Journey to Mistral: Arrival
The airship descended through banks of morning mist, revealing Mistral's cascading architecture spread across multiple mountainsides like a living painting. Ruby pressed her forehead against the cool glass of the viewport, silver-amber eyes taking in the city she'd only seen in books and broadcasts. Unlike Vale's practical grid or Atlas's cold symmetry, Mistral flowed organically with the landscape, buildings rising in graceful tiers connected by an intricate network of bridges, stairways, and cable cars.
"Beautiful," she whispered, "but easy to get lost in."
"That's the idea," Mercury replied from where he leaned against the opposite wall, arms crossed. "Mistral was built by people who valued privacy and secrecy. Every district is a maze by design."
Yang stood beside Ruby, her prosthetic arm gleaming in the early sunlight streaming through the viewport. The drachium modifications Roy had integrated caught the light in ways that made the metal seem almost alive.
"Which works in our favor," she noted. "Cinder's people will have a harder time tracking our movements."
From the pilot's seat, Qrow called back to them. "We're approaching the mid-tier landing zone. Everyone remember their groups and routes. We can't risk traveling together through the city."
Ruby nodded, mentally reviewing the plan they'd finalized during their journey. Their sizeable group would split into four smaller teams, each taking different paths to their safehouse in the artist's district. The arrangement would minimize their profile while maximizing their chances of detecting any surveillance or ambush attempts.
The airship settled onto a modest landing pad nestled between ornate buildings with sloping, tiled roofs. As the engines cycled down, Lailah rose from her seat with fluid grace, her silver-white hair cascading over shoulders draped in a deep blue traveling cloak that concealed her elven features from casual observation.
"Remember," she addressed the group, her melodic voice carrying authority earned through centuries of experience, "Mistral has eyes everywhere. Assume you are always being watched."
Ruby glanced around at their assembled allies, noting how each had adapted their appearance for arrival. Odyn had bound his silver hair beneath a wide-brimmed hat, while Sarai wore a hooded cloak that shadowed her distinctive features. Baron and Flare had dressed as merchants, their formal dark elven and fox faunus attire replaced by simple but well-made trading clothes. Hailfire, perhaps most dramatically transformed, had exchanged her usual armor for the flowing robes of a Mistralian cultural scholar, her severe expression completing the academic disguise perfectly.
"First group disembarks in three minutes," Qrow announced, completing the landing procedures. "Second group five minutes after that. You all know the schedule."
Seraphina adjusted the shadow gem pendant around her neck, ensuring it lay flat against her skin beneath her high-collared jacket. The opalescent crystal seemed to pulse once before settling into a subtle shimmer that absorbed rather than reflected light.
"Is it working?" she asked her mother quietly.
Lailah reached out, passing her hand above the pendant without touching it. "Yes. Your magical signature is properly masked. To any who might be scanning, you'll register as nothing more extraordinary than a fighter with an unlocked aura."
Mercury moved to Seraphina's side, his usual cocky demeanor subdued by the weight of their mission. "I'll need to separate from you before we reach the market district," he reminded her, voice low. "If Cinder has scouts posted, they can't see us together."
Seraphina's expression tightened, but she nodded. "I remember the plan. Be careful, Mercury. Cinder's suspicion can be triggered by the smallest inconsistency."
"Being careful around Cinder is how I've stayed alive this long," he replied with a hint of his old smirk, though Ruby noted the genuine concern that flickered in his eyes as he looked at Seraphina.
The first group assembled by the airship's ramp: Jaune, Sarai, Ren, and Nora would travel the most public route, posing as students returning from an exchange program. Their appearances were familiar enough in Mistral to avoid undue attention, yet their combat abilities made them more than capable of handling trouble should it find them.
"Ready?" Jaune asked, adjusting the strap of his pack. The months since Beacon's fall had changed him, Ruby observed—not just physically, with broader shoulders and more confident posture, but in the quiet authority that now came naturally to him.
Sarai nodded, emerald eyes scanning the landing pad visible through the slowly opening ramp. "Clear for now," she reported, her hand resting casually near the collapsible form of her weapon.
"Try not to break anything, Nora," Ren said with fond resignation as Nora bounced on her toes, barely containing her energy despite the serious nature of their mission.
"No promises!" she replied cheerfully, though Ruby noticed how her eyes sharpened as she surveyed their surroundings—the exterior exuberance hiding a focused warrior ready for action.
Qrow gave the signal, and the first group descended the ramp, seamlessly adopting the relaxed posture and animated conversation of returning students, disappearing into the flow of morning foot traffic with practiced ease.
Ruby watched them go, a flutter of anxiety in her chest despite her confidence in their abilities. So many ways things could go wrong, so many variables beyond their control...
A hand settled on her shoulder—Yang, offering silent reassurance. "They'll be fine," her sister murmured. "We've prepared for this."
Ruby nodded, drawing strength from Yang's certainty. "Second group in five minutes," she reminded herself, focusing on the plan rather than her worries.
The second departure went equally smoothly: Blake, Baron, and Flare exiting as a small merchant family, their disguises complemented by crates of "goods" that cleverly concealed additional weapons and supplies. Blake's cat ears remained visible—in Mistral's diverse trading districts, a faunus merchant attracted far less attention than someone clearly hiding faunus traits.
