SNOWY MOUNTAIN

The blizzard was relentless.

Snow pelted Team RWBY as they pushed through the frozen landscape, each step sinking deep into the icy drifts. The wind howled around them, turning their breath into mist and stealing away what little warmth they had left.

"I c-can't f-feel my fingers…" Weiss stammered, holding her arms close to her body as she shivered violently.

Ruby coughed into her glove, trying to keep warm. "I c-can't feel my face."

Blake pulled her scarf higher, ears flattened against the cold. "We need shelter—now."

Yet, through all the biting cold, Yang Xiao Long walked ahead of them, her arms loose at her sides, completely unaffected. Weiss narrowed her eyes at her.

"Yang," she said through chattering teeth, "how are you not shivering?!"

Yang turned back, raising a brow. "What, this? Pfft. This is nothing."

"It's freezing!" Weiss snapped, pulling her coat tighter around herself.

Yang smirked. "Eh, I run hot." She gestured to herself. "Living furnace, remember?"

"That is so unfair," Ruby muttered, hugging herself.

"Complain later, shelter now," Blake cut in, pointing ahead. "There! A building!"

Through the snow, they could make out the dark shape of an old warehouse nestled against the mountainside. It looked worn but intact. Good enough.

The team hurried through the knee-deep snow, reaching the heavy doors. Yang stepped forward and shoved them open with a creak, revealing the dark, empty space inside.

The air was stale, filled with dust and silence. Crates and old equipment lay scattered around, long abandoned.

Weiss sighed in relief, rubbing her hands together. "Finally."

"Let's make sure we're alone," Blake said, already drawing Gambol Shroud. "Grimm could've taken shelter here too."

"Right," Ruby nodded. "Let's split up and check the place."

The four of them spread out. Weiss inspected the crates, tapping one with Myrtenaster. Blake prowled along the upper walkways, listening for movement. Yang kicked open an old locker, finding nothing but cobwebs.

Ruby wandered deeper into the warehouse, sweeping her flashlight across the space. Something about this place felt… weird. Like it had been left in a hurry.

Then, her beam landed on a shadowed figure in the corner.

She froze.

Her fingers tensed around Crescent Rose. Slowly, she stepped forward, the shape becoming clearer with each cautious step.

A person. Tall. Familiar stance.

She flicked the flashlight fully onto it—and nearly jumped out of her boots.

A life-sized cardboard cutout of Pyrrha Nikos stood before her, posed confidently with her signature smile.

"GAH!" Ruby yelped, stumbling back.

Her scream echoed through the warehouse, and within seconds, the rest of the team came running.

"What happened?!" Weiss demanded, weapon drawn.

"Grimm?!" Blake scanned the area.

Ruby, still catching her breath, pointed at the cutout. "That!"

The room fell silent as they all stared at the unmoving, smiling image of Pyrrha.

Yang's brow furrowed as she stepped closer. Her gaze drifted from the cutout to the surrounding crates, then to the faded banners and old promotional posters scattered across the floor. Slowly, a look of realization crossed her face.

"…Wait a sec," she muttered. "I remember this."

Weiss gave her a confused look. "What?"

Yang crossed her arms. "This is all from that commercial Pyrrha did a few years ago."

Ruby blinked. "Wait, Pyrrha did a commercial?"

"Yeah! You don't remember?" Yang gestured at the cutout. "She did this big endorsement deal—cereal, tournament gear, even action figures. It was everywhere before we got to Beacon."

Blake raised a brow. "And you remember this why?"

Yang shrugged. "I dunno, I just do. Kinda hard to forget when Pyrrha Nikos is selling breakfast to you every morning."

Weiss rubbed her temple. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but… you're right. I do remember that. It was—what, three years ago?"

Ruby looked around at the abandoned memorabilia. "Okay, but if this stuff is from back then… why is it all the way out here?"

That was the question, wasn't it?

Yang glanced around the dim warehouse, frowning. "Yeah… what is all this doing here?"

SNOWY MOUNTAIN

Silence stretched between Team RWBY as they stood among the dusty remnants of an old tournament promotion, staring at the grinning cutout of Pyrrha Nikos. The warehouse, though intact, smelled of aged wood and stale air, its dim interior barely illuminated by the light filtering through grimy windows. Outside, the blizzard raged on, wind howling against the walls, sealing them in with stacks of forgotten memorabilia.

Blake's golden eyes scanned the room, then flicked to her teammates. "…Exactly where are we?"

Ruby blinked at the question, quickly reaching into her coat and pulling out a slightly crumpled map. She unfolded it with some difficulty, the edges flopping over. A gust of wind from the still-open door nearly yanked it out of her hands, making her stumble back as she tightened her grip.

"Okay, so we landed here… then we moved this way…" she muttered, dragging a gloved finger along the paper.

Her eyes narrowed in concentration. Then, she frowned.

"Wait, no… that's not right." She flipped the map sideways, then turned it back. "Maybe this way?"

She turned it upside down.

Yang arched a brow. "Uh, Rubes?"

"Hold on," Ruby insisted, twisting the map slightly. "We definitely went past the ridge, but—ugh, why is everything white?!" She squinted harder. "Okay, okay, if this is the mountain, then that means we went—"

She abruptly turned the map at a completely different angle.

Weiss pinched the bridge of her nose. "Oh, for Dust's sake—"

"—I got it!" Ruby declared triumphantly. Then her face fell. "…Wait, no, I don't."

Weiss let out a long, suffering sigh and casually held up her Scroll. The screen glowed, displaying a digital map with a blinking dot marking their exact position. "We're here."

Ruby paused. Stared.

Then groaned, throwing her head back. "Oh, come on! I was figuring it out!"

Weiss smirked, slipping her Scroll back into her pocket. "At an excruciating pace."

Ruby pouted. "It's called problem-solving, Weiss."

"More like problem-creating."

Before Ruby could fire back, something caught her eye. Her head snapped to the side, eyes widening.

With a sudden gasp, she bolted toward the back of the warehouse.

"Ruby?!" Blake called, tensing.

Yang instinctively raised her fists. "Grimm?"

Ruby skidded to a halt near a tall metal shelf, her gaze locking onto something glorious. She practically threw herself at the object of her attention, grabbing it with both hands.

"Food!" she cried triumphantly.

The rest of the team quickly followed, skidding to a stop in front of a large, dusty supply shelf stacked with canned goods, dried rations, and sealed snack boxes.

Ruby snatched up a can, her eyes darting to the expiration date. Holding her breath, she read it—

And exhaled in relief. "It's still good."

Weiss slumped slightly, rubbing her arms. "Thank the Brothers. I don't think I could handle rationing emergency crumbs with you three."

Blake nodded. "That's good. We don't know how long this storm will last."

Yang glanced around the room, hands on her hips. "So, we've got food, shelter—" she gestured toward the enormous amount of Pyrrha Nikos merchandise, raising a brow "—and a creepy amount of Pyrrha merch…"

Weiss crossed her arms. "Honestly, I don't know what's more unsettling—the fact that all this stuff is just sitting here or that Ruby almost had a heart attack over it."

"Hey! I thought it was a person!" Ruby defended.

"You thought Pyrrha was lurking in an abandoned warehouse?" Blake asked, amused.

Ruby pouted. "It was dark, okay?"

Blake shook her head with a small chuckle before gesturing toward the front of the warehouse. "I saw an old fireplace near the entrance. We could use it for warmth."

Ruby hesitated, her expression shifting to concern. "Wait… wouldn't the smoke be dangerous for us? If this place is sealed up, wouldn't we, y'know… choke on it?"

Blake shook her head and pointed toward the ceiling. "There's a pipe attached to the fireplace. Someone must've made a makeshift chimney while they were here. The smoke should vent out like a proper chimney."

