Disclaimer: Music not mine, obviously. Play it when Yin reaches the sewers for that dramatic effect.
...
Yin sat in the Church's head cathedral, his head bowed in prayer. Pope Iris was conducting a meeting in his office, one that Yin was not yet at the level to participate in. He had asked the Pope when his time would come, but he would always be turned down with the answer 'patience is a virtue'. Which meant he hadn't been branded yet, which he didn't know about.
Eight long years had passed since he had come to the Royal Capital, eight years since his days of adventuring ended. He had seen Salem a few times in those years, but they didn't talk much. Or at all. In fact, she rarely seemed to leave the Royal Palace anymore. Last he heard, Sasha was in Aldia, her homeland. And most worrying were the last three of his now disbanded party. The whereabouts of Ozpin, Vao, and Verde were still unknown. Ozpin had vanished without a trace, disappearing as if he had never existed at all. And given that they were wanted dead for heresy, Vao and Verde were in hiding, cutting off all contacts they had with the outside world. If they were ever found, Verde would be burned alive for witchcraft, and Vao would be hung in the gallows for protecting her. Tim and Chuck faced the same punishment as the thief. And now, Yin was twenty-six years old.
Eight years of studying for Yin, and nothing more. Raised to the official rank of deacon, he faced the responsibility of preaching to the common people of God of Light and administering blessings to the people of the Royal Capital through healing wounds and sickness. He knew he should have found it amazing, but instead it was very dull.
The most severe thing he would ever cure was a splinter, or perhaps a stomach bug. And when it didn't work immediately, the patient would yell at him and throw insults. The people of the Royal Capital were snobs, through and through.
Among the men and women in the Church, Yin was the only one who didn't own a slave. He couldn't see himself doing it - he still remembered the friends he had made in the nonhuman city. Part of that was why he was praying; so that one day the slaves of the Capital could escape and find their peace in that same city.
"... Bonjour, mon ami."
He lifted his head to meet the yellow eyes and unnaturally permanent smile of Jack. Yin never grew fond of him. No matter how much time passed, the man still made him uneasy. With a sigh he stood up, running his fingers along the small blonde hairs that had grown on his chin. "Yes, Jack? Did you need something?"
"Non, non... I am just curious..."
Sometimes Jack would say this, and watch Yin for a while. As weird as it was, Jack never tried to attack him like Yin would sometimes believe through paranoia. With another sigh, the deacon moved past the smiling man, moving down the halls in silence. The Pope's meeting should be reaching its conclusion soon. Jack followed silently, periodically asking questions such as how Yin's day was going, whether he was happy or sad, things like that.
He wished Jack would go away. But the smiling man seemed keen on following him, trying to talk to him. Yin felt like Jack was only trying to learn more about him, but it made him uncomfortable. It wasn't just Yin that Jack would do this to, it was everyone. In fact, Jack was the only other person aside from himself who talked to the slaves without a hint of hatred. It was as if... No, Yin thought. But that same thought kept eating away at the back of his mind.
It was as if Jack was trying to learn about people as a whole. He didn't understand why. He never met someone so obsessed with human nature.
"Jack!" Ruby called from down the hall. The doll-like girl was standing at the very end, near the stairs. "His Holiness wishes to speak with you."
His smile grew wider. "Oh la la... I am needed... Au revoir, mon ami..."
Yin finally let out the breath he didn't realize he had been holding in the moment Jack and Ruby disappeared up the stairs, continuing on his walk without a destination. It felt nice to walk; he could think to himself.
Jack was a mystery to him. From what Yin knew, Jack wasn't a part of the Church. Yet he still regularly took part in the Pope's inner circle meetings. It was all confusing, and led him to wonder who Jack was. When he looked into it at the library, all he got was that the disturbing man was an orphan to a family from the Royal Capital middle class sector. He wasn't anyone important.
It was an almost indescribable feeling that he felt around Jack. The feeling of being unsafe - like as if no matter how far he ran, he would never be safe. Even after knowing Jack for eight years, that feeling never began to dwindle. It remained as strong as the first time he laid eyes on that man, if not stronger. Even though he was polite, never swore, smoked, or participated in drinking, he couldn't trust Jack with an inch. And then there was Ruby...
He noticed the similarities between Jack's calm voice and Ruby's own. She rarely seemed to get upset. And then there was the worrying amount of time she spent with the smiling man. He tried following them a few times, but Ruby always caught him. He just didn't have the skill in stealth that his missing brother did. His mind flickered to her dolls.
Those things gave him the creeps. Ruby always talked about them as if they could hear their surroundings, always talked to them. Yin, as much as he didn't like to admit it, almost admired the way her skill in making them had improved over the years. It was akin to a professional, and then some.
He found himself outside in a matter of moments, his gaze turning back to the cathedral.
Unexplainable to him, he felt a deep, dark, concerning feeling inside him. The feeling of being watched.
With a sigh, he slipped his hands into his pockets, returning to his walk. This indescribable feeling... He wanted to know what it was. Perhaps the best way to compare it to another feeling was that it was not dissimilar to the haunting sense of impending doom.
Jack pushed his way into Pope Iris's office, all eyes shifting to him. Ruby bowed politely before standing beside Leaf. Everyone in Iris's inner circle was present, even the often absent Royal Executioner. The armored man's breath was audible under the cold black steel of his featureless helmet, his arms crossed in front of his chest. Everyone stared at Jack with the same expression that they always did - complete, utter silence.
... Except for one. Leaf was smoking his cigarette, veins snaking their way up his red face. He was furious. Iris shakily drummed his fingers against his desk, a nervous cough escaping his lips.
"... Good afternoon, Jack," he greeted slowly.
