Fangs of the Exiles

Rated M

Rwby

Summary:

Life is not about what happens to you, but what you make of it... At least that's what everyone says. Two faunus will answer whose way is right, carrying the will of a titanic kingdom while the other, the spirit of one who shouldn't exist. Forgotten, their paths will cross, for better or worse.

A/N:

Hey everyone! It's been quite some time since my last update, and I truly apologize for that. I've explored numerous possibilities for how to wrap up this story, but I kept hitting a brick wall. On top of that, I've been navigating some toxic situations in my personal life that have felt overwhelming and soul-crushing. Still, I made a promise to bring this story to a close, and I intend to keep that promise.

In the upcoming chapters, I will be bringing this story, which I hold dear to my heart, to a conclusion. I won't rush the process; instead, I will strive to provide a complete ending, along with an epilogue.

Chapter 49: Final Curtain-1

The vast stretch of the Vacuo desert was a grim tableau, littered with the dark forms of Grimm that roamed ceaselessly, an almost daily occurrence in this desolate land. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows that danced over the dunes, emphasizing the unnerving numbers of these monstrous creatures. As far as the eye could see, the horde appeared to multiply, a relentless tide of terror and chaos that seemed to stretch into infinity.

However, amid this overwhelming force, the hearts and spirits of the United Front remained unyielding. Determined and resolute, they stood together against the looming threat, embodying hope in a landscape rife with fear and bloodlust. The clanking of weapons, urgent whispers of strategy, and the steadfast camaraderie among the fighters mingled in the air, underscoring their defiance.

Ruby and her team found themselves slightly separated yet resolutely close to their friends within the fray. They exchanged glances filled with unspoken promises of loyalty and courage. Each member of their group was a pillar of strength, banded together by their shared purpose and resolve, ready to face the chaos that awaited them in the sun-scorched expanse before them.

"How much longer can this go on?" Jaune asked, his voice devoid of apprehension. "No matter how many we've taken out, their numbers seem endless. Ruby, can you...?"

"You know I can't..." she replied, her tone even. "...not yet..."

"Right. It would be foolish to bust out the big guns so early." he sheepishly rubbed his neck, his eyes peering further at the dark, snarling ocean dozens of yards away. "After Pyrrha and the others brought in Mercury, I was sure such a major blow to Salem's forces would've calmed things if only a little. I never imagined it would lead to this."

Ruby clutched Crescent Rose, sparing a glance at her closest friend. Seeing him like this, so calm in the face of danger, was both inspiring and concerning. After their adventure in the Ever After realm, there was no denying the warrior spirit had been awakened. So, why was she sensing the tiniest hint of protectiveness?

Her silver eyes scanned his features, finding nothing that would help discern this mystery. Only when she noticed his eyes drift to a certain white-haired ally of theirs.

"Jaune...?"

"If I don't survive this..."

"Don't you dare talk like that, Jaune!" the scythe-wielder scolded. "We're going to make it."

"We don't know that!" he growled, biting back the fear and exhaustion clawing at his heart. Despite all they'd gone through before, there was no denying that the swordsman was nearing his limit. "How can we be certain that these aren't our last moments together? Our friends and family... Every day on the battlefield, we're gambling with our lives."

Ruby knew all too well the validity behind her first friend's words. From Beacon to Haven to Atlas to the Ever-After realm, every move, every battle was a risk of epic proportions. They've won and lost, either outcome being proven costly. The Grimm were nothing they hadn't faced before.

Seeing her best friend in such a state was a stark wake-up call. With Mercury's recent appearance, there was no telling if or when another unexpected challenge would come to light. Jaune, being a strategist, undoubtedly understood the weight of such uncertainties. Of course, he was more concerned with Weiss...

"Jaune, you and I know how capable Weiss is in battle. She's an invaluable support and..." Ruby ceased her reprimanding when the truth of Jaune's worries became fully known. "You... You and Weiss?"

"Yeah, Rubes..."

Ruby gently placed her hand on his shoulder, her touch warm and reassuring. She then offered him a comforting smile that radiated a sense of hope amid the turmoil. Her gaze drifted toward the vast horde looming in the distance, an unsettling mass of chaos and destruction that seemed to pulse with sinister energy, ready to unleash its fury at any moment.

With her striking silver eyes, she scrutinized the teeming throng of enemies that spread out like dark clouds on the horizon, each figure a reminder of the relentless threat they posed. They were singularly fixed on one purpose: eliminate anything in their path.

