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 42: Checkmate-1

Frost.

Pyrrha trudged through the snow, with nothing but snow surrounding her. The frigid air cut her face, and her damaged armor couldn't keep her warm. Each breath felt like knives in her lungs. Luckily, some others had survived the shipwreck with her.

Imagine a cold night taunting a group of survivors huddled together for warmth.

Among them were two companions from Atlas, Penny, and Ciel, and a petite girl with striking ice-blue eyes and long white hair. As they looked around, they saw a male faunus with greenish-black hair and a dog's tail carrying a girl wrapped in a thick mantle. A hulking young man with a massive greatsword stood beside them, ensuring the injured brunette rabbit faunus was warm. And finally, there was a young man named... with messy blond hair tied in a ponytail.

"Jaune?"

"What is it? Are there any enemies" he reached for his sword, his narrowed eyes scanning the tundra for any signs of danger. Surprisingly, he was stopped when she set her hand on his own. "Pyrrha?"

"A-are you okay?" she whispered, noting a deep cut on his face from the wreckage.

"I'm fine, Pyrrha," he turned his gaze down toward an icy river nearby. "We... We should press on. Velvet's in need of medical treatment and it seems like the storm's not going to let up."

"This weather is so weird!" The faunus hissed into his mantle. "One minute it was raining uncontrollably and now, we're borderline crossing into a blizzard."

"I was thinking the same thing," A shivering Weiss chimed in.

"There'll be time for complaining later, but right now we should-"

The giant man's scolding was interrupted by a noise nearby. Upon investigating, they found nothing unusual, only some trees and a large snowbank near a cave. Pyrrha noticed this and smiled for the first time since their unexpected arrival.

"Yatsuhashi, take Velvet inside that cave. Jaune will offer support while you tend to her injuries."

"As you wish, Leader" they conveyed before heading off.

"Penny, I'll need you, Ciel, and Weiss to gather something that could be used for firewood while Marrow and I trying to find some better shelter."

"I'm not leaving Lady Weiss behind!" he declared immediately, much to Pyrrha's annoyance.

"Fine. I'll investigate while you provide backup for ALL the girls. Would that suffice?"

She was relieved when he nodded in approval and the group dispersed, leaving Pyrrha to her goal. Despite her need to warm up, she felt compelled to do the best she could to ensure her party's wellbeing.

Having Marrow's prowess and ability could've made things easier but she respected his devotion to the princess of Atlas. Speaking of which, while she pondered Weiss's being here in the first place, she had to admit that there was something about their partnership that felt familiar.

Pyrrha shook off such notions as she headed north from their location.

Pyrrha trudged through the tundra, marveling at the sheer vastness of the landscape despite the harsh conditions. She marched on, braving the icy winds and the biting cold until she stumbled upon a small cave. With cautious steps, she tiptoed inside, her heart pounding in her chest. As her eyes adjusted to the dim light, she noticed a small pack of creatures huddled together, their heads buried in the carcass of a smaller animal. Upon closer inspection, she realized that they were a strange hybrid of a wolf and a badger, their fur matted and stained with blood. She crouched behind a nearby bush, her breaths coming out in short puffs as she watched in awe as the creatures fought over their meal, snarling and growling at each other in a fierce battle for survival.

"Perhaps that was what we heard before?"

Content with what she saw, Pyrrha stood to her feet and backed away slowly only to step on a dead branch, alerting the canines. Immediately, she drew her shield and spear as they bared their fangs at her. Given their size, she wasn't worried but there was the case of their numbers too. Steadying her nerves, Pyrrha swiped at them, keeping them at bay.

This strategy proved to work as they continued to bounce around while maintaining their distance, eventually running off after a few more slashes of her weapons.

"That wasn't too... difficult?"

Although it was comforting to see the monsters go, she could sense something was wrong because of menacing vehemence. As a shot of warm air hit her from behind, that feeling proved to be accurate. A somewhat bigger abnormality was staring at her as she pivoted on her heels to avoid whatever was on her back. It was a copper-colored monster, with a bushy tail and a thin, squirrel-like torso that had what looked like real spikes in certain places.

Before she could inquire what this was, it let out a shriek that made the warrior's blood run cold. Its fangs reminded her of a viper's, further making her grip weaken around the handle of her weapon.

"Oh my... Aaahh!" The creature spun at blinding speeds, knocking Pyrrha aside with its spiky tail.

