The Cosmic Cycle
Chapter Sixteen
Black Nights; Blue Days
It was something hard to believe.
Decades, if not centuries of work had been put into place. From making sure the wrong individuals were put into powerful places to sow as much chaos, discontent and anger among the masses, and keeping the Human Faunus racism in full swing for as long as possible. Nurturing the growth of many a criminal through her contacts, and putting those who were a danger to her designs in the ground. And all without ever having been noticed by those up high.
Those who knew were forced to keep their silence lest they put the kingdoms into full blown panic, thereby pushing her plans ever closer to fruition. And even if they had and tried to arm all of Humanity with everything they had to offer, the Grimm outnumbered them a hundred to one. Though it was far from likely that they ever would, she knew Ozpin was smart enough to realize what would follow if he said one word.
It was something Salem had planned meticulously. Taking every bit of knowledge and experience she had learned into account, and putting them into practice. Due to their efforts, there was little resistance her enemies could offer. By pulling her forces out and away from the towns within the kingdom of Vale beyond the more common variants, she had made the Hunters grow lax in their training. Most left, their numbers dwindling as they began looking for more work where they could- where she offered, in her kindness to their egos.
And even more than that, there were tensions between Ozpin and Vales governing council. Effectively playing into her hands. They were oh so easy to sway just enough to sow some distrust between the old fools. To lull them into believing that they were safe if things stayed the way they were. The way both Salem's people as well as their own liked.
The time was ripe. It had been a long two thousand years, but her mistress' plans were ready to be set into motion. They already had, in fact.
And yet, here they were, contemplating in their failures.
Cinder noted with slight amusement at how quiet the meeting room had been for the last fifteen minutes. There were no greetings given between one another. Not that she expected them to. Normally, either Watts or Callows would be attempting, and failing in her opinion, to rile her up. Making to poke and prod at her failings, and generally remind her of her lack of experience and power in regards to the older members.
There was an intensity in the room that killed such intentions. Despite all their best efforts, their intended target had managed to not only escape them, but attain another guardian, the like of which they knew almost nothing about. Despite having Watts looking through all the records he could, even he couldn't find anything on the man. It was as if he had appeared from nowhere solely to meddle in their affairs!
Even worse, the fact that two of their own, the ones more oriented to putting people like him down, ended up just barely getting away with their lives.
The room was rife with confusion as to who their new adversary was, though all of them elected to stay alone with their thoughts.
One operation to obtain the powers of a Maiden, and that ended in abject failure. Revealing themselves early to their opponents while obtaining nothing out of the whole ordeal. The only gains they had made at that time was the knowledge of a possible third group that existed beyond their purview.
The following objective was to get rid of their opposition. Despite following them, or rather him, they hadn't found the signs of anyone else's involvement. Upon coming to that conclusion, they had made the rational choice to try and get rid of him before he could make contact with the enemy. Having given both Tyrian and Hazel control of a massive amount of Grimm, they had figured they would make short work of him.
Imagine their surprise when they returned half in the grave.
Currently, Tyrian lounged uncomfortably in his chair. Forgoing his usual crouching pose for one more relaxed that only served to make him uncomfortable. Most of the bandages he wore over his chest for a couple of months had been removed, revealing two new large scars that took up a more of an area than the previous cuts combined. Diagonally forming an asymmetrical X on the top right of his stomach, yet looking clean-cut despite their size. Though it couldn't be seen, his arm had almost been cut off from below the shoulder. But the most blatant change had to be his tail. It was evened out now and properly medicated, but it had once looked like a small mound of red and purple flesh when it had been torn off close to the base.
Hazel's continued survival was, to be frank, astounding. He was better now after a few treatments, and by some miracle, was currently sitting at the table in his usual crossed arm pose. Ironic, really. When they had returned from their failed mission, he was being carried by Tyrian; wholly unresponsive. His back had been riddled with holes that had once been occupied by an ungodly amount of Dust Crystals. Enough to have caused a near total shutdown of his body. High-end pain tolerance or not, that amount of raw energy coursing indiscriminately through your body would be enough to kill a person a couple hundred times over.
All of that was managed when that man had impaled him in the stomach with Tyrian's removed stinger, distracting the man long enough to turn him into an elemental porcupine. A rather pragmatic use of what was on hand at the time, she'd begrudgingly admit.
Cinder couldn't say that they were friends or anything, but she was glad to see him walking about in the waking world. He wouldn't be sent out on any missions for a while yet while the last of the dust leaves his system, which will likely take some time yet.
She peeked from the corner of her eyes towards Watts. Finding him steadily working away on his Scroll, actively looking for any and all information pertaining to this Jonas individual. Data that had been recently made available due to his earlier announcement. But to most of them, it only served to remind them of their own failures. Not even she was exempt from her feelings of inferiority. Which only served to annoy her more than anything her supposed allies could dish out to her.
A small growl almost sounded booming in the room, and their collective attention turned towards Tyrian, who looked to have slowly gotten wound up in the silence as he shifted in his seat; his current form of discomfort serving to be an ever-present sign of his failure.
"Really, must we continue to sit around and dawdle?" He complained in annoyance. "The longer we sit here doing nought but twiddling our thumbs, the more power and security those whelps gain!"
