Communication on Remnant wasn't something easily done. At least, not at first anyway. Many years ago, before the boon in technological revolution, humanity had to communicate the hard way. By travel.
If one wanted to learn the status of perhaps friends from another country away, they had to walk there. In most cases, this led to death seeing as the Grimm were there. Always impeding any form of travel, be it land, sea, sky and anything else for the matter. Because of that, humanity found it quite tough to speak to one another unless they were close to one another. If anything, if one wanted to send a message to another frontier or settlement, you had to pay a Huntsman to do the job for you.
Needless to say, many didn't like that. Let aside wasting money on just the simplest of messages.
Then, Atlas came. For all their faults, their CCT was a gift that helped change the way humans and faunus talk forever. No more risking one's life to deliver some package to another kingdom. Instead, thanks to the literal power of the internet and a push of a button, communication and the ability to speak across kingdoms was a game changer. While the CCT's of course weren't perfect, they still allowed many to speak to friends, families, business workers ever so easily.
For many years the CCT's were used with many thanks to these towers. This ensured that the four kingdoms and the other smaller cities could talk without too much problem. Still, despite this much needed solution, the CCT's were not perfect.
There were only four CCT towers in Remnant. Due to complications, it took four to allow worldwide communications. With Atlas unwilling or unable to make more of these towers for some reason, which meant one thing. If on the off-chance one of the towers fell, then aside from the ability to communicate within one's own kingdom, the ability to convey messages worldwide would instantly go down.
Thankfully, this hasn't been a problem at all for these many decades. After all, the CCT towers were quite durable, not to mention it wasn't as if the Grimm could get to them like their predecessors. Being inside the kingdoms and thus, more than difficult for the Grimm to even get to. Meaning this rather oversight flaw couldn't be exploited at all.
"We are sorry, but we can receive your call. Please try again later."
"See. Told you." Oscar said to supposedly nobody in particular. Though in truth, was speaking to the new voice inside his head.
…he wasn't crazy.
"I apologize Oscar, but I just had to be certain." The boy then put down the phone from the stall and walked away. "It wasn't as if I knew the CCT towers went down after my…death." Hard to tell what happened in between his death then reincarnation. So, Ozpin had little idea that the CCT towers had gone down at some point in time. Which meant no capability to speak with those he knew in Vale.
"So then, I guess we resume on?" Oscar then asked with Ozpin giving a mental nod.
"Seeing as what you said is true, then our best bet is Mistral. Where my friend Leo Lionheart is at. He can help us." A good man Lionheart is. Ozpin trusting the man was keeping Haven safe as promised, even during these rather dire times.
"Alright." Oscar shrugged while looking around. "Though how will we even get into the academy? Don't we need like, I dunno, a pass or something to get in?" Admittingly, Oscar knew very little about how the academy functioned other than they made powerful warriors.
"Don't worry about that Oscar. The four academies are actually quite open to anybody." Ozpin assured his latest reincarnation. "If anything, it'll be getting in contact with Lionheart that'll be a bit tougher." The schools might allow many to enter, to see just how an academy that prided itself on defending Grimm is like, but naturally, there were some places that are denied to any tourists. Not to mention it wasn't as if he and Oscar could just walk up to a teacher and ask to see the headmaster, then be denied simply because the headmaster is too busy to deal with some kid.
Still, Ozpin believed with some convincing the two can manage this and meet Lionheart. Where they can then talk on their next move dealing with Salem.
"Um," Oscar, who could somewhat tell what Ozpin is thinking to a degree, then asked, "What about, you know. T-The city?" Oscar pointed up where if one looks up, you'd see the floating city high above the air. People are naturally still talking about it; Oscar would be too if the ancient immortal didn't tell him to just ignore it.
"I don't see what we can even do. What anyone can do." Now, to be fair it wasn't as if Ozpin wanted to ignore the floating city that nearly crushed everyone. If anything, he wanted answers as much as everyone else. The problem was getting them. "However, oddly enough there is a way to get the information we need."
