Before a wall in winter's fell grasp,
A man did draw his sword,
A rasping sigh of vengeance promised,
He stood before the hoard,

'For Home and Hearth!', a battle-cry,
Erupted from his throat,

As flurries fell from heavens high,
The foe did cross the moat,

To right and left our siblings few,
Drew their steel as one,
With not a tremble nor a shake,
Not a falter or a stun,

They cried defiance, they cried their truth,
The battle starts at last,
They do not know they will prevail,
Yet forge the soldiers path,

When morning comes and daybreak meets

A field of corpses new,
The soldier with his hardened heart,
Will scream his people's truth.

- The Voice of Saarthal, Unnamed Bard, 88 ME


Ozpin hit like a motherfucking dragon, and twice as fast. I'd quickly abandoned my shield, the sheer amount of force behind his strikes managing to get through the defence, making it all but worthless.

I let out a cough as he feinted, tapped my sword from the pommel to raise it just the slightest amount, then jabbed the cane into my joints in a seemingly random pattern that I was unable to recover enough to block. I drew in a breath to try and Shout him away, but he planted his cane into my foot and sprung over me, planting a knee into my back and driving me to the ground before hopping back with a smile.

"And you feel none of that?" He inquired, not the slightest bit out of breath. I groaned and coughed as I staggered to my feet, lamenting how quickly he was able to deplete my health with what I now realised were half-hearted strikes.

The field was quiet, no birds or students or otherwise around. Ozpin had initially studied the realm, but had soon accepted it when I explained how it was a part of my Dungeon Creation skill. He endeavoured to have us travel back to Atlas with Amity Arena itself, presumably as security for our travels but mainly so he could see if I could make something a dungeon by spending enough time there. I would not complain about being able to use the Arena's facilities for the trip, even though I was assured it would require a large restocking of Dust before it would be usable as it was for the tournament.

"I do feel it." I rubbed my shoulder for a brief moment before the Gamer's Body stole away the sensation. "Just not for long. You could decapitate me and it would count as a critical hit, but with how hi- actually, let's not test that. You're a fucking beast, Headmaster."

"I have experience and training, nothing more." He said smugly. "Something I was hoping you would be showing more of."

I grunted. "Maybe if I was one of those crazy Gates monks from Hammerfell, but as it is my body was never this strong or resilient, and neither were any of my human opponents as quick as you are. I will thank you, though, I've levelled up my defensive skills more in the last 10 minutes than in the last week."

"Well, the deal stands. Land three strikes on me and I will answer one of your questions. I've also noticed you've refrained from using your magic."

"Not quite. I just… Well, how durable are you, Headmaster? Some of my abilities can melt steel."

He grinned. "Would you like to find out?" He spun his cane and planted it into the dirt, falling to knee and drawing a handful of sand. He brought it to his mouth, whispered, and cast it out. The sand shimmered green, then formed an odd array around him, surrounding him with a glowing green dome. "Hit me with your best shot, first physical. 5 seconds, then magical."

"Are you sure?" I asked, glancing around at my surroundings. "I don't really differ, my attack would consist of both."

"I'm certain I shall manage."Ozpin's grin faltered as he noticed me staring at Beacon tower. "Please do not break my school."

I chuckled as I ran off towards the tower. "I won't!"

With the AP and regen I had now, it was all too easy to leap atop a small building, front flip off until my body was parallel to the ground, then Whirlwind Sprint with a Featherweight to begin my ascent. Reapplying featherweight and launching a flamethrower behind me in the way Yang moved with her Gauntlets, I hit the side of the tower with a tap and adjusted to maintain my speed. Nearing the top I cut the featherweight to slow down, then finished with a flip onto the roof.

It was unsettling, being up this high yet not the slightest breeze from any direction. I ignored it, and the gorgeous view of the sprawling city of Vale, as best I could.

Beautiful it was, indeed. From this height, atop a tower which itself stood above the cliffs of Beacon, there was nothing to impede my vision. I saw far to the west where the river flowing through the city emptied into a wide harbour. I saw the skyscrapers and the malls, I saw the buildings getting smaller towards the walls, and I saw the walls themselves, turrets inert and lifeless.

Mesynnefa and Kathamati came out, replacing my armour. It wasn't doing much good defensively against Ozpin but when it came to a single, overwhelming strike, this simply couldn't be beaten. I could at least keep my pants and gauntlets, a far cry better than those weaved 'jeans' I'd been stuck with when I got here.

I withdrew a basic warhammer I'd made with the Flash Forge, taking a brief moment to decide before throwing a Green Fun Ball into the mount on the hammer's striking face. I loaded up my Dust Bar with Fire and Earth, knowing that while I wouldn't be making any Glass Dust, the two would still serve me better for this than any Lesser type would. To be completely honest, I'd yet to find a use for Glass Dust that didn't involve creating a hazard that was only effective against people without Aura.

I locked my limited vision in on the green sphere, not much more than a dot from up here. I flexed my legs, leaned forward off the side, then when momentum was about to pull me away from the side of the tower, I pushed.

