With my greatest weakness- I'll defeat your greatest strength

by TerrelHayden

"The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get it and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward."

14. V1 C-13 The Art of Hunters Part-2

Man, I hate betrayal fics, no offence to who write them, all stories should exist, it's just that, I refuse to bash any characters, even if I hate them. It's just gives a wrong taste, so unknown PM guy, no, this is not a fic like that where Jaune suddenly becomes OP and everyone wants to be friends with him but he is now a dick- no, just no- I respect your opinion, but I will never bash any character, where I would bash characters- instead I will write them in a manner, which would help them develop.

Also, just focusing on Jaune would start from next chapter, just because Jaune is the MC of the story- doesn't mean the other characters aren't important.

Characters development to both- heroes and villains, sider characters as well.

[Part-1]

7th June, Monday- RX21, 22:25

{Near the Coliseum}

Hazel Reinhart made the taunt, he was prepared. Prepared to face all the three of them at the same time, even the Camelot small army if needed.

Instead, Gabriel Pendragon raised his hand- stopping both Bedivere and Lancelot, indicating one thing- he will face him alone.

"Little Gabe, thinks he's strong enough now?"

"Why don't you find out?"

There was a stare down, between the two- who would attack first? The answer in an instant became clear.

Gabriel Pendragon's body glowed gold, the shining light that was bright to put the darkness of the night to shame. It moved fast and shifted, fast and strong enough to lift- the eight feet tall man- made of pure mass and muscles-disappeared with the golden light and both of which were-

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!

Slammed right at the center of the Coliseum. Even after the slam in, Hazel was barely affected, no, it appeared that even within the light he faced little to no damage.

"Bringing me in here, so that you won't hurt the civilians?"

"So that I could kill you."

There were no more words shared, Hazel dashed- his speed betrayed the body he possessed, the hulking figure was easily able to close the distance without breaking any sweat, swung his arm hard- Gabriel did the same, and met Hazel with the match head-on.

DOOOOOOON!

The land beneath them cracked, Hazel seemed to be unaffected, but Gabriel's armor cracked. Hazel didn't stop there, he hard-kicked Gabriel, gritting the ground skited back a little.

A silver transparent orb covered Hazel's fist, even if it wasn't- it appeared as if Hazel's fist were shaking as if they were…under tremor. Taking the arm back, Hazel swung it as hard as he could-

CRACKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!

Where the glowing fist stopped- cracks appeared, on-air? He didn't hit Gabriel, he hit blank space where cracks appeared then-

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

The sound of tremor, like the force of a tsunami, rage of an earthquake- the tremor followed- breaking the ground, turning it into rubble, making the air go haywire and at point bank range the tremor hits Gabriel Pendragon- cracking his armor and breaking the portion of Coliseum.

Gabriel appeared unharmed, yet his armor was broken- which seem to fix itself slowly.

Hazel clapped, "You have indeed grown stronger, your old man would have been proud of that. Then again, you do remember he gave me a title-"

Gabriel shook his head, "The Avalanche, stop bragging, if it was when I was ten, I would have definitely cried, now though, it will cost you, Hazel, should you underestimate me."

Hazel cracked his knuckles- both he and Gabriel went in a stare-down, aura fluctuated, silver crackled against gold.

Dense aura strong enough to-

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMH!

The coliseum shook- no, the tremors covered Camelot- can the two powers be considered humans?

---

"Sir Lancelot, should we not intervene and aid the king?"

"And do exactly what, Bedivere? Be a hindrance? I understand, your loyalty and desire to protect the king- but you should know he is more than capable of protecting himself. If we enter, we simply would be targets for Hazel to kill off."

"Sir Lancelot…this Hazel, you speak of him even with a little fondness."

"When the Knights of the Roundtables were active, Hazel Reinhart was the strongest, the previous king gave him the moniker of The Avalanche. His [Semblance] was, theoretically capable of destroying the world."

Bedivere looked shocked, shaking his head he exclaimed, "That's impossible, no and I mean no [Semblance] has ability to achieve those, aura and [Semblance] have rules that must be followed, which cannot be broken- then how?!"

"I understand that Bedivere, but you must remember, there is a certain status, that the humans must achieve to become even stronger than before…that certain status, is achieved by both Hazel and Gabriel, so, have a little faith in your king also…just because Hazel has the ability to destroy the world doesn't mean he can, regardless, the rules will always apply to everyone regardless, it's just in order for your [Semblance] to become strong, you must have the mental fortitude and talent."

"So…what is exactly Hazel Reinhart's [Semblance]."

Lancelot sighed as he looked up, the coliseum breaking, "[Heaven's Tremor], it's called, it represents nature's calamity through vibrations."

"Like earthquakes and tsunamis? Volcano eruptions?"

"Erosions, rifts, breakdowns…avalanches, all have one thing in common, high vibrations, tremors at their core. What if a human had the ability to control those tremors? and add aura to it, the tremor and the vibration become stronger that they can easily leak into any surface, causing destruction."

"You-you're saying that…"

"Hazel Reinhart can create calamity anywhere he wants. Earthquakes, tsunamis, earth splitting, or volcanic eruptions, he can cause it- he can erase cities, and deaths cannot be counted for the ones that he would bring. He is calamity incarnate."

"The king…The king would be able to defeat him, right?!"

"In terms of raw power? Only three people come close to Hazel Reinhart, and the King isn't one of them, neither am I, Hazel surpassed me when he was in his teens, actually when he was near Jaune's age and only grown stronger since."

"Then!?"

Lancelot smirked, "Have a little faith in your king, if raw power could have always been the answer, tyrants would have always kept their positions, now, wouldn't they? Believe in the man who runs this kingdom, he knows what he's doing."

---

Speed- agility and high focus, point attack- Gabriel's forte…on the other hand, area of effect, strength, and mass destruction is Hazel's forte.

Consciously Gabriel knew one thing, whatever happens, he cannot let Hazel go all out, he needs to restrict his movements and inflict as much damage as possible- but that would be difficult, Hazel has an endurance of an ocean unless it's precise- the damage done to him- even with Gabriel's power would be next to none.

Gold aura condensed and two swords of light formed for Gabriel Pendragon- that wasn't enough, multiple spears of light surrounded him- with that he dashed-

SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN!

Gabriel didn't hesitate to rally the swords of light to rain down on Hazel- the latter, however, simply concentrated his aura, took the attack head on- the silver aura tingled. Hazel smirked.

Gabriel still had a blank face as he closed the distance, the sword of light formed in his hands was much denser and sharper. Gabriel didn't hesitate to swing them- with the intention of slicing off his arms, but Hazel's aura proved to be one of a kind, even if the swords of light didn't shatter like the previous ones, it didn't penetrate through Hazel's skin, his silver aura shone it countered the blade, the aura flickered but the blades started to break.

Hazel didn't stop there,

DON!

Aura poured in his legs as he stomped the ground, to shake off Gabriel, while it might not do nearly as much as his [Semblance] does, at close range, it did create aftershock and impact craters to throw Gabriel off.

The king, however, was no fool, his body turned into the particles of light as it dispersed once again-

"[Aura Zone: Luxieum's Amphitheater]"

Gabriel muttered after reforming himself, the moment he did, his body once again dispersed into the light- and something surrounded Hazel- a small coliseum, a closed one- an amphitheater made purely of golden light- but Gabriel wasn't present.

However, the very next moment, Hazel prepared himself- aura flowed and covered his body- he was prepared-

SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN! SHIN!

Hundreds and thousands of spears of light rained down from every single direction, it was difficult deflecting all of them- with his arms Hazel covered his face and took the blows head-on- they didn't have immense damage, it was more akin to each spear felt like hundreds of needles poked him, trying to penetrate his skin- some did, he bled- but his unyielding aura, just like his will healed him up.

The attacks came to a staggering halt, Gabriel once again appeared in front of Hazel who was annoyed, the attack was tanked by his aura, it didn't do much, however, it did annoy him.

It was Hazel's turn, he moved forward- aura concentrated he dashed- but even before he could move- he felt something…his joints! His tendons, it felt like something was tearing them.

Gabriel didn't stop- his arms covered themselves with golden aura as he dashed, even before Hazel could mutter any aura zone abilities, Gabriel punched him in the jaw.

DON!

However, Gabriel knew better, for someone like Hazel, a single attack at the jaw was hardly worth it, his brain wouldn't register it- but Gabriel Pendragon's attack had the properties of light itself, and-

DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON!

Hazel's jaw took the punishment all the while, his body felt like it cannot move-

SHIN! PIERCE!

A large lance of light pincered Hazel's leg, right through it as blood finally spluttered- Hazel glared at Gabriel, however, the king didn't stop-

DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON! DON!

He rained his punches down- on Hazel's chest, shoulders, traps, back, Gabriel, like a merry-go-round, didn't attack from a single place, he punched Hazel from all the directions, did not give him a single chance to recover.

DON!

The final nail right the face, as Hazel drops down- his aura took the beating, yet it didn't shatter, anyone else would have died a long ago- Hazel Reinhart was just built differently.

