Notes: This chapter has been updated as of 01/16/2016.

Pendragon Part 2

For some discovering ones semblance is a day for celebration. It's proof that you're well on you way to becoming a true warrior, a true huntsman. There are many theories as to why semblances take so many different forms despite the fact that they all draw power from the same source. The most widely accepted theory is that if aura is the physical manifestation of our soul than that must mean that a semblance is the physical manifestation of ones self image or personality.

This theory was further reinforced during a study in which scientists gathered together a group of orphaned children who had yet to develop their semblance and placed them in different controlled environments in an attempt to effect the semblances development. The test results shocked many as one subject who was faced with wild and dangerous environment began to heal at incredible rates, then there was one who was forced into a strict time table in which they could only sleep, eat, bathe, or exercises during certain times devolved time warping abilities, and one subject who was in an environment that was difficult to traverse by normal means developed the ability to instantly move form one location to another in the blink of an eye.

These results make us question what possibilities are out there. For example what if there was a child who wanted nothing more than to understand the minds of others?

Several Years Earlier

Cail let out a long sigh. It was clear she was still reluctant to talk about her past but. What ever doubt she had was pushed away as she began to speak. "You see Pyrrha, ever since I was a child all I wanted to be was a hero. I would always listen to my father and the other clansmen as they'd go on and on about their adventures. They would always talk about the mighty beasts they had slain and the many people they'd saved. In their stories everyone was always happy in the end and I always wanted to be like them back then."

"What changed Cail?" Pyrrha inquired.

"Good question, I guess the best answer would be nothing." Cail responded dryly.

Pyrrha gave her a confused look before responding. "What do you mean by nothing?" She asked.

"It's not that anything really changed. It's just that I released how foolish I was." It was clear Pyrrha was still a bit lost so Cail sighed once again before explaining further. "You know my father once told me that in order to become a great hero you must understand the hearts of the people. And you must be able to see through your enemies deceptions. Then and only then will you be able to find your true path. I guess I really took those words to heart because it wasn't long after that, that I began to hear them."

"Hear them? You mean their thoughts?" Pyrrha inquired.

"Bingo! Wow Beauty, brawn, and brains aren't you something." Cail stated in a flat tone causing Pyrrha to glare at her. Ignoring Pyrrha's irritation Cail pressed onward. "It was only a whisper here and there at first but as I got older and my semblance matured I started to hear everything. I found it empowering at first and I was so excited I could wait to show off my new abilities to my father."

"And I'm guessing things didn't go very well?" Pyrrha inquired.

Cail shrugged before going on. "You wouldn't be far off the mark. Father truly was happy for me to have gained such a strong semblance but. He knew I was still too naïve to the true nature of man. He didn't want me to see the truth behind the smiles. He didn't want me to see the way our subjects and even fellow clansmen really viewed my mother and I. So he told me never to use my semblance unless I was left with no other options. He made me swear on my honor to never use it and so I didn't."

Pyrrha looked like she was thinking about something for a moment before asking the question that came to her mind. "Well you're using your semblance now right? So I'm guessing this story isn't over quite yet?"

Cail nodded in agreement. "Right again, though mind you it wasn't until a few years after that. I had already begun taking classes to become a huntress at that point and I also started to enter tournaments to test my skills. Being as amazing as I am I quickly rose to the top of my class. Even without using my semblance I had a knack for predicting my opponent's moves. Everything was fairly smooth sailing until I reached the age of thirteen and it was time for my right of passage ceremony."

"Oh my family has one of those as well. They had me battle an Ursa Major with my bear hands… No pun intended. I remember it being one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Was your right of passage anything like that?" Phyrrha asked.

Cail chuckled slightly. "Yeah it was kind of like that. We're a warrior family after all so rather than fight a monster we have to choose a fellow clan member to duel. You don't need to win the duel in order to pass you just have to perform as well as they would expect against the opponent you chose."

"That is an interesting ceremony. So who did you chose Cail?" Pyrrha inquired.

Cail let out the longest sigh of all as she slumped backward onto the bed they were sitting on. "You know I never believed in fate. I always felt that the choices that we make are what matters and that when you make the wrong choice its something that you have to live with. I should have never have chosen him…"

A middle aged man with short brown hair dressed in head to toe in heavy crimson armor finds himself storming down a large hallway made of stone and flanked on one side by stainless glass windows and the other by stone support pillars. A slightly older man with a thick brown beard and similar crimson armor chases after him.

