You accepted that offer without much resistance." Archer said offhandedly, to which Junko returned, "What were we gonna do? Commit mass murder? We couldn't do much at the moment considering the circumstances."
"Whatever the case, Master, we'll stick with the decision, as commanded." Sigurd, Junko's Saber spoke, a slight smirk to his lips. "You're entirely welcome to not like the decision, it's not my first choice to share information like that and let someone live, but judging by the reactions of the police when they took me in, That man, Ozpin, is obviously a person of interest…" The Crypter replied, emulating his Archer's lounging position before his stomach rumbled slightly as their airship, a Bullhead, he'd heard it was called, lifted off, a scrawny blonde wobbling on his feet, stumbling into both Crypters. He began to apologize profusely, a sickly pallor growing to his cheeks before Jacob laid a hand on his shoulder, glowing blue with his Prana, his personal reserve of magical energy. The boy's expression eased and he began to breath normally,
"Woah, what was that?!" The boy asked, marveling at the ability, thanking him as much as he had apologized, "Nothing complicated, just circle your Aura throughout your body. It's not that hard." Jacob gripped the kid's shoulder, subtly shaking his head at his partner, who drew a cigarette pack from his cloak, snapping his fingers and conjuring a match like flame on his fingertip; He lit the cigarette and closed his fist, snuffing the flame and taking a drag into his helmet, smoke trailing from the mouth holes in the metal. A blonde girl glanced at him and he noted the presence beside her, the same crimsonette from a few days ago. He was snapped out of that thought train by another girl's proclamation.
"Are you aware you aren't supposed to smoke in a Bullhead, and what are you doing with cigarettes anyway, the Kingdoms outlawed them decades ago." She said, rather haughtily, Junko met Jacob's gaze, replying with hardly a second passed, he was already tired, and here this chick was. "Are you aware that being the stuck-up bitch isn't appealing to anyone, and neither is it the way to treat people, especially when I could kick your ass without moving a muscle. I just woke up, let me have my damned smoke."
This seemed to shock the girl into stammering fury. "D-do you even comprehend who I am? The family I am descended from?!" To which the man stood up, staring the girl down.
"Should I even give a damn? Some of the best people in my line of work had centuries of familial heritage and experience. What do you think happened to them?" He pulled the cigarette from his lips, burning it away and returning to his seat as they landed, The pair of Crypters stood up, filing out of the airship. No sooner than their feet had hit the tarmac, both were dragged aside by a black haired man, his rainbow irised eyes shimmering between colors as both men inclined their heads slightly toward their compatriot.
"Noroi, good to see you made it, are your Servants with you?" Junko asked, the man shaking his head. "Just Koyanskaya, what of you both?"
"We've got ours, Has there been any word from Ewan?"
"None yet," Noroi growled in exasperation, "He's around, I'm sure of it, especially if you both are here." He looked up at the sound of the school bell tolling, waving a hand. "Follow me, you'll want to hear this speech."
Jacob and Junko followed their friend, already disappearing into a crowd, if it weren't for his frequent glances back, it was near assured they would've been lost. As it was, Noroi moved quickly, weaving through the crowd, toward the front. Ozpin was speaking of typical heroics, the glory of being a Huntsman, and the wonders of Beacon. Junko's Archer scoffed within his mind, Master and Servant exchanging thoughts at rapid-fire pace.
"Something on your mind, EMIYA?" Junko asked, his Servant replying a few seconds later, annoyed in a way Junko had rarely seen from the Archer in the 5 years he had the man within his service. "All his talk of being heroes and he can't even say they're lambs being led to a slaughter. It sickens me."
Junko felt anger wash over his mind, a side effect of being tethered to his Servants for such a long time, he was prone to emotional bleed over and dealing with the residual effects of that was a battle in itself. He spoke again to calm the man.
"I know, but none of them know what we all went through. And I hope they won't have to."
"In our lives, has the concept of hope ever once worked out in our favor?"
Junko had to concede that point, "Not once. Hope is for the naive, the stupid, and the dead."
"Not quite," EMIYA shot back, "Hope keeps us moving, gives us a purpose instead of laying down and dying. Just like when I pulled you out of that pod."
"I suppose so, yes." Junko finished, "Ozpin's done. Looks like we're staying here tonight."
"It would seem that way… Don't forget your hope, Master. Despite everything, it's hope they keeps me here with you, hope that I can change things."
