Yang: Salem can't be killed... you all heard her too, right?

Zach: So he was telling the truth back at Mistral about her...

Ruby: Professor... (Ozpin looks up at her)

Ruby: What is your plan to defeat Salem?

Ozpin: If I have no power to defeat Salem, then somebody must do that job and try to seal her...

Kyla: (crosses her arms) Does that mean we either make something like the vault from Mistral...

Rex: Or maybe throwing an ultimatum to get Ozpin free from the curse.

Everyone looks at Rex.

Rex: Jinn showed us four relics, right? (counts his four fingers) Creation, Knowledge, Choice, and Destruction.

Rin: From what we saw they were represent to a staff, a lamp, a sword, and a crown.

Briana: Still, what are you getting at, Rex?

Rex: If we get the staff, we can ask the spirit to create something that can help us sealing Salem. It doesn't have to be like the vault back at Mistral.

Blake: (surprised) That's... not a bad idea.

Ruby: Rex, you're a genius!!!

Weiss: But we heard that Ozpin can't stop her.

Rex: It doesn't have to be him.

Qrow: ...Kid, what you're saying is...

Rex: (nods) One of us can think what kind of deal we can trap Salem inside and be the only one who can release her.

Everyone is sharing a collective shocked expressions from the massive secret getting solved. Ozpin was in disbelief to not think outside of his job sent by the God of Light, he kept staring at Rex as if his idea was a blessing sent by Oum himself...

Elena: And here I thought I was the smart one.

Yang: You know what, that's an amazing idea!

Qrow: To think no one wanted me from the start, my semblance was a curse because of that... But after meeting Ozpin...

He gives a genuine smile.

Qrow: ...It might be the best luck I've ever got...

Ruby quickly tackles Rex into the snow as she was hugging her fiance with pure happiness.

Ruby: You're a real genius, Rexy!

Rin: If only dad were here...

Maria: Alright, alright! As much as we love to see that adorable moment, but we need to get move on. It'll be dark before we know it! There's a trail over there, trails usually lead somewhere.

Yang: Lady, I don't know who you think you are but--

Maria: (slamming her cane) No buts! I understand that you're upset. Honestly, I'm still coming to terms with the fact that this is humanity's second time around.

Maria: But, if we don't move, we die. And I'll be damned if I've lived this long just to die out here in the cold!

Ruby: She's right. Come on.

Everyone grabs their belongings and whatever Dust they can carry with them. Maria sits on Bumblebee as Yang walks her bike. Ruby walks over to Oscar and hands over the handle of his cane.

Oscar: (grabbing the cane) I'm just going to be another one of his lives, aren't I?

Ruby: (puts her hand on his) Of course not. You're your own person.

Ruby smiles and Oscar looks down nodding before walking to join the others.

In the Land of Darkness, five Nevermores are perched on a rocky outcropping with large purple crystals. They fly away when an airship flies by them heading towards a large purple structure in the distance. The airship lowers down to an outcropping that serves as a dock, and Hazel, Mercury, and Emerald hop out. As they proceed forward,

they notice Tyrian leaning against the entrance at the bottom of the stairs. His scorpion tail now has a spiked, metal tip covering it from where it was cut off.

Tyrian: (laughs) Welcome back, welcome back!

Tyrian: I do hope you missed us as much as we missed you.

Emerald and Mercury glare at Tyrian.

Hazel: Let's go.

The three proceed forward past Tyrian.

Tyrian: Speaking of which, where is our Fall Maiden?

Emerald stops upon hearing this, prompting Tyrian to giggle, causing Emerald to growl.

Mercury: Emerald, come on.

Tyrian: (in a mocking tone) Don't tell me something happened to her? (laughs)

Emerald: (turns around and draws her weapons at Tyrian) I will cut off more than just your tail.

Tyrian: (chuckles as he slowly walks toward Emerald) Careful, little girl. Cinder isn't here to protect you anymore.

Tyrian gets close to Emerald's face, causing her to back away. Tyrian intentionally cuts his cheek with the blade of Emerald's weapon. Emerald has a disturbed expression on her face upon seeing this, and Mercury steps up to hold Emerald's shoulder and scare Tyrian away from her.

Mercury: (glaring) Back off, freak.

Tyrian: Oh, don't misunderstand, I am in mourning just as you. Because it appears you've failed our Queen, and that is a tragedy.

A moment later, Tyrian drops his sympathetic facade and starts to laugh maniacally. Mercury looks back at him in disgust while Emerald has a fearful expression on her face. The two of them and Hazel turn around to proceed up the stairs as Tyrian continues laughing.

In the meeting room, Salem opens her eyes and glares at her subordinates. Tyrian and Watts are seen fearfully sitting at the table while Hazel, Emerald and Mercury are kneeling at the other end of the room.

Salem: I would like you to explain to me... how it is you failed so spectacularly?

Hazel: The Faunus Militia split our forces--

Salem: Stop.

Hazel remains silent with a fearful expression on his face.

Salem: Let me rephrase the question - who is responsible for your defeat?

Emerald and Mercury stay kneeling as Hazel stands up to give his answer. Salem listens intently.

Hazel: I take full responsibility.

Suddenly, Salem flips the table over, knocking Tyrian off his chair. Watts hastily stands up from his seat and backs away.

Salem: (angered) But that wouldn't be fair now, would it?! We all know who's truly to blame...

Salem walks forward and menacingly holds her hand out in front of her.

