The Queens of Remnant - Chapter 44 (Patreon)

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Just a quick note that I'm going to take a break next week from posting.  Life has just been crazy busy and I don't want to have to worry about this on top of everything else.  Writing is supposed to be fun, not a chore!  This chapter seems like a good place to take a little break before soaring into the last 4 chapters of the story.  

***

Yang would never stay behind while the people she loved fought on her behalf.  They shouldn’t risk their lives for her - she didn’t want them risking their lives for her - and she couldn’t stand by while they did.  If something happened to Blake or Ruby - a far too likely possibility considering what she knew about Cecelia - she could never forgive herself.

Apparently, Blake knew that Yang wouldn’t stay put and, in an effort to dissuade her, left a series of obstacles that slowed her down more than she cared to admit.  The first?  Making it out of the room when the door had been locked from the other side.

Under ordinary circumstances, she would melt the handle and promise Sun a new one later.  She climbed out the window instead, taking a good spill onto the patio in the process, before searching for a way to the battle.  Traveling on foot was out of the question - in her current half-frozen state, it would take at least a year to make it that distance.  Asking someone for a ride also seemed ill-advised, so she did something that she’d never done before and would probably never do again: ‘borrowed’ a horse.

She didn’t know who owned the horse, but she planned on returning it with interest…assuming she didn’t fall off and break her neck first, which was easier said than done when her legs shook from clutching the animal’s sides and her arms clumsily grasped the reins.  Despite holding on as tightly as she could, she still felt like she could fall off at any second.  Just another thing she’d taken for granted - the strength necessary to ride a horse.

Each subsequent trial only proved Blake’s point: Yang was in no shape to fight.  Even though she felt substantially better than when she first woke up - the cold had receded enough that she didn’t need a bundle of blankets anymore - she had the physical strength of a toddler.  Regardless, she steered the horse onward at a fast trot while holding on for dear life and praying that she made it in time.

She worried for Ruby less so than Blake.  With all the power in the world at her disposal, Ruby was impossible to catch.  More importantly, Cecelia had always had a curious soft spot for her.  Blake, on the other hand, had earned Cecelia’s ire.

Just thinking about Blake fighting Cecelia, Yang spurred the horse faster.  The constant jostling threatened to throw her off, but she’d already wasted too much time making it through that damn window.  Knowing how quickly Cecelia operated, it could be over by now.  It could already be too late.

When the last settlement finally came into full view, Yang’s heart sank.  The land between Vale and the Badlands had been charred beyond recognition and the ground torn apart by earth sparks, but the battle had ended.  From this distance, Vale’s gold and red armor was instantly recognizable across the fields.  Terrifyingly, she spotted Atlesian Knights too - lots of them.

Reaching the Atlesian encampment first, she tried to stay far enough away to avoid their attention while also not straying too far from her path.  They paid her no mind anyway.  Instead, they talked and laughed while waiting for some unknown, unspoken orders. Their unexpected presence made Yang’s heart race, but she tried to convince herself that their relaxed demeanor was a good sign.

She couldn’t know for sure though - she had to find Blake and Ruby.  If they were anywhere, they were probably near Vale’s army.  Or the Resistance, whose members became more prevalent the closer Yang drew to the far side of the settlement.

This part of the town bustled with life.  With two armies camped just outside the city, soldiers from all sides carried or hobbled injured comrades to a hastily formed field hospital.  Medics rushed from one patient to the next and confirmed the worst - the battle actually happened, and people were hurt.

When the streets became too congested to safely navigate by horse, Yang stopped and jumped down without a second thought.  Turns out, she should have thought twice.  If she had, maybe she wouldn’t have collapsed like a ragdoll the instant her feet hit the ground. Undeterred, she pushed herself back to her feet and looked around.  Her fear tripled when she spotted several bodies lying on the ground, unattended and unmoving.

“Ruby!  Blake!”  Hearing no response, she hurried toward the field hospital, trying not to trip over the uneven ground in the process.

