AN: sigh. I've been busy with my job. And I feel exhausted. Which is why I don't have as much time or energy to write as I would like anymore. Oh well, a man's gotta eat. And in my experience, government support helps you to survive. But if you want to live, then you have to work.
Welcome to Fonsett
In team RWBY's cabin. Ruby was in a corner, using the blanket to cover herself. Dragunov's laughter still ringing in her ears. She wasn't sad or depressed. Just…put out.
And then there was a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" Ruby called out.
"Penny."
"…Come in, Penny." Ruby then said and the Artificial Driver entered. It took Penny a moment to see where Ruby was. "What is the matter, Ruby?" Penny asked in worry.
"…Nothing."
"Well if it's nothing then why are you hiding from the world?" Penny tilted her head.
"I'm not hiding from the world." Ruby protested as she stuck her head out of the blanket cocoon.
"Oh? Then…what are you doing?" The worst part was, Penny sounded genuinely curious instead of worried.
Ruby let out a sigh. "Penny…am I laughable?"
"Yes." Penny said with a smile, causing Ruby to have look like Penny just stabbed her in the heart. "Your jokes are funny."
And then Ruby turned pouty. "That's not what I meant."
"Oh? Then…what do you mean?" Penny asked again as she moved next to Ruby and sat down.
Ruby let out a sigh, "I told Dragunov that if he ever hurt Yang again, I would take him down. And you know what he did? He laughed at me." Ruby then pulled the blanket over her head again.
"…Why would he do that?" Penny asked.
"That's just it! I don't know what I did that was so funny."
"Perhaps a reconstruction of the situation would help?" Piped up Kos-Mos who had entered the room the moment Penny did. Although she wasn't sitting down.
Ruby came out of the cocoon again at hearing Kos-Mos. "When did you get here?"
"I entered this cabin right behind master." Kos-Mos said simply, "Now, could you do exactly what you did that caused Dragunov to laugh?"
Ruby looked a little annoyed, but she soon got up and got into Kos-Mos' face. It was easier, since the android Blade had significantly less height than Dragunov. Although Ruby still had to look up at her a little.
"If you hurt Yang again, I will take you down." Ruby said, giving Kos-Mos the exact same look she gave to Dragunov. Although the reaper Driver felt embarrassed when Kos-Mos wasn't reacting to her.
"I believe I have a hypothesis." Kos-Mos said, earning a surprised look from Ruby, "Your threat was absurd."
"Whah?!" Ruby cried out.
"Really? How so?" Penny on the other hand was now cheerfully curious.
"Taking into account Dragunov's combat prowess, durability and size, it's absurd that someone less than half his size and ability was threatening to take him down." Kos-Mos explained in monotone, causing Ruby to tremble with indignant anger. Complete with red cheeks at being seen like that. "At least, that is what I believe he must have thought."
"Oh? So he doesn't see Ruby as a threat at all?" Penny asked, being a little oblivious to Ruby's current feelings.
"No."
Ruby felt like she took a shot straight to her ego.
"How small of a threat exactly?" Penny then asked, not realizing that she should've just left it at that.
"…Approximately that of a single ant." Kos-Mos said after a moment of thought.
Another shot to the ego.
"Really?"
"…Maybe non-pathogenic microbe would be more accurate." Kos-Mos added in, still maintaining her straight face and monotone.
And now Ruby's remaining ego was put into a grinder and slowly ground to dust as she started feeling smaller and smaller. "…I'm going back to my corner." Ruby muttered as she slouched back into her corner, sat back down and covered herself in the blanket.
"Ruby?" Penny said in concern at her friend's worsened state. She quickly joined Ruby in the corner and hugged the thoroughly shamed reaper through the blanket.
As Ruby leaned into the hug, Kos-Mos looked on as impassively as ever. "Did I do this?" the android wondered aloud, genuinely confused.
For the rest of the trip, nothing too noteworthy happened, except Weiss seeming to have received some counseling from Otohime. Apparently hearing reassurances from someone with similar proportions helped to reassure Weiss that she didn't need to be well endowed to be beautiful. One look at Otohime was enough proof of this.
Still, given the position of Genbu in regards to the Leftherian Archipelago, the trip still took a couple days. Not to mention that it was sunset when the ship finally arrived to Ysheva Harbor, which lucky for them was practically right next door to Fonsett Village.
