"I had something I wanted to show you," Ren said.
Nora grinned, her interest peaked. Ren led them to one of the private cabins on the Argus Limited, and Nora's mind raced at the possibilities. Was this it? Was it finally time? Would he confess his undying love for her in a grand display of romance?
She had it all planned out. She would clasp her hands over her heart, swooning from the rush of emotion. Ren would catch her before she fell, and as they looked into each other's eyes, they would slowly lean in and…wait, what is he doing?
Nora frowned, watching Ren make some weird kind of gestures with his hands. Was this some new version of rock, paper scissors? That was cool, she supposed, but why would-oh my gosh! Her eyes widened in realization, and she broke out into laughter. It was a muted sound, but it was hers, and the pain was dulled. She was getting a little better, at least.
Ren blushed from embarrassment, looking away. "Did I…did I do it wrong? I've only been practicing since after Haven, but I thought I could surprise you and-"
Nora snorted, putting a finger over his lips to shush him. Brothers, this was golden! Maybe not quite as good as a confession, but she'd take it. She pulled out her scroll, giggling. I have no idea what you just said.
Ren's face fell. "But I thought-"
Nora shushed him again. I don't know sign language, silly, She typed between fits of silent laughter. It's only been a couple weeks since I was injured, and I haven't really even thought about sign language. And it's not like I would have had a reason for knowing any before now.
Poor Ren. He looked heartbroken. "Right, um, yeah, you're right." He said awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "I…don't know why I thought you would. I apologize."
She rolled her eyes, throwing her arms around his neck. They embraced, and when they parted, Ren's nerves seemed to have been soothed.
Don't apologize, Nora typed with a smile. It was very sweet. She frowned. To be honest, she probably should have thought about something like this sooner. Pulling her scroll out every five seconds was getting really annoying. There had to be a better way for her to communicate.
There just…hadn't been a good time. There hadn't been any time to think about it, really. Ever since her injury, they kinda just went from one mess to the next. First, they had to book it to Haven, then she fell unconscious, and when she woke up, she barely had any time at all before they confronted Lionheart.
She definitely needed to figure something else out, eventually. But for now, her scroll worked well enough.
One thing did puzzle her, though. What were you trying to say, anyway? She asked him.
Ren's face heated up once again. "I-I was just trying to say hello," He stammered. "I think I might have messed up a few of the signs, so I suppose it's probably a good thing you don't understand."
Nora held back another giggle, for Ren's sake. She had never seen him so worked up! He was normally so…composed. It was neat to watch him fumble for once.
Still, she had her fun. She should make sure he wasn't actually too embarrassed about it. I guess I'll just have to learn one of these days, to make sure you're doing it right! Wouldn't that be something? Her and Ren, having their own little language, all to themselves! It sounded so romantic!
"Maybe sometime after we get to Atlas," Ren said, glad to have the pressure off of him. "It'd be good from a tactical standpoint, too. You can't exactly stop to pull out your scroll in the middle of a fight. Jaune and the others would probably love to learn at least a little, if only so you don't have to rely on your scroll so much."
Nora frowned. Hmm…that was…less romantic. It wouldn't really be as special if everyone else could use a little sign language too. Oh, it made sense, sure, and it was probably for the best for everyone to learn a bit, but still…she had been looking forward to having their own special thing! Only for the last ten seconds, but those were a nice ten seconds.
She gasped, eyes widening in realization. Even if everyone else eventually learned a bit, they still had to learn in the first place. And who better to teach her than Ren, who had already taught himself a bit? She could see it now. The two of them, alone, learning together late into the night. He would have to grab her hand, of course, so he could show her properly. Maybe, their eyes would meet, and-
"Nora?" Ren asked, snapping her out of her daze. "Well? What do you think?"
She grinned. I think Jaune will be on board immediately. Honestly, I'm kinda surprised he didn't think of it before you did. He's probably put some thought into making communication easier already.
Ren nodded. "Jaune's been talking about Atlas maybe having some tech that can help. He asked Qrow if he knew about any, and he said Atlas has all kinds of things they keep to themselves. He said he'll call in a few favors when we reach Atlas, and see if there isn't something that can make things a little easier for you. If you can't get your voice back, we can at least make it so you don't lose out because of it."
