Through Crystal Eyes

A/N: For neccessitity and more content to work with, I went back to the first chapter and moved Luzid's age back from ten to seven. That way I have more content to work with. This Author's Note was made to make this statement, now comes the actual chapter.

Race, age, creed, profession, sexuality, and gender don't matter in the end. Human and Faunus alike are the same on the inside. This I came to know upon becoming close to people who truly cared for the first time. It didn't matter what we were on the outside, for we are all Dust-Born within; made from Dust and when we fade we will become Dust again. That was the first lesson I learned... and it would be far from the last.

Chapter 2: A Hand Extended

The Great War, or also known simply as the War, stands as the greatest conflict in the history of recorded history. Seventy years later, the effects of this war are have changed Remnant. It was fought for many reasons; ignorance, greed, hatred, along with many others. But the Great War's chief cause was the oppression of individualism. The leaders of the Kingdoms then, tyrants that they were, sought to control all of aspects of Man and Faunuskind's lives, to suppress the values of self-expression and the destruction of art. Many chose not to fight, out of fear or survival. But there were the brave few that stood against this tyranny, and with their guiding hands the people fought against the dictators that sought to take all that they were as people. With time and tenacity, the people overthrew the wicked and gained the freedom that was their natural right. And on the small island of Vytal, delegates from Vale, Vacuo, Mistral, and Mantle met and brought peace to the war-torn Remnant. From this meeting many things came forth such as the creation of the Huntsmen Academies; as the chaos and darkness brought forth the Creatures of Grimm in droves to the weakened borders of Mankind's homes.

Alongside decisions that effected all four Kingdoms, each had individual ones also received such changes. Mantle, with the rise of Atlas soon became overshadowed, made obsolete with its people moving to the safer and more comfortable region. Soon enough Mantle itself was forgotten and Atlas was named not only the capital city, but also the name of the Kingdom itself. The "new" kingdom only kept advancing from there, from technology to its military, Atlas soon became a force to be reckon with. Among the four kingdoms, it holds the title of Strongest in terms of military.

While the arts of war were greatly associated with Atlas, it also gave all of Remnant a great gift. The Cross-Continental Transmit System, a masterpiece of technology that allowed wireless instantaneous multimedia communication across large distances all around Remnant. Based in four towers each within the walls of each Kingdom. Everyone could communicate with anyone anywhere in the world, and for that it has been hailed as the most influential technological innovation of them all. With the CCT as its most commonly known, the dangers to messengers and the ineffectivity of short range radio were eliminated, further giving the Kingdoms another edge against the Grimm.

As it was Atlas that created this marvel of technology, it was no surprise that their CCT tower was the strongest and largest. A massive spire jutting into the sky at seventy-five meters tall, hexagonal in shape, and supported by nine flying buttresses surrounding the tower. Colored light grey with numerous windows all along the building, twin banners flying the Atlas flag flank the large sliding doors into the great building. At the very top of the CCT, three antennae reached further into the air, unseen and silently sending signals connecting Atlas to the other Kingdoms.

Aged as he was, Mill was able to ascend the stairs to the entrance with relative ease, his staff giving him extra balance for his frame. As the large glass doors slid open, the scholar was greeted by a pillar in the dead center of the lobby, various lines of light leading into multiple holgraphic terminals and moniters. Along the outer walls there were more such terminals, all within the lobby designed for communication within Atlas' borders. But to make the call he needed, this was not the floor Mr. Cerul needed to be on. A few "excuse me's" and gently avoiding others lead him to three elevators. Extending his index finger and pressing the call button, the left elevator opened up and the man in robes stepped in and the door shut behind him.

[Hello, welcome to the CCT, how may I help you?] A mechanical, yet kind female voice rang out through the elevators PA system. A great deal of technology in Atlas was maintained by artificial intellegence systems, more than the other Kingdoms. To Atlesians, it was a natural part of their culture and lifestyle, for Mill it was something different yet he accepted this mark of Atlas with stride.

"Hello, I'd like to make a call in the Communication Room please," his aged voice politely requested, his free hand already going into his robes to find something he needed.

[Absolutely, could you please place your Scroll on the terminal to confirm your identity?] The A.I. asked. The scholar complied and pulled out a black Scroll and held it up to the terminal. A few seconds of cybernetic noises later the A.I. spoke up again. [Perfect, thank you Mr. Cerul.]

