"AGHHH!"
AGAIN... IT HAPPENED AGAIN!
How many times would they betray him, how many times will they flock to the Humans!? The very same Humans who locked them in cages! The very same Humans who reveled in their suffering! It was Blake all over again!
COWARDS!
They sought the affection of their oppressors, and for what!? To be their prized pets!? To be put on a golden leash and walked down the street to be gawked at!? To be cemented as animals for the sick pleasure of the masses!? He knew how the world worked, he knew the Humans would hate and despise their kind for simply breathing! He was more than willing to set himself to the cause, to fight for those who couldn't! Those who were locked away or simply not strong enough!
"DAMNIT!"
But to devote yourself and just run away when things got hard!? That's something that couldn't be tolerated! So many Faunus relied on them to push back against the hoard, and yet they just... ran away. They ran away, they couldn't handle it. They thought they were fighters yet... yet... they were just children. Children who were scared, frightened by the waves of Humans. Children who wanted freedom but weren't strong enough to get it.
Children... they're just... children.
"Sir?"
The voice seemed to break Adam from his trance. He looked around, the office was trashed and he had a sneaking suspicion of who the culprit was. Letting out a sigh he turned back to Saw. He couldn't see the man's face, but he could feel his caution.
"Yes?" He asked, keeping his fatigue hidden from his words.
"That woman 'Cinder' is here to see you." He told as Adam looked around, he could fix the office when he got back.
"Tell her I'll be there shortly." He stated as Saw nodded, shutting the door and leaving Adam alone again.
Adam stepped back, dropping down in the chair he'd used for others who reported to him. Papers littered the floor, and his own desk was in pieces against the wall. He really went wild on the poor furniture, he'd need to watch himself from now on; he couldn't afford to lose his cool like that.
But that would be dealt with later, there were more important matters on his mind at the moment.
Vermillion... so you were a traitor all along.
He'd already suspected the boy was working with Sienna, probably to spy on him. But this? To be in line with the headmaster of Beacon, the very same place where Blake had scampered off to? It left him thinking deeper on the matter. Why and when did he get in league with them? With his traits being so direct he'd be suspected to countless acts of cruelty by the Human public, so why? Did he believe that Beacon would grant him equality? Was that also what Blake had thought?
Adam felt himself chuckle at the idea, letting out a sigh as reality set in. They were fools plain and simple. The academies may not have promoted open hate, but that didn't mean they stopped it. Several of the rebels that joined the cause had been from the schools, confirming that while they don't support hate... they don't do anything about it either. Maybe once or twice their staff will step in, but not much.
Was it ignorance, poor timing perhaps? It didn't matter, the lack of action was the greatest problem in itself. They wouldn't do anything, they'd simply wait until they were forced to act. They never took notice of the world around them, nobody did. They were all lulled into a bittersweet melody, unaware of the things happening behind the scenes. Going day by day, watching them suffer and not caring in the slightest. It didn't effect them, so why would they care?
He laughed to himself harder this time, finding humor in it. That was where the White Fang came in after all, they were the reason. Unlike the others around them the White Fang would actively seek out the darker side of Humanity, of the world they shared. They would actively expose the monsters hidden in the shadows, and drag them to the light. They played the roll of judge, jury, and executioner. All of that in a desperate bid to involve the Humans.
It didn't affect them before, they were always left alone. But now, now it was their problem. The White Fang would make it their problem, and if it took the lives of all Humanity for them to realize that...
So be it.
.
.
He was getting a lot of weird looks, which wasn't all that surprising really. I mean come on, he was stuck carrying some poor shmuck over his shoulder, who wouldn't be weirded out at that.
Qrow felt himself growing more and more annoyed at the constant stares and whispers as he approached the tower. Ozpin was going to have some serious explaining to do, sending him in almost blind. Of course he said he'd tell them when everyone arrived, but that didn't mean he couldn't give a quick talk about what the dust happened back there.