"Don't go Lance it's too dangerous, even for you!" The bearded man shouts.

"I can't brother there are still people in those tunnels!" The younger man responds in a blunt tone without so much as slowing his stride.

The older man quickly picks up his pace and pulls out in front of the younger one to block his path. "It's too far gone Lance, Mountain Glen can't be saved! I don't understand why you won't just listen to reason for once!" The older man shouted.

Finally stopping the younger man huffed before responding. "Reason you say? Is it reasonable to leave hundreds of people to die!?"

"Of course not Lance but what do you plan to do? There are simply too many Grimm already and their panic will only draw more. The sky is swarming with Nevermores and you won't even be able to get a transport ship close. That means fighting through a horde larger than any we have ever faced just to get to those people. Then even if you manage that, how do you plan to get back out?! No matter how you look at it, it's a death trap. So please just give it up!" The older man explained.

"My honor won't allow that. I swore on my sword I would never turn my back on those who needed my help."

"And what about you're family Lance? If anything happens to you, what will Gale and your daughter do!?" The older man argued.

Lance's expression seemed to soften. His expression seemed almost mournful. "Those two are strong. One day Cail will even be stronger than me, I can just feel it so I don't need to worry. With that said I don't intend to die out there. I will fight my way through, save those people, and with any luck be back in time for Cail's coming of age ceremony." His expression changed once again as he reached out and grasped the older mans shoulders. His expression became much sharper. Almost like his eyes could burn a hole right through the man in front of him. "But if the worst does come to pass can I count on you to look after them Uther?"

"What brother I…" The older man stuttered.

"Uther can you do it!?" Lance shouted as his grip tightened.

"Of course I would. I would take care of Cail like she was my own if that is what you wish."

Lances grip fell away and his face lifted into a smile. "I will be counting on you then. I have a small team of volunteers and a ship already waiting for me so I need to be on my way."

"I will ask you once more my brother. Is there nothing I can say to change your mind?" Uther asked.

"No I am afraid there is not." Lance said as he walked away.

"Be safe my brother…" Uther muttered under his breath.

Uther stud there motionless for a few minutes before a small voice called out to him from behind. "Hey uncle Uther was my father just here?" The voice asked him.

Uther quickly turned to see Lances only daughter a young snail faunus girl named Cail. The girl's sudden appearance nearly caused the man to jump but was just able to control himself. It helps that Cail had a tendency to show up when you least expected her, so he had grown use to her. "Ah Cail how long have you been there?"

"Not long I just thought I heard my father's voice over here so I came to check for myself." Cail stated as she began to glance back and forth through the hallway. "I guess he isn't here anymore."

"Yeah you just missed him. He is about to leave on a mission but if you hurry you should be able to catch him before he leaves." Uther told her secretly hoping that seeing his daughter might get him to change his mind about leaving.

Cail shook he head in response. "No that's quite alright its not that important anyway. Besides there is something I wanted to talk to you about as well uncle!" Cail said in an exited voice.

"Oh what would that be Cail?" Uther asked while trying to hide his own disappointment.

"You know how my right of passage is coming up soon right uncle!?" Cail asked.

The question caused Uther to raise an eyebrow. "Yes dear what of it?"

Cail began to grin widely. "Well…" Cail took a moment to breath deeply before going on. "I was totally wondering if you would be my dueling partner for the trial and I know you're busy and all but it would be totally awesome if you could make the time to help a girl out and battle me in armed combat!" Cail declared in a single breath.

"Wait slow it down child, are you asking this old man to be your dueling partner?" Uther asked clearly confused by the girl's behavior.

"Yes I am uncle! Please, will you do it!? Cail responded.

"Well I don't mind but, why ask me? I mean as long as it's somebody who has pasted the trial themselves it counts so wouldn't somebody closer to your own age be a better partner?"

"Nobody close to my age is a challenge anymore uncle! I mean how am I to demonstrate my elite skills properly if I my partner isn't up to snuff and just gets knocked out in the first five minutes!?" She asked in a serious tone.

"And you think this old man will be a more worthy adversary" He asks he while stifling a chuckle.

"Oh come on uncle, I know you and dad are the best warriors in the clan! Since I can't ask dad to do it that makes you my best option right!" Cail explains.

