The grey sky hung over Faralda, the sunlight dull through the dark clouds. It had just finished raining, and looked like it was going to start again. Raven, Yang, and Qrow stood in silence as the knights did their rounds around the house.
These searches had become a weekly occurrence for eight years. On every Friday, two knights would search the house for any signs of a fourth member. They weren't looking for Pip, though. They were looking for Vao. Vao was known to love his mom dearly, and so her house was always inspected once every week. This, of course, was a bad thing.
Where was Pip? He was hidden under the floorboards. Shortly after he was born, Raven tore up the old planks and dug a hole for him to hide in. Pip was left in the dark, Summer and Tai down with him to make certain he didn't make a sound.
Usually, it was only two regular guards. But this time, third knight was with them, sending their nerves through the roof. They didn't know why he was here. Glenroy's white hair stood out in the dim light of the house, staring at the walls in disgust.
"... You let your walls accumulate mold?"
"... Don't have the money to fix it," Raven muttered begrudgingly.
"... Disgusting," Glenroy muttered. His armored boots clunked heavily on the ground, his eyes scanning for anything out of the ordinary. His golden and jeweled shield gleamed on his back, his hand resting on the handle of his sword. He pulled open a closet, inspecting the contents curiously. "... There's clothes in here that would only fit a midget or a child," he observed. "Why do you have these? There are no children in the house, are there?"
"No sir," Yang lied. "They used to be Vao's... My mom, she keeps them for memories."
Glenroy raised a brow, picking up a shirt. "... You have no taste for fashion," he muttered. "The sleeves are torn off."
He dropped the shirt, pushing aside Pip's clothes. He sniffed the air, his lips pulling back in disdain. "Ugh... That stench..."
Glenroy was more observant than his underlings, something they found to be dangerous. No one had ever commented on the smell before. It wasn't that Pip smelled particularly bad, but he smelled like a bird. Glenroy moved to stand, but stopped. They watched in dread as he picked something up, holding it out for them to see.
It was a black feather.
"Do you have a pet, perchance?" He interrogated. "I do not recall seeing one."
"Qrow collects feathers," Raven answered bluntly. The drunk looked confused for a moment, but quickly nodded.
"Y... Yeah... Gets me going, you know?"
Glenroy looked absolutely disgusted. Raven and Yang glared at Qrow. "I-I'm sorry," he whispered to them. "You put me on the spot. It was all I could think of."
Glenroy dropped the feather, continuing his search. Down below, hidden underneath the floorboards that the sofa rested on, Summer and Tai held Pip, watching the shadows move above the floorboards. Pip didn't entirely understand what was going on, but he knew it wouldn't be good if he made a sound. His grandfather had explained to him a few times that the humans outside the house weren't friendly, even if he was raised by humans.
Glenroy ascended the stairs, Raven, Yang, and Qrow following from a distance. The Knight Commander kept sniffing the air, his nose wrinkled from the smell. "... Are you certain you do not have a bird? It's getting stronger," he called back to them. Neither of the trio answered. Glenroy pushed the door to Vao's room, sniffing again. The smell was at its strongest in the bedroom. "Ugh... Smells like a nest in here..."
They watched as the Knight Commander threw the blankets from the bed, narrowing his eyes at the feathers strewn across the mattress. Raven hadn't wanted Pip to sleep on the floor, and had allowed him to use Vao's bed. Not like the thief was coming home anyways. She was beginning to think it was a bad idea. Glenroy shot Qrow a dirty look.
"... You make me sick, you disgusting pervert."
"That's... That's what my dad said before he left my mom..."
Glenroy's glare fell. "Mr. Branwen... Are you okay?"
"No..."
The Knight Commander just shook his head, returning to his investigation. "There's so many... It's like you have a harpy living here," he muttered thoughtfully. Their hearts froze in their chests. Glenroy had hit the nail on the head. They shouldn't have expected any less; before he was Knight Commander, before he was a soldier, he had been an adventurer in his teenage years. Goenroy picked up the feathers in his hand, looking at them curiously. "... These are from the same bird..."
He stared for a moment longer before casting them to the side. With a hefty sigh, he rubbed his temples and turned to his men. "... This smell is giving me a headache. The house is clear; no sign of Vao Branwen or Yin Rose. We're returning to the Capital."
"Y... Yin...?" Yang echoed. Glenroy nodded.
"Yes, Yin. Slinking little rodent freed a prisoner and fled with the princess. He's not going to be arrested, but His Holiness wants him back. He's going to pay for his crime, but he won't be killed. As for the princess and the prisoner... Traitors who will spend the rest of their days in chains," he growled.
What Glenroy wasn't telling them was that Yin would be tortured like Ozpin if he was caught. Only this time, the deacon would he given the Blood, and become loyal like Ruby. Glenroy pushed past them, storming out of the house with his knights following. Raven watched through the window as they climbed on top of their horses, beginning their return journey to the Capital.
"... Summer, Tai... You can come out now," she called softly. Yang and Qrow pushed the sofa aside when the homemade trapdoor swung open, the couple still holding onto Pip.
Worry had started to eat away at Raven. It was only a matter of time before Glenroy or one of the other knights caught on. Glenroy was by no means stupid. There was a reason he had become the Knight Commander at such a young age of twenty-five. He already came dangerously close to discovering Pip's existence. With a groan, she pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Good grief... So much shit going on," she growled. Yang looked at Raven worriedly.
"Th... That piece about Yin... I-is he coming back? Is he going to..." She trailed off, looking at her nephew worriedly. Raven shook her head.
"He can fucking try," she hissed. "He touches Pip, and his head rolls across the floor."
"B-but wait! He's our son!" Summer protested. Raven just snickered.
"He'll be your dead son by the time I'm done," she muttered.
...
Their boots squelched through the mud, the air still damp from the rain. The tall walls were in sight, the trio staring at the gates from the bushes. Two guards stood watched, and one patrolling the walls. With Tim and Chuck gone, it looked like new guards were posted. They weren't anyone Yin recognized - they must have come to Faralda after he left.
