Ryder and Winter float above the city side by side while Salem floats in front of them. The air was tense as the tension between both sides remained like a raging storm. Winter didn't know if they could beat Salem even without her Immortality considering how powerful she's been made up to be. Ryder on the other hand had confidence that they could win. Winter turns to Ryder, not sure what they should do.
"Have a plan?" Winter asked.
"Get to the others and keep them safe." Ryder answered.
"What about you?" Winter asked.
"I'm finishing this fight." Ryder said.
Ryder then enters his Semblance's Second Stage and goes to 15X, no longer holding back. Salem was going to be defeated, dead or alive. Winter was about to object to Ryder's plan but wasn't quick enough as Ryder charged Salem. Salem charged in return and the two met in the middle by clashing their fists together creating a shockwave. Ryder quickly retaliated with a second punch with his other hand and struck Salem in the face knocking her back before he then charges and tackles her down to the city below. They hit the ground and create a trench in the street before Salem launched a point-blank magical blast in Ryder's face which sent him flying into a set of buildings. Salem halted her momentum and pushed herself up off the ground. Ryder suddenly appeared in front of her and punched her across the face before sending a follow up Punch upwards knocking her into the air and then punching her in the stomach and launching her through buildings.
Ryder then creates a Destructo Disk and throws it towards Salem. The disk tore through the buildings before stopping midair as Salem used her Magic to overpower the disk. Salem throws the disk back at Ryder who runs forward before sliding under the disk before a shockwave erupted as he launched himself towards Salem. Salem growled before unleashing a massive wave of Magic in all directions. Ryder's eyes widened before he stopped and shielded himself with a barrier, but the force of the wave knocked him back a great distance. The wave destroyed many buildings completely or caused them to collapse. Ryder lands and drops his barrier as the wave died. Salem stood in the center of the chaos. She was glaring at Ryder who glared right back.
With the group, they watched as Winter lands beside them. Weiss rushed over to her.
"Why didn't you go after him?" Weiss asked, concerned and urgently.
"I didn't get the chance to; besides it would be unwise to go after Salem without backup." Winter said.
"Ryder could die!!" Weiss shouted.
Winter was surprised by this act but understood why she reacted this way. Weiss loved Ryder and just wants him safe. The group hears a roar and turns to see three Wardens. The group prepares to fight the Wardens and after they do, the three Wardens charge the group. Kairos rushed ahead of everyone and coats his hands in the violet energy before he reached the three Grimm Wardens. He pushed his hands forward and locked them in place as their bodies were coated in the same violet energy. The group was about to attack when the Grimm absorbed the energy. Kairos was surprised but he kept funneling energy into the wardens. Their red eyes and red decals turned purple before they stared at Kairos who stopped his assault.
The three Wardens then kneel before Kairos shocking everyone.
"What did you.... do?" Ruby asked.
Qrow walked up to the wardens, and they didn't attack him. He got an idea and looked at Kairos. Kairos got the idea, so he spoke.
"Stand." Kairos ordered.
The three Wardens stood up at his command. This shocked the group once more.
"Incredible." Jaune said in awe.
"You... you dominated their minds." Ren said, equally as shocked as Jaune. "You control them now."
Kairos grins at this newfound ability. He then turns to the group.
"Let's find Ryder and help him defeat Salem." Kairos ordered.
Team RWBY, JNPR, Qrow, Raven and Winter nod while Ironwood looked at his son with sorrow. He could've prevented this, he could've been there for his son and stopped him from turning evil. It's his fault.
"Go, I'll hang back and watch over my son." Ironwood said.
"Stay safe, James." Qrow said.
With that the group ran off to try and locate Ryder and Salem. Back with Ryder and Salem, the Grimm Queen looked at her armor and noticed the cracks.
"Enough games." Salem said, staring into Ryder's eyes.
Ryder was about to attack but Salem vanished. His eyes widened before she appeared behind him. Sensing her presence behind him, he quickly turned around with a punch ready, but Salem caught his fist. A shockwave erupted from the impact. Salem squeezed Ryder's hand before she pulled him close and stared him in the eyes, but Ryder glared right back. Salem let go before she harshly pushed him back with one hand. The push knocked Ryder back a good distance away from Salem. Ryder lands on his feet, surprised by Salem's strength. Was she holding back this entire time?