Heroes Of Vale

Chapter 36 - Don't Take It For Granted

Caleb is sitting on the bed holding Ruby's hand with his head slightly hung. Kelly is sitting on a chair. 

Caleb: All of that... and she still got away. 

Ruby: Not without the four of you doing a huge number on her first. That's gotta mean something, right? 

Caleb: I don't know. I'd much rather not have some entity puppeteering my moms body. It would've been so much better if she just died back at Beacon. At least she would've been free. 

Tears start forming in his eyes. Kelly comes over, hugging him. 

Kelly: I want it to be over, too. Mom doesn't deserve any of this. 

Gyoe: And we'll find her. 

They look to see Gyoe and Qrow standing in the doorway. 

Gyoe: Or more likely, she'll find you. 

Caleb: What do you mean?

Gyoe: I know you like to forget it, but even though that day was a tragedy, it did show us a very important detail about whoever this foe is. He wants your power. And maybe we can assume that also means wanting the others powers, too. 

Caleb: That's right... That's what he talked about. Called me a weaker vessel. 

Qrow: Which means she'll do whatever it takes to find us. Now, whether it's her that finds us or us that finds her, it'll more than likely take a while. With what you all did to her, she seemed to be in pretty bad shape. Plenty of time to get ready for round two. And you all will be ready. 

Gyoe: Don't take this rest for granted. You probably won't get many more. 

Both Ruby and Caleb nod at him. 

Qrow: Stay strong. All three of you. 

He then goes walking off down the hall. 

Caleb: Uncle...? 

Gyoe: Yeah? 

Caleb: I don't know if I can do it again... I know it's not really her... but I don't know if I can attack what looks like her again.

Gyoe lets out a sigh, slowly nodding. 

Gyoe: Don't think about it like you're attacking her. Think about it like you're freeing her. Right now, she's being held hostage by whatever entity that is, and you'd be rescuing her. Can you do that? 

Caleb slowly nods. 

Gyoe: Okay. 

He then turns to walk out, being stopped by Caleb. 

Caleb: Where are you going? 

Gyoe: Back to Glynda. I'm helping her plan out Beacons reconstruction. We'll be a couple of hallways down, third room on the left if you need me.

He then turns and goes walking out. 

Now in the room with John and Winter. She's sitting on the bed while he's standing close. 

John: How are you feeling now? 

Winter: Like I want to get back up. 

John: I don't know if you should. 

Winter: Well, I can't just sit around anymore. Help me get to Weiss's room. I want to see her. 

He lets out a sigh before slowly nodding, helping her up and putting her arm around his shoulders. 

Walking up to a door, John taps on it with his knee. Hearing Weiss say "Come in" from inside the room. 

He nudges the door open before walking in with Winter.