Chapter 30, The Team Trial Part I

The Portals opened along the edge of the Eshara valley. Headmaster Rueben staggered out of the portal along with Qrow, where he took his place along edge. Qrow followed after the Headmaster. Pyrrha and the others emerged from the portal behind them. Upon seeing the valley which laid below, the young prodigy expressed a look of awe and amazement.

"Wow!" Pyrrha said in awe.

She glanced to Qrow.

"This is really the Eshara valley?" She asked, curiously.

Qrow nodded his head to her.

"That's right, Kid." Qrow insisted to her.

"This is the place. This is where the Knight's of Lothadare determined who's teams there on."

She glanced back at Blake, who emerged from the portal behind her.

"Blake come look at this!" Pyrrha exclaimed.

Pyrrha took hold of Blake's hand as she then turned and pulled her along. The two came up over edge of the cliff itself, where they gazed out over the valley below. The view alone was truly a sight to behold. The valley itself was so grand and so majestic. It was said that the Eshara valley was one much larger then any valley in any of the Realms of Opara. And it seemed to lived up to what has been said.

Pyrrha steeped forward as she continued to bask at how majestic it all looked. The valley was so large and wide. Even more then the valley back home where Arthamore was. Their line of sight alone could not hope to capture it all. Below they could see all for miles over a thick forest with several open fields and rivers that crossed through the valley.

"It's so... big." Blake said.

Pyrrha nodded her head in agreement.

"Yeah, it is." Pyrrha insisted to her.

"This is place... it doesn't seem that Bad."

Auron, Keith and Hanako came up from behind the two.

"Yeah, it looks real nice," Auron insisted to her, glancing to them.

"Until your down there. Then it's a whole' nother story."

"Word is this place is crawling with all sorts of monsters." Keith chimed in, pointing down below.

Pyrrha glanced to him.

"Monsters?" Pyrrha asked, curiously.

"Like the ones Akara wrote about in her book?"

Auron nodded her head.

"Yeah, that's right." He insisted to her.

Pyrrha turned forward, gazing down over the valley below. She remembered well the words of Akara's books and the description of the creatures she and her team had faced when they had taken the trial. Most notably, the long tooth Tigrans. A large Cat-like creature that was known to hunt in packs and tear their pray part limb by limb. Or even the Sylanus, the three headed water serpent that lays beneath the water, waiting to drag those that wonder into their dwelling down into the depths.

Though despite the beasts that may lurk below, rather then a look of fear, brought a look of determination over the prodigies face. Much like her successor, she would face the trial and whatever may be below as Akara had done.

Qrow came up to Headmaster, Rueben. Much Like Pyrrha and the other students, the Headmaster gazed down below at the valley. Holding his cane before him in a firm grip of his hands. Qrow glanced over at Pyrrha, seeing the look of determination over her face. A look that brought a sense of both pride and worry for her.

The years of training had certainly prepared her for the Trials ahead. But even a knight with years of training can fall victim to all the dangers of the realms. Even more so to the creatures in the valley below. Though the Team Trials here in Lothadare were much different from the one in Ataria, Qrow had certainly heard all the stories. The mere thought of anything happening to Pyrrha did indeed worry Qrow and for reasons not as obvious as one would expect.

"I have a bad feeling about this." Qrow claimed.

The Headmaster gestured a nod to Qrow. In the many Trials that had come in the years before, the Headmaster had always been met with that of concern for all his students in facing the dangers of Eshara valley. He himself was no stranger to such dangers as he had taken the trial in his youth. Though with the war and the rushed training that most of the students had endured, he feared many would not be ready for the trial ahead.

"As do I," Rueben insisted to them.

"I fear the students are not ready. We can only hope the Fates will be merciful and their training will be enough."

Qrow cocked his head, glancing to the old Headmaster.

"It's not just the other students I'm worried about." Qrow insisted to her.

Rueben shifted his gaze to Qrow. A grinned formed over his face, knowing who he was referring to.

