Chapter 194: Vytal Festival (13)

~Jack POV~

Ok…

I've handled all kinds of situations beforehand that have led people to kill me on multiple occasions but the ringing dead silence with Ruby beside me in our Dorm right now was not one of them.

And right now our teammates were just giving us questioning gazes after learning Ozpin brought them all up to speed after escaping from Amber and Glynda's lessons of making me target practice.

Admit I did deserve that, but the question was were they worthy of punishing me?

Meh.

Probably maybe justifiably so.

But returning to the lingering question with Yang's eyes glaring at me red was the first to speak up to me, "So… you showed my little sis what really happened to Summer our mom but didn't say jack shit to all of us about Salem?!!"

Yeah, I figured this would come back to bite me in the ass.

Not once, nor twice, but fucking three times.

Must be a world record at this point for me with the highest luck.

…

Then again, I did take Qrow's Semblance so…

…

I will just blame his literal bad luck for this.

Everyone's eyes were on me while I use <Mettle> to keep my emotions in check answering their conversations and thinking rationally as best I can, "I couldn't. Your uncle forbade me from talking along with Tai to you at the time. While I could've explained it to my team, I wasn't sure how they would react to the news about the Grimm officially having a shadow leader."

Keeping calm as I can I was panicking inside my mental head but <Mettle> did have its perks being hyper focus allowing me to remain calm as best as I can thinking of possible ways to turn this conversation around.

But my heart was beating so fast in worry didn't really help me much of where this conversation would really go when they learned the Shadow War behind what really goes along Remnant.

When hearing my response though Ren and Nora both exchanged an uncertain look thinking in deep thought while Pyrrha gazes at the two in surprise, "Ren… Nora… aren't you the least bit upset that our friends kept this kind of secret away from us?!"

At this Ren considers a bit before finally replying in a defeated tone, "Sigh… I'm not sure Pyrrha. When the Headmaster explained it to us, he must have had a reason but also why never mention it to everyone…"

At that turning of <Mettle> finally calming down my nerves and heart beating I replied to Ren's question, "Because he has seen what happens if that info was widespread. I mean we are talking about a guy who basically reincarnates in new generations and has done most options to his knowledge. And besides, if Ozpin did say that info in the past but worked hard to keep it a secret who's to say those in high political power would betray the rest to save their own sorry skins when they learn of Salem."

At this everyone in the group became quiet at my response because it was the truth.

Those in high political power or cowardly would save their own sorry skins.

It's the sad truth of the matter.

I mean look at former Headmaster Lionheart.

He succumbed to Salem through fear and backstabbing the only few people that are trying to fight back.

Look where that got him in the end… dead and forgotten.

Just like a bitch.

Still, my response went over Blake's optimistic head replying that people aren't that weak, "No, if people learn of this threat they would rather come together and fight Salem yes?"

In most cases yes, they would.

But sadly though that isn't the case here now is it?

But Weiss surprisingly enough was the voice of reason here being devil's advocate thinking of the idea with a frown, "Argh… I hate to be the devil's advocate here but… Sigh, yes Blake they would… but the same could be said for those that will join Salem willingly to get something if she wins. Corrupt and villainous people will join to her if they have something to gain."

Blake along with Pyrrha frowned at this with Yang speaking up siding with Pyrrha, and Blake's faith in humanity, "Maybe… but come on Weiss. Not all the people are going to side with an ancient evil for themselves, right?"

Interrupting her words of reasoning was Ruby that replied in a sad tone the truth of the matter, "Yang… sorry but not everyone is like that…"

Getting surprised looks from Ruby's response made everyone question themselves the moment before I elaborate more on Ruby's words, "Sorry Yang but Ruby has a point. Hell, someone in a high position of power has already sided with Salem but Ozpin took care of it. I mean aren't you guys wondering whatever happened to former Headmaster Lionheart of Mistral Academy?"

Their shocked expressions say all that needs to be said with Ruby nodding her head in agreement recalling the memories of Summer's we previewed through <Soul Archive> getting everyone silent at this.

Everyone was in deep thought of the words said today with Yang being the first to leave the room in a confused tone with her eyes filled with betrayal, "I… sorry guys but I need some fresh air… to process all of this…"

Leaving right away one by one all our friends left to think of what they just learned with me noticing Ruby gripping my hand tightly while I returned the favor holding hers sensing her trembling a bit.

Returning the favor holding her hand lightly gesturing to our friends leaving one by one to think of what they have just learned… made me very unsure of where our standing is in our friendship right now.

Ruby was the first to speak to me in a defeated tone trying to find out what was going on with our lives, "Jack… do… do you think it was the right thing to let our friends know about this… about Ozpin letting them know…"

Hearing her response I sighed in defeat as well letting Ruby know full well of my intentions when I replied, "Sigh… I'm not sure. I don't know how they are going to take this and how our relationship is going to be in the end. We've been through so much together fighting and having fun side by side for these very long months… but…"

I couldn't find the words to finish my sentence about this I don't know how things would end up now with this secret known to them.

