Over 10,000 views. Wow. To other authors on this site I'm sure that this is a small feat, but to me it's a big accomplishment. Thank you guys so much for helping me get this far! I'm really sorry for the wait on this chapter. With school and college prep, all I want to do on the weekends is play video games and hang out with my friends.
Well not much else to say except that we will be seeing reinforcements arrive on Remnant, as you all have been so patiently been waiting for… but not in this chapter. Sorry everyone, but you will all just have to wait just a little bit longer. Well onto the story!
Fires Far: Part III
Adam Taurus had always held a deep hatred for Humanity. As long as he could remember both he and his race were discriminated by humans for their differences, and were treated as lesser beings.
When Adam had joined the White Fang, he had the intentions of changing the world so that one day all Faunus would be free of Humanity's hatred. To this day he still has the same intention, but when the former leader of the Fang stepped down, a new leader had stepped up to take their position.
He took that position.
Adam had been the one to change how the White Fang had previously operated. They weren't getting anything done by just waiving signs around in the air and demanding to be treated as equals. Now, they don't just demand equality, they take it.
Instead of peaceful protests, he would arm his brothers and sisters with weapons. They would burn down shops that refused to serve Faunus, they would rob homes and stores to feed the children, and would kill those that stood in their way.
'That's why Blake left.' Adam thought to himself as he was waiting for a call from his boss. The day of the train robbery was when Blake had abandoned the White Fang, and Adam did not take kindly to deserters.
He couldn't understand why she held any pity for the people on board that train. They were humans and they deserved to die, but she felt the need to protect the innocent despite their race.
Adam scoffed at the thought as he felt that no human was innocent when it came to how his race was treated.
A small vibrating sound could be heard from his Scroll telling the bull Faunus that the call he was expecting had arrived. Adam pulled the small device out from his leather jackets inner pocket.
It was black in color and had the same red emblem that was on the back of his jacket. When he opened the screen and accepted the call, he was met with the face of his boss.
Cinder looked down at her black Scroll with a neutral expression on her face. Adam kept a straight face, but she knew that he held hatred for her. That didn't matter however as she needed to inform him about her new client.
"Hello Adam." Cinder addressed as the bull Faunus simply nodded his head as a silent 'hello.' "I have news for you and orders that need to be carried out immediately."
Adam had a look of anger for a split second before going back to his neutral mask that he wore when speaking to his boss and most people in general. He did not like being ordered around by the likes of human filth, but Cinder had made a deal with the White Fang to help his people. One he could not refuse no matter how badly he wanted to.
Cinder saw the brief look of anger that appeared on the bull Faunus's face, but she waved it off as just the anger that most Faunus held for Humanity.
"What are your orders Cinder?" It was more of a statement than a question, and Cinder narrowed her eyes at the leader of the White Fang. Most of her associates, including Emerald and Mercury, addressed her as 'Ms. Fall' as it showed not only her position to others, but her dominance over those she considered beneath her.
"Phase two over at Beacon is under way. I need you to finish moving the rest of your troops to our safe house down at Mountain Glenn. I also need you to begin securing as much food and water as fast as possible." Cinder ordered as Adam raised a brow slightly at the new orders.
"Why the need for more food and water? We have plenty for the troops here to last us for a whole year." Adam asked as he wanted to know why he was ordered to retrieve a resource that they already had plenty of.
Cinder replied by saying, "It's for incase of an emergency if anything were to happen up at Mountain Glenn. I'm only looking out for my allies." Someone who just met Cinder would have easily missed the lie, but Adam was not so dull when it came down to hearing a human lie.
"Don't lie to me Cinder, I'm the commander of the White Fang and if you wish to keep your partnership with us going then I suggest that you inform me of everything that involves us." Adam demanded as a small scowl formed over his brow as his eyes turned to slits behind his Grimm mask.
Cinder looked somewhat annoyed at the sudden boldness that Adam was showing her, but knew that he was right. Until Abell could actually show her that he had an army, then she could not trust him and cut her ties with the Fang.
If Adam secured the necessary resources and Abell provided an army, then she will already have a head start on fulfilling her end of the deal. If Abell couldn't provide her his army, then at least the White Fang would have even more resources to keep their troops strong.
Taking a long sigh Cinder said, "I cannot tell you all of the details right now, but we will need more food and water for what I have planned for the future. It would be smarter to prepare early for the 'Breach' operation incase everything doesn't run smoothly."
Adam knew of the operation that Cinder had codenamed as 'Breach.' They would secure a train full of explosives and take it through the tunnels that connected Mountain Glenn and Vale. Throughout the tunnels they would detach the explosive filled cars so that they would blow holes in the tunnel walls to allow Grimm in.
Then, once they reached the wall that sealed off the tunnels, they would breach it so that a hole would be inside the walls of Vale where hundreds to thousands of Grimm would pour out from the breach to flood the kingdom.
It would be the beginning of the Faunus revolution for a new world.
Adam understood the necessity of gathering necessary materials for when the operation would be underway, but he knew that there was something else that she wasn't telling him.
"I'll order for the gathering of more supplies, but I know that you're hiding something from the White Fang Cinder, and I plan to find out what it is." Adam knew that he might be stepping over some boundaries by stepping up to her, but he wouldn't let herself be dominant over him.
