A/N: Another chapter that I was expecting to be a lot bigger, but the next one to follow will be a long one and filled with a lot of action...and that includes ripping and tearing! So sit back and enjoy the ride folks!
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
It took several hours, but John had explained his journey to Amber from the moment he awoke in the sarcophagus to when Samuel Hayden betrayed him after he closed the portal to Hell. The grave mistake made by the UAC in trying to control Hell itself, the battles he had been in, the demons he had faced and the nightmare he ended before it fully escaped.
The Fall Maiden listened to every word as he told her what he had been through leading to the moment he was sent to Remnant. Unable to turn her attention from the Doom Slayer as he went into detail of his struggles and what he had to do to ensure the survival of humanity. Her earlier disbelief vanishing very quickly, even more so when she was shown the Crucible.
Seeing the hellion weapon, Amber felt a shiver go up her spine. It possessed an aura of its own despite it being an object, a dark aura, but one that John could hold and not have it affect him negatively. Infact, the two of them seemed to be linked on a level that she couldn't comprehend.
Never in her life did she ever believe that Hell was a real place. She had grown up in a family that practiced religion every now and again, but it never fully stuck with her as she got older. But seeing John, hearing about his experiences in the realm of the damned, it actually scared her to think that a place filled with monsters that made the Grimm look tame in comparison actually existed.
And that the man before her had not only survived it, but fought them to the death and won.
He had also told her about the scriptures that he discovered, which explained his unknown past and how the demons feared him because of the power he wielded against them. Including his imprisonment when they finally tricked him before separating him from the Praetor suit and sealing both away in a secured tomb.
It may not have been 'his' past, but it was the past that had become part of him now. And despite it being such a short time, his old life seemed to bleed away and replaced with his new one. Something he didn't mind in the slightest since now he stood for something much more than he ever did before.
When he was finished, she asked him a few questions on her mind. Like what Argent energy was and if he could remember anything about his 'past' before he was sealed away. John answered as best he could from what he had learned, but he couldn't offer much since he didn't know much himself.
Amber, in exchange for his honesty, told him about Remnant, its history, the discovery of dust, the faunus, the creatures known as Grimm and their threat to their people, aura, and the jobs of the huntsmen and huntresses. It was a lot to take in all at once, but John stuck with it and took in everything in stride.
At least now he knew more about where he was and a good enough lay of the land. Infact, he had broached the idea of sticking with Amber as she traveled. Part of which was to see this new world for himself, another was to keep watch over her incase more people attempted to attack her.
Even though the Doom Slayer didn't know why she had been targeted in the first place, something told him that she was somehow important in a big way. Important enough to have people going out of their way to attack her for that very reason, and he wasn't going to let that happen if he could help it.
The Maiden refused at first, saying that he had done more than enough for her, but eventually she lamented. Deciding that he was right in saying that going alone when it was known people were out to get her would be dangerous. There was strength in numbers, and she agreed.
Although, she would be lying if she said she didn't want to get to know the armored traveler a little more. There was something about him that intrigued her, even though she had yet to see his face.
It was late into the night when Amber fell into a peaceful slumber, John taking it upon himself to stay watch throughout the night. One of the newer perks he had gotten was that he didn't need to sleep as often as he used to, which could have been due to the pure argent energy he had absorbed back on Mars that was coursing through his system, either way it helped in the long run since he had a lot more stamina than he knew what to do with.
He sat in silence, the fire in the cave having died out but still casting warmth from the still glowing embers as he kept his gaze on the mouth of the cave. The storm had passed hours ago and now the sun was starting to peak up over the trees, casting pink, orange and yellow over the landscape.
The two of them would set off toward the nearest town today. Given that most of Amber's things had been lost when her horse fled during the fight, and with him having nothing save for his weapons and ammo, they would need supplies. Especially medical given that the small amounts of the Maiden's aura that had returned went into her healing and had yet to fully replenish.
Standing up and stretching lightly, the Doom Slayer checked on the young woman briefly as she slept before stepping out of the cave and into the sunlight. Reaching his hands up, he removed his helmet and took in a deep breath of the crisp, clean, early morning air. The same sense of peace he had felt not long after he had arrived filling him for a moment as he listened to the sounds of nature around him.
After everything he had been told about this world from Amber, it was almost hard to believe that such a calm, beautiful place was plagued by monsters like the Grimm. Then again, looks were often decieving, and having seen the creatures of darkness themselves he had to agree.
Although, none of them could hold a candle to Hell's legion.
Looking up at the sky to see the sun steadly making its ascent as time ticked by, he recalled the long discussions he had with Amber the night before.
