As we sat in the living room watching TV, we could faintly hear an argument going on outside. Normally, that would've caught our attention immediately ,but right now, neither of us wanted to deal with it. The day had already been exhausting, and the morning alone felt like an emotional rollercoaster that hadn't bothered slowing down.
Without saying a word, my sister and I silently agreed to just… exist for a bit.
We stayed quiet, sharing the couch, shoulders barely brushing as the TV played in the background. I wasn't even sure what we were watching. It didn't matter. The low volume, the familiar room, the simple comfort of being home ,it was enough. For a little while, things felt almost normal.
Then Yang spoke.
"You know, Rubes…" she said softly.
I turned my head to look at her, caught off guard by the seriousness in her voice. Yang wasn't usually this quiet when she wanted to say something important.
"I've never really said sorry for leaving you behind at school," she continued.
She looked away, her gaze fixed on the floor like it suddenly held answers she couldn't bring herself to say out loud. I opened my mouth to tell her she didn't need to apologize ,but she kept going before I could interrupt.
"Every time you're really in danger…" she said, her voice dropping, "…it's because of me."
My chest tightened.
"I mean, it's only happened twice," she added quickly, like she was trying to downplay it even to herself. "But still. It always comes back to me being too reckless. Too gung-ho. I jump in without thinking, and you're the one who gets hurt."
She swallowed hard.
"And I'm sorry for going too far during that sparring match," she said. "I wasn't thinking. I got excited, and I got reckless."
Her hands curled into tight fists in her lap, knuckles whitening. "I pushed you too far," she admitted. "That wasn't right."
For a moment, the only sound in the room was the TV.
"It's not that I think you're mad at me," she added quickly, her words rushing now. "I'm mad at myself. And before you forgive me ,before you say anything ,I want you to know something."
She finally looked at me again, her eyes intense, worried, and painfully sincere.
Her voice wavered, breaking through the usual mask of fierce pride she carried, and I saw tears begin to pool at the corners of her eyes.
"That's why I'm telling you this," Yang said, a quiet, shaky sniff punctuating her words as if the sound itself had been holding back her composure. "Whatever happens ,whatever you get dragged into ,just know it isn't your fault."
She raised a hand, brushing at her eyes with the back of it, the movement slow and almost tentative, like she was trying to steady both herself and the fragile tension in the room. She drew a deep breath, letting it fill her chest and shoulders, as if the very heat of the room could anchor her. When she spoke again, her voice was firmer, carrying the weight of everything she hadn't said until now. "And despite all the trouble your Semblance causes you, it's still a part of you. Don't ever reject it. Not ever."
A small, watery smile touched her lips, fragile but genuine. "I know you summon… strange things," she continued softly, her voice almost trembling. "Evil gods, giant frogs, all that terrifying, chaotic stuff." She gave a slight, half-amused twitch of her lips, an echo of her usual humor trying to break through the tension. "But it's still you, Ruby. And you shouldn't hate yourself for it ,not for any of it."
Her gaze locked with mine, earnest and open, vulnerable in a way that made my chest tighten. "It's part of who you are," she said again, softer now, steadying herself even as her hands continued to tremble ever so slightly. Then, leaning in, quieter, almost as if afraid to let the words fall too heavily into the air, she added, "And not because of me."
I let her words hang in the space between us, stretching into the quiet of the room. Every syllable pressed against something inside me ,the guilt, the fear, the love, all tangled together in ways I hadn't fully acknowledged before. Her reassurance wasn't just about my Semblance , it was about me, about all the parts of myself I had sometimes wanted to hide or control.
For a long moment, I didn't move. I just stared at her, taking in the softness in her eyes, the faint quiver of her hands, the way her lips pressed together to keep the tremor of her voice from breaking. I felt my chest tighten with a strange warmth ,a mixture of relief, understanding, and something almost like awe at the intensity of her care.
And slowly, as if my body finally remembered what to do, I smiled back.
Slowly, the tight knot of tension in my shoulders began to loosen, melting into a warmth that spread through my chest like sunlight spilling over cold stone. Without thinking, I closed the short distance between us and threw my arms around her.
Yang froze for a fraction of a heartbeat, stiff as if I had startled her, and then melted into the embrace. She gripped me tightly, arms locking around me with the intensity of someone who feared letting go might mean losing me. Her voice, hoarse and rough, stumbled out in half-nonsensical murmurs pressed against my hair, each word laced with raw emotion.
