INT. DARK PALACE – NIGHT

The cold, ominous atmosphere of the room is disturbed only by the sound of footsteps as Cinder Fall bows deeply before Salem, her imposing master. Standing tall and looming over Cinder, Salem exudes an air of quiet power.

Salem: "And you are certain about this?"

Cinder: "Yes, Mistress. Rose and her team were seen entering Mistral only a few hours ago. I believe they're headed for Haven Academy."

Salem: "Haven?"

Cinder: "Yes, Mistress. But once they arrive, they will find nothing. Their hope will dissipate."

Salem lowers herself to Cinder's level, crouching in front of her and lifting her chin to meet her gaze. Her eyes bore into Cinder's, searching for any sign of doubt.

Salem: "My dear child... Do you truly believe that?"

Cinder: "Mistress, I—"

Salem: "They won't give up so easily. They are determined. Driven. All because you decided to take the life of Ms. Nikos. It's a shame, truly. I had big plans for her. But now… her absence will cause delays."

Without warning, Salem's hand shoots out, grabbing Cinder by the neck. She lifts Cinder off the ground, her grip strong and unyielding. Cinder gasps, trying to breathe through the pressure, her eyes wide with fear for the first time.

Salem: "Do you think you can act without consequence? Your actions have put everything at risk. You thought you could go unpunished?"

The intense orange glow from Salem's hand causes Cinder to tremble, though she manages to keep a semblance of composure. After a moment of unbearable tension, Salem releases her, letting Cinder fall to the ground in a heap.

Cinder struggles to catch her breath, eyes still wide in shock. A symbol—one that mirrors the one on Salem's cloak—now appears on Cinder's neck, a reminder of the punishment she has just endured.

Salem: "This is your warning, Cinder. The next time you act recklessly, know that your punishment will be far worse."

Cinder slowly rises to her feet, trembling slightly, but she bows her head deeply in respect.

Cinder: "Yes, Mistress."

Salem: "Good."

With a final dismissive gesture, Salem disappears, leaving Cinder alone in the room. The silence feels heavy as Cinder stands there, trying to steady herself. After a long pause, she glances toward a nearby mirror, her eyes locking onto the mark on her neck. Her expression hardens, filled with frustration and anger.

In a fit of rage, she grabs a small ceramic globe from a nearby table and throws it at the mirror. The glass shatters, sending pieces scattering across the floor. Breathing heavily, Cinder takes a moment to calm herself, her hands clenched into fists. She glances around the room, noticing a presence nearby.

Cinder: "Come out, Neo."

From behind a pillar, Neopolitan steps forward, her eyes filled with concern as she takes a cautious step into the room. She doesn't say anything, but her gaze is fixed on the brand now visible on Cinder's neck.

Cinder: "You really shouldn't be snooping around, Neo. Especially with Salem so close. She doesn't appreciate it."

Neo's eyes flicker between Cinder and the door, clearly unsure whether to leave or stay. After a few moments, she slowly takes a step toward the door, clearly trying to avoid further confrontation.

Cinder: "Where do you think you're going?"

Neo stops, then points silently toward the door.

Cinder: "I didn't say you could leave. Come here."

With a hesitant sigh, Neo moves closer to Cinder. When she's within reach, Cinder looks at her and smiles faintly.

Cinder: "Hand it over, Neo."

Confused, Neo glances down at her sleeve, realizing what Cinder is referring to. After a brief hesitation, she pulls a small knife from her sleeve and hands it over to Cinder, a bit reluctantly.

Cinder: "Good."

Cinder accepts the knife, her grip tightening around the handle. She looks at Neo, her expression softening just a touch.

Cinder: "You can go now."

Neo hesitates but bows slightly before making her way toward the door. As she turns to leave, Cinder's voice calls out, stopping her in her tracks.

Cinder: "You know, Roman once told me that you were incredibly good at following orders. Always obedient, never hesitant."

Neo freezes, and slowly turns her head, her eyes narrowing with a mixture of frustration and pride.

Cinder: "It almost sounds like you were his pet. He always insisted you were his partner, but in truth, you were just his pet."