“Woah there.”  Sun suddenly appeared beside her, waving his hands for her attention.  “What’re you doing?  You shouldn’t be here.”

“Where are they?  Are they ok?”

“They’re fine, but you’re not.”

“Where are they?” Yang asked again.

“They’re right over there.”

When Sun pointed at a small group standing to the left of the field hospital, Yang looked that way and experienced a large, welcome wave of relief.  Blake and Ruby were fine.  They were alive.  Right now, Blake was talking to several members of the Resistance.  Ruby sat nearby, chatting with Winter and...Weiss?

“Blake’s gonna be so pissed you came out here,” Sun said when Yang set out for the group.

“She’s been pissed at me before.  I think I can handle it.”

“Like you can handle walking?” he teased.

“I can walk just fine.”

Determined to prove him wrong, she took careful, measured steps and steered clear of any noticeable holes or divots.  When her foot caught on the flat ground and she stumbled forward, however, a cushion of air gently caught her and set her upright.

“I felt that,” she said, only to smile and shake her head when he innocently raised his hands.  Next, he whistled - a short, loud whistle that instantly caught Blake’s attention.  As soon as Blake turned toward them, revealing the bandage wrapped around one shoulder, Yang sped up.

“Are you ok??”

Any dreams of a passionate kiss disappeared from Yang’s mind.  Instead, she reached Blake and looked over the injury.  Considering it had been well-bandaged already, all she could see were patches of blood on both sides of Blake’s shoulder, as if a blade had gone all the way through.

“What happened?  Are you ok??” Yang asked again.  Blake, however, gently pulled her arm away and smiled.

“I’m fine -”

“You’re not fine - you were stabbed!”

“I will be fine,” Blake corrected before arching one brow.  “What are you doing here?”

“I passed the test you left me.”

“So you made it out the window,” Blake replied with a roll of her eyes.  For a second, it looked like she might pretend to be annoyed.  She pulled Yang into a one-armed hug instead.  When Blake sighed and noticeably relaxed in Yang’s arms, Yang smiled and held her closer.

“You can’t stay mad at me, huh.”

“Don’t push your luck,” Blake whispered, but Yang chuckled and burrowed her nose into Blake’s hair.

After taking a deep breath, she exhaled all of the worry she’d suffered all day.  Blake was a survivor, but fortunes changed in an instant during the heat of battle.  Yang wouldn’t take for granted that Blake had escaped with only a moderate injury, though she would prefer if Blake stopped getting stabbed altogether.

“And Ruby?”

Finally pulling away from the hug but leaving her hands on Blake’s hips, Yang turned toward her sister.  When she spotted Ruby in the midst of kissing the Queen of Atlas, her jaw nearly unhinged and hit the ground.  Then, as the pieces snapped into place, she started laughing. Ruby’s soft spot for the Atlesian queen suddenly made sense.  As did that blush when she admitted to ‘liking’ Weiss.

“Is my sister kissing the Queen of Atlas?” Yang asked anyway, grinning as Blake followed her gaze and then kissed her cheek.

“You missed a few things.”

“You could say that again.”

Since Ruby was preoccupied, Yang shook her head and surveyed the activity humming around them.  Vale’s Elites and Atlas’ Knights milled around, though only within their separate spheres, carefully avoiding each other.  Resistance fighters filled the gap in the middle, some carrying supplies back and forth while others warily watched the two armies.

“It looks like...we won?”

“We did,” Blake confirmed.  “Vale turned as soon as they knew Ruby was alive.  Then Atlas showed up, and it was over.”

“And Cecelia?”

“She...ran.”

When Blake touched her injured arm and her gaze drifted to the ground, realization slipped through Yang’s veins.

“You let her go.”

Yang saw the truth in Blake’s reticence, but she couldn’t fathom why Blake made that decision.  After everything Cecelia did...all the threats she made and the trouble she caused…Blake let her walk away?  When Blake looked up, however, her eyes held the same steadfast resolve and quiet confidence that Yang had come to love.

