Halo, it's time for the newest chapter. Enjoy the reading.
- Salem can't be killed? – The last part that Jinn told about Ozpin's past was the last straw and he lost the trust of the team. - You heard that, didn't you? - Yang turned to her team indignantly.
- Awkward. - Roman added.
- I… - Ozpin was tormented by shame and after re-watching the events of the past, he knelt in the snow with tearful eyes.
- There are so many things you didn't tell! – Yang, at the head of the team RWBY, scolded Ozpin for how much he had been hiding from them. - How could you think that was okay?
- Professor, - Ruby, who also looked at the headmaster with contempt and sternness after learning how much he messed up the past, hoped he had a plan for the future. – what is your plan to defeat Salem?
- I… - Ozpin was terribly ashamed and needed all his strength to tell the girls the truth. – don't have.
As soon as he said that, something clicked in Qrow's mind, remembering all the suffering and sacrifice he and his team, STRQ, had to endure because of Ozpin's orders. He remembered Summer who had died during one of Ozpin's missions. Knowing that Ozpin had no plans to stop Salem all along and that his team was suffering for nothing and that the woman he loved with all his heart sacrificed her life in vain, he simply couldn't help himself. He hit him in the face with with such force that he slammed into a tree.
- No one wanted me, - Qrow stormed towards him angrily, fists clenched in anger. - I was cursed, ostracized and hated, even by members of my family. Summer… - It took all of his willpower not to punch Ozpin in the face one more time. – she was the only one who... - Every time he thought of Summer, he almost cried. – felt with me that I had a place in the world. She believed that serving you was the right decision and she convinced me that if we fight on your side, then I could finally do something good.
- But... you did... - He was no longer sure who Ozpin was trying to convince.
- For years you let me blame myself for her death! - Qrow shut him down. - It was all your fault. Meeting you was the worst luck of my life and my Semblance had nothing to do with it.
Ozpin just listened in shock, remembering the leader of team STRQ, Summer Rose and how much Qrow loved her and knew that Qrow always blamed himself and his Semblance for her death. Now that the truth was out, Qrow held Ozpin responsible and there was nothing he could say to convince him or himself otherwise.
- Maybe you're right. – Ozpin's eyes flashed once and it was Oscar again who was in control and began to hurt his face where Qrow hit him.
- What happened? - Ruby said to him worriedly.
- He… left. - Oscar said.
- THAT BASTARD! - Yang was terribly angry. - TELL HIM WE'RE NOT DONE YET!
- No... - Oscar just shook his head in confusion. - it's different. He disappeared. It's as if he had locked himself, deep in my head... in our head... - Not knowing what was happening now, he just put his hands on his temples and started to concentrate. - I hate this! I want it to end!
- Convenient. - Roman was the only one who didn't get angry.
- But he just left us?! - Weiss just looked at the boy who was once their headmaster.
- Now what?! - Blake was more concerned.
- Do you know - Qrow just stared at nothing, broken. - what's the worst part about this?
- That we are stuck here in the middle of nowhere, - Roman guessed. – in a blizzard, without food or communication and no idea where exactly we are?
- No. - Qrow shook his head. - But strongly, it's in the second place.
- Then… - Ruby could hardly imagine that it could be even worse. - what's the worst part?
- That Raven was right all along.
- You think, - Roman reminded them that he originally wanted to partner with him. – I went to her first because of her company? – He started towards a path and grabbed Ruby's shoulder and started to push her a little. - We'd better get going, Little Red.
- Who made you the boss?! - Yang demanded answer and made it clear that she wasn't going to do what Roman said. - How should we know, - She looked at the relic hanging by Ruby's side. – that you won't steal the lamp and trap us?!
- Listen, Blondie, - Roman stopped and turned to Yang, who was staring sternly at him. - I know you're mentally retarded, - Yang just clenched her fists and really wanted to beat the man's face. - that's why I say it slowly. Here we are, in the middle of nowhere, in a forest full of Grimm. Tell me, why would I steal that goddamn Grimm magnet, making myself a target while I should be hiding from you? The only chance for to stay alive, - He looked around at the team, who didn't support his plan and didn't accept him as their leader either. – for all of us. So, let's follow the path.
- If you think... - Yang wanted to clarify a few more things but the old lady Maria interrupted her.
- That's enough! – To everyone's surprise, Maria strictly stumbled closer to the team and stood next to Roman. - Listen to this man, because he is the most sensible of you! The night will fall soon, it will be dark and besides, you will all full of negativity! - She helped Oscar up. - He said well that we should follow the path, because they usually lead somewhere.
- Well, - Roman just rolled his eyes. – the old woman is the only one who listens to me.
- And you, - Maria sternly pointed her stick at Roman. - talk to me with respect, young man!
- Lady, - Yang was the only one who still refused to be restrained. - I don't know who you think you are, but...
- No buts! – Maria just jabbed her stick loudly into the ground. - I know you're all angry, even I can't fathom that this is humanity's second chance. - Maria's harsh words made everyone calm down, even Yang. - But if we don't leave now, we're gonna die and I certainly didn't live this long to freeze to death here in the company of a bunch of bickering kids!
Roman was ready to go, but for team RWBY, Qrow and Oscar, the process of shock and anger wasn't over yet.
- Roman and Maria are right. - Ruby admitted. - Let's go.
The team collected what they could in the suitcases found in the wreckage, mostly Dust shipments, which were used to operate the train, Yang set up her motorcycle, Maria sat on it and Yang pushed it, since she was too old for long mountain tours.
Before following the others, Ruby found Ozpin's cane, which she handed back to Oscar, who just stared blankly.
- I will be just one of his many lives. – Oscar was afraid in advance of what would happen if Ozpin and his soul merged and ceased to exist as a person.
- You won't. – Ruby took the boy's hand in both of hers and smiled at him encouragingly.
- Don't lie to him, Ruby! - Qrow just took a sip from his flask and spoke as he walked past them. - At least you should be better than that.
Worried that maybe Oscar will really disappear one day, Ruby went after the others, not knowing what to say.
- You don't have to do everything they say. – He didn't even notice that Roman was walking beside her before she looked up at him curiously.
- Huh?
- Ozpin and Qrow. – Roman clarified things. - They made stupid decisions that put others at risk and if you weren't incredible talented and supported by your team then...