In all honestly, they have every right to choose what they think and act how they see fit.

It's the fact we kept this from them that hurts them right now since a few weeks beforehand and with me knowing it far longer than most everyone in the room because of a few reasons that are obvious…

I've been the longest to withhold this kind of info away from them that hurts then right now.

In the end, though whatever answer they come up with I'll simply accept the hard truth of their choice... even if it means disbanding if their choice leads up to that...

I'll respect the decisions they made...

/////

~Third POV~

At the balcony near Beacon Academy's open-view statue sat Blake and Weiss staring at the statue in a different light thinking of what was to come and learning the secret from Ozpin only to be confirmed by their team leader, words.

The two and the friends have lots of time to think things through and what they're up against contemplating of their choices.

Looking down at her own hand Blake felt uncertain of things to come when she began to talk to Weiss in an indifferent tone, "Weiss… I… I don't think I can trust what Jack says or be with him anymore…"

Weiss's eyes widen hearing this but let Blake continue with her reasoning to listen to her pain-filled voice tears beginning to form, "I know that all of us agreed but… I think after today I don't think I can continue to be with him after learning of this… How can I trust him if he kept something big like this from all of us for this long?!! I… I thought we wouldn't keep secrets from each other…"

Blake's cat ears fell down making her choice but responding in a sad tone to herself, "I… I guess I'm just bad at finding good guys anymore leading me to believe that I choose bad ones that keep secrets… I think I just may have been just hero worshiping him into thinking his interested…"

Feeling a pat over Blake's shoulder by Weiss's hand she began to voice her own words to Blake looking at the statue and taking deep breaths, "Maybe… but I will have to keep my faith with the brute. Despite him learning of Salem and Grimm… Jack must have felt it harder right now what our dynamic will be like after learning of Salem and Ruby too. They learned of this before any of us and had to have their reasons why they couldn't have spoken."

Blake then questions Weiss directly about her relationship with Jack now almost yelling, "Weiss do you still love Jack despite holding secrets like his done?!"

Weiss for her part stops briefly before thinking and at that moment flashes of the time as Negative Weiss screaming out her pain to him with his wording out of finding friends to support passes through her mind before she smiles lightly answering Blake's question, "Yes. I still do despite everything and him having his secrets I will still follow him no matter what. He helped me too many times for it to not matter. He even risked his own life to save me from my own nightmare. Time and time, he pushes beyond to save everyone close to him no matter who he faces. Nightmares, Grimm, Alien Gods, Cultist, and now he faced with an Ancient Evil that plagued Remnant for a long time… honestly, I'm more worried about Salem when Jack's done with her."

Blake's eyes widen briefly at that before replying to Weiss's answer resolutely despite her own response, "I see… at least Weiss you are good at staying who you love. I… I might not see myself loving him anymore but that won't change much about us staying friends. He's done a lot for Remnant and made promises to not abandoned his friends."

Weiss laughs a bit getting her head cleared up talking to Blake about the future looking up into the starry night sky, "Of course not! But in the future though… I do plan to change the SDC for the better. But… maybe having the future leader of the Faunus group with like-minded people like you Blake could make a difference along with the Brute. After all, he did say he would help us correct?"

Blake pauses a bit before finally responding to her human friend with a smile agreeing with Weiss's words, "Of course Weiss. Who knows what the future plans for us though? But I do like the idea of changing the Faunus for the better with Jack's help… but... Ow! What was that for?!!!!"

Weiss jabs Black on her side making her yelp in pain as she responds to Blake with a mischievous smirk on her face, "For a girl that says that you don't love Jack you sure change your mind quickly Blake? Maybe give some time to think things through before ruining a relationship with Jack? I mean we all had our secrets like with your Faunus heritage and despite it, all Jack gave you a chance to be yourself? Maybe have more time to think what you are doing is for the best and give him another chance as he did for you."

Like that Weiss left Blake alone for her own thoughts and feelings for Jack despite holding the secret over his head he accepted her for who she was, in the beginning, becoming friends regardless of who she is or was.

Along with flashes of their time together fighting side by side tears ran down her face speaking quietly to herself, "Sniff… I'm an idiot… I – I almost did something I would've regretted again… I'm the one running away and yet you always be there for me chasing me to show where I belong…"

With Blake's own feelings for Jack rekindled by their time together, Blake mumbles to herself with flashes of Jack accepting her with no issues become present in her mind along with other memories of her running away with him chasing after her not letting her run from her past, "No… I won't leave you alone. You are still the same guy that accepted me and loved me… I won't run away… I can't run away from my past any longer..."

Blake merely chuckles looking at the starry night sky along with the remnants of the moon speaking contently with herself, "Even when I'm lost in my own world and thoughts of running away... you will always be someone to come after me in concern or worry to show me a place where I belong. Thanks... Jack..."

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