Written while listening to Powerwolf's "Incense and Iron". I recommend it by the way, it gives a special medieval feel to this fic!
A young page came running across the throne room, rapidly taking his due place and announcing with a clear and strong voice:
"Your Highness, ladies and gentlemen… Sir Yang Xiao Long, Battle Lioness, High Marshal of Light and Aegis of Justice."
His phrase was barely ended when the two immense doors burst open, music from a full orchestra and the crowd's joyous cheering invading the room as a tall knight entered the room. Her armor was of the purest white with gold embroidering, a true masterpiece of craftsmanship. A red and golden cape was lightly blown by the wind while the knight made her way on the blood-red carpet toward the throne, her helmet secured under her right arm. Two luminescent feathers emerged from it, trophy she had claimed after saying the mighty Alicanto that was tormenting Vale's inhabitants.
Marching proudly toward the crystal throne to which she had sworn allegiance to, the Light Knight stopped just before the flight of stairs and kneeled down in respect for her monarch.
"Your Highness, you have summoned me?" Yang said, her voice easily covering the ruckus around.
Of course, she knew why she was here, it was an official ceremony. She was only repeating the formal text she had been given, as had done every High Marshal of Light before her. Truth be told, she knew that she was here to renew her allegiance, but she was curious as to see who would be the next High Marshal of Dark. The last one had been a strong-willed, psychopathic guy with bull horns, that had been executed for attempt of high treason not a month ago. As of tradition, his name was banned for the rest of the Queen's reign, and he was only to be referred to as 'the traitor' but that had no importance to Yang right now.
Another page had come, passing through one of the windows. He caught his breath before announcing with the same tone as his peer:
"Your Highness, ladies and gentlemen… Marquess Blake Belladonna, High Marshal of Darkness."
The absence of following title wasn't really surprising. The High Marshal of Darkness was the official title for the leader of every assassination or spying guilds. It was, much clearly, the 'dark' part of the kingdom's protection, even though the High Marshal was considered nobility and very respected, would it be Light or Darkness. What was more surprising to Yang though, was said Marshal's felinity. And arrival.
As if she had been hidden in the shadows of the roof all along – and she probably was – she fell from one of the supporting beams, achieving a full and graceful flip mid-air and landing directly at Yang's right, kneeling down. Now closer, she could see the onyx plated armor that was covering her, with each crimson engraving. She had no cape, but that was probably to allow her flawless entry into the throne room. The Queen suddenly stood up, bringing the knight's attention back to the ceremony at hand.
"High Marshals, I have indeed summoned you. You are not without knowing that with the Traitor's defection, a new Marshal of Darkness had to be named. Marquess Blake, of the house Belladonna, you have been chosen amongst the Faunus to ensure the kingdom's stability from the shadows. Do you fully know and accept your burden?"
"I do, your Highness."
"Your heart is brave, and you speak with honesty, though no one can roam on the road of such responsibility without a proper guide. Sir Yang, of the house Xiao Long, you have been chosen amongst the humans to ensure the kingdom's stability from the light. Do you agree to accompany the Marquess during her first steps as a High Marshal?"
"I do, your Highness"
"Then I, Weiss Schnee the Just, Queen of Vale and ruler of Patch, hereby declare you linked through light and darkness as the High Marshals of my kingdom." The Queen said formally, while every word was duly noted on an official parchment.
In a perfectly synchronized movement, both marshals stood up and turned to face each other. They then solemnly seized their daggers, emblem of their function, and linked their right arm. A second of silence passed, just enough time for them to synchronize their mantra.
"In Light or Dark, in peace or war, I dedicate my life to the protection of the kingdom. High Marshal, your death is mine and we shall share it on the battlefield, for I swear to protect you with my own life." Both said, arms still intertwined and daggers still in hand.
Both were staring deep into each other's eyes, only to find and unyielding determination. That wasn't just a ceremonial, that was a promise they both intended to keep, and deep inside Yang made another promise: she had sworn her death, and she would spend her life learning to know the Beauty that was in front of her. What she didn't know was that said Beauty made the exact same promise, deep within her heart.
They parted ways, and they returned to their immiscible realms, but something had changed. In the few seconds that the ceremonial had lasted, a glimpse of Darkness had come to Yang. And wherever Blake would go, she would be accompanied by the memory of Light.
I really loved imagining and writing this AU, and if I ever find a good plot, I'll sure write some more about it ! Also, this chapter is a duet with tomorrow's, so stay tuned for the next part of the history.
As always, I hope you enjoyed, and see you tomorrow !