"Show me your work, Watts."

Taking one long stride across his office, one long step like an ostrich, Watts stepped onto a hidden tile placed near the bookshelf. Then another step just to a different tile beneath the couch, before gracefully backflipping onto the wooden desk, tapping lightly on a blue ballpoint pen, then swiftly kicking it off the table and onto a miniscule keypad hidden behind the wine case. So small, one would not be able to discover it under normal circumstances.

With this sequence of bizarre actions, the floor unraveled itself to reveal a pathway leading down to a hidden compartment, welcoming both Watts and Sleet into the dark secrets below.

"I had this place built years back," said Watts. "You have no idea the troubles I went through to hide it from higher eyes. Her eyes."

"If anybody could figure it out, it'd be you."

Walking up to a thick metal door down this dark place, Watts typed a password into the keypad for steam to be released, opening up the mechanical chamber inside. A mostly empty room with a glass window leading to a control panel in the back. While at the center of this room was a peculiar contraption. Two metal mechanical tubes from the ceiling, hanging over a circular platform beneath. Just the right size for a mortal to step on and insert both their arms into the tubes. For what purpose?

"I've always known spatial travel was possible," said Watts. "Immensely difficult, however. It requires an obscene amount of energy. I have certain devices that allow that. All our allies now have limited access to that kind of travel. What I never really predicted was the existence of the multiverse. That opens up too many possibilities."

Instantly tackling the elephant in the room, Sleet asked:

"Are you… thinking of bringing someone over to defeat the Superman?"

Only to have the hope for that dashed when Watts replied:

"No. It is too risky to recruit things from worlds we know nothing about. What's more important, however, is that I do not believe there is anything in the multiverse that can defeat our Superman."

"So… what exactly are you planning then?"

Turning on the lights in this room to reveal a shower of crimson. Bright crystalized beams from the ceiling illuminating the metal plating of the walls like blood. Staring at the contraption with pride, Watts simply smirked:

"Have you ever wondered what would happen if we pitted the multiverse itself against her?"

Gathering in the middle of his tent, the Fleet Admiral sat on top a crate of ammunition, rubbing his eyepatch to try to ease the pain of the battle. After all, it was not common to go up against a god and a master illusionist and come out of the fight unscathed.

Maru was immensely skilled, but he appreciated the fate of only minor injuries. He kept his distance during his fight with Oobleck, because it was impossible to know what would happen if he had been swallowed by that green goo.

The electricity of Spring was not to be underestimated either. He knew that well, and so did the members of team GOLD, who stood in front of their mentor, saluting him.

"At ease, soldiers," Maru commanded.

Now getting up from the crate, he stood tall, quickly saluting back, and held a strong tall pose.

"You've all done exemplary work in this war so far. As it is expected of GOLD excellence. But we still have a long journey ahead."

"The troops are well on their way toward Patch as planned," said Ghost. "We'll have established a reinforced base in approximately seventeen hours."

"Some of the civilians still need to be evacuated," said Lisa, "but fortunately, nobody was hurt during the Signal incident."

"Be sure to keep an eye on that Qrow Branwen," said Maru. "He isn't Atlesian, and he is incredibly dangerous."

"You got it, boss," Oliver smiled. "I won't let him out of my sight."

"Good. Now, something else I need to know," Maru said, turning to Diamond who was on a computer screen. "Report soldier – where are Agent Myst and Agent Rosso?"

Following the four golden warriors, Sienna was led to a stone far in the distance. Far beyond the trains, the buildings, the facilities, the hospitals, the roads, deeper into uncultivated territories of Mistral that had yet to house any house or train any train. In an empty place still overflowing with old trees and rivers, with a few farmers crawling their lands ever so slowly in the distance. An unconquered place.

Here, the stone was strange, just as it was large. About the size of a small ox. But more notable were the numerous blades of different shapes and sizes sticking out of the surface of the stone. Longswords, daggers, rapiers, broadswords, scimitars, cutlasses, and many more. All lodged deep into the rock, clean cuts.

