Okay, a revised version of the original Honor and Roses: Volume 1. I kept the introduction the same as that was a pretty good intro, despite being the same. Hope this version of the story is a little better. Hope any followers of the previous version will like this one.
So, onto the story.
Uh, Disclaimer, I don't own RWBY or For Honor, only my few OCs. For Honor is own by Ubisoft and RWBY by Rooster Teeth.
Chapter 1: A Knight's Rise
Legends; stories scattered through time. Mankind has grown quite fond of recounting the exploits of heroes and villains, forgetting so easily that we are remnants, byproducts, of a forgotten past.
Man, born from dust, was strong, wise, and resourceful. But he was born into an unforgiving world. An inevitable darkness, creatures of destruction. The creatures of Grimm set their sights on Man and all of his creations. These forces clashed, and it seemed the darkness was intent on returning Man's brief existence into the void.
However, even the smallest spark of hope is enough to ignite change, and in time Man's passion, resourcefulness, and ingenuity led them to the tools that would help even the odds. This power was appropriately named Dust. Nature's wrath in hand, Man lit their way through the darkness, and in the shadow's absence came strength, civilization, and most importantly, life.
But even the most brilliant lights eventually flicker and die. And when they are gone... darkness will return. So you may prepare your guardians, build your monuments to a so-called "free world" but take heed, there will be no victory in strength.
But perhaps victory is in the simpler things that you have long forgotten? Things that require a smaller, more honest soul.
Vale, a small city with a bustling population, was currently basking in the shine of the moon. Or the shattered moon to be more precise, but that didn't stop the streets from being illuminated by its tender glow. A few cars drove by on the night streets, but the real action was in the city's shopping district where, even at this hour, citizens were still out and doing their regular deeds. Stores ranging from small family run businesses, large chain stores, a few restaurants had some night patrons and guests, but through all the stores, they shared a common element of having a massive selection of merchandise. And the people were taking advantage of the selection.
But it was on one of these small streets that a boy, roughly eighteen, maybe nineteen, strode down, wearing a hunter's attire and a golden and silver longsword slung across his back in an open sheath. Around his waist hung a gold cama, accented with gold lining and three silver diamonds. Wearing a light gold leather jacket with a white shirt underneath; it was covered by a slightly smokey silver cloak that came with a hood that had a few markings embroidered on the fabric. A green and gold clasp held the cloak in place across his collar.
On the clasp was a sort of symbol. A sword pointing down with tree roots branching from the tip spread out while two castles flanked the blade of the sword. Slightly torn black pants ran down both his legs to a pair of black and gold leather combat boots. Covering his hands and most of his forearms, a pair of silver and gold gauntlets protected his hands, as black leather fingerless gloves protected his hands.
Despite being in likely the most secure and safe place in Remnant, the figure's hand twitched almost longing to grip his weapon for some sort of reassurance. Raven black locks ran down his brow, the tips adorned a slight gold tint and reached just passed his chin. Silver eyes, ones that displayed the youth of the boy but also experience as a clean vertical scar went down his right eye. These eyes kept a close watch on his surroundings, searching for possible threats, enemies or assets of great importance.
But it seemed that whoever this boy was, was not finding what he searched. With a breath in and a short sigh out, he approached one random person.
"Pardon me, I just arrived in Vale and would you happen to know where a Dust store would be and if it's close by?" he asked.
"Of course," said a woman who looked to be an attorney of some kind, "Head down this street for about three blocks, make a quick right and it'll be on the left. Pretty sure it's called from Dust Until Dawn. It'll be the only store still open at this hour."
"Thank you, ma'am," thanked the boy before he jogged down the street.
If he wanted to get there before the store actually closed, he would need to pick up the pace. Jogging swiftly down the street, he turned the corner onto the road where he was directed and was met with a rather surprising sight. So surprising that he stopped in his tracks. The entire street was deserted. But adding to the unnerving atmosphere, all the street lights had been switched off and the lights in the buildings were out as well. Like the power had been cut to this area; all except to one building.
