A/N : So yeah, I only got one chapter completed for The Legacy Continues (my only crossover), since I couldn't finish the other on time... Apart from that I'm a bit tired still, and I wanted to rest up a bit more. But I can't help myself... My brain still works in the Red RPM Zone (redlining, for the very few who are familiar with the term) and forces me to grab my phone, start typing and go on til either I run outta ideas or I fall asleep.
Oh yeah, just to set your expectations guys : there won't be much interaction on this chapter. This is purely Myst.
... Well, 95% of it is.
Allow us to bring you into a part of her psyche...
This particular chapter was inspired by one of my officemates' creations. Details at the end.
DISCLAIMER : I DO NOT OWN RWBY. CREDIT GOES TO (RWBYGOD) MONTY OUM AND ROOSTERTEETH.
Y'all know the drill by now.
Myst opened the great double doors to the Order's main halls. As she had expected, no one was around. She had arrived very early, and decided not to give any advance word that she was back.
Her footfalls echoed around the familiar, still-empty halls. How long has it been since we left for Vale? Her blue eyes wandered around, mentally identifying and ticking off each door as she passed it, and stopped in front of a set of double doors. Ah, the galley... It seems they have been expecting me. Even though closed, Myst could easily tell food was either being prepared, or already done.
Myst gently pushed one of the doors. The trench seats and tables were all empty, except for the spot closest to the door. A bowl of steaming broth, and a plate of rich, expertly-done roast lamb with four thick slices of bread was laid out, and a smaller plate with several chunks of dark chocolate was also within easy reach. A full tankard and an empty mug stood near.
Myst noticed there was a card underneath the clear glass mug. Lifting it and sliding the card from underneath, she flipped it open and read: "To our favorite galley guest: We've heard you're returning today for the last stage of the Selection Ritual. The galley personnel have decided to show their support and appreciation for everything you've given and done for us through the years, through your favorite course meal. Please enjoy, and we'll be expecting you coming back as the next High Acolyte. From 'The Men (and Woman!) of the Galley'."
Myst chuckled to herself, closing the card. This was somewhat unnecessary, but I shall not let such a good meal go to waste. Myst sat herself down, and proceeded to enjoy the meal.
Which she did.
After the satisfying meal, Myst took a few minutes to rest before continuing. She left a response on the reverse of the card by leaving an imprint of her lips on it. I pray that whoever finds it does not make a wrong interpretation, she smiled slightly to herself.
Long minutes passed, until Myst found herself standing in front of the ornate double doors of the Cathedral. It was built with aged, sturdy wood, with carvings of the Order's teachings masterfully done. Near the apex of the door, the Order's symbol of the six wards was engraved. A ring with six rays of equal length, except for the bottom one reaching to the bottom of the door.
The flaxen-haired girl's hand rested on the polished brass door latch. She felt her heart racing in mixed anticipation and uncertainty. This is it. There shalt be no turning back once I have made a step across this doorway. Taking a deep breath, she pressed on the latch. I am ready. Let us see this through.
Myst pushed the double doors wide open. Surprise greeted the flaxen haired girl as the light from behind her flooded the dim, quiet Cathedral. Myst's instincts immediately warned her to be careful. No single soul was in sight; this was highly odd, for all of the Order's rituals and ceremonies were carefully constructed to include public participation and response. Even the Selection Rituals, wherein potential candidates for the next generation or ruling term, were ensured to be at the very least viewable to the general public.
Her hand reached above her shoulder, loosening the war staff's locking clips that held the weapon securely on her back. Myst's eyes quickly scanned the surroundings: her eyes had not yet fully adjusted, but she could make out some of the details.
The sudden playing of the pipe organ made her start and whirl towards her left, where Myst knew the massive instrument was placed. Her mind did not recognize the melody, but she could easily tell it was not meant for the ceremony.
Within moments, the Cathedral's candelabras, chandeliers, and even the six tall torches behind the altar - only lit when its current High Priest was either ill, recuperating, or had passed away - flared up. The sudden influx of light momentarily blinded Myst. When she opened her eyes, the light still had not lessened in intensity, but she found she could now see without having to shield her eyes. The flaxen-haired girl also noted that the doors were now closed.
"H-huh?" Myst noticed that the music stopped playing. When she turned towards the pipe organ, there was no one there.