“Everyone deserves a chance to redeem themselves.”

Dumbfounded, Yang struggled to decide if she was disappointed or relieved by the outcome.  Did Cecelia deserve to die?  Yes.  But did Yang want Blake to deal the final blow?  No, never.  Considering the unnecessary punishment Blake piled on herself for ending Adam Taurus’ life, Yang didn’t want to add any more.

Cecelia would have killed Blake without hesitation; Blake granted Cecelia mercy.  If that didn’t prove how different they were, nothing would.

“I love you,” Yang blurted out as the feeling spread from her slightly cold heart through her veins.  It might be too soon to say those words, but she meant them with every fiber of her being.  Fortunately, Blake didn’t shy away from the weighty feelings.  She wove her fingers through Yang’s hair and smiled like Yang had never seen before.

“I love you, too,” Blake replied before pressing a quick kiss to Yang’s lips.  When she pulled away, her eyes sparkling joyfully, she set a hand on Yang’s collar and forced a serious expression.  “Even though you disobeyed a direct order.”

“I’ve never been good at following orders,” Yang admitted, leaning in for another kiss. When Blake’s lips landed on hers, the gentle touch filled with emotions she was only now beginning to understand, she smiled and pressed closer.  She didn’t know what she did to deserve someone like Blake, but she wouldn’t question her luck.

She wouldn’t question her luck in finding Blake, but she would question her general luck.  This became especially evident when someone politely cleared their throat and ended the kiss before it became the passionate, ‘we survived’ kiss that she longed for.  Instead, she pulled away and smiled at the interruption.

“Finally,” Ruby teased before hugging Yang.  “Thought you’d keep us waiting forever.”

“Was thinking about it,” Yang admitted.  When Ruby released her and returned to Weiss’ side, their hands brushing but not connecting, Yang held back a smirk.  “When’d you get here, Weiss?” she asked instead.

“Not long ago.  James and I arrived in the midst of...everything.”

“She got here just in time!” Ruby elaborated, smiling fondly at the diminutive Atlesian queen.  “She and James ended the battle in seconds.”

When they had more time, Yang needed more details.  For now, she glanced up at James, who kept a respectful distance, before smiling at Weiss and Winter.  Winter looked happier than Yang had ever seen her, which lifted Yang’s spirits even higher.

“I’ve been trying to figure out how to get you back to Atlas in one piece,” Yang told Winter before glancing around and chuckling.  “Didn’t realize this would be the way to do it, but I’m glad it worked.”

While Winter nodded, Weiss glanced between them before focusing on Yang.

“Thank you for helping her.  Really, I...I can’t explain how much that means to me.”

When Weiss looked up at Winter with love and adoration that Winter openly returned, Yang smiled. “Blake’s the one you should be thanking,” she pointed out before Weiss gave her all the credit.  “She found Winter and snuck her into Vale.”

“I only did what I thought was right…” Blake mumbled, averting her gaze from the gratitude.

Recognizing Blake’s modesty, Weiss didn’t press the matter.  From her thoughtful expression, however, she wouldn’t let the action go unrewarded.  But she made a mistake while pondering how to repay Blake…by subconsciously slipping her hand into Ruby’s. Yang had teased Ruby about possible love interests in the past - that was her birthright as Ruby’s older sister, after all - and she couldn’t pass up this moment.

“I have a question.”  A preemptive smile lifted her lips, and Yang grinned at Blake before meeting Weiss’ clear blue gaze.  “Did you sleep with my sister?”

As expected, Weiss’ eyes widened.  Then her cheeks flushed deep red and she started sputtering.

“What?  I mean - w-why would you ask that?”

“She did!” Ruby answered on Weiss’ behalf, deepening Weiss’ blush.  Sensing Weiss’ embarrassment, Ruby wrapped an arm around Weiss’ shoulders and kissed her cheek.  “It was awesome.”

Weiss’ response to the praise was to stare as if Ruby was speaking another language, so Yang laughed and patted Ruby’s back.

“Damn, Ruby.  You signed that treaty real good.”

