Blake shook her head as Adam, once again, kept practicing with his new weapon. Watching him this time was professor Thumbelina Peach. Most of the other refugees had earned the people's trust, at least enough that they won't be bothered too much. Only Adam, being the face of the White Fang, earned anyone's ire and suspicion.

Adam let out another groan of frustration. Whatever it was he was trying to do, he was clearly failing at it. Blake wasn't even sure what he was going for. She could see three cuts and they were quite fast, the fastest that Blake had ever seen. Yet, it just wasn't enough for Adam. It would have been easier had Adam gotten a shorter blade, had to be lighter assuming similar materials; it wasn't even the sword he usually uses nor was it the movements that Blake had known of Adam. It was something else entirely.

He's been going at it for hours now. The sun was already on the other side of the sky by the time he began.

She sighed. She shook her head. At least, Adam was trying to do something. Blake was still stuck there on the shores, unsure and ignorant of what to do. The most commotion that she had gotten involved with was when the refugees witnessed Weiss Schnee approach; with her had been Ruby.

Never did Blake wish she could run before that moment. But Ruby was faster and Blake had been stopped by some other hooded woman named Lancer. Then, Blake remembered that Lancer was Ruby's familiar, a Servant.

Blake gave no resistance. She already knew from experience what Servants could do. The horrors that they could enact if they so wish. Lancer may be bound to Ruby but that didn't suddenly remove the threat of the Servant.

There was Astolfo too. That strength of his was massive and beyond what any huntsman could have done, even with aura techniques and a strength-based semblance.

Yang was nowhere to be found that time which made Blake glad. She really didn't want to see her again after all this. Not like that. Not in that state that Blake was in. She couldn't face her. She couldn't face Yang at all.

Blake saw her there, with CRDL—CRBY. Disbelief shook her head when Cardin Winchester of all people defended the faunus. She still remembered when Cardin pulled Velvet's ears. She still remembered how he would call the faunus freaks. Yet, here he was, doing more for the faunus in this moment than herself.

She saw Yang laugh and pat Cardin's back. He wasn't good with kids but Yang was. The others were just climbing on top of the bigger huntsman and made him the jungle gym. One climbed high enough to get to his shoulders only to fall to the other side. Cardin caught the little one who then laughed and begged to do it again.

"Quite the growth, mister Winchester has, don't you think, miss Belladonna?" asked professor Peach suddenly.

Blake jumped back. "Professor? But Adam?"

Peach pointed to a passed out Adam Taurus. "Finally tuckered himself out. His stamina would give in eventually."

It was another familiar sight around here that most others had just ignored by this point. Most were fine with it since Adam was within sight. Their concern only grew if he was out of sight. Adam Taurus was still a capable fighter and one who had rallied many faunus to his cause. He might still do so now, they would think.

Blake was sure that it wouldn't happen again but Vale was being cautious and careful around Adam Taurus. With these Servants around, Blake wondered if Vale even knows of the danger that was within its own borders and the equal dangers that threaten it from outside.

There was more commotion going on. Was it Weiss again? Blake couldn't hear any mention of Schnee anywhere. It wasn't Weiss, then. Blake felt relief wash over her followed by shame. She still couldn't face team RWBY. She's still feels unworthy to be in their presence.

Among the crowd, Blake could see a cloth flying in the wind, a banner of sorts. There was awe and admiration with some jokes and chuckles thrown towards whoever was supposed to help them. The children were especially happy at least.

Sun broke off from the rest of the crowd and rushed towards Blake, arms flailing. Blake rolled her eyes and waved back.

He stopped in front of her, panting. Sun was catching his breath.

"Blake," he said between breaths. "Oh gods, I… I really need to do some cardio again. All this leadership business is doing bad for my bod. I think I'm losing my pecs from all the sitting down and talking!"

"Back on topic," Blake replied. "Sun."

"Right, yeah." Sun nodded. He pointed back. "You wouldn't believe who just arrived!"

She sighed. "Another Servant?" she guessed.

Sun put his hand on her mouth. "Shh! Look, I don't know why they're trying to do here but this whole Servant thing has to be kept secret for the most part. I know, I learned of it from that Archer guy."

Blake didn't give much of a reaction but nodded in assent. "So, who is he?"

"Blake Belladonna," a masculine voice was heard.