The Dust Store.
Carefully heading towards the store, the teen kept his right hand at the ready to grab the handle of his weapon. His left hand went to an automatic handcannon that was previously holstered on his left hip underneath the cloak. Above the cama but under the cloak, two holsters hung from his belt, each one holding a pistol with an elongated barrel. His hand came to rest on the weapon; anticipating for any threat, any danger, or surprise attack. The quiet of the night came to an abrupt halt as a man, wearing a full black body suit came flying through the front window of the store. In a flash, the revolver was drawn as the teen rushed towards the store, a little scared that this may be a robbery gone bad. But as soon as he saw who was responsible, he stopped in his tracks.
A girl, probably a few years younger than him, wielding a giant mechanical scythe had just challenged four men wearing similar attire to first the boy had seen. Short black locks with an unusual red highlighting the ends, framed her face. The girl, herself, was wearing a rather long, for her size, red cape with a hood that was a bit similar to his own cloak and was clad in a black blouse and waist cincher with red laces. Her skirt, which was colored a midnight-hued, displayed a frilly red trim, a belt home to a magazine pouch on her right, while large single rounds went along the left. Sheer black stockings hugged her legs, leading down to rugged, buckled combat boots. She reminded him of something out of a fairy tale, one that his mentor had once told him.
Her lithe form swung the scythe in an elaborate display, betraying the obvious strength she possessed. The boy slowed his approach, deciding to instead observe the scuffle; it became apparent the girl did not need his help, but he was ready to move in in case she needed some help. But, it seemed that she didn't need that much as she dispatched with her opponents with incredible ease, displaying an almost unrealistic wielding of such a large weapon. Aside from the normally unwieldy weapon, the boy also noted the, even by a hunter's standards, unnatural speed as well, incapacitating the crooks quickly. Oddly, as he noticed, the attacks fell short of being lethal. They were left writhing in obvious pain on the asphalt.
"You were worth every cent, truly you were," said a voice, a sarcastic tinge accompanying the sentence.
A final figure came out of the shop, this man in a white suit with a black bowler hat and cane. Ginger locks peeked from underneath the hat and in his mouth was a lit cigar. He kicked a goon as he strode, eliciting a groan.
"Well Red, I can say this has been quite the eventful evening," he continued towards the girl, dropping the cigar and crushing it with the end of his cane, "As much as I'd love to stick around, I'm afraid this is where we part ways."
He then raised his cane towards her, a small sight popping up over the tip. It was at this point the teen decided to get involved.
"Didn't mom ever tell you it's rude to point? Or did someone else fail to teach you that you shouldn't point weapons at another person, especially if that person is a young girl?" holding out one of his handcannons, trained right on the redheaded man. The girl spared him a surprised glance but kept her focus on the man currently threatening her.
"Well, what do we have here, another guest star?" said the man loudly, even as police sirens closed in from the distance, "I have Red and Gold gracing me with their amazing presence tonight. I'm flattered, truly, I am. But like before, I have a tight schedule I'd like to keep. Hope you understand. Ciao!"
Faster than the boy guessed, the man's left hand fell into his coat, pulling out a dust crystal, igniting it with his aura. A quick flick of his wrist and the crystal was sent bouncing towards the boy while at the same time, he fired his cane towards the girl, a flare of red dust energy rocketing towards her. With the help of her scythe, the girl vaulted over the incoming missile before it could collide with her. As for the boy, he reacted quick enough to shoot the crystal in the air causing it to explode. Unfortunately, the crystal was a bit closer than he realized and the boy was caught in the resulting explosion. Thanks to his aura, he was hardly fazed and quickly began to scan the area for the man. After a moment, he spotted him scrambling up a fire access ladder. Gun in hand, he took off in pursuit, focusing his aura into his legs and leaping for the roof.
"Mind if I go after them?" the girl asked the aged shopkeeper as he came out of hiding from his ruined shop.
He gave her a shaky nod.
