Chapter Text
“The CCTS Tower is located in the very center of Beacon,” Miss Goodwitch reiterated, pointing to its location on the map. “The most direct route to it would be from the Airship Landing Platforms to the south. That’s where you, Miss Landale, will be starting from. It’s the closest location we can drop you off at.”
Alis nodded. The plan had already been gone over multiple times throughout the prior week. This was the moment they would actually execute it, though. The thought was making her nerves jittery.
“On the other end of Beacon, we’ll be approaching the Academy from the north, through the Forever Fall Forest,” Miss Goodwitch continued. “Our position is strictly defensive, but we’ll be doing our best to draw the Grimm away as you advance forward.”
“To get to the CCTS Tower, you will need to cut through the Ceremony Hall,” Doctor Oobleck said. “The campus will be wrought with ruins and debris, so you will have to be careful.”
“There will be a hallway connecting that building to the Administration Offices,” Ann said. “From there, you’ll exit into the main courtyard, where the CCTS Tower is. Take the elevator to the top floor, and the Wyvern will be waiting.”
“If we’re lucky, you will be able to simply deal a lethal blow to it while it’s still frozen. If not…then it will likely awaken,” Miss Goodwitch frowned.
“In the meantime,” Professor Mulberry said, “small teams led by Ann, Taiyang, and I will be splitting up to the Library basement directly north of the CCTS, the Dormitories in the east, and the Research Labs in the northwest. We’ll get the backup generators up and running so the elevator will be operational by the time you reach it.”
Alis nodded and glanced around.
Hundreds of people were gathered, slowly boarding the buses, trucks, and airships that would take them to where they would need to go. The student Huntsmen helped direct them, having been assigned to groups to provide support in the battle.
A lot of the vehicles were repurposed from citizens of Vale that had willingly volunteered to provide transportation. Even if there was an airship ban, no one really cared anymore.
Vale was pulling together every resource at its disposal now.
“It’s not the Atlas Military,” Professor Peach commented, “but it doesn’t need to be. We’re all making a stand together now.”
“Let’s hope it’s enough,” Professor Mulberry grumbled.
“All right,” Miss Goodwitch said. “Is everyone clear on what they need to do? This was a general overview, and the specifics should have been reviewed on your scrolls already throughout the week.”
They all murmured and nodded, giving her confirmations.
“Good,” Miss Goodwitch said, adjusting her glasses. “Then get moving.”
Each of the Professors bade each other good luck and did the same to Alis as well, wishing her the best.
“Alis,” Miss Goodwitch called to her, when the others had gone. She looked down at her, scrutinizing her carefully.
Alis was reminded eerily of their first meeting, shifting uncomfortably as she stood there. “…Yes?” she prompted.
Finally, Miss Goodwitch gave a small smile and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “If you feel that it’s too much,” Miss Goodwitch said, “don’t be afraid of retreating. It’s not impossible for you to turn back right now. We can always try again later, or find someone else to do it.”
Alis tilted her head, and then smiled back. “Don’t worry,” she replied. “I said I’d kill the Wyvern, right? A lot of people are depending on me. I won’t let them down.”
Miss Goodwitch nodded solemnly. “…I’ll see you after this is over. Keep in contact through your scroll, and make sure to listen to Ozma’s advice.”
“Got it,” Alis said. The humming of an airship’s engines came from the take-off zones, letting them know that it was time for her to leave.
“Go on now,” Miss Goodwitch said.
Alis gave her a brief hug before she could protest, and then ran off, waving over her shoulder. Aside from the pilot, she would be the only one boarding.
She’d wondered if it was wise to be sent in alone, but they couldn’t afford to spread their forced too thin. The defensive line needed to hold, and with the others working on getting the generators online, they didn’t have enough Huntsmen to accompany her.
If everything went well, then she wouldn’t need to fight very much to reach the tower anyways.
Running to the take-off zone, those in the crowd spotted her coming and parted for her. They cheered as she went past, calling out her name or title. Alis smiled and acknowledged them, seeing the faces of each and every person supporting her.
At the very end, were two people who didn’t step out of the way, and she recognized them immediately, slowing to a halt.
“Rhea…” she said. “Leander…”
“You’ve come a long way,” the woman smiled. “Of course we’d come to see you off, too.”
“Alis!” Leander ran up to her and wrapped her in a hug. She ruffled his hair affectionately.
“Feels like just yesterday that I met you two,” Alis grinned. “Kind of hard to believe everything that’s happened since then.”
“Vale wouldn’t be where it is now if you hadn’t done what you did,” Rhea said. “So…on behalf of everyone…thank you.”
“…There’s no need for that,” Alis smiled. “None of this would be possible without the people of Vale to begin with. The only way we can win is together, right?”
“You’ll be fighting that Wyvern alone, this time,” Rhea said quietly.
Alis shook her head. “Not alone. Not really.” She still had Ozma, and everyone who was helping to pave the way for her.
Rhea scooped both of her and Leander into a hug of her own.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “You don’t get much of a chance to act your age with all of this, do you?”
“What?” Alis blinked.
She pulled away. “Listen, Alis. If you ever need a place to rest, or just be yourself…my home is always open to you.”
For a moment, Alis thought she saw her old friend Suelo staring back at her, with the same kindness she always offered unconditionally.
“…I think I’ll take you up on that sometime,” she smiled. “Thanks.”
Ahead of them, the boarding ramp for the airship lowered.
“It looks like it’s time,” Rhea said. “Take care of yourself out there, okay?”
“Good luck!” Leander cried out.
Alis nodded. “Take care of yourselves, too.”
Giving one last goodbye to the both of them, she continued on, walking towards the airship. As she stepped up the ramp though, she was stopped by yet another voice calling out to her.