Sun stepped to the side. He didn't need to with how much the Servant in front of them stood out. Blake's ears, still covered by that bow, went up just as her eyes went wide. Standing in front of her was the Rusted Knight. With him was Pyrrha Nikos, Nora Valkyrie, Lie Ren, and the girl that had been holding that banner.

All the children were in awe. Most of the adults and other huntsmen were shaking their heads. They only think of the man as some huntsman having the best cosplay of the Rusted Knight. But Blake knew better. That same air about him, the danger was that of a Servant. If the Curious Cat had been around, so too would the Rusted Knight. That left the Jabberwalker.

Unlike the one called Caster, or Curious Cat, or even Sanson, Blake felt a greater danger coming from the Rusted Knight standing in front of her. Her hairs stood stiff as she succumbed to animalistic instinct and made a poor attempt at making herself bigger.

But he had called her by name. How did he know her? Her eyes drifted to the three-man team known as JNPR.

"Hello again, Blake," Pyrrha said. Nora waved wildly while Ren bowed.

The banner girl kept walking and picked up Adam Taurus with one arm. Adam tried to resist but failed physically. That girl did something for Adam complied without complaint soon after. Blake felt that same danger again, another Servant. Just how many of them were there?

That girl motioned them all to follow. The Rusted Knight turned to Pyrrha. Pyrrha nodded.

The Rusted Knight got to his knee. "Milady. I am to escort thee to our destination. May I take thine hand?"

Behind him, amazement was heard as a carriage made of colorful paper appeared. They were being pulled by paper horses.

What is with this princess thing? What's with all of this right now? Everyone was expecting something from Blake and she didn't want any attention anymore. She wasn't the same girl that dreamed her fairytales anymore.

She still took the Rusted Knight's hand. She was escorted to the carriage and he even opened the door for her. Ren, Nora, and Pyrrha had their own ride apparently.

The moment the paper doors closed, she asked, "what's going on?"

The Rusted Knight dropped the act. "A favor." He removed the helmet, revealing an older Jaune Arc. "Ruby asked for a little help and we thought the best thing to do that is to give you no other option."

"Jaune?" Blake tilted. "How do you look so old? Wait, no." She stood up from her seat. "How are you alive?"

"Servant: Rider," he said. "True Name: Jaune Arc the Rusted Knight. Call me Rider in public. Considering what happened to Jaune, you can see why it might not be a good idea to call me that in anyone's earshot."

"Huh?"

"Well, at least your energy is coming back. I heard you've been out of it ever since you all came here."

"Wait, wait, wait." Blake had both hands raised. "Huh?" There were many things that rushed into her mind. They also quickly rushed out of it that she couldn't even hold onto one question.

"Alternate timeline," Rider said. "Yes, I'm the Rusted Knight. Met Alyx; she actually has a brother named Lewis. The events of the book are how Lewis wanted it to be; he's the actual author and wrote himself out of it. Pyrrha summoned me with my weapon as a catalyst. Rider-class Servant, same sort of thing as Caster. Did I miss anything?"

"How?" Blake asked.

"Alternate timeline, Blake." Rider deadpanned. "Really, try to pay attention. Left my mark in history. Oh, right." He realized something. "It's more accurate to say that I'm the template."

"But does that mean…"

Rider nodded. "Curious Cat exists and is a Caster. Jabeberwalker too, it's the Berserker. The True Berserker."

"What?"

"True Servants are the actual participants. Companion Servants are extras. Curious Cat is a Companion." There was a pause. "So was Sanson."

The mention of the name made Blake pause. She begun to shake.

"I'm sorry," Rider said. His voice apologetic. "I'm sorry for your loss. I hear he's a good man."

Before Blake could say anything, the paper carriage stopped. Rider put on that helmet again.

"Milady?" he put on that act again.

They were led towards a different sort of building. It wasn't one of the built ones for Menagerie's refugees nor was it anything near Vale. It appeared to be close to Vale's walls.

Adam Taurus was already inside, watched closely by the banner girl.

"No complaints, Jaune?" the banner girl asked.

"Nope." Rider nodded. "Shocked, as expected, sis."

"Sis?" Blake asked. "What?"

"Jeanne d'Arc," the banner girl said. "Holy Maiden. Vacuo's Companion Lancer."

Once Blake and Rider stepped into the building—it was actually a warehouse, the kind that the White Fang would use as hideout—Rider had a change of clothes. Fanciful and princely, he was just like a fairytale.

