I want to be strong. I want to be feared. I want to be powerful.
”
—Cinder's opening monologue
“
You will question everything you know.
”
—Cinder to Emerald
“
The Huntsman severed the connection before it was complete... Yes. It's... an emptiness. It burns. Like hunger. I like it... Yes. I will claim what is ours... Thank you.
”
—Cinder's half of a conversation with an unknown person
This is not a tragedy. This was not an accident. This is what happens when you hand over your trust, your safety, your children, to men who claim to be our guardians but are in reality nothing more than men. Our academies' headmasters wield more power than most armies, and one was audacious enough to control both.
They cling to this power in the name of peace, and yet, what do we have here? One nation's attempt at a synthetic army mercilessly torn apart by another's star pupil. What need would Atlas have for a soldier disguised as an innocent little girl? I don't think the Grimm can tell the difference. And what, I ask you, is Ozpin teaching his students? First, a dismemberment, now this? Huntsmen and Huntresses should carry themselves with honor and mercy, yet I have witnessed neither.
Perhaps Ozpin felt as though defeating Atlas in the tournament would help people forget his colossal failure to protect Vale when the Grimm invaded its streets. Or perhaps this was his message to the tyrannical dictator that has occupied an unsuspecting kingdom with armed forces. Honestly, I haven't the slightest clue as to who is right and who is wrong, but I know that the existence of peace is fragile, and the leaders of our kingdoms conduct their business with iron gloves. As someone who hails from Mistral, I can assure you the situation there is equally undesirable.
Our kingdoms are at the brink of war, yet we, the citizens, are left in the dark. So, I ask you, when the first shots are fired, who do you think you can trust?
”
—Cinder, giving her speech to all who watch Pyrrha tear Penny apart
It's unfortunate you were promised a power that was never truly yours. But take comfort in knowing that I will use it in ways you would never had imagined.
Raven, I won't underestimate you, so please don't insult my intelligence. There is a slim chance you and your Maiden could escape here today. But if you know our master as well as you claim to, then you know you could never truly escape her. But we come bearing an olive branch.
”
—Cinder, to Raven
“
If you come with us to Haven, we'll leave you, your tribe and your little secret to live out the rest of your days squabbling in the wilderness. We just need the Relic.
”
—Cinder, to Raven
“
Fly back home and tinker with your machines. And tell Salem she'll get what she wants and more.
”
—Cinder to Arthur, while striking the deal with Raven
Aww, don't take it personally, little bird. Your sister was a recent addition. The lion on the other hand... entrance into the Vytal Festival was a real treat, but Leonardo's been sending Salem all sorts of information for a very, very long time. Isn't that right, professor?
”
—Cinder, to Qrow
“
Who are you again?
”
—Cinder, callously dismissing Jaune's rage
“
I'm starting to remember you, you're the dense one that can't tell when he's out of his league.
”
—Cinder mocking Jaune
“
Are you going to let her die too?
”
—Cinder to Jaune, after Weiss cries out in pain
“
Did you think you actually had a chance against me?! YOU?!
Are you nervous, girl? The first Maiden in - why, I'm not sure anyone knows how many years - is about to open a vault. I would say it's quite an exciting time. Don't you feel honored?
”
—Cinder, to Vernal
“
It's nothing personal, dear. You're just not worthy of such power. But I am... So I will take... what is mine...
”
—Cinder, to Vernal
“
Wha- what is this? Where's the power?!
”
—Cinder, after finding out Vernal's not the Spring Maiden
Now you understand. I've got to get the Relic before it can be secured in Atlas. It's the only way that Salem... It's the only way we can accomplish our goal.
”
—Cinder, to Neo
“
You're not the only one who wants Ruby dead. But unfortunately, Salem does not feel the same way...
”
—Cinder, to Neo
“
I've been... instructed not to kill her... But you... You have no such orders. You can do as you please.
”
—Cinder, to Neo
“
Help me get to Atlas, help me find her... and the rest is up to you.
...and a Fall Maiden with a surname so appropriate she probably picked it herself. Something tells me you've got more than a slight case of egomania.
”
—Raven, to Cinder
“
What is wrong with you? How can you be so broken inside... to take so many lives, and then come here and rub it in our faces like it's something to be proud of?! All with that damn smile on your face!
”
—Jaune, to Cinder
“
Aura can't protect your arm, it's Grimm. You turned yourself into a monster just for power.
”
—Raven, commenting about Cinder's grafted left arm
“
It's not over! Cinder will come back, she'll have the Relic, and she'll stop all of you! She won't let us down.
”
—Emerald, to everyone about Cinder
“
I want you to understand why Cinder must be left to toil in her isolation until she redeems herself.