Through the mud they approached the gates, their hearts racing. They were still uncertain if they were considered outlaws. If they were, they'd be arrested the moment anyone learned about their identity.
Clink.
The guards' armor rattled as they crossed their spears, staring at the adventurers with a stern glare. Clean-shaven, physically fit, professional, they were the polar opposites of Tim and Chuck. "Halt," the first one growled. "State your intentions."
"W-we're travellers," Salem lied. Her hood was pulled up, hiding her face. She was grateful they hadn't bathed in the week and a half it took to reach Faralda by foot. The dirt hid a lot of their distinguishable features. The guardsmen looked at each other before stepping off to the side, allowing them entry.
The streets of Faralda were almost empty. Not many people would be outside in the rain, after all. A patrol marched past, the adventurers taking note of the vast difference compared to eight years prior. Eight years ago, the guards of Faralda had been a mischievous, typically lazy bunch. These men marched in perfect unison, their stern faces unmoving and their backs straight. They didn't speak so much as a word when they passed. They didn't even look at the adventurers.
"W-woah," Yin breathed. Salem's lips tightened.
"... I didn't hear much of it, but I heard a rumor about Faralda," she murmured. "The entire guard was punished for allowing Vao to leave... It was either be trained like the Royal Capital knights, or face imprisonment..."
"B-but Verde was still an adventurer before they left the city," Ozpin pointed out. "She tore her card outside the walls."
"Doesn't matter," Salem whispered quietly. "She was an illegal witch when Vao met her. The only thing that protected him was his adventurer card. When he ripped it, he became a criminal who sided with a witch."
Their boots stuck in the muddy streets, until finally Yin's childhood home came into view. Next door was Raven's house, and through the curtains he could make out the silhouettes of people. When he counted, he realized his parents must have been inside.
"... Perfect, actually... I can see Mom and Dad, and talk to Raven," he mumbled. "... There's an extra, though..."
Ozpin was silent, a bad feeling creeping over his back like a shadow of ill intent.
Knock, knock, knock.
The moment Yin struck the door, they could hear a crash from inside, followed by Qrow's frantic voice.
"J-just a second!"
From the curtains, Salem could see three of the silhouettes duck towards the floor. A second later, Yang opened the door. "Did you need... Something..."
Her face fell, anger flaring into her eyes. "You..."
Yin gulped, looking down the empty streets and lowering his voice. "Y-Yang, I know you're probably still mad at me, but let me inside. I just want to ask a few questi-"
"Take a long walk off a cliff, asshole."
Yang tried to slam the door in his face, but a hand shot out from behind and pulled it back open. The blonde ducked out of the way as Raven stared down at them from the top of the steps, a hideous glare filled with hatred flooding her eyes. "... Can I help you?"
"A-Aunt Raven, please let us in," Yin begged. "We need to talk. Urgently."
Raven stared for a few moments before stepping to the side, jerking her head towards the house. As they passed by, she recoiled at the stench.
"Eugh! The fuck were you playing in, a sewer!?"
"... Y... Yeah," Salem muttered. Raven scowled.
"Don't you dare touch my furniture, you stinky bitch. You can stand, you fucking donkey."
They didn't say anything as they moved to the living room. Qrow and Yang were glaring at them, the drunk swaying lightly. It was clear that they had no issues with Salem and Ozpin. But Yin was not welcome. Raven slammed the door shut, stomping in after them. She leaned against the frame of the entrance, taking a swig from a bottle of whiskey. "The fuck do you want? Better be a damned good reason."
They were silent for a moment. It was too long for Qrow. "Speak, you holy turd."
Yin bit his lip, tasting the sweat that had built up from walking for so long. "... We're... Trying to get the party back together," he said quietly. "We know where Sasha is, but not Vao-"
Thud.
The three jumped when they heard something in the floor. Raven snapped her fingers, catching their attention. "Old house," she said. "And even if we knew, you think we'd tell you? Just so you can kill him? He's not here. We haven't seen or even heard from him in eight years."
"Th-that's not what it is," Salem stammered. "We're going against the Church, and-"
"Yin going against the Church," Yang laughed. "That's fucking hysterical. Prick's going to kill Vao, stop lying."
Thud.
"... You're twenty-seven and still living with your mom?" Yin snapped back. Ozpin slapped the back of his head. That was the wrong thing to say. Yang looked like she was about to explode.
"You shut your fucking mouth, you prick! With Vao gone, this is all I got left!"
Thud.
Another noise from the floor. Every time Vao's name was mentioned, something moved. Down below, Pip was trying to see what was going on. He wasn't trying to escape, but get a better view. Summer and Tai had their hands pressed against his mouth. They knew how much Pip wanted to meet Vao, but if Yin found him... As much as they didn't want to believe it, they saw how cruel Yin was to Verde. They didn't want to see how far that cruelty would go.
"... Is there... Something under the floor?" Ozpin asked.
Raven's lips curled into a dangerous smirk. "... If you know what's good for ya, you're not going to ask anymore questions," she warned. "Old house. Noises happen."
Yin stared at her for a long while, realization dawning on him. They were hiding something. Raven was lying. "... Who's down there?"
Raven pushed away from the wall, taking a slow step forward. "I'm a nice lady, so I'll give you a fair warning, boy. Leave. My. Home."
Salem noticed Qrow moving closer to his scythe, the weapon hanging on the wall. Yang was already popping her knuckles. A fight was about to break out. Worriedly, she nudged Yin. "We... We should get going... It's not safe here..."
"I'm not leaving," Yin said firmly. "Is it Vao down there? Is Verde with him?"
"I already told you, I haven't heard from him in eight years," Raven hissed. "This is your last chance. Get out of my fucking house."
"Not until you tell me-"
CRACK!
Ozpin and Salem caught Yin when he stumbled back, blood dripping from his busted lip. Raven had punched him. The deacon touched the wound gingerly, wincing when his fingers grazed the bloodied spot. Raven's breath was heavy, her eyes flaring with fury.
