Chapter 27

Weiss had not been expecting trouble. Still, she had felt compelled to follow the column transporting Cinder to Ironwood's ship. Along with Yang, she kept at a discreet distance, not sure what she was really doing. Weiss wore a hood to protect herself from the sun, and carried Myrtenaster on her belt. Attempting to escape would be folly, and Cinder knew it. Even if she slipped her chains, even if she got out of the magic suppressing collar, she was still a vampire in the sun, surrounded by trained soldiers wielding silver weapons. And Templar law demanded that any attempting to escape their custody be summarily executed. For Cinder to try to flee was suicide.

Weiss was shocked by what she saw. Cinder's collar was shot off and she turned to mist. A cloaked, masked figure tossed bundles of grenades at the soldiers from behind the roadside hedges. In the chaos Cinder floated away, heading for the forest. None of the soldiers were in any condition to follow Cinder, so Weiss pursued her. She could not go far in her mist form, and when she transformed back, Weiss would be ready to carry out the Templars' sentence for them.

Weiss and Yang waited at the treeline as Cinder floated into a clearing. The mist coalesced, solidifying. There she was, finally vulnerable. "Stay out of this." Weiss commanded.

"Are you sure?" Yang pressed.

"She's mine." Weiss growled. "I can take her."

"Okay…" Yang reluctantly agreed.

Weiss walked into the clearing. Cinder spotted her. "Wonderful." Cinder grumbled under her breath.

"Surrender now and maybe the Templars won't kill you." Weiss demanded. "Maybe I won't either."

"Oh Weiss...sweet Weiss...beautiful Weiss…" Cinder chanted. She reached down toward the ground. Dirt and sand rose up, and with a burst of flame, solidified into a rough glass sword. "We don't have to fight."

"I beg to differ." Weiss drew her blade, taking a fighting stance.

"We don't have to be enemies." Cinder continued. "Join me. The Coven can use a warrior of your skill and determination."

"Never." Weiss snapped. She lunged forward, stabbing for Cinder's heart. Cinder deflected the attack, and its follow up, but made no counterattack. Weiss slashed low, stabbed high, finishing her flurry with a leaping attack. Cinder deflected or dodged them all.

"I offer you one last chance Weiss." Cinder warned. "Come with me, learn under me, together we can achieve greatness."

"You prey on the innocent." Weiss hissed. "It is my duty to protect them from monsters like you!"

"A pity." Cinder frowned. She dropped her sword, and on contact with the ground it burst, returning to the dirt and sand from whence it came.

Rushing forward, Weiss once more stabbed for Cinder's heart, only for her to step aside. In an instant she grabbed her arm, twisting until Weiss screamed, Myrtenaster falling to the ground. She had miscalculated, thinking herself powerful, well fed, hidden from the sun. Cinder was supposed to be hungry and weak, the sun's draining rays sapping her strength, it should have been no contest. But Cinder was a blooded vampire. Glynda had been right.

Cinder elbowed Weiss in the chin, shoving her back. Weiss reeled, clutching her injured wrist, glancing up just in time to dodge a lunge from her own sword. Weiss bent over backwards to dodge, almost too late. She yelled as the blade grazed her cheek to brow, narrowly missing her eye. Losing her balance, Weiss fell flat on her back. Blinded by pain and blood, she scrambled back, only for a red hot pain to pin her in place. She writhed in pain as it burned, eyes opening to find her own beloved Myrtenaster embedded in her gut, the blessed silver searing her flesh.

"I am sorry Weiss." Cinder sighed.

"Get away from her!" Yang's voice screamed from the edge of the clearing. There came a whoosh and a blast of flame, then a blinding flash.

Pyrrha found herself flat on her back. It felt as though a hot iron had been slammed into the right side of her head. She looked left. Ren and Nora were engulfed in clouds of smoke. Nora writhed on the ground clawing at her eyes, crying out in agony. Struggling, Ren attempted to drag her out of the smoke, eyes squeezed shut, until he too succumbed and collapsed beside his mate. To her right, at the front, Ironwood and Penny lie on the ground, seemingly immobile, surrounded by the collapsed heaps of the automatons. Ironwood shouted muffled orders as Penny's voice crackled in response. The Templar foot soldiers stumbled around, dazed, some clutching at their heads, others struggling for balance.

