Chapter 10
The past set in stone, the future looming over, and the present…
The sun rose up with a beautiful ray of light. The same light that started to warm and shine down it's great beams into the cold and dark ballroom.
For a good majority of the children, they stayed sound asleep; even if the light would hit their face, they would just shift and turn away from the morning star that lit the world.
Some of the children were already awake long before the sun fully rose. These were the ones preparing for the coming hour of the initiation. Getting up and dressing into combat outfits while organizing their equipment needed for the test ahead. A test to see if they're really fit for study in the prestigious school of Beacon.
Akira was one of those very people.
He could be found in the upstairs area of the ballroom, leaning against the wall near a window while staring at the rising star lifting itself up from it's slumber. He was already out of his temporary pajamas and back in his combat outfit.
Akira's whole body was shivering while looking at the rising star. Not from the still cold that was present, but with an odd and unexpected feeling flowing through him.
Akira felt giddy about the day coming. He felt that he could even take on the world if need to with this excitement. No matter how big or small the challenge would be.
He was in his element.
"This is the day huh? Let's see if their ready for me." A smirk itched its way to the corner of his mouth, his eyes bore into the morning star.
Letting his cockiness show wasn't something Akira liked showing off usually, especially in situations like these where great consequences and opportunities could arise. Though today was the exception he wanted to make. The exception he felt needed to be shown today.
'Eyes on the prize partner. Do not let these people belittle your skill and worth. Show them the capabilities of a fool.' Arsène encouraged, his presence closer than ever before within Akira's mind. It felt as if Arsène himself was standing right next to him, overseeing all and looking out…
"A fool…I don't know about that…how about, a trickster…" Akira mumbled under his breath, the word filling him up with unknown nostalgia and power, for it felt like the proper word to describe himself.
Akira kept his stare out into the blooming morning, with his devious smirk still fitting snugly on his face. An incredible high overflowed his body from out of nowhere, he started feeling…free in a way.
Free from his troubles, free from the people who kept dragging him down, free from the one person that keeps pushing him down. Himself.
Phantom…
' That voice…wait…my voice…?'
"...Thief…" Akira let out ever so softly. The new feeling of his started making his mind and body light and tranquil, almost in a state of unconsciousness. Like sleeping.
Wildcard…
"Joker…" The word slipped from his mouth with great passion, as Akira's vacant stare held at the birth of a new day.
Staring.
Reveling.
Waiting…
"I wonder who my partner will be…" A voice huffed out in a whisper, but to Akira it was more akin to window shattering next to him.
His sudden freedom soon vanished without a trace, his body and mind now feeling chained back to the reality in front of him.
When the feeling went, so was the voice that came with it. Arsène's presence also was fleeting back within Akira's mind.
Everything just went back to normal.
Everything felt restricted once more.
'What's happening with me…' Akira asked himself, trying to get over the freedom he just experience.
He turned his head to look at the voice to break him away from his stupor. But what he came to see was pure white blinding his sight.
A girl with a very expensive and extravagant looking dress leaned over the window into the open air. She had the morning sun beautifully shine over her body.
Cold and formal were the two words that would come to mind from a quick glance at her attire and posture, but they weren't the right choice of words to actually describe her truly. Akira had that kind of feeling from her.
Amazingly white and long hair flowed down over her back in a ponytail, while also flowing up about with a bit of wind coming from her open window. A long and deadly looking sword was strapped to her side, with chambers of dust attached with the guard of the sword.
Akira couldn't help but keep on examining her. To keep observing and analyzing everything about her appearance.
He just got out of one trance to jump right into another.
And it wasn't so much of her appearance that made him interested in her. It was more of the odd vibe she was giving off to Akira was what made him want to learn more about her, to learn what she's truly about. To know her true self.
Akira took his time on watching the random girl beside him. He observed her outfit, her hair, her weapon, all the little details in her outfit and the minute gestures and postures she would shift back and forth with. He tried his best to find what drew him.
'There's something about her…I just can't put my mind on it…'
The world now darken around her, leaving nothing but the girl glowing a bright light blue. A small and faint symbol hovered above her head, which didn't go unnoticed by Akira.
He looked to see a snow crystal spin gracefully above her head.
"What the…"
His voice caught the attention of the girl, as she stepped back from the window and rapidly turned her body to give Akira a cold stare. It was so fierce and vicious that Akira wondered if she was wired to give a death glare to any one who disturbed her peace.
Light blue eyes stared coldly and dangerously at dark gray ones, but soon started showing interest from the sight of boy before her. Curiosity soon filled both of their eyes.
"Do you want something?" The girl asked. Her harsh and dictator-like voice caused Akira's nervousness to rise.
He didn't respond, even if he did feel pressured to.
Instead he took the chance to get a more clear view of the girl's face now.
At first there was nothing really outlandish about it, until the light scar running down her left eye came to his attention.
It's jarring appearance made everything the girl tried presenting herself as to Akira fall short. The scar gave a clear message of her imperfection. Even if it may be small and faint and possibly irrelevant, it showed Akira one flaw, and that one flaw made one clear revelation to him about the girl.
She wasn't a princess or a figure Akira felt he should give absolute respect and loyalty in his eyes. A person to fear or bow down to from her intimidating stare or posture that she gives to those she feels the need to know exactly what they're facing with her. She was the same as any other person attending the initiation. No matter how much she tried to show otherwise. She wasn't perfect, she was human.
With that in mind, Akira relaxed and let the nervousness that built up burn away and wash out of him. He didn't have anything to worry about, she was just like him.
"Excuse me, but it's rude to leave a question unanswered." The elegant girl spoke in an annoyed tone, keeping up her royal like façade.
"Oh. Um… sorry. I was just wondering about…something." Akira lied, as he really wanted to know more on how and why the scar was there, but decided to leave it a mystery for now. He didn't know if it would be rude to ask or not.
"Well now that you aren't distracted, explain exactly why you were just staring at me."
'Of course she noticed.' Akira thought. He was quick to rub the back of his neck, and combed back his hair a little in the process. A now growing habit of his now.
"Sorry. I was just…admiring your sword was all. Do you mind if I could see it?" Akira lied somewhat, doing his best to make a believable excuse. Though, her weapon was a bit intriguing to him if he were honest.
"Hmm…I see." The girl then reached and drew her sword out, swiping it in the air a little in precise and smooth movements. She then stopped and held it by her side, stretching it out to show it's full size and appearance.
"Woah…" Akira looked on to see all the details of the rapier. He admired the expert craftsmanship of it's design and features not to be seen when sheathed.
"I see you're impressed. Most people are from Myrtenaster's appearance." The pride the girl had for her weapon was evident, even if she tried to sound modest about it all.
It seemed she also calmed down a bit, leaving behind any kind of hostility she shown behind toward the boy behind.
"The chambers are a really nice touch too! I think I'll have to do something like that for Justine." Akira admired, with the girl sheathing the weapon back into it's proper place. The pride she tried to hide showed even more with her snarky smirk.
"I assume you're another initiate taking the test?" The girl asked, now taking the chance to properly look over the boy.
With a quick once over, he looked like any other normal student that could be found in more of a regular academic academy than a combat one. Nothing about him really stuck out or gave any attention to him in her eyes, and with a world filled of people constantly standing out with odd hair colors, wacky appearances, and weird weapons of choice and design, it was almost a challenge to try to stay hidden as a huntsmen.
He was a little taller than her, kind of skinny, had a casual looking outfit; really the only thing that could probably stick out the most would be his glasses.
He was the definition of bland and normal to her.
But something was appealing about him that she couldn't quite pinpoint at that instance. There was a draw to him that she's never felt with anyone before.
'He's so mysterious…but why? I feel like he's hiding something. Something I'm not meant to find out. This feeling…reminds me too much of father…' The girl thought, still trying to pin down an exact reason for the interest in the boy.
"Uh-huh." Akira responded to her previous question, not noticing the girl's scrutinizing stare.
"I just woke up a bit ago. I'm sometimes an early bird. " Akira finished, answered eagerly, liking where the small talk between him and the girl. It was a nice start to a simple chat between two people, nothing mythical or extravagant about it.