With my sight locked in and the rest set up and active, I dropped like a stone, courtesy of an Aura infused with Earth Dust. I activated Divebomb, accelerating my fall beyond what should have naturally been possible, then layered Flight of the Valkyries on top of it to reduce any further AP usage. The skill levelled up twice from that one use, which was a relief. Some of my skills levelled quickly and some - like meditate and observe - levelled at a snail's pace.

I pushed an Aura Enchantment II into both my boots and my Gauntlets, courtesy of the Earth Dust to increase my 'Knockback Resistance', which was enough to drain that bar completely. At the pace I was moving, the air was screaming into my ears and my heart was pounding. I switched to the Fire Dust as I approached, then layered Double-Strike, Power Strike, and another Aura Enchantment I into the hammer before swinging with every ounce of power I had available.

In the very last moment before striking, I shouted.

"Yol Toor!"

Wreathed in a corona of flames, my hammer swung down with the might of my collective experience. On impact, it cracked, and the Super Wind Crystal released, stoking the flames higher and billowing them in every direction. I would have been sent flying myself if not for my enchantments, and as such I had the briefest moment to re-layer my skills before the hammer's head impacted the shield and detonated into another ball of fire. My aura flagged as shrapnel from the weapon attempted to penetrate it, but my power held..

The shield flared a heavy, sick green at the point of impact, and the lack of give sent the vibrations running up and down my arms. I felt bones fracture before the Gamer's body nullified it, then finally lost my position as the explosion was too much to withstand. I was sent flying back.

I did have enough AP for another Featherweight, which I used prior to getting blown through the cafeteria window and into the brick pillar on the other side. Shaking off the impact and looking back outside, I saw Ozpin standing calmly amidst an absolutely charred and slagged training field. He was looking around with a small, pleased smile on his face.

"Excellent usage of Dust!" He called out. "Though your weapon might not have been built to handle it."

I extracted myself from the stone and rubble, hopping through the broken window to approach. I made my way across the field, avoiding spots where the ground seemed a little more hot and malleable than it should be. "You're right. I've made a few single use weapons to try new moves with. If anything shows good results, I would reinforce my primary weapon to be able to do so without damaging itself."

"Indeed? Have you come up with any?"

I gestured to the tower, explaining as I switched back into my armour and letting the radiant heat dissipate against the fire-proof enchantment. "Well, that aerial attack is one that a lot of my skills have been building towards. I just need to find myself a way to get up there quicker so it's more useful in combat. Also, the damage would have been…" I checked on the skill. "About two, two-and-a-half times more if you had been unaware. As for the dust… no. It's mostly just breaking crystals against my target."

"I dare say if I had been unaware, my awareness would have ceased to be."

I chuckled. "Doesn't seem like it, Headmaster. I'm willing to bet you can do even more, being a Wizard and all."

His eyes narrowed for the briefest moment. "What makes you think that?"

I gestured around. "You said your Semblance was subtle. You also said that there was an old man who gave some maidens powers, and you just so happen to know everything about said powers. You do not look like an avid researcher to me, so I guessed. Besides, I'm not certain how magic certification works here but no mage from Skyrim could have blocked that blow, which leads me to rank you as a full-fledged Wizard. Am I wrong?"

"In some regards, yes, in others, no. I will admit, I did not take you for…"

"Intelligent?" I gave him with a neutral tone. "I'm not. I'm not like one of your scientists, and I'm no scholar. I'm well-travelled and experienced. My enemies would not wear their capabilities on their sleeves, and so battlefield deduction is likely my greatest skill, even if it has yet to become an actual Skill. My power places me as Wise over Intelligent and I'm inclined to agree."

"Hm."

"Did you still want me to try without magic?"

"No, I don't think that will be necessary. Unless you have a skill you didn't use before?"

I grimaced. "No, that was pretty much all out. I have a few other skills but they lean towards support or defence."

Ozpin tapped his cane against the ground and a pulse of green light raced out, stilling the smoke still curling from the grass until it formed a green, opaque dome not more than 4 metres around. With a sucking whoosh, the light receded back into Ozpin, taking the stillness with it and leaving us with the sound of rustling leaves, chirping birds, and chattering students. "I suppose that your training will require somewhat of a different direction than I can provide. Once you develop more control over your magic I may have a trick or two to teach you but until then work on conditioning your body, whatever that may mean for you."

I eyed my AP bar as it slowly rose. "Headmaster? Do you have any books on Hunter or Huntress fighting styles? My own.. is not exactly fitting for the larger Grimm."

Ozpin waved a hand as he began walking back to his tower. "Mr. Arc, you are in the greatest school of Huntsman on the surface of Remnant. If you cannot find someone to help you, then I have overestimated you greatly. For now, let us put a pause on beating each other like apes and show you the final detail of our little situation here."

I sighed, looking for my team's dorm room window. "Well, it was worth a shot."

Ozpin proceeded to show me a machine of abject horror and a corpse who was not being allowed to die. I spent the rest of the day feeling sick.