As they prepared for the third group's departure, Ruby moved to the small storage compartment where she'd stowed her pack. As she reached for it, a sharp pain lanced through her temple, causing her to wince and press her palm against the side of her head.
"Ruby?" Yang was immediately at her side, concern evident in her lilac eyes. "What's wrong?"
"I'm not sure," Ruby admitted, the pain already receding to a dull throb. "Just a sudden headache."
Odyn approached, his amber eyes narrowed with concern. "When exactly did it begin?" he asked, his tone indicating this was more than casual interest.
"Just now, when I was reaching for my pack," Ruby explained, rubbing her temple. "It's already fading."
"And the location of the pain?" Odyn pressed, watching her intently.
Ruby blinked, realizing he was testing a theory. "Left temple, radiating outward. Why? What does it mean?"
Odyn exchanged a significant glance with Lailah before answering. "The Severance Stone has been activated for preliminary alignment. What you felt was its effect on those with elven blood, particularly those like yourself who serve as natural bridges between worlds."
"I felt nothing," Seraphina observed with a frown.
"The shadow gem protects you," Lailah explained. "And those of us with pure elven lineage have natural defenses against such interference." She moved to Ruby's side, placing cool fingers against the younger woman's temple. "The sensation should pass quickly, but it confirms our intelligence—Cinder has indeed begun the preparatory stages of the ritual."
"Which means our timeline just accelerated," Qrow concluded grimly. "Mercury, how long between preliminary activation and the main ritual?"
Mercury's expression darkened. "Originally, Cinder planned for a full day of alignment before the main event. But if she's starting now..." He calculated quickly. "She might be pushing the schedule. Eighteen hours, maybe less."
"Then we move faster," Roy stated firmly, coming to stand beside Yang. The elven healer's usual calm seemed underpinned by new urgency. "Third group should depart now, not in five minutes."
Qrow nodded in agreement. "Roy's right. Yang, Ruby, Odyn—you're up. Hailfire, go with them. Your route takes you closest to Haven; see if you can sense anything more about the Stone's activity level."
The third group gathered their packs quickly, checking weapons and communications devices. Ruby slipped Crescent Rose into its travel configuration, the weapon folding into a more compact form that wouldn't immediately identify her to anyone who might be watching for a scythe-wielder.
"Keep communications to emergency protocols only," Qrow reminded them. "Assume CCT traffic is being monitored."
Yang nodded, adjusting her jacket to better conceal her distinctive prosthetic arm. "Understood. Standard rendezvous at the safehouse by midday."
As they prepared to disembark, Lailah approached Ruby once more. "If the pain returns, or if you experience any other unusual sensations, inform Odyn immediately," she instructed. "Your sensitivity to the Stone could be both advantage and vulnerability."
"I will," Ruby promised, touching her temple where the pain had already faded to a distant memory.
The ramp lowered again, and Ruby stepped out into Mistral's morning air—heavy with moisture and rich with the scents of cooking food, incense, and the distinctive tang of dust being prepared in nearby workshops. The mid-tier district bustled with activity, merchants opening shops, students hurrying to early classes, workers beginning their daily commutes between the city's levels.
Odyn took the lead, his disguise as a visiting huntsman providing natural cover for his alert posture and watchful gaze. Yang followed, playing the role of his assistant, while Ruby and Hailfire adopted the personas of junior academicians seeking guidance on Mistral's historic battle techniques.
They wound their way through narrow streets flanked by buildings whose architecture spanned centuries—ancient stone foundations supporting newer wooden structures, all crowned with the distinctive curved roofs that characterized Mistralian design. Colorful paper lanterns hung from eaves, not yet lit in the morning light but ready to illuminate the pathways after dusk.
"Two o'clock, rooftop," Odyn murmured without breaking stride or turning his head. "Observer with binoculars."
"White Fang?" Yang asked quietly, pretending to adjust her pack while scanning the indicated direction.
"No," Hailfire replied before Odyn could answer. "Haven Academy security. They've increased patrols since Leonardo's... departure." Her tone made clear what she thought of Lionheart's betrayal of his position as headmaster.
Ruby forced herself to continue walking naturally, resisting the urge to look directly at the observer. "Regular security or specifically watching for us?"
"Impossible to determine from this distance," Odyn replied. "But we should assume Cinder has informants within Haven's security forces. Change course at the next intersection—take the covered market route instead."
They adjusted their path, ducking into a bustling marketplace where canvas awnings created a patchwork ceiling above vendors selling everything from fresh produce to intricate textiles. The air here was thick with competing aromas and the sound of haggling in multiple languages.
Ruby stayed close to Yang as they navigated the crowded space, appreciating how the dense throngs provided excellent cover while simultaneously creating new challenges—any one of these shoppers could be reporting their movements to Cinder or the White Fang.
"We're being followed," Hailfire noted calmly, her eyes focused forward as if admiring a display of ceremonial masks. "Two individuals, maintaining consistent distance since we entered the market."
"Description?" Odyn asked, smoothly guiding them toward a tea stall that offered a reflective brass kettle from which he could observe behind them.