The serial killer raised an eyebrow. Iris wanted something. The Pope nodded at Leaf, signaling the Archbishop to speak.
"... Eight years, I haven't gotten anywhere," the dirty blonde smoker hissed. "No matter how many kids I take down there, no matter how many times I let Rojo have his fun in front of that old prick! Not even the Executioner could break him!"
Jack was curious, staring at the Archbishop intensely. Leaf's anger seemed to fade, giving way to the same unease as his allies. "... So, er... You're gonna be in charge of ol' Ozzy-boy..."
Jack hummed, his relaxed yellow eyes rolling towards the Pope. Iris nodded curtly. "... It's already been agreed upon. We just await your decision, Jack. Will you visit Ozpin? If you do, you absolutely cannot kill him. He's still useful while he is withholding information."
Jack stared for a moment longer, averting his gaze to the ground in thought.
And finally, his grin grew.
...
Ozpin was slumped limply against the wall, his gaze distant and his vision blurry. For eight years, he managed to withstand Leaf's torture. His nails had been ripped from their beds and plunged into buckets of salt, he had been forced to eat his own genitals and whatever Leaf scraped off the floor. The beatings of the Executioner's whip that left lacerations across his body, and Rojo's actions that made him sick. He had no idea how he managed to keep silent this long. He felt himself slipping towards the dark seas of insanity, slowly breaking down into a shell of his former self.
Where was Yin? From what he heard from the slaves who would occasionally sneak food to him, the blonde was present in the Church. Did he not know that Ozpin was down here? Or did he, and he just refused to help? Where was Vao? Or Salem? Sasha? Verde? Had it been really been eight years, or less? Longer?
... He didn't know the answer to any of these questions. Or did he? He wasn't sure anymore. Or was he?
He could see the light from the stairwell, a silhouette he didn't recognize standing in the square of light. When the door closed, he could hear footsteps trotting down the stairs.
Creaaak... Creaaaak... Creaaaaaaak...
The dungeon was too dark to make anything out. The only source of light was the candles nearby, but their glow didn't reach that far. He could hear someone moving just out of his sight, the vague, humanoid shape pacing around the darkness. He wondered if Leaf had a bad day. Those were always the worst.
Yet, something deep within his chest was disturbed. That person wasn't Leaf. It wasn't anyone Ozpin had the displeasure of meeting yet. And when he saw his face, he really wished he hadn't. With the fragile state his mind was in, it was the last thing he needed to see. That wide, sickle-like grin that showed most of his teeth, and those eerily calm yellow eyes.
"... Bonjour... Monsieur Ozpin..."
Despair and fear began to flood over Ozpin, his heart racing in his thin, dehydrated, and malnourished chest. This man set off his fight or flight response. The strange smiling man stepped into the light, his hands folded neatly behind his back as he leaned down to peer at Ozpin with curiosity.
"... Je m'appelle Jack Gulden... It is very nice to meet you, monsieur," he cooed politely. "I will be your new caretaker... I do hope we can get along... Mon ami..."
Ozpin watched as Jack stood up straight, turning his back to the knight. He wondered if Jack had killed Leaf. He doubted it, but he hoped it was true. He stared at Jack's back, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion. Where was his Church robes? Wasn't Jack with the Church if he was left in charge of him? Jack hummed quietly to himself, bending down to pick up a stag beetle that scurried across the floor. Pinching the insect between his fingers, he watched as its mandibles squeezed shut, its head trying to reach his thumb.
Crunch.
Ozpin felt himself stomach turn when Jack tossed the bug into his mouth, his teeth crushing through its exoskeleton. Its legs twitched from between his lips, slurped down his throat a second later. Jack turned back to the knight, staring at him from the edge of the darkness.
"... Monsieur... Will you tell me Yin and Vao's secret?"
Ozpin gritted his teeth. He had made it this far. He wouldn't be telling Jack a word. He'd rather be killed. But to his surprise, the smiling man just chuckled softly, approaching with silent footsteps. He squatted down next to the knight, his pale fingers caressing Ozpin's left cheek.
"... You don't need to say anything... It's magic, correct? Yin has Light, and Vao has Dark..."
Ozpin's heart stopped. There was no way Jack could have known that. Ozpin never said anything about it, not even when he'd mumble to himself. There wasn't a chance Jack heard it from him. Did Salem say anything?
"S-Sa... S-Sal..." His voice was too dry. It hurt to speak. But Jack seemed to understand.
"Non, non, non. I've never spoken to the princess," he cooed. "... I don't need to, mon ami... The Timelines, Light and Dark... The Blood... I know of it all, monsieur..."
Ozpin's unease changed to terror in an instant. Any doubt in Salem was blown away. She'd never be able to explain the Timelines and have anyone believe her. Which meant that Jack really did know more. Then did that mean that Yin and Vao...?
Ozpin could feel his eyes growing wet. Were they killed before they could become a threat to Iris? Then was he locked away for the Church's own amusement? Jack once again seemed to read his expression with perfect accuracy.
"Non, non! Don't cry, monsieur... I never told anyone," he promised quietly. His smile widened, his calm yellow eyes flickering with interest. "This is far too entertaining... I could never tell anyone..."
A vague light of hope burned in Ozpin's chest, clinging to Jack's words. If he was telling the truth, then that meant there was still a chance that the Gods could be foiled. Jack reached into his pockets, fishing out a small piece of steel.
Rattle... Click.
Ozpin fell forward, landing heavily on the wet stone floor of the dungeon. Jack had unlocked his restraints. The knight trembled as he looked up at the Ripper, confusion and fear settling in. Jack's grin didn't move.
