.
The Fangs of Vacuo
.
It cannot be seen,
Cannot be felt,
Cannot be heard,
Cannot be smelt.
It lies behind stars and beneath the hills.
It ends life
And laughter it kills.
.
.
After hearing Temujin's refusal to form an alliance with Weiss, Blake couldn't help but give a low hiss. She was angry with her former mentor, but also herself.
The girl failed to convince Temujin to act.
Blake let out a sighing groan that seemed to stretch out over a minute. Almost like a child's frustration over failing to persuade their parent.
"—It was a rather delightful speech," Temujin grinned. "The bit about rewriting history and carrying out Shepherd's will was a clever touch. You've become quite conniving. Brings a tear to this old woman's eye."
"I based it off what you said to me in the past. I was so sure it would work too," Blake pouted. "Now, I guess, Weiss and I will have to figure out something else."
She breathed another sigh and shook her head to dispel her temper.
"Hm," Temujin watched Blake curiously. "Seeing as this was your grand solution, you don't seem all too disheartened. Your plans fell through in magnificent fashion. Were you prepared for me to reject your proposal?"
"Maybe. It's more like, I've experienced too many instances where things just haven't worked my way."
"Just a little bit wiser."
Blake felt a sharp warmth spread her heart.
"Yes…'Just a little bit wiser'. Shepherd liked saying that, before handing me a new book."
"Did he ever tell you how happy he was to teach you to read? Such a happy-go-lucky fool that was proud to raise a bookworm for a daughter." Temujin's smile turned into a scowl. "And then, I put a sword in your hands and told you to fight. How ignorant. Tsk! Parents are always trying to push things onto their children without any regard or thought."
"Maybe…but I want to believe a part of me chose the book—and the sword, too."
"Have you ever wished differently? You could have lived a life of relative peace had I not cajoled you into avenging Shepherd's death."
"I…used to regret it. A lot actually." Blake paused. "During my time at Beacon, I met so many people who were raised without bloodshed. I wanted to be like them so badly. To live some childhood fantasy of being a Huntress. I thought I could atone that way or change myself."
Temujin chuckled and so did she.
"Yes, it was naïve," Blake smiled sadly. "People would feel sorry for me, or try to console me if I told anyone else, but I knew you would laugh. Other people's problems, your own, you always pass them off like a joke and move on. Even when you lost your eye and leg."
"Ah. That was a brilliant battle." Temujin rubbed the end of her missing limb. "That damned freak of nature the Crusaders brought really did one over on me. Still, small price to pay for shoving back that walking catastrophe. Win our people Vacuo, and all that."
"You never told me what happened then. Was it a Grimm?"
"Almost, but not quite. Difficult to explain. I wasn't aware at the time, but looking back, I'm rather certain the thing I fought was the Spring Maiden—Crazy bitch."
"The Spring Maiden…from the stories," Blake sank into deep thought. "Weiss told me they were real. Her cousin is supposed to be the Maiden of Winter."
"A lot of outlandish monsters roam this world. Maidens, witches, silver-eyed warriors, immortals—"
"An old Faunus, who toppled a Kingdom and led a revolution?"
"Hehehe! You'd count me among those abominations? I'm flattered. But I'm nothing but a brittle old fossil. One that needs a hand if she is to take you to your prisoner."
Blake nodded and went to Temujin's side. The elder hoisted herself up with her cane, while the younger offered an arm to grasp. Together, the two left the throne. Arm in arm like a grandmother and her granddaughter.
"You know, there are prosthetics you can use," Blake mentioned. "My friend replaced her arm."
"Ha! I'm not a warrior anymore. What use for it would I have?"
"To help you walk for one thing."
"I can walk just fine on my own. I'm just borrowing your arm cause I'm a lonely old woman," Temujin flashed a wily grin.
Blake grinned back. She couldn't help but note the strength in the old woman's grip. A quiet power exuded the unsuspecting frame. And the way Temujin carried herself was the last thing anyone would describe as "brittle".
Despite what she says, it wasn't long ago this woman waged war against the entire world. A warrior who stood against the Crusaders from all Four Kingdoms—
And won.