He wouldn't allow anyone, especially a filthy human; have dominance over either him or his goal to save his people.
If Cinder had been affected by the threat she didn't show it as she replied in a slightly seductive voice, "Oh dear Adam, don't worry about a thing. Soon Vale will fall and the Faunus will rule over all of Remnant with you as their leader. You just have to trust me."
'Trust you? I can barely contain the rage I have for you whenever you step into the same room as me.' Adam thought as he just nodded and looked at Cinder with a pointed look.
Suddenly her eyes glowed bright orange, as did the symbols that adorned her red dress. "Just remember, Adam, if you ever think of betraying me I will burn away everything that you have ever held dear." Both Faunus and Human looked at one another for a few moments before Cinder decided to cut off the connection.
Adam starred at the black screen as his rage began to build up again at the threat on his life if he were to disobey his boss. However, he managed to stay calm as he took a few deep breaths as he said, "One day Cinder, one day you'll get yours."
Just then, someone began knocking on the door. "Come in." Adam said after he took one last breath. The door opened and one of his lieutenants walked through it.
He was much taller than Adam himself as he had to duck to avoid knocking his head against the door frame. He had a pair of black and grey wolf ears and a dark grey tail that hung loosely from behind. His Grimm mask had covered his entire face and resembled that of a Beowulf.
The tall Faunus closed the door behind him and then turned around and began his report to Adam. "I have my report for you sir." His voice was deep and a little scraggly but Adam could understand him regardless.
"Go on then." Adam said calmly, now that his anger had left him for the time being. The lieutenant stood in front of him, having to look down at his leader to relay to him his report.
"Sir, things have been running smoothly from the remaining Dust robberies to readying the bombs for the 'Breach' operation. Also, nine out of the ten Paladins that we secured from the Atlas military are already en route to Mountain Glenn as we speak." The lieutenant finished as he then waited silently for what his leader had to say next.
"Nine out of ten? What happened to the tenth Paladin?" Adam questioned as he already had a sneaking suspicion of what happened.
The Paladins were Atlas's latest piece of Anti-Grimm technology to help protect soldiers in the field of battle and push back the Grimm. Standing at around fifteen to twenty feet in height, the battle suit had two mounted energy weapons on its sides, rocket launchers mounted onto its back, and two double barreled machine guns next to the energy weapons.
It was a very valuable piece of hardware, and would help the White Fang in their pursuit of a better world. To have lost even one of them will cut down their chances of success by a decent amount.
"Our good friend Torchwick decided it'd be a good idea to take one of them out for a spin. He used it to pursue a team of Huntresses from Beacon Academy and fought them. The fight resulted in Torchwick almost getting captured, and the Paladin was destroyed by one of the Huntresses. A shame they didn't get him." The lieutenant said disappointed.
Adam could already feel some of his earlier anger return as they were now down one Paladin. One less advantage they would have once the 'Breach' operation was initiated and, with luck, a success.
Adam walked around the room as he pondered about what to do. Finally, coming to a conclusion Adam said, "Continue loading up the trains as planned and make sure that the remaining Paladins make it to Mountain Glenn. Understand?"
The lieutenant nodded his head and said, "Got it." He then left the room, not before ducking his head once again as he left. Adam decided to take a seat in one of the chairs that were in the room.
Pinching the bridge of his nose Adam thought to himself. 'Why do we have to work with humans?'
…
Cinder had ended the connection with the White Fang leader after neither spoke. She did not feel threatened in the least, but she knew that if she were to continue to keep the White Fang as her pawns then she would have to let Adam know that she was in charge.
If worse came to worse then she could easily have him killed, and a new leader (one she could control better) would take his place. She had just come from Port's class, as she still had to attend classes to keep the student façade up, but as tolerant as she was even she got somewhat irritated from the fat man's ramblings.
'I hope that he gets killed at the Breach.' Cinder thought hopefully as she walked alone in the hallway. The students around her parted out of her path out of caution. Cinder smirked at how easily most of the Beacon students could be intimidated.
She would be meeting up with Emerald and Mercury during lunch, but first she needed to make a request to Abell's little scout.
Cinder's smirk grew as she rounded the corner and saw just who she was looking for talking with a Beacon student: a tall boy with burnt orange hair and a large mace that was currently strapped to his back.
As she drew closer to the knight and boy, Tyrell looked past the boy's shoulder to look directly at her.
When she came within earshot of the two Tyrell told the boy one last thing, but Cinder only heard half of it. "-our conversation later Mr. Winchester. Have a good day." Tyrell said kindly as he began to walk past Cardin to meet with Cinder.
"Sure, whatever professor." Cardin said as he turned to regard his professor and saw a girl that looked like she was one of the transfers from another school. He thought that she looked pretty hot, but when he saw the glare (the kind that said 'go away') that she was giving him he sent her one of his own to show her that he wasn't intimidated.
However, when he saw her eyes flash a dangerous yellow he immediately turned around and left to meet up with his team.
When Tyrell reached her she lost the glare that she sent towards Cardin, and replaced it with that of a small smile as she looked at the retreating boy. Cinder then focused her attention back onto the knight as she said, "Hello Tyrell. How has your day been so far?"