As much as I even could.


"No."

I grit my teeth through the video call at the older Huntsman. "Why not? I'll pay."

Qrow chuckled and sipped from his flask. "Look, kid, it just isn't worth either of our time. Sure I could give you a tip or two using your sword, but my fighting style is much more about the scythe than the sword. At best you would learn when I find it best to not use a sword, and that's something you should figure out on your own. Honestly, give my niece a try. I trained her pretty well, and she's a natural when it comes to shifting forms. Though you do have the Champ on your team so… well, figure it out."

I grunted and hung up on him, though I think he may have beaten me to it. "Bullshit."

Richard laughed and passed me an ale. We were atop his roof out in the city, sat upon a ratty lawn chair and a malfunctioning radiator respectively. The pipe that had been broken by my back during my confrontation with Lie Ren had since been repaired, thankfully. We sat in silence for a moment, myself enjoying the city lights and night sky - muted as the stars were, the broken moon still filled me with awe. The sheer size of it was enough to dwindle a man's sense of scope..

"So."

He sighed and pulled out the folder. "Yea, I guess I can't put it off. Just remember I'm officially ex-military, so don't go spreading this around as some of these things aren't exactly public knowledge. Who did you want first?"

"Might as well start with Vale." I answered as I lit up a cigarette.

"Right. Well, Vale runs its defence pretty much as you've heard from the Academy. Small militia presence in the hinterlands to defend the local towns against smaller Grimm, with bounty missions paid out to Huntsmen for the larger issues. A limited number of VKG - That's the Vale Kingdom Guard, my old group - are in charge of the actual defence of the walls. Auto-turrets at key points, integrated Dust lines in the walls themselves, motion-tracking searchlights, the works. Only a few air assets so we don't sortie often but when we do it's for a damn good reason."

I nodded. "So it's less a singular effort and more designated roles?"

Richard nodded. "Right. I still can't believe you're going to leave the Kingdoms…"

"I'm not leaving the Kingdoms, I'm bolstering them from without like the Academies do from within. Anyways, what about Atlas?"

Richard cringed. "I couldn't find too much on Atlas. They guard their secrets well. Publicly, their military and Academy are one and the same, and collectively ensure the defence of Atlas and her property across Remnant. Considering the majority of the air-fleet is here surrounding Amity, I'm not too inclined to disbelieve that. Rumours say that they often neglect the defence of Mantle, and depending on the VODcast you might even hear that they intentionally let certain sections of the wall be overrun to cull population growth."

"Not too much to go on."

"Not now, but if your plan works out and you can get the Schnee's to back us, then I don't doubt we'd have more information. It is well known that General Ironwood and Jacques Schnee often butt heads politically."

"We'll table that then. Vacuo?"

Richard snorted. "Vacuo barely has to do anything. Resident Huntsman deal with what Grimm survive the terrain, while the royal guard enforces order in the city to the Vacuo standard." He chuckled to himself before noting my lack of response. "Right, you don't… Vacuans are a flighty bunch. Order to them just means nobody trying to rise against the crown. Beyond that, they tend to let their people self-determine."

"Sounds nice."

Richard waved a hand. "Sure, if you want your shit to stagnate for a century. Last Kingdom to adopt the CCT system, lowest Vytal attendance, lowest number of Hunters produced, and not much military to speak of. If they weren't in the middle of a desert, they would've been conquered or eradicated years ago."

I sighed and took a large swig of the ale. "Okay… how about Mistral?"

"... You have any cities back home where there's a leader, but the actual leader is a criminal scum who calls the shots behind the scenes?"

"There was." I said pointedly. "I fixed it."

"Well, add a warped sense of criminal honour and a whole shit-load of nepotism and you've got Mistral. Highest rate of mercenary Huntsmen to Academy-affiliated of all the Kingdoms. Mistral also has their geological defences, though they are a hardier bunch. Every male is conscripted into militia training from 18-20, if they aren't already a part of the academies. Odds are if you meet a Mistralian, they will be more trained than the average civilian. Beyond defence, it helps the average citizen not be vulnerable to the minor street gangs."

My heart sank. "Please tell me that Menagerie has something I can work with."

"Yes, but you won't like it. Unofficially, Menagerie is run by the Belladonna Clan."

"Wait, what?" I turned to face him. "Belladonna? As in Blake?"

Richard chuckled. "Of course you didn't know that. Yes, by all accounts your cat friend is a princess, in line to inherit the reins when her parents secede. However it's a bit more complicated than that. Menagerie has a permanent White Fang presence, though there they are more of a humanitarian and civil aid group than anything. That being said, nothing happens on Menagerie without them knowing, and they are supposed to do nothing without Chief Belladonna's approval."

"So just to get this straight." I finished the ale and tossed the cigarette butt off the side of the roof. "We have an in with both Atlas and Menagerie, Vacuo is a non-starter, Vale has tentatively already agreed to back us - and will be forced to when I use my boon."

"Optimistic, are we?"

