Fangs of the Exiles

Rated M

Rwby

Summary:

Life is not about what happens to you, but what you make of it... At least that's what everyone says. Two faunus will answer whose way is right, carrying the will of a titanic kingdom while the other, the spirit of one who shouldn't exist. Forgotten, their paths will cross, for better or worse.

A/N:

Chapter 29: Depths of Tartarus

[Atlas]

Pyrrha couldn't take it anymore.

Being held against her will and restrained inside a cold cell was beginning to take its toll on the poor girl. Dark circles were extensively visible as she'd not been able to acquire a decent night's worth of rest since her imprisonment. The days had rolled together due to not seeing so much as a glimpse of the outside world since that day.

The last she last saw Aganju and Blake...

On that day, she admittedly was a bit troubled by her boyfriend after their disagreement.

Pyrrha wanted to go with him when he stormed off and yet, she felt rooted where she stood, forced to watch helplessly as her beloved left with Nora following close behind. From there, she expected the duo's return only to receive the terrible news that he'd gone missing, possibly a victim of the twisted Tyrian Callows. Pyrrha wanted to find him.

She wanted to save him; to rescue the boy who stole her heart.

Unfortunately, this wasn't the case as she later found out the truth about General Ironwood's plan to force the floating city into space, forcing the citizens of Mantle to fend for themselves against the bloodthirsty Grimm. Now, she was a prisoner of the Atlas military, along with her friends and allies.

She forced her arms to hold her frame steady, refusing to let the tremors take over. Tears streamed down her face, but she didn't care who saw. All that mattered was finding out where they were. She bit her lip to keep from breaking down, but she was done with hiding her emotions. She would do whatever it took to get the answers she needed.

"Hey, kid..." She choked back the sob stuck in her throat while turning over to the chained male. "If you're worried about my nephew and Blake, don't be. You're wasting your time."

"W-what do you mean? How can you say-?!"

Qrow Branwen broke into a grim smirk, his dull red eyes locked onto the floor with a spark of confidence. Even without looking at the scarlet-haired girl, the scythe-wielder could feel her dark look, but, also her hope pointed at him.

"If nothing else, Aganju is a survivor. He's weathered discrimination, a fight with the Fall Maiden, and being stabbed by my sister. Do you think he's going to die to that wack job?"

"But..."

"Look, I can assure you that he's not in Salem's clutches."

"How can you be so sure?" Pyrrha asked, hesitance lacing her inquiry. "How can you be so sure that nothing's happened?"

Qrow finally turned toward the girl, his fatigue evident all over his face.

"Before they brought you here, I got word that your friend, Blake, took him to get patched up. Plus, Ironsack was going off on how he couldn't find them. That would mean that while they're missing, they're not in either his or Salem's grasp. If they were caught, they'd either be here or in that witches' domain."

Pyrrha still wasn't sure, but there was little evidence to discredit the man's point. Her memories took her back to the time when she was taken captive by the Branwen tribe after Aganju was believed to be dead only for him to return. He was far stronger and more resilient than even she gave him credit for.

"I guess you're right..." she admitted softly, a humorless chuckle escaping her throat. "Add that to the list of things that I'll have to apologize for."

"Still beating that dead horse, are we?" Both Pyrrha and Qrow darted their heads toward the entrance to their room. That icy stare. Cold. Remorseless blue eyes watched the shocked looks twist into heated scowls. "If I were you, I'd be more concerned with what's going to befall you rather than two faunus that betrayed you."

He expected a scathing statement, some form of comeback that would ignite the back and forth that they were both so used to engaging in.

However, he was intrigued to see the red-haired girl staring up with something so foreign behind her orbs. He expected a burning flame, bright and hot like that of hell itself. Instead, Ironwood saw, not flames of rebellion but soul-shattering brokenness the likes of which he hadn't heeded before.

"Have you come to gloat, general?" she muttered, no venom to be found in her question.

James Ironwood analyzed the image of Pyrrha Nikos with dismay; at least she wasn't going manic.

"Hardly. I came to apologize for all that I've had to do. I hoped that you all would understand that Atlas was and IS my top priority. Once Penny has been brought back, I can reenact the plan to get the staff away from Salem..."

"You still don't get it, do you, James?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You didn't just give Salem the lamp. You bowed to her demands and gave her future huntsmen. You've imprisoned allies just because they wouldn't follow your orders. You've subjected Pyrrha to mental and psychological trauma just to appease the whims of a deranged witch!"

