«And you really decided to cowardly run away? - "Invincible Girl" muttered, leaning her back against the wall, not even looking at the stopped "catgirl" with the bow on her head.- ..." she didn't get an answer, but clearly felt Blake stop and shiver.
«Yang followed you because she was worried about you. Ruby, Weiss... all of them. And you decided to just run away without saying a word to them? - There was no accusation or anything like that in Pyrrha's voice, just a question with a touch of interest.
«If it hadn't been for me.
«It could have been worse. Or better, who knows? - Pyrrha pushed herself away from the wall and finally looked up at a half-unfolded Blake, who was standing outside the house, clearly intent on jumping onto the roof. - You know I was on the verge, right? I was ready to die... I could see my death flying towards me. Do you know what my words were before that?
«..." there was no reply, but the redhead knew she was being listened to intently.
«"Do you believe in fate?". That's what I asked the one who wanted to take my life and most likely took the headmaster's life. And it was at that moment that Anthony, who I had never heard anything about before and had never seen before, appeared as if out of a fairy tale. Did you see what happened to Penny? He was able to put her back together in some magical way... I realised that if you leave everything to the last possible moment and get scared, you can end up with nothing. I confessed to John that I have feelings for him just an hour ago.
«And? - the girl still asked.
«He started stuttering and averting his eyes, but all he said was that he saw me as a friend. Maybe he's still recovering from the treatment and is not thinking clearly... but in the dream he was saying other names. - Pyrrha said with a heavy sigh. - But I didn't hate him for it. Nor was I afraid, not anymore. Your team needs you now more than ever.
«How did you notice me? - The girl turned round to face the redhead, and the latter could see the tear tracks on her face.
«Fate. - Pyrrha grinned unhappily. - I just turned round in time to see your back, that's all. Yang is strong and she'll get through what happened.
«I know. - Blake replied quietly, clenching her fists. - I...I might not be able to handle it.
«Your team will help you and you will help them. - Pyrrha smiled slightly. - Running all the time isn't an option, especially as far as I heard from Weiss, the one who did such... such damage Yang beat up Shinoa.
«Yeah... that's right. - the corners of the faun girl's lips curved into a smile.
«I'm not trying to change your mind. I just thought I'd speak up. Well, I'm off, I need a rest too. - Nikos waved her hand, leaving Blake standing alone.
***
«I didn't have time to admire the view during the attack. - Rias said as soon as we got off the bullhead. If you look further into the horizon, you can see mountains and a beautiful forested area.
«We'll still have time for that. - I muttered, following the Atlas soldier. We were now on the only whole ship, the other two were still out of flight and still resting on the stone pillars I had created. The girls fell silent, or rather Hermione and Erina did. Shinoa didn't change her expression and just followed me. Rias, on the other hand, was more or less used to meeting important people, so she wasn't too nervous. She walked along with me and looked at the technological innovations.
In this world technology is superior to that of our worlds in some aspects, such as the same bullheads or solid light, which is a barrier made of solid light. Flying ships or walking androids or huge mechs. But the whole problem is that all of these things work on Prah in one way or another, and that's both the main grace of the population of this planet and the main curse. The people here have little to no concept of using Ashes wherever they can and cannot, and they limit themselves greatly by doing so. Ashes are the crystallised energy of the souls of millions of people who died in an instant because of the wishes of the Dark God, and it is more than a finite resource unless you can think of a way to create Ashes... and I have a couple of ideas, but that's not the point.
Ashes can be a powerful source of energy, but it also has limitations, for example, it does not work in space, and when interacting with the aura can react, which is not very safe, because the aura is any living thing in this world. The question is whether it's active or not, but that's a matter of perspective. That's the reason why there are no satellites here yet to monitor the Grimm's movements from space, people just can't come up with another idea without using Ashes.
«The General is expecting you. - A man at the entrance, apparently the main office on the ship, where the Atlas general was located. The man himself was standing with his back to us, looking out the huge window at the flying transports and the Manta's, small warships used to transport soldiers. But as soon as we entered the office, he turned round and looked at us with interest... and especially at the not insignificant stone cocoon.
Besides him, there was a girl with white hair and a stern expression.
«Welcome aboard the Atlas flagship. - He began in a quite friendly manner, and the man was not pretending and was actually somewhat pleased to meet you. - If it weren't for you, the losses would have been catastrophic. Not to be rude, but I couldn't find any information about you. You're definitely not students of Bikon or any other academy...
«I doubt you'll be able to find any information about us. - I said as I looked around, noticing that the girl's expression twitched slightly. - We are, you might say, free Hunters... very free and like to travel. - I gave a loose interpretation of our group.
«Hmm, well, let's leave it at that if you don't want to talk about it. I was informed that you have caught the one responsible for what happened. - The General's tone became more stern and the girl standing next to him jerked slightly as the ground ball moved forward.
«Calm down Winter. - The general cautioned her not to act rashly. - I'm sorry, too much has happened and she was worried about her sister when she rushed here. She's my subordinate and my right-hand woman, you might say.
«I'm not offended, I realise times are turbulent. I also have a sister and I can understand her. - I looked at the white-haired girl, who was clearly embarrassed by the general's words, but tried not to show it. - This is Cinder Fall, at least that's what she called herself when I fought her. She has the power of the Autumn Maiden, so be careful with her. - I said, and Winter's eyes widened in some kind of incomprehension.
«So you know about that, too? - The man asked, as if he'd expected this to happen. Soon the cocoon collapsed and the exhausted maiden fell to the floor.
«Winter, make sure she has no chance to escape. - said the General to his subordinate.
