Chapter XXVII: The Battle of Beacon; The Elves Counter Attack!
Mercury's Dilemma - The Warning and the Fall
The Warning on the Rooftop
Cinder Fall stared at Lailah Albanar Branwen, her amber eyes narrowing as she tried to assess the threat level of the lavender and blue-haired elf who stood before her radiating impossible amounts of magical power. The unsealing had transformed this being from a mysterious figure occasionally glimpsed at Qrow's side into something that made the very air shimmer with barely contained energy.
"Are you here to stop me?" Cinder asked, flames beginning to dance around her hands as she prepared for what she assumed would be an inevitable confrontation.
Lailah's response was unexpected - a melodic chuckle that held notes of genuine amusement mixed with something far more dangerous. She shook her head slowly, her expression one of almost pitying condescension.
"Stop you?" Lailah repeated, her voice carrying harmonics that seemed to resonate through the building's stone foundations. "Oh, my dear child, I am not here to fight you. That honor will belong to others far more suited to dealing with Salem's pawns."
Cinder's confusion must have shown on her face, because Lailah's smile widened slightly, revealing the kind of patience that came from centuries of experience dealing with threats that thought themselves significant.
"Then why are you here?" Emerald demanded from behind Cinder, her usual confidence shaken by the sheer magnitude of power radiating from the elven Supreme Commander.
"To deliver a warning," Lailah replied simply, her magical aura intensifying until it seemed to compete with the sun itself. "A simple message that I thought Salem's chosen instrument should hear directly, before events proceed beyond the point of no return."
The golden light emanating from her form pulsed once, and for a moment Cinder felt something she hadn't experienced in years - genuine uncertainty about her ability to survive the encounter she found herself in.
"What warning?" Cinder asked through gritted teeth, her pride warring with her growing awareness that she might be outmatched.
Lailah's expression shifted, becoming something terrible in its absolute certainty. When she spoke, her words carried the weight of prophecy and the promise of inevitable consequence.
"Threaten those whom the elven crown considers family, child of Salem, and not even your master's immortality and dark power will be able to save you from the wrath of a race beloved and blessed by mana itself."
The words hung in the air like a death sentence, and Cinder realized with crystalline clarity that this was not an empty threat. The magical power that surrounded Lailah, the coordinated response of elven forces throughout Vale, the systematic dismantling of her carefully laid plans - all of it spoke to capabilities that Salem's intelligence networks had never detected.
"You think your ancient magic frightens me?" Cinder snarled, though her voice lacked its usual conviction.
"I think," Lailah replied with devastating calm, "that you have never faced the full fury of a people who have spent centuries preparing for this war, waiting for the moment when concealment would no longer serve their purposes. You have seen what we can do when hiding our true nature. What you have not seen is what we become when those we love are threatened."
As if summoned by her words, pillars of golden light erupted throughout Vale, each one marking the position of an elven warrior whose power had been fully unleashed. The network of magical energy that connected them created a web of protection and coordination that turned individual fighters into components of a single, unified force.
"Remember this moment, Cinder Fall," Lailah said as she began to fade back into the shadows from which she had emerged. "Remember that you were warned, when the consequences of your choices finally find you."
The Battle Above the Clouds
High above Vale, Ruby Rose found herself overwhelmed as she fought desperately against Roman Torchwick and Neopolitan aboard the stolen Atlesian airship. The massive Wyvern circled overhead like a harbinger of apocalypse, its presence drawing ever more Grimm toward the beleaguered city below.
Roman's voice carried over the sound of combat and rushing wind as he explained his philosophy with the casual certainty of someone who had long since abandoned hope. "You can't stop what's coming, Red! I'd rather be on the winning side than the extinct side!"
Neo moved with deadly precision, her umbrella deflecting Ruby's attacks while she sought an opening for a killing blow. The mute assassin's multicolored eyes reflected the chaos below as she pressed her advantage against the younger fighter, and for a moment it seemed as though Ruby might be overwhelmed.
Just as Neo prepared to deliver the finishing blow, a brilliant bolt of lightning struck the airship's deck between them. Roy materialized from the electrical discharge, his elven features blazing with magical power as he landed in a protective stance before Ruby.
"Need some help?" he asked with a confident smile, electricity crackling around his hands as he faced the two criminals.
"Roy! How did you-" Ruby began.
"Elven magic has its advantages," he replied, launching a barrage of lightning bolts that forced Neo to retreat. "Including rapid transportation when allies are in danger."
