RWBY: Destiny of Remnant

by UGX7

In the wake of the fall Team RNJR sets out to bring Cinder Fall to justice while the new Fall Maiden overlooks her master's plan in Haven City. Meanwhile Weiss tries to help a friend, Yang struggles with the loss of her arm, and Blake deals with guilt over the White Fang. Meanwhile someone from Cinder's past returns and Salem's newest pawn rises. Arkos, WhiteRose, SunnyBees, Renora

95. Cinder Remembers Part I

Hey loyal readers, I hope you'll enjoy this chapter and check out my new RWBY fic unrelated to DoR, Old Man Arc!

Chapter 94: Cinder Remembers Part I

Cinder slid back on the padded floor of the training arena within Salem's palace, coming to a stop against the wall as Anastasia charged at her with her Chakrams charged with Electric Dust. Effortlessly, the corrupted Maiden flipped over her current opponent's swings and let loose bursts of flame, but Anastasia used her own Aura Draining Semblance to absorb the energy of the flames.

Anastasia wasn't standing for long, as Thorn teleported into the fray and smashed her knee down onto the tanned blonde, slamming her into the padded floor hard. Thorn turned and using her twin pistols, opened fire on Cinder, who summoned her bow and arrows and let loose a barrage of the projectiles, which collided with Thorn's bullets midair.

Thorn charged forward and teleported to come in from Cinder's side, slamming her new robotic fist into Cinder's face hard, making her aura flare up brightly. Cinder recovered and flipped forward, cartwheeling both her to kick Thorn's torso, knocking her into Anastasia who slashed Thorn across the back with her chakrams hard, making her cry out in pain as electricity zapped her body, but she managed to strike back with a backhanded fist to Anastasia's nose.

Emerald, Mercury, Ziz, Sheer Kaa, Steppenwolffe, Mavis and Hazel watched the training session from the sidelines, observing as the recovering Anastasia was grabbed by Cinder and suplexed into the padded floor, her aura flaring brightly. Hazel and Sheer Kaa had spent years being the girls' combat instructors and they continued to teach Emerald, Mercury and the Son of Salem in the art of combat.

They watched silently, Emerald leaning forward a little as she watched Cinder battle her fellow apprentices. The three women had fought each other in hundreds of training sessions, countless hours spent sparring, making one another stronger, becoming intimately familiar with one another's combat styles, which made dodging both easy and frequent.

Thorn grinned as she activated a new weapon that was concealed within her robotic arm, a wrist blade. She teleported towards Cinder and went to slash her with her new blade, but Cinder swiftly sidestepped it and trapped Thorn's arm in between her own arm and her body. The corrupted Fall Maiden tried to slam her elbow down on Thorn's face, but Anastasia came in with a flying kick that knocked both of her opponents down.

"Ouch," Said Mercury with a wince.

"That's nothing, Cinder broke both of Anastasia's legs five years ago. These training sessions have always been intense, they've just gotten more experienced over the years." Hazel remarked as he glanced back and nodded.

Mercury turned, curious as to what Hazel was looking at, and was startled to see the Son of Salem standing directly behind them, sans his armor but still wearing his purple undersuit and his dragon-like helmet.

"Whoa! Where did he come from?" The silver-haired assassin asked.

"He's been with us the whole time." Sheer Kaa revealed as the Son of Salem came forward to stand beside him.

"We really gotta put a bell on him." Mavis muttered, getting behind Ziz and Emerald, as the Son of Salem genuinely scared her.

"No argument there, kid." Ziz remarked.

Hazel clapped his large hands, signaling Salem's three apprentices to cease their sparring.

"You've all done quite well, and I appreciate that the temptation to abuse your Maiden powers in these little bouts has not overcome you, Cinder," Hazel told the women, "But while our Mistress is busy with planning out our future missions, she wishes for you to fight her son, to see how he compares to you."

Anastasia smirked, "The three of us against him? All too easy."

"Might want to reconsider the smugness Anas," Thorn remarked warily, "This guy did take an entire military outpost down by himself. I've seen him in action, he's not someone you want to screw with."

"You would do well to heed Thorn's caution," Said Sheer Kaa, "The Son's lack of emotion and soul give him a considerable edge in combat."

"Oh please," Cinder dismissed, "I've battled two Maidens and Ozpin and won all three. I welcome any kind of challenge our teacher can offer us."

Hazel nodded, "Very well."

The Son of Salem stepped forward, unsheathing Chaos Edge and was about to get into a fighting stance when Thorn teleported right beside him and slammed her metal fist into the side of his head, making him stumble sideways as Anastasia charged him.

Cinder let loose a barrage of arrows, which the Son of Salem managed to cut down before they could reach him and he barely managed to parry the swings of her chakrams.

The Son struck back with powerful vengeance, slashing at Anastasia with swift blows that were powerful enough to send one of her chakrams flying into the wall, which it became firmly lodged into. Cinder attacked with a blast of flame combined with lightning at the Son, but he leapt over it, allowing it to slam into the wall, destroying the thick padding and sending bits and pieces of it everywhere.

Thorn teleported to attack from behind, slamming her metal fist into the back of the Son's helmeted head hard enough to make him stagger but he recovered by flinging his body around and landing a hard kick in her cut before he slammed his fist backwards into Cinder's face before he took a hard blow from Anastasia's remaining chakram in the side.

He stumbled backwards, and Thorn teleported behind him to slam her elbow into his shoulder. She jumped up and tried to hit him with a sweeping kick but he slammed the blunt edge of his blade backwards with such force that it sent Thorn flying into the wall.

Cinder used her flame Semblance to launch herself forwards with enough force to slam her fist into the Son's chest, slamming him into the wall right beside Thorn. Cinder used her other hand to grab the Son's neck and fling him over and into the floor, hard. Anastasia followed it up by jumping up high and slamming both feet down into the Son's gut, causing his fractured, gray Aura to flare up.

"When we're done with you, West and his lackeys will have to stitch you back together!" Anastasia spat with a cruel grin. The Son replied by slamming Chaos Edge into Anastasia's legs hard enough to knock her off of him.

Before either Cinder or Thorn could respond, he grabbed Anastasia's hair, slammed her into his knee and followed it up by combining both hands and smashing them, as well as the hilt of Chaos Edge, down on Anastasia's head. He threw her off of him but then followed his assault with two hard kicks that, combined with the damage she had taken from the earlier sparring session, was enough to shatter her aura.

Anastasia groaned in pain, and her eyes shot open in alarm as Chaos Edge neared her throat. She backed up, narrowly avoiding what could have been a deadly blow.

"Wait, wait! My aura's broken! I'm out of the fight! Please, stop!" She cried.

Cinder came to the rescue, blocking Chaos Edge with her own Dust Sword. She glanced at Anastasia and said "Get clear."

"Yes! Thank you!" Anastasia whimpered as she crawled away, looking up to see Mavis gesturing for her to come over.

Cinder and the Son traded a few sword strikes before Thorn rejoined the battle, teleporting in between them and blasting away at the Son with her twin guns before leaping up and hitting him with a rapid, helicopter kick before she blasted him in the chest, making his aura flare up again.

Cinder followed it up by slamming her blade across the Son's chest, cutting open the tight suit he wore and revealing his pale, stitched, mismatched skin before she slammed a flaming fist into his masked face. He was thrown down to the floor and on his back, his sword clattering away a few feet and his aura flaring up.

Smirking, Thorn said "We got 'im now, Cinder!"

She teleported close to the Son, one of her guns pointed right at his helmet, but he suddenly sprung to life and knocked the gun away, slamming a fist directly into Thorn's cheek. He followed that up with a merciless barrage of eleven punches to her gut and chest before he did a spin-kick that sent her flying, but she teleported to get behind him allowing her body to crash into his.

Thorn grunted, her aura flaring as she scrambled up, retreating to join Cinder

"Don't get cocky, and never underestimate your opponent." Cinder told her cohort, the scar that ran across her face given to her by Ruby Rose was a constant reminder of how she had learned that lesson the hard way.

"Right," Thorn acknowledged with a nod, "Attack together?"

Cinder nodded and she launched herself towards the Son of Salem, cutting him off from retrieving his blade. Thorn teleported behind him and the two women let out an intense barrage of punches and kicks. The Son moved his body as rapidly as he could, managing to avoid their strikes, but Thorn managed to get his attention with a few rapid strikes to his helmeted head. She took out her guns again but he caught her wrists and struggled with her, allowing Cinder the opportunity to attack from behind, but he leapt up and kicked her in the chin and chest, knocking her away.

He came down and forced Thorn off of him, rolling away from her shots before he raced towards her and head-butted her chest before sucker punching her several times, making her lose her grip on her guns. Activating her wrist-blade again, Thorn went to slam it into the Son's face but he managed to grab her robotic wrist and hold her back. She tried to spin kick him but he sidestepped her blade and let go, grabbing her leg and flipping her momentum around to send her flying into the wall.

