A/N: How's it going ladies and gentlemen? After taking a little time off to get my thoughts together after the last, massive chapter I posted, I'm ready to get back to work. And with this in mind, I've got a good list of chapters to post before getting back into RWBY canon once again.
I know a couple of you questioned about why I may have 'underpowered' the Ghosts during the last chapter. It hadn't originally been my intention, but after reading up on the weaknesses of the Ghosts many would agree that they definitely have their limitations. And the tunnels within the moon, saturated by the Darkness given off by Crota and his followers, would have made it impossible for any of the Guardians to regenerate or resurrect. Much like what happened to Eris and her team, since she not only lost her comrades, but her Ghost as well to Crota's power.
I apologize if it seemed off to you guys, I was just trying to make the impact of the assault against Crota on Wolf to be both tragic and believable for character background. And I'll try to look out better in the future. But for now, enjoy the show.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Blake jumped from rooftop to rooftop, her natural speed carrying her across the adacemy's campus fairly quickly. Her sharp eyes looking for any sign of Wolf as she kept moving high above the ground.
She was worried about him, no, she was beyond worried about him. Ever since the two of them had started getting to know one another better she always had a distinct feeling that there was something more about him that she wasn't putting together. He just seemed 'different' compared to everyone else.
And now that she knew that her instincts had been correct, ontop of witnessing first hand the horrible situations he had been in before winding up on their planet, she was concerned with what could be going on insdie his head.
Her past was a rough one, as it was for any Faunus, but at least she had a past to remember. Wolf had nothing, just his name, and a new purpose given to him as a Guardian to protect his world from homicidal aliens hellbent on the extinction of his people. Only to then watch his team, his friends, dying one after the other while still having to fight a monster capable of so much chaos and destruction...anyone would have been severely scarred from such an experience.
Yet Wolf kept going, pushing down his own pain for the sake of being the protector that he was reborn to be while venturing into the unknown and face his enemies alone. She couldn't even fathom the amount the dedication that it took for him to keep doing what he does, but she could relate to the loneliness she knew he was feeling.
Stopping on the roof of the cafeteria, Blake looked in every direction. Trying to find any sign as to where the Guardian could have gone. "Where is he..." she wondered outloud.
"Perhaps I could be of some help." the ninja jumped and spun around to see Ghost floating there, its parts shifting periodically as it hovered closer to her.
"Ghost?" she asked, "What are you doing here?"
"Watching you search for Wolf. He's over by the fountain in the main courtyard, by the way." said the AI, turning and motioning in the direction its Guardian was located.
Blake blinked, "Uh, thank you. How did you know I was looking for him?"
Ghost tilted slightly, "Just a hunch. The two of you have gotten pretty close in the last few weeks and you most likely wanted to talk to him about what we explained and showed to everyone. And I figured you could use the help, my Guardian can be pretty illusive when he wants to be."
Nodding, the Faunus and the construct headed in the direction of the acadamy's front courtyard. Her amber eyes shifted occasionally to the floating AI beside her as it trailed silently.
"Ghost," she said a little hesitantly. Ghost turned to her, optic flickering while it gave her its full attention. "How hard was it for him in the beginning, when he became a Guardian?"
"A bit rough at first, but he picked up on his new skills and prowess rather quickly." replied the AI, "We Ghosts pick our Guardians based on who they were in their past life. People who showed great promise at becoming warriors to protect us from the Darkness. Whoever Wolf had been in his past, the Traveler deemed him worthy of being a Guardian."
Blake shook her head, "It sounds cruel. Having your past taken from you only to be thrust into a savage war."
Ghost hummed, "It does, but they are also given a second chance to live again. And gifted with the power to make the world safer for everyone. However, there have been instances where a chosen Guardian gave up their position to live a more mundane life. Even though they were chosen, they're still given a choice of their own in the end."
"And Wolf decided to defend the Last City." Blake summed up.
"When he saw what the Darkness' armies did to Earth and the planets that were once colonized, and seeing the fear in the children who lived within the Last City's walls, he vowed then and there to protect those that couldn't protect themselves." explained the construct. "It's tihs drive that had him protecting the people of Remnant when we arrived, why he joined Beacon to help the students...and why he helped save you that day on the train."