"Hey…" Akira started again, finally noticing more on why seemed familiar to him.
"Weren't you one of those girls back at the entrance? The one's with the explosion?" Akira asked, now realizing this girl could be the Schnee that people were talking about.
"Oh-umm…yeah. See there was this girl and she was-!" Akira raised his hand to stop here, for he already knew most of the details about the incident.
"I know what happened, or at least have a basic idea about it. I just wanna ask for you to take it easy with Ruby." The girl raised an eyebrow, not sure why Akira was asking for a such a request. Akira soon continued, wanting to clear things up a bit more.
"I know she was kinda the one who made the explosion, but it was probably on accident right? She's a nice girl if you get to know her, I know she meant no harm to you." Akira reassured the girl, not wanting to completely kill the conversation with the subject.
"She's just a goofball I guess when meeting new people, and well, getting used to a new place is hard for some people, you know?"
She looked ready to argue about the idea with how furious she was about the event, but ended up giving an exhausted sigh to the .
"Yeah...i'll see what I can do about it." Akira perked up a bit, giving a grateful smile toward the girl.
"Thanks!" Akira expressed his gratitude.
The girl looked away a little to try to not show anymore emotion about the subject. But her face still managed a smile, no matter how small it was.
A beeping sound interrupted them. Shortly after, the girl reached into one of her pockets and took out her scroll.
The small smile she had fallen quick, with a frown promptly replacing it.
"Excuse me, but I have to go somewhere. Nice meeting you…"
"Akira." He responded, as the girl managed one last and brief smile.
"Weiss. Nice to have met you Akira. I hope I'll be seeing you around." She turned around swiftly and headed down the steps of the ballroom.
Akira let out a long sigh, shaking his head a little after to wake him up a bit.
'That feeling before…now where did that come from? And the voice…now I know that wasn't Arsène. Was it me? If so, then I guess I'm more insane than I thought. Also that snow crystal above Weiss's head…" Akira could feel a major headache coming in and knew to stop dead in his tracks with the questions popping up.
'Dammit! Now's not the time to be thinking about this again. I need to keep my focus back on the goal at hand!'
Akira took a peek out the window and saw that the sun rose up quite a lot since he last saw it.
The birth of a new day had been done, and now the life cycle of it was in full gear once more.
Akira looked away and headed toward the lockers to prepare his weapon and gear. He wanted to be as ready as he can be for what could mark itself as the most important test of his life.
'This is the day. They better get ready for me…'
One last fleeting thought popped into his mind as he was about enter the locker room.
'...because it's show time.'
The wide open area of the Emerald Forest was quite a mesmerizing sight.
I mean it still had dark abominations running a muck around the place, but it was still beautiful nonetheless.
The cool wind breeze cruised its way across my body, holding me in its cool grasp, even if I am in more of a winter attire than combat one, it was still real cold.
The shuffling of the trees also left a calm and nice atmosphere for the day, making it a great introduction to help face the upcoming obstacles.
"Okay initiates. That is all you must know for now. Hurry and prepare your landing strategies." Glynda coldly spoke through the icy wind blowing past the grand forest and initiates.
"And remember, your objective is not to kill as many grimm as humanly possible, that is not what huntsmen are trained for. They are trained for completing the mission no matter what with as little cost to come as well. So you must hurry on grabbing the relics and return back to safety. Good luck." The teacher halfheartedly spoke out, continuing on her tapping on a tablet.
She walked along all the students for a quick headcount, seeing if any were missing from the test. It didn't take long for her to stop from her focus and stare at me when she had to check me off.
"Mr. Kurusu. You do understand what your mission is?" She spoke out, looking at me with a sharp gaze.
"Yes ma'am."
"You know the conditions that you are under."
"Yes ma'am."
"And do you know of the lengths the headmaster has made for this to have happened?" Her glare didn't let up for second. I didn't know if she was waiting for an answer or not because she just stood and stared.
I stood there silently, looking down a little to avoid any kind of eye contact with her, probably looking like I felt guilty about it all. But that was far from the truth.
Ozpin never wanted me coming and participating in the initiation in the first place. It was quite obvious from the start. But for any reason why is a mystery I have no clue about.
For me to be standing here and attending this test with stupid restrictions was more of a why than a miracle in my eyes.
Glynda didn't make it any easier to make that seem irrelevant either. She knew just how to get under someones skin and try making them feel guilty for something she deemed guilty of. Even if me and her have barely talked or even introduce each other, I knew exactly what she's like and what she represented. Order and respect.
It just seems like most adults have a natural initial hatred toward me.
"Yes ma'am." I begrudgingly let out, keeping my eyes down and my body facing straight forward to the field of trees. I was like a soldier addressing his superior, completely submissive and obedient.
Glynda didn't bother sticking around for the response she wanted or not. I could see her in the corner of my eye already walking to the next couple of students when I answered.
'It isn't a surprise to me that they are against you. You are the wildcard that appeared from nowhere in their eyes.' Arsène came around. Weirdly enough I could feel a bit of pressure pressing down into my shoulders, like someone placing hands on them and squeezing them in frustration.
'They love to live by the story ordered for them to follow. To obey the order of sequences all the way through and do exactly how it's suppose to be executed. To have no surprises interrupt their 'destined' happy ending. Truly a despicable sight to see the chained down masses follow their leader.' The pressure grew even stronger on my shoulder. The weight was almost bone crushing.
'But you will show them. We will show them just what true freedom looks like.' Once again Arsène vanished, as well as the pressure.
'Don't worry.' I reassured Arsène, lifting my head and staring at the luscious green forest.
'They never saw me coming.' Sounds of mechanical gears began cranking and vibrations rumbled under my feet.
…and they never will…
A second later, I was airborne.
Flying through the air was a freedom I could get used to.
The rushing wind past my ears, the light feeling of my body falling, the view of a grand landscape passing by to show it's full colors, it almost en-captured the same kind of freedom I had before coming out here.
Ahhh…if only I could fly.
"I hope this works…" I muttered, when a tree was now fast approaching to slam me right across it's body for an instant knockout.
With my semblance, this would've been a piece of cake to have handled a landing strategy. But being restricted on not using it was a pain in the side that I knew would come sooner or later.
So my best bet would be to improvise as much as I could manage to complete the tasks Ozpin put for me.
I loaded my gravity clip in Justine right before even going out to the starting platform, knowing that this could cover many situations when finding a way to land.
I pointed it straight ahead, aiming it right for the tree I was rocketing towards.
As soon as the tree was right in front of me, I let a shot out and propelled my body backwards.
It worked to an extent, but I didn't think of the factor on how closely the trees were from each other or how powerful the push would bring me back.
But it wasn't soon that I crashed my back on another tree just across from my original destination. I could feel the blow damage my aura, with an addition of having my back feel a couple of years older than it probably should.
It was more than I would have hoped to have started out with.
"This is a great start. My later years are gonna suck if I keep doing things like this…" I grumbled.
I slid down and landed on my feet. The drastic damage put on me was another great handicap that I had to give myself.
The rustling of the bushes around me didn't come at a surprise to me. With the racket I caused with the bullet shot and me slamming into a tree, I would have assumed some attention would come my way.
"Please be friendly-"
Growling from all directions was a clear indicator on the circumstance that I put myself in.
"I guess I could warm up with some beowolves…"
One jumped out and pounced at me, not giving me any chance to change my clip for a more offensive one.
Rolling out-of-the-way, I reached toward my belt to take off any clip that was closest for me to grab.
Quickly after loading the gun, I dodged a second strike from the impatient beast. Reaching into my blazer, I went and pulled out Caroline, having to dodge another strike from the beowolf.
'Persistent…'
Standing back up on my feet, I lifted Justine and took aim at the grimm. Justine's side grew a bright red, as a small smirk greeted the monster before being shot with a fire dust shot.
It hit the grimm right in it's back, making it stand on it's hind legs to roar in pain. Fire burst around it's dark fur like it was made of gasoline, engulfing it flames.
I ran toward the monster and swung up Caroline to slash across it's exposed under0side. The force was great enough for the beowolf to explode in an instant.
This enraged the beowolves greatly, as they came out of hiding and sprung up at me in great number. They were doing their best on getting a whack in on me for setting an example so fast to one of their own.