Together, Ruby and Roy pressed their advantage. Roy's lightning attacks disrupted Neo's rhythm while Ruby's speed and scythe work forced Roman onto the defensive. When the opportunity presented itself, Ruby grabbed Neo's umbrella and opened it at precisely the right moment, sending the diminutive assassin tumbling away into the wind.
"Neo!" Roman shouted in rage and genuine concern, his attention completely diverted.
"You think this changes anything?" Roman snarled, advancing on them both with murder in his eyes. "You think your little light show matters? Heroes die! But guys like me? We survive!"
Even as the words left his mouth, a massive shadow passed overhead. The Griffon that descended upon Roman Torchwick gave him no time to dodge, no opportunity to demonstrate the survival skills he had boasted about. In an instant, Salem's most experienced lieutenant was gone, swallowed whole by a creature drawn to the negative emotions he had spent his life cultivating.
Ruby and Roy worked together to stabilize the damaged airship long enough for a controlled crash landing at Beacon Academy, Roy's lightning powers providing the electrical systems needed to maintain minimal flight control.
The Defense of Beacon
In the academy's main courtyard, the combined forces of students and elven warriors fought against waves of rogue Atlesian Paladin mechs. Odyn fought alongside his wife Weiss, their coordination in battle reflecting both their martial training and their deep personal bond. His elven magic created protective barriers while her glyphs enhanced their tactical mobility.
"Your summoning technique is improving," Odyn observed as Weiss manifested the arm of an Arma Gigas to crush a damaged Paladin.
"Learning from the best," Weiss replied with a determined smile, her confidence boosted by fighting alongside her husband's true magical abilities.
Nearby, Seraphina - Khanna - moved in perfect synchronization with Cardin Winchester, their relationship having evolved from mutual antagonism to deep trust and affection. Her elven grace complemented his raw strength as they carved through enemy positions together.
"Stay close," Seraphina commanded, her authority as an Elven Commander mixing with personal concern for her boyfriend's safety.
"Wouldn't dream of being anywhere else," Cardin replied, his hammer crushing an android while her magical barriers protected them both from return fire.
The coordination between human students and elven warriors created a defensive network that was proving devastatingly effective against Salem's forces.
The Streets of Vale
In the city below, Qrow Branwen fought alongside Glynda Goodwitch and Cardin Winchester against the tide of Grimm and rogue androids that poured through Vale's streets. The sight of Cardin fighting beside professional Huntsmen would have been remarkable under normal circumstances, but these were far from normal times.
The young man's hammer rang against android armor with desperate fury, his usual arrogance replaced by genuine courage in the face of overwhelming odds. Beside him, Glynda's telekinetic abilities turned debris into weapons while Qrow's bad luck Semblance seemed to work in their favor for once, causing enemy weapons to malfunction at crucial moments.
When James Ironwood joined their defensive line, parts of his cybernetic body exposed by his crash but his determination unshaken, he quickly assessed the tactical situation.
"Qrow, Glynda - establish a perimeter around Beacon and coordinate the civilian evacuation. I'm going to reclaim my airship and restore our air superiority."
But even as he spoke, the stolen vessel that Ruby had been fighting aboard crashed nearby in a spectacular explosion of twisted metal and shattered systems. The electromagnetic pulse from its destruction shut down the remaining rogue androids and Paladins, providing a momentary respite in the battle.
The Confrontation of Hearts
At Beacon Academy, Blake Belladonna found herself face to face with the man who had once been her mentor and partner - Adam Taurus, whose fall into extremism had driven a wedge between them that could never be bridged.
"Hello, Blake," Adam said with false warmth that couldn't disguise the hatred burning in his eyes. "Still playing at being human, I see. Still running away from what you really are."
"I'm not running anymore, Adam," Blake replied, her weapon ready but her heart heavy with the knowledge of what this confrontation would cost them both.
When Adam threatened an innocent student to force Blake's hand, she attacked without hesitation. But Adam had not been idle during their separation - his skills had grown sharper, his fury more focused. After knocking Blake to the ground, he smiled with the terrible satisfaction of a predator cornering its prey.
"I'm going to make you suffer for your betrayal, Blake. I'm going to destroy everything you love - starting with her."
Yang Xiao Long's arrival was perfectly timed and utterly catastrophic. Her rage at seeing Blake injured drove her into a frontal assault that played directly into Adam's strengths. His Semblance absorbed the kinetic energy of her attacks and redirected it in a single, devastating counter-strike that severed her arm and left her broken on the academy grounds.
