...Cinder stared, disbelief flashing in her eyes. "You're still standing after everything, huh?" Her voice was laced with a mix of grudging admiration and seething frustration, as though she couldn't comprehend how he was still alive, let alone wielding such destructive power.Rinko's expression remained unyielding, his gaze sharp and resolute. "I'm not done yet," he rasped, his voice low but firm. "Not until you're stopped."The crackling electricity surging through him wasn't just a testament to his sheer will to survive—it was vengeance made manifest, a defiant blaze against the woman who had unleashed so much destruction.For the first time, Cinder felt the balance of power tilting, her confidence wavering. This fight wasn't as one-sided as she had hoped."Tch—stay down!" she growled, frustration bubbling over as she hurled a barrage of fireballs at Rinko.But he vanished from sight.Cinder's eyes darted around, her brow furrowing as white streaks of lightning zipped through the shadows. Rinko's speed had escalated, each flash of electricity a taunting reminder of his relentless pursuit.Cinder leaped into the air, flames spiraling around her as she hovered, her gaze scanning for the next move. "Fine," she hissed, summoning her Maiden powers. With a sharp motion, she conjured two glass swords, the shimmering blades reflecting her simmering rage. "Let's end this!"She dashed forward, slashing with one sword. Rinko met the strike head-on, his electrified hand shattering the weapon on contact. The shards of glass scattered like embers, and Cinder's expression faltered."What?!" she snarled, gripping her second sword tightly. She swung again, aiming for his side, but the blade disintegrated against his charged hand just like the first.Rinko seized the moment. His palm shot forward, aiming for her chest, but Cinder twisted her body just in time, narrowly avoiding the strike. She backflipped into the air, gaining distance, her breaths uneven as she stared at him in disbelief."You're getting desperate," Rinko said, his tone calm yet cutting. He raised a hand, summoning a glyph behind Cinder. She barely had time to react before the glyph erupted with a surge of electricity, catching her square in the back."ARGHH!" she screamed, agony ripping through her as she flew forward, barely managing to stay airborne. She spun around, her face contorted with rage and pain, only to see Rinko bounding toward her again. He leaped from glyph to glyph, his movements fluid, his speed relentless."Enough!" she roared, gathering her Maiden powers for a devastating counterattack. Flames spiraled violently around her as she prepared a massive, searing blast. "DIE, SCHNEE!" Her voice echoed through the dark hall as she unleashed the inferno.VRRR—VOOOOOM! The fiery explosion roared toward Rinko, its heat distorting the air and filling the dim hallway with an oppressive glow.Rinko didn't flinch. With a swift motion, he extended his hand, summoning a massive glyph before him. The glowing barrier shimmered with radiant energy, absorbing the full brunt of the devastating blast. The sheer force of the impact pushed him back slightly, his boots scraping against the floor."Rghh!" Rinko gritted his teeth, forming another glyph beneath him for stability as he struggled to hold the inferno at bay. Sparks danced around him as the flames battered his shield, testing his endurance. Determined, he extended his other hand, forming a smaller glyph in his palm.Electricity crackled, binding to the glyph as if the two forces were merging into one.With a sharp swing, Rinko lashed out, the glyph in his hand elongating like a chain. Lightning surged along its length, and at the far end, the glyph solidified into a hard, mace-like construct.The improvised weapon snapped forward with blinding speed, the sharp edge of the electrified glyph smashing into Cinder.BAM!The impact hit her like a wrecking ball, interrupting her fiery assault midstream. She was sent hurtling backward, her body slamming into a nearby wall with a deafening BOOM.The stone cracked beneath the force, and dust and debris rained down around her.Rinko stood firm, electricity dancing around him like a storm barely contained. His breathing was labored, but his sharp eyes remained locked on Cinder, who now struggled to recover, groaning as she pulled herself from the rubble."You like that?" Rinko muttered under his breath, a hint of defiance in his tone. His technique was untested, born of necessity in the heat of battle, but it had worked. The glyph, tethered by electricity like a leash and wielded as a mace, had proven devastating.Cinder pushed herself to her feet, her expression a volatile mix of fury and disbelief. "What... what even is that?!" she spat, flames already beginning to flicker around her hands once more.Rinko steadied himself, the glyph in his palm crackling with raw energy. "Something