"Peh! Prosthetics!" Temujin spat. "Adam sent me a few. Trying to curry favor, no doubt. At least Raven has the sense not to do such a thing."
"Why not name Raven your successor, then? It would certainly make things easier."
"You know why, don't you? The rumors surrounding her. They'd never accept her as leader."
"What, the rumors that she's not Faunus?"
"Foolish, is it not?" the old woman crowed. "Raven would be a greater leader than I ever was… if she wanted it, that is. What should it matter if she's Human or not."
"Wait, it's true?!"
"Yes. Raven is human, Blake," Temujin rolled her one good eye. "I guess you wouldn't know it, since she wears that mask all the time. Still, your naivety is showing. Next thing you're going to say is you believe everyone that was ever in the White Fang was Faunus."
Blake stopped walking.
"…They…weren't?"
"Oh, Blake… Tell me, could I have raised an army large enough to route the Crusade with only Faunus alone? It wasn't our race that turned them. It was Vacuo."
"But, how? We would've noticed."
To that, Temujin only tilted her head back in laughter.
"Did you think those stupid masks I made everyone wear were for frightening humans? Hahahaha! Who would be afraid of some masquerading peasants?!"
"You started that tradition to hide humans in the White Fang?!"
Again, Blake stared into Temujin's devious grin. Every bit the wily shrew. A glimmer of a prankster peeking out.
"If the others knew…" Blake murmured.
"My gut would split laughing! There aren't any differences between the races anyway, none that really matter. Especially when working in the mines, under the gas masks and with the same faulty equipment. Bahahaha! Human, Faunus, it doesn't matter! We all suffered! If they were willing to fight, it made no difference to me~ I'm surprised so few realized it!"
"Ugh! I can't believe it…"
"And that is the reason I never supported moving outside Vacuo." Temujin bade a cold, but fiery gaze. "Help the Faunus in other Kingdoms? I don't know them! Save the weak from the perils of their government? I could care less! There will always be suffering no matter your blood or your name! I'd gladly watch the other Kingdoms massacre themselves for whatever foolish reason! Their people can perish in ruin, and they wouldn't garner a shred of sympathy from me! No—my people are not the Faunus, Blake! My people are only Vacuo!"
Blake closed her eyes as she took everything in. She finally understood Temujin's motivations. A mixture of annoyance, but also, admiration filled her throat.
There was never any chance of bridging an alliance between this woman and Weiss. Unexpectedly, it had nothing to do with racial bias or past grudges. They were simply too different. Their values were too different. A miscalculation. A stroke of poor luck.
"I can't believe it…" Blake grumbled.
"Come, now. Is that really worth sulking over?"
"I have half a mind to let you drop on the floor."
"Oh, you'd never be so cruel."
"I wonder."
"If you stay, I'll tell you something else outrageous~ Hohoho~"
Blake hesitated. She didn't know if she could handle anymore curve ball knowledge. Eventually though, curiosity won over caution.
"Alright…What else could you say that's more ridiculous than what you've told me?"
"Shepherd wanted you to succeed the White Fang."
Temujin almost toppled over when Blake turned abruptly.
"Me?! You're lying!"
"How rude. Why would I lie about the word of my deceased brother?"
"I don't know! I just—there' no way…!"
"Maybe you should take over," the elder chuckled. "Then you could make all the alliances you like. Making pretty little promises with your school friends."
"That's not funny! I could never be…!"
"If you keep expressing shock over every little thing, we'll never make it to the prison."
"Little?!"
"Have you never truly considered yourself as a candidate?"
"Of course, not! Why would I?!"
"Because you embody its raison detre."
"No, I don't! I left the White Fang! And I could never lead an army!"
"Yes, but the White Fang was never meant to be an army. The organization it is now is the result of my corruption. I even thought about changing its name to the Red Fang, back when I took it over. Have Shepherd and I never told you how this little group came to be?"
"…"
"First, we keep walking…"
Slowly, but certainly, Blake and Temujin continued their pace through the corridors.
"Well, long ago, I formed a group called the Red Fang. It was little more than a roaming horde of bandits trying to find revenge than justice. A violent movement with no misgivings about murder. Really! What an idiotic group that fully lived up to its stupid name."
