It was night, Qrow and RNJR were gathered around a campfire as Qrow was drinking from his flask. He also had a bandage on where Tyrian managed to hurt him.

"Really? No questions?" Qrow asked.

"Of course we have questions" Jaune annoyingly glared. "This is just...a lot to take in"

"Sure, of course" Qrow nodded. Qrow knew that everyone would be questionable towards him if he told everyone what was going on.

"So these...Maidens..." Ruby trailed off. "They're powerful fighters who don't need Dust to use magic"

"Yeah" Qrow simply confirmed.

"And there are four of them?" Nora asked.

"Yep. Always" Qrow answered.

"Which means that, whenever one of them dies, transfers to someone - a female - that they care about?"

"Whoever was in their thoughts last. Important distinction" Qrow corrected. "Best option, it's someone we can trust. Regardless, their souls become combined, in a way"

"And that's what you were trying to do to Pyrrha. The night the tower fell" Jaune remembered the memory at Beacon where Pyrrha had to become the Fall Maiden. Her screams, the death, it was all too much for him. "You were trying to turn her into one of them"

"The previous Fall Maiden, Amber, was attacked. She was young, inexperienced" Qrow began. "Her assailant, who we now know as Cinder-"

"And Jotaro's mom" Ruby added.

"Yeah...But she somehow managed to steal some of her power, but not all of it. We were afraid that if we didn't do something, the rest would go to her as well" Qrow finished.

"So you forced it on Pyrrha" Jaune angrily accused.

"We didn't force anything" Qrow replied. "We explained the situation and gave her a choice, and she chose. You were there, you heard her"

Jaune was absolutely horrified at Qrow's sudden retort. He did his best not to show it on the outside and quickly stormed off into the woods.

"That guy, Tyrian. Why was he after me?" Ruby asked.

"Well, you certainly painted a target on your back with what you did at Beacon" Qrow answered. "Like I told you, having silver eyes is a rare trait. And the fact that you're someone that was able to use them seems to have upset some very powerful people. Not many people know about the silver eyes. But those who do aren't very happy that one has surfaced. That's why I've been keeping my eye on you. In order to make sure you were safe. All of you"

Jaune perked up at Qrow's words.

"But, then, why not travel with us?" Ruby questioned. "It seems like that would've been way easier"

"He was using you as bait" Jaune's use of tone and aggression easily gave away that he did not trust Qrow...at all.

"Look, I wouldn't put it like that; it's...complicated" Qrow defended himself quickly.

"What is all of this?" Jaune asked. "Ruby's being hunted, the schools are under attack, and all for what? What is the point of all of this? Can't you just tell us what's going on?!"

"Would you just sit down? You're stressin' me out kid" Qrow ordered. Jaune did as he was told, but he crossed his arms as a result, still looking sceptical. "Not many people are super religious these days"

Qrow decided to stop drinking and put away his flask for now. He then explained again...

"This world's been around for a long time; long enough that people have created dozens of gods. But if you believe Ozpin, two of them are actually real...

They were brothers. The older sibling, the god of light, found joy in creating forces of life. Meanwhile, the younger brother, the god of darkness, spent his time creating forces of destruction. As you can imagine, they both had pretty different ideas on how things should go. The older one would spend his days creating water, plants, wildlife. And at night, his brother would wake up to see all the things the elder had made and become disgusted. To counteract his brothers actions, the god of darkness brought drought, fire, famine, all that he could do to rid Remnant of life. But the life always returned.

So one night, the younger brother went and made something. Something that shared his innate desire to destroy anything and everything..."

"The creatures of Grimm" Ruby concluded.

"You guessed it" Qrow said, continuing the tale. "The older brother had finally had enough. Knowing that their feud couldn't last like this forever, he proposed that they make one final creation. Together. Something that they could both be proud of. Their masterpiece. Younger brother agreed. This last great creation would given the power to both create and destroy. It would be given the gift of knowledge, so that it could learn about itself and the world around it. And most importantly, it would be given the power to choose, to have free will to take everything it had learned and decide which path to follow: the path of light, or the path of darkness. And that is how humanity came to be"

"But...what does that have to do with us?" Ren asked. Qrow quickly made an answer...

