Chapter 40, Seeking the truth.
Blake laid wide awake that night, long after Pyrrha and the others had gone to bed. All the while, she was pondering what to do. Adam had said to keep an eye on Headmaster Rueben in case he was to reveal the vault. Shifting her eyes to the open doorway, she saw that the hallway was clear. Not a sound to be heard by Auron and the others. If she went now, she could go and spy on the Headmaster and perhaps learn of where the vault was hidden.
Or if not, hopefully any information she could use to discover where it was.
She leaned up from her bed. She then glanced over at Pyrrha, who was still fast asleep, peacefully next to her. Pyrrha moaned, snuggling her head against her Pillow, smiling. Seeming having a pleasant dream. Blake paused for a moment, shifting her eyes to the side, frowning. Riddled by the feeling of guilt and and confliction that continued to reside within.
Only to shake her head, choosing to focus on her mission. Regardless of how she felt, she continued to remind herself of what Adam had said. That this was for the good of their people. Regardless of how she felt.
"It doesn't matter, Blake." She said to herself.
"She's not really your... your friend."
Saying those words only made her feel worse.
Throwing off her covers, she leaped out of bed as she came up to the window. Unaware that she was being watched from the hallway. For it was behind the corner of the door, Hanako had been spying upon Blake for the better part of the Night. Peering around the corner of the doorway, she saw Blake push open the windows of their room. She then came perched over the edge before disappearing into the Night.
Hanako emerged into view of the doorway. And with a look of determination, she came up to the open window and followed Blake into the Night. All but determined to see if her fears were proven to be so.
Blake raced across the courtyard that separated the dorms. She then leaped up atop the side of the building as she came up atop the rooftops of the dorms, making her way toward the Academy. From behind, Hanako followed after her, making sure as to not let Blake know that she was following her. Jumping from one rooftop and landing atop another, she glanced up at Blake and saw her jumping down off the roof.
Hanako raced over to the edge of the building, where she gaze down Blake, running across the courtyard, heading toward the Academy. She glared as her hand gripped the handle of her Katana stood over her hip.
"So your deception is true." she said to herself.
"Then I now know what I must do."
Lunging forward, the knight of Sai-Jujitsu pursued the one the presumed deceiver.
Blake came perched at the edge of the roof top, which overlooked Rueben's office. Only to find that the room was dark and there was no one there. She cocked her head, glancing over across the Rooftop. She remembered Pyrrha mention that there was only one other place she would be. If the Headmaster was not at his office, then there was only one place he would be.
She then turned and ran across the Academy rooftop, making her way to the very center of the Academy. All the while, from behind, Hanako continued to pursue her. Perched atop the arched room, she stood up and ran after Blake. Every step despite how quick were as silent as the night itself. She Glanced across at Blake and saw her approach the very center of the Academy.
She then lunged into the air as she landed over the flat surface of the roof top. She then glanced over at Blake as she continued to chase after her.
Blake came perched over the edge of the rooftop. She then peered down into the opening of the Academy, where stood the the Tree of Kassadar. As well as the Headmaster himself, sitting before the tree itself. Blake perched down underneath the the covers of the shadows. Continuing to gaze down over the Headmaster, listening for any such information she was seeking.
From behind, Hanako took cover behind behind a nearby skyline. Peering around the corner, she peered over at Blake who continued to gaze down into the opening below. She squinted her eyes, curiously. Awaiting for what she would do next.
"I thought I'd might find you here."
Blake gasped as she hid back in the cover of the shows. Only to then slowly emerge upon seeing it was Qrow.
"Qrow?" she said.
Rueben was snapped to attention by the sound of the ominous yet familiar voice. He glanced back behind him, where he saw Qrow walking up to him with his flask in hand.
"Burning the Midnight oil?" Qrow asked, taking a drink.
"I could ask that of you, Professor Branwen." Headmaster Rueben said, placing his cane before himself.
"You can drop the formalities." Qrow insisted to him.
"No one else is here. Besides, most of the staff already knows anyway."
Headmaster smirked as he gestured a nod of his head. He already had some question the presence of Both Qrow and Pyrrha here at the Academy over the years. Though he was careful as to not reveal the truth to any of them. Simply telling them that it was a classified matter involving the Council of the Realm's Royals.
