Opening theme:
Hibana (Tales of Arise opening 1)
Visuals: Starts out showing Odyn walking forward with Ruby following behind him as it pans up to the sky upon showing the title card: Flame and Crimson. The screen briefly goes to a shot of Odyn's hands before cutting to field surrounded in flames. Ruby looks up to the sky as the silhouettes of her family members are seen walking in the background of her mind. The camera then pans to Odyn reaching a hand towards Ruby, who accepts it as the they walk forward.
The camera then pans to others within the group of friends, ranging from Khanna and Mercury fighting off Grimm, to Syrrai and Jaune training as they clash swords. Roy and Yang are seen sparring before she falls to the ground frustrated with herself momentarily before Roy offers a hand to help her up to her feet. It then pans to several lights, representing the group of friends. Odyn reaches out towards Ruby and the two of them grab hands before standing back to back with their weapons drawn.
The dark elf then draws his blade as he rushes towards a giant Grimm. After slashing it, a few times and dodging it with Roy accompanying him. They're saved by a shot from Ruby's sniper scythe. The scene then pans to Baron and Flare fighting off a wyvern Grimm with Blake, Shallot, Yang, and Sun helping. As the beast closed in, Syrrai rushes in and knocks back the beast with an Arte from her shield.
This opened up things for Daikon to blast the beast away. Odyn is then seen to be clashing swords with someone in dark armor briefly before both gain distance and charge in again for a final clash. The clash causes the screen to go white, fading into a field where everyone meets and walks off towards mistral together.
Chapter 31: Yang's Recovery
The Long Voyage Home
The gentle rocking of the ship beneath her feet was a stark contrast to the turmoil in Blake Belladonna's mind. For weeks now, she had been running-from Adam, from the memories of Beacon's fall, from her friends who she'd abandoned without even saying goodbye. The peaceful blue waters stretching endlessly before her offered no answers, only a reminder of how far she still had to go.
Home. Menagerie. A place she hadn't seen in years.
Blake stared out at the ocean, her amber eyes reflecting the dancing waves. The sound of children's laughter startled her from her thoughts, making her glance over her shoulder. Two young faunus kids ran by, carefree and joyful in a way Blake couldn't remember feeling in a long time. The ghost of a smile touched her lips before she turned back to the endless blue.
Footsteps approached from behind, and Blake tensed instantly.
"Traveling alone?" a voice inquired.
Blake's reflexes took over before her mind could process the question. She spun around, her hand gripping Gambol Shroud's hilt, ready to face whatever threat had found her. Instead, she found herself facing the ship's captain, who quickly raised his hands in a placating gesture.
"Now, now, no threat here," he assured her. "Just here to chat."
After a moment's hesitation, Blake relaxed her posture with a roll of her eyes. "And why is that?"
The captain lowered his arms and leaned against the railing beside her. "Well, not many people travel by boat on their own. It can be quite a lonely voyage. But I found those that do tend to have the more... interesting stories."
Blake turned away, the weight of her recent experiences pressing down on her. "Maybe it's just... better for some people to be alone."
The children darted past again, their laughter cutting through the tension. Blake gasped, startled by the sudden noise. She blinked rapidly, trying to regain her composure.
"Maybe," the captain said with a knowing laugh, "but with your paranoia, I think a few friendly faces wouldn't hurt."
"Who says I'm paranoid?!" Blake snapped, instantly proving his point.
The captain just laughed again. "No one, dear, no one. I'll leave you be." He turned to walk away before pausing. "But uh, fair warning: these trips can be awfully boring."
As he continued on his way, Blake stared after him, contemplating his words. Once he was gone, she looked down at the deck, her thoughts drifting to the journey ahead-and what she'd left behind.
Her hand moved to the bow atop her head, the fabric that had hidden her faunus heritage for so long. With deliberate movements, she untied it, feeling a weight lift from her as she did.
"Mmm." She held the ribbon out over the railing, watching it flutter in the sea breeze. "Won't be needing this."
She released it, watching as the black fabric swirled once in the air before landing gently on the water's surface. A symbolic gesture-cutting ties with her past life, her hidden identity. No more shadows, no more running from who she truly was.
Blake turned away, unaware of the hooded figure observing her from across the deck, partially concealed behind a lifeboat. Nor did she notice how, beside her discarded ribbon, large scales broke the ocean's surface momentarily before submerging again, taking her bow with them into the depths.
---
Miles away in Atlas, Weiss sat alone in her bedroom, the evening light casting long shadows across the pristine white carpet. She'd changed from her usual combat skirt into the elegant dress expected of a Schnee heiress, but the garment felt like a prison now.
