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RWBY belongs to Rooster Teeth.
Chapter 8: Tangents with Friends
It occurs to me that I have neglected to tell you how going to Beacon is a viable fast track for my daughter. Admittedly, she could have gone to any of the academies, but that is neither here nor there.
In truth there are three primary reasons behind my thinking. The first two are inextricably linked. Both reasons stem from a simple fact of being a huntsman or huntress. Huntsmen and huntresses have a very high turnaround rate. It's far more common for me or one of the reapers to find a huntsman or huntress who has died young. Actually, old huntsmen and huntresses are the outliers. That being said, Ruby being a huntress just increases her chance of death. Upon her death, I could take her on as one of my reapers, and bang. She's at my side far faster than if she were still alive.
Callous? Cruel? Probably, but you must remember who you're talking to.
The second reason, stemming from the same fact is that the people around her are likely to die. As a Revenant, or even a reaper, there's a good chance she'd have to reap the soul of someone she knows. Whether that someone is a friend of family, I don't know. It could be either possibility.
The third reason is my primary reason. I see her living as a Revenant for a very long time. She needs to learn how to hide herself amongst the living. Going to Beacon will give her good experience with that. I'd teach her that myself, but training Keira as my heir has become a full-time job in and of itself. And I've already mentioned how stubborn the dead who reside at the Necropolis are. Really, this is the best option.
Though, I suppose I could have gone to some of the dead in my service who spend their time in the living world. That is a privilege granted to very, very few. To date, I have allowed seven souls to spend their afterlife as my agents in the living world. One of whom is a very valuable information broker that Keira and Ruby almost exposed. I already mentioned him.
Anyways, the day after Ruby told me her news, I made my appearance at Beacon. I could have just appeared in the headmaster's office, but I grant Ozpin a certain level of respect. We've dealt with each other more than a few times.
Thus, looking like a relatively normal human, I entered Beacon academy with purpose. That particular day, there were few students ambling about. Those that I came across looked at me odd. I presume they thought I was a civilian. Understandable, looking like a normal human generally doesn't include me having a weapon at my sides, or the stylized dress of a huntsman or huntress. My normal human disguise is a non-descript male form with brown eyes, dark hair, a blue polo, black cargo pants, and a pair of simple dress shoes.
The purpose of the disguise is simply to hide my true form. It wouldn't do for people to see Death walking across a school campus.
It's one of my lesser powers, but one that can be easily learned. Actually, it's like War and her throwing knives. She taught all of us how to use them. I did the same with simple disguises and illusions. The only thing the illusions disguise is the fact that we are the horsemen. The disguise is most drastic with me, considering my siblings all look to be human… and alive.
So, with a few more curious looks, I entered the elevator to Ozpin's office. The music that plays in that elevator is some of the most grating sound I've ever had the displeasure of hearing. Fortunately, the elevator ride is quite short. After all, it only has three stops: the academy's vault, Ozpin's office, and the main floor.
Ozpin looked up as I entered. A small grin graced his face as I entered. It didn't fool me. I could see the weariness in his eyes. The forcing of his grin was subtle, but I've known Oz for a long time. He pushed a small stack of papers to the side, tapped some buttons on his scroll, and offered me a seat.
"Death." He greeted me.
"Oz." I returned. "You're looking good. How's immortality."
"Could be better." Ozpin replied. "The anxiety of knowing what awaits certainly affords no sleep at night."
"I can tell." I stated. "Then again, you were saddled with one of the worst types of immortality."
"Tell me about it." Oz replied. "It feels as though I spend more time as a disembodied soul and less as an actual living being."
"I could have Ozark check it out if you want." I replied.
"I'll be fine. I'll have plenty of time for him to sort it out. Especially since the fields await." Ozpin said. "You can't show any leniency for an old friend, can you?"
"Wish I could, but no." I sighed. "Immortality has its consequences. Whether you chose it or not, the results will be the same. The most leniency I can offer is a body that won't decay in the fields. It'd be an afterlife similar to Ozark's. I've-"
"You've told me before, yes I know." Oz interrupted. "It's still nice to hear that my eternity won't be as bad as the worst offenders. I've turned off security and am not expecting anyone today."
"I'll stay in the disguise." I stated. "As nice as it is to catch up, I'm not here on a social call."
"I figured as much. You don't do social calls." Oz said. "So, what can I do for you?"
"I have a few requests for this upcoming year." I began.
"About?" Oz prompted.
"One of the prospective students. Ruby Rose." I answered.