"Yes, I am well aware of my staff's feelings on the matter." The Headmaster proclaimed to him.
Qrow walked up as he sat down over the other stone bench, taking a drink from his flask.
"Actually, there's something I wanted to talk to you about Pyrrha's training." Qrow said.
"Ah, yes, of course. Akara's chosen prodigy." The Headmaster said.
"So how has the Prodigy's training processed? I assumed that Akara has unveiled a new lesson for her?"
It was then mention of Prodigy and Akara had certainly caught the attention of both Blake and Hanako. Peering out from the shadows, Blake squinted her eyes curiously as she glanced down at them.
"Pyrrha?" Blake asked, curiously.
Hanako hid back behind the cover of the skyline.
"Akara's... Chosen Prodigy?" she said.
"As a matter of fact, she did apparently." Qrow proclaimed to her.
"Oh, and what prey tell would that be?" The Headmaster asked, curiously.
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about. Pyrrha said that her next lesson was to help her teammates." Qrow insisted to the Headmaster.
Headmaster Rueben simply glanced to the side. He was hardly surprised by what Qrow had said. Having been familiar with the teachings of the Knights of Opara, he was well aware that one of them was putting the needs of others before oneself. And what better way to teach such a lesson then with those who will follow her on this quest ahead of her.
"Ah, yes, of course." The Headmaster said, stoking his bushy white beard in his hand.
"One of the many vital lessons one must learn to be worthy of wielding Martanus's power."
Qrow shifted his confused glance to the Headmaster. It sounded as if he expected that this would happen. As if he seemed to expect this would happened.
"She invited her teammates to train in the colosseum." Qrow insisted to him.
"Luckily, I managed to hide away the Lamp before they got there."
"Do any of her teammates suspect anything?" The Headmaster asked, curiously.
Qrow shook his head.
"No, at least not that I know of." Qrow insisted to him.
Rueben nodded his head as he stood up from the bench.
"Good, then you will proceed with the training as Akara has instructed her." The Headmaster instructed Qrow.
"This is an important lesson in her training. What better way for her then with those who will follow her on her journey."
"But they are not really her teammates." Qrow claimed to the Headmaster..
"They are not her followers either. They don't even know she's the prodigy."
The headmaster shifted his glance back at Qrow, smirking.
"Ah, but it seems that the fates had ties their destiny's to her." Headmaster Rueben reminded the former Knight of Ataria.
Blake continued to glanced down upon the two in awe and confusion. She shifted her eyes to the side, pondering silently what the Headmaster had said. If what they were saying were true, it meant that her fate was tied to the Prodigy of Akara.
"I am tied to the Prodigy?" She thought to herself.
So too was Hanako left in questioned by the words of the headmaster. Who slowly peered from behind the Skyline, as she squinted her eyes.
"It doesn't matter whether the fates have tied them together. They are still from different realms!" Qrow insisted to the Headmaster.
"They are meant to serve different Kingdoms."
The Headmaster gestured a nod of her head, knowing that was true. Being that her Teammates were of this Kingdom while she was of another, it would mean they would indeed need to serve them. However, that was not to say that it would mean that they would remain apart. As it was, Akara's followers were of different realms after all.
"Yes that is true. They may be required to serve their Kingdom." The Headmaster proclaimed.
"But it does not meant they will remain apart. Whether they are separated by their Kingdoms. The Fates have a way of bringing together those who are destined together."
Blake seeped back in the cover of the shadows, pondering all that she had heard. The answers of what she sought regarding the whereabouts of the vault still remained a mystery. But now it seemed she stumbled something much more. That the successor of Akara herself had been chosen even after her death long ago. And for it to be Pyrrha of all people, the only human who had showed any such kindness to her.
She knew that Pyrrha was different. But she never would have expected this. It was almost too good to be true.
"Pyrrha." She whispered to herself.
Sinking back behind the cover to the skyline, Hanako also pondered all she had heard.
"Pyrrha... is the Prodigy?" She asked, herself.
"But how could that be...?"
