Remnant's Maiden Of Dawn

Chapter 44: Determined Paths

3rd Person POV:

The sounds of Grimm and fire can be heard in Salem's castle as four  Beowolves approach Cinder, moving in a semicircle formation.

Cinder swings her left arm at them, sending another slash of fire. It cuts through the middle of all four Grimm and they disintegrate away.

She then starts heavily breathing, still upright yet taking a breather. She does not get long, as heavy footsteps approach from her left. She gasps and looks in their direction.

A Beringel leaps into the air, ready to deliver a blow to her with its fist. Cinder, however, pulls back her right arm and pushes a ball of flame right at it. It, too, disintegrates.

As its body disappears, Cinder falls to her knees, breathing heavily.

Salem: Enough.

Salem walks forward while Cinder continues to struggle for normal breathing.

Salem: I thought you were the girl who wanted power. Did you lie to me?

Cinder winces on the force of Salem's question before looking upward. Turning to face Salem, Cinder clearly shakes her head negatively.

Salem: Then stop holding back. If you wish to master your new powers, you must-

Salem is cut off by the sound of heavy doors opening. On the opposite end of the stone hall, a sobbing Tyrian enters. 

He falls to his knees once in the room, both hands flat on the floor and his head bowed.

Tyrian: (softly) I'm sorry. (raising his hand to his chin) She'll forgive me. Pleeeease!

Tyrian bows again on the last word.

Tyrian: Forgive me...

Salem: Tyrian!

She stands before him. He raises his body but remains sitting on his legs while Cinder rises from the stone floor behind Salem.

Salem: (holding out her arm imperially) Your task - were you successful?

Tyrian: (bowing his head) N-no.

Cinder's eye widens. Salem also looks surprised for a moment before narrowing her eyes and walking away.

Cinder watches Salem for her reaction without looking at Tyrian.

Tyrian: (begging and turning his body to remain facing Salem) But-but hope is not lost! My tail, my stinger...I-I poisoned him, Qrow!

Tyrian: He will not be a nuisance to you any longer, no... no longer! I've done that... have I done well? Have I pleased you?

Salem: The last eye is blinded...you disappoint me.

Salem leaves. Tyrian falls forward, wailing. A Beowolf approaches, all focused on Tyrian's negative emotions. It ignores Cinder and leaps upon him.

Tyrian sends it away with a single blow and it lands on its back. Still wailing, Tyrian opens his weapons and leaps atop the Beowolf. He slashes at it repeatedly, tears streaming down his face.

His wails gradually turn into laughter as he vents his grief into the butchering of the Grimm. Cinder watches the sight, horrified by his insanity.

Outside of her home on Patch, Yang spray paints her robotic arm and half of Ember Celica bright yellow. She goes into a tool shed and takes the tarp that had been covering her motorcycle, Bumblebee, off.

Taiyang: I don't remember saying that you were ready.

He is leaning against the frame of the open shed door, arms crossed.