"Well, that the kicker. See, the four gifts to mankind: knowledge, creation, destruction, and choice, isn't just metaphorical. Each of them exists in a physical form, left behind by the gods before they could abandon Remnant, and each of them were extraordinarily powerful. If someone where to collect all four, they'd be able to change the world. And that's exactly what the enemy wants. The huntsman academies were created to train generations of humanity's protectors, but they also serve another purpose: guarding the relics. When Ozpin's predecessors founded the schools, he built them around the relics to act as a fortress. Not only would they be easier to defend, but they would be constantly surrounded by trained warriors. The hope of hiding the relics would keep mankind from using them against itself. And, of course, keeping them out of her reach"

And the tale was over. Just like that.

"So yeah, there's that" Qrow sighed.

"'Her'" Ruby repeated. "You mean Salem?"

"That's right" Qrow nodded. "Not much is known about her, and quite frankly, that's not what matters. And what matters right now is that she wants the relics, and if she gets them, it's not going to end well"

At Menagerie...

Blake was leaning against a railing in her house, thinking to herself.

"You know" Kali walked up to Blake, holding a tray that held a tea set. "You could just go in and say hi"

"I don't wanna bother him" Blake replied.

"A father's never too busy for his daughter" Kali smiled.

"Not all of my friends would agree with you on that" Blake shook her head. Kali kissed her cheek and handed her the tea set.

"Here" She said.

"What is this?" Blake asked as Kali started to walk away. "Where are you going?"

"You haven't been very talkative, but that boy you brought home loves to run his mouth" Kali explained, referring to Sun. "Also, Roaul told me a lot about what you've done since you were at Beacon. I really am proud of you. Besides, I want to know more about the adventures of Team RWBY"

Kali then fully walked off, leaving Blake by herself with the tray in her hands.

"Kali. Is that you, dear?" Ghira asked. Blake was shivering in her shoes as the metal clinked together really fast. Blake soon composed herself and walked in.

"Uh, Hey, Dad" Blake greeted.

"Blake! Well, this is a pleasant surprise" Ghira smiled.

"I..."

"Please, come sit" Ghira offered. Blake smiled and walked over to the table, setting the tray down. "I've got it, please sit"

"I didn't want to bother you if you were-"

"Nonsense, I've been cooped up in her all day" Ghira chuckled, pouring some tea. He then put a sugar cube into Blake's tea. "You still take sugar, right?"

"Oh, Uh, actually-"

"Oh, I'm sorry!" Ghira gasped.

"No no no, it's fine" Blake reassured.

"Take this one" Ghira offered his tea cup.

"No, dad, it's okay" Blake took her tea cup instead.

"Are you sure?" Ghira asked, still feeling sorry.

"Positive" Blake added a smile to fully reassure her father. There was a little silence in the air, but Ghira was the one to break it.

"Old habits, I suppose"

Blake then drank her tea, soon pulling back right after, seeing as it was burning hot.

"Might want to let it cool" Ghira suggested.

"Right" Blake agreed, holding her tongue inside her mouth and setting the cup down.

"So...is it...warm, in Vale?" Ghira asked.

"Huh?" Blake tilted her head slightly in confusion.

"It just...seems like your outfit doesn't cover very much" Ghira added.

"It covers plenty" Blake replied, quickly crossing her arms.

"I mean, a little more armour might help. Don't you think?" Ghira asked.

"I'm fine. I don't need armour" Blake denied. "I can look after myself"

"I..." Ghira exhaled heavily. "I know you can. I'm sorry"

"Why?" Blake asked, confusing Ghira. It took a while for her to say her full question. "Why would you say that?"

"Sweetheart, what's wrong?" Ghira asked, kneeling down beside his daughter. "What did I say?"

"How can you still love me even after what I did?" Blake tearfully questioned.

"Blake..." Ghira took a seat next to Blake and put an arm around her in reassurance. "Your mother and I will always love you"

"You were right" Blake clenched her hands, practically on the verge of tears. "I shouted at you and yelled at you. But you were right. I called you cowards!"

"Hey, it's okay" Ghira whispered, fully enveloping Blake into a hug.

"I should've left the White Fang with you and mom. I should've listened to you and I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry" Blake remorsefully repeated.