Her confrontation with her father replayed in her mind. She had stood her ground, warned him of the coming storm, but had her words made any difference? The sounds of servants hurrying through the hallways suggested otherwise-Jacques was still preparing for war, blind to the consequences she and General Ironwood had laid before him.
A knock at her door interrupted her thoughts.
"Miss Schnee?" Klein's familiar voice called. "May I come in?"
"Of course, Klein."
The door opened to reveal her family's butler-the closest thing to a supportive parent she'd known in recent years. His expression was grave.
"I thought you should know," he said quietly, "your father has called an emergency meeting with the Atlas military council. General Ironwood has been... excluded."
Weiss closed her eyes, understanding the implications. Without Ironwood's voice of reason, the council would almost certainly approve her father's aggressive stance against the Dark Elves.
"How much time do we have?" she asked.
"Not long, I'm afraid. The Dark Elven forces were spotted less than fifty miles from the city limits." Klein hesitated. "There's something else. A message came for you, delivered by a rather strange bird."
He handed her a small, sealed envelope. Weiss recognized the wax seal immediately-the emblem of Winter's special operative unit.
"Thank you, Klein. Could you give me a moment, please?"
Once alone, Weiss broke the seal and unfolded the message.
*Weiss,*
*Atlas stands on the brink. Father's actions have accelerated the timeline. The Dark Elven army will reach the kingdom within two days. They come not just with weapons, but with ancient magic that our military is unprepared to face.*
*I need you to do something that will seem impossible. The Schnee family vault contains more than just Dust and heirlooms-it holds an artifact of immense power, a relic of the time when humans and elves lived in harmony. Find the crystalline scepter with the blue gemstone. It's our only hope of opening negotiations before blood is shed.*
*Trust no one but Klein. And remember your training.*
*-Winter*
Weiss folded the letter carefully, her mind racing. The family vault was beneath her father's study, protected by security systems and guards loyal to Jacques. Reaching it would be nearly impossible.
But as her gaze fell upon Myrtenaster resting against her desk, she knew she had no choice. If Atlas was to survive the coming conflict, she would need to act now.
---
On the road to Mistral, the light was fading as Ruby's group set up camp for the night. The destruction of Shion village had cast a pall over them all, especially Ren and Nora, who had grown increasingly quiet since discovering the hoofprint.
Ruby winced as she tried to help with the tent. The pain in her head had intensified throughout the day, and now a new sensation was spreading through her body-a tingling that started at her fingertips and was slowly working its way inward.
"Here, let me," Odyn said gently, taking the tent stakes from her trembling hands. "You should rest. The transformation is accelerating."
Ruby nodded gratefully and sank down beside the newly kindled fire. Jaune handed her a water canteen, concern evident in his blue eyes.
"How bad is it?" he asked softly.
"Like growing pains, but everywhere at once," Ruby admitted. She reached up to touch her ears, which now bore the distinctive pointed tips of an elf. "It's strange. I can hear everything so clearly now-the birds in that tree half a mile away, Ren's heartbeat as he's gathering firewood..."
Sarai sat beside her, placing a comforting hand on Ruby's shoulder. "The enhanced senses can be overwhelming at first. Try to focus on just one thing at a time."
Ruby nodded and closed her eyes, concentrating on the crackling of the fire before her. "Odyn said by tomorrow, the transformation would be complete. What happens then? Will I still be... me?"
"You'll always be you, Ruby," Sarai assured her. "The only difference is that now you'll be able to access abilities and strengths you never knew you had."
"Like magic?" Ruby asked, a spark of excitement breaking through her discomfort.
Sarai smiled. "Yes, although it will take time to learn to control it properly."
Across the fire, Nora had been unusually silent, her usual cheerful demeanor subdued as she stared into the flames. Ren sat beside her, their shoulders touching-a silent reminder that they were there for each other, as they had been since childhood.
"Ren," Ruby called softly. "That hoofprint today... you recognized it, didn't you?"
Ren and Nora exchanged a glance, years of shared history passing between them in that single look.
"We did," Ren finally acknowledged. "It belonged to a Grimm called the Nuckelavee."
"I've never heard of that type before," Jaune said, frowning.
"Few have," Ren replied, his voice tight with old pain. "It's a rare, ancient Grimm that haunts this region. It's... responsible for the destruction of our home village when we were children."
Nora reached for Ren's hand, squeezing it tightly as he continued.
"The Nuckelavee isn't like other Grimm. It's intelligent, patient. It doesn't just attack and move on-it hunts, it plans. And once it has your scent..." His voice trailed off.
"Does it have our scent now?" Ruby asked, her silver eyes wide with concern.