That would be awesome! Qrow had been a lot of help, ever since her injury. He had patched her up, brought her to Haven, and cheered her up when she was down in the dumps over losing her voice.
But for some reason, he still felt guilty, like it was his fault she was hurt. Dummy. He was the reason she was still here in the first place! And he was all grumpy and stuff! Nora frowned. She had to do something about that. She still hadn't found a way to properly thank him, and it wasn't right for him to be so sad. Maybe Ren could help her throw a surprise party? When was his birthday? She'd have to ask Ruby or Yang, they'd help her for sure!
"Nora?" Ren asked again, a little amused.
She blushed. I got carried away again, didn't I?
He chuckled. "Don't worry about it. We have a long ride to Argus, so it's probably best for us to get some rest anyways. I'm sure you'll want to see the city once we arrive."
Nora nodded enthusiastically. Jaune had been going on and on about visiting his sister, and that would be cool, yeah, but Argus was supposed to be the biggest city that wasn't the capital of a kingdom on Remnant! There had to be all sorts of fun things to do there!
The train rumbled, and Nora reached out, steadying herself by placing a hand on the wall. Ren frowned. "What do you think that was?" He asked.
She grinned, grabbing Magnhild, just in case. She typed her response quickly. Let's find out!
Ren sighed. "I don't think we'll be getting that rest after all…"
Failure, Tyrian sneered. He had warned the foolhardy girl, told her as sure as the sun rose in the sky that failure was all she would be met with. She had no chance of victory, not if she snubbed every ally she had. And sure enough, failure was what she got.
Haven had been a disaster, over before it ever truly started. The poor maiden never stood a chance. She had courted defeat, by refusing him, and by mutilating Mister Watts. And if the delicious rumors he had heard creep out from the academy had any merit, even the cowardly old man had turned on her, aiding in her defeat.
Of course, it could simply be propaganda, directed by Ozpin's pet bird to stave off the fear that would be generated by the knowledge a Headmaster had aided in the fall of an Academy. But Tyrian liked to believe in a divine sort of justice, and Miss Fall had certainly brought about her own fate by herself.
She threatened to go against the edict of Salem, just to satisfy her own childish vengeance. How one could be so foolish as to cross the Goddess, especially after bearing witness to her power firsthand, confounded Tyrian. It defied explanation. She was the chosen of their mistress, given the honor of bearing the powers of the maiden. And she had elected instead to throw it all away for a chance to kill a little girl.
Cinder was dead now, slain in the battle for Haven, as near as he could figure. Details were sparse, and kept from the public, not to mention Tyrian had to be careful in the days following the battle. They were searching for him, scouring the city inch by inch. Now that they secured the relic, nothing was keeping them from stopping the source of the recent murders plaguing the city.
That was fine. It was never anything more than a brief reprieve for him anyways. He could be patient. He had been oh so very patient these past few months, first tracking the silver eyed girl, skulking after her, then fleeing, waiting for her arrival in Haven.
And it seemed he would have to wait some more. His chance in Haven was gone, and he had willingly passed up on it. They were too strong at the moment. Too alert. If Cinder had been willing to abate her anger, willing to let him bring the Rose girl to their mistress, then perhaps things might be different. Perhaps Haven would be a ruin, and his quest would be nearing its end.
Wouldn't that have been nice? For months, all he had dreamed of was returning to his mistress's side. If only Cinder had put a leash on her vengeance, if only they could have stopped them at Haven.
As it was, he was alone, and he had to be careful. Very careful. Twice in the last few days, they had come close. Once was the Huntsman himself, who had picked up a trail Tyrian was certain he had erased, and another was one of the new arrivals, the blonde girl. Miss Rose's sister, if he recalled correctly.
But try as they might, Tyrian had proved too evasive for them. They were preparing to leave now. Three days were all they could spare searching for him, and they had turned up nothing of any value. They had tarried long enough, and they had much to do. The relic had been secured, and they could hardly sit and wait in Haven. They would press on soon, first to Argus, then Atlas.