Her tone told the Sentinel that she really didn't care about how his day has been so he instead just asked, "What do you want Witch?" Cinder lost the smile that was on her lips as it was then replaced with a disappointed frown.
"So much for being polite." Cinder said in a non-caring tone, but then continued by saying, "I need you to set up a connection with Abell for me. I have matters that need to be discussed with him immediately."
Tyrell frowned at the order given and replied, "I simply cannot call up my Lord at any given moment in time for you. I am only allowed to do so in emergency. Otherwise I must wait for my Lord to contact me. Do you understand?"
"Well you can tell him that this is an emergency when you call him. This information I have to tell him is very important for the next phase of my plan and-"
"Will be safely informed to my Lord when you tell me what it is so I may relay it to him." Tyrell said cutting off the black haired woman. The disappointed frown was now accompanied by a stern glare from the woman as her Aura began to stir, causing her eyes to glow a fiery yellow.
"Follow." Was all Cinder said as she began walking past Tyrell and down the hallway. Seeing that he had gotten a reaction out of the girl, Tyrell allowed himself a small smirk as he followed her down the hall.
Cinder eventually led the two of them to an unoccupied classroom that had a large blackboard at the front of the classroom with a teacher's desk in front of it.
"Why have you brought me here Cinder?" Tyrell asked as she closed the door behind them with an audible click. Was this a trap, or was she securing the area so they could speak? Regardless, the Sentinel did not let down his guard as he looked at Cinder.
Cinder slowly walked down the steps to the front of the room until she came up to the blackboard. "I brought you here to have a talk… with you." Cinder said as she lifted herself up onto the large desk and sat.
"Talk about what?" Tyrell asked as he then stood himself in front of the stairs as if on guard, waiting for someone to try and pass.
Cinder gave Tyrell the same disappointed look that she gave him in the hallway, but the glowing in her eyes had ceased. "I know that you do not trust either of my associates, or me, but if we are to work together in the future. Then we need to be able to cooperate with one another."
"You would be correct in the matter that I do not trust any of you in the slightest." Tyrell said.
"Yes, however, I believe that we can work around this trust issue." Cinder said as she drummed her right hand's fingers on the desk. Her sharp nails were causing a small clicking noise each time they touched the hard wood.
"I'm listening." Tyrell said. He would never truly trust the Witch, or the other two for that matter, for if what Abell said was true about her soul then Cinder would indeed be Remnant's version of a Chaos Witch.
"Since you appear to be having a problem trusting us, then I will be the first one to show that I can trust you." The Witch said as a small smile graced her lips. Tyrell was surprised to hear this coming from who may indeed be a Chaos Witch, but he still held his suspicion of her.
"And how do you plan on showing this knight that you trust him." Tyrell was obviously referring to himself, but that didn't matter as now Cinder shifted herself into a more comfortable position on the desk.
"Why the information that I'm trusting you to deliver to Abell of course. It is very important for the next phase of my plan and I trust you to deliver it to your lord." Cinder finished as she still kept the smile on her face.
"You mentioned this plan of yours before Cinder. What is it, if I may ask?" Tyrell was curious to know what the Witch had planned for Remnant, and how it would affect both his and her people.
"Now now Tyrell, we need to take baby steps first if we're going to be able to fully trust one another in the future." Cinder said with a mock grin as she wagged her index finger left and right.
"As you say, Cinder. Now what is this information that you trust me to deliver?" Tyrell asked and the glow returned to Cinder's eyes as her grin grew somewhat wicked.
…
"An assassin you say?" Abell asked as he took in the new information that Tyrell had just informed him of. Tyrell had slipped back into his dorm room to contact his Lord of Cinder's information of the next phase in her plan.
"Well, not really an assassin my Lord." Tyrell replied as he scratched the back of his neck in uncertainty as to what the woman really wanted. "The Witch had asked for someone with high skill in stealth who would be able to aid her in an upcoming mission that she has planned."
From what Cinder had told him, she was going to be infiltrating the CCT. When Tyrell didn't respond to that she mentioned how it allowed all the kingdoms of Remnant to keep contact with one another. Tyrell would never stop being amazed at how technologically advanced mankind had become on this world.
"I was afraid of this." Abell whispered more to himself, but Tyrell had heard it and questioned him.
"Afraid of what, my Lord?" The Sentinel asked confused.
"With so many of us here, I had originally planned on splitting up the army into three forces. Each force would be lead by one leader. Alonne, Aulnor, and myself." Abell explained and then continued. "I was hoping to avoid sending any of my knights to her aid until after I had arrived."
"I fail to see the problem my Lord. Why can you not spare to send a single one of your men through a portal like you have done with me?" Tyrell asked as he still remained confused on the matter.
Abell took a small sigh as he then said, "I sent you alone to this world because I could trust you. As much as I hold faith in the loyalty of my knights, I am unsure if I have one that meets the Witch's requirements and whom I can trust enough to carry out the task."
When Tyrell remained silent Abell continued, "So if I cannot trust them, then I will have to spare more knights to travel with them to ensure their survival, and so they keep their loyalty." Abell finished the last bit with a hint of anger, but it had disappeared when he said, "As well as that the knights might become overwhelmed by the Grimm creatures without proper reinforcement."
"Now do you understand why I wish to not send out any of my army?" Abell finished as he looked at Tyrell through the visor of his helmet.
