The corridor outside Yang's room was dimly lit, the white light from the ceiling reflecting off the pristine walls of the Silver Hunt Base. Ruby stood with her arms wrapped around herself, pacing anxiously, while Weiss leaned silently against the opposite wall, her expression tight with concern. Qrow was nearby, a cigarette burning between his fingers, though he hadn't taken a drag in minutes. He was more focused on the door than anything else.

They had been waiting for what felt like hours.

Finally, the door slid open, and Winter Schnee emerged, her figure as composed as ever, though there was an undeniable weariness in her sharp blue eyes. Ruby stopped in her tracks, immediately turning to face her.

"Winter, how is she?" Ruby's voice came out in a rushed whisper, a blend of desperation and hope.

Winter took a measured breath, her gaze steady. "Yang will be fine, but she needs rest," she said, her tone even, though the tension in her shoulders hinted at the gravity of her next words. "However… there was nothing the doctor could do to save her right arm. It had to be removed."

Ruby's breath hitched, and her hands instinctively tightened their grip around her torso. "Her… her arm?"

"I'm sorry," Winter said, softer this time. "The damage was too severe, beyond repair."

Weiss straightened from her spot against the wall, her face hardening, though she remained quiet. Qrow tossed the cigarette to the floor, grinding it beneath his heel with more force than necessary. His eyes, dark with unspoken emotions, flickered to Winter.

"I've already contacted Doctor Polendina. He agreed to design a prosthetic arm for her—one that will function even better than before. Yang will be able to fight again."

Ruby's lips trembled, her mind racing as she tried to process it all. She shook her head slightly, her voice small. "Yang's strong... she'll be okay. She always is."

"She'll come through," Qrow muttered.

The tension in the air was palpable, but before the silence could stretch further, Weiss stepped forward, her eyes narrowing slightly as they focused on Winter. "Sister," she began, her voice steady but laced with a probing edge, "there's something I need to ask you."

Winter met her gaze, expression unreadable. "What is it?"

"It's about Nora Valkyrie," Weiss continued. "She blames you for the deaths of her parents. Is it true? Were they soldiers under your command?"

Winter's gaze sharpened, but she didn't turn away. "Yes. Her parents were among the best soldiers I had. I entrusted them with an important mission... one that involved Carl Winchester."

Ruby's brow furrowed, her pacing stopped as she glanced between the two women. "Carl Winchester? The High councilman?"

Winter's lips pressed into a thin line, the mention of Carl's name stirring a darker undercurrent in her. "At the time, Carl Winchester wasn't a known enemy. He was simply a council member with growing influence, but I suspected he had his hands in something far more sinister. I assigned Nora's parents to investigate his dealings—discreetly. They were some of the few people I trusted for such a task."

Qrow let out a soft, humorless chuckle, stepping closer. "Let me guess… things didn't go as planned."

"No," Winter admitted, her voice tightening. "They uncovered enough to suggest that Carl was involved in something bad. But before they could report back, they were killed. Assassinated." She paused, the memory weighing on her. "Nora believes I sent her parents on a death mission. And in a way, I did."

Weiss crossed her arms, a slight frown pulling at her lips. "But no one else knew you were investigating Carl, did they? Why keep it a secret?"

"Because at the time, Carl Winchester was just a rising figure in Atlas politics," Winter explained, her voice cold but controlled. "There was no clear evidence linking him to criminal activities. I couldn't risk an official investigation without proof, so I acted in secret. I had to protect Atlas."

Ruby's eyes softened with a mixture of sympathy and confusion. "And now Nora blames you for their deaths... because you gave the order."

Winter's gaze dropped slightly, the guilt evident in her posture. "Yes. I gave the order. And as much as I regret it, the truth is, I couldn't protect them."

Qrow stepped in closer, his tone rough but not unkind. "You can't blame yourself for that. They knew the risks, Winter. But that doesn't mean that girl is just gonna get over it."

Weiss sighed, her gaze flicking toward Ruby before focusing back on Winter. "She deserves to know the truth. All of it. Maybe she'll never forgive you, but at least she'll understand why her parents were sent on that mission."

Winter's eyes hardened, though not out of defiance. "And what then? Even if she knows, it won't bring them back. It won't erase the hatred she feel, trust is difficult to regain. Especially when it's lost in blood."

The conversation drifted into silence, each of them lost in their thoughts.

(…)

The forest outside the capital was quiet, save for the steady clatter of hooves against the dirt path. A single carriage made its way through the darkened woods, its polished exterior reflecting the faint glow of the moon above. Inside sat two nobles, their expressions tense, their fine clothing and jewels marking their elevated status.

Perched high in the trees, Vernal waited, her gaze fixed on the carriage below. The soft breeze rustled her dark hair, but she remained still, muscles coiled with controlled power. Dressed in simple black leathers, she moved with the precision of a predator, her body poised to strike. There was no need for weapons. Raven had given the order: kill the nobles who opposed the High Council.

A few yards away, Shay D. Mann leaned against a tree trunk, a sly grin tugging at his lips. His cowboy attire—complete with a wide-brimmed hat and a long leather duster—set him apart in the shadows. Two gleaming pistols sat holstered at his hips, polished and deadly. But what drew the eye was the coiled whip at his side, its edges tipped with cruel, jagged blades. Shay liked to play with his prey before finishing them off.

"Seems like they think they're safe out here," Shay muttered, his voice dripping with amusement. He gave a casual spin of one of his pistols, the metal glinting in the moonlight. "They'll know soon enough."