Unfortunately he found himself stumbling as a student suddenly crossed his path, both bumping into each other.
"S-sorry sir, I wasn't watching where I was going." The red-head let out quickly, only to stammer as she looked at them. "Um, pardon me sir, is there any particular reason you have that man over your shoulder?"
Qrow gave a sluggish reply, letting some of his irritation show. "Bastard got hung over last night, I'm bringing him back to his room."
"Um, but the dorms are that way." The girl spoke, pointing behind him as he looked to the tower.
"Yeah, but I've got to pick something up from the headmaster first and I'm not letting this guy right here make me late. I'll get him back eventually, but I can't leave him alone. He gets himself into enough trouble as it is." Qrow answered, hoping the girl would shove off and let him move on.
"Okay? Sorry for bothering you." She said slowly, walking around him and giving one last face before continuing on her way.
Qrow let out a silent sigh as he continued on. He was sure he'd seen that girl before, in some sport show or something. Ah well, didn't matter at the moment, he still had a kid to deliver. Stepping beyond the doors he made his way to the desk, dinging the little bell. The woman stationed there looked up, giving the same startled look as all the others.
"Let the headmaster know we're coming up." He told as he started to the elevator.
"R-right, of course!" The woman answered as the doors shut, an irritating tune playing and only amplifying his bad mood.
Another ding, and the doors opened up again allowing Qrow to walk right up to the desk. Ozpin didn't even get a chance to speak before Qrow dropped Vermillion right on top of the paperwork laying about.
"We need to talk." Qrow stated blandly as Ozpin nodded.
"It would seem so. Very well, so long as it's nothing too deep I'll answer some of the questions I'm sure are bothering you." The man said, standing and pacing around his desk to face Qrow.
"Right, first of all, what the fuck did I see back there?"
"Ahh, with the tendrils I take it?"
Qrow scoffed. "Tendrils, tentacles, I don't care what you call it. I wanna know what the hell was going on. You did not tell me the mission would involve creepy shit like that!"
Ozpin nodded as he let out a breath. "Yes, I'm well aware. Back during the private talk we had he told me what he'd been doing for the past while. He'd come across those black obelisks some time after he first woke up, each holding a puzzling inscription."
"Yeah I know. Kid said something but I was backed away keeping watch, I never caught what it was." Qrow let out as Ozpin nodded.
"Yes well, he can tell us what it was after he wakes up. As for why exactly those tendrils appear, it is as much a mystery to us as it is you."
Qrow took out his flask, unscrewing the cap. "So what you're saying is you've got no clue either."
"Precisely."
"Great, creepy shit and not even you have any idea what it is." Qrow took a long swig before returning it back to his pocket.
Ozpin took to the boy. "Yes, life is indeed full of mysteries. It's what makes things interesting, even with all my experience it seems there's always something new to discover."
Qrow took a glance over the boy as well, noticing something off. "Oz, he supposed to be crying like that?"
Ozpin held a hint of confusion, looking closer to Vermillion's face, noticing the light glaze of tears trailing to the desk.
"I... I'm not sure."
.
.
The landscape was dark, the same as it had been before. Honestly, couldn't these moments lighten things up a bit every now and then, it was starting to get bland. Small gripes withstanding I knew the drill, a new scene would appear of the past. And a new power would be waiting for me when I woke up.
Then it hit me, something was off about the surrounding darkness. I couldn't quite tell what it was, but things just felt different. whether for good or ill I'd just have to wait and see.
Soon enough things started to fade, and light filled my vision. Upon regaining sight I was able to deduce that I was in the family home, the ball room from the looks of it. Large and sprawling, several decorative suits of armor lined the walls. Above each soulless guard was a painting of different members of the family. Mother, father, aunt, uncle, and even myself. They filled the walls between the massive windows, bringing about a sense of life.
