Chapter Twelve: Tempered Silver
"And now onto semblance. The unique ability for every huntsman and huntress", Professor Goodwitch lectured,"What they do is entirely special to the person using it and the abilities of a semblance vary on the strength of the person and the will in their hearts"
Though class was almost over, it felt like it been going on for eternity to Ella, Zane and Orion. Ella was impatiently tapping her pen against the back of her hand, her eyes weary and unfocused as she wanted to get back to the book she found. Zane was having trouble keeping his eyes open since he had been up all night trying to get a date for the dance, to no avail. Orion on the other hand was taking notes, as any normal student would. Unlike most students, he wasn't focused on dancing or having fun. Instead his mind wandered to the situation with the White Fang and that inspiring little girl. He wondered what she would accomplish with his advice. As Zane was about to succumb to dreams, a sharp crack of Professor Goodwitch's crop brought him back to his senses.
"Is my lecture boring you Mr. Noctis?", she asked heatedly.
Zane shook his head quickly,"N-No ma'am"
With a small giggle at her leader's misfortune, her mind was once again set on a certain Faunus. Her knight in shining armor. In a mere five hours' time, she would have the time of her life with someone who saw her as a woman, not just some bookworm or a teammate. Last night, Roland had planned the entire night with her. A romantic dinner for two which he left many details out of to keep a surprise, a pleasant walk around campus and finally the Winter Formal to dance the night away. If she was so happy this was happening, why didn't it bring a smile to her face when she thought of him? Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden crash: the door to the classroom had just blew open.
As the class turned their heads in unison, they found it was none other than Rizu Fall. It was rather odd for him to be late to class normally, though as Ella contemplated it, she remembered that he had been staying out the past few nights, supposedly working himself ragged in the training room alone (according to Sirena). No wonder he's late, she thought as her teammate guided himself using rails and desks, slamming himself into his seat to her left before the professor continued her lecture. Rizu let his head rest on his right hand, his shades sliding down his nose slightly to reveal a shocking sight: his silver eyes were irritated and bloodshot.
"What happened to you? You look awful", she whispered concernedly.
"It's nothing", he gritted through his teeth.
She reeled back slightly,"Did you...have another nightmare? Stay up late again? You should really g-"
Rizu slammed his mechanical arm into his desk,"I SAID ITS NOTHING!", he roared.
"Mr. Fall!", Goodwitch snapped,"Since you're so lively this morning, maybe you should come up and share with us how you use your semblance"
The room fell silent as her words faded. The rest of Team ZERO's eyes were wider than full moons as they looked on their partner with a slight tinge of fear. What could have set him off? Without a sound, Rizu lifted his arm off of his slightly cracked desk and moved to the front of the room. Drawing his sword, Treble, he lifted his left sleeve and tapped the blade against his mechanical arm, an audible resonation ringing off of the walls. As the sound faded, he reached behind him to the professor's desk to pick up a bright red apple, feeling it for a moment before preparing to toss it up in the air.
"My semblance is sound. Using the sonic vibrations of a sound I can detect my surroundings and almost pinpoint my target's location", his voice droned, a touch of venom on the side.
With a strong toss, the apple was airborne. As the apple began to fall back down, Rizu tapped his sword again before hurling his blade at the apple, piercing it and embedding it deep into the wooden desk mere inches away from Ella's hand. As he stepped away from the Professor's desk, the class fell completely silent as they watched his every movement. Even Goodwitch was dumbfounded. Everyone in the room could feel his seething anger, especially Ella. If things were this tense this early, it was going to be a long day for everybody.
Or maybe not...
As if an outside force had heeded the needs of Ella Blaze, the intercom sounded off and a droning voice began to speak.
"Rizu Fall report to the ballroom for musical selection. I repeat, Rizu Fall report to the ballroom for musical selection. That is all"
The blind student stopped in his tracks for a moment, his empty silver eyes in a sharp glare behind his sunglasses. Without another word, he trudged his way to the door with heavy footsteps. Although his posture was straight, he looked as if he wore a heavy burden on him. Ella's gaze followed her teammate until the door closed behind him. Did that night in the dorm amount to nothing? Her concern faded into anger. Who needs him? I don't need him, she thought to herself. Her attention shifted to the sound of the bell.
The professor cleared her throat,"Well I do believe that's all the time we have for today. Don't forget to attend the dance tonight"
Before Ella could make a dash for the door, Orion stood and put a hand on her shoulder, his emerald eyes staring into her. His face bore concern and worry.
"Ella...what was that all about?", the Faunus asked her.
She sighed,"It's nothing guys. He's probably just tired and irritated"
"I don't think so", Zane grunted as he yanked Rizu's blade from the desk,"He's always irritated. That's just him. But...it looked like he wanted to cut you in half. And in fact he almost did"
"...like I said...it's nothing", Ella replied before shaking off Orion's hand and heading out of the classroom.
With an agitated sigh, the young Huntress crossed her arms as she made her way through the hallowed halls of Beacon. After a short walk, she found herself in her own dorm before slamming the door. As she plopped herself on her bed, her hand reached under her pillow to grab her special black book to study it more...only to be interrupted by a knock at the door. Ella sighed in agitation as she stowed her book away before heading towards the door.
"Who is it?", she groaned as her hand touched the doorknob.
