Shards of Reminisce Ch.60

I turn to see flames erupting around her, actual fire swirling in her hands, her eyes literally ablaze with power—actual flames dancing in her pupils.

"You stupid animal dares to attack ME?!"

Dammit, there goes the element of surprise.

I only snarl in response, baring my fangs—but quickly duck as Mercury somehow shoots a wind bullet at my head from his downed position.

Neo is quick, trying to stomp his head while he's recovering, but he easily evades with a roll, putting distance between them.

However, we both snap our heads back to Cinder just in time as she hurls a fireball directly at us.

"STOP!" Roman's voice cuts through the chaos. "You're gonna burn everything!"

But nobody listens to him. Obviously.

The fireball comes screaming toward us, and both Neo and I dive in opposite directions. The sphere of flame crashes into a stack of crates behind where we just were, exploding on impact with a deafening roar.

One of the workers who was moving boxes nearby gets caught by the blast—flames licking up his arm as he shrieks and rolls onto the ground desperately. Another worker quickly uses his dirty shirt to beat out the flames, both of them scrambling away from the fight zone. The rest of the workers scatter in panic, abandoning their posts and running for the exits.

But I don't have time to pay attention to that because Cinder is already throwing another fireball—this time aimed at the floor between us.

The explosion sends some debris flying in all directions. I raise my arms to shield my face as debris peppers my guard.

However, something slams hard into my back, sending me stumbling forward. I snap my head around to see Mercury further away with one leg still raised, smoke wisping from his boot. Before I can recover, he drops to the floor and starts doing a windmill kick, each rotation sending wind bullets my way in rapid succession.

I roll to the side; the projectiles exploding where I just was and spreading the fire across the warehouse floor, but I can't pay more attention to Mercury because Cinder is charging straight at me now—her hands wreathed in flames, her eyes literally burning.

Is that her Semblance? Some kind of fire manipulation? Or something else entirely?

I glance at Neo quickly, and she gives me a sharp nod.

She immediately breaks off, running straight toward Mercury to keep him occupied and off my back.

Which leaves me alone to deal with Cinder.

Finally. The opportunity to punch her in the face.

Really hard.

I shift my stance and focus entirely on her.

However, I can't help but glance at Roman one more time—and he's just standing there against the wall, gripping his cane but making no move to intervene whatsoever.

The fucking coward.

Cinder closes the distance faster than I expected, her burning hand shooting forward aimed directly at my face. I know instinctively that I cannot let her touch me unless I want to become ash.

I duck under the strike, feeling the intense heat singe the tips of my ears even as I dodge. I counter with a quick jab to her ribs, but my fist meets only empty air as she twists away with surprising agility for someone in heels.

Her other hand comes around in a backhand, flames trailing behind it like a comet. I barely block it with my forearm, and even through my aura I can feel the searing heat making my skin prickle.

"You're out of your depth, animal," Cinder hisses, her voice dripping with contempt as she presses her attack relentlessly.

I don't waste breath responding. Instead, I duck under another flame-wreathed strike and drive my knee toward her stomach.

She blocks it with her own knee, and for a moment we're locked in close quarters, her burning eyes boring into mine with hatred.

My response is to headbutt her right in the face, aiming for her mouth.

Her head snaps back, surprise flashing across her features as she staggers, momentarily stunned.

I press the advantage immediately, throwing a three-punch combination—two at her torso and finishing with an uppercut aimed at her jaw. She blocks most of them but one gets through—my brass knuckles connecting solidly with her cheek with a satisfying crack.

Got you, bitch.

Her head whips to the side, and for just a second, the flames around her hands flicker and dim.

But then she looks back at me, and her expression has shifted from contemptuous anger to something furious.

"You dare—"

The flames around her hands explode outward in a massive burst of heat and force, the shockwave sending me skidding backward across the floor. My boots leave black scorch marks on the floor..

However, as soon as I recover, my eyes widen when she somehow materializes a bow out of thin air—flames coalescing into the shape of the weapon—and she's already pulled the string at full strength, three fire arrows aimed directly at me.

'Class change, Gladiator!'

My trusty sword replaces my brass knuckles and shield just in time as the arrows are released. I raise my shield, and they slam into it.

The second they make contact, they all explode violently, but my defense holds firm, my feet planted solidly.

That shocks her, clearly—her eyes widening.

I only reply with a smirk of my own.