"Woman, mid-thirties, green vest, carrying a shopping basket. Man, younger, dark hair, wearing a Haven Academy maintenance uniform." Hailfire selected a small paper fan from a nearby vendor, exchanging lien with practiced casualness. "They're coordinating but pretending not to know each other."
Ruby's pulse quickened. The description of the man matched one of the operatives Mercury had identified as part of Cinder's extended network—not inner circle, but definitely on her payroll.
"Options?" Yang asked, her prosthetic hand flexing slightly beneath her jacket sleeve, ready to deploy if needed.
Odyn considered for only a moment. "Standard evasion pattern Crimson. Next alley, then split. Ruby and I will draw them off; Yang and Hailfire proceed directly to the safehouse."
Ruby nodded, understanding the logic. As a silver-eyed warrior with awakened elven heritage, she was both high-value target and capable defender. Odyn's centuries of combat experience made him the ideal partner to ensure her safety while creating a convincing diversion.
They continued through the market at an unhurried pace, preserving their cover as tourists while subtly working their way toward the eastern exit where a narrow alley offered the opportunity they needed. As they approached the transition point, Ruby felt another twinge in her temple—fainter than before, but unmistakable.
"The Stone again," she murmured to Odyn. "Different sensation this time—less pain, more... pressure."
Odyn's expression remained neutral for any observers, but his voice carried concealed concern. "Cinder's accelerating the alignment process. We need to hurry."
They reached the alley entrance, where Yang smoothly bumped into a passing shopper, creating a momentary disruption that allowed Ruby and Odyn to slip away while Yang and Hailfire continued straight ahead, apparently separated from their companions by the small commotion.
The alley narrowed quickly, ancient stone walls rising on either side, the space between them barely wide enough for two people to walk abreast. Odyn led Ruby through a series of quick turns, his elven memory navigating Mistral's labyrinthine backstreets with unerring precision.
"Are they following?" Ruby asked, glancing back as they emerged into a small courtyard surrounded by apartments with laundry strung between balconies.
"Yes," Odyn confirmed. "Both of them. They've abandoned pretense now—they're in pursuit mode."
Ruby's hand moved to Crescent Rose. "Fight or continue running?"
"Neither," Odyn decided, steering them toward a narrow staircase ascending to a higher tier of the city. "We lead them in circles until Yang and Hailfire reach the safehouse, then lose them in the artist's district before doubling back ourselves."
As they climbed the worn stone steps, the sounds of pursuit grew louder—their followers no longer concerned with stealth. Ruby caught glimpses of green and dark blue clothing several switchbacks below them.
"They're calling for backup," Odyn noted, his keen elven hearing picking up transmissions even Ruby couldn't detect. "We have perhaps five minutes before additional forces converge on this position."
Ruby nodded, conserving her breath for the climb. The stairs seemed endless, rising steeply between weathered buildings whose balconies nearly touched above the narrow passage. Mistral's vertical construction made for excellent defensible positions but limited escape options—they were effectively climbing a funnel.
At the top of the staircase, they emerged onto a small plaza dominated by a circular fountain. Morning sunlight sparkled on the water, creating rainbow refractions that momentarily dazzled Ruby's sensitive eyes.
"This way," Odyn directed, leading her toward an arched passageway on the far side of the plaza. "There's a—"
He stopped abruptly, arm extended to block Ruby's path. Ahead, emerging from the shadowed arch, came three figures in White Fang masks, hands already moving toward weapons.
"Trap," Ruby realized, even as she heard their original pursuers reaching the top of the stairs behind them. "They herded us here."
Odyn's expression hardened. "Indeed. It seems our arrival was anticipated after all." In one fluid motion, he removed his hat, silver hair spilling free as he reached for the weapon concealed beneath his cloak. "No point maintaining disguises now."
Ruby deployed Crescent Rose, the scythe unfurling to its full combat configuration with mechanical precision. "Five opponents that we can see. Probably more nearby."
"Undoubtedly," Odyn agreed, his own weapon extending into an elegant glaive of elven design, its blade gleaming with subtle enchantments. "Options limited but clear: we fight through the White Fang contingent—they'll be less prepared for your particular abilities than Cinder's trained agents."
The White Fang members spread out, blocking the archway completely. Behind them, Ruby could see additional shadows moving—reinforcements positioning themselves for ambush.
"Surrender the half-breed," called the lead White Fang operative, a tall man with bull horns protruding from his mask. "Adam Taurus wants her alive."
"Adam?" Ruby's brow furrowed in confusion. "But Mercury said—"
"It seems alliances have shifted," Odyn noted grimly. "Or Mercury's intelligence was incomplete."
There was no time for further discussion. The White Fang charged forward, weapons drawn. Simultaneously, their original pursuers closed in from behind, the woman drawing dual pistols while the man extended a staff crackling with electricity.
Ruby met the first White Fang attacker with a sweeping arc of Crescent Rose, forcing him to dodge back while she activated her semblance. Rose petals swirled as she became a crimson blur, circling to attack from an unexpected angle. She registered Odyn engaged with multiple opponents, his glaive a silver crescent of continuous motion, centuries of combat experience evident in every precise movement.