With a smirk, she planted the head of her scythe into the ground and by pulling a hidden trigger, fired a powerful round, using the recoil to launch herself up to the edge of the building. The young pair landed at the same time, confronting the white-clad thief.
"Hey!" she yelled out, causing the thief to pause.
"Make a move, and I'll drop you," stated the boy, pulling out his second pistol to dual wield to add emphasis.
"Persistent..." muttered the thief from where he stood.
Whether it was out of either pride or spite, he refused to face the two teens; seconds ticked by. And the man's patience was rewarded because with a tremendous roar, a bullhead transport rose from the street adjacent to them. Floodlights blazed down on the two teens, momentarily blinding them as the suited man clambered into the vehicle's cabin. Once he was inside, the lights went out, releasing the two from their blindness.
"End of the line, kids!" shouted the man as he pulled out another red dust crystal from his jacket and tossed it towards them. Upon seeing the crystal, the boy's eyes widened in surprise.
"Get down!" he shouted while tackling the girl beside him to the right, trying to get away as a red bolt erupted from the tip of the thief's cane.
As if by some miracle, right before the shot made contact with the crystal, a figure appeared between them and the explosive object, conjuring a violet glyph the mercifully shielded them from the resulting explosion of the detonated crystal; a huntress. Likely in her late thirties with braided golden hair and spectacles. A white long-sleeved blouse clothed her, neatly tucked into a high set black skirt. A tattered purple cape billowed behind her. Black stockings and heels finished off the display. She huffed in annoyance as she waved what appeared to be a wand. Adjusting her glasses, she swung in a wide arc, firing a volley of violet energy bolts at the bullhead. The armored hull suffered little more than large dents from the impacts.
Not one to stand aside during a battle, the boy joined in, taking aim with his pistols, the red dust infused explosive rounds cracked against the hull of the bullhead, denting it along with the Huntress.
The girl joined him, her scythe collapsing into a high-velocity sniper rifle. Thundering cracks announced each round. The red-haired thief stumbled his way to the cockpit as his getaway bird lurched under the combined assault. He did not think his night would end this way.
"We got a huntress!" the thief yelled to his pilot, who, needing no more reason to leave, promptly rose from the pilot's chair and headed to the cabin.
The pilot was a woman, clad in a scarlet dress that fell to her mid thigh, decorated with gold embroidery, and glass high heel shoes. Glowing amber eyes were all that had shown from her mostly shrouded face. Her form rippled with the power of flame, like a miniature sun.
The bespectacled huntress ignored this new assailant for the most part, instead of waving her wand as it glowed with the intricate spider-web of Dust energy, conjuring a billowing swirl of storm clouds above the bullhead, bending the laws of weather to suit her intention. From its tendrils, large and sharpened chunks of hail fell upon the craft, puncturing the reinforced steel like pins through paper. The thief, who had since taken the woman's place in the cockpit, struggled to keep the bullhead airborne under the new assault of projectiles. He swore out-loud, quickly ducking to the left as one shard easily forced its way through the craft's canopy, showering him with glass.
A wave of the scarlet woman's hand conjured numerous orange glyphs where the trio stood. In haste, the huntress slid the two youths to safety with her wand as she herself nimbly danced out of range of the subsequent explosions. In response, the huntress waved her wand and took full control of the resulting debris, manipulating them into the form of a large spear. A flick of her wrist sent the deadly formation flying at high speed towards her target, only to be met with several volleys of fire that steadily wore it down in size.
Switching tactics, the huntress waved her wand once more, splitting the spear into multiple tendrils and surrounding the craft, but the pyromancer had a defensive tactic for this assault as well, throwing both her arms outwards and creating a super-heated shockwave that reduced the debris to ash. Sighting in with her scythe rifle, the girl took careful and precise shots at the woman. Unfortunately, the bullets did nothing, easily being stopped by the palm of the sorceress' hand. Needing an escape tactic, the pyromancer cupped her hands together, compressing the molten energy into a tightly packed ball.
