(3rd Person POV)

Within the Branwen camp, Raven was currently in her tent, sharpening the red Dust blade of her Omen when Vernal came in, with an alert.

Vernal: Raven, we have a problem.

Raven: What is it?

Vernal: Salem's found us.

Raven's eyes widen before she sighed...

Raven: Salem... Okay.

Vernal: Five of her followers are waiting to speak with you.

Raven: Right... We planned for this. Bring me my helmet.

"I WANT MY BROTHER DEAD."
CHAPTER 10: DEALS...

Outside of her tent, Cinder, Mercury, Emerald, Lauren and a quite tall thin man waited patiently or impatiently for the leader of the Branwen tribe to arrive.

Speaking of who, Raven walked out of her tent, dawning her mask but underneath she wasn't happy.

Raven: I don't recall inviting so many guests into our home. Either I'm losing my memory, or *raising her voice to her tribe* you've all lost your spines!

Cinder: Don't be too upset with them, Raven. Your men simply recognized the power of a Maiden when they see it.

Lauren: And the power of Bale, the Beast of Spite.

Cinder's eye shot out orange flames while the Beast of Spite hovered behind Lauren, coating her in a thin golden aura.

Cinder: Which is why we'd like to have a word with you.

Raven: ... *to her tribe* Leave us, pack your things then break down camp; we're moving.

The rest of the tribe began to leave as Raven stayed with Salem's faction.

Man: A little late to run and hide. You've been on our master's list for some time, so you must understand we cannot allow you to slip away.

Raven: I know all about your master, but I don't believe we've met.

Mercury: We're the guys you should be afraid of.

Raven: I doubt anyone should be afraid of you.

Lauren: Ha! See, I told you!

Mercury: Oh yeah? Tell that to-

Cinder: Quiet.

Raven: That's what I thought.

Cinder: I'm Cinder Fall. These are my associates, Arthur Watts and Lauren Kirumi. And my disciples, Emerald and Mercury.

Raven: Two children you've tricked into following you, a disgraced Atlesian Scientist, a girl who's miraculously came back to the land of the living and a Fall Maiden with a surname so appropriate, she probably picked it herself. Something tells me you've got more than a slight case of ego-mania. Is that about right?

Lauren: *snickers* You have no idea Rae Rae.

Cinder just snarled at Lauren but she didn't care as she crossed her arms while sticking her tongue out at the FALSE Maiden.

Watts:*clears throat* Technically, I was also a doctor, but I must say the rest was spot-on.

Cinder: Aren't you perceptive?

Raven: It's what kept me alive.

Cinder: I'm afraid the only reason you're still alive is because you have something our master wants.

Lauren: And the only reason you're still alive after the Fall of Beacon is because your pet, Emerald was sooooo desperate to save you that she practically forced me to get you from that damned tower.

Cinder: *irritated* Quiet!

Lauren: Jeez... Okay... Just stating facts...

Cinder: *clears throat* Of course, if I'm wrong.

She grinned while producing a magical flame in her palm and the Beast of Spite behind Lauren roared.

https://youtu.be/vB4-6BpeCVU

(The roar)

Raven: Vernal!

Vernal stepped out of the tent and went to stand next to her leader.

Cinder: So, this is the long lost Spring Maiden... Prove it.

Raven looked at Vernal before nodding. She was skeptical but sighed deeply before closing her eyes and holding her hands out. Suddenly, the wind speed began to pick up and thunder crashed as a dark swirling, almost hurricane cloud formed above the camp. As the wind picked up further, Emerald, Mercury and Watts shielded their eyes from the flying leaves while Cinder and Lauren stood there, the former with a power hungry expression on her face. Finally, Vernal relaxed herself and opened her eyes as the wind returned to normal.

Raven: Vernal has done well under my guidance. I'd take that into consideration before you try anything.

Cinder: Raven, I won't underestimate you, so please don't insult my intelligence

Lauren: Says the one who underestimated a 15 year old silver eyed girl and lost her eye and arm because of her...