After enduring over a year of this relentless struggle, even Ruby grapples with doubt. The question lingered in her mind: Could they truly eradicate this menace once and for all? The weight of uncertainty hung heavy in the air, but her resolve remained unbroken beneath it all. She steeled herself, knowing that their fight was far from over.

On the battlefield, Aganju and Sango fought bravely alongside their comrades. The fox's scythe swept through the various types of Grimm, with the eyes of a demon and a saint locked in with fierce determination. Standing back to back, they unleashed their aura, pouring every ounce of energy into the fight against the demonic beasts. While the panther kept the larger Grimm at bay with his pistols, Aganju sprang into action, his tail splitting into multiple vibrant forms. The first flashed red as he carved through the foes with surprising ease, earning both shock and admiration from Sango.

"You sure know how to hold your own!" Sango bellowed between shots at a Nevermore.

"I'll take the compliment." he released the power, chuckling softly as the flaring embers of his aura faded. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't enjoying this a little bit more than others."

"Spoken like a true fighter! I was beginning to think you'd lost your edge after Atlas!"

Aganju smirked at the panther's words, noting the feral delight in Sango's eyes as well. Their weapons proved sufficient as they battled through the demonic horde, each for the people they cared about. The foxes' scythe swirled through a Beowolf, while Sango blasted a couple of small sandworms that tried to attack from behind.

Eventually, the duo ventured deeper into the landscape, leading them to a breathtaking sight: the mesmerizing heart of ancient ruins. Towering stone structures, adorned with intricate carvings, rose from the earth like silent sentinels, standing testament to a forgotten civilization. Vines intertwined with the crumbling walls, while soft rays of sunlight filtered through the dense foliage, casting a golden glow upon the scene. It was as if the very air was infused with history, whispering secrets of a bygone era, inviting them to uncover the mysteries hidden within.

Broken pillars, entwined with occasional vines, stood in striking contrast to the surrounding desert. Sango marveled at the peculiar elegance of this place. Meanwhile, Aganju felt a growing unease. His thoughts drifted back to his time trapped in Esu's dimension with Pyrrha, but he couldn't afford to dwell on those memories. An unsettling aura hung in the air, whispering of the malicious intent and bloodlust that permeated this sacred site.

"Stay on your guard..."

Sango nodded, keeping his pistols ready. Their footsteps clicked against the stone floor, echoing throughout the seemingly hallowed temple. They held their breaths as they checked behind the various broken pillars and statues but found no sign of danger. Despite this, Aganju wasn't easily fooled. He could pick up the scent of blood and steadily followed the trail, with Sango on his heels. They both knew they needed to locate the threat for the sake of others.

Elm and Winter.

Pyrrha. Roxanne. Scylla. Yang. Ruby. Raven. Qrow. Sienna Khan. Ilia. Ciel.

Both faunus were set on shaking off the chilling atmosphere that hung around them. However, their efforts proved fruitless as they stumbled upon a small battlefield. The ground was strewn with broken pillars and scattered weapons, all stained with blood, confirming their worst fears: Someone had been here, leaving behind a grim reminder of violence.

A corpse lay before them, its body punctured in multiple areas with expert precision. The way their form had contorted, their hands clutching their throat, flesh ripped as they tried to claw whatever was inside them out. The victim's wide eyes couldn't begin to expose the terror behind them, but Aganju knew who'd done this.

"Tyrian..."

"The guy you and that Nora girl were chasing back at Atlas?" The fox nodded his confirmation, puzzling the panther faunus. "How can you be certain? Couldn't it have been a type of Grimm we haven't encountered before?"

"It's possible, but take a look... Do you see those purple marks all over their bodies? That's his venom..."

"You have a good eye," a sinister voice squealed above them. Looking up, they found their target perched on a ledge, his smile both familiar and unnerving. "Then again, I'm more impressed with how you survived my venom. Most would've either gone insane or died within the hour."

Aganju held his scythe firmly in his hands. He snarled, baring his fangs at the giggling scorpion faunus.

"I'm surprised you would reveal yourself so easily, Tyrian. Usually, you're the type to attack from the shadows, like a coward."

"All for my queen!" he sprang agilely to the floor, taking a dramatic bow toward the panther to emphasize his point. "If she wills it, I execute, figuratively... and literally."