Junko sat down against the wall, Noroi and Jacob were preparing for tomorrow, but he had moved over to think over the past day. Who was that orange-haired man, what was up with that damned old man Ozpin and how the hell were they doing here, was this one of the Foreign God's tests, a world to destroy and convert to an 8th Lostbelt? He sat, mulling over the questions, vaguely noting the crimsonette trying to subtly creep her way over outside the blonde's eyeline. He was startled slightly at the touch of her hand, or rather, her being caught and instinctively running in fear. She tumbled over his lap, her head slamming into his breastplate with a dull clang. Her head rose, swaying back and forth slowly as she groaned in pain. He looked down at her, pressing his thumb to her forehead, pushing her off his lap.
"Don't do that. Haven't you got any manners kid? If you wanted to come over and talk, just come over and talk. I'll answer if I feel like it." Junko reprimanded, as the blonde girl turned her attention toward him, eyes flaring red.
"And what about you, armored asshat? We all heard what you said on the Bullhead. You wanna talk about manners?!" She growled, throwing a fist toward his face, her eyes widened in surprise as it was caught, seemingly from thin air, twisted behind her back and her body planted on the floor, courtesy of Jacob.
"You'll have to forgive him, he's rather… direct in his mannerisms. But if you want some advice, think twice before you try something like that again. It won't end as well as it did here." Jacob spoke evenly, his hands glowing blue as cold began to creep down the blonde's forearms; Jacob released her, the pale blue fading back to peachy white in a matter of seconds. She growled at them and made to yank her sister away, but found her sitting next to the armored one again, conversing rather easily as she pulled out a sketchbook, showing him weapon designs as he nodded and hummed along, allowing her to ramble on.
"Ruby, c'mon. You need to sleep for tomorrow." She said, to which the sitting crimsonette whined, "Aw really? But we were just getting to the interesting parts, Yang!"
"Bed," Yang responded firmly, picking her up under the arms and carrying her over to her sleeping bag. She moaned and groaned, but eventually gave in, wiggling into her sleeping bag next to Yang.
Junko snickered slightly at the display before him, before following the sisters leads and dozing off against the wall.
He was seated on a dilapidated throne, overlooking a destroyed room, the grand wooden doors were thrown wide, split with a hole blown between the pair. The man stood and walked outside onto the landing, staring out at the city littered in ash and sand. This city, HIS city was destroyed. And there was nothing he could do. He looked back at the few remaining refugees of Jerusalem, who stared back, fearful. He wanted to say something to assuage their fears, but he had nothing. He and his knights were their last defence. He had failed them, not only his citizens, but his knights as well. The Ember Legion stood at his side as countless men stood at his doorstep. Mercenaries, brigands, rival soldiers, all grinning with malice. Junko gripped his greatsword, glowing with black fire, and roared a challenge, leaping off the steps, his Servants and knights at his side-
Junko snapped awake at the nudge of his Archer's boot, glancing down at him with subtle concern.
"You were having the nightmare." He said simply and Junko returned, tiredly, "Yeah." The tanned Servant offered his hand and pulled the man to his feet, and Junko began to follow him outside into the early morning light. Junko patted himself for his smokes and cursed, he must've lost them. EMIYA drew them from Junko's cloak, tossing both to him. He stared at the tattered cloak, pocketing the cigarettes. His last gift from his mentor, an old knight versed in the ways of blade and Magecraft, indeed it was him whose Magic Crest sat alongside Junko's own, coiled in a spiral down his back. He'd been the one to teach him to excel with Flame Magecraft, one of the most basic, but most powerful Magecrafts, especially for its unknown arts, the first he was taught and honed by years, the Archangel's Pyromancy, a sect of Flame Magecraft wielded by priests and executioners of his world's Church. He chuckled mirthlessly, remembering his teacher's words,
"This isn't something to take lightly, boy. The Pyromancy is quite literally binding. You're binding your soul with an Archangel to use such power; you destroy your body that way."
He grimaced, he had listened to that advice well, he refused, even in the most dire moments, to bind his soul like that. He preferred the use of its counterpart.
He drew his sword, inspecting the dark blade, the steel shimmered as light reflected off it, before it was snatched away by hungry fire. Junko felt his mind slip for a fraction, darkening to thoughts of revenge and blood. His spirit cried for avengement of his city, but he shoved it down as others began to stir, namely, Jacob, Noroi, and their 4th companion. The lively ginger Scot sat up and waved as he walked over,
"So, The Ashen Swordsman, Forgotten Savior, Hero of Humanity, and Eldritch Lord are back together again, eh. Need a fucking drink." The man's brogue was audible as he yawned, Jacob sat up next, rubbing his eyes and responding, "Ewan, it's 7:30. We're in a highschool. You can't drink."
