Jekyll had awoken the next morning feeling rather terrible. In his defense, he had gotten up much earlier and only returned to bed after his walk. That is what he tells himself and the others for the most part. The full truth was that while he did return to his room, he never went back to sleep out of fear that he would have Hyde's face when he awoke like he had in the later years of his life. Everyone seemed to conclude that it was probably just his nerves getting the better of him considering this would be his first school year as part of Beacon's faculty and staff. He let them have that conclusion and made no motion to correct them. Only Peach was unconvinced as she watched him with concerned eyes.
When breakfast had finished, Jekyll, along with Mulberry, Greene and Peach proceeded to return to the cliffs as the students were already gathered there. Thankfully for Jekyll, he was not to be launched again and would instead be ways off. As per the orders of headmaster Ozpin, he and Peach were to investigate further about the metallic pieces that he had happened to come across when he was launched. Jekyll couldn't remember much, lost in the high and euphoria of his transformation made it so that the details have started to blur. His fist tightened as he could only recall bits and pieces of what had happened. It felt to him that he nearly drowned and only managed to return to the surface and regain control of himself before anything worse could have happened.
He is not me, he thought repeatedly. He is not me. It had become a mental mantra for him, separating his sel—him from himself. Even without everything that Hyde entails, Jekyll's circumstance made it attractive to the Grimm apparently. Having what is essentially the embodiment of one man's negativity be its own being meant that the enemies of Remnant's humanity would always be close-by wherever he goes, more than any other human being.
His eyes moved to Peach, his partner for this day. With the danger that Hyde poses, she would be the most in danger. I didn't think this through. He had to keep physical distance from her and whoever would be paired with him in the foreseeable future. Until he finds some way to deal with him, Henry Jekyll will always carry an evil that threatens everyone that surrounds him. Or I could tell her. Is he even prepared for what would happen after that? What could she even do if he did?
As they descended, they overheard the sounds of students being launched into the Emerald Forest. One in particular had a particularly feminine scream as they were launched into the air. They were probably caught by surprise by the launch pads just as he was. Jekyll offered silent support to whomever that poor child was. Jekyll sighed relief as he heard a distant "thank you" from that child and an "I'm sorry" from another. The two of them continued to descend until the ground was much more even. There was an absence of Grimm in the area, either cleared by them earlier or drawn to the students. Both he and Peach scanned the ground in awkward silence. They checked for prints, unnatural marks and anything else that they could find that would point them in some direction.
Finding what little disturbance they could has proven to be a rather awkward affair. It was mainly due to a lack of conversation. That exchange they had the night before was still hanging over Jekyll's head. Even though they agreed that they could continue to work together in this mission, Jekyll's outburst was making him feel guilty as though he had committed a terrible crime. Peach didn't deserve that, she only wanted to help even if it was something that could never helped unless she was willing to cross that line. They couldn't keep going like this; it would make their mission much harder.
"Excuse me, miss Peach," said Jekyll. Clearing his throat, he continued. "About last night, I apologize for my conduct. It was uncalled for."
Peach made no response for a minute. It felt like hours for Jekyll. He couldn't turn to see her expression. He didn't want to know what it is that she could be thinking at the moment. Then, she finally responded, "you had some things that you are going through. If you want to share them, I'll be here to listen if you want. Only if you're ready."
A weight on Jekyll's shoulders was lifted. Peach must have seen the nodding of his head for she returned to searching the area. He could hear the tall grasses and small branches being disturbed as she neared them to continue searching. In the distance, there were faint sounds of combat that could be heard, some of the students must have engaged with the remaining Grimm already.
His mind returned to the task at hand. Searching the ground, he managed to find some paw marks of Grimm. He couldn't tell if there was any significance of this or whether it had any difference to the kind of Grimm that they are looking for. He took note of it, just in case. The flash of his scroll however revealed something else. There was a reflection of light in the scroll images and Jekyll investigated the spot. It was a spilled substance of some kind, unnatural given its bright coloring and it appeared to be some kind of gelatinous object. It didn't appear to be that dangerous as the grass and dirt that were covered by it appeared unaffected. Jekyll called for Peach who then came near, opening a case that contained various tools meant to gather the material.
He had to make some space as she got too close for him. The focus in her eyes did catch his attention. The curiosity of this substance spoke of an academic curiosity. Why she had become a huntress had floated in his mind there along with the faint scent of a fruit that must have come from her hair. When his eyes turned away, he caught sight of the gentle and careful hands of Thumbelina Peach. There was a slight difference of color in her skin as her hands were darker than the rest of her arm, probably covered by the long sleeves that she had worn. The few drops of sweat that had just formed glistened under morning sun, highlighting the focus as one drop was stopped by the furrowed eyebrow. The white feathers of her wings were expanded and provided shade as she placed the substance into a container before closing it tight.
