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Radiant Rebirth (Hollow Knight x RWBY)

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So random thought, considering similar color schemes and the fact that this ritual is partially to give Grimm a human form on top of the typical purposes....what are the odds that Ruby is used as the model and the resulting Grimm looks like he could be Ruby's older brother or cousin?
 
Sinsystems said:
So random thought, considering similar color schemes and the fact that this ritual is partially to give Grimm a human form on top of the typical purposes....what are the odds that Ruby is used as the model and the resulting Grimm looks like he could be Ruby's older brother or cousin?
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Wouldn't it be funny if the result Is a Grimm that looks more like ruby's father then Taiyan?
I mean, both are very red and black in their color scheme, both are somewhat goth, both have a love for art(one is art of performance, one is art of weapons) and teleport! lmao
 
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1.6 Ghost of the Past
  • Threadmarks
    • No light reached deep beneath the sea yet a pool of pure darkness bubbled, still distinct from the natural absence of light surrounding it. Unaffected by the water pressing down yet never mixing with it, the liquid black rumbled and burbled.

    Then it contracted for the first time since its conception. Water rushed in to lick the bare, dry rock now offered. Primordial ooze from which countless thousands of monsters were since born now compressed into a single, tiny figure. Pitch black all over, their body wavered before gaining full coherence.

    Then it twitched.

    Round eyes even darker than black traced their surroundings.

    Schools of fish swam by, mostly ignoring them; something made of too many teeth and spikes attempted to bite the creature, but their arm elongated into a whip-like shape that cleanly bisected the assailant. A cloud of blood spread, unseen and attracting other predators.

    The being known as Ghost waited for more attacks but none came as the current dragged them away. They began to float that way, paddling as they learned to do.

    An indeterminate amount of time later, Ghost noticed the world becoming brighter. First specks of light pierced the ocean's depths. They ignored the fish examining them, attention solely on the brightness below. They reoriented themselves to not swim upside down and moved upward.

    Ghost hit a semi-translucent wall just below the surface. Everything above was blurred, but the light still passed through. They pushed their stubby arms against it, but the structure did not give. Ghost's head tilted ever so slightly before they reared back. A single swipe blew away at least ten centimetres of ice, followed by a geyser.

    Ghost emerged onto the surface dry, all water rolling off their body because it found no purchase on the smooth void matter. They began to walk toward a frozen tundra spreading from the nearby shore. Hardy trees somehow lived in these parts and thick-furred critters scurried around in search of food. Ghost poked a few, all of which darted away; the rest ignored them and was ignored in turn.

    Soon enough Ghost found kin, or something akin to kin. They knew they had many siblings yet these were different. They took unknown forms though their masks were familiar as a concept. Ghost approached one of the unfamiliar void beings and poked it, but received no response. The potential sibling ignored all the other critters, too. It ambled around aimlessly, emanating a sense of anticipation.

    Ghost began to wander away, but a loud bang silenced the song of life. Ghost looked down at the hole through their chest area. Another bang sounded and steel punched a hole through Ghost's head.

    All their not-quite siblings became agitated, turning almost as one toward the noise. As they ran to attack, Ghost focussed; the SOUL they gathered earlier gleamed white momentarily, then filled the holes in their body. Whatever weapon struck them was unfamiliar.

    They followed to where all the other void beings went, only to find them swiftly dying. Two others fended off their assault, fleshy and without any carapace. They almost gleamed in the bleak countryside, sharing words that meant nothing to Ghost.

    "Hah, told you it'd be easy! Just some nice search 'n destroy!"

    "Don't get sloppy or we're toast!"

    "Hah, as- gah!"

    The first one's noise cut off abruptly when Ghost's arm whipped them in the face. They went flying with a scream. Gunshots sounded in response, but Ghost weaved around the bullets; their body contorted into a dark wave to flow aside. Their arm slammed home again and again, whittling down the flaring fields of SOUL energy that protected these beings. Each strike drew away some more of it.

    Then the first one's protection visibly shattered. The other one tried to grab her as she stumbled, dooming them both. Ghost saw weakness and capitalised with a lump of void matter, pitch black but with gleaming white eyes. The Shade Soul ravaged their mark, tearing her into tiny shreds and red liquids; her companion's aura broke as well. That one could scarcely comprehend the shower of gore before another whiplike smack opened his head.

    All the other beings of void had been slain somewhere along the way. Only Ghost remained in the sudden silence, viscous red slowly sliding off their body. Looking around for further threats but finding none, their attention turned fully to the dead. Ghost quickly grabbed every piece of gear off their bodies; the wet rags they wore were discarded but most else vanished in the folds of Ghost's body.

    They stopped to study a number of cartridges filled with unfamiliar, coloured powder. It did not react to prodding or being emptied out. Only when Ghost fed some of the obtained SOUL into a cartridge did it explode. After healing up, they put the remainder away as well. Then they returned to wandering with no sense of direction.

    Days and nights passed, but Ghost simply kept walking. They did not encounter any of the fleshy creatures during that time. Their not-siblings continued to dismiss their presence, too. Soon enough the plains began to lead uphill and grew into mountains, from where Ghost found caves to explore. The darkness inside did not matter to them, so they proceeded; through small tunnels Ghost wandered, squeezing past crevices and cracks until they reached a mine.

    Ghost knew mines; they recognised the orderly tunnels, the pickaxes and lorries. The fleshy creatures worked here, wearing heavy shells of some sort. None of them bothered Ghost who walked past them in the shadows. This went well for a time until a particularly huge specimen barred Ghost's path.

    "I dunno what yer doing here kid, but this place ain't a playground," he said with his arms crossed. Ghost did not comprehend those words; the lack of threatening motions had them simply stare up at that being, whose eyes narrowed. "Got nothing to say for yerself?" No response. "Whatever. Get out."

    He pointed down a specific tunnel. Ghost followed the motion, looked back at them, and started walking.

    "Can't believe they dress up like Grimm. Kids these days."

    Ignorant of the muttered commentary, Ghost walked on. They soon exited the mine and entered into a settlement; it was vast and a second city flew overhead. Simply wandering the streets, Ghost learned that flesh people lived here, just like bugs lived in Hallownest. Humans kept gasping when Ghost walked past.

