After resting for nearly half an hour, Erik finally feels the dizziness fade. The world steadies, and when he opens his eyes, the forest no longer spins.
He looks up and sees Pyrrha finishing her task nearby.
Two jars of red sap sit beside her-both full and sealed, one meant for each of them.
Erik pushes himself to his feet and walks toward her.
When Pyrrha notices him approaching, steady on his feet, she lets out a quiet sigh of relief she hadn't realized she was holding.
"Does your head still feel dizzy?" she asks.
He shakes his head. "Not anymore. Thank you, Pyrrha. I'm sorry you had to go through all that trouble with the sap because of me."
She smiles softly. "It's all right. I'm happy to help."
Pyrrha hands him one of the jars while keeping the other for herself. Then her expression tightens again, concern returning to her eyes.
"Now that we've completed the task Professor Goodwitch gave us, we should regroup with the others," she says. "Who knows if that student might come back and cause more trouble."
Erik nods. "Good point."
They walk through the forest together. After several minutes, they spot familiar figures ahead-Team RWBY and Team JNFR gathered together.
But Jaune is nowhere to be seen.
Erik approaches Frost, his tone immediately serious. "Hey, Frost. Where's Jaune?"
Frost crosses his arms. "He's already back with Professor Goodwitch. Something happened while you two were gone."
Erik frowns. "What happened?"
Frost exhales. "Cardin tried to 'teach' Jaune a lesson. Things got out of hand. One of the students with them accidentally broke four jars of sap, which drew the attention of an Ursa."
Pyrrha stiffens beside Erik.
Frost continues evenly. "When Cardin tried to throw another jar at Jaune, the Ursa attacked him and his team instead. Jaune stepped in and saved them. No one got hurt. Hopefully, Cardin finally learned his lesson."
Erik and Pyrrha exchange a glance.
Without a word, they understand. For now, they decide to keep the incident to themselves-hoping Cardin truly changes.
A few weeks later...
After the incident in Forever Fall Forest, Cardin stops picking fights with Team RWBY, JNFR, and PNEL. Or rather, he no longer bullies teams stronger than CRDL, such as CFVY. Instead, he targets those he considers weaker.
The change in Cardin is subtle-he becomes more restrained, more aware of who he can and cannot challenge.
Beyond that, nothing else about him truly changes.
City of Vale
Vale feels different outside Beacon's walls.
The city breathes. People move without urgency. Laughter spills from cafés, and the hum of everyday life replaces the constant tension of training and combat. For Pyrrha Nikos, it is unfamiliar-and strangely calming.
She walks beside Erik, hands folded neatly in front of her, eyes quietly taking everything in.
"So," Erik says casually, hands in his pockets, "welcome to Vale. Try not to be overwhelmed."
Pyrrha smiles, soft and genuine.
"I don't think overwhelmed is the right word," she says. "It's just... lively."
"That's one way to put it," he replies. "Another is loud, crowded, and occasionally dangerous-but the food makes up for it."
She lets out a small laugh. It surprises her how easy it feels.
They walk down the main street, sunlight filtering between tall buildings. Pyrrha pauses often-at shop windows, street performers, a child chasing a floating balloon. Each moment pulls at her attention like a gentle tug.
Erik slows his pace without thinking.
"You've never really been to Vale, have you?" he asks.
She shakes her head.
"There was always a schedule. Expectations. Eyes on me," she says softly. "So I never really had time to visit places calmly like today."
"Well," Erik says, "It's good that you have time now. Try to enjoy it."
"Of course," she answers without hesitation.
Eventually, Erik leads her to a food stand tucked between two buildings. The smell is rich and inviting.
"You can't leave Vale without trying this," he says as he orders for both of them.
Pyrrha hesitates when the food is handed to her.
"...I'm not sure how to eat this."
Erik chuckles quietly.
"Here. Like this."
He demonstrates, careful not to rush her. Pyrrha follows-and her eyes widen at the first bite.
"Oh," she says softly. "That's... actually very good."
Erik grins.
"Told you."
They eat together, standing close enough that their shoulders brush. Neither pulls away.
Afterward, they find a quieter part of the city-a bench overlooking a gentle slope where Vale's rooftops stretch toward the horizon. The noise fades into something distant, manageable.
They sit.
For a moment, neither speaks.
Pyrrha breaks the silence first.
"Thank you," she says.
Erik turns to her.
"For the food? Don't worry-it's Jaune's money after all."
