𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿 [ʀᴡʙʏ x ᴍᴀʟᴇ ᴏᴄ]

Chapter 27

Weiss and I hadn't spoken much since yesterday. She was polite, her words measured, but there was a distance—subtle but unmistakable. I could feel it in the way she avoided holding my gaze for too long, the way her responses to me were shorter than usual.

I hated it.

Team RWBY had gathered in the courtyard for morning training, and I stood off to the side, leaning against a nearby column. Ruby and Yang sparred energetically, their laughter echoing through the air. Blake observed quietly, occasionally offering advice, while Weiss practiced precision strikes against a target glyph.

I wanted to say something, to clear the air, but every time I opened my mouth, the words felt stuck. How do you explain years of hidden truths in a way that won't make things worse?

Weiss paused mid-strike, her chest rising and falling as she caught her breath. She turned slightly, her eyes flicking in my direction. For a moment, I thought she might walk over, but instead, she turned back to her target, resuming her routine with even more fervor.

Yang: "Hey, Klaus! You just gonna stand there all day, or are you joining us?"

Yang's voice broke through the tension. Ruby chimed in, waving her scythe.

Ruby: "Yeah! We could use a sparring partner!"

I forced a small smile, pushing off the column.

Klaus: "Alright, alright. Don't complain when I make you work for it."

After the opening, the Amity Colosseum is still floating high amid the cheers of an excited audience as the two opposing pairs of partners for the match, the grinning Mercury Black and Emerald Sustrai against a confident Coco Adel and meditating Yatsuhashi Daichi, wait in the center of the stadium for the holographic roulette to pick the field.

Port: (over the broadcaster speakers) "Emerald and Mercury of Haven, versus Coco and Yatsuhashi of Beacon!"

Velvet: (from up in the stands alongside Fox Alistair and Ruby Rose) "Good luck, you two!"

The Colosseum chooses four fields to rise up from below in quarter sections: A patch of tall grassy plains which has a single tree and some rocks; the ruins of a city, complete with buildings holding shattered windows and rubble among the pavement; a hot spring containing geyser spots along a small river and some blue Dust crystal growths; and a familiar section of dense forest

The battle between Mercury, Emerald, Coco, and Yatsuhashi was intense and tactical. Mercury's agility and ruthless precision paired seamlessly with Emerald's cunning illusions, creating chaos on the battlefield.

Despite Coco's sheer firepower with her gatling gun and Yatsuhashi's brute strength and unshakable defense, they struggled to counter Emerald's deceptive tricks and Mercury's relentless strikes. In the end, Mercury and Emerald's coordination and underhanded tactics overwhelmed their opponents, securing a decisive victory.

Oobleck: (in the announcer's spot with Port) "And with an amazing upset, Emerald and Mercury are victorious"

Weiss POV

It was evening, and the soft golden hues of the setting sun painted the pavilion in a warm, tranquil glow. My sister and I sat together at the small, elegantly set table, the scent of freshly baked croissants mingling with the crisp evening air.

Weiss: "You're... leaving?"

Winter: (setting her cup down) "Yes. I was merely needed to oversee the transport of additional units to Vale. Our last shipment was lost to an ambush. I believe you had a run-in with its cargo, actually. It's fortunate those Paladins were in the prototype stage; otherwise your team may not have fared so well.Weiss, you've done... well, out here, on your own. You should be proud. I'll be honest, it was quite amusing seeing Father's face the day you left for Beacon!"