Sango recognized the imminent danger facing Tyrian and the potential consequences for the others. Aganju, all too familiar with the threat posed by the scorpion faunus, gripped his side tightly. His fingers traced the grotesque scar, igniting a fierce rage within the vulpine as Sango pressed a hand firmly on his shoulder.

"Those days are over, Callows."

"Oh? Are you going to arrest me, officer?"

"No," the three turned as a familiar gruff tone mingled into the conversation. "I figure killing you is the better option."

"Qrow?"

"Your friends need you, Aganju..."

"What?! I'm not going anywhere! I need to..." Aganju was stunned when Qrow placed a hand on his shoulder, a weathered smile on his lips. "I... What about..."

Qrow chuckled softly, placing a hand on the young faunus' shoulder.

"Ol' Oz needs you back with the others," the gruff man says, flashing a grim smirk. "...you shouldn't waste your time on the small fry. Leave him to us."

Sango nodded in agreement, his eyes never leaving the manically giggling scorpion. Watching the fox faunus rushing from the ruins, his twisted grin grew wider as he prepared to face his opponents.

"Let's see..." he tapped his chin with the tip of his blade, a mockingly thoughtful expression dancing on his features. "...a wayward agent and a lost birdy looking for redemption. Tell me, Qrow. Did you ever say goodbye before Clover died?"

His crimson glare ignited with a fierce intensity, a silent yet potent warning directed at Tyrian. Sango observed the man with keen scrutiny, her instincts on high alert as she felt the tension build like a coiled spring, ready to snap. The panther's tail lashed back and forth in front of Qrow, contrasting the ominous scene unfolding. With a low, menacing snarl, Sango's gaze became a laser-focused beam aimed at the scorpion. The warning deepened, a fiery challenge emanating from her stance, daring him to make the first move and break the fragile stalemate.

Tyrian obliged, his cackling echoing through the once-hallowed temple. As expected, few could match his speed as he struck the first blow. His foot slammed into Sango's gut, causing him to stagger backward into a nearby pillar. The second blow was much slower, missing by only a few inches as the panther ducked under Tyrian's mechanical stinger.

Qrow attempted a swipe with his blade, but Tyrian's reflexes were as sharp as his own, leaning back and causing the man to miss his target. He giggled, twisting his tail around Qrow's wrist, only to feel a fist buried deep in his gut... No, something sharp pierced deeply into his abdomen, ripping through flesh. He could feel the familiar warmth of blood coating his hands, confirming his assumption.

"Blood..." his voice shivered as he inspected the specks of hemoglobin dripping on the warm sand. "It's... been so long..."

Before Qrow could react, he felt a presence behind him. A bloodlust that made the hairs on his neck stand on end radiated when he cut his eyes to a familiar sword in his peripheral.

"Took you long enough..."

His voice died down once he realized their aid wasn't alone. Standing next to the dark-haired woman was another recognizable face, one that made Sango unable to contain the smirk.

"Didn't expect to see you here, snowflake."

Raven and Winter wasted little time with pleasantries, choosing to rush the injured faunus before he could recover. In their own way, their movements were graceful and precise as they swiped and thrust at him. However, as with any wounded beast, Tyrian managed to expertly avoid their attacks as if he'd never been harmed just minutes earlier.

Swaying and backstepping, he would miss their sabers and katana by a hair.

"Just my luck...! Sending women to do your dirty work!" Tyrian giggled with each motion, even daring to stick his tongue out, adding to the danger. "To think...! A Branwen and Schnee fighting side-by-side over little old me? I should count myself honored!"

Had he been anybody else, Raven and Winter might've skewered and flayed Tyrian's body, but neither was fool enough to believe he'd fall to this, no matter how good they were in battle. Between the specialist's training and the Bandit Queen's instincts, they were still a few steps behind the reptilian faunus's bloodthirsty nature. Even Qrow and Sango realized this as they joined in.

Tyrian looked at the foursome with heightened curiosity, spinning and bouncing from pillar to pillar to avoid getting carved and shot. Amid the skirmish, he singled out the panther that was firing shots at him from a distance. He must be avoiding close range... he mused, using his tail to trip the Branwen siblings and somersaulting over the white-haired woman. With them out of the way now, he closed the distance, baring his teeth with wicked delight.

"You're mine!" he roared, bringing his blades down upon his prey, knowing he was too slow to counter. The sound of sharpened metal slicing through flesh pervaded the temple grounds as his eyes and arms glowed a sickly purple. "Gotcha, chicken!"

