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The moment their lips touched, Ruby’s heart started racing like the wind.  It was a sensation unlike anything she’d ever experienced.  A thrill unlike anything but the most intense adventures she’d ever been on.

Then Weiss pressed closer.  Her soft, cool lips moved against Ruby’s as if exploring the feeling of Ruby’s lips as much as Ruby was exploring hers.  She lifted her hand and grazed her fingers across Ruby’s cheek, and a very loud, very distracting thought suddenly soared through Ruby’s mind.

She was kissing the Queen of Atlas.

...and the Queen of Atlas was kissing her back.

The thought was so unbelievable that the kiss ended earlier than Ruby’s body wanted it to.  As she pulled away and opened her eyes, she noticed wisps of frost coming from her lips and Weiss’ - the result of a sudden cold seeping from Weiss’ skin.

“I’m sorry.”  Suddenly looking mortally embarrassed, Weiss quickly covered her mouth with one hand.  “I wasn’t prepared, and I -”

“So you do have a bit of a spark,” Ruby remarked before touching her lips, remembering the feeling of Weiss’ lips on her own, and smiling.  “That’s so cool.  Literally.”

“I don’t - no, it’s not -”

Weiss shook her head and covered her mouth, eyes wider than saucers.  Only then did Ruby realize what she just did.

“Oh - I’m so sorry!  I shouldn’t have - I just - listening to you, I -” Thoughts in a jumble, Ruby shook her head and gave up trying to explain. “I’m really sorry,” she concluded before offering an apologetic smile that hopefully cured what just happened.  But Weiss just stared, her expression unreadable as two fingers rested on her bottom lip.

“You...kissed me.”

“I did,” Ruby admitted, her spark pounding against her chest as her nerves doubled.  “I shouldn’t have, but…listening to you talk, I just...I already liked you so much, but knowing what you’ve been through - I just...wanted to be close to you and...I - I’m going to shut up now.”

She was such an idiot.  Why did she do that??  After learning what was probably Weiss’ greatest secret, why a kiss?  Why not a hug or a pat on the back or anything that didn’t blatantly give away her feelings?

“You kissed me,” Weiss repeated, still in a state of disbelief. Now probably wasn’t the time to point out that Weiss kissed her back, so Ruby tucked that bit of information away.  Hopefully, they could do the same with the entire incident.

“Uh, yes.  But can you maybe just forget about that?”  When Weiss frowned, Ruby rushed on.  “I shouldn’t have done that - that was really rude and unthoughtful.  I’m really sorry if I upset you, and if you want me to leave, I understand.”

“I don’t.”

Ruby’s racing thoughts screeched to a halt.

“You…don’t?”

“I don’t want you to leave,” Weiss elaborated, her brow furrowing even further.  “And I don’t want to forget it.”

The two of them stared at each other while the admission hung in the air.  Ruby couldn’t believe what Weiss was saying, if that was actually what Weiss was saying.  Why wouldn’t she want to forget it?  So that she could hold it over Ruby forever like some evil trump card to remind Ruby of what an inconsiderate ass she is? Or did Weiss want to remember because she’d...enjoyed it?  Because she seemed to enjoy it...otherwise, why would she return the kiss?

“You...don’t?” Ruby managed to ask while hundreds of questions flew through her mind.  “Do you -?  Like -”

“Maybe.  I’m not -”  Weiss stopped and shook her head.  “I don’t want to forget it,” she repeated more assuredly.  Then she moved a little closer, and Ruby’s heart fluttered like the wind when Weiss’ leg bumped against hers.

“You don’t?”

Ruby’s voice came out breathless, the result of Weiss’ clear, expressive eyes staring into hers.  In lieu of responding, Weiss simply shook her head.  But she stopped moving closer, leaving just enough distance between them that Ruby’s skin craved more.

“Are you sure?” Ruby whispered.  Her heart couldn't possibly beat any faster, and her spark slipped out in small breezes that she couldn't hope to contain.  Meanwhile, her body remained perfectly still while she breathlessly waited for Weiss’ response.

First, Weiss bit her bottom lip, making Ruby’s heart stutter, then she nodded once.  She was sure.  She didn’t want to forget that Ruby kissed her.

The admission filled Ruby with the most incredible, indescribable feeling in the world.  She hadn’t meant to develop such strong feelings, but after seeing the way Weiss treated others, feeling her kindness and compassion, and learning how much she’d had to overcome…Ruby could honestly say that she’d never met someone she liked as much as Weiss, and she probably never would again.  So she scooted closer and felt her palms grow clammy when Weiss didn’t move away.

