True to my word, although I had no control over it, Qrow's arrival to Signal marked a new age.

Ruby held her uncle to a standard one would think would be unattainable for him. But he held his part of the "deal" up. The guy actually supported Ruby and went above and beyond.

Ruby didn't even have to draw up specifications for her scythe. She simply turned up to the forge one day and literally hammered out her new weapon. I got to talking to her one day and the following conversation went like this:

"Those aren't designer documents," I pointed out. The sheets of paper in front of the girl were beige from age. They were also traced in pen atop the scribbles of pencil marks. Most significantly, it was all handwritten. "Did you come up with this by yourself?"

"Yeah," she said between giddy giggles. She brushed a stray strand of hair out of her face and pulled a lengthy, hot tube of metal out of the furnace. "Now I just gotta make it," she said, precariously moving the piece through the workshop. She placed the rod in a tub full of water, creating a loud hiss and a cloud that filled the room briefly with hot steam.

"You sure you have everything drawn out right? The tiniest mistake has the potential to make you start over." I learned that the hard way when I was making Thunderstruck. I didn't measure my cut to make sure and had to rework the receiver completely as a result.

"Yes, I did," she said harshly. I recoiled a bit at her tone. "Oh! Sorry, I didn't mean to say it like that!" She didn't want me nagging her while she made it, I inferred.

"Nah, it's alright. I'll leave you to it." I picked up my messenger's binder, which had my new blueprints and went to retrieve my materials.

And now I'm talking about my sidearm. Fuck yeah.

It was mostly an assortment of hard metals that I took from the workshop's inventory.

The details would take a lot of time to explain. Over the course of a few days, I shaped, treated, and tempered the new gun I would be using.

The frame took form before the barrel did. It had a large space behind where the barrel was to be for one, uncompromising intention: I was making a revolver.

I honestly expected to get a self loading pistol, but a revolver would work great too. The designer responsible gave numerous sound reasons as to why they suggested that kind of weapon. I am personally a fan of the "you can make it use higher power rounds" part.

I used the same technique for rifling Thunderstruck for this gun. It was easier this time around on account of having a shorter workpiece.

The cylinder took the least amount of time despite being different from other revolver's cylinders. This one had a capacity of eight rounds.

Eight bullets - more than enough to kill any grimm that moves.

Yeah so anyways...

It's gonna be double-action. As much as I want it to be a straight up single, DA is just overall a better choice for a sidearm magnum gun, though some will argue.

Having experience with Thunderstruck's trigger group, and though this one was quite unique to me, I fashioned a group much faster and in a better quality than if I didn't have experience at all. It's like Mom used to say, "If you know oranges, you know grapefruits."

The analogy was lost to me every time but the idea wasn't.

The last remaining part to make were the pins to keep the thing together and that was easy on account of a machine that did the actual milling.

If I had to hand-mill any part of my weapons, they would take maybe twice as long as they do now.

Thankfully, I have computers and algorithms and code lines to do so for me.

I finished the handgun at around the same time Ruby had finished the rifle part of her weapon. That could either show how good she was at making weapons or how meticulous I was in making mine.

Or how bad. I certainly hope it isn't that.

So now I have a plain-jane magnum revolver. Plain in Remnant's sense, but actually unique for an Earth design.

The revolver fires from the bottom chamber instead of the traditional top chamber. Eight rounds on tap is 33% more shots than the six that seemed to be the custom for revolvers. The hammer is a simple spur type so I can pre-cock in case I need a light trigger, but that'll matter when I actually need to use it.

Coincidentally, when I was going to pick up my technical data package to produce my ammo, I learned that the round it's chambered for also has a similarly dimensioned shotshell that's also quite common.

To make sure that this thing wouldn't absolutely murder my wrists every time I shot it, I made a five-port muzzle brake that I also crowned to double as a stand off device because grimm are aggressive and so am I.

I'd be lying if I didn't mention that I didn't make this just for the grimm.

And so I began to attend lessons for fast draws. I managed to time my completion of this gun perfectly. Shortly after it was done, a seminar for pistol-type weapons was held where we practiced modern Remnant fast draw techniques.

I had the easiest time adapting the revolver to this practice. After all, nearly everyone there had to consider using their weapon's secondary forms in conjunction with the quickness of their draw.

It was funny the first few times we practiced. The majority of students here have little, anemic chambered guns that didn't make as much noise as my work of art.

Granted they always drew faster because of the reduced weight. Mere milliseconds, but sometimes audible.

