Chapter 1: An Unexpected Call

The wind was picking up, he noticed. Looking out in the distance, he could see a sandstorm, hopefully moving in a different direction.
He planted Tempus Comedenti firmly into the ground, the dark steel blade shimmering in the daylight, the blood of his most recent kill still running down its edge. He lifted his mask, wiped his brow, and took a drink from his canteen. "I'm getting to old for this."
he thought out loud. He looked back at the Deathstalker he had just killed, its head cleaved in two, blood still oozing from the split. He almost lifted his mask back up, and started to head East, when his Scroll started ringing. A familiar, grey haired, spectacled face appeared on the screen. "Hey Ozpin, it's been awhile."

"Indeed it has, Cieryl." The sound of Ozpin sipping his coffee could be heard; "How have you been?"

Cieryl sighed "Oh the same as usual. Hunting Grimm day in and day out. You almost never call, whats the occasion?"

"Well, we have a new recruit coming. A student of which I'm sure you'd be interested in seeing. Do you remember Summer?"

Cieryl raised an eyebrow "How could I not?"

"Her daughter will be attending this year. I know it isn't the same, but I know what you felt for her. Perhaps you could come meet the girl? I'm sure she'd like to hear some stories about her mother."

Cieryl took a deep breath "I don't like talking about her. You know that."

"You can't blame yourself forever. What happened wasn't your fault. Come see the girl. Maybe you'll come to terms with what happened if you talk to her."

"We'll see..." and with that, Cieryl closed his scroll. Perhaps Ozpin is right... He thought sadly. She does deserve to know, I suppose.
With that, he scratched his chin, lifted his mask, and headed North to Beacon. I hope I don't regret this later... He thought

Beacon Academy

Cieryl arrived late in the evening 3 days later. He headed towards the school, straight to Ozpin's Office. It had been a long time since he had been there, but he still knew the way. His footsteps echoed throughout the halls as he ascended the stairs to the Headmaster's office. He knocked on the door.

"Come in, Mr. Jade. I've been waiting for you"

He opened the door, seeing the Headmaster stand before him. "You look like Hell, Ozpin!"

"Yes, well not all of us are immune to aging, Cieryl. I'm in my mid 60s and show it. You're over 200 years old, and you don't look a day over 40."

"I'd rather not be immortal actually" He said, as he gave Ozpin a brotherly hug "So where is the kid?"

"I believe she is downstairs sleeping with her sister. They have initiation tomorrow. It's getting late you know."

Cieryl raised an eyebrow "Sister? You didn't say anything about a sister or a twin!"

"There aren't any twins, Cieryl. Yang is her older half- sister. Summer's daughter, Ruby, showed great skill with her weapon, so I bumped her ahead 2 years so she could start here"

"Ruby, huh? Ruby Rose..." Cieryl was lost in thought for a moment. "That was always her favorite color..." He whispered

"Perhaps you should get some sleep. I will have Glynda wake you in the morning to see the initiation. Maybe you can speak to her after"

Cieryl nodded. It suddenly dawned on him at how utterly exhausted he was "Alright, Upstairs and to the left right?" Ozpin nodded "Okay"
As he turned to leave, Ozpin spoke once more "Oh, and Cieryl? Do be light about the subject at first, when you speak to her. She's quite energetic and will no doubt ask you a lot of questions. However, I don't think she's quite ready to know what happened to her mother." With that, Cieryl closed the door, headed to his room, and slept.
-

The field was bloody, dead Grimm, everywhere, when something caught his eye
Summer, MOVE!
NOOOOOOOO!

Cieryl woke up with a start, the nightmare still fresh in his mind

"I hope... I hope the kid can forgive me..." he whispered sadly

Cieryl buried his face in his hands, and silenty cried