The raven-haired young woman turned and looked at Ghost wide eyed, then remembered the discussion she had with him after she had found out who he was when they started the semester.
"We are all capable of great change, Blake. But we only find the courage to make that change when we take that first step. And you found that courage that day on the train, by abandoning everything that you've ever known to forge a path of your own. To find equality in a world full of fear and avarice. You should hold strong to that, and never doubt it."
"He saw the good in me...despite what me and Adam were preparing to do." she said lowly.
Ghost tilted forward in a odd form of nod, "He's always been a good judge of character. It's saved us a lot of trouble in the past when dealing with a few diplomatic situations with the Awoken Queen. And since meeting the others, it's the most I've seen him open up to another person since the battle with Crota. Especially you."
This caught Blake's attention and had her coming to a full stop. "What do you mean?"
"Out of everyone that we've encountered and gotten to know since arriving here, Wolf seems to have a stronger connection with you." explained the construct, "Perhaps its because the two of you share a similar drive to stand for what you believe in, or it could be something else, either way, he's more trusting of you on some level."
Mind turning over what had been said, Blake would have been lying if she hadn't had similar thoughts regarding herself and Wolf. The two of them had become closer recently, their talks becoming longer, and she felt calm and happy whenever he was around. He listened to her views, didn't judge her about her past our the fact she was a Faunus.
He was a noble, and courageous person, seeing first hand the lengths he would go to save others was inspiring. And if she were completely honest, she did find the Guardian attractive as well.
"Blake?" the raven-haired girl blinked, having been lost in her thoughts and was now blushing while Ghost floated infront of her face. "You looked a little lost there for a moment. Everything alright?"
"Um...y-yeah, I'm fine." Blake said, getting the heat in her face under control before the two of them started moving again. Reaching Beacon's main courtyard and finding Wolf sitting on the edge of the main fountain, hands held together infront of him and head bowed with his sunglasses covering his glowing eyes once again.
"I'll just leave the two of you alone for the time being." with that Ghost vanished in a small flash of light while Blake hopped down to the ground. Her feet silent as she made her way toward the Hunter. Knowing full well that he already knew of her presence, she didn't bother keeping quiet as she approached and sat down next to him.
Neither of them said a word for a long while, the Faunus giving him as much time as he needed and waited patiently for him to say something first.
Another minute went by when the Guardian raised his head and sighed, "Sorry for leaving so suddenly. I just needed a little time to myself." he said, his voice calm and level.
"It's alright. It couldn't have been easy for you to witness all that again." said Blake with understanding.
"I'd honestly thought I had put it all behind me. It's been over a year since that day, yet I keep seeing it again and again every so often when I sleep." said Wolf. "When I woke up after it was all over, I'd been called a hero. Some of the newer Guardians called me the 'Hive God Slayer', and that my actions were considered the stuff of legends. But the truth of the matter was, I wouldn't have been able to Kill Crota if it hadn't been for the others. I had just been lucky enough to survive...and at times, that's more painful than losing my arm."
He looked down when he felt the soft hand of the young woman beside him slipping into his and squeezing it gently. "What were they like?" Blake asked.
Wolf looked up at the clear sky above, "They were like my brother and sister. Ava helped train me in the ways of the Hunter and brought me up on the history of our world when I first arrived at the Tower after being reborn. Drex was like the comic relief in our little group, he could hit like a tank but always managed to bring up moral when things looked bleak. We always looked out for each other, we were more than a team, we were a family."
Another stretch of silence came about before the Guardian tilted his head back forward and stared off at nothing. "I've always known that going out into the field could end up being a one way trip. Even though our Ghosts have the ability to resurrect us when we fall, if we are killed where the Darkness is heaviest, then our light goes out perminently. But in the end it doesn't hinder us from doing what we have to in order to push back the Darkness and preserve our way of life."
"Being a Guardian sounds a lot similar to being a huntsman or huntress, save for the fighting aliens part." admitted Blake which had Wolf cracking a small smile.
"Ozpin said roughly the same thing when we first met. The creatures of Grimm are Darkness in their own right, just in another form. Many of them couldn't hold a candle to what I've had to face, but that doesn't mean that they are not dangerous, especially the older ones who are more intelligent." said the Hunter.