"These," one of the warriors said, "are her swords. Penny's swords."

Pulling one of the blades out of the rock, Sienna felt the metal tugging on tight. But now that it was out of the stone, she could see the peculiarity in that there were no scratches on the surface of the steel. It wasn't even bent as she inspected it closer, looking at it from all angles, and even noticing the cleanliness on the hilt, the metal, the sharp edges. Which suggested to her a forceful Aura that once coated this blade, making it much more powerful than its simple construction.

"There's really nothing else you can tell me about this Penny?"

To Sienna's shock, the moment she turned around, she was met with the absurd sight of the four golden warriors' corpses on the ground.

All of them having been fiercely pierced through their chests, now bursting forth a river of blood. Cleanly slicing through any armor they were wearing. Not a single drop of blood dared touch the spears, the swords, the shields.

There standing over these empty-eyed bodies, Krim Rosso stood tall leaning onto his fiery burning spear. The fire illuminated them in the dark, showing blood dripping down the young man's face, soaking his bandana as well as his long coat and his shirt. From behind, his brother Azur emerged, holding tight on the side of his ribs, while also leaning on Krim for balance. He too was covered in severe bruises, blood dripping down his mouth.

Out of breath, Azur forced out just enough to form a coherent sentence:

"Where… the fuck are we?"

Being stunned by this absurdity, Sienna wasn't entirely sure of what to do. She readied herself, of course, because while the golden warriors were caught off guard and thus were not defeated fairly, the fact they were able to sneak up behind them at all was no small feat. And to penetrate their passive Aura as well in just a single swift hit. These two, Sienna knew, were not to be underestimated.

"Easy now, fellas," she said, "there's no need to get violent."

Ignoring her completely, Azur pointed his pistol toward her, lighting it with his powerful electrical Aura, still full of bloodlust and exhaustion.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" She raised her hand, "Calm down! I'm not going to hurt you."

"Who are you?" Azur asked. "What is this place? What year is this?"

"It's the summer of 3340, this is the valley off the coast of Oniyuri, and my name is Sienna. Pleased to be your acquaintance."

"How do we know this isn't an Oobleck illusion?" Azur asked.

"An 'Oo' what? Listen, I have no idea what on earth you're talking about."

"Tell us something only you would know."

"What the fuck is that supposed to prove? We hardly know each other. Look, just calm down and be rational, yeah? Nobody is going to hurt you. Those injuries look very serious, so why don't you put the gun down and I'll help you get some medical attention, how's that sound?"

"I don't trust you," said Azur. "We need proof, hard proof."

"Alright, alright, please, just take a deep breath and take it from the top. Start from the beginning. Tell me what happened."

"What is there to tell?" Azur shrugged, wiping his forehead, "We killed this guy Tukson we've been tracking then…"

The rest became muffled noise that refused to penetrate through to Sienna's empty expression. And there, deep inside, something snapped apart into a violent ringing of a bell in her mind that blocked her from even registering her instincts. The muscles began moving on their own, as did the fighting spirit that powered her dense Aura, now imbuing her body with powerful rageful energy.

Instantly letting her signature rope dart fly forth from those strong steel chains she held in her hand, zipping past the two brothers after they had willed forth enough strength to dodge this vicious attack. Coming from this young woman whose blank expression now slowly morphed into one of emerging anger, darkening her gaze into a killing intent. She no longer cared that she was outnumbered, nor did she care that she was probably going to die. There was nothing left but a mind consumed by sorrowful vengeance.

Azur and Krim also readied their fighting stances. Still exhausted, but they must defend themselves. Especially now that they had witnessed emerging from the shadow another figure that seemed to have followed Sienna. There, that tall lanky man dashed toward them, with his eyes exploding with blissful excited madness.

Cinder's consort, CEO of CalVis Corporation – Tyrian Callows.

Caressing these old books, Adam stared on as he smelled the scent of the past. Old leather covers made by the local bookshops, tanning those animals who grew up on this very island itself. Grazing on the grass that had been growing for thousands of years. Next to crops of simple farmers, Faunus kind of Menagerie.