For the first time, the military man's stone resolve began to chip away under his former ally's charge. It didn't last long though. Once more, the half-mechanized soldier resumed his unmoving eloquence.

"I did what I had to do to protect this kingdom. How could you possibly understand the complications of such a task?"

"YOU DOOMED US!"

"I saved us..." James replied lowly.

"You merely postponed the inevitable..." Qrow snarled viciously. His eyes burned with a rage that rivaled his other niece, Yang. "By giving Ruby over to Salem, you gave away possibly our best bet to beat her! Why do you think Salem specifically wanted her in the first place?"

James said nothing.

"It's because of her eyes, you paranoid ass!"

Qrow received a backhanded slap across the face as a result, but it was ineffective in quelling the man's rage. He did the unthinkable because he was powerless to act otherwise. He pretended to launch into another verbal rant only to spit in the man's face. The bearded man received a dark glare in response to the glob that he plastered on him. All pretense of propriety had vanished and been replaced with unbridled wrath, causing Ironwood to shake with fury. Such a snide action unleashed the ferocious monster that Qrow knew was concealed behind the façade of stoicism.

With the hammer of Oum once more rising against the former drunkard's face, a clenched fist made of metal and soft material caused whiplash. Any reprisals were thwarted by the bindings around his wrists. As blood started to flow like a faucet from his nose, Pyrrha heard a vicious crack and cowered in her bonds.

"What I've done... has always been to protect my kingdom!"

"You keep telling yourself that, James..." Qrow chuckled, thick plasma coating his teeth. "Bravado isn't becoming of Salem's bitch."

Expecting to be slapped again, if not something far worse, the ragged man was surprised when the pristine-clothed general turned to walk away. It seemed that his patience had run thin at this point, further solidifying the words of Qrow Branwen. The tall Atlesian stopped just short of the doorway, glancing over his shoulder with that familiar cold glare.

"Yours won't save you tomorrow either..."

With that, General Ironwood took his leave, once more enveloping the two in the dull darkened state of their prison cell.

Winter stood tall in front of her post. The Atlesian Specialist struggled to hide the exhaustion that was beginning to settle on her face despite maintaining her poised posture. Her typically perceptive expression had gradually twisted into a solemn grimace. She stole glances at her prisoner, her heart aching. Her sister was sitting there in a prison uniform, and it broke her heart as usual to see her there. Winter's doubts, particularly those she had about her superior, persisted even after things started to calm down.

But, there was no time to exhibit weakness, not in her position.

A soldier is ALWAYS vigilant! Loyalty always matters.

That's what the older Schnee continued to tell herself before a light yawn forced its way up.

"You need to rest..."

The woman jumped slightly as a result of the lighthearted voice. Her heart was beating faster as she slowly turned around, each one pressing against her ribs like a colossal wave. Soon, two light blue pairs were joined together. For one, relief was felt, but for the other? The younger sibling's icy glare was felt by the elder sibling, who could feel the thrashing in her chest intensifying.

"Weiss... I-"

"You're going to collapse if you don't get some sleep."

With that, Weiss turned back around, white hair drooping over her back. This was the most the girl said since her capture months prior and Winter wasn't about to waste this moment if she could help it.

"Never mind me... I-I... I'm sorry that all of this happened."

"..."

"Is there anything I can do to make your time here less depressing?"

Still, nothing.

"Weiss?" The specialist hesitated, her voice hitching in her throat. "Please talk to me."

"I've said what I needed to, Winter. I hear the barrack bunks are comfortable."

Winter didn't miss the stinging venom behind her sister's words but, she'd endure it if it meant they could talk. She felt a swell of relief after hearing her voice, even if it was heavily blanketed in condescendence.

"I suppose I deserve that, but, you must understand that I'm only following orders."

Weiss unexpectedly jumped out of her flat bunk. Her body was twisted, allowing Winter to see her rage. A frozen entryway that was once sparkling with boredom now burst into a boiling volcano. Rage. Betrayal. Frustration. Weiss was already unsteady, but more of these things flashed behind her eyes, making her flinch a little.

"Give it a rest, Winter! You're always using that excuse whenever you get backed into a corner." She stomped to the see-through barrier until she and her sister were as close as possible. "Whenever Ironwood tells you something, you do it without question; no hesitation."

