F3: Welcome to chapter 4 of Volume 6 of my RWBY story. We left off with Ilia showing up again and tricking the Atlas military into hunting Blake. Wonder what will happen here? The RWBY OC characters are owned by me or by the author(s) that will be mentioned. With that said Let's Get Started.
Volume 6-4: Even More Questions.
Back at Adams home the group were staring up at the woman like figure named Jinn as she was staring down at the group. No one moved but only look on with awe at the elegance of the woman floating above them. After about a minute Jinn finally spoke.
"I am Jinn. One that dwells within the Relic of Knowledge. I can only answer three questions once every one-hundred years." Jinn stated however she sensed a familiar energy within the room and looked toward Oscar but she knew exactly who it was.
"It's been a while old man. Didn't picture I would see you like this." Jinn stated however Oscar just ignored her and looked toward Ruby, Ozpin taking back over.
"Ruby, you do not know what you are doing. Please give me the relic." Ozpin ordered stretching out his hand but was blocked by Cardin and Weiss.
Ruby wasn't sure what she should do but she knew that Ozpin was hiding secrets from them and she wanted to know what it was.
"Ruby… it's up to you what you want to do. We're behind you." Weiss assured as she kept Ozpin at bay while everyone else waited on what Ruby was going to do.
Ruby looked up to Jinn as she spoke to her "Yes child of man. What question to you seek?" Jinn questioned.
She sighed before Ruby finally spoke "What does Ozpin know… about Salem?" Ruby asked.
"NO!" Ozpin shouted as Jinn rose to the air to answer Ruby's question.
"Very well. I'll answer your question. Let us go on a journey together." Jinn said as she cast a blue mist around the group as they are covering themselves from the mist.
[The Past]
Just then Ruby was uncovered her eyes as she suddenly found herself in a white space and there was nobody else but her.
"Um… Weiss, Cardin, anyone here?" Ruby shouted but to no avail as there wasn't anyone around her as Jinn appeared before her.
"Calm child your friends are here but also not here. They are in a place experiencing the same as you are now." Jinn replied as the scene around her changed. Now she was in what looked like a room that was furnished with only a bed, a table and window to view the world out of. But what surprised her most was that standing before Ruby was a girl with long blonde hair toped with bun on the top of her head and an intricate white dress and she had blue eyes. However, the woman had a rather saddened look on her face.
Ruby turns to Jinn but finds she isn't there anymore before turning back to the woman.
"Stupid father." The woman mutters as she walks to the window.
"Um excuse me ma'am?" Ruby asks but she didn't respond or even notice her. Ruby tried reaching out but her hand completely went through her skin like she was ghost.
"These are merely visions of the past. They cannot see you or hear you. Allow the story to continue." Jinn's voice rang in her head.
"Do not let them through! Seal off the gates!" A loud voice shouted.
"Too late!" Another voice as an explosion was heard as cries rang out. Suddenly footsteps were heard running toward them as the door swung open revealing a young man with short brown hair and blue eyes. He wore armor like she had never seen before and carried with him a staff of some kind with a emerald gem at the top.
"Who are you?" The woman asked as she raised her hand a small fireball sparked in her hand.
"A semblance?" Ruby thought.
"No child. Magic. A gift granted by the gods themselves to all humans of this time. Where everyone has magically abilities." Jinn said to her.
"My apologies miss. I am Ozma. The kings champion." Ozma introduced himself as she put her hand down and dispelled her flame.
"And what is it you wish of me Ozma?" The woman asked.
"Are you Lady Salem?" Ozma asked in which she nodded in response surprising Ruby.
"That's Salem!" Ruby shouted completely shocked by how she looks.
"Yes child. Salem was a princess of her time locked away by her greedy father until she was to be married to another. However, fate had different plans." Jinn said to her.
"Come with me Salem. Together you can be free from this torment. To yearn for freedom." Ozma said. Without a second thought Salem took his hand and the two made their escape as Ruby followed.
The scene shifts again as they were now outside a fortress that was Salems home now it was burning as the two were hand in hand as now Weiss was watching them.
"I'm… free. I'm finally free!" Salem shouted in happiness.
