The Pale Rose of the Tides {Bloodborne X RWBY X Arknights}

Chapter 9 Players and Pieces I

Chapter 9
Players and Pieces
I

-Flashback

"Ruby, stop. We need to talk."

The silver-haired Ægirian girl, who had been confidently leading the way north, paused in her tracks upon hearing the serious tone from Weiss Schnee. Slowly, Ruby turned her head, her expression shifting into one of disbelief and growing annoyance towards the Land-walker.

"Do we need to?" she asked, her voice tinged with frustration. "Wasn't it you who said we needed to hurry up?"

Weiss crossed her arms, her icy blue eyes narrowing as she stared back at Ruby's blood-red eyes. "Yes, but I didn't mean rushing blindly!" she shot back, her voice sharp. "I thought you knew where you were going!"

Ruby clenched her jaw, taking a deep breath before responding. "I do know where we're going," she said firmly, turning her body fully to face Weiss. "We're heading north. That's the only thing I heard of what the Headmaster said back at the cliff, and that's what we're doing."

Weiss huffed in disbelief, shaking her head. "North is still a direction, not a destination, Ruby! We're supposed to find the temple, not wander around hoping we stumble into it."

Ruby's patience was wearing thin. She had been guiding them through the dense forest with an unwavering sense of purpose, but every word from Weiss felt like a jab. "Then why didn't you take the lead again, Miss Know-It-All?" Ruby snapped, the sarcasm biting. "Oh, wait-because you didn't know either!"

Weiss bristled at the comment, her arms tightening across her chest as she glared at Ruby. "Maybe because I thought you had some semblance of competence! But instead, we're out here, lost in the middle of nowhere, and I-"

"Stop it," Ruby cut her off, her tone more serious now. "Listen to me. We're not lost. Trust me."

Weiss blinked, momentarily stunned by Ruby's sudden confidence. Ruby's red eyes bore into hers with a steely determination that caught her off guard.

But as they stood there, Weiss noticed something-Ruby didn't look good. Her partner's breaths were shallow, and despite the determination in her eyes, she was visibly sweating, even more than Weiss. At first, Weiss had attributed it to the oppressive heat and humidity, but something wasn't right.

Weiss frowned, her gaze narrowing slightly as she looked closer. Ruby's skin, last she remembered; was pale and smooth, seemed... off. It was drying out, almost flaky, and under the sunlight, Weiss could see the faintest signs of cracking along her hands.

Weiss herself was also sweating, but her skin was still fine and moist.

What the-?

"Ruby," Weiss started, her voice laced with concern. "Are you sure you're okay? Your skin-it's... cracking?"

Ruby turned her head slightly, annoyance flashing across her face. "I'm fine," she insisted curtly, but Weiss could hear the weariness in her voice. "We need to keep moving."

But Weiss wasn't convinced. "No, you're not fine. You're sweating like crazy, and your skin is... well, it's not normal. Something's wrong."

Ruby's jaw tightened as she stubbornly shook her head, her gaze set forward. "You wouldn't understand, Weiss. You're a Land-walker. This doesn't concern you."

Weiss stopped in her tracks, her frustration bubbling to the surface once again. "This Land-walker thing again?! What does that even mean?" she snapped, her voice sharp with irritation. "Stop being so childish! If something's happening to you, just tell me! I'll help!"