As the Atlesian Military prepares to fight the scores of Grimm emerging from Monstra's body, Yang, Jaune, and Ren sprint down a corridor within the gigantic Grimm. They stop to catch their breath, "Well, that was harrowing."

"We're not in the clear yet. We still have to search this whole thing and find Oscar before the Ace Ops blow us to pieces."
"How are we supposed to find Oscar? It's going to be like finding a needle in a... giant... whale. Why did we think this was a good idea?"

Ren looks thoughtfully down the corridor, "I... I might be able to help. I can sense spikes of people's emotions, I think. It happened on Winter's ship. If I focus my Aura, I can keep it up."

"Okay, that's new. Maybe one of them is Oscar." Ren touches his temples with his fingertips, focusing, "I can sort of tell where they are, but not who. They're more of less in the same area, though. Further in. I can lead."

Ren makes to move down the corridor, but Jaune stops him with a hand on his shoulder, "Hey, you don't have to drain yourself. I can help too."

"Yeah, good thinking. Thanks."
"Well, lead the way." Jaune awkwardly points finger guns at Ren while Yang rolls her eyes.

Elsewhere in Monstra, Oscar lies on his side on the ground, "She brushed off her bumps and bruises, for nothing hurt worse than the loneliness in her chest."

"I recognize that. The Girl Who Fell Through The World?"

Oscar chuckles, turning to lie on his back, "I shouldn't be surprised you're so familiar with fairy tales."

"I've lived through my share of them. How are you holding up?"

"I thought the idea of falling through Remnant into a new world was exciting. I never understood why she was so sad when she finally made it back home. But now it makes more sense." Oscar stretches out toward the light emanating from beyond a membrane on the ceiling, and studies his gloved hand.
"She wasn't the same girl anymore."

"Yeah."

"I think this plan to divide might have run its course. It's time we start thinking about a way out. Not having our cane certainly limits the options, so..."

With effort, Oscar curls into a fetal position, "No, I don't like what happens when we use magic. Every time we use it, I can feel us merging faster. I'm not ready for that."

"I don't blame you. Honestly, I think you're doing just fine on your own."

"How did you meet (Y/n)? Or why did she choose to come back? After seeing all this, how does she manage?"

Ozpin sighs, "Saint has her reasons to come back. I can't imagine what she has gone through; even after all this time, she had always smiled. Now with our time ticking, it's only a matter of time until she's collected."

"Collected?"
"Saint is someone special to The God of Darkness. You know it too; if she calls for him, he will not hesitate to destroy this world as well."

"All for her." Oscar wipes his face with his hand. "The God would do whatever it takes to keep his mortal." A flash memory of you in the arms of Ajin, however Oscar knew that wasn't Ajin. He couldn't see the God's face as it was buried in your shoulder, the girl who was born under his sign.

The door opens, and Hazel enters. Oscar pushes himself into a sitting up position just before Hazel grabs him by the collar and hauls him up.

Outside of Monstra, Atlesian soldiers are lined up on either side of a trench. Winter Schnee is walking between the rows, addressing her troops. Amongst the soldiers is Team FNKI.
"Listen up everyone. We're keeping this LZ clear for the payload we're going to put aboard that thing. If we can't hold this line, it will continue to spit out Grimm and we lose the city. Is that understood?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Neon turns to her teammate Flynt, trying to stay upbeat, "You wouldn't happen to know a tune for this, huh?"
"I don't know that anybody does."

Vine leaps clear over the trench, using his Semblance to move faster, "Another wave incoming. Keep them back."

With one last determined look at each other, Neon and Flynt climb the sides of the trench and join the fray alongside their fellow soldiers, "Move, move, move!"

Marrow remains in the trench, watching them mobilize, "But... they're just kids."

Elm touches down in the trench to admonish her teammate, her hammer at the ready, "You can hash out your issues later. Right now, just kill Grimm."

She climbs back out of the trench and scrambles across the battlefield.

Meanwhile, Hazel enters the room where Relic of Knowledge is being kept, and crudely drops Oscar along the path, "Why did you bring me here?"

Hazel takes a moment to examine the Lamp on its pedestal before he responds. As he speaks, he circles the Lamp, eyeing it suspiciously, "I've been thinking about what you said. If it's a lie and I took that lie to Salem, the punishment would fall on my head before yours. If what you said is true and I used the password myself, well, I don't know what happens when this thing activates."

Hazel turns back to look down at Oscar, "So let's see if you're bluffing."

"You want me to summon her?"
"Either way, it'll tell me what I need to know." Emerald appears, looking between Hazel and Oscar with a concerned expression, "What are you doing?"

Hazel grunts noncommittally, joining her behind Oscar, "Let's find out."