But Yang's scream of agony reached more ears than just Blake's. Eleryc, the half-Saiyan with elven blood, had been fighting nearby when he heard her cry. The sight of Yang - his partner, his friend - mutilated by Adam's blade triggered something primal in his hybrid nature.
"YANG!" Eleryc's roar shook the very stones of Beacon as his power exploded outward in waves of golden energy mixed with Saiyan fury.
Adam turned to face this new threat with confident disdain, but his expression quickly changed to shock as Eleryc's speed exceeded anything he had prepared for. The half-Saiyan's first strike sent Adam flying across the courtyard, his enhanced strength far beyond what the White Fang leader had anticipated.
"You hurt her," Eleryc said, his voice carrying harmonics of barely controlled rage as he advanced on Adam with predatory intent. "You hurt Yang."
Adam's attempts to counter with his Semblance proved inadequate against an opponent whose power seemed to increase with each passing moment. Eleryc's hybrid heritage gave him advantages that no pure human or Faunus could match, and his fury over Yang's injury made him relentless.
Blake watched in amazement as Adam - the unstoppable force who had haunted her nightmares - was systematically overwhelmed by Eleryc's righteous anger.
The Vault of Sorrows
Deep beneath Beacon Academy, in the hidden vault where Amber lay suspended between life and death, the final act of Cinder's plan reached its climax. Jaune Arc watched in confusion and growing horror as Ozpin began the process of transferring the Fall Maiden's power to Pyrrha Nikos.
"I'm sorry," Pyrrha whispered, tears streaming down her face as she accepted the burden that would change her forever.
The arrow that pierced Amber's heart came without warning, fired with perfect precision by Cinder Fall as she materialized from the shadows. The dying Maiden's power flowed not to Pyrrha, as intended, but to the woman who had orchestrated her downfall.
"Go!" Ozpin commanded Jaune and Pyrrha as Cinder's form blazed with stolen power. "Find Ironwood, Qrow, and Glynda! Bring them back here!"
As the two students fled, Cinder faced Ozpin with the satisfaction of complete victory radiating from her enhanced form. The Fall Maiden's abilities combined with her existing magical training made her a force that few could hope to match.
"Salem was right about your arrogance, Ozpin," she said, flames dancing around her form like living things. "You thought you could hide the Maidens from us forever, thought your little secrets would protect the world from what's coming. But secrets have a way of being discovered, and power... power will always find its way to those strong enough to take it."
The battle that followed would shake the very foundations of Beacon Academy and determine the fate of everyone within its walls. But far above, on a rooftop where golden light still lingered in the air, Lailah's warning echoed with the weight of prophecy fulfilled.
The elves had revealed themselves, the lines of battle had been drawn, and nothing would ever be the same again.
Bonds and Choices
The Battle for Beacon's Heart
In Beacon's tower, the tremendous clash between Ozpin and Cinder Fall shook the very foundations of the academy. Their battle was not merely one of power, but of ideologies - hope against despair, unity against division, light against the consuming darkness that Salem represented.
Outside, as Bartholomew Oobleck and Peter Port coordinated the evacuation of remaining students, the bonds forged during the crisis became the threads that held the defenders together. At the landing pads, Ruby Rose found herself reunited with Weiss Schnee, though her sister-in-law's face was etched with worry for her husband Odyn, who continued to fight alongside the elven forces throughout the academy grounds.
"Where is he?" Weiss demanded, her usual composure cracking under the strain of not knowing Odyn's fate.
"He's with Roy and the others, holding the eastern approach," Ruby replied, her silver eyes reflecting both exhaustion and determination. "They're keeping the evacuation routes clear."
Nearby, Yang Xiao Long lay unconscious, her severed arm a testament to the brutality they had faced. Eleryc knelt beside her, his hybrid Saiyan-elven heritage allowing him to channel healing energy into her wounded form while his heart raged at his inability to prevent her injury.
Blake Belladonna, her own wounds bandaged but her spirit more damaged than her body, reached out to hold Yang's remaining hand. "I'm so sorry," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. "This is all my fault. Adam... he did this because of me."
From across the landing pad, Shallot - a Saiyan student whose quiet strength had drawn Blake's notice during their time at Beacon - watched with genuine concern. His feelings for the Faunus girl had grown slowly but steadily, and seeing her pain affected him more than he cared to admit.