But as the ship approached the harbor, the Remnans were surprised at seeing several weird purple things floating in the Cloud Sea and in the air. They looked like weird jellyfish with glowing spots around the lower part of their bodies. Aizen himself was vaguely reminded of the communication Grimm he destroyed back in Haven.
"What are those?" Ruby was the first to ask at the bow of the ship.
"Welcome to Leftherian Archipelago," Rex said simply with a small smile.
"Archipelago?" Blake asked next, "Like…these are all islands?"
"Right, I never told you, Leftherian Archipelago is a collection of Titans that form the many islands here." Rex explained.
"Why didn't you tell us before?" Nora asked almost accusingly.
"Uhh…It never came up." Rex said while scratching the back of his head.
"Guess it never did." Weiss said before looking out to the distance, past two large islands. "What is that white wall?"
This time, it was Azurda who decided to explain, "As I'm sure we have already explained, Titans can manipulate the Cloud Sea to an extent. What you see is the result of the numerous Titans forming that 'white wall' as you call it."
"So there must be a lot of them to cause something like that." Weiss then guessed with an impressed look. After all, the wall was huge. Weiss might even go so far as to say that it was the size of a continent.
Roze was squinting his eyes at something on the white wall. "Hey, do those cliffs on the surface lead inside that uplifted portion?" the reaper Blade asked.
"You have a good eye." Brighid complimented, "Yes, those cliffs lead through the lifted portion of the Cloud Sea to the other side. It is quite a view inside there."
"Uuuhh." Nora awed, "Can we check it out?"
"Nora." Ren sighed, "We're not here on a fun trip."
And that reminded everyone why they were here.
Which made Rex turn his head as much as he could towards his helmet where Azurda was riding. "Gramps, can you tell us where the sword is now?"
"I could." Azurda said, "But I think we should save it for tomorrow."
"What?!" Everyone let out in varying tones, except Mòrag and her Blades.
"But the more time we waste, the more time Pyra is in danger!" Ruby pointed out almost angrily.
"The journey is long, and it would be better if we rested for tonight and moved out first thing in the morning." The small Titan explained.
Qrow let out a weary sigh, "He's not wrong. Especially if the trek is dangerous. Is it?" The last part was of course directed at the Titan who solemnly nodded.
"It is quite late." Mòrag added in as she looked at the orangeish landscape that came with the setting sun.
"I guess. There's nothing for it," Blake said with a small sigh. Just then the ship had reached the Harbor and the crew immediately scrambled to dock them.
Shortly after the Titan ship was docked, the gang moved onto the island it was attached to. Rex was planning to lead them all to the Fonsett Village to rest for the night. That was when teams RWBY and JNPR realized that this place was Rex's home. It didn't take too long before the grassy field with a few trees gave way to the edge of the island and to a white pathway that led to the next island. That was Fonsett Isle. and not too far away from the end of the pathway they saw the first few stone buildings of the village itself.
Part of Ruby was excited to see the place where Rex grew up in. She was curious where the salvager who was a year younger than her came from.
"Hey Rex, why did you start salvaging?" Ruby asked, earning the salvager's attention.
"Huh? Well it makes some good cash, so I thought why not." Rex said simply.
"No. I meant why salvaging specifically? Wasn't there any other job you could've picked?" Ruby specified.
"Oh? Well…I never really thought about it." Rex said with a thinking look, "Well I guess since I already had some practice here, I thought I might as well make a career out of it."
Ruby's eyes visibly widened a little, before she started laughing.
"Hey! What's so funny!?" Rex sounded offended to hear that.
"It's just…Did I ever tell you about how I got bumped two years ahead into Beacon?" Ruby then asked with a mildly flustered look.
"No. You never went into detail." Rex replied.
"Well…Long story short, I stopped a robbery and Professor Goodwitch caught me and took me to the police station to chew me out. Then Professor Ozpin came in and asked me some questions, one of which is why I wanted to be a huntress. I…kinda told him that my parents told me to help people so I thought I might as well make a career out of it."
This earned a small laugh out of Roze, "That really sounds like you."
"Is that a problem?" Ruby asked with a look that dared him to make fun of her.
"No." Roze smiled.
"…And I thought Rex was a kid," Nia piped up, reminding Ruby that this wasn't exactly a private setting.
"Actually," Weiss then said with a thoughtful look, "If Rex had similar colored hair and different eyes then he and Ruby might as well be twins." The corners of the former heiress' lips were trying to curve upwards at this, "And yes, Ruby was more childish at the start of the first semester than now. A LOT more."
