Outside the police station, the evening air was still, and calmly... cool. Only slightly disturbed by the occasional distant sound of rustling leaves. The sliding doors of the station opened once more, allowing two imposing figures to step inside.
The first was a tall, beautiful woman with a commanding presence. She wore a long white collared dress with puffy sleeves folded up to her wrists, forming a rose-like shape. Over this, she wore a black long vest that billowed slightly in the breeze, giving her an air of elegant authority. A white jabot adorned her collar, with a small black gem at its center. Her black thigh-high boots clicked against the floor as she walked, her wide-collared black cape with a red underlay fluttering slightly behind her. Her long silver hair was styled meticulously to cover the right side of her face, leaving only one piercing red eye visible, and her long, pointed ears added to her otherworldly appearance.
Beside her walked a man of similar build, his lower face concealed by a black, thick body glove that highlighted his muscular frame. His attire was a stark contrast to the woman's elegant garb-he wore black, ragged combat shirt and pants with knee pads and tall combat boots. A black tricorne hat with blue underlay and a bright red feather sat atop his head, casting a shadow over his eyes. His overcoat, with hints of deep blue underlay, draped over his shoulders, while a white scarf tied like a jabot added a touch of refinement. His silver hair, though tied back simply with a red ribbon, was slightly disheveled, and his ears, though slightly pointed, retained a more human shape compared to the woman's.
Both of them bore expressions that left no room for warmth or kindness. The woman's cold scowl was sharp and unyielding, while the man's scowl, though partially hidden by his body suit and hat, was equally intimidating.
Their red eyes, the most striking feature they shared, gleamed with an intensity that spoke of ice cold wrath and vexation to face whatever trouble one of their kin had caused. The few officers who noticed their entrance quickly averted their gazes instinctively, sensing that these two were not to be trifled with. And it is way above their pay to deal with any possible trouble dealing with these two.
The woman's sharp red gaze quickly took in the scene, spotting a pair of blondes in the waiting area-her grandson-in-law, Taiyang, and great-granddaughter, Yang. She immediately began walking towards them, the heels of her boots clacking heavily on the floor, each step commanding the attention of everyone nearby.
Taiyang and Yang, along with their corgi, Zwei, noticed the sudden chilling atmosphere. The police officers around them seemed to stiffen, their behaviors shifting as the sound of the approaching footsteps grew louder. The two blondes plus one corgi turned their heads, eyes widening as they recognized the figures heading their way.
Taiyang quickly straightened up, rising from his seat in a flustered motion. "L-la-" he started, but his attempt at greeting was abruptly cut off by the woman's hand, a firm gesture that silenced him before he could finish.
"Where is she?" she demanded coldly, her tone brooking no delay.
It was Yang who answered, her voice trembling slightly as she sensed the intensity of the situation. "I-In the interrogation room, Nana." She offered quickly, "L-let's go, I-I will take you both there."
Her great-grandma gave a curt nod and a soft hum, while the man beside her, Yang's uncle, hummed gruffly in acknowledgment. "Thanks." He greeted her father curtly with a nod, "Tai."
"U-Ulpian." Tai still stuttering as he replied in kind.
Yang waved at her father as she guided the two toward the interrogation room. Taiyang awkwardly waved back, unsure of what else to do.
As they walked, the taller woman seethed in her native tongue, "Quid in terris illa puella nunc iterum sibi induxit?!"
(What on earth has that girl gotten herself into this time?!")
The man beside her, speaking in the same language, replied, "Quinquagesima iam vice hoc in itinere id rogas. Paulum fidei habe, Consul. Haec tantum pugna in platea fuit, atque illa vicit. Res levissima, si dicere licet. Praelectiones nostrae fructum tulerunt, atque illa incolumis est."
(This is the 50th time you asked that during this whole trip. Have some faith, Consul. This is merely a streetfight, and she won, Child's play if I may say. Our lessons paid off, and she is unharmed.)
The woman gave him a sharp side glare, her anger barely contained. "Res levissima secundum nostram normam, Ulpiane."
she emphasized, "Ambo scimus quam fragiles atque primitivos isti agrestes sint."
("Child's Play in 'our' standard, Ulpianus." "We both know how brittle and primitive these Land-dwellers are.")