She wanted to kiss Weiss again.  Longer this time.  When neither of them were surprised.  When they both expected it.  When they could both...enjoy it.

Instead, they jumped apart when someone knocked on the door.

“Your Highness?  It’s Councilor Hill.”

“Be right there,” Weiss called out before looking at Ruby.  Her blush made Ruby’s cheeks warm, but she didn’t shy away from Ruby’s gaze.  “I don’t know what they need now, but I should probably see…”

“That’s fine.”  Ruby nodded, maybe a little too enthusiastically, before glancing at the door.  “Uh...should I leave with you or wait here?”

“Oh.”  Biting her lip and looking at the door, knowing one of the Councilors stood just outside, Weiss seemed adorably conflicted about what to do.  “If you wait in my room, you can slip out after I leave,” she finally decided.

“Got it.  Good idea.”

Grateful for a moment to cool her head, Ruby hopped to her feet and hurried into Weiss’ bedroom without another word.  Only after closing the door did she realize this was Weiss’ bedroom.

Hearing soft voices behind her, Ruby blushed and averted her gaze from the bed.  That mattered little, however, as she quickly realized how much this room smelled like Weiss - a soft, clean, vaguely floral scent that made Ruby’s spark do all sorts of gasps and sputters.

This room matched Weiss, unlike the rest of the palace.  While still opulent, much of the excessiveness has been stripped away.  Simple, serene landscape paintings adorned the walls.  Elegant white curtains draped around the windows, letting in as much light as possible.  What made Ruby smile, however, was a single red rose in a decorative vase on the side table.

Weiss kept it.

As the Queen of Atlas, Weiss could have whatever flowers she wanted.  But she kept that one because it was important.  Because that moment with a little boy who she’d never met before and might never meet again meant something to her.

James was wrong.  Ruby had never been more certain of that than now, and she wasn’t only saying that because she and Weiss just kissed.

“That’s probably long enough,” she muttered to herself before slowly opening the door and finding the outer room empty.  Full of unspent energy, she caved and used her spark to flash to the door.  There, she pressed her ear to it and listened for sounds of life.  Hearing nothing, she cracked the door open and peeked into the hall.

The coast was clear, so she hurried out and closed the door behind her.  Several steps later, she realized that in her haste to make sure Weiss was alright, she’d left the file of Phage research in the office.  Mind still swimming, she altered her path and headed that way.  She would blame that file for everything that just happened because it showed her just how much Weiss cared - not only about Atlas, but about her.  And knowing that Weiss cared about her made her feel incredibly special.

Unfortunately, retrieving the research would be difficult now.  With the permanent guard standing by the door and no Weiss to grant permission, Ruby would have to ask very nicely.

“Um, hello,” she greeted the Knight, who hardly looked down at her before returning his gaze to the wall in front of him.  “I left something in there,” she added.  “And it’s kind of important for me to get it.”

“No one can enter without the Queen’s permission.”

“But she’s the one who gave it to me.”

When the man didn’t utter another word, Ruby blew a breath through her lips and considered her options.  She could always wait for Weiss to finish whatever she’d been called to do, but who knew how long that could take.  She could use her spark - she’d be in and out before the Knight could blink - but that was probably against some law and she didn’t want to give them any more reason to arrest her.

“Queen Rose?”

Turning around, she smiled as one of the more gregarious dining room servers walked over.

“Good day to you,” she greeted the young woman with a slight bow.  The action caught the Knight’s attention and made the woman blush with delight.

“Good day to you, too.”  After a bow of her own, she looked between Ruby and the Knight several times.  “What are you doing here?”

“Oh.”  Ruby glanced up at the Knight, who was interested in the conversation now.  “Weiss - I mean, the Queen - had some notes copied for me, but I accidentally left them in the office.  And apparently I’m not allowed to get it without her.”

Frowning, the woman looked up at the Knight and clicked her tongue.

“Let Queen Rose get her research,” she said while waving him out of the way.

“But Jane…”

“But nothing.  You’re making her wait for no reason.”

“It’s against the law to let someone into the office without the Queen’s consent.  Punishable by prison or death.”

“Oh pish posh.  Do you really think the Queen will mind?  Besides, what do you think Queen Rose will do?  Steal the library from beneath your nose?”

Suddenly far less imposing, the Knight sighed before glancing at Ruby and moving out of the way.

“Please take only what belongs to you...”

Grinning at the positive turn of events, Ruby hurried into the room and collected the file from where she left it on the sofa.  After skipping out of the room, she paused and showed the man and woman what she’d taken.

“This is it,” she said before giving them a big, grateful smile.  “Thank you so much!”

