Headmaster Ozpin sat behind his desk, his hands folded in front of him, while Glynda stood to his right, her expression stern. Pyrrha Nikos, with the Lamp of Knowledge hanging from her hip, stood next to Qrow Branwen, who looked more disheveled than usual, as if he had suffered a string of misfortunes along the way. The room's dim lighting cast long shadows, mirroring the gravity of their report.

"Ozpin," Qrow began, his voice rough but steady, "we were able to fend off the Queen's pawns this time, but they managed to escape. They were more organized than we anticipated." He reached into his coat and pulled out a green crystal, tossing it onto the table. "As you feared, it seems that Salem is now in cahoots with Dr. Merlot and using his Grimm to strengthen her forces."

Ozpin's face darkened as he stared at the crystal. "Dr. Merlot... That complicates things." He glanced at Pyrrha, signaling her to report.

Pyrrha stepped forward, her tone cold and precise. "The attackers were using White and Red androids equipped with glaives and machine guns, similar to what Team RWBY encountered on Dr. Merlot's island years ago. The assault on Haven was coordinated and fierce… but as Qrow said, we were able to defend Haven with the help of Team RWBY alongside Haven's staff and students."

Ozpin nodded gravely, his eyes flickering with concern. He looked at the evidence laid out before him. Lionheart's scroll and the drive of his terminal. "I heard this wasn't all collected by you two, was it?"

Qrow shook his head. "No, it wasn't. It was an Arc. We were busy trying to chase after Cinder Fall and her goons."

"Arc?" Ozpin lifted his head, surprise clear in his eyes.

"Jaune Arc, Professor," Pyrrha said, her voice tinged with a hint of coldness. "It seems he has become a Huntsman and is acting as a Mediator for Atlas in the talks with Mistral and Menagerie."

Qrow smirked slightly. "It's a shame you kicked the kid out. He had potential, and his Semblance is powerful. He uses it well."

Ozpin picked up a scroll from the table and began reading the contents aloud. "Aura Amplification and its effects... I was not informed of this."

Qrow leaned against the table, his expression serious. "I'm afraid Schnee and Arc saw what happened. What should we do, Oz?"

Ozpin dismissed Qrow's concerns with a wave of his hand. "Jaune Arc and Winter Schnee are not our primary concern. They are inconsequential to the affairs we have and if they are working for the good of Mistral, then let it be. One less thing to worry about and may I remind you that secrecy is a must when fighting Salem. Our focus must remain on the relics and keeping Salem and her forces in check. What happened in Mistral is within expectations. "

He turned to Pyrrha. "I assume you two have made contact with Raven?"

Qrow growled while Pyrrha nodded. "I was able to pin Raven with my polarity. She transformed and escaped. I also believe Team RWBY had contact with her after the attack and they used her portal to travel to Menagerie."

"They did?" Ozpin considered this information, nodding slowly before turning to the blonde next to him. "Glynda, do you have any questions?"

Glynda Goodwitch, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward. "I still don't understand why did Salem move now?"

"Because Adam Taurus went and did what he planned in advance," Qrow said coldly. "Bastard got a real hard on for the Belladonna kid when they meet again."

Ozpin sighed, his gaze distant. "Perhaps it's also because after their defeat in Vale, Salem needed time to recover her forces. Salem's greatest asset is time, and she is willing to use it to her advantage. We must keep her in check, no matter the cost. Defend the relics and secure the Maidens if necessary."

Glynda frowned. "But what are her plans in Menagerie?"

Ozpin's eyes hardened. "If I had to guess, she plans to use Menagerie as a springboard to attack Atlas. The Faunus there could be coerced or manipulated into aiding her cause," Ozpin palmed his forehead. "And with how Theodore is busying himself with Vacuo and the Crown. Team CFVY has agreed to assist, but it will be difficult to remove the Crown now that they've dug deeper... but with how Menagerie is right now..."

"I see," Qrow glared. "You're not using Menagerie as a battlefield, right Oz?"

The room fell silent again, the weight of Ozpin's silence sinking in. Pyrrha felt a shiver run down her spine at the thought of Menagerie becoming a battleground.