With a deafening blow, the fierce beast hurled her across the tunnel. She tumbled hard onto the rocky ground, her damaged armor unable to cushion the impact. Struggling to catch her breath, she looked up to see the monster stalking closer, its eyes fixed on her vulnerable left side. A sharp pain shot through her ribs where her shield had once been, now shattered on the ground beside her. She knew she had to act fast if she was going to survive this encounter.

Pyrrha's mind pleaded for her to scurry away but all her body could accomplish was a slow crawl in a vain attempt to hold some distance between her and the predator. Unfortunately, the burning on her side was only increasing with each motion.

Somebody! Help! Her scattered brain shouted, or was it her voice? She couldn't tell as a ringing intensified; another painful sensation added to the list.

The beast was upon her in no time, its miserable breath burning her face. Pyrrha's hand, pawing desperately at the floor, was unable to move properly. She was lucky to still have her lance, which she immediately grabbed and drove through the beast's belly. With an unbearable howl, this made it leap back.

Pyrrha was not able to see it, but the weapon was embedded so securely that her attacker had to turn around and try to free it as she lay dying, a melancholy smile appearing on her face. Her blurry sight fell into darkness after that. Even though she wasn't sure who would show up if they knew where to look, it was irrelevant at this point. She felt as though she was being called to let go, blissfully.

Pyrrha no longer felt the chilly air, instead, a warmth rose from her core. She felt lighter than before, the pain seemingly fading away as if she was being lifted. There was no sound, just a comforting feeling she had never felt before... or rather in a long time.

"Got... You..." she whispered as her wounds and elements dragged her into the abyss. Agan...?

"Pyrrha?!"

She opened her eyes suddenly, finding the inky oblivious beginning to disappear before her eyes. Am I dead? She wondered, hearing a voice that she didn't recognize. from the void. That warmth only strengthened as the light grew larger, enveloping Pyrrha with its warmth.

"She's waking up!"

Agan...? No. It wasn't like the first voice; she knew this voice all too well. The closer she got to the light, the warmth inside of her began to simmer down from a burst of flames into a calm ember, not unlike that which sat on a candlewick.

"Hmmm..."

"Jaune! Give her some air, you dunce!" Pyrrha could hear Weiss now, bringing with it that dull aching in her head.

"S-Sorry..." he sheepishly answered.

Upon Pyrrha's regaining consciousness, she noticed a significant change in her surroundings. The bleak and eerie cave, filled with deathly silence, had been replaced by a cozy bed, soothing melodies, and the company of her allies. Each one greeted her with a sigh of relief, and Jaune, in particular, hugged her with tears of joy streaming down his face.

"What... What happened? Where am I?"

"The kingdom of Seliana..."

Everyone turned around to find a young man standing about 6'4" leaning against the doorframe. His spiky green hair was matched only by the tattoo that ran along his neck and his piercing gold eyes. He wore a white long coat with asymmetrical sleeves, a black shirt underneath, and a sage green scarf that hid most of his face.

"Who are you?" Jaune narrowed his eyes, not even coming close to matching the young man's ferocious glare.

"The guy who saved your sorry asses," he growled lowly, pushing off the frame. When the taller Yatsuhashi stepped to him, his towering form did little to intimidate the green-haired man. "I came to see if your friend had woken up. Look's like she's recovering adequately..."

"Enough for what?" Pyrrha raised a brow, careful not to incite any more discomfort in her already hurting body.

Their 'host' finally allowed a ghost of a grin to appear, sending a wave of uncertainty to stir in her stomach.

"After we found you all freezing in the Hoarfrost Reach, our leader wants to speak with whoever is in charge of your group. I heard that's you?" Pyrrha slowly began to realize the severity of their position. "Normally, we'd wait longer but since you're outsiders, you must come with me. Can you stand?"

"She's not going anywhere with you!" Jaune roared, the first sign of resistance that felt legitimate to the young man. "If we go then we go together!"

"Looks like you DO have a backbone after all," he chuckled, earning a snarl from the blond. "Fine, I'll let you accompany your girlfriend if that'll make you more comfortable."

"I'd like to come too!"

This time, all eyes fell on Ciel, mainly the green-haired male whose glare softened slowly. Only when he discovered his slip-up did the young man shake his head, returning to his grim expression.

"Fine... You three meet me downstairs as soon as possible and ONLY you three. It's not a damn field trip or whatever."

"Are there any clothes she can wear?" Weiss huffed at the coarse stranger.

"There might be something in the closet. You can use whatever's in there. I'll be downstairs when you're ready."

