Darkest Nights: a RWBY Story

Chapter 9: Healing The Invisible Burden

Rain and wind rattled the windows of The Blackheart Inn. The middle-aged man at the front desk looked up as the door opened. A blast of cold air rushed inside before it was swiftly shut again. A young man, dressed in a black cloak, walked up to the front desk.

Jason Creek removed his hood to reveal his black hair and cat ears, soaking wet.
"Do you happen to have any rooms available for just one night?"
The man behind the front desk tapped on his scroll, evidently searching for an empty room. After a moment he looked at Jason.
"Room 202 is available."
Jason nodded and handed the man a small stack of lien.
"Keep the change."
Jason said as he accepted his room key.

Instead of heading to the wooden spiral staircase that led to the second floor, Jason made his way to the small lounge and sat down in a comfy leather chair in front of the fireplace. A small fire was already burning there, casting shadows over the stone walls and woodwork, giving the small lounge an air of coziness compared to the storm outside.

He had only been sitting for a few minutes before he felt a hand rest upon his left shoulder. He didn't even have to turn around to know who it was.
"Hello Talia."

Talia Creek shivered slightly as she sat down in the chair across from her brother. Even though she knew their mental bond had gotten stronger since he had taken on the power of the Guardian, it still freaked her out sometimes when he knew who was there without even seeing her.

She brushed a strand of her medium length jet black hair out of her face as her cat ears twitched. She grinned at her twin brother across the table, the firelight briefly playing across the purple streak in her hair before dancing away again.

Jason grinned at her. "Missed you sis."
Talia Smiled back. "Missed you too. I heard all about the battle of Atlas. Congratulations on family managing to defeat Adam."
Jason nodded. "Really it's me who should be thanking you. If you hadn't taught me how to use the Guardian's power for healing, I honestly don't think I would have been able to save Blake."

Talia was a healer in the Royal Army Of Remnant. She had inherited the ability to heal others through aura and, shortly before Jason's departure from Atlas, had managed to teach him quite a bit using the power of the Guardian.

The two of them ordered hot cocoa as, somewhere outside, thunder boomed and lightning lit up the night sky.

Talia smiled. "How is Blake."
Even though the two had only met on a handful of occasions, they had gotten along quite well.

Jason smiled as their cocoa arrived. "Actually she's doing great. She's made a full recovery. I've been seeing her as much as I can. Although Salem is still tracking me. That's why I wanted to see you sis, last time you mentioned there might be some way to make it so she couldn't follow me."

Talia took a long sip of her coca before answering. When she did, her voice was more serious than normal. "In theory yes, I could manipulate your aura so she wouldn't be able to track you as easily. The only problem is, I mostly only deal with healing aura, not masking it. But I'd be willing to give it my best shot."

Jason closed his eyes and felt his sister's hands on his head, just behind his cat ears. In an instant, he felt his body grow warm and felt as if a massive weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He opened his eyes and looked at his sister.

"I think it worked." He said. She hugged him.

"It's been good to see you Jason. Are you and your team still using the safe house over in Atlas?"
Jason nodded.Talia grinned.
"In that case, I might run into you guys. I'm doing a scouting mission out that way soon."
Jason sighed with relief, he didn't want to go a whole three months without seeing his sister again.

With that, the two of them said goodnight to each other and went to their respective rooms.

Jason stripped down and crawled under the covers the second he had closed and locked the door. He fell asleep instantly.