ARROWFELL III - FALL WHERE THEY MAY
**(WARNING! CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE PLOT OF THE VIDEO GAME: RWBY ARROWFELL)**
Blake
This first mission as official licensed huntresses is slowly starting to take its toll on me and rest of my team. I knew it was going to be difficult, but I wasn't expecting it to be a slog. Thankfully, our team had had our fair share of trials and tribulations for us to give up so easily. Not to mention the unexpected assist from Jaune and Team JNPR.
We've narrowed everything down to a retired Military Huntsman named Bram Thornmane as the mastermind for releasing the grimm attracting orbs, and have cornered him deep into an abandoned research facility called, Fort Arrowfell - the key to which are kept by it's guardians, Team BRIR who are currently in hiding. Hence why we're all in a cave.
"UGH! How long is this cave!?"
Ruby raised her hand sarcastically as we made our way through the dark and humid caverns, lit only by the faint glow of algae scattered all over.
"Who chooses to live like this?"
Weiss flicked her hand, feeding off of Ruby's energy.
"Probably ones who have something to protect."
Yang argued.
"Or something to hide..."
I whisper to myself, only because I'm still a bit skeptical of the other team. Yang tends to see the bright side of things a lot more than I do, which explains why she's the only one really supportive of the whole team tracking down BRIR. Unfortunately, it seems I didn't whisper it quietly enough and she heard.
"You're right. Still, I'd like to put my faith in them, only because we kind of deserve a win after all this, you know?"
Yang put her hands on her waist and smiled, catching me off-guard.
"Y-yeah. I guess you're right. Hey, we did win, somehow right? We made it to Atlas."
She scoffed and gently flicked her hair, as Yang began to walk away.
"Pssh. That was months ago. We need something to ourselves! Without the help of other people."
I giggled at what she had just said.
"Haha. We really didn't do any of this by ourselves. Team JNPR did help us."
Yang laughed nervously while she scratched the back of her head.
"That's sort of us, right?"
I jokingly punched her shoulder, as we headed deeper into the caverns.
"Speaking of JNPR."
Yang brought them up again shyly. I have a feeling I know where this is going.
"How have you and Ezra been?"
I knew it. Last time we talked about Ezra, I went on a tangent and started blurting out all my insecurities at her. It was unfair to Yang to just dump all of it on her and a part of me regrets it. But now that she's bringing it up herself, a part of me wants to speak. Still feeling a bit guilty partly because of my outburst, but I appreciate her looking out.
"Not too bad... it's just-"
Before I could finish, Yang cut me off.
"You're unsure of what to do next."
Understatement of the year, though I let her continue.
"When I lost my arm, when I found my mom, when... Ezra and I broke up, it was like a part of me all of a sudden stopped existing. No matter how much you wanna go back, you can't and all of a sudden, you're presented with a choice of what you can do- for the rest of your life: stay the course, be miserable, hate everything OR you move forward- only thing about moving forward is that you're just not sure if it will turn out better than what you just had."
Yang raised her mechanical arm once more and gazed upon it. It didn't take her very long for her to lose herself in her thoughts, as she carelessly twisted her hand back and forth.
"Blake... Adam held you back for so long that now that you're free from his grip, you can finally breathe. It's a strange feeling, freedom is. As great as it is, it's ironically and strangely... limiting. It's like a prison. You have all avenues open for you, but you're never quite sure which one to take, and you just end up frozen in that spot."
She took a deep breath and looked at me.
"Don't be frozen in your spot, Blake. Take a step forward. You might have used Ezra to fill a hole that Adam left, but he got you through the toughest of times- he got you back to US. He never would have persevered so much if he didn't truly love you, and you never would have tagged along with all of it if you never did love him as well. Whatever confusion is clouding your mind right now will all be cleared if you just take the next step forward."
I slowly run my fingers up towards her hand, tightly clenching them as hard as I could.
"Thank you, Yang."
