- Fortress Vale -

General Steelheart: "With Vacuo having fallen. This war has now shifted to Vale. Today marks the point where a turn about has to be pulled from the pit of defeat. Sign up for the Militia today! We shall beat back the Horde that threatens our very existence!"

Blared the newest Atlesian General's blatant propaganda a few squares into the city. Since the Ace of Spades had used the S.D.C's CEO as a way of bargaining the life of a greedy old man for almost all of Remnant's dust reserves. Dust rationing had to be put in place for not just the Kingdom of Vale, but the entirety of the world of Remnant.

Thanks to some resilient hearts, some S.D.C personnel had refused to destroy the reserves that were under their watch. There was still a plentiful amount of Dust to use against (Y/N)'s Grimm Hoards, whose attacks had increased tenfold over a large amount of time.

Ruby Rose rested against the towers of the hastily constructed walls, which had been built around the entirety of Vale City's perimeter in order to try and aid in repelling the Black Horde. The newest name for the Grimm given by the news networks all over Remnant. Her staunch silver eyes on the look out for any movement in the distant treeline, Crescent Rose rested beside her which she sometimes used as a way to scope out the clump of forested trees a mile away.

Yang: "Tired?"

Her sister asked as she walked up beside her. Ruby rubbed her eyes a little and nodded towards her sister.

Ruby: "Yup."

Yang: "Ever since Steelheart has taken charge of practically the entire world. He's really doubled down on things, even I'm quite tired. That's something I never thought would happen to me while on duty."

Ruby: "Yang, we've always been on duty."

Complained Ruby, who was arguably out of character for the dire situation she was in.

Ren: "Not like this."

Came a familiar voice, the two sisters turned to see Ren walking up to them from his assigned duty of patrolling the wall.

Ren: "Steelheart has us on surveillance almost 24/7. Barely any breaks, he doesn't understand that not all of Remnant is Atlas."

Yang: "Look at who's back."

Ren: "It's nice to see you two again, I haven't been back to Vale in quite a while."

Ruby: "Good to have you back, Ren."

Yang: "It's a good thing you left when you did, otherwise you and Nora would've seen all the shit that went down all those years ago."

Ren: "I heard indeed, this Ace of Spades. He has eluded your team quite a lot."

Yang: "He always seemed to have something up his sleeve, don't blame us. Say, why is it you and Nora left when you did?"

Ren stayed silent for a few seconds.

Ren: "It doesn't really matter. What matters now is what's at hand."

He replied quickly.

Ruby: "I don't know if it can be sustained though, ever since the Ace of Spades destroyed something like 70 percent of the known Dust in the world. These shortages are making it really hard to defend against the Horde."

The three mostly stayed silent for a few moments, looking at the distant sun rising for a new day. Until the silence was broken by Yang.

Yang: "Sometimes, I just look back at that day. The one where we confronted him in Atlas, I think... 'What could have we done differently, how could we have stopped him.' And do you know what? I come up short, he's just too damn smart for his own good."

Ren: "Sometimes dwelling on the past isn't such a good idea when the future ahead is darkening every minute we speak."

Ren said. Ruby nodded in response.

Ruby: "Agreed..."

Ren: "Wait, there's something in the distance..."

The conversation was cut short, when Ren's eyes squinted against the bright stinging light of the sun. Far away in the forest, he could see black shapes massing on the treeline.

Yang: "Oh... shit... Ruby?... The dust shipment from Atlas! When was it supposed to arrive?"

Yang stared at her sister with slightly panicked eyes.

Ruby: "About two hours ago! But we'll have to hold them back with what we still have."

Ren: "Sound the alarm!"

He ordered, Yang turned, raised the plastic covering and slammed her robotic arm against the big red button. Which alerted all available huntsmen in the urban vicinity at the ready.

- (Y/N)'s POV -

Orion: "These new Grimm are proving to be quite the killing machines you have dreamt up, (Y/N).