“Alis!...Excuse me…Outta the way…Move it…Coming through…”
She turned to see Cardin making his way through the crowd. Along with him were all three of his teammates.
Alis grinned and waved. “You’re off to Forever Fall, right?” she asked.
He nodded. “It’s not as cool as taking on the Wyvern, but…it’s not always about the fame and glory. A Huntsman’s gotta do what a Huntsman’s gotta do.”
“Your job’s no less important,” she smiled. “Wish you guys could come along, but you’re needed elsewhere.”
“Yeah, just don’t die, okay?” he said. “I’ll find a way to bring you back and kill you myself if you do.”
“Don’t go dying yourself,” she said. “You’ve got your team though, so I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”
“We’ll take care of him,” Russel grinned. “Just leave it to us.”
“We’ll keep him out of too much trouble,” Dove added.
“Watch it,” Cardin growled. “I still call the shots.”
“Time to go!” the pilot shouted. Alis glanced over her shoulder.
“That’s my cue,” she said. “Be careful, all of you!”
Cardin cracked a smile. “Alis, listen, I…” He hesitated, trailing off. Sky elbowed him in the ribs, earning him a glare from his leader.
“What is it?” she blinked.
“…Never mind,” he said. “Give that oversized flying rat a good one for me, will you? It’s had it coming for a long time.”
“Will do,” she smiled, giving him a thumbs up.
The ramp began to rise, and she backed up, watching as Team CRDL, Rhea, Leander, and everyone gathered see her off, wishing her the best. Within moments, the airship lifted off, heading straight for Beacon Academy.
It was a trip made by many students and former Huntsmen before her, and now she was making it as well. Only, she was no Huntress, and this…was no initiation trial.
“Let’s close this chapter in Beacon’s history,” Ozma said. “Its darkest hour is coming to an end.”
✧✦✧
Beacon Academy was just as infested, if not more so, than the last time she saw it. If it were anyone else less skilled, the Grimm would have sniffed them out immediately.
But Ann wasn’t a Professor of stealth for no reason.
She darted into the shadows of another corner of a building, peeking around to keep an eye on the uncountable number of Grimm prowling the campus grounds.
She had noticed that they were slowly drifting closer to the northern border, which was exactly what they wanted. According to Glynda, the Relic of Choice was on their side, attracting the soulless creatures to wherever they needed them.
It made her, and likely Harold and Taiyang’s jobs harder, but it was necessary. She had seen Alis almost die from her wounds before, and it wasn’t a sight she wanted to see again.
Back then…it had been a slap in the face for her. A wake up call.
Ann waited for the right moment when the Grimm were turned away, before making another silent dash to Library’s side entrance.
She had watched Vale as it gradually decayed from the vibrant city it once was. It was painful, to be met with physical evidence every single day showing her that her actions weren’t making a difference.
Ozpin’s reveal had been a final straw. She left, along with Harold, but it never sat well with her. She was a Huntress. A Huntress. Sworn to uphold the peace and protect the innocent.
That night, against the Nevermore, she had realized that Alis, a normal civilian, had chosen to fight. And in that moment, she also realized that she had failed in her duty completely. A Huntress fought so the people didn’t have to.
When had she become so lost and disillusioned that she couldn’t even make the effort anymore?
A better world. A better future to live in.
It was an ideal the girl believed was worth dying for, and yet Ann was the one that shied away, cowering from what was always meant to be her responsibility.
She glanced up along the building.
A broken window was her ticket inside, and she used several pieces of debris as points to jump off of, somersaulting through with ease. Her landing was just as flawless, and she pivoted the moment she touched the ground to hide behind a bookcase.
Why couldn’t she have been as strong? As fearless? In the face of all hopelessness, why was it that Alis was the one bearing the torch of hope?
She had requested the girl to accompany her, observing her when they fought that King Taijitu, and on every occasion, Alis never failed to impress her.
Or rather, there was nothing overtly impressive at all. No Aura and no Semblance. A bit of magic and a bit of skill. But above all else, a drive to never give up, no matter how dire the situation.
…The inside of the Library wasn’t fairing much better.
Piles of books lay scattered about, making the terrain uneven and unpredictable. Shelves were knocked over, tables were upturned or broken, and the entire interior was almost as dark as night with no lighting.
Glynda would have thrown a fit if she saw the state of it all.
Strangely, there was a lack of any Grimm at all, which only served to make her more wary. The amount of dust that had settled over everything was especially concerning. There was no sign of anything having been disturbed.
Her thoughts returned to the girl. The Sword Maiden.
A grand title for someone so normal, but deserving of it nonetheless. And Anne had looked on. First in disbelief, then in jealousy, and finally in admiration.
She was everything Ann had aspired to be in her youth. A perfect Huntress. Not unstoppable or invincible. Not the most powerful or the most skilled.
Just someone who never faltered. Someone who inspired the best in others.
Ann crept along, keeping to the outer edges of the library. The stairs to the basement were located in the back, but starting the generator was the easy part. She had expected much more resistance at this point.
And as if fate was answering her call, a whisper blew past her, along with a cold chill that ran down her spine.
Ann instantly put her guard up, and not a moment too soon. A dark figure flew by, books thrown into the air in its wake. She didn’t need much to realize exactly what it was she was facing. Even as it circled around the library before settling in the center of it, she already knew that she in deep trouble.
“Geist…” she gritted out.
The Grimm let out a loud breath, and all throughout the library, hundreds of books began floating and swirling around it, creating a whirlwind of paper, dust, and scraps of broken wood.
An entire column made of books was thrust out towards her, and Ann rolled out of the way of the attack. A table that was behind her was smashed to pieces, but quickly became another part of the Geist.