"Very well but be warned that I can't hold back in these types of trials." Uther declares.

The exited look on Cail's face only grows more intense. "That's what I am counting on uncle!"

"Quite confident aren't we Cail? I look forward to seeing just how much you have grown then. By the way what did you want to see your father about anyway?" Uther asks.

"Oh I just wanted to thank him for the early birthday present." Cail said as she motions to a large crimson sword attached to her hip.

Uther's eyes widened when the sword came into view. "Is that family sword!?" The man shouted in a mix of shook and disbelief. "Lance must also be very confident you will pass if he has given you that already." Uther said these words knowing that the family sword was more than just a sword. It was a symbol of the clan's headship. Passing the sword on was normally only done when the head of the clan has chosen to step down or was no longer fit for the position. This early passing was an ill omen if he ever seen one.

Present Day

"Wait Cail how do you know what your father and uncle were talking about if you weren't there?" Pyrrha inquired.

"Hey don't sweat the small details would you." Cail responds while giving Pyrrha a small shrug.

"It just doesn't make any since is all I'm saying. And it's kind of strange that you recall everything in such detail as well." Pyrrha pointed out.

Cail let out an annoyed sigh before responding. "What do you want to tell this story!? By all means go ahead if you want to so badly!"

"What, no I'm sorry for interrupting. I just… never mind." Pyrrha said.

"That's better!" Cail cheered.

"So you challenged your uncle to a duel?" Pyrrha asked.

"Yep." Cail said without elaborating.

"Did that not go well then?" Pyrrha asked trying to get the conversation going again.

"Nope." Cail responded in a flat tone.

Now sure Cail was doing it intentionally Pyrrha decided to address the matter directly. "Do you think you can give me a few more details then that?"

"I thought you didn't like it being so detailed? And didn't you just say you were done telling me how to tell my story?" Cail retorted.

"I… I umm…"

Cail began to crack up and chuckle. "Gees, I'm just messing with you red lighten up! The truth is I was there the whole time. I just didn't think uncle needed to know that is all. A few days passed after that without major incident and my trail was close at hand. There was no sign of my father so it was decided that the trial would be held without him and the day finally came."

Several Years Earlier Day of the Trail

The whole Pendragon Clan was pouring into the arena they usually used for important events and the coming of age ceremony being one of the most common. Both Cail and her uncle had already made their way into the center of the arena to take their starting positions. The arena itself was a large circular open air stadium made of wood and stone with banners of crimson and gold hung from stands and support pillars. Cail and Uther nodded to each other before stepping away from the center to stand on opposite sides of the massive arena where they would wait for the rest of the clan members to make their way into the stands above.

Cail looked around to take in her surroundings. She had been to a few of these trials before but this was the first time she had been in the arena herself. She couldn't help but think that the arena was far too large for a one on one duel. Even with nearly the whole clan attending the event the stands were less than half full. Perhaps it was made this way assuming the Clan would grow much larger. She thought to herself.

Noticing Cail's wondering eyes Uther called out to Cail. "Are you nervous Cail?" He asked.

Pushing those thoughts away Cail's eyes quickly focused on the man standing before her. When her uncle had said he wasn't going to hold back it seemed like he had really meant it. Between his heavy armaments and his hardened expression Cail could tell he was ready take whatever she could dish out and give it back ten fold. His crimson armor was covered in thick steal plating and was well maintained. A massive claymore sword with a crimson hilt and a dragon etched along the blade adorned his back.

Cail was snapped out of her thoughts as a horn bellowed throughout the arena. Knowing the horn meant the duel had begun. Cail drew her sword and got into a fighting stance with both hands griping the hilt tightly. "No uncle, I couldn't be more ready for this." Cail declared.

Uther let out a light chuckle before responding. "I hope that's really true Cail because here I come!" He shouted while drawing his own sword out from behind his back with a single hand and breaking into a charge heading directly for Cail. The way he moved reminded her of a rampaging bull.

Cail quickly shifted her stance to take up a more defensive one and remained in place waiting for her opponent to come to her. Which that didn't take very long since a moment later and Cail's massive brute of an uncle had already gotten her within striking distance. And once he did Uther hoisted his large sword above his head and immediately slammed it back down with thunderous force. Without missing a beat Cail moved her blade in line with the incoming sword. She knew she couldn't block such an attack but that wasn't the plan. She used her sword to guide the blade off course while leaping to the right in order to side step the attack. Cail's plan succeeded causing the blade to slam into the ground beside her throwing up large chunks of dirt and grass in every direction.