Something about Yang just reminds me about the sun. Her smile, her energy, and her kindness. It's completely opposite to Ezra's cool, steady and poised demeanor, but strangely warm all the same. Yang reached out to wrap her hands around me to give me a hug, but something in the back of my mind still lurks. A thought I could never share with Yang...
I do love Ezra. That much is certain, but it's pretty clear I have some things I have to sort out for myself. Yang on other hand, I can still tell that she's harboring feelings for him still, just from the way she talks, and the way she mentions his name. In a sense, she's entangled with him the same way I was with Adam. Despite everything that happened...
"Yang?"
I ask, to which she cheerfully responded.
"Hmm?"
I hesitate for a second, but asked nonetheless.
"I already know the answer to this now, but back then in Beacon, would you have forgiven Ezra if Adam didn't- you know?"
Taken aback, Yang stepped back and tried to hide her emotions with a smile, but it was all futile, as her emotions slowly got the best of her. She looked down on the moist cavern floor and thought for a second, before clenching her elbow with her hand. It was as if she shrunk from embarassment, as she prepared to answer.
"I-I... uh. What kind of question is that, Blake?"
Again she tried to divert and avoid the question, but after seeing the look on my face, Yang gave in to the truth.
"Yes. I would have."
Of course, she would. I did with Adam multiple times. To have complete faith in someone despite everything they've done. So unfortunate that mine wasn't rewarded, the same way Yang's faith was in Ezra. I think that alone is enough for me to believe that if anybody deserves to be with Ez, it's Yang.
My silence must have been awkward for her that she began to chuckle. I smile back at her to ease her worries.
"Thank you for being honest. It made my mind a little bit clearer, Yang."
Yang flashed a big goofy grin my way and placed her hands on her waist.
"AWESOME! I don't know what I did, but I glad I could help."
I am too.
Ezra
Jealousy is such a vile emotion. It's corrosive and drains away any semblance of humanity you have the longer you let it linger. It's sad, but that's what drove Bram Thornmane to commit such the evil act of releasing grimm attracting orbs all over the Kingdom. He portrayed himself as a noble, caring, and kind individual that looked after the people of Essen. He pinned Team BRIR as the culprits for his scheme, and strategically threw both Glass and Fifestone out of his wagon when his trail became too hot.
I'm sure if we never caught Harper, Thornmane would have betrayed her too. All for what? A grudge? No, something pettier.
We got the word that Team RWBY sucessfully infiltrated Fort Arrowfell and defeated Bram Thornmane. Me and the rest of Team JNPR made haste to assist in any sort of clean up needed, but the General already beat us to it. By the time we arrived, he was already there with his guards, standing over the cuffed Thornmane with Team RWBY behind him.
"So, Amity was never your target. I was..."
James leaned over as the defeated Thornmane bowed down in defeat. Everything about him looked noble from his red coat, embroidered with gold all over, to his hair that looked like a lion's mane. It just screams noble. I guess you can never judge a book by its cover. Sad to see that someone like him can stoop so low.
"Your plan was to provoke a grimm attack. A fiasco that I would take the blame. I'd get kicked out and you will be welcomed back as an officer."
From what I heard, Thornmane was once a top candidate to take what is now Clover's spot in the Ace Ops. He worked tirelessly day and night to appease the General, only for him to fall short time and time again. I guess all that got to him and he wanted revenge. As twisted as that sounds.
"Amoncio Glass, Hanlon Fifestone. Your failure today only serve to cast sunlight on the corruption you created among the affluent and under priviledge alike."
Ironwood stared at him, as Bram growled in anger.
"This is not over James!"
He tried to attack him, but the general's guards were quick to respond. Soon, Thornmane was squirming and yelling with dejected eyes.
"It's only a matter of time before they see you for who you really are!"
Were some of things he said, as the guards dragged him away. With Bram away, Ironwood smiled and turned around to face Team RWBY.
"So, first big mission as licensed huntresses?"