"They were in a pack." I spat in anger, seeing more than just a few beowolves come from hiding.
I decided on trying to keep distance from them by jumping up into the trees to create space. I ran and jumped from branch-to-branch in a little circle to get a better vantage point and distance myself from the hoard.
I started to using the regular .50 cal clips and kept shooting at them one-by-one. I did my best to keep the shots consistent with their heads to make it an instant kill on them.
This showed to have only attract more of them though, as for when one died in the hoard, another came and took it's spot.
This went on for a bit, until one of them rammed into the next tree I was about to jump to. I did my best to land on the branch and try to stay on it, but the shaking from it forced me to lose balance to properly stick the landing.
I turned my body when falling to make sure that my feet would land on something that came beneath me. That something was also to be the back of a beowolf.
After landing, one of the beowolves was fast on the uptake with pouncing on me when I fell to their level. It was successful on tackling me down to the ground, as it's paws crushed down against my chest when we hit the grassy ground.
"Uff…" I barely let out a sound, with the wind being ripped right out of me.
It got in my face and roared, making my ears ring from the strength of it's cry. The head of the grimm leaned back, preparing to chomp down at my neck most likely for the kill.
I managed to build what strength I could muster and sliced Caroline across it's neck, making the beast back off and stumble back in pain. Dark goo squirted from it's neck, covering the green ground black.
Catching as much air as I could I recover, I stood back up from the ground, soon facing a swarm of beowolves circling around me. Snapping jaws and low growls was all I could pick up with my ears still buzzing.
One ran at me to try to get a hit in, but I caught the movement in the corner of my eye.
Jumping up over the beowolf, I went and made a precise shot to it's skull, making it's body a lifeless shell of itself.
I soon used the beast's body to my advantage, making my way jumping off it's back to get even higher into the air, helping me rise way above the hoard.
I unloaded the clip I had in Justine and took out one single bullet from a pouch in the front of my belt. The bullet was covered in bright orange and had a little mushroom cloud engraved on the side of the coating.
Loading the bullet in the chamber of gun , it lit up the side of Justine with a powerful orange glow, making it almost overheat from the energy from the light.
'Didn't think I have to spoil one of these so early on!'
The grimm all jumped and scrambled in the middle to where I jumped, as they waited eagerly for my decent down into their jaws.
They kept snapping their teeth for practice to gnaw off any part of me with their mouths that would've made contact with them.
But I didn't waste any more time and pointed at the ground once more to shoot the gun, making a huge burst of fire head down and explode the grassy ground with immense power.
The force from the explosion sent me flying straight up in an arc shape away from the explosion site. It's damage disintegrating all grimm present below me, leaving nothing but intense fire.
I was no exception to the sheer force though. The blazing heat was reduced a lot with my aura when it launched me, but it still got through some bit, leaving my outfit singed and ashy, as well as some of my skin being burnt up.
I was quick to fall back down near the blazing fiery, but was lucky enough to have trees come my way and help me land.
I held out Caroline and stabbed the side of a tree, slowing me down from crashing straight down. The streak from the stab made it's way from the very top to near the base of the tree.
After slowing down and landing back on the ground, I took out Caroline from the tree and looked upon the forest fire I managed to erupt.
'Very subtle partner. Very subtle indeed…' Arsène commented, seeing the great entrance I made for myself.
'Didn't have to be sarcastic about it.' I thought, as the fire was quickly spreading throughout the area.
'But in the bright side, I got rid of the beowolves.' The wildfire I created was now coming very close to me, the fire kept wanting to cover more of the green forest.
'Damn. Munehisa wasn't kidding when he said that dust shot was one of his better quality ones.' I started backing up from it all and relax my body to recover from the action.
'I wouldn't be so sure.' Arsène said on cue, as growling came again from behind me.
I didn't bother turning back to see the guarantee sight of pissed off beowolves.
Jumping up and landing on a tree branch again, I looked over and analyzed the ocean of black staring at me with glowing red eyes.
'Without my semblance, I can't go at them head-on to attack them effectively, or even try to run away fast enough to shake'em off me unless I want to burn myself out. I already killed more than enough beowolves and made a huge forest fire in the progress. Finding and killing the other grimm types is more important than dealing with this crap!'
I tried shooting at one of the grimm with Justine in a quick flash of rage, but heard a faint click ring itself clearly to my ears.
'I've already wasted enough shots. No point to keep shooting.' I thought, looking at the beowolves eagerly watching for my next action.
"I guess there's only one technique I have left to use right now…"
I was quick to run off the branch and land on another one, and another one, and another one…
'Running away…' Arsène disappointingly heaved, as great waves of beowolves followed suit.
Keeping up with jumping around from tree-to-tree like a monkey was very tiring and was definitely not the best option I could've taken. But thankfully the beowolves were impatient creatures, as soon enough they started growing less interested the more I ran away.
Even if it was really tiring, it eventually worked to the point where they all lost complete interest and ran to where more noise or emotion interested them.
Stopping on the next branch, I sat down and started catching my breath from the constant monkey hopping. All of the jumping felt like it could've wasted an hour of my time.
The faint smell of smoke filled up the air as it told me clearly that the fire from long ago was still going strong.
"I thought beowolves would have been the easiest out of the bunch…and that fire isn't gonna help that, isn't it?" I groaned between breathes. I reached in my pocket shortly to take out my scroll and took status on my aura percentage.
10%
…what?
I almost dropped the device from the surprise from seeing the number flash on the screen.
'Only ten percent left!? How's that even possible?!'
Without a semblance and lack of stamina, I wasn't sure on what to do next. I was in no condition on going out and picking a fight so soon, especially after checking my aura.
I decided to just keep my place up here on the branch and keep on resting here till I gain more steam to chug forward.
'Was I always this weak and fragile? No, that can't possible. I should be able to take on far worse surely!' I opened my mouth to let out a big yawn, not realizing that I was so tired now.
'My body shouldn't be this tired, neither should I be this injured…'
A wave of drowsiness hit me like a truck right then. My eyelids slowly started dropping, my head went bobbing up and down from trying to stay straight.
'I don't understand. I had a good nights rest and haven't done anything tiring recently to have this happen to me…' Blackness was soon overtaking my vision, with my fight to stay awake becoming more futile the more I tried to fight it.
"I guess a quick nap wouldn't be bad…" I mumbled before letting my head completely drop.
As I closed my eyes, I stood up.
"It seems Mr. Kurusu is causing a racket down there." Glynda spoke out beside me. Observing him more closely than any other student partaking the test.
"He's manage to completely destroy a great area of the forest. And with that fire, who knows just how much more will vanish." Glynda's frustration wasn't hidden very well, as she kept her usual stuck up glare on the tablet.
"Calm Ms. Goodwitch. It isn't surprising that he would resort to such drastic measures to ensure a won battle. He is without a semblance after all." I calmly sipped my coffee, looking at the successful pairings of the other students.
"It seems that all of the students have found their partner's already, some even gaining their relics. Mr. Kurusu has only been able to accomplish one requirement so far, and it's only just the beowolf..." I could see from the corner of my that Glynda wanted to speak more, yet decided it be best to withhold her comment.
And that, cannot be ignored.
"Please speak of what you think Ms. Goodwitch. A teacher should always be comfortable on openly expressing their opinions and thoughts to their peers." I quickly let out, sipping from my mug once more.
"Why?" She whispered.
"Why what?" I asked calmly back.
"Why did you accept for him to participate? And why without a semblance to accomplish your standard for him?" Glynda's voice was certainly unsure and confused. It seems her trust and judgement of me is at stake here.
I knew that this question from her was inevitable unfortunately.
Glynda, no matter how loyal and obedient you are, you'll always be curious about me and my actions.
I don't blame you. Even I question myself at times.
"For why he's here, Qrow suggested him. And for his semblance…" I didn't quite know how to put this into words to where she wouldn't have more questions, but something had to be said for her to think it's for a purpose other than my desired result of all this.