"You have trained her well, Qrow," The Headmaster proclaimed to him.

"She is more ready for the trial then anyone. Try not to lose faith in her."

"Hey, I don't think she can't do this. It's just..." Qrow insisted, glancing back at the students.

"Your worried, it's understandable," Rueben proclaimed to him.

"Remember what I have said. Do not let your past define you."

Rueben then turned and staggered toward Pyrrha and the other students.

"Come now, future Knights of Lothadares," The Headmaster proclaimed to him.

"Take you place before me. It is time for us to get underway."

Pyrrha and the other students stood in an orderly fashion before the Headmaster. Rueben himself was standing before the students with his cane held firmly before him.

"The Task which lied ahead of you will not be an easy one," The Headmaster proclaimed to them.

"One you are below, you are to make you way toward the Northern part of the valley, where a portal will be to return you the Academy."

Pyrrha glanced to Blake, who had also shifted her gaze to her. Both of which have differing feelings to the trial ahead of them. Pyrrha appeared determined, eager to see what the fates had in store for her. Blake was more or less reserved, hoping to get through this as quick as possible. She had faced things far worse then the trial itself. Thus she should be able to get there without much trouble.

"You will need to rely one each other in order to make it through." The Headmaster continued.

"It will be those who you all take this journey with. Thus you must learn to trust their judgment and protect each other. Now then..."

With a single tape of the tip of his cane over the ground, ten different portals opened behind them. Pyrrha and the other's glanced back at the portals.

"Off you Go!" The Headmaster proclaimed.

Cardin glanced to Auron with a sly grin.

"See you back at the Academy." He said brushing him with his arm.

Cardin and his gang then raced ahead, disappearing into the bright whiteness vortexes of their separate Portals. Auron uttered a stem glance before drawing his blaster riffle from his back. He then charged forward with Hanako and Keith. Pyrrha and Blake were the last ones to depart. Using her semblance, Pyrrha drew Milo and Akouo to her hands. Blake reached over and drew Gambol Shroud, currently in it's Katana form, as well as it's sheath. The two exchanged a glance to one another, gesturing a sly grin of anticipation before they racing forward, entering into the portals.

Emerging from the bright vortex of the Portal, Pyrrha then slid to a stop. Both Milo and Akouo in hand, the young prodigy took a combat stance. Holding her shield before her while staring down the blade of Milo. She scanned the thick forest which surrounded her from all side as she prepared herself for whatever was to come. Seeing there was no danger present, Pyrrha then stood up, lowering Milo to her side. Though she never lowered his guard, keeping her shield in hand before her.

Pyrrha glanced around the forest that surrounded her. There was no sign of Blake or anyone else. She could hardly see the high cliffs which surrounded the valley from around.

"Hello!" she called out.

"Blake, Auron, are you there?!"

But there came no answer to her calls. She must be somewhere deep within the valley.

"No sign of the others," she said to herself.

"They all must be somewhere else in the valley. I hope their okay."

The Headmaster had said that they would be separated from each other and that the fates will lead them to those who's destiny's would intertwine. She hoped that was so for her and Blake. And perhaps Auron, Hanako and Keith as well. That the fates would lead her to Blake and the others.

There was a sudden sound off in the distance. It was not of gun fire or the cries of one of the other students. Rather this one sounded much like the growls of some beast that may be lurking in the valley. luckily, it sounded far off. But even so, Pyrrha squinted here eyes, wearily. Regardless of the distance, it could certainly change at any time. She needed to find the others and fast.

I've better go find them before whatever that was does first." She said.

Pyrrha turned and ran off into the woods.

Blake was leaped through the high trees. Using Gambol Shroud which was currently in it's sickle form, she then tossed it forward as it hooked around the branch of a tree. She then swung herself forward as she came up over the branch of the tree, landing in a crouch formation. She pulled back Gambol Shroud, which she then grabbed by the handle as it transformed back into it's Katana forms.