Oscar slowly gets up, holding his side. He takes a deep breath, "Jinn."

Cyan mist unfurls from the Lamp. Hazel holds a protective arm out in front of Emerald, who takes a step back. Both look on in awe. Jinn materializes and stretches, settling into a relaxed position, "Why, hello again, old man. Did you have a question for me?"

Oscar chuckles, waving hello to Jinn. He turns to look at Hazel, "Actually, I think all my questions are answered now."

Jinn looks on, bemused by, "What are you going to do?"

Hazel momentarily closes his eyes, likely in remembrance of his sister, "What Gretchen would have done. And that starts with getting you away from here. Both of you."

He turns to Emerald, who can only blink in concern. Oscar approaches Hazel, "I'm going to need something before I go."

"So, just to be clear, none of you have a question for me?"
"No, but we'll be bringing you with us."

Hazel and Emerald trade uneasy looks, "The moment we move that thing, this place goes on high alert. Better to get you out first."

"But..."
"I'll come back for it. Not like she knows the password anyway."

Hazel and Emerald turn to leave. With one last backward glance at Jinn, Oscar wordlessly follows them. Jinn looks to the side, before returning to the Lamp in a puff of cyan smoke. In the darkness next to the door, a pair of differently-colored eyes can be seen watching the trio leave. A featureless red figure steps out into the light, shimmers, and turns into Neo. She slowly approaches the Lamp.

Yang, Jaune, and Ren are moving down a corridor. Jaune is using his Semblance to amplify Ren's. Before long, Jaune's Aura shimmers, and he splutters, short of breath, "Sorry."

Jaune tries to put his hand on a wall for support, but it glides off the mucus-covered surface, and he shakes the goop from his hand, disgusted, "It's not your fault. I'm masking and tracking at the same time."
"Do you guys need a minute?"

"We don't know how much longer we have. Why don't you give masking a break? Give me directions, and I can scout ahead."
"Thanks. We should be heading straight for a while."

Jaune takes off down the corridor, raising an arm in farewell. The other two watch him go, "Well, at least you guys being friends again takes the sting out of impending doom."
"It's okay to be afraid, you know. You don't always have to hide it with a joke."

"Glad I'm not the only one who's scared."
"Of course I'm scared."

Ren turns back to look in Jaune's direction, "Him on the other hand... There's no fear at all. I can see it; he believes we're going to get this done."

Ren turns back to face Yang, who chuckles, "Then I do too."

Suddenly, Jaune comes sprinting at full force toward them. He hurries them into an alcove and crouches by its entrance, expanding his shield and drawing his sword, "Mask us, Ren!"

The trio turns monochrome as Ren uses his Semblance. A Seer hovers into the nearby corridor. Ren's Aura shimmers, and he struggles to keep his Semblance active. The Seer floats past them but stops in its tracks after Ren's Aura breaks and his Semblance deactivates.

Emerald and Hazel are moving down a hallway within Monstra, "You sure he'll be okay on his own?"
"I don't know; we need to get... Wait."

Emerald holds a hand out in front of Hazel, who comes to an awkward stop. Salem is coming down the corridor toward them. Emerald quickly grabs Hazel's arm, pulling him out of Salem's way. They stand to the side with their heads bowed in deference.

"Ah, Hazel. Have you gotten what we need yet?"

Hazel turns to look at her, his eyes wide. He glances down at Emerald, "I... I, uh..."

Salem's eyes narrow suspiciously. Suddenly, a loud screech echoes through the corridors, and she turns away, "The Seers... seems we have guests."

Her eyes widen, and her calm demeanor drops, "The Lamp! Find them!" She speeds unnaturally fast down the hallway.

Yang, Jaune, and Ren have just finished destroying the small troop of Grimm that the Seer had called after them, "What now?"

"Let's do what we do best, charge blindly into danger."

"Would've gone with "keep moving forward," but sure. Ren?"
"Forward, no matter what." The three move onward down the hallway.

Outside Monstra, Atlesian Paladins make short work of a pair of Megoliaths while Vine and Elm clean up the smaller Grimm. Neon and Flynt get into formation, warding off a Manticore. Marrow is also doing his part, "Stay!" He uses his Semblance to immobilize an airborne Winged Beringel, which Harriet takes down shortly after. After touching down, she contacts Winter over military comms.

"How much longer for the payload?"

Winter talks over comms, "It's approaching the LZ now."

Overhead, an Atlesian Airship flies in Monstra's direction, flanked by several Mantas. Marrow casts a worried glance at Monstra, "Come on, Juan."

Yang, Jaune, and Ren around a corner, coming face-to-face with Emerald and her companion, "You."