But then, finally, as Hazel's back hit the ground, he understood, the aura zone attack by Gabriel- it wasn't meant for damage, it was indeed the feeling of hundreds of needles piercing the skin- but what Gabriel did was it didn't pierce the skin, rather, it went through Hazel's aura and pierced the tendons and joints- Gabriel abused Hazel's ability to tank any attack and did something that Hazel's would easily recover from due to his large muscular body.

Acupuncture.

While usually used for treatment, if properly used by an expert muscles and joints would even receive the opposite of the healing effects- pain. Even if Hazel's fortitude to pain and damage was high, what would he do, if his body refuses to move properly?

Even now Gabriel wasn't cocky, he fully knew one thing well, if any of Hazel's direct attacks connects, he will receive a much larger impact of damage than whatever he inflicted upon Hazel.

DON!

It occurred fast, but concentrating his [Semblance] once again- Hazel could only create those orbs in his fists- he smacked his chest real hard- the vibration flowed through his muscles, as he got into the battle position once again, spatting out a wad of blood, it appeared as if whatever inflicted upon Hazel, was no more than a waste of time- but deep inside Hazel knew, he knew that his cockiness got the better of him, he wouldn't proclaim that of course.

There was one problem, Hazel was still unable to perform a hundred percent, his muscles and joints still had the tingling feeling, assuming that Gabriel planned this out, Hazel had to admit.

Hazel shattered the spear of light that penetrated his leg.

"You have grown strong, then again, it was always your drive."

"Flattery won't get you anywhere, Hazel, surrender."

Gabriel didn't back out his golden aura shone, Hazel decided- it would be better if he too used an aura zone attack, the moment he was about to mutter it-

DON! DON! DON!

Two jabs and a kick straight to the gut- Hazel was interrupted, Gabriel knew one thing, the difference between raw power and Hazel was the embodiment of it. Hazel has no mastery over any form of fighting style or techniques, he solely relied on his ocean of aura and raw body power- which Gabriel had been abusing.

Hazel has speed, but the problem is- with a massive muscular body like that, he never intended to use it any other way other than- raw damage.

It was a mistake against Gabriel, who was versatile- who knew body better than Hazel and its function, but he also couldn't be hasty as, if any of the attacks connect and if it connects once again- it would be good as death for Gabriel.

The dance of death under the starry sky began- and Gabriel by no means was willing to give up his lead.

Hazel knew any form of special ability use is out of the box since, Gabriel won't give him any time to cast it- it takes time for him to cast them compared to Gabriel who would simply interrupt him while maintaining the pressure of damage upon Hazel's body.

The blood was pumping, perhaps the primal instinct between two men had awoken, the simple act of battle- Hazel smirked, if he can't cast his zone abilities then his aura and [Semblance] would do.

The silver aura covered his fist in a sphere once more, instead of the space, he smashed his fist at the ground.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!

Hazel's fist perfectly mimicked the earthquake and its aftershocks, the testament to his strength proven once again, the land beneath Gabriel cracked, the area covered in smoke-screen…a simple-minded technique by Hazel, but even Hazel should know that something like this won't affect Gabriel-

Shit!

Gabriel dashed inside the smoke screen, how the fuck he could be so stupid that he, fell off it, Gabriel was so sure that he was fooling Hazel, that he fell for Hazel's trap.

"[Aura Zone: Heaven's Rumble]"

Well, shit-

Three seconds, within three seconds- the coliseum, the nearby area, and even towards the market and even the palace, everything will crumble and fall. Hazel planned to destroy the kingdom first.

Two seconds. The first reverb arrived, and the cracks came in. Gabriel without spending a second thought a single action taken purely out of reflex. [Aura Zone: Light of Camelot], the ability the protected Camelot he disabled that immediately- a switch instantly flipped, it appeared Gabriel was back to full power.

One second. The moment Gabriel did that, a spear appeared in his hand. An ornate spear with a dark blue rod, and is more extensive than regular spears. It features golden metal decorations, in the shapes of arrow tips, that spiral around in a double helix pattern. The decorations finish at the top of the rod of the spear which features a yellow circle, which is completely empty and has a cross that fills in the circle, but not completely. There is a small gold stump that features four protrusions, two on the left and the other two on the right. The tip of the spear is pure gold, and similar to the rod of the spear is longer than other types of spears.

Aura poured; the golden light shimmered- and the spear glowing gold, thrust with the maximum power he could generate that second.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!

It would have been nearly impossible to miss something like this, the entire Camelot heard it- The coliseum was crumbling, falling to pieces, but the undoing did not come to avail.

Hazel's hand bled as they drew them out of the shattered ground, well it was concrete at one point, now it was nothing more than a cracked crater at the center of the falling coliseum, pillars broken, seats fallen off- it wasn't Gabriel, but Hazel's power.

"Goodness, you went ahead and brought out your weapon simply to stop me," staring at his fists, which were clearly bleeding and appeared to be burnt, "Could have lost my hand there, if I didn't stop the attack midway. Taking that back, you are dangerous Gabriel."

Gabriel's arms shook a little, blood from his nose and lips, perhaps his right hand was broken as well? He shouldn't be surprised- he made sure he canceled out Hazel's attack which could have potentially destroyed half the kingdom, a constant reminder as to why he is dangerous.

Can he stall a little till he heals his hand?

"Why? I am not the one to talk, but do wish to ask, what compelled you to join such force? Is it because of the death of your sister? Are you that petty?" Gabriel didn't speak fast or breathe too much, he put on a strong and stoic front, as to hide and heal.

"Death of my sister, Gretchen, was a tragedy yes…but just like everyone else, she died fighting Grimm, I am not childish or petty or dumb enough to blame people for her death. That would be stupid of me, wouldn't you agree?"

"Then why, Hazel? Would Gretchen would've wanted what you are doing now?"

Hazel, even for the briefest moment, perhaps there was sadness and regret, but it changed instant, "She was her own person, I am my own. What I am doing, is for the betterment of the world itself."

"You are working for Salem and you claim to better the world? You lost me their Hazel."

"Hmph. Think what you will, Salem isn't what I want, a stepping stone, she isn't my boss so…oops, I let slip a little too much, enough words," Hazel went to his stance, once again, his injuries healed. Gabriel healed himself as well, however, he wanted to converse more, Hazel wasn't working for Salem, then who? Is Salem not the unknown threat? Even if she was defeated in the past, doesn't mean she is not dangerous- something wasn't adding up.

Gabriel needed to capture Hazel alive now, full power it is. Tearing off limbs and bones, as long as he lives, he can derive the information.

Something that Hazel sensed as well, and in this convoluted space, even though it was coliseum and against Gabriel was a bad form of battle- in power and submission, he rules, but in this space, doing it is impossible and now that Gabriel is at full power, it would be even more difficult.

"HAZEL!"

What?

The combatants looked up, a hovercraft? That carried three people? And the one who rode it, the mustache guy, brought his aura up and focused,

"[Aura Zone: Worthless Pack]"

[Part-2]

7th June, Monday- RX21, 22:45

{Northern Camelot Garden}

Headache. Migraine. Tumor. A gun to the head. Two idiots, and he, Nikola Watts has to suffer.

"So, good doctor, what exactly did you do to that bratty princess that made her unable to use her [Semblance], so, tell me was that you're [Semblance]?"

Spitting a wad of blood, Nikola appeared to be a little weak, "That's none of your business."

"Ah~ but come on~ What did you do there? Now that I think about it, you never mention anything about your fighting style? Come on now~ aren't we friends? Tell me!"

"Shut up."

Whatever would occur, apart from Hazel, Nikola doesn't trust anyone- his [Semblance] is both a blessing and a curse. Unlike others, Nikola wasn't really, the fit kind- not to say he can't keep up, he is better than an average person, but in a physical feat contest, even a first-year hunter in training is quite capable of defeating him.

No, Nikola's feature, relies on his [Semblance] and use of aura techniques. While he can't use or rather avoids using advanced aura techniques.

If Nikola wanted, he could make his body strong or master aura techniques, but at the very same time, Nikola Watts knew that he wouldn't be good in fights or aura techniques, genetics plays a heavy role after all, but the one thing Nikola was always confident about was his mind.

As such, he developed quite a [Semblance], [Worthless].

To others, it might be a joke, but to Nikola, if someone was incapable of doing a task, they are nothing more than worthless, even after reaching the highest post in the scientific division in Atlas…a story for another time.

However, when he first discovered his [Semblance], [Worthless]- it did what it was named, it made any living or non-living being, attack, or substance worthless. For example, if Nikola Watts wants, he could activate his ability and make a man's legs [Worthless] and he won't be able to walk, till his [Semblance]'s effects are gone. While truly strong ability, it comes with its own sets of rules. Now, it might sound, that Nikola's [Semblance] is overpowered, Nikola too wishes it was, but that wasn't the case. Taking the example of disabling the legs, if he does that- that's it, he cannot do anything more to that person, if the said person has an aura or [Semblance] of his own, then Nikola would be good as dead because the only thing he did was disable the person's legs. Now, get it? Nikola can disable organ or blood flow but he can't do that with huntsmen because of aura which will steadily heal them, low tier huntsman, yes? High tier, they will win out.

