Monstra's corpse is shown to still be dissolving. In a spot on the carcass, trails of energy condense...

Down in the Atlas Vault, Winter charges at Ironwood, swinging down her sword onto his prosthetic left arm. She then draws her smaller one and attempts to stab him with it, but Ironwood dodges and jumps back. He then tries to swing his hand cannon but Winter jumps up on top of a nearby pillar.

Ironwood: Winter, do not blame me!

Ironwood fires his cannon, and Winter moves out of the way as the blast destroys the top of the pillar. Winter then creates five glyphs that launch large ice shards towards the General. Ironwood rolls out of the way.

Ironwood: I have sacrificed everything!

Winter: No, you have sacrificed everyone else! You closed the borders, you squeezed Mantle until it broke!

The two continue trading blows. The weapons lock as Ironwood's cannon begins charging up again.

Ironwood: I've only done what's best for Remnant, and no one is grateful!

Ironwood draws the white Due Process and uses it to pistol whip Winter, disorienting her.

In the pocket dimension, Cinder and Penny fly at each other, using their respective Maiden powers to clash. They fly around as people continue to run towards the portal leading to Vacuo. Cinder launches a fireball hitting Penny in the back. She then tries to use her Grimm arm to grab Penny, but a Queen Lancer summoned by Weiss is shown to fly by with Briana and get Penny out of the way. Nora watches the crowd of people running for the Vacuo portal.

Jaune: Priority one.

Nora looks back to her leader and they exchange nods, continuing with the evacuation.

With Rex and Athena, who are still continuing their battle against Ben who is somewhat struggling in the fight by his opponents.

Rex: I won't let you win!

Ben: This isn't about winning, kid! You can never win against a war!

Their swords came to clash with one another repeatedly, with Athena making sure to be mindful of the man's attacks and calls out her move.

Athena: Genesis Saber!

Athena pierce Ben with countless light blades created by ether, giving Rex a chance to strike at him.

Rex: Speed Slash!

Rex quickly did multiple slash attacks, causing Ben's Aura to flicker.

Back on the Queen Lancer summon...

Penny: Weiss, all she ever wanted was the Maiden power. I can buy you all time.

Weiss: But, Penny...

Suddenly, Weiss is struck in the back by a fireball, causing her Queen Lancer summon to disappear. They fall onto one of the platforms, both of their Auras flicker. Cinder lands nearby and smirks evilly. Penny gasps as Cinder looks to Briana and Weiss, the Staff of Creation next to her. Penny suddenly gets up and blocks her path.

Briana: Penny, what are you-

Penny: I'm right here!

Penny: I'm what you want!

Cinder: I want it all...

Cinder launches herself forward, but suddenly is kicked in the face by Blake and Luke, pushed back some distance away from them.

Luke: You're not getting anywhere near her, you whore!

Blake then looks to Weiss.

Blake: Get up!

Weiss and Briana do so, grabbing Galatine and Myrtenaster and the Staff.

Briana: Weiss, go help Ruby with Neo!

Weiss then runs off as Shulk, Luke, Blake and Penny face Cinder, their weapons at the ready.

On the Atlas cargo ship carrying the bomb, Qrow and Harriet continue their fight. Harriet kicks Qrow into the wall, who groans in pain.

Qrow: You're making a mistake, Harriet! What happened to Clover, I blame--

Harriet: (growls) Shut up ALREADY!!

Harriet then turns around and uses her speed Semblance to cut the straps holding the bomb in place, and then jumping to tilt the airship. The bomb starts to slide towards the open cargo door, and Qrow jumps in front of it, trying to hold it in place.

Harriet: Get out of the way!

Suddenly, a portal appeared in front of them as the ship jolts. Qrow and Harriet noticed Zach, Max and Yugo came out of the portal helping Qrow, grabbing the bomb with Yugo's backpack arms to help it keep it in place as they look behind them, and notice the other cargo ship being piloted by Robyn behind them. Vine uses his Semblance to hold Harriet's ship in place, being supported by Elm, using her Semblance to hold them both on top the ship they're on.

Elm: Hare, please!