She then peered up at the branches above. The tree seemed high enough for her to get a good look of the valley and determine her whereabouts. She then sheathed Gambol before proceeding to leap up into the branches above. She came up over the tree line, where she stood up, peering out over the valley. Over head she could see the high cliffs miles away in the far distance. She then glanced back toward the north in the direction of the Portal.

Overhead, she could see the canyon opening where the portal was said to be. She turned, facing toward the far North.

"That must be where the Headmaster said the portal is." she said to herself.

Though like the cliffs, the Portal was far out of reach. She would be able to make it if she was able to keep to the trees. Avoiding the creatures that may be lurking below. Only to then recall the idea upon realization that this was the team trial. She narrowed her eyes. She knew she couldn't just go off on her own. Though she doubted the Fates had anything decided for her Destiney, knowing that she was not here to be a Knight of the Kingdom.

Nor did she have must trust in any of the other students. That was all except for Pyrrha. The one who had opened up to her and showed her kindness. She cocked her head glancing back over the valley. She wondered where Pyrrha was and if she would be looking for her as well. She was the only one that she trusted at the Academy and regardless if their destiny's were meant to intertwine, she needed to find Pyrrha.

Blake's ears twitched atop her head upon hearing the sudden sound of rustling foliage from below. It was getting Blake cocked her head, glanced down at the trees below, where she saw the leaves rustling. She then turned drawing Gambol from it's sheathed which then transformed into it's gun form. He then pointed it down at the foliage below.

"Who's there?" She said.

"Pyrrha?"

There came no answer from whoever was within hidden in the foliage below. By now it was clear to Blake that its wasn't Pyrrha or any of the other students. She continued to pointing Gambol forward, her finger place delicately atop the trigger. The leaves of foliage below continued to rustle as whatever was there drew closer and closer. Blake held Gambol firmly, ready for the the attack she knew was coming.

Suddenly, it stopped. And silence followed.

Blake squinted her eyes. She continued to hold gambol at the foliage below, at the very spot where the rustling had ceased. Her ears began twitching atop her head, hearing a sound that her human ears could not. A low growling sound.

Blake widened her eyes, quickly turning to where she had heard it.

The Beast then suddenly emerged from the foliage as it pounced up at her. Blake quickly leaped out of the ways as she rolled over the branch. She then turned back, pointing Gambol at whatever had tried to attack her. She was then met with a large sabertooth-like creature with fur that was a mixture of dark grey and black, with a thin black mane across it's back and a long tale. The beast climbed up over top the branch. It then turned to face her, snarling as it bared it's double sabered fangs at her.

Blake slowly backed away, keeping Gambol pointing it at the beast which had cornered her. The beast growled as it pounced at Blake. Only for her to quickly leap out the way, leaving a shadow clone of herself in her place. The shadow clone the dissipated as the creature passed through them. The Tigran then cocked his head, glancing down where it saw Blake perching over the branch below. She looked up and saw the Tigran looking down at her.

The Tigran uttered a growled as it then leaped down at her. Blake turned forward as she then leaped from one branch to another. The Tigran gave chase to her as it leaped from one branch to another. She then turned back top the Tigran, where she proceed to fired several shots at the beast.

The sound of gunfire rung out through the forest. Pyrrha then paused, glancing off in the direction of the firing.

"Gun fire!" She said.

It was then she heard another shot ring out through the woods. And then another. From the sound of it, it seemed that one of the other student's had already engaged the beasts the roamed the forest. And it was close by somewhere off in the woods. Could it be Blake or Auron and the others? Regardless, it sounded like whoever it was, they were in trouble. She had to help.

Pyrrha then turned and raced off in the direction of the gunfire.

Blake continued leaping through the tree, jumping from one branch to another. Glancing back, she was the Tigran close behind. It was getting closer. Landing over the branch, she then turned and fired back at the Tigran. Only to then leap out of the way as the Tigran landed over where she had stood. Looking up, the Tigran spotted Blake perched over the branch above.

