AN: Beta Read by Brawn1984 and Starrmastrr(I have had this chapter written for the past, like, three years maybe. I just wasn't able to load it until now. That's why this chapter has been Beta Read while the others haven't/won't be.)
AN: Credit for this chapter goes to Starrmastrr
AN: I don't own RWBY or Red Hood
Geoff was working on Beacon II.
He'd just tightened the last bolt and put his gas mask on before turning the air recyclers on.
There was a whir and the vents expelled dust into the air.
The warning lights flashed and the vacuum's turned on expelling the dust outside the ship leaving it looking almost new inside.
He opened the loading ramp and walked down and around Beacon II to see Velvet, Viridian, and the rest of the Faunus.
Velvet walked up to him and he took his gas mask off and kissed him on the cheek.
He blushed and rubbed his cheek. "Wha' was tha' fer lass?" He asked.
"Just for being you. You've made this place for them to live. You bring food to them every day, and now you've given them a stable oxygen supply. What's next?"
"Well next is th' living areas. They will finally have some privacy, as well as a private plate ta go when the nightmares get too much fer them."
Velvet kissed him again.
"What was tha' fer?"
"You're too good for me." She spoke.
Geoff grabbed Velvets checks ever so lightly and kissed her lips ever so tenderly. "Yer wrong lass. Yer too good fer me."
"Geoffrey." A wolf Faunus came up to them.
"What's up Tal?" He asked.
"Me and some of the others smell decay coming from down the tunnel?"
"Let's go." Geoff said, calling the 'Junkers Toolkit' to him, and changing it to the assault rifle mode.
Velvet created a copy of the 'Junkers Toolkit' and walked besides Geoff.
Awena walked behind Geoff and Velvet with her Gauntlets up and ready to go.
They walked about a mile and found a nest of Grimm.
"Centinel's!" Geoff yelled.
Awena looked at Geoff who held up the remote and held the button for three seconds.
Awena felt the electricity course through her body lighting on fire and fueling her Semblance.
She rubbed her legs together before she jumped at a Centinal and punched it in the face with a powered-up punch sending the drills through the bone and drilling through flesh.
Darkness began spewing from the wounds, and she pulled away ripping the Centinel's head off.
She turned around to see Velvet glowing orange, and the Centinel's backed away as if they were scared.
Velvet stomped her foot, and the Centinel's ran away.
They all looked at Velvet who stopped glowing and began tapping her index fingers together.
"Sorry." She squeaked out.
"No don't be." Geoff said. "Tha' was amazing."
"Thanks." She spoke.
They continued walking and didn't run into anymore Grimm.
They finally reached a ramp and walked down.
"Oh no." Velvet and Awena said.
Geoff put his gas mask on and activated the night vision in the eyes.
"Oh no." He said looking around the cavern, and saw...
"Are those... cages?" Cyrs, a fox Faunus, asked.
"And corpses." Tal said sadly.
They covered their noses as the stench of death filled their nostrils.
Geoff reached into his bag and pulled out two respirators. "Ye lot stay up here. The three of us will go down and look through them.
The trio moved down the ramp and walked through the cells of corpses.
"How long do you think they've been down here?" Awena asked.
"Based on th' rate o' decay." Geoff said. "I'd say they've been down here at least ten years. Maybe longer."
"What do you think happened?" Velvet asked. "Was it another Mt. Glenn?"
"I don't think so lass. Look at the gear. This is Atlas style clothing. There are engineers, servants, doctors, nurses. I think this was a massacre."
Geoff found a book amongst the corpses and picked it up.
He dusted it off and opened it to the first Page.
General Bianca Jadis
Atlesian Military
512th Battle Squad
'Hm.' He thought. 'This should be interesting.'
He turned the page.
[Entry 1]
Another day, another useless and ultimately wasted meeting from those cowards within the Council. Their talks of peace and reform sicken me. Do they not remember anything from our history? Did they learn nothing from what my father tried to accomplish?
He served Atlas and its kingdom with his life and commanded our armies through the Great War in its entirety. He proved that our might and will from our emotional restraint was the only way that the Grimm were to be drawn to extinction. He marched our armies through nightmarish landscapes and gave everything that the Gods bestowed upon him to prove our place in this world. And for what? For some wretched Warrior King to force us to bend at the knee to his plan of "peace"?
Our ancestors didn't inhabit and thrive in Solitas through peace. We didn't use Dust to become the most technologically advanced kingdom because of peace. And we certainly did not beat the Grimm back time and time again by using peace!
We are here today because we were willing to do whatever it took for us to survive. If only Mistral followed in our footsteps. If it weren't for the fools within their capital still clinging onto their childish ways of self-expression, they would have been strong enough to handle the Kingdoms of Vale and Vacuo when we needed them the most.
But they failed us. And they, along with everyone else, will continue to fail until they set themselves straight. We need to stop relying on another's strength and start relying on our own.
I have seen it. Our chance to become who we were supposed to be all those years ago. That night, in my dream. The Manticore, flying over our great kingdom, guarding it. Protecting it.
Ruling it.
It has shown me the error of our ways. We simply cannot win through sheer might alone. We must show that we can rule anywhere that we must, and that starts with going anywhere that we must.
I have started the plans on our new airships. Unlike our old ones, they will not simply move and fight within the skies above us. They will live above us. Much like our great capital, they will be able to support themselves and all within them, all without leaving the air. And when the time is right, when the great Warrior King falls, and when the kingdoms struggle to hold what little power they have left, we will show that we have what it takes to survive. We will fly over their kingdoms, bring the might of Atlas to them, and show who really deserves to rule.
'Well. She was... passionate.' He thought turning the page.