"That's good," said Peach. There was a strange comfort he had felt when he got a glimpse of her eyes. Jekyll shook his head. It was probably nothing. "Let's search a little further, we might find more of those metallic pieces."
Jekyll nodded along. But before they could proceed further, the heard the sounds of a Grimm. It was closer to them than the students. Peach flapped her wings and flew upwards and readied her weapon. The scope on her musket provided her better vision which she used to further scout out the Grimm. There were around four that she could count. A pack of Beowolves.
Peach fired the first shot. The sound of it attracted those Grimm to their direction and Jekyll could soon see that the four Grimm were now charging towards them. Peach continued to fire and he knew he had to come in close. It was better this way, less likely for her to get hurt should anything go wrong.
With a breath, Jekyll charged forward to meet with the Beowolves. Calm. He needed to be calm.
/-/
One thing that Peach noticed about her partner was that there were strange shifts in his fighting style. When their scuffle with the Grimm had begun, his first instinct was appropriately to get in close due to his weapon of choice. He was aiming for the weak spots like joints and softer parts of the Grimm. Nothing too special, it was a tactical approach that Peach had seen. A more tactical approach would have been to focus on the range option to minimize harm on the self but if that is his preference then Peach wouldn't comment about it.
However, at times, she noticed that there were sudden lulls in his attacks. It was a pattern too. Jekyll's precise cuts and stabs would become wilder and more feral. There was less tactician and more barbarian in his approach, like he was getting lost in some berserker rage. From there, the lull would arrive, leaving him open to counterattack. Sometimes, Jekyll would return back to the former approach fitting of a precise fighter or retaliate with surprising strength unexpected from his rather unimpressive physique.
Other than Jekyll, Peach also noted the strangeness of the Grimm that was attacking them. Rather than the usual red, they had green for their eyes. They were stronger and faster too. Further enhanced that was unnatural for their species. Peach's shots would often be enough for Beowolves but here, those that hit would be able to keep fighting before ultimately being brought down. Thankfully for her, she could fly and these Grimm would have to jump good if they even wish to come close.
Her eyes widened at the sight of metal shards that were impaled on one of them. These were the Grimm they were looking for. It was a larger piece compared to the ones that they had found. Focusing her aim, Peach shot at the Beowolf that had it. It took a few more shots before it ultimately went down.
Jekyll soon dispatched the others. When that had been done, he was on the ground his fingers digging into the dirt as his breath grew heavy. There were strange muscle contortions that Peach could see for the veins could be seen with clarity before returning to normal. His eyes were closed tight as he desperately breathed to calm down. Peach still hasn't forgotten the noises that she had heard the night before. Whatever it was that was bothering her partner, it was something that must have caused great pain.
"Oh God, not now! Oh God, not now!" Jekyll repeated to himself as pained groans escaped his mouth. There was visible sweat that had formed on his covered face. His appearance was that of someone who had just been from a sauna with the heat turned to high.
She would have gone nearer if it weren't for the raised hand gesturing her to stay away. At least, that is what she assumes it to be the intention. If Peach were to guess, she is being gestured to keep her distance because Jekyll was trying not to reveal his face. It was after a full minute that the hand had been lowered and she could see the exhausted expression of her partner.
"Forgive me," he said. "My... semblance... is acting up"
"You sure about that?" Peach raised an eyebrow. She had heard of semblances that can have negative consequences but never to this extent and she never once heard of a semblance that would affect the user badly. Semblances were supposed to be an extension of the soul; if a semblance actually harms the user, what does that say about them? There was no lie that she could see but she was certain that the truth was hidden. "You know I said that if you want to talk about it, I'm here."
There was a moment of hesitation. Jekyll looked as though he was about to actually share it but held back. Shaking his head, he said, "thank you. But not now."
It was the best that Peach could hope for. Neither of them want a repeat of what had happened yesterday, especially now that they have just reconciled. But her own curiosity only grew, even though it was a morbid one. The only thing that she was certain of was that whatever it was Jekyll was hiding, it was something that he was deeply ashamed of. He wanted to keep it to himself and away from everyone else. Was it fear that drives him to do this or was it shame? She wasn't going to get any answers today but chose to let it go now. Until he is ready, Peach would have to endure that burning desire to know. She held him as he nearly stumbled and the two soon made their way back to Beacon Academy. The sounds of distant battles that were being had by the students were the only sounds that filled the silence. His eyes were exhausted and dull in color.
