9 saddest deaths in RWBY, ranked from sad to heartbreaking (and 3 most satisfying ones)

4) Vine Zeki

Vine Zeki's death hit us with a profound sense of loss, not just because of his unique abilities but due to the depth of his character. Vine, known for his stretchy powers, was a member of the Ace-Op with a serene and philosophical soul. His calm demeanor and wise insights often brought a sense of balance and perspective to the team, making his departure all the more impactful. Unlike other characters who were driven by raw emotion or ambition, Vine's quest for inner peace and understanding was the guiding hand for his approach to life and conflict. This made him a unique presence in the RWBY universe, the embodiment of tranquility in a world filled with chaos.

After a series of intense conflicts and the deterioration of General Ironwood's leadership, the city of Mantle faces imminent destruction. In a desperate effort to save as many lives as possible, Vine and his fellow Ace Operatives try to evacuate the citizens, and so does Team RWBY. It all comes to a halt as they realize that the fall of the floating city of Atlas cannot be stopped and will deal catastrophic damage to the city of Mantle below. Understanding the gravity of the situation, Vine makes a selfless decision to minimize the destruction: he uses his Aura and semblance, which allows him to manipulate energy and create force fields, to envelop the unstoppable bomb inside the ship and himself inside his force field as it explodes, sacrificing himself to save others as the blast is contained by his aura. That's the very essence of heroism.

Vine's death wasn't just the loss of a powerful fighter, it was the loss of a moral compass for the team. His departure left a void that went beyond his physical absence for his team, and it served as a reminder that a good soldier does more than just "follow orders"blindly. It was a reminder of the fragility of peace and the sacrifices required to keep it going and a lesson in bravery and selflessness.