"... I'm very interested in where this will go, monsieur... I just love observing human nature. It is only when faced with adversity that people will reveal their true nature," he almost whispered. "... Go, mon ami... Be quick, before your absence is realized..."
Ozpin shakily crawled away from Jack, his hands scratching at a set of rags. Throwing them over his naked body, he turned back to the man. Jack was staring at him, watching with an unreadable gaze. Ozpin could only ask one question.
"W... Who... A-are you...?"
Jack stood up, his grin growing again.
"... I am Jack the Ripper."
Ozpin felt the cold terror wash over him as Jack approached, his legs kicking out as he tried to keep the distance between the two. He made a mad dive for the stairs, but from the ground the black tendrils burst, twisting and winding. His heart thundered, his frail body trembling.
It was magic. Jack was using Darkness. That shouldn't have been possible. Vao was supposed to be the only one with that power. While he could tell Jack wasn't as strong with it, it was still a highly alarming discovery. Did that mean that someone else could use a weaker version of Yin's Light? Questions ran rampant through Ozpin's head, questions he didn't have time to answer.
Shink...
The knife gleamed in the dark, Jack's fingers curled around the handle. His eyes flickered with interest, staring down at Ozpin with that permanent, wide and toothy smile.
"Monsieur," the Ripper breathed softly. "I want you to know this before you go... Once you and Yin flee the Capital with your dear princess... The Ripper plays, too."
He was far more dangerous than Ozpin had realized. He could smell the stench of the Blood radiating from Jack. Deeper into the dungeon, he crawled away from the Ripper. The horrible truth was beginning to dawn on him.
No one would be their biggest threat like Jack was. He was still hiding things, keeping quiet about things he shouldn't know. Leaf, Rojo, and even Iris had been dealt with before. But Jack was a new threat. A far, far deadlier threat. Jack didn't have any particular reason to hunt them. Ozpin could see it in his calm, yellow eyes.
To Jack, it felt natural. Killing people was something he did as naturally as breathing, as blinking. There was no remorse. No guilt. No happiness, no anger. There was thrill, of course. But even that didn't give Jack happiness. Ozpin could see everything that Jack felt when killing - which wasn't a whole lot. The tendrils receded back into the ground, clearing the exit. The Ripper stepped away, staring up at the door above. Ozpin didn't need to be told. He didn't even need to think about it.
His bare feet slammed up the stairs, the less cold air of the cathedral blasting into his lungs as he sprinted away from that place as fast as he could, shoving slaves to the ground. Faster, farther away from that monster.
And in the back of his mind, whenever he closed his eyes, he saw that face.
...
Yin sipped from his coffee, watching as the people of the Royal Capital spent more money in a day than he made in a month. He was growing jealous of the wealth. The only ones who weren't rich were the unwashed beggars on the street that would occasionally be showered with rocks from teenagers. He was kind of glad he didn't grow up here, as much as he used to. This place was filled with awful people.
Slam.
He choked on his drink when the frail palm slammed against the table, staring into the brown eyes of an old friend. "O-Ozpin!? Where have you... A-are you naked under those rags!?"
"We don't have time! I'll explain it later!" Ozpin hissed frantically. "Where is everyone else!?""
"I-I, wha- i-it's just me!"
"Where is Salem? Vao? Sasha and Verde!?"
Yin stood up from his chair, his coffee cup abandoned on the table. "They haven't been around in eight years! S-Salem went back to the castle and Sasha went back home! I-I don't even know where Vao and Verde went! Ozpin, where have you been!? You just disappeared! And you are naked under those clothes!"
"Of course I'm naked!" Ozpin snapped. "I just crawled from that hell you call a Church!"
"H-hell!? You could have at least put s-some pants on-"
"Oh, for fuck's sake Yin! It doesn't matter anymore anyway!" Ozpin interrupted in a harsh, angry whisper. "Look at what they did to me!"
The knight shamelessly opened up his tattered robe, exposing the scarred and smooth patch between his legs. Yin's face twisted in horror and disgust. He didn't want to think it, but he knew Ozpin wouldn't lie like that. Especially when he had proof.
However, for everybody in the street who was behind Ozpin, it looked like a deranged homeless man was flashing a priest. Cries of disgust and confusion rang out, some even calling for the guards.
"That Leaf bastard made me eat my balls!" Ozpin almost shouted. "Yin, we have to go! You said Salem was in the Royal Castle, right!? She needs to come too, before the Church notices I'm gone and-"
The sound of many armored footsteps echoed down the streets. Yin made a wild move to close Ozpin's tattered cloth, leading him down through the alleys. When the sounds of footsteps faded into nothing, the deacon whipped around to face the knight.
"O-Ozpin, I want to know what happened! Tell me! What's this about Archbishop Leaf!?"
"For the love of...! I said I'll explain it later! Just listen to me, you idiot! We need to get everyone back together!"
"We can't! How are you even supposed to get into the Royal Palace!? Show your junk... Er... Oops..."
"I don't have anything!" Ozpin cried. "I showed you! I showed you, and you still said that!"
"You don't need to get into the Royal Palace," called a woman's voice. They spun to face Salem, the princess approaching them at a dangerously fast pace. With one swing of her arm she belted Ozpin across the cheek, her face cherry red with fury. "Where have you been!?"
"The Church!"
"What!?"
"Ozpin, no!"
But Yin was too late. Ozpin already flashed Salem. The platinum blonde haired noblewoman shrieked in horror, covering her eyes. Yin reached forward, closing his rags again. He stared at the knight, a mixture of pity and frustration in his blue eyes. "Ozpin, what is going on?" He pressed. "Did Archbishop Leaf really... C-cut... U-uh..."