So she materializes more arrows and shoots them at me without restraint, a rapid barrage that lights up the warehouse. But I block all of them, my shield absorbing each explosion, not moving an inch from my spot despite the constant impacts.

If I could stand my ground against punches from that grimm abomination, this is nothing in comparison.

But as soon as the last arrow explodes in a shower of sparks, Cinder is already on me—moving faster than before. Before I can bash her with my shield, she drops low, splitting her legs in a perfect split, then sweeps my feet out from under me in one fluid motion before executing a quick backflip away while kicking my defensive arm.

My balance breaks completely, and I stumble.

She capitalizes immediately, delivering a direct punch wreathed in flames to my chest that sends me staggering backward. Before I can recover, she connects another hit, this one spinning me around from the force.

Dammit!

She actually seemed a lot more manageable earlier when she was completely pissed off and just throwing fire around.

Now that I look at her again, Cinder isn't wearing a rabid expression anymore. She looks collected. Controlled.

And that makes her infinitely more dangerous.

Before I can finish that thought, she bursts forward with incredible speed, sliding toward me with twin daggers that materialize in her hands out of flames. She sweeps at my feet again, forcing me to jump, then finishes with a spinning attack with both daggers aimed at my torso.

I barely manage to block with my sword, the blades clashing with a metallic ring—but the fire daggers shatter on impact, dispersing into embers. This leaves her hands free, and she immediately grabs my weapon arm, twisting it hard.

Before I can react, she delivers a vicious punch directly to my elbow, forcing my fingers to spasm and release my sword. It clatters to the ground.

Then she jumps and kicks me hard in the stomach, using the momentum to yank my shield away from my other arm.

'Fuck...'

I raise my pained gaze, clutching my stomach and gasping for air, to see that woman casually discard my shield to the side while wearing the smuggest fucking smirk as she looks down at me like I'm trash.

I let out a feral growl, baring my fangs again in defiance.

"Is that all?" Cinder asks mockingly, brushing an imaginary speck of dust off her dress. "I expected more from someone so... defiant."

I force myself back to my feet, my ribs screaming in protest. My aura is still holding but I know that she's toying with me.

'Class change, Pugilist!'

The brass knuckles return to my hands. 

Cinder raises an eyebrow, seemingly amused. "Still have some fight left? How admirable. And foolish."

She doesn't wait for my response. She comes at me again, this time with her bare hands.

I throw a punch. She deflects it effortlessly, countering with a palm strike to my solar plexus that drives the air from my lungs.

I swing again. She ducks under it, sweeps my leg, and as I fall, she drives her knee into my side.

That hit causes my aura to flicker. Shit.

I hit the ground hard, rolling away just in time to avoid her stomp that cracks the concrete where my head just was.

This isn't working. 

She's too skilled and too fucking dangerous. At this rate, she will kill me.

I need to change tactics. Or run away...

But something deeper than pride won't let me retreat. Not from her. It's the same compulsion that made me stand against Yang even when she had every advantage, the same stubborn refusal to back down that's gotten me into so much trouble before.

Even as every rational part of my brain is screaming at me to get the hell out of here.

I push myself up once more, spitting some dry saliva onto the floor.

Cinder watches me with that same infuriating smirk. "Persistent little pest, aren't you?"

I merely make the "come at me" gesture with my hand, which makes the woman click her tongue in annoyance.

However, she doesn’t attack.

So I try to attack again, throwing a wild haymaker. But Cinder easily deflects the blow and catches my right hand in an iron grip—which is exactly what I was expecting her to do.

I pull out from my inventory a small sack of flour and throw it directly at her face.

The bag bursts on impact, white powder exploding in a cloud big cloud.

"AHHH!" She screams, releasing my hand to claw at her face. "MY EYES!" Her hands rubbing her eyes furiously. "YOU LITTLE—"

A vicious grin spreads across my face as I feel that familiar surge of power. That faint lightning crackles around my arms and hands. Just like that time in Emerald Forest.

I prepare my real punch—one Cinder can't see coming.

And the electrified fist connects solidly with her face with a thunderous crack, sending her rolling backward across the floor in an undignified heap.

Mission fucking complete: punched the bitch in the face.

I take a moment to glance behind me, checking on MY girl. Neo is still locked in combat with Mercury—they seem evenly matched, neither gaining significant ground. Which is enough.