A certain item that just so happened to also be at Haven Academy. Not only a way to speak to a friend and ally for help, getting answers from the ancient artifact within Haven being a great boon. Granted, Ozpin had been secretly saving the last two questions for another time on the off chance he needed them, however, a city that came out of nowhere seems to be appropriate to use.
"Well alright then." Oscar then headed towards where he was certain isa booth for a ride for Mistral. That'll help a lot, aside from a lack of funds. "I don't suppose you got money?"
"I'm afraid this will be on you." Sighing, Oscar just muttered and walked with some disappointment.
"Of course it is." There goes his allowance. The two were then off to the local booth to get a train ride to Mistral. They'd best hurry too. Because sooner or later, there might be some people who'll realize that staying where the floating city nearly crushed them might not be such a good idea. Last thing their journey needs is being on a train that's packed with people.
The two then just continued their little journey for a ride out of here while ignoring the excited people taking pictures. Oscar won't deny it, he might have also taken a few pictures to show his aunt later. Of course, Oscar wasn't the only one as another man just happened to be doing the same.
"Does she know about this?" A rather massive man with a stature that matched his build. Being quite muscular and rather intimidating to others. Like those before him, he too saw the city and panicked as well. Now, he's simply observing the city and severely wished he could communicate with his 'employer' for any answers. Unlike some of his associates though, Hazel didn't exactly have one of their… 'methods', in speaking to her so easily.
Letting an exasperated breath out, Hazel then decided there was no point in this. He might be curious about just what is happening, but he shouldn't dawdle as well. He needed to get to Mistral and meet up with his 'associate'. Watts should have finished dealing with him already, convincing him of what had to be done.
Or pay the price.
Hazel then went to where the train station is, ready to finish the job he's been told to do.
"And done." A great distance away, with a smile on his face, the Heroic Spirit finally finished what he was doing. In this case, killing a whole bunch of demonic beasts, who bizarrely vanished away creepily without leaving a body. A bit strange and maybe unnatural, but he got the job done. "There we go everyone. They're all dead now." In response, a storm of praise hit the Servant who all thanked him for a job well done.
"Haha. Thanks for the compliments everyone. Just doing my job." Indeed he was. Ever since the beaching of the earth turned white, the Servant, when being summoned, instantly knew what the problem was alongside his fellow allies. The Counter Force had sent them for a reason, to deal with this 'Alien God' or whatever and impede their plan by destroying this Tree of Emptiness.
Too bad that was easier said than done. Despite there being so many Heroic Spirits, their enemies were literal Gods. Machine ones to boot. If it weren't for the fact that the Servants had to kill them, personally, the Heroic Servant Sakata Kintoki Rider would have seen them as golden. As for the killing part, well…
'At the very least we bought ourselves some time.' Kintoki didn't like admitting it, but those Machine Gods were way overpowering. From the information they got from the humans who lived in Olympus, they overshadowed most threats the Servants may have faced in life. It was even admitted most of them would die, if not, all of them by the time this groovy group Chaldea arrived. Still, unlike some of the Servants that cowardly left, Kintoki agreed to fight no matter how futile it was.
"Wonder how the boss is doing?" Though right now, Kintoki is on the surface of…somewhere with an apparent shattered moon. A while ago, the Collaborator gave the God Breaker Alliance some news that could potentially change the tide of their battle against the Machine Gods. Giving them information on what they could do and where some potential allies are at. Kintoki wasn't part of the group, instead sent as a distraction so the extraction team could find these two potential allies while Kintoki and some others kept the Gods eyes on them.
Then the entire city was transported away somewhere with its Tree of Emptiness gone.
As Kintoki thought this, suddenly, a voice called out to him. "Hey man, are you good?"
Turning around, Kintoki then saw one of the bravest humans he met. One of the more notable members of the humans in the God Breaker Alliance, Macarios, who looked at him with some worry.
