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:
Chapter 28: Elysium's Respite
Days passed before Aganju was allowed to be out of bed. At the kitchen table, a fox with moderate bandages was eating silently with Blake, while Tai and Raven sat on the opposite side. Their presence added to the perfect contrast of the incoming season. Even though the outside seemed tranquil, the inside of the house was occupied by unspoken chaos. While the supposed mother and son refused to spare even the slightest glance at each other, Blake and Tai kept shifting their gazes between themselves, wondering when the inevitable eruption would happen.
Somebody was going to have to trigger it.
"So..." the patriarch chuckled apprehensively. "...you outdid yourself with the tea, Raven! It's delicious!"
"Thanks," she politely responded, taking another drag from the mug.
It was evident to the former tribal leader what her ex-husband was trying to do and she wasn't having it. The vulpine mirrored her gesture, silently appreciating the taste of the hot liquid. He too figured out quickly what the man was trying to do and he was none too pleased.
Blake respectfully thanked the father of her teammate's teammate for the lunch before leaving, but he remained silent throughout his meal as he opted to concentrate on that rather than speak. Tai quickly glanced at the stern, demanding woman with dark hair. The glower caught Raven's attention out of the corner of her eye, but she tried her best to ignore it as she sipped her drink.
"Raven? We both know there's nothing in that cup."
He had a point. It was clear that Raven Branwen had been drinking air the entire time because the hot beverage had long since disappeared. She wasn't sure which was worse at this point: being exposed for what she was doing or the fact that she was out of plausible denials. She gave a loud sigh. She eventually lowered the cup.
"You know, you can be so annoying at times..."
"And you're incredibly stubborn," he deadpanned. "Seriously, I see the familial resemblance now. Why won't you just talk to him?"
Due to her inability to respond right away, Raven stayed silent. The pale woman's posture changed, drawing Tai's attention to it. Slumped shoulders. Downcast crimson orbs. Tai-Yang Xiao Long started to understand the reasons why his estranged wife refused even the smallest attempt at communication.
Fear.
It was the same reason she departed shortly after Yang was born. The reason she resigned from heading the Branwen tribe. The reason behind her departure from Team STRQ. Her dread was the source of all of these scenarios and more. Fear of rejection and condemnation. It causes many people to make erroneous decisions that they would not make if they had complete control over their senses.
"You have to speak to him at some point."
"He wants nothing to do with me, Tai," Raven growled, exhibiting more desperation than anger in her voice. "I attempted to murder my... my son out of fear that he might come for revenge after taking his girlfriend hostage. Summer trusted me to look out for him and I failed! I failed as a protector, just like I failed as a mother! I'm a monster..."
"...Yet you saved him."
This drew Raven Branwen from her self-loathing, drawing her attention to the blond male sitting next to her. "What?"
"Aside from me, you share a link with Qrow and Yang. But, when it came down to it, you felt the strongest connection with him and you used your portal to save him and his friend, Blake from Ironwood's men. That counts for something, Rae."
"What if he doesn't want to talk?" she whispered while tears threatened to spill out. "What do I do then?"
"Then you give him space to come to you."
Tai raised his head from the table with a sweet smile on his lips. Before leaving the kitchen, he placed a hand on the woman's shoulders and bent in to kiss her temple. Raven, alone with her thoughts, desired nothing more than to flee; to transform into her bird form and find another place to live. After all, that was her nature, right?
She couldn't, however, refute the veracity of her ex-husband's statements. Some days ago, she did sense a strong connection. That day, a piercing pain pierced her gut, causing her to feel something she never expected to feel. Be concerned about somebody else. She expected this strong sensation to be her daughter or brother when she activated her portal, so imagine her surprise when she saw the horrifically damaged form of the one she abandoned.
Damn you, Tai... She huffed before leaving the table.
Raven felt the knot in her stomach tightening gradually. She felt terrible, but she refused to turn around. As she opened the front door, determination replaced self-pity in her eyes. She was astonished to see Blake Belladonna outside observing the still-injured Aganju try to practice from the porch step. The feline faunus remained silent while the mom stood there, admiring how far her estranged child had come since their time in Anima.
