Chapter 16, The Lamp of Abaroth
Qrow and Rueban came out into the courtyard of the Academy. The Headmaster then approached the Tree of Kassadar, where he glanced back to the knight of Ataria.
"You may wish to stand back," Her advised Qrow.
Rueban then turned and staggered toward the tree. He came up small island of grass that surrounded the base of the tree. He then stood along the edge, where a narrow keyhole stood before his feet. He held his cane before him, taking it into both his hands. The cane then lit up with a bright white glow before planting it down into the keyhole.
The Keyhole lit up with the magic of the Headmaster. The bright white glow then tunneled through a small trench through the grass before encircling the tree. It was then that the ground within the line of Rueban's magic then disappeared in a bright flash. It was as the light vanished, a stone stairway then appeared around the tree, leading down into the depths below. The small narrow crevasses over the walls along the stairway lit up with Rueban's magic, lighting the way.
Qrow came up over the edge of the stairway. He then smirked.
"Impressive." He said, glancing to the Headmaster.
Rueban nodded his head in agreement. The Headmaster then staggered up to the stairway, where he began to climb down the steel steps. He glanced up at Qrow.
"This way." He insisted to him.
Qrow glanced from side to side before he turned forward and followed Rueban down the stairway. He came up behind the old Headmaster, who continued to climb down the stairway.
"Where exactly does this stairway lead?" Qrow asked, glancing to him.
"There were some secrets which needed to remain hidden," Rueban insisted to the Atarian Knight.
"To ensure the survival of the Kingdoms and the Realms."
"The Teaching of the Knights." Qrow said, knowing the Secretes he spoke of.
Rueban nodded his head to him.
"Exactly," He proclaimed to the Atarian Knight.
"During the time Akara called for the Kingdoms of Opara to Rebel against Salem, she had hidden some of the old teachings of the Knights of Opara here at the Academy. In a place she knew that Salem would never find it."
They then came down came around the corner and at the end of the stairway, they came down into a empty chamber below. At the far end of the chamber, was a large steel vault of some kind. Rueban sauntered up to the Vault, where he stood and raised his cane to the vault. The end of his cane then lit up and shot a beam of light into the centre of the vault. Slowly the gears of the vault began to shift before it split into two. One lifted upward while the one sank downward into the floor.
It was then revealed a wide open room, filled with artifacts, weapons and books which contain such knowledge of the past. Qrow came up next to Rueban, gazing upon all that vault had hidden away within inside. And for all these years no doubt. Locked away with the magic of the Academy's Headmaster.
"Cleaver." He commented, glancing to the old Headmaster.
Rueban and Qrow came into the chamber's vault. Glancing around the room, the Atarian knight gazed upon all the relics inside. Most of them were old weapons that were once wield by past Lothadare knights. Most of them enclosed within glass confinements. He cocked his head as he saw several shelves that had artifacts from the Kingdom's past times.
"So this is where you've hidden it all this time." he said, turning to the professor.
Rueban paused, nodding his head to him.
"I promised Akara I would protect whatever remained of the Knight's Teachings," He insisted to Qrow.
"The day when she and her disciples went to confront Salem. When Salem issued the command to destroy all the ruminants of the Knights of Opara, I hid them here in this vault. And locked them away with my magic."
Qrow squinted his eyes, curiously to the Headmaster.
"You promised Akara?" He asked.
Rueban glanced back at Qrow and uttered a nod to the knight.
"She asked of me to hide away the old artifacts," He insisted.
"So that the line of Knights could continue. Even if..."
Rueban suddenly paused. There was little doubt in his mind long ago. The day that Akara chose to face Salem, that she may not return. She might have known that as well. Given what it was that she would have to do. And to the one who...
No...
It wasn't her. At least, not anymore.
Rueban then turned and looked over the shelve along the wall at the end of the isle. It was there that he saw a small golden and blue lamp, over the second shelf.
"There it is." he said as he sauntered up to the shelf.
He reached up and grabbed hold of the golden ring at the top of the lamp, lifting it off the shelf. He then turned to Qrow, who came up to the headmaster. He gazed down in awe. Recognizing what it was that he was holding.
"Is that what I think it is?" Qrow asked, glancing up to him.