In an instant, Vernal dropped from the trees, landing silently on the dirt path behind the first guard of the nobles. He didn't even have time to react before her hand shot out, grabbing him by the neck. With terrifying strength, she lifted him off his feet, her fingers crushing his throat. The man struggled, eyes wide with fear, but there was no escaping her iron grip. A sickening crack echoed through the night, and his lifeless body crumpled to the ground.

The sudden death sent the other guards into a frenzy, but Shay was already in motion. With a quick, smooth draw, he had his pistols in hand, firing two shots in rapid succession. Both guards fell where they stood, the bullets piercing through their skulls with deadly accuracy. Blood splattered the dirt road, and the horses reared in panic, whinnying as the chaos unfolded.

The nobles inside the carriage had no time to react. They scrambled to unlock the doors, their panicked breaths loud in the enclosed space. But before they could make their escape, Vernal was already there.

With a swift motion, she ripped the carriage door off its hinges, tossing it aside like a piece of paper. The nobleman's face went pale as she stepped inside, her eyes cold and devoid of mercy. He barely managed to raise his hands in defense before Vernal's fist drove into his chest, the force so powerful it crushed his ribcage. He flew backward, hitting the far wall of the carriage with a sickening crunch, blood spurting from his mouth.

His wife let out a piercing scream, backing up against the velvet cushions as Vernal turned her gaze on her. Trembling, the woman held her hands up, her voice breaking with terror.

"P-Please! We can—"

Vernal silenced her with a single punch to the face. Her skull cracked under the impact, and the woman's body slumped lifelessly beside her husband. The interior of the carriage was painted red, the luxury and wealth drenched in blood.

Outside, Shay was casually reloading his pistols, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. He tipped his hat back slightly, glancing at the bodies scattered across the road. "Well, that was easier than I thought," he remarked, walking up to Vernal as she stepped out of the carriage. "Didn't leave much of a fight in 'em, did they?"

Vernal wiped the blood from her knuckles, her expression calm and indifferent. "They were never going to fight. Just scared sheep trying to run."

Shay chuckled, holstering his pistols with a flourish. "I suppose Raven gets what she wants. But wait..." His eyes narrowed as he scanned the area. "What do we have here?"

Among the fallen guards, a faint movement caught Shay's attention. One of the guards—a woman—was still alive. She lay sprawled on the ground, blood pouring from a gaping wound in her side. Her breathing was shallow, her face pale, but she was clinging to life, desperately trying to crawl away.

Shay's grin widened. "Well, look at that. She's still kickin'."

He sauntered over to the woman, his boots crunching in the dirt. She whimpered, trying to pull herself further away, but the pain was too much. Her arms gave out, and she collapsed, breathing heavily as she looked up at Shay with terrified eyes.

Shay knelt beside her, lifting her chin with the tip of his pistol. His eyes gleamed with sadistic delight as he took in the fear on her face. "You know," he said, his voice dropping to a low, mocking whisper, "it might've been better for you if you'd just died with the others." His grin widened, his breath hot against her face. "Because now… I get to have some fun."

The woman's eyes filled with horror, a strangled sob escaping her lips. She tried to move, but Shay pressed the barrel of his pistol against her cheek, keeping her in place.

He glanced over at Vernal, who was already wiping her hands clean. "What do you think?" he asked, his tone casual, almost conversational. "Should we let her go?"

Vernal gave him a cold look, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Do what you want," she said, her voice devoid of emotion. "Just make sure she doesn't survive."

Shay's grin turned wicked. He stood up, uncoiling his bladed whip with a flick of his wrist. The metal glinted dangerously in the moonlight as he stepped closer to the woman, towering over her. Her body trembled with terror, and she let out a pitiful, broken cry, her voice barely a whisper in the cold night air.

Shay's voice was soft, almost comforting. "Don't worry," he said, raising his whip. "This'll only hurt for a moment."

And then, with a swift crack, the whip came down, the bladed edges tearing through the air. The night was filled with her final, desperate scream, a sound that echoed through the dark woods.

(…)

A few days later, in the Silver Hunt base, the group of assassins gathered in the briefing room, listening intently to their leader, Winter Schnee.

"Due to Yang's condition, she'll need a few weeks of rest. Ruby will be taking care of her sister during that time, so neither of them will be participating in any missions for now, at least until the prosthetic I ordered from Doctor Polendina arrives."

Thankfully, Yang was handling the situation much better than anyone had anticipated. The fact that she had people around her who genuinely cared made a significant difference. Winter continued, her expression tightening slightly.

"Unfortunately, a new problem has emerged. Several nobles have been brutally murdered in recent days, and these killings are being attributed to Silver Hunt."

The group exchanged surprised looks, and Sun Wukong was the first to break the silence.

"But we haven't killed anyone recently. Ever since what happened with Yang, we've been keeping a low profile."

Winter nodded in agreement. "Exactly. This is a fabricated lie meant to tarnish our name. While our reputation isn't spotless, these murders are making things far worse. After conducting a thorough investigation, I've discovered that the victims were, for the most part, nobles who either opposed or had conflicts with the High Council."

Qrow let out a dry chuckle, quickly deducing the situation. "Those snakes. They're using our name to eliminate their enemies."

The next words from Winter left everyone uneasy. "And on top of that, General Raven Branwen has returned to the capital after a successful campaign on the Vacuo border."

