RWBY||Defender of Remnant

Chapter 59: Coup

3rd Person POV

Menagerie

"So, the Maidens...," Kali began quietly as a loaded silence befell the room. "They're... they're still alive. And their power transfers every time the current host dies?"

Sincline nodded.

"You're not a real human or Faunus, but rather a mech from outside our world capable of wiping out realities?" Ghira asked. "And you're the one who killed Jacques Schnee?" He may be opposed to violence, but in that man's case... he could make an exception.

Sincline nodded again. He had been hesitant to reveal that, but he figured that if Sienna knew what he was capable of, she would consider an alliance. You could say it was both a bribe and a threat, all said at once.

"And this... Salem... she is behind both the increasing activity of the Grimm and that of the Fang in Vale?" Sienna asked. While the fact that Sincline could kill them all as easily as breathing was alarming, she knew that their main concern lay beyond their borders.

"Salem's beginning to make her move," Sincline affirmed. "This isn't just about the Faunus and humans anymore. This is about all of Remnant. By the end of this tournament... the final stage will be set."

Sienna nodded, her expression unreadable. "You place me in a precarious situation," she stated, lacing her fingers beneath her chin as she rested her elbows on her knees. Aside from the new threat, she couldn't deny that the Faunus were indebted to Sincline for his assassination of Jacques Schnee, the one responsible for the worst of their treatment... and she would know. She used to be one of the many Faunus children worked to the bone in Jacques Schnee's mines before she escaped to Menagerie and joined the White Fang. Were it not for present company and situation, she would have personally rewarded Sincline right then and there. "The humans have always hated the Faunus, treated us as animals... but a threat like this cannot be ignored."

"This concerns all Faunus, not just those of Menagerie," Kali agreed. She sighed. "All this time... I can't believe none of us have ever noticed Salem's influence."

"And to think my daughter was one of those who uncovered the truth," Ghira muttered, shaking his head.

"The members of the White Fang were once meant to protect the Faunus," Sienna stated, her eyes flashing as she stood. "Perhaps it is time we do so once more. Guards! Send a message to the rest of the branches. We are pulling back our forces."

"You're... giving up?" Kali asked in shock.

"Fighting the humans pales in comparison to the threat of Salem," Sienna explained. "And while I may want Faunus to be seen as equals... perhaps saving the world may redeem the White Fang of what we've done.... Well, at least part of it. And with Jacques Schnee dead, there is much less fire beneath humanity's hatred of our kind. Fennec, Corsac, spread the word."

The two brothers exchanged looks. "My deepest apologies, your Grace," Fennec stated, drawing a spiral-like dagger as his brother did the same. "But I do not believe we can do that."

Sienna's eyes narrowed. "What are you doing?" she demanded.

"What is right for the Faunus," Corsac replied as the guards at Sienna's side turned their weapons on her. At the same time, the doors opened, and eight guards, six bearing spears and two with guns, emerged, their weapons trained on the group. "You were right about brother Adam's influence from the start, your Grace," Corsac stated as four more guards emerged, two on each side, all bearing guns aimed at the two Belladonna's, Sienna, and Sincline, who narrowed his eyes.