Chapter 6: Rally
After the team was ready they had made their way out, The morning outside was cold and foggy, an oddity for this time of year, as the four walked the crowd of students parted as no one in their right mind would get in their way. Even Cardin's team cowered away, as their leader had a cast on his right leg. Nora smirked seeing that cast. She fondly remembered the crunch that his bone made. Shouldn't have told me that I was awful for Ren getting killed. Nora thought as her grief made a tear prick at the corner of her eye. She hoped that team learned their lesson the hard way after insulting them in the weeks after the funerals of their friends. Cardin now won't even go near them nor look them in the eyes. CRDL was an example to the campus. They were now outcasts though the four of them like this. Of course, they got punished for the attack on CRDL, but it was minor, as Velvet recorded the altercation and gave it to Ozpin. Who in turn reduced the punishment to PRWN to minor at worst, and informed CRDL that they were in the wrong, as at the funeral PRWN requested to be left alone on the matter, and they actively went to antagonize them. it was there Ozpin laid down the law on CRDL informing them of potential expulsion if their actions of antagonizing fellow students continued. So in that regard, the PRWN did some good.
"So Weiss, where are we going?" Nora asked calmly. Of all of them, the Incident had affected her most. As it turned the normally hyperactive hammer wielder into a brooding and gloomy person. Most of Beacon welcomed the change, though, her team missed her cheery demeanor. though one thing of old Nora still remained and that was her insanity.
"Somewhere I think Ruby would enjoy," Weiss said with a smile continuing towards the docking platform "After all, we are trying to celebrate her birthday three months late"
In the distance, Ruby saw someone looking on in the distance the gray coat, red cape, and large sword immediately gave away who it was, a dusty old, for once sober, crow. This got Ruby to smile nervously instead of her usual slamming into her uncle with a massive hug as she screamed. Instead, she said, "Hey, uncle Qrow," with a normal if not solemn tone.
"Hey, kiddo you alright? " Qrow asked, as he was shocked Ruby had not rammed into him. To Qrow, he could see the pain and sorrow in his niece's eyes looking at them. Then he saw the pain in all of their eyes, minus Weiss.
"I am fine, just… dealing with things," Ruby stated as her grief was showing true. Though as she looked at her uncle Weiss approached and gave him a look as she introduced with.
"Hello, Mister Branwen," Weiss spoke, seemingly the most composed of the four of them. Her voice was cold sounding but she was trying to be warm, especially to a man who she had only met once before but her smile betrayed that she was somewhat excited. Ruby had her nervous, as the redhead hadn't made any attempt at contacting her family since the incident. Though she then looked at Qrow happy to see him sober.
"Heyo, Lil' Icy, I really hope this plan of yours works and cheers you guys up," Qrow smiled using the nickname he gave Weiss, which did get her to cringe slightly. Apparently, Qrow knew her sister and to him, she was the Ice Queen, not Weiss, so she earned a nickname that to hear sounded like a small frozen beverage and that annoyed her.
"Yes, though I take it you have them," Weiss asked of Qrow, not going to comment on the use of his nickname for her. Though she smiled as she saw Qrow pull out the case before commenting with.
"Yeah I brought them, still curious why Ruby likes these things now, but hey everyone changes," Qrow said commenting on the gift inside the heavy plastic weapon case. Kiddo is using a sword, she'll end up using one of those energy things Summer had. Qrow thought as he watched his Niece and her reaction.
"Good, Ruby I had something very special commissioned for you, Mister Branwen," Weiss said as Qrow opened the large case. it was about five feet in length and before opening it He set it down. Once opened, inside was a new sword, like Ruby's current one, though this one was a work of art. It was decorated with vast engravings and elegance. The blade was a bit straighter and a crossguard and more Atlesian in design looking like a cutting version of Myrtenaster aesthetically. It had no gun component and was without a dust cylinder, "Go ahead, pick it up, Ruby," Weiss said with a smile as Ruby reached for the hilt encouraging her partner to pick up the new blade.
Doing as instructed she picked up the new sword, feeling its weight, she smiled almost wickedly. When the smile cracked, her eyes flashed as she got another vision. Ruby saw her hand flash into a metal prosthesis and the blade in her hand flashed to that of a glowing blade with a blood-red edge with a rose core with a crossguard of the same energy. she looked at the three of her friends. They were all cloaked in black cloaks, though Ruby could see they all looked different under their hoods, Ruby looked back towards Qrow he was gone and Ruby just saw a group of four other cloaked figures. The vision fading Ruby collapsed though as she did Weiss caught her and asked "Ruby, are you okay?!"
"Sorry, I just had another one of those visions we all have been getting," Ruby said, holding her right hand to her eyes to allow them to recover. As she did this she picked up her new sword and then grabbed the scabbard for it out of the box and pulled her Katana from her belt and slotted in the new sword.