Ruby cringed and swung her head left and right, trying to gauge the room.
"UH, I thought it went pretty well."
James raised an eyebrow, halfway satisfied with her answer.
"And this Arrowfell nonsense?"
Yang winked and pointed a finger at him.
"On the Q.T. sir!"
Again, he could only scoff and nod at what RWBY said. Without missing a beat, the General then turned around to face us... well, me.
"Team JNPR."
The four of us flinched and stood up straight as soon as he called us.
"The four of you have shown bravery, initiative, and quick and decisive decision making in the absense of orders. Your actions have not only led to the capture of the conspiracy surrounding the orbs, but have also uncovered the corruption plaguing my Military as well. For that, you have my gratitude."
Before Ironwood could fully thank us, Jaune cut him off.
"We appreciate the kind words sir, but none of this would have really been possible without the help of Ezra."
Nora stepped in to vouch for me as well.
"That is true. If it wasn't for him, we all would have been lost like dogs chasing our tails in a circle."
The General took a deep breath and stroked his beard while he looked at me.
"I'm all too aware of the contributions you've done for us, and though your actions do not absolve you for your past crimes, I do acknowledge that we are in a time of need, and you have proven yourself worthy of my trust once more."
My eyes widened in shock, as the General reached out his hand towards me.
"Oh, I, uh..."
I look around to see everyone smiling proudly at me. Faced with a sight like this, how can I not? I reach out my hand to shake the General's hand as proudly as I can.
"Thank you, sir."
Just then, a beep began to echo on my scroll. I quickly pulled it up to see that, I too, have been granted a license.
"Ezrael Perseus Snow, Licensed Huntsman. Huh. Who would have imagined?"
Ironwood let out a soft chuckle, as Jaune, Ren, and Nora hugged me.
"Now I can finally make Team JNPR an official team in Atlas."
As the General walked away, the rest of Team RWBY leaned in to give me a hug as well as we took the time to celebrate our victory.
Blake
After we wrapped everything up in Arrowfell, and Ezra was awarded his license, the eight of us met up at Amity Arena once more with Penny to celebrate the success of our first mission. No cake this time, but spending time with friends is good all the same. They have coffee, at least, enough to soothe my soul.
I rush towards the small table where the coffee maker rest, and made myself a cup.
"Sugar and cream... enough for it to taste like chocolate milk."
"Ah, the Ezra special."
Out of nowhere, Jaune swooped in behind me after noticing the absurd amount of sweeteners I'm dumping on my drink.
"He got me into it. I used to drink it black, but he insist the sugar jolts your body into moving a lot more. So he says, I think he just can't handle the taste of black coffee."
Jaune laughed, as he reach out for the pot.
"I'd like to agree, but I have to admit, I'm a sucker for sweet drinks too, and if it keeps me up- all the better."
He gently lifted his cup to his face to take a sip. Me and Jaune walked up to the bleachers away from everyone, choosing to watch all our friends from the distance rather than frolic with them.
"I don't understand how they have so much energy."
Jaune gleefully complained while he stared at Nora and Ezra teasing each other.
"I know, right! Ezra's a bit too much sometimes. He's sweet but... sorry, I'm seeing roses right now. Didn't mean to push all that on you."
Jaune adamantly shook his head and insisted that he doesn't mind.
"It's cool, it's cool. Don't worry too much about it."
The conversation was about to go awkward and silent so out of nowhere, I just blurted something out without thinking.
"Hey Jaune, how is it? Moving on, I mean without-"
Before I could finish, I caught myself and held back. I quicky raised my hand over mouth in embarassment only to be surprised to see Jaune with a faint smile.
"It's okay. You're going to ask about Pyrrha right?"
Well, there's no turning back now.
"Y-yeah."
Jaune straightened his back and tried to look as stoic as he possibly could, before shifting his gaze towards Ezra.