Tyrell nodded his head in understanding, but still had a question that he had to ask. "My Lord, why would those whom you saved wish to betray you?" Tyrell could not think of any good reason as to why any of those who used to be afflicted by the Curse would want to betray their savior.
"What you may not understand Tyrell, is that no matter how many times you may save someone, they may never be pleased with your noble efforts. You could have saved their life five times over, and they would still wish to stab you in the back if the chance arose." Abell explained.
"Putting that aside, I don't believe that Cinder will appreciate it if you decide to not help her out when she holds valuable resources that will be needed once you arrive." Tyrell informed Abell at the risk that he may be taking if he chooses to refuse to help the woman.
Abell fell silent to that as he mulled over the information and advice given to him by the Sentinel. After a few moments had passed Abell took in a deep sigh as he spoke once more and said, "I will try and find someone whom I deem trustworthy to send to Remnant to aid the Witch in her plans. You will have to seek them out immediately Tyrell once they have arrived."
"I will my Lord, but I don't believe that whoever you send will be able to stay at Beacon unfortunalty. It may draw too much unwanted attention if another stranger in foreign armor were to pop up here and could result in my cover being exposed." Tyrell said with worry lacing his words as he thought of what might happen if the person Abell sent would recognize him.
That would draw suspicion not only towards him, but it would most likely result in his cover being exposed.
'I would not survive if they were to hunt me down.' Tyrell thought with dread. Abell brought him back from his thoughts when he said, "I will have someone there by tomorrow night Tyrell. Tell me where I should send them where you will be able to locate and retrieve them quickly."
Tyrell thought hard, but quickly, for a location for the new arrival where he could meet up with them. Right here at Beacon was out of the question. The Forever Fall forest would take far too long to search through, and would be too dangerous. The only other place that would be close, and help keep the arrival safe would be… right inside Vale's walls.
Remembering where Cinder had said to place the new ally, Tyrell looked up at his Lord and told him where Cinder's hideout in Vale was located.
…
Shortly after telling his Lord where to send the new arrival on Remnant, Tyrell had decided to visit Beacon's Library to continue his research on Hedrikon.
They would need to know as much about the abandoned continent as they could if they were going to have the kingdom move there.
He was surprised to find Blake alone in the library looking at some giant version of a Scroll. After grabbing the necessary books he needed to continue his research, Tyrell walked over to Ms. Belladonna as her eyes quickly moved from left to right across the screen.
"May I?" Tyrell asked while gesturing towards the chair opposite of the girl. Blake looked up with an annoyed look on her face. When she noticed that it was Tyrell, her face softened somewhat, and she only nodded her head that it was okay for him to sit with her.
Even though it was only for a second or two, Tyrell saw how fatigued the poor girl looked.
Dark bags hung underneath her eyes, her face was just as pale as Ms. Schnee's skirt, and it looked slightly sunken in. "When's the last time you ate Blake?" Tyrell asked with concern lacing his words.
She didn't respond and Tyrell cleared his throat to get her attention. "O-oh. Sorry Professor." Blake said quickly without taking her eyes off the screen to even look in his direction. Tyrell shook his head as he repeated the question, and this time Blake answered. "Yesterday… I think."
That was the answer that he was afraid of. "Blake, you should eat." Then looking her over once more Tyrell added, "And get some rest." This time Blake looked away from whatever she was doing on the large Scroll and sent Tyrell a glare.
Then she said with clear annoyance, "Professor, while I appreciate the concern, I can take care of myself. I'll eat soon, but right now this is more important." With that she turned back towards the screen, but Tyrell wasn't done with her just yet.
"No Blake, I may be your professor, but that doesn't mean that I can't show concern for the wellbeing of my students. My friends." There was a silence between the two for a few moments. Blake slowly looked back at him with a look that read confusion and surprise.
"You… think of us as your friends?" Blake asked not in mock, but as a genuine question.
Tyrell nodded his head to confirm it and said, "Where I came from Blake, life was harsh. People would die every day for multiple reasons. Disease, theft… murder." The last one he spoke softly as he was still unnerved over how all the citizens were ordered to be slaughtered. An order given by his Lord.
"I was a high-ranking knight in my kingdom. Now with that there were certain perks that came with it. Nobility, fame, a roof over my head, and food. You can't forget the food." Tyrell said with a light chuckle. Blake didn't laugh, or even grin; she just stared at him waiting for him to continue.
Taking a sigh Tyrell did. "In my kingdom that is what most knights wished to aspire to. To become a powerful figure and stand up there alongside with my Lord. But what most didn't know were the drawbacks to being of such high rank."
Blake took her hands off the keyboard as she listened to her Professor with more interest now. "What were the drawbacks?"
"When one is placed upon such a high mantle, you tend to become separated by those who put you there." Tyrell said with a sad tone. "It became impossible to make friends with those that I fought alongside. The knights who were below me, in rank, resented me and didn't want anything to do with me."
"However, I was not alone in this struggle." Tyrell said with some of the sadness leaving his voice. Blake remained silent as she now gave her professor her full attention.
"There were two other knights that were also of high rank alongside me. The Wanderer and the Silver Demon." Tyrell said as he thought of what both of them were doing at this very moment. No doubt doing something to help move the kingdom to Remnant.