"Hey!"
"She's not wrong." Blake added with a smile of her own, "I actually feel a bit proud of how far you've come now."
"Hey, stop it." This time Ruby was embarrassed.
Brighid also let out a chuckle, "I don't know if I should be curious or a little scared of how childish she was."
"Most girls have stuffed animals," Qrow piped up with a grin, "Ruby had Crescent Rose as her sleeping toy."
"What?!" Came out of the Alrestians and Remnans that weren't Yang.
"It's true." the said blonde added in, "Dad actually locked it up for a few nights to…rehabilitate Ruby."
"Yaaa-ang!" Ruby whined, earning a chuckle out of Dragunov and Roze.
And the draconic Blade couldn't resist a jab, "You're not helping your case, pipsqueak." This comment earned an angry growl from Ruby.
"Don't worry, we got her to stop eventually," Yang said with a smile before ruffling Ruby's hair.
As Ruby was being embarrassed, Aizen leaned down to Weiss ear discreetly, "Why was she the team leader again?"
Weiss smiled a little, "Believe me, I asked that question on the first day. But then... I just stopped caring. She was childish, reckless and hyper active, but she did the job well enough."
Aizen accepted that explanation.
"You know, she kind of reminds me of my prince in terms of maturity," Pandoria piped up.
"Hey! Shut/Can it!" Zeke and Ruby let out in unison, which caused them to stare at each other in disbelief.
And with that, everyone started laughing the rest of the way to the village. Once they passed the gate, the sun had set and Rex was leading everyone through the now empty looking village to a particular house. It was large wooden cottage with a porch. Rex moved to the door and hesitantly knocked on it.
Soon, an elderly dark skinned woman with a greenish silver hair opened the door.
"Rex?" The woman said in surprise.
"Hey…Aunt Corrine," Rex said hesitantly.
"My…what a surprise to see you here." The woman said before her brown eyes fell upon the rest of the group. "And I see you brought a lot more people than last time."
"Hey, there…Miss Corrine." Ruby greeted happily.
"My, and so well behaved too," Corrine replied with a smile.
"Hey, Aunt Corrine... I hope this isn't too much to ask, but…can we spend the night here?" Rex asked with an awkward look.
"With a group this large?" Corrine asked as she eyed the entire gang, "I will see what I can do, but in the meantime, do come in." With that, Corrine stood aside and motioned for everyone to enter. Although she did take note of a little something. "Where is Pyra?"
At that, everyone looked a little down to varying degrees.
"…Pyra was kidnapped." Rex said, deciding to get it over with.
"…What?" Corrine looked surprised to hear that, "Then…why are you here?" She didn't sound accusingly, just curious.
"Well…that's…" Rex wasn't sure if he should tell Corrine.
Thankfully, Azurda decided to jump in, "One of the kidnappers has incredible power. We are here to get something to help with that."
"But why would you seek something like that from here?" Corrine then asked, "There is no place here where such a thing…" And then the elderly woman trailed off, before scowling. Then she stomped towards Rex who closed his eyes in anticipation of whatever verbal smackdown he was about to get.
"Hey! Corrine, put me down!" But instead the elderly Leftherian grabbed Azurda by the scruff of his neck and pulled him out of Rex's helmet.
Ignoring the small Titan's cries and struggles, Corrine turned to adress the party, "I will borrow him for a while. Feel free to use the kitchen to make food for yourselves." With those words, Corrine moved to another room.
"…What was that about?" Jaune was the first to ask.
"…It would seem that Corrine has an idea of where Azurda is leading us." Mòrag commented with a thoughtful look.
"How do you figure that?" Yang asked.
"Miss Corrine picked up Azurda after trailing off." Penny said, "This would indicate that she remembered something."
"Probably somewhere dangerous." Qrow said with a frown, "Otherwise she wouldn't have looked angry."
"You mean…he was leading us to somewhere dangerous?" Joana said with a frown.
"Well, considering what we're looking for, I wouldn't be surprised if it was somewhere dangerous." Nia shrugged.
"It doesn't matter if it's dangerous." Rex said with a determined look, "If it's the only way to save Pyra, then it won't matter how dangerous it is. I have to do this."
"Well said, chum." Zeke piped up with a smile, "Besides, it's not like you're going on your own."