A large shelf was thrown at her from the side with little warning, which she leapt over, taking her glaive out in the process to deflect a stack of paper meant to slam into her in mid-air.
And yet, everything that she cut or deflected, every piece of furniture that was destroyed, only served to make the Grimm stronger.
She fired a few arrows in a vain attempt to get lucky and pierce its actual form, but the sheer number of books flying around provided a constant shield.
Her tactic of picking off her enemies one by one wasn’t going to work here. She couldn’t even wait for a moment of opportunity. Every single book was an eye for which it could see. There was nowhere she could hide where it could not find her.
It was, quite literally, the worst matchup possible.
She continued to fire arrows at it while performing a series of acrobatic stunts that would put professional athletes to shame, dodging and weaving through the paper maelstrom.
And then it stopped.
The Geist bundled up every last book into itself, drawing in as much of the library as it could. Sensing danger, and with no place to take cover, Ann brought her Aura up.
It wasn’t a moment too soon. The Geist shredded the books apart, turning them into tiny scraps that were flung around in a cyclone that enveloped the entire area.
Thousands of small, tiny paper cuts chipped away at her Aura at a rapid pace. A single one wouldn’t have even been worth mentioning, but with so many at the same time, and without any sign of it stopping, her Aura reserves depleted within seconds.
Ann cried out as her Aura shattered, instantly feeling the sting of innumerable scratches being made against her. The paper that flew around slowly colored red as she bled, the tornado becoming a crimson grinding machine that promised a excruciatingly painful and drawn out death.
She had likely half a minute before she would become nothing but the shredded, gruesome remains of what was once her, and less than that before the blood loss overtook her.
Was she willing to die here for a future she might not see? Could she do what needed to be done, not knowing if they ever succeeded?
Alis was. Alis could.
…And that was all she needed to know.
✧✦✧
Taiyang ran along a wall, before jumping off it and kicking a Beowolf with enough force to kill it instantly. He followed it up with a punch straight into the throat of another and an uppercut that finished it off.
Without breaking his stride, he continued sprinting down the halls of the Dormitory.
There were some differences compared to his days as a student here, but for the most part, it was exactly as he remembered it.
It brought back fond memories of Team STRQ. Days of peace and mischief, where the only thing they had to worry about was the next big exam, or what club to hit next for fun, or what prank to pull on the others.
Those days were long gone.
He could almost imagine them at his side, covering his flanks and back. Raven. Qrow. Summer. But the truth was, he was alone now.
This was a battle he had to face by himself, for the sake of what once was and what could be again.
It was something that he needed to do. To prove to himself, too, as a Huntsman. Somewhere, out there, her girls were fighting to protect Remnant, and right now, in Beacon itself, she was fighting to unite it.
“All that power and skill, and you’re sitting idly by, watching as the world burns…”
Taiyang barreled through another pack of Grimm. He wasn’t as strong as he used to be. Of course he knew that.
But it didn’t matter.
He had given up before. There was no way in hell he would do it now. Not when they were so close.
“No amount of Huntsmen or Huntresses you gather will match that. You’d need an army…”
She had given it her all to achieve the impossible. Against all odds, she hadn’t run away. She hadn’t lost her idealism. And she sure as hell wasn’t about to die in vain. Not if he had anything to say about it.
Taiyang kicked down the door leading to the sublevels. The generator was just beyond, and a cold draft came from the darkness waiting below.
Without any hesitation, he leapt down the stairs, two or three steps at a time.
History would not repeat itself. What happened to STRQ wouldn’t happen to her. He would make sure of it.
She and Summer would have gotten along so well. It almost made him laugh to think of the two of them meeting. In another time and place, maybe it could have happened.
Taiyang felt himself slowing down. His breaths were getting shorter as he tired.
Narrowing his eyes, he pushed himself further. Instinctively, he knew what was down there. Any sane person would have turned around immediately, but that wasn’t an option anymore.
Summer wouldn’t have turned back. Neither would she. And so he wouldn’t turn back either.
He felt his eyes droop as his sprinting turned into a run. His run gradually turned into a jog. And his jog into a walk.
The hallway seemed to stretch for miles. With every step he took closer to the generator, the heavier his limbs seemed to get.
Taiyang braced himself against a wall, slowly dragging his way to the door. At any moment, it felt like he would give out. The urge to stop and rest, just for a moment, was almost overpowering, but he shook his head and focused.
“All that time…and we had no idea what we were dealing with. There is no beating Salem!”
There was…there was a way to beat Salem.
Summer had believed it, right up until the very end. Ruby believed it, even as he was here. And she believed it. Believed so strongly that she was willing to fight for a world that wasn’t her own.
Taiyang fumbled with the lock, his fingers feeling uncoordinated and numb.
Gritting his teeth, he brought his fist up and smashed it off with a grunt of effort.
He pushed the door open, the hinges creaking and groaning as it revealed the final room.
“The weak die, the strong live. Those are the rules…”
Dozens of Apathy Grimm turned to face him, silently staring at the newcomer. Beyond them lay the generator, still and quiet, waiting for the day when it would be turned on once more.
“…I drag my ass all the way down here, and this is the welcome I get.”
Strength came in many forms. As strong as he was physically, he had been weak in the one that mattered the most.
But right here, right now, he needed to be that strong.
“Thanks for showing me the way. I’m sure your daughters are proud to have a father like you…”
“Qrow…Raven…” he sighed, “I think I’m going to go on ahead…”
They would have to bear the torch of Team STRQ now.
Taking a deep breath, Taiyang clenched his fists and took one monumental step forward.
And then another.
And another.
Every Apathy in the room turned its gaze on him, and every step took more effort than the last. He felt his legs falter, and caught himself just in time, gasping for breath.
