Cinder Fall in Arc Royale

In *Arc Royale*, Cinder Fall is the third character whose perspective is shown after Ruby Rose and Jaune Ashari. She is shown hosting a spar between Null and Ash. She is linked to the Jaune Arc from *Null*, designated "Null", and sees him as a valuable opportunity to attain power for herself.

## *Arc Royale* from Cinder's Perspective

### Discovery

It's not known how Cinder initially reacted to either Null or the multitude of other Jaunes', but it is known that within a short span, she saw Null as a viable opportunity to seize power and shift the war in her favor. The Jaunes' were proclaimed "champions" by Salem, with Null being Cinder's champion. Cinder acknowledged that Ash had romantic feelings for her, but since he was Tyrian Callow's champion, she could not trust him. Concerned about this competition, she suggested to Null that he kill Jaune Arc from *Stress Relief*, designated "Ash", the weakest among them, to which Null obliged.

### Death of Ash

> "*Cinder you team killing f.*"
> ― AJ Katon capturing Salem's attitude with Cinder, 2021 November 16[[source]]
>
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At some point, to gauge their relative strengths and abilities, Salem had the Jaunes' fighting. Null and Ash engaged in combat. Cinder watched as Null stabbed Ash at close range, killing Ash, as he wondered why she would allow it to happen. Salem was not happy about Cinder's inaction, as she did not appreciate losing fighters before the war began. Cinder responded that it was an accident, and that Ash was killed by his own doing. Ashari responded that it was a murder, to which Cinder responded that everyone consented, that it was a sign to be more aware about semblances, and that Null should not fight anyone else for their own safety. As Salem and Ashari threatened each other, Cinder remained confident, despite the concern from Hazel Rainart, Arthur Watts, and Tyrian.

#### Emergence of Grimm

After Grimm, Jaune Arc from *White Sheep*, emerged and cooled the situation, Cinder asked if it was wise to let Ashari continue living due to his disloyal attitude, and that she did not feel safe working with someone with split loyalties. Salem shot down this remark, stating Cinder cost them one fighter, declared she would not kill Ashari for her paranoia, and that he was capable. Cinder replied, stating that Ashari had not informed them of his power levels, and that he should fight Grimm for research. When Ashari remarked that Cinder's ambition was showing, Cinder attempted to reinforce her loyalty to Salem, but was interrupted by Salem demanding they co-operate to win against Ozpin. Deciding that Cinder and Ashari were not capable of remaining in check, Salem enlisted Grimm to administrate. Salem declared an end to the discussion and Salem's faction dispersed, with Cinder and Null exchanging unknown words. Emerald attempted to follow, but was ordered by Cinder to stay with her link, Ashari, as he and Null did not get along. Despite Emerald's protests, Cinder dismissed her and ordered Mercury to attend to her.

#### Ashari's Discussions

Cinder remained an alluring influence for Emerald, and Ashari remarked that he believed she would run to Cinder and inform her if she did. While not knowing for sure, Ashari reinforced that Cinder ordered Null to murder Ash, despite his affection for her. Emerald eventually left, frustrated with Ashari. After Emerald left, Grimm emerged to talk with Ashari. Ashari and Grimm were mutual pacifists, but Ashari noted Null wanted to win, and that he was paired with the worst possible person to facilitate offing potential competition. Grimm was unsure that Cinder would order Null to kill Ash, and that Cinder may have covered for him.

#### Talking with Null

Cinder conversed with Null, impressed about his power nullify Aura and Semblances, and speculated about his potential with firearms. Null informed her that he was vulnerable as well, but Cinder dismissed this, as he had agency over activating and deactivating his semblance. Cinder thought Null was the perfect champion, as he could bypass the primary huntsmen defense, and had the same ambition as her. Cinder questioned if Null would have problems killing other Jaunes' or their anchors, to which he responded that he needed the wish at any cost, and had little empathy for them. Cinder remained excited, as in her mind, Null represented her best odds to seize power.