The Son ran at Thorn as Cinder recovered, she formed her bow and arrow again and let loose a trio of arrows. The Son jumped over them and allowed them to hit Thorn instead, causing her aura to shatter. The Son landed in front of her and she tried to slash him with her blade but he grabbed her robotic arm, stabbed it into the wall and then grabbed her head and slammed it into the wall several times before she fell backwards, ripping the blade out.

Cinder jumped over and slammed a flaming fist into his gut, knocking him back several feet and causing him to retreat, going to where Chaos Edge had fallen. The false Maiden looked down at Thorn and said "You did good, but you're out of the fight. Let me handle this."

Thorn didn't argue and watched as Cinder, forming her Dust Sword once more, went to attack the Son. She leapt over towards him, swinging her blade at him four times but he managed to dodge every attack before he reclaimed his sword and then met hers in a tremendous clash.

The Son pulled away and swung at Cinder, but she ducked and they exchanged three strikes before she spun around and put as much of her power into the spin attack as she could, but he parried it, sparks flying from the clash. They traded four or five more rapid, twirling strikes before Cinder shot forward and smashed her fish, sparking with lightning from her Maiden powers, into his helmeted face, making him stumble back. Cinder struck at his sword tauntingly as he pulled back, clutching at his head.

Cinder pulled back, flourishing her sword before she plunged it at her opponent, aiming for his legs but he managed to parry it. She spun around, their blades meeting again before she leapt up, kicking him in the chest before she struck again, but he still managed to parry her follow-up attacks. They traded blows numerous times, Cinder easily fending off his attacks before she jumped high into the air and landed a hard kick into his helmeted head, making him flip backwards.

Cinder leapt towards him, pressing on her attacks. After clashing about eight or nine times, their blades moving at incredible speeds, she jumped high over him and swung her blade behind her, but he managed to parry it. The Son launched a series of harsh, furious attacks that Cinder managed to deflect, moving as quickly as she could. After about twelve or so exchanges, they found themselves caught in a bind, they pressed their blades against one another with all their power and with a loud roar of exertion, Cinder managed to press the Chaos Edge against the son's face, making him fall back, clutching at the cut open spot in his tight mask, his aura crackling badly, on the verge of breaking.

Cinder didn't give up, she pressed forward and they traded about five more strikes before she plunged her Dust sword forward, but the Son swung his sword over hard enough to make her lose her grip. She allowed it to fall and dropped her body down, catching it and then springing up, slamming the blade into the Son's side, shattering his aura.

Cinder slammed her blade into the Chaos Edge hard enough to make the Son of Salem drop it. She allowed her Dust Blade to collapse into her hands so she could use one to grab the Son's neck and then slam him into her free fist. Cinder allowed the Son to fall to the ground, defeated.

"A good victory, Cinder." Hazel announced as Emerald, Mercury, Anastasia and Thorn applauded her.

"Woohoo! You taught that freak a lesson!" Mercury cheered.

"I never doubted you for a second." Emerald told her, smiling with great admiration.

"I honestly didn't think anyone could beat him!" Mavis said, looking up at Cinder with eyes that sparkled with admiration.

"Yes, nicely done, good show," Said Anastasia, clearly embarrassed by her early defeat.

"I knew he wasn't totally invincible." Added Thorn, grinning at Cinder and offering her robotic hand forward, which Cinder decided to accept and shake.

"Great job, Cinder," Said Ziz, "I honestly expected the Son to win, considering none of you had recovered from sparring with each other."

"I didn't, Cinder has the Fall Maiden's powers, no matter what, she'll always have that card up her sleeve." Steppenwolffe commented.

"Indeed, Cinder's training has intensified over the past year. I have no doubt you'll make up for your defeat at Haven, whenever the time comes." Sheer Kaa told her.

"Heh, bet you've been fantasizing about getting some sweet revenge on those Team Beacon brats, huh?" Thorn said.

Cinder couldn't suppress a smile, "I suppose there's no point in denying that I have. Ever since my failure, I've been imagining the things I'd do to Ruby Rose, Nikos and their little friends to make them pay for," She gestured at her scarred face, "This."

Indeed, during her many long hours of intense training she had undergone in the near year since the Battle of Haven, Cinder had fantasized about the various ways she'd make them suffer for her defeat; breaking bones, disfiguring their pretty faces, making them watch as their precious teammates suffered slow, agonizing deaths. Especially Ruby Rose, Pyrrha Nikos and their teams. The idea of stabbing Rose's precious silver eyes out was always something that put a smile on Cinder's face.

She glanced back to see Hazel and Steppenwolffe going over to the Son of Salem to make sure he's all right. "No serious damage, as expected," Hazel noted, "You did good, despite your defeat."

The Son simply stared at him, his eyes hidden beneath the visor of the helmet that covered his head, modeled after one of Salem's long dead minions who had been known as the Grimm King.

"He did very good, you trained him quite well." Cinder told Hazel, who simply nodded.

"We did our best to make him into a killing machine, his performance at Borealis Base is proof we succeeded. If he orders to kill you three, the outcome would have been quite different." Hazel remarked bluntly.

"I suppose you have a point. If we did have a proper life or death fight, the fight wouldn't have been confined to this one room and we'd both be far more injured." Cinder voiced.

"You perceive the facts correctly, my dear apprentice," Said Salem's voice as she emerged from the entry hall, "Congratulations on your victory, your performance was exemplary."

They all bowed their heads to the Grimm Queen as she came forward, Tyrian walking behind her like an obedient dog, a brand new mechanical scorpion tail had been built by Dr. Sherizawa to replace the one Qrow had severed in the battle of Atlas, making him both a Fusion Faunus and a cyborg.

"I have your teachings to thank for my abilities, Mistress," Cinder said.

"Indeed, imagine if your life had been wasted guarding the Aura Crystal…and how it would have been cut so tragically short if I had deigned to take it." Salem told her apprentice.

Cinder nodded gravely as Salem approached her kneeling 'son'. "You also did well, it is only natural that you lose to my top apprentice, she is the most powerful of all my students and followers. Do not take this defeat so seriously, it was a simple training session."

The Son silently nodded. Some of those present, like Emerald, Ziz, Mercury and Anastasia, hated that the Son wore that helmet of his, as it hid his face and any expression he might have had. However, they also knew that, given his lack of soul and the fact that he was a walking corpse, he probably had no real expression that would give anything away and his face would have been maddeningly emotionless and horribly stitched together, so it was probably better his visage was left hidden.

"Thorn, you did very good as well, I trust your new arm is functioning satisfactorily?" Salem asked.

"Still getting used to it, Mistress, but I'm giving it all I can to recover. Next time I get a shot at the Summer Maiden, I won't be so nice." Thorn said, clenching her robotic fist at the thought of Heliosia.

"That's what I like to hear," Salem told her before turning her attention to Anastasia, "You did well fighting your fellow apprentices, but against my Son? You lasted disappointingly short. You performed admirably in the attack on Mantle City, but your dueling and combat abilities against skilled opponents still leave much to be desired. If you want to have any chance against the Spring Maiden, especially after the thrashing she gave Anansi, I'd suggest you push yourself to train even harder."

Anastasia winced at the soft scolding she got from her mentor, cringing with embarrassment by how she didn't last long enough. "Forgive me, mistress. I was overconfident and believed that the three of us could take him easily. I will never overestimate an opponent again."

"See that you don't." Salem told her.

Cinder noticed Anastasia clenching her fist, how her face was flushed red with humiliation.

"Mistress, how goes the translation of the map?" Sheer Kaa inquired.

"It's taking about as long as should be expected. We shall have it fully translated by a week from now, perhaps earlier if Dr. Watts wishes to impress me," Salem said, "And Dr. Sherizawa's installation of the pulse spectral array cannon onto our Dreadwing is going swimmingly, he's even begun construction of duplicates to add to my palace's defenses."

Cinder looked up, interested in the idea that the Dreadwing, the hybrid airship/submarine/boat that they had used to escape from Haven, having that kind of weaponry was an intriguing idea.

"How soon until we get to deploy it in battle?" She asked.

"It will probably be quite useful in fetching the Relics, or fending off our foes to prevent them from getting to them before we can," Salem said, "But before that can happen, we shall make our next strike."

"What do you have in mind, my lady?" Sheer Kaa asked.

"Our spy in the Atlesian Council has managed to ascertain that the remaining Maidens are staying at Schnee Manor with some old friends; Team Beacon." Salem revealed to them.

"So we're gonna get another shot at them?" Thorn inquired, clearly excited at the prospect.

"Indeed, Thorn, but that will not be the only goal of this attack. Sheer Kaa and Ziz, you shall lead legions of Grimm and Grimm Knights to attack the estate with Anansi. This will be enough to draw out General Ironwood and the Resolute, where he is keeping the traitorous Odinson prisoner, but he will no doubt be desperate to protect the Maidens, and that is when I will open up a portal to bring up the second wave. Cinder, Thorn, Anastasia, Hazel, Tyrian, Mercury, Emerald and my Son, you will all join in the attack once the ship arrives. Steppenwolffe, you will be supporting them with two major Grimm; our rebellious Wyvern and the Celaeno." Salem explained.