Neo's fists clench, and she glares at Cinder. Her anger is evident, but she remains silent, taking in Cinder's words.

Cinder: "Ah, did I strike a nerve? Sorry, Neo, but it's just what he always said."

Before Cinder can continue, Neo, in a burst of anger, attempts to strike at her with another hidden knife. With a swift, fluid motion, Cinder sidesteps the attack, her hand quickly grabbing Neo's wrist and twisting it. Neo's weapon falls to the floor, and for a moment, the room is tense with the sound of shallow breathing.

Cinder places her knee firmly against Neo's back, forcing her to the ground, but she does not apply enough pressure to cause any harm. Instead, she waits, the air thick with the tension of the moment.

Cinder: "You're so easily blinded by your emotions, Neo. It's a weakness, and one day, it could cost you everything."

Cinder leans down, the knife still in her hand, but she doesn't raise it to strike. Instead, she presses the blade gently to the ground next to Neo's hand, just barely missing it.

Cinder: "Next time you try something like this, Neo, I'll aim somewhere much worse. You've been warned."

She withdraws the knife from the ground, watching as Neo slowly picks herself up, her anger still simmering but her actions restrained. Neo glances at Cinder once more before turning and walking toward the door.

Cinder: "You can leave now."

Neo nods silently, her steps quick as she exits the room, leaving Cinder standing alone, her eyes glowing faintly with quiet resolve.

MISTRAL – DAY

The sun is slowly beginning to dip beneath the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the landscape. The team, Ruby, Ren, Nora, and Jaune, are resting under the shade of a large tree, catching their breath after a long day of travel. Jaune is perched high in the tree, trying to gather some fruit to replenish their supplies.

Ren: looking up at Jaune, shading his eyes from the sun "Any luck, Jaune?"

Jaune's voice: a bit strained "Uh, yeah. Got six so far. Almost got the seventh... hold on... got it!"

With a sudden thud, Jaune drops from the tree, landing with a less-than-graceful roll. His teammates rush forward as he groans in pain but lifts his hand proudly, revealing a freshly picked apple.

Jaune: grinning through the pain "Who wants the first one?"

Without hesitation, Nora bounds forward, grabbing the apple before anyone else has a chance.

Nora: cheerfully, her mouth already full "Me! I'm starving!"

Ruby: chuckling, reaching down to help Jaune up "You okay, Jaune?"

Jaune: rubbing his back, wincing a little but smiling "Yeah, I'm good. Gravity's not my friend today, but hey, I got apples."

Ren: teasing "Guess you don't have a future in tree climbing."

Jaune: laughing "Nope, definitely not! But hey, I got the job done!"

Ruby: playfully "Yeah, you did. We're all set now! So how much farther to Haven?"

Ruby pulls out her Scroll and taps it, bringing up a map of Mistral. She examines the map, squinting a little as she traces the path ahead.

Ruby: tilting her head "Hmm... Looks like we're about two, maybe three days away from Haven."

Nora: groaning dramatically "What?! We have to walk that far?!"

Ren: calmly, his arms crossed "It's not that bad. It's just a couple of days. We can handle it. Besides, you don't see me whining."

Nora: pouting, flopping down onto a nearby rock "Easy for you to say. You're always so calm and collected. But me? I'm going to need a nap, some snacks, and a really comfy pillow after all this walking."

Jaune: grinning "Alright, alright, Nora. Calm down, or I'm taking that apple away."

Nora: grumbling but still smiling "Fine, fine. But I'm not happy about it."

Jaune: looking over at Ruby "Like you said, two days, maybe three, and we'll find the answers we need. And maybe even catch up with Cinder and her team."

Ren: seriously "And when we find them... what then?"

There's a brief pause, and the group falls silent for a moment as everyone considers the question. Ruby looks down at her Scroll, her eyes tracing the map again as if searching for answers.

Ruby: quietly but firmly "We get answers. We figure out what they want, and then we stop them from hurting anyone else."