Hence, Nikola uses his brain, since only one thing can be made [Worthless], he must know what exactly he is making Worthless. He can't just make a [Semblance] worthless, first he has to know how the [Semblance] works, and only then he can make it worthless, and if it's an aura he wants to disable, he needs to the amount of aura, the person has. Now, children, this might be hard to keep up with, but keep in mind, this is how basic quantification of aura works: -

Aura clearly is divided into three points, so to speak- AP (Attack Points), DP (Defense Points), and SP (Spirit Points). Now, when two aura users face each other these three points come to play (actually there are more and the points are more complex, but this is the basic way). Usually, as long as Nikola would have a basic understanding of what the output of aura is which equates to if a person is attacking it would be AP + SP= Total Aura Output (Basic) or during defense- DP + SP= Total Aura Output (Basic), if Nikola can create two situations, he can roughly figure out aura output. However, this gets difficult, if hunters are stronger than the average ones. Hence, Nikola prefers to disable [Semblances]…but, it comes with a price, it won't affect Nikola, but the hunter is strong- his body will feel the pain. For example, if AP is 100 and SP is 150, TAO would be 250- Easily Nikola could disable the [Semblance]- but, if AP is 1000 and SP is 1500, the TAO would be 2500- roughly ten times stronger than average hunter, Nikola's body will suffer the consequences for it, because the Total Aura Output is greater than Nikola's own if someone is like Hazel suppose, whose AP is 500.000.000 and SP is 700.000.000, then his TAO would be - if Nikola did stop his aura, he would be as good as dead, even though he won't, but the only thing that would affect Hazel would be he won't be able to use aura, which in turn would be difficult to use [Semblance]. But it won't bother someone like Hazel, as his body is well developed enough to even fight after shattering of aura. That's why Nikola has to think about what he needs to do, first. Because, Total Aura Output (TAO) isn't actually the total amount, Actual Aura Output (AAO) is where the total aura amount is known.

Then, AAO= AP+SP+DP, so the average hunter would be, 100+150+90= 340. An average veteran hunter would be, 1000+1500+900=3400. So, someone (very, very few at that) is like Hazel, then 500.000.000+700.000.000+400.000.000= (which is just the average AAO for Hazel, not even the total amount) so, that amount of aura? No, please. That's why Nikola prefers knowing the opponent before knowing what to do. Also, because these calculations are completely basic and do not include many stats as well, such as the aura user's stamina, how they perform, what's the environment? The condition, the mental status, the duration of ability use, the difference in quality, and much more. This is just a rough estimate for his [Semblance] to work upon.

[Semblance] tend to follow certain sets of rules, for example, if something heals, it won't do damage, if something does damage, it won't heal- even the most broken- the term used by youngsters, but the strongest form of [Semblance] to have their own rules.

For example, a [Semblance] that has properties of mind-control, can't actually mind-control until certain conditions are met- if they could, they would have been ruling the world now, wouldn't they? But they can't, why exactly is that? Rules.

Now, that being said, just because rules exist, doesn't mean the [Semblance] is useless, actually, because of the rules, you can make your [Semblance] even stronger and that is the place where Nikola Watts improved and made his [Semblance] strong. How? [Semblance] drastically becomes stronger when [Vows/ Contract] and [Limitations/ Restrictions].

Being a product of the mind, [Semblance] responds to the goals, strengths, and desires of individual users. As a result, a hunter with [Semblance] can increase the overall power of individual skill by stating a self-imposed restriction that forces even more conditions on it. For example, if one consciously decides something along the lines of "I will only use this skill on Thursdays" or "I will only use this skill against short people" and manages to abide by that rule, that particular skill will become stronger. These conditions are called "Limitations" or "Restrictions", and the act of swearing to respect them "Vow" or "Contract". The stricter the Limitation, the stronger the user's resolve, and thus the more their ability is strengthened. However, Limitations are also considered liabilities, since the power they grant is not consistent.

Unlike normal conditions, which establish the general parameters of an ability, and activation requirements, which determine the circumstances in which said ability can be used, a [Limitation] can be broken; however, doing so not only entails the loss of the ability it was used on, but it also carries the risk of obliterating one's capacity to use aura and [Semblance] altogether. Limitations that contain some sort of punishment (e.g., "I will never walk if I break this rule") will strengthen the ability even further, but one must have the resolve to follow through.

Now, taking the [Limitations/ Restrictions] into account, Nikola Watts placed it was he would never get physically strong, rather apart from running, he will never workout nor will he do anything that requires extreme physical use…which also includes sex and masturbation. Any physical activity that is not running, Nikola Watts would never perform, if he does, he would never be able to use aura ever again. Doing so, the use of his [Semblance] increased to the point that regardless of what occurs, his [Semblance] will definitely work regardless of how strong the person is, but Nikola still would receive backlash, and should he use his aura zone ability, he won't be able to move for at least a day, his body would suffer- but regardless of what occurs, he will feel pain to the maximum and his body will break, but Nikola Watts will not die.

Now, looking at the scroll Hazel should have called by now, or even a miss one. Did Hazel die? No, that's not possible, Camelot would have fallen, by now, but there were aftershocks and rumbling- it would seem he is still fighting. Just as Nikola expected, the king is just as strong as Hazel, even if assuming he does not have enough power to take Hazel down, he does have enough to bring the fight to a standstill. Whatever else, it's time to make an escape.

"Good doctor? Are you done monologuing? Tell me already!"

Yeah, he was with idiots, incompetent idiots. However, time to bring the big guns. From his scroll, he made sure the VTOL comes nearby the city. Clicking on the hovercrafts under the button, tight seatbelts- Cinder and Tyrian were surprised, Nikola however continued, "Tyrian, the moment my body goes limp, takeover the hovercraft."

"Wait, what?!"

"No time to explain, next, tell Hazel, to take care of Mistral's loose ends."

"What? Good doctor, can you explain to me, what exactly is going on?"

"Just do what I told you and don't question me back, just follow the radar and retreat back to the VTOL and do the damned thing I told you."

No one argued back. Nikola Watts was dead serious and wasn't in a great mood.

The hovercraft's speed increased, on Nikola's screen- Hazel's location was quite clear, inside the coliseum, the king must have taken him in, given how big Hazel is and how dense his aura is, if Nikola makes a slight mistake in his next move, he would actually cost everyone, worst-case scenario- Tyrian, Nikola and Hazel would die and Cinder would be captured.

Hovercraft made its way towards the coliseum, while Hazel might not be the smartest guy, he isn't dumb enough to not know the signal and better yet, Nikola had explained everything to him and how his zone ability would work, now whatever it may be, he was sure of it would work.

Tyrian was dumb and an idiot, but he wasn't stupid. He knew, the least depending upon the situation- that what to do and when to do it.

The hovercraft was near the coliseum- the time was now, instead of entering through the front of the back, "Hold tight!", Nikola screeched as the thrusters went max- the craft jumped, with the weight it carried and the gravity dust infused, it jumped high enough to breach the tall outer wall of the coliseum and up above-

Without wasting any more time- even though Nikola was amazed that the coliseum was still standing and Hazel and Gabriel too- from the scene it was easy to deduce that both of them had come to a standstill.

Tyrian screamed, "Hazel!", and the reaction to Hazel was instantaneous, he looked up with the eyes that knew what was about to occur, on the other hand, Gabriel narrowed his eyes, prepared to strike at any given moment.

Nikola raised his hand- the scene witnessed was by both Cinder and Tyrian, since they were close,

"[Aura Zone: Worthless Pack]"

The moment Nikola said that his aura shattered- he coughed blood, that should have been it, but unfortunately it wasn't, the price for the said attack was much, much more. The heard cracks, which Tyrian instantly identified- they were Nikola's bones cracking, blood had a free fall through his nose, eyes, ears, mouth and it did not stop and now that aura was shattered, it appeared that Nikola would die.

However, Tyrian trusted his instincts and trusted what the good doctor had done, Tyrian's scorpion tail emerged and surrounded Nikola like a belt, who also was unconscious, pushing the hover to the extreme, they dashed near Hazel- only for something Tyrian just realized. Hazel is a giant man, and the hovercraft was holding three people already, how the hell will they be able to carry him.

It would appear as though that Hazel might be reading Tyrian's mind, "Push the black button, then push the double red button."

Tyrian didn't bother to ask him how did he know? Because the answer was pretty simple, Doctor Nikola Watts always has a plan, ready.

All this time, Tyrian was feeling a bit weird but he didn't question it, neither did Cinder- but separating that part completely and focusing on what's right now, the hovercraft made a strange sound- it appeared to vibrate and move, Tyrian could feel the heat radiating from the engine, it appeared as though it was going on an override phase of something and is about to explode- but instead it speeds up, and it speeds up fast and ejected a hard black metallic rope, which without wasting any time Hazel latched on too, Tyrian could see- the hulk of a man, relaxing his muscles, even if it's not that much, it would be enough for the force of the uncontrollable Hovercraft to pull Hazel, but still it irked him that the King wasn't attacking them, was he planning something?