"Oooh! The Celaeno! Haven't seen that old harpy in a long time." Tyrian remarked, "Not since the attack on Patch."

"Indeed. The damage Summer Rose inflicted upon it was bad enough that I've let it stay in the mountains of Mistral for years, but the time has come for it to make a grand return," Salem said, "But the priority of this mission is not only another shot at capturing the Maidens' powers and punishing Team Beacon for their past defiance, but to eliminate Odinson to ensure he doesn't expose any more than he already has and to repay our loyal Red Fang agents for their service by killing Crawford, Kenzo and Nordstrom."

"Doing a lot of damage to the Resolute would probably be a sweet bonus as well, wouldn't it?" Remarked Mercury.

"Indeed, Mercury, removing that airship from the playing field for a while would be great advantage." Salem said.

"When do we attack?" Hazel inquired.

"In five days' time, I have decided to wait until then because at that point they will have their refugee guests inside the manor, just getting used to their temporary home. The fear and panic of those refugees will no doubt drive the Grimm into a frenzy, and will turn the Schnee's precious estate into a blood-soaked battleground." Salem announced.

"Uh, Mistress?" Mavis spoke up, nervously, "I, uh…well, those refugees are innocent bystanders, right? I mean, haven't we already done them enough harm?"

The youngest of Grimm Commanders shrunk under everyone's gaze, from Ziz and Sheer Kaa's shocked expressions to Anastasia and Tyrian's looks of disgust.

Salem smirked, she leaned down and looked into Mavis' red eyes, the young Grimm Hybrid flinching away until Salem cupped her chin and forced her to look her leader right into her eyes.

"My dear Mavis, have you forgotten your place? Shall I remind you that my kindness is the only reason you're still alive? Or is it now that Stephenson is dead you no longer wish to be part of our revolution?" Salem asked the now shuddering Mavis.

Salem wrapped a hand around Mavis' neck and effortlessly lifted her off the floor, her legs dangling in the air, "The world exists as it does today because it was built on the suffering of innocents who go unmourned while the wicked are allowed to live! Scum like Crawford are proof enough of that," Salem said harshly, "Your family were innocent victims too, yet were Stephenson and his pirates brought to justice for their crimes by any of the Kingdoms?"

"N-n-no…" Mavis managed to choke out.

"And who brought you justice?" Salem asked.

"Mr. Hazel…and you, mistress…please put me down!" Mavis begged, tears of fear forming in her eyes.

"Have you learned your lesson?" Salem inquired.

"Yes!" Mavis rasped out.

Salem dropped her to the ground and the girl landed on her rear, looking up at Salem with a terrified expression.

"The world was apathetic to our own suffering, going on merrily as if we didn't matter at all. As if our dead loved ones didn't matter. Everyone is going to pay for our suffering. I trust you all understand."

Everyone nodded, no one daring to object to the treatment of Mavis, even though it was very clear both Sheer Kaa and especially Ziz wanted to. "Never forget our own personal pain, why I found you all, gave you second chances, changed you from nobodies into the heralds of the new order."

"I'll never forget, mistress!" Said Mavis as she bowed down, "Please, forgive my stupidity."

"You don't deserve forgiveness, speaking to my goddess with such impudence. You should all learn from this brat's mistake!" Tyrian ranted before he moved to kick Mavis, only to be blocked by Ziz, her gun pointed directly at the assassin's chin.

"Touch her and I'll feed you to the Grimm, psycho." Ziz seethed, not caring what Salem thought. Tyrian moved his mechanical stinger at the winged Grimm Hybrid's throat, but someone else spoke up.

"And I'll make you suffer horribly before she can do that." Growled Sheer Kaa from behind, placing a harsh grip on Tyrian's shoulder.

"M-mistress?" Tyrian asked nervously, looking to Salem for help.

Salem smiled, clearly amused by the situation. "I believe Mavis has learned her lesson, she is forgiven. And you should take heed of the Grimm Commanders' camaraderie, Tyrian, for I won't always be there to save you from your mistakes." Salem said, nodding at Sheer Kaa and Ziz to release him.

The two let him go and he stumbled away as Steppenwolffe helped Mavis to her feet.

"That is all, my friends. You may do whatever you like for the rest of the day, I shall be retiring to my personal chambers." She announced before turning around and walking away, Tyrian and the Son trailing after her. The former of which glared back spitefully at the Grimm Commanders before scurrying away.

"You okay, kid?" Emerald asked Mavis.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm okay, lucky to be alive." She answered.

"Indeed you are, it was incredibly foolish of you to voice your doubts to our mistress," Hazel reprimanded, "I have witnessed her kill for less."

"I don't doubt it," Mavis muttered nervously.

"Just keep that in mind, and do your best to avoid future mistakes." Sheer Kaa instructed his young student.

"Yes, our mistress can be quite fickle, so it's best not to risk irritating her." Anastasia said, giving Mavis a look of superiority before she went off to retrieve her chakram that was embedded in the wall. "Hazel, activate the training droids, I need to keep going."

"You need to rest, allow your aura to recharge." Cinder advised her.

"I don't have time for that. I need to keep going!" Anastasia shot back, clearly leaving something unsaid, but Cinder could tell what it was. After all, she had been in Anastasia's place before, prior to her fellow apprentices being brought into the fold.

Hazel nodded and went over to a small control panel in the wall and punched in the command sequence. A doorway inside one of the padded walls opened up and a group of five training droids marched out. Hazel pushed a button and they sprang to life to attack Anastasia, but she moved swiftly and cut the first one down, severing its limbs and head with lightning-fast chakram strikes.

"She reminds me of how you behaved when you first came to us," Hazel remarked to Cinder, "How hard you pushed yourself, how you'd pass out from all the constant training."

Cinder nodded, "Though I suppose I had a bit of an unfair advantage over Anastasia and Thorn is that I had far more training than either of them by the time I joined."

"Yes, I suppose you did have a bit of a head start. Your parents taught you and your brother very well." Hazel told her.

"My brother wasn't trained anywhere near as much as I was before I killed my parents. What makes you think he was a skilled fighter?" Cinder asked the muscular man.

"Mistress Salem told me of his relentless nature, Ante described how he wiped out that gang that helped Jude take the school hostage, how he killed Jude. It's a shame your brother had to die, I'd like to let him know how much I appreciate him ridding the world of a slime like Saul Jude." Hazel remarked.

"You never did get along with Jude. Was it because he was the only one who actually ever stood a chance against you in a physical fight?" Cinder inquired, an eyebrow raised.

"No. It was because his morals were lower than anyone else here. We all have our reasons for being here; some of us regret joining, some of us don't, but none of us were as evil as Saul Jude. You'd look into his eyes and just see nothing but evil and hate, almost as bad as Norvik. I might never have met Ashe Kasai, but he has my eternal respect for eliminating that monster." Hazel told her, watching Anastasia go at the training droids.

Cinder nodded, she never pretended to understand Hazel's motivations or care, but something about the man always stood out to her; this melancholy darkness and a sense of honor that the man emitted.

The others decided not to stay and watch, so the group split apart, Cinder watched as Anastasia pushed herself harder, making decently quick work of the training droids. The corrupted Maiden then walked out of the training arena with Emerald and Mercury, with the latter asking "Man, that was a close one, I thought fish girl was done for."

"Mistress cannot lose any Grimm Commanders and Mavis is practically a child," Cinder told him, "My master knows that it's better to teach her a lesson and mold her to her will rather than dealing her a drastic punishment."

"Has Salem always been like that?" Emerald inquired.

"For the most part, yes. I don't think I've ever taught you the full story of how I met her, have I?" Cinder asked.

"Only vague details," Mercury noted, "I mean, you told us that you killed your parents after meeting her, but not much more than that."

Cinder nodded, "Very well, come with me to my room and I shall tell you."

After the trip through the decadent dark palace, they made it to Cinder's room and the corrupted Maiden sat on her bed and began to tell her followers the story of how she came to live in the palace as one of Salem's apprentices.

TWENTY-ONE YEARS AGO

Cinder Fall ran towards her father, leaping high into the air and landing a powerful kick on his chest. She ducked under his swinging punch and landed a few jabs on his side before he swept her legs out from under her, grabbed her by the arm and tossed her across the small training area outside the Kasai home.

Cinder grunted loudly as slid back on the earth. Sweat trickled down her body as she took in deep breaths, looking up at her father, who cracked his knuckles as his aura flared up in the places where she had hit him.

"You've made a lot of progress, Cinder," Kojin Kasai told his daughter with a grin on his face. He was a decently muscular man with a black beard and long black hair tied in a wolf's tail, "Come on, I want to see what else you've got!"