Ren looked into the darkness beyond their camp. "I don't know. But we should assume it does."
Odyn returned to the fire, having finished setting up the tents. "Then we'll need to move quickly tomorrow. The sooner we reach Mistral, the better."
"Will Ruby be able to travel?" Jaune asked. "If her transformation is happening tonight..."
"I'll be fine," Ruby insisted, though her voice wavered slightly as another wave of tingling pain passed through her. "I'm not slowing us down."
Odyn knelt beside her, his expression gentle but serious. "Little rose, no one is suggesting you're a burden. But the final stage of transformation is intense. You'll need your strength."
Ruby was about to argue further when a sharp pain shot through her entire body, causing her to gasp. The world around her blurred as her vision suddenly changed, colors becoming more vibrant, details sharpening even in the dim firelight.
"It's starting," Sarai said quietly. "The final phase."
As Ruby fought through the waves of pain and change, her friends gathered closer, offering their support in silent solidarity. But beyond the circle of firelight, in the depths of the forest, something ancient and malevolent stirred, drawn by the scent of fear and the promise of prey.
---
At that same moment, on a different path to Mistral, Lailah paused mid-stride, her head tilting as if listening to something beyond human hearing.
"Mother?" Khanna asked, noticing her sudden stillness.
"Someone is undergoing the transformation," Lailah said, her orange eyes scanning the distant horizon. "I can feel the ripple in the magical fabric around us."
"Ruby," Mercury realized. "Odyn mentioned she was changing."
Lailah nodded. "And not a moment too soon. The prophecy speaks of the silver-eyed warrior reborn as one of the ancient blood. Her power will be needed in the coming conflict."
"Should we try to find them?" Hailfire asked, adjusting her weapon strapped across her back.
"No," Lailah decided after a moment's consideration. "They're still a day's journey from our position. Ruby must complete her transformation naturally, without interference. We'll continue to Haven as planned and meet them there."
As they resumed walking, Khanna fell into step beside Mercury. "Are you still processing all of this?" she asked softly. "About us, about who I really am?"
Mercury considered the question carefully. Just days ago, his world had been simpler-follow Cinder's orders, help destroy Beacon, advance Salem's plans. Now, he found himself allied with former enemies, recovering memories he didn't know had been taken from him, and walking beside the woman he now remembered loving since childhood.
"It's a lot," he admitted. "Finding out that we knew each other as kids, that Cinder's magic made me forget you... and now learning that your father is Qrow Branwen, who I tried to frame at the Vytal Festival." He winced at the memory. "Not exactly the best way to impress your future mother-in-law."
Khanna's eyes widened slightly. "Future mother-in-law?"
Mercury's cheeks colored as he realized what he'd said. "I meant-that is-not that I'm proposing right now or anything, but-"
Khanna silenced him with a quick kiss. "I know what you meant. And when this is all over, we'll have time to figure out what comes next. Together."
From ahead of them, Lailah's voice floated back. "I heard that, by the way. And just for the record, Mercury, I expect a formal request for my daughter's hand before any further discussion of mothers-in-law."
Mercury's face went from pink to crimson as Hailfire burst into laughter.
"Welcome to the family, Mercury," Khanna whispered with a grin. "Hope you survive the experience."
The light moment was interrupted as the ground beneath them trembled slightly. They all stopped, weapons instinctively drawn.
"What was that?" Mercury asked, scanning their surroundings.
Lailah's expression grew somber. "The awakening has begun. The ancient powers are stirring-both light and dark." She turned to the group, her voice taking on a new urgency. "We need to reach Haven quickly. Time is running short."
As they increased their pace, the shattered moon rose high overhead, casting silvery light across the landscape. In Atlas, in Menagerie, on the seas, and in the forests of Anima-pieces were moving, destinies intertwining, as Remnant stood on the precipice of a conflict that would reshape the world forever.
And on a ship cutting through peaceful waters, Blake Belladonna stood unbowed, her faunus ears finally free to the world, unaware that her journey home would soon lead her back into the very conflict she was trying to escape.
With Yang & Roy (Thallion)
The physical therapy room of the Xiao Long household had become Roy's domain of determination. Yang watched, equal parts frustrated and fascinated, as the dark elf worked with a methodical precision that spoke of both medical training and warrior's discipline.
"You know," Yang remarked dryly, "most people would have left by now. Especially after I threw that prosthetic arm across the room last week."
Roy didn't even look up from adjusting the mechanical prototype he was calibrating. "And miss the opportunity to see the legendary Yang Xiao Long admit defeat? Not a chance."