"Were they friends of yours?" Blake broke her silence to ask.
"No." Was all Tyrell said, and it had caught the Huntress-in-training off guard as she wasn't expecting that answer.
"No?" Blake echoed as she looked at the man before her.
"No, I wouldn't classify them as my friends at all, but rather close acquaintances." Tyrell clarified as he then explained. "The Silver Demon rarely spoke to either me or the Wanderer. He only spoke to our Lord, but even then he would say few words. The Wanderer did talk to me from time to time, but he would rather spend his time with training the knights and meditating."
There was no spite in his voice that Blake was expecting from him when talking about his so called "friends."
"I would spend every day with no one to talk to most of the time. Becoming a high ranked knight lost its charm when there was rarely anyone to socialize with." The sad tone returned to his voice and Blake felt a pang of pity for the knight.
"Professor-" Blake began but Tyrell cut her off.
"Tyrell, Blake." The Sentinel said.
"Tyrell, why are you telling me all this?" Blake was curious to know, and desperately wanted to get back to her research on the White Fang's most recent attacks.
"When I came here, I didn't know anyone. I had to travel across the lands, fighting off Grimm day and night, and when I had reached the Forever Fall forest I had met a kind man there." Tyrell said remembering his meeting with Qrow. It was a half truth, but he didn't care at the moment.
"He didn't know me and I him, but he extended a hand to help a stranger." Tyrell said. Blake returned herself to being silent to wait for Tyrell to continue.
"Then when he took me to Vale. Me, a stranger and yet he took me into his kingdom. In two days I felt closer to this man than I did with either the Wanderer or the Silver Demon in three years." Tyrell then removed his helmet to show Blake his face that he had been hiding from everyone for the last few days.
She was surprised to see how tired he looked. Maybe even more so than her. Dark circles surrounded his eyes with the addition of heavy bags underneath to accompany them. Not to mention how bloodshot his eyes were as well. His skin was pale and she could see the veins that ran beneath his cheeks.
"Tyrell, what-" Blake began but was again cut off as the Sentinel held up his hand to silence her.
"When Ozpin offered me a job to work here at Beacon I was unsure at first, but after my 'guide' had left me I did not wish to go back to staying alone and without companions to talk to. So I took up the job and the requirements that came along with it." He chuckled again, but this time it sounded weaker.
"I-I don't know-" Blake began but for the third time she was cut off as Tyrell continued.
"After my spar with Cardin, I had gotten to meet your leader Ruby. Eventually I met more and more of both teams RWBY and JNPR, and I had been overfilled with joy to have finally met people who didn't care what my ranking was, and accepted me for who I am." Blake raised a brow at how casually he used Cardin's name, but didn't bring it up to avoid being cut off a fourth time.
"And for that kindness shown to me by you and your friends, I will always be concerned with all of your well being. Team RWBY, JNPR, and a few others I have come to call friends, and that includes you Blake." Tyrell said with a tired smile as Blake just looked at the knight with confusion, but a sense of awe as well.
She then did something that she hadn't done for the last few days. She smiled. Not because he was showing his concern for her (as all of her team had been doing the last few days), but for the reason that she had helped bring a little light into her profess- friend's life.
That smile soon faded as she then said, "Thank you Tyrell, for your concern over my well being, but I want to get back to my research if you do not mind." As nice as it was to have a conversation, Blake wanted to get back to saving lives of the innocent. And that started with finding out where the White Fang's base of operations was hiding.
To her surprise, he kept his smile as he slowly stood up and grabbed the books he had brought with him. Blake did not pay attention to them as she nodded to him in farewell, but he did not go without saying one last thing.
"I'll leave you to your own devices Blake and thank you for the talk. Please do get some rest and eat something soon. If not for me, then for your team." With that he walked away from the cat Faunus.
"You do the same Tyrell. For your friends." Blake called back. She couldn't see it, but the small smile that he held on at the end of their conversation grew wider as he headed for the exit.
"I wish I could…" Tyrell whispered to himself not expecting anyone to hear, but Blake had heard it with her advanced hearing due to her Faunus heritage. The cat Faunus was confused at the small statement, but would have to ask him about it at a later time. She needed to get back to her work.
Blake watched him depart for a few more seconds before she returned to her research, but a thought struck her.
'Three years without friends. I can relate.' Blake thought somewhat sadly as she thought back to her earlier days in the Fang before and after it had turned violent. She had Adam as a mentor, but they weren't exactly what you would call friends.
Just as she was about to return to her work, Blake noticed a small red light appear on her screen.
…
Classes had ended for the day and Tyrell was just about to head to the Cafeteria to meet up with teams RWBY and JNPR for dinner when Glynda had informed him that Ozpin wanted to see him.
He remembered how to reach the Headmaster's office from his first visit to Beacon, and was now currently walking out of the elevator to where Glynda's work area was.
Knocking on the door a few times Tyrell waited for the Headmaster to give him permission to enter.
"Come in." Came Ozpin's voice from inside his office and the Sentinel pushed opened one of the doors and walked in.
Tyrell immediately recognized the man in green as the Headmaster, but the tall man standing to the left of him Tyrell did not recognize.
He wore a long white overcoat with a grey undershirt while a red tie hung neatly beneath the grey undershirt. His hands hung down at his sides and Tyrell noticed that only one hand was covered in a white glove while the other was bare.