Cinder smirked, "You asked for it dad!" She said as she darted towards him. She leapt over a high kick and kneed her father in the face, grabbing his shoulders and flipping him over, smashing him into the wall of the house before planting her bare foot on his chest. "Do you yield?"

"It'll take more than that to beat me!" Kojin said as he grabbed her ankle and flipped her off, but Cinder recovered and came down with both fists landing into her father's gut. Kojin smashed both knees into Cinder's side, knocking her off of him. He spun around and tried to kick, but she rolled out of the way and swung a punch that hit his chin, hard enough to make his aura flare brightly.

From the sidelines, Ember Kasai watched with her youngest child, Ashe, sitting next to her. The mother had a concerned look on her face as she watched her daughter square off against her father, but Ashe was enjoying the show.

"Yeah! Come on, Cinder! I know you can beat dad!" Ashe cheered.

"Ah, betrayed by my own son!" Kojin jokingly bemoaned as he activated his Fire Semblance, "Have both my children turned against me?"

Cinder grinned as flames engulfed her own hands, she ran towards her dad and launched a series of powerful punches that her father managed to block with flat, flaming palms before he kneed her in the gut, but she grabbed that leg and twisted it, making her father cry out in surprise and pain. She launched a flaming fist at his face, but he caught it with his own fiery hand. Cinder kept his other hand pinned down with her bare foot as she struggled to keep him down, her father was a powerful man, but he had also taught her well and the training her had given her had made her stronger than most Huntresses-in-training.

"Give up?" Cinder asked as she tried to force her dad's arm back.

"Ergh…" He groaned before he suddenly unleashed a blast of fire from his mouth that was powerful enough to make Cinder leap back, her eyes widening in surprise.

Kojin scrambled up and deflected a few blasts of fire that Cinder had thrown at him.

"The dragon breath move, how long's it been since you had to use that?" Cinder asked her dad.

"Since before Ashe was born," Kojin said, smiling at his daughter, "Now come on, give me your best shot!"

Cinder rocketed forward, flames blasting from her fists. Kojin prepared to catch her, but she suddenly pulled up and slammed both feet into his face before bringing both flaming fists down upon his head, hard enough to shatter his aura and slam him onto the ground, sending dust into the air.

"Kojin!" Ember cried out in surprise, concerned about how far this training session was going.

Cinder rolled her father over and placed a foot on his chest, a flaming fist ready to strike. "Now do you yield?" Cinder asked, smugly.

Kojin sighed but smiled, "I do. Congratulations, Cinder."

Cinder grinned triumphantly, before she was suddenly knocked off her dad by Ashe rushing into her to give his big sister a hug.

"Way to go, Cinder! You actually beat dad! I didn't think anyone could do it!" The nine year old boy cheered.

"Heh, I can, Ashe." She said, hugging him with one arm and ruffling his hair with the other before she sat up, loudly declaring "I can do anything!"

"You probably can," Ember said as she went over to help her husband up, "You can certainly go overboard. Are you all right, love?"

"I'm fine! You know I've had worse," Kojin dismissed as he rubbed his jaw, "You've come very far, Cinder. I don't know how much more I have to teach you."

"Soo…" Cinder began, putting her hands behind her back as she mustered the courage to ask something, "Can I go to Beacon?"

Her parents looked at her, surprised at the question. They remained silent for a few moments, looking at their children. Ashe smiled and nodded, hoping they'd give Cinder their approval.

"Cinder, we've had this discussion before. You know we can't let you go, and you know why." Ember told her daughter as Kojin closed his eyes and shook his head.

Cinder's face transformed from hopeful to devastated and angry, "I don't why I even bothered having hope," She growled, "I don't want to waste my life guarding some useless bauble!"

"Hold your tongue, Cinder!" Snapped Kojin.

"The Aura Crystal is anything but useless!" Ember scolded.

"Oh really? I've spent almost as much time meditating in front of that crystal as I have in combat training, and I'm no closer to communing with it after all these years!" Cinder furiously complained, "You say it can grant me powers, but I haven't felt anything from it, not even when I'm touching it!"

"We keep telling you, it's because you're not trying hard enough. Your mind is filled with worldly distractions, it keeps you from communicating with the souls kept within the crystal." Ember told her daughter. Again.

Cinder had heard this lecture over and over again throughout the years, but no matter how hard she tried to clear her mind, it kept wandering to contemplating combat skills, getting stronger, cute boys in the village, what order she'd do her chores in, etc… Cinder could seemingly never keep her mind focused enough to appease the crystal, and it was frustrating her to no end.

"I've done everything I can to clear my mind, but no matter what I do, thoughts just keep popping back in there! It's not easy to think of nothing for more than a few minutes." Cinder shot back.

"Maybe it's because deep down you've grown skeptical," Kojin said, "A skeptical mind can close one off from experiencing certain sensations."

"I've believed in you all my life, but I've never seen you get any power boost from the crystal either! I don't have much proof that it can do anything other than glow." Cinder voiced, her voice becoming more and more irritated.

"We cannot abuse its power just to show off some tricks. We must only use it whenever necessary!" Ember told her daughter, "If ever someone were to try and steal it or hurt us, then we could use its power, but if we try to use it whenever we see fit for whatever random reason that pops into our minds, we'd prove ourselves unworthy as its guardians."

She came over to her daughter and placed an arm on her shoulder, but Cinder jerked away.

"Cinder, please, just try harder in meditation tomorrow. I know you've always had difficulty, but if we work together we might find a method that works for you." Ember offered.

"What's the point? Even if that thing really does have a power like you say, maybe it doesn't want me…and I don't want it." Cinder huffed.

"Cinder, what are you saying?" Kojin asked, his voice growing irritated as young Ashe stepped back a bit, clearly uncomfortable with where the conversation was going.

"I'm saying it's holding me back! I can't bring my friends over to visit because you don't want them knowing about it! I can't become a Huntress and save people because you want me to stay here and guard that rock! I'm going to die in obscurity, wasting my life because that stupid crystal means more to you than I do!" Cinder ranted.

"Cinder, it doesn't! If some criminal were to hold you or Ashe captive and demand the Aura Crystal, we'd hand it over without hesitation. We can always get the crystal back, but we couldn't bear to see either of you hurt." Ember assured her daughter, her voice straining just a bit.

"You are hurting me! Hurting me by trying to trap me here for the rest of my life! Why don't you let me go and train Ashe to become the guardian instead?" She demanded to know.

"Because you're the elder child, you are stronger than him and you have inherited our family Semblance while he has not." Kojin shot back, not noticing Ashe wincing in embarrassment.

"Then why won't it accept me? I'm almost sixteen, life is passing me by and I'm stuck here with a stupid magic crystal that refuses to talk to me!" Cinder shouted.

"Maybe it refuses to commune with you because you're not worthy!" Kojin snapped. His eyes snapped wide open as he realized what he had said. Ember looked at him, angrier than he had seen her in years.

Cinder hung her head and turned around, "I'm going for a walk."

"Cinder, wait! I'm so sorry, it just slipped out!" Her father pleaded.

"It's fine, I just need to be alone." Cinder snapped, trying and failing to sound calm, but Kojin could easily spot tears forming in her eyes.

She fetched her shoes and walked into the forest their home sat in front of. She could hear her mother saying "When she gets back, you better have a damn good apology ready for her."

Cinder wiped the small tears from her eyes as she stormed off, gaining speed and dashing past the trees, leaping over logs and bushes, going further and further into the forest. She ran through grassy fields and over old rickety bridges until she came to a meadow that she went to whenever she wanted to be alone.

It was a beautiful place with a small waterfall feeding into a river and a small pond, with a huge old willow tree right beside it. There was a small clearing with several large boulders that was mostly clear of grass, she would use the small area for training whenever she felt like letting off some steam.

Cinder sat cross-legged in front of the river, sighing heavily as she closed her eyes and tried to meditate, allowing the gentle babbling of the river and the flowing of the water from the falls and into the pool calm her mind.

However, her mind was too troubled to be so easily calmed. Dozens of thoughts seared through her mind, thoughts about her family and the somewhat strained relationship she had with her family, her numerous concerns about her future like would she live in obscurity and die passing on this burden to her children? Her frustrations with her own failures at communicating with the Aura Crystal and the supposed millions of souls contained within.

Maybe her father was right. Maybe she wasn't worthy.

How was she not worthy?!

Her temper rose rapidly and she accidentally allowed her grasping hand to catch on fire. Growling, Cinder slapped her hand into the water to douse it, causing some steam to rise off of her hand. She sighed and muttered "What can I do?"

"What can any of us do?" Asked a voice.

Cinder jerked her head rapidly to look at the willow tree and her eyes widened in surprise as she saw a very beautiful woman, who appeared to be about ten or so years older than she was, with flowing blonde hair and kind aqua eyes, clad in a modest but flowing dark gray outfit.