The air is thick with unspoken thoughts, but before anyone can comment further, Ruby's Scroll suddenly dings. Her father's picture appears on the screen—Taiyang—smiling in a photo from a family picnic. Ruby's expression softens, but she quickly swipes the screen away, looking down at the ground.

Ren: softly "Ruby, you should talk to him. It's been a while, right?"

Ruby's shoulders tense, and she shifts uncomfortably.

Ruby: avoiding eye contact "I don't know if I'm ready to talk to him yet."

Nora: sitting up, concerned "What happened? Why haven't you talked to him?"

Ruby sighs, looking distant for a moment as memories of the last conversation with her father flood back. She rubs the back of her neck, trying to steady herself.

Ruby: quietly "The last time I spoke to him... it didn't end well. It was the day before I left, right after... right after everything started getting worse. We had this big argument. It was about Yang."

The others fall silent, sensing the tension in Ruby's voice. Ruby keeps her gaze fixed on the ground, her words slow as she recalls the conversation.

Ruby: looking up briefly, voice tinged with frustration "Dad knew what I was planning. He knew I was going to leave to find Cinder and stop her team. And he just... he couldn't understand why I had to go. He kept saying that Yang needed me more than anything, that I should stay and help her. He thought I was abandoning her."

Ren: quietly, trying to be supportive "He's just worried about you both."

Ruby: shaking her head "I know. But it wasn't just that. It was like he didn't even see the bigger picture. He was just angry, yelling at me to stay, to not go after Cinder and her team. He wanted me to go home and fix things with Yang, but... I couldn't do that. Not when everything else was falling apart."

Jaune: nodding sympathetically "That must have been tough."

Ruby: letting out a long breath "It was. I tried to explain it to him, but he wouldn't listen. And in the end, I just... snapped. I told him off, said things I didn't mean, and... I left. And now, I haven't spoken to him since."

Ren: gently "Ruby, I know you didn't want to hurt him. You were just doing what you felt was right."

Ruby: nodding slowly, her voice quiet but firm "I know. But I wasn't ready to face him again after that. I don't even know how to fix it."

There's a moment of silence, and Nora, ever the optimist, tries to lighten the mood.

Nora: grinning mischievously "You could always write him a letter! Or make him a cute drawing of all of us with hearts and sparkles! Maybe a little 'wish you were here' message?"

Ruby: exasperated "Nora!" throwing her hands up "I'm not sending him a letter! That's not gonna fix anything!"

Nora: laughing "I know, I know. Just a suggestion!"

Ruby: rolling her eyes but unable to suppress a smile "I'm just not ready to talk to him yet. Maybe one day... but not now."

Ren: understanding "It's okay, Ruby. We're here for you."

Ruby pauses, letting out a quiet breath before grabbing the remaining apples and putting them into Ren's backpack. She glances back at the group, giving them a small smile.

Ruby: with a quiet resolve "Let's keep moving forward. One step at a time."

With that, the group continues their journey down the gravel path, heading toward Haven. The air feels a little lighter, and despite the uncertainty ahead, Ruby knows she has the support of her friends. Together, they'll face whatever comes next.

SCHNEE MANSION – NIGHT

The moonlight casts a soft glow through the large windows, and the mansion is unusually quiet. Inside the labyrinth of halls, Weiss Schnee is crouched behind her bedroom door, peeking into the hallway. Her eyes flick from side to side, scanning for any guards. The coast is clear.

Weiss: whispering to herself "Perfect... I've got this."

Carefully, she slips out of her room, the door closing behind her with a soft click. She moves with precision, every step calculated and light, as if she were part of an elite spy team. She crouches low, her heart racing, and inch by inch, she sneaks down the hallway.

As she approaches a turn, she freezes—two guards are chatting casually nearby. Weiss dives behind a nearby pillar, her breath sharp and quiet. She strains to listen, hoping they don't notice her.

Guard #1: casually "So, I heard Ironwood left the Kingdom this morning. You know anything about that?"

Guard #2: shrugging "Nah. But I heard from that assistant of his that he was heading to Patch Island."

Guard #1: scratching his chin "Patch? Why there?"