"You know it's funny. I told Ezra not too long ago that him fighting with us felt kind of similar to fighting along side Pyrrha. Both of them are forward thinkers, motivated, cheerful, and strong."
He took a deep breath as he stared deeply in the golden shield behind Ezra's back.
"And I'm not talking about physical strong. Both Ezra and Pyrrha were, but the kind of strength that-"
I know exactly what he's talking about...
"Perseverse."
Jaune nodded, not a hint of shock present in his face.
"Everyone looks up to me as their leader; to make a decision when times are tough, but in reality, I simply imagine what Pyrrha would do if she were in my shoes. I sincerely believe that Pyrrha should have been our leader, but she deferred nonetheless- believed in me. That believe is what help grow to the huntsman I am now, and it's what keeps me moving forward."
Faith, trust, love. All of them qualities that persevere even after death. Such a beautiful reason to not give up and move forward.
"That what you wanted to hear, Blake?"
He asks. I bit my lip for a moment and nodded, lying through my teeth cause it wasn't. I mean, I'm happy we're having a moment, but we're fundamentally different. Jaune lost a part of himself and is moving on, beautifully broken and excelling and making the most out of it. He was whole at one point and is trying to carry on, me on the other hand, am not even sure if I was ever complete.
Maybe the reason I'm struggling to move forward, the reason why I'm questionning my love for Ezra is because I don't know who I AM... and maybe me and Ezra are meant to be together, maybe we're not- the thing is, I can't answer that question unless I know who I really am.
"OOOOHHHH! Dang! This feels like the real thing!"
Ezra enthusiastically yelled as he laid down on the floor, marvelling at the fact that Yang's mechanical arm was as strong as her actual arm. Nevermind that he's completely okay losing an arm wrestling contest with her. I'm sure Ezra has regrets about Yang and due to all the circumstances we've been through, and just me being there- constantly present, he wasn't able to address any of them. Yang keeps saying that she's okay with how things are, and that she's achieved closure through it all, but has Ezra?
Just watching the two of them, I can tell that a part of their bond is still there. I can tell how they're both keeping their emotions at arms length away, probably in consideration for me. As they should, but if they still have lingering feelings for each other... as of right now, no matter how small, it's more legitimate than mine.
"Something wrong Blake?"
Jaune asks. I guess my silence has made it awkward after all. Kinda funny how that worked out, seeing as how I asked that dumb question to avoid this exact scenario to begin with. I wanted to say no to his question, but I owe him some honesty after asking a personal question.
"Y-yeah, just a bit confused about... stuff."
Jaune placed his hands over my shoulders and smiled.
"Do you believe in destiny, Blake?"
I giggled knowing the reference to that question.
"I know, I know. It's corny. Pyrrha once told me she did, but she never let herself be bound by it. She almost did, but in the end, she let the chips fall where they may."
Let the chips fall huh? Maybe... maybe it's time I do the same.
Eliza
The city streets of Atlas, perched atop the floating island lay quiet in the night. One of the few nights this city has had moment as serene as this. Bram Thornmane's attempt at Ironwood's position failed, something that Watts anticipated would happen. All the resources he says, but not the right mind to utilize it. The way I see it? They're not so different from my point of view.
Thornmane wanted revenge, and although Watts likes to put on the act that he's helping usher in the downfall of Atlas for a greater cause, I know better. He yearns for the same thing Bram Thornmane does- Ironwood's demise.
I question Watts' motives from time to time but never doubted that the result will lead to what he always predicted. As soon as we caught wind of Thornmane's plans, we backed off and let him crumble on his own accord. Distracting the military and the General made it easier for us to plant the seeds of whatever Arthur wants to accomplish. Ezra and his team got a bit too close to Glass, so Arthur tasked me to 'eliminate' him, injecting a serum that would slow his heart enough that when I froze him, he'd live. After all, we still need Amoncio for our- his plans. I've no doubt in my mind that the things he envisioned will eventually come through, and at the end of all this, Atlas will fall.
