Within the Land of the Grimm, Frost stood at the window with his arms crossed. He gazed upon the home of the Grimm with a stoic expression. Things have been hectic since the failed attempt to destroy Haven Academy. Cinder Fall's death is a significant blow to their cause and Frost has been extremely worried. Emerald was suggested to become their next Maiden candidate, and Salem is thinking about it. She was furious to learn that Ozpin had returned so soon and was leading his group once more. To make matters worse, Ryder Falcone has Magic at his disposal. They know this because Hazel could identify it during the battle at Haven. Knowing this, Frost grew concerned. If Ryder could match a Maiden in power and even Kill a Maiden, what's to say he won't get strong enough to challenge Salem entirely?
Of course, Frost never verbalized these concerns to Salem because he dreaded what she'd do for even daring to suggest someone could match her power. Hearing footsteps approaching him, Frost didn't bat an eye to the noise until he heard a voice talk to him.
"Frost. What troubles you?" Salem asked.
Frost turned his head to the left and looked at Salem who stood calmly beside him.
"It's about the new player. Ryder Falcone." Frost admits.
"What about him?" Salem asked.
"If he could match a Maiden and beat them so brutally, what's so say he couldn't get even stronger and match you?" Frost said, fighting his hidden fear of daring to say such a thing.
Salem merely gazes at her subordinate with a stoic gaze before she turned to look out the window.
"Even if this new player could match me in Magical power. He would still be hopeless to stop me." Salem said, confidently.
"Immortality certainly is your biggest strength." Frost comments.
"Indeed. But it is also my greatest Curse." Salem said before looking at Frost. "Tell me, Oliver. What was it that you desired when you joined us?"
Frost lightly glared at her for daring to say his real name. Frost is not his real name, Oliver is. Frost is merely an alias he adopted years ago. But he chooses to not use his real name for personal reasons. But Frost did answer Salem's question.
"My desire, was to destroy Atlas Academy." Frost said. "Why did you want to be reminded?"
"Because Frost your pain, that trauma you went through. It is the very thing that caused your heart to grow cold and that led to your Semblance forming." Salem said. "You have an Evolutionary Semblance, making you one of my most treasure assets and one of the strongest subordinates I have."
Is that all he is? Just another Asset? He's questioned these things in his head every day since he joined Salem and her faction. It's something he's just accepted, as long as he gets what he wants. He doesn't care.
"If its Ryder Falcone's presence in our Conflict troubles you, you need no concern." Salem assures. "I have everything under control. All you need to do is keep training. Get stronger."
Frost just nods, not willing to start an argument. He just needs to trust Salem.
[Meanwhile in Argus]
The next day, everyone was spending some time together. They decided to take a day long break to gather themselves before making the trip to Atlas. During the time, Ryder and Weiss did as much as they could together because they didn't know how much time they'd have once they reached Atlas. Ryder learned the name of the old lady that had accompanied Team RWBY. Her name was Maria Calavera, the Grimm Reaper. Right now, Ryder was in a room with Team RWBY inside of Saphron Arc's house and he was looking at the Relic of Knowledge. Ruby told him how it works, and he's grown curious. He really wants to use it to discover the fate of Earth. After all, he's been gone for a long time. He wants to know at least how Earth is doing.
While Team RWBY talked around him, his eyes were glued to the Relic. Yang eventually noticed his gaze and decided to ask what was wrong.
"Everything okay, Ryder?" Yang asked.
Everyone looked at Ryder before he looked at them.
"Sorry, it's just. I've been thinking about the Relic's power." Ryder said. "As well as my home."
Ruby, Blake and Yang looked at each other while Weiss walked over to her boyfriend and sat down beside him.
"You miss Earth, don't you?" Blake asked.
"I do. If I could just use the Relic of Knowledge, I could ask and learn about how my home world is doing." Ryder explained. "But we only have 1 Question left."
Team RWBY looked amongst themselves in thought before they all silently come to an agreement and nod at each other.
"That's okay." Ruby said. "Let's just convene with the others and see if they're okay with you using the Relic."
"Wait really?" Ryder asked, surprised to hear this.
"Of course." Weiss said. "You deserve to know how Earth is doing."
