Chapter Two: The Kingdom of Vale, Part Two
Vale, Vale Kingdom, Sanus
"Brothers…" Summer whispered, shocked. Her eyes were widened like her company.
Summer, Ruby, Yang, and Jaune had left Patch by horse carriage then by ship back to the mainland before none. But they found the village of Vale and the castle, Beacon Academy, in near ruin. When they landed on the docks, that's when they heard talk of a grimm attack that happened the night before during the storm.
"M-my family…" Jaune whispered.
He began to run quickly toward his home. He heard Summer call for him but he didn't stop. He thought about his family. His parents… His sisters… Finally, he found his home, a large cabin, also in near ruin but still standing. He ran up to the front door and knocked hard against the door. He heard footsteps until the door opened. His mother Juniper Arc on the other side with her long blonde hair a mess and tears falling from her dark blue eyes.
"Jaune…" Juniper whispered. She quickly hugged him and he could see all his sisters behind her. But they weren't smiling. Something had happened.
…
His father Nicholas Arc was dead. He sat on the couch in the living room with his mother Juniper, his older twin sisters, Sapphire and Indigo Arc, and his youngest sister, Lavender Arc, beside him. Across from him was Summer, Ruby, and Yang. They found him frozen after being told by his mother his father died the night before. His remaining older sisters Coral Arc, Saffron Arc, Jade Arc, and Cyan Arc stood around them.
"I should have been here…"
That was the first thing he said after a few minutes of silence following what his mother told him. While he was away on Patch, Beowolves and Ursas appeared during the storm and attacked the village. It had been the worst attack in years with many dead and homes in ruins. It would take months before the village was back to what it had been.
"He was glad you weren't…" The words his mother spoke shocked him but she continued. "He knew you would have followed him outside to face the Grimm and died with him."
Silence. But she was right. He would have. And if he had died, he would have fought and died beside him. He didn't realize he stood up. Or that he mumbled he was going for a walk. And thankfully, no one stopped him. But as he walked outside, he did notice the sound of footsteps that followed him.
…
Jaune didn't mind that Ruby and Yang joined him on his walk. He didn't know where he was leading them but they hadn't stopped him or said anything. Ruby had even taken his hand as they walked and Yang followed her example. He appreciated what they were trying to do. But eventually, they found themselves in front of Beacon Academy. The castle walls were broken in some parts and a tower had collapsed.
"I was supposed to come here… Now…" Yang began. But she didn't need to finish. Jaune had the same thought. He hadn't attended Sanctum Academy on Patch but he was trained by his father who was reluctant to do so. He had even gotten accepted into Beacon with recommendation from his father. It had taken a lot of years of hard work to get his father to do that. And now…
"Me too. My dad went here…" Jaune said weakly.
"Our parents did too…" Ruby said softly.
Jaune didn't comment further. He knew something had happened to their parents as both Summer and Ruby made no mention of her father and Yang only talked about her father who was a teacher at Sanctum but not her mother.
"Team STRC (Stark). They were among the best teams to ever attend Beacon. Promising students…"
Jaune, Ruby, and Yang turned to the person who spoke. A tired, middle aged man with silver hair and brown eyes behind odd shaded glasses. He wore a black suit, dark green vest, green shirt, black pants, and black shoes. He also had a cane.
"Y-you're Professor Ozpin! Headmaster of Beacon!" Ruby said with excitement in her eyes. Jaune and Yang also looked at him in wonder.
"Yes." The headmaster chuckled. His eyes returned to the ruined castle. "I heard what happened to your father, Mister Arc. He fought beside others to protect Vale. He died a hero. Much like his father, or your grandfather, Nicholas Arc."
"Thank you…" Jaune didn't really know what to say but his words did mean a lot to him. To know he hadn't been alone fighting.
"Why don't you three future students join me in my office? I hope you don't mind the state of the castle but I think you all will enjoy the short tour. And what I have to say. Don't worry about your mother and aunt, Miss Rose and Miss Xiao Long. I've already spoken to her. She knows you're with me."
Jaune, Ruby, and Yang said nothing. But they did share a look with each other. All wondering what the Headmaster of Beacon had to say to them.
…
"Tell me, what do you all know about the Great War?"
