Chapter XXIX: Departure; Next Steps
Spring Departure from Patch
The Journey Begins
Spring had come to Patch with a gentle warmth that seemed to breathe new life into the island home. Cherry blossoms dotted the landscape in pink and white clusters, and the air carried the scent of renewal that made even the most difficult decisions feel like necessary steps forward.
Ruby Rose stood at the edge of the property, her travel pack secured and Crescent Rose strapped to her back. The subtle changes in her appearance had become more pronounced over the months - the blue highlights in her hair now formed distinct streaks that caught the morning light, and her pointed ears were unmistakably elven. But more than her physical transformation, it was her bearing that had changed most dramatically. Where once she had carried herself with the eager energy of youth, now she moved with the measured confidence of someone who understood the weight of her heritage and responsibilities.
Beside her, Roy adjusted his own gear with the practiced efficiency of elven nobility trained for both diplomatic missions and combat operations. His presence had become a constant source of strength for Ruby during her recovery and the revelation of her true parentage. Their relationship had deepened naturally through shared challenges and mutual support, built on a foundation of trust that had weathered dramatic revelations about family and identity.
"Are you sure about this?" Roy asked quietly, his concern evident despite his support for her decision. "We could wait longer, give you more time to adjust to everything you've learned."
Ruby shook her head, her silver eyes reflecting determination that reminded him of the courage she had shown at Beacon Tower. "I've had enough time to process. My mother is out there somewhere, recovering but alive. My biological father is caring for her, and he's never had the chance to meet me properly. Meanwhile, Salem's forces are still active, and every day we delay gives them more opportunities to hurt innocent people."
The three remaining members of Team JNPR approached with their own travel preparations complete. Jaune Arc carried himself with new gravity, the loss of Pyrrha having forced him to grow beyond the uncertain boy who had struggled through Beacon's early lessons. Nora Valkyrie's usual exuberance was tempered by grief, though her determination to honor their fallen teammate remained unshakeable. Lie Ren moved with his characteristic quiet efficiency, but Ruby could see the weight of loss in his careful composure.
Joining them was Lyra, Odyn's youngest sister, whose friendship with Pyrrha and Jaune had created bonds that transcended the tragedy at Beacon Tower. The young elf had requested permission from the royal family to accompany Ruby's group, citing both her desire to honor Pyrrha's memory and her growing understanding that the war against Salem would require cooperation between all peoples of Remnant.
"Haven Academy," Jaune said, consulting the map they had studied countless times over the past weeks. "It's our only real lead about what happened at Beacon and where the enemy might strike next."
"And if the pattern holds," Ren added quietly, "Haven could be their next target. We need to warn them, help them prepare."
"Or we might already be too late," Nora observed with uncharacteristic grimness. "But that just means we work harder to stop them before they can do more damage."
The Watchers
From an upstairs window of the Xiao Long family home, Yang watched the departure preparations with mixed emotions. Her recovery had been slow and painful, both physically and emotionally. The loss of her arm had been devastating enough, but Blake's disappearance after the battle had left wounds that seemed to resist healing no matter how much support she received.
Eleryc stood beside her, his hybrid Saiyan-elven heritage allowing him to provide both practical assistance and emotional stability during her darkest moments. His decision to remain on Patch rather than join the group heading to Mistral had been motivated by pure devotion - Yang needed someone who understood the complexities of mixed heritage and the challenge of rebuilding identity after traumatic loss.
"She looks different," Yang observed, watching Ruby interact with Roy and the others. "Not just the elven features. She carries herself like... like she knows who she is now."
"Finding your true parentage can do that," Eleryc replied gently. "Understanding where you come from sometimes helps you figure out where you're going."
Yang's expression tightened slightly. She had noticed the careful way everyone spoke around her lately, the sense that there were conversations happening just outside her awareness. Ruby's transformation, the constant presence of elven allies, the way Qrow's wife Lailah looked at both her and Ruby with such knowing sadness - all of it suggested secrets she wasn't being told.
"There are things they're not telling me," she said quietly. "About Ruby, about the family connections. I can feel it."
Eleryc's silence was answer enough, and Yang appreciated that he didn't try to lie to her. His honesty, even when it meant admitting he couldn't share certain information, had been one of the foundations of trust between them.
"When you're stronger," he said finally, "when you've had more time to heal from everything that happened at Beacon, the truth will be easier to bear. Right now, focus on getting better. Focus on remembering who you are beyond the anger and loss."