The Faunus nodded in agreement before asking something else that was on her mind, "Do you miss Earth?"
Wolf sat motionless before nodding slowly, "Despite what has happened to it, it is still home. But even though I miss it, and the friends I still have that are back there, I have a new purpose here on Remnant. Just because I am no longer on Earth doesn't mean that my job as a Guardian comes to an end. I simply have a new battle to fight."
"What about when it's all over?" he turned and looked at Blake confused. "When there is no more fighting, no more battles to wage, no Darkness to vanquish. What then?" she asked more clearly.
"There will always be Darkness, Blake. Good can't exist without evil and vise versa." replied the Guardian, "But, if your asking me about when I decide to hang up my cloak and guns, then I'd most likely spend my time training the next generation. Ensuring that they're prepared to face what may lie ahead of them."
Blake nodded in understanding, and had a strong feeling that he would make an amazing teacher with the experiences he carried with him.
Wolf perked up and turned her way, "There's something I want to show you, no one else has gotten a chance yet." Holding out his hand he selected something from his inventory and had it summoned to his awaiting palm.
A small flash later, and a clear crystal sphere the size of a tennis ball appeared. The surface polished to a smooth shine with swirling lines coiling in various directions, but inside, was a bright-white light that shined with a pureness that left the Faunus momentarily breathless.
Taking the strange sphere when the Guardian handed it to her, Blake held ts with such tenderness that she feared it would shatter like weak glass. A strange warmth came from the object and traveled through her fingertips and hands, up her arms and into the vary core of her being. Filling her with peace and serenity the likes of which she had never known before.
"What is...this?" she asked in awe, unable to turn away from the glow inside the sphere.
"That, is a piece of the Traveler's light." said Wolf causing Blake to gasp and give him a startled look. "For a long time, we Guardians have been able to find these scattered across the various worlds the Traveler had touched. These 'Motes of Light' are sought after by many, and are very valuable given their importance."
Looking at the object with a lot more interest, and more than a bit of awe, Blake traced her fingers along the markings on etched into the crystal. "It feels so...pure." she said, gently handing the Mote of Light back to the Guardian. The effects that came from her touching it having yet to leave her body.
"It's light in its purest form," he replied, looking at the sphere now. "I always keep a couple with me, to help remind me where I come from and what I fight for. I owe Ghost for bringing me back, so by extention I owe the Traveler as well. Both saw something in me that would help keep Earth safe, and I did so on several occasions. And now, I'll do the same for Remnant and those that inhabit it. Whether or not I see Earth again, I still have Ghost."
"You also have us." said the Faunus, smiling. "You've helped me and the others so much since you came here, and you trusted us enough to tell us your origins. Whether you need us or not, we'll be there for you just as much as you've been there for us."
Wolf smiled, a genuine one that hadn't been seen in a long time. Within his mind, Ghost was pleased as well seeing how its Guardian was allowing his walls to slowly drop now that he had others to confide in once again.
Blake's hand reached out and removed his sunglasses, exposing his glowing-blue eyes and smiling back. "You have very interesting eyes, I must admit." she said, a light pink on her cheeks when those neon orbs locked onto her amber ones. "You shouldn't have to cover them up."
"The same goes for you, Blake." said the Guardian, motioning to the bow on top of her head that twitched ever so slightly.
The Faunus looked down, realizing that she was being a bit hypocritical since she was so hesitant with revealing her true self. "Though I can understand why you don't want to just yet." Wolf added making her look back up and smile in thanks.
Both of them sat for a while longer before deciding to get up, "We better get back to the others, they're probably wondering where we went off to." said Blake.
"Agreed." said Wolf as they started toward the headmaster's office. "And Blake?"
The raven haired girl turned to him, "Thank you." he said with such honesty that she was blushing again.
"Y-You did the same for me, thought it was only right I return the favor." Blake replied, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear and not meeting his gaze as she walked a little faster to avoid him taking notice of her flustered state.
Watching her pull ahead, Ghost appeared over the Guardian's shoulder and hummed. "I think you've left a strong impression on her." the AI said lowly. "And from what I've been detecting from her, she's developing quite an attraction toward you."