"Get out of my house! Get out! Get out!"
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
Qrow and Yang dove forward, pulling the woman away. Yin's face was already beginning to swell, Salem staring at Raven in complete silence.
The more she stared, the more she was beginning to realize. They weren't hiding anything. They were protecting something. And that something was just below their feet. The princess stopped tending to Yin, preparing herself if Raven went for her weapon. Which, knowing her... It was an inevitability.
"... Before Yin knocked," she said quietly. "There were three other shadows in the curtains. Six shadows, but there's only three of you... Which means three others were here... Is Vao here? Is he listening-"
"How many times am I gonna repeat myself!?" Raven screamed. "Vao isn't here! He hasn't been here in eight years! He can't even send a letter, because the kingdom wants to fucking kill him!"
"M-Mom, stop!" Yang protested. Raven shoved her daughter away, scrambling for her weapon. When her hands grabbed Omen, they found themselves at the end of its scarlet blade. Instinctively Salem drew her weapon, the rapier's silver gleaming in the dim light. Raven was breathing heavily, wiping at her eyes.
"... If you... If you think I'm gonna let you touch Pip... You'll have to get through me, first."
Salem furrowed her brow. "... Pip?"
There was a silence. Raven said something she shouldn't have. Ozpin looked down at the floor. Whoever was down there was important to the Branwen family. But if it wasn't Vao or Verde, then who? Knowing Raven, she wouldn't say anything else.
He thought about the noises every time Vao's name was spoken. The extra people Salem had mentioned. Whoever was hiding was related to Vao in some way. He turned back to Raven, his gaze softening. "... The person hiding... Let them out."
Raven shot her glare at him, her teeth grinding together. Ozpin continued. "Not a word of this is going to the Church. That, I can assure you."
"Oh, eat shit," Qrow hissed. "Blondie over there is with them. He's a deacon now; Tai told me."
Ozpin looked at Yin. He was waiting for the healer to do something. Shakily, the cleric sighed, reaching under his robes. The Branwen family tensed. From his neck, Yin pulled out a necklace with the insignia of the Church engraved into it. Without hesitation, he tossed it on the floor. "... I'm done with the Church," he mumbled. "... I'm sorry for what happened. I know it don't mean anything, but I saw what they're really like. I'm not letting it continue. Seeing nonhumans walk around smelling worse than I do right now, and finding what they did to Ozpin... I'll make a deal with you."
That caught their attention. He knew better than to make deals with the Branwens. He learned that from making deals with his brother when they were kids. With this family, deals were kept. They were honored, even if they were a bunch of thieves.
"... You show me who's hiding under the floor. If I do something you don't like, you can kill me."
"You're breathing. I don't like that," Raven snickered. Salem and Ozpin looked at Yin worriedly. He was holding a stick of dynamite and watching the fuse burn at this point. Raven stared for a few minutes before jerking her head at Yang. "... Let them out. Qrow, don't let anyone leave this house alive."
Yang seemed reluctant, but began to push the sofa. She pulled the rug up, exposing the trap door. Yin watched as she opened it, his parents climbing out first. They wouldn't look him in the eye. Yang fired one last glare at her brother before reaching inside, pulling a third figure out of the hidden room.
Confusion settled in. A young harpy stared back at him, peering warily from behind Yang. With his black feathers and his scarlet eyes, a sense of familiarity struck the deacon. Ozpin pointed a shaky finger at the nonhuman. "W... Wait... That girl looks like Poppy and..."
"... That's right," Raven muttered harshly. "That's who we were hiding. This is all we have left of Vao. This is Pip. He came from that egg Vao brought home."
The egg. Suddenly, Yin felt like an idiot for not realizing it. Vao had an excuse because he was dumber than a bathroom with windows, but Yin, Salem, and Ozpin didn't. Vao had gotten a nonhuman pregnant.
"D-does Vao know?" Salem stammered. It was Tai who answered.
"... How would he? He can't come home... Pip has been waiting, and... Well, he's going to keep waiting."
Pip looked up. "Wot? But you said..."
His accent stood out like the color black on a white canvas. There was no doubt about it - he was related to Vao. Summer just pat his head softly. The harpy looked distressed. Raven sighed, her shoulders tensing.
"... That's your nephew, Yin. Bet it makes you pretty angry, don't it? To have what you consider filth to be related to you by blood."
Yin stared at Pip silently. He never could have imagined that he would have a nephew. Guilt slammed into him like a sledgehammer to the knee. If Vao hadn't been forced into hiding, he'd likely be here to take care of his kid. Slowly, Raven began to relax, sheathing her sword. She didn't take her hand off the handle. "... There. That's all you need to know. Now if you'll just leave, that would be great. Gotta explain to Pip why he ain't gonna meet his dad because of his pissy uncle."
Pip looked back up at Yin. He could tell the nonhuman was trying to figure it out on his own. And finally, he spoke. "... Y... You said you were going to look for my dad, right?"
Yang immediately snapped her attention to her nephew, shaking her head. "Pip, don't you dare-"
"Can I... Come with you?"
"Absolutely not," Raven hissed. Pip looked at her desperately.
"B-but Nan! I-I might get to see my dad!"
It was becoming painfully clear that Pip just wanted to meet his father. That struck Yin like a dagger to the chest. If he hadn't lost his temper and threatened to kill Vao, his nephew wouldn't be in this predicament. But with the danger that would surely follow their journey to stop the Church, bringing a kid wasn't a good idea. Pip looked at Yin, his eyes watering. "Please, take me with you! I want... I want to at least see if my dad is okay! I won't ask for anything!"
This was growing difficult. The harpy was begging now. The Branwen family seemed keen on keeping Pip right here where he was safe. But Summer, for the first time since she crawled from the hole, spoke softly.
"... I think... Pip should go with Yin..."
"I have no problems burying you," Raven warned. "Not the first time I've gotten rid of multiple bodies."