Ruby followed her gaze, spotting the rusted metal pipe running up toward the ceiling, disappearing into what was likely an old vent system.

She hummed in thought before nodding. "Alright. As long as we don't die from asphyxiation, I say we get a fire going, eat some not expired food, and wait this storm out."

Yang grinned, rubbing her hands together. "Now that's a plan I can get behind."

Weiss sighed but didn't argue, already pulling off her gloves and flexing her stiff fingers. "Fine. But I'm claiming the closest spot to the fire."

Ruby smirked. "You'll have to fight me for it."

Weiss gave her a flat look. "I will freeze you solid, Rose."

An hour later

Team RWBY had settled into their temporary refuge. The crackling warmth from the fire spread through the room, its smoke rising steadily up the makeshift pipe in the ceiling. The team had unpacked their supplies, making the best of their situation. Weiss was at the forefront of their small kitchen operation, using a piece of leftover Dust to boil water in a pan she'd found. A second pan sat next to her, bubbling with stew, the scent of it slowly filling the air.

Yang leaned back against a stack of boxes, stretching her arms with a content sigh. "I have to admit, I'm glad you brought extra Dust with you, Weiss. That's some pretty quick thinking."

Weiss didn't look up from her cooking but gave a small, satisfied smirk. "I'm prepared for all situations, thank you very much."

Ruby was sitting on the ground in front of the stew, her eyes glued to the bubbling pot. Her stomach growled audibly. "I can smell it already! I can't wait for it to be ready!"

Weiss glanced over, her tone light but with a hint of warning. "It'll only be a few more minutes… unless you want to eat metallic-tasting stew."

Ruby blinked, confused. "Wait, what do you mean?"

Weiss raised an eyebrow, her voice taking on a slightly lecturing tone. "If you eat the stew too early, before it's actually cooked all the way through, it'll taste like metal. Trust me, I've made that mistake before. It's not pretty."

Ruby's face scrunched up at the thought. "Ugh, gross."

Blake, who had been quietly watching the fire, turned her head at the sound of something shifting. Her gaze landed on Yang, who was fiddling with some of the Pyrrha merchandise—an old hat, a blanket, and a cup.

Blake's eyes narrowed with curiosity. "Hey, Yang…" she began, a teasing note in her voice. "Where'd you get that stuff?"

Yang froze, her hand instinctively darting to her head to pull the hat off, a sheepish whistle escaping her. "Uh… just found it. Don't think it's a big deal."

Blake smirked, crossing her arms. "You're a fan of Pyrrha, aren't you?"

Yang's face flushed, and she quickly tried to deny it. "No! No, I'm not! I just… I mean, she's cool, sure, but I don't have some weird fangirl thing going on—"

Blake raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a grin. "You know, we do go to school with her. And I've definitely seen you give her looks before. You know, the kind of looks a fangirl gives."

Yang's eyes widened in realization. She glanced nervously at Blake, rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly. "I… I do not."

Blake chuckled, her eyes glinting with amusement. "It's cute, really."

Yang blinked, caught off guard. "Wait, what?"

Blake just shrugged, turning back toward the fire with a grin.

Yang stood still for a moment, processing Blake's words. Then, with a soft huff, she grabbed the Pyrrha hat, pulling it over her head to hide the faint blush creeping up her cheeks. She couldn't stop the embarrassed smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

Blake caught the small change in Yang's demeanor, glancing back with an amused expression but saying nothing more. For the first time, Yang let herself relax in her self-consciousness, focusing instead on the warmth from the fire and the stew that was almost ready.

A couple of hours had passed

Team RWBY had settled in for the night, filling their bellies with stew and hot drinks. The fire crackled softly, casting long shadows across the walls of the warehouse, the only sound beyond the storm outside.

Everyone was asleep, wrapped in blankets for warmth, save for Yang. She lay still on her back, staring up at the ceiling, her mind swirling with thoughts. The warmth from the fire was comforting, but her thoughts were elsewhere—specifically on Blake's teasing words from earlier.

"It's cute, really."

Yang turned her head slowly, glancing toward Blake. Her teammate was lying on her side, her dark hair spread out on the blanket like a dark pool. Blake's breathing was steady and soft, a peaceful contrast to the chaos that often surrounded them.

Yang found herself staring at Blake's sleeping face, wondering about those words. Was she teasing… or was she flirting? She wasn't sure why it bothered her so much. She'd always felt close to Blake, but something about Blake's tone earlier had made her second-guess herself.

A small hand, visible just past the edge of the blanket, rested outstretched on the floor. Yang's breath hitched as her curiosity got the best of her. She reached out slowly, her fingers almost brushing against Blake's hand—

But she stopped herself, pulling her hand back sharply.

What are you doing, Yang?

She sighed, turning away. You're overthinking it. Get some sleep.

But as she began to turn fully onto her side, something caught her eye.

Her eyes widened as she saw something—a hulking shape—on the far side of the room, silhouetted against the faint light.

A Beringel.

Yang's body froze. The massive gorilla-like Grimm stood atop a platform, its orange eyes glowing ominously in the darkness. Its thick, muscular arms flexed as it let out a low growl, its gaze locked onto Yang.

Her breath caught in her throat. The Beringel took a step forward, its claws scraping against the platform. It was aware of her, and its focus seemed solely on her.

Yang quickly reached over and grabbed the edge of her blanket, rolling it off and throwing it to the side. She then put her finger to her lips, letting out a sharp, low whistle—the agreed-upon signal for immediate danger.

Whistle.

The sound echoed through the warehouse, waking up the rest of Team RWBY. Blake stirred first, followed by Ruby and Weiss, their eyes snapping open as the whistle reached their ears.

"Yang?" Ruby's voice was groggy but sharp with concern.

"Don't move, just get your weapons," Yang whispered urgently, her eyes still locked on the Beringel.

Weiss, with practiced precision, slid her rapier out from beneath her blanket, holding it at the ready. Blake grabbed her dual blades, her body tense as she slowly pushed herself to her feet.

The Beringel let out an earsplitting roar, shaking the walls as it bounded off the platform, its heavy footsteps shaking the ground. Yang rolled to the side just in time to avoid being flattened as the massive Grimm landed where she had been lying.

The ground quaked beneath them as the Beringel let out a furious roar, swiping at Yang with its massive fists. Yang's eyes narrowed, her hand instinctively reaching for her gauntlets.

Boom!

Yang shot herself into the air with her gauntlets, rocketing above the Beringel's fists as they crashed into the ground below. She aimed a punch downward, her gauntlets glowing with golden energy, but the Beringel reared back in time to dodge.

Just as Yang landed lightly on her feet, a second Beringel appeared from behind a stack of crates, charging forward with a guttural growl.

"Watch out!" Weiss shouted, launching herself into the fray. She ducked just as the second Beringel swung its massive arm, narrowly avoiding being struck.

Blake dashed in, her black-clad figure a blur. With a swift flick of her wrist, she summoned a shadow clone to distract the first Beringel, while she went for the second one. She leapt up, her blades slashing through the air, cutting at the Beringel's thick hide, though it didn't seem to do much damage.

Meanwhile, Ruby stood back, Crescent Rose at the ready. "I got this!" She fired a shot into the air, using the recoil to leap high above the chaos, her scythe spinning as she aimed for the first Beringel's back.

Yang punched the ground, sending a shockwave toward the second Beringel, knocking it off balance. The Beringel staggered, giving Blake an opening. She threw a series of rapid slashes with her swords, targeting the Grimm's legs. The Beringel howled in pain, but it didn't go down.

