Yang: "Salem can't be killed..." She muttered lowly. "You all heard her too... right?"

Cassie: "Yeah... We all did"

After the vision ended, all of Team RWBY, Cassie and Cassandra glared at Ozpin who's head remained lowered, while Qrow and Lazarus turned their backs to them. Olympia and Seraphim on the other hand, looked down, the former with tears in her eyes.

Ozpin: "I-" Yang however cut her off with pure anger and frustration.

Yang: "There was so much you hadn't told us! How could you think that was okay!?"

Cassie: "That's the thing, Yang... He didn't."

The Ghidorah-Hybrid scowled at the headmaster, crossing her arms as golden and violet lightning sparked around her. However, a certain Iris-Hybrid wasn't taking it too kindly as her tentacles waved around the man, threatening to stab him, or shoot him. Olympia, slowly yet carefully rested her hand on Cassandra's shoulder, causing the Iris-Hybrid to let out a sigh as her tentacles slowly retracted away from the headmaster.

Ruby: "Professor..." Somberly, he slowly turned to face her. "What is your plan to defeat Salem?"

Ozpin: "I... don't have one..."

Finally snapping, Qrow yelled before punching Ozpin directly in the face, sending him straight into a tree. Ruby, Olympia and Seraphim's eyes widened from the sudden act of violence, with the princess putting her hands in front of her mouth in shock.

Seraphim: "D-Dad...!"

Qrow: "No one wanted me...! I was cursed... I gave my life to you because you gave me a place in this world... I thought I was finally doing some good..."

Ozpin: "But you are!" He desperately called out before being completely shunned by Qrow, who retaliated with,

Qrow: "Meeting you... was the worst luck of my life..." The face of the headmaster displayed was one of plea but a slightly shaky whisper from the only Branwen yet to speak turned everyone's attention to him.

Lazarus: "So... it was pointless then..? My... future... Weiss and I's future was taken away... for nothing..."

Ozpin: "L-Lazarus, I-" However, a very familiar raspy chanting voice cuts him off as the blue rings on the Godzilla Vampire's horns, flashed purple for a brief moment.

"Lying wizard creates pain wherever he goes. Now it's time for the pain to hit him very good."

Olympia: "S-Shin!?" She and the others looked on in shock as Azealia appeared next to her son.

Azealia: "Don't listen to her, Laz. Fight her!"

His fists slowly clenched tighter and tighter as his golden eyes flickered between blue and purple, but a warm and firm hand on his, caused him to looked behind him; it was Weiss. She was angry internally, but she knew that aggression and this behavior wouldn't help anyone.

Weiss: "Laz..? Please..."

Slowly, the flickering died down and his fists unclenched themselves as he slowly gripped her hand firmly. The two lovers looked into each others' eyes, each others' souls before the vampire sighed and turned back to the headmaster, with a stern expression.

Lazarus: "I have one question for you. How many have died for you?"

Ozpin: "I..." He stuttered slightly before lowering his head. "I've lost count..." Lazarus' face remained unfazed

Lazarus: "That's all I needed to hear. I do hope you didn't expect us to die for you as well, because that's not happening. I lost my child because of this damned war and I nearly lost Weiss. I placed my life on the line for you, and Olympia as well, considering we both died in some form of way. I don't know about them, but I'm done with you. You should have just left Oscar alone and found a different set of mindless soldiers to do your bidden."

The most scary part of Lazarus' little speech, was the fact that he never rose his voice a single time or displayed any acts of aggression. He just spoke in his normal monotone type voice, but it was clear that you could hear the anger, betrayal and disappointment in it. Qrow, Azealia, Weiss and Ozpin definitely heard this, with the headmaster closing his eyes in shame.

Ozpin: "Maybe you're right..."

With the headmaster's eyes glowing again, Oscar who immediately winces in pain and held his cheek from the punch was not back in control as Ruby walked up to him in concern and Seraphim helped him back up.

Ruby: "What happened...?"

Oscar: "He's... gone."

Yang: "That bastard! Tell him we're not done yet!" Olympia gasped slightly and looked at her in surprise as Oscar looked at them.

Oscar: "No, this is different! He's gone. It... It's like he's locked himself deep inside my head... our head...? I hate this! I want it to stop!"

Weiss: "He just left us?"

Blake: "What are we gonna do now?"

Cassie: "Tch... Now I'm definitely starting to regret coming on this damned journey..."

Lazarus: "Enough!" He didn't yell that, but he raised his voice slightly to make sure he got everyone's attention, which he did. "Arguing won't get us anywhere. We need to gather out belongings and move to some form of shelter before either the Grimm or the Weather take us down for good."

Maria: "Finally someone with a brain here!" She praised before pointing to a nearby trail. "There's a trail over there. Trails usually lead somewhere."

