Chapter Text
The dark sky loomed ominously overhead as red bolts of lightning shrieked through the clouds. Pools of dark ichor boiled and bubbled as a Beowulf rose forth.
Emerald stepped back from the window of the dark castle in disgust as Brianna walked into the room and took her seat. Mercury looked at Brianna and Wrinkled his nose. Despite everything, Brianna was well worse for wear. An eye gone, an arm missing and much of her left side were horribly burned during the attack against Vale. It was a miracle she was conscious, let alone walking.
Salem entered the room, causing those present to rise: Arthur Watts, a technical genius; Tyrian Callows, a mysterious and fanatical assassin of Salem; Hazel Rainart, large and sturdy fellow who followed Salem for his own reasons; Nicol Bolas, dragon faunus and blade master for Salem in his conquest for more power; lastly were Emerald, Mercury and Brianna.
Salem finally sat at her seat at the head of the table before anyone else dared make a move to sit.
"I do believe congratulations are in order, my dear maiden. You've successfully acquired the Fall Maidens powers and even survived a deadly encounter during your attack against Beacon. While you will be spending the rest of your recovery by my side, you should be proud in the fact that you were the one to finally kill that pesky Ozpin."
"Lest we forget, she was also felled by one with silver eyes, and a novice at that." Watts said as he pocketed his scroll.
"ARE YOU QUESTIONING OUR LADY?!" Tyrian asked, his head turned unnaturally as he crouched on his seat at the table.
"No no, I am simply concerned for my... Colleague." Watts said with a hint of venom in his words.
Brianna frowned slightly, but no more than that. Her voice had been all but destroyed when her vocal chords had been burned out by that stupid Ruby Rose. Without a voice, Brianna had no semblence. If she had no semblence then she was useless. And worst of all, she dare not correct her lady about how she had stolen all of the Fall maidens powers. She could feel it, no different than when she was before Beacon. It concerned her, but Brianna knew how to hide her fear. It had been something she learned far more quickly than any other skill she possessed.
Salem nodded. "Until Brianna has been fully healed, Arthur shall be the main contact for the Haven mission. He shall contact our agent within Haven academy."
The technical genius nodded. "It shall be done, my lady." Watts said as he gave a noncommittal approval of the arrangement.
"-Bolas shall contact our allies within the White Fang and consolidate their strength for our cause. Your charisma previously has served well with our more volatile troops, as I recall."
Bolas smiled and bowed in a gentlemanly fashion. "Of course, My lady. I will sway them to our cause."
"-Tyrian shall hunt our traitor, wherever he has fled. I will not suffer deserters or turncoats when we are so close to our goal."
Tyrian giggled manically. "Ooooh I always wanted to see how far I could push the blue one. He was always far too arrogant for his own good."
Emerald and Mercury both flinched slightly when they heard the news when Brianna beckoned Emerald close.
"And what does my maiden have to say?"
Emerald nearly jumped when Salem addressed her but nodded. "She wants to know why we're going after a useless pawn when we should be hunting Ruby Rose."
"Oh?" Salem asked with a raised and cynical eyebrow "We should hunt the silver eyed warrior before all others? Well, I suppose that does make sense." Salem turned to Tyrian and nodded. "Track her before you seek the traitor. Only search for him once the girl is dead."
The meeting soon ended with everyone going there separate ways, leaving the three to return to their quarters. Mercury and Emerald left Brianna's side and went to their rooms shortly after. The two closed the door and went to their bunks, Mercury sprawling out onto his bed in near exhaustion while Emerald sat on hers.
"So he actually did it, huh?" Mercury asked as he laid on his bunk.
Emerald sadly nodded, looking to the pile of books that used to belong to Cobalt. "Yeah..."
"I can't believe that after all this time, that snake finally shows his colors. Survival before everything else, huh?"
Emerald frowned. "Come on, Mercury. You knew it wasn't like that. We both knew he'd never be okay with what happened at Vale."
"Yeah... Yeah I guess you're right. He always said he'd only take down the schools. It just... I can't help but be angry! It's like he stuck a knife in our backs after all the shit we've been through."
Emerald smiled, but it lacked warmth. "I just... I never thought that the three of us would ever break up. It was always us against the world and now..."
Mercury sat up and nodded. "Yeah I get what you mean. But. . . I don't know. I understand where he's coming from but there's some things you need to sacrifice in order to get shit done. Who cares about people when we're taking down the system?"
Emerald sighed and looked to Cobalt's bunk and the note that was left there.
Can't do it. I hate the schools but can't go after innocents. Don't follow. Leave while you still can. Stay safe, you two.
Emerald frowned and looked away. "I wish it were that easy, blue."