I just came up with," he replied, his voice calm but unyielding. "Call it a lesson in improvisation."Cinder's rage erupted, her eyes blazing as she prepared her next assault. "Bullshit!" she snarled.Without hesitation, Rinko formed another glyph-mace, the crackling construct materializing in his other hand. With a sharp swing, he lashed out with both maces, each one arcing toward Cinder with precise, calculated movements. The electrified glyphs tore through the air like whips, forcing Cinder to dodge and weave, her movements rapid but increasingly frantic.She retaliated by conjuring a barrage of glass shards, hurling them toward Rinko in a deadly rain. However, Rinko was ready. With a single powerful motion, he swung one of his maces downward, shattering the shards mid-air in a cascade of glittering fragments before they could even reach him."Tch!" Cinder hissed, her frustration mounting. She twisted and turned through the air, flames propelling her in evasive arcs. But Rinko's relentless assault left her no room to breathe. One swing finally connected, the electrified mace smashing into her side and sending her hurtling into another wall with a deafening BOOM.The impact left a crater in the stone as dust and debris exploded outward. Cinder's aura flickered dangerously, cracks splintering across its surface like a fractured mirror. She staggered, struggling to rise, but Rinko wasn't about to let her recover.With a fierce swing, Rinko slammed both glyph maces into the crater, the force deepening the pit and driving Cinder further into the fractured stone. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the ground, scattering debris like leaves in a storm.Rinko released his hold on the maces, the electric chains dissipating into crackling sparks as the glyphs disintegrated into nothingness. Without hesitation, he forged a path of glowing glyphs in the air, each one shimmering with power, leading directly toward Cinder's prone form.He dashed forward, electricity surging around his hand in a blinding white glow, taking a familiar stance—the same way he once wielded Raikiri.The glyphs beneath his feet propelled him forward with incredible velocity, each step amplifying his speed until he became a streak of lightning in the dust-filled corridor. The air crackled and hissed as the energy around him intensified."RUUUGHHHHH!" Rinko roared, channeling all his might and fury into this final attack. The dust and smoke began to settle, revealing Cinder's battered body at the bottom of the crater, barely stirring.With precision and unrelenting force, Rinko thrust his electrified hand forward. The energy around him surged as the attack connected, a devastating crack echoing through the chamber.The electricity pierced through Cinder's chest, her body convulsing as the sheer force of the attack tore through her.For a brief moment, everything was still. The hum of electricity and the faint flicker of Rinko's glyphs were the only sounds in the silence that followed. Then, Cinder's body went limp, her flames extinguished as the light faded from her eyes.Rinko stood above her, his chest heaving, sparks dancing along his arm as he slowly withdrew his hand. "It's over," he said quietly, his voice resolute. The glow of his electricity began to dim, the fight finally taking its toll on him as he collapsed to one knee within the giant crater of the wall, the adrenaline fading from his system.Beacon AcademyThe medical facility at Beacon Academy was a hive of activity, filled with survivors seeking aid and students assisting where they could. Team RWBY and Team JNPR entered the bustling building, their faces etched with a mix of exhaustion and determination. They scanned the room for familiar faces, their thoughts preoccupied with worry for their missing companion, Rinko.Spotting an Atlas student giving orders to a group of volunteers, they approached him."Hey!" Nora called out, interrupting the student mid-sentence. She placed her hands on her hips and tilted her head. "Have you seen Rinko?" she asked casually, though the concern in her voice was evident.The Atlas student blinked, startled by the sudden question. "N-no, I haven't seen him... Weren't you guys with him?" he replied, his confusion mirroring their own.The uneasy silence that followed was broken by a soft, familiar voice. "Is Rinko in trouble?"The group turned toward the source, their expressions shifting to surprise as they saw Weiss approaching in a wheelchair, assisted by Jaune. Weiss's usually composed demeanor was tinged with worry, her pale features slightly drawn but no less resolute.Ruby's eyes widened, instantly welling up with tears. "WEISS!" she cried out, her voice cracking as she dashed toward her teammate.Weiss barely had time to react before Ruby threw herself into her lap, wrapping her arms tightly around her. "Oh—Ruby!" Weiss gasped, momentarily