Summer took a stand, glaring at the woman. "And if he stays? What of Glenroy? He got too close to finding out you had a harpy living here! He even identified the feathers! And besides, Salem and Ozpin are with him! We all know they never sided with the Church! Salem always spoke out against Yin!"
Raven fell silent. She wanted to argue, but Summer was right. She found herself stuck between two difficult decisions; trapped between a rock and a hard place. If Pip continued to live here, he'd eventually be found. And if he went with Yin, he ran the risk of being beaten or worse. It was a choice between the lesser of two evils. There was only one choice she could make. Raven turned her glare towards Yin, her grip tightening around her weapon.
"... I don't really have a choice," she hissed. "... You'd better not hurt him, Yin. Whenever we meet again, if I see one feather missing... I'm going to rip off your balls and make your choke on them."
Ozpin started crying. The poor guy was traumatized. Yin nodded slowly.
"... Got it."
Raven grumbled something under her breath, crouching down in front of Pip. "... If he does anything to you, you tell Salem and come right back home. Alright, kid?"
"... Okay, Nan."
Raven gave a bitter smirk, ruffling his feathers. "... Goodbye, Pip..."
It was Yang's turn. The blonde didn't even say anything; she just hugged him. Raven had to pry her fingers away from the harpy's back and take her upstairs. Qrow stepped forward, taking a sip from his flask.
"... Gonna miss you, kiddo... Here, take this."
"U-Uncle Qrow, please don't give him alcohol!" Yin shouted. "He's not fourteen yet!"
"He's also not human," Qrow pointed out. "Besides, this kid... He holds down his liquor just like his dad. Drank me under the table last week."
Qrow slipped his flask into the pocket of Pip's shorts, giving him a pat on the shoulder before stepping off to the side, watching silently. Summer and Tai didn't walk towards Pip. They walked towards Yin.
"M... Mom? Dad?"
Summer sighed quietly, leaning on her ties to whisper into his ear. "Rosebud... This is your one chance to prove to everyone that you aren't who you were," she hissed softly. "... Don't hurt him. I... I don't think even I could forgive you for putting your hands on a child, human or not."
"She's right," Tai agreed. "It's... Really taking a lot for Raven to even allow this. You have no idea how much that woman wants to hurt you."
When Yin opened his mouth to speak, Tai pressed a finger to his son's lips and shook his head. "Don't. Because I'm still angry for what you said to that witch girl. That wasn't the man I raised you to be."
Without saying goodbye, they turned to Pip, giving their hugs before standing beside Qrow, with Summer unclipping her cloak and draping it over the harpy, hiding his wings. Because he was short, it hid his feet too. Salem sighed quietly, looking at the small child, sympathetic expression in her turquoise eyes. "... Are you ready, Pip?"
The harpy nodded hesitantly. Giving one last look at the only place he ever saw, he gave a small wave. "... Bye..."
The smell of rain washed over them as they stepped into the dreary weather, Ozpin stooping down so Pip could climb on his back. Leaving footprints in the mud was a bad idea for the harpy. As everyone watched them leave from the windows, disappear into the fog, they heard someone coming down the stairs.
Raven was wearing a black hood, pulling it over her head. Her sword was strapped to her waist, the sheath concealed in the cloak. Qrow raised an eyebrow. "... Where are you going, sis?"
Raven gave him a bitter glare. "... I'm following them. The moment Yin snaps, I'll put a stop to him for good. And..." She trailed off, averting her gaze. "... If Vao isn't dead... It'd be nice to see him, too..."
"Sis, that isn't a good idea," he warned. "If you stumble across a corpse, you'll..."
Raven knew what he was hinting at. "... Yeah. I will."
Raven pushed her way past them, ignoring their words as Qrow tried to protest. She threw the door open, her brother stepping in the way. "S-sis, stop! I-"
"Get out of my way."
She shoved him away from the door, standing in the frame. She couldn't see the adventurers anymore. They were likely near the gates by now. "... If I don't come back... Either means I was killed, or I found Vao's body... So don't bother looking for mine."
...
The guards stepped off to the side as they moved through the gates, eyeing them curiously. Only when they were far enough did Ozpin set Pip down so he could walk, the hem of the cloak already stained with dark mud. The harpy, just like his mother, seemed to be on the happy-go-lucky side.
"So you're my uncle?"
"Uh... Yeah. Still getting used to that..."
"Wot's my dad like? Are we going to see him?"
"He... I don't really know what he's like now... Back before you were born, he was just an idiot who liked having fun, and had the same accent as you..." Yin looked at Salem. He was wondering the same thing. After all, they didn't learn a thing about where Vao and Verde were hiding. The outlaw princess sighed, shaking her head.
"We're going to get Sasha. We know where she is, and maybe she'll have a lead on Vao and Verde. Walking west isn't good enough; there's plenty of places to the west of Faralda. We'll never find him going off that alone."
Ozpin nodded in agreement. "And because shopping isn't available for us in Faralda... We're going to stop by the Goblin City, since it's along the way."
"The goblins?" Yin asked. They nodded.
"Yeah. If we're really doing this, we'll need them on our side... Shouldn't be too hard. They're really friendly people," Salem pointed out. "And Vao was on good terms with them, so we might get information from them."
They turned when they heard Pip gasp, turning to the harpy. He was completely enamoured by a flower that grew alongside the road. "Uncle Yin, look!"
"It's... A flower?"
"I didn't know they grew from the ground! I only saw them in vases!"
The adventurers shared a concerned look. Ozpin cleared his throat. "Have you... Never been outside?"
Pip shook his head. "No, Nan and Auntie told me it was too dangerous," he replied cheerily. "They said there were bad men who wanted to hurt me."
Nevermind meeting his father, Yin realized just how much it meant for his nephew to even leave Faralda. He was seeing new things. With a chuckle, he ruffled the harpy's feathers. "Just wait until you see everything else," he mumbled.