He demonstrated that he wasn't yet at full strength by swinging the dual blades gently. His gaze was laser-focused as he chopped and stabbed the air around him. His technique was consistent, but Raven, being the seasoned fighter that she was, detected the tiniest indications of hesitation in his movements. He was not himself in more ways than one, as the woman could tell from the way he stood.
"HAAA!" He roared, turning on the ball of his foot to strike downward. This turned out to be a horrible idea, though, as a piercing agony quickly shot through his side as a result of Tyrian Callows' injury. Aganju dropped his 'weapons' and knelt in pain, gripping the region. He would sense a hand reaching out to help, which he would gratefully embrace with a forced smile. "Thanks..."
"You shouldn't push yourself too hard. You'll exacerbate your injury."
The moment Aganju heard the voice, his smile disappeared. When he looked up, however, he saw just a worried Raven, not Blake as he had anticipated. As she assisted him in standing up on wobbly legs, her motherly, caring eyes were full of dread. Naturally, he drew away, acting as if her contact had burned him. His horrified, two-toned eyes widened as he started to remember the last time he had seen that expression in her eyes.
"W-what are you doing?!"
"I-I'm... I was just checking to see if you were okay."
"Well, I'm alright!" he looked away, a callous look appearing on his face. "I'm not some defenseless child wishing he had his mommy anymore!"
Even though there was no obvious emotion, the venom in his words hurt Raven profoundly. He averted his gaze, tension dancing behind his eyes, before storming out through the woods. His wounded form quickly vanished into the dense forest, despite Blake's protests, which were met with silence. Raven remained motionless as tears started to finally escape their physical confinement.
If only the faunus had stuck around for a moment longer, he would've seen the truth of how different this woman was compared to the one who tried to end his life not too long ago. Although Blake volunteered to pursue the vulpine in her place, the harm had already been done.
He wouldn't be fooled again.
It was the same as that night when her kids confronted her in the hallway of Haven Academy. A modest and insignificant triumph was achieved, nevertheless, as the raging hate was no longer present. She was naive to think he would automatically take her into his life just because she had once saved his life; this was her rule.
Dammit... This is harder than you made it out to be, Summer.
I don't need her! I don't need her!
Aganju was sitting near a cliff, gazing at the scenic waters crashing against the terrain. He was continuously chanting in his mind, hoping to get rid of the feelings of vulnerability that were bothering him. After running away, he spent his time exploring the depths of the region, but eventually, fatigue got the better of him as he hadn't rested from his training attempts before sprinting off. Now, he was sitting, trying to catch his breath, while his mind kept replaying the sorrowful expression of Raven Branwen.
I don't need her! I don't need her! I don't-
"Aganju!" his ears twitched slightly upon hearing his name in the distance. Recognizing it, he sighed gently before turning to find none other than his girlfriend, Blake, appearing from the cover. Relief appeared on her face upon seeing him safe. "There you are! I've been looking all over for you."
Turning back, Aganju pointed his gaze at the sun-kissed waters. His mind was still scattered with many thoughts rattling around but, at least he had Blake around him. She sat down next to him, eyeing the wounds on his body, faded white cloth covering most of the cuts and (slowly) healing gashes. Her amber orbs couldn't avoid the slightly darker patches of skin where he'd been burned by Cinder.
Without looking, the fox held up his wrapped right arm. Blake hesitantly obliged, gently tracing over the seared flesh in hopes of not aggravating the tender skin. Aganju didn't so much as flinch, granting her a slight reprieve from that notion. She still wasn't convinced as she knew he was known for putting on a brave face, even when he was hurting.
"It still hurts, doesn't it?"
He felt his lips stretch upward playfully, a chuckle passing through shortly thereafter. He even tried to brandish the widest smile he could muster, showing his canines.
"Not at all. I'm perfectly fine."
"Aganju..."
"Don't worry. This is nothing."
"Please..."
"Blake, I'm not-"
"STOP LYING TO ME!"
The atmosphere around the two became dense. With a dagger-like stare, Blake's unexpected eruption put an end to her vulpine counterpart's protests. Under her critical stare, he bowed his head and his ears drooped in unison. Aganju was still able to feel her eyes piercing into his soul as her frustrated shoulder lifted and sank. He had never witnessed the normally soft-spoken girl in such a state before.
"Blake?" he whispered, not wanting to invite more of her wrath.