I'll not leave thee, thou lone one.
To pine on the stem;
The Apathy started to move and close in on him, but his eyes flared and he glared at them, making them stop in caution. Another lungful of air and another step forward. His strength ebbed away.
Since the lovely are sleeping,
Go, sleep thou with them;
Again, he faltered, stumbling. This time, he fell to his knees. Glancing up, he saw the generator still several feet away, and he groaned as he shifted, one hand in front of the other, grasping and pulling, crawling towards his goal.
His eyes drooped, and he felt his arms ache as he fell short of the generator. The Apathy began trudging towards him in silent judgment.
“Thus…kindly…I…scatter…”
✧✦✧
With another sweep of the Paladin’s arm, Harold batted aside a pack of Beowolves. He aimed the arm-mounted energy guns and fired away, clearing out wave after wave of Grimm.
Beowolves, Beringels, Boarbatusks, Centinels, Death Stalkers.
They were endless.
He sent a rocket flying into another pack, the explosion decimating them and creating another crater in Beacon’s already ruined remains.
Glynda could fix it later.
The more important objective right now was getting to the Research Labs. He’d been there many times already in the past, and knew exactly where he needed to go.
The problem was sheer quantity of Grimm surrounding the area. A Paladin was a fantastic weapon to have, but it could only do so much.
Even with the modifications he’d made to increase its performance, he knew that he would be overwhelmed eventually if this kept up.
Reared the Paladin’s fist back, he smashed the side of the building to create a hole large enough for it to fit through.
Slowly, he gave away ground, backing up into it as he poured a continuous stream for firepower into the onslaught of monsters.
He was right to have volunteered for this. None of the others could have even come close, aside from Ann. If the girl had done it, she would have been slaughtered.
The whole point was to make it easier for her to reach the Tower.
He had to admit that she would have made a decent Huntress. It was a thankless job at times, with little to show for it. Anyone wanting to become one was either delusional with the propaganda that had been fed to the public, or they honestly believed in the dream of peace, unity, and victory against the Grimm.
And him? Harold had just been going through the motions. He’d believed in those ideals once too, going through the Academy with zeal unmatched by any other.
But he’d seen death. He’d seen Huntsmen fall one after the other. But all he knew how to do his whole life was to fight. He couldn’t stop, even after Beacon fell.
The Grimm swarmed in through the giant hole, even as he tried to maneuver the Paladin to block them.
He hadn’t been afraid of death, because he had already died a long time ago. An impossible ideal wasn’t something he could sustain himself on. It wasn’t something anyone could sustain themselves on. That was what he used to think.
He grappled a Beringel and shoved one of the Paladin’s cannons into its mouth before firing. A Beowolf leapt onto its back, which he promptly crushed by slamming the Paladin against a wall. Sparks flew as a Boarbatusk rammed into the Paladin’s leg, damaging a few servo motors.
Fight. Fight. Fight.
He couldn’t leave Vale well enough alone. That was his problem. He had nothing to live for other than battle.
But that girl…even knowing the dangers, she continued to fight. He saw it in her eyes. The eyes of someone who had seen death.
She wasn’t like him.
There was kindness in those eyes, too. The sort of kindness that only came about as a result of knowing how cruel reality could be.
Another Beringel grasped one of the Paladin’s arms, while a Cenitaur swiped with a blade, embedding it deep within the machinery. A spray of acid coated the knee of the Paladin, corroding its supports.
The Paladin struggled to break free, and seeing that it was no use, Harold unlocked the cockpit, launching himself out. He spun around in mid-air, taking aim at the rockets held in the Paladin’s bay, and pulled the trigger on his rifle.
Rolling as he landed, the explosion collapsed the wall, buying him precious time as the rubble blocked the entrance. Not wasting a second, he ran over to backroom access door, smashing the glass panel next to it with the butt of his gun to pull the manual release lever.
The building rumbled and shook as the sound of Grimm came from the outside. Centinels would tear through the makeshift blockade like nothing.
An impossible ideal, an impossible dream, made into reality.
She wouldn’t be able to do it. Not alone.
But that was what people like him were for. If all he was good for was fighting, then he would at least fight for what he believed in.
He was old. Tired. But those ideals he had tossed aside so long ago were clinging stubbornly once more. For her, they were worth fighting for. For him, it had been a chapter in his life he had thought to be finished.
…And yet the book was open. The pages were blank.
The remains of the Paladin were torn apart as several Centinels burst through, along with more Grimm as they flooded into the labs.
He threw several Dust grenades and shut the door to the generator room as soon as he stepped inside. It was easy enough to jump start the generator. He initiated the process with a few quick manipulations of the controls, but it needed more time. The low hum and whine as the machinery booted up filled the air.
The door groaned as a massive dent was put into it, grabbing his attention. He took aim, ready to fire as soon as it failed.
Harold was no longer dead.
…But he was prepared to die.
✧✦✧
Alis cut down another Grimm in her path. The airship that had dropped her off had flown away, making its way towards the forest to provide support to the defensive line.
She ran past the fallen chunks of concrete and plaster, the ground cracked and uneven with damage.
“There,” Ozma said. “Up ahead is the Ceremony Hall.”
The entrance was demolished, leaving Alis to climb over the rubble and slide down into the depths of the building.
It was dark and musty, with little light. A large slab of concrete barred the way forward, but she managed to push it to the side with some effort, the sudden thud kicking up clouds of dust.
She coughed and waved her hand, before slipping through the remains of an entryway. When she emerged on the other side, Alis found herself in a massive room that towered high above her.
Rows of bleachers lined the sides, and a large stage stood at the front. It was in a heavy state of disrepair though, a section having crumbled down. The floor itself was in equally poor condition. The once spotless, polished ground she imagined it to be was full of debris.