Ulpianus sighed, not wanting to continue the debate.
Unfortunately, Yang couldn't understand a word they said. Suddenly, she remembered something and spoke up, "Oh! By the way, Professor Ozpin-"
Her great-grandmother cut her off in their usual language, though her tone was slightly softer. "We know, Yang; hence why we're here as well. To keep her away from him."
Yang stopped in her tracks, turning to face her great-grandmother. She stuttered, trying to make sense of what she had just heard, "W-what do you mean? He didn't-"
But before she could finish, her uncle answered, his voice calm but firm, "We... have our reasons, Yang." He gestured for her to continue leading them to the room where Ruby was being held.
As they walked, Yang's mind raced with questions. Why did Ruby's side of the family seem so hostile towards Ozpin? Could it be connected to what happened to her stepmother a decade ago? These thoughts swirled in her head as they reached the door to the room. She stopped and said, "Well, she's in here, Nana."
Her great-grandmother gave a curt nod. What happened next took Yang by surprise-her Snow Empress of a great-grandma reached out and gently patted her hair, softly saying, "Thanks, little Dragon."
Yang, still in shock, barely registered what was happening as her great-grandma handed her a pair of very thick envelopes. As she looked down at them, she heard her great-grandmother say, "By the by, I heard you got accepted into Beacon." There was a sigh of sadness in her voice as she continued, "While I'd rather have you sign up for one of Ægir's best academies, which are far superior to what these Land-walkers can offer you in Beacon, it is still an amazing feat on your part."
Her great-grandma then smiled proudly at her, placing a hand on her cheek. "You did pretty good, Yang, and I'm proud of you. My sunny little dragon."
Tears welled up in Yang's eyes, not out of sadness but joy. While she had been congratulated by her father and Ruby when she got into Beacon, this felt different-more profound. She had never known her mother, never had the chance to feel a maternal connection beyond Summer, who had raised her so lovingly as if she was like her own child before she passed away.
And since then, her life had felt emptier without that kind of love.
But now, being acknowledged and congratulated by a maternal figure in her family, even in such a simple way, filled a void in her heart. That small gesture, that simple smile, meant more to her than she could ever express.
Yang started to tear up slightly, but her great-grandmother gently brushed away the tears with her fingers, cupping Yang's cheek. Overwhelmed with emotion, Yang couldn't hold it in any longer and hugged her tall great-grandmother tightly, staggering the older woman for a moment. She let out a muffled, "Thank you."
Her great-grandmother returned the hug, softly patting Yang's blonde hair and back. After a moment, she gently said, "Why don't you open it?"
Yang released the hug, revealing her slightly puffy eyes, and opened one of the envelopes. Her lilac eyes widened in shock as she saw the contents-a thick wad of Lien. She stammered, "Wh- buh- wha?-"
Her great-grandmother explained, "Those are from me, and the other is from your great-grandmother. Unfortunately, she's occupied at the moment and can't join us here." She continued, "Why don't you and your father buy something from the... vending machine while you wait for us to get Ruby from Ozpin?" Her tone softened as she added, "Then we'll buy some snacks or some Dust for you on the way to the party at your home."
Stuttering with excitement, Yang exclaimed, "O-o-okay!" She quickly hugged her great-grandmother tightly and said, "I love you so much, Nana!" Gladiia smiled warmly, gently patting Yang's head as she replied, "I love you too, my little dragon." Yang beamed and was about to run back to her father excitedly when her uncle stopped her.
An almost imperceptible tension filled the air, an imaginary crack of blue and red lightning sparking between him and her great-grandmother as she glared coldly at Ulpianus. Despite the tension, Ulpianus handed Yang another thick envelope, this one filled with Lien and a few gold coins. "And these are from me. Use them well, Young Dragon."
Yang, still processing what had just happened, couldn't help but wonder where her uncle had gotten the gold coins. But that, she realized, was a tale for another time she did the same with her great-grandmother before running off to her dad to celebrate.
++++++++
As Yang walked away, her steps echoing down the corridor, the woman's cold voice broke the silence. "Are you trying to get on my nerves, First Hunter?"
Ulpianus rolled his eyes and replied nonchalantly, "I don't know what you're talking about."
