A Snake's Path

-Kuroyuri-

-13 years ago-

Staring at the now destroyed Kuroyuri, Mai Ren, a woman with black hair and grey streak on her hair and pale gold eyes. Her twin brother, Li Ren had called her and requested her aid in fending off the Grimm in Kuroyuri. But by the time she arrived with reinforcements, it was too late. Her nephew, Lie Ren is still missing. Her husband led his faction of the Ren Clan to search for Lie and his mother An. But all they found were the dead bodies of Li and An. It devastates Mai for how different things could've turned out.

Mai is standing at the front gate holding her daughter, Mi's hand. Worried about her family. Mai's husband, Choi rode the horse and arrived in front. "Papa!" Mi called. "Where's Lie?" She asked about her cousin.

"Anything, Choi?" Mai asked.

"Li and An are dead, but Lie is missing. I am sorry, my dearest. Should I keep searching? He could be still alive" Asked Choi, hoping for more signs of life.

"This is all my fault. If I had gotten here on time then Li and An wouldn't...!" Before Mai could teared up about the losses of her brother and sister-in-law, one of their warriors called out. "Lady Mai! We recovered two children!"

"Two children?" Choi asked.

"Could it be?" Mai asked herself as they got closer with the children. One is a little boy, Raven hair and magenta eyes, and a girl with ginger hair and cyan eyes. Sitting on front of the warrior being carried by a horse. Mai sees that the children were in a bad state, shivering, dirty and scared. Mai then proceeds to check on the children. One she recognized as her nephew, Lie Ren.

"Oh my goodness. Lie...is that you?" Mai asked. Stroking her hand on the little boy's cheek. Lie resembled her twin brother so much, he was the last piece of Li. "Your father, and mother where are they?" Lie then teared up as soon as his aunt asked that. "Father...Mother...he...they..." He was unable to speak through the trauma of the attack. But Mai knew what he meant.

She quickly embraced her nephew into her arms as they both started crying together. "It's okay, Lie. It's okay. I am here now. We are all here. We won't leave you alone." Mai kept holding the young Lie until he calmed down and as soon as they were done, they broke away. Choi then joined them and so was Mi. "Yes, it's alright, Lie. Your aunt is right, we are here for you no matter what." Then the Ren family turned to the ginger-haired girl. Although Mai and Choi raised their daughter with love, they also love their nephew like their own son.

Mai then walks closer to the little girl who was with Ren. She could tell the child is also scared. Then decides to help the child to not leave her alone. "You poor child. You didn't deserve this either. What's your name?" Mai asked.

"N...Nora..." The girl replied. Shivering in the cold. Mai then asked the next question. "Where are your parents?" Nora was unable to respond. Sniffled for this kind of question. "I don't have parents." She answered.

"Auntie. We can't leave her alone. We don't know who her parents are." Ren said to his aunt. Mai, seeing the fear in Nora's eyes. Mai knew what it was like to grow up without a mother cause she had died in childbirth. It was then that her mind was set. "No we won't. Cause we are now your family, Nora. Let's take you and Lie back home." Mai comforted the children before bringing them back to Ha Lao, a mountain where the Temple of Ren is their home. Here where members of the Ren family take training. Mai and Choi decided that they have to raise the children alongside Mi for the sake of Li and An. Since she always wanted brothers and sisters, she would refer to older cousin, Lie as "big brother." Since they are of a one year age gap. And Nora as "big sister."

-Ha Lao-

-Present-

Choi is at a Temple of Ren to guard the mountain as ordered by his wife, Mai Ren, the current matriarch of the Ren family since the Fall of Beacon. Reason for that was because Mai was a member of Team STRM since Haven Academy, and she is the same age as Qrow. His daughter, Mi stepped outside the front door of the main house and placed a tray of tea on the porch with her father sitting on it.

"Mi, what are you doing up so late? You should be resting my child." Choi asked in concern. Mi, however smiled at her beloved father, trying to assure him. "I'm sorry, Papa. I thought you could you some tea. You worked too hard to guard the temple. I wished Mother let me help with her errands."