The Bonds That Define Us
As the evacuation continued, the relationships that had formed during their time at Beacon became sources of strength in the face of overwhelming tragedy. Roy, whose lightning magic had saved Ruby from Roman's assault, found himself drawn to her silver-eyed determination and unwavering hope. Their developing connection gave him anchor points of humanity amid the magical chaos of his elven heritage.
In another part of the academy, Tarro - the Saiyan combat instructor whose true nature had been revealed during the crisis - fought alongside Saibyrh, the dark elven vanguard who had disguised herself as a Beacon professor. Their partnership in battle had revealed a deeper connection, warrior recognizing warrior across the boundaries of species and tradition.
"You fight well for someone who spent months pretending to be a simple instructor," Tarro observed as they cleared a group of White Fang soldiers from a crucial corridor.
"And you teach well for someone whose people are known more for conquest than education," Saibyrh replied with a smile that held centuries of wisdom. "Perhaps we both have learned something about the value of hidden depths."
Seraphina - Khanna - moved through the battlefield with Cardin Winchester at her side, their relationship having evolved from antagonism to deep affection during the crisis. As Supreme Commander of the Elven Royal Vanguard, she could have demanded he stay in safety, but she understood that his place was beside her, fighting for the world they both cherished.
"Stay close," she commanded, though her tone carried personal warmth rather than mere tactical necessity.
"Always," Cardin replied, his hammer crushing an android while her magical barriers protected them both from return fire.
The Princess and the Assassin
In the chaos of the evacuation, Princess Sarai Albanar found herself face to face with Mercury Black, the former enemy whose childhood friendship with her had sparked his journey toward redemption. The sight of him fighting alongside Beacon's defenders rather than against them filled her heart with hope that had sustained her through the darkest moments of the battle.
"Mercury," she said softly, approaching him as he finished dispatching a group of rogue androids. "You chose to stay. You chose us."
Mercury turned to face her, his usual cocky demeanor replaced by something more vulnerable and honest. "I chose you," he replied simply. "I remembered what it felt like to have someone believe in me, and I couldn't throw that away for Cinder's promises of power."
The moment was interrupted by the arrival of Emerald Sustrai, her expression a mixture of betrayal, hurt, and murderous intent. Behind her, several other members of Cinder's faction had tracked Mercury's defection to this location.
"So it's true," Emerald said, her voice cold with the pain of perceived abandonment. "You're really betraying us for her."
"I'm not betraying anyone," Mercury replied, moving to shield Sarai with his body. "I'm choosing to be someone worth believing in."
Before the confrontation could escalate, a new presence made itself known. Lailah Albanar Branwen materialized from the shadows, her elven armor gleaming with the golden light of unleashed magic. The Supreme Commander of the Elven Forces looked upon Emerald and her companions with the kind of patience that came from centuries of dealing with misguided youth.
"That's quite enough," Lailah said, her voice carrying harmonics that seemed to resonate through their very souls. "Mercury Black has chosen his path, and that choice places him under the protection of the Elven Crown."
Emerald's eyes widened as she felt the full weight of Lailah's magical presence pressing against her consciousness. This wasn't just another opponent - this was a being whose power dwarfed anything she had encountered, even in Salem's service.
"You can't protect him forever," Emerald snarled, though her voice lacked conviction.
"I don't need to," Lailah replied calmly. "He's learning to protect himself, and those he cares about. That's what growing beyond your circumstances means."
The Tower Falls
High above them, the confrontation in Beacon Tower reached its tragic climax. Jaune Arc's desperate attempt to convince Pyrrha Nikos not to face Cinder alone ended with her passionate kiss and his forced evacuation via rocket locker. His anguished call to Ruby and Weiss echoed through the communication systems as he begged them to stop Pyrrha from throwing her life away.
But it was too late. In Ozpin's office, now vacant after his apparent defeat, Pyrrha faced Cinder Fall with courage that outweighed her chances of victory. The battle was brief and brutal, Cinder's stolen Maiden powers proving overwhelming against Pyrrha's skill and determination.
When Ruby arrived at the tower's peak, aided by Weiss's glyphs and driven by desperate hope, she was greeted by the sight of Cinder's arrow piercing Pyrrha's chest. The scream that erupted from Ruby's throat carried more than just grief - it carried the awakening of powers that had slumbered in her bloodline for generations.
The blinding white light that emanated from her silver eyes enveloped both the Wyvern and Cinder, freezing the massive Grimm in stone and forcing Salem's agent to retreat before the purifying radiance could destroy her entirely.