Wolf went to say something, when he noticed Blake had come to a full stop. Standing ramrod straight with her 'bow' sticking straight up as her whole body seemed to be turning red.
A moment passed, then another before the huntress vanished in a black blur. The partners looked around and couldn't see or detect her anywhere in the immediate area. "...Do you think she heard me?" asked Ghost curiously.
"It's a pretty safe assumption...Little Light." said the Hunter.
His Ghost spun around and narrowed its optic at him. "What have I said about you calling me that?"
X
Arriving back at Ozpin's office, Wolf saw that teams RWBY and JNPR were still there. All of them talking amongst themselves until they noticed the Guardian's return, Blake was standing off to the farthest side, doing her best to keep as small as possible which had the Hunter vowing to speak with her later.
"Wolf, I trust everything is alright now?" asked Ozpin.
"It is, thank you for giving me some time." replied Wolf as he approached the desk. "I have also been thinking about a few things that I would like to clear with you and Professor Goodwitch."
The headmaster nodded, Glynda looking curious about what the Guardian wanted to speak with them about.
"With the threat of the Hive on your world, I think it would be beneficial if I trained some of your students in how to properly fight them. Teach them about weaknesses the enemy possesses, their strengths and tactics in how to face them should another incident similar to what happened at Forever Fall occur again." The Hunter motioned to the two teams in the room, "And I think teams RWBY and JNPR would be the best suited for such training."
This news floored the students. "You're gonna teach us how to fight aliens?" asked Yang, a wide, eager grin spreading across her face at the idea of it.
"In short terms, yes." said Wolf. "I would be teaching actual combat while Ghost will be giving you all the information the Guardians have been able to collect about the Hive from the Wolrd's Grave via your scrolls."
Jaune raised his hand, "Yes, Jaune?" asked the Guardian.
"Sorry but, 'World's Grave'?" said the knight confused.
"It's a massive archive the Hive compiled with everything they took from Earth and the countless other planets they raided. Ghost and I took everything we could from it during one of our missions below the surface of Earth's moon." Wolf explained.
Nora groaned, "Aw, we're going to have to do reading?"
"If you wish to survive the next fight with the Hive, then it's in your best interest." said Ghost, making itself known.
"Ghost is right," added the Hunter, "Knowledge is the best weapon you can wield against your enemies. You cannot go in blind when you know next to nothing about what you're fighting."
All eyes turned to Ozpin who looked in deep thought before looking up at Wolf, "Your request is granted, Wolf. Though I will be expecting regular reports on RWBY and JNPR's progress while you train them."
"It will also have to be done on your own time, considering this cannot affect the already existing classes." said Goodwitch sternly, but she herself liked the idea of her students getting additional training to face the new enemy that had made themselves known.
Wolf nodded, agreeing to the terms before turning toward the two teams that he would soon be teaching in a whole new context. "The decision is ultimately yours to make, and you may find the training different than what you're used to, but it may prove beneficial to you in several ways."
There was a minute of deliberation amongst the huntsmen/huntress hopefuls before they turned to the Guardian. "We're in." said Ruby, grinning from ear to ear and vibrating with excitement. The others all looking prepared for what may come.
"Very well." said the Guardian, putting his hands behind his back and looking them over, "Our first session will be this Sunday afternoon, I'll send you the exact time and location that morning."
With nothing else needed to be said, the two teams filed out of the office and headed back to their dorms to prepare for what Wolf had planned for them at the end of the week.
"Think they can handle what we dish out?" asked Ghost after watching them leave.
The Hunter crossed his arms over his chest, "I believe they can. And I hope that they can adapt quickly. If the Hive make another move, they need to be ready."
"They are in good hands." said Ozpin as he got up from his desk. "Wolf, there is something that I believe you should know about. And after you revealed such an important part of your history with everyone, I think it only reasonable to let you in on a secret of our own."
Wolf looked at the headmaster curiously, "Does this have anything to do with what we spoke of a while back, when you asked me to join Beacon?"
Ozpin nodded slowly, "Indeed. But before I am able to show you, there is a story that you must be told first. An old fairytale that has been a part of Remnants history for centuries." he cleared his throat before he started speaking again.