“…You have traveled here today in search of knowledge, to hone your craft and acquire new skills, and when you have finished, you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people.”
She wondered what it must have been like, being a student taking their first steps into Beacon. Ozma, in his Headmaster guise, would have been standing right up there, welcoming them.
“…All I see is wasted energy, in need of purpose, direction.”
Hundreds of potential Huntsmen and Huntresses, all waiting to begin their journeys. All ready to learn how to become the best protectors they could be.
“…You assume knowledge will free you of this, but your time at this school will prove that knowledge can only carry you so far. It is up to you to take the first step.”
But the only one standing here now was her.
The once bustling hallways and classrooms were devoid of life. No laughter or tears filled the air. No students. No Professors.
It was empty. Cold.
In some places, there were even dark red stains, dried out from long ago. Alis didn’t want to think about whom they might have belonged to.
“There were many that were lost that day…” Ozma murmured.
“…Then for their sake, we have to succeed.”
And so far, it was going relatively well. Before she landed, she had seen the Grimm slowly make their way up north. Glynda had reassured everyone that the Relic would attract them, even though they didn’t have it on hand.
Still, it worried her. She had the easiest task so far, compared to everyone else who had to be fighting hordes of Grimm.
A thunderous roar echoed out from the distance, muffled by the walls surrounding her. The ground shook, and several more pieces of the ceiling fell down in a crash as dust drifted down.
“What was that!?” Alis cried out.
Her scroll crackled to life as Miss Goodwitch’s voice filtered through.
“Alis! Have you reached the Tower?”
“Almost,” she said, breaking into a run again. “I’m nearly out of the Ceremony Hall.” With Ozma’s help she navigated the twists and turns, taking detours when the path was blocked or collapsed.
The lights, or those that still worked, suddenly flickered on, providing dim lighting that made her have to squint to see properly.
“The generators…” Ozma said.
Another explosion rang out, just as she burst out into the courtyard. In the distance, a large plume of smoke came from beyond the central tower, along with a hue of red and orange that lit up the sky.
“The Library!” Alis gasped. “It’s on fire!”
Her scroll flashed a warning, and a picture of Ann alongside Mr. Xiao Long and Professor Mulberry came up on the display. It was supposed to be monitoring their status and Aura levels, and to her shock, they were all nearly depleted. Ann’s was completely gone.
“We have to—“
“Get to the Tower!” Miss Goodwitch commanded.
“But the others—“
“—Have done what they needed to do,” she said. Alis could hear the strain in her voice. “The generators are back online. Get to the top of the tower, Alis.”
“Miss Goodwitch…”
“They’re Huntsmen,” Ozma said. “They know the risks. Believe in them, as they believe in you. We don’t have much time.”
Dark clouds of mist arose from the northwest, north, and northeast, where all three of them were supposed to have been. As if moved by an unseen force, they flew towards the CCTS Tower, circling around it, before entering the petrified Wyvern.
“Dark Falz,” she whispered.
“Go!” Miss Goodwitch shouted. The sound of gunfire and combat was heard faintly in the background before the connection was lost.
Alis took a deep breath and steeled herself, before taking off towards the tower. A few Beowolves and Boarbatusks roamed the courtyard, but she made quick work of the ones that got in her way.
She shouldered through the doors to the tower, and was met with rows of computers, haphazardly fallen and scattered about. A few still stubbornly clung to the desks they were supposed to have rested on.
“The elevator in the far back. That will take you up to the top,” Ozma directed.
Alis pressed the button, and a distant screech was heard as it made its way down. The doors groaned when it finally came to a stop and slid open.
Swallowing her nerves, she stepped in. The elevator shook as it struggled to climb up, and she almost thought it would shudder to a halt or fall partway through.
“Are you ready?” Ozma asked.
“…Not really,” Alis admitted. “I feel as scared as all the other times I fought a dragon.” They had become more common near the end of her journey, but that didn’t make them any less intimidating.
“It’s all right to be afraid.”
“Do you think the others are okay?” she asked quietly. She hated she couldn’t go and heal them, but she also knew that if she wasted any more time, then their efforts would be in vain.
“I don’t know. We just have to trust they made it out.”
The elevator slowed as the counter for the top floor came closer and closer. This really was it. Everything they had been working towards.
Alis gripped the Laconian Sword tightly, and the elevator doors slowly opened.
She was met with silence. The remnants of a previous fight littered the area, with large cogs and wheels bent and rusted in random places.
For a moment, she almost saw the place as it once was, when Ozma had showed her the first time they’d met within the sword. An office. Spacious, but comfortable, with the ticking and turning of gears and mechanisms churning away.
She blinked, and it was gone.
And there, at the side of the Tower, was the Wyvern. Its head alone was several times larger than her.
A crack suddenly appeared, splintering off into bigger and bigger sections, until the entire Wyvern was covered in a cobweb of jagged lines.
“...Crap.”
The entire Tower shook as stone pieces exploded everywhere. Alis raised her arm and flinched away, feeling them pelt and bounce off of her. A sky-shattering roar split the air at the same time, making her ears ring.
“There’s no choice but to fight it now!” Ozma said. “Alis! Prepare yourself!”
The Wyvern clawed into the side of the tower and angled its head to look at her, three red eyes staring into the depths of her soul.
With another roar, it sent an enormous gale blowing past with a few thrusts of its wings. It took to the air, free at last of its imprisonment. Alis braced herself so she wouldn’t be blown away and gasped in terror.
It flew around and then made a direct line for the tower, intent on ramming into her.
Alis scrambled for safety, diving out of the way and the remains of the top of the tower were sent toppling down to the courtyard below.