"Hello Tyrell. I take it that you have been settling well into Beacon these last few days?" Ozpin asked with a warm smile on his face as he gestured for the Sentinel to take a seat. The man next to Ozpin just silently starred at Tyrell with a hard look on his face that told Tyrell that this man was a soldier.
Being closer to the man Tyrell could see his features more clearly. His hair was mainly black in color, but the sides of his hair had grown faded and turned a light grey. His complexion was white and his eyes were a dark blue.
Tyrell took him up on the offer and replied, "Greetings to you as well Ozpin. You would be correct. Beacon has been a much different experience from my village. Thank you again for allowing me to stay here for the time being."
Ozpin nodded his head to the Sentinel before turning to face the man next to him. "Tyrell, I would like you to meet James Ironwood, General of the Atlas military and Headmaster of Atlas's own Hunter Academy."
At being addressed, Ironwood lost the hard look on his face and replaced it with a small smile before extending his non-gloved hand. Tyrell stood up and shook it with his armored glove.
His grip was strong, but Tyrell made sure that he too showed the General how strong his grip was as well.
"It is a pleasure to meet you General Ironwood. I am Sir Tyrell, the Sentinel." Tyrell introduced himself in a kind manner before each man let go of each other's hand, and Tyrell sat back down into his chair.
Ironwood replied with his own greeting, "I feel the same way Sir Tyrell. Ozpin has told me much about you. Is it true that your village has survived far outside in the wilderness for so long against the Grimm?" His voice was deep, but Tyrell was not intimidated in the least.
"Yes General. My Lord has kept our village safe from the Grimm hordes for years." Tyrell said as the General raised a questioning brow at the mention of his Lord.
"You're 'Lord'?" Ironwood said with confusion. Tyrell nodded his head to confirm that Ironwood hadn't misheard.
"Who is exactly you're lord?" Ironwood asked as his hard look returned and the Sentinel felt somewhat uneasy under it.
"My Lord is our village's leader. He works tirelessly to make sure that our village remains safe and secure from the Grimm, but even he cannot keep us safe from everything." Tyrell said as he looked down for a moment as his voice lowered.
"The famine." Ironwood said. Tyrell snapped his head back up to face the General, surprised at how much Ozpin has already told him. Nodding his head slowly in conformation, Tyrell sent a quick look over in Ozpin's direction as the man took a sip from his mug of coffee.
"That is why I've been sent to seek help from one of the kingdoms of Remnant to aid us in our time of need. You see General, the lands of which we live off of have been dried up of resources and have been impossible to live off of." Tyrell explained the (fake) situation to Ironwood and how he came to be in Vale.
Ironwood remained silent throughout his entire explanation, but spoke once Tyrell had finished. "That is quite the situation that you are in. How have you decided to help him Oz?" Ironwood asked his fellow Headmaster as he turned toward the man.
"I promised our friend here that I would inform the council of his village and their current situation, and try to convince them to help aid them. All Tyrell has to do in the meantime is work here at Beacon as the assistant to the rest of the Beacon staff." Ozpin said as a small smile tugged on his lips.
Ironwood let out a small chuckle as he returned his focus back to Tyrell. "That's Oz for you. Always finding ways to help people, and getting them to help him in return."
Tyrell smiled somewhat before asking Ozpin a question. "How has that been going Ozpin?" Tyrell held a serious tone in his voice. One that removed the smile off the Headmaster as Ozpin looked him in the eye.
Ozpin had a look of pity on his face as he informed Tyrell of the council's decision on the matter. "I am sorry Tyrell, but the council has refused to aid a village so far outside the kingdom's territory. They don't want to risk losing the resources along with any Bullheads incase of any Grimm attacks. I am truly sorry that I could not convince them otherwise."
Tyrell looked down at his feet for a moment as he thought of how he had failed to retrieve any supplies to help aid their kingdom's people. Looking back up at Ozpin Tyrell said, "It is alright Ozpin, it is not your fault for their decision. I will inform my Lord shortly of the situation. We will think of something I'm sure. Is that all Ozpin?"
"Not quite." Ozpin said. When Tyrell said nothing the Headmaster continued. "The upcoming dance is in two days, as I'm sure Glynda has already informed you of. The following week students will be shadowing professional Huntsmen and Huntresses. Since you are not a professional Huntsman, I will be having you assist a teacher from Beacon with this upcoming assignment."
"What do these Huntsmen do exactly? Also, why would I need to help an already professional Huntsman?" Tyrell asked confused.
Ozpin replied, "Students in their first year will be assigned to shadow a Huntsman on their daily assignment. This can range from patrolling the walls to clearing out nests of Grimm. There are many different jobs that each Huntsman fulfills."
"As for why, you so much won't be helping them really, but rather just are there with the students to learn. That is not to say that you lack skill when it comes to combat." The man in green tacked onto the end as he took another sip of his mug.
"Who will I be assisting when the time comes around Ozpin?" Tyrell asked.
"That has yet to be determined, but I will have them contact you once it is decided. Thank you for your time Tyrell. You are dismissed." Tyrell nodded at the man's answer and stood to leave, but Ironwood wasn't done talking yet.
