RWBYond Origins
AN: It's a brand-new day and a brand-new story. This, I'm afraid, is also the last of the RWBYond Anthology. There may be some other bits. But it's looking like RWBYond Wealth is getting postponed if not canceled as is RWBYond Friends, which was going to be my Ren/Nora back story. So, after this week it will all be post-RWBYond War stuff. But never mind that, this story is about how it all began.
Chapter 1: The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Ozpin, like many men in that age, were born in turmoil. The land of Sanus was never a forgiving world. For the fledgling human species, it was the second most dangerous landmass. The first, being the land of Grimm. The dark continent was home to beasts, the likes of which humanity hadn't had the slightest glimmer of hopes against.
Then he came. A wizard had mad his home between the mountains and the shallow seas. He brought treasures untold, and in return all he asked was to be left alone. The treasures were wonderful. Crystals and dust that held the very power of nature's wrath.
The Wizard secluded himself deep in the Emerald Forest. The town was renamed Veil, for the Wizard's home was said to be in the mountains that formed a curtain around the valley. Rumors spread that the Wizard stayed up there in order defend the village from the monsters that came from Grimm.
Then one day four women went up to the mountains. They came back with incredible power. One of the women, Spring, stayed in the village for months at a time and built the village into a massive paradise. It was around this time that Ozpin was first made curious about the Wizard.
"Why do you ask young man?" Spring said as she poured him some tea.
"I lost my family…to the monsters…if he had these incredible powers for you I wonder what he may have for someone like me."
"It's not so simple." Spring said. "Wizard did not give me my powers just out of the kindness of his heart. He did so because of the kindness in my heart." Spring smiled. "Besides, between my sisters and I, there is no magic left to give. He merely lives his days in that cabin, living life to the fullest."
"Well I'd still like to meet him." Ozpin said.
"Very well." She said. "Othniel and I will take you up there on the way to see his family."
"Where is he anyway?" Ozpin was curious about Spring's husband.
"Knowing him…either getting into trouble or teaching some of the towns folks how to fight." Spring lamented.
"Fight? But we haven't had a monster attack since…since my parents died."
"I know." Spring cupped his cheek. "But it's good to be strong in a world like this. The people of Veil have it lucky. The creatures of Grimm are not as attracted to the people here as they are in other parts of the world. It's one reason why I am able to find sanctuary here and relax. But a seven-year-old need not worry about such things."
"Still…" Ozpin's thoughts were interrupted as Othniel entered the room. Ozpin had been living here since his parents died two years prior. Othniel was a tall man with a lithe build, black hair that hung evenly at eye level, and strikingly silver eyes.
"Ah, Oz my good man." Othniel said as he greeted the young boy. "I have come to collect my wife." Spring rolled her eyes with a smirk as she stood.
"And what kept you my darling hunter." She stood to his face and wrapped an arm around his waist.
"Just spending quality time with quality men. Now I'm wishing to spend better time with the best of women." He moved to kiss her but she stopped him.
"We have an audience." She glanced at Ozpin.
"Ah, yes, a good day to you."
"A good day to you too sir." Ozpin said.
"Take care Oz." Spring said as she shut the door behind them. Then she opened it up. "Actually, Othniel, if you wouldn't mind…I suggested that Oz accompany us…at least until we get to the mountain."
"I see no problem with that. Though, I fear for the pour sole that baits that beast." Othniel said.
"What do you mean?" Ozpin said.
"Those who seek knowledge…tend to find it…and I can make no promises you'll like what you find." Othniel said ominously.
"I'm not afraid." Ozpin said.
"You will be."
It did not take them nearly as long, as Ozpin would have thought. They made their introductions to Wizard and had a ceremonious cup of tea. Wizard drilled Ozpin on what he knew of monsters, magic, dust and aura. Ozpin answered the best he could per the lessons Spring and the others had given him. He tried reading Wizard's reactions but the old man betrayed nothing.
"Alright." He groaned. "I will take this boy as my apprentice." Wizard said.
"Thank you, sir." Spring said. "I'll check back when it is optimal to tend to the garden."
"There was never any doubt." Wizard said. "Now, go…and send Abraham my regards."
"Of course, sir." Othniel bowed. "My father's regards…go without saying of course."
As soon as Ozpin was alone with the wizard, the old man stood. He stroked his beard between his fingers. He then grabbed a mop and bucket and handed it to Ozpin. He took a seat in the chair and began writing.
"Well, start cleaning."
"What?" Ozpin said.
"Did you develop deafness since our enlightening discussion on the nature of aura? You do know how to use a mop, don't you?"
"Well yeah but…"
"I promised to take you as an apprentice, not as a student. There are many things you must learn but they require, tact, drive, discipline, ethic, things that a boy your age has had no time to develop. So, mop the floors. Then, when you're done, wash the windows. Tonight, I will teach you how to cook beef stew and tomorrow you will go into town and fetch me some new quills."
"Wait, how would I do that."
"Use your imagination…but that's for tomorrow. For today, clean." He commanded. Ozpin got to work.
"If you don't mind me asking…what's your real name?" Ozpin said.
"It is Wizard." Wizard said.
"I thought that's what you were. Like it was a title or something."
"No, my dear boy. The word wizard means what it does because of me and the things I've done. Not the other way around." Ozpin shook his head as he kept mopping. This was the beginning of a long journey for young Ozpin.
AN: This was really short, but I didn't have time to write everything I had ideas for so I trimmed a lot of the fat. Anything that was going to be in here but wasn't, was all just rehashing basic rules and concepts that you all should know by now. There'll be a run down for them at the beginning of next chapter.