Qrow didn't seem surprised, sipping his drink with a knowing smirk. "Yeah, the last mission we had in Vacuo gave me some time to look into things. The situation was playing out in Raven's favor, so it's no shock she came out on top."

Sun recalled that when he first met Qrow and the rest of the absent team members, they had mentioned something about a mission in Vacuo. His curiosity got the better of him, and he turned to Qrow.

"What kind of person is Raven? I've only heard rumors."

Qrow's face darkened slightly as he answered. "She's a cruel and sadistic woman, obsessed with strength—a real monster. Sometimes, it still surprises me that she's my sister... and Yang's mother."

Sun blinked in shock. "Wait, she's your sister? And Yang's... mom? Holy shit, sounds like your family's got some real drama."

Qrow chuckled bitterly before taking another drink. "Hah, kid, you have no idea."

Winter decided to steer the conversation back to the main issue. "Returning to the matter of the assassinations, some of these nobles were good people, or at the very least, could have been useful allies in the future."

Weiss, who had been quietly listening, interjected. "Do we have any idea who the next target might be?"

Neptune seemed to have pieced it together. "If we're talking about people who openly oppose the High Council, then Robyn Hill is probably their next target. Honestly, I'm surprised she wasn't among the first to be killed."

Sun, always the one to ask the obvious yet necessary questions, tilted his head. "Who's Robyn Hill?"

Weiss turned to him and explained. "She's a noble who genuinely cares about the lower class, especially the people in the Mantle district, where most of the struggling population lives—including many Faunus. She's a good person, constantly speaking out against how the Council runs Atlas. If they haven't killed her yet, it's very likely she'll be next."

Winter confirmed with a grim nod. "Yes. In fact, my informants have told me it's almost certain she's their next target. Robyn is hosting a charity event today in Mantle, where she'll be providing food to the needy. Robyn's charisma is slowly gaining her more support, and this event is the perfect stage for an assassination attempt."

The next mission was clear as day. Winter's voice sharpened with command. "Neptune, you'll take Scarlet, Sage, and Sun to the event. Your priority is to protect Robyn Hill at all costs."

The four of them exchanged determined glances. they simply nodded in acknowledgment of their orders.

(…)

The streets of Mantle were full, the cold biting at anyone who didn't have proper protection. But tonight, the chill seemed secondary. The district was alive with murmurs, all centered around the event Robyn Hill had organized. People from all corners of Mantle had gathered, drawn by the promise of food and warmth.

Amidst the crowd, four figures moved in silence, their presence almost unnoticed among the gathered citizens. Sun, Neptune, Scarlet, and Sage, blended in, their eyes scanning every corner of the gathering.

Sun tugged at his hood, keeping his golden hair hidden. "I don't see any unusual movement," he whispered into the small communicator in his ear. His eyes flicked to the small stage where Robyn Hill, with a handful of guards around her, was handing out food and blankets.

"We shouldn't be here long," Neptune muttered. "If they're really targeting her, they'll strike fast."

Sage, who stood a few paces behind them, nodded, his large frame keeping a low profile despite his size. "Stay sharp. Whoever's behind this isn't going to announce themselves."

Scarlet grinned, adjusting his jacket as he leaned against a building. "So much tension in the air. Almost makes you feel alive, huh?" He shot a quick glance at Sun, who just rolled his eyes.

"Let's focus," Sun said, his voice firm. "We're here to make sure Robyn gets through this in one piece."

They moved with practiced ease, drifting from shadow to shadow, never staying in one place for too long. The event was well-guarded, but nothing Silver Hunt couldn't slip through. Neptune kept a close watch on the guards, analyzing their movements, looking for gaps in their coverage. Scarlet, meanwhile, kept an ear on the people in the crowd, listening for any whispers that could hint at something dangerous. Sage stood as their anchor, watching their backs, his hand close to his weapon in case anything went wrong.

The square was crowded, the people of Mantle gratefully accepting the help that Robyn Hill offered. Her presence here was a beacon of hope in an otherwise bleak landscape, but it also made her a target.

"I don't like this," Neptune said softly. "The guards seem too relaxed. Like they're not expecting anything to happen."

As they moved closer to the stage, they noticed a few more heavily armed guards around Robyn, though none of them gave the Silver Hunt members a second glance. The team was careful, blending in with the crowd, staying unnoticed. Robyn herself was focused on her work, distributing food, a warm smile on her face, oblivious to the danger that might be lurking just out of sight.

"She's got a lot of eyes on her," Scarlet whispered, scanning the perimeter. "But none of them seem hostile."

"That's what worries me," Sun muttered. "If they're not making a move now, they might be waiting for her to leave. We'll have to be ready."

(…)

Vernal perched on the edge of a rooftop, her sharp eyes tracking every movement in the crowd below. The charity event was in full swing, with Robyn Hill at the center, handing out food and exchanging words with the citizens of Mantle. Her guards hovered around her, alert but relaxed, not expecting any threats in the middle of this public display.

Shay stood beside Vernal, one boot resting on the ledge, his hand resting casually on one of his twin pistols. His long coat fluttered slightly in the wind, and his ever-present whip, lined with razor-sharp blades, hung loosely at his hip. He had the look of a man ready to draw at any second.

"We've been watchin' this lady play the hero all night," Shay drawled, his voice carrying that slow, easy-going tone of a seasoned cowboy. "Reckon it's 'bout time we made our move."

Vernal didn't respond immediately, her eyes focused on Robyn and her entourage. The murders of the nobles had already stirred up tension.