"It's not necessary, daughter. But, thank you." Choi poured his own cup while Mi sat next to him. As soon as he took a sip, he noticed his daughter has a worried expression across her face. While her tea was letting out a small stream of vapor. Choi could tell something is troubling her.

"Is something troubling you, Mi?" Mi would put a brave face in front of her mother to not worry her. But most of the time she would confide in her father about how much it worried her to see her mother fighting her hardships. Mi is a student of Haven Academy, unlike Ren and Nora. She wonders how her adopted siblings were doing. And worried after hearing about their journey. Although she has training as a huntress, Mi was told to stay in the temple by her mother out of fear that she would put herself in danger. But not only she feared for the wellbeing of her mother, but also the wellbeing of her adopted siblings.

"I'm worried, Papa. Mother is out there fighting new enemies with her team, Big Brother Lie and Sister Nora were also out there determined to find the destroyers of Beacon. I don't know. I just wish Mother would let me do something to assist her or something. I can fight, I trained alongside Mother and yet I was still treated like a sheltered child. I am not just the daughter of Ren Household, but I am a huntress-in-training." Mi lamented. Although Choi did not agreed with his wife's overprotectiveness, he does understood that what happened to his brother-in-law, affected Mai badly. The least he can do is comforting his daughter and struck a conversation to assure her.

"Knowing your mother, she is always vigilant like a hawk. But most of all, what she is doing is to protect this family. After your aunt and uncle were killed, your mother sensed something dangerous. An ancient enemy, one that she was aware of since the age of 17. It pains me to say this but it's not just your uncle that was among her friends that were killed, but also a friend of hers who was killed by this enemy." Choi said. This rings Mi a bell. She does have some sort of ability to sense strong presences, such as spirits and aura. It was more hereditary in the Ren family.

"Papa, I just remembered something. Just tonight, it was a strong presence. Something more eerie." Mi said as she blinked her eyes and felt that same presence. Just like in her dreams. Mi was trained by Mai to sense the presence of aura. Choi is confused but decides to keep listening to be sure nothing happens to his family. Being married into the Ren family, the rule for him was to train to protect their spouses (who are Ren by blood), and their children and grandchildren. But his wife, being a huntress and leader of the Clan insisted she needed no protection.

"You felt something, Mi?" Asked Choi.

"Something beyond normal, but I don't know who or what that was. But it was something more frightening. That aura or power, it's too strong. So strong that it was no Grimm, nor a human. This is rather beyond that. Should we go and warned Mother about this?" Asked Mi, concern for the necessity to talk to her mother about the presence that was disturbing. The chills in her spine was unshakable to wear off. "I don't know. But maybe it's for the best we wait for her a bit longer. If she wasn't back for a few days, then we'll look for her together." Mi does not want to wait any longer, but her father's words are logical from her perspective. Her mother may be very calm and serious with the flame of aura that burns brighter, but her father is of a soft aura that is more of a healing factor. Mi is a bit of both as a result of the union. Mi decided not to argue with this logic.

"Perhaps this idea is for the best. I hope Lie and Nora are okay. May the Infinite and Unbound guide them." Mi said, drinking her own tea. Looking into the stars for guidance, but even the stars cannot speak for themselves. But those shards of light along with the broken moon, are the only things she can pray since the disappearance of the gods. But one thing is cleared to her; not all prayers can be heard. No matter how much you pleaded. This was the beginning of the Age of Salem.

-Anima-

Ruby is in the forest watching Jaune practicing his sword skills since Pyrrha's death. It affected her to hear her voice once more. The thought of not being able to save Pyrrha made Ruby guilt-ridden. Seeing the sweat in Jaune, swinging after swinging, foot-by-foot. The sword and shield shines from the moon. Shouting after creating an air lash with his sword. Using the footwork Pyrrha used to teach Jaune prior to her death. That video is all he has left of her, it was the only thing where he can see her face and hear her voice. She is now just a memory. A memory that Jaune wishes to have back, but couldn't. "Oh, Jaune. I'm sorry you had been going though this." Ruby told herself. Jaune did not hear this while she was hidden behind a tree trunk. She could remember the last words her mother told her before her death in the mission.

When losing a loved one, their memory is your strength. When I am gone, Ruby. Just remember, as long as you hold precious memories of your loved ones, the light in your eyes will shine as you fight.