With a deafening shriek, it made a short U-turn and perched itself before her. It swiped twice with its wings, and both times Alis managed to evade, rolling under one and jumping over the second, the speed of its attack making it possible.
It reared its head back, opening its maw wide, before lunging down and snapping at her.
Again, Alis ran and leapt to the side, its jaws biting down onto a giant cog. She slid to a halt and changed direction immediately, putting all her strength into her swings before it could pull away.
Her sword left a long gash in the skeletal plate of its head, and chipped one of its teeth before it swung its head, batting her to the side.
“Agh!”
She tucked and rolled to her feet, feeling dizzy from the impact. Shaking her head, she looked up just in time to see it take off again. Caught off-guard she lost her footing and was blown back.
Straight off the side of the Tower.
Thinking quickly, Alis stabbed her sword just in time to hang off the edge of the roof. The Wyvern circled around, intent on smashing another section of the tower off with her on it.
“Your magic!” Ozma cried out.
Alis twisted around as best she could while holding on and thrust her hand out.
“Flaeli!”
Fireballs rocketed out and exploded in the Wyvern’s face, redirecting its course just in time for it to fly overhead. With a heave of effort, Alis gripped the side of the tower and pulled herself back up, shaking from the near-death experience.
“Don’t give up, Alis!”
The Wyvern landed again, shaking the ground with its weight.
Before it could try anything else, Alis gritted her teeth and let off another spell.
“Bindwa!”
Ropes of light bound the Wyvern in place. It would only hold for a few seconds, but it was enough for her to charge forward and cut at one of its legs as she ran past.
It left a gruesome wound as the magic rope shattered, the unnerving red insides of the Grimm showing through.
The Wyvern shrieked and swept its head across the entire platform. It was too large for her to evade, and too powerful for her to take cover for. Everything in its path was demolished as she too was struck by the attack.
The bony structure of its face plate dug into her. Her armor protected her from the worst of it, but the breath was still knocked out of her, and she heard the audible crack of a few ribs fracturing.
Blood flew from her mouth as she slammed into a pillar, letting out a cry of pain.
Reflexively, she brought a hand up to the back of her head, wincing and coughing. It came away warm and slick with crimson.
Her hair fell down in front of her eyes, and she blinked away stars as she did her best to push it behind her hairband.
“—A—s! Al—s! Alis!” Ozma shouted. “Watch out!”
The Wyvern’s torso glowed a burning orange as it tossed its head back. A few flames spewed upwards as it prepared to unleash it down on her.
Frantically, she looked around for anything that would protect her. Most of the rubble had been cleared by its last attack, leaving her out in the open to be roasted to a crisp.
A glint of something caught her eye, buried under a few pieces of rock that had been dislodged.
“A shield!” Ozma said. “Grab it!”
Alis lunged forward, snatching it up just in time as the Wyvern brought its head low. She raised it in front of her, kneeling behind it. The circular, bronze-colored shield held up well against the immense heat that enveloped the battlefield.
It grew hot, the front turning a bright red, but it didn’t falter as the flames passed around her.
“Heal!” Alis shouted. Her wounds slowly closed up as she found it easier to breathe.
As the attack subsided, Alis slowly stood up, thankful for the shield’s previous owner. It had just saved her life, and it gleamed in the darkness as it reflected the light from various flames still crackling around her.
“Fulfilling your destiny to the very end…” Ozma murmured.
The Wyvern flapped its wings, lifting off again.
“Oh no, you don’t!” Alis ran forward and stabbed the Laconian sword into its tail, gripping it with all her strength as she was pulled into the sky.
The Wyvern roared and began flipping through the air, trying to shake her off.
Alis growled. The edges of the shield were sharp, and she slammed it into the Wyvern, turning it into another gripping point she could hold on to.
Wrenching the sword free, she swiped and hacked, until an entire section of its tail was cut off, leaving her mostly dangling on whatever was left.
The Wyvern redoubled its efforts, roaring.
Even as it twisted and turned, she held on, her arms straining to resist letting go. Whenever she could, she would use either the sword or shield to move up, inching closer and closer to its head.
When she reached the center of its back, she extended her arm and tore through one of its wings with her sword, crippling its ability to fly.
The Wyvern shrieked, still able to temporarily maintain itself in the air, before plummeting towards the tower.
“Bindwa!”
The spell wrapped itself around the Grimm, slowing its descent through magical force as Alis struggled to maintain concentration. It broke the instant they struck the top floor, but it had done its job.
Alis was flung forward, rolling to lessen the impact as pieces of rock and rubble cut into her arms. Just as quickly, she stood up and pivoted around to face the Wyvern again, the monstrous creature glaring at her with unmasked hatred.
Dark clouds rumbled overhead, and the Wyvern reared up, roaring towards the sky. A mist formed above, and before her eyes, a bolt of lightning struck the Grimm.
The bones that protruded from its back crackled with energy as its torso lit up again.
Alis raised her shield, expecting the attack, but what came wasn’t just fire. Electricity struck her, conducting through the metal of the shield and blowing her back, while a chillingly cold darkness mixed with the scorching flames for a devastatingly painful combination.
“No!” Ozma cried out.
She screamed every inch of her was burned, even as she feebly raised the shield again to mitigate it.
Alis shook and whimpered as she collapsed against the ground, the stench of seared flesh filling her nostrils as she lied in a battered, bloody heap.
“…H-heal…” she coughed. She would need repeated uses if she was going to recover, but she didn’t have the time or focus as her magic faltered.
The Wyvern roared. Once more, lighting thundered overhead as it powered up.
“Alis,” Ozma pleaded. “Get up!”
She groaned, squeezing her eyes shut as she tried to move. The shield felt overwhelmingly heavy in her hands, and she was forced to let go of it unwillingly. Even then, she couldn’t muster the strength to stand straight, bent over and using her sword to push herself into a half-kneeling position.
