Ever had that moment where you wanted to reread a story in the FFnet, and the link went "unavailable"?
Yeah, quite fucking pissed and annoyed.
I'm annoyed at writers/authors who do that on this site. Seriously.
I do not know why yall delete your stories and leave your bio blank, but come mon. People like reading it, even if they are finished or unfinished. It's leaving a legacy of your mark, your work on the internet.
It is how you would be remembered in such a way.
I mean its your choice to remove or keep it but still man, pisses me off.
(Unless it's shit, but that's another topic…)
Beacon Vault. . .
Everything was going well.
Vale was in chaos. Grimm everywhere, the androids sabotaged and turned on against their own, fire and death stenched the air.
And she now had the entire complete power of the Maiden. No one, less than her Mistress, can stop her…
Everything was going well…
Until he… it appeared.
*BOOM*
And things were not going the way she had expected…
Cinder coughed out blood as she sidestepped an incoming attack aimed for her stomach. She summoned a spire underneath the knight's feet, enveloping him up towards the ceiling, crushing him.
But she knew that won't stop him. Quickly, she retreated to gain distance.
In almost a couple of seconds, it easily got out from the rubble and slingshot towards her.
Cinder gritted her bloodied teeth and fired everything she had as she ran. It was almost in vain as the burnt knight had already closed in so much distance in mere moments.
Quickly and painfully, she summoned another pillar of fire in front of her, the knight was swallowed up in flames once more. And again, she almost knew that wouldn't stop it, much less harm it.
Her opponent was nothing she had fought before. It was similar to beyond a soulless Grimm. She struck spears into its heart; it didn't go down.
She had it burned, cut, pierced, stabbed, crashed, shot, everything at the Herald… It did not go down.
As expected, no matter how she wanted it not to be, the beast-now-knight walked out of the fire almost unharmed by the flames despite its entirety having patches of flames still sticking around its body. It only made it look even more… demonic.
"Your persistence is admirable… Like a stubborn ember spark… refusing to be put out." The knight taunted in calm, grunting words. "It is admirable…"
The Maiden could only heave in exhaustion and pain stinging around her body. Thoughts went around her head as to how this Herald went from fighting like an animal to a refined swordsman!
Has she done something to change its behavior? Was it during her attack when it first appeared? How is it piercing her Aura? Is it empowered by magic? If so, what is it!?
"Remove your clouded thoughts… For the fight is nearing its end…"
'What!?' Were the words she would speak out if she wasn't gnashing her teeth to clench the pain down.
The warning given cloaked as it did the unexpected; it threw its burning greatsword towards her at incredible speeds almost unimaginable! She managed to dodge it, only to see the knight was seconds behind the throne greatsword.
That was her mistake.
The knight grabbed her face and slammed her down onto the ground. She still had Aura and it was protecting most of the damage from the impact, but the burning heat from its cindering hand could be felt.
She screamed in pain. Mustering all her strength, ignoring the pain of heat and body, she flashed a gigantic flare onto its face. It staggered and loosen its grip on her face, but it was enough.
She then summoned a pair of swords and thrust the pair each into its heart and neck. It should have killed it immediately, but no… It refused to obey her wishes.
"Pathetically admirable… It wonders me why… Thine Lord wishes to… Seek your presence."
She could only curse as to why and how such misfortune fell upon her shoulders on encountering obstacles blocking her goal…
. . .
Surface. . .
The Grimm were periodically wavering, but they still kept coming in waves upon waves. It didn't help when more kept being spawned by the black tar drops from the Grimm Dragon.
The Ghosts helped massively for the fact that they are drawing the Grimm's aggressive attention on them and their casualties were almost at a bare minimum to none. Not that they were complaining — at all — but the fact that it was quite questionable and wondering as to the reason that led up to: why?
That and for some reason they were absolutely hellbent on trying to attack the huntsman with a bear companion on his side. Whatever the huntsman did, they did more than just removing the pressure on the defenders. But against a literal ocean black tide worth of Grimm? There was almost little to no chance of survival. There was no doubt in the outcome and yet, the huntsman still lived.