Cinder rolled her eyes just as Watts gave a sigh, as if he were lecturing a child. "You of all people dare to ask that? After your last cock-up?"
"It was impossible to know his abilities at the time." Hazel countered as Tyrian glared daggers at the man. His voice sounded tired, and a little more rough than usual. "The operation hinged on what we believed him to be without obtaining enough information; even after two months of careful preparation. We can only find so much on someone from hearsay and stories."
"Yes, well, I suppose failure in those conditions was a likely possibility. More so with those involved." He scoffed, and unsurprisingly, Hazel gave no reaction to his poorly veiled insult. "But the outcome to that undertaking makes for all the more reasoning to take things slowly! Yes, he made contact with Ozpin after that little stint. And yes, their security will likely increase as a result of that problem. But things will be much worse if we go and rush into things needlessly."
"Quite." The voice of their mistress came in reply.
All of them sat a little straighter. Their eyes turned toward the doors as she walked through the quietly groaning portal. Moving with the same grace as always to her seat. To their relief, she seemed to be in a good mood. Otherwise, they probably wouldn't be sitting in their seats, but rather cowering and asking for forgiveness for their failures.
"Whoever this individual is, they've managed to escape our grasp not once, but twice. And leaving us all the worse for it. An admirable achievement, truly." Salem admitted darkly. She looked towards their injured compatriots. "While I'd not expected this outcome, we've come out all the wiser for it. And though we may have lost some potential resources, that you returned to us is a boon. For truly knowing our enemy, though only a little, is a valuable commodity."
"Goddess…!" Cinder almost rolled her eyes at Tyrian, who looked ready to fall to the floor in reverence as tears welled up in his eyes.
"For now, we must bide our time." Salem nodded in agreement to Watts, who gave her a small bow. "His ability to survive two of my enforcers infers to a strength and skill we know nothing about, with weapons and armor of an unusual make. We must figure out what these may be in the coming months."
"That may not be so much of a problem, Ma'am." Watts noted. All eyes looked to him. "It appears, upon looking at the vale news, as well as a few international outlets, that they have released some information correlating to our man of interest. Likely to show enough of said knowledge and skill in order to affirm his position as a newly christened Professor of Beacon Academy. To say nothing of what I've gathered from the few times we've crossed paths with him, this should better paint a far more detailed picture of the man than previous."
She gestured at him to continue. With a nod, he slid the large scroll into the middle of the table, taking control of it through the much smaller one in his hands. With a few buttons the screen lit up, casting a bright glow as it slowly developed a three-dimensional holographic shape of the man in question.
"Jonas Ray Everblue." He began. "Age twenty. No designated date or place of birth. No family noted. Was recently promoted to the rank of A in the Hunter's Guild. And, as said previously, the newest Professor at Beacon." He tapped a couple buttons, and windows of scrolling information popped up around the model. "Choice of weapon is various, as while he's noted to mainly wield Greatswords in both the single-handed, and two-handed method, along with two black and green rifles, he's been shown to use spears, hammers, axes and whips if the situation has called for it. However, The most important bit of information is his use of what could be described as magic."
Everyone's expressions turned a little more serious at that. Even Tyrian, for all his lunacy, seemed intently focused for a change.
Watts looked towards Salem. "Though the methods of its use are starkly different from what we know, the outcomes of them are far too similar to that of a Maidens, and of your own, Ma'am, to ignore."
A couple video feeds appeared, each showing from the views of some whose interest had been grabbed over his four-month stint out in the wilds. From cutting the surrounding foliage, from the grass to the trees, launching boulders like projectiles, and electrocuting the more heavily armored Grimm he came across. The most striking of them was a video depicting his Huntsman Examination. Where he fought against large numbers of Atlesian Knights. Laying waste to them with both blade and gun handily, before switching out and using enough magic to turn the floor into a draconic ice sculpture.
"This was the most I could find for the time being." He admitted with an irritated frown. "Anything not correlating to his magic or fighting style has been heavily encrypted. Likely by Ironwood, if I had to hazard a guess."
"You're unable to break it?" Cinder raised a brow, a string of incredulity in her voice.
"Though I am a man of many abilities, and believe me; there are many, even with all at my disposal, I could not do so without drawing the general's attention." Watts tapped his finger on the table. A notable tic of his whenever he came across something he couldn't deal with by throwing his genius at it. "There is some notable friction between the two, superficial or otherwise, that has him looking over everything about the man with a fine-toothed comb. Now, if I had direct access, then this wouldn't be much of a problem. But if I attempt to force my way in there through hacking, or even stealing an individuals keycodes, there is a very high chance that he would notice."
They blinked at that. Surprised by the admission. The man was anything if not prideful. Always having a way out of most situations, and solving problems of a technical persuasion with little resistance. And though he wasn't one to shy away from his own failures, they would often be caught dead before ever admitting to it.
The blackette looked towards her mistress, finding her staring forward with a look of consideration. Not overly worried, but with a good deal of interest in her black and red eyes. Obvious from the way they were glowing. They normally got that way when she was trying to find a way to deal with a problem that had escaped more subtle solutions.
The rest looked to her in silent question. Wondering what their next move would be. It didn't take her too long to notice, nor come to a decision.
