Evernight castle~

Inside a large room, a woman with short black hair wearing a red dress sits at a table with another woman with pale white skin, white hair tied up in a large bun and red eyes with black Scleras. The woman wore a black form-fitted dress that went down to her feet. Observing them was a young man with grey hair and black eyes wearing a slate gray and black two-tone partial-zip jacket that covered his upper body. He also wears a single notched belt with what appears to be a sash or bandana draped over it. Next to him was a girl with dark skin, red eyes and mint green hair. She wore an intricate white top and an olive-colored crop top, on the back of which had a personal emblem. This emblem had the shape of a cut gem. The rest of her attire consisted of white shorts, decorated with what appears to be a gold coin-plated belt with four gold chains draping around her back from two of the coins and what seems to be a green loincloth.

At the table, the black haired girl is breathing heavily with effort while the pale white woman has her right hand casually held out.

???: Do you feel it?

The pale woman questions as the black haired girl grunts as her left arm twitches.

???: Don't fight it, girl. It can sense your trepidation. You must make it dread you.

A soft clicking sound makes the girl turn toward the door. The atmosphere behind is black and still, except for a slowly moving forward yellow glow. The glow exits the dark hallway and comes to the light, revealing to be inside a jellyfish-based Grimm with long red tentacles and a black and white body.

The grey haired boy and mint green haired girl react fearfully to it and pull back as it enters. It glides its way over to Salem at the head of the table. Once the Grimm reaches her side, she leans closer to it. After a moment, she puts her hands together.

???: Cinder, I am going to ask you this one more time, and I expect a clear answer. Did you kill Ozpin?

The girl now known as Cinder holds her arm out, about to call for the mint haired girl over to speak for her. The pale woman slams both hands onto the table, eyes glowing as she speaks.

???: No!

Cinder lowers her arm.

???: I want to hear you say it.

She demands, causing the mint haired girl to back up. Cinder looks at the pale woman, her voice rasps a few times before she manages to make an audible yet hoarsely response.

Cinder: Yes...

The pale woman looks at her for a long moment before speaking to the Grimm next to her.

???: Reinforce our numbers at Beacon. The Relic is there.

The Grimm glides away. At the door,the two colleagues of Cinder draw away from it just as they did before. The pale woman turns her head thoughtfully, looking in the direction away from Cinder and bringing her fingers to her chin.

???: What are you planning...?

She ponders. Suddenly, as if a cold air had blown past her to make her pale skin crawl. She takes a small breath and turns to Cinder.

???: Leave me.

She orders. Cinder nods and without question, leaves rather quickly with her two subordinates. As soon as they are out of the room, the woman looks over at the end of the long table to see another figure has appeared. The figure was dressed in a blend of leather armor and rugged fabrics, practical yet stylish, featuring a long, tattered cloak that billows behind her like a shadow.

Her long, raven-black hair cascades down her back, tied into intricate braids adorned with golden yellow beads that match with the golden yellow streak in her hair. Her piercing green eyes, sharp as daggers. Slung across her back was a crossbow with what appeared to be a dust cartridge attachment. Her arsenal also consisted of a pair of wickedly curved daggers located at her hips.

???: Kaela.

The woman acknowledges the sudden appearance of her guest. Kaela however doesn't respond, as she stands at the end of the table motionless. This earns a sigh from the pale woman.

???: Apologies, Spirit.

She corrects herself. This earns a small bow from the mysterious woman as she almost seemingly hovers over to the pale woman and sits herself next to her. Her legs appearing translucent before appearing as if they are real. This revealed her footwear to be giant zipped up boots that went halfway up her legs.

Kaela: Lady Salem..

Kaela politely greet the pale woman now known as Salem. Salem leans back in her hair and rests her arms on the arms of the chair.

Salem: I hope your visit means you bring fruitful news.

Salem questions the girl. The girl hums and pus her feet up on the table. Showing off her cowgirl looking boots.

Kaela: Not news, a report.

Kaela warns as she looks over at the window as if she was purposely trying to avoid Salem's piercing gaze.

Kaela: Anyway...Gillian and her brother Jac, according to my brother, are making moves. Their group, The Crown, have acquired numerous members. Both willing and forcefully.

Salem hums to the news.

Salem: Has he approached them about joining the inner circle?

Kaela looks away from the window and at Salem.

Kaela: He's tried, mainly through Gillian. However that's easier said than done. Her brother, Jax. Has a mind control semblance. The candidates they've recruited have been appeared to be exceptionally powerful.

Salem shrugs, trying to understand the problem. Kaela sighs at this.

Kaela: Gillian and Jax never leave each other's side. As glad as he would be to get them both on our side, Jax appears to be a risk.

Salem nods as she looks away and brings her finger to her chin.

Salem: What else...?

She asks.

Kaela: It took some 'persuasion'. But, Lionheart has agreed to help us.

