Time 10:45 am~

Nightmare sits in a chair with his arms on the meeting table and his hands interlocked while covering his mouth. Cinder was on her scroll across from him while Adam had caught two Atlas soldiers and was currently torturing them for information.

Cinder: Good. Uniforms have been retrieved. Hopefully Roman's rally with the Faunas will go well tonight.

Nightmare looks at her for a few seconds before looking back at the table. Suddenly his eyes widen slightly as his head slowly turns to a wall.

Cinder: I do hope for the sake of the plan, Adam and yourself will get along.

She says as she looks at Nightmare. She notices him staring at a wall as a dark mist surrounds his hands.

Cinder: Are you listening?

Nightmare doesn't respond. He only stares at the wall. Cinder drops her scroll on the table and walks to him. She clicked her fingers in front of his face but still got no response. It was almost as if he was in a trance.

Cinder: Hey!

She grabs his hand which causes her Amber eyes to glow as she suddenly finds herself in a dark plain.

She looks around until realising that she had shrunk and was wearing white shirt with a red apron, black pants and black shoes. Her eyes widen as she a realisation hits her as her hands trailed up to her head to feel that her hair was done up in two messy bunches. In a panic, her hands move to her throat as she feels a collar around her neck.

Footsteps began to approach her as she looks to see a woman and two little girls stare at her with smiles. The woman raises a remote in her right hand and presses the button, dealing an electric shock to her.

???: Remember your place brat...Now say the words...

The woman orders as Cinder looks up in a struggle.

???: Say it!

Cinder bit her lip and tries to keep her mouth shut until feeling the currents get stronger.

Cinder: Ngh......W....W-With-without yo-you! I....I-I! A-A-Am!....

Cinder's eyes stop glowing as she gasps and looks down to see Nightmare looking at her while holding her hand. Her pants echo in the room as Nightmare just stares before letting her go.

Nightmare: It's best not to come in contact with me when my power leaks out like that.

Cinder backs away as he just watches her shake.

Cinder: ...Did you see?

She asks with a hint of anger and frustration in her voice.

Nightmare: Yeah.

Cinder grits her teeth and holds her sword up to his throat. Nightmare keeps a straight face but raises a brow at her.

Nightmare: Not a fan of the past are you? Can't blame you.

Cinder's grip tightens on her sword, her eyes filled with a mix of anger and pain.

Cinder: You don't understand anything! You have no idea what I've been through!

Nightmare doesn't flinch, his gaze steady as he meets Cinder's furious stare.

Nightmare: Don't I? From what I just saw, you were a little girl who, at the first chance to grab it, latched onto power.

Cinder's anger intensifies, her grip on the sword tightening even further.

Cinder: Power was the only way to survive! The only way to escape that life of poverty and abuse! You think I wanted this? You think I enjoyed being a pawn for someone else's gain?

Nightmare's expression remains impassive, though a flicker of understanding passes through his eyes.

Nightmare: So what are you now?

Cinder's eyes widen as the grip on her sword loosens.

Cinder: I'm....I'm still in the middle of obtaining power! Once I finish off the fall maiden, her power will be mine. Not even you could stop me.

Nightmare raises a brow.

Nightmare: Is that so...?

In a quick movement, Nightmare pushes Cinder away as his katana materialises in his hand in which he clashes with Cinder, who struggles against him. Nightmare leans in close to the point where their foreheads are nearly touching.

Nightmare: You were just put in a catatonic state just by touching me. If that's all it takes to take you out now. Imagine what happens when I try.

Cinder lowers her sword, her anger slowly dissipating as she listens to Nightmare's words.

Cinder: Guess we'll just have to be patient before we settle this.

Nightmare's mouth curls into a smirk as he lets out a chuckle.

Nightmare: Very well.

His katana disappears as he crosses his arms.

Nightmare: As for my lack of communication back there....I'm afraid there's a problem.

Cinder looks confused as Nightmare's smirk disappears.

Meanwhile 11:30 am~

You stood over the grave of your sister with a small smile as you laid flowers on the gravestone and look at her engraved name while knelt down.

(Y/n): Hey Sis. Sorry I missed last week. A lot of stuff's been happening. Got a put to sleep, literally. My bullies are trying to make up...except Weiss and...maybe Pyrrha and Ren? I don't know.

You rub the head of the tombstone and sigh.

(Y/n): You'd probably tell me to go tell them to screw themselves like always. If only something as simple as that was easy to achieve....Oh! I have a girlfriend too! Her names Bianca. And yes, it's THAT Bianca from team AMBR...well, what's left of them. You'd love her.