"You said that you would be contacting your lord soon about the Vale council's decision. How do you plan to contact him? If I'm thinking correctly, a village that far outside the kingdom couldn't have a working CCT, or any type of communication to the outside world." Ironwood said as he now gave Tyrell a suspicious look.
The Sentinel was not prepared for this question. If he told them by Scroll, then they would know he would be lying since they would be able to contact his "village" if Tyrell could. Remaining silent for a few moments made the General grow even more suspicious.
Tyrell looked over to Ozpin, but the man too seemed to be curious on how the knight planned on contacting his leader.
After a few more seconds had passed Tyrell finally said, "I don't have to tell you anything General. That is my business and my business alone."
This answer brought a frown to Ironwood's face, but Tyrell was surprised to see the frown turn into a smile.
"I do hope that we will have more time to talk in the future Sir Tyrell." Ironwood said with the same smile that Tyrell couldn't help but feel uneasy when he saw it.
"I… look forward to it General." Was all Tyrell said before walking away and out of the office through the doors that he had entered through.
After the knight had left, the smile that Ironwood had on his face was removed as if he was wearing a mask. Turing to look at his long time friend, Ironwood spoke. "Are you sure that you don't have any more information on him that you can tell me?
Ozpin took a long sigh as he spun his chair to face his friend with a disappointed look. "James, I am just as concerned of the safety and wellbeing of my school, and my students, just as much as you are. If I had any more information regarding Tyrell, you would be the first person I would tell."
James gave his friend a doubtful look as he walked around Ozpin's office in thought. When he stood underneath the cogs and gears above him, Ironwood faced his friend once more and said, "The Grimm have been acting up lately, the White Fang have been robbing Dust stores like there's no tomorrow, and now a stranger in armor that I have never seen before arrives at the kingdom. What's going on Oz?"
"I'd love to have all the answers James, but I don't. I have my agent looking into both situations as we speak, and as for the Grimm I cannot say." Ozpin replied as he was just as in the dark as his friend was. Ozpin had told James almost everything about Tyrell. From how he was brought from Forever Falls to Vale. How his village was grasped by a famine that forced his leader to send someone to seek help.
What he didn't tell his friend was that of the mysterious black flame in the picture that Qrow had sent to the Headmaster.
James was too fast to send in his troops to destroy anything that he thought posed as a threat to the safety of the four kingdoms. Instead of sending in his scouts to gather intelligence, his friend would rush in to meet the threat head on.
'Glynda was right, James is less brains and more brawn.' Ozpin thought to himself as the corners of his mouth curled up, but James wouldn't see it as the Headmaster took a sip from his mug.
James was his friend for so many years, but Ozpin knew that he couldn't tell James of this information. Not yet at least.
"Well, I'll need to have a chat with the Sentinel soon." James said more to himself than Ozpin.
"Do you plan to interrogate him James? Remember that he is one of my staff members, and is under my protection as long as his stays as one." Ozpin warned his friend as James gave him a hard look.
"Oz, how do you think that this man's… lord is going to react when he finds out that they won't be getting any help? They could try to attack Vale, or any of the other kingdoms for that matter. If neither of us has seen that armor before then who knows what kind of weaponry they possess." James said as he began to pace around the room again.
"I don't believe that will happen James. If what Tyrell tells us is the truth, then his village wouldn't even be able to make such an attack. They would have to fight through miles of Grimm, and with their supplies already running low I don't think they would make it to Vale." Ozpin assured his friend, and it worked as James seemed to relax as his face softened somewhat.
James then said, "And if he is lying to us Ozpin? Hell, his lord may have an entire kingdom under his rule, not a small village. Then you'll have an army of gods know how many troops knocking at your door." Taking a sigh James continued. "All I'm saying is to be more cautious around this man Oz. If his people do declare war on Vale, do you believe that your children can win?"
Ozpin's smile had long since disappeared as he looked at his friend with a certain emotion that James couldn't quite say what it was.
"I hope they never have to." Was all Ozpin said.
…
The Ashen Lord walked out onto the outer balcony that was located behind the throne room. He looked out over his kingdom and all the movement that was occurring far below.
Knights, his loyal Ashen Knights, were all at work preparing for the coming movement to where Tyrell had been sent.
Remnant.
Men and women were working day and night as they packed away various resources ranging from weapons, armor, and most importantly food.
Abell looked up at the light grey sky, how clouds roamed lazily over the land with the wind to carry them. Small streaks of moonlight broke through the thick blanket of clouds, but they barely lit up the land.
When he returned his attention back towards his kingdom, a tiny voice sounded in the back of his head.
'You know that you have failed them.' The voice said. Abell clutched his head as if he had a bad headache, the voice continued.
'Even with the power of the Dark Soul, you know that you have not the power to bring all of them with you to the new world.' It said.
"Silence." Abell hissed at the disembodied voice while trying to will it away with his mind, but to no affect as it continued regardless.
'You will have to leave some of your "loyal knights" if your kingdom is to survive.' It mocked.
"I said to be silent!" Abell raised his voice, and it raised its own as well.
'YOU KNOW THAT YOU CANNOT KEEP A PORTAL OF THAT SIZE UP LONG ENOUGH FOR YOUR ENTIRE KINGDOM TO MAKE IT THROUGH!' It screamed at him from within his mind, and had caused the Ashen Lord to clutch his head harder as his headache worsened.