All Ryder could do is smile. Thankful that they're willing to let him do this and somewhat happy he gets to know what's been going on with Earth. Ruby leaves the room and informs Team JNPR, Oscar and Qrow what Ryder wants to do with the Relic of Knowledge. It took some discussion, but they agreed to let Ryder use the Relic. Once he got permission, they grabbed the Relic and left Argus. They didn't want to use it inside of Argus or in Saphron's house as they wanted to avoid Jinn being discovered. Once they reached a safe distance from Argus—which was a hilltop—Ryder prepared to use the Relic of Knowledge.
"Jinn." Ryder said.
Then, time slowed down around him and the group before blue smoke emerged from the Relic. It swirled around before a figure of blue energy was spawned. It was a woman. Jinn. Team RWBY, Oscar and Qrow recognized the woman but not JNPR and Ryder. Seeing Jinn's appearance, Ryder looked away and shielded his eyes.
"What Knowledge do you seek?" Jinn asked before she realized who was present. "Oh! It's you guys again."
Ryder returned his gaze to Jinn and looked her in the eyes with a determined gaze.
"I'm the one asking the question, ma'am." Ryder said.
"heh, no need to be formal." Jinn said. "So, what knowledge do you seek?"
Ryder was filled with anxiety but pushed through it.
"What happened to my home world, Earth, after I left? How is it doing now?" Ryder asked.
Jinn's smile then shifted to worry.
"Are you sure you want to know?" Jinn asked, worriedly.
Team RWBY, JNPR, Oscar and Qrow didn't like that tone at all. But Ryder didn't care.
"Yes." Ryder confirmed.
Jinn remained silent for a moment before smiling again.
"Very well." Jinn said.
The world around Ryder then turned white. The void around him was spacious and empty. He looked around and didn't see his friends.
"Woah." Ryder said, his voice echoing.
Ryder then heard Jinn's voice in the void but couldn't see her.
"When you left, your world was still burned in the fires of War." Jinn said.
That much he knew already, World War 3 was raging before he left Earth unwillingly and arrived on Remnant. Gosh, that was so long ago.
"However. Unlike other conflicts, this war would be the last." Jinn said.
The void changed to a war-torn battlefield. A critically damaged forest was laid to waste with the dead bodies of soldiers scattered the land. Ryder looked around and had a somber look on his face. Nothing has changed so far, just gotten worse. So much chaos, so much death. But he then remembered Jinn said "This war would be the last" which brought hope to his mind. Maybe World War 3 ended. Maybe Earth is finally at peace. Unfortunately for Ryder a bright flash of light erupted in front of him. He shielded his eyes before it died down. He looked and his eyes widened in horror. A Nuclear bomb detonated in the distance.
"Humanity's greatest achievement, their greatest weapon.... it ended up being the source of their demise." Jinn said.
The scene then shifted to outer space, and it showed the Earth. The green continents and blue water. Gone. Ryder's eyes widened in disbelief.
"No." Ryder's voice was close to breaking.
"All that remains of Earth.... is fire and ash." Jinn said.
The white void returned before it faded back to reality as Jinn faded back into the lamp. Ryder kept his gaze at where Jinn once was. Team RWBY, JNPR, Oscar and Qrow had wide eyes. Horrified by what they had seen. They then heard something hit the ground. They look at Ryder and see he dropped the lamp.
"Ryder?" Weiss asked.
Ryder didn't move. But he slowly turned to his friends. Tears were raging down his cheeks like a river as his face was in pure disbelief. His home, his friends, his family... gone. His legs grew weak, and he fell to his knees. Weiss rushed forward and once she reached him, she dropped to her knees. Placing her hands on his shoulders, Ryder looked her in the eyes. She saw the hurt, the pain, the sorrow. Weiss then embraced him comfortingly. Ryder then finally broke down. He wrapped his arms around her and cried into her. The sounds of his cries caused the hearts of his friends to crack. Ruby and Yang hurried over and knelt down to wrap their arms around Ryder, trying to comfort him. Qrow could only look at Ryder with sympathy. Ren and Jaune bowed their heads while Nora was still in shock. Oscar was also stunned about what he had seen and learned. Ryder lost everything.
"Ryder.... I." Weiss couldn't find words. "I'm here for you. I always will be."
"You still have us, Ryder. Know that we're still here." Yang said comfortingly.
All Ryder did was cry. Earth is gone.