Rueban turned to face the knight of Ataria. He glanced down to the lamp, nodding his head.
"One of the many relics of Knowledge," He proclaimed to him.
"The lamp of Abaroth. The first chosen to be the Knight of Opara."
Qrow glanced down to the lamp in awe. He couldn't believe it. The Lamp of Abaroth. It had survived the purge and was here all this time. The Lamp was said to contain most of the essence of the Knights of Opara. All the teachings that Abaroth had passed down to the other knights throughout the ages, contained within this one cylinder.
What may be their only chance of training Pyrrha to be the next Knight of Opara.
"Akara had used the lamp before she left to face Salem," Rueban insisted to him.
"So when the time came for her to chose her prodigy, she would be able to train her prodigy once they were ready."
Rueban glanced up to him.
"First, she will need to be trained in the basics," He insisted to him.
"Before she can be trained by her predecessor. And you must prepare her for that."
Qrow lifted his gaze to the Headmaster. Even as his fear and doubt continued to linger, the past of which he had been running from all this time, he was now burden with the responsibility of another prodigy.
14 Years Earlier.
Qrow and the other Knights of Ataria stood at attention along with the Queen's Generals in the castle War Room. They each gazed down the table at Queen Maria, who was sitting at the head of the table. The Queen sat, contemplating the future that was come. She feared that their Darkest Times were yet to come. News of Akara's death at the hands of Salem had spread throughout Opara. And now Salem had declared war upon the Ataria and all the Kingdoms of the realms.
Without Akara and with the line of knights now broken, hope of restoring balance to the realms seemed bleak. But even still, the Queen would fight to protect her people from the Grimm. For their sake, she could not be deterred in the face of the Darkness. She would instead stand and fight with the will of the knights themselves.
She glanced up to the other knights, who were all sitting on opposite sides of the long table.
"Good tidings, Knights of Ataria," she then said.
"We gather this day, for I fear that the future of our Kingdom may be at stake."
The queen glanced over to where Qrow and Tai were sitting. There was then a moment of silence before she then revealed the News to them.
"I have been given a vision by the fates," She insisted to her subjects.
"Akara is dead."
The room the erupted with the gasps and whispers of the other Knights and Generals. Most of them shocked to hear that the news was true. That Akara had indeed fallen at the hands of the sorceress and that the line of knights were now broken. The power of the God of creation was now in the hands of the Empress.
Qrow glanced to his sister, Raven, who was sitting next to him. A woman two years younger then him with llong black hair, wearing a red and back dress. She glanced back at him with the same expression of concern.
"So then, the line of the Knights is now Broken." Qrow insisted, glancing up at the Queen.
The Queen narrowed her eyes, nodding in contempt.
"Yes," she insisted to the queen
"And now the Empress has declared war upon us and the other realms."
Qrow glanced across the table at his brother-in-law Tai Xiao Long, who was sitting next to him. He was about the same age as Qrow, with light blond hair with strands sticking out from the top, blue eyes, a small stubble of facial hair over his chin, a tattoo of his emblem along his right arms. He was wearing a tan dress shirt with the right sleeve cut off, with a brown vest overtop. A metal spaulder over his right shoulder, a red bandana over his left shoulder and a pair of brown cargo shorts.
Sitting next to him was their team leader, Summer Rose. A woman the same age of Raven, with black and red hair, wearing a black dress and white cloak.
Tai glanced back to him. He then turned and glanced back at Summer Rose. She stared to Tai, sharing the same look of contempt as they did. The news of the coming war had them all concerned to say the least.
Summer Rose turned to the Queen.
"Queen Maria," she then said.
"With the line of knights broken, what chance do we have against the Salem?"
"Our only hope is to oblige by Akara's words," she insisted to her subjects.
"If Ataria has any hope against the Grimm, we must form an Alliance with the other Kingdoms. Ozpin has already issued one with Valencia and Lothadare. To that end, we must join in the fight against Salem."
The room then erupted with the voices of her knights and generals. Many of them debated with one another of the idea of forming an alliance with the other kingdoms. While it was that they already shared an alliance with the Kingdom of Beacon and Atlas, the idea of being in one with Lothadare was quite outrageous to say the least. Given their history with King Larr and his Kingdom, the wars of the past which the knight before them had endured long ago.
