Chapter 29

Pyrrha was fairly certain she would die. The odds were certainly not in her favor. If she was going to die there was business to be dealt with. But Ruby was so distraught already. Discussing it in front of her would only make things worse. "Weiss...I would like to...talk about a few things…" Pyrrha started. She used her eyes to subtly gesture toward Ruby. "...that are not appropriate for certain company."

Weiss instantly realized what Pyrrha was getting at. "Yang, Ruby, make a sweep of the town." Weiss ordered. "See if there's any alternate route to the docks or anything we can use."

"But I...Pyrrha…" Ruby wept.

"Go, now." Weiss ordered. "Yang, take her."

Yang had a pretty good idea of what was going on as well. "Yes, Your Majesty." Yang said. She lifted Ruby to her feet, put an arm around her shoulders, and guided her away.

"I think this is the end for me." Pyrrha said once Ruby was out of earshot. "There are some things that need to be worked out, just in case this isn't the end of the world as well."

"Of course." Weiss said. "Do you have a will?"

"No." Pyrrha replied. "What I say here and now is my will."

"Go ahead." Weiss said.

"I'm still the Countess of Nikopolis, but I have no family I'm aware of." Pyrrha said. "I want it all to go to Ruby, the County, my estates, all my wealth, all my possessions."

"I assumed as much." Weiss said. "Go on."

"I want to be laid to rest in Nikopolis, beside my parents." Pyrrha continued. "If I have to be cremated to be transported there, that's fine. Otherwise I'd like a funeral in line with Ylissean custom."

"I'm not familiar…" Weiss started.

"Qrow is." Pyrrha cut her off. "Ruby's going to be too distraught in the immediate aftermath of my passing, so I want Yang to be in charge of everything until Ruby is ready."

"Is there anything else?" Weiss asked.

"One final request." Pyrrha replied. "Whatever may happen, I just want Ruby to be happy and safe. I'm trusting all of you to look after her."

"You know we will." Weiss said.

"I do." Pyrrha said with a sad smile. "And I probably won't have the guts to say it myself, so tell Ruby I'm sorry. I never meant to cause her any pain, but it seems that's all I've done since we met."

"Pyrrha, that's not true." Blake said. "You've made her so happy. Every relationship has its ups and downs. Even if...if it ends like this, I'm sure she won't look back and remember the pain. She'll remember all the joy you brought her."

"Thank you." Pyrrha said. "It means a lot but…"

"What are you talking about?" Ruby asked. She and Yang had done their sweep. There was not much to the village and it was almost immediately clear that there was only one way to go after Cinder.

"Nothing important." Pyrrha replied. "I guess there was nothing?"

"No." Yang confirmed. "They probably stripped the place of anything that might be useful." She shook her head. "I don't want to give up but…"

"Ren, how long do I have?" Pyrrha asked.

"Not long, a few days at most." Ren replied.

"Weiss, as Emperor, you have the authority of the church, right?" Pyrrha asked.

"I do." Weiss answered. "Why?"

"Pyrrha…" Ruby gasped.

"Ruby Rose, Duchess of Rosanne, will you marry me today?" Pyrrha asked.

"No." Ruby said. The others gasped in unison. "Not like this. Pyrrha, I love you, more than anything else, but doing this would be like giving up. I'm not giving up. When we've stopped Cinder and you're free of the curse, then we'll get married."

"Ruby…" Pyrrha said.

"You'll make it." Ruby said. "I promise. I don't know how, but we will save you."

"I...I believe you." Pyrrha said. "If anyone can do it…"

"Guys...uh...can we have some time...alone?" Ruby asked.

"Of course." Weiss said. "Just don't touch her."

"I won't let her." Pyrrha said.

"I won't try." Ruby added. With that settled the others walked a little ways away. Ren and Nora stayed nearby just in case while the others kept walking.