"It wouldn't help showcase on how close he is on becoming a true huntsmen. A huntsmen without a weapon is still a huntsmen. A huntsmen without a semblance is still a huntsmen. A huntsmen without fame, glory, and money, is still, a huntsmen. Kurusu has fulfilled many of these basic ideals from what Qrow has told me about him." I look over to the tablet and see that the boy has gotten up from his rest and head off toward god knows where.
"And with the information he's given me, I decided to choose the one I hadn't heard from him mention. His semblance. Which he seems to heavily rely on…if he can manage to do an easy target mission of grimm extermination without his semblance for aid, then I would gladly have him be accepted to the academy." I took another sip from my mug. My throat becoming more and more dry.
"If that's so…then why such high expectations? Did Qrow really speak this highly for him?" Glynda was still at it with me. It wasn't a surprise, she is what she is.
"Yes. He spoke with such praise that my expectations are at an all time high for this boy. I wouldn't have done this if Qrow didn't give me so much to look forward to." The face of content and thought that I wanted from her was achieved at last. Glynda soon went back to spectate more students, having my words provoke thought for her to come to whatever answer she'll make up from my words.
Lying is a sin that I found to be a necessity on holding together the three true principles of success when it comes to guiding humanity.
Morale. Leadership. Order.
If your comrades and associates believe most of everything of what you say, then why not be able to construe the truth to your liking for them to feed off of? It is for the greater good after all. Complete honesty leads to too many factors that could hinder any great plan or mission. It is fact.
Morale simply is something that needs constant stability, it's keeping the people and leaders of this world on the right path they need to follow that matters most. A lie here and there can easily raise their spirits for whatever hope they need.
Leadership is quite hard on trying to keep stable. The leader in which the people follow and listen needs a constant supply of credibility every step of the way, making it much easier when spoon-feeding them some empty promise here and there.
Order is the one that shouldn't ever be disturbed, no matter what.
It must always be upheld. Order is what separates us from our beastly counterparts; order must be upheld, no matter what sins need to be done to achieve that. If even we may have to resort on lying, stealing, murder, or even betrayal for those whom hurt the stability of it.
No one would understand this logic usually. Especially someone like Qrow Branwen.
For Qrow and 'his words' for Kurusu is a lie. He never did speak such words for the boy. His comments could simply be summarized with one sentence.
"He has the same potential as Ruby."
A very interesting yet opportunistic chance that was placed upon me.
The same potential as Summer's daughter is quite a statement itself. A statement I found surprisingly and dishearteningly true the more thought I put into it.
I must admit, I thought of the boy as a trickster that came from nowhere. A fool to come in the story and ruin all that is good.
But more logical thinking overnight has given me a great revelation.
Mr. Kurusu has all the potential for a fine huntsmen in my arsenal. One that could help cooperate with the others to provide our happy ending. Another fine piece I could possibly manage in my puzzle.
But with this thought crossing my mind, another unfortunate reality was still at play.
Qrow's lack of progress, efficiency, skill, and all around luck has become a thorn in my side in the most crucial parts of humanity's success to evolve from the grimm threat.
As much as losing a role for Kurusu to help shape the future for humanity may be, the immediate action of letting go Qrow now needs to happen soon and fast.
Yes. Mr. Kurusu could never truly have manage to complete this assignment, not without his semblance at the very least.
To kill all of those creatures without his semblance's help would become a suicide mission for the poor boy if he kept pursuing it. But that is a risk one must take for the sake of others.
He never was meant for destiny to accept him to our story. A shame really...
"I see what you mean." Glynda spoke up, her eyes impressed by what she saw on her screen.
"Hm?"
"Mr. Kurusu has completed two more requirements in such a short time after resting it looks like." Glynda announced with surprise.
"And for a boy who's only fifteen and restricted without a semblance…he is very resourceful and calculated." Glynda's praise for the boy grinded terribly against my ears.
"Replay the footage for me." I ordered, the tone being a bit fierce and demanding from me to her, but I need to see exactly what she was droning about.
"Yes sir."
Glynda gave me her tablet to review the video feed.
Words couldn't not explain the pure frustration that I experience at that very moment.
Was I wrong? Did I underestimate him? Is he truly ready for huntsmenship? Did his appearance and attitude fool me on his true potential?
'I knew he had some maturity and wisdom behind him, but he's merely a child! Could it be so? Could it be that behind all of his simple looks and lack of expression be a warrior? A warrior hiding behind a façade they made for the public to see?'
I looked off into the forest, seeing the flames and smoke from the boy's mess grow farther and wider, spreading like virus onto the pure green landscape.
'This isn't suppose to happen.' Was the single thought that resonated within me.
'If this Kurusu character keeps on with this rebellion of his, if he keeps up the disruption of the status quo, if his constant interactions with the students grow…'
Then one answer would come clear from it all. An answer I would have liked to have been dismissed as only a cautious thought. A thought in which would never come fruition.
I may truly have, a trickster in our story.
The Ursa came running at me with speed that was pathetically slow. So slow in fact it was almost comical.
"I almost pity you for your attempts. Please, if you could at least catch up to me, then this might be fun."
The roar it made toward me was quite cute with how far it was.
"I guess I have to slow my pace to give a fighting chance to the thing, or at least a challenge for me to test this body."
I stopped running and waited for the charging beast to come after me, it's weight pounding into ground with such force that anyone nearby could mistake it with an earthquake.
"If you keep stomping around to make such noise, you'll attract more unwanted creatures."
Hissing and slithering came crawling within my ears. The ruckus being intimidating in it's quiet approach behind me.
"I guess it was inevitable."
White and black appeared to the left and right of my eyes. They were a sure giveaway on the slithery creature that decided to show up on my little skirmish with the Ursa.
"And I thought giant bears were the only bizarre thing I would be facing."
The Ursa charged in a predictable straight line, as the King Taijitu did a great X strike with both heads.
The maneuver I made was at the most perfect time, for the attacks from the grimm had exchange between one another. Both turning against each other in rage.
Both of the King Taijitu's heads dug their fangs deep into the Ursa, making it roar and grab at them to get off.
It worked to where the black head completely unleash it's fangs and fell back, and the white head to snap off, with the effect of the white head's fangs breaking off and sticking into the Ursa's flesh. The Ursa screamed and grabbed the fang to rip it out to make black goo soon spurt out from it's arm.
The Ursa didn't hesitate stabbing the fang right into the white head of the King Taijitu, having it killed instantly. This enraged the black head of the snake, making it ready to pounce and attack the Ursa.
A gunshot rang across the forest, as a bullet went into one eye of the black head and exit out the other. The grimm's whole body then exploded into dust and dark goo.
"Sorry, but I needed the kill more than you."
The Ursa turned and roared at my way, throwing the other fang of the white head at me.
I reached in my blazer to bring out Caroline, which I soon used to slice through the weak bone with the knife. I gave the Ursa a glare after it's little trick.
"I don't know how much longer i'm here going to be here, so let's end this quick."
The Ursa then came charging again at the tree I was standing, making it's way at me in hopes of a quick kill.
I loaded a mag into Justine and jumped off the tree before contact was made with the enraged monster. It's head crashed against the tree, making it topple over on the ground.
I turned to shoot at the exposed holes where the King Taijitu fangs left their mark at, and all shots landed perfectly, adding on more damage and pain to the Ursa.
It made Ursa stop and bend over to lessen pain; doing so, I launch myself forward, going in for the clean-cut kill of slashing across it's chest. The Ursa either faked the pain or recovered faster than I anticipated as it brought it's arm around to hit me in motion.
The arm carried me with it to hit against a tree with all it's might and power behind it. The beast then applied more pressure, as it rubbed it's arm against me on the tree, causing searing pains to run across my body.
"Heh…nice move. But I bet you'll never see this one coming."
A couple little beeps came from the arm before it exploded to tiny little pieces of both raw dark flesh and dust.
I planted my feet onto the tree soon after being freed from the Ursa's grasp, and used all my leg power to propel myself forward towards the Ursa's head.
Lifting Caroline up, I jammed it right into it's nose, which made more black goo come out and spray all over my beaten up outfit. And without wasting time, I put force into dragging the knife up from the nose to the red dot on top of the Ursa's bone mask, ripping it apart to expose the flesh of the beast.