    Unlike Hallownest however, Ghost soon learned they could not simply enter every open building. Some were guarded or expected to be left alone. So Ghost went on whenever they found such a place.

    As the sun began to set, they found an open door in a place that appeared like the closed off areas. With no one stopping Ghost on the approach, they poked their head inside. A human with fuzzy tail lay on a table, unconcious; meanwhile, another with darker skin skittered around them on metal legs.

    Ghost watched a procedure they did not understand; by the end the human on the table had a leg of steel where there was a simple stump before. Then another human carried the sleeping person away in their arms.

    That was when the dark-skinned human noticed Ghost peering in. At first he gasped and stared, but after a few seconds he bared his teeth. "Hello there, little man. You are out quite late. Why don't you come in and warm up? Penny can walk you home later."

    Ghost did not react. Their head only turned when another voice sounded; it belonged to the human who carried the sleeping human away.

    "Who is it, father?"

    "Oh, a lost child." Seeing Ghost still standing in the door, he beckoned them. "Come now, don't be shy." The gesture itself was familiar, so Ghost stepped inside. "I am Pietro Polendina, this is my daughter Penny." He motioned for the other person, who walked somewhat stiffly. Her hair was a light shade of red, closer to orange; big, green eyes focussed solely on Ghost, who stopped in front of the pair. She saluted stiffly but with enthusiasm.

    "Sa-lu-tations!"

    Ghost did not know the gesture, they merely stared. Pietro hummed into the resulting silence. "I do not think I have seen you before. What is your name? Where are you from?" No response. Ghost tilted their head. "Hm. I can't help find your parents if you don't speak with me. How about you take off that costume?"

    He began to fidget when Ghost continued to do nothing. Meanwhile Penny stared right back. "Father," she ultimately said, "the probability of this child being unable to speak is high."

    For some reason Pietro sighed in response. "Penny. You should not say it like this. Just say you think he can not speak."

    "Understood! I think I am getting better at this!" Though cheerful, her face remained placid. After saying this, Penny turned back to Ghost while pointing at them. "Can you speak?"

    This was a question they knew. They knew the answer and learned the correct gesture, too. So they shook their head twice.

    "Ah, that explains it. Good catch, dear."

    After saying so, Pietro offered Ghost a piece of paper and a pen to converse with them. They studied the writing implement and sat down to use it. Much to Pietro's disappointment however, no words appeared. Ghost merely drew a nail, a familiar symbol. Then they drew a scribble of themselves wielding the nail, at which point a noise from the human interrupted them.

    "I see, so you came for a weapon?" The question made it clear this person was a smith. Ghost knew smiths. "Hm, but you are mighty young. Then again, Mantle is getting more dangerous these days. Say, do you have family?" Ghost stared, not comprehending the question. Pietro drew the correct conclusion and sighed, hanging his head. "My apologies, I figured but had to make sure. Do you have a place to stay?" Again, only a stare answered. The smith rubbed his eyes. "...Penny, would you mind terribly much if we sheltered this child?"

    "Not at all! I can make a bed for him! Oh, is this what being a big sister is like?"

    Pietro chuckled about her enthusiasm, then turned back to Ghost. "Well, how about it? Do you want to stay with us?"

    The void vessel did not know what this question meant. They knew that tone of voice generally expected an answer, however. So they simply nodded, only to learn it meant being giving shelter.

    Penny swiftly prepared something faintly like a bench. Ghost sank slightly into the soft fabric, unlike the steel they were used to. They did not mind either way, sitting down while the other two readied themselves for bed. They did not respond to Penny wishing them a good night.

    Once it grew quiet, Ghost rose to poke around; the barely audible tap-tap of their feet was all the noise they produced. They found mechanical contraptions, none of which they recognised. In another room Pietro snored softly in another bed. Ghost left him alone after a minute.

    Penny's room was different still. The redhead slept standing up, with several cords connecting to her spine. Clamps of steel surrounded her depowered body and some pokes revealed that she hid similar metal under her skin. Humans were different from bugs, wearing their shells inside. Ghost stared at Penny a while longer. Then they focussed their Essence into a gleaming blade. It shone brightly but garnered no reaction. Hitting Penny had no effect, either. She did not think in this state; neither did she dream.

    Once there was nothing left to explore, Ghost returned to their bed and sat down.

    The next day Pietro set out to draw a blueprint for the nail Ghost wanted. They learned about mecha-shift, but Pietro took the motionless staring as a no when asked about wanting it. Once the male human was busy toiling in his workshop, Ghost went to find the metal human. Penny read in the living room, not acknowledging Ghost when they sat down beside her.

    After some time she glanced at the motionless being. "I was meaning to ask," she began, pointing at Ghost's head. "What is with this costume? Wouldn't that get you attacked if you aren't careful?"

    When no response came, Penny's head tilted sideways. She slowly reached out. Ghost allowed her touch, having seen no aggression from her thus far. The gynoid felt around their head with varying levels of force yet never found the cloth she sought. No zipper, no fabric. Her smile dipped as she traced the oddly smooth skin again. Penny slowly pulled up the shade cloak, only to find more formed void beneath.

    "You are not human, are you?" she asked, bright green eyes staring into Ghost's black ones. "This is not a costume." Ghost simply stared back. "You are a Grimm."

    Grimm, Ghost knew. They shook their head, having since learned to deny being someone else. Penny stared back this time, flummoxed. "You're not?" No response. "But then, what are you?"

    She had decidedly mixed feelings about this matter. Of course she told her father, but neither of them thought the little guy dangerous. If anything she felt a familiar emotion at new strength: curiousity all but burned in her circuits. She wanted to know just what it was that wandered into their home. How did he even get into Mantle to begin with?

    A week passed and her self-imposed quest made little progress. He only reacted to specific questions and only ever with yes or no responses. His body was malleable like water that took solid form... without freezing. Penny did not understand how this was scientifically possible.

    Then came the day her father completed the weapon their guest asked for. A blunt sword with sharpened tip, almost like a miniature spear. He also made a mask like the one on the drawing, fully plastic to be lighter. The recipient studied both objects, then stared at Pietro.