"Thou shouldst know better," a voice Myst didn't recognize called from the altar. She slowly turned back to face the direction of the voice. The first thing Myst saw was a perfect duplicate copy of her war staff, although in a different color. Its owner was sitting on the altar, legs crossed seductively. She was wearing the same style of clothes as Myst, except that hers was more daring, showing more skin and cleavage than Myst's more conservative-cut outfit.
That was when Myst started to note other aspects of the other's appearance. Her hair was done the same way as Myst's - long and loose, gathered midway through her back - but instead of being flaxen-hued, hers was the color of dried chaff. Myst's eyes were crystal blue, the other's were a deep red. Where Myst had maintained a calm face, the other was sporting a perpetual smirk that made it seem she knew of a deep, dark secret about Myst that the blue-eyed girl herself didn't know about.
Myst realized with a sinking feeling that she was looking at herself. A mirror version of herself, to be exact.
She was facing her own inner demon.
"'Tis so good to know thou art back here at long last, Mystra Ventego." The other's voice broke into her thoughts.
"Who art thou?" Myst gripped her war staff tightly, preparing for an ambush.
The other simply threw her head back, letting loose peals of laughter, ringing around the Cathedral. "Who am I?! Why, my dearest Mystra, I wouldst have thought thou hath already known!" She slid down from the altar, doing a mock curtsy. "I am thee."
"Thou art simply a mockery; a farce of an existence," Myst replied. "I do not have any siblings. 'Tis very unlikely that I shouldst have a twin."
Another laugh. "Ah, but my dear Mystra, thou most certainly have a twin! But I shalt forgive thee for not knowing; after all, only a handful of people have that knowledge." She walked with an easy fluid grace back to the pipe organ, playing the same set of notes for fifteen seconds. "Now then. Shalt thou... Indulge me, my beloved twin?"
"Never." Myst switched her hold on the war staff, tensing her legs for a dash. "The mere thought of it repulses me!"
"Ah, ever the 'goody two-shoes', dumb-as-sheep thinking thou employ." The mirror-Myst stopped playing and turned around, opening her legs slightly and resting her elbows on her knees, leaning slightly forward. "When shalt thou let thine fiery temper loose? The Order hath been disregarding thee, Mystra, beloved... Ever since thy induction into the Order! Canst thou not recall the numerous times that all were manipulated into thinking thou art not yet ready for thy current role?"
Myst's legs relaxed, the implications setting in. All it took was a second for the shadow of doubt to set in. "Lies!"
"Ah, but thou knowst deep in thine heart that my words have a ring of truth in them." Myst's mirror self eased back, still keeping her elbows on her knees. Myst noted with disgust that the other did not seem to have any underclothing on. "And thou seemst to have noticed the other detail I wanted thou to see."
"Y-you...!" Myst's voice shook with anger. "How dare thee!"
Again, the other let out loud laughter. "Ah, Mystra, beloved Mystra, if thou canst only see thineself through mine eyes! Thou shouldst have seen how thine face recoiled in horror and disgust!" She raised an eyebrow enticingly as she loosened her top a little, making Myst blush slightly. "Oh? Pray tell me not that thou art feeling the signs of arousal from watching thine own body being revealed...?"
"T-thou hath no right to defile mine body so!" Hands working quickly as lightning, Myst switched the war staff into its ranged form - a blowdart - and launched two darts in rapid succession.
The mirror-Myst merely batted the darts to the side using her own war staff, not moving from her sitting position. "There... Let thineself give in to the seething emotions within thee... Restrain not thine anger... Allow thineself to be chained no further!"
Myst grit her teeth. She knew the mirror-Myst was getting her to lose her patience, and she hated the fact that she was indeed losing her patience - and fast. She started murmuring to herself, "Think happy thoughts, think happy thoughts, think happy thoughts, think happy thoughts..."
"Think happy thoughts, think happy thoughts," the other parroted at the exact same time, in a mocking tone. "Rubbish! Thou knowst firsthand that the world is not a fair and happy place. 'Tis a world where the greedy and powerful survive, where rights are frequently denied, and rules broken with sickening regularity to suit the whims of those in power. Thou already knew it before, except that thou simply did not wish to acknowledge it."