## References

1. ↑ The boy might have been loyal to her out of some misplaced affection but he was still Tyrian's champion.
2. ↑ There hadn't been any arguments when [Cinder] suggested [Null] off Ash.
3. ↑ Null hadn't even argued; he seemed just as keen as she to trim the competition.
4. ↑ "C-Cinder... W-Why...?"
5. ↑ Salem snarled angrily and pushed up from her stone throne. "Cinder!" she hissed. "This was to be training - a show of strength! You have already robbed us of one of our combatants!"
6. ↑ "It was an accident. Cinder was over by *her* Jaune, who stumbled to his feet.
7. ↑ "A poorly timed parry on his part and a bad interaction. Null warned us what his Semblance could do."
8. ↑ Cinder laughed darkly. "Don't be foolish. Ash agreed to the duel. Tyrian didn't say no. If anything, this is just proof we should be careful about Semblance interactions. I think it best Null avoid sparring wit anyone else." Her eyes glinted. "For their own safety."
9. ↑ Hazel, Watts, and Tyrian tense, while Cinder, still beside her champion, smiled darkly.
10. ↑ Before she did, Cinder spoke up. "Is it wise to let him live at all? He's already shown he doesn't want to work with us. Between Null and Grimm, we already have two champions more than capable of defeating Ozpin's. I won't feel safe having someone with split loyalties at my back."
11. ↑ "No." Salem ordered. "Your foolishness has cost us one already. All I care for is our side winning this cursed competition. I do not care who or how, and I won't cut out forces down by a third for your paranoia." Salem glared both at Cinder and Ashari. "He is capable."
12. ↑ "We don't even know if he is!" Cinder said. "He hasn't told us anything about himself other than that he's lived a long time and he's travelled between worlds. And now that he claims to have killed you. Have him face Grimm and let us test him properly."
13. ↑ "Grimm!" Salem hissed, and that was the end of it. "You will accompany them to Vale. You are to be my eyes and mouth there. You have shown yourself capable of summoning and commanding my Grimm, so you can create a Seer if you need to contact me. Keep Cinder and Ashari in line however you need to."
14. ↑ Tyrian, Hazel and Watts excused themselves, while Cinder and Null shared quiet words and did the same.
15. ↑ Emerald made to follow, only for Cinder to stop her. "You should spend time with your champion," she said. "He doesn't seem to get on with mine, so we'd best keep them apart for now. Until you have better control over him."
16. ↑ "That's final, Emerald. Come Mercury. Attend to me."
17. ↑ "I would tell *you*," Ashari said, "If you wouldn't run straight to Cinder and tell her. You realise she had Null *murder* Ash. He loved her – he loved her with all his heart – and she had him killed."
18. ↑ "Then let's not. Problem is, that's only the two of us. Null wants to fight. He wants to win. I can see in his eyes just how desperate he is. Desperate enough to kill someone who would have loyally followed Cinder just because he *might* become competition." Ashari glanced the way Null and Cinder had gone with narrowed eyes. "And he's partnered with the one person who would encourage that. Don't tell me you think Ash's death was an accident."
19. ↑ "It could have been him working on his own," Grimm pointed out. "Cinder may just have covered for him. I didn't know it was going to happen. I would have stepped in if I did. You moved quickly," he added. "The shock hadn't even sunken into me by the time you had him away. You must have lived a hard life."
20. ↑ "You're as powerful as you told me you would be," Cinder told Null. Her eyes sparkled and her lips had peeled back to show teeth. "A Semblance that cuts through Semblances, that cuts through aura. If that's what you could achieve with a knife, I can't wait to see what a gun can do."
21. ↑ "But you know when it will happen. You can choose your moment."
22. ↑ He was perfect. If this was to become a deathmatch between equals then what could be better than the one thing every huntsman relied on? It didn't matter how strong these other versions of him were, her champion could approach them in their darkest moment, drop every protection they had and place a bullet in the back of their head. He was the perfect killer. Better still, he was just as ruthless as she.
23. ↑ "I take it you won't have any problems killing other versions of yourself."
24. ↑ "And your friends?" she asked. "Sometimes it might be better to strike at one of these anchors than risk facing an unknown. You won't hesitate when it comes to killing off someone's anchor, will you?"
25. ↑ "Even if it means killing every anyone that gets in our way?"
26. ↑ Cinder purred quietly to herself. He really was perfect. *This war is mine…*