Pip's cheerful demeanor was infectious, just like his mom. Yin thought back to when they said their goodbyes to Poppy and the nonhumans. The reason she wanted the egg to stay safe had become crystal clear.
Into the trees, the sound of distant thunder rolled on the horizon, the wet leaves squished under their boots. Pip was always running ahead to look at something new, occasionally asking questions about Vao. It was obvious he idolized the thief.
"So when we meet my dad, is he going to give me a hug?"
"He was a pain in the ass, not a scumbag," Ozpin joked. Yin chuckled. "Yeah, like that time he put hot sauce in your hot cocoa."
"That was him?" Ozpin scowled. "... I change my mind. He's an ass."
Pip scurried towards them, staring up at Yin. "And wot's Miss Sasha like? I only know wot Auntie told me!"
"Sasha is..." Yin struggled to figure out what to say. He admittedly didn't know much about the elf. "Well... She lives up north, and she likes to drink and make jokes. That's all I can really say."
"You forgot that she can crush watermelons with her thighs," Salem added. Ozpin snickered.
"That's hot."
Salem picked up a stone and threw it at him. Pip's smile fell as they walked, looking away from his uncle. "... Wot was that bit back home? Where you chased my dad away?"
Salem and Ozpin fell silent. Yin really didn't want to have this discussion. "... I... Made a mistake," he said quietly. "... I'm sorry, Pip. When we see him, we'll explain everything. Okay?"
"... Right-o."
Ozpin glanced back at them, raising a brow. "... You know, I've always wondered something. Where did Vao's accent come from, anyway? No one in his family has it."
"That's... A startlingly good question," Salem agreed.
Yin shrugged. "He's always spoken like that. Cockney, I think it's called. Pip's got it too, I'm guessing."
"My dad talks like I do!?"
"Yup."
Pip looked ecstatic. As the minutes turned to hours and the sun began to set, they saw the mountain where the goblins lived. It loomed like an ominous shadow over the forest, yet it did not fill them with dread. Recalling their memories from eight years ago, they wondered how the goblins had been doing. Perhaps Poppy would be doing her mail rounds, and Pip would meet his mother at least.
"... Hey, Salem?"
"What is it, Yin?"
The deacon looked up at the taller woman. "Do you know how the goblins are these days?"
Salem shook her head. "I do not. I stopped travelling after the party disbanded. Travelling alone... Didn't feel as nice. It was very lonely."
Yin felt a bit bad. "So... You just sat in the castle all day?"
"... Yeah..."
And before Yin could reply, he felt the sudden and sharp pain on the back of his head, everything going black. Neither of his companions had time to properly react. Salem hit the ground next, then Ozpin, and lastly Pip.
Five short, armored figures stepped from the bushes they hid in, slingshots in hand. One of them, the only one with steel armor amongst the ironclad warriors, knelt down beside the harpy.
"C-Captain!"
The steel knight turned their head, a feminine voice growling out as the sixth short knight stepped from the bushes. "What?"
"One more," the iron knight panted. "Ran away... Look like Death..."
The iron knights shivered upon hearing the name. The steel knight sighed, standing up. "... Sure it Death?"
"No... Had two eyes. No hungry. Also, um..." The iron knight moved his hands to his chest. "Had... Um... Word is... Boing, me think."
The knights breathed a sigh of relief, the tension in their shoulders relaxing. The Captain was silent for a moment before snapping her fingers. "... Take prisoners to city. Lock up in jail. Patrol done. I report to Princess..."
...
When his eyes opened, Yin didn't recognize where he was. His head hurt, the world still spinning. He could hear a faint ringing in his ears.
Rattle...
He looked down at his wrists. They were locked in chains that stretched to a heavy iron ball. Slowly, he gazed around the dark and wet chamber, his eyes adjusting to the dim torchlight outside the bars of the cell door.
In the corner, Ozpin and Salem were still unconscious. But someone was missing. Yin's heart leapt into his throat, jumping to his feet. Pip was missing.
"P-Pip!?" Yin screamed from behind the bars. "Pip!"
There was no answer. Only the clunking of steel boots. And from around the corner, he came face to face with a short knight. The Captain.
"Stop. Too lou-"
Clang!
Yin shook the door, his lips pulling back into a snarl. "Where's my nephew?"
The Captain didn't even flinch. "... Harpy? He with Princess. He not with Church."
"I'm not, either!" Yin demanded. "Do you see an insignia on me!?"
The Captain was silent. And finally, she spoke. "... We know better, Yin."
His heart stopped. She knew his name. The Captain continued. "Princess come down soon. I go get her."
Without another word, the Captain had started to walk away. Finally, Yin worked up the nerve to scream on last thing at her. "Who are you!?"
The Captain stopped, turning her head back at him. "... Name is unimportant."
The door slammed shut behind her, leaving Yin alone. The deacon trembled, his knuckles turning white against the bars of his cell. He recognized that voice, but he couldn't link it to a face.
He knew it was a goblin. Did that mean he was in the Goblin City? Or some other goblin settlement? He found himself doubting that it was the Goblin City. After all, they were peaceful. They'd have no reason to capture him like this.
Pulling away, he turned his attention to Salem and Ozpin. They still hadn't woken up, and likely wouldn't for another few hours. He wished he had his staff - the goblins must have taken it when he was captured. Salem didn't have her weapon, either. Gently, he tried to shake them awake. It didn't work.
"... Hello."
He spun to the cell door, immediately recognizing the goblin royalty. The goblin stared at him silently, a regretful look in her eyes. The Captain stood beside her, her armored hands planted on her hips. Yin stepped closer, leaning against the bars again. "P... Pock?" He breathed in disbelief. If she was here, then he really was in the Goblin City. But why would they capture him like this? "P-Pock, let me out," he pleaded. "I need to see my nephew."
"... I'm sorry," Pock almost whispered. "But can't... You are dangerous..."
"What?"
The Captain spoke next. "Vao come long time ago. Told goblins that you chose Church," she explained. "He worry you come for goblins. And you really did come..."