When she felt it had reached a sufficient level, she launched this ball at her three attackers. The Huntress' eyes went wide when she realized how much more powerful this particular attack was in comparison to all the others. Gritting her teeth, she formed a protective sphere around herself and her two unexpected charges.
The explosion rocked the city across several blocks, startling the hapless citizens with its force and volume. The girl in red, despite the protective shielding, was knocked to the ground, alluding to the strength of the explosion.
The boy buckled slightly under the force but remained on his feet, awed by the sheer magnitude of the attack. The concrete roof of the building glowed an angry red, flash heated by the sudden assault from the fireball. Drawing upon her deeper reserves of power, the huntress let loose a wave of energy, banishing the smoke and flames from around them, but by the time she was able to send another volley of bolts, the bullhead was already retreating into the night sky. With a frown on her face, the huntress adjusted her spectacles and set to work repairing the ruined roof with her telekinesis.
Sighing, the boy holstered his guns and approached the girl, holding his hand out to help her up.
"Whoever they were, escaped but I wouldn't count them so lucky," assured the boy while he pulled the girl to her feet. As he spoke with her, no longer focused on the fight, he saw that he was actually much taller than her, almost three-quarters of a head taller to be precise. This put her at around the height of his chest, "Name's Warden, what's your's?"
"Ruby," she smiled back to him.
With pleasantries out of the way, the two turned their attention to the Huntress who was giving them a rather disdainful look if her expression anything to go by. While Warden looked a little bristled, Ruby, for her part, practically gushed with excitement.
"Ohimgosh, you're a huntress!" exclaimed the young girl, "Can I get your autograph?"
-Thirty Minute's later-
"I'd say no," commented Warden dryly as he and Ruby were not sitting inside an interview room within the local police station.
"I hope you realize that your actions tonight will not be taken lightly, you two. The both of you put yourselves and others in grave danger," the blonde woman scolded.
"They started it!" Ruby protested.
"If we're being fair, miss, this wasn't my first experience," Warden chuckled sheepishly as he scratched the back of his head. However, the Huntress was far from amused.
"Silence!" snapped the woman, punctuating what a slap of what Warden identified as a riding crop.
"If it were up to me, the both of you would be sent home tonight," she began, her tone as stern as ever, "with a pat on the back..."
Ruby perked up.
"... and a slap on the wrist." To prove her point, the woman slightly smacked Ruby's hand with the crop, earning a yelp from the terrified girl.
"However..." picked up Warden, knowing there was a 'however' coming along.
"However" elaborated the woman, glancing at Warden for a moment, "that doesn't seem to be the case. Someone here would like to speak to the both of you."
She stood to the side as an older man entered the room. He, like his associate, also wore spectacles. Silver, slightly messy hair adorned his crown and an emerald scarf hugged his neck. A long, black overcoat with gold buttons draped across his figure, long sleeves coming down to white-gloved hands. Unlike the woman, Warden recognized this man almost immediately, and honestly who wouldn't? Professor Ozpin, the Headmaster of Beacon Academy, entered the room. And he was carrying a...plate of cookies?
"Ruby Rose," addressed the headmaster to the girl first, "and Warden Allister." He greeted the boy.
Both of them sat up, their attention and curiosity peaked now.
"The two of you... have silver eyes," he spoke as if deciphering a puzzle. The two youths looked at each other in confusion, but as soon as they did, they discovered the other did indeed have silver eyes.
"So!" picked up Ozpin, drawing their attention back to him, "Where did you learn to do this?" accompanying his question, he pointed towards the woman's scroll, displaying a recording of the street fight to Ruby.
"S-Signal Academy?" she hesitantly answered.
"An entry-level school taught you how to wield one of the most dangerous weapons ever designed?" asked Ozpin humorously.
"Well, one instructor in particular!" she clarified with a little nervousness.
"I see," he continued. At that point, he set the plate down in front of her.
Ruby's eyes shot back and forth between Ozpin and the cookies. A pale hand slowly reached forward and took a cookie. She ate one, then another as her smile grew. In no time at all, she ravenously inhaled cookie after cookie, not even crumbs were safe.