When he left, Pyrrha finally shifted from under the blankets, prompting the boys to turn around for privacy. She almost wished she didn't have to attend this meeting once the covering began to slide from her body. Still, she had a responsibility and she was going to fulfill it as the leader.

"How is Velvet, Yatsuhashi?" she sighed.

"They have her in the next room under close observation. They said she's lucky they found us when they did or she might not have made it. She's in stable condition right now but she's going to need more rest before they can update us more on her status."

As she expressed her gratitude towards the giant, Pyrrha hastily put on a simple yet elegant ensemble consisting of a burgundy tunic, a matching jacket, and a pair of pants tucked into wool-laced boots. After that, she motioned to Jaune and Ciel to follow her as they ventured out to meet the enigmatic stranger they had encountered earlier.

The stranger led them down from the opulent living quarters to the humble village below. As they walked, Pyrrha couldn't help but be awestruck by the numerous wonders that surrounded her, even though she was limping slightly due to her injury.

Inferring from her observations, this was a modest location that was yet unknown to those on the mainland. This was supposed to be an uninhabited continent, save for a few species, based on her reports. She never would have thought that there could be people here at all, let alone a fully developed society. Their escort led them to a massive entrance that was guarded by two knights; however, their curiosity about the various forms of armor and equipment along the way would have to wait.

"Master Sage!" the soldiers stood up straighter than they already were.

"The outsiders we rescued are ready for the queen. She said it was urgent."

The guards looked at each other and then moved away, letting the group enter. They found themselves in a long corridor, and Jaune remained alert, even though his weapon had been taken away for security reasons. He stayed close to Pyrrha, regularly checking on her to see if she was really strong enough to handle this trip after only recently waking up.

"Jaune, I'm perfectly fine," she put on a smile that appeared unconvincing for the blond. "I'm just glad that I'm able to still move as much as I can after such an encounter."

"But still..."

"Jaune. While I understand your concern, I assure you that I'm perfectly fine. A little bruising and swelling here and there; The last thing we need for either of us to be off our game with what's coming."

"We don't even know what's coming, let alone how to prepare ourselves."

"All the more reason to maintain our composure. We need every advantage we can get, no matter the battlefield," Pyrrha flashed him a stern look that silenced any further argument. "Take a deep breath and try to be diplomatic. Ciel isn't freaking out, is she?"

"That's because she's preoccupied with the guy with Mister Tall, dark, and Greatsword," Jaune grumbled, much to his leader's amusement. True to his words, Ciel was keeping up with the man who dwarfed her and making conversation.

While this was unexpected in its own right, what caught them both off-guard was how the confident warrior had become awkward around her, answering almost any random question she had. One would be forgiven for assuming they were a couple given the dynamic if they didn't know the whole situation.

Sadly, they did.

The rest of the trek remained like this until they reached another door. The swordsman peered over his shoulder at the pair, placing a hand on the door. It creaked open, splintering the gloomy corridor with a flash of brilliance.

They were greeted with the sight of a city filled with peace and joy, where the sounds of merchants peddling their goods mix with customers willing to purchase the wares. Humans and faunus greet each other as equals, their children playing games without discrimination.

It's a scene that's hard to believe, but that's exactly what Ciel, Jaune, and Pyrrha glimpsed before them. They couldn't help but be astonished and amazed by what they saw. As they took it all in, Ciel's face lit up with a smile that she couldn't contain, while Jaune and Pyrrha fought to keep their jaws from hitting the ground.

Even the beast of air couldn't fracture the serenity on display. A few found themselves perched on nearby branches scattered around the civilization, but not once was the balance between man and beast disturbed.

It was the closest thing to a paradise that either of them had ever seen.

"What is this place?" Pyrrha gawked.

"This is the kingdom of Seliana."

It wasn't a lengthy trek through the city, but Pyrrha had to confess that she was a little fatigued. Wandering inside the audience chamber, she decided to keep such information to herself for the time being. The young man finally came to a halt here, his gaze fixed on the three.

"When the queen arrives, you are to bow as a sign of respect. Don't speak unless spoken to and..." he cut his gaze toward the blond. "Don't make a fool of yourself. Your fates rest in her hands from this moment forward. Are we clear?"

"Understood. I will be the one to speak on our behalf."

Sage acknowledged Pyrrha's determination and stepped toward a trio of empty thrones, dropping to one knee just before a door opened on his left side. Instinctively, Pyrrha, Jaune, and Ciel mirrored his actions as a fair-skinned woman stepped inside.