caught off guard by the force of the hug."I'm so sorry! I wasn't there when it happened! I should've—" Ruby's voice trembled, her words spilling out in rapid succession until Weiss gently interrupted her."Ruby," Weiss said firmly, her hands awkwardly patting Ruby's back. "I get it. Please, calm down. You're making a scene," she added with a faint sigh, though the corners of her lips twitched into a small, genuine smile.Ruby sniffled, pulling back just enough to meet Weiss's gaze. "Thank you, Weiss," she murmured, her voice still shaky. "Thank you for being okay..."Weiss exhaled softly, her tone softening further. "You don't need to thank me, Ruby. I'm just glad to see you're safe too."But Ruby, overwhelmed by emotions, buried her face in Weiss's shoulder again, her tears flowing freely. "WEIIISS!" she wailed, clinging to her teammate as if letting go might make her disappear.Weiss sighed again, this time more out of exasperation than annoyance, though she couldn't suppress the warmth spreading in her chest. Gently, she placed a hand on Ruby's head, smoothing down her hair. "Alright, alright, enough crying," she muttered, though her soft tone betrayed her fondness for the younger girl. "You're going to drown me in snot at this rate."Jaune chuckled quietly at the exchangeher sharp eyes flicking toward the rest of the group. "If Rinko isn't here, then where could he be?" she asked, her concern seeping through her otherwise composed exterior.The question lingered in the air like an unspoken vow, each of them grappling with the growing concern for Rinko's absence. Determination began to solidify amidst their uncertainty.Pyrrha stepped forward, her expression calm but resolute. She placed a reassuring hand on Weiss's shoulder. "We'll find him, Weiss," she said firmly. "Don't worry. He's strong, and we'll bring him back."Weiss hesitated, her icy façade momentarily melting as she offered a faint smile. "Thank you, Pyrrha. Just... be safe," she replied softly, her voice carrying both gratitude and lingering worry.Elsewhere – Ozpin's TowerRinko Schnee stepped out of the elevator, his movements slow and deliberate as he emerged onto the crumbled ruins surrounding the tower. The once-majestic Beacon Academy lay in shambles, the air thick with dust and the remnants of battle.He surveyed the devastation in silence, his white hair catching the faint light of the moon above. Shattered glass and scorched stone reflected in his weary eyes. His boots crunched against the debris as he muttered to himself, "Beacon... is destroyed."Rinko's voice was barely above a whisper, the weight of the destruction sinking into his chest like a lead weight. His thoughts drifted to the faces of his teammates and the countless others who had fought and suffered here."Was this the price we had to pay?" he mused, his tone somber. The faint crackle of electricity flickered in his fingertips, a reminder of the battle that had brought him to this moment.He exhaled deeply, the cool night air filling his lungs as he steeled himself. His gaze lifted toward the distant glow of the medical facility, where he knew survivors were gathering."There's still work to be done," Rinko murmured, his voice laced with quiet resolve. He took a step forward, his silhouette framed by the broken remains of the tower. Despite the devastation around him, he moved with purpose.Even now, amidst the ruins, Rinko Schnee would not falter.Vale, Amity ColosseumThe temporary refuge buzzed with grim activity. Team SSSN worked alongside the medics, doing what they could to assist. Scarlet, however, wasn't as fortunate. He lay on a makeshift bed, his arm wrapped in crude splints, his face pale from pain but still determined to help where he could.Nearby, Team CVFY moved swiftly through the crowd, helping to carry supplies and lend strength where needed. They were unharmed, but the weight of loss was etched into their expressions. Around them, the reality of the battle loomed large.The crash. The explosions. The injuries were too severe to save.Many souls had perished.The atmosphere was heavy with grief and exhaustion, but the survivors pressed on, driven by the instinct to protect those who remained.From the distance came the rumble of engines, cutting through the somber quiet. The crowd turned as a convoy of Atlas armored vehicles approached, their lights piercing through the dimness. One by one, the Atlas vehicles rolled to a stop at the edge of the camp, their rumbling engines dying down to a tense silence. The imposing sight of the convoy brought a flicker of hope to the beleaguered survivors, but for many, it was tinged with trepidation.The lead vehicle's door creaked open, and Winter Schnee stepped out, her uniform marred by dirt and scratches—a testament to the battles she'd endured on the way here. Her sharp eyes scanned the scene, taking in the makeshift triage