Pyrrha, Ren, and Nora were there and stood to the side. But Blake's attention was on the other people in the room: Ruby, Weiss, and Lancer. Yang was absent. Blake could see the sadness in Ruby's silver eyes.

While Blake was brought to face Ruby, Weiss, and Lancer, Adam was being dragged to another corner of the room, courtesy of Jeanne and now Rider. Blake's eyes were still focused on the fact that Rider is apparently Jaune, that the Rusted Knight is apparently Jaune Arc.

"Believe me," Weiss said. "You're taking it better than we thought you did."

"How do you think I feel?" Ruby said. "At least you guys were let in gently. I didn't get the chance to even take him all in."

"Phrasing, Ruby." Weiss face-palmed.

Easily? Blake wasn't so sure if she agreed with that. Blake still rubbed her eyes at the sight of Rider. Right now, he was… training? Training Adam? It was more accurate to say that Adam was trying to spar with Rider who held himself back.

She had to do a double take. Rider was without his Rusted Armor. All she saw was Adam Taurus being beaten by Jaune Arc of all people. An impossibility that stood right in front of her, on top of other impossibilities.

Blake shook her head. "Look, I… guys, I'm really glad to see you. Really, I am. But I… I can't be with you guys. Not like this. I'm not…"

"Not what?" Weiss had her arms crossed. "Not worthy because you had to ally with Adam Taurus to survive? Not worthy because you think you're a coward?"

"Weiss!" Ruby tried to rebuke.

But Weiss kept going, ignoring Ruby. "Not worthy for leaving Yang behind? Not worthy for being too weak? I can go on really. Stop me if I went through the entire list. Uh... what else? Give a me a minute."

Weiss didn't actually keep going but made the best impression of someone who would but was just waiting for Blake's approval. She raised an eyebrow at the lack of an answer from Blake.

"I just…" Blake shook her head. She refused to meet them in the eye. "I just bring trouble wherever I go. I really am a black cat. I first ran away from you guys and the docks happened. Then, there was Mountain Glenn. Adam and Beacon. I brought trouble to Menagerie! Caster came in and took all that he could for some damn ritual! My mother died as a sacrifice, and my father saved Adam at the cost of his own!"

There was a moment when Adam looked to Blake. Jeanne and team JNPR did too.

"Then, there's Sanson. He did what he could to protect everyone. Protect me." Her voice grew weaker and weaker. "And he's gone. Probably more of that soul thing that Caster was looking for."

Blake fell to the ground, tears rained down from her eyes. She pulled the ribbon out, revealing her cat ears to everyone, though they all knew of that truth long ago.

"I really am a black cat! An animal that brings nothing but bad luck!" She shook her head. "I can't… I can't bring that on any of you. You all have to stay away from me. My semblance isn't Shadow, it's Disaster."

Her voice whimpered on until it went unheard. She felt the shadow of Weiss approach as she went down to her level.

"You know," Weiss said. "You do realize that we're capable fighters ourselves, right?"

"So?" Blake replied. "So was Sun. Even my dad would defend himself if he was in danger. Adam is a powerful warrior by his own right, and he still lost to these Servants."

"Well, Lancer is a Servant," Ruby said. She didn't approach but kept her distance. "So is Ride—Jaune. We also have Jeanne. Beacon's new professor is one too; his name is Astolfo. A-and Saber is too and he's with Ozpin!"

In the distance, Rider gave a thumbs up. Jeanne nodded once. Lancer was by Ruby's side, not really speaking nor making any gestures.

"You don't understand," Blake insisted. "Caster is… he's not right. Not right in any way."

"Kid," Lancer spoke up. "You know that's not going to work against most of us here, right? Even if we got no shot at beating that psycho, we'd still do what we could if that's what our Masters want us to do. Besides, it's pretty common to have a few screws loose to be one of us. We got a Berserker class for a reason."

"I'm not going to throw your life away Lancer!" Ruby proclaimed.

"No? But I will throw it away if it meant you live, kid." Lancer faced Ruby. There was no expression with that mask on. "Rider would too, and it isn't exactly a Servant thing either. Most of you would do the same for your friends."

Ruby was silent.

"Thought so." Lancer turned to Blake again. "Believe me, kid. Sanson put his life on the line, yeah. But he would do it again even if you weren't around. We all died once. Heroic Spirits are there to die again so that y'all get to keep living. Seeing where you are after we're gone is part of the reward."

"But can you?" Blake wasn't believing it. "Can you really beat someone like Caster?"