"We can't?" Junko replied, taking a swig from a metal flask of whiskey, before replacing it in the folds of his cloak. "Drinking questions aside, is everyone ready?"
Jacob grinned, "Let's do this!" Noroi, seemingly bemused by his friend's eager response, retorts with a mellow, "Yes, let's." Ewan cracks his knuckles, nodding.
"Then let's go and kick some ass."
They all file out in the morning light, lining up on spring boards along the titular Beacon cliff, soon enough, whooping and yells filled the air as one by one, students were launched into the sky. Junko tensed, his Servants were alongside him, sure, but he still felt uneasy. That unease left him as he too was launched. Over the sound of wind rushing past him, he heard someone screaming off to his left, his cloak's magic activating as he grips the kid's hoodie, dropping him a little ways from the ground next to a scarlet-haired girl, before rushing off to find his friends.
Jacob flew through the air with a whoop, his jacket flying behind him. His eyes shone blue and a gust of wind cushioned his fall, even still, he had to roll, coming upon a boar like creature, growling at his presence before being swiftly cut down by Charlemagne.
"They're no Demonic Beasts, that's for sure. Easy pickings, Master." The King of Paladins smirked and led the way, they needed to make it to a ruined temple for their relic, he remembered what Jacob had said earlier, and so began to work his way throughout the forest.
Noroi crashed through trees and sky alike, before coming to a rest in a rut of ruined dirt, his face tucked into his Servant's chest.
"My my, You seem quite well acquainted with my chest there, Master." the fox spirit said teasingly, to which Noroi smiled at the jab, "Koyanskaya, save the bedroom talk for later. Please."
"Oh fine," Koyanskaya stood, shouldering her rifle, "You're no fun in these situations, Master." Noroi just shrugged, dusting himself off and checked the blade at his hip. Koyanskaya waited expectantly as he secured his sword, leading them both through the forest.
Ewan was a screaming, cursing ball of rage until his magecraft swung him into a tree, coming to a rest on top of a branch, his back leaning against the trunk.
"Master?" A small voice asked within his mind, "You aren't dead, are you?"
"No, Miss Williams, I'm not dead." Ewan replied, the Foreigner materializing next to him, also leaning the tree. Her childish features both unnerved him and softened his heart, her innocent grin never reached her eyes as she took his hand, gently taking them to the ground. His Saber materialized next to the pair inclining his head. "Master. We're ready to move at your behest."
"Good," The Scot replied, taking a swig from his own flask, he drew a chain knife, unwrapping it from his arm and swinging it at a nearby black bird, causing it to screech and drop, its red eyes darkening as it disappeared, before two more Servants, a Lancer and Rider, made their entrance, "Master! There you are! Benkei and I were looking all over. We should get moving!"
Ewan couldn't argue with that, and followed his Servants rushing through the massive forest. They came upon a clearing, coincidentally meeting their compatriots and another group, fighting a giant bird creature like the one earlier and leapt in to help, Ewan's chain knife swinging in the light.
Elsewhere, at the top of a tree, EMIYA stood, bow in hand scanning for any threats, he drew in a breath and drew back the drawstring of his bow, a copy of Beowulf's Hrunting nocking itself into the string, the Archer chanting his familiar phrase, the "arrow" glowing red.
"I am the bone of my sword…"
The Archer loosed his arrow, streaking across the forest like a round from a rail cannon, slamming into the bird creature and making it crash into the chasm below the group. EMIYA's bow dissipates into Spiritron Particles, as does the man himself, appearing by his Master's side.
"Master, we seem to be clear for the moment, grab your relic and let's…"
EMIYA trailed off, staring at a collection of chess pieces, his eye twitching in annoyance as he summoned his blades and chucked them in frustration, hitting another bird and causing it to disappear. Junko whistled, "Nice shot Archer, 20 points for the airborne Nevermore."
"Nevermore?" The Archer asked, to which his Master responded, "Those bird things are Nevermores, dog things are Beowolves," the Berserker poked his head up from a random tree, followed by his classmate, quizzically staring at Junko, "And those boar things are are Boarbatusks, or so I've been told." EMIYA was puzzled, those creatures were named? Must've been more than an isolated incident like the Archer had figured. The man turned to his Master, a question on his lips, about to speak if not for the twinge of his Clairvoyance. On instinct the Archer lunged, tackling his Master as a giant scorpion burst out of the treeline to their left, snarling in rage. Junko rolled left and Archer rolled right, from one, a thrown dagger and the other, the Spiral Blade, Caladbolg, the knife split the beast's faceplate and the Spiral Sword struck it in one of its many eyes. The Deathstalker screamed in agonized rage, before Jacob's Assassin appeared in front of the scorpion, slamming a palm into the grip of Caladbolg, sending the blade into the monster's skull. Junko panted, standing up and collecting his knife, he spun the knife in his fingers, glancing at the dark steel blade, wiping it off carefully before sheathing it again with a small sigh.
