The assembly hall of Signal academy was crowded.

People: students, parents, and staff members, were all sitting on the seats in front of the stage, encircling the elevated platform.

Ruby was sitting in one of the seats, trying to keep herself from jumping up and down as she looked at Yang, Vegas, Heat,

And Magenta,

All standing on the stage.

Her father, Tai, was sitting on her right side, while Magenta's parents sat on her left.

Heat's mother, his brother Magma and his sister-in-law Garnet were sitting with Vegas's parents.

A man with a spiky long bear and fierce eyes was behind the students on the stage, standing on a podium with a microphone.

Flashes were going off as parents took pictures of their children.

The man, Principle Cielo, opened his mouth.

Today, we celebrate these young students finally leaving Signal academy, surviving the test, and the school. But now, they will soon realize that they must be the one to take the step towards the「True Hunter's World」. Some will linger, unable to take that「Step」, in the peaceful, secluded lands. Perhaps they were too scared, or realised that this path of carnage and fear was not for them. But to those who had the 「Courage」 to take that step in the midst of the fear and carnage that hides in 「True Hunter's World」, and travel on the 「Path of light」! I say one thing, and one thing only:

Chapter 10: Welcome, to the 「Grave of the Determined」!

"I can't believe it! Magenta graduated at the top of his class!" Ruby shouted as her arms

"We do." Heat and Vegas said in a half-dead tone.

"Oh shut it, you guys were 2nd and 3rd, that's still good."

"Yeah, but that means nothing compared to your achievements, oh Mr Magenta Magician, 4-Year Vale regional champion." Vegas replied in the most infuriating tone possible. Nasal power to the max.

"Oh fuck you, fight me."

"No thanks."

"That's what I thought, you coward."

"Magenta Magician, everybody, using his newfound powers and fame to bully other people."

"Fuck off, Heat"

"Heheheheh,"

….

….

It was fucking infuriating to deal with these two,

Yang teased me as well, but she didn't make it her life mission to fuck with me on the level of Vegas and Heat.

….

…..

….But….

…. I don't know why, but….. That….

…

….. For some reason, that made me feel a little empty when these guys weren't with me….

…..

… And it made me more scared of what would happen because I was here.

…..

….

… Yang….

….. Heat…..

…..Vegas..

…..

…. Ruby…..

….. I cherished every one of them, no matter how much we messed with each other.

And I knew that they would do anything to try and save me from them.

….

….. They'll die..

….. Just because I was their friends…..

…..

…. I….

…..

…..

…. What should I do?

…. Should I leave?

Face them alone?

They won't be hurt then,

They won't….

They won't be involved in this if I did.

All they need to do was… just focus on the Grimms and Salem

Not the gods and demons that invaded this place.

….

….

"Well, I need to go and grab some parts for Rabid Wendigo." Heat announced. "Unless you guys wanna come with, Imma split for now."

"Oh, oh!" Yang exclaimed cheerfully. "I need to retweak Ember Celica, and since both of our weapons are for punching, I want some of your opinion on what needs improvement! Lemme come with!"

Heat simply shrugged, and motioned Yang to go with him. "Well then, vaminos, bonn oir."

"Sorry sis, I'll see you at home!"

"Eh, it's fine. I need to go around shops for more supplies anyway."

"Thanks for understanding, sis!"

Before Heat started to head off, I saw him quietly talk with Vegas.

I saw the two take glances at me. Vegas quietly nodded, and Heat and Yang started to head off.

"Well, I'm gonna go around town. I'll see you guys tomorrow, or something."

"Bye Magenta!" Ruby shouted as she waved.

"See yah." Vegas simply said.

…. I guess I just need some time to think about this…..

I started to walk around the town, leaving Vegas and Ruby.

I ended up buying a can of "People like grapes" and walking around the streets.

Was it dangerous? Most likely.

Those guys could come at me any second of my life, and no one will know when I died.

…

But at least they won't get involved.

The streets of Vale were getting dark, and people were leaving the road, one by one, and took some of the street's liveliness away with them.