With a slight jerk, the metal box began to ascend up the tower at a steady pace, the ride being accompanied by a light jingle on the PA system. Mill began to stroke his beard while collecting his thoughts. It had been four weeks since the incident that have become known as "The Day of Red Snow" and the icy land of Atlas was still filled with great tension. The lives lost along with the number of wounded was a fair and terrible number, and combined with the immense property damage to the surrounding districts it was horrific. All in all, despair and hatred was empowered throughout the young Kingdom. If it wasn't for the harsh terrain and massive military, one would've expected the Creatures of Grimm to already be swarming the perimeter of Atlas. If there was any saving grace it was that James Ironwood was swift in response to bringing an end to the rioting. The General and Atlas Academy Headmaster had only come into power a short few years ago, yet that hadn't stopped his progressive methods. The man was stalwart in his conviction and fair to all, and with such distress currently swirling in the Kingdom, General Ironwood brought down an iron fist onto those who continued the violence. Yes indeed, while it may be that the open violence in the streets of the northern Kingdom had stop thanks to the quick actions of the military, yet it could not stop the feelings of the people. A hollow victory it seemed...

Only time would heal the wounds inflicted on Atlas from, that day.

Though what really mattered to the aged man was the young Faunus he had saved on The Day of Red Snow. The strides made by the Dragon child brought a warmth to the heart. There was no backlash from the surgery he received to correct the damage from the gunshots to his torso, something that brought peace to Mill's mind. Though he wasn't sure on the condition of Luzid's face. Even after four weeks from the incident, Dr. Bell had kept the boy's face wrapped up in bandages the entire time, only having them removed to be changed or for his faced to be washed. The child was still timid as well, but not nearly as bad as in the beginning. During the first week any loud noises would send him into a panic attack and he had chronic nightmares every time he slept. Now though he still had the occasional bad dream but not as severe as in the past and he wasn't skittish. But the shyness remained, little Luzid being wary of most people other than three people; Honey Bell, who had taken a great interest in personally overseeing his recovery. The young Antelope Faunus nurse Viridia, the timid girl took to the young boy in strides, able to overcome her own shy nature to make him feel comfortable. And the last was Mill himself, Luzid's savior. Many would find the companionship between the aged Human and the Faunus child to be an odd one especially with how racial tensions were in Atlas, but the two found a bond in a shared love for conversation and the Old Language; something that had greatly impressed Mill when he learned that Luzid was fluent in the tongue of those that came before the Four Kingdoms. It turned out that before their demise (something that Luzid never shared for clear reasons) his parents had raised him to speak both languages. The boy was extremely intelligent for a seven year old, and he could advance in enormous ways if his life was given a chance to prosper. And that was what Mill Cerul was aiming for... if he could get his plans to succeed.

A soft ding brought the heterochromatic eyed man out of his inner musings and the elevator doors slid open. There was little surprise that the Communication Room of the Atlas CCT was as grand as the rest of the spire. Twin grand staircases flanked the center, twisting up to left off at two other floors other than the base, lines of terminals dotted each floor. Many were in use already, some making simple calls, others calling family to let them know they survived that horrible experience. Stereotypical of someone his age, Mill let himself be wondered by the technology of the Kingdoms, Atlas in particular. He was old, old enough to still vividly remember the Faunus Rights Revolution and the carnage of it, though that was a tale for another time. But he also saw how technology exploded in these decades. While the aged man was in-tuned with most electronics, some things never ceased to amaze.

The soft click of his staff caused a hologram of a young female attendant to appear before him, flashing the man a smile. [Welcome to the Atlas Cross-Continental Transmit System, how may I help you today?] the hologram shared the same synthetic voice as the one in elevator.

Mill gave a tired smile, showing the weight of what he was attempting. "I'd like to place a call to the Archives, on Elysian Isle off the southern coast of Sanus," he said kindly. Artificial being or not, it was right to show politeness to those you converse with.

Mechanical sounds of a keyboard being typed on came forth as the holo-attendant prepared the CCT to make the call. [Absolutely, if you could head over to Terminal twenty-seven on the base floor, we can patch you through.]

The scholar gave a nod at the smile he was given before passing by various kiosks containing terminals. Some were vacant though most were occupied. He swiftly found a kiosk with a large 27 in bold white numbers on the wall. Sitting down, the monitor soon began to boot up. When it flashed to life, light blue hair filled most of the screen. Shoulder length and with a slightly frayed look, bangs pulled out of the person's eyes with a dull bronze hairclip. It all belonged to a young woman, seeming to be in her twenties, with fair skin upon a face with smooth cheeks and defined eyebrows. While half lidded, her deep blue eyes were still shown behind thin glasses hanging off her nose.

