RWBY: Bonds Between Hearts
Chapter 34: Shadows Of Sorrow
WARNING: I own none of these characters sides from my OC(s). All rights go to their respective owners and properties.
This is nothing more than, well a fanfic, a story made up by a fan for entertainment and knowledge.
Everything in this fic is not canon and is only meant to give the audience a new idea of the works of each of the franchises in this story.
So please support me, my work and have some fun. Now enjoy the story. ^w^
As the next day dawned over, Yang was already outside as she was spray painting her arm. After a bit of time to dry, it was ready. Her new arm was now painted dominantly yellow with a black undercolor, with a small tint of navy blue around the finger digits and red around the wrist. Something to tie her to Cody and his two dragon forms. A slight chuckle escaping her lips as she didn't fully expect to reference him on her arm… but she wasn't complaining.
Of course though, she was in a brand new outfit. A new her, a new start. new outfit with a tan jacket with orange lining and gold edging, unzipped halfway to show an orange crop top. The coat has darker brown short sleeves, a thick collar that completely encircles her neck, and two long gold-trimmed rectangular tails that are shown to be detachable. She also wears fitted black pants, and her hair has been let down again like her original outfit.
Around her hips and over the tails of her coat is a brown belt, which has two pieces of dark brown material trimmed in gold attached to it. The first covers from her left hip to the back of the belt and is folded over the belt, and the second is attached from the right hip and almost around to the other piece of material. She wears knee-high brown boots with gold caps on the heel and toe, with the heel cap attaching to a gold strap across the front of her ankle, and a gold zipper on the upper half of the front of the boots. A single small buckled strap is on the upper outside of her boots, and a purple bandanna tied around her left knee. A pair of black fingerless gloves with long brown cuffs reaching to mid-forearm complete the outfit.
Once attached the blonde brawler walked over to the shed to open it up as within it was her bike fully ready to go. A soft breath of air came and went from her lungs as she had to get ready to leave now. She had a long trip to Mistral to find her mother, but given what she could find along with whatever Qrow left? She'll find her mother soon and then her sister.
"Going without saying goodbye first?" Taiyang called out, walking over to his daughter.
"O-Oh, right… eheheh…"
The father sighed but smiled as he walked over and hugged Yang, making sure she felt his embrace and love.
"Please… bring yourself, Ruby and that boy back in one piece, okay? I… don't think I could manage it if you all left me…." Taiyang pleaded, as he didn't want to have another person he loved die so soon.
Yang patted his back before parting.
"And Yang." His daughter looked at him. "Just remember what I said if Vernage has to make that choice."
"I know… I won't let him suffer being possessed by that bastard." Yang nodded, her eyes showing well that should that option be the only choice left? She'll have to take it. It's better than letting him, the world, and potential other planets suffer for it. She didn't like it but it was to ensure no more planets teeming with life are devoured by the likes of the snake who relished in war and manipulation.
As the busty blonde placed on her shades, she kicked the bike into gear as she drove off to the first boat to Mistral.
'Just hang in there Cody… I'll save you, I swear!' Yang proclaimed within her heart and mind. She'll make sure that this'll be the last time they deal with Evol once and for all.
XXX
Night fell on the Belladonna residence as Blake leaned against the rails of the balcony, her amber eyes looking into the night sky as her mind wandered. To learn Evol had possessed Cody to ensure his next steps and doing Brothers knows what.
She could hardly imagine how that was, let alone how Yang felt. The thought of seeing her partner witness such a sight made her core feel disgusted and such despair from it. She couldn't imagine Yang being able to stand up after not just the incident with Beacon and the faunus leaving her alone, but now that her boyfriend taken? Blake felt like she was responsible for it all.
"Blake!" Sun called out as he quickly stormed up to her with a panicked look. "Blake, you need to see this! I think the White Fang is up to something even bigger than we thought!"
"Not now Sun…"
"But-"
"Just don't alright? I… have a lot on my mind right now."
"Blake if you just listen to what I have to say-" He insisted, reaching for his Scroll. However Blake tightly gripped his wrist. Her amber eyes narrowed and a frown contorted her lips.
"I said not now, alright?" Her voice was a low frustrated tone.
"Blake, this is important! You said White Fang members don't wear masks right? But I found two who did and I took a picture!"
"And I told you that I don't want any mention of it! Why don't you understand that?!" She finally yelled.