and the wounded scattered across the camp. Behind her, soldiers poured out of the vehicles with practiced efficiency, unloading crates of medical supplies and provisions.From another vehicle, Qrow Branwen stepped out, brushing ash and grime off his cloak. He stretched his shoulders, his tired gaze briefly surveying the camp before settling on the others.Qrow was already within the city when the attack started, so he had been fighting alongside the Atlas soldiers, helping clear Grimm from the city.Winter's expression remained resolute, even as a flicker of weariness crossed her face. She marched forward, her presence commanding attention.The soldiers wasted no time, merging seamlessly with the medics to tend to the injured and distribute aid. The air buzzed with renewed activity as order began to emerge from the chaos.Through the crowd, Glynda Goodwitch and Professor Ozpin made their way toward Winter, their purposeful strides cutting through the hubbub. Glynda's heels clicked sharply against the cracked pavement, her composed demeanor betrayed only by the faint strain in her eyes.Winter straightened upon seeing them, snapping a crisp salute. "Professor Ozpin, Professor Goodwitch," she greeted, her tone steady despite the weight of the situation. "I've brought as many resources as I could muster on such short notice."Ozpin nodded, his expression warm but heavy with exhaustion. "Your arrival is timely, Specialist Schnee. Your efforts are deeply appreciated."Glynda adjusted her glasses, her voice firm but tinged with relief. "We've been stretched thin. These supplies will save countless lives. Thank you for acting so quickly."Winter allowed a small nod, her posture remaining formal. "This is my duty, Professor. I'll ensure everything is distributed efficiently." Her gaze shifted to the rows of makeshift beds and the medics rushing between them. "We'll stabilize the situation as best we can."Ozpin stepped closer, his tone quieter. "Have you received any updates on additional reinforcements or the Grimm situation?"Winter hesitated, her professionalism momentarily faltering. "We've cleared most of the immediate threats within the city, but Grimm activity remains high on the outskirts. Reinforcements from Atlas are en route, but they'll take time to reach us."Glynda sighed, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Then we'll hold the line until they arrive. We don't have a choice."The three exchanged a brief but understanding glance before Glynda and Ozpin began to turn away."Wait," Winter called out, stopping them in their tracks. They turned back to her, noting the intensity in her expression. "Have you seen General Ironwood?"Ozpin and Glynda exchanged a look, their silence heavy. Ozpin finally sighed, his eyes drifting toward the large Atlas aircraft hovering ominously in the distance."He told us he was going to retake his ship," Glynda replied, her voice tinged with unease. Her gaze followed Ozpin's to the aircraft, its silhouette cutting through the smoky sky.Winter's jaw tightened as she stared at the vessel. Her hands clenched into fists, her thoughts swirling. It was the same type of aircraft that had wreaked havoc on their forces not long ago.Qrow, standing to the side, finally stepped forward, breaking the tension with his gravelly voice. "Well, if that's where Jimmy went, then I'm betting that's where the bad guys are holed up too." He crossed his arms, his expression a mix of concern and irritation. "Figures he'd charge in headfirst without waiting for backup."Winter glanced at him sharply, her tone clipped. "The General isn't reckless, Branwen."Qrow smirked faintly, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Oh, sure. He's just the kinda guy who likes to wrestle control of a warzone single-handedly. Real team player."Glynda shot Qrow a warning glare. "This isn't the time for snide remarks."Qrow raised his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I'm just saying—if we're gonna deal with this mess, we might as well figure out where all the pieces are on the board. And right now, the General's in the middle of the biggest target out there." He nodded toward the hovering ship.Winter's frown deepened, but she didn't argue. She turned back to Ozpin and Glynda. "We need to assist him immediately. If the ship has been compromised, he'll need reinforcements."Qrow slung his weapon over his shoulder. "Guess that means I'm coming too. Someone's gotta keep James from getting himself killed."Glynda sighed, shaking her head. "We'll need to coordinate carefully. This isn't just about saving Ironwood—it's about ensuring this battle doesn't spiral further out of control."Ozpin nodded his gaze firm. "Then let's move quickly. Every moment counts."The group turned their attention to the looming Atlas aircraft, the tension thick as they prepared for the next step in their fight.[End]