This old study was built off the backs of these poor suffering men. Taking woods from deeper in the heartland, to then sand them down and build into these gorgeously crafted tables and papers for office use. Writing on these would be a joy and a privilege, Adam knew this well after composing countless letters alongside his father Ghira. Reflecting back, Adam wasn't entirely sure if he had fully enjoyed the luxury he had been provided here, riches of a rich man, things that those from Atlas coming over would not be able to tell apart from their home. But the buildings, the books, the papers, the wine, these were all things that were gifted to the Belladonna family, out of respect and love. They labored, yes, but they were happy to.

Walking into the room, noticing Adam reminiscing, a quiet smile then appeared on Ghira's face.

"I guess we've both been away from here for far too long," he said.

Adam turned his head, then put the book he was holding back on the shelf. Ghira continued:

"I have the farms, and you have our White Fang."

Adam shook his head:

"Most of us have gone west. They're scattered… I don't… I don't know how many of us are left."

"Well – you're here. So that's at least one."

Falling silent, Adam turned around before he gently removed his White Fang mask, looking on toward Ghira's caring gaze.

"Father… do you remember the day you found me and Ilia?"

Nodding his head, still smiling, Ghira said:

"Of course, my son. I remember."

"Then do you still believe in what you told me? That I am… chosen?"

Looking around his office here once more, taking in the scent of the scenery of the rustic wood of the craft of the lost memories of the things that Ghira held dear in his heart. To then place his hand on his son's shoulder, also someone he struggled to fully remember of all good things.

"The prophecies are a part of our legacy, son. The Lionshana was here, fulfilling that old covenant. But there are other prophecies of things yet to come. Our people have waited for far too long to return to Eden. What you are, Adam, who you are – cannot be a coincidence. Your red hair, your Faunus horns."

"So… then I never had a say in any of that? Did you prepare me for this after all these years? Molding into who I am?"

"Adam…"

"Can't… can't I just keep pretending to be your son?"

Realizing his mistake, Ghira pulled him in close, hugging him as tight as he could as Adam himself reluctantly embraced his father. Now unable to see each other's faces, they could comfortably let out a river of tears.

"You are my son. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

"I love Eden, just as I love scripture, father. But now, our White Fang is dwindling, Ilia is no longer by my side. Sun… I wish I know where he is. I… I just don't know what to do."

"I think – you do. Or you will. You just need to find home once more."

Leading him out of the house and into the wide open sky above the farming kingdom, Adam was met with a flood of people, coming over to the front steps of their house, eagerly waiting to greet, gathering as a fleet, and bursting out their streets to meet the one they all put their faith in. The one they all believed to be that divine servant from far above, a prophecy in their holy texts, Red's legacy, to deliver all back to Eden.

Memories were still strong, memories of things he did not fully understand. Things he did not even know how he came to possess. But these things seared his brain, impossible to ignore, almost as if it were a haunting. So was this a divine sign of a blessing? Or a curse?

"Father. I've been away for far too long. Will you help me catch up with our people?"

Placing a hand on his shoulder and smiling, Ghira said:

"Of course. Come, Uncle Rock here is a father now. Can you believe that?"

"Hello sir," said Adam, coming down the steps, then proceeded to shake his hands, "you've always taken care of me. Thank you, sir. Now you have a little one of your own."

"His name is Rocco, I can't wait for you to meet him. You'll be a great big brother."

"Mrs. Luna still tends to her bookshop. What a simple life."

"How do you do, Mrs. Luna? Long time."

"Oh, look at you, my boy. You are so tall, I swear. Drop by for some tea sometime, yeah?"

"I will."

"Look, here comes Mr. Snow. Still a sheep herder to this day. His terrible singing still echoes."

"Hey, now, Ghira! I've gotten better. You'll see, ha-ha."

"How is your mother doing, Mr. Snow?" Adam asked. "Has she gotten better?"