Her irritation was palpable as she snapped back, "Where did you get those coins anyway?"
Ulpianus was silent for awhile before he answered with a slight hint of sadness, "Anne... gave them to me before we departed for the surface."
The mention of Anne caused Gladiia to pause for a moment, her expression shifting as she let out a resigned sigh. "Very well. Let's get this circus over with." She placed her hand on the doorknob, twisting it slowly. As the door creaked open, her crimson gaze immediately locked onto the silhouette of the man's back.
Her scowl deepened, and she grit her teeth in cold anger. The memories flooded back as if it were only yesterday-this man, who unwittingly had a hand in taking her granddaughter's life, sending her to her death without so much as informing her or any of the Abyssal Hunters.
"Ozpin", she seethed mentally, her cold fury barely contained.
They had been allies in his so-called "secret war," and yet he had kept them in the dark, and she suspects that he still don't trust them at all.
The aftermath of his betrayal was a nightmare-her wife driven insane, a sleeping Ruby kidnapped from her home right in front of her grieving family by Anne's own hand, Yang harmed in the chaos, and the horror that followed when they returned to their estate in Ægir.
She had taken Ruby under her protection in the Hunter's Dream for weeks, safeguarding the girl from the world that had so callously torn her family apart. It took great effort to calm Anne down, to convince her to listen to reason.
But it wasn't until Anita-Ruby's grandmother-swiftly returned from her hunts in another kingdom that the situation began to change. Anita had been searching for clues on her husband's murderer, and when she came back, she was also in a grieving state herself, devastated by what had happened to her daughter during her absence. She had already lost her husband, a native of the world of Remnant, to a band of mercenaries long ago. Now, she had lost her daughter too, and she blamed herself for it.
She remembered when she and Anita tried their best to pierce through the arcane defenses set up around the Old Workshop where Anne and Ruby were hidden away. The difficulty was compounded by the presence of Marie-the Doll, an automaton who bore the same face and voice as her own mother.
Marie's loyalty to the Dream—to Anne— was evidently unwavering when questioned, she claimed she was bound to care for it, not to destroy or harm it in any way. Despite her resemblance to Gladiia's mother, she refused to help them.
Eventually, Anne's emotional control over the barrier began to fade, allowing them to enter the area without much difficulty after two long weeks.
They reached Anne, still grieving, cradling a sleeping Ruby in her arms. The three of them-Anita, Anne, and Gladiia then engaged in a very tense conversation.
Anne, as an overly paranoid Great One, was adamant about keeping Ruby within the Dream for safety. Anita and Gladiia, of course, retorted that such a life would not be healthy nor safe for the girl.
A heated argument ensued between mother and daughter. Anne blamed Anita for her absence and obsession with finding her husband's murderer, accusing her of neglecting Summer and Ruby, which led to the tragic situation. She insisted that had Anita been around for Summer, none of this would have happened. Anita, though wounded by these words, responded with valid yet still emotional reasoning, pointing out that she had been trying to protect her family by seeking justice, but it was clear that the pain and regret weighed heavily on both mother and daughter.
The debate dragged on for what seemed like an eternity before we managed to find a semblance of a middle ground, an agreement on how to raise and care for Ruby that supposedly benefitted all parties.
However, it was evident that Anne still harbored deep resentment. She remained convinced of Anita's failure, punishing her by keeping her away from Ruby. Anne's bitter words stung-she questioned why she should believe in Anita's ability to protect Ruby now, when she had failed so catastrophically with Summer.
Anita, pushed to the edge, nearly bolted out of the Workshop in anger, but she stopped her. She held her, forcing her to stay seated, even as Anne's admonishments cut deep. Anne's cold dismissal of her own daughter, her only surviving child related by soul, someone she had loved dearly back in Terra, was too much.
And for the first time in their decades long relationship, she slapped Anne, and the sound of flesh hitting flesh echoed through the Workshop, an expression of the anger and sorrow that had built up within her for a short time.
It wasn't until then that the Doll entered the workshop, her serene presence bringing a moment of calm to the tense atmosphere. She suggested that we all take a breather and approach the discussion with clearer minds. It was an offer none of us could refuse, given the heightened emotions. They agreed and decided to give it a rest, and took respite within the area surrounding the Hunter's Dream.
