Chapter 46: Friend Or Enemy

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Cross-over from various games, books, anime, manga, and movies.

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'Thoughts'

"Active skill name or magic spell"

'Active skill name or magic spell in thought'

"Activation phrase"

'Activation Phrase in thoughts'

"Speech"

*action*

Time*

Noise*

(Location)

[Skill Name] - Passive or Active - AP cost: or none

Description: Info on skill

[Item Type]: [Type]

[Name]: [Item Name]

Durability: 100%/100%

Quality: Poor - Common - Uncommon - Epic - Legendary - Ascendant

Grade: E-/EX

Value: [System Point]/(Cannot be sold to [Persona System])

Description: Info on [Item Name]

[Extra Info]: [Extra Info]

Chapter 46: Friend Or Enemy

Days?: Failure Is Not An Options! Part 5

(Vale: Vale City: Nearby Yukiko Amagi's Mansion: Unknown Rooftop)

"I don't mind...after putting...her through...some tests." Shigure looks like she considers allowing Neo join, but I can't think a reason why she would.

After hearing this, Neo let out a sigh of relief and lower her guard somewhat, but not completely due to not trusting the other side just yet. As time will tell if she will allow herself to place her trust onto another being again. After what she had to deal with Cinder's faction.

"Does that mean I have to watch over Yukiko by myself?" I raise an eyebrow at Shigure, who blinks at me in return at my question. "I mean, I don't mind if you got to run a few tests with Neo. I've no problem with that and could handle watching over Yukiko by myself, and take care of any troubles shows up if needed."

Shigure thought about for about a few minutes to think about it a bit longer than usual and chose to place Neo under her personal tests now when she got the time to do so before heading out of Vale Kingdom. After all, her fiance could take on an army alone for a while until he requires to call for help to finish off the rest or just retreat until he could recover his strength to finish off the rest himself.

I let out a sigh, then glance at Neo for a brief moment, then turn around to continue my watch over Yukiko's Mansion. I don't have to worry about Neo attacking me from behind, with Shigure next to me and still haven't turned her back on Neo. Also, I have [Eagle Vision] reporting me of any sudden movement from Neo.

"Go on. Just make sure to notify me when you're done. I'll wait here until then." I said to Shigure, as I stretch my muscles and thinking about taking out a few things out of my [Inventory] to relieve me of my boredom of watching over Yukiko, since I don't know how long I have to stay here on guard duty over Yukiko.

"Alright." Shigure was just about to drag Neo to wherever she had planned to use for her personal tests, but not before walking up to me and kiss me on the lip for a few seconds, then left without a word.

Neo didn't look surprised at this display before, if anything, she rolls her eyes at it since she really doesn't want to see a couple doing their thing in front her eyes when she could be using them to look at something she finds important, like [Ice Cream]. Now, that something important next to her list of priorities, where is just right under the one she is required to join Arcana to protect her life from people like Cinder and her boss: Salem, which is one of the reasons why she needs to get some strong backing.

"Oh yeah, Neo. Just a reminder; be sure to remember what we do to spy and betrayer in our organization." I didn't bother to turn around and just speak loud enough for her to hear me.

With that done, Shigure tab on Neo's left shoulder and mode a hand gestures to tell her to follow her lead, then begin roof jumping.

few minutes later*

It has been quiet so far, and nothing interesting happens. No trouble occurs from what Yukiko's report after contacting her. None of the civilians staying Yukiko's Front Yard aren't causing her any trouble after I send a bit of my killing intent straight at them. Well, unless you count the not quite hidden Huntsmen and Huntresses jump out to protect the civilians of incoming enemies.

But, after Yukiko explain to them about it was me hidden in the background to keep an eye over her place while also telling everyone that they better not step over the borderline of what she provides for their stay here for the time being.

"You can come out now, Raven. No one is here but us." I called out to Raven, who appears right after both Shigure and Neo left, but kept her distance between herself and me for a while now. Pretty sure, Shigure knew Raven was nearby with the way Shigure hinted me a few minutes ago. After all, I didn't do a large scale of [Eagle Vision].

"So why did you show up now? Because if you think I'm alone, that you could easily take me down. Then you're mistaken. After all, who was the one that almost dies that day." I finally take my eyes off Yukiko's Mansion and look at Raven once I made sure there no one making any trouble at Yukiko's place while my attention wasn't there.

Raven scowls at me before she says anything, "Let's just say I require...hiring your people. Much to my disdain for doing so."