"Uh...you gonna share some of those?" asked Warden, watching as the girl practically inhaled the snacks, "like...at all?"
She nodded once, pushing the plate towards the knight, allowing him the privilege of having the very last cookie.
"I only know of one person who can wield the scythe with such ease..." continued Ozpin. "...a dusty old crow."
Ruby mumbled something, likely a confirmation of sorts, though it was hard to tell through her mouthful of cookies, "Pardon me?"
She swallowed and giggled nervously.
"Sorry, that's my Uncle Qrow, and he's a teacher at Signal. I was complete garbage before he took me under his wing, but now I'm all whooowaah watttchaaa!" she described animatedly, throwing in a batch of actions to complete the explanation.
"So I've seen," Ozpin replied, a slight smile on his face and a little bit of amusement in his words, "And what is an adorable little girl such as yourself doing at a school designed to train warriors?"
"Well..." began Ruby, looking for a good answer, "I want to become a Huntress."
"You want to slay monsters?" supplied Ozpin.
"Yeah!" said Ruby, a flash of excitement appeared in her eyes as she began to explain, " I only have two more years at Signal and then I want to apply to Beacon. You see, my sister is starting there this year and she's trying to become a Huntress. I'm trying to become a Huntress because I wanna help people! Our parents always taught us to help people and I thought 'Oh might as well make a career out of it' hehe, and sure the police are good and all but Hunters and Huntresses are just so much cooler and romantic and exciting and gosh you know?" she squealed.
The responses varied between the three people present: the woman gave Ruby a deadpanned expression while Ozpin and Warden chuckled at her enthusiasm.
"Very interesting." commented the professor before he directed his focus on Warden.
"Warden...you, as opposed to Ruby, I have actually already heard about and in fine detail as well."
"Is that correct?" asked Warden, raising an eyebrow slightly as his stature stiffened by the supplement.
To show what he was talking about, Ozpin waved at the scroll, switching the recording that was previously displaying Ruby fighting the criminals to one of Warden. Here, he was poised in a deadly stance as Grimm charged towards him. The landscape displayed one of the failed cities of Remnant, displaying the threat of the Grimm. Ruby watched in unrestrained awe as the older teen wielded a longsword, hacking, slashing, and pummeling as he beat back the advancing swarm of Grimm; consisting mostly of Beowolves and the occasional Ursa. The camera changed angles just as Warden focused his aura into the weapon, the blade split in half right down its length and unleashed a massive beam right toward the pack. The deadly attack sliced right through them with ease.
"A Huntsmen of mine had been called to a village by the name of Canyonriver, not far from the city of Mantle. He was sent there to fend off a pack of Grimm that were moving close to the village. Imagine his surprise to find that you had already engaged them."
"You're already a Huntsman?" asked Ruby, excitement flooding her expression.
"I wish," sighed Warden, "I had an excellent instructor. Besides, I was taking a break there when I ran into the Grimm. Didn't want anyone to lose their lives or loved ones when I had the opportunity to help them."
Cracks of the pistols echoed from the video of Warden as he emptied both of his handcannons into an Ursa that tried to pin him down. The body of the Grimm nearly fell on top of the boy but was promptly shoved into a pair of advancing Beowolves as Warden holstered both weapons and unsheathed his longsword.
"And what exactly do you mean by 'taking a break'?" Ozpin asked curiously.
"Been moving from Vacuo for about a month, maybe a little longer. Canyonriver was going to be my last before I would make my way here and apply to Beacon.
"On foot?" asked Ozpin, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, I know. It sounds suicidal. But what's life without some risks?" lamented Warden, knowing full well that only very experience Huntsmen and Huntresses could actually make a trip like that and live to tell the tale. Grimm were numerous and was almost never alone.
"And what exactly compelled you to traverse half the continent of Sanus for your education when you could have applied to Shade Academy within Vacuo?"
"Training, if you wish to call it that," was the reply, though he skillfully evaded the question.
