The group finally gained the strength to move on after spilling all their tears from the previous episode and all that occurred. Weiss had gotten her heiress title renounced from her father and Qrow got poisoned by Tyrian, who also wasn't spared as Ruby blasted his tail. They knew they could overcome all of this, they've seen that they have to get through worse with Beacon falling, the death of Pyrrha and Penny, and Adam, and their entire team splitting up, and Cinder, and now Salem and her troupe. Going down the list makes them realize they're stronger than they give themselves credit for, but that doesn't mean it's over.
Looking over the title of this episode, they believed they would finally be getting some answers to their questions. But, they then noticed that it has been a while since they've seen Yang or Blake in an episode, so it could be a small possibility that the conversion might revolve around them. That would also work because it would be nice to know if they're doing alright now. Well, they figured they wouldn't know until they press start.
(Volume 4 Intro)
A campfire burns as Team RNJR and Qrow sit around its warmth. The man takes a drink before looking at all the kids, "Really? No questions?"
That answers where this episode will take them with the conversation bit, but they have more questions for him than he can comprehend. They just hope that he'll tell them all what they want to know.
"Of course we have questions, it's just a lot to take in," Jaune speaks up, breaking the silence.
That too, but they all would just wish it got to the answering part because they believe they've had to suffer through enough waiting.
Qrow understands and gives them time. "So these…Maidens. They're powerful fighters that don't need dust to use magic." Qrow concurs as Ruby sums it up pretty well.
When one puts it that way it makes it sound like they're using magic and as much as they want to decline that theory, it begins to make the most sense to them. Another question to add is where this all started in the first place? If Maiden Powers are transferred from one holder to the next, there must have been a person who gave those powers to the very first four.
The rest clarify that what they're hearing is right, adding one fact to the next like when they die and there are always four of them. Ren mentions that the powers are meant to be passed on to females.
"Wait, why is it only females anyway? I get the name 'The Maidens', but what they're saying is that there has never been a male holder? Why is that?" Jaune essentially asks rhetorically.
"Whoever was in their thoughts last, important distinction. Best option it's someone we can trust, regardless their souls become combined, in a way."
The best option, the powers would be going to someone they trust…All their thoughts go to Cinder with her obtaining the Fall Maiden's powers.
"And that's what you were trying to do to Pyrrha, the night the tower fell. You were trying to turn into one of them." The way Jaune said the word 'Them' made it sound like the Maidens are all diseased.
"The previous Fall Maiden, Amber, had been attacked. She was young, inexperienced, and her assailant who we now know as Cinder somehow managed to steal some of her power, but not all of it."
The group thanks the Gods that she didn't obtain all of it. Who knows what kind of Hell she would have brought down upon Beacon or anyone else. And then to take all that power to Salem…
"We were afraid that if we didn't do something the rest would go to her as well," Qrow finishes. Jaune concludes that they forced it on Pyrrha. Qrow explains that they didn't force it on her, they told her the situation and she was given the choice.
And Pyrrha's choice was to have the Maiden's powers.
Qrow reminds Jaune that he was there and that he heard her, but Jaune still feels hurt from what happened.
They know Pyrrha is still with them now, but they're all scared that that same future will come to pass. They're scared that when they get back they won't be able to prevent it and history will repeat itself.
Jaune's had enough of the conversation and walks off into the woods to cool down. "That guy, Tyrian, why was he after me?" Ruby asks.
Ruby raises and hand to her face. He wanted to bring me in because I have silver eyes. They have some kind of power that I don't even know the extent of, but all I know is that it seems to deeply affect Grimm. And because of that, Salem wants me brought to her.
Qrow released a sigh, "Well, you definitely painted a target on your back with what you did at Beacon. I told you having silver eyes was a rare trait and the fact that you're someone who was able to use them seems to have upset some very powerful people. Not many people know about the silver eyes but those that do aren't very happy when one has surfaced. That's why I've been keeping an eye on ya', wanted to make sure you were safe."
That explains to them why he's been following them all this time. It was to make sure nothing ever happened to Ruby, specifically.
Qrow looks over at Jaune, and corrects himself, saying he was watching over all of them.
Never mind, they take back that previous thought.
"Well then, why not just travel with us? It seems like that would have been way easier," Ruby wonders. Jaune says it for what it really was, just Qrow using all of them as bait. Qrow wouldn't have worded it like that and claims that it's all complicated.