"YOU..." I turn back to see Cinder slowly get up from the floor, revealing her face. She's grinding her teeth in pure, unadulterated rage, her long black hair completely disheveled and covered in white flour that makes her look almost comical. Flames begin to envelope her shoulders. "YOU INSUFFERABLE—"

I narrow my eyes, my fists raised and ready, tensing for round two.

Then she stomps the floor hard, cracking it, and she roars but then, much to my complete surprise, she just... stops. The flames die down immediately. All the fires scattered throughout the warehouse dissipate like they were never there. She shuts down or turns off whatever that power was, letting out a long sigh through her nose.

She methodically adjusts her disheveled hair, brushing flour from her dress with sharp, irritated movements. "Are you done now? Or will you continue throwing your pathetic tantrum?"

Those words leave me momentarily stunned, especially that sudden shift in demeanor. I was fully expecting her to keep the fight going.

Me throwing a tantrum? She's the one who was literally on fire and screaming!

Cinder merely rolls her neck casually, producing small pops, and walks toward me with her head raised high, her posture deliberately trying to project authority despite the flour still dusting her hair and making her look ridiculous.

"I will let this slide, Ma'iq," she says, her voice eerily calm now. "I can tell that you attacked out of some sort of poorly planned revenge for the mission I sent you on. Crude, but understandable for someone of your... limited perspective." She brushes more flour off her shoulder dismissively. "But since you clearly are just a dumb animal who doesn't understand nuance, let me explain something to you in terms even you can comprehend." She pauses, making sure she has my full attention. "No, it was never my intention to get you killed on that mission. It was you who activated the Atlas security bots through your own incompetence. I simply wanted you to check the cargo and report back. Nothing more."

AS IF I'M GOING TO BELIEVE THAT BLATANT BULLSHIT.

But the words don't come out—just a murderous glare directed straight at her lying face.

She shrugs elegantly and crosses her arms, as if she couldn't care less about my opinion on the matter or whether I believe her.

"Mercury, stop fighting!" she calls out without taking her eyes off me, her voice sharp with command.

From the corner of my eye, I see him immediately disengage, backing away from Neo with his hands raised in surrender.

Neo also stops, though she keeps her parasol ready and extended, her mismatched eyes darting between me and Cinder warily, assessing the situation.

Then Cinder approaches me closely, moving with deliberate, measured steps—almost like a catwalk. Her attitude confuses me—from murderous rage to this elegant composure in the span of seconds.

Then the bitch walks right up to me, never breaking eye contact for even a moment. Despite knowing I should probably take a step back and maintain distance, I remain rooted to my spot, refusing to move. I hold my position firm, refusing to show any weakness.

"You are full of surprises, aren't you?" she says, stopping just a foot away from me, close enough that I can see the amber in her eyes, although they are bloodshot from the flour. "Bold. Truly bold... and monumentally stupid." Her eyes rake over me assessingly, like she's evaluating merchandise. "But at least you do possess some actual strength, unlike the sniveling coward over there."

She hisses the last part as she glances toward Roman, who has stayed completely out of this entire shitshow, still pressed against the wall like he's trying to become part of it.

Roman has the decency to look uncomfortable, shifting his weight and very deliberately not meeting her gaze.

Cinder turns her attention back to me, her expression shifting to something almost... businesslike. Professional. "You are clearly dissatisfied with our current arrangement. So perhaps we can negotiate something different. A new deal that better suits your... particular talents and temperament."

I furrow my brow at that, completely confused about why she's suddenly negotiating with me.

"What?"

"You heard me perfectly well." She tilts her head slightly, studying me. "I told you some time ago—you have potential, Ma'iq. Raw, unrefined, poorly directed potential that's being wasted—but potential, nonetheless." She gestures vaguely at the destruction around us—the burnt crates, the cracked floor, the scorch marks. "This little display proved that much beyond doubt. You managed to land a solid hit on me, after all. Very few people can claim that honor."

I stare at her, trying to figure out what her angle is here. This has to be a trap. Some kind of manipulation or mind game.

"So here's my proposal," Cinder continues. "Instead of these... regrettable miscommunications and unfortunate violent incidents, why don't we establish clear boundaries for your employment? You want more money for your services? Done. You want access to greater power? I can arrange that. You want someone dead?" She spreads her hands magnanimously. "That can certainly be arranged."

My ears twitch in confusion and deep suspicion. "Why?"