-Atlas-

Neptune managed to sneak into the city without being noticed for trespassing. Under the guise of a student of Atlas Academy, nobody notices anything different. His older sister, Ceres, is a doctor in the Atlas Medical unit for the notary and academy alike. So Ceres have him a spare uniform after she found out what kind of trouble he stirred himself into.

He arrives sneaking into the gardens of Schnee Manor where Weiss Schnee resides. He figured Weiss used a borrowed scroll to message him in secret. Aware that she cannot contact him through her own scroll or her father would catch her. He then hears the singing voice he had not heard in a long time. He had heard her voice sometimes, whenever we would overhear her or sometimes caught her singing out of nowhere. It was incredible for how Weiss can pour her heart out. It was the beauty of her own voice like none other. However, hearing lots of songs and theories about the music culture is a series of messages. How the songs played out a role in revealing a person's true heart. Neptune can tell Weiss' upcoming song tells her tale of sorrow and self-identity conflict. And how she came to the uprising from her past. It captivated him not just his eyes, but also his heart to hear her voice.

"Mirror, can you heard me?

Do I reach you?

Are you, even listening?

Can I get through?

There's a part of me that's desperate for changes.

Tired of being treated like a pawn.

But there's a part of me that's stares back.

From inside the Mirror.

Part of me that's scared I might be wrong.

That I can't be strong."

As Weiss paused for a moment, a young man who appeared to be two years younger than Weiss (same age as Ruby) came upon her. Like her, he has white hair and cold, blue eyes. Neptune figured that the person next to her must be her younger brother. It seemed to have started off as a civil conversation. He hid in the bush while trying to listen on what was going on. Nothing bad happened. By the time the young boy left, Weiss was left alone in the balcony. Sighing being cooped up in the manor she was not allowed to leave. Neptune knows he cannot stay in the Gardens forever as soon as he noticed a woman with Weiss' similar traits sat on the bench and drinks some wine from a glass. The butler next to her seemed concern for the woman he was serving. She seemed depressed. Neptune cannot help but feel bad for the woman, whom he figured was Weiss' mother. Something wasn't entirely right with the family. As Neptune remembers his brother and father having a strained relationship due to Jupiter being the arrogant and rebellious type, joining gangs to cope with the grievances, then got worse when Jupiter committed acts against the Atlas Military before he was presumed dead for some reason. So Neptune takes out his notebook and writes down a message to give to Weiss, he then folds it into a paper airplane and threw it at the balcony. Luckily, he has great aim.

The paper carried out by the wind in the right direction since he already checked the course. Weiss then notices the paper airplane and grabs it, on the wing it was written, "Read me." Weiss is surprised to see a message. She unfolds the paper and reads it. Her eyes widened as she reads text after text.

Hi, Weiss.

I'm sorry it's been too long. Got your message, if you're able to meet me somewhere, write me back.

-Neptune.

Weiss knew how secured the mansion is now and then. Even with her combat abilities with her blade, she knew she cannot leave under her father's roof. One of the places she can speak freely is the backstage in the theater. This way, her father Jacques cannot knew of their encounter. She looked back to see if someone is watching. Weiss knew she had no time as her unknown fate will be sealed if nothing was done. Her father had already bugged her new scroll to see who is she contacting. Weiss is relieved to hear from someone familiar, cause now her family is nothing more than strangers now. So she wrote down back to him and refolded the note into an airplane and threw it back to Neptune.

Neptune catches the note back and unfolded again to see what she wrote.

There is going to be a performance in four days. I can't give you my new number because my father confiscated my old scroll and gave me a new one he bugged to keep track. There's a lot you don't know about my father, but there are some things are amiss. Meet me at the theater backstage, it might be short, but this way we can talk. Neptune, I don't know what to say, but it was very brave of you to come here. But beware of my father, even if he is married into my family, he is empowered with wealth. I am sorry to have contacted you for this, but you seemed to have the skills of criminology. I need you to see what you speculate. There is an individual my father had been meeting with, and I am getting a bad feeling there is more to this than just meeting an acquaintance. Here's a photo for what she looks like. Please be careful of you see her.

