I'm early. More notes at the end.

Enjoy.


Whitaker awoke to Glynda whispering under her breath. "He nearly killed another student, Ozpin. I… As much as I value Whitaker's attendance here at Beacon, this is non-negotiable. Even for me. You know what must be done." The door to the room clicked open, leaving Whitaker alone in the room with Headmaster Ozpin.

"I know you're awake, Whitaker."

Whitaker peeled open his eyes. Ozpin was standing at the foot of his bed, his cane resting before him and a small, albeit sad smile on his face.

"Is Mercury okay?"

"As well as one can be after being nearly dismembered," Ozpin answered. "Needless to say, he will not be able to participate in the Vytal Festival with his team. The team itself has yet to give an answer to any of the staff as to whether they will choose to continue with the competition."

"But he's stable. Alive?"

Ozpin nodded.

Whitaker pursed his lips. "Then," he continued, as quiet as a mouse. "What'll happen to me?"

Ozpin moved to sit down on the open chair at Whitaker's bedside. He leaned his cane against the chair. "Before I can give you that answer, I need you to answer my questions first, Whitaker."

"Yes, of course," Whitaker immediately complied. Harros had told him to trust Ozpin, so he would. The way that he saw, there was no way out of this if it wasn't through the Headmaster of Beacon Academy.

"Did you do that to Mercury Black? Or did someone else do it?"

"It… It was Lightbearer," Whitaker murmured. "The weapon is alive. It stores Aura. And ever since I gave it to you, I've had brief instances of where I don't act like myself. Moments where I'm more impulsive, more brash, and more overconfident than normal. But what happened with Mercury was different. That… That wasn't me, Ozpin, I swear."

"Then who was it?"

"Kalarel."

Ozpin had a nearly perfect poker face. Throughout the entire brief period that Whitaker had known him, Ozpin was the picture of neutrality and calmness. Until Whitaker mentioned that name. Ozpin's emerald green eyes ignited, his brows furrowed into daggers, and— very, very calmly— said, "How on Remnant do you know that name?"

"Like I said, Lightbearer stores Aura," Whitaker explained. "Kalarel once wielded it. And now that I wield it, he's able to reach me. As can all of its previous wielders. It really wasn't me that did that to Mercury."

Ozpin drew in a deep breath. Then, he slowly released it. His calm demeanor returned, the mask in place once again. "I understand. This will be… difficult to explain, then."

"My team. How are they?"

"They are handling it as well as they can. But that day, they saw something horrifying, Whitaker. Such events are difficult to forget. Impossible, even."

"What should I tell them?"

"Whatever you wish," Ozpin said. "The truth, or otherwise, seem both equally unbelievable."

"And what are you going to tell Ms. Goodwitch and the rest of the Academies?"

"That you were overcome with the stress and pressures of the upcoming festival and succumbed to them," Ozpin said. "In the public address, I'll mention that you are an exemplary student who embarked on a year-long journey performing the duties of a Huntsman. Most people already recognize you from your… efforts at the docks, and most professional Hunters who operate in Vale have read the reports on Verdant. Your public reputation will take a hit— this much is for certain— but you will still be able to become a Hunter."

"And the Vytal Festival?"

"You cannot compete," Ozpin replied flatly. "Your team will still be able to partake in the event, but if you are seen on that stage, it will cause the public to be up in arms."

Whitaker's heart dropped. The Vytal Festival… It was something he'd been desperately looking forward to. A chance to show the world what he was truly capable of. But now that chance was squandered all because of something that was forced on him. All because of the secret war that waged on between the forces of Light and Dark.

"I'm sorry, Whitaker."

Whitaker shook his head. "None of this is your fault. It's mine."

"Perhaps." Ozpin rose to his feet. He grabbed his cane. "Lightbearer is still in my possession. Should you ever want it back, I will be more than happy to return it to its rightful owner."

"I can't take it back."

Ozpin tilted his head. "And why not?"

"Because if I can't be a Huntsman without it, what right do I have to use it?" Whitaker asked. "I know I'll be able to overcome nearly any challenge without it as long as I persevere and remain focused, Headmaster. Using it now… It wouldn't benefit my training as a Huntsman. I don't want to call it a crutch, but I believe that it is."