"He may not be Grimm," Lancer replied. "But that doesn't mean I'm suddenly helpless. My Noble Phantasm would still hurt like hell and you could bet I'll make sure the hurting counts."

Blake kept her eyes downward. She really couldn't see it happening. The fires. The screams. Their faces. The tentacles. That blasted door. She just couldn't.

She saw Ruby's boots and part of that cape. "Hey." Ruby got down to meet Blake in the eye. "We're a team, Blake. And we always stuck together. I'm sure we can think of something if we put our heads together."

"Life…" Blake shook her head. "Life isn't a fairytale Ruby. There is no happy ending. Just… just leave me be."

"First of all," Rider said from across the room. "I'm right here and I take offense to that. No matter how true that statement is."

Jeanne struck him on the side.

"Sorry, shutting up."

Ruby shook her head but she didn't look disappointed. "We can't run away forever, Blake. You could try, really. But this… Grail War, it will come for us all eventually. I'd… I'd rather that we'd be together again when that happens. Maybe we'll live through the end, you know?"

Blake looked up. It was the first time, in a long time, that she had looked at any of her teammates in the eye. There was hope there, in both of them. But Blake to the side, where she imagined Yang would be. That was evidence enough.

"I'm…" she shook her head. "I'm really sorry, Ruby. But I don't think I'll be able to. I'm not… I'm not strong enough."

She stood up and began to walk away. Ruby tried to reach out but Lancer tugged her back.

"Hey kid," Lancer called out. "Once you got out of that funk of yours, you know where to find us."

Blake gave them a weak nod. She doesn't believe it to be a mere funk.

/-/

Pyrrha sighed as stubborn Blake walked away. To the side, Adam was being manhandled by Rider. This wasn't surprising. Rider was a Servant and while Adam was capable, Rider had to exercise more strength in restraint than anything else.

"What is the point of all this?" Adam demanded. "Punishment? Do you humans just want to watch faunus suffer?"

"First of all," Rider said. "I'm a Servant. Something you should already be familiar with. Second, yes to the punishment, no to the faunus suffering. Third, you were taught the swordsmanship of Sasaki Kojirou in such a brief time; it's honestly impressive you could even perform it imperfectly at all. Fourth, this is training for the coming battles."

"What battles?"

"Caster is planning on attacking Vale."

That alone brought Adam to frozen stillness. His hands shivered and Pyrrha heard the metal rattling a little.

"So what?" Adam's voice was low. "You intend to send me to the front lines?"

"Who else is going to lead the faunus front?" Rider asked.

"Faunus front?"

It was Jeanne who explained. "We'll need every capable person here. Caster may be handled as any other Servants—that's where we come in—but the same could not be said for the Grimm. Powerful we may be, but we sure those numbers would overwhelm Vale if it was just us Servants."

Rider looked at Adam in the eye. "And out of everyone there, you are the one who's going to lead them into battle."

Adam scoffed at the thought. "You're wasting your time, then. No one is going to listen to me. They'd listen to Sun Wukong and Ilia Amitola. Those two have been doing more for those refugees than I did. Not like any of you would let me."

"Once the fighting starts," Rider emphasized. "I have no doubt that those two would do everything they could. But you have the experience of leading larger groups like these."

"So does Ilia."

"As second-in-command at best. Correct me if I'm wrong."

Adam did not. He sighed. "Just the lead?"

"Ideally, you will be watched by a Servant," Rider replied. "Caster has an interest in you, didn't he?"

"He never once killed me," Adam confirmed. "Don't ask what his reasons are. I don't know either."

Rider nodded once. Gone was the princely outfit and the rusted armor, helmet included, returned. "Now, let's escort you and miss Belladonna back to the refugees."

"Couldn't even let either of us live here? Truly, Vale's hospitality is humbling."

"Less sassing and more walking." Rider pulled Adam up. Rider was amplifying his own reserves, allowing him to travel further distances than what would normally be afforded. He had done it before with Ruby when Lancer went off to fight Assassin.

Pyrrha, Ren, Nora, and Jeanne were in a separate paper carriage. Rider, Adam, and Blake were in the lead one. Ruby and Weiss remained behind. Pyrrha caught Ruby despairing there with Weiss doing what she could to comfort her teammate.

"Will Blake be alright?" Nora voiced the question everyone was thinking. "She's coming back, right?"

"Not anytime soon," said Jeanne.