"Except that the main mode of transportation between kingdoms is either by air or sea. To do so cross country is akin to, what you stated as well, suicide. You, of course, understand this, correct?"
"With all due respect, professor, but what exactly are you looking for or what is this about?" Warden's patience had been wearing thin and he was a little tired of answering questions, "From what I can infer, Ruby and myself are innocent and the only people injured in tonight's disturbance were those thieves."
Ozpin tilted his head. "Do either of you know who I am?"
"You're Professor Ozpin, the Headmaster at Beacon," Ruby answered immediately.
Ozpin, who had seated himself, leaned forward across the table. "You want to come to my school?" he directed the question to the both of them.
Warden, to his saving grace only leaned back in his chair, a surprised and honestly confused expression on his face. He was not expecting this in the slightest; a direct offer from the Headmaster, himself, to one of the most prestigious hunting academies in Remnant. Ruby on the other hand...well, she looked like she was being given a gift from Oum himself, in person.
"More than anything in the world," she breathed. He turned his gaze towards Warden.
"Uh...I-uh, I would be honored, professor," answered the teen, still completely blown away by what was transpiring.
Ozpin gave a questioning gaze to his associate. She scoffed and looked away, rolling her eyes.
With a broad smile on his face and eyes squinted shut, "Well alright."
-Five minutes later-
Warden took a long breath as he entered his room at the motel he was staying in. When he arrived in Vale, the first thing he expected to do before he applied to Beacon was find a job. But here he was, getting an open invitation from Ozpin, the headmaster of Beacon, on what was literally his third day in Vale. He pulled the letter out of his pocket for reassurance. The woman who gave him and Ruby's official documents, Glynda Goodwitch, was also a teacher at Beacon and happened to be the assistant headmistress. The instructions were clear; be at the airstrip on the north side of Vale by 8 am tomorrow. Warden set his sword down and removed his cape and draped it on a chair that was in the room. Removing the rest of his gear, he would only need to take a few minutes to get changed for bed, wash up, and then actually go to sleep.
His sleeping attire consisted of silver sweatpants with a gold stripe heading down the side. He opted to leave a shirt off due to the heating in the room on the fritz. But sleep was something that eluded Warden for several hours. Mind still juggling and trying to make sense of all that had happened, granted with the sudden entry into Beacon, but mostly about a certain young girl he ran into by pure luck.
"Ruby..." he said into the darkness of his room.
The girl was practically bouncing with glee before they left the police station. After a quick hug of farewell, the best of wishes, and the hope of running into each other once more at school, she vanished int the night to Signal at a speed that would be classified as ridiculous. A trail of rose petals followed in her wake. The thought of her brought a smile to the knight's face, no questions needed to be asked to know he made a friend this night. She was eager, adorable, and above all pure of heart, and an exceptional Huntress in training.
However, what him the most was what Ozpin had pointed out that both of them had: silver eyes. Warden knew the tale from his mentor, teacher, and godfather, Xanthe; the silver-eyed warriors, humans that possessed immense amounts of power and combat prowess. So much so that they were supposedly capable of eliminating a Grimm just by looking at it.
Warden sighed as he turned to lie on his back, though went back to his side; he wouldn't think about this right now, he had to get rested and ready for an early day tomorrow. Regardless, he had every intention of scowering the many books held within Beacon's library for any info on the warriors besides the fables that most people knew these days. If by fate, he would be lucky enough to find information, not from an old storybook filled with old fairy tales. But above all, he wasn't the only 'Silver Eyed Warrior.'
The thought brought him comfort and a smile to his face as he finally embraced the quietness of sleep.
-Elsewhere-
Remnant is known to be littered with the remains of fallen civilizations, so a crumbling castle, surrounded by fields of ash covered ground would not be an entirely surprising sight. But this castle had an ancient purpose. One that has long since been forgotten. Built into the side of a dormant volcano, a massive castle rose up. It's many towers holding together only just. Bricks that made up its foundation aged and cracked. But inside, an ancient enemy plans her moves.
To Be Continued...
Read and Review.