“Our pleasure, Queen Rose,” the woman replied before standing on her tiptoes and kissing the Knight’s cheek.  He grumbled something while returning to his post, but the negative emotion failed to reach his eyes.

Smiling at the adorable display, Ruby waved and hurried back to her room.  Now that she had a moment to think clearly, she realized that she’d never been so close - the solution could literally be right here, in this file.  All she had to do was find it.

She flew into her room and found James waiting for her.

“James!” she called out, holding up the file.  “You won’t believe what Weiss got us!”

While she jumped onto one of the sofas and dropped the file on the table, James sat beside her.

“Before you get into that,” he said, setting an envelope on top of the research.  “A message arrived for you.”

Despite her impatience, Ruby grabbed the envelope first.  The letter she pulled out, however, was covered with unfamiliar handwriting.  This wasn’t from Yang - it was from Blake.

She put her nose practically to the paper as she read.

Ruby,

Thank you for your message.  I hope you’re doing well in Atlas.  I’ve heard it’s quite a change from the warm weather in Vale.

The palace is different from what I’m used to, but not in a bad way.  I appreciate your concern, but adapting to luxury is far easier than the other way around.  Please don’t worry about me - I don’t mind it nearly as much as I thought I would.

As for your sister, she seems to be doing well.  Recent stress is weighing on her, but hopefully a peace treaty and your safe return will put her at ease.  Those are the two subjects she speaks of most frequently, after all - ending the war and seeing you again.  I hope both happen soon, for her sake and our own.

Best wishes,

Blake

After reaching the end of the letter, Ruby read it again.  This time, she tried to read between the lines.  What was Blake trying to tell her without coming right out and saying it?  Was she actually enjoying her time in Vale or was she miserable but didn’t want to hurt Ruby’s feelings?  Most importantly, was Yang actually doing well or was the stress too much?

Finding few answers, Ruby dropped the letter on the table and sighed.  Foolishly, she’d hoped Blake would go into more detail on Yang’s health.  Had the Phage progressed?  Was she struggling with her spark?  Did she still send off unbearable waves of heat when stressed or agitated?  Had her energy dropped even further?  Was she still hardly eating?

Of course, Blake probably didn’t notice - that was how good Yang had gotten at hiding the disease slowly destroying her.  Even Ruby, who lived with Yang and saw her nearly every day, hadn’t noticed for a long time.  Too long.

Ruby made so many rationalizations for Yang’s changing behavior, most of them involving the stress and fatigue of the war.  If only she’d noticed sooner…maybe they could have found a solution sooner and Yang could have been spared the pain she’d suffered all this time.

If Ruby hadn’t immediately noticed, of course Blake hadn’t either.  Blake didn’t know Yang well, so this version of Yang - the one in near-constant pain - was normal.  That couldn’t be further from the truth, but Ruby still had hope of bringing back her real sister - it rested in the folder in front of her.

“This is everything the palace has on the Phage,” she explained while pulling out the papers, dividing it into two, and handing half to James.  “You can go through this.  Look for anything that seems promising.”

When James looked at the pile, which seemed deceptively small in his large hands, he frowned.

“My Queen…”

“I know it doesn’t look like much,” Ruby interrupted, in no mood for his pragmatism.  “But we have to look.”

When he nodded and started reading, Ruby did the same.  She understood that this seemed hopeless but, even if Atlas didn’t have the cure, maybe they held the missing piece of information.  Maybe they knew something Vale didn’t, and all they had to do was fit the pieces together.

The first page was a general outline of the disease.  Out-of-control spark, weakening ability to control element, eventual death.  Nothing she didn’t already know, but she read every word before moving on.

The next few pages contained more detailed accounts of the Phage’s progression.  How it started as nothing more than a few instances of lack of control.  The person with the disease wrote off the incidents as the result of exhaustion or over-excitement.  Then, depending on the strength and control of the individual, those ‘fluke’ moments began occurring more frequently.  Eventually, death followed - in Atlas, it arrived in the form of silence and ice.

Again, nothing she didn’t already know, so she kept searching.  She read page after page of medical notes from Atlas’ attempt to stop the disease.  The doctors tasked with finding a cure wrote in illegible scribbles as they explained the treatments that were tested.  A variety of herbs, medications, and physical rigors were prescribed only to be marked as failures - the same as in Vale. By the time she reached the end of her stack, she hadn’t learned anything she didn’t already know.  If anything, she was more confused than before.

Setting the pages down, she gave James a hopeful look.

“Anything?”

“I’m afraid not…”  After placing his stack on top of Ruby’s, he sighed.  “It looks like Atlas hasn’t put much effort into finding a cure.”

“Because the Phage isn’t affecting them here,” she muttered.  When she looked at the pile of research that held no answers, no help, and no clues, her heart clenched.