The roads of Vale were starting to get peaceful and quiet. And the illumination from the street lamps made the streets all the more calming.

….

"Oi, Magenta." I heard a familiar voice call out to me.

I turned to see Vegas, holding a white plastic bag filled with cans of soda, chips…

….. 5 packs of ham and egg sandwiches…..

"Hey."

"..."

The expression on Vegas's face was jarring from what he usually made.

Confidence and chill, relaxed smiles were nowhere to be found,

He showed me nothing but a frown and a thinly stretched lip, all indicating concern.

"... You think you can just walk with me and talk?"

"... If you give me some of the ham and egg sandwiches, sure."

He gave out a short snort as he started to walk with me.

" …"

Both of us silently walked through the streets, going past the street lamps, watching shops starting to close for the night.

It was Vegas that spoke first.

"... What's wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"Don't try to bullshit me, Pinky. Right after the quarterfinals you started to look like the Mistral Mafia was on your ass. What kind of friend would I be if I didn't notice it?"

"... Is that what you and Hear were whispering about, back then?"

"Yeah. Truth be told, the two of us noticed it the moment Heat told us Ruby was hugging you."

"... I don't see h-"

"You only hug Ruby when she needs reassurance."

"..."

"This time," Vegas turned to look at me. His brow was furrowed. "She hugged you, to reassure you. Of fucking course we would notice."

"... I see..."

"We've known you for 3 years now. We pick these things up like a coconut in a basket of melons."

I did nothing but snicker at his analogy.

"... So come on, let's hear what's on your mind."

"... Don't want to."

"That ain't the answer I want to hear."

"「But I refuse」."

"「But I refuse」 your 「refusal」!"

"... Clingy brat."

A swift blow landed on my hindquarter as Vegas snarled at me.

"Asshole." Vegas spat out as his leg came back to help him walk.

"You're the one that's not letting go."

"And look I get it. I totally get it." Vegas said.

"Get what?"

"The reason why you don't wanna talk about it."

"I'm gonna bet my left asscheek that you don't."

"Oh yeah, dipshit? Then watch this magic trick: I'm gonna read that goddamn mind of yours for once. Here we go!"

Vegas started to bring both of his index fingers to either side of his temple, brows furrowed and face scrunched up as he stared at me.

"... You keep doing that, and I'm going to leave you here."

"Hold up, asshat, this takes a bit." He forced out as he continued to concentrate.

"Right!" He suddenly shouted. "You don't want to talk about it, because you think it's going to drag us into the problem!"

"..."

"I got it right, right~?" Vegas was jabbing his finger in my direction, grinning slyly.

"... Am I that easy to read?"

"That just shows just how much you're not being you right now."

"..."

A short snicker escaped my lips, which dragged out a chuckle out of my mouth.

"... Yeah….. Yeah…. You're right ..."

Vegas straightened up, and his face turned serious once more.

"... Well, news flash Pinky, you dragged us into it as well the moment we all met. Not just this problem, but the problems you had, and the problems you will have. All of it. You know what that means, right?"

"..."

"That means we're going to do everything we can to keep you safe. We're going to be the one kicking your ass back up whenever you fall down, whenever you stop and get into a shitty mood, even if it means our lives are endangered."

…..

That was what I was worried about for the past month or two, dumbass.

"... That's exactly why I don't want to talk about it."

"Well like I said, you already dragged us into it. Therefore, your opinion on what we do has no value to us whatsoever. This has become our problem the moment you met us, don't think running away from us will stop this from being our problem."

"..."

"So, on that note, you got two choices: you can either stay quiet and have us risk ourselves more in trying to find out why you're like this, on top of trying to help you. Or, you can just tell us about it and save us the effort of unnecessarily sacrificing our wellbeing."

…

…..

Vegas wasn't going to step down from this.

I knew him enough that he wasn't the type to just let that kind of thing go.

…

Neither was Heat.

Neither was Yang.

Neither was Ruby.

…

Even if I ran away, distanced myself from them, they'll just do whatever they can to find me and drag me back to them.

…

…

….. I'll make it worse by trying to run away from them…

…

….

