A/N: Link for an idea of the image of Desruc's custom armor is in my home page, I do not own it!
Also to answer some questions, all your answers will be revealed this chapter, and if it isn't, then I'll give out some more 'hints' on the next chapter!
As the search for Ruby Rose continued throughout Beacon, two figures headed towards a massive dorm that doubles as a workshop. It was Professor Desruc's Dormitory, for applying dust to everything.
"It's been quite some time since I've used these things." Jars of Dust of every type lined the shelves and walls, from the most mundane to the incredibly rare ones, in the all their various forms. "And in their disuse I've been experimenting with all sorts of combinations of dust with them"
Looking around, Ozpin saw a sheaf of notes stacked neatly under each jar, some having more than five, but all had at least one indicating some research had been done on them at least once. Ozpin was now truly convinced that Desruc knew his stuff, despite the seemingly random way he had chosen his position as a Dust Applications Professor.
"Here we may talk as we please" The Giant took his place at what seemed to be a stone throne, but he knew better than to assume such arrogance. It was probably there because it fit him.
Desruc was all about functionality, ornaments interested him little.
"Desruc Daednu T'naig, when you first came here I almost ended you on the spot due to a misinterpretation on my part, and for that I apologize" Ozpin began, seating himself on a wooden table across the giant. It was most likely a furniture for a drink considering its size and relative position to the stone chair.
"It took you more than a decade to apologize for that little incident? I'm surprised, I've forgotten such trivial things" Desruc laughed, the deep sound resounding through the Headmaster's bones in a very pleasant way. "Though, judging on how you've brought up such a… memorable event, you wished to make a point. Do tell."
"The [Fire Keeper] that took over Miss Rose… you seemed overtly familiar with her. I'd appreciate some information of her before we go to this [Forest of Fallen Giants]" Ozpin asked, curious on the person that the stoic Professor showed such reverence towards "I've never seen you pay such high respect to anyone, no matter how polite you are."
"Indeed, to begin her tale, I must share mine as well. While I was in a trance, I listened in on your conversation so there's no need for you to tell me anything. Relax, and make yourself comfortable, this tale will be very lengthy…"
"I came from a world different than this. I am neither native to this planet nor to the time stream."
"I come from a world where time has unraveled itself, loosening anything with the concept of 'Time' within it. Death is one such concept warped"
"It all began, when fire made its way into our world, which was desolate, peaceful, and bleak."
"The fire empowered my people with greatness, allowing us to expand our influence into power"
"We built great cities and ruled with fairness to our people, we were loved and we loved"
"But just as a candle casts a deeper shadow the greater it burns, so did our flame create disparity, it created a darkness that grew in strength as we did"
"The populace knew it as the [Dark sign], a curse of immortality in undeath"
"My father called it on what it was birthed from, [Humanity]."
"As such, the world lurched into an endless cycle of rising and falling. Kingdoms rise before falling to ruin, heroes and monsters with different faces but similar roles. Nothing advances, nor degrades too much"
"The races built upon the carcass of their predecessors, unknowing of their fate. Destined to rise to glory, then fall to extinction."
"There were three intelligent races that populated the known world: Humans, Giants, and Dragons"
"I was the last [Bearer of the Curse], I ended the cycle of decay that day"
"I became so when my father cursed my deformed body, he was a King you see, and having a runty prince was a shame too great for him to bear. But he loved me and did the only thing he could."
"So, he trained my mind and body in secret, with barbaric methods and crude magic that used pain to operate. It made me strong, while flaying my mind with untold pain for a thousand winters as it did."
"He sent me across the sea after that, the training being the only thing he could give me other than a simple loin cloth for me."
"I traveled and eventually…somehow received the Dark sign"
"An old lady spun me a tale of a kingdom, a place where I could break the [Dark sign] that has claimed so many. I thought that maybe if I did, my father could take me back. As a hero."
"And then I met her upon the side if the cliff by the tree, staring out unto the crashing waves. She looked terribly lifeless when we first met and mix of hope and sadness glinted upon her eyes when she named me for the first time"
"She was the [Emerald Herald], and I was named [Bearer of the Curse]"
The story had indeed been long, by now it was almost midnight, and Ozpin was really feeling the exhaustion without his coffee. Sitting on a Coffee table without the after mentioned drink could do that to people (Ozpin).
"I assume there is more you aren't telling me?"
"Indeed, but enough about my past for today, we must discuss our avenues of subtle pre-emptive strikes tomorrow"
"I see now you are quite aggressive" Ozpin said "if you don't mind we'll be having a meeting with an Atlas General about this. Don't worry he's a good friend"
"I see, may I know his name?"
"James Ironwood"
"Thank you Head master, but I'm sure we'll do better to discuss things together. As a group" Desruc punctuated the last part "You need to rest, Headmaster. Good night."
Picking up the white-haired man, Desruc promptly threw him out in the same manner most would throw a stray cat found rummaging through their fridge. The door closed softly so as to not disturb the other sleeping professors, leaving the headmaster out in the hall alone.
With nothing else to do, he began to set up a meeting with his scroll.
Ozpin: James we need to talk, at my place.
James: Why so sudden? I thought you didn't need me any more after that whole fiasco with the invading Grimm.
Ozpin: Things have changed, were getting ready to execute the [Dust-Storm Contingency], by the end of the month.
James: I see, and to think that I wasted that trip back to Atlas for nothing with the Vital festival coming up.
Ozpin: Well you did transport a dangerous criminal personally, I would hardly call that 'nothing'. Anyways, can you make it tomorrow?
James: I'm halfway there already, is there anything else you need?
Ozpin: No, but if you want, you can bring WHATEVER you need, I certainly won't complain.
James: I'm surprised, why did you change your mind?
Ozpin: Not 'Why', but 'Who". You'll meet a likeminded individual tomorrow.
James: I see, thank you for the information Ozpin.
Ozpin: Indeed, I hope to see you to see you at zero-eight-hundred in my office. Good night.
Before the General had time to type a retort, the Dean had already put way the device. He stretched his stiff body, missing two certain teams rushing through the halls as he did so. "Time for bed I guess"
With a yawn Professor Ozpin entered his bedroom, and fell into a nightmarish slumber in which he remembered not getting much information on the [Fire Keeper] other that a small glimpse, for six whole hours.
Tomorrow he world definitely find his coffee mug though.
In his face.