The trio watched in horror as the panther clutched his chest. Streams of red flowed as he staggered back, opening himself to another strike from the scorpion's pincer bracers. A high-pitched whine rang in his ears, and time felt like it was slowing down. He hadn't felt this way since Adam had betrayed him so long ago. Unlike that time, he felt no pain... no fear...

The others stood frozen in shock as he reached out to touch the metal, murmuring something softly before the weapons dragged Tyrian to the ground. Uncertain of what to think, they watched as the madman struggled desperately, unable to lift his arms. Sango stumbled over to them, collapsing to his knees, wracked by intense pain.

"Dammit! What did you do to me?!"

"Let me guess," Sango chuckled weakly, feeling the aftereffects of his wound. "...can't... get it up?"

While the twins were still confused, Winter steadily figured out what was happening. Tyrian's bracers had become too heavy to wield. With him temporarily distracted, Winter drew her saber, triggering her semblance. Multiple glyphs surrounded the deranged faunus, pelting him with various ice-based Grimm. Surprisingly, Tyrian managed to hold his own via his mechanical tail.

"If you think this will be enough to stop me," he cackled from behind the winter cascade. Tyrian's ears caught the whistle of a blade from behind him. His reflexes saved him from being cut down as he managed to slip off his bracers and block the blow with his prosthesis. Raven's crimson glare shined with a brilliance that magnified her rage. It was a delicious sight to witness for the scorpion. "I'm sorry to say, you'll have to do better than this."

Raven smirked and took another swipe with Omen, making Tyrian's grin fall for the first time since his arrival.

"What's so funny?"

"I'm granting your wish, bastard!" she roared, revealing her trump card.

Confusion soon gave way to a horrific realization for Salem's most loyal soldier: Her blade!

The familiar hue of the red metal had transformed into a striking shade of icy blue, seamlessly blending with the makeshift environment that felt almost surreal in its frostiness. Every movement he made became increasingly labored, the weight of his limbs resembling that of the heavy bracers he was accustomed to wearing. As he struggled against the cold, each attempt to rally his strength grew sluggish, as if a deep weariness was settling into his bones. A chilling shiver crept through him, and he sensed the frigid grip of death beginning to encroach upon him, wrapping around him like a relentless icebound shroud.

"What... what have you done?!"

"Granting your wish," Winter spoke up, the point of her sword summoning more glyphs. "...and now, you have that you desired."

Tyrian wrestled in the frigid encasement, a rare sensation beginning to course through his frigid veins: fear. That damnable feeling of panic began to settle on his skin, piercing through to his muscles and bones, slowly creeping into his heart and soul.

The scorpion wasn't afraid of dying; No. Death was a natural part of life, one he knew would come for him someday.

As he tried desperately to tear himself from the icy prison, pulling limb by limb from the encasement only for the chilly air to manifest another to restrain him as quickly as he broke free, dread filled his soul at one thought.

You failed me... again...

The voice of his queen made his body shiver and convulse more violently than the coldest temperature ever to be recorded in Remnant's history. Was this the end destined for him?! Though she wasn't there, Tyrian could see the disappointed glare from the one he deemed as his divine savior: Just like with that Ruby girl!

For one whose hands had been stained with so much blood, neither death nor the prospect of an underworld meant anything to him. Honestly, he welcomed such a place of depravity and anguish so long as his actions would lead to her victory. But, knowing he had failed her again? Why, such a notion was a fate worse than any torture Hades could ever concoct against him in the abyss.

The others watched as the ice reached his neck, foiling any further escape attempts. Still, with wide, terrified eyes, the scorpion faunus' head wiggled, his twisted expression giving way to the inevitable roar of failure. As inch by inch of permafrost sealed his face, his grotesque wail for forgiveness could still be heard. Whatever his fate was, there was no going back.

"Is it... over?" Sango wheezed, clutching his chest.

"Not yet."

The atmosphere grew tense as all eyes shifted to Qrow Branwen, his presence commanding attention amid the gathering. His scythe, a striking weapon, leaned ominously against the intricately carved sculpture of Tyrian Callows. The confident smirk that usually adorned Qrow's face had vanished, replaced by an intense focus that radiated from him like a palpable energy. The sharp end of the curved blade caught the light, glinting sharply against the shimmering crystal of the statue, its surface reflecting a kaleidoscope of colors. Each facet of the sculpture seemed to shimmer in response to the weight of the moment, adding a surreal quality to the scene as tension crackled in the air. Qrow's cool demeanor had evaporated, leaving only a steely determination in his gaze as he contemplated the implications of this confrontation.