The old woman shook her head regretfully.
"Anyway. After a time, my squeamish brother came up with a bad joke. A counterpart to my organization, the White Fang," Temujin gave a dry laugh. "You know why he called it that? 'Fangs that were bared to bite, but not draw blood'. To fight, but not kill. How ridiculous…but fitting, I suppose."
Blake's ears drooped, as she gazed down.
"It sounds like him."
The young Faunus went silent. Memories of Shepherd flooded into her like dense gulps of water. She wondered how different things would be if he hadn't died. She wondered how many times she would have picked up a book instead of her Gambol Shroud.
"Well, I don't know if becoming the leader at this time would be good for a peace-lover like yourself," Temujin remarked. "Honestly, the current White Fang should just disappear already. And, oh look, we've arrived."
"Huh?"
Blake looked up and saw they had reached their destination.
"The prisoner awaits."
Temujin and Blake opened the heavy wooden doors and crossed the precipice. What they were greeted by, was the sight of the Hanging Garden's Library.
The hall had a ceiling over three stories high. Tomes filled its walls with shelves arranged in almost labyrinth-like pattern. The same vines that grew around the building's pillars also wrapped themselves around the furniture. Light from the sun's rays shone down from the glass roof, lending a similar appearance to a greenhouse. And at a nearby study table, a lanky man scribbled notes with furious haste.
He was surrounded by records, maps, diagrams, and empty cups of coffee. Although he was a "prisoner" held under the suspicion of being a spy, circumstances led him to spending his incarceration in the palace library.
At the sight of his two visitors, his pen stopped.
"—Temujin! Miss Belladonna! Excellent, excellent timing! I have just compiled the data collections of Grimm sightings, migration routes, evolutionary traits, Bane samples, spawning locations, Peter's findings—"
"Peter?" Blake asked.
"Professor Port to you."
"Professor Port's here?!"
"There are two of you?" Temujin raised a brow.
"Yes…" Professor Oobleck tilted his glasses for a moment. "But that is beside the point! The data! The data dictates our most feared hypothesis to be confirmed! A rapid and most immediate response must be taken…immediately!"
"Slow down, Professor. What exactly is happening?"
"The Grimm, Miss Belladonna. THE GRIMM ARE EVOLVING!"
.
X
.
After clearing away some documents and taking their seats, the three entered a slower pace of conversation.
"Um…Professor?" Blake questioned. "What do you mean the Grimm are evolving? They've been evolving for a long time now, haven't they?"
"Not like this, they haven't. According to records here, combined with data from the other Kingdoms, the Grimm are developing at an accelerated rate previously unprecedented!"
"But they grow on negative emotions. With the war going on, wouldn't that be the cause for the change?"
"That was my first hypothesis, which has been thoroughly explored, and summarily disproven! The war does not account for the abrupt population increase and anatomical advances. The triggering factor must lie elsewhere, and we must find it, or this war will be the least of our worries. Temujin," Oobleck turned to the White Fang leader. "With your permission, I would like to lead an expedition to the Tower of Alexandria."
"It's one ridiculous notion after another with you." Temujin took a sip of the coffee the librarian provided, but grunted and stuck out her tongue. "Ech. Be a dear and brew some tea," she said to the palace worker. "Now, then. First explain to me why you have need of the Tower of Alexandria. Let alone, it is thought never to have existed. Is there something there that will help us combat the Grimm? That is after all, the sole reason I let you live and carry out your research."
"It has been cited in several documents that the Tower houses an unparalleled collection of historical texts. One of which, documents the more ancient forms of Grimm and the method of their creation. If we acquire knowledge of their predecessors, we may very well find the explanation we have been looking for!"
"Or a method of suppressing them. The idea isn't without merit." Teacups were poured before Temujin and Blake, which she drank with a satisfied expression. "How do you plan to find the Tower?"
"I have already determined its location."
"Hoh~ Is that so?"
Oobleck immediately unfurled a map of Vacuo. Different notes and dotted lines were hand-written into the parchment. Large portions were crossed out and redrawn, telling that the Professor had revised the chart countless times.