Yang nodded, understanding that pushing for answers she wasn't ready to handle would only make things more difficult for everyone involved. "Will you tell me when you think I'm ready?"
"I will," Eleryc promised. "But Yang, remember - whatever secrets they're keeping, they come from love and concern for your wellbeing, not from any desire to exclude you."
The Family Send-Off
On the ground level, Taiyang Xiao Long stood with Qrow Branwen and his wife Lailah, watching as Ruby made final preparations for her journey. The complexity of their family relationships - Ruby's true parentage, the connections between human and elven royalty, the carefully maintained deceptions designed to protect Yang's fragile mental state - created an undercurrent of tension beneath their supportive farewells.
"She's ready for this," Taiyang said, though his voice carried the concern of someone who had raised Ruby as his own daughter and struggled with letting her face danger again so soon after Beacon.
"She has Roy with her," Lailah observed, her elven senses picking up the genuine care between the young couple. "And Lyra is one of our most promising young nobles. They'll watch over each other."
Qrow took a long drink from his flask before speaking. "Haven Academy's been dealing with its own problems. Lionheart's gone quiet, communications are spotty. Could be they're walking into the same kind of trap that got Beacon."
"Which is exactly why they need to go," Lailah replied firmly. "If Haven falls the way Beacon did, without warning, without preparation, the losses could be catastrophic. At least this way, they might be able to provide advance notice or help coordinate defenses."
Ruby approached the three adults, her expression serious but determined. "We'll be careful," she promised, understanding their concerns. "And we'll stay in contact as much as possible. If things look too dangerous, we'll fall back and call for reinforcements."
"Your mother would be proud of who you've become," Taiyang said, embracing the young woman he had raised. "Both your mothers," he added quietly, acknowledging both Summer Rose and the elven heritage Ruby was still discovering.
Lailah stepped forward and placed her hands on Ruby's shoulders, her touch carrying subtle blessings of protection that came from centuries of elven magical knowledge. "Remember, child, you are not alone in this. Your heritage connects you to powers and allies that your enemies cannot anticipate. Trust in that connection when the darkness seems overwhelming."
Qrow's farewell was characteristically gruff but genuine. "Keep your wits about you, kiddo. And don't try to save everyone by yourself. You've got a team for a reason."
The Departure
As the group of six began their journey toward the mainland and the long road to Haven Academy, those they left behind watched until they disappeared from sight. The spring morning that had begun with hope and determination now carried the weight of uncertainty about what lay ahead.
Yang remained at her window, Eleryc's steady presence beside her providing comfort as she watched her sister - cousin, though she didn't know it yet - disappear into the distance. The bonds of family, whether biological or chosen, stretched but did not break as Ruby Rose began the next chapter of her journey toward understanding both her heritage and her role in the larger war that threatened all of Remnant.
The path to Haven Academy would test everything Ruby had learned about herself, her powers, and her relationships. But with Roy beside her, the remaining members of JNPR as her allies, and Lyra as a bridge between her human upbringing and elven destiny, she faced the uncertain future with the confidence of someone who finally understood who she was and what she was fighting for.
Salem's Council - Adjusting to Setbacks
The Land of Darkness
In the twisted realm where hope came to die, Grimm emerged from pools of viscous black tar with the endless hunger that defined their existence. The substance bubbled and churned, giving birth to creatures of pure malice that would spread across Remnant seeking the negative emotions that sustained them.
From the windows of Evernight Castle, Emerald Sustrai watched the spawning pools with barely concealed fear. The revelation of Mercury's betrayal had shaken her to her core - not just because they had lost a valuable operative, but because it forced her to confront the possibility that she too might be expendable in Salem's grand design.
Beside her, the empty space where Mercury Black should have stood served as a constant reminder of his absence. His defection to join Princess Sarai and accept elven protection had been a shock that reverberaged through Salem's inner circle. The cocky assassin who had seemed completely loyal to their cause had chosen childhood friendship over Salem's promises of power.
"He was always weak," Emerald muttered, though her voice lacked conviction. "Letting sentiment cloud his judgment."
But privately, she wondered if Mercury had actually been the smart one. The reports from Atlas had been devastating - Jacques Schnee's corporate empire dismantled, the SDC absorbed into the elven kingdom, and Vale itself reclaimed as the capital of Albanar. The elves had demonstrated power and organization that Salem's intelligence networks had never detected.