Anita found solace in the new workshop, while she rested on a nearby stone bench she and Anne used to sat in one of their dates in the Dream, her thoughts heavy with the weight of their circumstances as she closed her eyes and rest.
The next day, they were joined once again by the Doll, who took it upon herself to mediate the ongoing discussion about Ruby's future. With her guidance, the three Hunters managed to navigate through their conflicting emotions and perspectives, gradually reaching an agreement that was both acceptable and reasonable for all involved by also including outside actors like Skadi, Laurentina, and Ulpianus to help as a third party group.
The compromise they forged under the Doll's watchful eye succeeded, and eventually, after ten years, Ruby was allowed to return home to Patch. The resolution, while not perfect, at least brought a glimmer of peace to their now fractured family, at least for the time being.
Her gaze shifted to the sight of her great-granddaughter, Ruby, a flicker of warmth thawed the ice around her heart. Ruby's fearful expression upon seeing her wasn't unexpected, and Gladiia couldn't blame her. The way she had a hand in raising and training Summer's child over the last decade was anything but gentle. Harsh combat training, drilled in the unforgiving standards of the Abyssal Hunters, not the standards of these brittle Hunstmen these Land-walkers called themselves with.
Etiquette lessons passed down from her own mother, the former Consul of Ægir, Lady Maria Vileblood. Singing lessons, which were the only times she had shown her softer side to Ruby, in this crucial Ægirian tradition-because in their world, the enemy didn't know how to sing, and an Ægir who couldn't sing was as good as dead. Dancing lessons with her aunt, Laurentina, who was also her own apprentice, were another cherished tradition.
Ruby bonded exceptionally well with her aunt during these sessions; so much so that Laurentina would often become overly clingy, hugging Ruby tightly and gushing over how adorable she was. There were even times when Laurentina lost focus on her duties, entirely captivated by Ruby's innocent charm and exuberance.
Despite these distractions, she insisted on the importance of these lessons, emphasizing that Ægirians were known for their grace, and its women for their elegance, both in combat and in everyday life. Through these shared experiences and affectionate moments, Ruby had slowly begun to affectionately call her, "Nana."
Overall, it had been far from sunshine and rainbows, the exact opposite of the gentler methods Anne might have employed when caring for her. Yet it was both necessary and the most sensible option she can pick for Ruby's own benefit.
As the saying goes,
Take a rafts upstream and swim to the shores.
Gladiia's stern gaze softened slightly as she craned herself into the room and addressed her great-granddaughter. "Ruby, stand up. We're going home."
+++++++
Ruby was still in shock, her wide silver eyes locked on the imposing figure of her great-grandmother standing before her. "N-Nana?!" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. The last person she expected to see here was her Nana, especially not in the middle of all this chaos. Her mind raced as she tried to process what was happening.
Glancing nervously at Professor Ozpin, Ruby suddenly remembered his proposal. She hesitated, her thoughts conflicted. "B-but-" she began, only to be cut off by the ice-cold glare from her Nana. The intensity of that gaze made her shrink back, any words she had fading into nothing. Lowering her head, Ruby obeyed the unspoken command, but not without one final act of defiance. As she turned to leave, her eyes landed on the plate of cookies on the table. In a quick motion, she snatched one, clutching it as if it were a small comfort in this overwhelming situation.
Her great-grandmother stepped aside, allowing Ruby to pass. "Wait outside," she instructed, her tone softer now. "Your uncle, Ulpianus, will be with you and take you to your father and Yang."
Ruby nodded meekly, her voice small. "Okay..." She hesitated at the doorway, casting a worried glance back at her Nana. "But what about you, Nana?"
The stern expression on her great-grandmother's face softened, and she reached out to pat Ruby's head gently. The gesture surprised Ruby, of its suddenness.
"I'll be with you shortly, little shark," her Nana replied, her voice warms slightly for just a moment before it turned icy again as she glared at Ozpin and Glynda. "But first, I have some business with my former... acquaintances."
Ruby swallowed her unease and nodded, quickly leaving the interrogation room. As she stepped outside, she was greeted by the familiar sight of her uncle, Ulpianus. He can be as rigid and cold like her Nana, but his presence was more comforting, and he smiled down at her behind his mask.
