Inside the ballroom, the music swelled as couples moved gracefully across the floor. Among them, Mercury Black and Emerald Sustrai blended seamlessly into the crowd, hands intertwined, steps perfectly in sync. To the untrained eye, they looked like just another pair of students enjoying the evening. But their eyes—sharp, calculating—scanned the hall constantly. Every teacher, every huntsman, every potential threat was cataloged and noted.
Emerald leaned in, her smile bright enough to fool anyone nearby. "She's moving now," she whispered, her lips barely parting.
Mercury smirked, twirling her in rhythm with the music. "Good. Then all we have to do is keep the eyes here, not there."
Outside, under the cool glow of Vale's night, Ruby and Hyunwoo stood by the balcony rail. Their earlier quiet moment was broken when Ruby's silver eyes caught a flash of movement below. A figure—sleek, deliberate—slipped through the shadows near the base of the CCT Tower. The black catsuit clung to her form, the mask concealing her identity, but her movements were sharp, purposeful.
Ruby's breath hitched. "Hyunwoo... did you see that?"
Hyunwoo didn't answer immediately. His eyes narrowed as he reached out with a thought—his telekinesis stirring the air. From where it had been resting just outside the ballroom entrance, his spear lifted silently, floating up into his waiting hand. The faint metallic hum of the weapon settling into his grip was enough to make Ruby's heart jump.
He glanced at her, tone steady but low. "Yeah. She's not just sneaking out for air."
Ruby's instincts screamed that something was wrong, but Hyunwoo's calm only sharpened her focus. She watched as the figure darted toward the tower's base entrance, slipping in like a shadow.
Ruby looked up at Hyunwoo, determination settling in her chest. "What do we do?"
Hyunwoo twirled his spear once, the polished steel catching the moonlight, his jaw tightening. "We follow her. Quietly. If I'm right..." His eyes flicked to the towering spire, then back to Ruby. "This isn't just some thief. This is the beginning of something much bigger."
Ruby nodded, her silver eyes glinting as she steadied her breath. Together, the two of them slipped into the night, leaving the music of the dance behind as they descended toward the tower's shadow—toward Cinder's infiltration.
Ruby's boots clicked softly against the metal as she followed close behind Hyunwoo. Her Crescent Rose unfolded with a familiar metallic snap, its gleaming red edge catching the faint light of the tower's panels. She tightened her grip, steadying herself.
"You move first, Hyunwoo," she whispered.
Hyunwoo gave a curt nod, his spear already drawn, the polished steel humming faintly with the lingering touch of his telekinesis. He pressed forward, shoulders squared, leading them deeper into the tower's core.
The elevator chimed softly, and its doors slid open.
Inside, Cinder Fall stood calmly, her golden eyes gleaming with satisfaction as she examined a Scroll in her hand. At her feet, two Atlesian guards lay unconscious, slumped against the walls.
"Oh!" she said smoothly, tucking the Scroll into her belt. "That's handy."
She stepped past the motionless guards, heels clicking against the floor as she made her way toward the massive control consoles, fingers brushing along the glowing screens.
Emerald's voice buzzed softly in her ear.
Emerald (via earbud): "A party guest is leaving."
Cinder exhaled a sharp breath through her nose, annoyance flickering across her face.
Cinder: "Which one?"
Cutting back to the dance floor—Emerald twirled beneath Mercury's arm, her smile flawless as her eyes tracked the movement across the room.
Emerald: "Ironwood."
General Ironwood strode toward the ballroom exit, his stiff, commanding posture unchanging even in retreat. Behind him, Ozpin's calm voice offered a polite send-off.
Mercury smirked as he spun Emerald back into rhythm.
Mercury (offscreen): "I guess the General's had enough fun for one night."
Inside the tower, the monitors flared to life. One screen flickered as random code twisted and shifted, forming into a sharp Queen chess piece. One by one, other monitors lit up, bathing the room in cold light.
Mercury (via earbud): "Should we intervene?"
Cinder's golden eyes gleamed, satisfaction dripping from her tone as she turned toward the glowing screens.
Cinder: "No... we're done here."
She pivoted smoothly, beginning to stride toward the exit. But then—
A sound.
The soft chime of the elevator doors opening again.
Cinder's sharp gaze flicked toward it, already expecting another pawn sent to delay her. But instead of hesitation—she was forced into reaction.
A spear shot forward, wreathed in faint telekinetic force, cutting through the air like a thunderclap.
Cinder twisted at the last instant, the weapon grazing past her side before embedding itself deep into the steel floor, sparks crackling from the impact. Her golden eyes widened briefly, surprise flashing across her face.
Hyunwoo stepped out of the elevator, his hand still extended, telekinetic energy rippling faintly off his fingertips. His other hand closed into a fist as he yanked—the spear ripped itself free from the floor and flew back into his grasp.
"You've played enough games," Hyunwoo said evenly, his voice low, resolute.
Cinder straightened, smoothing the fabric of her catsuit where the weapon had nearly torn it. She regarded him with faint amusement, lips curling into a sharp smile.
"Well," she purred, golden eyes flicking up and down his frame, "this is... new."
The next instant, Crescent Rose snapped open with a metallic screech, and Ruby stepped out beside Hyunwoo, her weapon gleaming under the monitors' light. Her silver eyes locked with Cinder's, unwavering.
Now the room was set: Cinder's smirk against Ruby's defiance, with Hyunwoo's spear leveled and ready to strike again.
The silence fractured like glass—violence was only a heartbeat away.
Cinder's smirk faded into cold focus the moment Ruby and Hyunwoo stood against her. She didn't speak—not a word. Every breath she saved was for movement, every second of silence another layer of protection for her identity.