Lyra's Loss
Among those most affected by Pyrrha's death was Lyra, Odyn's youngest sister, whose friendship with both Pyrrha and Jaune had grown deep despite the short time they had known each other. The young elf had found in them the kind of genuine warmth and acceptance that transcended species boundaries, and their loss hit her harder than any physical wound could have.
"She was going to be the greatest Huntress of her generation," Lyra whispered as she knelt beside the spot where Pyrrha had fallen, her elven senses still detecting traces of the noble soul that had departed. "She had so much to give the world."
Jaune, retrieved from his emergency landing and now standing vigil beside her, nodded through his tears. "She saved us all. Even at the end, she was trying to protect everyone."
The bond that formed between them in that moment of shared grief would prove crucial in the trials to come, as both struggled to honor Pyrrha's memory while finding their own paths forward.
The Aftermath
In the days that followed the Fall of Beacon, the relationships forged in crisis became lifelines for those left behind. Ruby awakened in her childhood home to find her father Taiyang at her side, but her thoughts immediately turned to the bonds that had sustained her through the darkness.
The revelation of her silver eyes' true nature, explained by Qrow with the gravity of someone who understood the weight of destiny, only reinforced her determination to honor those connections. The Cross Continental Transmit System lay in ruins, communications were severed, and Ozpin's fate remained unknown, but the human heart's capacity for connection transcended any technology.
The Royal Intervention
In the aftermath of Beacon's fall, as families attempted to reclaim their children from the chaos, Jacques Schnee arrived with his typical air of corporate authority and paternal control. His intention to take Weiss back to Atlas was met with unexpected resistance when two figures of unmistakable power and nobility stepped forward to address him directly.
High King Berethon Erebus and Queen Morwyn Hyatan - using their aliases to maintain some semblance of diplomatic protocol - approached Jacques with the kind of presence that made the air itself seem to bow in deference. Their elven features were undeniable now that the ancient seals had been broken, and the magical aura that surrounded them spoke of authority that predated human civilization.
"Mr. Schnee," Berethon said, his voice carrying harmonics that seemed to resonate through Jacques's very bones. "I believe there are matters we must discuss regarding your daughter."
Jacques, accustomed to being the most powerful person in any room, found himself facing beings whose presence made his corporate authority seem insignificant by comparison. "I don't believe we've been introduced," he said stiffly, though his usual arrogance was notably subdued.
"I am Erebus," the High King replied with a slight inclination of his head. "And this is my wife, Morwyn. We rule the Elven Kingdom of Albanar, and your daughter has recently become our daughter-in-law through her marriage to our son, Odyn."
The color drained from Jacques's face as he processed this information. "Marriage? Weiss, what is the meaning of this?"
"Father," Weiss said, stepping forward with Odyn at her side, "I married Odyn because I love him. The fact that he's elven royalty doesn't change that."
Queen Morwyn stepped forward, her presence radiating the kind of protective maternal authority that transcended species boundaries. "Your daughter is now Princess of Albanar, Mr. Schnee. She has responsibilities to our people as well as rights that we will defend."
"This is preposterous!" Jacques sputtered, his corporate mindset struggling to process the political implications. "She's needed at home, at the company-"
"She is needed where she chooses to be," Berethon interrupted, his tone carrying the weight of absolute authority. "The marriage has been consecrated according to both human and elven law. Your daughter is free to make her own choices about where her duties lie."
Weiss placed a gentle hand on Morwyn's arm, appreciating the gesture while asserting her own agency. "Your Majesties, I'm grateful for your protection and support. But I can handle my father. In fact, this might be an opportunity to set things right within the SDC concerning our stance on Albanar."
She turned to face Jacques directly, her voice carrying new confidence born from the knowledge that she had powerful allies. "Father, the SDC's relationship with the Elven Kingdom has been strained by your interference and prejudices. As your daughter and now as Princess of Albanar, I'm in a unique position to bridge that gap. Let me come with you to Atlas - not as your property to be controlled, but as your daughter working to heal the damage that's been done."
Jacques looked between his daughter and the elven monarchs, clearly calculating the political and economic implications. "And if I refuse?"
Queen Morwyn's expression hardened, and for a moment the temperature around them seemed to drop several degrees. "Then you would be interfering with the sacred bond between our son and his chosen wife. The consequence for such interference - for any forceful attempt to terminate their marriage - would be severe indeed."
The threat was delivered with the kind of calm certainty that made it far more terrifying than any show of anger would have been. Jacques found himself looking into eyes that held centuries of experience dealing with those who threatened what the Crown held dear.