The faunus soon took Sun's Scroll and tossed it… only for them to soon hear a "Ow!" from the treeline. The two froze and slowly looked at the source of the voice. That was not Lily's voice nor Vernage's.
A dark humanoid shape with a white mask could just be made out, perched atop a palm tree. Blake gasped as the figure leaped into the air, giving a better view of her.
It was a female Faunus with thin, curved, dark gray horns and black, spotty skin. She was wearing a black, sleeveless stealth suit with a gold zipper and slightly lighter-black straps with gold buckles on it. On her face was a large, white Grimm mask with elegant, curvy red markings. The legs of her stealth outfit were short, and she wore high-top boots. Her black hair was pulled back in a ponytail that curled up at the end. The Faunus soon disappeared upon being spotted. On the porch, Blake stepped forward with a determined look in her eyes.
"A freakin' ninja?!" Sun gawked.
"A spy!" Blake growled.
Before I knew it, Blake leaped off the balcony in pursuit. Sun quickly went after her to assist, the duo chasing after the Faunus. The chase landed on a rooftop before she cut the pipes to force steam to spill, causing Blake and Sun to avoid. Sun took a brief leap, sliding across the rooftop to block the masked Faunus view whereas Blake was behind her.
"Why were you watching us?" Blake demanded sternly. The masked girl merely smiled and lowered her weapon. She then immediately lashed at Sun, forcing the Monkey Faunus to evade. Though it allowed Blake to kick the device into the air and catch it.
The masked Faunus gritted and used her whip but paused. She looked at her weapon, shaking it. It's electrical usage wasn't working? The mechanism was in prime condition! Not-
A looming shadow made her tense and slowly turn around but raised her head to the metal being that hovered before her, its singular v-shaped optic looking down at her. Its two large yet bulky claws that were as large as her torso looked ready to rip her in half.
"Lower your weapon." Blake knew that voice. Lily was channeling her voice through the machine due to her Technomancy. The girl was still back at the manor. "Anything technological is useless in my gaze."
"So… this is the 'friends' you took in, huh? I thought you were better than that, Blake…" The Masked Faunus frowned, as the voice was also familiar to her.
"… Ilia…?" Blake realized.
"So now you remember me? Figures… you always didn't pay attention unless it was with Adam." the revealed faunus, Ilia said with a saddened frown on her face. She quickly dodged when the claws dug into the rooftop material. Ilia tried to lash with her weapon but it was useless. She gritted her teeth but saw the claw whip to her.
Narrowly avoiding it, Ilia slid beneath the metal being. She thrusted her weapon into its hovering mechanism but it made the machine aware and slammed itself down onto her. Her Aura glimmered and coughed by the brute force but not before feeling two large claws grab her by the arms and hoist her up.
"Really? Aiming for its gravitational engine?" Lily's voice sounded disappointed.
"I was aiming to use the thunder dust within my weapon to short circuit it…" Ilia stated as the said electricity surged through the mechanism. With her focus on her and not the weapon, it caused it to reactivate.
Electrical energy caused the machine to convulse, its functions disrupted by the lightning. It released Ilia, its optic trying to adjust and readjust its sensory.
"Looks like you're not as powerful as you think." Ilia noted, before stabbing the optics with her weapon, once more using the electrical energy to surge and cause it to break down.
The Cyclops slowly fell with a heavy thud, its claw twitching before going offline. Ilia rubbed her arm to nurse the bruise while Blake growled. The grip nearly broke her arms. Blake rushed at her, blade meeting whip. "Sun, catch!" Blake tossed the Scroll in which the Faunus caught.
"Got it!"
"Give that back to me!" Ilia demanded, her skin changing to red as she attempted to take it from the monkey faunus.
"Looks like this is more important than I thought if you don't want us getting it!" Sun noted with amusement. "Though wish you told me about this psycho, Blake!" He called out, only for the masked faunus to growled before lashing him with her whip.
"Sun!"
Just as the whip was going to impale him, a sudden sword landed, cutting it in half. Ilia gasped upon the large white katana as white petals fluttered upon its stab into the platform. The Chameleon Faunus gagged and flew before crashing into the pips that broke on contact.
Her skin glimmered in the color of her emotions and saw Lily gracefully land on her feet. She yanked Virtuous Steel from the spot it was stuck to and strided towards Ilia.