I rolled my eyes. "I've yet to meet a person who could best me in even combat. I've seen the replays from years before. One-on-one rounds are fought in a blank arena are they not? I win. Anyways, it would appear that I simply need to find a way to deal with Mistral."

Richard nudged me. "You forget that the rest of your team is from Mistral, Pyrrha from the city itself and the other two from the villages surrounding. I'm sure they could swing something if you asked."

I stood. "Alright. We just need to make ourselves a proper plan to release this all to everyone. I expect pushback, of course. What about-"

He pulled a smaller folder from within the larger one, placing it on top and passing both over to me. "Four soldiers, all of whom I trust. All of whom were rejected from the entrance exams. All of whom have been sidelined by Vale for one reason or another. For secrecy's sake, they have however requested to go by old call-signs, at least until they know they won't be exiled for helping you."

I grunted. "Not much faith in me, eh?"

Richard slugged my shoulder, an action that would have left his hand shattered had he attempted it before I unlocked his Aura. "You're a first-year from Beacon. That they would even consider it says volumes about both of us. Trust me, you're gonna want these guys."

I flipped through, noting what looked to me like average citizens in average clothing. One of them had more black censorship on his record than actual words, but I assumed that was just a military thing. "Any in the city? I've got about an hour to kill."

He tapped something into his scroll. "One. The others are already on their way, they were coming for the finals of the tournament anyways so it wasn't hard to ask for them to make an extra stop."

I sat back down. "Can you arrange a meeting?"

"Already did."

"Hm. How soon?"

"So you're the little boy ordering my husband around, hm?" A lilting voice with an icy edge spoke from behind me.

I fought the urge to immediately fire back with an insult, and instead turned slowly to see a woman stroll through the roof access door. She was dressed smartly, in an earth-toned uniform that was clean and pressed. She was short, with hip-length black hair and a pair of angled eyes that seemed equally ready to glare or soften.

Charlie Mavis

LVL 13

Interesting that she lacked a title, though most lower levels had yet to acquire one. I took my Merc Leader mindset and shoved it back into place, holding out a hand to shake as I stood straight and unwavering. "Torga. Last Dragonborn of Skyrim, First Dragonborn of Remnant. A pleasure."

She took my hand and gave a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Charlie. Charmed, I'm sure."

Not too much of a grip, though that made sense given the lack of Aura. "Likewise. What is it you offer, Charlie? Other than the maintenance of my best pilot."

"C'mon man…"

"12 years VKD, 2 Militia, 6 in RADAR and the last 4 in Integrated Defences. I maintain and operate the entirety of the turrets on the south-eastern wall."

"2 years combat, 6 in tech-assisted patrol, 4 as an engineer." Richard translated for me. "Damn fine at all of the above and more."

I held up a hand to him.

"All of that is nice. Great, even. I'm asking what it is you are offering, and what you expect in return."

She scoffed. "Mav, you said this guy needed troops."

"I do, eventually. Not out of the gate. We have no walls, we have no turrets, we have no RADAR."

"Well are you going to?"

"He will." Richard answered for me, which was not incorrect, but I still had to glare at him for the interruption.

"I will, yes. Your husband has informed me of the importance of air defences and considering the things I have dealt with, I tend to agree."

"Well in that case, you need me. I can build walls, install turrets, and I'm even working on an auto-scanning, cross-referencing algorithm to increase the accuracy of Vale's RADAR arrays. Hire me now, I'll hold it back from them and grant it to you instead. On top of that, I have unofficial experience in logistics and supply."

"If I had both of you, would you be bringing your children?"

"No." Richard answered immediately. "I have a sister out in Patch, married a Huntsman. She agreed to look after them until you get situated, and I'm not entirely certain what you plan for children."

"I won't be making them fight. Is there a typical age one gets their Aura unlocked? There's no reason they cannot also be protected. Even Skyrim's children were prone to accidents that would cut a family's size down without warning."

Charlie gave me her first, slight smile of the evening. "That is more reassuring than you might know. There is no typical age… it is typically up to the parent or the prep school to decide when a child is ready."

I thought to myself. "Maybe a trial of sorts? We would not restrict anyone from taking it, but it would be good to gauge the measure of someone's level of personal responsibility before handing out such a power."

"I thought you didn't want to limit anyone." Richard asked, though more so he could have me explain it further.

"I don't, but if I have children it will be because we also have their parents, whose Aura's would be unlocked. They can then do it for their children if they choose, though I might have a small time limit on that to stop things from being an Aura shop. Either way, the trial would not be dangerous. Just a test of sorts so that we can be sure that a child knows not to use aura while roughhousing with their mates. Charlie, if I may, why did you decide to do this?"

She straightened out and came to some form of military pose. "I've seen the changes in Richard since you unlocked his Aura. Small ailments, injuries, all gone. No longer tired after coming home from work, more cheer. I'm not sure how I never realised this, but you've given him the hope we never knew he lost."

"Love, please-"

"No, shush. If Aura can do that for him, I want to see what it can do for me."

"That's it?"

"That's it." She nodded.

"Well, I suppose that settles that. Richard, are you ready for your official position?"