    Her father beckoned kindly. "Come now, take them."

    He stared a moment longer and began to pull stuff out of his cloak. Father and daughter could not help but watch as the impossible happened before their eyes. First a mecha-shift spear, then a wallet, two pots, and even a disassembled tent. How it all fit into wherever he put it, Penny could not fathom.

    "What are you... oh." Her father understood when the things were put on the table. "So you mean to trade?"

    Their guest nodded. Once the gesture was returned, he picked up the equipment. That weapon went into the cloak and vanished, the mask on his head. The unmarked grey made him even more like a Grimm, though black eyes stared out of the holes instead of yellow or red. Penny's thoughts were racing while her father examined the goods given in exchange. He frowned at the spear in particular. "That is a hunter grade weapon. Not one of mine, but I know quality work when I see it."

    Meanwhile, she examined the wallet. It contained an ID, quickly revealing that this belonged to a missing student from Atlas Academy. Penny's assumptions were turned on their head, but any questions she asked were answered with that same, empty stare.

    At some point even she got annoyed. "Why do you have to be so difficult?!"

    Alas, he did not react. Simply looked at her.

    "What do you think of this?" Her father asked some time later. Two hours passed since their find, but facing him instead made Penny's turbulent feelings quiet down. Only a hollow confusion remained.

    "I don't understand," she admitted. "He says he is no Grimm, but he is absolutely not human or faunus. He can not speak, it seems like he does not even understand most things we say. I am more than a little worried he killed this student, too."

    Though her observations puzzled him, he ultimately decided on a course of action: "Let's give it some more time to observe him. Not a word to James yet, okay?"

    Penny nodded, visibly surprised. Her father chuckled. "We both know he will do something hasty if we tell him now. We don't know for certain our little friend hurt anyone, he might have just scavenged. Maybe he just picked these things up after they lost it in a skirmish." Then Pietro Polendina paused, a thoughtful frown on his face. "Although this reminds me, we do not have any name to call him by."

    He walked in just then after exploring Mantle again. Penny followed him on his excursions once, but could not make rhyme or reason of his route. It seemed completely arbitrary just like his choices on whom to interact with. Now she approached with a concrete goal.

    "Do you have a name?"

    Thankfully he actually reacted; unfortunately, it was a slow tilt of the head. Penny tried again, pointing at him and speaking slowly: "You. Name?"

    He nodded.

    "Great! What is it?" This time she received another look. "Oh. Of course, you can not speak."

    Her father hummed before calling up a list of names on his computer terminal. Ghost's attention turned to the screen and Pietro motioned for it. "Just point at the one that's yours."

    They needed to teach him how to scroll first, but then he went right to it. Penny was hopeful for all of a few seconds, only to be struck again by how eerie the situation became. Their mysterious guest did not move a single muscle beside his stubby hand; he blankly stared at the screen. The list reached its end after five minutes of scrolling. He kept trying to go further down, then looked back to them.

    "Well," Pietro mused with a sigh, "it looks like this is a secret for another time. You appeared like a ghost and are as mysterious as one."

    Much to their surprise, he tilted his head and nodded. The gesture confused her father, but Penny managed to draw the connection with a recording of his last words: "Wait, is your name Ghost?"

    She received another nod and beamed. A calloused hand ruffled Penny's hair while her father chuckled. "Alright then, looks like we got lucky. Good work, dear. But we still need to observe him further. And you need to prepare for Beacon."

    This gave her pause, though. "Wait, Beacon? I thought I was signed up for Atlas Academy?"

    "Ah, yes. I forgot to mention, James changed the plan. He wants you at Beacon. Calls it a test run." Pietro made a face, though Penny took it in stride; she understood the need to blend in with humans, even though she was none. "That aside, the Schnee heiress will attend Beacon too. James dropped some hints that he wants you to keep an eye on her."

    "I see." Some static buzzed through Penny's auditive systems. She noticed a glitch in her chest as well, making it feel heavier. "Do I really have to go so far away? I'd rather stay with you."

    He hugged her then, gently rubbing circles along Penny's back. Even though she barely felt it, the gesture still managed to soothe her. "It can't be helped," Pietro murmured, then held her at arm's length. "But I know you will do me proud no matter where you are. We need to do some upgrades first, though. Can't expect them to install a charging station for you, now can we?"

    He chuckled at his own joke and Penny joined in after a moment. Ghost watched their interaction without comprehension.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • Man, I knew that any Hunters encountering Ghost in the wild would meet a grisly end due to the misunderstanding, but it doesn't make me any happier reading about it :(
     
    Naron said:
    The being known as Ghost waited for more attacks but none came as the current dragged them away. They began to float that way, paddling as they learned to do.
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    Cute!

    I can picture Ghost doing it due to having seen it, and it's so cute!

    Naron said:
    A single swipe blew away at least ten centimetres of ice, followed by a geyser.
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    Well then, Ruby (and Grimm) in Vale, Lumina in Menagerie, and now Ghost in Atlas.

    Who goes in Vacuo and Mistral? :V

    Naron said:
    "Hah, told you it'd be easy! Just some nice search 'n destroy!"
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    Meanwhile, a God that would most likely not even register them as speed bumps if it got serious is watching them kill what it consider Kin... hope they get lucky in how Ghost treats them.

    Naron said:
    The first one's noise cut off abruptly when Ghost's arm whipped them in the face. They went flying with a scream. Gunshots sounded in response, but Ghost weaved around the bullets; their body contorted into a dark wave to flow aside. Their arm slammed home again and again, whittling down the flaring fields of SOUL energy that protected these beings. Each strike drew away some more of it.

    Then the first one's protection visibly shattered. The other one tried to grab her as she stumbled, dooming them both. Ghost saw weakness and capitalised with a lump of void matter, pitch black but with gleaming white eyes. The Shade Soul ravaged their mark, tearing her into tiny shreds and red liquids; her companion's aura broke as well. That one could scarcely comprehend the shower of gore before another whiplike smack opened his head.
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    Well, guess they weren't, oops?