- I told you, - Qrow angrily came back to them and stood between them. – don't talk to her! - He pointed a finger at Roman. - Keep a decent distance from my niece! – Roman just met Qrow's angry look and returned it, then looked at Ruby, who still couldn't fully understand what she heard.
- You don't have to do everything he says. – These were Roman's final words and then, keeping distance, he continued on his way.
- And you, Ruby, - Qrow turned to her now. - I don't want you to talk to him.
- Why? - It was understandable for Ruby why the members of the team didn't like Roman, since he tried to kill her and her teammates several times but since he joined them, he has helped a lot and it seems that he knows more about these things than Ozpin and Qrow.
- I don't want him to have a bad influence on you.
- Uncle Qrow, I trust him more than Ozpin. - Qrow couldn't say anything.
They just continued on their way in silence, marching for long hours along the path in the snowy forest, finding nothing but snow, trees, and rocks that were almost exactly the same.
- I don't think, - Qrow began to doubt whether following the trail was a good idea. – this leads to somewhere.
- Let's just take this stupid relic to Atlas. - Blake was getting tired too.
- I hope we don't have to walk until then. - Weiss hoped.
- I thought, - Yang looked at Roman and then Maria as she pushed her bike. - paths lead somewhere.
- If you had a better idea, why didn't you come up with it? – Roman cut back and Yang just turned away offended and continued to push the bike.
- Everyone, silence! - Blake's cat's ears twitched, she heard something in the distance. - Can you hear it?
It was a squeak. A metallic, rusty screech from somewhere nearby, carried by the wind from afar. They headed in the direction of the sound and noticed a settlement beyond the hills, among the trees. It was too small for a village, as there were barely three residential houses, a warehouse and half a dozen green houses for growing plants, as it is very difficult to grow anything in this cold. The gate to the farm entrance creaked as the wind flapped. Unfortunately, the farm was empty and deserted, no sign of life could be found.
"Brunswick Farm" was written on the board.
- Well, - Blake was relieved that they didn't have to spend the night in the snowy forest. - at least something went well.
- Shall we spend the night on a farm?! - Weiss didn't want to sleep in a farmhouse.
- Should we look for a luxury hotel instead? - Roman cut in.
- It looks abandoned. - Yang stated.
- Come on, - Qrow opened the creaky gate door. – we can all use a little rest!
Yang pushed his bike and the others followed and Qrow drove into the gate, which was still creaking but the blizzard was getting really bad and the visibility was getting worse. The team targeted the largest house in the main square where they could all fit.
- I don't understand, - Ruby noticed something as she looked around at the empty, abandoned houses that had been empty for years. – the empty villages we found in the southern parts of Anima were damaged and had corpses but this place is intact.
- Maybe they escaped before things got bad. – Weiss put her hands under her armpits and turned to the team captain trembling.
- Or they were taken by slavers. – Roman guessed. - I've seen that before.
They heard a click indicating Qrow tried to open the front door but it was locked.
- Stay alert. - He instructed the others.
Kicking the door open, he was the first to enter the house, followed by Ruby, Blake, Yang, Oscar, and Roman, searching for threats. They looked through all the rooms on the ground floor of the house with their weapons raised and despite not finding anything dangerous, they were all gripped by a kind of foreboding.
- Close the door already! – The tense silence was broken by Maria, who came in last and slammed the door. - It's already cold enough!
Oscar and Blake propped up a table against the door because when Qrow kicked the door in, the handle broke and couldn't be closed.
- I saw a chimney on the roof, - Blake said. - maybe we could build a fire.
- Please! – Weiss, who was about to freeze, would have been happy with the idea of a warm fire and headed upstairs. - I'm looking for blankets. - They set off to start a fire and look for blankets.
- Yang, go with them! - Qrow ordered and the blonde girl had already gone after her friends.
Qrow left the house to look around the other apartments, leaving only Ruby, Roman and Maria in the hall.
Maria went into the living room, next to the fireplace, to wait for the fire to finally start but instead Roman opened one of the dresser drawers, where he found only a few winter gloves and a hat. Frustrated, he pushed it back and opened another, where he found a handful of Lien, which he pocketed with a smile.
- What are you doing? - Ruby, who was looking at the pictures hanging on the wall, looked at the thug indignantly, realizing that he was now literally robbing.
- I'm just looking around to see if there's anything valuable. – Roman opened a small chest, in which he found some jewels, which he wanted to take as his own, but Ruby said to him.
- This is theft! - Roman looked at her stern face as if she had told a good joke.
- That's what I'm the best in. - Roman still continued looting but he could feel Ruby's judgmental gaze on him. - Could you tell me something? - He held up a jeweled bracelet and an old knit cap. - What are these?
- A cap and a piece of jewelry, - Ruby replied, arms crossed. - which you are stealing.
- Wrong. - Roman's face hardened and he stepped closer to Ruby. - These are objects. The only difference between them, - He dropped the cap and held the bracelet in front of Ruby's face. – that this is worth good money.
- But stealing is dishonorable.
- "Dishonorable"?! - Roman laughed heartily. - According to whom? According to Ozpin? You could see how honest your dear Hunter Academy Headmaster is.
- According to my father! - Ruby shot back. - And according to my mother!
- Hm, - Roman just opened his mouth and nodded. - It's true, you had a mommy and daddy, - He continued disgustedly. - who baked pancakes every morning, wrapped you up at night, nursed you when you were sick and bought you a present for your birthday. - None of these happened to Roman.
- Yes, - Ruby didn't understand why Roman was so against her. - why do you say that?
- Not everyone has the luxury of having good parents who are taking care of them that way. – Roman walked past Ruby and headed towards another room. - At least, not for me.
- Your parents… - Ruby said after that. - did they treat you badly. - Roman stopped and looked back.
- They weren't. - This shocked Ruby after Roman turned back and answered her. – My mother, shortly after my birth, put me in an orphanage on the Wind Path, in the underworld of Mistral. I didn't get anything from her except my name.
- But... - Ruby thought it was unimaginable that a mother would abandon her child like that. - why did she do it?
- I don't know. - Roman shrugged. - She didn't even leave a letter explaining it. Obviously, for her own, selfish interest. At the orphanage, the caretaker who took me said that my mother said she would just leave me there for a few days and come back for me, but she never came back.
- Maybe something happened to her? - Ruby tried to be cheerful but Roman just shook his head.