“I…I’m sorry,” she gasped. “I don’t think I can…”
“Alis…” Ozma said. “Please…use the sword’s power.”
Her eyes snapped open. “N-no!”
“You will die!” Ozma protested. “Use the power, Alis! Think of everyone that you’re trying to protect!”
Her scroll beeped, and Alis glanced down to see the Aura reserves of those that remained. Glynda. Team CRDL. Professor Port. Doctor Oobleck.
They were all in the red.
The defensive line was beginning to fall.
“Alis…for the sake of Remnant, you must,” Ozma said. “…And for your own sake as well. You want to return home, don’t you? To see your friends again...”
Electricity arced along the Wyvern’s spine, and the air chilled and warmed at the same time as its torso lit up.
“I…I…” Alis gasped.
“…We’re in this together, aren’t we?” Ozma asked softly. “You can’t do this alone. Let me help you.”
Her stomach churned as she felt like throwing up. “…Promise me…you’ll live…”
“…I promise.”
She gripped the Laconian sword with her hands and raised it up, her entire body shaking. Flames spewed out from the Wyvern’s mouth as it arched back to deliver its final blow.
The sword shined, faintly, and then brighter than it ever had before.
“AAAAAARRGHHHHH!”
She let out a scream as she brought the sword down at the same time that the Wyvern brought its head low.
Light clashed against the dark-colored flames, splitting the sky with an arc of silver. A thunderous boom echoed out across all of Beacon as pure whiteness blinded the entire region.
The Wyvern let out a deafening shriek that could be heard for miles on end.
And then all was silent.
✧✦✧
A gentle breeze made her hair tickle her nose, and she scrunched it as she batted aside the strands.
Blinking her eyes open and squinting, she sat up and looked down at herself. Strangely enough, she was completely unscathed.
She looked up, and was startled to realize that she was in an eerily familiar place.
But everything looked…wrong.
It was as if the all the colors were washed out and dulled, instead of the vibrant hues that had surrounded her before.
The castle in the distance was blurry, the grass was browning, and the sky was darker than she remembered, as if transitioning into an eternal twilight.
She glanced around and gasped as she saw a figure sitting, propped up against a lone tree.
Scrambling up, Alis rushed over to confirm that it was Ozma.
His hair was turning white, and there were wrinkles on his face that hadn’t been there before. His armor, once shiny and polished, was stained and rusted.
“Ozma!” Alis cried out. “Ozma!” She grasped him by the shoulders and shook him roughly.
Slowly his eyes opened.
“Ah…Alis,” he muttered. “You’ve caught me at a bad time…”
“Did this happen because of the sword’s power?” she asked worriedly.
Ozma looked around him, taking in the surroundings, before nodding slowly. “Yes…an acceptable outcome, I’d say…”
“What!?” Alis protested. “Are you and I seeing the same things!?”
“Listen, Alis,” he coughed, placing his hands over hers and taking them off his shoulders. “I don’t believe I have much time left. It’s burning up my soul as we speak. I daresay I’ll be disappearing soon…”
Alis was stunned.
“You can’t!” she shouted. “You promised!”
Ozma shook his head. “I’m sorry,” he said. “If I had the other part of my soul, then perhaps…but it’s too late now. What’s done is done. Even if I managed to cling to life…I doubt I would be able to speak through the sword anymore…”
“You’re going to leave me…” she realized, tears springing to her eyes. “Just like Nero…”
“Everything has its end,” Ozma said gently.
“No!” she shook her head. “Why!? Why’s it have to be that way!?”
“You already know why,” he sighed. “I told you before…don’t lose yourself in what could have been.”
“There has to be a way to save you,” she whispered.
“Alis,” he smiled. “It’s all right. I have much to be thankful for. You, most of all. All this time, I believed Salem couldn’t be defeated. I struggled and despaired. I didn’t know what to do. The only thing I could do was endure, preparing for a war that couldn’t be won.”
“But It can be won!” she said.
“Yes…” he said, “and your response is exactly why I’ve been able to see that now.” Ozma reached a hand out towards the castle. For a brief moment, it sharpened, returning to its former glory, before suddenly crumbling into dust.
Alis gasped.
“Nothing is eternal,” he continued, “but life is not a story of parting and despair, as I was inclined to believe. There will always be pain and suffering awaiting us…it’s impossible for there not to be. However…life is a struggle against death and separation, in what precious little time we have.”
Transparent figures appeared, surrounding the tree against which he rested. Thousands of them, all different, and yet all similar. All of them, Ozma.
“Despite knowing there is an end…we repeatedly meet and part with others. Human lives…are brilliant, brief journeys, shining brightly like that of the stars.”
Each of the figures turned into a shimmering light, before shooting upwards into the sky where they came to a rest, glittering and sparkling, weaving a magnificent tapestry of the universe.
“Ozma…” Alis whispered.
“This is what you taught me,” Ozma said, turning back to her. “They are…stories of love…and hope…”
Alis regarded him silently in shock, speechless. After a while, she then stood up, and offered him a hand, now knowing what she had to do. Ozma looked at her oddly.
“This isn’t over,” she said, wiping the tears from her eyes. “Your story isn’t over. Not yet. You said the sword is burning up your soul. You don’t have the other part of your soul, so…what if you had another soul to use, too?”
Ozma’s eyes widened. “What are you saying…?”
“I’m also here,” she said. “It’s not fair that you’re the only one sacrificing your life to use the sword’s power. So…use some of mine.”
“…No,” Ozma frowned. “Do you even know what you’re offering? You’ll be shortening your lifespan…I can’t accept that.”
