RWBY: Dual Eclipse
"Speech"
'Thoughts'
Scene Change
Chapter 21: Rediscovery
Once more they entered into the world of the past that lay within Ozpin's heart, although a discerning eye would see small bits of color sneaking their way onto the surroundings, the dullness fading away.
"Well, Ozpin, you have the floor. Where do we start?" Nelius addressed the Headmaster.
"Let's begin with why I brought you here... from all of the evidence collected so far, it appears that Salem has begun figuring out where I hid the Relics that Creation left with me. Knowing James he's come to a similar conclusion."
'...somedays I kinda hate it when we're right.' Epsilon grumbled to herself.
"Guessing that's why Cinder's here, then... to grab Vale's Relic and let the kingdom burn?"
"That is the most likely possibility... though without the Autumn Maiden's powers that would be a nigh-impossible task."
"Oh yeah, that reminds me-" Epsilon spoke up, taking holographic form. "-how exactly did Amber gain magic like that, when all the other humans that knew it got vaporized all those thousands of years back?"
Ozpin heaved a bit of a sigh before continuing. The world around them shifted to a cabin in the woods next to a powerful river. Through the windows, a frail, elderly man could be seen, a look on his face that largely told all whom saw him to leave.
'And that is some resting bastard face...'
"There once was a wizard whom lived alone in the woods, a recluse whom chose to hide away from the world. However, one day, he had a visitor for the first time in years."
A young woman was seen sitting beneath one of the trees outside his hovel. She looked at peace with the world, and with herself, which confused the wizard. Demanding to know what was going on, he gained a simple answer-
"I am Winter. I am on a journey and I am waiting for my sisters." With that, she returned to her peaceful meditation.
"The Wizard was confused by this, and even thought the girl a fool, but the more he observed her peace, the more he found himself wanting to share in it."
As the Wizard closed his eyes to reflect upon this, a second girl joined the first. She carried a basket of fruit and flowers. Now seeing the second, he asked again for an explanation.
"I am Spring. I am on a journey, and waiting for my sisters." What she did next was surprising - taking several seeds from her basket, she turned a mere pile of dirt and manure into a beautiful garden, one that promised a bounty.
"The Wizard would've stared at this wonder for hours, were it not for airy laughter drawing his attention to a third girl that had joined the others. Once again, he asked who she was. Her response?"
"I am Summer. I'm on a journey, and here to wait for my sister."
"To his own surprise, the Wizard could hear Summer laugh. Why? What was so humorous? Apparently, it was his reluctance to step outside his own home - why view the world through such a small window, when the door was right there?"
After a moment of hesitation, the Wizard finally chose to leave his home, and step outside... feeling the sun's warmth on himself invited a feeling that hadn't been present in ages. Was this... joy? Contentment?
"With the day preparing to end, a grand feast was prepared. Winter set the table, Spring provided the crops, Summer made the meal, and the Wizard was the happiest he had been in his long existence. So much was his joy that he had nearly overlooked a new guest that stood beneath his tree. Inviting her over, he asked her name."
"I am Fall. I am on a journey, and am here to meet my sisters. Who might you be?"
"Myself?" The Wizard responded. "No one special - just a hermit whom has resided in this woods for centuries. My story is nothing interesting, as I've nobody to love and nothing to my name."
"Why do you say that?" The eldest of the sisters spoke aloud. "You already have so much."
"The Wizard looked around, and much to his own surprise, saw that her words rang true. He was grateful to have all that he would need, but a burning question still remained."
"Why me? Why share with me your gifts? What makes me so special?"
The four sisters looked to one another, perplexed by such a question. The eldest would speak once more.
"We did not do these things because you are special. We do what we can for everyone because we are able to."
"The Wizard was at a complete loss for words. Such kindness still existed in this world? Hesitation no longer clouded his thoughts and mind as he made his decision. He summoned forth every ounce of magic he had, bestowing it upon the sisters."
"Take this gift, and know now that you're able to do so much more."
Now blessed with nature's elements and the Wizard's unfathomable magical power, the four sisters set out to aid others, just as they had aided him. However, they did promise a certain day to return to the Wizard and visit their friend.
With that, the surroundings shifted back to the Vale of old, and a discerning eye would see a tiny bit more color starting to return.
"That old Wizard... that was you, wasn't it?" Epsilon had caught on almost immediately.
"One of my incarnations. To find such selfless individuals in the world was a rarity after all my previous experiences... and at the same time, they reminded me all too much of..." Ozpin had trailed off, leaving the implication hanging in the air.
After about a minute, Nelius spoke up.
"So how did those powers survive to this time?"
"When a recipient of the Maiden's powers reaches the end of their mortal life, whomever was last in their thoughts would become their successor, to allow for their miracles to survive the passage of time. However, across my multiple lives I had noticed a trend, perhaps a strange shift that I hadn't accounted for happening."