Guard #2: shaking his head "I don't know, man."

Weiss's eyes widen in realization. She whispers to herself, barely audible:

Weiss: whispering "Ruby. Yang."

Her hand instinctively goes to the device Winter gave her, but just before she activates it, a sudden, hissing sound echoes through the hallway. Weiss's eyes dart around, and she freezes in dread.

On top of a nearby bookshelf, perched like a very irritable little sentry, is Snowball, the white-haired cat, hissing at her in pure annoyance.

Weiss: gritting her teeth "Snowball, you idiot!" whispers harshly "Shoo! Get down!"

The cat continues to hiss, undeterred by Weiss's commands. Just then, the guards notice Snowball and begin eyeing the direction of Weiss's hiding spot.

Guard #1: squinting "Hey, is there someone behind that pillar?"

Guard #2: aiming his weapon cautiously "I don't know, but we're about to find out."

Weiss: muttering in frustration "I swear, I hate you."

There's no time to hesitate. With a resigned sigh, Weiss steps out from behind the pillar, hands raised in mock innocence.

Weiss: grinning nervously "Relax, you two. It's just me."

The guards lower their weapons, though their eyes narrow suspiciously.

Guard #2: raising an eyebrow "Miss Schnee? What are you doing walking around the halls at this hour?"

Weiss: faking a casual smile "Oh, you know. Just taking a little stroll to clear my mind."

Guard #1: giving her a skeptical look "At this hour? It's not safe, ma'am. Your father gave specific orders for you to stay in your room."

Weiss: flustered "I—uh—"

Suddenly, Guard #2 notices something: the unmistakable bulge of her weapon, Myrtenaster, holstered at her side. His eyes narrow, and he looks at the backpack on her back.

Guard #2: pointing at her weapon "And what's that about? You carrying your weapon... and a backpack?"

Weiss freezes. Her mind races as she quickly tries to think of an excuse.

Weiss: mumbling "Uh... well... I... it's for... uh, a walk, you know? For protection." desperately searches for an explanation "I—I was thinking of heading to the garden. You know, just—"

Guard #2: eyes narrowing further "Garden, huh? And what's in the backpack?"

Weiss's brain hits a dead end, and she knows she has no time to explain. Her gaze flicks to the device in her hand, now glowing ominously, and a plan starts to form.

Weiss: under her breath, to herself "Damn it, I'm sorry, you two."

With no further hesitation, she activates the device, and an ear-splitting, high-pitched noise erupts from it, filling the hall. The guards immediately start shouting in pain, clutching their helmets as they desperately try to block out the noise.

Guard #1: shouting "What the hell is that?!"

Guard #2: screaming "Make it stop!"

Weiss seizes the opportunity, bolting for the nearest door. She bursts through it and out into the cool night air, her heart pounding in her chest.

As the noise abruptly stops, Weiss skids to a halt outside the mansion. Her breath is ragged, and she quickly pulls out the paper with the coordinates that Winter had given her. She opens her Scroll and enters the numbers, revealing a route on the map.

Weiss: muttering to herself "Almost there. Just a little further."

She looks up, catching a glimpse of the mansion's upper floor. In the dim light from the window, she spots a silhouette—Jacques Schnee, her father, watching her intently from above.

For a long moment, their eyes lock. Time seems to stretch as Weiss feels the weight of his gaze. There's no doubt he knows exactly what she's doing.

But before she can process it, she snaps out of the trance and runs, her legs moving faster than ever.

Behind her, the mansion looms in the distance, a stark reminder of the life she's leaving behind.

Weiss: gritting her teeth "I'll deal with you later, old man."

She pushes forward, focusing solely on the path ahead and the freedom that awaits.

VALE – COFFEE SHOP AND ALLEYWAY

The bell above the door jingles as Yang Xiao Long enters the coffee shop, her presence immediately noticed by the few patrons inside. She ignores their curious glances, focusing solely on her order. The robotic hum of her cybernetic arm is ever-present, but she's learned to block it out.

Yang: with cold determination "I'll have an espresso. Large."

