22

Salem did not like sweating but she found herself sweltering in the confines of the transport she was sequestered in. She had been given water at intervals, but they never undid her bindings, simply having one of the members with a silver armband hold the bottle to her lips. It was undignified, but she played along. She was not sure of how long she spent in the transport, only that it was at least a day, knowing that they stopped at least once to rest for the night. It was probably some time in the morning the next day that she noticed the change.

The first clue was when they slowed down, taking care to maneuver around some kind of sharp turns and then she felt the entire vehicle tilt steeply as they drove downwards, most likely underground. Of course people like that would live like a rat in the desert. They came to a stop far too early in the day for it to be night, and she could hear the muffled sounds of activity outside. There came the now familiar sound of the lock on her transport disengaging as the door opened, spilling artificial light into the interior and standing at the door was that Esclados woman, smiling as if she had not just kidnapped her.

"I hope you had a pleasant ride, Alba." The woman had an annoyingly saccharine smile on her face.

"As pleasant as can be, considering." Salem stood up.

"Glad to hear it. Now come with me, I have someone who wants to meet you."

As Salem moved to hop out of the transport she took a look around, the large cavern they were in looked dug out, illuminated by lights attached to the ceiling. There were a great many people moving to and fro, unloading cargo from the caravan. The cargo that had supposedly been going to Vale. Interesting. If they had been planning on coming to this location, then why accept her into the convoy? Yet another oddity to consider.

"You seem awfully calm." Esclados remarked as she started escorting Salem deeper into the underground complex, the narrow corridors lined with wires and lights. It looked like they came to a main junction, passing smaller offshoots housing what looked like barracks, a mess, and other facilities to house a number of people.

She turned to regard her captor, "There is nothing on Remnant that I fear."

"Really? Well that's impressive."

It was clear the girl didn't believe her, perhaps she thought Salem was putting on airs, the truth did not require one's belief, it simply was. She refrained from speaking to the woman, not dignifying the underling with more speech than necessary. They entered into a large room, familiar to her in theme only. It was obviously a throne room,given the way a young woman sat upon a stone throne that was the main feature. Otherwise, it was a rather bland room. Uselessly large and filled with nothing, a second side room could be seen to the side and behind the throne but there was little else. It wasn't a true throne room, filled with art, advisors, and symbols of the ruler's power. A true throne room was meant to send a message, to evoke a feeling. It was far more than a place to sit and talk to subjects. All Salem could see was a child playing make believe.

A child she recognised.

Oh, the faces of humans tended to blend together over time but she at least rememembered the faces of those that served her, for a time at least. And G

illian Asturias was one such person. Jillian, and her brother, Jax, had been brought to her by Tyrian, at one point. Broken from some deep prison with delusions of grandeur that they held the rightful throne of Vacuo. She had heard their tale, listened to their plight and had promised them their kingdom for their cooperation.

They had failed her.

Vacuo, she had saved for last, planning on bringing the kingdom low and granting it to the two of them so they could rule it for the rest of their lives. The rest being until she got what she wanted. How interesting to run into her at this place, now she could guess what it was they were doing.

"Carmine." Gillian smiled, "It is good to see you. And who have you brought before me?"

"Her name is Alba. She was seeking passage on our convoy and I thought she would be useful. She has a powerful semblance."

Semblance, Salem wanted to scoff. It was no mere semblance.

"Do tell."

"I witnessed it for myself. She is capable of powerful electrical discharge, enough to kill dozens of Grimm at once."

The eyes of Gillian lit up and she stood, walking forwards with her rippling dress of multiple colors. At the very least she could approve of Gillian's fashion sense. The young woman approached within an arm's length, looking Salem up and down.

"Now, Carmine, there's no such need for barbarity. Remove these manacle and let us have a civilized discussion."

A ploy, to be sure. Even as Esclados removed her cuffs and they clattered to the floor it was clear to Salem that Gillan was not a magnanimous woman. She had waited until she had approached to release her and for good reason. She remembered the woman's semblance well, it had been incredibly useful to her. The ability to siphon and transfer aura was something few could do. Rare and powerful, like her brother. Thought, unfortunately, they had let it go to their egos.

"I appreciate it." She played along, rubbing her wrists. She was not one to underestimate the usefulness of others.

The makeshift queen smiled at her, "See? A sensible woman. I am Gillian Asturias, true queen of Vacuo and heir to the throne of Malik the Sunderer. This is the center of our operations where we plan our return to power."

"And this involves me?"

"It could. We are constantly on the lookout for talented individuals. When the Crown takes power, we can offer you more, much more."

"You would be set for life here in Vacuo." Esclados chimed in, like a soothsayer in her ear, "Much better than going back to Vale where your ex-husband lives."

Salem could not help the chuckle that escaped her, it was a quaint offer, reminiscent of the kind of offer she would have, and had, made. However, the idea that this young girl could offer her anything was comical.