Cinder: *growls* There is a slim chance you and your Maiden could escape here today.

Lauren: Her Semblance says otherwise...

Cinder: BUT if you know our master as well as you claim to, then you know you could never truly escape her. But we come bearing an olive branch.

Watts: The Maidens are merely a means to an end. Salem's true desires are the relics locked within the Huntsman Academies. Come with us, allow Vernal here to unlock the Relic of Knowledge and all previous acts of defiance against Salem will be forgiven. It's the best deal either of you are going to get.

Lauren's thoughts: Yeah no... As soon as she's done with you, you'll both die.

Bale telepathically: No shit.

Raven: You talk as if walking straight into Haven will be easy.

Cinder: That's because it will be. Headmaster Lionheart is loyal to Salem now. All we need is the key to the vault.

Lauren: Aka, Ms. Spring over there.

Cinder: You're not the only one to turn your back on Oz, Raven.

Raven: I'm not helping Salem. I'm not helping Oz. I don't want a part in any of this.

Cinder: That ship sailed when you chose to harbor a Maiden. But if you come with us to Haven, we'll leave your tribe and your little secret to live out the rest of your days squabbling in the wilderness. We just need the relic.

Bale telepathically: No they won't.

Raven: I need time to think this over.

Watts: You don't have time. In two days, Have Academy will be destroyed by the White Fang. You're going to choose now.

Raven: Backed into a corner, huh.

Cinder: So, are you with us, or against us?

. . .

After a moment of silence, Raven took off her mask.

Raven: Agreements like these are built on trust, and forgive me for saying, but I don't trust a single one of you.

Lauren: You're not the only one...

Raven: You're going to need to give me more.

Watts: You are in a poor position to negotiate.

Raven: I want my brother dead.

Their eyes widen at her claim, even Vernal and Lauren.

Cinder: Qrow?

Raven: That's right. He knows I have Spring and if I help you get your relic, he's going to become a problem. I have enough problems to deal with. Qrow doesn't trust me, but he does trust Ozpin's other lieutenants. If Leo really is loyal to you, then you can order him to invite Qrow right into an ambush. He arrives at Haven, we take him down, you get your relic and we all live happy *smirks*.

Cinder: *chuckles* Now this is a proposition I can get behind.

Watts: Alright ladies, let's pause for a moment. We have one objective, retrieving the Relic of Knowledge. Now Qrow Branwen may be on our lists of individuals we would very much like dead, but he's not going to go down without a fight and he's not going to fight quietly. Our advantage here is just as you said, we walk straight into Haven, no resistance, no one the wiser. A battle with your brother throws that all out of the window.

Raven: He's good but not that good. All of us against him, it'll be over in a heartbeat.

Emerald: But it's not just him. He has the students with him, he has Ruby.

Lauren: And let's not forget, he has my darling Dairoku with him, and he's most likely, if I'm correct, unlocked Barbatos' full potential.

Cinder's thoughts: I didn't kill him!?

Cinder: *trying to regaining composure* He certainly does...

Watts: If we leave that school a bloody mess, it will draw attention of the authorities. The kingdom will be on high alert and the White Fang's attack will be ruined.

Cinder: Then we wait. We wait until the full moon, Leo invites Qrow and his little fighters to Haven the same night Hazel and Adam arrive with the White Fang. As soon as the battle is won, the White Fang demolishes Haven and any evidence we may have left behind is lost along with the school.

Raven: Then Salem leaves my people alone. For good.

Bale telepathically; Ohohoh, this is going to go downhill.

Lauren's thoughts: Yup. And we'll watch it so we can laugh at Cinder later on.

Cinder: You have yourself a deal.

Cinder held her hand out for Raven to shake but Watts quickly grabbed her hand.

Watts: Wait. Don't think I don't see what you're after. If this falls to pieces over your grudge with two children, I will NOT be taking the blame.