"According to surviving documents, data collected from my colleagues and your people, the Tower of Alexandria can only be here," he pointed to a place on the map.
Temujin and Blake eyed the spot under Oobleck's finger with obvious skepticism.
"There?" Blake asked. "Are you…sure?"
The professor pushed the bridge of his glasses up in serious fashion. "Indubitably."
"But that's—"
"The middle of Giza's territory," Temujin finished. "Interesting. If anything, it lends some credence to your theory. It's always been thought Giza was guarding something out there."
Among the Grimm that roam Remnant, above the letter grades of ABCD, there were those dubbed [Nightmare Class]. A category assigned to creatures of the highest degree. Beings so powerful and unique, they were given names and were usually the sole member of their kind.
The dragon, Bisterne, which wrought havoc at Beacon's Fall was counted among them. Giza was of the same caliber, if not greater. Because of that, every resident of Vacuo knew its territories and steered clear. Few had ever caught sight of it and none lived to report its abilities.
"Those are dangerous lands, Professor Oobleck." Temujin sipped her cup patiently. "You may go on your expedition, but I cannot send anyone with you. It would be tantamount to sending them to their deaths. I doubt you'll find a guide to—"
"I'll go."
Temujin and Oobleck gaped at Blake.
"I'll go," she repeated. "I'll guide him."
.
X
.
In the garage connected through the outer walls of Vacuo, Professor Oobleck and Professor Port loaded equipment into an off-road jeep. Although the two gentlemen were about to make a trip to the stomping grounds of one of the most dangerous Grimm in existence, they were all smiles. It seemed the potential academic discoveries and the idea of seeing a one of a kind monstrosity outweighed the fear of death.
Meanwhile, Blake reflected the exact opposite.
Immediately regretting her decision, the girl was being consoled by Temujin, who had come to see her off. The two sat on a bench, Blake's head resting on the lap of her elder's.
"Scared?"
"I…might be sick."
"Then why volunteer?" Temujin sighed. "Stupid girl."
"I have to. There's something to this, I just know it. And if we can find a way to stop the Grimm…"
"You might find an important bargaining chip that could lead to ending this War? Hah! That desperate, are we?"
"Because someone won't enter an alliance with Atlas, I need to find another way."
"Oh, so this is my fault, now is it?"
"Yes. It is."
Temujin patted the girl's head and scratched her ears.
"If you are afraid, do not take action. If you are already taking action, do not be afraid."
Blake's ears perked up.
"…That was actually enlightening."
"Unlike my brother, I haven't given you many words of wisdom that didn't involve the art of war. So, I shall take the opportunities I can get."
"Do you have anymore?"
"I'm afraid not. I'm not very wise."
"But you are strong."
"Peh! What does that even mean? The word strong."
Blake sighed deeper into Temujin's lap. Her eyes drifted to the woman's absent leg. She felt Temujin's scarred, but gentle hand continue to stroke her.
"I can't help but think how similar you are to this girl I met at Beacon," she said nostalgically.
"The Schnee girl?"
"No, someone else. She was… important to me. Strong, bright, brave. I thought she was invincible somehow." Blake brought up an old picture of Yang on her scroll. "But I was wrong. She was broken..."
"No one is invincible."
"Even so, she came back, stronger than I thought she could—than I ever thought she could recover from. She was always the kind of person to confront her problems than run away from them. The complete opposite of me."
"Sounds like you still believe her to be invincible."
"Maybe…"
"Hm." Temujin observed Blake with vested interest. "Oh, to be young~"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing. Though, I am a bit curious about this precious person of yours. I only hope she isn't too similar to me."
"Why would you say that?"
"As someone very much aware of their own faults, I don't believe anyone like me would be good for you."
Temujin held out her hand and Blake placed the scroll into their grasp. The old woman flipped through the pictures and settled on one in particular. An image taken from the security feed on an Atlas dreadnought.
Her eye narrowed at the figure staring back at the camera with a red defiant glare. Temujin recognized something in the girl. A special something she'd only seen in herself and one other.