I could tell Raven has little choices of what she could do with whatever problems she dealing with. But, what surprises me right now; is that Raven isn't glaring at me. Sure, she just scowls at me, but she drops that a few seconds later.

"Okay, why do you require hiring my people, then?" I ask Raven while switching my previous [Persona] to [Accelerator]. Plus, I rather not end up getting teleported somewhere outside of Vale Kingdom.

"One: You're no Huntsmen and 75% of your people are too, with the rest being ones due to personal reasons. Two: I rather get help from someone that doesn't hold the Four Kingdoms' Councils as people to be trusted blindly just because of their status. Three: I know how others look at you as scum for being a criminal instead of heroes like the Huntsmen and Huntresses. And last but not least: You and your organization are powerful enough to be in the 1st Floor Area of the Mistral Kingdom's Lower Section to stand aside with the other hidden top organizations by building up from scratch to the present." Raven gives out a small list of reasons why she came to me of all people.

"And?" I raise an eyebrow at Raven, but once again, I'm little surprised that instead of Raven growling at me. She let out a tired sigh instead, then look at me with eyes filled with respect.

"I also know that you're not blind to the real world and know about Salem of all things, along with other hidden dangers within this world, that those tend to ignore rather than face them." Raven said calmly, then walk over to me and look at Yukiko's Mansion.

"Also, you learn about the whereabouts of all Four Maidens without having to rely on people like Ozpin, to find them. And even did the job yourself, then just stay behind the scene like others." Raven didn't bother to look at me, as she continues her speech.

Raven closed her eyes for a second, then turn her head towards with eyes filled with determination. "And you know what I find funny? Ozpin only found the Fall Maiden through Qrow, and even then, he lost half the Fall Maiden's power to the enemy. Then, there poor, poor Vernal, the Spring Maiden. How Ozpin finds her, I don't know. But, she ends up running away due to having a heavy responsibility that she has no desire to have, where she met me and joined my tribe."

This is where Raven pauses in and let out a satisfying smile before she continues, "That's two of the Four Maidens Ozpin lost already. With the remaining half of the Fall Maiden's power going to your little sister of all people. Making your side, even stronger than ever. Not like it wasn't before. After all, you already have the Summer Maiden as members of your organization too. Among the Four Maidens; the Summer Maiden is much, much more powerful than the other Maidens by pure raw power alone. And you were the one that found her on your own and got her to join your side. So, that's another Maiden Ozpin fails to recruit in his little group, including your little sister. He pretty much gives you another Maiden by picking Pyrrha as the next host of the other half of the Fall Maiden's power."

I quietly listen to Raven's speech, which I find that she would give out one to me of all people instead of a few sentences before she either leave or outright attack me.

"Finally, the Winter Maiden. Out of the other Maidens. She was already here in Vale the whole time and Ozpin didn't know about it." Raven let out a small chuckle at this little fact.

"Not that Ozpin hasn't looked before. The Winter Maiden wasn't here until a few years later." I said to Raven, who snort at me when she knew that I wasn't really defending Ozpin, but more stating a fact instead.

"Now, that you're done flatting me. You were flatting me, right?" I look at Raven with a confused look, then shook my head. "Nevermind. I'll ask again. Why do you need to hire my people?"

"You're making this harder than it should be." Ravel said dryly, not that she could blame me. After all, she had not revealed what kind of problem she is having that requires hiring people from the Arcana.

"Raven. Just tell me what's the problem already before I could even consider allowing any of my members to be hired by you." I said to Raven in a bored tone. While making a mental note on finding out who provide Raven the information about the Summer Maiden being a member of the Arcana.

Raven drops her smile, which is unusual on her face and stare at me with a frown and that the default expression I always see on her face every time I meet her. "Fine. The problem? Is that Salem is aiming for my tribe due to the Spring Maiden staying there. And since both our sides have one of the Four Maidens of our own, including that little sister, even if she only has half the Fall Maiden's power."

I blankly stare at Raven and continue to wonder how in the world, Raven managed to find out that Pyrrha gained the other half of the Fall Maiden's power since it literally just happens last night. So how the news about this already got in the hands of someone like Raven.

"You know. I feel like this is more of using my people as baits while you and your tribe run off while leaving my people behind to their deaths." I narrow my eyes at Raven, as this thought pops up, and I did not like it one bit. Due to the fact, that the Arcana organization's number of members are still not the same quantity as the other top organizations in the 1st Floor Area in the Mistral Kingdom's Lower Section.