Pyrrha rolled over, grabbing her dropped weapons. She noted the blood on the road where she had fallen, but there was no time to dwell on it. She looked at a nearby Templar just in time to see blood explode from his shoulder as a bullet tore through. He collapsed, his gleaming white armor stained red. "Sniper!" Another soldier screamed. Those that could dove for the cover of the stone wall, one dragging the wounded soldier with her.

With his one functioning arm, Ironwood dragged himself out of the open. "Nikos, get to cover!" He shouted.

Pyrrha scrambled to the cover of the wall, joining the soldiers ducking behind it. "We can't let Cinder escape!"

"We can't move with that sniper firing at us!" One of the Templars protested.

"Then we need to take down the sniper." Pyrrha decided. A shot hit the wall just above her head, sending bits of stone, dirt and shrapnel raining down on her and the nearby soldiers. Knowing she would have a short window before the next shot, Pyrrha peeked over the wall, scanning the ridge for the sniper. Bingo. She the glint of a scope shining at its top. Pyrrha ducked down again, just in time as a bullet whizzed over her and struck the road beyond. "Top of the hill. Between the second and third boulders."

"Too far." A Templar warned. "Our guns don't have the range."

Pyrrha waited for another shot and peeked again, this time scanning the topography. "There's a cluster of trees to the right, should give you some cover, get you a little closer." She ducked down, again just in time. The Templars did not move. She was going to have to do it herself. "Cover me!"

Pyrrha leapt up, hopping over the wall. Ducking behind her shield, she raced for the trees. A shot struck at her feet, kicking up dirt, but she managed to make it to cover. Looking back she saw that no one had followed her. No matter. She was going to take out that sniper with or without backup. She looked up the ridge toward the cluster of boulders at the top. It was a long way, with no cover at all, the hillside only covered by short grass. There were no good options. All the approaches to the top of the ridge were just as exposed.

Pyrrha took a series of deep breaths, waiting. A shot slammed into the tree, sending splinters of bark flying. She rushed out from her covered position, ducking down behind her shield, running straight up the hill toward the sniper. The ground was uneven and steep, but she pressed on, even as a series of shots slammed into the metal of her shield, its meteorite core stopping the bullets. As Pyrrha neared her target the sniper stood, abandoning her prone position. She fired, hitting the shield near the edge, but still not penetrating it. Pyrrha was close, so close, almost there…

The sniper dropped her aim lower and fired. Pyrrha tumbled to the ground as a bullet punched through her bronze leg armor and sliced through her calf. She managed to hold onto her spear and shield, but dropped to all fours, and found herself facing down the sniper, who stood just meters away, rifle leveled at her. Their eyes met, the sniper's gaze oddly vacant, cold, almost as if she were not really seeing what was in front of her. She cycled the rifle's bolt, but hesitated. Everything seemed to slow down as Pyrrha stared down the barrel of the rifle. The sniper tensed and reached for the trigger.

A series of loud cracks rang out. The dirt at the sniper's feet was churned up, and the boulders behind her shed splinters of rock. The sniper turned her attention to the Templar soldiers, who had moved up to the trees, close enough to provide covering fire. With the sniper distracted, Pyrrha forced herself to her feet and lunged for the assailant. Pyrrha knocked the weapon aside with her shield. The sniper stumbled off balance and Pyrrha pushed forward, smashing her shield into the shooter's face.

Dropping her rifle, the sniper fell flat on her back in a daze. Pyrrha rushed forward, leveling her spear at the assailant's throat. Something was not right. Even as the injured sniper reached for her rifle, her expression remained blank, her eyes lifeless. She was acting as though she were desperate to kill Pyrrha and the Templars, yet she showed not the slightest hint of emotion. Keeping her spear pointed at the sniper, but not delivering the fatal blow, Pyrrha instead stepped on her wrist with one foot, and kicked the rifle away with the other.

Labored breaths and the clanking of gear announced the arrival of the Templars. "Specialist Zedong?!" One of them gasped at the sight of the sniper.

"She's one of yours..." Pyrrha mumbled. "Restrain her." She ordered. Pyrrha scanned the landscape while the soldiers did as instructed. "Did anyone see where Cinder went?" No one responded. Pyrrha guessed she would be heading past the ridge, further into the island's wild interior. From there Cinder could follow a valley to the coast and a potential escape. Pyrrha started moving in that direction, but only managed a few steps before dropping to all fours. Now that the adrenaline was fading, her leg burned like a hot poker had been stabbed through it, and her head felt as though it had been split open.