The plaza erupted into chaos as the ambush fully materialized—additional White Fang dropping from surrounding balconies while civilians scattered, screaming in panic. Ruby counted at least twelve attackers now, a coordinated force clearly prepared specifically for intercepting their group.
"We can't defeat them all conventionally," Odyn called to her, deflecting three attacks simultaneously with a spinning maneuver that created space around him. "Use your eyes, Ruby!"
Ruby understood instantly. Though still learning to control her silver eyes' power, the recent awakening of her elven heritage had brought new clarity to this ability. She planted Crescent Rose's blade in the stone pavers, using it as an anchor as she centered herself the way Odyn had taught her.
"Cover your eyes!" she shouted to her mentor, taking a deep breath and focusing on the energy building within her.
The White Fang members hesitated, confusion evident in their body language—they'd been warned about a scythe-wielder, but not about the silver eyes. That moment of uncertainty was all Ruby needed.
Light erupted from her eyes—not the raw, uncontrolled burst that had frozen the Wyvern at Beacon, but a focused beam that swept across their attackers in a precise arc. Where it touched the White Fang members, they staggered backward, temporarily blinded and disoriented.
Odyn, having shielded his vision at Ruby's warning, immediately capitalized on the opening, surging forward to clear a path through the archway. "Now, Ruby!"
She followed his lead, both of them sprinting through the gap in their enemies' formation before the White Fang could recover. Beyond the arch lay a network of elevated walkways connecting the upper-tier buildings—an ideal terrain for Ruby's speed and Odyn's agility.
"They'll recover quickly," Odyn warned as they raced across a narrow bridge spanning between ornate structures. "That was well executed but won't buy us much time."
"I'm still learning to control it," Ruby replied, slightly breathless from the exertion of using her eyes. "Each time gets easier, more precise."
"Your progress is remarkable," Odyn acknowledged as they ducked into a covered passage that wound between buildings. "But we need to lose our pursuers completely. Your silver eyes are too distinctive—word will reach Cinder immediately."
Ruby nodded, understanding the implications. If Cinder confirmed her presence in Mistral now, their entire plan could be compromised before they had a chance to implement it.
They continued moving at a rapid pace through Mistral's upper tiers, taking advantage of increasingly narrow passages that forced their pursuers to follow single-file, limiting their numerical advantage. Occasionally, they heard shouts of frustration echoing between buildings as the White Fang struggled to maintain visual contact.
"There," Odyn pointed toward a small temple nestled between larger structures, its entrance marked by twin crimson columns. "Sanctuary of the Four Winds. Even the White Fang won't violate its neutrality openly."
They changed direction, making for the temple entrance. As they approached, an elderly monk in flowing yellow robes appeared in the doorway, alerted by the commotion.
"We seek temporary sanctuary," Odyn stated formally as they reached the steps. "Pursuers with ill intent follow close behind."
The monk studied them for a moment, ancient eyes taking in Odyn's elven features and Ruby's silver-amber gaze with a flash of recognition. Without speaking, he stepped aside, granting them entry with a small bow.
Once inside, the heavy wooden doors closed behind them with surprising speed for their apparent weight. Ruby heard the sound of multiple locks engaging, followed by a subtle hum that suggested more than mechanical security was now in place.
"The White Fang cannot enter, but they will surround the temple," the monk finally spoke, his voice surprisingly strong for his apparent age. "You have bought time, not escape."
"Time is what we needed," Odyn replied, inclining his head respectfully. "You have our gratitude, Elder Zhi."
The monk's eyes crinkled with amusement. "It has been many decades since you visited these halls, Silver Owl. Your memory serves you well."
Ruby glanced between them, surprised by the familiar address. "You know each other?"
"Elder Zhi was already ancient when I first traveled to Mistral two centuries ago," Odyn explained. "The Sanctuary has always provided haven to those caught between worlds."
The old monk nodded, gesturing for them to follow him deeper into the temple. "And now you bring one who embodies that very state of being," he observed, glancing at Ruby's silver-amber eyes and slightly pointed ears. "A bridge-walker, awakened in interesting times."
They passed through a series of small chambers lit by paper lanterns, the air heavy with incense and the subtle hum of what Ruby now recognized as protective wards—similar to those Lailah sometimes employed but with a distinctly different resonance.
"Mistralian mysticism has always maintained connections to elven magical traditions," Odyn explained quietly, noting Ruby's curious expression. "Though few remember the original sources of their practices."
Elder Zhi led them to a modest chamber containing a low table surrounded by cushions. A young acolyte appeared silently with a tray bearing a teapot and small cups.
"Sit," the elder invited. "Drink. Your pursuers will maintain their vigil for some time, but the Sanctuary has other exits less easily observed."
As they settled on the cushions, Ruby became aware of a familiar pressure building in her temple again—stronger this time, accompanied by a faint ringing in her ears.
"The Stone," she murmured, pressing fingers to her temple. "Its activation is progressing."
Elder Zhi's expression grew grave as he poured tea with meticulous precision. "Yes. We have felt the disturbance as well. The barriers between realms thin with each passing hour." He handed Ruby a cup of fragrant tea. "This will help mitigate the symptoms, though not their cause."
Ruby accepted gratefully, sipping the bitter liquid and feeling immediate relief spread through her head. "Thank you," she said sincerely. "But we can't stay long. Our friends are expecting us at the safehouse, and our absence will cause concern."
