S.C.E.N
Hello and welcome to the third chapter I am terribly sorry for the very long wait for this chapter thank you for reading this story of mine, I know it isn't the best written story, but I hope to improve as this story develops so thank you for reading and your patience.
Chapter 3 the first day
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Salem slowly and sluggishly turned to her alarm clock 6:00am "I guess the day has finally come" she says as she gets up and walks to the bathroom. Half an hour later she exited the bathroom in her huntress gear which her light grey leather jacket under it she wore a black long sleeve t-shirt and a matching light grey skirt that goes to her knees with light grey thigh high socks and black trainers.
Salem decided to go for her normal jog before the initiation ceremony which was at 9am. She decided to take her normal route, also she wanted to go past the dust store she was at the other night. Salem made it to the dust shop and it was a wreck and not just the store but the surrounding road and buildings. A wave of guilt rushed across her body which made her feel like she was almost chocking but then she raised her head "no, I don't regret what I did, I did the best I could" her self-conviction made her feel a bit better then she proceeded with her jog.
Salem made it to the dock, but something was different there was someone sitting on the bench where Salem would normally sit by herself. It was a girl with beautiful long black hair, she couldn't make out much more from the back, so Salem decided to jog past her and continue.
The black-haired girl sat on the bench humming to herself when a flash of grey caught the corner of the eye, she stopped humming and turned her head to see what is was that had caught her attention and in that moment the both girls locked eyes with each other and in a moment that seemed to last an eternity she just looked at the two sapphires glistening back at her.
Salem was also transfixed to this girls' amber eyes, but this caused her to stumble and trip which broke both of the girl's gazes. The girl got up quickly to check on Salem; "are you alright" she says as she extends her hand down to the grey-haired girl. Salem looked up at the girl and gave her a slightly embarrassed smile "yeah I'm fine thank you" and grabbed the girls hand and pulled herself up.
Salem looked at the girl with a small smile "sorry for disturbing your peace" the girl shook her head "no its alright I wasn't really doing anything I just wanted to watch the sunrise here". Salem was actually surprised by her answer "really? I come here pretty often but I don't think I have ever seen you before" the girl smiled back "it's my first day here actually my shuttle landed earlier than I expected so I decided to explore the area then as I got here the light was just starting to form over the horizon and I decided to watch the sunrise". Salem put her hand to her chin "ah" she says, "that explains it well then do you mind if I watch the sunrise with you I love coming here to watch it" the girl smile widened "sure I'd like that" and she gestures her hand to the bench and the two sat next to each other and waited for the sun.
The two sat in silence for little while just absorbing each others presence; then the first glow of the sun burst over the horizon and struck the two girls' eyes and both of their jaws dropped a little. "this view never ceases to blow me away every time" the black-haired girl turned her head to Salem and smiled "yeah it truly is beautiful". Salem shot up from the bench "I just realised I never introduced myself I'm so sorry that must have been very awkward; my name is Salem it's a pleasure to meet you" Salem extended her hand to the girl. The girl gave a small chuckled and stood up as well and turned to sapphire-eyed girl with soft eyes and a smile and grabbed Salem's hand "my name is Cinder and the feeling is mutual" shaking Salem's hand.
Salem let go of Cinder's hand "so this is your first time in vale, what brings you here Cinder" Cinder looked at Salem's eyes "I came here to join beacon, I'm a huntress from Vacuo". Salem's eyes widened, and the sunlight bounced of Cinders' appearance she was wearing an all-black blazer with white trims and white buttons goes from her waist to her top of her chest with black jeans with white stitching and black boots. Salem was taking stood there for a moment and then she smiled "really, that's amazing I too am joining beacon today" Cinder's smile went ear to ear "well that is surprise well then do you want to walk to beacon with me I don't know vale very well" Salem nodded "sure" and she checked her watch and her mouth went wide. 8:30am Salem shouted with worry "oh shit we're going to be late!"
Cinder was startled by Salem's sudden change in mood "what are we going to do Salem?" Salem turned to Cinder "I have an idea but it's not going to be pretty" Cinder, confused turned her head sideways "what do you mean?" Salem held Cinder's hand "I can use my semblance to get us there but there is a huge possibility we will crash" Cinder was even more confused but shook her head "it doesn't matter we will figure it out when if it happens" Salem looked into Cinder's eyes "okay hold onto my waist and hold tight".