Tyrian frowned. He would have to reach them before they got to Atlas. They would be far too secure there, with far too many allies. He could cause havoc in a city like that, certainly, but he would never be able to isolate Miss Rose. Argus then, or perhaps even sometime before, if the Goddess smiled on him.
Only…they were traveling by train. He could hardly sneak his way on himself, nor could he find a bullhead to keep up without drawing attention. Traveling on foot would be too slow, they would reach Argus far before him. So how was he to pursue his quarry?
A challenge, to be sure, but hardly a crippling one. No deed worth performing, no path worth taking was ever a simple one.
Hmm…but how to overcome it? He could risk stealing a smaller vehicle, a motorbike perhaps, but would it be fast enough to keep up with the Argus Limited? Would it be small enough so as not to draw attention?
Tyrian grimaced from his viewpoint in the trees, watching as the Argus Limited slowly pulled out of the station. He had been forced out of the city days ago, and now he could only watch as his prey escaped him.
He needed a solution now. The train was gaining speed. If he must, he would attempt to board, and pray the cramped interior would lend him an advantage in a fight. Not ideal, but he was running out of options.
A loud screech pierced his ears, and Tyrian whipped his head backwards. Behind him, a flock of Grimm took to the air, giving chase. He grinned wickedly, as his answer passed him. Tyrian jumped out of the tree, landing on a nevermore. They wrestled briefly, before Tyrian gained control, steering the Grimm away.
The others could pursue the train, and be cut down by it's defenses. He didn't need to reach the train. He simply needed to keep up. He had asked for a solution, and divine providence had acted on his behalf.
The Goddess delivers. And so shall he. Weeks of patience, of waiting for his moment, of restraining himself would finally be rewarded. Again and again he had held off, waiting for the time where he would have the greatest chance of success. And it had been worth it. Soon, the time for patience would meet its end. Soon, he would make his move. Soon, Ruby Rose shall be in his grasp.
And his Goddess shall look upon him with favor once more.
Ruby sat on one of the couches in the cabin, her legs tucked underneath the chin. She stared into the fireplace wordlessly, the only noise in the room the crackling of the fire, and the occasional turning of a page, as Maria read through some of the journals they had found.
How could everything get so messed up in one day? The hard part was supposed to be over, they were supposed to get to Atlas easy peasy, just a quick train ride to Argus, and then take a Bullhead to Ironwood.
But Ozpin had lied to them. Again. First, he didn't tell them about the relic, about how it attracted Grimm. Ruby had thought, well, okay, that wasn't too big of a deal. There was a lot on all of their minds lately, it wasn't too crazy to think he had just forgotten to mention it.
Then…then they found out about the lamp. He had lied about that too. About its uses being used up, and about…everything, it seemed like. From the very nature of Salem, of himself, to what they were supposed to be fighting for.
And what…what were they supposed to be fighting for, anyways? Was stalemate all they could ever hope to achieve? The closest thing they could get to victory? Were they just supposed to keep fighting, and fighting, and giving, giving everything they had, just to hold out long enough for the next generation to keep it going? Was that why Raven had left?
Was it why her mom left?
She rubbed a tear out of her eye, hoping Maria didn't notice. She wished it ended there. She wished the worst thing she could say had happened was finding out that Salem couldn't be killed. But it was how it affected all of them.
They were angry and betrayed, all of them. Yang and Blake were especially outraged, but Uncle Qrow…she had seen her Uncle sad before. She had seen him angry before. Brothers, she still remembered the day he discovered Yang got into a little bit of his stash. Yang was terrified to even look at alcohol for months.
But nothing compared to how he was now. He was angry, and upset, sure, but that didn't really do it justice. He was just so…defeated. Empty. And to be honest, she understood why. It was hard not to feel like that herself.
Her Uncle had spent his entire life believing in Ozpin, working for him, only to find out his faith had been rewarded with lies, the entire time. He had placed his trust entirely in one man, and that trust was shattered. And now…now her Uncle was passed out drunk in a rickety wooden chair looking out the window.