[Entry 2]
It seems those fools that uphold the Council are of some use after all. They've accepted my plans for a series of metal processing and storage facilities on the outskirts of Mantle. "A necessary addition for our rebuilding efforts" I called it. How could they refuse such a heartwarming gift for our people in Mantle? Our inspiring laborers, lighting the way for those less fortunate, will be able to aid their brothers and sisters by delivering metal from our mines within the mountains and transport them safely underground, out of the elements and away from anyone seeking to do them harm. And with their help, they would create and distribute whatever the kingdom needed, becoming the heroes that they so deserve to be.
The Council, in their lust for their so-called "power", eagerly approved the new project. As if they could have stopped me otherwise. But I knew that they would submit to the idea of fighting "for the people" if it meant keeping them in their political luxury.
It seems that I have even found good grace within the eyes of Nicholas Schnee. Ever the negotiator, he wished to aid in our efforts by generously lending us his men and his Dust to carve our way to the mountains. Anything for the benefit for our people, I told him. His will and desire for change is commendable, and his discipline will serve my cause greatly. If only he weren't so bound to his business, he would be a perfect commander for my fleets. But I will make sure his willingness to aid the future of our kingdom will not go unrewarded.
As my scouts patrolled the outskirts of Mantle for good locations to house our future fleet and my mining crews prepared routes through the tundra and into the mountains, I busied myself with making sure that no one knew of my true plans. The roots of my vision of Atlas's future were beginning to take form, and I wasn't going to let them be ripped out so easily.
The Manticore keeps appearing in my sleep. I see him flying over all of Remnant, the ebony luster of his body and the ivory of his exoskeleton glisten as he shares Atlas's majesty to the world. He glides through the air and carries me to the farthest reaches, giving me a vision of our future conquests.
This world is ours to claim, and I will see to it.
Geoff reread through the entry. 'Is th' Manticore a Grimm? Was she really inspired by a Grimm? Kinda creepy if'n ye ask me.'
He turned the page.
[Entry 3]
Progress is slow on our plans, but in the months of our development, our infant fleet is starting to take shape. Schnee's men have proven invaluable in their work of clearing the way to the mountains, and my men have shown their valiance and unwavering strength time and time again, as they have been trained to do. The Grimm, however numerous, whether within the tunnels below or on the surface above, seek to destroy what I have created. I have given our people every reason possible to believe that our plan will not be stopped as I led our troops to the mines. And as we got closer, day by day, that same Manticore visited me in my dreams. Even now, as the workers pull the metal from the mines and into our forges, I can still see him flying overhead, though no one else seems to take notice.
The forges have already begun to build the pieces of our first set of ships- Manticore Prime, I have come to name them-, and the plans for their armaments are now underway. The Grimm, in their relentless pursuit to see those weaker than them turned to ash, continue to harass the workers and miners. In turn, to ensure the faith of my subordinates and the Council, I have taken to lead my Ace-Ops, along with other elite operative groups, to partake in constant defense of the compound. The Council and my advisors believe this to be short-sighted, as plenty of miners have deteriorated due to overworking themselves in the underground environment, chocking on whatever sparse portions of oxygen they can find in them. I told them that my father was willing to sacrifice everything to see our kingdom prosper, and I will do the same, no matter the cost. Even as our blades dull, we must never falter from our course.
Whenever possible, I visited my father in his personal chambers at home. Even though he was strapped from head to toe in medical machinery, he would succumb to his old age and die only after he was done fighting. To this day, I believe that he will be the last man to ever walk this earth. As we discussed the future of the kingdom, he regaled me with tales of the Great War. Of Vale and Mistral's arrogance that pulled the rest of us into their needless pursuit of control. Of our army's bravery during the campaigns. Of our humiliation that we suffered in Vacuo. I told him of my plan and promised him that I would make sure he would be able to see it come to fruition.
"This kingdom needs you, Bianca," he told me. "Fight for its glory, as I have shown you."
I will, Father. Thank you.
'She was insane.' Geoff thought. 'And what did she mean Ace-Ops? Did she start the Ace-Ops?'
He skimmed through again.' I wonder if Beacon II is one o' those ships she was talking about?'
'I'm not normally one ta judge or jump ta conclusions, but if she grew up around tha' kind o' a father, no wonder she's crazy.'
He continued reading.
He didn't hear Velvet or Awena calling his name.
[Entry 4]
My workers have been toiling on our ships for months, but their progress isn't as fast as they predicted. The metals are starting to become sparse; they claim. They're being forced to go deeper into the mines, face more aggressive Grimm, and search for more veins.
Excuses.
Those have been used by fools to vainly explain their reasons for peace. By cowards too weak to show the world that they deserve to live. By traitors that wish to see our kingdoms become complacent and crumble.
But I will hear no more of them.
I've ordered my men to continue the expected output of metal, and have threatened those who can't with termination, judicial prosecution, and conviction if need be. Nicholas Schnee didn't build his empire on complaints, and the kingdom of Atlas didn't thrive off of poor performance. Those who do what is asked of them are rewarded, and those who cannot are punished.
Still, they cry for more support, more time. They take their complaints to humanitarians, to law enforcement, to those wretched excuses of representatives that make up the Council, to anyone that they hope will listen. But their feeble cries fall onto the ears of those too weak to stop me.
"If there be any obstacle that stands in your way, find the strength and the will to pierce through it."
After hearing about my progress, my father reminded me of the advice that he would give to his soldiers during their campaign through Vacuo. He told me of the way he led them to break through the lines of soldiers on their way to take on the Warrior King. He told me of his sword, the Sanguine Crucifix, and its glorious crusade against the forces that wished to see Atlas fall. With his blessing, he told me where I could find it.
It laid in the deepest parts of our foundation, within the security of a locked safe buried under the stone, its code lost to time. It took me hours of sheer willpower to break through and sift out the blade amidst the rubble and broken steel. And as I uncovered a cross, glistening with steel and adorned with crimson beads, I could hear him.