"Indeed," the monk agreed. "And your larger mission cannot wait. The Severance Stone's awakening threatens far more than just your comfort."
Odyn's eyes narrowed slightly. "You know of our purpose here?"
Elder Zhi smiled enigmatically. "The Sanctuary exists at the intersection of worlds, Silver Owl. We see much that others do not." He set down his tea cup deliberately. "Including the movements of those who would destroy such intersections permanently."
"Cinder," Ruby said, understanding dawning. "You've been monitoring her activities."
"As best we can," the monk confirmed. "Though her inner circle is well-shielded from spiritual observation, her broader network leaves... impressions."
"Any information you could share would be invaluable," Odyn stated, leaning forward slightly.
Elder Zhi nodded once. "The woman you call Cinder has accelerated her timeline. The ritual originally planned for tomorrow night has been moved forward to tonight, shortly after midnight."
Ruby exchanged an alarmed glance with Odyn. "That's much sooner than we anticipated. Why the change?"
"She senses opposition gathering," the monk explained simply. "Your arrival, while disguised from physical observation, creates ripples in the spiritual fabric of Mistral that those attuned to such things can detect."
"Then our entire plan needs adjustment," Ruby realized, setting down her teacup with renewed urgency. "We need to reach the others immediately."
"There is more," Elder Zhi continued, his tone growing even more serious. "The White Fang's allegiance has indeed shifted, as you suspected during your confrontation. Adam Taurus no longer serves Cinder's interests directly—he has made a separate arrangement with Salem herself."
Odyn's expression darkened. "That complicates matters significantly. Adam's forces were factored into our planning as Cinder's allies, not as an independent faction with separate objectives."
The monk nodded slowly. "The faunus leader seeks power that Cinder would never willingly share. Salem has promised him authority over Mistral's governance once the elven influence is permanently severed."
Ruby felt cold dread settling in her stomach. "So Adam might actually try to interfere with Cinder's ritual if it serves his purposes."
"Or support it for entirely different reasons than we assumed," Odyn added grimly. "Either way, our intelligence is compromised."
Elder Zhi rose with fluid grace that belied his apparent age. "You must rejoin your allies quickly. I will show you a path through the Sanctuary that emerges near your destination—one unwatched by either faction."
As they followed the monk through more winding corridors and down several flights of worn stone steps, Ruby felt the weight of their mission growing heavier. The accelerated timeline, Adam's shifted allegiance, the ambush that suggested their arrival had been at least partially anticipated—all pointed to complications they hadn't fully prepared for.
"Your friends maintained better secrecy," Elder Zhi noted as they descended into what appeared to be ancient catacombs beneath the temple. "The first two groups reached the safehouse without incident."
Relief flooded through Ruby at this news. "And the fourth group? My uncle Qrow, Lailah, Seraphina, and Mercury?"
"Still aboard your vessel when last we checked," the monk replied. "Though they likely departed shortly after your ambush was reported."
They reached a small wooden door set into the stone wall, its surface carved with symbols Ruby recognized from Odyn's teachings—ancient elven runes of passage and protection, adapted into Mistralian artistic style but retaining their original power.
"This passage emerges in a storage cellar three buildings from your safehouse," Elder Zhi explained, producing an ornate key from within his robes. "The owner is an ally of the Sanctuary and will not betray your presence."
As the monk unlocked the door, Ruby turned to him with genuine gratitude. "Thank you for your help. We wouldn't have escaped without it."
Elder Zhi smiled gently. "The Sanctuary serves its purpose, as it has for millennia. When the veil between worlds grows thin, those who walk between must be protected." He looked directly at Ruby. "Your silver eyes carry more than just power, young one. They carry hope for a new balance between realms that have been artificially separated for too long."
The door swung open, revealing a narrow tunnel illuminated by softly glowing crystals embedded in the walls. Before stepping through, Odyn clasped the monk's shoulder in a gesture of deep respect.
"Should we fail in our mission..." he began.
"Then the Sanctuary will endure, as it always has," Elder Zhi finished for him. "But I do not believe you will fail, Silver Owl. Not with such allies gathered to your cause."
With final nods of gratitude, Ruby and Odyn entered the passage, the door closing silently behind them. As they hurried through the ancient tunnel, Ruby processed everything they'd learned.
"We need to completely revise our approach," she said, thinking aloud. "With the ritual happening tonight instead of tomorrow, and Adam's forces potentially working against both Cinder and us..."
"Indeed," Odyn agreed, his long strides easily keeping pace with her. "The counter-ritual preparation time has been halved. Seraphina will need to accelerate her attunement to the Spring Maiden's power."
"And Mercury's intelligence on White Fang positioning is now suspect," Ruby added with concern. "We can't be sure which factions will be where."
They continued in focused silence for several minutes, the tunnel gradually sloping upward until they reached another door, this one simpler but marked with the same protective runes. It opened into a dimly lit storage cellar stacked with crates of preserved foods and wines, the air thick with the scents of spices and fermentation.
A middle-aged woman with streaks of gray in her dark hair waited nearby, her expression neutral but alert. She wore the practical clothing of a Mistralian merchant, though the quality suggested a successful business rather than mere subsistence.