I, being unfamiliar with drawing like my life depended on it, ended up firing last consistently for the first few lessons. Everyone would always look at me when the loud explosion of a gunshot drowned out the little raindrops of their guns. And so, I dubbed this revolver The Last Word.

Ha ha, no. I like to call it that but the official name is The Ultimate Statement. More kickass, same meaning.

Gods, I'm like a little kid when it comes to this thing.

Who else can say they made the Last Fucking Word from Destiny? It's gray and boring-looking, but still has the same shape and form of the gun. For ease of determination, I'll abbreviate to TLW or TUS when I don't feel like being poetic.

-XXXXX-

Ruby's finished Crescent Rose. Most of the students and even some of the faculty have taken to calling her the Red Reaper as opposed to the Grimm Reaper because apparently that's already been taken. Honestly? I should be surprised but you really can't blame Remnant for having the pseudonym occupied.

I'd also like to point out that, having mentors, us third-years have to accompany their mentees for their first extermination.

For fuck's sake...

We all have a month to prepare.

I made a checklist for Midori to follow(and a copy for Desiree to give to Ruby). It was just like what I brought with me for our second-year exterminations.

40% of your bag space should be ammunition... another 40% easy-access provisions... 20% survival supplies.

But as it turned out, the first-years would have a common lodging and a caterer to reduce fatigue and malnutrition on the field.

This is bullshit! These first-years have no idea how easy they have it!

First of all, common lodging!? They get to sleep in these log cabins provided by the village they are assisting. What is this, a fucking vacation?

Second, they get their own catering service? Fuck that. They should hunt and gather their own food outside the village's premises.

I love my mentee, as spoiled as her class can be, but the administration needs to force them into the fire for a bit before they almost literally pamper them.

And hey, I'm all for maximum potential when it comes to killing grimm as the next guy, but come the fuck on. The first-years could get some valuable experience on so many different fronts.

Well, at least that means I get a warm bed to myself when I go with Midori. I'm down for that.

-XXXXX-

The village we're helping out is somewhere in the northern forests of Patch. Our winter break also starts the week after this extermination.

I got in touch with Yang and she told me that her family lives close in that area and that sometimes she, Ruby, and Mr. Taiyang would go to the village to get necessities for living in a pinch.

Oh, and her mentee is Midori's twin brother Galliano Vermouth.

Midori and Galliano are spitting images of each other if it weren't for the fact that Galliano has a yellow motif and blond hair whilst Midori is green with green hair.

And yes, it's all natural. Like mine. Like Kay's. Like literally everyone else who has a strange shade of hair. Like Ruby.

-XXXXX-

The month we had to prepare went by so uneventfully that it all melted together.

I kept my usual loadout for the exterm, but increased ammunition by 10% and reduced provisions by 10%. It might not matter, but I'll have snacks while everyone else is waiting for the meal to be made.

We're taking some skybuses for a few hour ride, not that that matters.

Thought it does, because that's what I'm doing now.

"Hey Dez." I nudged my sister in the arm from behind. "Are you gonna use Gunmettle when you patrol?"

"No, I'm probably gonna use 'Phestus. Why?" I held up a dust round that just was just barely as large as my hand.

"I'm wanna test some dust rounds for it."

"What kind? I've tried fire and air." She took hold of the silver-cased, black-tipped round. "What is this?"

"This is a impact-action gravity dust round. Its mass will multiply when it hits its target." I punched my hand to iterate its utility. "Basically it flies like normal round but it'll punch harder than one."

"Uhh no. If you loaded that one wrong it might quite literally blow Gunmettle up in your face." She shook her head and turned forward again, more content on waiting in line than considering the possibility of a round that could break most auras in a single hit. "And I do not want to fix Gunmettle for any reason."

"I've tried the same round out in Thunderstruck before. The worst it'll do is dislocate my shoulder, if you've toleranced it right."

She pondered that for a moment before sighing.

"Alright, fine. If Gunmettle explodes, you're both pulling the shrapnel out of your face and reforging the entire thing." I stuffed the round into its specially made case and placed that back into my bag. I sincerely didn't want that thing going off in my bag.

"Sure, sure."

In a matter of a few dozen minutes, everyone was packed aboard the skybuses and we were away.

I dozed off trying to make use of my time by checking and correcting notes for my classes this year.

I had a dream this time. It had been a long time since I had a dream but can't say I remember what it was anymore. That's to be expected though. Most dreams are forgotten quickly.

Upon waking up, you'd imagine my surprise seeing music metrics and notes on the pages I hadn't used yet.

But I didn't have time to play it out in my head.

We had just landed near the village we were all staying at. The meandering pace of the other junior huntsmen and huntresses around me tempted me back to sleep.