"Explain." She raised her hand, allowing the familiar orb to roll out of her sleeve and display the recording.
"A-As if I'd explain anything to you… human…" Ilia hissed in pain, slowly standing back up. "Besides, this doesn't involve you…"
"It does if it involves a friend."
Ilia snarled and tried to reach for the orb but her body tensed. The air was almost strangling and saw why. Her eyes shakingly looked down to see three swords poking her neck like a collar ready to impale her neck.
"Wait! Don't kill her, Lily!" Blake pleaded. "If you recorded it then it means there is more information!"
"…" Lily stared coldly at Ilia. The way Ilia saw the lilac eyes felt like the cold eyes of the killer she was during her time in Faust. But, her eyes shifted into warmth and commanded the technoblades to move away but the bluenette yanked the weapon out of Ilia's hand upon Blake's command. "Okay." She allowed.
"Why….?" Ilia questioned, "Why couldn't you look at me like that too?" She questioned Blake, as parts of her darker skin 'scales' turned pink. "Why did you have to return here now of all times?"
"Right now I want answers, Ilia. Why were you spying on us."
"I'll only say this for your own good… You should leave now, Blake… Leave and forget everything about here…" Ilia said, only to grasp something in her pocket and slam it on the ground, creating a dust cloud for her.
Blake coughed as did Sun and Lily before they saw Ilia was gone. "Damn it… she's gone…" she quickly looked at her companions. "Did she-"
Sun and Lily raised the Scroll and orb. "Nope!" the blonde gave a thumb up of assurance.
"You idiot…" Blake sighed walking over to the injured Sun as he was trying to put up a brave face, "Let's get you patched up… Then we can discuss this more. You nearly got impaled."
"Thank Lily for it." Sun nudged his elbow against Lily. The buxom agent turned her head away but not before the metal claw of Cyclops punched him to the side in response to her emotion and command. The poor Faunus slid before whining and raised an arm, "Hey! I'm injured here!"
Blake could only smile as she helped the two friends back to her place for them to look over the footage both have and see what they're planning.
XXX
"I don't believe it!" Ghira growled in anger, as he was storming around alongside Sun who was now patched up.
"These jerks are planning on all of that?!" Sun added as he too learned what Lily had recorded.
"They won't get away with this!" Ghira and Sun both said in unison, something that surprised the ladies over their new bond.
"Well… looks like you two finally have connected over something." Kali smiled softly.
The two looked at each other before Blake was astonished. It would explain why Lily didn't show up to the manor yesterday. She was fighting that man named Hazel. That was how the girl learned of what happened to Cody. "Dad what did you get from the Scroll?"
"Ah right…" The older Faunus placed the Scroll onto the table. The Scroll that displayed a master folder labeled W. F. with six subfolders inside. The subfolders were also marked: Assignment, E.L., P.R., E.W., S. F., Untitled. "I'm afraid you were right to be suspicious," Ghira informed with a grim look.
"What do you mean?" Blake inquired.
"Adam Taurus was planning to overthrow the leader of the White Fang, and stage a full-scale attack on Haven Academy." He frowned. "It would be the Fall of Beacon all over again."
"Not if we destroy the White Fang once and for all," Sun declared.
"No," Blake denied as she stood up, her eyes full of determination. "We're not going to destroy the White Fang. We're going to take it back."
"To take back an organization to its rightful roots won't be an easy task, Blake." The cat Faunus looked at Lily who stared at the scroll. "You must worry about the obstacles of those who won't allow it."
"Maybe so… but if we just sit here in fear… they'll get away with another tragedy… I don't want more people, human and faunus, to suffer because of Adam and his extremist beliefs anymore." Blake admitted. "Even if this means I'll have a target on my back from those that remain under his views? Then so be it… At this point, its not different from being attacked by Grimm… or even Evol."
Lily crossed her arms, tapping her bicep to contemplate before she pressed a few fingers against her forehead. "Mayhap you are right, Vernage… okay then." She curled her fingers. "I'll do what I can on my end, Blake. After all." She patted herself. "I can create as much as I can to keep a watchful eye on anyone who wants to interfere."
"Thank you Lily…" Blake smiled softly, "Then Sun and I will go around to get as many people as we can to notice this and hopefully fight against the White Fang's attack here."