She hands the barista Lien, waiting without a word as the drink is prepared. As she steps aside to wait for her order, her eyes scan the room, resting briefly on a black bow tied in someone's hair. For a split second, her heart skips. She freezes.

Yang: whispering "Blake?"

But as she takes a closer look, she realizes it's not Blake at all. The girl has black hair, but her attire looks like it's from Vacuo, not Menagerie. Yang shakes her head and pushes the thought away.

The barista hands her the drink, and Yang turns to leave, grabbing her coffee before stepping outside.

Alleyway, Vale – Moments Later

Yang leans against a dumpster, sipping her espresso. Her mind is still reeling from the brief thought of seeing Blake, but she quickly pushes it aside. She pulls out her Scroll, fingers tapping out a quick message to Ironwood.

Yang: typing "Taurus is hiding in Mistral. Confirmed by his soldier."

Ironwood: on the other end "Good work. I'll keep an eye on things here. You need anything getting to Mistral?"

Yang: coldly "I'll get there myself. I'll contact you once I have a lead."

She hangs up, finishing her coffee and tossing the empty cup into the trash. She doesn't notice the soft groan behind her.

Voice: groaning "Ow…"

Without looking, Yang mutters over her shoulder.

Yang: flatly "Sorry."

Voice: sarcastically "Maybe next time you should—"

Yang's body tenses. That voice. She knows it. She turns slowly, eyes narrowing, as she looks up to see Blake Belladonna standing in front of her, a confused and wary expression on her face. Blake's eyes immediately dart to Yang's cybernetic arm, her surprise clear.

Yang: voice low, cold "Blake."

Blake's expression falters. She hesitates for a moment, eyes flicking nervously between Yang's face and her arm.

Blake: softly "Yang… is that…?"

Yang: cutting her off, voice hard "Yes. It's a damn arm, Blake. But you wouldn't care about that, would you?"

Blake flinches, but before she can react, Yang's rage boils over. Her eyes darken as she storms forward, grabbing Blake by the collar and slamming her into the nearby brick wall. The force of the impact cracks the stone, and Blake gasps for breath, her back pressed painfully against the cold surface.

Yang: snarling "I'm not here to make small talk, Blake. I want answers. Why the hell did you leave? Why didn't you tell us what you were really doing?"

Blake's eyes widen in shock, but before she can speak, the distant thuds of more boots hitting the ground cut her off. Several White Fang soldiers land behind Yang, weapons drawn and aimed directly at her. One of the soldiers, a dog-eared Faunus, growls.

Dog-Eared Faunus: commanding "Release the traitor. Now!"

Yang's anger flares, but she keeps her focus, glaring at the soldiers. She glances back at Blake, her grip tightening on the Faunus' collar as she throws her against the wall with a forceful shove.

Blake scrambles to her feet, but Yang doesn't give her a chance to move further. She turns quickly, her fists flying into the soldiers who approach her. The first soldier gets a brutal right hook to the jaw, sending him sprawling onto the ground.

Yang: gritting her teeth "I'm done playing nice."

Another soldier charges, and Yang sidesteps, slamming a brutal elbow into his ribs, knocking the air out of him and sending him to the ground, unconscious. The next soldier takes a wild swing, but Yang catches his fist, twisting his arm behind his back and slamming him into the alley floor with a loud thud.

Blake, still trying to process what's happening, takes a step forward but then suddenly stops. She watches Yang move with a deadly precision, knocking each soldier out without hesitation. Her face hardens.

Yang: snapping, coldly "You want to get involved, Blake? Fine. Get them."

Blake hesitates, but when another soldier rushes forward, she draws Gambol Shroud with swift grace and cuts the soldier's weapon in half, before landing a roundhouse kick to his stomach that sends him crashing into the brick wall.

The two of them fight side by side. Blake handles her enemies with precision, but Yang is focused, her punches landing like hammers, taking out each soldier with cold, calculated force.

With the last of the soldiers knocked out cold, Yang steps away from the unconscious bodies, her breathing heavy but controlled. The alley is silent now, save for the distant hum of the city.