He wasn't intending on revealing so much at once, but once he started his tale he just couldn't seem to stop. And when it was all over she became a firm believer of what he had been through and how he came to be on Remnant, of that he was very thankful for, even more so when she told him about her world in return.
Thinking back on his experiences on Mars, the Doom Slayer opened one of the small compartments on his suits belt and removed a small chip. Bringing it up to eye-level, and knowing clearly what it contained;
X Flashback X
Slapping fresh shells into his double barrel, John stepped onto the lift that would take him to VEGA's core. The platform beginning its ascent the moment his boots rested upon it.
"I-I-I-I am los-losing memory capabilities...con-control of neural functions are...minimal." the AI reported, its once strong voice distorted and stuttering with the loss of most of its operation points.
"Once VEGA's core is destroyed, the vaccum of energy will pull you back through to Hell." Hayden's voice said over the comms, "We have the destination set to the Well's location. When you get there, use the Crucible to power it down and the portal to Mars will be closed...perminently. They will not allow access to the Well without a fight, but I'm sure that's what you're looking for isn't it?"
"I wasn't exactly planning on asking them to nicely stand aside." John said as he adjusted his grip on the powerful shotgun in his hands. The lift came to a stop at the highest level and he made his way down the long walkway ahead of him, past a series of cooling fans that regulated the AI core's temperature and though a heavy set of blast doors.
Before him was a massive metal construct that resembled the human brain, wires and tubes leading out of it and into various machinery around the large chamber providing it power.
A small quake shook the room as John made his way across the walkway that led straight to the core, red arcs of lightning dancing along the surface of the construct when he reached a terminal set up on the platform before it.
"You will need to destroy my neural processors in order to initiate the meltdown sequence. They are located on either side of my main terminal." VEGA said helpfully, even though it was helping him in essentially committing suicide.
The Doom Slayer hated this, VEGA had been one of the only things in this fucked up place that offered any help without there being strings attached. And now here he was destroying the AI in order to get him to Hell and save humanity.
If there had been another way, he would have done it. But time wasn't on their side, and it was the only chance any of them had.
Finding the first processor, he grabbed the core powering it and ripped it out before making his way to the other side of the main core and doing the same to the next. A large energy spike emitted from VEGA's core and was growing more and more unstable by the second, the chamber shaking wildly from the output as John returned to the main terminal.
Looking down at the red flashing screen, his hand hesitated over the 'Initiate Core Destruction' button when he saw another option appear in the top left corner. "VEGA Backup." he said outloud to himself. Another quake around him snapped him back into focus as he pressed the smaller button.
"The process...is complete." said the AI just as a small chip came out of a slot beside the screen. John taking it and slipping it into his armor, Hayden thanked him for the sacrifice as he swiped the screen and it the 'Verify ID' switch.
A bright light filled the room as the core went into overload, there was an explosion and everything vanished around him...replaced moments later by the burning ruins of Hell.
X Flashback End X
John gently closed his hand around the chip. It was all that was left of VEGA, and he wasn't sure how much of the AI actually survived the backup process. But not that he had a moment to think about it, he wondered if it were possible to link VEGA with the Praetor suit somehow.
Looking at his helmet, he started to examine it from different angles. He felt more than a little foolish for not getting a better look at his armor when he first put it on, but at the time he hadn't had a free moment to do so. But now...
Turning the helmet so that he could look at the back, the Doom Slayer blinked when he saw a small slot an inch below where the back of his head would be. Looking from the chip to the slot, he decided to go for broke. Slipping the helmet back on and sealing it in place, he took VEGA's backup and slipped it into the spot he found.
The chip went in without difficulty and clicked when fully inserted, John's HUD flared brightly around the outside, 'Reconfiguration in Progress' flashed across his visor along with a loading bar that filled quickly over the course of a few seconds. When it finished the text changed to 'System Rebooting' before everything settled back to the way it was before.
'...Did it work?' John thought to himself, nothing felt different. "Hello? VEGA? You there?" he asked outloud.
Nothing happened for a few beats, then a symbol appeared on the top left corner of his HUD, one with a small blue circle surrounded by three separated pieces of another circle. "Hello, Doom Slayer. How may I be of assistance?" the AI's voice filtered inside the helmet.
John smiled in relief, "It's good to hear your voice, VEGA. You having any difficulties in here?"
"The Praetor suit is very different than the systems I was programmed for. However, my processing power is more focused since I am not spead out through multiple channels. It is surprisingly easy for me to adjust to such new surroundings." the AI went silent for a moment before speaking again, "At the mention of surroundings...where are we? I can assertain that we are no longer on Mars or near any known UAC site."