If you have any questions, here's the number of the family butler, Klein. He's the only one we can trust:

(456) 830-1674.

-Weiss.

Neptune then sees a photograph slipping on the note. It was a photo of an older woman who strangely looks young, white hair and red eyes, And a snake-like dress that is seemingly evil. In Neptune's mind, whenever people dressed like that, it was as if a succubus comes to suck the souls of power. Then another photograph shocked him, the same woman in the photo kissed Weiss' father Jacques on the lips, which makes him feel disgusted that one of the worst husbands and fathers would do something like that. He could guess that woman is Jacques' mistress, Weiss must've took that photo in secret in case for more proof. Then he accidently broke a branch underneath the bush of white roses, and security guards heard it. "Who's there?! Show yourself!" Two of the guards have walked over to the same bush he was hiding, Neptune had no other choice but to escape and come up with a plan to help Weiss escape from the manor. Neptune emerged from the bush in the back and runs off from the gardens. The guards ran after him. "Hey, an intruder! Get back here!"

I'll find a way to get you out of here, Weiss. This I promise you. I won't lose you twice.

Weiss saw him running from security, her eyes brimmed for relief to see his face again, but it was short. Fearing she might put him in danger if something goes wrong. All she can do now is wait for the right moment. "Be careful, Neptune. I'll see you soon." She said to herself, before walking back inside the manor. The stranger Weiss saw had been vaguely familiar to her, but doesn't know why. But more answers will come once it was found. All she wants to do now is to run and hide. Being dragged back into the Schnee Manor would remained a nightmare for her, being separated from her friends, being locked away from the entire world, or even worst, she could be married off to one of the most powerful families that would create empires that would pollute the world.

Neptune managed to get farther away from the manor before the guards get any closer, climbing his way over the gates. And hid behind one of the Atlas hotels. "Whew, they're gone. Can't get my sister into trouble. But this is a risk I have to take." Neptune then hears a familiar voice similar to his own.

"It has been a while Neptune." Neptune then hears it and stood in the alleyway. Creeping in the shadows was a figure who has a similar appearance as Neptune, blue hair and eyes, the same age. As if they are twins, only the look-alike is wearing a black leather jacket and an "X" emblem. It was his cousin, Zeos Vasilias, the son of one of his father's older brothers, Hyperion. "Zeos, what are you doing here?"

"Sorry, cuz. But little birdie told me that you are in a bit of a pickle. For once, you have guts. And here I thought you'd be too cowardly to come here, breaking into Schnee Manor. Oh, wait. forgot to tell you. I live here now. By the way, I saw you have been eyeing that pretty heiress. Let me tell ya, she's cute."

"Hey! I know I have been a jerk to her for all the flirting, but you on the other hand are a creep!" Neptune snarled at his cousin. But taken aback by his own words about being a flirt, Neptune wished he could apologize to Weiss right before her father had taken her away. Zeos reacted with laughter like it was something to be proud of. "Says the guy who couldn't swim."

"Why are you here? How did you know where I am?" Neptune feels something more to this story. Something about Zeos didn't fit right. He's not a student in Atlas nor at Haven. "Actually. If you like I can help you. I know how much that heiress means to you. And if you want to help her. Then let me lend you a hand."

"Since when do you care? Last time we met, you picked on me before you got expelled from Haven. On top of that, you always looked down on Sun the minute he became my best friend." Neptune recalled how Zeos would make fun of Sun for being a Faunus. But because they are from warrior bloodline, Zeos thinks he can looks down on anyone however he pleased.

"That can be arranged. You see, cuz. I only came here to make amends. Sure you're weak. But it doesn't stop the fact that we're family, right? I have some friends in Atlas who can helps us get access to the Manor without any problem. If you allow me. Come on, shake on it." Zeos held out his palm to Neptune for a handshake. Neptune is reluctant at first, considered how much tricks he pulled. Neptune decides to see for himself if Zeos can be trusted.

"Fine. Whatever it takes." Neptune replied. Grasping onto Zeos' hand to shake.