… I have no choice but to drag them in….

…

… God, why did it have to be like this…...

…

"... Pfft… He….hehehe, hehehehhaha ha haha… ha…..ha…." Pitiful laughter was all that escaped out of my mouth.

I felt my eyes sting.

Something wet dribbled down from the corner of my eyes and down to my cheeks.

Vegas just stood there, his eyes on me.

His lips were sealed right and thin.

"... I'm gonna sound like a madman….."

"... Wanna know something?"

"... What?"

"... You either always sound like a madman or a wizard. And you know just how much of a thin line those two can be."

"... Are you honestly here to try and assure me, or are you just here to insult me?"

Vegas did nothing but give me a toothy grin with hitched eyebrows.

He was honest to god infuriating sometimes.

….

…...

But it didn't stop me from chuckling with him.

…..

I didn't know how he would react.

Should I lie?

Or should I really just tell him the truth?

Whether I sound like a madman or not, maybe he has the right to know…

Hundreds of options were swimming in my mind, but all of them started with me opening my mouth.

But before any words left my lips, something else caught my eyes entirely.

DANGER!

[WARNING]

DANGER!

[WARNING]

DANGER!

The red screen started to invade my sight.

And what more,

Sirens bombarded my ears in sync with the flashing red words.

Previous screens never had sounds, only the visual effects.

What surprised me more was the Vegas was covering his ears, as if he heard the sirens as well.

"Bloody hell, what is that!?"

No,

He heard it as well.

More screens started to fill in front of me, appearing over the previous signs of danger.

RUBY ROSE!

DANGER!

DANGER!

RUBY ROSE HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO A HOSTILE CELESTIAL GROUP!

PROBABILITY OF FATE OF REMNANT CHANGING:

LOADING…..

LOADING…

LOADING…..

PROBABILITY CALCULATED: 95.8%

DANGER!

DANGER!

Vegas was whipping his head around in a feeble attempt to figure out where the siren was blaring from.

"W-Where is that siren coming from!?"

Before my mind could process what I was reading, my legs were already going to work.

"W-Wait! Magenta, where are you going!? Hold up! MAGENTA!"

I've been to Dust till Dawn enough times to know where it was.

And at this time?

Ruby had to be there.

It was the start of Volume 1, I was sure of it.

My soul told me that this was where Ruby would start her life as a Beacons student, where she would start to make friends,

Learn,

Grow,

And stand against Salem.

My soul also told me that she was going to die like a dog before she could do anything like that.

I heard footsteps behind me, and I was confident to say that it was Vegas.

I didn't even have the luxury in my mind to turn around and confirm that it is him.

All I could do was just run.

Crash!

I saw the glass walls of the dust shop explode out in the far distance. Ruby was lunging out, before rolling back up and unveiling Crescent Rose, spinning it around gracefully before subtly turning her headphones off.

"Ok….. get her!" I heard Roman order his men.

And just like the animation, I saw the men in black suits and red sunglasses launch themselves at Ruby, only to be swiftly beaten to submission by the young lady in red.

But that wasn't all.

That wasn't what my attention was on.

My attention was on something else.

Someone else.

I saw someone that shouldn't have been here.

Cioccolata

Age: UNKNOWN

[Blood Criminal]
[The Primordial will]

Level: UNKNOWN

[DANGER]

I saw the man we met back on the streets, leaning on the door frame, watching Ruby fight.

I saw Roman turn his head back to the man.

"... And what about you, my….. Friend?"

"I'll wait till she had fun with your men. I have some time to spare, too."

Roman grumbled at the man before looking back at his men, lying on the floor and groaning.

"You were worth every cent. Truly, you were."

Roman started to step out from the shop and onto the road, holding a fire dust in his hand.

The man was following behind him.

"Well, "Red", I think we can all say it's been an eventful evening. And as much as I'd love to stick around, I'm afraid this is where we part ways…"

I shot out 「Sticky Fingers」, just as he was about to throw the bright red crystal.

Roman's eyes went wide when he saw the dust stick to his hand, unwilling to part with his temporary owner.