A silky voice rang out,"It's Sirena. Can I come in?"
Ella's eyes widened a little as she opened the door,"Um...sure. What's going on?"
"Just wanted to check on you since I heard your door slam pretty hard"
"Oh...you heard that?"
Sirena simply nodded as the both sat down on her bed a good distance from one another. As much as Ella tried to open her heart to others, being alone for the majority of her life has built walls of cold steel around her. For someone who got along just fine alone, the thought of letting people in was foreign to her.
"Listen it's nothing. I'm just frustrated is all", Ella droned.
Sirena shook her head,"Well if it's frustrating you, obviously it's really preying on your mind. So c'mon girl! Lay it on me"
Ella rested her head on her hand,"I just don't understand Sirena. I should be happy! I've had a thing for Roland since I met him and now that we are going to the dance together...I feel just so...empty. More so than before. That and Rizu isn't helping..."
"Rizu? What does he have to do with this?"
"Everything! I was hoping that maybe he and I were finally understanding each other, only for him to almost cleave my hand off today"
Sirena frowned,"Look Ella. Rizu is a...a complex kind of person. He didn't so much as nod at me for several days when I first took him in. For him...hating was just-"
"-easier...I know. He told me that. Why does he let his hate control him? It's not healthy"
"And a lust for power is any better?", Sirena scoffed.
Ella's eyes drifted around the room,"Yeah well...no matter how many times we talk about bonding to get stronger together, I've always gotten along better on my own"
"You-"
"But...I do admit that I have much to learn. All my life I only known cold shoulders and the allure of power to make sure nobody would have to suffer like I had. So what about you Sirena? What drives you?"
Sirena looked shocked at Ella's simple question. Almost as if she had no idea what it is that drove her. The swordswoman thought for a moment and then let out a small giggle before replying.
"Tell you what. If Team ZERO beats Team ARES in the next spar, I'll tell you. As it happens I have to help Areana and Eos pick out dresses for tonight"
"Oh. Well then...I'll see you later then", Ella waved a little awkwardly.
As Sirena crossed the threshold, she spoke,"And Ella...remember that the ideal choice...isn't always the right one"
"What does that-"
Before she could finish, the door was closed, leaving Ella alone in her dorm once again. Why did everyone she knew have to be so damn cryptic all the time? With a frustrated sigh, she stood up, ready to prepare herself for her night of nights.
On the other side of campus, Orion wandered aimlessly. The Faunus had spent the remainder of his day doing such. Even with all the egging on from Zane and the Nikos' sisters, he hadn't put much thought towards the Winter Formal. Much more pressing matters preyed on him, such as the team's mission in Vale not long ago. Who would frame the White Fang like that? What was that explosion? The lion's wandering brought him to the currently, closed for the Winter Formal. Before he could continue to contemplate, his train of thought was derailed by a voice on the other side of the door.
"What?! What do you mean the shipment is being delayed?!", the voice hissed.
Orion stopped in his tracks, leaning closer to the door.
A distorted, computerized voice replied,"Since the Vale incident, Ironwood has ramped up security around his higher level assets. We will need more time to secure them"
"Fine then. What about our troops? Are they ready for tonight?", the first voice sighed.
An evil chuckle came from the distorted voice,"Yes. Everything is in place. However we have a few concerns"
"Like?"
"...the rest of Team ZERO"
Orion gasped quietly at this, leaning in to listen more closely.
"Leave the Noctis boy alone. He could be of use to us in the future", the voice ordered.
"Understood. What of the lion? And the black one?"
The Faunus' eyes widened at what they were saying, leaning into the door more.
"Maxima? Ha! He's a coward. He may have shown some bravado in Vale but he poses no threat currently. I share your concern about the black one"
"Your last report on him shows he is blind. Is he truly a-", the computerized voice was cut off.
"Don't underestimate him. He isn't as trusting as the rest of his crew. I want you to kill him. As for the plan...remember: I'll lure the girl out, then we capture. Avoid being seen at all costs. I'll signal you when I am ready", the voice began to lower its volume and the faint sound of computer keys clicking caught Orion's attention.
Orion shoved the doors open as he heard this, his eyes scanning around the large chamber to find the source of the voice, only for him to see nothing. Cautiously he stepped towards the computers, unsure of what he was looking for.
"H-Hello? Is anyone here?", he called out.
Before he could call out again, he felt a strong, blunt pain on the back of his head. As he tried to reach behind him, Orion collapsed. His vision began to blur as he looked up at the ceiling. A cloaked figure kneeled to his left, their piercing jade eyes boring into the lion. He chuckled sadistically.
"Sweet dreams...lâche sot"
A/N: AHHHH! I'm finally back! I'm so sorry for the long hiatus. I was struck again by heavy writers block. Hopefully none of you have forgotten! Anyway I wanted to take a moment for the tragic death of Monty Oum. He will forever be missed. But remember that he lives on in RT, RWBY, and the whole community. Every RWBY fan fiction helps keep his spirit alive! At least that's how I see it. And now with new motivation, the story is going full speed ahead! Oh! And as the Project Embers, please we are looking for artists, voice actors and ideas for music! And to those who have submitted OC's worry not as I haven't forgotten you! Please read and review and stay tuned for the next exciting chapter of Embers!