In that moment, a dizzying surge of happiness and relief coursed through me, tangling with every bit of tension, fear, and worry I had been holding onto. My heart felt as if it were trying to bridge the tiny gap left between our souls, pumping with a rhythm I couldn't quite contain. The sensation was overwhelming, almost too much to hold in, and my eyes began to sting. I let go, letting a few raw, shaky sobs escape into her shoulder, each one carrying fragments of fear, guilt, and unspoken gratitude that had been bottled up for far too long.
I knew my sister had always struggled with protecting me. Even when we were little, her efforts to keep me safe sometimes put me directly in danger. The woods, the misadventures, the times she had rushed in recklessly ,it all flashed through my mind. Yet, even with all the mistakes and missteps, it had always been driven by care, by that stubborn, protective streak that was undeniably hers.
I pulled back just enough to meet her eyes, brushing my damp cheeks with my sleeve. She blinked, trying to gather herself, and offered that small, tired smile she always used when she was trying to reclaim the role of "big sister," even when the weight of her own guilt lingered.
"I… I'm glad you get it," she whispered, her voice low, trembling, but sincere. "Just… don't ever forget it, Rubes. Don't ever blame yourself."
I mirrored her smile, soft and warm. "It's okay, sis," I murmured, letting the words roll off my tongue like they always had when she messed up. "Just… be better next time. That's all anyone can do."
I drew a deep breath, feeling the remnants of adrenaline still thrumming through my veins. "And… honestly? It was kind of my fault too," I admitted, letting the words hang between us. "I could've stopped the spar. I could've called it quits. But I didn't. I was too caught up… too excited about my Semblance. Everything… all at once. My instincts kicked in, the adrenaline ,it was exhilarating. Everything felt… right."
I shrugged lightly, a sheepish, almost guilty gesture. "Besides… it's not the worst thing that's ever happened to me."
Yang studied my face for a long moment, her brows knitting slightly, worry still lingering in her eyes. For a second, I thought she might argue, might try to scold me ,but then her shoulders relaxed, and a small, genuine smile spread across her face.
"I'm glad you think so, sis," she said softly.
A comfortable silence settled between us after that. It wasn't awkward, it wasn't heavy ,it was the kind of quiet that felt like a soft blanket wrapping around you. We didn't need to speak , just sharing the room, the couch, the snacks, and the flickering glow of the TV was enough. Trashy cartoons played on the screen, but the sound barely registered. Instead, I focused on the simple rhythm of being near her, the subtle warmth of her presence, the faint scent of her hair that always reminded me of home.
It wasn't loud.
It was cozy.
()()
I was with my sister, and for once, the world felt quiet. We had aired our worries, shared a little of our burdens, and in doing so, we felt lighter closer. I could even say I was happy, truly happy, savoring the warmth of that simple moment. But of course, with my luck, that fragile peace didn't last. That was exactly when the light screen suddenly appeared before me, its sharp glow shattering the calm like a thunderclap.
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(5/18=https://worm.fandom.com/wiki/Parahuman_Characters#Prolapse - Prolapse is a parahuman who was collected by Glaistig Uaine who named him with the epithet 'tortures son'.
Abilities and Powers
He is described as having biokinetic durability and size as well as the ability to turn individuals inside out with a touch.- Due to the extremely high role and the compatibility of the power Yang gains Prolapse's effects.
The effects are as follows:
Instead of simply growing larger, Yang becomes denser, making her strikes significantly heavier and more impactful.
She can manipulate her body weight, concentrating it in specific areas—for example, channeling all her mass into an arm to deliver a devastatingly heavy blow.
The ability to turn others inside out only works on biological beings. This means it cannot affect Grim-type creatures.)
Startled, I froze, my heart lurching as the glowing panel blinked to life, its sharp hum cutting through the quiet like a blade. My chest tightened, and every instinct screamed that something was about to change ,fast. Written across it in bold, shifting letters was:
Quest Issued by the Evil God D
Quest Contents: Slay the Demon that you have summoned yourself
By the way, this is the surprise I was talking about
Party Members: Yang Xiao Long, The Plague Doctor
Location: Grimmlands
Teleportation in: 5…
I froze for half a second, panic bubbling up. Not now, not now, not now…!
I scrambled around, trying to process everything, and my sister's eyes widened as she looked at me, confusion written all over her face.
"What's going on?" she asked, worry lacing her voice.
"No time for questions! Just get your weapons!" I shouted, barely able to form coherent words as the countdown ticked in the back of my mind.