The blush on Weiss’ cheeks suggested that Yang was absolutely correct.  Before Yang teased Weiss about it, however, Blake squeezed her hand - a subtle yet firm encouragement to let Weiss recover before piling on.

Considering Yang could take directions sometimes, she kissed Blake’s cheek and left Weiss alone for now.  As soon as things settled down though, she was plying Ruby for details.  She’d always known that her sister won hearts without trying, but how had the Queen of Atlas won the ongoing trial for Ruby’s affection?  And how had Ruby wooed the stoic, reserved queen into bed?

Yang needed those answers, but they would also come later.  Because, unfortunately, their responsibilities hadn’t disappeared overnight, as she was reminded when one of Vale’s army captains hesitantly approached them.

“Pardon the interruption, Your Majesties,” he said while deeply bowing to Yang and Ruby.  After straightening up, he cleared his throat and nervously tapped his gloved hands together.  “I’d just like to say on behalf of the Elites that we’re incredibly sorry for what happened.  It was a monumental failure on our part...both in protecting you and our home -”

“It’s alright,” Yang interrupted before he looked even more remorseful than he already did.  “We understand what happened, and we’re not blaming you for any of it.”

“Not in the slightest,” Ruby assured him.  “So please, don’t worry about it.  We’re moving on now, and we need your help rebuilding Vale and the Badlands.”

“The Badlands, Your Majesty?”

His confusion prompted Ruby to glance at Yang, but then her gaze focused somewhere over Yang’s shoulder.  When Yang turned around, she realized what caught Ruby’s attention: everyone in the vicinity watching them.  Vale’s Elites, Atlas’ Knights, members of the Resistance, even a few people peered out of nearby windows to see what was happening.

“Huh…” Yang said before chuckling to herself.  She would also be curious if she saw all of the region’s leaders in one place at one time, especially when they were still supposedly at war and another tremendous battle had just taken place.

“Guess we should say something,” she told Ruby.

Ruby nodded but, even though she was the best orator Yang knew, didn’t step forward.  She nudged Weiss’ side instead.

“Why don’t you do the honors?”

Yang’s brow rose and lifted even higher when Weiss nodded and stepped forward.  A set of icy steps formed under her feet, and she calmly walked up them until everyone could see her.  Ruby waited half a second before racing up the steps so fast that she would have slipped had her feet ever touched the ice.  Instead, she lighted at the top and smiled while tenderly taking Weiss’ hand.

Weiss didn’t appear to need the support, but she accepted it with a smile.  With Winter looking on in pride, Yang in amazement, and Blake in respect, Weiss cleared her throat and addressed the growing crowd.

“Thank you, all of you, for standing together, and fighting together, to protect this small corner of Remnant that we call our own.”

Weiss motioned to Vale’s troops first, then the Resistance, before finally to Atlas.  The men and women came from all walks of life but, no matter where they called home, they hung onto Weiss’ every word.  She looked at Ruby first though, renewing her smile before turning back to the crowd.

“Effectively immediately, the war is over.”

Disbelief swept through the crowd, but Weiss continued unperturbed.

“Queen Rose and I have signed a peace treaty,” she explained, raising her voice over the whispers.  “Atlas and Vale are no longer at war, and we’ve pledged to offer as much assistance as the Badlands needs to rebuild.  Today, you fought your last battle.  From here on out, we’ll work together to rebuild our lives and forge a future where we can call each other friends.”

After a nod of finality, Weiss glanced at Ruby for approval, which she quickly received, before descending the icy steps just as calmly and carefully as she’d ascended them.  The whispers grew louder as the reality of her words sank in.  The war - over.  Fighting - done.  Battles - no more.  Everyone going home, reclaiming their lives, starting anew.

At first, they didn’t believe it.  Yang couldn’t blame them - after a long, brutal journey that felt like it would last forever, how could it be over so suddenly?  How could it end when both sides remained standing?

