Halo, it's time for the newest chapter. Enjoy the reading.
The ward was dull and silent as the setting sun filtered through the window, casting an orange glow on the white beds and bedding, from which Adam, sitting by the window, peered out. He wore a white hospital gown and was covered in white gauze, including his left eye, which the doctors thought he would lose.
- ...and then, at the very end, Alyx heard one last question. What are you? - The only support he had left after all this was his girlfriend, Blake, who had always been there for him, visiting him and reading him one of her favorite stories, The Girl Who Fell Through a World.
- Thank you. - Adam was grateful that Blake had always visited and read to him. - I don't know what I would do without you.
- Come on, - Blake just blushed and put the book down on the small table next to the bed. - if you hadn't saved me, I wouldn't be here. - She took out another book that might please the boy. - I'll leave you another book here that you might like. The Story of the Four Maidens.
- Will you read it to me next time? - Adam hoped.
- I brought it so you wouldn't be bored. - Blake laughed. - Read it yourself. - Adam turned away disappointed. - What's wrong? I promise I'll come if you're worried about it.
- It's not... - Adam blushed awkwardly. - It's just...
- It's just, what? - Blake tilted his head curiously to the side.
- I can't. - Adam admitted.
- What? - Blake shook her head in confusion. - Read?
- Yes. - It was embarrassing for Adam, because everyone can read, but he couldn't.
- What? - It was incomprehensible to Blake.
- Faunus workers living in the slums and working in the mines don't get educated. - Adam clenched his fists angrily as he thought about his life on Atlas. - To them, we weren't sentient beings, just tools to be used, discarded when we got hurt and... our owners branded us. They didn't care about our education.
Blake couldn't understand how humans could treat faunus like this. She knew that in most of Remnant, faunus were treated as second-class citizens, but she had no idea that they were being forced to work as slaves in Atlas.
- But this... - Blake was horrified and angry at the people at the same time. - This is illegal! Why didn't you go to the police or the courts?
- The police?! - Adam laughed. - Do you think the rich people of Atlas care about the fate of faunus, that they kill or maim us?! - He took a deep breath. - We need a revolution to gain our rights.
- But... - Blake, as much as possible, wanted to avoid armed conflict. - My father is working with the White Fang for this cause.
- All my respect goes to your father, Blake... - Adam took the girl's hand. - But he's moving too slowly and cautiously and I'm not even sure that in the right direction.
- What are you talking about? - Blake was worried because for a moment she saw a dark shadow of hatred in Adam's eyes, which lasted only for a moment, but it frightened her.
- Nothing. - Adam just shook his head and looked towards the book that Blake had placed on the table. - What is the other book about?
- Oh, - Blake just shook her head and did her best to forget what she had seen in the boy's eye. - About four girls who meet a lonely old man who lives in the forest and help him.
- Sounds interesting. - Adam put on his kind smile again.
- How about I teach you to read? - Blake suggested.
- Are you sure you want to? - Adam was worried that it would be much harder to learn as an adult.
- Sure. - Blake assured him. - I'll bring another book, a little easier. - She blew a kiss on the boy's forehead. - I'll be here with you, forever.
- Promise? - Adam asked with the most sincere and longing look possible.
- I promise. - Blake really meant it then, she believed that with Adam by his side they could achieve a lot together.
Betrayal. A single word, but it covers terrible things that can bring out the darkest things in even the best-intentioned person. A false promise, a broken heart and the cruelty of the world were enough to corrupt Adam Taurus' heart and destroy the woman he once loved the most.
When Adam's eyes snapped open, he was surprised to find himself still alive and lying on a beach. He looked around in alarm, not having the faintest idea where he was. A jungle stretched out in front of him, the sea behind him and a sandy beach on either side.
Wilt stabbed into the sand at his feet, which he firmly took in, and something occurred to him. If he had fallen here and survived, then Blake, Yang, and the rest of their friends could be here and alive too.
From this realization, Adam's mind was flooded with anger, he saw nothing but red and heard the sky begin to rumble and in one moment, the sky, which was clear and the sun was shining, was now covered with black storm clouds that were scattering lightning. Adam finally gave all his anger into one big roar, which could be heard perhaps half the island and a lightning bolt struck in front of him, causing one of the trees to catch fire.