Vao was behind it. Yin couldn't bring himself to be angry at his brother. After all, Vao had friends in the city; it was only natural he'd warn them. "Please, listen. I'm not with the Church anymore! Let me out!"
"We can't," Pock repeated. "Can't let you hurt goblins."
"Oh, damn it! I'm trying to stop the Church!" Yin growled. "If I was siding with the Church, why would I be travelling with a harpy!?"
Pock and the Captain looked at each other. With a sigh, the goblin princess shook her head. "... Can't let you go. Not yet. I must protect goblins. You understand?"
"I do, but I'm not a threat! I don't even have a weapon!"
Pock was silent for a moment before jerking her head to the Captian. "... Pyrrha... Leave us."
"Yes, Princess." With a salute, the Captain marched down the halls, leaving Yin to think. He remembered Pyrrha as one of the friendliest goblins. If she was being cold, then he really was in trouble. Pock sighed, crossing her arms.
"... You never nice," she muttered. "Even eight years ago, you say mean things... Vao told us... That he go away because of you."
Yin felt like someone just stabbed him in the chest. "... Yeah... I fucked up, okay? At least give me a chance to repent," he begged. Pock stared at him for a few moments before responding in a soft voice, leaning closer.
"... I can't."
Yin finally snapped. He drove his hands into the bars, startling Pock. "What more proof do you need!? I'm travelling with a harpy! That harpy is my nephew! That's enough to get me executed!"
Pock nodded. "I understand. We decide if free you after talk with bird boy."
It almost wasn't enough for Yin. But he knew better than to keep getting angry - that would only give the goblins even more reason to keep him under lock and key. A part of him was worried Pip might say the wrong thing. The harpy had his father's smarts, which was next to none. Gritting his teeth, he nodded curtly. "... Fine..."
Pock nodded, her lips curling into a soft, apologetic frown. "... I'm sorry. I be back with dec... Uh... Decision."
Yin watched as she left, closing the reinforced door behind her and suspending him in the darkness of the dungeon. Behind him, Ozpin and Salem were beginning to wake up, making him sigh.
He'd have to explain.
...
It was almost three hours before the goblins returned. Their heads perked up when the cell door opened, Pock nodding her head.
Clank.
The shackles hit the floor noisily, the adventurers rubbing their sore wrists. Pock sighed. "... Sorry. Bird boy - Pip, he begged. Says you are looking for Vao."
"... We are," Ozpin muttered. "Do you... Know where he is?"
Pock had begun leading them down the halls of the dungeon, closer to the exit. "No. Vao stop by with friends eight years ago. Warn us that Yin hurt goblins. When Pyrrha saw Yin, she did as ordered and captured."
"So..." Salem looked down at the goblin royalty. "... Do you at least have an idea where he went?"
But Pock shook her head. "... No. Vao came only to say goodbye. He said... Um... Pyrrha better at human speech."
Pyrrha nodded, taking her helmet off. Her red hair fell over her back, her green eyes focused on the ground. "... Vao said he never seen again. That he disappear for safety of the witch girl. Never see him again. I sorry..."
The lights of the goblin City washed over them, and almost immediately a sight that stopped their hearts. Dozens of goblin soldiers with injuries. Some were only scratched, but others were missing pieces. Eyes, limbs, and some were dead. Yin felt sick.
"O-oh..."
Pock nodded. "After Vao left Goblin City, Church men come looking for him. They attack goblins outside city. That why we very careful with Yin."
As they passed one of the corpses Salem's heart stopped. The wounds were oddly shaped, and horribly familiar. She knew exactly what they were.
They were bite marks.
Pock glanced back when she noticed Salem had stopped, looking at the goblin corpse. For a brief moment, she looked wary, even scared.
"... This one... Must have run into Death," she whispered.
"... 'Death'?" Ozpin echoed. Pyrrha nodded.
"Death... She a strange lady who sometime wander forest... She talk to self a lot. All goblin instructed to run when Death comes," she explained. She looked at the fallen warrior, a guilty look in her eyes. "... He couldn't run fast enough..."
Yin looked worried. He never heard of anyone eating a goblin before. But Salem and Ozpin knew who the culprit was. The sheer depravity of the way the corpse had been eaten... No animal could have done this. The exposed ribs, cracked open and the marrow sucked out, the way the body had been ripped open, organs crushed and bitten.
They remembered being attacked in the Sea of Sand. There was no doubt; it was him. But that opened up even more questions: these strange hallucinations, were they capable of interacting with the world? Did this mean they didn't always appear near Salem? Dread filled their chests. If they encountered him a second time, there was no guarantee that they'd walk away.
Pock finally took her gaze away from the body. "... Come. We see Pip and discuss this Church thing."
Pock and Pyrrha led them into another room, this one much larger than the others. A big square table sat in the center, and in one of the seats was Pip with a juice box. The harpy beamed when he saw them. "Hi, Uncle Yin~!"
"Pip! You're okay!" Yin shouted, running to his nephew. Pock sat down at the table, gesturing for the adventurers to do the same. Once they had been seated, the goblin noble started to speak.
"Chief busy with injured goblins," she explained. "So discuss will involve me and Pyrrha. Okey?"
"... We understand," Ozpin said firmly. This reminded him of council meetings in the First and Second Timelines. Salem and Yin, on the other hand, looked lost. Mainly because Salem was used to barking out orders in the First and Second Timelines, and Yin didn't remember any of it. Pock nodded, clearing her throat.
"You say earlier you go against Church. How?"
"We... Haven't gotten that far yet," Salem admitted. "First, we were going to reunite our party, and then start talking to nonhumans about rallying against them."
"So you have no plan? That dumb."
Her observation helped them realize Pock wasn't dumb. She just couldn't speak very well. When there was no answer, Pyrrha continued where Pock left off.
"Church has strongest military force in world," she said. "It take more than six people. Lot more."
"U-uh... Yeah... We get that," Yin said slowly.
