Another chapter for you guys, my awesome readers.
To Warmach1ne32: While I know what Anime is, (in that is primarily Japanese animation styled cartoons), RWBY along with the well-known Avatar: The Last Airbender are American made cartoons made with the intention to be similar to Japanese Anime. But these are made leagues better then other American attempts to create inspiring story-driven cartoons. In conclusion they deserve to be called what they strived to be. It is, at the very least my opinion, and regardless of what others say I shall continue to call them what they deserve.
You can check my profile page for updates and such on the story. Anyone interested in leaving a review, please do it is much appreciated as it inspires me to give you all more.
So with that please enjoy this next chapter.
Chapter 20
Victoria Kran Vanstrom
Unknown Location
Unknown Time
My face was cold and I found for some reason I was lying on the ground. With a start, I realized I wasn't in the laboratory anymore.
I jumped up and felt snow crunch beneath my feet. Desperately I looked for some sort of landmark, seeing none I felt myself beginning to panic. Then, far off in the distance, I could see a tall tower piercing the clouds.
Cold and very confused I started walking towards the tower. The landscape remained dismal as I dredged through the snow slowly; every now and then I stepped into a deep snow drift. Stumbling and shivering I continued walking.
By the time I finally arrived at the base of the tower I was cold, wet and exhausted. I circled the strange stone tower looking for an entrance. When I finally found it (on the opposite side of the building), I quickly rushed inside.
Surprisingly it was warm and oddly, ornately furnished inside the tower. Next to the large wooden door were large red and white flags with a large beasts head on the center of the flags. There was also a statue of a tall woman with horns on her head. An inscription at the base of the statue read, "Sytana Runic."
Suddenly a voice startled me, "She's my great-grandmother you know." A tall woman with dark brown hair appeared from a staircase off to the side of the room. She wore a crimson dress with cerulean symbols sewn into the fabric in a seemingly random pattern. "My name is Victoria Kran Vanstrom and I am one of the greatest Shadow Sorcerers to ever live. But enough about me, who are you and please tell me, why have you come here?"
I started to ask where I was and what was going on but she quickly shushed me and said, "I asked first little girl. Though I suppose I should forgive your little hiccup, since you are only human. You are currently inside a copy of my mind that I had hidden inside that vial you must have drunk. As for what is going on… that depends on what you want. Now then why don't you answer my questions."
I took a deep breath and said, "My name is Reki and-"
She held up a finger and shook her head, your full name please. I do detest half introductions."
"Reki Hinamoto." The name felt foreign on my lips, I wasn't used to saying my full name, no one really ever asked so it never felt all that important before.
"Much better! Go on now please."
"I don't really know why I am here though…"
She nodded her approval and said, "That's fine. Not knowing is the first step… or really its right before the first step. Anyway, do you at least know why you drank the vial?"
I stood there for a moment wondering what had me drink the vial in the first place. I thought of how strong Tatsu was and how desperately I wanted to be near him. "I think… I drank the vial so that I wouldn't be left behind."
"Well I suppose that's a start, though if I'm going to give you my powers then I would expect you to be a little more assertive. Rather than just 'trying not to get left behind.' Understand?" She said this with a knowing look in her eyes that made me blush.
She turned back towards the stairs and gestured for me to follow her. As we headed up the stairs I noticed that the stone bricked walls were covered in symbols, similar to the ones that were on Victoria's dress. One symbol in particular caught my attention, it was a diamond with long lines protruding from the sides and in the center was a large demonic eye. It was kinda frightening and I felt like I would somehow see it again.
Suddenly Victoria's voice echoed from up the stairs, "Stay focused Ms. Hinamoto. I'm not the only one in this tower, and trust me when I say that I'm the only one who won't hurt you."
I quickly hurried up the stairs, this time noticing the many different landings and the eyes that seemed to be looking at me from the darkness.
When I got to the top of the stairs, I saw Victoria setting a small table surrounded by strange ice sculptures. As she finished she gestured for me to sit down.
She brought over a teapot and sat down across from me. "So then tell me about this person that you're trying to 'keep up with.' He's probably a Shadow if you need my help, but that's not important, is he cute?"
I must've been blushing because she quickly said, "Alright you don't have to answer 'that' specifically. But you can at least tell me a bit about him."
"Well he's a bit of an idiot but there's something about him that I like… It's just… I don't really know what it is…"
Victoria stared at me intently for a moment then said, "I know exactly what you're talking about. But go on what's he look like?"
"He's a lot taller than me and his eyes shine like gold…" I stopped talking as I suddenly realized that I didn't know anything about Victoria and yet here I was telling here my deepest darkest secrets."
She must've noticed my hesitation because she sighed and stood up before me. "It's always the same with you humans! Ever on the defensive, always afraid someone is out to get you. Can't you ever assume that is genuinely trying to help you?" She paced back and forth for a moment then said, "Alright, fine! If I answer a few of your questions will you answer mine?"
I nodded and said, "You mentioned that you were a Shadow Sorcerer earlier, what is that?"
"Shadow Sorcerers are people who use magic for many tasks. It could be in war, for work, or any everyday household chores. My specialty lies within a more supportive role. I am an expert in mind magic, which basically deals with illusions and alteration spells. I am also one of the greatest Water mages to ever have lived. Regardless that is not the only title we use though, a Shadow Striker focuses on the use of their own personal abilities along with the use of machinery. There are also the Shadow Reapers who use both attributes rather than limit themselves to only one class."
"So you don't know how to use a knife or anything?"
She chuckled and said, "No, not exactly. I know how to fight with a short sword but I am not very fond of it. I much prefer to fight with my magic."
"Wouldn't that make you a Shadow Reaper then?"
"No, when you use one skill far more than the other or are only good at one attribute that you get that respective title. Technically everyone is a Reaper, it's just our values that set us apart. Just like with how the Dusk and the Runic no longer get along. Now it's time for one of my questions." She stretched a bit and began to stare at me intently, "How did you meet your boyfriend?"
I blushed and shouted, "He's not my boyfriend! And I first met him when we were little kids but I haven't seen him since only recently and I didn't even recognize him until he showed me his fire trick."
She gave a quizzical look and asked, "Fire trick?"
"Yeah he can conjure fire from his hands. He showed me once a long time ago and when he showed me it again recently, I remembered." She leaned back in her chair and started laughing. "What?"
"Fire control is one of the rarest powers, it only ever appears within the royal family, it usually mean that some big change is about to happen."
I was starting to get angry, I felt as if she was just messing with me. I stood as if to leave but Victoria grabbed my wrist.
"Wait one moment please. You came here for a reason didn't you?" Slowly I sat down and she released my wrist. "Now then, shall we begin?"
"Begin, what exactly?"
"Our Resonance, of course."