However at the end of the room there was one last painting, larger than the rest and framed with velvet curtains. It was of the three of us, mother, father, and I. The image showed a younger me in my mother's arms as father stood guard over us. Had I more time I'd have liked to look around, yet the sounds of chatter drew me away.
I followed after the sound, slowly beginning to work out the words I was hearing.
"Please nanny, may we go to the market? I wish to see the knights return." A child rendition of me begged, as the older woman looked thoughtful.
"I don't know, the streets are dangerous you know. You may end up hurt if you wander away." The older woman let out, brushing some of her hair from her eyes.
Now the memories were coming back. As a child I had been tutored and watched over by several teachers and servants, yet none held as much influence over me as the nanny. She looked after me when mother and father were busy, which was quite a lot. She'd been a kind middle aged woman, always willing to spend time with me when I was alone.
"I promise not to wander far from you, honest." The child spoke, holding tight the ends of the woman's apron.
She let out an audible 'hmm' placing her hand on her hips as she looked to be thinking. A grin traced her features as she ducked down.
"Alright, we'll take a small trip to the market stalls, but you must wear a cloak so others don't recognize you." She said as my younger self nodded, face lighting up as the woman stood.
The scene seemed to fade and I was left to the darkness once more, and once more the strange feeling persisted. It was starting to get irritating now, yet it didn't have time to fester as the light returned.
The area was filled with people now, dozens, perhaps hundreds wandering about under the sunny sky. I could make out several stalls around the place, each calling out and making a racket to attract potential customers. There were a few benches lying about where some older folks rested themselves as people rushed on by. I turned back, noticing the large cathedral standing firm some ways down the street.
It was gigantic, easily able to fit well over a thousand occupants at a time. It was the place where the people would come to offer up their prayers when the divines weren't making announcements. It was run by the more devout believers who would keep it clean and polished for the citizens, funded by the kingdom itself. The queen once told me that it was a place of peace for the people and so they covered it's costs.
Of course that moment with the queen was much further ahead than the memory I found myself in here. Question was: what memory was this? Nanny had taken me to the market several times over my life before she left our employment, so what time was this?
The world seemed to dull, the noise fading away as I heard a voice. Much like before I trailed after it, keen to find the owner and in turn, the subject of the memory. I passed through the crowds as the world seemed to grey, slowly able to make out the sounds as those of pain.
It was a gentle weeping that filled my ears as I drew closer to the holy building, passing by and just off to the shadows beside. Sitting there I was able to see my young other, rubbing the back of a crying girl.
No... No please, anything but this...
That girl, I knew her. The long silver locks, and the beautifully gentle face matted with tears.
"Please... please let this be a trick of the light. Not her, please not her..."
The words escaped me, a quiet pleading that faded into the void. Yet the scene continued on as I felt a sense of pain grace my skin.
"Shh, shh, it's okay, I'll help you." They boy said as the girl looked to him, her mud stained face filled with sorrow.
The girl bore rags, bare limbs poking out and covered in muck as she held her legs. Her eyes showed nothing but sadness, yet the young boy was not deterred. Instead he reached into the pouch at his side, holding out a hand to the girl.
"Here, for you." He stated as he dropped something into her hands.
It was a couple gold coins, the highest form of currency in the kingdom. There were also silver, bronze, and copper coins; each getting lesser in value respectively. The girl was caught off guard, frantically trying to hand back the money.
"You mustn't, you'll get in trouble for helping someone like me!" She declared, only for the boy to take her hands.
"I insist, I wish to help you!"
"Why? Why help me?" She asked, a few tears trailing her cheeks. My other gave a stupid smile.
"You need it. The Goddess says to help those in need, so I'm helping you!"
"T-the Goddess?" She asked quietly as the boy nodded.
"Yep, the God and Goddess always say to help those less fortunate than you."
"Even me?"
"Mnhm, even you." He spoke as the girl rushed forth, wrapping him in an embrace.