Ozpin broke the silence, his tone grim. "We need to be prepared for anything. Salem's not going to stop, and neither can we. Our next steps are crucial. We must strengthen our defenses and rally our allies that knows about Salem. Pyrrha, I want you to head to Menagerie with Qrow and gather intel and report back immediately. Qrow, you will coordinate with the forces in Menagerie and ensure Atlas is ready for any potential threat if it comes down to it.."

Pyrrha nodded firmly. "Understood."

Qrow sighed, but nodded as well. "Got it."

Ozpin looked at the assembled group, his expression resolute. "We are the last line of defense. Salem may have time on her side, but we have determination and the will to fight. We must stand united and be ready for the battles ahead against her pawns. Revealing Salem to Remnant will only bring fear, and fear means Grimm. But for now, I hope you two can rest. Well done. Both of you."

The meeting adjourned, and Pyrrha and Qrow exited the office. As Qrow and Pyrrha left the office, Glynda remained behind, her gaze lingering on the closed door for a moment before turning back to Ozpin. The room felt heavier in their absence, the weight of their conversation still lingering in the air.

Ozpin moved to the relic, his movements deliberate as he secured it further with a twist of his hand. Glynda watched him closely, her expression unreadable as she finally broke the silence. "Is it neutralized?"

Ozpin shook his head, his eyes never leaving the relic. "No, Glynda. But it's best to keep the Lamp's questions around. It will help if Salem moves in directions I don't expect."

Glynda nodded, though her cool demeanor belied the questions swirling in her mind. "Understood," she said simply, before shifting her focus. "May I check on Pyrrha Nikos?"

Ozpin glanced up, his brow furrowing slightly. "Why?"

Glynda's arms crossed over her chest, a spark of anger igniting in her eyes. "What do you mean, why? Ever since she inherited the powers of the Fall Maiden from Amber, after you wrestled them away from Cinder, she's become your perfect huntress, doing missions after missions!" she said pointedly. "It seems you've found another Summer Rose to use, Ozpin."

Her words dripped with disdain as she sneered, her frustration palpable. "How long until you get to use Ruby Rose's silver eyes as well, Headmaster?"

Ozpin's expression remained neutral behind his glasses, though there was a hint of resignation in his eyes. "We need to acquire the best pieces, Glynda," he replied evenly. "The influence of these girls will be instrumental in defending Remnant."

Glynda's frustration boiled over as she continued, her words carrying a sharp edge. "It's not just about their abilities or influence, Ozpin," she said, her voice tinged with resentment. "It's about how conveniently you've acquired the daughters of the most useful people in Remnant."

She paced the room, her agitation evident in every step. "Ruby and Yang can be used to leverage Qrow and Tai and Raven if you somehow coax her again," she pointed out, her tone accusatory. "Blake Belladonna's parents in Menagerie, Weiss Schnee, the heiress of the SDC... do I even have to continue?"

Her voice trailed off, but the implication hung heavy in the air. Ozpin remained silent, his expression unreadable as he listened to her grievances. It was a truth they both knew but seldom acknowledged — the strategic advantage of their connections ran deep, intertwining their fates with the destiny of Remnant.

Glynda's gaze bore into him, her frustration palpable as she demanded answers. "Is this your idea of safeguarding Remnant? Using these girls as pawns in your game?"

Ozpin didn't feign innocence; instead, he met her gaze head-on. "I don't pretend to be a saint, Glynda," he admitted. "But what I do is for the best of Remnant." he replied calmly. "And sometimes that means making hard decisions."

Her fists clenched at her sides, but she couldn't refute his logic. In a game where every move could mean life or death for countless souls, sacrifices were inevitable.

But even as she begrudgingly accepted his reasoning, a part of her rebelled against the notion of treating these young women as mere pieces on a chessboard. They were individuals, with their own hopes and dreams, and Glynda couldn't shake the feeling that they deserved better than to be used as weapons for the sake of a greater cause.