The Manticore.
I could not see him, but I knew it for certain. He told me that by using this blade, I would set in motion a path that would see my dream become reality. That my ships would protect Atlas and ensure my people's future in this world.
I could not refuse. I had come so far, and I would see to it that nothing would stand in my way.
Geoff closed the Journal and realized that he was panting. "Whoa." He said out loud. "She really was insane."
"Geoff!" Velvet yelled waving her hand in front of his face. "What happened?"
"I was just reading this journal and got really caught up in it."
"You can read back on Beacon II. We need to get back."
"Okay." Geoff said following them back to Beacon II.
When they got there, he went to the kitchen and sat at the table before he started reading again.
[Entry 5]
It has been only days since those overbearing doctors released me from the confines of the hospital, yet it feels like an eternity. If they truly wanted to help me, they would have let me go the moment my men dragged me in there. It was shameful that they even had to carry me out of the forges while I was unconscious, but I've been assured that I would have fared worse without the blood transfusions. Perhaps I would have met an early end, they claim. As if I would have let that happen! I promised my father that he would see my dream realized, and I won't let my body succumb until it is so.
I taught my men well, and they followed their purpose, however. The doctors may have been protective, but they were gullible. They still believe that I had fallen due to exhaustion, and that the wounds on my hand came from the rocks that surrounded me within the mines.
If they only knew the truth.
I can still remember the feeling vividly those weeks ago when I first let the Crucifix join me. The feeling of the initial sting. The cold sensation as my blood drained from my fingers into the hilt. The rush of power as I saw the blade take shape. The lack of any resistance as I tore through the Grimm within the tunnels. It was beyond anything I had ever felt before.
It was otherworldly. Transcendent.
Godlike.
I must remind myself that my vision of Atlas's future is the only goal at hand, and that any delusions that may come from wielding the blade are to be disregarded at all costs. Father taught me that in order to master combat, one must show that the wielder has total control of their weapon. If he was able to bring to pass a new vision of the future, undeterred from any distractions, then I must show the same resilience.
To avoid another "accident", I have made an offer for medical supplies, including an ample supply of blood bags, to be delivered to our forges, in case our men are to become hurt in the process of creating the future of Mantle. The Council agreed to it. I cannot afford to make any more mistakes like that again, for I fear that people may become suspicious, and my vision will be stopped by those too afraid to do what it takes to ensure our kingdom's survival.
I made it apparent that my men kept me informed of our progress, and they had been diligent in doing so. But they were not the only ones to visit. At night, I could see the Manticore hover my windows as I laid there. And the night I was to be released, I could hear his name escape from his lips.
Aslan.
Geoff stopped reading for a minute.
He looked at the next page and saw a picture of a Celtic Cross with what could have been rubies.
The base of the cross was touching the bottom of the page, and a conical blade want all the way to the top of the page ending in a sharp point.
'This looks cool, but at the cost of yer own blood. It's dangerous ta be sure.'
He turned the page and kept reading as if it were a mystery novel getting to the good part.
[Entry 6]
I remember arguing with my engineers about the pace of our progress and how I would be more than willing to send them to work within the mines when a mining crew reported feeling a strange, ominous presence, similar to the one they felt whenever I wielded the Sanguine Crucifix, from within one of the newly opened shafts. I led my Ace-Ops down through the caverns and ordered the insubordinate engineers to mine around the area. To our surprise, we found an old man-catcher, mounted within a slab of blackened steel, etched into the rock. Everyone seemed to be terrified of the object, even the Ace-Ops, who showed their loyal bravery time and again. But I could feel my blade crave the company of the tool. As I cut it loose, the name "Indentured Servitude" entered my thoughts, and the ring on the end of the pole became engulfed in black flame.
Curiosity took over, and I decided that the head engineer would be more than just another miner.
I remember the only thing I could feel after I encased his neck with the man-catcher's ring was a burning sensation around my throat before I fell unconscious. Afterwards, I could hear everyone in the cave rushing to help something in front of me. That's when I saw what they were worried about.
I was shocked to see my body, limp in the arms of my Ace-Ops, but the feeling stayed for only a moment as I realized what had happened. My consciousness, my very soul, in the body of another! I could hardly believe it. My mind filled with questions about the Indentured Servitude's origin, its full power, and its journey into this mountain, but I knew what I had to do before I could have them answered.
As my men stared dumbfounded at the engineer that stood in front of them, who I have been told had the same eye color and voice patterns as me, I ordered two Ace-Ops to carry my body back to the main forge, and had the others make the engineers watch as I picked up the Sanguine Crucifix.
"Let this be a message to those who try and stop my plans for Atlas's future." I told them, before I let the crimson blade pass through one side of my neck to the other.
The Ace-Ops that returned to me and the others reported that the ring around the engineer's neck had disappeared shortly after his death, and that the other engineers had passed out from shock. I told them to bring the Sanguine Crucifix back to me, and let the others know that their work on the ships would be handled by someone else from now on.
That night, Aslan told me to be hesitant about wielding Indentured Servitude, that it has only brought ruin to those who have used it.
How arrogant of that beast, to think that those weapons could ever decide the fate of their masters!
Geoff stopped reading. This mystery novel had just become a horror story.
'She found a way to control people. Tha's terrifyin'.'
Geoff turned the page. He needed to know more.
[Entry 7]
Father. Please forgive me. I let them fail us. Fail you.
I can remember the rage that built inside me when one of our housekeepers reported that you had died. We were so close. Our first ship had begun the assembly process. It would have been glorious. To see your face as you watched our ships prepare for our journey toward the other kingdoms. To feel your pride and courage fly among the clouds as we led our crusade to expand Atlas to the glory that it deserved.