The turning of a page broke the silence once again, and Ruby winced involuntarily. Oh. And some weird old lady decided to tag along. So they could add that on to the list of things that made this a great day!
Ruby sighed. She hoped Jaune and the others made it to Argus with the passengers safely. They didn't even know anything about Ozma, or Salem, or stupid old ladies and unwinnable wars. At least they'd get a day or two of peace. Once they got to Argus, though, someone would have to fill them in. Ugh. That was going to be fun. And with Ozpin missing for the moment, and her Uncle going on a bender, she had no doubt that she would have to be the one who told them.
But why? A strange voice inside her head asked. Why bother? Go to Argus, just so you can tell your friends they have no hope of winning, that their teammate died for nothing? They're better off not knowing.
Ruby hummed. They honestly probably were. Why should she have to tell them about Ozpin's lies? He was the one who started this whole mess, and he was the one who lied to them. He was the one who gave Pyrrha the maiden powers. He should be the one to tell her surviving teammates, but instead, he had run away from his problems like a child, leaving Oscar alone.
She took a deep breath, to calm herself down. It wasn't going to help anyone, getting upset like that. They still had the relic, at least. And they still had a plan. Get to Argus, regroup with the others, and push on to Atlas.
They just had to make it until the morning. That was it. Uncle Qrow had said they would leave at sunrise, once the storm had passed. Yang and Blake had found a flatbed, and she said she could use bumblebee to pull the rest of them to Argus. Once the storm passed, and morning finally came, they could meet up with the others.
Ruby jumped at the sound of Maria slamming a book shut. She set it down on the table beside her with a sigh.
"Did you find anything?" Ruby asked.
"No, nothing of interest, at any rate." Maria answered. Of course not. Why would she? The answer to all their problems isn't going to be found in a journal on some random farm out in the middle of nowhere. "I think it's time we all got some rest, dearie. Today has been…well, it's been a very strange day, even for me. And I've seen more than my fair share of strange days."
Ruby almost laughed. Can't be any stranger than ours. How long had it even been, since Beacon? She honestly couldn't remember. It seemed so long ago. Like a nice dream she couldn't quite remember, slipping away from her just as she woke up. Everything that happened there just sorta blended together.
She nodded half heartedly, and stretched out on the couch. Maria flicked the lamp off, flooding the room in darkness. Tomorrow was a new day. A better day, hopefully. Ozpin might be gone for now, and they might have been deceived but really, it didn't change too much. It just meant their job was a little harder.
Ruby gulped, her throat suddenly dry. Her words felt hollow, even in her mind.
Nora slumped to the floor of the train car, worn out from the day's events. Jaune sat across from her, similarly tired. Ren had already gone off to get some rest, exhausted from using his semblance on so many people for so long.
She stretched her foot out, nudging Jaune. He looked up at her, confused, and she held out her scroll. Do you think the others are okay?
Jaune smiled softly. "Nora, I'm sure they're fine. This was the plan, remember? They can handle themselves. Besides, they got Oz and Qrow to back them up."
That doesn't mean I have to like it, Nora typed. She hated just sitting here, unable to do anything. She didn't even have any way of knowing if anything went wrong! The stupid storm was messing with the already crappy service on their scrolls, and they couldn't get a signal. The only way they'd know if the others were okay, was when they showed up to Argus themselves.
"Hey," Jaune said, snapping her out of her thoughts. "It's gonna be alright. The others will be fine. They're probably enjoying a nice, leisurely stroll through the woods as we speak." A crack of thunder rang out just as he finished, and Jaune winced. "They're probably huddled around a nice, warm campfire, somewhere out of the rain as we speak," He amended.
Nora giggled. Leave it to Jaune to fumble his way into cheering her up. It was adorable. Her hands flew back to her scroll. She needed something to take her mind off the others. Are you excited to see your sister?
Jaune's face lit up immediately. "Of course I am!" He blurted. "I haven't seen her in forever. Come to think of it, I don't think I've seen her since Adrian was born. He's gotta be huge by now. Do you think he'll recognize me? I mean, probably not, but you never know! I heard some people can remember all the way back to being in the womb, so there's a chance!" He gasped. "I missed his birthday while we were at Beacon! Oh, Saphron is going to kill me for not even calling!"