Despite the cuts and scratches he received, he continued to hack and slash the Grimm as well as fighting against the literal Grimm Dragon. The Ghosts were assisting on trying to kill the Grimm from overwhelming the crazy huntsman, but there were just too many.
If only they knew, that he was simply having the best time of his life as he cut down the overwhelming horde as well as battling the Grimm Dragon at the same time.
Orm was stained from head to toe in black, smoking and dissipating blood of the Grimm. He looked like he took a bath in a pool of tar and came out looking like a blood-soaked murderer under mud and night.
He dominated the horde, tearing his way through with anything he has in disposal. Either slashing the Grimm with his greatsword, or tearing them apart with his hands.
The annoyed temporarily dealt aside before the another stopping horde could muster another wave to pause him where he stood, he quickly managed to end his 'fun' against the Grimm Dragon. It was a one sided slaughter.
Orm, grinning like a mad man, slashed and clawed the tarred hide flesh of the Grimm Dragon as it roared in wild absolute agony as it tried to get rid of him.
It tried to smack him with its huge paw, but the viking dodged its attack whilst cutting its limb, making it stumble in pain.
Crippled, he gained the opportunity to hop on its head and planted his sword through its tarred skull. That sealed its death as well as Orm's fun as it let out its death roar and fell down on the ground with a crash.
Orm let out a roar of victory, a roar of satisfaction as he basked in the glory of his kill — even if this one was just a weakling in comparison to the ones he had difficulty fighting against.
Taking a look around, he noticed the Grimm had actually paused from where they stood. As if shocked to see their greatest fall. And within that moment, they felt a great surge of bloodlust coming from the human… Or rather, a great predator.
Then a surge of rage erupted from the huntsman, the Grimm around shook for the first time they've ever experienced aside from mindless rage.
They felt fear.
Orm charged into the fray once more, with the Grimm doing the same. They feared the huntsman, but they cannot run or retreat. The stench was overwhelming as it was attracting. As he continued to bask in both blood and rage, his friend's voice spoke through his mind.
[Orm, I'm heading out from the Vault. Mind the quake]
[Huh? What qua—?]
*BOOM*
The highest tower where Ozpin's office was, exploded from the ground. A great fiery cloud emerged from where the tower once stood. Its debris crushed any unlucky Grimm too late to escape, along with the slower expendable summons.
"Oh..." The viking blinked as he shrugged his shoulders.
A figure flew out of it, approaching Orm's direction. It was Lordez, and he was holding a couple of people in his hands. Ozpin and an unconscious Cinder. Both of them looked like they went through hell and back, the latter being in the worst condition.
"Left the stove open?" Orm smirked. The undead player snorted as he set his cargo down, gently and unceremoniously placed Cinder on the ground.
"But in all seriousness, should you be out in the open? Talking to me in… that?" The viking glanced around, concerned for any stray eyes looking.
"Everyone should have already moved their way towards the extraction point. The White Fang have already retreated, and I doubt there would be anyone else staying around." Lordez said before turning to Ozpin. "Regroup with your members, there should be a couple of airships waiting. My summons will be accompanying you on the way in case of any stray pests wandering around."
"…As you command, Lord Lordez. And thank you." The former Headmaster of the ruined Beacon bowed his head but stood still enough for long to grab their attention.
"…You have something else to say, don't you?" Lordez hummed as he inwardly groaned at this.
"Cinder… She has the complete Fall Maiden powers… Forgive me and punish me as you will, but what will you do with her?"
Both players glanced at the woman in question.
"…Something that would either make her wonder why I let her live. Redeemable or not. {Gate}."
Lordez cast the spell that should direct towards the main FOB on Vale. He'd have to find another good place for his main base of operations, staying in Vale would sooner or later bring some unwanted attention. He tossed her through gently and unceremoniously not before informing the lich to keep her unharmed as their prisoner. Restrained, unharmed and alive.
"We will converse soon, Antonios. For now, best have everything settled down. A calm head is preferable than a panicked one."
Antonios hesitantly left the area, walking towards the direction of the docks under the protection of his summons.