"Friends of the elder," she acknowledged with a small nod. "Your companions await. Follow me, but be silent—there are patrols passing regularly on the main street."
She led them up wooden stairs and through a busy kitchen where several cooks worked preparing what smelled like lunch service for a restaurant. None of the staff paid them any attention, suggesting this route was not unusual. They exited through a back door into a narrow service alley, then wound through several similar passages before reaching a modest building with a faded sign identifying it as an artist's studio.
Three quick knocks followed by two slower ones, and the door opened to reveal Blake, her amber eyes widening slightly with relief at seeing them.
"Inside, quickly," she urged, glancing up and down the alley before securing the door behind them.
The safehouse interior was exactly as Mercury had described it—a former artist's studio converted to living quarters, its high ceilings and large windows (now carefully curtained) providing both space and light. The main room bustled with activity, their allies gathered around tables covered with maps and diagrams.
"Ruby! Odyn!" Yang rushed forward, pulling her sister into a tight embrace before stepping back to examine her. "We heard about the ambush. Are you hurt?"
"We're fine," Ruby assured her, scanning the room and counting heads. Relief washed through her as she realized everyone had arrived safely—even the fourth group, Qrow and Lailah standing near a large map of Haven Academy while Seraphina conferred quietly with Mercury in a corner.
"What happened?" Jaune asked, approaching with Sarai at his side. "We got reports of White Fang activity in the upper tier, but details were scarce."
Ruby quickly recounted their encounter and subsequent rescue by the Sanctuary, ending with the critical intelligence Elder Zhi had shared. As she spoke, the room grew increasingly quiet, the implications of Cinder's accelerated timeline and Adam's shifted allegiance sinking in.
"Tonight," Qrow repeated when she finished, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "That leaves us barely twelve hours to prepare the counter-ritual."
"It can be done," Lailah stated with quiet determination. "Though it will require adjustments to our original plan."
Mercury pushed away from the wall he'd been leaning against, his expression grim. "Adam's new arrangement with Salem explains some inconsistencies I couldn't account for. Certain White Fang units have been operating independently of Cinder's command structure for at least a week."
"This changes everything," Seraphina noted, the shadow gem at her throat catching light as she moved. "Our planned infiltration routes, the timing sequence..."
"Not everything," Ruby countered, stepping to the center of the room. All eyes turned to her as she continued, finding strength in the determination she saw reflected in her allies' faces. "The core of our plan remains viable. The counter-ritual itself doesn't change—only how we get into position to perform it."
She moved to the map table, studying the layout of Haven Academy with fresh eyes. "We know more now than we did before. The White Fang's new allegiance actually creates an opportunity—a third force that neither we nor Cinder fully control."
"A potential distraction," Baron observed, his deep voice thoughtful. "If Adam's forces move against Cinder at a critical moment..."
"Exactly," Ruby nodded. "And the accelerated timeline works both ways—Cinder has less time to prepare her defenses, just as we have less time to prepare our approach."
Around the room, expressions shifted from concern to focused determination as her allies considered this perspective. Jaune stepped forward, pointing to several locations on the map.
"If we adjust our entry points here and here," he suggested, "we can potentially use the confused allegiances to our advantage."
"And with Mercury still positioned as Cinder's loyal lieutenant," Seraphina added, "we maintain our critical intelligence advantage, regardless of timeline changes."
Mercury's expression remained guarded. "I'll need to return to Cinder's side soon. She expects a final report on Haven's security systems by mid-afternoon."
"Which gives us a perfect opportunity to feed her selected misinformation," Qrow noted with a grim smile. "Make her look in all the wrong directions."
As the group gathered closer around the maps, refining and adjusting their plan with new urgency, Ruby felt the familiar pressure in her temple returning—stronger than before, a constant reminder of what was at stake. The Severance Stone's activation continued to progress, each stage bringing it closer to full power.
But looking around at their assembled allies—human and faunus, light elf and dark, those of mixed heritage finding strength in their dual natures—Ruby found her determination hardening into certainty. Cinder might have accelerated her timeline, Adam might have shifted his allegiance, but the fundamental truth remained unchanged: their diversity of background and ability wasn't a weakness to be severed, but a strength to be united.
"Tonight, then," she stated, her silver-amber eyes meeting each of her companions in turn. "We stop Cinder, protect the balance between worlds, and prove that unity is stronger than division."
The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of their mission settling over them like a heavy cloak. Then Nora, predictably, broke the tension.
"So what you're saying is," she said, bouncing slightly on her toes despite the gravity of the situation, "we're going to crash Cinder's evil ritual party and ruin her whole night?"
"That's... actually not a bad way to put it," Yang replied with a slight smile, her prosthetic fingers flexing as she worked through nervous energy.
Lailah moved to the center of the room, her presence commanding immediate attention. "The counter-ritual requires precise timing and positioning. Seraphina, your attunement to the Spring Maiden's power must be completed within the next six hours."
Seraphina nodded, though Ruby noticed the slight tension around her eyes. "I can feel the power responding more readily since we arrived in Mistral. The proximity to the Severance Stone seems to be accelerating the process."
"That's both advantage and risk," Odyn observed. "Accelerated attunement means less time to achieve perfect control."