They weren't in a rush. Discretion didn't matter if Silver Hunt was going to be framed, but the right moment still did.

"Patience," Vernal finally said, her tone cold and calculated. "The more eyes there are, the harder it'll be to pull this off cleanly. Let them think they're safe a little longer. When the crowd thins out, we strike."

Shay adjusted his hat, the brim casting a shadow over his face as he glanced down at the event. "Sure, sure. I can wait. But the boss lady didn't exactly ask for subtle, did she?" His fingers brushed the handle of his whip, the leather coiling with deadly intent. "We make this messy enough, and Silver Hunt takes the fall as always."

Vernal's gaze hardened. "Silver Hunt is already being blamed for the noble killings. Robyn's death will just cement that. But that doesn't mean we rush it. She's got guards, and if we don't get her clean, she'll fight back. She's not some helpless noble like the others."

Shay chuckled, the sound low and amused. "Ain't that the truth? I wouldn't mind seein' her put up a fight. Be a good show." He tapped the handle of his pistol, the custom engraving catching the dim light. "But you're right. Ain't no sense in riskin' Raven's plan if we don't have to."

Vernal scanned the area again, watching the crowd start to thin. The people were slowly leaving, many of them taking the food and heading home, but a few lingered, talking to Robyn or moving between the stands. Robyn's guards stayed close, but their vigilance was starting to wane. The atmosphere felt more relaxed as the event wore on.

"She'll be exposed soon," Vernal said, her voice sharper now. "When the crowd is smaller, we hit. You make enough noise to cause chaos, and I'll make sure Robyn doesn't leave that square alive."

"Oh, I can make noise, alright."Shay rolled his shoulders, readying himself. "What about Silver Hunt? You reckon they'll show up?"

"They might," Vernal said, her voice tight with disdain. "If they do, we kill them too. Raven's orders."

Shay nodded, pulling out one of his pistols and spinning it effortlessly before holstering it again. "I can do that. Ain't no love lost between us and those Silver Hunt types anyway."

Vernal stood, her cloak shifting in the night breeze. "Start the chaos"

Shay's hand went to his whip, fingers tracing the bladed edges with an almost affectionate touch. "This is gonna be fun."

(…)

With a swift, practiced motion, Shay drew his pistols and fired the first shots. The silence of the square was shattered by the loud crack of gunfire. People screamed and scattered, running for cover as Robyn's guards jumped into action.

Vernal leaped down from the rooftop, landing with a thunderous impact in the middle of the chaos. Vernal's eyes scanned the thinning crowd, locking onto Robyn Hill and her small group of guards. The time for subtlety had passed.

"Who—?" One of the guards started to shout, but Vernal didn't waste any time. She moved with brutal efficiency, her body a blur as she closed the distance between them. The first guard swung his baton, but Vernal caught his arm mid-strike and twisted it with bone-snapping force. His scream was cut short as she delivered a savage punch to his chest, sending him flying backward into a nearby food stand.

The second guard tried to radio for backup, but Vernal was already on him, her fist crashing into his face with enough power to shatter his aura instantly. Blood splattered across the ground as he crumpled, unconscious before he hit the dirt.

"Come on," Vernal muttered under her breath, her fists clenched and ready. "You're supposed to be protecting her."

The remaining two guards rushed in, both swinging their stun batons in a desperate attempt to stop her. One aimed high, the other low, but Vernal easily weaved between them. She caught the high strike on her forearm, unaffected by the crackling electricity, and retaliated with a devastating uppercut that sent the guard sprawling. His aura shattered, leaving him unconscious on the ground.

The last guard hesitated, fear flashing across his face, but Vernal didn't give him the chance to flee. She delivered a bone-crushing kick to his midsection, sending him crashing into a nearby wall. He groaned in pain, struggling to breathe, but Vernal simply stepped over him, her gaze now fixed on Robyn Hill.

Robyn had already drawn her weapon, a grim look on her face. "Who are you?"

Vernal cracked her knuckles, her eyes cold and focused. "You're gonna wish you had better protection, Hill."

But before Vernal could close in for the kill, a familiar voice called out from the edge of the square."Hey! Remember me?"

Vernal paused, her eyes narrowing as she turned to see a young man sprinting toward her, staff in hand. She recognized him immediately—the blond Faunus who had fought her before. Back then, he had been with two others, Weiss Schnee and Yang Xiao Long. Even with all three of them, they had barely been able to keep up with her. And now? Now it was just him.

A smirk tugged at the corner of Vernal's lips. "You again? Didn't you learn your lesson last time, blondie?"Sun Wukong skidded to a stop a few feet away, his expression set in determination.

Vernal scoffed, shaking her head. "You think you're gonna stop me alone? Last time you had your little friends, and even then you could barely do shit."

Before Sun could respond, Scarlet appeared at his side, twirling his saber confidently. "He's not alone. But don't worry, we'll make this quick."

Vernal glanced at Scarlet, unimpressed. "Another one? Tch. This won't take long."

With a sudden burst of speed, Vernal charged at Sun, her fists already cocked for a devastating blow. Sun barely had time to raise his staff to block, the impact reverberating up his arms as Vernal's raw strength sent him sliding back. She followed up with a flurry of punches, each one faster and more forceful than the last, driving Sun further and further back.

"You think you're tough?" Vernal taunted, her fists moving like a whirlwind. "I've fought Silver Hunt before, and none of you could handle me!"