The Council Convenes
The great hall of Evernight Castle hosted a meeting that would have terrified lesser beings. Arthur Watts, his mustache perfectly groomed despite the grim surroundings, examined his scroll with the detached interest of a scientist studying an interesting specimen. Tyrian Callows crouched nearby, his mechanical tail twitching with barely contained violence as he muttered to himself about glory and service to his goddess.
Hazel Rainart stood apart from the others, his massive frame radiating the kind of quiet menace that came from years of channeling Dust directly into his body. His presence served as a reminder that Salem's followers came from many different motivations - some seeking power, others driven by grief, all united in their willingness to serve darkness.
When Cinder Fall entered the hall, the change in her was immediately apparent. The woman who had once radiated arrogant confidence now moved carefully, her voice reduced to barely a whisper by the injuries she had sustained at Beacon Tower. The eyepatch that covered her ruined eye served as a permanent reminder of her encounter with Ruby Rose's silver-eyed power.
"Cinder," Watts said with barely concealed disdain, "I trust your recovery is progressing adequately? We wouldn't want our Fall Maiden to be... incapacitated at such a crucial juncture."
Cinder's remaining eye blazed with fury, but when she tried to respond, only a raspy whisper emerged. Emerald quickly stepped forward, her loyalty to her mentor overriding her own fears.
"Cinder's injuries are healing," Emerald said firmly. "The power she gained from claiming the Fall Maiden's abilities more than compensates for temporary physical limitations."
Tyrian's maniacal giggle echoed through the hall. "Oh yes, the great Cinder Fall! Brought low by a little girl with pretty eyes! How deliciously ironic!"
"We have dealt with Silver-Eyed Warriors before," Hazel said quietly, his deep voice cutting through Tyrian's laughter. "They are dangerous, but not invincible. The key is preparation and understanding their limitations."
Salem's Entrance
The temperature in the hall seemed to drop as Salem herself entered, her pale skin and dark veins creating an otherworldly presence that commanded immediate attention. Her red eyes surveyed her assembled followers with the kind of ancient intelligence that had witnessed the rise and fall of civilizations.
"My faithful servants," Salem began, her voice carrying the authority of eons, "recent events have provided us with both victories and... educational experiences."
Watts straightened slightly, recognizing the dangerous edge in their mistress's tone.
"Arthur," Salem continued, her gaze fixing on him with uncomfortable intensity, "your criticisms of Cinder's performance ring hollow when measured against her actual achievements. She successfully claimed the Fall Maiden's power, destroyed Beacon Tower, and eliminated Ozpin from the board. That these victories came with complications does not diminish their strategic value."
Cinder straightened with visible relief at Salem's defense, though her damaged voice prevented her from expressing gratitude.
"However," Salem's tone grew darker, "recent developments require adjustment to our plans. The elves have revealed themselves as a more organized and powerful force than our intelligence suggested. Their reclamation of Vale and integration of Atlas's dust operations represents a significant shift in Remnant's power structure."
"And Mercury's defection?" Emerald asked hesitantly.
"A minor setback," Salem replied, though her expression suggested she viewed it as anything but minor. "His choice to accept elven protection rather than continue serving our cause reveals both the depth of their intelligence network and the effectiveness of their diplomatic outreach."
Reassignments and New Objectives
Salem began pacing, her movements hypnotic and unsettling. "Our next phase requires adaptation to these changed circumstances. Arthur, you will travel to Mistral and make contact with our informant at Haven Academy. The school must fall, but we must be prepared for elven intervention this time."
Watts nodded, already calculating the variables involved in operating under elven scrutiny.
"Tyrian," Salem's attention shifted to her most devoted follower, "your hunt for the Spring Maiden continues, but I have an additional assignment for you. The silver-eyed girl must be brought to me alive. Her power represents both threat and opportunity."
Tyrian's eyes widened with delight. "Oh, my goddess! To serve you by capturing the little rose! I shall pluck her petals one by one until she agrees to come!"
"She is not to be permanently harmed," Salem warned, her tone suggesting dire consequences for disobedience. "We need to understand the extent of her abilities and how they can be... redirected."
"And what of Ruby Rose's current protection?" Hazel asked pragmatically. "The reports indicate she travels with elven nobility and experienced fighters."
"Which brings us to Hazel's assignment," Salem replied. "Adam Taurus has arranged a meeting with Sienna Khan, leader of the White Fang. The organization must be brought fully under our control if we are to have sufficient forces to challenge elven military might."
Cinder tried to speak, her frustration at being unable to communicate clearly evident in her expression. Emerald once again stepped forward to serve as her voice.