"Do you find something funny about my offer?" There was a dangerous glint in Gillian's eyes.

"You would find it funny as well if a mewling cat offered you that which she did not have."

"You have doubts about our capabilities."

Not what she had said but she could take it however she wanted.

"Can you not blame me? I am drugged and kidnapped only to be offered something like this? Have you not heard of things that are too good to be true?"

"Let me assure you, Alba." Gillian took Salem's hand in her own, "We are quite capable of fulfilling that promise."

Certainly not, if what she remembered was true, "And I can assure you that you cannot give me what I desire. Now, I would advise you let me leave, or take me where I wish to go."

Gillian frowned, "I am afraid that there is a misunderstanding. Do not mistake my kindness for weakness. I will be enlisting your help but I am offering you a chance to do so willingly."

"You do not get to make demands of me, girl." Salem snapped at her, eyes narrowed to slits.

Gillian reacted quickly, too quickly for Salem, and grabbed her wrist. She felt a tug at the edge of her being, like a person attempting to pull the thread of a tapestry. The humans had long forgotten where semblances came from, but she did. The modern citizens of Remnant believed semblances were named so because they were a semblance of the soul. That would be incorrect. Salem had existed before aura and before semblances, from a time of magic and gods. Semblances may have been connected to aura and aura from the soul but it was magic. The final and last semblance of magic that humanity possessed. To Salem, it was like an ember trying to stand against a forest fire.

As Gillian tried to pull at her soul, Salem pulled back. There was a sharp gasp from the woman, who broke the connection, stumbling and falling back onto her rear. A sharp pain signaled the other woman in the room having buried her sai deep into her chest. A commendable effort to defend her liege, such loyalty was to be respected.

However, Salem had conquered pain long ago. It was like an old friend. Even as the blood filled her lungs and it became difficult to breathe she simply stopped. She was immortal, though she could hunger and thirst, neither could kill her. Even if her body screamed for air, it would not kill her. Gillian looked as if she had seen a ghost, not even able to stand but it was interrupted with a shaky smirk.

"I don't know what you just did, but it was a mistake."

Salem did not answer, could not on account of the blood filling her lungs. It was annoying so she stepped forward. Even Esclados kept hold of her weapon and it was pulled free from her back with a sickening squelch. Spitting out the blood in her mouth she felt her hold disappear rapidly, the blood dissipating. Filled with air once again she was able to speak.

"It is you who has made the mistake, girl." She knelt down in front of Gillian, reach out to caress her cheek, "My dear, delusional, girl."

There was fear in her eyes and Salem took a vindictive glee in what she saw, the woman was trembling at her touch, "W- what are you?"

"The most powerful person you will ever meet."

-SY-

Days.

That was how long Blake had been in the library of Beacon. Not the entire time, of course. She had classes to attend but her free time was occupied by research. And what had she found in the days since she had started?

Nothing.

Well not nothing. There were various books on the subject of trauma and post traumatic stress disorder in general but none were very helpful to her. Her searches on the terminals yielded much the same result, telling her that someone suffering from such a condition should seek professional help and to be supportive of anyone she knew who might be. There were numbers for hotlines and information about it but nothing concrete on a cure.

Though she already knew there wouldn't be one. She'd seen it in the White Fang. Oftentimes from combat though occasionally brought in by people who had a horrific past. Those events rarely got spoken about, even Adam's branding could count for one. The most she could tell was that it was a broad and fairly vague term, and one not just used for those who suffered from combat or loss. There were many things that could trigger it, though it was safe to say that in Carmine's case it was from loss and combat.

But it was still frustratingly little. Ruby and Yang had been contacting their father and were planning to return over the weekend and Weiss had yet to be able to get a hold of her sister leaving Blake as the only one actively doing anything. Though she could tell she was only throwing herself into the research as a distraction. If she was left alone with her thoughts for too long they eventually turned back to her parents and Menagerie. She was aware she was distracting herself but there wasn't much she could do about it and she felt bad being distracted when Carmine needed her help.

At least the library gave her a welcome reprieve from Weiss and Yang. The two had been going at each other over the dance preparations for the last week and probably would for the foreseeable future. Blake still wasn't sure why the two of them volunteered to do it, but it they had not dragged her into it so she was content to let them do what they wanted. At least Yang wasn't bothering her about going to the dance though she had threatened Ruby with a dress and high heels. From the expression on her leader's face it might as well have been a death sentence.

Her team really was dramatic, Carmine included. It was difficult, sometimes, to remember how terrible her past had been. Even she felt like she had been blessed in comparison to what ther the girl from the future had gone through. And yet still she was able to put on that brave face, still she was able to smile and joke and tease. Perhaps that was the reason, perhaps when you saw things so utterly dark you had to make a bit of light on your own.