The first Beringel swung its arm at Yang again, but she was already moving. With a fierce roar, she charged forward, her gauntlets glowing brightly as she leapt into the air. With a devastating punch, she hit the Grimm square in the chest, sending it crashing back into the wall.

"Got one!" Yang shouted, panting with adrenaline.

But then a third Beringel appeared, charging from the back of the warehouse, its massive form almost completely blocking their escape.

"We've got more incoming!" Ruby warned, landing next to Yang.

"Great," Yang muttered. "We need to finish these guys off fast."

Blake, weaving between the Beringels, used her agility to her advantage. She darted in, striking at weak points in the Grimm's anatomy—its joints and underarms—though it seemed to have minimal effect on the hulking creature.

Weiss was busy casting her Dust magic, creating a shield to protect herself from the incoming Beringel, while sending blasts of ice toward the third Grimm. The ice collided with its body, freezing its leg for a brief moment, enough to slow it down.

Ruby fired Crescent Rose at one of the Beringels, sending another explosion of force directly into its side. The beast staggered, giving Yang the perfect opportunity to unleash a full-powered attack.

"This is for trying to squash me!" Yang yelled, her gauntlets bursting with golden energy as she leapt into the air, delivering a brutal punch that sent the third Beringel flying across the room.

With the third Beringel down, only the first one remained standing, though it was clearly wounded, staggering on its feet.

Blake and Ruby, both on the offensive, began circling around the Beringel. Ruby's scythe slammed into its back, and Blake's blades found their mark in its thick hide. Together, they pressed their attack, combining speed and precision to target weak points.

Finally, with a loud, agonized howl, the last Beringel fell to the ground, motionless.

"Whew, that was close," Ruby said, breathing heavily as she wiped sweat from her forehead.

Yang grinned, her fists still crackling with energy. "Three down. One to go."

Blake nodded, scanning the area for any more incoming threats. "We should stay alert. There could be more lurking."

Weiss stepped forward, her sword still gleaming in the firelight. "Then let's make sure there's nothing else left to surprise us."

Team RWBY stood back-to-back, their weapons drawn and ready, the flickering light from the fire casting long shadows around them. They could hear the heavy breathing of the final Beringel, its movements slow but deliberate. The previous battle had taken its toll, but the air was thick with anticipation as they waited for the Grimm to make its move.

Yang was tense, her muscles coiled, ready for action. "Why hasn't it attacked yet?" she murmured, her voice low but full of frustration. The others didn't have an answer.

Weiss scanned the room, her eyes darting over every shadow, her grip tight on her rapier. Blake was poised, her blades ready, and Ruby kept Crescent Rose close, watching every movement. The silence felt suffocating, and every sound—the crackle of the fire, the groan of the warehouse—seemed louder than ever.

Suddenly, Weiss's eyes narrowed, her gaze locking onto something in the darkness.

"Wait…" Weiss whispered, her voice barely audible. She saw them—glowing red eyes, gleaming from the far corner of the room. The last Beringel was there, watching them.

Without hesitation, Weiss summoned a Glyph beneath her feet. With a sharp motion of her hand, she propelled the Beringel forward, launching it toward the center of the room. The Grimm let out a furious roar as it landed with a heavy crash, its immense body shaking the ground beneath their feet.

Yang immediately went on the offensive, firing a blast from her gauntlets, the force of the shot sending shockwaves through the room. Blake lunged forward, her movements swift and graceful, her dual blades slashing at the Beringel. Ruby spun Crescent Rose around, slamming it into the side of the beast. But the Beringel, though stunned from the attack, recovered quickly, swinging its massive arms in a wide arc, sending Team RWBY scattering.

In the heat of the fight, Weiss miscalculated. She attempted to block one of the Beringel's strikes with a Glyph, but the Grimm's sheer power overwhelmed her. The swipe sent her flying backward, stumbling, just long enough for the Beringel to land a blow directly into Ruby's chest.

The impact was brutal. Ruby let out a strangled gasp as she was flung through the air, her body slamming into the warehouse wall with a deafening crash. The wooden boards splintered as she went through the structure, landing outside in the snowstorm with a sickening thud.

"No!" Yang shouted, her eyes going wide with horror. Rage surged through her, flooding her veins. She turned, her face contorting into an expression of pure fury as she locked eyes with the Beringel.

With a primal scream, Yang rushed at the Grimm, her gauntlets glowing with golden energy. She slammed into the Beringel, throwing powerful punches. Her attacks were quick, driven by pure emotion, each one landing with earth-shattering force. She was relentless, furious that the Beringel had hurt Ruby, but the beast didn't falter.

The Beringel retaliated, its thick, gorilla-like hand grabbing Yang by the throat. The pressure was immense, and Yang struggled against its grasp, kicking and thrashing in an attempt to break free. But the Grimm's grip tightened, lifting her off the ground as if she weighed nothing.

"Let go of me!" Yang growled, her eyes glowing with a dangerous, crimson hue as she struggled. Her gauntlets crackled with energy, but the Beringel's grip didn't falter.

With a violent motion, the Beringel slammed Yang into the floor with such force that the room seemed to shake. The impact knocked the breath out of her, and her vision blurred as she fought to stay conscious.

Blake and Weiss, still recovering from the initial chaos, rushed in to help. Blake charged forward, her dual blades flashing in the dim light, but the Beringel, seeing them approach, roared and swung its enormous fist. The blow sent Blake tumbling backward, barely managing to regain her footing.

"Weiss!" Blake shouted, trying to get back into position.

Weiss, focused on her teammate's safety, turned to Yang, seeing her lying unconscious on the ground. "Blake, stay with Yang!" Weiss ordered, her voice sharp. "I'll go after Ruby."

Blake nodded, her face a mask of concern as she kneeled next to Yang, checking her for any signs of injury. The pain was evident in Yang's face, but she was alive—barely.

Without another word, Weiss sprinted toward the hole in the wall where Ruby had been sent flying. She summoned Glyphs beneath her feet, her speed increasing as she dashed toward the opening. She barely glanced over her shoulder at Blake, then turned her focus back to the task at hand.

Outside, the snowstorm was a wall of white. The swirling wind lashed against Weiss as she ran into the blinding storm, the snow cutting at her face like shards of ice. She summoned another Glyph to shield herself from the onslaught, her body protected from the worst of the storm as she pushed forward.

Through the dense snow, Weiss caught a glimpse of movement ahead—dark figures struggling against the wind. Her heart skipped a beat. It was the Beringel, and it had Ruby.

The Grimm was holding Ruby by the arm, dragging her through the snow as if she weighed nothing, its glowing red eyes locked onto Weiss.

With a sharp breath, Weiss raised her hands, summoning a series of Glyphs to speed her up even further. She leapt across the snow, her boots barely touching the frozen ground as she raced toward the Beringel and Ruby.

She couldn't afford to waste time.

The Beringel growled at Weiss as she drew closer, turning to face her. Weiss had no intention of slowing down. She summoned a Glyph to shield herself from the storm again, but her focus was on the Beringel and Ruby. The Grimm let out a ferocious roar, its muscles rippling with power, but Weiss wasn't intimidated.

With a cry, she summoned one final Glyph—a massive shield of energy that shot toward the Grimm, aiming to knock it off balance. But as she closed in, the Beringel let out another roar, throwing Ruby's limp body into the snow before charging straight at her.

Weiss's heart skipped a beat as she barely dodged the Beringel's massive fist, rolling to the side in a desperate attempt to avoid the beast's deadly reach. She could barely see through the storm, the wind and snow blinding her. But she refused to stop.

I have to get to Ruby.

With a fierce cry, Weiss summoned another Glyph and threw herself forward, pushing through the storm and the Grimm's attack. She could barely make out Ruby's form in the distance, still lying in the snow. But she could see the Beringel, preparing for another strike.