The sound of ticking clocks filled the office of the Headmaster of Beacon. He sat behind his desk with a cup of coffee. Jaune, Ruby, and Yang sat awkwardly in front of him. All of them took a second to think before they spoke. But Jaune was the first.
"About ninety years ago, the largest war began. The Kingdoms of Mistral and Mantle, now Atlas, become close allies. But their treatment of Faunus and the arts caused the Kingdoms of Vale and Vacuo to dislike them. After the Grimm Attack of Argus, Mantle came to their aid and officially allied themselves with them. Vale and Vacuo did the same. I-I, or well, no one knows who started the war but some believe it was Mantle. Others, Vale… But for ten years, the four kingdoms were devastated by war and grimm. And eighty years ago, the war ended. Because of the Treaty of Vytal. It's why we have a festival every year."
Silence. Professor Ozpin stared at Jaune and he felt the man was staring into his soul. Ruby and Yang watched awkwardly, although they were also interested in the history of the Great War. It was the only known major event in their history. The rest were filled with fairy tales such as the Wizard, the Witch, and the Four Maidens, the Two Brothers, and the Goddess of Animals. Finally, the Professor spoke.
"A knight and scholar." The man chuckled. "Sorry, not many can remember the details of the Great War. But you did leave out one part of it. A great part of it. But, not many people know about it. Your grandfather did. Your father did… But when the Great War started, the King of Vale was a young knight. Much like you, mister Arc. When the previous King of Vale had died, he was crowned for his efforts in the war. That was near the end of the war. And that was when he fell in love with the Princess of Mantle. They say their love was what caused the King of Mantle to reach out to the King of Vale to begin talks of peace which eventually led to the Treaty of Vytal."
"Their love ended a war?" Yang asked incredulously.
"What happened to them? The King and the Princess?" Ruby asked shyly.
"Some scholars would say so, Miss Xiao Long. After all, love is the greatest emotion. And to answer your question, Miss Rose, it's… complicated. They say after the treaty was signed and the war ended, the king and princess married… And had four daughters. But from there, history is lost." Professor Ozpin said firmly.
Jaune, Ruby, and Yang noticed how quickly he finished up that part of history but said nothing. It seemed the Headmaster of Beacon was deep in thought. He then spoke again but more softly.
"I asked you three here because I have a job of great importance. You can accept… Or you can refuse. I will not hold it against you if you do. I spoke to both your parents at length after your departure from Mister Arc's home. Juniper and Summer agreed. Reluctantly…"
"A job? Doing what exactly?" Yang asked excitedly.
"If you accept, I ask the three of you to travel to Atlas to deliver a message to General James Ironwood." The Headmaster of Beacon retrieved a scroll with a seal of Vale. "This is to be delivered to him and him alone. Normally, I would ask associates of mine to do this but after the Grimm attack last night, they are all busy. Your mother and aunt, Miss Rose and Miss Xiao Long, are one of my associates. But like my assistant Professor Goodwitch, she is needed here. And your uncle and father, Taiyang Xiao Long, is busy at Sanctum. Which leaves you three. I'm more willing to trust you three because your families have spoken highly of all of you. And I already know about the training you, Mister Arc and Miss Xiao Long, have been through. I also know Miss Rose here would want to join you too. I ask you three to think about it before you answer. The journey will be long. It will be dangerous. And I ask that the three of you trust no one. But should you do it, you will be going beyond being huntsmen. And should your journey end, I would ask that you forgive me for placing this task on you all."
…
The next morning, Jaune woke up to find Ruby and Yang looking at him with grim expressions. Professor Ozpin, the Headmaster of Beacon, had died in his sleep the night before from natural causes. The Council of Vale announced it early in the morning. After breakfast, Jaune, Ruby, and Yang agreed to do what the Headmaster of Beacon had asked of them. They said goodbye to Jaune's family and Ruby's mom who told them she would tell Yang's father what happened when she returned to Patch.
The three young adventurers departed from Vale, heading north to the port village that would take them to the Kingdom of Atlas. As Jaune walked beside Ruby and Yang, he felt determined. To complete this task. For the Headmaster of Beacon. And for his father.
But he, nor his companions, noticed the crow and the raven sitting on a tree branch above, watching them with their red eyes. They didn't notice the glance they shared before the raven left, heading east to the Kingdom of Mistral. And they didn't notice the crow leave, heading north to the Kingdom of Atlas. Following them from above.