"Just a little longer." He thought, turning to the newcomers, there was the crimsonette again, and her sister, checking each other over, the blonde in the hoodie leaning on the redhead, her hand on his shoulder, evidently from the chilly reception of the Ice Queen, as the blonde called her. His hand drifted to a pendant round his neck, a Covenant as it were, thumbing over the warm metal and walking off along with the other Crypters. As the others rushed up behind and began to question the group and their Servants, evidently getting on everyone's nerves. Junko finally sighed. "It's a Semblance, shared among our group. It's called Familiar Summoning." That only seemed to bring another slew of questions, to which Jacob answered, "We summon people to fight alongside us, dictated by class, Saber, or Archer for instance. But Junko's Saber is not the same as mine, different abilities and Parameters."
"Parameters? What might those be?" The white haired girl asked, to which Noroi chimed in, "Think of them as statistics regarding strength, speed, endurance, so on and so forth. Higher the stat, the better they are, in a basic sense."
"And these abilities? What are they, like a… Servant Semblance?" Yang piped up, Ewan answering with a laugh, "Nah, lass, more supplemental than those, some give extra damage to a particular creature, others, a almost inhuman ability to dodge strikes, and even less allow for them to take such hits without a scratch."
"That's rather odd, if I may say so." The redhead chimed in, "I don't believe we've introduced ourselves, I'm Pyrrha Nikos."
The others began to chime in, "I'm Blake, Blake Belladonna," said a black haired girl, following between Yang and Ruby, who introduced themselves next. Next was a sheepish, "Hey, I'm Jaune, Jaune Arc, short, sweet, rolls off the tongue, ladies love it." Junko snorts at that, Jacob chuckled, Noroi simply raised an eyebrow, Ewan just facepalmed. Regardless, the four men strode out of the the forest, coming to a sheer cliff.
"Grab on, Jacob, Noroi." Junko said, grabbing the men around the waist and leaping into the air, floating up to the base of the cliff, soon followed by Ewan and Blake swinging up to meet them. Yang, Ruby, Pyrrha, Jaune, and their two other teammates, introduced as Ren and Nora came up in various methods soon after. Junko turned, doing a Servant count within his mind until it was interrupted by the growling of Hessian Lobo, barking at the sky in rage.
Wyverns swarmed in the distance, diving at them like rabid dogs, screeching in fury. Junko snapped off, "The ones with guns, shoot them out of the sky, everyone else, defend the group, Jalter, Lancelot, with me!"
The two Servants sprang into motion without a second thought, Lancelot's Knight Of Owner spraying bullets from stolen guns into the sky at an alarming pace, Jeanne Alter grinned, the wyverns yowling in pain as she turned her gaze on them, burning them to ash. Black fire waves flew from Junko's sword like candy, cutting down swathes of the flying bastards. With a mana-enhanced jump, he rose to their level with a feral roar, cutting the beast out of the air in a spray of blood and black fire. Leaping off the bisected corpse, he clung to another one his weight and momentum forcing it to the ground to be promptly stabbed through the skull. Thoroughly coated in crimson blood, and with the flames receding, Junko stumbled, cursing and spitting out more wyvern blood.
"Fucking hell.." he mutters, shaking his head as he flicks his sword, splashing the leftover blood in the grass.
Sensing the oncoming questions, and their friend's less than ideal state, the remaining trio of Crypters ushered the Huntsmen along back to campus, silencing their questions with stern glares.
"Junko Raphtalis, Jacob Landark, Noroi Kanshu, and Ewan McGregor. Henceforth for your time within this school, you shall be known as Team Reikland. And with that, the teams have been selected for the year, the staff will show you to your dorms, you are all dismissed." The Crypters had already started to leave. Noroi and Ewan continued to their room as Junko and Jacob split off, instead heading up to the rooftop.
"Happened again," Junko grimaced through his helmet, staring over the railing of the roof, "Of course, it was bound to. We all lose control at some point, you really think the Frost King enjoys being stuck with me?" Junko chuckled at that, "I can certainly imagine the Trickster not liking his predicament. Neither do I enjoy mine."
"Regardless, you regained control easily, it's not too much a big deal." Jacob said, guiding his friend back downstairs and into their dorm, flicking the lights out as the four filed off to bed after a long day.