She was wearing an exquisite long-sleeved white robe that partially exposed her shoulders, with stunning green trim flowing from her raised collar down to the bottom hem. The robe even had finger loops that added a playful touch. But that's not all - three emerald stripes ran down the sides of her hips, making her look even more striking. Her silky blond hair was done up in a bun with six offshoots wrapped together. And to top off the look, she had several obsidian-colored ornaments suspended from her hair.

It was a sight to behold!

She was accompanied by a few others, one being a scorpion faunus who blew a bugle.

"Introducing, the divine leader of Seliana, Queen Salem!"

"Sage" she calmly smiled at the young man, placing a hand on his shoulder. "How many times have I told you that such formalities aren't needed between us, dear child?"

"I apologize. I simply wanted to show respect so that your... guests would know the proper etiquette, your highness."

The queen simply simpered at the formal language before allowing him to rise. She then turned her attention to the three still kneeling near the door, her smile dropping slightly.

"I see. Are these all of our visitors you spoke of?"

"No. One is still recovering from the wreckage and the elements while the others are being watched for security reasons."

"Very well," Queen Salem turned her attention to the redhead. "Step forward."

Pyrrha stood up and motioned for her comrades to move closer, each of them standing at attention, though not all of them were entirely focused. Ciel was struggling to resist the urge to glance at Sage, and her silent gawking was far from subtle. Sage stepped aside, trying to avoid being caught looking, but finding himself stealing glances back whenever he thought Ciel wasn't paying attention.

"State your names."

"My name is Pyrrha, known as the Shield of Vale, from the kingdom of Vale. These are but a few of my allies: Jaune Arc, the noble blade of the famed Arc clan, and the Vigilant Mockingbird, Ciel Soleil."

"Such transparency," Salem mused, stepping to her seat between the smaller thrones. "Perhaps you would be so kind as to share how you found this land? Not many are made aware of our existence much less surviving the treacherous land without aid."

"We mean you no harm. We set sail looking for new land for research purposes. With each of the four kingdoms having felt the effects of war to some extent, we hoped to establish a peaceful solution through shared exploration."

The Queen's scowl grew as she listened to the warrior, indicating her dissatisfaction with his words. Finally, Pyrrha was silenced with a hand gesture.

"I simply have one more question. Will you answer it?"

Pyrrha hesitated but only a moment before nodding in acceptance.

"I shall..."

Suddenly, instead of the emeralds matching the trim lining of her robe, Salem blinked to reveal blood-red eyes. A warning toward the three took the place of the diplomacy that had been present earlier. The scorpion licked his lower lip in anticipation of what was to come. With a flinch, Sage looked worriedly at Ciel, and both the court and he understood what this meant.

"What is the true purpose of your venture?"

"I don't know what you're-"

"Do NOT lie to me, girl..." Salem interrupted, her calm tone even more unnerving than if she'd roared her displeasure. Gone was her perfect fair skin, replaced with a ghostly pale hue devoid of any other color other than the rubies sitting atop a dark abyss.

"As I stated, the four kingdoms are united in..."

"Do you take me for a fool, girl?! This continent has always been protected by magic and only those with equal or greater power could ever have the prowess to even know of its existence. The fact that you survived this far proves that you are protected by such a force. So, I'll ask you again... What is your true purpose for being here?"

The Queen's sinister glare grew more intense with each passing second, sending shivers down Ciel's spine. Jaune tried to remain composed, but his body trembled under the pressure of the cold stare. Meanwhile, Pyrrha stood her ground with unwavering determination, her resolute gaze demonstrating that she was not one to be easily shaken.

If she was lying, it was a valiant effort on her part, if not frivolous.

"Such bravado will only result in your head mounted in the trophy room along with the monsters of this continent," the scorpion giggled sadistically, contrasting his noble demeanor from earlier.

Whether Pyrrha wanted to admit it, the snickering male was correct.

The longer she stood on this hill, the closer to death she'd find herself along with her allies. Sure, she was capable of handling herself in a fight, but even she couldn't handle the might of a kingdom on her own. Add to this the lives of her fellow envoys, Pyrrha couldn't stomach putting their lives in danger. Even their queen seemed to be battle-tested to some degree. With a sigh, the scarlet-haired girl admitted defeat.

