A/N: Alright, more RWBYhammer40k! Lots of info in this one, I hope you're all entertained! :D

Let's get to it!

Book Two: Corruption's End

Chapter 16: The Hunt Begins

"Home. Family. Illusions both… Emperor help me, I can't help but miss them." – Veteran Sergeant Janice Vadiik

Yang watched Jala Prime burn. They all did, each woadian crowding each other for a view out of the slim viewports that framed the small, grey-brown orb below them. White streaks of light slammed into the planet, each blossoming into infernos that cleansed the planet of chaos. Her friends managed to smile and make grim jokes about the fate of the traitors, but Yang couldn't stop shaking. Weiss. Weiss Schnee was capable of this. The entire world, its culture, its people… gone. Wiped from existence. Weiss had explained why she did it. What would happen if the planet was left in the hands of Chaos. It didn't help. She knew this wasn't the first planet Weiss had glassed.

"Dust." She whispered, as the last stretch of desert split and broke under the firepower of the Scythe of Morning. The power of an Inquisitor was overwhelming in its scale, choking her on the airs of its sheer ability.

A few hours later, Weiss gathered the Woadians in the great hall of the Ascendant Dawn, deciding to accompany the regiment on their journey to the next warzone, Ranshu. Accompanied by her masked guards, she stood at the head of the hall, presiding over the funeral of almost one thousand woadian dead. Many of the wrappings that adorned the metal floor did so in memoriam, as artillery had vaporized their corpses or had been left behind, abandoned after fleeing Jala Prime. It didn't sit well with Yang, who joined her comrades in the funerary procession.

A traditional dirge rang against the hull, thousands of voices bearing the hymn aloft to the distant rafters and wrapping around the colossal flying buttresses. It was not the first time it had been sung, but it was the first time it had been set loose in the bowels of a ship. Here, the words were oppressive, bearing down on Yang like an enraged goliath.

Or maybe it was because Rhain was counted among the dead. The thought was still hard to accept, difficult to wrap her mind around. It was not the first time she'd lost a friend, but the manner in which he died writhed underneath Yang's skin. It was cruel. Unfair. A single shot to the head, and the gentle, humble man who missed his family was no more. It had been so sudden, she found herself looking for him as they re-embarked, before remembering they'd abandoned his body on the blood-soaked streets of Jala Prime, purged along with the rest of the planet by thundering salvos. His necklace hung around Mael's neck, the only proof that a man named Rhain even existed.

The lilting song ended, the voices rising and fading away into the ceiling. Weiss stepped forward, spreading her hands wide to silence the murmurs. Standing atop a pedestal, surrounded by Colonel von Israfel, Commissar Daniloft, and Major Hrakksson, she cut an imposing figure.

"Greetings Woadians, loyal guardsmen all." She surveyed the sea of faces that stared at her, waiting on every word. Inquisitors were notoriously reclusive individuals, and Weiss' address piqued their curiosity. Many had not even seen her before now. "It is with a heavy heart I attend the funeral of your fallen. The Emperor rewards all that die in his service, and today, many stalwart companions took their place at his side. Know that they did not die in vain. Our expedition uncovered vital secrets. While our brothers and sisters in arms war against Abaddon on Cadia, we find our self presented with a smaller yet no less important task." Hushed whispers filled the brief pause in the Inquisitor's speech.

"A mad, warp-spawned heretic named Josephus the Corruptor is ranging free beyond the Cadian Gate, leaving untold death and destruction in his wake. My mission - our mission is thus: hunt him down like the dog he is, and purge him from existence. I have faith in you, men and women of Woadia. Our task is not an easy one, but I expect nothing less than total success. For you are staunch in your convictions, shielded by contempt and righteous in your service. You have been chosen, guardsmen! I have chosen you for a quest that others would balk at! You are my chosen, and we will. Not. Fail!" Then, she did something Yang didn't expect. Weiss slammed her heel down on the podium, the crash of power armor on metal ringing out loud and clear. "ÁUH!" She bellowed.

"ÁUH!" They replied to a man. Yang joined in, it was impossible not to. Inwardly, she praised Weiss' rhetorical ability. After spending barely ten hours on Jala Prime, they had retreated, and the casualties rankled them deeply, without any visible results. She'd turned that around with a few carefully chosen words. Just like Ros.

