Shadow of War

Chapter III: Induction

Hello everyone, sorry about the long wait on the chapter, I've had a lot of schoolwork to do among other things, and my time to write has been drastically minimized. Regardless, I've finally managed to get this chapter posted, and I'm… somewhat pleased with myself. Anyways, further adieu, let's begin.

[Locker Rooms, Beacon Academy]

The light of the early dawn seeped through the eastward windows and illuminated the azure banner of Vale on the parallel wall. Naruto found himself partially immersed in this state of calm, enjoying the lack of commotion and noise save for the clap of boot upon stone. However, there was a small part of his mind that seemed to be dissatisfied with how little of anything was going on, but this was quickly extinguished from his thoughts.

Confirming that no one else was in the locker room, Naruto began to channel his aura, his body glowing gently with amethyst energy. He brought his hand up and cleaved down.

The air split opened. Darkness. A rift stretched in the room. It was red and purple and the edges pulsed like a festering wound: the rim was bruised, the world was cut, and the colors moved back and forth like puss from its dying tissue. Tendrils, black as night, poured out of the rift holding a considerable number of commodities.

As they reached closer, the items were revealed to be Naruto's armor, shining like starlight in contrast to the abyssal portal from which they came. He held out his arms and allowed the otherworldly tendrils to assemble his armor. Each piece of armor was placed in its position before being secured with leather cords or connected to adjacent pieces of armor. A few items, however, remained in the 'hands' of the tendrils.

The first was an arming sword, sleek and true, it was a rather simple sword in terms of functionality. A great amount of effort was put into the sword, for the excessive decadence and fine detail could not go unnoticed. The crossguard and hilt were made of brilliant auric and argent metals, the latter being wrapped in a fine silk cloth. Its name, Durendal, was forged into the steel blade, the onyx letters contrasting with the shining steel. With this, Naruto sheathed Durendal into the scabbard upon his left hip.

The second was a stark contrast from the sword, being a bronze crossbow, clearly not of his own making. Being a gift from his mentor after service at the forge, what the bolt thrower lacked in the explicit beauty of the arming sword, it more than made up for in its brutal efficiency, for hidden within the bottom lay a steel warpick, ready to pierce through armor and bone alike. Naruto quickly checked over the switching mechanism, ensuring that the warpick wouldn't randomly release from its position, before snuggly fixing it to his right hip with several leather straps and iron buckles.

However, among these, the one that stood out the most to Naruto - both in function and design - was his silver helm, as undamaged and immaculate as he kept all of his equipment. Gently rotating the helm, he locked it into the bevor and cuirass using several straps and metal links, making sure that it fit snuggly and would not be so easily yanked or knocked off. Standing up, Naruto felt complete once more as he turned to gaze into the interior mirror of his locker.

Peering through the visor of the helm, Naruto was reminded of something from a storybook, adorned in the shimmering full plate, lined with gold links and his armet decorated with a plume of scarlet and pearl feathers. He felt untouchable in his armor as if no man, beast or even the gods could harm him. In his captivation, however, he failed to notice something slip past his limited periphery.

"Sup little bro, admiring your beauty in the mirror?!" Yang practically shouted, slapping the younger boy forward and almost into the locker.

"Why must you torment me so? And how long have you been here?" Naruto asked, his heart starting to race as the shock of the older girl's presence settled.

"Just got here with Rubes." She pointed back to the entrance where her younger sister was sticking her head out and covering her mouth to prevent an outburst of laughter. "And I do it because that's what big sisters do, and since Shiro doesn't, somebody's got to." Yang continued shrugging her shoulders and giving the boy a brazen grin.

Readjusting his plated armor to make sure nothing got knocked out of place whilst muttering something about grudges, before turning back to the still giggling pair of sisters. "So then, where are Shiro and Tsuki, they always seem to group up with you two?" As he stated this, a handful of students seemed to pour into the room seemingly from the cafeteria, if the tangerine haired girl's syrup covered lips had anything to say about it.

"I think they're finishing breakfast, and they told us that you'd likely be here getting your armor so…" Ruby led off, the three of them know the rest.

"Yes well, I'll be sure to change up my schedule to ensure that this doesn't happen again." He gave, however, this was a lie was hoping would dissuade them. For him to alter his schedule that much was to invite untold amounts of chaos and uncertainty within his life. His profession would already bring such unpleasantries, he did not need that in his time outside of it.