"What should we do about the broader elven threat?" Emerald asked on Cinder's behalf. "If they have the power to reclaim cities overrun by Grimm and can protect defectors like Mercury..."
Salem's smile was cold and terrible. "The elves believe their ancient magic and noble principles make them invulnerable. They will learn that there are forces older and more patient than their kingdoms. Their strength will become their weakness, their unity the means of their destruction."
"But for now," she continued, "we focus on Haven Academy. If we can claim another school, another relic, the momentum will shift back in our favor. The elves may have won a battle, but the war is far from over."
The Hunt Begins
As the meeting concluded and Salem's followers prepared for their respective missions, Tyrian's anticipation was palpable. His assignment to capture Ruby Rose alive filled him with a perverse joy that manifested in wild giggling and tail-lashing.
"An eye for an eye, little rose," he whispered to himself, imagining the hunt to come. "My goddess wishes to meet you, and Tyrian Callows always delivers what his goddess desires!"
The mechanical precision of his movements as he prepared his weapons spoke to years of experience in tracking and capturing prey. Ruby Rose's silver eyes had damaged Cinder, but Tyrian had no intention of looking directly into them. He had other methods, other approaches that would allow him to fulfill Salem's wishes without risking the same fate.
Across the Kingdoms
Far from the Land of Darkness, in a simple farmhouse in Anima, a dark-haired boy with freckles and yellow-green eyes woke with a start. Oscar Pine had been experiencing strange dreams lately, visions of battles and ancient conflicts that felt too real to be mere imagination. As he went about his morning chores, tilling soil and pumping water with the routine of rural life, he found himself gazing toward distant horizons with a sense of destiny he couldn't explain.
Meanwhile, in the forests of Anima, Team RNJR faced challenges that tested both their combat skills and their evolving dynamics. The argument between Nora and Ren about their team name - JNRR versus RNJR - reflected the awkwardness of their transition from supporting members of JNPR to full partners in Ruby's quest.
"It should be Team JNRR!" Nora insisted, her enthusiasm undimmed by recent tragedies. "We've got three-quarters of the original team!"
"Team RNJR makes more sense," Ren replied with his characteristic calm logic. "Ruby is leading this mission, so her initial should come first."
Their debate was interrupted by Jaune's urgent call to action as a massive Geist - a Grimm capable of possessing inanimate objects - burst from the forest with a body composed of boulders and debris. The creature's ability to integrate pieces of the landscape into its form made it a formidable opponent that required new tactical approaches.
The battle that followed showcased how much the team had grown since Beacon. Jaune's strategic thinking had developed significantly, allowing him to formulate a coordinated attack plan that played to each member's strengths. Ruby's precision with different Dust types, Nora's devastating power, and Ren's agility combined in a display of teamwork that honored Pyrrha's memory while forging their own identity.
When they finally exposed the Geist's vulnerable core and Ruby finished it with a single shot from Crescent Rose, the victory felt earned through growth and adaptation rather than mere luck.
A Village's Gratitude
The mayor of the nearby village who thanked them for destroying the Geist represented the kind of people they were fighting to protect - ordinary citizens trying to live their lives despite the constant threat of Grimm. His polite refusal of their offer to escort the villagers to Mistral's safety reflected the complex reality of life outside the kingdoms - many communities had adapted to their circumstances and viewed the supposed safety of the kingdoms with suspicion.
At the local blacksmith, the team accepted payment in the form of upgraded equipment for Jaune, including armor and an enhanced Crocea Mors that incorporated metal from Pyrrha's weapons. The gesture was both practical and deeply symbolic, allowing Pyrrha's legacy to continue protecting those she had cared about.
But when the conversation turned to recent events, Ruby's expression grew somber at the mention of the Schnee Dust Company. The news of its absorption into the Albanar Republic, while positive in terms of ending exploitative practices, reminded her of how much the world had changed since Beacon's fall.
"Things are different now," Ruby said quietly as they prepared to continue their journey. "The elves revealing themselves, Vale being reclaimed, even Mercury choosing to defect - it all means we're not fighting the same war we thought we were."
Lyra, who had been quiet during most of their travel, finally spoke up. "Different doesn't necessarily mean worse, Ruby. Sometimes change brings opportunities we couldn't have imagined."
As Team RNJR continued toward Haven Academy, unaware that Tyrian Callows was already beginning his hunt, the landscape of Remnant continued its transformation. The old certainties were gone, replaced by a complex web of alliances and conflicts that would test everyone's assumptions about loyalty, power, and the nature of the war they were fighting.