"Hm. Yeah kid?" Kintoki asked as he dusted off some dirt from his outfit. "There a problem?"
"No. Or, well, yeah." Macarios then changed his words while sighing. "Alright, look. Here's the situation. As grateful as I am, all of us," The young (physically) member referred to everyone on the ship. "That you killed those things, it seems we got a problem at hand."
"Are the Gods after us?" Cause that would be very unfortunate, seeing as they escaped for that very reason.
"No, thank goodness for that." Macarios gave a slight chuckle, before then frowning. "Look, it's just that it seems during our crash landing, our ability to communicate with the other ships just went down." Yikes! That wasn't golden at all.
"Meaning we can't get in touch with our friends."
"Exactly. We're blind down here." Without the ability to talk to the rest of the alliance, this meant that their group was in unknown territory. Territory apparently with demonic beasts of sorts while having no way to contact for reinforcements. Essentially, they were on their own.
"Well, I suppose things could be worse." Granted, it wasn't as if this situation was a total nightmare or anything to deal with. While worrying, Kintoki knew for the fact that being a little lost isn't much of a threat. If anything, they could survive pretty easily. They just needed a place to find and maybe some people to help them out. I mean, there had to be people somewhere aside from them, right?
As for Macarios, he honestly wished he could be with his sister. But while a bit aggravating, especially in the tone the Servant said it, the alliance members couldn't deny their situation isn't the worst spot they've been in. At the very least, Olympus isn't after them. Giving the God Breaker Alliance a chance to catch their breath and figure out what they're next move is. In this case, finding perhaps a place to go to as this ship, while good for traveling, is no place to live in.
Looking around, Macarios, Rider, along with a few others then began climbing out of the creator they were in to see just where they could be at. Granted, they knew they were in some forest, but that was all they knew. Upon finding even ground everyone only saw trees, trees, shrubbery, trees and more trees. When Macarios turned to ask Rider if he sensed any Servants, the man just shaked his head. They must be quite far out.
"Hey Melia!" Macarios then shouted back towards the ship. "Is the radar still working?"
"Yes!" A call came out from the ship. "It's working fine."
"Then see if you can find anything!" Better to check the surrounding area with Olympian technology than their own eyes. A shout of acknowledgement is heard as the person went to work on that. Macarios then went back to the ship followed by Kintoki, some humans deciding to remain outside to both enjoy the new view and keep on guard for any more of those monsters.
Though as they walked back, Macarios noticed Kintoki actually looked a bit tired.
"You good?" The teen asked, with Rider putting a hand on his hip.
"I am." He responded before giving a slight nod. "Just feel a bit tired for some reason. Probably just the escape is all." Kintoki did have to rush when Olympus began falling. Using his sweet motorcycle to make a golden getaway at top speed while also destroying a few of those robots while he was at it. Now here he is fighting a bunch of demonic beasts, of course he's tired.
While Macarios didn't look fully convinced, he didn't push the subject further either. The two then entered back on the ship, where they saw some people at work already. Obviously, wherever they were needed to be understood. The radar would be one of them, though obviously not any normal radar will be used. This is Olympian technology that puts most of PHH to shame itself.
So when the 'radar' was being used, instead of showing just the ship and some dots, instead, while slow, it showed the entire surrounding area. The trees, the grass, even the crater they were in. Olympus might be controlled by a mad dictator, but hey, the tech it provided is very useful.
"Alright then." One of the women then spoke up as she saw Macarios and decided to explain what she knew. Knowing the thousand year old teen wanted answers along with everyone else around here. "I suppose you want to know what we even know at this time?"
"Pretty much." Macarios answers. "But I can understand if you don't have everything." Like how one even shatters a moon in the first place? Granted, Macarios supposed the Gods could do that if they really wanted to like Artemis, but still.
"Got it then." The woman nods as she pushes a few buttons. "Alright, look, the radar will take time to get a full visual map and everything, but I can say a few things with confidence. Mainly, we're not on earth."