But you were taken from us. Taken before you were to see our plan realized.
I travelled as quickly as I could to the house, where those wretched nurses, knowing that they wouldn't live to see their traitorous plan to the end, tried in vain to convince me that you had died of "natural causes". That your body had given up after your long fight to stay alive.
"He would never give up his life that shamefully! I know you've killed him!" I screamed.
I ordered every guard around our home to take those murderers down to our forges. I led them to the darkest parts of the tunnels, where we have built rooms to keep those who have failed to fulfill their duties or have had the gall to disobey my orders and used them to determine the capabilities of Indentured Servitude. As I studied the weapon, I made sure that they suffered the same way you were made to suffer at their hands as they let you leave this life.
Do not worry, Father. Their worthless lives have taught me well.
Indentured Servitude has been shown to only transfer the soul of the one holding the rod as the ring encases the victim's neck. As they do, the victim's soul gets overshadowed by the soul of the wielder, and they gain full control of their body. Their Aura and Semblance transfer, and the only way to tell someone else has control is the ring around their neck, their eye color, their speech pattern, and their mannerisms. Although it is difficult, the new soul can transfer back to its original body, where Indentured Servitude can remake another ring and start the process anew, while the victim becomes a mere shell, waiting for its new master to take control again. For now, it seems no ordinary weapon can break the neck rings, and the only way to remove them is to kill the body wearing it, though Sanguine Crucifix has shown to damage the rings.
Those who haven't disobeyed my orders have been commanded to work until the job is done. I will never let them rest until they finish.
I am sorry that they were unable to keep my promise to you. I will make sure that they regret it.
Geoff slammed the book closed. "That's enough for today. Unless I don't want ta sleep tonight."
He put the journal in his bag and left Beacon II for the night.
When he and Velvet got back to Todd Manor, he walked Velvet back to her room before he walked back to his room.
He took off his gear and set the journal on his nightstand.
He stripped out of his clothes and walked into his bathroom.
He turned on the shower and waited for the water to get hot.
He stood in front of the mirror and looked at his reflection.
He was starting to grow in a beard. 'About time.' He thought.
He got into the shower and let the hot water roll down his back, soothing his sore muscles.
He thought about him and Velvet but turned those thoughts away when he realized that he was getting a little too excited about Velvet.
He showered, and rinsed off before he dried off, and dressed in a pair of lounge pants and a Beacon sweater.
He walked to Velvet's door and knocked.
Velvet came out wearing a pair of black Basketball shorts and a pink tank top.
His mouth went dry.
"Uh... ye look good." He spoke.
"Thank you." She blushed. "You look good too."
Geoff blushed slightly. "Thank ye lass." He said holding out his hand for her to take.
She took it, and they walked downstairs.
They passed the game room, and saw Coco and Tyra playing Call to Arms: Kingdom Warfare 3.
"SUCK MY DICK!" Coco yelled.
"Babe." Tyra said. "This isn't Multiplayer."
"I don't care! Merlot is going down!"
Velvet laughed a laugh that made Geoff's day.
They walked to the kitchen and made sandwiches before going to the game room to listen to Coco shout more profanities at the game.
When 10:30 hit they went upstairs.
Geoff walked Velvet to her room.
"Want to come in?" Velvet asked with a blush.
Geoff blushed a deep crimson. "I would want nothing more than to spend the night with you, but... I want what we have to be special. Not that it isn't, but I want our relationship to be more than just two people who share the same bed. I want to be able to call you mine, and me yours."
"Why can't we do that now?"
"Well... because there is something, I want to ask you."
"What is it?"
"I'll be right back."
Geoff ran to his room before he came back.
"Okay. Velvet Scarlatina." He said dropping to one knee. "Will ye mar..."
He was cut off as Velvet tackled him to the floor squealing.
Coco, Tyra, Fox, Yatsuhashi, Awena, and Cliff came running towards them with weapons drawn.
"What's wrong?" Coco asked.
"YES!" Velvet yelled. "Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!"
"VELVET!" Coco yelled.
"WHAT?" Velvet yelled back.
"Why are you saying yes?"
"Oh." She got off of Geoff who got back to one knee and opened up the small black velvet box to show a beautifully crafted golden ring with a diamond inside a ring of sapphire.
"Damn son!" Coco yelled. "Did you buy that or make it?"
"I made it. I found the materials while working at Atlas Academy and made it in my free time."
"Velvet." Coco said. "Make sure this is what you want. I'm not trying to sway your decision, but this is a bid decision."
"I have thought about it Coco." Velvet said. "Thank you for looking out for me, but yes. Geoffrey Patrick. I will marry you."
Geoff slid the ring onto velvets finger, and she kissed him.
The next morning.
Geoff woke up and got ready to head to Atlas Academy the next morning. He walked out to pay his respects to Mercury, making sure to place a one Lien chip, a ten Lien chip, and a twenty-five Lien chip on the gravestone before heading inside.
He and Awena were on their way out the door when Velvet ran up to them.
"Can I come with you Geoff?"
"Of course." He said taking her hand in his.
They walked to Atlas Academy, and their day began.
When they arrived at Atlas Academy they were greeted by Ironwood.
"Mr. Patrick?" Ironwood asked. "I can understand Miss Victoria seeing as she is your assistant, but why Miss Scarlatina?"
"Because she wanted ta come. Is that a problem general?"
"Yes, um no. I meant no."
"Okay. We're off then."
They worked until lunch and left for the Cafeteria.
"Hey." Velvet said. "Why is General Ironwood following us?"
"What do you mean?" Awena asked. "It's lunchtime. He's probably just on his way to lunch."
"Okay." Velvet said, not really convinced.
They grabbed their lunches and headed back to Geoff's workshop.
"He's still following us." Velvet said.