The residents of the ville had managed to clear out a small number of houses for use as our barracks. Being afforded more space than the first-years kept me sane, but much less could be said for them.

I grabbed a bed in the corner of the lodge and was told to help the first-years by one of the official huntsmen following this trip.

The underclassmen did need a little bit of assistance, not having much space to store their belongings. For once, being tall worked for me.

Being tall means I'm less agile and a larger target, but now that I'm not fighting anything, I get to place items on top of the bunk beds the first-years are using.

Some of these kids are clearly out of their element and even more are raring to go.

"Hey, Gray? Could you put this up?" a familiar, soft voice asked. Midori's head couldn't reach the frame she was sleeping on.

"Sure." I took the bag rattling with ammo and set it on the loft. A weird static shock stung my neck when I remembered those dozens of pounds of ammunition were explosives. "Yep. Yep. I don't want to touch your bag again." Midori laughed and set her lance and shield down as I power walked away.

After a few hours of helping the kids, the huntsmen let us know that dinner was ready. After dinner today would be some free time followed by sleep time.

Unfortunately for me, I was on watch for the 3rd shift meaning I had to wake up in the middle of the night and keep watch for an hour or so.

The dinner was a welcome change from my past few years as a junior huntsman. It was obviously cooked in bulk but it still beat whatever over-roasted meat I had to eat the other times. Yang, Kay, and Dez seemed to disagree but I really couldn't complain.

So I get back to the bed I claimed and there's this guy sitting on it, writing in his journal or diary or something. I tell him,

"Hey, uhhh I think I took this one first." He hadn't even moved my bag.

With a dismissive wave of his hand, the guy goes,

"No. I was here first," and keeps writing.

At that point I would be upset. Bruno 3 beds down saw me put my bad over the corner of the frame, but for some reason, I believed he was right and nearly apologized. Bruno stepped in though.

"No, he was. I saw him put his bag on the bed, dude." The guy, light gray hair flopping and gray wolf ears spinning about, turned fast to Bruno. "That's Gray's."

And then it clicked for me. This guy lied to me! I fell for it! I would've slapped myself for that.

Promptly, the faunus gathered his belongings and marched off almost furiously to the opposite side of the room.

"That was Canas Lupin," Bruno exhaled. "His semblance lets him lie to a single person." I had seen him around but he always kept to himself.

"Oh." Wow. Okay. "Thanks, man."

"Nah, I just don't want that dickhead to steal any more shit from people."

"Has he done that before? I imagine it wouldn't be hard with that semblance." That kind of semblance would be pretty useful, truthfully.

"Yeah. For some dumb fuckin' reason he stole Kamari from me." Shenzi was Bruno's right hand gauntlet, while Kamari was the name of his left hand gauntlet. "I didn't know it was him until long after I made Azizi, and even then, I didn't have proof." Bruno pointed to Canas, specifically his belt. He has gauntlets like mine but I don't know how the hell they work because I know they're different. Calls them 'Romulus and Remus.'"

"Huh. Well thanks for calling him out." I reached to Thunderstruck to confirm that he hadn't tried to grab it. Bruno acknowledged my thanks and I threw myself onto the mattress, the metal frame creaking loudly and arching down to the ground. I needed to sleep now if I wanted to stay awake for the watch.

-XXXXX-

My awakening for the watch was uneventful. The barracks we were in was no longer lively and lit. The snow had begun to fall yet again.

I climbed the stairs to the roof and took in the rest of the scenery. A large wall of dormant trees surrounded the lovely little town. The moon was full tonight, illuminating the night and seemingly enchanting the frigid air.

On top of this building was a round, wooden picnic table where the older students - me and my watch partner - were to sit. At the four corners were some first-years, wearily standing the cold, shuddering and heaving breaths that blew clouds from their mouths.

Kay walked up behind me and tapped me on the right shoulder. I looked behind to my right and saw nobody.

Then I turned left. She flashed a smile that curled the scars on her face greatly.

I felt a deep remorse as she did this. The long, jagged pair of lines that traced from her forehead to her rosy cheeks nauseated me, and that is where the feeling began.

"You know, you rock those scars pretty well," I lied. She shouldn't have those at all.

"Thanks." She smiled further. We went up to the table and relieved Alizarin Booker and Capri Dodger and the four first-years with us relieved their respective corners.

And then the long haul began. I closed my eyes to meditate and held my aura up to stay warm.

I peered into the gray swirling storm that was all too familiar to me. It had grown. It still spun.

The middle was an empty void and the arms of the spiral stretched outward infinitely. The periodic cracks of thunder could only be heard by me just as only I could see the branches of lightning arc between the clouds of the storm.

