The Rod of Iron was more than a spear, it was more than a weapon. Brutus could feel the power emanating from it, like waves of energy. Even now, held loosely in his hand, it's power threatened to escape, was actively trying to escape, to be let free its wreak its havoc on the world. He could hear the voices that came from within, whispers of hatred and pleads of mercy, offering power in exchange for freedom.
But he was Brutus Rose, and power was his.
The voices that came from within the Rod were familiar, if ever so slightly. The girls that survived the Bull-head crash, the voices were theirs. They begged him to release them from their prison in the Aether, but he would not, they were far too useful to his plans.
Their despair and hatred fueled the Rod's powers, gave it strength, fed it energy. Yes, the Rod had become so much more than a simple spear or lexicon. It had become far more than a simple tool. A tool of vast importance in the darkness to come, even if it's abilities and purpose were unknown.
A tool with no purpose however, was useless.
The Rod rose and fell, a dull ring sounding as a result. "Adon, bring me one of the captives. I desire to learn."
Within moments, reality tore and a girl was pushed through, landing in a heap of tears. She sobbed, trying to see through blinded eyes. Brutus sighed when he saw that she could not see, it would seem that Adon and Noda were being a bit too rough with his...guests.
"You there." Brutus bellowed, making to stand. "You serve me now, and you serve a purpose most grand."
His booming steps echoed throughout the palace, even blind, the girl could feel his presence in her mind, like a dark storm raging against the gates of her brain, battering against the doors.
She shuddered, if he was this powerful in an idle state, then how powerful could he be?
Brutus closed in on her, circling her, studying her. He placed the Rod of Iron before her, its body radiating waves of power so intense they warped realspace, blurred the light around it.
"Grab the Rod." Brutus said simply.
For a time, she said nothing, merely stared blankly at him, but she rose to her knees, and spat on his helmet.
"No!" She cried, practically shrieking. "I won't help you!"
Brutus stared at her, wiping the spit off his visor. He could feel his anger begin to rise with the rhythm of the marching drums outside. He quickly quelled his agitation, cautious of the consequences should he let loose.
"So.." He breathed, hissing the words from between clenched teeth. "It is defiance then?"
She didn't answer, glaring at him as pointedly as she could muster. She stood, hand swinging through the air in a weak slap.
Her attack passed through air, Brutus having disappeared from reality in a flash of light. The girl paused, glancing around the empty palace.
Had she done it? Was her captor no more than a figment of her imagination? She began to laugh, crying out victory and proclaiming how she had won. She pumped her fist up in the air. Laughing and screaming for all she was worth.
Before promptly exploding.
Gore and viscera painted the walls and ceiling, an impressive feat given their size. Blood oozed from the roof, mixing with fat shards of bone and pulped guts.
In the epicenter of the blast stood Brutus, covered head to toe in his former captive. Idly, he reached up and flicked away an eyeball that had come to rest on his pauldron.
"I must say." Brutus sighed as he tried to clear his visor of gore. "Too messy."
Well, he couldn't really blame anyone but himself, exiting the aether inside a person was bound to have some results.
"Praetorians!" Brutus called. "Clean up this mess."
And so it was, Brutus learned a small tidbit of information in trade for a young womans life.
A fine trade, he thought.
(@)
Brutus hummed, head resting on a fist, eyes peering into the aether. His shade drifted aimlessly around, never coming to a rest in any one place for very long. He needed something, he needed information. He was no fool, and the snake-woman had not been so forthcoming with information this time around. He sighed as he sank lower into his throne. This time around, he would have to gather info the old fashioned way.
He opened a tear, and stepped through.
(@)
Ozpin contemplated the previous days, the maiden going rogue, two top secret security breaches, and that whole fiasco at signal left a sour taste in his mouth. This was not the queen's work, no, too fast, too bold.
There was someone new, someone different. Ozpin once again poured over the data from the crash, only two survivors, one Verde Blue and another Brutus Rose.
The name of the young man sounded familiar, other than the fact he was a Rose. Ozpin scanned the documents on his desk, before finally settling on one and pulling it out from a pile. Here it was, Brutus Rose, only son Tai-Yang Xiao Long and Summer Rose. Ozpin went over the raw dat, taking in some small details, height, weight, weapon. Everything checked out. Besides a bloody outstanding combat record, Brutus was still remarkable, but not overly exemplary. He was a good student, little more.
Ozpin turned the page over, getting to the picture of the lad. Short buzzed hair, some rather pronounced canines, and his eye-.
Oh..His eyes.
Murky and clouded, yet focused with so much energy that Ozpin actually felt a little sick to his stomach just looking at them. His eyes shone with knowledge, and with hunger. The mark of a great man, but also the eyes of a tyrant. Ozpin knew those eyes, he had seen them once, and only once before. If his eyes were telling the truth, then Brutus had the potential to be far more powerful than any hunter. In truth, Ozpin knew very little about these mysterious people, only ever encountering one other before.
They were a rare people with a very sensitive connection to the human soul, a very powerful connection.
They were bound to an aspect of the human soul, becoming avatars of that particular part of humanity.
But his knowledge ended there, and if Brutus was one of the them, then he would be a very valuable asset.
"Glynda!" He called out hurriedly. "Call Qrow, we need his...skills."
A/N:
I am too sore my dudes.