The next moment, Wilt began to vibrate in the scabbard and Adam curiously and anxiously took out his weapon, the blade of which was glowing red. He didn't understand what had happened, since a large amount of energy was constantly flowing into Wilt and it was ready to shoot an energy beam. This was incomprehensible, because until now, if he wanted to use Wilt like this, he had to concentrate hard and consume a lot of aura for shooting a single beam. Now, he doesn't even have to try, but Wilt is about to explode, it has so much energy.
Adam, to prevent the sword from exploding, swiped towards the jungle and shot a much stronger energy beam than before, with which he cut down at least four thick trees and a large part of the dense vegetation.
Wilt's light still hadn't gone out, it flooded with energy again and Adam swiped another one, this time towards the sea and an equally large energy beam shot towards the sea, which split it in two for a short time.
Adam didn't understand what and how it happened, but wherever he was, this place had amazing energies that he could absorb with Wilt at any time and he didn't have to use his own or others' energy.
The border of the Paper Pleasers' Acre was approaching, at least half a dozen paper slopes and hills had to be crossed, and only a paper pass led to a paper mountain, where Jaune led the RWBY team and Neo.
- So, Jaune... - Yang was a little nervous, what kind of monster could be guarding the entrance to the neighboring Acre. - What kind of creature will we be fighting?
- Yeah, tell us something about it. - Ruby joined in. - We could at least work out some strategy.
- Does it have weaknesses? - Blake also tried to guess.
- What does it look like at all? - Weiss was also worried.
- It would be hard to put into words, - Jaune began. - but I don't know if this creature has a weak point. Since the first time I saw it, I couldn't believe my eyes that such a monster could exist.
They reached a slope where a path led up the mountain and a warning sign was posted, "Caution, if you value your life, turn back!"
- Did you put this here? - Weiss recognized her boyfriend's writing.
- Yes, - Jaune nodded, becoming more tense and frightened as they stepped onto the path and saw more and more warning signs at every turn. - I put up more warning signs to protect those who wandered here. Many beings from the Ever After went to the monster's cave and perished because they didn't know what was in the cave.
- What happened to them? - Blake was also starting to get scared the longer he listened to the story about the monster.
- Most of them decorated the cave and its nest with their corpses. - Jaune replied before getting off Juniper. - We're here. The cave is over the next ridge.
- Then what are we waiting for?! - Yang was already impatiently starting to move, but Jaune quickly grabbed her shoulder to stop her.
- Are you crazy?! If we charge senselessly, we'll all die and end up in it's stomach!
- Then what should we do?! - Yang didn't want to wait, nor move slowly.
- Maybe, let's sneak up closer and take a look. - Blake suggested.
- That sounds good. - Ruby turned Crescent Rose into rifle mode and together with Jaune they moved ahead.
They reached the edge of the ridge, where a slope led to a cave, in front of which were scattered at least a dozen bones or other material body parts, left over from the creatures of the Ever After that had passed through.
- Here we are, - Jaune was already trembling with familiar fear and hid behind one of the paper rocks. - the monster's cave.
- What's the plan? - Blake turned to Ruby, who was watching the cave with Crescent Rose's telescope.
- Neo, could you... - Ruby turned to the silent girl, but Jaune immediately pushed the girl to the ground.
- Take cover! Here it comes! - He signaled the other girls to lie on the ground and pushed Ruby's head down as well.
After escaping from Jaune's grip, Ruby crawled closer to the slope to examine the monster that Jaune was so afraid of. She couldn't see anything, the only thing that was in front of the cave and moving among the body parts was a small, green plush frog that could fit in the palm of her hand.
- Where is it? - Ruby shook her head in fear, prepared for the monster to jump out from anywhere.
- There! - Jaune stuck his head out of cover and pointed at the plush frog.
- Behind the frog? - Ruby asked in a whisper.
- No, it's the frog! - Jaune answered nervously because the girl didn't want to understand his warning.
- You got to be kidding, right? - Weiss put her hands on her hips tiredly and the other girls looked at Jaune angrily.