However, the Arcana priority over quality than quantity to overcome the difference among the top organizations, where the Arcana could be on the equal footing as the others. Making Arcana an organization not to be messed around with unless they got a powerful backing or powerful on their own.

So sending a well trained Arcana members to their deaths is a major loss to the organization, that put effort into raising them. Well, only the [A-Class] is a major loss, below that, is some loss. But, seeing how the Arcana went with quality than quantity, then we already short on members already.

"You misunderstood my intention." Raven wave off my concern, even though she knows the feeling of losing one of her tribe's members to an enemy. "What I meant to say was, that we should work together, to face against Salem. If we want to survive the upcoming war."

"Raven." I called out her name dryly, "How does this benefit my side? If you're just going to use them as bodyguards. Unless you meant making an alliance, then hiring my people isn't the correct way to do so."

Raven raised an eyebrow at me, "What's the difference? I'm paying you while I get powerful people to defend my tribe until we leave. Isn't that what alliance all about? Forming for mutual benefit between organizations?"

I open my mouth to say something, but shut it after thinking about it a little. Technically, Raven is correct on the whole alliance thing. However, the outcome is still the same. Raven is using my people as bait for her tribe's escape and leaving them to their deaths.

"And what happens if I reject this alliance/request of hiring my people?" I ask Raven in a calm tone while already have a mental command ready to release one of my [Sword] from my [Inventory]. If needed, in the case of a fight between Raven and me occur.

After a few days facing Raven's sneak attacks; well, more like attacking while I was in my weakest state. So I came to realize that I pretty much use up three-fourths of my aura reserve every single time I face Raven alone.

Luckily, I finally decided to reach [Master Sword Mastery] last night. And I'm just dying to test it out against Raven. As I managed to recreate a [Sword Style] I always wanted to use after seeing it for the first time in my previous life.

"Then, I'll have to do something both of us would regret, and by that, I meant I could make a temporary alliance with Salem for a one time deal, to leave my tribe alone." Raven said in a cold tone, as she grips her [Odachi]'s handle that's still inside her [Scabbard].

I glare at Raven, "We both know Salem won't honor her words about leaving you or your tribe alone. If anything, she will kill everyone that has the potential to threaten her, be its ally or enemy, either one will just be a tool to her until they no longer useful to her as she discards them after making sure she destroy them completely."

Raven took a single step forward towards me, "Better than getting killed off early, where I can gain more time for me to hide my tribe somewhere even Salem can't find it later in the future."

"Enough." I stop Raven before she could even begin the first attack and from the way Raven's smile from earlier. I would have to say she wasn't in the right mind or she actually got it back somewhat from waking up on the right side of the bed.

Raven pause in her second step and look at me with narrow eyes, as she waits for me to continue. Furthermore, she knew that if she attacks first, then she will have to face multiple unknown attacks, which she could be familiar with or not.

And she won't count on her Intel she gathers on the Manipulator. After all, the data on those Intel barely scratch the surface of what the true abilities Manipulator could bring out in battle. As a good example is that incident back in Mistral Kingdom a few years back, where the Manipulator went berserk for some reason and shown the world something that beyond common sense.

So no one could blame Raven for being wary of facing the Manipulator without an army to back her up. At least, the army would stall enough time for her to escape. Others could follow this tactic and they shall fail to do so and result in their death. As only those with the semblance or similar to teleportation could this escape plan would work. And even if they do have the ability to teleport. The loss by using this escape plan would be massive. Due to the loss of the army and the resources put into the army in the first place.

"Before we could even agree on what type of payment for the request to hiring my people. I want to know how did you discover Salem is coming for you?" I ask Raven, as this main question I wanted to know; well, technically I wanted to know how Raven gained the info on Pyrrha's status as the new host of the other half of the Fall Maiden's power.

Now, this time Raven is smirking at me, as this among the many things that she always keeps hidden when it's just us two. After all, knowledge is power, and this power is in the hand of Raven at the moment.

Sure, I would first think that maybe somehow the Four Maidens could unconsciously feel Salem's hostile intention aiming towards them. But, the Summer Maiden in the Arcana didn't feel a thing from Salem. So Raven should have an inside spy among Salem's faction. Making the real goal of mine is to find the method Raven used to gain a spy on the enemy's side.