The real question now is: where do I fall in this puzzle of his?
And the only way to really answer that question is to go to the hearbeat of his plans. In order to crush a Kingdom, you stab its beating heart. As much as Ironwood likes to believe that that heart is Atlas Academy, its not. There is one company that has its hands on every single organization, infrastructure, and aspect of government in this Kingdom and that's the Schnee Dust Company.
"They really need to beef up security around here."
My voice echoed within the hallway of Schnee Manor was as silent as the city outside.
"There really wasn't a need too. Only you would be brave enough to sneak into the Manor- or stupid enough."
Willow cautiously followed me down the hall, as my cloak fluttered against the slight breeze of the empty manor.
"One would think your husband is enough of risk for you to increase security, Auntie."
Ignoring my comment, Willow lifted the bottle of alcohol on her hand and shamelessly chugged it before unlocking the door to Jacques Schnee's office.
"Why are you here, Eliza?"
That she doesn't need to know, but as expected, she didn't take too kindly to my silence.
"Answer me."
She said in a low growling voice. In a blink of an eye, a white sabyr suddenly appeared right beside her, prowling down and ready to pounce at me.
"Hmmph."
Again, I ignore her and proceeded to hack Jacque's computer terminal.
"Eliza, answer me!"
This time around, she was more demanding. Willow's patience starts to grow as the sabyr lunged at me with its fangs protruding out and its claws extended. A terrible sight indeed, especially coming from the esteemed Willow Schnee, who was once touted as one of the best summoner of her clan. Unfortunately for her, old age and the absurd amount of alcohol she drinks have detiorated her skills. I raise my palms up and waited for the sabyr to come in contact with me, and as soon as it did, the summoned grimm promptly crumbled into ashes.
"Mother did always say you were a fine summoner. Shame you didn't take the time to polish your skills."
Surprised and angered, Willow tightened her grip on her bottle and threw it at me haphazardly, which I easily evaded by tilting my head sideways.
"SCREW YOU!"
[ACCESS GRANTED: MILITARY FILES - CODE: 11190134 :: PROJECT AMITY]
Project Amity? Interesting. What do you have in store for us, General?
[/SEEK PATH: AMITY - CONVERSION UNIT :: COMMUNICATIONS TOWER :: GLOBAL OUTREACH]
I see. So this is what Watts is after. Finally, something I know that he doesn't, and I'd like for it to stay that way. I promptly inserted a flash drive into Jacques' terminal that download the files while simultaneously corrupted any traces of my presence in the Schnee cyberspace. This could be my ace in the hole. I don't know what to do with this information yet, but I'll think of something. In the meantime...
"What did you steal from my husband this time!?"
I tuck the flash drive back inside my cloak, and gently adjusted my mask.
"None of your business, Auntie."
Which only caused to set her off. Willow gritted her teeth and clenched her fist, as the alcohol begins to take over her senses.
"None of MY business? YOU are in MY house. You damn SNOWS! All you do is take, take, take! You took our fortune, you took our secrets, and you took my sister!"
Mother...
"Why don't you go back to your damn family and leave mine alone!"
How ironic that she would say that. I calmly walked through her husband's office and past her while I whispered in her ear.
"I can't. They're all dead, remember?"
Tears began to flood Willow's eyes, as she blindly swung at me, which I easily caught with my hand.
"I know they're dead! I know Edel is dead! Because of you! Of all of you!"
I loosened my grip on her arm, and continued to walk away into the darkness.
"I know... I know, Auntie."
With those last words echoing into the Schnee Manor hallway, Willow fell to her knees in defeat and cried. A part of me wants to as well- to weep for my dead mother, but what good would that do? Right now, I have a very real chance to break free from Arthur, the clan... Salem. To be with whatever's left of my family, my real family. Whether or not Ezra would let me is another thing, but I'll worry about that when the time comes.
Ezra, is this what you felt when you fell in love with Yang? This feeling of freedom... it's oddly... suffocating.