While the kingdoms may have called for a truce
"What?" Tai exclaimed.
"Your majesty, an alliance with Lothadare?" Raven said.
"Yeah, no way," Qrow Agreed.
"We may have a truce with Lothadare, but there's now way we would be in an alliance."
While it was not wise to question the Queen's decision and he instantly regretted doing so, Maria took it without any such offense. She understood that many of them took issue with this discussion. She herself did not favor the idea of being in an Alliance with King Larr with this history of hostility and the things his family had done. But for the good of her Kingdom, they needed to set aside their differences.
"I understand you all take issue with this decision," Queen Maria said.
"But we need not let our past with Lothadare interfere with the Alliance. It is the Grimm that are our enemy and thus must be our only focus."
Qrow narrowed his head. While was still conflicted with the idea of working with the kingdom of Lothadare, his loyalty the Queen had a much greater will over him. And thus, she would follow her word regardless of his biased.
"Yes, your majesty." He said, nodding his head.
The Queen nodded, seeing that the matter was settled. She then turned and gazed across the table, looking to her knights and General.
"As of this moment, we will be offering our assistance to the Alliance," She announced to them.
"To that end, General Lukas will be moving Beacon forces to the outer realms. Therefore, I shall be sending General Maranda and her forces to assist them."
General Maranda nodded her head to her. Queen Maria stared across the table at Qrow, Tai and Raven.
"Team STRQ," she then said.
"You four and your prodigies will be going with them. We must establish outposts to hold back the Grimm's forces."
Raven stood up from his seat and bowed her head to the queen.
"Yes, your majesty." she said.
Qrow turned to Queen Maria, bowing his head to her.
Present day
Qrow came in through the door of the dorm they were staying in. He was glancing down at the Lamp he was carrying in hand. He then looked up into the kitchen, where he saw Pyrrha had set the table and unpacked their dinner for them. She glanced up and saw Qrow, standing at the doorway.
"I wanted to get dinner ready for when you got back." She insisted to him.
Qrow smirked, shutting the door behind him.
"Thanks, Kid." He said.
Pyrrha then glanced down and noticed the lamp he was holding.
"What is that?" Pyrrha asked, glancing up at Qrow.
Qrow glanced down at the Lamp.
"Oh, uh, nothing," He insisted as he came into the kitchen.
"Nothing you have to worry about."
He placed the lamp over the Colbert, before he came back around and sat down at the table. Pyrrha slid back the chair at the other end and climbed up onto it. Qrow opened one of the boxes, which was filled with noodles. He then reach over to Pyrrha's plate.
"Here." he said, scrapping it onto her plate.
Pyrrha smiled.
"Thank you." She said, picking up the fork from the side of her plate.
Qrow brought the box over his plate, where he dumped the remaining noodles over it. He the placed it to the side, as her grabbed his fork.
"Hey, Qrow?" Pyrrha said.
Qrow glanced up at her.
"Yeah?" He asked, curiously.
"When do you think father will find us?" Pyrrha asked, curiously.
"I mean, will he know that we're here?"
Qrow suddenly froze. As if time itself had suddenly stop. He narrowed his eyes, nervously. He knew that he would have to tell her what had happened to her father. But how was he to tell her? Especially now, when he was to begin her training at first light?
"Look, kid..." he said, glancing up to her.
There was then a moment's pause as Qrow pondered of what to say. Seeing the young girl staring back at her with a sullen frown, eager to know that her father would come for her, Qrow could not bring himself to say. At least, not now. He couldn't allow for her to get distracted. Not with everything that was at stake.
"What Pyrrha asked, curiously.
Qrow then sighed. Now was not the time to tell her. They needed to focus on her training. It's what Lukas would have wanted. He could only that she will understand.
"I'm sure that he'll come when he has the chance," he insisted with the lie he had conjured.
"But after the attack on Arthamore, King Ozpin would have probably called him back into active service again."
Pyrrha frowned, knowing that was probably true.
"Oh." she said, narrowing her head.
"Right now, we just need to focus on training you," he claimed to her.
"Hopefully by then, your father will be able to come looking for us. But we can't afford to let anyone know we're here."
"Why not?" Pyrrha asked, curiously.
"The Grimm will no doubt searching for us," Qrow insisted to her.