- What... - It was incomprehensible to Jaune that the girls weren't scared of the frog.
- You got us excited for nothing! - Yang was also disappointed that she couldn't be part of a good fight.
- Jaune, - Blake was more worried. - I'm afraid there's something wrong with your head.
Neo circled her finger in front of her temple for the third time, indicating that she thought Jaune was crazy.
- I'm not crazy! - Jaune snapped. - This is no ordinary frog! - He tried to warn the girls again, who paid no attention to him in anger and disappointment. - You've never met a more evil, vile and malicious amphibian!
- And I was even prepared for it. - Weiss buried her head in her hands from the shame her boyfriend had caused.
- Just be careful, - Jaune threw it at him offended. - if you get caught, your mouths won't be so big!
- You made a good joke on us. - Yang just shook her head and shrugged. - What is it doing, drooling over us?
- It has a mouth so big it could easily swallow a whole person! - Jaune pointed at the frog. - And it jumps as high as a... - Jaune was just scared again when he looked at the plush frog. - look at its legs, how big they are!
- I'll take care of that ugly, scary frog. - Yang just waved and started towards the frog, while the others, except for Jaune, stood up angrily.
Yang was already clenching her fists and preparing to take care of it, but the frog stuck its tongue out of its mouth, which stuck to Yang's coat and pulled her towards it with incredible force and swallowed her all at once.
- Holy...! - Ruby could hardly believe her eyes that this tiny, even cute, frog had taken her sister all at once.
- Yang! - Blake looked terrified after her girlfriend disappeared.
- See?! - Jaune hoped that would convince the girls. - I told you so!
- Let's attack! - Blake didn't want to wait, she took out Gumbo Shroud and rushed towards the frog to save her girlfriend.
Team RWBY and Neo followed, but Jaune stayed behind, worried about facing the monster again.
Blake was the first to attack, but in the blink of an eye the frog jumped so high that it jumped over her head and Weiss tried to catch it with a black gravity rune. The frog spat a sticky slime in her face, which made her concentration disappear, the rune disappeared and the frog grabbed Ruby's scythe with its tongue this time and pulled it out of her hand and crawled under the girl's clothes.
- Ouch, it bites! - Ruby screamed, trying to drive the slimy intruder out of her dress, which was crawling out of her neck.
The frog then aimed its tongue at Neo, but the girl's body shattered as if it were made of glass and immediately appeared next to Ruby and tried to knock the frog down with Hush. However, the creature climbed onto Hush and Neo nervously tried to shake it off, but in vain, because the frog was already on her arm, but the girl caught it with her other hand.
The frog didn't remain idle and Neo already had one arm in its mouth when the girl tried to pull her hand off in horror. Blake and Weiss grabbed both of the frog's legs together and started pulling.
The frog let go of Neo's hand and only pulled off her glove, but the frog grabbed Blake's ankle with its tongue and pulled the ground out from under her feet, causing her to fall to the ground, but Weiss then threw it against the rock.
The creature stood up again and after a croaking, spat out Yang, who wasn't only soaked in slime, but also looked terrified.
- Retreat! - Ruby gave the order after trying to help her sister up, but she didn't move, just lay on the ground, slimy from head to toe and trembling.
- I'll help you! - Blake immediately ran to help her girfriend up and together with Ruby they were carried back to where Jaune was hiding and watching the events.
Weiss and Neo didn't dare to stay any longer and followed the others, luckily, the frog didn't follow them.
- See, I told you! - Jaune wanted to laugh. - I said it's dangerous, but you, "No, just a harmless little frog"!
- Fine! - Ruby soothed. - We got it! You were right!
- Yang, are you okay?! - Blake, since her girlfriend is just lying on the ground and shivering.
- My pride... - Yang just mumbled tiredly and painfully. - I saw... things...
- You're the first one who survived being swallowed. - Jaune was shocked by this. - You're lucky.
- I don't feel like it. - Yang's strength was starting to return, but the horrible experience was still very fresh and she started to clean the mucus off herself.
- So far, this is truly the rudest creature we've ever encountered. - Weiss also understood why Jaune was so afraid of the frog.