Do they know you went to Beacon? She asked.
He nodded, chuckling nervously. "I uh….kinda got in a huge fight with my parents the day before I grabbed Crocea Mors and went to Vale, so I'm pretty sure they put two and two together, and were just waiting for me to come home after getting rejected. I did send a letter after Beacon, though, letting them know I was okay and that I'd be traveling with you guys. I sent another letting them know we were coming to Argus." He winced again. "Although…I'm not sure they'll be expecting so many people. I guess that's one benefit of us arriving first, huh? We can at least warn them ahead of time."
True. Nora supposed they had to find the silver lining in all this. She leaned her head up against the side of the train car and yawned. "You should get some rest," Jaune advised. "It's not too long of a ride to Argus, now, but you're exhausted. At least take a little nap?"
Nora nodded lazily, her eyes already shutting. Today had been pretty crazy, huh? Hopefully it was going a little better for the others.
Eh, Jaune's right. They're probably fine.
Apathy. That's what the Huntsmen named them, if Tyrian recalled correctly. He grimaced. Such a simplistic name, for one of the goddess' masterworks. And what brilliance she showed in its creation!
So many of the Grimm were designed as beasts made for killing, but the Apathy, oh, their clever. They make you do the killing yourselves, so gradually you don't even realize you're dying. A bit of a waste, in Tyrian's opinion, but everything served a purpose for his queen, and the Apathy served theirs splendidly.
Too splendidly. Already, Miss Rose and her party were falling under its spell. He wasn't precisely sure what occurred after the crash, he had to break away to avoid detection for a while, but it was clear tensions were already high before they arrived at Brunswick. Even Tyrian was beginning to feel the lull of the Apathy, urging him to give up on his quest. He had already failed, what made him think he could regain his mistress's favor?
But his faith was stronger than the Grimm, at least for now. He was safe, both from the storm, and from their pull, out in one of the tool sheds. It seemed their presence was strongest in the main house, where his quarry was staying.
He frowned. That may prove…difficult, to say the least. It gave him the opportunity he had searched for ever since Oniyuri, but it was not without his risks. He would have to wait until the rest of Miss Rose's entourage were too far gone to resist his capture of the girl, and yet, every hour he stayed, he fell under the grasp of the Apathy, just as they did. Perhaps not as strongly, but even so, it would be a thin line he would have to tread.
Tyrian sighed. So be it. He never held any illusions that his redemption would be a simple affair. He had chased Ruby Rose halfway across Remnant, and he was hardly about to give up now, not when he was so close. A golden opportunity had just been handed to him, and he was not going to squander it.
Hmm…but what to do if they resist? They could hardly be called weak willed, and Tyrian had to admit, his knowledge of the limits of various Grimm was not exactly extensive. His prey tended towards a more human variety. Could they escape the grasp of the Apathy on their own? It was certainly possible.
But he had to strike here. If he couldn't secure Miss Rose before they reached Argus, then she would be lost. Argus was too populated, and he was without allies there. And Atlas? An impossibility. It had to be here, where they were isolated, and already fractured, if his observations told him anything.
Tyrian curled up in the corner of the shed. He needed to be at his full strength, for tomorrow. If the Apathy get a hold of them, his victory is all but assured. And if not? If they press on, in spite of the Grimm? One way or another, he needed to make his move tomorrow.
He shut his eyes with a sigh.
The goddess always delivers, he thought. She will not fail me now.
"ARRGH!" Qrow yelled in frustration as the tire on the flatbed deflated. Ruby winced at her Uncle's outburst. "Great," He muttered. "We're stuck in this stupid place even longer. Just perfect!"
"I-It's okay! I think I can fix it," Oscar offered. "Yang, were there any tools back in the shed where you found it?"
Her sister sighed. "Yeah, I think so? I don't remember. This whole thing is just ridiculous. First the storm, now this? What's the point anyways? We finally make it to Argus, even to Atlas, just to keep fighting the same useless fight?"