"Vermillion... Vermillion..." A voice called from the distance, growing in volume as I turned to see the nanny approach.
"Vermillion! There you are, do you know how worried I-" She stopped as she noticed the young girl clinging to the boy.
"We have to help her!" He declared before she got a moment to speak.
"Vermillion dear, I'm not sure your mother would li-"
"We have to! She need us!" Little me didn't seem to want to go down without a fight. The nanny only sighed as she looked over the girl.
She was silent as she stepped closer, the girl burying herself deeper into my other as she cowered away. The boy held a defiant look, challenging nanny to just try and stop him. Yet he had a hint of fear on his face, clearly worried he might lose. But he remained still, the final guard defending the girl.
"Fine, you win, we'll help her." Nanny spoke as my other grew a smile.
The older woman waved her hand. "But we have to get you home first, mother is waiting after all."
She cast a gaze to the young girl. "And as for you, wait here for me. When I get back I'll find a place for you. Yes... I think I know exactly what to do."
My other took the woman's hand. "See, you'll be okay now... uh... Sorry, I didn't get your name."
The young girl leaned against the wall, hope trailing her eyes as she stared his way.
"Angela."
The world faded again as I dropped to my knees. Looking out I begged again, desperation filling my tone.
"Please, not this! I'll take anything but this! No more!"
My cries were once again ignored as the world sprung to life. And so I sat as the scene unfolded. My other was a few years older this time, around thirteen or so as he stood next to the girl.
"And then Diamond covered her arms, calling herself the spirit queen."
Angela was in the middle of telling an older me what the princesses were up to. After that day back when I met her I'd learned that the queen chose her to act as royal playmate. I didn't know why at the time, as the younger me was too overjoyed to think about asking. I'd simply been happy that she was safe, and that I got to see her when the family visited the castle.
The princesses had only been tiny tots at the time, and Angela spent most of her days letting them crawl around her, or so she told. Yet the girl had aged since then, her hair growing longer and her face smoothing. She had a better life than on the streets before, and it showed. Graced in an elegant dress lined with golden frills, she started to look more woman than girl. Though she was only a year older at the time my other held a sort of... affection towards her.
"Truly, and the others?" My other asked, wearing a set of armor and sporting a standard steel sword. I'd not gained my promotion at the time, instead I'd been tasked by my parents to take up lessons from the queen and king as our family was close to them.
"Well, Garnet spent her time giggling, Cassiterite was cheering, and Hematite gave the cutest little claps." Angela spoke as she gushed.
Yes, the princesses, always so excitable. They'd been named after precious stones, the reasoning for it in the queen's own words being that they were her 'precious little gems'. The divines valued their children greatly, and so the title of 'royal playmate' was to be worn with pride as Angela had been one of the few allowed to look over them.
"Angel, Angel are you here?" Came a tiny voice, the owner peeking her way past the door. The tiny form of princess Garnet made her way in, joy filling her features as she glanced upon the silver haired girl.
"She's in here!" Garnet called back to the hall, and the pitter patter of tiny footsteps rushed along as the sisters joined the first. The children rushed in, crowding around Angela as my other stepped back.
"Looks like I'm wanted." She spoke as the boy gave an understanding nod, making his way to the door as the scene faded.
That feeling was everywhere now, all consuming in it's desire to seemingly do away with me. Heat, it was heat that filled the void. A burning, uncontrollable heat that just kept rising in temperature. But even the feeling of pain across my skin was unable to free me from the dread that filled my heart.
The scene opened to a room this time, Angela and my other looked to have aged a year. They were staring at a painting hung up on the wall.
"I think they did swell." She spoke as the other me seemed to grumble.
"Clearly they need more practice." He spoke as she swatted his arm.
"Quiet you, they captured us perfectly, just look at Diamond." She spoke as she waved to the painting.
