With no choice but to follow Summer's lead through Grimm territory, Blake, Ren and Nora cautiously advanced onwards. The area they were in was a known location of several S-Class Grimm, some even stronger. Needless to say, they were all terrified, but with nowhere else to turn they faithfully followed Qrow and Summer's march for revenge.

'Are you sure you want to come with us?' Qrow asked, wanting to confirm that they did indeed wish to continue on, obviously noticing their fear. 'You don't have to, you know.'

'We're sure,' Ren answered, trying to calm himself. 'It's just... we've never been around so many strong Grimm before, so it's a little frightening.'

Nora nodded in agreement, still clinging tightly to his arm.

'Very well,' Qrow responded, turning back towards Summer and beginning to walk again. 'I understand that you're afraid. Trust me, even I'm worried about what we'll do when we find Taiyang. We may be strong, but still... he's an X-Class... anyway, I'll stop rambling. You don't want me mumbling in your ear and getting you worked up over nothing,' he said with a reassuring chuckle.

They slowly walked through the night, making their way through the Grimm sleeping on the ground silently. The last thing they wanted was an all out war against innumerable Grimm that were all far more powerful than themselves.

After an hour, Blake's breathing began to grow coarse, and a half hour later she doubled over in pain, clutching her chest.

'Blake! Are you alright?'

In her panic, Nora had completely forgotten where they were, her frantic cries rousing several Grimm from their slumber. Qrow and Summer immediately dispatched them much to the relief of the group, but they shot her a dangerous glare that told her to never do that again.

'Are you OK?' she whispered, mindful of her volume now.

'I'm fine,' Blake replied with a wince, 'it's just a cramp. Nothing to worry about,' she said with a false smile, secretly terrified on the inside.

What if this is it?

I don't want to die...

I'm scared...

But she stayed strong for her friends. If she didn't show any signs of worry, then it would at least help calm them down a little.

'Relax,' Summer interrupted, 'she's not done yet. If she was about to die she'd be in so much pain she wouldn't even be able to speak, let alone move. Her injuries are serious, and they are fatal, but it will take a little more time to claim her life.'

'How long would you say I have left?' Blake asked timidly, part of her not wanting to hear the answer.

'At best,' she started, 'a week. At worst... you have less than a day.'

Blake's anguished look spoke volumes of what kind of emotional trauma she was going through right now. The terror of knowing her own death is rapidly approaching... the helplessness of being unable to stop it... she knew she wouldn't be sleeping tonight. What if she passed in her sleep? She wasn't ready to die yet. There was still so much more she wanted to do with her life.

I want to live...

I want to survive through this...

I want to see my friends again...

I want someone I can share my deepest secrets with...

I want to be married one day and to have children, a family of my own...

Please... give me more time! All I ask is a little bit more time to live my life... is that so much to ask...?

As she stood in conflict with her thoughts, Summer and Qrow shushed them and dragged them to the ground. Snapping back to reality, Blake realised she could hear voices thanks to her superior hearing.

'You can hear them?' Summer said, noticing her straining her ears to listen to the conversation.

'Good luck... on your hunt...' Blake began to fill them in on what she could hear.

'Granberia,' she said, before looking back to the others. 'That's all I could hear.'

Upon hearing the name Granberia, Summer's memories came racing back to her. The mention of the name brought her to tears, Nora and Ren worriedly looking on as she sat with a stoic expression, tears rolling down her face.

'Looks like we're getting close,' Qrow pointed out, before standing up, scythe in hand. 'I'm going to go look around. You three stay here with Summer, OK?'

'What if any Grimm show up?' Nora asked, slightly paranoid due to the numbers of them lurking in the area.

'She can't get her revenge if she's dead. If a Grimm shows up I might actually feel sorry for it. She's ruthless when I'm not around,' he said with a slightly jokey tone. He left, and the three of them were sat in silence, waiting for one of the others to speak up so they wouldn't have to. None of them wanted to break the silence, but at the same time they didn't want to be surrounded by the uncomfortable atmosphere either.

'So... Blake,' Nora finally spoke up, 'did you... love anyone?'

The question came as a surprise to Blake. She had been so caught up worrying about what Summer had told her that she didn't think about anything else.

'No, not really,' she answered with a small smile. It was the first time Nora had seen her smile in days, so to her it meant the world. 'I wish I did, though. I kind of envy what you have with Ren, you know? You've known each other since childhood, and I... I didn't have anyone. I don't have anyone.'

'You have us,' Ren reassured, before Blake took a hostile tone with him.

'No, you have each other. I've been alone my entire life! And now that I finally thought I could move on from my past, my life is being snatched away from me!' Realising how harsh she had come across, she sheepishly apologised.

'I'm sorry, I shouldn't have snapped. I'm just... I'm scared...'

'It's OK,' Ren said with a warm smile, 'I understand. You've been told that you're going to die. It's natural to be scared. But that's why you have us here, Blake. We will help you through this, and we'll be there for you until the end. Remember that. We're your friends, Blake, and friends stick with each other through thick and thin. That's what we're here for.'

He gave her a hug, which made her unbelievably happy. Just the feeling of having someone there gave her a serene feeling of tranquility.

'Thank you,' she said, her voice swelling with gratitude.

You're a very lucky girl, Nora. You've got someone this kind and caring by your side... I'm a little jealous, actually.

Interrupting the moment, Qrow hurried back, bringing good news.

'Hey, I found a little bunker we can hole up for the night. Come on guys, let's get some rest.'

The five of them made their way to the place Qrow described, Nora helping Blake along as she was still in tremendous pain. They were glad to finally be able to rest, and as they fell asleep one by one, a thought came to Blake's mind.

Ruby, Yang... I'm sorry, but we probably won't see each other again. I hope you guys survive and live on without me.

Weiss... I suppose I'll be seeing you again soon. I hope you haven't been too lonely without us.

A single tear streaked down her face as she fell asleep. Come morning, she had passed away from her injuries, peacefully and pain free. And as much as Nora and Ren were stricken with grief, they were also happy. She was able to die happy, in peace and surrounded by people who cared deeply for her. In the early hours of the morning they carried her body out to the ocean nearby and built a small raft, putting Blake on it adorning it with various flowers. It was a beautiful yet heartbreaking sight to behold, the peaceful image of Blake's still body, surrounded by the cheerful colour of the flowers in full bloom. Even Summer couldn't help but cry at the scene. As they pushed the raft out to sea, they watched it drift slowly into the distance until they could no longer see it. Nora clenched Ren's hand tightly, with tearful eyes. The rest of the morning they spent sitting in the breeze, in remembrance of their late friend. Somehow... Nora knew she was happy. Blake was in a calm place now. A place where nothing would hurt her again. And that gave her comfort. By the time the afternoon had arrived, they were long gone, setting out again in search of the elusive 'Taiyang.' Armed with Summer's determination and Qrow's knowledge of the country, they were certain they would find him, and soon.