"'Tis not true!" Myst slammed her staff down on the marble floor. "There art people who stand up to defend others' rights -"
"Let me ask thee then, to what extent?" The other cut in. She blew a disgruntled sigh before continuing. "Ah, Mystra, beloved... For once, think for thineself. I do not wish thee to remain chained by thy own rules... I wish thee to begin enjoying thyself. Let thine feelings run free. If thou art irate, speak thine mind! If thou art pleased, express it however thou wishest! Shouldst thou feel despondence, seek refuge in others! Surely 'tis not that hard to allow thineself a little leeway?"
"Cease thy words, temptress. Thou shalt not sway me." Myst whirled her war staff, entering a combat pose. "And as I know thou shalt not leave without a fight, I am prepared to give it to thee."
"Oh?" The mirror-Myst smiled sweetly, standing up and holding the war staff in the crook of her arm, like a scepter. "What if I do not wish to engage thee, beloved?"
Myst's blue eyes were hard. "Thou wouldst not want to leave me be without a form of test. I shalt not allow thee the enjoyment of choosing."
The smile on the mirror-Myst's face grew wider. "Good, thou art learning. Take matters into thine own hands." The war staff whirled, picking up speed as the other Myst approached. "Then let us waste no more time in idle words. Let thine staff speak thy truth..."
Myst lunged forward, aiming the top prong towards the mirror-Myst's throat. The other stopped it by aiming the oncoming spike into her own weapon's center ring, creating a hoop to lock Myst's staff and then leaned forward, whispering to the blue-eyed girl. "Let me give thee fair warning. Bear in mind that what thou label as lies may be the truth in another form!"
"That may be so, but what is stopping thee from telling a lie and making it sound like truth?" Myst yanked her staff back and spun, releasing a roundhouse kick as she did so. The mirror-Myst simply blocked it with her own war staff, letting the momentum create distance between them. "Nothing. That is what stops thee from twisting the truth into lies."
Myst parried a thrust to her midsection as she turned to the left, using the momentum to swing her own weapon in a wide sweep. "But if that be the case, beloved, then I ask thee: what stops me from twisting the lies into truth?"
"Cease toying with my mind!" Myst rained multiple stabs, every one of which was parried. "Thou have no place here!"
The mirror-Myst merely laughed, blocking all of the flaxen-haired girl's attacks. "Oh, come now, beloved. Surely that is not all you have!" She suddenly switched to the offensive, replicating all of the blows delivered earlier. Although Myst could block each one, the impact sent by each hit jarred her slightly. This caused her to slow slightly between blocks, and get caught with one sweep to her side.
Instead of fighting the impact, Myst let the force sweep her along, righting herself as she skidded to a stop. Her blue eyes were afire with anger, but her face still remained impassive.
The mirror-Myst quickly closed the distance, never letting up on the offense. Although the blue-eyed girl knew she could predict where the next blow will be, she found that each block or parry she made rang her arms just enough to delay her next block by a few split seconds - tiny slivers of time, that if all of them were combined, added up to a significant amount.
Enough to spell the difference between safely blocking, and getting hit squarely while she was wide open for an attack, possibly even a fatal hit.
Myst's jaw clenched. She realized the seriousness of her situation, but she couldn't find any chances or openings to exploit. Right now her only options were either try to weather the barrage - and ultimately fail, or evade any blow she can and buy herself some time to plan, and hopefully rest.
Myst opted to try and evade as long as she can. Instead of blocking and parrying, she started ducking, dodging, and swaying away from each sweep or thrust. "What now, beloved? Pray, tell me not thou art getting desperate?" The mirror-Myst stopped her attack, backing off several paces and allowing Myst space to breathe.
The flaxen-haired girl took the opportunity to rest her arms, panting while glaring at her other self. Myst was aware her arms still shook from the effort and strain, while her legs trembled partially from tiredness due to moving a lot, compensating for her upper body's locking up during defense.
She would not get the time to completely rest, however. The mirror-Myst resumed her attack, twice as fast as before, leaving the blue-eyed girl with even less time to react.
Myst felt the sharp, stinging blow to her side, driving air out of her lungs. As she bent to try to regain breath, the war staff slammed onto her face, sending her flipping onto her back.
"You disappoint me, beloved."