His matter-of-fact tone made her laugh—a sound that surprised them both. It was different from her bravado at Beacon, more genuine. The playful flirtation that had once characterized their interactions had transformed into something deeper, more substantial.
Roy's connection to Odyn meant he understood trauma in ways most didn't. He'd seen his brother navigate loss, watched how pain could reshape a warrior. Each adjustment to the prosthetic, each carefully planned exercise, was more than just physical rehabilitation. It was a careful dance of rebuilding trust—in her body, in herself.
"Your muscle memory is exceptional," Roy commented, watching her flex the developing neural connections of the prototype arm. "Most would struggle with this level of integration this quickly."
Yang knew he was complimenting her resilience, not just her physical capability. Something in his flame-amber eyes—so different from human eyes, with their subtle inner fire—made her realize how much she'd been hiding behind her usual bravado.
At Beacon, before everything fell apart, her flirtation with Roy had been a game. A way to test boundaries, to see how the mysterious dark elf would respond. Now, sitting here in the quiet of her family home, she recognized it for what it had always been: a profound connection waiting to be understood.
"You're not going anywhere, are you?" she asked, not really a question.
Roy's smile was soft, knowing. "Someone has to make sure you're ready to fight whatever comes next."
The word "someone" hung between them—not just a placeholder, but a promise. A commitment that went beyond friendship, beyond simple rehabilitation. Something was growing here, carefully, persistently, like new tissue forming over an old wound.
The evening shadows stretched long across the wooden floor of the training room, casting everything in shades of amber and gold. Yang sat on the edge of the rehabilitation bench, her mechanical arm now disconnected as Roy made final adjustments to its calibration systems. The familiar click and whir of tools filled the comfortable silence that had grown between them over these weeks.
"There's something I need to tell you," Roy said finally, his voice low and serious. His flame-colored eyes seemed to intensify as he set the tools aside, moving to sit beside her. "About your bloodline."
Yang's lilac eyes widened slightly. "My bloodline? What about it?"
Roy hesitated, measuring his words carefully. "The Xiao Long lineage isn't just any family line. There's a reason your eyes change color when your semblance activates." His gaze was steady, unflinching. "You carry dragon blood, Yang. Ancient and powerful. It's rare, but it appears in certain bloodlines across Remnant."
"Dragon blood?" Yang repeated, incredulous yet somehow not entirely surprised. Something about the revelation felt right, like finding the missing piece to a puzzle she hadn't realized was incomplete.
"It explains your exceptional aura capacity, your semblance's unique properties." Roy's voice softened. "Odyn suspected it when he first saw you fight at Beacon. Our people have ancient texts that speak of such bloodlines."
Yang was quiet for a long moment, processing. The revelation should have felt earth-shattering, but instead, it simply clicked into place, explaining so much of what she'd experienced throughout her life.
"Is that why you stayed?" she asked suddenly, her eyes meeting his. "To monitor the dragon-blooded warrior?"
Roy's expression shifted, a flicker of something vulnerable crossing his features. "No," he said simply. "That's not why I stayed."
The air between them seemed to thicken, charged with months—years—of unspoken things. All those moments at Beacon, her relentless teasing, the way she'd find excuses to spar with him, to challenge him, to draw him out of his serious demeanor.
Yang felt something unravel within her—a tension she'd been carrying since before the fall of Beacon. Before Adam, before the arm, before everything fell apart. Without overthinking, without her usual protective layer of jokes and bravado, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his.
Roy froze for just a heartbeat—surprise, not resistance—before his hand came up to gently cradle her face. The kiss deepened, transforming from impulse to intention. When they finally pulled apart, Yang's eyes had shifted, not to their combat red, but to a deeper, richer crimson that seemed to glow from within.
"Dragon blood," Roy whispered with a small smile, his thumb tracing her cheekbone where a faint pattern of scales had momentarily appeared before fading back into her skin.
Yang laughed softly, the sound both relieved and fearless. "And here I thought it was just really intense feelings for a certain dark elf."
His smile grew, genuine and unguarded in a way few ever saw. "Perhaps it's both."
In that moment, with the setting sun casting their shadows long across the floor, something fundamental shifted between them—a recognition of what had been building since those first days at Beacon, now finally acknowledged and embraced.
Taiyang paused at the doorway, catching just enough of the scene to understand its significance. The tenderness between Yang and Roy was unmistakable—something rare and genuine. With a knowing smile, he quietly stepped back, retreating toward the main house without a sound. His daughter had faced so much pain; this moment of connection deserved its privacy.
Back in the training room, Yang and Roy remained close, the space between them charged with newfound clarity. Words had always been secondary between them—from their first sparring matches at Beacon to their silent understanding during Yang's rehabilitation. Their communication had always lived in the realm of action, of presence, of showing rather than telling.