Cinder: Then what are you worried about?

She activated her Maiden powers and burnt Watt's hand, forcing him to let go. Then she smugly walked over to Raven

Cinder: Fly back home and inker with your machines. And tell Salem, she'll get what she wants, and more.

Cinder yet again held out her hand to Raven but this time she took it.

.....................

Currently in the Belladonnas settlement, Ghira leaped around the room before latching onto a pillar. Then he jumped from it and clawed at a White Fang member before another one rushed him with a spear. Ghira caught it and threw her into Fennec. Corsac activated the Fire Dust in his weapon before sending a fire ball towards Ghira. He responded by throwing the spear at Corsac. The fire ball made contact with Ghira, sending him flying back while the spear pinned Corsac to the wall by his hood.

Fennec: Brother!

Ghira growled as Fennec stood up and activated the Wind Dust in his weapon, sending a tornado like attack towards Ghira who used his arms to block it but while he was preoccupied, a White Fang member tried to attack him from behind but Sun kicked in the window and knocked the White Fang member out. Corsac then freed himself by taking off his hood before joining his brother. The two combined their Dust attacks, forming a small fire whirl that was blocked by Sun spinning his staff.

Sun: Hurry!

Blake then jumped down from behind and landed in front of Fennec and Corsac. The two tried to stab her but she used an Ice Dust version of her Shadows to encase their weapons and hand in ice. All the while, Tyros dropped down from the ceiling, and fired off Ice Arrows at the feet of the two, freezing them in place.

Tyros: Dad, where's mom?

Ghira: I'm not sure. I got ambushed right away.

Blake: Once we take down Corsac and Fennec-

Ghira: No, go now.

Blake: But-

Ghira: You keep assuring me your friend isn't a complete waste of space. Let's see him prove it.

Sun: We got this guys. I've wanted to sock these creeps since the day we met.

Ghira: You'll have to get in line. Blake, Tyros, go!

Tyros: C'mon sis.

She nodded before the two ran off further into the house, all the while, Fennec and Corsac melted their way out of the ice.

Sun: I won't let you down sir!

Ghira: *slight smirk* Shut up.

Sun: *smirks* You got it.

They rushed into battle together.

.....................

Back in the Branwen Tribe, Raven was sitting on her bed, looking stressed beyond belief.

Raven: *sigh* Yes Vernal?

Vernal: I followed them as you asked.

Raven: Did they spot you?

Vernal: *scoffs* Of course not. They have a ship two clicks west from here. Looks like they're staying there for the night.

Raven: ...Thank you Vernal. Anything else?

Vernal: *looking down* Do you... actually believe they'll let us go once they have the relic?

Raven: Of course not. They'll never leave us alone. Once our purpose has come and gone, we'll be discarded. Salem only uses people until they are no longer useful. If we want to have any chance of defending ourselves against her, then we need this relic. *gets up* If Qrow and those brats wanna follow Ozpin then let them. When the chaos reaches its peak, we'll grab the relic and make our escape.

Vernal: And the fact that your Daughter will be a part of all that?

Raven: ...Doesn't matter. I warned her. She made her choice. This path won't be easy for us either but we must do what's right for the tribe.

Vernal: I know. I'll do whatever it takes.

Raven: Good.

She then left the tent before transforming into her Raven form and flying away.

...............

Back with Tyros and Blake, they made their way into a spacious room inside their house, where they met Ilia, standing on the railings of the second floor with her mask on. They began eying each other until Ilia reached for her whip.

Tyros: Blake, go find mom.

Blake: You sure?

Tyros: Yeah. Besides... We have some unfinished business...

Although skeptical, Blake nodded before running out of the room, leaving Tyros and Ilia alone, with their weapons drawn.

Tyros: Tonight Ilia, we settle things. Once and for all...

Ilia: Yes... We will... Tyros...

END
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Next chapter is Ilia and Tyros' final battle! Nothing much to say!