«Yes, sir. - Winter nodded and summoned some soldiers who picked up the girl and carried her somewhere and she followed them with a last glance at us.
«I really need information and if you have it I would be very grateful. - said the general after a moment's thought. - And I haven't learnt your names yet, I've been working too hard.
«Anthony Luthor. - I said my name.
«Rias Gremory. - after a moment, the demoness answered.
«Well, if you must... Shinoa Hiragi.
«Hermione Granger.
«Erina Nakiri. - The blonde said calmly, while the brown-haired one was clearly worried.
«Yes... you all have been very helpful, and I will not back down from my words. If there's anything you need, feel free to ask.
«Actually..." Rias said with a little wave of her mane of scarlet hair. - We need a place to stay for a couple of days.
«No problem. - said the General without delay, but it was nothing to him. - Anthony, may I call you by your first name? Then could you carefully lower the other two ships to the ground? They'll be very difficult to repair while they're... in this position. - The General looked out the window where the ships could be seen and yes, it is indeed difficult to repair them in that position.
«Not a problem. - I shrugged, it really shouldn't be difficult for me. - Then I would like to talk to you in private a little later if possible. I have some information about... what's going on. - I found the right word.
The General quickly gave orders and we were given quarters on this ship, very spacious and quite nice. It was a logical move on his part, because Vale hadn't really recovered from the attack, and he was the general of Atlas, another kingdom. All the more reason for us all to be closer to him, just in case. And when the girls had settled into their quarters, I went to see the general again. I also wanted to call Rias, but she said she wanted to rest for the time being... she had a scroll in her hands and as Cortana said she had found an interesting book....
«General. The beautiful Winter. - I nodded to the two important faces of the Atlas army as I entered the office. The general almost choked on his drink at my words and glanced at his ward. - Are you sure you can hold Autumn's maiden when she wakes up? She'll have no problem burning through the hull of the ship.
«My specialists are working on it right now. - Ironwood said and looked at his ward, who clearly wanted to know more. Apparently he still hadn't told her about the maidens.
«Sir... - curiosity danced in the girl's eyes, even though she held back the urge with all her might.
«Yes, I guess there's no point in hiding it from you anymore. But later. - said the general, thinking about something. - Anthony, how much do you know?
«Well... enough to realise that Ozpin's tactic of 'Waiting out the Storm' has failed. Even if you drain Cinder's aura, it will only affect the maiden's power for the first time until she adjusts to her magical powers. So I offer my assistance in holding her until the interrogation.
«Good. - The general stood up and pressed a couple of buttons on the holographic computer. - Would you mind helping with the ships right after this? - He paused for a moment to ask the question.
«I don't mind. - I waved my hand.
«Good, then Winter will escort Mr Anthony to the holding cell. - the general ordered her. All the girl could do was nod and show me with her eyes to follow her.- Miss Schnee..." I started to say, but the girl turned round faster than she should and stared at me.
«... Just Winter will suffice. - she said in a cold, even emotionless tone.
«Well, it's a lovely name, it suits you. - The girl didn't react to my words. - I kind of met your sister, even though there was a battle going on at the time, did you teach her how to fight?
«... why the questions? - she decided to say something.
«I was just curious, so I asked. - I shrugged my shoulders at the girl's coldness. We reached the prisoner's place of confinement in a couple of minutes and indeed, the specialists were running around the cell and reinforcing the barriers of solid light. - That's hardly going to help. - I muttered.
«Here. - said Winter as the door opened and there bound in the centre in some kind of capsule lay the girl herself.
«Okay, thanks. - I stepped inside and immediately used the magic seal. A seal visible to the eye appeared under Cinder and began to slowly move upwards, analysing both her body and partially her soul. After the battle and the use of magic, my assimilation with Albedo grew.
Albedo (B) (98%).
«I see, that's how this power is passed from girl to girl. - I muttered. In fact, Cinder's soul was now enveloped by a spiritual and magical energy of an orange hue, which was gradually penetrating and strengthening. From the outside it might seem like a magical parasite, but it was far from it, still this literally raw power.
After that, the same seal began to appear on the walls of this chamber... which, incidentally, was also furnished in white colours. With them, I used alchemy on four walls at once and created some mago-conductive materials, and with the help of already earth magic, I simply 'stretched' them, and shaped them into the desired shape. I also just reinforced the walls with magic, just in case, and then I activated another seal, which was immediately on Cinder's neck and the effect was immediately visible. From the girl to the walls began to stretch visible "fire" energy that simply dissolved in the wall and thus further strengthened it. Now Cinder herself would be the battery for the camera, but she'd have to go out and it would stop working. And that's what I said to Winter, who started looking at me with a strange look.
«I see, thank you for helping Atlas. - She nodded a little sluggishly, clearly wanting to ask me something.
«Is there something you're interested in?
«... - the girl began to look at my features as if searching for something. - No... - she answered not so confidently.
We travelled in silence to the general, and when we got to him, I recounted what Winter had said, that if she came out of there, she could use her powers to their fullest again. He thanked me and asked me to go with Winter to the transporter to get us closer to those two ships.
«I have to talk to the Vale Council now. - The General sat down at his desk, clearly not happy at the prospect. - And deal with the damage...
I could understand him, or rather why he didn't like it. After all, someone had posted a video of Atlas androids firing on Vale hunters and civilians, which was very reminiscent of an armed attack by one kingdom on another. Even though it's now clear that it's not, the general still has to talk to the council of a friendly kingdom. I really don't mind helping, thus strengthening this shaky trust between us, because there will be important conversations about Ozpin, the maidens and perhaps Salem. The general's support will come in handy, especially since I plan to return to this world after the two-day mission deadline.
***
The whole story is already available at:
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