Ozpin nodded, his eyes growing wet. "I can explain along the way... The Church... It needs to be stopped. They're killers, maniacs..."
There was silence until Salem finally spoke again.
"This... Isn't about your nonexistent crotch, is it?"
Ozpin shook his head staring her dead in the eyes. "... Salem... One of them knows about the Blood."
Salem's blood ran as cold as ice. "W... Wha...?"
Yin looked confused, biting at his nails. "B... Blood...? What about blood?"
He was ignored. Salem stepped closer to the knight, sweat beginning to bead on her forehead. "O-Oz, are you absolutely certain?"
Ozpin nodded. "H-his name is Jack... He knows it all. Yin and Vao, the Timelines, everything. The Church doesn't know yet, but-"
"What is all this!?" Yin finally snapped. "What is it about Jack? What do you mean by timelines!? How am I involved in this!? And Vao, he never had any connection with the Church in his life! They want him dead!"
Salem leaned down to stare into the deacon's eyes, grabbing his shoulders. "I-if what Oz says is true, then we really don't have time, Yin! I promise, we'll explain when we get everyone together!" She hissed. "But we need to focus on getting out of the Capita-"
"Find them! Find them now!"
The sound of Leaf's furious voice rang out from the street. When they peered from the darkness of the alley, they could see the man with a cigarette hanging from his lips. He looked like he was going to explode. At his side were Ruby and Glenroy, the Knight Commander leading an alarmingly well-armed crowd of soldiers.
"B-but Your Excellency!" One of the knights protested. "The Royal Capital is too big! They could have esca-!?"
His sentence would never be finished. Leaf had dove forward, plunging the dagger through the slits of his helmet's visor. And with one swift swing of his sword, Glenroy took the head off one of his own men. The Knight Commander was seething, his lips curled into a snarl.
"None of you will ever question His Excellency in my presence again!" He screamed.
"Yes, Knight Commander!" The knights screamed back in unison. Leaf took a drag off his cigarette, blowing the smoke into the air.
"Find them," he repeated in a low and dangerous tone. "Find them, and bring me their fuckin' heads! Kill anyone who's with them, I don't care who it is! You can't do that, and I'll strip every last one of you of your rank! I'll make sure you're the last of your FUCKIN' BLOODLINE!"
"Yes, Your Excellency!"
Glenroy pointed his bloody blade forward, his blue eyes flaring with rage. "Move out! Scour every inch of the Capital! If I catch you slacking off, you'll pay with your lives in the holy name of the Church!"
The sound of heavily armored footsteps rattled like kitchens as the knights began to split up. For the first time, Yin felt morbid terror without Jack's presence. They were being hunted.
"Sh-shit," Salem stammered. They pressed deeper into the alley, unaware of their visitor's presence.
"Bonjour..."
They spun around to see Jack standing behind them. Ozpin immediately retreated behind the princess, but the serial killer made no move for them.
"J-J-Jack," Yin stammered. Jack's yellow eyes shifted towards the ground, to the steel plate that was the entrance to the sewers. "Oh la la... Hunted like dogs by the guards... I wonder if this sewer leads outside the city...?"
The three made a dash, prying the manhole open. And when they scrambled inside, they looked up to see Jack staring down at them calmly.
"... Let's play a game," he cooed. "I will seek, and you will hide... Doesn't that sound like fun, mon ami?"
Their footsteps echoed in the dark sewers that were only illuminated by the grates above as they sprinted deeper into the tunnels, the stench becoming nauseating. They could hear Jack's voice echoing everywhere around them as he climbed down into the depths and closed the sewer, counting to himself aloud.
"Un... Deux... Trois..."
"Stay together!" Ozpin shouted. "If we get lost, he'll pick us off one by one!"
"Quatre... Cinq... Six..."
That feeling of wariness that Yin always felt around Jack exploded into mind-numbing terror, his heart roaring in his chest. Was Jack telling the truth when he said the sewers led outside the walls of the Royal Capital? Or was he lying, so he could deal with them himself?
... Suddenly he found himself wishing they had chosen to flee from the guards instead.
"Sept... Huit... Neuf..."
Salem glanced behind them. She squinted, trying to spot the Ripper. But there was no seeing through this darkness. She feared that they wouldn't find their way out. Not before Jack found them first. He wasn't trying to kill them; he was toying with them. And he was very good at it. The fear clung to their hearts, their legs wobbling with each step they took forward.
Jack looked away from the ladder, his smile growing. "... Dix... Ready or not... Here comes Jack the Ripper..."
His boots echoed as he stalked forward, never once breaking into a run. The sound of his knife scraping against the stone walls resonated like thunder in their ears. The hunt had begun.
The trio slowed to a halt, trying to catch their breath. They were certain that Jack was too far away to catch up with them. They could hear him singing calmly, tapping his knife against the walls.
"Stab, stab, stab, goes the Ripper's blade... Stab, stab, stab, will they evade...?"
Yin looked in the direction his voice was coming from, mentally preparing himself to flee. But the warm, rancid breath in his ear stopped all of his thinking.
"We'll just have to see, won't we... Monsieur...?"
Yin shrieked when he felt the blade plunge into his back, Ozpin and Salem screaming in horror. Against all realms of possibility, Jack had gotten ahead of them. There was no way he could have gotten so close when he had been so far just seconds ago. Even if he ran, he couldn't have made that time. Yin stumbled away, his legs buckling out from underneath him. His fingers scraped against the ground as he crawled away, feces and crystalized urine trapped under his fingernails. Jack stepped forward silently, his pink tongue licking the blade of his knife.