"You are Salem. No longer bound by your opposers. The world is your oyster." Ozma replied. However, Salem looked toward Ozma.
"I want you to join me in that. You must carry a heavy burden yourself as a knight. Why not leave that life behind and we can explore the world together." Salem replied.
Ozma paused a moment before he too would agree "If I'm with you than that would sound like quite the adventure." Ozma said.
"So Ozma was a knight for the king and Salem was the girl in the Tower. Like the fairy tale we were told as kids. But why do I get the feeling I'm missing something." Weiss replied.
"You'd be correct child. These two young people fell in love at first sight. And so, the two started a new journey for themselves. Then years would pass and young Salem would come to have four children." Jinn said as the scene changed again in a puff of smoke.
Adam and Neo were standing in front of a log cabin in the middle of the woods with a lake in the background as they heard playful shouting.
"Bet you can't catch me!" A young girl shouted being chased by three others.
"Oh, I'm sure we can!" Another young girl shouted giving chase after the girl.
"They had children." Adam said in which Neo looked just as confused.
"Yes. But these girls were very special. More special than anyone using magic to that day. Those girl… were the first maidens. Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. They possessed great magic abilities that were far more than any human of that era." Jinn explained.
The girls continue to play as Salem and Ozma watched from their log house.
"But like most goodness in the world… a great tragedy was about to occur." Jinn said her voice with sorrow.
Suddenly Ozma became unsteady as he dropped to a knee as he began coughing uncontrollably.
"Honey what's wrong?" Salem asked with worry in her voice but she then saw that her husband's hand had blood on it.
"C'mon let's get you inside." She said as she helped her husband inside.
"Ozma fell ill that rendered him bedridden. Not even the best doctors could find a cure. Eventually he succumbed to his illness and died. However, Salem didn't take this very and wanted to play god and in such she sought out the God of Light." Jinn said as the scene once again changed.
This time Salem was standing in front of a lake that had a large fountain and a tree behind it as she is on her knees and praying.
"God of Light. I beseech thee. Please hear my cries. I summon you to hear my prayers." Salem chanted as just then a small orb of light appeared before her but not long before the orb glowed bright before bursting into light as she covered her eyes. Then what stood before her is a golden man with no face but only with bright eyes that glowed as he had a pair of antlers on his head.
"Speak. Child of man. For what is it that you have summoned me to this land?" The God of Light spoke.
"God of Light. I beseech you. I ask of you dear God of Light to resurrect my husband. He was still young and has yet to had live a full life. I beg of you." Salem begged bowing before the God of Light.
The God of Light did not speak to Salem for a few moments as if debating with himself rather to or not accept the woman's request. Just then he spoke.
"I refuse." He spoke, his voice echoing throughout his domain.
"What!? Why?" Salem questioned.
"If it was his fate to die then I cannot intervene in the ties of fate. His fate was decided a long time ago. Now leave me child of man." The God of Light proclaimed.
"Please! I beg of you!" Salem begged but he heard none of it as a wave of his hand and she was immediately transported out of his domain as she could do was cry.
Velvet watched this before her as she couldn't help but feel sorry for her.
"So, all she wanted was her husband back. Even going to the God of Light for help but he refused. Why?" Velvet questioned as the scene changed again as Salem was in a different location as she was standing in some ruins with trees that were long dead along with a pool of purple liquid surrounding it.
Just then a dark purple orb appeared and then dissolved in front of her as a tall man figure with purple skin but no eyes, or mouth appeared before her floating just a few feet away from her folding his arms.
"Child of man. Why have you come to my realm? Speak child!" The dark god stated.
Salem took in a breath before she spoke "God of Darkness. I beseech you. I came to request on audience with you and to ask you grant a request of mine." Salem said.
"Then why not go to my brother? Surely, he can help you." He stated.
"I came to you first God of Darkness. I ask of you to grant my request." Salem stated as the God of Darkness well knowing that she had lied to him.
The god hummed for a moment before speaking again "And what is this request?" He asked.
"My husband… Ozma he was taken from me too soon from an illness. I want him by my side again." Salem stated.
The god pondered this request a moment and figured that it would be best to finally get a one up on his brother.
