In Pursuit of a Legend

"That won't be necessary," Pyrrha grinned, pointing at her scroll, "I already told my parents."

"Is that so?" Glynda raised an eyebrow, "But I thought the communications systems were down."

"Apparently not on a local scale," Pyrrha retorted, "by relatives live in Vale. Born and raised here."

"Is that so?" asked Glynda, "Who are you?"

Pyrrha decided that she should go on with the lie. She cursed herself for wearing her uniform instead of something else. But she was in a real hurry. She internally sighed before using the first name that popped into her head.

"Eivana," Pyrrha said, "a Chameleon faunus."

Glynda narrowed her eyes, "Is that so? I most certainly do not recall having any Chameleon faunus enter Beacon academy."

"You see," Pyrrha scratched her head and looked away, "I can maintain my skin colour to that of a human's. Unless I am scared. And in my years at Beacon, I was never scared enough to change colour. Until just then. I am still pretty traumatised by a Grimm invasion that big, which is why my skin colour is still weird."

Glynda's face softened, "Is that so? Well, you're safe now. Along with that…eagle of yours."

"Ah," Pyrrha nodded, "yes. He's a pet sent here from my family. You know, like Zwei was to Ruby."

"Tch," Glynda frowned, "it is against the school rules. Yet Oobleck went along with it."

Somehow, Pyrrha managed to dodge the bullet by changing the topic.

"By the way," she continued, "do you know of any gods that live in a world of black that is punctured by white objects that glow?"

"I am afraid I don't understand your question," Glynda looked baffled.

"Well," Pyrrha continued, "while I was in Vale, I had a run in with some sort of religious cult. They spoke of a god of light that lived in a world of darkness where light came from the various floating objects and the ocean of mist."

Pyrrha paused looking through Leo's memories before continuing.

"They also babbled something about Armed with Wings, a title given to a warrior by that god who is supposed to perform some miracle."

"Pah," Glynda seemed indignant, "I wonder what they would say after all this. No miracles happened here. Though to answer your question, I have never heard of such a religion. I bet it is a scam to get money out of people."

"You don't believe in gods?" asked Pyrrha.

"Well, not really," Glynda replied, "though Ozpin said that two of them are real. The Deity brothers. You heard of that?"

Pyrrha shook her head.

"Well," Glynda chuckled as she looked around, "I think telling you a story should stabilise the mood."


A long time ago, there were two deity brothers, one of the light and one of the darkness. The older brother of light created water, plants and wildlife during the day. At night, the younger brother would discover the creations and be disgusted by them. He tried to destroy them using drought, fire and famine but life always returned.

So one day, the younger brother created the creatures of the Grimm, designed to have the desire to destroy anything and everything.

Tired of the fighting, the older brother proposed to create something together that both brothers can be proud of. The brothers then created a creature with knowledge, creation, destruction and choice. Sometime later, the gods abandoned Remnant.


"The end," Glynda said, looking pleased with herself, "did that help lighten up your moods?"

Everyone who was within earshot of the story only gave blank, depressed stares.

"I think you made us depressed in addition to being scared, with the Grimm being the handiwork of a heartless, soulless god," Pyrrha said, "wait…if the Grimm were created to destroy everything, why do they only target humans and faunus?"

"That is precisely why I do not buy the entire story," Glynda replied, "anyway we will be touching down shortly in the residential area."

Sure enough, the airship slowed down and landed on the ground. The people disembark, hurriedly going their way. Glynda and Pyrrha follow behind slowly.

"Well then," Pyrrha said, "I will be off now. You know, to see my family, let them know that I am alive and unharmed for sure."

Glynda watched the retreating form of Pyrrha and her eagle. Something about her seemed odd but she honestly doesn't have the time to investigate. Meanwhile, Pyrrha kept walking. Right now, her head is a mess. She hadn't the slightest clue of what to do. Hell, she didn't even know what she is right now. Pyrrha decided to go to the nearest spot that is peaceful and quiet to contemplate on…basically everything.

"Excuse me," she stopped an old man, "can you tell me where the nearest library is?"