"The four kingdoms had sent a single armada to investigate this land after knowledge of this land was revealed," she announced, ignoring the huffs from Jaune. "We were tasked with finding something known as the four relics that were believed to be capable of establishing peace. I did not lie when I stated we were under the assumption that this continent was uninhabited and thus we were charged with unearthing and delivering them to the four rulers in hopes of establishing a new era, one that would benefit both humans and faunus."

"What makes you think that such items even exist?"

"A reliable source?"

"Do you even know what these artifacts are?" Salem stood to her feet, her hands folded.

"The sword of destruction. The crown of choice. The lamp of knowledge and the staff of creation."

Salem knew now who sent them; there was no doubt about it now. Only one man could know the identity of the relics let alone where they were. However, she never fathomed they'd reveal this to others, even if it were for peace.

Still, she needed to play this right. Right now, she still held the advantage and she would use every ounce of that if needed.

"Young lady, do you truly believe that peace is what they seek?"

"It is not my place to ask them. I was simply tasked with leading this expedition."

"Your naivety would end with the deaths of many lives. Could you live with that much blood on your hands?"

"I would not back down from my mission... OUR mission."

Hearing this, Salem blinked once again. The dangerous sanguine morphed back into gentle green once more. The haunting hueless form shifted back to the lovely color, returning the air of tranquility to the room as she eyed her guests. It seemed that her words had fallen on deaf ears, but a spark remained behind her eyes.

Apprehension.

Salem began to speak once more only to halt when a door to her right opened revealing two figures. One was a young woman with amber eyes and long flowing raven-hued hair while the other was a faunus with thick brown coils tied in a regal bun save for one lone decorated with gold rings and traces of a beard were beginning to form on his chin.

Both of them dressed elegantly, sitting down on either side of the royal. The woman was dressed in a yellow-patterned, off-the-shoulder, v-neck, minidress in dark red. At the top of an exposed section of her dress, on her right hip, is an accessory that resembles blue feathers.

The faunus, meanwhile, was outfitted in a sleeveless opal coat with grey fur accents, baggy pants tucked into light boots, and black, form-fitting Odogoraon armor on his upper body. The only blemish on him was the scarred tissue over one of his eyes, showing that he'd been tragically burned at some point in his life. While it was evident that he was faunus, his fox ears twitched lazily as he greeted the queen with a gentle disposition.

However, there was only one thing that sparked any interest from the head of the trio.

Two traits?! Violet and green eyes? Could he be...?

"I'm glad you both made it back from Astera safely!" Salem greeted them with a motherly warmth, similar to how she welcomed Sage earlier. "Might I introduce my daughter Cinder and my son, Agayu? They are two of my finest warriors along with Sage over there."

"Apologies, Mother..." the woman bowed respectfully her soothing voice veiling the darkness that lay buried. "Agayu and I were held up due to the conditions so it took longer than expected. Did we miss much?"

"Not at all, Cinder. We were just getting to the heart of the conversation of the four kingdoms. Care to explain the nature of the relic, Miss Pyrrha?"

A bead of sweat descended Pyrrha's brow at the mention of her name, unsure if the faunus would react. Surprisingly, he didn't even flinch. His face remained still as he rested his head on his fist, appearing as if he'd rather be anywhere but in the room due to boredom.

"The staff is capable of building and rebuilding, allowing the nations to provide shelter for those who've been displaced by the warfare. The um... the lamp of knowledge would allow us to access new procedures to ensure justice between humans and faunus. The sword of destruction would be a beacon of influence to anyone who'd dare to incite another means for bloodshed..."

"And what of the crown?"

All eyes fell upon the vulpine as he leaned forward, eyeing the trio with thinly veiled amusement. Though he skimmed across the three carefully, it felt almost like an inevitability that his sights would rest on the one who stood before them. Her defiant posture was enough to generate intrigue, but Agayu wasn't one to accept what he was given...

Especially when there was far more fun to be had in digging below the surface.

Sensing this as a challenge, Pyrrha bowed before him.

"Whichever nation holds the crown would have it locked away inside of a vault so that it would never be abused by those within or outside the kingdom. If I can be transparent, Vale would be the most obvious decision considering our efforts to maintain balance throughout Remnant, though such a selection would require approval first.."

"In other words, you have no definitive plans, do you, princess."

"Pardon me?"

