I change the artifact into the disguise I used the night of the dance and make my way over to Amber. I simply let the energy that seems to want to leave my body guide me to where I need to be. Eventually, I make my way over to the outside of the main tower where Ozpin's office is located. I make my way over to the elevator that Cinder was trying to get to before our fight. Well, to be honest, it was less of a fight and more like she was flailing angrily at me. I force the elevator open and jump down the elevator shaft. I fell for a little bit before I changed my armor into a giant blade and stabbed into the wall beside me as I slid down to the bottom floor. I looked around and it seemed like this was going to be way easier than I thought. Ozpin wasn't going to make things too difficult considering that hardly anyone knows about the maidens, let alone the fact that he's keeping one underneath the school. I looked around the corridor to make sure there weren't any traps. I didn't see anything as far as I could tell so I let the energy once again guide me to where Amber was. Eventually, I made my way to the machine that was keeping her alive. I extended my hand and let the energy flow out of me and into Amber. I did it at a slow and steady pace because I didn't want to overwhelm her weakened body. After transferring about half of the power, I could hear the sound of various footsteps making their way toward my direction. Did I make a mistake or trigger a silent alarm somehow? Either way, I need to escape now. I quickly devour the machine around Amber and check to see if my little experiment didn't kill her. Thankfully, she was still breathing so I put her on my back as I run back toward the way I came. I soon realized that I don't know the way back to the elevator or the way to the exit. I had no choice but to go toward the footsteps knowing that they would probably be blocking the exit. I rush towards the sounds of noise until I turn a corner and hear all the soldiers lock eyes with me and proceeded to attack me. I looked at the battle suits and could immediately tell that it was the high tech soldiers from Atlas. I grin knowing that there weren't any people inside of it and I could be as destructive as possible. This was my last chance to use the powers of a maiden before I returned it so let's have some fun. I smile and proceed to shoot a giant fireball straight through the group of soldiers. Different parts of different soldiers were flung to the side of the building. I ran right through my fireball hit and created chains of pure energy that I wrapped around one soldier's head and pulled it toward me. The soldiers finally seemed to get their footing and started shooting at me with their guns. I created a firewall to block all their attacks and when they were done shooting I charged more of the Fall Maiden power through my foot. I kicked the head like a soccer ball and saw it plow through several more soldiers as I quickly shot several more fireballs at the soldiers and made my way toward the exit. I made my way through various soldiers while trying to have fun with these powers. I wasn't going to lie that these powers made this mission was more fun than I thought it was going to be. I quickly made my way through the hordes of drones sent to stop me until I finally made my way toward the exit. I quickly look around and didn't see Ozpin, but I saw a familiar face that I definitely didn't want to see in front of me. I froze for a second since I knew what white hair and perfect posture anywhere. It was my sister, Winter. Winter looked at me with a serious look with her sword already in her hand.
Winter: Who are you? What are you planning on doing with the Fall Maiden?
Winter questioned me but there was no way I was answering. Winter definitely knew my voice so saying anything was out of the question. However, I'm not strong enough to beat Winter while carrying Amber to safety. Then again, I don't have to fight her like I did the soldiers. I smile as I am once again enveloped by the Fall Maiden energy and shoot towards the sky like a comet. I look down to see Winter's face filled with anger. Then, I noticed that she started summoning some Grimm with her semblance. I quickly formed some energy in my hand and throw it toward the ground. Winter looks up and sees nothing but a burst of red light envelope the sky to blind her. I flew toward the city with my fastest speed possible to make sure that she couldn't follow. In the city, I changed my form to myself with a long dark jacket to hide my face from other people. I carried Amber to a cheap inn I knew in town. The guy gave me a strange look but I paid him a silence fee to keep quiet. I bandaged up any wounds she might've gotten from bursting out of the machine or the chaos that came afterward. I laid Amber right next to me and quickly fell asleep in the bed.
I open my eyes to see Amber still sleeping beside me. Thankfully, I woke up first or who knows what could have happened. I just get up and make some breakfast from some of the stuff in the fridge. It was easy to make a simple dish and I think the aroma of eggs and bacon woke her up.
Amber: Who are you? Where am I? What are you doing?
Jack: Hello. I'm Jack and I saved you from being used as a pawn in a huge game of chess. I also gave you half of your Fall Maiden power that was stolen from you by Cinder. It's the reason your still alive at the moment. I don't think I have to tell you what happens if I decided to take your power instead of giving them to you.
Amber: What happened to my family? How long was I in the machine?
Jack: I don't know anything about your personal life. I just knew what you were and why you were down there. I don't know how long you were down there but I don't think it was very long considering your unstable condition.
Amber sits on the bed in silence for a minute and ponders what I told her. In the meantime, I finish up breakfast and make a plate for myself and Amber. I bring one of the plates to the other side of the table and say, "I hope you like your eggs scrambled."
Amber still silent slowly makes her way over to the table and begins to eat. At first, it was pretty slow but after a while, I could see her quickly devouring the food in the table. Thinking about it, when was the last time she had a proper meal. Out of nowhere, Amber takes the initiative to start the conversation back up again.
Amber: How did you even save me in the first place?
Jack: I took the maiden powers from the person who took them from you. I didn't kill her so she still out there and could very well track me down to take them back. She could also come for you once again if she knows that you have it. Anyway, I snuck my way into where they were keeping you and hoped that by giving you your maiden powers that it would allow you to live. You should have the choice to do what you want after all. It's your own life and I don't like the idea of forcing someone to live a life they don't want so I wanted to give you the choice of what to do next. If you wish to have full access to your powers and leave Beacon, then that's fine with me. I could also take all the power from you that don't need to survive. You'll essentially be an ordinary person again with the ability to do some small scale magic or party tricks. You could also train at Beacon to become a professional huntress and gain full mastery of tour abilities. All the options have their pros and cons but I personally would recommend the third option.
Amber goes silent once again. I brew some tea while she mulls over her options. I look at the clock and notice that if I'm going to make it to class on time then I need to wrap up this conversation.
Jack: Well, I can't stay here all day so I'm going to head to class. I'll be back afterward so just let me know what your decision is by then. Don't get into too much trouble while I'm gone and please don't tell anyone that you know me. Bye.
I leave some money on the counter and head to class. I have a bad feeling about leaving her alone but I'm sure It'll be fine. What's the worst that could happen?
I never seem to have much time at the moment to just write, but the story isn't over yet so that means that there are more chapters to write eventually.