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Prologue
Empathy
"There will come a time where I will offer up my sword and my shield for you, even if this body of mine will become ruined."
For a while all I seen was white. My mind was reeling, my breath caught in my throat. I gasp for air, not getting enough of it. I claw at my chest, wanting to rip myself apart trying to get rid of the anxious feeling that was balled so deep within my heart. I let out a sharp breath scratching myself. I roll over reaching out for something-anything.
However, there is nothing and I am left alone within the forest of white. I clutch my chest, curling myself into a ball.
I could feel them.
Their pain,
Their fear,
Their sadness.
And there was nothing I could do about it. All I could do was share their pain, taking all I could with me.
"Artemis!" I stumble into the arms of the white haired military specialist in a dazed state. She takes a quick glance at me before wrapping an arm around me and leading me to a small couch. She leans down holding a hand to my forehead.
Sighing she stands, "You're burning up…"
It was then when the general appeared, stepping out of his office and making his way towards us. I sigh, sitting up and shushing Winter's worried hands away. I take a deep breath meeting the man's intense gaze.
"Nothing you should concern yourself with Sir." I say as my expression hardens. He lets out a gruff sigh and turns to Winter almost expecting her to answer.
"I'm unsure sir, she appeared to me in this state already." She answers automatically, almost like one of his mindless soldiers. I never really realized why he wanted so many robots in the first place. There were still many things that technology could never manage to do. But who was she to say anything about that. She was only his daughter, the defiant daughter of the emotionless tin man.
I stand up pushing myself away from the pair. "I'm fine, really."
"Serah-" He starts. I turn around glaring at him. "Don't you dare."
"Look, Serah I understand-"
"Do you! Or are you only telling me what I want to hear father?" He closes his eyes turning away and walking back to his office.
"Please have a safe trip." Is all he says before the door shuts behind him.
I stare at the clock as I wait for my ship to arrive. I tap my feet slightly to the beat of the music as I do my absolute best trying to tune out everyone around me. Though this act is short lived as someone gently taps my shoulder. I take out my earbud, turning my attention towards the culprit. Winter smiles as I look around for any trace of my father. He was always around when she was around.
"Don't worry, he didn't follow me here." She says as she looks around with me. I let out a small laugh.
"I came to tell you bye." I stare at her suspiciously.
"You're not trying to make me stay are you?" I question squinting my eyes at her. She holds her hands up in defense.
"Nope." She then looks out the window continuing, "I understand you more than you think you know." I nod knowing she was right.
As long as she carried the name Schnee she always would. She understood completely why I chose to be schooled at Beacon and not Atlas's academy. After all her sister made the same decision, or so I've heard.
Our time together is unfortunately cut short as my ship arrives rather quickly. I frown looking at her.
"Thank you for coming Winter, really. But I should get going now." She nods and hugs me, handing me a small box and briskly walking away. I stare at her as she walks away confused, somehow I knew she was smiling.
Not thinking much of it, I tuck the box carefully into my luggage and head off.
I step off the bullhead stretching. Other new students were scurrying about. Parents saying goodbye to their young and others meeting up with their friends. I sigh, popping my headphones into my ear as the feelings of excitement, anxiousness and fear filled me. I walk fast pulling my bags with me.
I walk down the long concrete path that leads to the entrance of the academy. I feel relieved knowing that I escaped the mad house of the area they designated for student drop offs. As I near the statue placed in front of the entrance I catch sight of two people standing in front of the statue that greeted people as they made their way into the school. It was the headmaster himself with his trusted assistant Glynda Goodwitch.
I cross my arms, coming to a stop. "Do you do this for every new student?" He smiles as I say this.
"Only for the runaways Ms. Night." I shake my head lifting a brow at him. "Then I take it you know why I chose this school right?"
His smile grows and Glynda rolls her eyes.
We begin to walk towards the school, I look around getting acquainted with my surroundings. I feel the pit in my stomach only grow bigger as I ready myself for my next question, however, before I am even able to ask, it's already answered.
The doors to Beacon open and a woman saunters out. Like mine, her hair is as black as night and cascades in waves. She smiles, her silver almond shaped eyes and high cheekbones make her stand out all the more. I find myself staring at the black moon that has marked itself on her forehead. I bite my lip feeling the pit within my stomach slowly change to one only fueled by anger. I hated that I looked so much like this woman and knowing there was nothing I could about it because, after all, I was her daughter.
"Artemis, so nice to finally see you." Her voice is sickeningly sweet.
"I'd like to say otherwise, Mother." I respond sharply already knowing that this was all it took to set her off.
She frowns walking forward, raising her hand. My head is thrown to the side, a stinging sensation capturing my cheek as she brought her hand down against it. She slaps me with such force that it busts my lip. I keep my head turned, my hair covering expression.
She steps back glaring down at me. "Why didn't you activate your aura."
My intense gaze meets her own as I lift my head, my hand lightly brushing against my swelling lip.
"It'd only be a waste of my aura." She scoffs lifting her hand once more to strike again, only to be stopped by Glynda.
"While I'm aware she's your daughter, I'd appreciate if you would keep your hands off our students, especially on campus."
My mother turns away, throwing her hair over her shoulder. "Right, wouldn't want that in the newspaper."
I know better however, I brace myself pushing my belongings away as she turns around, the moon on her forehead glowing white. I'm lifted and suddenly thrown backwards. The air gets knocked out of me as I struggle trying to stop my descent. My vision shakes as I see Glynda rush towards me, but my mother beats her and lifts me by my hair.