"Pyrrha told me that you could be stubborn, but I never figured you'd be THIS bad! You're hurt in more ways than one and yet, you refuse to acknowledge it."
"I-I'm sorry..."
Blake's fury was growing, and the attempt to placate him was futile.
"I don't want you to be sorry! I want you to be honest!" she poked his chest, ignoring when he let out a tiny hiss as a result. "Cinder tortured you for two days! You had to fight through infections and dehydration after we were rescued by your mo- Raven and you won't even give her a 'thank you'?! Now, you're just trying to pretend as if none of that happened! Why?"
Blake's words and feelings lingered in Atsura's heart for a brief period as he remained silent.
"I... I don't know what you're talking ab-OW!" Aganju yelped in pain from a well-timed slap crashing into his jaw. "What the hell?!"
"Lie. To me. Again..." she seethed through grit teeth. Her eyes were ablaze with fury now.
"I'm not!"
"Really? You have the chance to fix a broken relationship. Instead, you're acting like a spoiled brat."
Downcast, Aganju took a deep breath.
"You don't understand, Blake," he tried to plead with her. "This isn't just some family squabble. She tried to kill me and kidnapped Pyrrha and Ciel as a result. That's not even counting Weiss who was being held prisoner as well! You can't just expect me to act as if everything is sunshine and rainbows!"
"I'm not... But, at least she's showing that she's trying to change for the better."
Blake rose to her feet, noticing the subtle bit of hesitation in his tone. Though she figured she'd made her point clear, it seemed that the canine would need a remedial answer.
"Nobody's telling you to just welcome her with open arms, Aganju. Still, the least you could do is give her a chance to make things right. In case you haven't noticed, we're not children anymore."
"What are you getting at, Blake?"
"How are you supposed to heal when you have yourself closed off from anyone who shows you the slightest form of caring? Whether it's Raven, Pyrrha, or... even me, you're not going to get far until you accept that we all fuck up. Think about that for a little while..."
Having said that, she left, returning to the detour through the forest. Once more left to himself, Aganju was now free to reflect. Although the door to ambiguity was now wide open, there were a few possibilities for how that comment might have been taken. It didn't matter; all he wanted to do was apologize for his behavior, which would have to wait until he returned to the Xiao Long homestead.
Then, his thoughts wandered to Yang, his sister. next Ruby. Pyrrha. everyone who was still stuck in Atlas. Did they manage to escape? Did Ironwood capture them? What condition did the kingdom have? When he thought about the potential scenarios, his heart wrenched.
Ultimately, Aganju reflected on his condition. Staring at the grotesque wound, he wouldn't deny that his physical state perfectly matched his emotional and mental. Even if things were different, he was still in no shape to fight. He had no weapon and he still couldn't generate his aura due to whatever Cinder and Tyrian did to him.
"I'm hopeless..."
The crash of the ocean was the only response he'd receive, or at least that's what he expected. Behind him, a rustling caught his senses, putting him on high alert. He wondered if it was Blake returning, but when he called out to her, only more rustling greeted him. What emerged from the brush wasn't the cat faunus. Sickly pale yellow eyes stared back at him; Eyes of a Beowulf.
Normally, Aganju could handle the most basic of Grimm, if he had anything to defend himself. Unfortunately, without anything to fight with or an aura to protect him, he was nothing more than prey. Even worse, two more of its brethren appeared behind it, each one licking its lips.
"Shit."
Tai knelt in front of his flowerbed, watering the freshly sown seeds when he heard footsteps from behind him. Turning around, he found only a dejected Blake emerge from the wooded area. With no sign of the fox alongside her, he understood her mood.
"Didn't find him?"
"I found him... But, we got into an argument. He feels that he doesn't need to express when he's in pain; It's like he's trying to be this macho man or something."
Standing up, Tai Yang Xiao Long went over to the dejected faunus. He had a knowing smirk on his face, which gave her some solace. He was all too aware of the challenges of being in a relationship and, even more so, of loving someone who could occasionally be stubborn and obstinate.
"Perhaps it's his way of being strong?"
"It's stupid!" she accidentally yelled. "He's not alone anymore so he doesn't have to deal with things on his own. I don't know why he can't just get that! Pyrrha. Yang. Me? We love and care about him deeply. Can't he see that?"