"Blake, it's fine" Ghira reassured. "We never held anything against you, and I never feared you would fail. The only thing I ever feared was that you would fall down the wrong path, I'm so proud to see that you haven't"

"But I did!" Blake cried. "I-"

"And you pulled yourself out. You came back!" Ghira interrupted, only trying to see the positive in the situation. "There aren't many that possess that kind of strength and even fewer have the courage to face their demons again. Vale, Mountain Glenn, Beacon. You confronted the White Fang time after time"

"I didn't do it alone" Blake added.

"No, you didn't" Ghira agreed, but soon remembered. "Which is why I wanted to ask you...why did you leave Vale? Why did you leave your friends behind?"

"I-"

Blake was again, interrupted. But this time, it was when Sun crashed into the room, landing on his front.

"Sun?!" Blake screamed.

"Hey! Whoa! This isn't the bathroom! I'll just be going. Sorry to interrupt this tender family moment!" Sun nervously giggled.

"I really don't like you" Ghira glared.

"I am really sorry about that, Ghira" Roaul apologised, grabbing Sun by his collar and pulling him out of the room. He quickly put up the door and repaired it after.

"Now Roaul, I think he's alright" Ghira nodded in approval.

"He's my boyfriend, Dad" Blake added. "Sorry for not telling you earlier"

"Well, has he been protecting you?" Ghira asked.

"Always" Blake frowned.

"Then...I'll just have to wait and see" Ghira sighed. "Besides, the only one I never thought to even decline being in the White Fang would be Paikris. His family has honoured the White Fang for generations"

"He said that he didn't want to go down that path" Blake explained. "He wanted the world to be right and that he Faunus needed a voice. Sienna is the wrong one in his opinion"

"Then I guess he is a good kid" Ghira smiled. "Does HE have a lover?"

"Well, Yes...But you're gonna be surprised about it" Blake warned.

"Well then, who is it?" Ghira asked.

"It's...Weiss Schnee" Blake answered.

With Qrow and RNJR...

"Alright, so let's say we believe all of this" Jaune began. "There really is this crazy evil being behind these attacks, not just some thugs trying to become powerful. Why doesn't the world know? Why isn't Atlas going after them, or Mistral?"

"And why aren't we in more of a hurry to get to Haven?" Nora joined. "Shouldn't we be getting them a message? What if they're next?"

"The headmaster over there saw what happened to Beacon" Qrow answered. "He's not dumb. He'll be on his guard. Besides, it takes time to mobilise forces like that. Do you really think they planned that attack on Beacon overnight?"

Qrow then turned to Jaune with a stern glare.

"And to answer your question. It's the same reason we keep quiet about the Maidens. If the whole world knew about the relics, about Salem, there'd be chaos. We'd have another Great War on our hands, and this time, you'd have to fight"

Jaune turned away from Qrow. This is was too much for him to handle.

"Look, I had the same questions too. But ol' Ozpin always put his foot down. 'We can't cause a panic'. Can't tell ya how many times I've heard that" Qrow continued. "Salem's smart. She works from the shadows, using others to get what she wants, so when it comes time to place the blame, we can only point at each other. She's trying to divide us - humanity. And so far, she's done a pretty damn good job"

Qrow took a drink from his flask and stared at the broken moon. Salem was quite smart to do all of the things that she had been doing right now.

"Alright. So what should we do?" Ruby asked.

"Hehe, I don't really know" Qrow answered, making everyone exchange glances with each other. "Ozpin has put a lot of trust into the headmasters. Like I said, the schools are an important part of stopping Salem. Atlas is going to be on high alert after the last attack and Vacuo is...well, Vacuo. It'll be hard to hire thieves and scoundrels to fight other thieves and scoundrels. Take that, add in the fact that Cinder and her crew claim to be from Haven, and I think it's likely to be the next target"

Qrow then stopped talking for a while, but soon had more to say...

"So, we're on our way to the headmaster. Haven't heard from him in a while, even before the attack. I'm hoping he has some answers"

Qrow then got up, holding his side in pain and pocketing away his flask.

"Alright, I think it's time you kids got some sleep" He suggested.