Diamond looked proud honestly, the smaller details such as the way her cheeks puffed when she tried to look imposing was all present and on display. Yet the boy didn't seem amused, shaking his head as he looked to the picture once more.
"Yes he got the details, but he clearly failed."
"And why is that!?" Angela spoke with a huff, annoyed at the younger boy's lack of respect for the work of art.
"Simple, he captured the room and all of you as a whole, yet he missed out on the soul."
"Soul huh?" She asked with a flat look.
"Of course, when I look at it all I see is a painting, that's it. The artist completely missed the emotion of the piece, the true emotion!" He cried as she rolled her eyes, placing a hand to her cheek.
"And how so is it you are able to tell, oh wise viewer of beauty?" Her tone was mocking as my other looked her in the eye.
"Because when I look at it, I feel nothing. But when I look at you, my heart soars." He stated, smirking as her face flooded pink.
"Q-quiet you!" She cried, slapping his arm once more as he laughed.
The darkness returned, and with it the feeling from before, even stronger than ever. It was all going so fast, yet still I hoped for an end. As fruitless as it was I hoped it would cut right here, that my memories would end. I was not so lucky.
Color flooded the void once more, and the broken moon hung above the night sky. There my other stood, holding the hands of Angela as the stars watched from above.
"I'm sorry, but I cannot."
"But why? Is there another who owns your heart?" The boy begged, looking no older than last time.
"It's not that, It simply isn't possible." She stated, letting go and backing away.
"I don't understand, I love you so... do you not feel the same?" He cried, his voice shrinking with every word as he seemed to slump.
Tears filled her eyes as she stared him down, sorrow radiating off her very skin.
"I do love you, but still we cannot." She was closing in on herself as she turned away.
"If you feel the same then why? Please, I need to know!" My other looked to have lost all hope.
"I... I wish I could tell you, I wish it more than anything, but I can't pull you into this." She stepped forward, holding my cheeks with a tearful smile. "You gave me kindness, you stood with me for all these years, so please believe me when I say we must not come together. I'm all grown up now, so please... leave my side. You need not guard me any longer."
She stepped away, the moonlight illuminating her tears. It was with one last look that she walked away, leaving my broken form grasping desperately towards her.
"I... I..." His hand clenched as he stared to the dirt below, shutting his eyes as his arm dropped. "Very well... if you wish it so."
The color died, the void now searing across my skin. The darkness was deafening as I stood. There was no denying it now, the void wished me pain... and so it would be.
It faded once again, now a feeling of cold coating my skin. I was standing just outside the queen's personal office, and I knew exactly why. I saw my other, older and sporting the pale skin I now bore. It was after my promotion and midway through my sixteenth winter, I was called upon by the queen through the fairy I'd acquired in the gardens.
Angela never wanted one, in fact she personally requested against it, and I was about to learn why she didn't want any communication between us. Angela had been with the king during the revealing of the gardens, helping with business that only she and the divines knew.
My other stood next to me, slowly opening the door as he entered the room. I trailed along as we came face to face with the queen. Her eyes were red, raw from the tears that spilled forth. My other was alarmed, rushing forward in panic.
"My queen! What happened!?" He called as he stood before her. Gently she wiped her eyes as she stared down at him.
"Vermillion, I have called forth with a mission for you tonight. A true mission, one beyond simple babysitting such as with the children." Her tone was solid, frighteningly so.
My other stilled, quietly bowing, showing his willingness to fulfill her need. The queen waved him forth as she walked to the back, passing through the curtains to which we followed.
She sat upon a chair, overseeing the bed which held a single occupant, neck covered with a dark wrap.
"Angela?" My other asked as he stepped forward, looking over her form.
"Indeed, she is... she is not with us anymore."
My other stilled, staring at the body as it lay in peaceful slumber. A minute went by before he mustered the strength to speak.
"Why?" His voice was so tiny, his form shaking as he tried to keep himself together. The queen could only give a solemn look, gently taking hold of the girl's hand.