Four…
I bolted out the door, interrupting the conversation between Dad and Uncle Qrow. "Dad! I—I think I'm getting teleported!" I rambled, panicking as I tried to vomit all the information at once.
"Hold on, calm down," Dad said, stepping toward me slowly, hands raised in a calming gesture. "Slow… breathe…"
I waved him off frantically, ignoring his words. Three…
"No time for questions!" I yelled, my feet barely touching the floor as I dashed back into the room. Crescent Rose was already in my hands, and I gripped it tightly as if it were the only thing keeping reality from falling apart.
Two…
I scrambled up the stairs, bursting into my room to grab my emergency running-away supplies. what don't look at me like that, every girl has to have her guarantees, right? Pockets filled with tools, a few snacks, and anything I might need for survival.
One…
Just as I finished stuffing the last items into my bag, the door burst open. Yang's voice cut through the tension: "Ruby! What's going on?!"
"No time to explain!" I shouted, barely able to keep my voice steady as the countdown approached zero.
Suddenly, the air around us shimmered and a bright, blinding light enveloped both of us.
My sister's voice rang out in panic, even as her form blurred in the glowing radiance. "Ruby!" she screamed.
And just like that, the light swallowed us both, leaving nothing behind but the echo of our fear and the faint scent of rose petals.
Of course, all this looking around
()()()
As soon as the light around me faded, the world snapped into focus or, at least, into something I didn't recognize. The air was sharp and dry against my skin, carrying the faint grit of dust that clung to my clothes and hair. I barely had time to think; my senses were buzzing, adrenaline still prickling through me. I didn't bother reading any signs or scanning for markers. Any student with half a brain would know exactly where this was.
The Grimm Lands.
The place had been described in textbooks and stories as a desolate expanse of nothingness, dotted with massive gravity-defying crystal spires that reached into the sky. But what greeted me now was flatter than I expected. Most of the land stretched in endless plains of cracked, dusty soil, barren and hostile. Occasionally, a floating island drifted lazily in the distance, or a jagged ravine tore through the flat dust filled horizon, but beyond that… emptiness. No grass. No trees. No life. And for now, no Grimm.
I took a careful step forward, scanning the horizon for any signs of movement. My pulse thumped against my ribs as I processed the isolation of this place. Something about the quiet unsettled me. The Grimm Lands weren't supposed to this still. Because, you know it's the Grimmlands there should be grim everywhere, and there not being any grim anywhere in sight is seriously unreal. I wasn't expecting this at all, of course, all this looking around
Eventually, of course, the monotony of the wasteland broke. My eyes, trained to catch even the smallest movements, flicked toward a bright flash at the corner of my vision.
A yellow thing.
My gaze snapped to the side, and relief washed over me when I saw Yang. She was lying on the ground beside me, her golden hair scattered across the dusty terrain, eyes half-lidded, and her hand pressed to her temple. My chest tightened as worry surged.
"Yang?" I said, bending down so I could get a better look at her. "Are you alright?"
She groaned, blinking against the light, trying to sit up. "Yeah… Rubes… I just have a headache," she murmured, her voice heavy with grogginess.
I let out a quiet sigh of relief, though the tension in my shoulders refused to fully release. I reached to help her to her feet, brushing dust off her shoulder. She gave me a weak, tired smile, the kind that almost reassured me ,but not quite.
And then ,
A voice.
I nearly jumped out of my skin, my hand instinctively tightening around Crescent Rose's handle.
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(4/16=https://kumodesu.fandom.com/wiki/Monsters-Monsters (魔物, Mamono) are a standard part of life in the world of Kumo Desu ga, Nani ka?. They exist throughout the entire world, from the forests surrounding the Elf Village to the mountains of the Renxandt Empire and the Great Elroe Labyrinth that connects the Empire to the Kingdom of Analeit. Many of the monsters known are from the Great Elroe Labyrinth, as it is a vast place unconquered by Humans. due to the somewhat high role and it being very vague, I'm g due to the somewhat high role and it being very vague, I'm gonna roll for a random monster.
This is what I got Elroe Gunerush basically it's a fire seahorse it is immune to heat and can hit very hard. Due to the high role it is slightly strengthened and of course it won't appear right away. It'll appear when it's most needed.)
"I could treat that for you, if you would like," the man in the beak mask said, setting down his worn leather bag. He began to reach for the clasps, pulling out some of his strange-looking tools.
Yang jumped to her feet instantly, panic written across her face. "I-I'm okay! Really, I'm okay!" she stammered, waving her hands as if to push him away.