Cail moved her arms over her face to protect from the flying soil and right before the dirt clouding the air had settled her uncle was on the attack once again. He spun around to swing his blade wide and level with her neck. Cail quickly dunked under the attack and lounged forward with her own blade extended towards her attacker's chest. He quickly spun around again and struck Cail's blade with his own throwing her off balance and moved in to deliver a savage knee to her chest. Cail's back arched and she could feel her lunch try to make its escape as her aura flared and she was knocked up into air. The moment she managed to force her stomach back down she glanced up to see Uther's blade coming down on top of her. She quickly spun in mid air and raised her blade to meet his own and when she blocked the follow up strike from her uncle's blade it slam her into the ground below with enough force to make her ears ring.

Uther lifted his sword off of Cail and hoisted it over his shoulder. "You have good reflexes Cail but you're a bit too eager, it makes you reckless." Uther explained and his expression seemed to dip slightly as he said these words. "I guess you must have gotten that trait from your father."

Cail began to grin as she picked herself up off the ground and hoisted her weapon up into a fighting stance. "I am his daughter after all!"

"You want to keep going do you? You know you have done well enough already? We could just call it a day here." Uther offered.

Cail shook her head. "No way uncle, not when I finally found an opponent worth fighting. Just tell me one thing, is it ok if I go all out?" Cail asked as her aura flashed and her eyes began to glow.

"I see you also got his stubbornness as well. And what do you mean by go all out? Don't tell me you have been holding back on my account?" Uther said while chuckling and lifting his sword off of his shoulder and gripping it firmly with both hands. "Very well Cail but, don't blame me if you get yourself hurt!" Uther shouted as she charged at Cail once again.

Cail side stepped Uther's first attack and began to rapidly back peddle to put space between them. "I thought you were a snail not a rabbit Cail. Now I'm all confused." Uther taunted as he charged after her once again. Along the way he lowered the blade of his sword until it was grinding along the ground and once he closed the distance he ripped the blade up out of the ground throwing dirt and top soil towards Cail. Cail closed her eyes to avoid getting anything stuck inside and made no effort to avoid the incoming dirt. The dirt covered her face and blocked her vision and the force of the impacted caused her to stagger and lose her balance. Uther almost instantly made his way behind the blinded girl and sung for her back. Cail spun in place to throw off some of the dirt and quickly stepped out of the way of the attack just seconds before she would have been struck and quickly went back in for the counter attack. She took a firm step forward thrust her blade directly for Uther's neck. Seeing the attack coming Uther back peddled out of the way just in time to get a light shaving.

"It seems you have learned a new trick or two haven't you Cail?" Uther asked while rubbing his neck. "Is this your semblance perhaps?"

"That's right uncle I discovered it a few years ago during training with father." Cail responded.

"A few years ago you say? Why is it that I am only now hearing about this?" Uther inquired.

"Father told me not to use it." Cail clarified.

"Why would Lance tell you not to use your semblance? What on earth does it do?" Uther asked a mix of worry and curiosity clear in his voice now.

"I think he was just too afraid uncle." Cail answered as if it was a matter of fact.

"Afraid? Lance was never the type to be afraid of anything. What was that boy afraid of Cail?" Uther probed.

Cail whipped the last bits of dirt from her face and turned towards the crowed and began to stare them down. "If I had to wager a guess, he was afraid of them." Disembodied voices shot through Cail's mind as she spoke these words. "What's Uther doing down there?" "This freak couldn't be that tuff." "Finish her already Uther!" "What does Lance see in that faunus seductress?" "What are they talking now!? Come on I came here for a fight!" Cail's hand began to shake and her expression twisted in anger and confusion.

Noticing Cail's change of mode Uther decided to press further. "Cail what's the matter?" He inquired with worry creeping into his voice.

Cail let out a deep sigh before turning to face Uther once again. "You know I have heard whispers before but this is the first time I have heard them so clearly. I didn't know it had become this bad. Or perhaps I've always known and just pushed it to the back of my mind hoping it would get better."

"Cail what are you talking about?" Uther asked.

