Chapter 1: For the Good of the World
Humanity must confront the abyss of its soul. Those who look away are doomed to sink within it.
I hope she's okay...
Jay Atlantis took a deep sigh, a small puff of her breath escaping her lips. Hunching slightly forward, she rubbed her upper arms furiously, shivering as a gust of cold wind blew past her. Even the black leather armor that covered her petite body struggled to protect her from the bitter cold. Cars sped past her as she walked along the sidewalks of the city's outskirts.
The early afternoon sun shined brightly over Vale. Normally, Jay would have been content to stay in bed. But today was special. Today marked the first day of her life in Beacon Academy. The airships were docked and beginning their preparations for take-off. But there was one more thing Jay had to do before she could go.
She ran a gentle hand over her shoulder length black hair, making sure it was neatly combed and brushed. She even took the extra precaution of wearing her blue wing hair clip to keep her persistent locks on either side of her porcelain face. Taking a deep breath, Jay breathed into her cupped hands, rubbing them against her cheeks which were flushed from the nipping cold.
Jay soon came to a stop in front of a wrought iron gate. On the other side was an expansive field filled with tombstones. Some were decorated with flowers or pictures of the deceased. Jay grabbed the gate and gave it a gentle pull. She swallowed a deep breath and stepped in.
I really, really hope she's okay…
Jay followed the winding cobblestone path, passing one tombstone after another. It was always odd walking along the familiar stretch of stone. The cemetery held a serene calm as if it was paying its own moment of silence to those who had passed. She dug her hands into her pockets, having some difficulty with her left hand due to the solid gold cast that encased it up to her shoulder.
After walking silently for a few minutes, she reached a branching path that led to a tree with a wide trunk, its mass of leaves leaving a particular tombstone in its shade. In front of the tombstone sat a familiar girl. Jay narrowed her striking blue eyes as she approached. She was a head taller than Jay, dressed in a lime green jacket and pants with a pair of black gloves and a turtleneck shirt. Her green hair, which was usually tied up in a bun, was untied and fell to her shoulders.
Jay pursed her lips. She took slow, hesitant steps towards the girl in green. Once there were a few feet between them, she spoke up.
"Sprig? How are you doing?" she asked in a hushed tone. The girl in front of her lifted her head slightly, turning it just enough so that Jay could see her vibrant green eyes. She cracked a bittersweet smile and patted the spot next to her. Jay came to her side without question, sitting down next to her best friend.
Spriggan Arcadia turned her attention back to the tombstone in front of her. Like every other time she visited for the past two years, she read the epitaph written on her mother's tombstone. Simply reading it was enough to put a smile on her face.
Time means nothing in the face of destiny. No years, no days, no hours are wasted when one lives for their dreams.
Spriggan sighed. For two years, Spriggan took those words to heart. Those words encouraged her to never give up on her dream. And now, after years of training and study, she was finally at the cusp of realizing what she had worked tirelessly for.
"I'll be fine, Jay. I just wanted to say my goodbyes before we left," she said, letting a small, sad smile take hold. She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a low whisper.
"Today is the big day…the day I go to Beacon. I can't tell you how excited I am that I get to attend. When I was accepted, I could hardly believe it. Jay and I spent the whole day getting ready, buying supplies and clothes. And I even got you this," Sprig said. Spriggan's eyes lowered to the bouquet of flowers she held in her hand. She placed them in front of the tombstone, giving them a small pat. Next to her, Jay pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them in respectful silence.
"I'm probably not going to be able to visit like I used to. I hope you'll forgive me for that. But I promise, I'll come back as soon as I can and I'll tell you all about what life is like there," Sprig said. She looked down at her feet, shuffling them slightly. The sound of leaves being brushed by the wind filled the peaceful quiet.
"I…can't help but wonder at times…what if things had been different. If you had gotten better instead of me. I know father misses you terribly and I do too. But I can't stop the thought. It may have been something as simple as luck, but…" Spriggan stopped herself. It wouldn't do her any good to dwell on something like that. Her mother hated it when Spriggan got caught up in worrying about her. She wouldn't allow herself to do it now.
"I'm going to be the first in our family's history that becomes a huntress. I promise you, mother. I promise that I'll do the best I can. I'll make you proud," Spriggan leaned forward and placed her hand over her mother's name. A small smile grew on her lips, "I'll be okay. Jay will be there and I'll have a whole team to support me."