"Many commit atrocious acts without knowing the full-scale of their consequences, Blake," Temujin worded with a serious tone that was unlike her usual. "Countless souls crushed and consumed by the fate of their choices. They fall, drowning deeper with every poor decision they make. Adam comes to mind, when I think of this."
Blake silently listened.
"But then, every once in a while, there are those like me. Those who thrive on the despair and fate's unfair sleights. They take their dark moments and use it to hone themselves. It gives people of my kind a certain quirk, you might say." Temujin gave Blake her scroll back. "Let me ask you. Do you think I've regretted any of the things I've done—all the blood I've shed and the cruelties I've performed?"
"…No. I wouldn't say you have."
"That's what you should fear from your friend. What we have goes beyond something like simple self-righteousness. It is the ability to carry on with the choices we've made. To commit terrible wrongs and live with what comes after. We challenge and we are nourished by conflict."
"That sounds difficult…" Blake thought. "…but I wouldn't describe it as awful."
"I turned you into a warrior, in spite of my brother's intentions for you. I was supposed to carry out his dying wishes. Instead, I became everything he strove against, including what he died for. To this day, I remain healthy of mind and body, free of guilt. Is that not considered indecent? Unforgivable, even?"
Blake digested what Temujin said. She remembered the day she, Yang, and Weiss briefly reunited. The fight that ensued between their group and Team ENMY. How firm Yang was in the path she had taken.
"I still want to see her again. And I'll never stop loving you both," Blake said in a hushed voice.
Temujin sighed sadly at that. A mixed expression that hoped the other had rebuked her rather than accept her, wore on the woman's scarred face.
"Looks like they're finished," Blake suddenly said.
"So they are."
The two watched Oobleck and Port load the last of their equipment. Blake stood and was about to head over to them.
"I'll take on my own challenges, no matter how difficult they may be," she said.
"And I won't be afraid."
.
X
.
"…and that was when I shoved the business end of my blunderbuss down the monster's gullet, and said—have some desserts, fiend!"
"Wat." Blake blurted.
"BANG! It burst into countless bits and pieces! And that is how I saved the group settling in a nearby oasis from the wrath of a wandering Deathstalker," Professor Port finished with flamboyant flare.
"My word," Oobleck commented.
"I know! Another thrilling tale for the books, wouldn't you say?"
"Indeed."
"Wouldn't you say?" Port posed to Blake, who remained silent in the backseat.
"Um. Yes. Very…thrilling, Professor."
The three had been traveling through the desert for days now. To fill the time, Port elected to regale the two with tales of his heroism since arriving in Vacuo. Apparently, the Professor spent the last few weeks collecting data in the field, while Oobleck conducted research in the library.
As Port entered another stretch of storytelling, Blake switched on her scroll display, which tracked their progress. Because of their small vehicle and the route she chose, there were few run-ins with the Grimm. In the instances there were, their light-weight vehicle allowed them to flee without having to put up a fight.
And since a few hours ago, the presence of Grimm dropped to zero. This was due to having entered Giza's territory.
If our luck can hold out just a little longer, we'll reach the coordinates Professor Oobleck estimated the Tower to be.
"Professor Oobleck," Blake called. "Please drive a bit slower so we don't kick up as much sand. And Professor Port, I think we should keep quiet from this point forward."
"Ah. *Ahem* Yes, of course. Eyes and ears open, Barty, Blake. We must exercise constant awareness of our surroundi—oh." Blake and Oobleck followed Port's line of sight, and saw a cloud of sand billowing on the horizon. "Oh, dear."
Oobleck swerved the car near a patch of boulders, then cut off the engine. Whatever was approaching was still a ways off, so the group had time to prepare.
Blake leapt out of her seat and deployed a pair of robots, which raced ahead, creating fake tire tracks away from their position. At the same time, the Professors unpacked a beige canopy to cover the jeep with. When their vehicle was camouflaged in the rock formation, the three started dousing themselves in a liquid to mask their scent.
With preparations done, they ducked underneath the jeep, laying prone on their stomachs with a thin layer of sand covering them. All the while, staring through a thin crack under the covers. Their eyes darted back and forth for any sign of movement.