"Excuse me, I'm sorry to have intruded, my dear." Said the woman.

"Uh, i-it's okay," Cinder said, "I mean, not like I own this place, it's just…never really seen anyone out here before. I mean, the nearest path is a mile from here. Who are you? A Huntress?"

"Oh no, just a simple wandering Maiden," The stranger said, "I've set up home in a little cabin in the woods, wanting to live a simple life in solitude."

"Huh? I haven't heard any construction? How'd you build a cabin?" Cinder inquired, skeptically.

The woman smiled and gave the girl a wink and answered "Magic. My name is Salem, what's yours?"

After a brief silence, she answered "Cinder."

Salem approached Cinder, smiling at her, "It's nice to meet you Cinder. I trust you're one of the Kasai family? I was told about them when I came into this area."

"Yes, I'm a Kasai, I live with my parents , Kojin and Ember, and my little brother Ashe. I suppose you'd like to meet your new neighbors?" Cinder said.

"I'm in no hurry. In fact if it's all right with you, I'd like to keep my presence here a secret. I have been through so much in my life, I am in no mood for any unwanted company." Salem said as she moved to sit down next to the young girl, "Present company excluded, of course."

"Gee, thanks." Cinder murmured.

"So, what's troubling you?" Salem asked.

"You wouldn't understand, and I'm not exactly allowed to give out that many details about my family," Cinder said, "Plus, why would you care?"

"Oh, it's just that I look at you and I see an extremely talented girl, with the potential to become one of the greatest warriors Remnant has ever seen. But you're also a girl who is lonely, held back…reminds me of myself when I was your age." Salem remarked.

Cinder looked at her, surprised and bewildered. "H-how did you?"

"Magic, my dear. I have been called many things; witch, monster, sorceress, enchantress, my personal favorite title was Maiden, but I prefer just to be called Salem." The blonde woman replied with a smile, "

"Maiden? Like what, some rich girl waiting for her knight in armor or do you mean you're one of the Seasonal Maidens?" Cinder asked, smirking at the thought.

"As a matter of fact, once upon a time I was one of the Seasonal Maidens, once." Salem answered.

Cinder made an astonished face, "Y-you can't be serious! The Maidens are just a fairy tale! They're no more real than the Remnant Knights." She refuted.

"You shouldn't dismiss old legends. They may have been embellished and exaggerated over the course of centuries, but the Maidens are all too real. I should know." Salem told the girl.

Cinder was silent for a few moments before saying "Prove it."

"Well, I am no longer one of the Maidens. I…" Salem made a face that suggested the topic was a very painful memory, "I had to give it up. Of my generation of Maidens, I am the only one who survived. I was forced to live in exile, abandoned by those I trusted and left for dead. My sister Maidens…all gone, having sacrificed themselves for this world and their names are all but forgotten."

"What happened to you?" Cinder asked.

"Long ago, we worked together with the armies of Remnant to stop a great evil that threatened to destroy our world. In the chaos of the battle's end, my sister Maidens and I were fatally wounded and we were left for dead as the castle we battled inside of plunged down into the northern seas of Mistral. I survived, but barely and I realized I had been abandoned by those I had come to trust. My sister Maidens and I should have been enshrined in statues, our mere names should be bowed to, instead we were cast aside and replaced like cheap slaves. My sisters and I were doomed to obscurity, our names and deeds never recognized…"

"I…I guess I kinda know what that feels like. My family…well, we're in this situation where we have to do a certain thing, but recently I've been doubting them and- wait, why am I talking to you? I don't know you! For all I know, you're just some random crazy lady!" Cinder said, standing up as she realized how strange this situation was.

Salem laughed, "Well, I suppose I am asking an awful lot of you to just believe in my story. I might not have my Maiden powers any more, but my own powers are still incredible on their own. Allow me to demonstrate…"

Salem stood up, dusted off her outfit before she held her arm out, gesturing to one of the boulders in the clearing. A dark aura began to glow around her hand as it grasped tightly at the air, slowly clenching into a fist as her eyes began to change into a sinister blood-red color…

And then the boulder she was pointing at shattered into hundreds of smaller stones. Cinder leapt back, letting out a surprised cry of "Whoa!"

"Impressed?"

"Uh, I guess. Anyone could do that with Dust or a weapon but you did it without even touching it!" Cinder exclaimed, "Is it your Semblance?"

"No, it's something else entirely. You see, Cinder, I'm far older than I look, and over the many years I've lived, I have learned of pathways to incredible power. Power that can change the world for the better." Salem told the teenage girl.

"World seems fine to me," Cinder remarked, "I mean, yeah it sucks that the Faunus have to put up with racist jerks and there's always Grimm prowling out there, but other than that the world doesn't seem too bad."

Salem placed a hand on Cinder's shoulder, making the girl flinch a bit, "Dear child, life has been kind to you so far, but one day you will learn just how cruel it can be. There are terrible people in positions of great power, poverty, racism…I want to change all of that, but it would take drastic action and sacrifices. I'm afraid you wouldn't understand."

"I guess you're right, I don't," Cinder admitted, "And I guess I got it easy as far as life goes, but it's not all that great. I want to go out into the world, be a famous Huntress, save people with my skills, be a hero that people look up to…instead I'm stuck here, guarding that stupid crystal-"

She stopped herself, slapping her hands over her mouth and looking back at Salem, who gave her a curious look.

"Crystal?" She asked.

"Please, forget what I said! If my parents knew I told a complete stranger about it, I'd never be allowed to leave the house!" Cinder pleaded.

"Oh, it's quite all right, dear. Whatever your parents do with some crystal is no concern of mine. After all, I'm seeking a peaceful life myself. What would I want with some shiny rock?" Salem pointed out, "This conversation never leaves this spot. We keep it between us, okay? As far as your parents know, you're alone, right? No harm in letting them think that's the case, and I'll just forget you said anything about a crystal."

"Thank you. So…what do you want in exchange?" Cinder asked.

"My, aren't you a bright girl?" Salem noted with a smile, "I suppose I could use a friend to talk to, maybe someone to teach."

"Teach?"

"I was a Maiden, Cinder, and we didn't just rely on our powers whenever we had to fight. I could teach you some of my old moves, if you're interested. Perhaps even how to make better use of your Semblance." Salem offered.

Cinder's eyes couldn't hide how much the strange but friendly woman's proposition intrigued her.

"Okay, I don't know about being your student and I might not be able to come here every day, but I'll do my best to visit. And I promise not to tell them about you, not even my brother." She said.

"Very good, that's all I ask." Salem replied with a warm smile.

It wasn't long before Cinder bid her mysterious new friend goodbye and headed home, and when she emerged from the forest, twilight was slowly setting. She looked up to the back porch of their old minka-style house, and spotted her father sitting on the steps, waiting for her.

"Cinder, thank goodness you're back, I was beginning to get worried," Kojin said, "I want you to know that I truly am sorry for what I said. It was a stupid thought that just popped into my head and flew out of my mouth."

"I'd expect that from a teenager like me, dad, but you're an adult." Cinder remarked.

"I am, but that doesn't mean I'm flawless. A lot of adults who should know better make incredibly stupid mistakes. Take a look at how the Faunus are treated, you don't need any further proof than that. Again, I can only say I'm sorry and hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me." Kojin told her.

Cinder sat down next to him, looking down at ants scouring for food in the dirt and grass before asking "Will I ever commune with the crystal? Do you think I'll ever be worthy?"

"Forget what I said earlier. I was being an idiot. You're the daughter of two very powerful Crystal Guardians, if anyone is worthy of taking up our mantle, it will be you and your brother. No matter what a fool like me says out of anger," He said, "So please, can you find it in your heart to forgive me?"

"I guess so," Cinder said, a small smile spreading across her lips as she accepted the hug her father offered.

"Don't worry, Cinder. You are worthy, and one day you will succeed in communicating with the spirits within the Aura Crystal," Kojin assured her, "We just have to keep working on it. The only time we truly become failures is when we give up, so we need to keep trying, okay? Now, how about we get inside for dinner, and let your mom know things are okay between us?"

"Really don't want to sleep on the couch, huh?" Cinder noted with a wry smile.

"Hell no." Kojin chuckled.

That night, while her family slept soundly, Cinder tossed and turned under her blankets, sweat forming around her body as she suffered from nightmares. Not the usual nightmares one might have like being chased by the most feared type of Grimm or losing a loved-one, but instead nightmares of what her future would likely bring her.

In her dreams, Cinder saw herself as the newest Guardian of the Aura Crystal, looking beautiful in ornate robes with perfect swords within her hands. However, she felt time go by, the seasons passing rapidly. She could feel her body aging, see her parents passing away, see Ashe going getting married and taking up the mantle with her, but she could not find herself a partner who were willing to dedicate their lives to the crystal. She could see the world passing her by, changing without her ever being noticed, her friends leaving her behind and going off to become great and powerful Hunters, forgetting all about Cinder.