"T-That's what a good soldier does, Weiss. We complete the tasks we've been given without question."

"What about our father?"

"What about him?" Winter scoffed, recalling the look of fear on the man's face as he was taken to the deepest levels of the guardhouse for his crimes against the kingdom.

"How is Ironwood any different from him now?"

This time, fury ignited behind Winter's gaze, an expected result to anyone who knew her. Despite this, Weiss didn't falter.

"General Ironwood has done the best he could with this entire situation! The Coliseum plan? The Grimm? Leading the military as well as sitting on the council? He's given his blood, sweat, and tears to ensure the safety of not only Atlas and Mantle but Remnant as a whole! He risked his life to protect Beacon during the Vytal Festival."

All likeness of maturity and stoicism disappeared now. In their place, an unrestrained emotion poured from her soul. Weiss, however, wasn't fooled; she knew her sister far better than anyone else. Anyone else might perceive her outburst as passionate loyalty. but the aptly named 'Ice Queen' saw the truth through the illusion.

"Oh give it a rest, Winter!" she hissed, dousing that flame immediately. "You go on about all of the 'good' he's done and yet, you've never stopped to think about his involvement leading to that." Winter was about to counter but the smaller girl wasn't about to give her an opportunity to. "You talk about what he did yet, you conveniently leave out his flaws."

"What are you-?"

"Why would he bring a massive military force to a festival centered around peace?"

Winter simply stared at the focused pale gaze, dumbfounded. Her eyes grew wide as she sought to figure out any sort of answer. Sadly, her mind was drawing a blank. That gave Weiss an opening to keep going. Her angry stare softened a bit, but the force of her will still be felt as she slowly walked back toward her bunk.

"Even though I was happy to see you in Vale, I did ask myself that. For what reason was Atlas being brought here in such excess? I wasn't the only one wondering that either. Several of Vale's citizens, as well as those from Mistral and Vacuo, pondered that as well. So, tell me, sister, did you think about the thoughts of the people when Ironwood mentioned this approach?"

"I'm positive that the general had a good reason."

"I'm sure he did..." Weiss answered bitterly. "He always has a good reason' when it comes to you. You never find anything wrong with his logic; I wonder why?"

Heavy footsteps interrupted the dialogue before Winter had a chance to respond to the obvious implication. Both Schnee family members turned to look at the muddled characteristics of the conversation's central theme. His blue eyes had a taint of ambivalence. Each stride caused his subordinate to quiver a tiny bit, but the younger girl was unaffected.

"Schnee?" Winter tensed under the cold tone, even worse when combined with the formality of her last name. "After tonight, you'll be back on regular duty. Starting tomorrow, you'll be by my side as we work to restart the plan for the Amity Tower. Understood?"

"Yes, sir... But, what about-?"

"That is all, Schnee!" his gruff voice shut her down. "Someone will relieve you tomorrow before Qrow's execution. Until then, remain at your post and don't allow yourself to lose sight of your purpose."

"Y-Yes, sir."

Ironwood left the room, ignoring the angry stare of the former heiress in the cell. Winter watched him go, feeling helpless. She only breathed a sigh of relief when his footsteps faded away. The anxiety and powerlessness were more evident than ever in the specialist's expression. Winter knew that this was the new norm, and she couldn't ignore the harsh truth. Weiss noticed her sister's realization and saw her frown soften.

"How is he any different from father, now?"

"Weiss... I-I don't know."

Weiss shook her head, taking a seat on her bunk as she watched the troubled woman mull over what'd happened. It wasn't just the previous conversation but also everything else. Winter's entire resolve was being called into question; Her very identity was now a glaring mystery. Her head began swimming as a random serviceman approached.

"Ma'am, are you alright?" he rushed over, seeing Winter stumble slightly.

Before she could bark out a blatant lie, she fell over, prompting Weiss to rush over to the barrier keeping her captive. Thankfully, the male managed to prevent her full-on collapse. He immediately called for assistance as her vision blurred. Notwithstanding, Winter could still make out some notable features. Silver eyes. Dark brown skin. Ashen-black spiky hair. A single fang sticking out over his lower lip.

"S... San..."

That couldn't be right...

No member of the Atlas ranks was allowed such an indignant appearance. Not anymore. The only one who held such a rowdy appearance had changed months ago, becoming another cog in the wheel of Atlas' assembly. Sango Bagheera. Blinking away the scattered visual, Winter began to stir. Her heart raced as she stared back at a confused soldier, finding that none of those features were present.