Elm: Don't do this! They're still evacuating in Mantle!

Harriet: Why can't you just let me do my job?!

Elm: Because you're our friend! And we won't let you go through with this!

Harriet is taken aback and lowers her head upon hearing these words.

Yugo: Guys, I can't hold it much longer!

The bomb begins to slide forward more, and Qrow shoved out of its way.

Zach: Shit!

Qrow: No!

Qrow takes out Clover's pin and closes his eyes somberly. The Ace Ops watch in shock as the bomb begins to near the edge of the ramp. Suddenly, it stops, and Max, Zach, Yugo, Qrow and the Ace Ops breathe a sigh of relief. Suddenly, the screen on the bomb says, "INITIATE COUNTDOWN" with the prompt for "YES" being highlighted. Yugo, Qrow, Max, Zach, and Harriet look to each other in disbelief.

Back at Atlas Central Command, Watts smirks after pressing the button for the bomb.

Back in the pocket dimension, Ruby, Rin, Elena, and Crim continues to fight Neo. Neo eventually kicks Ruby to the ground, causing her Aura to flicker. Neo slowly approaches Ruby threateningly.

Weiss: Leave her alone!

Weiss slides in using her glyphs, using the Staff to knock Neo through a portal. Cinder notices this, and angrily launches flame torrents to hold back Penny, Luke, Shulk, and Blake. Cinder than kicks Blake off the platform.

Luke: Sis!

Penny: Blake! (flies towards Blake)

Meanwhile, Weiss helps Ruby back up.

Weiss: Come on, we have to do this for Yang, Mason, and Shane.

Cinder smirks. The ground begins to glow beneath Rin, Ruby, Crim, and Weiss.

Crim: Guys!

The latter notices this and pushes Rin, Ruby back and Elena tries to use her Semblance, simultaneously shoving the Staff into her hands.

Ruby: No!

An explosion goes off, knocking Ruby back. Weiss is launched up into the air before landing hard on the ground, her Aura breaking in the process. Elena's Aura was shattered as she fell and disappeared.

Rin: Elena, no!!!

Crim: Damn it!!!

Briana stopped and saw Rin calling her Faunus sister's name.

Briana: E... (She uses her Semblance and charges at Cinder with a yell) I'M GONNA FUCKING KILL YOU, BITCH!!!

Suddenly, Neo reappears. She trades blows with Ruby, managing to snatch away the Staff as she knocks her off the platform. Ruby manages to land on one of the walkways, but helplessly watches Crescent Rose slide over the edge.

Ruby: No!!

Ruby watches her weapon fall into the abyss. She looks back to Neo, who glares back at her.

On the cargo ship, the bomb starts to count down thirty seconds.

Qrow: The autopilot's locked! We gotta go!

Harriet: (falling to her knees) There's no time to make it out of the blast range... I've... killed us all... I'm sorry...

Zach: (punches Harriet's face) That's for you being a fucking dumbass, you shithead!

Max: Zach, we get it. She's not worth it. (To Harriet) I hope you're happy for your choices.

Vine uses his Semblance to reach the ship, and then uses it again to place Harriet in Elm's arms. Vine looks to bomb and ponders.

Elm: No... you can't!

Vine: (smiling sadly) I can... if it means saving all my friends.

Harriet realizes what Vine is about to do.

Harriet: NO!!!

Harriet tries to reach out for Vine, as Elm takes her inside Robyn's ship. Max, Qrow, Zach and Vine solemnly acknowledge each other, before Qrow jumps out from the ship and transforms into his corvid form to fly away.

Max: (puts his hand on Vine's shoulder) We will make sure to remember your heroic sacrifice, Vine Zeki.

Zach: You've had a good life, dude. Yugo, get us out of here.

Yugo created a portal as Zach and Max jumped in and he flew out of the ship and caught up with Qrow.

Vine uses his Semblance, creating a barrier around the ship as the bomb continues to count down. The timer goes off, and the contained explosion causes the Vine's Aura barrier to disappear. A cloud of smoke is left in its wake as Max, Zach, Mia, Robyn, Elm and Harriet look on sadly. Robyn begins to fly the ship away from Atlas.