"I know this might be a little premature, but when it comes down to it, I think Weiss should be the one to kill Cinder." Yang said. "What she did to Pyrrha is despicable, and all the pain she's caused Ruby...but I know your reasons are stronger."

"I don't…" Weiss protested.

"No, it should be you." Blake said. "Her machinations may have caused my people great pain, but it's nothing compared to what you've had to go through."

"Weiss, you take Cinder." Yang said.

"Her life belongs to you and you alone." Blake agreed.

"Alright." Weiss said. "I will avenge my family."

The sound of pounding hooves could soon be heard. It was approaching from the landward side of the village. It could not be Qrow. He and his army were at least a whole day away. But who could it be? The group formed up around Pyrrha and Ruby as the horsemen thundered into the streets. They were lead by a familiar knight with a dragon on his armor. "Sir Taiyang?" Weiss gasped.

"Dad?!" Yang exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

"When Qrow told me what Cinder was planning and where she was, I thought you might need help." Taiyang replied. "I put Junior in charge of Chon'sin, gathered some knights and headed straight here." He noticed Pyrrha lying on the ground and Ruby kneeling at her side. "What happened?"

"Pyrrha tried to stop Cinder from boarding her ship by challenging her to a duel." Blake explained. "It went poorly...and Pyrrha's been cursed."

"There must be some way to save her." Taiyang said.

"The only way to lift the curse is to kill Cinder." Ren explained.

"So why aren't you going after her?!" Taiyang demanded.

"Because there's about one hundred elite Plegian soldiers blocking our path to the docks." Yang replied. "Attacking them without Pyrrha's aid would be suicidal, and probably would be even with her. There's a ship moored here we could use, but we can't get to it."

"I can fix that." Taiyang said. He had 17 knights including himself. He gestured towards them. "We don't have the numbers to win the battle outright, but we can make an opening big enough to get you to that ship."

"Dad, you'll die." Yang protested.

"Maybe, but I can't stand to see my daughter like this." Taiyang said. "I know how it feels to lose the one you love." He stared off into the distance for a few seconds before snapping back to reality. "Maybe the world even hangs in the balance too. Besides, I can handle myself, thanks to this baby." He slung a huge hammer off his back. It was even larger than Magnhild. "Those Plegians won't know what hit them."

"I like him." Nora said, elbowing Ren in the ribs.

"We'll punch a hole in their line, you guys run through to the ship." Taiyang said. "I'll have one of my knights stay back to care for Pyrrha while…"

"I'm going with them." Pyrrha said. "Tie me to my Pegasus."

"You're in no condition…" Weiss started.

"If these are my last days, I want to spend them with my friends." Pyrrha cut her off. "I'm going."

"Very well." Weiss sighed. "Sir Taiyang, we'll follow your lead. If this works they'll sing songs about your bravery."

"Emperor Weiss, if you'd please." Taiyang said. Weiss stood at his side along with Ren. Taiyang's knights formed a wedge behind him, the hollow space in the middle filled by the rest of Weiss group.

Ren nodded to indicate he was ready. "Fire." Weiss said. She took Myrtenaster in hand and with a flick of her wrist launched a line of flames straight into the Plegian formation. Ren added to the fire as he spoke a spell from his tome. The Plegian soldiers not directly hit pushed away from the conflagration, creating the smallest of gaps. It was all the knights would need.

"Charge!" Taiyang shouted, raising his hammer over his head. He and his knights surged forward with Weiss and Ren joining the rest of their group in the knights' wake. The heavily armored horsemen slammed into the Plegians with hammers and lances, forcing open a gap in their defensive position. Taiyang and a few of his knights managed to punch all the way through, and Weiss' group was able to gallop straight for the docks unimpeded.

Just as he cleared the last few Plegian soldiers, Taiyang's horse was killed beneath him. He tumbled to the ground but rolled to his feet. Just beyond Yang slid her horse to a stop. "Dad!" She shouted.