The kiss had broken something open between them—a dam of restraint neither had fully acknowledged until now.
Yang's hand—her natural one—reached up to trace the subtle markings along Roy's temple, those distinctive patterns that marked him as a dark elf warrior. "All those times I teased you at Beacon," she murmured, her voice carrying a hint of her old playfulness, though softer now, more vulnerable.
"I knew what you were doing," Roy admitted, his flame-colored eyes holding hers. "I just wasn't sure if you knew."
A small laugh escaped her. "Maybe I didn't. Not fully."
The setting sun cast long shadows across the room, painting everything in warm amber light that seemed to blur the boundaries between them. Yang's newly revealed dragon blood hummed beneath her skin, responding to the proximity of Roy's ancient elven energy—two magical lineages recognizing each other on a level beyond conscious thought.
Roy's hand slid to the small of her back, drawing her closer. This time, there was no hesitation from either of them. Their lips met again, but this kiss was different—deeper, hungrier, years of unspoken wanting finally finding expression. Her fingers threaded through his dark hair as his arms encircled her completely, pulling her against him with a strength that matched her own.
There, in the fading light of day, they abandoned the careful distance they'd maintained for so long. Each touch was both question and answer, each shared breath both plea and promise. They spoke in the language of contact—her fingers tracing the contours of his face, his hands mapping the strength in her shoulders, the vulnerability of her neck.
Two warriors, finding in each other not just desire, but understanding. Not just passion, but recognition. A rare thing in a world fractured by shadows and prophecies—two souls meeting as equals, seeing each other completely.
Time seemed to suspend itself around them, the outside world with all its complications momentarily held at bay by the simple truth of their connection. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new battles, new reconciliations with the world they'd left behind. But tonight belonged only to them—to the feelings they'd finally allowed themselves to claim.
They finally drew apart, but only by inches, their foreheads touching as they caught their breath. Yang's lilac eyes, still tinged with that deeper crimson hue, searched Roy's flame-colored gaze. Their arms remained entwined, neither willing to fully release the other now that they'd finally crossed this threshold.
"Three months," Yang whispered, a hint of wonder in her voice. "You never left. Not once."
Roy's fingers gently traced the line where flesh met metal on her right arm, the gesture reverent rather than pitying. "I couldn't," he said simply, the words carrying the weight of certainty. "Not when everything in me knew I belonged here."
Yang smiled, a genuine expression that reached her eyes in a way few had seen since the fall of Beacon. She thought back to the long nights of frustration, the days of rage, the moments of grief that had marked her recovery. Through it all, Roy had been there—steady, patient, unwavering. Not coddling her or treating her as fragile, but challenging her, believing in her strength even when she doubted it herself.
"I still need to find Raven," she said after a moment, naming the mother who had abandoned her. "I need answers that only she can give."
Roy nodded, understanding without judgment. "We'll find her. After we meet with the others."
The simple "we" made something warm bloom in Yang's chest. There was no question in his tone, no possibility that she would face any of it alone. The dark elven prince—brother to Odyn, warrior of an ancient lineage—had somehow become her constant, her anchor in a world that had shattered around her.
"The others..." Yang mused, thinking of Ruby, of Khanna and Mercury, of all their friends scattered across Remnant. "They're going to have a field day with this, you know."
Roy's rare smile appeared, transforming his serious features. "Odyn won't be surprised. He knew before either of us did, I think."
Yang laughed softly, imagining the knowing looks they'd receive. But the thought of rejoining their friends brought a renewed sense of purpose. Her rehabilitation had been about more than just physical recovery—it had been preparation for what was to come. The battles ahead, the confrontations with Salem, with Cinder, with the dark forces that threatened Remnant.
Now, with Roy beside her, with the truth of her dragon bloodline revealed, with this new connection burning bright between them, she felt ready. Ready to face whatever came next, ready to fight alongside those she loved, ready to discover who she truly was meant to be.
"Tomorrow," she said with newfound determination, "we start training with the new arm at full capacity. No more holding back."
Roy's eyes gleamed with approval and something deeper, something that made her heart race. "Tomorrow," he agreed, his hand sliding to the back of her neck, drawing her close once more. "But tonight..."
His words trailed off as he closed the distance between them again, and Yang surrendered willingly to the moment, to the feeling of being truly seen, truly known. The journey ahead would be filled with dangers and revelations, but here, in this space they'd created together, she found a strength she hadn't known she possessed—the strength that comes from no longer standing alone.
To be Continued...
Next time: Chapter 32: The Atlas- Dark Elf War