Back in the pocket dimension...

Ruby: Whatever you wanted...

Ruby looks over her shoulder as she nears the edge of the walkway, before facing Neo again.

Ruby: I hope it was worth it.

Ruby spreads her arms wide, offering herself as a target. Neo extends Hush's blade as she prepares to go for the kill. She lunges, but Ruby deliberately falls backward before the blade can hit her; she then uses her Semblance to circle under the path, come up behind Neo and knock her over the edge, disarming her in the process. Ruby tries to catch the Staff, but Cinder launches a fire blast into her back, breaking her Aura and knocking her off the path. Ruby catches onto Neo's ankle, the former hanging from the edge of the path. Cinder grabs the Staff and approaches them. Neo reaches out to her, but Cinder's Grimm arm reaches past, grabbing the Lamp from Neo's belt.

Cinder: You should have never threatened me...

Neo looks up at her in anger as Cinder kicks Hush over the edge, into the abyss. Cinder's smirk turns to a glare as she looks from Neo to Ruby.

Cinder: And you and the boy... (Ruby tries to activate her Silver Eyes) should have never been born...

Cinder uses the Staff to smash Neo's hand, causing her to lose her grip and fall. Ruby starts to fall with her.

Rex, Rin, Crim, Briana, Blake, Luke, & Penny: RUBY!!!

Penny flies in carrying Crim and Blake. Blake is thrown forward as Penny is knocked back by Cinder's fireball. Blake manages to grab Ruby. She uses Gambol Shroud to hook onto the platform. The three try to swing back up, but Cinder launches another fire jet that burns through Gambol Shroud's ribbon.

Ruby, Crim and Blake fall and disappear into the abyss. Penny looks on, distraught.

Rex: ROSEBUD!!!

Rin: CRIM!!!

Luke: BLAKE!!!

Penny: No!

Briana: Fuck!!!

Ben: What a shame... My only regret is you seeing let your love one falling to her depths. Like they always say, chivalry is dead.

Rex: It was never about chivalry for me...

Ben: What's that?

Rex: Rubes wanted me to keep fighting for her. I just gotta do what I gotta do! That's all!

Rex gains a golden armor and a blue cape.

Everyone stopped the fight and sees a golden beam coming from Rex.

Shulk: What's that light?!

Rin: No way...!

Cinder: What?!

Weiss: Rex?!

Upon his transformation, Excalibur releases a burst of light energy.

Rex: Whoa...

Ben: That's it... The legends were true! At last! I have found the Knight Huntsman!

Rex: Read my lips. You. Will. Never. Take her!

Ben: Bring it on, kid!

Rex:
My will to fight the knight (3x)

Rex rushed at Ben, throwing a flurry of slashes towards the man of all Huntsmen and Huntresses.

Will to fight in a world inside its right and I'm alive
On my own from a world that seems alone and I'm alive
Will to survive

Ben proceeded to block with Logos, but he managed to counter attack, thrusting his sword forwards, making contact with Rex's left shoulder armor which detached and fell into the void.

Ben: Deadly Divide!

He slashes Rex with a giant blade of ether as he backs up.

My will to fight the knight (3x)

Face the knight in a world of evil light and I'll survive
On my own, overthrown, yet not alone and I'm alive
Will to survive

Rex: Speed Break!

It gives Rex an extreme boost of speed that turns him into a destructive projectile.

They both slashed and slashed against their swords, creating an X again and again. They kept slashing their blade against each other until Rex got the upper hand.

My will to fight the knight (3x)

Ben: Damn! You can't have such power!

Rex: Who cares about power?! At least I don't complain!

Will to try, I will meet you eye to eye and I'll survive
Dead of night, feel the power, feel the might and I'm alive
Will to survive

Rex did one last swing, he managed to weaken Ben, getting onto his knees.

My will to fight the knight

Rex: You want some more, tough guy!?

Ben: Heh heh heh... Oh, Rex. I am immortal, just like my queen! You cannot defeat me!

Rex: I didn't want to defeat you. (smiles under the helmet) I did it to distract you.