"…For now, we need not worry." She leaned back into her crystal chair. "The actions of the man have been limited to grimm extermination, and acting as a shield for the Fall Maiden. So long as we avoid his attention, we will be more than able to deal with him when the time comes." Cinder perked when Salem turned to her. "Have Roman continue as he is. From having him build up to where he is now, they may not consider it much until it's too late. But do nothing that may draw their attention."
"Of course, Mistress."
"We must not lose the element of surprise we still hold." The lot of them shivered when her glowing eyes glared between them. "Am I understood?"
They bowed their heads in understanding. Giving a "Mistress", or "Ma'am" between them.
"Foolish."
Four chairs went screeching behind them, each turning sharply, weapons drawn in seconds and pointed directly towards the doorway.
It still appeared empty. No sounds of steps, or armor rattling against one another. But there was… an unnaturalness to it. The shadows writhed wherever they touched. One could be forgiven for thinking that it was looking for someone to pull into itself, like a gaping maw looking for its next meal.
"We hast expect more of you. With consideration to thine effort you've put in the thousands of years thou has existed, with all thy careful planning made from trial and error, and expanding thine Grimm to keep a stranglehold on the rest of the world, you of all people should know how easily a plan can be destroyed by a single individual." The feminine voice echoed out from beyond the shadows. A note of disappointment and amusement in her tone. The dark stretched forward from its roost, slowly encroaching into the room. "For one of thine wisdom and stature to believe a man like he would be so incompetent to the world surrounding him is disappointing."
Tyrian looked about the room warily. A reaction far from normal for the man who acted with a mad surety. Eyes twitching from place to place with a body wound up to strike. Watts, Hazel and Cinder, while not as sensitive to it, could feel the dread and malice in the air. Were it not for working with Salem as long as they had, seeing her anger firsthand, they would have caved from the domineering apparition.
Whoever they were, they would be a challenge.
The feeling faded as the power of their mistress filled the room, pushing back the presence and giving the dark pause. Eyes alight in red fire, giving a stern, furrow-browed look towards a single area in the shadows. Hands aglow in black and red balls of energy as her dress and cloak billowed lightly.
"Enough games." She said darkly, an echo of power in her voice. "Reveal yourself!"
The shadows looked to shift in thought, considering her command briefly. Slowly, they pulled back. The shaded areas somehow growing darker as it did so. The black within coalesced together, bulging out and slowly taking shape into a humanoid form. Glowing, solid yellow eyes bore into the occupants as dark peeled back when they walked into the room.
What stood in its place was a woman of indeterminate age or race. Her body mostly covered by a frayed, blood-stained white hood that she wore, paired with a mostly featureless white mask; save for the yellow lenses over the eyeholes, and red markings on the left, between her cheek and chin. What could be made out underneath looked reminiscent of Mistralian Ninja. With baggy pitch-black leggings that were just as bloody on the bottom as her cloak. Red chainmail poked out of the opening at the hips, slightly hidden by the belts and chains that hung down her legs, each carrying flasks or bombs for various uses. And Cinder couldn't help but think those weren't just the plain kinds, either.
Nary a sound graced their ears as she walked into the room with controlled, methodical steps. Her every move inscrutable to the four of them, made all the worse by the dark giggle she gave as she passed them. She'd probably come to that conclusion herself.
She gave a grand formal bow, showing a hand and lower arm garbed red, clawed fingertips and fingerless, sleeved gloves. Both of which were connected to one another through silver beads that ran to the major knuckles.
"It is a pleasure to make thine acquaintance at long last, oh Lady of the Dark." She said respectfully. Noticeably, her accent wasn't Low Mistrali despite her choice in clothing. "I am The Wight. The newest Wight, to clarify."
Salem's eyes gave a flash of recognition, the magic in her palms fading into nothing as she relaxed. Though looking no less serious.
"I see… You're one of their servants." She mumbled in curiosity.
"Mistress? Who are they?" Cinder politely asked. Her expression for once mirrored by her compatriots. A true rarity. One that she would have considered more, had it not been for present circumstances.
Red eyes wandered briefly to hers, never straying long from their guest. "Someone of the Twilight Clan."
…Well. She was hoping for a little more than… that.
For all that she already knew after the many years of working with her, there hasn't been any mention of this clan. Not even a whisper! And their mistress seemed to respect them and theirs enough to stay her hand, even if it was only for the moment. You would think they'd have been informed of another group of importance; even if they were sort of allies!
"'Wight' is not so much a name, as it is a title." She elucidated once she came to that conclusion herself. "One gained when one reaches Grandmaster in the Twilight Clan. Since time immemorial, they have served the interests of their Liege. A new holder only comes either when the previous dies in some form, or when there comes to be a new lord; killing the previous head figure in order to avoid any goals beyond what their Liege dictates."
"Quite so, milady." Wight complimented, giving her a respectful nod.
"I would take it there is a new Liege, then?" The pale queen said more as a statement then a question. Her servants not getting the chance to get a word in.
"Yes. Our former lord had passed some months ago." She bowed her head solemnly. "Our Liege understandably still mourns the loss, but presses on regardless for the order's goals."
"Then I will not waste your time with useless prattle." Her mistress' tone became completely serious. "Why have you intruded here?"
Wight looked back up. The lenses staring directly into her eyes. "To caution thou on any actions thine may take from this moment forward."
The four servants tensed at what appeared to be a threat, withholding attacking the woman only because their superior remained unmoving.
