A/N: In case anyone is wandering how this takes place in the 1300s when Finch's profile says he was born in the 1800s, don't worry. We'll get to that. It's not a mistake.

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1328, Rome, Midgaurd

The spiraling tower filled with art was lit up only by the sunlight cracking in through the dark curtains. Aside from trying to preserve the art inside, they also worked to protect the artist himself. A vampire of amazing skill, Finch had become a man well known for his work. To him, he'd be nothing without the beautiful angel who inspired him.

Sat atop one of the ledges, Finch continued to write away in his journal. The words he etched into those papers were refined tales of his love and the lessons it'd taught him. As he finished writing his last sentence for the day, he glanced down to his angel. 

"My dear," He softly spoke as he closed the book, "Please, don't watch them. It'll only upset you."

Angelo sighed, letting the curtain fall back in it's place, "Sorry."

"There's nothing to apologize for, my angel. I worry about you, that's all." He replied.

He sighed, wrapping his arms around himself and walking up the stairs. "I just don't like all the hatred. I don't understand how people can be so angry." 

"Ignorance breeds hate." Finch took a short glance outside the window beside him to see the angered mob in the street below. "They have a right to be furious. The Emperor's decision is utterly foolish and dare I say, arrogant. To think he can take on the Ottoman Empire is outrageously bold, but children must learn lessons the hard way." 

Angelo knelt down between his love's legs, resting his head against his chest, "Why can't they all learn tolerance?" 

He petted his hand over his hair and admired the angel's beauty. "Are you speaking of the humans or the creatures?"

"Both..." He replied, "I fear they never will understand."

Finch delicately kissed the top of his head, "They don't need to understand. For humans and creatures alike, they will not learn from their mistakes. That is why I keep my thoughts to myself because it's not worth the breath to try to make them understand."

"Why do you bother writing them down then?" He asked as he saw the journal laying beside them.

"I don't want to forget what I've learned. Others, they won't appreciate what's in that book. Promise me, if anything were to ever happen to me, that you keep it with you. You're the only one who could truly understand it." 

"Nothing better ever happen to you." Angelo murmured.

Finch sighed shortly, "Angel, please."

"I promise." He turned his head to look up at him and gave him a kiss, "Just promise me you'll always be here so I don't have to worry about it."

"I'll always be there for you." Finch spoke just above a whisper.

The vampire stole another kiss from his angel. Their relationship was one to be kept secret, due to the fact they'd both surely be executed for their betrayal to their species. Finch kept his muse locked up in his workshop but Angelo didn't mind. As long as he had the person he loved, he didn't care where he was.

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2016, Varnedor, Alfeim 

In the calming mountains of the light elves' dimension, the sight of smoke billowing up to the crystal clear sky was disturbing. Down in the lower villages their was panic. As for the small cottage that was now just a frame, anxiety filled the little elf trapped inside. The flames of the building had gone out but he still felt like he couldn't breathe.

"My, my," Chris sighed as he walked through the debris, "Bad luck seems to follow you everywhere, doesn't it?" He knelt down in front of Yuki, who somehow wasn't running from him like he did with everyone else. "Shae will be here soon, I promise. He's going to take you back to the manor. You'll be safe there, okay?"

"No more bad?" He muttered.

"No more bad, Sweetie." Chris hugged him, letting the elf cling to him desperately. "All the bad things have to come to an end eventually. There are some bad things that are going to stop for me too soon, but it means I'll be going away."

Yuki sat back on, frowning deeply, "Forever?"

"Not forever. I'll see you again someday, I promise. Until then, I need a really big favor from you." He twisted his coffin shaped ring off finger, "I need you to hold onto this for me. Keep it very, very safe. Don't let go of it and don't let anyone know you have it, not even Shae. Can you do that for me?"

He forced a small smile, "Mhm." 

"Thank you, Sweetheart. I need to get back to my angel, but Shae's almost here. I promise. Will you be okay here by yourself for a few minutes?" He asked. 

Yuki nodded. Then he jumped up to steal another hug from one of the few people he trusted. It was a rarity he let anyone this close to him, but Chris was different. He actually genuinely cared and Yuki could feel that. People liked to underestimate the elf's intelligence because he's so quiet. However, he was very perceptive. He knew when people were pretending to be nice to him. 

"I'll miss you." He murmured.

Chris squeezed him tighter as comfort, "I'll miss you too." 