"Okay. Now it's getting odd." Geoff said shutting and locking the door to his workshop.
They ate lunch, and Geoff finished his work for the day before they left.
They were walking out the door when Ironwood stopped them.
"Mr. Patrick." Ironwood said.
"Yes General?"
"Take the rest of the week off."
"Um. Thank you, but why?"
"You have done good work the last few weeks that we need time to process all of your designs. So, come back next week. Or even better. Wait until we call you."
"Um... Thank you... I guess."
The trio left quickly, and Ironwood went to his office.
When he got to his office, he opened a trunk and looked inside.
Inside was a crossbow.
The name appeared at the forefront of his mind. Nature's Domain.
'They can't know I have this.' He thought. 'No one can.'
Geoff, Velvet, and Awena walked into the Manor.
Awena went upstairs to her room, and face planted into her pillow.
Geoff and Velvet walked to the kitchen and made a snack before they headed up to their rooms.
Geoff took a shower before sitting down on his bed to read the journal.
[Entry 8]
How is our kingdom, a shining example of greatness and glory, so tainted with such evil men who threaten to destroy the very lives that they are called to protect? I shudder to think that people like those traitorous worms within the Council, with their plans to subjugate our people to the yolk of complacency and decay, have been around during Father's time. During the time that our ancestors claimed the continent of Solitas as their home.
It sickens me.
They weaseled their agents into my ranks and let them poison our loyal workers and defenders with their vile ideals of humanity and ethics. If I recall correctly, those very "humane ideals" were the ones that nearly fed us to the Grimm all those years ago. If it weren't for our fortitude and emotional stoicism, Atlas would have been swallowed whole.
And yet, people still wish to see that happen.
People like those who believe that our "cruel and unreasonable" workloads are causing our men to become ill and die while they toil on the Manticore Prime's creation. People like the Council, who forced me to explain my "reckless and irresponsible" treatment of the people who were willing to give everything to our cause. People like the damned Atlassian's Party, led by the scoundrel James Ironwood, who have tried to sway our very security force to investigate my efforts, claiming I am "manipulating the people in support of my own gain." Fools, every one of them! Do they not realize I fight for the people of Atlas? That me and my men would give their lives to see our citizens flourish?
If only I had listened to the Sanguine Crucifix. It had warned me of an insurrection. Tried to move me to cut it at the roots. But I was blinded by my childish desires to trust those that were close to me. To believe that I was not alone in my desires to see Atlas rule.
No longer.
No longer will I trust that the Council will aid me in my efforts. No longer will I trust those that wish to disobey my orders.
And no longer will I trust in that wretch Aslan.
He tried to warn me about my rashness as the Sanguine Crucifix searched through my men to find the insurrectionists. He tried to get me to show mercy to those that I led down through the tunnels and into the holding cells. He tried to convince me that I would fall to ruin after I unleashed the full potential of the Crucifix and Indentured Servitude on those that would oppose me.
I will be the one to decide my fate. And with my fleet, my weapons, and my power, my "ruin" will only come after our glory is brought forth.
Geoff put the journal down. "I can't read anymore tonight." He said before getting up and walking to Velvet's room.
He knocked. "Hey Velvet. Want to play Call to Arms: Grimm Ops?"
"Sure." Velvet said. Coming out in her Basketball shorts and tank top. "Um... Geoff? Don't you want to get dressed in something more appropriate?" She asked blushing.
Geoff looked down and saw he was wearing only a towel around his waist. "Ah! Yes. I'll be right back." He said walking away while trying to keep his towel up.
"You know you liked the view." Coco said coming up the stairs.
"I guess I did." Velvet said looking at her engagement ring.
"If there's anything you need to talk about. You can ask me."
"Thanks Coco."
Geoff came back wearing a pair of blue basketball shorts, and a red T-shirt.
They walked downstairs, and into the game room.
Geoff turned on the T.V. and handed Velvet the other controller.
They started playing the game, and eventually fell asleep on the couch.
They woke up the next morning to a camera flash.
"Wha'?" Geoff asked sleepily.
There was another flash, and he saw that the rest of Team CFVY and Tyra had gathered around the couch and were taking pictures of him and Velvet.
He looked over and saw Velvet was sleeping against his shoulder.
Velvet blinked awake and saw everyone taking pictures of her.
"Guy's." She whined rolling across Geoff.
The camera flashes became more rapid.
"Wait!" She yelled jumping up. "What did you guys do to us?" She asked looking at Geoff.
"Oh good." She spoke.
"You guys were just too cute." Coco said. "We just had to do it."
Geoff looked at the time. "Crap!" He yelled. "I need ta get ta Beacon II."
"I'm coming with you!" Velvet yelled.
They took showers, got dressed, and ran out the door.
When they got to Beacon II, they ran through the tunnel until they found the mass grave.
Viridian was looking out at the site. "This was a slaughter."
"I know." Geoff said.
Geoff and Velvet grabbed shovels and went to start digging graves.
They worked all day and were able to dig about twenty graves.
"We'll be done by the end of next week at the rate we're going." Geoff said.
"We need to do this for them." Velvet said.
"I know lass. I know."
They went back to Beacon II.
Geoff went to his room on Beacon II and began reading the journal.
[Entry 9]
Father, please know that I have prayed for you.
Every night since your passing, I have prayed to the Brothers that you would be able to return to us. I prayed you would be able to see our fleet rise and proclaim Atlas's glory. That you would aid me in completing your goal all those years ago in bringing the rest of Remnant to their senses and into our protection.
But now, I pray that you will be unable to see the atrocities that have befallen Atlas.
It all started when those puppets in the Council, desperate to see our hard work destroyed so easily, caved to the machinations of that bastard Ironwood and his manipulative Party. They allowed my traitorous Ace-Ops to disclose information about my dealings within the forges in exchange for exile, force their way into our forges, and demanded that I explain myself. I told them that I was creating the future of Atlas, and that any attempts to stop me would be followed by a swift and brutal demise.
