𝐈𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 (English)

Chapter 78

Hostage negotiation felt like a hole in the curriculum that Beacon should have been filled. Maybe it was an elective for older years or maybe, just maybe, their teachers didn't expect them to end up in situations where a romantic date turned into one.

"How do we know the kid is real?" Yang demanded.

"How do you know he isn't?" Cinder asked back. "I could have Emerald slice his throat open but she could be faking the blood and dying, gurgling cry. There's no way to know for sure."

"Yang, don't." Jaune touched her arm to hold her back. "We're in the middle of the city. It'd be trivial for her to find a hostage."

"Occam's Razor. I'm surprised you know of it, Arc. Yes, the simplest explanation is that we picked up a hostage. It was certainly easy enough." There was a crash behind them, followed by roars from the restaurant. It wiped the smile from Cinder's face in an instant. "We're running out of time. Neither of us wants her to catch us."

Cinder wasn't wrong. Being captured by her was less than ideal, obviously, but it was better than being caught by Salem. Cinder would have to smuggle him out of Vale and that'd take time, time Ozpin and Qrow could use to find him. Salem could throw him on the back of a Nevermore and slaughter her way out the city.

"What kind of deal are you proposing?"

Yang hissed out, Jaune! You can't be serious!"

"You're barefoot, I'm wielding a skillet and a kitchen knife, and Qrow is risking his life back there—"

"It's just Grimm. Uncle Qrow will massacre them."

"That is not just Grimm," Cinder spat. "And she is not alone. The longer we tarry, the more danger we're in. Not to mention everyone else. Salem will continue to summon Grimm, and even if Branwen can best them, the civilians caught in the epicentre cannot."

"Then how about we take this meeting of ours someplace else," Yang suggested. "Because we're not agreeing to shit when you're rushing us."

Emerald hissed out, "You're not in any position—"

"Fine." Cinder interrupted her. "It's in all our interests to avoid her. Emerald, slice the boy's throat open if they make a move to attack." Turning her back on them, Cinder beckoned. "Come. We can discuss this away from immediate harm."

Yang shot Jaune a helpless look.

His own was much the same.

"There's nothing we can do," he whispered. "Let's hear them out."

"Jaune, she tried to murder you before."

"That was before she realised the value of my Semblance. I'm no use to her dead – and she has a point about the civilians. We can't let this fight drag on if it means more and more Grimm appearing in the city."

Yang scowled. "And who exactly is this Salem?"

"You'll have to ask the teachers for more, or your uncle. I'm not the right person to explain."

"Great. Just how many secrets are there that'll have me wanting to punch someone?"

"Quite a lot..."

/-/

Cinder didn't take them to her base – that would have been far too convenient. Or inconvenient depending on how a fight there went down. In truth, they just left the area and took a few alleyways, crossed a few streets and made distance.

The fact they did it with Yang barefoot and a boy being held at knifepoint, all without a single challenge by police or bystanders, showed how chaotic the situation was. Emergency sirens that Jaune hadn't even been aware Vale had were blaring, and automated voices called out for people to find shelter.