Salem's Hidden Concerns and Scattered Journeys
Salem's Private Doubts
In the solitude of her chambers within Evernight Castle, Salem dropped the confident facade she maintained before her followers. The ancient immortal stood before a window that looked out over the pools of Grimm creation, her reflection showing the pale features and dark veins that marked her cursed existence.
The bravado she had displayed during the council meeting was necessary to maintain morale among her servants, but privately, she harbored concerns that ran deeper than tactical setbacks. During Beacon's fall, when the elven seals had shattered and their true power had been unleashed, Salem had felt something that chilled even her immortal soul - magical energy that rivaled her own ancient might.
The golden light that had saturated Vale during that battle was unlike anything she had encountered in her millennia of existence. It carried the weight of ages, the accumulated wisdom and power of beings who had mastered magic while humans were still learning to use tools. More troubling still was the memory of High King Berethon and Queen Hyatan's warning, delivered with the kind of certainty that spoke to power she had not fully measured.
They spoke as equals, Salem realized with growing unease. Not as mortals pleading for mercy, but as beings who consider themselves my match.
The revelation that the elves had been preparing for this war far longer than her intelligence networks had detected suggested a level of foresight and organization that challenged her assumptions about Remnant's power structure. Her plans had always accounted for human resistance, scattered Huntsmen, and Ozpin's secretive machinations. She had never calculated for the possibility of facing united elven kingdoms backed by magic that could purify Grimm essence and counter her own dark powers.
Baron and Flare's Journey Home
Far from Salem's brooding, Baron Caldern walked alongside Flare through the forests approaching her hometown, their conversation flowing with the easy comfort of two people whose friendship had deepened into something more profound during their time at Beacon. Baron's noble elven heritage contrasted interestingly with Flare's fox Faunus nature and her unique Majin abilities, creating a partnership that bridged multiple worlds.
"Tell me about your family," Baron requested as they approached the village outskirts. "I want to understand where you come from."
Flare's fox ears twitched with nervous energy, her tail swishing behind her as she considered how to explain her complicated background. "My sister Lazuli and I... we're not typical Faunus. Our abilities come from our mother's side, but they're enhanced by something else. Something that makes us different even among those who are already different."
"The Majin abilities," Baron observed, having witnessed her unique powers during their time at Beacon. "They're unlike anything in elven magical traditions."
"They scare some people," Flare admitted. "The way I can absorb energy, the transformations - it makes me seem dangerous even to those who should understand what it's like to be judged for your nature."
Baron reached for her hand, his touch gentle and reassuring. "You're not dangerous to those who matter. You're extraordinary, and anyone who can't see that doesn't deserve your concern."
The simple declaration carried weight coming from elven nobility, and Flare felt some of her anxiety ease as they continued toward her family home.
Hailfire and Neptune's Training Journey
In another part of Remnant, Hailfire had convinced Neptune to join her on what she called a "training journey" but which was actually her way of processing the trauma of Beacon's fall while staying close to someone whose presence brought her comfort. Her dark elven vanguard training had prepared her for many things, but the emotional complexity of developing feelings for a human student hadn't been covered in any military manual.
"You're holding back," Neptune observed as they sparred in a forest clearing, his trident deflecting her practice strikes with increasing confidence. "I know you're stronger than this."
Hailfire paused, lowering her weapon as she considered his words. "I'm trying not to hurt you. Dark elven combat training isn't designed for sparring partners who don't have centuries of experience."
"So teach me," Neptune replied simply. "Show me what you're really capable of. I can handle more than you think."
The trust in his voice made something warm unfold in Hailfire's chest. During their time at Beacon, she had been focused on maintaining her disguise and protecting the human students from threats they couldn't detect. Now, with the truth revealed, she could explore what it meant to have a genuine connection with someone outside her own people.
"Very well," she said with a slight smile. "But don't say I didn't warn you."
Zero's Investigative Team
Zero, the blue-skinned Frost Demon with his distinctive silver bio-armor, had assembled an unusual investigative team to follow leads about the Beacon attack. His clinical approach to gathering intelligence complemented the unique abilities of his companions perfectly.
Aiko, the wolf Faunus-Saiyan hybrid whose enhanced senses could detect traces others missed, crouched beside a destroyed section of Vale's outer wall. Her wolf ears perked up as she caught scents that told a story of the battle that had raged here.