"I'm sorry uncle, today I will prove my worth as a member of the Pendragon household no matter what it takes!" Cail shouted as she raised her sword charged towards the unsuspecting warrior.

Uther's eyes widened as he suddenly found himself on the defensive. He quickly took a step back and swung his blade at the approaching snail girl only to have her narrowly avoid contact by dipping a hair's length under it. Uther pick on of his legs up to strike her in the face but again she dodged the strike and rolled under his legs knocking the other one out from under him knocking him over. As he fell to the ground he stabbed his sword into the dirt to stabilize him and used it as a pivot point to flip over it and land back on his feet facing his attacker.

Cail was already on top of him though delivering strike after strike to every unguarded location on Uther's body. Uther reared back in pain as his aura flared wildly. Each attack he used would narrowly miss and every time he would try to block she would strike past it with easy. If he tried to dodge she would already be on top of him and if he tried a faint attack Cail wouldn't react at all. "Cail how are you doing this?!" He asked in a uneasy tone.

"Can't you tell uncle?" Cail asked as she raised her sword again.

Uther steadied himself and prepared to counter one of her attacks with one of his own but was interrupted by Cail's words. "Right shoulder!"

Uther froze in place as he heard the words. "What did you just say?"

"You were going to counter attack right? You were aiming for my right shoulder. Then if I blocked it you were going to try and deliver a kick to my lower left leg to throw me off balance. If I had dodged it you would have pressed your attack and waited for an opening."

"Cail what your doing it, it couldn't be?"

"Like I said I'm sorry uncle but I can't lose this fight!" Cail shouted before spinning in the air and delivering a savage round house kick to Uther's head throwing him across the arena and knocking him out cold.

The arena instantly fell into dead silence for several minutes after that. Well at least it was for most but for Cail it was a whirlwind of every negative emotion she had ever seen. And the respect she had hopped to gain was nowhere to be found. Instead there was only more fear and hatred. "Why?"

"So you wanted to beat the best member of the clan in order to prove you belonged with them but it ended up alienating you instead?" Pyrrha inquired.

"That's right and that's not even the worst of it. There were many who believed uncle let me win the fight. Fixing the right of passage is considered to be very dishonorable in our clan. So after that battle I was faced with challenge after challenge by just about every young man and woman in the clan. Half of them knew how strong I was and were looking to prove their own strength. The rest were those who hated me and my mother and just wanted to show the clan that my duel was rigged by besting me in combat. It was a total mess." Cail explained.

"Couldn't you just turn down the duels?" Pyrrha asked.

"Nope I couldn't do that. If I turned them down it would show weakness. It would put both mine and my uncle's honor into question. So I had to just suck it up and keep fighting until there were no more challengers. After awhile of that the fatigue was finally getting to me though. I was up against an opponent that I had bested many times before and I would normally have no trouble dealing with him but. I was just so tired I couldn't even see straight. They managed to land a punched directly in my face. Man did it hurt." Cail said motion to her cheek.

"Did you lose?" Pyrrha asked.

"Not quite. As it turns out when the fist made contact with my face I was transmitted his feelings at that moment. That guy really didn't like me so he was feeling all kinds of positive emotions as he struck me down. Punching me in the face to him was like getting off for the first time in a month." Cail explained while chuckling.

"I don't really need that detail Cail?" Pyrrha said as her face turned red.

Cail began to laugh as she rapped an arm around Pyrrha and pulled her in close. "Ah how cute are we feeling all embarrassed now? Well this detail is important. It was the first time I realized the joy that comes with being a punching bag. The first time I found out about the pleasure that is pain. Speaking of which it was also about that time that I joined the white fa…" Cail cut her sentence short and seemed to freeze in place for moment.

Noticing Cail's strange behavior Pyrrha addressed her. "Cail what's wrong?"

Without saying a word Cail unwrapped herself from Pyrrha and got up from her seat on the bed and made her way over to the door. "I was just thinking it's about time that I let him in. He has been sitting out there for some time now."

"Huh what are you talking about?" Pyrrha asked with confusion clear in her voice.

Cail quickly unlocked the door and pulled it open causing Pyrrha to jump in surprise when Cardin fell into the room. Cail leaned down to Cardin and looked him in the eyes. "Hey dear, you hear everything that you needed to hear or shall I go on?"