Fire, my world was fire. Fire so hot it felt as if the flames licked at my wings as I soared across the sky. Dust had ignited from inside the village and was burning what used to be a beautiful place to live. The cause of accident was the grimm. Waves of black beasts flowed into the city ripping, tearing, and mauling their way through the once peaceful streets.
Death, all I saw was death. I felt the absence of life even as I landed and perched myself atop a building that had not yet begun to dance with flame. Pieces of human and faunus littered the streets, no one was safe from the onslaught of the grimm laying siege to the town. No one was spared, the grimm ran rampant through the unnamed village slaughtering men, woman, and children alike in their blood thirsty rage.
I felt the life leave the village when the last man was killed. He looked to be a farmer trying to hold off a pack of Ursa with nothing more than a pitchfork and the will to live. His will however, was no match for the ferocity of the bear like grimm.
Springing from my perch I landed amongst the black horde at the center of town. In a strange way the carnage before me was beautiful in its own right. The center of town was arranged in a large circle with an old well claiming the center. On the perimeter were the remains of small shops, and venders who's merchandise now laid thrown haphazardly across the ground. The houses were made of more stone than wood, alas this didn't stop the fire that engulfed the deceased villager's residences.
My wings retracted in a cloud of black vapor revealing my human form to the evil beasts around me. I drew my sword thinking the grimm would attack at the first sight of a human in their midst. However, they did not. They simply stared at me with confusion, acceptance, and if I was not mistaken a look of admiration.
"It's quite the site is it not?" A feminine voice spoke from behind I heard the voice, my mind was confronted with two overwhelming desires. The first was to turn and swing my weapon at the threat I knew stalked just a few feet behind me. All my training told me to face my opponent, to not give my back to them. I wanted to fight, to slay whatever creature was foolish enough to engage me.
My second thought, and the one screaming the loudest in my head, told me to run. To get as far away from here as possible and never look back. I would fight the sea of black death in front of me if I never had to turn and see what lurked behind me.
My mind wared between fight and flight, my body however refused to acknowledge either plea. Instead I stood there ramrod straight, unable to even move my head.
"What's wrong boy, are you too engulfed in the beauty and destruction before you? When I didn't answer the voice went on. "I get that way sometimes too. The screams of the innocent get my blood flowing like little else. I know you agree with me, Jaune."
When I heard my name something inside me snapped and I turned around swinging my sword in the process, hoping to hit the creature standing behind me. When I turned around however, no one was there. I continued to scan my surroundings looking closer at the dark alley ways in-between the burning houses.
"Now Jaune, put that sword away before you hurt yourself." My body immediately went rigid as the voice from before returned. This time however I could feel the woman's breath tickle the nape of my neck. I tried to move but once again my body refused to respond to my commands. If I thought my body had a possibility of moving before that idea died when two pale arms glided across my shoulders and embraced be in a hug.
The arms where ghostly pale with dark purple, almost black, veins that snaked their way up the woman's arm. Despite being unable to move, and in the arms of what I assumed was a monster disguised as a woman, I felt relaxed almost at peace. It took everything I had to overcome sinking into her embrace, instead I remained rigid and unmoving.
"It's so good to see you Jaune. I long for the time we get to spend together, it reminds me that I'm not alone. I simply have to wait and you'll come to me eventually." The woman said as I felt her lips glide over the skin on my neck. "What do you want?" I asked regaining my ability to speak.
"Right now, nothing. But, soon Jaune you'll give yourself to me mind, body, and soul." I tried to turn my head to face her but once again it refused my call. "I'll never give in to you." If I thought she was convinced of my declaration that thought died when she began to laugh. "Not yet Jaune, but eventually you will. Like Ozpin I play the long game and I'm confident you'll give in to your desires and become just like me." As she said this she playfully bit my neck as she pulled away her hands. "Now Jaune on to my favorite part."
As soon as the words left her mouth I regained the ability to move. Turning to face her with my sword at the ready I was rewarded with nothing but the sea of grimm that stood before me. The beasts, now free from whatever was holding them back, began to move towards me with murderous intent.
I scanned all around me as I tried to look for a way out but found none. Then, all at once, the grimm surged on my position. Fangs, claws, and bone spikes carved into my flesh causing me to scream out into the night. I remained conscious long enough to see a Beowolf's maw lower onto my throat. With a sickening crunch I knew it was over.
I snapped up in my bed, a thin layer of sweat covered my body as I scanned the unfamiliar room for threats. The knife in my hand out and at the ready incase a monster sprang at me from the darkness. I sat there for what seemed like an eternity, patiently waiting for my adversary to reveal itself. When it never did I lowered the knife and began to take stock of my surroundings.