"Interesting that you should mention her." Ozpin said. "I met her last night and, apparently, she doesn't exist. Would you be willing to shed some light on that situation? I'm sure you and your daughter know more."
"The fact that you couldn't find anything is my fault. Other than some long-buried records, I've been working to keep her off the grid. Glad to see it worked." I said.
"And why has she been off the grid?" Oz pried.
"Ruby has been… training with me." I answered.
Ozpin raised an eyebrow at me.
I continued. "Her soul is… broken."
"Broken?" he inquired.
"Broken. A soul thief tried to take it when she was young." I said. "It tore her soul in half, and I've been training her to control what's left of it."
"May I inquire as to why?" Oz asked.
"My reasons are my own." I answered
"Fair enough. What request did you have about her?" Ozpin asked.
"Specifically, if she manages to pass initiation, that she not attend the aura control classes." I answered.
"You do realize that aura manipulation and control is one of the primary, if not the number one, tenet of being a huntress, right?" Oz responded. "To even be considered for a license, huntsmen and huntresses have to pass grueling exams in aura control and manipulation, given by an unbiased authority outside the academies. To even be considered for the exams, one would have to be proficient in said categories, with a proper paper trail to prove that proficiency."
"I am aware. Ruby attending a huntsmen academy has been a possible eventuality that I have prepared for. Leave the handling of those exams and the paperwork to me." I said.
"And what about the classes?" Ozpin inquired.
"Just tell them, she's taking an alternate course due to extenuating circumstances." I answered.
"That excuse would crumble under even the slightest scrutiny." Ozpin countered.
"That's a possibility no matter what course of action I take. However, the advantage of that excuse is that it will mostly be true." I retorted.
"Are you saying her torn soul counts as extenuating circumstances?" Ozpin asked. "Because, if that's all you're going on, then it still lacks sufficient depth. While incredibly rare, she wouldn't be the first case of a huntress without the entirety of their soul. That phenomenon is given its proper dues in all the academies."
"Huh, I didn't know that." I responded. "But that isn't the extenuating circumstance I was alluding to."
"Would it be too much if I asked for the specifics of Miss Rose's circumstance?" Oz questioned.
"Only if you can't keep a secret." I stated.
"Death, you, of all beings, should know that I can keep a secret." Oz retorted.
"Like I said. It's only too much if you can't keep a secret." I reiterated.
I spent the next twenty minutes explaining the situation regarding Ruby's soul. To say Oz was disturbed that one so young had experienced such trauma would be like saying that oceans are full of water. A massive understatement. He was silent for a few minutes after I finished my explanation. Finally, he sighed and pulled a file up on his scroll. From my position, I couldn't see any specifics, but I could see a space for a photo of the student, and Ruby's name.
"I've approved. Ruby Rose will be taken off campus for at least three hours every week for alternative aura lessons rising from sensitive extenuating circumstances." Ozpin said as he closed his scroll. "What day will you collect her?"
"Either Bianca, Keira or I will collect her. What day will she have the most free time?" I asked.
"Sunday's generally have no priorities for the students. Saturdays are also viable, though teams are encouraged to do some form of extracurricular study or training. Thursdays and Tuesdays are generally more free for first years. They have history with Dr. Oobleck in the mornings, and basic aura classes in the afternoons. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are generally more full with Grimm studies, combat classes, survival classes, and Dust classes occurring on those days. Also required is at least one extracurricular academic study of the students choosing. Beacon's library offers books to aid in said study." Ozpin explained.
"She will have her aura classes on Thursdays. We will remove her from campus around one and return her around seven. Will that do?" I asked.
"That will be fine." Ozpin acquiesced. "Is there anything else we need to discuss?"
"There is one other thing, I'd recommend avoiding the Emerald Forest for a while. At least two weeks." I said.
"Beacon's initiation happens in the Emerald Forest, in a few days." Ozpin said.
"I know, but I've been receiving worrying reports from some of my reapers." I replied. "The Omega Grimm are stirring."
"Which ones?" Oz questioned, his gaze hardening.
"So far, just the Dragon and some Nyaraloths. A few of which reside in the Emerald Forest. I'm also not ruling out the possibility of the Oiriúnú returning." I said. "Then there's the Soul Thief I found still lurking about."
"The Oiriúnú is back?" Ozpin asked.
"Possibly. Some of my reapers have had theories about it's possible reemergence." I replied.
"Then initiation will have to be done differently. But the notice is rather short…" Ozpin trailed off.
"Ozark could probably help." I said.