And all the while, the Aura Crystal floated behind her, never speaking to her, never accepting her. She knelt before it, begging to be accepted or to be released from its service, but it would not acknowledge her at all. Leaving her alone. Forever.

Cinder shot up, crying out in fear, finding herself awake and safe in her room, the morning sun shining in through the window.

Ember, who had been walking past her room, opened the door and peered inside, "Cinder, honey, are you okay?"

"Y-yeah…I'm fine, mom, just a bad dream."

"Want to talk about it?" Ember offered.

"N-no…I, I'm fine, just a bad dream. Nothing I haven't been through before." Cinder lied, swinging her legs onto the floor.

"You sure?"

"Yes, mom, I'm okay." Cinder assured, trying her best to sound confident in that statement.

"Well, if you say so, but if you ever need to talk about it, I'm always here for you. Never forget that, Cinder," Ember said, hugging her daughter and kissing her forehead, "I love you."

Cinder returned the hug, "I love you too, mom."

Cinder ate her breakfast and then spent most of the morning meditating in front of the Aura Crystal with her mother and brother, with one hand from each person placed over the crystal, trying to commune with it. She glanced at her mother, who had successfully made contact with the crystal, her eyes glowing from a light that shot out of the relic. Cinder was doing everything she could to clear her mind and focus on the crystal, but after several hours of trying, she sadly gave up.

"I just can't do it." Cinder griped.

Ember's eyes stopped glowing and after taking in a deep breath, she looked at her daughter sympathetically.

"It's all right, it's not like we're in a hurry," Ember comforted, "I felt the same frustrations when I decided to leave my life as a Huntress behind and join your father, I thought I'd never commune with it."

"Yeah, and according to you it only took a year, I've been going at it for years now." Cinder complained bitterly.

"Don't worry, I'm convinced you'll make a breakthrough any day now. It's your destiny." Ember told her.

Something about that word, destiny, made Cinder feel sick to her stomach, but she did her best not to let it show. "I trust you, mom. We'll try again tomorrow."

"Okay. Ashe, sweetie, have you felt anything?" Ember asked her younger child.

"Uh, I'm sorry, mom, but…no. I didn't." He confessed, looking ashamed.

"Look, there's nothing either of you have to be embarrassed about. I was older than you when I met your father, I had more experience. I spoke with the Avatar of the Crystal, a being that represents the souls within the crystal, it says that Ashe is too young to be accepted…"

"What about me?" Cinder asked.

"It says that your mind is clouded with apprehension, worry for what the future will bring you. If you're to ever successfully commune with it, you need to banish these thoughts." Ember instructed.

Cinder nodded, "I'll keep trying. Can I go? I think I need to be alone again. I felt better after relaxing in the meadow by the waterfall, maybe if I meditate there it will help me."

"Of course, Cinder, just be back before dark." Ember told her.

"Hey, can I come too, Cinder?" Ashe asked her eagerly.

"Uh, no. Sorry, Ashe, but I prefer to be alone. You know, it helps me clear my mind." Cinder told him.

"Oh, okay." He said, not bothering to hide his disappointment.

"Hey, relax," She said, ruffling his hair, "When I get home, I'll spar with you, and I might just slow down a bit so you can actually land some hits."

"You're on!" Ashe accepted, grinning.

Getting dressed in more casual clothes, Cinder walked back into the woods, leaving her family behind once again. Ember watched her daughter vanish into the trees. Something in her gut was telling her that something wasn't right, but she also knew that when she was Cinder's age she had a tendency to be moody and a preference to be alone as well.

"Is Cinder going to be okay?" Ashe asked, concerned, "She seems really down because she can't commune with it."

"She'll be okay. I know that one day both of you will be accepted as its Guardians along with us. We just have to keep trying, love. Now, how about we practice some more with that secret move before dad gets home?" Ember offered.

Cinder returned to the clearing she liked so much and was surprised to see Salem there waiting for her, sitting peacefully and meditating under the shade of the willow tree.

"Hey," She called as she approached her, "I'm a little surprised to see you here. I was honestly beginning to think I dreamed you up."

"Oh trust me, Cinder, I'm no dream," Salem said as she gestured for her to join her, "Why would you believe that, did you have a bad dream last night?"

"I guess you could say that," Cinder said, "I could tell you about it…but it would give too much of my family's secret away."

"That secret being that you are the Guardians of the Aura Crystal?" Salem casually asked.

Cinder looked at her with wide, startled eyes as she scrambled to her feet, "H-how did you-?!"

"Well, you mentioned a crystal the other day. After sensing a mysterious power beyond the forest, it didn't take much for an old witch like myself to figure out that I've stumbled upon the resting place of an old legend," Salem answered. She saw the worried look on Cinder's face and added "Don't worry! I have no interest in it whatsoever."

"How can I really trust you?" Cinder asked, shifting her body into a combat stance, "How do I know you're not just trying to trick me? Perhaps you want to use me to get to the Crystal!"

"I assure you I have no intention of taking the rock. From what I can sense its power is locked so deep within that it's been rendered nothing more than a beautiful, large ornament. More of a pretty bauble than anything." Salem remarked.

"A bauble? Really?" Cinder asked.

"Oh yes. If anyone were to succeed in stealing it from your family, they'd be very disappointed with the fact that they'd have no way to access the power within. One could sell it for a considerable amount of lien to a rich family like the Schnees, but that's the extent of it, and I currently have no need for money." Salem told the girl, "So relax and just trust me, dear girl. Would you like to tell me about this bad dream you had? Maybe I can help."

Cinder looked at the mysterious older woman, this woman who had made so many incredible claims with no hint of deception in her eyes or voice, and had backed up her claims with the incredible power she had displayed. Yet she was the only one she felt as though she could really talk and vent her frustrations to. She couldn't exactly tell her friends in town and her parents would give her the same reassuring platitudes they had told her time and again.

"Can I really trust you?"

"I'm trusting you to not tell anyone that I'm here, or that I'm a Maiden. Have you betrayed that trust?" Salem asked. Cinder shook her head and the blonde woman smiled, "Then please, repay my trust in you by trusting me."

Cinder sat down across from the woman and slowly began telling her odd new friend about her dream. After she was done, Salem considered what she had been told.

"Well, it seems obvious to me that your nightmare has its root in your fears and anxieties about your destiny, as well as your resentment towards the role your family has trapped you in." Salem explained to her.

Cinder nodded, "Makes sense to me. I tried to commune with the Crystal again today, but no luck."

"Then perhaps your destiny is not with the Aura Crystal. Perhaps it's something else." Salem proposed.

"Like what? A Huntress?" Cinder inquired.

"Perhaps. Destiny, fate, whatever you wish to call it, can be a very fickle thing. Some, like myself, can defy it while others, like your parents, bow to its will," Salem told her, "Is being the Guardian of the Aura Crystal really what you want?"

Cinder was quiet for a few moments before finally answering "No."

"Then what do you want? Or more importantly, who do you want to be?"

Cinder stood up and looked up through the branches of the tree to the lightly clouded sky above. "I want more. I just want more for my life than living in secrecy. I want to be known all over the world for my powers and skills and beauty," Cinder told Salem, "But I'm stuck here, shackled to a role I never asked for…and maybe one I don't actually want."

"Have you told your parents how you feel?" Salem questioned.

"Of course I have, but they just tell me to keep trying. I've told them that I wanted to go to Beacon or Haven or any academy that will accept me, but won't let me! I just feel so…trapped, like my life is being wasted on something I don't understand. Sometimes it feels like the only way I can escape this is if I abandon them and go off to Vale myself, but a part of me still doesn't want to abandon my family, especially my little brother." Cinder said.

"Loyalty to your family is a very admirable trait. Mine died a long time ago, and I miss them as much as I miss my sister Maidens." Salem said.

"Were your fellow Maidens like family?" Cinder asked.

"We were sisters in all but blood. When you become a part of a team, you become a family and those bonds must become strong and never fade, even when the team has disbanded. I was the Winter Maiden, Dora was Spring, Brundhilde was Summer and Kitsune was Fall. We were quite the group, inseparable, Kitsune was a Fox Faunus, and back then it was even worse for them since slavery was still legal at the time, but as far as we were concerned, she deserved the same rights we had." Salem said.

"Wait, Faunus slavery was still legal? That was…how old are you?!" Cinder asked, baffled.

"Why Cinder, didn't your mother ever teach you manners? You should know to never ask a lady her true age. But, I suppose I am far older than I care to admit. The point stands, we did not allow racial barriers to get in the way of our sisterhood. We were the Seasonal Maidens, and such petty differences could not ruin our bonds…but now they're all dead, left at the bottom of the sea, their beautiful bodies picked clean by the fish." Salem said in a sorrowful voice.

"I'm so sorry. No one deserves such a fate." Cinder consoled.