"What do you mean? Aren't I your pilot?"

"Richard Mavis." I intoned with what authority I could squeak out of my young body. "I have found your dedication, skill, and tenacity to exceed expectations. I have been consistently impressed by your actions, both in the field and in our halls, and would grant you authority of your own. I hereby offer you the position as Squad Leader of our newly minted Homestead Squad. Do you accept this position and the rights, responsibilities, and trials it entails?"

He straightened slightly, and I appreciated that he would play along even though the speech typically held more weight among a group of rowdy peers in a smokey ale hall, celebrating a successful contract. "I will."

"Invite Richard Mavis as Squad Leader."

Richard, to his credit, didn't flinch, instead tapping on the accept option. Then he flinched. "Shitfuck."

I grinned. "You're the first one, brother. Haven't tested this yet. What do you see?"

He gathered himself. "Well, for some reason you have a higher level than I do which is bullshit. I can also see a few bars at the bottom of my vision, but it's weird, they go lower whenever I try to look at them."

"There's nothing detailed down there. Blue is Aura, Red is your health - don't test that - and Green is your Stamina. Assuming you're running off the same thing I am, which I don't see why you wouldn't. Anything else?"

"Other than being able to see your fucking name floating over your head?"

I rolled my eyes. "That's normal."

"No it isn't. But also, no, nothing else."

"Alright. Try inviting your wife to the party."

"Excuse me? Hello? I'm still here and have no idea what the heck you two are talking about?"

"Ah. Well… It's odd, and I don't really understand but… well, I have a Semblance that's incredibly diverse. If you've ever play-"

"He's Johanns from Grimm Nights 7, the one that Marcy plays."

"Oh. Oooooh. Oh." Charlie nodded. That was apparently all she needed. I really needed to check out these Grimm Nights games at some point.

"So what, do I just say Invite Charlie Mavis to party?"

I snapped a picture right as her eyes went wide and she stumbled back, then turned and leapt off the roof, gaining some speed before applying a quick Become Ethereal to smooth my landing on the street below. I made another leap from the street, tapping through menus while I got distance. With my scroll still in my inventory, I activated the remote call feature, which was new along with a couple of others.

I missed the power and ability that the Dragonborn title granted but right now it wasn't needed. I'd put it back on for the Tournament - or maybe I'd go for Nature's Wrath, if an outdoorsy arena counted. If I could do that and apply the skill from Forever Fall to boost the area… what was it called again…

"Hello? Can you hear me?"

"Ha!" I cheered as a small window with Richard's face showed up in the corner of my vision. It was small, but still detailed enough where I could tell he was looking around. His voice came from right in front of me as if he were standing right there. "Sorry, new feature. Don't need scrolls to call my squad leaders, which is fucking powder as the kids back home said."

"So… are you coming back?"

I shook my head as I tapped a foot on one rooftop just long enough to launch myself higher on my way to my apartment. "Nope. Got one more meeting to make then I'm headed back to Beacon."

"Need a lift?"

I grinned that he still offered. "Nah. I can get there on my own now. You just enjoy the rest of the tournament with your family. Oh, and I'm leaving further recruiting up to you for your team."

"They'll still want to meet you."

"Then they can. See if you can't find us a Dust Deposit too, I'll be checking with the Schnee's when I can."

"You know, they aren't the only Dust company."

"I don't do things by halves. Later, Rich. Enjoy your night and tell your wife that I'll unlock her Aura after the tournament is over."

He sighed and wiped his brow. "Fine. You'd better hold that deadline, she was hoping to get it done tonight."

I scoffed. "I'm not handing out candy, I'm reaching into your soul. If she wants it now, tell her to go talk to Beacon."

"Fuck off Torga."

I chuckled. "You too, Squad Lead."

He grumbled and disconnected right as I got to the roof. Feeling a bit of cheer, I decided to use the normal way inside rather than just landing on my balcony.

Arthur Polendina was watching TV on my couch.

I groaned as I came in the door to the sounds of Vytal Tournament highlights and commentator panels. "Grab a beer out of the fridge would you?"

Considering it was on the way, I did actually stop and grab him one. I grabbed a small bottle of water for myself and made my way over to the living room area. "Here. What's the occasion? Can I expect to have my guts ripped out? Heart sliced to ribbons?"

To his credit, the armoured man winced. "No, no… That's a Jak thing and believe it or not, I don't exactly hang out with the guy for fun. Just dropped by, check if you were in, steal your beer, shit like that. What are you doing here? We know you went back to Beacon."

"I had a few things to drop off, though I'm second guessing how safe this safe house is now."

Arthur waved a hand in the air idly, turning down the audio on the entertainment system. "It really is just me. Miri's off in Mistral looking into something and Jak took Rassa to Vacuo, said something about checking out an old tomb. Told me to keep an eye on you but I figured I would just not and say I did."

I shrugged, accepting the reasoning as sufficient. Of all the members of Team MRAJ, I did trust Arthur the most. "Well, you're going to need to move your feet."