Instead, she was greeted by royal blue orbs, a shaven head, and pale skin.

"I-I'm fine... Send someone over to watch inmate Schnee until I return," she announced, exhaling roughly before pushing past the incoming members of the medic's unit. Nobody questioned her. They simply watched as she disappeared around a nearby corner, leaving them to comply with her order, and a worried Weiss to ponder what'd just happened.

Out of sight, Winter rushed on, no longer caring if anyone noticed her.

Her head started to hurt, occasionally causing her vision to become blurry, and all she cared about was finding a place to rest. As she followed one of the indications to a single dormitory, she sighed and pushed through the door, locking it behind her. As she stumbled deeper inside, it was dark, but she didn't mind.

She sat down on the bed, letting out a groan as she closed her eyes, hoping to ease the impending headache. At first, she found it difficult to escape the scattered conversations outside of the room concerning her well-being. Despite this, she didn't care much about them. What troubled her was the sudden rush of thoughts that came along with them. However, strangely, they also carried a soothing image.

Silver eyes; a sign of royalty that she hadn't seen in so long. It was something from her past teasing her, but why now? If it was buried this deep, Winter didn't want to think about it for all of this time.

...and yet, the specialist couldn't shake off the appearance revealing itself before her mind's eye.

Such kind and caring eyes, filled with comfort and strength.

A slim yet muscular frame.

A crooked smirk with a single sharp fang peeking over his full lips.

A black tail that swung playfully.

Winter remembered those elements rather well, each significant emblem of her past haunting her now. They were more than colleagues. Sango and Elm were Winter's friends. Sure, they had their paths to follow, but they always made time for each other. However, things changed drastically after the attack on Beacon. Though she was already on the homefront, hearing about the assault left her worrying for the pair.

Unfortunately, this seemed to have a damaging effect on Sango. While Elm went back to working with the Ace-Ops, he underwent a grueling transformation after being tasked with a new team. Ragna and Kairi were the only changes that Winter could pinpoint as a reason for his sudden conversion to being a dedicated soldier willing to follow orders.

But it was more than that.

Like Elm, the eldest Schnee knew that something had happened to cause the formerly upbeat and free-spirited to become so... so...

Boring?

Either she had begun to lose her sanity due to exhaustion or her inner self was finally breaking free from its subconscious prison. She groaned in irritation, but her inner voice wouldn't be denied.

You've been into him ever since you first met. Do you mean to tell me that the faunus who nearly lost his life for betraying his kind would suddenly give in to the powers that be just because of a battle? He was already set to be promoted once he returned, so why change his entire personality?

"That is... very true."

Plus, you're totally into him!

If her inner self had a face, Winter was confident that it would be wearing a smug grin. Every part of her was ready to deny such an absurd claim, but there was no time for that.

"Alert!" the speakers blared with the voice of a random agent. "I repeat, there was an explosion in the prison site! All available operatives are to report to the detainee ward! All others are to be on high alert!"

A break-in? Winter tried to pull herself up but the sharp pain in her head made sure to keep her planted to the bed. "Dammit."

"Operative Schnee?"

"Ugh... Yes, sir?" she hissed at the device, hoping the general wouldn't be too angry. "I'm... I'm on my way to..."

"Negative! I need you and the Ace-Ops to secure Qrow," the brutish tone of Ironwood cut in. Despite her hesitation, Winter cleared her throat.

"What of the girl, sir?"

"Bring her to the execution site as well. If my hunch is correct, she'll be a valuable asset. I'll have Team SMK join you."

As the alarms continued to howl outside of the room, Winter gathered herself as best she could before forcing her best authoritarian expression. Whoever this intruder was, she'd make sure that they would regret setting foot in the building. Watching the door hiss open, she would find another hurdle in need of her attention in the form of the burly Elm.

"Come with me..."

[Atlas Academy-Minutes Earlier]

"Are you sure about this?"

Two figures stood in the majestic hall, scouting the area for any signs of danger. Surprisingly, it was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. Given the circumstances, such an opportunity would be viewed as favorable.

But not him.

Aganju simply cracked his neck before sharing a grin with the pale woman. How quickly had events shifted since their first encounter? From strangers to enemies to allies, Raven had played a significant role in the vulpine's life in such a short amount of time. Unlike before, Raven had taken the initiative to aid him, though she knew better than to believe that this was all she needed to fix what was broken.