    Naron said:
    "Can't believe they dress up like Grimm. Kids these days."
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    :lol::rofl::lol::rofl::lol::rofl:

    Naron said:
    A human with fuzzy tail lay on a table, unconcious; meanwhile, another with darker skin skittered around them on metal legs.

    Ghost watched a procedure they did not understand; by the end the human on the table had a leg of steel where there was a simple stump before. Then another human carried the sleeping person away in their arms.
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    Originally thought it was an attack, but it seems to be a prosthetic shop?

    Naron said:
    Penny can walk you home later.
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    Oh.

    Seems like that one with *no voice to cry suffering* will learn to be a real boy... or Penny will learn from it.

    New and improved Penny, now with less emotions! Get her right now and have a discount on your future nightmares! :V

    Naron said:
    Oh, is this what being a big sister is like?
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    🥳

    Naron said:
    "You are a Grimm."

    Grimm, Ghost knew. They shook their head, having since learned to deny being someone else.
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    Funny how that little coincidence about naming continues to have repercussions.

    Naron said:
    Not a word to James yet, okay?
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    Pietro does not know it, but he just saved the world there, telling anything to James *Hard man* Ironwood is a bad idea.

    You should just put him in a padded house and smile and nod at his speeches, the poor thing really shouldn't be given any responsibilities.

    What? *You don't like James*? Why, yes, what gave it away?

    Naron said:
    You appeared like a ghost and are as mysterious as one.
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    Congratulations! You just stumbled upon why Little Ghost is named, well, Little Ghost.

    Naron said:
    "Ah, yes. I forgot to mention, James changed the plan. He wants you at Beacon. Calls it a test run."
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    Wait, is that James maybe having a good idea and deciding to let Penny in a more nurturing environment than *Totally not a military camp* Atlas Academy?

    Naron said:
    "That aside, the Schnee heiress will attend Beacon too. James dropped some hints that he wants you to keep an eye on her."
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    Ah, no, he wants her as a spy, it is still a *hard decision*, all is right in the world. :V
     
    Well, that sure is a language barrier all right.
    Kind of hard for a mute to answer questions when they don't understand anyone.
    And the name of 'Grimm' still continues to be a major twister of the plot.

    EdinoiZ said:
    Man, I knew that any Hunters encountering Ghost in the wild would meet a grisly end due to the misunderstanding, but it doesn't make me any happier reading about it :(
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    Imagine going to stomp on a Goomba and a Dark Souls health bar appears. That's what just happened to them.

    Nyarky said:
    Well then, Ruby (and Grimm) in Vale, Lumina in Menagerie, and now Ghost in Atlas.

    Who goes in Vacuo and Mistral? :V
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    Quirrel: "...I didn't expect the life after life to just be, well, more life! I wonder if Monomon is here too?"
     
    Unironically the best way for the humans to get an explanation about Ghost would be if it follows Penny to Beacon and runs into Ruby + Grimmchild, since I'd imagine that would prompt them asking Grimm about Ghost.

    Also interesting butterflies, wonder what prompted Ironwood to make this decision?

    Additionally I do wonder if Grimm will affect Ruby's possible early enrollment into Beacon? I'd imagine that once Qrow tells Ozpin that the old man would be interested and would want Ruby to be close at hand, plus it would speak well to her combat skills if he sees her fighting Grimm.

    Would be kind of hilarious if the Troupe relocated from Patch to next to Beacon to facilitate things for Ruby's part of the ritual, plus her team heading towards the flame sites as part of their training missions.

    And one final thought, this makes 3 of the main 4 girls connected to a Hallownest thing in some way. With Lumina connected to Blake through her family, Ghost connected to Weiss through Penny (there is no way Penny won't befriend Weiss) and Ruby literally taking part in the ritual. That just leaves Yang...and considering her main hangups i'm hoping the godly being she ends up connected to is the White Lady due to mommy issues.
     
    Sinsystems said:
    Unironically the best way for the humans to get an explanation about Ghost would be if it follows Penny to Beacon and runs into Ruby + Grimmchild, since I'd imagine that would prompt them asking Grimm about Ghost.

    Also interesting butterflies, wonder what prompted Ironwood to make this decision?

    Additionally I do wonder if Grimm will affect Ruby's possible early enrollment into Beacon? I'd imagine that once Qrow tells Ozpin that the old man would be interested and would want Ruby to be close at hand, plus it would speak well to her combat skills if he sees her fighting Grimm.

    Would be kind of hilarious if the Troupe relocated from Patch to next to Beacon to facilitate things for Ruby's part of the ritual, plus her team heading towards the flame sites as part of their training missions.

    And one final thought, this makes 3 of the main 4 girls connected to a Hallownest thing in some way. With Lumina connected to Blake through her family, Ghost connected to Weiss through Penny (there is no way Penny won't befriend Weiss) and Ruby literally taking part in the ritual. That just leaves Yang...and considering her main hangups i'm hoping the godly being she ends up connected to is the White Lady due to mommy issues.
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    The Girls: "We are here to train!"
    Grimm: "...What ever do you mean? This isn't a training grou- OH! Of course, if you all wants to perform then lets see to it, come along now, if we want to have a dance we will need to do something with your outfit choices...BRUMM! GET THE SPARE COSTUMES! NOW!"
    The Girls: "YEAH LET'S-...wait WHA-"
    Few days later....
    The Grimm Troupe Presents
    Life and stuggle of the 4 maidens : To kill a mocking Grimm.    ​
     
    Naron said:
    Schools of fish swam by, mostly ignoring them; something made of too many teeth and spikes attempted to bite the creature, but their arm elongated into a whip-like shape that cleanly bisected the assailant. A cloud of blood spread, unseen and attracting other predators.
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    Taking inspiration from A Familiar Void, I see.

    Naron said:
    Then it contracted for the first time since its conception. Water rushed in to lick the bare, dry rock now offered. Primordial ooze from which countless thousands of monsters were since born now compressed into a single, tiny figure. Pitch black all over, their body wavered before gaining full coherence.
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    Weird. That means either the Brother God's Destruction is the same as Hallownest's Void, or the God of Darkness used Void to create his Grimm.
    Either one means that Silver Eyes will do weird things to Little Ghost.
     
