Over the next few months, your relationship with Cinder evolved past the purely physical. Though neither of you ever said it, the fact was that some semblance of love had developed between the two of you over the past years. While Salem had always been aware of your relationship with Cinder, it had remained a secret to the others, until recently. While it was never directly stated by anyone that you and Cinder were together, your behaviors were enough to alert the others to your newfound relationship. Most were uninterested, though Watts took pleasure in antagonizing Cinder over it.

Though having informed Salem of the location of the Spring Maiden, she had taken no immediate action. While Watts and Tyrian's impatience were growing more and more visible with each passing day, neither of them dared question Salem's judgement. As she had explained multiple times, subduing Amber had not been accomplished without months of meticulous planning. Capturing the Spring Maiden would be no different. It had to be perfect, precise. One incorrect move and she would be lost in the wind, and the opportunity lost.

Cinder would obviously be sent to find the girl as she would be needed for the power transfer. The question was who would be sent with her. Salem was hesitant to send you, still sensing the wavering conviction in you heart. However, after seeing you and Cinder become closer, she decided it could be risked. There were still things that needed to be accounted for however, Ozpin was sure to have people watching the Spring Maiden. In the end it was agreed upon that you would accompany Cinder to the village where the Spring Maiden resided. The two of you would pose as newlyweds on your honeymoon and, when night fell, you would make your move and take the maiden's powers.

Hours Ago:

Exiting a bullhead landing in Mistral, you and Cinder strolled throughout the Kingdom, making your way to the small village. It was strange; though yours and Cinder's behavior was simply an act, you couldn't help but enjoy it. The feeling of Cinder's arms wrapped around your own, her head resting on your shoulder, it all seemed too real. Even more bizarre was how much you enjoyed it. Part of you even wished it was real, that the two of you could just be normal people, innocent and in love, without the weight of the world on your shoulders. It could never be that way though, the path you walked was far too important, the role you played far too influential.

This didn't stop you from enjoying the day though. Making your way throughout the Kingdom, you and Cinder stopped at several of the small storefronts. Cinder found great enjoyment in stealing from the local businesses. You would distract the storeowner, giving Cinder time and opportunity to pick and choose. Not that Cinder really wanted any off the stuff, it was all just a game. The two of you walked away from one of the booths laughing, Cinder adjusting her new large straw sunhat. Cinder looks up at you with a grin. Exchanging a quick kiss, the two of you continue on your journey.

You arrive at the village just as the sun begins to set. You find the inn relatively quickly. Renting a room, the two of you sit in the bar, playing the role of love-struck newlyweds. It's not really difficult, all the necessary feelings are there. As the sun falls behind the horizon, you and Cinder retire to your room, feigning sleep. Closing and locking the door, you faded into the shadows and began your search throughout the village for the Maiden. Moving from house to house, it wasn't long before you found her. In bed between her mother and father, her frame gently rising and falling with every breath she took.

Returning to Cinder, the two of you wait for darkness to fall before making your move. Silently exiting the inn, you lead Cinder to the small house where the Spring Maiden and her parents sleep. As smoke, you enter through the crack under the door and unlock it for Cinder. Moving to the bedroom, you indicate the mass under the blankets and nod.

"Take care of the parents." Cinder instructs.

Nodding, you summon two sharp shadows and send them flying at the larger of the figures. Just as they're about to reach the parents, the covers are thrown off the bed, obscuring your vision. Ripping the fabric to pieces, you see two figures standing on either side of the bed, one holding a small figure which you assume to be the maiden.

"Sorry to disappoint." Tai smirks. "But the girl and her parents are long gone."

"Tai." You growl.

You send more shadows in his direction but Raven jumps over the bed and cuts them to pieces.

"Her, catch!" Tai shouts, throwing the small bundle in his hands. It starts flashing red and as it reaches you, a blinding flash of light engulfs the room.

Raising your trench coat to shield your eyes, by the time you and Cinder have recovered from the flash bomb, Tai and Raven are gone.

"Ozpin must have known we were coming." Cinder says angrily, flames jumping to life and setting the house ablaze. "They can't have gotten very far. Find them."