"Then maybe you can try dumbing down for all of us!" Jaune shouts, just wanting to know what they're up against as they're only told small, vague answers when there's a much bigger picture that could be revealed. This is all a lot larger than they originally thought, only thinking it was some illegal underground operation before they got here. It's apparently so much bigger with psychotic murderers, vengeful enemies, and the queen of all Grimm!
"For once we'd like to be told the truth!" Jaune continues as if Qrow would actually respond to him from the other side of the screen.
"What is all of this? Ruby's being hunted, the schools are being attacked, all for what? What is the point of all this, would you just tell us what's going on!" Qrow asks Jaune to sit down, sounding a little annoyed, and tells him he's stressing him out.
"We're the ones stressing you out? We're the ones who are being hunted and we don't even know why! All you're doing is just leaving us in the dark!" Jaune shouts, being a lot more vocal, and honestly, for a valid reason.
Qrow was about to take another drink then stopped. "Not many people are religious these days. This world's been around for a long time, long enough that people have created dozens of gods. But if you believe Ozpin, two of them are actually real."
That's another thing, Ozpin has been keeping so much from people, how would they know what's actually true or not? Does he say this like Ozpin has actually met the two Gods? The more they hear from and about Ozpin, the more the group begins to wonder if they should even trust him. A man who's kept so much from them.
"They were brothers, the older sibling the God of Light," Qrow begins as, on the wall, the shadows from the fire turn into a person. "Found joy in creating forces of life, meanwhile the younger brother, the God of Darkness, spent his time creating forces of destruction."
The group was shocked as the Tale of the Two Brothers was connected to both the Gods.
Surrounding the older brother is light and the younger, darkness. "As you can imagine, they both had pretty different ideas about how things should go. The older one would spend his days creating water, plants, wildlife. At night his brother would wake to see all the things the older had made and become disgusted. To counteract his brother's creations the God of Darkness brought drought, fire, famine. All that he could do to rid Remnant of life."
"How does Ozpin know all his exactly?" Nora asks curiously. Qrow was reciting the words of what Ozpin had told him and it seems like Ozpin was around long enough to the very beginning of the two Gods. I've made more mistakes than any man, woman, and child, those words were suddenly repeated in Ruby's head. Like they were a significant clue of sorts. They would seem impossible for a single man to do with only a single lifespan and so many other people on Remnant.
Greenery and birds flew above the grass, "Life always returned. So, one night the younger brother went and made something… something that shared his innate desire to destroy anything and everything." Behind the younger brother were the silhouettes of Grimm. Ruby mutters that they are the creatures of Grimm.
The younger brother created Grimm, to rid the world of all his brother's creations. Also, they were all wondering how it was even possible for all these shadows to show up when it was just a single campfire and people next to it.
"The older brother had finally had enough, knowing that their feud couldn't last like this forever, he proposed that they make one final creation, together. Something they could both be proud of, their masterpiece, the younger brother agreed." Together, the two use both of their powers to make a flashing orb that bursts with light. "This last great creation would be given the power to both create and destroy. Would be given the gift of knowledge, so that it could learn about itself and the world around it. And most importantly, it would be given the power to choose, to have free will to take everything it had learned and decide which path to follow. The path of light or the path of darkness."
That final creation was them; people; humans. They also noticed how Qrow named all of the four Relics: Creation, Destruction, Knowledge, and Choice.
The shadow descends itself from the air, landing on the ground. "And that is how humanity came to be." Ren asks what any of that has to do with them. "Well, that's the kicker, see the four gifts to mankind: Knowledge, creation, destruction, and choice aren't just metaphorical. Each of them exists in a physical form, left behind by the Gods before they abandoned Remnant. And each of them was extraordinarily powerful."
What was the reason for the Gods abandoning Remnant? They wouldn't have just left them to their own devices unless there was a reason or a thing that made them leave in the first place. They were about to come to the thought that maybe Ozpin knew of the reason, but they figured he would have to have been real old to obtain that kind of knowledge, so they all waved that thought off.
"If someone were to collect all 4, it'd be able to change the world. That's exactly what the enemy wants. The huntsmen academies were created to train generations of humanities protectors, but they also serve another purpose: Guarding the Relics. When Ozpin's predecessors founded the schools he built them around the Relics to act as a fortress. Not only would they be easier to defend, but they would constantly be surrounded by trained warriors."
The students listened in awe of all the thought that went into this. The schools weren't just academies, they were walls, barriers to keep the Relics hidden and protected, like an oversized safe, and every teacher, and student, there were the guardians of that vault. They would all love to meet the person who came up with such a strategic yet inconspicuous idea, you'd never suspect a school would be hiding something so important underneath.