"What are you doing, Qrow?!" The panther tried to yell, coughing up a bit of blood.

"What does it look like? I'm ending this bastard, once and for all." Before any counter points could be made by any other, he peered over his shoulder, his gaze colder than the ice that held the murderous psychopath. "You Atlas types might think you can bring him in, but that's not how things work."

"Qrow, listen..."

"No! You listen!" the man snapped back, causing even Raven to recoil from his burst of rage. If anyone deserved to feel this way right now, her brother deserved to, especially after all he'd been through. "You and your kingdom had plenty of opportunities to rid the world of this monster. Ironwood and many others ignored the cries for his execution, and for what?! Politics?! How many lives could've been spared by finishing him? hundreds? Thousands?"

The temple remained silent for a moment, letting Qrow's words permeate.

Winter finally stepped over to Sango, using the remaining cold to try and ease the pain of his wound before addressing him. "Your words carry weight, Qrow, but you cannot just go around killing people just to prove a point. We've captured him, just like Elm and the others did with Mercury. I can call for back-up, and we can..."

"I'm sorry... Did you just compare some edgy wannabe-assassin to a mass murderer?" Qrow did his best to stifle his laughter before his snarl returned. "Mercury killed for money and power; a standard motive for someone like him. This... thing... Tyrian killed for fun and sport! He killed my friend Shiro! He tried to kill my niece and her friends under Salem's orders! He killed countless at Robyn's rally! My nephew was injured and captured because of him, resulting in his torture at the hands of another of that witches' goons! HE KILLED CLOVER!"

Winter knew better than to debate that final point.

The bitterness and regret woven through Qrow's words spoke volumes about the weight he carried on his soul. She was well aware of her duties and responsibilities, but it stung to see how effortlessly Qrow and Clover had forged a bond during their time together. It was a painful reminder of the connection she yearned for with the recovering panther. To Qrow, Clover represented far more than mere friendship; their relationship ran deeper, and the contrast left her feeling a mix of envy and longing.

Clover was the closest thing to a normal life he ever had.

To Qrow, Clover was balance, his good luck charm.

He accepted him.

"He... killed Clover..." Qrow finally eked out, his body shaking like a leaf in a storm. "...and I..."

"I understand," she turned her gaze to her friend and crush, imagining if Tyrian had committed the same thing to Sango. "But I can say with confidence that he never blamed you for his death."

Qrow fell to his knees, the warmth of the sun-soaked sand contrasting sharply with the icy grip of despair that clutched at his heart. Tears streamed down his face, each drop a testament to the pain that had been building within him, now released in a wave of raw emotion. His once steady hands now trembled, the weight of his scythe feeling almost unbearable as it rested against the frozen neck of Tyrian, the man whose torment had brought him to this breaking point.

The world around him faded, leaving only the muffled sounds of the ocean's waves and the distant cries of seagulls in the air. The grief that enveloped him was palpable, a storm crashing against the walls he had long built to keep it at bay. No one dared to intervene at that moment; an unspoken understanding hung in the air. Even Raven, his fierce and unyielding twin sister, stood beside him, the embodiment of strength and resolve, but even she recognized the necessity of this release. Her warm hand rested gently on his shoulder, a silent gesture of support that anchored him amidst the chaos of his emotions.

As he wept, the barrier he had erected crumbled around him, allowing the wounds in his soul to surface, raw and unfiltered. The moment stretched on, a bittersweet sanctuary where he could truly let go, free from the restraints of fear and obligation. In that space, surrounded by the familiar yet turbulent ties of family and loss, Qrow found both solace and the deep ache of his memories intertwining in a dance that seemed as ancient as the sand beneath him.

"Call your dogs..." the former Bandit Queen announced softly. "The sooner his body's taken, the better."

"Are you certain?"

"No." Raven eyes Winter with a sober gaze, her hand never leaving her sibling's shoulder. "To tell you the truth, if my brother hadn't gone through with it, I would've... But he deserves my attention more than this. Normally, I would never pass up this chance to rid the world of that monster, especially after what he did to... my son. However, you can thank Oum that I'm feeling generous."