Spriggan shut her eyes and sighed. Jay wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close.
"No matter what, Sprig, we're in this together," she said. Spriggan nodded and tore her eyes away from the tombstone, turning slightly to face Jay.
"How much longer until the airship departs?" she asked. Jay checked the watch on her wrist.
"About an hour. There's no rush. If you want to stay a little longer…" Jay said. Spriggan shook her head. Her arm reached out and wrapped around Jay's shoulder in return.
"That's okay. I've said all I needed to." She said. Jay nodded in understanding. The two rose to their feet, their arms still wrapped around each other. Jay looked down at the tombstone and gave a slight bow.
"Mrs. Arcadia, I'll be borrowing your daughter for a bit. I hope that's okay," Jay said. Spriggan couldn't stop herself from giggling, placing a hand over her mouth.
"I'm sure she's fine with it," Spriggan said. The two exchanged smiles as they both walked out of the cemetery. The airship docks weren't too far away and they took their time admiring the bustling streets of Vale one more time before they left. Spriggan watched cars speed by, losing herself in her thoughts.
"Hey, Sprig…if you ever need an ear…" Jay said. Spriggan waved a hand in front of her face.
"Don't trouble yourself on my account, Jay. We all find ways to survive," Spriggan said. She looked down as she said those words. Her eyes landed on the golden metal cast that encased Jay's left arm. She silently nodded to herself and looked straight ahead, the airship terminal coming into view. As they came closer to its entrance, Spriggan took another deep breath.
The moment Jay opened the door to the airship terminal, a wave of excitement washed over them. Other teenagers their age congregated in the lobby, their incessant chatter drowning out the roars of the airships coming and going. Jay and Spriggan quickly lost themselves in the mass of prospective students. The numerous bodies walking to and fro was almost disorienting. Beacon accepted no less than perfection and it showed. The people waiting along with them, their numbers impossible to count, represented the cream of the crop of future Huntsmen. Technical geniuses, combat specialists, and strategic savants called Beacon their home and their springboard into greatness. The fact that Jay and Spriggan were among those to attend brought a rising feeling of elation to both of them.
To their left was a large window that ran down the length of the terminal, providing a nice view of the docked airships and the mountains beyond. From here they could see the prestigious academy resting on a cliff like a throne.
"So…this is it," Jay said. Both girls came to a stop in front of the window. Jay couldn't tear her eyes away from the school sitting on the horizon. Now more than ever, it was within her grasp. She only had to wait a little bit longer until she could realize her goals. Next to her, Spriggan clasped her hands behind her back, a small smile on her face.
"A moment years in the making. It seems like not so long ago that we first started attending Signal. Now here we are. How the time flies," she said, spreading her arms out wide. Jay placed her hand on the glass, leaning forward to the point where the tip of her nose pressed against it.
"I got a good feeling about this. I really do. Once we step foot in Beacon, I'm going to make the most of it. Can't let all that hard work go to waste, yeah?" she said. Spriggan nodded and crossed her arms, shifting her weight to one leg.
"After fighting tooth and nail just for the chance to attend Beacon, it'd be rather stupid to do so. I'm going to make the most of it, just like we promised," she said. Jay nodded in agreement and pulled her hand away, snickering.
"Oooh, so responsible. I wish I could keep my nose to the grindstone, but that's why you're here, right? To help keep me on the straight and narrow?" she said. Spriggan laughed and shrugged.
"I don't know, Jay. Beacon isn't really one for pulling punches. I may have to leave you in the dust just so that I don't fail with you," she teased. Jay furrowed her brow and waved a finger with disapproval.
"Okay, I take it back. You're the most irresponsible person on the planet," she retorted. Without missing a beat, Spriggan placed her hands over her heart and wore an innocent look.
"Then I must devote my time to my studies so that I'm not doomed to fail. So I still can't help you," she said. Both girls stared at each other until Spriggan broke into a giggle fit, one that broke Jay's serious face and forced her to laugh too.
After their laughter died down, two beeps sounded through the terminal, grabbing everyone's attention.
"Flight 10, Vale City to Beacon Academy, is now loading passengers. Please have your papers ready for the gate attendant."