"Ah, well, you know, she's been fighting that cancer for a decade now, so I think 'better' is out of the question. She's strong as an ox still, I tell you what. She won't go down without a fight."

"I will pray for her."

"Big brother Adam!"

Two children ran to him, wrapping around his waist.

"Tanner, Ivy, how are you two doing? Look at you, you've grown so much. Last I saw you guys you were a pebble."

"We're no pebbles. We are mountains, rawr!"

"Ha, yes you are."

"Alright, alright, that's enough," Kali chuckled, pushing through the crowd to approach Adam. In her hand, she carried a straw hat. "Here boy, weather's hot around these parts. We all gotta take care or we'll all sweat to death."

"Thank you, mother. But I'll be fine, I promise."

Trying to put the hat on his head regardless, but she would then stop short the moment her eyes witnessed a strange glistening on his skin. Upon closer inspection, she realized the smooth shiny surface on Adam's body was in fact the quiet roaring shine of his Aura – permanently coated from head to toe.

"Your Aura…"

Adam smiled:

"I don't really understand it, and I don't know how. I usually conserve my Aura reserves, I don't usually coat myself, instead I just use my raw form. But lately, I've been remembering things. Things long ago. Things that make my blood boil. Literally. I am refreshed because of it. Because of dreams of Eden."

"Then perhaps the prophecy cometh."

Turning his head around, Adam saw two familiar faces approaching. The Albain brothers, Corsac and Fennec. Sons of the High Priest of Menagerie, who lived at the holy temple built at the heart of this country, constructed in a way to house him indefinitely, so that he may only come out into the open when necessary. His sons were his eyes, his arms, his legs. His agents to do as commanded.

Two fox brothers, dark-skinned, Corsac stood taller with a grey tail, while Fennec followed with his big yellow ears. Both wore with them exquisite white robes with ornate golden ceremonial breastplates over their torso. There at the heart of the plates were five fragments of Dust – Earth, Fire, Wind, Ice, and at the center, a chunk of Gravity Dust. All carved and stabilized by skillful blacksmithing hands and held together by their priestly Aura.

On their heads they wore these red hoods woven with white lining patterns, draping over their shoulders, designed for lower-ranking priests of the island. As they approached Adam, they took the headgear off to look at him more clearly. To see him under the shining sun.

"You remember Eden," said Fennec. "Thank our King Auric, you remember."

"Corsac, Fennec… you are out of the temple."

"If you remember," said Corsac, "then it means the prophecy was referring to you, brother. You are chosen of the LORD. There's no doubt about it."

"The followers of Auric have been persecuted for far too long, even by those who recite the same holy books," Fennec continued. "We hide here mostly in this country while the rest of the world lose themselves in the Season's idolatry. That can no longer stand. Now that you are here. The one prophesied to be renamed unto that holy name."

"You mean…"

"Adamantine."

The people all around whispered on, shocked at the mention. And yet, now that they were taking a closer look, their thoughts began to race.

From his right sleeve, seemingly out of nowhere, Corsac pulled forth a box. Flipping off the hinges he presented for all to see inside – a sheathed blade, identical to Adam's old sword in many ways. And yet, clearly with new modifications and improvements. Nothing too major to completely turn it into something different. But enough for it to be polished and reach golden perfection.

"For you," said Corsac, "a relic from an old age. Reinforced by all the blacksmiths in this country and blessed by the High Priest, who prays in the temple right this very moment."

"Please accept it, brother," said Fennec. "You are our people's hope."

Taking it from the box to feel the black steel of the handle, and Adam was instantly assaulted with feelings of familiarity. He could not really explain why or how. But he knew from what they had explained, this was something made anew. And yet, he felt no real difference from when he was wielding his old sword.

Taking the crimson blade out of the sheath confirmed this. The reflection off the sharp edges was just like those old days of the past, not too long ago, before he was put under arrest by the power of the Empire. Now back here in his home, he held this red sword once more.

Placing this by the side of his belt, he was then overcome with a sudden surge of conviction urging him on some place higher, on high.

So he walked, and walked, and the people followed him.