Lazarus: "You heard her."

Yang: "Laz, I'm not in the mo-"

Lazarus: "I wasn't asking you, Yang."

He cuts her off in a very serious and commanding voice, while retaining his calm nature. The other members of Team LCOC, plus Seraphim, Blake, Weiss and Ruby all took a glance at each other, since none have ever seen the Vampire-Hybrid act or speak in such a way. Eventually, Ruby spoke up.

Ruby: "He's right. Come on."

After all of that was sorted, the group went back towards the train car to pick up their belongings, with Maria sitting on the back of Bumblebee as Yang pushed it, Weiss picking up dust cartridges with Lazarus silently assisting her. Ruby walked up to Oscar, handing him The Long Memory.

Oscar: "Am I just going to be another one of his lives, aren't I?"

Ruby: *smiles a bit* "Of course no. You're your own person."

Qrow: "Don't lie to him, Ruby. We're better than that."

He walked past them, taking a swig from his flash as Azealia looked at him with a frown before shaking her head. The argent eyed girl frowned as Oscar just took the cane and walked past her. Seraphim watched from afar before she sighed and looked down, though a hand on her shoulder caused her to look behind her, to find Olympia giving her a sad smile.

Olympia: "Hey, it's not your fault you know."

Seraphim: "It is... I knew that she was immortal..." She said with a mumble as she walked away from the Mothra-Hybrid who looked down. "No matter what I say, even if it's the truth, I'd just be belittled like the brat I am..."

Olympia: "Sera..."

"ARE WE STILL REALLY GOING TO ATLAS?"
CHAPTER 3: BRUNSWICK FARMS

After gathering everything, the group made their way down the path as the wind began to pick up speed rapidly. Everyone dawned either somber or emotionless expressions and nothing but a few sighs were exchanged.

Qrow: *sigh* "Doesn't look like this is gonna let up." Azealia looked at him and rubbed his back in comfort.

Blake: "I just wanna get this stupid Relic to Atlas."

Cassie: "And I'm really not in the mood for freezing to death right now."

Weiss: "Let's hope we don't have to walk all the way there."

Yang: *glances at Maria* "I thought trails lead somewhere."

Maria: "Don't you have anything better to do than harass a 'defensive old lady'?"

Yang: *turns to Olympia and Seraphim* Can't you two scout from the skies or something?" She asked, with a slight huff. Olympia looked at Seraphim who only sighed quietly before she turned to the blonde.

Olympia: "In this weather, we would lose track of you two quickly."

Cassie: "And that aside, this weather's too dense, even for people with Faunus sight like us." The blonde just lets out a sigh as Cassandra looked at her with a frown before Lazarus stopped moving.

Lazarus: "Wait. Listen carefully." They all did as told and halted while listening. Faintly, the sound of a squeaking object, most likely a metal gate could be heard. As they all progressed up further, they found themselves standing in front of a small Village named...

Seraphim: "Brunswick... Farms?"

Blake: "Well... at least one good thing happened today."

Weiss: "It looks abandoned."

Cassie: "Yeah. Wonder what gave that away." The ex-heiress looked at her, with an annoyed expression while Lazarus shook his head.

Ruby: "It's still better than this."

Qrow: "Come on, I think we could all use some rest."

Everyone entered the yard of the village as Qrow swung the gate shut. They all made it towards the large building in the middle.

Ruby: *sigh* "I don't get it. The empty towns I've passed through were all damaged or unfinished. But this place looks... fine." They all walked up and stood on the porch.

Weiss: "Maybe everyone left in a hurry, before things took a turn." She began to shiver from the frosty winds but Lazarus took his coat off and placed it on his girlfriend's shoulders to warm her up. She looked at him and smiled. "Thank you, Laz."

Lazarus: "You're welcome." He gave her a small smile thought it was slightly forced. Qrow began fiddling with the door knob only to realize it was locked.

Qrow: "Hmm... Stay on Guard." Everyone nodded as they equipped their weapons. Soon after, the alcoholic kicked the door open before he and the others rushed in, armed and ready. As they scanned the house, a voice from outside caught their attention.

Maria: "Close the door already! It's cold enough in here as it is." Maria walked in the house as the Huntsmen and Huntresses eyed each other. A few second later, we closed the door as Blake and Oscar pushed a dresser over it to keep it closed.

Blake: "I saw a chimney from the outside. Maybe we can get a fire going?"

Lazarus: "I'll deal with it."

Weiss: "Please, I'll look for some blankets."

Qrow: "Yang, Sera, go with her."

Lazarus: "You too, Cassandra."