"Oh la la... Monsieur, you taste delicious," Jack cooed. Salem and Ozpin scrambled to help Yin to his feet. The knife had cut deep, rendering his flesh like butter. They took a step back as Jack drew closer, his yellow eyes flickering with hunger. "... Je suis désolé.... I have been wanting a taste for so many years now. Ever since I first laid eyes on you..."
Yin's legs tried to keep up as they ran, Jack following slowly behind them. With a growl, Salem threw Yin onto her back, carrying him piggyback as they ran. He wasn't as heavy as she thought, but he wasn't light either. Ozpin slowed his pace to keep up with them, glancing back every few seconds.
SLAM!
One of the grates that the water flowed from burst open, Jack tackling the princess to the ground. Somehow, he was keeping up with them, catching them. It couldn't have been a Semblance - those didn't exist in the Third Timeline. And even with Dark Magic, he wouldn't be able to teleport. The only reason the First Vao was capable of doing so was because of his Semblance.
Yin fell into the sewage water, a pained cry escaping his lips when the filthy river invaded his stab wound. Jack stepped inside, the water rippling as he stalked forward.
"You little bastard!" Ozpin shrieked. Without hesitation, the knight dove for the Ripper, swinging his fists wildly. But Jack spun, plunging the knife deep into his stomach. Ozpin choked, blood squirting from his lips. Jack seized his chin, and with a squeeze he pried the knight's mouth open.
"Monsieur... I am afraid I am not a very good dentist, but it seems you have a cavity," Jack observed. "It pains me to see a friend in need... So I'll do my very best to remove it."
His knife dug into Ozpin's gums, the knight's voice devolving into a bloodcurdling scream. His hands struggled to push Jack away, failing hopelessly. And with a splash, the tooth had been carved out. Jack let go and watched as the knight fell into the sewage, turning his gaze back to Yin.
He wasn't interested in Ozpin or Salem, Yin realized in horror.
Jack wanted Yin.
The deacon splashed as he scrambled away, Jack following at that slow, haunting pace. He could hear Salem screaming at him.
"Yin, run! Now!"
His clothes stained black with the waste of the Royal Capital, Yin limped away as fast as his legs could carry him. As he rounded the dark corners of the sewers, Jack leapt from his hiding place, the knife's razor-like edge cutting through his wrist, and then plunging into his thigh. Yin barely managed to push himself away in time, throwing everything he had into swinging for Jack's face.
SPLCH!
His knuckles slammed into the blade of the knife, cutting to bone with ease. With a shrill scream, Yin backed away. Jack's smile stood out in the darkness, his relaxed yellow eyes flickering with what looked almost like amusement. Even when fighting, Jack never lost his composure, remaining perfectly relaxed, as if he was laid back in a recliner with a newspaper. His body never tensed, his movements never became desperate. He remained perfectly calm in the thrill of battle, walking forward with that horrifying smile.
"Monsieur... May I have another taste?"
Yin turned and bolted, his hand trailing against the wall to support himself. His chest heaved heavily with each breath he took in, his body doubled over. And when he rounded the corner again, Jack was waiting for him.
"Is this not fun, mon ami?"
Yin stumbled back into the sewage, coughing and gagging when the water spilled into his mouth. Jack stepped in with him, reaching for the deacon. With ease he lifted Yin to his feet, his grip tightening around the knife.
SPLCH. SPLCH. SPLCH.
Yin gurgled when the knife stabbed into his stomach over and over, his vision growing grey. In a last ditch effort, he reeled his head back and tried to headbutt the Ripper. But Jack just dodged to the side, tossing the deacon to the ground. Yin's arms couldn't pull his own weight anymore. He scratched desperately at the water.
He didn't want to die. He didn't want to die.
He could hear Jack approaching, closer and closer until he stood over the deacon "Oh la la... You lost," he cooed quietly. "What a shame, mon ami... I was looking forward to... Hm?"
Something was rumbling deeper in the sewers. It was growing closer, closer. Yin immediately knew what it was.
Every six hours, the floodgates would open and the sewers would be cleaned out, filled with sewage water. The wall of green water rushed towards them, picking up speed. He could hear Jack's quiet chuckle as it took them.
The current tore at Yin's skin, burned and infected his wounds. He held his breath, gasping for air when his head broke the surface of the rapids, his hair scraping against the ceiling. He couldn't see Jack anymore. Jack was under the water, his hand grabbing Yin's ankle and pulling him below. Through the filthy water, his could see Jack's face. The only difference was that his lips were closed; his smile remained.
Even when fighting the current, he remained relaxed.
Bubbles floated from Yin's lungs when he felt the knife plunging into his thigh, Jack pulling him deeper. He was going to drown.
Another pair of hands grabbed his arm, tugging at him violently. Salem had found him again, using his body in a morbid game of underwater tug of war with the Ripper. The air bubbles floated from her nostrils when she gave one last pull, finally yanking him free. Jack's shape disappeared into the murky depths, carried away by the current. Salem swam to the surface, the deacon gasping for breath. Jack was nowhere in sight. They kicked their legs not only to tread water, but to stop him from dragging them under again.
As the water level began to drop, a shrill shriek almost deafened them. Ozpin wasn't far away, his head disappearing under the water. Yin's heart raced, his blood beginning to pump. He knew Jack was trying to lure him into a trap, but he also knew the Ripper would murder Ozpin if he didn't try to save him. Jack had him cornered - save his friend, or leave him to die. Diving under the water, he clenched his teeth when his wounds screamed and burned. He needed to reach Ozpin. Under the water, he could see Ozpin fighting against Jack, the serial killer easily overpowering his weakened form. Jack's yellow eyes turned to Yin, his legs kicking the knight away.
Swish. Swish.