Weiss's eyes narrowed. She wasn't going to let this Grimm win.

Weiss gritted her teeth, raising Myrtenaster with steady hands as she aimed at the Beringel. Fury burned in her chest, but she knew better than to act recklessly. The Grimm was watching her, its glowing red eyes locked onto her every move, waiting for an opportunity to strike. But Weiss wasn't focused on the fight anymore—her priority had shifted.

Her gaze flickered to Ruby, lying in the snow, barely moving. The sight made her heart tighten. Ruby needed her.

With careful steps, Weiss began backing away, keeping her weapon trained on the Grimm. The storm howled around them, snow whipping through the air, but she refused to let the Beringel out of her sight. Every instinct told her to run, but she had to move cautiously. If she turned her back, the Grimm would be on her in an instant.

Step by step, she inched closer to Ruby. The cold bit at her exposed skin, but she ignored it. The Beringel snarled, shifting its weight as if considering an attack. Weiss's breath hitched. Not yet. Just a little further…

Then, through the blinding snowfall, she spotted it—a cave, partially obscured by the storm. Shelter. A place where she could tend to Ruby without the immediate threat of another attack. Relief flooded through her, but she didn't let her guard down.

Finally, she reached Ruby's side. Sheathing Myrtenaster, Weiss crouched down and carefully gathered Ruby into her arms. Her friend let out a quiet groan of pain, barely conscious, her body limp against Weiss.

"It's okay, Ruby," Weiss whispered, her voice barely audible over the wind. "I've got you."

Summoning all her strength, she lifted Ruby and began trudging through the deep snow toward the cave. The Beringel let out a low growl, but it didn't move. Either it was hesitant to follow in the storm, or it was waiting for a better moment to strike. Weiss didn't care—she just needed to get inside.

The journey felt like an eternity, each step heavier than the last. The cold seeped through her boots, her uniform, her gloves. Her arms ached from carrying Ruby's weight, but she pressed on. She had to.

At last, she reached the entrance of the cave and hurried inside, the wind dying down the moment they were sheltered from the storm. The cave wasn't deep, but it would have to do. Carefully, Weiss lowered Ruby onto the cold ground, brushing strands of hair from her pale face.

Weiss turned back toward the entrance. If the Beringel decided to follow, they wouldn't stand a chance in this state. She summoned Glyphs, focusing her energy to shift boulders and debris, sealing the entrance as best as she could. A small opening near the top let in a sliver of light and air, but it was otherwise secure. For now, they were safe.

Turning back to Ruby, Weiss knelt beside her, eyes scanning over her injuries. Cuts, bruises, and worst of all—a large gash on her side. Blood stained her torn cloak, the crimson color striking against the white of the snow.

Weiss's heart pounded. She couldn't lose Ruby. Not out here.

She quickly pulled out her medkit, hands shaking as she rifled through its contents. Bandages, antiseptic, stitching supplies—everything she needed. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself.

"This is going to hurt," Weiss murmured, as much to herself as to Ruby.

She worked quickly but carefully, cleaning Ruby's wound and applying the necessary treatment. Ruby flinched, groaning in pain, but Weiss hushed her gently, doing her best to comfort her.

"You're going to be okay," she whispered, securing the final bandage in place. "Just hold on a little longer."

Once she was finished, Weiss exhaled, her body finally catching up to the exhaustion. Her arms ached, her legs trembled, and the emotional weight of everything that had happened crashed down on her.

She looked up, her gaze landing on the small opening above. It wasn't much, but it would have to do for ventilation. She only hoped the Grimm wouldn't spot it.

Weiss reached into her bag, pulling out a blanket and gently draping it over Ruby's shivering form. Watching her friend sleep, her chest rising and falling steadily, Weiss felt the tightness in her chest finally give way.

And then, the tears came.

She turned away, walking a few steps from Ruby as silent sobs wracked her body. The shock, the fear, the helplessness—all of it came flooding out in quiet, choked gasps.

She sniffled, wiping at her eyes. Get it together, Weiss. You don't have time to fall apart.

WAREHOUSE

Yang sat near the fire, staring at the warehouse door with a tense expression. The flickering flames cast shadows across her face, but they didn't mask the worry in her eyes. Her right arm rested in a sling, secured tightly against her chest, while her bandaged waist ached with every subtle movement. She barely noticed the pain, though. All she could think about was Ruby.

Blake, crouched near the walls, worked diligently to seal any holes the Beringels had made during the fight. She pressed planks of wood against the gaps, securing them as best as she could. The storm outside showed no signs of slowing down. Howling winds battered against the walls, causing the old warehouse to creak under the pressure.

Blake stole a glance at Yang, catching the way her gaze remained fixed on the door. With a quiet sigh, she stood and dusted off her hands.

"The snowstorm isn't letting up anytime soon," she said, approaching the fire. "But I'm sure Weiss and Ruby are okay. Maybe they found a cave or some kind of shelter."

Yang didn't respond right away. She exhaled deeply, leaning her head back against the crate she was using for support. "I hope so," she muttered. "Back home, me, Ruby, and Dad dealt with a lot of snowstorms. We got used to finding shelter if we ever got caught in one." She clenched her good hand into a fist. "But I've never been separated from her before. Not like this."

Blake sat down beside her, resting her arms on her knees. "Ruby's strong," she reminded Yang gently. "And she has Weiss with her. We'll go looking for them tomorrow, once the storm settles."

Yang gave a small nod, but her shoulders remained tense. As she adjusted her position, she winced, sucking in a sharp breath when pain shot through her side.

Blake noticed immediately. "Careful," she chided, eyes flicking to the bandages wrapped tightly around Yang's waist. "You're not in any condition to push yourself right now."

Yang managed a smirk despite the pain. "Yeah, yeah, I know. Still, I gotta say, you did a pretty solid job patching me up."

Blake raised an eyebrow. "I did my best."

Yang chuckled, though it was cut short by another sharp twinge in her ribs. She hissed through her teeth but waved off Blake's concern. "Well, I appreciate it. Seriously."

Blake gave a small nod, then glanced back at the boarded-up walls. The wind outside continued to howl, but inside, the fire burned steadily, offering what little comfort they had.

Yang's smile faded entirely as she stared into the fire, her expression unreadable. The flickering flames danced in her eyes, but their warmth did little to reach her. Outside, the wind howled, rattling the warehouse walls, filling the silence between her and Blake with a low, constant reminder of the storm that trapped them here.

She sat up a little, wincing as the movement sent a dull ache through her bandaged side. Her good hand clenched into a fist over the blanket draped across her lap. After a moment, she took a slow breath and turned to Blake.

"Can I ask you something?"

Blake looked up from where she was sitting, her ears twitching slightly at the serious tone in Yang's voice. "Of course."

Yang hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "It's about earlier," she finally said. "Before the fight. When you teased me about being a fan of Pyrrha." She glanced at Blake, her expression unreadable. "When you said, 'It's cute, really'… was that just teasing, or were you flirting?"

Blake blinked, caught off guard for a moment. She exhaled quietly, her amber eyes softening as she realized what this was about. "Just teasing," she admitted, keeping her voice gentle but firm.

Yang held her gaze for a moment before nodding once. "Got it."

Blake frowned slightly, studying Yang's face. She sighed, shifting slightly to face her better. "Yang… I'm sorry if that gave you the wrong idea. That wasn't my intention."

Yang let out a slow breath, her fingers tightening around the edge of the blanket. "I get it," she said, her voice steady but quieter than before. She didn't look at Blake when she continued. "You don't feel the same way."

Blake hesitated, guilt flickering in her expression. "I don't," she admitted softly. "I see you as my best friend."