Yang turns back to Blake, her face hard.

Yang: quietly, seething "You don't get to just disappear, Blake. Not after what you did."

Blake looks up, still processing the raw anger in Yang's voice. Yang's eyes flick to Bumblebee, covered by a tarp nearby. She strides over and pulls it off, revealing her sleek motorcycle.

Yang: steely, commanding "Get on. Now."

Blake stands there for a moment, hesitation clear in her posture, but Yang doesn't wait. She pulls her helmet from the bike, tossing it to Blake without a word.

Yang: coldly "I'm not asking."

Blake takes the helmet and puts it on, climbing onto the back of the bike. She feels Yang's tension behind her, every movement tight with unresolved anger. Without another word, Yang fires up Bumblebee, revving the engine as the bike roars to life.

Yang: snarling, looking straight ahead "The White Fang is hunting you, Blake. Do you know a safe place? Or do you plan to run from your problems again?"

Blake flinches at the accusation but nods, her arms wrapping around Yang's waist.

Blake: softly "I know a place."

Yang doesn't respond. Instead, she kicks the bike into gear, speeding down the alley and toward the unknown, her mind racing with questions and fury. For the first time in a long time, Yang feels the weight of the anger she's carried—no longer willing to hold it back, and unwilling to let Blake off the hook without answers.

As they speed away into the night, the city of Vale fades behind them, and the tension between them remains thick, unresolved.

HOUSE OUTSIDE ATLAS – ESCAPE

Weiss Schnee stood at the edge of a rugged dirt road, looking up at a modest, weathered house. The coordinates Winter had sent her led her here, but something about the unassuming structure didn't sit quite right. It didn't seem like the kind of place where anyone would be able to help her leave Atlas without drawing attention.

The gray sky hung low with a hint of impending rain, and the wind whistled through the empty fields surrounding the house. She had to admit, it was quiet here—too quiet.

She knocked on the door with a firm, impatient tap. After a few seconds, the door creaked open, revealing a man with a thick beard, his expression somewhere between disinterested and mildly annoyed. He looked her up and down before speaking.

Griffon: gruffly "What do you want?"

Weiss: "Um... Are you Griffon?"

Griffon: squints at her "Who's askin'?"

Weiss: trying to sound confident "Winter sent me."

At the mention of Winter's name, Griffon's eyebrows shot up, his tough demeanor softening a bit.

Griffon: "Oh! Well, then. You must be her sister, Weiss!"

Weiss offered a small smile, relieved that her sister's name had some sway here. She nodded politely.

Weiss: "That's me."

Griffon: gesturing with a grunt "Okay, come on in."

Weiss stepped inside, immediately struck by the chaos. The interior of the house was a disaster: piles of broken electronics stacked haphazardly on the floor, bits of old machinery cluttering every surface, and tools scattered all around. The place looked like a junkyard.

Weiss: with a raised eyebrow "Well… This is... lovely."

Griffon: shrugs "Sorry about the mess. Hope you don't mind."

Weiss suppressed a grimace, but it wasn't like she had much of a choice. She'd seen worse.

Weiss: "So, Winter said you could help me out?"

Griffon chuckled, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

Griffon: "Depends on what you need, sweetheart."

Weiss got straight to the point, her nerves creeping in as she explained.

Weiss: "I need to leave Atlas... and get to Patch Island. The thing is, I kinda need to do it without the authorities knowing."

At this, Griffon raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms over his chest.

Griffon: "Ah, I see. So, you escaped from your little fortress. Just like Winter predicted."

Weiss: nods "If I may ask, though—how do you know my sister?"

Griffon: grinning "Oh, Winter and I go way back. She was one of my best students before she enlisted in the military. Taught her how to make everything from grenades to engines. Your father never knew, of course."

Weiss blinked in surprise.

Weiss: "So you're the reason she's so good with... weapons?"

Griffon: "Guilty as charged. And I bet she gave you something useful for your escape?"

Weiss: grimaces "Yeah. A screech bomb. It... hurt. A lot."