Ozpin digested his words. Then, he merely nodded. "I do hope you know what you are saying, Whitaker. I would hate for you to pay for your overconfidence with the lives of your loved ones."

The Headmaster opened the door. Light bled into the dark room. With one final look at Whitaker, he shut it behind him.

[;]

Whitaker wasn't sure how long it was before he woke up again. He was roused out of his sleep by his team chattering in his room. He blinked a single eye open, and all conversation ceased. They were all by his bedside. Blake was sitting down in the chair, while Ruby and Yang were on his left, hands resting on the bed.

"Whitaker? How are you?" Ruby asked. She looked worried.

"I'm alright." Whitaker sat up. "How are all of you?"

"Tired, but good, I think," Ruby answered, glancing at Yang and Blake.

They nodded in agreement.

"Do… Do you want to talk about it?"

"We have to, don't we?" Yang asked. "Whitaker, what you did to Mercury… That was outright insane. It didn't even look like you. What happened? What were you thinking?"

"It's complicated." Gods, I would kill to have Harros here to help me explain all this. Whitaker sighed. He couldn't tell his team everything. Not yet. "I need more time."

"Whitaker," Ruby said. She leaned forward, her eyes swirling like pools of liquified silver. As always, she saw right through him and his words. "You can trust us."

Whitaker bit his tongue. He nodded once. "I know. I just need time to explain it. I promise I'll tell all of you sooner rather than later."

There was a pregnant pause.

Yang relented first. "Fine," she growled out before she stomped towards the door.

Ruby put a hand out. "Yang—"

The blonde yanked open the door and slammed it shut behind her.

Ruby slowly turned her gaze to Whitaker. "I'll go and talk to her," Ruby murmured. She was visibly dejected. When Ruby got to the door, she placed her hand on the frame. "Get some rest, Whitaker."

As Ruby exited the room, it left Whitaker alone with Blake. She hadn't so much as looked in his direction ever since he woke up. She was simply staring at him, her amber eyes trained on his face.

"Blake?"

Blake's eyes narrowed into daggers. She latched onto his arm. Her nails pressed harshly against his skin. "Tell me everything."

"Blake, I just said that—"

"I'm not going to take that bullshit excuse as an answer, Whitaker," Blake bit back. "I know that Ruby and Yang did, but I'm not like them. I've seen a lot of shit, Whitaker."

"I still need time—"

"You're not getting that luxury! Not when you've already explained it to Ozpin."

Whitaker gawked. "How… How do you know that?"

"I wanted to visit you ahead of the others. I saw him walk into your room for more than a few seconds, so I knew you were awake," Blake said. "You were talking to him. For a while."

"What did you hear?"

"Enough." Blake released him. Her features momentarily softened. "Was it true? What you told him?"

Whitaker was at an impasse. He'd already told Ruby and Yang that he couldn't tell them because he needed more time to explain it all. But Blake, through her eavesdropping, had proof to the contrary.

Harros' advice echoed in his mind with the ringing of a distant bell. You need someone to absolutely, implicitly trust.

But was that person Blake?

He and Blake were close. They'd grown exponentially closer after what happened at the docks at the end of last semester. He could trust Blake with this, couldn't he? But what Whitaker knew was so much bigger than the White Fang. It was bigger than everything. Even bigger the Grimm, if what Corinth said about the forces of Darkness was true. By telling Blake about it, he was putting her in even greater danger as well. More danger than even her sordid history provided her. If he did this… If he told Blake about the Darkness…

Trust…

Whitaker drew in a deep breath. He did his best to keep the fear and finality out of his voice. "Yes," he whispered. "It's all true."

"Truly?"

"Truly," Whitaker said. "I wish I had been making it up, but everything about Lightbearer, about what happened with Mercury, it's the truth."

Blake slumped back into her chair. Her hand returned to his arm, but it was a comforting touch rather than a threatening one. "Gods, Whitaker. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I'm learning to come to terms with it."

"Is there anything else you want to talk about?" Blake asked. "I won't pry this time. I just… I know what it's like to not place your trust in people easily."

"How much do you want to know?" Whitaker asked.

"Anything you feel comfortable telling me."