I stared at this to find the answers to the questions I had.

What is my soul made of?

What can I do?

What happened to Katrina?

Who is looking for me?

The storm accepted these questions, spinning faster as I fueled it with doubt and fear. I steeled my heart against the whispers of the lies it told me.

'Lies and whispers.'

'Nothing of use.'

'She joined the White Fang.'

'Someone you don't want to be found by.'

The storm spun itself into a malevolent grin, the eye remaining but the limbs conforming into a wicked curve. My head filled with blood as the gray in the storm took on a sickening red hue.

Can we beat them? 'Not while time flows.'

Can I save them? 'Not with the truth.'

Why am I here? 'You will never know.'

We were told that these are the thoughts of our subconscious, surfacing as our aura strengthens. All doubt must be eliminated before you realize your purpose. When you find your purpose, whether you know it or not, you discover your semblance, the ultimate tool to fulfill your purpose.

For it is through the storm that we are tested. Through this, I will become a shroud for the worthy and shelter for the pure to defend innocence.

The moonlight flickered in my eyes. Rose petals floated about in a line.

I shook my meditation away. Something's not right. I let Kay and the first-years know that I was going to be gone for a little and followed the trail.

Obviously Ruby was going somewhere. The trail of rose petals first led to a small house that reminded me of distant memories that were not my own. Then from there they led to an off-path trail.

I followed the trail to the edge of a cliff. Among the pure white snow, blackened trees, blue night sky, and silver moon sat a solitary gray stone.

I approached the stone as the red rose petals on the ground became buried by the snow.

'Summer Rose'

'Thus kindly I scatter.'

I caught my breath in my throat and ran alongside the cliff.

The rose petals were not visible anymore, but I knew that she didn't leave any in the ground either.

I ran back to the house and something in my mind told me to follow the wind.

So I did, dodging the dead trees and keeping low. There were grimm here now. I was not alone.

I found Ruby and more than a dozen beowulves. Despite my every attempt to call out to her, I found myself physically restrained from opening my mouth.

I looked down to see my own hands forcing my mouth closed, with nothing but a strange song filling my head.

Ruby jumped high into the air, creating a black and red silhouette between me and the moonlight.

'Red like roses fills my dreams and brings me to the place you rest.
White is cold and always yearning, burdened by a royal test.
Black the beast descends from shadows.
Yellow beauty burns gold.'

My soul burned. I fell unconscious.

-XXXXX-

Ouch. My brain hurts.

I was brought back by a handful of huntsmen after they heard Ruby's little fight. They gave her and I a good scolding, but I could care less.

My head hurt so much. The huntsmen leading this extermination heard my case and are going to let me rest for a good long time. Basically, all of today is free.

But my head hurts so fucking much.

-XXXXX-

I've got to find a guitar. Those notes in my notebook are a song. A song I know, just like how I heard those lyrics when I saw Ruby.

I wrote them all down on those same pages. This is important.

-XXXXX-

I walked all over the village today. Finally found an acoustic guitar.

Did a bit of dusting and tuned the thing. Nobody used it in a long while, it seems. I haven't played guitar since before I was born. 15 years of me being out of practice?

Do I even remember how to play?

The answer is yes. I brought the guitar to my bed and played with it for a few seconds before I grabbed the notebook and thumbed over to the pages that held the song.

The strumming attracted a few glances, but that was aside the point.

-XXXXX-

This song!

This is Red Like Roses!

I played like I never have before. My classmates gathered around me as they listened. My splitting head's pain numbed as the song ran its course. All I could focus on was not messing up.

At its conclusion, I was complimented by my classmates on my instrument. Some even clapped.

Someone told me that I should go pro. That I'd make a killing with songs like that. Truth be told, I'm considering it now.

The extermination was a success. The first-years got some good experience without being in too much danger, the village area was notably safer, and the third-years were there.

Yeah, I think it was a waste of our time. Thankfully, we get a week off from class and I plan on making the most out of that time.

I played Red Like Roses over and over again, day after day. Dez took notice.

"What's up?" she asked as I cussed under my breath. I couldn't sing the lyrics because of my voice. Or rather... it didn't sound right.

"Could you do me a favor, Dee?" She pulled her head back. "Can you sing this for me?"

"What? No. I can't sing."

"I've heard you sing before, nice try." She does have a nice voice. She tries to hide it, but like... I'm her brother? I've heard her sing more times than she thinks. Also, she isn't exactly conscious when she's been freshly woken up.