"…You refer to our new enemy, do you not?" She questioned; a delicate eyebrow raised in interest.
"Indeed, milady." They all quickly noted that, despite her attempts at acting refined, there was a noticeable trembling in her voice. From anger or worry, they weren't certain. "Were it not for the danger that man poses to both our plans, I would not be here. But rather, serving as my Liege's blade."
"He is but a mortal." Salem scoffed. "No matter what items or weapons they may carry, or the strengths they might hold, their bodies would perish by the hands of time; as all beings beholden to time do. It is of little consequence if I must deny my plans for the future for a generation or three."
Her party paled at her response. Wanting to say something, but holding their tongues lest they receive their fair lady's wrath.
Cinder was no different. She had been promised power. So much power that none would dare oppose her! So long as she stayed true to her goals. But if she didn't need her… If she was just casually thrown like ash in the winds…!
She just about went catatonic. She would have, had Wight not spoken up when she did.
"Were it so simple." She gave her a long, silent stare. Her head cocked to the side. "Would you like to guess how this man suddenly appeared from nowhere? How they just came into existence next to a town that just so happened to be invaded by Grimm?" Salem again raised a brow, but neglected to say anything. "Make no mistake. His sudden arrival was no accident. From what force, we've no clue. But the order had known his return was a possibility for the last several generations."
"Generations?"
"Yes. Information gleamed from the remains of old temples. Buried in dirt and stone and lost to time. By our records, those ruins are ancient. Beyond anything seen before or since." She gave a low growl as she lost her accent. "Depictions of a man in blue slaying countless creatures of both Light and Dark. Bringing forth the end of entire Kingdoms and Religions. An unstoppable force that once striked fear into the hearts of Men and Monster alike. Not for being the strongest being, no. Nor the most intelligent, or magically inclined. But feared for his innate ability to adapt. To learn."
'Sounds like something from a fairy tale…' Cinder's mind thought quickly, still wracked with panic, but more muted. At least for the moment. Her brows furrowed as she looked back on any stories she heard. 'Certainly not one I've ever heard from our Mistress…'
"If he is who we suspect, then time is irrelevant." The masked woman hissed. "The man hast a deep connection to the supernatural, and can notice the smallest inconsistencies. The more time he is given to push his influence in the world, the more and more likely it will be our plans will be foiled. He willfind you- and us. If we so foolishly choose to give the chance." She leaned towards Salem. "And he will not accept bargains for our lives. He will end us. Without hesitation."
Salem's eyes glowed briefly, blinking in surprise, shockingly, at the masked woman's blunt honesty. And considering her obvious profession, she could get it.
Normally, those who worked in the shadows like Ninja's did operated under a degree of almost complete discretion. They wouldn't speak even unto death; usually caring only for the mission at hand, and the ones whom they served under. It was a little jarring, to say the least.
They reached under her cloak. Pulling out an old, dilapidated book that looked positively ancient; plopping it down on the table in front of her. A faded brown leather that still looked fairly durable despite its age, and gold etching, with flecks missing all over, along the edges of the hardcover.
"I will not ask thou to decide now. Such is not my right." She turned, her voice gaining that accent again as she moved without a sound towards the exit. "Read the book. Come to your own conclusion. If thou feels the same way, then thine next action should be readily obvious."
With that, she practically faded to shadow. Sinking into the ground and vanishing as if she were never there to begin with.
Salem stared towards the massive hall in silence, considering her words, before turning her sights towards the book. They all had. Leaning over to get a better look at the front cover out of curiosity of what she had left behind.
There were little eccentric effects. Just chipped gold filigree and a broken four-point star.
Above that were five simple words in the center. Words which turned their blood cold.
LEGEND OF
THE
GOD-BREAKER
Several Hours Later…
Jonas let out a large yawn, a hand over his mouth as he lounged with some of the other professors close by the edge of the cliff. Catching Amber from the corner of his eye quietly giggling at him with a small smile, which he just grinned back at.
It had been a long night, to say the least. Paperwork was the worst, only coming in a close second to the glaring quiet he suffered through. Complete silence was never his thing. After being alone for weeks on end, you'd think he would've been used to it.
He usually occupied his time with any of his multitude of hobbies he'd been forced to develop during the long periods of peace. Ranging from Blacksmithing, woodworking, maintaining equipment, and so on and so forth. Usually anything that had to do with dealing with monsters, or building structures do deal with them in some way, shape, or form. But with the two of them being surrounded by a hundred or more sleeping kids, that option was kind of out the window.
Peter, bless him, had tried to help him occupy the time with some stories. As bad as they were, it was a damn sight better than either of the previously mentioned pastimes. But he had slowly become less boisterous in the storytelling as time went on. Losing more and more gusto as the clock ticked forward until it turned into slurred, barely discernable bits and pieces. He was kind of feeling the same at that point, honestly.
After that, he just kind of chose to leave the man be as he fell into a lethargy. Looking like a Zombie as he spaced out for the last couple of hours. Knowing him, he probably practiced the art of sleeping with his eyes open; which Jonas could say that he sorely needed.
But he made it through the night, like he always did. Still coming out tired for it, but feeling oddly energetic.
Had to be Initiation. Never seen one in action, or rather, he'd never seen anything relating to Hunters in general beyond taking a mission and finishing it, he guessed. So, it'd be interesting to see what it was they had to deal with in order to be properly accepted into one of their academies.