Ben: Distract...? (gasps and looks at Athena)

Athena: You fell right into my Holy Circle! Your Semblance can't make a dent on it!

Ben: Fuck! You brat!

Athena: Now, Rex!

Rex: Sword Bash!

He runs at Ben and slashes him as his Aura is depleted.

Ben: (coughs up blood) Fuck you, kid!

He leaned forward and fell right into the void.

Athena: See you never.

Rex's golden armor disappeared as he went on to his knees.

Athena: Rex. Do you need healing?

Rex: Nah, I'm okay. Now let's go help Penny.

Cinder prepares to attack Penny again, but is struck by Dust rounds.

Weiss: Get back!!

Weiss holds Gambol Shroud in its pistol form, firing shots at Cinder as tears stream down Weiss' face. Jaune parachutes to Nora.

Jaune: May, Joanna, any Huntsmen that went through that gate, bring 'em here!

They shake hands as Nora heads through the Vacuo portal. Weiss and Rin are seen getting knocked back as Cinder hovers above her.

Cinder: It figures that a Schnee would be the last one standing, letting all her friends die first.

Rin: And she's not gonna die on my watch!

Cinder spews a fire breath attack, but Penny flies in and blocks the attack with her Maiden swords.

Penny: You wouldn't know anything about friends...

Cinder tries to attack again, but Jaune arrives and knocks her back using the gravity Dust in Crocea Mors' shield.

Jaune, Rex, Rin, Luke, Athena, Briana, Shulk, Penny, and Weiss (dual wielding Myrtenaster and Gambol Shroud's katana), ready themselves to face Cinder again. Cinder gets back up, but suddenly her Grimm arm starts to act up.

Cinder: She's back...

Cinder creates a shockwave to knock the trio of teens back, and then launches two flame swords that Penny blocks easily. Suddenly, Cinder creates flames in a V shape, separating Rex, Jaune, Rin, Luke, Shulk, Athena, Briana, Penny, and Weiss. Penny looks to her friends,

but suddenly screams out in pain.

Rex: PENNY!!!

She looks down and notices Cinder's Grimm arm impaling her chest and starting to drain her Maiden powers. Penny notices Rin, Weiss, Briana, Luke, and Shulk jumping in to fight Cinder again before falling over. She starts to lose consciousness from blood loss. Rex, Athena and Jaune comes into her view.

Jaune: Penny! Hold on! (activates his Semblance to boost Penny's Aura) My Semblance--

Penny: No...

Penny: there's not enough time to heal me...

Athena: Don't say that! I can heal that wound up!

Jaune notices Rin, Luke, Weiss, Briana, Shulk, and Cinder still fighting behind him.

Penny: She can't get the Staff and the power... but there is something you can do...

Jaune: (taken aback) I don't know where the others are, but... They will give us time!

The scenes intercut between the two Schnee sisters fighting their respective battles: Weiss against Cinder and Winter against Ironwood.

Penny: Let me choose... this one thing... trust me...!

Rex: No...! Not happening! We can't lose you again...!

Athena: (puts her hand on his shoulder) Rex... I hate to say it, but there is another way...

As the Schnee sisters continue their battles, Jaune draws his sword, his tormented expression reflected on the blade and Rex places a hand on his shoulder and slowly nods his head and looks at Penny.

Rex: I'm sorry...

Penny: (cries) Don't be. I've lived a wonderful life and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Jaune: Rex, you do it...

Rex: What? Hell no!

Athena: What choice is there, Rex? It's your call.

Cinder knocks away Gambol Shroud and Weiss watches it fall into the abyss, before being knocked to the ground by Cinder, Luke blocked her attack.

In the Atlas Vault, Ironwood lands a devastating blow on Winter, causing her Aura to dissipate.

Cinder prepares to finish Shulk, Luke, Briana, Rin, and Weiss, but freezes when she hears Rex scream out in anguish, her expression shocked. Rex is seen standing over Penny's body as his tears drip to the floor.

Her blood drips from his crimson-stained blade. The scene fades to white.

In a white space, Penny taps her toes patiently. She then smiles as she notices someone.