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    draconas said:
    Weird. That means either the Brother God's Destruction is the same as Hallownest's Void, or the God of Darkness used Void to create his Grimm.
    Either one means that Silver Eyes and Jaegers will do weird things to Little Ghost.
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    Or an emotionless being makes grimms think theres nothing there, since they hunt by feeling hatred.
     
    1.7 Heart of Nightmares
  • Threadmarks
    • It was a normal evening at the Xiao-Long home. Well, mostly normal; the family's youngest child was absent once again, which those present clearly felt. A considerably agitated Yang Xiao-Long glared at her father over the dinner table. Blonde like Taiyang and with the same lilac eyes, she moodily poked her potatoes.

    The tension continued to grow until it snapped.

    "Okay, that's enough. Where is she?"

    "I told you, the faculty agreed on giving Ruby an independent study project to skip a grade."

    Yang ground her teeth at that. "Independent study my ass! It's been two weeks and I haven't seen hide or hair from her! And every time I ask over the phone she pretends the connection dies and hangs up! I've had enough!" She slammed the table so hard her fist smashed through the hardwood. Dishes went flying as wisps of flame flickered around her golden mane, lilac eyes turning red. "Tell me what's going on! Why do you keep secrets from me?!"

    Long familiarity with his daughter's temper helped Taiyang stay calm. He waited for Yang to finish, well aware this would be a tightrope to walk. Just as he opened his mouth however, the front door slammed open.

    Yang heard it too, the two staring at each other silently; the sound of heavy boots hitting the wall broke their quiet standoff.

    Yang was around the broken table in a heartbeat, Tai hot on her heels; they intercepted Ruby before she could do more than close the door. Yang gasped at her sister's sorry sight, once again lilac eyes growing wide. Even their father arched a brow.

    Ruby's clothes were torn in places and she was dusty all over. A spot of tender, pink skin on her cheek still healed from whatever ordeal she faced. Her hair was cropped short, but Taiyang spotted a few charred tips. What was more, one particular tear in her corset had been stained red and revealed a scar underneath. And then there was a large, painfully familiar raven settled on the girl's shoulder.

    "Brothers both, Ruby!" Yang dashed forward to hold her baby sister, horrified by what she saw. "What happened?"

    All she got was a garbled response; Ruby slipped beneath her and shuffled into the house.

    "Hey!"

    Yang tried to grab Ruby's arm, only for rose petals to flutter out of her grasp. The bird cawed and took wing, somehow maneuvering inside the house; Tai could not help but follow her flight with a flare of pain in his chest.

    Meanwhile, Ruby reappeared a few metres further. "Murgh. I want a shower. Talkies later. Hey, Zwei."

    She gave the excited corgi a quick pat before leaving the two of them alone. Yang stared after her vanishing sister until she was gone and rubbed her eyes. Then she looked to her father with suspicion and crossed arms.

    "I'm waiting."

    Tai shrugged, still examining the bird. She stared back at him, only to avert her gaze and fly out the open window. The flutter of wings caught Yang's attention, too. "And where did she get that raven?"

    "I wonder about that, too."

    Yang missed the undertone in her father's voice due to her general distress. Taiyang meanwhile busied himself in the kitchen instead of answering her question; another plate of potatoes, steak, and veggies was swiftly prepared for his returning daughter, who plopped down on a chair twenty minutes after her arrival.

    Ruby was still damp and clad in her pyjamas, completely ignoring the hole in the table. She swiftly inhaled her meal, followed by a pair of chocolate chip cookies for dessert. Then she sighed deeply and sunk back in her seat. "Thanks. I needed that."

    Her father and sister had watched the whole thing with a mixture of incredulity and worry. Once it was clear Ruby would not run off again, Yang leaned forward. "Alright, now spill. Where were you?"

    "...err, Vacuo?"

    "What? Why?"

    Ruby groaned. A desperate look was thrown at Taiyang, who rolled his eyes back at her.

    "Ugh. Can we do the short version and you don't ask any questions? I spent two weeks hunting these stupid thingies across the desert. I need to patch my clothes and get the sand out of Crescent Rose and I need new Dust." She counted all the tasks on her fingers, visibly deflating with each one. In the end she sighed and slumped forward.

    Yang's eyes had narrowed in the menatime. "So while I'm out in town for a few days," she summarised unimpressed, "you run off to Vacuo for some reason. To hunt these 'thingies'. On your own." Her disapproval was clear to all, though Ruby was too tired to be affected. She simply raised a finger.

    "Not true! I had Qrow." The finger lowered. "For, uh, two days or so. Then he got a call and ran off to do some super secret thing." She ducked her head while Yang palmed her face. Tai merely sighed, well aware of his brother-in-law's antics.

    "Not the point," Yang said. "Stop dancing around it and tell me. And what's with the bullshit about skipping a grade?"

    "Ugh. Okay, look. I met an alien magic bug man and agreed to help him do a ritual. And for that I'm tracking down fire bugs to feed his alien magic bug baby. And the fire bugs are all over the world, so I've got to go get them, then fight them. Happy?"

    Silence followed her explanation. Ruby was well aware how it sounded, but still; Tai and Qrow took it well enough.

    Meanwhile, Yang displayed incredulity and even a mite of disappointed anger. "Pull the other one," she drawled.

    Ruby crossed her arms in response; she was not quite pouting, but almost. "Grimmchild," she called and his name was all it took to rouse the tired buglet from her room. He buzzed inside with a soft coo, prompting Yang to leap from her chair with a shriek. Before she could do much of anything however, he landed on Ruby's shoulder. What was more, her sister cradled the thing against her chest.

    "There," Ruby muttered. "Alien magic bug baby. And he's a good boy, so don't be mean to him." Grimmchild cooed in agreement, flicking a handful of crimson sparks at the flummoxed and agitated blonde.

    The renewed silence was broken when Ruby made to stand. "And now I'm going to sleep. In my own bed. Praise be the Brothers." She shuffled away, bereft of most of her energy. Grimmchild followed, as did Zwei.

    Yang stared between her father and the affront to everything she knew to be true. All she could get out was a confused "What?"