(Y/N): "The Spawn are smarter, faster, stronger than the average Beowolf. Though they're still fodder, they're useful fodder."

I stared intently at a map of Fortress Vale. Otherwise known as Objective A. Those pathetic rats have fortified themselves greatly after the Fall of Beacon, the inspiring tower having been replaced by a monolithic military establishment.

???: "My Emperor."

A voice echoed throughout the chamber. I turned to see Killian coming through the doorway.

(Y/N): "What news do you bring?"

Killian, still decked out in his Atlesian uniform. Sat down on the chair opposite to me. He straightened his tie and cleared his throat as he bowed directly to me. His form could use better work, however a useful asset is one left alive and well.

Killian: "More huntsmen have arrived from the north, along with the 2nd, 71st and 663rd brigades. Reinforcing the Western wall."

(Y/N): "Interesting, any information from General Steel-Brain?"

Killian: "No, not much. Other than the fact that his paranoia has reached new levels. He's doubling down on Remnant's Conscription Laws. People ages thirty-five to fifty-nine are no longer exempted from compulsory military service."

Orion: "Geez, almost makes me sorry for them."

I shot a stern glance to Orion as I returned to my throne. Dissonance will not be tolerated, when Orion came to me asking for mercy. I obliged because I saw him as a good asset, showing mercy is a sign of weakness. Weakness which I won't tolerate.

Lilith: "That tyrant is going to place every man, woman and child between us and the relics..."

Lilith entered the room, holding a cup of tea. Which she sipped. I looked her up and down in her elegant purple and lilac dress, smirking a little before I brought myself back to reality.

(Y/N): "Bodies won't protect them, neither will their walls. Once we're able to find the Summer Maiden and gain access to the Relic of Destruction. We'll pulverize them... and all that they hold dear. Lilith, to find Summer. I need you to find Spring. Spring will allow us access to the Relic of Knowledge, therefore allowing us to know the location of Spring. That job is for you."

The lilac haired girl nodded in response and headed off to arm herself for the hunt.

Orion: "What are your orders?"

Orion stood by the map, as I simply thought of a new strategy. Playing around with an Ace of Spades card on my left hand.

(Y/N): "Order them to target their supply convoys, have them stand by at all times in eyesight of the defenders. They won't dare to come out, but they will be granted the show of us destroying their sources of life. They desired to achieve a strong, immovable defence with their massive walls. Immobility is their greatest weakness, so we will exploit it to the best of our ability. Bite the hand that feeds them and they'll be strangled with scarcity."

Orion: "Yes, sir."

He respectfully saluted, noting my quite furious stare back there. He left to co-ordinate the new strategy with the newly formed Legions. Killian was also about to depart as I then began to think myself.

(Y/N): "However, a siege may prolong my efforts. Remnant is best taken divided, Beacon stands as the second most defiant symbol before Atlas... Killian! You stay here for now."

Killian: "What? But (Y/-"

His heart stopped when the man's harsh tone burst out of absolutely nowhere.

(Y/N): "Don't you call me that... ever again."

I growled. He gulped and ate his next words. To which I scoffed and began to tell him what I needed.

(Y/N): "You will be managing my lair in my absence. Orion! Come with me!"

Killian: "But, at least let me visit my family."

That was when I put my foot down, clearly he forgets his place in our little pact.

(Y/N): "No harm shall come to them... that was our deal. Remember?"

Killian: "But you're just trying to use me as a slave..."

He seemingly pleaded. I just scoffed in response.

(Y/N): "A pact isn't set in stone, but paper. Stay aware that it can always be altered..."

I said, getting off the throne. Walking towards him, Killian backed away for a few steps. Staying silent the entire time.

(Y/N): "Or... ripped in two..."

I threatened as I stayed still for a few seconds beside him, continuing further out of my throne room. As I exited the room I cracked my knuckles and had a sly smirk on my face. There are a few things that I need nudged in my favor in order to begin and enact my final plan...