"Perfect control was always going to be impossible in this timeframe," Seraphina replied with characteristic directness. "But adequate control? That I can manage."
Mercury glanced at the covered windows, afternoon light filtering through the heavy curtains. "I need to leave within the hour to maintain my cover. Cinder's expecting detailed intelligence on Haven's current security protocols."
"What will you tell her?" Blake asked, her cat ears twitching with concern.
"Modified truth," Mercury replied with a cold smile. "Security has been increased, but I'll report the increases in sectors away from our actual entry points. Let her reinforce the wrong positions."
Qrow spread another map across the table, this one showing the broader city layout. "While Mercury's feeding Cinder misinformation, we need to position our support teams. The ritual site is here," he pointed to Haven Academy's central courtyard, "but there are at least three possible approaches."
"Four," Roy corrected quietly, the elven healer having remained silent during most of the planning. "There's an old maintenance tunnel system that connects to the academy's foundation. It's mentioned in historical records but hasn't been used in decades."
"How do you know about that?" Jaune asked, curious.
"Elven memory runs long," Roy replied simply. "My grandmother helped design the original ward system when Haven was first established. The tunnels were part of the magical infrastructure."
Lailah's eyes brightened with understanding. "Of course. The academy was built on a convergence point—that's why the Severance Stone was brought there. The tunnels would provide direct access to the magical foundation."
"Can you map them?" Ruby asked eagerly. An approach route that Cinder might not know about could be exactly what they needed.
Roy nodded, moving to a blank sheet of paper. With swift, precise strokes, he began sketching from memory. "The main access point is here, beneath the old merchant district. From there, the tunnels branch in three directions, but only one connects directly to the academy."
As he drew, Ruby felt another wave of pressure through her temples, stronger than before. She gritted her teeth, riding out the sensation until it passed.
"How long between these episodes?" Odyn asked, having noticed her reaction.
"They're getting more frequent," Ruby admitted. "And stronger. Maybe every twenty minutes now, instead of every hour."
"The Stone's alignment is entering its final phase," Lailah concluded with concern. "Ruby, you may need to remain at a distance during the counter-ritual. Your sensitivity could become overwhelming as we get closer to the ritual site."
"No," Ruby said firmly. "I'm not staying behind. If my connection to both elven and human heritage makes me sensitive to the Stone, then maybe that sensitivity is something we can use."
Seraphina looked up from where she'd been studying Roy's tunnel map. "Ruby's right. The counter-ritual requires someone who can serve as a bridge between realms. That's not just about magical ability—it's about fundamental nature."
"The risk—" Odyn began.
"Is something I accept," Ruby interrupted. "We all knew this mission would be dangerous. I won't let fear keep me from doing what needs to be done."
Yang stepped closer to her sister, offering silent support. "Then we make sure you're not facing that risk alone."
Around the room, their allies nodded in agreement. Even Hailfire, typically reserved with emotional displays, gave a small nod of approval.
"Very well," Lailah accepted with grave dignity. "But we take every precaution possible. Ruby will carry additional protective wards, and she will not approach the Stone directly until the counter-ritual reaches its crucial phase."
"Speaking of precautions," Blake interjected, "what about Adam? If he's working directly for Salem now, his objectives might not align with simply disrupting our mission."
"Adam wants Mistral," Mercury said bluntly. "Salem promised him governorship once elven influence is removed. He'll probably let Cinder complete most of the ritual, then move to eliminate her and claim credit for the success."
"Which creates a window of opportunity," Qrow realized. "When Adam makes his move against Cinder, both factions will be focused on each other instead of watching for us."
"Timing will be critical," Sarai noted, her strategic mind already working through possibilities. "Too early and we face both groups united against us. Too late and the ritual completes regardless of their conflict."
Ruby moved back to the academy map, studying the layout with fresh eyes. "What if we split our approach? One team creates a distraction to draw attention, while a smaller team infiltrates through Roy's tunnels?"
"Classic misdirection," Jaune agreed. "It worked at Beacon."
"Beacon fell," Ren pointed out quietly.
"Because we didn't have enough information and tried to fight everyone at once," Ruby replied. "This time we know more about our enemies, and we have a specific objective instead of trying to save everything simultaneously."
She looked around the room, seeing understanding dawn in her companions' faces. "The distraction team doesn't need to win a fight—they just need to keep Adam and Cinder's forces busy while the infiltration team reaches the ritual site."
"I'll lead the distraction team," Yang volunteered immediately. "My fighting style is perfect for drawing attention."
"As will I," Baron added, his dark elven heritage making him an obvious target for both Cinder and Adam's forces. "My presence will ensure they take the threat seriously."
"Count me in," Nora chimed in cheerfully. "I can make a lot of noise when I want to."
"And me," Ren added with fond resignation. "Someone needs to keep Nora from getting too carried away."
Ruby nodded, feeling the plan taking shape. "Distraction team draws fire here," she pointed to Haven's main entrance. "Infiltration team uses the tunnels to reach the ritual site from below."
"Who's on the infiltration team?" Qrow asked, though his tone suggested he already knew the answer.