"Long ago, there lived a calus old man, who refused to leave his home. One day, he is visited by four traveling sisters; The first understands his reclusive nature, and urges him to use his time and solitude to reflect and meditate. The second brings him fruits and flowers, tending to his crops and reviving his gardens. The third warms the man's heart, convincing him to come outside and embrace the world around him. And the last sister, begs him to look at all he has and be thankful."
"In return for their kindness, the old man grants the sisters incredible powers, so that they could continue to help people all over the world. They accept, and vow to share their gifts with the people of Remnant until the end of days. Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. The Four Maidens."
The Guardian and his Ghost were both silent as they heard the tale, it was definitely an inspriting one, both of them had to admit. "What does this old story have to do with what you want to show us?" asked the AI.
"What if I were to tell you, that this story was true?" asked Ozpin. "And that there were infact Four Maidens that exist in our world that could wield such amazing power?"
"Considering all that I have seen since the beginning of my second life? I'm bound to believe anything is possible." replied Wolf. "But it does leave the question of why you are telling me this."
The headmaster motioned to his elevator where Goodwitch was already waiting. Both he and the Hunter stepped on as the huntress swipped her scroll on the panel and the lift started to descend down. Lower than the lowest level of the academy and into an area that neither of them had been aware about.
"Where is this place?" asked Wolf.
"The Vault. A highly secured place beneath the school." replied the headmaster. "Only a select few know of its existence...and you have just joined that list." a minute later the doors opened, revealing a long corridor that was barely lit by a series of lit torches on pillars that ran along on either side.
The only sound that could be heard was their footsteps on the tiled floors as they walked in the only direction avaliable. Ghost floated around them, looking and scanning the surrounding area and logging it to memory as they walked along.
"What else can you tell me about these 'Maidens'?" asked the Guardian.
"The Maidens have existed for thousands of years." said Glynda. "And like the seasons they are known for, they tend to change. No two summers are alike, and each newborn Maiden carries on the legacy of those that came before them."
Wolf turned to the blonde woman with a raised eyebrow, " 'Newborn Maiden'? You mean there is more than four?"
"No." continued the professor, "When a Maiden dies, her power leaves her body and seeks out a new host, ensuring that the seasons are never lost. And no individual can hold onto the power forever."
"At first we thought that the power selected its host strickly through young women. But overtome, we realized that the process was more...intimate."
"Intimate how?" asked Ghost now joining the conversation.
Ozpin took it from there, "When a Maiden dies, the last person in her thoughts in that moment is the first candidate to inherit her power. Otherwise, the power selects someone at random, which makes our job far more difficult."
The headmaster came to a stop and prompted the others to do the same, "I once told you that we work in the shadows to ensure the safety of Remnant. Included in this, is the safety and preservation of the Four Maidens, who can ensure that peace is sustained in our world."
"However, there was an altercation that we did not forsee." Ozpin's eyes turned dark, "A Maiden was attacked, and for the first time in our recorded history, part of her power was stolen."
Both Wolf and Ghost recoiled, "Part of her power was...how is that possible?" the Hunter wondered. The idea of ones power being stolen by another unfathomable, even on Earth such a thing didn't seem possible.
"It is still unknown, but the result left a very dire situation on our hands." said the headmaster as he started leading them again. Coming to a stop at the end of the corridor some time later and showing them what was there.
A terminal was set up connected to what looked to be two cryo-chambers. One was dark and empty, the other...had a young woman with short brown hair inside.
Ghost zoomed ahead and looked everything over, scanning the terminal and the cryo-chamber before blinking in shock. "She's alive. Her vitals are extremely weak, but these machines are keeping her stable."
Ozpin sighed, "What you see before you, is the current Fall Maiden. Amber Autumn."
Wolf stepped forward until he was face to face with the glass window that showed the young woman's sleeping form. Her skin the color of ash, and there looked to be bizzare burns on her face which was etched into one of pain as she laid sleeping.
"Her attacker did this?" he asked turning to the professors.
"Yes. And it has left us in a troubling position." said Glynda.
"Her power." said Ghost, putting things together quickly. "Your worried about her power transferring to the one that attacked her when she dies."