"Yeah." Ruby, Nora and Electra said in unison.
And then several stomach's growled.
"…I suppose we should make dinner first," Ren spoke for everyone.
"Would any of the shops be open at this time?" Otohime then asked.
"They would be closing by now." Rex said with an awkward look, "But you could try to-" Rex was interrupted by a rush of wind that was Ruby using her semblance to get outside in an effort to get to the shops before they closed. "Uhh…I didn't say where the shops are." Rex said with a nervous chuckle.
Everyone shook their heads at Ruby going out so fast.
"I'll go find her," Roze said with an amused look.
"I'm coming too." Yang said simply, and Ren followed suit, deciding that he might as well try.
"I should prep the cooking equipment." Otohime said in amusement before moving to check the cabinets.
As everyone was scrambling to make use of Corrine's permission, the woman in question had dragged Azurda to her room and placed the Titan on a nightstand, rouhgly. "You are not planning to take them there are you?" Corrine asked accusingly, with her hands on her hips.
"Whatever do you mean?" Azurda asked as he rubbed his mildly aching rear.
"You know what I mean." Corrine said in a less hostile tone, but still looming over the fuzzy creature.
"Yes…And I am taking them there." Azurda explained without flinching.
"That place is dangerous." Corrine said simply.
"I know, but Rex chose to go there, and I can't stop him." the fuzzy Titan said without any signs of budging.
"Did you tell him about it?"
"No, but I will before entering. After all, he needs to know what he's getting into before going."
Corrine let out a sigh, "I only walked to the bridge when I was young before turning back." Then the elderly woman gave Azurda a hard look, "You better make sure Rex gets out of there alive."
"That's quite a task, given my current state." Corrine was not amused at Azurda's reply. "But he will not go alone. Each and every one of the new people you just saw are very capable in a fight. All of them accomplished fighters before becoming Drivers."
"…I suppose I will trust with you on this." Corrine relented, "I just…I just worry."
Azurda smiled at Corrine, "Corrine, I understand that you raised Rex like your own son. Believe me, I do. After all, I became his 'gramps'." Azurda chuckled at the last part before taking a more serious expression. "Which is also why I have faith that Rex can overcome whatever dangers may come in Spirit Crucible Elpys."
Corrine couldn't help smiling, Azurda hasn't spoken about anyone going to that place with such faith before.
Fortunately, Ruby was lucky that the direction she picked after zipping out of the house led her to the small shopping stall that was about to close. Fortunately for her, the shop owner was nice enough to let her do quick grocery shopping. Ruby had barely started when Roze, Yang and Ren caught up to her. All three were impressed that Ruby made it. So, with Ren having an idea what to cook, he did most of the shopping. Luckily, they still had enough money to at least buy groceries. But they might want to get Dragunov to do some money making again. And they all knew what he would think about that, especially now that he and Yang had a bit of a…strain in their relationship.
Anyway, back at the house, when Corrine was done interrogating Azurda, she was surprised to see the kitchen running.
"Well, well. It seems you have some capable cooks among you." The elderly Leftherian said as she smelled the cooking food.
"Thank you, ma'am." Ren thanked as he was working the stove, "We appreciate your hospitality."
Corrine chuckled at this, "Such a well-behaved boy. Much like Rex."
"Aunt Corrine." Rex said, feeling tad embarrassed.
"Now now, Rex," Azurda said, fluttering from the doorway Corrine came from, "Corrine was complimenting you."
Rex didn't look like he appreciated it.
"Oh, come now. Take the compliment when you get one." Nia commented with a smirk.
"My lady-" "Shut it." Nia said without even looking at her Blade.
"Rex really is a kid sometimes," Roc commented off-handedly.
"Hey!" Rex said with anger that surprised everyone, "I'm not a kid."
"Rex, I was joking," Roc commented with a quirked eyebrow.
"Well it wasn't funny." The salvager said with a sigh.
This caused Blake,Weiss and Dahlia to pause in their setting of the table. Fortunately, Otohime found where the plates and utensils were so they could work on that.
"Rex?" Nia mouthed out.
"Sorry…I just…Never mind." Rex said before moving outside.
"Should someone go after him?" Nora asked with a hint of worry.
Nia let out a weary sigh. "I'll go." Nia said as she got up from the chair she had occupied and moved out.
Corrine quirked an eyebrow at Rex's behavior, "Is there something I should know about?"