"That being?"
"Firstly, as the powers were bestowed upon the four sisters, only another female soul could receive them. Second, the power would only enter those women whom were below the age of 30, but would remain until their passing, whether by natural causes or otherwise. Lastly, if someone incompatible with the power was thought of, it would seek out a random individual."
"A strange shift indeed. How do these powers relate to the Relics, since you said that Cinder would need the Autumn Maiden's powers to get at whichever one is here?"
"Well, that starts during the end of the Great War..." The scenery began to change once more, showing the sand-ravaged surroundings of old Vacuo as a man armed with a sword and a scepter stepped onto the battlefield.
Warship Yoshitsuna
Unknown Time
With little left to do other than wait for that crucial information to come in, Raphael had headed back to his personal quarters on-board the ship. He had felt like reading, but partway through a favorite novel of his that feeling began to quickly sublimate into a desire to get some sleep... almost unnaturally so, yet far slower than what any Sleep magic could perform.
'Odd... I haven't exactly done all that much today, and I'm barely halfway through this...' Still, he didn't bother trying to fight it, especially after an Espoir spell proved ineffective, and after changing into some more comfortable lounge-wear, he got into his bed and within seconds was out.
About three minutes later, the spirit that had stowed away upon the vessel silently approached, and hesitated for a moment, mostly to ensure that Raphael was indeed asleep.
Raphael's Dreamscape
Unknown Time
Raphael found himself within a location that felt much like Celestia, though the floating landmasses that dotted the sky looked uninhabited, as if nobody had been here in such a long time. Unless he was seeing things, one of them looked like some kind of satellite made out of stone...
"Greetings, Celestial..." A woman's voice rang clear, catching his attention.
"Who..." Raphael looked over towards where the voice was coming from, but saw nothing.
"I apologize for this meeting, but as you were the one whom reacted most strongly to my presence, I had little recourse but to approach you."
"In this case, might I have the name of whom I'm speaking with?"
"A fair request. I used to have a name in life, but now it's been dragged through the mud... call me Hadiya."
"Hadiya, then... you do realize that given where we are in the greater cosmos, finding your way back to the proper afterlife will be a taxing mission?"
"Honestly, that is of no concern to me. I am willing to rend my remaining consciousness into pieces if it means setting things right."
"Is that correct... and what is 'setting things right' to you?"
"I was formerly in a great position, but a malevolent will stripped me of it nearly four years ago. Of those I had been in charge of, I know one has managed to escape that being's reach."
"And what, precisely, does this have to do with us?"
"I have heard whispers... one you seek to rescue... is someone I know, someone I trained. I must set things right..."
"Do you mean-" The dreamscape was beginning to fade away. "Hey! What's going on!"
"I apologize, but... must rest... recover... we will speak again..."
Ozpin's Heart
5:41 P.M.
"There was a reason the Huntsman Academies were established, beyond just fighting the Grimm."
The King of Vale, another of Ozpin's incarnations, could be seen aiding in directing the establishment of the Academies. With each one completed, he entrusted a certain Relic to each school - the Lantern to Mistral, the Staff to Atlas, the Crown to Vale, and the Sword in Vacuo.
"I see..." Nelius had caught onto the strategy. "Hide 'em behind a veritable wall of fighters, both experienced and learning."
"More than just that." The memory shifted, showing a long hallway beneath one of the Academies. The King could be seen working alongside a woman with graying black hair, tracing something on a door. "To add an extra layer of security, a lock system was made to hide the Relics inside specially crafted vaults, ones made to hide their power from being felt. The key would be a specific Maiden's magical power."
"Hold on." Epsilon piped up. "Why just one? Why not a combination of all four, make it extremely difficult to get at them?"
"I had thought of that initially, but circumstances beyond my control demanded otherwise." The scene shifted once more as Ozpin explained. "Given that the Maiden powers would seek out indiscriminate hosts, it made searching for all four at a time a daunting task, given that technology of the time wasn't quite up to the task of worldwide coverage, and some of the recipients were just as hermitic as I had been..."
The surroundings shifted once more, showing a different incarnation of Ozpin trying his best to calm what looked like a young child... one that looked not only intensely frightened, but was also hiccuping fire.
"At the same time, there was one incident where the powers had chosen to settle within a toddler, and needless to say it made getting that one under control quite the daunting task."
"Yeah... little kid with big powers and no real way to finely control 'em..."
'I can imagine one situation that'd be worse, but that's for another time.' Nelius thought to himself as Ozpin continued explaining.
"Even back then... there were people whom sought to take the Maiden's powers for their own, so more often than not there were multiple attempts on their lives, forcing some Maidens to seek asylum in out of the way settlements."
"So just like what happened with Amber." Nelius had stated, catching on.