"Very well." He said and with a wave of his hand magic poured from his hand and then a bright light appeared before her Ozma was lying before her alive as he checked over his body making sure that he was truly alive.
"What's going-?" He said as Salem then wrapped him in an embrace. However, before the two could celebrate a golden orb appeared and shined revealing the God of Light.
"How dare you brother!? You dare answer the prayers of this child of man!" He shouted angrily.
"This is my domain brother. She came to me to answer her request and did just that. Now begone of you brother!" The dark brother shouted back.
"Was this request about reviving her dead husband? She came to me about this request as well." The light brother replied surprising the dark brother.
"What!?" He shouted angrily before looking toward the woman again.
"You! Child of man! How dare you deceive me!" He shouted as he snapped his fingers and just like that Ozma vanished from her arms.
"No! Please bring him back! I need him!" Salem shouted demandingly.
"Deceiving a god was unwise Salem. There is a heavy price for your deception." The God of Light said as they both raised their hands toward her as suddenly, she was pushed away and out of the domain of darkness only to find herself suddenly in the sky and was falling into the ocean below.
Once she got to the surface, she was enraged at the gods for going back on his word and for being tricked by them. Now she wanted nothing more than to erase the gods from existence.
"Salem became consumed by hatred for the gods. However, she would discover that encounter would curse her for the rest of her life and more. She became unable to die. She would scour the world to build an army to fight the gods. She spun a story that the gods have wanted to chain all kind to their whims. However, her plan failed as the kings, queens, and the very kingdom themselves turned on Salem after what the gods revealed. Now alone, and immortal she found the pool of grimm and absorbed its power and became what you know of her today." Jinn said as the scene changed again.
[Present Time]
Everyone looked around to see that they've returned to the house as Jinn was still floating above them.
"As you see. Ozpin hid this from you knowing that he couldn't trust you completely about his secrets. He still doesn't trust you… right Ozpin." Jinn replied as Ozpin could only stay silent as she returned to the lamp.
Everyone was silent as no one said a word trying to process at what Jinn said to them before Ozpin finally spoke again.
"Now do you realize. What I thought was love…turned into a nightmare? I loved Salem but after seeing her being corrupted by that power she got from the grimm pool I knew she was going to cause harm to humanity. Salem created the grimm and she'll stop at nothing to get the relics. If she does then it'll be the end of humanity as we know it. Now that you know… I'm deeply sorry." Ozpin said as he released control allowing Oscar to return.
"Oscar? Is that you?" Ruby asked as he nodded.
"Yeah… it's me. Ozpin… he's gone." Oscar said.
"You mean… gone gone or just temporary gone." Weiss added.
"He's still their but I just can't communicate with him. Like he's in the back of my mind." Oscar replied.
Everyone sighed at this but most of them were frustrated about the whole situation. Suddenly, they heard a groan as they saw Raven had finally woken up as she slowly sat up.
"Can… someone explain to me what the heck happen?" Raven asked as they all had something to tell her.
"We have a lot to tell you Aunty so I hope you're ready for quite the story." Ruby replied as she started to explain everything what had happened and what Jinn told them about Ozpin.
"I see. So, Salem really can't be killed." Raven said.
"Actually… Jinn said that she is immortal. Cursed by both brothers. All for the sake of love for Ozma." Cardin added.
"Kinda sad really but then her becoming this grimm queen… how do we fight that?" Neo signed.
Adam only shook his head at this "For now let's focus on other things. Let's settle in for the night. Then in the morning we'll head to Argus. There's bound to be a vehicle here so we can use to get there." Adam said as he walked out of the house but Weiss decided to follow.
She saw Adam walk toward a large garage as he opened it and then walked inside while she followed. Weiss could tell that he was frustrated about what they heard from Jinn and it was bothering him to no end.
Weiss walked inside and immediately saw a large truck-like vehicle that was more than enough to carry them to Argus but it looked rather worn down and had dust all over it. She saw Adam at the front of the truck and it had his family's symbol on it which meant it was his family's truck as he lifted the hood of the truck and started to inspect it.
"Are you okay Adam?" Weiss asked.
"I'm fine. Just… trying to soak everything in." Adam said as he started looking over the truck.