"... Why you fight Church?"
Pock's question came as a surprise. The meaning behind it was clear, though - fighting the Church was suicide. At the snap of his fingers, Iris could turn the entire country against them. Every human settlement would be out for their blood. But Yin's mind had already been made up when he found out what happened to Ozpin. If the Church went that far with humans, he couldn't imagine what the slaves went through every day.
"... I want everyone to be free," he growled. Silence was the only response. He continued, leaning against the table. "Eight years ago... I really hated this place. I saw every goblin as something beneath me. But I was confused; everyone was friendly when I wasn't. I started taking it out on someone who didn't deserve it."
Salem and Ozpin winced. He was talking about when he beat Verde senseless. Yin continued, clearing his throat.
"... When I went to the Secret City, I saw the truth. It wasn't just goblins, it was everyone. I began to see everybody as people. And after seeing what the Church did to Ozpin, another human, and seeing the real monsters they hire... I'm willing to fight for everyone to be free."
Salem couldn't help but smile a bit. He was sounding like the hero she knew. Pock stared at him for a moment. "... That noble. Very well. When time comes for war, goblin on your side. You know where party is?"
"We only know Sasha's whereabouts," Ozpin cut in. "We are still trying to find Vao and Verde, and we were hoping you would have an idea."
Pock shook her head. "No, he not tell us. He go west," she said. "... If you find him, you realize Vao will try to kill you?"
"We... Are completely aware," Yin mumbled. Pyrrha nodded her head.
"... You still go after him?"
Everyone nodded. Pock sighed, standing up. "... If you do this, you don't do alone."
"Excuse me?" Ozpin said in disbelief. Pyrrha looked just as lost. Pock narrowed her eyes.
"I go with you. You not do this alone. You friend to Goblin City, remember?"
They had forgotten in the eight years had passed, forgotten the time they saved Pock. The goblin chief had named them all friend. Pyrrha was already protesting.
"Pock, wait! It danger! Vao say-"
"That anyone who go after him dead," Pock interrupted. "You come too, Pyrrha. If we go against Church, we do it together. I want goblins to be free, and so do they. That is why we are allies."
Yin was silent. Even after how terrible he had been, Pock was willing to side with him. He felt like he didn't deserve that. Pock turned to them. "Since no know where Vao is, you go for Sasha? Where she?"
"Aldia," Ozpin replied. "A city of elves in the north, where the snow falls thick. It should take us around seven months to get there on foot. If we don't freeze to death, that is."
"No need. Pyrrha, prepare horses."
"But..." Pyrrha trailed off, nodding her head. "... Okey. I prepare horses..."
With her armor rattling with each step, Pyrrha left the room. Pock turned to the adventurers, her expression grim. "... Yin."
"Yes?"
A bitter smile formed on her green lips. "Vao say lots of bad things about you. Please don't make me regret helping."
Yin's lips curled into a smirk. "... No need to worry."
Pock gave a curt nod, gesturing towards the door with her hand. "Go get supplies. Ozpin have no weapon. And Yin need weapon. Salem, weapon with Pyrrha. Visit stable."
The adventurers nodded, filing out of the door with Pock following. As they moved into the town, she raised an eyebrow. "... You say something happen to Ozpin... What they do?"
"They... Um..."
Yin looked up at Ozpin, who was on the verge of tears. "... They took something important," the deacon said slowly. Pip laughed loudly.
"They took his bollocks!"
Ozpin just walked away with tears falling down his chin, Yin giving his nephew a disapproving stare. "... Can you please be more considerate?"
They were at the blacksmith before they even realized it, the goblin behind the counter staring at them with a friendly grin. "Hullo. I get you?"
"A straight sword, and uh..."
Yin didn't know what to get himself. He had always used a staff. In fact, using a weapon never crossed his mind. Pock was already paying for Ozpin's new weapon and armor, waiting patiently for Yin to choose. The deacon stared at the variety of weapons, his eyes finally stopping on one in particular.
"That... That one," he breathed. As Pock paid for the weapon, the goblin blacksmith passed it to the deacon, the sword hilted in its sheath.
It was a katana.
Yin remembered Verde suggesting it long ago. He had completely disregarded it, but now that he held it in his hands...
His head began to hurt. Pip and Pock looked at him curiously. "Uncle Yin, are you okay?"
"I'm... Fine...?"
Holding the katana felt strangely familiar. As if he used one before. He vaguely remembered fighting with it, despite never having held one in his life. At the back of his mind, he felt like he was forgetting something important. Drawing the blade from the wooden sheath, he stared into his reflection.
For a moment, he could have swore he saw a different version of himself. Slightly younger, with the eyes of someone who had seen war. Someone who lost those dear to him, trapped in a battle he had no control over. His head ached again, the vision fading. Silently he sheathed the weapon, strapping it to his hip. As he walked down the streets, Pip and Pock followed.
"Yin, you okey? You stare at sword weird," Pock said worriedly.
Yin didn't answer right away. He was still trying to figure out what he was forgetting. Had he... Used a katana before?
In fact, did Vao ever leave before? Everything was beginning to feel familiar. Did he and Vao ever fight? Of course they had, but like this? And as they approached the stables, the moment he saw Salem, that familiarity struck again. The princess looked at him curiously, taking her attention away from the horse.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" She asked kindly.
Yin stared blankly for a moment. "... Nothing. Just... Having a moment..."
For some reason, he felt something when he looked at Salem. In the back of his head, he could see a pale woman with eyes as red as blood. Holding his head, he turned and began to leave. "... I'm gonna get a beer... Come get me when everything's ready."
"I'll go too!" Pip cheered, following his uncle.
Salem watched as they left, worry beginning to cloud her mind. There was no doubt about it. She knew that expression. The moment Yin touched a katana again, he felt the familiarity.
She only hoped that this wouldn't come back to bite her.
...
Rojo's quill scratched against the parchment, boredom apparent in his eyes. He hated paperwork. He'd rather be exercising, but he had put off writing Iris a report for too long.
