Chapter 61. A Long Day

Silva POV

After informing Sienna of the hidden path to the slaver's docks she went back to the tent to get her commanders in order. I spent my time trying to calm my nerves from remembering the victims of the cult that still haunts me a bit. A twisted part of me feels relief that I am capable of feeling guilt at the murder I committed because that means I am not a sociopath or psychopath much to my peace of mind.

As I center my thoughts with Penny keeping me company someone walked over to me and it was Blake Belladonna. As she walked in front of me she asked.

Blake: Is it true?

I looked towards her and said.

Silva: You're going to have to be more precise in what you mean Miss Belladonna.

She pursed her lips and asked.

Blake: Is it true with how much you helped the Menagerie and Kuo Kuana?

I nodded and told her.

Silva: Yes, but I ask that you keep my identity a secret because it brings more trouble to me than necessary plus I am only helping out the White Fang this one time.

She nodded in agreement then asked.

Blake: Are they angry? With me leaving just like that?

I realized that she was talking about her parents and I assured her.

Silva: They are more worried than angry you really should send them a letter, now and then, to let them know you're at least still alive.

She looked down on and said quietly.

Blake: I will and thank you again...

Silence filled the gap between us for a few minutes and Blake asked me.

Blake: Can I see your face?

I tilted my head in slight confusion and asked back.

Silva: Why do you want to see my face?

She blushed, much to my surprised, and answered.

Blake: I the letters you gave me Mom repeatedly told me how handsome you are.

Beneath my helmet, I had a skeptical look on my face and asked not believing her.

Silva: You're pulling my leg, right?

She silently handed me the letters, Kali wrote to her and I found she was telling the truth plus that Kali was putting in a lot of embarrassing comments in it which honestly doesn't surprise me because she does enjoy teasing those she is close to. I shook my head in amusement and used a bit of magic to obscure my surrounding to hide my identity so that I can show Blake my face. I called out to her to get her attention.

Silva: Blake, look.

I took off my helmet and showed my face to her to which she looked confused in return. She then commented.

Blake: With how much Mom talked about you I expecting something less... Normal.

I chuckled at that because I wished for just above-average looks because I didn't want any fangirls annoying me because of me having jaw-dropping good looks. Even if it would make dating all the girls I want easier but I digress. I put my helmet back on and asked her jokingly.

Silva: So am I a prince on a white horse or what?

I managed to get a smile out of her as she replied.

Blake: Not quite but you are good looking in a normal sort of way.

I bantered with her.

Silva: Please don't feed my ego you will make my head inflate and then my helmet would be too tight.

She chuckled at my bad joke and replied.

Blake: We can't have that can we.

Penny interjected with a question.

Penny: But Silva how do compliments make your head grow bigger?

I had a wry smile under my helmet on and explained it to her.

Silva: It is an expression meaning that having a large ego also means having a large head and before you ask I am not sure how that expression started.

Blake looked at Penny curiously and I gave her a vague introduction.

Silva: Blake, this is a friend of mine that wants to help the Faunus.

Blake got the underlying message that Penny is not a Faunus herself and looked at her surprised to which Penny greeted her.

Penny: Salutations, I am combat-ready.

Blake awkwardly replied.

Blake: Ah, hello...

We chatted a bit more then Adam showed up and exclaimed.

Adam: BLAKE, GET AWAY FROM THAT MURDER!

Well, that is the pot calling the kettle black if I have ever heard it. I just looked at the idiotic bull Faunus as he walked over and grabbed Blake's arm, she then asked him.

Blake: What do you mean Adam?

Adam then told her what I said to the commanders and she looked at me with a horrified look. And I told her truthfully without hiding or making excuses.

Silva: It is true Miss Belladonna I have a lot of blood on my hands and it will only increase as time goes on...

As Adam dragged Blake away she looked back at me with a complex look on her face. I sighed and thought to myself, that things are never easy. Sienna showed back up and requested me.

Sienna: Can you take a team through the hidden passage to scout it out?

I nodded towards her and replied.