Then someone whistled, someone else clapped, and the joyful contagion spread like wildfire.  Cheers and excited voices brought the small, quiet settlement to life.  Some of the Resistance fighters threw their hats in the air.  Elites and Knights raced off to deliver the good news to those camped too far away to hear.

Smiling at the celebration, Yang looked at Weiss with newfound admiration.  In many ways, Weiss seemed to be the same person who’d arrived in Vale what felt like a lifetime ago, but she’d undergone an amazing transformation.  And now that Yang had seen it, she couldn’t unsee it.

That reserved, almost-shy exterior masked budding confidence and certainty.  Combined with her quiet-yet-radiating compassion...no wonder Ruby had taken such a strong liking to her. That ‘like’ was on full display as Ruby held Weiss’ hand and beamed at the impromptu speech.  Weiss also smiled, especially when Winter set a hand on her shoulder in silent congratulations.

“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” Yang said, hoping to build that fledgling confidence even more, before chuckling at the overwhelming happiness in the air.

It felt like they just accomplished something miraculous.  Maybe they had.  Even though the war ended in a draw, it still ended.  They would still look back and regret that it ever happened, but...some good had come out of it, too.  In Winter, Weiss, and Blake, Yang and Ruby had gained lifelong friends and partners to help them going forward.  For the first time in too long, the future looked bright.

Savoring the feeling of success and freedom from her bad decisions, Yang took a deep breath before letting it out in an even longer sigh.  As much as the jubilant mood lifted her spirits, she could only wish for the energy to partake.  She needed a nap first since she was bone tired.  The moment she let her shoulders slouch, however, Blake noticed.

“Why don’t we go inside and sit down for a bit?” she suggested, wrapping an arm around Yang’s waist and motioning to a nearby building that had seen better days.  Ruby glanced at Yang, checking her energy, before nodding and tugging Weiss that way.  The two of them were still holding hands and likely not letting go anytime soon.

Blake also seemed unlikely to let go anytime soon.  Yang would normally argue that she didn’t need the help - she could walk just fine even if she was a little unsteady - but she liked feeling Blake’s side pressed against hers.  So she accepted the support and leaned against Blake a little more than necessary as they retreated to their temporary resting place.  Winter trailed close behind with James and Sun picking up the rear.

And Sun, as it turned out, had more than enough energy for the rest of them.

“Is it like...the same as our spark?” he asked James while they headed to the building.

“Yes.”

“But it’s not like ours.”

“It’s not.”

For a second, Yang thought that Sun might leave it at that.  Of course, from what she knew about the high-energy wind-walker, she should have known better.

“Where are you from?” he asked, making Yang smile while Blake shook her head.

“Somewhere far from here.”

“But what’s it called?  Maybe I’ve been there!”

Finally, Yang turned around and playfully shook her head at the boy.

“James is just a mystery, Sun.  Only Ruby knows his secrets.”

“Really??”  When Yang laughed and followed Blake into the building, Sun nearly tripped over the doorstep being too busy staring at James with wide eyes.  “It’s somewhere really far away, huh.  Like...north or south of here?”

“Leave him alone, Sun,” Blake gently chastised him as she led Yang over to a dusty, round table in what used to be some type of saloon.  Ruby had already blown the dust off the table and did the same with the chairs before pulling one out for Weiss.  As soon as Weiss sat down, Ruby claimed the seat beside her.  Winter took the chair on Weiss’ other side, but James assumed his typical post near the exit.

Sun stopped asking questions at Blake’s bequest, but he didn’t sit down.  He mimicked James’ pose - standing tall, arms crossed over his chest - and casually leaned against the doorframe.  James, looking miffed by the continued company, ignored Sun in favor of focusing on the table.  The last person who showed such avid interest in him had been...Ruby, most likely.

“They’ll be best friends in no time,” Yang whispered to Blake while sitting down.  When Blake rolled her eyes, Yang chuckled and snuck another glance at their two protectors by the door. As much as she hated to admit it, sitting down felt heavenly.  After being worried out of her mind and spending every drop of energy just getting here, she needed to recharge.  Thankfully, it appeared she wasn’t the only one.