If Zeos tricks me again, then he has another thing coming. I knew you are somewhat involved in the Fall of Beacon the minute I saw you at the Vytyl Festival. I knew you conspired with Mercury and Emerald on something. Neptune thought and vowed to be one-step head if Zeos thinks he can trick him again, remaining vigilant. Begrudgingly squeezing his hand while still in position. Neptune planned to see what Zeos is really up to, see if he is somewhat involved in the Fall of Beacon.

Zeos, however, has other plans in his mind. Stupid Neptune. So naive and so forgiving. No matter, once I got rid of him, I will take his place. That heiress will not tell the difference, I will take her myself. Then I will take out Wukong, as revenge for humiliating me back in Haven.

Ruby was then approached by Sage while watching Jaune training from afar. Sage then tapped Ruby by the shoulder. He could tell something is bothering her. From what he heard from Sun, Yang is mostly present around Ruby. After all, it was less worrying whenever something eats Ruby up mentally. But this time, Yang is no longer in the field. Sage never has any siblings, but came to an understanding that Ruby might need some guidance when it comes to not having an older sibling present. "Oh, Sage. Didn't see you there. What's up?" Asked Ruby, startled by his approach.

"Sorry, Shoji just wants to see how you were holding up? You okay?" Asked Sage.

Ruby then turned back to Jaune, who is still focusing on his training. "I don't know. It's Jaune I am worrying about. When Beacon fell, Jaune has been taking his training more serious since...you know..." Ruby gave Sage a guess. He now deduces that the death of Pyrrha had affected Jaune too badly. He can read some of the expressions. Jaune's face is full of sweat. He can see how much he was in distressed. On top of that, it's not just grief that was written on his face, but also anger and hatred burning in his eyes. But not for what happened to Beacon, but for revenge on the woman who killed Pyrrha.

"Now I get it. Any word from your sister?" Sage asked again. Ruby shook her head in response. After the injury on Yang, she had lost the will to fight. It was her dream to have an adventure when she becomes a huntress. But now that dream did not seem possible. Ruby checked her scroll, no messages, and no calls from her. "No, not really. I hope she is doing well. I know she is angry right now. But I can't force her to come with us. The last words she said to me was to do whatever I want. Crazy, right? I don't think she wants to talk to me. The big sis I knew is already gone." Ruby concludes.

"Given time, maybe she'll come around." Sage told her. Ruby knew he was just trying to help her feel better, being two years younger than him and the rest of the team. But no words of wisdom can heal from the painful events. Nor can it help bring Yang to her senses as far as Ruby thought. "Yeah, but still. I miss the rest of our friends too. Weiss had to be taken back by her dad. Blake disappeared without a trace. And here I am. With a team finding out we have a run-in with some ex-huntsmen that are anti-militia. I mean, I always dreamed of becoming a huntress, but with everything that was happening, I don't know what else to do now." Ruby states.

Sage knew how it felt to be separated from his loved ones. No mother, being raised by his father and grandfather who were the only relatives present. "I am not saying I know what you went through. But maybe I understand how it felt. I don't know my mom, I was raised by my dad and grandfather. Dad turned out to be an orphan, until my grandfather adopted him and raised him. They never told me anything about her, except that she left for good reason. Unless I hear her side of the story, I doubt it was anything good. But I am not saying she is a bad person, but whatever reason, maybe there are some things I never understood yet."

"I get it. Yang and I are born from different mothers. But my mom raised us both. She is the reason I wanted to become a huntress. When she died in a mission she knew she can't come back from. I wish I knew what happened to her. But I wonder if this has something to do...with her...I'm sorry. I know it sounds weird, but this is something I never mention to anyone. I guess I bottled up for too long I think I just need to spill it out." Ruby said.

"It's fine. It's okay if you don't want to talk about it. But it felt nice to get something out for once. Have you told Yang about it?"

"Not exactly. I wish I could've done that sooner."

Ruby then came into thoughts to see if there are others like Emerald and Mercury, ones that conspired with Cinder. "Sage, I didn't mean to ask you this. But do you think there are others like Mercury and Emerald? Are you sure you never saw them in Haven." Sage recalled how many times Mercury and Emerald are mentioned by Sun and Neptune. But he never remembered seeing them in Haven. Meaning they lied about being exchanged students from his school. Matter of fact, he wonders if his headmaster knew anything about this, and why he wasn't present in the Vytyl Festival at the time. Wondering if he is somewhat involved. "As far as I'm concerned. I never seen them before since the first year in Haven. Although I do remember besides Mercury and Emerald. There was a student who was expelled from Haven. He was someone Sun and Neptune knew. But I don't remember the name. Not sure if that guy was involved with them as well. I'll let you know if something came up. It's gonna take time to process. Cause it's like you said. Things get weirder as it gets. Something is amiss."