The pain from both the lost of an arm and stabbing of the nostril happened so fast that it made the Ursa loss all focus and only reacted to the pain of it all.
Few short moments passed after I reached the red dot on top of it's bony mask, as the Ursa stopped moving and stayed motionless for a bit before tilting over and falling.
It disintegrated before hitting the ground fully, making me drop down in the middle of black goo, covered in dark dust.
"So much for having a clean introduction to all of this."
Suddenly voices started coming from the bushes to my left.
"I think someone just killed an Ursa nearby." The voice sounded familiar, and it familiar enough for me to want to check it out.
"I guess I should give control back…somehow."
I went over and sat down on the ground, leaning my back against a tree to make me feel more comfortable.
"When will this happen again? Hopefully not at a time like this."
And then, I woke up.
"Oi! Sleepy head!" Being shook up vigorously was not the wake up call I think anyone wanted to experience.
"Huh…? What?" I opened my eyes to see great bright yellow and black come into my sight.
"I didn't know we could take a break from the test. I would've sooo taken a nap after all those beo's we had to deal with running from the fire." Yang whined a bit, stretching and leaning toward me.
"I don't think he's taking a break. He may of just finished his fight with the grimm" A girl with a bow said, looking at the remains of some kind of grimm massacre.
"I believe he was merely recovering energy from a tough fight." Yang blew a raspberry and dismissed the girl with the bow.
"Isn't that the same as taking a break? Whatever, you can believe whatever Blake. But what I see is a lazy boy not taking this super serious test seriously." Yang turned her head up and crossed her arms, making a snooty looking face.
"Whatever you say your highness." The girl with the bow now known as Blake then reached her hand out to me.
"Need a hand?"
I took it and gave her a curt nod when she pulled me up.
"Thanks," I responded when getting back on my feet.
"Don't worry about me. I was just taking a quick rest was all." I explained.
"Well with all this gunk around here I guess it was a pretty rad battle!" Yang cheered, tapping her boots on the goo on the ground.
"Battle? Who had a battle here?" I questioned, not knowing any battle I was in besides first landing in the forest and fighting an ocean of beowolves.
"But I did have this dream…"A headache plagued me once again, it's tight grasp wrapping around my head. I feel like the pulse from my temples was nearly going to burst.
"Agh!" I knelt down and put my hands on both sides of my head, doing what I could to relieve the pain.
"Are you okay?!" Yang asked, quick to come by my side and lifting me up while putting one of my arms around her shoulder.
"Y-yeah. I've just been getting these a lot lately. Maybe from stress or something…" Yang looked at me with great worry on her face, with Blake having the same concern.
"Don't worry about me." I pushed myself away from Yang, not trying to burden her or Blake.
"I need to just…think about my next move now that I'm awake." The word 'think' was enough to give me a spike of pain in my head. I endured it enough from showing my pain to the concerned girls.
"Well how about you tag along with us for a little? I mean, there's no point going solo for so long right?" Yang offered, having her now trademark grin on her face.
"Yeah. That doesn't sound bad." Blake added her two cents. Both of their eyes still filled with concern about my condition, regardless if they wanted to show it or not.
"I guess so." I quickly answered, doing my best to keep myself from getting more thoughts to pile up in my head.
Blake went and scanned my body with her scroll, as a number popped up in the see-through device.
"Your aura level is ten percent...that's really low. You should stay back from when we engage grimm." Blake suggested.
I wanted to try and protest about that, but I knew she did have a good point.
'With my aura levels so low, even a light hit from a beowolf could destroy it completely.'
"Ten percent huh… sounds about right." I wasn't surprised by the number. I did check myself before, so it should still be that number right?
"Alrighty then. Let's go find those relics!" Yang commanded; marching forward with Blake and me following close behind.
'Let's see how this day can get any worst...' I thought, right before getting hit in the face with a branch.
The walk was nice and quiet. Nothing out of the ordinary happened with it.
Some grimm did attack us on our walk, but nothing major like a King Taijitu or Nevermore. It was usually just a little group of beowolves fleeing from the fire I made, or some Ursa coming around here and there.
Yang and Blake made short work with them all when we came across them. It was most likely due to me having such low aura levels and wanting to reach the relics.
It's odd not remembering what I did back there where a battle apparently happened between me and some grimm. At least that's what the girls say anyway.
I myself don't have any recollection of waking up and doing such a thing. I mean I did have a dream where I fought an Ursa and King Taijitu, but that was a dream of course.
"Can it really be…" I mumbled. The girls ahead then turned to my direction.
"Something wrong Akira?" Blake asked
"Nothing. Just something I have to check."
I reached to my belt to see the color coded clips around it
From the beginning, I packed a limited amount of special dust rounds, not expecting on using much of them in this test. I packed a couple of .50 caliber clips that hanged around my belt and had a clip for a little bit of everything that I usually use.
I have one gravity dust clip, one fire, lighting, ice, and lastly one clip with small explosive shots that detonated after a bit when on impact. I also had two extra strong ones in a pouch near the front where I have to load individually into the chamber of Justine. I brought only two, and both were giant explosive rounds
I remember using some clips when firing at the beowolves at the start; I did use the fire clip to shoot one round, also I remember using one of the big explosion bullets to clear the area with the beowolves.
After that was just a bunch of running and…
"Watch out!" I was shoved out the way of a stinger heading my direction. It barely missed on making contact with my head, as it sailed down to the ground.
"What the?!" I shouted, falling back on my butt.
Yang and Blake were already engaging with the grimm while I was sat down on the ground, both confused and surprised of what just happened.
'Another to check off your list partner. Murder it before they do…' Arsène quickly inputted before fading back.
I looked up to see that a Deathstalker came to attack us. One of the grimm types I had to slay.
'Right… I need to be the one to kill it.'
I got up and went for my small explosives, only for them to be missing from the place I put them.
"You got to be kidding m-"
"Ahh!" I looked to see Blake get swatted off by the Deathstalker's tail. She flew and landed harshly on the ground on her two feet, as she still kept her ground.
Yang's hair went aflame and started to rapidly punching faster at the Deathstalker's pincers and stinger that kept trying to hit her. She dodged and jumped around and punched whatever was closest to punch, not caring if it did much or not.
"Akira!" Blake yelled at me, recovering fast and taking a stance ready to jump back in the fight.
"Do you have any ice dust for your gun?"Blake yelled at my direction.
"Yeah…I got you!" I answered.
I knew what she wanted me to do, and I went ahead on jumping up to a branch for a good vantage point for a shot. Blake ran back in the fight already, protecting Yang from a swing from her blindside when she got there.
"Man I'm glad we're in a forest." I mumbled, as I took out the clip for the ice dust rounds and loaded it into Justine.
"Keep it still!" I yelled, putting back Caroline into my blazer to put both hands on Justine.
Kneeling down and focusing my sights on the legs, the two girls started running circles around the Deathstalker, making it stay in place to try and hit them from it's stationary position.
"You're mine…" I let out the whole clip, making a ray of bullets fly toward them. Blake and Yang jumped away after hearing the first bang from the gun.
The bullets hit the joints in the legs of the Deathstalker, causing it to scream and flail a bit. All the shots then exploded into ice, encasing the beast's legs in solid blocks of it, limiting it's movement greatly.
"Let's go!" Yang yelled, giving Blake a signal up and then running toward the Deathstalker.
The first instinct that the Deathstalker had was to stab Yang with it's stinger when she got close. Which failed, for Blake had gone and tied a rope around the tail already with her weapon, having the beast anchored down by a tree's base.
The next option was to swing at Yang with it's pincers, but I covered that option by putting in the fire dust clip and raining hell on both of them from afar. The flames spread all over both pincers. The grimm could only shake the pincers in pain and desperation to try to put the fire out.
Yang kept her charged and reeled back her fist. She soon let out a great roar before smashing into the bone mask, breaking great pieces of it off from it's body.
She jumped back when the Deathstalker squirmed and screamed out in misery.
'Time to end it partner. Deliver the finishing blow!'
"Alright. I'll end this now!"
Jumping down from the tree, I ran at the Deathstalker in full sprint while in the process I loaded another clip into Justine. The sides lit up yellow, as electricity sparked out the barrel.
