Arthur retreated into the deepest recesses of his personal domain, a chamber crafted with the sole purpose of housing his most complex and delicate magical endeavors.
The air within was thick with the scent of aged parchment and ozone, charged with latent arcane energies that hummed a low, constant vibration.
Runes, intricate and ancient, glowed faintly from the obsidian walls, absorbing and channeling the ambient magical currents of the space.
This was not merely a room, but a meticulously constructed crucible, a sanctuary where the veil between worlds thinned, allowing for the most profound manipulations of reality.
In his hands, he cradled the luminous orb that was Summer Rose's soul. It pulsed with a soft, ethereal glow, a gentle warmth radiating from its core, a quiet resonance that spoke of a life once lived, and a promise yet to be fulfilled.
He felt the subtle hum of its existence, a delicate vibration against his palms, a testament to the fragile beauty of a soul held in suspension.
Drawing upon the vast reservoir of Dungeon Points (DP) he had painstakingly accumulated, Arthur began the arduous process of channeling it through the intricate pathways of his Soul Magic.
The DP, originally a currency for traversing the treacherous levels of the Tower Dungeon, a means of ingress and egress, or a catalyst for advancement to the next perilous floor, had revealed a far grander, more profound application to Arthur.
He had stumbled upon a discovery that would redefine the very boundaries of his understanding of power.
He found that DP could be harnessed as an inexhaustible, infinitely potent source of raw power.
Its very essence was a form of energy unlike any he had ever encountered, far surpassing the destructive might of elemental forces, the subtle weave of natural magic, or even the raw cosmic energies of the universe.
Its potency was absolute, its potential boundless. Even the primordial dragons, Ophis and Great Red, beings of immeasurable power and ancient wisdom, beings who embodied the very essence of cosmic might and the eternal cycle of creation and destruction, had affirmed its unparalleled potency.
Their endorsement was not merely a confirmation, but a testament to the radical implications of Arthur's discovery, a recognition of a new dawn in the application of magical power.
The process was long and arduous, a delicate dance of energy and intent. He wove new flesh, bone, and Aura, meticulously replicating every aspect of Summer's original form.
It was more than just physical creation; it was imbuing a vessel with life, ensuring it was a perfect match for the spirit it would house.
Days blurred into a focused, magical endeavor, until finally, a figure lay resting on a pristine white slab.
She stirred, her eyes fluttering open, revealing silver orbs identical to Ruby's. Summer Rose was reborn.
The reunion was a maelstrom of tears and joy.
Ruby and Yang, informed by Arthur, rushed to the chamber, their faces a mixture of disbelief and boundless hope.
When they saw her, truly saw her, breathing and solid, their cries of "Mom!" filled the air.
Summer, still a little weak but fully present, wrapped her arms around her daughters, holding them close for the first time in years.
The dam broke, and all three of them wept, releasing years of grief, longing, and unanswered questions.
Yang's embrace was fierce, Ruby's gentle but just as tight.
"My girls,"
Summer murmured, her voice hoarse with emotion.
"You've grown so much. I'm so proud."
Arthur watched from a respectful distance, a quiet satisfaction in his chest. This was the true reward, far greater than any DP or skill gained. He had brought a family back together.
Later, as the initial euphoria subsided, Arthur felt a subtle tremor in the vicinity of Vale. It was a familiar signature, tinged with confusion and a hint of despair.
Neo. He knew Roman Torchwick had escaped, leaving his silent accomplice without a protector or a direction.
He reappeared in a deserted alleyway in Vale, finding Neo sitting on an overturned crate, her usually pristine outfit disheveled, her eyes unusually wide with uncertainty.
She looked lost, her usual mischievous smirk replaced by a vulnerable pout.
Roman was gone, and she had nowhere to go.
Arthur extended a hand.
"Roman isn't coming back for you isn't he. You don't have a place here anymore, do you?"
Her eyes, usually hidden behind illusions, widened further, flickering with surprise that he understood. She shook her head subtly, a small, sad gesture.
Even though Arthur said that he would take care of her, she didn't know if he was being serious at that time or not.
"Come with me then,"
Arthur offered.
"I can give you a home. A new start, where you won't be alone."
Neo looked at his outstretched hand, then at his calm, empathetic face. She had nowhere else to go. After a moment, she silently took his hand. Even though she wanted to be dominated by him.
Getting treated gently also wasn't bad at all.
Back at Beacon, news of Summer Rose's miraculous return spread like wildfire amongst the staff, albeit under a veil of strict secrecy enforced by Ozpin and Glynda. They knew Arthur was behind it, but the how remained beyond their grasp.
As Arthur prepared to leave Remnant, Team RWBY approached him, their expressions earnest.
"Arthur,"
Ruby began, her silver eyes pleading.
"Can we... Can we come with you? Where are you going next?"
Yang nodded eagerly.
"Yeah! We've seen so much! We can help!"
Arthur looked at them, a bittersweet smile on his face. He genuinely cared for them, but their paths, for now, were separate.
"Ruby, Yang, Weiss, Blake... You are incredible. Truly. And I cherish the time we've spent together."
He shook his head gently.
"But no. You have vital roles to play here, in Remnant. Your world still faces immense challenges, challenges only you can overcome. You have so much more to learn, to experience, to grow."
"But..."
Ruby started, her face falling.
"It's not a farewell,"
Arthur interrupted, his voice kind but firm.
"My journey takes me to many places, and I can return to this… world. Think of this as a temporary divergence of paths, not an end to our connection."
He glanced at Summer, who stood nearby, sharing a knowing look with him.
"Your mother needs you here, as much as you need her. And there are still people on Remnant who need its heroes."
He smiled, a reassuring warmth in his gaze.
"Go. Become the Huntresses you are all meant to be. And when the time is right, perhaps our paths will cross again."
Reluctantly, understanding dawned in their eyes. They had their own destiny, their own world to protect. With heavy hearts, but renewed determination, they nodded. They would stay. For Remnants. For their reborn mother. And for the promise that Arthur would return.
Arthur nodded, then, with a final, silent farewell to Remnant, he opened a portal, ready to take Neo back to his home and prepare for the next floor of the Tower Dungeon.
He would still come back here though when he had time. There were many things left to do here.
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