"Well, I guess it's time for our date with destiny. Ready to go?" Spriggan asked.
"Ready as I'll ever be," Jay said with a nod. The two followed the massive flood of students heading towards the airship bound for Beacon. Jay placed a hand on Spriggan's shoulder, giving it a playful shake.
"Welcome to the first day of the rest of our lives."
...
She was winded. Every breath took a great deal of effort. Sweat dripped behind her white mask, stinging her orange eyes. She raised her twin swords, gripping their curved handles tightly. Two Huntsmen walked slowly towards her, one with a spear, the other with a sword and shield.
Her black cloak swayed as she held her swords in an 'X' formation. Her hood turned from side to side, just daring the Huntsmen to make a move. The large open room they were in gave her plenty of space to evade any attacks. But her opponents likely knew that as well.
"Hecate, they're-"
No sooner had someone behind her spoken than one of the Huntsmen charged, his spear poised to gore her stomach. Hecate reacted on instinct, side-stepping the spear and pulling her swords upward as it sailed right over them.
Her swords pushed the spear upwards, leaving the Huntsmen vulnerable. Hecate brought her swords down for killing blow until the other Huntsmen rammed his shield into her side, pushing her away.
Hecate growled and threw herself at the other Huntsmen with reckless abandon, slashing away at his shield with little effect. The power of each blow forced the Huntsman back a feet, trying to withstand the relentless assault.
Out of the corner of her eye, Hecate saw the other Huntsman charge her again. Hecate dropped her swords and kicked the shield of the Huntsman in front of her, throwing him back even further. Hecate dodged out of the way of the spear's blade and grabbed the handle with both hands. Her foot sweeped low and knocked the spear Huntsman off his feet as she yanked the spear out of his grip. Hecate didn't even hesitate to pull the spear back and impale the Huntsman through his chest.
Hecate turned to face her last opponent only to have him charge her in a rage. Hecate took advantage of his carelessness, dodging every embarrassingly telegraphed attack. The Huntsman chopped his sword downwards, pulling his shield away from his body as he did. Hecate dashed forward and caught his hand mid-swing.
The Huntsmen barely had a moment to react before Hecate gave him a swift headbutt. The blow sent him staggering backwards in a daze. Hecate twisted his wrist up and in towards his chest, leaving his sword arm completely at her mercy.
Hecate sent a hard kick to the back of his knees, forcing him to kneel in front of her. Hecate wasted no time in pressing his own sword against his throat and making a clean swipe across his neck.
A flurry of sparks shot out from the Huntsman's neck as he collapsed in a heap at her feet. His entire body fizzled and buckled until his holo-projection failed and exposed the cold mechanical body of an AK-130 droid. Hecate dusted off her black cloak and turned to her other opponent. The other droid was still on the ground, the spear jutting out from its lifeless husk.
Hecate turned around to face her unexpected guest. A man dressed in similar attire as her was standing in front of the entrance of the training room. His white mask was etched with elaborate black patterns, giving the impression of a spider's web stretched across its smooth surface. His exposed mouth was sunken with a frown. Even if she couldn't see his eyes through the thin slits of their masks, she knew he was trying to avoid eye contact with her.
"Hecate, they're waiting for you in the council chamber," he said, using her formal rank rather than her name. Hecate didn't acknowledge his statement. Instead she retrieved her twin swords on the ground and placed them back into their sheaths. She exited the training room without a word, the cloaked man trailing behind her.
The two came to a stop at a pair of heavy set doors. Hecate pushed both doors open, a circular room waiting on the other side. In the center of the room stood a round, wooden table. Four people were sitting at one end, three men and one woman, all wearing similar cloaks as her. Their faces ranging from young and old, all carried a heavy sense of restlessness.
The lone woman looked up from the scattered papers in front of her and motioned towards the other end of the table. Hecate followed her request and placed her hands on the table, waiting patiently for one of them to begin.
One of the cloaked figures on the far side of the group, a man so thin he seemed to be hanging his clothes on his body rather than wearing them, cleared his throat. On cue, all eyes turned to him.
"We've received the preliminary results from the infirmary, Hecate. I'm sorry, but the tests are not promising. It is very likely Pepper will not come out of her re-education unscathed," he said in a tired, raspy voice, hinting at his old age. Hecate lowered her gaze, a strand of orange hair falling from her hood. A disappointed grimace spread across her face.