The headmaster nodded, "We won't know for sure, but the chances are high that that would be the outcome. The one that attacked Amber was most likely doing so to obtain the Fall Maiden's power, and she was almost successful had Qrow not been there to stop the process. Now, we are desperate to find another solution before it's too late."
"Why tell me all of this?" asked Wolf, turning his attention back to the frail Fall Maiden.
"As I told you when we first met." said Ozpin. "A single, unknown variable at times is all that it takes to turn the tide of a conflict. You, Wolf, are that variable. A game changer that can ensure that the coming battles can be tipped in our favor."
"The stakes are very high, and we need all the help we can get." added Professor Goodwitch, "When you agreed to help us, we intended on letting you in on what our brotherhood stood for and why we've had to keep it a secret for so long."
Keeping his gaze on Amber a moment longer, Wolf closed his eyes and breathed deeply before stepping away from the unit she was sleeping in. "What is it you want from me?"
"What you've been doing since you first agreed to help us." said the headmaster. "Prepare the students so that they can be ready to face the odds that will undoubtedly be stacked against them. And with one of the enemies you faced in your home solar system revealing themselves, it will be needed far more than ever. We only wanted to show you the full depth of what is at stake should things get worse."
The Guardian nodded, sending one last look back at the injured Maiden before making his way back to the elevator with Ghost speeding off to keep up with him. He was going to need a little time to wrap his head around this revelation, but for now he needed to concentrate on training RWBY and JNPR.
The rest would have to come later.
Ozpin sighed as he watched Wolf leave, he knew that it was a lot to suddenly drop on the Hunter's shoulders. But with what was going on now, he believed that he needed to tell him what he was getting himself into.
And he had faith that Wolf would be the one to help them keep Remnant from collapsing into chaos.
"Do you think it was wise to tell him so much at one time?" asked Glynda. "Especially after revealing the fate of his team to everyone and his origins to the students?"
"He needed to know the full truth, Glynda." replied the headmaster. "And now all we can do is wait and see what the future brings us. And pray that trouble doesn't escalate anymore than it already has."
X
Beneath the forest of Forever Fall, within the hollowed out chamber created by the Hive. A small horde was gathered around the altar that they had forged, a group of four Wizards joining together and chanting as dark energy flowed into a recently constructed archway.
The stucture pulsed with the power infusing with it before a portal opened up in the very center of it. The Wizards stopped their chanting and floated back far enough as a large figure stepped through the opening and stood in the middle of the altar.
Ecthar regarded the horde gathered around him. Glowing eyepieces taking in the number of followers before turning to one of the Wizards, a long tattered cape attached to his shoulder guards baring the insignia of Oryx. "Is this all there is?" he rumbled.
"The Guardian was in the 'Blood Forest' above." hissed the Wizard, "He was with others, the horde attacked, but they fled. Many of our brood fell and we were forced to go back into hiding."
The powerful knight growled lowly, gripping the hilt of his glowing sword. "Where is he hiding?"
"Our scouts discovered a structure that resembles a fortress not far from the human settlement." replied the Wizard. "It is a place where human spawnlings are raised to fight. The Guardian has been seen there."
Ecthar turned back to the portal and held up his blade before bellowing a roar into it. The opening fluctuated just as more Hive came skulking through it. Knights, Acolytes, Thralls, Wizards and the lumbering forms of a few Ogres entering the chamber and almost filling it from wall to wall.
Returning his burning gaze back to the Wizard, the Sword of Oryx bared his teeth. "We will find the Guardian, and tear him apart! Then we will take this world in the name of the Taken King!" The entire chamber, and the network of tunnels around it, echoed with the roars and shrieks of the Hive.
Above ground, a group of huntsmen were patrolling the area when one of the paused and held up his hand. "You guys hear that?" he asked, straining his ears to try and pick up what he had heard again.
"It's probably just the wind." said one his comrads as they continued their patrol mission.
Completely unaware of the nightmares that lurked beneath them.
A/N: Hidden feelings, new forms of training, revelations and a powerful enemy making their appearance. Safe to say that everyone is about to have their hands full, but will it be enough to handle one of Oryx's disciples and the army he has brought to Remnant? Time will only tell for now.
Feel free to leave your reviews guys, and the next update will be up before you know it.