The cowards ran, as expected.
I was quickly informed that I was to be deposed from my duties as General, Councilwoman, and Headmaster of Atlas Academy, and have been ordered to surrender myself to the newly appointed General Ironwood to await a trial. "We will not allow a bloodthirsty tyrant to use our people as a conquering force to serve their own plan to rule over Remnant." the Council claims, as they dare to turn my soldiers against me.
If only those hypocrites knew that their words, as weak and putrid as those who had the audacity to stain their lips with them, would fall on deaf ears. Much like their bodies will fall onto the cold ground of the tundra surrounding us.
Over these past few days, my brave spies, who have been more loyal to me than those ingrates within the capital, have told me that the coward Ironwood has been preparing the rest of my army within Atlas and Mantle to invade our forges and try to force me into submission, despite publicly claiming it as a "training exercise" to avoid informing our people of the truth. It seems that, in his infinite foolishness, he knows the people would rise up and overthrow him and his flagrant excuse for a government, should they be allowed to know of his treachery against them.
As they begin to prepare themselves to be slaughtered mercilessly, those soldiers loyal to me, all those worthy to lead the path toward Atlas's bright future, have been armed and commanded to fight for their kingdom, while those who were too weak to stand for our cause were disposed of, their bodies left to rot within the tunnels.
Father, I pray that you will look upon their failures no longer. That you will watch over and protect us, as you did all those years ago.
Geoff felt sick.
He tried falling to sleep that night, but the contents of the journal kept him up.
The next morning, he went to work burying the corpses.
He was soon joined by Velvet and Awena.
The trio worked for the remainder of the week being joined by the others.
Geoff looked at the graves. 'Why did they have ta die?' He thought. 'Jadis
He walked back to the Manor with Velvet and Awena.
They went to their rooms, and he showered before getting ready for bed.
Before bed he read the final entry.
[Entry 10]
Damn you, Aslan. I know that it was you behind all this.
I know it was you who had let my father down when he lost to the Warrior King at Vacuo. It was you who forced the shame and guilt of letting his kingdom down onto his undeserving shoulders. It was you who had poisoned his mind with the false idea that he failed, letting his ruined sense of honor decay his body. It was you who had forced me to watch as my father transformed into the shell of who he was.
Damn you.
Damn you for letting me toil under Atlas's service in anguish, believing that I had to take my father's place in order to reclaim the glory that was rightfully his.
Damn you for letting the Atlesian people believe that I was unfit to become a General due to "excessive delusions of pride and grandeur".
Damn you for making the Council see me as an "overzealous tyrant-to-be" as I was given the responsibility of protecting Atlas's future.
Damn you for letting everyone's emotions blind them from allowing me to do what was necessary for our survival time and time again.
Damn you for turning the Council's back on me as I prepared our vision for the future.
Damn you for making our brave miners give more than they should have by hiding the metal from them in the mines.
Damn you for making our people suffer in their sacrifice to Atlas as you led the Council to put a knife to my throat!
Damn you for leading the Council and Ironwood to my doorstep as our fleets were to be completed!
Damn you for turning my Ace-Ops, Nicholas Schnee, and my troops against me when I needed them the most!
Damn you for telling me that Atlas would prosper from my death as you abandoned me within the tunnels!
Damn you!
You think that you've won? That I've been killed my Ironwood and his men? That you're finally safe?
You're wrong.
I've seen your nesting grounds. Your hideaway on the mountain near our mines. I know that you've fled to that miserable cave after you abandoned me. I know that you're hiding there, unaware that you rest peacefully as you wait for death.
But I'm still here. I was able to separate the Sanguine Crucifix and Indentured Servitude and hide them within places in our fleet and in the tunnels that no one will ever find. I was able to escape as my men bravely sacrificed themselves with the hope that I will carry on Atlas's future. I was able to hide myself among the bodies in our holding cells, protected by the knife that the King of Atlas gave to my father before he marched his troops to war.
And I'm coming for you.
I'm going to find you within your soon-to-be tomb. I'm going to make you pay for what you've done. I'm going to make sure Nicholas Schnee and my Ace-Ops pay for their treachery. I'm going to make sure that Atlas survives, regardless of those who oppose me!
Damn you Aslan!
DAMN YOU!
Geoff threw the journal at the wall and grabbed his hair. 'She was crazy! She went insane! She was a monster! She was...'
There was a knock on his door, and he kicked the journal under his bed before opening the door.
"Velvet." He spoke.
"Hey Geoff. Are you okay?"
"Yeah. I'm fine lass." Geoff lied.
"I can tell when you're lying."
Geoff bowed his head, and finally broke down.
"I'm not okay." He said leaning into her shoulder. Ever since I've been in Atlas I've been moving towards a breaking point. I think I'm there."
Velvet helped Geoff over to his bed.
"You need to relax!"
"I don't know how."
Velvet blushed before she pushed Geoff onto the bed and pulled his covers over him.
She took her pants and shirt off before going through Geoff's closet and grabbing one of his shirts before putting it on and climbing under the sheets before wrapping her arms around Geoff.
Geoff turned around and wrapped his arms around her.
They were asleep in a matter of seconds.
The next morning Geoff woke up feeling better.
He pulled Velvet closer, and she nuzzled into his chest.
They cuddled like that a little longer before they finally got up.
Velvet grabbed Geoff and pulled him down for a kiss before she went back to her room.
Geoff grabbed the journal from under his bed and looked through it one last time.
After the last entry there was a map that led to a cave in the mountains.
He took a picture of the map and threw the journal back under his bed.
He took a shower and walked out wearing a towel round his waist.