'It is because you are too weak.' It spat at him as it had lowered its voice to Abell's relief, but he still grasped his head in pain.
"No…No! I will hold the portal open for as long as it is required!" He had shouted at no one but himself. When the voice did not respond Abell had turned away from the railing of the balcony and walked back into his throne room.
Taking a seat upon his throne, Abell felt extremely tired from the day's events. From helping organize resources to figuring out who he would send to aid the Witch.
And now the voice had made audience with him, again.
After he had inherited the Dark Soul from Manus, Father of Humanity, the voice had come along shortly afterwards.
It only spoke to him when he felt moments of peace, or when he was alone, ceasing all talk whenever someone would enter the same room as him.
A moment after he had sat down on his throne, a knocking came at the doors on the far side of the room.
"Come." Was all Abell said as he brought up a hand to rest his head against. It was Aulnor.
"What is it Aulnor?" Abell said in a tired voice as the Silver Demon walked into the room, but he was not alone. Five figures in black cloaks followed the second Knight of Omen into the room with each carrying a strange chime of sorts. Two of them were nothing special that caught the Ashen Lord's eye, but the other three were somewhat unique.
One was very tall and broad as if he were half-giant. The second one was two heads shorter than the half-giant, and was very slim, but what caught Abell's eye was that the right arm sleeve was flat up against their body since no arm was there to fill it.
The third cloaked figure did not even walk in at all, but was actually strapped onto the back of the half-giant. The robes that covered his legs hung loosely as the half-giant walked.
Aulnor had walked up and stood to the left of Abell and waited silently as the five figures had arranged themselves in a horizontal line.
"What business do you have with your Lord?" Abell growled, but immediately felt guilt for his attitude as he quickly added, "Please forgive me. These times have been troubling for me as well as the kingdom."
The half-giant took a step forward, but instead of speaking to Abell, he turned around so that the figure on his back could see him.
That was when the figure removed his black hood to reveal two brown eyes that Abell soon recognized.
Grandahl, the Darkdiver.
"Hello my Lord." Grandahl greeted with a smile upon his face.
Abell raised a confused brow at the sudden appearance of the man and how he had escaped the old New Londo ruins. "Grandahl. How is it that you escaped New Londo?" Abell questioned as the smile on the man's face didn't falter.
"Shortly after you had left me my Lord, I had felt a powerful presence appear into our time. I knew that you had found the Dark Soul as soon as I felt its power enter our time period." The aged man said.
"Then how did you escape then Grandahl?" Abell asked again as he started to become suspicious of the Darkdiver.
"That does not matter now my Lord. What does however is the news that I have to bring you and how my disciples and I will help you in the coming movement." Grandahl said waving away the question with his hand.
Abell would leave the matter for how he had escaped New Londo for later, but for now he would hear what the Darkdiver had to say. "Go ahead Grandahl."
"Thank you my Lord." The older man then cleared his throat before beginning. "When I felt the Dark Soul enter our time, I knew that the era of hexes would be upon us my Lord. What you already understand my Lord is that hexes are the combination of both miracles and sorcery."
"But what you might not have known is that all hexes bear a very small piece of the Dark Soul within them." Grandahl said as a small smile came to his face.
"How so Grandahl?" Abell asked, now becoming interested in the art of hexes.
"Every human afflicted with the Curse of the Undead bore a piece of the Dark Soul within them, even if they had hollowed. Those pieces, as every previous Undead already know, was called Humanity." Taking a short breath the Darkdiver continued. "When one would us miracles or sorcery, they would not tap into their piece of the Dark Soul to unleash their magic's full potential."
"However, when one combines their faith and intelligence they can access their inner piece of the Dark Soul. Allowing them to use hexes, which, are much more powerful than any normal miracle or sorcery. Each hex cast takes away from that small piece of the Dark Soul which allows it to manifest itself into our world." Grandahl finished.
"Would that not constantly take away from the Humanity sprite until there is nothing left?" Abell asked as he lifted his head off of his supporting hand.
"If one used too many hexes then yes, but they are so powerful that most foes cannot survive many hits from hexes. With time, the piece of the Dark Soul would reform itself until it is the same as it was when it was first split from the original." The Darkdiver said.
Abell was happy to know this, but how would that help with the movement? Voicing his question Abell asked, "How will this help with the movement with the kingdom Grandahl?"
The Darkdiver smiled even further as he made a motion with his hands that made the three other robed figures walk up next to the half-giant, again forming a horizontal line.
"Allow me to show you my Lord." The Darkdiver said as all five of the black robed figures brought out their chimes.
Well another chapter done. I decided that this one was a good time to introduce Ironwood and Adam into the story, and both will have parts to play. I really enjoyed writing that scene with Blake and Tyrell with showing a bit more about Tyrell's relationship with the other Knights of Omen, and even the Ashen Knights a bit.
To be honest, the scene with Ironwood I had to go back a rewrite multiple times, because the first time I wrote it I had Ironwood way too friendly with Tyrell and it just felt weird when I read it.
Overall, I think that this chapter came out pretty well and I'm glad that you have all been waiting patiently for this story to update. Next chapter we'll see who Abell decides to send to aid Cinder in her stealth mission during the dance. I'll talk to you all in the next chapter!