"The hope was that hiding the Relic would keep mankind from using them against itself and, of course keeping them out of her reach," Returning to the group, Qrow concludes the story.
The nieces never knew their uncle had this serious of a double life to him! They both silently agreed on easing their uncle into this conversation when they all got back.
Ruby asks that when Qrow says 'Her' he's referring to Salem. "That's right, not much is known about her and quite frankly that's not what matters."
The students are stunned when Raider lets out an aggressive cough. She told them that there was something lodged in her throat, but they decided against asking her what it was really about. Interesting how she did that when it didn't matter that no one knew anything about her, she's been quiet for a long while. It was like she was trying to disagree with that and if so, what information about her do they not know that's so important?
"What matters right now is that she wants the Relics and if she gets them it's not going to end well."
Hearing Qrow say that, makes them all wonder what exactly she wants to do with them. They knew it wasn't going to be anything good, but what?
Blake stands alone on a balcony, leaning against the rails.
It's been a minute since they've seen Blake and the girl in question grows a tad apprehensive as she's in the episode 'The Much Needed Talk'. She's nervous about the talk she'll have with her parents.
"You know, you can always go in and say 'Hi'," Kali suggests whilst carrying a tray with tea. Blake mumbles that she doesn't want to bother him. "A father's never too busy for his daughter."
"Not all of my friends would agree with you on that," Blake says in good humor, rolling her eyes.
"I mean, you aren't wrong," Weiss shrugs.
Kali kisses Blake on the cheek and hands her the tray. Blake's confused as she asks where her mom is going. "You've never been very talkative, but that boy you've brought home loves to run his mouth. I want to hear about the adventures of Team RWBY," Kali finishes as she walks away.
"I was never the one to bring him home, clearly! He was the one to follow me onto the boat!"
"But you didn't send me away," Sun retorts.
"That's because when I found out you were on the boat we were already out in the middle of the ocean!" Blake screams, turning her attention to him.
Blake begins to tremble, if the shaking tray is any indication when Ghira asks if it's Kali outside. Blake slides open the door and takes the steps inside. When sees Blake it's a surprise but her presence isn't unwelcome. He offers her to take a seat and they place themselves in their respective chairs. Blake was in the beginning of a sentence, saying she didn't want to bother him. "Nonsense, I've been cooped up in here all day," He interrupts, pouring themselves some tea. "You still take sugar, right?" He asks as he's already dropped a cube. She declines and Ghira starts to apologize, but Blake tells him it's fine.
"Man, the awkward tension is so palpable…" Sun mutters which results in an elbow to the ribs from Yang and a hard glare from Blake. Sun puts his hands up in surrender.
They both take their original drinks and Ghira sums it up to old habits. Blake takes a sip and flinches from the heat. Ghira advises that she let cool for a second and Blake agrees, her voice cracking.
Why is he acting so normal? Why isn't he upset with me? He should be upset with me!
Ghira attempts a conversation, asking if it's warm in Vale as her outfit doesn't seem to cover much.
"My outfit is just fine, dad! And besides, this outfit is new!" Blake huffs indignantly. Yang gives her a rub on the back in hopes of calming her down a little.
Blake crosses her arms over her chest defensively, rebutting that it covers plenty. Ghira suggests that a little armor might help. "I'm fine, I don't need armor, I can look after myself."
Blake pauses and puts a hand over her left hip. The same place a certain scar would be.
Ghira apologizes as he knows his daughter is capable of holding her own. "Why? Would you say that," Blake mumbles. Ghira's confused and concerned when sits next to her, asking about what he said. "How can you still love me after what I did?"
Blake couldn't stop the welling in her eyes, holding herself. "Blake," Pyrrha's voice is gentle, wanting to grab Blake's attention, "He's your dad of course he's going to love you. Even if you made mistakes, we all have, he's going to love you no matter what." People avoided glancing at Weiss, this is about Blake's family, not hers. They're aware of the differences but Weiss's family has nothing to do with this.
Ghira's voice is soft as he rests himself next to her on the couch. "Blake… You're mother and I will always love you."
"You were right, I shouted at you, I yelled at you, but you were right. I called you cowards." Ghira places her head against his chest and reminds her that it's okay. "I should've left the White Fang with you and mom, I should've listened to and I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry."
Ghira softly takes his daughter's chin to turn her head to him, "Blake, it's fine, we never held anything against you and I never feared you would fail. The only thing I ever feared was that you would fall down the wrong path."