Yin swam out of the knife's way as Jack swung. Just a few more seconds and he'd be able to stand in the water and start running.
Swish. Swish.
The moment his feet touched the ground he started pumping his legs as fast as he could, his movements quickened with the flow of the rushing water. But Jack had a better idea. The Ripper continued to swim, allowing the current to carry him without the anchor of his feet.
Yin screamed in pain when Jack's knife cut through his calf, bringing him to his knees. He could hear Jack's calm giggle, his legs scratching the filthy ground when he stood back up and limped away. Jack followed wordlessly, still only walking. Yin rounded the corner, ducking under the grate when Jack's arm shot out, his knife swinging. Yin was beginning to panic. Somehow, Jack kept getting ahead of him, even if he ran in a straight line. It didn't make any sense. Jack was walking, Yin was running!
The grate popped open, the Ripper's smile gleaming in the darkness. "Monsieur, you can't hide from me."
Yin turned and limped as fast as he could. His calf screamed in pain with every step, his breath ragged and labored. He hadn't been adventuring in eight years - he was out of shape compared to Jack. Yet another corner, Jack waited for Yin. And then another, a third, and a fourth. Jack moved silently, never running past Yin. It was as if he was teleporting. Jack swung his knife, scratching Yin's forehead. Blood gushed from the wound, blinding the deacon.
But even without his sight, Yin still ran blindly through the sewers. Wiping away the scarlet fluid, he gasped when he ran into Ozpin, the knight leading him away.
"Stab, stab, stab, goes the Ripper's blade," Jack's voice echoed through the darkness. "Stab, stab, stab, Jack killed mère and père, and he kills again..."
It was the scariest moment of his life. Yin watched as Jack burst from the murky depths of the sewage water, seizing Ozpin's leg and pulling him under. Chunks of filth splashed against the walls as Ozpin tried to free himself, the glint of Jack's knife gleaming as he plunged it into the knight's thigh. Yin didn't hesitate to jump in with him, picking up whatever floated in the water and throwing it at the Ripper. Jack giggled as he slashed at the fecal chunks, his smile growing.
"Stab, stab, stab, goes the Ripper's blade... Stab, stab, stab, the choice of the Gods has been made..."
With a swing of his arms, Yin splashed the putrid water at Jack, backing away as Ozpin climbed out. And once the knight was out of the water, Yin followed him into the darkness. They didn't get very far before Jack stepped from around the corner, shoving Ozpin out of the way as he stalked towards Yin.
"Mon ami... How much longer can you run?"
Yin turned and bolted, Ozpin jumping at Jack again. As the deacon ran deeper into the dark, he could hear the sound of the knight screaming for him to keep running. And then the shrill, spine-chilling scream as Jack stabbed him. And in a matter of seconds, Jack stood waiting for Yin again.
"You look very out of breath, monsieur," Jack cooed. Yin swung his fist at the serial killer, trying to at the very least get Jack to back away.
Pap.
The color drained from the deacon's face when Jack caught his wrist, his smile growing. His teeth gleamed in the dim light, the blade plunging into his forearm.
"Oh la la... Monsieur, it is very rude to strike friends," Jack said softly. There wasn't a hint of aggression nor cockiness. Jack wasn't angry nor was cocky in the slightest. He was having fun. "... Tell me, monsieur... What is your true nature?"
Yin was begging at this point, the hope of getting away flickering to nothing. Jack leaned forward, his sickly breath desecrating Yin's nostrils.
"Is it to save others? To put yourself in harm's way if it means someone else can live? Oh la la, monsieur... I think I like you even more..."
SPLCH!
Yin's breath caught in his throat when Jack pulled him forward and stabbed him in the back. With one pull, he ripped the stab wound open, scarlet staining the armor. He let go of Yin's wrist, watching the deacon fight to even breathe.
"Monsieur... If you don't keep fighting, I'll stop playing with you," Jack cooed gently. "And then I'll play with the other one... Your dear brother, Monsieur Vao Branwen..."
Yin felt his blood boiling. Fighting to inhale, he swung for Jack again. The Ripper dodged, his calm eyes flickering with delight. "Oui, oui... Show me your true nature, Yin. Show me what made you a hero, if you would."
"Sh... Shut..." Yin gasped. He didn't finish his sentence. Jack plunged the dagger into the deacon again, piercing through his chest.
Yin's legs gave out, collapsing to the ground. Everything was growing darker. His vision was blurry. It hurt to breathe, and he felt like he was choking on a mixture of his own vomit and blood. Jack towered over the fallen cleric, his smile growing. The terror, the fear of the monster in front of him finally ate away at the last of Yin's courage. His insides loosed, defecating himself, urine leaking from his bladder. He used the last of everything he had to pull himself away. He wasn't moving fast, he wasn't even pulling himself by an inch at a time.
Jack stared at him, occasionally taking a step forward. His mouth opened as he sang his twisted song again in that horrible and calm voice.
"Stab, stab, stab, goes the Ripper's blade... Stab, stab, stab, you lost the game... Stab, stab, stab, Jack the Ripper's next meal has been made..."
A dirty white blur tackled the Ripper, plunging them both into the sewage. Salem was shoving his head under the water, trying to drown him. Ozpin scrambled for Yin, carrying him down the sewers. Yin could feel himself losing consciousness.
Just before everything faded to black, he could hear Salem screaming.
...
He woke up coughing and spluttering, the feeling of fresh air invading his burning lungs. Yin's eyes shot open, staring at the night sky through the trees. He could hear something clattering on the ground, followed by something clinging to him. It was Ozpin, who had used the deacon's staff to heal him.