The doctor paused, then carefully returned his tools to the bag, closing it with deliberate calm. "If you say so," he said, his voice steady and even. "But mark my words, if I see injuries that need tending, I will come to help you. After all, I am a professional doctor, and my mission is to save as many lives as possible."
Hearing that, I couldn't help but think back to the first time we had met. Back then, he had seemed… unsettling, almost creepy. But now? I realized he wasn't malicious, just strange. A bit odd, yes, but genuinely intending to help. Shaking my head to clear the thought, I asked quickly, "Hey, since you're so well-traveled… do you know where we are exactly?"
He let out a long, measured sigh and said, "Of course."
I blinked, hope rising. "Really?" I asked, a small smile tugging at my lips. Maybe we could get out of this situation without too much trouble. After all, if anyone could navigate a place like this, it would be him, traveling across the world, helping people, just like he claimed.
The man in the beak mask looked around, eyes hidden behind the dark lenses of his mask, thinking carefully. Then he shook his head slowly. "I believe I do not know where we are."
I froze. My stomach dropped, and a cold shock ran through me. My hands clenched around Crescent Rose without thinking, and for a moment I felt like I might collapse from disbelief.
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(12/17=https://bloodborne.fandom.com/wiki/Bold_Hunter%27s_Mark - The Bold Hunter's Mark allows the Hunter to transport back to the most recently activated Lamp without losing Blood Echoes. If used after dying (before reclaiming lost Blood Echoes), Blood Echoes may still be reclaimed. - Due to the extremely high roll, you've gained the ability to come back from death through your dreams. Just kidding, because you're not connected to the Hunter's Dream, the function is actually quite different.)
Instead of going to the Hunter's Dream, you go to your own dream or a nightmare. This place represents your mind, and in that realm, you can create things that can appear in reality using the Hunter's Mark. Of course, it comes at a price: the Hunter's Mark can absorb Blood Echoes basically souls and you need these to enter your dream.
When you are there, you can create anything as long as you have enough Aura and Blood, and they can come into reality. Of course, you can also use it as a quick getaway. The best function by far, however, is that you can act like Mr. Fool and fool everybody into thinking you're some sort of mysterious god by summoning them into your dream. )
"Why did he say that with such confidence?" I thought, my stomach twisting with unease. Just as I felt panic creeping in, Yang, who had been scanning the horizon while I wasn't paying attention, suddenly spoke up.
"Hey… I think I see someone in the distance," she said, her voice carrying a mixture of curiosity and cautious excitement.
"Really?" I asked, squinting toward the direction she was pointing.
"Of course! Don't you believe your big sister?" she replied with a teasing lilt, though her eyes were sharp and assessing.
I focused where she was looking, trying to make out a figure on the horizon. At first, it was just a tiny spec, barely noticeable against the endless, dusty wasteland. But as I blinked, it seemed to grow larger. No ,closer. It was moving steadily toward us.
"She's running straight at us," I said, my voice tinged with both relief and nervous anticipation.
"Yeah… probably," Yang said casually, though I could see the tension in her posture, the way she shifted her weight slightly, ready for anything.
I turned to her. "Why do you think that?"
She shrugged, her gaze still fixed on the approaching figure. "I mean… she's probably a super cool Huntress. Strong enough to handle herself in the Grimm Lands on her own. Why else would she be coming toward us?"
I mulled it over. It made sense ,some Huntsmen were skilled enough to navigate this place solo. If this was one of them, she might be able to help. Maybe she even had a Scroll and could contact a Bullhead for us.
Wait ,Scroll! My heart leapt. I rifled through my bag and pulled mine out. Relief washed over me as I saw it fully charged. I tapped the screen, trying to reach Dad… only to be met with the dreaded "No Signal" notification. Figures.
I glanced back at the figure. She was closer now, and I could make out more details. Definitely a Huntress. Just like Yang had said.
Her skin was pale, almost luminous against the dull, dusty landscape. Her hair was striking ,black and orange, catching the light as she moved. Her clothing looked… unusual. From what I could tell from this distance, it seemed styled after the Kingdom of Mistral. Maybe she was from there ,or maybe she just liked the aesthetic. Either way she's probably going to rescue us anyways.
I felt a flicker of hope. Finally, a friendly face. Someone capable. Someone who might be able to help.
I smiled faintly to myself. She looked like a good person.
I smiled as I thought myself rescue is probably coming soon.