He pulled his feet off my new coffee table. "Yea, I noticed this. What, did you not like my choice?"

I lifted the reinforced top of the table, letting the unlit candles roll off onto the floor. "It was glass." Once the lid was high enough I grabbed the bar used to prop up the armoured slab and locked it into place. Arthur let out a low whistle at the contents.

"This is watchlist material, kid. This is stuff I should be reporting."

Fair, considering the trove of Lesser Dust Crystals and Super Basic Crystals I had in there. I had a section set aside for Fun Balls, too.

"Glass, Det, Growth, Accelerate… Shit you've got Sand? Nobody uses Sand, why do you even have that?"

I shrugged as I filled up my stash from the inventory. "No particular reason. Hey, do you think I could sell any of this?"

Arthur looked my stash over again. "That's one way to use a Supe… grenades? I don't see a detonator."

I paused from drawing Dust out of my inventory to drop a hammer onto the couch.

A meaty smack sounded throughout my apartment as Arthur's palm met his face. "Brothers above, you hit people with freaking Supes?! You know, we - and I refer to the entire human race, here - figured out that was a bad idea shortly after we did basic things like discover fire, and invent agriculture. I suppose you just tank the damage though, don't you? Of course you do, why wouldn't you? Couldn't be like a normal pers…." Arthur trailed off. "You know, you get extra effects if you detonate two supes in a system. Or channel the energy, or literally do anything else other than hit it with a stick. Advanced Dust techniques isn't until third year… Fine."

I looked up from where I had plopped onto the couch. "Hm? You done?"

Arthur grit his teeth, then kicked the hammer across the floor. "You're going to blow someone up. I'm going to teach you to use Dust properly instead of like a monkey with a fuckin' rock."

I perked up. "Such as…"

He pulled a blocky device from his hip and tossed it at me. "Made that myself. Dust Cannon."

I looked the device over. It looked like one of those pistols I'd seen hung on the hip of the city guard, though much less elegant. After a few seconds I managed to find the release, and a cylinder slid out of the gun. It was full, with 7 rounds of varying colours. Arthur got my attention and showed me another, similar cylinder he pulled off his thigh, and with one hand he removed a Super Wind Dust crystal from its housing and slotted it into the cylinder, handing it back to me. I inserted the cylinder, slapping it so it locked in. With a deep hum, previously unseen conduits in the pistol's frame lit up with a bright green, roiling energy. I could feel the faintest of vibrations in my hand.

"So what, it will launch the crystal?"

Arthur went to slap his palm against his face again, but sighed instead. "No. It will channel the energy of the crystal and release it in a productive, efficient manner. For suped green, I've got it set to a propulsion based diffusion, as I made that long before I made my armour. Nowadays most things that can do, my armour does better."

"I'll make you a bet." I said quickly, passing the weapon back to him grip first. "If I win the Vytal Tournament, this thing is mine."

Arthur gave a chuckle. "Oh no, I'm using it for something else. See, Jak? He didn't get quests like you do. He had maybe 3 or 4 throughout his time in Beacon, and only 1 afterwards."

I thought to myself. "Well, I haven't counted but I'm fairly sure I've gotten more."

"So, let's see if we can't give you one!"

We couldn't. Arthur gave me the gun anyways, so long as I promised not to use it until he trained me.


The door slid shut behind me as I returned to the dorm room roughly an hour after sunset. The school was largely unpopulated - with the Vytal Festival in full swing, I imagined the students were out taking advantage of the fact. Pyrrha sat on her bed, back propped up by pillows and tapping through a large scroll. She gave a quick wave when I entered but went back to it.

I unequipped my armour, sighed, and flopped down onto my own bed. I had much to do, too much almost, but given I had pushed most of it until after the Tournament, I had a precious few moments to relax.

"They at the festival?"

"Nora's winning Ren a teddy bear." Pyrrha replied shortly.

"Hm." I made nothing of it, she was likely just distracted by the scroll. I sighed again.

Things were… well crazy. I'd had quite a lot of time to think over my various plans to fix Remnant, and I've come to realise that the Grimm may not be the biggest problem. It was the division.

Hunters to civilians, politicians to poor, faunus to humans, even village to Kingdom. Even if all the Grimm were gone, that wouldn't mean that the White Fang ceases to exist. It wouldn't mean that Atlas stopped building their navy, nor that Vale would stop training Huntsman. It wouldn't stop crime, solve famine, or anything else other than making the world just a bit safer.

It made me wonder just what it was I was supposed to do. I'd gotten strong - enough for now at least. I had the ear of important people, I had a unique ability to leverage, I had a competent party and more joining my cause. Kill the Grimm sounded simple on paper, but how did we complete that goal? How did the Grimm come into being, and how can we stop it from continuing? It was a question that I don't imagine has been idly sat on by this world.

"Would you like to talk?"

I blinked, looking over to Pyrrha. She seemed reluctant to put her scroll down, but still was halfway through the motion and looking at me expectantly. "You keep sighing."