"Library?" the man raised an eyebrow, "Do you know how late it is right now? All the shops are closed right now. Except for the bar. You know, but it's kinda shady."

"Do explain," Pyrrha pressed on, "in what way?"

"It isn't the kind of place a young student like you should be going to," the man said, "the bar is run by Junior. The man is a nasty information broker who runs a gang. He knows everything that goes on in Vale."

"That…" Pyrrha paused, "would be useful. Can you give me the directions?"

"Sure," the man said, "go this way…"


Junior straightens out his tie as he looks out over his club. Various lights flashed and the music played at full blast. But apart from his suited underlings, few other people are seen.

"Hmm," he said, "is everything okay?"

"Yes, boss," one of his mooks said, "our club was spared from the onslaught of the Altesian forces, the White Fang and the Grimm."

"That's good news," Junior nodded, "but how's business? You'd think that after a traumatising disaster, the people would be trying to de stress or whatever. But only a few people are here."

Just then, a young woman stepped in. She is in her late teens dressed in the uniform of Beacon Academy. Her eyes are a pale silver while her hair is pitch black. She walked with a sense of purpose until she stopped in front of the counter. An eagle followed her in.

"Well then," Junior stood taller, "what's with underage kids coming to bars these days? First that blondie, now you?"

"Blondie?" asked the woman.

"Yeah," Junior nodded, "head full of blonde hair, big shotgun gauntlets and a bad attitude. Demands that I call her sir."

"So Yang comes here too," she said, "well I suppose you wouldn't mind if I am here as well."

"If you intend to pay, that is," Junior smirked, "you are going to right? And you won't smash this establishment like that Yang chick?"

"So information costs money?" asked Pyrrha, "Okay, I can pay. But, since I am willing to pay, I hope you are willing to give me good information."

"Hah!" Junior laughed, "I know everything in Vale!"

"First question," Pyrrha said, "and this doesn't count towards the cost."

"I'll be the judge of that," Junior crossed his arms.

Pyrrha sighed, "Okay, whatever. Armed with Wings. Blackmist. Do you know of any legends or religions with those key words? Or some evil creature named Network?"

"What the?" Junior asked, "I thought you were going to ask me about movements of the criminals here but that is what you ask about? A fairy tale?"

"Just answer me," Pyrrha said, her patience wearing thin, "do you?"

Junior shook his head, "Nope, haven't the slightest clue."

Pyrrha considered this for a second. During the ten-minute walk from the airship, she sifted through Leo's memories. Armed with Wings is a title bestowed upon a warrior, one who would do something when all others fail. A long time ago, people did not have the vivid skin, eye and hair colours. All were of shades of black, grey and white. The same applied to all objects. They are made up of darkness known as the Blackmist, which turns out to be the creator deity of the world. Of course, Pyrrha hadn't figured out when colour appeared in this world, but that is only a trivial issue. The beings of Blackmist were disturbingly similar to the Grimm, particularly some of the monsters that Leo fought throughout his life. Yet Leo's memory did not reveal any Grimm. If Glynda's tale was true, then the beings of the Blackmist must be truly ancient if they predate the Grimm. Perhaps it is understandable that no-one knew of it. Pyrrha was asking for history before modern humans even existed.

The landmarks, however, were familiar to Pyrrha. Leo had memories of a great castle that a tyrant called Vandheer Lorde resided in. In Bartholomew Oobleck's class, Pyrrha saw aerial shots of a structure that looked like its ruins. The ruins were based in the continent of Amissa, north of Sanus and West of Solitas. Pyrrha thought of travelling there in search of answer to her so called destiny. The nameless god told her nothing, so if she went to explore the ruins of Vandheer's kingdom, she just might have a clue about the origins of the Blackmist. The power of the Blackmist is tremendous, that much was obvious. If she managed to tap into that, obliterating Network would be a piece of cake. Pyrrha is aware that Network was a wicked being of Blackmist that absorbed other beings of Blackmist to grow stronger. But she thought Leo destroyed it and Vandheer Lorde once and for all. Why did he return?