"I'd have a tough time believing that." Kintoki chuckles before growing a little more serious. "Too bad the moon says otherwise. Not to mention call this a gut feeling but…The second we got here, it's like my instincts said something is different here."
"You wouldn't be wrong." An old man snorted. "According to this, the leylines have little to no actual mana. Just about, say, what maybe the earth would have plus less."
"Less?" Macarios knew that the world known as Proper Human History wasn't exactly a place that had Gods, even understanding that their world's mana was going down day by day. But for this place to have less is a bit of a surprise.
"It's definitely…strange." The man grunted while overlooking some other data. "Granted, I can't say much for the whole planet, could just be this area's ley lines that are , the fact is the atmospheric mana is very low by our standards, so maybe an unfair comparison."
"Alright, what about those mutts outside?" The answer Macarios got is a shrug.
"Look man, we just barely got here." A person told him. "Like hell we know everything. For all we know, those creatures are just normal wildlife…by this world's standards. Maybe?"
Macarios sighed but understood and relented.
It's only been, what, under thirty minutes since they freakin landed here. Of course they wouldn't have any answers. Thinking they would, even with their advanced technology, is arrogant. Maybe the reason he wanted answers though is simply to ignore just how much danger they were in, since even if Zeus and the other Gods are preoccupied, they'll be mad.
'Not to mention,' The Olympian then thought. Thinking of two other individuals in the city. 'I still haven't dealt with them for mom and dad.'
Just the thought of them made Macarios upset and rather livid. His hands clenching together as he recalled that day, when his parents simply went to ask for what they believed to be right…then killed for it. The memory burned in his mind, even after all this time.
"Hey there." A hand then gently grips his shoulder, where Kintoki smiles at him. "You good?"
"...yeah. I am." Calming down, Macarios then just focused back on the task on hand. "For the time being, how long can we get this ship up and running again? Not to mention has the radar picked up anything important?" Like a settlement or something to go for.
"Shouldn't be long to get this flying again." A person answered him.
"As for any settlements, give me a moment." The same woman from before then began tapping on the holographic screen. Using the ship's magical detector and began checking for any potential signals nearby. After a bit, she got a ping and smiled. "I'm detecting some electric signals miles away. Signals you get only when someone is communicating with electric devices."
That's some good news. That means that even though the radar hasn't produced a map of it yet, there is a settlement nearby somewhere. Which meant people, which of course meant potential information.
"Then we should check it out." Kintoki grins, already excited. "May as well see what the people are like here."
"Or aliens." A few people then looked at the person who suggested it who then shrugged. "What? For all we know, aliens live here. Or Gods?" A few supposed the man wasn't wrong. The locals here might not even be human but something else altogether. So best to assume they could be a different species just to be safe. Kintoki also vows to help them when Macarios stops him.
"Hm, something up?"
"I think you should stay here." Macarios got straight to the point.
"Huh! Why?" A good question. Best to answer it honestly.
"Simple. Because we don't even know what's out there, with the possibility that more of those weird demonic beasts could arrive here." Sure having Rider come along with those that left to scout would be good. Great even. But they can't have everyone scout ahead, where those that remained on the ship would be in danger if some of those black creatures came back.
"He's right." A girl answered, looking rather nervous. "While all of us know some spells…we don't actually know how to fight." An embarrassment really. But one when lived in utopia, why would anyone bother to fight? Even their 'battles' with the Gods consisted of nothing more but hit and run tactics and never attempting to actually attack others. Because deep down, for all the mana they had, everyone knew if they tried to fight, they'd likely fail badly at it.
"Mmmm." Kintoki didn't really like it, wanting to come with those who scouted ahead. Yet he understood that staying behind might be for the best to not only protect these humans but also ensure the ship is safe. So, while a bit reluctant, Kintoki said, "Alright, fine." He then pointed at Macarios chest. "But you better call me if things get bad. Got it?"