Ruby took the chance to charge at Roman, scythe ready to hit him just like his men.

BAKUUUUUUM!

Then the man behind the criminal lunged at Ruby, faster than her.

I didn't see what he did.

I only what happened to Ruby.

She started to roll onto the floor of the street.

"Uuuuuuurrrggh…"

Crescent Rose left her side and slid across the floor. Ruby was clutching her stomach. She was dry heaving from the hit.

Roman simply looked at the man with unease, and the man did nothing but whistle.

"I guess you really are tougher than you look, Miss Rose. I was aiming to rupture your stomach with that kick, but I did nothing more disorient you. Perhaps I shouldn't have gone so softly with my kick."

…

He knew Ruby's name.

...

We never told him our name.

….

I managed to run over to Ruby before the man could do anything else.

"Ruby! Don't move! You'll injure something further!"

God, this was one of those moments when I wished I created some healing Mantras beforehand.

"Well, this is unexpected. I never expected Magenta Valentine to arrive so soon."

"..."

I did nothing but keep him within my sight.

"... Magenta?" Ruby looked at me, and managed to blurt out between her dry heavings.

"..."

"... Magenta… I think, I think I'm fine….. I can….. I can move….."

"Don't. Any wrong move here, and we're going to get slaughtered."

"Wise decision, Mr. Valentine."

No one dared to move.

….

… I was almost certain that Ruby got hurt because of me…

…. God…..

If only I wasn't here, this wouldn't have happened…..

… Right….?

I-it was because of me.

I existed in this world,

I had the Akashic Record Lite with me.

…..I painted a target on my back….. and they got involved because of me.

….

…

"... Magenta?"

… But….

… Something was wrong…

… Something was….. A bit off….

If I….

…. If I truly was their primary target….

… Why were they working with Roman?

Why were they working with Cinder?

With Salem?

All they had to do was stab me on the streets and leave.

…..

…..

Them working with the main antagonist of this world meant that whatever they were doing here wasn't going to be as simple as assassinating a teenage human on Remnant.

…..

…..

"... Cioccolata, was it?" I called out to the man.

The man's eyes went wide, before nodding.

"Yes, though I'm afraid that I never gave you my name….. Was it through the Akashic Record?"

Vegas and Ruby looked at me with a questioning look. I decided to ignore their gaze and push on.

"... Yeah. Judging by the fact that you know that I have it, you must either be part of the hostile celestial group…. Or working for them….. Correct?"

"... That is correct."

"... And I'm correct in guessing that there's something on this world here, that is very crucial to your group… right?"

"I'm afraid that I can't answer that."

"That's fine, I think I can get enough info just by seeing your work with Roman."

"... Of course you would. You most likely saw the fate of one of these worlds, and basing your deductions on our interference of such fate."

"... Yeah…. And I'm also asking just to get a confirmation."

"... Of our intentions?"

"No, I'm still left in the dark there….. I'm just trying to get a confirmation of myself."

"... Yourself."

"Yeah. My choices, my fate. My fault in getting my friends hurt like this."

"..."

"You see, I thought you guys came here because I had the Akashic Record, and that my friends got dragged into this because of me."

"... You're not wrong to think that, you know."

"... I may not, but that's only the half-truth, isn't it?"

"..."

"It didn't matter whether I existed on this world or not, you guys were going to be here, work with… Cinder's superior, and target Ruby. I was just another threat to you, another reason to target Ruby. And I was too busy being a narcissistic prick, thinking that the world was starting to revolve around me because I had a gift from god. But I know now. Whether my current assumption is right or not, we're….. We're all in this together."

Ruby

Weiss

Blake

Yang

Pyrrha

Jaune

Nora

Ren

Sun

Neptune

Heat

Vegas

Me

"... This is our 「fate」 in this 「world」. To meet you guys."

"..." Cioccolata no longer had a smile on his face. It was nothing but a blank expression, trying to read me.

Our eyes met.

"And I was too scared, too busy moping and sulking to realize that."

I have the power to stop them, to protect my friends.

I was too much of a coward to realize that.

But now, now I know.