"Visions?" Qrow inquired cautiously, remembering Summer used to get them a lot. She really is her kid, Qrow thought with a light chuckle.
"Ugh, they are nothing to worry about, uncle," Ruby said getting back to her feet to examine her new blade dismissing her uncle's concerns. This new sword had earned her attention and she started to study when Weiss spoke up.
"Recognize the metal?" Weiss said trying and testing Ruby. Ruby's eyes went wide with the realization of the metal the blade was composed of, Crescent Rose's blades. She had the alloy custom made just for her weapon and it was unique with how it was made. seeing the shine and glints of the blade she could confirm it as she looked at the Damascus pattern.
"This is made from Crescent's blade!" Ruby squealed, as she kept her focus on the blade, the craftsmanship was way beyond even her own level.
"Yes it is, reforged from a welded billet into a Damascus billet then folded one hundred times for good measure," Weiss spoke in a tone almost lecturing Ruby about the weapon. Though, she did it with a smile. "I spared no expense pulling this one for you."
"This Katana is amazing" Ruby yelled, darting over to hug Weiss with the blade still in hand but she didn't skewer Weiss on it so no one cared as she hugged her.
"Correction Ruby it's called a Kreigsmesser, with your knowledge of weapons, I expected you to know that you dolt" Weiss chuckled finally getting to use her nickname for Ruby again as Weiss embraced the overjoyed redhead. Though after a second released her so Ruby could continue her examination of the blade.
"Well, that's a cool name" Ruby Smiled, holding the sword parallel to her face to see her reflection in the blade and inspecting the folding of the metal. The pattern was beautiful and wavy, it gave the air of a sharp, well forged, blade.
"It's an Atlesian Sword design," Weiss added in a tone making it sound superior to the old Mistralan design, "and it's infused with a special kind of wind dust for more distant cutting and propulsion," Weiss added as Ruby focused her aura on activating the effects of the blade. Seeing the blade glow a green hue Ruby sliced the blade through the air feeling the resistance as the cutting edge of air formed, she knew what she knew immediately could do with the blade.
"This is amazing Weiss," Ruby gasped, examining every intricacy of the blade as the fuller bore floral scrollwork in it. Ruby looked over the blade as it caught the sun at just the right angle. For an Atlesian blade, it needs an atlesian name, Verstreut, shall be your name, Ruby thought as she looked at the sword. Crescent was scattered and remade, so the name only fit in her mind.
"But I did have some other things commissioned for us," Lifting the first foam layer up it revealed four knives sheathed in a red leather each handle and sheath had one of the four teammates' symbols on it. Weiss took them out and distributed them "they have one edge on the tip and a recess to interlock with another edge."
"Wow, you guys sure you aren't a cult yet?" Qrow inquired with a joking but slightly serious tone. As he tugged the flask he was infamous for out of his back pocket, deciding to say no more to sobriety.
"These are utility survival knives with an interlocking function, they are not cult daggers," Weiss said with a slight scowl insulted by the comment, as they got that exact comment a lot.
"Right," the Qrow retorted sarcastically," also you have a gift and another gift for Ruby from Taiyang and I. It's couple stuff, the Blue one is for Ruby, and the Red one is for you, also I know it is your Birthday so consider it Ruby's gift to you as well." Qrow smiled handing the jewelry box to Weiss giving Ruby a wink as he knew they were a thing.
"So I wonder what they got us, Weiss," Asked Ruby, though Weiss gasped as she opened the box. Inside of the box was two elongated hexagons, one made out of sapphire, the other made of ruby, the colored gems having a hybrid of Weiss's and Ruby's emblems prominently displayed in the engraving.
"Still think my family wouldn't accept you, Weiss," Ruby said ripping the sapphire necklace out of the box and putting it around her neck.
"Not anymore," Weiss smiled with tears on her face as she put on the ruby necklace, "Happy birthday Ruby!" She said hugging her partner tightly as a sharp gust of wind hit and some onlookers watched this as they waited on the next morning's airship.
"Glad to finally be able to say it, happy birthday Ruby and Weiss," Pyrrha smiled as she walked up to look at the glimmering gems. She smiled humbly as Nora could be heard growling to keep CRDL away as they walked by. Though after what Pyrrha said Nora lurched forward and spoke.
"Agreed it's good to say it, happy birthday Ruby and Weiss!" Nora joined in with cheer and vigor, like before the incident.
"Yeah happy birthday, kiddos," Qrow said as he took out his flask and took a few swigs as pseudo toast. Though he chuckled as the concoction inside took a stab at his dreaded sobriety.
"I say we test this interlocking knife thing," Ruby suggested as she drew her knife out and held it by the grip the other three followed and they connected them to form the four-pointed cross Weiss thought up. "We are the Black Knights!" Ruby smirked as they stood holding the knives.