Sun grit his teeth, using his agility to dodge and parry as best he could, but Vernal was relentless. Every punch, every kick came with such power that his aura was already flickering under the strain. He had faced many strong opponents before, but Vernal was something else—an unstoppable force who didn't seem to tire or slow down.

Scarlet rushed in from the side, attempting to catch Vernal off guard, but she spun on her heel, catching his saber mid-swing with her bare hand. For a moment, Scarlet's eyes widened in disbelief. He had fought plenty of Grimm, bandits, and criminals, but never had someone caught his blade like that. Before he could react, Vernal yanked him forward, slamming her elbow into his chest and sending him sprawling across the ground.

Scarlet coughed as he rolled to his feet, his aura visibly weakened. "Damn, she hits hard…"

Sun leapt back, trying to create some distance, but Vernal was already on him, closing the gap with terrifying speed. She swung low, aiming for his legs, but Sun flipped backward, narrowly avoiding the hit. He landed a few feet away, breathing heavily, his grip tightening on his staff.

"You're not bad, Faunus," Vernal sneered, her fists still raised. "But I've faced better. And when I'm done with you, I'll finish what I came here to do."

Sun wiped the sweat from his brow, eyes locked on Vernal. He knew he was in trouble—Vernal's strength and stamina were overwhelming, and she wasn't slowing down. And worse, she still hadn't revealed any real weaknesses. He needed to find a way to turn the tide, and fast.

Sun's eyes flickered toward Scarlet, who was slowly getting back on his feet, his saber raised once more. The two exchanged a glance—a silent agreement. They needed to work together if they were going to bring Vernal down.

But deep down, Sun knew this was going to be one of the toughest fights of his life.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the square, Shay had his hands full. Sage and Neptune had quickly moved to intercept him as soon as the first shots were fired. Sage had drawn his massive sword, while Neptune wielded his trident, both ready for the fight ahead.

Shay grinned, raising his pistols. "Two against one? I like those odds."

Before either of them could respond, Shay opened fire, his semblance guiding each shot with uncanny precision. Sage barely managed to raise his sword in time, deflecting the bullets with the wide blade. But Shay's shots were relentless, forcing Sage on the defensive, step by step.

Neptune dashed forward, his trident glowing with electricity as he aimed a powerful thrust at Shay. But Shay was faster. He rolled to the side, firing off a quick volley of shots mid-dodge. One bullet grazed Neptune's arm, forcing him to retreat and regroup with Sage.

"Careful, Neptune!" Sage warned, standing firm with his sword raised. "This guy's no joke."

"Yeah, I can see that!" Neptune growled, rubbing the spot where the bullet had grazed him. He glared at Shay. "Alright, cowboy. Let's see how you handle this."

Neptune charged again, this time with more caution. He feinted to the left, then spun to the right, attempting to catch Shay off guard. But Shay's aim was too precise. He fired a single shot, clipping Neptune's trident and knocking it off course before unloading a second round aimed straight for his chest.

Sage intervened just in time, blocking the shot with his sword, the force of the impact pushing him back a few feet.

"You boys are good," Shay said with a smirk, holstering one of his pistols and drawing his bladed whip instead. "But you're gonna have to do better than that."

With a flick of his wrist, the whip came alive, the blades at its end gleaming in the dim light of the square. He cracked it toward Sage, the whip slicing through the air with terrifying speed. Sage barely dodged in time, the whip carving a deep gouge in the stone where he had been standing.

Neptune, now recovered, launched another attack, electricity crackling along the length of his trident as he closed the distance. But Shay was ready. He lashed out with the whip again, wrapping it around Neptune's weapon and yanking it out of his hands before firing off another shot.

Neptune's aura flickered dangerously as the bullet grazed him again, this time on his shoulder. He grimaced in pain but refused to back down.

"You're not getting away with this," Neptune growled.

Shay just laughed, the sound low and mocking. "Who said I was tryin' to get away?"

Neptune dove to the ground, his fingers brushing against the cold metal of his weapon, just as Shay's whip cracked inches above his head. The jagged blades at the end of Shay's weapon sliced through the air, but Neptune wasted no time. Grabbing his trident, he rolled to the side and sprang to his feet, positioning himself between Sage and their opponent.

Shay grinned, his pistols still smoking from the shots he had fired earlier. "You boys think you're tough, huh? Let's see if you can dance."

With a flick of his wrist, Shay lashed out with the whip again, aiming for Neptune's legs. Neptune barely managed to parry the attack with his trident, the force of the strike sending sparks flying as metal met metal. He grunted from the impact, but he held his ground, refusing to give Shay any more advantage.

Sage, wielding his massive sword, charged forward from the side. His blade came down with a forceful swing aimed at Shay's torso. But Shay was faster than he looked. He sidestepped the attack with near-perfect precision. His pistols were already trained on Sage before the sword had even hit the ground.

Two shots rang out in rapid succession, Sage's aura flared, Still, the impact made him stumble back, leaving him momentarily vulnerable.

"Not fast enough," Shay taunted, spinning his pistols before reloading them with a quick flick of his wrists. "You're gonna have to do better than that."

Neptune darted forward, spinning his trident in a blur of blue light. He jabbed at Shay's side, forcing him to turn his attention away from Sage. Shay moved with unnerving fluidity, dodging the strikes with precision again.

But Neptune wasn't fighting alone.