"Go on!" Taiyang yelled back. "I'll hold them off." The two knights that had pushed all the way through with Taiyang were cut down but he was undaunted. Yang hesitated but moved on with the others. As they rushed aboard a ship and set sail, Taiyang faced down the entire Plegian force. He was alone, his other knights having been killed or failed to break through and now separated from him. He swung his hammer around, over his head, and slammed it down, shattering the paving stones. "Come on!" He challenged. "Let's see what you've got!"

Mercury took the helm of the ship, Cinder commanding him on the course to set. "When this is all over, I want a mansion, with servants, and a harem." Mercury said.

"And you'll have it all, as promised." Cinder said. "Our victory is near. Once I've summoned Salem, we'll all have everything we could ever want. Wealth, power, fame, it will all be ours." Cinder looked around. Emerald was leaning against the rail lining the edge of the ship. "Is something wrong Emerald? Seasick?"

"Oh, no...I'm fine." Emerald said. She continued staring out to sea.

Cinder walked over and put a gloved hand on Emerald's shoulder. "You can talk to me." She said. "What's bothering you?"

"I'd rather not say." Emerald sighed. "You'll be angry."

"I could never be angry at my most faithful servant." Cinder encouraged.

"Fine." Emerald relented. "What you did to the Countess of Nikopolis...it was...cruel."

"I am cruel to those who stand in my way." Cinder said. "She has been a constant thorn in my side."

"So why not just kill her?" Emerald asked. "Why make her suffer? She was just fighting to avenge her parents. I'm sure you can understand why she opposed you."

"Death would have been a mercy." Cinder said. "My friends, like you, deserve to best of treatment, freedom from suffering of any kind. My enemies do not deserve mercy."

"I guess." Emerald said.

"Feeling better?" Cinder asked.

"A little." Emerald replied. "I think I just need some sleep."

"Go ahead and take a rest." Cinder said. "You'll want to be wide awake for Salem's arrival."

Luckily sailing was among one of Pyrrha's many skills. She was too weak to actually do the work, but from a makeshift bed the others had constructed, she was able to instruct everyone on what needed to be done. Before long they were out of sight of shore, on the open sea. Cinder had a few hours head start on a nearly identical ship, and they were heading to the same place. Origin Peak. The island between Valm and Plegia had been the site of Grima's resurrection in the time of Chrom, and the site of the final battle that had killed the Fell Dragon. Now Cinder intended to bring a new one to life there. The journey would take a little over a day assuming the weather was good and the winds favorable. Once they arrived all that remained was a fight, one more important than any they had faced so far.

The following day Origin Peak was in sight. The fact that a towering dragon did not yet loom over it meant there was still time to stop Cinder. The island was uninhabited and had no suitable port, so Pyrrha instructed them to drop anchor in a small bay. Cinder's ship was run aground nearby. Clearly she did not care about leaving the island, no matter the outcome, but Pyrrha felt saving their ship for a return journey would be a sign of confidence and boost morale. It would only be used if they were successful after all.

Weiss thought it wise that Pyrrha remain on the ship, but she disagreed. She may not be in any condition to fight but she wanted to be close to her friends. She knew she only had hours to live. Still, she had enough energy to command her Pegasus while tied to it, using it to ferry the others to shore. Once all were on land they helped her dismount and loaded her onto a stretcher they had constructed. The altar where Cinder would perform her ritual was part way up the mountain, and the group headed for it as quickly as possible.

A series of stone steps led up to the altar. Now Weiss would not budge. Pyrrha was left at the foot of the climb and Ruby elected to stay behind with her. The rest of the group made their way up, unsure of what awaited them at the top. The steps would have exhausted most, but they were motivated, to save both their friend and the world. They reached the top, hardly breaking a sweat. Cinder and her two retainers were already there, though it was clear Cinder had not yet started the process of summoning Salem.

"I see my soldiers failed me." Cinder sighed upon seeing the approaching group. "I'll have them all executed." She shook her head. "Mercury, Emerald, deal with them."