"We are the Black Knights," Weiss said followed by Pyrrha and then Nora.
"Well, then I say why don't we go to town and celebrate birthdays," Ruby Cheered, looking out towards Vale.
"Of course, I've got a few more surprises for today," Weiss smiled thinking of the few places they had to go, she had a bit of an itinerary to keep to. Though feeling the faint curve in the pavers, she then smile and asked Ruby, "but before we do Ruby you know what this spot is?"
"Judging by the subtle dent in the tiles, this is where I met you," Ruby smirked, remembering how pissed Weiss was that day, she still had that 'Dust for Dummies' pamphlet somewhere.
"Damn, I thought you wouldn't remember," Weiss Chuckled actually expecting Ruby to not remember. Though Ruby's first day at Beacon was a memorable one.
"Weiss, you know how I am now," Ruby smiled teasing Weiss with a bright smile as she feigned a playful sneeze with an explosion sound effect.
"Yes I do and I love it," Weiss chuckled with approval of the joke.
"Well, the airship is here! I say let's go," Ruby Cheered as they saw the airship come into dock at the terminal. They looked to be about ready to race off as Qrow stopped them.
"One-sec kiddo," Qrow spoke grabbing Ruby's black cloak, "I want you to call Taiyang tonight okay, he is worried about you kiddo," Qrow, said seriously as the fresh smell of alcohol wafted out of his mouth, "Well I have to go meet with an old friend so have fun girls and Ruby, seriously, be careful with that blade its sharp, Weiss tell your sister I said 'hi'."
The airship ride was calm enough Ruby was silently examining her new blade before sheathing it and resting it on her lap. Weiss liked seeing Ruby examining, she could tell Ruby was thinking about how to work her fighting style to use this weapon to its maximum potential. Nora was dozed off in the corner next to Pyrrha who was reading a book. While Weiss looked at the ruby on her neck.
Never again will I be alone. Weiss thought as she held the gem to her heart. Ruby meant so much to her now, she was more than just a friend now. She smiled thankful they did have that successful aura bond despite the supposed downsides, it worked out well. So far they had been on a few dates in town on the weekends. They could feel the bond between them when they sparred and trained. She loved it. To Weiss, this bond was a form of leverage for her to convince her family to let her be with Ruby when she went back home. she knew her family would not approve of her newfound love as her marrying someone of much greater importance was an accepted fact and something her father demanded. She did have a contingency if it turned out she had no choice in who she would marry, but not anymore if they refused Ruby, she came to a conclusion she would leave her family if need be. though, her reminiscing on the world and her family was cut short as the airship docked up in the Vale dock.
Ruby was the first to stand up after landing. This was to sash up her new sword, something Ruby did with great pride. With their dark hoods up they proceeded off the ship and into town. Even here the fog had not relented today and a light rain had started. Weiss cursed the weather though she thanked her new cloak was water-resistant as nothing was going to stop today. the Knights continued walking as they approached the first stop a very high-end armorer, who dealt in light personal plate armor.
Here they picked up another gift for all four of them, their new combat gear. Formed to their measurement, the full plate armor covered their chest with segmented, adjustable stomach armor. Full plates covered their arms and legs all of which fit into a bodysuit that comprised of ballistic and impact-resistant foams and fabrics with a high-end liquid cooling system. The entire suit was tailored for each user's body. Attached to the undersuit was a form-fitting neoprene face mask that was to further conceal their identity. Lastly was a one-way ballistic Lexan visor, that was polarized and even further made them anonymous and look like knights. Though the outfit looked like the designer had a love for a hybrid between sci-fi and the medieval.
Deciding to break in these new suits, they all equipped them and made sure they fit. Ruby was the first to have hers on, she was like a child putting on wanted clothes at Christmas time. The suit was heavier than what her frame was used to, but not too over encumbering for her. The joints allowed her to move with a full range of movement. The black plates fit snugly and didn't slip or slide at all.
Once the team was dressed in their new gear, they bagged their old outfits and left them for pick up so they didn't have to lug them around for the rest of the day. So latching their visors to their belts and pulling their masks down they left the shop together chatting about their new armor. Though that is when they showed their true rebellion as they looked the part of black knights, no longer huntresses.
With another crack of the thunderous sky came another verse for the cloaked man to remember. "Their darkness outcasts them, as they plot revenge on those that wronged them, clad in black they march towards vengeance." This line was a shift that he interpreted as some background into what had happened to them. Vengeance, The figure stopped once again he knew this topic well enough. Especially as he remembered the verse that came next. "Reeling from the prior losses they drew darker, yet darker. All prior relations cut as they gave their declaration of war." this line told the dark lord they had given in to their newfound purpose with mind and soul. Vengeance usually required such a toll, a toll he himself had paid.