Around the table, exhaustion and relief were shared in equal doses.  In one way or another, they’d all overcome a great deal of trial just to make it here.  Now that they made it to the other side - the good side - they deserved a collective sigh of relief. Of course, sighs of relief rarely lasted long for people in positions such as theirs.  With the war officially over, they had more to do than before, and that didn’t even include the mess in Vale that needed to be cleaned up.

“So...what do we do now?” Ruby eventually asked.  She wanted to start fixing things already, evidenced by the way her fingers tapped the table and a light breeze brushed across the room.

“We do what we set out to do,” Yang replied.  “We rebuild our kingdoms and restore the Badlands.  And what better place to start than right here?”

When Yang motioned to the small settlement just beyond the door - a small town that once served as the gateway between Vale and Atlas - everyone smiled or nodded.

“We have plenty of details to cover,” Weiss mused.  “Like what we should send and where it should be delivered.”

“I know someone who can help with that.”

Yang winked at Blake, who nodded to Weiss.

“I can tell you what Yang and I have come up with so far.  Hopefully, it works for Atlas too.”

“I’m sure it will.”  Weiss waved off any worry that it wouldn’t - another subtle display of confidence that she’d sorely lacked before.  “As soon as I get back to Atlas, the Badlands will be my top priority.”

“And...maybe we should stop calling it the Badlands.”

As soon as Ruby voiced the suggestion, Yang nodded.

“You’re right.  We should call it by its real name.”  Pausing for a second, Yang squeezed Blake’s hand and smiled.  “The Valley.”

The relief and joy flitting through Blake’s amber eyes confirmed just how much her home meant to her.  She fought to protect it, witnessing and experiencing true horrors in the process, all so that it could someday reclaim what it once was.  After everything she’d done for Vale and Atlas, Yang intended to make that dream come true.

“We’re going to fix this, Blake,” she whispered, leaning close enough that she could look deeply into Blake’s eyes.  “We’ll bring your home back, I promise.”

“We promise,” Weiss gently corrected.

At a loss for words, Blake looked around the room as Ruby and Winter both nodded - promising to help just as much as Yang was.  Sun bobbed his head by the door.  Even James tilted his chin in agreement.  Only then did her gaze return to Yang, who smiled and gently brushed her fingers across Blake’s cheek.

Blake might not have always believed in herself, but she was the moral, steadfast, compassionate leader that the Valley needed.  Now, she had the full support of Atlas and Vale behind her - and Yang would personally follow her to the end of the world. For the first time, Blake realized that she’d accomplished what she set out to do - she saved the Valley.  She saved her home.  With that realization came the beginnings of tears, but she quickly dropped her gaze to the table, cleared her throat, and whispered, “Thank you...”

The response held only a fraction of Blake’s gratitude.  But, knowing that Blake was getting more embarrassed by the second, Yang squeezed her hand and got them back on topic.

“So Atlas can start sending things any day now.”

“I already have several councilors working on a state of Atlas’ reserves,” Weiss replied.  “We’ll send as much as possible and catch up with whatever Vale already sent to make it even.”

“‘Even,’” Yang repeated, grinning at Ruby.  “I like the sound of that.”

“I do too.”  After returning Yang’s smile, Ruby gave Weiss her full attention.  “Do you need help with any of that?  Gathering supplies or...something?”

Yang instantly saw through the questions, but Weiss didn’t immediately catch on to what Ruby was really asking.

“I think I can handle everything on my own.”  As soon as subtle disappointment flashed through Ruby’s eyes, Weiss figured it out.  “But if you want to help...I’d love it if you came back with me.  Once everything’s sorted out in Vale, of course.”

The moment Ruby glanced across the table, Yang knew what was going through her head.  She wanted to go back to Atlas with Weiss, but she also didn’t want to leave Yang so soon.  Yang didn’t want to be separated again either, but...she’d always known that this day would eventually come.  Honestly, she could only be happy that she got to see it happen.