- She just didn't want to pay the acceptance fee. She lied, stole, cheated and survived. - Roman explained and Ruby began to understand why he became the way he was. - And in the orphanage...
Suddenly, Weiss' screams interrupted their conversation and Ruby didn't hesitate to rush upstairs to her friend's aid.
- Weiss! – Ruby ran up the stairs at lightning speed but Roman just followed her slowly.
Ruby found Weiss and Yang there, sitting on the floor and looking scared to death into one of the bedrooms that was emitting a horrible stench.
In the bed lay a dead married couple, who, judging by their condition, could have been lying here for a very long time. The cold weather slowed the decomposition, so they were relatively intact. Their eyes were closed, their skin turned gray and pale and their faces sunken.
- I recognize them! - Ruby shouted as everyone looked at her. - They were residents of the farm! There's a picture of the entire population below.
- What happened to them!? - Yang was still shaking as she stood up.
Roman moved closer to examine the two bodies.
- I don't see any injuries, - Roman explained like a professional detective. – they aren't tied up, there is no sign of a struggle, no needle marks and I don't see any poison.
- Wow, - Ruby was amazed at how quickly she figured it out. – how did you do that?! - It reminded him of the protagonist of one of her favorite comic books. – You're like Detective Declan!
- I've seen enough murders and corpses. - Roman admitted. - Although, I was the perpetrator and not the detective.
- But if they weren't killed by violence or poison, - Weiss, who was shaking but managed to stand up. - then how?
Roman pulled the quilt off the two corpses and noticed how emaciated the two corpses were, they were little more than a couple of skeletons covered in skin and judging by the yellow stains on the mattress, they even urinated and defecated.
- They starved to death. - Roman was sure of his work.
- Starve to death!? - Yang couldn't believe it. - Hard to believe.
- I can't give you any other explanation.
- Let's get out of here! - Weiss still had goosebumps from the sight of the corpses.
- Steel yourself, princess! – Roman also left the room.
They returned to the living room, which had a hearth in the middle, where Oscar had built a fire and they sat around it. Weiss, still shivering at the sight of the two corpses, Blake spread a blanket over her to help warm her up.
It was quiet in the living room and they were just waiting for Qrow to return, which was signaled by the opening of the door and the rushing of the wind storm. He dusted off the snow and seeing the terrified expressions on the others' faces, it was clear that he had seen the same thing.
- The same, in every house.
- What?! - That shocked everyone.
- Dead bodies in the beds. - Qrow replied. - In every home.
- Were they skinny too? - Roman surmised, to which Qrow responded with a nod. - They starved to death.
- As if they fell asleep and never woke up. - Qrow concluded as he crouched in front of the fire to warm himself.
- We're not staying here, are we? – Weiss was terrified that if they slept here, the same thing would happen to them.
- We have no choice. - Qrow just shook his head. - The storm is getting worse. We'd freeze to death and get lost before we got anywhere.
- Then, - Maria jumped up and went to one of the bookshelves. - it's better to make ourselves comfortable.
- Yeah, - Yang didn't feel this place was safe. - there is a high chance of that.
- Then, - Ruby stood in front of her team. - let's do something. If this place hasn't been abandoned, maybe there's still something we can use.
- Yes, - Oscar stood next to her. – maybe even a car.
- And some money. - Roman also supported it.
- I'll look around the neighborhood again. - Qrow stood up and headed for the exit but stopped and looked back at the others. - No one goes anywhere alone! - He looked sternly at Roman. - Especially you.
- I'll keep an eye on him. - Ruby stood next to Roman.
- Yang and I could look for some kind of vehicle. - Blake suggested.
- Good. - Yang just tiredly stood up. - Anything to help us leave this place.
Yang and Blake had already left for the garage, Ruby continued to search the apartment with Roman, although Ruby was looking for things that could be used, while Roman was looking for money and valuables. Ruby still didn't like it but she didn't want to argue again, instead she just looked to the side where she caught sight of Weiss, who was still feeling bad from what she saw.
- Food can always put me in a better mood. – Ruby tried to calm her friend who was still in bad mood.
- A good cigar do me the same. – Roman already took one out and lit it. - Yes, - He took a puff and blew out the smoke. - it's much better. – He took out the box in which he kept his cigars and handed it to the two girls. - Do you want some?
- Still 17. - Ruby dismissed with a roll of her eyes.
- That's old enough for it. - Roman just shrugged.
- Have you been smoking since you were 17? – Weiss's spirit came back a little from the conversation.
- Hell no, - Roman waved as he took another smoke. – I have been smoking since I was 6. - The two girls were completely shocked by this statement. - They put a lot of pressure in the orphanage, just in case one of the children gets lung cancer and they receive medical support from the city.
- This is terrible! - Weiss couldn't believe her ears.
- Are you telling me?
Roman started towards the next room, the two girls followed and lit up with their Scrolls but Weiss used her sword to fire Dusts, lighting all the candles in the room.
- There you go.
- Nice trick. – Roman put his Scroll away and looked around the room and saw a carved wooden bar counter, full of wine shelves and a jukebox. - Hm, not bad. - Roman immediately got an image of a rustic pub. - We put a foosball or pool table here and you could even make money, as a little stop for people passing through the mountains, where people can have fun, drink, talk and spend money.
- It doesn't sound bad. - Ruby liked the idea but something worried her.
- What's wrong? - Weiss was worried.
- Just don't show this room to my uncle. – He remembered that Qrow has a serious drinking problem, they just went through a difficult time and here's all this drinking.
- Cabbage and a goat? – Roman guessed.
- Something like that. - Ruby just looked at the ground sadly. - I don't know how he's handling all of this.
- Hey, - Roman, to both of their surprise, put his hands on the shoulders of the two girls in support. – listen, everything will be fine. The blizzard will surely stop by tomorrow, until then nothing bad will happen and we will continue our journey towards Atlas without any problems. Are you with me? – Weiss and Ruby could hardly believe that it was Roman Torchwick who gave them a motivational speech, thanks to which they gained new strength.
- Yes. - Ruby nodded.
- Of course. - Weiss was more concerned when she heard Atlas' name.
They continued their search towards the basement and found another dark room.
- Ruby, Roman… - Weiss asked them worriedly. – do we really have to go to Atlas?
- Why shouldn't we go? - Ruby didn't understand the question.