As Shay dodged Neptune's thrust, Sage was already moving again, recovering from the earlier shots. He swung his sword in a wide arc, forcing Shay to leap back. The moment Shay's feet left the ground, Neptune saw his opening.

With a swift motion, Neptune flipped his trident, switching it to gun form. He aimed straight at Shay's midair form and fired.

The blast of water-infused dust hit Shay square in the chest, sending him crashing back to the ground. For the first time, Shay's cocky grin faltered as he struggled to regain his balance. Neptune pressed the advantage, not giving him a chance to recover. He rushed forward, delivering a spinning kick to Shay's ribs just as he was getting to his feet.

Shay grunted in pain, his aura visibly flickering from the combined attacks. But even as he stumbled, he lashed out with his whip, wrapping it around Neptune's arm before yanking hard. Neptune was pulled off balance, and Shay used the momentum to land a solid punch to Neptune's jaw, sending him crashing to the ground.

Before Shay could follow up with another strike, Sage charged in, his sword coming down with thunderous force. Shay raised his pistols to block, but the sheer size and power overwhelmed him. The impact knocked Shay's pistols from his hands, sending them skidding across the ground.

Shay cursed under his breath, retreating a few steps as he eyed his lost weapons. But Sage and Neptune weren't about to give him a chance to retrieve them.

Neptune scrambled back to his feet, rubbing his jaw as he gave Sage a nod. "Let's finish this."

The two of them moved in tandem, their teamwork honed through countless missions together. Sage swung high, forcing Shay to duck, while Neptune struck low with the butt of his trident, catching Shay in the side and knocking the wind out of him.

Shay tried to retaliate, his whip snapping dangerously close to Sage's face, but Sage blocked the strike with his sword, twisting the weapon and yanking the whip out of Shay's hand.

Weaponless and surrounded, Shay gritted his teeth, his aura flickering dangerously low. He glanced between Neptune and Sage, sweat dripping down his face. "Not bad… but you haven't won yet."

Neptune smirked. "Actually, I think we have."

Before Shay could react, Neptune lunged forward, his trident glowing with blue energy. He struck Shay in the chest with the blunt end, sending a surge of water-dust energy through his body. Shay's aura shattered, and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

Sage exhaled, sheathing his sword as he looked down at their fallen opponent. "We need to move."

Neptune nodded, panting slightly from the exertion. He glanced at Shay's unconscious form before turning to Sage. "Yeah. Let's go."

Without wasting another moment, the two of them sprinted toward the sounds of the other fight, knowing that their mission wasn't over yet.

(…)

The clash between Sun and Vernal was immediate and fierce. Sun swung his staff with practiced speed, his golden tail flicking as he dashed around the square, trying to outmaneuver the savage power of Vernal. But she was faster than he expected, her movements fluid yet brutal, like a storm that refused to let up.

Vernal's fists blurred as she launched a series of rapid strikes at Sun. He blocked with his staff, but each hit reverberated through his arms like a shockwave. She pressed forward with a flurry of punches, forcing him to retreat step by step.

"Come on, monkey boy," Vernal sneered, her eyes flashing with confidence. "You're supposed to be Silver Hunt right?"

Sun grinned through the tension, sweat trickling down his brow. "You haven't seen my best yet."

With a flick of his wrist, Sun's semblance kicked in. Two ethereal clones of himself materialized beside him, each armed with a staff of their own. They lunged at Vernal from different angles, spinning and striking in unison. For a moment, it seemed like Sun had the upper hand as his clones kept her on the defensive.

But Vernal was no ordinary opponent. She smirked, sidestepping the first clone's strike and driving her elbow into its midsection, causing it to dissipate into golden light. She ducked under the second clone's swing and delivered a punishing roundhouse kick, shattering it before it could land a blow.

Sun barely had time to react before Vernal was on him again, her fist connecting with his side in a devastating blow that sent him skidding backward. His aura flared, absorbing the brunt of the impact, but he felt the strain of every hit.

From the corner of his eye, Sun saw Scarlet move into action. The red-haired swordsman darted in, his saber flashing as he aimed for Vernal's exposed flank. But Vernal was ready. She caught the blade in her hand, just like before, but this time Scarlet didn't hesitate. In a fluid motion, he drew a set of knives from his belt, aiming quick slashes at her torso.

Vernal grunted in annoyance as she released the saber, dodging the flurry of knife attacks with astonishing speed. Scarlet's movements were precise, a blend of offense and defense as he used his agility to stay just out of her reach. His knives danced through the air, each strike aiming to find a weak point in Vernal's defenses.

But she was relentless. With a fierce growl, she parried one of his knife strikes with her forearm, her aura flaring briefly, and followed up with a brutal knee to Scarlet's ribs. He gasped, his aura flickering, but he didn't back down. He spun away, throwing one of his knives toward her midsection. Vernal swatted it out of the air with ease.

"You're quick," Vernal admitted, her voice low and dangerous. "But not quick enough."

Before Scarlet could respond, she closed the distance between them, her fist crashing into his chest with enough force to knock him off his feet. Scarlet flew backward, his saber clattering to the ground as he hit the dirt hard, his aura barely holding on.

Sun, regaining his footing, saw his chance and launched himself at Vernal, his staff swinging with renewed intensity. This time, he was aiming to disorient, using his clones again to attack from different angles. But Vernal didn't even break a sweat as she batted away the clones, her focus solely on the real Sun.

He vaulted over her. Vernal caught his tail mid-air, yanking Sun down with brutal force before slamming him into the ground. His aura flickered violently, the wind knocked out of him as he struggled to stand.