What looked like was Gabriel Pendragon, was in a shock himself, he looked at his spear and then to his arms, appeared as if something was wrong- whatever it was should be long enough to keep him distracted.

The Hovercraft was speeding up, holding doc was hard and controlling it was getting harder, maybe he should use aura- it was then it Tyrian, he couldn't use aura, he cannot muster aura, how? Why? What's going on? No, he can feel the aura- it's just he can't bring it up?! It's being forcefully suppressed; he simply can't use it.

Ignoring the force of the air, towards Hazel at the back who held the rope and a tile? Under his legs to sake though easily, maybe he broke them during their escape- however, it seems like Hazel knew what was going on, so, reluctantly he did control the hovercraft to the best of his abilities.

Hazel on the other hand did know what was going on, Nikola Watts had taken the risk and explained to him what his aura zone ability did.

[Aura Zone: Worthless Pack], the advanced version of Nikola's [Semblance], his ability, when activated, Nikola's aura would shatter and the nearby aura users regardless of friends and allies will be deprived of using aura, no, the correct term is the aura is there, but with this ability, the aura and [Semblance] is suppressed and put to neutral so that no amount of battle can take place.

Nikola wouldn't have passed out like this if it were simply some veteran hunters, the reason he took this much damage was that Hazel and Gabriel are way, way above his league, and suppering that kind of battle instinct took a toll, a heavy toll on him.

Hovercraft was doing its job, but Hazel realized the engine was now critically unstable and would explode anytime soon, thankfully VTOL was just the outskirts of the main gate of Camelot.

Hazel's eyes narrowed, even with suppressed aura, he could feel that Gabriel has reactivated the ability- this would be bad, really bad- Nikola's ability doesn't wear off for the next few more minutes if any form of attack would be done- a high-end emission attack from such range, then suppressing it would be difficult.

VTOL at sights, but they hadn't closed the gates- Hazel could feel the ability is complete and Gabriel would attack anytime, wasting time no longer- he skidded and pulled the hovercraft towards him, the action shocked both Tyrian and Cinder, with an unreal feat of human strength, even with aura suppression due to Nikola, he ripped off the seat, which sat the three passengers and with his other hand threw them outwards, towards the direction of VTOL, on the other hand, he spun the Hovercraft, whose engine was critical, as if predicting King's move, threw right up- the blast from the critical dust overloaded engine, interfered with the spear of light that descended upon them.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

Hazel didn't stop there to marvel at his skills, he did not hesitate to dash, in that short amount of time, he was able to repel the king's attack, throw the three passengers, and still was fast enough to catch them even before they hit the ground.

Hazel didn't bother asking them to run, because to him, they weigh like children.

They were inside the VTOL, taking Nikola out Hazel put him in the tank as he asked to, the VTOL was ready to be auto-piloted-

The mission, even though a failure, was a success nevertheless, in a way they did take out the maiden.

VTOL was flying, in the endless starry sky.

Cinder was asleep, she was armless once again, Hazel didn't know what exactly occurred- Tyrian was tired as well, but he appeared to be agitated and angry as well.

"Yes, the good doctor said that something loose ends, Mistral?"

Hazel nodded, he understood what it meant, "It would take time to reach Mistral, more than that, if Mercury and Emerald have really switched sides, then the King already knows about Lionheart."

"I should have killed those two little rascals!"

Hazel clicked on his scroll, too small to even fit in his large palms.

Ring~ Ring~ Ring~

"Hello? Master Hazel?"

"Astolfo, I have a mission for you, you need to eliminate someone, since you are in Mistral, do that for me."

"Just a name Master~ It~ Will~ Be~ Done~ in the name of the father, the son, and the holy spirit~"

[Part-3]

8th June, Monday- RX21, 00:15

{Haven Academy, Mistral}

"As such, I know you have betrayed us, Lionheart, even if you were scared, why? I want answers, however, now that you have finally picked up the call- I want you to leave, escape Mistral no-"

The man started sweating, as he realized the phone call had been severed.

Leonardo Lionheart was a middle-aged man with a mane of tan/gray hair and a beard. He had a tanned complexion with brown eyebrows and dark brown eyes. He wore a brown greatcoat with a matching mantle, which had cross emblems on each side. He also wore a white dress shirt under his coat, a western necktie, and carried a pocket watch with a lion head on it as an emblem. Lionheart also wore dark brown slacks and dress shoes. True to his name, he had a tail of a lion, his indication that he is a lion Faunus.

He was shocked and terrified when he realized that Gabriel Pendragon, the king of Camelot had found out what he did, but he heard the last thing, he wanted him to escape Mistral.

And perhaps the reason was the boy beside him, is a short, slender boy with fair skin and androgynous features. His face is round, with a small chin and nose, thin, arched eyebrows, and large, purple, upturned eyes with long eyelashes. Adding to his androgynous presentation is his hair, dark pink in color and very straight. Parted in the middle, his hairstyle is long for a boy's, cut straight just beyond his chin so as to cover his ears. Long bangs fall into the center of his face, but do not cover his eyes. He wears the standard chasseur's uniform, including black pants, a cassock, a pale harness, a ribbon-like belt, white lace-up boots, and a rosary. As for accessories, he wears a pair of earrings that resemble vampire fangs. His hands are protected with fingerless gloves. All of that, with a religious cross, red in color as his accessory.

He held a spear, it is about the length of the boy's body, with a long, mechanized spearhead, its shape angular and shallowly curved. While most of its shaft is black, pale wrapping precedes the head of the spear, and its end is white and pointed.

"Tell me something Leonardo Lionheart, do you believe in God?"

"Huh?"

"Don't be afraid, tell me, do you believe in God?"

"I…I don't understand…?"

"I asked you a fucking question, do you BELIEVE IN GOD?"

The boy, who had a smiling expression as he delivered the questions, exploded as Leonardo's table cracked.

The boy is strong- stronger than him.

"S-Sal-Salem? The Goddess Salem!"

The boy, even when hearing the answer kept a creepy distorted smile on his face.

SHIN!

THUD!

It happens at an instant, Leonardo's gaze slid across- the boy's spear had torn off his arm, blood gushed out similar to a waterfall.

The cowardly lion fell clutching his wound, tears didn't stop and his shaken will didn't help to recover the aura to heal.

Stomping on Leonardo's head the boy continued, "She is not a God, she is a deceiver, I know one when I see one, she isn't the one, I ask you again, do you know God, Headmaster Leonardo Lionheart?"

"I…I…don't…"

SHIN!

"AAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaHhhhhhh!"

Leonardo screamed, the boy's lance went through his leg- the excreting pain was keeping him awake- he wanted to pass out, something to occur that would take the pain away, but the boy did not seem to care.

"I see, even you don't know who God is, right? Don't worry, I am looking for God myself, my master Hazel thinks that is dumb, even my peers that it is stupid, but I will find God- after all, he is the one who makes miracles possible in this world right? Making everything possible, I wonder if he would be happy if I give me a sacrifice?"

The boy's eye lit up, like a child receiving a New Year's gift, "Yes! To the unknown god out there, the one who makes miracles possible! I, Astolfo Granatum give you, this man's blood!"

Before Leonardo could question the madness, before he could even understand what this boy wants, why is he acting this way- the boy, Astolfo Granatum, his lance pierced his chest in one single clean thrust, the blood everywhere even towards Astolfo's face.

Astolfo kneeled and closed his eyes as he held the blooded cross in his arms, raising it, towards the starry sky.

"Ah, people- humans and Faunus, they all think they are sooo~ different, yet they all bleed red, unity is a lie, and prosperity is false propaganda, in this world we are without light, we are no one, lesser beings and we all should wait for the coming of God, for he is the one who would bring miracles and once he is born again- "

Astolfo's manic, deranged smile returned as his eyes glowed," Once the God is born again, the one who does miracles, I will kill him. Praise be! HahahaHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAH!"

"Is the work, done here?"

Astolfo turned around, and two people, had entered the place- one had an outfit similar to him, however, he is a fair-skinned young man of average height. Exceptionally well built, he has broader shoulders and a more pronounced chest than nearly all of Mochizuki's male characters. His face is round; with pronounced cheeks and a gently sloping chin; large, round, green eyes with long eyelashes; and thick, dark eyebrows. His hair is blond and short, only going just beyond his ears, his bangs cut very close to his hairline.

A figure of tall and muscular bearing, has a handsome, aged appearance, with a cross-shaped beard, long, curled hair, crimson eyes, and a tall crown upon his head. He adorns golden armor and a white and black bodysuit, with gold line details. A golden cross is also placed at the center of his chest, and black cloth drapes from his pauldrons.

"Ah, Roland and Sir Charlemagne, I just completed what I was told."

-The blonde-haired man sighed, "You have to go out of your way to make things messy, don't you? You are the most problematic child, Lord Hazel was right."