Weiss walked next to him leaning against the truck "Yeah, I know what you mean. Learning about Salem. Who Ozpin really is? How Salem turned out like that? Everything. It's a lot to take in all at once. Heck, I'm still processing it myself." Weiss added.
Adam stopped a moment as he turned to face Weiss "I can understand that. Finding out that she's immortal certainly put a damper on things. If she's immortal then… just how do we beat her or if we can even beat her." Adam replied.
"If there is one thing that I've learned… that every obstacle can be overcome and that nothing is impossible. But for now, we focus on one thing at a time. First, we get to Argus and regroup with the others. Then, we make our way to Atlas… even though as much as I hate to admit it, we are going to need General Ironwoods help." Weiss said though she was worried as well.
"Think he'll help us?" Adam questioned.
"If we explain to him the situation than I'm sure he will." Weiss replied as she propped herself off the truck.
"Though we better get to work on this rust bucket first. Care for some help?" Weiss asked as Adam nodded. And so, the two of them got to work on fixing up the truck so they could use it to get to Argus.
=RWBY=
Meanwhile back in Argus in the Arc household Jaune and company were talking to his sister about other things even though much to the displeasure of Jaune as his sister started telling them stories of their childhood.
"And then he quickly ran back to his tent before we could even braid his hair." Saphron said which got everyone laughing but Jaune.
"Oh, ha ha. Very funny." Jaune grunted.
"C'mon Jaune you know it's all in good fun. Besides it's not like you had your own fair share of moments. Like the time you stood up for Bridgette because some guys were pulling on her ears." Saphron said.
"Yeah, I remember. It was before I went to Beacon and some dude thought he get it in his head to try and pick on Bridgette. She's a deer faunus so she had deer ears, anyway he started pulling them and she shouted. I saw this and rushed over and pushed the guy away." Jaune said.
"That was quite brave of you to do that." Blake added.
"Yeah… well Bridgette isn't much for confrontations so I try to boost her confidence a little." Jaune said.
"Guess that explains why you're always so considerate when you got to the academy." Nora added as Jaune nodded.
Just as they were reminiscing Saphron scroll suddenly buzzed but it wasn't a call but a notification. Suddenly all their scrolls started buzzing, receiving the exact same notification.
It was a video "What is all this about? It's from the Atlas military here in Argus." Saphron replied.
"Play it." Summer said as she played the video.
"Attention citizens of Argus. I am to inform you that there is a terrorist living in our fair city. She is wanted on charges of terrorism, sabotage, espionage, murder, and many other charges. But fear not we will bring this terrorist to justice. I will now show you the picture of this terrorist and if you see her, you are to contact the military police immediately." The video played as then the image came up and it was… Blake's picture.
"What the!?" Yang shouted.
"Yang. Not so loud but for once I agree. What is all this about terrorism?" Summer added.
Blake only stood there watching the image of herself with a warning label 'Dead or Alive' below her name.
"This has to be some mistake. I've never committed murder or anything. I mean the only thing I'll admit to is sabotage but I've never murdered anyone." Blake admitted.
"Plus, how did they know that you're in Argus? It's not like them to spy on people." Yang added.
"Maybe someone recognized her and reported her to the military." Nora said.
"I doubt that. Not many people pay attention around here." Jaune added.
Blake began to think for a moment but then something came across her mind. There was only one possibility that she could think of.
"Ilia… it must be. She was the only one that escaped Haven Academy and she also has a grudge against me. That's the only explanation." Blake said.
"So, you think she followed us to Argus, spoke to the Atlas military and now they have a wanted sign on you. That's… kind of strange really." Jaune said.
"This does present a problem though. If they have Dead or Alive out on Blake then she can't risk getting caught. Plus, we're not at full strength since we can't get a hold of either Ruby or Raven. This puts on in quite the dilemma." Summer replied.
"More than likely Star and the others know about the video and are developing a plan as we speak. So, for now we just wait. That's all we can do." She added that the others agreed to wait.
"I've got an idea. There's a hotel here in town that we can stay at. The rest of you can go to the hotel to rest while Blake can stay here with me and Saph till we can come up with a plan." Jaune added.