Her hand flared, glass shimmering into blades around her like glittering shards of night.
Hyunwoo moved first, spear spinning as he lunged, his telekinesis pulling one of the glass shards off course before it could strike. Ruby was right behind him, Crescent Rose slicing through the air in a wide arc that forced Cinder to lean back.
The clash was a blur—metal against glass, spear against flame, scythe carving sparks against hardened crystal. Hyunwoo pressed with raw strength and precision, while Ruby's swiftness kept their opponent from gaining ground.
Cinder didn't counter with her usual taunting elegance. She kept her lips sealed, eyes narrowing as she tested their rhythm, her movements silent and efficient.
But she wasn't here to fight.
Her glass blades exploded outward in a sudden burst, a blinding distraction that forced Ruby to shield her face. Hyunwoo swept his spear to deflect the shards, but when the light cleared—Cinder was already leaping back, slipping toward the shadows of the upper catwalk.
"Stop her!" Ruby shouted, already giving chase.
Hyunwoo hurled his spear, telekinetically guiding it to cut off her escape, but Cinder twisted in midair, landing gracefully on a railing before vanishing through the broken glass window.
And just as Ruby raised Crescent Rose to follow—
"Hold your fire!" Ironwood's voice rang out as he stormed into the room with soldiers at his side. The clicking of rifles and heavy boots filled the chamber.
Ruby froze, chest heaving. Hyunwoo clenched his fist, frustrated, his spear hovering at his side.
Ironwood scanned the scene, eyes narrowing at the unconscious guards, the shattered consoles, the broken window. "What happened here?" he demanded, gaze snapping to the two students.
The night air outside howled through the jagged glass frame. Cinder was gone, leaving behind nothing but silence and the weight of what nearly unfolded.
Ironwood's boots echoed sharply against the floor as he surveyed the mess. His jaw tightened, the weight of the situation already pressing on him.
Before Ruby could say anything, Hyunwoo stepped forward, his voice steady but edged.
"Something like this was bound to happen, General. I already told you to add more of your soldiers here. If you had, she wouldn't have slipped away."
The room fell still for a moment. Ruby glanced at him, wide-eyed at his bluntness. The soldiers shifted uneasily, as if waiting for Ironwood's rebuke.
Ironwood's eyes locked on Hyunwoo. Cold, sharp. For a second, it seemed as though he might bark back, remind the boy of his place. But instead, the General drew in a slow breath through his nose, shoulders squaring.
"You're right," Ironwood admitted, his tone firm but low. "I underestimated how bold our enemies would be."
His gaze flicked to the shattered glass window, then back to Hyunwoo. "But don't mistake restraint for weakness. I will not fail Atlas' defenses again."
Hyunwoo didn't flinch, spear still hovering at his side before finally lowering it.
"Then we don't have time to waste."
Ironwood gave a small nod, already motioning for his soldiers to secure the tower. The unspoken agreement hung between them: the enemy had made their move, and now Vale's defenses had to change.
He adjusted his coat, eyes flicking from the unconscious guards to the two young hunters standing before him. His voice was clipped, carrying the weight of command.
"For now, you two can continue enjoying the dance," he said, tone leaving little room for argument. "Tomorrow, I need you both to meet with Ozpin and myself. We have matters to discuss."
Ruby blinked, lowering Crescent Rose just slightly. "Wait... me too?"
Ironwood's gaze cut to her, sharp but steady. "Yes. You as well, Miss Rose."
Ruby hesitated, unsure what that meant, but nodded quickly. "Y-Yes, sir."
Beside her, Hyunwoo exhaled through his nose, shoulders sagging just a bit. He twirled his spear once before letting it vanish back into his locker, eyes narrowing at the General.
"Fine," he muttered, half to himself. "But this better not be a waste of time."
Ironwood gave no answer, already turning away as his soldiers moved to clean up the mess. Ruby glanced at Hyunwoo, uncertainty in her eyes, but he didn't look back—his mind already turning toward what tomorrow's meeting could mean.
______
The music was still going strong when Ruby and Hyunwoo returned to the ballroom. The warmth of the lights and laughter inside contrasted sharply with the quiet tension they'd just left behind.
Ruby smoothed her dress nervously, trying to act like nothing happened, while Hyunwoo adjusted his suit jacket, expression calm but distant.
It didn't take long for Team NOVA to notice.
Jisoo was the first to grin, leaning forward with a glint in her eye. "Well, well, look who finally came back—and together."
Jaemin snorted, nudging Jisoo. "Yeah, I knew it. The way he left earlier? Suspicious."
Jiwon, usually quiet, tilted his head slightly as his gaze flicked from Ruby to Hyunwoo. He didn't say a word, just arched a knowing eyebrow, which somehow made Ruby even more flustered.
Ruby's face went red instantly. "W-We weren't—! We just—uh—!" Her hands fumbled in front of her as if that could erase the teasing.
Hyunwoo gave his teammates a flat look, his mouth tightening. "Don't start."
But Jisoo leaned closer, smirking. "Oh, come on. You disappear together, then come back looking like that? Yeah, no way we're letting this slide."
Jaemin chuckled and mouthed, 'Go for it.' Jiwon, still quiet, gave the smallest nod, his expression calm but clear: he agreed.
Ruby shifted awkwardly, her hands clasped in front of her as she glanced at Hyunwoo. "They're... really not gonna stop, are they?"
Hyunwoo exhaled through his nose, then—just barely—allowed a small, reluctant smile. "No. They're not."
Ruby's blush deepened, but despite herself, she smiled back.
___
Support my stories on p*treon.com/Jujukaka0 and get 12 early chapters,