"Well…the thing is…" Ruby started, not sure how to tell this.
Blake decided to tear the band aid, "When Pyra was kidnapped, Rex couldn't do anything against the kidnappers. It's probably still eating at him."
And then Roc placed his hand over his face and shook his head. He had heard what Jin said to his Driver and now felt stupid poking that wound.
"I see." Corrine said, now looking worried before turning to Ren, "Now then, would you like some assistance?"
"Thank you, ma'am. But I wouldn't want to impose." Ren declined cordially.
"Nonsense. This is my kitchen." Corrine shot back.
Ren had a distinct feeling that trying to deny the older woman would not only be rude, but a mild health hazard so he accepted the help.
No one noticed immediately that soon after Nia, Talos had also exited.
It didn't take Nia long to find Rex. He hadn't gotten too far from the house, so it was easy for the Gormotti to follow him.
"Where is he going?" Nia wondered as Rex moved down a certain path. Past the now closed shop and then continuing down a trail. Only the salvager stopped with a sigh. Nia took this as her que to make her presence known. "You okay, Rex?"
The salvager jumped a little before turning to face Nia. "Uhh…yeah…I'm fine, sorry."
Nia tilted her head at that, "For what?"
"For…reacting the way I did." Rex said with a mildly depressed sigh.
"It's fine, Rex. Roc will probably apologize when he sees you again." Nia said.
"No…I shouldn't have snapped at him like that." Rex said, sounding a little guilty.
Nia sighed a little, "Rex, it wasn't just you who couldn't do anything against Jin. Honestly, if Yang hadn't lost it, we might've actually beaten them all."
"Yang told us what Zeke's dad said about Dragunov, we can't blame them." Rex pointed out.
"You're right, but that's not the point." Nia then said before looking down a little, "We are getting the third sword and then we will rescue Pyra. Besides…we still have Talos and Otohime."
"Huh?" Rex let out, "But…Fan couldn't stop Jin, why would Otohime be different?"
"Right, we didn't tell you guys." Nia commented, "Otohime was able to disrupt the ether flow in Dragunov's body to the point of knocking him out."
"Wait, it was Otohime who knocked him out?" Rex said in wonder never having heard of that detail.
"Yeah…I'm beginning to see why she's considered to be on par with Brighid." Nia crossed her arms, "…Actually, now that I think about it, Otohime's power might be greater than Fan's or even Obrona's."
Rex's eyes visibly widened at that, remembering their fight with Akhos and Malos back in Uraya. Obrona's ability to disrupt ether flow made the fight very hard. Until Mythra used Siren to destroy her. "She really sounds amazing." Rex said, now looking more cheerful. But then he took on a more serious expression, "Still, we're going to need that third sword too. Jin will be prepared for Talos and Dragunov now. And we're still not sure if Otohime can do more than Fan could against him."
"Good point." Nia said with a small smile at Rex being in a better mood, "But for now, let's go back and have dinner. Then go to sleep so that we can tackle anything that might try to stop us."
"You said it." Rex said with a grin and started walking back to Corrine's house, "Hey Nia…thanks." Rex then said while facing the Gormotti girl with a grateful smile.
Nia looked bewildered to hear that and have Rex look at her like that. "…Anytime." But she decided to not think too much of it and just walk back with Rex.
Outside the village, Talos was looking down at the bloodstained ether lines in his right hand. The same hand he had plunged into Pyrrha's chest, as per Adenine's instructions. His thoughts had drifted to the questions about the Fall Maiden. "Should I have told them the whole story?" Talos muttered to himself. Then his eyes shut down as he focused on the memory.
"We don't have much time." Adenine said in the hospital room that Pyrrha was in. The book lady lacked her usual cheer and was serious as a grave. "The security will be put back on the moment anyone notices something amiss."
"Understood." Talos said before looking down on Pyrrha who was lying in bed with a tube in her mouth, and various other medical instruments hooked to her.
The metallic champion placed his palm on Pyrrha's hospital gown covered chest. His hand trembled as he couldn't bring himself to make the plunge. Then she saw Pyrrha's hand being placed on top of his own. Turning his glowing blue eyes to Pyrrha's green ones, Talos saw that despite her condition his Driver was trying to give him a reassuring look. Then she actually pulled out the tube that helped her breathe.
"Pyrrha!" Talos let out in concern.
"It's okay." Pyrrha said weakly, already having a hard time to breathe, "Just... do it."