'Wonder if it's anything like what I dealt with back when I started out?' He mused, before inwardly shaking his head.
Odds were on that it was a lot more mundane. His growth was built entirely of desperation and necessity. Getting what needed done, done,because his very life depended on it. With only a rare few moments peace and relaxation in between. This, meanwhile, would rightly be akin to 'Kill Grimm, meet up, find object, and return to starting point'. A simple goal for the most part, with a bit of danger that was the Grimm thrown in to spice things up. They rightly wouldn't let them die of course. From what Ozpin had said when he came out, they had Peter and Bart out in the forest to get the would-be students to safety if their lives were in any actual danger.
Though there was a lot of forest for them to cover. And while they were Huntsmen in their own right, they couldn't be everywhere at once.
…Was it strange he wasn't as worried as he probably should be?
He gave a mirthless snort at that. 'Guess I'm just accustomed to that life…'
"Hey. Are you okay?"
He turned toward Amber when she gave a gentle knock on his right shoulder too grab his attention. His mind slowly registering what she just said.
"Eh. Little tired, I suppose." He admitted. "Been busy the last few months, so I'm a little bit out of it from the lack of proper rest. Being awake for two days straight hasn't exactly helped."
"You don't need to push yourself you know." Amber jutted her head towards the Professors Wing. "You could just head to your new room in the Staff Wing to sleep."
Oh yeah… He had a room now. Kind of fell to the back of his mind with everything going on.
Well, that and the sleep deprivation.
"You've been awake for the last forty-eight hours, Professor Everblue." Ozpin gently chided him. "There is no other work you need to cover for us. No one here will blame you if you go rest."
Professor Goodwitch nodded along, looking ready for the day ahead. She gave him a small nod of thanks when they met up earlier today, looking better rested than she had the last couple times he saw her.
"I'm tempted. And thank you for the consideration. But no." He shook his head with a smile. "Better to have all hands-on deck, in case something unpredictable happens. Which for me, usually does every few minutes. Plus, I was wanting to see what Initiation is all about. Curious how you run the trial."
"What is the objective this year, Ozpin?" Glynda asked, curious herself.
"Chess pieces located at the start of the ruins. Around the old stone pillars." He replied quickly and quietly so make sure no students would overhear him. "In pairs, of course. Those who carry the same pieces will be placed in a team."
"And for pairs of two?" Jonas asked just as the students began to make their way out from the locker rooms.
"You will see in a moment." Ozpin smiled. Guiding the flow toward the steel plates that lined the edge a couple dozen meters away from the lip.
He idly noticed the girls from last night making their way towards the opposite end where he was. Popping a small grin when Miss Rose, as she was technically a student for the moment, gave him a small wave and a nervous but cheery smile. She looked a lot better than she did the day before. Having probably settled down emotionally enough from having been proven innocent of the incident the day before, and likely from knowing he didn't hate her or some similar such thing that she had floating in her head last night.
Surprisingly, Mister Arc gave him a small greeting of his own. A small, hesitant nod. He was obviously more nervous than anyone else here. His hands idly twitching; not so much as a warrior's twitch, but more like a guy who was so strongly attempting to avoid doing anything foolish that it became visibly blatant. Could be jitters for the test. But…
He'd taken the time to look through his file during the downtime; as he did with everyone else here. The reviews of his skill were glowing. An attentive student, who had on occasion led some of his other classmates. Socially, he was considered a man with a silver-tongue, and had the skills with his sword to match.
Then there was what he had seen the few times he had interacted with him, that basically said otherwise. His mishandling of his weapon, despite its apparent upkeep until then. His unusual level of social awkwardness when it came to people. To say nothing of his lack of social awareness that bordered on a dangerous level; what with the job the boy wanted to get into. It was as if the boy wanted to play at being a hero.
All of it gave credence to his theory that the kid might've sneaked his way into here. It was hard to consider any other possibility beyond it, other than nerves from being at his dream academy. Though he wouldn't do anything until he had solid proof of that fact.
Even more so, it was strange just how much he identified with him.
He smirked at some of the memories as Ozpin and they stood toward the now assembled group of young adults. With both him and Glynda standing front and center, and himself and Amber standing a little ways off to the side of them. Not the main focus of the test-takers, but still making an effort in looking as teacherly as they could.
"For years, you have trained to become Warriors. Honing yourselves with various skills and weapons." Ozpin gestured towards the forest behind them. "And today, everything you've learned will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest."
All of them almost immediately became alert. Some with smiles of various states. A couple nervous glances here and there. Quite a few looked pretty impatient to just get launched in there; clearly eager to start killing shit.
Ahh, to be young again…
"Now, I'm sure many of you have heard rumors of team assignments." Professor Goodwitch took over. "Allow us to put an end to your confusion. You will each be given your teammates… today."
The chatter picked up a little bit at her announcement. Jonas held back a snicker as Ruby groaned in worry, shuffling in place.
"These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time at Beacon." Ozpin clarified. "There are no do-overs or replacements. So it is in your best interests to find someone with whom you'll work well." He then popped a small smile as he lightly stated "That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years."
"WHAT?!"