Griffon lets out a hearty laugh, slapping his knee as he remembered the device.

Griffon: "Ah, my favorite. That one's a classic. The sound alone could send a Grimm running in the opposite direction."

Weiss: gritting her teeth "It almost sent ME running the other way."

Griffon: still chuckling "Ha! Yeah, well, it gets the job done."

Weiss was growing impatient, glancing nervously toward the door.

Weiss: seriously "Look, I'm not here for a trip down memory lane, Griffon. I need to leave Atlas now. Do you have a way out or not?"

Griffon: motioning for her to follow him "Alright, alright. Follow me, Ms. Schnee."

Weiss trailed after him, stepping carefully over the piles of junk that littered the floor. Griffon led her out the back door, where a small, weathered ship sat hidden beneath a tarp. The ship was compact—too compact for something official—but Weiss was beyond picky at this point.

Weiss: eyeing the ship skeptically "That thing? Are you serious? It doesn't even look like it's up to Atlas regulation."

Griffon: with a smirk "You want to leave or not?"

Weiss stared at the ship for a few moments, the silence thick between them. There was something about it that screamed risky. And yet, looking at Atlas in the distance, she knew there was no time to hesitate.

Weiss: sighs dramatically "Dammit. Fine!"

Without another word, Weiss climbed into the small cockpit, the ship's rusty interior barely fitting her frame. Griffon sat beside her, pressing a button on the console. A few clicks and whirs echoed through the cramped cabin before the engines hummed to life.

Griffon: "Alright, hold tight."

The ship jolted upward, quickly gaining speed as it soared into the sky. It wasn't long before the ship shimmered, becoming invisible as it blended into the night. Weiss couldn't help but feel a sense of awe, mixed with a healthy dose of apprehension.

As they flew further away from the house, Weiss glanced out the small window at the distant lights of Atlas—the towering city on the horizon.

For a brief moment, she thought about looking back, but she stopped herself.

Weiss: quietly, to herself "Goodbye, Atlas."

The words felt strange, like they didn't belong in her mouth. Atlas had been her home, her prison, but it didn't feel like home anymore. The Kingdom she had once known was a distant memory now, and all that remained was a place that had betrayed her, her family, and her future.

Weiss took one last look at Atlas, now a faint silhouette against the backdrop of the endless sky. No words left her lips. There was nothing more to say to the city she no longer called home.

As the ship hummed steadily in the air, Weiss leaned back in her seat, her thoughts quieting as the landscape below blurred into a vast sea of black. The momentary tension ebbed away, leaving behind a strange calm. She wasn't quite sure what lay ahead, but one thing was certain:

She was done with Atlas.

Griffon looked over at her, as if waiting for her to say something, but Weiss didn't feel like talking. She'd said everything she needed to, and Atlas was behind her now.

As the ship flew deeper into the night, Weiss couldn't help but wonder what awaited her on Patch. But whatever it was, it couldn't be worse than what she left behind.

MATTHEW'S COTTAGE – NIGHT

Yang and Blake arrived at the cottage on Bumblebee, the sound of the bike's engine fading as they came to a stop. The quiet stillness of the area contrasted with the tension that had been building all day. Blake dismounted, her feet hitting the dirt with soft thuds as she made her way toward the front door.

As she approached, the door opened, and Matthew stood there, looking as unruffled as always. As soon as Blake saw him, she immediately walked up to him, relief flooding through her. Without saying a word, she wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug.

Blake: relieved "I'm glad you're safe."

Matthew: pulling back slightly with a wry smile "Didn't even make it a day, huh?"

Blake chuckled softly at his dry humor, but her smile faded as she finally took a moment to really look at him. It was then that she noticed the top half of his antler was missing.

Blake: concerned "Matthew, your antler... What happened?"

Matthew: shrugs nonchalantly "Oh, that? Nothing major. Just an accident with my tablesaw. It's fine."

Blake studied his face for a moment, her concern still lingering, but she let it go. They had more important things to deal with. She turned toward Yang, who had been standing off to the side, patiently waiting.

Blake: gesturing to Yang "Matthew, this is Yang."