Yang had left her equipment in the barracks, deciding to roam the Ascendant Dawn. She was sure Weiss would find her eventually. Tying her tunic around her waist, she set off, clad in her usual tank-top and rolled-up fatigues. The first stop she made was the armory, where she picked up a brace of shells for Ember Celica. She'd used the last of her dust-shot on Jala Prime. The shells here fit her weapon, but they couldn't match the power of the ones she'd used on Remnant. Slipping a shell into her bandolier, she sighed. I guess it'll have to do.

After the armory, her feet carried her where they would, directionless, random. The endless snaking halls brought a wanderer's peace to her troubled mind. One corridor after another of pipes, wiring, miniature shrines and painted graffiti. A few months of woadian billeting had colored the Ascendant Dawn in the livery of its inhabitant agri-worlders. Knot-work imagery, woadian names and prayers had been scrawled in rough script across the walls. She ran her fingers along some of the words, wondering if any of the corpses in the great hall had written them. She continued on, watching the writings fade as she plunged further and further into the bellows of the ship.

"You'll get lost if you keep this up." Weiss melted out of the shadows, still in her power armor.

"Hey Weiss."

"You ready to talk?" Yang nodded. "Good. I know a place where we won't be disturbed." She followed her swirling duster, up many flights of stairs and several lifts. Finally, Weiss led her to a room tucked away into the uppermost loft of the Ascendant Dawn, the Empyrean Observation Deck. The room was open and airy, but devoid of inhabitants. It was sparsely furnished, containing only a few leather couches that sat in the center of the room.

Behind a wall of thick glass whorled the warp, clouds of impenetrable miasmas that danced and whirled beyond the Gellar field that protected the ship from their malice. Yang was speechless. This was chaos in its rawest, most concentrated form. Her hand caressed the glass, eyed glued to the spectacle of lights before her.

"It's beautiful." She whispered.

"Many find it horrifying, and avoid this place like the plague. I figured you would enjoy it though." Weiss produced a bottle of wine from her duster, smiling a sad smile. "Care for some wine?" Yang was agape.

"Do you go anywhere without wine?"

"Not if I can help it." She said with a shrug of her enormous shoulder pauldrons. She sat on a couch, inviting Yang to do the same. "I always find myself needing it." She didn't join her at first, instead taking careful steps towards the enormous window.

"Is knowing that this Josephus guy is around really that important?" Yang asked, fingers caressing the tempered steel-strong glass. "I lost a friend down there. Hell, Asgeg lost an arm. I need to hear that it wasn't for nothing." Weiss sipped at her wine, blue eyes parsing the infinity of the warp.

"I explained it earlier. Josephus the Corruptor has been a thorn in the side of the Imperium for many centuries. He has an uncanny knack for breeding heretics like a corpse breeds maggots. I am almost certain he is behind this torrent of revolutions. However, I gleaned something else from the Colonel. It was fragmented, but there was something about the Archives of Saint Totha..." She said, rubbing at her chin.

"The what?"

"The Archives of Saint Totha. A repository of obscure and shrouded knowledge, tucked away under the surface of Ranshu." She said. Yang couldn't fathom why anyone would make such a big deal over a glorified library. She left the window, spreading herself out on the couch next to Weiss.

"Why is he after it?"

"I don't know. But if he is, it's in our best interests to beat him there. He must be denied whatever he seeks, at every turn." The determination in her voice was so typical of Weiss, but Yang couldn't help but notice the sheer cold it bore as well.

"And he wants some dusty old books?" Weiss sighed.

"Dusty old books aren't a joke here, Yang. They are artifacts, rare deposits of knowledge. And there's power in knowledge Yang. Unbelievable power."

"And what if we're too late? What if he's not there?"

"If he's come and gone, then hopefully we can find another clue of his whereabouts. If he has not yet arrived, it's best to find out what he seeks. I have no idea what Totha's Archives could offer him, but he seeks them anyway. We must do whatever it takes to stop him before he amasses his army." Weiss scowled, swirling the contents of her polished green-glassed bottle. "I just wish it didn't take so many lives. Funerals are the worst." Yang paused, looking up at her friend.

"That reminds me, Weiss. Would you mind telling me what happened on Remnant after I… left?" Weiss nodded, before taking a swig of wine.