Even though the room was completely black I could see rather well. Not as well as a faunus, with their total clarity thanks to their genetics, but well enough. I made out several dressers and desks arranged smartly throughout the room. In each corner was a bed, who's occupant was blissfully unaware of my presence.
It was in that moment when he saw the sleeping forms of Ren, Nora, and Pyrrha that the events of yesterday became clear in his head. Ozpin placed me on a team with these people, but for the life of me I can't imagine why. I needed to get some answers and I know just where to start.
Moving with the silence of a trained assassin I removed the blankets that covered my still sweaty body and moved to the bathroom. After shutting the door, I turned on the light and was greeted by my reflection staring back at me. I always hate those dreams, they take so much out of me it feels like I haven't slept in days.
After turning on the water for the shower I let it warm up before stepping inside. The warm droplets against my skin seemed to melt away the tension from the dream, unfortunately I knew it wouldn't last. This wasn't the first time I've had a dream like that and it won't be the last. If I remember correctly the dreams started about a month after Aedan administered the ritual. When I talked to him about it he said it was normal and that eventually you learn to block the dreams out. Evidently the length of time it takes to block out the dreams vary from each guardian, Aedan claims it only took him two weeks to get his dreams under control. Hopefully it won't take to much longer three years of these nightmares is getting old really quick.
Speaking of Aedan, I wonder why he didn't inform me of the reason why I came here? He said Ozpin would inform me of my duties but evidently, he didn't get that memo. Putting me on a team with a bunch of teenagers, what the hell was he thinking? He has to know how dangerous it is for someone to be around a guardian so why put these kids in unnecessary danger? All the more reason I need get talk to him as soon as possible, and if he refuses to answer I'll just leave I'm not sticking around some school when I have grimm I could be killing.
Stepping out of the shower I quickly dried off and made my way back into the room making sure not to awaken my sleeping 'teammates.' Putting on a pair of jeans and a gray hoodie with the guardian symbol on the right shoulder as well as my brown leather boots I grabbed Crocea Mors, which was resting besides my bed, and made my way to Ozpin's office.
The walk took less than ten minutes and was extremely quiet. At five in the morning the halls were completely empty of students or faculty. Upon arriving at Ozpin's tower, I was surprised to see Glynda Goodwitch waiting in front of the elevator.
"Follow me please." She said in a clipped voice clearly not happy she was awake at this hour. I nodded slightly before stepping inside the elevator with the blonde professor. The ride seemed to take forever as I stood next to Glynda in awkward silence. She didn't say a word and if the look on her face was any indication she was pleased I refrained from speaking as well.
When the door to the elevator finally opened I was greeted to an enormous office that looked like the insides of a clock. Gears and cogs hung throughout the room and some were underneath the floor, all were ticking away in a well-maintained fashion. At the back of the room sat a lone desk made of some kind of wood, for the life of me I couldn't tell what kind and frankly I didn't care. Behind the desk sat Ozpin. The man looked as cool and impassive as the day I met him, his signature coffee cup lazily held in his hand. As I drew near I thought I saw a ghost of a smile grace the man's face but before I could look closer it was gone.
"Mr. Arc so good to see you again, what can I do for you?" Ozpin said his voice was calm and detached like he was expecting me to show up here. This man clearly knows more than he lets on. He would probably say he was working and saw me headed this way on the cameras and sent Glynda down to escort me to his office. But, how did he know what time I would arrive? Was he waiting here all night for me to show up, or did he have some kind of ability to predict the future? Either way it didn't matter I was here to get answers and I wasn't leaving without any.
"Ozpin, I think we both know why I'm here. I was sent here on a mission by Aedan without any details of said mission. I was informed that you would clarify my purpose here upon arriving and so far, I've been jerked around like a dog on a short leash and I'm here to let you know it ends now. Either tell me my mission or I'm leaving."
Ozpin and I just stared at each other for what seemed like minutes, although it was more like seconds. A glance over to Glynda said that she was unhappy at the tone I took with the headmaster, but I couldn't bring myself to care. "Mr. Arc," Glynda finally snapped. "You would do well to remember who you are talking to. Even if you are not here as an actual student you are a guest at Beacon and you should show some respect to its headmaster."
I stared at the other blonde for a moment my apathetic gaze matching her fiery one. As the time went on, and she could tell I cared little for what she said, I thought she and I would come to blows. Her hand was slowly reaching for her riding crop when Ozpin finally reentered the conversation.
"Ms. Goodwitch, while I appreciate your enthusiasm on coming to my defense Mr. Arc has a point. He did come here for a mission and unfortunately circumstances have forced me to drag him along so to speak. Mr. Arc while I assure you my intention was never to waste your time you must understand that precautions must be taken to ensure the safety of this school and everyone inside it. If our enemies were to learn I had hired a new member they would be on the lookout for such a person, hence the run around."