It wasn't long until they heard the rhythmic thumping of a four-legged creature running through the sand and onto the hard ground. The earth tremored with every step, closer and closer it came.
And then, a heavy pounce sent everything in the area a short hop off the ground. Blake, Oobleck, and Port bumped their heads against the jeep's undercarriage. It took all their self-control to suppress making a sound.
Through the small clearing beneath the camouflage, they saw the first sign of their pursuer.
One paw.
Then, two.
Fur as dark as night. Bone crusted its joints and layered its claws. The three only saw the Grimm's feet, but if they indicated anything, it was that the beast was absolutely massive. Its shallow breaths created tiny whirlwinds and its huffs were as loud as reverberating speakers.
Oobleck and Port readied their weapons while keeping an eye on Blake. Because of her heightened senses, she was counted on to signal them the moment things went wrong. Blake's ears stood on end, straining to hear every minute fluctuation of sound. A thimble-sized shard of Bane held tightly in her grasp.
Silence fell like the sudden drop of a curtain.
The Grimm stood back and tilted its large head down to peer beneath the fake boulder. Blake, Oobleck, and Port found themselves paralyzed by what they saw. Nothing in Blake's experience or the vast knowledge of the two Professors could have braced them for it.
An unnerving, human-like head met all their gazes. Its face was expressionless and seemingly all-knowing. Compared to other Grimm, which had cracks and flaws included in their features, Giza's mask was like smooth ivory.
Its eyes were dark pools of shining black with white irises. There was something hypnotic about them. A draw that stopped Blake from turning away.
And before she knew it, she was stepping out of her hiding place, walking right up to Giza like some sort of devotee.
Blake was not alone, as Professor Port and Oobleck did the same. The actions of their bodies not their own.
As Blake tried to protect herself, her mind was bombarded with a high volume of information. The pain it caused was excruciating. A feeling akin to thoughts, but started coalescing into voices. The coherency of it was sharpening, defining, but also deafening.
SeEk yoU oD tahW? wHy HHAAaaaveEE Yuo cmoe? WhO ArE YoU?
Blake pressed her palms against the sides of her temples. She could feel Giza probing her mind. Like the contents of her brain were being scooped out and then thrown back in over and over again.
It cannot be seen,
Cannot be felt,
Cannot be heard,
Cannot be smelt.
It lies behind stars and beneath the hills.
It ends life
And laughter it kills.
Tears welled in Blake's eyes. Her mouth quivered and her throat choked, as she tried to utter the word:
"Darkness."
…
…
The world reeled back, collapsing Blake on all fours, clutching the sand and dirt in her hands. Fatigue and stress lingered in every thread of thought. She could feel cool sweat trailing down her back. Fighting against the pounding migraine, she looked up to take in the whole of the beast's body.
Giza was a sphinx-like figure. Its haunches were that of a lion, while its face was of an omnipotent deity. The Grimm's eyes, which were previously open, were now closed.
It was truly unlike anything they ever encountered. No Grimm they knew acted or behaved in such a way. A majesty permeated the creature. A clear wisdom and sentience to some degree.
And in that instant, Giza turned its massive body around. Its thin tail swaying side to side, before an abrupt flick. The Grimm dashed off, leaving the travelers to their own devices.
.
X
.
After some hours of silent driving, the three spotted the Tower of Alexandria.
The structure stood high and tilted in the distance. Easily recognizable because of the obvious contrast to its surroundings. It was difficult to judge the height, but it seemed to be as tall as the highest building in the former Beacon Academy.
Upon closer approach, they saw it was in unexpectedly good condition. Like it were not some ancient ruin, but newly remodeled. The three wondered if this was the Tower they sought at all.
But their doubts quickly dispelled when they reached its front steps.
Beside the entrance, Giza sat in a relaxed pose. Its legs tucked underneath as felines often did. Eyelids still closed, but somehow aware.
The Grimm's behavior further confounded them, as it took no action whatsoever when the group entered the Tower's double doors.
They came upon a circular room, which could only be assumed to be the lobby. In the middle, a lone woman stood. Hands held together in front while grasping a staff, she made a slight bow.