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2018, Qrow Manor, Vanaheim

"I've seen this before too, somewhere else." Ryan said, "Angelo had this old book he was really over protective of. He said it belonged to the person he was with before Chris. It had that same gem on the cover of it." 

"Oh my God, you're right. I never noticed before." Ricky replied, "Where-" He cut himself off as his mind began to twist.

"Are you okay?" He quickly asked.

Ricky set his fingertips against his temple, closing his eyes, "Ghost... He's talking..."

"Him and his wife have a telepathic connection." Deacon explained, turning to his companion, "Is everything alright?"

He shook his head vigorously and held his hand up to tell him to wait a second. Ricky drew in a deep breath, "He said someone's dug up Chris' grave. He's in a panic."

Everyone quickly earned a mortified expression. To disrespect the grave of such a great man was utterly disgusting to them. Even if a body is just a vessel, it's what it represents. The defilement was a sign of who exactly they were dealing with here. Someone so crude they're willing to dig up graves and murder for the sake of the stones.

The moment of silence was broken by the sound of porcelain shattering against the marble floor. Emerson's hands had gone weak suddenly. Being the one person that always kept a smile on his face, to see the fear and sorrow painted on him was terrifying to the others. He grabbed his chest with one hand, using the other to keep himself from falling into the table in front of him.

"Sebastian..." He whispered painfully. 

Jasper shot up from his seat quickly, delivering orders, "Micah, go get Remington, now. That's an order."

"Yes, my Lord." He respectfully replied.

Micah placed his hands together in a praying manor. As he separated them again, a tear was opened. To the others it was normal. They knew of his abilities, but for Ryan and Ricky, it came as a massive shock. Though they knew Ghost wasn't the only one that could create portals, it was extremely rare to find anyone that could.

"Tell Ghost to open a portal and bring the others here. Whomever is doing this, they'll start going after your family to find the rain stone." Deacon said.

"What about Felix's banishment?" He asked.

"I don't give a flying fuck," Jasper growled, "The council can kiss my ass. I need him here."

He'd known for a long time coming that danger was on the horizon but he'd never expected it this quickly. Jasper never let his anger blind him though. In fact, it seemed to give him clarity. In a way, that was a power in itself.

Another portal opened in the room. Micah pulled Remington through. Normally very competent, the elf needed a little more help. He and Emerson both had lost their strength the second they lost their brother. Once one tear had closed, quickly another opened. Being that it was rather late, most their family had been in bed. Tired and groggily, the others bad their way through. Ghost nearly collapsed into his husband the second he saw him.

"Take Emerson and Remington to the armory." The warden instructed Micah, the turned his attention to the rest of the staff. "Shae, Paris, lock down the manor. As of right now we are to consider the society under attack. No one is to leave these grounds until we know the threat has been diminished."

The aids rushed to do their duty. Ashley followed after to help, knowing they'd need her powers to fully lock down the manor. Not knowing the threat they had on their hands, they'd need any level of protection they could get. Jasper left the room after his servants to make sure all was in order.

"Angela, help our new guests to rooms." Colton said, "We need to check on our patients. This panic won't fair well for them."

Beau walked towards the door, addressing Kuza and Felix, "You two, come with me. Though the circumstances are unfortunate, at least we can bring some good out of this."

Felix sighed, "Is it bad I'm scared?"

"It's healthy fear," Ricky reassured him, "It's always healthy to fear your woman."

A loud sound filled the mansion suddenly. It was metallic, sounding rather out of place in such an old building. 

"What... was that?" Ryan asked.

"When they say lock down, they mean it. They raised metal plates over the windows and that's what you heard. Jasper only ever puts the manor under lock down when it's life or death." Felix explained. 

Ricky picked up his tired little girl, "Let's just worry about getting this little one in bed for now."

"Follow me, please." Angela softly said.

They lived a hard life, even if they tried to walk away from it. Regardless, Ghost and Ricky had both agreed to keep their youngest daughter away from all the death. They figured if they raised one of their kids without all the war around, she might not turn out as broken as her siblings. Angela led them out of the room and upstairs to the empty guest rooms. 

Eventually, they would go see their children. For the time being they needed to focus on getting settled in. No matter how happy they were to be reunited with their loved ones, there is a fear there. They all felt it considering it'd been so long. Kuza being the exception of course, since he'd only gone a week or so without Croc. He didn't harbor any anxiety, only impatience.