"Her fiancée finally saw fit her revenge. The attacker... *sigh* at least she died quickly." The queen spoke softly, hate laced her voice as my other clenched his fists.
"I don't understand." He let out, his voice cracking under the pressure.
The queen faced him. "It was from long ago, back when she was first brought to me. She told of how she fled her kingdom in fear of her life. Her family wanted her dead for her 'impure soul'."
"How? She was the purest of all, second only to you and the princesses." My other let out, almost seeming to reach for her, his arm jutting back to his side.
"She was. It was her heart and spirit that set them off. Once upon a time she was known as prince Blanc, due to be wed in alliance with a rival family. However she possessed the heart and soul of a maiden, something seen as a travesty to the other kingdoms." The queen revealed as my other fought back his sorrow.
"And you?" He asked, eyes shut and shaking.
Others would see it as accusation, but from him... the queen knew it was not. Our kingdom had never spoke of choice being a crime, the divines created the kingdoms laws themselves and choice had been one thing they promoted between all.
"I've seen all this world has to offer, all that it chooses to be. There is no fault in living as you desire so long as others are left unharmed. The king and I predate all that the people could ever know, seen all the evils the land may conjure. Yet the heart and soul of this girl was pure, kindness and care just waiting to be expressed. And so when she came to me a child of ten I granted her a feminine body with my magic, to grow into who she wished. However I couldn't change the base of her body, only shape what she grew into." The queen turned to me, hatred in her eyes.
"Back when we presented the fairies to the children Angela was helping the king address some of the travelers. Among them she was recognized by the birthmark that lined her neck."
"The broken heart?" Other me asked through his broken voice.
The queen nodded. "Yes, by some cruel string of fate Angela's fiancée to be had arrived as a guest, she'd suspected such a thing for years. The king aided Angela in an attempt to explain she would not be leaving the kingdom, nor would she cave to the outer kingdom's desires. The woman left with a sour, yet amused look. Now... now we know why."
"They took her... they took her from us." My other repeated, over and over several times as if in a trance.
He didn't quite understand what the queen was implying. 'Impure', such a thing was unheard of in Mobius. The scripture of the divines told to care for all lots of life, to protect one another so that the people may grow and rise throughout all of time. Personal happiness was one of the most sought after needs, so long as others didn't suffer from it all was permitted.
Men and women with hearts of the other were of no issue in Mobius; while uncommon it was still present among the people. But to here it a crime elsewhere. Suddenly, in those moments, I'd lost my desire to explore the outer world. Instead in my heart took on a new desire, one that flooded from the core. A desire I swore to fulfill, a need for vengeance!
"Vermillion, I'm ordering you to go along with the Claw, you are to aid in finding the ones responsible. And when you do... execute them." The queen was calm, only on the outside however. Below her tone seeped a vicious rage, lashing out in desperation.
I was silent, both myself and my other, overlapping in a harmony of pain. The queen rose as she placed a hand on my face.
"She loved you, more than anything. It was with this love that she hid herself from you, all in a desperate attempt to keep you safe."
"I could have protected her." A whisper, that was all that left my lips as she rubbed my cheek.
"Yes, but you would have been at risk. They'd have attacked in your sleep had you been together. This way at least you'd be unharmed." She wiped away a stray tear from my face.
"You were her knight in shining armor, even throughout your change she always spoke of you. She let herself die to save you." The queen backed away as my other lifted his head.
"They took her from us, and now... we'll take everything from them. You are to go with the Claw and ensure these invaders never steal from us again. Will you carry out this task?" It was a command, yet she saw fit to give me an out.
My other wasn't listening to that side though, he was consumed by hatred. He turned to face the door, giving his answer as he stepped out.
"It will be done."
The world burst apart as black fire consumed the void, outlined in white it roared as I burned. The fire made way as it spread apart, the next scene all too clear.