Well, news flash Pinky, you dragged us into it as well the moment we all met. Not just this problem, but the problems you had, and the problems you will have. All of it. You know what that means, right?

I started to stand up.

It was too late to start hiding in a corner.

It was too late trying to stay quiet.

To wallow in guilt and fear that the gods have put me in.

...If you… If you need help…. I'm here for you. I…. I-I may not be that much help, but I still want to try and help you as much as I can….. You were always there for us when we needed it…. For me, for Yang….. I want to do at least that much for you.

The world didn't care if I screamed and cried.

It only cared about whether I was going to take this into my own hands.

And Fight.

That means we're going to do everything we can to keep you safe. We're going to be the one kicking your ass back up whenever you fall down, whenever you stop and get into a shitty mood, even if it means our lives are endangered.

No matter what I say, they were going to be with me, through thick and thin, even if they would lose their lives because of it.

….

Then it was human decency to do the same thing.

I'll do everything I can to help them as well.

To protect them, just as they protect me.

"... If this is my fate, then I'll gladly accept it. Cioccolata."

I was going to give my all in protecting all of my friends, even if it cost me my life.

I looked head-on into his green iris.

He stood frozen.

And then he started to speak.

"... Amazing, Mr. Valentine. It's true what Mr. Durian has said. There was indeed a reason why Ahura Mazda decided to give you the 「Path」 of 「God」 to you."

"..."

Cioccolata's lips grew into a smile, but his eyes were blaring with smoldering heat.

"I can see it in your eyes, Mr. Valentine: You have the 「Will」 of the 「Determined」. Your soul will not diminish in strength, no matter how much fear or hesitation you hold in your heart. You know that you are fated to die. You understand it. Your soul understands it. By all means, you are indeed a bigger threat to us than Miss Rose will ever be."

"..."

And the atmosphere shifted instantly.

"... And that is why I must kill you, here and now."

I felt Ruby grab my sleeve.

"Magenta…."

"..."

"Well Mr. Torchwick. It's about time you left. I'm sure you are old enough to go back on your own, correct?"

Roman didn't even hesitate in leaving, simply nodding at Cioccolata's words and running.

Ruby slowly got up, hesitating to leave due to Cioccolata, and the killing intent he was spewing out.

"... Ruby. You sure you're fine?"

Ruby was caught off guard by my question, considering the fact that she didn't say anything yet.

"... Yeah, I…." She looked back at Cioccolata.

"... Go, Roman ain't going to get arrested himself."

"... No, I'm going to stay here and fight with you guys."

"Don't kid yourself, you staying here is only going to do more harm than good. If you want to help, go and get Roman."

"... Magenta..."

"... Go..."

Ruby looked at me once more, and turned back to Cioccoalata.

Her legs didn't budge for a good time, before they finally creaked to life, to take their owner to her fate.

Cioccoalata didn't budge when she started to run.

He did nothing but keep his eyes on me.

And then he started to walk towards me.

I challenged him head-on, and started to walk towards him.

"Cioccoalata..."

"This means war!"

NEW GOAL CREATED:

OBJECTIVE: SURVIVE THE ONSLAUGHT OF CIOCCOLATA UNTIL ATAVAKA ARRIVES

APPROXIMATE TIME UNTIL ATAVAKA ARRIVES (RECEIVED FROM ATAVAKA'S AKASHIC RECORD): 3 min: 44 sec

MANTRA: OUGON NO SEISHIN HAS LEVELLED UP!

MANTRA: OUGON NO SEISHIN HAS BEEN ACTIVATED!
You have gained the 'effects' of 'Determination': So long as you are motivated, you have the strength to 「STAND」 up and fight after taking hits after hits.

Hey guys, I'm back.

First off, sorry for the short uninteresting chapter. I had a hard time thinking up how to get Magenta out of his Heroic BSOD, so I decided to focused this chapter on the start of Ruby's destiny, as well as Magenta's proper determination in keeping his friends safe, and joining the war between gods to... well, get Magenta out of his Heroic BSOD.

You guys be safe from the Corona Virus, you hear?