The fact that Akara had indeed chosen a prodigy was surprising in of itself. But for it to be Pyrrha of all people. It would explain much of the suspicions she had about her. But to also hear that she was from another Kingdom.
Turning back to Blake, it seemed like she would not be given the information she needed this Night. Therefore there was no reason to strike upon Blake this night. With the presence of the Headmaster and Professor Qrow, it would no doubt draw unwanted attention. It was best to wait and let another oppertunity present itself.
Slowly she stood up and took off back to the dorms.
Blake emerged into her and Pyrrha's dorm room through the open window. Turning to close the window behind her, she paused for a moment, glancing back in the direction of the Academy. Pondering all she had overhead of the Headmaster and Auron's discussion. It was a shock to learn that the Prodigy had been chosen, even with the death of Akara. But for it to be Pyrrha of all people.
"Pyrrha... is the Prodigy?" Blake thought to herself.
"But, how is that possible? I thought their could never be another after Akara died."
Blake then shifted her glance to Pyrrha, who was still fast asleep in her bed. . If everything the Headmaster Rueben and Professor Qrow were true, it would explain this strange feeling of suspicion she had. She never would have thought that Pyrrha would be the one chosen to be Akara's successor. Yet the more she thought about it, the more the pieces all fell into place.
Yes, it had to be true. It explained everything. Being able to train at the Colosseum.
But this could also change everything not just for the realms. But for her people as well. Her fighting skills being on par with one of years of training. And with what happened at the Team Trials.
"But if she really is the prodigy, then maybe... she could be exactly what we need." Blake thought to herself.
"Maybe she could help the White Fang, just as Akara did!"
It was no secret that Akara did indeed sympathies with the Faunus. She understood their plight of not being accepted by the other realms and believed that the People of the Faunus Realms deserved to have equality. As well as the mending the sins of the past between them and humanity. And it seemed that Pyrrha also shared the same sentiment for the Faunus as Akara did.
Blake's gaze turned to that of realization.
"That's it. She might just be the answer!" Blake thought to herself.
"She might be just what our people needed. If she's really the Prodigy, she could help the Faunus and maybe even help the White Fang find their way again."
Overwhelmed with anticipation of all she had hoped, the realization had then set in. Would Adam and the others believe her? And would Pyrrha even help her if she learned that she was part of the White Fang?
Blake shifted her side as she frowned. Unannounced to her that Hanako was watching from the hallway. Peering from behind the corner, Hanako's eyes squinted sternly at Blake. It was clear that the news that Pyrrha was the Prodigy was a shock to her. But so too was the look of oppertunity she had. She hid back behind the corner of the doorway, he gaze shifting to the side.
This couldn't be good. Whatever she was planning. Whatever she wanted from Pyrrha, she could not allow it come to pass.
It was during class the next day, Pyrrha and her friends were sitting at the top of the rows as usual. Listening to the professor give their lecture. It was during several points during the lesson that Pyrrha shifted her glance to Auron. He seemed rather focused on the lesson like everyone else. Though there were at several points where she noticed that same stern look from the night before.
Pyrrha shifted her eyes forward to the lesson. Though her thoughts were still residing on Auron.
"Why does he seem so upset?" She thought to herself.
"There must be some reason. But why?"
There had to be some reason he was so upset. Thinking back to yesterday, it was only when he lost to Cardin in that practice that he began acting this way. But there was something more to it then that. But what was it?
"Miss Nikos!"
Niko glanced up to the Professor, who was looking up at her.
"Could you perhaps tell us what gave the Faunus such an advantage in the battle of Cadare?" The professor asked, curiously.
Pyrrha was hesitant for a moment, having lost track for just a moment. Only to then shake her head and refocus herself on the lesson at hand.
"Uh, yes." Pyrrha answered, siting up straight in her seat.
"Most of the Faunus possess Night Vision. Therefore giving them the advantage during the the Night."
The professor nodded their head to her.
"Correct, well done." He said.
Pyrrha in turn gestured a nod back to him. Blake glanced to her, smiling. Impressed to say the least at how well Pyrrha knew about the Faunus. For a human to take the time to learn about her people was not something she would ever expect. Usually the Humans were so dismissive to their people.