"Shut up."

"Enough, both of you," the taller man spoke with authority and conviction, "Lord Hazel had tasked us with this…man, I doubt we should even refer to him like that, but since it is over it would be better if we light the academy."

"Why? Isn't that a bit too much?"

"When it's done, the building collapses, some students and teachers might die- but, this could be painted as a terrorist attack, also closing this area off to everyone, that means-",

"We can kill." Roland slapped Astolfo's head, "That means we can bring in the Spring Maiden and get in the vault but Ozpin's inner circle won't have access to this place, because it would turn into a crime scene," Turing towards Charlemagne, Roland continued, "But, wouldn't that be lifted?"

"Not if we get the Spring Maiden first."

Roland looked skeptical, "So, where do we find this Spring Maiden."

Charlemagne smirked, "Quite easy actually, she is or rather her tribe is quite infamous. The Branwen tribe."

"So…? How exactly?"

"Let's see if the woman's loyalty to her tribe is strong or not- every Branwen tribe, official or unofficial- if their leader is not Raven Branwen, kill them and put their bodies on stake for the world to see, let the woman know what we are capable of- bring Raven Branwen to submission."

"Yes, Sir!"

---

{Camelot, Buckingham Palace}

"The call disconnected; I am assuming he has been assassinated." Gabriel Pendragon spoke, in front of him were three hovering hard light screens- one connected to Atlas, the image of General Ironwood, the next one was from Vacuo, Headmaster Theodore, and the last one was Headmaster Ozpin from Vale.

"Sigurd did contact us in time and all the information was sent, an operative from our side would be sent, I am assuming this Emerald Sustrai and Mercury Black case would be handled by Camelot? Even if they gave us valuable information, they still are criminals…if not convicted, they least I believe that they should be punished."

Classic Ironwood, for all the cold and iron and soldier he shows- for all being the most machine out of them, yet is the most humane. Gabriel continued, "Sherlock is interested in the case, it's rare for that man to take anything even remotely seriously, if he is doing this, he is doing this fully, so I ask of you, have a little faith in that man's capability."

"You let Salem's inquisitors enter Camelot and not just enter, you threatened the sanctity and safety of civilians, do you really think it's safe?"

"Says the guy who could not see his own colleague backstabbing him and decided to go along with whatever records was presented you as an advocative and long-term quote-unquote Headmaster, who frankly didn't even know what his own daughter was feeling when she ran away."

And Gabriel gave Ozpin a really low blow- and Ozpin wanted to retaliate, but now was not the perfect time for it.

"With all these said, it would be better if we keep minimal contacts and our contacts should be encrypted if it's passing of important messages."

The three unanimously agreed.

"This Cinder Fall, is she proficient in using the powers?" Headmaster of Shade Academy, Theodore presented the question, to which Gabriel replied, "Since we know that the age of Gods- had passed and they took magic with them, the remains of magic from the Maidens fade in due time, they are not permeant- Magic should not exist in this world, since, that function- but the gods had been removed. You can say the maidens are a glitch in this matrix. And the world, the matrix trying to purge it- the more one uses the magic, the more it exhausts and disappears. Like Ozpin's magic or even Salem's magic towards her last battle- she exhausted her magic and was unable to perform it, even Qrow and Raven- who were given the ability to turn into birds by Ozpin, are now unable to do it because the magic residue exhausted. It lasted this long because Ozma, was an exceptional mage, isn't that right Ozpin? Well, Merlin did fight Cinder Fall, the result was according to her Cinder has exhausted her side of magic, and she won't be using it anytime soon. Maiden powers are now, nothing more than keys for the vault- and that is better."

The agreeing part was done, Ironwood disconnected, Theodore as well- however, Ozpin still stayed, yet he didn't speak.

"…How did she do?"

Gabriel let the small smile fall, children, do make men humans. Gabriel too has a daughter, so he does understand where Ozpin is coming from.

"Won her first fight, lost the second one- I don't blame her for that loss, she was up against someone way above her pay grade, I doubt even Artoria could defeat the guy."

Even in the darkness of Ozpin's office, Gabriel could hear the sigh of relief, a father- perhaps now Ozpin's heart would be at ease.

"Will that be all?"

"I have a question actually, you were watching the entire tournament, right?"

"Indeed, I was."

"So, tell me, Jaune Arc…if you remember, how did he do?"

Yes, the unknown enigma, Jaune Arc- the one who changed the environment- apparently, he didn't have his allowance to take part in this tournament thought Glynda Goodwitch, but rather Lancelot gave it.

"Amusing boy, he…does have my attention. Won, his first battle against Vacuo's Karna," Gabriel could see Ozpin's eye-widening, "Defended his friend's life against The Tyrant, Gilgamesh."

"What?!"

"Save my daughter from an assassination attempt- and my wife and son from a great deal of harm- under one day. Impressive child, I must say."

He could see Ozpin shaking his head, thinking, from what he could deduce- Ozpin wasn't expecting Jaune Arc to perform this well, and that was indeed weird- why would a headmaster doubt a student- even if they aren't strong, Beacon won't accept any random hunters in training…unless.

"Are you hiding something, Ozpin?"

"Why would you say that?"

"I know that expression, even in darkness I can make it out, so spill the beans and don't hold back, if I think you are keeping something from me, it would be bad…you know." Gabriel playfully did this, he really didn't expect a serious answer.

"This time towards Beacon, we didn't have complete seats, many didn't apply due to cut-throat competition, didn't help that our bar was set- really high as well. As such, amidst those- I found one transcript, one that was clearly fake- poorly made as well. Checking in the background, I found said student, never went to any training academy. Said student, unlocked his aura during initiation, and now, said student defeated Karna and retaliated against Gilgamesh, it is a lot to take in."

This somehow makes a lot of sense, but then it doesn't as well. For someone who never attended any combat school nor had aura a few months earlier, it was a huge jump that he covered.

"Then why didn't you punish him for the action?" It was more of a confirmation than a question itself.

"A boy chasing his dreams…as childish as it sounds, people in this day and age don't do that- they keep grasping at what is real, what would be optimal, and settle for mediocre because they don't have the guts to raise. This boy did, as stupid as it may sound and unlawful and ignorant on my part to allow someone who would become Grimm food in initiation itself, I gave the boy- a little chance, maybe the Grimm would scare him and he might leave. That didn't happen. He came up with a plan to defeat the Grimm, he was never put down by harsh words, he improved slowly- but he did, and perhaps the thing that drew everyone around him? A man of his word. However, I do know what he did to enter the academy was wrong and should be punished for it."

Gabriel who was quiet, listening to Ozpin all this time, replied, "Ever read of Harvey Specter?"

"Ah, Barty wouldn't shut up than man from [RV] period, one of the best lawyers to ever exist."

"Do you know the complete story then?"

"Complete story?"

"You should have listened to Oobleck completely then, honestly History isn't my forte either, but this story is one that stuck with me."

Ozpin narrowed his eyes," Where are you going with this?"

"Harvey Specter, at that time- was quite a high-profile person, he wanted a unique associate- that soon, would go down in the history was one of the greatest lawyers as well."

"Mike Ross."

"Correct, but do you know what separated Mike Ross from the other associates working at his firm? All of them were High Atlas Graduates- he on the other hand never went to one, his chance was taken, and yet with skills and determination and little help from Harvey himself, he did a better job than those Atlas Graduates could ever hope for many scrutinized Harvey, mocked and wanted Mike to be put to jail- even Harvey's own boss, yet he didn't let Mike go, even if he had falsified transcripts, do you know why? Because he was capable. Because he had the ability to become something great that cannot be measured by numbers."

"Where are you going with this?"

"Many things in life are a gamble Ozpin, we give out positions to undeserving ones because they have 'amazing resume', 'interesting skills', 'looks and is dashing,' yet end up failing the people always. Education and skills can be acquired anytime, with consistency and determination with added faith upon one's skills, but what about people who are actually worth it? Does Education dictate the making of a good person? Making of a loyal person?"

Ozpin was quiet, seeing that Gabriel continued, "I don't condone what Jaune Arc did, and maybe yes, he should be punished harshly. But the question here is, did he let his team down? Did he die? Did he let anyone die? Today, well, yesterday- he saved both my children and my queen- tell me is that not a sign of capability? Will you hinder such growth and talent- to become something great because you don't have papers that say, you passed this academy- you are now allowed to become a huntsman."

"What if he put his team in jeopardy? What if he got people near him killed? What if he took place of a deserving student?"

"There are a lot of 'ifs', I am sorry, but that's not how it works- he didn't put anyone in jeopardy did he? He didn't get anyone killed- he saved people and as for deserving students? I saw the list of students who applied and details as well- a deserving student's place? Weiss Schnee, from Atlas. Pyrrha Nikos from Mistral. Ruby Rose, age fifteen. Tell me they didn't take place of deserving, two of them are from different countries."

"They are capable."