/-/
"...led by Cardin Winchester," said Ozpin as four armor boys stood on the stage while their team name was being called. One tradition of Remnant's teams was that they would have to follow some kind of color-based naming scheme. It was meant to promote individuality and creative expression.
Other teams were being formed as well and he saw that Ruby Rose had been made team leader as well. Poor girl looked significantly unprepared for the sudden responsibility that was placed on her.
Jekyll's eyes drifted to nowhere in particular as his mind wandered. Most of the other faculty members have already left as this was nothing more than a formality which will be followed by independent celebrations as to the success of the students' passing. Those that didn't could be seen packing their things with sadness and frustration at this failure. There were so many that applied yet only a few were accepted. Were they really unprepared for what awaits them at Beacon? Or were they simply unlucky? When he thought about how Ruby Rose had advanced a few years, he thought about the possible student that had been denied.
"STRQ, huh?" Jekyll remembered the conversation he had with Mulberry, Greene and Peach. Speaking of Peach, he had never been that close to revealing his other self before that. While she didn't prod any further, he just knew that there will come a time that he had to share it with her before it would be too late. He wanted to then and there but the fear of what might happen held him back. He didn't want to think what he would see on her face if she knew. Would it have been a better choice if had told her? It would have meant that he could count on someone to stop him. Yet, that would mean that his sin would be out in the open and there will be those who will put Jekyll down like an animal simply on the chance that he might come out. It would have been considered a preventive measure. All that was assuming that Hyde could be stopped before someone gets hurt.
That would be good, right? he thought. With Hyde gone, then... Jekyll would be gone as well. The two of them still share the same body, after all. Could he even separate the two in different bodies? Jekyll shook his head. Separation would imply that they are one. They are not. Even if they were, Jekyll already tried that once and it led to Hyde being made in the first place. Hyde is there, not acting as overtly, befitting this new strategy. Let Jekyll lose his own mind as he wrestled with Hyde's silence and he will give in without ever noticing. No. He won't let that happen. Hyde will never be one with him. He will always be separate from him.
The Grimm that they had faced, from what he had been told, were stronger and faster than the usual. They were harder to beat and nearly forced Jekyll to fully succumb to his evils just to survive. It didn't help that such negativity attracted more Grimm which would make a difficult life ahead for someone with his circumstance. Out of all the places he could have manifested, it had to be one where things would turn out worse for him should Hyde take over.
He could still recall that feeling. The adrenaline that was rushing through him. The euphoria that filled his heart every time he landed a hit on the Grimm. The emptying of his mind as it nearly drowned itself in the pleasure of the kill and torment that his victims went through. His vision had nearly blurred and he struggled to tell the difference between friend and foe. He was close to being guided by sadistic impulse alone. His sadistic impulse.
Jekyll slapped himself. He is not Hyde. Hyde is another entity with whom he shares the same body with. It was a battle that he cannot afford to lose. Not just for himself but for the people around him. Those who trust him enough to fight alongside him, he will not let them down. He will not be the one to bring them down.
It was his turn to leave as everyone else had begun to disperse. Jekyll wandered aimlessly in the noisy hallways of Beacon Academy as the students were finding their dorm rooms. Idly, hid mind pondered on those that plague many a philosopher of human nature.
In each individual, there are two natures. If the primitive duality of man, good and evil, could be housed in separate identities, life would be relieved of all that is unbearable. It is the curse of mankind that these polar twins should be constantly struggling. Jekyll sighed, when he wanted to know about it, he forgot to answer a question most important: if he had been successful and evil had been separated from the good, what happens to evil? Good fights a long and hopeless fight for evil would always be stronger for evil lacks the inhibition that good always binds itself by. It was a battle that Jekyll predictably lost.
He could still remember the moment vividly. When all that he had done, when all the dreaming, scheming and screaming become one. He could still remember the day when he had seen it sparkle and shine. That day when all that he had lived for had become his. For all those years before, he had faced the world alone and he wanted to prove to them that he made it on his own. He vowed to never fall then. His final test, he called it. Damn all the odds, that day or never, he would sit forever with the gods, he declared it with such pride. He had thought that he would always recall that day as the greatest and sweetest moment of them all. In fact, even now, he had never felt happier since that day. But with it, both sorrow and joy were intertwined as rhyme. What was his greatest day was also his worst.