Silva: Just pick who you want to go with me and I will lead the way.

She left and after an hour she brought the team I will be leading which to my surprise had Blake in it. I looked towards them and said.

Silva: You may have already heard about me and what I told your commanders... Let me tell you I honestly don't care what you think of me but understand this I am here to help and if you can't follow my orders for whatever reason, get lost.

At least half left and the other half stayed along with Blake. I then went over the mission with the ones that stayed.

Silva: Now then, the mission is simple we are going to scout out a hidden path to the slaver's docks to see if it is an entry point that we can use for this operation. Do I make myself clear?

They murmured amongst themselves a bit and I then said.

Silva: Good, now get ready to leave within the hour, and if you are not there I will leave you behind.

They all left to prepare for the mission and I went to start my preparations.

Blake POV

Adam was telling more about what Silva said to the commanders and I felt a conflicting image enter my mind about him. On one hand, he is warm, caring, and earnest. On the other, however, he is ruthless, cold-blooded, and a killer. In some aspects, he is similar to Adam but in others, he seems different.

I am honestly confused about how to feel about him from not only what my parents said about him what he says about himself as well. Then the high leader, Sienna selected me for a mission lead by him and of course, Adam disagreed which cause a small agreement amongst themselves to which Adam lost. I went towards the meeting area for the mission Silva is leading and saw the group mumbling amongst themselves about what Silva said to the commanders.

The first thing Silva did was have those that would not obey his orders leave and confirm what we heard about him. Half stayed along with me while the rest left not wanting to follow him. He then gave a summary of what the mission entails and gave everyone an hour to get ready. As I went to prepare I wondered just which side of Silva is the true one and it also crossed my mind on Adam's gradual changes towards killing humans during missions.

I compared Adam to Silva and found a key difference between the 2 Adam gives explanations and excuses to me when I ask him why but Silva gives me a sense of transparency on the matter of killing because he did not deny it or hide it but openly admitted to it. I continue to feel confused about my impression of Silva as I packed my supplies and hope the mission will give me a clear view of his character as I stand alongside him.

Silva POV

I am currently leading the team assigned to me through Solitas's tundra to the entrance of the hidden path. As we got closer I noticed that the entrance is guarded to which I used a bit of magic to knock out the guards before they spotted us. The entrance was covered by a large winter camouflage tarp with the guards passed out behind it. When we entered I was surprised at how warm it was in the hidden tunnel and I noticed that the tunnel was lined with fire dust crystals.

As we carefully trekked through the tunnel I noticed that aside from the guards at the entrance it was practically unguarded. Soon we reached the docks and I told them.

Silva: Okay, since we are here let's get some info on the docks themselves to bring back. I need some volunteers that are quick and quiet to scout out the docks along with me and my friend.

Blake took a step forward along with 2 others in standard White Fang uniforms. I nodded towards them and said.

Silva: Okay, now before we go off I need to tell you if you see something you can't stand and feel the need to act to do it quietly which means no gunshots do use your melee weapons, got it.

They nodded in return and I then ordered.

Silva: Okay spread out and make note of anything of interest like ammo depots or turrets and any other defensive position in the docks. The rest of you keep quiet and out of sight for the time being.

I already have a mental map of the place thanks to Echo Tremors sonar but I need multiple sources of information to give to Sienna and her commanders. Penny stuck with me as we scouted out the docks which are not as heavily defended as I originally would have thought which strikes me as strange. I expanded my sonar to my maximum limit and found a blank spot that was odd because it felt unusual to my senses.

I decided to check it out and I found a ship that had a strange emblem on it that was an M surrounded by a blue hexagonal design. For some reason, it looked familiar but I could not remember why I decided to take a closer look and found it was with various Grimm from Solitas. It then clicked with me, Merlot Industries a quick flash of rage passed me aggregating the Grimm because I remembered that the Grimm girl Lucifer was an experiment of Merlot's.