"Yang!" Ruby admonished. "Don't say that!"
"And why not, huh?" She challenged. "Am I wrong? Ozpin lied to all of us. He was the one who told us we needed to gather the relics. Why the hell should we trust him? What if it was just another lie?"
"Well, do you have a better plan?" Ruby snarked. Behind Yang, she saw Oscar make his way to the tool shed.
Yang shrugged, nodding towards the well nearby. "Toss the lantern down there. It's not our problem. It never was, Ozpin just made us think it was. Leaving it here, in the middle of nowhere, is probably the best place we can hide it anyways. We can do our part, and be done with it."
Ruby scoffed. "You can't be serious. After everything we've done? We've come so far!"
"Exactly," Yang said. "We've already lost so much already, so why should we lose even more for something that we know is pointless."
"Because…because…" Ruby struggled to think of an argument. Why should they keep going? Just so they can all die one by one, in the hopes that maybe, if they're really lucky, they might delay the inevitable for a few more years? Another generation?
Ruby held the lantern out in front of her. Yang was right. They should just leave it here. It had brought them nothing but trouble. Ozpin had brought them nothing but trouble. And really, there wasn't any point in having Oscar try and fix the flatbed. They were all too tired and exhausted. Maybe after they had gotten rid of the lantern, and rested for a little while.
"HEL-Mff!" Ruby jumped, startled, dropping the Lantern down the well. She turned towards the sound of the scream, and froze.
Tyrian Callows stood right outside the tool shed, one hand gripped around Oscars throat. He stared wide-eyed at the well, before shifting his gaze to Ruby.
Time seemed to slow, and around her she saw the others raise their weapons. Tyrian ran forwards, eyes locked on her the entire time. Bullets whizzed past her, directed at Tyrian, but they all either missed, or glanced off his aura. Ruby stood there, petrified. How was he here?
In an instant, he had cleared half the distance between the two of them. Ruby shook her head, raising Crescent Rose to fire at him.
But she had been still for too long. Tyrian crashed into her, tackling her and sending them both down the well. Her head hit the ground with a thud, and her vision turned black.
Tyrian raced through the tunnels, dragging the unconscious girl with him, desperate to put as much distance between him and her companions as he could.
He grimaced. He was in an unfortunate situation. He had no idea how far these tunnels went, or even if there was another exit. What's more, the lull of the Apathy made every step he took a titanic effort.
The young boy who joined them at Haven had surprised him. He didn't expect anyone to enter the shed he was hiding in. He was forced to try and silence the boy, but he was too slow, and the boy alerted the others.
He didn't expect the Apathy to affect them so much, so soon. Miss Rose was moments away from tossing the Relic to the Grimm. He had…perhaps, acted a little hastily afterwards. He saw Miss Rose, he saw the relic, and he saw a chance. One that had eluded him for so long. He was discovered anyway, so he rushed for the girl, hoping to at least capitalize on their shock.
The damn boy spoiled everything. He could have waited. Waited for the Apathy to sink their claws into his prey, breaking down their will to push on until he could simply waltz in and collect the girl and the Relic both without resistance. Instead, he was forced into a confrontation he hadn't at all been expecting.
Behind him, he heard the frantic shouting of Miss Rose's companions. He scowled. Another mistake. He shouldn't have jumped down into the well. It got him away from them quickly, but he didn't know if there was another exit. He could very well be trapped here. It was only a matter of time until they caught up to him, and in these cramped tunnels, his speed would do him little good if he had nowhere to run to.
He felt the girl stirring in his arms, and he let her fall to the ground. A wave of disgust ran over him, as she struggled to her knees, groaning. Weeks of suppressed rage burst out from him.
"This is your fault," He snarled. "Why? What about you makes you so special? I've chased you halfway across Remnant, all for my mistress, and it has accomplished nothing! A waste of my time, of my talents! I've spent so long, just waiting for my chance. Restraining myself again and again, telling myself the perfect opportunity would come, only to be foiled by some idiot boy rummaging around when he shouldn't. This isn't how it ends. It can't be!" He had been so patient! So careful! The goddess always delivered, so how could it all end like this?