"Yang!" I shouted, catching her attention as she turned to see me running toward her.
"Up!" I ordered at her, pointing to the sky with my right hand.
"Okay!" She shouted in excitement, crouching down and readying up for the lift off.
Doing so, I leaped toward her, landing on top of her both her fist. Yang stood up fast and blasted her gauntlets to shoot me up in the air.
I was soaring across the air and saw the open crack in the Deathstalker's bony armor. The beast was still alive and managed to put out the fire, but it wasn't so lucky with breaking free from it's icy chains.
I shot all of the bullets of the clip down at the open spot of the Deathstalker. The bullets sunk into it's body and ran electricity all over the grimm's body, frying up it's whole body.
It wasn't enough though for it disappear into dust, and the ice that was holding it down was now breaking and cracking apart in an alarming rate.
'I gotta hurry and end this before it does something desperate when it gets free.'
Talking out Caroline again, I raised the knife above my head and chucked it down at the same exposed spot that I shot at. It got into the flesh and stuck out of it, barely making it's way inside.
I aimed myself toward the spot and stuck out one foot to deliver the final blow to the grimm's death.
"Begone!"
I slammed my foot onto the bottom of my knife and pushed it in further, causing the whole Deathstalker screech a blood curdling cry of misery before exploding into dust and black goo.
I back-flipped from the hit and landed a little bit away from the grimm.
I soon saw Caroline laying on the ground, surrounded by the Deathstalker's blood.
I went over and picked it up, shaking it off and wiggling it a bit to get the leftovers off from the Deathstalker.
"Looks like another one bites the dust." Yang chimed in from behind.
I turned around to meet Yang and Blake's impressed looks upon me.
"What?" I asked, smiling at them with excitement.
"Nothing" They both said. They soon after started to walk away and ignore my question.
"Hey! Wait up!" I kept shaking Caroline to hurry up and clean up the crud on the knife. There was more junk on it than I thought.
"I said wait!"
"Is this it…a bunch of big chess pieces?" I asked to no one in particular, looking at the remaining pieces left on the pedestals.
"I guess so…" Yang said, walking up and grabbing a knight piece.
It didn't take long for us to find the place where the relics were located, and from the looks of it, the relics were pieces from the game chess.
Most of the pedestal's standing were empty. People have most likely been here before and took them away.
"You wanna cute little pony?" Yang asked Blake, waving it around in the air.
She smiled and nodded toward the goofy blonde girl.
"Sure. Why not?" Blake shrugged, as Yang lifted the horse even higher to the sky.
"Alright! Mission complete-" A girl's scream came across the forest, as a Deathstalker's scream accompanied it right after.
"Some girl's in trouble!" I shouted, as the direction it came from was to the left of the chess pieces.
"What do we do?" Yang asked, looking at Blake and me.
After that question, madness ensued.
Ruby came falling from the sky, but was intercepted by a speeding Jaune. A girl then came in riding on a Ursa with a boy coming up next to her; saying something about it being broken.
Soon after a Deathstalker came running after a girl with a familiar face.
Next came a familiar white dressed girl falling from a Nevermore, which prompted Jaune to come in for the save, with results that may be leaving him with a broken back.
Let's say after all that, Yang got pissed.
"Argh! What the heck is going on!" After those few words between the madness, Pyrrah came flying and landing next to everyone that has now gathered in a group.
"Great. The whole gang's here to die together." Yang huffed out, as Ruby was rubbing her head from the crashing into a tree.
She then got a shine in her eyes, and looked at the Deathstalker with determination screaming from her eyes gleam.
"Not on my watch!" Ruby said, readying on going for a mad dash toward it.
"Wait!" I grabbed Ruby's shoulder, catching her before seeing a disturbing sight.
A screech from high up came and pierced everyone's ears, as a bigger Nevermore came beside the one that Ruby and Weiss fell from.
Spikes of bone protruded all around it's wings and spine. They were jagged twisted messes that showed off it's longevity and scars from the past. The feathers that made up it's wings were a light gray than a pure dark black. It's size easily toppling over the other Nevermore that was just being used as a ride for the two girls.
This Nevermore that came, was an ancient. It's evolved and adapted to it's ever changing environment, with it's appearance and size to show as proof.
"That's a…" Ruby started, as everyone stared at the size and appearance of the rare beast.
'Yes…' Arsène whispered in my mind. His voice dripping with excitement.
'One more…one more kill before you can take another step toward your dream! Another step to help you free this world from it's sins and demons. So why not have it be a glorious one at that?' Arsène eagerly stated. His voice becoming more restless and hungry for a battle.
'I see…then so be it…' I took a deep breath, as I looked up to meet eye contact with the ancient. Both of our eyes staring each other down, sizing up one another.
I knew what I needed to do.
I went close to Ruby's ear and started to whisper.
"Take the Deathstalker and smaller Nevermore with you guys. I'll take the ancient." Ruby jumped back in shocked and stared at me with surprise and worry, as I kept my stare at the winged beast.
"But Akira! You're really not trying to take the Nevermore down by yourself!?" Ruby screamed. Her concerned face was hard to look at, but I needed this fight to be a one-on-one.
I needed it to.
"Look Ruby, I need to fight it alone. This is the last one I need to cross off my list before I'm done. You guys just grab your relics and run to safety and finish your job."
"But that doesn't mean you have to fight it by yourself!" Ruby countered, doing her best to convince me not to do such a reckless action.
"I told you what you need to do. Now Go!" Before she could speak another word, I already started running back toward the middle of the forest.
'Hehehe…very reckless of you indeed… so why? Why do you feel as if this is what should be done, that this is the right course of action to take?' Arsène mocked. I could see the devilish grin of his in my mind clearly.
Arsène already knew why I'm doing something so stupid. But I guess he's trying to get me to admit it to him.
Or at least admit it to myself on my selfishness.
'I know. It's kinda stupid to try on an ancient grimm with such little supply of ammo, aura, and lack of semblance. But if Ozpin wants to pin me here and fight like an animal for survival, then the very least I can give him a fight to show him what he's messing with!'
'Hmhehehe…then go forth and show them. They're waiting.' Arsène once again faded away into the back of my mind, watching me at all times.
'You got it.'
I looked up to see that the smaller Nevermore has already aimed for the group. The Deathstalker also aiming for them, as it went past me I ran toward the forest.
But the lone ancient beast above stayed and stared down at me with predator like eyes. A predator that was observing and waiting for it's prey to be separated from the group for an easy kill.
Which was unfortunate for it.
Because I planned on being the predator.
"Skrawww!" The ancient Nevermore's feathers flew at me in terrifying speed and accuracy.
I was barely able to dodge the ones that mange through the trees as they ripped through the leaves and striked the ground.
If it weren't for all the trees blocking it's sight, who knows how much danger I would've been in if it had a clear view.
I was now a mouse running from an eagle.
"It won't come down!" I hissed, feeling more and more anger building up inside me. The grimm was far too intelligent, and it knew that it's best chances were to keep distance between us and pursue me till it gets a hit in or I tire out for it to pick off easily.
Either the Nevermore gets close or I do, and I already knew what the answer had to be. The only problem is that I don't know if it'll work out like I want it to or not.
No matter what happens though, something needs to change or my defeat is imminent.
I took out the last clip on my belt and loaded it into Justine. The sides of gun soon glowed into a dark and sinister purple.
'I only used one bullet so far. That means I have to deal with what I got left.'
The ancient Nevermore stopped and stayed afloat in the air, like it knew what I was thinking and was just teasing for me to even attempt to do it.
Hell, it even lowered itself closer to the ground, luring me into the trap that it wanted me to foolishly fall on. It was a trap that I was willing to take my chances on.
"If you're gonna stay still…" I took out Caroline and readied my body for the suicide launch.
"Then you're just making yourself a sitting duck!" I pushed my legs up as hard as I could, and shot one bullet beneath me to launch even farther toward the ancient.
The ancient Nevermore brought back it's wings, readying to let out a storm of feathers.
I shot one more bullet, flying higher and faster toward the potential death of me.
Only three more shots left in the clip. Three crucial shots that could be the death of me, or the lifesavers I need.