When Blake Belladonna had finished speaking, tears began to fall down her cheeks. Tai gathered her in a gentle hug as her anguish was at an all-time high. He could at least offer the young girl some small degree of consolation. With this act of kindness, Blake was given the freedom to express her sentiments.
"Don't worry too much. He'll come around, Blake."
"How can you be so sure?" she raised a brow in uncertainty.
"Because I married and raised someone with the same traits. While they might not share blood, he is Yang's brother and Raven's son. I'm beyond sure that inflexibility is in their DNA."
The pair shared a gentle laugh as they separated from one another. It was nice to let loose the things that weighed heavily on one's heart. Still, there was a degree of uneasiness that concerned the cat faunus.
"By the way, where is Raven?"
"If I'm not mistaken, she said something about going for a walk to clear her head. Why?"
His answer came in the form of a bloodcurdling shriek from off in the distance.
Aganju fled for his life along the cliff's edge, his breath coming out in short gasps. With three Beowolves snapping at his rear, he dashed through various bushes and bramble. One of them was slowed down by him when he slid beneath a low-hanging branch and struck it in the face. Unfortunately, this wasn't much of a deterrent to the other two.
Both his muscles and lungs were burning. One of the creatures was able to swipe at his back, slicing his clothing in the process. He fell over in pain and shouted, tumbling into a clearing near what looked like a lone gravestone. He was vulnerable and worn out as the blow forced what little oxygen he still had out of his chest.
"Dammit... Not like this!"
Every second that went by saw panic encircling his heart and squeezing it more tightly. His eyes searched feverishly but could see no sign of assistance. It was just him. It wasn't anything new. Even though he had largely lived this way, it had just recently begun to deeply affect him. With the fragrance of misery emanating from their target, the Grimm closed in, their appetite only intensifying.
Aganju felt like he was thrust back in time. That little cub seeing the dangers of the world breaks him down with no one to help. His body trembled for the first time since those days, fear seeping from his pores as a damaging truth settled into his soul. Closing his eyes, Aganju decided to face this reality.
I'm going to die.
Sensing no resistance, the three hellacious creatures pounced on the fox. There was no pain. No screams of distress. At least, not from him. It came from the beasts themselves, prompting him to open his tired eyes.
"Are you going to just lie there?"
Red armor. Long and wild black hair. He recognized the figure that now stood before him.
"You?"
The beasts appeared to feel the same way as they bellowed at the woman who interrupted their feast. She continued to direct her blade at the inhabitants of the nether world, her eyes reflecting their annoyance. She moved backward, approaching the kneeling lad as they struggled to regain their balance. Raven Branwen noticed the same marks of anguish and misery under his shredded clothes, but something stuck out to her.
They had no chance to catch up because the Grimm was moving too quickly. This enraged Raven even more. She slashed sideways while holding her sword in her hand, completely slicing off one of the heads. A second Beowolf was symmetrically split in two by her subsequent vertical swipe. One of the middle Grimm escaped death, but it nevertheless sustained a deep slash to its belly that left it in agony. It quickly made its way back into the woods, leaving the pair to their own devices.
"STAY AWAY FROM MY CHILD!" she cried out ferociously at the retreating Grimm.
Aganju now wore shock and awe like a mask as Raven resumed her inspection of his condition. She pointed to his side, the black and purple flesh that'd been seared shut by Cinder during his short but brutal captivity.
"R-Raven?!"
"What happened?" He was about to lie, but her dark glare shut down that option quickly. 'Don't lie' it demanded. The look made him shiver but, he complied. He told the truth without hesitation about being poisoned and how he couldn't summon his aura ever since. Raven nodded, figuring out what to do next. "Do you trust me?"
"What?"
"Do. You. Trust me?" she looked deep into his eyes, urging him to answer.
"Y-yes...?"
Everything halted at that same time. His side suddenly became very painful, and a violet liquid was now oozing from the wound, which had now reopened. It burnt the earth below him like acid, and Aganju immediately identified it as poison. Silently trying to make sense of the sudden move, he turned to face the woman. She didn't say anything, just grinned at him as the pain gradually lessened.
Why did she do that?! I...
"How do you feel now?"