"…So what do you think is the next step on… all of this?" Orm gestured at his surroundings.
"Regroup and rebuild." Lordez said immediately. "We're breaking off the canon plot at this point. I don't know what happens afterwards except for a large timeskip for several days. We might be heading into the Badlands in due time."
"Oh? Taking the fight to the Queen?" Orm smirked before frowning. Remember a crucial detail on the ruler of the Badlands. "But wait, isn't she like "unkillable" in a sense?"
"We'll see when it comes to that, dude." Lordez hummed as he began to think about the future…
. . .
. . .
"…Hey"
"Hmmm?"
"You ever wonder why we're here?"
"Where are you going with this?" The man sighed.
"I mean, do you ever wonder why we're here? Like, how we managed to progress and advance ourselves until this day. Like… From the time without cars, Bullheads, and that sort of crap, how did we manage to advance so much when we were literally fighting ourselves and the Grimm?"
"…"
"I mean, we shouldn't have frigging survived that right? I think it's just our ingenuity and stubbornness to not die under such harsh circumstances…"
"…Have you been smoking that pot again?" His partner gave the most deadpan look to him.
"…No?"
His partner sighed.
"I can understand why, but just don't overdo it…"
The two were assigned as guards to watch over the reconstruction of Vale from chaos a few days ago, but it had felt like months. Vale had taken significant damage from the chaos, but it was less than expected due to the once more intervention of the Ghosts.
Ozpin had taken charge almost immediately in looking over Vale as he is basically the one with most authority within the region, and being the former headmaster he still has influence on his backing. No one objected him taking charge.
The reconstruction of Vale was going more smoothly and peacefully than expected — with Miss Goodwitch's part in helping in the reconstruction — and there were no Grimm roaming around to be worried about due the Ghosts.
The Ghosts have continuously roamed around the outskirts of Vale, keeping the roads safer for travel and hunting down any Grimm. Bandits were no exception as they reeked of malicious intent, or those with extreme levels of it anyways. The Grimm activity around Vale dropped significantly. It was outstanding as it was surprising. Some were tolerant of having monsters roaming the lands to protect them from, ironically, monsters being Grimm. But no one could deny the safety and security they brought.
The General had given his disliking for the Ghosts roaming around, but he was not foolish enough to see that they are outnumbered on a grand scale and the safety that they had brought from what had happened. Especially with his fleet crippled.
No one bothered them, and they won't bother them in return. A fair price.
Beacon was destroyed, almost beyond repair and being in ruins. The casualties were less than expected due to the assistance of the Ghosts. Were it not for them, the situation would have been way worse.
Not to forget the CCTS in Vale was destroyed, the means of world-wide communication across all of Remnant was shattered, having all the Kingdoms isolated from whatever was happening. The construction of another CCTS would take months.
. . .
Vale Plaza Square
Ozpin was feeling... Indescribable. The closest it could get was concern. Yes, he was concerned for the future of this world. For its inhabitants. But he had felt such things so many times ever since he had arrived into this world.
Many times he felt that way, and many times he had done more… Only that he did not know when the finality was.
In front of him were a gathered crowd of Beacons students — former as they are now since the institute was in ruins. He was not forgetful to have his school be repaired, but he was not foolish enough to neglect the needs of the people of Vale. So the focus of all was Vale and the building of the CCTW. The highest priority at the moment.
Despite being an undead, he felt empathy for humanity. He was cold, not cruel. There was no doubt this was how he was created to be by his late Creator and Supreme Being… At times, he thought the feeling for humanity he was given was a curse rather than a blessing… Or was it in disguise?
The gathered crowd of his former students were sent through via letters of a chance. The response was not of utmost importance, but it was necessary to see…
To see who will be given the chance.
It had brought some surprise to him when many had come. Not everyone who had enrolled in Beacon, it was more than enough. Especially the promising teams, but he noticed few were missing a teammate…
It irked a guilt in him, but he cannot change for what had happened. It saddened him.