"Pyrrha, what's going on?" Glynda asked, having teleported to the scene after hearing the shots. "Gods you're bleeding!"

"Cinder escaped." Pyrrha groaned.

"Which way did she go?" Glynda asked. She knew Pyrrha would be alright, and Cinder would go on killing if allowed to get away.

Pyrrha nodded toward the forest beyond the ridge. "Not sure, that way I think."

Glynda knelt down, placing her hand on Pyrrha's back. "Okay, take it easy. I'll go after her."

As Glynda stood a low rumble echoed through the trees. A column of fire and smoke rose over the trees before them. Pyrrha gasped. "Gods…" Glynda hesitated before teleporting away. Pyrrha tried to stand, but pain overcame her. With adrenaline fading there was nothing to dull the pain, or to keep her going. Her vision blurred, then lost all color, before fading to black.

Cinder had but a moment to react as Yang charged towards her. With a wave of her hand, a column of dirt rose up, solidifying into a rough glass shield just before Yang slammed into it. Cinder struggled to hold the shield in place as Yang burned against it. It looked as though it would hold, until slowly, it began to give, flaking and cracking. Fear flashed in Cinder's eyes, and with a final punch from Yang, the shield disintegrated, a blinding flash engulfing Cinder as Yang's fist made contact.

Weiss watched as a column of smoke and fire rose above the clearing. The roiling fireball was mesmerizing, but Weiss' attention was soon drawn away by Cinder's desperate screams. Engulfed in flames, the vampire rolled around on the ground, crying out in pain. As the flames died down, so did her screams, until they were little more than agonized whimpers. Weiss shifted her focus to Myrtenaster, still impaling her, pinning her to the ground. She gripped the blade with her gloved hands, wrenched it free and tossed it aside.

"Gods Weiss, are you okay?!" Yang shouted. She returned to human form and crouched beside Weiss, helping her to a sitting position. "Did I burn you? I'm so sorry-"

"I'm fine, just a little singed around the edges." Weiss managed a smile. With one hand she gripped the wound in her gut, which sizzled as if the blade were still in place. "Just help me up." She draped her arm over Yang's shoulder, the aspect lifting her to her feet. Weiss started to bend down for her blade, but Yang stopped her.

"I've got it." Yang picked up Myrtenaster by the leather grip and handed it to Weiss. "What are you going to do?"

Weiss limped to Cinder, looming over her crippled, pathetic, whimpering form. "I should finish this."

"No, no don't kill her, please!" A woman's voice screamed from the edge of the clearing. Following it to the source, Weiss saw an olive-skinned, mint-haired woman rushing across the field. Yang tensed beside her, but she only rushed to Cinder, hunching over her.

"Get out of here before you get hurt too!" Yang growled.

"Haven't you done enough?!" The girl cried, glaring through tears as she crouched over the injured vampire. Cinder's wounds were extensive, her left arm barely more than bone, burned and blackened, her upper chest exposed, angry burns creeping from her stomach to her neck, before finally reaching her face, one eye burned and scabbed over, the other shut tight, bloody tears streaming down her face. "You...you monster, you demon this is sadistic!" The girl screamed. Yang's fist clenched at the term, spat as an insult to her intentions.

Cinder coughed and wheezed. "Emerald...run, run!" She managed before choking again.

Emerald shushed her. "I'm not leaving you."

"She's just a thrall." Yang spat, looking to Weiss.

"I am not her thrall!" The girl screamed, surprising them both. "I am Emerald Sustrai, chosen love of Cinder Fall, and I will defend her with my life of my own free will!" Reaching behind her back, she drew two curved knives, holding them in shaking hands in a desperate bid to ward off further attack.

"She's not worth it." Yang hissed, moving to advance, but found herself halted by a hand on her shoulder.

"No, that's enough." Weiss murmured, a pitiful look in her eyes.

"But-" Yang started.

"She can't hurt anyone now." Weiss affirmed, pulling Yang back. The aspect huffed, then jumped as a flash of light filled the clearing, Glynda appearing before them, a fist full of ligtning dispersing as she took in the scene before her. She looked in surprise at Cinder and Emerald, the latter quivering at her presence.