"Be a good girl now and go take some time to think about how I should be treated." She lifts me higher and kicks me in my stomach knocking the air out of me once more. It isn't long before I feel myself falling. Branches and leaves scratch at me as I fall. I soon lose consciousness.
The next time I open my eyes I find myself staring up at the shattered moon. I grunt as I sit up, instantly activating my aura. Pain flares throughout my body, even with my aura. There were some things even aura couldn't protect you from.
That was stupid and risky of me, but I don't regret it. Surely my mother has already been reprimanded for her actions today, and that was all I really cared about. As long as she had a reason to stay away from me, I would be fine.
I sigh, stretching my sore and pained body. I laugh suddenly, my confidence and stoic facade finally breaking. I curl into a ball, trying to calm myself and breathe. But to no avail, the tears I've held back for long begin to fall. I lift my head gazing at the broken moon as my tears continue to spill down my red cheeks.
What happened to us. What happened to them. I clutch at my heart feeling so lost. We used to all be so happy, then one day it all changed. Why couldn't we still be that way. How come it had to be us.
"Why did you have to break us too…" I question, staring at the moon. I stand up again, beginning to calm down. I wipe at my tear stained cheeks, hoping the darkness would cover my beaten up state.
I jump when I hear the leaves crunch, knowing someone was here, I turn around my silver eyes meeting two slits of a black mask.
We just stare at each other, unsure of what to say. His eyes narrow at me, taking note of my current state. He had striking red hair and two black horns protruding through it. He was a faunus.
My heart skips a beat, knowing the reputation my father had with his kind. They were all to familiar with me and my name because of that. Despite this, he doesn't draw his blade.
"Ah...um.." I start but finish not really knowing what to say. He steps forward, towering over my small form.
"What is the daughter of general Ironwood doing out here all alone, looking so shaken up?"
"I fell" I say as I point to the cliff behind us.
He steps closer to me clearly not believing me. My breath catches as he comes a little to close. He towers over my small frame leaning down a bit. His gloved hand reaches out and traces my lip gently.
"And I suppose you got this from also falling off a cliff?" He says sarcastically, but I'm already in a daze. Just as he touches me, I can feel him. I push myself away, my mind reeling. I clutch at my heart as pain spirals through me. Doubt and anger blooming in the pit of my stomach. My eyes tear up and I turn away, holding a clammy hand to my mouth. I shakily take a breath feeling sick.
He reaches for me and I smack his hand away quickly, distrust written all over my face. I want to hit someone. I wanted to hurt them. I wanted to make them disappear. It was then that I thought of my mother and father and these feeling burned even brighter within me. How dare they abandon me like this. Why did they even have me if they were going to leave me all alone. Why did I get left with these cursed emotions? Why couldn't I be just like them, cold and unfeeling! I wanted to hurt them just as much as they hurt me and other people! Hurt wasn't even the word to describe the violent feelings coursing through me!
I laugh to myself, why hadn't I thought of this before…
Before...why….
Why now?
I close my eyes taking a deep breathe. That's right. This isn't me, this is him. My hands cover my face and I peak at him through the small open slits of my fingers.
"What happened to you?"
He takes a step back.
"What made you feel such things…"
His hands gently graze the blade at his side.
"I felt it."
I shake my head, catching my breath. I stand straight meeting his gaze.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Look." I begin, staring up at the moon. "I didn't mean to pry...I'm still trying to figure this all out for myself...but…"
He waits for me to elaborate. "..My semblance...it's empathy."
Then everything clicks for him. It must have been when he touched her, she felt all his emotions. That is why she reacted in such a way, or so he thought.
"You felt…" He trails off unsure.
"yeah...I-I'm sorry….I didn't mean to pry...or anything...but..I think...I mean. Uh...Revenge...Hurting other people...It'll only ever make you feel worse you know.."
He simply stares at me, smirking. "I know. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here, but thank you."
"So, I take it you're here for Beacon as well?" He nods hesitantly.
Soon we fall into step together, and walk out of the forest. We didn't talk much, but it was indeed a comfortable silence. It also made me wonder about my semblance. I wondered if I could actually help people with it… When I lived in Atlas I often found myself bearing the pain of others. I would take it from them, so they wouldn't have to deal with it. But was that always okay to do?
I shake my head, my eyes focusing on Beacon and how it lit up under the dark sky. I suppose they didn't call it beacon for nothing. This was going to be my home for the next four years of my life. It's all or nothing for me.
Everything would start here. I needed to become stronger so I can bear the pain of the two people who meant the world to me. I would bear it, because they weren't strong enough too. Surely I could save my mom and my dad. Surely..one day...one day, we'll be together again.
A/N
Hello readers, I know here's round two of changing the plot. I'm more satisfied with this one though. I want to focus on the all the characters and their development. Not just my OC and Adam. This is an AU after all, so I intend on making many changes. I also wanted to kinda have a slow burn with Adam. God I'm so sad they killed him. Any way, thank you for reading. Oh and if you're wondering, the quote I used is from a song featured in a game called Cytus. It's called Knight of Firmament. The song is how originally depicted Serah/Artemis.
I know it might be confusing right now with her two names, one is her actual name and the others is what others expect her to be. The relationship she holds with her parents might also be confusing. Serah is angry at them for abandoning her. Yea they supported her financially, but not as a family, not how parents should. She does not hate them, but she does resent them. This is all because of a certain event from the past. Serah aims to save them from their own emotions.
Anyway hope you like so far!