"Yin! Yin, oh thank goodness it worked!" Ozpin cried. The deacon tried to sit up, but the sudden and sharp pain forced him back to the ground. It was clear Ozpin didn't know what he was doing when he cast the healing miracle. But at the very least, the bleeding had stopped, and his wounds had been closed. He felt lightheaded, dizzy.
Something pressed against his lips, followed by cold water. The taste of puke and blood washed away when he spat it out, and then started to drink. When he lifted his head, he could see Salem holding the canteen. She had bandages wrapped around her arms and her head. Jack had done a number on her.
"P... Princess," Yin coughed. "O-Ozpin... Where are...?"
"We're outside," Salem said quietly. "Oz... He found the exit and started trying to heal you. He only knew minor miracles, so it took a long time. You weren't breathing when I got away from that... That thing..."
The memories slowly returned. Being chased through the dark sewers by Jack, getting stabbed over and over. He looked back up at the princess and the knight, his eyebrows weakly furrowing together. "Wha... What is going on...?"
Ozpin and Salem were silent for a long time. And finally, the princess spoke. "... While you were asleep, Ozpin and I talked... We'll explain everything after we reunite with everyone..."
"Re... Unite...?"
Ozpin nodded. "... You saw it. People like Jack work with the Church. We... We were hoping you'd agree to put a stop to it..."
"The God of Light..." Salem bit her lip, wondering if she should continue. She knew Yin was religious. "... He isn't on our side. You saw it with the slaves, right? Yin, will... Will you help us stop the Church?"
... A long time ago, Yin would have turned them in without a second thought. But after being chased by Jack, after seeing the slaves clapped in irons, after seeing the Goblin City and the city of nonhumans... His mind was made up. Even if it went against the God of Light, he couldn't sit around and do nothing anymore.
But then there was another issue. Sasha didn't like him, and no one even knew where Vao and Verde went. Hell, Vao even said he was going to kill Yin if he went looking. And from the way the thief said it... It would be a fight to the death.
"How... Are we supposed to find anyone?"
Ozpin and Salem shared a worried look. They didn't know either. "... We were planning to stop by Faralda," Ozpin murmured. "It's the nearest city. Vao had a lot of friends, so we were hoping we could get a lead there... As for Sasha... We can get her easily. She said she was going back to Aldia, in the far snowy mountains to the north... We should get her first, but we at least need an idea on where Vao and Verde went-"
"What if... Vao attacks?" Yin interrupted. He coughed a bit, the action burning his throat.
"... We might have to fight," Salem agreed. "But he's not completely stupid. He'll listen."
Yin doubted that. Salem did too. If Vao truly saw Yin as a danger, he'd fight with everything he had.
Slowly, Ozpin helped the injured deacon to his feet, passing his staff back so he could use it to walk. With a groan, he pulled his filthy hood over his head. It would be bad if anyone recognized them, especially if the Church chose to label them as criminals.
Looking at his two old friends, he gave a bittersweet smile.
"... A-alright," he croaked. "... Let's get the party back together..."
Together, the three adventurers began their long trek to Faralda on foot, unaware.
Unaware that the path they walked would be paved in the blood of thousands.
Unaware that he was watching. Not Jack Gulden. Someone far, far worse.
His single bloodred eye watched them from the trees, his unnaturally cold hand gripping the branches. His long black hair kept his back warm, his free hand pressed against his chin, his teeth nibbling on his fingertips. His skin was a sickly pale, almost as white as snow. And in the socket where his left eye should have been was a floating red speck of light that flickered like a flame.
"Au... Auntie..."
His feminine voice was nothing more than a delusional whisper, his attention ensnared by an unseen figure. He was listening to the voices in his head.
"B-but... Au-Auntie... The blonde man looks like..."
He fell silent again, his eye growing wet. "Nyeheh... O-of course, Auntie... I... I-I... Nyaha... Hahaha..."
His lips twitched, curling into the deranged, depraved ear-to-ear smile as his stomach began to ache.
"I... I'm s-so bloody h-hungry..."
Grrrrroooooooooowwwwwwllll...
...
In Faralda, there was a rundown house. The owners, twins, were on their third mortgage. It was a miracle they hadn't lost the house yet. Silverware clinked as they ate, Raven reading the newspaper with her feet propped up on the table.
"... Mom, your feet are almost touching my bread..."
"Then move."
"But Aunt Summer says it's rude to put your feet up on the table!"
Raven lowered her newspaper, her eyebrows knitted together. "Bitch, do I look like your aunt?"
"You look like my Nan!" The harpy across from them chirped happily. Raven gritted her teeth. She hated the idea that she was a grandmother. And she had her troglodyte son to blame for giving her an equally stupid nephew. But the nonhuman's accent brought back memories of days she missed. With a sigh, she set down her newspaper and pulled her feet away.
"... I'm heading out for some booze. You want anything?"
"Vodka!" The harpy chirped. Yang winced.
"P-Pip, choose... Beer or something..."
"But beer isn't as good as vodka! Vodka is my favorite."
"Th... That was his favorite too," Raven muttered. Without another word, she left the house, slamming the door behind her. Yang sighed, staring at the harpy's confused expression.
"... Told ya. Should've gone for beer, or some shitty off-brand whiskey."
Pip looked back at the blonde adventurer, a worried look in his scarlet eyes. "... Did I do something wrong, Auntie?"
Yang shook her head, finishing off the little food she had left before standing up. "Not at all. Let's go, we should at least clean up a bit so she's in a better mood when she gets back."
Pip nodded, hopping off the chair and following her into the living room. Cleaning was always difficult because he didn't have hands, so he was mostly tasked with dusting. He typically held the duster in his mouth. As they stepped inside, he asked another question.
"Auntie?"
