Darkest Nights: a RWBY Story

Chapter 22: a Trial of Fear Part 2

Jason woke up several hours later to the light of the setting sun and the smell of cooking fish. He sat up and made his way to the plateau just outside of the cave. Blake was sitting by a small campfire, cooking what appeared to be cod.
"Glad to see you're awake."
She said, smiling softly at him.
"I was able to use this,"
She indicated Blackest Night, which sat beside her,
"as a fishing spear."
Jason smiled as he sat down beside her, the firelight reflecting off the Guardian's amulet, which still hung around Blake's neck.
"The remaining power in that amulet must be what allowed you to hold that spear."
Blake nodded as she placed the fish on two flat rocks to act as plates, handing one to Jason.
"That's what I thought as well."
Blake said as they began to eat.
The fish was good. Nothing special but certainly better than nothing. Jason had always enjoyed Blake's cooking and this was no exception.
The two were silent for a while, watching the sun sink past the horizon.
Then Jason spoke up.
"How are you feeling?"
Blake sighed.
"Pretty good given our current situation."
She placed a hand on the marks on her neck.
"My body doesn't quite know what season it is here, I feel like I'm going through heat again. But apart from that, I'm fine."
Jason smirked a little before returning to a more serious tone.
"Blake... I've got to ask. Earlier, you saw my greatest fear. If you told me yours, maybe I could help you conquer it if the island forces you to face it."
Blake nodded.
"I guess,"
She said, her voice steady and careful
"I guess it would be HIM returning."
"Adam?"
Jason asked as he finished his fish.
Blake nodded.
"Even though I know he's gone, sometimes I still think of him returning and all the stuff he's done in the past."
Jason placed a reassuring hand on Blake's shoulder as she finished eating.
"No matter what happens, just remember that I'm going to be here for you."
Blake leaned on his shoulder and nuzzled his cheek affectionately.
"I know."
Jason smiles.
"And if you ever need help with your heat problem, all you need to do is ask."
Blake blushed and grinned.
"I might just take you up on that offer."
Jason stroked her cat ears gently.
The two spent another hour sitting by the fire, talking. After a while, Blake put out the fire when they spotted two Nevermore overhead. Rolling the boulder back into place, the two curled up on their ursa-pelt blanket and fell fast asleep.
When they woke up the ne next morning, Blake had the idea of hunting for more ursa pelts. Might as well be comfortable if they were going to be on the island for the foreseeable future.
They were only a hundred yards from the cave when the cold started.
Time seemed to slow as an intense fog filled the area. Jason held Blake's hand, but he felt far away to her.
"Blake."
It wasn't Jason's voice that spoke to her out of the fog, but it wasn't Adam's either.
Blake turned around to see Yang standing there, leaning on a tree.
As Blake stepped closer, she saw Yang's eyes were red with anger and there were tear tracks on her cheeks. Her robotic arm was noticeably missing.
"I trusted you!"
Yang said, taking a step towards Blake.
"We all trusted you!"
Blake took a step back as Yang advanced toward her.
"Yang what–"
"You brought the White Fang to Beacon!"
Yang indicated her stump of an arm.
"I called you a friend, and when I needed you most, you ran!"
The hurt in her voice intensified with every sentence, bringing tears to Blake's eyes.
"Yang I–"
"And then you go off with Jason! Maybe you really are as weak as Adam said! I never should have trusted you!"
Then yang vision into a burst of fire as Blackest Night passed through it, embedding itself in the tree. The fog immediately lifted and she became aware of Jason standing next to her.
Blake became aware of the tears streaming down her cheeks as Jason wipes them away.
"It's okay."
He said, his voice calming.
"The fear is gone."
Blake hugged him as she slowly stopped crying.
"I-it seemed so real."
She mumbled, not wanting to look at the spot where the vision had disappeared.
Jason snapped his fingers and the spear returned to his hand.
"So that was your greatest fear? Ultimate rejection?"
His voice was empathetic as Blake nodded.
"I guess so. I know that she doesn't think like that,"
Blake said and she sat with Jason on a rock,
"But the thing is, she has every right to. I did run when she needed me."
Jason pressed his hand to the amulet that rested just below Blake's collarbone.
"But, in the end, you came back. And she forgave you."
Blake nodded as she held Jason's hand.
"And,"
Jason continued, looking down at her,
"the guardian's amulet wouldn't have accepted you as a host of you had that much guilt in your soul."
Blake let a weak smile cross her face as Jason kissed her cheek.
"Come on,"
Jason said, standing up,
"I think I saw some edible berries on the way here, it's about time for breakfast anyway."
Blake rose, picking up the ursa pelts they had managed to gather and hoisting it over her shoulder as the two made their way back to the cave.