"I... see," Jacques said carefully, his corporate instincts finally recognizing when he was outmatched. "Perhaps we can find a mutually beneficial arrangement."
"I'm sure we can," Weiss replied, though her tone made it clear that any arrangement would be on her terms, not his. "But understand, Father - I am Odyn's wife first, and Princess of Albanar second. The SDC comes third in my priorities now."
Berethon nodded approvingly at his daughter-in-law's declaration. "Spoken like true royalty. You have our full support, Princess Weiss, whatever path you choose to take."
Yang's despondency over her lost arm was compounded by Blake's disappearance and the scattering of her team. Yet Eleryc's unwavering presence, his hybrid strength channeled into patient support rather than combat, provided an anchor point for her recovery.
Blake's flight from Beacon carried the weight of guilt over Yang's injury and the fear that her past would continue to endanger those she cared about. But the memory of Shallot's quiet understanding and Sarai's acceptance gave her hope that redemption might be possible.
The Threat Recognized
In her domain of shadow and malice, Salem received reports of the Battle of Beacon with growing unease rather than satisfaction. Her agent's retreat, the unexpected resistance from elven forces, and the awakening of silver eyes all pointed to complications she had not foreseen.
"The elves," she mused to her assembled council. "For centuries they have hidden in the shadows, playing at being myth and legend. But Lailah Albanar Branwen's display of power suggests they have been preparing for this war far longer than we anticipated."
Cinder, her confidence shaken by her encounter with both Ruby's silver eyes and the Supreme Commander's warning, nodded reluctantly. "Their magic is unlike anything in our intelligence reports. It doesn't just counter our abilities - it seems to purify the very essence of our power."
"And Mercury Black's defection?" Salem inquired, her tone suggesting that failure to account for such variables carried consequences.
"Protected by elven royal decree," Cinder admitted through gritted teeth. "Lailah made it clear that any attempt to reclaim him would be considered an act of war against the Elven Crown."
Salem's eyes glowed with ancient fury as she contemplated this development. Her plans had always accounted for human resistance, Huntsmen, and the scattered remnants of Ozpin's inner circle. But a unified elven kingdom, backed by magic that could counter her own dark powers, represented a threat that demanded immediate recalculation.
The war for Remnant's soul had begun in earnest, but it would be fought not just with weapons and magic, but with the connections that made life worth defending. And in that battle, Salem would discover that the hearts she sought to divide were far stronger than she had ever imagined.
Ruby's Awakening - The Truth About Family
The Recovery
Ruby Rose woke in her childhood bedroom on Patch, sunlight streaming through familiar windows as consciousness slowly returned. The events at Beacon felt like a nightmare - Pyrrha's death, the fall of the tower, the strange white light that had erupted from her eyes. But the ache in her chest told her it had all been terrifyingly real.
Her father Taiyang sat beside her bed, relief evident on his weathered face as he saw her silver eyes focus on him. "Hey there, kiddo. Welcome back."
"Dad?" Ruby's voice came out as a croak, her throat dry from whatever ordeal her body had endured. "How long was I...?"
"Three days," Taiyang replied, helping her sit up slowly. "Qrow brought you back after... after what happened at the tower. Ruby, what you did up there - that light from your eyes - it saved a lot of lives."
Before Ruby could process this fully, voices from downstairs indicated they weren't alone in the house. She could hear Qrow's familiar gravelly tones mixed with a woman's voice she didn't immediately recognize, though something about it stirred a sense of familiarity.
"Uncle Qrow's here?" Ruby asked.
"Yes, and he brought someone with him. Someone very important." Taiyang's expression grew serious. "But first, there's someone else who needs to speak with you. Someone who's been waiting for you to wake up."
The Prince's Vigil
As if summoned by their conversation, a gentle knock came at the bedroom door. Roy entered at Taiyang's invitation, his elven features now unhidden by the magical concealment that had disguised him during their time at Beacon. The second prince of Albanar looked tired, as if he had spent the past three days maintaining his own vigil.
"Ruby," he said softly, his voice carrying relief and something deeper. "I'm so glad you're awake. I was... we were all worried."
"Roy?" Ruby blinked in surprise, taking in his revealed appearance. "You're... you're really an elf. A prince?"
"Second Prince of Albanar," Roy confirmed with a slight smile. "Though that seems less important now than it did a few days ago."
Taiyang looked between them, noting the way Roy's eyes lingered on Ruby with obvious care and concern. "I'll give you two some time to talk. Qrow and I have... preparations to make."