"Uncle Qrow?" Ruby called, grabbing his attention. "This is a lot to take in, and it all sounds crazy, but...I'm willing to do whatever I can to help, because I trust you. But why couldn't you trust me? Why couldn't you travel with us instead of all this secrecy, and, and-"

"Look, This has nothing to do with trust. I-" Qrow abruptly stopped to catch his thoughts. "It's a long story, okay?"

"Seriously?" Nora made a face that showed she was surprised. "Now you're tired of telling us stories?"

Qrow looked at the campfire and sighed. He then decided to ask a unique question.

"Did you know that crows are a sign of bad luck?" He asked. "Old superstition, but it's how I got my name. You see, some people can absorb electricity and some people and burst into rose petals and nd some people are just born unlucky. My semblance isn't like most. It's not something I can do. It's always there, whether I like it or not. Guess you can call me a bad luck charm. Come in real handy when I'm fighting an enemy, but it makes it harder on friends...and family"

"Well, you're just a real bundle of help, aren't you?" Jaune sarcastically asked.

"Yeah" Qrow then started to walk away from everyone.

"Where are you going?" Ren asked.

"Taking a walk" Qrow answered.

"There's nothing else you want to tell us?" Ruby questioned. A raven then landed on a nearby tree, staring at Qrow, who stared back.

"Not tonight" Qrow replied, walking off again. Ruby watched as her uncle walked off into the distance. Not only was she worried about her Uncle's health, but she was also worried about Amity. Tyrian took him without any remorse. She prayed on the inside that he was okay.

In Menagerie...

Blake groaned at Sun, having enough of his behaviour.

SLAP! "No concept of privacy!" SLAP! "No respect for personal space!"

"I'm sorry, Okay?! Ow, I'm sorry!" Sun shouted, holding his face as to where Blake slapped him. Blake soon tried to walk away, but Sun stopped her. "Look, I swear it was important! I had to find you to talk to you!"

"What, Sun?!" Blake huffed. "What could be so important?!"

"I was talking to your mom and she said something weird about the White Fang!" Sun informed.

"I'm stopping you right there" Blake put a finger up to halt Sun's speaking.

"But-"

"I already told you, I'm not here to fight the White Fang, I'm not here to fight anyone" Blake explained. "I'm here to rest, to figure things out, to see my family"

"Your mom said that White Fang members don't wear masks in Menagerie. But I saw one in the market yesterday!" Sun continued talking about what Kali told him. "I even have a picture!"

"Sun!" Blake shouted.

"Look, I'm just trying to help!" Sun argued.

"I don't WANT your help!" Blake took Sun's scroll and threw it away. Sun growled at Blake, but their arguing soon stopped when a gasp was heard in the distance. Blake closely analysed as to where the gasp came from and soon found a familiar figure. The figure appeared to have a White Fang mask on as it jumped from the tree it was currently on.

"A freakin' ninja?!" Sun gasped.

"A spy!" Blake corrected quickly jumping after it.

"Hey, wait!" Sun called, but it was too late, Blake was already gone.

"What's happened?" Kali asked.

"The White Fang is evil, I totally called it, and I'm bringing your daughter back!" Sun quickly answered, following Blake.

"Don't worry, Kali" Roaul reassured. "I'll return her safe and sound"

"Thank you" Kali nodded as Roaul jumped after Sun and Blake.

With RNJR and Qrow...

It was morning, everyone was in their sleeping bags and Qrow was sleeping on a nearby tree. Ren was the first to wake up.

"We should probably get moving" He suggested.

"Yeah, Yeah" Jaune woke up right after. They were soon distracted by the sound of Qrow coughing quite harshly. Ruby got out of her sleeping bag and saw that Qrow's wound not only left a graze, but it left an effect. Qrow took a hand away from his mouth, finding the same purple liquid that Tyrian injected him with. Ruby gasped in horror as to what she saw.

"Well" Qrow breathed. "That's unfortunate"

Somewhere else...

Amity was being dragged along by Tyrian, who still felt the pain in his tail after it had been cut off.

"Where...where are you...taking me?" Amity asked.

"Nothing you need to know of, I'm sure" Tyrian smiled. "The goddess will be so proud of me"

"God help me" Amity whispered.