I do not own RWBY, which is the property of Viz Media, or Destiny 2, which is owned by Bungie. All characters, locations, and lore from these franchises belong to their respective creators. This fanfiction is purely for entertainment purposes and not for profit.

Chapter 2: Echoes of Purpose

The path down the hill was treacherous. Twisted metal and frozen debris created a maze of obstacles that crunched underfoot. Nix's light danced ahead, casting long shadows that seemed to shift and writhe. Weiss's breath fogged the air, but she forced herself to keep moving.

"Stay low," Nix whispered. "The Fallen patrols are everywhere."

Weiss crouched, her fingers curled tightly around the rifle. Her mind ached with questions, but survival took precedence. The howl of the wind masked distant clicks and screeches—the sounds of enemies hunting for intruders.

As they approached a collapsed wall, Nix suddenly flared brighter. "Hold up. There's a group of Fallen ahead. We can—"

A sharp bark of gunfire interrupted him. Bullets slammed into the ground near Weiss's feet, sending shards of ice and stone flying.

"Run!" Nix shouted.

Weiss didn't hesitate. She bolted for cover, sliding behind a rusted cargo container. Her heart pounded in her chest, adrenaline searing through her veins. The Fallen's guttural cries grew louder.

"We need to push through," Nix urged. "There's an old maintenance tunnel nearby. If we can reach it, we'll be safe."

Weiss nodded, her eyes steely with determination. "Lead the way."

Together, they plunged into the chaos, gunfire and lightning crackling around them. Weiss's boots pounded the ground, her breath ragged as she zigzagged between the wreckage. A Fallen Vandal took aim, its glowing eyes narrowing.

Weiss's instincts screamed. She ducked low and squeezed the trigger. The rifle kicked against her shoulder as a burst of bullets tore through the Vandal's chest. It crumpled, disappearing into a swirl of ether.

"Nice shot!" Nix encouraged. "We're almost there—keep going!"

Weiss surged forward, her mind narrowing to a singular focus. The maintenance tunnel loomed ahead, a jagged opening in the crumbling wall. Nix flitted toward it, his light cutting through the shadows.

But before they could reach it, a heavy thud shook the ground. Weiss skidded to a halt, her eyes widening as a massive Fallen Captain dropped from above, its armor gleaming with dark energy. It brandished a pair of shock blades, electricity arcing between them.

"This isn't good," Nix muttered.

The Captain let out a roar and charged.

Weiss clenched her teeth, raising the rifle. She fired a burst, but the bullets sparked harmlessly off the Captain's shield. The creature closed the distance in seconds, its blades crackling with deadly intent.

"Weiss, use the Light!" Nix cried.

"The Light?" she repeated, confusion flickering across her face. Then she felt it—a strange warmth deep within her chest, like a flame waiting to ignite. She reached for it, instinct taking over.

Her fingers twitched, her mind instinctively trying to summon a glyph. But instead of the familiar pattern of symbols, raw energy surged through her hand. Lightning crackled around her, arcs of blinding light leaping from her fingertips.

The Fallen Captain's charge faltered as a bolt of lightning struck it square in the chest. The crackling energy coursed through its body, paralyzing it mid-step. The Captain's limbs spasmed, its shock blades fizzling out as it struggled to move.

"Now, Weiss! Finish it!" Nix shouted.

Weiss didn't hesitate. She aimed the rifle and fired a precise burst. The bullets pierced the Captain's armor, each shot finding its mark. The creature let out a strangled roar before collapsing into etheric mist.

Weiss lowered the rifle, her chest heaving. The scent of ozone lingered in the air, and sparks danced along her fingertips before fading.

"That... was incredible," Nix said, awe in his voice. "You're already tapping into your powers."

Weiss swallowed, the reality of what she'd just done sinking in. "I don't understand it, but... it felt right."

"It'll make sense in time," Nix reassured her. "For now, we need to keep moving."

They hurried into the maintenance tunnel, the darkness swallowing them. The sounds of the battle faded behind them, replaced by the steady drip of water and the echo of their footsteps.

The tunnel stretched ahead, damp and cold. Pipes lined the walls, some cracked and leaking. Nix's light cast eerie reflections that danced along the ceiling.

"Where does this lead?" Weiss asked, her voice low.

"It should connect to an old launch facility," Nix replied. "If we can find a jumpship, we can get to the Last City."

They moved in silence for a while, the weight of the journey pressing down on them. Weiss's mind raced with questions—about the Light, about her past, about what it meant to be a Guardian. But she pushed them aside. Survival came first.

After what felt like an eternity, they emerged into a vast chamber. The ceiling arched high above, rusted catwalks crisscrossing like spiderwebs. In the center of the room sat a jumpship, its sleek hull covered in frost and grime.

Nix's eye flared with excitement. "That's it! If we can get it running, we're home free."

Weiss nodded, determination hardening her features. "Then let's do this."

But as they stepped toward the ship, a low growl echoed through the chamber. The shadows shifted, and dozens of glowing eyes blinked open.

The Fallen were not done with them yet.

"We've got company!" Nix warned.

Weiss's eyes narrowed. Her fingers tingled with that strange energy again, the Light coiling within her like a storm waiting to break. A group of Fallen Dregs and Vandals rushed toward them, weapons raised.

"Time to clear the field," Weiss muttered.

She raised her hand, and a sphere of crackling energy formed in her palm—an Arcbolt grenade. She hurled it into the swarm of enemies. The grenade detonated in a burst of electric arcs, chaining between the Dregs and Vandals. They screamed as lightning coursed through their bodies, collapsing into etheric mist.

"Perfect throw!" Nix cheered.

But a deeper, more menacing growl rumbled through the chamber. From the shadows emerged a towering Fallen Servitor, its spherical body pulsing with dark energy, its eye glowing an ominous purple.

"That's the boss," Nix said. "We need to take it down now!"

Weiss's heart pounded, but she didn't hesitate. The storm inside her surged to the surface, demanding release. Her body lifted off the ground, arcs of lightning crackling around her. Her eyes glowed with raw power.

"Stormtrance!" Nix shouted. "Let it out!"

Weiss extended her arms, and bolts of lightning shot from her fingertips. She flew toward the Servitor, electricity streaming in waves. The Servitor's eye fired beams of dark energy, but Weiss weaved between them, a storm given form.

Lightning slammed into the Servitor, each bolt chipping away at its defenses. The air buzzed with energy, and the chamber filled with the roar of thunder. The Servitor's armor cracked and splintered under the assault.

With a final scream, Weiss unleashed one last surge of lightning. The Servitor's eye shattered, and it exploded in a burst of dark energy and ether.

Weiss dropped to the ground, her limbs trembling but her eyes blazing with triumph.

"You did it!" Nix exclaimed. "The ship's ours!"

Weiss took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Let's get out of here."

The path was clear, and the Light guided them forward.