KS: Hey there. Happy New Year to everyone. Hope you've all been well. Me? Well, I've been doing my best, even though it isn't much. But hell, it's better than nothing. I can pick myself up with little trouble. Speaking of picking things up, I've made the decision to continue this fic after leaving it on the backburner for so long. The inspiration struck me like a lightning bolt, and I got down to work. I'm letting you all know that this chapter won't be long.
Five years earlier...
Nobody could call it a disaster. No one even called it a fiasco. What happened was something that defied all manner of definition.
The Grimm attacked Mantle more fiercely than they did before. The amount was nearly insurrmountable. Despite the best efforts of huntsmen and the military. the casualties were within hundreds of thousands.
At the end of it, one person was to blame for it.
"I know you aren't all that intellegent, Xiao Long, but I had hoped your idiocy had its limits."
Those were cold words were uttered by Winter, the new general of the Atlesian Military following Ironwood's arrest. She sat at her new desk, glaring at the twice chasened blonde before her, who looked down at the floor, not daring the meet the glare of contempt the former specialist gave her.
"For longest time, many people, myself included, had believed that you finally learned to put others' needs ahead of your own, to understand that what you do or don't have consequences on those around you." With all the fury she mustered, Winter slammed down a paper detailing the list of casualties following the attack. "And yet, within the span of two hours, you betrayed the expectations of everyone around you, and now several people has lost their lives because of it."
Yang said nothing as she kept her gaze downward. She didn't even attempt the acknowledge the list.
"Do you have any idea just badly you put us on the backfoot?" Winter said. Before Yang could answer, not that she intend to, Winter continued. "We've wasted numerous resource trying to bring relief and assist those displaced by the attack. All of which due to your gross and unacceptable negligence. I could go on about how you've potentially doomed Remnant as a whole, but we'd be here all evening."
Yang slightly flinched at the notion that what she did could lead to the end of life as she knew it.
Winter stood up and turned her back, looking out the window.
"I want you out of the kingdom within 12 hours," Winter said bluntly. "Failure to do so will result in your imprisonment. I would say that you'll be joining Blake, but several Grimm attacked the prison. Many of the inmates were either killed or escaped, her being the latter. Though I doubt any of them will get far with how cold and unforgiving it is."
Yang was too busy drowning in her shame to register the part about Blake. She never got any opportunity to visit her due to trying to salvage her own reputation. She priortized herself over her own teammate. Never had she felt more sick in her life.
"That is all," Winter said. "Now kindly leave. I better not hear that you're still lurking about in Atlas or Mantle."
Without another word, Yang turned around and walked, her eyes never leaving the floor. Each step she took was heavier than the last. And one single though repeated in her mind.
I'm the worst.
Present
Yang sat on a rock, meditating staring at the vast mountains. Earlier, she had been advised by the lama to view them and clear her mind. But no matter how much she stared, she could never feel at ease.
"What's the point of this?" she muttered. "I've been here for an hour and a half, and I don't feel any different."
As she continued staring, she heard footsteps approaching her from behind. Coming into view was a young woman who was naturally bald, white scales seen on her face and forearms. The woman sat down next to Yang in the same pose, staring at the mountains.
"Lovely, aren't they?" she said.
"I guess," Yang replied casually.
"I love looking at the mountains," the woman continued. "I never tire of viewing such majestic peaks."
Yang hummed in response, not looking to making conversation.
The snake-like woman turned to her. "I think I heard about you. What was your name again?"
Yang sighed, getting the feeling that the woman would not leave her alone until she told her.
"My name is Yang," she introduced herself reluctantly.
The woman smiled. "What a lovely name. Almost as lovely as mine."
Yang brought herself to turn to the woman, seeing her smile.
"Who are you?" she asked more bluntly than she intended.
"My name is Bai Xu," the woman replied. "I may not look it, but I'm something of a doctor around here."
"What kind of doctor?" Yang asked.
Bai Xu chuckled softly. "All kinds of medicine, but I specialize in psychiatry. I know, it might seem strange, but it helps."
"Hey, you won't hear me questioning it," Yang said morosely, turning her poignant gaze to the mountains once more.
Bai Xu continued looking at Yang, her interest growing.
"Say... would you like to have a session with me?"
Yang turned to Bai Xu, absolutely bewildered.
"Where did that come from?"
Bai Xu continued smiling, but this time, there was an element of seriousness to it.
"I'll be blunt, Yang. I can see that you're still weighed down by what happened in Atlas. Hell, all of the monks can see it. And in all honesty, it pains me to see someone who looked as if she was bright as her namesake be reduced to someone content with going on like their life no longer has any light."
Yang just stared at her, not knowing what she should say in response, if she should say anything at all. She opted to remain silent as Bai Xu continued.
"I wish to examine what kind of person you were," Bai Xu said. "Get to know how your mind and spirit works. And in time, I want to see if I can bring back that spark you willingly discarded."
"...Is it mandatory?" Yang finally asked with a cautious tone.
At that, Bai Xu chuckled, the seriousness leaving her.
"Not at all," she said, standing up. "Whether you want to take me up on my offer or not is completely up to you. Just know that I'm willing to lend an ear."
She walked off, leaving Yang alone. The former blonde thought about Bai Xu's offer, wondering if she should take it or not.
"She did give me the option," she muttered. "I doubt I have much to gain if I take her up on it. Then again, I have even less to lose if I refuse. What do I do?"
She looked at the mountains, at a loss of what her next course of action should be.
KS: If you probably guessed at this point, Bai Xu is an OC of mine based off of the Legend of the White Snake. Additionally, her name comes from Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen, the characters said legend revolve around. Also, she's a snake faunus with white scales. Not big on subtlety, I'll admit. But this isn't about subtlety. It's about expressing myself. There's one more chapter after this, and I'm going to make it excellent. I can't promise I'll get on it right away, but I assure you it will be glorious. Until then, stay safe, stay healthy, and I'll see you when I'll see you. Peace.