I calmed down and went back to the main group until I heard a gunshot go off, I clicked my tongue and went to check it out. I soon found Blake protecting a little fox eared girl from one of the slavers shooting at her. I readied my clawed shield gauntlets and sneaked behind the slavers firing at them. I used my weapon to thrust through their backs killing them then flicked their blood off my weapons.

I walked over to them and asked.

Silva: Are you 2 okay, any injuries?

They shook their heads for no and I gave out the order.

Silva: Good we are heading back to the main camp now, so double time.

Blake muttered while holding on to the young girl.

Blake: Sorry...

She probably felt it was her fault for exposing us but I assured her.

Silva: It's fine, I expected some reaction when seeing how the slaver's treated the captive Faunus so no worries.

I heard an unknown voice speak out.

???: Now I wouldn't say that since I found you.

I turned to find a woman wearing a heavy white coat with gray skinny pants and high heel boots. She had blue-gray hair and green eyes and was twirling a knife in her right hand looking bored. I could sense that she had aura as well and I told them.

Silva: Blake, Penny, head back to the main camp without me I will catch up later.

I could tell that this woman was a trained killer from my own experience and those 2 are not ready just yet to face someone like her. Penny protested against my decision.

Penny: But Silva she is a known criminal in Atlas's underworld that the military has not been able to catch for several years at least. Not only that the records say she is highly dangerous and is not to be approached unless backed by a team of elite military huntsmen/huntresses.

Blake also looked like she wanted to stay but I reminded them of something important.

Silva: I need you 2 to protect that little girl and lead the team back to the main camp with our findings.

Just as I finished my sentence a knife came flying at Blake and I grabbed it before it could connect. Next, the woman appeared immediately after, snatching the knife from me and launching a high kick at me. I blocked it and told them bluntly.

Silva: You 2 are in the way so leave, so that I can focus on my fight.

Blake looked like she was about to retort but Penny quickly dragged her away along with the little Faunus girl. The woman in white smirked at me and said.

???: Well now, here I was hoping for a bit of 3 against 1 action but oh well. You look like a bit of a challenge at least, so show me what you're made of.

I slashed at her with my claw shield gauntlets and she tossed her knife in the air and disappeared right before my eyes. I heard some gunshots then felt hit by them and found the woman at a distance shooting at me with a handgun. I used my magic to read her mind and found what I wanted.

Her name Velite Vice and her semblance is called Sentimental Item which allows her to form bonds with items and teleport to them at a short distance. I felt that this is going to be an annoying fight so I decided to wreak havoc and cut loose. I raised my foot and stomped down causing a small earthquake that threw Velite off balance. I then used a shockwave to launch me at her as I closed in on her she threw her knife to the side and teleported to it.

I quickly fired a shockwave at her before she could react and sent her flying. She threw 2 knives at me and I disrupted their flight path with a shockwave. She frowned and took out another handgun and started to fire at me rabidly and I avoid them easily thanks to my sonar their reading trajectory. As I closed the distance I heard someone laugh then say.

???: Well, well, the great Velite Vice backed into a corner by a simple animal.

I didn't bother looking at the source of the voice because my sonar already picked him up and I focused on dealing with Velite quickly before moving on to him. Just as I was about to land a blow on her I was sent flying and it took me a few moments to get my balance back. A tanned skin man with black hair and eyes wearing a black duster over his brown shirt with black pants and brown leather cowboy boots with brass spurs.

He helped Velite up and she complained.

Velite: Where in the heck were you Onyx I could have used your help earlier?

He puts on a brown cowboy hat that has some high tech goggles attach to it and replies with a smile.

Onyx: Oh, just napping until I heard some rats sneak in and soon heard your fight from a distance and here I am.

He took out a pair of sawed-off shotguns equipped with magazines for more shots and easier reloading. He looked at me with a casual smirk with his guns pointed at me with Velite doing the same and warning him.

Velite: Careful, this one can cause earthquakes and shockwaves. You do not want to get up close and personal with him.

Onyx just grinned and replied.

Onyx: Sounds like fun.

I sighed beneath my helmet and felt like I have a long day ahead of me. I ready my weapons for the fight ahead of me.