The Phage had been in Atlas - that was clear.  But then, without explanation, it disappeared, and Atlas stopped trying to find a cure.  Just like that.

‘Just like that’ didn’t help her.  She couldn’t take anything home because there was nothing here.  If this was everything Atlas had, then it was nothing.  It was nothing more than a story of the horror Atlas avoided for seemingly no reason at all.

“Atlas has the cure...” she whispered as tears welled in her eyes.

“That’s only a rumor, My Queen,” James gently reminded her.

“Right.”

She huffed and wiped her eyes, but more tears quickly appeared.  This was her last-ditch effort, and she failed.  If Atlas didn’t have a cure, then she was out of hunches.  She was out of hints, she was out of clues, and she was out of time.  Yang was going to die, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.

Pulling her feet onto the cushion and hugging them close, she closed her eyes and felt the first tears slip out.

“She’s going to die...”

Hearing the words out loud made the gut-retching realization even more real, painful, and heartbreaking.  It hurt so much that it felt like her heart was bleeding, spreading sorrow throughout her veins until no inch of her was spared. She remembered losing Mom.  She remembered losing Dad.  But Yang, too?  Yang was the only family she had left.  They were best friends.  They’d been through everything together and had so much planned for the future.

Faced with yet another unspeakable loss, she curled her fingers into her clothes and heard the first of many sobs slip through her lips.  James rested a hand on her shoulder when the second and third cut through the room, but he said nothing.  He was just there for her, like he always was, while her pent-up sadness finally broke free.

When she realized that Yang was sick, she didn’t stop to process it.  She threw herself into finding a cure, searching far and wide in the process.  Now the search was over, and she was empty-handed.

She’d fooled herself into thinking that she could fix this.  Instead, she only delayed coming to terms with the inevitable.  In searching for a cure, she’d wasted time that she could have spent with Yang.  She’d lost moments they could have shared and memories they could have made before Yang was no longer around.  Now, she would only live to regret it.

“My Queen,” James whispered once her sobs slowed, from lack of energy rather than lack of sorrow.  “May I say something?”

After several shaky breaths, Ruby wiped her eyes and attempted a smile for her most loyal friend.

“Of course, James.  You know I’ll always listen to what you have to say.”

Finally removing his hand from her shoulder, he turned more fully towards her.

“Your sister loves you very much,” he began, his light green eyes never leaving hers.  “Even if her life is coming to an end, she wouldn’t want you to feel sorry for her.  I’m sure that’s why she hasn’t told you - she wants you to remember only the good times you’ve shared.”

“...how did you know?”

Hearing Ruby’s surprise, he smiled sadly.

“I’ve learned to recognize the disease just like you have.”

Of course James knew.  Of course he’d seen through Ruby’s flimsy explanations for searching.  Of course he’d noticed her concern for Yang.  And now, he probably saw how her heart was breaking...how the cracks and crevices tore it apart.

“We have to go home, James,” she whispered as her tears renewed.  But, before telling him to start packing, she saw Blake’s letter sitting on the edge of the table.  “But we need to get that treaty signed first,” she said, remembering Blake’s words.  “I have to bring her some good news.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do,” James agreed.  “I suggest speaking to your new...friend.  She might be able to speed things along.”

“It’s worth a shot…”

Weiss said the treaty would be done tomorrow, meaning Ruby could go home within a matter of days.  She wanted to leave right this instant, but she couldn’t return empty-handed.  Like Blake’s message said - a treaty would put Yang at ease.  And if Ruby couldn’t find a cure, she was for damn sure ending the war.

“Maybe it’s time we explored that area we’ve discussed...” James suggested.  “If we’re leaving soon, what do we have to lose?”

Ruby thought about the idea for a second before nodding.  He was right - what did they have to lose?  Their search was over.  A treaty would be ready tomorrow.  Why wouldn’t they solve one of Atlas’ mysteries in the meantime?  Besides, it would be a distraction, and she needed a distraction.

“Let’s do it.”

When James stood, Ruby followed his lead.  She made the mistake of glancing at the pile of papers on the table, earning another knife through her heart, before hurrying to her chest of drawers and pulling out one of her jackets.  It wouldn’t provide nearly as much warmth as the one Weiss gave her, but she needed something lightweight, and this jacket fit perfectly underneath the dark red cloak she swung overtop of it.

James donned a similar outfit, forgoing warmth in favor of function.  Before long, they were dressed and ready to leave.  James had just opened the window, however, when a soft knock drew their attention.

“Ruby?”