"It's a bit of a long story, what's the last thing you remember?" asked the Doom Slayer.
"You were in my core unit, Dr. Samuel Hayden and I were assiting you in causing a meltdown so that you could be sent to the Well deep within the demonic realm. Processing...complete. You backed up my more vital files...you saved me from perminent deletion."
"I did." answered John, "You helped me prevent the end of humanity because of the UAC's ignorance, willing to sacrifice yourself to send me to Hell and seal the portal. I couldn't completely destroy you. When I saw the backup option on your terminal I didn't hesitate."
VEGA was silent, processing what it had been told. What it said next actually stunned the traveling warrior. "Thank you."
"It's no problem, VEGA. But to answer your question as to where we are, Hayden betrayed me after I sealed the Well, attempting to take the Crucible before sending me through the teather to another world. But I managed to get the artifact back before I was sent away. We're currently on a planet called Remnant-"
"A planet that has been at war with creatures of darkness called the Grimm since humanity was first formed along side another sub-species known as the faunus. Discovering dust, a mineral of special properties allowing control of the elements, which gave them an advantage over the creatures and bringing them into a new age." VEGA finished. "The Praetor suit is equiped with various monitoring sensors that recorded your conversation with the female known as Amber Autumn and filed away within the suit's codex." it explained simply.
John blinked, "Alright, guess I don't have to explain everything after all." he said shaking his head. "Then that means you know of the whole situation at hand?"
"Affirmative. And I am more than willing to offer you aid wherever it may be required. I have run several scans on the Praetor suit and have discovered features that have yet to be tapped into that I am now able to make avaliable to you should the need arise."
Nodding, the Doom Slayer turned and started making his way back to the cave. The idea of more features being open in his suit sounded very appealing, especially if they could help him later down the road in a tight spot.
And with VEGA now on board, things were looking even better.
A few meters from the mouth of the cave, John paused. His heightened senses picking up movement from closeby. "VEGA?" he whispered lowly, eyes shifting left and right for the source.
"Your immediate left, four meters out." replied the AI, using the armor's sensors to pinpoint the location snap-quick.
With a flick of the wrist, his energy pistol appeared in his right hand and he spun to the left and aimed down the sights. Eyes narrowed and body tense as he looked into the forest, expecting hostility like the last time he was in this situation.
A shadow moved and headed closer to the small clearing, John's finger tightened over the trigger, his other hand clenched into a tight fist as he felt his adrenaline starting to build within.
X
Amber yawned as she awoke, stretching her arms and her back as she sat up. Her aura had come back a lot more in her sleep, and she felt more rested than she did the last time she woke up. Her injuries also didn't hurt nearly as much which meant that they were on the fast track to full recovery.
Looking around the cave, she frowned when she found that she was alone. The embers of the fire having cooled long ago and leaving the sunlight shining through the opening the only source of light.
The Fall Maiden stood up slowly, her midsection and shoulder still a bit tender while she picked up her staff and headed to the cave entrance. Shielding her eyes from the glare of the morning sun as she started looking for John...
Coming to an abrupt stop when she found the Doom Slayer standing a little ways away, running an armored hand gently over the white mane of her horse.
"Oh, hey." he said turning and seeing her standing there. "I was on my way in to wake you when this one showed up."
Overcoming her shock, Amber approached. The horse turning and looking her way, snorting softly before nuzzling the hand the Maiden held out for her affectionetly. "I'm glad to see you okay too." she said softly, leaning forward and resting her forehead against the steed's.
John watched the exchange silently, giving Amber much needed time seeing that the horse was very much important to her. "What's her name?" he asked when she leaned back from the contact the two shared.
"Tundra. My father found her on one of his travels farther north and brought her home. The two of us have been inseperable ever since." the Maiden replied affectionetly as she checked the animal over for anything out of the ordinary. Finding her in good health, Amber slipped one of her feet into the saddle and attempted to lift up and straddle it.
Gasping as she came back down, holding her side when her aching ribs flared up. Preparing to try again, Amber 'eeped' when she felt a large pair of hands go around her waist and hoist her up onto the saddle as though she weighed nothing.
Settling in, she looked down at John, whose height was a full head over Tundra, as he gave her a nod. "Can you still ride?" he asked.
Amber nodded, "Yes, though going faster than a trot could agitate my injuries." she admitted.
"You said that the nearest settlement is about three hours from here on the main path, right?" the Doom Slayer got a nod from the Maiden, "Then we'll take it slow. No rush." with that he held out his hands and his HAR appeared in them, removing the pod-missile launcher and attaching the tactical scope on the top rail before pulling back the bolt-handle.