Fear consumed me as I looked upon the end of the tale. My other stood before the downed woman, the hired killer of Angela scattered about, his severed pieces littered around the ruins. The woman had been hold up in an abandoned mill, built of stone with the wood having already rot away.
"Leave... I wish to do this myself." My other ordered, his words laced with venom. The rest of the Claw looked among themselves, yet they obeyed. And so my other was alone with the waste of skin that lay before us.
Yet I felt no joy, no satisfaction at the scene I saw. Only a primal fear as I looked upon myself. My skin had dulled to a charred grey, my once pulsing veins ceasing to flow. The bright crimson eyes dulled to a dark purple as a silver glow lined the iris's. It was like looking at a twisted shadow, a horrid copy that wore my skin.
The woman tried to scamper away, tears across her face and makeup smeared. My other gave no such hope as he stomped down on a leg. A shriek filled the air as it broke under the heel. The screams never stopped there however as he saw fit to do away with the other.
Shrieks amplified as he walked forwards, repeating the process with each of her arms and leaving nothing but her weeping broken form. She begged and cried, yet my other tuned it all out. The glow around his iris's grew brighter as he raised a hand. The black flames sprang to life in his palm as he stared, emotionless and void of mercy.
His hand reached for her, and the flames were brought to life. She screamed and screamed as her body was awash with that accursed dark fire, yet my other remained silent as he simply watched her suffer. It was revenge, simple and pure revenge, all for the loss of my first real friend.
The scene ended and the screams faded. The heat that filled the void was gone now, and only a chill remained. I remembered those flames, those sickeningly black flames. And worst of all, it felt good. It felt so good at the time to watch her burn in the fire, to find pleasure in her suffering.
It wouldn't be until a day later that I would realize just what I'd done. I felt sick, and had resigned myself to my personal chambers. Only coming out to perform my duties, otherwise hiding away from the world. The queen would visit me a week later, and through her kind words and shared pain she'd convince me to return to outer life. Yet even so I buried myself in my duties, hoping that the sting would fade.
Both the queen and king had set up a single grave in the fairy garden, a soft memento to remember her. I believed She would be happier that way, as she was never one for standing out. The princesses had a hard time letting her go, yet even they would find peace with their mother's aid. From time to time they dreamed of her dancing amongst the fairies. As for the queen herself, from that day forth her light had dulled, and her love for the people felt strained at what was essentially the loss of a daughter.
I'd had nightmares of those flames for weeks afterwards, and like a bad dream those too would fade. As for the kingdom that woman hailed from, the queen sent the remains back with a message. We never got word from them ever again.
Angela... looking upon her again I realized she bore a soft resemblance to Weiss. Was that why I'd felt such regret back at the docks? A reminder of the lost, a wound still fresh.
The void was dark, and the hands sprung forth to take me.
So much power, those Claw lackeys knew when to back off, who they took orders from.
What would happen if we had that level of respect from the wild shadows that litter the land?
To bend them to our will.
I could feel the burning hands as the darkness threatened to steal my sight away, fatigue flooded my body.
Those flames... that was the only time I'd achieved such power. Try as I might I'd never been able to come close to the heat of those flames. And in a way I was terrified that one day they'd return, that they'd consume me and all I loved.
Because in that moment, amongst the fire...
I felt whole.
Author's note
...
This took a turn for the... yeah, getting dark again I know. Things won't stay dark the whole time however, gotta have some light to balance out the dark.
We also got a look into the world of the past once more, showing a small tidbit about Mobius law and how it was formed. As well as Salem's view on life at the time, still with a dark playout though.
At least Adam got some development, and Qrow's still having the worst of luck.
Anyway, thanks for reading. Let me know what you think.
See you next time.
(Oh, and a little side note, the rewrite for chapter 1 is out. Nothing new was really added, just a bit of spicing up, it's mostly the same. Reading it is not required for moving forwards, but if you want to give it a peek you can do so now.)