"Who would possess a relic that gives and takes one's autonomy?" the fox's lips curled into a deep scowl. Though he was too far for the trio to notice, Salem and Cinder noticed this was a triggering subject, evident as his body shivered slightly. "Would it be Vacuo who could force their will onto humanity and make faunus the supreme rulers? Or perhaps Atlas and their dictator who wants nothing more than to control the world through shady dealings? Maybe it's the king of Mistral, the one who prides himself on slaughtering faunus for sport if he's not enslaving them first? Perhaps, he'll do what I mentioned Vacuo's leader would except on the faunus to preserve humans are in control?"

"What?" Ciel gasped in horror, eyeing Pyrrha intently. "He wouldn't do something so horrible... Would he?"

"As I said, it's likely that the king of Vale would house the crown since they have remained neutral despite the talks of war and bloodshed amongst the others."

"Ah yes... Neutrality. Merely a ploy for one to pick the bones after the other three kingdoms have completely damaged their others to the point where they're unable to recover," Cinder chimed in, twirling her hair between her fingers. "It doesn't take a genius to know that Vale is probably the biggest threat to your world. If you're silly enough to believe that they wouldn't so much as consider using the crown to impose the will of your king, then it's no wonder why you nearly died in the wild. If this is what you're willing to endure under his silver tongue, I pity your future."

"Cinder!" Salem chocked at the audacity of her daughter. "While you're correct in your assessment, that is no way to address our guests."

"Apologies... I'm merely pointing out the sheer idiocy of her naivety, mother."

"You watch your mouth!" Jaune shot back only to have several blades drawn on him.

"Jaune!"

"I suggest you take your advice and be a good lapdog" Cinder tossed her hair over her shoulder. "You're pretty far from your inn, boy."

"What? How did you...?"

Cinder flicked a brow that succeeded in pushing Jaune to forgo any semblance of intelligence. His eyes blazed with fury but the point in his back quelled any further ideas of retaliation.

"Enough!" Salem raised her voice, stopping everyone in their tracks. "I will not have these halls stained with blood, am I clear? All of you! Drop your weapons."

The warriors were hesitant and unsure of what to do, but eventually complied with the request. Sage, one of the warriors, let out a quiet sigh as he kept a watchful eye on the smallest member of the trio. Despite everything that had just happened, the prince remained motionless and his face was impossible to read. Pyrrha, another member of the group, noticed the prince's lack of reaction but decided to continue the conversation tactfully.

"I apologize for my partner's outburst" She bowed to the queen. "However, it would appear that we are at an impasse. Is there any way that we can reach a compromise?"

Salem considered the woman's request, a knowing smile beginning to appear on her lips.

"I do not know where all four of the relics are," she lamented. "However, when I settled onto this land, I found a clue that may lead you to that which you seek. With that, I propose a deal. In exchange for this clue, I want your men to partner with some of my own to search for this artifact. I will share all knowledge at my disposal to aid in your search."

Pyrrha couldn't believe it. The queen was just going to hand over the location without any further issues. This was too good to be true, she just knew it.

"What would you want in exchange for 'blessing' us with this information?"

"A choice..."

"A choice?"

"Legend has it that once you find a relic, you'll encounter an entity connected to that item. I merely want you to ask it a specific question at my behest and then, make a decision, either to return to your home with the relic or to stay and learn the truth of those who rule the four kingdoms. Will you accept my offer?"

Pyrrha crossed her arms, frowning slightly as she considered her options.

"Do I have much of a choice?"

"There's always a choice."

"Then I accept the terms of your proposal."

"Excellent!" Salem sat, crossing her legs before summoning the scorpion faunus who eagerly knelt with a glee that made even Pyrrha cringe. "Tyrian, make a note of this. The warrior, Pyrrha will be allowed to bring a member of her supporters to join with two of ours in search of the relic they seek. They are to return to this chamber with or without it, but their friends are not allowed to depart the kingdom until they return. Did you get all of that?"

"Every last syllable, your grace!" he giggled.

"Good. Then we should afford our guest the right to pick the best options for her half of the expedition," she smiled warmly. "Go ahead, dear."

It didn't take long for Pyrrha to make a decision.

"My partner, Jaune will join me..."

Salem agreed to her choice though was quick to stress the boundaries for which the others could travel. It was a simple condition but one that would ensure that the outsiders wouldn't pull a fast one should they be successful.

"Very well. My children, Cinder and Agayu will accompany you once you have fully recovered. While there has been plenty of disagreement on the details, I wish no ill will on anyone. I trust that you have no objections?"

"None, Your Highness."