But I have dad, and I'm so sorry… Blake really wishes she could hug her dad right now, she really wants to. Even if her friends did it in his place for the moment, it wouldn't be the same.
"And I am so proud to see you haven't."
"But I did! I was–"
"And you've pulled yourself out, you came back. There aren't many people who possess that kind of strength and even fewer who have the courage to face their demons again. Vale, Mountain Glenn, Beacon! You confronted the White Fang time after time."
"I didn't do it alone."
"No, you didn't. Which is why I wanted to ask you, why did you leave Vale? Why did you leave your friends behind?" Before Blake could respond, the door was broken down by none other than Sun, effectively ruining the moment.
It wasn't just Blake who was giving the boy harsh glares. The Yang was the only one to make a joke though, "Well, I guess that's one way to kill the mood." Sun fully expected to be slapped across the face by Blake, but she just agitatedly sighed. Sun let out a sigh of relief because he knew that one would have hurt more than the one she gave him after she found out he snuck on the boat to follow her.
Sun attempts to find his words but the best excuse he could come up with is that that room wasn't the bathroom. Ghira angrily grumbles that he really doesn't like him.
Sun hums to himself, he's taking note that all the times Blake's father says that is when he's stepping over the boundary line a bit. Good to know!
Jaune is still cautious after what Qrow has told all of them. "Alright, so let's say we believe all of this, there really is this crazy, evil being behind all these attacks, not just some thugs trying to become powerful. Why doesn't the world know? Why isn't Atlas going after them or Mistral?"
"And why aren't we in more of a hurry to get to Haven? Shouldn't we be giving them a message, what if they're next?" Nora adds, panicked.
That comes more from the fact that none of them ever knew this much until just now.
"The headmaster over there saw what happened to Beacon, he's not dumb, he'll be on his guard. Besides, it takes time to mobilize forces like that. Do you really think they planned out that attack on Beacon overnight?"
No, they've all witnessed the process. How much waiting they've done, the little updates to the plan every time they figured out something could work more in their favor. Penny…
"And to answer your question, it's the same reason we keep quiet about the Maidens. If the whole world knew about the Relics, about Salem, it would be chaos. We'd have another Great War on our hands and this time you'd have to fight."
They figured that made enough sense. With all the panic it would only attract more Grimm, giving Salem a bigger opportunity to take all of them down.
Jaune looks away from Qrow and the man goes on, "Look, I had the same questions too, but Ol' Ozpin always put his foot down. 'We can't cause a panic', can't tell you how many times I've heard that. Salem's smart, she works from the shadows, using others to get what she wants so when it comes time to place the blame, we can only point at each other."
That puts all of them under unease. She's smart enough that she could possibly turn the most loyal of friends to turn against one another. Everyone takes a moment to look at each other, knowing that in the future she might do that to all of them.
Qrow takes another drink, looking up at the sky. "She's trying to divide us, humanity, and so far she's done a pretty damn good job." Qrow gazes up at the moon before returning it to one of his hands.
"Alright, so what should we do?" Ruby asks. Qrow doesn't have much of a clue.
"Then how are we going to get any steps closer to defeating her if we don't even have an idea of where to start?" Weiss exclaims. This only worsened their uneasiness about the future, if that were even possible at this point.
All of them look at each other in alarm. "Ozpin has put a lot of trust in the headmasters. Like I said the schools are an important part in stopping Salem, Atlas is gonna be on high alert after the last attack and Vacuo is, well, Vacuo."
"Hey!" Sun shouts, feeling a bit offended on behalf of his kingdom.
"It'll be hard to hire thieves and scoundrels to fight against other thieves and scoundrels. Take that, and add in the fact that Cinder and her crew claim to be from Haven, I think it's likely the next target."
So that would explain to them why Professor Ozpin was telling Oscar to head to Haven. That's the next academy that's on the list.
"So, we're on our way to the headmaster. Haven't heard from him in a while, even before the attack, I'm hoping he has the answers." Qrow grunts, holding his wound when he stands up, "Alright, I think it's time you kids got some sleep."
Qrow looks over to his niece as she grabs his attention. "This is a lot to take in, and it all sounds crazy, but… I'm willing to do whatever I can to help because I trust you, but couldn't you trust me? Why couldn't you just travel with us instead of all of this… secrecy and-and," Ruby gets cut off by Qrow.
Ruby was about to agree with her onscreen self, but her question was about to be answered.
"Look, this has nothing to with trust. It's a long story." Nora doesn't believe him as now he's tired of telling all of them stories.