Pyrrha lie on the ground, her head propped up to make her a little more comfortable. Ruby knelt at her side. On the other side Pyrrha's Pegasus laid down. The animal could seemingly sense the end was near for its owner, and it's usually ornery temperament shifted to one of tranquility. Pyrrha could feel that death was close. She barely had the strength to lift her arms off the ground. Ruby cried silently at her side.

"You should go join the others." Pyrrha suggested. "Cinder is powerful. They'll need your help." In truth she did not want Ruby to be there at the moment of her death. Her pain would be far too great.

"But what if we don't make it in time?" Ruby asked. "I want to be here with you."

"I'll die knowing you'll avenge me." Pyrrha said, forcing a smile.

"But what if I don't?" Ruby pressed.

"You will." Pyrrha assured her. "I know you will. You're much stronger than you think. I believe in you. I always have and I always will."

"I love you." Ruby said, her voice shaking.

"I love you too." Pyrrha said, her smile now genuine. "Take my Pegasus and go."

"He won't let me ride without you." Ruby said.

"He will." Pyrrha said. She turned to the animal. "Won't you? For me?" The animal made a noise that seemed to be confirmation, and Pyrrha certainly took it that way. "Take care of Ruby like you've taken care of me."

"One last thing." Ruby said. She bent down toward Pyrrha.

Using all of her remaining strength, Pyrrha lifted her gloved hands to Ruby's shoulders and stopped her. "You can't." Pyrrha said. "The curse."

"My life is yours." Ruby said. "You are half my heart; without you I could never be whole. I'll save us both or we'll be together in death."

"Ruby...I…I..." Pyrrha stammered, tearing up.

"I love you." Ruby said. Pyrrha gave up her resistance and let Ruby kiss her. After the kiss Ruby backed off smiling.

"I love you too." Pyrrha wept. "Now and forever." They gazed into each other's eyes for a brief moment. "Go, quickly."

"I'll stop Cinder." Ruby said. "And I'll save you. I promise." As Ruby stood so did the Pegasus. The animal looked a bit unsure but as Ruby approached it bend down slightly to let her climb onto its back. "See you soon." With a smile and a wave Ruby rode the animal skyward, heading for the top of the altar.

"I...I...can't." Emerald stammered.

"You're strong enough to defeat them." Cinder encouraged. "There's no need to be afraid."

"It's not that." Emerald said. "I...just can't."

"Oh Emerald." Cinder sighed. "I'm so disappointed in you, losing your nerve so close to the finish. No matter. I'm sure Mercury can handle them."

"Not a problem." Mercury said with a smirk. "First let's even the odds. Time for a little necromancy." He read a spell from his tome and a series of figures appeared before him. At first they were transparent and spectral, but they solidified. The horrifying thing was not what but who. Now standing between the group and Mercury were Winter, Summer, Raven, the general who had raised Ren and Nora, and...Pyrrha. "Can you kill them?" Mercury laughed. "I'll give you one last chance to surrender. If you give up now I'll let you join my harem."

"If Pyrrha…" Blake gasped.

"Winter...I can't…" Weiss said, her eyes wide with shock.

"We can do this." Yang declared. "It hurts, but they're already dead. We just have to ignore their appearances."

"I don't think I can." Nora said with tears in her eyes.

"It will be...difficult." Ren admitted.

"To hell with this!" Yang shouted. "Weiss, forget about Mercury and his ghouls, take down Cinder! I'll fight them all off if I have to." She slammed her gauntlets together and they burst into flames.

The display was enough to spur the others into action. Weiss rushed straight for Cinder, ignoring the other foes, while Ren laid down covering fire with his magic. Blake lunged forward and clashed swords with Winter while Nora attacked Summer. Yang headed straight for her mother. Weiss was able to bypass them all. Cinder drew a short sword and deflected Weiss' initial attack away. Weiss rolled out of the way as Cinder opened a tome with her other hand, producing fountains of flame from the ground all around her.