Ren then came upon the three members of Team RNJRSS. Ruby jumped a bit at his presence since he was walking silently. "Ahh! Ren you scared us a bit! What is it?" Ruby, Sage and Ren are then approached by Jaune, who heard the commotion and walked over to them. "Ren, what's up?" Jaune asked, placing the shield on his back once again. Ren cleared his throat before he can speak. What he told them would be out of the ordinary. "You guys have to see this." He told them. Along with Scarlet and Nora, Team RNJRSS have seen a cargo truck in the road trail. Near them is a group of hostages, who appeared to be students. Kidnapped by the Black Vipers. All of the teenagers bounded with wrists behind their backs. "Keep moving! We don't have all night!" One of the Vipers shouted at them. All of the teenagers. unarmed and shivering in fear, were forced into the cargo truck.

Ruby, Jaune, Ren, Sage, Scarlet and Nora hid in the trees and shrubbery. They were horrified to think they wouldn't take kids. But wonders if this has something to do with semblance. "Those uniforms, they were of Sanctum Academy." Scarlet noted, recognizing the uniforms worn at Sanctum. Blue skirts for girls, silver emblems for the tops and black pants for the boys. "Sanctum? Why would the Black Vipers want Sanctum students?" Nora asked. Whispering as they cannot emerge aloud. Then Ren tapped Ruby's shoulder and gestures with hands to come up with a plan. Ruby seemed to understand what he was saying. "Okay, got it." Ruby whispered. "Go for it."

"What's Ren up to?" Nora asked. Ruby shushed her. "Get ready, give me the signal when Ren gives the word." Ruby whispered back. Jaune then places a hand on her shoulder and nods. "Do what we must." Jaune adds. Scarlet did not hesitate to wait for the right moment as Ruby silently instructed him to climb up the trees as he climbed on. Ruby readies her snipers to shoot one of the tires. Nora looked through the binoculars Ren given her to await the signal. He was standing on a branch of a sequoia tree while also keeping an eye close on the Black Vipers and the students. Ren signals to Nora with his gesture again and Nora nodded and told Ruby, "Now." She said. The young huntress nodded and fires one bullet onto the tires as soon as it runs on wheels. Thankfully, it crashed into a wall of rock. And it swerved back to the position it was at before.

Five of the Black Vipers came out of the cargo and try to figure out the cause of the failure to retreat. "What's going on here?!" One Viper yelled.

"Someone knows we're here!" Another Viper responded. Examining the tires that were flattened by Ruby's bullet. "Someone is trying to stop us." He continued. The head honcho of the group of Vipers then looked around. "Search around! We can't keep High Leader Zerena waiting!" The head ordered. Ren then snuck around as he gestures at them to distract the Vipers. Ruby gives out the command to follow her lead to engage in the fight against the Black Vipers. Ren sneakily rushes behind the truck and unlatches it without getting caught. The trunk reveals the students being sat there. Ren then shushed them to not make a sound and cuts the ropes that bounds their wrists and then was then spotted by a sixth Viper. "Hey!" He shouted, cocking his sniper and preparing to fire at Ren. Ren made a quick move to snatch the gun away from the ex-huntsman in front of them and uses his elbow to smack him by the chin. Ren then turned to the students. "Go! Run! We'll hold them off!" Ren shouted, and the Sanctum students nodded and fled the scene.

Lots of shots and clanging can be heard from the outside. Ruby can be seen fighting with the group leader. Who has a giant sword similar to Sage's Pilgrim, and rusty-brown hair and has sunshades in the middle of the night. "Out of out way, pipsqueak!" Shouted the leader. Ruby ignored him and spiraled back her scythe. And leaped from the swift under of the edged sword and soars higher. Scarlet then glides at another Viper with a Falchion sword and crossed his sweeps and lands with a roll. Dodging and countering the attacks two times, Scarlet spun at the Viper and repositions his stance.