"Your funeral… I guess that's a good place as any to start." Removing her hat, she let her ponytail loose, ivory-white hair spilling over her armor. "It was very small. Your father and your moth-" Yang shot her a look. "Raven showed up, but they didn't speak. Blake and I made it as well. Team JNPR showed up. Cardin too."

"Cardin went?" Cinder had killed his entire team, and while Team CRDL was never Beacon's most well-loved team, they always served Ozpin faithfully. The coroners needed marrow samples to determine which boy was which.

"Cardin went. It took the death of his team, but he managed to turn into a decent human being. I think he had a crush on you too." Weiss said, a small laugh on her lips. The dark humor in her countenance vanished almost immediately. "That was it, though. Just us. Sure, the media ate up the story of your murder like jackals, but it was just us nine."

"Just nine?" Yang found that very hard to believe.

"Most of the people stirred up by the news only cared that the White Fang was making moves again. The only people who cared about you were the ones that went to your funeral." Her words were laden with ice, sending her spine into nervous convulsions. "Blake wept the entire time. When was the last time you spoke to her? Do you even remember?" Yang remained silent. "She held out hope that you'd get better, pick yourself up. She didn't give up on you, Yang."

Her hands stretched up to swallow her face, tears threatening to spill through her knotted fingers. Damn it. I shouldn't have asked. I don't know what I expected. It was too easy to picture Blake sitting alone in front of her casket, weeping at the loss of her closest friend, who she'd not spoken to in months. A black seed of guilt sprouted in her gut.

"Yang… I'm sorry. That was unkind of me. Take a deep breath. We are powerful beings here. Negative thoughts aren't just unhealthy for us anymore. They're actively dangerous." She nodded at the warp.

"It's hard." Tears pricked at the corner of her eyes.

"I know." Think of Ruby." Yang did so, and felt a measure of relief seeped through her.

"How did you know Ruby helps?"

"I read your mind Yang. I also know you had a crush on one of the Achieve Men since you were twelve."

"Whoa," Yang giggled a bit, wiping at her eyes. "That's way too personal!" Weiss smiled too, but it wasn't her most convincing effort. It was still strange to think Weiss had been inside her mind. Out of everyone in this insane galaxy, at least it was a friend. It was a small comfort.

"But I know because Ruby helps me too." Combing her voluminous hair behind her ears, Yang eyed her friend. "Even though I haven't thought of her in a long while."

"And what about your Emperor?"

"Our Emperor Yang." She took another swallow of wine. "But yes, He helps as well. I don't expect you to understand. Not fully, and not just yet. Emperor knows I didn't when I first arrived." Her eyes looked out at the vast emptiness of the warp, searching the ceaseless currents. "But no. Prayers help. As for Ruby… she's always been a beacon to me in this horrid place. Same as you."

"But not in the same way." Yang said.

"No. Not quite the same." Weiss admitted, staring into the depths the warp. Yang wasn't sure, but she could almost feel her friend's heartbreak, taste the salt tears on her tongue.

"I'm… sorry, Weiss. In another life, we'd be sisters-in-law." She gave Weiss her best smile, and she returned it, but her eyes did not leave the Empyrean.

"You think?"

"Ruby would've come around eventually. She wasn't exactly boy-crazy to begin with. And you still love her, don't you? Having a giant-ass ship and enough power to turn planets into glass didn't take that away from you. I know it." Yang said. The words were true, even if she couldn't say why. Weiss didn't reply for awhile.

"Do you know what I named my 'giant-ass ship'?" Yang shook her head. "The Scythe of Morning, after your sister. After the hope she gave me. The hope she gave to all of us." Another pause. "Thank you, Yang. Your words… mean a lot. And what about her? Do you think she's out there?" She said, gesturing at the colorful abyss.

"She could be. I died. You did too. And we both know what happened to Ruby." Weiss nodded. "It's… I don't know. It's hard to say. The possibility of seeing her again. Weiss, it's crazy to even consider."

"Speaking honestly, Yang," Weiss began, "I gave it some more thought. I want to see her more than anything else in the galaxy. More than anything than I've ever wanted in my entire life. But could you see Ruby here? Can you see her marching into the kind of combat we've seen? Fighting the monsters we fight?" Weiss' words struck a chord within her.