Without realizing, Jekyll found himself in front of Beacon's elevators, the same one that led further down to the vaults if he had special permission which he had. There were no students nearby as this one was further away from the overall comings and goings of the student body. Jekyll entered the elevator and made his way down the vaults. The absolute silence of the vaults made it an eerily calming presence for Jekyll. In the darkness with little light, he could see the still comatose state of Amber. She was still in her pod that could be seen to the left pod while the right lay empty, meant for the Amber's attackers should they find them in time.
Looking at her vital signs, she was still stable if a little lower than before. Even here, there was little that Jekyll could do. The damage that had been done to her was one that could not be repaired by any regular means. If that power that had been taken away from her was the cause, then the only hope for him was to find those that had attacked her. The problem there was where would he even begin? Vale alone was a large enough place and while he may recognize them, he could not name them. They could also feign ignorance for how many people could believe him? He didn't want to make the mistake of falsely accusing someone of this crime. The fact that it was kept secret as well made it more difficult.
Headmaster Ozpin had assured him that he had others on the look-out. By others, he meant Qrow Branwen. They were laying low at the moment but were clearly on the trail of finding Amber. With his presence at that dust shop that night, they must know that Amber would be here or at least think that this is where she would most likely be.
Henry Jekyll was hopeless here. There wasn't anything that he could do. He was unsure of what to do. Uncertain of what action he should take. He sat on the ground next to Amber and buried his face in his hands. He sighed deeply as his head began to ache from the thinking that he had done. So many things ran in his mind with such focus that his fingers began to massage his temples. His forehead wrinkled hideously as he did so. He was tired, ridiculously so.
"What do I do?" Jekyll asked himself. "What do I do?"
The only response was the silent humming of the pod that kept Amber alive. He didn't think he would get any answers. If only it wasn't him that was summoned. Jekyll was certain that if it had been that King of Knights instead, this wouldn't have happened. The king of the Britons would have found them by now and bested them, returning Amber to a better state.
But no. Something had gone wrong and he was brought here instead. Amber must have been the most unfortunate Master across all realities. She wanted a hero, a knightly hero. Jekyll knew that, he felt that. He had been certain that the King of Knights had answered the call, yet Amber somehow had got him instead. Put it worse, him being a Servant is nothing more than a formality. He is much closer to these huntsmen than he would as a Servant. Even then, Jekyll could tell that he wasn't even an average by that standard. One look and he was certain that many of the students could easily best him without even trying. Henry Jekyll was an embarrassment to professional huntsmen and huntresses.
But as Hyde, I could—no, I am not Hyde. Hyde is not me. Jekyll dismissed the thought. It wasn't that he was weak. It was that he had to hold himself back lest he lose himself to him. Still, he continued to deny that thought. It was too painful bear if it were true, much more painful than if they really were separate. He could no longer blame Hyde for the sins Jekyll would commit. Everything that he would do if he ever gave in, was because deep down, he always wanted to commit those very sins himself. Free from the constraints of heavenly morals, Edward Hyde simply wanted to live life as he saw fit. In a fight, he wanted nothing more than to revel in the chaos as he made himself drunk in conflict, uncaring as to who he would hurt. Thoughts of evil that are only held back by the shackles of morality. To ask any one person to live with the truth of their sins laid bare is too much for them. It is human nature to alienate their own evil from themselves. What kind of person would have the audacity to call himself good when he knowingly commits evil?
Footsteps were heard. Jekyll looked to see the approaching figure of headmaster Ozpin, coffee mug on one hand and a book in another. "Greene had reported that someone had entered the vaults," he said. "While you have been granted access to Amber, Mr. Jekyll, I highly advise you not to visit her during daytime when most of the students are out and about."
"I'm sorry," Jekyll replied.
Headmaster Ozpin tilted his head. "Something on your mind?"
Yes. "No, I just wanted to make sure that Amber is still alright."
"And she still is. Has your anxiety been alleviated for now, then?"
"Only a little. Her attackers are still out there."
"And laying low as expected of them. They are obviously on high alert and with you here, they run the risk of getting exposed." The drink in his mug swished and swirled. It was nearly empty. "If I may guess their next course of action, I suspect that they would find means to get you and everyone else away from Beacon."
"I will not leave Amber," Jekyll vowed. "I will stay close."
"I do not think that it will be an option, Mr. Jekyll," Ozpin replied. "They will do so in ways that we will have no choice but to leave Beacon. Public obligation or chaos in settlements outside the kingdom requiring our attention."
"How certain are you?"
"If the roles were reversed and I were the one with nefarious schemes, that will be my course of action."