- This is the only way we can get the rans... - Roman said the wrong thing again, he quickly shook his head and corrected it. - reward money for you!
- But did you hear what Jinn said? - Weiss remembered the story the ghost had shown them. - If we can't kill Salem, then what's the point?
- Weiss… - Ruby could hardly believe what her friend said but Roman interrupted.
- There is no such thing as invincible! - Roman sounded like he was sure of what he was doing. - There must be some way!
- But Jinn said… - Weiss reminded them again but Roman also had something up his sleeve.
- Jinn can't answer something that hasn't happened yet and just because she doesn't know how, doesn't mean it's impossible. - It was Roman who gave the girls new strength. - The God of Light wouldn't have left her on our necks if there wouldn't have a way. We just have to find it.
- Thank you, Roman. - Weiss regained her zest for life.
- To think that you almost killed me a few months ago. - Ruby laughed.
- Our relationship didn't start smoothly. - Roman just spread his arms.
- Is there anything here? – Weiss went into the room in front of them, where it was dark, so the Scrolls had to be lit.
It was a musty, dank cellar full of wine barrels and shelves.
- More alcohol. - Ruby stated with lowered eyes. - At least there won't be a problem with the fire.
- Homemade wines. - Roman found out.
- So? - Ruby didn't understand what the big deal was.
- They may even be valuable in a few decades.
- I hope we won't stay here until then. - Weiss just rolled her eyes. - What's that? - She noticed something at the end of the room. A metal trapdoor that was locked. - A wine cellar? - She stated tiredly. - That's great.
- Look! - Ruby squealed excitedly and at that moment ran to one of the shelves.
- What's that?! - Weiss and Roman looked at her curiously.
- Food! - Ruby was holding a can of beans and there was a pile of other cans.
- That's the speech! – Roman was also happy that he didn't have to wait for tomorrow with an empty stomach.
- Canned food? - Weiss, as usual, wasn't happy with the poor man's food.
- Come on, we'll cook it on the fire and it will be delicious. - Ruby just waved.
- A homeless kitchen first, - Weiss just rolled her eyes. - then I eat from a can in a farmhouse. And I thought my dignity couldn't sink any deeper.
- Learn one thing about life, Ice Queen, - Roman started taking as many cans as he could handle. - there's always deeper. - Both Weiss and Ruby helped him but Roman's eyes lit up at the sight of one of the cans. - Look! - The two girls looked at the can curiously. - Tripe stew! I ate so much when I was a kid.
- Gross! - Weiss rather gagged. - It's like puke!
- Are you crazy? – Roman didn't understand how you could hate tripe. - It's the best!
- You're right! - Ruby supported it. - I love it too!
- Indeed? – Roman was surprised because everyone he knew so far was disgusted by tripe, even Neo. Ruby was the first to love it the same way. - I've never heard that before. I thought everyone hated it but me.
- Yang hates it too. - Ruby shrugged. - So does dad but Uncle Qrow loves it, he got me like it too.
- Then you eat that tripe, - Weiss took the rest of the cans. – me and the others eat normal food. I mean, something like that. - They started up, with many cans in their hands. - But I still don't like this place.
- Are you telling me? - Roman looked around cautiously. - Since we set foot here, my internal alarm has been going off continuously.
- Internal alarm? - Ruby and Weiss didn't understand what he was talking about.
- Oh, - Roman realized. - right, I haven't told you yet but I have a warning alarm in my head that indicates when something is wrong, it's been there since I was a child.
- Cowardly instinct, perhaps? - Weiss rolled her eyes.
- More like my Semblance. - Roman joked. - Unfortunately, I didn't always listen to it in the past and then I was always in a pore. It signaled when I made a deal with Cinder, when I worked with Adam and when I was in Salem's inner circle.
- And at Raven? - Ruby asked. - What about Neo?
- I don't foresee the future, I just feel the danger.
During dinner, it turned out that Blake and Yang had found a trailer that they could all fit into and that they would hook up to Yang's motorcycle in the morning and thus be able to go faster. Despite the good news, no one was excited, as everyone was still tormented by a depressing premonition of bad luck and they were also terribly tired.
- The storm has subsided. - Qrow stated after Ruby went over to check as he took a sip of wine. - We can even leave in the morning.
- That's good. - Ruby was relieved.
- No. - Qrow less so. - I have a very bad feeling about this place, especially with me around.
- Are you… - Ruby couldn't help but notice that her uncle was reaching for the wine bottle a little too often. – all right?
- Sure, - Qrow just kept a watchful eye out the window, as if expecting danger. – until everyone falls asleep. I'll wake you up at sunrise.
Ruby was a little worried because after turning around she heard Qrow take a big swig of his drink and Ruby was still worried about him.
- Is that a diary? – Oscar was interested, seeing what Maria was reading.
- Written by the head of this household, Bartleby. - Maria explained enthusiastically to the group. - It looks like he and a few other families founded this small settlement to try to live by themselves and it looks like it worked. – She pointed to the other diaries that are still left. - At least, for a while.
- Grimms? - Oscar guessed but Maria just shook her head.
- It was just one of the difficulties in life that slowed down farming and made everything more difficult. It's a real shame, he seemed like a pretty ambitious guy. He was always coming up with new ideas to make their lives easier.
- Hey guys, - Ruby came back from Qrow. - Qrow said we should sleep. We will get up early tomorrow.
- Thank God. – Blake yawned gratefully and the rest of team RWBY made transitional beds on the floor with the sleeping bags they found.
- The last thing, - Maria got up from her chair offended and sat down on a couch to read. – I let some kids tell me when to go to bed!
Ruby left her and she also went to sleep with her team, laying down next to Weiss but no dreams came to her eyes. She was worried. She was worried about Qrow, worried about team JNR and LLMM and worried about what tomorrow would bring.
Later, at night she sat up, saw her teammates and Oscar already asleep, saw Maria completely lost in reading the journals and when she got up to take a walk, she saw Qrow still watching from the window, taking sips of wine.
- Can't you sleep, Little Red? - Roman, who finished robbing the house. - Come, - He invited her to sit to the table. - help me count how many Lien I have earned. - Ruby didn't feel like counting the stolen money at all but she needed something to distract her from the current situation. - Are you worried about this place too? - Roman couldn't help but notice the worry on the girl's face.
- Yes. – Ruby replied succinctly.