Your smile slowly begins to fade as you look down and sigh.

(Y/n): The way things are progressing though....It may come to the point where I'll see you again. Turns out that our bloodline has been cursed. Your death wasn't caused by a disease. A spirit, over time, tears us apart from the inside. I don't know why you were taken so early but I feel as though it's thanks to the boys, Ike, Star and Jasper, that I'm still alive at this point.

You stand and sigh while looking at your hands.

(Y/n): If I get the last of them out of me...what happens then?

As you stand there, contemplating the implications of your cursed bloodline, a gentle breeze rustles the leaves around you. With a sigh, you cover your eyes then start to laugh to yourself.

(Y/n): Listen to me. Talking as if you were here in front of me.

You reach into your pocket and pull out your scroll. You check your funds and exhale through your nose as you see your low. You start texting a number saved in your scroll and then put it away.

(Y/n): Next time I'll bring flowers. I promise.

You get a notification sound from your scroll and pick it up again seeing a reply from the number. You smile and reply back.

(Y/n): Welp. Time for me to go if I wanna keep that promise.

As you start to leave. You can't help but feel like you're being watched. You look around but can't see a soul. That is until you feel a huge gust of wind appear behind you, causing you to draw one of your Vulcan's and point it behind you.

???: Whoa!

You stop as you see a familiar dirty blond with burning man goggles over his eyes in front of you. Holding two ice creams.

(Y/n): Star?!

You say in disbelief as the male chuckles and uses his pinkies to lift up the goggles onto his forehead.

Star: Hey (Y/n)!

You quickly put away your Vulcan and look him up and down.

(Y/n): How-I thought! When did you-

Star licks the ice cream in his right hand.

Star: When you obliterated that Grimm with that light energy, the darkness and light just seemed to mix and I just latched onto it. Kinda like how Ike latched onto all that fire last month!

You smile widely.

(Y/n): I don't even wanna know the logistics of how that works cause goddamn it's good to have you in the real world!

You say as you bro hug the male who holds his arms out to protect the ice cream.

Star: We got a hugger. Which is nice.

Star says as he melts like the ice cream in his hands.

Star: Oops. Uhh. The left ice cream is for you by the way.

You seperate from him then look at the (favourite ice cream) and take it.

(Y/n): Have you been exploring the city this entire time? Also...where did you get the lien to pay for these?

Star: Oh! So being in your head all that time really got my adrenaline pumping. Finally, I can explore this part of a new world wi the out relying on your eyes. Seeing the clothing, the food, the people. I love it! Oh! Especially the ice cream. God I needed this sugar half way through my exploration.

You chuckle as you lick the ice cream while struggling to understand Star's rambling. Star sees some ice cream on his wrist and licks it up.

(Y/n): Have you- damn that's creamy. Have you seen Ike yet?

You ask as you begin to walk away.

Star: Nah. Beacon's my next stop once I finish this ice cream. Wanna accompany me back?

(Y/n): Unfortunately I can't. I have some things I need to take care of. But I'll catch up with you later, okay?

Star nods and takes another bite of his ice cream.

Star: No problem! Gonna need to sort out a new bed in that dorm.

You wave goodbye to him and continue on your way. Star bites into his ice cream rapidly to finish it.

Star: ...Ow.

He says with a straight face as he faces a slight ice cream headache. He then looks back at the gravestone and walks up to it. His smile turns upside down as he reads your sister's name. He looks back to see you getting further away then crouches down and holds his right hand out as a small white glow emits from it then touches the ground as small flowers start to sprout and bloom. Star smiles once again and stands before turning around.

Star: We'll look after him (S/n). Rest easy.

With that he glows bright before shrinking. The glow disappears revealing that he has transformed into an eagle. He shakes his body before flapping his wings and taking off.

Time 11:45 am~

Nightmare walks towards the tents after Cinder had left to go make a call. Upon entering a specific one, he sees Adam digging the tip of his sword into one soldier's chest while the other looks away.

Nightmare: Adam...

Nightmare tries to get the attention of the White Fang leader only to get ignored. With a bored expression and a small fidget, Nightmare tries to get his attention again.

Nightmare: Adam.

The soldier's screams fill the air causing Emerald some discomfort as she winces at the screaming soldier. Nightmare rolls his eyes and lets out an audible groan of annoyance.

Nightmare: Taurus!

Adam stops and looks at the group. He pulls his sword away from the soldier causing the man to gasp and take deep breaths.

Adam: What? Can't you see I'm busy?

Nightmare raises a brow slightly and shrugs.

Nightmare: Doing what? Surgery with your little red knife there?