Nodding, you once again disappear into the shadows. You find the small family hidden in a stone cellar beneath another house in the village. The father holding his wife and daughter, the mother with her hand over her daughter's mouth. Next to them are Qrow and Summer, obviously standing guard.

"You sure Tai and Raven will be able to handle those two?" Qrow asks.

"If you're worried about anyone it should be us." Summer replies. "We're the ones protecting what they're after. Tai and Raven just have to worry about the Grimm once they come."

"Great." Qrow says, taking a drink from his flask. "Remind me why we're the ones playing keep away with the overpowered lunatics again."

"(F/N)'s not a lunatic." Summer shoots back. "He's just confused. I know I can reach him."

"Alright, so he won't hurt you. What's that leave me with."

"Well it was either this or spending several hours in bed with Tai or Raven."

"Alright, fair enough."

You consider returning to Cinder and informing her of the maiden's location, but this is a personal matter. The mother screams as you form from the darkness. Summer throws another flash bomb into the air, but you slice it to pieces with your shadows. Sending more towards the small family, Summer steps between you and them, blocking your attacks with her scythe.

"Qrow, take the family and run!"

"But what about..."

"Go! I'll deal with (F/N)."

Qrow nods and runs with the family from the cellar, leaving you and Summer alone.

"You'll deal with me?" You snarl. "What, like you dealt with me all throughout Beacon?"

"Please (F/N)." Summer begs. "I know you're still in there. It's not too late for you."

"But you're right Summer." You say with a menacing grin. "I am in here. And I like it."

Flying forwards at incredible speeds, you grab Summer around the waist and fly through the cellar and the roof of the ceiling. High in the air, you throw her to the ground. She's just about to hit the pavement when Raven dashes by and saves her.

"Summer," Raven says, "fires are spreading throughout the village and Grimm are starting to come out of the forest."

"We planned for this." Summer says. "So deal with it. I've got this."

Nodding, Raven dashes away to go deal with the steadily growing infestation of Grimm. Slowly descending from the air, you land in front of Summer.

"Do you really think you can beat me?"

"I hope I don't have to." Summer says sadly.

You send more shadows flying at Summer. She dives and ducks and weaves around them as they chase her around the village. Jumping from rooftop to rooftop, narrowly avoiding your attacks, she uses her scythe to cut your never-ending supply of weapons into dust.

"Hope." You scoff, watching her cloak get pierced by one of your shadows. "Such a funny word, isn't it? A child hopes for a new bicycle for their birthday. They hope their parents buy it for them. Yet they do nothing themselves to obtain what they want. I used to have hope; that you and I would one day be together. You know what I got for hoping? Nothing! Nothing but a broken heart and castle of lies!"

"(F/N), what I did to you was wrong." Summer says, landing in front of you, having destroyed your summoned shadows. "I should have told you the truth. I should have been honest with you."

"What you should have done," a voice says from behind you, "was loved him when you had the chance."

Cinder walks up next to you and trails her finger along your shoulder. Snaking her arm around the back of your head, she pulls you down into a deep, passionate kiss, all the while grinning at Summer out of the corner of her eye.

"(F/N)?" Summer asks sadly. "Who is she?"

"Me?" Cinder asks, placing a hand on her chest. "Oh, I'm just the woman who loves (F/N), exactly as he is. Can you say the same?"

"She's lying to you (F/N)!" Summer shouts. "She's just using you for your..."

"I'm not using him." Cinder says back. "I've never used him. That would be you."

"You don't know anything about me."

"I know how you toyed with (F/N)'s affections. I know that he gave you his heart and how you stepped on it. I know how you used (F/N) as a way to get closer to his best friend. So don't say I've used him. All I've ever done is love him."

With a lazy flick of her wrist, Cinder sends a torrent of fire at Summer, swallowing her in flames.

"Come now (F/N)." Cinder says, holding onto your arm. "We must not allow the Spring Maiden to escape."

Present Day:

And that's how it happened. That's how you found yourself here, split down the middle as the light and darkness warred within you. If you didn't do something soon, the internal conflict would destroy you. It was time. Light or dark. Now was the time to choose. Summer or Cinder?

If you chose Summer, proceed to the chapters prefaced with the label: Summer Ending.

If you chose Cinder, proceed to the chaptersprefaced with the label: Cinder Ending.