A small red flush went across Cinder's face, but she nodded, she put her arms round Salem and gripped her tight. When Cinder grabbed Salem her face also went a bit red but shook it off, she closed her eyes and Salem's aura enveloped both of the girls. Cinder watched as a white energy surrounded her body and a then both of them started to float; Cinder looked at Salem "this is amazing and all but we're not moving very fast", Salem opened her eyes and looked at Cinder and gave her a small smirk "I'm just letting you adjust but now this is where you need to hold tight I'm going to throw us very fast".
Cinder's eyes widened but before she could protest Salem flicked her hand back and both of the went as far back as the water line and then flicked her hand forward very quickly and the two were launched at incredible speed towards beacon.
"hurry Neo, the induction will start soon" the voice was met with the sound of furious typing and a scroll was shoved in her face it read "really Emerald you're the one who got us lost in the first place" she moved her scroll to reveal a pouty face. Emerald scratched the back of her head and she chuckled "yeah your right". Neo started typing again and Emerald look at it "what's that Emerald" Emerald look puzzled "what's, what?" neo tapped her shoulder and pointed to the sky and Emerald squinted and a black and grey spot was in the sky and it was coming closer at it was moving very fast in their direction. Neo ran in front of emerald and extended her arms sideways and a dome of energy formed around the two girls, but the shield never fully formed and a moment later CRASH!
"hey… hey are you alright" Salem opened her eyes to find her on top of a tan skinned girl and her face lit up with a torrent of red and she got off Emerald "I'm so sorry" before the girl respond Salem has and turned to a collapsed Cinder and Neo "cinder are you ok?" Cinder opened her eyes and a very confused and surprised neo just stared at her, cinder stood up immediately stood up and stood back and started bowing furiously "I'm so, so sorry for falling on you please forgive me" neo stood up and tilted her head "speaking of falling " cinder turned to the tanned girl "why did you to suddenly fall from the sky" Cinder blushed slightly and pointed to Salem.
Salem blushed as the three girls turned to her "well we were going to be late, so I used my semblance to get us here, unfortunately I lost control and we ended up crashing down here, I am very sorry for causing you two such trouble" and Salem bowed as well. Emerald started waving her hands "no its alright as long as you two are all right, you're lucky Neo was here she broke your fall with her semblance".
Both Salem and cinder turned to Neo and both bowed to her "thank you, Neo was it?" Neo started waving her arms and started typing really fast and showed it to the girls "no, no its no trouble I'm just glad you two are safe" and gave them a small mile. Salem and Cinder looked at each other and shrugged "well okay, again sorry" emerald walked up to Salem and extended her arm and stuck her hand out "its fine really we're fine, I'm Emerald by the way and who might you two falling stars be?" Salem smiled at Emerald at took her hand "I'm Salem and this is Cinder" Cinder gave a small wave and Salem shook Emerald's hand.
A moment or two past and Salem decided to check her watch again and then she screamed "ahhhhh we've only fifteen minutes before the induction" everyone had the same shocked expression on their face like a lightning bolt shot across their eyes and they all ran in unison to the entrance.
When the four reached the entrance hall it was packed to the rafters with students of all orientations, the room was filled with mixed conversations making it inaudible. Then the room went silent as everyone fixed their eyes on the tall grey man walking up to a mic in the middle of the stage; Salem shot a short smile at Ozbin and he spoke "I will make this brief, first of all I would like to thank each and every one for making it into beacon, this is your first true step in becoming huntsmen and huntresses, your time here will shape what kind of huntsmen you will ultimately become so train hard, study hard I look forward to see all of your progress".
After Ozbin spoke he moved to the side and a tall blonde woman went up to the mic and spoke "welcome students my name is professor Goodwitch, all first-year students will gather in the main atrium for tonight in the meantime take this time to familiarise yourself with beacon and its facilities you are all dismissed". Emerald folded her arms "she pretty intense isn't she" it was like the professor had a sixth sense and looked at Emerald gave her a small scowl "eeek" Emerald screeched quietly and she promptly left pushing Neo out the room with her and they were gone leaving Salem and Cinder alone.
Cinder and Salem left the entrance hall "what should we do now" Cinder asked; Salem looked at Cinder "I well I'm going to take the professors advise and explore the campus, what are you going to do?" Cinder looked down at the ground then back up to Salem do you mind if I come with you" Salem shook her "no, I would like that besides I like you Cinder, I think we will be great friends" Shot her eyes at Salem's eyes and she gave Salem a warm smile "I think so too" Salem blushed a bit from Cinder's smile " well then" she extended her arm towards Cinder "proper introductions are in order, my name is Salem Velaros and I'm glad I crashed with you" cinder chuckled and took Salem's hand "my name is Cinder Fall and I'm glad I fell with you" Cinder blushed a little after her comment and the two shook hands once more.