Myst's eyes widened as she felt both hands being pierced, pinning her arms in place. She was unable to stifle a scream of pain, the burning sensation all too real.
The next thing she felt was a weight settling on her midsection, making it difficult to breathe deeply. Myst peered through bleary eyes, finding her mirror self straddling her. Before she could bite out a reply, she felt lips lock onto hers, sucking the air out of her. Myst bit as hard as she could on the flesh that brushed against her teeth, not caring if she would get bloodied in the process. She was rewarded with a satisfyingly pained scream, immediately followed by a sharp crack across her cheek that made Myst spin her head so fast she felt dizzy.
"Heheheh... Hahahaha!" The mirror-Myst held the other's jaw with one hand, forcing it to face her directly. "I shalt admit, thou hath surprised me. That was painful though," she gently touched her lower lip, still slightly bleeding from the vicious bite earlier.
Myst took a slow, deep breath. If it were to all end here... She clenched her jaw. So be it. It is all or nothing.
She slowly moved her legs until he feet were flat on the floor. "I have one more surprise for thee..." Myst grit her teeth and twisted her lower body to the side, sending her mirror-twin off balance on the floor.
Grunting with exertion, she then proceeded to pull her arms up. The pain lancing through Myst's arms was nearly unbearable, but she persevered, until she felt the rings on her palms. Fingers closing in on the metal, she lifted with all her strength, and succeeding to do so.
"You certainly have surprised me, beloved. I ha-!"
The mirror-Myst never finished. Glancing down, the two war staves were impaled in her midsection - one through her heart, the other through her stomach. Myst's eyes were clear and calm. "I understand now."
Myst was surprised when she felt a gentle caress to her cheek. Her mirror self was smiling, a genuine one. "'Tis all... I... Wanted... For thee..."
And everything faded to black.
Myst felt her arms and legs were like lead weights. Her breathing was clear, but her throat was slightly painful. Where... Where am I...? She opened her eyes slowly, finding herself in a white hospital gown. Her fingers felt warmth, and saw that a black head was nuzzling it, much like a cat. Ah. Sirocca... Thou certainly art an oversized cat. A feeling of warmth started to spread throughout the flaxen-haired girl's body. She let a small smile form on her face as she watched the Faunus continue sleeping. An oversized cat, perhaps, but one that I trust enough with my life.
Myst's finger twitched involuntarily. This was enough to rouse the sleeping Faunus from her slumber. The tiger girl's eyes blearily blinked as she raised her head, yawning hugely in the process. "Hey there, Mud-Eater. How're ya feeling right now?" The concern was easy to see in her amber eyes.
"I am fine, though my throat is parched." She looked around again as the tiger girl turned to the side, the sounds of water being poured reaching Myst's hearing. "Where... Where am I?"
The human girl allowed herself to be propped up with pillows so she could take a drink without spilling or choking. She felt the cold porcelain cup pressed into her hands by the tiger girl. "You're in Beacon's infirmary. You gave everyone a scare when you suddenly collapsed in the doorway, after you came back from meditating in the Cathedral." Sirocca's hands tightened on her lap. "For... For a moment I seriously thought... You were gonna die there. I don't know what I would've done..."
Myst gently placed her hand on top of the tiger girl's. "I apologize if I caused thee worry. Thou shouldst know better... I shalt not leave my best friend - nay, thou art more, thou art mine blood sister - without ensuring thy safety."
Sirocca sniffed once, then gently laid her head on the human girl's lap, purring audibly. The other girl gently stroked the Faunus' black mane of hair, gradually drifting off to sleep. "Thanks, Myst," the tiger Faunus whispered, too soft for the human girl to hear, just before she herself let sleep claim her.
Thanks a lot to my officemate for letting me use his composition, "Belligerence". You can watch and/or listen to it here :
(slash)watch(question mark)v(equal sign)qGJDzwgcKzU
This particular composition was made by one of my officemates. He's known in YouTube as AxelZephyr | Granregis. YOU ARE COMPLETELY BADASS, MAN!
It was the main inspiration for the hymn or song the Mirror Myst was playing. It also served as a BGM of sorts. The other song blaring in my headphones was Daisuke Ishiwatari's "Sword of Doom" (yes, that's Mu-12's theme).
Sanguis out for now.