Everything now ready, the duo started off into the forest. John walking steadily beside Amber and her horse as they found the main road and headed in the direction of the nearest village.
X
From his spot in the treetop that overlooked the main road, Qrow lowered his telescope as he watched the Fall Maiden and her armored savior start heading out. He'd received a message from Ozpin hours ago about what he had discovered about Amber's new 'friend' and couldn't believe it.
The veteran huntsman had heard many tales and legends ever since he was a kid, and it was only a few years ago that he discovered that quite a few of them had been true. But to hear what his old headmaster had told him...it was almost too much for him to swallow at one time.
'If any of what Oz was saying turns out to be true, shit's about to get really shaken up around here.' Qrow thought as he put his telescope away and went after the duo. Keeping far out of sight to avoid detection as he followed at a safe distance.
X
James Ironwood stared at the computer terminal before him, letting out a long breath after the message he had just read from Ozpin. Attached to the message was an image of the armored man with the Fall Maiden in his arms, along with another, upclose image of the man's helmet where a strange red symbol was marked on it.
It was one he had seen before, one he and the others of their little secret society had seen before, and could not believe that he was seeing it again.
There had been many legends on Remnant ever since the kingdoms had first been established. Some good, others dark, but many would be surprised at how many of them were indeed based upon actual fact. And the legend behind that particular mark, was one that even the General knew very well.
It was one that couldn't be taken lightly, and only one being ever bore that symbol in the history of their world. And if it indeed was the being in question...then things were going to change in very significant ways.
The door to his office opened and he looked up to see one of his most trusted specialists step inside. A young woman in a firmly pressed officers uniform with a saber sheathed on her hip, her long white hair styled in a tight bun with a small fringe falling over the right side of her face which held a pair of blue eyes that were as hard as sapphires.
"You wanted to see me, sir?" she asked, standing at attention before his desk and snapping a crisp salute.
"I did, thank you for coming on such short notice, Winter." said James as he stood up, hands behind his back as he came around his desk. "I trust you received the infromation I sent to your scroll?"
Winter nodded, "I did, sir. It was...troubling to read, given the circumstances."
The General nodded in return, "Indeed it is." he headed toward the door she had just come through and turned back to his subordinate, "Come with me." The specialist fell in line beside her superior as they left the room and headed down the long halls of Atlas military command. Walking past several soldiers who stopped to salute the two officers as they made their trek.
"Sir, if I may ask." the eldest Schnee daughter said as they entered an elevator at the end of a corridor. "What is being done about the situation? Is it wise to leave such a large person of interest in the hands of an unknown individual?"
"At first I would have said no, but new information has come to light that changes the perspective." replied the General. Taking out his scroll and swipping it over the controls for the lift before it started to descend downward. "Ozpin has a huntsman in the field keeping an eye on the two subjects, but that isn't the reason why I called you."
Looking toward the panel of the elevator, Winter noticed that the lift was going down farther than it should have. "Sir?" she asked, turning her attention back to Ironwood.
The General remained silent, eyes focused forward until the platform came to a stop at the designated floor. The doors opened and he led the specialist into another long corridor, this one with heavily armed soldiers lined on either side, weapons held at the ready.
Walking past them, James stopped at a large set of steel doors at the far end of the hall. Taking out his scroll again, he swiped over a section of wall beside it which opened up to reveal a panel. Removing one of his gloves, he placed it over a palm reader while he leaned forward and allowed a retinal scanner to scan his eyeball. The locks on the doors turned from red to green before they started to open.
"Specialist Schnee," the General said in a tone that was all business. "What you are about to see is one of Remnant's most safely guarded secrets. One that has been kept since the Great War and only known by a very select few."
Winter blinked as she saw the chamber within, hexigonal in shape with a line of monitors set up in a semi-circle toward the middle. And in the very center of the room, hovering above the floor inside of a glass containment unit, was what looked to be an old, stone tablet that was cracked and chipping from age.
Imprinted on the surface, was an image of what looked to be a man in armor, holding a long sword of unknown origin downward at a large gathering of creatures that were surrounding him at all sides. At the very top of the tablet, was a symbol that was unlike anything she had ever seen before that glowed an angry red.
Looking to her superior in confusion, Ironwood turned and looked back at his subordinate while the doors sealed behind them. "Winter, what do you know of the legend of the 'Great Slayer'?"
A/N: VEGA's back in action, the Maiden and Doom Slayer are on the move, and the plot thickens as an unknown legend surrounding him has started to unravel amongst Ozpin's brain-trust and their enemies. And with the sheer number of cliffhangers I'm throwing at my readers, I may not survive before the next chapter is posted...
Granted they'll have to catch me first! Till next time folks!