Her dress was in the pattern of a spotted leopard. Hair long and straight with a dark blue hue. The staff she held was gold with a seven-point palm leaf at its crest.
As striking as the woman's appearance was, there was something else that caught Professor Port and Oobleck's attention.
The woman possessed silver eyes.
"Greetings. My name is Papyrus, the Keeper of Knowledge.
And I welcome you to the Tower of Alexandria."
.
X
.
The group awkwardly rode an elevator to the top floor. Blake, Port, and Oobleck, not sure what to make of their tour guide, chose to obediently follow her lead.
"Miss Papyrus," Oobleck started. "Not to be rude, but we have an abounding number of questions to ask."
"Very well. I must warn you; however, my responses may be limited," Papyrus answered robotically.
"I understand. You introduced yourself as the Keeper of Knowledge. Are we right to assume you are the director of this institution?"
"Yes."
"What may I ask, are your origins?"
"Inaccessible."
"When was this Tower built?"
"Inaccessible."
"How did you attain gainful employment here?"
"Inaccessible."
With every question and answer, the speed increased. And Papyrus was more than capable of keeping up with Oobleck's rapid speech.
"Did you build this Tower?"
"No."
"Who built this Tower?"
"Inaccessible."
"What is the primary purpose of the Tower?"
"To record knowledge."
"What manner of knowledge?"
"Everything."
"Who records this knowledge?"
"I do."
"How do you record the knowledge?"
"Inaccessible."
"Who—"
Blake tapped Oobleck's shoulder to stop the line of questions that could have gone on to end of time.
"I can empathize with your curiosity, Professor, but we do have some things to prioritize."
"Yes, of course. Right, you are."
Oobleck fixed his glasses and allowed Blake her own attempt.
"We're searching for records and information pertaining to the evolution of Grimm."
Papyrus remained silent.
Oobleck whispered in Blake's ear, "I believe she only provides direct answers."
"Okay…" Blake turned back to Papyrus again. "Does the Tower have information pertaining to the evolution of Grimm?"
"Yes," she answered.
"Can you direct us to it?"
"No."
"I thought you were the one in charge. You are the one in charge, right?"
"Yes."
"Then, why can't you lead us to the information?"
"My primary purpose is to record. I am not responsible for searching its contents."
"Could you tell us what we need to know?"
"No."
"You can't remember what you record?"
"No."
"Hmmm. Interesting," Oobleck commented in thought. "By what she's said, it seems that the fullest extent of her abilities is taken up by her role of recording 'knowledge'. Anything beyond that would likely overburden her. Even with her exceptional powers."
"Powers?" Blake asked in confusion.
"Ah! I mean! Nothing. Nothing pertinent at the moment. In any case, it seems we must seek out the information ourselves. Papyrus, please instruct us on how to access the Tower's archives."
"Currently, in the process of doing so. Please, step out of the elevator."
The moment Papyrus finished her sentence, the elevator doors opened to the top office of the building.
Their footsteps clacked against the glass floor, echoing off the green-stoned walls. A humble desk stood at the other end with a window to the outside.
When the three looked down at their feet, they could see all the floors below them. Each section was lined with books. The shelves likely reaching down to the floor right above the entrance. Almost a literal well of knowledge.
Upon beholding such a collection, Blake's inner bookworm salivated inside.
"How do we access the archives?" she asked eagerly.
"Like so," Papyrus answered, before walking over to a device affixed to the wall.
The mechanism bore a close resemblance to a slot machine. A long sequence of numbers and letters could be rotated and a lever poked out the side.
Papyrus entered a random call ID and pulled the lever.
Below, they could see a clockwork crane travel down, pick a book off the shelf, bring it up through the middle of the room, and set it on the desk.
"Like so," Papyrus answered again.
Blake and Oobleck practically sprinted to the tome.
The moment they opened it, the fond smell of old parchment filled their noses. They eagerly turned the pages of the book to skim its contents. The wonderment of what mysteries they might hold was uncontrollable.
And as quickly as their excitement appeared, so too did a sense of somber.