    Taiyang shrugged again. He did that often of late. "Why did you think I'd come up with something silly like extracurriculars? Would you have believed that without Grimmchild here to confirm it? I'm not going to talk to the big one without Ruby either."

    "Why? Is he dangerous?"

    "Not really, I don't think. But he's skilled and powerful. And honestly, he creeps me out. I have no idea how Ruby can be so calm around him."

    Yang sighed in lieu of an answer. It ultimately did not matter, either; her little sister was back home and mostly fine, the little burn on her cheek healed off over night thanks to aura.

    Ruby wanted to spend the following day fixing up clothes and weapon as announced. Meanwhile, Yang wanted to spend the end of her break with Ruby. So she went ahead with a compromise and helped patch up her sister's corset. Ruby kept muttering about this or that she saw in Vacuo, which made Yang the tiniest bit envious.

    Once everything at home was done, only the acquisition of new Dust remained. Yang decided to stop Ruby there and turned it into a shopping trip. Or in her words: "You need to let your hair down a bit! And get a haircut, really. What did you do, put your combat knife to it?"

    The cautious "Maybe" she got back only assured Yang in her decisions. Ruby was not happy, but she allowed it. This was nice after scouring the desert for far larger bugs who hit harder and took more damage before dying. She still did not like crowds much but bore it for her sister's sake. Yang thankfully did not try to make her talk to people.

    So it was that after a long day, Ruby finally got to visit her favourite shop: From Dust Till Dawn. It even worked out for the sisters, seeing that the owner offered discounts after sunset.

    She was so engrossed in the selection that she only noticed a later arrival when he spoke up behind the browsing pair: "Oh my. I spy, with my little eye, a pair of prospective huntresses. Heya, blondie!"

    Yang immediately froze up before groaning. "Oh no, not that guy!"

    Ruby turned around to see who it may be, but was left befuddled. Behind them stood a man, easily more than a head taller than herself. Dressed in an immaculate, primarily white suit. Bright orange hair curled out from beneath a black bowler hat, hiding one eye from view. The other lay on the two girls while his lips were curled into what either would describe as a shit-eating grin. He was also flanked by a dozen broad-shouldered men in black suits and sunglasses. At night. Ruby had to give them that it looked stylish, though.

    She warily piped up after a moment of confused staring: "Uh, are you robbing this place?"

    "What, me?" He made a scandalised expression and pressed a hand to his chest. "Psh, no. Of course not, little Red. I'm just an honest businessman, promise."

    "...I do know you're Roman Torchwick."

    Bantering back felt not so bad with him for some reason. Maybe it was that she knew she could take him in a fight after the past ordeals, but her usual anxiety was simply missing. Or maybe it was Roman himself, who tipped his hat at them. Yang scowled at the gesture, which reminded Ruby of what was said earlier.

    "Wait, how do you two know each other?"

    Roman chuckled in response. "Oh, I saved your friend from making the worst mistake of her life a few weeks back. Girl really doesn't know how to negotiate. Or how to talk to people to get what she wants. But that's neither here nor there, now is it?" He smirked at the two and sauntered past them, to the counter with the elderly shopkeeper. "I'll have your entire stock."

    Where the wizened man was frightened before, his jaw dropped in pure shock now. Much the same happened to Yang and Ruby.

    "Wait," the older girl said. "All of it? Everything?"

    "Yep. I've got some Dust-heavy plans to work on." So saying, Roman drew a credit card with the same familiarity and grace Ruby brandished her scythe with. Then, seeing Ruby's crestfallen expression, he snapped his fingers. "Ah, right. Can't have that. What were you looking for, girls?"

    The question prompted confused stares to which he rolled his eyes. "Come on, I don't have all night. Dust, you wanted some, right? Which types?"

    Though still befuddled, Ruby slowly began ticking off her fingers: "Um, mainly Fire Dust, and some Wind, Lightning, and Ice. Oh, and I need Gravity Dust, too."

    "Alright. And you, blondie?"

    "That's not my name and you know it. Ugh. Just some Fire and Gravity."

    "Mhm. Gravity's a favourite, I hear. Fun to use for your fancy acrobatics and mobility. Shopkeep!" The other man was already busy carrying crates around, helped by the suits. He perked up at being addressed while Roman put on a roguish smile. "Put some of it extra. Five kilos of Fire, one Wind, Lightning, and Ice. And three kilos of Gravity. All on me." His lips curled up further over the gobsmacked expressions on the girls' faces. "Gotta do my part to support our protectors, no?"

    They watched the suits and shopkeep work in silence, at least for the most part. Ruby had no idea what to make of this; a known crimeboss just bought her enough Dust to last for at least a full year if used sparingly. In the end she fell back on her manners.

    "Er, thank you."

    "Not a problem, little Red. Like I said, just doing my part."

    "My name's not 'little Red', though."

    "I know. Ruby, isn't it?"

    This time both her and Yang's gaze raced back to him. Roman smirked. "I've been in this business long enough to do my homework, ladies. I know the graduating classes of every academy in Vale and every promising talent in the lower years. That goes double for children of seasoned hunters. On that note, tell your uncle I said hi."

    "You know Uncle Qrow?" she could not help but ask. Roman shrugged.

    "We met. You will find that I know a lot of people. And if either of you are in need of a man with connections, feel free to come find me." He put on that roguish smirk again and winked at them; Yang scowled but averted her eyes much like Ruby. Was that what her sister meant when she talked about bad boys?

    "Anyway, looks like everything's done. A pleasure talking to you both." So saying, Roman herded them outside; the shopkeep hung up a 'Closed' sign while Roman and his underlings trooped off, each carrying suitcases and crates full of Dust. Yang and Ruby were left staring after them, their own gifted purchase in hand.

    Ruby chanced a look to her exasperated sister. "You know, maybe he isn't so bad? For a criminal, I mean."

    "...let's just go home."

    "Kay."

    The next morning was Yang's time to head out for Beacon. Ruby hugged her sister goodbye and told her to kick some butts. Yang just laughed before promising that she would.