Hazel: I don't--

Salem motions her hand, and a glyph with her symbol appears underneath Hazel. Multiple Grimm arms come out from it and grab Hazel, forcing him down on all fours and suffocating him.

Salem: Emerald...

Salem looks over to Emerald, who is still staring down with a fearful expression.

Salem: I want you to tell me whose fault this was.

Salem slowly walks over to Emerald as she breathes heavily.

Salem: Now.

Emerald: (closing her eyes in fear) Cinder! We failed because of Cinder...

Salem: That's right. (placing a hand on Emerald's shoulder, causing her to flinch) I want you to understand that failure. I want you to understand why Cinder must be left to toil in her isolation until she redeems herself.

Salem walks away from Emerald. Both her and Mercury look up in surprise.

Mercury: You mean--

Emerald: She's alive?

Watts: You're joking, how could you know that?

Tyrian: Are you questioning our divine savior?!

Watts: (reels back) I...

Salem looks over to Watts and glares at him.

Watts: (chuckles nervously) Of course not, forgive me.

Salem proceeds to address her subordinates.

Salem: It's important not to lose sight of what drives us:

Salem: Love, justice, reverence... (she meets Emerald's eyes briefly) ...But, the moment you put your desires before my own... they will be lost to you.

Salem releases Hazel from her grasp and walks back to the other side of the room. Hazel catches his breath.

Salem: This isn't a threat. This is simply the truth. The path to your desires is only found... through me. (turns her head to glare back at them)

Hazel stands back up, Tyrian lets out a small chuckles, and Watts straightens his coat. Salem glances outside, where several Nevermores are flying, before looking down and closing her eyes.

Salem: And so we must... press on. (turns around to face her subjects) The Sword under Vacuo's academy, Shade--

Hazel: Ma'am. (everyone looks at him, Tyrian glaring) I have... more to report.

Salem's eyes narrow, and she spreads her hands, causing the Grimm arms to appear around Hazel's feet again. Hazel looks down at them nervously before explaining himself.

Hazel: Zach, Qrow, and the children are taking the Lamp to Atlas.

Tyrian: (laughs) Not if I can help it.

Hazel: And they're being led... by Ozpin.

At this, everyone slowly looks toward Salem with fearful expressions on their faces and Mercury notices the windows starting to crack.

Tyrian: So soon?!

Watts: He's the only man with a chance of getting through to Ironwood. If that happens...

Watts suddenly stops as he and everyone else notice the windows cracking.

They then look at Salem, and dark smoke emanates from her.

Salem: (furious) Leave...

Tyrian: Your Grace, I can...

Salem glares at Tyrian, causing him to reel back. Emerald looks on in fear before Hazel puts a hand on her shoulder.

Hazel: Come on.

Everyone quickly proceeds to exit the room as the windows start to crack even more. Emerald takes one last look behind her as the doors close. Salem, left alone, seethes with anger before calming herself down. Everything is seemingly quiet, but then all of a sudden,

Salem yells out in rage and the windows shatter violently.

A figure opened the door and looks around to see every window in the room shattered with Salem in all fours looking at the ground in rage.

???: You seem frustrated, my dear.

Salem's eyes widen in shock at a man's voice.

Salem: Ben?

Ben has charcoal hair and wears black shoulder pads. He also has a mahogany shirt, lavender pants, and wears black shoes.

Ben: Long time, no see. (Hold his hand out)

Salem: (takes his hand and gets up) I... missed you so much.

Ben: Me too. I heard every word.

Salem: So you knew Ozpin would be alive?

Ben: That part and I have something else to report.

He takes out his scroll and shows her a picture of Rex.

Ben: Does this kid look familiar?

Salem: That looks like-

Ben: (cuts her off) That's right. That's Max's kid.

Salem: Do you have anything on him?

Ben: His name is Rex Venti. A boy that attended at Beacon Academy. This is the boy that Cinder killed from the Fall... Now he's alive and back from the dead.

Salem: Rex... Ben...

Ben: Yes?

Salem: (eyes glow) I have a favor for you...

Ben: (smirks) Name it.

Back in the snow, Rex, Team RWBY, Team, REBL, Shane, Kyla, Crim, Mason, Qrow, Zach, Oscar and Maria proceed on the trail. The snow starts to pick up even more.

Qrow: (sighs) Doesn't look like this is gonna let up.

Blake: Just wanna get this stupid Relic to Atlas.

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

Yang: (to Maria, sarcastically) I thought trails led somewhere.

Maria: Do you have nothing better to do than to harass a defenseless old lady?

Mason: I'm surprised that we're managing to get this far, let's hope our auras are still strong holding off the cold.

Crim: I wouldn't be surprised if my aura shatter from this damn snow.

Ruby: Everyone, quiet. Do you hear that?

Everyone stops in their tracks. A metallic squeaking can be heard.

Shane: I hear.... gates?

A large farm can be seen, one of the front gates swings back and forth with the wind. A large sign above the entrance reads "BRUNSWICK FARMS". Everyone arrives at the gate.

Elena: Brunswick Farms. Never seen a farmhouse like this.

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

Kyla: Don't try to jinx it.

Weiss: It looks abandoned.

Luke: Looks like no one has been here for years. This place looks abandoned.

Ruby: It's still better than this.

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

Rex: Finally, some shelter.

Everyone proceeds through the farm's gates, with Qrow being the last to enter. The snow starts to pick up even more as the gate is heard closing with a metallic clang.

END OF PART 69