Forged In Dragon's Fire
Chapter 7
-Jaune-
Looking up at the sound of the door, Jaune noted an entourage of men and women in white being led in by Goodwitch. "General Ironwood I presume?" Jaune asked, not batting an eye at being seen cooking in a flowery pink 'kiss the cook' apron with his wife and sister.
"You'd be correct Mr. Arc." The general nodded, not commenting on the apron or the domestic action, "These are my best field agents. The Ace-Ops, as well as my personal assistant, Specialist Schnee."
"Pleasure." Jaune nodded as he passed his apron to Terra who took over his tasks, "Come on, my sister set aside a room for us to use for our meetings. Qrow's running training for the others out back if Specialist Schnee wishes to speak with her sister."
"That might be for the best." Goodwitch spoke up, "There have been…incidents with the younger Miss Schnee."
"Is that so?" the albino specialist narrowed her eyes, listening intently as Glynda led her out to where Qrow was training some of the others.
"Come on." Jaune led the General and his group up to the study Saffron had set aside for them, a large map set out with markers for the various cities and known dragon routes. Ozpin was kept passed out from some potions on a couch by the wall. Given the hard angry look Ironwood sent at the man, the Atlesian General was far from ready to forgive Ozpin over the learned information from Djinn.
"The map is from what Qrow and Goodwitch remembered of the Dragon's movement patterns before they came and found me and Sylgja." Jaune told the General as the man and his team inspected the table.
"We were hoping you could let us know if any of that information was out of date." Sylgja spoke up.
"A bit of it." Ironwood nodded, adjusting the map's pieces as needed while the various Ace-Ops took different positions in the room and waited for any instructions he might give them. By the time Glynda and Qrow had returned the map showed the latest patterns for the Grimm Dragons.
"Sup Jimmy." Qrow gave a lazy salute with an easy-going grin, "I see you brought your own students on this little field trip."
"The Ace Ops aren't students Qrow." Ironwood sighed; the man clearly used to the habits of the scythe user.
"Would you prefer ducklings? Minions? Toadi-" the man's quips were cut off when Sylgja hit him with a silencing spell.
"…There's a permanent job offer for you both in Atlas now." Ironwood nodded to Sylgja gratefully who snickered at Qrow 'attempting' to communicate through hand gestures. Mostly rude ones.
"Qrow, behave or I'll tell Ingun." Jaune deadpanned as Qrow's hand rapidly went down, the drunk doing his best to behave now.
"…Please come work for Atlas." Ironwood wasn't begging, but he wasn't far off.
"Sorry, but we have our own war to fight back home once this is over." Sylgja chuckles amused, "This just feels like my duty as Dragonborn."
"Yes, Glynda mentioned you could deal with the dragons but now how. Could you elaborate on this please?" Ironwood sighed but got back to business easily enough.
"I'm what's known as 'Dragonborn'." Sylgja explained easily even as she leaned into Jaune's side, "I literally have the soul of a dragon rather than a mortal soul. Given that dual nature of dragon and human, when a dragon dies near me their soul is absorbed and I can gain knowledge from it. The dragons from our world can do the whole 'come back after being killed' bullshit too…except when I'm around. I can end them permanently."
"Oh, hell yes!" one of the Ace Ops, an energetic looking woman with cybernetic gear, "Now that's what I'm talking about! A game changer like that and we can finally start putting these bastards in the ground!"
"Which might encourage Salem to make more." Ironwood cautioned, "We don't know how efficient or fast the process of making these horrors is. Given she hasn't tried to flood the world with them I'd assume it's a difficult procedure. But it would be best to remain cautious." The Ace Ops grumble but accept the command.
"We actually had a plan for where to start." Jaune leaned forward and gestured to the Dragon closest to Vacuo "I was thinking we go for that one first. Taking it out would prove our strength to Vacuo. It'll also prove we're not just full of shit to those back in Atlas."
"A valid concern." Ironwood nodded, "That leaves three known dragons then. The one from Vale is the biggest issue whenever it attacks but it's thankfully piecing itself together after the latest attempted incursion. Since Ozpin went to Haven there's been a third dragon sighted in that area too."
"None in Atlas?" Sylgja frowned confused.
"My homeland is a much colder environment than most of Remnant." Ironwood shook his head, "There are several types of Grimm that don't survive long when exposed to the cold and hail. The Grimm that live there tend to be more adapted to the cold. It's possible that there's no Grimm dragon sealed away near Atlas but also possible it's just more difficult to reach and awaken."