"Because," she says simply, like it's the most obvious thing in the world, "despite your glaring lack of discipline, respect, and basic manners, you are still useful to me. And useful tools should be maintained properly." Her eyes flick toward Emerald with barely concealed disgust. "Unlike some people who have repeatedly proven themselves to be disappointing failures..."

Emerald, who has managed to get back to her feet, immediately looks down in defeat and shame, blood still crusting under her broken nose.

Useful? A tool to be maintained?

Why is she suddenly trying to butter me up now after trying to burn me alive?

"And if I say no?" I ask, my voice still rough and damaged.

Cinder's smile turns cold and sharp. And then she raises her hand gracefully and snaps her fingers with a crisp sound.

My ears immediately perk up and my tail bristles involuntarily when I see them—the same masked freak that I killed weeks ago.

The same fucking things with those glowing blue eyes staring at me from the top of a pile of crates in the shadows...

No. Three of them. Three sets of lifeless goggles tracking my every movement.

"What the fuck..." I breathe out.

So there are more like them running around, and they're dangerous as hell. But I didn't see them enter or hear them moving. So why the hell didn't they intervene to help Cinder during the fight?

It doesn't make any sense unless...

"Still thinking you have leverage?" She mocks me openly and snaps her fingers again with another sharp crack.

And all three of them respond instantly—their glowing eyes shifting from green to blood red, and they jump down from their perch. They brandish their weapons as they land—each one different. The one on the right has a pair of wicked-looking daggers, the middle one has claws like mine, and the left one has a sickle attached to a chain.

Damn this woman to hell. I can fight her one-on-one—I'll pull every dirty trick I know on her and maybe stand a chance. But against this many opponents, including those freaks? I won't be able to do anything. My aura is not exactly in the best place.

And she's giving me an out. Maybe this is a way to back down without losing complete face.

"I'll think about it." 

She merely raises an eyebrow, unimpressed. "You said that exact same thing last time we discussed your unique employment."

"So?" I shoot back.

Cinder holds eye contact with me for a long, tense moment, her amber eyes boring into mine. Then she lets out a soft, amused chuckle.

"So," she says slowly, deliberately, "I'm beginning to suspect you need more... tangible motivation to take my offers seriously." She glances at the three masked figures, then back at me. "But I'm feeling generous today. Perhaps because you actually managed to surprise me, which is rare enough to be noteworthy."

She takes a step back, giving me space. "You have until the end of the week to decide. Either you accept my new terms..." Her smile turns predatory. "Or I'll assume you're no longer an asset worth maintaining. And assets that aren't worth maintaining get... discarded."

The three masked figures shift slightly at her words.

"One week, Ma'iq," Cinder repeats, her voice carrying absolute certainty. "Choose wisely. Because I won't make this offer again."

She turns away from me then, walking toward the exit with perfect poise despite still having flour in her hair. "Mercury, Emerald. We're leaving."

Mercury immediately falls into step behind her, shooting me one last assessing look.

Emerald glares at me with pure hatred as she passes, clutching her ribs, but she says nothing.

The three masked figures never lose their red eyes as they walk around me and go between the crates as silently as they appeared, their red eyes winking out.

And just like that, they're gone.

Neo appears at my side immediately, her parasol folding closed. Words shimmer above her head.

'That was close.'

"Yeah," I rasp out, finally letting myself sag slightly.

'What are you going to do?'

I look at where Cinder disappeared, my jaw clenched.

"I don't know," I admit. "But I'm not becoming her fucking pet."

'Good. Because I would've been very disappointed if you did. You are MY kitten afterall'

I glance at Neo, and despite everything, I manage a small smirk. "Funny."

She nods firmly, then loops her arm through mine.

'Come on. Let's go home.'

As if on cue, Roman's voice calls out from across the warehouse. "Oh, HELL no! You two caused this mess?!"

Neo and I exchange a look, then walk toward the exit, completely ignoring him.

"HEY! I'm talking to you! Get back here!"

We keep walking.

Why did I care about his opinion or threats to begin with?

Fuck this coward.

Instead, I move my arm and pull Neo ever closer to me which she happily accepts and leans her head on me as we leave this place.

And the cowardly thief can only seethe at us.

--------------------------------------------

It's been a day since the fight with Cinder, and I simply need some time to think things through without Neo hovering around trying to get me to "have fun" with her, or Roman bitching endlessly about repair costs.

Which is why, weirdly enough, I accepted when Jeanne invited me over to visit Beacon.