Whitaker told Blake everything. From how he found Lightbearer, to what Lightbearer could do, and to who Harros Vesta truly was. He told her about the visions that Lightbearer gave him. He told her about the war between Light and Darkness, and just how deep it went. He told her about what Lightbearer was doing to him— how it took his Aura, and how it made him nearly unable to use Lightning. He told her how Lightbearer nearly killed him on the night of the docks.

"Can you escape it? Get rid of it somehow?" Blake asked.

"No. I don't think so. I don't know," Whitaker said. "As far as Harros tells me, there's no way I can run from it."

"What do you think you'll do, then?"

"Face it head on, I guess?" Whitaker sighed. "I'm not really left with much of a choice, Blake. If I don't eventually use Lightbearer, being a Huntsman will kill me. I can't fight Grimm without an Aura."

Blake bit her lip. "Whitaker… I think you should seriously consider asking Ozpin to use Lightbearer again."

"Blake—"

"Just hear me out!" She quickly interrupted. Her eyes met his once again. "Please."

"Okay. I'll listen," Whitaker accepted.

"I get where you're coming from. Seriously, I do. I was right where you are. I was convinced that I couldn't escape my past, that it would always find me no matter what. I was right. I would never be able to run from everything that happened to me. I was ashamed of it. I was ashamed of the decisions that I'd made during my time with the White Fang. And I foolishly thought that I could run from it despite knowing the truth. But… but what I didn't understand was that it was just how things worked. My past shaped me into the person that I am today. I think… I think that your relationship with Lightbearer is the exact same, Whitaker," Blake said slowly, eventually finding her pace and locking eyes with him once she did. "It might have been forced on you, but at the end of the day, Lightbearer has become a part of you. Your past and Lightbearer's past are intertwined now, even if you are convinced that it shouldn't be.

"I know that it was forced on you. And I know that my experience doesn't fit with yours exactly," Blake began. "I still hope you can realize where I'm coming from. I don't know first-hand what you're going through. I'll never know. I think it would be wisest if you used Lightbearer again, Whitaker. That's all."

Whitaker thought long and hard about what exactly Blake was saying. He digested every word. She was right about her experience not being completely relatable to his own. At the end of the day, Blake still had the right to choose to join the White Fang. With Lightbearer, Whitaker had no idea what was waiting for him in that tomb. But Blake was also right in some ways. Him and Lightbearer were joined through their souls now— a bond that very few people, if any, experienced on Remnant. That didn't change the fact that there were a million unanswered questions that remained on Whitaker's mind.

If he wielded Lightbearer again, what would happen? Would his Aura simply return to him? Would his Aura merge with every soul stored within the weapon? Would he still be himself, or would he be an amalgamation of every previous wielder? Was he even ready for that possibility?

Whitaker still wanted so much. He wanted to do so much. But… but he wouldn't risk his team and his family for his selfish desires. He could never do that. It was part of the entire reason why he became a Huntsman in the first place, right? To protect people. To protect those he loved and cared about.

Iris, Ozpin, Harros, and Blake were right. Living without Lightbearer was killing him— it was going to kill him. The longer he went without it, it would soon put those he cared about in danger as well. That was the last thing he wanted.

His decision was made.

His fate was sealed.

"I understand," Whitaker told Blake. "I… I'll do it. I'll talk to Ozpin again."

"Good." Blake stood up. "Well, I should get going before it gets too late. I've been taking notes for you in Oobleck's class. And Ruby's been handling the notes for Port's class as best as she can."

Whitaker smiled. "I appreciate it."

Blake paced to the door. "Sleep well, Whitaker."

"I'll try."

She slipped out of the room. The door clicked quietly behind her.

[;]

It took only one more day of bedrest before Whitaker was discharged by Iris. During that discharge, Iris slid her Scroll closed and looked Whitaker over. "Will I see you next week for an appointment, Whitaker?"

"I'll try and be there."

Iris nodded. "Your Aura levels are holding at a steady 40% at the moment," she explained, switching back into doctor-mode.

"Does anyone know?"

"Only the Headmaster," she explained. "He sent me an email about it late last night, and I can't exactly dodge the question for my supervisor."

"No patient-doctor confidentiality?"

Iris shook her head. "Not when the patient puts another student in critical condition."

Whitaker bit his lip. "I'm sorry."

