Destiny No More

Chapter 34

"We'll be on our final approach to Mistral in the next ten minutes." The pilot's voice called over the intercom system, her words breaking the awkward silence that had been left by Pyrrha's explanation.

Taiyang hadn't said anything yet, simply staring at the floor with a blank expression. Pyrrha couldn't tell if he believed her or not, but she wouldn't blame him if he didn't. She was still amazed that Ozpin and the others had believed her, a small mercy she was grateful for, but it was perhaps too much to hope such luck would hold out.

"I know how it sounds, Tai." Glynda spoke just loud enough to be heard over the engines, but kept her voice quiet enough so that their conversation wouldn't be overheard by the pilot, just as Pyrrha had done. "But I'm afraid it's the truth."

"How do you know?" Tai looked up to Glynda, sparing suspicious glances her way for a brief moment. "I mean, really? Time travel?"

The professor simply sighed, looking towards Pyrrha with an expression she could only describe as exhausted. "Qrow was tracking Amber for weeks, trying to bring her back to Beacon. When he finally managed to catch up he found her being attacked."

"By who?" Tai interrupted.

"We didn't know, but she did." Glynda nodded towards her. "Cinder Fall, an alias no doubt, there isn't any record of her existence across all of the Kingdoms; The only thing we know for sure is that they fit the standard profile of Salem's followers and they knew how to hunt down the Fall Maiden..." She paused for a moment. "-and they knew how to kill her."

Taiyang winced subtly. "I'm sorry Glynda."

"We've all lost something to this war, haven't we?" She took a moment to compose herself before continuing. "Qrow kept an eye on her the entire way here, she never left his watch. She knows things about us that she could only learn through being told, she knew where to look to root out the White Fang, and above all else, she has the Maiden powers."

Taiyang struggled to think for a moment, clearly not wanting to believe what she was saying but unable to come up with an argument against it. The Deputy-Headmistress of Beacon was possibly one of the most intelligent Huntresses in the kingdom, skilled and trained beyond what most would even be capable of; she was not easily fooled. If she believed it, then Pyrrha's story had at least some credibility.

"What was she like?" Taiyang asked. "I only ever met her a few times on visits to see Ozpin, I never got to know her."

The Professor smiled sadly. "She was smart, and dedicated, and kind... she deserved far better than to have that curse thrust upon her." She locked eyes with Pyrrha. "You both did."

"Five minutes until we're on their radar, if you want to make a detour, this is the last call."

The Professor stood and moved towards the cabin to speak to the pilot, leaving Pyrrha alone with Taiyang.

"So... the future..." It was clear he still didn't believe it, in the same way that she had struggled to believe magic was real. He would come around in time, she hoped. "Know any winning lottery numbers?"

Pyrrha smiled, exhaling softly as the tension from their discussion slowly seeped away. "Sorry, I was never much of a gambler."

"Stick with Qrow long enough and you'll pick up the vice." Taiyang's smile turned somewhat sour at the reminder of his friend's predicament.

"Qrow is the strongest huntsman I've ever seen. I'm... sure he's okay." Pyrrha hated herself for her hesitation, knowing how disingenuous it would sound. Still, she made the effort.