The Lion of Vale
Chapter 6
The next day
"Victor Schnee, you have a visitor to see you." The voice called from the small slit in the metallic steel door. He chuckled softly opening his eyes to the voice before getting up from the small bed that barely fit him. Victor walked to the door rubbing his ragged beard. A sly smile on his face.
"I didn't think my daughters wanted to see me. Funny they decide to now." He said aloud.
"Not your daughters. Now let's go Victor." The man announced as he opened the door as the bright light blinded Victor even if only briefly. The prison guard led the way down the long hall of cell doors of like minded individuals such as himself. After what seemed like forever, they turned the corner to a small interview room with a man in black keeping to the shadows, his face hidden from view as Victor sat on the chair opposite from the man before the prison guard left the room to the two men.
"Who the fuck are you?" Victor asked as I let out a small chuckle before leaning slightly into the light, revealing the full face to him and him alone.
"Oh Victor, I think you have a pretty good idea of who I am." I said to him as he backed up in his chair in fear.
"Son of a bitch, what the fuck are you doing here?" He demanded.
"I need answers and you are going to provide them." I said.
"About fucking what? I've been in prison for 12 years ever since you fucking ruined everything with that whore of yours. Tell me, how is Flyresa doing?" He asked before I threw a quick punch to his jaw.
"SHUT UP! Why did you do it Victor? Why did you kill my daughter? And who else do you have out there?" I demanded as he laughed.
"You had a daughter? Shame, now you know how I feel. Being separated from my only family and confined to this fucking life!" He snapped back.
"Why did you decide to kill her? WHY? Is your revenge that fucking important for you to take the life on an innocent girl!? IS IT?!" I screamed.
"YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT IT IS!" He growled back before sitting back in his chair. "But...to your disappointment, I didn't kill her. I know it would be easy to blame everything on me. That I understand, because a father should never have to bury their own child. But despite what you may think, what you may believe. I didn't kill your daughter. I didn't know you had one." He explained as I relaxed the tension in my body. Sitting down across from him.
"How can I believe anything you tell me? How can I believe whatever semblance of truth from you?" I questioned.
"I have been in Solitary Confinement, a place where I don't get to send out detailed instructions, where I don't have any contact with the outside world. So I didn't know if you had a daughter, or how to contact a hit man to do the deed. I'm sorry you wasted your time but, I am not your guy." He said as I slumped back into my own chair, reflecting on the quick judge to anger.
"In all this time, do you even regret what you did Victor? Do you?" I asked him before the door opened up to the prison guard.
"Time's up. Let's go Victor." The guard said as Victor complied before looking at me one last time.
"Of course I do. I just didn't realize it right away. Goodbye Lieutenant." He finished as the Old General followed into the room right after him.
"Did you get the answer you wanted Mr. Rhodes?" Ironwood asked.
"No, I didn't. I am still no closer to the person who killed Karina." I said.
"Well, if I may ask a question." Ironwood inquired.
"What of?"
"Of when you were going to tell me about the last surviving Lionheart you had under your wing for 3 months. Did you ever think of informing me Kyran?" He demanded as I stood up to him.
"That was none of your concern James, I had it under control."
"Is that so Lieutenant? She is a wanted criminal, part of the agreement. You know what needs to be done."
"I don't answer to the military anymore, not since I was discharged over a decade ago. You will not order me around General. And if it comes to where I have no choice. I'll deal with it myself, until then, you will leave the girl alone to attend Beacon Academy under the watchful eyes of myself, Ozpin, Williams, and Asuka. Do I make myself clear Ironwood?" I asked.
"Crystal, but if you can't deal with it. I will."
"I understand, now get out of my fucking face." I spat out leaving the room to the weary General.
"Just remember who gave you a second chance Kyran. I can just as easily take it away." He finished as I slammed the door behind him.
Beacon Academy
"Wow! ITS SO BIG! How did they build a school this big! Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!" I cheered with overwhelming excitement as I collapsed to my knees seeing the massive school.
"Relax there Emilia, you haven't even been admitted into the academy, much less pass the initiation." She said calmly.
"Oh please Asuka, I'll be the best damn huntress out there. Even better than Ruby Rose!" I announced proudly.
"Such a bold claim Ms. Lionheart. Ruby Rose was an esteemed student at the Academy and went on to be one of the most successful Huntresses out there to this day. Do you think you can be on her level in that type of skill?" Professor Ozpin asked approaching the two of us as I had a confident smile to show to him.
"I do, I have to be. And in fact I know it for sure because I have proof!" I pointed at him.
"How so Emilia?" He asked with a peaked interest in curiosity.
"Because I'm a Lionheart, and that means I'll do good." I countered.
"Interesting response. Anyhow, please proceed to the auditorium for the first announcement." He said.
"Yes sir! Oh my god, I cannot wait!" I said proudly.
"She is quite the enthusiastic girl Asuka." Ozpin said.
"Indeed, but I think its the fact is that she doesn't know her true past. She was told her parents died of criminals but that was just a fabricated story. If she ever found who she really was."
"We could have a Second Lionheart Conflict. Yes, I am aware what happened during that dark time. So many people died over a simple matter. And while it may have not been her fault. Others probably wouldn't take kindly to the fact we are protecting her." He explained.
"Speaking of protection, where is Kyran?" She asked.
"Dealing with a family matter. The passing of Karina Rhodes will be seared into those parents for years to come. There are many different ways of grieving. Flyresa has chosen to mourn, while Kyran has taken the initiative to search for his Daughter's Killer. Whoever they may be." Ozpin said.
"It's a shame, seeing that bright girl go like that. She would have been a wonderful student at the Academy." A third man joined the conversation. He had mid length messy dirty blonde hair with a slight stubble. He wore a gray jacket with the sleeves rolled up and black pants that matched his personality. His shirt's buttons were unbuttoned revealing a slight bit of his chest to everyone or as he called it, to woo the ladies.
"William Akari, it's been a while. How was Atlas?" Ozpin asked the man while shaking his hand firmly.
"It was alright, I came back to Vale as soon as I heard what happened. Like I said, it is quite the shame. I'll miss that girl." He said with a saddened tone. Asuka didn't know why, but it seemed like he cared about Karina more than needed. Maybe there was a reason, she just didn't see it.
"Well it's good you came William, Kyran needs us more than ever. That, and the case with Ms. Lionheart. We need all available hands on the situation and with the 4 of us. Everything should work out fine.
"Should?" William asked.
"You know what I mean ass!" Asuka responded.
"Enough you two. What matters is that we are all here and that we will work through this tradgety together. No matter what." Ozpin said proudly.