"Okay," Pyrrha replied, "nobody else knew either. Second question. Seeing that you are supposed to be tough gang members, you got any weapons I can buy? Guns? Swords?"

"You are truly odd," Junior raised an eyebrow, "your first question is about some hyper obscure religion, if it is even a religion at all. Now you are buying weapons from us?"

"Well," Pyrrha shrugged, "I don't think weapons are available for sale on the streets here in Vale. I am also sure that you people should have something…not available on the legal markets."

Junior looked confused before grinning, "Ah, so the lady wants some big guns, eh? Just as well, we got guns, swords, bombs and all manners of weapons. The question is, can you pay for them?"

"Those red cleavers look pretty good," Pyrrha nodded at an armed minion of Junior, "but if you have better blades, I'll be keen to purchase."

"I'll show you our inventory later," Junior said, "is there anything else you would like to know?"

Pyrrha looked around before leaning in and asking, "By the way, do you know any possible means of transport that will get me to the continent of Amissa?"

Junior's eyes opened wide as he stumbled back, "Wh-what?"

"What?" asked Pyrrha, stepping back slightly, "That is exactly what I asked for."

Junior chuckled before replying, "Girl, I…I don't know what to say but why on Earth would you want to go there?"

"Is something the matter?" asked Pyrrha.

"You need a ride on a large airship to get that far, or a boat," Junior said, "but no-one is suicidal enough to go there."

"Why?" asked Pyrrha, "Is it dangerous?"

"No idea," Junior said, "but from what I know, nobody lives on that continent. It's abandoned, if anyone ever lived there in the first place. It's a shithole continent filled with nasty critters that can give the Grimm a run for their money. Apparently the creatures there are so tough that the Grimm isn't even the dominant group over there. And you want to set foot on that land? With nothing but a cleaver? You are either very brave or very stupid."

"That is irrelevant," Pyrrha said, "can you get me there?"

"No can do," Junior shook his head, "I don't have that kind of gear. But can you tell me, why are you going there?"

"In pursuit of a legend," replied Pyrrha, "to do with the religion I told you earlier. Amissa is the only clue that I have. Of course, if Amissa is really as bad as you say it is, I may not go there at all."

"Like I said," Junior shrugged, "I have no idea. Now pay up for the info."

Pyrrha tilted her head, "Really, you want me to pay? You haven't even provided any satisfactory answers. I can pay for weapons you sell me, but I will not be paying for the bad answers you gave me."

"Well then," Junior straightened himself, "follow me. I will show you our arsenal."

Junior led Pyrrha to the back of the store. Unbeknownst to the duo, Qrow watched them from a floor above. He sipped at his cup of alcoholic beverage. Given the level of noise in the club and alcohol in his blood, he couldn't understand most of it. He did pick up a few phrases here and there. While it may be concerning that a schoolgirl is buying information and weapons from a shady bar owner, ultimately he wasn't a teacher of Beacon Academy and he is too drunk to care. At the most he will tell Glynda or another teacher. It wasn't his responsibility, after all.


At the back of the bar, Junior flipped a few switches. Wall panels disappeared into the ground while racks of weapons rose up to take their place. In other areas, revolving doors revealed bigger weapons. The variety of weapons is stunning. Firearms ranged from pistols to large calibre sniper rifles. A multitude of daggers and swords are seen, with various different – shaped blades.

Pyrrha paced around the room, concentrating on the bladed weapons. Aside from the cleavers and axes that Junior's minion's wielded, daggers, swords and longswords are also available. She picked up a few of the weapons, swing them around slightly to find one that fit well with her skills, new or old.

"Any to your liking?" asked Junior.

"Yeah," Pyrrha said, "I'll take a cleaver, an axe and a dagger. That's all."

"Well come this way," Junior said, "I'll take your payment and you can walk out the back door with the weapons."

"Why not through the front?" asked Pyrrha.

"Don't think the cops would be too pleased with you walking around with dangerous weapons like that, especially since I am only licensed to see drinks and not weapons as well," Junior explained before asking, "but are you really going to Amissa with that much only?"

"Maybe," Pyrrha smirked, "maybe not."