Project: RWBY

Ch 23) And Still Nothing Changes

I was unable to move, unable to look away, unable to stop what was happening. Gravity had its hooks gouged deep into my flesh, its merciless pull dragging me further down into this unending void.

"How about you take me to a five star restaurant sometime yeah?"

My vision was too blurry and this space too dark for me to be able to see the bottom. The thought that there may not be a bottom for me to hit frightened me the most.

"For as long as I'm here, I'll have your back."

Falling endlessly my body felt numb, hollow, as though I weren't even there. Yet my conscious remained, refusing to let go until I paid my dues.

"Humans are creatures of habit, the core of who they are will never change."

If only I were alone in this space, maybe then I would find peace. But whether it was in my nightmares or in my waking hours, I could never escape the echoes of her voice.

"Don't let it become a mistake."

I gave her all that I had, before and after she had died. Yet she still refused to release me from her grasp.

"I love you."

In death as she was in life, she remained the most annoying existence in my life.

And the only one I could ever love.

"They came back for us Ne-//-!"

If I had known she would place this curse on me, then...

"The name's Neir. Not near, but Neir, spelt N-E-I-R. Nice to meet you."

I would have never attempted to-

"Neir? Neir. Wake up, we're almost there."

I awaken to someone jostling my shoulder and calling her name. My eyes don't open however as I've yet to free myself fully from the warm embrace of slumber.

"Just...hit all the buttons again." I murmur, shrugging the hand off my shoulder.

I hear her let out a soft sigh and begin incessantly tugging on my arm.

"That's not how it works Neir, come on."

Why? Why not?

My head slumps forward at the obvious answer.

"Ughhh, fine..."

I roughly wipe my eyes until I start seeing spots. Once they clear, I see a certain black and red haired leader, the only other person in this metal elevator, nervously biting her lower lip slightly as she looks at me. I'm not sure whether it's because of what's about to happen or because of my stare.

"Y-Yes?"

"It's nothing, thank you for waking me up," I mutter as I lean back on the elevator wall and shut my eyes again.

"No! You'll fall back asleep! Wake up Neir!"

Once more she's shaking my arm, but much more vigorously this time. Seeing how her attempts fail spectacularly she sighs and gives up.

"Why are you so tired anyways?" She asks, a hint of worry in her voice.

With a deep inhale and a slight shiver, I manage to force out a name.

"Sunshine..."

"Yang? Uh, what did she do to you?"

There's a pause before my answer as I briefly relive that horrible night. My hand finds itself on my shoulder, trying to keep it from trembling.