"Me, Seraphina, Lailah, and Odyn," Ruby replied. "The counter-ritual requires someone with Spring Maiden power, someone with deep elven magical knowledge, someone with centuries of combat experience, and..." she hesitated only briefly, "someone who can bridge realms if necessary."
"Mercury maintains his cover and feeds us intelligence until the last possible moment," she continued. "Everyone else provides overwatch and secondary support."
It was a simple plan, which in Ruby's experience made it more likely to work. Complex schemes had too many points of failure, especially when facing opponents as resourceful as Cinder and Adam.
"Timeline?" Sarai asked.
Ruby glanced at the covered windows, estimating the hour. "Mercury leaves in thirty minutes to report to Cinder. Distraction team moves into position at sunset. Infiltration team enters the tunnels one hour after dark."
"That gives us roughly five hours to prepare," Lailah calculated. "Barely sufficient, but workable."
As if summoned by their planning, another pulse of pressure shot through Ruby's temples. This time, she noticed Seraphina wince slightly as well.
"You felt it too?" Ruby asked.
Seraphina nodded, touching the shadow gem at her throat. "The Spring Maiden power is reacting to the Stone's activation. It's... unpleasant."
"The connection between Maiden powers and the Severance Stone is complex," Lailah explained. "Cinder likely experiences similar discomfort, which may affect her concentration during the ritual."
"Every advantage helps," Mercury observed, checking a pocket watch. "Speaking of which, I really do need to leave soon. Cinder gets suspicious when reports are late."
Ruby turned to their infiltrator, struck again by the magnitude of what he was risking. "Be careful, Mercury. If she suspects anything..."
"She won't," he replied with quiet confidence. "I've been playing this role for months. One more performance won't break my cover."
But Ruby noticed the slight tension in his shoulders, the way his eyes lingered on Seraphina for just a moment longer than necessary. Everyone was afraid, whether they showed it or not.
"Before you go," Lailah interjected, approaching Mercury with something small and crystalline in her hand. "A communication crystal. It will allow us to maintain contact even if CCT networks are compromised."
Mercury accepted the crystal, examining its faceted surface with interest. "Elven work?"
"Naturally. It's attuned specifically to Seraphina's magical signature. She'll be able to reach you regardless of distance or interference."
"And vice versa," Seraphina added, producing a matching crystal from within her jacket. "If something goes wrong on either side..."
"Understood," Mercury nodded, slipping the crystal into a concealed pocket. "I'll signal if Cinder changes the plan again or if Adam makes any unexpected moves."
He moved toward the door, then paused, looking back at their assembled group. "For what it's worth," he said quietly, "this is the first time in years I've been part of something I actually believed in."
Before anyone could respond, he was gone, slipping out into the alley with the practiced silence of a trained assassin. The door closed softly behind him, leaving the rest of them in contemplative quiet.
"He'll be all right," Seraphina said, though Ruby wasn't sure if she was reassuring the others or herself.
"He's survived this long in Cinder's inner circle," Qrow pointed out. "If anyone can handle the pressure, it's him."
Ruby nodded, then turned her attention back to their preparations. "Roy, can you guide the infiltration team through those tunnels in the dark?"
"Without difficulty," the elven healer confirmed. "My people see well in darkness, and I remember the route clearly."
"Good. Yang, your team will need to time your distraction perfectly. Too early and they'll have time to reinforce the ritual site. Too late and—"
"We'll be ready," Yang interrupted with a confident smile. "Trust me, when we want to make noise, people notice."
The next few hours passed in focused preparation. Weapons were checked and rechecked, communication protocols established, backup plans discussed. Lailah worked with Seraphina on last-minute attunement techniques, helping her synchronize with the Spring Maiden's power more efficiently.
Ruby found herself drawn repeatedly to the windows, watching the afternoon light fade toward evening. Each time the pressure hit her temples, it seemed stronger, more insistent. Whatever Cinder was doing to prepare the Severance Stone, the process was accelerating rapidly.
"Nervous?" Odyn asked, joining her at one of the covered windows.
"Terrified," Ruby admitted honestly. "But also... determined? We're so close to stopping her, Odyn. To preventing something that could destroy the balance between worlds forever."
"Fear and determination often walk hand in hand," the elf observed. "The key is ensuring determination guides your actions, not fear."
Ruby nodded, watching shadows lengthen in the alley outside. "Do you think we can actually do this? Stop Cinder, save the balance, protect everyone?"
Odyn was quiet for a long moment. "I think," he said finally, "that we have something Cinder doesn't understand. She sees division where we see diversity. She perceives weakness where we find strength."
He gestured toward their allies scattered around the room—humans and faunus working together, elves sharing knowledge freely, those of mixed heritage bridging differences instead of being torn apart by them.
"That unity of purpose across difference," Odyn continued, "is not something the Severance Stone can destroy. It's something that makes its destruction meaningless."
Ruby smiled, feeling some of her anxiety ease. "Unity over division."
"Always," Odyn confirmed.
As the sun finally set over Mistral, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple, Ruby felt the weight of their mission settling into clarity. Tonight, they would face their greatest challenge yet. But they would face it together, and that made all the difference.
The hunt for Cinder Fall was about to begin.
To be continued in Chapter 42: Mistral, Arrival & Confrontation part 1