Yang: offering a firm handshake "Nice to meet you."

Matthew's eyes widened slightly when he saw Yang's robotic arm. He quickly recovered, his curiosity getting the better of him.

Matthew: impressed "You've got a robot arm? That's pretty awesome, ma'am."

Yang: with a slight smile "Appreciate it."

Blake then took a more serious tone, turning Matthew's attention back to the matter at hand.

Blake: worried "The White Fang—they found me. They tried…"

Matthew: interrupting with a quick, understanding nod "No need to explain. Go on ahead. Your friend can park her bike behind the cottage. We'll talk later."

Blake, relieved by his quick decision, gave him a nod and turned to head toward the cottage. Yang followed, but before she could make it to the back, Matthew led her in the other direction, toward where they could store Bumblebee.

Matthew: casually "Blake's told me a lot about you, you know. She speaks highly of you."

Yang: her tone more serious, eyes scanning the area "Let's just focus on putting my bike away."

Matthew didn't press any further, sensing the tension in Yang's voice. They walked quietly toward the back of the cottage, their footsteps echoing softly on the gravel.

Unknown to them, from a distance, a White Fang soldier with dog-like ears crouched behind the cover of trees, binoculars raised. She observed the scene carefully, making sure to take note of every detail. Once she had a clear view, she lowered the binoculars and spoke to a fellow soldier standing next to her.

White Fang Soldier 1: low and cold "Get in touch with Adam. We've found the traitor and her friend. And an old acquaintance, too."

The second soldier quickly pulled out a comm device, fingers moving swiftly to relay the message. The tension among the White Fang was palpable things were about to get much more complicated.

MISTRAL – DUSK

The golden light of the setting sun bathed the gravel road in a soft glow, casting long shadows as Team RNJR made their way down the path. The air was warm but cool enough to be refreshing, and the rhythmic sound of their footsteps on the road filled the space around them.

Nora was the liveliest of the group, her mood as always infectious. With a spring in her step, she danced down the road, her movements quick and light as she hummed a tune to herself. Her boots kicked up little clouds of dust, and every now and then, she twirled around, nearly stumbling over her own feet but recovering with a wide grin.

Jaune laughed as he watched her, shaking his head in amusement.

Jaune: smiling "Are you sure you don't want to join the dance team, Nora?"

Ren: chuckling "I think we'd all be worried for the floorboards."

Ruby: laughing "Hey, she's a professional!"

The sound of laughter echoed down the road, the group's camaraderie a welcome distraction from the uncertainty of their journey. They were in high spirits despite the weight of their mission, the danger they faced, and the uncertainty of what awaited them in Haven.

But little did they know, not too far behind, Neo was watching them. Hidden in the shadow of a nearby rock formation, she kept her distance, her eyes fixed on them with a mixture of anger and something deeper—an undeniable bitterness.

She stood silently, her stance rigid, and her gaze unwavering. The faintest breeze tugged at the ends of her pink hair, but her focus never faltered. One hand, which had been bandaged with a simple cloth, rested at her side. The bandage was a subtle but constant reminder of the encounter with Cinder and the fight that had left her injured. She flexed her fingers slightly, but the movement was subtle, almost as if she was trying to forget the pain and frustration that lingered beneath the surface.

Neo narrowed her eyes as she stared at the group ahead. She didn't speak; she didn't need to. Her silence was far more telling than any words could be. Every step of the team seemed so carefree, so unaware of the tension building in the distance. Neo watched them, her jaw clenched, a simmering anger evident in the tightness of her features. Her hand, still wrapped in bandages, tightened into a fist at her side, the bandage shifting slightly with the motion.

She stayed in the shadows, moving slowly, deliberately, staying just far enough behind that they wouldn't notice her presence. Her movements were quiet, almost ghost-like, as she stalked them at a safe distance, waiting for the perfect moment.

The team walked on, laughing, talking, unaware of the silent figure trailing them. Neo continued to watch from the shadows, her gaze intense. She didn't need to say anything, not yet. Her silence was enough to speak for her.