He walked to his closet and pulled out an outfit.
He turned back to his bed and saw Velvet looking at him, and blushing.
His entire body blushed red.
"I'll just go." Velvet said.
"N-no." Geoff stuttered. "I-it's all right. J-just turn around."
Velvet turned around, and Geoff dressed quickly.
Velvet would be lying if she said that she didn't turn around to look at Geoff while he was getting dressed.
She blushed even more red.
"Okay." Geoff said. "Ye can turn around now."
Velvet turned around, and saw Geoff standing dressed in his gear.
"What are we going to do today?" She asked.
"We are going to grab Viridian and Awena, then go to the mountains."
"Why the mountains?"
"Because. I found a map ta a hidden chamber in th' mountains, and we need ta investigate it."
"Okay. Let's go."
They grabbed their gear and went to find Viridian and Awena.
They group met up and headed out towards the cave located in the journal.
They walked up a mountain and into a cave where they saw bloody handprint.
"I think we are in the right place." Geoff said.
"Ya think?" Viridian asked.
Awena walked in front of them.
"STOP!" Geoff yelled. "Look for traps."
"Fine." Awena whined.
They walked slowly... agonizingly slowly.
They only walked about one hundred yards when Grimm flooded the hallway.
Awena flicked her wrists and charged at them.
"Awena no!" Geoff yelled. "The traps!"
There was an explosion, and Awena was frozen to the opposite wall.
"AWENA!" Geoff yelled pulling the 'Junkers Toolkit' from its holder and changed it to the assault rifle.
He started shooting at the Grimm before there was a cracking sound.
Awena shattered the ice and dropped to her knees.
Viridian changed 'Boom-N-Doom' to the rifle mode and ran up to help Geoff.
They covered Velvet while she helped Awena up and got her back to fighting condition.
Velvet looked at Awena before looking at Geoff and Viridian.
They wouldn't last much longer.
'Would you like my help?' The Rider asked.
'Yes.'
Velvet's flesh melted away, leaving her skeleton glowing red.
"LEAVE!" Velvet yelled.
The Grimm looked terrified.
They cowered and began running away.
Velvet let out a fiery pulse that incinerated the Grimm but left the others intact and tripped the other traps.
"Whoa." Geoff said. "What was that?"
"It was my hellfire pulse." Velvet said. "It burns the wicked but leaves the pure intact."
"I see." Viridian said. "I have so many questions."
Velvet changed back. "I'll explain later." She spoke.
"Okay." He said, and they continued walking
They walked the last 200 yards into a cavern and looked at the walls in horror.
Written all along the walls of the Cavern was.
DAMN YOU ASLAN
Written in what appeared to be blood.
"Um Geoff..." Velvet said. "...what's that?"
"I think it's blood lass."
Velvet covered her mouth.
Geoff looked around and saw someone.
"Here." He spoke.
They walked towards the body and saw a pale woman who was blue in certain areas. Her hair was pale blue on top and faded to white the closer it got to the ends.
She had cuts all along her body, but the blood was frozen.
She appeared to be seven feet tall.
One of her eye's was closed, and the one that was open was crimson red.
Her lips were black with a tint of red, and a blue ring around her lips.
She wore a pair of white dress pants, a white suit coat, and a white great coat over that.
Her boots were white with a blue stripe along the cuff.
She wore various medals signifying her rank, and various accomplishments.
She was a General, but she was also the Headmaster of Atlas Academy at one point.
She also wore the Atlas Star, the most distinguished medal in the Atlesian army.
They saw that she was holding a dagger in her hand.
"Should we bury her here, or back in the holding cells?" Velvet asked.
"Let's bury her with her troops." Geoff said. 'She may have been crazy, but she at least deserves a proper burial.'
They took her back to the holding cells and began digging.
When they got back to the manor that night, they went their separate ways.
Geoff walked Velvet to her room and went to his room.
He took a shower and dressed in a pair of blue basketball shorts and an undershirt.
He walked to Velvet's door and knocked.
She opened the door wearing her basketball shorts and tank top.
She stepped to the side to let him in.
"I was actually wondering if you wanted to get something to eat."
"Sure." Velvet said taking his hand.
The two walked downstairs to the kitchen.
They made sandwiches, grabbed a bag of chips, and drinks before going to the game room.
They watched Coco and Tyra play Multiplayer on Kingdom Warfare 3.
"SUCK MY DICK!" Coco yelled into her microphone.
someone said something over the mics, and Tyra responded.
"SAY THAT TO MY WOMAN AGAIN! AND I'LL BREAK YOUR FUCKING BACK!" She yelled.
"Whoa!" Geoff said. "What did they say?"
"He told her to shut her face, or he'd shove his dick down her throat and shut her up himself before filling all her other holes."
Geoff took out his Scroll and changed it to Tablet mode and looked at the screen to find the guy.
He put his headphones on and found the guy's gamer tag and hacked into it.
"What happened?" The player asked.
"Hello MaximusPrimal." Geoff said. "I have just frozen yer account, and yer system. Ye will never talk like that to another player ever again! Am I understood?"
"What are you talking about?"
"That was my friend that ye just sexually harassed! If ye want yer account back... then I suggest ye buy a new system." He said before shutting his scroll off.
Everyone looked at Geoff.
"What?" He asked.
"I just didn't know that you could do that." Coco said.
"There's a lot of things that ye don't know about me."
"Well, color me impressed." Tyra said.
Coco and Tyra went back to playing Kingdom Warfare, and Geoff and Velvet went back to eating.
After they finished eating, they went to Geoff's room where they climbed into Geoff's bed.
She curled up into his arms.
Geoff held her, and they slowly fell asleep.
When Geoff woke up the next morning, he stretched, and kissed Velvet on the forehead before getting out of bed, and grabbing the journal from under his bed, and went down to the armory.