Salem looks at her from the corner of her eye causing Kaela to sigh and wave her hand around.

Kaela: He has till Watt's arrival to find the spring maiden. I made it very clear that I would return if results aren't produced.

Salem doesn't acknowledge her answer but turns away from her.

Salem: Is your clan ready to move with Adam?

She asks. Kaela kicks off the table and stands. She bows.

Kaela: Just waiting for your command, my queen.

Kaela says lastly before heading back to the door Cinder and her sidekicks left through.

Salem: How IS your brother?

This question causes Kaela to stop. She ponders for a moment before continuing on.

Kaela: For our clan's sake. At least one of us can stick to the present and not the past.

She responds before leaving the room. As she closes the door, her eyes narrow as her head hangs low.

Flashback~

???: You would have us join the same thing we've fought against from the very beginning...?

A male shadowy figure says. Kaela looks up at the figure to see him sitting on a chair.

Kaela: ...She's different.

Kaela responds, however the figure leans forward .

???: ...She sounds the same as all the other hierarchical characters we've come across.

Kaela shook her head, denying the accusation.

Kaela: No! She has promised us that we, no, everyone would no longer feel oppressed by the higher class! Isn't that what we've been fighting all these years.

The figure in the chair slams his fist into the arm of the chair and stands.

???: WE have been fighting for OUR people!

Kaela: Brother please! If you would at least listen to what she has to say. Listen to what she told me. You would see that she has plans for us as well.

Kaela protests. Her protest causes the figure to go silent. A small hum is heard from the figure as he then walks towards her and puts his hand on her shoulder. Breathing heavily through his nose, he gives her a nod.

???: Alright....I'll hear her out.

Kaela smiles brightly and was about to thank her brother but he puts his hand up.

???: But, if I don't like what I hear, we never discuss it again.

Kaela's mouth shuts tight. But nods nonetheless.

Kaela: Deal. You won't regret this meeting, I swear.

End of flashback~

Kaela lets out a frustrated groan as she grazes the hilt of her daggers before stopping and grabbing them and pulling them from their sheathes. She stares at the daggers, her green eyes staring back at her as she notices a small tear fall from her right eye down her cheek. She sheathes the daggers and rubs her eyes before throwing her hood over her head and floating before her body becomes almost translucent and she takes her leave.

Meanwhile~

You were in a meditative sitting position on a log, over watching Ruby and the others as they slept. You put your right hand up and open and close your hand as small blue sparks emit from your finger tips.

Wolf: So. What I used on the rock creature the other day was Solar. And this electricity is Arc?

Soul appears next to your head and comes to your hand.

Soul: Yes. Each of these abilities, these 'subclasses', have unique roles. As you could guess, Solar deals heavy damage. Arc is good for dealing with a large group of enemies but can also be a heavy hitter if you have the right modifications and artifacts.

Soul explains. You look at Soul.

Wolf: Artifacts?

Soul's shell then spreads open as it brings up a projection of odd looking objects.

Soul: These are artefacts. You can use glimmer to acquire them if you meditate. Same with more grenades for each of your abilities.

You raise an eyebrow under your mask.

Wolf: How much glimmer are we talking about?

Soul's shell shuts as you question about the cost.

Soul: Well....each grenade costs at least three thousand, plus the fragments and aspects in each class. The fragments and Aspects being twenty-five thousand each.

You stare at Soul bewildered.

Wolf: I'm sorry...what?

Soul just nods. You bring your hands together and spread them out signalling for Soul to open up. As Soul brings up the list of fragments, grenades and aspects, you look down and try to do the math.

Wolf: Eight grenades in three classes....twenty-four times three thousand. Then twelve fragments in each...thirty-six plus the three aspects which is nine so....forty-five times twenty-five thousand....

.....

.....

DING

Wolf: ONE MILLION-

Soul quickly returns to its shell and shushes you which causes you to cover your mouth. The two of you look over at the sleeping teens to see them still sleeping soundly despite your outburst.

Wolf: Sorry....still, one million, one hundred and ninety-seven thousand glimmer?!

You whisper shout. Soul sighs knowing this would probably set you off.

Soul: Don't worry, I can assist you with getting more. If you would look here.

Soul says as it opens up again showing small boxes that appear in front of you.

Soul: These are my mod slots. They can help us find more glimmer, help you get stronger-

Wolf: More glimmer? Bitchin, how we do?

Soul: First, you need to put some glimmer into me, this will raise my energy level.

He explains. You stare at him and sit back.

Wolf: Wow, imagine the wealth any government would get if they relied on your system.

You jokingly say causing Soul to close its shell a bit which pinches your finger.

Wolf: Ow! Okay, bad joke.

You say as the both of you silently go through step by step about mods and fragments. Just you, Soul and-

Wolf: Ha, sixty-nine thousand glimmer.

Another crunch is heard causing you to pull back your hand.

Wolf: Ow!
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Until next time :)