Damian walked towards us, after noticing how much we were observing Altair. He gazed into those hypnotic eyes. They seemed to recognize each other, neither Oscar or I understood the situation.
"The prince of the shadows is being recognized by one of them"
Oscar and I nodded, deciding not to question it.
"Amyr, it is an honor to meet you," said Altair with a nod.
"Likewise zil," said Damian calmly.
"Damian, Ozpin is back, you need to take Oscar"
"Of course Kori,"
"I have things to do, Pine, come with me, I need us to talk." Damian left me alone with whom he called a shadow.
"You both seem close" commented Altair.
"We have turned close...we are like family. All of us are" I answered looking back at him. "Are you and your team not as close?"
Altair looked at the others who were practicing, as well as Nora looking dejected, they had said something that made her sad. Either that or she was still stressed about the recent arguments she has had with Ren. They all seemed close, therefore it was strange to hear him saying we were close that curiously.
"We separate our job from our personal lives. Doing what we are told without the hindrance of emotions" answered the man looking back at me with those molten gold eyes. Did he notice? "Yet, I am not completely against it. Sometimes personal feelings can unite, make us stronger as they make us weaker. Something many do not understand"
"Would you explain?" I asked him, it was intriguing to hear someone say that.
"Most of them are not united, or at least, those who we consider mentors decided to be only doing their job. They do not notice that unifies them already." He told me he then extended his hand. "You see, we have fingers, they are separated but united. What completes a hand? A hand without fingers is useless, and fingers without a hand are as well. Tell me, what would happen if the fingers think they can detach themselves just because they are separate?"
"They would end up useless" I smiled understanding at last his point. "You are concerned for your mentors...and you are the one who strategies among the students"
He had a ghost smile on his lips and nodded. "Yes, I have done as much as I can to unite those of us who are under those mentors, to avoid that philosophy from creating gaps. I have learned that as well from the league of shadows. The reason as to why some believe some emotions are weaknesses is because its a double-edged sword."
"Indeed" Dick, he was one, he used to be my strength, my normality, what made me feel part of that world. But now...
"Whoever was the double-edged sword that made you make that expression has dulled" his voice, though serious it was comforting. I blinked astonished by what Altair said. "You need to let it go and cease using it. Lock it in a box, anything, but don't use it anymore"
"Thank you Altair, I'll keep it in mind"
"Of course amyrti" I didn't understand what he said. I still hadn't learned the language. "Would you like to spar?"
I nodded excitedly, allowing the man to distract me from my previous thoughts. After that, it was time for us to separate my dear brother Oscar from the other soul. We had prepared everything, at least Damian and I did, Qrow was at the door to avoid anyone from entering. It had been hard to convince Bart not to come, but we told him to distract the rest in order to do what we needed. We were ready. We held a crystal in hand, sent to us by Rachel. It was green within a black choker just for Oscar. He laid on the bed as Damian and I got to work. Closing our eyes we entered his mind.
It looked like a farmhouse. IN the middle of nowhere, like that book Cassandra Sandsmark lent me. I believe it was called the wizard of Oz? Hmm, it does remind me a lot about Ozpin and Oscar, perhaps later I will ask. For now, I was following Damian into the farmhouse. Oscar was there, waiting nervously, my poor brother.
"He doesn't seem to open yet," said Oscar biting his lip.
"Don't worry Pine, we will help you with this," said Damian with determination, I have noticed how caring he has become of all of us. I wonder, when did this development happen? He is always amazing me, no, every person I have met is like that, an evolutionary wonder.
I walked through the house, ignoring what they were talking about until I found a white door decorated with green. The handle was an emerald, which was very easy for me to open.
"Your semblance has come handy, hasn't it Princess Koriand'r," said a man sitting at a desk. He was middle-aged, with tousled silver hair and a light complexion. His eyes were behind a pair of small spectacles, which was ridiculous, they didn't even cover from the sun properly! He looked paler than anyone I had seen because he wore black. But his smile was enigmatic while I sat at a chair in front of his desk.
"I bet you are wondering where we are"
"Yes, after all, Oscar has never seen this scenery before," I said calmly.
"This was my office at Beacon Academy"
I nodded, not very interested in it. I just sat there in silence. "You said my semblance was handy?"
"Because nobody would be able to open that door unless they forced it with magic or had any mental power" he explained resting his chin on his hands.
"You found him," said Damian, I could almost feel his anger burning behind me.
"So, you are the infamous Damian Wayne," said Ozpin, "Glad to finally know"
"As if you would deserve such knowledge" answered Damian sitting on the other chair. "We are here to break the curse once and for all."
"Amuse me, after all, I fear it's unbreakable" answered Ozpin placing his hands on the desk.
"It is possible" I retorted. "The gods brought us as well, and they actually told us to"
"They brought us to clean the mess you and Salem have made Ozma. Both of you have ruined lives with petty things. Love could have saved you both. Not hiding anything would have saved you. But now, you don't de-" I stopped Damian by placing my hand on his shoulder. He sighed. "Whatever, we are doing this for Oscar"
"I thought you came to break my curse?" Asked Ozpin confused.
