Damage/Speed B4C13

We didn't plan to. Blake and Yang reached the tunnel, as did Nora and Ren – but at the moment where Pyrrha pushed off and moved across the balcony, the pillar beneath buckled. The ground beneath her gave way, sloping back, and she lashed out to grab onto something for purchase. She chose my shoulder.

It was a mistake.

With the floor going from flat to diagonal, my balance was shot, and the hand clamping down on my shoulder ruined it altogether. I fell back and slid down, and when Ruby tried to catch my foot she was hauled off the balcony as well. The three of us crashed down below, landing in a cloud of dust among the villagers knelt in the middle of the theatre.

[...]

"I will release my presence from three of your companions." Her eyes strayed to the balcony the others were behind and she grinned, making sure I knew they hadn't fooled her. "Pick your representatives and I shall free them to face mine."

[...]

"I have no need of tricks, Deceiver. I am not like you. What I do, I do for my own purposes. Take my offer or leave it. It is the only one you will receive here."

I swallowed and looked to Pyrrha and Ruby, hoping for their advice. Both were focused on the fight between Tyrian and Qrow however, and judging from Ruby's cries, it wasn't going any more in their protector's favour. Qrow didn't have time, and neither did I. If there were some price to pay, I'd just have to be the one to pay it.

"I choose Pyrrha, Blake and Weiss!"

Not me. Not even close. If our lives were to hang in the balance, it would be on the shoulders of those I felt were the strongest. That meant Pyrrha and Blake for their Levels and skill, and Weiss because she would be the best able to support them with her spells.

Salem's eyes flared. "It is done."

She vanished as a dagger shot through her body to clatter against the flagstones. The dread woman appeared back on her altar, unimpressed and bored as she looked back to Tyrian and Qrow. Hands appeared under my shoulders a second later.

"Jaune," Blake hissed, trying to drag me away.