I simply nodded not knowing what to think about what he had just said. What was so important that it required all this secrecy? Next to no one knew about the existence of the guardians so its not like Ozpin's enemies would be suspicious of a teenage boy.
"Before I tell you anymore I would like you to tell me of your capabilities as a guardian. It has been sometime since I last worked with someone from your order and I was curious if the abilities I remember your organization having have diminished over the years."
My eyes narrowed slightly as I looked at the man sitting in front of me. Why would he hire me if he was unsure of my abilities? Was there a secret agenda to what this man was asking? If so it wouldn't hurt to let him in on some of the smaller details. Aedan always said 'When dealing in unknowns a half truth was better than a whole lie.'
"Before I get started I was wondering what you remember about the guardians it would help me explain my abilities if I knew what you already knew."
Ozpin looked at me with what looked like an amused smile on his face. Something about the way he looked at me told me I had just made a mistake.
"If my memory serves me correctly Mr. Arc I recall the guardians having a number of abilities. For one your strength, speed, reflexes, healing, and endurance are all enhanced to make you more dangerous opponents than regular huntsman. The guardians I remember had the ability to see in the dark and their senses were on par with certain members of the faunus race."
I simply nodded everything he said was true and I was not about to tell him more than he needed to know. I was about to confirm when he began talking again. "As for your more unique abilities the longer you fight against the creatures of grimm the more your abilities are enhanced. As I recall a guardian can also sense the presence of grimm around them with frightening accuracy. There's also the matter of you absorbing."
Before Ozpin could finish his sentence, my hand fell to my sword. I glared at Ozpin with enough killing intent to make a lesser man wet himself. "That's quite enough," I snapped. "Clearly you know more than you let on and I won't allow you to spill the secrets of my order in front of company." As I said this my hardened gaze fell on Glynda who had also reached for her weapon. If it came down to a fight between myself and these two I knew there was no way I could win. But, I would make them regret ever crossing swords with a guardian.
"Be at ease Mr. Arc it was not my intention to enrage you so. I simply wanted to know the capabilities of the man standing in front of me. And, if your reaction to my statement was anything to go off of I'd say my memory of your organization has served me well."
Damnit, he did that on purpose. As soon as I gave him the ability to talk he backed me into a corner, this man was dangerous if the way he manipulated the conversation was anything to go off of. Going forward I would have to be extremely careful about what I said or didn't say to this man.
My posture slightly relaxed and my hand backed away from my sword and came to rest on the buckle of my belt. I was still on edge but there was no reason to antagonize them by keeping a hand on my weapon. Glynda seemed to get the message as well and retracted her hand from her riding crop.
"Now," Ozpin said returning back to business. "As for why you are here may I ask if Aedan has told you any fairytales?" Not quite understanding what he was talking about I tilted my head in confusion as I looked at him. "More specifically has your mentor spoken to you of the story of the four maidens?"
A light bulb came to life inside my head as I heard Ozpin speak of the maidens. After about a year and a half of training with Aedan he told me about the maidens and their mysterious ability to control the weather. He had told me they controlled magic and how they could be either a tremendous force for good or cause unprecedented damage to Remnant as we knew it.
I simply nodded to Ozpin for him to continue speaking. "As you are aware there are four maidens fall, spring, summer, and winter. A few months ago, the fall maiden was attacked outside a small village. Her attackers attempted to rob her of her abilities. If it were not for another member of my organization I fear the fall maiden's powers would have been completely stolen by the assailant."
Shock played across my face as I listened to the man speak of the maiden. "How is that possible I thought the only way to acquire a maiden's powers was if the previous maiden was dead?"
"For this Mr. Arc I would like to move the conversation to a different location. If you would follow me please." Ozpin stood up behind his desk and walked with Glynda at his side towards the elevator. I quickly followed behind the two professors. Once we were in the elevator Ozpin placed a key into a slot at the top of the control pad. With a quick twist a biometric scanner appeared where the elevator's buttons had once been. With a quick scan of his hand and eye the elevator began to descend until the doors opened up at what looked like some kind of bunker.
I wanted to asked about where we were but the two adults in front of me started walking without saying a word. Following behind them I spotted what looked like a cryogenic tube. There were wires, hoses, and monitors attached to all side of the machine with the monitors beeping to what seemed like a heartbeat.
When the three of us were no more that a meter away Ozpin began to speak again. "This is why you are here Mr. Arc." He said waving his hand at the machine in front of me. As I looked closer I saw what he was talking about.
Inside the capsule was a woman in her mid-twenties. She had dark skin and shoulder length brown hair. A wicked scar marred the left side of her face and she was adorned in only what looked like a white shorts bra and shorts.
