Pyrrha Nikos stood before the solemn gathering with her heart weighed down by the loss of another friend. The funeral was a somber affair, the sky above a dull gray canvas mirroring the mood of those gathered. Pyrrha's normally unshakeable and polite demeanor was shattered, her usually resolute spirit fractured by the pain of another friend lost.
The worst part of it was knowing her friend was now part of hers.
Amber's casket, adorned with flowers and symbols of her life, lay at the center of the gathering, a painful reminder of the void left behind.
At least I could still see your face.
Better than her friend who died without one.
Pyrrha's eyes remained fixed on it, unable to tear herself away from the reality of a friend's passing. Each breath felt like a struggle, her chest tight with sorrow. She was so tired of losing friends. She truly was.
As the eulogies began, memories of Amber flooded Pyrrha's mind—laughter shared, battles fought side by side here in Mistral, dreams of a brighter future. It was so short… and yet so beautiful and yet again taken away as easily.
First Jaune... and now Amber... I meet so wonderful people...but yet destiny seems like they want to take them from me... it's not fair.
She clenched her fists, fighting against the overwhelming urge to scream, to rage against the unfairness of it all. And underlying her grief was a burning fury, directed at the one responsible for Amber's untimely demise: Tyrian Callows.
Team RWBY, along with Ren and Nora, stood by Pyrrha's side, offering words of comfort and solace. But their attempts to console her fell on deaf ears. Pyrrha remained distant, lost in her own turmoil, her pain a solitary burden she could not bear to share.
So much for being an invincible girl… what's the point if I can't protect others?
Ruby, her voice trembling with emotion, reached out to Pyrrha, her silver eyes filled with empathy.
"Pyrrha, I..."
Pyrrha's gaze remained fixed on the casket, her jaw set in determination. "I appreciate your kindness, Ruby. But this... this is something I must face alone."
Weiss stepped forward. Her expression softened with compassion. "You don't have to say that, Pyrrha. We're your friends. Let us-."
"No," Pyrrha shook her head as she cuts them off., a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "You don't understand, Weiss. This isn't something that can be fixed with kind words and gestures. Amber is gone, and Tyrian... Tyrian took her from us. And I failed her."
"We know you're hurting, Pyrrha. But-."
Nora's hand found Pyrrha's shoulder, her touch gentle yet firm but she flinched.
Pyrrha's eyes flickered with a fleeting moment of vulnerability before hardening once more. "I know, Nora. Tyrian will pay for what he's done, I swear it."
Pyrrha remained rooted to the spot, her thoughts consumed by thoughts of revenge. Amber's death had ignited a fire within her—a fire fueled by grief, anger, and a burning desire for justice.
"I swear."
The air around Pyrrha seemed to crackle with an icy intensity, her once warm demeanor now replaced by a chilling aura that sent shivers down the spines of those around her. Team RWBY and her other friends exchanged concerned glances, their attempts to offer comfort thwarted by the palpable frost emanating from the usually gentle-hearted warrior.
As they withdrew, Pyrrha remained standing in solitary silence, her gaze fixed on the horizon, but her thoughts consumed by the chaos that had unfolded. The fall of Amity Arena had been a devastating blow to Vale and now, with Amber's death weighing heavily on her heart, Pyrrha found herself questioning the very notion of safety in a world torn apart by this conflict the General and the others were hiding from them.
Her fists clenched at her sides, the memories of Amber's laughter and friendship mingling with the pain of her loss. One death was painful enough… but another one made her ache more.
"It's okay, Pyrrha. I'm always with you now."
Amber had said that with such confidence in that white void.
Pyrrha had believed that Haven would offer some respite from the anxiety that had plagued their lives, a sanctuary where they could find refuge amidst the storm. But as she stood amidst the mourners, it became painfully clear that nowhere was truly safe.
Not when she's the fall maiden now.
The flickering flames of determination burned bright within Pyrrha's maiden eyes, a stark contrast to the coldness that enveloped her.
It was then that General Ironwood stood next to her. The General was now sporting a beard, clearly stressed out from all the battles he had to fight and his recent failures weighing on him too.
General Ironwood's gaze then fell upon Amber's lifeless form, his features etched with a mixture of sorrow and grim determination. His usually stern countenance softened slightly, betraying the weight of responsibility that rested heavily upon his shoulders.
"We've failed her," he murmured, his voice low and laden with regret. Each word carried the burden of a leader who had sworn to protect his people, yet found himself unable to prevent a tragedy from striking once again.
His eyes narrowed as he surveyed the scene before him, the sight of Amber's body a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the ever-present threat that loomed over Remnant. Tyrian Callows, the name, hung heavy in the air like a curse, a specter of chaos and destruction that had infiltrated their midst when least expected.
"I didn't expect Callows to appear here," Ironwood continued, his tone tinged with frustration. Despite his meticulous planning and unwavering resolve, the unpredictable nature of their enemies had proven to be their greatest challenge yet. "No, I should have..."
The general's jaw tightened as he considered the implications of this latest development. The fall of Amity Arena had already made her wary, but that was all for naught. And now, with Amber's death serving as a grim testament to their failure, the stakes had never been higher.
But amidst the despair and uncertainty, a steely resolve burned within General Ironwood's heart. He knew they could not afford to falter in the face of adversity, nor could they allow grief to cloud their judgment.
Emotion mustn't topple strategy.
Amber's death would not be in vain—not if he had anything to say about it.