“It’d be a good idea to have representation in Atlas, don’t you think?  To solidify our post-war bonds, you know.”

From the way Ruby beamed, she knew that Yang was saying that it was fine for her to leave.  That they would still be as close as always, just from a little further away.

“And I volunteer for that role,” Ruby added before grinning at Weiss.  “What do you think?”

“I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Weiss quietly admitted before glancing at her sister.  “And Winter, I’ll explain to the Council what happened.  Then you can come home and -”

“There’s no need for that,” Winter interrupted with a shake of her head.

“But...you’re supposed to be queen.”

“Am I?”  While Weiss looked baffled, Winter set a hand on her shoulder and smiled.  “Because it looks like you’ve done a better job than I ever could have.”

“I wouldn’t say that -”

“You ended the war,” Winter pointed out.  “You united Atlas, Vale, and the Badlands.  And I’m guessing you crushed the Council in the process.”

“They were more agreeable when I left...” Weiss admitted, barely holding back a smile.

“I’d like to go home to see you, but not to be queen.  Instead, I’d...I’d like to stay here and help root out the Phage once and for all.  Besides, we don’t know how effective that ‘cure’ was.  I want to make sure it lasts.”

“You’re welcome in Vale as long as you want,” Yang offered while Weiss reached for Winter’s hand.

“And I’ll make sure you can come home when you’re ready.”

Weiss’ small, understanding smile suggested that Winter had more reasons than the Phage keeping her away from home, but Yang didn’t pry.  She looked at Blake instead and, after confirming that they’d both noticed the unspoken agreement, changed the subject.

“We should try something similar with windwalkers and earthbearers, but only if someone’s willing to take the risk.”

“If they’re sick enough, I’m sure they will,” Blake replied.

“What if it works though?”  Ruby hardly got the question out before looking around the table.  “What if it works for everyone?”

“Then...maybe we have a cure.”

A few days ago, that would have sounded too good to be true.  After reaching the end of the war and the end of Cecelia’s betrayal…maybe, just maybe, they’d reached the end of the Phage too. Before Yang commented on the sheer unbelievability of it, Sun opened the door a crack before quickly shutting it.  In that small moment, a crowd of voices slipped inside, drawing everyone’s attention to Sun and his ear-splitting smile.

“Before you do all that great stuff, I think you should go outside.”

Curious, Yang glanced around the table before standing up.  Blake quickly took her hand again, and she enjoyed the contact too much to protest.

Sun was still grinning like mad.  When he opened the door and waved them through, Yang stepped outside and immediately understood why.  Laughter bubbled up in her chest at the sight in front of them, which also felt too unbelievable to be true.

Two Elites stood in the middle of the dirt road, facing off with two Atlesian Knights standing not twenty feet away.  Were it not for the upbeat atmosphere, she would worry that a fight was about to break out.  Instead, she watched with increasing interest as the Elites formed small balls of flame in the palms of their hands.  The Knights created little icicles in return.

A member of the Resistance stood between them, counting down on his fingers.  As soon as he reached zero, he raced out of the way while the fireballs flitted toward the Knights.  The Knights responded by shooting slivers of ice through each ball of flame, disintegrating them midair with a soft hiss of steam that made the onlookers cheer.

The volleys continued faster and faster - flames and ice zipping back and forth while each pair fought for the upper hand.  Eventually, the ice encroached on the Elites, putting them on the defensive to hold it at bay.

It was a losing battle.  The icicles flew faster as Atlas jumped on their advantage and the Elites struggled to track the incoming projectiles.  A piece of ice eventually made it through, harmlessly shattering after colliding with a sturdy plate of armor. The battle stopped, and the Atlesians cheered their victory.  Undeterred, the Elites accepted their defeat with nods and handshakes before being replaced by another team of two.

“What...are they doing...?” Blake asked as her gaze swept the streets.

Everywhere they looked, former enemies watched the impromptu event with smiles and laughter.  A group of young children had ventured out to see what was going on.  Several enterprising Resistance fighters took wagers before the next matchup began.