Yang was silent for a long moment, her gaze locked onto the fire. The flames crackled, filling the space between them. Finally, she spoke. "As long as we stay friends, then it's alright." Her tone was even, almost too even, as if she had already accepted this before she asked the question.

Blake studied her carefully. She could see the tension in Yang's shoulders, the way her jaw tightened just slightly. Even if Yang was trying to play it off, Blake knew it had to sting.

She reached out, placing a hand on Yang's shoulder. "Thank you," she said sincerely.

Yang finally looked at her, offering a small, almost tired smile. "Don't mention it."

Blake gave a small nod before her gaze flicked to the far side of the warehouse. She noticed a small gap in the wall she hadn't repaired yet. "I should go fix that," she muttered, standing up.

Yang didn't stop her. She just turned back toward the fire, watching the flames flicker and dance.

Blake glanced back at her once before walking away, giving her space.

Yang sat there, her good hand resting over her injured side, but the ache she felt wasn't just from her wounds.

Still, it didn't matter. She had bigger things to worry about.

Ruby. Weiss. Please be okay.

CAVE

Weiss carefully helped Ruby sit up, keeping a steady hand on her back as the younger girl groaned in pain. Ruby's eyelids fluttered, barely staying open, her body weak from exhaustion and injury. Her breathing was uneven, and Weiss could see the discomfort in every small movement she made.

"You're finally awake," Weiss said, relief washing over her. She reached into her bag, quickly pulling out a small bottle of painkillers. She shook two into her palm before offering them to Ruby. "Here, take these."

Ruby's fingers trembled slightly as she accepted them. Weiss handed her a water bottle next, but Ruby struggled to unscrew the cap. With an exasperated sigh, Weiss took it back, twisted the cap off, and returned it to her. Ruby gave a faint smile.

"Thanks," she murmured before swallowing the pills and taking a few careful sips of water.

Weiss watched her for a moment, making sure she was settled before turning her attention to her Scroll. Flipping it open with a flick of her wrist, she immediately searched for a signal. The storm had been blocking it before—maybe now that things had calmed a little…

No Signal.

Weiss clenched her jaw, her fingers tightening around the device. She resisted the urge to throw it against the cave wall out of sheer frustration. Instead, she took a slow breath through her nose, forcing herself to stay calm. The storm will pass soon. It has to.

Groaning quietly, she put the Scroll away and moved to sit beside Ruby. "How are you feeling?"

Ruby let out a weak chuckle. "I'll let you know when the painkillers kick in."

Weiss huffed a quiet laugh despite herself. "Figures."

For a few moments, they sat there, the howling wind outside filling the silence. Ruby's tired gaze slowly drifted around the cave, taking in the blocked entrance, the meager supplies, and the small fire Weiss had managed to keep going. Then, suddenly, her expression changed.

"Wait." Her voice was still hoarse, but now urgent. "Where's Crescent Rose?"

Weiss blinked. Then, realization hit her like a punch to the gut.

Ruby instantly tried to move, but pain shot through her body, making her suck in a sharp breath. Weiss quickly placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her from straining herself further.

"Ruby, don't—"

"It's outside, isn't it?" Ruby asked, her voice quieter now. "Buried in the snow?"

Weiss hesitated before finally nodding.

Ruby let out a slow, tired sigh and leaned her head back against the cold stone wall. "Great," she muttered. "Guess we'll have to dig it out once the storm's done."

Weiss turned to look at her, but Ruby wasn't meeting her gaze. Instead, she stared at the blocked cave entrance, her expression unreadable.

Weiss felt her chest tighten.

She thought back to the fight. To the moment she miscalculated, the mistake that allowed the Beringel to strike Ruby. The memory of Ruby's body crashing through the warehouse wall and into the storm flashed in Weiss' mind.

This is my fault.

Ruby was bruised and weak, Crescent Rose was lost, and they were stranded here with no way to call for help. Weiss clenched her hands into fists, her nails digging into her gloves.

Ruby let out another breath, shifting slightly under the blanket Weiss had given her. "We'll find it," she mumbled, closing her eyes. "We always do."

Weiss watched her for a long moment before turning her gaze back to the fire, her thoughts weighing heavily on her.

"I hope so," she whispered.

Ruby shifted slightly under the blanket, adjusting herself as comfortably as she could. She let out a slow breath before glancing at Weiss, a small, tired smirk appearing on her face.

"So… be honest with me," Ruby murmured. "How bad do I look?"

Weiss turned her head, her expression unreadable at first. She took a moment to really look at Ruby—the bruises forming along her arms, the dried blood on her temple, the way she winced even with the slightest movement. Weiss didn't sugarcoat things.

"Terrible," she admitted bluntly.

Ruby let out a weak chuckle, closing her eyes briefly. "That bad, huh?"

Weiss sighed. "You were thrown through a wall into a snowstorm, Ruby. You're lucky you're even awake."

Ruby nodded slightly, as if she accepted the answer. But Weiss' expression darkened, her hands tightening into fists in her lap.

"…It was my fault."

Ruby's eyes opened again, blinking in confusion. "What?"

Weiss looked away, her jaw tightening. "You got hurt because I made a mistake," she admitted, her voice quieter but firm. "I should have been more careful—I should have reacted faster. If I had, that Beringel wouldn't have gotten to you. You wouldn't be lying here like this."

Ruby frowned. "Weiss—"

"No," Weiss cut her off, shaking her head. "I failed you." She took in a sharp breath, her shoulders tense. "You got hurt because of me."

Ruby was silent for a moment before she exhaled through her nose.

"Okay, first off," she started, her voice still weak but laced with determination, "you didn't fail me. You saved me."

Weiss didn't look at her.

"If you hadn't stopped that thing from grabbing me, if you hadn't carried me through that storm, I'd still be out there in the cold—probably worse." Ruby sighed, shifting to face Weiss a little more. "Yeah, I got hurt, but I get hurt all the time. That's just part of the job."

Weiss didn't answer right away. She stared at the fire, her mind racing. She knew Ruby was trying to reassure her, but the guilt still sat heavy in her chest.

After a long pause, she finally spoke. "…That doesn't make me feel any better."

Ruby gave a small smile, nudging Weiss weakly with her elbow. "Didn't expect it to," she admitted. "But Weiss… I don't blame you. So don't blame yourself."

Weiss let out a slow breath, rubbing her gloved hands together as if trying to shake off the weight of her own thoughts.

"…Just rest," she muttered at last. "We'll talk about this later."

Ruby didn't argue. She simply nodded and leaned her head back again, letting the warmth of the fire and the painkillers finally pull her into rest.

Weiss, however, remained wide awake, staring into the flames, her guilt still gnawing at her.

Weiss sat in silence, her gaze drifting upward toward the small hole in the cave ceiling. The smoke from the fire curled and twisted as it escaped through the opening, vanishing into the cold night air. She exhaled softly, relieved that at the very least, they wouldn't have to worry about suffocating. One less problem to deal with.

But even as that thought settled, another quickly took its place—we can't stay here forever.

They had no idea how long the storm would last. If it didn't die down by morning, they'd have to make a decision. Staying too long in one place was dangerous. The Grimm could still be out there. And if the others were looking for them, the longer they stayed hidden, the harder it would be to find them.

Weiss glanced over at Ruby, watching the slow rise and fall of her chest. The painkillers had finally done their job, letting Ruby rest. But she was still injured, still vulnerable. Weiss had to be the one to keep them safe.

She wrapped her arms around herself, suddenly feeling the cold again. She didn't know what time it was. She didn't know if Yang and Blake were safe. And she didn't know if that Beringel was still out there, waiting.

But what she did know was that she had to get Ruby out of here.