"Are you sure about this?" Talos asked Pyrrha despite her already waning life slipping faster because of the lack of breathing help.
"I'm sure." Pyrrha said with tears trickling down her face even as she smiled.
With those words, Talos used his shield arm to prop Pyrrha's body into an upright position with the dying girl facing him. Then he placed his other hand back onto Pyrrha's chest, trying to feel her Aura, just like Adenine taught him. Then he found it, a tiny spark that even now was trying to recharge to heal Pyrrha's fatal wound.
Pyrrha and Talos locked eyes one last time with Pyrrha uttering one last thing, "Talos…thank you for everything…Please…protect Jaune."
"…I will." Talos promised and then he plunged his hand into Pyrrha's chest. The point of contact glowing brightly as Talos was taking Pyrrha's life as his own.
"What's this?!" Adenine questioned as she saw an orange glow around Pyrrha's body. Talos also briefly wondered what was going on before the glow began receding from Pyrrha's head and limbs as if drawn away by something. Then Talos saw the glow receding away from Pyrrha's sides too towards his hand that had pierced Pyrrha's chest. Once the glow had fully receded Talos stepped back and felt an indescribable pain inside him. The pain was so great that he couldn't even scream as he felt like his whole body wanted to explode. He was dimly aware of Adenine saying something before everything went black.
Talos' eyes opened as he left the memory and placed his hand on his Core Crystal. He still wasn't sure if what happened with him was normal procedure, or if absorbing Pyrrha's Aura did something…Or perhaps…
"Master Talos." A voice interrupted Talos' musings as he turned around to see Joana standing with a concerned look. "Milord has asked me to find you. The dinner will be ready soon."
Talos sighed a little, "Thank you, Joana."
However, Joana had a very serious look before her helmet unfolded and she summoned her Catalyst Scimitar. Then she dashed at Talos.
The surprised Flesh Eater barely reacted in time to bring his shield arm to block the surprise attack. "Joana!" Talos exclaimed as he then blocked a follow up attack. Then he leaped away. "What are you doing?!" Talos demanded from the knightess.
Joana didn't answer, just attacked Talos again.
"Stop it! Why are you attacking?!" the Flesh Eater's cries seemed to fall on deaf ears as Joana made a feint before slashing at Talos' leg. "Okay, fine!" Talos exclaimed at the damage his armor-clad leg took before bringing out his Megalance and swiped it at Joana who took her distance.
"Holy Sword!" Joana brought down her light-enhanced Scimitar. Fortunately it lacked the power of a Special Art without Jaune so Talos responded by taking the attack on his spear's pole at an angle, which caused the weapon to slide down to the side which also allowed the metallic champion to jab the bottom of the spear against the visor of Joana's helmet.
The visor cracked with the force of the strike as Joana stumbled back. "Joana, I don't know what kind of glitch you have right now, but I don't want to fight you." Talos once again tried to reason with the mecha-knightess. But soon the visor fixed itself and Joana once again charged. Talos quickly used War Charge to ram into the light Blade, but she replied by deploying the barrier. Stopping the Art and then she slashed at her quarry again.
"Knock it off!" Talos snapped as his left palm's lines turned black before thrusting and sending Joana flying against a tree. Forcing her arms and legs behind the trunk as she was now held in place.
Joana's helmet folded back and she had a look of triumph. "I knew it." The knightess said as she looked straight into Talos' now green eyes.
"What?" The Flesh Eater was confused.
"This is Lady Pyrrha's semblance is it not?" Joana declared.
And then Talos realized he had messed up. cancelling the semblance, Talos let Joana fall. "…How did you know?" Talos asked instead of trying to deny it. If Joana had her suspicions then she must have figured it out somehow.
"During our few fights, my Medical Scan detected an Aura that did not belong to milord or any of his retainers. The reading came from you, Master Talos." Joana said with a slightly accusing look as she stood back up. "Why did you lie?"
"I didn't lie about anything." Talos said defensively.
"Half-truths do not make it better." Joana said with a glare, "Did Lady Pyrrha know about this?"
"Of course she did." Talos said, "Adenine told us every possibility."
"…Explain." Joana all but commanded.
"Not before you promise to keep it to yourself." Talos said.
"Oh? Perhaps I shall reveal my discovery to everyone. I am very certain that it would explain some of the events in the fight against Torna." Joana then threatened.