Nodding, the quartet of Yang, Seraphim, Weiss and Cassandra began making their way up the stair to the upstairs area while Lazarus entered the main living room with the chimney. He crouched in front of it as fired a small and very minor >Atomic Beam< from his horns, setting the firewood aflame. In the mean while, Oscar and Maria entered the room.

Oscar: "Looks like a study... or a library." Ruby was seen walking up to a photo while Blake and Olympia walked up to her in concern while Cassie looked around the place.

Blake: "What do you think?"

Ruby: "Something doesn't feel right..."

Olympia: "Like the place is.. h-haunted?"

Blake: "Let just look for some-"

Suddenly two ear shattering screams could be heard from upstairs from Weiss and Seraphim. Immediately recognizing the voices, Lazarus immediately dashed to the upstairs area.

Ruby: "Weiss! Seraphim!"

Ruby and Blake followed and Cassie, Qrow and Azealia soon after. When they got up, they saw Weiss, Seraphim, Cassandra and Yang on the floor with horrified expressions on their faces. Lazarus, Cassie, Ruby, Blake and Qrow's eyes widen when they saw the horrific sight of two bodies decomposing within their bed.

Azealia: "Oh dear..."

>>Later<<

Weiss was seen sitting in front of the fireplace still shaken up as Blake walked over to her and wrapped a blanket around her, causing her to gasp and jump slightly but calm down realizing it was her Faunus Teammate. Blake just sadly looked at her before walking to a couch and sitting next to Yang, Cassandra and Cassie. Seraphim sat on the other side of the couch, hugging her knees in complete fear as Olympia was rubbing her back. Ruby watched all of them with a sad expression as Azealia sighed before the sound of the front door opening, follow by the frigid winds and I closing, caught everyone's attention. Qrow and Lazarus had reentered the house, sweeping the snow off of themselves.

Qrow: "It's the same in every house."

Yang: "What?"

Qrow: "Bodies... In every bed in every home... It's like the whole estate just went to sleep and never woke up..."

Weiss: Then we're... not staying here... right?

Cassie: "I mean... It's not like we have much of a choice anymore."

Lazarus: "She's right." He crouched next to Weiss and wrapped an arm around her as she nuzzled against him. "If we leave while the storm is still that strong, we'll most likely freeze to death before we could find any better form of shelter."

Maria: "Welp, might as well get comfortable." She said getting up and moving towards a bookshelf while Cassandra let out a small growl before rolling her eyes

Cassie: "Yeah, get comfortable my ass."

Ruby: "Okay then, let's do something. If this place wasn't abandoned, it might still have supplies we could use."

Oscar: "Hey yeah, maybe even a car."

Qrow: Lazarus and I will do another sweep of the grounds. No one else goes anywhere alone. C'mon kid." He said, making his way towards the front door.

Lazarus: "Right."

Azealia: "I'll come along." She said as she vanished back into Lazarus' head. The horned Vampire looked down at Weiss as his expression softened.

Lazarus: "You'll be okay without me?"

Weiss: "Besides from lonely, I will." She said looking up at him, wearing a weak smile. He returned it and gave her a peck on her lips before getting up and leaving with Qrow.

Blake: "Yang and I can search the other buildings for vehicles."

Yang: *annoyed* "Fine, whatever gets me out of this house." She said getting up. Cassandra looked at them before an idea popped in her head, she grabbed Cassie's hand and pulled her up.

Cassie: "H-Hey..!"

Cassandra telepathically: "We'll come too" Blake and Yang looked at them, the former wearing a small smile as Cassie sighed and reluctantly nodded. As they left for the door, Ruby and Olympia followed suit to close the door, temporarily leaving Seraphim and Weiss in the room. As she stood in front of the door, she looked over to see Weiss and Seraphim, the former with her blanket and the latter with her wings folded over herself.

Ruby: *weak smile* "Food always makes me feel better. Just saying."

Weiss and Seraphim: "Right.."

On the outside, Yang, Blake, Cassie and Cassandra made their way through the snow storm towards what looked like a type of shed. Upon opening the door, they entered it before quickly shutting the door behind them. The shed had multiple rows of shelves and a few miscellaneous items such as a rusted tractor. Blake took a glance at it.

Blake: "Something tells me that's not street legal." She said trying to lighten the mood a little, but the only response she got, was a snort from Cassandra. As they wandered through the shed, Yang decided to break the silence.

Yang: "What do you think happened here?"

Cassie: "Hard to say... Considering on those bodies we found in the main house, there was no signs of wounds or blood spilled, and from what Qrow and Laz told us... It's safe to assume everyone didn't die from blood lost. Something that could mess with their internal system..."

Blake: "Like water contamination? There is that well in the square."

Cassie: "Could be... Could also be some very malicious food poisoning or for all we know, magic could have happened." She said with a slight shrug with Cassandra nodding a bit.