Weiss’ voice sent Ruby’s heart into a flurry, and her goosebumps were only partially caused by the brisk air rushing into the room.  For a moment, she considered not responding - James’ gaze told her to do as much - then she opened her mouth and said, “Come in.”

As soon as the words left her lips, James sighed and closed the window.  The door opened shortly after, and fluttering feelings joined Ruby’s heartbreak when Weiss walked in. If it was possible to like the way someone walked, Ruby did.  Weiss was just...a real princess.  She had the posture, poise, and beauty - she only lacked the knowledge and experience.

“Sorry to bother you...”  Weiss trailed off and frowned when she noticed their outfits.  Then she saw the disheveled pile of research on the table and looked at Ruby with far more concern.  “What’re you doing?  Where are you going?”

“We’re...just going out for a bit.”  Ruby rubbed her eyes to make sure the tears were gone, but Weiss looked confused and even more concerned.

“Out where?” she asked, her eyes never leaving Ruby’s.  “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong.  There’s just...someplace I want to check out.”

Ruby glanced at James, who stood impassively by her side, but Weiss’ frown deepened.

“You’re leaving the palace at night?”

“Um...yes?”

Ruby threw on as much of a smile as she could muster, which wasn’t much considering how much her heart hurt.  She still thought it would work, but Weiss studied her long and hard before nodding.

“I’m coming with you.”

“Wait - Weiss, that’s not exactly -”

“Do you not want me to?”

When Weiss turned back to Ruby, it was with an expression expecting to be told ‘no.’  And she looked so hurt by the thought that Ruby wouldn’t let her tag along that Ruby instantly caved.

“You can,” she whispered.  “It’s just...not somewhere you can be...seen.”

After a fleeting moment of confusion, realization dawned in Weiss’ eyes.  She didn’t know where they were going, but she was smart enough to know that it was someplace they weren’t allowed.  Ruby expected an argument at the mere suggestion of breaking the rules, but Weiss surprised her - she clenched her jaw and nodded.

“I’ll meet you by the gates in five minutes.”

Before Ruby could try to talk her out of it, Weiss spun around and hurried out of the room.  Shocked by the turn of events, Ruby looked up at James, who sighed and shook his head.

“I couldn’t tell her ‘no,’” Ruby explained before he scolded her.

“She’ll make this more difficult...”

“This is her home.  She deserves to know.”

James didn’t disagree.  Instead, he shook his head again, returned to the window, and waited.  Ruby’s restlessness grew as the minutes slowly ticked past.  She wanted to be out there now, but she understood the delay - they didn’t want to be out in the bitter cold any longer than necessary.  Eventually, James decided enough time had passed and opened the window before motioning her up onto the windowsill.

“Watch your step, My Queen.”

Heeding his caution, Ruby hopped up and paused to stare at the view.  Only the moonlight and well-placed lanterns lit Atlas right now - small, warm orbs breaking up the eerie blue glow of the moon on rooftops topped with snow.  Her breath billowed out in front of her, the result of bone-chilling cold, but she couldn’t help but think that Atlas was really, truly beautiful.  Frozen, quiet, mysterious, but...beautiful.

In their original plan, they went directly to the chapel.  As far as anyone in the palace knew, Ruby and James had already turned in for the night, and none of the guards would see them leave. With Weiss tagging along, their plan changed.  Rather than racing to the chapel, Ruby pinpointed a secluded spot just outside the palace gates.  She then plotted a path for herself, took a deep breath, and unleashed her spark.

A gust of wind kicked up around her, whipping her from the windowsill down the palace’s snow-covered roof before dropping her to the level below.  Another sloped rooftop passed in the blink of an eye before she picked up speed and cast herself right over the tall gates separating Atlas’ elite from the rest of the kingdom.

After dropping to her feet in a dark alley just beyond the palace, she searched for Weiss.  Hearing rustling beside her, she didn’t even look over as James appeared by her side.  It hadn’t been five minutes yet, so she kept her eyes trained on the gates waiting for Weiss to appear.

“Do you see her?” she whispered, hoping James had better nighttime vision than her.

“She’s over there.”

When James pointed away from the palace gates, Ruby was stunned to find Weiss already waiting in the shadows cast by a nearby alcove.  She was easy to miss in the darkness, especially wearing a dark cloak with a hood covering her long, white hair.  She, like Ruby, was watching the gates, undoubtedly expecting Ruby and James to arrive from that direction. After glancing around to make sure they were alone, Ruby hurried over to Weiss’ hiding spot.

“Weiss.”  Even though Ruby tried to be quiet, Weiss jumped at her name.  “Sorry,” Ruby whispered before motioning Weiss after her.  “Come on.”