Clearing his throat, he began his speech…
"I welcome you and thank you all for coming to answer my response. But first things first, I am glad to see you all alive and well…" He paused, giving a warm smile before becoming sober… "And for those fallen, they will be remembered."
The atmosphere became depressingly sober. The former headmaster broke the silence once more.
"I will be frank; the request I've sent to you all is a question that will be answered. I ask you if you wish to continue your training as a Huntsman."
The students looked at him in surprise, murmuring around in confusion.
A hand raised, he answered the question.
"But sir, isn't the school… destroyed?" The student inquired politely.
"Yes," He nodded, already expecting this question. "But that is not what I meant. What I mean is to become a Huntsman, not to act. Before you were Huntsman-in-training, but now I lay before you the opportunity to become a Huntsman."
The crowd murmured once more before another one raised a hand in question.
"Go ahead…"
"But Headmaster, why are you asking us this?" Good question.
"…Times are changing, for better or for worse. And I rather have you all be ready for neither. What had happened recently is a good example of that, taken by the quick change unexpectedly. There is no way of telling if there is more to come." He paused.
"I understand that you… all of you, are grieving. Experienced loss from what has happened. You've come to see death that had happened to all of us. I'm certain that each one of you has come to know your limits, the terror of the event, is but a small taste of reality." He paused, letting his words sink.
It was sobbingly depressing. His words seemed to have an intimidating effect as he noticed their dark expressions, some doing a little better than others. But it was breaking their spirit…
He continued softly. "But now is the time for us to push forward. Lament the past in the past, but never forget. For this is not the end, not unless you let it be. So I will tell you this: the path I lay out for you will not be easy, and I am certainly not willing to hold anything back to make you a Huntsman. Even if most of you are young, you've experienced the attack during the Vytal Festival, the chaos and despair that had happened, so many things had happened… More like that will happen in the future. You've come to see the death that has happened to all of us. I'm certain you came to know your limits, the terror from the event… is but a small taste of reality." He paused, letting his words sink in their minds and hearts.
"You will be facing death once more, to fight against those who wish to do harm to all, be that the Grimm, people or the monsters… You will fight to overcome death and despair. "
Quiet gasps of disbelief and surprise rounded about in the crowd.
"If you are willing to overcome such hardship to become a Huntsman, stay. If you are not willing, then you are free to leave." He looked at them softly now. "I will not withhold any of you in shame, nor will I blame you. This is a choice I am giving you, and you are free to choose. I will not force you, and I certainly hope it's by your decision alone, and you only… I will give you two days to decide."
As Ozpin was just about to leave, a youthful voice shouted through the crowd with a hand raised.
"Headmaster! I'll stay!" A young woman, he recognized her as a senior graduate. If the attack hadn't happened, she'd be able to acquire her license. "I'll take your training!"
"…" Ozpin looked at her indifferently. The determination in her voice, the stern look of passion…
"Me too!"
"S-Same here!"
"I'll take your offer!"
Multiple hands raised from the crowd, the few amongst the many. He could see most of those who raised their hands, some he could recognize as promising students before, their faces almost reflected their answer…
The Headmaster let out a kind smile.
"…If you are back here after two days, then your answer is true. Pack what you need for the training for 3 months, anything else is unnecessary."
As the crowd began to leave, Glynda walked up to Ozpin with a concerned look.
"Ozpin, do you really have to be that… demoralizing?"
The Headmaster didn't speak for the longest time before answering in the most sober tone he could muster.
"I cannot give them dreams, Glynda…" A hint of sadness reeked in his words. "Not after what had happened recently… This is reality, and they need to face it. Those who are willing, they must overcome."
"But at this time? This quick? They need more time."
"…I'm not sure whether I find it good to give them a distraction, or a time to lament." Ozpin's expression turned one of concern... and of sadness. "Under different circumstances, I'd give them time… But with the world changing faster than any of us could expect, I feel we are going through a rather huge predicament that none of us will be able to see how the future goes."
Glynda stared at him before giving a resigned sigh. She can understand what he is saying to some extent. Given how long he has been battling in the shadows against the Queen of the Grimm… And the sacrifices made throughout the course of history.