"Got it." Macarios smiled. "Oh, and don't worry guys." He then called out to those who would be staying. "I'll send pictures of what we found." That got some cheers as everyone definitely wanted to see what interesting sights this place had to offer. Everyone sick of seeing the same buildings over and over back in Olympus for the longest time now.
"Then stay safe and golden." Kintoki encouraged them as a small group of five then left the ship, including Macarios, to set out and check the potential settlement nearby. It was only a few miles away anyway, so they'd be there in about maybe an hour. Just in case though, they brought some minor weapons for defending just to be safe and had some spells ready to cast on the off chance they saw those black creatures again. Nothing really fancy though, just something that would push the threat away.
Hopefully.
As the group left with Macarios leading them, Kintoki, who kept smiling, then dropped it.
"Uh." He'd been lying earlier to the kid. Or more like, hiding it. The truth being, he felt tired. Really tired. Like, if he tried to use any skills or a Noble Phantasm, he'd just vanish away then and there.
'Just what's wrong with me?' Did something occur when Kintoki had been escaping Olympus? Maybe Zeus cursed him or the other Gods? All the Rider knew is that he's far from feeling golden, if anything, he felt like he could fade away any moment, which shouldn't even be possible seeing as the freakin Counter Force itself summoned him. It was because of the Counter Force he, the boss and so many others were even in the Atlantic Lostbelt without needing a Master.
So then why-Oh crap!
"Idiot!" Kintoki then said aloud with some people surprised by his sudden attitude and shouting. Even more when Kintoki then began running out the chair and then spoke to a person quickly and shouted, "Quick! Make a contract with me!"
"Hu-wha?" The person responded with kintoki shaking him.
"A contract! Now!" How did Kintoki not realize this sooner? Oh he was such an idiot! The Counter Force summoned him and the other Servants to fight the Machine Gods and their forces, providing them the mana needed to stay materialized without a Master. But now he was fading, because as Kintoki realized that there is no Counter Force here to provide them mana.
Why this planet didn't have a Counter Force Kintoki didn't know nor care. What was important is getting a contract done and being provided the mana necessary to continue existing. Sadly, it seems that none of these people actually knew how to make a contract, let aside any having the knowledge to do so. In other words, Kintoki is about to vanish away.
'But first,' Kintoki then saw the guy fixing the communications system. 'I need to at least warn the others.' The Rider then quickly ran to the dude who looked worried, then began panicking when he and those inside the ship saw Kintoki actually start fading. "Listen!" Kintoki grabbed the man who gave a yelp. "When communications are restored, you gotta tell the other Servants they need to make a contract! Or they're done for!"
Who knows, maybe by luck some of them already realized this. Kintoki won't deny isn't the brightest bulb of the bunch, being a fighter, not a scholar. He might not be stupid or hopeless, but he didn't even realize he whad no mana support until the last minute. Chances are some of the Servants won't either, where they'll fade away unless they do something fast. The only ones who'll be safe are probably those who accepted those Klironomia which can help sustain mana to a good degree like that Assassin. But him, who never took the nanomachines, he's a goner.
'Dang. Sorry kid.' Kintoki thought about Macarios, having really wanted to help him and the other Servants including the boss. Sadly, his wasting of his remaining mana from fighting those things did him in. 'At the very least, I wish you luck.' Then like that, Kintoki faded away, leaving nothing behind that he even existed.
"?" Macarios looked back, as if he felt something.
"Something wrong man?" One of the few who went with him then asked with Macarios shaking his head.
"...No. It's nothing." probably just a bit nervous being here. As exciting as all this is, even the ten-thousand year old boy couldn't deny there is some fear, no matter how little, there is in exploring unknown land. One with potential dangers while all they had were just a few defensive spells and basic attack ones.
'Plus, we can't use the surrounding environments ambient mana. We have to use our Od instead.' Thankfully, compared to the average person from Proper Human History, Macarios and the rest had plenty of mana in them to help out to compensate.