"If they find out that we're here, they will do to Lothadare like they did..."
Qrow then paused, seeing Pyrrha now looking back at him in distraught. She narrowed her eyes, pondering what Qrow had said. Even now, remembering what happened to Arthamore brought feeling of sadness and despair. And the thought of what happened to Arthamore happening to Lothadare was something she couldn't bear to let happen. Even if it meant that her father may never knowing where to find them.
"Of course." she said, glancing to the side in contempt.
Qrow sighed. Even now, the guilt of lying to the girl was eating him away inside. Even as he tried to convince himself that his action was for the good of all, it could quell the pain of this lie he had proclaimed. He then stood up and walked away into the living room. He then paused for a moment, facing the window in the living room. He then pulled out the flask from the pocket and unscrewed the top, taking a drink.
Pyrrha turned forward in her seat, narrowing her head as she continued to ponder about what Qrow had said.
When suddenly, there was a strange blue glow. She then glanced up and saw the lamp was glowing over the counter. Pyrrha stared, curiously to the lamp. She then heard a voice. A voice so soft and nurturing.
"Pyrrha."
Pyrrha got up from her seat and came around the table. She then approached the lamp, which continued to pulse a bright blue glow.
"Hello?" Pyrrha said as she came over to the lamp.
She slowly reached out her hand and upon placing a small touch over the surface, there was a sudden bright flash of light. Pyrrha gasped as everything became consumed by the bright white light.
Pyrrha slowly glanced up, lowing her arms. Only to find that she was no longer in the dorm. She found herself, standing in what appeared to be the plaza of some kind. Pyrrha turned her head as she gazed around at her surroundings. The Plaza was a wide and circular in shape. There were several large pillars surrounding her from all around. With nothing more then the blank white light beyond them.
"Where am I?" She asked as she turned.
"Qrow?!"
But he was no where in sight and there was nothing to be heard then the echoing of her voice.
"Hello, Pyrrha."
She then turned forward, where she saw a figure standing in the middle of the plaza. It looked to be a women, with long brunette hair, wearing an armored top and skirt with a large sword over her back. Pyrrha walked into the plaza as she came up to the woman.
"Akara...?" Pyrrha said.
The woman then turned, revealing herself to the prodigy she had chosen to take her place. Akara smiled down at the girl.
"I've been waiting for you for some time now." She said.
Pyrrha gazed up in awe, unable to believe that she was now standing before Akara herself.
"But... I thought you were..." Pyrrha said.
"I am," she insisted to her prodigy.
"But my essence still lives on within the lamp. As do all the Knights that have come before us."
Akara turned back to her Prodigy.
"We must be quick," she insisted to her.
"Our time together is brief."
Pyrrha glanced up to Akara.
"What do you mean?" she asked, curiously.
"I've brought you here for you will soon embark on a great journey," she insisted to the girl.
"You will need to be prepared for the trials that you will soon face. But first you must be trained in the basics before I can teach you."
"How?" She asked, curiously.
"I believe you already have a teacher that can show you the way," Akara insisted to her.
"And when you are ready, I will train you in the Ways of the Knight's of Opara."
Once more there was another bright flash of blinding light as Akara and Plaza disappeared.
As the light faded, Pyrrha glanced around and found herself back in the dorm. She turned back to the lamp, which had ceased pulsing. Slowly, Pyrrha lowed her hand as she then glanced back and saw Qrow come up from behind.
"What the hell was that?" Qrow asked, glancing down to her.
Pyrrha turned to face Qrow.
"I saw Akara!" she proclaimed.
"What?" Qrow asked, curiously.
"I saw Akara," Pyrrha insisted to the girl.
"In the lamp.'
Qrow glanced over to the lamp, squinting his eyes, curiously. It was said that the lamp contained the essence of all the knights of Opara. That it was one of the doorways to the Realm of souls. But only those chosen to be the Knight's of the realms were the only ones that could use it. So that the prodigy could learn from all the past knights.
"You saw her?" He asked, glancing down to her.
Pyrrha nodded her head.
"She told me that I'm going to face trials," She insisted.
"That before I do, I needed to be trained in the basics. What does that mean?"
Qrow glanced up at the lamp.
"It means your training starts tomorrow." he stated to her.