Walking on, after three days had passed, they arrived at the top of the mountain at the very heart of Menagerie. And there standing above stones, trees, grass, smaller hills, boulders, old skeletons, and even relics – Adam pulled forth his sword.

Kali whispered to Ghira:

"Has he ever been this strong?"

To which Ghira replied:

"He cut a train in half when he was empowered. But something is different. I can sense it. That thick Aura."

Just as Ghira thought, the red power of that bloody Aura flared up with ease like the birth of a bright celestial star. In the past, Adam had difficulty reaching even half the level of this flowing Aura river. But now, it seemed as if the power flowing out of his body had no end. As he felt belief coursing through his veins, the beliefs in his people, his Virtues, his history, and in the story of Eden.

So, with one swift motion, he drove the blade onto the rock below where he stood, and instantly – the island began to shake. Just small tremors at first, that eventually grew into something much more devastating, quaking with a force nobody in this country had ever seen before. With such force, one would think that it was a prime time for these people to panic.

But it was not so.

For the buildings and the villages far down below this mountain had been completely covered and protected by Adam's immense Aura, spreading so vast it penetrated the waters all surrounding the country. Sheltering children playing in the squares, the jungles, and keeping the holy temples from even a single scratch, as he was about to do the unthinkable.

The unthinkable that was prophesied by old scrolls, believed by these Faunus who hoped long ago that one day they could return to the rightful worship of King Auric, and thus return to Eden in that distant past.

And here, the prophecy spoke of a heavenly servant with the power to lift this very country out of the waters and into the deep magnificent sky. Far above the fish and the land animals, and in the cloudy kingdoms where light penetrated and danced of praising songs.

Adam was doing exactly just that on this day, now with his gravity exerting at a level he had never felt before in his life. He lifted, and continued lifting, keeping the sword still plunged deep into the stone as his Aura continued to grow stronger and stabilize.

Menagerie now floated up, revealing beneath this country at the bottom of this land mass – massive Gravity Dust crystals, still yet to be harvested.

These crystals were not aiding Adam. This act was his power alone, only boosted by faith. But what this crystal revealed was the true nature of this land, a nature that eluded many including the natives here. This here was the truth – this land was special.

And now the good word of King Auric's people will spread to those foreigners who worship the Seasons. Were they wrong to faith in those primordial conceptual essences? Perhaps. But the Seasons, as it was written, were still servants of higher powers.

That was the truth.

The cracks in the air continued to rupture.

Watching the cracks all over the planet, Weiss floated there crossing her arms as she struggled to find Oobleck on Remnant. She knew of Oz's tactics, to hide in another universe. But this thing called Oobleck felt different somehow, despite being a servant of that God King. She was not entirely sure she had won that exchange while trapped in that pocket world. Especially now that the world was beginning to fracture, crumbling apart in ways that made her think hard about her true strength.

There were other matters as well. And turning around, she faced Cinder Falls.

Both now hovering above this cliff overlooking the camp being built on Patch, soldiers pouring in to bring with them massive war machines. But none of that was a concern for Weiss at the current moment, for she still saw that smirk on Cinder's face, and Weiss was not amused.

"You insult me," said Weiss, glaring down at her. "You disobeyed my command, and left the shores in the east. Have you any defense?"

"I promised that my army will only occupy the shores. I never said anything about me wandering off now, did I? Besides, I was asked to be here by one of your soldiers, so here I am. For someone who could hear miles away, you sure need to learn to listen."

"Do not test me, Falls. You may be a monarch, but you need to remember who you are answering to. I will neutralize you myself if required. So fall back in line, that's an order."

Smirking, Cinder floated up close, saying:

"I'm not one of your mongrel slaves. I'll be glad to take you on myself. I'm not afraid. I know deep down you also want to. So why hold back?"

Once again, their intimidating godly Auras clashed, with neither still yet to make a real move against one another. It was certain that Weiss was the most powerful being on the planet without equal, but Cinder's confidence remained unwavering. Meaning she really was willing to go all out, even if this potential fight were to be the death of her. Something told Weiss that Cinder would have loved to be immortalized in this manner regardless. Collateral damage would be unfathomable.