"What is it, kiddo?"
"Was the guy she mentioned... My dad?"
Yang always felt awkward whenever she had this conversation with her nephew. Pip really wanted to meet his father, but he hadn't been heard from or seen in eight years. Raven and Yang had already begun to suspect that the thief was dead. Hell, Vao didn't even know Pip existed. "... Yeah. You look a lot like him."
"My pot and pan looks like a girl, too!?"
She was glad she got used to Vao's rhyming slang before Pip was born. She nodded her head, a wistful smirk crossing her lips. "Like you wouldn't believe... Hell, I'm pretty sure some guys had the hots for him... Miss that sneaky prick..."
Pip seemed happier. "Wot was he like?"
Yang shrugged. "Stuff might have changed... But back then, he was a really good guy for what he did. Stole a lot, but had a heart of gold. Probably... The best friend anyone could ever ask for, really..."
Pip was hopping up and down lightly, a smile crossing his lips. "When can I meet him? I really want to meet him!"
Yang visibly winced. Pip was still very young. As a result, it had been an agreement that they would tell him that Vao had left on a grand adventure. Pip believed that his father would one day come home. Yang felt bad for lying, but how was she supposed to explain to her eight year old nephew that his father was wanted dead? Or that he didn't even know Pip was born? She found it cruel to keep it a secret from him, but she didn't have the heart to tell the truth. And unless one of them told Pip, it wasn't a lie he'd discover. After all, he wasn't allowed outside for his own safety. He'd be killed on sight, and their family would be hung.
"... S-soon... Eventually," Yang almost whispered. "... And... I'm sure he'll give you... A really g-great hug..."
Pip looked ecstatic. "Oh, I can't wait to meet him! Do you really think he'll give me a hug? Even though we've never met? Do you think my mum'll be with him?"
... Another lie. No one knew who Pip's mother was because Vao never said anything about her, just that she was a friend. Then again, he didn't know she was a mother in the first place, or that he had a kid. If he was still alive, that is. Yang just shrugged her shoulders.
"... I don't know, Pip... I just don't know..."
Pip helped his aunt clean to the best of his ability, but didn't do very much in the end. Yang felt bad for the harpy. He was waiting for something that wouldn't ever come.
At first, she hated Pip. He was a monster, the very thing she was supposed to hunt as an adventurer. But as the months turned to years, she never once detected hostility from the harpy. In fact, Yang was starting to believe Pip couldn't get angry. He was just too dumb to get to that point. Qrow had been the quickest one to take a liking to him, teaching him how to cheat at poker even though Pip wouldn't ever leave the house.
Raven, on the other hand, raised him like she did Yang and Vao. The only difference was that Pip didn't get taken outside for obvious reasons.
Yang had taken the longest to accept it, but eventually saw the happy-go-lucky nonhuman as family. After all, Pip was the only thing Vao left behind before he went into hiding. She wished she was a bit nicer when Pip was younger, instead of yelling at him all the time. Even if the harpy didn't hold a grudge, it was still something that put guilt on her back.
In the eight years Pip lived with them, she had begun to wonder if peace would ever be possible with monsters. Pip seemed to be living proof. In fact, where did Vao even go during those two months? How did he get close enough to get intimate with a harpy in the first place? Were there more like Pip? Was his mother the same way?
"Auntie? Your eyes are leaking," Pip pointed out. Yang wiped the tears away from her eyes, leaning forward. Slowly, she pulled the young harpy into her arms, holding him like she did with Yin and Vao when they were kids.
Yin... Yin. She shuddered. She was frightened of the day he'd come back to Faralda. He had never come back home after he left for the Royal Capital, but he occasionally sent a letter to Summer and Tai. Knowing how religious he was... What he said to Verde eight years ago... It was disgusting. It wasn't about Verde being a witch after that. It was about Yin being horrible. To make fun of someone for being sexually assaulted by their father... It still made Yang feel ill. His racism had to have gotten worse when he went to the Capital. Yang feared that he might try to do something to Pip if he ever learned of the harpy. And that's why they never told Pip about his uncle. Summer and Tai both agreed, and kept silent when they would occasionally visit.
Yin used to send letters to Yang, but she'd burn them in the backyard. After two years, he picked up the hint and stopped. She wanted nothing to do with Yin after the incident eight years ago. She blamed him for everything that happened; Pip never knowing his father, Sasha leaving, Vao and Verde going into hiding... If Yin had just been more tolerant and less of a huge piece of shit, Vao would never have beaten the snot out of him.
Her breath hitched in her throat when she felt the black feathers of Pip's wings press against her back. It was difficult to tell because he didn't have human arms, but the warmth of the hug was still there. She could already feel him smiling over her shoulder.
"It's okay, Auntie! There's no need to be sad!" Pip said happily. "When dad gets back, he'll tell us loads of stories! That's wot Drunkle Qrow always says! He usually starts crying after, but he promises me that!"
Yang only felt worse hearing that. She really couldn't bring herself to tell him after hearing how much Pip admired Vao. The guilt felt like it was going to crush her to dust. She couldn't tell her nephew that even if Vao was still alive after eight years of hiding, he couldn't come home even if he wanted to. If Vao ever got caught, he'd be strung up like a criminal, and his body left to rot in the streets of the Capital, to be food for the rats and bugs. And if he was already dead and his corpse was found, he'd be brought back only to be spit on. Either way, his name would be slandered. And the worst part was Pip wouldn't even get to catch a glimpse of Vao before either of those things because he couldn't even look outside the windows.
"Y-yeah," Yang stammered quietly. The guilt pressed harder. It was getting difficult to stand.
"I... I'm sure... I'm sure he will..."