"Oh, I wouldn't say that, there are those who should be sentenced to such ends, but my sisters were never among them. I suppose we've talked about tragedy and our personal frustrations enough. If you would be so kind, I'd like you to show me what you can do. Attack me." Salem invited.

Cinder looked at her, surprised. "What?"

Salem stood up, "Attack me. Try to hit me with your most powerful attacks, feel free to use any move your parents have taught you."

"Look, I'm not just going to attack you for no re-" Cinder began to say, but before she knew she was blown off her feet, going soaring over the river and slamming into the grass beyond. Rushing to sit up, Cinder looked at Salem with a shocked, bewildered expression.

"H-how'd you do that? You moved so fast I didn't even have time to react!"

"You now have a reason to attack me. Come on, Cinder, just a friendly little spar. Maybe I can teach you a few things, something to gain the upper hand on your parents when they next train you." Salem offered, her voice friendly once again.

Cinder jumped up to her feet, failing to repress a smile, "Okay, Salem, you asked for it!"

Over the next hour, Cinder did her best to attack her strange new friend, but she moved with such surprising and graceful speed that she wasn't able to land a single hit on her. The closest she came was when she would attempt to use her Semblance fire attacks on her, but even then Salem had easily deflected them with her own powers. For her part, the blonde witch or Maiden or whatever she was, managed to land a firm strike whenever she saw fit to land one, with effortless slaps, jabs and kicks.

By the end of their sparring, a sweaty, panting Cinder lay on the soft grass while Salem stood above her.

"Not bad, been a while since I've been in a decent sparring match." Salem remarked.

"You…call…that…decent? I was…terrible!" Cinder panted out, wiping the sweat from her eyes.

"You're so young that you haven't even reached the age to be accepted into a Hunter Academy, so all things considered you did quite well," Salem praised, "Do you remember my offer yesterday? To teach you? It still stands."

Cinder looked up at her, impressed with how the woman hadn't even broken a sweat.

"Okay. I accept. I'll become your student, Miss Salem." Cinder agreed.

Salem smiled.

A few hours later, Cinder emerged from the forest to the backyard of her family's small estate; she could see her brother on the training grounds, kicking and punching the air as their father watched from behind.

"Try to kick just a little higher, Ashe." Kojin advised.

Ashe kicked as high as his leg could go and promptly fell forward, managing to do a half-cartwheel before landing flat on his back.

"Hey, you okay?" Cinder asked as she approached.

"Yeah, I'm good!" Ashe said.

"You've been out in the woods a long time, and it looks like you worked up quite the sweat." Kojin noted.

"What can I say? Being alone out there was really relaxing and gave me the peace of mind I needed, plus I think I like working out and practicing alone." Cinder said.

"So, I guess you're feeling too tired to spar with me? Because if you are, it's okay." Ashe offered.

Cinder looked at her brother and smiled, "Nah, I think I can go a few rounds with you, if you're up for it."

And so it went on like that for the next several weeks, nearly every day, Cinder would venture off into the woods to train with Salem and return with the excuse of going off to meditate and train alone. She would keep up with her family, training with them everyday, doing the school lessons her mother would teach her and Ashe, trying to meditate and commune with the crystal, but there were absolutely no improvements there. However, they did take notice of her increasing skills in combat training.

As all this happened, the nightmares continued, and every few nights they began changing; she'd slowly begin aging and withering away as she futilely attempted to commune with the crystal that shunned her. She saw her parents leaving her to live out an adventurous retirement, she saw an adult Ashe getting married and becoming a famous Huntsman, while she was left to tend to that damned Crystal.

The most recent nightmare had been the worst, she saw herself a feeble old woman, blind in one eye, desperately begging for the Crystal to release her from its service. And then, a breakthrough, it finally spoke to her, but its words had haunted her all morning.

"I am your destiny."

Her family had noticed Cinder's increasingly distant mood and were a bit concerned about her frequent treks into the forest. While Ashe accepted the answer that she simply needed some alone time, her parents' suspicions were not so easily assuaged.

"So, are you really alone when you go out there?" Ember asked her daughter one day as the two did their yoga exercises.

"Yes, mom, I'm just spending time by myself. No law against that." Cinder said in a clearly agitated manner.

"I guess there isn't, but I'm worried. It's a mom thing. I mean, I asked around and no one in town has seen you hanging out with your friends. Are you really alone? You don't invite Annabelle or Drizella to come and spar with you?" Ember asked, bringing up the only other two girls in the village Cinder's age that were interested in becoming Huntresses.

"No, mom, I'm alone whenever I go out there," Cinder said, her annoyance increasing as she split her legs apart. "Sorry if you don't like it but being away from everyone helps me clear my mind. My mind feels more at ease out in nature than it does better than meditating with the crystal."

Ember sighed sadly, "I'm sorry we haven't made a breakthrough yet. We just need to keep trying-"

"Try and fail, try and fail, try and fail! I keep trying and I keep failing, it's all so repetitive!" Cinder complained as she stretched her limbs out as far as they could go, her body as tense as her attitude. She slammed her hands down on the wooden floor and pushed herself up, flipping around and coming to stand in a t-formation. "Can I be honest with you?"

"Of course, honey. Please, whatever's bothering you, tell me. I'm here for you," Ember said as she stood up, "It's not a boy, is it?"

"No, it's not a boy!" Cinder groaned, growing more and more annoyed.

"Okay, okay, I'm just asking! I mean, I've been suspecting that there's someone you go out to meet in that forest. And if it's a boyfriend, we at least need to ease your dad into it."

"No mom, it's not a boyfriend or a girlfriend, I just go out there to be alone and train in peace!" Cinder answered.

"Okay, so what's on your mind?" Ember asked.

Cinder took in a deep breath as she gathered the courage to finally say "I don't think I'm cut out for being a Crystal Guardian. I just feel like I'm meant for something more. I want to go out there and see all of Remnant! Help people! Make the world a better place! I've been having dreams of wasting away, left behind by everyone while I stay here and become a spinster guarding that crystal! I just don't want to do it, mom. Please, don't make me."

Ember looked at her daughter with sympathetic eyes and quickly moved in so she could give her a comforting hug. "I'm so, so sorry you feel this way, honey."

Cinder returned the hug, "So…can I go to an academy?"

Ember sighed heavily and answered "Cinder, you've never gone very far away from the town and the world beyond can be a big, scary place and the people out there are very different from those who live here."

"You're saying no, aren't you?" Cinder asked, her voice dry.

"No, not at all! I'm just saying we need to talk about it first. I'll talk with your father and we can discuss what we'll do. If you really feel so unhappy about being the Guardian of the Aura Crystal, then…maybe we can consider letting you go to an Academy," Ember said, "But we need to discuss it, try to prepare you for the outside world if we decide to let you go."

Cinder nodded, giving her mother a small smile, "Thanks mom."

After a while, Cinder began to head out into the woods to meet up with Salem again, but as she left the house, she saw her younger brother reading on the porch. He looked up at her and said "Hey, Cinder. Going out again?"

She nodded.

"Can I come?" He asked softly.

"Sorry, but I…I just need this alone time. It's a teenage thing, you'll understand when you're older." She told him.

"Okay," Ashe relented before saying "Hey, Cinder, uh, I heard you and mom talking earlier, about your nightmares, and I want you to know that I'd never leave you behind. I'll stay here with you and we can be Guardians together, okay? As long as I can help it you'll never really be alone."

Cinder took in what her brother said and smiled before kneeling down to hug him "Thanks, Ashe. I guess no matter what happens, I can count on you."

Ashe smiled at her and said goodbye as she walked off into the forest, unaware that her mother was watching her go.

As always, Cinder found Salem waiting for her in the meadow, dipping her bare feet into the river. She looked back to see her student approaching her and rose to greet her.

"Hello, Cinder, having a good day?" She asked.

"I'm fine," Cinder said, bowing her head.

"You don't really sound so sure. Is something the matter?" Salem inquired.

"I told my mom about my dreams and it seems like she's actually considering letting me go to an Academy, but she didn't sound too enthusiastic about it," Cinder explained.

"Well, that sounds nice, my dear. If they do allow you to go, I hope my teachings will help you on the road to greatness." Salem said.

"They sure have! My dad says my skills have really improved over the last few weeks, he thinks I might be stronger than he was at my age," Cinder replied, brightening up a little, "If I get to go, I'll never forget everything you've done for me, Miss Salem."

"Thank you, dear. Though, if they do allow you to go to an Academy, I'd advise choosing Beacon. The headmaster there is not a worthy man and is an expert liar." Salem warned.

Cinder eyed her and slowly nodded, "Okay, I guess I can trust your judgment. Still, I'd love to go to any Academy and be part of a team, have a new group of friends who become like family, like you and your sister Maidens."

Salem smiled wistfully, "Yes, having a team can be a wonderful thing, the bonds you form with them will never fade, even when they've fallen."

"What were they like?" Cinder asked.