All the more proving she was truly was Akara's Prodigy.
"Impressive." She said.
Pyrrha looked to her, curiously.
"Huh?" She said.
Blake paused for a moment, finding herself at a loss of words. She had never truly opened up to anyone before. Let alone a human.
"I mean, you know so much about the Faunus." Blake insisted to her.
"I've never known a human who ever took the time to understand us."
Their conversation did not go unnoticed by Hanako, who shifted her eyes to Blake in suspicion. Since the night before, Blake appeared to be closer to Pyrrha then before. Seeming after learning that Pyrrha was the Prodigy. Though that bagged the question, how would her being the successor of Akara be so beneficial to her?
"Thank you." Pyrrha said, smiling.
"Uncle Qrow taught me history during some of our free time in the library."
Hearing herself refer to Qrow as her Uncle brought a small smile to Pyrrha's face. In a funny way, Qrow did feel a lot like her uncle.
"What?" Blake asked, noticing her smile.
Pyrrha shook her head.
"It's nothing." she simply said.
"He taught me a lot of the history of Lothadare and their conflicts with other Realms. I knew there were conflicts with the Faunus... but I never knew how bad they are still being decimated against."
Blake nodded her head to her.
"The other Kingdoms have always believed they are superior to the Faunus." Blake insisted to her.
"The only human who ever treated fairly was Akara. She believed the Faunus deserved to be treated fairly like all the other Realms of Opara."
Hearing Blake bringing up Akara made Hanako grip her pencil tightly in anger. Her eyes shifted to Blake, scowling. Pyrrha turned to Blake. The very idea that Akara of all people believed that the Faunus deserved seen equally to the other people of Opara was hardly surprising to her. As it was the responsibility of the Knight of Opara to Protect all the people of the Realms.
The Faunus were no exception.
And being that she was her successor, she too would do the same.
Pyrrha glanced up at Blake, smiling.
"And I do as well." Pyrrha insisted to Blake.
"I just wish that there was something that I can do for them."
Blake's eyes squinted inquisitively at Pyrrha. Hardly convinced by her words or the act she displayed. It almost seemed that she was actively trying to deny that she was the Prodigy of Akara. Not surprising as both Qrow and Headmaster Rueben seemed quite secretive over about the whole ordeal. They must have convinced Pyrrha to also keep quiet about the whole thing.
Pyrrha's gaze once more turned to Auron.
"How can I help anyone if I can't help my own teammates." She said to Blake.
She shifted her eyes to the side for a moment, pondering. Only to turn back at Auron with a more determined expression, deciding to do something about it.
The other students came storming out of the classroom at the sound of the bell. As Auron exited the classroom, he was brushed off from the side by Cardin and his gang. He paused for a moment, glancing up at Cardin who gave him a sly smirk. Auron stood up, collecting himself.
"Auron, wait!" She called to him.
Auron paused as he turned back to the classroom, curiously. Pyrrha and Blake came running up behind him.
"What?" He asked, curiously.
Pyrrha paused for a moment, glancing down the hallways to both her sides. Being sure that none of the professors were nearby to hear them. While it wasn't like they were missing any important classes, study session was much preferred to be used for just that. Which was why, she wanted to use this time for the task that Akara had asked of her.
She was sure that the Headmaster wouldn't mind if she missed one study session for some training.
She then turned back to Auron.
"Get your armor and meet me at the colosseum." Pyrrha insisted to him.
Auron glanced to her, curiously.
"But what about...?"
He didn't have time to finish the sentence before he was cut off by Pyrrha.
"Don't worry about it!" Pyrrha claimed to him.
"Just come on!"
Grabbing hold of his hand, she then pulled him along down the hallway. BAs the three made their way down the hallway, none of them noticed Blake standing in the doorway. Keith came up to her, glanced toward Pyrrha, Auron and Blake.
"Hey, where are they going?" He asked, curiously.
Hanako didn't say anything, only continuing to stare at the three. Her stern glance mainly fixed upon Blake. The conversation she had with Pyrrha still fresh within her mind. Most notably, when she had said that she could help the Faunus find their way again. There could only be one meaning to those words and if it was true, they were in more danger then she thought.