"Hello, thank you for contacting the Archives, if you wish to consult for information, I can..." the woman looked up and drolled out of her speech when she was met with the smiling face of Mill, her mouth partially open as her eyes bored into him. Then her eyes hardened and her mouth moved to a sneer. The glasses feel off her face and she leaned into the screen, scowling. "WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?!"

Mill recoiled back, as if he expected the young woman to burst out of the terminal screen. He should've known she'd answer the call, it was just his luck. "Sapphire, don't you look radi-"

"Cut the crap, you senile fool! You're attempts to change the subject aren't going to work," the now named Sapphire Azura growled out. The blue eyed woman sat back in her chair, removing her glasses and crossing her arms, the frown lessening a slight degree. She sighed, expelling most her rage. "Four weeks... the news channels are still covering information on The Day of Red Snow. The wounded... the dead..." her blue eyes looked down, filled with sorrow and relief, fingers locking together under her chin. "We feared you were lost in the mayhem..."

Mismatched eyes softened at the near-invisible tremble in Sapphire's voice. In his age there are moments that the old scholar remembers how many people had a reliance on him, these days of him making trips were quickly coming to an end, for the sake of those like the woman on the terminal in front of him. No longer was he young and agile, Mill didn't enjoy coming to terms with his twilight years, but he couldn't run from the sands of time.

"I do believe my days of traveling off Elysian Isle are over"

Sapphire gazed up, seeing a calm look on Mill's face. "These bones of mine are much made for great travels anymore," he chuckled. "I confess to there being a little bit of difficulties getting up the CCT. Very soon, I'll be coming home..."

The blue themed young woman gave a smile. This was good news. "Good, the Archives can't afford to lose you, Grandmaster"

Orange and blue met royal blue, the elder nodding. One wouldn't believe the influence this aging man had or the weight his voice carried. Though that was something to discuss another time. "But I can't come back just yet." He was met with a slightly annoyed, but mostly confused look. "Let's say its... one final goal, something I feel I am meant to do." Sapphire showed confusion, not truly understanding what Mill was hinting at. "Do not fret Sapphire, I should be coming back within the next day or so."

She was reluctant, but nodded. "Very well... but if takes more than three days I swear I will come to Atlas myself and drag you back by your beard!"

He couldn't help but laugh more at her threats, smiling like a elderly grandfather. "Ah dear Sapphire... all that yelling will just make you get crow's feet all the much faster~" And to be expected, her, the woman on the screen reacted like Mill knew she would.

"YOU LOUDMOUTH ANCIENT FU-"

Whatever... colorful vocabulary... the woman had planned to unleash unto the man was swiftly rendered impossible by him ending the call. Mill leaned back in his chair, smiling blissfully. Once again he and Sapphire had their little harmless spat they had occasionally. It was all a game really, One he usually won...

"Ah... she'll attack me for that when I get back."

….. until she'd attack him that is. Though the hostility was quickly burned and the aged man had come to see it as how she showed affection towards him or some of the others. She was a spitfire for sure, but was unmatched in her skills, hence why she was the Archive's Vice-Scholar.

Steadying himself with his walking staff, he moved up from the terminal's chair, taking calming breaths. Moving from there, the sagely man moved back to the elevators, mind set on the goal he spoke to Sapphire of. It was simple in theory, but would require careful negotiations and exposition. This would change one life forever, something Mill believed was deserved, possibly destined to happen. These weeks were spent coming up with this, going over all possible scenarios and outcomes. Now though, it would all come down to what the child decided himself.

This was Luzid's life that was in question after all.

END

I will admit this was going to be twice as long, but due to the struggling I've had with writer's block and outside influences it will be ending at this point for the chapter.

Thanks to a suggestion of a very good friend of mine, early chapters of this story may range in length for the time being, partially to expand on how much of pre-canon material I want to as well as take some stress off of myself.

Great deal of world building too place in this chapter, that is something that will be heavily present in this story. The world of Remnant that Monty created has so much to offer in making it vast an vibrant with lore and culture, something I'm eagerly going to dive into.

Slowly and surely the tale of this little Dragon Faunus will spin out into a great tale (I hope at least) and this marks the true beginning of Luzid's story.

As always please be sure to read and review as its greatly appreciated to hear from everyone. And if anyone wishes to talk or ask questions directly you can always PM me.

Until next time... and I look forward to see if any of you can spot the little things that will appear in the future~