"I... A little sore, but, I feel better" he shook off the chill before noticing a dark amber glow around himself. Soon, he couldn't feel the pain that'd been plaguing him for what felt like an eternity. Even the wound caused by Raven had begun to close on its own. "How did you know?"
"Whatever Tyrian injected you with, it was blocking your ability to summon your aura," she sheathed her blade, keeping a close eye on the wound. "It probably explains why Cinder was able to do so much damage to you as well."
"Thanks. I appreciate it."
Raven's expression on the faunus was perplexed. Why did he express feelings of regret? She saw nothing wrong with what he had done. Even so, the former chief of the Branwen tribe lifted the boy's chin to meet her soft gaze as she observed the beginning of his recovery—a first for him since that terrible day. The two sat down in front of the gravestone because there was nothing else to occupy their time.
Plus, it was an easy excuse to force him to recover while his aura did its job. Sadly, it was in front of the last place she ever wanted to be.
"If anyone should be apologizing, it's me," she exhaled softly. "I've been a terrible mother and I deserved your anger and hate. I've let fear rule my life and I caused both of my children, as well as my marriage, to suffer as a result. I kept those I should've cared about away just so I could feel a false sense of what I thought was strength. I clung to loyalty for my tribe while abandoning those like Tai, Yang, and Qrow."
"And me?"
Raven felt a warmth rise inside her when she saw the boy's curious expression. The coldness in his eyes had vanished, replaced by a desire to learn. When she first arrived on the island, she recalled talking openly with her estranged husband and promising to make changes if she could. She now had a chance.
"It's a long story..."
"I've got nothing better to do."
Normally, such a comment would indicate enmity, but it was the smile that rested on his features that urged Raven to proceed. Neither expected things to turn into the perfect scenario, but it was a good way to start, for them at least. They both lost so much in their lives. Why not attempt to regain what was offered before them?
"First, you should get to know this place," she pointed to the headstone, a bittersweet chuckle passing her lips. "This is Summer Rose, the one who rescued you and brought you to me. If not for her, I would've never had this opportunity. She always saw the best in people, even when she got the worst of them..."
"She sounds like a nice person."
"You pronounced annoying wrong..." she nudged him gently. "She is Ruby's mother after all. Overly cheerful to a fault. She was always awake, bright and early while the rest of us were trying to sleep. Even then, she was the best of all of us."
"Well, I think I should thank her for giving me a good home, even if it took this long haha."
Raven and Aganju remained there, watching the sun set before them while sharing stories of their adventures. Aganju would learn more about what happened and how it affected the woman. Meanwhile, Raven was fascinated by the stories of how he became the leader of his team at Beacon, his battles with Cinder during the assault, and his recent rivalry with the powers that be back at Atlas.
Even stories about Sienna Khan and Ciel Soleil becoming family to him didn't shift her resolve.
He is my son... She smiled internally.
The isle was covered in a cool blanket of royal blues as night fell over Patch. The partially broken moon shone brightly over the landscape, making for a serene sight to behold. For Tai Yang Xiao Long and Blake Belladonna, it had no such effect. The entire island had been searched, but they had turned up no sign of the pair. Even in the nearby town, they had made inquiries, but to no avail.
"I can't believe they just disappeared without a trace." Blake groaned.
"Knowing Raven? This is normal for her..." Tai yawned. "All we can do is trust that they're okay."
Although Blake didn't like the sound of that, there wasn't much she could do. She kept thinking about the last conversation she had with Aganju. No matter the situation, she recalled their conversation during their escape from Atlas. After shaking off the bad ideas, she discovered that the lights in the house were on.
"Do you have automated lights?" she pointed.
"No." He replied curtly, prompting them to rush towards the building.
Even though there were no indications of a forced entry when they arrived, the patriarch was unsatisfied.
He and Blake snuck around the side of the house and out into the backyard, where they could hear the sounds of a struggle. When they peeked around the corner, they saw Raven and Aganju engaged in a ferocious battle. Raven was able to maintain her composure despite the darkness as he launched an efficient attack.
She used cunning techniques she had picked up from her time in the tribe, along with her skills as a bandit, to prevent the boy from gaining an unfair advantage. Aganju, for his part, used measured strikes rather than a constant barrage of assaults. He slashed upward as Raven dove out of the way and swiped at his midsection, his wrapped fists hitting the armor as a penalty.