The two stared at one another. Jekyll tried to look for a humorous tell on the headmaster's face. Anything that would tell him that Ozpin was joking. There wasn't any. His hand hovered over the knife in his coat as Ozpin's grip on his cane tightened.
Then, Ozpin spoke again saying, "Mr. Jekyll, I have a request for you." There was still that mild tension in the air.
"What is it, headmaster?" Jekyll was ready to act. Calm. He wasn't about to let Hyde come out.
"Like I said, there may come a time that our enemies will force us all to leave Beacon. Perhaps make us weigh Amber's life against hundreds." Jekyll made no response. It was not something he had thought about but there had to be a reason that the headmaster brought this up. "I promise you now that should that ever happen, I will do everything in my power to personally protect Amber myself, even if it cost me my life."
"You wish to put me through some missions, then?" asked Jekyll.
"Not quite," he replied. "While that may come sooner than you think, I simply wish for you to be a fail-safe."
"Fail-safe?"
Ozpin nodded. "Should that time ever come and Amber's life will be put to danger, I ask you to protect her at all cost."
"That is a given," he replied, sounding a little offended at the notion. The tension had yet to be broken here.
"Do not misunderstand me, Jekyll. I ask you to protect her at all costs. Against all manners of threat and danger must not come to her." He then placed a hand on Jekyll's shoulder. Ozpin stared directly into his eyes with the intensity of his conviction. "Even if that danger is myself. I may perhaps someday have to make that decision between Amber's life and that of hundreds."
Jekyll's eyes widened. The tension on his side had been broken more from his own shock. Such a thought hadn't occurred to him before now. Ozpin's hold on the shoulder did not loosen until Jekyll nodded in affirmation; the headmaster was serious about this. You already made a choice, didn't you headmaster? he thought but never said.
Ozpin continued. "It is my belief that you were brought here for a reason, Jekyll. Her magic called out and it was you who answered it. For better or for worse, it is you that Amber has to count on. Can I ask you to do this?"
He stood there in stunned silence. What the headmaster was essentially asking was that Jekyll would have to go against Remnant itself if it meant protecting Amber. There was a tiredness in the headmaster's eyes that spoke of mistakes, mistakes that he had held to himself even to this day as he had to maintain the face he wore out in the public. In some way, Jekyll could find solace and camaraderie with the headmaster, like two individuals with similar enough circumstances.
"I will," he said, faintly. There was conviction behind it, though.
"Thank you," Ozpin replied, loosening the grip on his shoulders and with it, the tension was fully gone. "Now, while this is more for you keeping up appearances, but it would be best if you learn a bit more about things in Remnant. Namely, the fairy tales that shape it. Here." He gave Jekyll a book. "This is a rather popular one and I feel you might find something about it that interests you."
Jekyll held the book and read the title. It said The Man with Two Souls. "I'll read it," he said. "Thank you, headmaster."
/-/
Glynda Goodwitch was waiting for Ozpin to return. When he did, she said, "really on the nose there, Ozpin. A roundabout way of finding more information about him, if I have to say so."
"Why, Glynda," he replied, feigning innocence. "I was simply recommending a tale for our otherworldly companion. He certainly needs some help in fitting in. His name isn't indicative of a color."
"You see something in him, don't you?" She was not impressed nor was she buying it.
Ozpin raised both hands. "I will admit it, yes." Glynda was about to ask why but Ozpin beat her to it. "A curiosity on my part. I have a feeling that this Henry Jekyll has circumstances that I could... relate to in some way. James has informed me of his... let's just say friend, so to speak."
"And what was it about having him protect Amber against you?"
"I don't think it will ever come to that, but I have made many mistakes, Glynda. I am taking precautions in case that this might be one of them. I will not take chances on this one."
"You trust him that much?"
"I trust him to believe in Amber's survival. I want to put faith in that."
Headmaster Ozpin then returned to his office. He waited until he was alone with no one around. He sighed. He really would prefer it if the Fall Maiden's powers were returned to Amber. The list of candidates that he had prepared however only depressed him further.
"I do hope for your success, Jekyll." Ozpin's eyes had become dull and colorless. "And please forgive me if we ever reach that crossroad." He continued to go through the list he had. His hand traced the designs of the Long Memory. If Ozpin had his way, the list wouldn't be needed at all. However, he must still prepare for the worst. Even if it meant transferring the remaining half to someone else, ending Amber's life. Ozpin couldn't let the power go to his enemies. He won't allow it.
AN: This has got to be my longest chapter thus far. Looking back at my very first fic having only like less than 2,000 words felt like was a really long time ago.