Despite their eagerness to learn more, Winter nodded and called in Atlesian troops to their location. By this time, Sango's aura had returned, aiding his recovery. Raven seized the chance to help Qrow to his feet, and the siblings left the former specialists to deal with Tyrian's body. Whatever fate awaited him was no longer a concern for her.

Right now, Qrow needed her support

Her brother needed her.

Back on the battlefield, Aganju managed to rejoin the efforts. Seeing the hordes of Grimm, he made his way to Jaune, who was expertly combatting his opponents while giving strategic instruction.

"How are things?" he panted, trying to catch his breath before thrusting into a Beowolf Grimm.

"The numbers are too large!" Jaune slashed and hacked a couple of smaller Grimm. "We don't have enough on hand, and the reserves are still in recovery. The only thing keeping us from drowning in a sea of Grimm is Nora and the Summer Maiden, but we don't know how much more they can handle alone. Plus, there's the little issue with reports of Cinder lurking somewhere..."

Damn! Aganju gritted his teeth, chopping down a Ursa Grimm. He needed to come up with something that would give them the edge or balance the scales. Then, it hit him! "Where are they?"

"On the front lines, why?"

Jaune never got an answer as Aganju rushed off, clearing a path through the dark creatures. Determination coursed through his veins as he scanned the area for any signs of the pair, Nora especially. Despite her energetic nature, even she had her limits.

With no sign of her or the Summer Maiden, his heart began to drop. His mind remembered their time together helping Mantle's residents before he was ambushed. The worry in her call when he rushed to chase the deviant, that streak of worry for his wellbeing after they bonded. She was another sister to him, a fellow misfit who found a greater purpose.

He wasn't going to let her die.

Aganju bared his fangs as a massive Nevermore swooped down, attempting to bombard the waning warriors. He hopped onto its back, forcibly turning it, its cry reverberating through the heated sky. Using his blade to pilot the aerial beast, he soon spotted her, swinging Magnhild with her usual gleeful flair. He couldn't help but chuckle at how she maintained her bubbly personality despite the gravity of the situation.

"Nora!"

After smashing the head of a Berigel, she waved with a mighty giggle. Like him, she was worried that he was in danger, especially when he vanished within the skirmish. Despite this, Aganju could tell she was exhausted, finalizing his resolve. With an equal grin, he turned his blade into its scythe form, letting the point behead the massive bird Grimm. From that height, he switched over to his bow form, firing various types of Dust arrows.

While the flame dust would incinerate the smaller Grimm, the gravity dust would launch the larger ones into a suspended state, allowing Nora to hit them with ease as well as giving him random footholds to land on. Once his feet touched the sandy ground, they had cleared out most of the horde on their end, allowing a respite for them and the other fighters.

"There you are!" she punched his shoulder playfully, her smile still as big and bright as ever. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't make it."

"Sorry about that. We spotted Tyrian and went after him. Sango and Qrow are taking care of things, so I came rushing back. I need you and some of the others to come with me."

Nora tilted her head with a quizzical blink. "What did you have in mind? The Grimm just keep coming..."

"We're going to take the fight to Salem and end this."

"And how do you propose to do that?"

Aganju and Nora turned to see the hooded Summer Maiden standing with her arms crossed, clearly unwilling to be sidelined from what could be a pivotal moment in this war. He thought about leaving out some key details, but he realized that the more help he could get, the better off they would be.

"Alright. First, we'll need two teams, one to keep Cinder occupied and the other to infiltrate Salem's sanctum."

"I'm sorry..." Nora set a hand on his forehead, stumping the vulpine. "Nope. No fever... Maybe it's some sort of bacteria frying your brain..."

"I'm serious!" Aganju pulled away, rolling his eyes at her antics. "With all this fighting, I figured out two things: 1. Cinder is looking for the Summer Maiden so she can access the vault and get the Sword of Destruction. She knows she's not going to just waltz right in, so she's looking for an opening to kill you and take your power for herself."

"What do you propose?" Summer Maiden inquired.

"You, Nora, and Raven will occupy Cinder's attention and lure her to the vault. That should ease things on the battlefield with her distracted. She's too arrogant for her own good, so she won't suspect having three maidens welcome her."

"Two..."

"What?" Aganju turned to Nora, her face now even and unreadable. "Nora, we can beat her with more maidens."

Nora shook her head, a somber smile appearing. "I'm not equipped to fight Cinder, plus she's both arrogant and oblivious."

"Go on..."