"Then we will plan for your trip upon your recovery, Pyrrha. In the meantime, feel free to explore and enjoy all that our home has to offer. At least until our agreement is fulfilled, you and your friends are welcome guests. Please inform us if your faunus friend needs any more aid as well. We will have her moved to the castle where our doctors will look after her."

"Thank you," Pyrrha smiled warmly for the first time since her arrival. "I... I humbly request that another of our allies accompany her. They are very close and it would help her recuperation if he were there as a means of security."

"It shall be done."

Pyrrha and her companions didn't waste another moment and left without a word. Sage, on the other hand, escorted them with a sense of satisfaction that he would once again be able to converse with Ciel. Despite Jaune's discontent with the outcome of the meeting, Sage paid no heed to his complaints. While Jaune went on about his supposed "disadvantages" and the importance of his sword, Pyrrha was focused on something more important: the faunus prince, Agayu.

She couldn't get him out of her head. Such a name was weird enough but, it was how familiar he looked. While his hair was different from what she recalled seeing in her mind's eye, the fact that he had two faunus traits stuck out to her. His attitude was a far cry from the vulpine she'd gotten to know but, even more telling than that:

Did he call me princess?

This question stuck out above everything else. Her chest thumped at the familiarity. Even after a relaxing shower in the luxury hunter's barracks, Pyrrha's mind was plagued by the cocky sneer that he brandished upon their departure from the castle. Those eyes flickered with a taunting glare that both unnerved and excited her.

However, she was exhausted though and decided not to press the issue, at least for tonight. Besides, she wasn't joking when she mentioned Jaune as her partner. After settling in Vale, Jaune soon joined her and the two developed a relationship, one that granted her some degree of freedom in the marital department.

So, even with the young man holding her underneath the warm fur comforters, why did she feel frigid inside now?

Back at the castle, Salem walked through the halls, taking in the sight of the clear night's beauty as she arrived at the garden. What she didn't expect to find was a certain faunus sitting along the warm grassland.

"Agayu?" she watched him flinch at the mention of his alias. "Aganju, my son, what troubles you?"

"It's... It's Nothing."

Do you mind if I sit next to you?" he said nothing, only a nod. "You don't have to hide what you're feeling, olufẹ. It breaks my heart to see you conflicted like this."

"Why did you pair me up with those outsiders? Why did you tell them about the relic?"

"My dear child," she placed a hand on his shoulder, his shudder proving what she already knew. "My reasons for what I've done are my own, but I will give you this. When you first arrived, do you remember what you told me?"

"I said that, in my heart, I secretly wished to be reunited with my mother and forget about all that'd happened. I didn't realize that that portal would lead me to you though."

Salem smiled at his confession.

"Yes. Neither of us thought that we'd ever encounter one another and I've worked every chance I could to pay for the sin of leaving you in Mistral. Despite it being an accident, destiny brought us back together and you've grown so much since that day."

"But, what does that have to do with now?"

"It is as I said, Aganju. Destiny has played its hand once again. While I am not bound to it, you can either take what is given and use it to the best of your ability or determine what it will be yourself. These outsiders may not pose a threat to our home, but it is clear that at least one of them has triggered negativity within you in a way that I've never seen since our initial meeting. So, against I ask, what troubles you?"

"That woman, Pyrrha."

"You know her?"

"More than you know" he leaned back on the bench, fixing his eyes on the stars above. "I was arrested and taken to the retched prison because of her. I lost so much because of her and yet... I still can't understand why I feel this way."

"Do you hate her?"

"I... I wanted to but, something inside me refuses to comply."

"And you hate that you can't hate her."

Aganju bowed his head before leaning against Salem. He could feel her smile shroud him with the understanding and love he needed. His tail swished playfully when she kissed the top of his head. They'd remain like this for a few minutes before he decided to stand up.

"That look..." she noted with a sad smile. "I remember you looking like that when we first met. You were rambunctious and full of life and it pained me to be the cause for you losing that joy."

"I guess. But eventually, I found you again, thanks to Ella."

"That doesn't change the fact that I hurt you with my absence, even if my reasons were noble. If I had stayed, things might've been different. Your life might've been a little less painful to endure."

Aganju knelt before the woman, his face beaming with forgiveness.

"If you hadn't left, I never would have known a fraction of my strength. I would've missed out on so many opportunities in life. I saved a group of faunus children from being exploited in a death game. I destroyed one of the largest faunus ranches and saved even more lives. I stopped an arranged marriage and defied the odds!"

"What odds?"