Looking at the young man before her, Raven couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.

Aganju cleaned up nicely since his arrival in Patch. Outfitted in a violet/black sleeveless, hooded jacket, he sported a pair of headphones that hung loosely around his neck. Black pants with opal claw marks replaced the tattered clothes he wore before his rescue. Armor-woven bicep arm sleeves were fitted to protect the few remaining lacerations while a double-sided gas mask rested on his face.

The most notable modification was the focus on his incompatible lenses as well as the mysterious weapon hanging from his belt.

"Would it do any good to lie at this point?" Aganju huffed mirthlessly.

"Not really" Raven rolled her eyes. "I just want you to be certain of what you're about to get into. Ironwood isn't one to take lightly, and judging by the looks of things, it's a safe bet that he's only going to be tougher. Be on your guard."

"I know."

"Don't get reckless! Don't forget that you've only just recovered and..."

"I'm aware of what'll happen."

The two stared at each other, their conversation broken by the sounds of footsteps echoing in the distance. Aganju glared at the direction in which it was coming from, sparing but a second to give the woman a quick hug. Their little secret. Neither was accustomed to sharing moments like this, but at least they were trying.

"What was that for?"

"I know you have your mission and I wanted to do that... Just in case you die before we reunite."

Hearing the smugness in his tone, Raven snarled at the poorly delivered stunt. "You little mutt!"

"YOUR little mutt, remember?" he corrected before taking off in the opposite direction of the incoming soldiers.

Raven shook her head with a lopsided grin. She'd hoped to have a bit more time to share with the faunus, but fate wasn't on their side. With their plan in motion, she had to fulfill her end of the bargain. Blake was already at her post and she needed to be elsewhere. However, unknown to the fox, she left him with one final gift to aid him in his journey.

Using her semblance, she opened a portal that would return her to the island where Tai awaited. As she stepped through, she narrowly missed the incoming soldiers arriving by a mere second.

It's in your hands now.

Aganju rushed through corridor after corridor, doing his best to stick to whatever was enough to conceal his presence. He wished he had Ren around to hide them from view only to mentally scold himself for forgetting the biggest flaw with that idea. Only the Grimm are affected by that... Dummy!

Running out of options, he knew that things required prudent timing and understanding of the layout of the building. Neither was available to him. As frustration set in, he stumbled onto someone who looked familiar and not for the better. Their long orange hair was accentuated by a white and green outfit—black mechanical legs glowing with green inflections.

She was the last person he needed to encounter right now. Thankfully, she hadn't noticed him yet, affording him time to duck behind a doorway.

"Is someone there?" he heard the sweet, innocent voice. Her inquiry grew in volume the closer she got to his location. "If you're a friend, why are you hiding?"

By now, he could feel his heart pounding in his throat. There's no way I can take on Penny right now! Shit! He cursed, hearing her footsteps grow louder. If she caught him, then the whole plan would be ruined before it could get off the ground. He'd be captured or worse! Sure, he had his trump card, but... Could he bring himself to use it?

"Hello?"

To hell with it! I'll just have to use it...

Aganju noticed her shadow growing larger as she neared his location. He clenched his fists and shut his eyes, silently meditating on the upcoming task. He suppressed his empathy, forcing it deep into the recesses of his mind. He could not afford to be hesitant, not when the lives of his friends were at stake. Slowly, he opened his eyes, which were now glowing with harsh resolution.

Just a few more steps...

"Penny?" Aganju froze in place at the voice that called out to the android. It was all too familiar, and it appeared to carry a degree of power over the mechanized girl as evidenced by her shadow halting just inches from his spot. "The general's been looking for you! Why haven't you reported in?"

"I'm sorry, Operative Bagheera. I only... I just arrived and I thought I heard something."

"Don't trouble yourself over the scurrying of rats. The Hero of Atlas is needed now more than ever so I suggest you move quickly, Penny."

"Understood..."

As if on cue, a loud explosion shook the palace of militancy. Rapidly, the shade began to diminish in size, no doubt rushing to the scene of such an act. Aganju waited until the area was completely silent, remaining still even after that. His chest ached for sweet oxygen but he pushed through the pain until he could no longer sense any immediate danger. Whether it was the will of the Brothers, Oum, or a lucky coincidence, he wouldn't squander it.