"We will...because I do not wish to lose my brother. Fusing souls this way, losing one's self. It is not fair for anyone. Would you like such a burden to repeat if you can avoid it?" I asked Ozpin nodded calmly. "Then, allow us to escort you out."
"Very well, I believe in you both."
"You don't," said Damian. "We know"
Damian grabbed Ozpin by the arm and I took Ozpin's hand. Closing our eyes we got out of Oscar's mind. a green orb was being carried by both of us. Quickly, Damian and I placed it inside the gemstone. I smiled, all of us sighing in relief.
"We haven't finished yet," said Qrow. "And don't worry, sent the speed kid a message that it's done"
I breathed deeply, deciding to walk with both of them. In no time Damian, Qrow, and I stood before Ironwood, Winter, and Penny. I felt nervous about it, I was scared. It was so minus, like those times we were briefed by Bruce when I was part of Young Justice. I breathed in and out, observing the situation.
"We have some information we left out purposely to test the grounds," said Qrow.
"Let's hear it." Said General Ironwood. He wasn't happy. He would be even sourer if he knew my semblance.
"I'll begin by giving you my true name and status," said Damian looking straight at Ironwood, unflinching at his gaze. And certainly, I do understand, Bruce has a more intimidating demeanor, and Damian can withstand it with perfection. "My true name is Damian Wayne. I am the heir to the league of shadows, and also..." he closed his eyes, his ice crown appearing once again, his clothes decorating themselves with frost. When he opened his eyes, emerald green flames were coming from the sides. The general and his assistants were amazed and stunned. "I am the winter."
"What is the meaning of this!?" exclaimed General Ironwood.
"Please! Listen!" I begged, the team looking at me as if I did something wrong, I closed my eyes, bringing forth the warmth of the summer breeze I recalled from my true dimension. I looked back at them pleading they seemed about to have a heart attack. "I am Koriand'r the Summer. We were brought to this world by the gods of creation and destruction that protect it. We are still trying to understand what is happening!"
"My destiny, everything Ironwood made me work for. I had accepted it, and now it is being stolen!" The woman named Winter thought. "Now we have two maidens? No, I don't know what to call them. Weiss, what else are you hiding?"
"Things are getting unpredictable, at least we have them in custody and we can start with the plan. We need to save Remnant, no, we need to save as many people as we can...our people in Atlas depend on it"I heard Ironwood in his mind say. I felt my eyes widen as I glared. I had shown Damian what I heard and he too was mad, but his anger made the room go down some degrees. Atlas responded to him. A winter storm started to brew outside.
"How dare you think that way? General Ironwood, you have no right to be respected" said Damian coldly. I watched in awe how poinsettias, mistletoes and crocus flowers started to surround his feet and the ones of the people in front of us. "You would dare to leave the people who depend on you to rot and die as long as you protect selfishly only the land in the clouds. You are a coward. A measly coward"
"You may be the winter but you-"
"He what James Ironwood...?" asked a voice behind us. I jumped ready to attack but Damian had retracted his plants everything had calmed down. Had nobody else noticed this?
"Grandfather," said Damian calmly. The man looked in his forties or sixties, hair in white and black very well-groomed. He dressed in silky green robes that wouldn't hinder his movement if necessary. Intelligent eyes twinkling with pride. He looked back at General Ironwood who seemed about to have a heart attack along with Qrow. Winter was in disbelief but Penny only blinked in confusion.
"Hello Damian," he said placing a hand on his grandson's shoulder.
"Ra's Al Ghul...I believe you died..." said General Ironwood.
"How is it possible! He is just a legend!"
"We are fucked...goddamn my semblance"
"I need to choose my words carefully."
Now I understood their faces, it seemed General Ironwood and Qrow knew Ra's before, and Winter knew about him. How many secrets does the league have within?
"Oh, your majesty Koriand'r, good to see you," said Ra's with a smile.
"Oh...its an honor"
"Very well, you want to know information," said Ra's letting go of Damian. "Damian, would you please retrieve the relic?"
"Of course" he answered. I was confused but dared not to ask question's Damian's semblance allowed him to travel wherever hi wished within the shadows, including other dimensions. If he used his sword, it took away the rule of shadows. So when Damian reached into the shadows he had grasped the real relic.
"We were informed many times it has no questions left," said General Ironwood with a frown. Ruby had decided the best course of action was to lie, Ra's seemed to notice and smiled.
"I am not going to ask questions. I will merely make it show you what I am saying, take it as the scenery while I, as your guide, provide the information," said Ra's. "Qrow, dear student please listen attentively" Ra's took the Relic from Damian "Ranald Ravenclaw, dear friend, would you mind aiding me with the visuals?"
"It would be an honor old friend"