Ozpin's gaze softened slightly, a flicker of understanding passing between them. "I know it's not easy, Glynda," he said quietly. "But we must do what we can to protect Remnant, no matter the cost."

She nodded, though the bitterness still lingered in her heart. "I understand," she said finally, her voice heavy with resignation. "But that doesn't mean I have to like it."

She left Ozpin's office.

Glynda then made her way to the training room, the echoes of Pyrrha's relentless training growing louder as she approached. Pushing open the door, she found Pyrrha Nikos immersed in her exercises, her movements fluid and precise, but there was a weariness in her eyes that Glynda couldn't ignore.

Had she not been sleeping?

"How are your controls of the Maiden powers, Pyrrha?" Glynda asked, her voice cutting through the rhythm of Pyrrha's training.

Pyrrha paused, her breath coming in quick gasps as she turned to face Glynda. "Wonderful, Professor," she replied politely, though there was a hint of strain beneath the surface.

Glynda didn't miss the exhaustion in Pyrrha's demeanor as she stepped closer. "And how do you feel?" she asked, her tone gentle yet probing.

Pyrrha hesitated for a moment before answering honestly, "Wonderful, Professor. I feel... useful."

Glynda's gaze softened as she observed Pyrrha's determination, but she knew that pushing herself to the brink wasn't sustainable. "You need to rest, Pyrrha," she insisted, her voice firm. "You can't keep pushing yourself like this."

Pyrrha shook her head stubbornly. "I have to, Professor," she protested. "I need to remain invincible. If only I had been stronger, I could have defeated Hazel and eliminated Cinder Fall. But instead, they escaped. I could have ended Salem's pawns right there and right then… but I could only watch them escape."

Glynda placed a reassuring hand on Pyrrha's shoulder. "You did everything you could," she said gently. "But even you have limits."

Pyrrha's shoulders sagged slightly, the weight of her failures evident in her expression. "I just wish... I wish I could have done more," she admitted quietly.

Glynda nodded in understanding. "I know, Miss Nikos. But sometimes, even the strongest among us need to rest."

As they made their way out of the training room to take a rest, Glynda couldn't shake the feeling that there was something else bothering Pyrrha. "Is it Jaune Arc?" she ventured, her tone careful.

Pyrrha nodded slowly, her gaze distant. "He... he's changed," she confessed. "I was hoping he'd find peace away from the Grimm and the troubles of our world... but it seems that's not the case."

Glynda sighed softly, a pang of regret tugging at her heart. "Did you believe he would have stopped, even without his aura?" she asked, her voice tinged with sorrow. "He may have had many shortcomings, but Arc never lacked courage, despite his fears."

Pyrrha fell silent, her thoughts swirling as she processed Glynda's words. "Am I doing well, Professor?" she asked suddenly, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Glynda smiled reassuringly. "You're doing magnificent, Pyrrha," she assured her. "But even the strongest warriors need guidance and support."

Pyrrha's eyes brightened slightly at Glynda's words, a glimmer of hope breaking through the darkness of her doubts. "Would you... train me, Professor?" she asked tentatively.

Glynda hesitated for a moment, but when she saw the pleading look in Pyrrha's eyes, she relented. "Of course, Miss Nikos," she agreed, a sense of determination settling over her. "But I hope you take a rest after this... you still have a lot to take on in the future."

Doing missions on Ozpin's behalf and working with Qrow to ensure Remnant remains safe and keeps Salem's pawns in-check.

Glynda would even argue that the four years had been quiet because of the work done by Pyrrha with the help of Qrow.

As they began their training, Glynda couldn't help but lament the state of affairs that had brought them to this point.

"Do you really think your children can win a war?"

She thought back to James Ironwood's words about using children to win this war against Salem, and she couldn't help but wonder how many more lives would be lost before the madness came to an end.

They were no longer children… they had taken wonderful people and fashion them into weapons.

To fight an enemy could overwhelm the kingdoms with her, Grimm alone was worth fashioning them into weapons.

But how long can they do this?

It was a game of keep away.

A game Glynda was afraid would never end.

Forever an unwitting soldier in a secret war.

They still have no way of knowing how to win.