Remnant's Maiden Of Dawn

Chapter 41: Answers Of Poison

3rd Person POV:

Around a campfire, Ruby, Jaune, Ren, Nora, and Qrow sit on four logs positioned in a square with Y/N sitting next to Qrow, who has just finished telling the others about the Maidens.

There is silence and Qrow takes a swig from his flask. He has a bandage wrapped around his abdomen over his clothing while Y/N has a bandage over her injured leg.

Qrow: Really? No questions?

Jaune: Of course we have questions. This is just... a lot to take in.

Qrow: (sighing) Sure, of course.

Ruby: So these... Maidens... They're powerful fighters that don't need Dust to use magic.

Qrow: Yeah.

Nora: And there are four of them?

Qrow: Yup. Always.

Ren: Which means that, whenever one of them dies, the power transfers to someone - a female - that they cared about?

Qrow: Whoever was in their thoughts last. Important distinction. Best option is someone we can trust. Regardless, their souls become combined, in a way.

Jaune: And that's what you were trying to do to Pyrrha...the night the tower fell. You were trying to turn her into one of them.

Qrow: The previous Fall Maiden, Amber, had been attacked. She was young, inexperienced. And her assailant, who we now know is Cinder, somehow managed to steal half of her power.

Qrow: We were afraid that if we didn't do something, the rest would go to her as well.

Jaune: (looking angry) So you forced it on Pyrrha.

Qrow: We didn't force anything. We explained the situation and gave her the choice, and she chose. You were there, you heard her.

Jaune hangs his head for a brief moment frustrated that despite Pyrrha surviving there would've always been the possibility that more people would target her with the Maiden Powers as he gets up and storms off.

Ruby: That guy, Tyrian...why was he after me?

Qrow: (sighing) Well, you definitely painted a target on your back with what you did at Beacon. I told you having silver eyes is a rare trait. And the fact that you were able to use them seems to have upset some very powerful people.

Qrow: Those that do aren't very happy that one has surfaced. That's why I've been keeping an eye on you in order to make sure you were safe. All of you.

Ruby: Well, then, why not just travel with us? It seems like that would've been way easier instead of just getting one person with you.

Jaune answers her loudly enough to be heard, but with his back still turned to everyone.

Jaune: They were using you as bait.

Qrow: Look, I wouldn't put it like that- it's complicated.

Jaune: (turning back to face him) What is all of this? Ruby's being hunted, the schools are being attacked, all for what?! What is the point of all of this?! Will you just tell us what's going on?!