Yang: "Yeah... Maybe." She halted, putting her hand on her forehead as she sighed.

Cassandra telepathically: "Sunshine?"

Yang: "Sorry... I'm fine. I mean... no... But, I don't know... I'm just tired..." She said, with a look of sadness. Cassandra slowly looked down as Cassie let out a small sigh and Blake's ears flattened. The blonde continued forward on her own before stopping near the end, spotting what looked like a trailer next to a window. "Hey. I found something."

She smiled slightly spotting it but as she went closer to inspect it, she glanced up at the window where she saw what looked like, Adam standing in the snow, looking at her with his Wilt and Blush being drawn. Startled, Yang gasped and stepped back as the others ran towards her.

Blake: "What is it?"

Cassie: "Grimm?? More of Salem's Lackeys??" Looking back outside, Yang realized she was just seeing things and sighed.

Yang: "I... *sighs* I was just seeing things. I'm sorry. I still get flashes of that night." They noticed her left arm starting to tremble as she held it with her right. "Do you think Adam's still out there?"

Cassie: "Of course he is... That damned Bull is too stubborn to stay put. He's probably plotting some form of 'great plan'."

Blake: "If he went back to the White Fang, there'll be serious consequences, but... he never really liked people telling him what to do." Yang looked at her, still holding her own arm. "Adam's strong but his real power comes from control. He used to get in both me and Cassie's heads, make us feel small, but now I see he just wanted to pull us down to his size."

Yang looked at her robotic arm before Blake took a hold of it and held it.

Blake: "Hey, I'm not leaving. And if we ever see him again I promise I'll be there." The blonde smiled a bit at her, until she said... "And I'll protect you." That caused Yang to frown and for Cassie to sigh and shake her head before she began to leave.

Yang: "What?"

Blake: "What..?"

Yang: "Forget it." She pulls her hand away and follows after Cassie.

Blake: "But what about-"

Yang: "We're fine. We can hook that flatbed up to Bumblebee in the morning. Should carry everyone. Mission accomplished."

>>Meanwhile<<

They entered a dark room within the house. Ruby went to take out her scroll to shine a flashlight but Weiss stopped her before raising Myrtenaster into the air, sending out little Fire Dust pixies to ignite the candles, revealing a bar.

Weiss: "There." They looked around only for Ruby to suddenly get a nervous expression.

Ruby: "...On second thought, maybe we should keep this room closed..."

Weiss and Olympia: "Huh?"

Ruby: "I'm just... not sure how well my uncle's taking all of this..." They all looked around, seeing the point that she was making concerning her Uncle. Seraphim haven't known Qrow for long, but she could tell that her father was already a bad alcoholic.

Weiss: "Right.."

Ruby: "Come on, we'll never make it to Atlas on an empty stomach." Olympia nodded and followed suit after Ruby but Weiss and Seraphim.

Weiss: "Ruby...? Olympia...? Are we really still going to Atlas?"  The two looked at each other, concerned for her.

Ruby: "Why wouldn't we be?"

Weiss: "I mean... you heard what Jinn said... If there's no way to Kill Salem, then what's the point in all of this?"

Olympia: *concern* "Weiss...?"

Seraphim: "I mean.. she isn't wrong. Might have been better to have the arctic take us down. But eh.." She shrugged as she walked further into the room, with Weiss sighing.

Weiss: "Sorry... I-I don't know what I'm saying... I'm just... really tired and I really, really hate this place..."

She followed them inside to another segment of the room. Ruby shined her scroll flashlights and Olympia unleashed a bioluminescent glow from her wings within the dark room.

Weiss: "Anything in there?"

Ruby: *annoyed look* "More alcohol... At least we'll never have trouble starting a fire..."

Seraphim: "What's that?" She pointed to the center of the room. There was two metal doors were chained shut.

Olympia: *annoyed* "A wine cellar... Yay..." Suddenly, Ruby squealed and zipped over to her left, startling the others.

Weiss: "What? What is it?" The red hooded leader of Team RWBY spun back around to her friends, with an adorable face and holding a can of beans.

Ruby: "FOOD!"

Weiss: "...Canned food?"

Ruby: "Oh trust me! You put enough salt on anything and it will taste just fine."

Olympia: "Well... she isn't wrong, ehehe.." She said, scratching the back of her head with a small giggle. Being a part of the Houtua Tribe, she ate a lot of things that needed salt, so she totally understood what Ruby meant.

Weiss: "Well, I guess it's better than nothing." The three shared small smiles as Seraphim just looked at them before they all picked up two cans each before making their way out of the Bar. "But I still seriously hate this place..."

Olympia: "Ditto..."

However, unknown to them, as they left, the doors to the wine cellar creaked open before slamming shut.

END