"Shouldn't we try to stop them?" a worried Blake pointed out.
Tai simply grinned, crossing his arms at the display.
"No need," he noted. "We wouldn't want to ruin their bonding."
Blake remained in place despite not entirely understanding what the elder man was talking about. But when her night vision picked up a glimpse of something she hadn't seen in weeks, she would start to make sense of things. A big, happy smile dominated Aganju's face. The burns on his body were still visible, but she could also see that several areas of his body had lost the scars he had received from Cinder Fall, most notably his side, which was no longer a gnarly shade of purple.
After their sparring session, the pair would feel exhaustion slowly creeping up on them. Suddenly, they heard a clap, and when they turned around, they saw Tai Yang and Blake coming from around the corner.
"Good match!"
"Do you always watch people battling like a stalker?" Raven frowned softly.
"Do you always, sneak into people's homes while they're gone? he countered.
Raven grinned smugly at the blond. "Only when they've left the back door open."
There wasn't much Tai could do but discuss the woman's antics and ramble on about how scared he was hunting for her and Aganju. The cat and fox continued to observe the pair while this was happening and laughed. Before the vulpine tapped her shoulder and signaled for her to accompany him inside, Blake couldn't help but chuckle. In silence, she complied.
They climbed the stairs and went into the guest room together. Blake did not squander any time taking off her jacket as her short hair tickled her neck. She was pretty sweaty and in need of a shower after a long day of looking for her boyfriend and his separated mother. When she noticed that the vulpine had an apology-like expression on his face, the sticky sensation only served to make her uneasy.
"I'm sorry..." he started, holding his hand up to stop her from interrupting. "You were right. I was selfish in my actions and you didn't deserve it. I discovered that Tyrian's poison was still affecting me."
"What?"
"I didn't confirm it until Ra- my mom revealed it earlier today. His venom prevented me from generating an aura which explains why I wasn't healing. When Cinder seared the wound shut, his venom just sat in my body, burning inside of me. I never fully realized it until she cut it open and-"
"She cut you?!"
"Relax, Blake. She noticed my side and did what she felt was necessary. Had she not done that, I wouldn't be in the shape I'm in now."
She nodded in accord despite her lingering displeasure with the information given the outcome. She thought about the explanation while briefly closing her eyes, finding little fault with what she had been told. Opening her eyes and locking them with his, Blake sighed. She noticed that her crush's wound was nearly healed thanks to his aura. With relief replacing the worry that had once driven her, she returned his smile with one of her own.
"Is there anything else?" she mused, arms folded over her chest.
Seemingly without anything else to say, Aganju shook his head, flashing a light-hearted smirk. Humor danced behind his eyes as Blake matched his grin. This conversation was best left for when Pyrrha was with them. For now, they'd embrace before she left to shower.
Sitting with his thoughts, Aganju thought back to Pyrrha. What was once the source of his smiles had triggered a somber chuckle. He had an idea of what was going on, especially with what he figured out beforehand. If Ironwood and Team SMK were truly operating on their own accord, he had to be cautious with his approach. Surely, the kingdom had to know that he wasn't there anymore, but, certain pawns in this game were enough to elicit a scheme.
As if on cue, he watched the guest room door open to reveal Raven.
Unlike before, her crimson pools were filled with a knowing that was espoused by her frown. As the sounds of the water could be heard, now was their chance.
"Are you ready?"
"I have the list of things I need before we return..."
"You're probably walking into a trap. You know that Ironwood isn't one to leave loose ends."
"I'm aware," he spared a glance at the bathroom door. "That's why I'm asking you to pick up these items for me. I'm going to need them if I'm going to stand a chance."
He wrote down a few items on a piece of paper before handing it to her. She studied the contents for a moment before bowing her head in understanding. The likes of Atlas were not to be taken lightly, but, if she knew anything about Aganju, he wasn't a foolish fighter. She left the room after a quick embrace. It was their little secret, one that would carry the bond forward.
"Brothers... I hope you're ready for war," she whispered, transforming into her bird form and departing into the night.
The kingdom of Atlas was in a state of misery. Its people were compelled to stay indoors as General Ironwood imposed Martial Law. Although no one among his colleagues on the council or within the military ranks dared to question his actions, they did not approve of them either. One such decision was the imprisonment of young huntsmen after they were captured.