"Still think you can take me on?" Vernal mocked, her foot pressing down on Sun's chest, pinning him to the ground.

Before she could deliver another blow, a loud shout echoed across the square.

"Leave him alone!"

Neptune and Sage had arrived, charging toward the fight. Neptune's trident sparked with electricity as he threw it forward like a javelin, aiming for Vernal's back. She stepped aside just in time, the weapon embedding itself into the stone behind her. But the distraction gave Sun the moment he needed to roll away and get back on his feet.

Sage came in next, his massive sword swinging with deadly precision. Vernal ducked beneath the blade, her movements as smooth as water. She lunged forward, closing the gap between them in a heartbeat. Sage barely managed to raise his sword in time to block her fist, but the impact sent him staggering backward.

Neptune was quick to recover his trident, charging in with a surge of electricity. He jabbed the weapon at Vernal, hoping to stun her with the electric charge. But Vernal dodged each thrust with ease, weaving between the strikes like a predator playing with its prey.

"Is this all Silver Hunt has?" Vernal taunted, catching Neptune's trident mid-strike and twisting it out of his hands. She spun, using the butt of the weapon to slam it into his stomach, sending him crashing into Sage.

The two of them scrambled to recover, but Vernal didn't give them a chance. She rushed forward, her fists a blur as she targeted Sage first. Her punches came fast and hard, each one shattering his defenses. Sage swung his sword in desperation, but Vernal ducked low, driving her shoulder into his midsection and sending him sprawling.

Neptune tried to intervene, his aura flaring as he charged in with a powerful kick. But Vernal caught his leg in mid-air, flipping him over and slamming him into the ground with bone-crunching force. His aura shattered on impact, leaving him dazed and gasping for air.

Sage staggered back to his feet, sword raised, but Vernal was already in front of him. She grabbed the blade with both hands, twisting it out of his grip before delivering a brutal uppercut that lifted him off his feet and sent him crashing to the ground. His aura flickered once, then shattered.

Vernal stood over their fallen forms, her eyes cold and unyielding. She wiped the sweat from her brow, her body still radiating power despite the intense fight.

"Pathetic," she muttered, glancing down at Neptune and Sage, both incapacitated at her feet. She turned her gaze toward Sun and Scarlet, both struggling to stand. "I expected more from Silver Hunt."

Scarlet gripped his last knife tightly, his eyes darting to Sun, who was breathing heavily, beads of sweat dripping from his brow. They were outmatched, and they knew it.

Vernal rushed forward. With a swift kick, she sent Sun tumbling back, his staff clattering uselessly to the ground. Before Scarlet could react, she was on him, her fist smashing into his gut with brutal precision. The air left his lungs in a violent gasp, and he staggered backward, falling to one knee.

"Scarlet!" Sun yelled, struggling to get back to his feet, but Vernal didn't give him the chance. She grabbed Scarlet by the collar, lifting him effortlessly into the air.

"Pathetic," Vernal hissed, her voice dripping with contempt. Her grip tightened, and Scarlet's face twisted in pain, his breath coming in shallow, ragged bursts.

"Let him go!" Sun shouted, charging forward. But Vernal was faster. She hurled Scarlet at Sun with bone-shattering force. They crashed into each other, the impact sending them both skidding across the ground.

Vernal stood over them, eyes cold. "You should have stayed down."

With a blur of movement, she grabbed Scarlet again, this time with lethal intent. Sun scrambled to his knees, reaching for his fallen weapon, but it was too late. Vernal drove her fist into Scarlet's chest with terrifying strength breaking his aura and going through it.

Time seemed to slow. Scarlet's eyes widened in shock, his mouth opening in a silent gasp. Sun's heart clenched in his chest as he watched his friend's life drain from his eyes. Blood seeped from Scarlet's lips, and his body went limp in Vernal's grasp.

"No..." Sun whispered, his voice breaking.

Vernal released Scarlet, letting his body fall to the ground in a lifeless heap. Sun's vision blurred with tears, his mind refusing to accept what had just happened.

"You were never going to win this," Vernal said coldly, her attention shifting away. She glanced around the battlefield and noticed the absence of Robyn Hill. A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. "She escaped. Raven's not going to be happy about that."

Sun barely heard her. His focus was on Scarlet, the overwhelming grief twisting his heart. He had failed him And now, Vernal stood over him, her shadow casting a long, cold darkness.

"You want to know something?" Vernal said, her voice dripping with arrogance. "My semblance… I never get tired. As long as I have aura, I can keep fighting. You, on the other hand…" She gestured to Sun, his body trembling with exhaustion, his aura flickering weakly. "You're running on fumes."

Sun's mind raced. He couldn't beat her, not like this. Not with his strength fading. But as his eyes fell on the blood-stained knife that had slipped from Scarlet's hand during the fight, an idea flickered in the back of his mind.

Vernal stepped forward, ready to finish him. Her hand reached for his throat, her face a mask of ruthless determination. Sun's grip tightened around the hilt of the knife as he concealed it behind his back.

"I'm done playing with you, monkey," Vernal said, lifting him off the ground by his shirt. Her other hand raised, ready to deliver the final blow.

In a desperate move, Sun lashed out, driving the knife into her right eye. The blade sank deep, and Vernal let out a scream of pure agony, staggering back as blood poured from the wound.

The knife stuck in her skull, but it didn't stop her. Vernal ripped the blade from her eye, blood dripping from her face as she stared at Sun with murderous rage.