"I think she'd do whatever it took."

"She would hate this place. You're right, she'd do what she could. But she would be miserable. As much as I wish I could see her again, I love her too much to subject her to the Imperium." Weiss deflated, a long hiss of breath leaving her lips. "Would you want this for her?" Yang sighed.

"I don't know." She replied. Weiss was right. Even though the possibility of seeing Ruby again tore set her chest to heaving, Ruby deserved the peace she died for.

"Honestly, even with all I've said… I don't know either. What I do know is that once Abaddon is dead, we will scour the Imperium, regardless of whether or not she should be here. If she isn't, it is our loss, not hers. Nothing new to us. And if she is, she shouldn't have to suffer this galaxy alone. No one should."

"Weiss…" Her friend had trailed off, staring into space while grief-stained salt leaked from the corners of her eyes. She put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm so glad I found you. A familiar face in all this insanity… well, you're right. We're not alone anymore."

"And if we're successful in our endeavors, no one in this galaxy will ever be alone again." Weiss replied. "Fear and suspicion are rife in the Imperium, and it only serves to feed the arch-foe even further."

"But we're going to fix it." Yang said, recalling her friend's words.

"We're going to do our damndest." She said, smiling once more.

"Care to explain exactly how? It's not exactly a simple twelve-step process." Weiss shook her head.

"Not here. Later, I promise." Yang sighed, letting the matter drop for now. Weiss certainly enjoys her waiting. She nudged her friend's power armor.

"You never got past my funeral, you know."

"I didn't!" Weiss said, realizing. With a chuckle, she took another sip of wine. "We got carried away. I'm sorry. What would you like to hear about first?"

"Blake." Yang answered immediately. Weiss words had cut deeper than she let on. The fate of her best friend... hopefully Remnant had been kind to the faunus girl.

"Blake… didn't take your death well, as you can imagine. It took her a few years to recover. But she became a formidable woman in her own right. When Ozpin stepped down as Beacon's Headmaster, she was there to take his place." Yang beamed.

"Professor Belladona… it's got a ring to it!"

"No one thought so more than herself. She excelled there. Whatever support the White Fang had after killing you, it evaporated once she took charge. Placing a faunus on of one of the most powerful and prestigious seats of power." She shook her head, smiling. "Remnant. Emperor, I thought I'd forgotten it all."

"You haven't though."

"No. Just…" She sat back in her seat. "Just… pushed it down. I've been very busy these past few decades. I am not the Weiss Schnee you knew on Remnant." Her words rang across the observation chamber, silence her answer. It was Yang's turn to sigh once more.

"I know." She punched her shoulder pauldron, knuckles ringing on the ceramite. "But you're close enough. Now c'mon, Blake was a busy kitty, I bet she had more on her plate than being Headmistress."

"Well, she married Sage." Yang paused. Sage? They'd spoken three or four times at best. Holy Terra, how much did I miss?

"I… uh… Sage?"

"Sage."

"That's… wow. I can't say I expected that." Weiss smiled.

"He took up a professorship at Beacon after Blake took over for Ozpin. One thing led to another I guess." She paused, resting a hand on Yang's knee. "They are very happy." Yang nodded, a smile on her lips. Good. She deserves that much. "Hell, last I heard, she's gained three rambunctious grandchildren."

"No!" Yang said in disbelief.

"I tell you no lies, Yang Xiao Long. Still Headmistress too." Weiss offered her the bottle of wine again. Fuck it. Smothering her better judgment under a blanket of vicarious joy, she took it. Sorry Rhain. This one's for you. And for you too, Blake. The drink we should have shared at your wedding.

It tasted good, but Yang was never a sommelier. The warm trickle of alcohol running down her throat was enough.

"Easy there, Yang." She took one last swallow, handing the bottle back to Weiss.

"Sorry. I'm just… proud of her. She deserved to be happy." She chuckled. "Weird to think of her as a grandma though. Especially since I'm still in my twenties. What's up with that anyway? Why did I arrive here at the same age, when you showed up fifty years younger?" Weiss shrugged.

"I can't really say, beyond guessing at some vague machinations of the Empyrean." Yang appraised her friend.

"You've never looked into it?"