"As long as you acknowledge your wrongdoings, Whitaker," Iris said. "But I won't pester you with that now." She signed off on a slip of paper. "You're excused from your classes for the rest of the day, but you're expected to go back tomorrow. Got it?"

"Yeah. Got it." Whitaker sat up. "Thanks, Iris."

"I am merely doing my job, Whitaker."

[;]

The same day that he was discharged, Whitaker sent Coco a message on her Scroll before he stepped into the elevator up to Ozpin's office that evening.

I need to talk to you. Are you free tonight?

I am. Where do you want to meet?

I'll swing by your dorm in a bit. I'll message you again when I'm on the way.

Okay. I'll see you then.

Whitaker tightly clutched Lightning's grip while it was in its sheath as he rode the elevator up. He was doing his best to remain as calm as possible, but the storm that raged in his mind seemed almost unbreakable. Unstoppable. There were so many things to worry about, to think of, to want. But as he told Blake, he'd already made his decision with Lightbearer.

The elevator dinged.

"Mr. Ash," Ozpin said, sitting behind his desk and sipping on a cup of coffee. "What brings you to my office at this hour?"

Whitaker paced to the Headmaster. "I think you know."

"Is this about Lightbearer?"

Whitaker nodded. "I… talked with my team."

"And they convinced you to wield Lightbearer once again?"

"Yes." Whitaker pursed his lips. "I have a question, though."

Ozpin waved his free hand. "Ask away."

"What will happen to me once my Aura merges with Lightbearer? I know that Aura is still something that most people don't fully understand, but… but I need to know more, Headmaster. For my sake."

Ozpin raised his mug to his lips and took a long, slow sip. He gently set it down on the table once he was finished. "There is no concrete answer for you, Whitaker. But based on my knowledge, I expect there to be some difficulties in the transitioning process as you've already experienced. In truth, I believe it will depend on your willpower as a Huntsman. The melding of souls is surely a complicated process. I believe that it will be an internal battle of control, and whoevers soul proves to be the dominant one will retain the most control."

"So I just need to overpower all the previous wielders of Lightbearer?"

Ozpin shrugged. "Or perhaps the ones who believe themselves more worthy than you. I cannot say for certain."

"Kalarel," Whitaker murmured. Great. I just need to fight off a bloodthirsty warrior who conquered all of Sanus.

"Most likely," Ozpin supplied. Then, he stood up. "Do you wish to have Lightbearer returned to you now?"

Whitaker shook his head. "No. Not yet. I… have something to do first."

"Which is?"

"Dance with someone."

Ozpin nodded. He was smiling, but it was nearly lost underneath the crushing weight of the conversation. "Should I expect you to collect Lightbearer once you've concluded your business?"

"Yes."

"I will wait for you, then."

"Headmaster," Whitaker said quietly. He momentarily glanced up to meet Ozpin's inquisitive eyes. He did his best to put on a brave face. "If… If I succumb to Kalarel; if— if he takes control, can you promise me that you'll make sure that he can't use my body to his advantage?"

Ozpin's eyes widened. "Whitaker. Are you asking me to…" He trailed off.

"Yes."

"I thought you said that self-sacrifice was not something you were interested in."

"I said that when I had nothing to sacrifice my life for. But during my time here at Beacon, with my team, away from my family, I've learned what it means to care for them. To love them," said Whitaker. "Please, Ozma. If Kalarel takes over, I want you to promise that you'll kill me."

Despite mentioning his true name, Ozpin had no external reaction to it. He solemnly nodded. "I promise, Whitaker Ash."

"Thank you for this, Headmaster. I won't forget what you've done for me today."

"I had no part in this, Whitaker," Ozpin corrected. "This is all through your own volitions. But… I appreciate the sentiment nonetheless. Run along now. I'll be waiting for you."

[;]

Glynda Goodwitch caught Whitaker at the bottom of the elevator. She had her arms crossed and her green eyes were narrowed into points. "Whitaker."

"Glyn— Ms. Goodwitch," he swiftly corrected.

"May I ask what you and the Headmaster were discussing?"

"My fate." Whitaker smiled softly.

"Then… Has he done it?"

"Done what?"

"Expelled you?"

"No," Whitaker said, shaking his head. He kept his smile up. "We reached an agreement."