With a nod and nothing more, Weiss glued herself to Ruby’s side as they followed James to the center of the city. Night in Atlas was colder than anything Ruby had ever experienced.  The frigid air nipped at her nose and ears and stung her cheeks whenever the wind kicked up.  Being without her ‘good’ winter jacket made the chill even more intolerable, but tonight she welcomed the cold.  The temperature took her focus away from the ache in her heart.

“Ruby, are you alright?” Weiss whispered after several minutes of silence.  Reminded of the reason why she wasn’t, Ruby shook her head and motioned for quiet.

“Not now.”  When Weiss looked disheartened by the response, Ruby added, “Later.  Promise.”

Nodding once, Weiss obediently fell silent, and Ruby pushed those thoughts as far away as possible.  She focused on following James instead, keeping her eyes and ears alert for any guards or people nearby. Fortunately, the moonlight reflected off the cobblestone streets just enough to help them pick their path.  The thick tufts of snow currently falling might change that soon, but they used it to their advantage while they could.

Soon, Ruby started recognizing the buildings.  Not long after that, the chapel came into view. Knowing that this area would be livelier than the rest of Atlas, she steadied her breathing and took extra care not to make a sound.  She glanced up at the regal building as they drew nearer, noticing how the shadows lent the spires a sinister aura in the darkness.

Rather than use the main roads, James led them into a narrow alleyway running between lines of small businesses.  After picking their way around garbage cans and discarded furniture, they made it to a small break where someone had stored excess wooden crates.  Just across the street from those crates was one of the chapel’s back entrances.  A silver-armored Knight stood just outside, like they always did, blocking the doorway from anyone trying to get through.

Using the cover of darkness, James snuck over to a stack of crates and knelt behind them.  Once there, he motioned for Ruby and Weiss to join him.  The darkness offered more cover than during the day, but Ruby still held her breath when a patrol turned the corner of the chapel and walked past.  The guards rarely looked across the street, but if they did…

“The chapel?” Weiss whispered as the Knight turned the far corner and another one almost immediately came into view.  “Why do you care about the chapel?”

“They won’t let us inside,” Ruby whispered back, keeping her eyes trained on the guard’s movements.

“They won’t let anyone inside.  They haven’t since the war started.”

“Why not?”

Ruby turned to Weiss hoping for an explanation.  Instead, Weiss looked surprised that Ruby even asked.

“I...don’t know why not…”

“In two minutes, the guards change,” James interrupted in a low voice.  “We won’t have much time.”

“Got it.”  Ruby nodded at James before turning back to Weiss.  “Are you sure about this?  You can wait here.”

“But...I should know.”

“You should,” Ruby agreed.  “But we can always tell you after.”

“No, I’m coming with you.”

Again, Weiss’ determination surprised Ruby, but maybe it was time for her to stop feeling surprised.  The Queen of Atlas had done nothing but exceed her expectations and wildest dreams ever since they’d met - why would this be any different? So, with a nod, Ruby focused on the chapel while the seconds slowly ticked past.  She wasn’t worried about her ability to get through the door unnoticed, but she would refrain from using her spark and make sure Weiss made it, too.

“Now,” James whispered as soon as the stationary guard joined the roaming guard and moved away from the door.

The replacement would arrive any second now, but Ruby didn’t think twice about racing across the street.  Weiss was right on her heels, but James reached the door before either of them.  He had it open just before Ruby and Weiss arrived and motioned them through first, then stepped into the building and quickly shut the door behind them.

Heart racing, Ruby let out the breath she’d been holding and looked around the room.  Fortunately, it was empty.  Had it not been, this adventure would have ended much faster and more horribly than desired.

Based on the jackets, boots, and suits of armor cluttering the space, they were currently standing in a break room or changing area for the Knights.  The only way out was the door behind them, and the only way forward was a tall, dark staircase on the opposite side of the room.

With no time to dawdle, James once again took the lead and headed downstairs.  The strange dampness in the air soaked into Ruby’s bones, but the cold really got her.  With every step, the temperature dropped and, before long, her breath left her lips in white clouds.

“Feels like a dungeon,” she whispered.  When James motioned for her to be quiet, however, she shut her mouth and focused on keeping her footsteps as light as possible.

As they neared the bottom of the staircase, where a hint of orange light reflected off the floor, James motioned for Ruby and Weiss to stay put before continuing the rest of the way alone.  After disappearing for several seconds, he reappeared and motioned them onward.

At the bottom of the steps, Ruby found a barren hallway with nothing but another door on the other side.  That plain door filled her with foreboding, but she waited with Weiss while James pressed his ear against it. While he listened for sounds of life, Ruby glanced at Weiss.  Weiss’ eyes were wide but, otherwise, she appeared calm.  At least, as calm as one could be while sneaking around a guarded location they weren’t supposed to be in.