"C'mon, really? You, change your schedule? That's as unlikely as me cutting my hair!" Yang pointed out, calling his bluff and stymying the young man as he had nothing to fall back upon.

Naruto gave a snort of derision before giving his valedictory and taking his leave.

"Very well then, but do stop waylaying me every time I have a moment of peace" He rotated on his sabatons and strode forward, his previous confidence returning. He did, however, see a very familiar face that perhaps had not seen his the prior afternoon. As well as bumping into the body of said face.

"Oh, I'm sorry…" A rather repentant voice cried out, having accidentally bumped into the armored man. She stood a few inches above his height - while he was in armor - and her emerald eyes practically glowed with guilt. "I beg your pardon, but is that you, Naruto?"

"Ah hello, Pyrrha Nikos, I see you have decided to come to Beacon much like myself." He stated, the metallic reverberation of his armor doing an excellent job at hiding the distaste in his voice at talking to his rival.

"Indeed," She stated, the guilt leaving her tone. "But I see that you're about to head out so I won't keep you here with small talk, I know how you are with your scheduling."

"My thanks, I bid you farewell, and shall see you upon the field of battle." Although he seemingly spoke with sincerity, his mind began to race, pondering on her last sentence whilst inwardly oblivious to her own goodbye.

She knows about my schedules!? Perhaps she is doing research on me much like I have done to her, is she mirroring my methods of observation and study? As his mental ramblings continued, he robotically walked out towards the shuttle that was to take them to the initiation.

[Southern end of the Emerald Forest, Vale]

Heterochromatic eyes gazed out upon the vast forest below, thousands upon thousands of trees lined the area.

While his eyes observed the new area around him, Naruto's mind began to operate like a machine, as algorithms of possible factors and variables were inputted, and mental cogs and gears turned and ground into one another, quickly developing the perfect strategy. He looked downwards and noticed the iron pad located beneath his feet, along with a single pad beneath each of the students present. He took note of the southward winds, and although they were not constant, they were decently strong and may end up aiding him in his perception.

It took a few minutes, but Ozpin's voice finally pushed it's way into Naruto's thoughts and he was forced to listen.

"These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time here at Beacon. So it is in your best interest to be paired with someone with whom you can work well."

So the information Miss Coco gave me was true. Excellent, perhaps she can become a reliable source of information? Alas, only time will tell.

"That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years. After you've partnered up, make your way to the northern end of the forest. You will meet opposition along the way. Do not hesitate to destroy everything in your path... or you will die." Apprehending this, with the last major variables coming into place Naruto finalized his plan.

"You will be monitored and graded through the duration of your initiation, but our instructors will not intervene. You will find an abandoned temple at the end of the path containing several relics. Each pair must choose one and return to the top of the cliff. We will regard that item, as well as your standing, and grade you appropriately. Are there any questions?"

"Yeah, um, sir?" A blond haired boy to Naruto's far-right flank posed meekly, while Cardin, who stood directly to Naruto's right, scoffed at the feeble blond.

Naruto could not help but agree. From what he had seen up to this point, the other blond had sorely disappointed Naruto and was unlikely to prove himself as either a capable huntsman, nor a worthy challenger in battle. There was no joy nor challenge in crushing such a weak peasant.

"Good! Now, take your positions." Upon this order, Naruto unlatched his crossbow, quickly folding the lathes inwards and removing the string, he unlocked the brass stock to reveal a metal pole and handle, the trigger of the crossbow, still sticking out at an odd angle. Pulling down upon a bolt upon its side, the large warpick became apparent, the silver metal gleaming in the sunlight.

And then, the pads started to launch their payload.

Turning to Cardin, the two shared a look of respect, wishing each other the best of luck through a silent nod before Naruto was launched forth above the vast forest.

Despite the weight of his armor, Naruto soared far above the treeline; using his momentum to "steer", he aimed himself to a massive tree far beyond the others. Readying his warpick, he held it up, ready to catch himself on one of the mighty oaken branches, few as they were. However, a mighty gale blew from the north, knocking him slightly off his intended course and he came upon the branch but in doing so, attempted to compensate for his off-put course by using extra force. This did not work out well.