My heart hit against my chest in such an erratic and powerful fashion, that it almost felt like my heart was doing it's best to rip out of my chest and set itself free from me, to run away from my insanity.
"Raaahhh!" The ancient let out a powerful screech, as it brought it's wings down to hail upon me a shower of gray feathers. Each sharp enough to pierce a boulder.
I tried my best to calculate the feathers that rained upon. I tried to find the best movements to avoid it all. But I just…couldn't see it.
I couldn't see anything.
Everything was black. Nothing was in front of me.
Just darkness…just the sight of death having it's hands around my neck, ready to take my life.
'This…is-'
'Don't let doubt cloud your mind now! Don't let the lies and orders of others determine what you are and what you can be! Look forward fool…and use your third eye to see your truth…'
'I…see it…'
Now I can see everything. I can see the red spikes coming my way. I can see where they're headed and what to do to avoid them. I can see!
"Too slow…"
I turned and spun my body to narrowly avoid a feather, as I had it flew past me with no scratch on me.
I shot out my gun behind my shoulder and kept on twisting and turning all around the place to dodge all the deadly fire of feathers coming at me. One more shot I placed around my hip, propelling me to spin even faster. My body becoming a spinning blur in the eyes of any to see.
Left, right, up, down, right,up…
The feathers flew past with speeds greater than anything I could ever imagine to witness. They all came and rained down upon the lively green forest, as screams of different grimm could be heard getting caught in the crossfire.
The ancient Nevermore wasn't expecting this at all. It didn't think it was possible for me to avoid all of the feathers it tried swarming with. It didn't think I was capable at all to dodge any of it's attacks.
"Raaawwww!"
The ancient once again reeled back it's wings for another barrage of spikes at me.
But it was useless in it's part, because one more shot and I would will be close enough to get my hit in.
The one hit I need to seal the deal.
I wasn't planning on wasting this miracle to just casually fly up in the air. I was going to come at it full speed.
I spun and twisted my body to slow down the spinning speed, forcing myself to come to a full stop.
Then pointing Justine down back toward the forest, I looked into the eyes of the Nevermore and gave it a nice smirk before shooting the last bullet and rocketing toward its left wing.
Raising Caroline, I sped straight right to the spot I wanted. I was closing in on the distance in great time.
"You're mine!" Caroline sunk into the wing to plunge deep down inside it's flesh. The bone of the beast ripped and shredded to the will of the blade, slicing it's way farther down the wing.
The Nevermore stopped it's action to rain down more feathers, as it deciding to shake it's body to get me off of it. I held on with a vice grip on Caroline with one hand with fear of falling off.
Quickly I was to put away Justine and bring my other hand to grab onto the knife as hard as I could.
The ancient then started flying in great speed back toward where we just ran from, with me still holding the knife with as much strength that I could muster in my condition, as the flapping of it's wings kept pushing me more and more to the edge of letting go.
The Nevermore carried me all the way to an odd field filled with weird stone construction all around, as a giant cliff came towering over the whole of the Emerald Forest.
The knife then cut even deeper into the Nevermore's wing with me dragging it, making it screech once more before coming to an abrupt stop and flap it's wings out with great force.
It was enough for me to let got and fall off, leaving behind Caroline, which was still lodged deep into the wing of the monstrous creature.
"Dammit!" I fell in a straight line down, as the ground came closer every second, ready for me to fall flat like a pancake on it.
The Nevermore up high then launched one last feather at me, it's direction clear to tear me half.
But that single feather was a gift from the heavens, as I turned and grabbed onto the oncoming projectile from the side, holding on for it to carry me far.
I used up the rest of my aura to not let the sharp edges of the feather pierce through and cut up my hands, but that was rapidly depleting the more I soared with the feather.
I eventually let go before I could feel my aura breaking, and I came on tumbling down on stone ground, bouncing and sliding off of it. It was sooner than later that my aura broke into a million pieces when I hit against the cliff.
"Agh!"
I laid down motionless, awaiting for my mind to process all the damage.
'Got to…end this…soon…' I managed myself to stand up, leaning heavily on the cliff for support.
I then started to walk on this odd stone bridge, with the Nevermore floating above in the air, once again staring at me. It looked to have trouble though, as it's left wing was flapping more vigorously than it's right.
I reached down my belt, opening it to take out the last bullet I had on me. It's orange glow and coating shined in the midday sun.
Loading it in, the sides of Justine grew a ferocious orange, as great heat emanated out from it.
"One shot. Just one last shot to end this all."
The Nevermore was once again back in action, but this time it did little circle maneuvers through the air, constantly making laps around the top of the cliff.
I observed above from a far, seeing it keep up with it's now scheduled lap across the top. For whatever reason it had to be hanging around there, I just kept my cool and pointed Justine up toward the ancient.
'There's no other option. I can't get up there without using my semblance or wasting this last bullet, and I don't even have Caroline with me to have any other weapon to attack it with.' Without much options, that thought was the only solution I could come up with at this time.
My hand shook as I was aiming at the beast, leaving me to have to stabilize it with the other to just keep it accurate.
'As soon as it's about to lap around, I'll shoot it right before it makes it across the peak.' Tunnel vision settled in, as the only thing I saw in my sights was the monstrous grimm that was about to lap around the top.
'Now!'
I pulled the trigger and sent me flying back, landing on my back as the fireball of a bullet zipped toward the top of the cliff.
The blast was closing in fast on the Nevermore, but in a sudden swoop, the Nevermore swerved high above the cliff, leaving the ball of fire to head to the top.
Looking painfully on the miss shot, I noticed little figures at the top, standing and looking over the cliff. They soon then retreated back, while one figure stood it's ground to the fireball coming to hit it.
"No…"
I got up as quick as I could and ran closer to the cliff, shouting as loud as I could for them to watch out. It fell on deaf ears, for I was too far away for my voice to reach them.
I watched in horror as the blast exploded into a great ball of smoke and fire, leaving the top of the cliff covered in mystery of the damage it has just done.
I kept watch up top, expecting to find debris and broken chunks of rock falling into the abyss under the stone bridge. I couldn't bear to think of the harm I just put on those standing and watching.
The smoke soon cleared and the fire vanished into the nothing. The top of the cliff was now clear, making for a great surprise for me to see.
A green circle stood in front of the cliff top, shielding everything and everyone who stood behind it. The shield soon disappeared, and out came one figure that came into clear in my eyes.
Ozpin stared down with cold eyes, his cane promptly being held in one hand and his coffee the other.
The stare down he gave me made something very clear to me.
I wasn't ever to come this far into this test.
To stand here, to meet everyone, to enjoy a chance to enroll. A chance that was rigged in favor of failure.
I was running out of time, which didn't matter, because in the end I will either die, or I will fail. There was no in between.
"You bastards…" I turned to see the Nevermore perched up on a stone pillar, wanting me to go in and risk my life once more for the sake of the test.
"You knew I was coming at you with all I had left. You knew how desperate I was to just kill you. You knew, and in doing so you tried getting me to hurt Ruby and everyone else up there, right?" I walked toward the pillar, my blood boiling as I bore my eyes into the Nevermore's, not letting up one bit.
"And Ozpin wants me to keep up with this little game too. Wants me to obey him and follow the rules he's placed for me. Rules that no other student has to put up with." I stood in front of the pillar, eyeing the blade still attached to the ancient's wing.
"But I guess no matter what way I try to play like he wants me to, you'll just keep outsmarting me and use my disadvantage for your advantage." Shadows circled my legs, as the knife looked so easy to just grab out and rip across that crippled wing's of my prey.
"Well…too bad. Cause this isn't a game anymore."
The feel of Caroline being back in my hand was a glorious reunion.
I made short work of the limp wing, as it fell down on the ground, disappearing into a cloud of dust.
The Nevermore didn't take too kindly to that, with the shriek of it's pain played wonderfully for all to hear.
Next thing to happen was me surrounding the overgrown bird with pure and dark shadows, making the black sun appear once more and rise high into the air. It's elevation only growing more, and the sun to get thicker and darker every second.
"Like my new little trick?"
"Acccckkkk…" The voice of the bird was betraying itself, as it's fear and helplessness quickly came to the forefront of it's emotion.