Neo remembered that she could summon an even more brutal creature. She didn't have to wait long, she stepped forward and summoned at least six Jabberwalkers in the blink of an eye and sent them towards the frog.
- Wait, - Ruby remembered something about the Jabberwalker. - if one of these kills you, it means they won't ascend!
- I don't care at this moment! - Yang didn't care at all, she wanted to get rid of the frog. - It swallowed me! I was in it's stomach! It could die by me!
Neo's Jabberwalkers did their thing, the frog jumped around, it finished off at least three Jabberwalker clones, but it couldn't do anything against the remaining three and one of them grabbed it and ate it.
Once the frog was gone, Neo made the Jabberwalkers disappear, leaving nothing behind except her lost, slime-soaked glove, which she picked up from the ground in disgust and threw away.
- I never thought I would ever see this day. - After the frog disappeared, Jaune felt as if a huge stone had fallen from his heart
- Now we can explore this Acre. - Ruby confidently started into the cave, while the others followed.
The cave was dark and damp, so the girls had to use their Scrolls for light, but after a few minutes of walking they saw the end of the tunnel and a bright light filtered into the cave.
When they arrived, an amazing sight opened up before them, the ground that spread out before their feet was purple and the vegetation also took on a lighter shade of purple. The canopy of the tall trees with dark bark, wrapped in vines, was also a pale purple, but the fruits that grew on them were actually made of hard, shiny crystal. Dozens of luminous, colorful crystals grew from the ground and even the mountains were made of crystal.
- I think we can call this the Crystal Forest. - Yang immediately came up with the name of the estate.
- I hope we can find a way out here. - Blake, as much as she thought the Crystal Forest was wonderful, was so hopeful.
- It's wonderful. - Weiss took a clear, translucent, light blue crystal in her hand.
Neo put at least a dozen colorful crystals in her jacket pocket, hoping that they would be worth some if they ever returned to Remnant.
- Seriously? - Ruby could hardly believe that the mute girl was thinking about money.
- Come on, - Suddenly, the Roman clone appeared behind Ruby, which scared the girl a little. - if you grow up in the underworld, you should know that money always takes time.
- Could it be that you are looking for a way out rather than crystals? - Ruby emphasized what she was saying a little.
- Maybe both, Little Red? - The clone Roman gave Ruby a ruby red crystal. - And I would be crazy if I didn't collect shining gems for a shining lady. - And he gave a pink crystal to Neo, who stared at the clone she had created with a sweet smile.
- Okay... - Yang didn't know what to say about the scene. - this is starting to get a little creepy.
- Something you don't like, Blonde? - The clone Roman stared at Yang curiously.
- You know this isn't the real Roman, right? - Weiss asked the girl worriedly.
- Of course she does! - The Roman clone put his hand on Neo's shoulder and then his joking voice suddenly became stern and angry. - You know I ended up in Salem's captivity because of you.
- Hey, that's not... - Yang immediately glared at the clone, but it quickly retorted.
- Didn't I save you from that madman? - The clone's eyes changed from green to pink and brown, just like Neo's. - Roman sacrificed himself so I could save you because he thought you had a plan! - Neo looked at the team angrily.
- If you think we've forgotten that, you're wrong, Neo. - Blake stepped closer to the mute girl who was speaking through her clone.
- You've helped us a lot. - Ruby supported her. - If I remember correctly, you infiltrated Salem's circle and together with Roman you captured Watts.
- And what good was that? - The clone Roman just spread his hands. - Ironwood just finished what he started! Your plan wasn't that brilliant either, getting us here!
- Cinder ambushed us! - Weiss joined in. - She used the Lamp to find out our plan!
- We can't turn on each other, Neo. - Ruby tried to convince the girl. - And we definitely can't give up.
- It's just... - Although the clone Roman spoke, Neo crossed her arms and lowered her head sadly. - I hate the fact that Roman's in trouble, he needs my help and I'm simply helpless. We're wasting away here, in this fairy tale world, while who knows what's happening with him? - Neo raised her head and looked at the girls and Jaune. - How would you feel.
The RWBY team and Jaune just listened sadly, since Weiss understood how she would feel if Jaune was captured by the enemy and Yang didn't want to think about what would happen if someone took Blake from her.