Tigran then leaped up and swiped it paw at Blake. Only for her to jump off in the nick of time as the Tigran's paws slashed the branched with it's large claws, severing it from the tree. The Tigran came down over the branch below, where it then caught itself from falling. Blake came perched over a branch, where she saw the Tigran pounced at her once more with a loud roar. Before she could turned back and fire Gambol, the branch they were on then shattered as the two plummeted to the forest floor below.

Blake acted quickly as she threw Gambol, which had transformed into it's sickle form, up at the branch above. As the black hooked over the branch, she then proceeded to swing herself forward as the Tigran disappeared into the foliage below. As Gambol came unhooked from the tree branch, Blake then landed in a near clearing from the foliage below. She rolled over the ground before coming in a crouching formation. She then glanced up, scanning the nearby foliage.

The Tigran was no where to bee seen and the forest had once more fallen silence. The same silence that had befallen the forest when the Tigran had attacked her. She then stood up, holding Gambol, now was in it's katana form, before her. She continued to scan the forest, her ears standing straight and erect atop her head. There was the sound of a snapping twig somewhere off in the woods off to her left.

Blake turned and caught sight of something moving in the nearby foliage. She held Gambol at the ready, gripping the handle tightly in her hands. There was another rustling sound from behind. She then turned and saw movement within the bushes. And there were was another. This time from her right. Blake then turned to face forward. Slowly. she began backing way, hearing the sound of rustling foliage from all signs.

"Who's there?" Blake asked, curiously.

Like before, there came no answer. All but adding to Blake's suspicions to what may be lurking within the brush. Although now it became apparent that it was more then just one this time. and it seemed they had her surrounded by all sides. Blake continued to stand her ground, holding Gambol at the ready. Awaiting the moment they were to strike.

There was another sound of brushing leaves from off to her left. Followed by the sight of moment within the brush off to her right.

And right at that moment, The Tigran pounced out from the foliage as it attacked. Blake quickly jumped out of the way as the The Tigran turned and tried to swipe it's paw at her. Blake leaned back, evading the beast's claws by a hair. She then rolled forward passed the Tigran before coming up over her feet. There was another roar from off to her left. She then turned and saw another Tigran emerge from the bushed and scurry toward her.

Just as it tried pouncing at her, Blake quickly leaped over the Tigran. In her place, she had left a fiery shadow clone which then exploded, sending the tigran flying back. Landing several feet away, Blake glanced up at the Tigran, who was laying over the ground, disoriented by the blast. Only to then get back up as the other Tigran came up next to it.

Blake slowly began to back away from the Tirgans as the two began to circle her. Suddenly, Blake's ears twitched upon hearing a sound from above. She glanced back at the tree behind her and saw another Tigran perched over the branch above. It then pounced down at her. Black quickly jumped out of the way, turning to faced the third Tigran. Only to then be struck by the Tigran's paw.

She was then knocked to the ground, causing her to roll over the ground. As she tried to get back up, she glanced up and saw the tree Tigrans surrounded her from all around. She got back to her feet quickly and as she reached down to Gambol Shroud, she heard a one of the Tigran's roar from off to her left. She then turned and saw the Tigran scurrying toward her.

Blake quickly grabbed her Katana and held it at the ready as the Tigran was then upon her.

When suddenly the Beast was struck from the side by Pyrrha, who thrusted her shield against the Tigran's side, knocking it away. She landed over the ground, glancing up to see the Tigran rolled over the ground before coming over it's stomach. The Beast glanced up to her, growling. In response, Pyrrha position her shield before her with Akouo, currently in it's javelined form, held to her side.

She glanced down at Blake.

"Blake, you alright?" Pyrrha asked, curiously.

Blake nodded her head to her.

"Yeah, I'm okay." she insisted.

Blake then glanced back, where she saw one of the other Tigrans scurrying toward Pyrrha.

"Watch out!" Blake exclaimed, grabbing her sheath from behind.