"I defied fate and made it to an academy of MY choice. I became a leader of a team. I met someone who means the world to me and manifested a power that I never realized I had... I... built a family after years of thinking I had none and..."

Aganju froze in place as a surge of energy pierced his mind. In that instance, memories of a previous life came flooding in. Though most of them brought more questions than answers, there was one that mattered the most. Salem smiled brightly at her son, standing and embracing the young male. He returned the gesture with equal vigor.

"Thanks, mom..."

"Just promise that you'll give her the same grace you afforded me."

"I promise."

Salem broke away, allowing him time to contemplate all that he had regained. His mind was still swimming, but he began to understand what was happening. Meanwhile, the queen would have to return to the source of this mess, this time with a confident smile.

On the other side of this realm, Salem resumed her true visage, though it was merely a phantom. What she found was the slumped form of Esu Dragnus eyeing her with hate-filled eyes. His body was covered with a cold sweat and he looked like he'd been vomiting blood. Dried patches of darkening sanguine adorned his clothes.

"So you show yourself now?" he chuckled bitterly. "My time must be coming soon, huh? Come to mock me in my 'final moments'?"

"Contrary to what you might believe, I'm only here to watch everything unfold. While I still seek the relics, I find your situation anything but mocking. It is the fate you chose ignorantly. My child's life was extinguished by your hand and you dared to abduct another, all for Ozpin's petty attempt to defeat me. I pity you."

Esu laughed in between coughing specks of blood. His eyes were glazing over, but he refused to give this demon the satisfaction of seeing him give in to fealty. He was a noble warrior assigned to do a job and he would see it through to the end.

"Spare me. I'll die in defiance before your poison takes me out."

"Another miscalculation."

Esu stared at her, this time with genuine confusion.

"If you think I would grant you the privilege of dying by my power, you're far more delusional than I thought," Salem folded her hands in front of her. "I was simply waiting for your ability to wane so that I could free them. Now that I've set the stage for your failure, I graciously purge you of my toxic blessing."

At the remark, the dragon faunus blinked several times as the scathing agony surely left his body. He felt far better than before the curse had taken effect, if not stronger. But why would she do this?!

"Make no mistake, boy, before this is over, you will die. However, it will be at the hands of the one you sought to manipulate. Ozpin told you that it was for the safety of Aganju that you trapped him in some warped dimension you conjured with stolen power, but the truth is simply: You were nothing more than a glorified warden tasked with preventing an inevitable reunion. Because, in the end, his destiny is his to shape..."

"That is an interesting platitude."

Salem stepped closer to him, her bloody gaze locked with his shaking pools.

"It is more than simply a cliche. It is his power, the most potent form of magic that may rival the brothers themselves. Destiny and choice go hand in hand as they both are crafted by the soul's desire. Whether you admit it or not, Ozpin knew that Aganju was a threat that, if he couldn't be controlled, would need to be removed from the playing field altogether. That is why I moved to unlock his memories."

"So, you can't control him either?"

"Nor would I want to. But, you'll die by his hand all the same."

With that Salem turned to leave only to be halted by an erratic laugh that echoed throughout the void.

"What makes you so sure that I will face him? I could just release him and erase his memory of their time here!"

"True. However, you would also be breaking your vow to Ozpin and your sense of duty won't allow that," Salem peered over her shoulders. "While the toxicity is no longer a factor, your powers over that pitiful construct are greatly diminished. With no ability to manipulate his memories, you'll have no choice but to stop him directly. Either that, or you could allow him to awaken his beloved and break the hold himself. Either way, you will fail and I'll be waiting to meet my dear son, sooner or later..."

Salem didn't bother waiting for a reply as she faded away into nothingness. This time, Esu felt no trace of her around. She was truly gone this time and he was finally alone; He wasn't sure if he was happy about this, but it would have to suffice for now. On cue, he waved his hand and watched as the tome glowed before him. That damn witch wasn't lying when she told him that his power greatly declined.

All he could do was either watch helplessly or interfere.

With a deep inhale, he released a massive flame into the air, releasing every ounce of his anger. He had to do something or else his mission would be a failure. Aganju would still follow the script, only his goal had changed significantly. With his memories unlocked, his former leader would only need to awaken Pyrrha's and they would shatter the illusion he composed.

That was why he wanted them separated or at least as enemies. But that cursed sorceress ruined everything!

"FUCK! DAMMIT!"

He needed to do something and fast. But, how he would go about this?

That was another question entirely.