Glynda nodded once. "I see. Well, I wish—"

"Goodbye, Ms. Goodwitch," Whitaker interjected before pushing past her and heading out of the CCT. He couldn't bear to hear what she had to say. His facade would have shattered into a million pieces if she got another word in.

He wanted to make sure that she knew parts of him still remained.

It was likely the last time that he would ever see her again, after all.

[;]

Whitaker knocked on the door to Team CFVY's dorm. He could hear bouts of laughter from inside before it was cut off at the sound of his knocking. There was some light mumbling, but the door soon opened to reveal Coco Adel wearing a pair of black sweatpants and a light brown tank top. Her hair was tied up into a ponytail.

"I'll be back in a bit, guys," Coco said with a glance back to her team. She closed the door behind her. "So, what did you need me for?"

"Just to talk," Whitaker said. He took hold of her hand. "Is this okay?"

"I— Yeah. It is."

"Come with me."

Whitaker walked with Coco to the nearest quiet place on campus. He was highly aware of how coarse her hands were against his, how pleasantly warm she was, and how comforting it felt to have her fingers interlocked with his. He stopped in the middle of a small garden that was surrounded by hedges. In its center was a marble fountain and a simple wooden bench, lamp posts at each corner of the garden illuminated the space with a soft yellow glow.

"Whitaker, what is going on?" Coco asked. "You just text me out of the blue and you haven't said anything to me ever since we started walking."

Whitaker sat on the bench. "Sit with me."

"Witt—"

"Please, Coco. Just— just trust me for now."

His friend— his best friend— closed her eyes and sighed. She eventually complied, sitting down beside him.

Whitaker stared straight at the fountain. It was a fountain of no major significance, one of the many fountains that dotted Beacon's campus. However, it had enough details for Whitaker to focus on as he spoke his mind. "Do you know about the dance that's coming up?"

"Yeah. My team and I are helping plan for it. Why?"

"I want you to go with me."

"Well. I'll be there, of course."

"No, Coco. I want you to go as my date."

"What."

Whitaker looked at her.

Coco's mouth hung open. Confusion turned to realization. Realization turned to shock. "Wait, as in: you and I are going together? As friends, right?"

Whitaker shook his head. "No. Not anymore."

"Whitaker— Witt—" Coco put a hand up to stop him from continuing any further. "Hold on, what happened to you? What's going on? What aren't you telling me? Is this about what you did to that student from Haven? Are you getting expelled?"

"There's… a lot to explain," Whitaker murmured. "Yes, it has to do with what I did to that student, but I'm not getting expelled."

"Then what's going on?"

"It has to do with my sword, Coco. Lightbearer."

Coco crossed her arms. "Explain."

And Whitaker did. He told her everything. Absolutely everything.

When he was done, Coco pursed her lips. "Gods, Witt. I… I'm not sure what to say."

"That you'll go to the dance with me?" He tried.

"Would you have asked me regardless of what happened this last week? What about if you'd never found Lightbearer?"

Whitaker shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe? I know what I want now. I know it's selfish of me, Coco. But I…" The words died on his trembling lips. There was so much— too much. What if he succumbed to Kalarel? What would happen to him? What would happen to his friends? His family? Would he even be able to fight off someone as powerful as—

Coco laid her hand over his. Her fingers gently interlaced themselves with his own. "You're?"

"I'm scared," Whitaker whispered. "I'm scared to death, Coco. I'm not ready for this. I know I'm not. But I can't risk losing myself even more to him. To all of them. I can't put you or my team or my family at risk anymore."

"Whitaker, if Kalarel takes over, what… What will happen to you?" Coco asked.

Whitaker gave her a small smile, trying to shield the sadness and sorrow that threatened to creep into it. "I spoke to Ozpin about all this. He and I came up with a solution for that. Don't worry."

I'm sorry, Coco. If I told you… You'd try and stop it.

"Okay. I trust you." Coco smiled as well. She tightened her grip around his hand. "I'll go to the dance with you."


With his allies' help, Whitaker makes a decision that will likely cost him his life. But not before he can get a last dance with the most important person to him.

Kevito100 - Thanks! And Lightbearer does change aspects of its wielders, depending on many conditions. Perhaps in Harros' time, Lightbearer believed that a silver-eyed warrior was necessary.

Next update might be within a week. Might not be. Don't expect anything.

See y'all in the next one.