“What we’ll all be doing from here on out.”  As soon as Blake turned toward her, Yang kissed her cheek and said, “Healing.”

Blake looked in disbelief at the rapid change in heart, but Yang could believe it.  She did believe it, especially as the next round began and more cheering reached her ears.  They’d never wanted to be enemies.  They’d never wanted to be forced into battle.  They only wanted to build better lives for themselves, their families, friends, and neighbors.  They wanted to be happy.

Yang couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen so many people so happy at once.  Having played a part in this moment, no matter how small, warmed her heart.  Glancing at Ruby confirmed that her sister felt the same - this was worth all the stress of being a leader.  These were the moments they strove for.

When Vale dispatched the reigning champs, Yang clapped and cheered along with the crowd.  Honestly, if she couldn’t feel everything so clearly right now, she might believe that she’d died and this was just a pleasant afterlife.  But she saw the jubilant expressions.  She heard the excited conversations.  She felt the positive energy just as clearly as she felt it running through her veins.  And her heart -

The instant she focused on her heart, a sudden pinprick made her gasp and clutch her chest.

“Yang?  What’s wrong?”

Worry filled Blake’s eyes as she held Yang’s arm and searched for the cause, but Yang shook her head and tried to figure out what was happening.  The sensation had been more surprising than painful, but something just changed.  Slowing her breathing and gingerly reaching out to her heart, she laughed when it reached out to her as a soft, gentle, warm embrace.

“It’s back!” she said, forming a tiny puff of flame in the palm of her hand before laughing again.  “It came back!”

As soon as she noticed Blake’s concern, however, she shook her head.

“The Phage is gone,” she assured Blake before flicking some sparks into the air.  It felt so good to be able to do that without sending herself to her knees in agony.  “It’s mine again...” she whispered, more to herself than anyone else.

She’d already accepted that she would be sparkless and cold for the rest of her life.  But there it was…her spark had returned, small but firmly within her control. Her joy quickly spread to Ruby, who bounced on her toes as her energy threatened to escape.

“Think they’ll let us play?” she asked with a hasty gesture to the games still underway.  Of course she wanted to join the fun - Yang did too, but she raised a brow at Weiss and Winter first.

“Maybe a friendly sister match?”

“I don’t think so,” Blake cut in before either of the Atlesian royals responded.  “You’re not using that spark until you’ve convinced me you’re healthy.”

At first, Yang scoffed at the restriction.  She lost the attitude as soon as she realized that Blake was serious.

“But -”

“Nope,” Blake interrupted with a firm shake of her head.  “We’re healing, remember?  That means you’re taking it easy.”

Even though Yang sighed, she couldn’t help but smile when Ruby giggled, endlessly amused.  Weiss also smiled before sharing a smirk with Winter.

“Just as well,” Weiss said, casually flipping her hair over her shoulder.  “It’s not like you would’ve won anyway.”

Yang’s jaw dropped at the remark, but Ruby giggled even harder, making Weiss smile even brighter.

“You just wait,” Yang replied, stepping forward only as far as Blake’s arm let her.  “When I’m better, you’re both going down.  Except you, Winter.  Because you saved my life.”

While Winter responded with a small smile, and Blake shook her head, and Ruby nuzzled into Weiss, Yang chuckled and wrapped her arm around Blake’s shoulders.  Pulling her closer, Yang kissed her cheek before sighing and watching the friendly competitions take place.

After everything they’d been through, standing here felt like a dream come true.  There was still so much to do - so much rebuilding, restoring, and recovery to plan for - but right now...she was willing to take a short break before throwing herself back into work.

That work would arrive sooner rather than later, but Yang felt more ready for it than she had in years.  Plus, Ruby, Blake, and Weiss were there for support.  As were Winter, James, Sun…and all of the advisors…and councilors…and captains and messengers and volunteers who shared a common goal of rebuilding their once-prosperous kingdoms.  This story, and this new adventure, belonged to all of them.