"Don't worry, Rubes," he assured her, his voice gruff, yet calm and steady. "She won't take long."
Ruby nodded at his reassurance, feeling a bit better with him by her side. As they began walking, Ulpianus broke the silence with a curious tone, "By the way, I heard you got into a fight with some bad guys. Care to tell me how it went?"
Ruby's silver eyes lit up with excitement, the tension of the previous moments fading away as she eagerly recounted the battle. Ulpianus listened intently, nodding along as she described the fight in detail. He asked her questions about the weapons the thugs had used, the types of Dust they relied on, and how many times she'd activated her Semblance. His thoughtful queries showed his genuine interest, and Ruby found herself feeling more at ease with each step they took toward where Yang and her dad were waiting.
As they walked, Ruby's enthusiasm grew, her voice animated as she relived the adrenaline of the fight. Ulpianus responded with encouraging nods and comments, never missing a chance to ask about the finer details of her encounter. The conversation flowed naturally, a more welcome distraction from the daunting presence she had just left behind.
++++++++
Gladiia's eyes tracked Ruby's small figure as she left the room, as a simmering fury built up in her chest, hidden by her icy gaze. She stepped towards the chair Ruby had just vacated, her gaze fixed on Ozpin, who sat opposite of this desk with a composed expression.
Glynda, who had been standing silently on the sidelines, narrowed her eyes at the woman's sudden intrusion, her hands twitching as if ready to act. But before Glynda could voice her objection, Gladiia's voice cut through the room, cold and sharp as a blade.
"So, if throwing my granddaughter into a pointless meat grinder wasn't enough for you Land-walkers, this time you want to put her daughter-another and the youngest of my kin-my own "great-granddaughter" into the fold too, Headmaster?" Gladiia's tone dripped with venom as she moved gracefully to the chair, sitting with an air of authority. She crossed her legs and folded her arms, leaning back with a predatory gaze, her crimson eyes assessing Ozpin like a hawk sizing up its prey. The silence in the room grew heavy, charged with unspoken tension.
Finally, she continued, her voice laced with mockery, "And what is next she will get from you, I wonder? More lies? More half-truths? More... scheming behind your allies' backs?"
Glynda had had enough. She stepped forward, her face flushed with indignation. "That is enough, Miss-!" she began, but Ozpin's raised hand halted her in her tracks. The gesture was calm but commanding, a signal for her to stand down. Glynda seethed silently, her mouth pressed into a thin line, but she obeyed, retreating a step with a frustrated huff.
Gladiia's gaze flicked for a short while to Glynda, her lips curling into a disdainful smirk before she turned her attention back to Ozpin. "Are you going to throw her away when you're bored, after she's used up her usefulness in this petty war with your ex?" she asked, her words cutting like a whip. Glynda's fists clenched at her riding crop, but she remained silent, her barely containing her anger.
Gladiia leaned forward, her icy red eyes locking onto Ozpin's with an unnerving intensity. "Or are you going to plot another 'accident' to happen to her, just like what happened to Summer?"
The cold hard, accusation hung in the air, heavy with the weight of past betrayals. Gladiia leaned back in her chair, the picture of icy calm as she delivered her final challenge. "So? What will it be, Headmaster?"
Ozpin took a moment to gather his thoughts, his calm demeanor betraying none of the tension that hung in the room. "Lady Gladiia-" he began, his voice steady, but he was abruptly cut off.
"The only people allowed to call me by both the title of 'Lady' and my name are those who are both close to me and my own kin," Gladiia interjected sharply, her tone brooking no argument.
Her crimson eyes bore into him as she pointed an accusing finger in his direction. "You are a nobody, Headmaster. And if you must address me, it shall be as my station of Consul of Ægir. And in this case I shall permit you to use my title as 'Lady', simply for ease in my ears."
Ozpin nodded curtly, his patience still intact despite the sting of her words. "I understand, Lady Consul," he replied, his voice measured and respectful.
Gladiia's hand flicked in a dismissive gesture, signaling him to continue. Her silence was icy, her gaze unyielding as she scrutinized him, waiting for his next words.
Ozpin took a breath, choosing his words carefully. "I apologize that our conversation began on the wrong foot," he said, his tone diplomatic. "It was not my intention to cause your ire."