Penny: (saluting) Salutations! You made it!

Winter is seen entering the white space.

Winter: Where...? What is this?

Then, someone else... Athena...

Athena: Winter.

Penny: I thought of you... and here we are.

Winter: (gasps in realization) Oh, Penny...

Athena: We didn't have a choice.

Penny: It seemed fitting that it should be you. It was your power after all.

Winter: No, Penny. You were always the real Maiden at heart. I was just a machine... just... following orders.

Penny takes Winter's hands.

Penny: You were my friend.

Aura is shown as Penny transfers the Maiden powers to Winter.

Winter: (smiling) Thank you... for trusting me with this. When you're... gone...

Penny: I won't be gone, I'll be part of you.

Athena: I'll be sending her powers and transfer them to you so Cinder can't steal it anymore.

Winter: (sobbing) Good. I'm glad.

Athena: You were a splendid soul, Penny.

Penny smiles one last time as she fades into light.

Back in the Atlas Vault.

Ironwood: So... the destiny I chose for you has arrived.

Winter gets back up.

Winter: You chose nothing.

Winter starts to levitate in the air, her weapons by her side.

Winter: This...was a gift.

She opens her eyes, blue Maiden flames coming from them. Ironwood looks on in shock. He fires another blast from his cannon, but Winter easily deflects it with an ice shield. The blast ricochets back at Ironwood, leaving a large smoke cloud on his position. Winter turns and flies into the portal.

Back in the pocket dimension, Cinder angrily launches herself forward to Rex, Athena, and Jaune. Jaune pushes her back with gravity Dust. She conjures a flaming sword and charges Jaune again. Jaune extends Crocea Mors to parry her swing, but the force of Cinder's attack shatters his blade.

Jaune looks at his broken weapon in shock, before he is knocked to the ground as Rex charges at Cinder in rage. With no time, Cinder slashed him across his left eye.

Rex let out an anguish cry that echoed through the pocket dimension.

Rin: Rex!

Luke: Holy shit, dude!

Rex covered his eye as Cinder advances on him, looking enraged.

Cinder: Where did it go?!

Suddenly, a blue blast hits Cinder. She angrily looks for where the blast came from, and sees Winter floating above her. The two Maidens clash in midair, exchanging blows of magic and swords. Winter activates a glyph summoning a flock of small Nevermores. Cinder conjures more flaming swords and launches them at the Summons, destroying some of them. However, the rest get through and surround Cinder, attacking her from all sides. Cinder creates a large fireball to free herself from the flock.

Meanwhile, Jaune helps Weiss and Athena and Rin helps Rex get away from the battle toward the gate to Vacuo with Luke, Briana and Shulk. As the Maidens clash again, Winter snatches the Staff away from Cinder, but is struck and drops it onto the path. Cinder notices the others getting away, grins savagely, and launches a fireball at them. Jaune throws his Hard-Light shield grenade to block the attack but they are both knocked back. Horrified, Winter flies toward them at high speed as the ground under them begins to glow.

Winter: No...

Cinder balls her hand into a fist, causing the ground beneath Rex, Luke, Jaune, Rin, Athena, and Weiss to explode. Jaune's Aura dissipates as Weiss, Rin, Luke, and Briana are launched over the edge.

Rex: SIS!!!

Winter: (voice breaking) WEISS!!!

Winter watches helplessly as her younger sister fall into the abyss. Athena, Jaune and Rex gets back up as Winter levitates onto the walkway. She falls to her knees and cries, slamming her fist on the ground in grief. Her eyes narrow in anger as she stares up at Cinder, who has retrieved the Staff. Suddenly, the pocket dimension shakes as an enraged female scream is heard, distracting all three of them.

Athena: It's her...

Jaune: We need to go... Now.

Shulk: Winter, we're leaving!

Winter: (glares at Cinder one last time) You... are going to pay... for everything you've done!

Rex: (shouts at Cinder) WHEN WE MEET AGAIN, I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU WHERE YOU STAND!!!