If at all, Pyrrha thought. Everyone did but none would dare say it.

"It just feels wrong," Nora spoke up again. "Team RWBY, second to us of course, is like the best team in Beacon. They were always tight."

"The wounds inflicted on them all must have been harsh," Ren said. "With the Grail War coming to Vale though, we'll all be tested soon enough."

"I'm not letting anything happen to any of you," Jeanne promised. "By God's will."

"With two Servants on our side, nothing could stop team JJNPR now!" Nora declared.

Pyrrha leaned towards the window. The paper carriage surprisingly could handle all their weight without much issue. They were fortunate that Vale was dry right now with little in the way of water.

Outside the window, she could see the faunus coming and going. Those of Vale and among the refugees. Many were already making their new lives here with some finding any means of settling down. Suspicion was still there though and every unscrupulous peg was pounded down. Pyrrha still found it surprising when she saw Cardin, Russel, and Dove of all peoples take this seriously. Yang said that it wasn't her influence which made it more surprising.

Adam and Blake were dropped off and the paper carriages vanished.

"Looks like we're walking back," said Jeanne.

Nora groaned. "But I'm queen of the castle! Queen of the paper castle!"

Rider neared them. "We'll claim a tower once the Grail War's over."

"You better keep that promise, sir knight."

"A knight's word is as good as done, your majesty." He bowed graciously.

Nora had a bounce with each step. Rather, she had a bunny's hop in each step. Ren was there to reign her in sometimes but Rider was there to indulge her. With the coming Grail War to Vale's borders, they were making the most out of their free time.

Jeanne paced herself so that she got closer to Pyrrha. "Lien for your thoughts?"

"You did something, didn't you?" Pyrrha got the point. "Why did Rider say it's okay for us to call him Jaune again?" In private, at least.

"Not me." Jeanne shook his head. "That choice was his. Just had to remind him what your teacher told him before. Besides, I know you wouldn't push it."

Pyrrha bit her lip. "I might have tried something."

"Pyrrha," Jeanne said. "I come from another Remnant. And I can assure you, you did not try anything until the I and the Nora I knew decided to try it for you. And if I had to take a guess, you would have tried it back in when Beacon fell had the roles between you and your Jaune been reversed. Where I come from, it took years for you to even try."

She wanted to argue. But instead, she chose something else. "Will the faunus really be okay with Adam at the lead?"

"Changing the subject, are we?" Jeanne called her out. "I'll bite. No. I don't think so."

"Then why him?"

"No one else could do it," Jeanne said bluntly. "What Rider said was true. Ilia and Sun could lead them a bit in a pinch. But Adam has the experience with insurmountable odds. He's training himself back into shape, albeit poorly. Sun and Ilia have been more focused on keeping things stable; a luxury that'll be lost once the god of light comes to Vale. We're not even counting Salem, yet."

Pyrrha sighed at the reminder. Should the god of light ever come within sight, it was team JJNPR, along with Astolfo that would meet with him. Saber and Lancer were put on standby if Salem doesn't actually arrive.

"Word has already been sent to Theodore," Jeanne said. "We might expect Starr to come in soon and I'm sure she'd be glad to help out her cousin around here. Starr may not be a Servant but she is a Maiden, and that amounts to a lot right now."

"But no Raven?"

Jeanne shook her head. "The League is keeping Raven close. I can't answer that even if I wanted to."

Team JJNPR—nope, Pyrrha still wasn't used to it—kept going towards Beacon's halls. Ruby and Weiss were there already with the latter comforting the former. Lancer was physically absent but they knew she was around.

Yang had shortly arrived after and those two had told them of what happened. Team CRBY stood to the side and kept themselves quiet. Thankfully, Rider kept his helmet on. He made himself this mysterious type for the most part.

"What's with the cosplayer?" Cardin asked.

Yang covered for them. "Oh you know, fight back against the negativity of the Grimm. Those weird toys got people asking if the Rusted Knight would fight against them too. Got to keep the people happy and make the youngsters believe in fairytales."

Dove and Russel snorted. "Youngsters?" Russel commented. "Okay, grandma."

There was a Russel-sized crater on the ground that followed after. Yang's fist was raised in the air.

Cardin looked at his own wrist. "Faster reflex speed. I like it."

"Thanks, top dog."

Cardin and Dove picked up a knocked-out Russel and bade them farewell.

"Can't believe I'm saying this," Yang said. "But I love those guys. They're surprisingly cool once they turned over a new leaf."