    Afterward it was only Ruby and Taiyang at home. Then her father had to get going as well; Signal Academy's faculty came together to discuss plans for the coming semester. He ruffled Ruby's hair on the way out.

    "Don't worry, classes start tomorrow. You won't have much time to mope."

    "That's not it at all," Ruby groaned. She had enough stuff to do, like finally sitting down to read a new book or making new bullets. "But I can't even go watch Beacon's Initiation. It sucks."

    "You always knew they don't let people watch," Tai quipped. Then he kissed her forehead and started jogging off. "I'll be back around five, don't burn down the house!"

    Zwei barked and followed after him.

    "As if!" Ruby shouted. "And stop bringing up the toaster!" Only laughter answered and soon Taiyang Xiao-Long was a speck in the distance. Ruby could catch up to him if she wanted, but for now she was content pouting at empty air. She was seven, kids were allowed to do stupid things. She even put out the fire herself.

    "Not like Yang never set stuff on fire," Ruby muttered. Then she turned back while shaking her head. Grimmchild trilled, buzzing around to cheer her up.

    Grimm expected her, Ruby knew. Pattern recognition also told her there was a fight coming, so she spent some time on those bullets. Dust was carefully measured and injected in each casing before being meticulously sealed. She may be slower than a machine but Ruby took pride in her detailwork. Several hundred casings were filled when she stopped around noon.

    She made ready to head out after washing her hands and cooking a meal of potatoes and beef; Ruby grabbed two apples as well. Grimmchild devoured his whole while she bit into hers. The juicy flesh parted easily, nice, tart, and sweet after the savoury food she had before. Only the crunches and Grimmchild's buzzing sounded for a minute; Ruby strolled leisurely until her treat was gone. The stem went flying all the way into the nearby forest.

    Grinning cheerfully, she snatched Grimmchild and began to run. The countryside flew by in minutes and soon she arrived, skipping town entirely this time. It took walking halfway into the Grimm Troupe's compound before Ruby realised her aura felt different; far less strained. She blinked and checked her Scroll's aura-meter, where she found a surprise: about half of it was still in the tank unlike a few weeks ago.

    Ruby heard that exertion helped aura grow, but that trip to Vacuo must have done more than she expected.

    Amazed but undeterred, she kept on going. The two horses were in the same spot they stood before, studying her and bowing their heads to Grimmchild. Ruby bowed back, then hesitantly scratched one behind the ear. It whinnied in delight, dragging its feet. The other soon pressed against her hand in demand of the same, so Ruby spent some time indulging both creatures. She could not help but squeal a little, though nobody was there to hear.

    Just as she left the equines and made to enter the main tent however, Ruby's gaze fell on another one. The one she avoided like the plague before. So far everyone in this troupe had been friendly, she told herself. Yes, this one in particular creeped her out more than Grimm himself, but that was just silly.

    Firming up and changing track, Ruby entered the side tent. Once again the corpulent woman turned her way with a toothy smile.

    "Ah, you return at last! I heard of your exploits, little flower. Impressive indeed, and to be chosen as caretaker for young Grimm."

    Grimmchild fluttered in front of her face curiously, then landed on her hand. Ruby fidgeted. "Yeah, uh. Your name's Divine, right?"

    "It is, dearie. Hm." The lady trundled closer, almost invading Ruby's personal space. Then she took a deep breath, weirding her visitor out again. She did not seem to care, grinning victoriously instead.

    "Hah, your scent changed. Not particularly much, not yet, but I can tell. The light in you still remains, though."

    Though poised to run, Ruby forced herself to bear the weirdness. She still had questions. "Yeah, that's kinda what I wanted to talk about. I mean, how do you smell these things?" She only realised how rude this sounded afterward, but Divine merely chuckled.

    "Oh, dearie. I found so, so many interesting things ever since I joined Grimm's merry troupe so long ago. Sights, scents, tastes, textures, and so much more. What is the overlapping of my senses in our unending performance, really? I can see your words yet unspoken, complaining I make no sense." Ruby's mouth fell open. "Your next words will be 'Am I really that obvious?'."

    "Am I really that- what?"

    Divine giggled about her befuddlement. "I can smell your anxiety like the streak of crimson in your hair," she explained, brushing a single strand off of Ruby's shoulder. Then she stuck it into her mouth. "I can taste your youth, vitality, light, and sorrow. Yes, the memory of your mother clings to you still, does it not?" Ruby was too stunned to answer, or react to the finger gently tracing her jawline. Divine's mouth curled downward in a frown. "And I can feel your pain. My apologies for tugging at a wound that will never quite heal. I do get carried away."

    A muttered "'s okay" was all Ruby could give in response. Divine had been correct in all points and the hollow ache still pulsed at the reminder of her mother's absence.

    In turn Divine favoured her with a more gentle smile. "Regardless. How about a gift, as recompense for my lack of tact?"

    "Um."

    Ruby was confused now. She wanted to decline, but Divine began to chitter, somehow. Her body started jiggling, then she turned and bent over with audible exertion. Gagging noises followed before a small metal plaque was offered to her. Crimson like Grimm's flame, but also wet with saliva. Ruby's expression warred between curiousity and disgust while Divine nonchalantly wiped the thing off on her gown.

    "Don't be shy now. Take it, for good luck."

    Despite her better judgement, Ruby took it. She felt a touch lighter the moment her fingers touched the warm metal. Her aura did a little jig all across her body, rippling in visible red. She glanced down, then at Divine. "Is this a magic thingie?"

    Her question prompted more chuckling. "Yes, yes. Charms do not exist here, now do they? A wonderful present just for you, dearie. Wear it over your heart and it shall let your soul's potential shine brighter."

    That did sound interesting, at least. And this thing did something. Ruby fumbled around for a bit, unwilling to take her corset off here. Unfortunately attaching the Charm to its outside yielded nothing. Holding it in her hand was stupid, too. So she sucked it up and unlaced her clothes in the end. Divine helped before she could so much as realise she was undressing in front of a stranger; Ruby grew frantic for a moment but was distracted upon pressing the Charm to her chest; it attached itself and warmth flooded her system again. She knew exactly what to do now.