Nightmare mocks as he walks past Adam who spits and grunts at Nightmare.

Nightmare: Apologies gentleman, for my accomplices rather ineffective form of interrogation.

The soldier with a stab wound in his chest spat blood on Nightmare's pants. Earning an unamused look from the Seeker.

Solider: Fuck you.

Nightmare tuts as a shadow hand grabs a chair in the corner, bringing it to Nightmare as he sat in the chair backwards.

Nightmare: Now now, I just stopped your agony. The real response should be 'thank you'.

The soldier's stare up at Nightmare as the black haired man leans his arm on the back of the chair and rests his chin on the palm of his hand.

Nightmare: Now, I have questions. And unless you want me to hand you back over to mister Taurus, you'll answer quite willingly.

The second soldier leaned forward quickly with his words coming through his gritted teeth.

Soldier 2: Take your questions and shove them up your ass!

This comment earns a chuckle from some white fang soldiers and causes Adam to clear his throat while looking away. Nightmare sighs and scratches his head.

Nightmare: Come on...You're embarrassing me in front of my colleagues.

Nightmare quickly stands and goes behind the men, Kneeling down to their level.

Nightmare: I'm more reasonable than the bull my fellow man. That's why I'm willing to hear information from your mouths instead of digging into your heads in the most painful way possible.

He puts his arms on their shoulders.

Nightmare: Of course if you don't wanna answer then Adam can have his fun.

The soldiers look at the Faunas as he smirks while drawing his sword.

Nightmare: ...Your choice....

He whispers as he slowly stands up. He goes to walk away leaving the men to Adam again however one soldier spoke up.

Soldier: What do you want to know?

Nightmare stops and smiles.

Nightmare: Atlas. How many people did they bring? How many ships did they bring? What are their plans?

The soldier hesitates for a moment, glancing at Adam before speaking.

Soldier: I-I don't know the exact numbers, but they brought several ships. A large contingent of soldiers, maybe a hundred or so. And as for their plans, they're here to reinforce the city.

Adam: That's more than we accounted for...

Adam admits earning a side eye from Nightmare before he looks back at the soldier.

Nightmare: Good. Anything else?

The soldier takes a deep breath, his face showing a mix of fear and resignation.

Soldier: They've fortified their positions and set up a perimeter around the city.

Nightmare: No shit.

Nightmare ponders for a moment, his fingers tapping on his chin.

Nightmare: Thank you for your cooperation. Adam, release them.

Adam looks at you bewildered.

Adam: Release them? Are you serious?

Nightmare nods, his expression serious.

Nightmare: Yes, release them. We have the information we need. There's no need to continue torturing them.

Adam grumbles but cuts them free then reluctantly sheathes his sword and steps back, allowing the soldiers to catch their breath and recover from their wounds.

Soldier: You're... letting us go?

Nightmare smirks and crosses his arms.

Nightmare: Yes. However this kindness does not go rewarded without something else in return.

The soldiers slowly get up, their movements shaky and pained.

Soldier 1: What do you want?

Nightmare: Deliver a message to the headmaster and your general. Surrender the boy and the Light's to me. They'll know what I'm talking about. Tell them that if they refuse, I'll tear down everything they've built.

Nightmare says with seriousness in his tone. The soldier's nods reluctantly before They stumble out of the tent, casting fearful glances at Nightmare and Adam as they make their escape.

Adam: Are you sure about this, Nightmare? They could just give away our positions.

Nightmare looks at Adam.

Nightmare: Don't worry. When I was crouched down next to them, I put a little something in their heads that'll get rid of any memory of the land and the area. Even forget that you were here, it'll just be me on their mind.

Adam watches the soldiers get further away.

Adam: It was stupid of you to do that.

A white fang guard approaches the leader.

WF guard: With all due respect sir. If they won't remember our involvement or the location then we should be okay.

Adam turns his head to look at the guard who flinches, realising he might as well had kept his mouth shut.

Nightmare: No. Your leader's right.

Adam and the guard look at Nightmare as darkness envelops his hand.

Nightmare: I'm being stupid...

The Atlas soldiers were almost in the clear from their line of sight. They smiles and laughed hysterically as they never thought they'd get away.

That is until the soldier on the right fell down dead with his head blown off as a loud bang echoed through the forest. The only alive soldier gasps before tripping over then frantically trying to regain his balance as he continues running.

Nightmare, who was holding a black sniper with a shadow hand holding the barrel which was smoking, looks away from the scope then dismisses the rifle and looks at Adam for a brief second before walking away.

Nightmare: Only need one messenger.
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Until next time :)