"Help! Help!" The twins poked their heads from the underside of the table. "We want to help!"
"Now, now," Kali gently calmed the young twins.
"But… we wanna help too…" 1931 said, a sad look on his face before he felt his hair being ruffled by Blake.
"We know, but you making sure we come home safely is your job, okay?" Blake smiled sweetly at the twins.
The two mulled before nodding. Their eyes (or in 1931's case good eye) saw the rolling drone in which they chased after it.
"Still… it does bother me that they would go such lengths…" Kali frowned softly, "They were from the outskirts right?"
"… most children they picked up were orphans from Grimm attacks on villages. Better to target exposed areas rather than cities for potential soldiers."
While the walls protect the main kingdoms, the villages outside are at high risk of Grimm attacks. Whoever survives from such attacks, Faust would check for survivors. Those grievously wounded are left behind while the young are taken in. What better method to create the best soldiers from younglings?
"How… shameful…" Kali frowned, shaking her head. "Have you reached any conclusion on naming them yet?"
"… No." The former Faust murmured. "Not yet anyway…"
Blake's cat ear flickered. Did she hear that right? Before Lily was unsure but now she was slowly trying to reach a decision. Lily pushed herself off the cushion and stretched. "Now however I have something to work on."
"Can't… it wait?" Blake asked, stopping Lily as she took hold of her wrist, albeit gently. "You keep working too much and never take a break… you're human too… And you should relax from time to time…"
"I-"
"I think that is a wonderful idea!" Kali clasped her hands together. "Don't you think, Ghira dear?"
"I, er," His wife immediately pushed her elbow against his side. "Y-Yes, a good idea."
"Yay! Fun time with mama!" The twins said in unison and delight, as they quickly rushed over to hug the bluenette happily.
Lily saw the glimmer of excitement in their eyes. "Can't deny the look in their eyes Lily." Vernage teased.
"Fine…" the former agent accepted.
Gasps of delight from the twins echoed out as they hugged her tighter and happily, showering the bluenette with love and affection. Kali giggled from the sight, reminding her of the older days when raising Blake without any trouble.
"They truly care and love you, dear Lily." Kali noted with a smile on her face, "Cherish that well, because sooner or later, they'll grow up… and you'll realize what you may have missed out on."
The words of wisdom reminded Lily of her days in the streets. She never knew parental affection until Vernage took her under her wing upon each visit, bringing out the affection. She never thought of it much because she never had a birthday to celebrate. Never a good memory growing up. All of her memories were of sorrow and grief. The twins had barely much to remember due to their age thus had nothing to experience as something memorable.
But now, they were experiencing a new life with Lily, and whatever trauma and painful moments they did experience at Faust? It was slowly fading away and only enjoying the time they had with Lily, only wanting to keep that feeling going and both parties happy.
XXX
Ilia wasn't sure how she felt after the incident last night. Recovering from the brutal attack that left her ribs nearly broken. Her Scroll taken. The cold sensation when she saw those cold merciless lilac eyes.
If Blake didn't intervene? She would've been killed by the vessel of the Saint. She shivered at such a thought and didn't want to push it further. But she knew what Adam would do should she try to go back on his plan. She was stuck in between two cold monsters… and all she can do is focus and try to keep going. After all, this was for Blake… and if this could also save her too from Adam's plans and wrath? So be it.
She slowly entered the main chambers of the emissaries before kneeling.
"Sister Ilia… What news do you bring us?"
"…" The Chameleon Faunus chewed her lips. "The Belladonna's have evidence of your actions… the human who is with her intervened on my reconnaissance."
The brothers remained silent, nothing on their facial features showing anything. It would explain why the human who was attacked by Hazel was brutally beaten. The blue-haired girl had been extremely protective to the point she created watchers to look over the Belladonnas. It wasn't paranoia but from her days of training. They were aware the girl was formerly Evol's right hand before she ended her maniacal ways and placed herself under a path to redeem her five years of sins.
The cold calculating gaze that was like a bat. Blind but sharp in its surroundings.
"Well, as much of a problem this is? We can still make it work in turning Menagerie against the Belladonnas…" The Jackal Emissary noted. "And you'll be the one to start that spark…"
"In whatever activities they do to convince the locals, interfere." Fennec added.
"What of… her?"