- Then there are two of us. – Roman counted the money like a professional gangster, which isn't surprising, because he was. - My internal alarm is also beeping non-stop.
- Tell me, Roman, - Ruby was curious about something. - have you been alone all your life? I mean... you must have met people you trusted.
- I wasn't alone until I was 18, - Roman lit another cigar. - since the orphanage raised me until then, because they received money to support me until then. I was there with the other kids, but after I turned 18, I had to go.
- Did they just exposed you? - Ruby shook her head in confusion. - But they raised you for 18 years and just threw you out.
- I no longer brought them money, so it wasn't in their interest to taking care of me. - Roman explained as if it was so natural.
- And what happened to you after that? - Ruby couldn't have imagined that the family he knew would just get rid of him. - Where and whom were you live with?
- Alone, on the street. I joined a bigger band, the Spiders but after a few years I broke too high up the ranks. - He gripped the butt of his cigar angrily. - I wanted more, which my boss, Ms. Malachite didn't like, so she sent her people we were partners with to take care of it.
- My goodness. - Ruby put her hand over her mouth, the people who were Roman's teammates wanted to finish him off.
- Don't worry, - Roman confidently took a puff from his cigar and blew out the smoke. - they didn't catch me. I tricked them and came to Vale to start with a clean slate, by which I meant to be the most feared criminal.
- How did you meet Neo? – At Ruby's question, Roman yawned, threw away the butt of his cigar and put the money away.
- I'll tell you about that another time. – He stood up and went towards the fireplace, where he also rested.
This evening's conversation made Ruby drowsy enough to sleep.
Morning came quickly, a little too soon according to the others. The bright light of the sun shone through the drawn curtains and Qrow, contrary to his promise, did not wake the team. Although the sun was shining brightly, he was sitting in his chair, hungover, with an empty wine bottle in his hand and two others beside his chair, asleep, snoring loudly. The empty bottle in his hand slowly slipped out of his hand and clattered to the floor.
The sound of the clanking startled Ruby, who calmed down once she realized where she really was, but another thing worried her. After rubbing the sleepiness from her eyes, she got up from her sleeping bag, walked over to one of the windows and opened the curtain. She nervously noted that the sun could be very high, around noon and Qrow still hadn't woken them up.
- Close the window, Klein! - Convinced she was still in her homeroom, Weiss turned nervously to the side to keep the sun out of her face.
Ruby curiously went to her hungover snoring uncle, picked up one of the empty wine bottles and quickly put together what happened. Qrow got so drunk that night that he couldn't wake up and fell asleep.
- Uncle Qrow, - Ruby called him in frustration, but there was no reaction. - wake up! - She shook him but only a sleepy grunt came out.
- Leave me alone!
- We fell asleep. - Ruby tried to wake him up but Qrow just pushed her away.
Seeing him speak to her in vain, Ruby angrily clutched the empty wine bottle in her hand and slammed it against the wall, shattering it into small pieces with a loud clatter.
- What?! - Qrow was already startled by this, he looked to the side, for a moment he thought he saw Summer staring at him disappointed and angry but as soon as he shook his head, he realized it was Ruby, but her angry and disappointed look was one and the same, like Summer's. He looked out the window, saw that the sun had already risen and then at the empty wine bottles lying on the floor, the contents of which he drank, he quickly understood the reason for Ruby's frustration and anger. He let her down. - Oh, yes… the sun is already up. – He was disappointed in himself and lowered his head.
- Uncle Qrow, - Ruby hugged her uncle sympathetically instead of scolding him angrily. - you know that you can talk to me about anything? With Yang too.
"Just like her mother," Qrow thought and remembered Summer again, "she was also understanding and kind when I did something like this. It made it hard to be angry with her.", Qrow smiled for a moment, "I wish she would have yelled and carried me away. Seriously, I don't understand what she saw in me?"
- Just… - Qrow, just as he couldn't deal with Summer's sympathy and understanding, neither did Ruby's and just pulled out of her embrace. - let's go.
With that he stood up and together they started to wake the team, but it was like having to drag a team of sloths out of bed.
- What's the time? – Roman asked with a yawn and rubbed the sleepiness from his eyes.
- It's almost noon. - Ruby replied as she tried to kick Yang off the bed but she just grumpily turned to her side.
- What?! - Roman shook his head in shock and nervously noted that he hadn't been woken up and looked at the heavy sleeper group and then at Qrow, who dragged Oscar out of bed. – You said, you wake us up! What the hell happened?!
- Just shut up and help wake up the others! – Qrow just shook his head, he had no desire to confront Roman.
- That's what we needed. - Roman didn't have much energy or desire for an argument either, he just rolled his eyes and started to wake up Weiss and Blake. - Come on, Ice Queen! - He closed Weiss' nose, which startled her. - You too, Kitty-cat! - He pulled a hair out of Blake's cat ear, causing her to hiss in pain.
- Why do we have to get up already?! - Weiss' eyes were almost closed from sleepiness.
- Just five minutes. - Blake caressed her ear, where Roman had pulled out the hair.
- You can try it, - Roman took Melodic Cludgel in his hand and slapped it on his palm. – but then I'll wake you up with this!
Yawning and half-asleep, Weiss and Blake, afraid that Roman would keep his promise, wandered out of the house like zombies.
- You too, Blondie! - Roman angrily noted that Ruby not only couldn't wake up her sister, but as she slept she overpowered her and held her like a sleeping teddy bear, so she continued to sleep holding her sister close to her. Roman tried to push her with his foot but Yang didn't move. - You asked for. – Roman went out of the house, found a snow shovel on the porch, which he picked up full of fresh snow, went back into the house and threw it on Yang's neck, who jumped out of bed like a cat thrown into hot water.
- ARE YOU CRAZY?! – She screamed, then prepared to beat Roman to death.
- We fell asleep, Yang! - Ruby stood up, standing between her sister and Roman.
Noticing that it was already around noon, Yang calmed, stretching with a yawn, then followed the others through the door.
Next, Qrow and Roman brought the trailer out, Weiss attached the adapter to the motorcycle, welding the end of it with Fire Dust and her sword.
- Can't we sleep a little more? - Oscar was still half asleep.
- If we're all so tired, - Blake also blinked flatly, as if she was about to fall asleep. - maybe we should have breakfast.
- Do you want to prepare? – With this casual question, Oscar destroyed Blake's illusion.
- Not really.