Blake was drawn from her philosophical distraction by a flicker of movement out of the side of her vision. When her eyes darted over she spotted the tail end of a red fabric disappearing around the corner. It couldn't have been Ruby and peaked her interest, she could use a break anyways. She got up and eased around, expecting to find Pyrrha, one of the few others she knew to wear bright red in her year.

Instead she found the very subject of her thoughts settling down with a number of books to do some research of her own. Her curiosity took over and she crept forward silently, wanting to get a look at whatever it was Carmine was so interested in. She had one book open, a notepad on her write and was penciling in some writing as she skimmed through the book. Once she got closer, Blake could see the names of the books piled up next to her.

Teaching For Idiots
Techniques and Teaching Styles
Passing On Your Knowledge

"It's rude to spy on people." Carmine turned around to raise one eyebrow at her, "Miss Belladonna. I should have known. Is there something I can help you with?"

Like a deer in headlights she froze, not used to being caught but she really ought to have expected someone like Carmine to have keen senses. Her tone suggested she wasn't pleased with being seen and the use of the more formal address was what she used when she was teaching, not when they were alone.

"I just didn't want to disturb you." Her expression said she didn't buy the excuse, "And I also wanted to come say hi."

Carmine rolled her eye, turning back to her seat, pointing at the chair across from her at the table, "Then why don't you have a seat, Blake?"

She eased herself into the seat, looking awkwardly at her teacher and the book she had open.

"I'm trying to find a better way to teach Ruby."

The simple sentence made Blake blink, "Teach her what?"

Carmine looked up at her like she was an idiot and Blake realized a moment later why, "Oh, right."

"Yeah. It's something that's difficult to convey and short of tying Yang up to a tree and using her as Grimm-bait I'm not sure how to do it."

That was a rather morbid expression and Blake winced at it, "Is it really that hard? Can I help?"

"Yep." Carmine gave her a long, considering look, "Ah, fuck it. Sure why not. It's not like I have anything to lose. The problem lays with the silver eyes, a divine power that lets us destroy Grimm by the dozens, even hundreds if the conditions are right."

"Divine…?"

"Ah." Carmine hummed, "Right. Keep it a secret but you'd find out eventually. Gods exist… or they did. They left Remnant a long time ago and the silver eyed bloodline has something to do with one of them."

Blake sat back to process what she was hearing. It sounded impossible.

As impossible as time travel? Her mind asked her. It should have been impossible and yet here she was staring at the proof across the table.

"Okay, so gods exist but what was that about tying Yang to a tree?"

"I was getting to that. You see the unfortunate, or perhaps fortunate depending on how you look at it, part of these powers is that they can only activate to protect someone and they only effect the power of Destruction, or Grimm in this case."

"Destruction?"

"More god stuff, don't worry about it."

"Wait, are you saying Grimm were created by gods?!"

"Well yeah." Carmine looked at her matter-of-factly, "Gods made everything on Remnant., Grimm included. But that's not important right now."

Kind of feels important, She didn't say

"Because of the extreme conditions that it activates under I'm sort of stuck with trying to teach Ruby how to use them, at least without putting someone in actual danger."

Blake sat back in thought. It was a strange power, but no stranger than some semblances. If she considered it similar to Weiss' glyphs, it really wasn't that bad. Wess' semblance was hereditary so this was like an extra semblance that was the same… and extremely powerful.

"Can you use the power at will?"

Carmine made a noncommittal gesture, "Sort of. In front of Grimm, yeah."

"How?"

That gave the woman pause and she stopped, considering for a moment, "Well I suppose I remember."

"What do you remember?"

"What I need to protect." Carmine elaborated, "That I can't let them die."

"Focus on that." Blake suggested, leaning forwards, "You both are protective of us, I know it. Don't think I haven't seen it."

Carmine stared at her in shock before a low chuckle rumbled out of her throat, It was a raspy, genuine thing. She dragged her hand across her face, setting her elbow on the table, cheek in palm, and smirked at Blake.

"I guess I was just overthinking it. Thanks, Blake, you always were the rational one. That's why I fell for you."

A fraction of a moment ticked by and Blake almost didn't register what Carmine had said for a full moment and as her eyes widened she realized that the teacher was only just hearing her own words. Her face paled and she sat bolt upright.

"Well I really gotta go!" It was louder than necessary, Carmine getting up and nearly running out the door.

Blake was left behind, stunned.

When I lost the woman I loved.

Carmine had never said a name, she'd noticed how the woman constantly avoided talking about it. She'd assumed it was painful, and it probably was, but now she had a new reason as well. If you were in love with someone, watched them die, and then met them again but they weren't the same? She didn't know how she would feel about that.

Numbly, she climbed to her feet, grabbing the books Carmine had left behind and the one's she had left earlier as well, stacking them upon the return cart before walking out of the library.

There was no way she was going to be productive anymore.

A/N: I'm lucky I even got to work on this chapter. My power went out for o day or so. Luckily it returned after 24 hours instead of the projected 48.