Weiss turned her head away from the fire, lost in thought, but a soft voice called her back.

"Weiss."

She turned to see Ruby lifting the edge of the blanket, giving her a small, tired smile. "This thing is big enough for both of us."

Weiss shook her head, waving a hand dismissively. "I'm fine. I'll sleep by the fire."

Ruby's expression shifted to something more playful. "Uh-huh. And when's the last time you slept too close to an open flame?" She tilted her head. "And I don't mean earlier at the warehouse."

Weiss blinked, then frowned as realization hit her. "Oh." She crossed her arms, letting out a quiet huff. "I still can't believe I let that happen… I'm just glad my eyebrows grew back."

Ruby snickered at that, but her teasing quickly softened. "Come on, Weiss. I don't want you freezing."

Weiss hesitated, her pride warring with her common sense. But the cold was biting, and she wasn't sure how much longer they'd be stuck here. With a sigh, she gave in. "Fine. But—" she pointed at Ruby as she crawled under the blanket, "—no weird stuff."

Ruby blinked, looking completely confused. "What?"

"Nothing." Weiss quickly dismissed, pulling the blanket over herself.

The warmth was immediate, and Weiss let out a small sigh of relief. Okay… this isn't so bad.

As she settled in, a thought struck her. She glanced at Ruby's bag, then back at the large, cozy blanket wrapped around them. How did something this big even fit in there?

The warmth of the blanket had lulled Weiss and Ruby into a much-needed, peaceful sleep. The crackling fire cast faint shadows against the stone walls of the cave, and for a brief moment, it felt like they might actually be safe.

But the tranquility didn't last long.

A low, menacing growl echoed from outside the cave. The sound sent a jolt through Weiss' spine, waking her immediately. She froze, straining to hear. The growl grew louder, drawing closer—closer to the entrance. Her heart raced as panic crept in, her eyes darting to Ruby.

Ruby stirred beside her, still half-asleep. Her eyes slowly fluttered open. "What's going on?" she asked, groggy but alert.

Weiss quickly assessed the situation, noting that Ruby's Aura had healed most of her wounds. The gash on her side, however, was still visible—only halfway healed. But there wasn't time to worry about that now.

Another growl echoed, louder this time, and with a violent slam, the cave entrance shook. Ruby gasped, her body tensing in pain, and Weiss immediately sprang into action.

"Ruby, stay down," Weiss ordered urgently. "We need to move, now."

Her voice was sharp, carrying the weight of the situation. Weiss carefully helped Ruby to her feet, supporting her as best as she could despite her own anxiety. She glanced at the moving boulders—each slam of the creature outside making the rocks tremble. She knew it wouldn't be long before whatever was out there would break through.

"Stay quiet," Weiss continued, her voice steady but laced with urgency. "I need you to stay down and stay quiet. We can't let it hear us."

Ruby tried to protest, pushing herself up despite the pain. "Weiss—no, we need to fight it together!"

"No." Weiss shook her head, her gaze hardening. "If we don't deal with it now, it'll be too late. I'm going to take care of this."

Her eyes flickered back to the entrance, where the boulders were shifting again with another loud slam. She couldn't waste any more time.

"Stay here," Weiss repeated, her voice softening for a split second. "I'll keep you safe."

Ruby looked up at her, her brows furrowed with concern. But Weiss didn't wait for her to argue further.

She grabbed their bags, placing them next to Ruby, as she quickly pulled the blanket over her friend, trying to hide her from view as best as she could. Once Ruby was settled, Weiss moved to the center of the cave, her hands shaking ever so slightly.

She took a deep breath, steadying herself. "I can't let it get inside…"

With no more time to spare, Weiss pulled out her weapon—Myrtenaster—and loaded it with a mix of Dust, the cool metal clicking into place. She adjusted her gloves, her face set with determination.

The growling outside grew more distinct now, a deep, throaty sound that rumbled through the cave. Weiss could feel the ground shaking beneath her feet with each slam. She had to stop it before it reached them.

Without another word, she turned on her heel, moving swiftly towards the cave entrance. She paused for just a moment, casting a last look at Ruby, who was still hidden beneath the blanket.

"I'll be back," Weiss whispered, though the words felt hollow.

With a final deep breath, she stepped toward the entrance, her weapon at the ready, determined to face whatever was outside.

Weiss stood at the entrance of the cave, her heart pounding in her chest as she used her Glyphs to move the boulders aside. Each crack of stone against stone sent shivers down her spine, but she had no choice. She had to protect Ruby.

With the boulders shifted just enough for her to pass through, Weiss cautiously stepped outside, her weapon gripped tightly in her hand. The snowstorm had calmed a little, the thick clouds slowly parting, allowing for a sliver of moonlight to illuminate the terrain. Visibility had improved, but the biting cold still hung in the air.

Her breath came out in visible puffs as she surveyed the area. Snowflakes settled on her skin, but there was no sign of the Grimm—yet.

Then, a low growl sounded from behind her, just as a shadow moved swiftly against the backdrop of the snowy landscape. Weiss whipped around, her weapon already in hand, but before she could react, the Beringel lunged, its massive, hulking form coming at her with terrifying speed.

Without hesitation, Weiss dropped into a roll, using a Glyph to propel herself to the side, narrowly avoiding the creature's crushing paws. She landed on her feet in a crouch, twisting her body around as she faced the beast.

The Beringel snarled, showing its jagged teeth, its glowing red eyes fixed on Weiss with a murderous intensity. It let out a deafening roar, charging again, its massive body crashing through the snow with each heavy step.

Weiss didn't wait. She aimed the blade of Myrtenaster at the approaching Grimm, the tips of her fingers brushing the hilt as she released another Glyph, sending herself into a powerful charge toward the Beringel. She wasn't going to let it get close to Ruby again.

The Beringel swung its enormous arm, but Weiss was already in motion, her blade clashing with its arm as she parried the strike. The force of the impact sent shockwaves through her, but she kept her footing, quickly following up with a series of rapid slashes. The Grimm roared in frustration, swinging again, this time catching Weiss off guard.

Its claws raked across her leg, leaving a deep gash that made her stumble back with a sharp intake of breath. The pain was immediate, searing across her skin, but she gritted her teeth and didn't let it stop her.

She ducked as the Beringel lunged once more, its claws aimed for her head. But as she rolled out of the way, she felt the creature's other claw scrape across her back, drawing blood. She gasped, wincing at the pain as she staggered back. The storm may have calmed, but the fight was far from over.

Her vision blurred slightly from the pain, but Weiss refused to give in. The Beringel growled, clearly more aggressive now, its large form blocking the moonlight and casting a shadow over her. She took a deep breath, raising her weapon again as she focused her remaining energy.

She could feel the storm in her mind—her exhaustion, the blood dripping from her wounds, the cold. But none of that mattered. She had to finish this.

With a sudden burst of determination, Weiss unleashed a flurry of Glyphs. She summoned one beneath her feet, launching herself at the Beringel with a sudden burst of speed. The Grimm turned just in time to see her coming.

Weiss stabbed Myrtenaster deep into the creature's side, the blade sinking into its thick, grotesque skin. The Beringel howled in pain, slamming its massive paw into Weiss, sending her sprawling across the snow.

Weiss, breathless and bleeding, struggled to push herself up. She knew she couldn't stop. She wouldn't.

The Beringel advanced again, more cautious this time, the wounds on its body slowing it down. Weiss's hands were shaking, but she held her weapon tight.

With one last, desperate roar, the Beringel lunged, but Weiss was ready. As the Grimm came closer, she used every ounce of her strength and concentration, summoning a Glyph beneath her feet that propelled her upward. She dodged its strike, her body flipping through the air, and with the momentum, she twisted her blade and drove it into the Beringel.