"We will make sure she doesn't wake up… There's many ways to be rid of human scum than simply cutting them down." Jackal noted. Ilia slowly complied to the command. She bowed before exiting the chambers.
"What do you think, brother?"
"I believe Sister Ilia is letting her emotions get the better of her…. Maybe it would be best for her to have an… 'accident' once Menagerie is taken…" Fennec noted with a nod. "Otherwise she may end up risking everything for her affection to the traitor… as for that human… we must do what is necessary. Given she is the same girl who nearly eradicated our Brothers and Sisters in Vale, our supporters will want blood. Her blood."
"And they will get that… Luckily we have many 'unique' White Fang supporters who'll gladly agree to our cause." Jackal nodded in agreement. "Let us contact them."
"Agreed, brother."
XXX
Genuine casual leisure was almost foreign for Lily. When she went with Kali and Blake, she felt uncomfortable. Right now she still felt that unease while following Blake whereas the young twins were dragging the former Faust agent.
"Mama! What's that over there?" 1932 pointed to a few things that only were on this continent as she wanted to know more.
"I-It's er…" She felt nervous. How can she handle this predicament she was in?
"Just breathe Lily." Vernage consoled her.
"This is not something I'm used to!"
"Everything comes with practice, my little flower. Don't let your worries and fear get to you… just gently say what they see and work from there, okay?"
"Okay…"
"W-Well… that is a Sundew Rose. Only found on this continent." Lily explained.
"It's pretty! Like you, mama!" 1932 beamed a brightful smile to the bluenette.
Lily swore her surrogate mother was fawning over the view she was seeing. "Er… thank you 1932…"
The young experiment smiled brightly, hugging Lily tightly, "I love you, Mama!" She said, her heart so innocent and pure, like her brother too.
"If Weiss saw this… I think she would ask to watch over them." Blake huffled in amusement. She could imagine Weiss literally doting and fawning over the twins. She knew the heiress had a soft spot for anything adorable. The Schnee wouldn't admit it but it was plainly obvious.
"Hm? But you also pretty too Blake!" 1931 said in innocence, believing that she was talking ill about herself.
Blake blushed and heard Lily chuckle. The Faunus shoved the bluenette's shoulder, now making her laugh. The twins then grinned before they quickly tugged the two girls before they let go only for the girls to now have their hands holding each other, earning a giggle from the twins.
"Two mamas, yay!" They said in unison and of delight.
Lily quickly retracted her hand, holding it to herself.
"Aw… why stop, mama?" 1932 pouted from the view.
"Don't… just… don't do that again."
"...okay…." They nod softly, with a soft pout.
Blake knelt down to the duo. "Why don't you two go by the fountain while Lily and I talk? Lily, think you can make your construct?"
The buxom bluenette slowly nodded and used her Semblance to create her Cyclops who then escorted the two towards the fountain. With them distracted Blake turned her focus on Lily. "Lily?"
"I-I'm trying Blake…" Lily's grip on her own hand tightened, slowly turning her knuckles white. "I am trying my best but… I can't get over what happened that day… I don't want to be that close to anyone…"
"I know… but you shouldn't also let that day ruin the potential to grow more…" Blake said, her eyes slowly lowered to herself, "Because… if you keep running? You'll never be able to move on… You'll just keep blaming yourself over something that wasn't your fault. I know it's not much to say on my part since I wasn't in Faust like you… or did things like you did but you can try to take steps in getting close to people."
"She is right, my little flower. I know you are hesitant in forming relationships but at least take one small step at a time? It's part of being human."
"I think… that's what the twins were trying to show to us… To take a step even if we're hurt…" Blake noted, gently looking at the twins who were dangling in joy on the machine's arms. "One step at a time…"
"... one step.. huh…?" Lily muttered to herself, as her mind processed that idea. She had taken such steps to recover her bond with Cody. To take a similar approach but in a different direction… the bluenette rubbed her knuckles slightly. "I… I'll try…"
Blake smiled before she walked whereas Lily followed. It was brief but the former Faust commander brushed her fingers across Blake's hand in which the Faunus paused her movement for a second. Her amber eyes peered at Lily, the sense of warmth briefly tingling in her heart.
"Did… I do something wrong, Blake?" Lily asked from Blake's paused movement.
"N-No… um, just thinking is all."
"Oh." It became awkward for the two.