"Found them! Over here!" Tyrian whipped around, growling. The blonde, Miss Rose's sister, and her little faunus partner had their weapons at the ready, watching him intently. Around them, the Apathy bustled, and yet, they didn't scream yet. He still had some time, however brief.
"I should have killed you all ages ago," He hissed. "And damn the risk! I don't care if it would've killed me as well, It would have been worth it just to watch the life seep from one of you miserable children!"
"But you didn't," The blonde smirked. "And now here you are. You hurt my friend, asshole, and you've been chasing my sister for months." She cracked her knuckles. "I think it's time for a little payback."
Tyrian howled, his tail thrashing behind him in anger. "You are nothing! No one! You will not stop me here, I cannot fail, I can not!" Exhaustion plagued him. He had traveled so far, why not just give it up? He couldn't possibly hope to escape with both the girl and the Relic, and he'd be hard pressed to secure even one of them. There were more of them now than there were at Oniyuri, and he was cornered.
The blonde's eyes were lidded, heavy with exhaustion as well, but she launched herself at him with a roar.
He could have stopped her. Lashed out, thrown her away without much difficulty. Her companions may arrive before he had a chance to kill her, but he could have at least put up a fight.
But…why bother? He couldn't muster the effort to care anymore. Not when his mistress had so clearly abandoned him. Ever since his failure with Cinder's lackeys, he had been faced with nothing but disaster after disaster, all the while telling himself it would pay off in the end. His goddess had sent him on an impossible mission, as punishment for his failure. She had to have. Nothing else would explain it.
For a single, brief moment, despair took a hold of him. His goddess had abandoned him, and in the throes of his grief, he let his Aura fall.
The girl didn't try connecting her fist, instead firing off a shot from her gauntlet. The round pierced his throat, sending him flying back into the wall.
The pain shook him out of his stupor, and the horror of what happened dawned on him. The Apathy, He realized. They had preyed on his frustrations. Rose's sister seemed shocked that he hadn't defended himself with his Aura, but she was quick to take the advantage given her.
She ignored him completely, rushing forwards to help her sister to her feet. They ran off, to regroup with the others, and get clear of the Grimm.
The pain had brought him clarity, and he tried to rise to his feet, to give chase. He might still at least kill one of them, if not finish his duty.
For an instant, he struggled against the pain, filled with the determination to exact some small revenge at their expense. He tried to scream, to curse his prey as they made his escape, but his voice was gone, just as he had stolen it from the girl at Oniyuri.
And as quick as it came, it was gone. The pain was gone, replaced with a dull sense of defeat. What was the point in chasing them? Some futile strike against the weight of his failure? He would accomplish nothing, in the end. It didn't matter whether he died here or there, he would still die uselessly. He was so tired. Tyrian shut his weary eyes, drifting further from consciousness as his senses dulled.
And when the vague sensations of arms crept up his body, dragging him deeper into the tunnels, he found that he couldn't muster the strength to fight them off. He didn't want to.
It just wasn't worth the effort.
And so Tyrian finally pays for hurting Nora! And he even gets shot through the throat, too!
I had a very specific way I wanted to handle Tyrians death, in a similar way to the battle of Haven. As in, It's Tyrian's fault. Despite what he tells himself, like Cinder, he brought his own fate on him, because he refused to give up on Ruby like in Canon.
He kept waiting, and waiting, and waiting for the opportunity to finally come until there just wasn't any chance anymore for him to realistically take her. And he knew that, hence him being excited for the Apathy.
But the Grimm work both ways. The reason he didn't wipe the floor with Yang and Blake like he did to RNJR, was simply due to the Apathy's influence. He thought he had failed. That there was absolutely no hope of getting out with Ruby and the Relic alive, because even if he fought through them, Qrow was still going to come after him.
The Apathy preyed on that, and at the last moment, Tyrian's will faltered enough that he let his Aura fall. After that, he really did give up.
Anyway, thank you for reading! If you enjoyed the chapter, please, leave a comment! I love reading all of them!
As always, I crosspost on AO3!
Next Chapter: Tuesday, June 28th