- Good, - Roman clapped as he and Qrow pushed the trailer quite close. – I hope you have the bike! – Yang just pointed boredly at the hanger mounted on the back of her motorcycle.
- Alright then, let's attach these two together… - Qrow kicked the side of the trailer before the wheel got a flat tire and deflated.
- Nice. - At Roman's comment, Qrow just grunted angrily and began to investigate.
- Well, I see you are being chased by bad luck. - Maria noted.
Qrow decided to give up and sat down in front of one of the fences.
- What are you doing?! - Roman didn't like the fact that Qrow was sitting around instead of fixing things. - It should be replaced!
- Just knock off! - Qrow took out his flat bottle and started drinking.
- I have a feeling, - Yang also sat down in front of the well. – the universe doesn't want us to get to Atlas.
- Just a flat tire, - Besides Roman, Ruby was the only one who tried to push the team. - there must be a spare.
- Not only that! - Yang could feel that she had given up and had neither the strength nor the will to go on. - Everything! Storms, crashes, monsters and... - She lowered her head as if she was about to fall asleep. – I'm so tired.
- Me too! - Blake could hardly keep her eyes open either. - It's like we always have to fight to keep going.
- Yes, - Ruby nodded and held out her hands. – but we all signed for this.
- To try to save the world! - Oscar added. - Not just delaying the inevitable.
- Last night I… - Weiss, who was also barely able to stay on her feet. – I kept thinking, why are we even trying to get to Atlas? – At this question, Qrow, Yang, Blake and Oscar all looked at each other as if they agreed with Weiss.
- We have talked about this! - Roman and Ruby were the ones who still had the will power. - Atlas is the only place where... - Roman was already showing signs of fatigue, but he didn't waver.
- We have to go! – Ruby didn't give up either, but she was obviously sleepy too.
- Why? - Yang just stood up and looked at her sister curiously but still indifferently. – Ozpin hid the relics behind huge gates, under huge schools that were equal to a fortress. But… how long would it take Salem to find the lantern in the middle of nowhere?
- But… - Ruby understood what her sister meant. – the Grimms…
- They'll find him at some point, - She finished. - that's for sure, but if we buried it or just threw it in the well, it could last for years. We might not even live for it. - Yang stepped closer to her sister. - We could do this right now. - Ruby, exhausted and sleepy, hung the lamp from her belt.
- Don't listen to her, Little Red... - Roman, who got down on one knee from exhaustion, tried to convince her. – the Grimm are attracted to the lamp and controlled by Salem. - He stood up, grabbed Ruby's arm and tried to shake her. - Come to your senses! We must go on!
- Just let it go. – Yang said weakly and tiredly to Roman and Ruby got out of Roman's hands.
Ruby looked at her team with a dilemma, who were staring at her with a blank, tired and indifferent look and looked back at Roman, who was doing his best to shake her up and get her to go. With the lamp in hand, she tried to decide who to listen to, on the one hand, their mission was to get to Atlas with the relic, on the other hand, maybe Yang was right and it might take Salem forever to find the lamp at the bottom of the well.
- I'm... - She started towards the well, Roman reached after her to stop her and caught the end of her cloak, but he didn't have the strength to hold it anymore, so it slipped out of his hand. – so… tired.
- Don't do it... - Roman, kneeling on the ground, weakly looked up at Ruby, who wasn't even paying attention to him anymore, she was holding the lamp towards the well, both her mind and heart were shouting for her to take it back but her body was too tired to obey. She just wanted to throw away that lamp, get rid of the burden that had been weighing on her shoulders for so long, lie down and sleep.
She suddenly cried out in terror and dropped the lantern into the well.
- No, no, no, no! - Ruby cursed herself, burying her face in her hands.
- What did you do?! - Roman jumped up from the fact that they lost the lamp and grabbed Ruby.
- I didn't want it!
- We have to get it back! - Roman ordered the others.
- Ruby, Roman, - Weiss and the others didn't even react due to the loss of the lantern. – it's all right.
- No! - Ruby tried to warn the others. - There's something down there! I saw it! It was looking at me!
- A Grimm?! – Roman looked down into the well and the others followed his example, but much slower and bored.
- It's okay, - Yang just put her hand on Ruby's shoulder. - you said you were tired. You were probably just imagining it. Let's go.
- What about you?! - Ruby pushed her sister's hand aside. - We can't leave it here!
- That lamp... - Roman panted, still determined to get the lamp back. – the guarantee... - He tiredly leaned on the edge of the well, squeezed his eyes shut and focused with all his strength on the thing that is most important to him. - Neo... - He muttered unintelligibly, which the others didn't hear. – see her again...
- We have to go down and get the lamp back! – Ruby didn't pay much attention to Roman's muttering, she just shouted angrily at her team. - What was I thinking?
- All we have to do is change the wheel. I entrust my best man. - Qrow said from afar, then looked at Oscar. – Farm boy, search one in the warehouse.
- I WON'T LEAVE WITHOUT THE LAMP! - Ruby screamed at the top of her lungs.
- That's the spirit, Little Red... - Roman regained his strength. - you speak well. We have to go down.
- Fine... - Blake sighed tiredly and, as if she didn't feel like it, joined. - I'm going with you.
- Let's go together. – Both Weiss and Yang were as eager to go as Qrow was to be hungover, who had already headed back to the house for more drinks.
- Okay, grabbed that stupid lamp. Until then, Oscar will fix that stupid wheel.
- And where are you going? - Maria asked reproachfully, while Qrow just held up his empty flask.
- What do you think?! - He just slammed the door behind him.
- Idiot. - Maria added only that much to Qrow's behavior, then sat down next to Oscar and continued reading the journals.
Meanwhile, Ruby was the first to jump into the well, followed by Roman, who hooked the end of Melodic Cludgel into the edge and lowered himself to the bottom of the well with the wire inside. After them came the rest of team RWBY.
They found themselves in a dark, dank canal with ankle-deep water running straight through. The only source of light is sunlight coming in from the top of the well. Ruby, Roman and Yang took out their Scrolls and began to shine with it and search for the relic, which they didn't see anywhere.
- Maybe it was just carried away by the stream. – Yang guessed and everyone agreed with her, she started in the direction of the stream.
It was silent, the only thing that could be heard was the splash of water with each step they were walking in.
- Where is it?! – Ruby became more and more nervous after they didn't find the lamp after several minutes of searching.