Emerald has her weapons leveled at the trio, but Hazel steps forward, holding his hands out, "No, wait, stop!"

His image shimmers and fades, revealing Oscar in the hallucination's place. Yang and Ren lower their weapons with relieved smiles, but Jaune drops his sword and shield, running forward to embrace Oscar, "Oscar!"

Oscar winces in pain, but chuckles weakly and returns the embrace, "I knew I sensed some weak minds nearby."

The group's reunion is cut short, and they all stare at Emerald, "What's going on here?"

"It's a long story."

Yang steps forward warily, "You're gonna have to try and summarize it. Why should we trust you?"

"Because she's scared. Just like us." Emerald raises her eyebrows in surprise. Yang and Jaune's expressions soften, "Or maybe because I know how to get out of here."

She moves forward down the corridor past them, only sparing a glance in their direction, "Anybody coming?"

Winter steps aboard the landed bomb carrier, receiving a Scroll from a nearby soldier. She then turns to address the ranks of troops behind her. Marrow is at the front of the crowd, "This is it, everyone. We're going to clear a path to that monster. We get the payload aboard, set the timer, and then we're out."

The soldiers salute her and disperse. Marrow runs onboard as Winter turns to inspect the explosive, "They might still be alive in there."
"I gave them their window. We can't wait any longer."

"Would you say the same thing if it was your sister inside? Are you gonna tell her what you did to her friends? I told (Y/n) that they will come back in one piece."

As Marrow speaks, Winter's expression becomes more and more pained. Finally, she turns around, her demeanor not quite as composed as before, "Yes, Marrow, because that's my duty. Now you do yours, even if you break a promise."

She places a sympathetic hand on Marrow's shoulder before he morosely turns and leaves.

Meanwhile, Yang, Jaune, Ren, Oscar, and Emerald head for one of Monstra's open-air landing bays. The outskirts of Atlas are visible in the distance, "We're almost out!"

A great rumble shakes the ground, forcing them to stop, "What is that?"

Emerald stares blankly straight head, the horror evident in her expression, "It's her."

A massive screech sends the five of them covering their ears. Then everyone except Emerald is knocked off their feet by a blast of purple magic. Salem stands at a freshly carved hole in the wall, her eyes sweeping over Oscar, then travelling to Emerald. The girl turns to run, but Salem extends her arms, grabbing her and pulling her close, "You really have been honing that Semblance of yours."

Ren fires at Salem, who turns and retaliates with another blast of magic. Jaune steps forward with his shield, but both he and Ren are blown off their feet and into the wall behind them, breaking the former's Aura. Yang presses on, jabbing at Salem's front and planting her explosives there. She quickly gets out of range and detonates them.

Salem's upper body bends backwards from the force with her chest ripped open. Her free hand then twists and spit outs an adhesive substance in Yang's direction. She blocks it with her gauntlets, but Salem pulls, reining the girl in as her body regenerates. She finally closes her hand on one of Yang's gauntlets, "Let them go!"

Salem turns to face him, and takes a green beam of magic to the chest. She staggers, then glares and hurls Yang at Oscar. They tumble bodily on the ground. Sigils appear on the ground, spawning Shadow Hands that immobilize Yang, Jaune, Ren, and Oscar. She uses one last sigil to immobilize Emerald upright. A roiling ball of magic appears in her hand as she interrogates Emerald, "What did you do with the Lamp?"

"Nothing." Emerald appears resolute at first, but turns away when Salem moves the ball of magic toward her face.

"It's missing. Where is it?"

"I didn't do anything with it." Emerald squeezes her eyes shut as Salem turns to look at Oscar.

"Where is it?" The Shadow Hands binding Oscar force him into an upright position, his hands tied. Salem slowly approaches him.

Salem sighs, "Look how you've diminished. How you've lessened yourself, and for what? These children, this ruined world? Saint should have known better than to side with you."

Overcome by rage, she suddenly grabs Oscar's head from both sides, holding her thumbnails threateningly close to his eyes, "Why....do...you...keep...coming...back?!"

"Why do you?!" Salem's gaze shift to Yang, who is still pinned to the ground. As Yang speaks, she ignores the Shadow Hands tightening around her.

"All of this endless death because something bad happened to you once upon a time?!" Salem moves away from Oscar, slowly moving toward Yang.

"Nobody gets a fairy-tale ending! Everything I've lost, every person I've lost, is because of you!"

Salem scornfully talks back, "And who is it I've taken from you, girl?"

Yang glares angrily at her captor, "Summer Rose. My mom." Salem chuckles, bending forward to look at Yang with a bemused expression, "Hm...Her, again. Your emotions are the same as Saint's when it comes to her. The look in her eyes are just like yours right now. I can only imagine what they look like now. I wonder if there are any light in them after all this."