Pyrrha turned to Jeanne. "They did too," Jeanne answered her thought.

She saw Yang approaching a distraught Ruby. "What happened, Rubes?" She knew of Ruby and Weiss' plans.

"Blake's…" Ruby's voice was soft and weak. "Blake doesn't want to come back."

That caused a reaction from Yang. Pyrrha readied herself to get in Yang's way should it turn violent; she saw the tightening of that fist. But that fist loosened to a limp hand.

"Give it time," Yang said. Her voice detached. "Or something."

/-/

He held the blade in his aching arm. Adam couldn't even meditate right now with how much pain he put himself through. He wouldn't be able to train tomorrow at this state if he didn't heal himself. His breath slowed as he focused on his aura. The pain numbed its way into the background.

When he was done, he kept his meditation. He remade the sounds he heard that time. Those swings of a singular blade. Making multiple cuts with swift speeds it was as though there were three blades swung at the same time.

A crashing noise was heard, disturbing Adam from his meditation. Blake Belladonna was face-first on the floor. Those two still shared the same room in the ships, never really leaving those boats even when the shelters on those shores were provided. Adam may have chosen to stay behind given his infamy but Blake was doing so because she felt guilty.

"You had your chance for that better life," Adam said. "Better than this one right now. Why aren't taking your chances to run away from me like you did last time?"

"Do I even deserve that?" Blake returned. "Had I stayed, would you still have worked for that Cinder person?"

"What? Where did that come from?"

"I'm just saying. Had I stuck around longer, I might have convinced you to run too. Run away from Cinder."

"And she would have found someone else to do the dirty work," Adam returned. "What is even wrong with you right now? What is this wallowing woe-is-me drama you're having?"

"I brought a lot of harm, Adam!" Blake said. "I brought too much pain."

"Firstly, Blake." Adam couldn't believe the words about to come out of his mouth. "You didn't bring any harm. I did. By my own hand."

"And who took your attention, huh?"

Is she serious? "You think I wouldn't have done those things had you stuck around? You think we wouldn't be made to do that anyway with Cinder around?"

"Yang would still have her arm!"

"And some other pathetic human would lose their limbs! Blake, what in the brother gods' names are you even on about? You're not making any sense! If anything, she's lucky it's only an arm! I would have gone for the head if I had better aim."

"Then explain to me why is it that everywhere I go, everything goes wrong!"

Adam Taurus took off the mask, revealing the SDC branding that he had. "You think this was your doing? You think your teammate being dragged into this Braille Car is your doing?"

"Grail War," Blake corrected.

"Whatever." Adam ignored her. "You think that Caster getting to Sienna was your doing? Caster getting to Menagerie? That goddamned Cat? Hell, last I heard, Mistral was having a bandit problem. Was that your fault too? Atlas embargo? Whatever the hell is going on in Vacuo?"

"Where else could I point to?"

"The actual Servant that did all that would be a good start. Caster would have gone for Menagerie even if you hadn't gone at all."

Adam exercised restraint at avoiding the mention of her parents. He broke that restraint carefully. "At least you got to see them one last time."

Blake's eyes narrowed.

"Think about it, Blake. Had you not gone there, what would your parents think about you had Caster still got to them? They'd be thinking if you're out there safe after Beacon. They'd see you on the Vytal Festival, yeah. But after? With what happened?"

"What? Just because I saw them for the last time, when my home was burning to the ground, that suddenly makes things better?"

"I'm saying that things would have been much worse for them had you not been there."

"So me being there was the good option?"

"Would you rather they die never knowing you're safe? That they failed to protect their daughter?"

He slammed his fist into the ground. He took one deep breath.

"I never told you this. But Ghira made me promise to keep you safe. And you of all people know how that man feels about me. Bastard always being the better man."

"Good luck with that," Blake replied. "Against Servants? I'm not sure how you're going to compete."

"Except I have a job now. Faunus front, remember?"

"You better do a good job at it. They're all watching you."

"They'd better be watching closely, then."

He saw Blake turn around. Her back to him, he soon returned to his meditation. Adam wasn't lying when he said that Ghira made him promise.

But leading the faunus? That wasn't something Adam could do. Someone else had to take that mantle, and out of respect for Ghira, Adam made his vote.

AN: Now that I think about it, it would have been a neat reference had Adam been the Bull Demon King to Sun's Monkey King.