And with another group of monsters appearing, this time seemingly more dangerous and ancient than the Grimm. Yet somehow they do not attack humans and faunus, merely their related-yet-not-related cousins that are the Grimm.
It wondered to her, why now have these Ghosts appeared?
"I wonder if this is the right thing to do." Glynda couldn't help but sigh.
"…There were never easy paths." Ozpin muttered lowly as he walked away.
. . .
Two days later, Ozpin stood at the plaza in the cold morning, waiting to see if anyone would come and join under his tutelage. Almost by 7 am, a few students arrived. Later on, it grew to more than five, and then went to less than half of the numbers that arrived two days ago.
They've brought their own bags enough for themselves ready, and were either wearing equipment that fashioned their own style of combat or in their casual clothes. Either way they have answered.
The individuals gathered were numbered half less than the crowd on the first day. It was both expected and surprising despite the ugly truth of reality that the Headmaster brought up in his speech on the first day. It was intimidating, but they needed to hear it. Ozpin could only acknowledge them in respect to those who are willing and feel sad for them at the same time.
Despite some of them barring expressions of second thoughts, their eyes betrayed what they wanted to do.
"If…" He began slowly. "You are told to kill… Would you do it?"
The gathered students looked shocked at him asking that sort of question. But it only last a moment when a student replied back to him:
"Only if I need to!"
A familiar voice, coming from a familiar face. A black haired teen with ribbons that suited along with her figure.
"…"
"I see…" He muttered grimly before pushing through his speech. "Then I shall give you my grateful welcome to all those who remained. You will be training under our tutelage. You will become what you seek as a Huntsman."
His statement is warm but grim. It was enough for the volunteers to buckle both mentally and physically in the process for what is going to happen soon.
. . .
Earlier…
"Train the students…?" Ozpin looked at the Supreme Being of Nightmares in confusion, concern and slight disbelief. "But my Lord, forgive me for asking such a thing, but are your summons enough? Why must you include the children into the fold? There is the issue of the institute being… out of commission." Ozpin looked away, having said such an obvious but he needed to say it out loud.
"Don't mistake or confuse something you're worried about, Headmaster." Lordez said smoothly. "This is for something entirely different. The students, do you know what is needed for them?"
"…All I can think right now is that they need to settle down and collect themselves. What happened to them was something they didn't entirely expect. Not to mention the loss they've had." He admitted.
"You're not wrong…" Lordez said. "But that doesn't mean they would be useless… They however cannot stay in grief for long. Nor should they stay doing nothing. After what they've experienced? They'll need to act. To have a purpose. It is true that I will remake this world once it is under my dominion. The nightmares of the past will be snuffed out, the Grimm will be gone and so of its Queen. A new purpose to be sought out."
"…Perhaps you're right, my Lord." The Headmaster muttered quietly, pondering.
Centuries he had been battling against the Dark Queen of the Grimm, centuries of time he had but made no true progress.
If anything, it would seem like fate had brought this Supreme Being into this world to fix his mistake. And if anything, to fix the loss he had done nothing to plug the gap.
"But they are still children. Rash and young." He argued, however weak it was.
"Then train them. Give them guidance to channel their emotions and spirit to something that would help out their own. Community, self, family, friends; be it whatever anchor that pulls them out from their grief. Not to mention Vale is outnumbered without a proper army, relying on Huntsmen and militia forces stationed in the city. I do not want them to be dependent on my summons, they need to progress." Lordez leaned back on his seat. "But that doesn't mean I will withdraw my protection from them. It'd be foolish, not to mention wasteful to simply remove them from this world. Being a ruler of the realm with no subjects is a ruler of nothing. And having subjects that heavily depend on its ruler with no progress of moving forward? Simply foolish stagnation."
"I will rule over this world and hold dominion over it. I will protect and help the people once I unite this world, but I will not handle everything by myself for they have a part to do. However minor that is, every part has its own play." Lordez seemed to lecture him.
"…" Ozpin looked down. The Supreme Being of Nightmares had a point in that despite the grim meaning behind the last statement.