Unlike most of the inner circle, Rojo didn't really care about Yin escaping with Ozpin. In his opinion, there wasn't a whole lot that the deacon could do. Even if he tried telling people the dark truth about the Church, Iris could easily dismiss it. The only other two who didn't care that much were Jack and Ruby. Well, Ruby was upset in a demented way. Apparently she had been plotting to murder Yin in his sleep to make a new doll, but never had the chance because he lived with the Pope for that exact reason. As for Jack... Jack never really seemed to care about anything. Rojo didn't even know why the serial killer chose to follow Iris in the first place.
No, the thing that upset Rojo the most was that Vao and Verde still hadn't been found. No matter how many he sent looking, there weren't even any rumors. It was as if they vanished off the face of Twist. The thought made his blood boil.
Snap.
Rojo squeezed his quill too hard, breaking the feather in half. He looked at it sadly. "Aww... That was my favorite..."
As he grabbed his second favorite quill, he looked up when he heard the knocking. "... Come on in."
The door opened, the fearful eyes of a slave in his choir peering inside. The little girl shivered when his lips curled into a smirk, shakily stepping inside. "G-good morning, M-Master Rojo," she croaked.
Rojo grunted as he stood up from his desk, his legs popping from sitting down for too long. "Well, good mornin'~! What'cha got for me?"
"A report, M-Master..."
"Well, come right on in, don't be shy."
The elf looked like she was going to break down as she stepped closer, disgust filling her body as she took a seat in front of his desk. She could feel Rojo's eyes on her back. "So... What's this report?"
"I-its about Mr. Vao and y-your daughter, Master Rojo..."
She could hear Rojo stop pacing, his perverted gaze shifting to anger. She could feel his breath against her ear, his voice a low growl. "What about 'em?"
She felt her eyes growing wet, terror filling her tiny body. "Every s-settlement to the west has been s-searched... The only thing ever found is members of the Church d-disappearing... N-near the Fae W-Wilds."
The Fae Wilds was a land far to the west, outside the kingdom. A vast expanse of wilderness inhabited by faeries and other nonhumans, it was dangerous. He highly doubted even Vao would be stupid enough to hide there, but he was beginning to get desperate. "Send more search parties that way," he growled.
"Y-yes, Master!"
The elf girl started to make her way to the door, eager to get out of his office. But Rojo's voice sent chills down her spine.
"I never said you could go."
She slowly turned her head, her lip beginning to quiver, the tears flowing freely. Rojo stared at her silently.
His lips were curled into a disgusting grin.
...
Their armored footsteps clanked against the dirt road that led to Faralda, the patrolling guards finally relaxing the moment they were far enough from the gates. "... This is so stupid," the tallest one of the three muttered. "Vao ain't coming back. He's dumb, but he's not that dumb, so why are we always patrolling?"
"Oh, shut up," the middle one growled. "You're always complaining. We get paid to walk around."
The shortest guard was quieter than his two friends, preferring to admire the sights. "... It's a beautiful day today," he murmured wistfully as they moved deeper into the forest, the undergrowth hiding away the view of Faralda. The other two guardsmen gave him a confused look.
"... It's about to rain," the tall one pointed out.
"Rain is beautiful too," the short one replied. "You just have to look at it, accept how peaceful it is."
"You stupid hippie!" The middle one shouted. "It's annoying, and it's a pain in the ass to make sure our armor doesn't get rusty."
"Chill out," the short guard said softly. "Deep breath in, deep breath out... Feel the negativity leaving your body."
The middle guard looked furious. "I'm going through a divorce, now I have to patrol with a damned hippie..."
"Oh, who's the one complaining now?" The tall one argued. As he and the angry middle guard argued, the short one noticed someone standing in the road.
"... Hey, look at that."
The tall guard turned, his lips curling into a dirty smirk. "Ooh... She looks kind of cute..."
The middle one seemed to agree. "Yeah... Look at that figure... She's built like an hourglass..."
Crouching in the middle of the road was a very pale woman with long, unkempt black hair that almost touched the ground. She had her head hung, hiding her face. The short one shrugged. "She could be a butterface. What do you guys think?"
The tall one was already making his way towards the woman, a sense of unease washing over him as he drew closer. The woman wasn't moving. She remained in one place, her hands gripping her ears. Her skin was oddly pale, almost the same color as parchment. Or a corpse.
"Hey," he called out. "Ma'am? Are you... Alright?"
The woman didn't respond at all. It was as if she didn't even hear him. The other two caught up with their tall friend, looking the woman over. The short one tried to catch a glimpse of her face, but her hair was in the way. He couldn't see her eyes. And as they drew closer, they could hear her whispering to herself.
"Au-Auntie... I-it still hurts... It hurts... It hurts..."
The guards shared a concerned look. Was she mentally ill? Or perhaps she was a lost traveller, gone delirious from dehydration? But that didn't make sense; she was on a road. Following it would doubtlessly lead to civilization. "... Excuse me, miss?" The middle one spoke softly, approaching the trembling woman.
"It h-hurts... It s-still hurts... No, n-no matter how much I eat... Au-Auntie... I'm s-sorry..."
She was talking to herself, holding a full conversation. This woman was crazy. The guard took another look at her, wondering if she was worth it. Shrugging his shoulders, he drew closer. "Hey, miss... It's going to be alright," he whispered gently, reaching for her shoulder. "You're safe now-!?"
He pulled his hand away, horror settling into his mind. The woman's clothes were drenched in dark red, staining his fingers. "W-what the...?"
"Au-Auntie," the woman whispered hoarsely, rising to her feet. They could feel the unnaturally frigid body temperature radiating from her skin. With flesh that cold, she shouldn't have even been alive. She turned her face up to the guard, the man's blood draining from his face when he stared into that one eyed stare. Her lips were curled into an unstable grin, exposing her reddened teeth.
"I... I'm still h-hungry..."
Grrrrroooooooooowwwwwwllll...