"You know the deal. Either you give something of equal value for this knowledge or beat me in combat." Raven pulls out her [Odachi] from its [Scabbard], where the blade of the [Odachi] fully extends to its full length once fully drawn out. Then, she points the tip of her [Odachi] straight at me.

I narrow my eyes at Raven, "Why do I get the feeling there something you're not telling me about this. I've already done multiple exchanges with you, but this is the first time you offer a second option. A combat-related option too."

"Who knows? Maybe I don't feel like revealing the whole detail, like someone I know." Raven mock me, but didn't lower her [Odachi]. Instead, she looks ready to attack at any moment now. All she needs is the signal to do so.

"Alright, what do you want to exchange for your method of discovering Salem's movement?" I ask Raven, who look at me with eyes of disappointment, then put her [Odachi] back inside its [Scabbard]. But, I could easily tell Raven was relieved of not having to face me in combat for some reason. Too bad, I don't feel like pointing this out since I just don't feel like it at the moment.

Sure, I could outright attack and force her to tell me how in the world she possesses the ability to gather Intel on the enemy's side before they could launch their attack right away; well, unless the Intel was delayed for a bit longer before anyone could set up a plan to counter the enemy's invasion.

But, I felt that there something more going on right now and decided to approach with a wait and see until I got enough for me to take action.

"I want the network in the Lower Section of the Mistral Kingdom and the Vacuo Kingdom as well. If you want to know how I track down Salem's movement." Raven answered on what she wanted to exchange.

"Yeah, not happening. Also, that in Izaya and Momoyo's department." I pointed this out to Raven, who actually forgot about the different roles in the Arcana and I don't do information gathering. Since that Izaya and Momoyo's job, with Weiss helping out sometime while she still had her inheritance still.

"You're making things take much longer than it already should. If I didn't have some problem speaking with your friend: Izaya, then I would have already instead of coming to you of all people. Plus, the fact that my daughter and her friends are with him. Defeat the purpose of me not being seen by her." Raven let out a tired sigh and wonder if she should have just sided with Salem for a one-time deal, with the chance of killing off her older brother: Qrow while finding a place to hide later in the future.

"Anything else you want instead?" I ask Raven, who look ready to just leave and come back another day if only to get some rest after she went through for the past few days already. Including the fact, that the person in front of her could likely cause the death of her only daughter, and maybe her stepdaughter as well.

"You know what? Just give me a place in the Lower Section of Mistral, for my tribe to hide in for a while or some other hidden place I could use before the war begin." Raven really didn't like speaking with me, for some reason; well, I got a few ideas on why.

"I don't know about any good place in Mistral currently. Due to a few organizations are currently either leaving Mistral Kingdom as we speak from what I heard last night or disappearing from the public, the underworld public I mean by the way, and now everyone is on guard." I decided to provide Raven some Intel on what's going on in Mistral Kingdom at the moment.

Raven frown and look like she rethinking about something, "Now that you mention it. I got a few people coming back from Mistral yesterday explaining to me about the disappearance of a few organizations that stayed in Mistral for years now."

"As for other hidden safe places. Well, let just say training outside the Four Kingdoms in Grimmland instead of Badland had more pros than cons I've to say. Honestly, finding a good space in Badland is much easier than finding one in Grimmland due to high activity there. Plus, that Salem's Domain too. And you're already living in Badland since you're outside of Mistral Kingdom. So, all I could offer you is another decent spot in Anima unless you want to move to Solitas. Due to the climate there; Salem will have a bit harder to send her grimm and lackeys there. Mostly the grimm." I offer Raven something to exchange instead of having the chance of her siding with Salem.

"Well, this is better than my idea of finding the right moment to kidnap Izaya to gain access to his network." Raven really didn't like the idea of kidnapping someone who is willing to gut you with an [Anti-Aura Flick Blade] before they realize what happened. And she almost got stabbed in the gut more than once facing Izaya in the past too.

"Now, that is funny." I said in a humorless tone, "Since you almost lost your life to Izaya after you tried to kidnap Weiss that one time for a quick Lien and other kinds of stuff for the release of Weiss Schnee."

This is where I release some killing intent at Raven, who went stiff for a few seconds while mentally scold her past self, for her thinking up such as a stupid idea of kidnapping the Schnee heiress a few years back. And her tribe was almost destroyed by not by a team, but a single person, who literally is known on the battlefield as the Phantom.