Ren lightly scolds Nora but she brings her hands up in defense. "What! I'm not wrong!"
"Did you know that crows are a sign of bad luck? Old superstition, but it's how I got my name. You see, some people can absorb electricity and some people can burst into rose petals and some people are just born unlucky. My semblance isn't like most, not exactly something I do, it's always there whether I like it or not. I bring misfortune, I guess you could call me a bad luck charm. Comes in real handy when I'm fightin' an enemy but it makes it a little harder on friends and family."
That would explain to all of them why the beam conveniently almost fell then onto Ruby and that one clear shot that Ruby had but missed.
"Well, you are just a real bundle of help aren't you?" Jaune comments sarcastically.
The team wants to scold that Jaune for his words, but deep down they can't deny the truth within them. As much as they loved Uncle Qrow, at this point in time, it didn't seem like the best thing to have. On the other hand, they need him, they can't do any of this without him. He's a part of their only hope now.
Qrow solemnly agrees and slowly heads into the woods. Ren asks where he's going and Qrow tells him that he just needs to take a walk. Ruby stops him, asking him if there's anything else he wants to tell them. He pauses, staring up at a crow in the tree, "Not tonight."
They can't fault him much for that, he's already given them so much information in one night, and hearing how he can turn into a bird would only make their brains explode more. That would be a tale to tell when he's ready due to it having to specifically do with him.
Ruby watches her uncle leave, having a feeling that he isn't telling them everything but does go after him.
Blake lets out a noise of anger, smacking Sun across the face, "No concept of privacy."
Everyone does a combination of a flinch and a wince. Sun rubs his cheek as if he can already feel it and he knows if he does that stunt in the future that pain will surely come to pass.
*Slap* "No respect for personal space!" Sun profusely apologizes, holding onto his right cheek. Blake loudly releases her aggravation.
"Look, I promise it was important, I needed to find you to talk to you!" Sun attempts to explain.
"Whatever it is, it better be really important," Blake growls out. She whips her head around with a glare so harsh Sun jumps in his seat.
Blake allows him to speak but the moment he mentions the White Fang she stops him right there. "I told you I'm not here to fight the White Fang, I'm not here to fight anyone, I'm here to rest, to figure things out and to see my family."
Yang holds up a finger, "I know you came there so you won't have to face the White Fang, but I think you should have at least heard Sun out. Maybe he really did have something to say." Blake looks at her partner for a couple of seconds before releasing a deep sigh. She focused back on the screen and decided it was more than likely wise to listen if it had something to do with the White Fang, especially if it was her mom wanting Sun to relay a message to her.
"Your mom said White Fang members don't wear masks in Menagerie, but I saw one in the market yesterday, I even got a picture!" Sun pulls out his scroll and plans to show her, "Look I'm trying to help." Blake responds by tossing Sun's scroll into the trees, shouting that she doesn't want his help.
"Hey!" Sun shouts. All his other self is trying to do and if that is the case for White Fang members to go without masks then something is wrong!
Sun glares at her, but then the both of them hear something rustle in the trees, causing them to turn their heads. Spying on top of the trees was a girl who upon noticing she was discovered, made a run for it.
Blake gasped, squinting at the screen, Illia?
Blake gasped as she recognized the girl. Sun exclaimed that there was a ninja. "A spy!" Blake shouts. Sun is about to question why there's a spy when Blake leaps off the balcony to go after her.
Kali comes rushing, asking Sun about what's going on. "The White Fang is evil, I totally called it, and I'm bringing your daughter back!" He rushes off to follow his friend and Kali looks worried as she watches them go.
Illia, what is she doing in Menagerie? Blake wonders, on edge but slightly grateful to see a familiar face.
Team RNJR just wakes up from a night's rest and the first thing Ren suggests is that they should all get moving. They all look over to Qrow after hearing his painful coughing. Ruby rushes over and Qrow removes his hand to show he's been coughing the poison.
They need to get him help. NOW. How far away is it from another village? Why aren't they moving already? What if they don't make it in time and Qrow perishes along the way? They can't get the image of that one man passing away out of their heads because they were so indecisive on what to do.
Ruby is stunned into silence at his state and Qrow calls it unfortunate as he falls back unconscious.
"UNCLE QROW!" Ruby and Yang cry out in tears. Please, praying to the Gods that they don't take Uncle Qrow away from them either. They already lost their mom, they can't lose Qrow too. Their backs were patted by their friends and teammates as they all felt tears on the brink of falling.