I opened my mouth to refuse, then closed it. "Yea, actually, I would. I feel like I'm missing something. Mind letting me share my thoughts?"

She gave a shallow grin and put her tablet scroll the rest of the way down, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed so she was facing me. "Of course. I did offer."

"I've made waves here. The incident at the docks, the tournament, the fight with Cardin. I've made a name for myself."

"Does it rhyme with Hunter's Gate?"

I chuckled. "Okay, that's fair. Not everything is because of accomplishment. Still, I've gotten to where I wanted to be. I inflated Ironwood's expectations of my requests by asking for a battleship, I-"

"You asked General Ironwood for a battleship?"

I winced. "Actually, I got a little carried away and demanded it under pain of a full embargo for Atlas."

"What?"

"Starting a village, don't worry about it-"

"I think it's something we should discuss."

"Can I finish please? This is definitely something to discuss but it's not what's grating on me." Pyrrha sighed and nodded. "Thank you. I was just saying that I'm here. I'm in a position where I can start to work on my goal - our goal - but I have no direction anymore. I was just building assets, but I'm sort of at a block until the tournament ends. Once I use the boon, things will pick up, I just feel… I don't know, I feel like I should be doing something."

Pyrrha chuckled. "I can understand that."

"It's foresight I don't have yet. It took me weeks to figure out how to call you guys on the scrolls - something I didn't think was possible and that I wouldn't have planned for. I can think of a few times during that period where being able to call would have helped me, but I didn't even recall it as an option. I guess I feel like that now, like there's something I should be doing or learning to prepare."

Pyrrha shrugged. "Wanna spar about it?"

I laughed loudly. "Ha! Talk about driving the nail home. Yea, that'd probably make me feel better."

-.-.-.-

My arm rang out in protest, the shield strapped to it singing a lovely accompaniment. I grit my teeth and pushed back, but stumbled as I hit empty space. Drawing the shield aside, I noticed Pyrrha go for an overhand strike. I grinned, raising the shield to block while Ruby's Gift came around in sword form to thrust.

In a split second, Pyrrha had chambered her attack, rolling low and under my thrust, feet lashing out. The first hit my sword-side wrist with the force of a bullet, though I did manage to keep hold of my weapon. The other buried itself in my gut and she managed to get me a whole foot off the ground until gravity reasserted itself.

I fell to a knee, rolling aside as a spear-thrust jabbed into the dirt beside me. Using the moment she needed to pull her spear from the dirt, I inserted the sword into the shield and triggered the transformation, expanding the edges of the shield so it was more of a tower than a kite. It left me without a weapon in my primary hand, but luckily there was a second handle on the shield I used to two-hand it.

Pyrrha stood out of her stance and tilted her head. "Never seen someone two-hand a shield before."

I shrugged. "It's a hammer without the haft."

Pyrrha shrugged as well, then rolled her shoulders, falling back into her stance. "Don't let Nora hear you say that."

I smiled and charged in, shield held across my body. A wide, sweeping swing forced Pyrrha back, and she prepared to lunge back in after the strike. I dropped the shield and met the charge with a punch, though it got nowhere close as I had Pyrrha's shield pressed up against my torso before I could swing back around.

"Normally," I grunted, "There wouldn't be anyone who dared come right up in my face like that."

Pyrrha gave a friendly grin, no doubt using our restrictions on purpose. We'd agreed no semblance or Skills for this bout and as usual, she handed my ass to me. "That's my line."

Half a second later I was in the dirt. Half a minute after that, we were resting beneath the moonlight, backs pressed against one of the benches, myself gulping down water. I didn't need it, not due to the Gamer's Body, but it was just too refreshing after the training. Training which I no longer felt other than a slightly higher experience level on my defences.

Sometimes I felt like I was just going through the motions.

"Do you feel any better?"

I lowered my gaze from the stars above. They were unfamiliar, and without the twin moons brightening the sky, much more visible. "How do you mean?"

She looked down as well and turned to meet my gaze, emerald eyes searching. "You've been having troubles adapting. Compared to when you first arrived and thought I was… what was it again, an empire agent?"

I scoffed, but smiled so she knew I was joking. "An Imperial, sure."

"Exactly. How are you… well, settling in, so to speak?"

I kept her gaze for a moment longer. "Not well."

I sighed and leaned back to resume stargazing when it was clear she would not accept that as a full answer.

"This place… it's too much. Beacon is alright, but just looking out over the city sometimes feels unreal. So many people! I get how you have vehicles that can move food, and taller, more compact homes, but it's still so unreasonable.. A parcel of land this size in Skyrim would house maybe 3 or 4 farms, with a family or two on each. Vale has more people than that in a single building."

"Skyrim didn't have Grimm, did it? We don't have much of a choice. The villages don't last long unless they have enough people to defend themselves, and the Kingdoms are the only places safe from the Grimm."

-a boy, crying before a wall.

"-won't let me bring him up!" A girl shouted.

"Heh." I laughed. "The only places that seem safe you mean."

Pyrrha didn't answer.

"I just.. I do want to stop the Grimm."