Due to Izaya's style of fighting. Instead of in the open like most people; Izaya tends to attack at the moment the target let their guards down or move around them and find other targets. Furthermore, Izaya will even fight dirty by literally using another being as a meat shield before going invisible once more.

"No need to remind me. At least with him. I could reason him with most of the time. You on the hand, take too much time and 80% of the time end up with a failed negotiation." Raven scowls at me after she quickly got used to my killing intent and return with her own killing intent to counter the pressure.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I glare at Raven, with [Evil Smile] on, causing Raven to finch a little, then glare right back. But, the beads of cold sweat going down Raven's forehead just to show how her instinct is literally screaming at her of the danger happening in front of her.

Raven took a deep breath, then slowly suppress her killing intent and blankly stare at me. "Alright. You said there another spot in Anima, right? How do I know for sure Salem won't find this one?"

I instantly switch off [Evil Smile] once I realized that something is very wrong when Raven would usually attack by now, even a few minutes ago as well.

"I placed a few defensive at the hidden place, that even Salem wouldn't be able to find it. Let alone, others unless someone within the Arcana dares leak it out. But, if you want some extra measure along with the already placed defensive. I can make a few [Talisman/Formation] to help out." I stare at Raven with a serious expression and wonder if the war is about to start soon then I would like.

Raven thought about it for a whole minute, then nod her head in agreement and raise her right hand to shake mine to seal the deal. However, the moment she did so. I attacked with the intent of crippling her in order for me to capture her alive.

I give a mental command to the [Persona System] to deploy a [Sword] behind me, where I grab the handle in reverse with my right hand and swing it from downward, then upward as I raise it at high speed towards Raven.

With quick reflex and experience of combats; Raven quick draw her [Odachi] to block my sneak attack, but was pushed back by the massive force behind my [Sword] strike.

Much to Raven's surprise, that I actually let go of my [Sword] while it's still in the motion of raising further towards the sky. As I deploy another [Sword] behind my back once more, but this time grabbing the handle with my left hand in reverse and go for a horizontal strike, with the aim of Raven's [Sword] hand.

But, this was a feint as I watch Raven position her [Odachi] to block my strike and having her [Sword] hand further away from me. As I strike my previous [Sword] that still in midair at its tip with a powerful swing, causing it the [Sword] to slash downward in a single violent movement.

Also, getting the first hit by having the first [Sword] slashing down on Raven's left shoulder, causing Raven to growl at me as her aura shield protects her from getting damage. Furthermore, as Raven used up a bit of more aura to stop the blade of my [Sword] from penetrating her aura shield.

Before Raven could start her own counterattack. I grab my first [Sword] with my right hand and release the [Sword] in my left hand. As I manipulate the vector around my second [Sword] to move the tip towards Raven's left hand and hurl it straight at the intended target at high speed.

In order to stop Raven from switching her [Odachi]'s [Dust Blade] for another one. As I held my first [Sword] with both hands and swing it down at Raven.

Raven spin to her left to evade my projectile second [Sword] from damaging her [Scabbard] while at the same time swinging her [Odachi] to parry away my first [Sword].

"Enma! What's the meaning of this?!" Raven snarl at me, as I continue my approach by rushing in with a [Sword] thrust and the same time; manipulating the vector around my second [Sword] once more to hurl itself at the unprotected back of Raven.

Where Raven counter by releasing a [Fire Slash] at me; forcing me to cancel my approach and watch Raven spin around to knock my second [Sword] out of the air, then step on it to keep it from moving as turn her head to glare at me with hatred eyes.

"The Raven I know wouldn't dare shake hands with the like of me." I grin at Raven, who looks like she did something stupid, which she did due to the fact that she very frustrates with the things went so far and had led to her mental state to be unstable as time goes.

"After all, Raven. You usually appear before me, even if Shigure is with me or another Arcana Member. So, that's your first mistake." I did find this a little suspicious of Raven, who would appear right after Shigure and Neo left. And I honestly thought it was because of Neo, but the way Raven acted through this whole thing. I would have fallen for her acts.

"That doesn't mean anything at all! I could have felt like being nice for a change and look where it got me in return? A cowardly and shameless attack!" Raven snarl at me, with hatred and fury.

I look at Raven, with a mocking smirk as if I'm looking at a great performance before my very eyes. "And how that anything out of the ordinary? Plus, didn't you do the same a few days back? When I was in my weakest state?" Like I was going to take the blame from a hypocrite.