"So do we go with Haven first or stick with Vacuo then?" Jaune refocused on the tactics of the situation "Vale's we can't deal with till it puts itself back together. But I'm split on the others. Vacuo's has been active for longer and we're trying to get their alliance. But they also have a stronger active fighting force from what I understand. Haven on the other hand has a Dragon just woken up but their Huntsmen force is severely diminished from what Qrow and Goodwitch told me."
"That's a good point." Ironwood nodded to him as he considered it, "Mistral's Dragon first. I can inform my contacts and comrades in Vacuo that we found a potential way to deal with the dragon's so we're going to test it. Let's the concept sink in more for them and then if it works in Mistral, we can go and demonstrate to them."
"Then we have a plan." Jaune nodded, "The Dragons and then Salem. The brother gods and that prick are still under consideration." Jaune gave a dirty look toward Ozpin. If he didn't know it wouldn't just ruin some poor kid's life, then he'd have cut the bastard's head off for the shit he'd done.
"Um…hello?" Nora's voice called out nervously as she knocked on the door, "Can I come in?"
"We're in the middle of a strategy meeting Miss Valkyrie." Goodwitch sighed tiredly.
"I know…I kinda have a message from Mr. Sheogorath." Nora gulped as she opened the door.
"What happened?" Jaune narrowed his eyes.
"…He said that four of the other Daedra found Champions in Remnant when the portal we used was open." Nora winced, "He was at least able to tell me which ones. I wrote it down." He took the paper from her.
"Thanks Nora, this helps a lot." Jaune nodded to her as his pancake loving friend sighed in relief before heading out to let them plan.
"Um…what are Daedra?" the biggest of the Ace Ops asked confused, "Are they like this Salem bitch the general told us about?"
"The world Sylgja and I came from has several gods." Jaune explained "Aedra are gods who helped in making the world. Daedra are those who didn't help in making it. Daedra are…well they're a mixed bag. Some are helpful, others are sadistic and cruel."
"Which ones came through?" Sylgja asked with a worried frown.
"Alright, first one is Mephala, Daedric Prince of lies, sex, murder, and secrets. Her chosen champion is Adam Taurus who now has the Ebony Blade. A weapon that grows in power with each betrayal they commit via murder with it." Jaune read off, grimacing as even he remembered the news talking about the violent terrorist before he went to Beacon.
"Next is Clavicus Vile, Daedric Prince of power, trickery, wishes, serenity, and bargains." Sylgja read from over his shoulder, "He chose one Jacques Schnee as his 'champion' and gave him the Mask of Clavicus Vile. A helmet which makes the wearer unnaturally persuasive. But Vile is also known for taking his gifts away when the sudden loss of said magical persuasion would result in the most pain and suffering for the one who made the bargain."
"Boethia, Daedric prince of deceit, conspiracy, treachery, and sedition. Gave the Ebony Mail, a set of armor that allows the user to turn invisible, to their new Champion named Neopolitan." The groans from Qrow and Goodwitch implied this was a known figure.
"This last one doesn't seem as bad." Sylgja grimaced "Malacath, Daedric Prince of Vengeance, the spurned, and the ostracized. Keeper of the sworn oath and the bloody curse. He gave a hammer known as Volendrung to one Sienna Khan."
"Who is the leader of a violent terrorist organization. One who's main grievance is with Atlas and the SDC, run by Jacques Schnee. Adam Taurus is a member as well. While Neopolitan and her partner Roman Torchwick work for one of Salem's accolytes." Goodwitch slammed her had on the table with a groan.
"Well, on the note of Daedra and Daedric champions, I have a gift for Ironwood here." Jaune reached into the trunk that he and Sylgja had brought, pulling out a glowing sword that radiated heat.
"One of our friends back home is Meridia, Daedric Prince of Life and Lady of Infinite Energies." Sylgja grinned "She heard about your determination to save your world and people from the soulless monsters known as Grimm and wanted to offer you the role of her Champion. This sword comes with it. It's called Dawnbreaker and along with burning what you attack with it, undead things explode in holy energy that hurts other undead. We think Grimm count but aren't sure." As she spoke, Jaune tossed the sword to Ironwood who caught it in what Qrow had mentioned was a robot hand, testing the weight of the beautiful sword.
"This…Meridia, is she trustworthy?" Ironwood asked cautiously as he inspected the sword.
"I've trusted her alone in a room with my infant children." Sylgja answered which was good enough for Ironwood.
"Then I guess she has a champion. Let's go kill some Grimm, shall we?"