Ozpin simply nodded in response.
"What about body guards?" Epsilon asked.
"At first, they had proven effective, but eventually it became clear that some of the bodyguards were being bribed to sabotage the Maidens' safe passage between kingdoms. Soon we had to switch to more long-range guardians, those whom would shadow the Maiden from a distance and be able to step in should problems arise."
"Say..." Nelius spoke aloud after a moment of contemplation, "..how much in the way of training did Amber have with her powers? I can't help but imagine she only recently got them, even with how she managed to handle Cinder's group trying to take her down."
"I had offered to help guide her with her recent acquisition, but she never took the offer, wishing to continue on her journeys across the world. Whenever the opportunity arose, I would ask Qrow to shadow her, to help keep her safe."
"Explains why we ran into him last year. Still, Cinder's more than likely going to make another attempt at stealing those powers..."
"Hm?" The sound of growling began to echo around the two of them as multiple Grimm began to appear. Ozpin, in turn, had extended his cane. "How did they get in?"
"Looks like your subconscious have come out to play." Nelius, in turn, had unholstered his gun.
"... my what?"
"The subconscious." Epsilon took over explaining. "The physical manifestations of things like prejudice, pride, fear... little bits of the mind that hold people back from accomplishing what they truly could. They take the form of beings generally familiar to the host."
The look of complete disbelief on Ozpin's face said it all.
"...just when I thought I had gotten a grasp on this situation..."
"Stick around, Ozpin. Shit's only gonna get weirder from here." Nelius capped this off by putting a bullet through the head of one of the subconscious Grimm that tried to swipe at him, erasing everything from the neck up. Just like in real life, this incensed the rest into attacking.
Ozpin's Cane looked to be merely that, but with the way Beacon's Headmaster wielded it, you'd be forgiven for thinking the wooden shaft had been sharpened to a point that matched or exceeded most metallic weaponry. One quick thrust through a Beowolf's throat killed it with ease, and with one swipe two others had been eliminated.
"These... subconscious..." Ozpin quickly leaned to a side to avoid an Ursa's paw that was aimed for his face, "...why are they attacking?" With several quick stabs into its stomach, Ozpin felled the Ursa.
"Failure... again..." One of the Grimm-shaped subconscious could be heard harshly whispering... whispering in a voice that sounded all too familiar to the Headmaster.
Her voice... Salem's voice.
"Always the same outcome..."
"Never-ending failure..."
"Ruin is inevitable..."
"My best guess is lingering doubt." Epsilon responded as Nelius ripped another one in half. "Normally these things are content to hide away in the hopes of being left alone, so for them to try this would suggest they don't like any changes you've been trying to make."
Nelius brought his foot down, jamming his heel into the head of one shaped like a Creep and splattering it across the ground.
"They'll kill you..."
"They'll erase all of us..."
"Why bother continuing?" This one, however, sounded much more like one of Ozpin's former lives.
Ozpin did his level best to block out the taunting voices as he continued defeating these subconscious-Grimm... yet for each one he felled, it looked as though five more took their place.
"You're a fool, Ozpin..."
"This will never end..."
"You've already-" The last one was promptly interrupted by a lightning-fast swipe of Ozpin's cane that decapitated it. Ozpin himself had missed it, but anyone with a discerning eye would've seen faint sparks around the area that had made contact.
"I've heard enough."
Warship Yoshitsuna
Unknown Time
"There goes another failure..." Brutus took this moment to stand up and stretch, the readout from the life-scanner unit showing no traces of their target.
Zio, in the meanwhile, was fiddling with an old communications unit.
"Zio, what're you messing with that for?"
"Considering what we demons can do, I figured it prudent to scan the local waves. There might be an alert going out for someone casually tossing fireballs and mountains around."
"...huh. Interesting train of thought."
"Should I find anything interesting I will make certain to notify you all... assuming this thing still works." The unit sparked a bit, as if echoing his sentiment.
Meanwhile, further in the back, Raphael was awake once more, and mulling over something.
'What an odd dream I had... someone named Hadiya wants our assistance, and assuming I heard it all correctly she's after the same people we are.'
The sound of someone knocking on the door to his room snapped the Celestial from his thoughts.
"It's open." He called. The door slid open, and a familiar mop of violet-colored hair peeked in.
"Raph? You all right?"
"I'm well, Hilde... just thinking on a slight oddity from earlier."
"An oddity?" One of Hilde's eyebrows raised slightly.
"Remember when I said I thought I sensed something earlier?" At her nod, he continued, "...it seems a stray spirit has drifted onto the ship. It calls itself 'Hadiya', and she seeks the same people we do. She knows of Celestia, and the Netherworld."
"Do we know if she can be trusted?"
"That is what I intend to find out. It seems I'm the only one she's spoken with so far, and I'm expecting a second talk sometime soon."