The Beringel let out one final, bone-chilling roar as Weiss's blade struck its side, slicing through its thick hide. It stumbled back, eyes narrowing in defiance, but the damage was done. Weiss, breathing heavily, summoned her last burst of strength and drove her weapon deep into the Grimm's chest.

With a loud, sickening crack, the creature's massive body crumpled to the snow, its dark eyes slowly dimming. As it fell, its form began to disintegrate, the blackened skin and jagged bones turning to ash and vapor. The wind picked up, scattering its remains into the cold night air, leaving nothing behind but swirling dust.

Weiss stood over the spot where the creature had been, her breaths coming in short, ragged gasps. Her body ached with every movement, the pain from her leg and back still fresh, but the fight was over. The storm had passed, and the Grimm was gone.

Shaky hands gripped her scarf, and with a hiss of pain, she tore it from her neck, using it as a makeshift bandage for the gash on her leg. She wrapped the cloth tightly, trying to staunch the bleeding, but the cold was beginning to settle in, making it harder to focus. Despite the exhaustion creeping over her, Weiss knew she had to get back to Ruby.

Her leg throbbed with every step, and her back burned with the reminder of the Beringel's claws, but Weiss forced herself to move. She limped toward the cave entrance, each step slower than the last.

As she neared the cave, her vision blurred slightly, the fatigue and pain becoming almost too much to bear. She bit her lip, fighting against the weakness in her legs, determined to get back to Ruby.

The entrance to the cave appeared ahead, faintly visible through the veil of snow. Weiss stumbled inside, her legs giving out as soon as she crossed the threshold. She braced herself against the cave wall, breathing heavily, her heart racing in her chest.

Ruby, still lying near the fire, looked up at her with wide eyes, concern etched across her face. "Weiss!" she called softly, her voice shaky but relieved to see her.

Weiss offered a strained smile, though the effort made her wince. "I'm fine, Ruby," she said, her voice unsteady. "Just a little scratch."

Ruby didn't seem convinced, but Weiss, still leaning against the wall, took a moment to catch her breath. Her leg was burning, and the blood had begun to soak through the scarf, but she pushed the pain down for now. She was back with Ruby, and that was all that mattered.

Weiss pushed herself up with a groan, wincing as the pain in her leg flared. The exhaustion was starting to take its toll, but she couldn't let herself rest just yet. Slowly, she began gathering their belongings, her hands shaking slightly as she packed them up. Every movement was deliberate, careful, but Ruby watched with worry etched on her face. Her friend was clearly pushing through the pain, but Ruby could see the strain in her eyes.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Ruby asked softly, her voice laced with concern.

Weiss didn't look up at first, but the slight quiver in her hands gave away how much she was holding in. After a moment, she finally turned her gaze to Ruby, offering a small smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"The storm's over, Ruby," Weiss said, her voice firm, though her usual confident tone was tinged with exhaustion. She gestured toward the cave entrance, where sunlight was beginning to pierce through the hole in the ceiling, casting long beams of light across the cave floor. "It's time to go."

Ruby looked out the entrance, watching the first rays of sunlight filtering through the snowstorm's remnants. It felt surreal—like they had finally made it through the worst of it. But then her attention snapped back to Weiss, her face still filled with concern. "Weiss, you're hurt. You shouldn't be pushing yourself."

Weiss paused for a moment, a brief flash of hesitation crossing her face, before she carefully stood up, trying to ignore the burning in her leg. "I'll worry about my injuries later," she said, her voice softer now. "We need to get back to Blake and Yang. They're waiting for us."

Ruby didn't argue, though she could still see the toll the injuries had taken on Weiss. She limped toward her, eyes still worried but grateful that Weiss was staying strong.

"Alright," Ruby said, taking Weiss' outstretched hand. She could see that Weiss was doing her best to hold it together, and for that, she was thankful. "But you'd better let me help you once we're back with the others."

Weiss gave a small nod, squeezing Ruby's hand lightly as they both turned toward the entrance. Each step was a struggle, but they had survived the worst of the storm. With a quiet determination, Weiss helped Ruby out of the cave.

As Weiss and Ruby carefully walked out of the cave, they were both struck by the sheer beauty of the scene before them. The snow, though still thick on the ground, was sparkling in the bright sunlight. The storm that had trapped them for so long had finally subsided, and the sky was a brilliant blue, cloudless and serene. The wind had died down, leaving behind a quiet peace that seemed almost surreal after everything they'd endured.

Ruby took a deep breath, marveling at the view. "Wow… it's beautiful out here. Hard to believe we were just fighting for our lives in that storm."

Weiss nodded, her expression softening as she gazed at the horizon. The snow-capped mountains and the glimmering sunlight made the world feel like a completely different place. But as they took a few more steps, Weiss' gaze faltered. Her eyes narrowed, and her smile quickly faded. "You have got to be kidding me."

Ruby turned to where Weiss was looking, a sense of unease creeping into her. And then she saw it—a small village in the distance, tucked between the snow-covered trees, only about five minutes away. A group of villagers were coming out of their homes, clearing the snow from the roofs and porches. They were going about their daily tasks, seemingly unaware of the chaos the storm had just caused.

Weiss sighed, a touch of frustration in her voice. "I didn't see the village. The storm was bad. You saw how poor the visibility was! I thought we were in the middle of nowhere."

Ruby squinted, studying the village. Then, her eyes widened with recognition. "Wait… I know this place!" she exclaimed. "It's the village where Pyrrha did some of her commercials! She came here after winning that big tournament a couple of years ago."

Weiss raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin tugging at her lips. "Oh, really? Maybe Pyrrha's a god to those villagers now, considering how much she probably helped boost their economy with those ads."

Ruby chuckled at the thought, a smile tugging at her lips despite the exhaustion still lingering in her bones. "Can you imagine? 'Oh, we owe it all to Pyrrha Nikos, the Champion!'"

But after a brief moment of humor, Ruby's expression turned serious again as she glanced back towards the path leading to Blake and Yang. "But we should get to Blake and Yang. They're probably waiting for us by now."

Weiss nodded, her gaze flickering toward the village one more time. "Right, right. Let's not get sidetracked. But it's nice to know there's a village nearby in case we need help."

As they walked through the snow, the wind had settled, leaving a quiet calm between them. Ruby glanced at Weiss, a thoughtful look crossing her face as she rubbed her side where the gash had been earlier. "You think I'll have scars from this?"

Weiss, limping slightly with each step but pushing forward nonetheless, looked over at Ruby. "You're definitely getting a scar on your side. And on your leg too, I'd imagine. I'm most definitely getting some on my own leg and back after that Grimm fight."

Ruby raised an eyebrow, a small grin tugging at her lips. "Well, then I guess we'll have matching scars. Maybe we should come up with a nickname for the two of us. You know, like 'The Scar Sisters' or something."

Weiss raised a brow, her expression a mix of amusement and slight disbelief. "I think that's a bit much, don't you?"

Ruby chuckled, shrugging. "Maybe. But it's a thought. We could be the duo with all the battle scars. Sounds cool, right?"

Weiss smiled despite herself, shaking her head. "I appreciate the thought, but we'll stick with 'Team RWBY,' thank you very much. A little less dramatic."

Ruby laughed again, but then her expression shifted slightly as she squinted into the distance. Weiss followed her gaze, and her eyes narrowed. At first, it was a blur—just a streak of black and yellow against the white snow. But as they continued walking, getting closer, the figures became more distinct.

The blur was definitely moving toward them, and the closer they got, the more it became clear: Blake and Yang, running through the snow towards them.

"Blake! Yang!" Ruby shouted, her voice full of relief.