Regardless, Ruby reached over and held Weiss’ hand for support.  Weiss’ hands were cold, but she squeezed Ruby’s in return.  The small gesture calmed Ruby’s nerves while James turned the door knob at a painstakingly slow pace.  Once the door unlatched with a barely audible click, he pushed it open only far enough to stick his head through and look around. Satisfied with what he found, he pushed the door further open and waved them through, but also motioned for them to stay low.  Heeding his direction, Ruby stayed in a crouch and hurried into the next room while still holding Weiss’ hand.

Spotting a low wall on the opposite side of the room - the best form of cover - she carefully navigated through an assortment of discarded statues while Weiss stayed right behind her.  James brought up the rear, silently urging them forward so that they weren’t seen by whoever might be beyond the glass windows above them.

Only when Ruby made it to the wall and leaned against it did she realize how warm this room was compared to the stairwell.  It was still fairly cold, but waves of heat came from the larger room on the other side of the wall they now hid behind.  A fire was the only explanation for the tendrils of heat as well as the flickering, orange glow.

It wasn’t until James pressed a finger to his lips, however, that she heard it.  Not only the crackling of flames, but voices.  Over the fire, several people held a conversation while going about their jobs.

When Ruby checked on Weiss, she froze when she found Weiss’ eyes wide with horror, staring at something right over Ruby’s shoulder.  Heart racing, Ruby turned around and, as soon as she saw it, felt her heart drop.

What she’d thought to be statues were actually people.  People frozen through and through.  Scores of them, all carelessly laid about the room, some thrown on top of each other with little rhyme or reason.

Suddenly, the abrupt end to Atlas’ research made horrible, horrible sense.

And the fire roaring in the main part of the chapel…

Feeling her dinner threaten to reappear, Ruby closed her eyes and clamped her mouth shut.  She was the one who wanted to know.  Now she knew, yet she still couldn’t believe it.  Surely, this wasn’t what it seemed.  Surely, these people were here for other reasons...anything but what the circumstances suggested.

Once the nausea passed, she opened her eyes and knew that she had to confirm those sickening suspicions.  She motioned for Weiss to stay put - which, of course she didn’t - and slowly raised herself off the ground to peer through the window. Weiss drew in a sharp breath at what they saw, and Ruby confirmed her worst fears.

Two Knights stood at the far side of the room, chatting near the main staircase leading upstairs.  While they stood guard, two more Knights dragged an older gentleman downstairs, letting his feet and ankles drop from one stone step to the next.  With his head drooped forward, the man didn’t struggle against their careless treatment - he might not even be alive, but he wasn’t frozen yet.  That mattered little, as the Knights unlocked a door and hauled him inside. Once they disappeared, the first two Knights picked up a nearby statue - a nearby person - and carried them over to the brightly burning furnace.

“What’re they doing?” Weiss whispered.

“Burning them.”

The answer added a crushing weight on Ruby’s heart that only grew heavier when the Knights casually tossed the statue into the furnace before returning to their post.  All without ever pausing their conversation.

Atlas has the cure...Atlas has the cure...but they didn’t.  They hadn’t found a cure - they found a solution.  Rather than let the illness be viewed as a weakness, they hid it.  They swept it under the rug.  They let people live in fear of an invisible evil rather than give that evil a name and a face.

“This isn’t right.  We can’t - we can’t do this.”

Dropping back down, Ruby watched Weiss sink to the ground while looking around the smaller room, blue eyes wide and hands shaking.  The people here had all battled the Phage.  They’d all lost.  As if that wasn’t bad enough, they would eventually be erased entirely.

By the time Weiss turned back to Ruby, her eyes shimmered with tears.

“He said we didn’t have it,” she whispered.  “H-he said we were safe - because we closed the gates.  Because we kept outsiders away.”  Weiss looked at the frozen victim closest to her before squeezing her eyes shut.  “I should’ve known he was lying...why did I ever believe him...”

Ruby felt just as heartbroken as Weiss sounded.  But, when she set her hand on Weiss’ shoulder, James leaned closer to them.

“We should leave.  The guards will change soon.”

Considering the only other option was staying here, and Ruby really didn’t want to stay here, she nodded and followed James back the way they’d come.  Out of the room filled with unfortunate souls, up the freezing staircase, through the break room, before finally making their way back out into the cold. She held Weiss’ hand the entire time, hoping their interwoven fingers offered some amount of solace.  From Weiss’ furrowed brow and sad eyes, she was deeply disturbed by what they’d just seen, with good reason.  She hadn’t just inherited a war - she’d inherited secrecy and unimaginable horrors.