"General," Pyrrha's voice cut through the heavy silence like a blade, her eyes locking onto General Ironwood with a fierce intensity. "I need to know," she demanded, her tone unwavering despite the tremor in her voice. "Amber... she and I deserves that much. What are we fighting for? Who are we up against? Why have they been after us the moment they heard of us!?"
General Ironwood met her gaze with a solemn nod, recognizing the urgency in her plea. He took a step forward, his expression grave as he prepared to reveal the harsh truth that had driven them to this point.
"We're fighting Salem and her forces," he confessed, his voice heavy with the weight of their shared burden. "An ancient evil that seeks to plunge the world into darkness… Ozpin… he has already told you some of it didn't he?"
Pyrrha's breath caught in her throat at the mention of this Salem, her mind racing with the implications of such a formidable adversary that even the General seems so afraid of speaking out loud.
"And the one who is after the Maiden's powers," Ironwood continued, his gaze unwavering, "is she and her forces."
A chill swept through Pyrrha's veins at the revelation, her mind reeling with the implications of what she had just learned from the General. Salem, the orchestrator of so much suffering and despair, now sought the powers of the Maidens and the Relic. She looked around and saw that it seems her friends were somewhat aware.
"Then why were they after Ruby?" she asked with a clenched hand. She didn't understand why that faunus wanted Ruby dead.
"Silver eyes," General Ironwood explained. "You should know by now what Miss Ruby Rose can do with those of eyes of hers, Miss Nikos."
Dread mingled with determination as Pyrrha processed the gravity of their situation. Amber's death and their attempt on Ruby's had not been a random act of violence, but a targeted strike in a much larger conflict — a conflict that threatened to consume them all if they did not stand united against it.
It was a responsibility
And Amber's death means she can't get away from it now.
Why did she choose her?
Pyrrha's heart sank at the thought of Amber's choice, a pang of guilt gnawing at her insides. She had always wondered why Amber had chosen her to inherit the powers of the Fall Maiden, but now, faced with the truth, the weight of that responsibility felt heavier than ever.
"Why me?" Pyrrha whispered, her voice barely audible above the solemn whispers of the wind. "I thought the powers would go somewhere... it feels incomplete!"
General Ironwood regarded her with a sympathetic gaze, his expression tinged with sorrow. "Amber must have felt quite a connection to you that she gave her half to you," he replied, his words heavy with meaning. "She saw something in you, Nikos. Something that made her believe you were worthy of carrying on her powers."
Pyrrha swallowed hard, the weight of Ironwood's words settling heavily upon her shoulders. She liked Amber. But to be chosen as her successor, to bear the burden of such immense power — it was a responsibility Pyrrha wasn't sure she was ready to shoulder.
Is this my destiny?
A sense of despondency washed over her, threatening to drown her in doubt and uncertainty. But Pyrrha knew she could not afford to falter, not when so much depended on her strength and determination. She didn't have a choice. So, with a heavy heart, she pushed aside her doubts and fears, burying them deep within the recesses of her soul.
"I understand," Pyrrha replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil raging within her. "I will do whatever it takes to honor Amber's memory and help Remnant."
"It's not over yet," he said, his voice tinged with pain and resignation. "Salem's agents will not rest until they have secured the full power of the Fall Maiden, even if it means coming after you again and again. And I believe that this isn't the end of it."
Pyrrha's heart sank at the realization that her struggles were far from over. The thought of facing Salem's relentless forces, of being hunted like prey, filled her with a profound sense of dread. But beneath the weight of her fear, a spark of defiance flickered within her, a determination to stand firm in the face of adversity.
Clutching her fists tightly, Pyrrha clenched her jaw, steeling herself against the overwhelming tide of despair. She would not allow herself to be consumed by fear, nor would she surrender to the darkness that threatened to engulf her. For as long as she drew breath, she would fight with every ounce of strength and courage she possessed.
But amidst the turmoil and uncertainty, a bittersweet longing tugged at Pyrrha's heartstrings, a yearning for simpler times and happier days. "I wish..." she murmured softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I wish we could go back to how it was... just my team in Beacon, living the best days of our lives."
Suddenly, the doors burst open with a resounding bang, and in strode Winter Schnee, her usually impeccable composure shattered. Her breath came in short, frantic gasps, her eyes wide with panic.
"General Ironwood!" she cried, her voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "We're under attack! The White Fang — they're assaulting Haven!"
Ironwood, standing near Amber's coffin, his expression grave, moved swiftly to Winter's side. "Calm yourself, Winter," he said, his voice steady despite the urgency in her words. "Tell me what's happened."
Winter took a moment to compose herself, her chest heaving as she struggled to regain control. "A squad was patrolling the outskirts of the city," she began, her words rushed and urgent. "They spotted a large group of White Fang members moving toward Haven. They're armed to the teeth, General — this isn't just a small group, it's an army!"
A murmur of disbelief rippled through the assembled crowd as Ironwood turned to address them. "Everyone, remain calm," he said, his voice firm and authoritative. "Winter, I need you to gather your forces and prepare for battle. We'll defend Haven at all costs."
Winter nodded, her expression grim. "Understood, sir," she replied, her voice steady now, her resolve clear. She turned to leave, her mind already racing with plans and strategies to repel the impending attack.
"They can't even let us mourn her!" Pyrrha seethed.
"Everyone! Prepare yourself!"
Ironwood directed everyone to prepare for trouble.
Ordering them to get ready to take arms.