"And the ones that would have applied are not capable? How do you know that? What about Blake Belladonna? She too had a falsified transcript, a terrorist- was she not given a second chance? Are you giving people a chance because they are capable of fighting? Or do you give chance because the people are capable of growing?"

"…"

"I can read people like books Ozpin, maybe not everyone- but most I can. Jaune Arc simply wanted to help people as you said, the trait most rare these days. Don't let a budding flower be put down just because of what norms say, we are not norms- that's why we are capable of seeing what's unique. Let the unique grow and show that the person is just as capable if not more."

"So, we should condone cheating?"

"What cheating are we condoning Ozpin? Did he steal money? Did he go to a high-profile academy? No, he chose Beacon, he chose humans, he chose to bear the light against the darkness for selfless reasons- I know boys like that because my son too, was like him- he chose one thing- to be given a chance to help humanity. We can be lenient, you know."

Perhaps that was what Ozpin was looking for, a justifiable answer that when he allowed Jaune Arc, he didn't make any mistakes- and he was right, he didn't. He did give chance to a good one.

"Thanks."

"Anytime, I still hate you though." Ozpin chuckled before that screen, disappeared, only for the king to see- his daughter standing right in front of him with a Cheshire grin.

"No." Gabriel immediately replied.

"So~ my dad likes Jaune, huh?"

"No."

"Heh, what is the term used by the border of Vale and Mistral- ah, yes, tsundere."

A vein popped as he watched his daughter runoff, "NO! dammit! I hate Jaune Arc and I am not a tsundere! Artoria! Artoria! Come back here you cheeky little brat!"

[Part-4]

(Things will get a bit uncomfortable, warning.)

8th June, Monday- RX21, 01:30

{Inner Prison, Central Camelot- Underground level}

"You know, for a prison, this place isn't that bad, air conditioning, delicious food, clean bed, is this what it feels to be a prisoner in Vacuo? Maybe being a criminal isn't that bad."

"Mercury, take it seriously."

"Yes, we make our prisoners happy and attach them to life and we enjoy it as they cry when being executed."

Both Mercury and Emerald stared at the prison guard, who appeared to have made a joke- the guard in question, looked away, Emerald wanted to restart the conversation, before-

"Looks like you guys are having fun." Sherlock entered- the guard departed, Mercury and Emerald were about to stand, when Sherlock just shook them off, be seated was his sign, he was holding two folders in his hands as well.

"What you both did to help this kingdom, is appreciated and you both will be rewarded accordingly, but how will it be done- I will tell you, before that- Emerald Sustrai?"

"Y-Yes?" Emerald was a bit nervous.

"I knew your father you know; I also know you are using your mother's maiden name."

Emerald was surprised, "How?"

"Doctor Jhon Watson and Miss Mary Sustrai-Watson, war profession doctors, originally from Vacuo, your mother- a detective as well, is that correct?"

"Yes."

"Then one day they mysteriously disappeared, their fourteen-year daughter disappear as well- this is hard, but if you want me to help you get a better life, you have to tell me what happened to your parents, Emerald."

Mercury stepped in, "If it's personal please do not ask these questions, it's making her uncomfortable."

"It's fine- Merc- the question is, even if I tell you what occurred that day, what will you do about it? Why do you want to know? As far as it is concerned, they disappeared leaving their daughter behind. That's the story, so why? Why is it that you want to know? What is the relationship you have with them? If so, then why didn't you help them!"

What started as logical reasoning, soon turned into an emotional turmoil- as Emerald got up, with her face flushed red.

"I know your father because I was the best man at his wedding- that man was a good man, so was your mother, we made a deal to never share our works unless it was of utmost importance, and for the last ten years- I had to work in the Iron-Blood Prison, many of us were working there, two months ago- I made my return- I contacted two sets of people, my sister, and your father, none of them responded. I went to Vacuo; I didn't find him- people didn't talk. Last month, I created something- A cradle, a web- I realized that unknowingly, I was about to play a game of shadows and it is difficult- you both, Emerald and Mercury, unknowingly are a part of it- I know it is hard, and I know digging those memories and emotions are even harder and I do not blame you for it. But, if you want justice- for what occurred to your parents, please, tell me what happen that day."

The place was quiet, Emerald's face shadowed- Mercury expected tears to fall, but they didn't.

"Three years ago," Emerald finally spoke, what perhaps was a relief in her tone that she could share her side of the story, "A woman came in our household- used, bloody body, out of her mind- chanting for help, death soon came to her as she died on my mother's arms. That lady was my aunt. Mother's sister, Susan Sustrai. My mother wanted to dig deeper, into what occurred with her, what caused this and my father, who fully supported her all the way, apologized to me if they can't seem to take care of me, but I didn't mind,"

The tear finally dropped, "I have super parents. They are the best in the world, you know? My father's little mistake, my mother's jokes- with all seriousness, we were a happy family, me a girl who learned aura and use of weapons, because I thought being a hunter would be fun. Heh. But little did mother know, that the case she was digging, would be a rabbit hole that you completely break the family."

Emerald rubbed her eyes, "She found out about the group that did that to my aunt, [Crown], that's their name- I had taken a sneak peek in the documents she wrote, hid even. The [Crown] runs human trafficking and in a lawless location like Vacuo- it's great a free pass and as long as they don't commit anything to the central city, everything was going great for them. Both my parents hatched a plan- we would travel to Egypt, we'll contact the working body and see if a meeting could be set up with Pharaoh- the leading body of Egypt- my parents asked me to stay in a hotel, in the city through their connections, they didn't want me to go with them. They…left, and the story ends with them missing…"

Sherlock took in a heavy breath, "But that's not the truth, is it?"

"We live outskirts, Grimm attacks were frequent, dad's a doctor, best there is- warriors provided us protection because of it, because of him. The little girl who was told to stay in the hotel had a bad premonition, she went back to her settlement, dead in the night- the front door was locked, she went through the roof, slowly and quietly she witnessed it- the little girl witnessed it-

---

The goons held the girl's father's head, the man was crying begging them to stop, they didn't- they held his face, tight and close as they forced him to see. All of them had a crown-shaped tattoo on their hands

"This is how you fuck a bitch, God she is tight- your husband a noodle dick or something? Fuck, man shame, this is the last time, we are using her- enjoy this while you still can, cocksucker. You shouldn't have crossed us, you are paying for it."

The goons didn't stop their actions with the girl's mother, they raped her- in front of her husband, the girl too shellshocked to even respond- they took turns, and when it was done- they showed him, the girl's father, the real cruelty.

Taking a blade, they marked the girl's mother scarring it in a shape of a crown- the moment they did that, they cut off her head, then her limbs- drenched the husband in the blood of his wife. They laughed, spat on his body, pissed on his face- the husband had lost the will to live.

The nightmare didn't end there.

---

Mercury wanted to barf, he wanted to he just couldn't sit there any longer, he has the stomach to endure all of this, he knows that, and yet something like this occurred to Emerald…someone close to him, and yet Sherlock held a stoic expression, prompting her to continue.

Emerald did, "It was a year later that I would come to know how bad the [Crown] is, the atrocities they commit- for the sole purpose that the leader of the [Crown] wants to rule over both Vacuo and Egypt. That when the warriors saw the members of [Crown], that night they didn't help and the little girl made a mistake- "

---

The girl wanted to help her dad, somehow, perhaps her aura did help her a little- to maintain some of her sanity she could retain, her stumbling back and the falling of the pot, sealed her fate.

The goons saw her and jumped, the father begged to let go- but this time, they showed mankind's cruelty, to its maximum.

They tore the little girl's clothes and threw are right in front of her father, an ultimatum was given at that moment to them.

"Fuck your baby girl, and we'll let her live and you know what, we'll let you cuck doctor live as well, could make some use out of you, let see if you can get it up and do it with your daughter."

The goons laughed, they smirked- the little girl was afraid, very much so- she thought perhaps her father will do it, after all, which human doesn't want to live.

The little girl saw tears in her father's eye, "If only I was stronger then I wouldn't have to face this, then I could have protected you both- but I am a man, I would rather die than take dignity away from my daughter."

At that moment, they should have never let that dad go, or throw him near where he had access to a household tool, a farmer's tool.

A sickle.

The father, the husband swung it, the first goon didn't see it coming, he cut the man's throat- the girl's father was a doctor, he understood the human body- the first goon would bleed to death- the action caused disarray, the man wanted to kill the guy who raped his wife, but it was late.

BANG!

They had guns, and he was shot right in between the head. The husband, the father, the doctor- who just wanted the safety of his family, fell, right in front of the little girl.

"I love you, Emerald."

He whispered. The words were so very clear to her.

Alone, that's what the girl felt, they left her- here alone, always…always her parents had to do the dangerous task, always, always…why did they have to leave her behind.

The little girl's aura manifested; a beast being born.

The goons clocked the gun and aimed at her- the bullet, however, never reached her. The goons screamed and begged for the beast to stop. It didn't- it tasted blood and it wanted more, it was its entertainment.

The room was decorated in red.

A new Emerald was born.