"Then it looks like I will be seeing Joseph Ozark after all." Ozpin said. "Any other problems you'd like to add to my stack of paperwork?"
"No, I'll be off." I said before departing.
Now, I'm sure you're thinking that it's rather odd for Ozpin to so easily change anything regarding the initiation into Beacon. The answer is quite easy to see. As I'm sure you've surmised, Omega class Grimm are far more dangerous than the standard Grimm that academy initiates are likely to see.
I'm unsure if I've mentioned it, but there are two primary classifications given to Grimm. Only the oldest beings, or most well studied historians know of these classifications. Like I said earlier, the Omega Grimm have been dormant for centuries. The Grimm that most people are familiar with are considered the Gamma class Grimm. Alpha Grimm are a subclass of the Gamma class Grimm. Alphas are generally considered as longer lived fully mature Grimm. In both primary classes, and subclass, the Grimm are rated on a scale of one through five, denoted by ancient numerals I, II, III, IV, V. I being the least dangerous like Beowolves and V being the most dangerous like Goliaths.
Why is this important? Well, it helps to understand the change in initiation. The closest relation between the Omega and Gamma Grimm is that Omega I Grimm are equivalent to Gamma IV Grimm. Omega II are equivalent to Gamma V. You'd think it odd that these equivalences exist, until you realize that these equivalences are in reference to the Grimm on a one-to-one basis.
The Omega I class Grimm are classed as such because there is no such thing as a single instance of an Omega I Grimm. They always occur in groups of at least seven. Omega II Grimm all have some extra ability that elevates them above the Gamma V.
As for the specific Grimm I mention, the Dragon is considered Omega IV, and I think you can easily imagine it's appearance. The other two, not so much. Nyaraloths are an Omega I Grimm. They are roughly eight feet tall. Each one has a circular torso, with three tripod-like legs. They have three arms just below a large gaping mouth. Each arm ends in a three clawed hand. Above the gaping mouth are three eyes that offer it a full 360-degree field of view. The top of their head tapers off to a point, giving it the appearance of a tentacle on its head. They are fast and dexterous, though not very strong. A decent challenge for a group of initiates, assuming they manage to face a lone Nyaraloth. Like I said though, you'll never see a lone Nyaraloth, unless you've already killed the rest of its group. Surprisingly, Nyaraloths only have armor on the ends of their legs. The real strength of the Nyaraloths is their minor reality warping ability, they can perform short range teleportation. By itself, not enough for a change of initiation.
The real problem is the Oiriúnú. The name is derived from an ancient language. Roughly, it translates to adaptation. Oiriúnú is one of three Grimm to be given Omega V classification. Simply put, Oiriúnú is the perfect mimic. It can be whatever it wants to be, whatever it needs to be. It is the only Grimm that managed to escape the hibernation that the brother of Darkness induced on the Omega Grimm. It took nearly two centuries for it to happen, but it did escape. I've kept an eye out for it, but with such perfect mimicry, I have had very little luck in finding it. Honestly, it would take a lot for me to kill it. Fortunately, there was only ever one Oiriúnú. Unfortunately, there was one Oiriúnú.
Anyways, my day was pretty productive. Ruby would still be learning aura and Revenant techniques with me. She would be attending Beacon. Things were looking pretty good… at least on that front. On the other side, Omega Grimm were stirring, I had a Soul Thief on the loose, and Ruby was going back to the living world.
This is the point where my story transitions. Up until now, it has primarily been me in the front seat. Now, much of the rest of this story is Ruby's. I'll be honest, I didn't want Ruby to attend Beacon. Looking back, if I had one regret, it was letting her attend Beacon. But, as they say, hindsight is twenty/twenty. However, I had offered attending as an option for her.
For much of this story, I was off on my own. Usually I was training Keira, monitoring the Omega Class Grimm, and hunting the Soul Thief. I still appeared when needed but was largely doing my own work. That being said, don't expect me to expand on any of the extracurricular training I did with Ruby.
This was the end of the most major part I played in Ruby's story… for now.
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Data Log DoD-008
Sorry I've been gone for the past few weeks. Admittedly, it won't get much better for the next few months. I survived finals, so yay. But now I have to work so 'yay'. I don't know how often I'll be able to update during the summer. It might be anywhere from once or twice a month to once or twice until fall. That being said, thank you for your patience with the updates. I have big things planned.
Thank you to all who read this, your feedback and views are much appreciated. Feel free to leave ideas and recommendations for the future.
Goodbye viewer; Fare thee well.
End Log S.T.K.