He couldn't stop the chuckles, and apparently neither could Amber, as various complaints came about, including an "I told you!" from one Nora Valkyrie, as he came to learn. All of them went ramrod at the snap of a crop from Professor Goodwitch.
"After you've partnered up, make your way to the northern end of the forest." The Headmaster continued after they quieted down. His face turned grimly serious. "You will face opposition along the way. Do not hesitate to destroy everything in your path… or you will die."
Jaune swallowed, giving a nervous laugh.
A few people blinked in confusion as a small buzzing sound went to and fro around the area. Heads looking every which way for their origin. Someone gave a small yelp as a white metal ball the size of a cantaloupe hovered in front of their face. With wings of a similar style to a Bullhead, looking a fair bit more aerodynamic than it, and a large camera smack dab in the center.
The lens shifted as it stared at the kid, before flying off to get a wider shot of the surrounding students.
"You will be monitored and graded for the duration of your initiation. However, our instructors will not intervene." The wizened man lied. "You will find an abandoned temple at the end of the path containing several relics. Each pair must choose one, and return to the top of this cliff. After which, we will regard that item, as well as your standing, and grade you appropriately." He paused to give them a moment to register his words. "Are there any questions?"
Jaune raised his hand.
"Good! Take your positions!" Ozpin elected to ignore it for one reason or another.
"Yeah, um, sir? I have a question…" Jaune persisted, somehow managing to ignore when Weiss was tossed into the air like a catapult by the plate. "S-so, this Landing Strategy thing… what is it? Are you, like, dropping us off or something?"
Jonas looked between Russel Thrush being launched, and the ignorant blonde who somehow remained unaware of his surroundings with a raised brow.
"No, you will be falling." Ozpin answered drolly.
"Oh… I see…" He wanted to laugh so badly with how confused the boy sounded. "So, like, did you hand out parachutes for us?"
"No, you will be using your own landing strategy." The old man responded just as Nora went flying with a whoop.
"Uh… okay…"
Jonas shook his head, exasperated yet greatly enlivened. Was pretty weird seeing this from the outside for once! Still though, if the kid was going to be this thick, then he'd take the time to have reality beaten into his skull.
"Mister Arc!" Jonas half shouted at him, pointing down towards the ground with two fingers when he had his full attention.
Jaune lifted an eyebrow before looking the plate he was standing on, just as Cardin Winchester got launched. It finally seemed to click as his head tore back up, his eyes wide. He turned towards Ruby and Yang, who were fired in rapid succession, and looking at him for all of his last remaining second in absolute fear until he joined them with a girly scream.
"That was a little nasty." Amber mumbled quietly, giving him a disapproving stare as he cackled.
"Kid needed a reality check." Jonas stated bluntly when he calmed down. "Like it or not, having a lack of situational awareness in this profession is dangerous. It can lead to injuries at best, and total team kills at worst; to say nothing of the villages and towns that might fall from it. And I've little doubt you saw for yourself how blind Mister Arc was to his own surroundings."
She didn't disagree with him. Looking a little miffed for his sake, but understanding the underlying intention.
The magician patted her shoulder. "I'd rather the kid be alive and aware of his actions, than regretting them later, Amber. Mistakes that lead to the loss of lives, if left burdened on the soul of a good man or woman, can be crushing. Leaving them second-guessing, and always having what-ifs. It's easy for those unprepared to fall into that pit. And it can be difficult for them to find a way to accept the consequences. Tougher still to stand and move on from it."
It would have been foolish of him to assume she hadn't picked up on the subtle undertones of his words. More so to be blind to the looks she gave him.
Rather than let her ask a question he'd rather not have her ask right now, he deigned to pull out the large scroll the both of them had been given upon being registered as new professors a couple weeks back. Before they were officially listed as such to the public at large.
These more advanced Scrolls allowed them not only to communicate as regular if they chose, but gave them access to grades, absences, and the current state of health for all students. As well with that, they also were given the ability to connect to any of the cameras located around campus. Though usually that tidbit was left to Security, any of the Professors of Beacon could access them at any time. This also worked for the drones when the time came for another Initiation rite.
Least these Councillors had their heads in order when it came to international safety. There was quite a list of things the Hunters Guild had to do to keep the cashflow to support the guild itself and manage missions for those who went out into the field, which sounded like a lot in context, but the payouts for the kingdoms and those therein were usually worth it.
He frowned a bit as a thought sprung to the forefront of his mind again.
It had been a passing hobby at first when he looked into Remnants history that had turned into full on detective work. He'd been intent on learning what he could after coming here; which he did. But after looking through, he had picked up a few things that were… off.
Everything from the Faunus Revolution, the Great War, to even the histories of the former monarchies and such were still there; as were as the formation of the kingdoms themselves, and any technological advancements. Dust was a big player as well, having been heralded as what saved them from the Grimm before the four nations were even a thought. Even ancient ruins whose origin couldn't be determined.
But beyond those?
Nothing. Not a damned thing.
Jonas understood that with the Grimm out there, books and like would have been lost to constant attacks back then. But he figured there would at least be some form of oratory history that would have been passed down the family line, or something to that degree. Something that said more than 'This is how the Kingdom was made'. And 'Faunus have always been treated like this'. Or even a 'Oh boy, wonder where these ruins came from!' would have been acceptable!