After Taiyang left, Roy pulled a chair close to Ruby's bedside, his expression growing serious. "Ruby, there are things you need to know. Things about what happened to you at Beacon, about your silver eyes, and about..." he hesitated, "about your family."
"My family?" Ruby sat up straighter, confusion evident in her voice. "What do you mean?"
Roy's internal struggle was visible on his face. This conversation would change everything Ruby understood about her life, her relationships, her very identity. But after witnessing her courage at Beacon, after seeing her willingness to sacrifice herself to save others, he knew she deserved the truth.
"Your mother, Summer Rose," Roy began carefully, "she's alive."
The words hit Ruby like a physical blow. "What? No, that's... that's impossible. She died on a mission when I was little."
"She nearly died," Roy corrected gently. "But she was found by elven scouts and brought to our healers. She's been recovering in our lands for years, too weak to travel, too injured to send word safely. But alive, Ruby. She's alive."
Tears began streaming down Ruby's face as the implications sank in. Her mother - the woman she had mourned, whose memory had driven her to become a Huntress - was alive somewhere, waiting.
"Why didn't anyone tell me?" she whispered.
"Because it wasn't safe. The same enemies who nearly killed her were still active. But now, with everything that's happened, with the war beginning in earnest..." Roy took a deep breath. "There's more, Ruby. About who you really are."
The Truth of Blood
Roy's next words came slowly, each one carefully chosen. "Your biological father isn't Taiyang."
Ruby stared at him, her silver eyes wide with shock. "What are you talking about?"
"Your mother fell in love with a dark elven sage named Raptaryn during a mission years before she married Taiyang. You are their daughter, Ruby. Half-human, half-elf, though your elven heritage has been dormant until now."
The revelation sent Ruby's world spinning. Everything she thought she knew about herself, about her family, was suddenly cast in a different light. "But that would mean... Yang isn't my sister?"
"Yang is your cousin," Roy confirmed quietly. "Taiyang is your uncle, not your father. He raised you as his own because he loved Summer and wanted to protect you from those who might use your mixed heritage against you."
Ruby's mind reeled as she tried to process this information. The family structure that had defined her entire life was built on loving deception. Yang, her beloved sister, was actually her cousin. Taiyang, the man who had raised her with patience and care, was her uncle who had stepped into a father's role out of love and duty.
"Does Yang know?" Ruby asked in a small voice.
"No," Roy replied. "Taiyang felt it was better to let you grow up as sisters rather than burden you with complicated truths while you were children. He planned to tell you both when you were older, but then Beacon happened, and everything changed."
Ruby sat in stunned silence, processing the magnitude of what she had learned. Her mother was alive but recovering in elven lands. Her real father was an elven sage she had never met. Her sister was her cousin. Her uncle had raised her as his daughter out of love.
"I made sure Taiyang wasn't in the room for this conversation," Roy added gently. "Because there's one more thing. Your father, Raptaryn, is the one caring for Summer during her recovery. He's been waiting to meet you properly, hoping that someday it would be safe for a reunion."
Family Connections
Ruby and Roy emerged from her bedroom hand in hand, the physical connection offering Ruby an anchor as she processed the earth-shattering revelations about her true parentage. The hallway seemed different now - familiar yet strange, like everything else in her world that had been redefined by Roy's words.
Downstairs, she could hear voices in the living room. Qrow's familiar gravelly tone mixed with a woman's voice that carried an otherworldly quality. As they descended the stairs, Ruby saw her uncle standing beside a figure she recognized from the battle at Beacon - Lailah, the Supreme Commander of the Elven Forces, her lavender and blue hair unmistakable even in the soft lighting of the Xiao Long family home.
"What is she doing here?" Ruby began to ask, confusion evident in her voice.
Before she could finish the question, Lailah turned toward them with a warm smile that transformed her regal features into something maternal and welcoming. Without hesitation, the elven woman stepped forward and embraced Ruby gently, her arms encircling the younger woman with the kind of care that spoke of deep familial affection.
In that moment of contact, something clicked in Ruby's mind. The way Qrow looked at Lailah, the comfortable familiarity between them, the protective way the elven commander had positioned herself beside her uncle - it all made sudden, perfect sense.
"You're..." Ruby began, her silver eyes widening with realization.
"Your aunt," Lailah finished gently, her voice carrying warmth that reached beyond her usual commanding tone. "Qrow's wife, and therefore family to you, dear one."
Ruby stared between Qrow and Lailah, her mind reeling from yet another revelation about her family structure. "Uncle Qrow, you're married? To the Supreme Commander of the Elven Forces?"