Summer hummed for a moment but then nodded thinking it was a sound plan "Alright. It'll keep Blake out of sight for now and then we'll come up with a plan to get to Atlas later. We should leave right away if we want to get rooms for the night." Summer said as the group agreed as Yang, Nora, and Summer headed out.
"We should call Star and let her know the situation." Summer added as Yang pulled out her scroll and started dialing Star's number.
"Hey Yang. Did you see the video?" Star asked.
"Yeah, I saw. I find it hard to believe. Summer thinks we should meet up at the hotel and then come up with a plan from there." Yang said.
"Okay. I think Iona is going to stay with her mom though so it'll be me, Pepper, and May. We'll see you soon." Star said as she hung up. And like that the small group headed toward the hotel as Jaune and Blake stayed at Saphron's.
Though if Blake was right then they could be dealing with Ilia from the White Fang again and hopefully they can act fast before things get worse.
As the three of them waited at the hotel they saw Star and the rest start to walk in.
"I'll check us in." Summer said as she went to the reception desk leaving the others to ponder.
"So, what's the plan?" Star asked wondering if they've come up with something.
"For now, nothing. Blake thinks it could be Ilia." Yang said.
"So, if she couldn't get her then she talks to the Atlas military here and tells them about Blake's time in the White Fang and they label her a terrorist. Cruel but smart." May added.
"We'll come up with a plan in the morning once we've had some rest." Pepper said as Nora let out a yawn.
"Agreed. Just so you all know I'm a very heavy sleeper." Nora replied as the group sighed. Summer would return later as the small group of seven headed toward the room they were given for the night.
=RWBY=
Hours later it was evening as the sun was starting to set as Ruby is starting to set up for the night making sure everyone had what they needed. Though she was rather worried about what everyone was thinking. She could tell that Velvet wasn't happy as she found that Ozpin knew about her team working for Salem and she pretty much avoided Oscar.
Cardin and Neo were both rather confused and unsure about this entire situation without knowing all about Salem. Weiss was talking with Adam so hopefully she knew what she was doing. Then there is Raven, her aunt who was currently resting on the chair as she didn't want to strain using her semblance until she was back to full strength.
It was bothering Ruby knowing what Jinn told them and it was a still a lot to take in as she was looking for anything that was edible for them.
She heard footsteps coming behind her as she turned to see that it was Oscar standing there.
"Hey Ruby… is everything alright. You've been rather quiet lately." Oscar said.
Ruby turned away "Yeah… I'm good. Just still processing what Jinn told us. About Salem, about Ozma, magic being real and all that stuff. About her being… immortal. I'm starting to wonder if Salem can even be beaten. What if what we're doing is just… pointless." Ruby said.
Oscar wasn't exactly sure how to respond to her but all he does know was that she needed support right now and Oscar was going to do what he can. So, without a second thought he reached around her and pulled her into an embrace.
"Oscar! What are you-?" Ruby started but Oscar spoke.
"Everything will be alright Ruby. I know that things look tough now but we just take it one step at a time and we'll make it through this. You don't have to do things by yourself." Oscar spoke which his words cut into Ruby as she started to get tears in her eyes.
"It's just… just so difficult to keep myself from falling apart… that I haven't even had a chance to morn a friend." Ruby said now with tears streaming down her face as she turned and buried herself into Oscar's collar whimpering but all he could do was comfort her.
After a long ten minutes Oscar finally let go and Ruby rubbed her eyes.
"Th-Thanks for that Oscar. I really needed it." Ruby said.
"Your welcome Ruby. It looked like you needed to just let it out." Oscar said.
"Say you want to help me find something to eat. I don't if this place has a pantry or not." Ruby added.
Oscar nodded "Sure. There should be one here." Oscar said as the two went to look for the pantry but Oscar was just glad to help Ruby be in high spirits knowing that they have more obstacles along the way but they know that they can overcome them.
F3: And that is chapter 4 in the books. Summer and her company are meeting up to come up with a plan for getting out of their situation. Ruby and company are now trying to get transportation to Argus. This could only get better. Let me know in the comments and please make sure to follow and/or favorite this story too. With that said this is Fireuser3 and I'm Out.