He inwardly groaned, one among a nearly infinite number. Resolving to get in touch with one of his contacts again when he had the free time to determine why exactly something that had only been a century or three ago was drawing blanks from people.
…Which would be scant in the coming days, what with work.
Shame, that.
The thought ended just as his mind snapped back to the camera feeds as they finally connected with his scroll. He took a couple minutes to read the 'How to-' guide before jumping minute by minute between the students.
Teams were quick to form, despite how far apart they were launched from one another. Easy to figure out when Glynda announced the new groups of two one after another. One Cardin Winchester; grandson of Deimos Winchester – A.K.A., the gaunt, skinny guy from the news the day before – had just paired up with one Russel Thrush.
Kid was a known racist towards the Faunus. Though only to the level of a bully for the most part. He had a few bad moments from before then, if what his papers said were to be believed, so he wasn't immediately worried. But the fellow certainly took after his elder in a few respects.
He wondered if he could get as purple-faced as him? He still looked at that memory fondly after dropping that bomb on them when he showed off his powers…
Many other individuals followed, while others were sadly eliminated before they had the chance to really get in there. Sad to see happen, but sometimes, beyond skill and strength, luck had a part to play. He knew that not everyone was as blessed.
A mostly repressed snicker passed his lips at the sight of a certain short-haired blonde being pinned to a tree by a red spear, finding Black Undies herself, or to peg a proper name; one Pyrrah Nikos, making contact with him. Lightly asking if there was still room on his team.
Whoops. Looks like he was listening in on something he shouldn't!
Moving along, he came across one Yang Xiao Long beating the tar out of a couple of Ursa. Looking absolutely pissed at them for something that he lacked the context for.
The first went down pretty quick. Brute force, if given just enough skill, could tear down damn near anything in its path. But before she could get anywhere with the second, the beast had stiffened and fallen over dead, revealing one Blake Belladonna standing behind it with what appeared to be a long ribbon attached to a sickle-pistol hybrid of some kind, yanking it from the corpse and sliding it into a sheath that instead made it into a machete.
'Gonna need to ask about that later!' A childlike smile broke on his face when the weapon piqued his interest.
"Our last pair has been formed. Nora Valkyrie and Lie Ren" Glynda declared. Both Amber and himself looked to her as she walked back towards the three of them. The deputy winced. "Poor boy. I can't possibly see the two getting along. From what I've seen of this Ren, he's incredibly poised and noble bearing. Having to deal with this wild child may be a problem for him in the future."
Both Amber and him idly wondered if it would be prudent to mention how they've spotted the two together more than once since their arrival. They seemed to know one another, so it shouldn't be too bad.
"Still, he's probably better off than Miss Nikos." The stern blonde made a face as she gave a small rant, hopping over to said girl's camera just as her and her new partner made their way through the underbrush. "I don't care what his transcripts say, that Jaune fellow isn't ready for this level of combat."
"You too, huh?" Jonas let out a small grunt in agreement. "Kid seemed pretty out of it in social situations, to be honest. Though that could be the way he was raised, I suppose. From what I read up on, Jaune Arc has seven siblings."
"Seven?!" Amber balked at the number.
"No kidding. The wife must've had ovaries of Orichalcum to manage that! That or the husband has a death wish the likes of which has never been described before." He gave a quick smirk before getting the topic on track. "The leader shtick the paper indicated might be a little much. Possibly from a staff member that might have favoured him too much for their own good. But his combat level is yet to be determined. Suppose we'll have to wait and see."
Ozpin gave a quiet hum, his attention more on his scroll than the conversation happening around him.
Jonas raised an eyebrow as he looked at the reverse side of his device. Finding him watching the cameras trailing behind Ruby Rose. His eyes were focused intently on Little Red Riding Hood for some reason.
Was he worried, perhaps? She did jump ahead a couple of years, so there was the chance she missed a couple of required lessons.
He winced when, upon hopping to the very same camera, he found the poor girl working with Weiss Schnee of all people.
'That's going to be an uphill battle…'
Time flickered by after that. Noting which groups were hauled off by Port and Oobleck when they failed and which ones actually managed to make their way to the aforementioned ruins. There was a camera stationed there luckily, so he didn't need to keep hopping between them to see who else had gotten to the objective.
Teams of two became teams of four, and it wasn't long for most of them to put two and two together when they saw the chess pieces. Figuring that two pairs needed the same piece in order to be a team. Others just grabbed whatever was there; not caring much one way or the other and just making their way back.
He raised an eyebrow when he saw one of the feeds was showing nothing but empty blue skies. Everyone else looked when he pointed it out, but none could immediately figure out why. It took to switching to another point of view to realize as he broke down into laughter as Professor Goodwitch sighed, that Ruby and Weiss had somehow hitched a ride on a fully grown Nevermore. Not to mention successfully using it as a means of transportation to get to the ruins, who were currently being occupied by the redhead's sister and teammate.
Apparently, they were as shocked as Amber was. But himself?
Hey, it sounded like something he'd do!
Though, usually, he did it with a Wyvern though, not a Grimm. He would need to find time practice though. Maybe start with an Ursa or something to that regard.
Just like Miss Valkyrie did when she made her grand entrance to the area! With a reasonably tired Lie Ren following behind, gasping for breath. Though apparently Jaune had her beat when he took a ride on a Deathstalker's stinger, of all things!