Qrow had the grace to look slightly embarrassed, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "Yeah, well, it's complicated, kiddo. We've been married for eighteen years, but with everything that's been happening, with the need to keep certain alliances secret..."
"We felt it was safer for all concerned if our relationship remained hidden," Lailah continued, her hand still resting gently on Ruby's shoulder. "But recent events have made such secrecy both impossible and unnecessary."
Taiyang appeared from the kitchen, his expression serious as he took in the scene. "Ruby, how are you feeling? Any dizziness, disorientation, unusual sensations?"
"I'm... processing a lot right now," Ruby replied honestly, gesturing between Lailah and Qrow. "Another aunt I didn't know I had, apparently."
"There's a reason for your uncle's concern about your physical condition," Lailah said gently. "Your dormant elven blood awakened during the battle at Beacon Tower. The power you displayed, the silver light from your eyes - it wasn't just your human heritage manifesting. Your elven ancestry contributed to both the strength of that manifestation and the toll it took on your body."
Taiyang nodded grimly. "You weren't asleep for three days, Ruby. It's been a month. Your body needed time to adjust to the magical changes happening within you."
"A month?" Ruby gasped, looking around the room with new understanding. The subtle changes she had noticed - the way the light fell differently, the sense that time had passed - suddenly made sense.
Roy's hand tightened reassuringly around hers. "Your friends have been asking about you constantly. Teams JNPR and CFVY, Sun and Neptune, even some of the elven students you didn't know were elven at the time. Everyone's been worried."
"Speaking of friends," Qrow interjected, his expression growing more serious, "we need to discuss Yang's situation. She's... she's not handling the aftermath of Beacon well."
Ruby's heart clenched with worry for her sister - cousin, she corrected herself mentally. "Is she okay? I mean, physically, I know she lost her arm, but..."
"Eleryc has been staying here, helping her through the psychological recovery," Taiyang explained. "His presence seems to stabilize her emotionally, and his hybrid heritage allows him to provide some accelerated healing energy. But she's struggling with depression, withdrawal, anger at Blake for leaving..."
"We need to keep the truth about your parentage from Yang for now," Lailah said carefully. "Learning that you're cousins rather than sisters, while she's already dealing with trauma and abandonment issues, could be devastating to her mental state."
"There's another complication," Roy added quietly. "If Yang learns about your true parentage, she'll also discover that Seraphina - Khanna - is your cousin as well, since she's Lailah and Qrow's daughter. The family connections could overwhelm her right now."
Ruby processed this information, understanding the delicate balance they were trying to maintain. "So Seraphina is my cousin too? Through Lailah being my aunt?"
"Exactly," Lailah confirmed with a gentle smile. "Seraphina is my daughter with Qrow, making her your cousin through our family connection. Just as Yang is your cousin through Taiyang being your uncle. The family web has become quite complex, hasn't it?"
The complexity of her family tree was staggering. Ruby found herself grateful for Roy's steady presence beside her, his hand anchoring her as she navigated these revelations.
"How is Yang handling everything?" Ruby asked, her concern for her cousin-sister overriding her own emotional turmoil.
"She's... struggling," Taiyang admitted. "The arm is healing well thanks to Eleryc's abilities, but emotionally she's withdrawn. She blames herself for what happened to you, blames Blake for leaving, blames me for not being strong enough to protect everyone."
"Eleryc's been incredibly patient with her," Qrow added. "Kid's got a good heart. He's been helping her with physical therapy, emotional support, even just sitting with her when the nightmares get bad."
Ruby felt a surge of gratitude toward the half-Saiyan student who had chosen to dedicate himself to Yang's recovery. "I need to see her."
"Of course," Lailah said. "But Ruby, please remember - she can't know the truth about your parentage yet. As far as Yang is concerned, you're still her sister, Taiyang is still your father, and I'm simply Qrow's wife who happens to be elven royalty."
"I understand," Ruby replied, though the weight of keeping such significant secrets from Yang felt heavy on her heart.
Roy squeezed her hand gently. "We'll figure it out, Ruby. All of it. Your family, the war with Salem, your role in everything that's coming. But right now, Yang needs her sister."
Ruby nodded, drawing strength from his words and his presence. The world had become infinitely more complicated in the span of a single conversation, but some things remained constant - her love for Yang, her determination to protect those she cared about, and the growing certainty that Roy would be beside her as she navigated whatever came next.
To be continued in Chapter 28: Family Truths & Recovery