Ozpin's Heart
6:21 P.M.
With the last of the subconscious Grimm fading away, Ozpin took a moment to step back. He had been intending to catch his breath, given that it had been a fair amount of time since he had last stepped onto the field of battle, but this...
"...what in the.." In sharp contrast to his expected exhaustion, he felt... alive, as if the previous half-hour of battle simply hadn't happened. He hadn't felt this strong in a long time... not quite as strong as Ozma, but fairly close...
To test this feeling, he took a swipe with his cane, only for a sharpened projectile of wind to suddenly fly out from the tip, racing towards several trees and cleanly cutting them down.
"My word... was that-"
"With each subconscious taken out, that's a little bit of power returned to you." Nelius told the Headmaster. "And with all of those subconscious gunning for your blood, it's quite a fair bit of strength you've reclaimed."
Ozpin looked from the off-world demon, to the trees that he had cleanly cut down with practically no effort.
"...and here I had thought it lost to me, between granting the four sisters my magic and each incarnation taking a little bit of my remaining strength."
"In ordinary circumstances, perhaps... but matters pertaining to the Netherworld are anything but ordinary." Nelius then gestured to himself, "...case in point."
An idea suddenly flashed into the Headmaster's mind... a dangerous thought, but one that could prove useful for future matters.
"Say, Mr. Raoul... if this Dual Diver of yours is able to help regain lost power, could it be turned towards enhancing one's Semblance, maybe even finding new ways to utilize it?"
"Considering Semblances are tied to the soul, I see little reason why it wouldn't. Though, before we go any further, we good on time?"
Ozpin took this moment to think on that, pulling out his Scroll as he did so. The time read 6:31 P.M.
"It is getting late, and I do have a few duties to attend to. We may have to do this another time."
"Fair enough. You got my Scroll number, so when you're free we can pick this up again."
It was time for them to depart, and with the orange gate opening up, their way back to reality was set. However, neither had noticed one of the subconscious watching them, seemingly taking notes about the odd duo...
'Just maybe...'
The Base
7:54 P.M.
"This circuitry is something else." Epsilon was busy studying what they had managed to rip out of the Proto-Darkdeath unit from earlier today. "Kind of a shame someone put it towards that kind of use."
"If by some chance we were to meet the creator of the Proto-Darkdeath units, want to reserve that first fist in their face?" Nelius asked, a somewhat knowing grin on his face.
"I'll have to take you up on that offer. But for now... I bet that if we use this to replace the central power transfer line, we could get a lot more out of a Dust Crystal or the Shatterpact's batteries."
Nelius had that written down.
"That reminds me... this data interpretation unit ought to be ideal for getting better information out of each dive. It'd make maximizing our trips much less of a hassle."
"That ought to be the case. Still, we may need to rewrite several of the processes before installation... and maybe acquire some more pieces to see if they'd work with our ideas." Epsilon stored this particular bit of information away for when they had a little spare time to experiment. A few minutes of note-taking and theorizing passed by before she spoke up again. "Say..."
"What's on your mind?"
"It's about Salem. Sooner or later she's gonna cotton onto us, and even if there's little she can do to actively harm us, unless we can rid her of that pesky immortality it's gonna end up as an even worse stalemate than the one between Ozpin and herself."
"If there is a way to break her immortality, aside from her finally deciding to accept the whole life/death balance, then it would need to be discovered or created." Nelius went silent for a moment, before an idea crept up. "Then again, what we know of her immortality is that her soul won't ever reach the afterlife, correct?"
"Seems like it, assuming Ozpin's memories are accurate. No matter what she does to herself, her body's made to completely regenerate from any kind of infliction, denying her the chance to travel to whatever afterlife Remnant has. I'd honestly be surprised if she really did any mental facilities still active, given that human minds and souls aren't quite made to last past 100 years or so."
"Given Ozpin's managed to hang on for the time he has, safe bet to say Salem's is in the same boat. More and more it's sounding like her soul would have to be completely eradicated if she refuses to accept the escape clause."
"...you know of things that could do that?"
"Just one, maybe two, but then again it's mostly heresay from back home, and I honestly doubt that either one would be this far out in the cosmos." It was another minute of mental deliberation before he spoke up again. "Then again, assuming most of her magic is focused on offensive-only deals there ought to be a way to burn her magic out... unless it's tied to her soul, like Ozpin's."
"But their kids were able to use magic, so it might actually have been a genetic passing from Salem."
The two offworlders continued their work, taking note of which parts from the Proto-Darkdeath would work best within the Dual Diver, inter-spaced with ideas on what to do should Salem come calling.
What neither of them had noticed was the Diver silently activating of its own accord, coding lines quickly beginning to scroll across the access panel...
Chapter 21 - Complete