Jaune then goes at another Viper with a rapier. Doubling his Corcea Mors with his sword and shield combined, striking at the viper who has a kamakura blade, for some reason, being from the previous generation of huntsmen before them, they seemed to be fond of ancient weapons. Jaune blocks his slash and then slashes back at the Viper as he stumbles back and failed as Jaune crossed his blade again, and the kamakura blade the Viper wields not strong enough but sees the symbol Jaune has on his blade. "Could you be...?" He spoke, but before he could continue, Jaune lifts his arms as soon as the Viper spins his arms up and clashes Jaune with his own blade. Jaune rolls back and blocks again to counter, pushing back the stamina he has garnered enough to make one stab and depletes some of the aura from the Viper, as the light flickers.

Nora then went up against the axe-wielding Viper, swinging up her hammer as the Viper swings down, making a vibrating boom as the wavelength has flew from them.

To be continued...

Author's note: I apologize for the long wait.

Ruby and her team found out that some of the Black Vipers members had been assigned to kidnap students for younger recruits. However, there is more to the plotline as if it were a distraction to them. The true plans for the Black Vipers was to eliminate the Atlas Military, whose soldiers were assigned to Anima to investigate the threats.

Meanwhile, Ren reflects of how he and Nora were found by his paternal aunt and uncle, who are members of the Ren Clan after the deaths of his parents. I am not sure how Nora and Ren trained to get to Beacon, but maybe for a bit more of the plotline, I should add some surviving relatives of Ren who might be responsible for training him and Nora alongside Ren's cousin, Mi Ren.

And in another scene, Neptune's cousin from his father's side, Zeos (a gender bent and allusion of the goddess of Dawn, Eos), was working with Salem under the pretense of assisting Neptune in helping Weiss in figuring out the case of the Mysterious woman who had some connection to her father, Jacques Schnee. While also to help her escape. But Zeos' true plan was to get rid of Neptune and take his place, even by killing him. In order to prevent him, or any of his teammates interfere with Salem's plans. But Neptune decides to see for himself if Zeos can be trusted, knowing him of how much of a liar and a traitor he is.

Characters:

Mai Ren- The paternal aunt of Lie Ren, younger twin sister of Li Ren wife of Choi Ren, and mother of Mi Ren. Mai is the current matriarch of the Ren Clan, a noble clan of martial artists, once headed by her father, Liu Ren. Mai was arranged to marry Choi Jin, who was adopted into the family before graduating from Haven Academy. Mai was a member of Team STRM, alongside her brother, Li, leader Saturn Vasilias, and friend, Tamaku Ayana. Devasted by the loss of her brother and sister-in-law, An, Mai took in her nephew Lie Ren and Nora Valkyrie to honor the losses. She and her husband, Choi trained them alongside their daughter, Mi to fend for themselves, while also preparing Ren to become the next head in the Ren Clan. Mai is a caring mother and wife to her family, even on the outside she seemed rather serious about her duty and would give advise to her daughter. Despite being arranged to marry, Mai and Choi truly loved each other after getting to know one another. Mai suspected Salem to be behind Li and An's deaths, and wanted nothing more than to protect the rest of her remaining family. Her semblance is psychokinesis, while her weaponry are dual taichi swords.

Choi Ren- The uncle of Lie Ren, brother-in-law of Li and An Ren, Husband of Mai Ren, and the father of Mi Ren. Choi was born Choi Jin. He ended up orphaned for unknown reasons. He was found by Li and Mai's father, Liu Ren, who adopted him to be his apprentice. Training with Li Ren, he grew close to him as a brother. Learning swordsmanship and archery together, while also falling in love with Li's twin sister, Mai. Choi is a compassionate person, who comforts Mai after her mother's death and vowed to protect her. Liu arranged Choi to marry Mai in order for her to lead the clan in the future since Li decided to leave the clan. Taking his wife's name over his own to honor Liu Ren for his kindness. After the deaths of Li and An, Choi and Mai took in their nephew, Lie and Nora as their own to train them to become huntsmen. Choi is close to his daughter, Mi, whom he trained to learn how to defend herself for when she becomes a huntress. He was the only confidant Mi can speak to whenever they worried about Mai.