"You…" she snarled, clutching her bleeding eye. "That… was a mistake.

"

Before Sun could react, Vernal lashed out with a powerful strike. Her fist connected with his head, and everything went black. His body crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

Vernal stood over him, her breath ragged, one hand covering her ruined eye. Despite the injury, she was still standing. She looked down at the two broken bodies before her, her expression unreadable.

Shay groaned as he pushed himself off the ground, his head spinning from the brutal hit that had knocked him out earlier. Wiping the blood from his mouth, he rose to his feet, surveying the scene with a twisted grin. Vernal stood over the bodies of Sun and Scarlet, her hand still pressed against the bloody mess where her eye used to be.

"Well, well, looks like someone had a rough time," Shay taunted, his voice dripping with mockery. He tilted his head, eyeing the knife wound in her face. "Lost an eye, huh? That's gotta sting."

Vernal shot him a cold glare, her jaw clenched. "Shut up."

Shay chuckled, pacing toward her with a swagger in his step. "Oh, don't get all touchy now. You still handled those two pests, I'll give you that. Thanks for taking care of the trash."

His eyes fell on Sun, who lay motionless on the ground, his golden fur streaked with blood. Shay's grin widened as he got one of his pistols, spinning it lazily in his hand. "But now, I think I'll finish the job."

Vernal's expression darkened. "Leave the monkey to me," she growled, her voice low and dangerous. "You can have the other two, but he is mine."

Shay's grin faltered for a moment, but then he shrugged, clearly not interested in her demands. "Oh, I don't think so. You've had your fun, sweetheart. Now it's my turn."

Ignoring her, he leveled the pistol at Sun, his finger hovering over the trigger. The cold barrel gleamed in the dim light as he took aim at Sun's head. Vernal's muscles tensed, her blood boiling with fury. She had warned him, and now he was trying to steal her prey.

In an instant, before Shay could fire, Vernal moved. With lightning speed, she lunged forward, her arm piercing clean through Shay's back. His body jerked in shock, the gun slipping from his fingers as he gasped in pain. Blood dripped from her arm, which now protruded from his chest, slick with his blood.

Shay's eyes widened in disbelief, a choked gurgle escaping his throat as he tried to comprehend what had just happened.

"You really thought a weakling like you could take what belongs to me?" Vernal hissed in his ear, her voice filled with cold malice. She twisted her arm, and Shay's body spasmed in agony. "You were defeated. You have no aura left. Don't try to take someone else's prize."

With a final push, Vernal yanked her arm free, and Shay collapsed to the ground in a lifeless heap, his blood pooling beneath him.

Vernal looked down at his corpse with disdain before turning her gaze back to Sun. He was still unconscious, unaware of how close he had come to death. Her eye throbbed with pain, but she didn't care. He was hers now and she was gonna make him pay.

But before Vernal could act, a familiar voice broke through the night.

"Well, well. Vernal."

Qrow Branwen stepped in, his gaze as sharp as the blade resting on his shoulder. Behind him, Weiss and Blake appeared, carrying the unconscious forms of Neptune and Sage. The weight of the moment was thick, made even heavier by Scarlet's lifeless body on the ground and Sun's motionless form at Vernal's feet.

"If you're looking for a fight," Qrow warned, his tone low and dangerous, "you won't survive it. I'm just here to take the kids. Authorities are probably already on their way. And I doubt Raven would be pleased if you were caught."

Vernal's single good eye narrowed at the mention of Raven. Her posture tensed, but she didn't move. Qrow's presence dredged up old memories, memories of when he and Raven had trained her in their tribe. Back then, she was a fierce but loyal student, someone he saw potential in. Now, they stood on opposite sides, and that potential had been twisted into something darker.

Qrow's voice softened, a flicker of regret passing through his usually hardened expression. "So it really is you, Vernal. You've come a long way. It's a damn shame, though... that you ended up as a tool for the High Council."

For a moment, Vernal hesitated, the words stirring something in her. She remembered those days—the harsh training, the life of a bandit, the loyalty she'd had to both Qrow and Raven. But those days were gone, and she had chosen her path.

"The orders of Raven are absolute," she said coldly, her voice devoid of any emotion. "You know that better than anyone."

"You were better than this," Qrow said quietly, the regret heavy in his words. This was the life she chose, the life Raven had guided her to. There was no turning back now.

Without further conversation, Vernal glanced at Sun once more, as if considering finishing him off. But she could see the fight was over. She was running low on aura, her semblance the only thing keeping her upright. She couldn't take on Qrow, Weiss, and the other girl in this state.

She took a slow step back, her eye still locked on Qrow, before she finally turned and disappeared into the night.

Qrow stood there for a moment, staring after her, the weight of what she'd become settling heavily on his shoulders. Then he knelt by Sun, checking his pulse, his expression unreadable. He glanced at Scarlet's body, a flash of something—grief, guilt—crossing his face.

"Let's get them out of here," he muttered to Weiss and Blake.

After evaluating the situation a little, I think I will be able to publish two chapters a week, but if for some reason I do not do so, it is because some problem or issue arose. About the reviews: Dan1142000, Thank you very much, I hope to be able to make a more enjoyable story as I progress further.

Naedinefebruary2.0 Unfortunately I don't have money at the moment, I have some problems to solve, but maybe in the future, if everything goes smoothly this will be a long fanfic so later it might be possible for me, thanks.