Beneath the school grounds, there were slightly smaller dormitories. James had secretly built underground levels to be used as a prison unit for precautionary measures. The general had it constructed years ago, without the knowledge of the council members. Although it was unjust and barbaric to have such a place at a school, it was kept hidden from the public.
As he walked down the hallways, his cold and lifeless eyes froze the blood of anyone who dared to lock eyes with him. Some would flinch just enough for his calculating gaze to notice, but it mattered little to the high-ranking officer. As long as their loyalty to his mission was unquestioned, Ironwood cared little for the means of their pledge, whether it was out of respect or fear.
With Salem's arrival, there was only so much that could be done. An army of Grimm was knocking at their doorsteps and the witch was demanding Ruby Rose along with the relics. To make matters worse, he was working with the disgraced Arthur Watts to locate the two stragglers. Why wouldn't he be on edge?
They were on borrowed time.
It's worth the sacrifice... He silently chanted, the last remnants of his humanity screaming from the depths. Thank the Brothers for Sango and his team.
He marched past the cells that housed the former students, not even sparing a glance. A few of his prisoners were still rather rambunctious such as Nora who was practically frothing at the mouth upon spotting the older man. It was clear that there was no love lost between the two, but it all became even worse after Ironwood allowed the immortal witch to take her Ren as collateral.
Along with the missing Blake and Aganju, Jaune and Oscar were also deemed to be captives of the sorceress.
The same could be said about Yang Xiao Long who's eyes swelled up, enraged. He finally ceased his movements when she began pounding against the force field with her human fist.
"YOU MONSTER!" she roared, setting her hair on fire. "I WILL KILL YOU!"
The outburst didn't last long though as a sudden surge of electricity began coursing through her body. She shrieked in agony as the metal cuff on her left wrist continued to pump extensive shocks until the blond was once again subdued.
"I suggest that you refrain from using your semblance as those restraints are going to keep shocking you."
"Shut up! I'm still going to kill you, bastard! You and those Smoke assholes are dead!"
James just shrugged his shoulders and continued. Then he saw his preferred subordinate standing near to the cell to which she had been assigned. He observed the troubled expression on her face and the way her cold, sad eyes were continually moving. It was an appropriate retribution for her failure months before.
"How is she, Schnee?"
"My sister still hasn't said a word to me." Winter saluted. "I've never seen her so defeated. So... broken."
"It is a small price to pay for the victory that's to come. You're not going soft on me are you?"
Even without turning to face the special agent, Winter Schnee couldn't help but shudder a little at the brutality of his tone. Because she didn't want to receive criticism from her boss, she kept her post. Still, it was obvious that she was not pleased with the current circumstances.
"N-not at all, sir. I will maintain my post for as long as you need me to."
"Good. Make sure the Ace-Ops and Sango's team are still up for the task as well when you see them. I'll be having an important meeting. Do NOT disturb me unless it's about Salem, the relic, or the winter maiden..."
"Yes! Yes, Sir."
Ironwood continued, mentally preparing for the imminent prisoners. These two, in contrast to the others, were regarded as anything but typical prisoners. He descended a flight of stairs into a dilapidated, rustic hall where muffled threats and profanities filled the enigmatic passageways. The general didn't pay much attention to what was said, choosing to follow them instead and stop when he found her staring at a single door that would lead to nowhere.
In front of the doorway, a stoic two of the Aces stood guard.
"Elm. Marrow."
"Sir!" they acknowledged with forced vigor.
"What's the status?"
"They've been at it for hours." the full-figured woman sighed.
James could feel the murderous intention seeping through the cracks of the room which prompted her to proceed with caution. By now, the threats had only grown louder and untamed from the inhabitants inside. "I'm going in. Report in with Schnee and do not interrupt us. Am I understood?"
Before leaving, they both saluted. Ironwood finally breathed out once they were out of sight. His eyes began to lose their sharpness, showing the weariness that had been gnawing at him for what seemed like an eternity. He then timidly approached a tiny keypad and pressed a brief string of digits before being allowed entry with a soft hiss. As he crossed the threshold, the room was nothing more than a metallic cell that was now silent.
"You've got a lot of nerve showing your face..." the first voice snarled, murderous intent pouring from his lips.