Weiss' face softened as she recognized the figures too. She couldn't help but feel a rush of warmth at the sight of her teammates. "I knew they'd come for us. Let's meet them halfway."

With newfound energy, they both picked up the pace, moving through the snow toward their teammates who were now nearing them at full speed. The cold didn't matter anymore. The storm was over. They were going to be okay.

As Yang and Blake finally reached Ruby and Weiss, Yang immediately froze when she saw Ruby, her bandaged side and leg. A flood of emotions hit her, and without another thought, she ran forward and wrapped Ruby up in a tight hug. "Ruby! Are you okay?" she asked, her voice full of concern.

Ruby winced a little, but smiled. "I'll be okay. Don't worry about me, Yang."

Yang carefully adjusted, keeping her hurt arm steady as she pulled Ruby closer. "I'm just glad you're okay," she said softly, her voice thick with relief.

Ruby returned the hug with a light squeeze, her voice soft, "Same here. I'm glad you're alright too." She couldn't help but notice Yang's bandaged arm and waist. "You're hurt too. I saw it when we were walking."

Yang gave a small grin, though there was a bit of exhaustion in her eyes. "Yeah, but it's nothing compared to what you went through. We'll both be fine."

After a moment, Yang reluctantly released Ruby, turning her attention to Weiss. She looked at her teammate with grateful eyes, her voice quiet but sincere. "Thanks, Weiss. I… I don't know what we would've done without you."

Weiss nodded in acknowledgment, her usual cool composure still intact, but there was a faint warmth in her eyes. "It's what we do. We look out for each other."

Blake stood back, smiling as she watched her team reunite. The tension of the storm seemed to lift, and for the first time in what felt like ages, Team RWBY was whole again.

Yang then noticed the small village not far from where they stood. The village was nestled between the hills, surrounded by snow but still vibrant in the sunlight. "Is that a village?" she asked, squinting at the distance.

Weiss glanced over at it, realizing that it had been hidden by the snowstorm earlier. "I didn't see it before, either. I guess the storm was worse than we thought. But now that it's calmed down, maybe we can find a doctor there. We all need some care after everything."

Ruby nodded, her gaze shifting toward the village. "Maybe we can get some help there. It would be nice to finally be out of the cold."

With that, the four of them began making their way toward the village, the weight of the snowstorm and the danger they'd faced now behind them.

As Team RWBY trudged through the snow toward the village, Yang stayed close to Ruby, offering her arm for support. Ruby leaned on her sister for balance, but she smiled, grateful for Yang's presence. The storm had taken a toll on both of them, but the warmth of being reunited made the cold seem less unbearable.

Weiss, however, had her mind elsewhere. As they walked, she felt something cold and metallic bump against her feet. Her brow furrowed in confusion, but she quickly knelt down to investigate. The snow was deep, and Weiss carefully dug her gloved hand into the pile, pushing the snow aside. Her heart skipped a beat when she finally pulled something from the snow.

It was Crescent Rose.

Weiss couldn't help but smile as she saw Ruby's weapon, buried but unharmed. The blade gleamed faintly under the snow, a little wet from the melted flakes but not damaged at all. The sight of it sent a rush of relief through Weiss. After everything they'd been through, seeing Crescent Rose still intact was a small, yet significant victory.

"Weiss?" Ruby's voice broke through her thoughts. Weiss looked up to see her team still walking ahead, waiting for her.

Weiss gently dusted off Crescent Rose before standing up, holding it out to Ruby. "Look what I found," she said, her voice warm with a hint of amusement.

Ruby's face lit up with joy as she took the weapon back into her hands, checking it over quickly. "Crescent Rose! I thought I lost you to the storm!"

Weiss chuckled softly. "Seems like the storm didn't want to take you just yet."

Ruby grinned, grateful as ever. "Thank you, Weiss. You really came through."

With Crescent Rose safely back in her grasp, Ruby's steps seemed a little lighter as they continued walking toward the village. Weiss couldn't help but feel a sense of pride at seeing her friends whole again, ready to move forward after the chaos of the storm.

And even though the cold still nipped at their skin, with Crescent Rose back in Ruby's hands, it felt like they had overcome something together—something that would only make them stronger as a team.

THE NEXT DAY

The sunlight was brighter today, reflecting off the snow-covered ground and casting long shadows across the small village. Team RWBY stood outside a modest building, having just finished a quick visit to the local doctor. The storm had taken its toll, but with the village's help, they were all patched up. Weiss, however, was struggling to get used to her crutches. Her left leg, more injured than she had initially thought, was now wrapped up tightly, and the crutches, while helpful, were proving a bit awkward.

"How do people use these things all the time?" Weiss grumbled, trying to balance herself. She took a tentative step forward, but immediately wobbled, her crutch slipping in the snow.

Blake chuckled softly, catching her by the arm before she could lose her balance. "Careful, Weiss. They're not as easy as they look."

"I don't know how you can be so calm about this," Weiss huffed, her cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance. "I feel like I'm going to fall any second."

Blake smiled and steadied her. "You just need a little practice. You'll get the hang of it." She adjusted Weiss's crutch and gave her a reassuring push forward. "Just take it slow."

Meanwhile, Yang and Ruby, ever the playful pair, were running around in the snow. They were clearly feeling the weight of the past few days lift off their shoulders, their usual banter and energy coming back in full force. Ruby had tried to jump into a snowbank with a dramatic flourish, only to trip and land face-first. Yang, of course, found it hilarious.

"Ruby, you're supposed to be jumping into the snow, not diving headfirst!" Yang laughed, teasing her sister as Ruby struggled to pull herself out of the snowbank.

"Hey! It wasn't my fault!" Ruby grumbled, brushing snow from her face. "I was totally aiming for that cool landing!"

Yang gave her a playful shove. "Right, sure you were. A totally cool landing."

Blake turned to Weiss, her smile widening as she watched the two goof off. "It's nice to see them so lighthearted again."

Weiss nodded, her serious demeanor softening just a little. "Yeah, they've been through a lot. But I'm glad we're all here, together."

Ruby jumped back up, now covered in snow but grinning nonetheless. "You ready, Yang?" she asked, eyes shining with excitement.

Yang smirked, ready for another round of their snow antics. "You bet! But you owe me one for this."

Before Weiss could respond, a loud hum filled the air, growing steadily louder. The unmistakable sound of an airship from Beacon was approaching. Team RWBY looked up to see the airship descending in the distance, its massive form cutting through the sky toward the village.

"Finally," Yang said, her tone full of relief. "We'll be back home soon."

Blake stood a little straighter. "Let's just make sure we're all ready to go. We've still got a long way back to Beacon."

Weiss, still adjusting to her crutches, took a deep breath. "I'm ready to go back. I don't think I've ever been so excited to see Beacon's walls again."

Ruby, still full of energy, ran ahead, excited to see the airship. "Come on! Let's go! I'm totally ready to go back to Beacon! I miss the food!"

Yang followed her sister, but then stopped, glancing back at Weiss. "You sure you're okay with the crutches? You're not gonna end up falling over like Ruby did?"

Weiss shot Yang a look, trying to keep her balance. "I'll be fine, Yang. Just don't knock me over while you're goofing off."

Yang gave her a grin. "Don't worry, I'm always careful."

Ruby, hearing the conversation, turned to Yang with a grin. "No, you're not."

Blake smiled at the two, looking at Weiss, who was starting to get the hang of the crutches, even though they were still a little awkward. "We'll get there soon. Just a little further."

With the airship nearing its landing site, Team RWBY readied themselves for the journey back to Beacon. The storm had passed, and while they had faced some tough challenges, they had weathered it together. And as the airship finally touched down nearby, Weiss smiled despite herself, thankful that, no matter what, they were all together.