Remnant's Tactician

Chapter 56: Ild of The Dark

*No POV*

On a pathway up the mountains, Allumette marched up the steep road with a few Grimleal members straggling behind. They were exhausted from the hike, but this didn't faze Allumette one bit, not even slowing down for the others to catch up.

Upon reaching a part where it was more leveled, Allumette scouted down the vast forest down below as the Grimleal members made their way up and eventually collapsed, thanking for the chance to rest. Allumette's eyes scanned the horizon and looked higher to the mountains, trying to find something when her Scroll rang.

"Allumette, I assume you're in the location I've sent you to, correct?" Inverse spoke.

"Affirmative, Lady Inverse." She answered. "The Grimm was spotted not long ago. We just need a-"

"Unfortunately, there's been a change of plans." Inverse interrupted. "While attempting to retrieve our targets, the buffoon I was tasked with has intoxicated one of them. Allumette, head to the village near your location. They'll be there when the sun sets."

"But the… a… " Allumette paused, hesitation clear from her voice. "Yes, we'll make our way there immediately."

"Excellent. Do not disappoint me, Lumie."

The call abruptly ended. Allumette suddenly felt a slight vertigo hitting her. She held her head, calming it before returning to her expressionless appearance. The mage started walking towards the area she was told to head as a Grimleal member noticed and jolted up.

"A-Ah! She's moving!" He got out.

"What?! We just got up here!" Another exclaimed.

"I don't want to walk right now…" A third whined. "My legs feel like mush..."
_____________
*Robin's POV*

We continued our journey to Mistral just as planned. Even after resting and drinking the antidote Inverse gave, I still felt a little unwell. How potent was Tyrian's poison? Sallya claimed that she would be able to make a panacea that will fully cure me, but she unfortunately doesn't have the right ingredients at hand.

Everyone had to stay up to my pace since it hurts a little to walk. I did suggest a few of them to head to Mistral quicker, but the idea was swept aside as Qrow and Chrom came to the suspicion that someone from her, Salem's faction, may attack us while we were separated.

"Uncle Qrow, if you knew all this and wanted to protect us, why not join us?" Ruby asked.

"...It's not that simple, Ruby." He sighed. "I just can't put any of you in danger because of me."

"What do you mean?"

"Do you not know Qrow's Semblance, Ruby?" I questioned.

"Crows are a sign of bad luck." Chrom spoke. "That's how you got your name. Or at least that's what I was told."

"Reflet didn't leave any details of me out, did she?" Qrow said, looking away with a slight smirk. "Always the one who points every bit of a person. In any case, yeah, that's my Semblance. But it's not like any other. For instance, I can't choose who it affects. Upside is, it helps when I'm fighting against some crooks. But it can really be a problem to people I know. That's why I chose to watch you from a distance… And the reason why I've been skipping out on our lessons more often."

"Well, that's one reason to add into the list." I got out.

"Hey, you say that like I've made tons of excuses." He smiled, before it dropped. "...Still, the main reason why I decided not to show up was because you reminded me of her."