But then, thoughts were once again distracted the moment Weiss' ears picked up the noisy commotion back at the heart of the Valley, turning her head away.

Riots in the cities continued to break out as the people protested the conscription laws. Many Valean soldiers had already perished in several of the recent battles against two military superpowers. And here the efforts of the Empire would not stop. So now the people of Vale would decide they too would not stop, not until their loved ones were sent back home.

Occupying vast streets on every corner, the crowds gathered in the thousands, with many ruffians and thugs among the people. They wore with them simple cloth masks as they marched through these towns and the buildings, setting fire to anything they came across. Smashing the windows clean off several buildings, including Dust shops which they were happy to attack and loot the resources inside. Taking with them boxes of ammunition, grenades, and even minor firearms.

They carried these guns with them outside to then shoot at anything that even dared come close, as they roamed the streets waving their Valean flags up high, shouting obscenities and passionate bloody hateful screams.

"Get out of our country!"

"Atlas dogs!"

Their cries echoed in the dark as many pulled Atlesian cops to the concrete beating them to their death. Smashing more windows, destroying more cars and trucks, they pulled out innocent civilians who even slightly resembled Atlesians, and with their cruel mob justice, they also beat these people to death. Men, women, they did not discriminate. Smashing their skulls with metal pipes, wooden boards, spiked bats, and even cups of acid pouring over their eyes. Some of the executions were swift, with one bullet to the back of the heads. But the bodies were still soaked with blood, piling up high.

Thieves took this opportune moment of chaos to blend into the darkness and there they slithered their way into shops, not only big corporate-owned supermarkets, but as well as privately owned businesses that only made enough to feed a small family. These degenerate thieves did not care, however. They stabbed anybody that got in their way, hauling out of the stores those stolen clothes, shoes, and new models of scrolls.

On this day, nobody could tell good Valeans from bad. While the good had reasons to protest, the scumbags quickly turned the tides for their own gain. Not only for their own selfishness, but also for the sake of the ideologues and the politicians who paid off this act of barbaric revolution.

Mayor Robyn Hill was one of these Valean billionaires working behind the scenes to light this violent fire in the cities. She put in a considerable amount of effort to uphold this image of a hero of the people. Someone who was supposedly relatable to the layman.

But this façade was an utter lie, for this was a woman who owned several large mansions coated in marble and gold at the heart of this Kingdom. Homes of riches built off the wealth she gained over the years kissing the boots of the God King. With the invasion of the North, she continued to look out for nobody but herself. Only interested in not just the vast vaults of money in her house, but also political power and influence over ordinary people. She tasted this politics years ago, and now was refusing to let go, doing whatever she must to keep her and her cronies in power.

The rising tension between Atlesians and Valeans created this perfect opportunity. And financially sponsoring that savage mob of teenage revolutionary criminals to have them riot on the streets was the easiest phone call she ever had to make. Sitting in the comfort and luxury of her limo, while Valean thugs go out and execute the people.

If one were smart and perceptive, they would be able to notice a curious lack of law enforcement and Atlesian Knights patrolling the streets, thus allowing this madness. This fact amused Robyn greatly, for she knew the extent of what she could do even on just a local level.

"I'm glad you're onboard," she said. "The things people will do for the sake of silver."

Sitting right across from her in the limo – Mayor Clover Ebi.

"It's good to have friends on all sides," said Clover, as they toasted. Drinking expensive wine.

"Though, we will have to be strategic. It'll get suspicious if we just shut off the Knight patrols just like that. Let's start with some of the smaller districts in the far outskirts of the Kingdom."

"You just leave that to me. The main issue isn't really the Knights. Those are just robots. The ones we have to worry about are the nationalist politicians and the police departments. I'll have to explain to them why we're relocating our troops. But those bozos will eat up everything I say, I'll make sure of it."

Robyn smiled, Clover smiled.

Innocent blood flooded the burning fire this day.