"Pepper was pushed too hard. Though I don't really regret this outcome. She brought it on herself." another man said.
"We wouldn't be having this discussion if it weren't for you, Hecate. She was ultimately your responsibility," The last man said. Hecate gritted her teeth, fully prepared to defend herself until the woman on the other end of the table leaned forward and pointed at her.
"She isn't to blame. She fulfilled her duties and followed her instructions to the letter," she said. The woman tented her fingers, lowering her head and nodding to herself, "Don't blame yourself, Hecate. You did nothing wrong. It's the price she paid for betraying us."
Hecate frowned. It was her job to hunt Pepper down after she defected to the Huntsmen. She succeeded and brought her back, but Pepper's betrayal carried heavy consequences. She was 're-educated' as the council put it. A punishment reserved for traitors.
"Now all that remains is to kill the Huntress she was collaborating with. We cannot afford to have her exposing us to Ozpin," one of the cloaked men said. The only woman seated among them tilted her head to the side.
"I assume you've already come up with a plan to deal with the matter?" she asked.
"Appeal to the Huntress' sense of morality. Take some of their own, threaten their lives. She'll come out of hiding. Her kind always do. We may even find out what she's been up to because I can say without a doubt that Ozpin didn't order her to disappear without a trace. Unless of course we have some frightened children to coax her out," The man then turned towards the old, thin man from earlier. A smug grin spread on his face, "And what better targets than the ones we can grab by tomorrow?"
The older man hesitated slightly then bowed his head. He turned to address the others, his voice dripping with contempt, "Beacon. The school is bringing in a fresh batch of students today. They'll stay there for the night and begin their initiation in morning."
A few murmurs spread among them. Hecate raised a brow. She had never visited Beacon, but she knew agents from the Macabre had been there before for recon purposes. Otherwise, nobody dared to go there. Not only did it house arguably some of the best Huntsmen and Huntresses in the world, but their headmaster, Ozpin, was a danger all on his own.
"Then it's decided. Kidnap a few students and hang them over the Huntress' head so that she reveals herself. Risky, but it's all we can do for the moment," The woman said. She rose from her seat and circled around the table with her hands outstretched. Hecate turned to face her and gave her a polite bow.
"Hecate, in the interest of protecting the Macabre and eliminating the Huntress that helped Pepper, I give you the council's blessing to infiltrate Beacon grounds and gather as many hostages as you can. I don't care how you do it, just get it done," she said. Hecate rose from her bow and nodded.
"Yes ma'am. But if I may ask, what will happen to Pepper?...What are we going to do with her?" she asked. The woman turned to the others at the table and sighed.
"Hopefully, in due time, she will recover and she will understand not to cross us again. If not..." The woman let her sentence hang in the air. The oldest member stood up from the table, slamming his fist against it.
"You can't be serious. Killing her is not only unnecessary, it's abhorrent!" he said.
"It's not your call. She betrayed us, ruined everything. Someone like that doesn't deserve a hint of mercy. When it comes to the Huntsmen, we can't afford to have any loose ends," the woman replied. She turned back to Hecate and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"We'll do the best we can for her. I give you my word. But in the meantime, focus on your work. You're young, that much is certain, but you have the greatest potential out of anyone else here. With our master's need for a successor, I can't think of anyone else better suited to the task than you," she said. Hecate nodded as the woman pulled her hand away, a swell of pride rising within her
"I understand. I head out to Beacon immediately," Hecate said with determination filling every word. She gave the others a respectful bow before turning on her heel and exiting the room.
Once the door shut behind her, the cloaked woman turned to the others sitting at the table. One of them leaned forward with curiosity in his tone, "You don't really think she is capable of leading the Macabre, do you? Especially considering her...history."
"Her history has nothing to do with it. Hecate is seasoned when it comes to fighting Huntsmen. Were she to lead the Macabre, we'd be that much closer to destroying the Hunstmen for good," she replied. One of the figures at the table looked towards her, his voice dripping with doubt.
"You're putting an awful lot of faith in her," he said. The woman calmly walked back to her seat and tented her fingers.
"Of course I am. After all, she has more reason to hate the Huntsmen than any of us."