I hate Ozpin for what he did—that condescending scholarship offer still pisses me off whenever I think about it, along with him being partially responsible for the mark on my record—but I couldn't bring myself to say no to the visit. Partly because I'm genuinely curious about the Huntsman academy, what it looks like up close, what makes it so special that people like Jeanne are willing to risk everything to attend.

Also, it's a convenient excuse to escape some responsibilities and avoid making decisions.

And maybe I'll run into some old faces since Ren and Nora are here too. It would be nice to drop by and say hi, see how things are going for them. Despite what Nora did back at the slums, I don't hold any hard feelings against the ginger girl. She helped me get out of that shithole, after all.

Plus, there's a library here. Maybe there's some useful information I can dig up, especially to improve my job classes further or maybe even unlock a new one. And I definitely want to check out their armory and workshop to see what kind of equipment they have access to. Compare it to my own small setup at Master Tusk's forge and the one in my apartment basement.

Yeah, plenty of practical reasons for a visit. Definitely not running away from my problems.

My ears suddenly perk up as the view shifts, and I see the academy coming into clear view through the bullhead's windows.

"Wow..."

The place is massive. Way bigger than I expected. And it really looks impressive—towers reaching toward the sky, pristine white stone that practically gleams in the sunlight, sprawling grounds that seem to go on forever. Almost like a small city perched on top of the mountains, isolated from the rest of the world.

The bullhead begins its descent, approaching one of several landing pads jutting out from the cliff face.

Once it touches down with a slight bump and hiss of hydraulics, I hop off as soon as the doors slide open, my boots hitting the stone platform. There are plenty of people around—mostly students in their uniforms, some carrying elaborate weapons on their backs, others chatting in groups. There are also some people who aren't students, probably visiting family or here on business, talking with students near the edges of the platform. It makes sense since this is apparently the main hub where everyone comes and goes.

"Ma'iq!"

My ears swivel instinctively toward the familiar voice as I turn to find Jeanne waving enthusiastically as she runs up to me, her single long braid bouncing behind her with each step. She's wearing her Beacon uniform, and there's a bright smile on her face.

Without thinking, I take a step forward and reach out to grab her hands as soon as she's close enough. Then I lean in and kiss her.

Jeanne's face immediately flushes bright red, and her eyes dart around nervously at the surrounding students. We've gotten a few stares from passing people but nothing too dramatic. Just the usual that comes with public displays of affection.

"I-I'm glad you came," she finally manages to say, her voice slightly breathless as she unconsciously twirls the end of her blonde braid around her finger—a nervous habit I've come to recognize.

I smirk slightly, squeezing her hands. "Yeah, well. You invited me. Couldn't exactly say no to my woman, could I?"

Her blush deepens at the word "woman," and she looks down at our joined hands with a small, shy smile. "Right. Your woman. That's... that's still weird to say out loud."

"You will get used to it," I say, releasing one of her hands but keeping hold of the other. "So where should we start?"

Jeanne's expression brightens immediately, her earlier embarrassment fading as excitement takes over. She turns around, still holding one of my hands, and starts pulling me along the path.

"Come on, let me show you around! There's so much to see! The main courtyard is this way, and then we can go to the library if you want, or the training grounds, or—oh! Maybe the cafeteria first? Are you hungry? The food here is actually really good, way better than I expected, though it's not as good as your cooking obviously—"

She's rambling now, her words tumbling over each other as she guides me down a wide stone pathway. Other students pass by, some giving us curious looks.

I let myself be led, my tail swishing contentedly behind me as I take in the sights. The architecture is impressive up close—intricate stonework, tall windows, banners bearing the Beacon symbol hanging from various points. Everything looks clean, maintained, and expensive.

"—and Professor Port's classroom is over in that building, he tells the longest stories but they're actually kind of interesting once you get past the ego, and Professor Oobleck teaches history but he talks so fast I can barely keep up even with notes—"

"Jeanne," I interrupt gently, squeezing her hand. "Breathe."

She stops mid-sentence, then lets out a small, embarrassed laugh. "Sorry. I'm doing it again, aren't I? The rambling thing?"

"Little bit," I confirm with a slight smile. "But it's fine. You're cute when you ramble."

Her face flushes again, and she ducks her head. "You can't just say things like that..."

"Why not? It's true."

"Because—because—" She struggles to find words, then just huffs and tugs me along more insistently. "Come on, let me show you something cool."