His warpick ripped through the bark like a hot knife through butter, and he was taken back by his mistake. Naruto held the pick in one hand as his other began to fumble through his equipment, his mind racing to try and formulate a new plan before he was splattered on the ground.

I can try and brace myself for the impact, and use my aura and cuirass to absorb most of the shock. No, that won't work. The aura can only brace for so much, and it would be better to save my armor for the Grimm should I survive. I'd rather die from the fall than be torn apart and devoured by Grimm. But what else is there to do?

Less than three hundred feet from hitting the ground, Naruto took his chances before sundering reality once more. Subconscious fear took Naruto, and he closed his eyes, waiting for the worse.

[Unknown]

But from his fall, there was no impact, and he did not feel death's embrace.

He opened his eyes, but instead of finding himself surrounded by grass fields and towering trees, he found himself encompassed by an abyss. No light shone yet he could see himself as clear as day. Although this realm was his domain - to his knowledge - he kept his visor closed shut, fearful of what could lie ever yonder.

He noticed that some objects had a different texture than everything else, and moved ever closer to get a better look. He saw much of his stored equipment, several shields and polearms, and even a few sets of armor. But unlike the armor he wore, they did not carry the same luster and beauty, and instead seemed to absorb the darkness around them, much like obsidian. Shrugging it off, he reached out and grabbed a kite shield, but it had an unusual feeling to it.

It felt heavy in his hand, more so than his armor or weapons. It was warm too, and he could feel it through his gauntlets. At first, it was a gentle heat, much like the heat of another's being, but it quickly rose in temperature until it felt as though he were grasping at sun. Needles, hot as fire seemingly jabbed at the skin of his hand, but he refused to release his shield.

Quick to end this pain, Naruto rallied his aura and tore open a gap in the void, to be greeted by a vision of blank white before thudding hard into the vast surface beyond.

[Emerald Forest, Vale]

Like a sword through flesh, the very fabric of reality split apart, and much like the blood within, Naruto spilled out onto the ground. His breaths were short and rapid as he held his shield arm to his heart and lodged his warpick into the dirt Naruto gave himself a minute to catch his breath and fully comprehend what had just transpired.

However, he was soon jolted out of his stupor when the sound of a teenager screaming in terror broke the rustling of leaves and the howl of the wind. Naruto quickly grabbed his warpick and moved into a fast jog - exhausting his energy would get him nowhere except strewn across the forest as easy pickings for the Grimm - and sought the source of the wail.

Moving through some thick brush, Naruto found himself upon a bloodletting; two Grimm an Ursa and Beowulf Minor fighting over a would-be huntsman's entrails. The Ursa had sunk his teeth into his legs, it's paw tearing the other apart, while the Beowulf sunk its claws deep and dragged the upper portion of the boy by the shoulder, separating him in two from the intestines. Perhaps most disturbing - albeit not so much to Naruto - was the fact that the man was still alive.

Going unnoticed by either Grimm, Naruto approached the Ursa, readying his warpick and his shield. Without hesitation, he swung the pick full force into the armored neck of the bear, burying the entire length of his blade into its flesh. For extra measure, he dragged the blade towards himself, ripping the flesh apart and severing nearly half of the beast's throat.

Before it even collapsed into the ground, the Beowulf lunged forth at Naruto who remained steadfast and guarded against the wolf's strikes before bashing its head with the heft of his shield. Stunned, the Beowulf was ill-prepared for Naruto when he flanked right and dropped his warpick down like a guillotine, running right through the beast's skull. Stepping upon the head of the slumped corpse, he pried his pick free and headed over towards the barely alive boy.

"Help me… please." The boy begged, his life quickly fading. Only the greatest of Atlas' cybernetic corp could possibly have the capability of keeping him sustained, but even that was far-fetched. Naruto instead dropped his current weapon and drew his sword from his sheath.

"..." He gave no words, simply closed his eyes, and waited for his suffering to end.

It came quickly as Naruto drove his sword through the boy's heart, granting him a merciful death.

Naruto gave no reaction, he did not cry in sorrow, nor did he break down upon killing the older child. To him, death was a natural part of life, and it was far better to be granted death in battle than in a blank, dreary hospital.