He rushed through the winding corridors until he reached the entrance to the training room. With the state of emergency from that mysterious explosion, it came as no surprise that the place was devoid of bodies.

"The prison bay should be..."

Before he could complete his hypothesis, an audible click forced him to take cover. Was someone here with him after all? Was paranoia setting in?

Just breathe... he coached himself. Through slow and patient breaths, Aganju allowed himself to become centered once more. Remember what you were taught.

As he stepped from behind the massive block, the fox was directly bombarded with a series of blasts that sent him stumbling backward. Grateful for the resurgence of his protective shield, Aganju looked up to find the culprit glaring back at him with the cruelest stare he'd witnessed. Bright and shining silver flashed at him, further irritating his core.

"So, you've returned?" the pather faunus simpered to himself as he reloaded his pistols. "I have to admit after you ran off like the scared little dog you are, I'm surprised that you showed your face back here again, especially when you're a wanted man."

"Wanted?"

"That's right! You're public enemy number 1! Given how dangerous you are, I can't blame them."

Sango stared down the perplexed vulpine, tilting his head with a snide grin. Arrogance flowed from the panther's aura, creating a nauseating effect to fill the corridor. Bloodlust. It announced its presence with a tremendous force that would rattle anyone not used to such the reality of death. Aganju, however, wasn't concerned about this.

How could one who flirted with the mistress of death time and time again be fearful of the prospect of meeting her once again? If anything, the young faunus inhaled the scent of impending violence, sporting a grin of his own to the astonishment of the Atlesian soldier.

"I don't care about any of that..."

"What did you say?" Sango's eye twitched at such brazen disregard. "You little brat!"

"You heard me. Do you think I care if I'm at the top of some bullshit list?" Aganju chuckled as he drew his weapon, a pair of clawed gauntlets. This was a far cry from the armaments he once wielded but it was the faint glow of red on each of the points that drew ire from the Atlesian. "All I care about is getting my friends back."

The fox then turned around to leave only to feel a a bullet whizz by his head.

"Do you think you have a chance against me?!"

"Ciel's doing fine, by the way..."

"What?!" Sango blinked, his blood boiling at being brushed off.

Aganju's smirk widened as he faced the outraged panther. The death glare pointed at him was nothing more than a thrill to behold. Although the silver eyes still caused a surge of pain throughout his body, it was a minor annoyance, nothing more. He didn't care about the pain, nor did he concern himself with understanding why it was happening. Meanwhile, Sango watched as the reddish hue grew even brighter.

"Sorry. It's been a while since we last brought that subject up," the fox apologized with a sly grin. "My point is, you were wrong then and you're wrong now."

"BASTARD!"

On cue, Sango opened fire on the rogue faunus. Rather than dodge like before, Aganju bolted into the barrage of blue shells, punching any that would've hit him. Each blow produced a shimmering mist that blanketed the battlefield.

"Are you done?"

Sango ceased his barrage when he noticed the young vulpine inches away from him. Aganju's fists were loaded for an uppercut that crashed into his sternum. The clash sparked a fiery blast that sent him crashing into a nearby wall. If not for his aura, the feline faunus would surely have endured broken ribs from such a shot.

Aganju relentlessly attacked the operative, landing a blow on their jaw and receiving a kick in return. He stumbled backward and had to switch to a defensive stance, blocking several of Sango's strikes and enduring another round of gunfire. Despite the mounting pressure, Aganju refused to back down. Instead, he transformed the color of his claws to cerulean and attempted to punch as many of the bullets as he could, sending them flying with tiny gusts.

So, he's using dust to counter...?

Sango took note of this, tossing his pistols down, much to Aganju's confusion. Before he could inquire further, the answer would reveal itself in the form of dual blades attached by aura chains to his wrists. It was evident that fighting fire with fire was the only way to handle things.

"By order of the Atlesian Kingdom, we will end you!"

Aganju glanced at the swords as he steadied his feet. His face was passionless, expressing his boredom with the situation. His blood ran cold and his mouth went dry. Sango walked toward him, pointing one of the sabers at him. The uneven tone of his eyes gave way to that eerie crimson he'd grown accustomed to. Whatever was about to happen, he knew that he couldn't hold back.

We...?

The sound of a blade whistled behind him as he crouched low enough to make his opponent miss. Spinning on his heel, Aganju kicked behind him clashing with a golden katana. The owner flipped away, allowing their hair to cascade down with a feather-like descent.