"Ravage him…Arsène!" Blue flames spread far and wide within the dark sphere, as Arsène manifested in front of the beast's very eyes.
"Hahahaha!" Arsène's laughter boomed within the darkness, as he twirled about and lifted his demonic hand up to the doomed bird.
"Eiga!"
A big black sphere emanated from Arsène's hand, and went to hail upon dark spikes that pierced all throughout it's body, making it's scream and plea for mercy soon drown out when one of the spikes pierced it's neck.
Arsène quickly vanished, as the black sun collapsed on itself and explode shadows all over.
I dropped and crouched when landing on the stone bridge, and slowly stood up to see the nothing in the sky. Only one thing remained up the sky, and that was the shining sun.
Glynda soon came down to pick me up. She used her semblance to make a piece of the stone bridge rise up to the top of the cliff, with me and her as it's passengers.
When we reached to the top, I stepped off the stone platform and was greeted with shock and awe from everyone present. The only people that weren't so impressed were Ozpin and Ruby.
With one looking uninterested, and the other looking worried.
"Oh man Akira that was great!" Jaune exclaimed, holding his hands together while getting up to my face.
"Y-yeah. I guess it was." I shyly replied, as everyone just looked at me like I was worth a billion lien.
"You guess? That was totally spectacular!" Yang voiced in, brightly smiling at me.
"I have to say I'm impressed Akira. You definitely showed all of us your amazing prowess in battle." Pyrrah added, happy to see my ability.
"Thanks." I said, not really focusing on the praise of the others.
I looked over to stare Ozpin right in the eyes, with growing tension between the both of us.
"Kurusu…" Ozpin started, as everyone stopped and looked at the headmaster.
"Yes, sir." I didn't bother hiding my distaste towards Ozpin. There was no point in humoring him more than I've already had. I knew he was going to deject me, so why bother.
"You know what the Beacon Initiation Test help proves to us about an individual who participates in it?" Ozpin asked me. The emotionless stare holding strong against my furious one.
"No, I don't. Please, enlighten me." I can feel the anger from him. Even if he's won, respect was something he'd never have me show for everyone to see.
"Well. It doesn't only teach us about that person. It also can be used to teach the other initiates about the duty of a huntsmen."
"Okay. So I assume my actions proposed such a lesson for everyone." Ozpin smiled. One that showed off his influence, that showed off his power in the situation.
He knew what he was doing, and I was just playing along with him.
"Of course. You have showed us the importance of the two managements that a huntsmen must keep up. Efficiency and subtlety." Ozpin motioned for Glynda, as she then went brought up a projected surveillance feed. It showed the massive area of black and ashed trees.
She soon pulled up a video of me fighting against the army of beowolves I faced.
"As you can see, you've made quite an entrance for the start of the test. But it came at the severe cost of losing subtlety." Glynda then pulled up the feed near the end of my fight with the Nevermore.
It showed me shooting the big explosive shot and having it head straight toward the people standing and watching over the fight.
"I will admit you were quite excellent throughout the test. Even with the beowolves, I admit, you handled yourself quite well. But none of that matter Mr. Kurusu, for in the end, when all was down to the very last bullet, you failed to efficiently close the deal to say the very least. Putting danger to your peers is also quite a dangerous action, don't you think so?" Everyone around to hear Ozpin looked at the footage and were unsettled by the 'lecture' he was giving to them all about me.
"Though credit should be placed to where credit is due. You succeeded on accomplishing all of your assignments that were expected for you to accomplish." Ozpin smiled, keeping the role as headmaster of the school. Acting nice and 'proud' of for upcoming youth, even if there were a failure in his eyes.
"But…we both know of the end result." Ozpin spoke in a cold and low tone, prompting me to be the bigger man and not protest.
"Yeah…I know. No need to say anymore." I mumbled. As Ozpin looked content with my decision.
"Professor!" Ruby was the one to come in and speak up. Her voice once again interfering between us.
"Akira did his best with what you gave him. He couldn't use his semblance most of the time during the test. The only reason he used it at the end was because he had to!" Everyone around nodded and quietly agreed with Ruby, thinking the same reasonable conclusion any person would come to.
"She's not wrong sir-um...Ozpin sir." Jaune added, shifting and moving around to help settle himself.
"And I can't say that I wouldn't be as desperate in such a situation as well. Apologies with interfering Headmaster Ozpin, but not using your semblance is to choose to not use a part of yourself. For it doesn't allow for your true self to show and face the obstacles before you. Is it so wrong for him to have been restricted in the first place?" Pyrrah added in, standing strong next to Jaune, which comforted him a bit with the backup.
"See? It wasn't fair in the slightest! So can't we-"
"Stop it!" The words that left my furious voice left Ruby and others bewildered with the outburst.
"Akira?"
"Just…stop." They didn't know, they would never know. I wasn't meant to pass, there was no chance in hell that I could've with the damn rules in place. I wouldn't matter if everyone present agreed or not, Ozpin would have persuaded them in either situation.
"Ms. Rose I'd advise you to refrain from saying anything more toward this subject of Mr. Kurusu. He has accepted his failure and will move on with it. There is no need to protest. He's acknowledged his failure and wishes to move on with it." Ozpin calmly laid it down to Ruby, quickly stopping her last plea for acceptance for me.
It was useless in the end.
Ozpin never wanted a fool in his school.
The humming of the ship soon started, as it lifted up into the air to take me back home.
I gathered all my belongings and booked it to the ship when I got all set. Which wasn't much at all, only just my satchel I had to take back from the locker rooms was all I needed left.
I still wore my battered up outfit, not bothering to go rummage clean clothes from a lost and found or something.
I let out a breath of exhaustion, as this day was filled with many questions that needed answers. One could be how my dream mid testing became reality, or the whole third eye thing and how that worked outside the Metaverse. So many question swirled around that I will have to find out about by myself.
'What a day…'
'Don't act as if this is someone else's fault. This is your decision Akira. Take it with stride and make the most of it.' Arsène spoke, but it was in a tone that I guess was supposed to be comforting.
'I know. It's not like getting accepted early was a necessity right now. Least not while Ozpin is headmaster there.' The thought of him patronizing me in front of everyone there was infuriating. I wanted to do something right then and there, but that wouldn't lead to anything better than what had happened.
'Maybe my words won't comfort you. So why not someone else's?' Arsène suggested.
I was confused at first on what he was suggesting, but eventual realized exactly what he was implying.
I reached in my blazer's and opened a pocket that I kept the note. The letter my mom left for me in the morning before going to Beacon. It was all crumbled and a little burnt even, but nothing too serious that it would be considered destroyed.
I opened it and read the long paper.
Dear Akira,
I'm so excited that you're able to participate in the initiation. I never thought you'd be so talented to get in early. Me and your father are very proud of you to make it so far with becoming a huntsman.
I remember first holding you in my arms and wondering what great things you would do when you got all big and such. A huntsman was the last thing to cross my mind, but in the end here you are, going forward with your life and career. Though I still think running the shop would be a more better option for you.
Just kidding of course.
You always were such a responsible and determined boy. Always so eager to do and be the best no matter what, no matter what life threw at you when you were at your low, you always managed to stand up. What more could a mother ask for her child?
I'm getting teary-eyed just by writing this. You may have to ignore the tear drops then. Sorry.
I love you Akira. And I know deep down within you is a bud that is ready to bloom into a great and beautiful flower.
Please. Keep doing on what you hope is right for you and everyone that you care for.
Love,
Mom
Whatever tears she talked about had probably dried up from all the action I had done back in the initiation, but were replaced with tears of my own.
'Hehe…great things huh? And a flower bud waiting to bloom…'
I went and wiped off the tears from my face and cleaned myself up.
'She isn't wrong partner. You were put here to go and do magnificent feats for this world. So go on and make that a reality for all to see.' Arsène's motivation and the letter were a little overwhelming, but I knew both meant well for me.
The sun was settling down, as it's bright yellow glow was down to a light and blissful orange. The dark purple and orange blending to make a perfect sight for another end for another day.
The life of one day has passed. But another will take it's place, no matter how dark the nights might be.