Glynda's gaze turned to Weiss, battered and bleeding, clutching her side. The witch sighed at Weiss' apologetic smile, reaching into her pocket to withdraw a vial of red liquid. "Ruby's." She specified, handing it to Weiss. She uncorked and down half the vial as fast as possible, even cooled it sent a shiver through her form. She splashed the rest on the wound in her abdomen, the burning sensation subsiding immediately.

Before any more could be said, the Templars thudded into the clearing, surrounding Cinder and Emerald with their rifles raised. Ironwood slowly entered, another soldier supporting him as his prosthetics struggled to function. "Good job Schnee." He praised.

"Yang did most of this." Weiss admitted. "What happens now?"

Ironwood replied with a heavy sigh, frowning at the newcomer. "Who is this?"

"Emerald Sustrai, Cinder's slave I assume." Weiss replied.

"Fuck you, stay the hell aw-EUGH!" Emerald spasmed, back arching as a bolt of electricity struck her from Glynda's outstretched hand. Ironwood pointed at the soldier behind Emerald, who pulled her away, struggling weakly as control failed her, Cinder reaching desperately for her one source of comfort.

"Cinder Fall." Ironwood addressed with authority. "You have attempted to escape Templar custody." He reached for his hip, slipping a large handcannon from its holster. "In accordance with Templar Law, I sentence you to immediate execution." He extended his arm, aiming the weapon at Cinder's head, which did not rise, a single teary eye staring at Emerald's terrified gaze.

"N-no, no nooo!" Emerald screamed, and suddenly a shockwave burst through the clearing, a circular void appearing between the Templar and his target.

Fog spread forth from the portal, solidifying into the form of a tall, older woman, garbed in black, starkly contrasting with her ivory hair and unnaturally pale skin. 'Stay your hand Templar." She ordered, calmly but coldly.

Ironwood hesitated. Weiss looked to the woman, then back to the general, the look on his face shifting from cold resolution to subtle fear. Even Glynda seemed unnerved. Taking a deep breath, Ironwood let his arm fall, holstering his weapon. "Salem."

The woman ignored him, bending down to her fallen daughter. Cinder let out a sob. Salem cupped her face, then looked to Emerald, who sat awestruck. Her handler having released her in surprise, Emerald scrambled to return, kneeling before the Nosferatu, who rose, trailing a hand through the human's hair as she did. No one, not the Templars, nor Glynda, not even Yang moved a muscle. "I feel my daughter has suffered enough." Salem stated. Weiss felt a far less pleasant shiver as the vampire's gaze caught her own. "I have come to take her home."

Weiss swallowed, taking a shaky breath. "Someone must answer for her crimes." She protested. Red irises bored into Weiss, glowing in the darkness of black sclera. Weiss felt the urge to scream, to flee in terror, but stood firm.

"If you wish to punish someone, take Mercury, the parasite is not under my protection." Salem calmly stated. "If you hurry, you may catch him before he escapes this island." Her expression softened, appraising Weiss head to toe, fixing her with a curious gaze. "Hmm...bravery such as yours is rare. To challenge me shows a strength of will, or great foolishness." She praised. "I sense great power burning within you, potential wasted upon these humans…" Salem seemed to almost float forward, towering over Weiss, who struggled to maintain her composure, Yang's warm hand her anchor. "Come with me, and I will teach you to harness your true potential."

Weiss trembled, fear strangling her heart as panic threatened to prevail. "N-no." She stammered. "Please no." She barely whispered.

Salem did not flinch. "A pity." Not a hint of emotion flickered upon her porcelain features. "With my guidance you could accomplish greatness." Much to Weiss' relief, Salem strode back to Emerald and Cinder, standing between them. She shot a glance at Ironwood, who took a step back. "I apologize for the trouble my daughter has caused." Not a person in the clearing had been expecting that. "She will cause no more, you have my word." The trio burst into mist, sinking back into the black void, which disappeared as quickly as it had formed.

Silence reigned supreme, as sense slowly returned to the clearing's occupants. Glynda was the first to speak. "Yang, there are wounded that need assistance. Can you help Blake and I transport them?"

"Of course." Yang nodded.

"Weiss, are you going to be alright?" Glynda asked. The vampire did not respond, staring blankly at the spot upon which Salem had stood. "Weiss."

"W-what?" Weiss stuttered.

"Are you well enough to leave?" Glynda extended her hand, taking Yang's with the other.

Weiss shook herself, then took hold. "I am."

With a flash, they disappeared.