"The 1555th year, 7th month, 26th day," Blake read aloud. "It is only a matter of time before we are lost. The Betrayer has colluded to see both worlds destroyed. I fear what lies at the end of this. Will everything vanish into the shadow and dust? Or will a Remnant remain?"
Blake pulled back and felt like she had just touched on something unbelievable. She glanced to Oobleck, who wore the same perplexation.
"Papyrus?" Blake asked uncertainly. "Are any of the books here fiction?"
"No."
"How do you choose what to record?"
"Anything deemed relevant to the history of its time are recorded and copied."
"This, here. This is someone's account of something. A diary entry. It's not yours, but someone of that time?"
"Yes. Diary entries are a prudent form of recording history."
"How are the archives organized?"
"Chronologically."
"…?" Blake waited for more elaboration, but received none. "That's it? What about subject? Geography?"
"Chronologically."
"How old is this place?"
"Inaccessible."
Thoughts raced through Blake's mind at nauseous speeds. Then, a sudden strike of inspiration.
"I want the first book ever recorded in this Tower."
Papyrus was quiet, only eyeing the device on the wall.
Blake went to it and set all the letters for A and the numbers as zeroes, except a "1" for the very last digit. She held her breath and pulled the lever.
The crane worked its way down and withdrew the corresponding tome she requested. It was older than the previous by far. Its pages were stuck together and had to be separated with care.
The Flame gave birth to the beginning.
It lit the fire of two worlds borne to two brothers.
Blake read the first lines and paused.
"I shouldn't get sidetracked," she whispered to herself. "I can read all this later. It doesn't help us right now." With painful reluctance, Blake set the book down and said to the others, "We have a lot of information to get through. If they aren't organized by subject, it'll be difficult to find what we need."
*Ahem* "Yes. Yes, of course. We must address the immediate peril," Oobleck also sighed, while staring at the old book forlornly. "…before delving into all these ancient and mysterious texts."
The three set to work, pulling up random call IDs, trying to set some sort of reference point.
As they progressed, Blake couldn't help feeling an odd familiarity with the Tower. A sensation that egged at her incessantly, considering she had never been here before. It reminded her of something at the tip of her tongue.
"Um. Professors?" she called. "Doesn't this place remind you of Beacon Tower?" The amber in Blake's eyes were flush with Aura. "Why…is this place like this…? Where are we?"
"Miss Belladonna?" Oobleck voiced with concern.
"Why is this room like Professor Ozpin's…office…?"
"Miss Belladonna! Blake!"
Her eyelids drooped. She heard voices. Sounds of battle echoed all around her, but nowhere in sight.
"Do you believe in destiny?" a voice asked.
"Yes," another replied.
"PYRRHA!"
"Ruby?"
…
…
The world went black.
"Where…Where is this?"
…
"Hello, dear. You've finally come."
Cold fingertips, like thin icicles brushed against Blake's cheek.
"Who are you…?"
"A wish granter, child. And I can see, you have oh, so many wishes to be fulfilled."
"I… I…"
"Just speak the words. Bare your heart and I will answer. I will always answer."
"The War… The Faunus… My friends…"
Blake couldn't see the source of the voice, but could sense she was smiling.
"Your causes are noble, Blake. Come with me, and I shall provide you with what you require."
The girl felt someone take her by the hand and lead her a few steps forward, like a gentle caller leading her to a dance.
.
X
.
"I can't believe it…"
"What's not to believe, Adam?"
In the meeting chamber of Salem's castle, Blake was seated unconscious in a chair.
"You kept your word," Adam mumbled in disbelief.
"I always keep my word. Wishes are made to be fulfilled—promises upheld. And a secret between you and I. I've always carried a peculiar fondness for romances."
Adam Taurus took the sword from his hip and laid it in front of him. He postured himself in a formal kneel of fealty.
"I swear my sword and life to you. From now, until my dying days."
"A fine oath. That will do, Adam. Please, take our newest resident to her room. We will have much to discuss once she wakes."
"As you wish."
Adam stood back up and whisked Blake out of the chamber.
A thin smile formed on Salem's visage, humming a soft tune.
When her lips parted, she sung lightly,
Tale as old as time.
Song as old as rhyme.
Beauty and the Beast.