- Oh, my poor little... - Yang walked over to Neo and hugged her. - I'm so sorry. - She gently stroked the girl's long, pink and brown hair. Neo felt a little uncomfortable that Yang was hugging and stroking her like that, but somehow she found it soothing.
- I promise, - Ruby said. - when we get out of here, we will look for him.
- But now we need to focus on the point. - Jaune added.
- You're so natural. - Blake was impressed by how well Yang knew how to calm the girl.
- I've had experience with it. - Yang smiled sadly as she thought back to the past. - When mom died and dad was emotionally devastated, I had to be the one to take charge and... - She looked at her sister, who smiled gratefully at her. - Take care of Ruby.
- You did well. - Ruby knew that she owed a lot to her sister for becoming who she was.
- I'd be a terrible sister if I couldn't tell when a girl who could be my sister is emotionally upset. - Yang finally let go of the relieved and calm Neo, who was a little grumpy at the fact that she was speaking to her as if she were younger.
- You know Neo's older than you, right? - The Roman clone spoke reluctantly, but no one cared as the group continued on their way.
The Crystal Forest was as strange as it was wonderful, as all sorts of strange, crystal creatures crawled, slithered, and climbed in it, just curiously looking at the unusual newcomers, but they were used to it, that they were the strangers here.
- Look! - Jaune pointed to the top of one of the crystal mountains, on which an unusually bright light shone and to which a mirror-smooth, white, translucent crystal bridge led. - I think I know what it is! The Bridge of the Challenge!
- What is it? - Ruby turned to her teammate curiously.
- In the book, - Blake remembered. - Alyx and her companions found the Mirror of the True Heart beyond the Bridge, which showed them where the way out was.
- As for that, - Jaune, who had experienced the book, corrected her. - in reality we were just trying to reach it, but the monster was blocking our way and...
- Don't call that little frog a monster! - Weiss still hadn't processed the fact that the frog in front of the cave they were having serious trouble with was a monster.
- Well, then the cave's guardian, - Jaune, to avoid an argument, preferred to call it something else. - made it difficult to get through.
- So, you didn't find the Mirror either? - Yang didn't understand.
- Not all of us. - Jaune replied. - In reality, me and the Excited Carpenter distracted the frog while Alyx, Lewis, the Butterfly Lady and the Cat sneaked past it. - A painful memory lives in him. - The Carpenter didn't survive and the frog swallowed him, just like Yang.
- Now I really feel lucky. - Yang shivered a little at how little needed to be eaten by the frog.
- Then let's go to the Bridge! - Ruby and the others excitedly started forward.
- Wait, it's not that easy! - Jaune warned them and this time the others thought it would be better if they listened to him. - We have to get past the Bridge Guard first.
- Then we'll beat him up real good! - Yang was ready for another fight.
- We don't have to defeat him in a physical fight. - Jaune was worried that Yang's fighting attitude could only make the situation worse. - Lewis said that the Guard would ask everyone three questions and whoever answered them could cross the Bridge.
- And if someone couldn't answer them? - Ruby was a little worried in advance.
- He'd lock them in a crystal block and stay there forever to expand the mountain. - Jaune was worried in advance that it could happen to any of them.
- Who will be the first? - Weiss looked at the team nervously.
- I will. - Jaune volunteered. - It's time to find out if Alyx was telling the truth.
Jaune started towards the Bridge with fear in his heart, but resolutely, while the RWBY team and Neo followed behind.
As soon as he reached the Bridge, the wind rose, bringing black feathers with it, which, like a small tornado, a black hooded and cloaked figure appeared and stopped with his hand, commanding Jaune to stop.
- Whoever wishes to pass the Bridge of the Challenge, - the figure began, in a hoarse, old voice, ominously. - must answer three questions, or I will throw you into the stomach of the mountain.
- Let me hear the three questions, - Jaune pulled himself up and knew that he couldn't turn back for his friends. - I'm not afraid of them!
- What is your name? - The dark figure asked.
- Jaune Arc, the Rusted Knight!
- What are you looking for, Jaune?
- The way to Remnant.
- And what is your favorite color?
- Yellow.
- Okay, - The dark figure bowed and made way for the knight. - you may pass.
