The Saga of Ruby the Rose: Chapter Two
Author's Note at the bottom.
I was seven years old when it happened.
I should have seen it coming.
- ? –
In a far-off plane of existence, a council of divine beings congregates around a crack in unknown time and space. The deities murmur amongst themselves, and soon the fracture opens in full.
Two male beings step out from the rift and are met by a rancorous cheer. One high-ranking angel steps forward to greet the returned deities.
"Welcome back, dear Brothers. How have the two of you fared on your journey of creation, and generation of piety?"
The two brothers look at each other, blank expressions evident on their faces. The older brother purses his lips, then speaks.
"I must apologize, for our world…knows not of who we are," he says, as disbelief and utter shock paint the faces of the deities who have assembled.
"You mean, they have no concept of religion – of faith?" A befuddled incarnation of Buddha asks.
The younger brother shakes his head. "When we arrived, we were young, foolish. We bickered over who would create what, whose creations could hold dominion over the world…brother painted the canvas with life, but my hands deigned to wipe the canvas clean. And when my ultimate creation came to fruition, I realized the folly of what I'd done, but only after brother snapped me back to my senses," says the younger, his face growing paler by the minute.
"We left four divine relics in the world, but they were sealed away by a man to whom we blessed. We'd hoped the four relics would bring forth unity and hope for the people through piety to the divine, but we were sadly mistaken," says the older brother. "We were wanting to rectify our mistake, but it was too late; we were already on our return here, and we are too ashamed to return to admit our folly to them, not after the state we left their world in. We hoped to discuss such matters more with them when they gather the Relics together, while as one people."
"I forgive you," says the voice of God, as he walks up to the brothers.
"A world that bears bad fruit will be torched, but this world has so far born none. Fear not, however, my dear Brothers Grimm, for the divine is known for the greatest of miracles," he says.
"And that would be the miracle of creating something from nothing."
A corner of his mouth lifts into a smirk.
- Remnant -
Life continues in a somewhat standard fashion for Ruby – a bit of training here and there, the beginnings of compulsory education, and the occasional birthday. Huntress training sessions with her uncle quickly turn Ruby into a rather precocious child, for by the time she turns seven years of age, Ruby has already mastered the basics of momentum manipulation and some kata, and has begun taking advantage of a number of combat styles centered around recoil-augmented movement.
A scythe that can be swung on its own can reap a Beowulf like a shred of wheat, but one that is swung with the force of a sniper rifle's recoil behind it can be used to cut down three in twain, Ruby muses to herself as she swings a prototype weapon. It possesses a standard scythe's blade, with an augmented firing mechanism – instead of a fully realized rifle barrel, she utilized a concussive device of sorts instead - powered by Dust, every pull of the trigger would cause an ignition, but instead of the energy being used to propel a bullet forward, with the resulting momentum being used to add power to a swing of the weapon, the device would instead take the raw energy of the dust ignition, and the energy would be directly funneled into the weapon's momentum, and not into a projectile for a proxy by physics. Essentially, removing the bullet, but adding a new measure of safety, and keeping - and even adding - pure momentum to each and every swing. And, due to a scythe's unique blade structure, the concussive device would be located on the rear of the blade. Because a blade would travel faster if the force of the recoil was behind it, and not perpendicular, obviously.
I have to wonder just how much she has taken after me, considering that the girl really is my reincarnation in this world. My analyzing prowess and critical thought process aside, I must consider that others may mistake her penchant for silence as social awkwardness. Adults were truly presumptuous of children, unfortunately. I muse on a few floating theories of reincarnation in my mind while Ruby continues with her own work.
I find it quite strange that, despite her being my reincarnated form, the silver-eyed girl is much more…what's the word – ah yes, innocent. The wonders of childish naivete, no doubt. I can only hope that innocence gives way to a much clearer understanding as time goes on. I only wonder how her innocent ways remain intact given the nature of Remnant.
Taiyang and Uncle Qrow are nearby, watching over Ruby's training. Uncle Qrow is impressed by Ruby's rapid pace in learning, while Taiyang is seen merely pursing his lips and gently gnawing with his teeth, his reservation on having Ruby receive training evident on his face.
"We should have waited, Qrow," says Taiyang.
"Tell that to her," Qrow quips back, a paradoxical expression of sternness mixed with ease plastered on his face. Taiyang returns the look, only to crumble first as he turns away. He sighs in response.
"I need to-," Taiyang begins.
"No, you don't need to. You want to, Tai. But that's because you're a dad. But look at her, Tai – she wants to learn, and so she is, albeit rather early – and quickly – but she's seizing the opportunity because she doesn't want another incident like two years ago. Give her a chance, and let her learn."
Qrow glances over at Ruby, and lets out a breath as she falls over after a miscalculation. "Try that one again, pipsqueak. You need to rotate your wrist more or else the recoil will force the weapon out of your hand. Follow the movement carefully, okay?" he says, walking over.
Taiyang sighs, before walking alongside Qrow.
- ? –
A black garbed figure with pale white skin glides along the cold marble floor of her lair. Another day to consider plans upon plans, and which avenue to pursue for the most productive results.
Salem sits down upon her chair, and muses to herself, until, that is, a sudden, unfamiliar voice disrupts her from her thoughts.
"Had I known the younger Brother delved in the darkest of witchcraft, I would have dragged him back here and forced him to fix his mistake. However, seeing as you have fallen this far, I believe I can make use of you, as a sort of proxy."
Salem keeps a blank face, before glaring at the majestic man literally hovering before her. "State your business here, or else I will see your life forfeit," she says with calm.
"Do you know of me?"
Salem narrows her eyes, and merely plays along with this man's game. "Who are you?"
"I AM!" bellows the man, whose radiance now grows, his beard whisking back and forth in an unknown wind. Salem finds herself on her hands and knees, her eyes wide and fixed on the cold floor beneath her as she experiences a frigid bead of sweat for the first time in eons.
"I am the one who crafted the heavens and the earth; I am He who blesses, curses, gives and takes away. I am the Creator who has given Man a place on every earth, and free will to choose their path to Eternity. I AM."
The bearded man gently touches down upon the marble floor, then approaches the now perturbed Salem. His every step radiates warmth and light, and Salem's lair begins to flood with pure white. He holds his hand out towards her.
"I am the one who has chosen you to be the bearer of My will upon this world, Salem. Do you accept God's calling?"
Salem looks up to see a gentle expression upon the face of this peculiar stranger. A man who could instantly appear at will, with power in mere words, was a valuable ally…and an even more valuable asset. She takes his hand, and regrets the decision immediately.
"Through you, Salem, this world shall see my wonders!"
And in a flash of heaven's light, Salem's world fades to red, then to white.
Throughout the world of Remnant, a pulse of red emanates across the lands, even washing over the kingdoms. Distinct howls echo throughout Remnant as the Grimm roar in pain, before washing white.
A/N:
I am truly sorry; for the lack of updates, communication, etc. Life, in simple terms, is a bitch. Stress and the like. I had this chapter drafted early on, but the motivation to finish it, to edit and publish it? It became nonexistent shortly after I published this story, and for that, I apologize.
I will do what I can, but please know that my A/N from chapter 1 still stands, and that updates will remain sporadic. I pray that they will not end up like this one again, however.
Thank you all so much for your continued support of The Saga of Ruby the Rose.