Pink eyes. No, now they're gold? Grey...?!

Aganju's hunch was confirmed when he noticed her eyes shifting colors as if at random.

"Hey there, cutie!" she winked with a wicked seduction. "We missed you!"

"Kairi. Where is... Argh!"

Aganju gasped in pain, feeling a hard boot connect with his midsection. The blow sent him grinding against the floor of the training room before he managed to bounce back on his toes, encountering a third challenger standing a few feet from him. Wielding two rustic-looking hatchets, there was no doubt that the situation had turned for the worst.

"What are your orders, Boss?" the male cut his gaze to the panther faunus. "The general is too busy with the explosion on the prison deck."

"End him, Marik."

Surrounded and outnumbered, Aganju dared to space a glimpse at each of the trio, analyzing all he knew about them. That was when he noticed something was off. Whether physically or mentally, the young male felt as if he was being watched from all sides. Were there more members of Atlas' soldiers here as well? No, he felt no presence other than the threesome before him.

Except one of them suddenly vanished before a hand rested upon a weird mark on his shoulder.

"Figured it out yet?"

What the hell?! How'd he get behind me?

"Make sure it hurts..." Sango hissed gleefully.

[Prison Deck]

"What's the status on that explosion?!"

Ironwood stomped through the blinking halls, his eyes gleaming with a fury that masked his trepidation. Beside him stood a sluggish Winter who did her best to keep up with her leader. The lack of rest had taken its toll on her in more ways than one, but she knew that this wasn't the cause for her slow responses.

"I... Ahem! The situation appears to have started on the rear end of the prison. The source of the eruption was due to a collection of Dust bombs, specifically fire and gravity elementals. The damage was immense but the deepest prison doesn't seem to have accumulated too much damage. Qrow is still... He's still being transported to the execution block as we speak."

"Good. See to it that Miss Nikos is taken to the infirmary under heavy guard."

"Excuse me, sir?"

General Ironwood stopped in his tracks, turning to his bewildered subordinate. He felt a vein throbbing on his temple, brandishing a snarl before matching her expression.

"Are my orders not concise?"

"No!" she shook her head, standing straighter than normal. "It's not that, sir..."

"Then what seems to be the problem, Schnee?"

"It's just that, there was already a report given to transfer Pyrrha Nikos to the medical wing shortly after the incident occurred. She's been under heavy supervision as she undergoes examinations. Given the circumstances, we all were certain that it was an official order from your desk."

This didn't make sense.

James had not given any orders until that moment. This was evident from the confused expression on his face. Moreover, his trusted lieutenant would not fabricate such information. Nonetheless, the accomplished war veteran was perplexed by the circumstances and knew that he needed to handle the situation with tact from this point forward.

Trust was not to be given so easily.

"Perhaps... It must have slipped my mind," for a moment, his gaze softened, giving Winter some degree of hope. "I think the stress of the execution is taking a far greater toll on me than I thought."

"Would you like me to bring you some coffee or some tea?"

"No need," he gently waved her off. "I should be fine after we get this over with. However, I would like you to head over to the medical wing and check on things first. Get some rest when you return, understood?"

Winter saluted the man with as much passion as she could gather, though it still appeared flimsy compared to her usual stature. The dark circles under her eyes were becoming more noticeable. She was in no condition to handle more duties right now.

She didn't put up a fight and headed to her directed post.

In truth, this was as much mercy as Ironwood would allow as he headed to the site. In truth, he knew that he was heading to the point of no return. The secretive Ozpin was gone. The cowardly Lionheart was gone. His relationship with Glynda was practically nonexistent. Qrow was the only close friend he had left, and now he was about to end his life.

It anguished him to the darkest depths of his black heart, but the general wouldn't allow it to be shown. He couldn't let weakness set in.

James Ironwood was in charge of Atlas. As Zeus ruled over Olympus, he dedicated his life to the preservation of the skyward kingdom. Nothing mattered more than protecting the lives of citizens and the resources of this magnificent nation, even at the cost of his humanity. Nothing and nobody was greater than the kingdom, not even his conscious.

He stood before the gates to his destination, watching as they creaked open. Before him, a silent Qrow stood encompassed by soldiers with unconsolable rage. If it weren't for the metal restraints, he would've lunged at the man with reckless abandonment.

Ironwood couldn't blame him for how he felt.

May the Brothers forgive me...