Jaune didn't need any more, he smiled confidently back at his friends and started walking across the crystal bridge.
- That's it?! - Yang stepped forward with relief and the girls followed her towards the Bridge.
- Stop! - The dark figure stopped them and, since Yang was the first, he fixed his gaze on her. - Whoever wishes to pass the Bridge of the Challenge must answer three questions...
- Yeah, yeah! - Yang just waved impatiently.
- Or I'll throw you into the stomach of the mountain.
- Let me hear the three questions, I'm not afraid of them! - Yang confidently placed her hands on her hips.
- What is your name?
- Yang Xiao Long, Huntress.
- And what are you looking for, Yang?
- The way to Remnat.
- And who is the mistress of the Moon Castle? - This question completely shocked Yang and the entire group.
- How should I know that?! - Yang threw it away indignantly, but as soon as she said this, two crystal blocks grew out of the ground, surrounding and covering the girl.
- Yang! - Blake panicked, realizing that her girlfriend was locked in a crystal block and wasn't moving. - Let her go!
- Whoever wishes to pass the Bridge of the Challenge, - The dark figure continued. - you must answer three questions or I will throw you into the stomach of the mountain.
- If I answer, will you let me go?! - Blake glared at the figure, whose face she hadn't even seen.
- I'm asking, not you! - The dark figure didn't answer, just asked the first question. - What is your name?
- Blake Belladonna, Huntress!
- And what are you looking for, Blake?
- The way to Remnant!
- And what is your favorite color?
- Yellow!
- No, purple!
- But... - Blake didn't even have time to react when two crystal blocks, just like Yang, enclosed her.
Ruby, Weiss, and Neo looked at each other nervously and silently asked each other for advice on which one should go first. Finally, Weiss was the first to step forward.
- Whoever wishes to pass the Bridge of Challenge must answer three questions, or I will throw you into the stomach of the mountain.
- Let me hear the three questions, I'm not afraid of them! - Weiss pulled herself together.
- What is your name?
- Weiss Schnee, Huntress.
- And what are you looking for, Weiss?
- The way to Remnant.
- And how many leap years have there been in the past thousand years, if we multiply the number of real leap years by thirty and take the square root of the whole. - Weiss just blinked in confusion at the question and said the first thing that came to mind.
- That's stupid! - She quickly closed her mouth and was terrified that she would end up as a crystal block too.
- Right, you may pass! - Unbelievable, but the Bridge Guardian let her through.
Weiss just shook her head in confusion, but didn't tempt her luck and started across the crystal bridge.
Ruby and Neo looked at each other nervously, because there were only two of them left, and since Neo couldn't speak, Ruby was next.
- Whoever wants to pass the Bridge of Challenge must answer three questions, or I'll throw you into the stomach of the mountain.
- I'm not afraid, let's hear the questions! - Ruby looked at the Guard firmly.
- What is your name?
- Ruby Rose, Huntress.
- And what are you looking for, Ruby?
- The way to Remnant.
- And what is the maximum speed of the Jabberwalker?
- It depends on whether it's the real Jabberwalker or a clone one?
- I... - The Guardian stopped at first and was completely at a loss. - I don't know.
In the next moment, the crystal blocks enclosed the Guardian, then swallowed him, Yang and Blake, into the depths of the mountain.
- Yang! Blake! - Ruby desperately tried to catch the block of her sister and friend, but in vain, they sank into the depths as if they weren't even there. Neo stood next to her and nodded that they should continue.
Ruby, since she could do nothing, listened to her companion and together they set off on the crystal bridge.
On the other side of the Bridge, they found an altar with a crystal mirror placed on it.
- Weiss?! Jaune?! - What shocked Ruby the most was that neither Jaune nor Weiss was at the altar, even though they had made it through.
Ruby desperately took out Crescent Rose and Neo did the same with Hush, worried that something might pop out from anywhere and they cautiously approached the mirror, hoping that it would answer their questions.
Ruby was the first to touch it, but the next moment, the mirror began to glow blindingly and the next moment, the two girls were surrounded by a wall of crystal mirrors. It was clear that they had fallen into a mirror maze and they had to find their way out and their friends.
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