---

"That day, my Stand-in [Semblance] manifested- just like my emotions, it was a monster, that massacred the goons. I burnt that place down, with my parents. The goons, I disposed of their body for the whole Vacuo to see, before I disappeared as well- then, well Cinder came along and ask for work, I didn't have much- living on streets, small crimes, pickpockets- I needed to survive, I did what I had to. But I guess…I got a little too attached. I am fine now, I haven't forgotten what happen- never will, but I can sleep now, without the voices in my head."

Emerald thought that she would fall, but Mercury was there to hold her- she didn't show her face to him, she didn't have to, she was a little weak now, as she gently placed her head on his shoulders.

He did not comment, she was vulnerable now and he would protect her. Just like he did since the time he saw her.

"I am sorry, that you had to recall all of this- that I forced you to relive a memory that shouldn't have been, but you might be thinking why all this? Why I asked because Emerald- your mother wasn't on the cusp of taking out secrets of [Crown], rather the entire [Syndicate]."

Mercury and Emerald looked up, as Sherlock took his scroll out, Sherlock continued, "[Vale]- the crime family [Xiong] deal with arms and dust. [Mistral] has the crime family [Malachite], they deal with gangs, extortions, corruptions, kidnapping. [Vacuo] has [Crown], as Emerald said they deal with human trafficking and finally, [Atlas-Mantle] have [Passione], they deal with drugs. This is the base chain of operations, and this syndicate is run by the [Moriarty Family] with the current head being, Marcus Moriarty or you all would know him as Marcus Black as his alias."

It was Mercury's time to widen his eyes, "What?"

"The crime syndicate, held across the world, the sole leader of this- is your father, Marcus Moriarty, but to the world, he is simply known as Marcus Black, an assassin."

"How, do you know so much?"

"Because my sister married him."

DON!

There was nothing in between, even if Sherlock knew what was coming, didn't stop Mercury's punch, he even raised his hand and signaled the guards to stop- let the boy throw the emotion, let him be the target of his ire.

"So, you are the mysterious person, mum told would arrive- well congratulations, you didn't arrive, you failed. You failed to save your own sister, mum always told her that someone would arrive, she always referred to you didn't, she? Then, why? Why did you fail? Why did you not protect your own family? Did you hate-"

"Shut the hell up, brat."

The atmosphere turned tense. A switch was flipped, perhaps which was never meant to be.

"I allowed you to hit me because I deserved it- I did not know who Marcus really was, more than that- I thought Eurus was in love with him. He was and still is a master deceiver. Ten years ago, I and many other huntsmen had to go to Iron Blood Prison- one of the prisoners, you saw him today, Hazel Reinhart- even if the prisoners there might not be strong as him, they were just as dangerous and threat to the society. I had to make sure the place is secured enough- took us ten years, ten years of my life- hunters are dangerous, with aura and [Semblance] even more so- don't lecture me about loss, because I know what that is- my older brother committing suicide, I failed to protect my best friend and failed to be there for my sister."

Sherlock stood up, an imposing figure as he dropped the files on the bed.

"I will not ask anything of you if you want to leave, if you wish to leave- you can, those are the new names, some lien and new documents and fresh scrolls, you can start a new life. No one would bat an eye."

Sherlock stepped outside, "Or you can meet me in my office tomorrow and we'll track that son of a bitch down and take down this entire [Syndicate] because you two aren't the only people who have lost to these people. I have lost too much, time and family. I refuse to lose anymore."

Those were Sherlock's last statements as he left, walking off.

There was a comfortable silence for the duo, Emerald was the first one to open up her files, "Heh. Emerald Watson, I always liked that name…didn't realize, that I will be using it soon. Always thought I would be walking in the shadows."

"Mercury Holmes."

He too read the file, glancing towards Emerald, he was the first one to initiate the conversation, "Are you okay being with the guy, whose father was indirectly the reason for your parents' death?"

Mercury expected many things, hate speech, cuss- maybe even put him under the illusion and torment him. But instead, "Your father is a murderer and a criminal. You could have become one too, you didn't at every step in Cinder's plan that would have killed any innocent, you were there to protect them because Mercury knows that his mother would have wanted the same thing."

"Then What should I do?"

Emerald stood up, gently bringing Mercury towards the bed and hugging him," Regardless of what you choose Mercury and I know you will do the right one, I will walk with you, so don't worry about being alone again, because just as I have you, you have me and I know, you are better, much better than you father ever would be."

For the first time in months after his mother's death, Mercury felt a bit of peace, perhaps a new start isn't that bad and bringing his father down? He always wanted to do that.

He just never wanted to be alone. He just wanted someone to be there and tell him that, it's fine- they are there for him. He finally found the person.

"Thanks for the support, Watson."

"It's elementary, Holmes."

Emerald was warm.

[Part-5]

8th June, Monday- RX21, 09:30

{Lancelot's house}

Jaune slowly opened his eyes, he was finally feeling good- everything was messed up, shake a little- felt like what occurred was a fever dream of some sort.

"Morning, sunshine."

Jaune let out a yawn, as he saw Lancelot sitting near the window, reading the newspaper, and having tea.

"How long was I out?"

"Ten hours, thirty minutes, I heard what you did."

Jaune was embarrassed and tired of many emotions at once, "I know what I did was dangerous, and-"

"Yes," Lancelot cut him, "I know, that's the job you chose. And you kept it up, even when you were not required to. It doesn't matter, if it was dangerous- what matters was, if you were capable of standing up to it, and you did. I am proud of you."

I am proud of you.

When was the last time Jaune Arc, received a validation? When was the last time someone praised him, simply because he did something good? Something right? Even if it was dangerous, Jaune did it- and Lancelot was proud.

"Don't cook today, order something, I'm leaving the cash here, you can use it. It may not be as good as you make, but take rest."

"No- I can-"

"Jaune," Lancelot spoke sternly, "You are selected and you defended a kingdom, not yours. Take the day off, your training would start tomorrow."

After that, the room fell into a comfortable silence- the breeze entered through the wind, and the right sleeve fluttered. Yes, Lancelot didn't have a right arm, doesn't mean he was weak, he kicked Jaune's ass quite easily- and to tell the truth, Jaune never knew what occurred.

"Lancelot?"

"Hm?"

"…What happens to your right arm?"

The comfortable silence changed, and for the first time- it seemed that Jaune picked up on the atmosphere.

"Never mind that was insensitive of me to ask such a question."

Lancelot shook his head, "No, it's not your fault- this wound, is nothing more than a reminder, a sin that I carry."

Maybe someday Jaune would ask more, ask what occurred- now, even if they had a student-teacher relationship, they still weren't close enough to share secrets. Maybe someday.

Maybe.

Two people entered the room at that time.

"Jaune!" Artoria jumped from there and hugged him tight- well, it was also nice to know that she was worried.

"You idiot, why would you do something so risky and dangerous."

"That was kind of in my job description."

"How, you little- "

"Ouch, don't pull my cheeks- Artoria- "

While the children were going at it the other two adults present in the room, were a little baffled by the interaction.

"I thought that you would spear Jaune, I really did."

"He gets a pass, for this time, next time it would be different- I will skewer him."

Lancelot chuckled a little, "That sounds like you."

"Indeed, meet me at the throne room, we need to discuss our next course of action." Lancelot nodded.

The King, Gabriel Pendragon stepped forward, watching the action, Jaune planned to bow properly, but the king raised his hand-

"This is an informal visit. No need to get uptight, after your fight last night take a rest. Also, in light of what you did, your punishment is being discarded due to you taking the risk-"

"No."

Gabriel blinked his eyes "Excuse me?"

"I didn't do, what I did was expected me of this field- the punishment was for interrupting about. I will take the punishment. I keep my word."

Gabriel closed his eyes, "Forgive me, it would seem that it was I was the one mocking."

"Then father, I have an idea, that would lessen the burden thinking that he saved me as well, how about till the top 14 comes around, Jaune Arc must prepare breakfast for the royal family, just the breakfast, how do you think? It's a lesser punishment, but a punishment nonetheless. So?"

Gabriel thought about it. The royal family had the best chefs, perhaps Jaune Arc would be humiliated there and mocked, after all, breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Well, it would be a disaster and entertainment anyway.

Lancelot and Jaune knew Artoria did this just so she could eat his cooking first thing in the morning.

"Very well, Jaune Arc, you would be cooking for the royal family, just the breakfast- till the qualifiers for the top 14 are held. Will be seeing you every morning starting from tomorrow."

Saying so, Gabriel Pendragon left, following him Lancelot left as well.

"Meet me at the tower tonight, we'll see the stars together." Saying so, Artoria left as well.

Stars, gazing huh?

---

The night was indeed beautiful. Starry, words cannot explain the beauty it holds. Albion looked just as beautiful as well, well handsome since he's a male dragon, don't ask Jaune how he knows though.

The tower had an entrance, which was locked- but there was another stairway spiraling up to the top.

The top of the tower had a conical-shaped head probably made of hardwood, covering an entire space, a door towards the end marking the entrance inside the tower from the top.

"Hey~ whatch ya doing here?"