"White Fang explosives," she reported, her tail bristling with tension. "But also something else. Something that doesn't belong to any faction I know."
Scarlett, her sister whose more traditional Saiyan appearance was marked only by her distinctive red hair and tail, floated slightly above the ground as she surveyed the damage from a different angle. "The blast patterns are wrong for standard military ordinance. This was coordinated with something else - something that came from inside the defenses."
Lazuli, Flare's sister whose human appearance was belied only by her fox ears and the tail that emerged when she accessed her Majin abilities, was examining the psychic residue left by the battle. Her powers, similar to Android 21's absorption and transformation abilities, allowed her to sense the emotional echoes of conflict.
"Fear," she said quietly, her fox ears flattening against her head. "Massive amounts of fear and despair. But also... hope? There was hope here, even in the darkest moments."
Zero processed their findings with the analytical precision of his people. "The coordination suggests internal intelligence was provided to the attackers. Someone with access to Beacon's security protocols assisted in the breach."
The Saiyan Training Group
In a secluded mountain valley, Note, Jinjer, Giblet, Beat, and Daikon had established a training camp where they could develop their abilities while pursuing their own investigation into the Beacon attack. The group dynamic was complicated by their various relationships and the weight of their shared heritage.
Note and Jinjer, both female Saiyans, had bonded over their similar experiences adapting to life outside their warrior culture. They sparred with an intensity that would have alarmed human observers, their power levels creating shockwaves that shattered nearby rocks.
"Sun mentioned something about Emerald's illusion abilities," Note said between exchanges, her energy attacks lighting up the training ground. "If she can make people see things that aren't there..."
"Then how do we know what really happened at Beacon?" Jinjer finished, her own combat form adapting to counter Note's techniques. "How do we know which memories are real and which were planted?"
Giblet, Shallot's brother, was training with Beat and Daikon in a different section of the valley, their combined power creating small craters in the mountainside. His concern for his brother's well-being and his growing feelings for Blake Belladonna added personal stakes to their investigation.
"Blake's still missing," Giblet said during a break in their training. "Shallot's worried about her, but he's too proud to admit how much."
Daikon, Tarro's cousin, nodded grimly. "The Belladonna family has connections to the White Fang's moderate faction. If Adam Taurus is making moves to consolidate power, she might be in more danger than anyone realizes."
Reconnection in a Small Village
In a quiet village on the road to Haven Academy, Sarai and Mercury sat together at a small cafe, their reunion after the chaos of recent months carrying the weight of choices that had changed both their lives. Mercury's decision to choose his childhood friend over Salem's service had been vindicated by the protection offered by the elven crown, but the adjustment to a new life was ongoing.
"I keep expecting Cinder to appear around every corner," Mercury admitted, his usual cocky demeanor replaced by genuine vulnerability. "Even with elven protection, part of me worries that I'm putting you in danger by being here."
Sarai reached across the table to take his hand, her princess training providing diplomatic skills but her personal feelings driving her response. "You made the right choice. Not just for me, but for yourself. The person I knew as a child, the one I believed in - he's still there."
Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Khanna - Seraphina - and Cardin Winchester, whose own relationship had been strengthened by the trials at Beacon. The Supreme Commander of the Elven Royal Vanguard had requested permission to join Ruby's group, both to provide additional protection and to investigate the broader implications of Salem's plans.
"The others are close," Seraphina reported, her tactical awareness enhanced by her elven training. "Ruby's group should reach this village within the day. Are you prepared for what comes next?"
Mercury nodded, though uncertainty flickered in his eyes. "As prepared as someone can be for trying to make amends for years of serving the wrong side."
Plans to Converge
As these various groups pursued their separate journeys of training, investigation, and personal growth, plans were already in motion for convergence. Odyn and Weiss, having completed their business in Atlas and established the new structure for the former SDC, were making arrangements to meet their friends in Mistral.
The scattered members of their extended friend group from Beacon were following different paths, but all roads seemed to lead toward Haven Academy and the next phase of the conflict with Salem. Whether through training, investigation, personal relationships, or simple determination to honor fallen friends, each group was preparing for whatever challenges lay ahead.
The bonds forged at Beacon Academy had proven stronger than the forces that tried to break them, and even Salem's ancient power would have to contend with the strength that came from genuine connection and shared purpose. The war was far from over, but the scattered heroes of Remnant were gathering their strength for whatever battles lay ahead.
To be continued in Chapter 30: Of Runaways, Stowaways, and Saiyans?