"Um… I uh.. Never said this before, but might as well start. I.. think your eyes are pretty and… your cat ears are cute…" Lily confessed to the Faunus. Unsure if that was the proper way to try and start a new friendship.
Vernage sighed, pressing a few fingers against her forehead. "Now you made it more awkward for yourself."
"N-Not my fault."
"At least you are trying."
"I… think your hair is more pretty than my eyes…" Blake soon responded in kind.
Lily blinked and darted her head to Blake who flushed in embarrassment. It was for a second she blinked once. Then twice. Then Lily's face turned red from the chin up like a thermometer.
"Look! Mama's face is glowing red!" 1932 pointed.
Lily stammered, shielding her face. "I-It's not red! You two are just seeing things!"
"No, they are not deceived."
"Not you too!"
"You are so embarrassed by her compliment! It is adorable!"
"Ugh… why must I be so cursed?" Lily groaned and whined within her thoughts. Though… it did feel nice to have a compliment but it felt very embarrassing for her. She lowered her hands slightly and took a deep breath to calm her mind. She patted her cheeks before she approached the young experiments.
"Come along, we still have to explore around… right?"
"Yeah! Yeah!" The twins nodded eagerly.
"Can we get some of those fruit treats too, Mama?" 1931 asked. "I really like those blueberry ones…"
Lily looked at Blake who smiled then at the twins. "Sure, why not?" Just as she was about to approach the booth, Blake gently raised a hand. "I'll do it for you since… you know."
"… Thanks. Really."
Blake nodded before she brought the two kids with her towards the stall. Lily watched the three getting what they wanted, making the Rider smile slightly. The three soon came back as Blake handed Lily a fruit treat too, one of a starfruit.
"I… thought you'd like this one the most?" Blake confessed.
The gloved hand gently took the fruit, lilac eyes staring at the star-shaped fruit. Lily licked her lips before she slowly took a bite. Her tastebuds were treated with flavors she never thought to taste. It was slightly sweet yet sour at the same time. The subtle taste reminded her of a mixture between a lemon, apple, and a pear. Its texture is just like a grape. It was also tangy. A mixture of flavor that wasn't like the steak from the diner or the meals during her days in Faust.
"How… is it?"
"It's… really good." She took another bite and the three saw her smiling as she ate. A real genuine smile. Her lilac eyes narrowed with joy and her lips savoring the delicious fruit.
Blake soon smiled softly, happy to see Lily having a genuine smile for once instead of her worried look. Blake quickly hushed the twins before they could point it out. The last thing she wanted was to ruin the moment of seeing Lily smile.
1931's nose twitched and leaned slightly. His nose picked up a scent. It was like that giant man but with a different scent that belonged to another person. No, more like a small number of people. Like they had mean intentions.
Weird.
He returned to nibbling the fruit beside his twin sister.
For all four of them, it felt like a comforting moment they were having together.
XXX
Salem had her forehead pressed against her steepled hands. Her crimson eyes had been staring at the frozen image of Evol who was last spotted nearing the coast of Vale. No matter how many Grimm tried, he overwhelmed them alone. This was her fifth attempt and nothing stopped the snake. Nothing.
With his unfiltered genes absorbed from the boy, his strength was becoming unrivaled. Hazel had returned and he met a crushing defeat by Vernage and her vessel. Both ancient souls slowly became undefeatable and their only equals were each other. Cinder had been training but from what her Seer witnessed, Evol could easily crush her. Vernage wouldn't hesitate to kill Cinder the second the opportunity arises.
The lingering frustration. The gnawing sensation of potential defeat was drawing near due to Evol. Both sides slowly and agonizingly reached it.
Then to hear from Hazel that the Saint had called her a coward for not facing her? That hit the mark.
Salem looked up at the ceiling. "Live die repeat as you always do, Vernage. To call me a coward…" her jaw clenched before yelling, the glass windows around her shattering at the same time.
She needed to put an end to them once and for all… and maybe the Lamp once obtained will give her that as well? She can only put her patience with Cinder and the plan to destroy Haven Academy. For once, time wasn't on her side, but once she has the information she needs? It'll be back on her side.
For now, she can only keep going with her plans and have time move forward for her to finish it. If she just focuses on her mission, then it'll be more than enough for her once she gains all of the Relics.
They say fear is the most formidable weapon. So is knowledge to know thine enemy.