The group continued to walk, making sure they were safe while heading toward where this possible settlement is at. As they made their way, a beeping was heard and one of the scouts checked a flat device they had on them. Smiling.
"Interesting." The girl clicked a few buttons to get a better reading. "According to this, we're close. Not to mention it seems that they're are some small but notable mana readings up ahead."
"So, magus?" A man asked with the girl shaking her head.
"I don't think so. These seem more like readings you get from an object imbued with mana. Although," The girl checked her device again and pointed it straight ahead. "I am getting a minor but rather developed signature. Not sure what it is though."
"Then I suppose we'll find out soon." Macarios stopped moving, where the rest paused. Because in their sights just a distance away, one could see what appears to be a town. However, the unique energy reading they were getting appeared to be in some station. Using a minor reinforcement spell on his eyes, Macarios saw some people entering what appeared to be a primitive train ride.
"Weird." The woman with the device then said. "I'm still detecting mana, but…if I'm reading this right, none of those people are emitting any mana at all."
"None? That can't be right." A person said with the others, even Macarios agreeing. Every living being had mana, both the type that kept a person alive and the type to utilize as spells.
"Well, that's what this says." The woman answered back, not liking being questioned. "Granted, some of those people with the weapons do seem to have mana on them. But…" The woman then held her device towards them and then made a few calibrations to the machine. A ping was heard and she grinned. "Looks like I found someone with mana."
"Who?"
"That guy!" Macarios and the others checked where the woman was looking at, where with reinforced eyes, they all then saw some young kid who probably barely hit his teenage years (physically). He looks like someone from out of town, a farmer boy.
"So only some kid has mana in them?" A man asked with a questioning look while the woman shrugged.
"Hey, that's just what the device said. Granted, the people, some of them anyway, do seem to also generate some other kind of energy of sorts." Seemed to be passive though.
"At the very least these guys are humans." A person chuckles. "I thought they'd be aliens."
"Not all of them are humans." Another Olympian pointed out. "Didn't you see those people with animal traits? Beast men I guess." All very exciting overall. With Macarios taking a few pictures to show his sister later. For now though, they needed answers. And that kid who seems to be the only one with actual mana might be their best answer.
"Come on fellas. Let's go." With that the group then decided to strengthen their legs and run towards the town's train station to see if they could get answers. None of them notice a small Grimm coming from behind them, which has the appearance of a floating jellyfish at sea. Once it sees the humans off, the creature then follows after the humans but in a different direction. Needing to find a human its Master kept contact with to see if he knew anything at the moment.
Yeah, I get it. No RWBY characters aside from that small part. But I needed to show how Macarios and his fellow (still alive) Olympians were doing. For now, alright. Where next chapter they confront the only person that suspiciously has mana in them, Oscar/Ozpin. And as you can all see, they're doing alright.
Not so much for Kintoki though. Now, let's explain his situation. As we all know, without a Master a Servant cannot stay in the world for long and vanish away. But from what FGO has shown us, the Holy Grail or Counter Force can call upon Servants in times of disaster (Incineration. Singularities. Lostbelts), providing them with mana to continue existing where if they find a Master, they get some bonus stuff apparently. Since whenever they meet Ritsuka, they instantly ask for a contract because apparently, it's very good for them.
Remnant HAS no Counter Force. So, while it's a bit tough to do, some Servants WILL vanish away. Sucks, but without the Counter Force or a Master, the Servants who just arrived in Remnant will get the unfortunate surprise like Kintoki realizing they're no longer being supported with mana. So, unless they have those cool nanomachines or quickly convince a person to make a contract, some of the Servants will vanish in time with Kintoki vanishing quicker when he fought and used some golden flashy powers.
Don't worry, we'll still have plenty of Servants around to help out. It's just that some will go away much sooner due to bad luck. Anyway, I'll be posting bi-weekly on Thursdays from here on unless there's a good day. Until Next Time.