He sat at the work bench and wrote a letter containing his thoughts.
If you are reading this, then either I trust you in keeping Beacon II a secret from Ironwood and the Ace-Ops, or that we are now all in grave danger. But no matter what happens, know that all of this, no matter how far-fetched, is all true.
Know that after Jadis died, Ironwood did everything he could to keep what had been happening down here a secret from the public. Any physical evidence besides Beacon II has been destroyed, and every piece of data about everyone involved with this mess has either been removed from any databases or has been heavily redacted. Somehow, he was able to convince the entire kingdom that this was all an accident and swept everything else under the rug.
However, he missed something. Something that I fear will change Atlas forever.
I'm not sure if it was due to pure luck or the Brothers guiding our fate but know that we never meant to find the holding cells and the remains of everyone inside. However, thanks to a few Faunus that were able to smell the decay, I now know how dangerous this situation has become for all of us.
I found this journal, owned by Jadis herself, hidden within a pile of bones, all wearing Atlesian uniforms, although the outfits were on the verge of disintegration. Their wounds showed more of an execution than a battle, unlike the other bodies that we have found scattered throughout the tunnels. Those bodies in the tunnels, or what was left of them, were covered in ice Dust from the defenses that Nicholas Schnee gave to Jadis to keep her workers safe. From what I've experienced from them, they were hit as collateral damage while Grimm were most likely close by.
I feel I will be forever haunted by the faces of those men and women, frozen in fear and warped by Dust. They didn't deserve their fate, but even after their death, they've helped me to ensure no one else will suffer it.
The journal contained a small map of her underground operations, and she had marked a point just outside the entrance to the mines on the opposite side of the tundra, where they'd load the metal and ship it through carts in order to make the long trip down the tunnels to Beacon II. Thanks to this, I was able to figure out where the cave was that she claimed Aslan was hiding from her in. I made sure the bodies we found in the holding cells were prepared for a proper burial and left to find it. I had to fight my way through a few hordes of Grimm, but thanks to the defenses that were put down for the miners, I was able to make it through without too much difficulty. (Thank you, Nicholas. Truly.)
The cave was about 200 meters above the westernmost mine entrance, similar to what the General reported. In all honesty, I should have known to prepare for the worst, but nothing would have helped me prepare for what I saw in there.
Based on what I could see, Jadis had suffered several stab wounds that were self-inflicted when she arrived. She then used a cut on her fingers to write "Damn you Aslan" all across the walls before succumbing to her wounds in the cave, the ice Dust all throughout her insides and the cold of Atlas holding her body hostage for the past 30 years after her death.
The sight terrified me, but it was nothing compared to what I felt when I realized what this meant.
After we buried her along with her troops, I've spent whatever time I've had to spare combing through the airship and through the tunnels searching for any signs of the Sanguine Crucifix and Indentured Servitude, but I've come up empty. Mathematically, it's certain that if the two weapons are still there, then I'm going to find them. But as I keep looking, a thought keeps coming into my head:
"What if someone else already found them?"
That very thought has kept me awake for more nights than I ever want to count.
I'm not sure how long I can keep this balancing act up. I just hope that writing this can take the edge off enough to make things easier, though I doubt it will do much.
Meanwhile, things in Atlas are growing even more dire. I've been doing what I can to help Ironwood, but something's making him nervous. He's started to become more secluded, more fidgety. I don't think he knows about Beacon II, but what would cause him to get nervous like that? Does he really know about Beacon II, or is something else on the horizon?
For the time being, I've been storing the journal in a safe that contains an armed thermal charge to burn everything inside just in case someone starts to get suspicious. No matter what, Ironwood cannot know about that journal, because if he finds out about those weapons, I fear he may try to replicate them.
If something happens to me, please do all of us a favor and destroy the journal along with this document I've kept hidden in my toolbox. A strong smack to the safe's exterior ought to do the trick.
José, Scott, Gale, if you find this, I hope that you're okay, wherever the hell you are. And Velvet, if you find this, know that I always have and will continue to love you with all my heart.
He walked over to a safe and put a thermal charge in it before putting the journal in it and setting the thermal charge.
He made it so that if the safe was opened without disarming the thermal detonator it would destroy the journal. The only one who had a chance of getting the journal was Scott, and he would have to know about the detonator first.
With that he went to the kitchen where Cliff was.
"Master Geoffrey?" He asked. "Are you all right?"
Geoff looked at him before speaking. "If anything happens ta me, there is a letter in one of my toolbox's. Can you make sure it's found before Ironwood finds it, but only if something happens ta me?"
"What do you mean Master Geoffrey."
"I can't explain right now, but please just make sure that if anything happens ta me, just give it ta Velvet or my brothers."
"Of course, Master Geoffrey." Cliff said confused at the young man's actions.
Geoff nodded and went back upstairs where he crawled in next to Velvet before going back to sleep.
Viridian was sleeping in his room on Beacon II when he felt compelled to leave.
He walked out of Beacon II and walked into tunnels leading down towards the grave site but took a left instead of a right.
He walked until he came to a hole in the rock of the cave wall.
He reached into the hole and pulled out a box before walking back to Beacon II.
The next morning.
Viridian looked at his nightstand and saw an Irish Cross sitting on his nightstand.
"Well. Hello there." He said picking it up. "And who might you be?"
'I am the 'Sanguine Crucifix'.'
Geoff was in engineering when he felt compelled to look under a floor panel.
He walked around to find the panel, but eventually found it.
He pulled the panel up and found a hidden smuggling compartment.
He shined his scroll inside and felt his blood freeze.
He reached inside and pulled out a long poll with a two-pronged head.
He pulled it into the light and felt something come over him.
'My name is 'Indentured Servitude'.'.