"Your grace." Hazel enters the scene, passing in front of a still-bound Emerald.

"Ah, Hazel. I found our guests." Salem gestures at the subdued teens as Shadow Hands shoot up to cover Yang's mouth, "No!"

Salem conjures another ball of magic in her palm, turning to look at Emerald, "This one was helping them."

Emerald looks at Hazel, pleading with her eyes, but his expression is indecipherable. The hands holding Oscar retract, unceremoniously dropping him tot he ground, "Take the boy back to his chamber. I have work to do with this one."

Salem caresses a now tearful Emerald's cheek with the back of her hand, the churning magic inches from her face, "Yes, of course."

As Hazel moves behind Salem to get to Oscar, Emerald's wide, panicked eyes track him. He looks at Yang, Jaune, and Ren as he passes by, then finally grabs Oscar by the collar and lifts him up to eye-level. He regards him for a moment, grimacing, before pulling him close to whisper in his ear, "No more Gretchens, boy."

He drops Oscar, who lifts his right hand to find his The Long Memory. Hazel heads back toward Salem and Emerald, "I really don't know!"

Salem pulls her hand back to use her magic on Emerald but is sent flying by a punch from Hazel. She cushions her fall with a swirling cyclone, and Hazel moves forward to do battle. The Grimm arms and sigils binding the others disappear. Hazel discards his vest, and produces a large Dust crystal, "Go! Now!"

He embeds crystal after crystal of various types into his shoulders: ice, fire, lightning, earth, wind. Each sends tracks of glowing energy out under his skin, and his eyes start to glow from the power he is channeling, "Hazel."

Hazel turns to look at Emerald. Her eyes are glimmering, and she gives him a subtle shake of the head. He gives her a determined and reassuring smile, denying her wordless plea, "Go."

He turns back to face Salem, who has levitated higher into the air, "So you've decided against vengeance for your sister, after all this time."

Hazel sets his fists ablaze, settling into a boxer's stance, "I'm doing what Gretchen would have done!"

Salem gathers her magic, sending it at Hazel in short bursts. He uses Lightning Dust to augment his speed, weaving and dodging between them, then sends a barrage of fireballs at Salem. She quickly dodges them and sends a spread of beams his way. He dodges before slamming Wind Dust at his feet. The resulting burst of air launches him toward Salem.

Hazel then combines the Dust between his palms, creating an oversized ball of rock, fire, and lightning, which he slams into Salem. She is knocked to the ground, and he bashes her stomach upon landing, slamming his fists into her face and head. The floor is quickly covered in dark, glistening blood. Even as she is beaten to pieces, Salem's hand crooks upright to make a gesture; her sigil appears on the ground, and Shadow Hands lunge out to immobilize Hazel's limbs, lifting him into the air.

Emerald can only watch, dismayed. She notices Yang, Jaune, and Ren making an escape behind her, and gives Hazel one last glance before taking off as well, "Come on everyone, out!"

Emerald races past him, and she, Yang, and Ren safely make it outside, "Wait, Oscar?!"

Oscar solemnly turns to face Jaune, holding up his cane, "She'll just come after us."

Oscar turns back to face the battle, extending his cane.

Still holding Hazel immobile, Salem regenerates her head, her jaw cracking and popping back into place. Hazel readies a crystal hidden in his palm, and uses it to block Salem's burst of magic with a Hard-Light shield. Salem uses her Shadow Hands to fling him into a distant wall as Oscar watches. She grabs the back of Hazel's head and slams it into the ground repeatedly, the disappointment evident on her face.

The gears in The Long Memory start to glow, and a sudden breeze ruffles his collar and hair. Salem turns to look at him, then glides across the floor toward him at an alarming speed. However, Hazel stops her, closing his arms around her waist and lifting her off the ground. A sigil appears at his feet, causing Shadow Hands to wrap around his ankles and his throat. In one last act of defiance, Hazel parts his lips to reveal a Fire Dust crystal, which he then crushes between his teeth. Both he and Salem are engulfed in flames. The latter starts screaming in rage.

The hands around Hazel's neck tighten, and he painstakingly cranes his neck to lock eyes with Oscar, "Do it."

Oscar readies his now glowing cane as Hazel gasps, his eyes becoming unfocused. The boy depresses the lever on his weapon, causing its length to shimmer gold. "I'm sorry (Y/n). It's going to take me a while until I see you again." A sphere of crackling green magic forms around him and the immediate area is filled with bright yellow light.

End of Vol. 8 Chapter 9
What a chapter!
I'm still alive; work has me running laps. Luckily my workload has lessened, so looking forward to new chapters and possible stories.

Until next time!
Michaelis~