Winter, Rex, Athena, Shulk, and Jaune begin to retreat, and Cinder does the same, now having both the Staff and Lamp in her possession. Cinder exits through one of the portals leading to Atlas, and the walkways start to disappear. Jaune runs as fast as he can to the Vacuo portal. Winter notices this and tries to turn back for them, but is unable to stop herself as she passes through the gate. Shulk made it with her. Rex, Athena, and Jaune tries to jump for it as the path gives way beneath them,

but the portal disappears and they falls into the abyss as well.

In Vacuo, Nora desperately bangs on the portal, unable to go back through due to it being one way. Atlas and Mantle civilians scream as they are attacked by Ravagers. Kazuto, Mica, Kyla, Emerald, Flora, Oscar, and Ren do their best to fight them off. The horde of Grimm approach them, but they get blown away. The seven of them and the civilians notice Shulk and Winter, using her newly-christened Maiden powers to levitate in the air.

Kyla: Shulk! Where are the others?

Shulk: They... didn't make it.

Flora: You mean they're gone...

Winter notices her mother Willow, her brother Whitley, and Klein in the crowd, and tears stream from her eyes. The roar of Grimm gets her attention. She notices the horde of Ravagers and Sulfur Fish approaching.

Winter screams out and prepares to take them all on...

Back in the Vault, Ironwood regains consciousness as he hears footsteps approaching him. Cinder walks down the stairs with a smirk on her face, carrying both Relics. As she looks up, her expression changes to fear. A black cloud of smoke sweeps down the elevator shaft, then circles around Cinder.

Cinder: I... I failed you again, master. They used the Staff to save thousands. Before our allies fell, Neopolitan... killed Ruby. Ben Koa is gone. (Ironwood looks up, gritting his teeth) And before Ruby and her teammates fell, they used the Lamp's final question.

The smoke swirls together in front of Cinder, materializing into Salem herself. Her eyes narrow as she listens to Cinder's words.

Cinder: I couldn't stop them! I couldn't even stop the Maiden from escaping without putting the Relics in jeopardy... I'm... I'm sorry...

Cinder kneels before Salem, presenting the Lamp and Staff to her. After a pause, Salem leans down.

Salem: In pursuit of a new world... (takes the Relics from Cinder) No cost is too great.

Salem: You've done well, Cinder. Our work here is done.

Salem begins to walk away; Cinder follows, smirking. Ironwood, unable to get up, helplessly watches them pass him. He notices the white Due Process, and begins crawling towards it.

Salem: You said they used the Staff. I assume you rid the world of their creation. (glances back at Cinder) What did you create in its stead?

Atlas Central Command is shown engulfed in flames and smoke.

Cinder: (voiceover) I merely added more flames, to the fires of Atlas.

Through the glass, Watts is seen trying to break out by swinging a chair against the window. He screams out in desperation as the flames continue to spread...

Salem merely smiles. Ironwood tries to aim his revolver at them. On hearing the sound of its hammer, Cinder glances back at him and smirks.

Cinder: And that's... checkmate.

Cinder activates her Maiden powers and flies away. Ironwood sadly lowers his head as he accepts his fate.

The large floating landmass of Atlas falls onto the now-deserted city of Mantle, engulfed in a large dust cloud. Salem and Cinder fly away from the fallout. From the cargo ship, Max, Mia, Zach, Qrow, Yugo, Robyn, and the surviving Ace Ops watch sadly as Atlas and Mantle are abandoned. Max and Qrow desperately scream out the names of their kids and nieces as they tried to contact them, Qrow's expression turning horrified when they don't respond. Mia shed a tear as she cries over Zach's shoulder. A large tidal wave appears and engulfs both Atlas and Mantle. The flood continues until both cities have been fully submerged underwater.

Waves wash ashore along a beach. In the sand, Rex was seen as he slowly opened his one eye. He got into his knees and coughs up the water and spotted Crescent Rose is seen embedded. He crawled to it with all his might...

Rex: Rose... bud... (loses consciousness again and passes out)

The area is tropical, birds and other creatures are heard making noises. At the top of a cliff,

a large, mystical-looking tree overlooks everything around it...

END OF PART 105 AND VOLUME 8