Night began to set in and the two were on the library balcony watching the sunset "I can't decide what's more beautiful a sunrise or a sunset" Salem said as she smiled at the sun; Cinder looked at Salem "I'm not sure they're both beautiful but I think you will agree with me that watching it with someone is makes it that bit more special" Salem nodded at Cinder's answer and then started stretching her arms "we should probably get going go to the atrium its getting late and I'd hate to get on professor Goodwitch's bad side" cinder chuckled "yeah lets get going" and the two left for the atrium.
When they arrived at the atrium it was pretty busy, and it looked like the whole hall had been converted into a huge dormitory with sleeping bags and lanterns at every point in the room. As they walked in, they heard a familiar voice "if it isn't the two falling stars" they turned to see Emerald walking towards them with a closed eyed smile and giving a small wave with Neo behind her also giving a small smile "oh hey Emerald and Neo how are you" Salem smiled back "oh we're fine we just finished our tour of the place" Neo started typing again with a slightly agitated face and showed it to the three girls "I'm not sure getting lost counts as a tour Emerald".
Everyone gave a small laugh at Neo's comment but then Cinder stopped and looked at Neo "I'm sorry if what I'm about to ask is personal Neo but why don't you speak" the air suddenly shifted in the group and Neo's head lowered with obvious sadness; Emerald moved in between Neo and Cinder she first turned to Neo "do you want them to know Neo?" Neo looked up at Cinder and Salem then a few moments of silence past and looked back at Emerald and nodded.
Emerald then turned her head to Cinder "first thing I need to say is please don't mention this to other students Neo is extremely uncomfortable talking about it okay" the two girls nodded "okay the thing is she is a "dust mute" which means at some point In her life she was exposed to dust and was made to ingest it which caused her voice box to be destroyed making her unable to speak so now she just types in her scroll as her means of communicating with others that's all I know about it, like I said she doesn't like to talk about it not even to me"
the girls were in shock they never expected Neo of being a "dust mute" they both thought she was just really shy, they knew that dust mutes existed, but it happens so rarely that its barely even known. Suddenly Cinder fell to her knees and begun crying showing clear signs of distress in her eyes and started chanting quietly "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry miss Ni" before Cinder could wallow any further, she suddenly felt arms wrap around her.
Cinder looked up to see Neo hugging her and she snapped out of whatever was wrong with her. Neo pulled back to reveal her worried expression and showed Cinder her scroll "its ok Cinder I have come to terms with what happened to me so please don't cry" cinder stopped crying and sniffed "I'm sorry for asking such a personal question" Neo shook her head and started typing "no its alright I told Emerald to tell you" Cinder was still upset watching Neo being forced to type "but please don't share this with the other students if they ask you just say I'm really shy" cinder nodded "sure" Neo gave her a smile and simply typed "thank you"
About ten minutes later a familiar woman's voice started speaking from a loudspeaker "all first years its time for bed your initiation trial and team assignment will begin tomorrow at 9am so get plenty of rest and I expect you all at the cliff edge at least 10 minutes before, that is all good night students"
Emerald smiled at the three girls "I'm pretty sure we've found are team what do you guys think" everyone looked at each other and smiled and they all said in unison "yeah" then Salem spoke "I mean it does depend on the trial we do this year; last year I was told that they threw them in a forest and made them search for relics and as far as team assignment it was based on who the people they ran into while searching for the relics".
Emerald kind of deflated after Salem's comment "what?, I hope its not that trial then" Salem chuckled a little "yeah me neither, well all we can do now is wait in see what the professors have instore for us tomorrow " Emerald perked up a bit "yeah I guess your right well then everyone I say we take the professors advise a get some shut eye" everyone nodded and climbed into their sleeping bags and turned off the light.
Salem turned on her back and stared up into the blackness and thought to herself "what a first day I've had, it looks like this might be the place I belong after all; mother… father I will become stronger and I promise I'll save you" a single tear fell from Salem's eyes as she closed them and drifted off to sleep.
And that's it for the third chapter I hope you all enjoyed it, I know I'm enjoying writing it and your comments are very helpful so thank you for your help. On another note if you are a returning reader you may notice that I've been editing the previous chapters with changes like changing a word or two and adding spacing to my story so please bear with it all I'm trying to do is optimise your reading experience, so you may notice time to time that a certain chapter might change slightly, I apologise for the inconvenience. Thank you for reading