A new dawn in Remmant: Volume 4

A Much Needed Talk

Around a campfire, Ruby, Qrow, Azura, Byleth Jaune, Ren and Nora sat on four logs positioned in a square. Qrow has just finished telling the story of the Maidens.

There was silence and Qrow took a swig from his flask. He had a bandage wrapped around his abdomen over his clothing what Azura made.

Qrow: Really? No questions?

Jaune: Of course we have questions. This is just... a lot to take in.

Qrow: *sighs* Sure, of course.

Ruby: So these... Maidens... They're powerful fighters that don't need Dust to use magic.

Qrow: Yeah.

Nora: And there are four of them?

Qrow: Yup. Always.

Ren: Which means that, whenever one of them dies, the power transfers to someone - a female - that they cared about?

Qrow: Whoever was in their thoughts last. Important distinction. Best option is someone we can trust. Regardless, their souls become combined, in a way.

Jaune: And that's what you were trying to do to Pyrrha... the night the tower fell. You were trying to turn her into one of them.

Qrow: The previous Fall Maiden, Amber, who was the fourth teammember of Byleth, had been attacked. She was young, inexperienced. And her assailant, who we now know is Cinder, 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.

Jaune: *looks angry* So you forced it on Pyrrha.

Azura: It wasn't like that. 

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

Jaune hanged his head for a brief moment before getting up and walking several feet away from group. Qrow watched him go.

Azura: When Byleth was with you the whole time, why did he not give any signs of life? We thought he was dead or worse.

Qrow: It was his choice. He wanted to protect you all from the shadows. 

Byleth: If that's right, the girl who fought against me and works with Cinder, is with these people too.

Ruby: That guy, Tyrian - why was he after me?

Qrow: *sighs* Well, you definitely painted a target on your back with what you did at Beacon. I told you having silver eyes is a rare trait. And the fact that you were able to use them seems to have upset some very powerful people. Not many people know about the silver eyes. Those that do aren't very happy that one has surfaced. That's why I've been keeping an eye on you in order to make sure you were safe. All of you.

Ruby: Well, then, why not just travel with us? It seems like that would've been way easier.

Jaune answered her loudly enough to be heard, but with his back still turned to everyone.

Jaune: He was using you as bait.

Byleth: *warningly* Jaune...

Qrow: Look, I wouldn't put it like that - it's complicated.

Jaune: *turns back to face him* What is all of this? Ruby's being hunted, the schools are being attacked, all for what?! What is the point of all of this?! Will you just tell us what's going on?! And you, Azura! You knew it all the time but kept us in dark!?

Azura: *looks down* I wanted to tell you. All the time, but it was Ozpin's order to keep it secret. The same with Maira. Byleth was kept in the dark too. You can imagine how he felt over Amber. Losing her two times. *Byleth lowers his head*