"Investigating the secrets of the warp would mean our deaths. Or worse." Weiss said, pointing at the eddies beyond the Gellar field. "That is what waits for those foolish enough to attempt at puzzling out its mysteries." The cold hiss of her words made Yang shudder. She dropped the subject.

"So what else happened on Remnant? What did Team JNPR make of life?" Weiss' brow furrowed, remembering.

"Well, Pyrrha proposed to Jaune a few years after you passed." Yang snorted, hiding her laugh behind her hand.

"Oh that is too precious."

"A few kids, as far as I can recall. Then… well… Pyrrha…" Her tone had taken a wary turn. "They never gave up their lives as huntsmen. When a few of the criminals we put away escaped… Pyrrha paid with her life."

"No."

"Neo did it. The fucking warp-spawned cunt." Weiss spat. Yang's fingers curled into fists. "Easy. It shocked me too. Emperor, that was so long ago. Jaune was never quite the same. He started sailing a few years after her death." She shrugged. "Eventually, he stopped coming to port."

"Golden Throne." Yang found herself whispering.

"I'm sorry. If you want me to stop-"

"No. I need to hear this. I should have…" She trailed off, taking a deep, rattling breath. Her fingers combed through her hair. "Fuck. I'd forgotten about everyone." Meeting Weiss' glacier-melt gaze, she continued. "You know, I accepted the Imperium as my home in an instant. Fuck." She spat. "I actually thought there wasn't anything left for me on Remnant." She sat back on the couch, leather enveloping her, swallowing her. The Empyrean whirled and danced, the sight alien yet entrancing. "I was so wrong. I…I should have been there. I miss it so much." Weiss leaned forward, putting an armored hang on her knee. It meant it to be reassuring, but all Yang felt was cold metal.

"We wanted that too, back when it was still possible. I don't blame you Yang, it's just unfortunate things turned out the way they did." Yang scoffed. Understatement of the century.

"Well, what about you, Weiss?"

"My life on Remnant? Nothing in particular stands out."

"What about your asshole dad?" Weiss laughed, a vicious grin splitting her face.

"Oh, nothing much. Just strong-armed him out of his own company. Even Winter helped with that one." Winter Schnee… a frail and sickly girl, as far as Yang could remember. She knew Weiss relationship with her was strained at best, but the siblings still bore a mutual hatred for their father. "The SDC was in my capable hands from there on out. Fixed it up best I could." She shook her head with a reluctant laugh. "I'm sorry. Discussing the SDC... it's strange."

"Why's that?" Weiss nodded towards the glass wall that kept the warp at bay beyond its thick plated glass.

"I thought my father was this vicious, evil man. I mean, he was… by Remnant standards. Here, he wouldn't be more than a pissant backwater Governor with a chip on his shoulder. But I've done things here he couldn't even dream of. Things that make him look like Saint Celestine in comparison."

"That bad?" Yang found herself reaching for the wine. At least Weiss had the decency to feel bad about it. In the Imperium, she realized, that's about as much as you can ask for. Doesn't mean I fucking like it.

"That bad. I'd give you the specifics, but I… I'm not sure you'd still want to be my friend. Emperor knows I don't have enough of them." She whispered into her hands.

"Ice Queen, the Imperium isn't exactly Remnant. I get it. I don't like it, but I get it." She took another drink. The wine was very sweet, and it helped silence the gnawing doubt that lingered in her mind. "I'm sorry for asking so many questions." Weiss waved her concerns away.

"I offered to answer them. And it feels good to talk about Remnant. It's refreshing." She looked out at the warp again before turning her gaze on Yang. "So thanks for listening. It feels good to… smile again." Yang embraced her, catching the Inquisitor by surprise.

"Thank you Weiss. Thanks for reminding me about home. I needed it."

They discussed Remnant and their coming mission for the next few hours. By the end of it all, Yang's head was swimming with information and Weiss' heady wine. Despite the grief of discovering her friends' fates, despite the regret and self-pity, it felt good to discuss Remnant with her. Cathartic. What happened, happened. Sure the whole situation sucked a fat one, but there wasn't anything she could do about it. At least her friends saw some happiness in their lives. In the end, that's all Yang could ask for.

When she returned to her barracks, the somber mood hit her at once. Many of the bunks in barracks 0914 stood empty, with immaculate, untouched sheets. Ros waved her over, where she sat with Caolin, sipping at canteens of amasec.