Gladiia remained silent, her expression inscrutable. Her lack of response was as heavy as the tension in the air, and Ozpin recognized it as a signal to proceed.
Taking the silence as permission, Ozpin continued, cautiously navigating the delicate situation. He understood that this was not just a conversation but a negotiation of trust-a trust that had been deeply fractured.
Ozpin took a deep breath, his voice measured as he offered an apology, "I deeply regret my past actions, Lady Consul. What happened was never my intention, and for that, I am truly sorry."
Gladiia's expression remained stony, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Too late," she dismissed, her voice cold and unforgiving. "Too insincere. Get to the point, Headmaster." Her tone dropped to a low growl, the command clear in her words. "What are you planning to do to my kin?"
Ozpin nodded, steeling himself as he explained, "I am planning to admit Ruby to Beacon, two years earlier than normal, after observing her combat performance-"
Gladiia's expression darkened at his words. Without warning, she reached out and effortlessly tore the edge of the metal table, twisting a jagged piece free. The sharp edge gleamed ominously under the harsh light of the interrogation room.
Both Glynda and Ozpin were taken aback by her sudden action, with Glynda instinctively stepping in front of the Headmaster, her stance protective and tense. Ozpin raised a hand, trying to calm the situation, but his own voice betrayed a hint of nervousness. "Please, Lady Consul-"
Gladiia's voice cut through the air like a blade, cold and menacing. "My patience is already thin, Headmaster. I already said to get to the point," she hissed, pointing the sharp metal shard directly at him. "Do. Not. Make. Me. Repeat. My. Self."
Ozpin swallowed hard, nodding nervously as he gestured for Glynda to step aside. The room was getting more suffocating with cold tension, and for the first time in his many lives, Ozpin felt an overwhelming sense of dread that made his legs tremble.
Clearing his throat, he quickly got to the point. "In the upcoming Vytal Tournament, I wish to invite delegates from your... kingdom, to join the competition as well as to introduce you to the other kingdoms in a diplomatic mission."
Gladiia's expression remained unchanged, her gaze bored and unamused, as if she was waiting for him to say something else of actual importance.
Sensing her disinterest, Ozpin took a deep breath and revealed the true reason behind his offer. "And... I wish to rekindle our old alliance, Lady Consul," he said, his voice wavering slightly as he looked into her unforgiving eyes, hoping for a sliver of understanding.
Gladiia's lips curled into a mocking smirk as she scoffed at Ozpin's plea. "An alliance?" she began, her voice dripping with disdain. "I do not know what goes on within the gears of your thousands-year-old mind, Ozma, but it seems that you've got some 'loose screws' to dare make such a request to me."
She leaned back in her chair, still holding the jagged piece of metal, which she had torn from the table with little effort. "Last I checked, It was you, by your own action. Who singlehandedly broke the alliance in the first place, Headmaster. And now you come crawling back to beg for our aid? Did you truly think I would be so easily swayed by your pathetic pleas? Not even my emotional and empathetic wife would be so easily swayed, especially after what you did."
Ozpin's eyes flickered with desperation as he listened, knowing he was on thin ice. He swallowed hard, his pride taking a back seat as he tried to plead his case. "L-lady G- Consul," he began, his voice uncharacteristically shaky which suprised Glynda, "I understand that a decade ago, when the secret alliance with Ægir was formed, the situation was stable. We had everything under control. But after the alliance was broken... everything changed. All hell broke loose, and now, every resource we have is being exhausted just to keep the chaos at bay. Please, we need your help. Remnant needs help."
Gladiia's expression hardened as Ozpin finished his explanation. She leaned forward slightly, her red eyes narrowing. "Whatever problems and troubles you Land-walkers have," she said coldly, "are none of our concern. Ægir has its own issues to deal with, and we are already content with what we have on our plates."
Ozpin, visibly shaken, struggled to maintain his composure. "Lady Consul," he began again, his voice strained, "Please, I... I admit that breaking the alliance was a grave mistake of my part, one that has cost us dearly. But we are facing a threat unlike anything we've seen before. The Grimm, the bandits, the tensions between humans and Faunus... it's all spiraling out of control. If this continues, it could lead to the end of everything we've fought to protect."
