidence that that map would be more recent than several hundred years old… but their town had a lot of history, right?
"Oo, I know, let's ask those folks down the road—or maybe someone at the pub? Oh, the pub! We can ask whoever's in charge, I'm sure they have lots of portal kidnappees come through!" Ruby nodded to herself and turned, taking off running towards the previously mentioned building with a determined look in her eyes.
"Ruby! I said to lay low! What about this is laying low—hey, watch out!" Yang shouted, running after her as she noticed someone coming around the corner of a nearby building.
…A building Ruby was almost at the end of, leaving her no time to react.
Yang's eyes widened as her sister collided with someone who was carrying a heavy looking box—sending them both tumbling to the ground in a daze, with the box thankfully landing upright between them, rather than on top of either.
"Ruby!" Yang yelled at the same time as she heard two sets of voices ring out
"A-are you kidding me? Watch where you're going, you… you dolt!" / "Sorry!"