"Hey guys."

"You're alive." Ros said, scooting over to make room for Yang. She was in her tank-top, her shoulder bound in clean linen, her arm resting in a sling. "I was afraid our Lady'd gone and flayed you apart with her mind." Yang shook her head, smiling.

"Not quite." Ros gave her a canteen, sloshing with drink.

"Yeah, about our Lady." Caolin said, leaning over. "You never told us she was a total babe." He whispered. Ros' mouth fell open in horror. Yang, caught in the middle of a sip, almost choked on her drink. A little amasec leaked onto her chin, which she wiped away in an effort to constrain her mirth.

"Sorry Caolin, I… uh… I don't think you're her type."

"Yang is her Representative, Caolin! Emperor be good, are you that dense?"

"Why… you almost sound jealous!" Ros gave an indignant squawk, before shooting her good elbow into his guts. Yang just laughed and laughed and laughed. It felt good to laugh.

Maion lived for the hunt. It had been many years since the eldar woman began her journey on the Path of the Warrior, but the sensation of preying upon the agents of the Dark Gods never failed to bring her satisfaction. Her comrades flanked her, the steps of the Striking Scorpions silent against the branches that bore them aloft. No sound, no whispers befouled the still and quiet night. The hunters of Il-Kaithe prowled under the light of a full moon, dappled in shade by a canopy of towering trees.

They were close now. She could feel it. Her Exarch's mind touched upon hers, a scalpel left ever-sharpened by war.

Be ready, he told them. Her scorpion chainsword activated, the hushed blade thirsting for blood. Agents of the arch-foe had infiltrated this human planet a week ago, an insidious touch that grasped in the dark for some nefarious aim.

The noxious vapors of the warp wafted across her mind, spilling off the lumbering forms in the distance. There were ten of them, clad in bulky, inelegant armor, crimson with ancient red paint and the dried blood of countless battles.

But soon, they would pollute the galaxy no more. The eldar of Il-Kaithe are the vanguard against the Dark Gods, and the Striking Scorpions are the vanguard of Il-Kaithe. Many of her comrades did not believe Maion was worthy of the honor afforded by the Aspect Shrine, but their thoughts were as the beating wings of gnats.

The towering humans remained unaware of their presence, as their prey always were. They were the elite warriors of chaos, corrupted from the ranks of the astartes, but this would not save them. Fluttering prayer-sheets to their horrid masters adorned their shoulders, stained evil scripts covering their armor.

"Something's wrong, Maliph." One of them said, his voice like knives scraping a whetstone. "I smell it in the air."

"Are you a dog now?" Their leader replied, focused on their destination. "Be silent, or I will sew your mouth shut myself."

Now.

Falling from the trees, the Scorpions struck. Her blade soared into the back of her enemy, the one who had voiced a complaint to his master. The blade whirred and spat, chewing through the gaps in his ceramite with ease. Black ichor poured through, splashing against her emerald armor. He cried out in pain and rage before she jerked her sword upright, grinding the monomolecular edge of her sword against his foul heart.

Screams and the chorus of war filled the night. More humans fell, eviscerated before they could respond. Responding with uncanny alacrity, their bolt-guns barked, tracer fire shattering the trees around them, spitting broken bark and lichens. A few rounds struck home, her brethren rendered into meat before they could strike.

With a cry, her shuriken pistol barked, the whizzing rounds slicing apart the back of a man that bore a two-handed bolter. He turned to face her, hurling the colossal weapon at her when he saw she was too close. Ducking under it, she lunged forward with her sword, hoping to catch him off guard. He avoided her strike. Laughing, he drew an enormous ebony knife.

"Your witchery ends here, alien." He said, advancing. The blade hissed past her, her finely wrought wraithbone helmet flowing like water under the blow. Bringing her pistol up, she fired a salvo into his face. The shuriken ripped his helmet apart, shredding what remained of the skin on his face.

He stumbled back before spinning around and grabbing Maion. Armored fingers wrapped tight around her neck, talons scraping against her aspect armor as he choked the life from her. He beamed, sharp, shining teeth glowing in the moonlight. His knife plunged forward, screaming for her death.

Her aura shunted the blade aside.