She then lunged forward toward the Tigran. Just as it was about to pounce on Pyrrha, Blake came before the Tigran, swinging both her Katana and Sheath, slashing the beast across the chest. The Tigran was sent flying back over the ground, landing over it's back before flipping over and coming up over it's paws as it slid to a stop. Blake landed over the ground before charging forward toward toward the it, continuing to slash her Katana and sheath.

Pyrrha was suddenly alerted by a sudden roar from off to her right. She turned and saw the other Tigran coming toward her. The beast stood up, raising it's paw at it attempted to swipe at her. Pyrrha raised her shield as the Tirgan's claws slashed against it. She then thrust her javelin forward which sent the Tigran flying back and hitting against a tree.

There was another roar. This time from her left. Turning to see the Tigran from before coming toward her. Just as it tried to pounce at her, the beast was met by Pyrrha's shield as she held it before her. Catching the beast in the kick of time, she then proceeded to toss the Tigran over her, slamming the beast over the ground on it's back. The Tigran quickly rolled over onto it's stomach, glancing up at Pyrrha, growling.

The Tigran got leaped to it's paws and one more charged forward toward her. Pyrrha came forward as well, Milo chancing to it's sword form. As the Tigran swiped it's paw at her, Pyrrha swung her sword forward. Her blade met the Tigran's claws, deflecting it from herself. She the proceeded to slash her blade at the Tigran, forcing the beast back. The Tigran roared as it proceeded to slash it's paws at Pyrrha, who blocked it with her shield.

It was right at that moment that the other Tigran had recovered, picking itself off the ground. Turning back to the event's unfolding, it then saw the one who had pushed against the tree and saw her fighting it's fellow pack member. Growling angrily, the beast then lunched itself toward her.

Holding up her shield, Pyrrha held back the Tigran as it tried slashing it's paws from overhead. Pyrrha narrowed her head down as she tried to avoid the claws of the Tigran. She then glanced back and saw the other Tigran coming toward her.

Turning back to the one pressed against her shield, Milo transformed into it's riffle form. She then pointed it up at the Tigran, shooting it in the face. The Tigran was forced back as Pyrrha quickly leaped back as the other Tigran came between them.

Pyrrha leaped back as she held her shield before her. The Tigran she had shot in the face glanced up at her, a burnt scar across now across it's right eye. The two Tigrans came toward her, growing as they bared their sabers to her. Pyrrha slowly back away from them, continuing to hold both Milo and Akouo at the ready. She then felt her back press up against something.

Glancing back behind her, she saw Blake who turned back to her. The two of them faced by the Tigrans who began circling them from all around. Pyrrha and Blake held their weapon's at the ready, waiting to see which of them would make the first move. The Tigrans with the scared eyes suddenly paused as he was just about to move on them.

When suddenly the beast lunged back as a blue plasma bolt struck the ground before it. There suddenly came a borage of fire from the foliage of the forest.

"Get down!" a voice called to them

Turning to the source of the firing, Pyrrha and Blake saw Auron emerged into the clearing, firing his Blaster rifle. He rolled over the ground, coming into a crouching stance as he continued to fire at them. The three Tigran's snarled as they then turned and retreated into the forest, disappeared into foliage.

Auron stood up, lowering his blaster as he turned to Pyrrha and Blake.

"Everyone alright?" Auron asked, curiously.

Pyrrha turned to him.

"Auron, thank goodness," she said.

"How did you find us?"

"I heard gun fire, I came to see what was happening." Auron said.

"You guys okay?"

Pyrrha nodded his head.

"We're fine," Pyrrha insisted to her before glancing to the nearby foliage.

"Just had a run in with one of those creatures."

Auron turned forward in the direction that the Tigrans had gone.

"Tigrans." He insisted to them.

"Tigrans?" Pyrrha asked, glancing to him.

Auron nodded his head.

"Yeah, and if they are here, the rest of the pack won't be far behind," Auron insisted to them.

"We need to move. Find Hanako and Keith."

Pyrrha and Blake nodded their heads in agreement.

"Right, lets go!" Pyrrha said.