Qrow.

Chapter 84 | Atoms to Ashes

Dusk waited until Ripper fell asleep to leave. She knew he wouldn't let her go if it was his choice, but she couldn't betray her promise to Beau. So far, he's been good to her and she hasn't burned his trust. She didn't want to throw that away, even if it means pissing Ripper off. As she was quietly slipping out of the room, she felt like she was being stared at.

Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Shae and Ryan standing there quietly. They both looked disappointed. Shockingly, that did actually hurt Dusk. They both had been close to her, in different ways. 

"You honestly had me fooled for awhile." Ryan grabbed her arm to drag her back to her room. "I thought you actually cared about me, about him, but you don't. You're just looking for someone to fuck."

"Just because I slept with both of you doesn't mean I don't care about you!" She snapped at him.

"You chose to sleep with me knowing he was my nephew. That's fucked up." He shoved her into her room and pulled the door shut, muttering, "You can't help it. You're a witch."

"I knew it wouldn't be long until you lost your tolerance for her like I had." Shae said. He remained quiet for a moment, in deep thought. With a sigh, he changed the subject, "May I ask a favor?"

Ryan was surprised, honestly. He, of all people, wanted a favor? Truthfully, he didn't think Shae had it in him to ask anyone for help. Regardless, he was polite, "Yeah, of course."

"Please, if anything were to happen to me tonight, protect Yuki. Promise me you'll take care of him, for both Chris and I?" Maybe it was dirty to bring up Chris' name, but he knew it was a surefire way to guilt Ryan into agreeing. Yuki wasn't as weak as he led on. Shae just felt he shouldn't need to have to fight if there was other options.

"Yes, I always would, but why would you even say something like that? What exactly is happening tonight?" He questioned.

Shae began to walk away, responding, "The Valley will fall."

He actually seemed somewhat upset about it. Though he longed for this day, even pain is hard to let go of after living with it for so long. It's similar to Stockholm Syndrome in those respects. Ryan turned white, well, whiter than normal. What exactly did Shae mean by that? He couldn't seriously mean- No, he couldn't... But, if anyone could do it, it would be Jasper. 

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The main castle now repaired, it was time to tackle the next most important goal on Jasper's list. He stood on the polished balcony of the king's new home and looked down to the smoke below. That purple fog, it had finally returned. The balances are resetting. Evil is consuming Hell again, and it's only a matter of time before it's back to it's former glory.

"This all could be yours, you know." Covey spoke as he walked up beside him.

"I suppose." Jasper softly responded, "But I prefer to protect, not rule. As a protector, I can make decisions that would cost a ruler their throne. Besides, I prefer to live in the shadows. Is the Valley unfrozen? Completely?"

Hesitantly, he answered, "Yes, it is. Are you sure you want to do this? You don't know what it could do."

"Now, isn't it my job to be his conscious?" Deacon questioned, seemingly appearing out of nowhere on the other side of Jasper.

"You know it's for the best. Those born from the Valley are too overpowered. I can't take the chance that they'll rise against the kingdom. That does me we're also getting rid of potential allies, but I'm sure Apollo will find ways to make up for it. That'll be his call, though. I'm doing this purely to repay Shae." He explained.

"So, am I to assume you can destroy just as easily as you can create?" 

Jasper grinned gently, almost in a bittersweet manor. "Unfortunately, I can't reverse my own abilities. Deacon can, though. I've always found it ironic, actually; A demon was given the power to create, and a saint was given the power to destroy." He glanced back at the white-haired spirit, "Whenever you're ready."