So, sorry I'm not being as on time with my every other Monday deadline lately. I've just been a bit preoccupied with life and a massive case of lethargy and writer's block (not fun). This isn't a long chapter, but it explains a little something about Azure. Anyway I hope you enjoy. I can't guarantee that I'll meet the pre-existing deadline for the 20th. I'll be attending my cousin's high school graduation in a few days and you know, family is the most important thing. But I'll do my best ^_^
~Cluny
The subterranean caverns that made up the Aquio family dwelling and safe haven from the dangers of the outside world. In spite of the primeval appearance, there were modern integrations such as the latest medical technology from Atlas and connections to the CCT. Kaiyo Aquio, his son Azure, and one of their attendants quickly made their way to a communications room deep within the labyrinthian tunnels. When they reached the room, they were greeted by Azure's older sister, Agwahe. "Father, and Azure have arrived, Professor Ozpin." The sunset pink haired dragon Faunus said, "Whenever you're ready."
Ozpin sipped from his mug before beginning, "It's been a long time, Kaiyo my old friend. I wish this conversation didn't need to happen."
"The feeling is mutual, Ozpin," Kaiyo replied, "I suppose Redwood informed you of our plan, yes?"
The headmaster nodded, "He's told me of what you plan on doing with Amber. Though I'm surprised Paschaliá would put her daughter against a Maiden."
"Telephe is more than capable of taking on one who's just inherited the full power of one of the Maidens." Kaiyo stated, "I've observed her power first hand, and I can definitively say that her skill level is higher than she is letting on."
"What happens if the struggle draws the attention of Wendigo?" Ozpin asked, "What if it attacks either of them?"
"Truthfully, sir," Kaiyo said with a grave tone in his voice, "that's what we're counting on."
"And if Wendigo attacks the one in possession of Amber's powers?" Ozpin asked.
"The target will still be in possession of the power," Kaiyo said, "But Wendigo will have the massive amount of energy that comes with such power."
"Hmm, is this the only option you have?" Ozpin asked.
"Regretably, yes," Kaiyo replied.
Ozpin sighed, "Very well, Kai, if that is the plan you have."
"We'll talk soon, in person," Kaiyo replied, "Azure and I will be heading to Beacon. It is imperative that all three families have a presence at the epicenter of this encroaching storm of chaos."
"We'll be expecting your arrival in two days." Ozpin said.
"I look forward to seeing Beacon again, my friend." Kaiyo smiled.
Beacon Academy, Azure had been told of this illustrious school that accepted only the best and trained them until they were the pinnacle of powerful hunters. Azure wanted more than anything to become a huntsman. He practiced many different forms of combat with his sister. His father taught him meditation to help him control of his aura and build his power. He was old enough to begin enrolling in a Vacuo combat school, but his father thought it best not to let him go and risk being targeted by groups of malicious intent. Telephe and Paschaliá had visited once at Kaiyo's request, but Telephe hardly said anything to Azure. Likewise, the young dragon Faunus said nothing in return. He did recall a dream where he was visited by a wolf Faunus with green eyes and white hair.
It was an odd dream he'd never had since. He was in the largest room of the cave and suddenly felt the nip of something cold on his skin. He turned and saw the mysterious Faunus in question trudging along leaving a small trail of snow in his wake and whistling a haunting tune that the dragon boy didn't recognize from the folk tales and campfire stories of Vacuo that echoed down through the acoustic passages that crisscrossed and snaked through the settlements. But, seeing it underground, it was bizarre to Azure. He made sure not to make a sound as he slowly and carefully followed the mystery Faunus. The wolf boy looked a few years older than Azure, who was ten at the time, and walked along with his hands clasped behind his head.
The figure in front of Azure stopped, "How long are you gonna keep following me before you ask the standard questions one usually asks when a mysterious stranger saunters into a Dream Realm variant of their home?" The figure asked making Azure jump. The wolf Faunus unclasped his hands and lowered them as he turned to face his dragon Faunus pursuer.
The clothes this outsider wore were different. He wore an orange shirt with a picture of a Nevermore on it with the phrase Fear the raven, Nevermore written in royal blue letters and a pair of thin flannel pants with a checkerboard pattern on them. On his feet was a pair of Ursa slippers. Azure looked down at his own sleep clothes, a simple blue night tunic with deep blue slippers. The dragon boy looked back at the strangely dressed Faunus, "Who are you, and what do you mean by Dream Realm?"
The wolf boy smiled politely, "Finally, you ask the right questions," He said to himself, "My name is Rowan Whitemane, first of all. And I mean this is the Dream Realm, a place that only exists when people are asleep. In a word, it's a safe haven for everyone. And before you ask how I got here, it's because I have the semblance of Astral Projection, I can enter the dreams of people I care about."
Azure raised an eyebrow, "But we just met tonight."
"Yeah, but I know who you are, Azure Aquio." Rowan said, "Our families are apparently connected through some sort of ancient oath to protect the world from a dark force or something to that effect."
Azure was still a little confused, "That doesn't explain why you chose me." He said.