The human gaped at her, dark pitted eyes spreading wide in surprise. Before he could strike once more, her chainsword found his neck, severing his head in a single stroke. The fingers about her neck slackened and fell away, corrupted blood pumping from the stump of his neck.

She fell deftly, her feet landing on the forest lichens without a sound. The humans had been defeated, and their corpses littered the earth, surrounded by eldar dead. Eight of her comrades had fallen, torn apart by the unremitting power of the traitorous astartes.

Thanking the gods for the protective light of her soul, she sheathed her weapons. One enemy still lived, spitting blood upon her Exarch.

"Tell us what your master seeks." He said, his sword poised above the human's neck. It laughed, a mad dog howling at the moon.

"You will discover for yourself, alien. Josephus will not be denied his prize."

"Tell us, spawn of chaos!" More mad laughter. With a roar, her Exarch jammed his sword into his throat, and the cackling peals drowned under a choking rush of ichor. He stood there, gore dripping from his weapon.

Exarch? She asked.

We must return to Il-Kaithe at once. Collect the spirit stones, Maion.

Of course. She stooped to her task, finding the torn and bloody corpse of Lorian, his blade tucked into the armor of the enemy. A good death. Her hand passed over the stone, slow and reverent in her touch. Lorian had never been her friend. He detested her and the light of her soul, which shone so bright in these dark times.

But now you lie dead. She thought. And I still live.

The spirit stone pulsed warmly in her hands.

A/N: I smell shenanigans! I hope you enjoyed it! There's a lot of info here, but don't think it'll be the last time Remnant comes up in conversation. If your favorite RWBY character wasn't mentioned, it's because there wasn't an organic way to fit them into the dialogue. Don't like it? Tough titty. :D

Some other notes: not 100% if the fight between the CSM and the SS is legit (number-wise, ambush advantage, etc.). As it is, I think it went about as well as it could have for Maion and her comrades.

Oh yeah, and Sage/Blake? Is that even a thing? I don't know, it was just there to emphasize how much Yang missed by getting offed.

Yang also sympathizes with Weiss, which is why she's not trying to mash her into a pulp with Ember Celica. Despite all that's changed, they're still friends. Yang's smart enough to know when it's okay to raise a stink and when it isn't. That being said, she's still not 100% cool with it all. More on that later! ;)

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! I know I did! Please, leave a review! Let me know what you think! Give me your WMGs, theories, criticisms, all of it's welcome!

Review Replies:

Gafgar: Not decay, but rather signs of...change. Hope you enjoyed it!

Guest: Your review confuses me. I appreciate it, but it's confusing haha

Hypothetical Spiritual Entity: Had a giggle about the proposed first meeting. :D As for Ruby and Blake, these lips are sealed!

Cullinto: Indeed, that is a feeling!

DanAbnettFan1997: I'm glad you saw that! The more people it helps, the better! So pumped you're enjoying the story!

RED Roman Pyro: Agreed! (It's why I put it in there after all! :P)

OBSERVER01: Well, 'Freezerburn' is a combo attack they use... but I'm glad you're enjoying it!

Dom380: I can't tell you, that would ruin the story! But I'm glad you're having fun! :D

coduss: The 'omakes' are also a part of the story, so don't expect too much silliness from them. *mournfully plays Awake on repeat*

reality deviant: Thanks!

Mintskittle: I think she's got a handle on things. She knows what power swords can do, I don't think she'll accidentally dice up any comrades or allied armor. :) Hopefully, I addressed your ammunition concerns! Also, you were right about the Exterminatus, but Weiss was careful enough to explain why it was necessary. She doesn't want a rampaging Yang on her hands!

TheSpawn117: That would indeed be very bad!

Nemris: Holy cow! Those are awesome! Glad you're here man! Hope you liked the chapter!

biolaj1998: Sorry haha

LegionOfMisfits: I named a side character 'Serviceman Chung', you could say I'm an ME fan! ;) But I actually didn't think of Thane when crafting Amat, but the comparisons do hold true. Cool observation! I've put a lot of thought into his creation, so I hope you won't have to hate him anytime soon.

Tuska25: Interesting theories!

Charmcaster the Mad: Thanks for the reviews! I'm glad you're enjoying the series, and I hope you catch up!

Thanks for all the reviews! Bring me more! MORE! :D Seriously though, you guys rock.

Next chapter: psyker training begins...