Ruby hardly noticed the cold on their way back to the palace.  She hardly noticed the silence.  She focused on Weiss’ hand, on Weiss’ presence beside her, and struggled not to let recent events crush her spirit.

How had she not put two and two together?  The fearful distance everyone gave the chapel.  The sadness in their eyes.  The silent suffering.

Atlas was scared.  Not just of their king, not just of their leaders, but of an illness that meant being torn from their homes, separated from their families.  On top of struggling to survive...they couldn’t even rest in peace.

Weiss was the right person to fix this.  She had the compassion and temperament to heal Atlas.  But was she strong enough?

Glancing at the quiet girl walking beside her, Ruby worried about the answer.  But Weiss had surprised her so many times before...hopefully, this would be yet another.

The Knights at the palace gates gave Ruby and James suspicious glances as they approached but, thanks to Weiss’ presence, let them pass without question.  The warm entryway greeted them soon after, breathing life back into Ruby’s frozen bones.

“James -”

Ruby didn’t need to say more - James nodded and headed upstairs without her.  Standing in the lifeless, empty foyer, Ruby turned to Weiss and motioned to the upper landing.

“I’ll walk you back?”

A mere nod later, the two of them walked upstairs in silence.  Ruby glanced at Weiss out of the corner of her eye as they approached Weiss’ room, but Weiss’ troubled expression never wavered.

Weiss was deep in thought, but Ruby didn’t want to dwell on the implications.  She didn’t want to think about what it meant for her, for Atlas, for anyone.  She just...wanted to focus on Weiss, and on making sure Weiss was ok.

They made it to Weiss’ chambers without exchanging a word, but Weiss let Ruby into her room without hesitation.  Returning to the large, elegant space reminded Ruby of their kiss - a moment that now felt like a lifetime ago. Melancholy had replaced jittery happiness, but the side effects of that kiss hadn’t fully disappeared.  At least, that was the only explanation Ruby could think of for Weiss holding onto her hand even after they stopped in the middle of the room.

“Will you be ok?”

“No.”

Only then did Weiss release Ruby’s hand, but only so she could wrap her arms around herself, bite her lip, and stare at the floor.  After a few seconds, however, she dropped her arms and sighed.

“But I have to be.  I have to stop this.”

“And you can.”

Dreading the loss of comfort, Ruby reached for Weiss’ hand and was pleasantly surprised when Weiss willingly intertwined their fingers again.

“I feel...heartbroken,” Weiss whispered while Ruby rubbed a thumb across the back of her hand.  “For all those people...for their families...I just...I wish Winter were here.  She’d know what to do...she could fix this...”

When Weiss’ lip quivered, Ruby stepped closer and gently brushed her fingers across Weiss’ cheek.  Thinking about Winter reminded Ruby of Yang, and thinking about Yang stole the air from her lungs.

“You can make this better,” she whispered as her own tears bubbled back to the surface.  “You’re...you’re strong enough, and...I’ll support you however I can - I promise.”

She wished that she could give more, but that was all she had left.  It didn’t feel like enough, but after everything she’d learned today...nothing felt like enough.

“Thank you, Ruby…” Weiss still whispered before leaning forward and resting her head on Ruby’s shoulder.  The intimacy caught Ruby off guard but, when Weiss didn’t move away, she wrapped her arms around Weiss and held her close.  After a long sigh, Weiss replied in kind, wrapping her arms around Ruby’s waist and burying her face in Ruby’s neck.

Weiss wasn’t as warm as Yang, but she smelled like flowers, and she melted into Ruby’s embrace as if she’d been made to be there.  It might be a simple gesture of closeness, but...it was so nice to hug someone.

As soon as she felt Weiss’ thin shoulders shake with a sob, Ruby closed her eyes, brushed her cheek against Weiss’ hair, and felt her own sadness grow.  Tears filled her eyes and slipped out soon after, but she kept her anguish silent while Weiss’ soft weeping carried throughout the room.

She understood Weiss’ heartbreak - she was also heartbroken for the people torn so callously from their families and discarded like garbage.  But knowing that there was no solution…no cure…scattered her heart into millions of pieces.

This wasn’t how she’d imagined her trip to Atlas would end, but life had a way of surprising her - for better and worse.  Now...the best she could hope for was finishing the treaty and returning to Vale as fast as possible.  Hopefully, Yang could hold on long enough for Ruby to bring home good news.  At this point...it was the best she could do.

That inescapable truth only made her cry harder.

Comments

Derk Gamble

Yikes. Just a whole lot of yikes