Talos clenched his fists, one of them still holding his Megalance. "…Adenine told us that she had gotten her hands on some of the research notes Atlas had on Aura. From those, she began developing a theory. That perhaps during the process of making a Flesh Eater, it might be possible to have the Aura as well." Talos explained reluctantly.
Joana's eyes visibly widened at that. "And Lady Pyrrha accepted this?"
"Adenine explained this with both of us present." Talos said simply, "And as you could tell from me using Pyrrha's Aura and semblance. It succeeded."
Joana looked curious before her eyes widened. "A place where Salem and her servants will not look."
"Joana?" Talos' glowing blue eyes widened in alarm. She couldn't have…
"Ozpin attempted to make Lady Pyrrha a Maiden by transferring the previous one's Aura into her." Joana said as it was beginning to dawn on her. "Lady Pyrrha then had the power naturally transferred to her at Cinder's demise. Now you have her Aura…" Joana had an uncomprehending look. "And you were so adamant that Emerald lied about knowing the Fall Maiden's location…Master Talos, you have the Fall Maiden's power." It wasn't a question but a statement.
Meanwhile Talos could only mentally berate himself for revealing too much. "…Emerald didn't even try to kill me. If she really knew, then she would have." Talos admitted.
"Master Talos, we must tell every-" "No!" Talos shouted, "We can't tell them!"
"Why not?!" Joana demanded, "This would put everyone's minds at more ease."
"And risk Salem's cronies somehow finding it out." Talos shot back, "I know that everyone would do their best to keep quiet, but what if Ruby, Nora or Electra let it slip?"
"But what if you slip on using the power?" Joana asked challengingly.
"Not possible, because I can't use it." Talos said with a tone of finality.
"Cannot?" Joana picked up on Talos' wording, "What do you mean?"
"Just what I said. I may have the Maiden's power, but I can't use it." Talos explained.
"Have you even tried?"
"Of course I have!" Talos sounded offended, "But the power rejects me every single time I try to tap into it."
"You say it rejects you. Why would you think that?" Joana asked, now sounding more curious.
"I don't know what else to call it." Talos sighed as he finally dismissed his Megalance before placing his hand over his Core Crystal, "Every time I tried to tap into the power, I felt a sharp pain in my very Core."
"But if the power is rejecting you then how is it that you can even carry it?" Joana then asked, "Should your body not have more adverse effects because of it?"
Talos visibly stiffened at the question. "…I never thought of that."
"…So many questions…some of which even you have not thought about inquiring." Joana said with a sigh. "I still believe that we should tell Milord and the others."
"They don't need to know that." Talos said, "The less people know, the lower the chances of Salem finding out become."
"They deserve to know." Joana commented, "Especially Milord."
"Maybe, but what good would it do for them to know?" Talos said in annoyance, "Right now, Salem and her cronies think that the Fall Maiden is back in Remnant, and I would like to keep it that way for as long as possible."
Joana glared at Talos, looking like she was about to argue again. "Very well." But she saw the logic behind Talos' words, "But…should Milord ask me directly, I am compelled to answer."
"…I guess that's the best I can get with you." Talos said in a defeated tone, "You know…when it comes to loyalty, I would say the only one who could rival you is Nox."
"I do not appreciate being compared to that bloodthirsty beast." Joana said in an offended tone. The incident with biting Nora's hand and looking at the carrot topped Driver like a tasty morsel lowered the light Blade's opinion of the dark Blade significantly.
"Fair enough…We should go back." Talos then said and he started walking through the thin woods to the village entrance. Although once they were out of it, Joana happened to look up into the night sky.
"Master Talos, look above."
"Hmm?" Talos then looked to the night sky to see green lights dancing in the sky. "An Aurora?" Talos said in slight awe. The night sky was clear when he got out.
"It is…beautiful." Joana said as she moved next to Talos.
"It is." Talos agreed as his eyes flashed green for an instant. The Blades of JP spent a few more seconds admiring the stars and the Aurora before deciding that they had kept everyone waiting long enough.
AN: I'm sure some of you might have seen this coming. In addition to the power he used to trap Jin, Talos also has Pyrrha's Aura and semblance. And as a bonus, the power of the Fall Maiden also went to him. But the metallic Flesh Eater is unable to wield it.
In other news, I'm excited for XC Definitive edition. I got a long list of games that I want to shorten as soon as I get my first paycheck.