Mi Ren- Lie Ren's paternal cousin, Mai and Choi's daughter, and the niece of Li and An Ren. Mi was trained by her mother to become a huntress to preserve the Ren family lineage. From her mother and maternal grandmother, Mi possesses the semblance of psychokinesis, a rare trait shared from her grandmother and every female in her family. Mi is a gentle hearted but heard working young woman who is deeply loved by her parents. But after the deaths of her aunt and uncle, Minis concerned for her mother's mental well-being and offers to help her in her hunting mission, despite her mother's refusal. Mi would then confide in her father. Despite the customs of her family, Mi is willing to take her duties seriously for family honor in order to help her mother feel better. Mi always called her cousin, Ren and Nora as family, since they shared a sibling bond. Minis one of the few family members to have been aware of Ren and Nora's feelings for each other and tried to encourage them to confess to each other. Mi's weapon is a spear that also acts as a crossbow to shoot arrows of dust, dubbed "Kairoki."

Zeos Vasilias- Neptune and Jupiter's paternal cousin and the son of Saturn Vasilias' older brother, Hyperion. Like Neptune and Jupiter, he possesses water-based semblance due to being born from a rare warrior bloodline that the Vasilias had long-lived. Despite having similar looks and same birthdays, and traits as Neptune. Zeos despises Neptune for being the favorite, that even his father Hyperion would even compare him to his cousin. Zeos is a former student of Haven Academy after causing trouble for his cousin and Sun. Zeos is known to be a troublemaker and would use Neptune's aquaphobia against him. As a result for his destructiveness, Zeos was expelled and and encountered Mercury to be recruited by Salem. Unlike Neptune, Zeos even looks down on the faunus and was ruthless enough to pick on them, that even his own team despise him. Zeos was last seen by Neptune to be at the Vytyl Festival after being assigned to impersonate him to get the location of the Fall Maiden, which succeeded. Zeos would then plan to kill his cousin and take his place under the pretense of aiding him in the speculation of a suspicious woman who had been seeing Jacques Schnee. Zeos's weapons are hook swords unlike the rest of the Vasilias Family who would usually take in a spear or a Trident made for weapons, and he represents the opposite.

Yin Xiao Long- The daughter of Raven Branwen and Taiyang Xiao Long, and the younger twin sister of Yang, and the older half-sister of Ruby Rose. Unknown to Yang, Taiyang and Ruby, Yin was born on the same night Raven ran off from the Xiao Long home, leaving Yang with their father. Yin grew up being trained by her mother in the Branwen Tribe to take her place as her heir. But things went wrong for the more she grew ruthless against the members of the Tribe as Tin grew hungry for power. Even Raven lied to Yin that her father and sisters wanted nothing to do with them. During the night, Yin even try to kill her mother to take the tribe herself, but was stopped by her protege, Vernal and was banished by Raven. Yin vowed revenge on both her mother and father, and even her sisters. Yang had no knowledge of her twin after feeling some mysterious connection to her. Yin would have Yang as her target to assassinate. However, Qrow kept an eye on her should she try anything. Like Yang herself, Yin's semblance can take any damage to grow her aura and make her stronger, dubbing her semblance, "wrath." Her weapon are dual wakizashi swords, Night Revenge, unlike Yang who uses gauntlets.

Rouge David- Scarlet David's older sister and a missing huntress once a member of the Atlas Military. When Scarlet was an infant, Rouge ran away with him from their neglectful parents who nearly sold them to pirates to work as bandits during their time in Vacuo. Rouge spends most of her life taking care of her younger brother by smuggling their way to Mantle in order to provide for her brother by enrolling to Atlas Academy to become a huntress. Her rank is unknown, but she and Winter Schnee were good friends as both have younger siblings and have reasons to leave their parents. However, after graduation, Rouge disappeared in a mission and was presumed dead. Leaving Scarlet to fend for himself, saddened for the disappearance of his older sister, whom he saw as the only mother figure of his life. Rouge is an allusion to Wendy Darling from the tale, Peter Pan.