- If it's lost, I'll be very angry. - Roman warned the others.
- Maybe just turn off the lights and look for its glow. - Blake suggested.
- It's not a stupid idea. – Roman put the Scroll away, followed by Ruby and Yang.
Pointing Ruby Crescent Rose, Roman Melodic Cludgel forward in the darkness, they focused and prepared for a possible attack with every nerve.
- There. - Blake pointed forward tiredly, as if she didn't even care about it all.
Roman and Ruby smiled at each other, then Ruby happily turned back to her team and walked off, leaving the team behind in the direction of the glow that was clearly emitted by the lamp.
- I got it! – Roman happily noticed the lamp floating on the surface of the water, stuck on some stones.
- Guys! - Relieved, Ruby ran for and grabbed it.
- Get out from there, Red! - Roman shouted, but Ruby, who heard some strange snoring in front of her, slowly looked up and saw a whole group of Falkány Grimm, which at first glance seemed human-like, but they were twisted, they walked hunched over, their bodies were covered with bones that looked like ribs, on their heads as it was a mask like a human skull, through which their red eyes shone, their mouths were open, their teeth were also human-like, their arms were very long and thin necks, their fingers could hardly be thicker than a strand of wire, which ended in an even thinner arm. They slowly looked at the two newcomers and trudged towards them.
Ruby cried out loudly, hugging the relic as Roman shot a fireball that flew past and slammed into one of the Grimm, killing a few more, but to no avail, they still came.
- What did you do with her! - Yang appeared from the corner and grabbed Roman by the collar of his jacket.
- Trying to save her life! – Roman angrily pulled Yang's hand away from him and pointed towards the Grimms.
- What are these?! - Yang looked at the monsters in horror.
- One word, - Roman grabbed Ruby's arm and began to pull. - overpowering!
Yang followed them, and Blake and Weiss, who had just caught up to them, saw how terrified their teammates were, and they too turned and started running. Once they were far enough away from them, Ruby and Roman opened fire, but to no avail, these Grimm were too many.
The others also took out their weapons, and the Grimms, who had only just slowly come out of the corner, let out a scream that was quite muffled but still echoed through the entire sewer system.
As a result of the sound, the whole team collapsed and they could hardly stay on their feet.
- What... - Yang almost collapsed under her own weight and her eyes almost closed. – is this…
- My weapon… - Blake, who always cast Gumbo Shroud so easily and quickly, now felt as if it was weighing tons. – It's so heavy…
- What... happened... - Roman also felt that Melodic Cludgel seemed to have increased in weight, but when he examined it more closely, he realized that it wasn't the cane's weight that had increased, his strength decreased.
- Run! - You could hear Maria's voice in the distance, who quickly rushed to the team's aid, as if she had realized something terrible. - Now! - She didn't stay long, because she immediately turned around and started running towards the exit.
- I'm with her! – Roman, Ruby, and then the rest of the team gathered themselves and started running instead of fighting.
They no longer remembered exactly where the well was from where they had come in, so they followed Maria, hoping she knew another way out.
As they fled, the Grimm let out another muffled scream, causing the team members to lose their strength again and nearly collapse from exhaustion.
- There! – Ruby was the first to get back on her feet and turn a corner and they followed her instead.
The tunnel system continued, but it felt like they were lost in an endless maze and the monster inside could pop out at any time. They ran past a skeleton that was dressed properly, just sitting leaning against the wall as if it had died without doing anything. It didn't have any tears and it didn't look like it had been in a fight.
Grimms jumped out from every corner and the team, desperate, exhausted, not knowing where they were going, ran, following Ruby, who also didn't know where to go, just ran where she saw.
They reached a branching but the Grimm horde overtook them again and they were forced to run again, but their muffled screams took their toll and the team fell to the ground this time.
- No… - Yang tried to keep climbing on all fours but she had already reached her limit. - I can't... take… anymore...
- The exit! – Maria stumbled towards a staircase but she couldn't stay on her feet either.
- Come on! – Roman was also at the end of his strength, trying to pull Ruby, who was trying to stand Weiss up. - Leave them! Let's save ourselves!
- No! - Ruby tried weakly to pull her arm out of Roman's, but they both collapsed from exhaustion.
- It's all right. - Blake, who was already on the ground, didn't show the slightest sign of fear that the Grimm were already gathered above her, ready to finish her off. - Just go.
- Blake…! - Desperately, but completely exhausted, Ruby crawled away from Roman on all fours towards Blake, who was about to be reached by the Grimms. One extended its long, thin fingers and its claws were inches from Blake's face. - BLAKE!
Ruby's fear of losing one of her friends flooded her with such a rush of adrenaline that she was able to stand up, but more than that, an amazing white light emanated from her eyes, which not only burned the Grimm and staggered them back, but also he also gave the team back their willpower.
Everyone got to their feet, Ruby immediately ran to Blake to help her up, Yang and Weiss just ran towards the exit, Roman just shook his head in confusion at what he saw.
- What the f*ck was that, Red?! - Ruby and Blake just ran past him.
- Later! – That's all Ruby said before they found themselves facing Maria, who came back curiously.
- What happened?! - She got no response, just Weiss yelling in desperation after unsuccessfully trying to open the trap door.
- Closed!
- Out of my way! – Yang didn't hesitate and immediately headed towards the trap door to break it.
Unfortunately, the Grimm recovered from what Ruby had done to it and with another muffled scream, once again drained the team of willpower and they found themselves kneeling or lying on the ground again.
- Again…? - Roman couldn't take it any longer either, he fell to his knees and then leaned to the side. He had no strength left to continue. 'It can't end here…' he thought to himself, 'I can't… die yet… I have to see… one more time… Neo…', his last thoughts revolved around Neo before he closed his eyes.
No one was moving anymore, the entire team RWBY was on the floor, completely exhausted and the Grimm were seconds away from overwhelming them. Maria saw a familiar light as Ruby, who had just momentarily paralyzed the Grimm, crawled over to her.
- Ruby... - She looked at her face through the lens of her seeing machine. - what color are your eyes?
- Um… - Ruby was barely able to answer due to exhaustion and confusion, but she weakly moaned out. – they are… silver. – With this tiny and weak answer, she gave Maria a last ray of hope for escape.
- You have a family?! – She asked quickly and to the point. - Friends?!