Reaching down, he closed the dead boy's eyes and moved his body over to retrieve his weapon, something to give back to his family. Covered in the boy's gore was a sleek knife, Naruto noticed the mediocre craftsmanship of the dagger before wiping the blood – or as much as possible – off of the blade and storing it in his pocket.

It's no wonder why he failed to kill these beasts. Such a useless and pathetic weapon. But if this is how fate plans on thinning the weak and shepherding the strong then I am obliged to follow.

He was roused from his musings when he heard the sound of steel through flesh, and he quickly grabbed his sidearm, attached it to his hip, and jogged off towards the fighting.

As he drew closer, he slowed to a more cautious pace, keeping an eye on his surroundings. The sounds of fighting grew louder as Naruto prepared to join in, hoping to slaughter whatever beasts spilled forth from the bowels of the forest. He sliced through the brush and caught sight of a most interesting situation. Whereas before the beasts had slain their hunter, now the roles had been reversed, to the proper manner of things.

The hunter, or rather huntress, was drenched in blood, yet she did not seem to notice the wounds her foes made. From Beowolves to Boarbatusks, they fell quickly to her blade, cut down like wheat to the scythe.

But there was no grace in her strikes, only savagery and wanton bloodlust like that of the beasts she slew. Gold as the sun, her hair was flung around wildly with each swing of her sword; and in the chaos she failed to notice the knight watching her.

Understanding that getting in her way could easily result in getting crippled - possibly permanently - Naruto decided the best course of action would be to provide range support for the time being. He sheathed Durendal, reattached the stock to his pick, before folding the blade in, drawing out the limbs and readying the cord.

Locked in position, Naruto withdrew a bolt from his pouch, quickly loaded it into the shaft and took aim at a particularly large Ursa Major charging the blonde huntress. Lining his weapon up, he pulled the trigger and loosed his shot into the head of the Grimm, piercing its skull. Its charge faltered as it died and landed with a heavy thud into the dew soaked grass finally getting the attention of the girl. More bolts flew from between the trees, killing the beasts with nearly every shot.

She resumed her festival of slaughter until the remnants of the attack had either been killed or routed, and her murderous prowess finally subsided. Steam rose from her body as her cuts and injuries began to quickly mend themselves; flesh and skin joining together once more. To her, pain was nothing more than a bother and now even the most agonizing of wounds were mere pricks to the skin, for she was Boudicea, the Savage "Queen" of Sanctum, and few things could deter her warpath.

Moving out of the thick brush, Naruto holding his right arm to the front left of his chest, he gave a quick bow to her, refraining from speaking to further attract Grimm. She however, did not have the same idea.

"Well, Naruto. Seems like you were having fun hiding in the bushes over there." She said, as she relaxed her stance and fell into a more casual posture. "Seems like you're becoming more dishonorable every day, doesn't it?"

"How dare you question me on honor you unchivalric brute," Naruto yelled, having forgone his previous notions of keeping silent. "You slay without precision and fight without finesse; with you, there is only the rush of battle and nothing more!"

"I only tease, Naruto. That's something you might need to work on." She said, grinning at his response. "Wouldn't do if you took every joke seriously, now would it?"

He now flushed a scarlet red beneath his helm; something Boudicea could easily tell as she barely tried to contain her thunderous laughter. He mumbled beneath his breath, speaking once more of grudges and reckoning before giving an exasperated sigh.

Trudging further out of the foliage, Naruto turned to face the much, much taller girl.

"Forgive me. My behavior was unbecoming of me." He spoke in a more reserved and almost ashamed manner now, much like a child caught stealing cookies from a jar.

"Let us not speak of this again." The knight said in a hushed tone.

"Heh, we'll see."

With those last words, the two moved on in silence through the forest in search of the relics.

Alright that's a wrap up for now. Once again, I apologize for this taking so long, but I'm glad to have finally gotten this done and over with. I know it's not ten-thousand or so words but it takes longer than you think to get three or four thousand done.

Regardless, I implore you to give any criticism you have for the chapter, as I'm always willing to listen. But please, give actual criticism and not just say "it's good" or "this is garbage". Tell me what you think is good or bad about it, or I won't be able to learn from the mistakes I made. Also, there's a reason I released this chapter on this exact day, and I'm sure many of you will figure out why.

Anyways, thanks everyone for reading, and I hope you all enjoyed.

Auf Wiedersehen.