As I drew closer to look at the woman a pulse from behind my eyes alerted me to danger. I grabbed for my sword scanning all around me for the grimm I had felt. My senses were telling me it was coming in the direction of the maiden. But, as I looked around I couldn't see any sign of a grimm. Closing my eyes, I began to feel for the monster's exact location and was surprised when it was coming from the girl in front of me.
Turning to Ozpin with confused eyes I said. "Did you know there was a grimm inside this woman?" As the words left my mouth I could see neither of the two had any idea what I was talking about.
"I am unsure of what you mean Mr. Arc." Ozpin said his calm voice giving off hints of confusion and concern.
"My senses are telling me that there is a Grimm inside this woman's boy. Its keeping her from healing and regaining consciousness otherwise I don't know how it's effecting her aura.
This time it was Glynda who spoke. "That's impossible, there are no grimm we know of that have that kind of capability." I looked at her for a second before responding. "During my training Aedan made sure I knew of all the different kinds of grimm and how to combat them. While I don't know all of them like he does I have knowledge about most kinds of grimm. This one is called a Tafili. It's a parasitic type of grimm that attaches onto the heart of the victim sucking out their aura until there's nothing left. Once it sucks its victim dry it uses the hosts own aura to cause the grimm to explode taking the victims heart with it. In every reported case of this grimm latching itself onto a person there have been zero survivors."
Glynda stared shocked at what I just said her brow furrowing before speaking again. "Why have I never heard of this grimm before then? If it is as deadly as you say surely huntsman would be aware of its existence." I simply nodded before replying. "A Tafili is an incredibly rare type of grimm. Since it explodes when it kills the victim there is often little to no evidence it was ever there."
"And how may I ask are you aware of its existence then Mr. Arc?"
"The guardians got lucky, or should I say unlucky, when a member got infected with this grimm. Thanks to his ability to sense the grimm he was able to identify where it was. He offered himself to the order once again and let them cut him open to observe the grimm inside his body. The guardians kept the member cut open and sedated to observe the grimm until it sucked out his aura and exploded in front of them. If it wasn't for the man's sacrifice I would have no idea what we were dealing with right now."
"If that is the case then why hasn't the grimm sucked Amber's aura dry yet?" I looked at Ozpin confused. "I'm assuming this woman is Amber?" Ozpin simply nodded waiting for me to answer his previous question.
"As far as why she's still alive your guess is as good as mine. It could be that her maiden powers are keeping the Tafili from sucking out too much of her aura at a time. Or it could be halting the process completely honestly I haven't got a clue."
"If someone were infected with this grimm could they pass it on to another?" I stared at Ozpin as he asked the question. In every report I had read the grimm stayed attached to one person, that's not to say it couldn't but it was unlikely.
"Probably not, why do you ask?" Ozpin straightened up for a second before responding. "When my operative came across Amber being attacked he reported the assailant was sucking out her powers with some kind of black arm. At the time we had no idea what it was or how it was taking her power, but if what you said is true this could be the reason."
"I'm not sure about that Ozpin. From what you just said this doesn't seem like the same grimm I was talking about. Maybe it's a different kind or maybe it was created for this specific purpose. Either way its all speculation at this point."
"But, if it were similar to the Tafili would the grimm stay inside the person who attacked Amber?" I brought my hand up to my chin in a thinking pose taking a few minutes before answering. "It's possible, if the person who sucked out Amber's powers didn't get all of them then it stands to reason they would keep the grimm inside them to use it again if the opportunity arose."
I watched as Ozpin smiled down at me before he started to speak. "Then this provides us with a unique opportunity Mr. Arc. If the person responsible were to come to Beacon could you sense the grimm inside of them?"
As Ozpin said those words his plan finally dawned on me and it made me feel stupid that I hadn't thought of it first. "Unless the person who created the grimm found a way to keep a guardian from detecting it I don't see why not."
"Then Mr. Arc you have your mission. Originally, I wanted you here because of how ferocious the guardians are at combating grimm and humans alike. But, with this new development I dare say we have the opportunity to catch our enemy unawares. So, Mr. Arc now that you know the purpose of your being here I'm assuming you will stay with us?"
Would I stay with them? Was that seriously what he was asking right now? Not only was someone using a parasite to steal magical powers but I would be partly responsible in keeping a maiden, a freaking maiden, safe. This was like the stories my sisters used to read me as a kid. A dashing knight protecting a princess from an evil witch. But, this time instead of a princess it was a maiden and instead of a knight it was a grimm slaying guardian. So, would I stay with them?
I stuck out my hand and Ozpin smiled as he shook it. "When do I start?"