    Grasping for her Semblance, Ruby Rose dissolved into rose petals. Her awareness remained in full, far sharper than ever before. She made her petals dance around Divine and Grimmchild, both of which joined her improvised motions into dance. Individual clusters split off and recombined until reforming into Ruby a minute later. She barely felt any drain and stared dumbly at her Scroll, which confirmed that. It never felt like this before.

    "Did, did this thing just make my Semblance evolve?"

    "Nonsense, dearie. Few Charms can alter yourself forever, I do not have that kind of power. This one merely gives you a little push to greater heights. It gave you nothing you did not already have the potential for."

    Ruby was touched nonetheless. A smile slowly wormed its way onto her lips. She thanked the masked woman, who brushed it off and helped lace up her corset again, then ushered her out to see Grimm.

    Although the child waved cheerfully, Divine's smile faltered once she was out of sight. What lay ahead may well break that delightfully bright spirit. Yet the master always chose carefully; with a little luck, Ruby Rose would remain at least somewhat the person she was now.

    Ruby herself remained unaware of these thoughts. Brumm grunted in response to her greeting, the accordion's tunes accompanying the girl deeper inside. Grimm did not appear this time, even when Ruby called for him.

    It took a few minutes of waiting and wondering before Grimmchild cooed for her attention; he fluttered to an opened flap behind the stands. Ruby followed curiously and found something akin to a bedroom.

    That was where she found Grimm as well, his carapace cracked and withered in places. He hung from the ceiling, wrapped in his cloak. Ruby stared at the peculiar sight for a moment, a little worried for his decrepit state. Nothing happened, even when she slowly shook his shoulder; the hard carapace felt weird under her fingers, but that did not deter her.

    "Uh, Grimm? C'mon, I did the thing. What now?"

    Flakes of crimson light began to surround them, but he did not wake. Then Grimmchild landed on Ruby's hand, staring into her eyes as if searching for something. More flakes emerged and surrounded the two; she did not know what question he tried to ask her, but he seemed to find an answer regardless. Grimmchild began to glow ever brighter until suddenly, the light exploded and all turned white.

    "Whoa!"

    Her shout went unanswered. When her eyes adjusted, Ruby found herself in a much darker tent; night must have fallen. Grimm and Grimmchild were gone. Only one path led ahead, illuminated by familiar braziers. Circles of flickering, scarlet light faded in and out.

    Fascination won out over worry; Ruby had come to trust Grimmchild, so she followed the path to see what happened. It soon opened back into the auditorium; the presence of an audience already told her what would happen soon. They awaited her quietly, yet all remained still even when Ruby stepped into the ring.

    "Has... has anyone seen Grimm? Or Grimmchild?"

    Some snickers sounded, making Ruby decidedly feel like a clown; her anxiety kicked in in full force and she rather be swallowed by the ground.

    Before she could wilt away from the crowd however, crimson light shone upon her. Ruby looked up, only to behold a dark mass at the ceiling. Not quite round, specked with that same light. It pulsated once, a sound that reverberated through Ruby's entire being. It seemed to be right above and infinitely far away at the same time, more real than anything she ever saw.

    She knew what this was, had known it since she was a little girl. No human lived without at least one nightmare in their lives; this was its origin, the Nightmare Heart. Without knowing how she knew, Ruby became aware she stood before a god. Parts of it overlapped, appearing greater than the space they occupied. Shades of scarlet she never imagined played across its veins.

    Ruby was so mesmerised she barely noticed the growing tear within this being infinitely her greater. She slowly became aware of the expectant muttering all around; the light grew brighter, focussing solely on her like a scarlet spotlight.

    Then the heart burst open in an avalanche of flame, revealing Grimm himself. His eyesockets were alight as he rocketed to the ground; an earthquake went off on impact but no cracks appeared. He was vibrant and larger than life, not the mere shell she faced before.

    Rising in one fluid motion, he bowed toward Ruby to thunderous applause. She was perplexed but followed the motion instinctively.

    "O-Oh. Okay!"

    They both knew what would happen next. Yet Ruby was not prepared for Grimm to vanish and reappear in an instant. His flaming claws slammed into her waist and she flew with a squeak. Ruby turned to rose petals, only to be caught in an explosion of fire. Once forced to rematerialise, the Nightmare King kept pressing her; he was fast, ferocious, and merciless.

    The moment Ruby's aura crackled she suddenly lost all feeling. Being thrown back she saw her own, headless body drop to the ground before impact with a wall cut off all vision.

    She woke with a shriek, hands clawing at her intact throat. Panting, soaked in sweat, Ruby stared at Grimm's slumbering form with wide eyes. Grimmchild chirped comfortingly and nuzzled against her cheek. Ruby pet him absently.

    "A dream?"

    She received no answer beyond the little one buzzing away. He fluttered from her to Grimm and back, beckoning her. Ruby hesitated, shuddering at the memory of being beheaded. It felt so real. Yet it was not. Taking a deep breath, she reassured herself that it was okay. She did not really die.

    "Okay," Ruby muttered. "Let's do this."

    She did not, in fact, 'do this'. Death after gruesome death followed her first attempt, each one finding her awake in that same tent once more. She slowly began to understand his motions, but still did not last for long. Ruby had to go home after hours spent challenging Grimm and failing every single time. Yet the fire lit in her soul burned bright; she returned early the next day to try again, all but forgetting about classes.

    Brushing off her many and varied deaths, Ruby simply kept going. She became a little better with every failure, her dance with Grimm growing longer if no less brutal. She barely spoke to her father and uncle, all thoughts on the all but impossible challenge before her. When they asked why she skipped classes, she cited helping Grimm; in truth Ruby completely forgot.

    "We can't keep making excuses for you," Taiyang told her after the first week. But by that point Ruby was determined to see it through. Grimm entrusted this task to her after all.

    He trusted her, much like Divine and Brumm; the veritable giant began to give her encouraging pats on the shoulder when she arrvied every day. Every day Ruby ran into town and back; her aura reserves grew under the constant strain. The nightmare was real enough to improve her body and soul.

    "Just you wait," she swore to the sleeping figure. "I will do it. Sooner or later!"

    Then Ruby dove back into the dream.
     
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