"Well, I guess you could say it's because we've met before." Rowan said, "In a past life, ya know?"
"Past life," Azure's eyes narrowed, "What do you mean?"
"I mean we've met before," Rowan said, "You, me, and your friend Telephe Phoen. I don't know you both personally, by any means. But I can feel deep in my soul that we've met before. And I can tell, you have the same feeling."
Azure knew the boy in front of him was right. He gave a slow nod, "I do feel it," He said, "I know you're right. But, I doubt we'll ever meet."
"Never say never, my friend," Rowan winked, "it's bad luck." He felt warmth on his face, "Well I guess I'd better be going. It's almost morning for me." He waved to Azure, "I'll see you sometime in the future, take care." Using his astral projection the wolf Faunus phased through the wall and out of the dragon Faunus' dreams.
Azure held this extraordinary encounter in his mind for years, "And now Rowan's been possessed by the same force that Whitemane, Aquios, and Phoena locked away thousands of years ago." Azure said as he walked through the passage from the communications chamber, "Telephe's already at Beacon, but Phoena's powers alone won't be enough to bring that monster down. But I'm still untrained in combat at that level."
"That's what you'll do at Beacon, dragon boy." Azure turned to see a face he hadn't seen since his dream three years ago. It was Rowan, in a mirror, "Now listen up," The wolf said, "I can't hold this form for very long. Fending off Wendigo is taking every ounce of strength I have right now." Azure nodded, "Good to see you understand, now I need you to put your hand on this mirror. I'll send you some knowledge that can help you and the others once my father's plan commences." Azure was about to protest, "No time for questions, I'll explain when Wendigo pukes me out in a few days and I've had time to rest. Just touch the mirror." Azure did as he was bid. As soon as his hand touched the glass, he felt a small headache start to develop, and then it subsided. The dragon Faunus breathed hard as he stepped back from the mirror, "Whew," Rowan huffed, "I've gotta go, my focus is starting to wane. Just pass that information on to my father. All you need to do is mention it to him. He'll know what to do if you mention it was from me." As the wolf Faunus faded he stated, "I'm counting on you."
Azure could barely understand what happened, but the thoughts Rowan implanted in the dragon Faunus' head made it a little bit clear. It was a progress report, telepathic in nature. It gave him purpose, something he could do to help. "Right," He mumbled to himself, "I have to get ready."
A dragon's birthright: Some believe it to be relaxing on a hoard of treasure acquired over centuries, even millennia of robbing from some lesser race that was considered prey. Others believe the birthright is to inherit wisdom through lengthy set of convoluted rituals and series of tasks that would make sense after they were all completed in some inexplicably complicated order. For the dragon Faunus, Azure Aquio, it was a bit different. Like Rowan Whitemane and Telephe Phoen, Azure was born with a spiritual link to one of three great beasts. This connection came from their bloodline inheritance. Rowan's inheritance allowed him to call forth a blinding snow storm, while Telephe's inheritance allowed her to conjure a massive firestorm that engulfed her opponents. According to the legends of Azure's family, his inheritance allowed him to summon incredible powerful lightning storms. However, one thing that separated the teenaged dragon Faunus from his older brethren in destiny wasn't only his age and experience in non-simulated combat, it was the fact that he'd yet to unlock his inherited power.
Usually, a bloodline inheritance was unlocked when the Faunus linked with it faced a monumental task that they needed to overcome on their own. Rowan's task would come in the form of overcoming intense grief from his mother's passing. Telephe's task came when she was still little and needed to become stronger before she became a huntress. Azure's task had yet to happen.
There was no way to force the task upon the young dragon Faunus, it had to come gradually. But that was what frustrated him to no end. He meditated and felt a huge connection with Aquios and a sibling relationship with Rowan and Telephe. To Telephe, Azure was a younger brother whom she wished to help shape into an incredible huntsman. Rowan on the other hand was a person that Azure knew little about. The dragon Faunus had met Redwood Whitemane when he was still young. Memories of their encounter were foggy at best. All Azure knew was that Redwood was a Faunus who'd experienced everything imaginable in a person's life. The joy of love, the pain of loss, and now… the fear of helplessness and the determination to strive toward the impossible, Redwood's life had dealt cruel hand that the wolf Faunus needed to handle.
"Azure, my son," Kaiyo called, "make sure you pack for at least seven days or so."
"I will father," Azure said. He thought about the situation looming in his future. He saw visions of Rowan fighting against a monster that wanted to end everything. He thought of the pain his friends and family must be going through. He could barely fathom the pain that Weiss Schnee, the girl the wolf Faunus had fallen in love with, was going through right now. And somewhere, deep in his heart, in his soul… he felt something. A small spark, faint but bright, small yet warm, could it be… Azure had no time to ponder upon this feeling that sent crackling waves of energy through every fiber of his being.
The dragon Faunus had a promise to keep, a mission to complete… he had a friend who needed saving. "Hold on as long as you can, Rowan," He muttered to himself, "I've got a promise that needs to be fulfilled, and I'm not about to go back on it."