“We’re in this together…aren’t we?” Alis asked. “Dark Falz is my responsibility, just like Salem is yours. We’ll see this through to the end.”
Ozma looked down, a troubled expression on his face. “You’ve already done so much. I…I can’t make you bear this burden as well.”
“It’s my choice,” she said. “…Take my hand. Please.”
Brown met blue as he stared long and hard at her, his expression unreadable. With her own eyes, she pleaded with him to accept.
“…Cresat nu elsy deon,” he finally said.
Alis tilted her head in confusion.
“In the language of the original Humans,” he continued, “it means ‘the soul of your arm’. If you’re really willing to do this…then I swear that’s what I’ll become for you. For as long as I live…I will be your sword…always.”
Alis smiled. “Cresat nu elsy deon.”
He reached up…and took her hand in his.
In the distance, the sun slowly rose over the horizon, shining brightly. Everything the light touched was restored, breathing life back into world once more. The castle was rebuilt. His armor regained its luster. His hair reverted to its youthful color.
With every passing second, his strength returned.
“…Cresat nu elsy deon,” he repeated.
✧✦✧
The frigid air was cold enough to chill most people to the very bone, but he didn’t feel it at all. On the contrary, he was absolutely furious. The blood in his veins burned with righteousness as he opened his mouth to retort.
“No! You listen!” James said. “I am done letting others’ inability to see the big picture get in the way of doing what’s right!” He stepped forward, walking closer as Oz stepped back in turn. A deadly pitfall lay behind him, the edge drawing closer. “Robyn. The Council. This Kingdom! Even. You.”
Oz stared back at him, his expression full of resignation. “…Then you’re as dangerous as she is, James.”
He looked to the side for a moment, registering his words. It really had come to this…
“James…is what my friends call me,” he said. “To you…it’s General.”
He pulled his gun, fully intending to shoot Oz. If he wasn’t with him, then he was against him. His finger grasped the trigger, ready to squeeze, and Oz’s eyes widened.
Then his scroll lit up, blaring out with an emergency broadcast. The same went for Oz. James paused, furrowing his brow in confusion.
He had never ordered a broadcast, and Watts was currently incarcerated. Unless someone else had hacked the communications within Atlas…
“People of Remnant…please listen,” a girl’s voice said.
The two of them stared at each other, an uneasy truce being acknowledged, before James slowly lowered his gun. He grabbed his scroll and looked down, while Oz did the same.
“My name is Alisa Landale,” she said. “Nearly three years ago, Beacon fell, and along with it, communications across the entire world.”
James’s eyes widened in disbelief as he watched the broadcast. A young girl stood in the center, surrounded by familiar faces. Glynda. The Professors of Beacon. And behind her was the CCTS Tower, fully repaired and functional.
Gone was the Wyvern. Gone was the damage done to the Huntsman Academy.
“Today, I stand here to tell you that the Cross Continental Transit System…is back online. Beacon is restored!”
“Impossible…” James muttered.
“The worst isn’t over yet, though,” she continued. “I know it’s been difficult. I know it’s been hard, and scary, not knowing what tomorrow might bring. But…we know now who is behind the Grimm, and who’s responsible for the Fall of Beacon. A dark force is at work, and they intend to destroy everything that we know and love.”
James risked a glance at Oz, who seemed just as stunned as he was.
“Salem…” Oz gasped. “She’s talking about Salem!”
“The only way we stand a chance is if we all work together. United. Humans and Faunus. Vale. Mistral. Vacuo. Atlas. Menagerie. We can’t let the darkness win and divide us.”
His scroll buzzed as he began receiving dozens of calls, but he ignored them, focusing solely on the broadcast.
“But I’m not here to ask for help,” the girl said. “…I’m here to offer it. Vale is ready to fight. It’s ready to offer supplies, aid, and relief to those who need it. And for those who seek refuge, safety, and shelter, Beacon is ready to welcome you, too.”
James took a few steps back in surprise, glancing at the vault for just a brief moment, before returning his eyes to his scroll.
…Vale was ready to fight? Vale could offer aid?
Then…his plan to raise Atlas into the atmosphere. Abandoning Mantle.
It couldn’t possibly be playing into Salem’s hands…could it? Was the broadcast fake? Was everything she was saying a lie as well? What was he supposed to believe? What was he supposed to do?
“You might not believe me," the girl smiled, as if reading his mind, "but I’ll let our actions speak louder than words. We’ll reveal more in the coming days, so please…hold on to hope just a little while longer, because I’m coming. Vale is coming. And we won’t rest until Remnant is together again. This planet is yours to fight for. It’s your home…and there’s no place like home. This is Alisa Landale, signing off.”
The broadcast cut, and his scroll filled up with notification after notification.
Slowly, James raised his eyes, meeting the boy’s gaze. Confusion, shock, and…hope.
But…her words reverberated within his mind, breaking through the hyper-focused fog surrounding it. And suddenly, he knew.
“You’re not Oz…” he realized.
“…What?” the boy said. “What are you talking about? I’m Oscar! Oz hasn’t spoken to me in weeks!”
James wasn’t listening. He put a hand up to his forehead and stumbled back, trying to process the revelation. The mannerisms. The way he spoke. Nothing made sense.
He had been so certain. Just mere minutes ago, he thought had been speaking to him, only to have everything suddenly come crashing down around him in a matter of moments.
“You’re not Oz,” he repeated. “But if Oz isn’t here, then…”
There’s no place like home.
His scroll rang with a call, and he looked down to see the ID. Without hesitation, he answered it, his hands trembling.
“James…we need to talk.”
For an instant, he almost couldn’t believe it. He really was hearing her voice though, and that meant everything he had just seen and heard was true.
Every. Last. Word.
“…Glynda.”