'These kids are as crazy as I am!' He incredulously came to a conclusion, half filled with pride he didn't know he could have for a literal stranger while concern filled the other. Growing a little smirk as Miss Nikos almost went tumbling through the air, landing in a heap in front of her friends when the scorpion smacked her.
Did they try to one-up one another when he wasn't looking, or was all this an accident?
The two, more senior staff members watched on with… He couldn't say concern. Guess kids trained in combat and heading for the academies fought creatures like this all the time in Initiation? Maybe slight interest with a touch of caution was more suitable an answer.
His hand twitched and Amber inhaled sharply as Miss Rose damn near got herself killed in a fanatical bid to prove herself to her peers. Justifiably scaring the shit out of her sister and friends in the process when she got herself pinned down by one of the Nevermore's massive feathers as the Deathstalker charged at her. Only avoiding a grisly death via impalement when Miss Schnee surrounded the beast in ice, freezing it in place. Giving her enough time to give the other girl a pep-talk before they grabbed their own pieces and booked.
Jonas let out a breath he didn't know he was holding as the tension lessened.
It was one thing if it was him. He had come to accept putting his own life on the line from the decade of experience he had in the field. But watching someone who had a family? A life beyond increasing your strength, skill, and equipment for the next inevitable battle that only you could face?
A slayer of monsters, he might be. He had the time to get used to that grim reality, no pun intended. But he began to question if he was cut out for being something as normal as a Professor of all things. A professor meant for training combatants, sure, but still.
'The mundane life seems further and further away…' He wanted to sigh, but held it in due to present company.
Memories flashed behind his eyelids. Of hellish pits, blood red moons, and an uncountable amount of folks with pitchforks. Of armies hounding him for his powers. And he could have sworn he heard the sobbing of orphans and widows somewhere behind him. As much as he wanted to walk away right now and end the day here, he stood his ground with a stony face.
No. This was private. No need to compromise himself in front of his potential allies.
And besides, he was new to the role. Given some time, it was probable that he'd be a little more used to it.
The following fight was interesting. Though the two teams had managed to make tracks, the two beasts had managed to catch up to them within minutes of their escape; having backed them up into a much larger set of ruins.
Ozpin seemed to groan in vexation at the coming destruction of some ancient history. Couldn't blame him there. Lord knows he probably could have lived there at one point in another life.
He would've asked him to fill in the blanks for him, were it not for the fact that he and the others of his circle were already suspicious of him as it was. No need to throw more fuel in the fire that might potentially lead to their partnership breaking up.
Jonas hummed to himself as he watched them separate into groups with flair. Using Nora along with a broken bridge utilised like a catapult to launch herself and Jaune over to the other side where Lie and Pyrrah were. Knocking Blake over the edge on accident when she couldn't completely stop her velocity and sending her into freefall over a deep gorge. Swiftly correcting herself by using her weapon to swing to a new foothold that was the Nevermore itself. Getting a few swings in at its head and along its back before jumping on one of the walls of a broken tower; grouping up with Yang, Weiss and Ruby against the oversized bird while the Deathstalker stood towering over the other four.
Jaune showed himself to be a pretty good leader, honestly. Noting the stinger, which had gone to slowly being held together by a few strands of flesh, and using it against the creature by having Miss Nikos cutting it off, and using Miss Valkyrie to impale it through its partially broken mask.
Couldn't say much to his fighting, though. Only got a small glimpse of it, so he really couldn't give an accurate conclusion without more info.
The other group, though, they had to be a tad more exotic in their method of takedown. Opting to tie Blake's ribbon to two pillars in a pseudo slingshot, and launching Ruby through a combination of that and Weiss's glyphs. Pinning the Nevermore on the side of a cliff, leaving it unable to attack or fly, and again using the snowy girl's semblance along and her own speed to decapitate it.
Jonas really wanted to clap at that little work of art.
"Guess that settles things then?" He looked to Ozpin.
"We will still be needed to conclude their team names, but yes." The headmaster nodded. "Of course, they will still need to return here first to pass."
"Yeah, we remember." Jonas rolled his eyes before seriously asking him. "There's nothing else here that's too dangerous, is there?"
"There should not." Professor Goodwitch answered. "We regularly take turns eliminating the more advanced Grimm that may pop up. The Deathstalker and Nevermore were an exception only because the former hibernates, meaning we wouldn't notice unless we specifically found its den, while the latter migrates."
Seemed like fair reasoning. And frankly, he was too tired to consider further at this point. Sleep was so tantalizingly close that he could nearly taste it!
It was around then that fate decided to take another loving shit all over him for his hubris.
A massive flock of birds flew from their trees into the distance, and feel a couple of barely perceptible tremors pass through in the ground just as Ozpin's scroll rang all too ominously to him. And revealing a worryingly serious Port on the other end when it connected.
"Ozpin? We have a problem."
Glad I was able to get this one done faster. I've been going at it by about a thousand or so words a day, so it's been keeping pace.
…So long as my mind works with me, anyway.
It was pretty entertaining writing about the Initiation Arc from an outsiders perspective! Hopefully I'll get the chance to do that more often.
Also, I've been thinking of including little Extras (Or Omakes, if you like the wording better) here and there in the future. Figured that should be a fairly interesting way to flesh things out a little further.
See y'all in the next chapter!