"Qrow..."
"Save it! Don't you dare fucking patronize me, Ironwood!"
"Please, let me explain..."
"FUCK YOU!"
James looked into the death glare from the tumultuous Qrow Branwen, discerning nothing but judgment and spite. He was fortunate that the walking bad luck charm had been restrained thoroughly enough or else, he'd be worried. There was little to work with so the Atlesian turned his attention to the other denizen sitting along the far wall with a demonic glare directed at him.
Like the others, the young woman had been fitted with aura-inhibiting restraints and outfitted in an orange jumpsuit that marked her as a true inmate. She was less feral than her older cellmate, but her eyes held no less rage. Her restraints were attached to the chilly walls, preventing her from going far from her corner of the room.
"Are we comfortable Ms. Nikos?" a small amount of sympathy dressed his words. He noted how quiet the teen became even though her scowl remained. "You must forgive me for the rather unconventional wardrobe change but, it was for your good."
"I'd be a bit more comfortable if you'd let me out of this room..." she returned in a mockingly saccharine tone.
"We both know that's not happening," the man chuckled. "Besides, if you had just cooperated, you wouldn't be in this dreadful place, to begin with. You shouldn't have tried to attack my men as you did."
"It's called following my heart, general!"
"It's called INSUBORDINATION!" he yelled back, shattering his false persona. "You're actions have pushed this kingdom to the brink of destruction. If you and your little friends hadn't tried to stop my plans, we'd be away from Salem and the Grimm!"
"Then you would've condemned the rest of Mantle to death."
James Ironwood pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a migraine coming on. There was no getting through to those who were governed by their hearts instead of logic. He was right all along; it was a notion that he constantly brought up in his mind when looking back at the way things were before the witch's arrival. Now, they were racing against time.
"You're correct, hence the reason you're here while your significant other and his friend are still missing... Possibly dead. Or perhaps they've managed to escape and hide away together without you. It wouldn't surprise me to find out they'd abandon you in favor of safety; The faunus rogue and the Menagerie princess who stole him away."
That was a dark insult, especially because Pyrrha's breakdown was brought on by the absence of Aganju and Blake. His heartlessness was finally showing, and this was just another sign of it. With hatred and simmering resentment, the green optics grew narrower. They wouldn't act in that manner! Yang claimed that Blake stayed with him while he was critically hurt. Their exact location remained a mystery, though.
Her body shook. Tears began forming along the corner of her eyes. She grits her teeth as the pain pierces her heart, like a twisting knife.
"Wow. Big bad, James has been reduced to teasing children? That's low even for you. I never knew you'd stoop to making up a bullshit story just to break the spirit of a teenager. Pathetic!"
Ironwood turned his attention back to his former ally, his calm gaze showing that he was unfazed by the insult. He walked over to the man, once more studying the ire behind those blood-red eyes.
"It's 'General' Ironwood to you both," he corrected. "What you believe to be make-believe is a possibility. How do you think you all were taken down so easily? Anyway, Qrow, your execution will commence in a week by orders of Salem."
"So, you're going to give into the demands of a madwoman?"
"As long as it keeps her off my back, I'll give her what she wants. It'll give me more time to find Ruby Rose after that stunt she pulled."
Qrow spat in his face. Ironwood responded with a hard backhanded slap that echoed throughout the room. Despite the ache, the scythe-wielder started grinning. That soon shifted into a low rumbling of hilarity.
"If you so much as lay a finger on Ruby, I'll..."
"...You'll do nothing and accept your fate while spewing irrational threats?"
"You're calling us irrational?!" he humorlessly answered. "I'm not the one who just sold out an entire kingdom, as well as his allies, out of fear."
"What do you know, Qrow?!"
"I know that before this is all over, you're going to pay for what you've done!"
Ironwood turned in anger, starting for the door. As he neared the threshold, he halted his departure for a moment, sparing a look back at his prisoners.
"I hope you've made peace with the brothers by that time, Qrow..."
Leaving, the door slammed shut behind him, leaving the pair to reflect on what'd just happened. Pyrrha's life was nowhere near in danger, but, the man across from her wasn't so fortunate. Of course, what little fire he had left, flickered out almost instantly once they were locked inside.
"Same to you, James."