Gladiia's eyes flashed with anger, and she leaned forward once more, pointing the jagged metal at him. "And what makes you think that Ægir should care? We had already tried our best back then, and was both ignored and met with suspicions from the four kingdoms. Your arrogance, your greed, your endless petty conflicts... that agitates and strenghtened the very creatures that feeds on negative emotions and causing even more problems. From where I see it, your kind created your own downfall. Do not expect Ægir to clean up your sordid messes."
Ozpin's heart pounded in his chest as he faced Gladiia's wrath, knowing full well that he was at her mercy. The room was thick with tension, every word that followed hanging precariously in the balance.
Gladiia's patience was wearing thin, and as Glynda seemed ready to berate her, Gladiia's hearing suddenly muted, and a sharp ringing filled her ears. She saw Ozpin rise from his seat, arguing with Glynda, but everything began to slow, like a dream. Gladiia closed her eyes, focusing on the voice that echoed in her mind, her wife's voice.
"I may have an idea," A tired feminine voice whispered, laced with an unsettling, almost maddened giggle.
Gladiia's response was immediate, "Anne, whatever your idea is, I'm shutting it down if it includes working together for him again."
Anne's giggle sent chills down Gladiia's spine. "Oh? No, no, no, we won't be working 'for' him."
Gladiia's interest piqued. "Oh?"
Anne's voice grew more playful, yet sinister. "We'll take a page out of your mother's book, from when she and the old regime dealt with Terran society and politics back then."
Gladiia instantly understood, though it stirred memories of past disagreements. "I thought you strongly disagreed with that decision. I remember you and my mother had a fight over it."
Anne dismissed it with another eerie giggle, "Let's just say it's to spite him and his plans in his little secret tug of war. In the end we'll come out on top. And both Ruby and Yang would be safe. And if they wished for it, we'll also protect their friends too!"
As Anne's voice lingered in her mind, she suddenly morbidly, sweetly asked someone, "Would you like more tea? 'Summer'?"
The words caused Gladiia to frown, saddened by her wife's disturbing hobby. She remembered a similar action done by her mother's mentor, Gehrman, after her mother's "death"-how he had created a Doll in her mother's likeness that is Marie the Doll.
Such a fate had now befallen her beloved Anne, and it weighed heavily on Gladiia's heart.
This hobby had led to a second, greater fallout between Anne and Anita, their daughter. Anita had been both disgusted and horrified when she and Gladiia visited Anne as she was working on the doll's finishing touches. The sight had caused Anita to leave in anger, disgust, and... sadness. From that day onwards, she was never to be seen again.
Although the situation made Gladiia uneasy, she chose to remain patient, trying to keep the now shattered family together desperately, despite the ever growing tension.
Gladiia sighed in reluctant agreement. "Very well, for once, we agree on something."
Anne's reply was a childish giggle, leaving Gladiia feeling a mix of sadness and guilt. "I'll deliver him your will, my Goddess. Vengeance shall be ours. He will pay, one way or another."
"Thank you," Anne whispered, and Gladiia felt the soft sensation of a kiss on her cheek, followed by a gentle, "Love you."
A small smile tugged at Gladiia's lips as she replied, "I know."
++++++++
As she opened her eyes, time returned to normal, and she saw Ozpin and Glynda still locked in their argument. Annoyed but committed to the plan, Gladiia stabbed the sharp metal shard she held into the table, the metallic ring silencing both of them.
With a cold, authoritative tone, she declared, "I have some... counter 'demands' for you, Headmaster."
Gladiia released her grip on the metal shard, letting it clatter onto the table. She leaned forward, folding her hands as her piercing red eyes locked onto Ozpin. Her voice was icy and firm as she said, "And this is a one-time thing, Headmaster. Think carefully."
Ozpin, still rattled by her earlier display of power, nodded nervously. "I-I'm listening."
A/N:
Alright, for those wondering on why I write Ulpianus being adressed as "First Hunter", is because...
*Spoiler Warning!*
In the CN server's new Abyssal Hunter event it was stated in a new lore that Ulpianus is the first Hunter ever created by Ægir to fight the Seaborn, and some compares his transformation to that of Captain America when he got the super soldier serum.