She was rather bullheaded on convincing me that she couldn't sing, but I was persistent on insisting she could. A solid 15 minutes of that was the only thing that kept her from trying it out. When she did, though?

It was perfect.

-XXXXX-

Winter break started. Dez and I are gonna be taking turns doing favors for Junior.

'this just in'
'that person looking for u came in again'

I fumbled my scroll. Well, that's not good.

What is good is that I was on my way there anyway. Wait, maybe that isn't good...

Because when I say "on my way there," I mean that I am there. Junior wanted me to take care of a "package."

I ignored the crowded dance floor and headed straight for the bar. Miltia tended the drinks with one of Junior's men, Scotch. Miltia slid her card across the bar into my hand smoothly and I advanced to the VIP room. The skull-rattling music lost significant volume and allowed me to assess the situation and my thoughts. Whoever it is must still be here.

The card Miltia slid to me keyed the door open, Junior sitting on one side of the L shaped sofa and a figure of medium height standing across from him. Their concealed face flicked to me, but they did nothing else. If I let them know that I knew they were looking for me, then that would not only put me in danger, but also Junior's reputation. And that would suck, to say the least.

"Is this the client?" Starting small, I misled the stalker as my left hand fell to my mask. If I was to do some runs at night, then I had to look like I was doing the part. All black: jeans, belt, hoodie, shoes. Thunderstruck would be a pretty big liability since someone could easily see and recognize me from it. TUS is a new addition; while I would prefer to flesh out how to fight with it first, a new weapon would be better than literally nothing. It was also simple to conceal since I made an armpit holster in like a day. That's all I really want to say.

"No, this is just a curious passerby." the establishment's owner answered. Melanie stepped out from behind the room's private bar with a half-empty bottle of alcohol and poured out three glasses. She presented the glasses to Junior, who took it and drank immediately; then to the person, who only waved their hand to deny the drink; then to me. I accepted the drink and asked,

"Why don't you take that then?" to Melanie. She apparently hadn't considered that and took the glass.

"I guess it wouldn't hurt." We clinked our drinks together and then it was onto business with me.

"Should I wait for my turn, Junior?" I handed the shotglass back to Melanie and pointed with the same hand to the door. "This looks important." He nodded.

"Yeah. I'll call for you." I left the room to go back to the main bar. The VIP room was soundproofed so there was no reason to try to eavesdrop.

After a little time talking small with Miltia and Scotch, Junior called me in. He discussed the details such as pickup and delivery.

This would be my 13th run now? I kept a proper log but couldn't trouble myself to check on it. Just a few more and I'll be on almost even terms with Junior.

I stopped by the pickup location, a dumpster behind a plaza a decent ways off from the club. It was a simple rucksack. I took a quick peek inside to confirm that both the chain and the dust powered motor were indeed items enclosed.

The route brought me to the White Fang infested south end of Vale. The bag was deposited into another dumpster and I scaled the building it was up against. Now I had to make sure somebody picked up the package

You know, I really hate how Junior schedules the pickups on the other side. As soon as I got comfortable, the receiver came over. A man with wild black hair and apparently no sleeves discreetly retrieved the bag and my job was done. Also, I can't help but feel that I'll be seeing that guy again.

So I began the run back to the bar to receive my meager payment.

50 lien. It's quite reduced from the original price, but it's more than I would expect.

I get to pay off my debt to Junior and I still get a little cherry on top. Now, I say pay off my debt, but in truth I don't owe him anything anymore. I paid him off a few deliveries ago and I'm currently filling up on favors from him so that he wouldn't be as angry at me when I turn Yang his way. How fortunate I am to have met him?

The lien was a welcome addition to my wallet, but the enjoyment I derived from getting paid ended short.

"Gainsboro Argent." TUS was in my hand in a flash aimed at the cloaked figure from before. They didn't even flinch.

"You know, I really don't like when people know my name but I don't know theirs." I kept my confidence and held the handcannon up. Any time I lost would be time they gained if they planned on starting something here.

"Come with me," they said through the black helmet. "I can clear things up for you."

"I have no business with you. Forget I was even here." TUS was not moving from their face.

"I can promise you that you want to be with my society." Their hands slowly moved up their body to their face. A dark hiss later and the helmet was off. My hand lowered impulsively.

I couldn't find myself able to speak.

"Come with me."

I followed Celeste through the darkness of Vale.

-XXXXX-

(A/N: Hey everyone! Rico back at it again!

Thank you for your patience and for following my story! It means a lot to me and especially now with how COVID is treating all of us. Things have been pretty crazy on my end which is why I took a while before I could upload this. In any case, I hope you enjoyed it!

Cheers, Rico.)