She smiles and shakes her head.
"For today," she corrects.
He shrugs lightly.
"It was a promise."
She looks down at her hands, fingers tightening slightly.
"People usually want something from me," she says quietly. "Recognition. Victory. Inspiration." She exhales. "It's rare for someone to just... spend time with me."
Erik listens without interrupting.
"I don't feel like Pyrrha Nikos today," she continues. "I just feel like... Pyrrha."
He meets her gaze.
"I've only ever seen you that way."
Her breath catches.
Their hands rest close on the bench-close enough that the space between them feels louder than the city itself.
Slowly, almost unconsciously, Pyrrha's fingers brush against his.
She doesn't pull away.
Neither does he.
"Erik!"
The voice is bright. Cheerful. Unmistakably energetic.
Erik looks up, surprise flickering before recognition sets in. "Oh-hey, Penny."
Pyrrha turns.
A girl with short orange hair approaches, waving enthusiastically. Her movements are light, almost bouncy, and her smile is wide and sincere.
"It is good to see you again," Penny says happily. "I calculated the probability of encountering someone I know today, and it was only 12.4 percent!"
Erik chuckles. "Still keeping track of probabilities, huh?"
"Yes!" Penny nods proudly, then turns to Pyrrha. "Oh! You must be Pyrrha Nikos. Erik has mentioned you before."
Pyrrha stiffens-just slightly.
"He has?" she asks.
"Yes," Penny replies immediately. "He speaks of you very highly."
Erik clears his throat. "Penny-"
"It's nice to meet you," Pyrrha says politely, masking the sudden tightness in her chest.
Penny smiles brightly. "You are even more impressive in person."
She turns back to Erik. "Are you showing her around Vale?"
"Yeah," he says. "I promised her."
"That is wonderful!" Penny clasps her hands. "I can assist. I am very familiar with optimized sightseeing routes."
Pyrrha's smile falters-just barely.
"Oh, that's not necessary," Erik says quickly. "We were just-"
"Spending time together," Penny finishes helpfully.
Something sharp flickers through Pyrrha's chest.
She doesn't like it.
The realization unsettles her more than she expects.
Penny continues, oblivious. "Erik helped me once when I was unfamiliar with social interaction norms. He is very considerate."
Erik calmly response with a smile. "Thank you for the compliment. It wasn't a big deal."
Pyrrha folds her hands in her lap, posture still perfect-but her fingers are tense now.
"I didn't realize you two were so close," she says carefully.
Penny smiles brightly. "Yes! Erik is easy to talk to. He listens."
Pyrrha looks at Erik.
"We're friends after all."
The words should be reassuring.
They are.
And yet.
Penny suddenly looks between them, eyes widening slightly. "Oh."
Erik blinks. "What?"
"I am detecting an emotional fluctuation," Penny says thoughtfully. "Did I interrupt something?"
Pyrrha's heart skips. "N-no," she says too quickly.
Erik shifts. "We were just-"
"Talking," Pyrrha finishes, forcing a calm smile.
Penny nods slowly. "I see. In that case, I will not interfere."
She takes a step back, then pauses. "Erik, I hope you enjoy your day."
"You too, Penny," he says.
Penny gives Pyrrha a gentle nod before turning and walking away, humming softly to herself.
Silence settles in her wake.
Pyrrha exhales, only now realizing she had been holding her breath.
"I didn't know you knew her," she says quietly.
Erik glances at her. "Yeah. We met a while ago when I need to refill my dust stock. She seems out of the place so I decided to help her."
"You seem... close," Pyrrha adds, carefully neutral.
He studies her for a moment. "...Is that bothering you?"
The question catches her off guard.
She looks away, gaze settling on the city below. "It shouldn't," she admits. "But I suppose I'm not used to seeing you with someone else."
The honesty surprises them both.
Erik's expression softens. "There's nothing between us," he says gently. "If that's what you're worried about."
She turns back to him. "I wasn't-"
"It's okay," he interrupts softly. "I don't mind."
Their eyes meet.
The space between them feels different now-charged, fragile.
Pyrrha's voice lowers. "I just... enjoyed today. With you."
A small smile forms on Erik's lips. "So did I."
Her tension eases, replaced by something warmer-and more dangerous.
They sit together again, closer this time, as the city continues to move around them.
And Pyrrha realizes something she can no longer deny.
She doesn't just enjoy Erik's company.
She cares.
And the both comforts and terrifies her.
To Be Continued...