- What? – Ruby didn't understand what she could do with that, since they are here in the throat of death, she doesn't have time to think about her family and friends now, since she has to save them.
- Don't focus on them! - Maria just covered her ears. - Think about the people who love you. Focus on that feeling. Think about how it feels to be loved, cared for and an important part of their lives. – She gently caressed the girl's face, who then closed her eyes and concentrated only on Maria's voice. - Just focus on that. Life is Beautiful. Valuable. And much more. It has to be protected.
Ruby's eyes popped open and she stood up and this time her eyes glowed with a bright silver light and emitted another stronger dose of white beam that burned the Grimm in the room to ashes literally in the blink of an eye.
As soon as the beam of light ended, a stunned silence fell over the others as they regained their strength and just stared at the remains of the Grimm vaporized into the air that Ruby had disposed of but even she didn't know how.
- What the... - Roman couldn't even swallow from what he saw and looked at Ruby as if she were some kind of miracle weapon.
There was no time to question or think because Yang, who had also regained his strength, broke out the locked trapdoor with a single punch and they were able to continue their escape.
- That's familiar! – Roman and Weiss came out next and found themselves in a wine cellar familiar to Roman, where the candles were burning.
- Are we in the house again?! - Blake, Ruby, and Maria joined in and were surprised to see Qrow lying drunk on the bar with several bottles of empty bottles.
- You didn't hear us banging by any chance?! – Roman asked the question, to which some people wanted to get an answer.
- Uncle Qrow, get up! – Ruby didn't want to scold her uncle but to save him, who only tried to shake the girl off him by getting up angrily.
- Hey, get off me! – He stood up confused, as if he had no idea what was going on. - What's going on?!
- We have to go, idiot! - Maria said and angrily stumbled towards the exit, before Yang grabbed Blake's arm and they started to follow.
- But now... - Before he could ask, Roman's arm immediately wrapped around his neck and started to pull him.
- We'll initiate you later!
- Hey… - Qrow tried weakly to free himself from Roman's grip. – the chokehold is… illegal!
- Sue me! - Roman just continued to pull the helpless Qrow while looking towards Ruby and Weiss. - Red, Ice Queen, go!
- Not yet. - Weiss grabbed a bottle of wine and threw it towards the trapdoor, causing it to shatter and a lot of alcohol to flow down the stairs, then she threw more and more.
- Hey… - Qrow still couldn't get out of Roman's grip, but the fact that his niece and the girls are standing next to the criminal who's currently using a chokehold on him and Weiss throwing away the many good wines was quite infuriating. - what are you doing?!
Weiss didn't say anything, she just summoned a fire rune into her sword and ignited the first few Grimm that followed them with a swipe. The spilled alcohol quickly caught fire, igniting the Grimms and the house.
- We can go now! – Weiss turned back, and Ruby and she both helped Roman drag Qrow out, who only noticed what was happening when the bar caught fire and flaming Grimms came out of the basement.
Roman was finally able to release him from the chokehold, while Qrow ran away gasping for air, stroking his neck, luckily, Oscar changed the tire on the trailer in time, and they immediately jumped on it and Yang gave full throttle to his motorcycle and drove away from this damned farm as fast as she could. In the distance, they could still see the flames starting to consume the outside of the house as well, with all the horror that was inside.
After they got far enough, the team members sighed in relief, exhaled or leaned back, Yang also slowed down a bit and continued driving the bike in a more relaxed style.
- Okay, - Roman just rubbed his face as if collecting his thoughts. – first, what?! Second, the f*ck was in that basement?!
- The Apathy. – Answered Maria, who was sitting at the end of the trailer and dangling her legs. – They're not strong, fast or ferocious, they simply drain the will to do out of you and break your willpower. – She showed and gave Oscar one of the diaries written by the head of the village, which was presumably the last volume, because it stopped halfway through. – Bartleby did his best to save money for the winter and wanted to save on the Huntsmen's wages, but in order to do that, everyone should have kept calm. Constantly.
- "I managed to separate two of them from the pack," - Oscar read the last pages. - "the way back was hellishly difficult, but I managed to lock the f*ckers in the basement." - It started to become clear what really happened. – "I only told my wife that I was going to close the water pipe so that nothing could get in. I will do it tomorrow and tell him the truth as soon as these creatures calmed everyone down. I'm tired."
- The next chapter proves that he really closed it, - Maria continued. – but only after the rest of the pack followed the two missing members. If I had to guess, they got under the settlement through the waterline, which Bartleby closed the next day. - He took the diary out of Oscar's hands. - Bartleby's plan worked in a certain way. - She started reading the last page. – "No one was angry, sad or scared anymore. Nobody did anything... I'm tired..." - She closed the diary. - And finally, there was nobody left. - She finished with her own words and threw the diary into the snow.
- Wow, - Roman was thinking only of what he had heard. - I've seen a lot of crazy sh*t. - He took out a cigar and lit it. - But nothing like this creepy.
- I… - Weiss was already regretting what she had said at the well. - I'm sorry for what I said. About giving up.
- Me too. – Yang stopped the engine, she also almost made Ruby give up. - We can't stop until the lamp is safe.
- Not your fault! - Blake immediately came to his defense. - Those... creatures... - She turned to Roman, who was still smoking his cigar. - If it hadn't been for you… who knows how things would have turned out.
- Yeah, - Qrow noticed after feeling embarrassed. – you and Ruby drove the team while I just got drunk.
- You have amazing willpower, Roman. - Ruby took the gangster's hand as if he was an old friend.
- Hm, - Roman just shrugged confidently as he took another puff. – my only goal was my own survival, which without you would have been reduced quite a bit with the lamp.
- Honestly, - Maria was also ashamed of something. – if you were already looking for a scapegoat, who was responsible for this, then it's me. The signs were clear, but I had never seen an entire village wither like that. - She bent down and shook her head. - I'm afraid my mind isn't what it used to be.
- Ms. Calavera, - Ruby turned to her with a series of questions. – how do you know so much about the Grimms. And in the tunnel, you knew exactly what to say to make my eyes… do that. How?
- That's a very good question, Little Red! – Ever since they got out of the tunnel, Roman had been curious about how she was able to incinerate a pack of Grimm.
- Isn't it obvious? – Maria just closed the lenses of her vision machine, as if she just closed her eyes and smiled. - Because I had Silver eyes too. - She opened her blue lenses wide.
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