He can understand, being once a King of Vale several hundred years ago. Subjects being too dependent on you will lead to many dire and unnecessary consequences. Babysitting them at hand would be a good and underrated example.
"You were powerless against the Queen," Ozpin flinched at the blunt truth. "And there were many things you weren't able to do because you lacked power. Many reasons followed… But now? It is time to finish what has started."
. . .
Badlands. . .
Salem felt… Concerned? No.
Scared? Ha! No.
Anxious? Uncertain.
But the correct would probably be… indifferent. It has been days, however short it is for her, since the attack on Beacon had begun. The ruination brought by Cinder's scheme for it to happen. And yet she had not reported back to her.
Whatever Cinder had wished to gain from her attack on Beacon — as she had supported and accepted her decision on ruining her former lover's years of work to the ground — there was no more recent communication from her.
She suspected it was more likely a failure, as the ruins of Beacon was not within her Grimm's control, but by these other dark creatures — that would certainly look like Grimm if not similar to it, if it hadn't been their behavior attacking hers on sight — led by this Herald of this self-proclaimed "King of Nightmares"…
Speaking of this "Ghosts", as they have been called as that more recently aside from other titles, there has been little to no information regarding them besides the rumors. They reminded her of the magic of the old world, before Remnant came to be. Dark Magic, one that would commune with spirits and of the dead. But it was only putting spirits onto constructs and possessing them, not to the point on summoning dark creatures — the Grimm being an exception from the past.
But nonetheless… If he suspicions are correct, then this new player had come from the old world. Before Remnant came to be, before the Moon was shattered.
How and when they came to appear is almost so sudden and questionable. She has no answers to that, only guesswork, something she doesn't like not knowing things… Despite Watt's cause, he had contributed almost nothing concrete. But it was certain they had appeared recently. But again and again, she could only ponder on it; why now?
She imagined it to be this world to fight against her after a millennia of terrorizing this fragmented world, this Remnant. Has the world grown tired of her immortal undying rule that it had enough and spawned these dark creatures to remove her existence?
She shook her head in a humorous fashion. The thought was entertaining as it was the least possibility, but she could not dismiss it out of certainty. If it is, then they can certainly try and remove her from her throne.
The Grimm control over Vale had noticeably been diminished to the point where there had almost been little to no activities. That reason being the Ghosts — clearly used more than any other names given — clearing Grimm and others who held malicious intents. There had been close calls, but they were unintentional provocations.
It irked her curiosity as to what the "King of Nightmares" motives are in doing this? Gaining Humanity's favor to see that they are "good"? One who has been declared to be "King of Nightmares", doesn't seek harm to Humanity? She almost chuckled at that reason.
Aside from that, there had been no way of contacting this Herald after the Fall of Beacon. It had certainly made its base of operations if the Ghosts' activity on its ruins were to be true, then it should be there. Thus, making it almost impossible to retrieve the Relic Ozpin had been keeping under its Vaults…
She wouldn't reveal more of her cards in an attempt to gain the Relic so quickly. She had lived so many years, what's a century more to an immortal like her?
The doors to her chambers opened, bringing her out from her train of thought. Watts came in and greeted respectfully.
"Your majesty," He let down a graceful and noble bow. The man ever so perfected on bringing destruction to those who those he had thought, had not given him what he deserved… How such a man had fallen from grace for such a reason was so petty…
But she cannot deny how useful he is on what he has contributed.
"What is it, Watts?"
"Your majesty," He repeated. "It… It is ready."
It took several seconds for her to process what was and immediately a smile was imprinted on her face.
. . .
. . .
Eyo, been a long time since good update on this one.
Been trying to brainstorm the plot for this one. Hard time especially with many distractions around. Aint in my focus atm but this should do well enough…
Anyways, more to come. Updates are and will be slow as ever. Wouldnt expect these to be abandoned unless shit demands me to do it.
Cya all for next ones. Hope you enjoyed the read.
.
Also, to Singular Ash; I really wish you'd enable your PMs so I'd reply. I don't reply back in chapters due to how long I'd take to make one.
Check again.