Omake: Silence
It had been about a day since the Battle for Beacon, and it finally felt like things were beginning to return to normal. But...they weren't, not for Ruby. Blake was gone, vanished because of that...that monster, Cinder. People keep congratulating her and the rest of her team, telling them that they had won. If this was a victory, why did it feel so empty?
Her dad had insisted on bringing them home, and though Weiss' father had tried to bully her into returning to his side, the heiress had refused, remaining with her team. Taiyang had doted on his daughters almost non-stop, but it hadn't helped. Ruby poked at the plate of cookies in front of her, not even their sweet, chocolatey goodness able to break her out of her funk. She appreciated the gesture, of course, but it didn't feel right to celebrate without Blake. The teen let out a quiet sigh, standing up and walking over to her bed, flopping listlessly onto the soft mattress. In the silence of her room, she could hear Weiss and Yang talking downstairs, their voices muffled through the walls.
No matter what her father or Uncle Qrow said, Ruby couldn't shake the feeling that she had failed her team. If she had been faster, or stronger, or smarter, or better prepared... Blake would still be here. She was the leader. It was her job to keep her team safe, her job to make sure they made it through alright. The fault was hers.
Ruby almost leapt out of bed as inspiration hit her. Of course! If anybody knew what to do or how to help, it would be Obsidian, right? Their mentor knew practically everything there was to know about magic! Surely she'd be able to help them bring back Blake! Ruby tried to concentrate and calm her breathing, like they did before Dreaming.
Obsidian? Are you there? Ruby waited a few minutes, and was met with silence. O-Obsidian? Still, there was nothing. Ruby's breath caught in her throat, and she struggled valiantly against the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes. Obsidian, please! Answer me! She was starting to hyperventilate now, body heaving with each shuddering breath. There was no way Obsidian could be gone too, right? I..I understand if you're upset with me, but please just say something! Anything! Let me know...let me know that you're not gone, too... Her only answer was that same, stifling lack of response.
Weiss followed Yang up the stairs when they heard an agonized cry from Ruby's room. She didn't know what to expect, but it certainly wasn't their leader curled up on her bed, body shaking with deep sobs. She shared a look with Yang, then sat down next to the younger girl, placing a gentle hand on her. "We're here, Ruby." There was something decidedly wrong, Weiss thought, with seeing the normally exuberant girl in such a state. "We're here."
"She's gone!" Ruby sobbed, looking up at her partner and friend. Tears stained her cheeks, her eyes puffy and red.
"I...I know." Ruby shook her head vehemently, startling Weiss.
"No! She's gone, too!" She threw herself at Weiss, almost bowling her over as she latched onto her and began crying harder. "O-Obsidian's gone, too!" The world stopped as Weiss tried to process that, everything seeming to slow to a crawl. Yang broke the quiet that descended.
"What?! That's impossible, isn't it?!" Yang looked at Wiess, violet eyes wide. "C'mon, Weiss! Tell me she's wrong!" When no answer came, she stepped closer, anger bubbling up. "Tell me it isn't true, Weiss!" She might not have always agreed with their enigmatic mentor, but imagining her gone just seemed impossible. "...Weiss?"
"I can't hear her, Yang. She hasn't spoken to any of us since..." Weiss trailed off, unable to continue. "I haven't Dreamed since, either. I think...I think Ruby is right." The girl in question squeezed tighter, sobs escaping from her. "We're... we're on our own."