"Well, Dora was a very curious girl, constantly getting herself into trouble, but she had a heart of gold and was endlessly generous. Brundhilde was one of the fiercest warriors I ever had the honor of knowing, she could cut down a dozen Grimm without breaking a sweat, but she was incredibly kind and compassionate, would stop at nothing to help someone in need. And Kitsune was our youngest member was our only Faunus sister, she had luckily come from a farm that had freed its slaves but her life was no easier, facing bigotry and hate constantly but she never let it bother her too much, she was a clever girl but also a trickster and a bit of a kleptomaniac, but she had the best sense of humor. They were my sisters, my family…they were everything to me. That's what makes my survival so difficult, that I was able to survive while they perished. Our sacrifices forgotten and our powers constantly passed on to girls far less worthy than we… Girls like your mother."

"W-wh-what?"

"Oh, forgive me, I suppose I allowed my anger to get the better of me," Salem admitted, "I suppose she would have wanted to tell you that herself one day."

"There's no way! My mom was a Huntress…"

"And the one chosen to be the Summer Maiden many years ago. Though I stay hidden in the shadows, I still do my best to watch over the Maidens who came after me and my sisters and when you mentioned her name when we first met I knew it was familiar. She was part of the Maiden Sisterhood, but fell in love with your father and gave up those incredible powers to be with him."

"You're lying!" Cinder snapped.

"No, I'm not," Salem said with a smile, "I am the one telling you the truth, Cinder. I could be the only adult who isn't lying to you. The truth is your destiny is not staying here in isolation to guard a relic you may never understand."

"Then what is it?!" The teenager finally shouted, becoming more and more frantic about where this discussion was heading.

"To become one of the most powerful and beautiful warriors Remnant has ever known. Your destiny is to become one of my heirs, an heir to the Seasonal Maidens and help me reshape the world into a better place," Salem told the girl, standing tall and grand before her, placing both hands on her shoulders, "I will tell you the truth, I do not live in these woods. I sought you out because I sensed great power and potential within you, with your help I could change the world. You know, you'd make a very good Maiden, and your family fears your potential. They conspire to hold you back and condemn you to a life of obscurity. Cast them off and reach for the stars, Cinder! They're yours for the taking!"

Before Cinder could say anything else, a familiar voice screamed out "Get your hands off my daughter!"

Cinder jerked around to see her mother leaping down from the thick tree branches, intense flames rocketing out of her arms that were thrown behind her, causing her to fly downwards towards them. Salem jumped back as Ember Kasai landed in between them, her weapon, a gunsen war fan firmly grasped in one hand. "Touch her again and I'll cut off your hands, witch!" She threatened.

"Hello, Ember, it's good to see you." Salem greeted.

"Mom, wha-?" Cinder began, but her question died on her tongue when she saw the fierce look in her mother's eyes as she glanced back at her, a look that was angrier than Cinder had ever seen her.

"So I was right, you were meeting someone! And it's worse than I can imagine! Get back to the house, now!" Ember shouted as she focused her attention on Salem, "You're the reason she wants to leave, aren't you?!"

"No, believe it or not Ember, dear Cinder has her own goals and dreams that do not align with what you want for her." Salem stated.

"Maybe she'll reconsider once she knows the truth about you!" Ember snapped.

"About me? For the most part, I've been nothing but honest with her," Salem retorted, "It's you and your dear husband you have lied to her, hidden things from her, held her back."

"Enough of your lies, Grimm Queen!" Yelled Ember, "Cast off that illusion, witch, and show your true form!"

"As you wish," Salem said before she placed her hands together and a white light enveloped her body, going down and turning her skin to a deathly white, with black veins running under and her beautiful aqua eyes to blood-red, and her blonde hair to snow white.

Cinder stepped back, her eyes widening in shock as she took in Salem's true form. Salem looked at her with a sad expression and said "I am sorry for hiding my true appearance from you, Cinder, but this is what happened to me when my sisters and I were abandoned, this is what I had to become to survive."

"You sold your soul and became the very thing you swore to destroy! She is pure evil, Cinder!" Ember voiced, shifting into a combat stance.

"Am I truly evil? What is evil, after all, but a point of view? Many out there view the Faunus as unnatural, evil creatures, so does that make them evil? Are Huntsmen flawless heroes of virtue, or can they be flawed and take advantage of their abilities? You yourself have lied to your daughter her entire life, is that not evil?" Salem put forth.

"Shut up or I'll cut your vile throat!" Ember screamed. She leapt forward, using her Semblance to power up the gunsen in her hand and managed to slam it across Salem's torso, making the pale woman cry out as her blood-red aura flashed brightly.

"Salem! Mom, wait!" Cinder cried.

"I told you to go!" Ember yelled angrily before she followed up her attacks, slashing and kicking at Salem, but the Mistress of Grimm dodged with surprising swiftness. She spun around and moved to a standstill against one of the boulders as Ember charged at her, gunset set to slice into her chest.

Salem jumped over the boulder just in the nick of time as Ember slammed her gunset deep into the boulder, getting it firmly stuck inside the stone.

Salem jumped down, coming behind her, not making an attempt to attack her opponent, "If I were truly as bad as you claim, Ember, I'd be repaying evil unto evil by attempting to harm you as you are trying to harm me, but I won't." She said, sidestepping as Ember let go of her weapon and tried to punch the Grimm Queen.

Cinder watched, not sure what she should do as the stranger who had been so kind and had taught her so much, avoided her mother's frenzied attacks.

"Mom, stop! Salem hasn't done anything to hurt me! So what if she looks like that? She-"

"Shut up and go! Do as you're told!" Ember yelled as she tried to land a hit on Salem.

"Do you hear her, Cinder? You can either obey her orders or you can decide what to do on your own. You have the power to choose your own path!" Salem encouraged.

"Don't listen to her! She's poisoning you with lies!" Ember exclaimed as she tried to be in between her daughter and Salem once again.

"I am offering you power and freedom, Cinder. All Ember can give you is to further bind you to a position of unhappiness." Salem said.

"Don't confuse power with happiness, Cinder! You'll find they're two very different things!" Ember countered.

"You'd say anything to keep her under your heel, wouldn't you, Ember? To keep her weak and ignorant, to waste her potential guarding an obscure bauble." Salem spat.

"And you're trying to turn her into one of your pawns!" Ember roared, launching herself forward and slamming her fist into Salem's cheek, knocking her onto the ground.

"Mom, stop!" Cinder cried as she saw her mother stand over the downed Grimm woman.

"You disease!" Ember spat, forming great balls of fire in her hands, "I might not be able to kill you, but I hope this hurts!"

She combined her fireballs into one and was about to slam them down onto Salem when Cinder launched a fireball of her own, which caused her mother's to burst, sending flames everywhere and knocking Ember down with a shout of surprise.

Salem took advantage of the distraction and opened up a dark, swirling portal so she could escape. She looked back at Cinder and said "They will keep you trapped, I can set you free."

Before Cinder could reply, Salem vanished into the portal and it closed behind her.

Ember scrambled up to her feet, looking around with wide eyes. "No…" She whispered before looking at Cinder, "You…you let her escape. You helped her…"

"Mom-"

"You little idiot!" Ember shouted, grabbing Cinder's shirt and pulling her close with furious tears falling from her eyes, "Do you have any idea what you've done?! What you've gotten yourself into?!"

Tears began to form in Cinder's eyes as she struggled to come up with a response, but she was so confused and scared that she couldn't find one.

Ember released her daughter and turned around, hands reaching her head as she muttered "Damn it…"

"So your mom and Salem really did know each other." Emerald noted.

Cinder nodded, "Yes, my mother was a Maiden who helped fight against one of my mistresses' earlier campaigns over thirty-seven years ago. During their journey, she and her fellow Maidens stayed at my father's home at the insistence of the Remnant Knights, ironically enough, which eventually led to them falling in love." She explained.

"Wow, so you literally owe your existence to those pain-in-the-ass knights? Talk about irony." Mercury voiced.

"I suppose you have a point there," Cinder admitted, "Though the Knights did nothing to stop what happened next, though our old friend Ozpin did have a role to play, the fool would only lead my parents to their doom."

"Don't leave us in suspense, tell us." Beckoned Mercury, and so Cinder resumed her story.

To Be Continued…

If you liked this story, I hope you'll fave, follow and review. Leave a kudos, comment or bookmark.

This chapter was originally much longer, but I decided to split it up into two parts as it was getting two long. Hopefully this will appease some readers, who feel Cinder hasn't been prominent enough for a long time, outside of her battle with Elsa.

And looking back, I wish I hadn't written that Ashe had met Ozpin before and that Ozpin knew the family way back in chapter 15, because it's a bit of a plot hole, but I do my best to fill it in here, and I hoped it worked.

Next chapter, which finishes up Cinder's origin and will continue to give backstory to a few other baddies, as well as build up Cinder's future insurrection!