The woman wasn't Artoria, she was Merlin, "Came here to gaze at the stars with your girlfriend?"

Jaune had the decency to blush and look embarrassed.

"The king has ordered her to do something, she will be here in a few, I'll keep you company till then~" Merlin winked, to which, Jaune just smiled.

Looking around, the place was made of stones- each stone was carved with images? Every image was different from the other.

"Thinking about what the pictures represent?"

Jaune nodded, "Yes, what are they?"

"Lost fairy tales."

"Lost fairy tales? What's that?"

"Stories, fables, lost in the sands of time never to be read again- I know all of this because I found them."

"So, what's that story then?"

Jaune pointed towards the largest of the picture- a hooded man, he had a majestic robe, and his palm was under a globe or sphere of some sort- that side of the sphere was shaded black. On the opposite side to the man, was a woman, a beautiful one- she had silver hair, an appearance of a goddess, her palm was above the sphere, her side was white.

"Ah, the Darkness of the Moon, The Mage of End of Times, The Betrayer, the man was known as Invoker, and beside him, the Goddess of Moon, the one Loved by all- Selemene. They were married at one point in time, had a daughter together, Salem- the lonely girl, or you would know her as The Girl in the Tower."

"Wait, really? Is this the tower of Salem? The lonely girl?" Jaune thought Merlin was lying, she does it always.

To which Merlin just gave him a mischievous smile, "Their past is unknown, but it was said to set in a time when the brother Gods, didn't reside in Remnant- a time before aura and [Semblance], where something even stronger existed. In a time of Magic, exceptionally great magicians were revered as Gods, and one of the strongest and the most beloved ones became to be known as Selemene, The Goddess of the Moon."

"Then where do Invoker and Salem come into this?"

"Selemene she had Salem before she became a goddess, after being one, it was hard to look after a child- she expected her husband to take care of her, take care of little Salem. Her husband was jealous, of her status, of her power, of people loving her over him so much…that he has forsaken his name. He cast his daughter to this tower to spite Selemene, the Goddess of the moon, and took the name Invoker, the dark of the moon. Make no mistake, Invoker was just as strong as Selemene, but the Goddess had the support and love of the people defeating her would be impossible, so what did Invoker do? He took in four humans, four traitors what would help him, bring down the gods."

Merlin pointed towards the following pillars, four of them to be exact. Pointing towards the first pillar, an image of a hooded girl in red and people dying everywhere, "The First Traitor, Mankind's plague, her name Blanchette- The Little Red Riding Hood, a liar, a wolf in a sheep's clothing- enjoyed killing people because the color of blood enticed her. She wanted to see the world painted red."

The second pillar was a woman sitting above dead bodies, skin like snow, dwarves, elves creatures alike danced around her, "The Second Traitor, Faith Betrayer, her name Snow White- and with her the seven dwarves, not just dwarves, elves, fairies and many more mystical creatures under her command, she could have brought peace to the world, instead- she brought the mystical world of creatures against humanity."

The following pillar, the third one had a black woman, a beauty, but surrounding her was a beast, a singular beast- clearly showing its arts of killing, "The Third Traitor, Against Love, The Hater of Peace, her name Belle- The Beauty and the Beast, she was once to be married by a lovable prince, after his death, the rage took upon her as she thought that was denied love, she was denied her inner peace."

The final pillar was most of the crazed one, a golden-haired girl- with a mad grin on her face, "The Fourth Traitor, The Nature Killer, The Mad Girl, her name Goldilocks, the girl who wreak havoc not just on the nature and it's balanced, but the humans as well."

"So, how are these four helped Invoker…?

Merlin raised her finger, "He gave them the power of Choice, Knowledge, Creation, and Destruction, within those and with help of those, Invoker controlled the Grimm killing the Gods and humans of that period, leaving behind Salem, in the lonely tower."

"The villain of the story is Invoker?"

"Indeed, he was a petty and jealous man, he couldn't see his wife succeed. Oh, ~ Artoria is coming, looks like I have to go, have fun you two~"

Saying so she left, Jaune saw too, Artoria climbing up and Merlin leaving- looking back at the images, even if it was a story- a fairy tale, something didn't make sense.

For some reason, Jaune couldn't trust Merlin's assessment of the story.

"I am sorry, did you have to wait, for long?"

"I mean if you are counting chatting with Merlin for the last ten minutes, which mind you felt hours, then yes, I was waiting for long."

Artoria smirked, "Ass."

"Thanks, Coco says it's beautiful."

They both shared a laugh before Artoria pulled a leaver, and the wooden cony roof of the tower opened up Jaune's eye glowed. The starry night sky from the tower was somehow even more beautiful than words couldn't describe. The feeling he had in his chest.

"Do you know about the stars and constellation Jaune?"

"I do, actually, one of the only subjects that I ever had an interest in."

"Yeah, so that is…called…em…" Artoria looked at her hand, she had written the name of the constellation to show off, but it would seem she failed spectacularly- it didn't help that Jaune was giggling looking at her.

Her face was red and he could see it.

"The constellation you pointed at was [Gaia], she who holds the universe in her hands so as it doesn't fall."

Artoria knew that…no, actually she didn't know that, she wanted to show the beautiful place and flex her knowledge, it would seem, Jaune has her beat in this.

So, she did the next best thing, she pointed at another constellation. Jaune smiled and replied, "[Waterfall] the place where stars fall and rest, they say."

"And what about that one?"

"[Equinox], the pathway between two lands."

"That?"

"[Nova], the unparallel strength that makes sure no one leaves, a connection as they say."

Pointing towards a certain constellation, Artoria exclaimed, "I know that one."

""[Excalibur]""

Jaune smirked, "Sword of the God, beside it, is [Caliburn] Sword of the Devil."

"My grandfather's sword was named after it as well."

"I…don't think I have heard about your grandfather…"

"I haven't known much about him either, never knew him or what happen to him, just knew that one day he just committed suicide."

"I am so sorry…"

"Don't be Jaune, I never knew the man, it's hard to get sad for the person- Lancelot knew him though, they were of the same age."

"Wait, Lancelot is as old as your grandpa?"

Artoria smirked, "He is."

"Man, he never aged above thirty, he can still bag women."

"Aura is a funny thing you know?"

"Do you think, I would look the same, milady?"

"Keep dreaming."

They shared a laugh, it was comfortable whenever she was with him, what was it about Jaune Arc that made her smile? She didn't know.

Maybe she would find out or maybe she never would, that doesn't mean, she won't enjoy her time.

"The Milky Way sure is beautiful, isn't it Jaune?"

"It would be but, Milky Way is lightyears away, that's not our galaxy, you know?"

"Wait, what's the name of our galaxy then? Did I mess up?"

Gazing through the endless night, Jaune replied, "Yeah, it's called Star Platinum."

---

Author's Notes: -

The chapter is done, so I have a question to you guys, Mercury, Emerald and Sherlock against the [Syndicate], I can write in this story, but there won't be details and everything would occur in sidelines or do you want me to write a cannon spinoff- Mercury, Emerald, Roman and Neo with the help of Sherlock taking out [Syndicate] and defeating his father, do tell me.

So, Hazel Reinhart in this fic, is one of the top four strongest humans of all time, he doesn't have that shitty semblance that CRWBY gave him or some dust in his veins that made him something of a pseudo maiden. His semblance is similar to Whitebeard/ Edward Newgate's devil fruit power from one piece. And aside in the fic, even my OC's, in a straight fight can't win against his behemoth. Also gave him a better reason, that is not revealed yet, apart from the death of her sister and blaming Ozpin and punching kids, because that's how Hazel rolls in cannon, yeah don't expect that to happen.

I will dive even deeper about the use of aura and its techniques, but this is just the gist of what's about to come. But, unlike other fics, I have made rules and regulation upon how the powers would be used.

Hazel here as a few students who directly work under him.

Now, I will not forget about the transcripts and made it a point here, I hope you guys understood how I took the approach, and both Jaune haters and Jaune lovers- would enjoy it all the same.

I now have given proper backstory to both Emerald and Mercury- Holmes and Watson.

Also, Salem's lore deepens.

Data Book

Note: - the strength of semblance does not equate to skills or ability to use. these are general parameters of semblance, it's not the description of their ability. The description of their ability will be explained in the story and once again will be provided at the end of the volume.

Remained, that power does not equivalent to victory, these are just the parameters of their semblance.

Havel Reinhart

Semblance- Heaven's Tremor

Weapon-?

Destructive Power- EX+++?

Speed- EX

Range- EX+++

Persistence- EX++

Precision- EX+

Development Potential- Nil

Gabriel Pendragon

Semblance- Luxieum

Weapon- Heaven's Spear

Destructive Power- EX++

Speed- EX+++

Range- EX+++

Persistence- A

Precision- EX+++

Development Potential- Nil

Artoria Pendragon

Semblance- Luxieum

Weapon- Rhongomyniad, battle lance

Destructive Power- EX

Speed- EX+

Range- EX++

Persistence- EX

Precision- EX

Development Potential- A