"Every time you say that, it sounds a little less ridiculous, but it does still sound ridiculous."

"I know. But the aura? The preparations for leaving? That's all just to get out of this city. I'm not comfortable or safe here, I'm not gaining anything from Beacon I can't get from the dungeons, the teachers aren't actually teaching me anything that isn't already written in a book or common sense. It's time to move on, Pyrrha."

"We aren't strong enough yet."

"What level are you?" I asked, knowing exactly what she was at but letting her follow this train of thought herself.

"Forty four. Why?"

"Have you spent any of your points yet?"

She narrowed her eyes. "No. I was taking your advice in not doing so to prevent myself from wasting any gains I could make naturally."

"Good…"

"There's something more than that, isn't there?"

I dropped my gaze back down to look at her. "How do you mean?"

She sighed. "Can you drop us into your… thing?"

I activated my Dungeon Create and the distant sounds of merriment from the fairgrounds faded out, along with the frogs and bugs that created Beacon's nighttime soundscape. My eyes glued themselves to Amity as the Dust within ceased to work properly without maintenance, and the arena began to slowly list to one side.

"There. Nobody can interrupt us now."

A choked sob pierced through my observation and I was left shocked as I turned aside to see Pyrrha Nikos crying. My mind stopped. I'd never comforted anyone through tears except my late wife, and I don't imagine Pyrrha would appreciate those methods. Luckily for me, she pulled herself together shortly after and had the decency to look embarrassed.

"So… Maybe it's me that should be asking you what's wrong?" I asked hesitantly.

Pyrrha hiccuped and giggled a little. "I suppose so."

I sat in silence, shuffling the slightest bit closer. Not enough to press up against her, but enough where she could lean the slightest bit to the side and be reminded she isn't alone. It took her a minute to get her sniffles under control before she let out a heavy sigh. "Torga, do you believe in destiny?"

I let out a chuckle before I could stop myself. "Of course. I'm a prophesied hero in my homeland, it would be impossible not to believe in it."

"Could it not have been someone else? Had you been crushed by a felled tree in your younger years, do you think Skyrim would have gone without their Dragonborn?" I was a little bit touched at how much of my life Pyrrha had committed to memory, though troubled at the undertones in her voice.

"I don't think so." I answered, contemplating that. Without any way of finding out, and what I knew about Elder Scrolls… I was always destined to open the ones I did, when I did. Those moments in time are prewritten. Though I now wonder: Was it Torga of Riverwood that the Scrolls foretold, or was it the Last Dragonborn of Skyrim? Just because I was both, does not mean the scrolls had written both. Could there have been another, had I been first to the chopping block in Helgen? A mage, or gods forbid a thief of sorts?

It was impossible to tell. "I think… I think that destiny is real, though not something for everyone to worry about. There's a few choice events that need to happen. For me, it was the reading of the scrolls. Maybe even coming here was a part of my destiny, though I have no way to verify that. So yes, I believe in selective and limited destiny."

Pyrrha hummed. "How would you tell between something you think is your destiny, and something that definitely is?"

I sighed. "I don't think you can. Why are you asking about this anyways?"

"I… have been granted an opportunity, though I do not know if the risks are something I wish to endure." Pyrrha's eyes were looking around, anywhere they could find something of interest. "I have the chance to fulfill my destiny, to gain what I need to be the best Huntress there ever was, but I'm not sure that person would be me."

"Ah, so they chose you." I gambled.

Her eyes widened as she shook her head. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Really? So you don't know anything about the mage under the school? About the machine that will suck out her soul and implant it into someone else?"

Her face froze.

"Don't worry, Ozpin approached me about something similar. What's got you worried? Other than the blatant human sacrifice for power."

"How can you even say it like that?!" Pyrrha whirled to her feet, glaring at me. "There's a human being trapped down there."

"There is."

"And… and the teachers want her to die for me."

Something clicked. "Ah. You believe this is your destiny." It made perfect sense, in an odd, teenage hormone ridden way.

"How could it not be? I've always been strong, always had the power and skill to defeat those who stand against me. Now I learn that my battles so far might as well have been toddler horseplay, and I will need more power to stand against what comes. Should I not continue on my path?"

"I suppose that's up to you, Pyrrha." She opened her mouth to form a rebuttal but I pressed on. "You're strong. Strongest in the year, even if the level count doesn't reflect that. What in the name of the weird shattered moon you have makes you think that you need to do this?"

"I…"

"Do you feel like you're the only one who can?"

"That's.." Of course they fucking told her that. I grit my teeth and grabbed her hand. Despite the roughness, she allowed it. I could never have bodily forced her anywhere she didn't want to go - or rather, I didn't want to waste my trove of STAT points making myself strong enough to do so. Luckily, she followed quickly.

"Where are we going?"

"To see an old man who seems to think he knows best."

I had some words for Ozpin if he thought he could pressure a young woman into doing what he wanted.

Little did I know, he'd been doing that for longer than even I had been alive.


A/N: I take breaks. Sue me, I'm not getting paid for this.